bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
COVID-19 gender difference pattern in Iranian population compared to the global pattern; a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Rajabinejad Misagh , Asgarian-Omran Hossein
Published: May 2021

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has highlighted Sex-related immune responses. In this review, gender differences in seroprevalence, severity, mortality, and recovery in the Iranian population were systematically compared to the COVID-19 global pattern. This compressive meta-analysis was conducted on studies published up to April 1, 2021, examining seroprevalence in the general population as well as disease outcomes in hospitalized patients. Data were analyzed based on gender to determine differences between men and women in COVID-19. The PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, WOS, medRxiv, and bioRxiv were searched. The odds ratio (OR) was calculated based on the random-effects model, with a corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI), according to the number of participants reported in papers. Subgroup analyses were performed according to the age, antibody isotype, and detection assay. Overall, 61 studies with 225799 males and 237017 females were eligible for meta-analysis. Seroprevalence was 1.13 times higher (95% CI: 1.03, 1.24), mortality was 1.45 times higher (95% CI: 1.19, 1.77), and severity was up to 1.37 times higher (95% CI: 1.13, 1.67) in males than those of females in the general population across the globe. Mortality was higher in Iranian patients up to 26% in men (95% CI: 1.20, 1.33), but no significant difference was observed between disease severity and serum prevalence between men and women. Besides, the rate of recovery was 29% (global pattern) and 21% (Iran pattern) lower in males than in females. The results of subgroup analyses for seroprevalence were not significant for the age, antibody isotype, and detection methods. The results of our meta-analyses showed that the patient mortality and recovery patterns are similar in Iran and other countries in the context of gender differences, and the disease is more fatal in men.
Mating duration and prolonged post-copulatory associations in Arrenurus water mites (Actinotrichida: Parasitengonina: Hydrachnidiae)
Authors: Więcek Mariusz , Dabert Jacek , Proctor Heather
Published: May 2021

Conflicts of interest between the sexes over control of mating can be reflected in various aspects of morphology and behaviour, including structure of genitalia and copulation duration. In Arrenurus water mites (Hydrachnidia: Arrenuridae) there are two main patterns of sperm transfer that differ in degree of potential male control of sperm uptake by females. In some species, males are equipped with an intromittent organ (the ‘petiole’) that is used to forcefully insert sperm into the female reproductive tract. In others, males lack an intromittent organ and females appear to push sperm into their reproductive opening themselves. Theory suggests that the amount of time spent in courtship after sperm transfer should differ between males with and without an intromittent structure. We predicted that male Arrenurus able to push sperm into the female’s reproductive tract (petiolate males) should spend less time courting females after transferring sperm than apetiolate males, which may have to ‘convince’ females to take up their sperm. Here, we examined durations of mating for 10 species of Arrenurus with males that differ in genital morphology: six species with males equipped with a well developed petiole (= ‘petiolate’ species) and four species with males that either completely lack a petiole or have a minute peg-like petiole that does not appear to function as an intromittent organ (= ‘apetiolate’ species). We tested whether males of petiolate species spend less time in the stage of courtship that takes place after sperm transfer (= ‘post-transfer courtship’) than apetiolate males. In contrast to our prediction, we found that species with well developed petioles spent significantly more time in post-transfer behaviours than species lacking petioles. The possible function of protracted post-transfer courtship in the genus Arrenurus is discussed.
De novomutation rates at the single-mutation resolution in a humanHBBgene-region associated with adaptation and genetic disease
Authors: Melamed Daniel , Nov Yuval , Malik Assaf , Yakass Michael B. , Bolotin Evgeni , Shemer Revital , Hiadzi Edem K. , Skorecki Karl L. , Livnat Adi
Published: May 2021

While it is known that the mutation rate varies across the genome, previous estimates were based on averaging across various numbers of positions. Here we describe a method to measure the origination rates of target mutations at target base positions and apply it to a 6-bp region in the humanβ-globin (HBB) gene and to the identical, homologousδ-globin (HBD) region in sperm cells from both African and European donors. TheHBBregion of interest (ROI) includes the site of the hemoglobin S (HbS) mutation, which protects against malaria, is common in Africa and has served as a classic example of adaptation by random mutation and natural selection. We found a significant correspondence betweende novomutation rates and past observations of alleles in carriers, showing that mutation rates vary substantially in a mutation-specific manner that contributes to the site frequency spectrum. We also found that the overall point mutation rate is significantly higher in Africans than Europeans in theHBBregion studied. Finally, the rate of the 20A→T mutation, called the “HbS mutation” when it appears inHBB, is significantly higher than expected from the genome-wide average for this mutation type. Nine instances were observed in the AfricanHBBROI, where it is of adaptive significance, representing at least three independent originations, and no instances were observed in the EuropeanHBBROI or in the European or AfricanHBDROI. Further studies will be needed to examinede novomutation rates at the single-mutation resolution across these and other loci and organisms and to uncover the molecular mechanisms responsible.
SARS-CoV-2 spike protein unlikely to bind to integrins via the Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) motif of the Receptor Binding Domain: evidence from structural analysis and microscale accelerated molecular dynamics
Authors: Othman Houcemeddine , Messaoud Haifa Ben , Khamessi Oussema , Mabrouk Hazem Ben , Ghedira Kais , Bharuthram Avani , Treurnicht Florette , Achilonu Ikechukwu , Sayed Yasien , Srairi-Abid Najet
Published: May 2021

