bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and risk of hospitalization for Covid-19
Authors: Bramante Carolyn T. , Tignanelli Christopher J. , Dutta Nirjhar , Jones Emma , Tamaritz Leonardo , Clark Jeanne , Melton-Meaux Genevieve , Usher Michael , Ikramuddin Sayeed
Published: September 2020

Background

Covid-19 disease causes significant morbidity and mortality through increase inflammation and thrombosis. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis are states of chronic inflammation and indicate advanced metabolic disease. We sought to understand the risk of hospitalization for Covid-19 associated with NAFLD/NASH.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of electronic medical record data of 6,700 adults with a positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR from March 1, 2020 to Aug 25, 2020. Logistic regression and competing risk were used to assess odds of being hospitalized. Additional adjustment was added to assess risk of hospitalization among patients with a prescription for metformin use within the 3 months prior to the SARS-CoV-2 PCR result, history of home glucagon-like-peptide 1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) use, and history of metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS). Interactions were assessed by gender and race.

Results

A history of NAFLD/NASH was associated with increased odds of admission for Covid-19: logistic regression OR 2.04 (1.55, 2.96, p<0.01), competing risks OR 1.43 (1.09-1.88, p<0.01); and each additional year of having NAFLD/NASH was associated with a significant increased risk of being hospitalized for Covid-19, OR 1.86 (1.43-2.42, p<0.01). After controlling for NAFLD/NASH, persons with obesity had decreased odds of hospitalization for Covid-19, OR 0.41 (0.34-0.49, p<0.01). NAFLD/NASH increased risk of hospitalization in men and women, and in all racial/ethnic subgroups. Mediation treatments for metabolic syndrome were associated with non-significant reduced risk of admission: OR 0.42 (0.18-1.01, p=0.05) for home metformin use and OR 0.40 (0.14-1.17, p=0.10) for home GLP-1RA use. MBS was associated with a significant decreased risk of admission: OR 0.22 (0.05-0.98, p<0.05).

Conclusions

NAFLD/NASH is a significant risk factor for hospitalization for Covid-19, and appears to account for risk attributed to obesity. Treatments for metabolic disease mitigated risks from NAFLD/NASH. More research is needed to confirm risk associated with visceral adiposity, and patients should be screened for and informed of treatments for metabolic syndrome.

Key Questions

Question

Does NAFLD/NASH independently increase risk for poor outcomes from Covid-19?

Findings

In this observational study, a history of NAFLD/NASH was associated with a significantly increased odds of hospitalization. Metabolic surgery was protective against admission in persons with NAFLD/NASH and Covid-19. Metformin and glucagon like peptide 1 receptor agonists were associated with non-significant protecting against admission.

Meaning

Treatment for metabolic syndrome greatly reduce the elevated risk of hospitalization for Covid-19 among persons with NAFLD/NASH.
Immune transcriptomes of highly exposed SARS-CoV-2 asymptomatic seropositive versus seronegative individuals from the Ischgl community
Authors: Lee Hye Kyung , Knabl Ludwig , Pipperger Lisa , Volland Andre , Furth Priscilla A. , Kang Keunsoo , Smith Harold E. , Ludwig Knabl , Bellmann Romuald , Bernhard Christina , Kaiser Norbert , Gänzer Hannes , Ströhle Mathias , Walser Andreas , Laer Dorothee von , Hennighausen Lothar
Published: September 2020

To investigate prevalence of ongoing activation of inflammation following asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection we characterized immune cell transcriptomes from 43 asymptomatic seropositive and 52 highly exposed seronegative individuals with few underlying health issues following a community superspreading event. Four mildly symptomatic seropositive individuals examined three weeks after infection as positive controls demonstrated immunological activation. Approximately four to six weeks following the event, the two asymptomatic groups showed no significant differences. Two seropositive patients with underlying genetic disease impacting immunological activation were included (Cystic Fibrosis (CF), Nuclear factor-kappa B Essential Modulator (NEMO) deficiency). CF, but not NEMO, associated with significant immune transcriptome differences including some associated with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection (IL1B, IL17A, respective receptors). All subjects remained in their usual state of health from event through five-month follow-up. Here, asymptomatic infection resolved without evidence of prolonged immunological activation. Inclusion of subjects with underlying genetic disease illustrated the pathophysiological importance of context on impact of immunological response.
Transcriptome analysis of growth variation in early juvenile stage sandfishHolothuria scabra
Authors: Ordoñez June Feliciano F. , Galindez Gihanna Gaye ST. , Ravago-Gotanco Rachel
Published: September 2020

The sandfishHolothuria scabrais a high-value tropical sea cucumber species representing a major mariculture prospect across the Indo-Pacific. Advancements in culture technology, rearing, and processing present options for augmenting capture production, stock restoration, and sustainable livelihood activities from hatchery-produced sandfish. Further improvements in mariculture production may be gained from the application of genomic technologies to improve performance traits such as growth. In this study, we performedde novotranscriptome assembly and characterization of fast- and slow-growing juvenileH. scabrafrom three Philippine populations. Analyses revealed 66 unigenes that were consistently differentially regulated in fast-growing sandfish and found to be associated with immune response and metabolism. Further, we identified microsatellite and single nucleotide polymorphism markers potentially associated with fast growth. These findings provide insight on potential genomic determinants underlying growth regulation in early juvenile sandfish which will be useful for further functional studies.

