bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Turn-of-the-month effect in cryptocurrencies
Authors: Kumar Satish
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This study examines the turn-of-the-month (TOM) effect in Bitcoin (BIT), Ethereum (ETH) and Litecoin (LIT) cryptocurrencies from August 2015 to August 2021.

Design/methodology/approach

Dummy regression model is used to examine the presence of the TOM effect and to test the efficiency of the cryptocurrency market. The characteristics of the returns during TOM days are compared with that of the non-non-TOM trading days. The authors also develop a trading strategy to earn abnormal returns using the TOM effect.

Findings

The authors show that TOM returns are positive and significantly higher than that of non-TOM returns. Interestingly, the authors empirically show that the TOM effect is not driven by the day-of-the-week (DOW) effect or the January effect. Based on the significant TOM effect, the authors formulate a trading strategy that annually outperforms the buy-and-hold strategy for BIT by 21.77% and for LIT by 47.10%. Finally, the results are robust to using a Generailzed Auto Regressive Conditional Heteroskedasticity (GARCH) (1,1) model and the January 2018 sell-off.

Practical implications

The results have important implications for both traders and investors. The findings suggest that the investors might be able to earn excess profits by timing their positions in BIT and LIT taking the advantage of the TOM effect.

Originality/value

First, the authors provide the only study to report the evidence of the TOM effect in three leading cryptocurrencies, viz., BIT, LIT and ETH. Second, the authors control for the DOW effect and the January effect while investigating the TOM effect in cryptocurrency market. Finally, this study develops a trading strategy based on which the investors can time the cryptocurrency markets as indicated by the pattern of the TOM effect during the studied time period.
Use of multivariate analysis for determining the most influential physicochemical properties of activated carbon in cadmium removal
Authors: Obregon Valencia Daniel , Sun Kou María R.
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The goal of this paper is to model the activated carbon adsorption capacity of cadmium using a polynomial regression model. The properties that influence the removal of heavy metals by activated carbon must be taken into consideration in order to synthesize materials specific to the characteristics of the pollutant.

Design/methodology/approach

Multivariable analysis applications allow a comprehensive description of the relationship between activated carbon surface properties and heavy metal adsorption.

Findings

The authors use a second-grade polynomial regression model to determine the influence of porosity and surface acidity in cadmium adsorption by activated carbon.

Originality/value

The authors propose a statistic analysis to correlate the carbon properties with its cadmium adsorption capacity. Model coefficient analysis will give a better comprehension of the influence of activated carbon porosity and surface acidity of cadmium removal.
Total quality management practices and corporate sustainable development in manufacturing companies: the mediating role of green innovation
Authors: Albloushi Badreya , Alharmoodi Ahmed , Jabeen Fauzia , Mehmood Khalid , Farouk Sherine
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Manufacturing firms face increasing pressure to be more “greener” or environmentally friendly. Drawing upon the sustainable development (SD) theory and resource-based view, this study aims to examine the role of total quality management (TQM) and its effect on corporate SD (CSD). Also, this study focused on the mediating role of green innovation (GI).

Design/methodology/approach

This study used data from a time-lagged design with two waves that strengthened the hypothesized framework and used structural equation modeling to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The results showed a significant influence of TQM on CSD and GI. Also, GI positively affects CSD and fully mediates TQM and CSD relationships.

Practical implications

Important practical implications are integrating the quality indicators with sustainability and environmental dimensions. This study shall help the managers and policymakers in achieving their sustainability goals.

Originality/value

This study advances the prior literature and provides a noble approach of SD for TQM in manufacturing small and medium enterprises in an emerging country context.
Emotional intelligence and high-performance leadership of women leaders: the mediating role of organization culture
Authors: Duan Wei Hua , Asif Muhammad , Nik Mahmood Nik Hasnaa , Wan Zakaria Wan Normeza
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This study aims to explore the mediating effect of organization culture (OC) in the influence of emotional intelligence on the high-performance leadership of Chinese woman leaders.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative study to analyze survey data from 290 women leaders in the Ning Xia Hui Autonomies Region private and public sectors based in Northwest China.

Findings

The results indicate that emotional intelligence has a positive influence on woman leadership performance in China. woman leaders with higher emotional intelligence may have higher leadership performance. Further, emotional intelligence positively influences organization culture; OC also positively influences high-performance leadership. And the study also indicates OC mediates the relationship between emotional intelligence and woman leaders’ high-performance leadership in China, which means that OC promote and reinforce the relationships between emotional intelligence and high-performance leadership in China. Therefore, organizations should pay more attention to the construction of OC to help Chinese woman leaders and organizations succeed.

Practical implications

This study may catalyze positive social change in leadership development and management by helping women leaders implement effective leadership performance in a complex and global workforce. And to help women leaders increase their understanding of emotional intelligence, OC and its influence has on their performance. The proposed model of this study may help Chinese leaders put emotional intelligence, OC and high-performance leadership of woman leaders into a careful and integrated consideration. Professionals could use these results as a catalyst to develop a set of management plans and career development plans to improve woman’s understanding of the relationship between leadership performance and emotional intelligence. OC is critical to help women leaders present an effective leadership performance. Hence, this study may help women leaders successfully get more opportunities for growth and promotion in the organization.

