bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Wastewater Based Epidemiology Enabled Surveillance of Antibiotic Resistance
Authors: Riquelme M.V. , Garner E. , Gupta S. , Metch J. , Zhu N. , Blair M.F. , Arango-Argoty G. , Maile-Moskowitz A. , Li A. , Flach C-F , Aga D.S. , Nambi I. , Larsson D.G.J. , Bürgmann H. , Zhang T. , Pruden A. , Vikesland P.J. 
Published: June 2021

ABSTRACTWastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) for disease monitoring is highly promising, but requires consistent methodologies that incorporate predetermined objectives, targets, and metrics. We demonstrate a comprehensive metagenomics-based approach for global surveillance of antibiotic resistance in sewage, enabling assessment of: 1) which antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) are shared across regions/communities; 2) which ARGs are discriminatory; and 3) factors associated with overall trends including antibiotic concentrations in sewage. Across an internationally-sourced transect of sewage samples collected using a centralized, standardized protocol, ARG relative abundances (16S rRNA gene-normalized) were highest in Hong Kong and India and lowest in Sweden and Switzerland, reflecting national policy, measured antibiotic concentrations, and metal resistance genes. Asian versus European/US resistomes were distinct, with macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin, phenicol, quinolone, and tetracycline versus multidrug resistance ARGs being discriminatory, respectively. Sales data were not predictive of antibiotics measured in sewage, emphasizing need for direct measurements. The WBE approach defined herein demonstrates multi-site comparability and sensitivity to local/regional factors.
Mutations in emerging variant of concern lineages disrupt genomic sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 clinical specimens
Authors: Kuchinski Kevin S. , Nguyen Jason , Lee Tracy D. , Hickman Rebecca , Jassem Agatha N. , Hoang Linda M. N. , Prystajecky Natalie A. , Tyson John R. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractMutations in emerging SARS-CoV-2 lineages can interfere with the laboratory methods used to generate high-quality genome sequences for COVID-19 surveillance. Here, we identify 46 mutations in current variant of concern lineages affecting the widely used laboratory protocols for SARS-CoV-2 genomic sequencing by Freed et al. and the ARTIC network. We provide laboratory data showing how three of these mutations disrupted sequencing of P.1 lineage specimens during a recent outbreak in British Columbia, Canada, and we also demonstrate how we modified the Freed et al. protocol to restore performance.
Human genetic factors associated with pneumonia susceptibility, a cue for COVID-19 mortality
Authors: Guin Debleena , Yadav Saroj , Singh Priyanka , Singh Pooja , Thakran Sarita , Kukal Samiksha , Kanojia Neha , Paul Priyanka Rani , Pattnaik Bijay , Sardana Viren , Grover Sandeep , Hasija Yasha ,   Indian Genome Variation Consortium, Agrawal Anurag , Kukreti Ritushree 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe risk for community acquired pneumonia (CAP) is partially driven by genetics. To identify the CAP-associated genetic risk loci, we performed a meta-analysis of clinically diagnosed CAP (3,310 individuals) with 2,655 healthy controls. The findings revealed CYP1A1 variants (rs2606345, rs4646903, rs1048943) associated with pneumonia. We observed rs2606345 [G vs T; OR=1.49(1.29-1.69); p=0.0001; I2= 15.5%], and rs1048943 [T vs G; OR= 1.31(0.90-1.71); p=0.002; I2=19.3%] as risk markers and rs4646903 [T vs C; OR= 0.79(0.62-0.96); p=0.03; I2=0%] as a protective marker for susceptibility to CAP, when compared with healthy controls. Our meta-analysis showed the presence of CYP1A1 SNP alleles contributing significant risk toward pneumonia susceptibility. Interestingly, we observed a striking difference of allele frequency for rs2606345 (CYP1A1) among Europeans, Africans and Asians which may provide a possible link for observed variations in death due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a viral pneumonia. We report, for the first time, a significant positive correlation for the risk allele (T or A) of rs2606345, with a higher COVID-19 mortality rate worldwide and within a genetically heterogeneous nation like India. Mechanistically, the risk allele ‘A’ (rs2606345) is associated with lower expression of CYP1A1 and presumably leads to reduced capacity for xenobiotic detoxification. We note that ambient air pollution, a powerful inducer of CYP1A1 gene expression, is globally associated with lower, not higher mortality, as would normally be predicted. In conclusion, we find that CYP1A1 alleles are associated with CAP mortality, presumably via altered xenobiotic metabolism. We speculate that gene-environment interactions governing CYP1A1 expression may influence COVID-19 mortality.
Transsaccadic integration operates independently in different feature dimensions
