bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mapping of promoter usage QTL using RNA-seq data reveals their contributions to complex traits
Authors: Kubota Naoto , Suyama Mikita
Published: February 2022

Genomic variations are associated with gene expression levels, which are called expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL). Most eQTL may affect the total gene expression levels by regulating transcriptional activities of a specific promoter. However, the direct exploration of genomic loci associated with promoter activities using RNA-seq data has been challenging because eQTL analyses treat the total expression levels estimated by summing those of all isoforms transcribed from distinct promoters. Here we propose a computational framework for identifying genomic loci associated with promoter activities, called promoter usage quantitative trait loci (puQTL), using conventional RNA-seq data. By leveraging public RNA-seq datasets from the lymphoblastoid cell lines of 438 individuals from the GEUVADIS project, we obtained promoter activity estimates and mapped 2,592 puQTL at the 10% FDR level. The results of puQTL mapping enabled us to interpret the manner in which genomic variations regulate gene expression. We found that 310 puQTL genes (16.1%) were not detected by eQTL analysis, suggesting that our pipeline can identify novel variant–gene associations. Furthermore, we identified genomic loci associated with the activity of “hidden” promoters, which the standard eQTL studies have ignored. We found that most puQTL signals were concordant with at least one genome-wide association study (GWAS) signal, enabling novel interpretations of the molecular mechanisms of complex traits. Our results emphasize the importance of the re-analysis of public RNA-seq datasets to obtain novel insights into gene regulation by genomic variations and their contributions to complex traits.
Patient Perspective: My Rare Disease Journey
Authors: Alvarez Rachel
Published: February 2022

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The relevance of bilateral political relations between countries for the completion stage premium of cross-border mergers and acquisitions
Authors: Ding Zhenkuo , Hu Man , Huang Sheng
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of bilateral political relations on the completion stage premium of cross-border mergers and acquisitions(CSPCMA) and the moderating roles of cultural distance, trade openness and the nature of firm ownership for this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a sample of 401 cross-border mergers and acquisitions (M&A) conducted by Chinese companies from 1995 to 2019 in the Statistical Data Center (SDC), this article used weighted least squares (WLS) to empirically test the impact of bilateral political relations between countries on the CSPCMA.

Findings

The better the target country of entry’s bilateral political relations with China, the lower the premium of the transaction price paid by Chinese companies at the completion stage of cross-border M&A. Among the moderators, the study found cultural distance positively moderates the relationship between bilateral political relations between countries and CSPCMA. The degree of trade openness of the target country negatively moderates the relationship between bilateral political relations between countries and CSPCMA. The negative relationship between bilateral political relations between countries and CSPCMA is stronger when the acquirer is a state-owned enterprise (SOE).

Originality/value

The findings of this study not only add to the knowledge about the relationship between bilateral political relations and corporate cross-border M&A premiums, but also have managerial implications for Chinese corporate managers to sustainably reduce corporate cross-border M&A premiums.
Family ownership and risk: the role of family managers
Authors: D'Este Carlotta , Carabelli Marina
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the relationship between family managers and firms’ risk levels in a context characterized by low investor protection and firm opacity. Specifically, this paper examines whether the level of risk faced by firms is affected by family shareholders’ ownership stake and activism.

Design/methodology/approach

Corporate governance data were hand-collected for a sample of 90 Italian listed companies and 540 observations from the year 2018. Regression analysis was then used to test the research hypotheses.

Findings

This study provides evidence of a positive association between active family ownership and risk faced by sampled firms. This study also finds that the number of inside directors is negatively correlated with firms’ risk-taking. Overall, the results confirm family managers’ influence on firms’ risk choices and show consistency with theoretical arguments in favor of hiring professional managers to guide family-owned firms.

Practical implications

Practical implications emerge from the study findings. First, family owners should consider to hire a larger number of professional managers to support firms’ wealth maximization and retention and to reduce default risks. Second, investors should take into account the firms’ board of directors and management composition to better assess the investments risk level. Finally, the positive correlation between active family owners and systematic risk suggests the opportunity for regulators to improve the legal requirements related to minority directors to increase their effectiveness and, therefore, minority shareholders’ protection.

Originality/value

This study extends the literature on the association between ownership structure and firms’ risk levels, showing the effect of family managers on firms’ risk levels. Besides, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, no previous study investigates professional executives’ influence on risk when family ownership prevails.
Teacher-perpetrated sexual harassment and student performance: roles of emotional exhaustion and neuroticism
Authors: Bilal Atif , Laeeque Syed Harris , Saeed Muhammad Ali , Mumtaz Mohsin
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This study examines the effects of teacher-perpetrated sexual harassment on graduate students' academic and extracurricular performance using conservation of resources theory as a framework. Further, it looks into the moderating role of trait neuroticism on the indirect relationship between sexual harassment and student performance via emotional exhaustion.