Originality/value

Through the first-hand verification of organization culture, this study provides an essential theoretical and background contribution to the impact of emotional intelligence of woman leaders on high-performance leadership. In addition, the study also has forward-looking thinking, that is, the second-order reflection-reflection model of OC and high-performance leadership of woman leaders, which will provide a new vision for variance-based partial least squares-structural equation modeling.
Larval parasitism in a specialist herbivore is explained by phenological synchrony and host plant availability
Authors: Stefanescu Constantí , Colom Pau , Barea‐Azcón José Miguel , Horsfield David , Komac Benjamin , Miralles Adrià , Shaw Mark R. , Ubach Andreu , Gutiérrez David
Published: March 2022

Parasitism is a key factor in the population dynamics of many herbivorous insects, although its impact on host populations varies widely, for instance, along latitudinal and altitudinal gradients. Understanding the sources of geographical variation in host–parasitoid interactions is crucial for reliably predicting the future success of the interacting species under a context of global change.

Here, we examine larval parasitism in the butterfly Aglais urticae in south‐west Europe, where it is a mountain specialist. Larval nests were sampled over 2 years along altitudinal gradients in three Iberian mountain ranges, including the Sierra Nevada, home to its southernmost European population. Additional data on nettle condition and adult butterflies were obtained in the study areas.

These data sources were used to investigate whether or not differences in parasitism rates are related to the geographical position and phenology of the host, and to the availability of the host plants.

Phenological differences in the host populations between regions were related to the severity of summer drought and the corresponding differences in host plant availability. At the trailing‐edge of its distribution, the butterfly's breeding season was restricted to the end of winter and spring, while in its northern Iberian range the season was prolonged until mid‐summer. Although parasitism was an important source of mortality in all regions, parasitism rates and parasitoid richness were highest in the north and lowest in the south. Moreover, within a region, there was a notable increase in parasitism rates over time, which probably led to selection against an additional late summer host generation in northern regions. Conversely, the shorter breeding season in Sierra Nevada resulted in a loss of synchrony between the host and one important late season parasitoid, Sturmia bella, which may partly explain the high density of this butterfly species at the trailing‐edge of its range.

Our results support the key role of host phenology in accounting for differences in parasitism rates between populations. They also provide insights into how climate through host plant availability affects host phenology and, ultimately, the impact of parasitism on host populations.
Exploiting the gut microbiota to predict the origins and quality traits of cultured sea cucumbers
Authors: Zhao Zelong , Jiang Jingwei , Zheng Jie , Pan Yongjia , Dong Ying , Chen Zhong , Gao Shan , Xiao Yao , Jiang Pingzhe , Wang Xuda , Zhang Gaohua , Wang Bai , Yu Di , Fu Zhiyu , Guan Xiaoyan , Sun Hongjuan , Zhou Zunchun
Published: March 2022

Nowadays, the true economic and nutritional value of food is underpinned by both origin and quality traits, more often expressed as increased quality benefits derived from the origin source. Gut microbiota contribute to food metabolism and host health, therefore, it may be suitable as a qualifying indicator of origin and quality of economic species. Here, we investigated relationships between the gut microbiota of the sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus), a valuable aquaculture species in Asia, with their origins and quality metrics. Based on data from 287 intestinal samples, we generated the first biogeographical patterns for A. japonicus gut microbiota from origins across China. Importantly, A. japonicus origins were predicted using the random forest model that was constructed using 20 key gut bacterial genera, with 97.6% accuracy. Furthermore, quality traits such as saponin, fat and taurine were also successfully predicted by random forest models based on gut microbiota, with approximately 80% consistency between predicted and true values. We showed that substantial variations existed in the gut microbiota and quality variables in A. japonicus across different origins, and we also demonstrated the great potential of gut microbiota to track A. japonicus origins and predict their quality traits.
Here Today, Gone Tomorrow: A Mixed‐method Study on Headhunter‐intermediated Recruitment Practices
Authors: Peltokorpi Vesa
Published: March 2022

While organizations increasingly rely on headhunters, little research has focused on what kinds of employees are contacted by headhunters and how these contacts are related to turnover. This study uses an exploratory sequential mixed‐method design to examine what kinds of employees contingency headhunters contact and why some of them leave. Using the case of Japan, where foreign subsidiaries use headhunters extensively to recruit host country nationals (HCNs), we first conducted interviews with 131 clients, headhunters and HCNs (candidates). The findings indicated that the contacts made by headhunters were guided by the HCNs’ age, gender, education level, English proficiency, tenure and prior placement by headhunters. The findings also showed that headhunter contacts drive up turnover, and that job alternatives and job embeddedness moderate the relationship between headhunter contacts and turnover. We used these findings and research on the unfolding model and headhunters to develop an abductively derived research model and hypotheses. In another study, we tested these hypotheses by time‐lagged survey data from 456 HCNs in foreign subsidiaries. The survey findings showed that headhunter contacts mediate the relationships between English proficiency, tenure and prior placement by headhunters, and that job alternatives and job embeddedness moderate the positive relationship between headhunter contacts and turnover.
Inclusion of children living with disability in early childhood development and education: construction of a stakeholder‐informed framework
Authors: Dawadi Divya
Published: March 2022

