bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Single-cell transcriptome profiling reveals multicellular ecosystem of nucleus pulposus during degeneration progression
Authors: Tu Ji , Li Wentian , Yang Sidong , Yang Pengyi , Yan Qi , Wang Shenyu , Lai Kaitao , Bai Xupeng , Wu Cenhao , Ding Wenyuan , Cooper-White Justin , Diwan Ashish , Yang Cao , Yang Huilin , Zou Jun
Published: May 2021

Degeneration of the nucleus pulposus (NP) is a major contributor to intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) and low back pain. However, the underlying molecular complexity and cellular heterogeneity remain poorly understood. Here, we first reported a comprehensive single-cell resolution transcriptional landscape of human NP. Six novel human nucleus pulposus cell (NPCs) populations were identified by distinct molecular signatures. The potential functional differences among NPC subpopulations were analyzed at the single-cell level. Predictive genes, transcriptional factors, and signal pathways with respect to degeneration grades were analyzed. We reported that fibroNPCs, one of our identified subpopulations, might be a population for NP regeneration. CD90+NPCs were observed to be progenitor cells in degenerative NP tissues. NP-infiltrating immune cells comprise a previously unrecognized diversity of cell types, including granulocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (G-MDSCs). We uncovered CD11b, OLR1, and CD24 as surface markers of NP-derived G-MDSCs. The G-MDSCs were also found to be enriched in mildly degenerated (grade I and II) NP tissues compared to severely degenerated (grade III and IV) NP tissues. Their immunosuppressive function and protective effects for NPCs were revealed. Collectively, this study revealed the NPC type complexity and phenotypic characteristics in NP, providing new insights and clues for IVDD treatment.
Transcriptional Reprogramming of Skeletal Muscle Stem Cells by the Niche Environment
Authors: Lazure Felicia , Farouni Rick , Sahinyan Korin , Blackburn Darren M. , Hernández-Corchado Aldo , Perron Gabrielle , Ragoussis Jiannis , Crist Colin , Perkins Theodore J. , Jahani-Asl Arezu , Najafabadi Hamed S. , Soleimani Vahab D.
Published: May 2021

Adult stem cells are indispensable for tissue regeneration. Tissue-specific stem cells reside in a specialized location called their niche, where they are in constant cross talk with neighboring niche cells and circulatory signals from their environment. Aging has a detrimental effect on the number and the regenerative function of various stem cells. However, whether the loss of stem cell function is a cause or consequence of their aging niche is unclear. Using skeletal muscle stem cells (MuSCs) as a model, we decouple cell-intrinsic from niche-mediated extrinsic effects of aging on their transcriptome. By combiningin vivoMuSC heterochronic transplantation models and computational methods, we show that on a genome-wide scale, age-related altered genes fall into two distinct categories regarding their response to the niche environment. Genes that are inelastic in their response to the niche exhibit altered chromatin accessibility and are associated with differentially methylated regions (DMRs) between young and aged cells. On the other hand, genes that are restorable by niche exposure exhibit altered transcriptome but show no change in chromatin accessibility or DMRs. Taken together, our data suggest that the niche environment plays a decisive role in controlling the transcriptional activity of MuSCs, and exposure to a young niche can reverse approximately half of all age-associated changes that are not epigenetically encoded. The muscle niche therefore serves as an important therapeutic venue to mitigate the negative consequence of aging on tissue regeneration.
Phenotypic plasticity triggers rapid morphological convergence
Authors: Gómez José M. , González-Megías Adela , Narbona Eduardo , Navarro Luis , Perfectti Francisco , Armas Cristina
Published: May 2021

Phenotypic convergence, the independent evolution of similar traits, is ubiquitous in nature, happening at all levels of biological organizations and in most kinds of living beings. Uncovering its mechanisms remains a fundamental goal in biology. Evolutionary theory considers that convergence emerges through independent genetic changes selected over long periods of time. We show in this study that convergence can also arise through phenotypic plasticity. We illustrate this idea by investigating how plasticity drivesMoricandia arvensis, a mustard species displaying within-individual polyphenism in flowers, across the morphological space of the entire Brassicaceae family. By compiling the multidimensional floral phenotype, the phylogenetic relationships, and the pollination niche of over 3000 Brassicaceae species, we demonstrated thatMoricandia arvensisexhibits a plastic-mediated within-individual floral disparity greater than that found not only between species but also between higher taxonomical levels such as genera and tribes. As a consequence of this divergence,M. arvensismoves outside the morphospace region occupied by its ancestors and close relatives, crosses into a new region where it encounters a different pollination niche and converges phenotypically with distant Brassicaceae lineages. Our study suggests that, by inducing phenotypes that explore simultaneously different regions of the morphological space, plasticity triggers rapid phenotypic convergence.
The extracellular ATP receptor P2RX7 imprints a pro-memory transcriptional signature in effector CD8+T cells
Authors: Vardam-Kaur Trupti , van Dijk Sarah , Peng Changwei , Wanhainen Kelsey , Jameson Stephen C. , da Silva Henrique Borges
Published: May 2021