Highlights

The study explores the genomic basis of growth variation in juvenile sandfish by examining gene expression profiles of fast- and slow-growing early juvenile stages from three hatchery populations using RNA-seq.

Sixty-six differentially regulated unigenes potentially related to growth variation are associated with several biological and molecular processes, including carbohydrate binding, extracellular matrix organization, fatty-acid metabolism, and metabolite and solute transport.

A large number of potential microsatellite and growth category-associated SNP markers have been identified.
High species turnover shapes anuran community composition in ponds along an urban-rural gradient
Authors: Ganci Carolina Cunha , Provete Diogo B. , Püttker Thomas , Lindenmayer David , Almeida-Gomes Mauricio
Published: September 2020

The rapid expansion of urban areas in which natural and semi-natural areas are replaced by human infrastructure, such as buildings and streets, is a major threat to biodiversity worldwide. However, little is known about how the structure of biotic communities is affected by urbanization in the tropics. Here, we tested the effect of land use types in urban and peri-urban areas on frog species richness and community composition in central Brazil. We selected 20 ponds differing in size and surrounding levels of urbanization as well as natural forest cover. We then used a Poisson GLM and a distance-based Redundancy Analysis (db-RDA) to relate species richness and community composition, respectively, to environmental variables. Variation in species richness was best explained by pond size (positive effect) and amount of urbanization (negative effect) in the surrounding 500 m. Community composition was mainly driven by species turnover than by nestedness, with db-RDA showing that turnover was explained primarily by urban infrastructure and forest cover. Our results indicate that urbanization negatively influences species richness. Moreover, as the amount of urbanization increased, several species were replaced by others taxa that appear better adapted to urban environments. Our results indicate that maintaining large ponds with surrounding native vegetation in urban environments might be an effective strategy for conserving frog communities.
Meaningful Associations in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study
Authors: Dick Anthony Steven , Lopez Daniel A. , Watts Ashley L. , Heeringa Steven , Reuter Chase , Bartsch Hauke , Fan Chun Chieh , Kennedy David N. , Palmer Clare , Marshall Andrew , Haist Frank , Hawes Samuel , Nichols Thomas E. , Barch Deanna M. , Jernigan Terry L. , Garavan Hugh , Grant Steven , Pariyadath Vani , Hoffman Elizabeth , Neale Michael , Stuart Elizabeth A. , Paulus Martin P. , Sher Kenneth J. , Thompson Wesley K.
Published: September 2020

The Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study is the largest single-cohort prospective longitudinal study of neurodevelopment and children’s health in the United States. A cohort of n= 11,880 children aged 9-10 years (and their parents/guardians) were recruited across 22 sites and are being followed with in-person visits on an annual basis for at least 10 years. The study approximates the US population on several key sociodemographic variables, including sex, race, ethnicity, household income, and parental education. Data collected include assessments of health, mental health, substance use, culture and environment and neurocognition, as well as geocoded exposures, structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and whole-genome genotyping. Here, we describe the ABCD Study aims and design, as well as issues surrounding estimation of meaningful associations using its data, including population inferences, hypothesis testing, power and precision, control of covariates, interpretation of associations, and recommended best practices for reproducible research, analytical procedures and reporting of results.
Molecular Mechanism of Nuclear Tau Accumulation and its Role in Protein Synthesis
Authors: Portillo Miguel , Eremenko Ekaterina , Kaluski Shai , Onn Lior , Stein Daniel , Slobodnik Zeev , Ueberham Uwe , Einav Monica , Brückner Martina K. , Arendt Thomas , Toiber Debra
Published: September 2020

Several neurodegenerative diseases present Tau accumulation as the main pathological marker. Tau post-translational modifications such as phosphorylation and acetylation are increased in neurodegenerative patients. Here, we show that Tau hyper-acetylation at residue 174 increases its own nuclear presence and is the result of DNA damage signaling or the lack of SIRT6, both causative of neurodegeneration. Tau-K174ac is deacetylated in the nucleus by SIRT6. However, lack of SIRT6 or chronic DNA damage result in nuclear Tau-K174ac accumulation. Once there, it induces global changes in gene expression affecting protein translation, synthesis and energy production. Tau-K174Q expressing cells showed changes in the nucleolus increasing their intensity and number, as well as in rRNA synthesis leading to an increase in protein translation and ATP reduction. Concomitantly, AD patients showed increased Nucleolin and a decrease in SIRT6 levels. AD patients present increased levels of nuclear Tau, particularly Tau-K174ac. Our results suggest that increased Tau-K174ac in AD patients is the result of DNA damage signaling and SIRT6 depletion. We propose that Tau-K174ac toxicity is due to its increased stability, nuclear accumulation and nucleolar dysfunction.
Social groups buffer maternal loss in mountain gorillas
Authors: Morrison Robin E , Eckardt Winnie , Colchero Fernando , Vecellio Veronica , Stoinski Tara S
Published: September 2020