The Receptor Binding Domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 virus harbors a sequence of Arg-Gly-Asp tripeptide named RGD motif, which has also been identified in extracellular matrix proteins that bind integrins as well as other disintegrins and viruses. Accordingly, integrins have been proposed as host receptors for SARS-CoV-2. The hypothesis was supported by sequence and structural analysis. However, given that the microenvironment of the RGD motif imposes structural hindrance to the protein-protein association, the validity of this hypothesis is still uncertain. Here, we used normal mode analysis, accelerated molecular dynamics microscale simulation, and protein-protein docking to investigate the putative role of RGD motif of SARS-CoV-2 RBD for interacting with integrins. We found, by molecular dynamics, that neither RGD motif nore its microenvironment show any significant conformational shift in the RBD structure. Highly populated clusters were used to run a protein-protein docking against three RGD-binding integrin types, showing no capability of the RBD domain to interact with the RGD binding site. Moreover, the free energy landscape revealed that the RGD conformation within RBD could not acquire an optimal geometry to allow the interaction with integrins. Our results highlighted different structural features of the RGD motif that may prevent its involvement in the interaction with integrins. We, therefore, suggest, in the case where integrins are confirmed to be the direct host receptors for SARS-CoV-2, a possible involvement of other residues to stabilize the interaction.
Role of molecular polymorphism in defining tau filament structures in neurodegenerative diseases
Authors: Xiang Xinyu , Arakhamia Tamta , Carlomagno Yari , Dhingra Shikhar , Thierry Manon , DeTure Michael , Cook Casey N. , Dickson Dennis W. , Petrucelli Leonard , Fitzpatrick Anthony W. P.
Published: May 2021

Misfolding and aggregation of tau protein is implicated in many neurodegenerative diseases that are typified by the presence of large, filamentous tau inclusions. The aggregation of tau in human brain is disease-specific with characteristic filaments defining the neuropathology. An understanding of how identical tau isoforms aggregate into disparate filament morphologies in phenotypically distinct tau-related diseases remains elusive. Here, we determine the structure of a brain-derived twisted tau filament in progressive supranuclear palsy and compare it to a dissimilar tau fold found in corticobasal degeneration. While the tau filament core in both diseases is comprised of residues 274 to 380, molecular-level polymorphism exists. Potential origins of the molecular polymorphism, such as noncovalent cofactor binding, are identified and predicted to modulate tau filament structures in the brain.
The Nicotiana tabacum Mediator subunit MED25 regulates nicotine biosynthesis through interacting with the basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor NtMYC2s
Authors: Bai Ge , Li Yong , Yang Da-Hai , Pang Tao , Fan Zhi-Yong , Shu Jia-En , Fei Mingliang , Xiao Bingguang , Wang Zhen-Yu , Xie He
Published: May 2021

Nicotine is one of the most important secondary metabolites in tobacco, and its biosynthesis can be induced by topping and jasmonic acid treatment. NtMYC2s play pivotal roles in the regulation of nicotine. The mediator server as a bridge betwen the transcription factors and RNA polymerase in order to facilitates transcription and functions in plants. However, the role of mediator in the regulation of nicotine biosynthesis remains unknown. In this study, we firstly identify the NtMED25 through homologous analysis. NtMED25 interacts with NtMYC2s through the MD region. Interestingly, the nicotine content is decreased in the the knock-down transgenic lines of NtMED25, and the expression levels of two nicotine biosynthesis genes, NtQPT2 and NtPMT2, are also reduced when compared with that in the wild-type plants. Furthermore, NtMED25 enhances the binding of NtMYC2a/ NtMYC2b to the promoter of NtPMT2 and NtQPT2, and then facilitates the nicotine biosynthesis. Therefore, our study revealed the function of mediator in the regulation of nicotine, and provide the insight role on the transcriptional regulation of plant secondary metabolites.
Controllable drug release of pH-sensitive liposomes encapsulating artificial cytosol system
Authors: Zong Wei , Shao Xiaotong , Chai Yunhe , Wang Xiuwen , Han Shuang , Chu Hongtao , Zhu Chuntao , Zhang Xunan
Published: May 2021

The fabrication of cell model containing artificial cytosol is challenging. Herein we constructed an artificial cytosol contained cell model by electroformation method. Agarose was selected as the main component of the artificial cytosol. Sucrose was added into agarose to regulate the sol viscosity and phase transition temperature (Tm). The viscosity of the sol with the mass ratio (agarose-sucrose) 1:9 was closest to the natural cytosolic. DSPC/20 mol% Chol was used to form large unilamellar vesicle (LUV) as cell model compartment. The rhodamine release experiment confirmed that the release of rhodamine from LUVs containing artificial cytosol took more time than that from LUVs containing pure water. The unique release profile makes agarose-sucrose@LUVs suitable as a drug carrier. Doxorubicin (DOX) is loaded in the agarose-sucrose@LUVs, and their half maximum inhibition concentration on HeLa cells is 0.015 μmol L−1, which means 31.7 times increase in inhibition efficiency over free DOX.
Scelestial: fast and accurate single-cell lineage tree inference based on a Steiner tree approximation algorithm
Authors: Foroughmand-Araabi M.-H. , Goliaei S. , McHardy A. C.
Published: May 2021

