bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pseudaquidulcibacter saccharophilus gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel member of family Caulobacteraceae, isolated from a water purification facility with supplement of starch as a carbon source
Authors: Liu Yaqi , Li Shuyang , Lin Jing , Liu Shuangyuan , Wei Hehong , Dai Jingcheng , Qiu Dongru
Published: February 2022

During a survey of microbial communities in the influent (ambient water) and effluent of a water purification facility with aeration and supplement of starch as carbon source, a novel bacterial strain, designated SZ9T, was isolated from the effluent sample. Colonies of strain SZ9T were small (approximately 0.5–1.0 mm in diameter), creamy-white, circular, smooth, translucent and convex. Cells were facultative anaerobic, motile by means of a single polar flagellum, rod-shaped, multiplied by binary fission, Gram-stain-negative, oxidase-positive and catalase-negative. Growth occurred at 10–40 °C (optimum, 28 °C) and pH 5.5–8.0 (optimum, pH 7.5). The range of NaCl concentration for growth was 0–1.0 % (w/v), with an optimum of 0–0.5 % (w/v). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences suggested that strain SZ9T formed a lineage within the family

Caulobacteraceae

of the class

Alphaproteobacteria

and showed the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to

Aquidulcibacter paucihalophilus

TH1-2T (92.44%), followed by

Vitreimonas flagellata

SYSU XM001T (89.61 %),

Asprobacter aquaticus

DRW22-8T (89.49 %) and

Hyphobacterium vulgare

WM6T (89.49%). The predominant fatty acids (>10 % of the total fatty acids) of strain SZ9T was summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1
 ω6c and/or C16 : 1
 ω7c), summed feature 8 (C18 : 1
 ω6c and/or C18 : 1
 ω7c) and C16 : 0. The sole respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-10, and the major polar lipids were phosphatidylcholine and two unidentified glycolipids. The whole genome of strain SZ9T was 2 842 140 bp in size, including 2769 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes and two rRNA genes, and the genomic G+C content was 41.4 mol%. The orthologous average nucleotide identity, average amino acid identity and digital DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain SZ9T and other genera within the family

Caulobacteraceae

were 64.50–66.62 %, 46.96–54.17 % and 27.70–31.70 %, respectively. Therefore, based on the results of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic analyses, the isolated strain SZ9T could be distinguished from other genera, suggesting that it represents a novel species of a novel genus in the family

Caulobacteraceae

, for which the name Pseudaquidulcibacter saccharophilus gen. nov., sp. nov is proposed. The type strain is SZ9T (=CCTCC AB2021029T=KCTC 82788T).
Extraction-free protocol combining Proteinase K and heat inactivation for detection of SARS-CoV-2 by RT-qPCR
Authors: Genoud Valeria , Stortz Martin , Waisman Ariel , Berardino Bruno G. , Verneri Paula , Dansey Virginia , Salvatori Melina , Lenicov Federico Remes , Levi Valeria
Published: February 2022

Real-time reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) is the gold-standard technique for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) detection in nasopharyngeal swabs specimens. The analysis by RT-qPCR usually requires a previous extraction step to obtain the purified viral RNA. Unfortunately, RNA extraction constitutes a bottleneck for early detection in many countries since it is expensive, time-consuming and depends on the availability of commercial kits. Here, we describe an extraction-free protocol for SARS-CoV-2 detection by RT-qPCR from nasopharyngeal swab clinical samples in saline solution. The method includes a treatment with proteinase K followed by heat inactivation (PK+HID method). We demonstrate that PK+HID improves the RT- qPCR performance in comparison to the heat-inactivation procedure. Moreover, we show that this extraction-free protocol can be combined with a variety of multiplexing RT-qPCR kits. The method combined with a multiplexing detection kit targeting N and ORF1ab viral genes showed a sensitivity of 0.99 and a specificity of 0.99 from the analysis of 106 positive and 106 negative clinical samples. In conclusion, PK+HID is a robust, fast and inexpensive procedure for extraction-free RT-qPCR determinations of SARS-CoV-2.
Longitudinal Trend Monitoring of Multiple Sclerosis Ambulation using Smartphones
Authors: Creagh Andrew P. , Dondelinger Frank , Lipsmeier Florian , Lindemann Michael , De Vos Maarten
Published: February 2022

Abstract

Goal

Smartphone and wearable devices may act as powerful tools to remotely monitor physical function in people with neurodegenerative and autoimmune diseases from out-of-clinic environments. Detection of progression onset or worsening of symptoms is especially important in people living with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) in order to enable optimally adapted therapeutic strategies. MS is a disease whose symptoms typically follow subtle and fluctuating disease courses, patient-to-patient, and over time. Current in-clinic assessments are often too infrequently administered to reflect longitudinal changes in MS impairment that impact daily life. This work, therefore, explores how smartphones can administer daily two-minute walking assessments to monitor PwMS physical function at home.

Methods

Remotely collected smartphone inertial sensor data was transformed through state-of-the-art Deep Convolutional Neural Networks, to estimate a participant’s daily ambulatory-related disease severity, longitudinally over a 24-week study.

