bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An epitope specific patient-derived LGI1-autoantibody enhances neuronal excitability by modulating the Kv1.1 channel
Authors: Extrémet Johanna , El Far Oussama , Irani Sarosh R , Debanne Dominique , Russier Michael
Published: December 2021

Leucine-rich Glioma Inactivated protein 1 (LGI1) is expressed in the central nervous and genetic loss of function is associated with epileptic disorders. Also, patients with LGI1-directed autoantibodies have frequent focal seizures as a key feature of their disease. LGI1 is composed of a Leucine Rich Repeat (LRR) and an Epitempin (EPTP) domain. These domains are reported to interact with different aspects of the transsynaptic complex formed by LGI1 at excitatory synapses, including presynaptic Kv1 potassium channels. Patient-derived monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are ideal reagents to study whether domain-specific LGI1-autoantibodies induce epileptiform activities in neurons, and their downstream mechanisms. To address this question, we measured the intrinsic excitability of CA3 pyramidal neurons in organotypic cultures from rat hippocampus treated with either a LRR- or an EPTP-reactive patient-derived mAb. The antibodies induced changes in neuronal intrinsic excitability which led us to measure their effects on Kv1-type potassium currents. We found an increase of intrinsic excitability correlated with a reduction of the sensitivity to a selective Kv1.1-channel blocker in neurons treated with the LRR mAb compared to the control, but not in neurons treated with the EPTP mAb. Our findings suggest LRR mAbs are able to modulate neuronal excitability that could account for epileptiform activities observed in patients.
Predicting genes associated with RNA methylation pathways using machine learning
Authors: Tsagkogeorga Georgia , Santos-Rosa Helena , Alendar Andrej , Leggate Dan , Rausch Oliver , Kouzarides Tony , Weisser Hendrik , Han Namshik
Published: December 2021

RNA methylation plays an important role in functional regulation of RNAs, and has thus attracted an increasing interest in biology and drug discovery. Here, we collected and collated transcriptomic, proteomic, structural and physical interaction data from the Harmonizome database, and applied supervised machine learning to predict novel genes associated with RNA methylation pathways in human. We selected five types of classifiers, which we trained and evaluated using cross-validation on multiple training sets. The best models reached 88% accuracy based on cross-validation, and an average 91% accuracy on the test set. Using protein-protein interaction data, we propose six molecular sub-networks linking model predictions to previously known RNA methylation genes, with roles in mRNA methylation, tRNA processing, rRNA processing, but also protein and chromatin modifications. Our study exemplifies how access to large omics datasets joined by machine learning methods can be used to predict gene function.
A nanobody-based toolset to monitor and modify the mitochondrial GTPase Miro1
Authors: Fagbadebo Funmilayo O. , Kaiser Philipp D. , Zittlau Katharina , Bartlick Natascha , Wagner Teresa R. , Froehlich Theresa , Jarjour Grace , Nueske Stefan , Scholz Armin , Traenkle Bjoern , Macek Boris , Rothbauer Ulrich
Published: December 2021

The mitochondrial outer membrane (MOM)-anchored GTPase Miro1, is a central player in mitochondrial transport and homeostasis. The dysregulation of Miro1 in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Parkinson’s disease (PD) suggests that Miro1 may be a potential biomarker or drug target in neuronal disorders. However, the molecular functionality of Miro1 under (patho-) physiological conditions is poorly known. For a more comprehensive understanding of the molecular functions of Miro1, we have developed Miro1-specific nanobodies (Nbs) as novel research tools. We identified seven Nbs that bind either the N- or C-terminal GTPase domain of Miro1 and demonstrate their application as research tools for proteomic and imaging approaches. To visualize the dynamics of Miro1 in real time, we selected intracellularly functional Nbs, which we reformatted into chromobodies (Cbs) for time- lapse imaging of Miro1. By genetic fusion to an Fbox domain, these Nbs were further converted into Miro1-specific degrons and applied for targeted degradation of Miro1 in live cells. In summary, this study presents a collection of novel Nbs that serve as a toolkit for advanced biochemical and intracellular studies and modulations of Miro1, thereby contributing to the understanding of the functional role of Miro1 in disease-derived model systems.
Tomato SlBES1.8 influences leaf morphogenesis by mediating gibberellin metabolism and signaling
Authors: Su Deding , Xiang Wei , Liang Qin , Wen Ling , Shi Yuan , Liu Yudong , Xian Zhiqiang , Li Zhengguo
Published: December 2021

