bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Convalescent Plasma for COVID-19. A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Gharbharan Arvind , Jordans Carlijn C.E. , Geurtsvankessel Corinne , den Hollander Jan G. , Karim Faiz , Mollema Femke P. N. , Stalenhoef-Schukken Janneke E. , Dofferhoff Anthonius , Ludwig Inge , Koster Adrianus , Hassing Robert-Jan , Bos Jeannet C. , van Pottelberge Geert R. , Vlasveld Imro N. , Ammerlaan Heidi S. M. , van Leeuwen-Segarceanu Elena M. , Miedema Jelle , van der Eerden Menno , Papageorgiou Grigorios , Boekhorst Peter te , Swaneveld Francis H. , Katsikis Peter D. , Mueller Yvonne , Okba Nisreen M.A. , Koopmans Marion P.G. , Haagmans Bart H.G. , Rokx Casper , Rijnders Bart J.A. 
Published: January 2021

Structured abstract for full paperBackgroundAfter recovery from COVID-19, most patients have anti-SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies. Their convalescent plasma could be an inexpensive and widely available treatment for COVID-19.MethodsThe Convalescent-plasma-for-COVID (ConCOVID) study was a randomized trial comparing convalescent plasma with standard of care therapy in patients hospitalized for COVID-19 in the Netherlands. Patients were randomized 1:1 and received 300ml of plasma with anti-SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody titers of at least 1:80. The primary endpoint was day-60 mortality and key secondary endpoints were hospital stay and WHO 8-point disease severity scale improvement on day 15.ResultsThe trial was halted prematurely after 86 patients were enrolled. Although symptomatic for only 10 days (IQR 6-15) at the time of inclusion, 53 of 66 patients tested had anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies at baseline. A SARS-CoV-2 plaque reduction neutralization test showed neutralizing antibodies in 44 of the 56 (79%) patients tested with median titers comparable to the 115 donors (1:160 vs 1:160, p=0.40). These observations caused concerns about the potential benefit of convalescent plasma in the study population and after discussion with the data safety monitoring board, the study was discontinued. No difference in mortality (p=0.95), hospital stay (p=0.68) or day-15 disease severity (p=0.58) was observed between plasma treated patients and patients on standard of care.ConclusionMost COVID-19 patients already have high neutralizing antibody titers at hospital admission. Screening for antibodies and prioritizing convalescent plasma to risk groups with recent symptom onset will be key to identify patients that may benefit from convalescent plasma. Clinicaltrials.gov:NCT04342182
Viral mutation, contact rates and testing: a DCM study of fluctuations
Authors: Friston Karl J. , Costello Anthony , Flandin Guillaume , Razi Adeel 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThis report considers three mechanisms that might underlie the course of the secondary peak of coronavirus infections in the United Kingdom. It considers: (i) fluctuations in transmission strength; (ii) seasonal fluctuations in contact rates and (iii) fluctuations in testing. Using dynamic causal modelling, we evaluated the contribution of all combinations of these three mechanisms using Bayesian model comparison. We found overwhelming evidence for the combination of all mechanisms, when explaining 16 types of data. Quantitatively, there was clear evidence for an increase in transmission strength of 57% over the past months (e.g., due to viral mutation), in the context of increased contact rates (e.g., rebound from national lockdowns) and increased test rates (e.g., due to the inclusion of lateral flow tests). Models with fluctuating transmission strength outperformed models with fluctuating contact rates. However, the best model included all three mechanisms suggesting that the resurgence during the second peak can be explained by an increase ineffective contact ratethat is the product of a rebound ofcontact ratesfollowing a national lockdown and increasedtransmission riskdue to viral mutation.
Excess mortality during the 1918–20 influenza pandemic in Czechia
Authors: Gaddy Hampton Gray 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThis research letter provides a replicable estimate of the mortality that the 1918–20 influenza pandemic caused in Czechia. A monthly all-cause excess mortality model identified clear periods of pandemic mortality in September 1918 through May 1919 and January 1920 through May 1920. The total excess mortality in those months implies a pandemic death toll of 71,967 and a national death rate of 0.75%.
Nuclear m6A reader Ythdc1 regulates the scaffold function of LINE1 in mouse ESCs
Authors: Chen Chuan , Liu Wenqiang , Guo Jiayin , Liu Yuanyuan , Liu Xuelian , Liu Jun , Dou Xiaoyang , Le Rongrong , Huang Yixin , Li Chong , Yang Lingyue , Kou Xiaochen , Zhao Yanhong , Wu You , Chen Jiayu , Wang Hong , Shen Bin , Gao Yawei , Gao Shaorong 
Published: January 2021

