bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A global baseline for qPCR-determined antimicrobial resistance gene prevalence across environments
Authors: Abramova Anna , Berendonk Thomas U. , Bengtsson-Palme Johan
Published: January 2022

The environment is an important component in the emergence and transmission of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Despite that, little effort has been made to monitor AMR outside of clinical and veterinary settings. Partially, this is caused by a lack of comprehensive reference data for the vast majority of environments. To enable monitoring to detect deviations from the normal background resistance levels in the environment, it is necessary to establish a baseline of AMR in a variety of settings. In an attempt to establish this baseline level, we here performed a comprehensive literature survey, identifying 150 scientific papers containing relevant qPCR data on antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) in environments associated with potential routes for AMR dissemination. The collected data included 1594 samples distributed across 30 different countries and 12 sample types, in a time span from 2001 to 2020. We found that for most ARGs, the typically reported abundances in human impacted environments fell in an interval from 10-5to 10-3copies per 16S rRNA, roughly corresponding to one ARG copy in a thousand bacteria. Altogether these data represent a comprehensive overview of the occurrence and levels of ARGs in different environments, providing background data for risk assessment models within current and future AMR monitoring frameworks.
Reversal Learning Phenotypes are Linked with Novel Genetic Loci in Diversity Outbred Mice
Authors: Bagley Jared R. , Bailey Lauren S. , Gagnon Leona H. , He Hao , Philip Vivek M. , Reinholdt Laura G. , Tarantino Lisa M. , Chesler Elissa J. , Jentsch James D.
Published: January 2022

Impulsive behavior and impulsivity are heritable phenotypes that are strongly associated with risk for substance use disorders in human subjects. Consequently, identifying the neurogenetic mechanisms that influence impulsivity may also reveal novel biological insights into addiction vulnerability. Past studies from our laboratory using the BXD and Collaborative Cross (CC) recombinant inbred mouse panels have revealed that behavioral indicators of impulsivity measured in a reversal learning task are heritable and are genetically correlated with aspects of intravenous cocaine self-administration. Genome wide linkage studies in the BXD panel revealed a quantitative trait locus (QTL) on chromosome 10, but the specific genes affecting this trait remain elusive. To achieve greater precision in our mapping efforts, we have turned to Diversity Outbred (DO) mice. A total of 392 DO mice (230 males, 295 females) were successfully phenotyped using the same reversal learning test utilized in our earlier studies. Our primary indicator of impulsive responding, a measure that isolates the relative difficulty mice have with reaching performance criteria under reversal conditions, revealed a genome wide significant QTL on chromosome 7 (max LOD score = 8.73, p<0.05). A measure of premature responding akin to that implemented in the 5-choice serial reaction time task yielded a suggestive QTL on chromosome 17 (max LOD score = 9.14, p<0.1). Positional candidate genes were prioritized (2900076A07Rik, Wdr73 and Zscan2) based upon expression QTL data we collected in DO and CC mice and analyses using publicly available gene expression and phenotype databases. These findings may advance understanding of the genetics that drive impulsive behavior and enhance risk for substance use disorders.
Elevated photic response is followed by a rapid decay and depressed state in ictogenic networks
Authors: Myren-Svelstad Sverre , Jamali Ahmed , Ophus Sunniva S. , Ostenrath Anna M. , Mutlu Kadir Aytac , Hoffshagen Helene Homme , Hotz Adriana L. , Neuhauss Stephan C.F. , Jurisch-Yaksi Nathalie , Yaksi Emre
Published: January 2022

The switch between non-seizure and seizure states involves profound alterations in network excitability and synchrony. Both increased and decreased excitability may underlie the state transitions, as shown in epilepsy patients and animal models. Inspired by video-electroencephalography recordings in patients, we developed a framework to study spontaneous and photic-evoked neural and locomotor activity in zebrafish larvae. We combined high-throughput behavioral tracking and whole-brain in vivo two-photon calcium imaging to perform side-by-side comparison of multiple zebrafish seizure and epilepsy models. Our setup allowed us to dissect behavioral and physiological features that are divergent or convergent across multiple models. We observed that locomotor and neural activity during interictal and spontaneous ictal periods exhibit great diversity across models. Yet, during photic stimulation, hyperexcitability and rapid response dynamics was well conserved across multiple models, highlighting the reliability of photic-evoked seizure activity for high-throughput assays. Intriguingly, in several models, we observed that the initial elevated photic response is often followed by fast decay of neural activity and a prominent depressed state. We argue that such depressed states are likely due to homeostatic mechanisms triggered by excessive neural activity. An improved understanding of the interplay between elevated and depressed excitability states might suggest tailored epilepsy therapies.

KEY POINTS

Features of spontaneous locomotor and neural activity varies across zebrafish epilepsy and seizure models.

We propose photic stimulation as a reliable tool to investigate behavioral and physiological phenotypes in zebrafish epilepsy and seizure models.

