bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Temporal dynamics of human respiratory and gut microbiomes during the course of COVID-19 in adults
Authors: Xu Rong , Lu Renfei , Zhang Tao , Wu Qunfu , Cai Weihua , Han Xudong , Wan Zhenzhou , Jin Xia , Zhang Zhigang , Zhang Chiyu
Published: July 2020

SARS-CoV-2 infects multiple organs including the respiratory tract and gut. Whether regional microbiomes are disturbed significantly to affect the disease progression of COVID-19 is largely unknown. To address this question, we performed cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses of throat and anal swabs from 35 COVID-19 adults and 15 controls by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The results allowed a partitioning of patients into 3-4 categories (I-IV) with distinct microbial community types in both sites. Lower-diversity community types often appeared in the early phase of COVID-19, and synchronous fast restoration of both the respiratory and gut microbiomes from early dysbiosis towards late near-normal was observed in 6/8 mild COVID-19 adult patients despite they had a relatively slow clinical recovery. The synchronous shift of the community types was associated with significantly positive bacterial interactions between the respiratory tract and gut, possibly along the airway-gut axis. These findings reveal previously unknown interactions between respiratory and gut microbiomes, and suggest that modulations of regional microbiota might help to improve the recovery from COVID-19 in adult patients.
A geospatial examination of specialist care accessibility and impact on health outcomes for patients with acute traumatic spinal cord injury in NSW, Australia: a whole population record linkage study
Authors: Sharwood Lisa Nicole , Vaikuntam Bharat Phani , Cheng Christiana , Noonan Vanessa , Joseph Anthony , Ball Jonathon , Stanford Ralph , Kok Mei-Ruu , Whyatt David , Withers Samuel , Middleton James Walter
Published: July 2020

Background

Timely treatment is essential for achieving optimal outcomes after traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI), and expeditious transfer to a specialist spinal cord injury unit (SCIU) is recommended within 24 hours from injury. Previous research in New South Wales (NSW) found only 57% of TSCI patients were admitted to SCIU for acute post-injury care; 73% transferred within 24 hours from injury.

Methods

This record linkage study included administrative pre-hospital, admissions and costs data for all patients aged ≥16 years with incident TSCI in NSW (2013-2016). Its aim was to examine potential geographical disparities in access to specialist care following TSCI using geospatial methods, and to better understand the impact of post-injury care pathways on patient outcomes.

Results

Of 316 cases with geospatial data, injury location analysis showed that over half (53%, n=168) of all patients were injured within 60 minutes road travel of a SCIU, yet only 28.6% (n=48) were directly transferred to a SCIU. Direct transfers received earlier operative intervention (median (IQR) 12.9(7.9) hours), compared with patients transferred indirectly to SCIU (median (IQR) 19.5(18.9) hours), and had lower risk of complications (OR 3.2 v 1.4, p<0.001).

Conclusions

Getting patients with acute TSCI patients to the right place at the right time is dependent on numerous factors; some are still being triaged directly to non-trauma services which delays specialist and surgical care and increases complication risks. More stringent adherence to recommended guidelines would prioritise direct SCIU transfer for patients injured within 60 minutes radius, enabling the benefits of specialised care.
Spatial and temporal variability in the transmission potential of COVID-19 in South Korea including the second wave in the greater Seoul area, February to July 2020
Authors: Shim Eunha , Chowell Gerardo
Published: July 2020

In South Korea, 13,745 cases of COVID-19 have been reported as of 19 July, 2020. We used EpiEstim R package to investigate the time-varying reproduction numbers of the COVID-19 in the four most affected regions in South Korea: Seoul, Gyeonggi Province, Gyeongbuk Province, and Daegu. At the regional level, Seoul and Gyeonggi Province have experienced two waves with the first major peak of COVID-19 in early March, followed by the second wave in the first two weeks of June, with reproduction numbers in early May greater than 3.0.

Gyeongbuk Province and Daegu are yet to experience a second wave of the disease, where the mean reproduction number reached values as high as 3.5-4.4. Our findings indicate that the loosening of the restrictions imposed by the government in May 2020 facilitated a second wave in the greater Seoul area.

Article Summary Line

The loosening of the social distancing measures imposed by the Korean government in May 2020 has resulted in the second wave of COVID-19 in the greater Seoul area in the first two weeks of June, yielding reproduction numbers exceeding 3.0
Kv1.2 contributes to pattern separation by regulating the hippocampal CA3 neuronal ensemble size
Authors: Eom Kisang , Lee Hyoung Ro , Hyun Jung Ho , Ryu Hyun-Hee , Lee Yong-Seok , Lee Inah , Ho Won-Kyung , Lee Suk-Ho
Published: July 2020