Leaf morphogenetic activity determines its shape diversity. However, our knowledge to the regulatory mechanism in maintaining leaf morphogenetic capacity is still limited. In tomato, gibberellin (GA) negatively regulates leaf complexity by shortening the morphogenetic window. We here reported a tomato BRI1-EMS-SUPPRESSOR 1 (BES1) transcription factor, SlBES1.8, that promoted the simplification of leaf pattern in a similar manner as GA functions. Enhanced level of SlBES1.8 dramatically decreased the sensibility of tomato to GA whereas increased the sensibility to the GA biosynthesis inhibitor, PAC. In line with the phenotypic observation, the endogenous bioactive GA contents were increased in OE-SlBES1.8 lines, which certainly promoted the degradation of the GA signaling negative regulator, SlDELLA. Moreover, transcriptomic analysis uncovered a set of overlapping genomic targets of SlBES1.8 and GA, and most of them were regulated in the same way. Expression studies showed the repression of SlBES1.8 to the transcriptions of two GA deactivated genes, SlGA2ox2 and SlGA2ox6, and one GA receptor, SlGID1b-1. Further experiments confirmed the direct regulation of SlBES1.8 to their promoters. On the other hand, SlDELLA physically interacted with SlBES1.8 and further inhibited its transcriptional regulation activity by abolishing SlBES1.8-DNA binding. Conclusively, by mediating GA deactivation and signaling, SlBES1.8 greatly influenced tomato leaf morphogenesis.

Highlight

The BRI1-EMS-SUPPRESSOR 1 (BES1) family protein SlBES1.8 promotes leaf simplification by inhibiting gibberellin deactivation and physically interacting with DELLA protein in tomato.
Credit-linked insurance bundles in Zambia: evidence from the aftermath of a shock
Authors: Van Asseldonk Marcel , Onumah Gideon , Lensink Robert
Published: December 2021

Purpose

This research seeks to assess the impact of a credit-linked insurance bundle in Zambia, in terms of the inputs used and the amount of maize subsequently produced and sold.

Design/methodology/approach

To estimate the impact of a credit-linked insurance bundle, this research relies on a natural field experiment. A cross-sectional survey, conducted among 409 households that enrolled in a credit-linked insurance program prior to a drought and adverse market conditions, revealed that 252 households dropped out of the program. Of these, 113 households left for an exogenous, involuntary reason (i.e. group loan was not repaid on time).

Findings

A comparison of households that used the program and those that dropped out reveals that smallholders who lost the credit-linked insurance bundle purchased less fertilizer (−36%), and this input restriction resulted in diminished harvests (−27%) and less quantity sold (−31%).

Research limitations/implications

Risk-exposed smallholders tend to be severely credit constrained, so they cannot invest in sufficient inputs to increase their yields. A credit-linked insurance scheme provides such risk-exposed smallholders, who lack or have only limited collateral, with commercial agricultural credit services and greater access to input. The current analysis cannot specifically attribute the impact of individual components of the bundle (i.e. credit, insurance and input supply), but the overall impact is substantial. The implication of this research is that policy initiatives which support a credit-linked insurance system should not only encourage upscaling but also resilience of the scheme.

Practical implications

Aligning government and public support programs with private initiatives suggests opportunities for greater benefits.

Social implications

African farmers are mainly smallholders, so they face inherent production risks. They also tend to be severely credit constrained, with few means to mitigate these risks, so they suffer from a limited capacity to invest in improved farm technology systems that might increase their productivity. Insured input bundles could help farmers to cope better with adverse risks and facilitate increase productivity.

Originality/value

This research design exploits the peculiarity of the data, including group liability and a strict time window for loan repayments to remain eligible in a forthcoming growing season. This impact assessment approach is rigorous in controlling for self-selection bias and thus offers opportunities to establish how households in each sub-sample (eligible or not) are (un)able to ride out a lean season, following a drought and adverse market conditions.
Administrative and legal mechanisms for combating corruption
Authors: Lytvyn Nataliia A. , Artemenko Olena V. , Kovalova Svitlana S. , Kobets Maryna P. , Kashtan (Grygorieva) Elena V.
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the administrative and legal mechanisms of combating corruption, namely, to determine the means by which it is possible to develop a positive experience in the fight against corruption.

Design/methodology/approach

Among the methods used to study the problems of the stated subject, the dialectical, comparative-legal, systems, historical and legal, formal and legal, analysis and synthesis can be distinguished.

Findings

The authors investigated the experience of foreign countries in combating corruption and suggested implementing international experience in national legislation for the successful fight against corruption. In the course of the study, the current state of legal regulations governing anti-corruption activities was characterised, corruption and the main reasons for committing corruption acts were investigated, the problems that arise in the fight against corruption were identified, the main administrative and legal mechanisms for combating corruption were established and the effectiveness of applying these mechanisms in practice was studied.

Practical implications

The provisions that are enshrined in this paper are of practical value for individuals whose activities are aimed at fighting corruption, as Ukraine is one of the states where corruption flourishes and where the fight against corruption has not been directly implemented in practice for many years.

Originality/value

Based on the example of international experience in the fight against corruption, proposals and recommendations for improving administrative and legal mechanisms for combating corruption have been developed.
The problem of CSR: an exploration of relationship between CSR initiatives and excess work ethic
Authors: Ali Muhammad
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to bring to light the downside of the positive effects of corporate social responsibility (CSR) concerning employee work practices. The focus is on the aspects of excess work ethic (EWE) that are hypothesized as the result of increased organizational identification (OI) due to CSR engagement. This excessive involvement by employees in their work results in neglect of their personal lives.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample has been taken from employees of various organizational sectors in Pakistan. Structural equation modeling is used to analyze the hypothesized relationships among the variables in the conceptual framework.