We observed elevated activity with faster dynamics in response to photic stimulation in all tested zebrafish models.

Photic-evoked neural responses were often followed by depressed state in seizure-prone networks
Extracellular Matrix Modulates Outgrowth Dynamics in Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Alshehri Sarah , Pavlovič Tonja , Farsinejad Sadaf , Behboodi Panteha , Quan Li , Centeno Daniel , Kung Douglas , Rezler Marta , Lee Woo , Jasiński Piotr , Dziabaszewska Elżbieta , Nowak-Markwitz Ewa , Kalyon Dilhan , Zaborowski Mikołaj P. , Iwanicki Marcin
Published: January 2022

Ovarian carcinoma (OC) forms outgrowths that extend from the outer surface of an afflicted organ into the peritoneum. OC outgrowth formation is poorly understood because there is limited availability of OC cell culture models to examine the behavior of cell assemblies that form outgrowths. Prompted by immunochemical evaluation of extracellular matrix (ECM) components, laminin γ1 and collagens, in human tissues representing untreated and chemotherapy-recovered OC, we developed laminin- and collagen-rich ECM-reconstituted cell culture models amenable to studies of cell clusters that can form outgrowths. We demonstrate that ECM promotes outgrowth formation in fallopian tube non-ciliated epithelial cells (FNE) expressing mutant p53-R175H and various OC cell lines. Outgrowths were initiated by cells that had undergone outward translocation and, upon mechanical detachment, could intercalate into mesothelial cell monolayers. Electron microscopy, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and small amplitude oscillatory shear experiments revealed that high ECM concentration increased ECM fibrous network thickness and led to high shear elasticity in the ECM environment. These physical characteristics were associated with the suppression of outgrowths. A culture environment with low ECM concentration mimicked viscoelasticity of malignant peritoneal fluids (ascites) and supported cell proliferation, cell translocation, and outgrowth formation. These results highlight the importance of ECM microenvironments in modulating OC growth and could provide an additional explanation of why primary and recurrent ovarian tumors form outgrowths that protrude into the peritoneal cavity.
Real-time neurofeedback to alter interpretations of a naturalistic narrative
Authors: Mennen Anne C. , Nastase Samuel A. , Yeshurun Yaara , Hasson Uri , Norman Kenneth A.
Published: January 2022

We explored the potential of using real-time fMRI (rt-fMRI) neurofeedback training to bias interpretations of naturalistic narrative stimuli. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two possible conditions, each corresponding to a different interpretation of an ambiguous spoken story. While participants listened to the story in the scanner, neurofeedback was used to reward neural activity corresponding to the assigned interpretation. After scanning, final interpretations were assessed. While neurofeedback did not change story interpretations on average, participants with higher levels of decoding accuracy during the neurofeedback procedure were more likely to adopt the assigned interpretation. Thus, we believe that individualized neurofeedback shaped interpretations successfully when the signal was accurate, although more work is needed to improve this method and validate the result. While naturalistic stimuli introduce a unique set of challenges in providing effective and individualized neurofeedback, we believe that this technique holds promise for individualized cognitive therapy.
Proximity of astrocyte leaflets to the synapse determines memory strength
Authors: Badia-Soteras Aina , Heistek Tim S , Kater Mandy S J , Negrean Adrian , Mansvelder Huibert D , Khakh Baljit S , Min Rogier , Smit August B , Verheijen Mark H G
Published: January 2022

Astrocyte distal processes, known as leaflets or perisynaptic astrocyte processes (PAPs), fine-tune synaptic activity by clearing neurotransmitters and limiting extrasynaptic glutamate diffusion. While learning and memory depends on orchestrated synaptic activity of neuronal ensembles within the hippocampus, it is becoming increasingly evident that astrocytes residing in the environment of these synapses play a central role in shaping memories. However, how astroglial synaptic coverage contributes to mnemonic processing remains largely unknown. Here, we targeted astrocyte leaflet structure in vivo by depleting Ezrin, an integral leaflet-structural protein, in astrocytes of the adult hippocampal CA1 using a CRISPR-Cas9 genetic approach. This resulted in significantly smaller astrocyte territories and reduced astroglial synaptic coverage. In addition, using genetically encoded glutamate sensors and whole-cell patch-clamp recordings from pyramidal neurons, we found that Ezrin deletion and the resultant manipulation of leaflet structure boosted extrasynaptic glutamate diffusion and NMDA-receptor activation. Importantly, these cellular phenotypes translated to enhanced fear memory expression that was accompanied by increased activation of CA1 pyramidal neurons in the days after learning occurred. We show that Ezrin is critical for astrocyte morphology as well as for adult hippocampal synapse integrity and function. Our data show that astrocyte leaflet structure gates memory strength by regulating glutamate spillover in the vicinity of memory-related synaptic activity.
A new three-dimensional cadmium(II) coordination polymer based on bis[4-(2-methylimidazol-1-yl)phenyl]methanone: synthesis, structure and properties
Authors: Sun Yao , Li Ke , Xu Dan-Ni , Chen Jia-Jia , Wang Xin-Yu , Xu Xiao-Juan , Tao Jian-Qing
Published: January 2022

