bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Subunit-dependent and independent rules of AMPA receptor trafficking during long-term depression in hippocampal neurons
Authors: Matsuda Shinji , Yuzaki Michisuke
Published: November 2020

Long-term potentiation (LTP) and depression (LTD) of excitatory neurotransmission are believed to be the neuronal basis of learning and memory. Both processes are primarily mediated by neuronal activity-induced transport of postsynaptic AMPA-type glutamate receptors (AMPARs). While AMPAR subunits and their specific phosphorylation sites mediate differential AMPAR trafficking, LTP and LTD could also occur in a subunit-independent manner. Thus, it remains unclear whether and how, certain AMPAR subunits with phosphorylation sites are preferentially recruited to or removed from synapses during LTP and LTD. Here, we show that phosphorylation of the membrane-proximal region (MPR), which only occurs in GluA1 AMPAR subunits, mediates the subunit-dependent endosomal transport of AMPARs during LTD. AP-2 and AP-3, adaptor protein complexes necessary for clathrin-mediated endocytosis and late endosomal/lysosomal trafficking, respectively, are reported to be recruited to AMPARs by binding to the AMPAR auxiliary subunit, stargazin (STG), in an AMPAR subunit-independent manner. However, the association of AP-3, but not AP-2, with STG was indirectly inhibited by the phosphomimetic mutation in the MPR of GluA1. Thus, although AMPARs containing the phosphomimetic mutation at the MPR of GluA1 were endocytosed by a LTD-inducing stimulus, they were quickly recycled back to the cell surface in hippocampal neurons. These results could explain how the phosphorylation status of GluA1-MPR plays a dominant role in subunit-independent STG-mediated AMPAR trafficking during LTD.
Genetic and process engineering strategies for enhanced recombinant N-glycoprotein production in bacteria
Authors: Pratama Fenryco , Linton Dennis , Dixon Neil
Published: November 2020

Background

The production of N-linked glycoproteins in genetically amenable bacterial hosts offers great potential for reduced cost, faster/simpler bioprocesses, greater customisation and utility for distributed manufacturing of glycoconjugate vaccines and glycoprotein therapeutics. Efforts to optimize production hosts have included heterologous expression of glycosylation enzymes, metabolic engineering, use of alternative secretion pathways, and attenuation of gene expression. However, a major bottleneck to enhance glycosylation efficiency, which limits the utility of the other improvements is the impact of target protein sequon accessibility during glycosylation.

Results

Here, we explore a series genetic and process engineering strategies to increase recombinant N-linked glycosylation mediated by the Campylobacter-derived PglB oligosaccharyltransferase inEscherichia coli. Strategies include increasing membrane residency time of the target protein by modifying the cleavage site of its secretion signal, and modulating protein folding in the periplasm by use of oxygen limitation or strains with compromised oxidoreductases or disulphide-bond isomerase activity. These approaches could achieve up to 90% improvement in glycosylation efficiency. Furthermore, we also demonstrated that supplementation with the chemical oxidant cystine enhanced glycoprotein production and improved cell fitness in the oxidoreductase knock out strain.

Conclusions

In this study, we demonstrated that improved glycosylation in the heterologous host could be achieved by mimicking the coordination between protein translocation, folding and glycosylation observed in native such asCampylobacter jejuniand mammalian hosts. Furthermore, it provides insight into strain engineering and bioprocess strategy, to improve glycoprotein yield and to avoid physiological burden of unfolded protein stress to cell growth. The process and genetic strategies identified herein will inform further optimisation and scale-up of heterologous recombinant N-glycoprotein production
Thyroid hormone receptor beta inhibits the PI3K-Akt-mTOR signaling axis in anaplastic thyroid cancer via genomic mechanisms
Authors: Davidson Cole D. , Bolf Eric L. , Gillis Noelle E. , Cozzens Lauren M. , Tomczak Jennifer A. , Carr Frances E.
Published: November 2020

Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine malignancy, and the global incidence has increased rapidly over the past few decades. Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is highly aggressive, dedifferentiated, and patients have a median survival of fewer than six months. Oncogenic alterations in ATC include aberrant PI3K signaling through receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) amplification, loss of phosphoinositide phosphatase expression and function, and Akt amplification. Furthermore, the loss of expression of the tumor suppressor thyroid hormone receptor beta (TRβ) is strongly associated with ATC. TRβ is known to suppress PI3K in follicular thyroid cancer and breast cancer by binding to the PI3K regulatory subunit p85α. However, the role of TRβ in suppressing PI3K signaling in ATC is not completely delineated. Here we report that TRβ indeed suppresses PI3K signaling in ATC through unreported genomic mechanisms including a decrease in RTK expression and increase in phosphoinositide and Akt phosphatase expression. Furthermore, the reintroduction and activation of TRβ in ATC enables an increase in the efficacy of the competitive PI3K inhibitors LY294002 and buparlisib on cell viability, migration, and suppression of PI3K signaling. These findings not only uncover additional tumor suppressor mechanisms of TRβ but shed light into the implication of TRβ status and activation on inhibitor efficacy in ATC tumors.