Mothers are crucial for mammals’ survival before nutritional independence, but many social mammals reside with their mothers long after. In these species the social adversity caused by maternal loss later in life can dramatically reduce fitness. However, in some human populations these negative consequences appear to be overcome by care from other group members. We investigated the consequences of maternal loss in mountain gorillas and found no discernible fitness costs to maternal loss through survival, age at first birth or survival of first offspring through infancy. Social network analysis revealed that maternal loss led to strengthened relationships with other group members, particularly the dominant male and age-mates. In contrast to most social mammals, where maternal loss causes considerable social adversity, in mountain gorillas, as in certain human populations, this may be buffered by relationships within cohesive social groups, breaking the link between maternal loss, increased social adversity and decreased fitness.
Optimising biomedical relationship extraction with BioBERT
Authors: Giles Oliver , Karlsson Anneli , Masiala Spyroula , White Simon , Cesareni Gianni , Perfetto Livia , Mullen Joe , Hughes Michael , Harland Lee , Malone James
Published: September 2020

Text mining is widely used within the life sciences as an evidence stream for inferring relationships between biological entities. In most cases, conventional string matching is used to identify cooccurrences of given entities within sentences. This limits the utility of text mining results, as they tend to contain significant noise due to weak inclusion criteria. We show that, in the indicative case of protein-protein interactions (PPIs), the majority of sentences containing cooccurrences (∽75%) do not describe any causal relationship. We further demonstrate the feasibility of fine tuning a strong domain-specific language model, BioBERT, to analyse sentences containing cooccurrences and accurately (F1 score: 88.95%) identify functional links between proteins. These strong results come in spite of the deep complexity of the language involved, which limits the accuracy even of expert curators. We establish guidelines for best practices in data creation to this end, including an examination of inter-annotator agreement, of semisupervision, and of rules based alternatives to manual curation, and explore the potential for downstream use of the model to accelerate curation of interactions in the SIGNOR database of causal protein interactions and the IntAct database of experimental evidence for physical protein interactions.
Peripapillary Perfused Capillary Density in True Versus Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome: An OCTA Study
Authors: Tangtammaruk Phantaraporn , Petpiroon Purit , Supakonatanasan Wasu , Teekhasaenee Chaiwat , Suwan Yanin
Published: September 2020

Purpose

To compare peripapillary perfused capillary density (PCD) among eyes with true exfoliation syndrome (TEX), eyes with pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX), and healthy control eyes.

Materials and Methods

In this observational cross-sectional study, eyes with and without TEX or PEX were assessed by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) imaging. Bilateral OCTA images (4.5 · 4.5 mm2) centered at the optic nerve head were obtained using a commercial spectral domain OCTA system. Optic nerve head perfusion was quantified using the split-spectrum amplitude decorrelation angiography algorithm. Categorical and continuous variables were compared using the chi-squared test and one-way analysis of variance, respectively. The generalized estimating equation was used to adjust for confounding factors and determine inter-ocular associations.

Results

We enrolled 39 eyes with TEX, 31 eyes with PEX, and 32 control eyes. There were no significant differences among the three groups regarding age, intraocular pressure, cup-to-disc ratio, blood pressure, or axial length (all p>0.05). There were significant differences in global PCD among the three groups (p=0.01). There were significant differences in annular PCD between the TEX and PEX groups (p=0.027).

Conclusions

While both global and annular PCDs did not differ between the TEX and control groups, greater loss of annular PCD in the PEX group than in the TEX and control groups suggests more pronounced microvascular disturbance in PEX.

Synopsis/Precis

Greater microvascular attenuation in PEX compared with TEX and normal control measured by OCTA.
iBRAB:in silicobased-designed Broad-spectrum Fab against H1N1 Influenza A Virus
Authors: Do Phuc-Chau , Nguyen Trung H. , Vo Uyen T.M. , Le Ly
Published: September 2020

Influenza virus A is a significant agent involved in the outbreak of worldwide epidemics, causing millions of fatalities around the world by respiratory diseases and seasonal illness. Many projects had been conducting to investigate recovered infected patients for therapeutic vaccines that have broad-spectrum activity. With the aid of the computational approach in biology, the designation for a vaccine model is more accessible. We developed anin silicoprotocol callediBRAB to design a broad-reactive Fab on a wide range of influenza A virus. The Fab model was constructed based on sequences and structure of available broad-spectrum Abs or Fabs against a wide range of H1N1 influenza A virus. As a result, the proposed Fab model followediBRAB has good binding affinity over 27 selected HA of different strains of H1 influenza A virus, including wild-type and mutated ones. The examination also took by computational tools to fasten the procedure. This protocol could be applied for a fast designed therapeutic vaccine against different types of threats.
Estimating partial body ionizing radiation exposure by automated cytogenetic biodosimetry
Authors: Shirley Ben C. , Knoll Joan H.M. , Moquet Jayne , Ainsbury Elizabeth , Duy Pham Ngoc , Norton Farrah , Wilkins Ruth C. , Rogan Peter K.
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Inhomogeneous exposures to ionizing radiation can be detected and quantified with the Dicentric Chromosome Assay (DCA) of metaphase cells. Complete automation of interpretation of the DCA for whole body irradiation has significantly improved throughput without compromising accuracy, however low levels of residual false positive dicentric chromosomes (DCs) have confounded its application for partial body exposure determination.

