bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Species richness, geographical affinities, and activity patterns of mammals in premontane Andean forests of the Magdalena river basin of Colombia
Authors: Torres Diego A. , Rojas Abel Eduardo
Published: July 2020

The Magdalena river basin is home to more than half of Colombia’s human population, and consequently the basin also harbors their economic activities. These activities have generated high deforestation rates and negative pressures on natural resources. With such a scenario of forest loss it is imperative to assess the state of the biodiversity and its conservation. Here, during six years we assessed the mammalian species richness and abundance in premontane forests of Caldas department in the Magdalena river basin. We also presented additional information on the activity patterns and geographical affinities of this fauna. We recorded 100 species of mammals with the Chiroptera as the richest order, followed by Rodentia. Most of the species are common and are not under risk of extinction; however, it is important to highlight the presence of six endemic species, three vulnerable species and one endangered species (white-footed tamarin). The mammalian fauna of this region is similar to other lowland localities in the Neotropics, and less similar to highland localities, including the nearby ones. Specifically, this fauna is most similar to lowland Tolima, and the Caribbean region of Colombia, Venezuela and Costa Rica; however, when we accounted only for bat fauna, it was more similar to the Caribbean and Pacific regions of Colombia. To secure the long-term persistence of these species we recommend maintenance of the current corridors such as riparian forests and living fences and an increase in the forested area.
Fungal zygote survival and ploidy maintenance rely on cell cycle-dependent and independent mating blocks
Authors: Vještica Aleksandar , Bérard Melvin , Liu Gaowen , Merlini Laura , Nkosi Pedro Junior , Martin Sophie G
Published: July 2020

To ensure genome stability, sexually reproducing organisms require that mating brings together exactly two haploid gametes and that meiosis occurs only in diploid zygotes. In the fission yeastSchizosaccharomyces pombe, fertilization triggers the Mei3-Pat1-Mei2 signaling cascade, which represses subsequent mating and initiates meiosis. Here, we establish a degron system to specifically degrade proteins post-fusion and demonstrate that mating blocks not only safeguard zygote ploidy but also prevent lysis caused by aberrant fusion attempts. Using long-term imaging and flow-cytometry approaches, we identify previously unrecognized and independent roles for Mei3 and Mei2 in zygotes. We show that Mei3 promotes premeiotic S-phase independently of Mei2 and that cell cycle progression is both necessary and sufficient to reduce zygotic mating behaviors. Mei2 imposes the meiotic program and promotes the meiotic cycle, but also blocks mating behaviors independently of Mei3 and cell cycle progression. Thus, we find that fungi preserve zygote ploidy and survival by at least two mechanisms where the zygotic fate imposed by Mei2 and the cell cycle re-entry triggered by Mei3 synergize to prevent zygotic mating.
Modeling the complete kinetics of coxsackievirus B3 reveals human determinants of host-cell feedback
Authors: Lopacinski Aaron B. , Sweatt Andrew J. , Smolko Christian M. , Gray-Gaillard Elise , Borgman Cheryl A. , Shah Millie , Janes Kevin A.
Published: July 2020

Complete kinetic models are pervasive in chemistry but lacking in biological systems. We encoded the complete kinetics of infection for coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3), a compact and fast-acting RNA virus. The kinetics are built from detailed modules for viral binding–delivery, translation–replication, and encapsidation. Specific module activities are dampened by the type I interferon response to viral double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs), which is itself disrupted by viral proteinases. The validated kinetics uncovered that cleavability of the dsRNA transducer mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein (MAVS) becomes a stronger determinant of viral outcomes when cells receive supplemental interferon after infection. Cleavability is naturally altered in humans by a common MAVS polymorphism, which removes a proteinase-targeted site but paradoxically elevates CVB3 infectivity. These observations are reconciled with a simple nonlinear model of MAVS regulation. Modeling complete kinetics is an attainable goal for small, rapidly infecting viruses and perhaps viral pathogens more broadly.
The direct regulation ofAalbdsxonAalVgRis indispensable for ovarian development inAedes albopictus
Authors: Jin Binbin , Zhao Yijie , Liu Peiwen , Sun Yan , Li Xiaocong , Zhang Xin , Chen Xiao-Guang , Gu Jinbao
Published: July 2020

BACKGROUND

Aedes albopictusis an important vector with an extensive worldwide distribution. Only female mosquitoes play a significant role in the transmission of pathogens.Doublesex(dsx) is a central nexus gene in the insect somatic sex determination hierarchy.

RESULTS

In this study, we characterized the full-length sex-specific splicing forms of theAe. albopictus dsxgene (Aalbdsx). Then, we identified 15 direct target genes of DSX in adult females using digital gene expression (DGE) combined with qPCR following a chromatin immunoprecipitation assay (ChIP) with specific DSX antibodies. The knockdown ofAalbdsxsuppressed ovarian development, and the transcript levels of theAalbdsxtargetvitellogenin receptor(VgR) gene decreased, whereasvitellogenin(Vg) expression showed an increase in the fat body. Genes in the majorVgregulatory pathway were also upregulated. Our results suggest that the effects ofAalbdsxRNAi on ovarian development are exerted mainly viaVgRrather thanVg.