Single-cell genome sequencing provides a highly granular view of biological systems but is affected by high error rates, allelic amplification bias, and uneven genome coverage. This creates a need for data-specific computational methods, for purposes such as for cell lineage tree inference. The objective of cell lineage tree reconstruction is to infer the evolutionary process that generated a set of observed cell genomes. Lineage trees may enable a better understanding of tumor formation and growth, as well as of organ development for healthy body cells. We describe a method, Scelestial, for lineage tree reconstruction from single-cell data, which is based on an approximation algorithm for the Steiner tree problem and is a generalization of the neighbor-joining method. We adapt the algorithm to efficiently select a limited subset of potential sequences as internal nodes, in the presence of missing values, and to minimize cost by lineage tree-based missing value imputation. In a comparison against seven state-of-the-art single-cell lineage tree reconstruction algorithms - BitPhylogeny, OncoNEM, SCITE, SiFit, SASC, SCIPhI, and SiCloneFit - on simulated and real single-cell tumor samples, Scelestial performed best at reconstructing trees in terms of accuracy and run time. Scelestial has been implemented in C++. It is also available as an R package named RScelestial.
Quantifying the Inhibitory Impact of Soluble Phenolics on Carbon Mineralization fromSphagnum-rich Peatlands
Authors: Cory Alexandra B. , Chanton Jeffrey P. , Spencer Robert G.M. , Rich Virginia I. , McCalley Carmody K. ,   IsoGenie Project Coordinators, Wilson Rachel M. ,   Scott R. Saleska, Patrick M. Crill, Gene W. Tyson, Ruth K. Varner, Matthew B. Sullivan, Steven Frolk
Published: May 2021

The mechanisms controlling the extraordinarily slow carbon (C) mineralization rates characteristic ofSphagnum-rich peatlands (“bogs”) remain somewhat elusive, despite decades of research on this topic. Soluble phenolic compounds have been invoked as potentially significant contributors to bog peat recalcitrance due to their affinity to slow microbial metabolism and cell growth. Despite this potentially significant role, the effects of soluble phenolic compounds on bog peat C mineralization remain unclear.

We analyzed this effect by manipulating the concentration of free soluble phenolics in anaerobic bog peat incubations using water-soluble polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), a compound that binds with and inactivates phenolics, preventing phenolic-enzyme interactions. CO2and CH4production rates (end-products of C mineralization) correlated positively with PVP concentration following Michaelis-Menten (M.M.) saturation functions. Using M.M. parameters, we determined that soluble phenolics inhibit, at minimum, 57 ± 16% of total C (CO2+CH4) mineralization in the anaerobic incubation conditions studied. These findings are consistent with other studies that have indicated that soluble phenolics play a significant role in regulating bog peat stability in the face of decomposition.
Bycatch mitigation could prevent strong changes in the ecological strategies of seabird communities across the globe
Authors: Richards Cerren , Cooke Robert S. C. , Bowler Diana E. , Boerder Kristina , Bates Amanda E.
Published: May 2021

Fisheries bycatch, the incidental mortality of non-target species, is a major threat to seabirds worldwide. Mitigating bycatch is an important factor to reduce seabird population declines and consequent changes in ocean trophic dynamics and ecosystem functioning. However, it remains an open question how and where mitigating bycatch at a global scale may conserve seabird traits and the ecological strategies that traits represent. Here we combine a dataset of species traits and distribution ranges for 341 seabirds with spatially resolved fishing effort data for gillnet, longline, trawl, and purse seine gears to: (1) understand spatial variation in seabird community traits; and (2) test whether mitigating fisheries bycatch may prevent shifts in traits of seabird communities and loss of ecological strategies. We find distinct spatial variation in the community weighted mean of five seabird traits (clutch size, body mass, generation length, foraging guild, and diet guild). Furthermore, our analysis suggests that successful bycatch mitigation could prevent strong shifts in the traits of seabird communities across the globe particularly in the North Atlantic and Southern Oceans. Specifically, changes in dominant foraging and diet guilds, and shifts towards communities with faster reproductive speeds (larger clutch sizes and shorter generation lengths) and smaller body masses could be avoided. Therefore, bycatch mitigation may have important indirect benefits for sustaining ecosystem functioning, as mediated by species traits. Incorporating species traits into management actions will provide valuable tools for marine spatial planning and when evaluating the success of conservation initiatives.
Efficient Hydrophilic Small Molecule Delivery To Retinal Cell Lines Using Solid Lipid Nanoparticle Containing Gel Core
Authors: Huang Li , Himawan Erico , Belhadj Soumaya , Pérez García Raúl Oswaldo , Durand François Paquet , Schipper Nicolaas , Buzgo Matej , Simaite Aiva , Marigo Valeria
Published: May 2021

