bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MCRS1 modulates the heterogeneity of microtubule minus-end morphologies in mitotic spindles
Authors: Laguillo-Diego Alejandra , Kiewisz Robert , Martí-Gómez Carlos , Baum Daniel , Müller-Reichert Thomas , Vernos Isabelle
Published: June 2022

Faithful chromosome segregation requires the assembly of a bipolar spindle, consisting of two antiparallel microtubule (MT) arrays having most of their minus ends focused at the spindle poles and their plus ends overlapping in the spindle midzone. Spindle assembly, chromosome alignment and segregation require highly dynamic MTs. The plus ends of MTs have been extensively investigated; instead, their minus end structure remains poorly characterized. Here, we used large-scale electron tomography to study the morphology of the MT minus ends in 3D-reconstructed metaphase spindles in HeLa cells. In contrast to the homogeneous open morphology of the MT plus ends at the kinetochores, we found that MT minus ends are heterogeneous showing either open or closed morphologies. Silencing the minus-end specific stabilizer, MCRS1 increased the proportion of open MT minus ends. Altogether, these data suggest a correlation between the morphology and the dynamic state of the MT ends. Taking this heterogeneity of the MT minus end morphologies into account, our work indicates an unsynchronized behavior of MTs at the spindle poles, thus laying the ground for further studies on the complexity of MT dynamics regulation.
Composition of a low erucic acid, low fiber field pennycress (Thlaspi arvenseL) grain referred to as CoverCress™ developed through breeding and gene editing
Authors: Hartnell Gary , Lemke Shawna , Aulbach Chris
Published: June 2022

Field pennycress (Thlaspi arvenseL.) can be domesticated and cultivated as an annual in a corn / pennycress / soybean rotation where pennycress is sown and harvested as a cash cover crop. To improve the nutritional profile, pennycress was modified in two ways to achieve the same alterations in characteristics: 1) through selection of mutants and 2) through gene editing. These alterations resulted in a low erucic acid, lower fiber phenotype and the resulting products from these combinations are referred to as CoverCress CCWG-1 and CoverCress CCWG-2, respectively. CCWG-1 and CCWG-2 were planted as cover crops in five U.S. locations in the fall and the grain was harvested in the subsequent June. The grain was treated with 83 mM copper sulfate solution as a potential palatability agent for the naturally high glucosinolate levels, and was subsequently analyzed for nutrient (proximates, minerals, fatty acids, amino acids, and vitamins) and anti-nutrient (sinapine, glucosinolates, mold) content. The low erucic acid, lower fiber phenotype was consistently achieved across five lots. Generally, the nutrient content for both CCWG-1 and CCWG-2 were similar to canola grain. Canola grain contains the anti-nutrient sinapine but is significantly reduced to below the level of detection in CoverCress grain. As expected, CoverCress grain contains about 10 times more glucosinolates than canola. Based on the composition of CoverCress grain, it may provide a source of energy and amino acids to animals with restricted inclusion based on the glucosinolate content.
Modulation of Arm Swing Frequency and Gait Using Rhythmic Tactile Feedback
Authors: Noghani Mohsen Alizadeh , Hossain Md. Tanzid , Hejrati Babak
Published: June 2022

Due to the neural coupling between upper and lower limbs and the importance of interlimb coordination in human gait, it has been recommended that focusing on appropriate arm swing should be a part of gait rehabilitation in individuals with walking impairments. Despite its vital importance, there is a lack of effective methods to exploit the potential of arm swing inclusion for gait rehabilitation. In this work, we present a lightweight and wireless haptic feedback system that provides highly synchronized vibrotactile cues to the arms to manipulate arm swing and investigate the effects of this manipulation on the subjects’ gait in a study with 12 participants (20-44 years). We found the developed system effectively adjusted the subjects’ arm swing and stride cycle times by significantly reducing and increasing those parameters by up to 20% and 35%, respectively, compared to their baseline values during normal walking with no feedback. Particularly, the reduction of arms’ and legs’ cycle times translated into a substantial increase of about 19.3% (on average) in walking speed. The response of the subjects to the feedback was also quantified in both transient and steady-state walking. The analysis of settling times from the transient responses revealed a fast and similar adaptation of both arms’ and legs’ movements to the feedback for reducing cycle time (i.e., increasing speed). Conversely, larger settling times and the time differences between arms’ and legs’ responses were observed due to feedback for increasing cycle times (i.e., reducing speed). The results clearly demonstrate the potential of the developed system to induce different arm-swing patterns as well as the ability of the proposed method to modulate key gait parameters through capitalizing on the interlimb neural coupling with implications for gait training.
Identification of gene fusions associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Raghav Yogindra , Dilliott Allison A. , Petrozziello Tiziana , Kim Spencer E. , Berry James D. , Cudkowicz Merit E. , Vakili Khashayar ,   NYGC ALS Consortium, Fraenkel Ernest , Farhan Sali M.K. , Sadri-Vakili Ghazaleh
Published: June 2022