Materials and Methods

We describe a method of estimating and correcting for false positive DCs in digitally processed images of metaphase cells. Nearly all DCs detected in unirradiated calibration samples are introduced by digital image processing. DC frequencies of irradiated calibration samples and those exposed to unknown radiation levels are corrected subtracting this false positive fraction from each. In partial body exposures, the fraction of cells exposed, and radiation dose can be quantified after applying this modification of the contaminated Poisson method.

Results

Dose estimates of three partially irradiated samples diverged 0.2 to 2.5 Gy from physical doses and irradiated cell fractions deviated by 2.3-15.8% from the known levels. Synthetic partial body samples comprised of unirradiated and 3 Gy samples from 4 laboratories were correctly discriminated as inhomogeneous by multiple criteria. Root mean squared errors of these dose estimates ranged from 0.52 to 1.14 Gy2and from 8.1 to 33.3%2for the fraction of cells irradiated.

Conclusions

Automated DCA can differentiate whole-from partial-body radiation exposures and provides timely quantification of estimated whole-body equivalent dose.

Biographical Note

Ben Shirley M.Sc. is Chief Software Architect, CytoGnomix Inc. Canada; Joan Knoll Ph.D. Dipl.ABMGG, FCCMG is Professor in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, Canada and cofounder, CytoGnomix Inc.; Jayne Moquet Ph.D. is Principal Radiation Protection Scientist in the Cytogenetics Group, Public Health England; Elizabeth Ainsbury Ph.D. is Head, Cytogenetics Group and the Chromosome Dosimetry Service, Public Health England; Pham Ngoc Duy M.Sc. is deputy director of Biotechnology Center, Dalat Nuclear Research Institute, Vietnam; Farrah Norton M.Sc.is Research Scientist and Lead of the Biodosimetry emergency response and research capability at Canadian Nuclear Laboratories; Ruth Wilkins, Ph.D. is Research Scientist and Chief of the Ionizing Radiation Health Sciences Division at Health Canada, Ontario, Canada; and Peter K. Rogan Ph.D. is Professor of Biochemistry and Oncology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, Canada, and President, CytoGnomix Inc.
A Look-ahead Monte Carlo Simulation Method for Improving Parental Selection in Trait Introgression
Authors: Moeinizade Saba , Han Ye , Pham Hieu , Hu Guiping , Wang Lizhi
Published: September 2020

Multiple trait introgression is the process by which multiple desirable traits are converted from a donor to a recipient cultivar through backcrossing and selfing. The goal of this procedure is to recover all the attributes of the recipient cultivar, with the addition of the specified desirable traits. A crucial step in this process is the selection of parents to form new crosses. In this study, we propose a new selection approach that estimates the genetic distribution of the progeny of backcrosses after multiple generations using information of recombination events. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method, a case study has been conducted using maize data where our method is compared with state-of-the-art approaches. Simulation results suggest that the proposed method, look-ahead Monte Carlo, achieves higher probability of success than existing approaches.
A novel phospholipid mimetic targeting LRH-1 ameliorates colitis
Authors: Mays Suzanne G. , D’Agostino Emma H. , Flynn Autumn R. , Huang Xiangsheng , Wang Guohui , Liu Xu , Millings Elizabeth J. , Okafor C. Denise , Patel Anamika , Cato Michael L. , Cornelison Jeffery L. , Melchers Dianna , Houtman René , Moore David D. , Calvert John W. , Jui Nathan T. , Ortlund Eric A.
Published: September 2020

Phospholipids are ligands for nuclear hormone receptors (NRs) and regulate transcriptional programs relevant to normal physiology and disease. Here, we demonstrate that mimicking phospholipid-NR interactions greatly improves agonists of liver receptor homolog-1 (LRH-1), a promising therapeutic target for diabetes and colitis. Conventional LRH-1 modulators partially occupy the binding pocket, leaving vacant a region important for phospholipid binding and allostery. Therefore, we constructed a set of hybrid molecules with elements of natural phospholipids appended to a synthetic LRH-1 agonist. The phospholipid-mimicking group improves binding affinity, increases LRH-1 transcriptional activity, promotes coregulator recruitment, and interacts with the targeted LRH-1 residues in crystal structures. The best new agonist markedly improves colonic histopathology and disease-related weight loss in a humanized LRH-1 murine T-cell transfer model of colitis. This is the first evidence ofin vivoefficacy for an LRH-1 modulator in colitis, a leap forward in agonist development.
High Throughput Computational Mouse Genetic Analysis
Authors: Arslan Ahmed , Guan Yuan , Fang Zhuoqing , Chen Xinyu , Donaldson Robin , Zhu Wan , Ford Madeline , Wu Manhong , Zheng Ming , Dill David L. , Peltz Gary
Published: September 2020

Background

Genetic factors affecting multiple biomedical traits in mice have been identified when GWAS data that measured responses in panels of inbred mouse strains was analyzed using haplotype-based computational genetic mapping (HBCGM). Although this method was previously used to analyze one dataset at a time; but now, a vast amount of mouse phenotypic data is now publicly available, which could lead to many more genetic discoveries.