In this study, we developed a novel solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN) formulation for drug delivery of small hydrophilic cargo to the retina. The new formulation, based on a gel core and composite shell, allowed up to two times increase in the encapsulation efficiency. The type of hydrophobic polyester used in the composite shell mixture affects the particle surface charge, colloidal stability, and cell internalization profile. We validated the SLN capability as a drug delivery system by performing encapsulation of a hydrophilic neuroprotective cyclic guanosine monophosphate analogue, previously demonstrated to hold retinoprotective properties, and the best formulation resulted in particles with size of ± 250nm, anionic charge > -20 mV, and an encapsulation efficiency value of ±60%, criteria that are suitable for retinal delivery. In vitro studies using ARPE-19 and 661W retinal cell lines revealed a relatively low SLN toxicity, even when high particle concentration was used. More importantly, SLN could be uptaken by the cells and the release of the hydrophilic cargo in the cytoplasm was visually demonstrated. These findings suggest that the newly developed SLN with a gel core and composite polymer/lipid shell holds all characteristics suitable for drug delivery of small hydrophilic active molecules into retinal cell.
Interactions between TULP3 tubby domain cargo site and ARL13B amphipathic helix promote lipidated protein transport to cilia
Authors: Palicharla Vivek Reddy , Hwang Sun-Hee , Somatilaka Bandarigoda N. , Badgandi Hemant B. , Legué Emilie , Tran Vanna M. , Woodruff Jeffrey B. , Liem Karel F. , Mukhopadhyay Saikat
Published: May 2021

The tubby family protein–TULP3 coordinates with the intraflagellar transport complex-A (IFT-A) in trafficking certain transmembrane proteins to cilia. These transmembrane cargoes have short motifs that are necessary and sufficient for TULP3-mediated trafficking. However, whether TULP3 regulates trafficking of membrane-associated proteins is not well understood. Here we show that TULP3 is required for transport of the atypical GTPase ARL13B into cilia, and for ciliary enrichment of ARL13B-dependent farnesylated and myristoylated proteins. ARL13B transport requires TULP3 binding to IFT-A core but not to phosphoinositides, unlike transmembrane cargo transport that requires binding to both by TULP3. A conserved lysine in TULP3’s tubby domain mediates direct ARL13B binding and trafficking of lipidated and transmembrane cargoes. An N-terminal amphipathic helix in ARL13B flanking the palmitoylation site mediates binding to TULP3 and directs trafficking to cilia even in absence of palmitoylation and RVxP sorting motif. Therefore, TULP3 transports transmembrane proteins and ARL13B into cilia by capture of short sequences through a shared tubby domain site.
Structural insight from intermolecular interactions and energy framework analyses of 2-substituted 6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-11H-pyrido[2,1-b]quinazolin-11-ones
Authors: Tojiboev Akmaljon G. , Elmuradov Burkhon Zh. , Mouhib Halima , Turgunov Kambarali K. , Abdurazakov Askar Sh. , Makhmadiyarova Charos E. , Tashkhodjaev Bakhodir , Mirzaev Sirojiddin Z.
Published: May 2021

The crystal structures of three mackinazolinone derivatives (2-amino-6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-11H-pyrido[2,1-b]quinazolin-11-one at room temperature, and 2-nitro-6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-11H-pyrido[2,1-b]quinazolin-11-one and N-(11-oxo-6,8,9,11-tetrahydro-7H-pyrido[2,1-b]quinazolin-2-yl)benzamide at 100 K) are explored using X-ray crystallography. To delineate the different intermolecular interactions and the respective interaction energies in the crystal architectures, energy framework analyses were carried out using the CE-B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) method implemented in the CrystalExplorer software. In the structures the different molecules are linked by C—H...O, C—H...N and N—H...O hydrogen bonds. Together with these hydrogen bonds, C—H...π and C—O...π interactions are involved in the formation of a three-dimensional crystal network. A Hirshfeld surface analysis allows the visualization of the two-dimensional fingerprint plots and the quantification of the contributions of H...H, H...C/C...H and H...O/O...H contacts throughout the different crystal structures. To obtain additional information on the intrinsic properties of our targets and to compare the experimental crystal structures with their respective conformations in the gas phase, quantum chemical calculations at the B3LYP-D3BJ/6-311++G(d,p) level of theory, including Grimme's D3 correction term and BJ damping functions, were carried out to account for intramolecular dispersion interactions. The identified energy gaps between the highest occupied and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals (HOMO–LUMO gap) of our targets in the gas phase and in two implicit solvents (methanol and dimethyl sulfoxide) allow us to quantify the impact of different substituents on the reactivity of mackinazolinone derivatives.
Bis(1-methylimidazole)[meso-α,α,α,α-tetrakis(o-nicotinamidophenyl)porphinato]iron(II)–1-methylimidazole–tetrahydrofuran (1/1/1.5)
Authors: Fan Yingying , Li Jianfeng
Published: May 2021