School‐level data shows that a large number of Children living with Disability (ClwD) are not accessing Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE) services in Nepal (Department of Education, 2020). This research explores the factors affecting the inclusion of ClwD in ECDE programs aiming at informing policy, plans and strategies about existing barriers to early intervention and education services for ClwD. Through interviews, focus group discussions with key stakeholders and document reviews, the research identified the interconnection of several organisational and contextual factors created multiple barriers to successful inclusion. Organisational factors were: policy, attitudes, teacher efficacy, resources, coordination, communication processes and parental engagement. Contextual factors were: spirituality, caste, ethnicity, language, economic status, and geographic location. The very interactive nature of organisational and contextual factors resulted in the development of an inclusive education framework to inform future policies.
Learning environments, reliability enhancing work practices, employee engagement, and safety climate in VA cardiac catheterization laboratories
Authors: Gilmartin Heather M. , Hess Edward , Mueller Candice , Connelly Brigid , Plomondon Mary E. , Waldo Stephen W. , Battaglia Catherine
Published: March 2022

Objective

To characterize the relationship between learning environments (the educational approaches, cultural context, and settings in which teaching and learning happen) and reliability enhancing work practices (hiring, training, decision making) with employee engagement, retention, and safety climate.

Data source

We collected data using the Learning Environment and High Reliability Practices Survey (LEHRs) from 231 physicians, nurses, and technicians at 67 Veterans Affairs cardiac catheterization laboratories who care for high‐risk Veterans.

Study design

The association between the average LEHRs score and employee job satisfaction, burnout, intent to leave, turnover, and safety climate were modeled in separate linear mixed effect models adjusting for other covariates.

Data collection

Participants responded to a web‐only survey from August through September 2020.

Principal findings

There was a significant association between higher average LEHRs scores and (1) higher job satisfaction (2) lower burnout, (3) lower intent to leave, (4) lower cath lab turnover in the previous 12 months, and (5) higher perceived safety climate.

Conclusions

Learning environments and use of reliability enhancing work practices are potential new avenues to support satisfaction and safety climate while lowering burnout, intent to leave, and turnover in a diverse US health care workforce that serves a vulnerable and marginalized population.
Pharmacy switching in response to preferred pharmacy networks in Medicare Part D
Authors: Xu Jianhui , Trish Erin , Joyce Geoffrey
Published: March 2022

Objective

To evaluate the effects of preferred pharmacy networks—a tool that Medicare Part D plans have recently adopted to steer patients to lower cost pharmacies—on the use of preferred pharmacies and factors underlying beneficiaries' decisions on whether to switch to preferred pharmacies.

Data Sources

Medicare claims data were collected for a nationally representative 20% sample of beneficiaries during 2010–2016 and merged with annual Part D pharmacy network files.

Study Design

We examined preferred networks' impact on pharmacy choice by estimating a difference‐in‐differences model comparing preferred pharmacies' claim share before and after implementation among unsubsidized and subsidized beneficiaries. Additionally, we evaluated the factors affecting whether a beneficiary switched from mainly using nonpreferred to preferred pharmacies.

Data Collection/Extraction Methods

We examined stand‐alone drug plans that adopted a preferred network during 2011–2016. Our main sample included beneficiaries 65 years and older who stayed in their plan in both the first year of implementation and the year before and whose cost‐sharing subsidy status and ZIP code remained unchanged during the 2‐year period.

Principal Findings

Unsubsidized Part D beneficiaries faced an average difference of $129 per year in out‐of‐pocket spending between using nonpreferred and preferred pharmacies, while subsidized beneficiaries were insulated from these cost differences. The implementation of preferred networks resulted in a 3.7‐percentage point (95% CI: 3.3, 4.2) increase in preferred pharmacies' claim share in the first year among the unsubsidized. Existing relationships with preferred pharmacies, the size of financial incentives, proximity to preferred pharmacies, and urban residence were positively associated with beneficiaries' decisions to switch to these pharmacies.

Conclusions

Preferred pharmacy networks caused a moderate shift on average towards preferred pharmacies among unsubsidized beneficiaries, although stronger financial incentives correlated with more switching. Researchers and policymakers should better understand plans' cost‐sharing strategies and assess whether communities have equitable access to preferred pharmacies.
Addressing the energy crisis: using microbes to make biofuels
Authors: Ramos Juan L. , Pakuts Ben , Godoy Patricia , García‐Franco Ana , Duque Estrella
Published: March 2022

Much of the energy being used to power our lives comes from fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas and petroleum. These energy sources are non‐renewable, are being exhausted and also pollute the air, water and soil with toxic chemicals. Their mining, transportation, refining and use are associated with a large carbon footprint that contributes significantly to global warming. In addition, the geopolitical complexities surrounding the main fossil fuel producers create risks and uncertainties around the world. Replacing fossil fuels with clean, renewable forms of energy is paramount to creating a sustainable and healthy future, and for laying the foundations for global political stability and prosperity. Using biomass from plants, microbes can produce biofuels that are identical to or perform as well as fossil fuels. In addition of creating sustainable energy, advancing the biofuel industry will create new, high‐quality rural jobs whilst improving energy security.
Refinement: Measuring informativeness of ratings in the absence of a gold standard
Authors: Grant Sheridan , Meilă Marina , Erosheva Elena , Lee Carole
Published: March 2022