AbstractN6-methyladenosine (m6A) on chromosome-associated regulatory RNAs (carRNAs), including repeat RNAs, play important roles in tuning the chromatin state and transcription1. Among diverse RNA-chromatin interacting modes, the nuclear RNA scaffold is considered important for trans-interactions2,3but has not yet been connected with m6A yet. Here, we found that Ythdc1 played indispensable roles in the embryonic stem cell (ESC) self-renewal and differentiation potency, and these roles highly depended on its m6A-binding ability.Ythdc1deficiency in ESCs resulted in decreased rRNA synthesis and the activation of 2-cell (2C) embryo-specific transcriptional program, and these observations recapitulated the transcriptome defects induced by dysfunction of the long interspersed nuclear element-1 (LINE1)-scaffold, which were unrelated to the direct targeting of Ythdc1. A detailed analysis revealed that Ythdc1 recognized m6A on LINE1 and was physically involved in the formation of the LINE1-Nucleolin partnership and the chromatin recruitment of Kap1. In summary, our study reveals a new link between m6A and the RNA scaffold and thus provides a new regulatory model for the crosstalk between RNA and the chromatin epigenome.
Mitofusin 1 and 2 regulation of mitochondrial DNA content is a critical determinant of glucose homeostasis
Authors: Sidarala Vaibhav , Zhu Jie , Levi-D’Ancona Elena , Pearson Gemma L. , Reck Emma C. , Walker Emily M. , Kaufman Brett A. , Soleimanpour Scott A. 
Published: January 2021

