bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mobile antimicrobial resistance genes in probiotics
Authors: Tóth Adrienn Gréta , Csabai István , Judge Maura Fiona , Maróti Gergely , Becsei Ágnes , Spisák Sándor , Solymosi Norbert 
Published: May 2021

ABSTRACTEven though people around the world tend to consume probiotic products for their beneficial health effects on a daily basis, recently, concerns were outlined regarding the uptake and potential intestinal colonisation of the bacteria that they transfer. These bacteria are capable of executing horizontal gene transfer (HGT) which facilitates the movement of various genes, including antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs), among the donor and recipient bacterial populations. Within our study, 47 shotgun sequencing datasets deriving from various probiotic samples (isolated strains and metagenomes) were bioinformatically analysed. We detected more than 70 ARGs, out of whichrpoBmutants conferring resistance to rifampicin,tet(W/N/W)and potentially extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) codingTEM-116were the most common. Numerous ARGs were associated with integrated mobile genetic elements, plasmids or phages promoting the HGT. Our findings raise clinical and public health concerns as the consumption of probiotic products may lead to the transfer of ARGs to human gut bacteria.
The length scale of multivalent interactions is evolutionarily conserved in fungal and vertebrate phase-separating proteins
Authors: Dasmeh Pouria , Doronin Roman , Wagner Andreas 
Published: May 2021

AbstractOne key feature of proteins that form liquid droplets by phase separation inside a cell is the presence of multiple sites – multivalency – that mediate interactions with other proteins. We know little about the variation of multivalency on evolutionary time scales. Here, we investigated the long-term evolution (∼600 million years) of multivalency in fungal mRNA decapping subunit 2 protein (Dcp2), and in the FET protein family. We found that multivalency varies substantially among the orthologs of these proteins. However, evolution has maintained the length scale at which sequence motifs that enable protein-protein interactions occur. That is, the total number of such motifs per hundred amino acids is higher and less variable than expected by neutral evolution. To help explain this evolutionary conservation, we developed a conformation classifier using machine-learning algorithms. This classifier demonstrates that disordered segments in Dcp2 and FET proteins tend to adopt compact conformations, which is necessary for phase separation. Thus, the evolutionary conservation we detected may help proteins preserve the ability to undergo phase separation. Altogether, our study reveals that the length scale of multivalent interactions is an evolutionarily conserved feature of two classes of phase-separating proteins in fungi and vertebrates.
Difficulties in employment perceived by individuals with ASD in Poland
Authors: Siedler Agnieszka , Idczak-Paceś Edyta 
Published: May 2021

Purpose
Individuals with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis often desire to be useful to society and may have the ability to work. Unfortunately, in Poland as in other countries, most remain unemployed. The purpose of this paper is to determine the factors that make gaining and retaining employment difficult for people with autism from their perspective.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper presents a qualitative research synthesis, that explored experiences of 15 individuals with autism regarding the process of seeking and maintaining employment. In-depth interviews were conducted with each study participant, and four discussion panels were held with small groups.

Findings
The difficulties described by the study participants included lack of detailed information, anxiety, high stress levels and overcommitment. Some of them also reported that they were unable to find out the reasons for misunderstanding or dissatisfaction on the part of their employers.

Social implications
The paper emphasizes the need to increase public awareness and reliable knowledge about autism spectrum disorders.

Originality/value
The paper draws conclusions regarding common difficulties from the perspective of individuals with autism. It shows how features associated with autism can be related to specific problems at work or during the process of looking for it. It also indicates changes that should be made in the employers' approach to help people with autism gain and retain employment.
Studying structure of Coronaviridae, analyzing their geometry and focusing on the role of electronic applications in health awareness of viruses
Authors: Almuhur Eman , Al-Labadi Manal , Shatarah Amani , Khan Nazneen , Bashir Raeesa 
Published: May 2021

Purpose
This study aims to focus on electronic applications that have an effective role in raising the awareness of the dangers of viruses’ transmission from person-to-person and their positive and important impact on people’s lives.

