bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In silico drug design of benzothiadiazine derivatives interacting with bilayer cell membranes
Authors: Hu Zheyao , Marti Jordi 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThe use of drugs derived from benzothiadiazine, a bicyclic heterocyclic benzene derivative, has become a widespread treatment for diseases such as hypertension, low blood sugar or the human immunodeficiency virus, among others. In this work we have investigated the interactions of benzothiadiazine and several selected derivatives designed in silico, with the basic components of cell membranes and solvents such as phospholipids, cholesterol and water. The analysis of the mutual microscopic interactions is of central importance to elucidate the local structure of benzothiadiazine as well as the mechanisms responsible for the distribution and access of benzothiadiazine to the interior of the cell. We have performed molecular dynamics simulations of benzothiadiazine and its derivatives embedded in a model zwitterionic bilayer membrane made by phospholipids dioleoylphosphatidylcholine, 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoserine and cholesterol inside aqueous potassium chloride solution in order to systematically examine microscopic interactions of benzothiadiazine derivatives with the cell membrane at liquid-crystalline phase conditions. From data obtained through radial distribution functions, time dependent hydrogen-bond lengths and potentials of mean force based on reversible work calculations, we have observed that benzothiadiazine derivatives have a strong affinity to stay at the cell membrane interface although their solvation characterisitics can vary significantly: they can be fully solvated by water in short periods of time or continuously attached to specific lipid sites during intervals of 10-70 ns. Furthermore, benzothiadiazines are able to bind lipids and cholesterol chains by means of single and double hydrogen-bonds of different characteristic lengths between 1.6 and 2.1 Å.
Consumers across cultures: a comparative study about consumers’ role in food safety-related academic literature
Authors: Lenart Istvan , Lakner Zoltan , Kovacs Laszlo , Kasza Gyula 
Published: February 2022

PurposeThe research aims at scrutinising food safety as a global concept and problem that has numerous cross-cultural aspects reflecting the diversity of consumption patterns and the culturally differing role of the consumer as well as mirroring the heterogeneity of socio-economic environment.Design/methodology/approachIn this paper, the role of consumer in food safety-related academic literature is investigated in seven languages (countries) including American English, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Mandarin Chinese and Russian from a multidisciplinary, cross-cultural perspective.FindingsWith the aid of seven linguistic corpora built from the above mentioned languages, the research reveals noteworthy differences in the consumer-focused approach.Research limitations/implicationsThe study could have benefited from the inclusion of further languages (i.e. Portuguese, Spanish, Hindi etc.), the authors' lack of reliable language skills outside of the covered domain had to be taken into account. Further to that, the analysis conducted is based on a static observation, while food safety-related consumer science is developing quickly. Therefore, a dynamic analysis of consumer roles would most certainly yield in further salient outcome.Practical implicationsFood safety can be regarded in many ways–this is reflected in different national legislations, dissimilar country-level risk communication patterns as well as different perception of basic notions of food safety. It has not yet been extensively analysed, however, how different languages use the notion of food safety or consumer, which activities and which characteristics are most connected to these notions, and how food safety-related topics and the focus of scientific discourse in different languages differ from each other.Social implicationsPractical implications of the research results also include preparatory activities for food safety risk communication campaigns. In this field, the cultural aspects of food safety are as important as scientific risk assessment. The tools presented in this paper help a quick and comprehensive analysis of linguistic corpora, which could be used either in academic or general literature resources, even press releases. The results also call attention to the culture-driven perspectives of food safety; these new insights can be applied by researchers to review food safety literature more exhaustively considering the cultural context. Future elaboration of the topic (e.g. by introducing a time factor that would enable a dynamic analysis) can further enhance the utility value of similar studies.Originality/valueThe novelty of the article lies in the unique application of corpus linguistic methods with the aim of investigating the area, the trends and phenomena of food safety-related science. This study combines the achievements of food safety-related consumer science with corpus linguistic methods.
Dietary Chlorella vulgaris with a specific enzyme mixture enriches pork in potassium and improves its sodium to potassium ratio
Authors: Costa Mónica , Madeira Marta , Coelho Diogo , Falcão Cátia , Mourato Miguel , Mestre Prates José António 
Published: February 2022