We propose a new metric for evaluating the informativeness of a set of ratings from a single rater on a given scale. Such evaluations are of interest when raters rate numerous comparable items on the same scale, as occurs in hiring, college admissions, and peer review. Our exposition takes the context of peer review, which involves univariate and multivariate cardinal ratings. We draw on this context to motivate an information‐theoretic measure of the refinement of a set of ratings – entropic refinement – as well as two secondary measures. A mathematical analysis of the three measures reveals that only the first, which captures the information content of the ratings, possesses properties appropriate to a refinement metric. Finally, we analyse refinement in real‐world grant‐review data, finding evidence that overall merit scores are more refined than criterion scores.
Brain mineralocorticoid receptor in health and disease: From molecular signalling to cognitive and emotional function
Authors: Paul Susana N. , Wingenfeld Katja , Otte Christian , Meijer Onno C.
Published: March 2022

Brain mineralocorticoid receptors (MR) mediate effects of glucocorticoid hormones in stress adaptation, as well as the effects of aldosterone itself in relation to salt homeostasis. Brain stem MRs respond to aldosterone, whereas forebrain MRs mediate rapid and delayed glucocorticoid effects in conjunction with the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). MR‐mediated effects depend on age, gender, genetic variations, and environmental influences. Disturbed MR activity through chronic stress, certain (endocrine) diseases or during glucocorticoid therapy can cause deleterious effects on affective state, cognitive and behavioural function in susceptible individuals. Considering the important role MR plays in cognition and emotional function in health and disease, MR modulation by pharmacological intervention could relieve stress‐ and endocrine‐related symptoms. Here, we discuss recent pharmacological interventions in the clinic and genetic developments in the molecular underpinnings of MR signalling. Further understanding of MR‐dependent pathways may help to improve psychiatric symptoms in a diversity of settings.

LINKED ARTICLES

This article is part of a themed issue on Emerging Fields for Therapeutic Targeting of the Aldosterone‐Mineralocorticoid Receptor Signaling Pathway. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v179.13/issuetoc
COVID‐19 and mental health of primary school children: Comparison of 2019 and 2020
Authors: Gilligan Colin , Sresthaporn Natthaphol , Mulligan Aisling
Published: March 2022

Introduction

It is believed that the COVID‐19 pandemic and associated global school closures may have an adverse effect on children's mental health.

Methods

We performed repeated measures of the mental health of children attending one primary school in Ireland before and during the quarantine phase of the first wave of the pandemic. We used the ‘My Feelings Form’, which is a 14‐item colourful self‐report measure which was completed in the classroom in 2019 and via postal survey in 2020.

Results

We had an 87% response rate in 2019 and a 35% response rate via postal return in 2020. We found no evidence of a change in mean measures of mental health between 2019 and 2020, in the 35% who responded in 2020.

Conclusion

There is a cohort of children who were not adversely affected by the first wave of COVID‐19 pandemic and associated school closures in Ireland.
Investigating the moderators and mediators of an effective sleep intervention in the Prevention of Overweight in Infancy (POI) randomized controlled trial: Exploratory analyses
Authors: Fangupo Louise , Haszard Jillian , Galland Barbara , Taylor Barry , Heath Anne‐Louise , Healey Dione , Meredith‐Jones Kim , Sayers Rachel , Hatch Burt , Taylor Rachael
Published: March 2022

The Prevention of Overweight in Infancy (POI) sleep intervention halved obesity risk at 2 years of age. However, the intervention mechanisms are unclear. Consequently, the objective of the current work was to use exploratory analyses to investigate potential moderators and mediators of the sleep intervention on obesity outcomes at age 2 years. Data were collected between 2009 and 2012. The effect of demographic and study design variables on body mass indexz‐score (BMIz‐score) and obesity was compared in moderator subgroups at 2 years of age (n = 683, 85%). Mediating effects of child and parent–household variables assessed whether the sleep intervention resulted in meaningful changes in the mediating variable (defined as changes which were statistically significant [p < .05] or where the effect size was ≥0.15 SD), followed by assessing relationships with obesity outcomes. The sleep intervention appeared most effective in children in higher deprivation areas (effect on BMIz‐score −0.25 [−0.53, 0.04], effect on obesity odds ratio [OR] 0.43 [0.16, 1.13]), and with mothers of non‐European, non‐Māori ethnicity (effect on BMIz‐score −0.27 [−0.73, 0.20], effect on obesity OR 0.13 [95% confidence interval 0.01, 1.11]). This suggested moderation by deprivation and ethnicity. Aspects of sleep improved meaningfully in children after intervention but did not significantly relate to obesity outcomes, and other outcomes were not meaningfully affected by the sleep intervention. Thus, mediation was not indicated. Overall, the POI sleep intervention improved obesity outcomes at 2 years, and the current work identified some potential moderators, but no mediators.
Echocardiographic measurements of left atrial volume in patients with ischaemic heart disease
Authors: Backman Marie , Rosfors Stefan
Published: March 2022