Kv1.2 expression in rodent CA3 pyramidal cells (CA3-PC) is polarized to distal apical dendrites, and regulate the synaptic responses to perforant pathway (PP) inputs. Accordingly, Kv1.2 haploinsufficiency (Kcna2+/−) in CA3-PCs, but not Kv1.1 (Kcna1+/−), lowered the threshold for long-term potentiation at PP-CA3 synapses. TheKcna2+/− mice, but notKcna1+/−, displayed impairments in contextual fear discrimination task. The size and overlap of CA3 ensembles activated by the first visits to slightly different contexts were not different between wildtype andKcna2+/− mice, but these ensemble parameters diverged over training days between genotypes, suggesting abnormal plastic changes in the CA3 network ofKcna2+/− mice. Eventually, theKcna2+/− mice exhibited larger ensemble size and overlap upon retrieval of two contexts, compared to wildtype orKcna1+/− mice. These results suggest that Kv1.2 subunits prevent promiscuous plastic changes at PP-CA3 synapses, and contribute to sparse representation of memories and pattern separation in the CA3 network.
XGSEA: CROSS-species Gene Set Enrichment Analysis via domain adaptation
Authors: Cai Menglan , Nguyen Canh Hao , Mamitsuka Hiroshi , Li Limin
Published: July 2020

Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) has been widely used to identify gene sets with statistically significant difference between cases and controls against a large gene set. GSEA needs both phenotype labels and expression of genes. However, gene expression are assessed more often for model organisms than minor species. More importantly, gene expression could not be measured under specific conditions for human, due to high healthy risk of direct experiments, such as non-approved treatment or gene knockout, and then often substituted by mouse. Thus predicting enrichment significance (on a phenotype) of a given gene set of a species (target, say human), by using gene expression measured under the same phenotype of the other species (source, say mouse) is a vital and challenging problem, which we call CROSS-species Gene Set Enrichment Problem (XGSEP). For XGSEP, we propose XGSEA (Cross-species Gene Set Enrichment Analysis), with three steps of: 1) running GSEA for a source species to obtain enrichment scores andp-values of source gene sets; 2) representing the relation between source and target gene sets by domain adaptation; and 3) using regression to predictp-values of target gene sets, based on the representation in 2). We extensively validated XGSEA by using four real data sets under various settings, proving that XGSEA significantly outperformed three baseline methods. A case study of identifying important human pathways for T cell dysfunction and reprogramming from mouse ATAC-Seq data further confirmed the reliability of XGSEA. Source code is available throughhttps://github.com/LiminLi-xjtu/XGSEA

Author summary

Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) is a powerful tool in the gene sets differential analysis given a ranked gene list. GSEA requires complete data, gene expression with phenotype labels. However, gene expression could not be measured under specific conditions for human, due to high risk of direct experiments, such as non-approved treatment or gene knockout, and then often substituted by mouse. Thus no availability of gene expression leads to more challenging problem, CROSS-species Gene Set Enrichment Problem (XGSEP), in which enrichment significance (on a phenotype) of a given gene set of a species (target, say human) is predicted by using gene expression measured under the same phenotype of the other species (source, say mouse). In this work, we propose XGSEA (Cross-species Gene Set Enrichment Analysis) for XGSEP, with three steps of: 1) GSEA; 2) domain adaptation; and 3) regression. The results of four real data sets and a case study indicate that XGSEA significantly outperformed three baseline methods and confirmed the reliability of XGSEA.
Precise and programmable C:G to G:C base editing in genomic DNA
Authors: Chen Liwei , Park Jung Eun , Paa Peter , Rajakumar Priscilla D. , Chew Yi Ting , Manivannan Swathi N. , Chew Wei Leong
Published: July 2020

Many genetic diseases are caused by single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Base editors can correct SNPs at single-nucleotide resolution, but until recently, only allowed for C:G to T:A and A:T to G:C transition edits, addressing four out of twelve possible DNA base substitutions. Here we developed a novel class of C:G to G:C Base Editors (CGBEs) to create single-base genomic transversions in human cells. Our CGBEs consist of a nickase CRISPR-Cas9 (nCas9) fused to a cytosine deaminase and base excision repair (BER) proteins. Characterization of >30 CGBE candidates and 27 guide RNAs (gRNAs) revealed that CGBEs predominantly perform C:G to G:C editing (up to 90% purity), with rAPOBEC-nCas9-rXRCC1 being the most efficient (mean C:G to G:C edits at 15% and up to 37%). CGBEs target cytosine in WCW, ACC or GCT sequence contexts and within a precise two-nucleotide window of the target protospacer. We further targeted genes linked to dyslipidemia, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and deafness, showing the therapeutic potential of CGBE in interrogating and correcting human genetic diseases.
Implications of the COVID-19 lockdown on dengue transmission in Malaysia
Authors: Ong Song-Quan , Ahmad Hamdan , Ngesom Ahmad Mohiddin Mohd
Published: July 2020