Genetics is an import risk factor for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a devastating neurodegenerative disease affecting motor neurons. Recent findings demonstrate that, in addition to specific genetic mutations, structural variants caused by genetic instability can also play a causative role in ALS. Genomic instability can lead to deletions, duplications, insertions, inversions, and translocations in the genome, and these changes can sometimes lead to fusion of distinct genes into a single transcript. While such gene fusion events have been studied extensively in cancer, they have not been thoroughly investigated in ALS. We leveraged bulk RNA-Seq data from human post-mortem samples to determine whether fusion events occur in ALS. We report for the first time the presence of gene fusion events in several brain regions as well as in spinal cord samples in ALS. Although most gene fusions were intra-chromosomal events between neighboring genes and present in both ALS and control samples, there was a significant increase in the number of unique gene fusion in ALS compared to controls. Lastly, we have identified specific gene fusions with a significant burden in ALS, that were absent from both control samples and known cancer gene fusion databases. Collectively, our findings reveal an enrichment of gene fusion in ALS and suggest that these events may be an additional genetic cause linked to ALS pathogenesis.
Acute stress impairs sensorimotor gating via the neurosteroid allopregnanolone in the prefrontal cortex
Authors: Cadeddu Roberto , Mosher Laura J , Nordkild Peter , Gaikwad Nilesh , Ratto Gian Michele , Scheggi Simona , Bortolato Marco
Published: June 2022

Background and purpose

Ample evidence indicates that environmental stress impairs information processing, yet the underlying mechanisms remain partially elusive. We showed that, in several rodent models of psychopathology, the neurosteroid allopregnanolone (AP) reduces the prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the startle, a well-validated index of sensorimotor gating. Since this GABAAreceptor activator is synthesized in response to acute stress, we hypothesized its participation in stress-induced PPI deficits.

Experimental approach

We studied whether and how AP influences PPI in mice and rats; thereafter, we tested AP’s implication in the PPI deficits produced by several complementary regimens of acute and short-term stress (footshock, restraint, predator exposure, and sleep deprivation).

Key results

Systemic AP administration reduced PPI in C57BL/6J mice and Long-Evans, but not Sprague-Dawley, rats. These effects were reversed by isoallopregnanolone (isoAP), an endogenous AP antagonist, and the GABAAreceptor antagonist bicuculline and mimicked by AP infusions in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). PPI was reduced by acute footshock, sleep deprivation as well as the combination of restraint and predator exposure in a time- and intensity-dependent fashion. Acute stress increased AP concentrations in the mPFC, and its detrimental effects on PPI were countered by systemic and intra-mPFC administration of isoAP.

Conclusions and implications

These results collectively indicate that acute stress impairs PPI by increasing AP content in the mPFC. The confirmation of these mechanisms across distinct animal models and several acute stressors strongly supports the translational value of these findings and warrants future research on the role of AP in information processing.
Developmental cell fate choice employs two distinct cis regulatory strategies
Authors: Delás M. Joaquina , Kalaitzis Christos M , Fawzi Tamara , Demuth Madeleine , Zhang Isabel , Stuart Hannah T , Costantini Elena , Ivanovitch Kenzo , Tanaka Elly M , Briscoe James
Published: June 2022

In many developing tissues the patterns of gene expression that assign cell fate are organised by secreted signals functioning in a graded manner over multiple cell diameters. Cis Regulatory Elements (CREs) interpret these graded inputs to control gene expression. How this is accomplished remains poorly understood. In the neural tube, a gradient of the morphogen Sonic hedgehog allocates neural progenitor identity. Here, we uncover two distinct ways in which CREs translate graded Shh signaling into differential gene expression. In the majority of ventral neural progenitors a common set of CREs are used to control gene activity. These CREs integrate cell type specific inputs to control gene expression. By contrast, the most ventral progenitors use a unique set of CREs. These are established by the pioneer factor FOXA2, paralleling the role of FOXA2 in endoderm. Moreover, FOXA2 binds a subset of the same sites in neural and endoderm cells. Together the data identify distinct cis regulatory strategies for the interpretation of morphogen signaling and raise the possibility of an evolutionarily conserved role for FOXA2-mediated regulatory strategy across tissues.
Identification of ASPDH as a novel NAADP-binding protein
Authors: He Xiao , Kang Yunlu , Chen Lei
Published: June 2022

NAADP is a signaling molecule that can induce calcium release from intracellular acidic stores. However, proteins that bind to NAADP are understudied. Here, we identify ASPDH as an NAADP-binding protein through biochemical purification from pig livers. ITC experiment using the recombinantly expressed protein shows a 1:1 binding stoichiometry and a Kd of 455 nM between NAADP and mouse ASPDH. In contrast, recombinantly expressed JPT2 and LSM12, two proteins previously identified as NAADP-receptors, show no binding in ITC experiments.
The effect of talent management and leadership styles on firms’ sustainable performance
Authors: Kafetzopoulos Dimitrios , Gotzamani Katerina
Published: June 2022

Purpose

This study aims to develop a framework that examines how different leadership styles influence talent management (TM) and how these leadership styles and TM influence firms’ sustainable performance considering the moderating role of environmental dynamism.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve these objectives, an empirical survey was conducted among 480 participant firms in Greece. Hierarchical regression was performed to test the hypotheses.