Results

This study demonstrated that smartphone-based ambulatory severity outcomes could accurately estimate MS level of disability, as measured by the EDSS score (r2: 0.56,p <0.001). Furthermore, longitudinal severity outcomes were shown to accurately reflect individual participants’ level of disability over the study duration.

Conclusion

Smartphone-based assessments, that can be performed by patients from their home environments, could greatly augment standard in-clinic outcomes for neurodegenerative diseases. The ability to understand the impact of disease on daily-life between clinical visits, through objective digital outcomes, paves the way forward to better measure and identify signs of disease progression that may be occurring out-of-clinic, to monitor how different patients respond to various treatments, and to ultimately enable the development of better, and more personalised care.
Functional unit and regulatory mechanisms of supergene in female-limited Batesian mimicry ofPapilio polytes
Authors: Komata Shinya , Yoda Shinichi , KonDo Yûsuke , Shinozaki Souta , Tamai Kouki , Fujiwara Haruhiko
Published: February 2022

Supergenes are sets of genes and genetic elements that are inherited like a single gene and control complex adaptive traits, but their functional roles and units are poorly understood. InPapilio polytes, female-limited Batesian mimicry is thought to be regulated by a ~130kb inversion region (highly diversified region: HDR) containing three genes,UXT,U3Xanddoublesex(dsx) which switches non-mimetic and mimetic types. To determine the functional unit, we here performed electroporation-mediated RNAi analyses (and further Crispr/Cas9 forUXT) of genes within and flanking the HDR in pupal hindwings. We first clarified that non-mimeticdsx-hhad a function to switch from male to non-mimetic female and onlydsx-Hisoform 3 had an important function in the formation of mimetic traits. Next, we found thatUXTwas involved in making mimetic type pale-yellow spots and adjacent genesir2removed excess red spots in hindwings, both of which refine more elaborate mimicry. Furthermore, downstream gene networks ofdsx, U3XandUXTscreened by RNA sequencing showed thatU3Xupregulateddsxexpression and repressedUXTexpression. These findings demonstrate that a set of multiple genes, not only inside but also flanking HDR, can function as supergene members, which extends the definition of supergene unit than we considered before. Also, our results indicate thatdsx-Hfunctions as the switching gene and some other genes such asUXTandsir2within the supergene unit work as the modifier gene.

Article summary

Supergenes are thought to control complex adaptive traits, but their detailed function are poorly understood. InPapilio polytes, female-limited Batesian mimicry is regulated by an ~130kb inversion region (highly divergent region: HDR) containing three genes. Our functional analysis showed thatdoublesexswitches the mimicry polymorphism, and that an inside geneUXTand an outside genesir2to the HDR work to refine more elaborate mimicry. We here succeed in defining the unit of mimicry supergene and some novel modifier genes.
Mucosal Immunization of Cynomolgus Macaques with Adenoviral Vector Vaccine Elicits Neutralizing Nasal and Serum Antibody to Several SARS-CoV-2 Variants
Authors: Flitter Becca A. , Lester Colin A. , Tedjakusuma Sarah N. , Dora Emery G. , Peinovich Nadine , Cortese Mario , Martinez Clarissa I. , Jegede Clara B. , Neuhaus Elena D. , Tucker Sean N.
Published: February 2022

The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants continues to be a major obstacle for controlling the global pandemic. Despite the currently authorized SARS-CoV-2 vaccines ability to reduce severe disease and hospitalization, new immunization strategies are needed that enhance mucosal immune responses, inhibit community transmission, and provide protection against emerging variants. We have developed a mucosally delivered, non-replicating recombinant adenovirus vector (rAd5) vaccine, that has proven efficacy in the clinic against other respiratory viruses [1]. Here we evaluated the immunogenicity of three candidate SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in cynomolgus macaques that contained spike (S) and/or nucleocapsid (N) from either the Wuhan or the beta variant to select a candidate for future clinical development. Mucosal immunization with the Wuhan specific S vaccine (ED90) induced significant cross-reactive serum IgG responses against to Wuhan, beta, gamma and delta lineages, and generated substantial serum neutralizing activity. In nasal samples, ED90 immunization induced 1000-fold increases in IgA to all variants of concern tested and had neutralizing activity against Wuhan and delta. While immunization with the beta specific vaccine (ED94) enhanced IgG and IgA responses to homologous beta variant S and RBD, this approach resulted in less cross-reactive responses to other variants in the serum and nasal passages compared to ED90. As ED90 immunization induced the most robust cross-reactive systemic and mucosal antibody responses, this candidate was chosen for future clinical development.
222-nm far UVC exposure results in DNA damage and transcriptional changes to mammalian cells
Authors: Ong Qunxiang , Wee Winson , Cruz Joshua Dela , Teo J. W. Ronnie , Han Weiping
Published: February 2022

