bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evidence of climate change impacts on the iconicWelwitschia mirabilisin the Namib Desert
Authors: Bombi Pierluigi , Salvi Daniele , Shuuya Titus , Vignoli Leonardo , Wassenaar Theo
Published: February 2020

Climate change represents an important threat to global biodiversity and African ecosystems are particularly vulnerable. Recent studies predicted substantial variations of climatic suitability forWelwitschia mirabilisunder future conditions. Latitudinal/altitudinal range shifts are well-known responses to climate change but not coherent patterns were documented. This study aims to verify whether welwitschia populations are responding to climate change and if the assumption of a latitudinal/altitudinal shift is applicable. We collected field data on welwitschia distribution, health condition, reproductive status, and plant size in northern Namibia. We used ecological niche models to predict the expected geographic shift of climatic suitability under future scenarios. For each variable, we compared the observed pattern with the expected responses. Finally, we tested the presence of simple geographical gradients in the observed patterns. The realized thermal niche of welwitschia will be almost completely unavailable in the next 30 years in northern Namibia. Expected reductions of climatic suitability in the stand sites are strongly associated with indicators of negative population conditions. The same population conditions does not fit any simple latitudinal or altitudinal gradient. The observed pattern of population conditions mirrors the expected pattern of climate change effect but no simple geographical gradient was relieved. Overall, we observed negative population conditions in areas with stronger reductions of suitability. This makes welwitschia a suitable sentinel for climate change effect in the Namib Desert ecosystems. Our approach to detect population responses to climate change could be extensively adopted for selecting sentinel species in other regions and ecosystems.
Photon-directed Multiplexed Enzymatic DNA Synthesis for Molecular Digital Data Storage
Authors: Lee Howon , Wiegand Daniel J. , Griswold Kettner , Punthambaker Sukanya , Chun Honggu , Kohman Richie E. , Church George M.
Published: February 2020

New storage technologies are needed to keep up with the global demands of data generation. DNA is an ideal storage medium due to its stability, information density and ease of readout with advanced sequencing techniques. However, progress in writing DNA is stifled by the continued reliance on chemical synthesis methods. The enzymatic synthesis of DNA is a promising alternative, but thus far has not been well demonstrated in a highly parallelized manner. Here, we report a novel multiplexed enzymatic DNA synthesis method using maskless photolithography. Rapid uncaging of Co2+ions by patterned UV light activates Terminal deoxynucleotidyl Transferase (TdT) for spatially-selective synthesis on an array surface. Spontaneous quenching of reactions by the diffusion of excess caging molecules confines synthesis to light patterns and controls the extension length. We show that our multiplexed synthesis method can be used to store digital data by encoding 12 unique DNA oligonucleotide sequences with music from the 1985 Nintendo video game Super Mario Brothers™, which is equivalent to 84 trits or 110 bits of data.
Revisiting the expression signature ofpks15/1unveils regulatory patterns controlling phenolphtiocerol and phenolglycolipid production in pathogenic mycobacteria
Authors: Ramos Beatriz , Gordon Stephen V. , Cunha Mónica V.
Published: February 2020

One of the most relevant and exclusive characteristics of mycobacteria is its cell wall, composed by mycolic acids. Amid these are two related families of glycosylated lipids, diphthioceranates and phthiocerol dimycocerosate (PDIM) and its variant phenolic glycolipids (PGL). PGL have been associated with cell wall impermeability, phagocytosis, defence against nitrosative and oxidative stress and, supposedly, biofilm formation. In bacteria from theMycobacterium tuberculosiscomplex, the biosynthetic pathway of the phenolphthiocerol moiety of PGL depends upon the expression of several genes encoding type I polyketide synthases (PKS), namelyppsA-Eandpks15/1constituting the PDIM + PGL locus, highly conserved in PDIM/PGL-producing strains. Consensus has not been achieved regarding the genetic organization ofpks15/1locus and little effort has been put on the disclosure of its transcriptional signature. Here we explore publicly available datasets of transcriptome data (RNA-seq) from more than 100 experiments in 40 growth conditions to outline the transcriptional structure and signature ofpks15/1and use a differential expression approach to infer the regulatory patterns involving these and related genes. We show thatpks1is highly correlated withfadD22, Rv2949c, lppX, fadD29and, also,pks6andpks12, with the first three putatively integrating a polycistronic structure. We evidence dynamic heterogeneity of transcription within the genes involved in phenolphtiocerol and phenolglycolipid production, most exhibiting up-regulation upon acidic pH and antibiotic exposure and down-regulation under hypoxia, dormancy, and low/high iron concentration. We finally propose a model based on transcriptome data in which σDpositively regulatespks1, pks15andfadD22, while σBand σEfactors exert negative regulation at an upper level.
Assessing relationships between chromatin interactions and regulatory genomic activities using the self-organizing map
Authors: Kunz Timothy , Rieber Lila , Mahony Shaun
Published: February 2020

Few existing methods enable the visualization of relationships between regulatory genomic activities and genome organization as captured by Hi-C experimental data. Genome-wide Hi-C datasets are often displayed using “heatmap” matrices, but it is difficult to intuit from these heatmaps which biochemical activities are compartmentalized together. High-dimensional Hi-C data vectors can alternatively be projected onto three-dimensional space using dimensionality reduction techniques. The resulting three-dimensional structures can serve as scaffolds for projecting other forms of genomic information, thereby enabling the exploration of relationships between genome organization and various genome annotations. However, while three-dimensional models are contextually appropriate for chromatin interaction data, some analyses and visualizations may be more intuitively and conveniently performed in two-dimensional space.

