bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of root exudates on the transcriptome of rhizospherePseudomonasspp
Authors: Mavrodi Olga V. , McWilliams Janiece R. , Peter Jacob O. , Berim Anna , Hassan Karl A. , Elbourne Liam D. H. , LeTourneau Melissa K. , Gang David R. , Paulsen Ian T. , Weller David M. , Thomashow Linda S. , Flynt Alex S. , Mavrodi Dmitri V.
Published: January 2021

Plants live in association with microorganisms that positively influence plant development, vigor, and fitness in response to pathogens and abiotic stressors. The bulk of the plant microbiome is concentrated belowground at the plant root-soil interface. Plant roots secrete carbon-rich rhizodeposits containing primary and secondary low molecular-weight metabolites, lysates, and mucilages. These exudates provide nutrients for soil microorganisms and modulate their affinity to host plants, but molecular details of this process are largely unresolved. We addressed this gap by focusing on the molecular dialogue between eight well-characterized beneficial strains of thePseudomonas fluorescensgroup andBrachypodium distachyon, a model for economically important food, feed, forage, and biomass crops of the grass family. We collected and analyzed root exudates ofB. distachyonand demonstrated the presence of multiple carbohydrates, amino acids, organic acids and phenolic compounds. The subsequent screening of bacteria by Biolog Phenotype MicroArrays revealed that many of these metabolites provide carbon and energy for thePseudomonasstrains. RNA-seq profiling of bacterial cultures amended with root exudates revealed changes in the expression of genes encoding numerous catabolic and anabolic enzymes, transporters, transcriptional regulators, stress response, and conserved hypothetical proteins. Almost half of the differentially expressed genes mapped to the variable part of the strains’ pangenome, reflecting the importance of the variable gene content in the adaptation ofP. fluorescensto the rhizosphere lifestyle. Our results collectively reveal the diversity of cellular pathways and physiological responses underlying the establishment of mutualistic interactions between these beneficial rhizobacteria and their plant hosts.
Description, taxonomy, and comparative genomics of a novelThermoleptolyngbyastrain isolated from hot springs of Ganzi, Sichuan China
Authors: Tang Jie , Li Liheng , Li Meijin , Du Lianming , Waleron Michał , Waleron Małgorzata , Waleron Krzysztof , Daroch Maurycy
Published: January 2021

Thermoleptolyngbyais a newly proposed genus of thermophilic cyanobacteria that are often abundant in thermal environments. However, a vast majority ofThermoleptolyngbyastrains were not systematically identified, and genomic features of this genus are also sparse. Here, polyphasic approaches were employed to identify a thermophilicThermoleptolyngbyaA183 (FACHB-2491) isolated from hot spring Erdaoqiao, Ganzi prefecture, China. Morphological characterization was investigated by microscopy. Whilst the results of 16S rRNA were inconclusive, the phylogenetic reconstruction and secondary structures of 16S-23S ITS strongly suggested that A183 strain is a novel species withinThermoleptolyngbya. Moreover, genome-scale average nucleotide identity (ANI) confirmed the genetic divergence of A183 fromThermoleptolyngbyaO-77. Comparative genome analysis revealed inconsistent genome structures ofThermoleptolyngbyastrains. Further GO analysis showed that the specific genes were distributed in a wide range of functional categories. In addition, analysis of genes related to thermotolerance, signal transduction, and carbon/nitrogen/sulfur assimilation revealed the ability of this strain to adapt to inhospitable niches in hot springs.
Targeting the artemisinin resistant malaria by repositioning of the anti-Hepatitis C Virus drug Alisporivir
Authors: Chaurasiya Ayushi , Garg Swati , Anam Zill e , Kumari Geeta , Joshi Nishant , Kumari Jyoti , Singhal Jhalak , Singh Niharika , Kaushik Shikha , Kaur Amandeep , Dubey Neha , Srivastava Pallavi , Marothia Manisha , Kumar Mukesh , Das Gobardhan , Bhattacharjee Souvik , Singh Shailja , Ranganathan Anand
Published: January 2021