CONCLUSION

The results of our study not only provide a reference for the further elucidation of the sex determination cascade and comparative analyses ofdsxtarget interactions in mosquitoes but also reveal potential molecular targets for application to the development of sterile male mosquitoes to be released for vector control.
Inducing Human Retinal Pigment Epithelium-like Cells from Somatic Tissue
Authors: Woogeng Ivo Ngundu , Abugessaisa Imad , Tachibana Akihiro , Sahara Yoshiki , Hon Chung-Chau , Hasegawa Akira , Kaczkowski Bogumil , Sakai Noriko , Nishida Mitsuhiro , Hu Haiming , Sanyal Hashimita , Sho Junki , Kasukawa Takeya , Takasato Minoru , Carninci Piero , Maeda Akiko , Mandai Michiko , Arner Erik , Takahashi Masayo , Kime Cody
Published: July 2020

Regenerative medicine relies on basic research to find safe and useful outcomes that are only practical when cost-effective. The human eyeball requires the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) for support and maintenance that interfaces the neural retina and the choroid at large. Nearly 200 million people suffer from age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a blinding multifactor genetic disease among other retinal pathologies related to RPE degradation. Recently, autologous pluripotent stem cell-derived RPE cells were prohibitively expensive due totime,therefore we developed a new simplified cell reprogramming system. We stably induced RPE-like cells (iRPE) from human fibroblasts by conditional overexpression of broad plasticity and lineage-specific pioneering transcription factors. iRPE cells showed features of modern RPE benchmarks and significantin-vivointegration in transplanted chimeric hosts. Herein, we detail the iRPE system with comprehensive modern single-cell RNA (scRNA) sequencing profiling to interpret and characterize its best cells. We anticipate that our system may enable robust retinal cell induction for regenerative medicine research and affordable autologous human RPE tissue for cell therapy.
Connecting the stimuli-responsive rheology of biopolymer hydrogels to underlying hydrogen-bonding interactions
Authors: Giubertoni Giulia , Burla Federica , Bakker Huib J. , Koenderink Gijsje H.
Published: July 2020

Many biopolymer hydrogels are environmentally responsive because they are held together by physical associations that depend on pH and temperature. Here we investigate how the pH and temperature response of the rheology of hyaluronan hydrogels is connected to the underlying molecular interactions. Hyaluronan is an essential structural biopolymer in the human body with many applications in biomedicine. Using two-dimensional infrared (2DIR) spectroscopy, we show that hyaluronan chains become connected by hydrogen bonds when the pH is changed from 7.0 to 2.5, and that the bond density at pH 2.5 is independent of temperature. Temperature-dependent rheology measurements show that due to this hydrogen bonding the stress relaxation at pH 2.5 is strongly slowed down in comparison to pH 7.0, consistent with the sticky reptation model of associative polymers. From the flow activation energy we conclude that each polymer is crosslinked by multiple (5-15) hydrogen bonds to others, causing slow macroscopic stress relaxation, despite the short time scale of breaking and reformation of each individual hydrogen bond. Our findings can aid the design of stimuli-responsive hydrogels with tailored viscoelastic properties for biomedical applications.
Single-cell transcriptomics of theDrosophilawing disc reveals instructive epithelium-to-myoblast interactions
Authors: Everetts Nicholas J. , Worley Melanie I. , Yasutomi Riku , Yosef Nir , Hariharan Iswar K.
Published: July 2020

In both vertebrates and invertebrates, generating a functional appendage requires interactions between ectoderm-derived epithelia and mesoderm-derived cells. To investigate such interactions, we used single-cell transcriptomics to generate a cell atlas of theDrosophilawing disc at two time points during development. Using these data, we investigate gene expression using a multi-layered model of the wing disc and catalogued ligand-receptor pairs that could mediate signaling between epithelial cells and adult muscle precursors (AMPs). We found that localized expression of the FGF ligands, Thisbe and Pyramus, in the disc epithelium regulates the number and location of the AMPs. In addition, Hedgehog ligand from the epithelium activates a specific transcriptional program within adjacent AMP cells, which is critical for proper formation of a subset of the direct flight muscles. More generally, our annotated atlas provides a global view of potential cell-cell interactions between subpopulations of epithelial and myogenic cells.
Combining high throughput and high quality for cryo-electron microscopy data collection
Authors: Weis Felix , Hagen Wim J. H.
Published: July 2020

Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) can be used to elucidate the 3D structure of macromolecular complexes. Driven by technological breakthroughs in electron-microscope and electron-detector development, coupled with improved image-processing procedures, it is now possible to reach high resolution both in single-particle analysis and in cryo-electron tomography and subtomogram-averaging approaches. As a consequence, the way in which cryo-EM data are collected has changed and new challenges have arisen in terms of microscope alignment, aberration correction and imaging parameters. This review describes how high-end data collection is performed at the EMBL Heidelberg cryo-EM platform, presenting recent microscope implementations that allow an increase in throughput while maintaining aberration-free imaging and the optimization of acquisition parameters to collect high-resolution data.
Attaining atomic resolution from in situ data collection at room temperature using counter-diffusion-based low-cost microchips
Authors: Gavira Jose A. , Rodriguez-Ruiz Isaac , Martinez-Rodriguez Sergio , Basu Shibom , Teychené Sébastien , McCarthy Andrew A. , Mueller-Dieckman Christoph
Published: July 2020

Sample handling and manipulation for cryoprotection currently remain critical factors in X-ray structural determination. While several microchips for macromolecular crystallization have been proposed during the last two decades to partially overcome crystal-manipulation issues, increased background noise originating from the scattering of chip-fabrication materials has so far limited the attainable resolution of diffraction data. Here, the conception and use of low-cost, X-ray-transparent microchips for in situ crystallization and direct data collection, and structure determination at atomic resolution close to 1.0 Å, is presented. The chips are fabricated by a combination of either OSTEMER and Kapton or OSTEMER and Mylar materials for the implementation of counter-diffusion crystallization experiments. Both materials produce a sufficiently low scattering background to permit atomic resolution diffraction data collection at room temperature and the generation of 3D structural models of the tested model proteins lysozyme, thaumatin and glucose isomerase. Although the high symmetry of the three model protein crystals produced almost complete data sets at high resolution, the potential of in-line data merging and scaling of the multiple crystals grown along the microfluidic channels is also presented and discussed.
Structural and biochemical characterization of a glutathione transferase from the citrus canker pathogenXanthomonas
Authors: Hilario Eduardo , De Keyser Sawyer , Fan Li
Published: July 2020

The genusXanthomonascomprises several cosmopolitan plant-pathogenic bacteria that affect more than 400 plant species, most of which are of economic interest. Citrus canker is a bacterial disease that affects citrus species, reducing fruit yield and quality, and is caused by the bacteriumXanthomonas citrisubsp.citri(Xac). The Xac3819 gene, which has previously been reported to be important for citrus canker infection, encodes an uncharacterized glutathioneS-transferase (GST) of 207 amino-acid residues in length (XacGST). Bacterial GSTs are implicated in a variety of metabolic processes such as protection against chemical and oxidative stresses. XacGST shares high sequence identity (45%) with the GstB dehalogenase fromEscherichia coliO6:H1 strain CFT073 (EcGstB). Here, XacGST is reported to be able to conjugate glutathione (GSH) with bromoacetate with aKmof 6.67 ± 0.77 mM, akcatof 42.69 ± 0.32 s−1and a kcat/Kmof 6.40 ± 0.72 mM−1 s−1under a saturated GSH concentration (3.6 mM). These values are comparable to those previously reported for EcGstB. In addition, crystal structures of XacGST were determined in the apo form (PDB entry 6nxv) and in a GSH-bound complex (PDB entry 6nv6). XacGST has a canonical GST-like fold with a conserved serine residue (Ser12) at the GSH-binding site near the N-terminus, indicating XacGST to be a serine-type GST that probably belongs to the theta-class GSTs. GSH binding stabilizes a loop of about 20 residues containing a helix that is disordered in the apo XacGST structure.
A systematic review of responsiveness to develop future research agenda: a TCCM and bibliometric analysis
Authors: Sharma Deepika , Taggar Rashi , Bindra Sunali , Dhir Sanjay
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to epistemologically extend and explore the present theories from prior research conducted in the area of responsiveness. Furthermore, it determines to benchmark the prominent theories, characteristics, context and methodologies (TCCM) used in the domain since its inception to advance the science and practice of marketing and logistics discipline.

Design/methodology/approach

A seven-step methodology (SSM) has been introduced to create a comprehensive dataset. Based upon the selection criteria of high-ranked journals and language, the research studies have been retrieved from Scopus, Web of Science, Business Source Complete and journal homepage to avoid the error of exclusion. Moreover, the dataset has been compiled using manual and electronic searches without any limitation of time.

Findings

The search for a suitable dataset retrieved 642 documents by identifying “1969” as the beginning year of research in the subject domain. The analysis found that responsiveness has been prominently studied in the manufacturing industry. The results also advocate responsiveness as the vital antecedent to performance and satisfaction. Frameworks have been proposed with significant propositions for future empirical testing and theory inventiveness by researchers.