Design/methodology/approach

Longitudinal data were collected in three waves from 218 Pakistani students over a period of three months during the fall 2019 semester. PROCESS Macro (v. 4) model 7 was used on SPSS (v. 21) to analyze the data for testing the moderated-mediation hypotheses.

Findings

The results show that as a source of toxic stress, teacher-perpetrated sexual harassment is negatively related to both academic performance and extracurricular performance, and that emotional exhaustion is a mediator in this inverse relationship. In addition, trait neuroticism strengthens the negative effect of teacher-to-student sexual harassment on student performance through emotional exhaustion.

Originality/value

This study addresses an unexplored moderated-mediation mechanism, and thus makes valuable contributions to education management research and practice. More specifically, it contributes by examining emotional exhaustion as a mediating variable in the relationship of teacher-perpetrated sexual harassment and student performance and, perhaps for the first time, establishes the moderating role of neuroticism in increasing the strength of the aforementioned relationship.
Does broader mean more general? Decomposing the effect of knowledge breadth on R&D and spillover of generic technology
Authors: Cen Jie , Wang Mian , Yang Yan , Li Jing , Yu Rongjian
Published: February 2022

Purpose

In the context of collaborative research and development (R&D), multi-actor participation and multi-resource integration of technological knowledge has become the mainstream paradigm for the R&D and spillover of industry generic technology (GT). As GT's core characteristics, “fundamentality” and “externality,” make differential requests on knowledge bases regarding the R&D and spillover of GT (SGT). Knowledge breadth can enhance the generality of technology. The purpose of this paper is to integrate “generic technology R&D” and “generic technology spillover” into a single study, and try to solve the theoretical problem of “whether broader mean more general?”

Design/methodology/approach

This paper collects and collates the patent data from the two patent databases of Derwent and SooPAT, and then makes an empirical analysis of the patent data collected by the authors with the data analysis software Stata.

Findings

Taking 352 strategic emerging firms in China as the sample, this paper examined the effects of general knowledge breadth (GKB) and specific knowledge breadth (SKB) on the R&D and SGT. The authors concluded that both general and SKB have a positive effect on the R&D of GT (RGT), and the latter has a greater effect. There is a significant inverted U-shaped relationship between SKB and SGT.

Originality/value

The theoretical contributions of this paper are as follows. GT can effectively link different technologies and knowledge fields (Gambardella and Giarratana, 2013; Appioet al., 2017a, b). Therefore, existing studies regard the role of knowledge breadth on the R&D and SGT as an existing hypothesis. This paper challenges such hypothesis in two ways. First, this paper divides knowledge breadth into “general knowledge breadth” and “specific knowledge breadth” in response to the insufficient division of knowledge breadth in previous research, although some existing studies have examined the antecedents of the R&D and SGT from the perspective of R&D and SGT. Thus, the authors define GKB as the scope of context-free knowledge and SKB as the scope of context-specific knowledge, both of which shows differential nature, source and application. Second, this paper decomposes the effect of knowledge breadth on RGT, as well as on SGT, basing on distinguishing the SKB from GKB. Existing research reaches a consensus of the positive role of knowledge breadth, no matter on RGT or SGT (e.g. Schmidtet al., 2016; Appioet al., 2017a, b). Yet, such hypothesis ignores the refinement and decomposition of “knowledge breadth” in the research field of R&D and SGT, which is essential in promoting the development of GT theory. In this paper, the authors find that these two types of knowledge breadths play different roles in the RGT, and especially SKB plays a double-edged sword effect on the SGT.
Inland vessels emission inventory: distribution and emission characteristics in the Red River, Hanoi, Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen Dat , Hoang Anh Le , Nguyen Vu Minh Anh , Nguyen Viet Thanh , Pham Tram Anh
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Shipping is a major source of air pollution, causing severe impacts on the environment and human health, greatly contributing to the creation of greenhouse gases and influencing climate change. The research was investigated to provide a better insight into the emission inventories in the Red River in Hanoi (Vietnam) that is often heavily occupied as the primary route for inner-city waterway traffic.

Design/methodology/approach

The total emissions of seven different pollutants (PM10, PM2.5, SOx, CO, CO2, NOx and HC) were estimated using the SPD-GIZ emission calculation model.

Findings

The results show that CO2 has the most significant contribution to the gas volume emitted: 103.21 tons/day. Remarkably, bulk carriers are the largest emission vehicle, accounting for more than 97% of total emissions, due to their superior number and large capacity.

Social implications

The result to have a roadmap for making efforts to fulfil its commitment so that it could achieve its net-zero climate target by 2050 in Vietnam as committed at COP26.