In the title compound, [FeII(C68H44N12O4)(C4H6N2)2]·C4H6N2·1.5C4H8O, the central FeII ion is coordinated by four pyrrole N atoms of the porphyrin core and two N atoms of the 1-methylimidazole ligands in the axial sites. One 1-methylimidazole and one and a half tetrahydrofuran solvent molecules are also present in the asymmetric unit. The complex exhibits a near planar porphyrin core conformation, in which the iron centre is slightly displaced towards the hindered porphyrin side (0.01 Å). The average Fe—Np (Np refers to the pyrrole nitrogen atoms in the porphyrin) bond length is 1.990 (9) Å, and the axial Fe—NIm (NIm refers to the imidazole nitrogen atoms) bond lengths are 1.993 (3) and 2.004 (3) Å. The dihedral angle between the two coordinated 1-methylimidazole planes is 56.6 (2)°. The dihedral angles between the 1-methylimidazole planes and the planes of the closest Fe—Np vector are 16.8 (2) and 39.8 (2)°. N—H...N and N—H...O interactions are observed in the crystal structure.
Do high-quality standards ensure higher accounting quality? A study in India
Authors: Bansal Manish , Garg Ashish
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The study aims to investigate the impact of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)-converged standards (Indian Accounting Standards (INAS)) on the accounting quality of Indian firms. The phased manner approach of implementing INAS provides us a unique setting to investigate the issue in India.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used difference-in-difference (DiD) methodology, where the accounting quality is compared between test firms and benchmark firms during the pre-and post-INAS adoption period. Accounting quality is operationalized through four different constructs, namely, earnings smoothing, discretionary accruals, earnings timeliness and value relevance of earnings.

Findings

The findings deduced from the empirical results demonstrate that accounting quality has been significantly reduced after the adoption of INAS. In particular, results show that the degree of earnings smoothing, and the magnitude of discretionary accruals have been increased among test firms in the post-adoption year. Besides, findings provide evidence that timely recognition of losses and value relevance of earnings has been reduced for test firms relative to benchmark firms after the adoption of INAS.

Practical implications

The results suggest that the mere adoption of high-quality standards does not ensure higher accounting quality in countries with a weaker enforcement mechanism. Hence, stringent enforcement mechanisms are needed to ensure full compliance with accounting standards. This study serves as a case study for other emerging countries that are in the process of IFRS convergence and make them aware of the unintended consequences of IFRS adoption.

Originality/value

Indian authorities implemented INAS in a phased manner that provides a unique setting to use DiD methodology. DiD helps to control the impact of concurrent economic shocks, while examining the impact of the particular regulatory shock. Besides, this is the first attempt to investigate the impact of INAS on the accounting quality of Indian firms.
Why do you treat me in such ways? An attachment examination on supervisors’ early family environment and subordinates’ responses
Authors: Li Daiheng , Zhang Yihua , Zhang Mingyu , Wu Wen , Wu Wenbing , Liu Pan
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to fill important gaps by using the attachment theory and examining the effects of supervisors’ early family environment on their behaviors toward subordinates and subordinates’ responses.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used samples of 334 supervisor–subordinate pairs from a manufacturing company.

Findings

The study finds that supervisors’ harmonious family environment has a positive influence on subordinates’ responses (job satisfaction, work-to-family enrichment and task performance) through the effect of supervisors’ positive working model and caregiving behavior. On the contrast, supervisors’ conflicting family environment has a negative influence on subordinates’ responses through the effect of supervisors’ negative working model and aggressive behavior.

Originality/value

Existing studies mainly explore the influence of organizational environment on supervisors’ treatment of their subordinates. However, few have examined the relationship between supervisors’ early family environment and their treatment of their subordinates.
Do perceptions of organizational politics influence turnover intentions? Organizational cynicism as a potential mediator
Authors: Singh Sabia , Randhawa Gurpreet
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of perceptions of organizational politics on turnover intentions with a focus on the role of organizational cynicism as a potential mediator.

Design/methodology/approach

Using purposive sampling technique and standardized questionnaires, data were collected from 252 Indian bank employees. To analyze the data, statistical techniques such as multiple regression analysis along with PROCESS macro were used.

Findings

Findings indicate that perceptions of organizational politics have a significant positive effect on turnover intentions. Further, organizational cynicism is found to be the significant partial mediator in the relationship between the aforementioned constructs.

Research limitations/implications

This study covers the banking sector only. Therefore, the results may vary in the context of other industrial settings. Also, the cross-sectional research design adopted in this study may create difficulties in drawing any causal inferences.

Practical implications

To curtail turnover intentions of bank employees, extensive power-seeking activities need to be regulated by the management. Besides, participative decision-making activities must be encouraged to curb the formation of cynical attitudes among employees.

Originality/value

This study is one of the scarce empirical research works that have substantiated the direct and the indirect effect of perceptions of organizational politics (through organizational cynicism) on turnover intentions among bank employees.
Teaching marketing to non-marketing majors: tools to enhance their engagement and academic performance
Authors: Crick James M. , Crick Dave
Published: May 2021

Purpose

While there has been a significant amount of work involving marketing education, it is unclear how faculty members can increase the engagement and achievement of non-subject specialists. Accordingly, guided by Bloom's Taxonomy, this current study examines the ways that academics can teach marketing to non-marketing undergraduate majors, with a focus on enhancing their engagement and academic performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey responses (and related archival information) were collected from 181 non-marketing majors in the United Kingdom (studying marketing modules as part of their undergraduate degrees). Such data passed a series of key robustness checks. The hypothesized and control paths were tested via covariance-based structural equation modeling. In addition, 20 semi-structured interviews were used to explore the underlying issues behind the statistical results.