Ultraviolet (UV) germicidal tools have recently gained attention as a disinfection strategy against the COVID-19 pandemic but the safety profile arising from their exposure have been controversial and impeded larger scale implementation. We compare the emerging 222-nm far UVC and 277-nm UVC LED disinfection modules with the traditional UVC mercury lamp emitting at 254 nm to understand their effects on human retinal cell line ARPE-19 and HEK-A keratinocytes. Cells illuminated with 222-nm far UVC survived while those treated with 254-nm and 277-nm wavelengths underwent apoptosis via JNK/ATF2 pathway. However, cells exposed to 222-nm far UVC presented the highest degree of DNA damage as evidenced by yH2AX staining. Globally, these cells presented transcriptional changes in cell cycle and senescence pathways. Thus, the introduction of 222-nm far UVC lamps for disinfection purposes should be carefully considered and designed with the inherent dangers involved.
Phylogenetic Network Dissimilarity Measures That Take Branch Lengths Into Account
Authors: Yakici Berk A. , Ogilvie Huw A. , Nakhleh Luay
Published: February 2022

Dissimilarity measures for phylogenetic trees have long been used for analyzing inferred trees and understanding the performance of phylogenetic methods. Given their importance, a wide array of such measures have been developed, some of which are based on the tree topologies alone, and others that also take branch lengths into account. Similarly, a number of dissimilarity measures of phylogenetic networks have been developed in the last two decades. However, to the best of our knowledge, all these measures are based solely on the topologies of phylogenetic networks and ignore branch lengths. In this paper, we propose two phylogenetic network dissimilarity measures that take both topology and branch lengths into account. We demonstrate the behavior of these two measures on pairs of related networks. Furthermore, we show how these measures can be used to cluster a set of phylogenetic networks obtained by an inference method, illustrating this application on the posterior sample of phylogenetic networks. Both measures are implemented in the publicly available software package PhyloNet.
Feasibility of a novel non-invasive swab technique for serial whole-exome sequencing of cervical tumors during chemoradiation therapy
Authors: Bronk Julianna K. , Kapadia Chiraag , Wu Xiaogang , Chapman Bhavana V. , Wang Rui , Karpinets Tatiana V. , Song Xingzhi , Futreal Andrew M. , Zhang Jianhua , Klopp Ann H. , Colbert Lauren E.
Published: February 2022

Background

Clinically relevant genetic predictors of radiation response for cervical cancer are understudied due to the morbidity of repeat invasive biopsies required to obtain genetic material. Thus, we aimed to develop a novel noninvasive cervical swab technique to collect tumor DNA with adequate throughput to perform whole-exome sequencing (WES) at serial time points over the course of chemoradiation therapy (CRT).

Methods

Cervical cancer tumor samples from patients undergoing chemoradiation were collected at baseline, at week 1, week 3, and at the completion of CRT (week 5) using a noninvasive swab-based biopsy technique. Swab samples were analyzed with whole-exome sequencing (WES) with mutation calling using a custom pipeline optimized for shallow whole-exome sequencing with low tumor purity. Tumor mutation changes over the course of treatment were profiled.

Results

217 samples were collected and successfully sequenced for 70 patients. A total of 33 patients had a complete set of samples at all four time points. The mean mapping rate was 98% for all samples, and the mean target coverage was 180. Overall mutation frequency decreased during CRT with disease response but mapping rate and mean target coverage remained at >98% and >180 reads at week 5.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates the feasibility and application of a noninvasive swab-based technique for WES analysis to investigate dynamic tumor mutational changes during treatment and may be a valuable approach to identify novel genes which confer radiation resistance.
Somatostatin Neurons in the Bed Nucleus of the Stria Terminalis Play a Sex-Dependent Role in Binge Drinking
Authors: Nair Malini Suresh , Dao Nigel C. , Melean Daniela Lopez , Griffith Keith R. , Starnes W. David , Moyer J. Brody , Sicher Avery R. , Brockway Dakota F. , Meeks Kathleen D. , Crowley Nicole A
Published: February 2022

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is characterized by alcohol use coupled with chronic relapse and involves brain regions including the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST). Here, we explore whether a subpopulation of BNST neurons, somatostatin (SST) expressing GABAergic neurons, play a role in an animal model of binge-like alcohol consumption, the Drinking in the Dark (DID) model. Chemogenetic activation of BNST SST neurons reduced binge alcohol consumption in female but not male SST-Cre mice, while inhibition of these neurons in the same mice had no effect. In addition, chemogenetic activation of these neurons did not cause apparent changes in models of anxiety-like behavior in either sex. Basal SST cell counts and intrinsic excitability of SST neurons were compared to attempt to understand sex differences in DREADD-induced changes in drinking, and while males had a greater number of BNST SST neurons, this effect went away when normalizing for total BNST volume. Together, these results suggest SST neurons in the BNST should be further explored as a potential neuronal subtype modulated by AUD, and for their therapeutic potential.

