bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improved protein docking by predicted interface residues
Authors: Pozzati Gabriele , Kundrotas Petras , Elofsson Arne
Published: August 2021

Scoring docking solutions is a difficult task, and many methods have been developed for this purpose. In docking, only a handful of the hundreds of thousands of models generated by docking algorithms are acceptable, causing difficulties when developing scoring functions. Today’s best scoring functions can significantly increase the number of top-ranked models but still fails for most targets. Here, we examine the possibility of utilising predicted residues on a protein-protein interface to score docking models generated during the scan stage of a docking algorithm. Many methods have been developed to infer the portions of a protein surface that interact with another protein, but most have not been benchmarked using docking algorithms. Different interface prediction methods are systematically tested for scoring >300.000 low-resolution rigid-body template free docking decoys. Overall we find that BIPSPI is the best method to identify interface amino acids and score docking solutions. Further, using BIPSPI provides better docking results than state of the art scoring functions, with >12% of first ranked docking models being acceptable. Additional experiments indicated precision as a high-importance metric when estimating interface prediction quality, focusing on docking constraints production. We also discussed several limitations for the adoption of interface predictions as constraints in a docking protocol.
Cryo-EM Structures of CTP Synthase Filaments Reveal Mechanism of pH-Sensitive Assembly During Budding Yeast Starvation
Authors: Hansen Jesse M , Horowitz Avital , Lynch Eric M , Farrell Daniel P , Quispe Joel , DiMaio Frank , Kollman Justin M
Published: August 2021

Many metabolic enzymes self-assemble into micron-scale filaments to organize and regulate metabolism. The appearance of these assemblies often coincides with large metabolic changes as in development, cancer, and stress. Yeast undergo cytoplasmic acidification upon starvation, triggering the assembly of many metabolic enzymes into filaments. However, it is unclear how these filaments assemble at the molecular level and what their role is in the yeast starvation response. CTP Synthase (CTPS) assembles into metabolic filaments across many species. Here, we characterize in vitro polymerization and investigate in vivo consequences of CTPS assembly in yeast. Cryo-EM structures reveal a pH-sensitive assembly mechanism and highly ordered filament bundles that stabilize an inactive state of the enzyme, features unique to yeast CTPS. Disruption of filaments in cells with non-assembly or hyper-assembly mutations decreases growth rate, reflecting the importance of regulated CTPS filament assembly in homeotstasis.
Glycogen phosphorylase revisited: extending the resolution of the R- and T-state structures of the free enzyme and in complex with allosteric activators
Authors: Leonidas Demetres D. , Zographos Spyros E. , Tsitsanou Katerina E. , Skamnaki Vassiliki T. , Stravodimos George , Kyriakis Efthimios
Published: August 2021

The crystal structures of free T-state and R-state glycogen phosphorylase (GP) and of R-state GP in complex with the allosteric activators IMP and AMP are reported at improved resolution. GP is a validated pharmaceutical target for the development of antihyperglycaemic agents, and the reported structures may have a significant impact on structure-based drug-design efforts. Comparisons with previously reported structures at lower resolution reveal the detailed conformation of important structural features in the allosteric transition of GP from the T-state to the R-state. The conformation of the N-terminal segment (residues 7–17), the position of which was not located in previous T-state structures, was revealed to form an α-helix (now termed α0). The conformation of this segment (which contains Ser14, phosphorylation of which leads to the activation of GP) is significantly different between the T-state and the R-state, pointing in opposite directions. In the T-state it is packed between helices α4 and α16 (residues 104–115 and 497–508, respectively), while in the R-state it is packed against helix α1 (residues 22′–38′) and towards the loop connecting helices α4′ and α5′ of the neighbouring subunit. The allosteric binding site where AMP and IMP bind is formed by the ordering of a loop (residues 313–326) which is disordered in the free structure, and adopts a conformation dictated mainly by the type of nucleotide that binds at this site.
Teaming up in entrepreneurship education: does the team formation mode matter?
Authors: Warhuus Jan P. , Günzel-Jensen Franziska , Robinson Sarah , Neergaard Helle
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This paper investigates the importance of team formation in entrepreneurship education, and the authors ask: how do different team formation strategies influence teamwork in higher education experiential learning-based entrepreneurship courses?

Design/methodology/approach

Employing a multiple case study design, the authors examine 38 student teams from three different entrepreneurship courses with different team formation paths to uncover potential links between team formation and learning outcomes.

Findings

The authors find that team formation mode matters. Randomly assigned teams, while diverse, struggle with handling uncertainty and feedback from potential stakeholders. In contrast, student self-selected teams are less diverse but more robust in handling this pressure. Results suggest that in randomly assigned teams, the entrepreneurial project becomes the team's sole reference point for well-being. Seeking to protect the project, the team's ability to deal with uncertainty and external feedback is limited, stifling development. In student self-select teams, team well-being becomes a discrete reference point. This enables these teams to respond effectively to external project feedback while nurturing team well-being independently.