The impact of movement restrictions during the COVID-19 lockdown on the existing endemic infectious disease dengue fever has generated considerable research interest. We compared the Malaysia weekly epidemiological records of dengue incidences during the period of lockdown to the trend of previous years (2015 to 2019) and a simulation at the corresponding period that expected no movement restrictions. We found that the dengue incidence declined significantly with a greater magnitude at phase 1 of lockdown, with a negative gradient of 3.2-fold steeper than the trend observed in previous years and 6.5-fold steeper than the simulation, indicating that the control of population movement did reduce dengue transmission. However, starting from phase 2 of lockdown, the dengue incidences demonstrated an elevation and earlier rebound by at least 4 weeks and grew with an exponential pattern compared to the simulation and previous years. Together with our data onAedesmosquitoes from a district of Penang, Malaysia, we revealed thatAedes albopictusis the predominant species for both indoor and outdoor environments. The abundance of the mosquito was increasing steadily during the period of lockdown, and demonstrated strong correlation with the locally reported dengue incidences; therefore, we proposed the possible diffusive effect of vector that led to a higher acceleration of incidence rate. These findings would help authorities review the direction and efforts of the vector control strategy.
Cre/LoxP-HBV plasmids generating recombinant covalently closed circular DNA genome upon transfection
Authors: Kruse Robert L. , Legras Xavier , Barzi Mercedes
Published: July 2020

New therapies against hepatitis B virus (HBV) require the elimination of covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), the episomal HBV genome. HBV plasmids containing an overlength 1.3-mer genome and bacterial backbone (pHBV1.3) are used in many different models, but do not replicate the unique features of cccDNA. Since the stable cccDNA pool is a barrier to HBV eradication in patients, we developed a recombinant circular HBV genome (rcccDNA) to mimic the cccDNA using Cre/LoxP technology. We validated four LoxP insertion sites into the HBV genome using hydrodynamic tail vein injection into murine liver, demonstrating high levels of HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) and HBV DNA expression with rcccDNA formation. HBsAg expression from rcccDNA was >30,000 ng/mL over 78 days, while HBsAg-expression from pHBV1.3 plasmid DNA declined from 2,753 ng/mL to 131 ng/mL over that time in immunodeficient mice (P<0.001), reflective of plasmid DNA silencing. We then cloned Cre-recombinase in cis on the LoxP-HBV plasmids, achieving plasmid stability in bacteria with intron insertion into Cre and demonstrating rcccDNA formation after transfectionin vitroandin vivo. These cis-Cre/LoxP-HBV plasmids were then used to create HBx-mutant and GFP reporter plasmids to further probe cccDNA biology and antiviral strategies against cccDNA. Overall, we believe these auto-generating rcccDNA plasmids will be of great value to model cccDNA for testing new therapies against HBV infection.
The variation of promoter strength in different gene contexts
Authors: Tran Tam T. , Charles Trevor C.
Published: July 2020

Background

Promoter engineering has been employed as a strategy to enhance and optimize the production of bio-products. There have been many effortless studies searching the best promoter for biological application. However, whether promoter strengths stay unchanged in different gene contexts remains unknown.

Results

Six consecutive promoters at different strength levels were used to construct six different versions of plasmid backbone pTH1227, followed by inserted genes encoding two polymer-producing enzymes. Some of promoter strengths in the presence of inserted sequences did not correspond to the reported strengths in a previous study. When removing the inserted sequences, the strengths of these promoters returned to their reported strengths. These changes were further confirmed to occur at transcriptional levels. Polymer production using our newly constructed plasmids showed polymer accumulation levels relatively corresponding to the promoter strengths reported in our study.

Conclusion

Our study revealed the essence of re-assessing promoter strength in a specific gene context. Different gene contexts could result in the variation of promoter strengths, hence this might lead to different outcomes in downstream applications.
Monoclinic SmAl3(BO3)4: synthesis, structural and spectroscopic properties
Authors: Oreshonkov A. S. , Shestakov N. P. , Molokeev M. S. , Aleksandrovsky A. S. , Gudim I. A. , Temerov V. L. , Adichtchev S. V. , Pugachev A. M. , Nemtsev I. V. , Pogoreltsev E. I. , Denisenko Y. G.
Published: July 2020

Single crystals of SmAl3(BO3)4 were synthesized by the group growth on seeds method. The crystal structure was solved using a single-crystal experiment and the purity of the bulk material was proved by the Rietveld method. This borate crystallizes in the monoclinic C2/c space group with unit-cell parameters a = 7.2386 (3), b = 9.3412 (5), c = 11.1013 (4) Å and β = 103.2240 (10)°. IR and Raman spectroscopic analyses confirmed the monoclinic structure of SmAl3(BO3)4. Under 532.1 nm excitation, luminescence spectra exhibit bands assignable to the transitions from 4G5/2 to 6H5/2, 6H7/2, 6H9/2 and 6H11/2. The similarity of the luminescence spectra of the trigonal and monoclinic polymorphs is explained by the minor role of Sm—O bond distortion and the primary role of rotational distortion of SmO6 octahedra. The smaller covalency of the Sm—O bond in alumoborates is deduced in comparison with galloborates. Calorimetric measurements did not reveal high-temperature structural phase transitions up to a temperature of 720 K.
A new langbeinite-type phosphate K2GdHf(PO4)3: synthesis, crystal structure, band structure and luminescence properties
Authors: Nan Hua , Chen Li , Zhang Rui-Juan , Zhao Dan
Published: July 2020