Design/methodology/approach
The authors illustrated the effects of socializing with infected people on a human body by a model in geometry and how the prospected antibiotic annihilates the structure of the virus. The authors discussed vital operations inside the human body to expound the geometry of objects that are closed under their operations, such as viruses, especially Coronaviridae.

Findings
Also, the authors discussed some of the e-health applications in Jordan. As e-health activities, programs and applications have been given attention, the authors focused on potentials for constructing strategies that lead to create a featuring health technology.

Originality/value
Moreover, in this study, the authors explored the structure and geometry of Coronaviridae family, especially coronavirus that causes lots of diseases, and explained its movement mechanism using the mathematical structures.
Barriers of public policy faced by SMEs of creative economy in Indonesia
Authors: Rosyadi Slamet , Kusuma Ayusia Sabhita , Fitrah Elpeni , Zayzda Nurul Azizah , Pimoljinda Thanawat 
Published: May 2021

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the barriers in public policy faced by the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in a creative economy at the local level.

Design/methodology/approach
This research uses a qualitative case study method, and the informants are selected with a purposive sampling technique. The researchers collected data through in-depth interviews of 15 informants. The informants include local government officials, SME actors and creative economy activists. Data are analyzed using thematic analysis in the qualitative method.

Findings
This study shows that the development of SMEs in the creative economy is constrained by the mindset and administrative behavior of the local policymakers who tend to be normative, routine-minded and inflexible. Consequently, the local government’s administrative capacity in the creative economy sector has not demonstrated significant support for efforts to increase the competitiveness of creative economies at the regional level.

Research limitations/implications
Research implications suggest how the findings may be important for the policy and practice of SMEs’ development of a creative economy at the local level. The findings suggest that local government needs to engage with the actors and activists of SMEs in the strategic formulation for the development of a creative economy.

Originality/value
This study extends the theoretical and practical knowledge about policy implementation of SMEs’ development by a local government in the creative economy sector in Indonesia.
Impact of FDI inflows on bank loans in Gulf Cooperation Council economies: an empirical insight
Authors: Saif-Alyousfi Abdulazeez Y.H. 
Published: May 2021

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate and compare the impact of FDI inflows on bank loans in aggregate as well as at the level of conventional and Islamic banks in GCC countries. The paper also tests hypotheses of direct and indirect impacts of FDI inflow and FDI stock on bank loans.Design/methodology/approachThe sample comprises a total of 70 banks (45 conventional and 25 Islamic banks). The period under consideration is 1995–2017. Static panel and dynamic panel GMM estimation techniques are applied.FindingsEmpirical results indicate that inflowing FDI and FDI stock have a significant negative direct impact on loans of GCC banks. The results lend support to the direct channel hypothesis for the effect of FDI on bank loans and find no evidence in support of the indirect channel hypothesis. FDI inflows affect bank loans directly via increased FDI-related liquidity, business activity or excessive competition in the banking market; they are not channeled through macro variables. Loans from conventional banks appear to be more affected than those from Islamic banks.Practical implicationsGiven the attractiveness of the GCC economies to foreign investment, the potential volatility of investment-induced instability to the financial system in these economies should be on the radar of the central banks. Attracting more FDI is expected to increase overall national productivity through competition. However, government would be wise to enact a policy to maximize benefits and minimize potential harm to local industry. In addition, to achieve the goal of the new economic model, in turning the GCC economies into high-income and knowledge-driven economies by 2030, enhancement of efficiency and the quality of the workforce will contribute to creating productivity-driven economies.Originality/valueIt is widely recognized that FDI inflows are of great importance to the financial performance development of emerging and developing countries. However, their impact on bank loans has so far not been subject to accurate empirical assessment. This paper aims to fill this gap by providing an in-depth quantitative analysis of the impact of FDI inflow and FDI stock, separately, on bank loans for both conventional and Islamic banks in GCC countries. It distinguishes between direct and indirect channels through which FDI inflows may affect bank loans. The study uses both static and dynamic panel GMM estimation techniques to analyze the data.
Ambidexterity, prosocial impact, and task performance in cross-functional teams: the role of individual’s team identification
Authors: Silalahi Darwin , Firmanzah Fiz , Ekaputra Irwan Adi , Rachmawati Riani , Pasaribu Manerep 
Published: May 2021