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to assess the effect of dietary inclusion of 5% Chlorella vulgaris, individually or supplemented with two carbohydrase mixtures, on pork's mineral profile (calcium, copper, iron, potassium, magnesium, manganese, sodium, phosphorous, sulfur and zinc).Design/methodology/approachForty male finishing pigs were assigned to four dietary treatments: cereal and soybean meal-based diet (control), control diet with 5% microalga (CCV), CCV diet supplemented with 0.005% of a commercial xylanase and β-glucanase-based complex and CCV diet supplemented with 0.01% of a mixture of four carbohydrate-active enzymes. Pigs were slaughtered after 41 ± 7.8 days of trial and the mineral composition of longissimus lumborum muscle was analyzed using inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry.FindingsWhen C. vulgaris was supplemented with a four-CAZyme mixture, an increase of total minerals in meat was found due to a higher content of potassium, which led to a decrease of sodium to potassium ratio in pork. However, CCV treatment decreased the amount of calcium and manganese in meat, which was likely due to a lower bioavailability of these minerals in the diet.Originality/valueConsidering the imbalance of sodium and potassium in most Western diets and the increasing occurrence of cardiovascular diseases in the population, the improvement of meat quality caused by a reduction of sodium to potassium ratio might help to reduce the prevalence of high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases, having thus benefits for consumers' health.
Research on optimization and simulation of sand casting production line based on VSM
Authors: Chao Bao , Zhang Chaoyong , Zhang Yu , Guo Hongfei , Ren Yaping , Zhang Hao 
Published: February 2022

Purpose
This paper aims to provide feasible countermeasures for the application of lean manufacturing in automatic sand casting workshops to optimize production line balance.

Design/methodology/approach
A production line balance optimization model for sand casting workshops is proposed. The value stream mapping (VSM) approach is applied to diagnose the problems in the production process. An optimization scheme is established based on eliminate, combine, rearrange, simplify and increase theory and Kanban management method. Further, simulation is done to compare current VSM and future VSM.

Findings
After implementing the proposed model, findings indicated that the idle time of equipment was effectively reduced, the line of balance of the production line was increased by 44.7%, the production lead time was shortened by 60.3% and the production capacity was increased by 50.0%.

Research limitations/implications
Application of the optimization model in this study is limited to sand casting workshops that have realized automatic or semi-automatic production.

Originality/value
This paper provides an optimization model for the implementation of lean manufacturing in sand casting workshops and provides a reference case that reflects the actual application of lean manufacturing tools in a real situation.
Lecturers' preparedness for applying service-learning after intensive training
Authors: Resch Katharina , Hoyer-Neuhold Andrea , Schrittesser Ilse 
Published: February 2022

PurposeThis study aims to examine how lecturers in European higher education institutions perceive the service-learning approach as a teaching concept and feel prepared for its implementation after a short-term training. Service-learning connects theory and practice by allowing students to participate in a service that meets community needs, reflect on this experience and gain an enhanced sense of civic engagement.Design/methodology/approachThe evaluation study drew on data from four focus group discussions with n = 21 lecturers from five European countries following a Winter School on service-learning in 2020. The qualitative data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis.FindingsThe findings indicate four themes of preparedness: (1) overall conceptions of service-learning, (2) continuum of preparedness for service-learning, (3) influential factors for preparedness and (d) transfer to home universities. The participants viewed themselves as multipliers for service-learning in their home universities; however, they were skeptical about being able to fully implement the service-learning approach after only one training and without a community of practice with lecturers with similar experiences in their home universities.Originality/valueThis study complements previous studies by adding a cross-national perspective of higher education lecturers. It underlines the importance of continuing training in didactics of university lecturers and a support network for the implementation of complex teaching concepts in higher education.
Artificial Intelligence Adoption in the Post COVID-19 New-Normal and Role of Smart Technologies in Transforming Business: a Review
Authors: Agarwal Pragati , Swami Sanjeev , Malhotra Sunita Kumari 
Published: February 2022

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to give an overview of artificial intelligence (AI) and other AI-enabled technologies and to describe how COVID-19 affects various industries such as health care, manufacturing, retail, food services, education, media and entertainment, banking and insurance, travel and tourism. Furthermore, the authors discuss the tactics in which information technology is used to implement business strategies to transform businesses and to incentivise the implementation of these technologies in current or future emergency situations.