Findings

The findings of the study reveal that CSR perception of employees negates the excessive work ethic but the introduction of a higher level of OI due to work meaningfulness indirectly positively affects EWE with pro-environmental orientation (PEO) as a moderator.

Originality/value

The relationship between CSR and variables such as work engagement has been explored in the recent literature but the heightened level of OI indulging the employees into overwork is rarely been explored. Also, the use of PEO as a mediator adds to the knowledge on the subject.
Not a token! A discussion on racial capitalism and its impact on academic librarians and libraries
Authors: Vong Silvia
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to introduce the concept of racial capitalism in the context of academic libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper draws on Leong's (2013) extended theory of racial capitalism and identifies how neoliberalism and racial capitalism are tied as well as how it is manifested in academic libraries through tokenism, racialized tasks, consuming racial trauma, cultural performance demands, workload demands and pay inequity.

Findings

The article ends with some suggestions in how to address these problematic practices though dismantling meritocratic systems, critical race theory in LIS education and training, and funding EDI work.

Originality/value

The article explores a concept in the academic library context and points to practices and structures that may commodify racialized identities.
Boards of a Feather: Homophily in Foreign Director Appointments Around the World
Authors: BARRIOS JOHN M. , BIANCHI PIETRO A. , ISIDRO HELENA , NANDA DHANANJAY
Published: December 2021

We examine how similarity in institutional, legal, and social characteristics between a firm's and its directors’ home countries, that is, country‐pair homophily, affects foreign director appointments. We estimate a gravity model that includes economic and geographic proximity and find that country‐pair homophily is a significant determinant of foreign director appointments to corporate boards. We also find that country‐pair homophily limits the appointments of foreign directors from high‐quality governance countries to firms located in low‐quality governance countries, which may reduce the role of board internationalization in promoting the global convergence of governance practices. We analyze changes in foreign director appointments around the international adoption of IFRS and Norway's gender‐quota rule and find a higher appointment likelihood for directors originating from countries that are institutionally and culturally similar to that of the firm. Our findings point to the critical role that country‐pair homophily plays in matching director to boards with implications for the diffusion of governance practices globally.
The ZAX Herbivory Trainer—Free software for training researchers to visually estimate leaf damage
Authors: Xirocostas Zoe A. , Debono Samuel A. , Slavich Eve , Moles Angela T.
Published: December 2021

Plants lose a remarkable amount of energy to herbivorous animals, and this damage has substantial impacts on plant fitness and species' distributions. There are many ways ecologists can measure leaf damage, with some methods being more time‐consuming than others. Due to a high variance in herbivory, accurate quantification of damage at the population level requires sampling of many leaves. A simple yet effective solution to this problem is to estimate leaf damage visually.

Visually estimating leaf damage may be less accurate than scanning methods, but visual estimates of leaf damage are much faster than digital measurements. Using simulations, we show that gathering larger quantities of data at a slightly higher level of inaccuracy gives a more accurate estimate of a population's overall leaf damage than fewer, exact measurements.

We then introduce the ZAX Herbivory Trainer, a free online application that teaches researchers to accurately visually estimate leaf damage. On average, users took ~9 min and 48 images to complete our trainer which significantly decreased their estimate inaccuracy from 13.2% to 6%. This low level of inaccuracy can be retained up to 3 months post‐training so researchers can use the ZAX Herbivory Trainer once prior to short fieldwork or every 3 months for extensive fieldwork. We also recommend a cut‐off point, whereby if a person has not completed the app in 17.5 min or 85 images (90th percentile), they may not be suitable to estimate herbivory for research purposes.

The ZAX Herbivory Trainer will allow researchers of any experience level to assess herbivory quickly and accurately in a globally standardised way. International collaborators, students and citizen scientists can all find use in this app, no matter the scale of their projects. From this we can gather better data to address big picture questions in ecology such as patterns in herbivory relating to latitude or climate change.
CFTR mutational screening by next‐generation sequencing reveals novel variants and a high carrier rate in a Middle Eastern population
Authors: Farra Chantal , Awwad Johnny , Hamadeh Lama , Khoueiry Pierre , Halawi Zeina , Yazbeck Nadine , Daher Rose , Souaid Mirna , Hamdar Layal , Yammine Tony , Yunis Khalid
Published: December 2021

Cystic fibrosis is the most common life‐limiting autosomal recessive disease in western countries with an incidence of 1:2500 in United States and 1:1000 in some European countries. Similar incidences were noted for the Middle East with variations from 1 in 2560 to 1 in 15,876 according to the degree of consanguinity. This is a preliminary systematic study that aims to assess the incidence and carrier rate of cystic fibrosis in the Middle Eastern Lebanese population; known for a high frequency of consanguinity. One hundred thirteen DNA samples were collected from neonatal blood cards obtained from newborns to healthy unrelated families with no previous history of Cystic fibrosis. Screening for Cystic Fibrosis‐causing pathogenic variants was performed using next generation sequencing, and 17 different single nucleotide variants were detected, including six pathogenic and likely pathogenic. 5.5%–7% newborns were found to be carriers of a variant strongly suggestive of pathogenicity and comparable to published literature worldwide. This pilot analysis highlights the challenging interpretation of CFTR variants in a country underrepresented by large ethnic population analyses, and stresses the importance of premarital screening programs for Cystic fibrosis.
Incidence of Clostridioides difficile in patients post loop ileostomy reversal in an Australian tertiary hospital: a retrospective study
Authors: Jordan Stephanie , Hui Nathan , Doudle Mark , Von Papen Michael , Naik Arun , Lu Cu Tai , Nolan Gregory , Cooper Michelle
Published: December 2021