Originality/value

In this research, the number of vehicles and types of vessels travelling on the Red River flowing within Hanoi territory and other activity data are reported. The tally data will be used to estimate emissions of seven different pollutants (PM10, PM2.5, SOx, CO, CO2, NOx and HC) using a method combining both top-down and bottom-up approaches.
“We are praying from home”: reflections on the pandemic from resettled Rohingya refugees
Authors: Mitschke Diane B. , Laney Erin , Costello Emily , Faizal Mohamad
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic were felt acutely by resettled refugee communities around the world. Adjusting to life in a new country typically presents a host of challenges that must be met by newly resettled refugees, and these challenges were no doubt compounded by the pandemic. The purpose of this study is to explore the lived experiences of resettled Rohingyan refugees living in the USA during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a grounded theory approach to derive meaning from qualitative interviews conducted with 21 Rohingyan refugees. This study embodied an emic design by involving the community in the development, conduction and interpretation of the data, rooting itself in the recognition of Rohingyan expertise and understanding.

Findings

The data yielded three major themes: financial instability, disruptions in access to health care and mental health distress. In addition, two minor themes were established: disruptions to everyday life and impacts on religious practices.

Originality/value

Little is known about the resettlement experiences of the Rohingyan people, who are arguably some of the most marginalized among refugees. With no written language shared among Rohingyans, communication barriers exacerbate an already challenging resettlement trajectory. The insights provided through this study are key to understanding the unique needs and strengths of Rohingyan refugees and will be valuable in shaping interventions to support their successful resettlement.
Ambition: a deterrent to workplace deviance among narcissistic leaders
Authors: Davison H. Kristl , Braddy Phillip W. , Meriac John P. , Gigliotti Robert , Detwiler Daniel J. , Bing Mark N.
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Workplace deviance remains a concern for many organizations, and narcissism has been identified as a primary contributor. The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether political skill and ambition interact with narcissism to attenuate or exacerbate workplace deviance.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors surveyed a sample of 335 participants in leadership positions and empirically tested interactions among political skill, narcissism and ambition in predicting workplace deviance.

Findings

The authors performed moderated hierarchical regression analyses on the data to test the hypothesis and research question. Contrary to expectations, political skill attenuated the relationship between narcissism and workplace deviance. However, ambition was found to attenuate deviance, with the highest levels of deviance evident when narcissism was high, political skill was low, and ambition was also low.

Originality/value

Although research has examined the relationship between narcissism and workplace deviance, to the authors’ knowledge, the study is the first to examine the roles of political skill and ambition in attenuating the manifestation of narcissism into workplace deviance.
When and how to use a “fighter brand” to combat a low-price entry
Authors: Deneffe Daniel , Vantrappen Herman
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Managers have become wary of launching fighter brands. But they should not give up on a fighter brand strategy altogether: under certain conditions a fighter brand can be effective, if it is correctly positioned.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors’ decision-making framework to help managers think through the specific design of a fighter brand is supported by field experience in designing and successfully launching fighter brands. 10; The framework takes managers through four steps. 10;

Findings

A fighter brand can be designed to combat, and ideally eliminate, low-price competitors while protecting an organization’s premium-price offerings.

Practical implications

Identifying must-have features “must-haves” is at the core of the fighter brand framework.

Originality/value

If a company’s strategists can identify at least one unique must-have feature for the value segment with high certainty, and remove it from the fighter brand targeted at the price segment, the risk of cannibalization is minimal.
An analysis of post-pandemic scenarios and prospects for the shipping industry: perspective from Guadeloupe
Authors: Ferriera Mylène Rémi
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The maritime port in Guadeloupe, a French island in the Lesser Antilles, is set to be transformed into a major logistics hub catering to the Greater Caribbean and the Lesser Antilles. The increase in shipping generated by expansion of the Panama Canal and the development of the cruise industry are the two main factors which contributed to the shift in the Island's policy that aims to capitalise on the increase in the expected shipping traffic in the region. This article examines various areas and policies which have been implemented so far by the Port of Guadeloupe and considers the innovative ways used to achieve its objectives and raises the question as to whether the Guadeloupian development in the logistics area is likely to be a force to be reckoned with in the Caribbean region.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach employed involves the analysis of material extracted from published articles and information from periodic progress reports obtained from the Port of Guadeloupe.

Findings

The study showed that the Port of Guadeloupe had implemented various changes to achieve its objectives of becoming a major logistics hub in the region and “the smart port” of the Caribbean, which is likely to represent a challenge to Jamaica's aspiration to be the major port in the Caribbean.

Research limitations/implications

Much of the published information accessed on the Guadeloupian Port and elsewhere is written in French, which could limit access to English speakers in conducting related research.

Practical implications

Rapid logistic port development is taking place in the shipping arena in the French-speaking Caribbean and the Guadeloupian logistic hub's aim to be the number one “smart port” in the region could be realised sooner than expected.

Social implications

If the Port of Guadeloupe achieves its objectives, it could impact on jobs in the shipping industry in the English-speaking Caribbean and affect people's standard of living.

