bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
STeCC: Smart Testing with Contact Counting Enhances Covid-19 Mitigation by Bluetooth App Based Contact Tracing
Authors: Gorji Hossein , Arnoldini Markus , Jenny David F. , Duc Alexandre , Hardt Wolf-Dietrich , Jenny Patrick
Published: March 2020

Covid-19 mitigation commonly involves social distancing. Due to its high economic toll and its impact on personal freedom, we need to ease social distancing and deploy alternative measures, while preventing a second wave of infections. Bluetooth app-based contact tracing has been proposed, focusing on symptomatic cases and isolating their contacts. However, this approach would miss many transmissions by asymptomatic cases. To improve effectiveness of app-based mitigation, we propose to complement contact tracing with Smart Testing relying on Contact Counting (STeCC). STeCC focuses virus RNA testing to people with exceptionally high numbers of contacts. These people are at particularly high risk to become infected (with or without symptoms) and transmit the virus. Mathematical modeling shows that a mitigation strategy combining STeCC and contact tracing in one app will be more efficient than contact tracing and works when ≈50% (instead of ≥60%) of the total population participate. Similarly, it requires 50-100 fold less tests than randomized virus testing alone. These gains in efficiency may be critical for success. STeCC could be integrated in the current Bluetooth tracing apps. Thus, STeCC is technically feasible and can reduce the pandemic’s reproduction number by 2.4-fold (e.g. from R0=2.4 to Reff=1) with realistic test numbers (≈166 per 100’000 people per day), when a realistic fraction of the population would use the app (i.e. ≈50% in total population). Thereby, STeCC efficiently complements the portfolio of mitigation strategies, which allow easing social distancing without compromising public health.
Temperature, humidity, and wind speed are associated with lower Covid-19 incidence
Authors: Islam Nazrul , Shabnam Sharmin , Erzurumluoglu A Mesut
Published: March 2020

In absence of empirical research data, there has been considerable speculative hypothesis on the relationship between climatic factors (such as temperature and humidity) and the incidence of Covid-19. This study analyzed the data from 310 regions across 116 countries that reported confirmed cases of Covid-19 by March 12, 2020, and found that temperature, humidity, and wind speed were inversely associated with the incidence rate of Covid-19 after adjusting for the regional and temporal trend in the incidence of Covid-19, columnar density of ozone, precipitation probability, sea-level air-pressure, and length of daytime.
Modeling the Epidemic Dynamics of COVID-19 Outbreak in Iran
Authors: Einian Majid , Tabarraei Hamid Reza
Published: March 2020

The COVID-19 impact on global health and economic system has been profound and unseen since the Spanish flu of 1918-19. Iran is one of the countries that has been severely affected partly because of slow responses to the crisis, ill-preparedness of the health system, and fragile health infrastructure and shortage of protective equipment due to economic sanctions. Due to shortcomings in the reported data, this note tries to estimate a model-based number of infected cases and examines the effectiveness of different policy responses to contain this crisis. Our results show that in an optimistic estimation, the number of unidentified cases can be 3 to 6 times more than the reported numbers. Social distancing alone cannot be an effective policy at this stage of pandemic unless at least 80 percent of the population confine themselves for an extended period of time. An alternative policy is to increase testing extensively and isolate identified cases actively combined with effective social distancing. Otherwise, many lives will be lost and the health system will collapse, adding to the ongoing economic crisis as a result of sanctions for many years to come.
What and When Local Predictors Drive Tadpole Diversity in Subtropical Temporary Ponds?
Authors: Dalmolin Diego Anderson , dos Santos Tiago Gomes , Tozetti Alexandro Marques , Ramos Pereira Maria João
Published: March 2020

We evaluated seasonal variation in taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic diversity and redundancy of tadpoles in 401 points of 10 ponds in southern Brazil. We predicted i) congruent patterns between all components of diversity and environmental descriptors; ii) stronger effects of environment in the diversity components in seasons when the water level in ponds is low; iii) diversity components to be influenced by distinct sets of environmental factors in different periods. Predictions were tested using Linear Mixed Models. We observed positive influence of water depth on taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic diversity, as well as on functional redundancy during periods when the water level in ponds is high. Phylogenetic redundancy was not explained by any of the selected environmental variables. When the water level in ponds is low none of the environmental descriptors affects any of the diversity components. Environmental filtering seems to strongly influence tadpole community structure in temporary ponds, at least in periods when water depth gradients create a variety of micro-habitats allowing diverse sets of species to settle and co-occur. These species sets are then filtered according to their swimming and foraging abilities along the depth gradient, where intermediate depths should contain the greatest tadpole diversity.
Anthrax Toxin as a Molecular Platform to Target Nociceptive Neurons and Modulate Pain
Authors: Yang Nicole J. , Isensee Jörg , Neel Dylan , Liu Sai Man , Zhang Han Xiong Bear , Belu Andreea , Palan Shilpa , Kennedy-Curran Angela , Röderer Pascal , Nitzsche Anja , Lu Mike , Pentelute Bradley L. , Brüstle Oliver , Tripathi Vineeta , Park Jin Mo , Collier R. John , Foster Keith A. , Bean Bruce P. , Leppla Stephen H. , Hucho Tim , Chiu Isaac M.
Published: March 2020