Introduction

The purpose of a loop ileostomy is to temporarily divert faeces away from a distal anastomosis, to reduce the consequences of anastomotic leak. This ultimately requires a second procedure to restore bowel continuity, which confers risk of complications including the development of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI). It is hypothesized that patients who undergo loop ileostomy reversal are at increased risk of CDI when compared with other patients undergoing elective colorectal surgical procedures, and that these patients also experience an increased length of stay (LOS).

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was performed on all patients who underwent loop ileostomy reversal at the Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2019.

Results

Two hundred and twenty‐eight patients were identified. Eight tested positive for CDI on faecal PCR (3.51%), a higher incidence than that in patients who underwent an elective colorectal surgical procedure during the same period (0.83%) (RR = 4.23). Additionally, median LOS for ileostomy reversal patients was significantly increased in those who also had CDI when compared with those without CDI (11 versus 4 days; P = 0.0003).

Conclusion

The study confirmed that the incidence of CDI was higher in those who underwent ileostomy reversal when compared with an otherwise comparable hospital population (elective colorectal surgery patients). Additionally, those patients who underwent ileostomy reversal and had CDI experienced an increased LOS which translates to increased cost to the healthcare system. Further investigation into pre‐operative screening and prophylactic antibiotics should be considered as a measure to mitigate this post‐operative complication.
The development of uncertainty monitoring during kindergarten: Change and longitudinal relations with executive function and vocabulary in children from low‐income backgrounds
Authors: Gonzales Christopher R. , Merculief Alexis , McClelland Megan M. , Ghetti Simona
Published: December 2021

Children's ability to monitor subjective feelings of uncertainty (i.e., engage in uncertainty monitoring) is a central metacognitive skill. In the current study, we examined the development of uncertainty monitoring as well as its relations with vocabulary and executive function development in children (N = 137, 52% female) from predominately White and Latinx/Hispanic backgrounds when they were 4–6 years old and enrolled in a Head Start preschool and kindergarten between 2018 and 2019. We found that children's uncertainty monitoring improved during the kindergarten year. Children's executive function and vocabulary in preschool and vocabulary growth from preschool to kindergarten predicted uncertainty monitoring at the end of kindergarten, which sheds new light on potential mechanisms supporting children's metacognitive development.
Embodying children’s rights in Italy and Spain: Unmasking some elements of the cultural politics of childhood
Authors: Grau‐Grau Marc , Tracchi Matteo , Panebianco Daria , Kisunaite Aida
Published: December 2021

This study explores how some aspects of the cultural politics of childhood in Italy and Spain limit, allow or encourage the fuller realisation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, using the complementary voices of 49 participants, including policymakers, leaders of third sector organisations and families in vulnerable situations. Our research contributes to the advancement of the field bycontextualisingsome of the facilitating and challenging factors regarding the enforcement of children's rights, divided into three different levels of analysis: structural factors, political factors and cultural factors.
Optimizing moxidectin dosing for Strongyloides stercoralis infections: Insights from pharmacometric modeling
Authors: Hofmann Daniela , Smit Cornelis , Sayasone Somphou , Pfister Marc , Keiser Jennifer
Published: December 2021

Moxidectin is a frontrunner drug candidate in the treatment of strongyloidiasis. A dose of 8 mg is recommended to treat this indication, which shows a reasonably good efficacy and tolerability profile. Yet, owing to the unique life cycle of Strongyloides stercoralis (S. stercoralis) that entails internal autoinfection, a curative treatment would be desirable. Population‐based pharmacometric modeling that would help to identify an ideal dosing strategy are yet lacking. The aims of this study were to (i) explore the exposure‐efficacy response relationship of moxidectin in treating S. stercoralis and (ii) evaluate whether moxidectin treatment outcomes in terms of cure rates at baseline as compared to post‐treatment could be optimized. Our pharmacodynamic model suggests high predictive power (area under the concentration time curve‐receiver operating characteristic [AUC‐ROC] 0.817) in the probability of being cured by linking an exposure metric (i.e., AUC0‐24 or maximum concentration [Cmax]) to baseline infection intensity. Pharmacometric simulations indicate that with a minimum dose of 4 mg a maximum cure rate of ~ 95% is established in the low infection intensity group (larvae per gram [LPG] ≥0.4–1), whereas in the moderate‐to‐high intensity group (LPG >1) the cure rate plateaus at ~ 87%, following an 8 mg dose. To enhance efficacy further, studies using repeated dosing based on the duration of the autoinfection cycle, for example a two‐dose regimen 3 weeks apart should be considered. Simulations revealed similar Cmax in both treatment courses of a two‐dose regimen; hence safety should not be a concern. Collectively, our results provide evidence‐based guidance for enhanced dosing strategies and should be considered when designing future treatment strategies.
Stroke‐related restless legs syndrome: Clinical and anatomo‐functional characterization of an emerging entity
Authors: Ruppert Elisabeth , Hacquard Aurélien , Tatu Laurent , Namer Izzie Jacques , Wolff Valérie , Kremer Stéphane , Lagha‐Boukbiza Ouhaïd , Bataillard Marc , Bourgin Patrice
Published: December 2021