Echocardiographic measurements of left atrial volume (LAV) were evaluated in 57 consecutive patients with ischaemic heart disease. LAV was 38 ml/m2 (SD 11), larger in patients with ejection fraction (EF) below 45% than in patients with normal EF (≥55%) but in regression analyses only E/e′ correlated independently with LAV. Measurements of LAV had acceptable reproducibility where repeated examinations indicated that half of the variability was explained by the measurement procedure. Our results suggest that an increase or decrease in LAV of 13 ml/m2 between two examinations indicates a true change in volume, possible due to a changed left ventricular filling pressure.
Vericiguat in combination with isosorbide mononitrate in patients with chronic coronary syndromes: The randomized, phase Ib, VISOR study
Authors: Boettcher Michael , Mikus Gerd , Trenk Dietmar , Düngen Hans‐Dirk , Donath Frank , Werner Nikos , Karakas Mahir , Besche Nina , Schulz‐Burck Dominik , Gerrits Mireille , Hung James , Becker Corina
Published: March 2022

Vericiguat was developed for the treatment of symptomatic chronic heart failure (HF) in adult patients with reduced ejection fraction who are stabilized after a recent decompensation event. Guidelines recommend long‐acting nitrates, such as isosorbide mononitrate, for angina prophylaxis in chronic coronary syndromes (CCS), common comorbidities in HF. This study evaluated safety, tolerability, and the pharmacodynamic (PD) interaction between co‐administered vericiguat and isosorbide mononitrate in patients with CCS. In this phase Ib, double‐blind, multicenter study, patients were randomized 2:1 to receive vericiguat plus isosorbide mononitrate (n = 28) or placebo plus isosorbide mononitrate (n = 13). Isosorbide mononitrate was uptitrated to a stable dose of 60 mg once daily, followed by co‐administration with vericiguat (uptitrated every 2 weeks from 2.5 mg to 5 mg and 10 mg) or placebo. Thirty‐five patients completed treatment (vericiguat, n = 23; placebo, n = 12). Mean baseline‐ and placebo‐adjusted vital signs showed reductions of 1.4–5.1 mmHg (systolic blood pressure) and 0.4–2.9 mmHg (diastolic blood pressure) and increases of 0.0–1.8 beats per minute (heart rate) with vericiguat plus isosorbide mononitrate. No consistent vericiguat dose‐dependent PD effects were noted. The incidence of adverse events (AEs) was 92.3% and 66.7% in the vericiguat and placebo groups, respectively, and most were mild in intensity. Blood pressure and heart rate changes observed with vericiguat plus isosorbide mononitrate were not considered clinically relevant. This combination was generally well‐tolerated. Concomitant use of vericiguat with isosorbide mononitrate is unlikely to cause significant AEs beyond those known for isosorbide mononitrate.
A low n‐6 to n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acid ratio diet improves hyperinsulinaemia by restoring insulin clearance in obese youth
Authors: Tricò Domenico , Galderisi Alfonso , Van Name Michelle A. , Caprio Sonia , Samuels Stephanie , Li Zhongyao , Galuppo Brittany T. , Savoye Mary , Mari Andrea , Feldstein Ariel E. , Santoro Nicola
Published: March 2022

Aim

To examine the determinants and metabolic impact of the reduction in fasting and postload insulin levels after a low n‐6 to n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) ratio diet in obese youth.

Materials and Methods

Insulin secretion and clearance were assessed by measuring and modelling plasma insulin and C‐peptide in 17 obese youth who underwent a nine‐point, 180‐minute oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) before and after a 12‐week, eucaloric low n‐6:n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) ratio diet. Hepatic fat content was assessed by repeated abdominal magnetic resonance imaging.

Results

Insulin clearance at fasting and during the OGTT was significantly increased after the diet, while body weight, glucose levels, absolute and glucose‐dependent insulin secretion, and model‐derived variables of β‐cell function were not affected. Dietary‐induced changes in insulin clearance positively correlated with changes in whole‐body insulin sensitivity and β‐cell glucose sensitivity, but not with changes in hepatic fat. Subjects with greater increases in insulin clearance showed a worse metabolic profile at enrolment, characterized by impaired insulin clearance, β‐cell glucose sensitivity, and glucose tolerance, and benefitted the most from the diet, achieving greater improvements in glucose‐stimulated hyperinsulinaemia, insulin resistance, and β‐cell function.

