bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gesture profiles distinguish primary progressive aphasia variants
Authors: Dresang Haley C. , Williamson Rand , Kim Hana , Hillis Argye E. , Buxbaum Laurel J.
Published: January 2023

Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) is a neurodegenerative syndrome characterized by progressive language deficits. There are three main variants of PPA – semantic (svPPA), logopenic (lvPPA), and nonfluent (nfvPPA) – that can be challenging to distinguish. Limb praxis may also be affected in PPA, but it is unclear whether different variants of PPA are associated with differences in gesture production. Prior research with neurotypical individuals indicates that the left temporal lobe is a critical locus of manipulable object and hand posture representations. Moreover, when imitating gestures, individuals whose strokes include the left temporal lobe show reduced benefit of gesture meaning and disproportionate impairment in hand posture as compared to arm kinematics. We tested the hypothesis that svPPA – who typically exhibit primarily temporal lobe atrophy – would differentially show these expected patterns of gesture imitation performance. Nineteen participants with PPA completed meaningful and meaningless gesture imitation tasks, and performance was scored for hand posture and arm kinematics accuracy. Generalized logistic mixed-effect regression models controlling for dementia severity showed overall benefits from gesture meaning, and greater impairments in hand posture than arm kinematics. We also found that svPPA participants were the most impaired in gesture imitation overall. Critically, there was also a significant three-way interaction of group, meaning, and gesture component: only svPPA participants showed relative impairments of hand posture for meaningful gestures as well as meaningless gestures. Thus, unlike lvPPA and nfvPPA, the hand postures of svPPA failed to benefit from gesture meaning. This research extends prior findings on the role of the temporal lobe in hand posture representations associated with manipulable objects, and is the first to indicate that there may be distinct gesture imitation patterns as a function of PPA variant. Characterizing componential gesture deficits in PPA may help to inform differential diagnosis, compensatory communication strategies, and cognitive praxis models of PPA.
Transposon mutagenesis libraries reveal novel molecular requirements during CRISPR RNA-guided DNA integration
Authors: Walker Matt W.G. , Klompe Sanne E. , Zhang Dennis J. , Sternberg Samuel H.
Published: January 2023

CRISPR-associated transposons (CASTs) direct DNA integration downstream of target sites using the RNA-guided DNA binding activity of nuclease-deficient CRISPR-Cas systems. Transposition relies on several key protein-protein and protein-DNA interactions, but little is known about the explicit sequence requirements governing efficient transposon DNA integration activity. Here, we exploit pooled library screening and high-throughput sequencing to reveal novel sequence determinants during transposition by the Type I-FVibrio choleraeCAST system. On the donor DNA, large mutagenic libraries identified core binding sites recognized by the TnsB transposase, as well as an additional conserved region that encoded a consensus binding site for integration host factor (IHF). Remarkably, we found that VchCAST requires IHF for efficient transposition, thus revealing a novel cellular factor involved in CRISPR-associated transpososome assembly. On the target DNA, we uncovered preferred sequence motifs at the integration site that explained previously observed heterogeneity with single-base pair resolution. Finally, we exploited our library data to design modified transposon variants that enable in-frame protein tagging. Collectively, our results provide new clues about the assembly and architecture of the paired-end complex formed between TnsB and the transposon DNA, and inform the design of custom payload sequences for genome engineering applications of CAST systems.
Induction of SARS-CoV-2 N-specific CD8+T cell immunity in lungs by engineered extracellular vesicles associates with strongly impaired viral replication
Authors: Manfredi Francesco , Chiozzini Chiara , Ferrantelli Flavia , Leone Patrizia , Pugliese Katherina , Spada Massimo , Virgilio Antonio Di , Giovannelli Andrea , Valeri Mauro , Cara Andrea , Michelini Zuleika , Andreotti Mauro , Federico Maurizio
Published: January 2023

Induction of effective immunity in lungs should be a pre-requisite for any vaccine designed to control the severe pathogenic effects generated by respiratory infectious agents. In the case of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV)-2 infection, vaccination is expected to associate with significant inhibition of viral replication in lungs. We recently provided evidence that the generation of endogenous extracellular vesicles (EVs) engineered for the incorporation of SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid (N) protein can protect K18-hACE2 transgenic mice from the lethal intranasal infection with the ancestral Wuhan isolate. Actually, it was widely demonstrated that these transgenic mice succumb to SARS-CoV-2 intranasal infection mainly as a consequence of the viral invasiveness of central nervous system, a pathogenetic mechanism almost absent in humans. On the other hand, K18-hACE2 transgenic mice support viral replication in lungs, an event strictly mirroring the major pathogenic signature linked to the severe disease in humans. However, nothing is known about the ability of N-specific CD8+T cell immunity induced by engineered EVs in controlling viral replication in lungs. To fill the gap, we investigated the immunity generated in lungs by N-engineered EVs in terms of induction of N-specific effectors and resident memory CD8+T lymphocytes before and after virus challenge carried out three weeks and three months after boosting. At the same time points, viral replication extents in lungs were evaluated. We found that three weeks after second immunization, virus replication was reduced in mice best responding to vaccination by more than 3-logs compared to control group. The impaired viral replication matched with a reduced induction of Spike-specific CD8+T lymphocytes. The antiviral effect appeared similarly strong when the viral challenge was carried out 3 months after boosting. This inhibitory effect associated with the persistence of a N-specific CD8+T-resident memory lymphocytes in lungs of N-immunized mice. In view of the quite conserved sequence of the N protein among SARS-CoV-2 variants, these results support the idea that a vaccine strategy focused on the induction of anti-N CD8+T cell immunity in lungs has the potential to control the replication of emerging variants.
Transcriptome analysis ofMedicago truncatulaAutoregulation of Nodulation mutants reveals that disruption of the SUNN pathway causes constitutive expression changes in a small group of genes, but the overall response to rhizobia resembles wild type, including induction ofTML1andTML2
Authors: Schnabel Elise L. , Chavan Suchitra A. , Gao Yueyao , Poehlman William L. , Feltus F. Alex , Frugoli Julia A.
Published: January 2023