Development of central memory (Tcm) and resident memory (Trm) CD8+T cells, which respectively promote immunity in the circulation and in barrier tissues, is not completely understood. Tcm and Trm cells may arise from common precursors, however their fate-inducing signals are elusive. We found that virus-specific effector CD8+T cells display heterogeneous expression of the extracellular ATP sensor P2RX7. P2RX7-high expression is confined, at peak effector phase, to CD62L+memory precursors which preferentially form Tcm cells. Among early effector CD8+T cells, asymmetrical P2RX7 distribution correlated with distinct transcriptional signatures, with P2RX7-high cells enriched for memory and tissue-residency sets. P2RX7-high early effectors preferentially form both Tcm and Trm cells. Defective Tcm and Trm formation in P2RX7 deficiency is significantly reverted when the transcriptional repressor Zeb2 is ablated. Our study indicates that unequal P2RX7 upregulation in effector CD8+T cells is a foundational element of the early Tcm/Trm fate.
Synthesis, spectroscopic investigation, crystal structure analysis, quantum chemical study, biological activity and molecular docking of three isatin derivatives
Authors: Bargavi Srinivasan , Gouthaman Siddan , Sugunalakshmi Madurai , Lakshmi Srinivasakannan
Published: May 2021

Three isatin derivatives, namely, 1-allyl-3-hydroxy-3-(6-oxocyclohex-1-en-1-yl)indolin-2-one, C17H17NO3, 1-ethyl-3-hydroxy-3-(6-oxocyclohex-1-en-1-yl)indolin-2-one, C16H17NO3, and 5-bromo-3-hydroxy-1-methyl-3-(6-oxocyclohex-1-en-1-yl)indolin-2-one, C15H14BrNO3, were synthesized, crystallized by the slow-evaporation technique, characterized by1H and13C NMR spectroscopy, and analysed by the single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD) method. Quantum chemical parameters, such as the energy of the highest occupied molecular orbital, energy of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital, energy gap, electronic energy, ionization potential, chemical potential, global hardness, global softness and electrophilicity index, were calculated. The druglikeness and bioactivity scores of the compounds were calculated. The activities of these isatin derivatives against bacterial strains, such asEschericia coli,Proteus vulgaris,Shigella flexneri,Staphylococcus aureusandMicrococcus luteus, and the fungal strainAspergillus niger, were determined using the well-diffusion assay method. Molecular docking studies were carried out to predict the binding mode of the isatin compounds with the penicillin binding protein enzyme and to identify the interactions between the enzyme and the ligands under study.
Modeling investment intention in online P2P lending: an elaboration likelihood perspective
Authors: Lin Chieh-Peng , Huang Hao-Yu
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This work proposes a research model that explains investment intention in online peer-to-peer (P2P) lending based on the persuasion theory of elaboration likelihood model (ELM). In the proposed model, investment intention indirectly relates to source credibility and argument quality through the mediation of trust. At the same time, the study hypothetically moderates the relationships between source credibility and trust and between argument quality and trust by financial self-efficacy and risk preference.

Design/methodology/approach

This research presents an experiment to empirically validate its theoretical rationales. The hypotheses herein were tested using data from working professionals at a large science park in Taiwan. A total of 500 participants took part in the experiment in which the scenario of a pseudo-online P2P lending intermediary was first presented for their perusal, and then questionnaires based on the scenario were provided for the participants to fill out.

Findings

Trust cannot be improved over night without making great efforts on source credibility and argument quality in the long run. Online marketers should study market segmentations to decide what appropriate elements and promises should be provided in advertisements in order to improve their source credibility. Moreover, how online intermediaries formulate convincing messages and Polish their delivery communication skills should be improved so as to increase argument quality.

Originality/value

First, the theoretical conceptualization of source credibility and argument quality built upon the ELM not only broadens the boundary of virtual communities beyond the literature that considers source credibility and argument quality as important determinants, but also shows the practical status quo of trust as a critical mediator. Second, this research incorporates financial self-efficacy (based on social cognitive theory) and risk preference (based on economic theory) as important moderators in the development of trust. For that reason, customer education initiatives that influence financial self-efficacy and risk preference are discussed in greater detail.
Wrong, but not failed? A study of unexpected events and project performance in 21 engineering projects
Authors: Wied Morten , Oehmen Josef , Welo Torgeir , Pikas Ergo
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Most complex engineering projects encounter unexpected events through their life cycle. These are traditionally attributed to inaccurate foresight and poor planning. Outlining a nonanticipatory alternate, the authors seek to explain the ability to rebound from unexpected events, without foresight, using resilient systems theory. This paper seeks to outline the theoretical underpinnings of project resilience and to identify criteria for planning and selecting projects for greater resilience.