A novel three-dimensional CdII coordination polymer, namely, poly[[(μ3-benzene-1,4-diacetato)(μ2-benzene-1,4-diacetato)bis{μ2-bis[4-(2-methylimidazol-1-yl)phenyl]methanone}dicadmium(II)] tetartohydrate], {[Cd(C10H8O4)(C21H18N4O)]·0.25H2O}
n
or {[Cd(PBEA)(MIPMO)]·0.25H2O}
n
, (I), was synthesized by the hydrothermal method using benzene-1,4-diacetic acid (H2PBEA), bis[4-(2-methylimidazol-1-yl)phenyl]methanone (MIPMO) and Cd(NO3)2·6H2O. The title compound was structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis, and exhibits a three-dimensional pillar–layer framework based on CdII–PBEA layers and MIPMO pillars, which can be simplified into a pcu topological network. The title compound displays a highly selective and sensitive sensing for Fe3+ ions in aqueous solution. In addition, it displays a high photocatalytic activity for the degradation of methylene blue (MB) in water under UV light irradiation.
Effect of industrial structure on urban–rural income inequality in China
Authors: Chen Diandian , Ma Yong
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Since 1978, China has made tremendous economic achievements through industrial upgrading. However, these achievements are accompanied by an expanding income gap between rural and urban areas. The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between industrial structure and urban–rural income inequality in China.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the fixed-effects model and provincial data for the period 1985–2019, this paper estimates a linear relationship between industrial structure and urban–rural income inequality. By decomposing total income inequality into four components, the paper then analyzes how industrial structure affects each component.

Findings

The results show that industrial structure imbalance and industrial upgrading are positively associated with urban–rural income inequality. The positive effect of industrial imbalance mainly comes from widening the wage gap, while that of industrial upgrading mainly comes from aggravating business income inequality and property income inequality. Moreover, industrial balance and upgrading are conducive to increasing the share of wage income at the cost of property income.

Originality/value

By progressively examining the total inequality and the inequality of income components, this paper provides a better understanding of how industrial structure affects urban and rural income inequality. The findings of this study highlight the “inequality cost” associated with industrial structure adjustment, which provide policy-related insights on the balance development of urban and rural areas.
Effects of quick response to COVID-19 with change in corporate governance principles on SMEs’ business continuity: evidence in Vietnam
Authors: Le Thanh Tiep , Nguyen Van Kha
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the negative impacts of the Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) emergency on small- and medium-sized enterprises’ (SMEs) business continuity (BC) by examining the moderating role of corporate governance principles (CGP) on SMEs’ BC in the context of an emerging market.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on an extended literature review on the negative impacts of the COVID-19 emergency, CGP and BC studies, the authors evaluate the impact of these constructs on SMEs’ BC in an emerging market. This paper follows a quantitative approach. The study sample was composed of 334 responses covering directors, managers and owners of enterprises. The Smart PLS SEM version 3.3.2 was used to analyse the data from SMEs of Vietnam in the year 2021.

Findings

The findings of this study clarify the areas of the COVID-19 consequences that negatively affect the BC. In addition, this study reveals that CGP moderates the links between COVID-19 outcomes and BC, whereby good CGP can facilitate a business to reduce the adverse effects of COVID-19 on BC. In addition to this, good CGP can help a firm to enhance its capability to respond to fluctuations in the external environment of the business.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first research that examines the moderating role of CGP. The originality of this study is that it gives an insight into how SMEs in an emerging economy overcome the adverse effects of the COVID-19 emergency on BC to keep their business going, and moreover, have the ability to move towards sustainability in today’s challenging context. This study provides the theoretical and managerial implications that may be of great interest to the academics, business practitioners and policymakers.
Why is it so hard to reconcile disciplinary literacy and antiracism? Informational texts and middle grades English language arts
Authors: Alston Chandra L. , Byrne Bausell Sarah
Published: January 2022

Purpose

This study aims to understand the supports and challenges to using disciplinary and antiracism lenses when teaching with informational texts in middle grades English Language Arts (ELA) classrooms.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper analyzes teacher talk in four virtual sessions with four middle grades ELA teachers in one school district. Teachers had recently completed a voluntary, school-based antiracism professional development. Researchers used thematic analysis of session transcripts and semi-structured interviews.

Findings

Teachers’ informational text use was nested in and directed by curriculum and contexts that limited disciplinary and antiracist teaching. The context and texts constrained instruction to basic reading skills. Equity was conceptualized as supporting students’ persistence. Discussions of race were avoided.

Research limitations/implications

This study has implications for ELA teacher preparation, and district and state resources to support merging disciplinarity and antiracism in informational text instruction in ELA. The study is limited by the small sample from one district and access to only teacher self-reports.