Nodule number regulation in legumes is controlled by a feedback loop that integrates nutrient and rhizobia symbiont status signals to regulate nodule development. Signals from the roots are perceived by shoot receptors, including a CLV1-like receptor-like kinase known as SUNN in the annual medicMedicago truncatula. In the absence of functional SUNN, the autoregulation feedback loop is disrupted, resulting in hypernodulation. To elucidate early autoregulation mechanisms disrupted inSUNNmutants, we searched for genes with altered expression in the loss-of-functionsunn-4mutant and included therdn1-2autoregulation mutant for comparison. We identified constitutively altered expression of small groups of genes insunn-4roots, including higher levels of transcription factorNF-YA2, and insunn-4shoots. All genes with verified roles in nodulation that were induced in wild type roots during the establishment of nodules were also induced insunn-4, including, surprisingly, autoregulation genesTML2andTML1. Among all genes with a differential response to rhizobia in wild type roots, only an isoflavone-7-O-methyltransferase gene (Medtr7g014510) was found to be unresponsive insunn-4. In shoot tissues of wild type, eight rhizobia-responsive genes were identified, including a MYB family transcription factor gene (Medtr3111880) which remained at a baseline level insunn-4; three genes were found to be induced by rhizobia in shoots ofsunn-4but not wild type. We also cataloged the temporal induction profiles of many small secreted peptide (MtSSP) genes in nodulating root tissues, encompassing members of twenty-four peptide families, including the CLE and IRON MAN families. The discovery that expression ofTMLgenes in roots, a key factor in inhibiting nodulation in response to autoregulation signals, is also triggered insunn-4in the section of roots analyzed suggests that the mechanism of TML regulation inM. truncatulamay be more complex than published models.
Maturation of glutamatergic transmission onto dorsal raphe serotonergic neurons
Authors: Kisner Alexandre , Polter Abigail M.
Published: January 2023

Serotonergic neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) play important roles early in postnatal development in the maturation and modulation of higher order emotional, sensory, and cognitive circuitry. This unique position makes these cells a substrate by which early experience can be wired into brain. In this study, we have investigated the maturation of synapses onto dorsal raphe serotonergic neurons in typically developing male and female mice using whole-cell patch-clamp recordings inex vivobrain slices. We show that while inhibition of these neurons is relatively stable across development, glutamatergic synapses greatly increase in strength between P6 and P21-23. In contrast to forebrain regions, where the components making up glutamatergic synapses are dynamic across early life, we find that the makeup of these synapses onto DRN serotonergic neurons is largely stable after P15. DRN excitatory synapses maintain a very high ratio of AMPA to NMDA receptors and a rectifying component of the AMPA response throughout the lifespan. Overall, these findings reveal that the development of serotonergic neurons is marked by a significant refinement of glutamatergic synapses during the first 3 postnatal weeks. This suggests this time as a sensitive period of heightened plasticity for integration of information from upstream brain areas and that genetic and environmental insults during this period could lead to alterations in serotonergic output, impacting both the development of forebrain circuits and lifelong neuromodulatory actions.
Competing differentiation gradients coordinate fruit morphogenesis
Authors: Gómez-Felipe A. , Marconi M. , Branchini E. , Wang B. , Bertrand-Rakusova H. , Stan T. , Burkiewicz J. , de Folter S. , Routier-Kierzkowska A-L. , Wabnik K. , Kierzkowski D.
Published: January 2023

Morphogenesis requires the coordination of cellular behaviors along developmental axes1. In plants, gradients of growth and differentiation are typically established along a single longitudinal primordium axis to control organ shaping2. Here we combine quantitative live-imaging at cellular resolution with genetics, chemical treatments, and modeling to understand the formation ofArabidopsis thalianafemale reproductive organ (gynoecium). We show that, contrary to other aerial organs, gynoecium shape is determined by two competing differentiation gradients positioned along two orthogonal axes. An early mediolateral gradient, dependent on meristematic activity in the medial domain, controls the valve morphogenesis while simultaneously restricting an auxin-dependent, longitudinal gradient to the style. This gradient competition serves to finetune the common developmental program governing organ morphogenesis to ensure the specialized function of the gynoecium3,4.
The nuclear to cytoplasmic ratio drives cellularization in the close animal relativeSphaeroforma arctica
Authors: Olivetta Marine , Dudin Omaya
Published: January 2023