Design/methodology/approach

Investigating project resilience, this paper studies the relationship between unexpected events and project performance in 21 projects. The authors perform a systematic review of project ex post evaluations 3–12 years after project completion.

Findings

First, the authors find that all projects encountered unexpected events, even when discounting planning error. Second, the authors show that, as a consequence, projects underperformed, not necessarily relative to formal criteria, but in terms of subjective opportunity cost, that is, relative to competing alternates – known or imagined – foregone by their implementation. Finally, the authors identify four types of resilient projects – superior, equivalent, compensatory and convertible projects – as opportunities for building project resilience.

Practical implications

The properties of resilient projects provide opportunities for building resilience in complex projects.

Originality/value

Departing from traditional efforts to “de risk” plans and “de-bias” planners, this paper focuses on the properties of projects themselves, as an alternate to improved foresight and up-front planning.
Analysis of Islamic moral principles for sustainable economic development in developing society
Authors: Kalkavan Hakan , Dinçer Hasan , Yüksel Serhat
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Economic development is one of the primary goals of all countries. In this context, countries aim to determine effective and correct policies to achieve this goal. This situation is especially important for developing countries. These countries aim to grow their economies to reach the level of developed countries. This study aims to identify significant Islamic moral principles for sustainable economic growth of emerging seven (E7) countries.

Design/methodology/approach

In this framework, eight different criteria are defined to improve the welfare in the society for these countries. Additionally, fuzzy decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) approach is taken into consideration in the analysis process.

Findings

It is identified that Islamic moral values in economic activities, fair income distribution and taxation and prohibition of interest and securing business partnership are the most significant criteria. On the other side, it is found that preventing poverty and avoiding wastage are the influenced factors.

Practical implications

The findings show that righteousness in commercial activities decreases uncertainty in the market so that trade volume can be increased which contributes sustainable economic improvement. For this purpose, public awareness about the issue should be improved in the media and necessary trainings should be given to the people in their educations related to the business ethics. Furthermore, legal system in these countries should be improved to have fair income distribution and taxation. Additionally, social responsibility activities should be encouraged, so people with good income will help poor people. Moreover, business partnership system should be improved in which companies can obtain capital from the public and make necessary payments to these people according to the profit amount. This issue positively affects sustainability in economic improvement and welfare society for developing countries.

Originality/value

There are limited studies on sustainable economic development based on Islamic moral-based factors.
The perceptions of SME retailers towards the usage of social media marketing amid COVID-19 crisis
Authors: Salam Muhammad Talha , Imtiaz Hamza , Burhan Muhammad
Published: May 2021

Purpose

During the COVID-19 crisis, diversified attitudes and behaviors of structural equation modeling (SME) retailers were observed in using social media marketing that could have helped mitigate the adverse effects of this crisis on businesses. This paper aims to present a thorough investigation of these perceptions and limited acceptance of social media marketing among SME retailers in a developing country during a crisis.

Design/methodology/approach

The investigation was designed using a mixed-method design. A qualitative investigation, as the first part, explored SME retailers’ perceptions of the use of social media marketing when they were faced with mandatory lockdown that stifled their business activity. The insights from qualitative study and literature helped devise the second part of the study, a quantitative study using the technology acceptance model (TAM). Analysis of responses from a sample of SME retailers (n = 149) was done using SEM in this study.

Findings

In the qualitative study, SME retailers were found to have a varying outlook toward social media marketing. Some ventured into social media marketing while others were impeded by their limited understanding. The second (quantitative) study showed the general applicability of TAM such that perceived ease of use through perceived usefulness influenced SME retailers’ attitudes toward the usage of social media marketing during the COVID-19 crisis. An important finding in both studies was that business owners’ education level influenced their perceptions of social media marketing.

Research limitations/implications

The investigation, albeit a comprehensive one, was conducted in a particular market and for SME retailers. This opens avenues for conducting similar studies in other segments of entrepreneurs to generate insights based on comparative analysis across segments and scenarios.

Originality/value

Limited or no marketing in the physical marketplace amid lockdown meant almost an existential crisis for entrepreneurs, especially SME retailers, in developing countries during the COVID-19 crisis. While technology acceptance by SME retailers has been discussed in the literature, there are limited discourses on technology acceptance among entrepreneurs and SME retailers during a crisis. These findings from the COVID-19 crisis explicate the possibilities and limitations of technology usage as a means to mitigate challenges faced by entrepreneurs during a crisis.
Likely winners and losers in upcoming COVID-19 economic crisis – lessons learned from the GFC
Authors: Čadil Jan , Beránek Marek , Kovář Vladimír
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent efforts to contain it have started economic downturn that may even surpass the global financial crisis (GFC). The purpose of this study is to uncover the features of enterprises’ resilience during and after an external shock such as the GFC might be helpful in predicting the shock impact on enterprises and setting proper policy measures for the upcoming COVID-19 crisis.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors analysed the impact of the GFC on the entrepreneurial population in/of the Czech Republic using marginal effects method on a large random sample of 4,478 enterprises. In this analysis, the authors defined two groups of enterprises – “winners” and “losers” – based on the company’s dissolution and performance indicators.