Originality/value

The study pioneers its utility for retailers to recognize the firms' inherent abilities and strengths, which can be promoted to create responsiveness more than ever. The analysis results can act as the compelling force to understand the driving power of various factors influencing responsiveness.
Nineteenth century public relations: Siam's campaign to defend national sovereignty
Authors: Tantivejakul Napawan
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This research aims to identify the use of the public relations (PR) methods implemented by King Rama V and his administration to counter the threat to Siam of imperialism in the late 19th century. It also seeks to demonstrate the interplay of the communication strategies used in international diplomacy to enhance Siam's visibility among major European nations.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a historical study using both primary and secondary sources. It is a development of the national PR history methodology using a descriptive, fact-based and event-oriented approach.

Findings

The main findings are that (1) a PR strategy drove international diplomacy under the administration of Siam's monarch incorporating strategies such as governmental press relations activities; (2) the strategy in building Siam's image as a civilized country was successfully communicated through the personality of King Rama V during his first trip to Europe; (3) with a close observation of the public and press sentiments, the outcome of the integrated PR and diplomatic campaigns was that Siam defended its sovereignty against British and French imperialists’ pressures and was therefore never colonized.

Research limitations/implications

This research adds to the body of knowledge of global PR history by demonstrating that PR evolved before the 20th century in different countries and cultures with different historical paths and sociocultural, political and economic contexts.

Originality/value

This study from an Asian nation demonstrates that PR was being practiced in the late 19th century outside the Western context, prior to the advent of the term. It is a rare example of PR being developed as a part of an anti-colonization strategy.
How the land system with Chinese characteristics affects China's economic growth – an analysis based on a multisector dynamic general equilibrium framework
Authors: Liu Kai
Published: July 2020

Purpose

What is the relation between the land system with Chinese characteristics and the country's high-speed economic growth in the past decades? There is a lack of rigorous academic research based on the general equilibrium theory of macroeconomics on this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

By building a multisector dynamic general equilibrium framework with land system, this paper explores how the land supply mode with Chinese characteristics affects China's economic growth as well as its transmission mechanism.

Findings

This paper confirms the importance of land system with Chinese characteristics in explaining the mystery of China's high-speed economic growth. Counterfactual analysis shows that if China adopts a land system similar to that of other developing countries, GDP will drop 36% from the current level under the baseline model.

Originality/value

As the industrial sector shrinks relatively and the output elasticity of infrastructure decreases, this inhibitory effect will become more apparent. China should improve its land supply mode, especially expand the supply of commercial and residential land and reduce the cost of land in the service sector. This can promote better economic development in the future and thus improve household welfare and the structure of aggregate demand, replace “land-based public finance” and thus inhibit the “high leverage” risks of local governments.
Post-disaster permanent housing: the case of the 2003 Bingöl earthquake in Turkey
Authors: Kürüm Varolgüneş Fatma
Published: July 2020

Purpose

In this study, the effects of permanent housing (PH) practices carried out after an earthquake in Turkey were investigated with a case study. Determining the factors that increase occupants’ satisfaction at the local level and transferring them to the projects to be conducted were aimed.

Design/methodology/approach

The data obtained with questionnaires, statistical analyses, drawings and area examinations belonging to the PH areas built after the 2003 Bingöl earthquake were based on a complementary qualitative research study. Exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) were used in the analysis of the data. In the CFA, various fits or conformity indices were used to determine to what extent the suggested models showed compliance with the data. SPSS and AMOS were preferred as analysis software.

Findings

When the findings were examined, it was observed that there are significant deficiencies in the activities regarding planning and carrying out the PH production process after the 2003 Bingöl earthquake. An analysis to determine success factors revealed that the most important factor affecting satisfaction is “housing environment.” In addition, the factors “housing design,” “economic recovery,” “cooperation,” “built quality” and “social effect” were determined as important elements for successful results.

Research limitations/implications

The most important way to reduce the destructive effects of disasters is to develop correct solutions. Therefore, it is of great importance to conduct research in an earthquake-affected region, to examine the performance of the produced environments, to present the existing problems and to determine the satisfaction of the users in the new housing and their environment.

Originality/value

This study raises awareness of the importance of creating living spaces that respond to the needs of victims in order to reduce social, physiological and psychological risks in PH applications after the earthquake.
Understanding the emergence and development of online travel agencies: a dynamic evaluation and simulation approach
Authors: Lv Xingyang , Li Nian , Xu Xiaowei , Yang Yang
Published: July 2020

Purpose

With the explosive growth of the Internet, online travel agents (OTAs) have gained an increasing market share in the online booking market. However, OTAs are facing fierce competition from hotels' direct booking channels, as well as competition among themselves. Therefore, there is a need for an understanding of the evolution of the OTA market from a dynamic perspective. The purpose of this study is to investigate the long-term effect of OTAs on the hospitality industry and to find whether an equilibrium of this effect exists in the context of e-commerce.

Design/methodology/approach

To gain a better understanding of the OTA market process, a mathematical framework is constructed on the basis of four assumptions. NetLogo 5.1.0 is used to perform a series of numerical simulations.