Findings

This study reveals the significance of authoritative and transformational leadership on TM. The results also show the positive effect of talent development on sustainability. Moreover, entrepreneurial leadership is found to be the most influential style for economic sustainability, whereas transformational and transactional leaderships are the most influential leadership styles for social and environmental sustainability performance.

Research limitations/implications

The data was collected at only one point in time, while sustainability is a continuous process. Moreover, only four leadership styles were addressed.

Practical implications

Proper leadership style should be selected to facilitate different sustainability dimensions. Talent development is a valuable investment toward sustainable performance of firms.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the upper echelon theory, identifying whether and how different leadership styles affect TM and sustainability. The study also advances the human recourse development literature by critically reviewing and identifying the influence of TM on firms’ sustainable performance. Moreover, the role of environmental dynamism is revealed on all the above relationships.
A systematic review of women’s entrepreneurship in the sports industry: has anything changed?
Authors: Costa Carla , Miragaia Dina Alexandra Marques
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Gender equity in entrepreneurship has been a global issue in several areas, and the sports context is no exception. Therefore, the present study aims to carry out a systematic review of the literature to analyze how female entrepreneurship in the context of sports organizations has been studied in the scientific community.

Design/methodology/approach

The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses protocol was used to ensure the structure and quality of the study. Articles were obtained through a search in the Web of Science and Scopus databases, by using a set of inclusion/exclusion criteria (e.g. research equation, studies published only in English and classified as an article or review). A Microsoft Excel database was developed, from which tables and graphs were generated to help interpret the results.

Findings

The search resulted in 19 articles, grouped into four clusters: education and entrepreneurship, sports and entrepreneurial skills development, barriers to entrepreneurship and social entrepreneurship. The results indicate that despite all the efforts that have been made thus far, several barriers to female entrepreneurship remain. However, physical activity and sports have been found to aid the development of skills and abilities that may be fundamental to entrepreneurial initiatives. Formation in the context of higher education has also been identified as a fundamental tool for stimulating female entrepreneurship.

Practical implications

This study can have a positive impact on employment opportunities for women in the sport industry.

Originality/value

Besides providing ideas for future research, the results could support the development of policies to address gender equity issues and encourage women to take initiatives in sports entrepreneurship.
Exploring the first steps of retirement engagement: a conceptual model and field evidence
Authors: Eberhardt Wiebke , Post Thomas , Hoet Chantal , Brüggen Elisabeth
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The authors develop and validate a conceptual model, the retirement engagement model (REM), to understand the relationships between behavioral engagement (retirement information search), cognitive factors and engagement (e.g. beliefs and financial knowledge), emotional engagement (e.g. anxiety), and socio-demographic factors. Approach: The authors derive the REM through a three-step procedure: (1) an extensive literature review, (2) interactive feedback sessions with experts to confirm the model's academic and managerial relevance, and (3) an empirical test of the REM with field data (N = 583). The authors use a partial least squares (PLS) structural equation model and examine heterogeneity through a finite mixture model.

Design/methodology/approach

Around the globe, people are insufficiently engaged with retirement planning. The customer engagement literature offers rich insights into antecedents, outcomes, and barriers to engagement. However, customer engagement literature lacks insights into cognitive, emotional and behavioral factors that drive engagement in retirement planning, a utilitarian service context, which is important for financial well-being.

Findings

Beliefs such as perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, barriers, and self-efficacy, together with trust and retirement anxiety, explain people's search for pension information. These factors can be used to define three clear, actionable segments of consumers.

Originality/value

The findings advance the customer engagement and transformative service research literature by generating insights on engagement with retirement planning, a utilitarian rather than hedonic service context that is especially relevant for financial well-being. The findings inform managerial practice and emphasize the relevance of including cognitive and emotional engagement factors that trigger behavioral engagement. The REM can help to improve pension communication. For example, the results indicate that marketers should stress the benefits of, rather than the barriers to, acquiring information.
DNA barcoding of fungal specimens using PacBio long‐read high‐throughput sequencing
Authors: Runnel Kadri , Abarenkov Kessy , Copoț Ovidiu , Mikryukov Vladimir , Kõljalg Urmas , Saar Irja , Tedersoo Leho
Published: June 2022