Bacterial toxins are able to act on neurons to modulate signaling and function. Here, we find that nociceptive sensory neurons that mediate pain are enriched in the receptor for anthrax toxins, ANTXR2. Anthrax Edema Toxin (ET) induced cAMP and PKA signaling in Nav1.8+nociceptive neurons and modulated painin vivo. Peripherally administered ET mediated mechanical allodynia in naïve mice and duringB. anthracisinfection. Intrathecally administered ET produced analgesic effects, potently blocking pain-like behaviors in multiple mouse models of inflammatory and chronic neuropathic pain. Nociceptor-specific ablation of ANTXR2 attenuated ET-induced signaling and analgesia. Modified anthrax toxin successfully delivered exogenous protein cargo into nociceptive neurons, illustrating utility of the anthrax toxin system as a molecular platform to target pain. ET further induced signaling in human iPSC-derived sensory neurons. Our findings highlight novel interactions between a bacterial toxin and nociceptors that may be utilized for developing new pain therapeutics.

ANTXR2 expression on nociceptive neurons allows selective targeting and modulation of pain by native and engineered anthrax toxins.
The Probability of Fusions Joining Sex Chromosomes and Autosomes
Authors: Anderson Nathan W. , Blackmon Heath
Published: March 2020

Chromosome fusion and fission are primary mechanisms of karyotype evolution. In particular, the fusion of a sex chromosome and an autosome has been proposed as a mechanism to resolve intralocus sexual antagonism. If sexual antagonism is common throughout the genome, we should expect to see an excess of fusions that join sex chromosomes and autosomes. Here, we present a null model that provides the probability of a sex chromosome autosome fusion, assuming all chromosomes have an equal probability of being involved in a fusion. This closed-form expression is applicable to both male and female heterogametic sex chromosome systems and can accommodate unequal proportions of fusions originating in males and females.
A model of antigen processing improves prediction of MHC I-presented peptides
Authors: O’Donnell Timothy , Rubinsteyn Alex , Laserson Uri
Published: March 2020

Computational prediction of the peptides presented on MHC class I proteins is an important tool for studying T cell immunity. The data available to develop such predictors has expanded with the use of mass spec to identify naturally-presented MHC ligands. In addition to elucidating binding motifs, the identified ligands also reflect the antigen processing steps that occur prior to MHC binding. Here, we developed an integrated predictor of MHC I presentation that combines new models for MHC I binding and antigen processing. Considering only peptides first predicted by the binding model to bind strongly to MHC, the antigen processing model is trained to discriminate published mass spec-identified MHC I ligands from unobserved peptides. The integrated model outperformed the two individual components as well as NetMHCpan 4.0 and MixMHCpred 2.0.2 on held-out mass spec experiments. Our predictors are implemented in the MHCflurry package, version 1.6.0 (github.com/openvax/mhcflurry).
Far from equilibrium dynamics of tracer particles embedded in a growing multicellular spheroid
Authors: Samanta Himadri S. , Sinha Sumit , Thirumalai D.
Published: March 2020

Local stresses on the cancer cells (CCs) have been measured by embedding inert tracer particles (TPs) in a growing multicellular spheroid. The utility of the experiments requires that the TPs do not alter the CC microenvironment. We show, using theory and extensive simulations, that proliferation and apoptosis of the CCs, drive the dynamics of the TPs far from equilibrium. On times less than the CC division times, the TPs exhibit sub-diffusive behavior (the mean square displacement,withβTP< 1). Surprisingly, in the long-time limit, the motion of the TPs ishyper-diffusive(withαTP> 2) due to persistent directed motion for a number of CC division times. In contrast, CC proliferation randomizes their motion resulting from jamming at short times to super-diffusive behavior, withαCCexceeding unity, at long times. Surprisingly, the effect of the TPs on CC dynamics and radial pressure is negligible, suggesting that the TPs are reliable reporters of the CC microenvironment.
OverlappingoriCand centromere-like functions in secondary genome replicons determine their maintenance independent of chromosome I inDeinococcus radiodurans
Authors: Maurya Ganesh K , Misra Hari S.
Published: March 2020