PurposeThis paper examines the motivational influence of individuals’ team identification (TID) on their ambidexterity (TA), prosocial impact (TPS), and task performance (TTP) at the team level of analysis, as well as investigates the role of TA in mediating TID’s relationship with both TTP and TPS.Design/methodology/approachBy using a cross-sectional sample of 102 cross-functional teams with a total of 362 individual members from 22 firms in the customer-facing industries of Indonesia, we analyzed multilevel data and tested hypotheses using aggregated team-level structural equation modeling (SEM).FindingsThis study supports a significant positive relationship between TID and TA. Further, while TA fully mediates the relationship between TID and TTP, TID has a direct influence on TPS.Practical implicationsThis study contributes to filling the gaps in empirical evidence pertaining to the role of identity in motivating employees beyond their formal employment contracts. Their immediate leaders play a crucial role in individuals’ daily work lives and affect how they view their social identifications with their team, which subsequently contributes toward the enhancement of people and organizational performances.Originality/valueOur study offers empirical evidence in support of the identity-enhanced principal-agent model and contributes to the literature on Social Identity Theory with a focus on the individual-group interface. To our knowledge, our study is the first empirical research on the influence of TID on TA, TPT, and TPS across multiple firms in the customer-facing industries.
Bridging the gap between real estate research and professional practice in Nigeria
Authors: Oyedokun Tunbosun Biodun , Abidoye Rotimi Boluwatife , Akinbogun Solomon Pelumi 
Published: May 2021

PurposeBeyond contributing to literature, research findings are expected to reinforce existing best practices while also serving as a springboard for formulating new and more efficient methods of undertaking economic activities. However, academic research is sometimes divorced from implementation and research findings are not always translated into practice. This study, therefore, assesses the impact of real estate research activities and findings on the practice of real estate surveying and valuation in Nigeria as the largest real estate market in Africa.Design/methodology/approachAn online questionnaire survey was conducted to obtain relevant data from Estate Surveyors and Valuers across the country. The survey questions cover reading of academic papers from the field of real estate and the reasons for doing so; whether they have made any changes to their professional practice based on findings from academic papers; and possible barriers to adoption academic research findings in your practice. Mean score ranking and principal component analysis were employed for data analysis.FindingsOut of a total of 61 participants, only 35 have made a change to their professional practice based on findings from academic papers they have read. “Personal development and enlightenment” ranks first on the list of reasons for reading academic papers among the participants while barriers to the adoption of academic research findings relate mainly to education, dissemination and lack of guidance on how to apply research findings.Practical implicationsThe study demonstrates how findings from real estate research are being applied and identifies possible barriers that must be addressed to improve the level of application and consequently, the value of academic studies.Originality/valueThe study provides evidence on barriers to the adoption of academic research and contributes to the global effort to bridge the gap between academia and practice.
An experimental based artificial neural network modeling in prediction of optimum combustion, performance, and emission from diesel engine operated with three biodiesels
Authors: Kolakoti Aditya 
Published: May 2021