HIGHLIGHTS

Chemogenetic activation of BNST SST neurons reduces binge drinking in female but not male mice

Chemogenetic activation of these neurons has no effect on anxiety-like behavior in either sex

Electrophysiology revealed no clear sex differences in intrinsic excitability BNST SST neurons between males and females

Imaging revealed males had greater overall BNST SST cell numbers than females, but this effect could be explained by normalizing for total BNST volume
A novel analgesic pathway from parvocellular oxytocin neurons to the periaqueductal gray
Authors: Iwasaki Mai , Lefevre Arthur , Althammer Ferdinand , Łąpieś Olga , Hilfiger Louis , Kerspern Damien , Melchior Meggane , Küppers Stephanie , Krablicher Quirin , Patwell Ryan , Herpertz Sabine C , Ditzen Beate , Schönig Kai , Bartsch Dusan , Stern Javier E. , Darbon Pascal , Grinevich Valery , Charlet Alexandre
Published: February 2022

The hypothalamic neuropeptide, oxytocin (OT), exerts prominent analgesic effects via central and peripheral action. Here we discovered a novel subset of OT neurons whose projections preferentially terminate on OT receptor (OTR)-expressing neurons in the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vlPAG). Using a newly generated line of transgenic rats (OTR-IRES-Cre), we determined that most of the vlPAG OTR expressing cells being targeted by OT projections are GABAergic in nature. Both optogenetically-evoked axonal OT release in the vlPAG as well as chemogenetic activation of OTR vlPAG neurons results in a long-lasting overall increase of vlPAG neuronal activity. This then leads to an indirect suppression of sensory neuron activity in the spinal cord and strong analgesia. Finally, we describe a novel OT→vlPAG→spinal cord circuit that seems critical for analgesia in the context of both inflammatory and neuropathic pain.

Highlights

- We generated a new transgenic knock-in rat line (OTR-IRES-Cre)

- A distinct parvOT neuronal population projects to vlPAG but not the SON or spinal cord

- OT excites vlPAG OTR neurons which indirectly inhibit SC WDR neurons

- This novel parvOT→vlPAG→SC pathway alleviates nociception but not the affective component of pain
Extracellular RNA signatures of mutant KRAS(G12C) lung adenocarcinoma cells
Authors: Khojah Reem , Reggiardo Roman E. , Ozen Mehmet , Maroli Sreelakshmi Velandi , Carrillo David , Demirci Utkan , Kim Daniel H.
Published: February 2022

Extracellular RNAs (exRNAs) are actively secreted from cells in membrane-bound extracellular vesicles (EVs). Diverse classes of RNAs are secreted as exRNAs, including messenger RNAs (mRNAs), long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), and transposable element RNAs (TE RNAs). However, the full composition and clinical utility of exRNAs secreted in response to oncogenic signaling are unknown. Here we use both affinity- and nanofiltration-based EV isolation approaches to show that mutant KRAS(G12C) signaling results in the secretion of specific lncRNAs, TE RNAs, and mRNAs, some of which are prognostic for lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) patient survival. We found that inhibition of KRAS(G12C) signaling broadly reprograms the noncoding transcriptome, as evidenced by a substantial increase in TE RNA secretion. KRAS(G12C) inhibition also increased the abundance of secreted lncRNAs and retained intron-containing transcripts, while decreasing the mRNA content of EVs. Oncogenic KRAS(G12C) signaling was required for the secretion of mRNAs from a set of 20 genes that are significantly associated with unfavorable clinical outcomes in LUAD. Our study suggests that both coding and noncoding RNAs that are secreted in EVs may serve as KRAS(G12C)-specific signatures for diagnosing lung cancer.
Actin turnover protects the cytokinetic contractile ring from structural instability
Authors: McDargh Zachary , Zhu Tianyi , Zhu Hongkang , O’Shaughnessy Ben
Published: February 2022

In common with other actomyosin contractile cellular machineries, actin turnover is required for normal function of the cytokinetic contractile ring. Cofilin is an actin-binding protein contributing to turnover by severing actin filaments, required for cytokinesis by many organisms. In fission yeast cofilin mutants, contractile rings suffer bridging instabilities in which actin bundles peel away from the plasma membrane into straight bridges. The origin of this behaviour is unclear. Here we used molecularly explicit simulations of the fission yeast contractile ring to examine the role of cofilin. Simulations reproduced the experimentally observed cycles of bridging and reassembly during constriction, each lasting ∼ 6 min, and the tendency for bridging to occur in ring segments with low myosin II Myo2 density. The lack of cofilin severing produced ∼ 2-fold longer filaments and, consequently, ∼ 2-fold higher ring tensions. Simulations identified bridging as originating in the boosted ring tension, which increased centripetal forces that detached actin from Myo2 that anchored actin to the membrane. Thus, cofilin serves a critical role in cytokinesis by protecting the contractile ring from bridging, the principal structural threat.

Summary statement

Molecularly explicit simulations showed that cofilin-mediated actin severing protects the fission yeast cytokinetic contractile ring from instabilities in which actin peels away into straight bridges.
The relationship between board characteristics and social responsibility with firm innovation
Authors: Shafeeq Nimr Al-Maliki Hind , Salehi Mahdi , Kardan Behzad
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The present study aims to assess the potential impacts of board members' characteristics, including connectedness and independence, on the level of the firm's involvement in innovation and corporate social responsibility (CSR).

Design/methodology/approach

Variables of board members' interlock and independence are selected for measuring the board characteristics and their association with innovation. The range of disclosure of social responsibility (SR) of the firms inside and outside the industries is also analyzed through descriptive-correlational. The selected sample includes 280 firm-years listed firms on Iraq Stock Exchange during 2012–2017 and 1,026 firm-years on the Tehran Stock Exchange. The hypotheses are examined using multivariate regression models and panel data.