Background and purpose

Stroke‐related restless legs syndrome (sRLS) secondary to ischemic lesions is an emerging entity and an interesting condition, but there are limited available data to help us further understand its underlying pathways. In this study, we characterized sRLS clinically, neuroanatomically and functionally.

Methods

Consecutive patients hospitalized in the Stroke Unit of the University Hospital of Strasbourg were assessed clinically and electrophysiologically for sRLS characteristics. They underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging for the neuroanatomical study of involved structures, and received functional evaluations with 18F‐FDG (2‐deoxy‐2‐[fluorine‐18]fluoro‐D‐glucose) positron emission tomography (PET) for glucose consumption, 123I‐FP‐CIT ([123]I‐2beta‐carbometoxy‐3beta‐[4‐iodophenyl]‐N‐[3‐fluoropropyl]nortropane) single‐photon emission computed tomography for dopamine reuptake and PET with 18F‐FDOPA ((3,4‐dihydroxy‐6‐[18]F‐fluoro‐l‐phenylalanine) for presynaptic dopaminergic synthesis.

Results

Sixteen patients with sRLS, eight women and eight men, aged 41–81 years, were included. The clinical characteristics of sRLS and idiopathic RLS were similar. Most patients presented with bilateral and symmetric de novo RLS. Eight patients had infarction in the lenticulostriate area (middle cerebral artery and internal carotid arteria). The body of the caudate nucleus was most commonly affected. Seven patients had sRLS secondary to ventral brainstem infarction (perforating branches of the basilar arteria) affecting the pons in six patients and the medulla oblongata in one patient. Both the corticospinal tract and the cortico‐pontocerebellar fibres were lesioned in all patients with brainstem stroke. One patient had infarction in the left posterior cerebellar vermis and occipital area (posterior cerebral artery and superior cerebellar artery). Isotopic explorations showed a significantly increased dopaminergic tone in the striatum ipsilateral to lenticulostriate infarction. Dopamine fixation was normal in patients with stroke outside of the lenticulostriate area.

Conclusions

Clinicians should be aware of the characteristics of sRLS for the appropriate diagnosis and treatment of this condition.
Dynamic contrast enhanced‐magnetic resonance imaging radiomics combined with a hybrid adaptiveneuro‐fuzzyinference system‐particle swarm optimization approach for breast tumour classification
Authors: Tzalavra Alexia G. , Andreadis Ioannis , V. Dalakleidi Kalliopi , Constantinidis Fotios , I. Zacharaki Evangelia , S. Nikita Konstantina
Published: December 2021

The authors propose a method for breast dynamic contrast enhanced‐magnetic resonance imaging classification by combining radiomic texture analysis with a hybrid adaptive neuro‐fuzzy inference system (ANFIS)‐particle swarm optimization (PSO) classifier. The fast discrete curvelet transform is utilized as a decomposition scheme in multiple scales. The mean and entropy features extracted from the produced scheme are used as texture descriptors. Principal component analysis (PCA) involves reduction of the dimensionality of the initial feature set. The transformed feature vector is subsequently introduced to a hybrid ANFIS‐PSO classifier. The average overall classification power of the proposed hybrid ANFIS‐PSO classifier is comparatively assessed to that obtained using several classifiers (ANFIS, linear discriminant analysis, Naïve Bayes, artificial neural networks, random forest and support vector machine) by using the 70 training‐30 testing data ratio. The comparison performed highlights the superiority of the proposed methodology, thus underlying the potential of ANFIS‐PSO for the breast cancer diagnosis with a classification accuracy of 94%.
EnzymeML—a data exchange format for biocatalysis and enzymology
Authors: Range Jan , Halupczok Colin , Lohmann Jens , Swainston Neil , Kettner Carsten , Bergmann Frank T. , Weidemann Andreas , Wittig Ulrike , Schnell Santiago , Pleiss Jürgen
Published: December 2021

EnzymeML is an XML‐based data exchange format that supports the comprehensive documentation of enzymatic data by describing reaction conditions, time courses of substrate and product concentrations, the kinetic model, and the estimated kinetic constants. EnzymeML is based on the Systems Biology Markup Language, which was extended by implementing the STRENDA Guidelines. An EnzymeML document serves as a container to transfer data between experimental platforms, modeling tools, and databases. EnzymeML supports the scientific community by introducing a standardized data exchange format to make enzymatic data findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable according to the FAIR data principles. An application programming interface in Python supports the integration of software tools for data acquisition, data analysis, and publication. The feasibility of a seamless data flow using EnzymeML is demonstrated by creating an EnzymeML document from a structured spreadsheet or from a STRENDA DB database entry, by kinetic modeling using the modeling platform COPASI, and by uploading to the enzymatic reaction kinetics database SABIO‐RK.
The effect of NNS–NNS and NNS–NS videoconferencing on the development of second language confidence
Authors: Hetrovicz Lauren
Published: December 2021