Originality/value

The question as to whether the Port of Guadeloupe is a threat to other Caribbean ports has not yet been explored and the findings of this investigation would be useful to other port authorities.
Flemish soils contain rhizobia partners for Northwestern Europe‐adapted soybean cultivars
Authors: Van Dingenen Judith , Garcia Mendez Sonia , Beirinckx Stien , Vlaminck Lena , De Keyser Annick , Stuer Naomi , Verschaete Severine , Clarysse Alexander , Pannecoucque Joke , Rombauts Stephane , Roldan‐Ruiz Isabel , Willems Anne , Goormachtig Sofie
Published: February 2022

In Europe, soybean (Glycine max) used for food and feed has to be imported, causing negative socioeconomic and environmental impacts. To increase the local production, breeding generated varieties that grow in colder climates, but the yield using the commercial inoculants is not satisfactory in Belgium because of variable nodulation efficiencies. To look for indigenous nodulating strains possibly adapted to the local environment, we initiated a nodulation trap by growing early‐maturing cultivars under natural and greenhouse conditions in 107 garden soils in Flanders. Nodules occurred in 18 and 21 soils in the garden and greenhouse experiments respectively. By combining 16S rRNA PCR on single isolates with HiSeq 16S metabarcoding on nodules, we found a large bacterial richness and diversity from different soils. Furthermore, using Oxford Nanopore Technologies sequencing of DNA from one nodule, we retrieved the entire genome of a Bradyrhizobium species, not previously isolated, but profusely present in that nodule. These data highlight the need of combining diverse identification techniques to capture the true nodule rhizobial community. Eight selected rhizobial isolates were subdivided by whole‐genome analysis in three genera containing six genetically distinct species that, except for two, aligned with known type strains and were all able to nodulate soybean in the laboratory.
The Influence of Management's Internal Audit Experience on Earnings Management*
Authors: Ege Matthew , Seidel Timothy A. , Sterin Mikhail , Wood David A.
Published: February 2022

We examine whether firms with managers that have prior internal audit experience are less likely to manage earnings. This examination is important because the internal audit function (IAF) is uniquely positioned to provide experiences that could influence future managerial behavior, including limiting the potential negative repercussions of earnings management. We find that firms with managers that have internal audit experience are associated with lower real earnings management (REM) but not accruals‐based earnings management. Effects are strongest when managers with internal audit experience have greater power or currently hold financial roles, or when there are a greater number of managers with internal audit experience. The results are robust to including firm fixed effects, using entropy‐balancing and performance‐matching approaches, using a subsample of firm‐years required to have an IAF, using a subsample of firms for which we can measure IAF quality, and measuring internal audit experience at a previous employer. These results point to an important benefit of manager internal audit experience, as research suggests that REM is common, difficult to detect, not always within the scope of financial reporting regulators, and detrimental to future performance.
Morphological pattern of the pes tendons in Bennett's Wallaby (Macropus rufogriseus)
Authors: Yunus Hasen Awel , Ekim Okan , Bakıcı Caner , Bakıcı Merve , Batur Barış
Published: February 2022

Wallabies are small‐ to medium‐sized hopping marsupials and have large and flexible tendons in their hind limbs that act like springs. This study aimed to show the morphological pattern of the pes tendons in Bennett's wallaby. Two Bennett's Wallabies (Macropus rufogriseus) that died of natural causes have been used for this study. The pes was dissected using standard dissection techniques to expose the tendons around metatarsals and digits. The crural musculature of the hind limb was also dissected to identify the origin of the tendons. Tendons of m. extensor digitorum longus, m. extensor digitorum lateralis, m. extensor digiti II et III longus, m. flexor digitorum superficialis, m. flexor digitorum profundus and mm. interossei were the main identified tendons. Tendons of m. extensor digitorum longus attached to the distal phalanx of the fourth digit. The tendon of m. extensor digitorum lateralis had two insertion points, on the fourth and the fifth digits. The tendon of m. flexor digitorum superficialis bifurcates at the level proximal one‐third of the metatarsus. The relatively thinner branch inserted into the phalanx of the fifth digit, while the thicker splits and inserted to the medial and lateral surface of the distal end of the proximal phalanx of the fourth digit. Tendon of m. flexor digitorum profundus was the thickest tendon on the plantar surface, and it had four insertion points, which were the distal phalanges of the second, third, fourth and fifth digits. This study provides detailed information for future studies on the biomechanical and functional morphology of tendons in marsupials.
The BioLogic‐DT™ and the saga of Liver Dialysis™
Authors: Ash Stephen R.
Published: February 2022

Our small R&D company created a novel extracorporeal system for the treatment of hepatic coma and drug overdose, in which membrane motion in a screen‐plate dialyzer served as a blood pump and also mixed dialysate containing powdered carbon. Early clinical trials of the Biologic‐DT™ were successful in the treatment of patients with hepatic coma (especially from A‐on‐C liver failure) and FDA gave marketing approval. The BioLogic‐DT™ was licensed to a venture capital‐backed startup. It was marketed too widely and used in some patients without a chance for recovery or transplant. The licensing company failed, and the BioLogic‐DT was not remarketed. The MARS™ device included albumin as a sorbent in dialysate, and clinical trials of this device also showed a benefit in the treatment of hepatic coma.
Biographical histories of gendered parental substance use: Messages from mothers to professionals as to what interventions help or hinder journeys of recovery
Authors: Thompson Kellie
Published: February 2022