The ratio of nuclear content to cytoplasmic volume (N/C ratio) is a key regulator driving maternal-to-zygotic transition in most animal embryos. Altering this ratio often impacts zygotic genome activation and deregulates the timing and outcome of embryogenesis [1–3]. Despite being ubiquitous across animals, little is known about when the N/C ratio evolved to control multicellular development. Such capacity either originated with the emergence of animal multicellularity or was co-opted from mechanisms present in unicellular organisms [4]. An effective strategy to tackle this question is to investigate close relatives of animals exhibiting life cycles with transient multicellular stages [5]. Among these are ichthyosporeans, a lineage of protists undergoing coenocytic development followed by cellularization and cell release [6–8]. During cellularization, a transient multicellular stage resembling animal epithelia is generated offering a unique opportunity to examine whether the N/C ratio regulates multicellular development. Here, we use time-lapse microscopy to characterize how the N/C ratio affects the life cycle of the best-studied ichthyosporean model,Sphaeroforma arctica. We uncover that the last stages of cellularization coincide with a significant increase in the N/C ratio. Increasing the N/C ratio by reducing the coenocytic volume accelerates cellularization while decreasing the N/C ratio by lowering the nuclear content halts it. Moreover, centrifugation and pharmacological inhibitor experiments suggest that the N/C ratio is locally sensed at the cortex and relies on phosphatase activity. Altogether, our results show that the N/C ratio drives cellularization inS. arctica, suggesting that its capacity to control multicellular development predates animal emergence.
C-terminal conformational changes in SCF-D3/MAX2 ubiquitin ligase are required for KAI2-mediated signaling
Authors: Tal Lior , Guercio Angelica , Varshney Kartikye , Young Aleczander , Gutjahr Caroline , Shabek Nitzan
Published: January 2023

Karrikins (KARs) are bioactive molecules derived from burning vegetation. Plants perceive KARs through the α/β hydrolase KARRIKIN INSENSITIVE 2 (KAI2) that interacts with the F-box protein ubiquitin ligase MORE AXILLARY GROWTH 2 (MAX2). MAX2 also plays a role in the perception and signal activation by Strigolactone (SL), a phytohormone controlling various developmental processes in plants. SL also acts as a rhizosphere signal to activate arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi that can be exploited by parasitic plants.kai2knockouts exhibit distinct developmental defects and therefore KAI2 is hypothesized to perceive an unidentified endogenous ligand provisionally termed KAI2-Ligand (KL). Upon KAR/KL perception, the protein complex of KAI2-MAX2 targets SUPPRESSOR OF MAX2-1/2 (SMAX1)/SMXL2 for proteasomal degradation. Despite the identification of the key components KAI2, MAX2, and SMAX1 in KAR/KL signaling, their mode of interaction and regulation remains elusive. Recently, the regulatory function of the conformational switch of MAX2 C-terminal helix (CTH) in SL signaling has been demonstrated however its role in KAR/KL signaling remained unknown. Here we address the function of MAX2-CTH dynamics bothin vitroandin plantaand show that the central role of CTH is conserved between SL and KAR/KL signaling pathway.
Both behavior-manipulating and non-manipulating entomopathogenic fungi affect rhythmic gene expression in carpenter ant foragers upon infection
Authors: Das Biplabendu , Brachmann Andreas , de Bekker Charissa
Published: January 2023

Background

Behavioral plasticity in the nocturnal antCamponotus floridanusis associated with changes in daily rhythms of core clock and clock-controlled genes in the brain. Plasticity in clock-controlled output, although adaptive, has been hypothesized to be a target for parasites that change host behavior in a timely manner to complete their life cycle. This study aims to explore this hypothesis by characterizing how the transcriptomic rhythms of the ant host change upon infection by a behavior manipulating parasite. We compared and contrasted the daily gene expression profile of uninfectedC. floridanusant heads to ants infected by a manipulating fungal parasiteOphiocordyceps camponoti-floridaniand a non-manipulating fungusBeauveria bassiana, to test if changes to host clock and clock-controlled gene expression are specific to behavioral modifying diseases, or if such changes are a general hallmark of infectious diseases.

Results

The repertoire of genes oscillating every 24h in the ant heads showed almost three-fold reduction duringO. camponoti-floridaniinfections, as compared to uninfected controls. Control-like nocturnal activity of 24h-rhythmic genes was maintained duringO. camponoti-floridaniinfections, but not inB. bassianainfected ant heads. Half of all genes that showed 24h rhythms in the heads and brains of uninfected ants displayed highly synchronized changes in their rhythmic expression during both diseases, but in a species-specific manner. Network analyses revealed that both fungal parasites affected the same links between behavioral plasticity and clock output, albeit in a different manner.

Conclusion

Changes to clock-controlled transcriptomic rhythms of hosts might be a general hallmark of infectious diseases. However, the infection-associated changes to clock-controlled rhythms of the host are species-specific, and likely depends on the life history strategies used by the parasite.
Evaluation of the impact of PEPFAR transition on retention in care in South Africa’s Western Cape
Authors: Chiliza Jessica , Brennan Alana T , Laing Richard , Feeley Frank Goodrich
Published: January 2023

Background

Research on the impact of the PEPFAR transition in South Africa (SA) in 2012 found varying results in retention in care (RIC) of people living with HIV (PLWH).