TheDeinococcus radioduransmultipartite genome system (MGS) consists of chromosome I (ChrI) and secondary genome elements; Chr II and megaplasmid (MP). The sequences upstream toparABoperons in Chr II (cisII) and MP(cisMP) helped anE. coliplasmid maintenance inD. radioduransand showed sequence specific interactions with DnaA and ParBs. The cells devoid ofcisII(ΔcisII) orcisMP(ΔcisMP) showed reduced γ radiation resistance and copy number of Chr II and MP.FluorescentReporter-Operator System (FROS) developed for ChrI, ChrII and MP in ΔcisIIor ΔcisMPmutants showed no change in wild type pattern of Chr I localization. However, the relative copy numbers of Chr II and MP had reduced while anucleate cells had increased in mutants. These results suggested thatcisIIandcisMPelements contain bothoriand centromere-like functions, and like other MGS bacteria, the Chr I and secondary genome are maintained independently inD. radiodurans.
In-flight Transmission Cluster of COVID-19: A Retrospective Case Series
Authors: Yang Naibin , Shen Yuefei , Shi Chunwei , Yan Ma Ada Hoi , Zhang Xie , Jian Xiaomin , Wang Liping , Shi Jiejun , Wu Chunyang , Li Guoxiang , Fu Yuan , Wang Keyin , Lu Mingqin , Qian Guoqing
Published: March 2020

Objectives

No data were available about in-flight transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Here, we report an in-flight transmission cluster of COVID-19 and describe the clinical characteristics of these patients.

Methods

After a flight, laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 was reported in 12 patients. Ten patients were admitted to the designated hospital. Data were collected from 25th January to 28th February 2020. Clinical information was retrospectively collected.

Results

All patients are passengers without flight attendants. The median age was 33 years, and 70% were females. None was admitted to intensive care unit, and no patients succumbed through 28th February. The median incubation period was 3.0 days and from illness onset to hospital admission was 2 days. The most common symptom was fever. Two patients were asymptomatic and negative for chest CT scan throughout the disease courses. On admission, initial RT-PCR were positive in 9 patients, however initial chest CT were positive in only half patients. The median lung “total severity score” of chest CT was 6. Notably, “Crazy-Paving” pattern, pleural effusion, and ground-glass nodules were also seen.

Conclusion

It is potential for COVID-19 transmission by airplane, but the symptoms are mild. Passengers and attendants must be protected during the flight.
Stabilization of the coronavirus pandemic in Italy and global prospects
Authors: Nesteruk Igor
Published: March 2020

The pandemic caused by coronavirus COVID-19 are of great concern. A detailed scientific analysis of this phenomenon is still to come, but now it is urgently needed to evaluate the parameters of the disease dynamics in order to make some preliminary estimations of the number of cases and possible duration of the pandemic. The corresponding mathematical models must be simple enough, since their parameters are unknown and have to be estimated using limited statistical data sets. The SIR model, statistical approach to the parameter identification and the official WHO daily data about the confirmed cumulative number of cases were used to calculate the SIR curves and make some estimations and predictions. New cases in Italy could stop to appear after May 12, 2020, and the final number of such accumulated cases could be around 112 thousand. Some prospects for the global pandemic dynamics are discussed.
Brief Report: Correlation cannot be used to compare sequencing panels used for the assessment of tumor mutational burden in non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Heeke Simon , Benzaquen Jonathan , Hofman Véronique , Long-Mira Elodie , Lespinet Virginie , Bordone Olivier , Marquette Charles-Hugo , Delingette Hervé , Ilié Marius , Hofman Paul
Published: March 2020

Introduction

Tumor mutational burden (TMB) has been proposed as a novel predictive biomarker for the stratification of patients undergoing immune-checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatment in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. The assessment of TMB has recently been established using large targeted sequencing panels and numerous studies are ongoing to harmonize the TMB assessment. However, usually “correlation” has been used to evaluate the association between the respective panels and we hypothesized that correlation might overestimate the comparability especially in lower TMB values, thus limiting the joint analysis of targeted sequencing panels for the assessment of TMB.

Methods

Thirty NSCLC samples from patients undergoing ICI treatment were consecutively sequenced using three large targeted sequencing panels: FoundationOne, Oncomine TML and QiaSeq TMB, respectively. TMB values were compared in the whole patient population and in a subset of patients where the TMB assessed by FoundationOne was between 5-25 mutations/Mb. Prediction of durable clinical benefit (DCB; >6 months no progression) was assessed using receiver operator characteristics and optimal cut-off values were calculated using Youden’s J.

Results

Correlation between the targeted sequencing panels was strong in the whole patient population between the three panels (R2 > 0.79) but was dramatically reduced in the subset of patients with TMB 5 – 25 mutations/Mb. All panels were able to predict DCB in the TMB high population.

