bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficient and scalable generation of primordial germ cells in 2D culture using basement membrane extract overlay
Authors: Overeem Arend W. , Chang Yolanda W. , Moustakas Ioannis , Roelsen Celine M. , Hillenius Sanne , Van Der Helm Talia , Van Der Schrier Valérie F. , Mei Hailiang , Freund Christian , Chuva De Sousa Lopes Susana M.
Published: September 2022

Current human primordial germ cell like cells (hPGCLCs) differentiation methods from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) are inefficient, and it is challenging to generate sufficient hPGCLCs to optimize in vitro gametogenesis. We present a new differentiation method that uses diluted basement membrane extract (BME) and low BMP4 concentration to efficiently induce hPGCLC differentiation in scalable 2D cell culture. We show that BME overlay potentiated BMP/SMAD signaling, induced lumenogenesis and increased expression of key hPGCLC-progenitor markers such as TFAP2A and EOMES. These findings highlight the importance of (factors in) BME during hPGCLC differentiation, and demonstrate the potential of the BME-overlay method to interrogate the formation of PGCs and amnion in humans as well to investigate the next steps to achieve in vitro gametogenesis.

HIGHLIGHTS

hPGCLCs can be generated efficiently in 2D from hPSCs with treatment of BMP4 and BME overlay

BME overlay method is highly scalable, cost-effective and simple to perform

hPGCLCs differentiate together with amniotic ectoderm- and mesoderm-like cells from a TFAP2A+/CDX2+/EOMES+/GATA3+ common progenitor population

BME overlay enables robust hPGCLC formation by potentiating BMP/SMAD signaling in the common progenitor population
Examination of Onset Trajectories and Persistence of Binge-Like Eating Behavior in Mice after Intermittent Palatable Food Exposure
Authors: Hildebrandt Britny A. , Fisher Hayley , Ahmari Susanne E.
Published: September 2022

Binge eating (BE) is a persistent behavior associated with a chronic course of illness and poor treatment outcomes. While clinical research is unable to capture the full course of BE, pre-clinical approaches offer the opportunity to examine binge-like eating from onset through chronic durations, allowing identification of factors contributing to BE persistence. The current study quantified the trajectories of binge-like eating onset and modeled cycles of abstinence/relapse to develop a translational model for BE persistence. Adult male and female C57Bl6/J mice were randomized to a binge-like palatable food (PF) access schedule (daily 2-hour, 3x/week) or continuous, non-binge like PF access for 12 days (Experiment 1). Persistence of PF consumption in both binge-like PF access groups was then examined across three cycles of forced abstinence and re-exposure to PF (incubation) to model the persistence of BE in clinical populations. Mice with daily 2 hour PF access escalated their intake more than mice in the 3x/week or continuous groups (Experiment 1).This pattern was more pronounced in females. In addition, this pattern of PF intake re-emerged across multiple cycles of behavioral incubation (Experiment 2). These findings provide a model of binge-like eating in mice that can be used in future studies examining both environmental factors and neural mechanisms contributing to BE persistence.
Correlation analysis between drug resistance and virulence genes of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii In Western Guilin
Authors: Xiong Lijun , Huang Xiaofeng , Chen Huoying , Liu Zhenyu , Wang Di , Zeng Guifen , Mo Shan , Wei Chuandong
Published: September 2022

Backgound

In order to detect the resistance of Acinetobacter baumannii to β-lactam antibiotics in western Guilin, analyze the reasons for its resistance, and provide laboratory basis for clinical treatment; method for the β-lactamase gene of Acinetobacter baumannii, and to explore the relationship between the presence of the β-lactamase gene of Acinetobacter baumannii and multidrug resistance.

Methods

From November 2020 to June 2022, 78 non-repeated Acinetobacter baumannii strains from the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University were collected, and their resistance to carbapenem antibiotics was analyzed. PCR was used to detect resistance-related genes (blaOXA-23, blaOXA-51, blaOXA-58, blaOXA-24, blaIMP and blaSIM) and virulence genes (cusE, abaI and bfmS). To analyze the relationship between drug resistance and virulence genes of Acinetobacter baumannii.

Results

Most of the 165 non-enterobacteriaceae bacteria we collected from the hospital were Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and most of the specimen types were from sputum and secretions, and most of them were from respiratory and critical care diseases area and intensive care unit, among them, there are 78 strains of Acinetobacter baumannii studied this time. After screening, 78 Acinetobacter baumannii strains were resistant to Cefazolin, Ampicillin, Amoxicillin/Clavulanate, Aztreonam, Chloramphenicol, Tetracycline, Cefotaxime, Ampicillin/Sulbactam, Piperacillin, Gentamicin, Ciprofloxacin, Levofloxacin, Moxifloxacin, Cefepime, Ceftazidime, Piperacillin/Tazobactam, Compound Sulfonamide, Meropenem, Imipenem, Amikacin, Polymyxin, resistance rates were 98.72%, 98.72%, 96.16%, 96.15%, 96.15%, 66.67%, 60.26%, 58.98%, 58.97%, 57.69%, 57.69%, 57.69%, 57.69%, 57.69%, 56.41%, 55.13%, 53.85%, 52.56%, 52.56%, 50%, 0%. Among them, 17 strains with drug resistance gene blaOXA-51 were detected,accounting for 21.79%; drug gene blaOXA-23, blaOXA-24, blaIMP, blaOXA-58, blaSIM gene were not detected; 17 strains with virulence gene bfmS was detected, accounting for 21.79%; abaI, csuE virulence gene was not detected.