According to the functional model proposed by Sampasivam and Clément in 2014, the two determinants that build towards second language confidence (L2C) are richness and self‐involvement of the contact experience. This study adds to previous research by investigating, for the first time, the role of interlocutor type in the context of videoconferencing on L2C development. The participants (n = 28) were students enrolled in a fifth‐semester Spanish conversation course. Using a counter‐balanced design, they conversed with a peer on Zoom and with a native speaker on TalkAbroad and also responded to an initial and two postconversation questionnaires. The results showed that overall the learners' L2C increased with both interlocutor types, but differences emerged in the examination of the underlying components of the data. Theoretically, the findings support the integrated model of Sampasivam and Clément and their assertion that videoconferencing is high in richness and self‐involvement and, thus, facilitates L2C development.
Globally limited individual and combined effects of multiple global change factors on allometric biomass partitioning
Authors: Peng Yan , Fornara Dario A. , Yue Kai , Peng Xin , Peng Changhui , Wu Qiqian , Ni Xiangyin , Liao Shu , Yang Yusheng , Wu Fuzhong , Peñuelas Josep
Published: December 2021

Aim

Plant biomass allocation reflects the distribution of photosynthates among different organs in response to changing environmental conditions. Global change influences plant growth across terrestrial ecosystems, but impacts of individual and combined multiple global change factors (GCFs) on plant biomass allocation at the global scale are unclear.

Location

Global.

Time period

Contemporary.

Major taxa studied

Plants in terrestrial ecosystems.

Methods

We conducted a meta‐analysis of data comprising 4,180 pairwise observations to assess individual and combined effects of nitrogen addition (N), warming (W), elevated CO2(C), irrigation (I), and drought (D) on plant biomass allocation based on the ‘ratio‐based optimal partitioning’ and ‘isometric allocation’ hypotheses.

Results

We found that (a) ratio‐based plant biomass fractions of different organs were only minimally affected by individual and combined effects of the studied GCFs; (b) combined effects of two‐factor pairs of GCFs on plant biomass allocation were commonly additive, rather than synergistic or antagonistic; (c) moderator variables influenced, but seldom changed the direction of individual and combined effects of GCFs on plant biomass allocation; and (d) neither individual nor combined effects of the studied GCFs altered allometric relationships among different organs, indicating that patterns of plant biomass allocation under the environmental stress conditions exerted by the multiple GCFs were better explained by the isometric allocation rather than the ratio‐based optimal partitioning hypothesis.

Main conclusions

Our results show consistent patterns of allometric plant biomass partitioning under effects of multiple GCFs and provide evidence of an isometric plant biomass allocation trajectory in response to global change perturbations. These findings improve our understanding and prediction of terrestrial vegetation responses to future global change scenarios.
Understanding topic duration in Twitter learning communities using data mining
Authors: Arslan Okan , Xing Wanli , Inan Fethi A. , Du Hanxiang
Published: December 2021

Background

There has been increasing interest in online professional learning networks in a variety of social media platforms, especially in Twitter. Twitter offers immediacy, personalization, and support of networks to increase professional knowledge and the sense of membership. Knowing the topics discussed in Twitter and the factors that affect the duration of a topic would help to sustain and reconstruct Twitter‐based professional learning activities.

Objectives

The purpose of this study is to analyse the topics discussed and what factors affect the duration of a specific topic in 6 years within a virtual professional learning network (VPLN) using #Edchat in Twitter, based on media richness features.

Methods

Internet‐mediated research and digital methods are used for data collection and analysis. Various text, natural language processing, and machine learning algorithms were used along with the quantitative multilevel models. This study examined 504,998 tweets posted by 72,342 unique users by using #Edchat.

Results

There were 150 topics discussed over the 6 years and multilevel random intercept regression model revealed that a specific topic discussed in the #Edchat VPLN is discussed longer when it has more tweets, rather than retweets, posted by a high number of different users along with moderate text, high or moderate mentions with more hashtags.

Takeaways

The study developed an automated social media richness feature extraction framework that can be adapted for other theoretical applications in educational context. Emergent topics discussed in Twitter among #Edchat VPLN members for professional development were identified. It extends the social media richness theory for educational context and explore factors that affect an online professional learning activity in Twitter.
Animated pedagogical agents enhance learning outcomes and brain activity during learning
Authors: Li Wenjing , Wang Fuxing , Mayer Richard E. , Liu Tao
Published: December 2021

Background

With the rapid popularization of e‐learning, how to improve online learning has aroused widespread concern. A human‐like pedagogical agent (PA) that displays eye gaze and gestures, is often added to online multimedia lessons to increase social connection and improve learning in e‐learning environments. However, there has been a debate about how PAs affect learning processes and learning outcomes.