We present a novel approach to the visualization and analysis of chromatin organization based on the Self-Organizing Map (SOM). The SOM algorithm provides a two-dimensional manifold which adapts to represent the high dimensional chromatin interaction space. The resulting data structure can then be used to assess the relationships between regulatory genomic activities and chromatin interactions. For example, given a set of genomic coordinates corresponding to a given biochemical activity, the degree to which this activity is segregated or compartmentalized in chromatin interaction space can be intuitively visualized on the 2D SOM grid and quantified using Lorenz curve analysis. We demonstrate our approach for exploratory analysis of genome compartmentalization in a high-resolution Hi-C dataset from the human GM12878 cell line. Our SOM-based approach provides an intuitive visualization of the large-scale structure of Hi-C data and serves as a platform for integrative analyses of the relationships between various genomic activities and genome organization.
Integrating genetics with newborn metabolomics in infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis
Authors: Fadista João , Skotte Line , Courraud Julie , Geller Frank , Gørtz Sanne , Wohlfahrt Jan , Melbye Mads , Cohen Arieh S. , Feenstra Bjarke
Published: February 2020

Background

Infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS) is caused by hypertrophy of the pyloric sphincter smooth muscle. Building on a previously reported association between IHPS and lipid metabolism, we aimed to (1) investigate associations between IHPS and a wide array of lipid-centric targeted metabolites in newborns, and (2) address causality of the associations by integrating genetic data.

Methods

Dried blood spots were taken from 267 pairs of IHPS cases and controls matched by sex and day of birth. A mixed effects linear regression model was used to evaluate associations between Biocrates p400 Kit selected 148 metabolites and IHPS in a matched case-control design.

Results

Seven metabolites showed significantly lower levels in IHPS cases. Levels of the top associated metabolite, phosphatidylcholine PC(38:4), were significantly correlated with levels of the remaining six metabolites (P<2.30 ⨯ 10−12). Associations were driven by case-control pairs with older age at sampling. IHPS cases had more diagnoses for neonatal difficulty in feeding at breast (P = 6.15 ⨯ 10−3). Genetic variants explaining a large proportion of variance in the levels of PC(38:4) did not associate with IHPS.

Conclusions

We detected lower levels of certain metabolites in IHPS, possibly reflecting different feeding patterns in the first days of life.

Key points

–

Our previous GWAS of IHPS identified genetic associations between lipid metabolism and IHPS.

–

Building on that finding, this study investigated associations between a wide array of lipid-centric metabolites in newborns and IHPS.

–

Newborns who later developed IHPS had lower levels of certain metabolites. The associations were driven by individuals born at a later age at sampling, suggesting different feeding patterns after birth.
Clinical and radiographic features of cardiac injury in patients with 2019 novel coronavirus pneumonia
Authors: Hui Hui , Zhang Yingqian , Yang Xin , Wang Xi , He Bingxi , Li Li , Li Hongjun , Tian Jie , Chen Yundai
Published: February 2020

Objective

To investigate the correlation between clinical characteristics and cardiac injury of COVID-2019 pneumonia.

Methods

In this retrospective, single-center study, 41 consecutive corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-2019) patients (including 2 deaths) of COVID-2019 in Beijing Youan Hospital, China Jan 21 to Feb 03, 2020, were involved in this study. The high risk factors of cardiac injury in different COVID-2019 patients were analyzed. Computed tomographic (CT) imaging of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) has been used to demonstrate the cardiac inflammation of COVID-2019.

Results

Of the 41 COVID-2019 patients, 2 (4.88%), 32 (78.05%), 4 (9.75%) and 3 (7.32%) patients were clinically diagnosed as light, mild, severe and critical cases, according to the 6th guidance issued by the National Health Commission of China. 10 (24.4%) patients had underlying complications, such as hypertension, CAD, type 2 diabetes mellites and tumor. The peak value of TnI in critical patients is 40-fold more than normal value. 2 patients in the critical group had the onset of atrial fibrillation, and the peak heart rates reached up to 160 bpm. CT scan showed low EAT density in severe and critical patients.