Conclusion

Acinetobacter baumannii in the hospital is highly resistant to carbapenems, mainly carrying blaOXA-51 resistance genes. Drug resistance is closely related to the virulence gene bfmS.
Induced mineralization in Escherichia coli biofilms: the key role of bacterial alkaline phosphatase
Authors: Zorzetto Laura , Scoppola Ernesto , Raguin Emeline , Blank Kerstin G. , Fratzl Peter , Bidan Cécile M.
Published: September 2022

Biofilms appear when bacteria colonize a surface and synthesize and assemble extracellular matrix components. In addition to the organic matrix, some biofilms precipitate mineral particles such as calcium phosphate. While calcified biofilms induce diseases like periodontitis in physiological environments, they also inspire the engineering of living composites. Understanding mineralization mechanisms in biofilms will thus provide key knowledge for either inhibiting or promoting mineralization in these research fields. The enzyme alkaline phosphatase (ALP) plays a key role in calcium phosphate precipitation in mammalian bone tissue. Produced by eukaryotic cells, ALP catalyzes the hydrolysis of monophosphates starting from different precursors (e.g., alkaloids, proteins) and makes phosphate ions readily available for the precipitation with calcium. Bacterial ALPs are expressed by the well-characterized gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria E. coli and S. aureus as well as a large number of marine and soil bacteria. While it was recently proposed that bacterial ALPs induce mineral precipitation, their role in biofilm mineralization is not fully understood. In this work, we address this question using the biofilm-forming E. coli K-12 strain W3110, which expresses periplasmic ALP from the phoA gene. We first identify the mineralization conditions of biofilms grown on nutritive agar substrates supplemented with calcium ions and β-glycerophosphate. We then localize the mineral phase at different scales, using light and scanning electron microscopy as well as X-ray microtomography. Wide-angle X-ray scattering enables us to further identify the mineral as being hydroxyapatite. Finally, growing E. coli cells on mineralizing medium supplemented with an ALP inhibitor demonstrates that ALP is essential for biofilm mineralization. This is confirmed with a bacteria-free model, where the deposition of a drop of bacterial ALP solution on calcium and β-glycerophosphate containing agar substrate is sufficient to induce mineralization. Overall, these results will benefit the development of strategies against diseases involving calcified biofilms as well as the engineering of biofilm-based living composites.
Semantic reconstruction of continuous language from non-invasive brain recordings
Authors: Tang Jerry , LeBel Amanda , Jain Shailee , Huth Alexander G.
Published: September 2022

A brain-computer interface that decodes continuous language from non-invasive recordings would have many scientific and practical applications. Currently, however, decoders that reconstruct continuous language use invasive recordings from surgically implanted electrodes1–3, while decoders that use non-invasive recordings can only identify stimuli from among a small set of letters, words, or phrases4–7. Here we introduce a non-invasive decoder that reconstructs continuous natural language from cortical representations of semantic meaning8 recorded using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Given novel brain recordings, this decoder generates intelligible word sequences that recover the meaning of perceived speech, imagined speech, and even silent videos, demonstrating that a single language decoder can be applied to a range of semantic tasks. To study how language is represented across the brain, we tested the decoder on different cortical networks, and found that natural language can be separately decoded from multiple cortical networks in each hemisphere. As brain-computer interfaces should respect mental privacy9, we tested whether successful decoding requires subject cooperation, and found that subject cooperation is required both to train and to apply the decoder. Our study demonstrates that continuous language can be decoded from non-invasive brain recordings, enabling future multipurpose brain-computer interfaces.
The sulfonylpiperazine MMV020291 prevents red blood cell invasion by the malaria parasitePlasmodium falciparumthrough interference with actin-1/profilin dynamics
Authors: Dans Madeline G. , Piirainen Henni , Nguyen William , Khurana Sachin , Mehra Somya , Razook Zahra , Das Sujaan , Schneider Molly Parkyn , Jonsdottir Thorey K. , Gabriela Mikha , Gancheva Maria R. , Tonkin Christopher J. , Mollard Vanessa , Goodman Christopher Dean , McFadden Geoffrey I. , Wilson Danny W. , Barry Alyssa E. , Crabb Brendan S. , de Koning-Ward Tania F. , Sleebs Brad E. , Kursula Inari , Gilson Paul R.
Published: September 2022