Findings

The observations show that board interlock and independence in both countries are willing to improve firms' innovation. Moreover, having controlled the industry index, the authors find that business environment innovation is willing to be transmitted into the firms through outside industry sources in Iran. In the Iraq country, regardless of industry index, the positive association between interlocked boards and firm innovation is established. Further analyses also articulate that board interlock is not considered a mechanism to transmit information and experiences about CSR activities.

Originality/value

This paper is a pioneer study to assess the relationship between board member characteristics and the firms' innovation and SR both in Iran and Iraq. Also, it extends the literature by considering the industry index as a significant source of knowledge and experience to gain more precise results. Therefore, the current paper may contribute to the development of knowledge in this field of study.
Quality-driven university curriculum reform in Zimbabwe: a critical conceptualisation of harmonised minimum bodies of knowledge
Authors: Phuthi Nduduzo
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The surging demand for higher education in Africa for expedited socio-economic growth and global sustainable development demands customising gains made elsewhere for local benefit through quality provision. This study contributes to local and international discourses on the refinement of results-based university learning content determination on the lines of the Bologna Process, and advocates the development of situationally relevant curricula for successful national advancement in Zimbabwe.

Design/methodology/approach

The qualitative study uses records and documentary analysis, interviews and meetings with key participants involved in shaping academic processes at one of the country's young and fragile universities. The introspective research approach enabled the cumulative experiential and reflective contributions of participants to shape both the dialogue and follow-up action on the adoption of minimum bodies of knowledge in university curriculum reform.

Findings

Participants celebrated efforts to pit harmonisation alongside autonomy in academic discourses, and suggested improvements on the mechanisms to define policy and operational frameworks for diversely-oriented academic establishments. They lauded and interrogated the discourse around minimum bodies of knowledge, calling for further critical research and analysis for defining clarity on its harmonisation function.

Originality/value

This paper traverses the rapidly expanding Zimbabwe higher education system's endeavours to regulate mandates and operations, in pursuit of relevance, quality and excellence and examines stakeholder efforts at determining streamlined university curricula. It contributes uniquely to collective regulation of multiple institutions towards quality academic agendas that underpin the life-long competences of the institutions' graduates.
Joint market participation choices of smallholder farmers and households’ welfare: evidence from Senegal
Authors: Camara Alhassane , Goundan Anatole , Henning Christian , Savard Luc , Beye Assane
Published: February 2022

Purpose

There is much evidence in the literature showing the benefits of input market participation on farmers’ welfare. The same is true for participation in marketing. However, there are very few studies on the expected benefit of input market participation and marketing. This study fills this gap by examining the issue in the Senegalese context for food and cash crops.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors estimate a multinomial endogenous switching regression using a highly detailed 2017 agricultural survey in Senegal. They first identify factors that shape farmers’ decision to participate in the input market and marketing and then assess the impact of market participation choices on farmers’ profits.

Findings

The results show that the most profitable market participation regime depends on the crop under consideration. For food crops, joint participation in markets maximizes profit per hectare, while for groundnuts, the main cash crop in Senegal, participation in the input market is not necessary to maximize farm profit.

Research limitations/implications

Using panel data would improve the quality of estimations (time-variant effects) and help to consider the role of risk in output and input markets.

Originality/value

This paper helps to characterize different profiles of farmers based on their market participation and crop choices and provide policymakers with recommendations for maximizing farmers’ profit.
Patterns of export shipments
Authors: Yang Xuebing
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This paper studies the frequency and the average size of export shipments at the firm–product–destination level.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper sets up a theoretical model about the shipping frequency and the shipment size of exports to a given market from individual exporters. Then it confronts the predictions of the model with trade data.

Findings

This paper shows that patterns of export shipments are determined by (1) a product's export potential in a market, which is the exports revenue when the firm delivers the exports of the product to the market in a single shipment in each period; and (2) factors related to the firm's efficiency of managing shipments of the product exported to the market.

Originality/value

This paper reveals some important patterns of export shipments. It provides a theoretical model that explains the patterns.
How human resource managers can prevent perceived pandemic threats from escalating into diminished change-oriented voluntarism
Authors: De Clercq Dirk , Pereira Renato
Published: February 2022

Purpose

For human resource (HR) managers, the harmful outcomes of employees’ ruminations about external crises, such as a pandemic, represent important, timely concerns. This research postulates that employees’ perceptions of pandemic threats might diminish the extent to which they engage in change-oriented voluntarism at work. This negative connection may be attenuated by employees’ access to two personal (work-related self-efficacy and organization-based self-esteem) and two relational (goal congruence and interpersonal harmony) resources.

Design/methodology/approach

The theoretical predictions are tested with survey data collected among employees who work in a banking organization in Portugal.

Findings

Persistent negative thoughts about a pandemic undermine discretionary efforts to alter and enhance the organizational status quo, but this detrimental effect is mitigated when employees (1) feel confident about their work-related abilities, (2) have a positive self-image about their organizational functioning, (3) share a common mindset with coworkers with respect to work goals and (4) maintain harmonious relationships with coworkers.

