bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The nucleocytosolicO-fucosyltransferaseSpindlyaffects protein expression and virulence inToxoplasma gondii
Authors: Bandini Giulia , Agop-Nersesian Carolina , van der Wel Hanke , Mandalasi Msano , Kim Hyunwoo , West Christopher M. , Samuelson John
Published: August 2020

Once considered unusual, nucleocytoplasmic glycosylation is now recognized as a conserved feature of eukaryotes. While in animalsO-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) modifies thousands of intracellular proteins, the human pathogenToxoplasma gondiitransfers a different sugar, fucose, to proteins involved in transcription, mRNA processing and signaling. Knockout experiments showed thatTgSPY, an ortholog of plant SPINDLY and paralog of host OGT, is required for nuclearO-fucosylation. Here we verify thatTgSPY is the nucleocytoplasmicO-fucosyltransferase (OFT) by 1) complementation withTgSPY-MYC3, 2) its functional dependence on amino acids critical for OGT activity, and 3) its ability toO-fucosylate itself and a model substrate and to specifically hydrolyze GDP-Fuc. While many of the endogenous proteins modified byO-Fuc are important for tachyzoite fitness,O-fucosylation byTgSPY is not essential. Growth of Δspytachyzoites in fibroblasts is modestly affected, despite marked reductions in the levels of ectopically-expressed proteins normally modified withO-fucose. IntactTgSPY-MYC3localizes to the nucleus and cytoplasm, whereas catalytic mutants often displayed reduced abundance. Δspytachyzoites of a luciferase-expressing type II strain exhibited infection kinetics in mice similar to wild type but increased persistence in the chronic brain phase, potentially due to an imbalance of regulatory protein levels. The modest changes in parasite fitnessin vitroand in mice, despite profound effects on reporter protein accumulation, and the characteristic punctate localization ofO-fucosylated proteins, suggest thatTgSPY controls the levels of proteins to be held in reserve for response to novel stresses.
Identifying seaweeds species of Chlorophyta, Phaeophyta and Rhodophyta using DNA barcodes
Authors: Prasanthi Narra , Prasannakumar Chinnamani , Annadurai D. , Mahendran S. , Mohammed Alshehri A. H.
Published: August 2020

Strengthening the DNA barcode database is important for a species level identification, which was lacking for seaweeds. We made an effort to collect and barcode seaweeds occurring along Southeast coast of India. We barcoded 31 seaweeds species belonging to 21 genera, 14 family, 12 order of 3 phyla (viz., Chlorophyta, Phaeophyta and Rhodophyta). We found 10 species in 3 phyla and 2 genera (AnthophycusandChnoospora) of Phaeophyta were barcoded for the first time. Uncorrected p-distance calculated using K2P, nucleotide diversity and Tajima’s test statistics reveals highest values among the species of Chlorophyta. Over all K2P distance was 0.36. The present study revealed the potentiality of rbcL gene sequences in identification of all 3 phyla of seaweeds. We also found that the present barcode reference libraries (GenBank and BOLD) were insufficient in seaweeds identification and more efforts were needed for strengthening local seaweed barcode library to benefit rapids developing field such as environmental DNA barcoding. We also show that the constructed barcode library could aid various industrial experts involved in seaweed bio-resource exploration and taxonomy/non-taxonomic researches involved in climate, agriculture and epigenetics research in precise seaweed identification. Since the rise of modern high-throughput sequencing technologies is significantly altering bio-monitoring applications and surveys, reference datasets such as ours will become essential in ecosystem’s health assessment and monitoring.
Identification of novel avian and mammalian deltaviruses provides new insights into deltavirus evolution
Authors: Iwamoto Masashi , Shibata Yukino , Kawasaki Junna , Kojima Shohei , Li Yung-Tsung , Iwami Shingo , Muramatsu Masamichi , Wu Hui-Lin , Wada Kazuhiro , Tomonaga Keizo , Watashi Koichi , Horie Masayuki
Published: August 2020

Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) is a satellite virus that requires hepadnavirus envelope proteins for its transmission. Although recent studies identified HDV-related deltaviruses in certain animals, the evolution of deltaviruses, such as the origin of HDV and the mechanism of its coevolution with its helper viruses, is unknown, mainly because of the phylogenetic gaps among deltaviruses. Here we identified novel deltaviruses of passerine birds, woodchucks, and white-tailed deer by extensive database searches and molecular surveillance. Phylogenetic and molecular epidemiological analyses suggest that HDV originated from mammalian deltaviruses and the past interspecies transmission of mammalian and passerine deltaviruses. Further, metaviromic and experimental analyses suggest that the satellite-helper relationship between HDV and hepadnavirus was established after the divergence of the HDV lineage from non-HDV mammalian deltaviruses. Our findings enhance our understanding of deltavirus evolution, diversity, and transmission, indicating the importance of further surveillance for deltaviruses.
The Formin Inhibitor, SMIFH2, Inhibits Members of the Myosin Superfamily
Authors: Nishimura Yukako , Shi Shidong , Zhang Fang , Liu Rong , Takagi Yasuharu , Bershadsky Alexander D. , Viasnoff Virgile , Sellers James R.
Published: August 2020