Conclusions

We showed that a 12‐week low n‐6:n‐3 PUFA ratio diet improves hyperinsulinaemia by increasing fasting and postload insulin clearance in obese youth, independently of weight loss, glucose concentrations, and insulin secretion.
Information Provision and Postgraduate Studies
Authors: Berkes Jan , Peter Frauke , Spiess C. Katharina , Weinhardt Felix
Published: March 2022

This is the first paper to examine experimentally effects of information provision on beliefs about pecuniary and non‐pecuniary returns of postgraduate education, enrolment intentions and realized enrolment. We find that our treatment causally affects beliefs measured six months after treatment. The effects on beliefs differ by gender and academic background, and we find that stated enrolment intentions change accordingly; in particular, males adjust significantly downwards their beliefs and intentions to undertake postgraduate studies. This is driven by males upward adjusting earnings expectations with a first degree only. We follow the students further and provide evidence on actual enrolment one and two years after treatment. Taken together, this study highlights the relevance of information provision on pecuniary and non‐pecuniary labour market returns for postgraduate study decisions.
Pacemaker‐associated superior vena cava syndrome: Role of contrast echocardiography
Authors: Akin Yesim , Cagli Kumral , Okten Riza Sarper , Keles Telat , Golbasi Zehra
Published: March 2022

Pacemaker‐associated superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome is increasingly recognized as a nonmalignant type of SVC syndrome. Computed tomographic (CT) angiography is the first choice of imaging for diagnosis but in some cases there is discrepancy between the clinical findings and CT images. In this report we present the role of contrast study with transesophageal echocardiography in a patient with suspicion of SVC syndrome but inconclusive CT findings.
Integrative structure determination of histones H3 and H4 using genetic interactions
Authors: Echeverria Ignacia , Braberg Hannes , Krogan Nevan J. , Sali Andrej
Published: March 2022

Integrative structure modeling is increasingly used for determining the architectures of biological assemblies, especially those that are structurally heterogeneous. Recently, we reported on how to convert in vivo genetic interaction measurements into spatial restraints for structural modeling: first, phenotypic profiles are generated for each point mutation and thousands of gene deletions or environmental perturbations. Following, the phenotypic profile similarities are converted into distance restraints on the pairs of mutated residues. We illustrate the approach by determining the structure of the histone H3–H4 complex. The method is implemented in our open‐source IMP program, expanding the structural biology toolbox by allowing structural characterization based on in vivo data without the need to purify the target system. We compare genetic interaction measurements to other sources of structural information, such as residue coevolution and deep‐learning structure prediction of complex subunits. We also suggest that determining genetic interactions could benefit from new technologies, such as CRISPR–Cas9 approaches to gene editing, especially for mammalian cells. Finally, we highlight the opportunity for using genetic interactions to determine recalcitrant biomolecular structures, such as those of disordered proteins, transient protein assemblies, and host–pathogen protein complexes.
The geography of the fintech industry in China: An analysis of China’s city‐level patenting
Authors: Dai Dandan , Chen Yijia
Published: March 2022

This article investigates the geography of the fintech industry in China's cities, which has not been systematically studied. It contributes to the literature on fintech by applying a new theoretical perspective—evolutionary economic geography. Improving on the existing literature on fintech that conducts a relatively general analysis of the role of technology in fintech development, evolutionary economic geography offers a detailed analysis that zooms in on the specific kinds of technology that determine fintech development. Moreover, this article contributes to the literature on evolutionary economic geography by systematically examining the role of market demand in developing a new industry. Based on a unique data set from 2003 to 2019, this article provides a city‐level analysis of the fintech industry in China. The results show that the fintech industry tends to develop in cities that have accumulated technologies in the fields of finance, e‐commerce, data sciences, and security. Moreover, there is a positive relationship between the development of the fintech industry and the demand for fintech services. Finally, this paper sheds light on the role of a favorable regulatory environment in fintech development.
COVID‐19 in Latin America: The effects of an unprecedented crisis on employment and income
Authors: BECCARIA Luis , BERTRANOU Fabio , MAURIZIO Roxana
Published: March 2022

In 2020, Latin America was gripped by an unprecedented labour crisis brought on by the COVID‐19 pandemic. This article analyses the pandemic's impact on employment and income dynamics, and the policies implemented by the countries in the region. Findings point to a severe contraction in employment, working hours and income in consequence of the sharp decline in economic activity. These impacts have fostered inequalities, and the pathway to recovery is widening employment and income gaps between different population groups.
Social partner participation in the management of the COVID‐19 crisis: Tripartite social dialogue in Italy, Portugal and Spain
Authors: CANALDA CRIADO Sergio
Published: March 2022

This article analyses actual social dialogue experiences in Italy, Portugal and Spain in order to examine the social partners’ participation in COVID‐19 crisis management. It considers the economic and political variables that have helped revitalize tripartism in all three countries relative to the previous economic crisis. The lack of austerity policies and responsibility‐sharing on the part of the social partners and governments paved the way for various agreements that, though differing in content and scope, attest to stronger peak‐level tripartite dialogue.
Emerging treatment strategies in wound care
Authors: Mirhaj Marjan , Labbaf Sheyda , Tavakoli Mohamadreza , Seifalian Alexander Marcus
Published: March 2022