Practical implications

This study pinpoints several ways HR managers can reduce the danger that employees’ worries about life-threatening crises may lead to complacent responses that, somewhat paradoxically, might undermine their ability to alleviate the suffered hardships.

Originality/value

The findings contribute to research on the impact of external crisis situations on organizations by providing an explanation of why employees may avoid productive, disruptive work activities, contingent on their access to complementary resources.
Evaluation of wood gap fillers composed of microcrystalline cellulose, paper pulp, and glass microballoons
Authors: Montaser Ebtehal Mahmoud , El Hadidi Nesrin M.N. , Abo Elenen Amin Enas
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to provide a deeper understanding of using filling materials that are used to fill gaps in wooden objects, and their response to changes in the surrounding environment to evaluate wood gap fillers and choose the best material. As a wide variety of materials, but most of them were unsuitable for filler mixtures. Specific materials were used, which can adapt to changes in wood size in response to changes in humidity. This research discusses the results of experiments that were conducted to determine how gap fillers composed of glass microballoons, microcrystalline cellulose and paper pulp fills are mixed with Klucel G, Paraloid B-72 and methyl cellulose as binders, and respond in various conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

It requires using several scientific and analytical techniques to provide a deeper understanding of filling materials characterization, dimensional stability, their shrinkage and study mechanical properties.

Findings

The analytical study of filling gaps in wooden objects with different filling materials allowed defining that the main drawbacks of the examined gap fillers were low water resistance, poor dimensional stability upon drying, or exposure to water vapor or liquid water, and fragility. Two types of gap fillers with high mechanical properties and pH values similar to those of wood were found to be appropriate for application on wooden archaeological artifacts.

Originality/value

The importance of the experimental study was to determine suitable filling materials and provide the basic characteristics of filling materials reversibility, workability, dimensional stability, lack of shrinkage, drying, ability to take color and be shaped, stability with aging, compatibility with wood in terms of behavior with changing humidity and non-toxicity. Also, strength properties or their likelihood to deform easily allowing changes in the shape of the wooden object during the movement of wood, either of which may be desirable in specific circumstances.
Caught in a trap? Financial Fair Play Regulations and the case of Scottish football
Authors: Maclean Finlay , Cordina Renzo , Gannon Martin J.
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the Union of European Football Associations’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) Regulations in the context of the European football industry. This study seeks to explore whether these regulations are perceived by member organisations as contributing to the creation of a “poverty trap”. To do so, this study turns towards what are traditionally perceived as smaller clubs operating in smaller member associations and, in doing so, explores whether the regulations limiting benefactor payments are suitable for smaller leagues.

Design/methodology/approach

In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with key individuals involved in the management of Scottish football clubs. The Scottish context was chosen because of the disparity in revenues amongst competing teams and the limited broadcasting revenues achieved in comparison to some other European member associations.

Findings

FFP Regulations are perceived to be an effective tool for monitoring clubs and ensuring financial stability. However, the findings suggest that participants believe that these regulations consolidate the financial position of larger teams who rely on broadcasting and extant brand power for revenue generation. Further, smaller leagues demonstrate a lesser reliance on benefactor payments, and therefore, the restriction on benefactor payments inherent within FFP Regulations is posited by participants as holding little consequence and/or relevance within the Scottish football context.

Originality/value

Most prior studies on FFP Regulations have focused on generating quantitative insight into the application of FFP Regulations in large, resource-rich European football leagues. Through a qualitative approach, this study provides nascent exploratory insight into FFP Regulations from the perspective of smaller leagues.
Performance of open government data in a developing economy: a multi-stakeholder case analysis of Ghana
Authors: Bankuoru Egala Sulemana , Afful-Dadzie Eric
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This study uses the technology fit–viability theory to study the performance of one of the early pioneers of open government data (OGD) in Africa. The study aims to investigate the task and technology fit, as well as the economic, IT infrastructure and organisational viability as performance measures for the Ghana Open Government Data (GOGD) initiative.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted a qualitative approach by interviewing key actors within the GOGD ecosystem, namely, the OGD implementing body, data suppliers and data users. The results were compared with established OGD best practices and standards around the world.

Findings

The results suggest that Ghana’s OGD architecture appears far from meeting its fit and viability goals because of lacklustre performance attributed to the following factors: a complete lack of synergy among various stakeholder groups and actors in the GOGD ecosystem, a lack of sustainable financial support for the implementing body, a shortage of qualified staff for the GOGD project and partial neglect of GOGD as a consequence of the implementation of a new project called eTransform.

Research limitations/implications

This research is limited to Ghana’s OGD initiative. Perhaps, a comparative study on the performance of other OGD initiatives in Africa and other developed countries will present another view of how OGD initiatives are performing across the globe. Again, the number of interviewees in the study may not be sufficient to generalise the results.

Practical implications

The study guides developing economies on how to examine national and international legal frameworks that have consequences on the usage of OGD at the national and sub-national levels. Besides, the study results will help implementing agencies and by extension government to be wary of the consequences of neglecting relevant stakeholders in the implementation process. The study also emphasizes on the need for developing economies to have sustainable funding and technical support for OGD implementation.