Findings

The results indicate the following: (1) the development of the OTA market helps to improve net social welfare, but hotels (especially economy hotels) have suffered as a result; (2) clever exploitation of both online and offline channels that are based on hotels' historical data may improve hotels' performance; (3) a scale-priority strategy can be more helpful than a profit-priority strategy for enabling OTAs to maintain their long-term competitiveness; (4) the timing of participation in online-channel competition is a crucial factor in determining whether OTAs can achieve business success.

Social implications

In this study, it is shown how consumer habits have changed since the development of OTAs. The online channels provided by OTAs create a convenient, low-cost user experience, and they consequently improve the net welfare of customers. OTAs should be encouraged appropriately, although some economy hotels may suffer from the rise of OTAs.

Originality/value

In this empirical study, a mathematical framework is developed to describe the process of evolution in the OTA market, and it uses simulations as a means to validate prior research findings. Unlike previous studies, a dynamic perspective is used in this investigation to interpret the emergence of OTAs and to analyze their enormous impact on the hospitality industry. Thus, the findings of this study capture the competitive characteristics of online and offline channels in a network context and indicate potential strategies for the development of OTAs and which hotels may use OTAs to achieve better performance. In addition, the study findings could be easily extended to explain many of the classical economic phenomena regarding firms with intangible products.
A framework for business sustainability performance using meta-synthesis
Authors: Arianpoor Arash , Salehi Mahdi
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The main objective of the current study is to provide a framework for business sustainability performance (BSP) in Iran.

Design/methodology/approach

To determine the dimensions, components and indicators of BSP, the use of the meta-synthesis method allows for the achievement of research goals. For measuring the quality of selected literature, Critical Appraisals Skills Program (CASP) is used. The total of selected texts is 181, of which 139 were excluded.

Findings

This research presented a comprehensive conceptual model for BSP, which includes 23 components and 125 reporting indicators in economic category, social, ethical, environmental and corporate governance.

Originality/value

Although there is an extensive body of literature exploring the nature and extent of sustainability practices in developed countries, empirical studies examining the framework for BSP using meta-synthesis in emerging markets do not exist.
Selection of sustainable transport system: a case study
Authors: Singh Abhishek , Gurtu Amulya , Singh Rajesh Kumar
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Sustainable mobility will be the key to the survival of mankind in the 21st century. Cities with debt-ridden and poorly managed transport systems have to change to the ever-growing demands of the public transport system. The low cost of transport has been a key factor in sustainable development for any city. This study is trying to propose a framework for the selection of sustainable transport in context to an Indian case of NCR Delhi, India.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study has identified eight criteria for the selection of a sustainable transport system. Criteria for selection of sustainable transport are CO2 emissions, cost of fuel, energy efficiency, cost of maintenance, number of accidents, congestion, number of injuries and road noise. Three alternatives of transport considered for this study are state-run bus, pooled car and Shuttl (App-based buses). The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) is used to prioritize the criteria. The study has further illustrated a framework for the selection of sustainable transport based on these criteria.

Findings

It is observed that CO2 emissions are the most important criterion for a sustainable transport system. It is followed by a reduction in congestion and the number of injuries. Three alternatives of transport considered for this study are state-run bus, pooled car and Shuttl (a service provider). Shuttl has been found to be the most sustainable transport system.

Research limitations/implications

AHP is not able to capture the vagueness in decision-making. Therefore, fuzzy AHP can be considered for further detailed analysis as future scope of study in a different context of a sustainable transportation system. Major implications for policymakers and stakeholders are that development of public transport in cities should be done after considering different dimensions of sustainable operations.

Originality/value

The study has proposed a unique framework for the selection of a sustainable transport system by the public based on sustainability criteria. Findings will help policymakers in formulating strategies for developing sustainable transport system.
Digital media users and Facebook hashtags' misinterpretations
Authors: Tariq Umbreen , Sarfraz Summaira , Abbas Ali
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This paper examines reasons of pragmatic functions' misinterpretation of three types of Facebook hashtags: long, short and multiple mixed hashtags.

Design/methodology/approach

Focus group interviews of 15 English language learners, who are also active users of Facebook and hashtags, are conducted. Thematic analysis is performed through the software Nvivo for arriving at reliable findings.

Findings

The findings show that unknown vocabulary in contents and lowercasing in long and short hashtags are major factors that cause misinterpretation. Also, the symbol of underscore and appropriate usage of upper and lowercasing of alphabets should be adopted in hashtag writing for the improvement in communication and successful conveyance of the intended meaning.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the online hashtag writing style by finding reasons for the misinterpretations of different types of hashtags. Hashtags have been developed for adequate communication (Livingstone, 2012), but in Pakistan, hashtags are practiced as a “fashionable” trend and thus result in misinterpretation and inadequate communication among readers even of the same background (Tariq and Sarfraz, 2018). Moreover, this study focuses on the trend of hashtagging that is common among university students and particularly second-language learners because they are active users of Facebook and adopt the latest trends quickly.
Estimating the key determinants of foreign direct investment flows in Pakistan: new insights into the co-integration relationship
Authors: Saleem Hummera , Shabbir Malik Shahzad , Khan Bilal , Aziz Shahab , Md Husin Maizaitulaidawati , Abbasi Bilal Ahmed
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This empirical analysis tries to examine determinants of private foreign direct investment (FDI) in Pakistan using the bounds test approach. Main determinants of FDI among them are the size of the market (Q) macroeconomic stability (r), political stability (PRS), real exchange rate (REX) and institutional quality (INQ).