Findings

The GFC struck the enterprise population asymmetrically in terms of the enterprises’ characteristics but also in terms of time. Micro and small size companies are the most vulnerable to external shocks such as the GFC. Technological level plays an important role in the recovery phase, especially in the case of manufacturing micro enterprises.

Research limitations/implications

Although there are differences between the GFC and the COVID-19 crisis, the GFC was the only comparable shock in modern history in its global nature, depth and unpredicted occurrence. It can be expected that the impact on enterprises can be partly similar.

Practical implications

Government support of micro size companies should be the priority in the upcoming COVID-19 crisis. Supporting the innovation and technology progress might accelerate the recovery phase after the crisis especially in micro companies as well.

Originality/value

This paper presents interesting insights into the impact of external shocks such as the GFC or COVID-19 on enterprises. It uncovers typical features of “winners” or “losers” of such shocks.
A preliminary study for selecting the appropriate AI-based forecasting model for hospital assets demand under disasters
Authors: Jebbor Sara , Raddouane Chiheb , El Afia Abdellatif
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Hospitals recently search for more accurate forecasting systems, given the unpredictable demand and the increasing occurrence of disruptive incidents (mass casualty incidents, pandemics and natural disasters). Besides, the incorporation of automatic inventory and replenishment systems – that hospitals are undertaking – requires developed and accurate forecasting systems. Researchers propose different artificial intelligence (AI)-based forecasting models to predict hospital assets consumption (AC) for everyday activity case and prove that AI-based models generally outperform many forecasting models in this framework. The purpose of this paper is to identify the appropriate AI-based forecasting model(s) for predicting hospital AC under disruptive incidents to improve hospitals' response to disasters/pandemics situations.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors select the appropriate AI-based forecasting models according to the deduced criteria from hospitals' framework analysis under disruptive incidents. Artificial neural network (ANN), recurrent neural network (RNN), adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) and learning-FIS (FIS with learning algorithms) are generally compliant with the criteria among many AI-based forecasting methods. Therefore, the authors evaluate their accuracy to predict a university hospital AC under a burn mass casualty incident.

Findings

The ANFIS model is the most compliant with the extracted criteria (autonomous learning capability, fast response, real-time control and interpretability) and provides the best accuracy (the average accuracy is 98.46%) comparing to the other models.

Originality/value

This work contributes to developing accurate forecasting systems for hospitals under disruptive incidents to improve their response to disasters/pandemics situations.
Financial health of Syariah and non-Syariah banks: a comparative analysis
Authors: Heniwati Elok , Yantiana Nella , Desyana Gita
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate whether Syariah banks are more financially stable than non-Syariah banks and check the differential impact of explanatory variables in financial health and efficiency in the context of Indonesia.

Design/methodology/approach

By using unbalanced panel data from Bankfocus over the period 2011–2018, regression analysis is performed with two response variables representing financial health, ZSCORE for return on average assets, liquid asset to deposit and short-term funding ratio. A number of control variables are used as tools to confirm the hypotheses. To check the robustness of the findings, a model with different specifications has been used.

Findings

The results indicate that while Syariah banks present higher insolvency risk (less health) for long-term activity, the opposite is true for short-term activity. Other findings show that Syariah and non-Syariah banks contribute differently to the national system of financial stability owing to varying influential factors on the bank’s health.

Originality/value

This paper presents a comparative analysis between the financial stability of Syariah banks and that of non-Syariah banks in Indonesia by building an empirical framework that allows the author to examine the differential effects of each underlying feature on financial stability in Syariah and non-Syariah banks.
Determinants of profit and loss sharing financing in Indonesia
Authors: Ibrahim Zaini , Effendi Nury , B. Budiono , Kurniawan Rudi
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the dynamic relationship between profit and loss sharing (PLS) financing and banking-specific variables, macroeconomic variables and religiosity in Indonesia.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used seven variables, such as PLS financing, Islamic financing rate, risk-sharing deposits, bank size, interest rate, economic growth and level of religiosity. The data used were monthly time series during the 2009–2019 period, and they used the structural vector autoregression method plus ARDL and ECM as a robustness check mechanism.

Findings

The results show that in the short term, PLS financing is more influenced by changes in the risk-sharing deposits and bank size variables. Meanwhile, analysis of variance decomposition illustrates that variations in PLS financing are more influenced by the dynamics of PLS financing itself than other variables. This finding also strengthens the characteristics of PLS financing that is immune to the influence of interest rates, and this result can strengthen the implementation of the PLS scheme as an alternative to the monetary channel in the dual banking system in Indonesia.

Practical implications

The immunity of PLS financing to changes in interest rates has implications for the management of Islamic banking risk management. Evaluation must be carried out by increasing the skills of the bankers in response to losses arising from moral hazard and asymmetric information.