Molecular methods are increasingly used to identify species that lack conspicuous macro‐ or micromorphological characters. Taxonomic and ecological research teams barcode large numbers of collected voucher specimens annually. In this study we assessed the efficiency of long‐read high throughput sequencing (HTS) as opposed to the traditionally used Sanger method for taxonomic identification of multiple vouchered fungal specimens. We also evaluated whether this method can provide reference information about intraindividual gene polymorphism. We developed a workflow based on a test set of 423 basidiomycete specimens (representing 195 species), the PacBio HTS method, and ribosomal rRNA operon internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and 28S rRNA gene (LSU) markers. The PacBio HTS had a higher success rate than Sanger sequencing at a comparable cost. Species identification based on PacBio reads was usually straightforward, because the dominant operational taxonomic unit (OTU) typically represented the targeted organism. The PacBio HTS also enabled us to detect widespread polymorphism within the ITS marker. We conclude that multiplex DNA barcoding of the fungal ITS and LSU markers using PacBio HTS is a useful tool for taxonomic identification of large amounts of collected voucher specimens at a competitive price. Furthermore, PacBio HTS accurately recovers various alleles and paralogues, which can provide crucial information for species delimitation and population‐level studies.
Accelerated epigenetic aging in newborns with Down syndrome
Authors: Xu Keren , Li Shaobo , Muskens Ivo S. , Elliott Natalina , Myint Swe Swe , Pandey Priyatama , Hansen Helen M. , Morimoto Libby M. , Kang Alice Y. , Ma Xiaomei , Metayer Catherine , Mueller Beth A. , Roberts Irene , Walsh Kyle M. , Horvath Steve , Wiemels Joseph L. , de Smith Adam J.
Published: June 2022

Accelerated aging is a hallmark of Down syndrome (DS), with adults experiencing early‐onset Alzheimer's disease and premature aging of the skin, hair, and immune and endocrine systems. Accelerated epigenetic aging has been found in the blood and brain tissue of adults with DS but when premature aging in DS begins remains unknown. We investigated whether accelerated aging in DS is already detectable in blood at birth. We assessed the association between age acceleration and DS using five epigenetic clocks in 346 newborns with DS and 567 newborns without DS using Illumina MethylationEPIC DNA methylation array data. We compared two epigenetic aging clocks (DNAmSkinBloodClock and pan‐tissue DNAmAge) and three epigenetic gestational age clocks (Haftorn, Knight, and Bohlin) between DS and non‐DS newborns using linear regression adjusting for observed age, sex, batch, deconvoluted blood cell proportions, and genetic ancestry. Targeted sequencing of GATA1 was performed in a subset of 184 newborns with DS to identify somatic mutations associated with transient abnormal myelopoiesis. DS was significantly associated with increased DNAmSkinBloodClock (effect estimate = 0.2442, p < 0.0001), with an epigenetic age acceleration of 244 days in newborns with DS after adjusting for potential confounding factors (95% confidence interval: 196–292 days). We also found evidence of epigenetic age acceleration associated with somatic GATA1 mutations among newborns with DS (p = 0.015). DS was not associated with epigenetic gestational age acceleration. We demonstrate that accelerated epigenetic aging in the blood of DS patients begins prenatally, with implications for the pathophysiology of immunosenescence and other aging‐related traits in DS.
Investigating the cost‐effectiveness of three cessation interventions on a national scale using the Economics of Smoking in Pregnancy (ESIP) decision analytical model
Authors: Jones Matthew , Smith Murray , Lewis Sarah , Parrott Steve , Coleman Tim
Published: June 2022

Aim

To measure the cost‐effectiveness of adding text message (TMB), exercise (EB) and abstinent‐contingent financial incentive‐based (CFIB) stop smoking interventions to standard smoking cessation support for pregnant women in England.

Design

Modelling cost‐effectiveness outcomes by separately adding three cessation interventions to standard cessation care offered to pregnant women in England. English National Health Service Stop Smoking Services (NHS SSS) statistics from 2019 to 2020 were used for estimating the base quit rate. Intervention effectiveness and cost data for interventions were taken from trial reports. Cost‐effectiveness was derived using the economics of smoking in pregnancy (ESIP) model from a health service and personal social services perspective. Interventions were compared with each other as well as against standard cessation care.

Setting

English NHS SSS.

Participants/cases

A total of 13 799 pregnant women who accessed NHS SSS. Interventions and comparator; comparator: standard stop smoking support comprising behavioural intervention and an offer of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). Three additive interventions were TMB, EB and CFIB.

Measurements

Incremental cost‐effectiveness ratios per quality‐adjusted life‐years gained for both mothers and offspring over their life‐times; return on investment (ROI); and cost‐effectiveness acceptability curves (CEACs).

Findings

The addition of any of the interventions compared with standard care alone was preferred, but only significant for the addition of CFIB, with the CEAC suggesting an at least 90% chance of being favoured to standard care alone. When compared against each other CFIB appeared to yield the largest returns, but this was not significant. The estimated ROI for CFIB was £2 [95% confidence interval (CI) = £1–3] in health‐care savings for every £1 spent by the NHS on the cessation intervention.

Conclusions

For a health system which currently provides behavioural support and an offer of nicotine replacement therapy as standard stop smoking support for pregnant women, the greatest economic gains would be provided by operating an abstinent‐contingent financial incentives scheme alongside this.
Morphology of female reproductive system of Mediterranean flatheaded peachborer, Capnodis tenebrionis (Linnaeus, 1761) (Coleoptera: Buprestidae)
Authors: Özyurt Koçakoğlu Nurcan , Çağlar Üzeyir , Candan Selami
Published: June 2022