Originality/value

Education theories' implications about the benefit of team diversity may not apply to experiential learning-based entrepreneurship education's typical level of ambiguity and uncertainty. Therefore, educators may have to reconsider the unique dynamics of team formation strategies to ensure strong teamwork and teamwork outcomes.
The impact of contingency fit on organisational performance: an empirical study
Authors: Amhalhal Abdallah , Anchor John , Tipi Nicoleta S. , Elgazzar Sara
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The research investigates the effectiveness of the performance measurement alignment approach which claims that measurement diversity (multiple performance measures) should be aligned with organisational contingencies to enhance organisational performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The theoretical framework is contingency theory. The study is an empirical investigation of the indirect relationship between three contextual factors (business strategy, information technology and organisation size) and organisational performance via multiple performance measures. The results are derived from cross-sectional questionnaire survey data from 132 Libyan companies (response rate of 61%). For data analysis, the research uses mediation regression analysis via Preacher and Hayes' (2004) macro.

Findings

There is a significant indirect effect of business strategy and information technology, but not organisation size, on organisational performance. The measurement diversity approach plays a core mediating role in the relationship between the contingencies and organisational performance.

Practical implications

The study helps to provide a better understanding of the usefulness of the fit/match between contingencies and Multiple Performance Measures in improving organisational performance.

Originality/value

The empirical evidence supports the central proposition of contingency theory that there is no universally appropriate performance measurement system which applies equally to all organisations in all circumstances. It also provides evidence relating to non–manufacturing and an emerging market context. This research significantly extends the relevant literature by highlighting the relationship between information technology, multiple performance measures and organisational performance. This study is the first to use Preacher and Hayes' (2004) macro to analyse mediation design in the field of contingency-based performance measurement.
Job meaningfulness, employee engagement, supervisory support and job performance: a moderated-mediation analysis
Authors: Panda Abinash , Sinha Subhashis , Jain Nikunj Kumar
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Guided by social exchange, broaden and build and conservation of resources theoretical perspectives, this study explores the moderated mediating role of supervisory support (SS) on the relationship between job meaningfulness (JM) on job performance (JP) through employee engagement (EE).

Design/methodology/approach

Field data were collected from two hundred and nineteen executives and their thirty-eight supervisors of a large paint manufacturing industry through a time-lagged research design and was analyzed with partial least squares based structural equation modeling.

Findings

Findings of this study indicate that JM mediated by EE contributes to JP, which means if an employee finds one's job meaningful, she/he is likely to be more engaged emotionally, psychologically and cognitively to deliver better JP. SS is also found to be salient as it moderates both direct and indirect relationships between JM and JP through EE.

Research limitations/implications

Generalizability of the findings of this study should be done with caution. Though the study has time-laggard data from two different sources but missing longitudinal data restricts causality of relationships/findings.

Practical implications

These findings are relevant for organizations given that organizational leaders can create a context, by appropriate job design and engaging work context that motivates employees to perform better in their jobs. Insights of this study will be useful for organizations to curate meaningful jobs for their employees and also groom leaders with requisite skills and competencies to help subordinates perform up to their potential.

Originality/value

This study is an attempt toward a better understanding of the interplay of JM, work engagement and SS on JP in a manufacturing set-up in India, which has not been hitherto examined in Indian context.
Fretting fatigue behavior and failure characteristics of 35CrMoA steel under elliptical loading path
Authors: Huang Ziao , Liu Xiaoshan , He Guoqiu , Zhou Zhiqiang , Ge Bin , Le Peiwen , Pan Jiaqi , Xu Xiaojun
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This study aims to understand the multiaxial fretting fatigue, wear and fracture characteristics of 35CrMoA steel under the elliptical loading path.

Design/methodology/approach

By keeping the contact pressure and torsional shear cyclic stress amplitude unchanged; the axial cyclic stress amplitude varied from 650 MPa to 850 MPa. The fretting fatigue test was carried out on MTS809 testing machine, and the axial cyclic strain response and fatigue life of the material were analyzed. The fretting zone and fracture surface morphology were observed by scanning electron microscope. The composition of wear debris was detected by energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer.

Findings

In this study, with the increase of axial stress amplitude, 35CrMoA steel will be continuously softened, and the cyclic softening degree increases. The fretting fatigue life decreases unevenly. The fretting scars in the stick region are elongated in the axial direction. The area of fracture crack propagation zone decreases. In addition, the results indicate that wear debris in the slip region is spherical and has higher oxygen content.

Originality/value

There were few literatures about the multiaxial fretting fatigue behavior of 35CrMoA steel, and most scholars focused on the contact pressure. This paper reveals the effect of axial cyclic stress on fretting fatigue and wear of 35CrMoA steel under the elliptical loading path.
Empowerment of rural young people in informal farm entrepreneurship: the role of corporate social responsibility in Nigeria’s oil producing communities
Authors: Uduji Joseph Ikechukwu , Okolo-Obasi Elda Nduka
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to critically examine the corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives of multinational oil companies in Nigeria. Its main focus is to investigate the impact of the global memorandum of understanding (GMoU) on equipping rural young people with essential farming skills and knowledge for the adoption and application of modern agricultural inputs in the Niger Delta region.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper adopts a survey research technique, aimed at gathering information from a representative sample of the population, as it is essentially cross-sectional, describing and interpreting the current situation. A total of 800 rural young people were sampled across the oil producing region.