Originality/value

This paper used empirical evidence to show the influence of internal and external factors toward PLS financing performance. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the study on determinants of PLS financing is limited, particularly in the context of Indonesia.
Entitlement: friend or foe of work-family conflict?
Authors: Laird Mary Dana , Zboja James J. , Harvey Paul , Victoravich Lisa M. , Narayan Anupama
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Guided by Hobfoll’s (1989) conservation of resources theory, we examined how psychological entitlement moderates the negative relationship between work-family conflict (WFC) and job satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a sample of 119 accountants from the Midwestern United States, we tested our hypotheses with hierarchical regression analysis.

Findings

Results indicate a strong, negative relationship between WFC and job satisfaction for employees low in psychological entitlement, but an insignificant relationship for entitled employees.

Practical implications

The results suggest that some entitlement may be beneficial to employees when coping with WFC. However, organizations should limit WFC in order to foster their least entitled employees’ job satisfaction.

Originality/value

This is the first study that investigates how psychological entitlement affects employees' reactions to WFC. Not only does it contribute to the growing body of research that examines how this individual difference affects workplace functioning, but it suggests there may be some benefits to entitlement, which largely has been disparaged.
The relationship between two dimensions of felt trust and promotive voice behaviour: the motivational mechanisms
Authors: Hao Shuwei , Han Ping , Wu Chaojing
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the motivational mechanisms of felt obligation and intrinsic motivation by which felt trust affects promotive voice behaviour and to differentiate the role of two dimensions of felt trust (i.e. felt reliance and felt disclosure).

Design/methodology/approach

Self-report data were collected from 269 employees using a two-wave online survey with one-month intervals. A cross-lagged panel model and structural equation modeling were used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

Felt reliance has a positive and significant effect on voice behaviour whereas felt disclosure does not. The relationship between felt reliance and voice behaviour is mediated by felt obligation and intrinsic motivation. Moreover, felt disclosure can indirectly affect voice behaviour through intrinsic motivation.

Practical implications

Leaders could make employees feel trusted to promote voice behaviour by allowing latitude and providing information at work. Exhibiting reliance through empowerment and delegation is superior to disclosing personal information.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the felt trust literature by investigating whether and how felt trust affects voice behaviour and by differentiating two dimensions of felt trust.
Will stock rise on Valentine’s Day?
Authors: Tai-Leung Chong Terence , Hou Siqi
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This study is a pioneer in the academic literature to investigate the relationship between Valentine’s Day and stock market returns of major economies around the world.

Design/methodology/approach

Specific control variables for Valentine's Day are introduced to eliminate the potential influence of other effects.

Findings

The findings indicate that stock returns are higher on the days when Valentine's Day is approaching than on other days for most cases, showing “the Valentine Effect” in the stock market.

Originality/value

Unlike other holiday effects in the previous literature, the Valentine's Day effect cannot be explained by many conventional theories, such as tax-loss selling and the inventory adjustment hypothesis.
How does COVID-19 affect tourism in terms of people’s willingness to travel? Empirical evidence from China
Authors: Hao Yu , Bai Hanyu , Sun Shiwei
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has resulted in traveling restrictions and decreased the demand among travelers since the end of 2019. Policies and people’s behaviors are gradually changing with the increase in the number of new diagnoses of COVID-19. Tourism increases tourists’ risk of contracting COVID-19 and will undoubtedly be affected by this disease. Based on this assumption and social cognitive theory, this paper aims to explore the impact of COVID-19 on tourism in terms of people’s willingness to travel.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on social cognitive theory, this study has designed the model and variables. The data of the paper came from a survey conducted in 29 provinces of China and a total of 618 responses were used for data analysis after deleting invalid questionnaires. Drawing on the structural equation modeling method, this paper processes the data collected from questionnaires to test the hypotheses and come to the results.

Findings

The results indicate that the negative impact of COVID-19 will affect the severity perceptions, personal negative effects and positive effects of tourism during the outbreak, which will ultimately influence people’s willingness to travel. During the outbreak of COVID-19, impacted by environmental factors and personal factors, Chinese people’s willingness to travel has been significantly reduced.

Research limitations/implications

This study mainly focuses on people’s willingness to travel and the demand side of tourism to analyze the effects of COVID-19 on tourism, which neglects the supply side of tourism for analysis. Subsequent research should take account of the supply side of tourism and expanding the sample size worldwide to determine the impact of COVID-19 on the tourism industry from a broader perspective.