The small molecular inhibitor of formin FH2 domains, SMIFH2, is widely used in cell biological studies. It was selected in a chemical screen as a compound inhibiting formin-driven actin polymerizationin vitro, but not polymerization of pure actin, and found to be active against several types of formins from different species (Rizvi et al., 2009). Here, in experiments with cultured fibroblasts, we found that SMIFH2 inhibits retrograde flow of myosin 2 filaments and contraction of stress fibers. We further checked the effect of SMIFH2 on non-muscle myosin 2A and skeletal muscle myosin 2in vitroand found that SMIFH2 inhibits myosin ATPase activity and ability to translocate actin filaments in thein vitromotility assay. While inhibition of myosin 2Ain vitrorequired somewhat higher concentration of SMIFH2 than inhibition of retrograde flow and stress fiber contraction in cells, inhibition of several other non-muscle myosin types, e.g. mammalian myosin 10,Drosophilamyosin 7a andDrosophilamyosin 5 by SMIFH2, was equally or more efficient than inhibition of formins. Since actin polymerization and myosin contractility are linked in many cytoskeleton processes, additional careful analysis is needed in each case when function of formins was proposed solely on the basis of experiment with SMIFH2.
A novel SHAPE reagent enables the analysis of RNA structure in living cells with unprecedented accuracy
Authors: Marinus Tycho , Fessler Adam B. , Ogle Craig A. , Incarnato Danny
Published: August 2020

Due to the mounting evidence that RNA structure plays a critical role in regulating almost any physiological as well as pathological process, being able to accurately define the folding of RNA molecules within living cells has become a crucial need. We introduce here 2-aminopyridine-3-carboxylic acid imidazolide (2A3), as a general probe for the interrogation of RNA structuresin vivo. 2A3 shows moderate improvements with respect to the state-of-the-art SHAPE reagent NAI on naked RNA underin vitroconditions, but it significantly outperforms NAI when probing RNA structurein vivo, particularly in bacteria, underlining its increased ability to permeate biological membranes. When used as a restraint to drive RNA structure prediction, data derived by SHAPE-MaP with 2A3 yields more accurate predictions than NAI-derived data. Due to its extreme efficiency and accuracy, we can anticipate that 2A3 will rapidly take over conventional SHAPE reagents for probing RNA structures bothin vitroandin vivo.
The labour disputes of Chinese posted workers in the B&R countries
Authors: Yan Dong , Wu Yixuan
Published: August 2020

Purpose

This study aims to decrypt the efforts made by Chinese people's courts nationwide to protect the rights of Chinese posted workers in the Belt & Road (B&R) countries by investigating labour litigation cases with an extraterritorial application of Chinese labour law (under the “doctrine of overriding mandatory labour rules”).

Design/methodology/approach

This study collected all labour litigation from 2014 to 2018 brought forward by Chinese posted workers in Chinese courts against Chinese enterprises regarding the performance of employment contracts in the B&R countries where Chinese labour laws were mandatorily applied under the doctrine of overriding mandatory labour rules. The study adopted a qualitive research approach to analyse the compiled cases to explore their characteristics and effects.

Findings

This study found that the volume of labour disputes in the B&R countries had a somewhat positive correlation to the amount of investment from China. However, this correlation was rather superficial when compared with the correlation to the type of industrial sector (e.g. the construction sector) and to the claim category (e.g. remuneration claims). Moreover, labour disputes in both the B&R countries and China shared a great deal of similarity with regard to their concentration in certain sectors and in certain types of claims. Therefore, mandatorily applying Chinese labour law could be convenient for Chinese workers returning from abroad who seek remedies and could allow Chinese judges to issue affirmative decisions regardless of the territory in which the worker was posted.

Research limitations/implications

The cases collected by this study were limited to those filed in China by Chinese workers who were hired by Chinese enterprises and sent to work in the B&R countries and did not include those filed in the B&R countries by Chinese posted workers. Future research should therefore attempt to gather a broader range of labour disputes to further clarify the issues and need for labour protection for Chinese posted workers in the B&R countries.

Practical implications

This study argues that the doctrine of overriding mandatory labour rules is not entirely unproblematic because it might arbitrarily rule out the standards set by foreign labour legislation that could be more favourable to workers or offer them greater protection. Therefore, giving judges a certain degree of discretion is imperative to allow them to apply foreign labour standards when they have been proven to benefit workers.

Originality/value

Apart from a handful of reports on individual cases, there have been very few empirical studies regarding the general picture of labour protection for Chinese posted workers in the B&R countries. This study has adopted a novel approach to collect information on labour disputes in the B&R countries and to facilitate a qualitative analysis to test the practical implications of the doctrine of overriding mandatory labour rules.
An empirical examination of the antecedents of training transfer in hotels: the moderating role of supervisor support
Authors: El-Said Osman Ahmed , Al Hajri Bashaer , Smith Michael
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Currently, the global hotel industry is faced with the challenge of a growing skills gap. Contrary to expectations, the shortage of skilled employees persists despite improved access to training. This implies that the cause of the shortage is not the lack of training, but a general lack of understanding of how training is transferred to practice. Therefore, this study aims to use an empirical approach to test a transfer of training (TOT) model that can be applied to the hotel sector.