Originality/value

Secondary ELA disciplinary literacy has privileged literature, yet there is an increase of informational text use in middle grades ELA. Teachers need support teaching informational texts through disciplinary and antiracism lenses.
Numerical and experimental investigation of a solar absorber extension tube with turbulators for upgrading the performance of a solar dryer
Authors: Khanlari Ataollah , Afshari Faraz , Sözen Adnan , Tuncer Azim Doğuş , Kusun Barış
Published: January 2022

Purpose

During the past several years, research and studies in the field of solar energy have been continuously increased. One of the substantial applications of solar energy is related to industrial utilization for the drying process by efficient heat transfer methods. This study aims to upgrade the overall performance of an indirect solar dryer using a solar absorber extension tube (SET) equipped with ball-type turbulators.

Design/methodology/approach

In this work, three various SETs including hollow (SET Type 1), 6-balls (SET Type 2) and 10-balls (SET Type 3), have been simulated using Fluent software to evaluate heat transfer characteristics and flow structure along the air passage. Then, the modified solar drying system has been manufactured and tested at different configurations.

Findings

The findings indicated that adding a SET improved the performance notably. According to the results, using turbulators in the tube has a positive effect on heat transfer. The highest overall thermal efficiency was found in the range of 51.47%–64.71% for the system with SET Type 3. The maximum efficiency increment of the system was found as 19% with the use of SET. Also, the average specific moisture extraction rate, which is a significant factor to survey the effectiveness of the dehumidification system was found between 0.20 and 0.38 kg kWh−1.

Originality/value

In the present study, a novel SET has been developed to upgrade the performance of the solar dehumidifier. This new approach makes it possible to improve both thermal and drying performances.
Numerical analysis of heat transfer characteristics in a pin fin-dimpled channel with different pin fins and dimple locations
Authors: Yan Han , Luo Lei , Zhang Junfeng , Du Wei , Huang Dan , Wang Songtao
Published: January 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the influences of dimple location on the heat transfer performance of a pin fin-dimpled channel with upright/curved/inclined pin fins under stationary and rotating conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

Numerical methods based on a realizable k-ε turbulent model are used to conduct this study. Three kinds of pin fins (upright, curved, inclined) and three dimple locations (front, middle, behind) are studied for Ro varying from 0 to 0.5.

Findings

On the whole, pin fin plays a dominated role in heat transfer performance compared to dimple. The heading path and interaction of the longitudinal secondary flow and jet-like flow critically affect heat transfer performance. The formation, development and impingement of jet-like flow and longitudinal secondary flow are significantly affected by dimple locations. Dimple at behind position shows the poorest heat transfer enhancement.

Originality/value

This study is an extend of another previous study in which an innovative curved pin fin is proposed. The originality of this paper is to evaluate the heat transfer performance for the combined cooling structure of dimple and pin fin, which will provide original and useful application and experience for turbine blade design.
Barriers to the right to HIV prevention health care for men who have sex with men (MSM) in Barbados: an examination of anti-gay prejudice
Authors: Griffith Alana , Jackman Mahalia
Published: January 2022

Purpose

A consensus in the literature is that anti-gay prejudice has a negative impact on HIV programming for men who have sex with men (MSM). This paper aims to analyse the prevalence and predictors of anti-gay prejudice in Barbados, an island in the Caribbean, and possible impacts on the full recognition of the right to health care.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used nationally representative data obtained from the Caribbean Development Research Services capturing anti-gay prejudice in Barbados in 2004, 2013 and 2019. The data were analysed using logit models and ordinary least squares regression.

Findings

The share of persons who expressed feelings of hatred towards gays and lesbians did not change significantly over the period. Social distance attitudes improved between 2004 and 2013 but have not changed since. Men generally expressed more prejudice than women and male sexual prejudice could be localised to three groups – men without tertiary education, men under 51 and members of non-Christian religions. Meanwhile, there was little consistency in the predictors of women’s attitudes over the period.

Originality/value

This study provides insights into the trends in attitudes towards sexual minorities in a developing country. The main conclusion is that although health care is provided as a universal right to all Barbadians, a strictly medical approach to HIV prevention among MSM in countries with high levels of anti-gay prejudice is insufficient.
Are remittances and imports substitute or complement in developing country? A disaggregated evidence
Authors: Jawaid Syed Tehseen , Khan Lubna , Arif Imtiaz
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Despite the reasonable surge of remittances and imports in Pakistan, very less attention has been given to this area. To bridge the gap, this study aims to explore the relationship of worker’s remittances and imports of Pakistan at both aggregate and disaggregate levels. Also, this research focuses on investigating whether remitted income substitute or complement imports of the country.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve these goals, the authors use annual time-series data from 1974–2016.

Findings

Empirical findings obtained from the autoregressive distributed lag model method suggest that remittances substitute imports in Pakistan. It is also found that remittances not only substitute aggregate imports but also act as a substitute at different disaggregated levels. Further, it is documented that higher economic growth increases imports, whereas the real exchange rate for imports is inversely related to imports at both levels.