Originality/value

This study quantitatively analyzes how COVID-19 influenced the tourism industry and precisely determines the possible mechanism of the effect of COVID-19 on tourism by using social cognitive theory to build a model. The insights from the work help to understand how COVID-19 affects people’s willingness to travel during the pandemic and how to address this issue.
Particle‐associated and free‐living bacterial communities in an oligotrophic sea are affected by different environmental factors
Authors: Roth Rosenberg Dalit , Haber Markus , Goldford Joshua , Lalzar Maya , Aharonovich Dikla , Al‐Ashhab Ashraf , Lehahn Yoav , Segrè Daniel , Steindler Laura , Sher Daniel
Published: May 2021

In the oceans and seas, environmental conditions change over multiple temporal and spatial scales. Here, we ask what factors affect the bacterial community structure across time, depth and size fraction during six seasonal cruises (2 years) in the ultra‐oligotrophic Eastern Mediterranean Sea. The bacterial community varied most between size fractions (free‐living (FL) vs. particle‐associated), followed by depth and finally season. The FL community was taxonomically richer and more stable than the particle‐associated (PA) one, which was characterized by recurrent ‘blooms’ of heterotrophic bacteria such as Alteromonas and Ralstonia. The heterotrophic FL and PA communities were also correlated with different environmental parameters: the FL population correlated with depth and phytoplankton, whereas PA bacteria were correlated primarily with the time of sampling. A significant part of the variability in community structure could, however, not be explained by the measured parameters. The metabolic potential of the PA community, predicted from 16S rRNA amplicon data using PICRUSt, was enriched in pathways associated with the degradation and utilization of biological macromolecules, as well as plastics, other petroleum products and herbicides. The FL community was enriched in predicted pathways for the metabolism of inositol phosphate, a potential phosphorus source, and of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
Antidepressant use in pregnancy and severe cardiac malformations: Danish register‐based study
Authors: Kolding L , Ehrenstein V , Pedersen L , Sandager P , Petersen OB , Uldbjerg N , Pedersen LH
Published: May 2021

Objective

Studies restricted to live births may underestimate severe teratogenic effects. We address the limitation by including data from both prenatal and postnatal diagnoses of cardiac malformations.

Design

Register‐based study.

Setting

Denmark.

Population

364 012 singleton pregnancies from 2007 to 2014.

Methods

We used data from five nationwide registries. Exposure to antidepressants was measured using redeemed prescriptions.

Main outcome measures

Pregnancies with cardiac malformations that end in miscarriage, termination, stillbirth, postnatal death or cardiac surgery <1 year of birth were classified as severe cardiac malformations (SCM). Propensity scores with adjusted prevalence ratios (PRs) were calculated.

Results

SCM were reported in 972 of 364 012 pregnancies overall and in 16 of 4105 exposed. For venlafaxine, the PR for SCM was 2.13 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.89–5.13), 1.73 (95% CI 1.08–2.77) for other cardiac malformations, and there was a cluster of hypoplastic left heart syndromes (HLHS) (crude PR 17.4 [95% CI 6.41–47.2]), none of which ended in a live birth. For HLHS, the absolute risk increase was 4.4/1000 and the number needed to harm was 225. For selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, the PRs were 1.09 (95% CI 0.52–2.30) and 1.38 (95% CI 1.00–1.92) for SCM and other cardiac malformations, respectively.

Conclusions

Pregnancy exposure to venlafaxine is associated with an increased risk of severe cardiac malformations but with a low absolute risk. Potential mechanisms include direct effects or confounding by indication. Venlafaxine exposure is a marker for risk pregnancies for which fetal echocardiography may be considered.

Tweetable abstract

Exposure to venlafaxine is associated with an increased risk of cardiac malformations but with a low absolute risk.
Soccer Fans in Shiny Sticker Shock
Authors: Paulden Tim
Published: May 2021

Sticker packs and albums are part and parcel of the football fan experience. But Dr Tim Paulden and friends found some stickers harder to find than others
Statistical Programming: Small Mistakes, Big Impacts
Authors: Schwab Simon , Held Leonhard
Published: May 2021

Coding mistakes can lead to false results. Statisticians and data scientists should exploit best practices and tools in statistical programming to enhance reproducible analyses. By Simon Schwab and Leonhard Held
Data and the Fourth Industrial Revolution
Authors: Kenett Ron , Coleman Shirley
Published: May 2021

Ron S. Kenett and Shirley Y. Coleman outline the roles played by data and statistics in “Industry 4.0”, from monitoring manufacturing processes to the building of “digital twins”
Covid Tests in Secondary Schools: A Statistical Cause Célèbre
Authors: Bird Sheila M.
Published: May 2021

Sheila Bird offers a personal account of the debate over rapid coronavirus screening in secondary schools, and the efforts to reinstate confirmatory PCR tests
Potentiation of glutamatergic synaptic transmission onto lateral habenula neurons following early life stress and intravenous morphine self‐administration in rats
Authors: Langlois Ludovic D. , Berman Rina Y. , Shepard Ryan D. , Simmons Sarah C. , Tsuda Mumeko C. , Gouty Shawn , Choi Kwang H. , Nugent Fereshteh S.
Published: May 2021