This paper reports on data that is part of a wider evaluation of a small‐scale project that offers support to parents, children and families affected by alcohol and substance use. Using semi‐structured interviews and a focus group, the data in this paper explore mother's sense making of their substance use and their experiences of various professional interventions which have helped or hindered their personal journeys of recovery. Mothers' narratives suggested a self‐critical inner dialogue conceptualized as shame. Fear of stigma and a sense of shame derived from historical abuse and had a profound effect on how mothers perceived themselves and how they negotiated a web of professionals involved in their lives. Community projects with a focus on understanding mothers and their needs, and not the risk they posed to their children, were considered most supportive. Interventions working within a non‐judgemental and empathetic framework that fostered the importance of relationships and connection had a greater impact on mothers' long‐term recovery goals.
Interactive effects of multiscale diversification practices on farmland bird stress
Authors: Olimpi Elissa M. , Daly Hallie , Garcia Karina , Glynn Victoria M. , Gonthier David J. , Kremen Claire , M'Gonigle Leithen K. , Karp Daniel S.
Published: February 2022

Farmland diversification practices (i.e., methods used to produce food sustainably by enhancing biodiversity in cropping systems) are sometimes considered beneficial to both agriculture and biodiversity, but most studies of these practices rely on species richness, diversity, or abundance as a proxy for habitat quality. Biodiversity assessments may miss early clues that populations are imperiled when species presence does not imply persistence. Physiological stress indicators may help identify low‐quality habitats before population declines occur. We explored how avian stress indicators respond to on‐farm management practices and surrounding seminatural area (1‐km radius) across 21 California strawberry farms. We examined whether commonly used biodiversity metrics correlate with stress responses in wild birds. We used ∼1000 blood and feather samples and body mass and wing chord measurements, mostly from passerines, to test the effects of diversification practices on four physiological stress indicators: heterophil to lymphocyte ratios (H:L), body condition, hematocrit values, and feather growth rates of individual birds. We then tested the relationship between physiological stress indicators and species richness, abundance, occurrence, and diversity derived from 285 bird point count surveys. After accounting for other biological drivers, landscape context mediated the effect of local farm management on H:L and body condition. Local diversification practices were associated with reduced individual stress in intensive agricultural landscapes but increased it in landscapes surrounded by relatively more seminatural area. Feathers grew more slowly in landscapes dominated by strawberry production, suggesting that nutritional condition was lower here than in landscapes with more crop types and seminatural areas. We found scant evidence that species richness, abundance, occurrence, or diversity metrics were correlated with the individual's physiological stress, suggesting that reliance on these metrics may obscure the impacts of management on species persistence. Our findings underscore the importance of considering landscape context when designing local management strategies to promote wildlife conservation.
Prognostic impact of pleural effusion in patients with malignancy: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Yang Yuan , Du Juan , Wang Yi‐Shan , Kang Han‐YuJie , Zhai Kan , Shi Huan‐Zhong
Published: February 2022

The exact role of pleural effusion in the prognosis of cancer patients remains unclear. We aimed to systematically review the prognostic value of pleural effusion in patients with cancer. We performed a systematic review and meta‐analysis with a systematic literature search. All cohort studies with available overall survival (OS) and progression‐free survival (PFS) results for patients with cancer with or without pleural effusion were included. The Mantel–Haenszel method was used to calculate the pooled hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Heterogeneity and publication bias were examined. Subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis were performed. A total of 47 studies with 146,117 patients were included in the analysis. For OS, pleural effusion was a prognostic factor associated with a poor prognosis for patients with cancer (HR, 1.58, 95% CI, 1.43–1.75; I2 94.8%). In the subgroup analysis, pleural effusion was a prognostic factor associated with poor survival for patients with lung cancer (HR, 1.44, 95% CI, 1.35–1.54; I2 60.8%), hematological cancer (HR, 2.79, 95% CI, 1.63–4.77; I2 29.4%) and other types of cancer (HR, 2.08, 95% CI, 1.43–3.01; I2 55.1%). For PFS, pleural effusion was a prognostic factor associated with a poor prognosis for patients with cancer (HR, 1.61, 95% CI, 1.28–2.03; I2 42.9%). We also observed that massive pleural effusion was a prognostic factor associated with a poorer prognosis compared to minimal pleural effusion. Pleural effusion had prognostic value in both OS and PFS of patients with cancer, except for patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma, regardless of whether the malignant effusion was confirmed histologically or cytologically. However, future evidence of other pleural effusion characteristics is still needed.
The value of investment in nonexclusive contracts
Authors: Roig Guillem
Published: February 2022