Design/Methodology/Approach

The setting of the study is the Sultanate of Oman, and 302 questionnaires were collected from 24 hotel properties, of four- and five-star categories.

Findings

The findings reveal, to a high and significant degree, that the antecedents of TOT are the opportunity to perform (OTP) and motivation to transfer (MTT), while supervisor support is a significant moderator. In addition, motivation to learn (MTL) is the most important predictor of MTT, while accountability is the leading predictor of OTP. Results also indicated that perceived organizational support (OS) has the strongest impact on MTL.

Research Limitations Implications

The proposed model needs to be tested under different contexts, especially different countries and with different hotel categories, to determine if the relationships between the factors remain similarly valid. Other factors that can predict the TOT need to be investigated.

Practical Implications

Practical recommendations for hotel operators have been presented, equipping industry practitioners with the tools they need to develop the competencies of their employees, thereby improving the performance of individual properties.

Originality Value

The current study emphasized the validity of the proposed training transfer framework which was adapted from the learning transfer system inventory model, highlighting the particular importance of factors such as perceived OS and accountability.
The potential impact of Covid-19 on the Irish housing sector
Authors: Allen-Coghlan Matthew , McQuinn Kieran Michael
Published: August 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the implications for the Irish housing market of the economic slowdown due to the Covid-19 virus.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, an inverted demand function for housing is augmented to include a residential market activity variable and estimate the impact on house prices of the decline in economic activity due to the virus-related measures. The likely future path of house prices based on two different recovery scenarios is also examined. Under both scenarios house prices are forecast to decline in the near term.

Findings

The scenario analysis presented here indicates that Irish house prices are set to fall over the next 18 months as a result of the Covid-19 downturn. This contraction in prices is due to the decline in household disposable income and the sharp fall-off in mortgage market activity, which will inevitably result from the administrative closedown implemented by the Irish authorities.

Originality/value

As such the approach builds on several studies which have examined both house price movements in general and the relationship between house prices and mortgage credit availability. The paper also draws on the latest analysis of the implications for the Irish economy of Covid-19 and the related administrative closure methods introduced by the public authorities.
Enhancing sustainability education through experiential learning of sustainability reporting
Authors: Sulkowski Adam J. , Kowalczyk Wojciech , Ahrendsen Bruce L. , Kowalski Robert , Majewski Edward
Published: August 2020

Purpose

While progress has been made in the realm of teaching about sustainability to business students, integrating sustainability into experiential learning with a systemic mindset has been identified by leading scholars as an area for improvement. The purpose of this paper is to describe a pilot project in which students prepared a sustainability report for a client company and to answer the question of whether the experiment yielded the anticipated benefits.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents an initiative that was part of an MBA course delivered at the Warsaw University of Life Sciences in Poland by an international team of professors. The multinational group of students was confronted with the task of preparing an integrated sustainability report for a large corporation.

Findings

The initiative creates opportunities for both students and commercial organizations to understand large business commercial activities from a sustainability perspective. This paper identifies the next steps for others to build upon.

Originality/value

The paper explains the experiential learning opportunity that was created, describes how students rose to meet the challenge, discusses the benefits that accrued to students, professors and a commercial organization and shares some guidance for those seeking to emulate this practice.
The determinants of learner satisfaction with the online video presentation method
Authors: Al Natour Sameh , Woo Carson
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the determinants of learners' satisfaction with a new blended learning method, namely online video presentations.

Design/methodology/approach

The study tests the proposed model using responses from 353 students who were exposed to the new method. Regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The results show that both the perceived social (e.g. reduction in comparison bias) and utilitarian (e.g. presentation originality) benefits increase satisfaction with the online video presentation method, from both the creator's and the learner's perspectives.

Practical implications

This study provides several guidelines to instructors employing blended learning methods, as well as designers of platforms that enable blended learning.

Originality/value

This study provides a model to understand the determinants of learners' satisfaction with a new blended learning method. It looks at these determinants from both the content creators' perspective and the content viewer's perspective.
The empowerment of singleton daughters: exploring the gender digital divide among Chinese college students
Authors: Zhang Puxin , Wang Lian , Liu Chun
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Existing researches find that a gender difference exists in terms of Internet usage. In China, the singleton daughters resulting from China's one-child policy enjoy unprecedented parental support. The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether singleton daughters can, to some extent, break through the predicament of the digital divide.

Design/methodology/approach

The study collected data from a sample of 865 college students and obtained 811 valid questionnaires. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) is used to identify clusters of Internet usage from the perspective of statistical associations in various daily online activities. Two-way ANOVA and mean-comparison tests are used to analyze how singleton and non-singleton students use the Internet differently.