Abstract Figure

Graphical abstract
THUNDER: A reference-free deconvolution method to infer cell type proportions from bulk Hi-C data
Authors: Rowland Bryce , Huh Ruth , Hou Zoe , Wen Jia , Shen Yin , Hu Ming , Giusti-Rodríguez Paola , Sullivan Patrick F , Li Yun
Published: November 2020

Hi-C data provide population averaged estimates of three-dimensional chromatin contacts across cell types and states in bulk samples. Effective analysis of Hi-C data entails controlling for the potential confounding factor of differential cell type proportions across heterogeneous bulk samples. We propose a novel unsupervised deconvolution method for inferring cell type composition from bulk Hi-C data, the Two-step Hi-c UNsupervised DEconvolution appRoach (THUNDER). We conducted extensive simulations to test THUNDER based on combining two published single-cell Hi-C (scHi-C) datasets. THUNDER more accurately estimates the underlying cell type proportions compared to supervised and unsupervised methods (e.g., MuSiC, TOAST, and NMF). We further demonstrate the practical utility of THUNDER to estimate cell type proportions and identify cell-type-specific interactions in Hi-C data from adult human cortex tissue samples. THUNDER will be a useful tool in adjusting for varying cell type composition in population samples, facilitating valid and more powerful downstream analysis such as differential chromatin organization studies. Additionally, THUNDER estimated contact profiles provide a useful exploratory framework to investigate cell-type-specificity of the chromatin interactome while experimental data is still rare.
Differential dopamine receptor-dependent sensitivity improves action selection in the basal ganglia
Authors: Codol Olivier , Gribble Paul L , Gurney Kevin N
Published: November 2020

The problem of selecting one action from a set of different possible actions, simply referred to as the problem of action selection, is a ubiquitous challenge in the animal world. For vertebrates, the basal ganglia (BG) are widely thought to implement the core computation to solve this problem, as the anatomy and physiology of the BG are well-suited to this end. However, the BG still displays physiological features whose role in achieving efficient action selection remains unclear. In particular, it is known that the two types of dopaminergic receptors (D1 and D2) present in the BG give rise to mechanistically different responses. The overall effect will be a difference in sensitivity to dopamine which may have ramifications for action selection. However, which receptor type leads to a stronger response is, a priori, unclear, due to the complexity of the intracellular mechanisms involved. In this study, we use the action selection hypothesis to {\em predict} which of D1 or D2 has the greater sensitivity. Thus, we ask - what sensitivity ratio would result in enhanced action selection functionality in the basal ganglia? To do this, we incorporated differential D1 and D2 sensitivity in an existing, high level computational model of the macro-architecture of the basal ganglia, via a simple weighting variable. We then quantitatively assessed the model's capacity to perform action selection as we parametrically manipulated the new feature. We show that differential (rather than equal) D1 and D2 sensitivity to dopaminergic input improves action selection, and specifically, that greater D1 sensitivity (compared to that for D2) leads to these improvements.
Ribosome quality control activity potentiates vaccinia virus protein synthesis during infection
Authors: Sundaramoorthy Elayanambi , Ryan Andrew P. , Fulzele Amit , Leonard Marilyn , Daugherty Matthew D. , Bennett Eric J.
Published: November 2020

Ribosomes are highly abundant cellular machines that perform the essential task of translating the genetic code into proteins. Cellular translation activity is finely tuned and proteostasis insults, such as those incurred upon viral infection, activate stress signaling pathways that result in translation reprogramming. Viral infection selectively shuts down host mRNA while redistributing ribosomes for selective translation of viral mRNAs. The intricacies of this selective ribosome shuffle from host to viral mRNAs are poorly understood. Here, we uncover a role for the ribosome associated quality control (RQC) factor ZNF598, a sensor for collided ribosomes, as a critical factor for vaccinia virus mRNA translation. Collided ribosomes are sensed by ZNF598, which ubiquitylates 40S subunit proteins uS10 and eS10 and thereby initiates RQC-dependent nascent chain degradation and ribosome recycling. We show that vaccinia infection in human cells enhances uS10 ubiquitylation indicating an increased burden on RQC pathways during viral propagation. Consistent with an increased RQC demand, we demonstrate that vaccinia virus replication is impaired in cells which either lack ZNF598 or contain a ubiquitylation deficient version of uS10. Using SILAC-based proteomics and concurrent RNAseq analysis, we determine that host translation of vaccinia virus mRNAs is compromised in cells that lack RQC activity as compared to control cells whereas there was little evidence of differences in host or viral transcription. Additionally, vaccinia virus infection resulted in a loss of cellular RQC activity, suggesting that ribosomes engaged in viral protein production recruit ZNF598 away from its function in host translation. Thus, co-option of ZNF598 by vaccinia virus plays a critical role in translational reprogramming that is needed for optimal viral propagation.
New insights into sperm ultrastructure through enhanced scanning electron microscopy
Authors: Korneev Denis , Jo Merriner D. , Gervinskas Gediminas , de Marco Alex , O’Bryan Moira K
Published: November 2020