Findings

Two variables were positive drivers of engaging non-marketing students, namely, discussion-oriented interactions and relating marketing to non-marketing subjects. However, integrating theory with practice produced a negative, but non-significant relationship with engaging non-marketing students. In turn, engaging non-marketing students yielded a positive and significant association with academic performance. The follow-up interviews suggested that to best-engage non-marketing majors, educators should consider hosting guest speakers (e.g. owner-managers) to demonstrate how their university-level studies are applicable to “real-world” subject contexts, like sports management and engineering when they graduate.

Originality/value

This current article strengthens the extant literature by identifying some actionable tools that can be employed to enhance the engagement and academic performance of non-subject specialists. This is important, since faculty members are under increased pressure to become effective teachers and facilitate student satisfaction (alongside their other duties, including research and administration). Hence, this paper assists such individuals to cope with the rapidly changing landscape of the higher education sector. In fact, Bloom's Taxonomy was a relevant pedagogical theory for unpacking how educators can teach marketing to non-marketing majors.
The nexus of transactional leadership, knowledge sharing behavior and organizational creativity: empirical evidence from construction workers in Jakarta
Authors: Baskoro Bimmo Dwi
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This research aims to examine the role of knowledge sharing (KS) as mediation in the relationship between transactional leadership (TSL) and organizational creativity (OC) among construction workers in Jakarta.

Design/methodology/approach

The population in this research was the construction workers working in Jakarta. The sample used in this research consisted of 210 respondents. The validity of the hypothesis model was analyzed using the structural equation modeling–partial least squares (SEM-PLS) approach with the help of SmartPLS 3.2.8.

Findings

TSL affects KS and OC. Another most important thing is that KS acts as a partial mediator for the relationship of TSL to OC.

Originality/value

Originality in this research is the use of variable KS to mediate the relationship between TSL and OC in the research conducted in the scope of construction in Jakarta. Other theoretical implications for TSL are added by this research. This research has never been conducted in the construction sector in Jakarta, Indonesia.
International management challenges of professional service firms: a synthesis of the literature
Authors: O’Higgins Ciara , Andreeva Tatiana , Aramburu Goya Nekane
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to identify what international management challenges professional service firms (PSFs) face and why they face them.

Design/methodology/approach

This study carries a focussed thematic literature review of 102 empirical articles. This paper uses content analysis to extract and aggregate challenges identified by researchers in their fieldwork and then analysed this data using qualitative and quantitative methods.

Findings

This study identifies 10 international management challenges that PSFs face and a number of causes for these challenges. The analysis also suggests that the distinctive characteristics of PSFs generate some of the international management challenges for PSFs.

Practical implications

This study helps PSF managers understand the international management challenges they may face depending on the specifics of their company, thus helping them better prepare their internationalisation.

Originality/value

This study contributes to providing a greater understanding of what is holding PSFs back in their internationalisation and why. It demonstrates that distinctive characteristics of PSFs may predict the challenges that PSFs will face, thus paving the way for further research on international management in PSFs and for the development of the diagnostic tool for practitioners that could help them to identify which challenges they should prepare for most.
From helmets to face masks: how collective emotions sustain diaspora mobilization from homeland uprising to global pandemic among the Hong Kongers
Authors: Wong Kennedy Chi-Pan
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Diasporic mobilization studies often incorporate collective emotions into the discussion of movement strategies, less we knew about how emotion becomes the language by which they communicate collective responsibility after the protests. The purpose of this paper is to draw from participant observation research to explore how diasporas construct the language of collective emotions to sustain their commitment to the transnational mobilization project during and after the homeland protests.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on ten months of participant observations in the USA, the author observed how members in a Hong Kong diaspora group, Black Bauhinia Society (BBS), transform their project from a transnational protective gear sourcing action during the Hong Kong Anti-Extradition Bill Movement into a global medical personal protective equipment (PPE) sourcing action during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Findings

During homeland uprising, BBS recruits participants using a set of compassion language that encompasses the suffering stories of homeland dissidents and the members’ expression of guiltiness for staying afar. The compassion talk reinforces the transnational ties between BBS members and Hong Kong dissidents over the process of resource mobilization. When the homeland movement ceased during the pandemic, BBS transformed their compassion talk to politicize charitable actions and recruit volunteers and donors to source PPE for Hong Kong.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the emerging discussion on how diaspora mobilizes after the protest by showing how the language of collective emotion cultivates commitments and sustain collective identity after the protests.
Species mixture effects and climate influence growth, recruitment and mortality in Interior West USAPopulus tremuloides‐conifer communities
Authors: Looney Christopher E. , Previant Wilfred J. , Bradford John B. , Nagel Linda M.
Published: May 2021

Tree‐species mixture effects (e.g. complementarity and facilitation) have been found to increase individual‐tree productivity, lessen mortality and improve recruitment in forests worldwide. By promoting more efficient and complete resource use, mixture effects may also lessen individual‐tree‐level water stress, thus improving drought resistance. We investigated the influence of mixture effects on tree productivity, mortality and recruitment across broad compositional and moisture gradients in high‐elevation Interior West US mixed‐conifer communities, wherePopulus tremuloides(trembling aspen) is the major contributor to functional diversity. Our goal was to provide a more complete scientific foundation for managing these drought‐prone, fire‐excluded systems under an uncertain climate.