Authors: Kong Garry , Aagten-Murphy David , McMaster Jessica M. V. , Bays Paul M. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractOur knowledge about objects in our environment reflects an integration of current visual input with information from preceding gaze fixations. Such a mechanism may reduce uncertainty, but requires the visual system to determine which information obtained in different fixations should be combined or kept separate. To investigate the basis of this decision, we conducted three experiments. Participants viewed a stimulus in their peripheral vision, then made a saccade that shifted the object into the opposite hemifield. During the saccade, the object underwent changes of varying magnitude in two feature dimensions (Experiment 1: color and location, Experiments 2 and 3: color and orientation). Participants reported whether they detected any change and estimated one of the post-saccadic features. Integration of pre-saccadic with post-saccadic input was observed as a bias in estimates towards the pre-saccadic feature value. In all experiments, pre-saccadic bias weakened as the magnitude of the transsaccadic change in the estimated feature increased. Changes in the other feature, despite having a similar probability of detection, had no effect on integration. Results were quantitatively captured by an observer model where the decision whether to integrate information from sequential fixations is made independently for each feature and coupled to awareness of a feature change.
Genome-wide approaches delineate the additive, epistatic, and pleiotropic nature of variants controlling fatty acid composition in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)
Authors: Otyama Paul I. , Chamberlin Kelly , Ozias-Akins Peggy , Graham Michelle A. , Cannon Ethalinda K. S. , Cannon Steven B. , MacDonald Gregory E. , Anglin Noelle L. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe fatty acid composition of seed oil is a major determinant of the flavor, shelf-life, and nutritional quality of peanuts. Major QTLs controlling high oil content, high oleic content, and low linoleic content have been characterized in several seed oil crop species. Here we employ genome-wide association approaches on a recently genotyped collection of 787 plant introduction accessions in the USDA peanut core collection, plus selected improved cultivars, to discover markers associated with the natural variation in fatty acid composition, and to explain the genetic control of fatty acid composition in seed oils.Overall, 251 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) had significant trait associations with the measured fatty acid components. Twelve SNPs were associated with two or three different traits. Of these loci with apparent pleiotropic effects, 10 were associated with both oleic (C18:1) and linoleic acid (C18:2) content at different positions in the genome. In all 10 cases, the favorable allele had an opposite effect - increasing and lowering the concentration, respectively, of oleic and linoleic acid. The other traits with pleiotropic variant control were palmitic (C16:0), behenic (C22:0), lignoceric (C24:0), gadoleic (C20:1), total saturated, and total unsaturated fatty acid content. One hundred (100) of the significantly associated SNPs were located within 1000 kbp of 55 genes with fatty acid biosynthesis functional annotations. These genes encoded, among others: ACCase carboxyl transferase subunits, and several fatty acid synthase II enzymes.With the exception of gadoleic (C20:1) and lignoceric (C24:0) acid content, which occur at relatively low abundance in cultivated peanut, all traits had significant SNP interactions exceeding a stringent Bonferroni threshold (α= 1%). We detected 7,682 pairwise SNP interactions affecting the relative abundance of fatty acid components in the seed oil. Of these, 627 SNP pairs had at least one SNP within 1000 kbp of a gene with fatty acid biosynthesis functional annotation. We evaluated 168 candidate genes underlying these SNP interactions. Functional enrichment and protein-to-protein interactions supported significant interactions (p- value < 1.0E-16) among the genes evaluated. These results show the complex nature of the biology and genes underlying the variation in seed oil fatty acid composition and contribute to an improved genotype-to-phenotype map for fatty acid variation in peanut seed oil.Key phrasesSNP Genotyping, Genome-wide Association Study (GWAS), GWAS of interacting SNPs (GWASi), Pleiotropy, Seed fatty acid composition, Oleic-Linoleic acid ratio.
Structural basis for sterol sensing by Scap and Insig
Authors: Yan Renhong , Cao Pingping , Song Wenqi , Li Yaning , Wang Tongtong , Qian Hongwu , Yan Chuangye , Yan Nieng 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP) pathway senses the cellular cholesterol level through sterol regulated association between Scap and Insig. Despite the recent structural determination of the transmembrane domains of human Scap and Insig-2 bound to 25-hydroxycholesterol (25HC), the structure and regulatory mechanism of the luminal domains of Scap by cholesterol remains elusive. Here, combining cryo-EM analysis and artificial intelligence-facilitated structural prediction, we report the structure of the human Scap/Insig-2 complex in the presence of digitonin instead of 25HC. Despite the lack of sequence similarity, the structure of the luminal domain Loop 1 and a co-folded segment in Loop 7 of Scap resembles that of the luminal/extracellular domain in NPC1 and related proteins. Comparison of the sterol-loaded structures of these proteins provides clues of the regulation of Loop 1/7 interaction by cholesterol. We also show that the structure of Scap(D428A), which suppresses SREBP activation under sterol depletion, is identical to WT when complexed with Insig-2, although the gain of function may also involve a later step in protein trafficking.
Unique Features of Different Classes of G-Protein-Coupled Receptors Revealed from Sequence Coevolutionary and Structural Analysis
Authors: Do Hung N , Haldane Allan , Levy Ronald M , Miao Yinglong 
Published: June 2021