With emerging resistance to frontline treatments, it is vital that new antimalarial drugs are identified to targetPlasmodium falciparum. We have recently described a compound, MMV020291, as a specific inhibitor of red blood cell invasion, and have generated analogues with improved potency. Here, we identify actin and profilin as putative targets of the MMV020291 series through resistance selection and whole genome sequencing of three MMV020291 resistant populations. This revealed three non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms in two genes; two inprofilin(N154Y, K124N) and a third one inactin-1(M356L). Using CRISPR-Cas9, we engineered these mutations into wildtype parasites which rendered them resistant to MMV020291. We demonstrate that MMV020291 reduces actin polymerisation that is required by the merozoite stage parasites to invade red blood cells. Additionally, the series inhibits the actin-1 dependent process of apicoplast segregation, leading to a delayed death phenotype.In vitroco-sedimentation experiments using recombinantP. falciparumactin-1 and profilin proteins indicate that potent MMV020291 analogues amplify the actin-monomer sequestering effect of profilin, thereby reducing the formation of filamentous actin. Altogether, this study identifies the first compound series targeting the actin-1/profilin interaction inP. falciparumand paves the way for future antimalarial development against the highly dynamic process of actin polymerisation.
The N-terminal extension of Arabidopsis ARGONAUTE 1 is essential for microRNA activities
Authors: Xu Ye , Zhang Yong , Li Zhenfang , Soloria Alyssa , Potter Savannah , Chen Xuemei
Published: September 2022

microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate target gene expression through their ARGONAUTE (AGO) effector protein, mainly AGO1 inArabidopsis thaliana. In addition to the highly conserved N, PAZ, MID and PIWI domains with known roles in RNA silencing, AGO1 contains a long, unstructured N-terminal extension (NTE) of little-known function. Here, we show that the NTE is indispensable for the functions of Arabidopsis AGO1, as a lack of the NTE leads to seedling lethality. Within the NTE, the region containing amino acids (a.a.) 91 to 189 is essential for rescuing anago1null mutant. Through global analyses of small RNAs, AGO1-associated small RNAs, and miRNA target gene expression, we show that the region containing a.a. 91-189 is required for the loading of miRNAs into AGO1. Moreover, we show that reduced nuclear partitioning of AGO1 did not affect its profiles of miRNA and ta-siRNA association. Furthermore, we show that the 1-to-90a.a. and 91-to-189a.a. regions of the NTE redundantly promote the activities of AGO1 in the biogenesis of trans-acting siRNAs. Together, we report novel roles of the NTE of Arabidopsis AGO1.
SIRT1 regulates DNA damage signaling through the PP4 phosphatase complex
Authors: Rasti George , Becker Maximilian , Vazquez Berta N. , Espinosa-Alcantud Maria , Fernández-Duran Irene , Gámez-García Andrés , Gonzalez-Nieto Jessica , Bosch-Presegué Laia , Marazuela-Duque Anna , Segura-Bayona Sandra , Ianni Alessandro , Bech-Serra Joan-Josep , Scher Michael , Serrano Lourdes , Shankavaram Uma , Erdjument-Bromage Hediye , Tempst Paul , Reinberg Danny , Olivella Mireia , Stracker Travis , de la Torre Carolina , Vaquero Alejandro
Published: September 2022

The Sirtuin family of NAD+-dependent enzymes plays an important role in maintaining genome stability upon stress. Several mammalian Sirtuins have been linked directly or indirectly to the regulation of DNA damage during replication through Homologous recombination (HR). The role of one of them, SIRT1, is intriguing as it seems to have a general regulatory role in the DNA damage response (DDR) that has not yet been addressed. SIRT1-deficient cells show impaired DDR reflected in a decrease in repair capacity, increased genome instability and decreased levels of γH2AX. Here we unveil a close functional antagonism between SIRT1 and the PP4 phosphatase multiprotein complex in the regulation of the DDR. Upon DNA damage, SIRT1 interacts specifically with the catalytical subunit PP4c and promotes its inhibition by deacetylating the WH1 domain of the regulatory subunits PP4R3α/β. This in turn regulates γH2AX and RPA2 phosphorylation, two key events in the signaling of DNA damage and repair by HR. We propose a mechanism whereby during stress, SIRT1 signaling ensures a global control of DNA damage signaling through PP4.
Structural insights into Frizzled assembly by acylated Wnt and Frizzled Connector domain
Authors: Chang Tao-Hsin , Hsieh Fu-Lien , Harlos Karl , Jones E. Yvonne
Published: September 2022

Frizzled (Fz1-10) serve as the principal cell surface receptors for Wnt signalling. Aberrant expression of Fz is associated with cancer and neurodegeneration. The N-terminal extracellular domains of Fz include Cysteine-Rich Domain (CRD), Connector, and Linker. How the palmitoleate moiety (PAM) modified Wnt bound to Fz transduces the extracellular signal across the membrane remains incomplete. Here, we report the structures of Fz4 CRD and Connector (Fz4CRD-Connector), in complex with PAM modified Wnt7a peptide (PAM peptide). Fz4CRD-Connector structures reveal an open-form of dimer – a flat-shaped hydrophobic groove to accommodate one PAM peptide at the dimer interface. Interestingly, the structure of Fz7CRD bound to PAM peptide shows a dimeric closed-form – a curved-shaped hydrophobic groove at the dimer interface for one PAM peptide bound. We also reveal that Fz4Connector has extensive interactions with Fz4CRD and contributes to the Fz4 function. The studies shed insight on the development of novel strategies to modulate Fz function.
Circadian regulation of macromolecular complex turnover and proteome renewal
Authors: Seinkmane Estere , Edmondson Anna , Peak-Chew Sew Y , Zeng Aiwei , Rzechorzek Nina M , James Nathan R , West James , Munns Jack , Wong David CS , Beale Andrew D , O’Neill John S
Published: September 2022

