bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Discovery of embryonically derived bipotent endothelial-macrophage progenitor cells in postnatal aorta
Authors: Williamson Anna E. , Liyanage Sanuri , Hassanshahi Mohammadhossein , Dona Malathi S. I. , Toledo-Flores Deborah , Tran Dang X.A. , Dimasi Catherine , Schwarz Nisha , Fernando Sanuja , Salagaras Thalia , Long Aaron , Kazenwadel Jan , Harvey Natasha L. , Drummond Grant R. , Vinh Antony , Chandrakanthan Vashe , Misra Ashish , Neufeld Zoltan , Tan Joanne T.M. , Martelotto Luciano Gaston , Polo Jose M. , Bonder Claudine S. , Pinto Alex R. , Sharma Shiwani , Nicholls Stephen J. , Bursill Christina A. , Psaltis Peter J
Published: October 2021

Background: Yolk sac (YS) progenitors are a source of macrophages and endothelial cells in some tissues that are thought to be maintained postnatally by self-renewal in their differentiated states. How this is achieved remains poorly understood. Methods and Results: Single-cell digests from mouse aortas selectively formed macrophage colony-forming units (CFU-M) in methylcellulose, which self-renewed in secondary cultures from single cells. CFU-M comprised a homogeneous population of Lin-CD45+/LoCD11b-F4/80-Sca-1+c-Kit+ progenitor cells that co-expressed fractalkine receptor (CX3CR1) and colony stimulating factor-1 receptor (CSF1R). These progenitors displayed high proliferative activity from adult aorta even at steady state. Flt3Cre lineage mapping revealed their independence from Flt3+ bone marrow hematopoietic progenitor cells. They were especially abundant in neonatal aorta, with subsequent age-related decline, suggesting prenatal seeding, which was confirmed by finding their emergence in YS after embryonic day (E) 7.5 and from aorta-gonad-mesonephros by E10.5. Inducible fate-mapping using Csf1rMer-iCre-Mer and Cx3cr1YFP-creER mice established that these progenitors originate from an E8.5 CSF1R+ and E8.5-9.5 CX3CR1+ source, together with macrophages and endothelial cells in the aortic wall. Complementary differentiation studies revealed aortic progenitors to be vasculogenic and bipotent for macrophages and endothelium, contributing to adventitial neovascularization in aortic ring assays and forming perfused blood vessels and macrophages after transfer into ischemic hindlimb. Single-cell RNA sequencing showed their relatively homogeneous myelopoietic and angiogenic gene expression profile without expression of mature myeloid or endothelial genes. Finally, we found that aortic progenitors also express angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and angiotensin II receptor, AGTR2, and established regulatory roles for angiotensin II, which augmented their proliferative, self-renewal and differentiation properties in vitro and expansion in aorta in vivo. Conclusion: Our discovery of aortic endothelial-macrophage progenitors adds to the recognized fate of YS progenitors in postnatal tissues. These bipotent cells may help explain the local renewal of YS-derived tissue-resident macrophages and endothelial cells after birth.
The intestinal circadian clock drives microbial rhythmicity to maintain gastrointestinal homeostasis
Authors: Heddes Marjolein , Altaha Baraa , Niu Yunhui , Reitmeier Sandra , Kleigrewe Karin , Haller Dirk , Kiessling Silke
Published: October 2021

Diurnal (i.e., 24-hour) oscillations of the gut microbiome have been described in various species including mice and humans. However, the driving force behind these rhythms remains less clear. In this study, we differentiate between endogenous and exogenous time cues driving microbial rhythms. Our results demonstrate that fecal microbial oscillations are maintained in mice kept in the absence of light, supporting a role of the host’s circadian system rather than representing a diurnal response to environmental changes. Intestinal epithelial cell-specific ablation of the core clock gene Bmal1 disrupts rhythmicity of microbiota. Targeted metabolomics functionally link intestinal clock-controlled bacteria to microbial-derived products, in particular branched-chain fatty acids and secondary bile acids. Microbiota transfer from intestinal clock-deficient mice into germ-free mice altered intestinal gene expression, enhanced lymphoid organ weights and suppressed immune cell recruitment. These results highlight the importance of functional intestinal clocks for circadian microbiota composition and function, which is required to balance the host’s gastrointestinal homeostasis.
Conserved chromatin and repetitive patterns reveal slow genome evolution in frogs
Authors: Bredeson Jessen V. , Mudd Austin B. , Medina-Ruiz Sofia , Mitros Therese , Smith Owen K. , Miller Kelly E. , Lyons Jessica B. , Batra Sanjit S. , Park Joseph , Berkoff Kodiak C. , Plott Christopher , Grimwood Jane , Schmutz Jeremy , Aguirre-Figueroa Guadalupe , Khokha Mustafa K. , Lane Maura , Philipp Isabelle , Laslo Mara , Hanken James , Kerdivel Gwenneg , Buisine Nicolas , Sachs Laurent M. , Buchholz Daniel R. , Kwon Taejoon , Smith-Parker Heidi , Gridi-Papp Marcos , Ryan Michael J. , Denton Robert D. , Malone John H. , Wallingford John B. , Straight Aaron F. , Heald Rebecca , Hockemeyer Dirk , Harland Richard M. , Rokhsar Daniel S.
Published: October 2021