Social implications

The study helps shape citizens’ understanding of what the government is doing pursuant to making data readily available for them. Because OGD spurs innovations, citizens’ continuous involvement is key in the process of realising government drive to be open and accountable to citizens through data.

Originality/value

This research is the first, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, to present a retrospective and prospective view of a country’s OGD implementation to ascertain the country’s fit and viability. More uniquely, this study will be the first, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, in assessing the performance of OGD setup in Africa.
Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome: A 6‐year audit of adult presentations to an urban district hospital
Authors: Rotella Joe A , Ferretti Olivia G , Raisi Elham , Seet Hao Rui , Sarkar Soham
Published: February 2022

Objective

To describe the local experience of adult patients presenting with cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) to an urban ED in the outer northern suburbs of Melbourne.

Methods

Retrospective chart review of adult patients presenting to the ED with a documented history of CHS or equivalent terminology from January 2015 to January 2021. Age, sex, cannabis use, clinical features, pathology results, imaging and symptomatic management were examined as well as outcomes regarding disposition, representation, morbidity and mortality.

Results

One hundred and forty‐two adult presentations were included. Sixty‐seven were unique presentations and 29 were patients who represented during the study period. Most represented within 3 months (37.8%) and most represented at least twice. Males were overrepresented (68.7%). Patients were young (median age 31 years, interquartile range 23–35 years) and all had a history of regular cannabis use (usually daily). Cyclical nausea and/or vomiting was the most common clinical feature compared to others in previously reported diagnostic criteria. Patients typically had elevated white cell counts with associated neutrophilia (75.8%) and mild hypokalaemia (57.9%). Lipase was not elevated, and C‐reactive protein was typically less than 50 mmol/L (98.2%). Imaging was not commonly performed but largely normal. Treatment was supportive with anti‐emetic use, intravenous fluids and analgesia. There were no deaths or admissions to intensive care.

Conclusions

Cyclical nausea and vomiting was the most common feature observed in this cohort compared to other clinical features reported in prior studies. Serum lipase was normal and C‐reactive protein only mildly elevated. Prospective studies are required to further assess these findings.
A standard hemodialysis prescription to prevent osmotic demyelination in hyponatremic patients requiring dialysis
Authors: Koc Neriman Sila , Yildirim Tolga , Girgin Sinem , Onal Ceren , Tahillioglu Yagmur , Yilmaz Rahmi , Arici Mustafa , Altun Bulent , Erdem Yunus
Published: February 2022

Introduction

We aimed to investigate the effect of a standard hemodialysis prescription in hyponatremic patients requiring hemodialysis on the development of osmotic demyelination syndrome.

Methods

Ninety‐nine patients who were treated with hemodialysis for the first time and had a pre‐dialysis sodium value of ≤125 meq/L included in the study. Standard hemodialysis treatment was applied to all patients. Biochemical data before, immediately after and 24 h after hemodialysis were recorded retrospectively. All patients followed up for 2 weeks and magnetic resonance imaging was performed in patients with neurological symptoms.

Results

Eight patients had a sodium increase of more than 12 meq/L at 24‐h after hemodialysis. Although hyponatremia was corrected rapidly with hemodialysis, none of the 99 azotemic patients developed osmotic demyelination syndrome.

Conclusion

We did not observe osmotic demyelination syndrome in hyponatremic patients with azotemia treated with standard protocol hemodialysis. However, caution should still be exercised in high‐risk patients for osmotic demyelination.
DNA barcodes highlight genetic diversity patterns in rodents from lowland desert and Andean areas in Argentina
Authors: Ojeda Agustina Alejandra , Novillo Agustina , Lanzone Cecilia , Rodríguez María Daniela , Cuevas Maria Fernanda , Jayat Jorge Pablo , Teta Pablo , Ojeda Ricardo Alberto , Borisenko Alex
Published: February 2022

Rodents are an important component of South America fauna. Their high diversity has motivated researchers to continually review their taxonomy, genetic diversity, species limits, and phylogenetic relationships. Here, we applied DNA‐barcodes for assessing the taxonomic and genetic diversity in the two major lineages of South American rodents: caviomorphs and sigmodontines. We analysed 335 COI barcodes in 34 morphologically determined species from 39 localities along central Andes and arid lands of Argentina. Neighbour‐joining and maximum likelihood reconstruction provided clear separation between species. The Barcode Index number and Bayesian Poisson tree processes were used to confirm concordance between sequence clusters and species designations by taxonomy. We found deep divergence within thePhyllotis xanthopygusspecies complex, with distances up to 13.0% between geographically separated lineages. Minor divergences (3.30% and 2.52%) were found withinAbrothrix hirta, andTympanoctomys barrerae, respectively, with differentiation in their genetic lineages. Also, we documented geographically separated clusters forAkodon spegazziniiandA. oenoswith up to 2.3% divergence, but clustering methods failed to distinguish them as different species. Sequence results show a clear barcode gap with a mean intraspecific divergence (0.56%) versus a minimum nearest‐neighbour distance averaging (10.1%). Distances between congeneric species varied from 4.1 to 14%, with the exception of two related forms withinEuneomysand the sister speciesAkodon spegazziniiandA. oenos. This study constitutes a substantial contribution to the global barcode reference library. It provides insights into the complex phylogeographic patterns and speciation scenarios in rodents, while highlighting areas that require in‐depth taxonomic and integrative research.
Competition in network industries: Evidence from the Rwandan mobile phone network
Authors: Björkegren Daniel
Published: February 2022