Originality/value

These empirical findings also draw some substantive policy implications for the state owners and policy advisers.
Do young Muslim choose differently? Identifying consumer behavior inHalalindustry
Authors: Arifin Mohamad Rahmawan , Raharja Bayu Sindhu , Nugroho Arif
Published: January 2022

Purpose

With a substantial Muslim population in the world, Indonesia has economic potential in halal products’ consumption. However, as new products develop, halal products need a specific marketing strategy since the consumers of this industry have unique characteristics. This study aims to examine consumer behavior toward halal products by examining how content quality, religious consciousness and brand awareness affect consumer buying behavior and consumer loyalty.

Design/methodology/approach

This research uses a quantitative approach by surveying 1,429 young Muslim students in Indonesia. This research uses a structural equation model analysis to prove the relationship among the variables of this study.

Findings

The results revealed that religious consciousness and content quality have a direct positive significant influence on consumer buying behavior. The indirect significant effect is also exhibited by brand awareness as a mediating variable. This paper also found empirical evidence that consumer buying behavior has a significant positive relationship with consumer loyalty. Besides, the significant positive relationship between consumer buying behavior and consumer loyalty is moderated by consumers’ gender.

Research limitations/implications

This study is restricted in young Muslim community from Islamic universities in Yogyakarta and Central Java, Indonesia. Besides that, this research is further restricted regarding the involved variables that is tested in proposed model. This concerns the involvement of content quality, religious consciousness, brand awareness, consumer buying behavior and consumer loyalty.

Practical implications

The result would give an insight to marketing practitioners on formulating marketing strategy to attract much consumers on purchasing halal products and then expanding their business. This study further profound that religious-based products’ consumers have seem characteristics to conventional-based products, they need to be induced through rational approaches of appropriate content marketing strategy.

Originality/value

This study gives an empirical proof to extended of stimuli-organism-respond model, which is held by many scholars as the primary theory in spelling out the consumer behavior. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research is the first study that attempts the using of such theory to capture the consumer behavior in halal industry. Besides, this study further serves a breakthrough on how does content marketing determine young Muslim consumers’ behavior.
Traceability technology, halal logistics brand and logistics performance: religious beliefs and beyond
Authors: Fernando Yudi , Wahyuni-TD Ika Sari , Zainul Abideen Ahmed , Mergeresa Fineke
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of Halal traceability technology usage on Halal logistics performance with a Halal logistics brand as a mediator.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey was conducted to gather responses from logistics service providers (LSPs), including strategic logistics units (manufacturing/brand owners) in Malaysia, which offer Halal logistics services.

Findings

Halal traceability technology system and Halal traceability training are two critical domains to strengthen market recognition of Halal logistics brand for LSPs. The study found that the Halal logistics brand played a mediating role in connecting the usage of Halal traceability technology and logistics performance.

Practical implications

The logistics industry needs to focus on Halal logistics services as a unique proposition. The ability of LSPs to build a Halal logistics brand thru traceability technology had created positive impressions for clients. LSPs must consistently engage in Halal training and remain technologically alert to build Halal brand value. Halal-based strategic branding will assist an LSP to stand out among its competitors.

Originality/value

Even though Halal branding has been studied widely, little attention has been given to how the usage of Halal traceability technology can improve Halal logistics branding and logistics operational performance. The result suggests that LSPs need to build a Halal logistics brand and design a proper logistics business strategy to target Sharia compliance-oriented consumers.
Making the customer experience journey more hedonic in a traditionally utilitarian service context: a case study
Authors: Ponsignon Frédéric
Published: January 2022

Purpose

This article aims to provide an understanding of how utilitarian services can make the customer experience more hedonic.

Design/methodology/approach

The author performs an in-depth case study of a leading wealth management firm that is reinventing its business model to incorporate a hedonic perspective into experience design.

Findings

The findings reveal how a traditionally utilitarian firm integrates hedonic elements into the customer experience. The findings describe and expose how four experience design characteristics are interactively linked to form a customer journey model, from eliciting emotional engagement to trigger rapid enrolment through to individualising the experience to drive purchase.

Research limitations/implications

This research takes the perspective of the firm to explore the research question. No customer data are collected.

Practical implications

The article provides evidence-based recommendations that can serve as a platform to develop an action plan for designing and deploying hedonic elements in the customer experience in utilitarian contexts.

Originality/value

This study challenges the dichotomy between utilitarian and hedonic services. It derives an empirically grounded understanding of an intended experience that combines design characteristics associated with both the utilitarian and hedonic model at different stages of the customer journey. The emergent conceptual framework describes and links these design characteristics to enact the customer journey. Together, these empirical insights extend and enrich existing knowledge and provide actionable recommendations for managers.
Actorhood of the European Court of Auditors: a visual analysis
Authors: Uman Timur , Argento Daniela , Mattei Giorgia , Grossi Giuseppe
Published: January 2022

Purpose

This paper explores how public audit institutions establish themselves as distinct actors on the public stage through communication practices. By focussing on the journey of the European Court of Auditors (ECA), this paper addresses the following research question: how does a transnational audit institution construct its actorhood through visual communication practices?