Frogs are an ecologically diverse and phylogenetically ancient group of living amphibians that include important vertebrate cell and developmental model systems, notably the genusXenopus. Here we report a high-quality reference genome sequence for the western clawed frog,Xenopus tropicalis, along with draft chromosome-scale sequences of three distantly related emerging model frog species,Eleutherodactylus coqui,Engystomops pustulosusandHymenochirus boettgeri. Frog chromosomes have remained remarkably stable since the Mesozoic Era, with limited Robertsonian (i.e., centric) translocations and end-to-end fusions found among the smaller chromosomes. Conservation of synteny includes conservation of centromere locations, marked by centromeric tandem repeats associated with Cenp-a binding, surrounded by pericentromeric LINE/L1 elements. We explored chromosome structure across frogs, using a dense meiotic linkage map forX. tropicalisand chromatin conformation capture (HiC) data for all species. Abundant satellite repeats occupy the unusually long (∼20 megabase) terminal regions of each chromosome that coincide with high rates of recombination. Both embryonic and differentiated cells show reproducible association of centromeric chromatin, and of telomeres, reflecting a Rabl configuration similar to the “bouquet” structure of meiotic cells. Our comparative analyses reveal 13 conserved ancestral anuran chromosomes from which contemporary frog genomes were constructed.
The pathobiology ofMycobacterium abscessusrevealed through phenogenomic analysis
Authors: Boeck Lucas , Burbaud Sophie , Skwark Marcin , Pearson Will H. , Sangen Jasper , Weimann Aaron , Everall Isobel , Bryant Josephine M , Malhotra Sony , Bannerman Bridget P. , Kierdorf Katrin , Blundell Tom L. , Dionne Marc S. , Parkhill Julian , Floto R. Andres
Published: October 2021

The medical and scientific response to emerging pathogens is often severely hampered by ignorance of the genetic determinants of virulence, drug resistance, and clinical outcomes that could be used to identify therapeutic drug targets and forecast patient trajectories1–5. Taking the newly emergent multidrug-resistant bacteriaMycobacterium abscessusas an example6, we show that combining high dimensional phenotyping with whole genome sequencing in a phenogenomic analysis can rapidly reveal actionable systems-level insights into bacterial pathobiology. Usingin vitroandin vivophenotyping, we discovered three distinct clusters of isolates, each associated with a different clinical outcome. We combined genome-wide association studies (GWAS) with proteome-wide computational structural modelling7to define likely causal variants, and employed direct coupling analysis (DCA)8to identify co-evolving, and therefore potentially epistatic, gene networks. We then usedin vivoCRISPR-based silencing to validate our findings, defining a novel secretion system controlling virulence inM. abscessus, and illustrating how phenogenomics can reveal critical pathways within emerging pathogenic bacteria.
Transfer of Knowledge from Model Organisms to Evolutionarily Distant Non-Model Organisms: The CoralPocillopora damicornisMembrane Signaling Receptome
Authors: Kumar Lokender , Brenner Nathanael , Sledzieski Sam , Olaosebikan Monsurat , Lynn-Goin Matthew , Putnam Hollie , Yang JK , Lewinski Nastassja , Singh Rohit , Daniels Noah M. , Cowen Lenore , Klein-Seetharaman Judith
Published: October 2021

With the ease of gene sequencing and the technology available to study and manipulate non-model organisms, the need to translate our understanding of model organisms to non-model organisms has become an urgent problem. For example, mining of large coral and their symbiont sequence data is a challenge, but also provides an opportunity for understanding functionality and evolution of these and other non-model organisms. Much more information than for any other eukaryotic species is available for humans, especially related to signal transduction and diseases. However, the coral cnidarian host and human have diverged over 700 million years ago and homologies between proteins are therefore often in the gray zone or undetectable with traditional BLAST searches. We introduce a two-stage approach to identifying putative coral homologues of human proteins. First, through remote homology detection using Hidden Markov Models, we identify candidate human homologues in the cnidarian genome. However, for many proteins, the human genome alone contains multiple family members with similar or even more divergence in sequence. In the second stage, therefore, we filter the remote homology results based on the functional and structural plausibility of each coral candidate, shortlisting the coral proteins likely to be true human homologues. We demonstrate our approach with a pipeline for mapping membrane receptors in humans to membrane receptors in corals, with specific focus on the stony coral,P. damicornis. More than 1000 human membrane receptors mapped to 335 coral receptors, including 151 G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). To validate specific sub-families, we chose opsin proteins, representative GPCRs that confer light sensitivity, and Toll-like receptors, representative non-GPCRs, which function in the immune response, and their ability to communicate with microorganisms. Through detailed structure-function analysis of their ligand-binding pockets and downstream signaling cascades, we selected those candidate remote homologues likely to carry out related functions in the corals. This pipeline may prove generally useful for other non-model organisms, such as to support the growing field of synthetic biology.
G-IRAE: a Generalised approach for linking the total Impact of invasion to species’ Range, Abundance and per-unit Effects
Authors: Latombe Guillaume , Catford Jane A. , Essl Franz , Lenzner Bernd , Richardson David M. , Wilson John R. U. , McGeoch Melodie A.
Published: October 2021