PurposeThis study aims to improve the performance and to regulate the harmful emission from the diesel engine. For this purpose, palm oil biodiesel (POBD), waste cooking biodiesel (WCBD) and animal fat biodiesel (AFBD) are used for examination.Design/methodology/approachThe transesterification process was followed to convert the three raw oils into biodiesels and the experiments are conducted at various loads with fixed 25 rps. Diesel as a reference fuel and three neat biodiesels are tested for emissions and performance. By training the experimental results in an artificial neural network (ANN), the best biodiesel was predicted.FindingsThe biodiesels are tested for significant fuel properties with the American Society for testing and materials standards and observed that kinematic viscosity, density and cetane number are recorded higher than diesel fuel. The fatty acid composition (FAC) from chromatography reveals the presence of unsaturated FAC is more in POBD (70.89%) followed by WCBD (57.67%) and AFBD (43.13%). The combustion pressures measured at every degree of crank angle reveal that WCBD and AFBD exhibited on far with diesel fuel. Compared to diesel fuel WCBD and AFBD achieved maximum brake thermal efficiency of 31.99% and 30.93% at 75% load. However, there is a penalty in fuel consumption and NOx emissions from biodiesels. On the other hand, low carbon monoxide, unburnt hydrocarbon emissions and exhaust smoke are reported for biodiesels. Finally, WCBD was chosen as the best choice based on ANN modeling prediction results.Originality/valueThere is no evident literature on these three neat biodiesel applications with the mapping of ANN modeling.
What does a threatened saproxylic beetle look like? Modelling extinction risk using a new morphological trait database
Authors: Hagge Jonas , Müller Jörg , Birkemoe Tone , Buse Jörn , Christensen Rune Haubo Bojesen , Gossner Martin M. , Gruppe Axel , Heibl Christoph , Jarzabek‐Müller Andrea , Seibold Sebastian , Siitonen Juha , Soutinho João Gonçalo , Sverdrup‐Thygeson Anne , Thorn Simon , Drag Lukas 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe extinction of species is a non‐random process, and understanding why some species are more likely to go extinct than others is critical for conservation efforts. Functional trait‐based approaches offer a promising tool to achieve this goal. In forests, deadwood‐dependent (saproxylic) beetles comprise a major part of threatened species, but analyses of their extinction risk have been hindered by the availability of suitable morphological traits.To better understand the mechanisms underlying extinction in insects, we investigated the relationships between morphological features and the extinction risk of saproxylic beetles. Specifically, we hypothesised that species darker in colour, with a larger and rounder body, a lower mobility, lower sensory perception and more robust mandibles are at higher risk.We first developed a protocol for morphological trait measurements and present a database of 37 traits for 1,157 European saproxylic beetle species. Based on 13 selected, independent traits characterising aspects of colour, body shape, locomotion, sensory perception and foraging, we used a proportional‐odds multiple linear mixed‐effects model to model the German Red List categories of 744 species as an ordinal index of extinction risk.Six out of 13 traits correlated significantly with extinction risk. Larger species as well as species with a broad and round body had a higher extinction risk than small, slim and flattened species. Species with short wings had a higher extinction risk than those with long wings. On the contrary, extinction risk increased with decreasing wing load and with higher mandibular aspect ratio (shorter and more robust mandibles).Our study provides new insights into how morphological traits, beyond the widely used body size, determine the extinction risk of saproxylic beetles. Moreover, our approach shows that the morphological characteristics of beetles can be comprehensively represented by a selection of 13 traits. We recommend them as a starting point for functional analyses in the rapidly growing field of ecological and conservation studies of deadwood.