Findings

This study finds that singleton female students showed no significant differences from male students in aspirational activities of informational, educational use and social media use, which means that singleton female students have caught up with male students in these activities. However, female college students from multi-child families were still found to be disadvantaged in those activities.

Originality/value

There is a lack of consensus on the classification of Internet activities. We used EFA to cluster the varieties of Internet activities into three types: utilitarian use, exploratory use and aspirational use. The three identified types of Internet usage require different degrees of user initiative. We argue that initiative provides a useful lens through which to classify Internet usage. In addition, this study is among the few studies to investigate the impact of the one-child policy on the gender digital divide.
Narrowing the barriers to Industry 4.0 practices through PCA-Fuzzy AHP-K means
Authors: Kumar Shailendra , Suhaib Mohd. , Asjad Mohammad
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The study aims to analyze the barriers in the adoption of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) practices in terms of prioritization, cluster formation and clustering of empirical responses, and then narrowing them with identification of the most influential barriers for further managerial implications in the adoption of I4.0 practices by developing an enhanced understanding of I4.0.

Design/methodology/approach

For the survey-based empirical research, barriers to I.40 are synthesized from the review of relevant literature and further discussions with academician and industry persons. Three widely acclaimed statistical techniques, viz. principal component analysis (PCA), fuzzy analytical hierarchical process (fuzzy AHP) and K-means clustering are applied.

Findings

The novel integrated approach shows that lack of transparent cost-benefit analysis with clear comprehension about benefits is the major barrier for the adoption of I4.0, followed by “IT infrastructure,” “Missing standards,” “Lack of properly skilled manpower,” “Fitness of present machines/equipment in the new regime” and “Concern to data security” which are other prominent barriers in adoption of I4.0 practices. The availability of funds, transparent cost-benefit analysis and clear comprehension about benefits will motivate the business owners to adopt it, overcoming the other barriers.

Research limitations/implications

The present study brings out the new fundamental insights from the barriers to I4.0. The new insights developed here will be helpful for managers and policymakers to understand the concept and barriers hindering its smooth implementation. The factors identified are the major thrust areas for a manager to focus on for the smooth implementation of I4.0 practices. The removal of these barriers will act as a booster in the way of implementing I4.0. Real-world testing of findings is not available yet, and this will be the new direction for further research.

Practical implications

The new production paradigm is highly complex and evolving. The study will act as a handy tool for the implementing manager for what to push first and what to push later while implementing the I4.0 practices. It will also empower a manager to assess the implementation capabilities of the industry in advance.

Originality/value

PCA, fuzzy AHP and K means are deployed for identifying the significant barriers to I4.0 first time. The paper is the result of the original conceptual work of integrating the three techniques in the domain of prioritizing and narrowing the barriers from 16 to 6.
Strategic pricing by Islamic banks and the impact on customer satisfaction and behavioral intention
Authors: Rama Ali
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The study aims to capture customers’ different price expectations by constructing a multidimensional price perception in Islamic banking setting and the impact on customer satisfaction and behavioral intention, as a single price perception approach cannot reflect heterogeneity of price expectations. The study conceptualized customers’ price expectation into price reliability, price confidence, price transparency, relative price, price–quality ratio and price fairness.

Design/methodology/approach

An online questionnaire was distributed to Islamic banking customers in Indonesia to test seven proposed hypotheses of price perceptions on customer satisfaction and behavioral intention. The instrument used a five-point Likert-type scale to capture customer perception on the instrument variables and analyzed the functional relation of the model using multiple regression analysis.

Findings

Empirical findings reveal that customers experienced more price expectations in their banking decision-making process. The number and complexity of price expectations depend primarily on the customers’ interest, particularly on price transparency, relative price and price–quality ratio, and these dimensions affect satisfaction and behavioral intention. Islamic banking customers in Indonesia are highly aware of price transparency, have “relative thinking” on price differences and put price–quality ratio in their assessment.

Research limitations/implications

The study was conducted in Indonesian Islamic banking industry; the extension to other different countries may reveal difference in price complexity and implication to behavioral consequences. Any difference in customer attitude would bring managerial implication for different Islamic bank managers. Additionally, this study developed and examined five price dimensions, however, there may be additional price dimensions in different environment contexts. Further research is needed to identify any other price expectations that may affect customers’ behavior.

Practical implications

The results of this research allow bank practitioners to develop relevant pricing strategy to fulfil customers’ different price expectations in their decision-making process. Appropriate measures to different price expectations improve satisfaction, loyalty and, in turn, increase bank profits. Furthermore, this research provides useful information for future researchers in different settings.

Originality/value

This paper provides empirical analysis of pricing strategy by Indonesian Islamic banks and insights on customers’ experience toward different price expectations.
Managers’ incentives and disincentives to engage with integrated reporting or why managers might not adopt integrated reporting: an exploratory study in a nascent setting
Authors: Gerwanski Jannik
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Despite its envisaged benefits, integrated reporting (IR) has yet to achieve its “breakthrough”, especially among small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This study aims to discern SME leaders’ attitudes toward IR, and thereby to reveal managerial perceptions of both the potential benefits and the challenges that actually prevent them from embarking on IR.