Langbeinite-type compounds are a large family that include phosphates, sulfates and arsenates, and which are accompanied by interesting physical properties. This work reports a new disordered langbeinite-type compound, K2GdHf(PO4)3 [dipotassium gadolinium hafnium tris(phosphate)], and its structure as determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Theoretical studies reveal that K2GdHf(PO4)3 is an insulator with a direct band gap of 4.600 eV and that the optical transition originates from the O-2p→Hf-5d transition. A Ce3+-doped phosphor, K2Gd0.99Ce0.01Hf(PO4)3, was prepared and its luminescence properties studied. With 324 nm light excitation, a blue emission band was observed due to the 5d
1→4f
1 transition of Ce3+. The average luminescence lifetime was calculated to be 5.437 µs and the CIE chromaticity coordinates were (0.162, 0.035). One may expect that K2Gd0.99Ce0.01Hf(PO4)3 can be used as a good blue phosphor for three-colour white-light-emitting diodes (WLEDs).
Kanpur Confectioneries Private Limited (B)
Authors: Dixit Mukund , Dixit Vandana
Published: July 2020

This case describes the experience of Kanpur Confectioneries Private Limited (KCPL), a family managed company, in being a contract manufacturer for A-One Confectioneries Private Limited. The alliance had worked to the advantage of KCPL. It had prospered as a profitable contract manufacturer. It had used the surplus to diversify into unrelated businesses. The family members, however had doubts regarding the employment opportunities provided by the move. They were not sure whether the progress was sustainable. Alok Kumar Gupta, Chairman and Managing Director of KCPL, along with his brothers and son, is required to review the strategy and performance of his company and develop a course of action for the future.
Ongc-Sumitomo: Avoidable Long Legal Battle
Authors: Agarwal Anurag K
Published: July 2020

ONGC vs. Sumitomo – Supreme Court of India, 28 July, 2010 – is an example of a dispute in an international contract, with an arbitration clause, which could have been avoided. Ironically, it took almost two decades to be finally decided. The purpose of this case is to make the readers think about dispute avoidance vis-à-vis dispute resolution. The case presents the most relevant aspects of the judgment in simple language, devoid of legal jargon. A number of questions have been suggested towards the end.
The relationship between management characteristics and financial statement readability
Authors: Seifzadeh Maryam , Salehi Mahdi , Abedini Bizhan , Ranjbar Mohammad Hossien
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The present study attempts to assess the relationship between management characteristics (managerial entrenchment, CEO narcissism and overconfidence, managers' myopia, real and accrual-based earnings management) and financial statement readability of listed firms on the Tehran Stock Exchange. In other words, this paper seeks to answer the question that “whether management characteristics have a favorable effect on financial statement readability or not.”

Design/methodology/approach

Multivariate regression model is used to meet the purpose of this study and research hypotheses are also examined using a sample of 1,050 listed observations on the Tehran Stock Exchange during 2012–2017 and by employing multiple regression patterns based on panel data technique and fixed effects model. Moreover, exploratory factor analysis of six variables (tenure, board independence, CEO duality, CEO ownership, board compensation and CEO change) is used for calculating managerial entrenchment and the FGO index is used for measuring readability.

Findings

The obtained results show that there is a negative and significant relationship between managerial entrenchment and accrual-based earnings management and a positive and significant relationship between real earnings management, managers' myopia, managers' narcissism and overconfidence and financial statement readability.

Originality/value

Since the present study is the first paper to investigate such a topic in the emerging markets, it provides useful information about intrinsic and acquisitive characteristics of management for accounting information users, analysts and legal institutions that contribute greatly to financial statement readability. Besides, the results of this study aid the development of science and knowledge in this field and fill the existing gap in the literature.
Effect of information technology-enabled supply chain integration on firm's operational performance
Authors: Ganbold Odkhishig , Matsui Yoshiki , Rotaru Kristian
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Using the assumptions of the resource-based view, relational view and swift, even flow theories and the overarching principles of supply chain management, the study aims to test the role of information technology (IT) capability (cross-functional application, supply chain application and data consistency) in enabling supply chain integration (SCI; internal, customer and supplier integration) and the impact of SCI on firm's operational performance in terms of quality, delivery, production cost, inventory level, customer service and product-mix flexibility.

Design/methodology/approach

The structural equation modeling approach is used to test theoretical predictions underlying the relationship among dimensions of IT capability, SCI and operational performance based on data obtained from senior executives of 108 large manufacturing firms listed in the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

Findings

The results suggest that IT capability has positive impact on SCI, except for data consistency, which is found to have negative impact on internal integration. The results further indicate that SCI, especially customer integration, has positive and significant impact on all operational performance indicators.

Practical implications

The findings inform future initiatives associated with the SCI improvement via specific IT capabilities. When undertaking such initiatives, managers are advised to consider the differential impact of the following IT capabilities on SCI: cross-functional applications, supply chain applications, and data consistency capability.