We used landscape‐scale national forest inventory data to examine mixture effects onP. tremuloidesand the major associated conifer species,Pseudotsuga menziesii,Pinus contorta,Abies lasiocarpaandPicea engelmannii. Using generalized linear mixed modelling, we isolated the influences ofP. tremuloidesrelative density and climate on tree‐level (stems ≥ 12.7 cm DBH) growth, mortality and stand‐level recruitment (presence/absence of new trees). Cold‐season precipitation (PPT) and warm‐season vapour pressure deficit (VPD) served to represent soil moisture supply and demand, respectively.

Populus tremuloidesgrowth declined as interspecific density increased. In contrast,Pinus contortaandA. lasiocarpagrowth increased withP. tremuloidesdensity. For all species exceptA. lasiocarpaandP. menziesii,growth increased under higher PPT and VPD.Populus tremuloidesmortality increased under high VPD but not with interspecific relative density. We found limited evidence thatA. lasiocarpamortality decreased asP. tremuloidesdensity increased.Populus tremuloidesrecruitment declined steeply above 25% interspecific relative density. We found a decline in conifer recruitment odds asP. tremuloidesdensity increased, ranging from strong inP. contortato insubstantial inP. engelmannii.

Synthesis. Our findings have implications for sustaining mixed‐conifer communities impacted by climate change and historical fire exclusion. Mixtures ofP. tremuloidesand conifers may improve conifer growth while adversely impactingP. tremuloidesgrowth relative to pure stands. Higher conifer productivity combined with lowerP. tremuloidesrecruitment at high conifer relative density may accelerate succession.
The Impact of Institutions on Collaborative Innovations and the Role of Equity‐Based Entry Modes
Authors: Sena Vania , Marra Marianna , Demirbag Mehmet , Lubrano Lavadera Giuseppe
Published: May 2021

This paper examines the impact of institutional variables on multinational enterprises’ choice between majority and minority acquisitions in their foreign affiliates and how this choice influences their propensity to collaborate with local firms. Using the institutional theory and the transaction costs theory, we develop a number of hypotheses. In particular, we suggest that majority acquisitions will be more likely than minority acquisitions and greenfields to enter collaborative R&D projects in countries that belong to the Civil Law/Eastern European legal tradition, or countries where the protection of minority shareholders is poor. These hypotheses are tested using an unbalanced panel of subsidiaries controlled by British multinationals, located in 39 countries. The results confirm our theoretical predictions.
Embedded rationality and the contextualisation of critical thinking
Authors: McGuirk James
Published: May 2021

The present article addresses the question of whether, and to what extent, critical thinking should make attunement to current social and political landscapes central to its practice. I begin by outlining what I consider to be the basic positions in the debate about the political contextualisation of critical thinking, which are referred to as the crypto-Enlightenment and the critical pedagogical models. I argue, on the basis of various strands of research, that there is a prima facie case to be made in favour of the critical pedagogical position that favours forefronting the social and political context of critical thinking and thinking in general. I then draw attention, however, to problems of coherence and justification in the critical pedagogical position, before turning, finally, to an alternative grounding of critical thinking that takes seriously the historical and social contextualisation of thinking without the coherence problems of critical pedagogy. My conclusion is that while the critical pedagogical model is right to point to the fatal incompleteness of Enlightenment-style critical thinking due to its failure to properly acknowledge the norm-saturated nature of historical consciousness, critical pedagogy itself fails to offer a coherent alternative to the problem of integrating value and rationality in a more full-blown grounding of critical thinking. I suggest that a hermeneutical model that integrates the rational, axiological and historical moments in consciousness provides a more satisfying foundation for understanding the trajectory and purpose of critical thinking.
Blood pressure, inflammation, and quality of life in patients treated with different renal replacement therapies
Authors: Altun Eda , Paydas Saime , Kaya Bülent , Balal Mustafa , Seydaoğlu Gülsah
Published: May 2021

Our aim was to determine the relationship between the modality of renal replacement therapy and inflammation markers, BP control, and quality of life (QoL). Sixteen hemodialysis, 17 peritoneal dialysis patients, and 27 kidney transplant receivers (KTr) have been included in this study. Short Form‐36 (SF‐36) for the evaluation of QoL and ambulatory BP monitoring were performed on the same day. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, CRP, IL‐6, and IL‐10 were measured. While the mean IL‐10, IL‐6, and CRP levels were the highest in the dialysis groups, there were no significantly differences any parameters for all groups. QoL was better in the KTr almost as in healthy controls but worse in the dialysis patients. It should be taken into account that hypertension may occur at night even if the daytime BP is normal in KTr.
Significance of tumor mutation burden and immune infiltration in thymic epithelial tumors
Authors: Wang Zi‐Ming , Xu Qi‐Rong , Kaul David , Ismail Mahmoud , Badakhshi Harun
Published: May 2021

Background

Thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) are relatively rare malignant thoracic tumors. Tumor mutation burden (TMB) and immune infiltration play important roles in tumorigenesis.