Design/methodology/approach

This explorative study is grounded on semi-structured interviews with 16 managers of large German SMEs, which yet do not apply IR but are potential candidates to implement it in the future. The engagement with non-preparers is expected to paint a more representative picture of actual reasons for IR (dis-)engagement compared to prior studies that address the few firms that have adopted IR and overcome its challenges. Applying Brown and Fraser’s (2006) conceptual landscape, results are presented analogous to a business case-, stakeholder accountability- and critical theory dimension.

Findings

Contrary to prior studies, which identified stakeholder accountability endeavors as kindling SME managers’ interest in voluntary reporting initiatives, managers regard IR primarily as a business case, serving to achieve legitimacy, improve corporate image, reach out to professional investors and assist in employee recruitment. However, they refrained from actually adopting the novel reporting medium, which suggests that decision-makers might not believe the business case to be as unproblematic as claimed by the proponents of IR. This was traced back to three major impediments that currently inhibit SMEs from reporting in an integrated way, namely, a perceived lack of interest by the relevant publics, infeasibility of the IR concept to meet user needs and preparation costs. These drawbacks resemble those of earlier voluntary reporting experiments, calling into question the “revolutionary” character of IR. The study critically concludes that the future development of IR depends on addressing these barriers.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first explorative study to deliberately engage with IR non-preparers to draw conclusions on impediments to IR. The identification of relevant incentives and disincentives for IR among SME managers at first hand not only adds to the small extant IR research body and provides valuable insights for research, practice and standard setting but also contributes to the contemporary debate about dominant legitimacy-based explanations in the broader domain of social and environmental accounting and reporting.
Positive feedback loop between earthworms, humus form and soil pH reinforces earthworm abundance in European forests
Authors: Desie Ellen , Van Meerbeek Koenraad , De Wandeler Hans , Bruelheide Helge , Domisch Timo , Jaroszewicz Bogdan , Joly François‐Xavier , Vancampenhout Karen , Vesterdal Lars , Muys Bart
Published: August 2020

In many terrestrial ecosystems, earthworms operate at the interface between plants and soil. As ecosystem engineers, they affect key ecosystem functions such as decomposition, nutrient cycling and bioturbation. Their incidence and abundance depends on several soil properties, yet simultaneously they also impact soil properties themselves. The existence of a positive feedback loop in which earthworm activity maintains their own niche—by promoting turnover rate in the forest floor, thereby increasing topsoil pH and creating suitable living conditions for themselves—has been suggested before, yet lacks supporting evidence.

Here we assessed how tree species litter traits relate to such below‐ground interactions in forests across Europe. Specifically, we hypothesized a below‐ground feedback loop between burrowing earthworm biomass, humus form and pH, affected by litter quality. We tested this hypothesis by means of structural equation modelling.

Our results demonstrate that litter nutrient concentrations affect both burrowing and litter dwelling earthworm biomass, which in turn directly impacts humus form and indirectly soil pH. At a continental scale, that is, including all edaphic conditions, soil pH did not feed into earthworm biomass nor could we link leaf structural recalcitrance (e.g. lignin) or functional diversity to below‐ground interactions.

However, in forests where moisture is not limiting, soil acidity proved an important factor determining the context of below‐ground interactions. Therefore, we were able to confirm the hypothesized feedback loop for forest ecosystems with soil pH ≤ 5. In calcareous and/or periodically dry forests, other factors than soil chemistry and litter quality became determinant for earthworm biomass.

The activity of burrowing earthworms is pivotal in below‐ground ecosystem functioning of mesic forest soils, impacting litter accumulation and forest floor conditions above‐ground, the pH and nutrient status below‐ground and ultimately their own living conditions. This highlights earthworm bioturbation as a key mechanism for understanding plant–soil interactions in forests.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
The Effect of Interpersonal Political Embeddedness on Firm Internationalization Scope
Authors: Sawant Rajeev J. , Nachum Lilac , Panibratov Andrei Yu.
Published: August 2020

How does a firm's political embeddedness affect its internationalization strategy? Extant research shows conflicting effects, treating embeddedness as a unitary construct. We contend that interpersonal relational political embeddedness (IPE) is distinct from the structure of embedded ties and focus on IPE's consequences for firm internationalization. IPE refers to dyadic, interpersonal relationships of trust, loyalty and reciprocity between individuals. We theorize that IPE increases firm susceptibility to dependence asymmetry, which increases as the power of the political actor increases. Dependence asymmetry increases political encroachment in firm decision‐making. Because political actors prefer domestic investments, greater dependence asymmetry in IPE reduces firm foreign direct investment (FDI) scope. Political preferences for domestic investments may be reduced for host countries that have cooperative relationships with the home country, which reduces the negative effect of greater dependence asymmetry in IPE on FDI scope. IPE may also reduce firm motivation and ability to develop political risk management capabilities. Thus, host country political risk increases the negative effect of greater dependence asymmetry in IPE on FDI scope. Our empirical analysis of a sample of 285 firms – examining the political experience and relationships of 1,521 directors and 311 top managers in Russia – supports this theory. We contribute to the theory regarding firm political embeddedness and internationalization strategy.
Autopsy Identification of Viable Mycobacterium Tuberculosis in the Lungs of a Markedly Decomposed Body
Authors: Unuma Kana , Watanabe Ryo , Hirayama Naho , Uemura Koichi
Published: August 2020