Objectives

We investigated the factors that impacted RIC during the U.S. President’ s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) transition in Western Cape, South Africa in 2012.

Methods

We used aggregate data from 61 facilities supported by four non-governmental organizations from to 2007-2015. The main outcome was RIC at 12-months after antiretroviral therapy initiation for two time periods. We used quantile regression to estimate the effect of the PEPFAR pull-out and other predictors on RIC. The models were adjusted for various covariates.

Results

Regression models (50thquantile) for 12-month RIC showed a 4.6% (95%CI: -8.4, - 0.8%) decline in RIC post direct service. Facilities supported by Anova/Kheth’ impilo fared worst post PEFPAR; a decline in RIC of (−5.8%; 95% CI: -9.7, -1.8%), while that’ sit fared best (6.3% increase in RIC; 95% CI:2.5,10.1%). There was a decrease in RIC when comparing urban to rural areas (−5.8%; 95% CI: -10.1, -1.5%). City of Cape town combined with Western Cape Government Health facilities showed a substantial decrease (−9.1%; 95% CI: -12.3, -5.9%), while community health clinic (vs. primary health clinic) declined slightly (−4.4; 95% CI: -9.6, 0.9%) in RIC. We observed no RIC difference by facility size and a slight increase when two or more human resources transitioned from PEPFAR to the government.

Conclusions

When PEPFAR funding decreased in 2012, there was a decrease in RIC. To ensure the continuity of HIV care when a major funder withdraws sufficient and stable transition resources, investment in organizations that understand the local context, joint planning, and coordination are required.
Biologic DMARD Access and Medication Cost-related Nonadherence in Rheumatology Patients in Canada: A Cross-sectional Survey
Authors: Holbrook Anne Marie , Ding Avrilynn , Troyan Sue , Costa Sandra , Matsos Mark , Law Michael R. , Gong Selena , Dixit Apurva , Foster Gary , Khalidi Nader
Published: January 2023

Background

Cost-related nonadherence to prescription medications affects many Canadians and is associated with negative self-perceptions of health. Biologic disease modifying anti-arthritic drugs (bDMARDs) are costly drugs recommended for certain patients with rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. We investigated access and cost-related nonadherence (CRN) to bDMARDs compared to other therapies for such patients in Ontario.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional telephone survey of adult patients recruited from two academic rheumatology practices in Hamilton, Ontario, asking demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, drug plan coverage, medication cost-related cutbacks, opinions on the value of bDMARDs, and assistance with costs from health professionals. CRN was defined by patient self-report of not using or using less than prescribed amount of medication, due to cost.

Results

104 patients (mean age (SD) 61(12) years) participated, including 77 (74%) women, 57 (54.8%) taking bDMARDs, and 27 (25.9%) with household income <$40,000 annually. CRN was reported by 19 (18.3%) participants with no significant difference between those taking versus not taking bDMARDs (risk difference (95% CI): -0.10 (−0.25, 0.04); p=0.19). 37 (64.9%) of those taking bDMARDs reported that they would not take them if they had to pay the full cost. Overall, few patients reported that they would ask their doctor (17.3%) or pharmacist (15.4%) for help with reducing prescription costs.

Conclusion

CRN prevalence was relatively high amongst these rheumatology patients despite access to public and private funding mechanisms. Patients expressed a reluctance to ask their doctor or pharmacist for help in reducing their medication costs.
Solid-state versatility in tranexamic acid drug: structural and thermal behavior of new salts and cocrystals
Authors: Nechipadappu Sunil Kumar , Balasubramanian Sridhar
Published: January 2023

Tranexamic acid (TNA) is an anti-fibrinolytic hemostatic drug widely used in various medical treatments. Six new salts and five cocrystals of TNA are reported here and the crystal structures of the obtained multicomponent compounds were determined using single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SC-XRD) techniques. TNA formed salts with coformers maleic acid (MEA), nicotinic acid, DL-mandelic acid and saccharin. Salt formation with MEA resulted in three different solid forms, namely TNA–MEA (1:1), TNA–MEA (2:1) and TNA–MEA–H2O (1:1:1). All synthesized TNA salt structures were crystallized as anhydrous except for TNA–MEA–H2O (1:1:1). TNA formed cocrystals with phenolic coformers such as catechol (CAT), resorcinol, hydroquinone, pyrogallol (PRG) and phloroglucinol. All cocrystal structures crystallized as hydrates except for TNA–PRG (1:1). The detailed structural investigation using SC-XRD revealed the presence of robust N—H...O and O—H...O hydrogen bonds in TNA salts and cocrystals. In TNA cocrystals, except for TNA–CAT–H2O (1:1:1), the coformer molecules interact with TNA molecules via bridged water molecules. In all the salt structures, TNA exists as cations, in which both carboxylic and amino groups are protonated (–COOH and –NH3
+), while in cocrystals TNA exists as zwitterions with total charge zero. All synthesized multicomponent compounds were further characterized by differential scanning calorimetric, thermogravimetric and Fourier transform infrared analyses, and the formation of new multicomponent compounds were assessed based on the melting temperatures, percentage weight loss and stretching frequencies, respectively, corresponding to TNA/coformer molecules. A powder X-ray diffraction study confirmed the bulk purity of the synthesized crystalline multicomponent compounds.
Prediction of the temperature–time history in ordinary bodies induced by surface heat flux utilizing the enhanced method of discretization in time and the finite difference method
Authors: Campo Antonio , Celentano Diego , Masip Yunesky
Published: January 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to address unsteady heat conduction in two subsets of ordinary bodies. One subset consists of a large plane wall, a long cylinder and a sphere in one dimension. The other subset consists of a short cylinder and a large rectangular bar in two dimensions. The prevalent assumptions in the two subsets are: constant initial temperature, uniform surface heat flux and thermo-physical properties invariant with temperature. The engineering applications of the unsteady heat conduction deal with the determination of temperature–time histories in the two subsets using electric resistance heating, radiative heating and fire pool heating.