Capnodis tenebrionis causes damage in many species of Rosaceae. The present study investigates on the morphology of the female reproductive system of C. tenebrionis. The female reproductive system of C. tenebrionis has a pair of ovaries, lateral oviducts, a common oviduct, spermatheca, and bursa copulatrix. Each ovary in C. tenebrionis consists of approximately 24 telotrophic meroistic type ovarioles. The ovarioles of C. tenebrionis have four regions (terminal filament, tropharium, vitellarium, and pedicel). Tropharium have trophocytes, young oocytes, and prefollicular cells. Vitellarium consists of previtellogenic, vitellogenic, and choriogenic oocytes. Previtellogenic oocyte is surrounded by cylindrical epithelial cells. Its ooplasm is homogeneous and basophilic. In vitellogenic oocyte, there are intercellular spaces between monolayered follicle cells. Its ooplasm has yolk granules and lipid droplets. Choriogenic oocyte are surrounded by chorion and single‐layered cylindrical cells. There are yolk granules and lipid droplets in its ooplasm which is asidophilic. In C. tenebrionis female, spermatheca and bursa copulatrix wall is surrounded by thin cuticular intima, monolayer epithelial, glandular cells, and muscle layer. Spermatheca lumen contains a large number of spermatozoa. Bursa copulatrix lumen is filled with secretory material. This study may be useful in terms of the morphology of mature female reproductive organs of Buprestidae and other coleopteran species.
Everybody hurts (sometimes): The role of victim category accessibility in prosocial responses towards victimized outgroups
Authors: Sharvit Keren , Kremer‐Sharon Shira
Published: June 2022

Collective victimization can lead to competitiveness and reduced willingness to act on behalf of other victimized groups, but in some cases increases prosocial responses. We propose the concept of victim category accessibility (VCA) as one explanation for different reactions to victimization. Assuming that ‘victims’ is one among many categories into which individuals classify themselves and others, high VCA should increase the common categorization of ingroup and outgroup members as victims and increase prosocial responses towards victimized outgroups. Conversely, low VCA should increase the difficulty of identifying commonalities between ingroup and outgroup victims and reduce prosocial responses. In three studies, we develop a novel measure of VCA based on the Indirect Category Accessibility Task and demonstrate its association with willingness to act on behalf of victimized outgroups, but not ingroup members, beyond self‐reported beliefs about victimization. The findings suggest a key role for VCA in understanding prosocial responses towards victimized outgroups.
Tracking a multitude of abilities as they develop
Authors: Bolsinova Maria , Brinkhuis Matthieu J. S. , Hofman Abe D. , Maris Gunter
Published: June 2022

Recently, the Urnings algorithm (Bolsinova et al.,  2022, J. R. Stat. Soc. Ser. C Appl. Statistics, 71, 91) has been proposed that allows for tracking the development of abilities of the learners and the difficulties of the items in adaptive learning systems. It is a simple and scalable algorithm which is suited for large‐scale applications in which large streams of data are coming into the system and on‐the‐fly updating is needed. Compared to alternatives like the Elo rating system and its extensions, the Urnings rating system allows the uncertainty of the ratings to be evaluated and accounts for adaptive item selection which, if not corrected for, may distort the ratings. In this paper we extend the Urnings algorithm to allow for both between‐item and within‐item multidimensionality. This allows for tracking the development of interrelated abilities both at the individual and the population level. We present formal derivations of the multidimensional Urnings algorithm, illustrate its properties in simulations, and present an application to data from an adaptive learning system for primary school mathematics called Math Garden.
Economic incentives for the wildlife trade and costs of epidemics compared across individual, national, and global scales
Authors: de Wit Luz A. , Fisher Brendan , Naidoo Robin , Ricketts Taylor H.
Published: June 2022

The wildlife trade drives biodiversity loss and zoonotic disease emergence, and the health and economic impacts of COVID‐19 have sparked discussions over stricter regulation of the wildlife trade. Yet regulation for conservation and health purposes is at odds with the economic incentives provided by this multibillion‐dollar industry. To understand why the wildlife trade persists despite associated biodiversity and global health threats, we used a benefit–cost approach using simple calculations to compare the economic benefits of the wildlife trade at the individual, national, and global scales to the costs of COVID‐19, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), and Ebola disease across scenarios of epidemic frequency. For COVID‐19, benefits of the wildlife trade outweigh costs at individual scales, but costs far exceed benefits at national and global scales, particularly if epidemics were to become frequent. For SARS and Ebola, benefits outweigh costs at all scales, except if Ebola‐like epidemics were to become frequent. The wildlife trade produces net benefits for people who depend on wildlife for food and income but incurs net costs on stakeholders at larger scales from increased epidemic risk. While our analysis omits a variety of costs and benefits that are difficult to quantify and contrast, our analysis is meant to illustrate the distributional outcomes across stakeholder groups that could result from increased wildlife trade regulation. Importantly, the feasibility of trade regulatory policies will depend on how these benefits and costs compare across groups and would therefore need to involve accessible and attractive alternative sources of food and livelihoods for those who depend on the wildlife trade.
Are covered bonds different from securitization bonds? A comparative analysis of credit spreads
Authors: Correia Mafalda C. , Pinto João M.
Published: June 2022