ABSTRACTThe dynamin-like GTPases Mitofusin 1 and 2 (Mfn1 and Mfn2) are essential for mitochondrial function, which has been principally attributed to their regulation of fission/fusion dynamics. Here, we report that Mfn1 and 2 are critical for glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) primarily through control of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content. Whereas Mfn1 and Mfn2 individually were dispensable for glucose homeostasis, combined Mfn1/2 deletion in β-cells reduced mtDNA content, impaired mitochondrial morphology and networking, and decreased respiratory function, ultimately resulting in severe glucose intolerance. Importantly, gene dosage studies unexpectedly revealed that Mfn1/2 control of glucose homeostasis was dependent on maintenance of mtDNA content, rather than mitochondrial structure. Mfn1/2 maintain mtDNA content by regulating the expression of the crucial mitochondrial transcription factor Tfam, as Tfam overexpression ameliorated the reduction in mtDNA content and GSIS in Mfn1/2-deficient β-cells. Thus, the primary physiologic role of Mfn1 and 2 in β-cells is coupled to the preservation of mtDNA content rather than mitochondrial architecture, and Mfn1 and 2 may be promising targets to overcome mitochondrial dysfunction and restore glucose control in diabetes.
Recovery of high-quality assembled genomes via metagenome binning guided with single-cell amplified genomes
Authors: Arikawa Koji , Ide Keigo , Kogawa Masato , Saeki Tatusya , Yoda Takuya , Endoh Taruho , Matsuhashi Ayumi , Takeyama Haruko , Hosokawa Masahito 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackgroundObtaining high-quality (HQ) reference genomes from microbial communities is crucial for understanding the phylogeny and function of uncultured microbes in complex microbial ecosystems. Despite the improved bioinformatic approaches to generate curated metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs), existing metagenomic binners often fail to obtain reliable MAGs, and thus, they are nowhere comparable to genomes sequenced from isolates in terms of strain level resolution. Here, we present a single-cell genome-guided metagenome binning (MetaSAG) to reconstruct the strain-resolved genomes from microbial communities at once.ResultsMetaSAG employs single-cell amplified genomes (SAGs) generated with microfluidic technology as binning guides to recover improved draft genomes with the metagenomic data. To assess the performance of reconstructing genomes from various microbial communities, we compared MetaSAG with four conventional metagenomic binners using a cell mock community, human gut microbiota, and skin microbiota samples. MetaSAG showed precise contig binning and higher recovery rates (>97%) of rRNA and plasmids compared to conventional binners in genome reconstruction from the cell mock community. In human microbiota samples, MetaSAG recovered the largest number of genomes with a total of 103 gut microbial genomes (21 HQ and 65 showed >90% completeness) and 45 skin microbial genomes (10 HQ and 40 showed >90% completeness), respectively. Conventional binners recovered oneStaphylococcus hominisgenome, whereas MetaSAG recovered twoS. hominisgenomes from the identical skin microbiota sample. Single-cell sequencing indicated that theseS. hominisgenomes clearly derived from two distinct strains harboring specifically different plasmids. We found that all conventionalS. hominisMAGs had substantial lack or excess of the genome sequences and contamination of otherStaphylococcusbacteria (S. epidermidis).ConclusionsMetaSAG enabled us to obtain the strain-resolved genomes in the mock community and human microbiota samples by assigning metagenomic sequences correctly and covering both highly conserved genes such as rRNA genes and unique extrachromosomal elements, including plasmids. MetaSAG will provide HQ genomes that are difficult to obtain with metagenomic analyses alone and will facilitate the understanding of microbial ecosystems by elucidating detailed metabolic pathways and horizontal gene transfer networks through microbial genomes. MetaSAG is available athttps://github.com/kojiari/metasag.
Chemical interplay and complementary adaptative strategies toggle bacterial antagonism and co-existence
Authors: Molina-Santiago Carlos , Vela-Corcía David , Petras Daniel , Díaz-Martínez Luis , Pérez-Lorente Alicia Isabel , Sopeña-Torres Sara , Pearson John , Caraballo-Rodríguez Andrés Mauricio , Dorrestein Pieter C. , de Vicente Antonio , Romero Diego 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBacterial communities are in a continuous adaptive and evolutionary race for survival. A myriad of molecules that kill, defend, or mediate communication between bacterial cells of different lineages shape the final structure of the microbial community. In this work we expand our knowledge on the chemical interplay and specific mutations that modulate the transition from antagonism to co-existence between two plant-beneficial bacteria,Pseudomonas chlororaphisPCL1606 andBacillus amyloliquefaciensFZB42. We reveal that the bacteriostatic activity of bacillaene produced byBacillusrelies on an interaction with the protein elongation factor FusA and how mutations in this protein lead to tolerance to bacillaene and other protein translation inhibitors. Additionally, we describe how the unspecific tolerance to antimicrobials associated with mutations in the glycerol kinase GlpK is provoked mainly by a decrease ofBacilluscell membrane permeability among other pleiotropic cellular responses. We conclude that nutrient specialization and mutations in basic biological functions are bacterial evolutive and adaptive strategies that lead to the coexistence of two primary competitive bacterial species rather than their mutual eradication.
Multistep-type construction of fixed point for multivalued ρ-quasi-contractive-like maps in modular function spaces
Authors: Akewe Hudson , Olaoluwa Hallowed 
Published: January 2021

PurposeIn this paper, the explicit multistep, explicit multistep-SP and implicit multistep iterative sequences are introduced in the context of modular function spaces and proven to converge to the fixed point of a multivalued map T such that PρT, an associate multivalued map, is a ρ-contractive-like mapping.Design/methodology/approachThe concepts of relative ρ-stability and weak ρ-stability are introduced, and conditions in which these multistep iterations are relatively ρ-stable, weakly ρ-stable and ρ-stable are established for the newly introduced strong ρ-quasi-contractive-like class of maps.FindingsNoor type, Ishikawa type and Mann type iterative sequences are deduced as corollaries in this study.Originality/valueThe results obtained in this work are complementary to those proved in normed and metric spaces in the literature.
Creation of a COVID-19 business and life lesson: the impact on students’ learning and behavior
Authors: Bowyer Shane 
Published: January 2021

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to encourage other educators to pivot and implement a current event activity when a situation arises. This paper examines the pedagogical benefits of implementing a current event class activity. The author discusses using tacit knowledge of an international trip to heighten awareness of the COVID-19 pandemic while linking it to business management knowledge. Results of a follow-up student survey are also discussed.