Design/methodology/approach
The review provides the rapidly growing literature on the use of smart technology during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Findings
The 127 empirical articles the authors have identified suggest that 39 forms of smart technologies have been used, ranging from artificial intelligence to computer vision technology. Eight different industries have been identified that are using these technologies, primarily food services and manufacturing. Further, the authors list 40 generalised types of activities that are involved including providing health services, data analysis and communication. To prevent the spread of illness, robots with artificial intelligence are being used to examine patients and give drugs to them. The online execution of teaching practices and simulators have replaced the classroom mode of teaching due to the epidemic. The AI-based Blue-dot algorithm aids in the detection of early warning indications. The AI model detects a patient in respiratory distress based on face detection, face recognition, facial action unit detection, expression recognition, posture, extremity movement analysis, visitation frequency detection, sound pressure detection and light level detection. The above and various other applications are listed throughout the paper.

Research limitations/implications
Research is largely delimited to the area of COVID-19-related studies. Also, bias of selective assessment may be present. In Indian context, advanced technology is yet to be harnessed to its full extent. Also, educational system is yet to be upgraded to add these technologies potential benefits on wider basis.

Practical implications
First, leveraging of insights across various industry sectors to battle the global threat, and smart technology is one of the key takeaways in this field. Second, an integrated framework is recommended for policy making in this area. Lastly, the authors recommend that an internet-based repository should be developed, keeping all the ideas, databases, best practices, dashboard and real-time statistical data.

Originality/value
As the COVID-19 is a relatively recent phenomenon, such a comprehensive review does not exist in the extant literature to the best of the authors’ knowledge. The review is rapidly emerging literature on smart technology use during the current COVID-19 pandemic.
ESG, operational efficiency and operational performance: evidence from Real Estate Investment Trusts
Authors: Aroul Ramya Rajajagadeesan , Sabherwal Sanjiv , Villupuram Sriram V. 
Published: February 2022

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to examine the relationship between the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) performance of Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and their operational efficiency and performance.Design/methodology/approachThe authors use S&P Global (formerly SNL Real Estate) for the study analyses and examine all publicly traded REITs based in the United States over the 2019–2020 sample period. The authors regress the measures of REIT operational efficiency and operational performance on REIT ESG scores while controlling for REIT characteristics and use an ordinary least squares (OLS) estimation model with heteroscedasticity-robust standard errors. The authors also run additional regressions to examine the implications of operational efficiency on the relationship between ESG and operational performance.FindingsThe authors find that REITs that perform well on the ESG scale have higher operational efficiency. In addition, the authors find that REITs with better ESG scores are associated with better operational performance. Finally, the authors find that the positive association between ESG scores and operational performance is stronger in REITs with higher operational efficiency.Practical implicationsFirst, the adoption of ESG adds value to the REIT in terms of increased operational performance and efficiency. Second, the value addition of ESG to an REIT is driven by the better operational efficiency of some REITs over the others. Therefore, the authors’ findings suggest that REITs that currently score poorly on ESG performance would first need to focus on all the possible avenues to improve economies of scale and hence operational efficiency. This approach would help ensure that when those REITs adopt ESG initiatives, they get the most bang for their buck.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that relates operational efficiency and operational performance of REITs to their ESG scores.
Quantifying heritability and estimating evolutionary potential in the wild when individuals that share genes also share environments
Authors: Gervais Laura , Morellet Nicolas , David Ingrid , Hewison Mark , Réale Denis , Goulard Michel , Chaval Yannick , Lourtet Bruno , Cargnelutti Bruno , Merlet Joel , Quéméré Erwan , Pujol Benoit 
Published: February 2022

Abstract

Accurate heritability estimates for fitness‐related traits are required to predict an organism’s ability to respond to global change. Heritability estimates are theoretically expected to be inflated if, due to limited dispersal, individuals that share genes are also likely to share similar environments. However, if relatives occupy similar environments due, at least partly, to genetic variation for habitat selection, then accounting for environmental similarity in quantitative genetic models may result in diminished heritability estimates in wild populations. This potential issue has been pointed out in the literature, but has not been evaluated by empirical studies.

Here, we investigate whether environmental similarity among individuals can be partly explained by genetic variation for habitat selection, and how this link potentially blurs estimates for heritability in fitness‐related traits.