Findings

The results from the use of combined propensity score matching and logit model indicate that the GMoU model has a significant impact on the development of informal farm entrepreneurship generally, but somewhat undermined rural young people in the targeted agricultural clusters.

Practical implications

This suggests that youth-specific CSR farm projects can be effective in providing young people with the extra push needed to tackle the knowledge gap and poor agronomic that erect the below-per yield and lack of competitiveness of small-holder farmers in the region.

Social implications

It implies that a coherent and integrated CSR response from the business would be necessary to unlock investment opportunities on young people in farms for agricultural competitiveness and food security in Africa.

Originality/value

This study adds to the literature on informal farm entrepreneurship and rural communities’ debate in sub-Saharan Africa. It concludes that business has obligation to help in solving problems of youth unemployment in developing countries.
The food choice determinants and adherence to Mediterranean diet in Iranian adults before and during COVID-19 lockdown: population-based study
Authors: Mohajeri Mahsa , Ghannadiasl Fatemeh , Narimani Sajad , Nemati Ali
Published: August 2021

Purpose

During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, some changes in dietary intake were observed. However, the determinants of food choice and adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) in this period were not studied so far for Iranian adults. This study aimed to assess the food choice determinants changes and Adherence to the MD of Iranian adults.

Design/methodology/approach

This study was a cross-sectional study that was conducted from April 2019 to May 2020, based on the snowball sampling, and a total number of 2,540 adults from all the regions of Iran participated. The Food Choice Questionnaire was used to analyze food choice determinants, and the validated ten-item MD adherence screener was used to assess the adherence to the MD.

Findings

Before the COVID-19 quarantine, sensory appeal and price were the most important factors in Iranian food choice (with the highest scores), but during the COVID-19 pandemic the important food choice determinants were health and weight control. Consumption of vegetables (71.85% vs 40.07%), fruits (60.70% vs 38.74%), legumes (24.72% vs 12.38%) and nuts (14.33%) increased significantly after the outbreak of quarantine.
Conceptualizing and quantifying body condition using structural equation modelling: A user guide
Authors: Frauendorf Magali , Allen Andrew M. , Verhulst Simon , Jongejans Eelke , Ens Bruno J. , van der Kolk Henk‐Jan , de Kroon Hans , Nienhuis Jeroen , van de Pol Martijn
Published: August 2021

Body condition is an important concept in behaviour, evolution and conservation, commonly used as a proxy of an individual's performance, for example in the assessment of environmental impacts. Although body condition potentially encompasses a wide range of health state dimensions (nutritional, immune or hormonal status), in practice most studies operationalize body condition using a single (univariate) measure, such as fat storage. One reason for excluding additional axes of variation may be that multivariate descriptors of body condition impose statistical and analytical challenges.

Structural equation modelling (SEM) is used in many fields to study questions relating multidimensional concepts, and we here explain how SEM is a useful analytical tool to describe the multivariate nature of body condition. In this ‘Research Methods Guide’ paper, we show how SEM can be used to resolve different challenges in analysing the multivariate nature of body condition, such as (a) variable reduction and conceptualization, (b) specifying the relationship of condition to performance metrics, (c) comparing competing causal hypothesis and (d) including many pathways in a single model to avoid stepwise modelling approaches. We illustrated the use of SEM on a real‐world case study and provided R‐code of worked examples as a learning tool.

We compared the predictive power of SEM with conventional statistical approaches that integrate multiple variables into one condition variable: multiple regression and principal component analyses. We show that model performance on our dataset is higher when using SEM and led to more accurate and precise estimates compared to conventional approaches.

We encourage researchers to consider SEM as a flexible framework to describe the multivariate nature of body condition and thus understand how it affects biological processes, thereby improving the value of body condition proxies for predicting organismal performance. Finally, we highlight that it can be useful for other multidimensional ecological concepts as well, such as immunocompetence, oxidative stress and environmental conditions.
Microbial methylglyoxal metabolism contributes towards growth promotion and stress tolerance in plants
Authors: Kaur Charanpreet , Gupta Mayank , Garai Sampurna , Mishra Shashank K. , Chauhan Puneet Singh , Sopory Sudhir , Singla‐Pareek Sneh L. , Adlakha Nidhi , Pareek Ashwani
Published: August 2021