Design/methodology/approach

To this end, a novel numerical procedure named the enhanced method of discretization in time (EMDT) transforms the linear one-dimensional unsteady, heat conduction equations with non-homogeneous boundary conditions into equivalent nonlinear “quasi–steady” heat conduction equations having the time variable embedded as a time parameter. The equivalent nonlinear “quasi–steady” heat conduction equations are solved with a finite difference method.

Findings

Based on the numerical computations, it is demonstrated that the approximate temperature–time histories in the simple subset of ordinary bodies (large plane wall, long cylinder and sphere) exhibit a perfect matching over the entire time domain 0 < t < ∞ when compared against the rigorous exact temperature–time histories expressed by classical infinite series. Furthermore, using the method of superposition of solutions in the convoluted subset (short cylinder and large rectangular crossbar), the same level of agreement in the approximate temperature–time histories in the simple subset of ordinary bodies is evident.

Originality/value

The performance of the proposed EMDT coupled with a finite difference method is exhaustively assessed in the solution of the unsteady, one-dimensional heat conduction equations with prescribed surface heat flux for: a subset of one-dimensional bodies (plane wall, long cylinder and spheres) and a subset of two-dimensional bodies (short cylinder and large rectangular bar).
Exploring mobile banking service quality dimensions in Pakistan: a text mining approach
Authors: Hussain Atif , Hannan Abdul , Shafiq Muhammad
Published: January 2023

Purpose

Customer reviews of mobile banking (m-banking) apps contain the most direct and first-hand accounts of customer experiences with m-banking. However, surprisingly little effort has been made to understand m-banking service quality using these reviews. Therefore, this study aims to discover m-banking service quality dimensions from customers' reviews of the m-banking apps through a text mining approach.

Design/methodology/approach

Reviews of m-banking apps of 24 banks operating in Pakistan were scraped from Google Play Store. Latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA) method was applied to discover the dimensions of m-banking service quality from 24,529 positive and 29,569 negative useable reviews.

Findings

Different dimensions of m-banking service quality are discussed in positive and negative reviews. Positive reviews focus on security, convenience, ease of use, continuous improvement, usefulness and app attributes, whereas negative reviews discuss system availability, responsiveness, faulty updates, login problems and reliability.

Research limitations/implications

The results are based only on customer reviews in one country and generalization may not be possible. Moreover, due to the unavailability of demographic information about reviewers, the effect of demographic characteristics on users' perceptions of m-banking quality could not be determined.

Practical implications

The study provides managers with useful insights to improve the service experience of m-banking customers. The study also demonstrates how managers can employ text analytical techniques to assess and improve the quality of m-banking services.

Originality/value

In addition to enriching the understanding of m-banking quality based on direct and first-hand user experiences, the current study also provides initial evidence for the two-factor structure of m-banking service quality.
Sponsorship and social justice: brand positioning on diversity and inclusion in sport marketing during the 2020 UEFA European football championship
Authors: Beek Remco , Van Hoecke Jo , Derom Inge
Published: January 2023

Purpose

Contextual changes in communications, social activism and perceptions of commercialization have changed the dynamics in sponsorship. This paper investigated the patterns in sponsorship and social justice within the context of a major sports event.

Design/methodology/approach

The European Football Championship serves as an impactful platform for sponsors due to its global reach. The sponsorship activations of the twelve official sponsors were investigated by analysing sponsorship expressions on the LED boarding during every match of the tournament. Furthermore, additional data on sponsorship characteristics and brand positioning was collected for every sponsor to define relevant factors to understand the differences in sponsorship communications.

Findings

During UEFA EURO 2020, five official sponsors changed their sponsorship activations. Adjustments were made in sponsorship expressions to position the brand on diversity and inclusion. The analyses of over 90,000 press photos and 51 official match videos clarified the dynamics of brand positioning, sponsorship characteristics in perspective of globalization patterns and different sponsorship approaches in different geographical, social and political contexts.

Practical implications

Decision makers in the global sports industry are challenged in their brand management and sponsorship approaches for the social good. This study supports to understand the sponsorship approaches and factors affecting these different strategies.