Design/methodology/approach

Using the theoretical framework of actorhood theory and inspired by the visual accounting methodology, this study explores the ECA actorhood journey through the visual analysis of front pages of its official journal (ECA Journal) from its inception in 2009 up to 2019. The visual analysis is conducted through content analysis and a two-step cluster analysis.

Findings

By showing how combinations of different visual artefacts have evolved over time, this study highlights the ways transnational public audit institutions, such as the ECA, construct their actorhood and position themselves on the public stage. It further reveals the underlying legitimacy mechanisms through which organisations such as the ECA position themselves in the public eye.

Originality/value

This study sheds light on the depiction of individuals and their contexts in interaction with each other and how this interaction reveals the development of the actorhood journey of the ECA over time.
Domino-effect of energy consumption and economic growth on environmental quality: role of green energy in G20 countries
Authors: Bhat Mohammad Younus , Sofi Arfat Ahmad , Sajith Shambhu
Published: January 2022

Purpose

This study explores the interplay among climate change, economic growth and energy consumption in G20 countries by considering the role of green energy.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses various empirical tools to determine the association between carbon emissions, economic growth, renewables, non-renewables, population and urbanization for a panel of G20 countries between 1990 and 2014.

Findings

Empirical outcomes from various empirical tools reveal a positive and significant impact of economic growth, non-renewable energy consumption and urbanization on carbon emissions, and their increase will further lead to the deterioration of environmental quality. The elasticity coefficient of renewable energy coefficient is negative and significant implying an increase in its consumption will improve environmental quality. Panel causality test results reveal the existence of both short-run and long-run causality among the variables. Therefore, results infer that a reduction in the consumption of non-renewable and substitution with renewables will have a significant impact on carbon emission mitigation.

Originality/value

Through this study, the authors suggest the sustainable use of renewables as they are sustainable, secure, efficient, environmentally justifiable and economically viable sources of energy. Therefore, replacing traditional non-renewables with modern renewables has the potential in avoiding the dangerous impacts of greenhouse gases (GHGs) particularly in the G20 countries. This paper intends to guide policymakers regarding the environmental quality and renewable energy consumption required to hold back the fossil fuel dependence for a cleaner and greener planet.
Investor attention and cryptocurrency price crash risk: a quantile regression approach
Authors: Smales Lee A.
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Motivated by the lure of cryptocurrencies for retail investors, whose concentrated holdings are particularly exposed to price crash risk, this paper aims to study the relationship between investor attention and crash risk for a range of cryptocurrencies.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopts a quantile regression approach to determine the effect of investor attention on crash risk. Crash risk is measured using the negative coefficient of skewness and down up volatility.

Findings

This study finds that the connection is concentrated in the tails of the crash risk distribution. Investor attention has a positive relationship with crash risk when crash risk is low (below-median quantiles) and negative when crash risk is high (above-median). The findings are consistent for different measures of crash risk, for alternate internet searches and for a panel of large cryptocurrencies in addition to Bitcoin. This study also notes seasonality in crash risk, with higher crash risk during the June–August period and lower crash risk in the Halloween period that runs from November to April.

Originality/value

The results provide insights that are not apparent in previous analyses of cryptocurrency price crash risk. The results are particularly important for retail investors, who constitute a large portion of the cryptocurrency market, as they tend to hold concentrated investments and so a price crash of a single asset may have a large bearing on their wealth.
Reformist agency: young women, gender, and change in India
Authors: Dyson Jane , Jeffrey Craig
Published: January 2022

This article uses long‐term research in rural Uttarakhand, north India, to intervene in anthropological debates on agency. In the period between the early 2000s and late 2010s, many young women in the village of Bemni successfully sought opportunities to pursue their own goals. We highlight the manner in which young women's agency is ‘reformist’. This term is useful, in part, because it directs attention to the subtle and persistent nature of young women's action. Reformist agency also spotlights how operating within a set of norms can, in the long term, change those norms. At a broader and more diffuse level, we find that the idea of reformist agency is helpful in simultaneously connoting conformism and a measure of creativity. We also advance existing studies by highlighting one quite novel way in which reformist agency can work, via young women moving iteratively between acquiescing to patriarchal norms and pushing the boundaries of acceptable practice.
Populism and intra‐party democracy
Authors: BÖHMELT TOBIAS , EZROW LAWRENCE , LEHRER RONI
Published: January 2022