Wound healing is a complex process in tissue regeneration through which the body responds to the dissipated cells as a result of any kind of severe injury. Diabetic and non‐healing wounds are considered an unmet clinical need. Currently, different strategic approaches are widely used in the treatment of acute and chronic wounds which include, but are not limited to, tissue transplantation, cell therapy and wound dressings, and the use of an instrument. A large number of literatures have been published on this topic; however, the most effective clinical treatment remains a challenge. The wound dressing involves the use of a scaffold, usually using biomaterials for the delivery of medication, autologous stem cells, or growth factors from the blood. Antibacterial and anti‐inflammatory drugs are also used to stop the infection as well as accelerate wound healing. With an increase in the ageing population leading to diabetes and associated cutaneous wounds, there is a great need to improve the current treatment strategies. This research critically reviews the current advancement in the therapeutic and clinical approaches for wound healing and tissue regeneration. The results of recent clinical trials suggest that the use of modern dressings and skin substitutes is the easiest, most accessible, and most cost‐effective way to treat chronic wounds with advances in materials science such as graphene as 3D scaffold and biomolecules hold significant promise. The annual market value for successful wound treatment exceeds over $50 billion US dollars, and this will encourage industries as well as academics to investigate the application of emerging smart materials for modern dressings and skin substitutes for wound therapy.
Association between angiopoietin‐2 and functional cardiac remodeling in hemodialysis patients with normal left ventricular ejection
Authors: de Oliveira Ana Aécia Alexandrino , de Oliveira Thaís Alexandrino , de Oliveira Larissa Alexandrino , Meneses Gdayllon Cavalcante , Bezerra Gabriela Freire , Martins Alice Maria Costa , Libório Alexandre Braga
Published: March 2022

Cardiac remodeling is the initial process in heart failure development. The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between endothelium‐related biomarkers and cardiac remodeling in hemodialysis (HD) patients and how the presence of high blood pressure and diabetes mellitus modulates these associations. This was a cross‐sectional study with adult HD and normal left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction—LVEF—patients. The authors correlated several endothelium‐related biomarkers with echocardiographic indices—LV mass index (LVMi), LVEF, global longitudinal strain, mitral E/e’, and aortic root diameter. Seventy‐one patients were included, with 37 women (52.1%) and mean age of 54.3 ± 16.8 years. Angiopoietin‐2 (AGPT2) was inversely correlated with global longitudinal strain (r = ‐.374, p = .001) and directly with E/e’ (r = .265, p = .025). After adjustment, only AGPT2 was significantly associated with global longitudinal strain. blood pressure and diabetes mellitus were independent moderators for the AGPT2 and global longitudinal strain association. The conditional association was significant only when the mean pre‐HD blood pressure was above 97.5 mmHg or in diabetes mellitus patients. Finally, there was an interaction between diabetes mellitus and blood pressure when moderating the conditional effect of AGPT2 on global longitudinal strain. While in non‐diabetic patients, the association between AGPT2 with global longitudinal strain was significant only with pre‐HD blood pressure levels as high as 110 mmHg, in diabetic patients, this association was significant with pre‐HD blood pressure as low as 90 mmHg. Higher levels of AGPT2 were associated with worse cardiac function as determined by lower global longitudinal strain values. This association was moderated by blood pressure and diabetes mellitus, suggesting that the effects of AGPT2 on cardiac remodeling is dependent of such circumstances.
Prevalence and associated factors of depression and anxiety symptoms among college students: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Li Wenzhen , Zhao Zhiya , Chen Dajie , Peng Ying , Lu Zuxun
Published: March 2022

Background

To evaluate the global prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms among college students and potential associated factors.

Methods

PubMed and Web of Science were searched from their inception to March 28, 2021. Random‐effects models were used to calculate the pooled prevalence of depression and anxiety. Subgroup analyses were conducted to explore potential heterogeneity. Egger’s and Begg’s test were used to assess publication bias.

Results

A total of 64 studies with 100,187 individuals were included in the present meta‐analysis. The pooled prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms among college students was 33.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 29.3%–37.8%) and 39.0% (95% CI, 34.6%–43.4%), respectively. The highest prevalence of depression symptoms was found in Africa region (40.1%, 95% CI 12.3–67.9%), lower middle‐income countries (42.5%, 95% CI 28.6–56.3%), and medical college students (39.4%, 95% CI 29.3–49.6%). For the prevalence of anxiety symptoms, the highest was observed in North America (48.3%, 95% CI 37.4–59.2%), lower middle‐income countries (54.2%, 95% CI 35.0–73.4%), medical college students (47.1%, 95% CI 35.1–59.1%) and identified by Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) (49.1%, 95% CI 31.0–43.0%). Besides, the prevalence of depression symptoms (35.9%, 95% CI 20.2–51.7%) and anxiety symptoms (40.7%, 95% CI 39.5–42.0%) was higher in studies conducted after the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) outbreak.