Originality/value

Despite the growing attention to social justice issues in sports, there is a need to understand inclusive marketing strategies in sponsorship relationships. Using data triangulation, the findings enabled to clarify differences in sponsor approaches to social justice and illustrate the complex dynamics of brand positioning on diversity and inclusion in the sponsorship ecosystem.
Pivotal stimulants to halal certified firms: a case study of Taiwan
Authors: Amalia Fatya Alty , Lestari Yuliani Dwi , Wang Kung-Jeng , Saidah Faridatus , Putri Aghnia Nadhira Aliya
Published: January 2023

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the drivers of halal-certified firms in Taiwan, a Muslim minority country, to provide halal products or services.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a quantitative method by spreading offline and online surveys toward halal-certified firms in Taiwan. Data were obtained from 41 responses and were analyzed using partial least square structural equation modeling.

Findings

This study discovers that firms in Taiwan practice halal business as they possess halal perceived value and innovation orientation. In addition, the interplays of the antecedents, the internal and external drivers, also play an excellent role in shaping the firms’ practices on halal business.

Research limitations/implications

Despite the implications, this study was built under several limitations that are potentially addressed by future research. The limitations lay in the low response rate, indistinctive analysis based on the firms’ market orientations (domestic or international) and the exclusion of other relevant variables to the conceptual model.

Practical implications

Practically, this study clarifies that firms in a Muslim minority country can be encouraged to engage in halal business in several ways. Those with a good understanding of halal usefulness are oriented to innovation, exposed to external pressures about halal business and equipped with specific internal settings that can translate the halal business phenomenon as an opportunity, not a threat.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to unveil the drivers of halal business practices of firms in a Muslim minority country.
Rebirth in the examination of past roles and triumphs in determining what might be
Authors: O'Connor Steve
Published: January 2023

Purpose

Repository Libraries need to pause and re-consider their role and future purpose in the light of the Digital Disruption of the whole library and publishing industries. This paper seeks to expose some of the issues in this re-examination.

Design/methodology/approach

The Kuopio Conference is a seminal conference series exploring the trials, successes and futures of repository libraries globally. The paper seeks to draw out the tensions in libraries and in publishing asking the questions of why and how.

Findings

Scenario planning assists in enabling us to think about issues which are disruptive rather than assuming that the future will be steady and assured. This paper is a call to the community to re-think what is being planned and executed.

Originality/value

This re-examination is different in the nature of the papers detailing what has been achieved.
Does mandatory audit rotation affect insider trading? Evidence from China
Authors: Xiao He , Xi Jianqun , Meng Hanjie
Published: January 2023

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the impact of mandatory audit partner rotation (MAPR) on Chinese listed firms’ insider trading, as well as the moderating effects of firm characteristics on this impact. The economic mechanism behind this impact is also explored.

Design/methodology/approach

This study conducts a regression analysis on firms associated with mandatory and voluntary audit partner rotation based on 2009–2019 firm data and examines whether corporate insiders of these two types of firms increase their share sales within 12 months before their financial statements are submitted to a new rotated auditor.

Findings

Client firms’ corporate insiders increase their share sales within 12 months before their financial statements are submitted to a new mandatory rotated auditor. In addition, such an association is less pronounced for client firms that changed from Big 4 auditors to those with higher financial constraints. This is more pronounced for client firms with higher information asymmetry. The economic mechanism of the finding is that is the MAPR implementation reduces earnings management activities from client firms. Moreover, client firms’ buy-and-hold stock returns decline in the first year after MAPR.

Research limitations/implications

This study should assist investors, corporate shareholders and Chinese policymakers. Investors can be well protected through the adoption of MAPR because upcoming auditors enhance the audit quality of clients by restraining managers’ manipulation of reported earnings and declining firms’ insider trading afterwards. Investors, Chinese policymakers and corporate shareholders should pay more attention to firms’ financial report quality, auditor selection, financial situation, corporate governance and the information environment. Explicitly, firms with less transparent financial report quality, non-big 4 auditors and fewer financial constraints are more likely to be involved in insider trading.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, none of the extant studies have examined the impact of MAPR on insider sales. This study extends the research on the effect of the audit process on firm market performance by investigating the impact of audit partner rotation policy on insider trading behaviors.
Relief effects of Laoshan cherry extracts as a dietary supplement against the symptoms of acute gouty arthritis in rats induced by urate crystals
Authors: Guo Jiamin , Sun Daqing , Xu Xiaoxiao , Liu Pei , Sun Haixin
Published: January 2023

We evaluated the effects of Laoshan cherry as a food or dietary supplement on relieving the symptoms of acute gouty arthritis in rats induced by urate crystals. Rats in groups of 10 were given Laoshan cherry functional extracts at doses of 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg by oral gavage for 21 days and then injected with a sodium nitrate suspension in the rear ankle area as an induced acute gouty arthritis model. The ankle swelling and inflammations in the model (no treatment) group increased significantly compared with blank group; the ankle inflammations reduced in experimental groups receiving three different doses of the cherry extract and the joint swelling reduced in the high‐dose group by 43% compared with the model group. Serum uric acid and xanthine oxidase activities were also elevated in the model group and these parameters were reduced by a maximum of 8% and 33%, respectively, in the rats receiving the cherry extracts. The serum levels of the inflammatory cytokine IL‐1β in the high‐dose group decreased by 12% compared with the model group. These results demonstrated that the cherries possess a functional substance that has a significant alleviating effect on the symptoms of gouty arthritis in rats induced by sodium urate injection.
Schiff base crosslinked gelatin–Spirulina platensis protein concentrate films with enhanced antioxidant activity
Authors: Comas Belén , Rizza Lara Sánchez , Ruseckaite Roxana A. , Martucci Josefa F.
Published: January 2023