Various infectious diseases, including COVID‐19, MERS, and tuberculosis, are global public health issues. Tuberculosis, which is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), is highly contagious and can be transmitted through inhalation of the bacteria. However, it has been assumed that the infectiousness of bacteria and viruses in dead bodies weakens as the time from death increases. In particular, there is little awareness of infection control measures concerning decomposed bodies or even the need for such measures. The deceased, in whom we discovered MTB 3 months following her death, was a woman in her 80s who died at home. We performed judicial autopsy, because police suspected homicide when her husband hanged himself. Obtained organs were used for microscopic examination by hematoxylin–eosin staining and Ziehl–Neelsen staining. In addition, real‐time PCR and mycobacterial culture testing using Ogawa's medium were performed for the detection of MTB. We found that the MTB in the decomposed body remained viable and potentially infectious. To identify the bacterial strain further, we performed DNA‐DNA hybridization and identified the strain as MTB complex. Potentially infectious live MTB survived in the dead body far longer than had been previously reported. Pathologists should consider microbial culture tests for all autopsied cases in which the decedent's medical history or macro‐examination suggests possible infection, even when a long duration of time has passed since death. Pathologists and specialists who perform autopsies should recognize that all dead bodies are potentially infectious, including those in which long periods have elapsed since death.
Systematic review and meta‐analysis of oral paracetamol versus combination oral analgesics for acute musculoskeletal injuries
Authors: Scott Gemma , Gong Jiayi , Kirkpatrick Carl , Jones Peter
Published: August 2020

Objective

The aim of this systematic review and meta‐analysis was to determine if a combination of analgesics conveys any significant clinical benefit over paracetamol alone in managing acute musculoskeletal injuries.

Methods

Two reviewers independently searched MEDLINE (via PubMed), EMBASE and Cochrane electronic databases. Randomised controlled trials comparing paracetamol with paracetamol plus other oral analgesics in managing acute musculoskeletal injuries (e.g. sprains, contusions) were identified. Outcomes were reduction in pain score, adverse events and need for additional analgesia. Studies were critiqued using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment Tool and data analysed using RevMAN meta‐analysis software.

Results

Six studies were included (n = 1254). No paediatric studies were identified. Five studies compared paracetamol to paracetamol plus NSAID. One study also included an opioid in the combination group. There was no clinically important difference between groups for reduction in pain score in the first 2 h, 24 h or 72 h. At 2 h the mean difference in reduction in pain score at rest on 100 mm VAS was 0.72 mm (−1.36, 2.79), P = 0.5. On activity it was −1.79 mm (−4.08, 0.49), P = 0.12. The risk of adverse events in ED was −0.00 (−0.04, 0.03). More patients receiving combination therapy required additional analgesia in the first 2 h: −0.03 (−0.06, −0.01), P = 0.01.

Conclusion

Paracetamol monotherapy is a reasonable first‐line analgesic for acute musculoskeletal injuries as combining additional oral agents does not result in any significant additional analgesic effect.
Banana defence responses to Cosmopolites sordidus feeding and methyl jasmonate application
Authors: Bakaze Elyeza , Dzomeku Beloved Mensah , Wünsche Jens‐Norbert
Published: August 2020

Each year 25–75% of banana and plantain yields are lost because of rhizome damages caused by banana weevil (Cosmopolites sordidus) in growing regions of sub‐Saharan Africa. However, the specific plant defence response of the rhizome tissue in relation to the C. sordidus attack is unknown. Consequently, in this study, we evaluated whether plant defence substances in the rhizome are correlated with the degree of larval damage and whether applications of methyl jasmonate (MJ) elicit a greater induction of the plant defence potential against C. sordidus. Moreover, we attempted to reveal cellular modifications in response to the root feeding herbivore through histochemical staining. The banana cultivars “Km5” and “Mbwazirume” with tolerance and susceptibility to C. sordidus, respectively, were used in a pot experiment to evaluate percent rhizome damage, leaf chlorophyll content, total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant capacity and cell morphology in response to C. sordidus attack and/or MJ applications compared to untreated control plants. We found that C. sordidus‐induced rhizome damage was 30% in the susceptible cultivar but less than 5% in the tolerant cultivar. The percent rhizome damage was not related to leaf chlorophyll content but showed a significant negative linear relationship to both TPC and antioxidant capacity. Larvae feeding induced a considerably greater increase of polyphenolic defence compounds in Km5 than in Mbwazirume; however, this response was opposite in the MJ treatment, suggesting that the phytohormone induced the susceptible plant to invest more into the synthesis of defence chemicals that in turn lead to reduced C. sordidus damage. Tissue staining demonstrated a greater deposition of lignin and suberin in C. sordidus challenged rhizome, presumably to seal off healthy tissue with a physical barrier from continued pest attack. It is concluded that MJ induces polyphenolics in susceptible Mbwazirume banana that reduced C. sordidus damage.
Continuous pulse oximetry during skin‐to‐skin care: An Australian initiative to prevent sudden unexpected postnatal collapse
Authors: Du Plessis Jean , Kirk Michael , Quilatan Myra , Mehta Shailender
Published: August 2020