Although costly to maintain, protein homeostasis is indispensable for normal cellular function and long-term health. In mammalian cells and tissues, daily variation in global protein synthesis has been observed, but its utility and consequences for proteome integrity are not fully understood. Using several different pulse-labelling strategies, here we gain direct insight into the relationship between protein synthesis and abundance proteome-wide. We show that protein degradation varies in-phase with protein synthesis, facilitating rhythms in turnover rather than abundance. This results in daily consolidation of proteome renewal whilst minimising changes in composition. Coupled rhythms in synthesis and turnover are especially salient to the assembly of macromolecular protein complexes, particularly the ribosome, the most abundant species of complex in the cell. Daily turnover and proteasomal degradation rhythms render cells and mice more sensitive to proteotoxic stress at specific times of day, potentially contributing to daily rhythms in the efficacy of proteasomal inhibitors against cancer. Our findings suggest that circadian rhythms function to minimise the bioenergetic cost of protein homeostasis through temporal consolidation of protein turnover.
Physiological intron retaining transcripts in the cytoplasm abound during human motor neurogenesis
Authors: Petrić Howe Marija , Crerar Hamish , Neeves Jacob , Harley Jasmine , Tyzack Giulia E. , Klein Pierre , Ramos Andres , Patani Rickie , Luisier Raphaëlle
Published: September 2022

Intron retention (IR) is now recognized as a dominant splicing event during motor neuron (MN) development; however, the role and regulation of intron-retaining transcripts (IRTs) localized to the cytoplasm remain particularly understudied. Here we show that IR is a physiological process that is spatiotemporally regulated during MN lineage restriction and that IRTs in the cytoplasm are detected in as many as 13% (n= 2297) of the genes expressed during this process. We identify a major class of cytoplasmic IRTs that are not associated with reduced expression of their own genes but instead show a high capacity for RNA-binding protein and miRNA occupancy. Finally, we show that ALS-causingVCPmutations lead to a selective increase in cytoplasmic abundance of this particular class of IRTs, which in turn temporally coincides with an increase in the nuclear expression level of predicted miRNA target genes. Altogether, our study identifies a previously unrecognized class of cytoplasmic intronic sequences with potential regulatory function beyond gene expression.
Examining rule-of-thumb consumption behavior in India: a note
Authors: Mohanti Debaditya , Banerjee Souvik
Published: September 2022

Purpose

The present study aims to evaluate the aggregate consumption function from the perspective of the Euler equation using Indian macroeconomic data. Further, to examine the robustness of the findings for India, other developing nations are also studied.

Design/methodology/approach

Quarterly time-series data from 1996:1 to 2020:3 on consumption and income in India are used to evaluate the alternative model proposed by Campbell and Mankiw (1989). The alternative hypotheses in the present study are tested by estimating models using the instrumental variable approach. The lagged changes in the quarterly average of 91-day Treasury bill yields are used as the nominal interest rate instrumental variables along with other lagged instrumental variables.

Findings

The evidence presented in this study suggests that aggregate consumption is better explained when the permanent income model incorporates rule-of-thumb consumers, that is, individuals who consume their current income along with those who consume their permanent income.

Practical implications

The new rule-of-thumb framework better explains some of the observed phenomena, such as why the expected changes in consumption are related to the expected changes in income, why the expected changes in consumption are unrelated to real interest rates (i.e. why the intertemporal elasticity of substitution is near zero) and why a high consumption/income ratio is usually followed by an increase in income growth.

Originality/value

This study adds to the limited literature on the Euler-based consumption function in developing economies.
Personality traits and conflict management styles via job performance in higher education
Authors: Soomro Bahadur Ali , Saraih Ummi Naiemah , Ahmad Tunku Salha Tunku
Published: September 2022

Purpose

This study aims to examine the direct and indirect relationships between Personality Traits (PTs) and Conflict Management Styles (CMSs) through Job Performance (JP) in Pakistan.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a quantitative study that employed a survey questionnaire to collect cross-sectional data from academic leaders of Pakistan's Higher Education Institutes (HEIs). The researchers derived this study's findings from 320 useable responses.

Findings

The authors used a Structural Equation Model (SEM) which shows a positive and significant effect of agreeableness on Integrating Styles (IS), Avoiding Styles (AS), Obliging Styles (OS), Compromising Styles (CS) and Dominating Styles (DS). Extraversion has a positive and significant effect on IS, OS, DS and CS. Emotional Stability (ES) is the positive and significant predictor of IS, AS, OS and CS. The conscientiousness trait has a positive and significant effect in predicting IS, OS, DS, CS and AS. Likewise, openness has a positive and significant effect on IS, OS, DS and CS. On the other hand, extraversion and openness have a negative and insignificant effect on AS. Finally, amongst HEIs' academic leaders ES is the negative and insignificant predictor of DS.

Practical implications

This study's findings offer additional insights into understanding the direct and indirect connections between PTs and CMSs through JP. These support the development of effective policies and organizational arrangements to resolve and manage conflict and employee behaviours. Finally, through another contribution of empirical evidence, these findings further enrich the worth of the literature.