The aim of this work is to produce bioactive films suitable for aerobic packaging applications by combining the bioactivity of Spirulina platensis protein concentrate (PC; 1% and 2% w/w), the sustainable nature of bovine gelatin (Ge), and sodium alginate dialdehyde (ADA, 5% w/w) as Schiff base crosslinking agent. PC was obtained by an optimized acid–base extraction process and characterized. PC showed a dose‐dependent radical scavenging activity (RSA; IC50 = 24.3 mg/L) related to its high content of C‐phycocyanin and total phenolic compounds (32.44 ± 1.37 mg gallic acid equivalents per gram of PC). As a general trend, crosslinking decreased the water solubility, improved mechanical properties, and helped improve RSA of Ge–ADA–PC films. Ge–5ADA–2PC film recorded best compromise between solubility (only 33.6%), high UV barrier (0.134% transmittance at 400 nm), reasonable extensibility (217.00 ± 2.34%), tensile strength (3.50 ± 0.43 MPa), water vapor permeability (2.00 ± 0.17 × 10−12 kg·m/m2·Pa·s), and RSA (44.70 ± 2.19%). Wrapping hake fillets in this filmdelayed lipid oxidation during storage under refrigerated conditions for 11 days, maintaining the thiobarbituric acid index below 0.5 mg malonaldehyde/kg muscle. Results suggest that Ge–ADA–PC films have potential as aerobic packaging materials for oxidation‐sensitive food.

Practical Application

The combination of gelatin, alginate dialdehyde and Spirulina platensis protein concentrate gave rise to fully biobased films with reduced water solubility and enhanced antioxidant activity, which were able to delay the secondary lipid oxidation of refrigerated seafood. This study also shows the potential of cyanobacteria as renewable resources of high‐value ingredients for the design of active and intelligent aerobic packaging solutions.
Efficacy of neoadjuvant CapeOX/mFOLFOX6 without radiation for patients with baseline resectable mid–low locally advanced rectal cancer
Authors: Zhao Xuan , He Zi Rui , Han Pei Yi , Cai Zheng Hao , Fu Zhan Wei , Zhang Lu Yang , Sun Jing , Ma Jun Jun , Dong Feng , Zang Lu , Zheng Min Hua
Published: January 2023

Objectives

Chemotherapy without radiation therapy for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) has attracted increasing attention, but the optimal schema remains controversial. In this study, we aimed to assess the efficacy and toxicity of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (nCT) of two regimens for patients with mid‐low baseline resectable LARC.

Methods

A retrospective study was performed in 131 patients with baseline resectable LARC in a single center between April 2016 and August 2020. All patients received four cycles of neoadjuvant CapeOX or mFOLFOX6 before surgery. Clinical characteristics, pathological response, and survival status were then assessed.

Results

After a 1:1 propensity score matching, 96 patients were enrolled, including 48 receiving CapeOX and 48 receiving mFOLFOX6. The objective regression rates were 50.00% and 58.33%, and the pathological complete response rates were 6.25% and 8.33%, respectively, in the CapeOX and mFOLFOX6 groups. Patients who received mFOLFOX6 had a better tumor regression grade (TRG) than those who received CapeOX (P = 0.005). Patients in both groups had similar survival outcomes.

Conclusions

The nCT has shown promising tumor response and survival outcomes, which can be a treatment option for baseline resectable LARC. For the two regimens, mFOLFOX6 provided better TRG than CapeOX, although no differences were observed in disease‐free survival and OS.
An Evaluation of Phase Behaviors of the Oil‐Gas‐Water System in the Displacement of Crude Oil with CO2
Authors: ZHANG Angang , FAN Zifei , HE Jun
Published: January 2023

CO2dissolution into an aqueous phase and water evaporation into a gaseous phase takes place during CO2injection into an oil reservoir. This study aims to evaluate the phase behaviors of the oil‐gas‐water system in the displacement of crude oil by CO2. The composition of the JL oilfield in the northeast of China is taken as an example. The flash calculation of the oil‐gas‐water system was performed, based on the method presented by Li and Nghiem. The research results show that CO2dissolution in the aqueous phase declines as the NaCl concentration in formation water rises. CO2injection is beneficial for the evaporation of formation water. The NaCl concentration in formation water has little effect on water evaporation and dissolved‐gas escape. When the injection‐gas mole fraction of CO2is 0.5, CO2injection can reverse the phase behavior of the petroleum mixture and the oil‐gas system is converted to a pure gas‐condensate system. For CO2injection, water vapor has little effect on the miscibility of multiple contacts, but can reduce the miscibility of the first contact.
Geochronology, Geochemistry, and Implications of Aplite Dyke in the Giant Jiama Porphyry Copper System, Tibet
Authors: QI Jing , TANG Juxing , LIN Bin , YANG Hairui , TANG Xiaoqian , TANG Pan , FANG Xiang , ZHANG Tingting , LI Faqiao , SUN Miao , WANG Mengdie , CUI Hao , XIE Jinling
Published: January 2023