Conclusion

Our results indicated that cardiac injury of COVID-2019 was rare in light and mild patients, while common in severe and critical patients. Therefore, the monitoring of the heart functions of COVID-2019 patients and applying potential interventions for those with abnormal cardiac injury related characteristics, is vital to prevent the fatality.
Correlation Analysis Between Disease Severity and Inflammation-related Parameters in Patients with COVID-19 Pneumonia
Authors: Gong Jing , Dong Hui , Xia Qingsong , Huang Zhaoyi , Wang Dingkun , Zhao Yan , Liu Wenhua , Tu Shenghao , Zhang Mingmin , Wang Qi , Lu Fuer
Published: February 2020

Aim

The new coronavirus (COVID-19) pneumonia outbreaking at the end of 2019 is highly contagious. Crude mortality rate reached 49% in critical patients. Inflammation matters on disease progression. This study analyzed blood inflammation indicators among mild, severe and critical patients, helping to identify severe or critical patients early.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, 100 patients were included and divided to mild, severe or critical groups. Correlation of peripheral blood inflammation-related indicators with disease criticality was analyzed. Cut-off values for critically ill patients were speculated through the ROC curve.

Results

Significantly, disease severity was associated with age (R=-0.564, P<0.001), interleukin-2 receptor (IL2R) (R=-0.534, P<0.001), interleukin-6 (IL-6) (R=-0.535, P<0.001), interleukin-8 (IL-8) (R=-0.308, P<0.001), interleukin-10 (IL-10) (R=-0.422, P<0.001), tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) (R=-0.322, P<0.001), C-reactive protein (CRP) (R=-0.604, P<0.001), ferroprotein (R=-0.508, P<0.001), procalcitonin (R=-0.650, P<0.001), white cell counts (WBC) (R=-0.54, P<0.001), lymphocyte counts (LC) (R=0.56, P<0.001), neutrophil count (NC) (R=-0.585, P<0.001) and eosinophil counts (EC) (R=0.299, P=0.01).

Conclusion

With following parameters such as age >67.5 years, IL2R >793.5U/mL, CRP >30.7ng/mL, ferroprotein >2252μg/L, WBC>9.5*10^9/L or NC >7.305*10^9/L, the progress of COVID-19 to critical stage should be closely observed and possibly prevented. Inflammation is closely related to severity of COVID-19, and IL-6, TNFα and IL-8 might be promising therapeutic targets.
Performance and evaluation in computed tomographic colonography screening: protocol for a cluster randomised trial
Authors: Plumb Andrew A , Obaro Anu E , Bassett Paul , Baldwin-Cleland Rachel , Halligan Steve , Burling David
Published: February 2020

Background

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common, important healthcare priority and improving patient outcome relies on early diagnosis. Colonoscopy and computed tomographic colonography (CTC) are commonly-used diagnostic tests. Although colonoscopists are highly regulated and must be accredited, no analogous process exists for CTC. There are currently no universally accepted radiologist performance indicators for CTC, and lack of regulatory oversight may lead to variability in quality and lower neoplasia detection rates. This study aims to determine whether a structured educational training and feedback programme can improve radiologist interpretation accuracy.

Methods

NHS England CTC reporting radiologists will be cluster randomised to either an intervention (one-day individualised training and assessment with feedback) or control (assessment with no training or feedback) arm. Each cluster represents radiologists reporting CTC in a single NHS site. Both the intervention and control arm will undertake four CTC assessments at baseline, 1-month (after training; intervention arm or enrolment; control arm), 6- and 12 months to assess their detection of colorectal cancer (CRC) and 6mm+ polyps. The primary outcome will be difference in sensitivity at the 1-month test between arms. Secondary outcomes will include sensitivity at 6 and 12 months and radiologist characteristics associated with improved performance. Multilevel logistic regression will be used to analyse per-polyp and per-case sensitivity. Local ethical and Health Research Authority approval have been obtained.

Discussion

Lack of infrastructure to ensure that CTC radiologists can report adequately and lack of consensus regarding appropriate quality metrics may lead to variability in performance. Our provision of a structured education programme with feedback will evaluate the impact of individualised training and identify the factors related to improved radiologist performance in CTC reporting. An improvement in performance could lead to increased neoplasia detection and better patient outcome.

Registration

Clinical Trials (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02892721); available from: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02892721. NIHR Clinical Research Network (CPMS ID 32293).
An NKX2-1/ERK/WNT feedback loop modulates gastric identity and response to targeted therapy in lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Zewdu Rediet , Mehrabad Elnaz Mirzaei , Ingram Kelley , Fang Pengshu , Gillis Katherine L. , Camolotto Soledad A. , Orstad Grace , Jones Alex , Mendoza Michelle C. , Spike Benjamin T. , Snyder Eric L.
Published: February 2020