This study compares credit spreads and pricing determinants of securitization vis‐à‐vis covered bonds. Our analysis reveals that although ratings are the most important pricing determinant for asset‐backed securities (ABS) and mortgage‐backed securities (MBS) investors place relatively more importance on contractual, macroeconomic and banks' characteristics rather than ratings in pricing covered bonds. We find evidence of a mispricing effect in structured finance markets: ABS and MBS have higher credit spreads than similarly rated public‐covered bonds and mortgage‐covered bonds and security prices reflect information beyond credit ratings. We find no evidence of borrowing costs affecting banks' choice between securitization and covered bonds.
Phenotypic and molecular responses of copepods to UV radiation stress in a clear versus a glacially turbid lake
Authors: Tartarotti Barbara , Sommaruga Ruben , Saul Nadine
Published: June 2022

Zooplankton are exposed to multiple environmental stressors in alpine lakes. However, phenotypic and molecular responses of copepods to different environmental conditions, including ultraviolet radiation (UVR), are still not fully understood. Here, we tested whether gene expression patterns vary within the same species, Cyclops abyssorum tatricus, but in populations from different environments (a clear vs. a glacially turbid lake) when exposed to UVR. Moreover, we wanted to examine potential seasonal variation (summer vs. autumn) in copepod gene expression.

We measured photoprotective compounds (mycosporine‐like amino acids and carotenoids) and antioxidant capacities in two copepod populations and studied gene expression of heat shock proteins (hsps) as indicator of stress after UVR exposure in the laboratory.

Compared with the copepod population from the clear lake, the population from the turbid lake showed lower mycosporine‐like amino acid, but higher carotenoid concentrations that decreased over the season. Antioxidant capacities (both lipophilic and hydrophilic) were higher in autumn than in summer. The hsp60 and hsp90 genes were constitutively expressed, regardless of habitat origin and season, while hsp70 was upregulated after exposure to UVR (up to 2.8‐fold change). We observed stronger upregulation of hsp70 gene expression in autumn for the turbid and summer for the clear lake, with highest gene expression 24 hr post‐UVR exposure (up to 10.2‐fold change in the turbid and 3.9‐fold in the clear lake).

We show how variation in phenotypic traits modulates hsp gene expression patterns, specifically hsp70 gene expression. Rapidly induced defences against cellular stress may improve survival in harsh environments such as alpine lakes, especially since these sensitive ecosystems may experience further changes in the future.
Exploring motivations and resistances for implementing shared decision‐making in clinical practice: A systematic review based on a structure–process–outcome model
Authors: Tang Changhai , Wang Anqi , Yan Jingjing
Published: June 2022

Objective

Shared decision‐making (SDM) as a multicollaborative approach is vital for facilitating patient‐centred care. Considering the limited clinical practice, we attempted to synthesize the motivations and resistances, and investigate their mutual relationships for advancing the implementation of SDM.

Methods

A comprehensive systematic review using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis guidelines was performed. ‘Shared decision making’ was searched as the mesh term through PubMed, Web of Science and EBSCO from 2000 to 2021, and the quality of literature was appraised using the QualSyst Tool. Motivations and resistances were categorized based on content analysis and the ‘structure–process–outcome’ model.

Results

From 8319 potential citations, 105 were included, comprising 53 qualitative studies (the average quality score is 0.92) and 52 quantitative studies (the average quality score is 0.95). A total of 42 categories of factors were identified into 11 themes and further grouped into three dimensions: structure, process and outcome. The structure dimension comprised six themes (71.43%), the process dimension contained four themes (11.01%) and the outcome dimension covered only one theme. Across all categories, decision‐making time and patients' decision preparedness in the process dimension were the most reported, followed by physicians' communication skills and health care environment in the structure dimension. Analysis of implementation of SDM among various types of diseases showed that more influencing factors were extracted from chronic diseases and unspecified disease decisions.

Conclusions

The major determinants for the implementation of SDM are focused on the structural dimension, which challenges the health systems of both developed and low‐ and middle‐income countries. Furthermore, we consider it important to understand more about the interactions among the factors to take integrated measures to address the problems and to ensure the effectiveness of implementing SDM.

Patient or Public Contribution

Patients, healthcare professionals and other stakeholders articulated their perspectives on the implementation of SDM actively, and these were adopted and analysed in this study. However, the above‐mentioned individuals were not directly involved in the process of this study. Protocol was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42021259309).
Predictors and outcomes of dose reduction of methotrexate and cyclosporin graft‐versus‐host disease prophylaxis following allogeneic haemopoietic cell transplantation
Authors: Ramanan Radha , Lim Andrew B. M. , Tan Joanne L. C. , Barmanray Rahul D. , Mason Kate , Collins Jenny , Hillman Matthew , Szer Jeff , Bajel Ashish , Ritchie David
Published: June 2022

Background

Concern regarding dose‐related toxicities of methotrexate (MTX) and cyclosporin (CYA) graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis occasionally leads to dose alterations post allogeneic haemopoietic cell transplant (alloHCT).

Aims

To clarify causes of MTX and CYA dose alteration and assess impact on patient outcomes, including GVHD, relapse, non‐relapse mortality (NRM) and overall survival (OS).