Conclusions

Assessment of TMB using the three targeted sequencing panels was possible and predictive of response to ICI treatment but “correlation” was an inappropriate measurement to assess the association between the respective panels.
Genetically controlled membrane synthesis in liposomes
Authors: Blanken Duco , Foschepoth David , Serrão Adriana Calaça , Danelon Christophe
Published: March 2020

Lipid membrane, nucleic acids, proteins, and metabolism are essential ingredients for life. Synthetic cellular systems emulating the fundamental properties of living cells must therefore be built upon these functional elements. In this work, phospholipid-producing enzymes encoded in a synthetic minigenome are cell-free expressed within liposome compartments. The de novo synthesized metabolic pathway converts precursors into a variety of lipids, including the constituents of the parental liposome. Balanced production of phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol is realized, owing to transcriptional regulation of specific genes activity combined with a metabolic feedback mechanism. Fluorescence-based methods are developed to image the synthesis and membrane incorporation of phosphatidylserine at the single liposome level. Our results provide experimental evidence for DNA-programmed membrane synthesis in a minimal cell model. Strategies are discussed to alleviate current limitations toward more effective liposome growth and self-reproduction.
Isolation and characterization of two bacterial strains from textile effluents having Malachite Green dye degradation ability
Authors: Roy Dipankar Chandra , Sheam Md. Moinuddin , Hasan Md. Rockybul , Saha Ananda Kumar , Roy Apurba Kumar , Haque Md. Enamul , Rahman Md. Mizanur , Swee-Seong Tang , Biswas Sudhangshu Kumar
Published: March 2020

Water pollution from textile effluent is now one of the major issues all over the world. Malachite Green dye of the triphenylmethane group is a key component of textile effluents. This study aimed to isolate and identify potential Malachite Green dye degrading bacteria from textile effluents. Different growth and culture parameters such as temperature, pH, inoculum-size and dye concentration were optimized to perform the dye-degradation assay using different concentrations of Malachite Green dye in mineral salt medium. A photo-electric-colorimeter was used to measure the decolorizing activity of bacteria at different time intervals after aerobic incubation. Two competent bacterial strains ofEnterobacterspp. (CV-S1 and CM-S1) were isolated from textile effluents showing potential degradation efficiency against Malachite Green dye. The RAPD analysis and 16S rRNA sequencing confirmed the genetical difference of the isolated strainsEnterobactersp. CV–S1 andEnterobactersp. CM–S1. The two bacterial strains CV-S1 and CM-S1 showed complete Malachite Green dye degradation up to 15 mg/l under shaking condition with 5% (v/v) inoculums at pH 6.50 and temperature 35°C within 72 and 144 hours respectively. These findings indicate that the two potential bacterial strains can be used in large scale treatment of textile effluents in the future.
Genome-wide, time-sensitive interrogation of the heat shock response under diverse stressors via ReporterSeq
Authors: Alford Brian D. , Valiant Gregory , Brandman Onn
Published: March 2020

Interrogating cellular stress response pathways is challenging because of the complexity of regulatory mechanisms and response dynamics, which can vary with both time and the type of stress. We developed a reverse genetic method called ReporterSeq to comprehensively identify genes regulating a stress-induced transcription factor under multiple conditions in a time-resolved manner. ReporterSeq links RNA-encoded barcode levels to pathway-specific output under genetic perturbations, allowing pooled pathway activity measurements via DNA sequencing alone and without cell enrichment or single cell isolation. Here, we used ReporterSeq to identify regulators of the heat shock response (HSR), a conserved, poorly understood transcriptional program that protects cells from proteotoxicity and is misregulated in disease. We measured genome-wide HSR regulation in budding yeast across thirteen stress conditions, uncovering novel stress-specific, time-specific, and constitutive regulators. ReporterSeq can assess the genetic regulators of any transcriptional pathway with the scale of pooled genetic screens and the precision of pathway-specific readouts.
Mitofusin2 cooperates with Nuage-associated proteins and involves mRNA translational machinery in controlling mRNA fates during spermatogenesis
Authors: Wang Xiaoli , Wen Yujiao , Zhang Jin , Guo Shuangshuang , Cao Congcong , Krawetz Stephen A , Zhang Zhibing , Yuan Shuiqiao
Published: March 2020

Mitochondria play a critical role in spermatogenesis and regulated by several mitochondrial fusion proteins. Its interaction with other organelles forms several unique structures, including mitochondria-associated ER membrane (MAM) and a specific type of Nuage close to mitochondria. However, the importance of mitochondria functions and mitochondrial fusion proteins in its associated-structure formation and mRNA translation during spermatogenesis remain unclear. Here, we show that Mitofusin 2 (MFN2), a mitochondrial fusion GTPase protein, cooperates with Nuage-associated proteins, including MIWI, DDX4, TDRKH and GASZ and involves translational machinery to control the fates of gamete-specific mRNAs in spermatogenesis. Conditional mutation ofMfn2in postnatal germ cells results in male sterility due to germ cell developmental defects characterized by disruption of mitochondrial morphology, abnormal MAMs structure, aberrant mRNA translational processes, and anomalous splicing events. Moreover, MFN2 interacts with MFN1, another mitochondrial fusion protein with high-sequence similar to MFN2, in testes to facilitate spermatogenesis. Mutation ofMfn1andMfn2simultaneously in testes causes very severe infertile phenotypes. Importantly, we further show that MFN2 is enriched in polysome fractions in testes and interacts with MSY2, a germ cell-specific DNA/RNA-binding protein, and eukaryotic elongation factor 1 alpha (eEF1A) to control gamete-specific mRNA translational delay during spermatogenesis. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that MFN2 works with Nuage-associated proteins and involves translational secession to regulate gamete-specific mRNA fates. Our data reveal a novel molecular link among Mitofusins, Nuage-associated proteins, and mRNA translational processes in controlling male germ cell development.
Erythrocyte n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, gut microbiota and incident type 2 diabetes: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Miao Zelei , Lin Jie-sheng , Mao Yingying , Chen Geng-dong , Zeng Fang-fang , Dong Hong-li , Jiang Zengliang , Wang Jiali , Xiao Congmei , Shuai Menglei , Gou Wanglong , Fu Yuanqing , Imamura Fumiaki , Chen Yu-ming , Zheng Ju-Sheng
Published: March 2020