Cancer cells undergo lineage switching during natural progression and in response to therapy. NKX2-1 loss in human and murine lung adenocarcinoma leads to invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma (IMA), a lung cancer subtype that exhibits gastric differentiation and harbors a distinct spectrum of driver oncogenes. NKX2-1 is required for optimal tumor initiation, but dispensable for growth of established tumors, in BRAFV600Edriven disease. NKX2-1-deficient, BRAFV600Edriven tumors resemble human IMA and exhibit a distinct response to BRAF/MEK inhibitors. Whereas BRAF/MEK inhibitors drive NKX2-1-positive tumor cells into quiescence, NKX2-1-negative cells fail to exit the cell cycle after the same therapy. BRAF/MEK inhibitors also induce cell identity switching in NKX2-1-negative lung tumors within the gastric lineage, which is driven in part by WNT signaling and FoxA1/2. These data elucidate a complex, reciprocal relationship between lineage specifiers and oncogenic signaling pathways in the regulation of lung adenocarcinoma identity that is likely to impact lineage-specific therapeutic strategies.
Clinical Features of COVID-19-Related Liver Damage
Authors: Fan Zhenyu , Chen Liping , Li Jun , Tian Cheng , Zhang Yajun , Huang Shaoping , Liu Zhanju , Cheng Jilin
Published: February 2020

BACKGROUND

A recent outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 infection occurs mainly in China, with rapidly increasing the number of cases (namely COVID-19). Abnormal liver functions are frequently present in these patients, here we aimed to clarify the clinical features of COVID-19-related liver damage to provide some references for the clinical treatment.

METHODS

In this retrospective, single-center study, we included all confirmed COVID-19 cases in Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center from January 20 to January 31, 2020. The outcomes were followed up until February 19, 2020. A total of 148 cases were analyzed for clinical features, laboratory parameters (including liver function tests), medications and the length of stay.

FINDINGS

Of 148 confirmed SARS-CoV-2-infected patients, 49.3% were females and 50.7% were males. The median age was 50.5 years (interquartile range, 36-64). Patients had clinical manifestations of fever (70.1%), cough (45.3%), expectoration (26.7%) at admission. 75 patients (50.7%) showed abnormal liver functions at admission. Patients (n = 75) who had elevated liver function index were more likely to have a moderate-high degree fever (44% vs 27.4%; p = 0.035) and significantly present in male patients (62.67% vs 38.36%; p = 0.005). The numbers of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were significantly lower in abnormal liver function group than those in normal liver function group. There was no statistical difference in prehospital medications between normal and abnormal liver function groups, while the utilization rate of lopinavir/ritonavir after admission was significantly higher in patients with emerging liver injury than that in patients with normal liver functions. Importantly, the emerging abnormal liver functions after admission caused a prolonged length of stay

INTERPRETATION

SARS-CoV-2 may cause the liver function damage and the Lopinavir/ritonavir should be applied carefully for the treatment of COVID-19.

FUNDING

Shanghai Science and Technology Commission Fund Project and National Science and Technology Major Project
Influence of a Dietary Supplement on the Gut Microbiome of Overweight Young Women
Authors: Joller Peter , Cabaset Sophie , Maurer Susanne
Published: February 2020

Background

The importance of the gut microbiome cannot be overstated. Besides the help in digestion, it influences the immune system, produces immunologic and neurologic communication molecules, hormones and vitamins. The gut microbiome is also involved in controlling the BMI (Body Mass Index).

Objectives

We attempted to influence the gut microbiome with a herbal yeast-based dietary supplement in 26 women (BASEC ID 2016-02162; ClinicalTrials.govNCT03223987, BS2016.1) with a BMI between 30 and 35 and and aged 25 to 35 years within 3 weeks. The clinical trial was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. Our hypothesis was that the supplement modifies the microbiome individually by more than 20%.

Methods

With shotgun sequencing in the 2 stool samples of each participant we found 68 bacterial species.

Results

The microbiome was altered by more than 20%. Five bacterial species were identical to probiotic species known as good butyrate producers and described as beneficial for the gut. Seventy percent of our study cohort showed an increase in the majority of these beneficial microbes during the study. The ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes is an important parameter in analyzing overweight persons. Twelve of the participants initially showed a F/B ratio (Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio) above 1.6. After three weeks, five of these women normalized.

Conclusions

A baker’s yeast-based food supplement is able to modulate the gut microbiome of overweight young women within 3 weeks.

Lay Summary

Twenty-six overweight women 25 to 35 years old took an alimentary supplement consisting of plasmolyzed herbal baker’s yeast during three weeks. The goal was to influence the gut bacteria (microbiome). In the stool samples by molecular techniques we could show that the amount of individual bacteria in our cohort changed by more than 20% within the 3 weeks. Some the bacteria found are described as beneficial in the scientific literature. Over 70% of the participants showed an increase in the majority of these advantageous microbes.

Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes are the two major phyla in our microbiome. The ratio of these phyla is associated with the body weight. The more Bacteroidetes, the lower the ratio and the body weight. During ingestion of the supplement, in 14 participants the ratio became lower.
Dysphagia and associated pneumonia in stroke patients from India
Authors: Krishnamurthy Rahul , Premkumar Priya Karimuddanahally , Balasubramanium Radish Kumar
Published: February 2020

Background

India has high incidence (116-163 per 100,000) of stroke compared to western countries. Stroke is reported to be the fourth leading cause of death and fifth leading cause of disability in India. Dysphagia is seen approximately in half of the stroke patients and if unidentified may result in pulmonary complications such as aspiration pneumonia. However, there is no estimate of post stroke dysphagia and associated pneumonia in India.