The total impact of an alien species was conceptualised as the product of its range size, local abundance and per-unit effect in a seminal paper by Parker and colleagues in 1999, but a practical approach for estimating the three components has been lacking. Here, we generalise the impact formula and, through use of regression models, estimate the relationship between the three components of impact, an approach we term G-IRAE (Generalised Impact – Range size – Abundance – per-unit Effect). Moreover, we show that G-IRAE can also be applied to damage and management costs. We propose two methods for applying G-IRAE. The species-specific method computes the relationship for a given species across multiple invaded sites or regions, assuming a constant per-unit effect across the invaded area. The multi-species method combines data from multiple species across multiple sites or regions to calculate a per-unit effect for each species. While the species-specific method is more accurate, it requires a large amount of data for each species. The multi-species method is more easily applicable and data-parsimonious. We illustrate the multi-species method using data about money spent managing plant invasions in different biomes of South Africa. We found clear differences between species in terms of money spent per unit area invaded, with per-unit expenditures varying substantially between biomes for some species. G-IRAE offers a versatile and practical method which can be applied to many different types of data, to better understand and manage invasions.
Microbiota mediated plasticity promotes thermal adaptation inNematostella vectensis
Authors: Baldassarre Laura , Ying Hua , Reitzel Adam , Fraune Sebastian
Published: October 2021

At the current rate of climate change, it is unlikely that multicellular organisms will be able to adapt to changing environmental conditions through genetic recombination and natural selection alo. Thus, it is critical to understand alternative mechanisms that allow organisms to cope with rapid environmental changes. Here, we used the sea anemoneNematostella vectensisas model to investigate the microbiota as putative source of rapid adaptation. Living in estuarine ecosystems, highly variable aquatic environments,N. vectensishas evolved the capability of surviving in a wide range of temperatures and salinities. In a long-term experiment, we acclimated polyps ofNematostellato low (15°C), medium (20°C) and high (25°C) temperatures, in order to test the impact of microbiota-mediated plasticity on animal acclimation. Using the same animal clonal line, propagated from a single polyp, allowed us to eliminate effects of the host genotype. Interestingly, the higher thermal tolerance of animals acclimated to high temperature, could be transferred to non-acclimated animals through microbiota transplantation. In addition, offspring survival was highest from mothers acclimated to high temperature, indicating the transmission of thermal resistance to the next generation. Microbial community analyses of the F1 generation revealed the transmission of the acclimated microbiota to the next generation. These results indicate that microbiota plasticity can contribute to animal thermal acclimation and its transmission to the next generation may represent a rapid mechanism for thermal adaptation.
Metagenomic data for Halichondria panicea from Illumina and Nanopore sequencing and preliminary genome assemblies for the sponge and two microbial symbionts
Authors: Strehlow Brian W , Schuster Astrid , Francis Warren R , Canfield Donald E
Published: October 2021

Objectives

These data were collected to generate a novel reference metagenome for the sponge Halichondria panicea and its microbiome for subsequent differential expression analyses.

Data description

These data include raw sequences from four separate sequencing runs of the metagenome of a single individual of Halichondria panicea - one Illumina MiSeq (2×300 bp, paired-end) run and three Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) long-read sequencing runs, generating 53.8 and 7.42 Gbp respectively. Comparing assemblies of Illumina, ONT and an Illumina-ONT hybrid revealed the hybrid to be the ‘best’ assembly, comprising 163 Mbp in 63,555 scaffolds (N50: 3,084). This assembly, however, was still highly fragmented and only contained 52% of core metazoan genes (with 77.9% partial genes), so it was also not complete.

However, this sponge is an emerging model species for field and laboratory work, and there is considerable interest in genomic sequencing of this species. Although the resultant assemblies from the data presented here are suboptimal, this data note can inform future studies by providing an estimated genome size and coverage requirements for future sequencing, sharing additional data to potentially improve other suboptimal assemblies of this species, and outlining potential limitations and pitfalls of the combined Illumina and ONT approach to novel genome sequencing.
EFHD1 ablation reduces cardiac mitoflash activation and protects cardiomyocytes from ischemia
Authors: Eberhardt David R. , Lee Sandra H. , Yin Xue , Balynas Anthony M. , Rekate Emma C. , Kraiss Jackie N. , Lang Marisa J. , Walsh Maureen A. , Streiff Molly E. , Corbin Andrea C. , Funai Katsuhiko , Sachse Frank B. , Chaudhuri Dipayan
Published: October 2021

Altered levels of intracellular calcium (Ca2+) is a highly prevalent feature in different forms of cardiac injury, producing changes in contractility, arrhythmias, and mitochondrial dysfunction. In cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injury, mitochondrial Ca2+ overload leads to pathological production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), activates the permeability transition, and cardiomyocyte death. Here we investigated the cardiac phenotype caused by deletion of EF-hand domain-containing protein D1 (Efhd1-/-), a Ca2+-binding mitochondrial protein whose function is poorly understood. Efhd1-/- mice are viable and have no adverse cardiac phenotypes. They feature reductions in basal ROS levels and mitoflash events, both important precursors for mitochondrial injury, though cardiac mitochondria have normal susceptibility to Ca2+ overload. Notably, we also find that Efhd1-/- mice and their cardiomyocytes are resistant to hypoxic injury.
Fast bacterial growth reduces antibiotic accumulation and efficacy
Authors: Łapińska Urszula , Voliotis Margaritis , Lee Ka Kiu , Campey Adrian , Stone M. Rhia L. , Phetsang Wanida , Zhang Bing , Tsaneva-Atanasova Krasimira , Blaskovich Mark A. T. , Pagliara Stefano
Published: October 2021