This article examines how populism is linked to party organization and, specifically, intra‐party democracy. Populism can be defined as an ideology (ideational perspective), which is characterized by anti‐elitism, people‐centrism and a discourse emphasizing a moral struggle between ‘good people’ and ‘the elite’. On the other hand, there are leadership‐focused definitions which see populism as a form of organization with personalistic control (a leadership perspective). With respect to party organization, focusing on the ideational perspective leads to the expectation that populist parties will be internally democratic, and the leadership approach will lead to the opposite expectation. Using the recently published Populism and Political Parties Expert Survey (POPPA) that develops party‐specific populism scores, we examine more than 200 parties in 26 countries. The results highlight that populist parties gravitate toward personalized leaders and thus develop less democratic intra‐party structures. This finding contributes to our understanding of populist parties and their organizations.
Contesting Covid: The ideological bases of partisan responses to the Covid‐19 pandemic
Authors: ROVNY JAN , BAKKER RYAN , HOOGHE LIESBET , JOLLY SETH , MARKS GARY , POLK JONATHAN , STEENBERGEN MARCO , VACHUDOVA MILADA ANNA
Published: January 2022

How do political parties respond to external shocks? Using an original survey of political parties across Europe conducted in June 2020 and Chapel Hill Expert Survey (CHES) data on partisan ideological positioning, we argue that the pre‐existing ideological stances of Europe's political parties shaped their response to emerging Covid‐19 policy issues, including the tension between economic normalization and containment, legal versus voluntary enforcement and the role of science in policymaking. We find that party ideology powerfully predicts how parties, both in government and in opposition, responded to the pandemic.
The essential differences in microbial and chemical components of musk of different qualities secreted by captive male forest musk deer (Moschus berezovskii)
Authors: Wang Yan , Sun Mao , Chang Fan , Wang Jun , Wang Yan , Tang Jie , Zhang Kun , Gao Lei , Xue Xiaochang , Wan Yi
Published: January 2022

Musk is a precious raw material and ingredient in Chinese traditional medicine. The production of unqualified musk has become a puzzling problem in forest musk deer (FMD) breeding. However, what the essential differences between so‐called unqualified musk and mature qualified musk have not yet been elucidated. In this study, 12 musk samples were collected and separated into two groups according to their external properties. One group is white or black cream‐like secretion with sour or unpleasant odour (MM); the other group is brown or blackish brown solid secretion with pleasant fragrance (DM). Next‐generation sequencing and gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry were used to explore the essential differences between the DM and MM groups in microbial and chemical compositions. The results indicate that the DM group has more heterogenous microbial structure but simpler relationships among microbial communities. LEfSe analysis showed that 14 taxa at the genus level could be used to distinguish the DM and MM groups and Bacillus, Paracoccus, tenoteophomonas, Mycobacterium and Leuconostoc were more abundant in the DM group (P < 0.05). In addition, six compounds were identified to specifically distinguish the DM and MM groups under the OPLS‐DA model. PICRUSt analysis revealed that metabolic pathways such as carbohydrate metabolism, nucleotide metabolism, energy metabolism, transport and catabolism were enriched in the DM group. All these findings of differences in microbiota and chemical compositions would provide potential clues for MM quality improvement and new evidence for the scientific establishment of a quality evaluation standard for musk.
Fintech and Financial Inclusion in Southeast Asia and India
Authors: Morgan Peter J.
Published: January 2022

Financial inclusion, that is, access of excluded households and small firms to financial products and services, is seen as a way to promote more inclusive growth by providing the previously unbanked with access to means for savings, investment, consumption smoothing, and insurance. Financial technology (Fintech), that is, using software, applications, and digital platforms to deliver financial services to consumers and businesses through digital devices such as smartphones, has become recognized as a promising tool to promote financial inclusion. The present paper investigates the developments of financial inclusion and Fintech in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries and India to identify the ways that Fintech is contributing and can potentially contribute to increased financial inclusion. It also examines potential risks arising from use of Fintech, highlights differences in the strategies and implementation of financial inclusion and Fintech between India and ASEAN, and draws lessons and policy recommendations from these findings.
Detection of selection signatures in South African Mutton Merino sheep using whole‐genome sequencing data
Authors: Liu Zhengxi , Bai Chunyan , Shi Lulu , He Yu , Hu Mingyue , Sun Hao , Peng Hongyang , Lai Weining , Jiao Shuyu , Zhao Zhongli , Ma Huihai , Yan Shouqing
Published: January 2022