We consider the strategic incentives to invest in an environment where suppliers compete with nonexclusive contracts. When trade is nonexclusive, that is, the buyer relates with many suppliers simultaneously, the buyer's investment affects her outside option when excluding a supplier. The buyer's investment allows for cheaper substitution of the trade loss arising from the excluded supplier. In equilibrium, even though each supplier fully appropriates the investment return it receives in isolation, the buyer wants to invest to gain leverage over competing suppliers. Our model uncovers an essential role of nonexclusive contracts because they promote the buyer to invest.
Diversity and extinction risk are inversely related at a global scale
Authors: Weeks Brian C. , Naeem Shahid , Lasky Jesse R. , Tobias Joseph A.
Published: February 2022

Increases in biodiversity often lead to greater, and less variable, levels of ecosystem functioning. However, whether species are less likely to go extinct in more diverse ecosystems is unclear. We use comprehensive estimates of avian taxonomic, phylogenetic and functional diversity to characterise the global relationship between multiple dimensions of diversity and extinction risk in birds, focusing on contemporary threat status and latent extinction risk. We find that more diverse assemblages have lower mean IUCN threat status despite being composed of species with attributes that make them more vulnerable to extinction, such as large body size or small range size. Indeed, the reduction in current threat status associated with greater diversity far outweighs the increased risk associated with the accumulation of extinction‐prone species in more diverse assemblages. Our results suggest that high diversity reduces extinction risk, and that species conservation targets may therefore best be achieved by maintaining high levels of overall biodiversity in natural ecosystems.
Plant pathogenic bacterium can rapidly evolve tolerance to an antimicrobial plant allelochemical
Authors: Alderley Carrie Louise , Greenrod Samuel Terrence Edwards , Friman Ville‐Petri
Published: February 2022

Crop losses to plant pathogens are a growing threat to global food security and more effective control strategies are urgently required. Biofumigation, an agricultural technique where Brassica plant tissues are mulched into soils to release antimicrobial plant allelochemicals called isothiocyanates (ITCs), has been proposed as an environmentally friendly alternative to agrochemicals. Whilst biofumigation has been shown to suppress a range of plant pathogens, its effects on plant pathogenic bacteria remain largely unexplored. Here, we used a laboratory model system to compare the efficacy of different types of ITCs against Ralstonia solanacearum plant bacterial pathogen. Additionally, we evaluated the potential for ITC‐tolerance evolution under high, intermediate, and low transfer frequency ITC exposure treatments. We found that allyl‐ITC was the most efficient compound at suppressing R. solanacearum growth, and its efficacy was not improved when combined with other types of ITCs. Despite consistent pathogen growth suppression, ITC tolerance evolution was observed in the low transfer frequency exposure treatment, leading to cross‐tolerance to ampicillin beta‐lactam antibiotic. Mechanistically, tolerance was linked to insertion sequence movement at four positions in genes that were potentially associated with stress responses (H‐NS histone like protein), cell growth and competitiveness (acyltransferase), iron storage ([2‐Fe‐2S]‐binding protein) and calcium ion sequestration (calcium‐binding protein). Interestingly, pathogen adaptation to the growth media also indirectly selected for increased ITC tolerance through potential adaptations linked with metabolism and antibiotic resistance (dehydrogenase‐like protein) and transmembrane protein movement (Tat pathway signal protein). Together, our results suggest that R. solanacearum can rapidly evolve tolerance to allyl‐ITC plant allelochemical which could constrain the long‐term efficiency of biofumigation biocontrol and potentially shape pathogen evolution with plants.
A link between DNA double‐strand breaks and regulation of global translation
Authors: Kathjoo Muntaish Bashir , Srivastava Mrinal
Published: February 2022

In response to double‐strand breaks (DSBs) in the DNA, cells undergo transcriptional, translational and post‐translational reprogramming to tackle the damage. In this study by Riepe et al., the authors have shown that the global translation inhibition of proteins is concomitant to DNA damage response. Treatment with various DSB‐generating agents can cause a major downregulation in the translation of cellular proteins except for the ISR (integrated stress response) proteins. Authors report a specific and significant reduction in the level of a core ribosomal RPS27A protein coupled to kinetics of DSB induction and repair. The study proposes that molecular alterations generated as a by‐product of DNA damage may inadvertently impact phenotypic responses of the cells and a cautious approach must be followed when utilizing DSB‐based genome editing techniques.

Comment on: https://doi.org/10.1111/febs.16321
Correlation between microstructure and cyclic behavior of 316L stainless steel obtained by Laser Powder Bed Fusion
Authors: Liang Xiaoyu , Hor Anis , Robert Camille , Salem Mehdi , Morel Franck
Published: February 2022

In this work, stainless steel 316L obtained by Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L‐PBF) has been produced and characterized. The experimental campaign focuses on the samples in the as‐built state under cyclic tension‐compression loadings. Low cycle fatigue (LCF) and high cycle fatigue (HCF) tests are carried out. Microstructure observations are performed before and after the loadings. As‐built L‐PBF 316L has a good LCF performance despite the presence of surface defects but a low fatigue limit in the HCF regime. Removing the surface roughness has a beneficial effect but does not improve the fatigue strength to that of machined wrought 316L. Observations on the microstructure of fatigue samples indicate that LCF is dominated by the local plastic deformation, which is mostly achieved by the slip in the studied material and is not sensitive to the defect. The lack‐of‐fusion defect impairs the fatigue resistance in the HCF regime.
Morphological defences and defence–cost trade‐offs in Daphnia in response to two co‐occurring invertebrate predators
Authors: Octorina Pelita , Böhm Alexander , Martin‐Creuzburg Dominik , Straile Dietmar
Published: February 2022