Objective

To examine the association of erythrocyte n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) biomarkers with incident type 2 diabetes (T2D) and explore the potential role of gut microbiota in the association.

Design

We evaluated 2,731 non-T2D participants recruited between 2008-2013 in the Guangzhou Nutrition and Health Study, China. T2D cases were identified with clinical and biochemical information collected at follow-up visits. Using stool samples collected during the follow-up in the subset (n=1,591), 16S rRNA profiling was conducted. Using multivariable-adjusted Poisson or linear regression, we examined associations of erythrocyte n-6 PUFA biomarkers with incident T2D, and diversity and composition of gut microbiota.

Results

Over 6.2 years of follow-up, 276 T2D cases were identified (risk=0.10). Higher levels of erythrocyte γ-linolenic acid (GLA), but not linoleic or arachidonic acid, were associated with higher T2D incidence. Comparing the top to the bottom quartile groups of GLA levels, relative risk was 1.72 (95% confidence intervals: 1.21, 2.44) adjusted for potential confounders. Baseline GLA was inversely associated with gut microbial richness and diversity (α-diversity, both p<0.05) during follow-up, and significantly associated with microbiota β-diversity (p=0.002). Seven genera (Butyrivibrio, Blautia, Oscillospira, Odoribacter, S24-7 other, Rikenellaceae other, and Clostridiales other) were enriched in quartile 1 of GLA, and in participants without T2D.

Conclusion

Relative concentrations of erythrocyte GLA were positively associated with incident T2D in a Chinese population and also with gut microbial profiles. These results highlight that gut microbiota may play an important role linking n-6 PUFA metabolism and T2D etiology.
Highly pathogenic coronavirus N protein aggravates lung injury by MASP-2-mediated complement over-activation
Authors: Gao Ting , Hu Mingdong , Zhang Xiaopeng , Li Hongzhen , Zhu Lin , Liu Hainan , Dong Qincai , Zhang Zhang , Wang Zhongyi , Hu Yong , Fu Yangbo , Jin Yanwen , Li Kaitong , Zhao Songtao , Xiao Yongjiu , Luo Shuping , Li Lufeng , Zhao Lingfang , Liu Junli , Zhao Huailong , Liu Yue , Yang Weihong , Peng Jing , Chen Xiaoyu , Li Ping , Liu Yaoning , Xie Yonghong , Song Jibo , Zhang Lu , Ma Qingjun , Bian Xiuwu , Chen Wei , Liu Xuan , Mao Qing , Cao Cheng
Published: March 2020

An excessive immune response contributes to SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis and lethality, but the mechanism remains unclear. In this study, the N proteins of SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 were found to bind to MASP-2, the key serine protease in the lectin pathway of complement activation, resulting in aberrant complement activation and aggravated inflammatory lung injury. Either blocking the N protein:MASP-2 interaction or suppressing complement activation can significantly alleviate N protein-induced complement hyper-activation and lung injury in vitro and in vivo. Complement hyper-activation was also observed in COVID-19 patients, and a promising suppressive effect was observed when the deteriorating patients were treated with anti-C5a monoclonal antibody. Complement suppression may represent a common therapeutic approach for pneumonia induced by these highly pathogenic coronaviruses.

One Sentence Summary

The lectin pathway of complement activation is a promising target for the treatment of highly pathogenic coronavirus induced pneumonia.
Exploratory Analysis of Electronic Intensive Care Unit (eICU) Database
Authors: Rajabalizadeh Atefeh , Nia Javad Norouzi , Safaei Nima , Talafidaryani Mojtaba , Bijari Reyhaneh , Zarindast Atousa , Fotouhi Fateme , Salehi Masoud , Moqri Mahdi
Published: March 2020