Phenotypic variations between individual microbial cells play a key role in the resistance of microbial pathogens to pharmacotherapies. Nevertheless, little is known about cell individuality in antibiotic accumulation. Here we hypothesize that phenotypic diversification can be driven by fundamental cell-to-cell differences in drug transport rates. To test this hypothesis, we employed microfluidics-based single-cell microscopy, libraries of fluorescent antibiotic probes and mathematical modelling. This approach allowed us to rapidly identify phenotypic variants that avoid antibiotic accumulation within populations ofEscherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Burkholderia cenocepaciaandStaphylococcus aureus. Crucially, we found that fast growing phenotypic variants avoid macrolide accumulation and survive treatment without genetic mutations. These findings are in contrast with the current consensus that cellular dormancy and slow metabolism underlie bacterial survival to antibiotics. Our results also show that fast growing variants display significantly higher expression of ribosomal promoters before drug treatment compared to slow growing variants. Drug-free active ribosomes facilitate essential cellular processes in these fast growing variants, including efflux that can reduce macrolide accumulation. Using this new knowledge, we phenotypically engineered bacterial populations by eradicating variants that displayed low antibiotic accumulation through the chemical manipulation of their outer membrane inspiring new avenues to overcome current antibiotic treatment failures.
Interplay between positive and negative regulation by B3-type transcription factors is critical for the accurate expression of theABA INSENSITIVE 4gene
Authors: Hernández-Bernal Alma Fabiola , Cordoba Elizabeth , Mendoza Mónica Santos , Agreda-Laguna Kenny Alejandra , Rivera Alejandra Dagmara , Uriostegui-Arcos Maritere , Zurita Mario , León Patricia
Published: October 2021

The ABA-INSENSITIVE 4 transcription factor is key for the regulation of diverse aspects of plant development and environmental responses, including proper perception of hormonal and nutritional signals. ABI4 activity is highly regulated at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels leading to precise expression mainly in the developing seed and early seedling development. Based on genetic and molecular approaches in the current study we provide new insights into the central mechanism underpinning the transcriptional regulation ofABI4during both seed and vegetative development. We identified a complex interplay between the LEC2 and ABI3 transcriptional activators and the HSI/VAL repressors that is critical for properABI4expression. Interestingly, the regulation by these proteins relies on the two RYcis-acting motifs present two kb upstream of theABI4gene. Our analysis also shows that the chromatin landscape of theABI4loci is highly dependent on the LEC2 and HSI2/VAL proteins. LEC2 regulation extends to the vegetative development and the absence of this factor results in ABA- and sugar-insensitive signaling in the developing plant. This regulatory circuit functions as a major control module for the correct spatial-temporal expression ofABI4and prevents its ectopic accumulation that is harmful to the plant.
Epicardial transplantation of autologous atrial appendage micrografts–evaluation of safety and feasibility in pigs after coronary artery occlusion
Authors: Nummi Annu , Pätilä Tommi , Mulari Severi , Lampinen Milla , Nieminen Tuomo , Mäyränpää Mikko I. , Vento Antti , Harjula Ari , Kankuri Esko ,   the AADC consortium
Published: October 2021

Several approaches devised for clinical utilization of cell-based therapies for heart failure often suffer from complex and lengthy preparation stages. Epicardial delivery of autologous atrial appendage micrografts (AAMs) with a clinically used extracellular matrix (ECM) patch provides a straightforward therapy alternative. We evaluated the operative feasibility and the effect of micrografts on the patch-induced epicardial foreign body inflammatory response in a porcine model of myocardial infarction. Right atrial appendages were harvested and mechanically processed into AAMs. The left anterior descending coronary artery was ligated to generate acute infarction. Patches of ECM matrix with or without AAMs were transplanted epicardially onto the infarcted area. Four pigs received the ECM and four received the AAMs patch. Cardiac function was studied by echocardiography both preoperatively and at three weeks follow-up. The primary outcome measures were safety and feasibility of the therapy administration and the secondary outcome was the inflammatory response to ECM. Neither AAMs nor ECM patch-related complications were detected during the follow-up time. AAMs patch preparation was feasible according to time and safety. Inflammation was greatly reduced in AAMs as compared to ECM patches as measured by the amount of infiltrated inflammatory cells and area of inflammation. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated an increased CD3+ cell density in the AAMs patch infiltrate. Epicardial AAMs transplantation demonstrated safety and clinical feasibility. The use of micrografts significantly inhibited ECM-induced foreign body inflammatory reactivity. Transplantation of AAMs shows good clinical applicability as adjuvant therapy to cardiac surgery and can suppress acute inflammatory reactivity.
Synthesis and absolute structure of (R)-2-(benzylselanyl)-1-phenylethanaminium hydrogen sulfate monohydrate: crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analyses
Authors: Rajegowda H. R. , Suchetan P. A. , Butcher R. J. , Raghavendra Kumar P.
Published: October 2021