Early life stress presents an important risk factor for drug addiction and comorbid depression and anxiety through persistent effects on the mesolimbic dopamine pathways. Using an early life stress model for child neglect (a single 24 h episode of maternal deprivation, MD) in rats, recent published works from our lab show that MD induces dysfunction in the ventral tegmental area and its negative controller, the lateral habenula (LHb). MD‐induced potentiation of glutamatergic synaptic transmission onto LHb neurons shifts the coordination of excitation/inhibition (E/I) balance towards excitation, resulting in an increase in the overall spontaneous neuronal activity with elevation in bursting and tonic firing, and in the intrinsic excitability of LHb neurons in early adolescent male rats. Here, we explored how MD affects intravenous morphine self‐administration (MSA) acquisition and sucrose preference as well as glutamatergic synaptic function in LHb neurons of adult male rats self‐administering morphine. We found that MD‐induced increases in LHb neuronal and glutamatergic synaptic activity and E/I ratio persisted into adulthood. Moreover, MD significantly reduced morphine intake, triggered anhedonia‐like behaviour in the sucrose preference test and was associated with persistent glutamatergic potentiation 24 h after the last MSA session. MSA also altered the decay time kinetics of α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor (AMPAR) currents in LHb neurons of control rats during this time period. Our data highlight that early life stress‐induced glutamatergic plasticity in LHb may dampen the positive reinforcing and motivational properties of both natural rewards and opioids, and may contribute to the development of anhedonia and dysphoric states associated with opioids.
Invariant Risk Preferences and Supply Response under Price Risk
Authors: Chambers Robert G. , Genius Margarita , Tzouvelekas Vangelis
Published: May 2021

We develop a supply‐response model for producers with invariant preferences facing price risk and apply it empirically to sample data from Cretan olive‐oil producers. We estimate a Generalized Leontief cost function and use the price distribution historically faced by individual farmers to induce different representations of price risk that are consistent with the invariant preference structure. These different risk measures are combined with the estimated cost structure to provide distinct estimates of the risk‐efficient frontier faced by a representative producer with invariant risk preferences and to derive estimates of producer's generalized coefficients of risk aversion for different measures of price risk.
A community‐based computerised cognitive training program for older persons with mild dementia: A pilot study
Authors: Shyu Yea‐Ing L. , Lin Chung‐Chih , Kwok Yam‐Ting , Shyu Hann‐Yeh , Kuo Li‐Min
Published: May 2021

Objectives

Computerised cognitive training programs can improve cognitive function in patients with moderate‐to‐severe dementia or brain injuries and healthy older adults. However, most previous studies were not randomised controlled trials and did not examine older adults with mild dementia. The current study sought to analyse the effects of a computerised cognitive training program using a randomised controlled trial.

Methods

In a single‐blinded randomised clinical trial, 30 older individuals with mild dementia were split into an experimental (n = 15) and a control (n = 15) group to analyse the effects of a computerised cognitive training program. Outcomes were assessed before and after each program session, and 1 and 3 months afterwards.

Results

Participants in the experimental group had better overall subjective memory, subjective retrospective memory and global quality of life, with fewer depressive symptoms than those in the control group 3 months following the program.

Conclusions

Our computerised cognitive training program improved subjective memory and quality of life in patients with mild dementia and decreased their depressive symptoms. These results may be useful for health‐care providers caring for people with mild dementia.
Putting Indian Country on the Map: Indigenous Practices of Spatial Justice
Authors: Iralu Elspeth
Published: May 2021

This paper examines a visual archive of Indigenous mapping practices in relationship to theorisations of Indigenous spatialities that seek to re‐centre practices of counter‐mapping around Indigenous spatial justice. After examining a Google Maps initiative that takes on colonial mapping tropes to enforce Indigenous dispossession, I consider two mapping projects based at Zuni Pueblo: first, a Zuni‐led response to proposed coal extraction that would have affected Zuni cultural practices; and second, the Zuni Map Art Project, an initiative that remixes tropes of colonial mapping to create spatial representations that are encoded such that the information they contain can only be understood by those who have been initiated in Zuni cultural knowledge. The purpose of this paper is to examine how Indigenous feminist spatial practices disrupt the colonial relations of power that mapping and counter‐mapping often reinforce.
Pembrolizumab plus pemetrexed‐platinum for metastatic nonsquamous non–small‐cell lung cancer: KEYNOTE‐189 Japan Study
Authors: Horinouchi Hidehito , Nogami Naoyuki , Saka Hideo , Nishio Makoto , Tokito Takaaki , Takahashi Toshiaki , Kasahara Kazuo , Hattori Yoshihiro , Ichihara Eiki , Adachi Noriaki , Noguchi Kazuo , Souza Fabricio , Kurata Takayasu
Published: May 2021