Inducible morphological defences are crucial for understanding predator–prey interactions. Such defences have been mostly studied in a single‐predator context, ignoring the fact that prey organisms are often exposed to multiple predators. In deep peri‐Alpine European lakes, the keystone grazer Daphnia coexists with two cladoceran predators, Bythotrephes longimanus and Leptodora kindtii. Up to now, life history and morphological responses of Daphnia to these two predators have not been analysed systematically.

We studied the responses of two life history (age at first reproduction, and offspring production) and five morphological traits (body size, body width, head size, spina size, and eye diameter) of eight Daphnia galeata clones to the presence of Bythotrephes and Leptodora in a common garden experiment. We compared each response trait between treatments using linear mixed models, and investigated the covariation between defence traits and demographic costs (neonate production) for the two predators.

Our results show that the responses of Daphnia are predator‐ and trait‐specific. Daphnia developed a typical helmet and a larger eye only in the presence of Bythotrephes, not in the presence of Leptodora. In contrast, both predators induced larger body sizes and longer spines. Age at first reproduction was latest and demographic costs were highest in the Bythotrephes treatment, suggesting that the development of a helmet exceeds the costs of spina elongation. The responses of Daphnia clones revealed a defence‐cost trade‐off for helmet formation in the Bythotrephes, and for spina elongation in the Leptodora treatment. Hence, despite Bythotrephes and Leptodora being closely related co‐occurring predators, Daphnia responds with a unique combination of trait changes and defence‐cost trade‐offs to the two predators.

The presence of predator‐specific clonal defence‐cost trade‐offs suggests that the presence of these invertebrate predators can drive different evolutionary processes in natural zooplankton communities. Disentangling the evolutionary ecology of phenotypic responses of prey species to co‐occurring predators will require multi‐trait, multi‐clone studies of induced antipredator defences.
Effects of tool coating materials and coating thickness on cutting temperature distribution with coated tools
Authors: Zhang Jingjie , Zhang Guoqing , Fan Guanghui
Published: February 2022

Coated tools are currently widely used tool technology in machining. The influence of tool coating on heat transfer has become an active field of research enjoying constantly increasing attention in the field of machining. This paper is devoted to the cutting temperature in machining H13 hardened steel with monolayer coated tools (TiN, TiAlN, and Al2O3) and multilayer coated tools (TiN/TiC/TiN and TiAlN/TiN). Equivalent composite thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity of multilayer coated tools were calculated using the equivalent approach. The established heat transfer analytical models estimated coating temperature in turning. The effect of tool coating in steady and transient heat transfer was studied, as well as the cutting temperature distribution. It reveals that the tool coating material and coating thickness can influence the cutting temperature distribution of coated tool. Thermal conductivity of coating material affects the steady cutting temperature distribution, and thermal diffusivity of coating material affects the transient cutting temperature distribution of coating tools.
Cost of home hospitalization versus inpatient hospitalization inclusive of a 30‐day post‐acute period
Authors: Saenger Pamela M. , Ornstein Katherine A. , Garrido Melissa M. , Lubetsky Sara , Bollens‐Lund Evan , DeCherrie Linda V. , Leff Bruce , Siu Albert L. , Federman Alex D.
Published: February 2022

Background

Previous studies have demonstrated that hospital at home (HaH) care is associated with lower costs than traditional hospital care. Most prior studies were small, not U.S.‐focused, or did not include post‐acute costs in their analyses. Our objective was to determine if combined acute and 30‐day post‐acute costs of care were lower for HaH patients compared to inpatient comparisons in a Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation Center demonstration of HaH.

Methods

A single‐center New York City retrospective observational cohort study of patients admitted to either HaH or inpatient care from September 1, 2014 through August 31, 2017. Eligible patients were 18 years or older, required inpatient admission, lived in Manhattan, and met home safety requirements. Comparison individuals met the same criteria and were included if they refused HaH care or were admitted when HaH was not available. HaH care was substitutive hospital‐level care and 30‐days of post‐acute transitional care. Main outcomes were costs of care of the acute and post‐acute 30‐day episodes. We matched subjects on age, sex, and insurance and conducted regression analyses using an unadjusted model and one adjusted for several patient characteristics.