The monitoring of severely ill patients is a crucial procedure for every intensive care unit (ICU). By applying different data exploration methods on monitoring data, some perspective can be gained. In the present research, such monitoring data were explored in the electronic ICU (eICU) Collaborative Research Database—an ICU database collected from more than 200 hospitals and over 139,000 ICU patients across the United States. The eICU database, with its enormous quantity of remote monitoring data, could be a great resource for extracting insightful information that can help to identify potential areas of improvement in the quality of patient treatment. Important information such as patients’ vital signs, care plan documentation, stage of illness, diagnosis, and treatment is available in the database. In the present study, we explore the distribution of the data, including demographics, conditions, and diseases, and identify important patterns and relationships between features of the data. Through an exploratory analysis of the data, including the relationships between gender, ethnicity, diseases, and quality of care and mortality rates, remarkable insights were obtained. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive exploratory analysis of the eICU database. A deep understanding of the ICU data provides the foundation for further predictive and prescriptive analyses of the data with the ultimate goal of improving ICU treatment procedures for future patients.
Presence of SARS-Coronavirus-2 in sewage
Authors: Medema Gertjan , Heijnen Leo , Elsinga Goffe , Italiaander Ronald , Brouwer Anke
Published: March 2020

In the current COVID-19 pandemic, a significant proportion of cases shed SARS-Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) with their faeces. To determine if SARS-CoV-2 is present in sewage during the emergence of COVID-19 in the Netherlands, sewage samples of 7 cities and the airport were tested using RT-PCR against three fragments of the nucleocapsid protein gene (N1-3) and one fragment of the envelope protein gene (E). No SARS-CoV-2 was detected in samples of February 6, three weeks before the first case was reported in the Netherlands on February 27. On March 5, the N1 fragment was detected in sewage of five sites. On March 15/16, the N1 fragment was detected in sewage of six sites, and the N3 and E fragment were detected at 5 and 4 sites respectively. This is the first report of detection of SARS-CoV-2 in sewage. The detection of the virus in sewage, even when the COVID-19 prevalence is low, indicates that sewage surveillance could be a sensitive tool to monitor the circulation of the virus in the population.
Scaling analysis of COVID-19 spreading based on Belgian hospitalization data
Authors: Smeets Bart , Watté Rodrigo , Ramon Herman
Published: March 2020

We analyze the temporal evolution of accumulated hospitalization cases due to COVID-19 in Belgium. The increase of hospitalization cases is consistent with an initial exponential phase, and a subsequent power law growth. For the latter, we estimate a power law exponent of ≈ 2.2, which is consistent with growth kinetics of COVID-19 in China and indicative of the underlying small world network structure of the epidemic. Finally, we fit an SIR-X model to the experimental data and estimate the effect of containment policies in comparison to their effect in China. This model suggests that the base reproduction rate has been significantly reduced, but that the number of susceptible individuals that is isolated from infection is very small. Based on the SIR-X model fit, we analyze the COVID-19 mortality and the number of patients requiring ICU treatment over time.
Antimicrobial peptide induced-stress rendersStaphylococcus aureussusceptible to toxic nucleoside analogues
Authors: Rodríguez-Rojas Alexandro , Nath Arpita , Shazely Baydaa El , Santi Greta , Kim Joshua Jay , Weise Christoph , Kuropka Benno , Rolff Jens
Published: March 2020

Cationic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are active immune effectors of multicellular organisms and also considered as new antimicrobial drug candidates. One of the problems encountered when developing AMPs as drugs is the difficulty to reach sufficient killing concentrations under physiological conditions. Here, using pexiganan, a cationic peptide derived from a host defence peptide of the African clawed frog and the first AMP developed into an antibacterial drug, we studied if sub-lethal effects of AMPs can be harnessed to devise treatment combinations. We studied the pexiganan stress response ofStaphylococcus aureusat sub-lethal concentrations using quantitative proteomics. Several proteins involved in nucleotide metabolism were elevated, suggesting a metabolic demand. We then show thatS. aureusis highly susceptible to antimetabolite nucleoside analogues when exposed to pexiganan, even at sub-inhibitory concentrations. These findings could be used to enhance pexiganan potency while decreasing the risk of resistance emergence, and our findings can likely be extended to other antimicrobial peptides.
Phenotypically independent profiles relevant to mental health are genetically correlated
Authors: Roelfs Daniel , Alnæs Dag , Frei Oleksandr , van der Meer Dennis , Smeland Olav B. , Andreassen Ole A. , Westlye Lars T. , Kaufmann Tobias
Published: March 2020