The analysis of spermatozoa morphology is fundamental to understand male fertility and the aetiology of infertility. Traditionally scanning electron microscopy (SEM) has been used to define surface topology. Recently, however, it has become a critical tool for three-dimensionally analyse of internal cellular ultrastructure. Modern SEM provides nanometer-scale resolution, but the meaningfulness of such information is proportional to the quality of the sample preservation. In this study, we demonstrate that sperm quickly and robustly adhere to gold-coated surfaces. Leveraging this property, we developed three step-by-step protocols fulfilling different needs for sperm imaging: chemically fixed monolayers for SEM examination of the external morphology, and two high-pressure freezing-based protocols for fast SEM examination of full cell internal morphology and focused ion-beam SEM (FIB-SEM) tomography. These analyses allow previously unappreciated insights into mouse sperm ultrastructure, including the identification of novel structures within the fibrous sheath and domain-specific interactions between the plasma membrane and exosome-like structures.
SARS-CoV-2 serological tests can generate false positive results for samples from patients with chronic inflammatory diseases
Authors: Kharlamova Nastya , Dunn Nicky , Bedri Sahl K , Jerling Svante , Almgren Malin , Faustini Francesca , Gunnarsson Iva , Rönnelid Johan , Pullerits Rille , Gjertsson Inger , Lundberg Karin , Månberg Anna , Pin Elisa , Nilsson Peter , Hober Sophia , Fink Katharina , Fogdell-Hahn Anna
Published: November 2020

Objectives

Patients with chronic inflammatory diseases are often treated with immunosuppressants and therefore are of particular concern during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Serological tests will improve our understanding of the infection and immunity in this population, unless the tests give false positive results. The aim of this study was to evaluate the specificity of SARS-Cov-2 serological assays with samples from patients with chronic inflammatory diseases collected before April 2019, thus defined as negative.

Methods

Samples from patients with multiple sclerosis (MS, n=10), rheumatoid arthritis (RA, n=47) with or without rheumatoid factor (RF) and/or anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies (anti-CCP2) and RF +/- systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE, n=10), were tested with 17 commercially available lateral flow assays (LFA), two ELISA kits and one in-house developed multiplex bead-based assay.

Results

Six LFA and the in-house IgG assay gave the correct negative results for all samples. However, the majority of assays (n=13), gave false positive signal with samples from patients with RA and SLE. This was most notable in RF positive RA samples. MS samples did not give any false positive in any of the assays.

Conclusion

The majority of the verified serological assays were sensitive to interfering antibodies in samples from patients with chronic inflammatory diseases and therefore may have poor specificity in this context. For these patients, the risk of false positivity should be considered when interpreting results of the SARS-CoV-2 serological assays.
The ‘fat but powerful’ paradox: association of muscle power and adiposity markers with all-cause mortality in older adults from the EXERNET Multi-center Study
Authors: Alcazar Julian , Navarrete-Villanueva David , Mañas Asier , Gómez-Cabello Alba , Pedrero-Chamizo Raquel , Alegre Luis M. , Villa-Vicente Jose G. , Gusi Narcis , González-Gross Marcela , Casajús Jose A. , Vicente-Rodríguez German , Ara Ignacio
Published: November 2020

Objectives

To assess the influence of muscle power and adiposity on all-cause mortality risk and to evaluate the ‘fat but powerful’ (or ‘fat but fit’) paradox in older adults.

Methods

A total of 2563 older adults (65‒91 years old) from the EXERNET Multi-center study were included. Adiposity (body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, body fat percentage (BF%) and fat index), allometric and relative power (sit-to-stand muscle power test) and various covariates (age, sex, hypertension, smoking status, and walking and sitting times per day) were registered at baseline. All-cause mortality was recorded during a median follow-up of 8.9 years. Participants were classified into four groups: lean and powerful (L+P), fat but powerful (F+P), lean but weak (L+W) and fat and weak (F+W). Cox proportional hazard regression models and adjusted hazard ratios (HR) were calculated.

Results

According to BMI and waist circumference, all-cause mortality risk was reduced in the F+P (HR=0.55 and 0.63, respectively; p≤0.049) and L+P (HR=0.57 and 0.58, respectively; p≤0.043) groups. According to BF%, all-cause mortality decreased in the L+P group (HR=0.53; p=0.021), and a trend for a reduction was reported in the F+P group (HR=0.57; p=0.060). According to fat index, a survival benefit was only noted in the L+P group (HR=0.50; p=0.049). Higher levels of relative power reduced all-cause mortality risk among older people (HR=0.63 and 0.53, respectively; p≤0.011).