T‐cell response to phytohemagglutinin in the interferon‐γ release assay as a potential biomarker for the response to immune checkpoint inhibitors in patients with non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Kamimaki Chisato , Kobayashi Nobuaki , Hirata Momo , Somekawa Kohei , Fukuda Nobuhiko , Kubo Sousuke , Katakura Seigo , Teranishi Shuhei , Watanabe Keisuke , Horita Nobuyuki , Hara Yu , Yamamoto Masaki , Kudo Makoto , Piao Hongmei , Kaneko Takeshi 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundImmune checkpoint inhibitors are a standard treatment for advanced lung cancer, although it remains important to identify biomarkers that can accurately predict treatment response. Immune checkpoint inhibitors enhance the antitumor T‐cell response, and interferon‐γ plays an important role in this process. Therefore, this study evaluated whether the number of interferon‐γ‐releasing peripheral T cells after phytohemagglutinin stimulation in the interferon‐γ release assay might act as a biomarker for the response of non‐small cell lung cancer to immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment.MethodsData were retrospectively collected regarding 74 patients with non‐small cell lung cancer who had received immune checkpoint inhibitors. Pretreatment screening tests had been performed using the T‐SPOT.TB assay, which quantifies the number of interferon‐γ‐releasing T cells (as immunospots) in response to phytohemagglutinin and tuberculosis‐specific antigen stimulation. Clinical factors and the number of spots in the T‐SPOT fields were evaluated for associations with patient outcomes. The median number of spots was used to categorize patients as having high or low values, and the two groups were compared.ResultsRelative to patients with a low ratio, patients with a high ratio of phytohemagglutinin/tuberculosis‐specific antigen spots (i.e. more responsive T cells) had significantly better progression‐free survival after immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment. When we only considered patients with negative T‐SPOT results, a high number of phytohemagglutinin‐stimulated spots corresponded to significantly longer progression‐free survival.ConclusionThe T‐SPOT.TB assay can be used to quantify the number of immunospots in response to antigen stimulation, which may predict the response to immune checkpoint inhibitors in patients with non‐small cell lung cancer.
Analysis of clinicopathological features of primary diaphragm tumors: A single‐center study
Authors: Guo Chao , Liu Lei , Zhang Jiaqi , Wang Guige , Chen Yeye , Huang Cheng , Liu Hongsheng , Li Shanqing 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesPrimary diaphragm tumors are rare. The aim of this study was to explore the clinicopathological features of primary diaphragm tumor patients who underwent surgical treatment in our center to improve the diagnosis and treatment of this disease.MethodsClinical data of patients with primary diaphragm tumor who underwent surgery in our hospital from 2004 to 2019 were reviewed and analyzed.ResultsA total of 18 patients were enrolled. The male:female ratio was 8:10, and the median age was 58 years old (35–74 years old). Most patients included in this study had no typical clinical symptoms. Nine tumor cases were distributed in the left and right diaphragms separately, whereas 11 cases were located at the diaphragm angle. The diaphragm of 12 patients was reconstructed by direct suture. All postoperative pathologies showed that the tumors were benign, and cysts were observed in most of the cases (5/18).ConclusionsThere are no difference in distribution of gender and distribution on both sides of the diaphragm. In addition, primary diaphragm tumor is common in middle‐age patients. Most cases occur in the diaphragm angle and are characterized by cyst lesions. Surgical resection is an effective treatment option for primary diaphragm tumor.
Short and dysfunctional telomeres protect from allergen‐induced airway inflammation
Authors: Piñeiro‐Hermida Sergio , Martínez Paula , Blasco Maria A. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAsthma is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting 300 million people worldwide. As telomere shortening is a well‐established hallmark of aging and that asthma incidence decreases with age, here we aimed to study the role of short telomeres in asthma pathobiology. To this end, wild‐type and telomerase‐deficient mice with short telomeres (third‐generation (G3 Tert−/− mice)) were challenged with intranasal house dust mite (HDM) extract. We also challenged with HDM wild‐type mice in which we induced a telomere dysfunction by the administration of 6‐thio‐2´‐deoxyguanosine (6‐thio‐dG). Following HDM exposure, G3 Tert−/− and 6‐thio‐dG treated mice exhibited attenuated eosinophil counts and presence of hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow, as well as lower levels of IgE and circulating eosinophils. Accordingly, both G3 Tert−/− and 6‐thio‐dG treated wild‐type mice displayed reduced airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), as indicated by decreased airway remodeling and allergic airway inflammation markers in the lung. Furthermore, G3 Tert−/− and 6‐thio‐dG treated mice showed lower differentiation of Club cells, attenuating goblet cell hyperplasia. Club cells of G3 Tert−/− and 6‐thio‐dG treated mice displayed increased DNA damage and senescence and reduced proliferation. Thus, short/dysfunctional telomeres play a protective role in murine asthma by impeding both AHR and mucus secretion after HDM exposure. Therefore, our findings imply that telomeres play a relevant role in allergen‐induced airway inflammation.