Methods

Analysis of retrospective data was performed in a single tertiary centre of patients who underwent alloHCT for any indication and who received GVHD prophylaxis with CYA and MTX between the years 2011 and 2015. Univariate analysis was conducted using the log‐rank test for OS and using competing risk regression for NRM, relapse and GVHD. Fisher exact tests were used to determine if an association existed between each of the pre‐transplant variables and MTX alteration. Multivariate models for OS and NRM were constructed using Cox proportional hazards modelling and competing risk regression respectively.

Results

Fifty‐four (28%) of 196 had MTX alterations and 61/187 (33%) had CYA alterations. Reasons for MTX alteration included mucositis, renal or liver impairment, fluid overload and sepsis. Causes of CYA alteration were numerous, but most commonly due to acute kidney impairment. MTX alteration was associated with inferior OS (hazard ratio 2.4; P = <0.001) and higher NRM (odds ratio (OR) 4.6; P < 0.001) at 6 years post‐landmark. CYA alteration was associated with greater NRM (OR 2.7; P = 0.0137) at 6 years. GVHD rates were unaffected by dose alteration.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest dose alteration in MTX and CYA GVHD prophylaxis is associated with adverse survival outcomes in alloHCT, without a significant impact on GVHD rates.
Professional values and ethical sensitivities of student nurses during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Ayaz‐Alkaya Sultan , Akca Ayşegül
Published: June 2022

Background

Professional values in nursing are the foundation of ethical practice affecting patient care quality.

Aim

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the development of professional values and ethical sensitivities among new nurses during the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Methods

A prospective observational study with a pre‐test and post‐test design was used. The sample constituted students (n = 302). The Nurses Professional Values Scale‐Revised and Modified Moral Sensitivity Questionnaire for Student Nurses were used for collecting data.

Results

Professional values post‐test mean scores of participants were significantly higher than the pre‐test scores (p < 0.001). No significant difference was determined between the pre‐test and post‐test mean scores of ethical sensitivity (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

The current study concluded that the professional values of newly graduated nurses developed during the COVID‐19 pandemic, but there was no change in ethical sensitivities.

Implications for nursing and health policy

This study provides one of the first pieces of evidence for nursing educators and managers to assess the professional values and ethical sensitivities of newly qualified nurses who may have been affected both during and after the outbreak. Newly qualified nurses should are valued members of the health care institutions, and orientation programmes should be implemented to improve their perceptions of the profession.
What can analysis of 47 million job advertisements tell us about how opportunities for homeworking are evolving in the United Kingdom?
Authors: Darby Julia , McIntyre Stuart , Roy Graeme
Published: June 2022

Using an extensive database of job adverts, we investigate the extent to which homeworking is likely to continue. We track how advertisement language has evolved to indicate homeworking opportunities and how the characteristics of jobs offering these opportunities have changed, including a greater degree of polarisation in opportunity by salary.
TGA factors promote plant root growth by modulating redox homeostasis or response
Authors: Hu Xiaochen , Yang Liyun , Ren Mengfei , Liu Lin , Fu Jing , Cui Hongchang
Published: June 2022

To identify novel regulators of stem cell renewal, we mined an existing but little explored cell type‐specific transcriptome dataset for the Arabidopsis root. A member of the TGA family of transcription factors, TGA8, was found to be specifically expressed in the quiescent center (QC). Mutation in TGA8 caused a subtle root growth phenotype, suggesting functional redundancy with other TGA members. Using a promoter::HGFP transgenic approach, we showed that all TGA factors were expressed in the root, albeit at different levels and with distinct spatial patterns. Mutant analyses revealed that all TGA factors examined contribute to root growth by promoting stem cell renewal, meristem activity, and cell elongation. Combining transcriptome analyses, histochemical assays, and physiological tests, we demonstrated that functional redundancy exists among members of clades II and V or those in clades I and III. These two groups of TGA factors act differently, however, as their mutants responded to oxidative stress differently and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assays showed they regulate different sets of genes that are involved in redox homeostasis. Our study has thus uncovered a previously unrecognized broad role and a mechanistic explanation for TGA factors in root growth and development.
The influence of cosmetics dedicated to oily and acne‐prone skin on skin parameters
Authors: Zdrada Julita , Odrzywołek Wiktoria , Stolecka‐Warzecha Anna , Wilczyński Sławomir , Błońska‐Fajfrowska Barbara
Published: June 2022

Introduction

Patient compliance with care recommendations is closely related to the role of cosmetics in delaying or preventing the side effects of medications used to treat acne.

Methods

A total of 33 volunteers with symptoms of acne vulgaris were qualified for the study. The skin parameters were measured before the experiment, after the 4 and at the 8 weeks of use. The measurements were subject to moisturizing the skin and secretion of sebum and skin color. A skin acoustic parameters using high‐frequency ultrasound (33 MHz) was also performed. The recorded images were used to determine the epidermal entrance echo thickness and echo density of dermis.

Results

The results show a change in the value of skin parameters during the 8‐week application of a specific skin care procedure. The secretion of sebum did not change significantly, there was a decrease in hydration, and the level of melanin and hemoglobin remained at the same level. The thickness of the epidermis entrance echo in the ultrasound image was thinned.