Method

Using the PRISMA methodology, a systematic search for recent literature on dysphagia in stroke was carried out across all the major databases. Two authors independently screened the titles and the abstracts, and those selected articles were assessed for quality using the GRADE approach. Comparisons were made of reported dysphagia and pneumonia frequencies, the relative risks of developing pneumonia were calculated. Data on duration of hospital stay and rates of mortality were also extracted.

Results

We identified 86 citations, out of which only four articles were deemed eligible for critical analyses and data extraction. A high incidence (11.1% - 87.5%) of dysphagia was observed among stroke patients. Only two studies reported on incidence of pneumonia (22.8% - 32%); only one study stratified patients by both dysphagia and pneumonia. A relative risk of 5.82 (95% CI 4.6, 7.2) was found for pneumonia in patients with stroke and dysphagia. Data on length of hospital stay and rates of mortality secondary to aspiration pneumonia are also presented.

Conclusion

Despite high incidence of dysphagia and associated pneumonia the methodological quality of studies are low. There is a dire need for methodologically sound studies to accurate determine the incidence of dysphagia and its impact on stroke patients in India.
Co-recruitment of relatives in a broadcast-spawning coral (Acropora hyacinthus) facilitates emergence of an inbred, genetically distinct group within a panmictic population
Authors: Barfield Sarah , Davies Sarah W. , Matz Mikhail V.
Published: February 2020

Many broadly-dispersing marine taxa are species-rich, show genetic heterogeneity on small spatial scales, and are locally adapted to their environmental conditions. How such genetic subdivisions can emerge despite the potential for high gene flow continues to be the major paradox of evolution in the sea. One understudied process potentially contributing to genetic structuring in marine populations is variation in larval recruitment. Here, we report an unusual recruitment pattern in the broadcast-spawning coral speciesAcropora hyacinthuson Yap Island, Micronesia. Reduced representation genotyping of 275 individuals of varying size classes on this isolated reef system demonstrated general island-wide panmixia but also identified a genetically divergent group of juvenile corals at one out of the four sites sampled, showing elevated inbreeding and relatedness, including two pairs of siblings. Notably, adult corals as well as the majority of juveniles at the same site belong to the panmictic gene pool, suggesting that representatives of the inbred lineage of juveniles co-recruited and may be partially reproductively isolated from the rest of the island population. Reproductive isolation is suggested by the discovery of distinct genomic regions of greatly reduced genetic diversity in the inbred lineage, encompassing genes involved in sperm-egg recognition and fertilization that may serve as reproductive barrier loci. We propose that co-recruitment of genetic relatives via cohesive dispersal, a process that was previously unrecognized in broadcast-spawning corals, can generate familial genetic structure and might be important for the emergence of genetically distinct, locally adapted ecomorphs and cryptic species.
The role of replication-removal spatial correlations and cellular replicative lifespan in corneal epithelium homeostasis
Authors: Strinkovsky Lior , Havkin Evgeny , Shalom-Feuerstein Ruby , Savir Yonatan
Published: February 2020

Homeostasis in adult tissues relies on the replication dynamics of stem cells, their progenitors and the spatial balance between them. This spatial and kinetic coordination is crucial to the successful maintenance of tissue size and its replenishment with new cells. However, our understanding of the role of cellular replicative lifespan and spatial correlation between cells in shaping tissue integrity is still lacking. We developed a mathematical model for the stochastic spatial dynamics that underlie the rejuvenation of corneal epithelium. Our model takes into account different spatial correlations between cell replication and cell removal. We derive the tradeoffs between replicative lifespan, spatial correlation length, and tissue rejuvenation dynamics. We determine the conditions that allow homeostasis and are consistent with biological timescales, pattern formation, and mutants phenotypes. Our results can be extended to any cellular system in which spatial homeostasis is maintained through cell replication.
CRISPR-TAPE: protein-centric CRISPR guide design for targeted proteome engineering
Authors: Anderson DP. , Benns HJ. , Tate EW. , Child MA
Published: February 2020

Rational molecular engineering of proteins with CRISPR-based approaches is challenged by the gene-centric nature of gRNA design tools. To address this, we have developed CRISPR-TAPE, a protein-centric gRNA design algorithm that allows users to target specific residues, or amino acid types within proteins. gRNA outputs can be customized to support maximal efficacy of homology-directed repair for engineering purposes, removing time consuming post-hoc curation, simplifying gRNA outputs, and reducing CPU times.
Glycosidic linkage, N-acetyl side-chain, and other structural properties of methyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-D-mannopyranoside monohydrate and related compounds
Authors: Zhang Wenhui , Meredith Reagan J. , Oliver Allen G. , Carmichael Ian , Serianni Anthony S.
Published: February 2020