Originality/value

The study makes an empirical contribution to the body of knowledge by demonstrating the value of the multidimensional representation and analysis of IT capability, SCI, and operational performance given a differential and even opposed influence by some of the dimensions in specific business contexts.
Forty years of research on human resource management in family firms: analyzing the past; preparing for the future
Authors: Flamini Giulia , Gnan Luca , Pellegrini Massimiliano Matteo
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This paper explores the field of human resource management (HRM) in family firms, assessing the evolution of this research through a four-domain model that reflects the relationships between cognitions, actions and performances associated with organizational choices.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors have performed a bibliometric review of 363 peer-reviewed papers from over the past four decades (1976–2016) in order to provide activity indicators for the overall phenomenon and systemize the entire body of literature into specific HRM strategy domains or practices, using a double-entered pivot table.

Findings

The study framework provides managerial implications with regard to the HRM decisions made when attempting to improve human capital in family firms. Accordingly, the authors view HRM-centered decisions and strategies in family firms as ways to scan for and appraise contingent dimensions, make sense of the current environment, make good choices and achieve high performance levels.

Originality/value

The authors offer this four-domain theoretical scheme as a framework through which the field can be interpreted, proposing some potential avenues for moving forward.
Determining and assessing the risks of commercial and recreational complex building projects in developing countries: a survey of experts in Iran
Authors: Khosravi Mojtaba , Sarvari Hadi , Chan Daniel W.M. , Cristofaro Matteo , Chen Zhen
Published: July 2020

Purpose

As construction of commercial and recreational complex building projects (CRCBPs) is one of the most important issues in many developing countries and requires a very high cost of implementation, it is important to identify and prioritize the risks of such projects. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to identify and rank the risks of CRCBPs by studying the case of the “Hamedanian Memorial,” a CRCBP in Iran.

Design/methodology/approach

To pursue this aim, a descriptive-survey method was used. The statistical population of the study consists of 30 experienced experts (consultants, contractors and employers) of the “Hamedanian Memorial” project selected according to the Cochran formula and minimum population census. A questionnaire was used as the data collection tool, administered in all stages of risk identification and evaluation, and was devised by using library and field methods based on the literature and research background, as well as interviewing experts in the risk identification and evaluation stages. Kendall’s coefficient of agreement was used to validate the experts’ opinions in the risk identification stage. The ranking in qualitative evaluation was done based on the risk intensity and the cumulative risk index.

Findings

The results show that the risks are associated with exchange rate fluctuation, inflation fluctuation, access to skilled workers, contractors’ claims and foreign threats from international relations.

Originality/value

The results and findings of the present study can be of interest to the executives of large commercial, leisure, public and private projects in developing and developed countries; understanding risks can significantly improve the decision-making process of CRCBPs.
Co-location of R&D and production in fashion industry
Authors: Lica Denada , Di Maria Eleonora , De Marchi Valentina
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze how important is co-location of R&D and production for firms originated from high-cost countries and to provide evidence of the relationship between the different strategies of location choices and co-location.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to investigate the relationship between R&D/design-production co-location and strategies of location choices for production, this paper uses a cluster analysis of 37 Italian firms that operate in fashion industry.

Findings

This article finds that co-location results in a dominant strategy for firms under the following conditions: high level of product customization, coordination difficulties between R&D and production, rapid change in production process technologies and product complexity difficult to be coded.

Research limitations/implications

This paper presents some limitations in that it focuses only on fashion industry without considering other sectors.

Practical implications

This paper has some managerial implication in that offers some insight on decision making in organization. In particular offers some insights of how important is having an internal R&D/design function rather than collaborating with external designers in order to achieve competitive advantage in terms of product quality, product design and also brand name reputation.

Originality/value

This paper suggests that the co-location of R&D and production may improve the firms' performance considering the need for constant interaction between the two units. Moreover, it suggests that the co-location of R&D and production both within and external (within the firms' region and/or within the country) to the firms might be important. Furthermore, larger firms in terms of turnover have a greater preference to locate the R&D function close to the production function.
Workplace disability inclusion in India: review and directions
Authors: Suresh Vasanthi , Dyaram Lata
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This study aims to review the extant literature on workplace disability inclusion in the organised sector in India and presents an integrated model based on emergent themes in indigenous studies.

Design/methodology/approach

The review is directed by the following foci: In what contexts was workplace disability inclusion in India empirically investigated? How was workplace disability inclusion examined (method)? What important themes emerge from the studies? Towards this, empirical scholarly studies in India, published between 2011–2019, is reviewed to identify the evolutionary trends.

Findings

Prominent themes have been identified at three levels – organization, group and individual. At an organization level, the focus is on inclusive strategy and practices. Country-specific contextual factors such as legislation, accessibility and external eco-system influence an organization’s inclusive strategy, which addresses how organizations engage with persons with disability (PwD), job mapping, accessibility and targeted recruitment. Inclusive practices span across various phases of the employee life cycle, namely, recruitment, onboarding, development and retention. At the group level, the themes highlight group boundaries, PwD-supervisor interaction, PwD-co-worker interaction and PwD-PwD interaction. At an individual level, PwD experiences are categorized as physical, job-related and psychological. Workplace treatment and experiences of PwD vary from discrimination to inclusion and along with other outcomes, are influenced by contextual factors.