A hydrogen sulfate salt, C15H18NSe+·HSO4
−·H2O or [BnSeCH2CH(Ph)NH3
+](HSO4
−), of a chiral selenated amine (R)-2-(benzylselanyl)-1-phenylethanamine (BnSeCH2CH(Ph)NH2) has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis,1H and 13C{1H} NMR, FT–IR analysis, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The title salt crystallizes in the monohydrate form in the non-centrosymmetric monoclinic P21 space group. The cation is somewhat W shaped with the dihedral angle between the two aromatic rings being 60.9 (4)°. The carbon atom attached to the amine nitrogen atom is chiral and in the R configuration, and, the –C—C– bond of the –CH2—CH– fragment has a staggered conformation. In the crystal structure, two HSO4
− anions and two water molecules form an R
4
4(12) tetrameric type of assembly comprised of alternating HSO4
− anions and water molecules via discrete D(2) O—H...O hydrogen bonds. This tetrameric assembly aggregates along the b-axis direction as an infinite one-dimensional tape. Adjacent tapes are interconnected via discrete D(2) N—H...O hydrogen bonds between the three amino hydrogen atoms of the cation sandwiched between the two tapes and the three HSO4
− anions of the nearest asymmetric units, resulting in a complex two-dimensional sheet along the ab plane. The pendant arrangement of the cations is stabilized by C—H...π interactions between adjacent cations running as chains down the [010] axis. Secondary Se...O [3.1474 (4) Å] interactions are also observed in the crystal structure. A Hirshfeld surface analysis, including d
norm, shape-index and fingerprint plots of the cation, anion and solvent molecule, was carried out to confirm the presence of various interactions in the crystal structure.
Comparison of the crystal structures of the low- and high-temperature forms of bis[4-(dimethylamino)pyridine]dithiocyanatocobalt(II)
Authors: Krebs Christoph , Jess Inke , Näther Christian
Published: October 2021

Single crystals of the high-temperature form I of [Co(NCS)2(DMAP)2] (DMAP = 4-dimethylaminopyridine, C7H10N2) were obtained accidentally by the reaction of Co(NCS)2 with DMAP at slightly elevated temperatures under kinetic control. This modification crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/m and is isotypic with the corresponding Zn compound. The asymmetric unit consists of one crystallographically independent Co cation and two crystallographically independent thiocyanate anions that are located on a crystallographic mirror plane and one DMAP ligand (general position). In its crystal structure the discrete complexes are linked by C—H...S hydrogen bonds into a three-dimensional network. For comparison, the crystal structure of the known low-temperature form II, which is already thermodynamically stable at room temperature, was redetermined at the same temperature. In this polymorph the complexes are connected by C—H...S and C—H...N hydrogen bonds into a three-dimensional network. At 100 K the density of the high-temperature form I (ρ = 1.462 g cm−3) is higher than that of the low-temperature form II (ρ = 1.457 g cm−3), which is in contrast to the values determined by XRPD at room temperature. Therefore, these two forms represent an exception to the Kitaigorodskii density rule, for which extensive intermolecular hydrogen bonding in form II might be responsible.
1-[(Methylsulfonyl)oxy]pyridin-1-ium methanesulfonate
Authors: Taeufer Tobias , Spannenberg Anke , Pospech Jola
Published: October 2021

The title molecular salt, C6H8NO3S+·CH3O3S−, consists of a cationic sulfonated pyridine N-oxide moiety and a methanesulfonate anion. An N—O bond length of 1.4004 (15) Å is observed in the cation. In the crystal, weak C—H...O interactions link the components into a three-dimensional network.
Competitive empathy: sharing values and strategies with rivals
Authors: Ghezzi Antonio
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This study aims to introduce the original idea of competitive empathy, to go beyond competitive advantage and help managers and entrepreneurs strategize with a shared purpose.

Design/methodology/approach

This study builds on and originally combines seminal works on empathy in the fields of psychology and management, which are extended to embrace the notion of empathy toward competitors. Empirical research leveraged different methods, including “class as a lab” research; field studies; and collaborative research.

Findings

To support managers’ and entrepreneurs’ effort to be more empathic and emotionally intelligent when dealing with competitors, the study introduces the “Competitive Empathy Catalyst” tool, which identifies three layers – namely, orientation, execution and foundation – where to look for common ground between your company’s and your competitors’ strategy. A set of principles that should inspire managers’ strategic behavior and action to enable competitive empathy are also proposed: search for a non-conflicting identification with competitors and avoid “egotism”; adopt “perspective-taking”; practice “mirroring”; aim at the “greater good”; leverage “vicarious learning” and apply “cautionary trust.”

Practical implications

Looking at competitors from a different angle and applying competitive empathy as a strategic device can uncover a plethora of opportunities benefiting the company’s strategy and ability to create, deliver and capture value.