Originality/value

This study’s findings provide both, directly and indirectly, the original contributions of Pakistan’s HEIs’ academic leaders PTs and CMSs.
Cryptocurrency liquidity during the Russia–Ukraine war: the case of Bitcoin and Ethereum
Authors: Theiri Saliha , Nekhili Ramzi , Sultan Jahangir
Published: September 2022

Purpose

This study examine the response of liquidity of Bitcoin and Ethereum to the Russia-Ukraine war in an event study context and investigate whether the war had a transitory or a permanent effect on cryptocurrency liquidity.

Design/methodology/approach

A event study was applied to hourly transactions on Bitcoin and Ethereum cryptocurrencies from 1/02/2022 to 31/03/2022. This is period is subdivided in two sample periods to capture transitory and permanent effects. The transitory effect is investigated over a window spanning -20 and +20 days. For a more extended post-event period, a linear regression model was applied to analyze the effects of other factors on the liquidity risk of BTC and ETH.

Findings

The findings reveal a significant but temporary impact of the Russia–Ukraine war on the liquidity of Bitcoin and Ethereum. Liquidity levels have increased within the first two days around the event day and then returned to the pre-event level after that. However, the response of BTC and ETH cryptocurrencies' liquidities to the Russian invasion of Ukraine is not uniform.

Originality/value

This is the first paper that assesses the liquidity level of two major cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin and Ethereum) in response to an extreme event: the Russia–Ukraine war. The hypothesis is that trading in the cryptocurrency market will increase due to market participants' goal of evading regulatory sanctions. Furthermore, market participants may also take advantage of cryptocurrencies' popularity as safe-haven assets.
Fourth industrial revolution (4IR): librarians' perceptions encompass the art of thinking skill
Authors: Mohideen Zainab Ajab , Sheikh Arslan , Kaur Kiran , Sukmawatid M.
Published: September 2022

Purpose

The world is moving toward a new industrial revolution period where digital technology has achieved unprecedented developments. The industrial revolution (IR) is a subcategory of the fourth industrial revolution (4IR). This paper aims to discuss the 4IR technologies from the perspective of librarians. It investigates the perceptions of librarians about the 4IR.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was conducted in the Malaysian academic libraries. A set of eight open-ended questions were designed to investigate the challenges, barriers and business case to encompass the art of thinking skills in information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT). The participants were a group of librarians' working in the 4IR with a glimpse of the transformation toward smart libraries. Four librarians' answered the blurred line and fill the gap between life as a librarian and technology as the cutting edge of industry development.

Findings

The findings of this study on the 4IR as a global business–library industry exposed that the technological advancements and development process of information system (IS) has incorporated the most advanced and innovative technologies which have influenced librarians' perceptions, thinking skill and mindset. This study proposes IS enablers and librarians to take measures to cope with the 4IR.

Originality/value

This study is unique in the sense that it is the foremost research on 4IR from the perspective of Malaysian librarians'.
Facilitating performance measurement and management through digital business strategy
Authors: Holopainen Mira , Saunila Minna , Ukko Juhani
Published: September 2022

Purpose

This study aims to focus on the connection between digital business strategy and performance measurement and management (PMM).

Design/methodology/approach

The implications of digital business strategy and its dimensions with regard to PMM were investigated through a survey. The survey questionnaire provided 202 valid cases with a focus on senior management of small- and medium-sized enterprises. Strategic dimensions were identified from the literature on management in the context of digitalization to build a theoretical framework that highlights the mechanisms that companies should focus on when managing and implementing digital technologies successfully.

Findings

The aspects that comprise digital business strategy are grouped into five major dimensions: technological understanding, goals, resources, management and responsibilities. The study reveals a direct and positive relationship between goals and management related to digital business strategy and PMM.

Research limitations/implications

The study contributes to the existing PMM literature in the context of digitalization.

Practical implications

The results indicate that if a company has excellent goals and management with regard to its digital business strategy, it uses PMM in a more successful and effective way.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is among the first to examine PMM in terms of managing digital business strategy by trying to determine the extent to which the elements of digital business strategy can be integrated effectively into PMM.
Investor attention, Twitter uncertainty and cryptocurrency market amid the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Bashir Hajam Abid , Kumar Dilip
Published: September 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the impact of investor attention due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Twitter-based sentiment towards uncertainty and public sentiment on the performance of cryptocurrencies.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors employ the simple linear regression, quantile regression (QR), the exponential generalised autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (EGARCH) model, and sentiment analysis to examine this phenomenon. The authors utilise the daily closing price of the 20 leading cryptocurrencies, the Google search volume index of the “Coronavirus” keyword, the Twitter-based economic uncertainty index, and textual data collected from the Reddit social media platform.

Findings

The results show that investor attention and Twitter uncertainty have a negative (positive) effect on cryptocurrency returns (volatility). The QR results indicate a heterogeneous effect of investor attention and Twitter economic uncertainty on cryptocurrency returns with a higher effect in the lower quantiles. The findings indicate that cryptocurrencies fail to act as a safe haven during this pandemic.