Research limitations/implications

This study contributes to the development of workplace disability inclusion theory, by presenting an integrated model of prominent themes, offering greater clarity and avenues for extending the literature. The paper discusses themes that can help organizations facilitate inclusion, thereby improving employment opportunities for PwD.

Originality/value

In a first, the study provides an integrated account of inclusion of PwD in organized sector in India.
Expert saying and doing in dealing with domestic violence: reflections on a case of legal aid in an antiviolence center
Authors: Parolin Laura Lucia
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This article sheds light on the legal services offered by antiviolence centers through a discursive practice-based analysis of women who have experienced domestic violence and the lawyers who volunteer in the center.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a practice-based framework, the article utilizes a case study of the first legal meeting between a lawyer and a woman who has experienced violence. The case study illustrates how the legal advisors' expertise is deployed in the use of “discursive practices” in dealing with women who have experienced domestic violence. Through a systematic analysis of the verbatim narrative, the case shows how the lawyer performs her legal help through expert “discursive practices” which are situated in recognition of the texture of practices experienced by women in the legal system.

Findings

The case study shows how a practice-based approach is able to account for lawyers' discursive and interactional knowledge in dealing with domestic violence. This expert doing and saying includes the ability to read the complexities of abusive situations, using “professional vision” to identify, highlight and codify clues and patterns of a partners' violent behavior; the mastery of “co-implication” with women to support the development of a narrative of the abuse as a crime recognizable both by the victim and the legal system.

Originality/value

The analysis shows that practice-based approaches to knowing and learning in investigating discourse practices can provide insights on practitioners' interactional expertise as well as the relevance of the service. While a close look at the actual practices illustrates the lawyer's interactional mechanisms, the crucial role of legal aid in the antiviolence center can be appreciated by contextualizing within the texture of practices that characterizes women's experiences with violence.
Exploring sustainability of affordability initiatives: a library case study
Authors: Hoover Jeanne , Shirkey Cindy , Barricella Lisa Sheets
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The cost of textbooks continues to rise for college students along with the cost of tuition. These costs can impact student success. In response to the rising costs, higher education institutions have started affordability initiatives. These initiatives are frequently housed in academic libraries. Joyner Library at East Carolina University (ECU) addresses affordability through three initiatives: Course-Adopted Textbook program, Alternative Textbook Mini-Grant program and Streaming Video licensing.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper will explore the above-mentioned three programs in-depth and perform a sustainability analysis on each program.

Findings

After reviewing the affordability initiatives discussed in the case study, the authors found that there were varying degrees of sustainability for the programs.

Originality/value

ECU is not alone in addressing affordability through multiple initiatives, and this case study paper will address long-term sustainability of these initiatives, especially during a time when libraries are experiencing shrinking budgets.
Current status of Panton–Valentine leukocidin‐positive methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from patients with skin and soft tissue infections in Japan
Authors: Nakaminami Hidemasa , Ozawa Kazuya , Sasai Nao , Ikeda Masami , Nemoto Osamu , Baba Naoko , Matsuzaki Yasushi , Sawamura Daisuke , Shimoe Fumiko , Inaba Yoichi , Kobayashi Yoko , Kawasaki Satoru , Ueki Toru , Funatsu Sakae , Shirahama Shigeho , Noguchi Norihisa
Published: July 2020

The USA300 clone, which produces Panton–Valentine leukocidin (PVL), is a major pathogenic community‐acquired methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA‐MRSA) clone that causes intractable skin infections. Recently, PVL‐positive CA‐MRSA, including USA300 clones, have emerged in both communities and hospitals in Japan. To prevent an outbreak of PVL‐positive MRSA, infected patients should be treated with effective antimicrobial agents at community clinics. Herein, we investigate molecular epidemiological characteristics of PVL‐positive MRSA isolated from outpatients with skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI), which are common community‐onset infectious diseases. The detection rate of MRSA was 24.9% (362 strains) out of 1455 S. aureus strains isolated between 2013 and 2017. Among the MRSA strains, 15.5% (56 strains) were PVL‐positive strains and associated with deep‐seated skin infections. Molecular epidemiological analyses of PVL‐positive MRSA showed that USA300 was the predominant clone (53.6%, 30 strains) and was identified in Kanto (18 strains), Kagawa (nine strains), Tohoku (two strains) and Hokkaido (one strain). Notably, minocycline and fusidic acid were effective against all PVL‐positive MRSA strains. Hence, our data reveals the current status of PVL‐positive MRSA isolated from patients with SSTI in Japan. Continuous surveillance of CA‐MRSA is necessary to monitor latest prevalence rates and identify effective antimicrobial agents for PVL‐positive MRSA strains.
Structural and physicochemical characteristics of lyophilized Chinese sturgeon protein hydrolysates prepared by using two different enzymes
Authors: Noman Anwar , Ali Abdelmoneim H. , AL‐Bukhaiti Wedad Q. , Mahdi Amer Ali , Xia Wenshui
Published: July 2020