AbstractG-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest family of human membrane proteins and represent the primary targets of about one third of currently marketed drugs. Despite the critical importance, experimental structures have been determined for only a limited portion of GPCRs and functional mechanisms of GPCRs remain poorly understood. Here, we have constructed novel sequence coevolutionary models of the A and B classes of GPCRs and compared them with residue contact frequency maps generated with available experimental structures. Significant portions of structural residue contacts were successfully detected in the sequence-based covariational models. “Exception” residue contacts predicted from sequence coevolutionary models but not available structures added missing links that were important for GPCR activation and allosteric modulation. Moreover, we identified distinct residue contacts involving different sets of functional motifs for GPCR activation, such as the Na+ pocket, CWxP, DRY, PIF and NPxxY motifs in the class A and the HETx and PxxG motifs in the class B. Finally, we systematically uncovered critical residue contacts tuned by allosteric modulation in the two classes of GPCRs, including those from the activation motifs and particularly the extracellular and intracellular loops in class A GPCRs. These findings provide a promising framework for rational design of ligands to regulate GPCR activation and allosteric modulation.SignificanceG-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) play key roles in cellular signaling and serve as the primary targets of ∼1/3 of currently marketed drugs. In this work, we have presented the first analysis of both residue sequence coevolution and structural contact maps in different classes of GPCRs. We have inferred pathways for GPCR signal transduction that could not be determined from structural analysis alone. Distinct residue contacts have been identified in the signaling pathways of class A and B GPCRs. Our combined sequence coevolutionary and structural contact analysis has thus revealed important insights into the mechanism of GPCR signal transduction, which is expected to facilitate rational drug design of the GPCRs.
Piezo1 ion channels inherently function as independent mechanotransducers
Authors: Lewis Amanda H. , Grandl Jörg 
Published: June 2021

