bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A patient satisfaction survey and educational package to improve the care of people hospitalised with COVID-19: an observational study, Liverpool, UK
Authors: Ahmed Muhammad Shamsher , Hicks Scott Rory , Watson Rebecca , Ahmed Rajia Akter , Jones Lewis , Vaselli Marcella , Wu Meng-San , Hayat Fatima , Ratcliffe Libuse , McKenna Mark , Hine Paul , Defres Sylviane , Wingfield Tom 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe experiences of people hospitalised with COVID-19 are under-researched. We designed a COVID-19 patient satisfaction survey and collected responses (n=94) during Liverpool’s first wave (April-June 2020). Although care was generally rated highly, including among people of BAME background, sleep-quality and communication about medications and discharge-planning were identified as areas for improvement. In response, we implemented an education and training package for healthcare professionals working on COVID-19 wards. During Liverpool’s second/third COVID-19 wave, survey responses (n=101) suggested improvement in patient satisfaction across all care domains except discharge-planning and sleep-quality. These UK-first findings are informing local strategies to improve COVID-19 care.
KinaFrag explores the kinase-ligand fragment interaction space for selective kinase inhibitor discovery
Authors: Wang Zhi-Zheng , Shi Xing-Xing , Wang Fan , Hao Ge-Fei , Yang Guang-Fu 
Published: March 2021

AbstractProtein kinases play a crucial role in many cellular signaling processes, making them one of the most important families of drug targets. But selectivity put a barrier at the design of kinase inhibitors. Fragment-based drug design strategies have been successfully applied to develop novel selective kinase inhibitors. However, the complicate kinase-fragment interaction and fragment-to-lead process pose challenges to fragment-based kinase discovery. Here, we developed a web source KinaFrag to investigate kinase-fragment interaction space and perform fragment-to-lead optimization. KinaFrag contained 31464 fragments from reported kinase inhibitors, which involved 3244 crystal fragment structures and 7783 crystal kinase-fragment complexes. These crystal fragments were classified by their binding cleft and subpockets, and their 3D structure and interactions were displayed in KinaFrag. In addition, the structural information, physicochemical information, similarity information, and substructure relationship information were contained in KinaFrag. Moreover, a computational fragment growing strategy obviously developed by our group was implemented in the KinaFrag. We test this fragment growing strategy using our fragment libraries, and obtained a lead compound of c-Met with ~1000-foldin vitroactivity improvement compared with the hit compound. We hope KinaFrag could become a powerful tool for the fragment-based kinase inhibitor design. KinaFrag is freely available athttp://chemyang.ccnu.edu.cn/ccb/database/KinaFrag/.Biographical noteZhi-Zheng Wang is a PhD student at College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University (CCNU), and the direction of his thesis is computational molecular simulation.Xing-Xing Shi is PhD student at College of Chemistry, of CCNU, and the direction of her thesis is computational molecular simulation.Fan Wang is a lecturer at College of Chemistry of CCNU. He received the PhD degree in Computational Chemistry from University of Amiens, France.Ge-Fei Hao is Professor in Bioinformatics in College of Chemistry of CCNU. He received his PhD in Pesticide Science from CCNU.Guang-Fu Yang is Professor in Chemical Biology. He is the group leader and has been the Dean at College of Chemistry of CCNU. He received the PhD degree in Pesticide Science from Nankai University, Tianjin, China.
A lipid nanoparticle RBD-hFc mRNA vaccine protects hACE2 transgenic mice against lethal SARS-CoV-2 infection
Authors: Elia Uri , Rotem Shahar , Bar-Haim Erez , Ramishetti Srinivas , Naidu Gonna Somu , Gur David , Aftalion Moshe , Israeli Ma’ayan , Bercovich-Kinori Adi , Alcalay Ron , Makdasi Efi , Chitlaru Theodor , Rosenfeld Ronit , Israely Tomer , Melamed Sharon , Ionita Inbal Abutbul , Danino Dganit , Peer Dan , Cohen Ofer 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe current global COVID-19 pandemic led to an unprecedented effort to develop effective vaccines against SARS-CoV-2. mRNA vaccines were developed very rapidly during the last year, and became the leading immunization platform against the virus, with highly promising phase-3 results and remarkable efficacy data. Since most animal models are not susceptible to SARS CoV-2 infection, pre-clinical studies are often limited to infection-prone animals such as hamsters and non-human primates. In these animal models, SARS-CoV-2 infection results in viral replication and a mild disease disease. Therefore, the protective efficacy of the vaccine in these animals is commonly evaluated by its ability to elicit immunologic responses, diminish viral replication and prevent weight loss. Our lab recently reported the design of a SARS-CoV-2 human Fc-conjugated receptor-binding domain (RBD-hFc) mRNA vaccine delivered via lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). These experiments demonstrated the development of a robust and specific immunologic response in RBD-hFc mRNA-vaccinated BALB/c mice. In the current study, we evaluated the protective effect of this RBD-hFc mRNA vaccine by employing the K18-hACE2 mouse model. We report that administration of RBD-hFc mRNA vaccine to K18-hACE2 mice led to a robust humoral response comprised of both binding and neutralizing antibodies. In accordance with the recorded immunologic immune response, 70% of vaccinated mice were protected against a lethal dose (3000 plaque forming units) of SARS-CoV-2, while all control animals succumbed to infection. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first non-replicating mRNA vaccine study reporting protection of K18-hACE2 against a lethal SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Genetic Architecture of Kernel Compositional Variation in a Maize Diversity Panel
Authors: Renk Jonathan S. , Gilbert Amanda M. , Hattery Travis J. , O’Connor Christine H. , Monnahan Patrick J. , Anderson Nickolas , Waters Amanda J. , Eickholt David P. , Flint-Garcia Sherry A. , Yandeau-Nelson Marna D. , Hirsch Candice N. 
Published: March 2021