Conclusion

Powerful older people exhibited a reduced 9-year all-cause mortality regardless of BMI, waist circumference and BF%. Obesity according to fat index blunted the survival benefits of being powerful.
Synthesis, crystal structure and luminescence properties of a new samarium borate phosphate, CsNa2Sm2(BO3)(PO4)2
Authors: Zhao Dan , Shi Lin-Ying , Zhang Rui-Juan , Xue Ya-Li
Published: November 2020

A new caesium sodium samarium borate phosphate, CsNa2Sm2(BO3)(PO4)2, has been obtained successfully by the high-temperature solution growth (HTSG) method and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that it crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Cmcm. The structure contains BO3, PO4, NaO7 and SmO7 polyhedra which are interconnected via corner- or edge-sharing O atoms to form a three-dimensional [Na2Sm2(BO3)(PO4)2]∞ network. This network delimits large cavities where large Cs+ cations reside to form the total structure. Under 402 nm light excitation, CsNa2Sm2(BO3)(PO4)2 exhibits three emission bands due to the 4f→4f transitions of Sm3+. Furthermore, we introduced Gd3+ into Sm3+ sites to optimize the Sm3+ concentration and improve the luminescence intensity. The optimal concentration is Gd/Sm = 98/2. The luminescent lifetime of a series of CsNa2Gd2(1–x)Sm2x
(BO3)(PO4)2 phosphors shows a gradual degradation of lifetime from 2.196 to 0.872 ms for x = 0.01–0.10. The Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage (CIE) 1931 calculation reveals that CsNa2Gd1.96Sm0.04(BO3)(PO4)2 can emit orange light under 402 nm excitation.
Molecular and crystal structure, Hirshfeld analysis and DFT investigation of 5-(furan-2-ylmethylidene)thiazolo[3,4-a]benzimidazole-2-thione
Authors: Khaldi Hafsa , Djafri Ahmed , Megrouss Youcef , Khelloul Nawel , Chouaih Abdelkader , Djafri Ayada
Published: November 2020

The thiazolo[3,4-a]benzimidazole fused-ring system in the title compound, C14H8N2OS2, is nearly planar, the r.m.s. deviation being 0.0073 Å. The thiazolo-benzimidazole-2-thione system is almost in the same plane as the furan-2-yl-methylene moiety, with a dihedral angle of 5.6 (2)° between the two least-squares planes. In the crystal, adjacent molecules are connected by weak intermolecular interactions (C—H...N and slipped π–π stacking) into a three-dimensional network. The nature of the intermolecular interactions was also quantified by Hirshfeld surface analysis. DFT analysis indicates a good agreement of the experimentally determined and the theoretically calculated molecular structures.
Triple Helix analysis from Fapemig data for the last 10 years
Authors: Bernardino Crystyane Ferreira , Debortoli Joseane Viola , Veloso Washington Gonçalo Rodrigues , Nunes Adriana Gontijo , Assis Lilian Bambirra de
Published: November 2020

Purpose

The puropose of this study is to analyze the functioning of the triple helix interaction in Minas Gerais, through the case study of the Minas Gerais State Research Support Foundation (Fapemig).

Design/methodology/approach

The information was collected from the Activity Reports published by Fapemig. Quantitative methods were used for structural analysis and data tabulation of the researched and qualitative programs for a procedural and documentary analysis of projects promoted by Fapemig between the years 2009 and 2018.

Findings

The Fapemig showed itself to be a fundamental agent for innovation and the development of interactions between the state, universities and companies in Minas Gerais, through the creation of programs, offered in public notices, financing them and creating a space of consensus among the agents.

Originality/value

There is few research on triple helix interaction for the state of Minas Gerais; most research on this topic is concentrated in some regions of the country, and the present work contributes to fill this research gap, besides demonstrating, in a case study, applications of recent and still little-explored concepts of the literature on triple helix.
Recovery planning and resilience of SMEs during the COVID-19: experience from Saudi Arabia
Authors: Nurunnabi Mohammad
Published: November 2020

Purpose

The aim of this study is to tell a story about how the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic affects small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), using Saudi Arabia as an example. In particular, this study explores how SMEs in Saudi Arabia address needed changes in their survival strategy in the market during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

This reflective essay is based on the “White Paper 3” of the Global SME Policy Network (GSPN). The GSPN is a global think tank based in Saudi Arabia. As one of the founding leaders of the GSPN and one of the authors of White Paper 03, the author writes this reflective essay based on the interviews of the Chief Executive Officers of 111 SMEs in Saudi Arabia. The interviewees were from six administrative areas including Al-Baaha, Eastern Region, Madinah, Makkah, Qassim and Riyadh. Importantly, 84.7%interviewees were from Riyadh.

Findings

The government has provided significant efforts and stimulus package to keep stable employment and small and medium businesses. A majority of the companies were satisfied with the stimulus packages announced by the government. The author believes that organizations need to monitor and evaluate all the developments associated with the spread of the emerging virus and to develop and implement contingency plans to meet any undesirable circumstances arising from COVID-19 pandemic.

Originality/value

The author believes that the role of SMEs in economic transformation and Vision 2030 is imperative. The author observes that Saudi Arabia is working to increase the contribution of SMEs to gross domestic product from 20% to 35%. Other countries should continuously evaluate the SME impact because of the COVID-19 and continue the support based on the evaluation report such as Saudi Arabia.
Structural inequalities exposed by COVID-19 in the UK: the need for an accounting for care
Authors: Haynes Kathryn
Published: November 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a reflective account of inequalities exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK and the need for an accounting for care to address them.

Design/methodology/approach

A commentary on COVID-19 in the UK and the societal inequalities it has exposed.