The structural and physicochemical characteristics of protein hydrolysates prepared from Chinese sturgeon through the enzymatic hydrolysis process were evaluated. Two different enzymes including papain and alcalase 2.4L were used in the hydrolysis process. The papain enzyme significantly increased the degree of hydrolysis (20.62%) and decreased the ζ‐potential (12.4 ± 1.31 mV) as compared to the alcalase enzyme, which represented 15.55% and 15.53 ± 0.77 mV, respectively. Alcalase 2.4L hydrolysate exhibited smaller particle size (822.047 ± 61.26 nm) than papain hydrolysate (1425.39 ± 44.82 nm). Hydrolysis by papain and alcalase 2.4L enzymes decreased the molecular weights (MW ≤ 1,000 Da) to 98.27% and 86.84%, respectively. The surface hydrophobicity and turbidity of the hydrolysates significantly affected by enzyme type and protein concentrations. By using the X‐ray diffraction analysis, the papain hydrolysate showed a higher relative crystallinity degree (30.33%) than alcalase 2.4L hydrolysate (29.40%), whereas the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed more clearly peaks for the amide bands of alcalase hydrolysate. The thermal properties also affected by enzymatic hydrolysis conditions, since the melting temperatures were 159.17 and 149.58 °C, whereas the rate of mass loss was 67.04% and 62.8%, for papain and alcalase hydrolysates, respectively.

Practical Application

The enzymatic hydrolysis process of proteins is employed to obtain the nutritionally and functionality important peptides that result during the preparation of fish protein hydrolysate. The objective of this study was to investigate the structural and physicochemical characteristics of protein hydrolysate prepared from Chinese sturgeon. This study showed that these characteristics were affected by enzymatic hydrolysis conditions especially enzyme type. The finding of this study may be useful in terms of providing new information on the properties of the protein hydrolysate and the structural changes resulting from controlled enzymatic hydrolysis conditions. Overall, these conditions could potentially alter the secondary structure of the protein hydrolysates or peptides and enhance their functional properties.
The Rising Costs of Fossil‐Fuel Extraction: An Energy Crisis That Will Not Go Away
Authors: Kreps Bart Hawkins
Published: July 2020

In biophysical terms, such as energy return on investment (EROI), energy sources for the global economy have grown more expensive over the last few decades. This trend is likely to be more pronounced in the near‐term future as conventional oil and gas are depleted and difficult‐to‐extract unconventional oil and gas become a larger part of the fossil‐fuel supply. On the one hand, this will lead to “energy sprawl”—the growth of the energy sector, as this sector consumes a much larger portion of the energy it extracts—leaving less energy surplus for other sectors. On the other hand, we will see an unsustainable imbalance between the fuel prices that fossil‐fuel companies will need to meet their costs and the fuel prices that the larger economy can afford to pay. This article reviews the historical role of inexpensive energy in economic growth, discusses the declining availability of conventional oil resources, and examines the increasing reliance on expensive, unconventional petroleum resources such as shale oil in the United States.
Consumer Food Co‐ops in the Age of Grocery Giants
Authors: Steinman Jon
Published: July 2020

As the primary purveyors of food within most neighborhoods, food retailers—particularly grocery stores—are key determinants of health. Grocery stores are also an important venue for food producers to access their customers. Over the previous 100 years—and more rapidly over the previous 40 years—ownership among grocery retailers has become concentrated in fewer firms. As a consequence, grocery stores have emerged as food system “gatekeepers.” On one side of the gate are consumers, who depend on these firms to access the food supply. On the other side are the food producers: farmers, ranchers, fishers, processors, and manufacturers. As concentration in the grocery retail sector increases, so too have the grocery giants’ practices enabled them to assume much stronger positions in the buyer‐supplier relationship. With a focus on the United States and Canada, this article examines the history and rise to dominance of the largest grocery retailers and the impacts this dominance has had on the food system. Whereas most food retailers are structured under private or publicly traded models of ownership, the cooperative business model—specifically, the consumer‐cooperative model—is presented as an important alternative. Cooperatives are a democratic form of ownership that enables the people who most depend on the grocery store (shoppers) to become equal owners in the business along with thousands of others in their community. The importance of consumer‐food cooperatives (food co‐ops) is examined, including specific case studies of small and large urban centers where food co‐ops are providing substantial benefits to the communities they operate in.
The association between markers of liver injury and clinical outcomes in patients with COVID‐19 in Wuhan
Authors: Huang Haijun , Chen Shanshan , Li Hong , Zhou Xian‐Long , Dai Yining , Wu Jia , Zhang Jun , Shao Lina , Yan Rong , Wang Mingshan , Wang Jiafeng , Tu Yuexing , Ge Minghua
Published: July 2020

Background

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) is a critical challenge for public health. The effect of COVID‐19 on liver injury has not been fully established.

Aims

To evaluate the dynamic changes in liver function and the relationship between liver damage and prognosis in patients with COVID‐19.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of clinical data of 675 patients with COVID‐19 in Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University from January 3 to March 8, 2020. Patients were classified as having normal or abnormal liver function and liver injury.