ABSTRACTMaize (Zea maysL.) is a multi-purpose row crop grown worldwide, which overtime has often been bred for increased yield at the detriment of lower composition grain quality. Some knowledge of the genetic factors that affect quality traits has been discovered through the study of classical maize mutants. However, much of the underlying genetic architecture controlling these traits and the interaction between these traits remains unknown. To better understand variation that exists for grain compositional traits in maize, we evaluated 501 diverse temperate maize inbred lines in five unique environments and predicted 16 compositional traits (e.g. carbohydrates, protein, starch) based on the output of near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. Phenotypic analysis found substantial variation for compositional traits and the majority of variation was explained by genetic and environmental factors. Correlations and trade-offs among traits in different maize types (e.g. dent, sweetcorn, popcorn) were explored and significant differences and correlations were detected. In total, 22.9-71.1% of the phenotypic variation across these traits could be explained using 2,386,666 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers generated from whole genome resequencing data. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was conducted using these same markers and found 70 statistically significant loci for 12 compositional traits. This study provides valuable insights in the phenotypic variation and genetic architecture underlying compositional traits that can be used in breeding programs for improving maize grain quality.Core IdeasUnderstanding kernel compositional variation is important for food grade corn improvement.Genetic and environmental factors account for most of the variation in compositional traits.A broad range in trait heritabilities was observed across compositional traits.Compositional trade-offs will be important to consider when conducting multitrait breeding.Compositional traits are mostly controlled by a large number of small effect loci.
Structural characterization of NORAD reveals a stabilizing role of spacers and two new repeat units
Authors: Chorostecki Uciel , Saus Ester , Gabaldón Toni 
Published: March 2021

AbstractLong non-coding RNAs (IncRNAs) can perform a variety of key cellular functions by interacting with proteins and other RNAs. Recent studies have shown that the function of IncRNAS are largely mediated by their structures. However, our structural knowledge for most IncRNAS is limited to sequence-based computational predictions. Non-coding RNA activated by DNA damage (NORAD) is an atypical IncRNA due to its abundant expression and high sequence conservation. NORAD regulates genomic stability by interacting with proteins and microRNAs. Previous sequence-based characterization has identified a modular organization of NORAD composed of several NORAD repeat units (NRUs). These units comprise the protein-binding elements and are separated by regular spacers of unknown function. Here, we experimentally determine for the first time the secondary structure of NORAD using the nextPARS approach. Our results suggest that the spacer regions provide structural stability to NRUs. Furthermore, we uncover two previously-unreported NRUs, and determine the core structural motifs conserved across NRUs. Overall, these findings will help to elucidate the function and evolution of NORAD.
Multimodal genomic markers predict immunotherapy response in the head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Kumar Gaurav , South Andrew P. , Curry Joseph M. , Linnenbach Alban , Harshyne Larry A , Ertel Adam , Fortina Paolo , Luginbuhl Adam 
Published: March 2021