Originality/value

The study is amongst the very few studies that capture the impact of investor attention/sentiment due to COVID-19 on the performance of cryptocurrencies.
Exploring the escalation of commitment to a failing venture in women and men entrepreneurs
Authors: Nouri Pouria
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Escalation of commitment is one of the most influential decision-making biases in entrepreneurs which may incur substantial losses and result in failure by making entrepreneurs allocate an increasing amount of resources to failing plans. Not only is escalation one of the less-researched biases in entrepreneurship but also most of the existing studies have been either limited to specific contexts or exclusively limited to men entrepreneurs. The purpose of this study is to explore the antecedents of escalation of commitment among a sample of Iranian women and men entrepreneurs to address these gaps.

Design/methodology/approach

By conducting a narrative inquiry, data were collected through semi-structured and in-depth interviews with nine women and 10 men Iranian entrepreneurs who were founder/owners of a small business and had introduced at least one product to the market.

Findings

According to the findings of this study, the fear of losing autonomy and fear of being blamed by one’s family were the main drivers of escalation of commitment among the women entrepreneurs, while overconfidence, sense of responsibility and hoping to gain more profits were the main antecedents of escalation among men entrepreneurs.

Originality/value

This study is a pioneer in studying the antecedents of the escalation of commitment among women and men entrepreneurs comparatively in the context of a developing country.
The temporal and spatial response of soil fungal community composition and potential function to wildfire in a permafrost region in Canada
Authors: Zhang Yue‐mei , Qu Zhao‐lei , Sietiö Outi‐Maaria , Zhou Xuan , Heinonsalo Jussi , Köster Kajar , Berninger Frank , Pumpanen Jukka , Sun Hui
Published: September 2022

The permafrost regions of the boreal forest store a large amount of carbon, which can be affected by ecological disturbance, especially the interference of forest fires. Understanding the dynamic responses of the post‐fire soil fungal community is essential for predicting soil carbon dynamics.

We used a post‐fire chronosequence (areas with 3, 25, 46 and >100 years post fire [ypf]) in Canadian boreal forests with continuous permafrost to examine the responses of fungal communities and fungal genes associated with biogeochemical cycling to fire in the surface and near‐surface permafrost layers (0–5, 5–10 and 10–30 cm depth). We hypothesized that as the forest recovers from fire, the fungal communities and functional genes associated with biogeochemical cycling will also recover temporally and spatially, which will in turn affect soil carbon storage.

Our results demonstrate that the fire has long‐term effects on fungal communities and functions in the surface and near‐surface soils. The fungal species richness in the 0–5 and 5–10 cm soil layers increased with time since fire, which required at least 46 years to recover to pre‐fire levels. Ascomycota in each of the soil layers in the recently burned area (3 ypf) and ericoid mycorrhizas Oidiodendron maius in the 10–30 cm soil layer in the control area were recognized as indicator taxa.

The examination of functional genes revealed that the diversity of potential genes and the expression of genes related to carbon degradation (e.g. chitinase, cellobiase, exoglucanase and endoglucanase) in recently burned area increased in the surface soil, whereas, decreased in the deep soil, suggesting the fire affect the loss of carbon differently in the surface and deep soils in the early stages after fire.

In conclusion, the fires significantly altered the fungal communities and functional genes related to carbon storage along the soil vertical gradients and along the post‐fire chronosequence.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
THE FUTURE SCENARIOS OF CITIES: An Analysis of their Institutional Construction
Authors: González‐Arellano Salomón
Published: September 2022

In recent decades, a dominant narrative has emerged in which cities are considered the most decisive places for the future of contemporary societies. In fact, institutional production of such futures grants cities a central function in the becoming of the world. The objective of this essay is to analyze and characterize the institutional construction of future scenarios for cities based on three dimensions, or pillars, of a proposal for an institutional analysis. These dimensions are regulatory, normative and cognitive. The construction of future scenarios can be useful for cities, but it is important to recognize that they are institutional constructions that respond to the interests of individuals or groups and thus reflect visions of the present that reveal the concerns and strategic dimensions of certain actors. In this essay I analyze and characterize a corpus of 101 future scenarios for 81 cities in different countries. The results demonstrate that the future scenarios for cities are institutionalized through the development of regulatory functions, value systems and cognitive and cultural frameworks for organizations and individuals.
Parental perspectives of home‐schooling of children with special educational needs and disabilities during the COVID‐19 pandemic: a review
Authors: Dobosz Dagmara , Gierczyk Marcin , Hornby Garry
Published: September 2022

The purpose of this paper is to review recent literature on parental perspectives of the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on the home‐schooling of children with special educational needs and disabilities, as well as to consider implications for their education and well‐being. Eleven papers were reviewed, published between 2020 and 2021, selected according to a systematic protocol from three widely used online databases. Analysis of the reviewed papers found that transitioning to home‐schooling during the pandemic had negative consequences for most of the children, as well as for their parents, though a small but significant number reported positive consequences. Three key areas of concern were identified in the analysis: balancing home‐schooling with parent work activities; parent relationships with schools and support services and agencies and home‐schooling effects on the well‐being and mental health of parents and children.
The institutional and political roots of complex policies: Evidence from the European Union
Authors: HURKA STEFFEN
Published: September 2022