Plant growth promotion by microbes is a cumulative phenomenon involving multiple traits, many of which are not explored yet. Hence, to unravel microbial mechanisms underlying growth promotion, we have analysed the genomes of two potential growth‐promoting microbes, viz., Pseudomonas sp. CK‐NBRI‐02 (P2) and Bacillus marisflavi CK‐NBRI‐03 (P3) for the presence of plant‐beneficial traits. Besides known traits, we found that microbes differ in their ability to metabolize methylglyoxal (MG), a ubiquitous cytotoxin regarded as general consequence of stress in plants. P2 exhibited greater tolerance to MG and possessed better ability to sustain plant growth under dicarbonyl stress. However, under salinity, only P3 showed a dose‐dependent induction in MG detoxification activity in accordance with concomitant increase in MG levels, contributing to enhanced salt tolerance. Furthermore, salt‐stressed transcriptomes of both the strains showed differences with respect to MG, ion and osmolyte homeostasis, with P3 being more responsive to stress. Importantly, application of either strain altered MG levels and subsequently MG detoxification machinery in Arabidopsis, probably to strengthen plant defence response and growth. We therefore, suggest a crucial role of microbial MG resistance in plant growth promotion and that it should be considered as a beneficial trait while screening microbes for stress mitigation in plants.
Making commissioning work: The relational gap between intent and implementation in the transition to ‘commissioning’ community services in New South Wales
Authors: Riboldi Mark , Fennis Lisa , Fishwick Elaine , Goodwin Susan , Stears Marc
Published: August 2021

The question of impact is at the heart of human service design, with governments searching perennially for the right approach to meeting citizen need while responsibly acquitting public funds. In this area, ‘commissioning’ has become a popularised approach, most recently in Australia. Although in theory commissioning is a strategic and relational practice offering to put communities at the heart of decision‐making, commissioning in practice has proved less transformational. This paper explores the gulf between intent and implementation in the transition to commissioning human services in New South Wales (NSW) in the context of the Commissioning Project, a collaborative project facilitated by the Sydney Policy Lab at the University of Sydney to enable peak organisations in the community sector build a collective approach to commissioning. The collaboration resulted in the articulation of four guiding principles to facilitate better commissioning in NSW: putting relationships first, letting communities lead, investing in people, and embedding learning.
Impact of lymphadenectomy and lymphoedema on health‐related quality of life 1 year after surgery for endometrial cancer. A prospective longitudinal multicentre study
Authors: Wedin M , Stålberg K , Marcickiewicz J , Ahlner E , Åkesson Å , Lindahl G , Wodlin NB , Kjølhede P ,   the LASEC study group
Published: August 2021

Objective

To assess the impact of lymphadenectomy and lymphoedema of the lower limbs (LLL) on health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) 1 year after surgery for endometrial cancer (EC).

Design

Prospective longitudinal cohort multicentre study.

Setting

Departments of obstetrics and gynaecology at four university hospitals, six central hospitals and four county hospitals in Sweden.

Population

Two‐hundred‐and‐thirty‐five women with early stage EC were included; 116 with high‐risk EC underwent surgery including lymphadenectomy (+LA), and 119 with low‐risk EC had surgery without lymphadenectomy (−LA).

Methods

The generic SF‐36 and EQ‐5D‐3L and the lymphoedema‐specific LYMQOL questionnaire were used to assess HRQoL. LLL was assessed by systematic circumferential measurements of the legs enabling volume estimation, clinical evaluation and patient‐reported perception of leg swelling. All assessments were carried out on four occasions; preoperatively, and 4–6 weeks, 6 months and 1 year postoperatively.

Main outcome measure

HRQoL scores.

Results

No significant differences were seen in HRQoL between the +LA and –LA groups 1 year postoperatively. Irrespective of method of determining LLL, women with LLL were significantly more affected in the LYMQOL domains Function, Appearance/body image and Physical symptoms, but not in the domain Emotion/mood, than women without LLL. No such differences were seen in the generic HRQoL or in the LYMQOL global score between the groups with and without LLL.

Conclusions

Lymphadenectomy did not seem to affect generic HRQoL adversely. Irrespective of the method of measuring, LLL affected the lymphoedema‐specific HRQoL negatively, mainly in physical domains, but had no impact on the generic HRQoL.

Tweetable abstract

Lymphoedema has impact on lymphoedema‐specific, but not on generic, HRQoL, 1 year after surgery for EC.
Molecular weight effects of low acyl gellan gum on antioxidant capacity and rheological properties
Authors: Baawad Abdullah , Rice Clayton , Hamil Taijah , Murphy Kelsey , Park Joshua , Kim Dong‐Shik
Published: August 2021

The current study investigated the antioxidant capacity of enzymatically cleaved low acyl gellan gum (LA‐GAGR) fragments, named midi‐GAGR (MWv: 1.2 × 105 Da) and mini‐GAGR (MWv: 2.5 × 104 Da). Three different methods—hydroxide assay, superoxide assay, and DPPH assay—were used to measure the antioxidant capacity of the low acyl gellan gum fragments. Both mini‐GAGR and midi‐GAGR showed similar antioxidant capacities, 27.1% and 25.6%, respectively, for hydroxide radicals, whereas ascorbic acid showed 9.8%. For superoxide radicals, the fragments scavenged 41.7% (mini) and 35.6% (midi) of free radicals compared to 10.6% removal by ascorbic acid. Mini‐ and midi‐GAGR displayed modest scavenging capabilities with DPPH radicals (8.5% and 6.6%, respectively) as compared to ascorbic acid (96.3%). Both midi‐ and mini‐GAGR showed less gel‐like behaviors than LA‐GAGR. Midi‐GAGR was observed to have a transition from liquid to gel at 63 rad/s.