Findings

Entrenched societal inequalities relating to age, health, poverty, disability, race and gender in the UK are highlighted through the experience of COVID-19.

Research limitations/implications

Accounting research has a further role to play in exposing inequalities, promoting enhanced measures for inequalities, promoting care and transforming society.

Originality/value

This paper is a unique account and personal viewpoint.
The use of accounting in managing the institutional complexities of a festival organisation pursuing financial and social objectives
Authors: Knardal Per Ståle , Burns John
Published: November 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the use of accounting when managing the institutional complexities of a festival organisation pursuing financial and social objectives. Specifically, it focuses on how accounting can be implicated in handling a festival’s multiple and potentially conflicting logics. Also, through mobilising the concept of institutional work, the following builds on our knowledge of the importance of what people do, in managing an organisation’s institutional complexity.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is grounded in a qualitative case study, for which the primary data derives from interviews, plus examination of internal documents and information in the public domain.

Findings

The festival studied is commercially successful, though ultimately one of its main organisational goals is to maximise donations to charitable causes. Other goals include: offering an alternative community through music, particularly to the young; fostering new and innovative artistry; and nurturing a festival family that is rooted to a large extent in its army of volunteers. The paper reveals how seeking such goals simultaneously requires the handling of logics that potentially can pull in opposite directions. Moreover, it highlights the efforts of festival organisers to maintain coexistence between the different logics, including the utilisation of accounting, accounts and accountability to facilitate this.

Originality/value

There are three main contributions of the paper. First, it offers new insight into how accounting can be purposefully used to mediate between potentially opposing logics in a complex organisational setting. Second, the paper extends our knowledge of the use of accounting specifically within a popular culture context. Third, the following adds to recent use of the concept of institutional work to understand why and how people mobilise accounting to handle institutional complexity in organisational settings.
The competitiveness of small and medium enterprises in the tourism sector: the role of leadership competencies
Authors: Cong Le Chi , Thu Dao Anh
Published: November 2020

Purpose

This research aims to adopt competitiveness theory to analyse the effects of leadership competencies on the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the tourism sector.

Design/methodology/approach

This research collected data from 200 participants, who are in management positions of tourism SMEs in Vietnam. Structural equation modelling was applied.

Findings

The results indicate satisfactory reliability and validity of the constructs and support for two models within a structural equation modelling to evaluate the influence of leadership competencies on the competitiveness of SMEs. The data from both customers and competitors show that the competitiveness and the performance of the enterprise are affected by hands-on experience; relationships building competencies; strategic vision; operations management competencies. Furthermore, customers also value professional knowledge of the enterprises' leaders.

Practical implications

The study suggests that the government agencies and tourism SMEs themselves should focus more on leadership. Training courses, exchange programs, seminars and workshops should be provided for SMEs leaders to improve their leadership competencies.

Originality/value

The research findings provide a more comprehensive view of internal and external factors affecting the competitiveness of SMEs in the tourism sector in Vietnam. This also contributes to competitiveness and leadership research by presenting the positive linkage between leadership competencies and the competitiveness of SMEs.
Corporate fraud and relationships: a systematic literature review in the light of research onion
Authors: Orth Caroline de Oliveira , Maçada Antônio Carlos Gastaud
Published: November 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate how the literature has been addressing the relationships between corporate fraud and executive behavior and corporate fraud and information technology (IT) controls.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review was performed following the planning phases proposed by Levy and Ellis (2006), illuminated by the research onion, developed by Saunders et al. (2007).

Findings

The main findings of the studies analyzed refer basically to models to assess the risk of fraud. These risks originate from the market, from the organization itself or from individuals and also from their relationship networks. Subsequently, the main risks identified by the authors were classified according to their origin, the main theories approached and the “solutions” for the risks presented by the authors as the product of their work.

Research limitations/implications

It should be noted that this study is not free of limitations, of which two stand out: the full body of articles on the subject was certainly not evaluated. Although the search has been systematic and judicious both by the combination of keywords for the searches, as well as by the use of the main databases and also by the rigor in the description of the procedures and the analysis of the articles in the light of Research Onion was based on the authors’ knowledge that may have been limited in some respect.

Practical implications

As a practical implication, there is the relationship of red flags and their classification by origin, as they can be very useful for planning the work of internal and external auditors.

Social implications

It is considered that this work can be a starting point for scholars who are interested in the corporate fraud phenomenon, given that the data was collected and organized systematically.

Originality/value

The analysis of the articles in relation to Research Onion shed light on the main philosophical and methodological characteristics of the studies. Also, regarding the relationships between corporate fraud and IT controls, existing scientific research appears to be limited. Searches for the terms information technology and information systems were extended, as well as search strings tested with the terms data governance and IT governance without results. This fact demonstrates that there may be (as far as the results have reached) a vast area of research on corporate fraud in the field of systems knowledge and information technology.
Value chain, productivity and trade performance in the dairy industry
Authors: Kemitare Gladys , Kabuye Frank , Olyanga Anthony Moni , Rudaheranwa Nichodemus
Published: November 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper was to establish the contribution of value chain and productivity to trade performance in the dairy industry using evidence from Uganda.