ABSTRACTImmune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy has had a major impact on the clinical management of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, clinical responses to ICB are observed in only a fraction of patients. In the present paper, we used multimodal approaches to a) evaluate the utility of existing ICB biomarkers including tumor mutation burden (TMB), microsatellite instability (MSI), and a T-cell specific signature in predicting therapy response in HNSCC using TCGA cohort, and; b) identify a novel molecular signature to predict ICB therapy response using an ICB clinical trial of HNSCC. Our results confirm previous reports showing TMB efficacy as a biomarker and its outcome can be influenced by age, tumor sub-site, and smoking status; and that High-TMB and high-MSI tumors are associated with T-cell signature, and better survival probability in the HNSCC. We go on to demonstrate that High-TMB and high-MSI utilizes cell-cycle/cell proliferation processes for their molecular functionality; and identify a novel Cell Proliferation ICB-therapy Predicting (CPIP) signature capable of predicting ICB therapy response in HNSCC, retrospectively, where traditional biomarkers of ICB response were insufficient. In summary, the present study defines strategies and novel signatures that can be appropriately used for patient selection for ICB therapy that can improve the clinical outcomes of HNSCC patients.
Development of the Soft X-ray AGM–AGS RIXS beamline at the Taiwan Photon Source
Authors: Singh A. , Huang H. Y. , Chu Y. Y. , Hua C. Y. , Lin S. W. , Fung H. S. , Shiu H. W. , Chang J. , Li J. H. , Okamoto J. , Chiu C. C. , Chang C. H. , Wu W. B. , Perng S. Y. , Chung S. C. , Kao K. Y. , Yeh S. C. , Chao H. Y. , Chen J. H. , Huang D. J. , Chen C. T. 
Published: March 2021

We report on the development of a high-resolution and highly efficient beamline for soft X-ray resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (RIXS) located at the Taiwan Photon Source. This beamline adopts an optical design that uses an active grating monochromator (AGM) and an active grating spectrometer (AGS) to implement the energy compensation principle of grating dispersion. Active gratings are utilized to diminish defocus, coma and higher-order aberrations, as well as to decrease the slope errors caused by thermal deformation and optical polishing. The AGS is mounted on a rotatable granite platform to enable momentum-resolved RIXS measurements with scattering angles over a wide range. Several high-precision instruments developed in-house for this beamline are described briefly. The best energy resolution obtained from this AGM–AGS beamline was 12.4 meV at 530 eV, achieving a resolving power of 4.2 × 104, while the bandwidth of the incident soft X-rays was kept at 0.5 eV. To demonstrate the scientific impact of high-resolution RIXS, we present an example of momentum-resolved RIXS measurements on a high-temperature superconducting cuprate, i.e. La2–x
Sr
x
CuO4. The measurements reveal the A1g
buckling phonons in superconducting cuprates, opening a new opportunity to investigate the coupling between these phonons and charge-density waves.
Leishmania major biotin protein ligase forms a unique cross-handshake dimer
Authors: Rajak Manoj Kumar , Bhatnagar Sonika , Pandey Shubhant , Kumar Sunil , Verma Shalini , Patel Ashok Kumar , Sundd Monica 
Published: March 2021