Aim

To examine the use of continuous pulse oximetry monitoring (CPOM) of newborns as a non‐invasive and non‐intrusive standard of care for promoting early and safe skin‐to‐skin contact between mothers and newborns immediately after birth and to gather acceptability feedback from midwifery staff and mothers.

Methods

All babies receiving skin‐to‐skin contact (SSC) had continuous pulse oximetry monitoring (CPOM) for the first‐hour postbirth. Staff were trained with education sessions before implementation. Midwives and mothers were surveyed post‐implementation and again after distribution of an education brochure regarding CPOM.

Results

Seventy per cent of midwives and 66% of mothers responded to the survey. The majority of midwives received the practice positively and felt reassured by the use of CPOM in the immediate postpartum period. The survey identified gaps in maternal knowledge of the risk and benefits of SSC which improved significantly after the distribution of the educational brochure (P = .01).

Conclusion

Continuous pulse oximetry monitoring with a compact monitor in the first‐hour postbirth is a simple, non‐invasive and innovative approach to enhance safe skin‐to‐skin care by improving vigilance of newborns. Our study confirmed the acceptance of such approach by midwives and mothers in our population.
Comparison of the clinical phenotype and haematological course of siblings with Fanconi anaemia
Authors: Jung Moonjung , Mehta Parinda A. , Jiang Caroline S. , Rosti Rasim O. , Usleaman Gabriel , Correa da Rosa Joel M. , Lach Francis P. , Goodridge Erica , Auerbach Arleen D. , Davies Stella M. , Smogorzewska Agata , Boulad Farid
Published: August 2020

Fanconi anaemia (FA) is a genetic disorder due to mutations in any of the 22 FANC genes (FANCA–FANCW) and has high phenotypic variation. Siblings may have similar clinical outcome because they share the same variants; however, such association has not been reported. We present the detailed phenotype and clinical course of 25 sibling sets with FA from two institutions. Haematological progression significantly correlated between siblings, which was confirmed in an additional 55 sibling pairs from the International Fanconi Anemia Registry. Constitutional abnormalities were not concordant, except for a moderate degree of concordance in kidney abnormalities and microcephaly.
Reading Disability in Chinese Children Learning English as an L2
Authors: Cao Fan , Yan Xiaohui , Yan Xin , Zhou Haiyan , Booth James R.
Published: August 2020

To examine whether there are common or specific deficits of reading disability (RD) in first (L1) and second languages (L2), Chinese children (9–11 years, N = 76) with or without RD who learn English as an L2 were studied during a visual word rhyming judgment task. Evidence was found for common deficits in L1 and L2 in visuo‐orthographic processes in left inferior temporal gyrus and left precuneus, as well as in phonological processes in left dorsal inferior frontal gyrus as children with RD showed less activation than controls in both languages. Furthermore, the visuo‐orthographic deficit appears to be a RD effect, whereas the phonological deficit appears to be a reading/performance effect. Some weak evidence for language specific effects was also found.
Compatibility Effects in Young Children's Tool Use: Learning and Transfer
Authors: Beisert Miriam , Daum Moritz M.
Published: August 2020

An inherent component of tool‐use actions is the transformation of the user's operating movement into the desired effect. In this study, the relevance of this transformation for young children's learning of tool‐use actions was investigated. Sixty‐four children at the age of 27–30 months learned to use levers which either simply extended (compatible transformation) or reversed (incompatible transformation) their operating movements. Data revealed a compatibility effect as well as transfer effects originating from the two different types of transformations. Furthermore, results suggest that young children's tool‐use learning is not a uniform process, but has to be regarded individually depending on the type of transformation.
Examining Rater Effects on the Classroom Assessment Scoring System
Authors: Styck Kara M. , Anthony Christopher J. , Sandilos Lia E. , DiPerna James C.
Published: August 2020

The Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS; Pianta et al., 2008) is a popular measure of teacher–child interactions. Despite its prominence, CLASS scores have fairly weak relations with various child outcomes (e.g., Zaslow et al., 2010). One potential reason for these findings could be systematic differences in observer severity. As such, the purpose of this study was to explore the scope and impact of rater effects on CLASS scores with a sample of 77 teachers who were rated by 13 observers. Results indicated significant rater effects across all three CLASS domains. Adjusting for these effects, however, did not improve relations between CLASS scores and child outcomes. Implications for the CLASS and related assessments are discussed.
The Relation Between Preschoolers’ Vocabulary Development and Their Ability to Predict and Recognize Words
Authors: Gambi Chiara , Jindal Priya , Sharpe Sophie , Pickering Martin J. , Rabagliati Hugh
Published: August 2020