Results

Of 675 patients, 253 (37.5%) had abnormal liver function during hospitalisation, and 52 (7.7%) had liver injury. The dynamic changes of ALT and AST levels were more significant in patients with liver injury and in those who died. AST >3‐fold upper limit of normal (ULN) had the highest risk of death and mechanical ventilation. Compared to patients with normal AST levels, mortality and risk of mechanical ventilation significantly increased 19.27‐fold (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.89‐75.97; P < 0.0001) and 116.72‐fold (95% CI, 31.58‐431.46; P < 0.0001), respectively, in patients with AST above 3‐fold ULN. Increased leucocytes, decreased lymphocytes and female sex were independently associated with liver injury.

Conclusions

The dynamic changes in liver function may have a significant correlation with the severity and prognosis of COVID‐19. Increased index of liver injury was closely related to mortality and need for mechanical ventilation. Therefore, these indicators should be closely monitored during hospitalisation.
Anti‐racist learning and teaching in British geography
Authors: Esson James , Last Angela
Published: July 2020

This special section illustrates how learning and teaching in UK higher education reinforces, but can potentially also help to counteract, racism. This introduction provides some context for this intervention and provides an outline of key themes that emerge from the collection of papers. We use these themes to sketch out three guiding principles for the incorporation of explicitly anti‐racist praxis in our learning and teaching within British Geography: (1) Recognise each other's humanity, (2) Say the unsayable, and (3) Experiment with (y)our history. We call for explicitly anti‐racist praxis while conscious of the “disciplinary fragility” that moves to address racism might elicit. It is argued that an anti‐racist approach to learning and teaching in British Geography has the potential to equip staff and students with the tools to help make our discipline, and wider society, more equitable and just.
Iloprost and exercise haemodynamics in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction—the ILO‐HOPE randomised controlled trial
Authors: Wu Cho‐Kai , Cheng Jen‐Fang , Huang Chen‐Yu , Chen Zheng‐Wei , Chen Ssu‐Yuan , Lin Lian‐Yu
Published: July 2020

Aims

A dramatic increase in pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) during exercise is observed in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). This study was designed to determine whether iloprost inhalation could improve exercise haemodynamics and cardiac reserve in patients with HFpEF.

Methods

Thirty‐four HFpEF patients were enrolled in this double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled, parallel‐group trial. Patients received both cardiac catheterization and underwent expired gas analysis at rest, during exercise, and before and 10 minutes after treatment with either inhaled iloprost or placebo. The primary endpoint was decrease in exercise PCWP.

Results

At baseline, enrolled patients showed an increase in PCWP during exercise (from 16 [range, 14–23] mmHg to 27 [21–36] mmHg; P < .0001). After iloprost inhalation, exercise PCWP was significantly reduced compared to placebo (adjusted mean: 20 [16–29] mmHg vs 23 [17–32] mmHg; P = .002). There was no difference for cardiac output reserve with exercise in the 2 groups (0.2 [−1.3–1.2] L/min vs –0.7 [−1.9–0.1] L/min; P = .099). Iloprost improved the pulmonary artery pressure flow relationships in HFpEF with exercise compared to placebo.

Conclusion

Iloprost inhalation improved haemodynamic deficits during exercise in patients with HFpEF. Prospective trials testing long‐term iloprost therapy in this population are warranted.
Nicotine increases alcohol self‐administration in male rats via a μ‐opioid mechanism within the mesolimbic pathway
Authors: Domi Esi , Xu Li , Pätz Marvin , Nordeman Anton , Augier Gaëlle , Holm Lovisa , Toivainen Sanne , Augier Eric , Hansson Anita C. , Heilig Markus
Published: July 2020

Background and Purpose

Alcohol and nicotine use disorders are commonly comorbid. Both alcohol and nicotine can activate opioid systems in reward‐related brain regions, leading to adaptive changes in opioid signalling upon chronic exposure. The potential role of these adaptations for comorbidity is presently unknown. Here, we examined the contribution of μ and κ‐opioid receptors to nicotine‐induced escalation of alcohol self‐administration in rats.

Experimental Approach

Chronic nicotine was tested on alcohol self‐administration and motivation to obtain alcohol. We then tested the effect of the κ antagonist CERC‐501 and the preferential μ receptor antagonist naltrexone on basal and nicotine‐escalated alcohol self‐administration. To probe μ or κ receptor adaptations, receptor binding and G‐protein coupling assays were performed in reward‐related brain regions. Finally, dopaminergic activity in response to alcohol was examined, using phosphorylation of DARPP‐32 in nucleus accumbens as a biomarker.

Key Results

Nicotine robustly induced escalation of alcohol self‐administration and motivation to obtain alcohol. This was blocked by naltrexone but not by CERC‐501. Escalation of alcohol self‐administration was associated with decreased DAMGO‐stimulated μ receptor signalling in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and decreased pDARPP‐32 in the nucleus accumbens shell in response to alcohol.

Conclusions and Implications

Collectively, these results suggest that nicotine contributes to escalate alcohol self‐administration through a dysregulation of μ receptor activity in the VTA. These data imply that targeting μ rather than κ receptors may be the preferred pharmacotherapeutic approach for the treatment of alcohol use disorder when nicotine use contributes to alcohol consumption.