Using intensive GPS monitoring, we quantified home‐range habitat composition for 293 roe deer inhabiting a heterogeneous landscape to assess environmental similarity. To investigate if environmental similarity might harbour genetic variation, we combined genome‐wide data in a quantitative genetic framework to evaluate genetic variation for home‐range habitat composition, which is partly the result of habitat selection at settlement. Finally, we explored how environmental similarity affects heritability estimates for behaviours related to the risk avoidance–resource acquisition trade‐off (i.e. being in open habitat and distance to roads) and proxies of individual performance (i.e. body mass and hind foot length). We found substantial heritability for home‐range habitat composition, with estimates ranging from 0.40 (proportion of meadows) to 0.85 (proportion of refuge habitat). Accounting for similarity in habitat composition between relatives decreased the heritability estimates for both behavioural and morphological traits (reduction ranging from 55% to 100% and from 22% to 41% respectively). As a consequence, only half of these heritability estimates remained significantly different from zero.

Our results show that similar genotypes occupy similar environments, which could lead to heritable variation being incorrectly attributed to environmental effects. To accurately distinguish the sources of phenotypic variation and predict the ability of organisms to respond to global change, it is necessary to develop quantitative genetic studies investigating the mechanisms underpinning environmental similarity among relatives.
High semi‐natural vegetation cover and heterogeneity of field sizes promote bird beta‐diversity at larger scales in Ethiopian Highlands
Authors: Marcacci Gabriel , Gremion Jérémy , Mazenauer Julien , Sori Tolera , Kebede Fanuel , Ewnetu Mihret , Christe Philippe , Arlettaz Raphaël , Jacot Alain 
Published: February 2022

Abstract

The intensification of farming practices exerts detrimental effects on biodiversity. Most research has focused on declines in species richness at local scales (alpha‐diversity) although species loss is exacerbated by biotic homogenization that operates at larger scales (i.e. affecting beta‐diversity). The majority of studies have been conducted in temperate, industrialized countries while tropical areas remain poorly studied. Agricultural landscapes of sub‐Saharan Africa are still largely dominated by small‐scale subsistence farming, but strenuous efforts to intensify farming practices are currently spreading to meet a growing food demand. It is therefore crucial to understand how these intensified practices affect biodiversity to mitigate their negative impacts.

We investigated how farming system (small‐ vs. large‐scale farming) and landscape complexity (semi‐natural vegetation cover) drive bird species composition, community turnover and beta‐diversity patterns in Ethiopian Highlands' agroecosystems. We evaluated the following hypotheses: (1) large‐scale farming homogenizes bird communities, (2) community turnover is higher in small‐scale farms, (3) interactive effects between landscape complexity and farming systems shape avian communities and (4) heterogeneity of field sizes increases community turnover at larger scales.

Bird communities underwent greater compositional changes along the landscape complexity than along the agricultural intensity gradient. Contrary to our expectations, beta‐diversity was not significantly lower within large‐scale farms (no biotic homogenization), and complex landscapes that still offer a high amount of semi‐natural vegetation promoted community turnover in both farming systems.

Semi‐natural vegetation cover mediated how avian communities responded to agricultural intensification: the compositional differences between small‐ and large‐scale farms increased with vegetation cover, further promoting avian community heterogeneity at the landscape level.

The heterogeneity in field sizes also enhanced bird community turnover, suggesting that a combination of both small‐ and large‐scale farming systems within a given landscape unit would promote beta‐diversity at larger scales, provided large‐scale farms do not become dominant.

Synthesis and applications. Landscape complexity shaped avian communities to a stronger degree than farming intensity, emphasizing the importance of semi‐natural vegetation and landscape heterogeneity for the maintenance of diverse bird communities and for achieving multifunctional landscapes promoting biodiversity and associated ecosystem services on the High Ethiopian plateaus.
Water Pricing Mechanism for China's South‐to‐North Water Diversion Project: Design, Evaluation, and Suggestions
Authors: Peng Xiang , Li Nannan 
Published: February 2022

AbstractSince the completion of first‐phase projects on the eastern and middle routes of the South‐to‐North Water Diversion (SNWD), the design and implementation of water pricing mechanism have become the key factors that affect the project operation. This paper launches the evaluation of implementation effect on the water price policy of the SNWD built projects in 2018 by coordinating the consumption of transfer water, allocation of receiving‐areas’ water resources, collection of water fee for transfer water, as well as the implementation of local water price policies, which mainly exerted a comprehensive and interactive influence on the water price policy. Based on a series of data statistics and analysis, the usage of water transferred from the Yangtze River, improvement of regional water resources allocation, collection of water fee, and the implementation results of local water price policies were systematically analyzed. The main conclusions and corresponding suggestions were put forward to provide useful references on the formulation of water price policies for the design, optimization, and adjustment of the subsequent water pricing mechanism in the SNWD project.