SummaryPiezo1 is a mechanically activated ion channel involved in sensing forces in various cell types and tissues. Cryo-electron microscopy has revealed that the Piezo1 structure is bowl-shaped and capable of inducing membrane curvature via its extended footprint, which indirectly suggest that Piezo1 ion channels may bias each other’s spatial distribution and interact functionally. Here, we use cell-attached patch-clamp electrophysiology and pressure-clamp stimulation to functionally examine large numbers of membrane patches from cells expressing Piezo1 endogenously at low levels and cells overexpressing Piezo1 at high levels. Our data, together with stochastic simulations of Piezo1 spatial distributions, show that both at endogenous densities (1-2 channels/μm2), and at non-physiological densities (10-20 channels/μm2) predicted to cause substantial footprint overlap, Piezo1 density has no substantial effect on its pressure sensitivity or open probability in the nominal absence of membrane tension. The results suggest that Piezo channels, at densities likely to be physiologically relevant, inherently behave as independent mechanotransducers. We propose this property is essential for cells to transduce forces homogeneously across the entire cell membrane.
The influence of organisational culture on corporate accountants' ethical judgement and ethical intention in Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen Lan Anh , Dellaportas Steven , Vesty Gillian Maree , Pham Van Anh Thi , Jandug Lilibeth , Tsahuridu Eva 
Published: June 2021

PurposeThis research examines the impact of organisational culture on the ethical judgement and ethical intention of corporate accountants in Vietnam.Design/methodology/approachThe study relies on survey data collected from 283 practising accountants in Vietnam. Organisational culture was measured using the Organisational Culture Assessment Instrument, developed by Cameron and Quinn (2011). The Instrument is developed based on the competing values framework comprised of four distinct cultures: clan, hierarchy, market and adhocracy. Ethical judgement and ethical intention were measured based on respondent responses to five ethical scenarios, each linked to a principle of professional conduct in the code of ethics.FindingsThe findings indicate that the clan culture (family oriented) is dominant and has a significant positive influence on accountants' ethical judgement and ethical intention. Respondents in the clan culture evaluate scenarios more ethically compared with accountants in the adhocracy and market cultures but not the hierarchy culture. Accountants who emphasise the adhocracy and market cultures display a more relaxed attitude towards unethical scenarios whereas respondents in the hierarchy culture (rule oriented) display the highest ethical attitude.Research limitations/implicationsThe code of ethics, its content and how it is interpreted and applied may differ between professions, organisations or cultures.Originality/valueOrganisational research on ethical decision-making is ample but few studies link organisational culture with ethical judgement and ethical intention from the perspective of individual accountants.
Dining at gas stations: an analysis of nonconventional fast-food outlets from a consumer behavior perspective
Authors: Lefrid Mohammed 
Published: June 2021

PurposeThe objective of this paper is to investigate the effect of the dining experience elements at gas stations foodservice outlets: (1) food quality, (2) service quality, (3) convenience and (4) atmospherics on customers' overall satisfaction and behavioral intention. This study also examines the mediating effect of overall satisfaction on dining experience elements and behavioral intention.Design/methodology/approachThis paper applies a quantitative approach, using partial least square-structural equation modeling for analysis. Survey data were collected online from 231 participants in the United States.FindingsConvenience and food quality are strong predictors of gas station food purchasing overall satisfaction and behavioral intention. Meanwhile, service quality and atmospherics were not statistically significant.Research limitations/implicationsThis study's survey was conducted online. Participants reflected on their dining experience at gas station dining outlets in the prior week.Practical implicationsThis study contributes to the existing foodservice literature by exploring dining at gas stations. It also provides a new insight into the importance of convenience in influencing overall satisfaction and behavior intention in a gas station foodservice setting.Social implicationsThis study helps with the understanding of consumer behavior and expectations of a fast-food setting. This study helps with enhancing convenience in order to improve the customers' experience and reduce their daily stress relating to wait time for purchasing fast-food meals.Originality/valueThis is the first study to examine consumer experience at a gas station food service setting.
A systematic review of human capital and employee well-being: putting human capital back on the track
Authors: Islam Md Shamirul , Amin Muslim 
Published: June 2021

Purpose
The review aims to demonstrate a broader perspective of human capital and employee well-being concept. Moreover, the study attempts to analyse theoretical notions underlying human capital and well-being relationship and thus to guide the integration of two distinct concepts.