The crystal structure of methyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-D-glycopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-D-mannopyranoside monohydrate, C15H27NO11·H2O, was determined and its structural properties compared to those in a set of mono- and disaccharides bearing N-acetyl side-chains in βGlcNAc aldohexopyranosyl rings. Valence bond angles and torsion angles in these side chains are relatively uniform, but C—N (amide) and C—O (carbonyl) bond lengths depend on the state of hydrogen bonding to the carbonyl O atom and N—H hydrogen. Relative to N-acetyl side chains devoid of hydrogen bonding, those in which the carbonyl O atom serves as a hydrogen-bond acceptor display elongated C—O and shortened C—N bonds. This behavior is reproduced by density functional theory (DFT) calculations, indicating that the relative contributions of amide resonance forms to experimental C—N and C—O bond lengths depend on the solvation state, leading to expectations that activation barriers to amide cis–trans isomerization will depend on the polarity of the environment. DFT calculations also revealed useful predictive information on the dependencies of inter-residue hydrogen bonding and some bond angles in or proximal to β-(1→4) O-glycosidic linkages on linkage torsion angles ϕ and ψ. Hypersurfaces correlating ϕ and ψ with the linkage C—O—C bond angle and total energy are sufficiently similar to render the former a proxy of the latter.
User review helpfulness assessment based on sentiment analysis
Authors: Zeng Ziming , Zhou Zhi , Mu Xiangming
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the relationship between sentiment and review helpfulness and develop a method to fully use sentiment features in review helpfulness assessment. In addition, this paper explores whether product type influences evaluating review helpfulness.

Design/methodology/approach

First, a high-quality data set with a manually coded helpfulness score was constructed. Second, detailed research question methods were conducted. Finally, methods were applied to the data set to extract information gain and sentiment scores. Gradient boosting and random forest methods were used to classify the data set with these features through recall, precision and F-measure to understand the research questions.

Findings

Review sentiment has a deep relationship with review helpfulness, and it can be a strong predictor of review helpfulness by refining it into more detailed scores; a combination of sentiment scores and information gain works very well on classification for two product types. Product type does not show a significant influence on helpfulness assessment.

Originality/value

This paper provides a different perspective for measuring review sentiment by clarifying the relationship between sentiment and review helpfulness, analysing the role of product type in review helpfulness assessment, and proposing a high-value feature combination. In addition, the author believes that the assessment method can be effectively applied to practical works.
Ameliorating time and cost control with project learning and communication management
Authors: Yap Jeffrey Boon Hui , Skitmore Martin
Published: February 2020

Purpose

Legions of projects fail to attain their time and cost objectives due to ineffective coordination. This is often due to a lack of essential learning from projects because of insufficient communication and working experience. One of the key reasons why this occurs is that managers are unaware of what knowledge needs to be retained. In contrast with knowledge management research, which mostly focuses on the systems and processes for capturing, storing, and retrieval of knowledge, this paper investigates the nature of project communication and learning and their role on project time and cost control.

Design/methodology/approach

A stratified proportional purposive sampling approach was adopted in choosing the interview participants for the study. They are experienced industry practitioners working on building construction projects in Malaysia. Content analysis was then performed on the interview data. The identified variables were further validated by 11 industry experts from the three primary construction stakeholders.

Findings

The results of a series of 12 in-depth interviews with industry practitioners are provided to reveal the effective communication tools for sharing and learning in a project-based environment, the learning inducing situations involved, and the use of reusable project experiences to improve project time and cost control.

Research limitations/implications

A possible limitation of the study is its focus on a small group of Malaysian practitioners delimits the generalizability of the findings.

Originality/value

A two-phase model with three-step project management process of input, tools, and output is developed from the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) Guide as an aid for more effective knowledge reuse in project time and cost control in the future.
Human capital and AI in industry 4.0. Convergence and divergence in social entrepreneurship in Russia
Authors: Popkova Elena G. , Sergi Bruno S.
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to determine the future proportion and variants of usage of human intellect and artificial intelligence (AI) in entrepreneurship of industry 4.0 that fits social entrepreneurship the most. It could be convergence (simultaneous utilization during the same entrepreneurial processes with the emphasis on unique features by the terms of the competition) or divergence (usage during different business processes by the terms of labor division).

Design/methodology/approach

The authors determine the influence of usage of human capital and AI on the efficiency of social entrepreneurship. The authors identify the perspective directions of usage of AI in social entrepreneurship and evaluate the readiness and interest in the implementation of these directions of concerned parties. The authors also model the optimal proportions and the variant of usage of human intellect and AI in social entrepreneurship in the conditions of Industry 4.0 in the future (until 2030).

Findings

It is found that social entrepreneurship will use the opportunities of Industry 4.0 for optimization of its activities until 2030, but will refuse from full automatization, using human intellect and AI at the same time.