The South African Mutton Merino (SAMM), a dual‐purpose (meat and wool) sheep breed, is characterized by its excellent performance on growth, carcass traits and meat quality compared to other fine‐wool Merino breeds. Nowadays, the SAMM breed has been widely used to cross with commercial and indigenous fine‐wool or coarse‐wool breeds to improve the growth and meat performance in many countries. To date, however, little is known about the genetic basis for its prominent characteristics. In this study, whole‐genome sequences of 10 SAMM were sequenced and the selection signatures were analyzed together with those of 39 Australian Merino and Chinese Merino (wool‐type Merino) by FST, iHS, and XP‐EHH methods. In total, 313 genes in 277 regions were identified by at least 2 methods with the signal of selection and 21 of them were identified by all three methods. We highlighted a list of interesting genes, including GHR, LCORL, SMO, NCAPG, DCC, IBSP, PPARGC1A, PACRGL, PRDM5, XYLB, AHCYL2, TEFM, AFG1L, and FAM184B, which have been shown to be involved in growth, carcass traits, and meat quality by previous studies. Herein, GHR, encoding a transmembrane receptor for growth hormone, is the most notable one. We report the first study on selection signatures analysis of SAMM at whole‐genome sequence level. These results provide new insights into the genetic mechanisms underlying the growth and carcass traits in SAMM.
Role of stereotactic body radiotherapy for early‐stage non‐small‐cell lung cancer in patients borderline for surgery due to impaired pulmonary function
Authors: Tomita Natsuo , Okuda Katsuhiro , Kita Nozomi , Niwa Masanari , Hashimoto Shingo , Murai Taro , Ishikura Satoshi , Nakanishi Ryoichi , Shibamoto Yuta
Published: January 2022

Aim

Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is recommended only for inoperable patients with early‐stage (e‐stage) non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We compared outcomes between surgery and SBRT in patients borderline for surgery due to impaired pulmonary function (PF).

Methods

We reviewed single‐institution retrospective data of 578 patients with clinically T1‐2N0M0 NSCLC treated by surgery or SBRT between 2004 and 2014, and extracted a cohort with borderline impaired PF for surgery, which was defined as predicted postoperative (PPO) forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) of <50% and ≥30%. Overall survival (OS), cancer‐specific survival (CSS), and disease‐free survival (DFS) were compared between surgery and SBRT using propensity score‐matching (PSM) to avoid bias.

Results

Among a total of 116 eligible patients with a median PPO FEV1 of 45%, PSM identified 25 patients from each group with similar characteristics. The median age, pretreatment FEV1, and follow‐up durations for the surgery and SBRT groups were 75 and 74 years, 58% and 56%, and 56 and 60 months, respectively. The 5‐year OS, CSS, and DFS rates of the surgery versus SBRT groups were 60% versus 63%, 76% versus 81%, and 52% versus 48%, respectively (p = 0.97, 0.81, and 0.99). The surgical mortality was 4.0%, but no treatment‐related death was observed after SBRT. The incidence of ≥ grade 2 adverse events after surgery was double that after SBRT (40% versus 20%, p = .22).

Conclusion

Our study suggests that SBRT is a reasonable option for patients with e‐stage NSCLC and impaired PF who are considered borderline candidates for surgery.
Land Tenure and the Biblical Idea of Social Justice
Authors: Giesen David
Published: January 2022

The Bible should be read, first and foremost, as the history of the people of Israel as they developed a distinctive understanding of social justice. One way of making sense of the Hebrew concept of social justice is in terms of montheism, not as an abstract theological proposition, but rather as an experiential notion that was tied to the organization of Hebrew life. Monotheism was a social innovation that made all people equal. Egalitarian land tenure was the economic corollary. Since land was understood as a gift from God, its use was to serve as the basis of a rough degree of social equality. Monotheism remains an ideal that has not been achieved precisely because land tenure arrangements create a social hierarchy that legitimizes control by elites and undermines a universal system of values. The modern world has yet to resolve the problem of social inequality, but a better understanding of the Bible may help us find a way.
The Bible Helps Us Address Environmental Destruction and Social Injustice, Part 1: The Stories of Genesis
Authors: Johnston Carol Frances
Published: January 2022

Although the Bible is generally dismissed as irrelevant by modern secularists, it remains at least as relevant as other ancient literature. In Part 1 of a two‐part article, I examine the mythological or nonhistorical stories of Genesis to determine how they provide insights into the contemporary problems faced by humanity: crises relating to the global environment and global injustice. Until recent centuries, those stories from Genesis reminded Jews and Christians of the dangers of human arrogance in terms of the mistreatment of nature and people. In the 21st century, we need to become reacquainted with those stories that might remind us that nature is a gift to be treated with respect and shared with others. The Bible can help shift our focus by providing us with an image of shalom: a sustainable, just, and healthy world of thriving life.
The Bible Helps Us Address Environmental Destruction and Social Injustice, Part 2: From Abraham to Jesus
Authors: Johnston Carol Frances
Published: January 2022

Renewing an appreciation of the Bible as a guide to human self‐understanding is particularly important in an era when humans are on the verge of destroying the planet and each other. Part 1 of this article examined the first 11 chapters of the book of Genesis to glean insights from stories of Hebrew prehistory that offer insights about the human compulsion to seek security by dominating others and nature. Part 2 proceeds with the stories about historical and quasi‐historical figures in the Bible, again seeking insight to help us manage our contemporary self‐inflicted problems and gain clarity about a way forward that can lead to healing, restoration, and the regeneration of life.