The complexity of public policies has repeatedly been identified as a key challenge for modern democracies. Yet, we know only very little about the origins of this complexity. Controlling for functional and legal explanations, this article investigates whether complex policies have distinct institutional and political origins. The study builds on the assumption that complex policies are communicated in more complex language and uses textual data from 1771 legislative proposals issued by the European Commission since 1994 to demonstrate that the complexity of public policies is strongly tied to institutional and political costs of policy formulation. Collegial cabinets formulate more complex policies whenever they face more inclusive decision‐making processes and struggle with higher internal preference bias and heterogeneity. The implications of these findings reach far beyond the political system of the European Union and highlight that to a considerable degree, complex policies are the price of inclusive democratic decision making.
Clean the skin: Reducing blood culture contamination in the emergency department
Authors: McNab Lincoln , Varndell Wayne , Vecellio Elia , Chiew Angela L
Published: September 2022

Objective

To determine whether blood culture contamination (BCC) rates could be decreased in the ED by an educational programme.

Methods

Educational intervention focusing on a 1‐min venepuncture cleaning time and providing a larger chlorhexidine alcohol swab. BCC rates were examined retrospectively 12‐month pre‐, and 9‐month post‐intervention.

Results

Six thousand nine hundred and fifty‐three blood cultures were collected over the study period. The BCC rate was 2.4% pre‐intervention versus 1.8% post‐intervention, with no significant difference in BCC rates (Z‐score = 1.862, P = 0.063).

Conclusion

This educational intervention focusing on skin clean time did not significantly decrease BCC rates in a setting of an already low (<3%) BCC rate.
Delayed type hypersensitivity reactions to various allergens may differently model inflammatory skin diseases
Authors: Pavel Ana B. , Del Duca Ester , Cheng Julia , Wu Jianni , Ungar Benjamin , Estrada Yeriel D. , Jack Carolyn , Maari Catherine , Proulx Étienne Saint‐Cyr , Ramirez‐Valle Francisco , Krueger James G. , Bissonnette Robert , Guttman‐Yassky Emma
Published: September 2022

Background

Treatment of inflammatory skin diseases, including atopic dermatitis (AD) and psoriasis, is undergoing transformative changes, highlighting the need to develop experimental models of skin inflammation in humans to predict treatment responses.

Methods

We topically or intradermally administered four common sensitizers (dust mite (DM), diphencyprone (DPCP), nickel (Ni), and purified protein derivative (PPD)) to the backs of 40 healthy patients and the skin hypersensitivity response was biopsied and evaluated using immunohistochemistry, RNA‐seq, and RT‐PCR.

Results

All agents induced strong increases in cellular infiltrates (T‐cells and dendritic cells) as compared to untreated skin (p < .05), with variable T helper polarization. Overall, DPCP induced the strongest immune responses across all pathways, including innate immunity (IL‐1α, IL‐8), Th1 (IFNγ, CXCL10), Th2 (IL‐5, CCL11), and Th17 (CAMP/LL37) products, as well as the highest regulatory tone (FOXP3, IL‐34, IL‐37) (FDR <0.01). Nickel induced Th17 (IL‐17A), Th1 (CXCL10) and Th2 (IL‐4R) immune responses to a lesser extent than DPCP (p < .05). PPD induced predominantly Th1 (IFNγ, CXCL10, STAT1) and Th17 inflammation (IL‐17A) (p < .05). DM induced modulation of Th2 (IL‐13, CCL17, CCL18), Th22 (IL‐22), and Th17/Th22 (S100A7/9/12) pathways (p < .05). Barrier defects that characterize both AD and psoriasis were best modeled by DPCP and Ni, followed by PPD, including downregulation of terminal differentiation (FLG, FLG2, LOR, LCEs), tight junction (CLDN1/CLDN8), and lipid metabolism (FA2H, FABP7)‐related markers.

Conclusion

Our data imply that DPCP induced the strongest immune response across all pathways, and barrier defects characteristic of AD and psoriasis.
DMEK outcome after one year – Results from a large multicenter study in Germany
Authors: Spaniol Kristina , Hellmich Martin , Borgardts Klara , Girbardt Christian , Maier Philip , Reinhard Thomas , Torun Necip , Maier Anna‐Karina , Thaler Sebastian , Bartz‐Schmidt Karl U. , Wiedemann Peter , Seitz Berthold , Daas Loay , Schrittenlocher Silvia , Cursiefen Claus , Bachmann Björn , Geerling Gerd
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) accounts for >50% of all corneal transplants in Germany. So far, no data from such a large multicenter study have been published.

Methods

This retrospective study included 3200 DMEKs at seven departments performed for Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) or bullous keratopathy (BK). We evaluated best corrected visual acuity (BCVA, logMAR), endothelial cell density (ECD, cells/mm2), minimal corneal thickness (CT, μm), rebubbling‐, primary transplant failure‐ and immune reaction‐rate. Changes over time were evaluated by linear mixed models for repeated measures and correlation with case number by center by weighted linear regression.