Originality/value

The most perspective directions of application of AI at social companies are a collection of social goods and services, marketing studies and promotion of social goods and services. Neither convergence nor divergence of human and artificial intellectual capital does not fully conform to the interests of concerned parties. The most preferable (optimal) variant of usage of human intellect and AI in social entrepreneurship in the Industry 4.0 is human intelligent decision support.
Use of knowledge management systems: analysis of the strategies of Brazilian small and medium enterprises
Authors: Marques Júnior Euro , Gobbo Jose Alcides , Fukunaga Fernando , Cerchione Roberto , Centobelli Piera
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to highlight the degree of diffusion and intensity of use of knowledge management systems (KMSs) among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Brazil and apply a taxonomy that synthesizes the strategies of use of KMSs by the SMEs. In addition, it seeks to better understand the processes, practices and technologies of KM by SMEs, pointing improvements in the KMS of Brazilian SMEs and contributing to obtain better results in the search for efficiency and innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a literature review on KMSs used by SMEs, an empirical investigation was conceived, developed and conducted through online questionnaires involving 49 selected SMEs operating in several sectors.

Findings

This paper reinforces the results of the previous work of Cerchione and Esposito (2017) that point to the existence of a reciprocal relationship between KM-Tools and KM-Practices: one reinforces the other and vice versa. On the other hand, it indicates a difference in the behavior of Brazilian companies in relation to the sample of Italian companies studied by Cerchione and Esposito (2017), which presented a negative correlation between the general differentiation index and the general use intensity index of SMEs, while the Brazilian ones showed a positive correlation.

Research limitations/implications

The study points out the need for greater dissemination of practices and tools to support knowledge management (KM), as well as greater support for the implementation and effective use of these practices and tools within the organizational context of SMEs.

Practical implications

This paper identifies the main practices and tools to support KM used by Brazilian SMEs, indicating the need for investments in employee training and acquisition of tools.

Social implications

SMEs represent an important part of the generation of jobs and income in Brazil. Initiatives that lead to the successful implementation of tools and practices to support KM can increase the efficiency and productivity of these organizations.

Originality/value

This paper applies in a sample of Brazilian companies the taxonomy proposed by Cerchione and Esposito (2017) combining strategies of SMEs for the use of KMSs.
Towards a general hybrid theory in wicked problem structuring part 1: the foundation
Authors: Yolles Maurice
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This paper has two parts, namely, Part 1 and Part 2. The purpose of this paper (Part 1) is to explain an adaptive relational paradigm that can efficaciously respond to the complex issues in wicked problems. A relational paradigm can work across the disciplines and fields that characterise wicked problems. It is also methodologically plural – that is it uses various inquiry instruments together. It becomes a hybrid approach when involving narratives and structured processes enabling the adopted instruments to converge to a coherent (living) story. The purpose of Part 2 will be to provide a theoretical framework that with illustration responds to Part 1.

Design/methodology/approach

Wicked problems and their issues do not respect academic disciplines, and as they are multidisciplinary, they require a cross-disciplinary approach when seeking resolution. Autonomous agency theory is adopted capable of structuring cross-disciplinary inquiry processes and formulating a hybrid inquiry paradigm. The paper sets up a narrative agency approachable of delivering a structure that results in a general theory of hybrid inquiry.

Findings

The paradigm, which traditionally defines a field of study conceptualises and regulates approaches that enable inquiry into behavioural systems. Mono-disciplinary, they are not suitable for the resolution of issues that arise from cross-disciplinary wicked problems. To resolve this, a relational paradigm has been defined within which sits a cross-disciplinary hybrid inquiry system. A general theory of hybrid inquiry has been offered. It is shown that agency theory can successfully embrace a relational paradigm.

Research limitations/implications

To determine the limitations of this theory there is a need to provide exemplars, which is currently premature. Another outcome is to centre on modes of practice in hybrid inquiry, but there is insufficient space for this here.

Originality/value

This paper makes an original contribution by formulating a structured approach on the creation of a relational paradigm capable of supporting hybrid inquiry. It also adopts cross-disciplinary theory to make its case for a relational paradigm, recognising that wicked problems are cross-disciplinary. As part of the regulatory process, it connects Rittel’s IBIS schema intended to resolve wicked problems issues and the Johari Window and explains how they would relate. A means is suggested for determining the degree of undecidability of wicked problems issues, and hence, that of the models that inquiry produces. This uses formative characteristics that define a modelling space. The paper also adopts Husserl’s concept or lifeworld, which acts as a channel for complex narrative theory through which regulative processes are enabled.
Open access practices: roadmap to research paper publications in academic institutions
Authors: Enakrire Rexwhite Tega , Ngoaketsi Joseph M.
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate open access practices (OAPs): a roadmap to research paper publications in academic institutions. The rationale that necessitates this scenario was the dwindling nature of the inability of researchers and lecturers/academics in African academic institutions to access related materials in their subject areas, while also advancing effort to publish their research papers in open access.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper applied a qualitative research approach, in which literature was harvested from Web of Science for developing and writing the research paper.