By age 2, children are developing foundational language processing skills, such as quickly recognizing words and predicting words before they occur. How do these skills relate to children’s structural knowledge of vocabulary? Multiple aspects of language processing were simultaneously measured in a sample of 2‐to‐5‐year‐olds (N = 215): While older children were more fluent at recognizing words, at predicting words in a graded fashion, and at revising incorrect predictions, only revision was associated with concurrent vocabulary knowledge once age was accounted for. However, an exploratory longitudinal follow‐up (N = 55) then found that word recognition and prediction skills were associated with rate of subsequent vocabulary development, but revision skills were not. We argue that prediction skills may facilitate language learning through enhancing processing speed.
Constructions of ‘the ageless’ asylum seekers: An analysis of how age is understood among professionals working within the norwegian immigration authorities
Authors: Sørsveen Aurora T. , Ursin Marit
Published: August 2020

This article explores how professionals within the Norwegian immigration authorities conceptualise age when doing non‐medical age assessments. By using social constructivism, which challenges an ethnocentric quantifying understanding of age, we delve into how socially constructed perceptions of childhood and adulthood manifest in assessment practices and the implications of these. By examining how applicants’ physical appearance, body language and life experience are used as an assessment basis, we argue that the ways age is conceptualised relate to Western ideas and ideals while overlooking other social and cultural backgrounds in which age is embedded.
Genetic and pharmacological inhibition of two‐pore domain potassium channel TREK‐1 alters depression‐related behaviors and neuronal plasticity in the hippocampus in mice
Authors: Wu Fangfang , Sun Hongbin , Gong Weigang , Li Xiaoli , Pan Zhaohui , Shan Han , Zhang Zhijun
Published: August 2020

Introduction

The two‐pore domain potassium channel TREK‐1 is a member of background K+ channels that are thought to provide baseline regulation of membrane excitability. Recent studies have highlighted the putative role of TREK‐1 in the action of antidepressants, and its antagonists might be potentially effective antidepressants. However, the mechanisms underlying the actions of TREK‐1 are not yet fully understood.

Methods

The expression of TREK‐1 was examined in a mouse model of chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) using immunoblotting. Neuron‐specific genetic manipulation of TREK‐1 was performed through adeno‐associated virus. Behavioral tests were performed to evaluate depression‐related behaviors. Electrophysiological recordings were used to evaluate synaptic plasticity. Golgi staining was used to examine neuroplasticity.

Results

TREK‐1 expression was increased in the mouse hippocampus after CUMS. Knockdown of TREK‐1 in hippocampal neurons significantly attenuated depressive‐like behaviors and prevented the decrease of CUMS‐induced synaptic proteins in mice. Further examination indicated that neuron‐specific knockdown of TREK‐1 in the hippocampus prevented stress‐induced impairment of glutamatergic synaptic transmission in the CA1 region. Moreover, chronic TREK‐1 inhibition protected against CUMS‐induced depressive‐like behaviors and impairment of synaptogenesis in the hippocampus.

Conclusion

Our results indicate a role for TREK‐1 in the modulation of synaptic plasticity in a mouse model of depression. These findings will provide insight into the pathological mechanism of depression and further evidence for a novel target for antidepressant treatment.
Leveraging sequence‐based faecal microbial community survey data to identify alterations in gut microbiota among patients with Parkinson's disease
Authors: Ji Tianyi , Huang Hongyan , Liu Jiaxuan , Peng Tian , Zhou Xiazhu , Tan Qin , Yuan Jiaguo , Hua Huan , Ding Songtao , Liu Handeng
Published: August 2020

Parkinson's disease is a common degenerative disease of the elderly. Although the majority of studies have focused on the central nervous system (CNS) features of Parkinson's disease, recent findings suggest there is a functional link between the gut microbiome and the hallmarks of the disease. PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE and other Chinese and English databases were searched for relevant literature. Studies on changes to intestinal microbiota in Parkinson's patients were retrieved and systematically reviewed. Quality filtering, clustering and species annotation were performed on 16s sequencing raw data from retrieved studies to achieve comparability across studies. Alpha‐diversity indices and a random effect model were used to analyse significantly altered microbiota. A total of nine studies were included in this retrospective analysis, four of which contained raw data. Alpha diversity was significantly different between control and Parkinson's disease patients in two of the four studies. Using the raw data from four individual studies, we observed differences in the phlya Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteria. Additionally, differences were observed between control and Parkinson's disease patients at the level of family (Prevotellacaea and Lactobacillaceae) and genus (Bifidobacterium and Clostridium). This study confirmed that changes in the microbiome are a consistent feature of Parkinson's disease patients and, therefore, may contribute to the onset of disease.