This article analyzes the potential for competition policy to affect welfare and investment in a network industry. When a network is split between competitors, each internalizes less network effects, but may still invest to steal customers. I structurally estimate consumers' utility from adopting and using mobile phones, with transaction data from nearly the entire Rwandan network. I simulate the equilibrium choices of consumers and network operators. Adding a competitor earlier could have reduced prices and increased incentives to invest in rural towers, increasing welfare by the equivalent of 1% of GDP. However, forcing free interconnection can lower incentives to invest.
Carbon metabolism and adaptation of hyperalkaliphilic microbes in serpentinizing spring of Manleluag, the Philippines
Authors: Wang Yong , Li Wenli , Baker Brett J. , Zhou Yingli , He Lisheng , Danchin Antoine , Li Qingmei , Gao Zhaoming
Published: February 2022

Reduced substrates produced by the serpentinization reaction under hydration of olivine may have fuelled biological processes on early Earth. To understand the adaptive strategies and carbon metabolism of the microbes in the serpentinizing ecosystems, we reconstructed 18 draft genomes representing dominant species of Omnitrophicaeota, Gammaproteobacteria and Methanobacteria from the Manleluag serpentinizing spring in Zambales, Philippines (hyperalkaline and rich in methane and hydrogen). Phylogenomics revealed that two genomes were affiliated with a candidate phylum NPL‐UPA2 and the references of all our genomes were derived from ground waters, hot springs and the deep biosphere. C1 metabolism appears to be widespread as most of the genomes code for methanogenesis, CO oxidation and CO2 fixation. However, likely due to the low CO2 concentration and election acceptors, the biomass in the spring was extremely low (<103 cell/ml). Various Na+ and K+ transporters and Na+‐driving ATPases appear to be encoded by these genomes, suggesting that nutrient acquisition, bioenergetics and normal cytoplasmic pH were dependent on Na+ and K+ pumps. Our results advance our understanding of the metabolic potentials and bioenergetics of serpentinizing springs and provide a framework of the ecology of early Earth.
Inflammation in first‐episode psychosis: The contribution of inflammatory biomarkers to the emergence of negative symptoms, a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Dunleavy Connor , Elsworthy Richard J. , Upthegrove Rachel , Wood Stephen J. , Aldred Sarah
Published: February 2022

Objective

To provide a comprehensive analysis of cytokine perturbations in antipsychotic‐naïve first‐episode psychosis (FEP) populations and assess the relationship between inflammatory biomarkers and negative symptom severity.

Methods

A systematic review and meta‐analysis following PRISMA guidelines were conducted. A total of 1042 records were identified via systematic search of EMBASE, MEDLINE and APA PsycInfo databases. Sixteen studies met the inclusion criteria and were eligible for inclusion in the review. Ten of these studies had sufficient data for inclusion in a random effects, pooled‐effect meta‐analysis.

Results

A significant and large effect size was reported for IFN‐γ, IL‐6 and IL‐12, and a moderate effect size reported for IL‐17 (p = <0.05) in people with antipsychotic naive first episode psychosis, compared to healthy controls, suggesting a significant elevation in proinflammatory cytokine concentration. Non‐significant effect sizes were reported for TNF‐α, IL‐1β, IL‐2, IL‐4, IL‐8 and IL‐10 (p = >0.05). Regarding proinflammatory cytokines and relationships to negative symptomology, moderate positive relationships were reported for negative symptoms and IL‐1β, IL‐2, IL‐6 and TNF‐α, across four studies. For anti‐inflammatory cytokines, one strong and one weak‐to‐moderate negative relationship was described for IL‐10 and negative symptoms. Contrastingly, a strong positive relationship was reported for IL‐4 and negative symptoms.

Conclusion

There is evidence of significantly elevated proinflammatory cytokines in antipsychotic‐naïve FEP populations, alongside promising findings from cohort data suggesting an interaction between inflammation and primary negative symptomology. Future studies should seek to come to a consensus on a panel of cytokines that relate most specifically to negative symptoms, and consider longitudinal studies to investigate how cytokine fluctuations may relate to exacerbation of symptoms.
Medication‐related osteonecrosis of the jaws: a single centre, Far North Queensland case series
Authors: Smith S , Finn B , Goss AN
Published: February 2022

Medication‐related osteonecrosis of the jaws (MRONJ) is a painful debilitating condition which is considered rare in the medical literature available to prescribers. Dentists, however, are likely to trigger this condition through extractions and implants. Anecdotally MRONJ appears more common than first thought. This paper presents 13 cases of MRONJ diagnosed and treated by a single oral and maxillofacial surgeon based in Cairns, Far North Queensland, in a 2‐year period. The management of these cases is presented. The two cases where MRONJ resulted in the loss of dental implants are highlighted. © 2022 Australian Dental Association