Results

HBCGM and a whole genome SNP map covering 53 inbred strains was used to analyze 8462 publicly available datasets of biomedical responses (1.52M individual datapoints) measured in panels of inbred mouse strains. As proof of concept, causative genetic factors affecting susceptibility for eye, metabolic and infectious diseases were identified when structured automated methods were used to analyze the output. One analysis identified a novel genetic effector mechanism; allelic differences within the mitochondrial targeting sequence affected the subcellular localization of a protein. We also found allelic differences within the mitochondrial targeting sequences of many murine and human proteins, and these could affect a wide range of biomedical phenotypes.

Implications

These initial results indicate that genetic factors affecting biomedical responses could be identified through analysis of very large datasets, and they provide an early indication of how this type of ‘augmented intelligence’ can facilitate genetic discovery.
BonA fromAcinetobacter baumanniiforms a divisome-localized decamer that supports outer envelope function
Authors: Grinter Rhys , Morris Faye C. , Dunstan Rhys A. , Leung Pok Man , Belousoff Matthew , Gunasinghe Sachith D. , Beckham Simone , Peleg Anton Y. , Greening Chris , Li Jian , Heinz Eva , Lithgow Trevor
Published: September 2020

Acinetobacter baumanniiis a high-risk pathogen due to the rapid global spread of multi-drug resistant lineages. Its phylogenetic divergence from other ESKAPE pathogens means that determinants of its antimicrobial resistance can be difficult to extrapolate from other widely studied bacteria. A recent study showed thatA. baumanniiupregulates production of an outer-membrane lipoprotein, which we designate BonA, in response to challenge with polymyxins. Here we show that BonA has limited sequence similarity and distinct structural features compared to lipoproteins from other bacterial species. Analyses through X-ray crystallography, small-angle X-ray scattering, electron microscopy, and multiangle light scattering demonstrate that BonA has a dual BON-domain architecture and forms a decamer via an unusual oligomerization mechanism. This analysis also indicates this decamer is transient, suggesting dynamic oligomerization plays a role in BonA function. Antisera recognizing BonA shows it is an outer membrane protein localized to the divisome. Loss of BonA modulates the density of the outer membrane, consistent with a change in its structure or link to the peptidoglycan, and prevents motility in a clinical strain (ATCC 17978). Consistent with these findings, the dimensions of the BonA decamer are sufficient to permeate the peptidoglycan layer, with the potential to form a membrane-spanning complex during cell division.
MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY TO UNDERSTAND THE SARS-CoV-2 EMERGENCE IN THE BRAZILIAN AMAZON REGION
Authors: dos Santos Mirleide Cordeiro , Sousa Edivaldo Costa , de Almeida Ferreira Jessylene , da Silva Sandro Patroca , de Souza Michel Platini Caldas , Cardoso Jedson Ferreira , Silva Amanda Mendes , Barbagelata Luana Soares , Chagas Wanderley Dias das , Ferreira James Lima , de Souza Edna Maria Acunã , Vilaça Patrícia Louise Araújo , dos Santos Alves Jainara Cristina , de Abreu Michelle Carvalho , dos Santos Lobo Patrícia , da Silva dos Santos Fabíolla , Lima Alessandra Alves Polaro , de Marco Bragagnolo Camila , da Silva Soares Luana , de Almeida Patricía Sousa Moraes , de Souza Oliveira Darleise , Amorim Carolina Koury Nassar , Costa Iran Barros , Teixeira Dielle Monteiro , da Penha Edvaldo Tavares , Bezerra Delana Andreza Melo , Siqueira Jones Anderson Monteiro , Tavares Fernando Neto , Freitas Felipe Bonfim , Rodrigues Janete Taynã Nascimento , Mazaro Janaína , Costa Andreia Santos , Cavalcante Márcia Socorro Pereira , da Silva Marineide Souza , Araújo Guilherme Alfredo Novelino , da Silva Ilvanete Almeida , Borges Gleissy Adriane Lima , de Lima Lídio Gonçalves , dos Santos Ferreira Hivylla Lorrana , Livorati Miriam Teresinha Furlam Prando , de Abreu André Luiz , de Medeiros Arnaldo Correia , Resque Hugo Reis , Sousa Rita Catarina Medeiros , Viana Giselle Maria Rachid
Published: September 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil has demonstrated an important public health impact, as has been observed in the world. In Brazil, the Amazon Region contributed with a large number of cases of COVID-19, especially in the beginning of the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 in the country. Thus, we describe the epidemiological profile of COVID-19 and the genetic diversity of SARS-CoV-2 strains circulating in the Amazon Region. We observe an extensive spread of virus in this Brazilian site. The data on sex, age and symptoms presented by the investigated individuals were similar to what has been observed worldwide. The genomic analysis of the viruses revealed important amino acid changes, including the D614G and the I33T in Spike and ORF6 proteins, respectively. The latter found in strains originating in Brazil. The phylogenetic analyzes demonstrated the circulation of the lineages B.1 and B.1.1, whose circulation in Brazil has already been previous reported. Our data reveals molecular epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in the Amazon Region. These findings also reinforce the importance of continuous genomic surveillance this virus with the aim of providing accurate and updated data to understand and map the transmission network of this agent in order to subsidize operational decisions in public health.
Evolutionary Variation in MADS Box Dimerization Affects Floral Development and Protein Abundance in Maize
Authors: Abraham-Juárez María Jazmín , Schrager-Lavelle Amanda , Man Jarrett , Whipple Clinton , Handakumbura Pubudu , Babbitt Courtney , Bartlett Madelaine
Published: September 2020