Design/methodology/approach

This study research design is cross-sectional and correlational. Data were collected through a questionnaire survey of 108 dairy farmers, processors and exporters. Data were analysed through correlation coefficients and linear regression using Statistical Package for Social Sciences.

Findings

Hierarchical regression results indicate that value chain and productivity contribute significantly to variances in trade performance of dairy products. Therefore, appropriate value chain processes and high levels of productivity lead to increased trade performance in the dairy industry.

Research limitations/implications

This study focusses on trade performance of dairy products in Uganda. These research findings are useful for informing the deliberations of academicians, regulators and the business community. The results are applicable to all countries that carry out trade specifically in dairy products.

Practical implications

The results are important for trade policy development in the dairy industry. For example, this study informs farmers, processors and exporters of dairy products how value chain activities in dairy farming can be re-aligned to achieve better quality and productivity for exportation. Similarly, the current study provides policy guidance for the relevant ministries such as ministry of trade and other players to come up with holistic policy actions aimed at improving the trade performance of dairy products in the country.

Originality/value

To the researchers' knowledge, this is the first study that provides an initial empirical evidence on the contribution of value chain and productivity on trade performance of dairy products in Uganda.
User motivation in fake news sharing during the COVID-19 pandemic: an application of the uses and gratification theory
Authors: Apuke Oberiri Destiny , Omar Bahiyah
Published: November 2020

Purpose

This study developed a predictive model that established the user motivational factors that predict COVID-19 fake news sharing on social media.

Design/methodology/approach

The partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was used for the analysis. Data were drawn from 152 Facebook and WhatsApp users in Nigeria to examine the research model formulated using the uses and gratification theory (UGT).

Findings

We found that altruism, instant news sharing, socialisation and self-promotion predicted fake news sharing related to COVID-19 pandemic among social media users in Nigeria. Specifically, altruism was the strongest predictor to fake news sharing behaviour related to COVID-19, followed by instant news sharing and socialisation. On the contrary, entertainment had no association with fake news sharing on COVID-19.

Practical implications

We suggest intervention strategies which nudge people to be sceptical of the information they come across on social media. We also recommend healthcare providers and the Nigerian government to provide relevant information on this current pandemic. That is, correct information should be shared widely to the public domain through various conventional and online media. This will lessen the spread of fake news on the concocted cure and prevention tips found online.

Originality/value

The salient contributions of this study are as follows: First, it brings to the fore that the desire for self-promotion is associated with fake news sharing on social media; second, it shifts the focus of studies on fake news from detection methods to sharing behaviour, which fuels the uncontrollable spread of falsehood; third, it expands the existing literature on misinformation sharing by demonstrating the user motivation that leads to fake news sharing using the UGT.
The role of storytelling in a nonhostile takeover
Authors: Cleary Joseph
Published: November 2020

Purpose

Why did a powerful department of hospital doctors support a merger with a rival hospital that they knew would ruin their beloved workplace?

Design/methodology/approach

This ethnographic study draws on 12 months of fieldwork consisting of 24 one-on-one interviews as well as 26 h of observations, informal conversations and archival records research to answer its research question. Grounded theory and the discourse analysis were employed to analyze all data.

Findings

Data reveal how participants' belief in a “merge or go bankrupt” narrative contributed to widespread support for a merger that seemed unthinkable on the surface. Although each doctor believes the merger will jeopardize or ruin their workplace culture, none resisted the merger nor did any ask hospital executives to provide evidence in support of their claims regarding the benefits of the merger (namely, that it would save their organization from inevitable bankruptcy).

Research limitations/implications

The author relied on a family relative to introduce the author to and gain entry into this workplace. One potential consequence is biased interpretations of data. To address this, the author constantly revisited the data and compared the author’s interpretations with interviewees' words (i.e. “grounded” theory).

Originality/value

This study provides empirical and theoretical contributions to organizational storytelling scholarship.
Communal living: glycan utilization by the human gut microbiota
Authors: Briggs Jonathon A. , Grondin Julie M. , Brumer Harry
Published: November 2020

Our lower gastrointestinal tract plays host to a vast consortium of microbes, known as the human gut microbiota (HGM). The HGM thrives on a complex and diverse range of glycan structures from both dietary and host sources, the breakdown of which requires the concerted action of cohorts of carbohydrate‐active enzymes (CAZymes), carbohydrate‐binding proteins, and transporters. The glycan utilization profile of individual taxa, whether ‘specialist’ or ‘generalist’, is dictated by the number and functional diversity of these glycan utilization systems. Furthermore, taxa in the HGM may either compete or cooperate in glycan deconstruction, thereby creating a complex ecological web spanning diverse nutrient niches. As a result, our diet plays a central role in shaping the composition of the HGM. This review presents an overview of our current understanding of glycan utilization by the HGM on three levels: (i) molecular mechanisms of individual glycan deconstruction and uptake by key bacteria, (ii) glycan‐mediated microbial interactions, and (iii) community‐scale effects of dietary changes. Despite significant recent advancements, there remains much to be discovered regarding complex glycan metabolism in the HGM and its potential to affect positive health outcomes.
Experimental evidence for long‐term coexistence of copiotrophic and oligotrophic bacteria in pelagic surface seawater
Authors: Li Yi , Wang Zhi‐Bin , Zhang Xi‐Ying , Dang Yan‐Ru , Sun Lin‐Lin , Zhang Wei‐Peng , Fu Hui‐Hui , Yang Gui‐Peng , Wang Min , McMinn Andrew , Chen Xiu‐Lan , Chen Yin , Wang Shi , Zhang Yu‐Zhong , Qin Qi‐Long
Published: November 2020