Originality/value

Empathy in management theory and practice has been traditionally associated with interaction with customers, employees and stakeholders. Competitive empathy counterintuitively applies empathy to a category of players that were largely left out from the discussion, that is, competitors.
Antecedents to heuristics: decoding the role of herding and prospect theory for Indian millennial investors
Authors: Goyal Preeti , Gupta Poornima , Yadav Vanita
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how heuristics are formed and whether herding and prospect theory act as antecedents to heuristics. The relationship is explored specifically for millennials.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed relationship is explored specifically for millennials. Herding and prospect theory are modelled as antecedents to heuristics. The study uses survey data from 923 millennials from India to test the model for two financial products: equity and mutual funds. Regression analysis is used to evaluate the model.

Findings

Findings support the role of herding and prospect theory as antecedents to heuristics of millennials although to varying degrees for equity and mutual fund investments. The impact of herding on heuristics is likely to be smaller for equity investments as compared to mutual fund investments.

Research limitations/implications

The findings provide insights into how heuristics are formed for millennials. The findings add to literature by beginning a new line of inquiry on how heuristics are formed. Since the model is tested on a single generation, future research can test the model on other generations. In addition, future research can also add more antecedents to our proposed model.

Practical implications

Findings from this study can provide financial planners and marketers with an understanding of how heuristics are formed for millennials. Financial planners can use these insights while providing financial advice to this generation and marketers can use them to create more relevant outreach.

Social implications

Financial investments are an important conduit for financial security. By understanding the cognitive processes that influence financial investment decision-making, it is possible for educators to create content appropriately and for financial planners to advise clients accordingly to enable optimal financial decisions that will be wealth-creating.

Originality/value

Existing literature primarily treats heuristics, herding and prospect theory as being independent of each other. The authors take a novel approach to model the antecedents to heuristics to be herding and prospect theory. The model is tested on millennials for two financial products: equity and mutual funds.
Commentary on “Teaching playground expectations to secondary age students with intellectual disabilities attending a special school”
Authors: Hewett Kathryn
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to provide a commentary on the article “Teaching behavioural expectations to secondary age students with intellectual disabilities attending a special school”.

Design/methodology/approach

The impact on teachers who deal with high levels of behaviours that challenge is explored.

Findings

The article highlights the importance of proactive, preventative strategies for behaviour management and the need for staff training and support.

Originality/value

Teachers working with pupils who engage in high levels of behaviours that challenge need training and support.
URBAN SHRINKAGE IN CHINA, THE USA AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC: A Comparative Multilevel Governance Perspective
Authors: Zhou Kai , Koutský Jaroslav , Hollander Justin B.
Published: October 2021

Although the phenomenon of shrinking cities is a global one, policy responses can vary considerably depending on context. This article examines the initiatives of government agencies in a variety of contexts and finds that cities adopt different strategies to manage the problems of shrinkage. Specifically, the article presents an international comparison of three shrinking cities: Fu Xin in China, New Bedford in the USA, and Ústí nad Labem in the Czech Republic. These three cases, which present three distinctive political frameworks (namely, centralism, localism and indirect centralism), have responded to the issue differently but experienced similarly insufficient policy outcomes. We observed that the political agenda‐setting for shrinking cities involved more than simply choosing to ignore, deny or accept the problem, and focused instead on how the local governments opted to recognize their problems, assembled the political willpower and leadership to address them, and gave shape to the policy choices that created a specific narrative for their city. From a comparative perspective, we argue that cities cannot manage their shrinkage without support from other levels of government. In other words, a successful response to urban shrinkage requires multilevel governance to contextualize the locally‐based phenomenon, de‐contextualize the role of multilevel politics, and re‐contextualize the set of policies and actions that can be utilized.
The detection of germline and somatic BRCA1/2 genetic variants through parallel testing of patients with high‐grade serous ovarian cancer: a national retrospective audit
Authors: Frugtniet B , Morgan S , Murray A , Palmer‐Smith S , White R , Jones R , Hanna L , Fuller C , Hudson E , Mullard A , Quinton AE
Published: October 2021

Objective

To determine the frequency of germline and somatic pathogenic BRCA1 and BRCA2 variants in patients with high‐grade serous ovarian cancer tested by next‐generation sequencing (NGS), with the aim of defining the best strategy to be implemented in future routine testing.

Design

National retrospective audit.

Setting

The All Wales Medical Genomics Service (AWMGS).

Population

Patients with high‐grade serous ovarian/fallopian tube/peritoneal cancer referred by oncologists to the AWMGS between February 2015 and February 2021 for germline and/or tumour testing of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes by NGS.

Methods

Analysis of NGS data from germline and/or tumour testing.

Main outcome measures

Frequency of BRCA1 and BRCA2 pathogenic variants.

Results

The overall observed germline/somatic pathogenic variant detection rate was 11.6% in the 844 patients included in this study, with a 9.2% (73/791) germline pathogenic variant detection rate. Parallel tumour and germline testing was carried out for 169 patients and the overall pathogenic variant detection rate for this cohort was 14.8%, with 6.5% (11/169) shown to have a somatic pathogenic variant. Two BRCA1 dosage variants were found during germline screens, representing 2.0% (2/98) of patients with a pathogenic variant that would have been missed through tumour testing alone.

Conclusions

Parallel germline and tumour BRCA1 and BRCA2 testing maximises the detection of pathogenic variants in patients with high‐grade serous ovarian cancer.