Interactions between MADS box transcription factors are critical in the regulation of floral development, and shifting MADS box protein-protein interactions are predicted to have influenced floral evolution. However, precisely how evolutionary variation in protein-protein interactions affects MADS box protein function remains unknown. To assess the impact of changing MADS box protein-protein interactions on transcription factor function, we turned to the grasses, where interactions between B-class MADS box proteins vary. We tested the functional consequences of this evolutionary variability using maize (Zea mays) as an experimental system. We found that differential B-class dimerization was associated with subtle, quantitative differences in stamen shape. In contrast, differential dimerization resulted in large-scale changes to downstream gene expression. Differential dimerization also affected B-class complex composition and abundance, independent of transcript levels. This indicates that differential B-class dimerization affects protein degradation, revealing an important consequence for evolutionary variability in MADS box interactions. Our results highlight complexity in the evolution of developmental gene networks: changing protein-protein interactions could affect not only the composition of transcription factor complexes but also their degradation and persistence in developing flowers. Our results also show how coding change in a pleiotropic master regulator could have small, quantitative effects on development.
Project status reporting system (PSRS) for pipeline relocation programs
Authors: Hu Wei , Panthi Kamalesh
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Successful performance and execution of construction projects depend highly on a good project control system capable of tracking and reporting project status on a desired time interval. The purpose of this paper is to propose such a control system by integrating spreadsheet and Visual Basic for Application to produce a customized tracking system for Pipeline Relocation Programs under Engineering, Procurement and Construction Management (EPCM) contracts.

Design/methodology/approach

The project status reporting system (PSRS) proposed here was developed to produce a single page summary report that would include scope information, financial status, descriptive status updates and top-level task schedules. This information is retrieved from various sources and transformed further utilizing specific formulas and algorithm needed to compute the budget and schedule status of the pipe relocation project. A practical case study is used to demonstrate its unique application.

Findings

The system has successfully integrated project finance and schedule information into a central control hub. Financial and schedule performance of a project is tracked and monitored by the PSRS automatically.

Originality/value

The proposed system utilizes the powerful computing capability of MS Excel and the user-friendly VBA programming tool to customize the reporting needs of a project and program environment. The proposed system, whose functionality has been validated by the intended users, tries to achieve a balance between simplicity, accuracy and effectiveness for the flow of information at a much lower cost compared to the other readily available project control software.
Supply chain cost research: a bibliometric mapping perspective
Authors: Ramos Edgar , Dien Steven , Gonzales Abel , Chavez Melissa , Hazen Ben
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the literature on logistics and supply chain costs to provide an analysis of sources of publication, citations and authorship using bibliometric analysis techniques (VOSviewer and CitNetExplorer tools).

Design/methodology/approach

A review of 756 articles published during the period 2014 to 2019 referenced in the Scopus database was performed. The review was limited to articles published in English and directly related to logistics and supply chain costs.

Findings

The research identified more than 2,000 authors representing more than 5,000 keywords and 10,000 references from a total of 155 journals investigated. A critical synthesis of the resulting data revealed several insights about various aspects of studies in this field. For instance, the review identified a scarcity of academic publications in three key areas, namely “supply chain,” “optimization” and “transportation”, which are concepts focused on the total supply chain.

Originality/value

This research highlights important areas of attention for both researchers and practitioners considering costs associated with logistics and supply chain operations and strategies. The results can also help identify thematic areas, journals and topics for future research. The paper identifies and proposes research areas to contribute to the literature when challenges to investigating logistics and supply chain costs are discussed.
Innovative SMEs in search of ambidexterity: a challenge for HRM!
Authors: Buisson Marie-Laure , Gastaldi Lise , Geffroy Bénédicte , Lonceint Romain , Krohmer Cathy
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are key economic actors, but they are fragile. Their innovation trajectory requires an evolution in their competencies as their strategy evolves, and this is a particularly critical concern when they are engaged in both exploration and exploitation activities and want to develop organisational ambidexterity. In turn, this brings challenges for human resource management (HRM): some research studies have identified “mobilising” practices for innovation, but few authors have taken a dynamic approach. This study aims to fill this double-theoretical gap by answering the following two questions: how does HRM respond to the challenges associated with the search for ambidexterity in an innovative SME's trajectory? What HRM practices are mobilised in the innovation trajectory of SMEs?