The rapid emergence ofP. falciparum-resistantstrains raises an urgent need to find new antimalarial drug candidates. This study reports the rational repositioning of the anti-Hepatitis C Virus drug, Alisporivir, a non-immunosuppressive analog of cyclosporin A (CsA) against multiple, drug-resistant strains ofP. falciparum. Alisporivir being non-hemolytic has been proven to be a better drug than CsA. Indeed, our study also demonstrated the same. Alisporivir inhibited chloroquine-sensitive parasite growth with an IC50of 196.6nM. Alisporivir also inhibited the growth of chloroquine-resistant parasites with an IC50of 422.1nM. Alisporivir exhibited, anti-malarial activity inin vivo. Further, we exploited the Cyclophilins targeting potential of Alisporivir against artemisinin-resistant malaria parasite owing to the fact that PfCyP-19B is one of the genes that is overexpressed in artemisinin-resistant parasite revealed by a population transcriptomic study. Our semiquantitative real-time transcript and immunofluorescence analysis confirmed the overexpression of PfCyP-19B in Artemisinin-resistantP. falciparum(PfKelch13R539T). Artemisinin resistance is attributed to slow clearance of ring stage parasites. Ring survival assay (RSA) is designed to access the potency of compounds on these dormant slow clearing parasites leading to drug resistance. Thus, the potency of Alisporivir against PfKelch13R539Twas evaluated by RSA. A 2.5-fold decrease in parasite survival was detected with Alisporivir. Further, combination of Alisporivir with DHA found to potentiate the efficacy of DHA by 4.55-fold. These results support the hypothesis that targeting of resistance mechanism is a potential approach to deal with resistant parasite. Overall, this study demonstrates the rational reposition of Alisporivir against resistant malaria resistance.
The importance of non-pharmaceutical interventions during the COVID-19 vaccine rollout
Authors: Gozzi Nicolò , Bajardi Paolo , Perra Nicola
Published: January 2021

The promise of efficacious vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 is fulfilled and vaccination campaigns have started worldwide. However, the fight against the pandemic is far from over. Here, we propose an age-structured compartmental model to study the interplay of disease transmission, vaccines rollout, and behavioural dynamics. We investigate, via in-silico simulations, individual and societal behavioural changes, possibly induced by the start of the vaccination campaigns, and manifested as a relaxation in the adoption of non-pharmaceutical interventions. We explore different vaccine efficacy, vaccination rollout speeds, prioritization strategies, as well as multiple behavioural responses. We apply our model to six countries worldwide (Egypt, Peru, Serbia, Ukraine, Canada, and Italy) selected to sample diverse socio-demographic and socio-economic contexts. To isolate the effects of age-structures and contacts patterns from the particular pandemic history of each location, we first study the model considering the same hypothetical initial epidemic scenario in all countries. We then calibrate the model using real epidemiological and mobility data for the different countries. Our findings suggest that early relaxation of safe behaviours can jeopardize the benefits brought by the vaccine in the short term: a fast vaccine distribution and policies aimed at keeping high compliance of individual safe behaviours are key to mitigate disease resurgence.
Engineering neurovascular organoids with 3D printed microfluidic chips
Authors: Salmon Idris , Grebenyuk Sergei , Fattah Abdel Rahman Abdel , Rustandi Gregorius , Pilkington Thomas , Verfaillie Catherine , Ranga Adrian
Published: January 2021

The generation of tissues and organs requires close interaction with vasculature from the earliest moments of embryonic development. Tissue-specific organoids derived from pluripotent stem cells allow for the in vitro recapitulation of elements of embryonic development, however they are not intrinsically vascularized, which poses a major challenge for their sustained growth and for understanding the role of vasculature in fate specification and morphogenesis. Current organoid vascularization strategies do not recapitulate the temporal synchronization and spatial orientation needed to ensure in-vivo-like early co-development. Here, we developed a human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-based approach to generate organoids which interact with vascular cells in a spatially determined manner. The spatial interaction between organoid and vasculature is enabled by the use of a custom designed 3D printed microfluidic chip which allows for a sequential and developmentally matched co-culture system. We show that on-chip hPSC-derived pericytes and endothelial cells sprout and self-assemble into organized vascular networks, and use cerebral organoids as a model system to explore interactions with this de novo generated vasculature. Upon co-development, vascular cells interact with the cerebral organoid and form an integrated neurovascular organoid on chip. This 3D printing-based platform is designed to be compatible with any organoid system and is an easy and highly cost-effective way to vascularize organoids. The use of this platform, readily performed in any lab, could open new avenues for understanding and manipulating the co-development of tissue-specific organoids with vasculature.
Dependency of LKB1-inactivated lung cancer on aberrant CRTC-CREB activation
Authors: Zhou Xin , Li Jennifer W. , Chen Zirong , Ni Wei , Li Xuehui , Yang Rongqiang , Shen Huangxuan , Liu Jian , DeMayo Francesco J. , Lu Jianrong , Kaye Frederic J. , Wu Lizi
Published: January 2021