Results

For patients without vision‐limiting comorbidities (74% of all analysed eyes, n = 2270), mean BCVA improved from 0.6 ± 0.4 logMAR to 0.2 ± 0.2 logMAR 6 months (p < 0.001, n = 1441) and 0.1 ± 0.2 logMAR 12 months (p = 0.001, n = 1402) postoperatively. BK‐ had a worse BCVA compared to FECD‐patients (0.3 ± 0.5 vs. 0.1 ± 0.2 logMAR [p < 0.001] at 1 year). ECD declined from 2465 ± 259 cells/mm2 (n = 2876 preoperatively) to 1587 ± 433 cells/mm2 after 12 months (p < 0.001, n = 1237). Mean rebubbling rate was 0.4 ± 0.7/eye. 784 eyes (25%) received at least one rebubbling. More rebubblings correlated with a lower ECD, a worse BCVA, a higher CT, and higher transplant failure and rejection rates (p < 0.001, p = 0.013 for BCVA at 12 months). A single rebubbling did not influence the BCVA (p = 0.785). Graft failure rate was 3% (n = 67), rejection rate 1.5% (n = 48).

Conclusion

Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty increases visual acuity with low transplant failure‐ and rejection‐rates. FECD has a better outcome than BK. Since a quarter of all patients need a rebubbling, this should be included in the informed consent. Remarkably, one rebubbling has no influence on the outcome.
Socioeconomic outcomes beyond 30 years of age in a cohort born with very low birth weight
Authors: Kure Pollstergaard Katrine , Wiingreen Rikke , Gregersen Rasmus , Mathiasen Rene , Mølholm Hansen Bo , Greisen Gorm
Published: September 2022

Aim

As survival of infants born prematurely has increased dramatically, questions on long‐term consequences have emerged. Our aim was to investigate long‐term effects of very low birth weight on socioeconomic outcomes.

Methods

One hundred and fifty very low birth weight infants (VLBW) born from 1980 to 1982 at Rigshospitalet, Denmark, who had previously been followed up at age 2, 4 and 18 years, were compared to cohorts of low birth weight, normal birth weight (NBW) and a national population‐based reference cohort. From the Danish national registers we obtained data regarding educational level, financial independence and living arrangements. In addition, we used the previously published results from the three cohorts.

Results

The VLBW cohort had lower intelligence quotient and higher risk of significant school difficulties evaluated at age 4 and 18 years. When compared to the NBW cohort, at 30–36 years of age the VLBW cohort tended to have lower educational level, OR 1.7, 95% CI 0.8–3.9, were not financially independent OR 1.5, 95% CI 0.6–3.7, lived alone OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.0–3.8 and had higher rates of the combination of all three outcomes, OR 3.2, 95% CI 0.7–15.8.

Conclusions

We found trends towards poor socioeconomic outcomes in young adults born with VLBW. The relative disadvantages appeared smaller than that in childhood.
Gendered childhoods and the inequity of accessing the outdoors
Authors: Parsons Katie J. , Halstead Florence
Published: September 2022

Understanding our beliefs and experiences means we must often explore our childhood experiences, and reflect on how, at certain points in our life, a range of barriers, obstacles, and societal or social constructs have resulted in shaping the opportunities we had and our behaviours in accessing them. Herein we consider and reflect on the paper ‘“Muddy Glee”: rounding out the picture of women and physical geography fieldwork’ and take inspiration to reframe and discuss a broader context of childhood experiences in setting the background for the observations made within the paper. We highlight and discuss three key provocations, which provide a framework to explore how social constructions of gender, from within the womb onwards, impact women's experiences, challenges, and pleasures of fieldwork in geography, and moreover link these experiences to the restrictions on access to the outdoors women experience in everyday life.
Embedding trait‐based ecology within indigenous knowledge to advance sustainable management of Tibetan rangeland
Authors: Niu Kechang , Suonan Ji , Badingqiuying  , Smith Andrew T. , Lechowicz Martin J.
Published: September 2022

Questions

Traditional pastoralists attribute high numbers of plateau pikas (Ochotona curzoniae) to impoverished soils that favor more and better forage for pika, suggesting a bottom‐up control of pika density. Conversely, government policies focus on excessive numbers of this small mammalian herbivore as the primary top‐down cause of degradation in Tibetan rangeland. Despite concerted campaigns to reduce pika abundance in recent decades, the sustainability of Tibetan rangelands remains uncertain.

Location

Alpine meadows on the Tibetan Plateau.

Methods

We proposed a conceptual model based on indigenous knowledge that predicted pika numbers from soil condition and plant traits. At three alpine meadow sites lightly grazed by livestock, we tested whether spatial variation in pika burrow density could be explained by changes in the functional composition of the plant community attributable to species turnover and intraspecific trait variation associated with changes in soil fertility.

Results

Due primarily to intraspecific trait variation, changes in the functional composition of the meadow community accounted for 56%–68% of the spatial variation in pika density, changes in the proportion of plant functional groups for 62%–74%, and changes in edaphic conditions for 71%–82%. Greater pika density was associated with a decline in soil phosphorus availability and a lower‐growing vegetation profile enriched in both the quantity and quality of forage preferred by pikas.

Conclusions

These results, which are in accord with indigenous knowledge, suggest that compensating soil phosphorus losses and maintaining a well‐calibrated grazing rotation can better manage pika populations and improve the sustainability of Tibetan rangelands. By combining trait‐based ecology and traditional knowledge, our study provides new insight into both understanding the dynamic complexity of grazing regimes and managing rangeland sustainability.