Findings

This paper establishes that OAP, when embraced, could advance and transform research paper publication in higher education institutions because its practices are globally welcome. The authors reiterate that considering the benefits accrued to OAPs, knowledge gap in terms of literature and methodological approach still exists in academic institutions in Africa; hence, the authors promote OAPs as a roadmap for research paper publications in academic institutions. It is expected that by OAPs, researchers would no longer struggle to harvest literature, of theses, dissertations and other research papers, deposited in institutional repositories required for deepening their research activities because those literature studies or those documents have to be paid for through subscription fees of published papers and publishing in open access by journals. This is what most academics have experienced because, most times, the literature which academics harvest from the internet and different institutional repositories and databases is already paid for by the different institutions that housed the literature where it is domiciled. For instance, most academic library institutions in the world pay for subscription fees of research papers and documents. This is to advance and facilitate deepened research activities in their institutions, when researchers, academics and students want to harvest materials through their university library websites.

Originality/value

This paper, which considers OAP as a roadmap to research paper publications in academic institutions in Africa, is insightful and unique considering the wave of OAP globally.
Whey protein plus lipoic acid supplementation improves inflammatory and antioxidant markers of patients with acute ischemic stroke
Authors: Sadeghpour Yalda , Taheraghdam Aliakbar , Khalili Mohammad , Hashemilar Mazyar , Sadeghi Hokmabadi Elyar , Shaafi Sheyda , Farhoudi Mehdi , Shakouri Seyed Kazem , Rezaeimanesh Nasim , Savadi Osgouei Daryoush
Published: February 2020

Purpose

Although the pathogenesis of stroke is not yet completely elucidated, factors such as oxidative stress and inflammation have been shown to play an important role in this regard. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of whey protein plus lipoic acid on the inflammatory and oxidative stress markers and the prognosis in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients.

Design/methodology/approach

A double-blind, randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted among 42 patients with the first episode of AIS at the Imam Reza Hospital of the Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. The blind research staff randomly assigned patients to two groups of receiving usual hospital gavage (control group) and 1,200 mg of lipoic acid plus 20 g of whey protein in addition to usual hospital gavage (intervention group) for midday meal. Levels of albumin, Interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and clinical outcomes including severity of neurologic damage according to National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and functional state based on modified Rankin Scale (mRS) were evaluated initially and three weeks later.

Findings

There were no significant differences in demographic and baseline characteristics between the two groups (p> 0.05). After three weeks, hs-CRP (p<* 0.01), IL-6 (p= 0.02) and TNF-α(p= 0.01) levels significantly reduced in the intervention group, but no significant changes were observed in cases of albumin, malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in this group (p> 0.05). Instead, only IL-6 decreased significantly in the control group (p<* 0.01). In addition, comparing changes of assessed variables between two groups showed no significant improvement in the whey protein plus lipoic acid supplementation group vs the control group (p > 0.05). While there was significant betterment in clinical prognosis parameters within groups, no significant changes were found between groups.

Originality/value

The investigation implied that whey protein plus lipoic acid supplementation has no significant effects on inflammatory and oxidative stress markers compared to the control group of AIS patients. More studies in this field are needed to approve the result.
The Effect of Changes in Monetary Policy on Consumer and Business Confidence
Authors: Kirchner Stephen
Published: February 2020

This article examines the response of consumer and business confidence to five measures of change in Australian monetary policy. Actual, expected and surprise increases in the official cash rate target and related interest rates are shown to negatively impact consumer sentiment. Business confidence is less affected by increases in the cash rate target, but is negatively affected by an increase in the 90‐day bank accepted bill rate. Tests for model stability and asymmetries in the response of sentiment to increases and decreases in interest rates otherwise find only limited evidence for monetary policy having a perverse signalling effect on sentiment.
The convivial and the pastoral in patient–doctor relationships: a multi‐country study of patient stories of care, choice and medical authority in cancer diagnostic processes
Authors: MacArtney John I. , Andersen Rikke S. , Malmström Marlene , Rasmussen Birgit , Ziebland Sue
Published: February 2020

Experiences of cancer diagnosis are changing in light of both the increasingly technological‐clinical diagnostic processes and the socio‐political context in which interpersonal relations take place. This has raised questions about how we might understand patient–doctor relationship marked by asymmetries of knowledge and social capital, but that emphasise patients’ empowered choices and individualised care. As part of an interview study of 155 participants with bowel or lung cancer across Denmark, England and Sweden, we explored participants’ stories of the decisions made during their cancer diagnostic process. By focusing on the intersections of care, choice and medical authority – a convivial pastoral dynamic – we provide a conceptual analysis of the normative ambivalences in people's stories of their cancer diagnosis. We found that participants drew from care, choice and medical authority to emphasise their relationality and interdependence with their doctors in their stories of their diagnosis. Importantly negotiations of an asymmetrical patient–doctor relationship were part of an on‐going realisation of the healthcare processes as a human endeavour. We were therefore able to draw attention to the limitations of dichotomising emancipatory‐empowerment discourses and argue for a theorisation of the patient–doctor relationship as a contextually bounded and relationally ambivalent humanity.