Practical Application

The results in the manuscript are helpful when gellan gum and its derivatives are directly applied to food processing as a dietary fiber supplement or a stabilizer for functional beverages. The antioxidant capacity results can be used to promote the functionality of gellan gum as a food additive and for controlling cell adhesion and growth on gellan gum scaffolds. The rheology results will be useful for synthesis of scaffolds for bone tissue generation and facilitating clinical treatments when gellan gum is injected as an adsorbent or a filler for treating bone fractures. In the pharmaceutical industry, they are useful when controlling the therapeutic effects of drug delivery systems.
Biogeographic structure of fungal communities in seagrass Halophilia ovalis across the Malay Peninsula
Authors: Quek Z. B. Randolph , Zahn Geoffrey , Lee Nicole Li Ying , Ooi Jillian Lean Sim , Lee Jen Nie , Huang Danwei , Wainwright Benjamin J.
Published: August 2021

Distributed across both the tropical Atlantic and Pacific oceans, the seagrass Halophilia ovalis stabilizes coastal sediment, thereby preventing shoreline erosion and is also an important food source for megaherbivores such as dugongs. However, seagrass meadows globally are under severe duress due to both climate change and anthropogenic activities. We characterized the mycobiome of Halophilia ovalis at seven sites in the Malay Peninsula using ITS1 rDNA amplicon sequences and investigated differences in fungal community structure. We found that geographic location was a significant factor shaping fungal communities and that marine sediment harboured significantly higher diversity when compared to H. ovalis leaves, roots and rhizomes. Taken together, it is likely that locality rather than specific plant structure determines fungal community structure in H. ovalis. Because the plant mycobiome is known to exert a strong effect on plant health, to maximize the success of future seagrass transplantation and restoration work we propose that these efforts consider the importance of seagrass mycobiomes at all stages.
Evaluation of satisfaction with a model of structured contraceptive counseling: Results from the LOWE trial
Authors: Envall Niklas , Emtell Iwarsson Karin , Bizjak Isabella , Gemzell Danielsson Kristina , Kopp Kallner Helena
Published: August 2021

Introduction

Intervention trials of structured contraceptive counseling have proved to increase use of long‐acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) and decrease numbers of unintended pregnancies. However, these interventions have not been evaluated from a user perspective. This study aimed to evaluate both healthcare providers’ and participants’ satisfaction with an intervention used in a large trial in Sweden.

Material and methods

A cross‐sectional study on the intervention group from a cluster randomized trial conducted at 28 clinics in Stockholm, Sweden. Clinics were randomized (1:1 allocation ratio) to provide either structured contraceptive counseling (intervention) or standard contraceptive counseling (control). The intervention consisted of four parts; an educational video to be seen by the participant prior to contraceptive counseling, key questions to be asked by the healthcare provider, an effectiveness chart, and a box of contraceptive models. Eligible participants were 18 years or older, sexually active without a wish to conceive, and with the main purpose of contraceptive use being pregnancy prevention. Healthcare providers completed an electronic semi‐structured survey to evaluate the intervention. This study analyses provider and participant satisfaction with the counseling material used in the intervention and if the intervention was found to be supportive in contraceptive counseling and contraceptive choice. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03269357).

Results

Fourteen intervention clinics enrolled 658 participants from September 2017 to May 2019. Response rate among providers was 88.0% (55/62) and among participants 97.1% (639/658). Providers found the intervention to be supportive in their counseling. Each separate part of the intervention package received high ratings from both providers and participants. Participants found the educational video and the effectiveness chart to be more helpful than the box of contraceptive models in their contraceptive choice. Providers reported the time taken to complete the intervention outside the study to be time‐neutral to standard counseling, and most providers wished to continue to use all parts of the intervention package.

Conclusions

The intervention of structured contraceptive counseling had high provider and participant satisfaction. The structured counseling package could be used in several clinical settings to improve quality in contraceptive counseling and to enhance informed decision making about use of contraceptive methods.
Identifying mixtures of metals by multi‐isotope analysis: Disentangling the relationships of the Early Bronze Age swords of the Apa–Hajdúsámson type and associated objects
Authors: Berger Daniel , Brügmann Gerhard , Bunnefeld Jan‐Heinrich , Pernicka Ernst
Published: August 2021

This pilot study addresses the analytical characterisation of 26 well‐known bronze objects of the Early and Middle Bronze Age of Central and Northern Europe. Besides swords and axes of the hoards from Apa, Téglás and Hajdúsámson, the investigation includes the famous Sky Disc and its accompanying finds from the Nebra hoard and several full‐hilted swords from Period I in Denmark. In contrast to former publications, the isotopic systematics of lead, tin and copper are the focus of the present investigation. With a combined approach, we try to relate the typologically closely linked or otherwise related artefacts with chemical and isotopic proxies by identifying mixing scenarios. The results demonstrate that artefacts from different locations are most likely not directly linked, but mixing lines across isotope systems suggest a production of the items from common sources by mixing of bronze batches (e.g., bronze ingots), which were probably disseminated between 1600 and 1500 bce. This helps to correlate objects of different locations with each other and to draw conclusions upon typological and cultural connections. Isotopic and chemical correlations of objects within the individual hoards, on the other hand, allow reconstructions of metallurgical practices in single workshops, which, for example, implies recycling of metal scrap.
REGN1908‐1909 monoclonal antibodies block Fel d 1 in cat allergic subjects: Translational pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics
Authors: Kamal Mohamed A. , Dingman Robert , Wang Claire Q. , Lai Ching‐Ha , Rajadhyaksha Manoj , DeVeaux Michelle , Orengo Jamie M. , Radin Allen , Davis John D.
Published: August 2021