Tweetable abstract

Parallel germline and tumour testing maximises BRCA pathogenic variant detection in ovarian cancer.
The party road to representation: Unequal responsiveness in party platforms
Authors: SCHAKEL WOUTER , BURGOON BRIAN
Published: October 2021

This paper explores a major road to substantive representation in democracies, by clarifying whether demands of rich and poor citizens are taken up in the electoral platforms of political parties. Doing so constitutes a substantial broadening and deepening of our understanding of substantive representation – broadening the countries, issue‐areas and years that form the empirical basis for judging whether democracies manifest unequal representation; and deepening the process of representation by clarifying a key pathway connecting societal demands to policy outcomes. The paper hypothesises that party systems in general will respond more strongly to wealthy than to poor segments of a polity. It also hypothesises that left parties will more faithfully represent poorer and less significantly represent richer citizens than do right parties. We find substantial support for these expectations in a new dataset that combines multi‐country, multi‐issue‐area, multi‐wave survey data with data on party platforms for 39 democracies.
Modafinil rescues repeated morphine‐induced synaptic and behavioural impairments via activation of D1R–ERK–CREB pathway in medial prefrontal cortex
Authors: Yin Fangyuan , Zhang Jinyu , Lu Ye , Zhang Yulei , Liu Jincen , Deji Cuola , Qiao Xiaomeng , Gao Keqiang , Xu Min , Lai Jianghua , Wang Yunpeng
Published: October 2021

Long‐term opioid abuse causes a variety of long‐lasting cognitive impairments such as attention, impulsivity and working memory. These cognitive impairments undermine behavioural treatment for drug abuse and lead to poor treatment retention and outcomes. Modafinil is a wake‐promoting drug that shows potential in improving attention and memory in humans and animals. However, modafinil's effect on opioid‐induced cognitive impairments remains unclear, and the underlying mechanism is poorly understood. This study showed that repeated morphine administration significantly impairs attention, increases impulsivity and reduces motivation to natural rewards in mice. Systemic modafinil treatment at low dose efficiently ameliorates morphine‐induced attention dysfunction and improves motivation and working memory in mice. High dose of modafinil has adverse effects on impulsive action and attention. Local infusion of D1R antagonist SCH‐23390 reverses the morphine‐induced synaptic abnormalities and activation of the D1R–ERK–CREB pathway in medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). This study demonstrated a protective effect of modafinil in mPFC neurons and offered a therapeutic potential for cognitive deficits in opioid abuse.
Longitudinal profile of sHLA‐G during pregnancy and its association with small for gestational age births in North Indian pregnant females: A nested case‐control study
Authors: Sehgal Shilpi , Vyawhare Sushrut , Bhatnagar Shinjini , Kshetrapal Pallavi ,   GARBH‐Ini study group
Published: October 2021

Problem

Small for gestational age (SGA) neonates are vulnerable to various long and short‐term adverse health consequences. The expression of HLA‐G in the placenta is crucial for establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. Its aberrant expression could lead to perturbed immunological interactions in the placenta which could be associated with SGA births. The objective of this study was to assess the difference in the trajectories of soluble HLA‐G in maternal sera during pregnancy between women delivering SGA and appropriate for gestational age (AGA) neonates.

Method of study

Soluble HLA‐G was estimated in the maternal sera collected at different time points in pregnancy of North‐Indian pregnant females delivering SGA (N = 23) or AGA (N = 17) neonates using sandwich ELISA. Linear mixed models were built and compared to study the association between sHLA‐G levels during pregnancy and SGA births.

Results

No significant difference was observed in the sHLA‐G trajectories during pregnancy in mothers delivering SGA as compared to those delivering AGA (P‐value = .5677). A trend towards higher sHLA‐G levels at the first trimester of pregnancy (< 14 weeks of gestation) was observed in mothers delivering SGA neonates (Median = 41.71, IQR = 21.31–71.38) as compared to those delivering AGA neonates (Median = 37.58, IQR = 19.05–73.57).

Conclusion

During pregnancy, sHLA‐G trajectories do not differ significantly between mothers delivering SGA and those delivering AGA neonates. However, sHLA‐G trends towards higher levels during early pregnancy in mothers delivering SGA neonates.
The complex role of microbial metabolic activity in fossilization
Authors: Janssen Kathrin , Mähler Bastian , Rust Jes , Bierbaum Gabriele , McCoy Victoria E.
Published: October 2021

Bacteria play an important role in the fossilization of soft tissues; their metabolic activities drive the destruction of the tissues and also strongly influence mineralization. Some environmental conditions, such as anoxia, cold temperatures, and high salinity, are considered widely to promote fossilization by modulating bacterial activity. However, bacteria are extremely diverse, and have developed metabolic adaptations to a wide range of stressful conditions. Therefore, the influence of the environment on bacterial activity, and of their metabolic activity on fossilization, is complex. A number of examples illustrate that simple, general assumptions about the role of bacteria in soft tissue fossilization cannot explain all preservational pathways: (i) experimental results show that soft tissues of cnidaria decay less in oxic than anoxic conditions, and in the fossil record are found more commonly in fossil sites deposited under oxic conditions rather than anoxic environments; (ii) siderite concretions, which often entomb soft tissue fossils, precipitate due to a complex mixture of sulfate‐ and iron reduction by some bacterial species, running counter to original theories that iron reduction is the primary driver of siderite concretion growth; (iii) arthropod brains, now widely accepted to be preserved in many Cambrian fossil sites, are one of the first structures to decay in taphonomic experiments, indicating that their fossilization processes are complex and influenced by bacterial activity. In order to expand our understanding of the complex process of bacterially driven soft tissue fossilization, more research needs to be done, on fossils themselves and in taphonomic experiments, to determine how the complex variation in microbial metabolic activity influences decay and mineralization.
Growing up with type 1 diabetes mellitus: Data from the Verona Diabetes Transition Project
Authors: Pasquini Silvia , Rinaldi Elisabetta , Da Prato Giuliana , Csermely Alessandro , Indelicato Liliana , Zaffani Silvana , Santi Lorenza , Sabbion Alberto , Maffeis Claudio , Bonora Enzo , Trombetta Maddalena
Published: October 2021