Design/methodology/approach
Considering the potential impact of COVID-19, an in-class activity was implemented and later followed up by a survey that addressed the activity impact. Students conducted brief research on COVID-19 and were put in small groups that analyzed scenarios for potential spread and identified steps business managers could take as safeguards. The entire class discussed the scenarios and potential actions during the upcoming spring break. The associated survey was for future classroom management and feedback concerning COVID-19 and not designed for research purposes.

Findings
The literature analyses and survey results indicate that pivoting from the syllabus and engaging students in a current event activity can be beneficial. In this study, students displayed increased awareness and changed actions as a result of the class activity.

Originality/value
This paper shares the author’s perspective regarding deviation from the course syllabus to conduct a class activity focused on a current event, which in this case is the COVID-19 pandemic.
Economic sustainability benchmarking of environmental initiatives: a case of wastewater treatment plant
Authors: Majumdar Abhijit , Sinha Sanjib Kumar 
Published: January 2021

PurposeIt has been long debated whether the three bottom lines of sustainability (economic, environmental and social) can be achieved simultaneously or whether achieving one adversely affects the others. This paper analyses the economic sustainability of an environmental initiative, namely, effluent treatment plant (ETP), adopted by an Indian textile industry.Design/methodology/approachTwo situations have been considered for the analysis. First, pure economic view with the operating and installed capacities has been considered. Second, combined economic-environmental view using shadow prices of undesirable outputs (biological oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, total nitrogen, total phosphorous, etc.) has been analysed.FindingsIt has been found that when pure economic view is considered, the net present value (NPV) of the ETP with present operating capacity (10,200 kL/day) is negative, implying that it is not economically sustainable. However, if the ETP is operated with the full installed capacity (17,000 kL/day), it becomes economically sustainable except in the case of very high cost of capital (13%). Finally, when shadow prices of undesirable outputs are considered, the NPV becomes positive, bolstering the economic-environmental sustainability of ETP.Research limitations/implicationsIn future, multiple case studies should be conducted in similar organisations to extend the general applicability of the outcome of this study. This research considers the economic and environmental aspects of ETP. However, social benefits have not been considered in this research work, which can definitely be addressed in future endeavours.Practical implicationsThough very high capital investment of ETP acts as a barrier, the results of this study imply that the top management of textile and clothing organisations should look at it from the holistic economic-environmental viewpoint. The use of ETP also leads to social benefits by improving the health of local community and by reducing their hospitalisation, medical expenditure and absenteeism from school and workplace. The outcome of this research may enthuse the entrepreneurs to adopt environmental initiatives.Originality/valueThe paper provides a framework to evaluate the economic feasibility of ETP by considering the time value of money. It is demonstrated with a real case that the environmental initiatives can be economically rewarding.
Rethinking picking processes in e-grocery: a study in the multichannel context
Authors: Vazquez-Noguerol Mar , González-Boubeta Iván , Portela-Caramés Iago , Prado-Prado J. Carlos 
Published: January 2021