Jiama is a giant, high‐grade porphyry copper system in the Gangdese metallogenic belt, Tibet. Multistage intermediate–felsic porphyries intruded in this deposit, some of which are strongly associated with copper‐polymetallic mineralization. These ore‐bearing porphyries include monzogranite, granodiorite, and quartz diorite porphyries. A new granite aplite dyke was found in the south of Jiama. Its age, genesis, and relationship with ore‐related magmatism are obscure. Here, its emplacement age and petrogenesis were determined using mineralogy, zircon U‐Pb dating, geochemistry, and Sr‐Nd‐Pb isotope studies. The zircon LA‐ICP‐MS U‐Pb age of the aplite dyke is 16.66 ± 0.21 Ma (n = 14, MSWD = 0.66), earlier than that of the ore‐bearing porphyries (∼15 Ma) in Jiama. Furthermore, the aplite exhibits high amounts of silicon (SiO2 = 73.39%–74.74%), potassium (K2O = 5.12%–6.61%), aluminum (Al2O3 = 14.25%–14.69%), and light/heavy rare earth elements (LREE/HREE = 12.12–16.19) as well as negative europium (δEu = 0.47–0.72) and weak negative cerium anomalies (δCe = 0.84–0.93). The aplite dyke is characteristic of metaluminous–peraluminous I‐type granite, which is rich in large‐ion lithophile elements (Rb, Ba, Th and U) and depleted in high‐field‐strength elements (Nb, P and Ti). The aplite dyke and ore‐bearing porphyries in the Jiama deposit are the results of a partial melting of the juvenile lower crust, according to whole‐rock geochemistry and Sr‐Nd‐Pb isotope data, but the dyke and ore‐bearing porphyries were emplaced from the same magma chamber at different times. Thus, the aplite dyke shows the composition of the early evolution stage of shallow magma in the Jiama deposit and is the product of rapid condensation and crystallization.
What Shapes Economic Growth in BRICS? Exploring the Role of Institutional Quality and Trade Openness
Authors: Chhabra Megha , Giri Arun Kumar , Kumar Arya
Published: January 2023

Prior research has identified outward‐oriented policies as a far superior approach to achieving economic growth. Whilst trade openness determines economic growth in the short run, institutional quality is critical to long‐term viability. However, the direct and indirect effects of institutions have been understudied, particularly for the Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. This study addresses this issue by estimating long‐run and short‐run elasticities using the system GMM and pooled mean group models and identifying its country‐specific impact using the fully modified ordinary least square model. According to the findings, trade and institutions are only short‐run complements of economic growth. In the long run, however, the lack of good governance limits the positive impact of trade openness.
Thoracic point‐of‐care ultrasound is an accurate diagnostic modality for clinically significant traumatic pneumothorax
Authors: DeMasi Stephanie , Parker Mark S. , Joyce Michael , Mulligan Katherine , Feeser Sonya , Balderston Jessica R.
Published: January 2023

Objective

There are conflicting data regarding the accuracy of thoracic point‐of‐care ultrasound (POCUS) in detecting traumatic pneumothorax (PTX). The purpose of our study was to determine the accuracy of thoracic POCUS performed by emergency physicians for the detection of clinically significant PTX in blunt and penetrating trauma patients.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective institutional review board–approved study of trauma patients 15 years or older presenting to our urban Level I academic trauma center from December 2021 to June 2022. All study patients were imaged with single‐view chest radiography (CXR) and thoracic POCUS. The presence or absence of PTX was determined by multidetector computed tomography (CT) or CXR and ultrasound (US) with tube thoracostomy placement.

Results

A total of 846 patients were included, with 803 (95%) sustaining blunt trauma. POCUS identified 13/15 clinically significant PTXs (defined as ≥35 mm of pleural separation on a blinded overread or placement of a tube thoracostomy prior to CT) with a sensitivity of 87% (95% confidence interval [CI] 58–97), specificity of 100% (95% CI 99–100), positive predictive value of 81% (95% CI 54%–95%), and negative predictive value of 100% (95% CI 99%–100%). The positive likelihood ratio was 484 and the negative likelihood ratio was 0.1. CXR identified eight (53%) clinically significant PTXs, with a sensitivity of 53% (95% CI 27%–78%) and a specificity of 100%, when correlated with the CT. The most common reason for a missed PTX identified on expert‐blinded overread was failure to recognize a lung point sign that was present on US.

Conclusions

Thoracic POCUS accurately identifies the majority of clinically significant PTXs in both blunt and penetrating trauma patients. Common themes for false‐negative thoracic US in the expert‐blinded overread process identified key gaps in training to inspire US education and medical education research.
Enhancing bank transparency: Financial reporting quality, fraudulent peers and social capital
Authors: Mattei Marco Maria , Platikanova Petya
Published: January 2023

This study examines the role of social norms in financial markets by relating bank transparency to social capital. Using comprehensive data on commercial banks, we provide empirical evidence that high social capital contributes to more transparent financial reporting, thereby enabling more precise risk assessments and promoting financial stability. We find that the effect of social capital is more pronounced when commercial banks are more complex and disclosure incentives of bank managers are strong. Our results suggest that more opaque reporting by peers explains lower transparency but financial misreporting is less contagious when social capital is high. Our study suggests that social capital can effectively improve reporting transparency when other mechanisms are not effective, thus securing financial system stability.