Most marine copiotrophic bacteria can produce extracellular enzymes to degrade biopolymers into bio‐available smaller solutes, while oligotrophic bacteria usually cannot. Bacterial extracellular enzymes and enzymatic products can be a common resource that could be utilized by both copiotrophs and oligotrophs; when present, oligotrophs may outcompete the enzyme‐producing copiotrophs. However, copiotrophs and oligotrophs consistently coexist in the ocean. How they maintain coexistence has still not been experimentally studied. In this study, the interaction and coexistence of a copiotroph and an oligotroph, isolated from the same surface seawater sample and utilizing the same proteinaceous substrate, were experimentally investigated. The copiotroph could secrete extracellular proteases to degrade and then utilize the proteinaceous substrate. The oligotroph was unable to utilize the proteinaceous substrate by itself, but could grow by using the hydrolysate amino acids. The copiotroph outcompeted the oligotroph by adsorbing the amino acids quickly and having a higher growth rate in the rich medium. The oligotroph survived by adapting to low concentration of nutrients. The copiotroph and oligotroph were able to maintain long‐term (up to 142 days) coexistence in the laboratory. This study indicates that differences in the utilization of different concentrations of nutrients can drive the coexistence of marine copiotrophs and oligotrophs.
Umbilical cord clamping and skin‐to‐skin contact in deliveries from women positive for SARS‐CoV‐2: a prospective observational study
Authors: Mejía Jiménez I , Salvador López R , García Rosas E , Rodriguez de la Torre I , Montes García J , de la Cruz Conty ML , Martínez Pérez O ,   in collaboration with the Spanish Obstetric Emergency Group
Published: November 2020

Objective

To demonstrate that delayed cord clamping (DCC) is safe in mothers with confirmed SARS‐CoV‐2 infection.

Design, setting and participants

Prospective observational study involving epidemiological information from 403 pregnant women with SARS‐CoV‐2 between 1 March and 31 May 2020. Data were collected from 70 centres that participate in the Spanish Registry of COVID‐19.

Methods

Patients' information was collected from their medical chart.

Main outcomes and measures

The rate of perinatal transmission of SARS‐CoV‐2 and development of the infection in neonates within 14 days postpartum.

Results

The early cord clamping (ECC) group consisted of 231 infants (57.3%) and the DCC group consisted of 172 infants (42.7%). Five positive newborns (1.7% of total tests performed) were identified with the nasopharyngeal PCR tests performed in the first 12 hours postpartum, two from the ECC group (1.7%) and three from the DCC group (3.6%). No significant differences between groups were found regarding neonatal tests for SARS‐CoV‐2. No confirmed cases of vertical transmission were detected. The percentage of mothers who made skin‐to‐skin contact within the first 24 hours after delivery was significantly higher in the DCC group (84.3% versus 45.9%). Breastfeeding in the immediate postpartum period was also significantly higher in the DCC group (77.3% versus 50.2%).

Conclusions

The results of our study show no differences in perinatal outcomes when performing ECC or DCC, and skin‐to‐skin contact, or breastfeeding.

Tweetable abstract

This study demonstrates that delayed cord clamping is safe in mothers with confirmed SARS‐CoV‐2 infection.
Evaluating national trends in outcomes after implementation of a star rating system: Results from dialysis facility compare
Authors: Salerno Stephen , Dahlerus Claudia , Messana Joseph , Wisniewski Karen , Tong Lan , Hirth Richard A. , Affholter Jordan , Gremel Garrett , Wu YiFan , Zhu Ji , Roach Jesse , Balovlenkov RN Elena , Andress Joel , Li Yi
Published: November 2020

Objective

To examine which factors are driving improvement in the Dialysis Facility Compare (DFC) star ratings and to test whether nonclinical facility characteristics are associated with observed longitudinal changes in the star ratings.

Data Sources

Data were collected from eligible patients in over 6,000 Medicare‐certified dialysis facilities from three annual star rating and individual measure updates, publicly released on DFC in October 2015, October 2016, and April 2018.

Study Design

Changes in the star rating and individual quality measures were investigated across three public data releases. Year‐to‐year changes in the star ratings were linked to facility characteristics, adjusting for baseline differences in quality measure performance.

Data Collection

Data from publicly reported quality measures, including standardized mortality, hospitalization, and transfusion ratios, dialysis adequacy, type of vascular access for dialysis, and management of mineral and bone disease, were extracted from annual DFC data releases.