REGN1908‐1909, a 1:1 cocktail of two fully human IgG4 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), REGN1908 and REGN1909, is being evaluated for treatment of cat allergy. Both REGN1908 and REGN1909 bind to the dominant cat allergen, Fel d 1. Adults with cat allergy confirmed by skin prick test (SPT) were randomized to single subcutaneous administration of placebo (n = 6) or REGN1908‐1909 at doses of 150 (n = 6), 300 (n = 6), or 600 mg (n = 6). Blood samples were taken at prespecified time points for pharmacokinetic (PK) analysis and exploratory evaluation of biomarkers (IgE and SPT). Safety was assessed. Drug concentration‐time profiles in serum for ascending doses of REGN1908‐1909 were consistent with linear PKs. Noncompartmental analysis showed that maximum concentration (Cmax) and exposure increased proportionately with dose, with similar time to maximum concentration (Tmax) for REGN1908 and REGN1909 (6.2 to 8.2 days across doses), and a longer terminal half‐life for REGN1908 (~ 30 days) relative to REGN1909 (~ 21 days). Adverse events were not dose dependent; there were no dose‐limiting toxicities. REGN1908‐1909 is characterized by linear and dose‐proportional kinetics of the two individual mAb components. A single 600 mg dose maintains total mAb mean concentrations in serum above the target (mean of ~ 10 mg/L) for 8–12 weeks. Maintaining this mean target concentration resulted in translational pharmacodynamic effects: maximal mast cell degranulation in a passive cutaneous anaphylaxis mouse model, and maintenance of clinical efficacy measured by Total Nasal Symptom Score in a previous proof‐of‐mechanism study.
Required dose of sugammadex or neostigmine for reversal of vecuronium‐induced shallow residual neuromuscular block at a train‐of‐four ratio of 0.3
Authors: He Jing , He Huan , Li Xing , Sun Mei , Lai Zhihao , Xu Bo
Published: August 2021

Residual shallow neuromuscular block (NMB) is potentially harmful and contributes to critical respiratory events. Evidence for the optimal dose of sugammadex required to reverse vecuronium‐induced shallow NMB is scarce. The aims of the present study were to find suitable doses of sugammadex and neostigmine to reverse a residual vecuronium‐induced NMB from a time of flight (TOF) ratio of 0.3–0.9 and evaluate their safety and efficacy. In total, 121 patients aged 18–65 years were randomly assigned to 11 groups to receive placebo, sugammadex (doses of 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, or 2.0 mg/kg), or neostigmine (doses of 10, 25, 40, 55, or 70 μg/kg). The reversal time of sugammadex and neostigmine to antagonize a vecuronium‐induced shallow residual NMB (i.e., TOF ratio of 0.3) and related adverse reactions were recorded. Several statistical models were tested to find an appropriate statistical model to explore the suitable doses of sugammadex and neostigmine required to reverse a residual vecuronium‐induced NMB. Based on a monoexponential model with the response variable on a logarithmic scale, sugammadex 0.56 mg/kg may be sufficient to reverse vecuronium‐induced shallow residual NMB at a TOF ratio of 0.3 under anesthesia maintained with propofol. Neostigmine may not provide prompt and satisfactory antagonism as sugammadex, even in shallow NMB.
Recognition and duration of illness in adolescent eating disorders: Parental perceptions of symptom onset
Authors: Rosello Rocio , Gledhill Julia , Yi Irene , Watkins Beth , Harvey Lucy , Hosking Alexandra , Nicholls Dasha
Published: August 2021

Aim

To understand the earliest parent reported signs suggesting their child may have an eating disorder (ED), and to quantify time from symptom onset to specialist assessment.

Methods

This is a secondary analysis of data derived from parents of 78 young people presenting to a British community ED service who completed a questionnaire asking when they first noticed their child displaying (a) a change in eating pattern, (b) weight concerns, (c) shape concerns. Parents were also asked to describe the first thing they noticed in terms of possible ED symptoms.

Results

Mean age was 14.9 (SD: 1.58), 94% were female with diagnoses of anorexia nervosa (n = 50), bulimia nervosa (n = 10) and atypical anorexia nervosa (n = 18). Weight and shape concerns were most often noticed over a year prior to assessment (mean 12.7 months [SD: 12.8] and 13.3 months [SD: 13.2], respectively), with eating pattern change observed a mean of 9.7 months (SD: 7.6) before referral to specialist care. Seven main themes were developed from parents' descriptions of their child's symptoms: (1) eating pattern change, (2) shape concern, (3) weight concern, (4) observed weight loss, (5) binge eating/compensatory behaviours, (6) other mental health concerns and (7) physical symptoms.