Aim

Transition from paediatric to adult care is a critical step in life of emerging adults with type 1 diabetes. We assessed, according to indicators established by panel of experts, clinical, socio‐demographic and psychosocial factors in young adults with type 1 diabetes throughout structured transition to investigate the associations, if any, with HbA1c value at time of transition.

Methods

The “Verona Diabetes Transition Project” started in January 2009: a structured transition program, shared between paediatric and adult clinic, was organised with a multi‐disciplinary team. All young adults underwent a semi‐structured interview by a psychologist, before transition. Minimum age for transition was 18 years.

Results

222 (M/F = 113/109) young adults moved to adult care from January 2009 to March 2020. The mean time between the last paediatric visit and the first adult visit ranged from 13.6 ± 6.1 months at the beginning of the project to 3.6 ± 11.5 months over the following years. At first adult clinic attendance, women showed higher HbA1c values (70 ± 11 mmol/mol vs. 65 ± 7 mmol/mol or 8.57% ± 1.51% vs. 8.14% ± 0.98%, p = 0.01), higher frequency of disorders of eating behaviours (15.6% vs. 0%, p < 0.001) and poor diabetes acceptance (23.9% vs. 9.7%, p < 0.001) than men. Mediation analyses showed a significant mediating role of glucose control 2 years before transition in the relationship between poor diabetes acceptance and glucose control at transition.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated a delay reduction in establishing care with an adult provider and suggested the potential role of low diabetes acceptance on glycemic control at transition. Further studies are needed to confirm and expand these data.
Response of Antarctic soil fauna to climate‐driven changes since the Last Glacial Maximum
Authors: Franco André L. C. , Adams Byron J. , Diaz Melisa A. , Lemoine Nathan P. , Dragone Nicholas B. , Fierer Noah , Lyons W. Berry , Hogg Ian , Wall Diana H.
Published: October 2021

Understanding how terrestrial biotic communities have responded to glacial recession since the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) can inform present and future responses of biota to climate change. In Antarctica, the Transantarctic Mountains (TAM) have experienced massive environmental changes associated with glacial retreat since the LGM, yet we have few clues as to how its soil invertebrate‐dominated animal communities have responded. Here, we surveyed soil invertebrate fauna from above and below proposed LGM elevations along transects located at 12 features across the Shackleton Glacier region. Our transects captured gradients of surface ages possibly up to 4.5 million years and the soils have been free from human disturbance for their entire history. Our data support the hypothesis that soils exposed during the LGM are now less suitable habitats for invertebrates than those that have been exposed by deglaciation following the LGM. Our results show that faunal abundance, community composition, and diversity were all strongly affected by climate‐driven changes since the LGM. Soils more recently exposed by the glacial recession (as indicated by distances from present ice surfaces) had higher faunal abundances and species richness than older exposed soils. Higher abundances of the dominant nematode Scottnema were found in older exposed soils, while Eudorylaimus, Plectus, tardigrades, and rotifers preferentially occurred in more recently exposed soils. Approximately 30% of the soils from which invertebrates could be extracted had only Scottnema, and these single‐taxon communities occurred more frequently in soils exposed for longer periods of time. Our structural equation modeling of abiotic drivers highlighted soil salinity as a key mediator of Scottnema responses to soil exposure age. These changes in soil habitat suitability and biotic communities since the LGM indicate that Antarctic terrestrial biodiversity throughout the TAM will be highly altered by climate warming.
Effect of customer's perception on service robot acceptance
Authors: Li Yi , Wang Chongli
Published: October 2021

A service robot is a physical entity integrated with information technology (IT) which can autonomously provide customized services to people. While the use of robots is regarded as one of the most important trends in service marketing, customer acceptance is still a major barrier to their application in service scenarios. This study examines robot characteristics (anthropomorphism, autonomy) and customer characteristics (role clarity, ability) as antecedents affecting customer acceptance of service robots from the perspective of service encounters. Subsequently, the study develops a conceptual model based on the technology acceptance model (TAM). A sample of 406 respondents from an online survey in China was used to test the proposed conceptual model. The results show that anthropomorphism, autonomy, and ability are positively related to perceived usefulness, while autonomy, ability, and role clarity are positively related to perceived ease of use. Both perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use are significant antecedents of customer attitude. Customer attitude determines customer acceptance of service robots in service encounters. Our findings have implications for both researchers and practitioners.