Objectives

Social agency theory holds that learners can build a social connection with PAs, which affects learning processes and outcomes. This study seeks to reveal how PAs influence learning by exploring the influence of PAs on learning outcomes and brain activity during learning.

Methods

College students viewed a multimedia lesson on the process of chemical synaptic transmission either with or without an embodied PA on the left side of the screen that pointed to the graphic as she lectured. During learning students' brain cortical activity was measured by a functional near‐infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) system, and after learning students completed learning outcomes post‐tests.

Results and Conclusions

Consistent with social agency theory, students learning with a PA performed better on learning outcome tests and showed greater brain activity in the social areas of the brain during learning based on fNIRS measures.

Implications

By using fNIRS technology, this study provides preliminary new support for the idea that learners engage in social processing during online learning with an embodied PA that leads to improved learning outcomes.
Circulating level of fatty acid‐binding protein 4 is an independent predictor of metabolic dysfunction‐associated fatty liver disease in middle‐aged and elderly individuals
Authors: Tanaka Marenao , Takahashi Satoko , Higashiura Yukimura , Sakai Akiko , Koyama Masayuki , Saitoh Shigeyuki , Shimamoto Kazuaki , Ohnishi Hirofumi , Furuhashi Masato
Published: December 2021

Aims/Introduction

Metabolic dysfunction‐associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), defined as hepatosteatosis with type 2 diabetes mellitus, overweight/obesity or metabolic dysregulation, has been proposed as a new feature of chronic liver disease. Fatty acid‐binding protein 4 (FABP4) is expressed in adipose tissue, and secreted FABP4 is associated with the development of insulin resistance and atherosclerosis. However, the relationship between MAFLD and FABP4 has not been fully addressed.

Materials and Methods

Associations of MAFLD with metabolic markers, including FABP4, fibroblast growth factor 21 and adiponectin, were investigated in 627 individuals (men/women 292/335) in the Tanno‐Sobetsu Study, a population‐based cohort.

Results

The mean age was 65 years (range 19–98 years, median [interquartile range] 68 [56–76] years). Hepatosteatosis was determined by the fatty liver index (FLI), and FLI ≥35 for men and FLI ≥16 for women were used for detection of fatty liver, as previously reported using 14,471 Japanese individuals. FLI was positively correlated with systolic blood pressure and levels of FABP4 (r = 0.331, P < 0.001), fibroblast growth factor 21, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance as an insulin resistance index and uric acid, and was negatively correlated with levels of high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and adiponectin. FABP4 concentration was independently associated with FLI after adjustment of age, sex, systolic blood pressure and levels of uric acid, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, adiponectin and fibroblast growth factor 21 in multivariable regression analysis. Logistic regression analysis showed that FABP4 was an independent predictor of MAFLD after adjustment of age, sex, presence of diabetes mellitus, hypertension and dyslipidemia, and levels of uric acid, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, adiponectin and fibroblast growth factor 21.

Conclusions

FABP4 concentration is independently associated with FLI and is an independent predictor of MAFLD in middle‐aged and elderly individuals.
Individual and working experiences of healthcare workers infected with COVID‐19: A qualitative study
Authors: Shali Mahboobeh , Behnoush Amir Hossein , Shabani Enayat A. , Khazaeipour Zahra
Published: December 2021

Introduction

The major burden of the COVID‐19 pandemic has been mainly on healthcare workers (HCWs) and as a result many of them have been afflicted with the disease thus far.

Purpose

The present study was an effort to investigate Tehran University of Medical Sciences HCWs' experiences of COVID‐19 during the pandemic in Tehran, Iran.

Methods

This study is essentially a conventional qualitative content analysis. Twenty‐six HCWs (including 7 physicians, 16 nurses, and 3 physiotherapists) were purposefully selected to participate in the study. The data were collected from April 2020 to January 2021 through semi‐structured face‐to‐face interviews. The interviews were transcribed and then analyzed based on the Graneheim and Lundman method using MAXQDA 12.

Results

Based on the qualitative content analysis which resulted in 364 initial codes, three themes and eight subthemes were extracted. The extracted themes were “support,” “control,” and “improvement.”

Conclusions

HCWs are in close contact with COVID‐19 patients as part of their professional careers and the provision of quality patient care in times of crises is unattainable unless HCWs enjoy support and their own health is maintained. Making institutional, national, and international preparations for their protection is an obligation.
The effect of family‐based intervention for adults with diabetes on HbA1c and other health‐related outcomes: Systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Zhang Huijing , Zhang Qi , Luo Dan , Cai Xue , Li Ruxue , Zhang Yating , Lu Yanhui , Liu Jiajia , Gu Jiaxin , Li Mingzi
Published: December 2021

Aims and objectives

To evaluate the effectiveness of family‐based intervention for adults with diabetes on glycosylated haemoglobin and other health‐related outcomes.

Background

The impact of family‐based intervention on adults with diabetes has been evaluated in various studies, but there is uncertainty about their effect on health‐related outcomes for adults with diabetes.

Design

A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomised controlled trials.

Methods

A review was performed and reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) checklist. Six relevant databases were searched from inception to 5 March 2021. Heterogeneity between studies was quantified by using Higgins’ I2 test. Sensibility and subgroup analyses were used to explore potential heterogeneity.