Pembrolizumab plus pemetrexed‐platinum significantly improved overall survival (OS) and progression‐free survival (PFS) with manageable safety compared with placebo plus pemetrexed‐platinum in patients with previously untreated metastatic nonsquamous non–small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) without EGFR/ALK alterations in the global, randomized, double‐blind, phase 3 KEYNOTE‐189 study. We present results of Japanese patients enrolled in the KEYNOTE‐189 global and Japan extension studies. Patients were randomized 2:1 to intravenous pembrolizumab 200 mg or placebo every 3 weeks (Q3W) for up to 35 cycles. All patients received pemetrexed 500 mg/m2 plus the investigator’s choice of cisplatin or carboplatin Q3W for four cycles, followed by maintenance pemetrexed 500 mg/m2 Q3W (all intravenous). Co–primary endpoints were OS and PFS. Forty Japanese patients enrolled (pembrolizumab, n = 25; placebo, n = 15). At data cutoff (20 May 2019; median time from randomization to data cutoff, 18.5 [range, 14.7‒38.2] months), the median OS was not reached in the pembrolizumab plus pemetrexed‐platinum arm; the median OS was 25.9 (95% confidence interval [CI], 11.9‒29.0) months in the placebo plus pemetrexed‐platinum arm (hazard ratio [HR] .29; 95% CI, .07‒1.15). The median (95% CI) PFS was 16.5 (8.8‒21.1) compared with 7.1 (4.7‒21.4) months (HR, .62; 95% CI, .27‒1.42), respectively. There were no grade 5 adverse events (AE). Grade 3/4 AE occurred in 72% vs 60% of patients in the pembrolizumab vs placebo arms; 40% vs 20% had immune‐mediated AE, and 4% vs 0% had infusion reactions. Efficacy and safety outcomes were similar to those from the global study and support first‐line therapy with pembrolizumab plus pemetrexed‐platinum in Japanese patients with nonsquamous NSCLC without EGFR/ALK alterations.
Adult narratives of childhood language brokering: Learning what it means to be bilingual
Authors: Phoenix Ann , Faulstich Orellana Marjorie
Published: May 2021

This paper analyses the retrospective narratives of an adult language broker. Language brokering involved not only learning how to translate/interpret language for others, but also understanding the meaning that Spanish and English assumed in society and the ways in which she and her parents were socially positioned. Language brokering was both psychosocial and agentic. The participant had to align her respect for, and protectiveness of, her parents with the disrespect and harsh judgement she sensed from those with whom they sought to communicate in various sites. The paper illuminates the complexity of the processes of developing multilingual practices and identities in their intersectional and relational multisitedness.
‘I actually know that things will get better’: The many pathways to resilience of LGBTQIA+ youth in out‐of‐home care
Authors: González‐Álvarez Rodrigo , Brummelaar Mijntje ten , Orwa Samar , López López Mónica
Published: May 2021

Research on the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual and other forms of sexual identities and orientations (LGBTQIA+) youth in care has mainly examined their experiences from a risk‐based approach, while few studies have explored their resilience experiences. Using in‐depth interviews, the present study aims to illuminate the resilience experiences of 13 LGBTQIA+ young people in out‐of‐home care in the Netherlands. Four themes emerged from their narratives: relationships that support and empower; construction of a positive identity around their sexual orientation and gender identity and expression (SOGIE); community involvement and self‐relying strategies. Our findings support the view of resilience as a complex process that shows at an individual, interpersonal and social level.
Influence of global rankings on strategic planning from the perspective of decision‐makers: A case study of a Chilean research university
Authors: Véliz Daniela , Marshall Pìo
Published: May 2021

This paper complements and extends the literature analysing the relationship of global rankings on universities' strategies, missions, structures, and functions. Specifically, it examines the extent to which global rankings have influenced development strategies of one Chilean university through administrator's perception and changes in the strategic planning. Interview and documentary data were collected at two points in time (2014 and 2017), mainly through semi‐structured interviews with 18 university administrators and college deans. Findings suggest a relationship between the university's ranking position and its perception of academic excellence. However, rankings have effects that are not only perceptual. High ranking positions increase global visibility, promote international partnerships and collaborations that benefit academic staff. At the same time, the university finds itself increasingly bound by the current global standards on academic search, appointment, promotion, and evaluation. Findings suggest that universities are rarely passive recipients of the influence of rankings, they seek opportunities to leverage them to their strategic advantage, more when the ranking benefits their visibility.
PRUDENT DISCOUNTING: EXPERIMENTAL EVIDENCE ON HIGHER ORDER TIME RISK PREFERENCES
Authors: Ebert Sebastian
Published: May 2021

We report results from an experiment that contrasts preferences toward the risk of what may happen (outcome risk preferences) with preferences toward the risk of when something may happen (time or delay risk preferences). Just as choices over monetary risks identify utility independently from discounting, choices over uncertain delays of a fixed reward identify discounting independently from utility. We replicate the widespread finding of outcome risk aversion, but—in a perfectly symmetric design—find substantial heterogeneity in delay risk aversion. Going beyond the second order of risk aversion, on the other hand, yields pervasive evidence for delay prudence and outcome prudence alike. This first empirical support for prudent discounting speaks to recent theoretical arguments that prudence may be a more important trait than previously realized.