Biotin protein ligase catalyses the post-translational modification of biotin carboxyl carrier protein (BCCP) domains, a modification that is crucial for the function of several carboxylases. It is a two-step process that results in the covalent attachment of biotin to the ɛ-amino group of a conserved lysine of the BCCP domain of a carboxylase in an ATP-dependent manner. In Leishmania, three mitochondrial enzymes, acetyl-CoA carboxylase, methylcrotonyl-CoA carboxylase and propionyl-CoA carboxylase, depend on biotinylation for activity. In view of the indispensable role of the biotinylating enzyme in the activation of these carboxylases, crystal structures of L. major biotin protein ligase complexed with biotin and with biotinyl-5′-AMP have been solved. L. major biotin protein ligase crystallizes as a unique dimer formed by cross-handshake interactions of the hinge region of the two monomers formed by partial unfolding of the C-terminal domain. Interestingly, the substrate (BCCP domain)-binding site of each monomer is occupied by its own C-terminal domain in the dimer structure. This was observed in all of the crystals that were obtained, suggesting a closed/inactive conformation of the enzyme. Size-exclusion chromatography studies carried out using high protein concentrations (0.5 mM) suggest the formation of a concentration-dependent dimer that exists in equilibrium with the monomer.
Assessing the cost of competitive tendering in Ghana using transaction cost theory
Authors: Ameyaw Collins , Abaitey Blondel Akun , Mensah Sarfo , Manu Emmanuel 
Published: March 2021

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to determine the transaction cost (TC) contractors incur when tendering for a project as well as establish a correlation between the TC of tender and tender amount of projects procured through the national competitive bidding procurement method.Design/methodology/approachThe research draws extensively documentary analysis, observation and interviews to collect cost data on 14 different tenders submitted by a D1/K1 contractor. Using TC theory, the data are analyzed and the actual cost is determined. Further, Spearman rank correlation is employed to establish a relationship between tender price (TP) and the cost of tender by the aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences.FindingsThe research developed a tender preparation conceptual framework highlighting the components of TC in competitive tendering in Ghana and also revealed that, apart from the emotional and psychological costs, contractors in Ghana incur approximately Gh₵ 4,625 (US$ 925)–Gh₵ 2,520 (US$ 504) to prepare and submit a competitive tender. In relation to the tender figure, the TC of tender in Ghana ranges from 0.05% to 0.65% and an average of 0.33%. Also, there is an inverse correlation between TP and the percentage cost of tender.Research limitations/implicationsThe research relied on 14 competitive tenders and also limited to public sector works. Findings from the study should therefore be applied with caution.Originality/valueThis study is the only known research that has focused on assessing the TC of public sector competitive tendering from a contractor's perspective and within a developing sub-Saharan African context.
Consumers' perceptions of risks associated with the use of Airbnb before and during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Lee Seung Hyun , Deale Cynthia 
Published: March 2021

PurposeAfter the COVID-19 outbreak began, travel demand dropped sharply and the potential impact of COVID-19 on sharing accommodations appears to be significant. Thus, it would be meaningful to investigate how travelers have changed their perceptions of staying at sharing accommodations in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. The purpose of this research was to compare consumers' perceived risks of using sharing accommodations, such as Airbnb, before and during the coronavirus pandemic.Design/methodology/approachPaired sample t-tests were applied, using two surveys collected in 2017 (pre-pandemic) and 2020 (peri-pandemic). The effects of stress levels from COVID-19 and previous experience with sharing lodging services on risk perception changes were also examined.FindingsConsumers showed higher social, physical, performance and convenience risk perceptions during the pandemic. Not surprisingly, those respondents who were more conscious of the pandemic in terms of concern and anxiety had higher changes in their risk perceptions. In addition, changes in risk perception differed by consumers' usage experience.Originality/valueThe results of this study add to the body of knowledge about consumers' risk perceptions of the sharing economy, particularly in connection with a huge disruption such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Organizational culture and project management methodology: research in the financial industry
Authors: Piwowar-Sulej Katarzyna 
Published: March 2021