Methods

Research data was obtained using the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database to evaluate the landscape of tumor mutations, related factors, and relationship of prognosis. The CIBERSORT algorithm was used to evaluate immune cell infiltration in TETs and its relationship with TMB. Immune‐related differentially expressed genes (irDEGs) were identified. Hub irDEGs independently related to prognosis were analyzed using univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard models. A survival signature was constructed from hub irDEGs.

Results

A total of 122 patients were included in this study. GTF2I was the most common gene mutation. Higher TMB was significantly associated with the later stage, more advanced pathological type, and older age. The overall survival (OS) of patients in the low‐TMB group was significantly better. There was no significant correlation between TMB levels and PD‐L1 expression. Enrichment analysis showed that DEGs were mainly involved in the P13K–Akt signaling pathway. There were significant differences in macrophage and other types of immune cell infiltration between the high‐ and low‐TMB groups. CCR5, FASLG, and CD79A independently relating to prognosis were screened from 391 irDEGs. The low‐risk group had a significantly better prognosis than the high‐risk group based on the signature, which has a good predictive effect on OS.

Conclusions

In this study, TETs patients with high TMB had a significantly poor prognosis and an immune‐related gene signature was found to effectively evaluate the long‐term prognosis.
The association of Medicare Part D prior authorization for buprenorphine–naloxone with adherence to opioid use disorder treatment guidelines in the United States
Authors: Parish William J. , Mark Tami L. , Zarkin Gary A. , Weber Ellen
Published: May 2021

Aims

To assess differences in the quality of opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment received by Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in health plans that used prior authorization (PA) for buprenorphine–naloxone compared with those enrolled in plans that did not use PA.

Design, Setting and Participants

Cross‐sectional observational study, United States. Continuously enrolled beneficiaries (71 294) with an OUD who filled at least one prescription for buprenorphine–naloxone between March 2012 and July 2017.

Measurements

Percentage of patients tested for hepatis B, hepatis C, HIV and liver functioning; percentage of patients with urine drug screens and number of urine drug screens; continuous use of buprenorphine–naloxone for at least 180 days; co‐use of benzodiazepines; number of outpatient visits with and without an OUD diagnosis.

Findings

PA was significantly associated with a lower likelihood of testing for hepatitis B [−3.5, 95% confidence interval (CI) = −4.4, −2.7] and C (−5.9, 95% CI = −6.9, −4.9), but the findings were inconclusive as to whether or not there was a difference in HIV (−1.1, 95% CI = −2.5, 0.4) or liver function testing (1.3, 95% CI = −0.1, 2.7). PA was associated with a lower likelihood of urine drug screening (−25.5, 95% CI = −26.8, −24.1) and with fewer drug screens (−2.5, 95% CI = −3.0, −2.1). Findings were inconclusive as to whether or not there was a difference in continuous use of buprenorphine–naloxone (0.3, 95% CI = −1.2, 1.8). PA was associated with fewer outpatient visits (−2.1, 95% CI = −3.0, −1.2) and fewer outpatient visits with an OUD diagnosis (−1.7, 95% CI = −2.1, −1.3). PA was associated with a lower likelihood of filling benzodiazepine prescriptions before and after buprenorphine–naloxone induction (−28.9, 95% CI = −29.6, −28.3) but a greater likelihood of only using benzodiazepines after buprenorphine–naloxone induction (10.6, 95% CI = 9.3, 11.8).

Conclusions

US Medicare patients subject to prior authorization for buprenorphine–naloxone are not more likely to receive high‐quality treatment for opioid use disorder than patients not subject to prior authorization.
Crop prices, farm incomes, and food security during the COVID‐19 pandemic in India: Phone‐based producer survey evidence from Haryana State
Authors: Ceballos Francisco , Kannan Samyuktha , Kramer Berber
Published: May 2021

In March 2020, India declared a nationwide lockdown in response to the COVID‐19 pandemic. Such restrictions on mobility interrupted the normal functioning of agricultural value chains. For a sample of 1767 tomato and wheat producers in the state of Haryana, we study to what extent the lockdown limited access to inputs, labor, machinery, and markets to produce, harvest, and sell their crops. We quantify crop income reductions during the first months of the lockdown and analyze to what extent these are associated with borrowing and food insecurity. We find that wheat producers, for whom state‐led procurement guaranteed market access at fixed prices, suffered minimal declines in income. For tomato producers—an already more vulnerable population—income fell by 50% relative to their expected income in a normal year, largely due to a steep fall of tomato prices as they shifted from wholesale markets to local retail markets, resulting in a sharp increase in local supply. Relative to wheat producers affected by the lockdown, reduced income for tomato producers was associated with an increase in borrowing and reduced food security. We conclude that targeting producers of crops that face substantial price risk and introducing policies that stabilize market prices are important in efforts to aid recovery and build resilience of smallholder farmers.