Design/methodology/approach

This study used annual time-series data set starting from 1980 to 2016. This study has used time-series data with ARDL and error-correction model (ECM) and examined main determinants of FDI for Pakistan. The study used the Granger causality test (modified WALD test) to identify the causality among the variables.

Findings

Moreover, empirical findings indicate the long-run relationship between GDP, trade openness and institutional quality toward FDI. However, political instability, inflation and real exchange rate harm FDI in Pakistan. Furthermore, results of Granger causality indicate that the bidirectional causality running from FDI andQtoward FDI is significant, providing evidence of FDI-led growth hypotheses in Pakistan. This study determines the correlation between FDI andQ(GDP growth) related to the “feedback hypothesis” in the short and long run. This study also concludes that the short-run causal connection among FDI, REX, PRS,randQfollows the “feedback hypothesis.” This describes that FDI, REX, PRS,randQvariables are jointly determined and affected together.

Originality/value

This study also explores the causal association between FDI and its significant determinants, by using methods of Granger causality test and the approach of Toda-Yamamoto-DoladoLutkephol (TYDL) to examine the causal relationship and its directions among these variables.
Step‐on versus step‐off signals in time‐domain controlled source electromagnetic methods using a grounded electric dipole
Authors: Haroon Amir , Swidinsky Andrei , Hölz Sebastian , Jegen Marion , Tezkan Bülent
Published: July 2020

The time‐domain controlled source electromagnetic method is a geophysical prospecting tool applied to image the subsurface resistivity distribution on land and in the marine environment. In its most general set‐up, a square‐wave current is fed into a grounded horizontal electric dipole, and several electric and magnetic field receivers at defined offsets to the imposed current measure the electromagnetic response of the Earth. In the marine environment, the application often uses only inline electric field receivers that, for a 50% duty‐cycle current waveform, include both step‐on and step‐off signals. Here, forward and inverse 1D modelling is used to demonstrate limited sensitivity towards shallow resistive layers in the step‐off electric field when transmitter and receivers are surrounded by conductive seawater. This observation is explained by a masking effect of the direct current signal that flows through the seawater and primarily affects step‐off data. During a step‐off measurement, this direct current is orders of magnitude larger than the inductive response at early and intermediate times, limiting the step‐off sensitivity towards shallow resistive layers in the seafloor. Step‐on data measure the resistive layer at times preceding the arrival of the direct current signal leading to higher sensitivity compared to step‐off data. Such dichotomous behaviour between step‐on and step‐off data is less obvious in onshore experiments due to the lack of a strong overlying conductive zone and corresponding masking effect from direct current flow. Supported by synthetic 1D inversion studies, we conclude that time‐domain controlled source electromagnetic measurements on land should apply both step‐on and step‐off data in a combined inversion approach to maximize signal‐to‐noise ratios and utilize the sensitivity characteristics of each signal. In an isotropic marine environment, step‐off electric fields have inferior sensitivity towards shallow resistive layers compared to step‐on data, resulting in an increase of non‐uniqueness when interpreting step‐off data in a single or combined inversion.
Disentangling the mechanisms underlying the species–area relationship: A mesocosm experiment with annual plants
Authors: Ben‐Hur Eyal , Kadmon Ronen
Published: July 2020

The increase in species richness with increased island area is one of the most widely documented patterns in ecology and biogeography but its mechanisms are still under debate. Disentangling these mechanisms in natural systems is challenging due to various kinds of confounding effects.

Here we use a novel mesocosm experiment focusing on annual plants to disentangle the effects of two mechanisms that may lead to higher richness on large islands: increasing population sizes and increasing opportunities for within‐island dispersal. Theoretical studies show that both mechanisms may contribute to higher richness on large islands, but no previous study has attempted to separate their effects. We also test an alternative, ‘null’ hypothesis, according to which the only mechanism underlying the increase in richness with increased area is a pure sampling effect (the ‘passive sampling hypothesis’).

As expected, increasing area had a strong positive effect on species richness. However, the main mechanism underlying the difference in richness between small and large islands was passive sampling. Moreover, our results indicate that dispersal had a negative rather than positive effect on island richness.