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and family-based studies have revealed partly overlapping genetic architectures between various psychiatric disorders. Given clinical overlap between disorders, our knowledge of the genetic architectures underlying specific symptom profiles and risk factors is limited. Here, we aimed to derive distinct profiles relevant to mental health in healthy individuals and to study how these genetically relate to each other and to common psychiatric disorders. Using independent component analysis, we decomposed self-report mental health questionnaires from 136,678 healthy individuals of the UK Biobank, excluding data from individuals with a diagnosed neurological or psychiatric disorder, into thirteen distinct profiles relevant to mental health, capturing different symptoms as well as social and risk factors underlying reduced mental health. Utilizing genotypes from 117,611 of those individuals with White English ancestry, we performed GWAS for each mental health profile and assessed genetic correlations between these profiles, and between the profiles and common psychiatric disorders and cognitive traits. We found that mental health profiles were genetically correlated with a wide range of psychiatric disorders and cognitive traits, with strongest effects typically observed between a given mental health profile and a disorder for which the profile is common (e.g. depression symptoms and major depressive disorder, psychosis and schizophrenia). Strikingly, although the profiles were phenotypically uncorrelated, many of them were genetically correlated with each other. This study provides evidence that statistically independent mental health profiles partly share genetic underpinnings and show genetic overlaps with psychiatric disorders, suggesting that shared genetics across psychiatric disorders cannot be exclusively attributed to the known overlapping symptomatology between the disorders.
Sustainable business model in food and beverage industry – a case of Western and Central and Eastern European countries
Authors: Belyaeva Zhanna , Rudawska Edyta Dorota , Lopatkova Yana
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The presented study pinpoints transformation of business models of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the food and beverage sector depending on their sustainability strategy. This paper makes a novel contribution to understanding various instruments of sustainability implementation in SMEs’ business models operating in the food and beverage industry of well-developed Western European countries versus less-developed Central–Eastern European countries.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical basis is a survey of 770 European SMEs, of which 369 operate in Western European countries (including Great Britain, Germany and Spain) and 401 in Central and Eastern Europe (including Poland, Croatia and Russia). The nonparametric U Mann–Whitney test was used to examine the significance of the differences between the two groups of companies.

Findings

The study empirically confirmed that despite self-declared lack of skills and knowledge in managerial impacts of sustainability, it shapes business models of SME in both country groups in food and drink industry. At the same time, the motivation grounds for business models transformation toward sustainable models vary between mostly economic factors in Eastern Europe and social and cultural factors in Western Europe. The economic factor is formed due to smaller integration into social investments at the SME-level Eastern European countries, while Western European SMEs invest more in a variety of sustainability supporting instruments (R&D, new equipment).

Originality/value

This comparative study is the novel empirical research study on the implementation of sustainability into business models of food and beverage SMEs operating in two groups of Western and Central–Eastern European countries, which has not been previously observed in such a setting.
Cultural differences in vertical brand extension evaluations: the influence of thinking styles
Authors: Hao Andy Wei , Liu Xin , Hu Michael , Guo Xiaoling
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The paper examines the cultural differences in consumers' evaluations of vertical brand extensions.

Design/methodology/approach

A 2 (extension types: upward, downward) × 2 (nationality: USA, China) × 2 (ownership: owner, non-owner) between-subjects design with thinking styles as a covariate was employed to test consumers' evaluations of vertical brand extensions. A total of 228 subjects from the US and 194 from China participated in the two experimental studies.

Findings

The paper finds that consumers prefer downward extensions to upward extensions. Furthermore, Chinese consumers have even more favorable evaluations of downward extension products than do American consumers. In addition, analytic thinkers exhibit a stronger ownership effect than holistic thinkers.

Originality/value

The research contributes to the understanding of culture differences in vertical brand extension evaluations.
Development of entrepreneurial competences in mini-companies at schools
Authors: Grewe Ute , Brahm Taiga
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Entrepreneurship is not only seen as an important factor for economic growth and welfare but also as a vehicle of societal development and change, both at the regional, national and international level. Thus, entrepreneurship education at schools plays an increasingly important role, linking policy, businesses, education and science. However, research on entrepreneurship education programmes, especially on mini-companies which rely on an experiential learning setting, is still a young field and shared frameworks concerning entrepreneurial competences and longitudinal research designs are missing. This paper addresses to this research gap by analysing whether students who participate in a mini-company develop entrepreneurial competences.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is conducted in a quasi-experimental design, building upon a validated and psychometrically sound research instrument that is based on a newly designed entrepreneurial competence framework. In total, 100 pupils from grammar schools in Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany, participated in the experimental and control group at both time points.

Findings

The results show that students expand their entrepreneurial competences on an economic level. In comparison, they show only limited developments on the personal and team level. The findings have important implications for the further development of entrepreneurship education programmes as well as on the interaction between schools and (regional) entrepreneurs, business partners and enterprises.

Originality/value

This study examines pupils' development of entrepreneurial competences in a quasi-experimental design. It highlights that participating pupils develop economic competences when participating in mini-companies in comparison to pupils participating in regular economics classes. This study sheds further light on the effects of mini-companies, and thus contributes to the discussion of entrepreneurship education at schools.
Enforce environmental tax compliance model for the oil and gas industry
Authors: Mas'ud Abdulsalam , Yusuf Rabiu , Udin Noraza Mat , Al-Dhamari Redhwan
Published: March 2020

Purpose

It is basically known that the oil and gas industry contributes to various forms of pollution through air, acid rain and water, as well as different kinds of illnesses in humans and aquatic animals. Eventually, this adversely contributes to climate change owing to increases in emission levels in various stages of oil and gas operations ranging from extraction, refining, transportation and even consumption. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to produce a simplistic model for compliance with environmental taxes in the oil and gas industry as an effort to curtail such adversities. This attempt is expected to set a new pace for heated debates towards the production of a robust environmental tax compliance model through further research. Specifically, it has examined the effect of extensive regulation and use of power in ensuring compliance with environmental taxation via enforcement mechanisms.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used a quantitative research design through a positivist paradigm. The population of the study was 115 respondents who were identified as tax experts in three different stakeholder groups (regulators, operators and enforcers) in the Nigerian oil and gas industry. Out of this population, 103 served as the final sample of the study. The data collected from these tax experts were analyzed through partial least squares structural equation modelling.