Principal Findings

The proportion of four‐ and five‐star facilities increased from 30.0% to 53.4% between October 2015 and April 2018. Quality improvement was driven by the domain of care containing the dialysis adequacy and hypercalcemia measures. Additionally, independently owned facilities and facilities belonging to smaller dialysis organizations had significantly lower odds of year‐to‐year improvement than facilities belonging to either of the two large dialysis organizations (Odds Ratio [OR]: 0.736, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 0.631‐0.856 and OR: 0.797, 95% CI: 0.723‐0.879, respectively).

Conclusions

The percentage of four‐ and five‐star facilities has increased markedly over a three‐year time period. These changes were driven by improvement in the specific quality measures that may be most directly under the control of the dialysis facility.
The fate of mycotoxins during secondary food processing of maize for human consumption
Authors: Schaarschmidt Sara , Fauhl‐Hassek Carsten
Published: November 2020

Mycotoxins are naturally occurring fungal metabolites that are associated with health hazards and are widespread in cereals including maize. The most common mycotoxins in maize that occur at relatively high levels are fumonisins (FBs), zearalenone, and aflatoxins; furthermore, other mycotoxins such as deoxynivalenol and ochratoxin A are frequently present in maize. For these toxins, maximum levels are laid down in the European Union (EU) for maize raw materials and maize‐based foods. The current review article gives a comprehensive overview on the different mycotoxins (including mycotoxins not regulated by EU law) and their fate during secondary processing of maize, based on the data published in the scientific literature. Furthermore, potential compliance with the EU maximum levels is discussed where appropriate. In general, secondary processing can impact mycotoxins in various ways. Besides changes in mycotoxin levels due to fractionation, dilution, and/or concentration, mycotoxins can be affected in their chemical structure (causing degradation or modification) or be released from or bound to matrix components. In the current review, a special focus is set on the effect on mycotoxins caused by different heat treatments, namely, baking, roasting, frying, (pressure) cooking, and extrusion cooking. Production processes involving multiple heat treatments are exemplified with the cornflakes production. For that, potential compliance with FB maximum levels was assessed. Moreover, effects of fermentation of maize matrices and production of maize germ oil are covered by this review.
Does family ownership always reduce default risk?
Authors: Abinzano Isabel , Corredor Pilar , Martinez Beatriz
Published: November 2020

This paper analyses the effect of family ownership on the outcome of the firm’s risk‐taking activities, measured by the company’s default risk. We show that family ownership reduces the probability of default, which is proxied by the Black–Scholes–Merton (BSM) model. Our study goes further than the initial approach by taking into account certain factors conditioning the aforementioned relationship. We find that the expected negative relationship between family ownership and default risk is modified when there is a significant participation of institutional investors, whose positive moderating influence intensifies if they are stable and long‐term oriented and/or during adverse financial circumstances.
Developing a clinical screening tool for identifying COVID‐19 infection in older people dwelling in residential aged care services
Authors: Gnanasambantham Kavitha , Aitken Georgia , Morris Brett , Simionato Jessica , Chua Eu‐Hua , Ibrahim Joseph E.
Published: November 2020

Objective

To develop and conduct preliminary feasibility testing of a clinical screening instrument for early identification of COVID‐19 infection in older people residing in residential aged care services (RACS).

Methods

A qualitative study was conducted using a multi‐modal approach involving examination of existing literature and national guidelines for COVID‐19 clinical screening, formulation of a discussion document with peer review and feasibility testing of a prototype screening tool.

Results

Existing COVID‐19 clinical screening tools do not consider age‐related impacts on clinical presentation. The qualitative analysis identified the important clinical elements to include were a lower threshold for temperature, occurrence of a recent fall and change in functional status. The new elements also had to be simple and feasible to implement. Overall feedback was positive with all participants recommending the use of the new tool.

Conclusion

A new screening tool for RACS residents was developed addressing the pathophysiological changes with ageing and atypical features of COVID‐19 infection.
Inherited thrombophilia and anticoagulant therapy for women with reproductive failure
Authors: Han Ae Ra , Han Jae Won , Lee Sung Ki
Published: November 2020

Reproductive failure (RF) is the inability to conceive or to carry a pregnancy to term, and its prevalence is not negligible. Pregnancy is a prothrombotic condition, which can be abnormally exaggerated in women with thrombophilia. Antiphospholipid syndrome is a cause of RF and effectively managed with heparin and aspirin. However, there are yet insufficient data in patients with RF and inherited thrombophilia. This review focuses on the significance of inherited thrombophilia and RF and the role of anticoagulants in pregnancy outcomes. A few randomized case‐control studies have investigated the effect of anticoagulation in RF with thrombophilia, and the results are yet debatable. Some inherited thrombophilia including mutations of factor V Leiden, prothrombin, and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase and protein S deficiency are associated with RF and/or late pregnancy complications. There are several implications which influence the diagnosis and treatment. First, there is a lack of studies revealing appropriate thrombophilia markers and its cutoff values for RF specifically. Second, some thrombophilia markers change with sex and age. Lastly, the study designs of previous studies are heterogeneous in selecting the thrombophilia markers and drugs. Further studies to find adequate thrombophilia markers of RF are warranted and eventually elucidate the subgroups beneficial to anticoagulation treatment.