Synthesis. Our results corroborate previous observational studies that failed to reject the passive sampling hypothesis. However, in contrast to previous studies, our findings are based on experimental manipulations of island area, under controlled uniform conditions, at small spatial scales that facilitate within‐island dispersal and in three independent systems that differed in resource availability and disturbance. These findings emphasize the need for a careful examination of sampling effects in future research of the species–area relationship.
The impaired quorum sensing response of Pseudomonas aeruginosa MexAB‐OprM efflux pump overexpressing mutants is not due to non‐physiological efflux of 3‐oxo‐C12‐HSL
Authors: Alcalde‐Rico Manuel , Olivares‐Pacheco Jorge , Halliday Nigel , Cámara Miguel , Martínez José Luis
Published: July 2020

Multidrug (MDR) efflux pumps are ancient and conserved molecular machineries with relevant roles in different aspects of the bacterial physiology, besides antibiotic resistance. In the case of the environmental opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa, it has been shown that overexpression of different efflux pumps is linked to the impairment of the quorum sensing (QS) response. Nevertheless, the causes of such impairment are different for each analysed efflux pump. Herein, we performed an in‐depth analysis of the QS‐mediated response of a P. aeruginosa antibiotic resistant mutant that overexpresses MexAB‐OprM. Although previous work claimed that this efflux pump extrudes the QS signal 3‐oxo‐C12‐HSL, we show otherwise. Our results evidence that the observed attenuation in the QS response when overexpressing this pump is related to an impaired production of alkyl quinolone QS signals, likely prompted by the reduced availability of one of their precursors, the octanoate. Together with previous studies, this indicates that, although the consequences of overexpressing efflux pumps are similar (impaired QS response), the underlying mechanisms are different. This 'apparent redundancy' of MDR efflux systems can be understood as a P. aeruginosa strategy to keep the robustness of the QS regulatory network and modulate its output in response to different signals.
Market Fundamentals and Iron Ore Spot Prices*
Authors: Ma Yiqun , Zhen Wei
Published: July 2020

The presence of iron ore spot prices has raised the question whether iron ore spot prices are driven by market fundamentals. We analyse iron ore spot prices over the period 2014–18 while considering a structural break. The results show that China’s steel production only affects the volatility of iron ore spot prices. Over the two subsample periods, the mean and volatility of iron ore spot prices are vulnerable to changes in port stock. Overall, in determining iron ore spot prices, the effect of supply fundamentals outweighs that of demand fundamentals.
Was the pope to blame? Statistical powerlessness and the predictive policing of micro‐scale randomized control trials
Authors: Taylor Ralph B. , Ratcliffe Jerry H.
Published: July 2020

Research Summary

Hinkle et al. (2013) highlighted a statistical powerlessness problem in hot‐spots policing experiments in midsized cities with moderate property crime rates. The current work demonstrates that this problem is less readily resolved than previously suspected. It reviews results from a predictive policing randomized control trial in a large city with property crime rates higher than Chicago or Los Angeles. It reports, for the first time, a graphical analysis indicating the marked car patrol intervention, practically effective at the 500′ by 500′ (mission) grid level, three grids per shift, likely had a district‐wide impact on reducing reported property crime. In addition, it reviews results of a series of thought experiments exploring statistical power impacts of four modified experimental designs. Only one alternative design, with spatially up‐scaled predictive policing mission areas and concomitantly higher property crime prevalence rates, produced acceptable statistical power levels. Implications follow for current theoretical confusion in community criminology about concentration effects and units of analysis, and how models organize impacts across those different units. Implications follow for practice amid ongoing concerns about whether predictive policing works and, if it did, how to gauge its impacts and social justice costs.

Policy Implications

The current work brings to the fore important questions beyond “does predictive policing work?” Can we design predictive policing randomized experiments capable of showing statistical effectiveness? Furthermore, if we can, and if those studies include larger mission areas than the micro‐scaled geographic grids used so far, how do we integrate social justice concerns into effectiveness metrics given the broader segments of communities likely affected?
Applying f4‐statistics and admixture graphs: Theory and examples
Authors: Lipson Mark
Published: July 2020

A popular approach to learning about admixture from population genetic data is by computing the allele‐sharing summary statistics known as f‐statistics. Compared to some methods in population genetics, f‐statistics are relatively simple, but interpreting them can still be complicated at times. In addition, f‐statistics can be used to build admixture graphs (multi‐population trees allowing for admixture events), which provide more explicit and thorough modelling capabilities but are correspondingly more complex to work with. Here, I discuss some of these issues to provide users of these tools with a basic guide for protocols and procedures. My focus is on the kinds of conclusions that can or cannot be drawn from the results of f4‐statistics and admixture graphs, illustrated with real‐world examples involving human populations.
The role of accounting quality in corporate liquidity management
Authors: Li Wulung
Published: July 2020

This paper studies the role of accounting quality in accessing credit lines for liquidity purposes. While the literature suggests that firms should meet liquidity needs through credit lines and not cash holdings, some firms rely on cash instead because of limited access to credit markets. I find low accruals quality firms use less credit lines and hold more cash. This relationship is more pronounced when firms are financially distressed, when credit markets are tightening, and during the 2007–2008 financial crisis. The spread and the use of cash flow covenants in credit lines are two channels through which accruals quality affects liquidity choice.
High suicide rates during psychiatric inpatient stay and shortly after discharge
Authors: Madsen T. , Erlangsen A. , Hjorthøj C. , Nordentoft M.
Published: July 2020

Objective

Over recent decades, intense efforts to address suicides in psychiatric admitted people have been initiated. The aim was to calculate suicide rates, rate ratios, population attributable risks (PAR) and trends among people admitted to or recently discharged from psychiatric wards.