Findings

The results revealed that both extensive regulation and the use of power have high likelihoods of enhancing compliance with environmental taxes through enforcement actions by the relevant authorities within the oil and gas industry.

Research limitations/implications

The results implied the need for policymakers to deploy these enforcement mechanisms to enhance compliance with environmental taxes in the oil and gas industry, which will eventually reduce the environmental menace and ensure cleaner production. The paper also has highlighted the need for future researchers to expand this discussion through an elaborative approach either through disaggregating the variables studied here or integrating voluntary compliance mechanics into the model for further understanding of the drivers of environmental tax compliance. It also implied the need to utilize larger sample in other oil producing countries to improve generalization of results.

Originality/value

The work could be the pioneer in proposing and validating the enforced environmental tax compliance model in the oil and gas industry.
Structural modelling of internal risk factors for oil and gas construction projects
Authors: A. Kassem Mukhtar , Khoiry Muhamad Azry , Hamzah Noraini
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Project failure is the result of one or a combination of several causes of risk factors that are very important to identify for effective performance. This study aims to focus on studying the fundamental relationship between internal risk factors and the negative effect on oil and gas project success in Yemen using the partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) method.

Design/methodology/approach

Data collection was carried out using a formal questionnaire survey of the oil field sector in Yemen by companies involved in mega-oil and gas construction projects. A hierarchical model for determining causative internal risk factors and their effects was developed and evaluated using SEM method by SmartPLS3 software technology.

Findings

The findings of analyzing model indicate that all categories have a significant effect on project success, while the most significant affected categories in the internal risk factors are project management factors, feasibility study-design and resources-material supply with a path coefficient value of 0.213, 0.197 and 0.186, respectively. Moreover, for the hypotheses test, the positive relationship means that all experimental hypotheses are accepted according to path coefficient value analysis. In addition, the internal risk factors research model shows the ranking of effects on project success starting with project stoppage (loading factor 0.841), cost overruns (loading factor 0.818), time overruns (loading factor 0.726) and project target failure with loading factor 0.539.

Research limitations/implications

The research was limited to the oil and gas construction projects in Yemen.

Practical implications

Interpreting the relationship between internal risk factors and their impact on the success of construction projects in the oil and gas sector will assist project team and oil companies in developing risk response strategies and developing appropriate plans to mitigate the effects of risks, which is presented in this paper.

Originality/value

The paper explains the relationship between cause and effect of internal risk factors in oil and gas projects in Yemen, and is expected to be a guideline for the oil companies and future academic research in the risk management area.
Corporate governance mechanisms and firm performance in a developing country
Authors: Puni Albert , Anlesinya Alex
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of corporate governance mechanisms recommended by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of Ghana on firm performance as measured by accounting-based ratios (return on assets, return on equity and earning per share) as well as market-based measure (Tobin’s Q) among listed Ghanaian companies from 2006 to 2018. These mechanisms are: board composition (board size, inside directors and outside directors), board committees (audit, remuneration and nomination), chief executive officer (CEO) duality/separation, board meetings and shareholder concentration.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used panel regression analysis of data from 38 listed firms in Ghana from 2006 to 2018 to test how each corporate governance variable initiated by the SEC of Ghana contributed to firm performance. Data were extracted from the annual reports of listed companies.

Findings

The study found that the presence of both insiders and outsiders on the corporate board improved financial performance. Similarly, board size, frequency of board meetings and shareholder concentration/ownership structure generally had a positive impact on financial performance. However, the presence of board committees generally had a negative impact on financial performance while CEO duality had no impact on financial performance.

Practical implications

The study contributes to the understanding of how good corporate governance practices affect firm performance for both academics and particularly Ghanaian policymakers.

Originality/value

This study provided new findings to bridge the gaps in the general corporate governance literature relative to the lack of consensus on financial impacts of corporate governance mechanisms. The finding contributes to knowledge by providing new and original evidence that some current corporate governance mechanisms are not effective in minimizing the agency problem in a developing setting. Furthermore, the authors anticipate that the outcomes of this research, which so far is the most comprehensive study in the Ghanaian context in terms of the coverage of corporate governance mechanisms specified by the SEC of Ghana, can significantly shape corporate governance discourse, practices and policies in Ghana, particularly and in other developing countries generally to improve financial performance and corporate sustainability.