Results

Of 523 Medicare admission episodes, data were available for 201 episodes in the HaH arm and 101 episodes of usual care. HaH patients were older (81.6 [SD = 12.3] years vs. 74.6 [SD = 14.0], p < 0.0001) and more likely to have activities of daily living (ADL) impairments (75.4% vs. 46.5%, p < 0.0001). Unadjusted mean costs were $5054 lower for HaH episodes compared to inpatient episodes. Regression analysis with matching showed HaH costs were $5116 (95% CI −$10,262 to $30, p = 0.05) lower, and when adjusted for age, sex, insurance, diagnosis, and ADL impairments, $5977 (95% CI −$10,758 to −$1196, p = 0.01) lower.

Conclusions

HaH combined with 30‐day post‐acute transition care was less costly than inpatient care.
Are Some Forecasters Really Better than Others? A Note*
Authors: HOUNYO ULRICH , LAHIRI KAJAL
Published: February 2022

In this paper, we use bootstrap approach to test the null hypothesis that all forecasters in the U.S. Surveys of Professional Forecasters (SPF) have equal ability. Our bootstrap procedure captures any potential cross‐sectional and serial correlation in the forecast errors while preserving the unbalanced nature of the panel data. Once we account for the presence of cross‐sectional and serial correlation in the forecast errors while resampling, we find convincing evidence that some individuals really are better than others—this is in sharp contrast to the findings of D'Agostino et al. (2012).
Soy isoflavones alleviate periodontal destruction in ovariectomized rats
Authors: Liu Chengcheng , Zhang Shengdan , Bai Huimin , Zhang Yuwei , Jiang Yixuan , Yang Zhuo , Xu Xin , Ding Yi
Published: February 2022

Objective

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether soy isoflavone supplementation is effective in preventing periodontal destruction exacerbated by estrogen deficiency (ED) and its potential mechanism.

Background

The progression of periodontitis is affected by host factors, such as smoking, diabetes mellitus, and steroid use. Bone loss in periodontitis can be aggravated by ED.

Methods

A rat model of experimental periodontitis (EP) with ED was established by silk ligature and inoculation with Porphyromonas gingivalis, and some EP rats were subjected to bilateral ovariectomy (OVX). The treatment groups received an intravenous injection of 17‐β‐estradiol (E2B) or soy isoflavones (SI) by gavage. The rats were euthanized, and the maxillary jaws, gingiva, and serum were harvested. Tight junction protein and interleukin (IL)‐17 expression, reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, and periodontal destruction were assessed. In addition, we determined whether grainyhead‐like 2 (GRHL2) is required for enhancing the epithelial barrier by SI in an in vitro P. gingivalis infection model.

Results

Estrogen deficiency impaired the expression of genes encoding tight junction proteins in the gingiva, increased IL‐17 level, and accelerated alveolar bone resorption. SI treatment alleviated tight junction protein expression, decreased IL‐17 and ROS levels, and prevented the absorption of alveolar bone. Furthermore, GRHL2 expression was significantly induced by SI in human oral keratinocytes‐1 (HOK‐1) cells; GRHL2 knockdown impaired the expression of OCLN and ZO‐1 induced by SI treatment.

Conclusion

Soy isoflavones alleviates periodontitis in OVX rats, as observed by the increased expression of tight junction proteins, and reduced IL‐17 level and alveolar bone loss. The in vitro studies suggested that the enhancement of oral epithelial barrier by SI treatment was partially dependent on GRHL2.
The role of mass‐transport complexes in the initiation and evolution of submarine canyons
Authors: Wu Nan , Nugraha Harya D. , Zhong Guangfa , Steventon Michael J.
Published: February 2022

The offshore area of the Otway Basin (south‐eastern Australia) is dominated by multibranched canyons where mass‐transport complexes are widely distributed. This study integrates high‐resolution multibeam and seismic data to investigate the importance of mass‐transport complexes in dictating the evolution of canyons. The study interprets three regionally distributed mass‐transport complexes that fail retrogressively and affect almost 70% of the study area. Within the mass‐transport complexes, seven canyons that initiated from the continental shelf edge and extended to the lower slope are observed. Although the canyons share common regional tectonics and oceanography, the scales, morphology and distribution are distinctly different. This is linked to the presence of failure‐related scarps that control the initiation and formation of the canyons. The retrogressive failure mechanisms of mass‐transport complexes have created a series of scarps on the continental shelf and slope. In the continental shelf, where terrestrial input is absent, the origin of the canyons is related to local failures and contour current activities, occurring near the pre‐existing larger headwall scarps (ca 120 m high, 3 km long). The occurrence of these local failures has provided the necessary sediment input for subsequent gravity‐driven, downslope sediment flows. In the continental slope, the widespread scarps can capture gravity flows initiated from the continental shelf, developing an area of flow convergence, which greatly widens and deepens the canyons. The gradual diversion and convergence through mass‐transport complex related scarps have facilitated the canyon confluence process, which has fundamentally changed the canyoning process. Thus, this study concludes that the retrogressive failure mechanism of mass‐transport complexes has a direct influence on the initiation, distribution and evolution of the canyons. The scarps associated with mass‐transport complexes have greatly facilitated the delivery of sediments and marine plastics from the shelf edge into the deep oceans, especially in areas where fluvial input is missing.