Conclusions

Our study suggests that a lot of college students experience depression and anxiety symptoms and clarifies factors that are related to these mental disorders. Effective prevention and intervention strategies for mental disorders should be developed among college students.
Size matters? Species‐ and size‐specific fish predation on recently established invasive quagga mussels Dreissena rostriformis bugensis Andrusov 1897 in a large, deep oligotrophic lake
Authors: Baer Jan , Spiessl Christina , Brinker Alexander
Published: March 2022

Since its first appearance in Lake Constance in 2016 the invasive quagga mussel Dreissena rostriformis bugensis has come to dominate the mussel community and now occurs in hyperabundant densities over the whole lake bottom. A lake‐wide field study was conducted between 2019 and 2020 to obtain a systematic insight into the importance of this novel source of potential prey for the native fish community. In total 664 fish of 20 different species were caught and their digestive tracts were analysed. Meanwhile, quagga mussels were sampled to assess their calorific energy value by size and season. Regressions of septum length on maximum valve length were used to evaluate size‐specific mussel consumption by the three dominant quagga‐eating fish species. The study shows that nearly all benthivorous fish are able to forage efficiently on quaggas. However, in the case of one keystone species with very high commercial interest, the benthic whitefish Coregonus spp., quagga consumption is more limited as only individuals larger than 35 cm consumed quaggas in relevant amounts. The energy content of quagga mussels is positively size dependent with seasonal effect and elevated values during summer for medium‐ and large‐sized mussels. Even at its peak, the calorific value of quaggas by weight is much lower than that of endemic aquatic invertebrates, while single mass is high. Future implications for fish stocks, food web integrity and possible fishery management options are discussed.
Echoencephalography of encephalopathy due to congenital lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus
Authors: Sharma Kamal , Singhapakdi Kanya , Maertens Paul
Published: March 2022

Congenital lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) infection is a transient intrauterine viral infection with selective teratogenicity depending on the timing of the primary maternal infection. LCMV is cleared from the body of the fetus after the acute phase of illness and, in most cases, has lost its virulence at the time of birth. LCMV competes with extracellular matrix proteins for its tropism toward heavily glycosylated alpha‐dystroglycan. In the first trimester, while tropism toward heart myoblasts is high, intrauterine infection (IUI) can lead to miscarriage or fetal demise. Later in pregnancy, LCMV becomes neurotropic with tropism toward retina and brain. Most often systemic symptoms are subtle or absent at the time of birth. The timing of the IUI determines the neuroteratogenic phenotypes of congenital LCMV infection. IUI that occurs early during gestation can lead to isolated cerebellar dysgenesis and hypoplasia. When IUI occurs during neural radial migration, echoencephalography shows defective cerebral opercularization, intracranial calcifications at the gray‐white matter junction, enlarged extra‐axial subarachnoid space, and cortical dysplasia. When IUI occurs after the completion of insular opercularization (late second trimester), echoencephalography shows extensive cystic periventricular leukomalacia with bi‐occipital porencephaly and mild defects in gyrogenesis. A late gestation IUI induces aseptic LCMV meningitis with occlusion of the aqueduct of Sylvius, leading to congenital obstructive hydrocephalus. Congenital LCMV remains underdiagnosed as clinical manifestations are predominantly neurologic. As echoencephalography remains the preferred screening strategy for detecting neonatal central nervous system pathology, prior knowledge of echoencephalography of congenital LCMV may facilitate its recognition, prompting a serological evaluation.
CERK1, more than a co‐receptor in plant–microbe interactions
Authors: Yang Chao , Wang Ertao , Liu Jun
Published: March 2022

CERK1 (Chitin Elicitor Receptor Kinase 1), a lysin motif‐containing pattern recognition receptor (PRR), perceives chitooligosaccharides (COs) to mount immune and symbiotic responses. However, CERK1, for a relatively long time, has been regarded as a co‐receptor in plant immunity, mainly due to its lack of high binding affinity to known elicitors. Recent studies demonstrated several novel carbohydrates as ligands of CERK1 in different plant species and recognized CERK1 as a key receptor in plant immunity and symbiosis. This review summarizes recent knowledge acquired on the role of CERK1 in plant–microbe interactions.
Rising CO2 and warming reduce global canopy demand for nitrogen
Authors: Dong Ning , Wright Ian J. , Chen Jing M. , Luo Xiangzhong , Wang Han , Keenan Trevor F. , Smith Nicholas G. , Prentice Iain Colin
Published: March 2022

Nitrogen (N) limitation has been considered as a constraint on terrestrial carbon uptake in response to rising CO2 and climate change. By extension, it has been suggested that declining carboxylation capacity (Vcmax) and leaf N content in enhanced‐CO2 experiments and satellite records signify increasing N limitation of primary production. We predicted Vcmax using the coordination hypothesis and estimated changes in leaf‐level photosynthetic N for 1982–2016 assuming proportionality with leaf‐level Vcmax at 25°C. The whole‐canopy photosynthetic N was derived using satellite‐based leaf area index (LAI) data and an empirical extinction coefficient for Vcmax, and converted to annual N demand using estimated leaf turnover times. The predicted spatial pattern of Vcmax shares key features with an independent reconstruction from remotely sensed leaf chlorophyll content. Predicted leaf photosynthetic N declined by 0.27% yr−1, while observed leaf (total) N declined by 0.2–0.25% yr−1. Predicted global canopy N (and N demand) declined from 1996 onwards, despite increasing LAI. Leaf‐level responses to rising CO2, and to a lesser extent temperature, may have reduced the canopy requirement for N by more than rising LAI has increased it. This finding provides an alternative explanation for declining leaf N that does not depend on increasing N limitation.