PurposeOrganizational culture has an impact on various activities in organizations, including project management (PM). The aim of the study is to answer the following research questions: RQ1: what significance is attributed to organizational culture compared to the objective project characteristics when choosing the dominant PM methodology in organizations? RQ2: which type of organizational culture is preferred for successful implementation of different PM methodologies? RQ3: what kind (if any) of relationship exists between the dominant type of organizational culture in organizations and the dominant PM methodology?Design/methodology/approachThe author surveyed 100 project managers working in the financial industry in Poland with the use of personal structured interviews. The competing values framework (CVF) concept authored by Cameron and Quinn was used.FindingsProject managers find organizational culture more important than objective project characteristics when choosing the dominant PM methodology in an organization. Although statistical analysis revealed a significant relationship between the preferred type of organizational culture and PM methodology, there is no significant relationship between the existing type of organizational culture and the PM methodology which prevails in the company.Research limitations/implicationsFuture research should investigate other industries and other typologies of organizational culture.Practical implicationsThe paper provides recommendations for management practice on how to shape organizational culture in the context of successful PM with the application of different PM methodologies.Originality/valueThis study fills a gap in the theory of PM by identifying and empirically verifying the theoretical linkage between the type of organizational culture and PM methodology.
University students' level of knowledge, attitude and behavior toward sustainable development: a comparative study by GAMES
Authors: Pouratashi Mahtab , Zamani Asghar 
Published: March 2021

PurposeThis study aimed to understand university students' knowledge, attitude and behavior (KAB) toward sustainable development.Design/methodology/approachA sample of 567 students studying humanities, agriculture or engineering at public universities of Iran participated in this study. A survey was administered to investigate KAB of the respondents according to their gender, membership in academic associations, academic major, educational and informing activities and social units; abbreviated as GAMES.FindingsThe results indicated that students had a medium level of KAB, with mean scores of 55.15 out of 75 (for knowledge), 45.68 out of 65 (for attitude) and 36.03 out of 50 (for behavior). Differences and similarities were found on students' KAB by GAMES. The results suggest that education and social units are useful to improve individuals' KAB toward sustainable development. In addition, positive correlations were identified between knowledge, attitude and behavior toward sustainable development.Originality/valueThe findings confirmed the key role of education for sustainable development in addressing sustainable development (SD).
Online teaching practicum during COVID-19: the case of a teacher education program in Greece
Authors: Brinia Vasiliki , Psoni Paraskevi 
Published: March 2021

PurposeThrough the present study, the authors investigate whether online practicum in teaching, with fellow teacher-candidates acting as students, can be effective and whether the teacher-candidates actually developed skills useful for their future teachings, through this form of practicum, which is necessary when, out of necessity, like in the case of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is no other option for universities.Design/methodology/approachThe method selected was qualitative research through in-depth interviews, since the present research question and the research topic in general have not been examined in the past. The authors gathered 45 teacher-candidates' journals on this experience, and, then, they interviewed them through semi-structured interviews.FindingsThe findings indicated that the teacher-candidates got acquainted with new technologies in education to a great extent. Moreover, they developed skills that will be proven useful for their future teachings, like adaptability, flexibility and handling of students' interaction in online settings.Originality/valueThe present case study consists of a paradigm of international value, since it fills in a gap in literature on an online alternative of practicum in teaching in cases of crisis, like the COVID-19 pandemic. Valuable insights are gained for researchers, practitioners and policymakers and best-practices for online teaching practicum have derived for future use.
Effect of eWOM review on beauty enterprise: a new interpretation of the attitude contagion theory and information adoption model
Authors: Hsu Li-Chun 
Published: March 2021

PurposeThis study developed a new interpretation of the attitude contagion theory, with the information adoption model (IAM) as the theoretical basis. A review of electronic word-of-mouth studies was conducted by using informational and individual determinants to develop an integrated empirical model that identified the antecedents and consequences of consumer attitude toward online reviews.Design/methodology/approachThis study recruited 750 members of Facebook beauty fan pages in Taiwan and used the structural equation model to test research hypotheses.FindingsResults revealed that perceived “ electronic word-of mouth (eWOM) credibility of online reviews” and “product involvement” could be used to explain the effects of attitude toward online reviews. Regarding the attitude contagion effect, the effect of “attitude toward online review” on both “attitude toward a product” and “attitude toward a brand” is stronger than that on “eWOM adoption.”Originality/valueThis paper provides valuable insights into the antecedents, consequences and mediating mechanisms that determine consumer attitude toward online reviews.