PurposeGrocery sellers that have entered the online business must now carry out order fulfilment activities previously done by the customer. Consequently, in a context of online sales growth, the purpose of this study is to identify and implement best practices in order to redesign the order picking process in a retailer with a store-based model.Design/methodology/approachTo identify different work alternatives, an approach is developed to analyse the methods used in distinct stores of one large Spanish grocer. The methodology employed is a three-step statistical analysis that combines ANOVA and MANOVA techniques to settle on the best alternatives in each case.FindingsSubstantial improvements can be achieved by analysing the different working methods. The three-step statistical analysis identified best practices in terms of their impact on preparation time, allowing a faster working method.Practical implicationsTo manage business processes efficiently, online grocers that operate store-based fulfilment strategies can redesign their working method using a criterion based on their own performance.Originality/valueThis is one of the few contributions focusing on the improvement of e-grocery fulfilment operations by disseminating best practices through decision-making criteria. This study contributes by addressing the lack of approaches studying the order picking process by considering its various features and applying best practices.
The effect of a separate risk management committee (RMC) towards firms' performances on consumer goods sector in Malaysia
Authors: Rimin Flicia , Bujang Imbarine , Wong Su Chu Alice , Said Jamaliah 
Published: January 2021

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the effect of setting up a separate risk management committee (RMC) on the performance of listed companies in Malaysia's consumer goods sector. The study considers several firm characteristics as control variables to influence the establishment of the RMC, such as firm size and leverage.Design/methodology/approachThe sample comprises 169 observations throughout a nine-year time frame starting from 2010 to 2018. The current study used a dichotomous variable of “1” to represent a listed company that establishes a separate RMC and “0” as otherwise. The data analysis is based on a static panel data technique, which utilised the fixed effects model (FEM) and random effects model (REM).FindingsThere is a significant positive relationship between a separate RMC and Tobin's Q which suggests that the establishment of a separate RMC that consists of a majority of independent non-executive directors would significantly improve the firm's performance. The current work supports agency theory which suggests that independent non-executive directors can enhance the transparency of corporate boards as they improved the firm's compliance with the disclosure requirements.Originality/valueProper risk management and internal control are critical aspects of a company's governance, management and operations that can influence a firm's performance. The empirical evidence contributes to the knowledge of corporate governance within the context of a RMC’s role in monitoring a company's risk management framework, policies and its implementation. The formation of a separate RMC as a board committee will help to enhance the effectiveness of the risk oversight role of the BOD.
Systematic literature review – improving business processes by implementing agile
Authors: Schmitt Anna , Hörner Sabrina 
Published: January 2021

PurposeNumerous approaches from the field of economics already exist for the improvement of business processes. In the field of software development, work has been done on improving development processes. For years, the focus here has been on agile approaches. Although various approaches for improving business processes exist, it is becoming increasingly difficult to adapt business processes to the fast-moving conditions of the market and the business environment. Agile approaches address this issue. Thus, not only software development processes, but also business processes should benefit from agile approaches.Design/methodology/approachTo this end, values and principles of the Agile Manifesto, agile methods such as Scrum, and various agile practices such as the Kanban board should be applied in business processes. This paper examines the work already done on this topic. With the help of a systematic literature review (SLR), literature studies dealing with the implementation of the agile approach in business processes are identified.FindingsThis paper presents, investigates and contrasts 12 primary sources dealing with agile and business processes and shows how they are different/ equal regarding three research questions.Originality/valueWe provide an overview of existing approaches handling the combination of agile and business processes to improve business processes.
Assessing adult and continuing education needs in South Korea metropolitan areas using Borich’s needs assessment model
Authors: Lee Yunsoo , Jeong Shinhee , Cho Daeyeon 
Published: January 2021

Purpose
This study aims to examine residents’ perceptions of adult and continuing education (ACE) in Seoul, Gyeonggi-do and Incheon in South Korea, by conducting a needs assessment of university degree programs for adults.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper uses Borich’s educational needs formula and Hershkowitz’s criticality function on the data obtained from a survey of 1,500 residents of the three regions to determine their priorities for degree programs.

Findings
The results show that the top priorities for degree programs in Seoul are computer information and communication and therapeutic health. In Gyeonggi-do, the top priorities are computer information and communication, language and literature and business and economics. In Incheon, participants prefer computer information and communication, agriculture, forestry and fisheries and therapeutic health, in that order.

Originality/value
This study examines Koreans’ perceptions of ACE and conducts a needs assessment to determine their priorities for university degree programs in metropolitan areas in Korea. It provides practical information for policymakers and universities who design and implement ACE programs.