Conclusions

The most common parental concerns were eating pattern change, specifically their child becoming more rigid/rule‐bound with regard to eating and dietary restraint. Such external changes are likely observed before physical changes such as weight loss, offering potential for early identification by parents, primary care and other professionals, with implications for improved prognosis.
Africa Fashion Futures: Creative economies, global networks and local development
Authors: England Lauren , Ikpe Eka , Comunian Roberta , Kabir Ananya Jahanara
Published: August 2021

This article reviews existing literature and approaches to the current study of fashion and economic development to rethink the interconnection between creative producers and global production and trade networks in relation to sustainable local development. Focusing on the work of independent fashion designers on the African continent, we first consider their positioning as cultural (micro) entrepreneurs and drivers of economic development. Next, we discuss the wider relationship with the global markets and value chains which impact their work and local context. We conclude with a call for further interdisciplinary research that takes fashion designers as a key point from which to engage critically with global value chains beyond prioritising the lead firm in the global North, so as to position African fashion designers as micro‐entrepreneurs with potential for value creation and as leading smaller local or national markets with concomitant international reach.
Business group affiliation in rural contexts: Do small firms grow faster through working capital management?
Authors: Lefebvre Vivien
Published: August 2021

This paper investigates whether small firms affiliated with business groups that operate in rural regions grow faster through conservative working capital management. Conservative working capital management refers to granting long payment delays to customers and holding high levels of inventories to prevent stockouts. Small firms affiliated with business groups have access to the groups’ internal capital markets to finance conservative working capital management. They can therefore provide liquidity to their customers in rural regions where access to banking debt is more difficult compared to that in urban territories. Using a firm random effects model on a large panel of French small firms operating in the trade industry, we report that business group affiliation positively moderates the positive effect of working capital management on firms’ growth in rural contexts. Our results challenge a commonly held view that states that small firms grow faster as “light” organizations as we present evidence that growth is also achieved by firms holding larger inventories and granting more trade credit to their customers, at least in the French context.
Proportionate response to the COVID‐19 threat? Use of apps and other technologies for monitoring employees under the European Union's data protection framework
Authors: SUDER Seili , SIIBAK Andra
Published: August 2021

This article explores the potential uses by employers of contact‐tracing apps and other monitoring technologies to mitigate the spread of COVID‐19, and the potential concerns that these raise in the context of the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation. Given the imbalance of power in the employment relationship, the authors call for national laws to strengthen employees' ability to refuse the use of such apps and technologies after the end of the COVID‐19 pandemic. When such tools are no longer needed to keep employees safe, additional regulations and guidance will be necessary to prevent future problems, such as function creep and other misuse by employers.
Controllable multi‐color upconversion in glass ceramics through engineering crystal lattice distortion
Authors: Zhao Jingtao , Lei Lei , Ye Renguang , Li Can , Lu Zhanling , Deng Degang , Huang Lihui , Zhang Xianghua , Xu Shiqing
Published: August 2021

Lanthanide‐doped up‐conversion (UC) materials with color tunable property show promising application in many fields, such as biological imaging, optical multiplexing, and information security. Although great efforts have been devoted to regulate UC emission color via modifying chemical composition, crystal structure, or external stimuli condition, it is remain a daunting challenge to develop a general strategy that probably suitable for various lanthanide‐doped nano‐systems. Herein, we verify the cross‐relaxation possibility between sensitizer Yb3+ and activator Er3+ as well as Er3+‐ Er3+ pairs can be well modified by engineering the crystal lattice distortion of matrix, leading to the evident UC emission color variations. Specifically, with incorporating Al3+ or Ca2+ ions into the Yb/Er co‐doped BaF2 nanocrystals (NCs) contained glass ceramics (GCs), the contraction of the crystal lattice lead to the change of UC emission color from green to red. On the contrary, the high laser excitation power results in the lattice expansion of the Al3+‐doped BaF2:Yb/Er GCs at different Yb3+ concentration as well as Al3+ doped CaF2 GCs, which leads to the greatly increased green‐to‐red ratio. These multi‐color UC GCs show potential application in anti‐counterfeiting filed. Our results open up a general avenue for the control of UC emission color via engineering crystal lattice distortion.
Fluoride‐mediately oriented assembly of zirconia nanoparticles: 3D monocrystalline architectures and dye degradation
Authors: Jing Wenjia , Yang Jianfeng
Published: August 2021