Conclusion

For many mild/moderate acne patients, cosmetics proven to be effective and well tested in clinical trials can offer a real benefit in reducing both inflammation, sebum production, melanin, and irritation, but should also be moisturizing.
Understanding the process of people with hypersensitivity pneumonitis implementing continuous antigen avoidance and their affecting situations: A grounded theory study
Authors: Kawamoto Yuko , Yatomi Yumiko , Furusawa Haruhiko , Hanzawa Satoshi , Miyazaki Yasunari , Tanaka Makoto
Published: June 2022

Aims and Objectives

To explore the process by which people with hypersensitivity pneumonitis implement continuous antigen avoidance, alongside the situations that influence this process.

Background

Antigen avoidance is the primary treatment for people with hypersensitivity pneumonitis. However, the best method to support antigen avoidance has not yet been established.

Design

The present qualitative study used a constructivist grounded theory approach.

Methods

The participants were inpatients or outpatients with hypersensitivity pneumonitis diagnosed at a Japanese urban university hospital. In parallel with semi‐structured interviews and a medical record survey from 2016 to 2021, we conducted coding, categorising, writing memos, theoretical sampling and continuous comparisons of experiences from finding physical abnormalities to implementing antigen avoidance. The COREQ checklist was followed for reporting.

Results

Interpreting the experiences leading to the implementation of continuous antigen avoidance by 28 participants provided a process consisting of a core category: trying to maintain one's desired life under uncertain situations, and four phases: (1) searching for a convincing cause of the illness, (2) gradually understanding the disease, (3) realising the need for behaviour change and (4) seeking a good balance between behaviour change and one's desired life. The situations that influenced the process were also revealed.

Conclusions

Being convinced of the cause of one's illness and realising its severity led to the participants' realisation of the need for a behavioural change to avoid antigens. The uncertainty of the cause of illness and measures taken, a lack of clear advice from healthcare providers and one's desired life influenced participants' implementation of continuous antigen avoidance.

Relevance to clinical practice

This study provides important insights regarding how healthcare providers should better understand and support people with hypersensitivity pneumonitis in avoiding antigens.
Elimination contests with collusive team players
Authors: Chen Bo , Jin Shanlin
Published: June 2022

We consider a standard two‐stage elimination (Tullock) contest where multiple (team) players can perfectly and publicly collude with each other throughout. We analyze and compare equilibrium outcomes under various seedings where the collusive players meet or are separated in the group stage. We identify the impact of collusion on the contest organizer and non‐collusive players, as well as the organizer's optimal seeding. We find that collusion, while always undermining fairness of the competition, can hurt or benefit the organizer, depending on the discriminatory powers of the two stages. We also discuss issues such as sequential group‐stage competitions, comparison between the elimination contest and the corresponding one‐shot contest, secret collusion, and large discriminatory powers.
An inconvenience to the nurse's practice: A Foucault‐inspired study of ethnic minority patients
Authors: Gültekin Emina , Sørensen Dorthe , Frederiksen Kirsten
Published: June 2022

Ethnic minority patients have been discussed and problematised in Western health literature. Drawing on an interpretation of central parts of the French philosopher Michel Foucault's authorship, we analysed a broad selection of materials to identify mechanisms through which the truth about ethnic minority patients is constructed. We identified a single, yet consistent discursive strategy that we termed ‘figure of inconvenience’ in which ethnic minority patients were classified and assigned a specific subjection illustrating them as ‘inconvenient’ to the nurse's practice. Concurrently, their relatives were afforded the position of substitutes. The discourse exemplifies how the behaviour or appearances of ethnic minority patients cannot be reconciled with the traits of ethnic Danish patients. Finally, we discussed implications that such a strategy may have for the provision of healthcare services for ethnic minority patients in Denmark.
Leaf and stem anatomy and micromorphology of four Inuleae (Compositae) genera, with notes on their taxonomic significance
Authors: Karanović Dunja , Zorić Lana , Zlatković Bojan , Luković Jadranka
Published: June 2022

We studied the leaf and stem anatomy and micromorphology of 17 Inula, Dittrichia, Limbarda and Pulicaria taxa native to the Balkan region, aiming to identify additional characters that may help to define the taxa within this group.The taxa analysed were all previously placed in different sections within Inula, but have later been segregated into separate genera. According to the latest molecular phylogenetic analyses, as well as morphological and karyological data, Inula sect. Corvisartia, including the type species of the genus (I. helenium), should be segregated from the remaining Inula species as a separate genus. However, data on the anatomical and micromorphological structure of the vegetative organs of the analyzed taxa have been sparse and incomplete, and previous analyses were carried out on a small number of taxa, with less emphasis on comparisons. We studied more than 50 qualitative and quantitative characters that were analyzed and measured using dissecting, compound and scanning electron microscopes and the data were statistically processed. The results show that certain characters are useful for separating individual taxa, but their grouping does not follow the current taxonomic classification. However, I. helenium is clearly distinguished from the remaining taxa, which supports its separation as a separate genus.