Design/methodology/approach

The authors carried out two longitudinal case studies concerning innovative SMEs in the medical equipment sector, which are now over 10 years old and seeking to stabilise an ambidextrous way of operating. The authors conducted 37 semi-structured interviews in 2018–2019 and collected public and internal documents. For each case, the authors identified sequences (Bidart et al., 2013) displaying a certain homogeneity in terms of innovation strategy. The authors then performed a cross-case analysis.

Findings

These case studies produced two main results. First, the trajectory of innovative SMEs consisted of sequences during which competency needs and HRM practices evolved. Despite their similar modes of ambidexterity, the two SMEs have mobilised different human resource (HR) practices. Second, the HRM practices implemented struggle to support the firm at key turning points in the innovation trajectories and can even hinder such changes in direction.

Originality/value

The originality of this work lies in two major dimensions. First, the authors choose to explore innovation and the search for ambidexterity, two themes that are traditionally studied in large firms, in the setting of SMEs. Second, the authors choose a longitudinal method to explore the evolution over time in modes of ambidexterity and HRM, along these SMEs' innovation trajectory. This is a departure from more traditional approaches seeking to identify which HR practices, or configurations of practices, are best able to foster ambidexterity and innovation. It leads the authors to show, in a contingent, dynamic perspective, the importance of the Human Resources Foundation’s (HRF's) positioning and attitude in supporting diversified SMEs’ innovation trajectories. This requires allocation of the necessary resources to the function, which needs time and resources to reflect on how to build the ambidextrous HRM that is essential for the firm's survival.
Influence of financial architecture, intangible assets on financial performance and corporate value in the Indonesian capital market
Authors: Widnyana I. Wayan , Wiksuana I. Gusti Bagus , Artini Luh Gede Sri , Sedana Ida Bagus Panji
Published: September 2020

Purpose

This study aims to analyze and explain the effect of financial architecture (with three dimensions: ownership structure, capital structure and corporate governance) and intangible assets on performance financial and corporate value in the Indonesian capital market.

Design/methodology/approach

This research was conducted on nonfinancial sector companies that were registered in the Indonesian capital market, namely Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) in 2015. This study used quantitative data and used secondary data sources, meaning that data were obtained, collected and processed from other parties. In this study, the hypothesis testing of the effect of financial architecture (included the dimensions of ownership structure, capital structure and corporate governance) and intangible assets on financial performance and corporate value using path analysis was performed.

Findings

The results of this study have provided findings that follow the research model that has been built (1) This research has been able to provide a theoretical model of the influence of financial architecture (with dimensions of ownership structure, capital structure and corporate governance), intangible assets, board processes on financial performance and company value in the Indonesian capital market. (2) To develop a theoretical model about the effect of corporate governance on financial performance in accordance with the two-tier system adopted by Indonesia. (3) An empirical study of the concept of financial architecture put forward by Myers (1999).

Originality/value

This research update lies in the research variable, which determines one value of the financial architecture variable comprehensively, combines the financial architecture variable and intangible assets to then be tested for its effect on company value and the use of the financial process variable as a board process as an intervening variable.
The power of LinkedIn: how LinkedIn enables professionals to leave their organizations for professional advancement
Authors: Cho Vincent , Lam Wing
Published: September 2020

Purpose

This study applies self-determination theory to investigate how motivations to participate in LinkedIn would influence a professional's intention to leave an organization for professional advancement (ILPA).

Design/methodology/approach

The authors randomly sampled 5810 professionals who are actively participating in LinkedIn for at least six months and collected 379 completed questionnaires.

Findings

This study examines the effect of motivation to participate in LinkedIn on ILPA. Perceived autonomy support, perceived competence support and perceived relatedness support have positive influences on intrinsic motivation. Introjected regulation is positively influenced by perceived autonomy and competence support but unaffected by perceived relatedness support. External regulation is positively influenced by perceived autonomy and competence support but has no relationship with perceived relatedness support. ILPA from using LinkedIn is positively influenced by intrinsic motivation, introjected and external regulations.

Research limitations/implications

Future research should consider other professional network sites as well as longitudinal research designs to address external validity and causality issues.

Practical implications

Organizations should understand that professional network sites play an important role for professional advancement. The motivations to participate in professional network sites are supports on autonomy and competence. For platform designers, it is vital to enhance supports on autonomy and competence to sustain users' participation in professional network sites.

Originality/value

This study extends the scope of self-determination theory to understand the motivations to participate in professional network sites, which will have impacts on professionals' ILPA.
Foreign direct investment, natural resources and economic growth: a threshold model approach
Authors: Hayat Arshad , Tahir Muhammad
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to investigate the contingency effect of natural resource abundance on the foreign direct investment (FDI)–growth relationship in a nonlinear (threshold) model.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use the fixed effect threshold model for panel data with annual frequency for 83 countries and estimate threshold level of natural resource abundance that split the sample and change the FDI–growth relationship.