Design/methodology/approach
This review followed the systematic literature search protocols from the Academic Journal Guide 2018 generated by the Chartered Association of Business Schools. Sixty-nine quantitative research papers were selected for the review.

Findings
Human capital is not only about individual competence but includes acquisition, utilization and development of competence in a broader sense. Employee well-being has been discussed from subjective and objective viewpoints and categorized into happiness, health and financial aspects. The review results suggest that various organizational theories, workplace learning and learning organization perspectives underlie human capital and well-being relationship. The review guides that the high involvement working model encapsulates well-being as part of human capital development.

Research limitations/implications
This review discusses practical implications for human resource management practitioners.

Originality/value
This review is a unique attempt to assess the human capital and well-being literature systematically.
Frugal creativity: a new conceptualization as planned behavior
Authors: Ahmad Saleha , Nanda Agarwal Madhushree 
Published: June 2021

PurposeThis paper aims to introduce, define and propose a model for the concept of “frugal creativity” (FC), as the front end of the frugal innovation (FI) process. Modeling FC as a planned behavior makes it useful to large organizations who may wish to strategically promote such behavior.Design/methodology/approachIdentifying common themes from the literature, the authors propose a comprehensive definition of FI. Using this definition, they define FC. Next, a model for FC is proposed based on the theory of planned behavior.FindingsThe conceptual model proposes that frugal creativity intention (FCI) can be predicted by the prosocial motivation, dissatisfaction with status-quo and the threat-opportunity perception of resource constraints of an individual. The authors further propose that FCI would translate into FC more frequently when work is perceived as meaningful.Research limitations/implicationsThe proposed model opens avenues for further conceptual and empirical research in the area, although it first requires empirical validation.Practical implicationsThe model of FC as a planned behavior can help multinationals, established firms or governments, seeking to use FI as a deliberate strategic choice, to develop suitable human capital and context for FI.Originality/valueFirst, the authors propose a comprehensive definition for FI by consolidating related constructs. Second, they introduce the concept of FC as the idea generation stage of FI. Third, they propose a model for FC as a planned behavior. To the authors’ knowledge, the last two have not been attempted earlier.
Blockholding and agency cost: evidence from Nigeria
Authors: Ibekwe Ibe 
Published: June 2021

PurposeThe study examines how blockholding, blockholding nationality and multiple blockholder structures (MBS) are related to agency cost in Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachData sourced from the annual reports of 84 non-financial services firms listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) from January 1, 2008, to December 31, 2015, were analyzed using the hybrid model in Stata 15.FindingsBlockholding showed a significant negative relationship with the expense ratio (ER) measure of agency cost at the between-firm level but not significantly related to asset utilization ratio (AUR). This result was driven more by foreign blockholding and concentration of control, which were negatively and significantly related to the ER. Concentration of control is negatively related to the AUR. Domestic blockholding and the number of blockholders were not significantly related to agency cost. Foreign-blockholder-firms had a significantly greater concentration of control (lesser contest for control) than domestic-blockholder-firms.Practical implicationsThe findings suggest that foreign blockholding would be more effective in controlling agency costs in Nigeria. While the concentration of control (lesser contest for control) appears to be an efficient governance mechanism for reducing agency costs associated with expenses in Nigeria, it seems to exacerbate agency costs associated with asset utilization.Originality/valuePrevious researchers have not studied how foreign and domestic blockholding are related to agency cost. They also have not studied how MBS and the contest for control are related to agency cost and explain differences in the foreign/domestic blockholding-agency cost relationships in the Nigerian context.