Methods

Using a cohort design, we obtained nationwide register data on 6 292 932 individuals aged 15+ living in Denmark during 1995–2016. Of these, 178 703 (5.73%) males and 201 033 females (6.33%) had been admitted to psychiatric hospital. Incidence rate ratios (IRR) were obtained using Poisson regression analyses while adjusting for age and calendar period. Trends were assessed using joinpoint analyses.

Results

In total, 15 075 persons died by suicide, of which 6174 had been psychiatrically admitted. Among males, the suicide rate during the first week of admission and after discharge was 3409 and 3148 per 100 000 person‐years, respectively. The corresponding values for females were 1267 and 1631. Generally, estimated suicide rates were highest in those with affective or anxiety stress disorders. During first week of hospitalization, the IRR was 237 for males and of 322 for females when compared with those never hospitalized. In first week after discharge, the IRR was 225 and 425 for males and females, respectively. PAR estimates indicated 6% of male suicides and 13% of female suicides attributes to first week of admission and discharge. The inpatient suicide rate decreased annually 2.5% until 2009 followed by a 7.5% annual percentage increase. The suicide rate after discharge decreased steadily annually over the study period.

Conclusion

Despite finding declining post‐discharge suicide rates, the period surrounding a psychiatric admission was still associated with extremely high suicide rates.
Distinct effects of asthma and COPD comorbidity on disease expression and outcome in patients with COVID‐19
Authors: Song Jia , Zeng Ming , Wang Hai , Qin Chuan , Hou Hong‐Yan , Sun Zi‐Yong , Xu San‐Peng , Wang Guo‐Ping , Guo Cui‐Lian , Deng Yi‐Ke , Wang Zhi‐Chao , Ma Jin , Pan Li , Liao Bo , Du Zhi‐Hui , Feng Qi‐Miao , Liu Yang , Xie Jun‐Gang , Liu Zheng
Published: July 2020

Background

The impacts of chronic airway diseases on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) are far from understood.

Objective

To explore the influence of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) comorbidity on disease expression and outcomes, and the potential underlying mechanisms in COVID‐19 patients.

Methods

A total of 961 hospitalized COVID‐19 patients with a definite clinical outcome (death or discharge) were retrospectively enrolled. Demographic and clinical information were extracted from the medical records. Lung tissue sections from patients suffering from lung cancer were used for immunohistochemistry study of angiotensin‐converting enzyme II (ACE2) expression. BEAS‐2B cell line was stimulated with various cytokines.

Results

In this cohort, 21 subjects (2.2%) had COPD and 22 (2.3%) had asthma. After adjusting for confounding factors, COPD patients had higher risk of developing severe illness (OR: 23.433; 95% CI 1.525‐360.135; P < .01) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (OR: 19.762; 95% CI 1.461‐267.369; P = .025) than asthmatics. COPD patients, particularly those with severe COVID‐19, had lower counts of CD4+ T and CD8+ T cells and B cells and higher levels of TNF‐α, IL‐2 receptor, IL‐10, IL‐8, and IL‐6 than asthmatics. COPD patients had increased, whereas asthmatics had decreased ACE2 protein expression in lower airways, compared with that in control subjects without asthma and COPD. IL‐4 and IL‐13 downregulated, but TNF‐α, IL‐12, and IL‐17A upregulated ACE2 expression in BEAS‐2B cells.

Conclusion

Patients with asthma and COPD likely have different risk of severe COVID‐19, which may be associated with different ACE2 expression.
2Reflecting on Positionality: Archaeological Heritage Praxis in Quintana Roo, Mexico
Authors: Fryer Tiffany C.
Published: July 2020

In this article I argue for a renewed engagement with the concept ofpositionalityin archaeology. I provide a brief history of thinking about the idea of subject position in archaeology, focusing specifically on researcher subjectivity rather than that of past persons. The discussion highlights some of the strands of archaeological thinking where positionality has figured prominently in investigative and interpretative strategies: namely, intersectional, relational, and community‐based archaeologies. I then offer three examples from research in Quintana Roo, Mexico that speak to the ways that grappling with positionality has influenced my and my collaborators’ agendas and goals related to the commemoration of the heritage of the Maya Social War (Caste War of Yucatan).