Nano subunits self‐assembly provides a powerful approach for creating unique architectures of relevance for applications. While the use of organic surfactants to direct the assembly of nanoparticles is most popular, it remains a challenge to manipulate the order‐assembly of a large number of nanoparticles along desirable facets. Here, we describe a fluoride‐mediately solvothermal approach for building 3D monocrystalline ZrO2 architectures through oriented attach of ZrO2 nanoparticles in three dimensions, the preferential adsorption of fluoride on specific crystallographic planes may be critical to promoting the oriented aggregation of ZrO2 nanoparticles along rigid directions. After calcination, the dense monocrystalline architectures are transformed into porous monocrystalline structures with inherited morphology, uniform and well‐dispersed open pores. The sample before calcination exhibits a better performance in photocatalytic degradation of conge red in aqueous solution, while the sample after calcination shows a better adsorption effect in dark, the mechanism is discussed in detail.
Highly disordered ionic distribution in α‐dicalcium silicate for structure relaxation
Authors: Suzuki Masanori , Umesaki Norimasa , Ishii Yoshiki
Published: August 2021

Dicalcium silicate, which is found in steelmaking slag for dephosphorization, exists as the hexagonal α phase at high temperatures. The α‐dicalcium silicate forms a solid solution with tricalcium phosphate in the entire composition range, although the reason for high solubility of phosphorus remains unclear in view of the crystal structure. It has previously been reported that the crystal structure of α‐dicalcium silicate consists of a symmetric arrangement of Ca2+ ions and SiO44− tetrahedra, although other polymorphs exhibit asymmetric arrangements. However, because the occupation probability of each atomic site in the α polymorph is not limited to unity, it has not been qualified how these ions are exactly arranged. In this study, the ionic distribution in the α polymorph of dicalcium silicate was evaluated by first‐principles calculation based on density functional theory (DFT), as well as by molecular dynamics (MD) simulation with a polarizable ion model optimized by DFT calculation. The results indicated that the completely symmetric ionic arrangement, as reported for the α phase, is the most unstable. Electronic‐state calculation and MD simulation indicated that a highly disordered ionic arrangement spontaneously forms in the α‐phase crystal for structure relaxation when held at high temperatures, or when phosphorus is incorporated.
Experiences of weight stigma in adolescents with severe obesity and their families
Authors: Roberts Karyn J. , Polfuss Michele L. , Marston Emma C. , Davis Renée L.
Published: August 2021

Aim

To describe the experiences of weight stigma in adolescents with severe obesity and their parents.

Design

Qualitative descriptive secondary analysis.

Methods

A secondary analysis on 31 transcripts from a larger study of 46 transcripts conducted between February 2019 and June 2020. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 19 parents (n = 17 mothers, n = 2 fathers) and 12 adolescents (n = 7 male, n = 5 female). Interviews were digitally audio recorded, transcribed and analysed using conventional content analysis.

Results

Four common themes were identified reflecting experiences of weight stigma: weight‐based teasing and bullying, interactions with healthcare providers (HCPs), family interactions and blame. Subthemes were fairness and impact on mental health.

Conclusion

This secondary analysis adds to the sparse literature documenting the experiences of weight stigma from adolescents with severe obesity and their families. It is important to understand the experiences of weight stigma from the adolescent and parent perspective as it can inform healthcare, education and policies across communities and facilitate holistic health for this vulnerable population.

Impact

The need for research to better understand how experiences of weight stigma correlate with physiological and psychological outcomes and inform innovative interventions are critical to improve treatment of severe obesity. Healthcare providers across disciplines are in a strategic position to change the paradigm through which we provide care to youth with severe obesity and guide families in supporting their children's weight management efforts without contributing to weight stigma.
Postgraduate nursing students' experiences of simulation training and reflection in end‐of‐life communication with intensive care patients and their families
Authors: Lindberg Elisabeth , Fridh Isabell
Published: August 2021

Losing a loved one in the intensive care unit relates to a risk of developing stress and complicated grief. Education in intensive care nursing should cover end‐of‐life care, and the use of simulation in nursing education is a powerful instrument to develop confidence in end‐of‐life care. The aim of this study was to explore postgraduate nursing students' experiences with simulation training in end‐of‐life communication with intensive care patients and their families. Twenty‐nine students answered a questionnaire and nine students participated in an interview. Analyses were conducted according to the principles of phenomenography. The result is presented in four categories including the following: the design of the scenario affects learning, uncertainty overshadows learning, intertwining theory and practice contributes to learning, and learning to encounter existential dimensions. The conclusion is that high‐fidelity simulation training contributes toward preparing students to be attuned to what it can be like to be a family member in this situation. The scenarios contributed toward preparing the students to engage in end‐of‐life conversations during clinical placements.
COVID‐19 firms’ fast innovation reaction analyzed through dynamic capabilities
Authors: Puliga Gloria , Ponta Linda
Published: August 2021

During the COVID‐19 emergency, several companies have been able to rapidly reconfigure their innovation and production processes to help support health and other services to cope with the shortage of needed supplies. Using the dynamic capability perspective, this work aims to understand which capabilities enable companies to have fast innovation reactions when they are not pursuing a competitive advantage but they are responding to a societal requirement. A multiple case study approach was used and results reveal that the use of internal and external sources is fundamental. In particular, the Italian companies with a fast innovation reaction to COVID‐19 are not the ones that possess all the competencies internally but are rather those able to orchestrate internal and external resources by means of ‘fast’ and flat management. Internal commitment and a culture of continual renewal are essential to rapidly reach a performing product.