Findings

The results show that FDI has a strong positive impact on the economic growth of the host country if the host country's natural resources export is below the statistically significant estimated threshold. However, this FDI-induced economic growth is watered-down if the countries natural resources export is larger than the estimated threshold.

Originality/value

The results show that FDI has a strong positive impact on the economic growth of the host country if the host country's natural resources export is below the statistically significant estimated threshold. However, this FDI-induced economic growth is watered-down if the countries natural resources export is larger than the estimated threshold. The results are robust for alternative indicators of natural resources, i.e. natural resources rents.
Managerial discretion, say on pay, and CEO compensation
Authors: Baixauli-Soler J. Samuel , Lozano-Reina Gabriel , Sánchez-Marín Gregorio
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the influence of managerial discretion on the effectiveness of say on pay (SOP) as a governance mechanism. This goal covers an important gap since the issue of how effective SOP is in promoting more aligned compensation has proved somewhat controversial.

Design/methodology/approach

This empirical research opted for a panel methodology for the period 2003–2017, using a sample of large UK listed-companies (specifically, 3,445 firm-year observations). Data were obtained from several sources (Manifest Ltd, BoardEx, Worldscope, Factset Ownership and DataStream).

Findings

Results show that managerial discretion plays an important role in the effectiveness of SOP as a mechanism for increasing aligned CEO compensation. While individual discretion (latitude of objectives) exerts a negative effect, contextual discretion (latitude of action) increases SOP effectiveness. The global effect of managerial discretion is positive when there is high level of both individual and contextual discretion.

Originality/value

This empirical study provides evidence concerning an emerging topic in the literature regarding the impact of SOP as a shareholder activism mechanism of corporate governance on executive compensation. By taking managerial discretion into consideration as a relevant moderating factor, it also offers a better explanation of SOP effectiveness as a governance mechanism.
Biodiversity monitoring for selection of insect and spider bioindicators at local organic agricultural habitats in South Korea
Authors: Kim Hoon , Sun Yan , Kim Tae‐Yeon , Moon Myung‐Jin
Published: September 2020

Invertebrates are very sensitive to environmental changes, and some terrestrial insects and spiders can be used as invaluable bioindicators to assess the quality of agricultural fields. In order to screen specific insect indicators from local habitats in organic farming areas, we conducted long‐term monitoring for three crop years (2016–2018) in Goesan‐gun district, Chungcheongbuk‐do, South Korea. Our monitoring results clearly show that the organic agriculture had a greater effect on biodiversity than conventional agriculture both of paddy and upland fields on a regional scale. A total number of 1,138 species in 219 families and 25 orders were identified during 3 years. Among them, the number of species collected in the locations practicing organic farming was greater than the conventional farming both in the paddy fields (573 vs. 387 species) and upland fields (472 vs. 365 species). The total common species between organic and conventional fields were identified as 156 in the paddy field and 171 in the upland field, respectively. Finally, a total number of 24 (in paddy field) and 21 (in upland field) bioindicator candidate species were selected in the local habitat of the organic farming system based on our long‐term monitoring.
Association between processes of diabetes care and health care utilization in patients with diabetes: Evidence from a nationally representative US sample
Authors: Delevry Dimittri , Ho Anh , Le Quang A.
Published: September 2020

Background

This study examined the association between quality of processes of diabetes care in terms of adherence to American Diabetes Association (ADA)‐recommended guidelines and health care utilization in patients with diabetes.

Methods

Adults with diabetes were identified from the pool of five panels of the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, a nationally representative US sample, between 2012 and 2017. The Diabetes Care Survey was used to determine adherence to the ADA‐recommended guidelines for processes of diabetes care if all of the following were performed annually: glycosylated hemoglobin check, foot examination, dilated eye examination, lipid panel, influenza immunization, blood pressure check, and dental examination. Health care utilization in terms of inpatient hospitalization, and emergency department (ED) and outpatient visits were estimated using two‐part hurdle models.

Results

An estimated 26.3 million adults with diabetes were derived from the pooled 5‐panel data, of which 7.8% met the ADA‐recommended guidelines for processes of diabetes care, and adherence rates of individual recommendations were generally below 50%. Overall, adults who adhered to the ADA‐recommendations were older, non‐Hispanic white, and married nonsmokers with private insurance and higher income. Mean inpatient hospital stays, ED, and outpatient visits between ADA‐adherent vs nonadherent patients were 0.98 vs 1.62 (P < .001), 0.36 vs 0.39 (P = .074), and 17.9 vs 12.8 (P < .001), respectively.

Conclusions

Socioeconomic disadvantage and minority status were linked with nonadherence to the ADA‐recommended processes of diabetes care. Adherence to the ADA recommendation was associated with significant reduction in inpatient hospitalization and a trend toward less ED visits. Our findings may apply to the United States and are likely to be different in other parts of the world.