Results

The review included 23 studies (3,114 participants). Family‐based intervention had a significant effect on improving glycosylated haemoglobin levels, body mass index, blood pressure, fasting glucose, diabetes self‐care, diabetes self‐efficacy, diabetes distress and positive family support. Non‐significant results were obtained for blood lipid, body weight, depression and negative family support. In particular, subgroup analyses indicated that family‐based intervention in Asian regions was more effective in improving glycosylated haemoglobin levels than in other areas.

Conclusion

Family‐based intervention may improve diabetes control, diabetes self‐care, psychological well‐being and positive family support in adults with diabetes and is especially effective in Asian regions. Given the limitations in current studies, further studies are recommended to combine family theory with family‐based intervention, and to examine the effectiveness of such intervention for family members.

Relevance to clinical practice

This review and meta‐analysis provides evidence that family‐based intervention can improve positive family support, which has a good effect on diabetes control and psychological well‐being in adults with diabetes, and it is especially effective in Asian regions. Findings suggested that unreinforced participation by family members and integrating flexible strategies into family‐based intervention may be equally effective.
Productivity Decomposition in Heterogeneous Industries*
Authors: Dosi Giovanni , Grazzi Marco , Li Le , Marengo Luigi , Settepanella Simona
Published: December 2021

We propose a novel methodology for computing variations of aggregate productivity and its decomposition into changes of individual firms’ productivities and of industry composition. Industry productivity should be measured in principle on industry total inputs and outputs but it is believed that this measure does not allow for such decomposition. Thus, weighted averages of individual productivities are used which introduce serious biases especially when industries are heterogeneous. We propose a geometric approach where aggregate productivity can be measured directly on industry data, but nevertheless its variations can be decomposed into between and within effects plus a heterogeneity effect.
The Herfindahl‐Hirschman Index and the Distribution of Social Surplus*
Authors: Spiegel Yossi
Published: December 2021

I show that in a broad range of oligopoly models, the Herfindahl‐Hirschman index (HHI) reflects the ratio of producer surplus to consumer surplus and therefore the division of surplus between firms’ owners and consumers.
Platforms, Power, and Promotion: Evidence from Spotify Playlists*
Authors: Aguiar Luis , Waldfogel Joel
Published: December 2021

Many online markets are dominated by a handful of platforms, raising concerns about the exercise of market power in the digital age. Spotify has emerged as the leading interactive music streaming platform, and we assess its power by measuring the impact of its promotion decisions – via platform‐operated playlists – on the success of songs and artists. We employ discontinuity and instrumental variables identification approaches and find large and significant effects of playlist inclusion on success. Our results provide direct evidence of a prominent platform's power and suggest a need for continued scrutiny of how platforms exercise their power.
The only Dance in Town: Unique Equilibrium in a Generalized Model of Price Competition*
Authors: Johnen Johannes , Ronayne David
Published: December 2021

We study a model of simultaneous price competition that subsumes many employed in the literature over the last several decades. Firms sell a homogeneous good to consumers characterized by the number of prices they (exogenously) consider. We show there is a unique equilibrium if and only if some consumers consider exactly two prices. The equilibrium is in symmetric mixed strategies. When no consumer considers exactly two prices, there is, in addition, an uncountable infinity of asymmetric equilibria. Our results show that the paradigm generically produces a unique equilibrium, and only the commonly sought symmetric equilibrium is robust to perturbations in consumer behavior.
Are they out to get me? Individual differences in nonclinical paranoia as a function of narcissism and defensive self‐protection
Authors: Hepper Erica G. , Ellett Lyn , Kerley Danielle , Kingston Jessica L.
Published: December 2021

Objective

Three studies tested a novel model of the narcissism‐paranoia link, whereby narcissism (primarily its socially maladaptive facets) is associated with paranoia via over‐use of defensive self‐protection and/or under‐use of self‐affirmation.

Methods

In Study 1, 245 online volunteers (87% female; MAGE = 20.92; 44% White‐British) completed trait measures of narcissism, self‐enhancement/protection strategies and paranoia. In Study 2, 116 students (82% female; MAGE = 20.23; 70% White‐British) completed baseline measures, then reported state reactions and paranoia following two difficult and two pleasant interpersonal events after 3–10 days. In Study 3, 517 online volunteers (64% female; MAGE = 22.76; 77% White/Caucasian) completed baseline measures, experienced a standardized social exclusion (vs. neutral) manipulation (Cyberball), then reported state reactions and paranoia.

Results

In Study 1, narcissism was associated with higher paranoia via defensiveness. In Study 2, this was replicated in difficult but not pleasant events, and was driven by the Entitlement/Exploitativeness facet of narcissism. In Study 3, narcissistic rivalry and vulnerable narcissism, but not admiration, were associated with Cyberball‐related paranoia via general defensiveness and denigration of others.

Conclusions

Individuals high in narcissism—especially its socially maladaptive facets—who over‐rely on defensive self‐protection strategies in response to threat, are particularly vulnerable to paranoia. Findings help to understand individual differences in paranoia.