Lung cancer with loss-of-function of theLKB1tumor suppressor is a common aggressive subgroup with no effective therapies.LKB1-deficiency induces constitutive activation of cAMP/CREB-mediated transcription by a family of three CREB-regulated transcription coactivators (CRTC1-3). However, the significance and mechanism of CRTC activation in promoting the aggressive phenotype of LKB1-null cancer remain poorly characterized. Here we observed overlapping CRTC expression patterns and mild growth phenotypes of individual CRTC-knockouts in lung cancer, suggesting functional redundancy of CRTC1-3. We consequently designed a dominant-negative mutant (dnCRTC) to block all three CRTCs to bind and co-activate CREB. Expression of dnCRTC efficiently inhibited the aberrantly activated cAMP/CREB-mediated oncogenic transcriptional program induced by LKB1-deficiency, and specifically blocked the growth of LKB1-inactivated lung cancer. Collectively, this study provides direct proof for an essential role of the CRTC-CREB activation in promoting the malignant phenotypes of LKB1-null lung cancer and proposes the CRTC-CREB interaction interface as a novel therapeutic target.
Multiple Shoot Regeneration from Excised Embryonic Axis Explants of Jute,Corchorus capsulariscv. JRC321
Authors: Joshi Alpana , Das Subrata K. , Das Dipak
Published: January 2021

Interspecific hybrids development by traditional breeding is challenging because of the incompatibility between two cultivated species of genusCorchorus. Under this condition, plant genetic transformation is an alternative tool for the improvement of jute cultivar. In the present study,in vitromultiple shoot regeneration protocol has been developed in jute (Corchorus capsulariscv. JRC 321) from excised embryonic axis as an explant by removing cotyledons, radicle, and tip of epicotyl. The explant is cultured in medium SMM1 supplemented with BAP (1.0 mg/L) for one week and sub-cultured in SMM6 containing IBA (0.5 mg/L) and BAP (0.2 mg/L). Direct adventitious shoot bud formation was observed from cotyledonary nodes and the adjacent region of excised embryonic axis. Interestingly, shoot bud formation was reduced when excised explants with intact epicotyl were cultured in the media combination (SMM1+SMM6) indicating the presence of apical dominance might be the cause of fewer shoot bud formation. While, hypocotyl explants did not produce any shoot in this media combination because nodal meristem was removed. However, the shoot buds developed from the excised embryonic axis were differentiated successfully into multiple shoots and showed further elongation in SMM6 which ultimately rooted in MS-B5 medium (+0.5 mg/L IBA). The plants were transferred successfully in the glasshouse conditions and appeared phenotypically normal.
itsfm, an open-source package to reliably segment and measure sounds by frequency modulation
Authors: Beleyur Thejasvi
Published: January 2021

Analysing animal vocalisations in detail provides insights into the biomechanics, decision making and sensory processes behind their behaviours. Echolocating bats, and in particular, the CF-FM calls of high-duty cycle bats serve as a convenient model system to illustrate this point. The CF component in the CF-FM call is used for prey detection and the FM component is used in target ranging. According to the behavioural context at hand such as flight with conspecifics or prey capture, bats choose to increase the duration, intensity or spectral range of the components differently. Studying the call component alterations requires an objective methodology that first segments the components and then allows measurements on them. Studies till now have segmented the call components manually, or automatically using what I term the ‘peak-frequency’ method. Manual segmentation is error prone, while the ‘peak-frequency’ method requires on-axis recordings for good results. Despite multiple papers using a peak-frequency based segmentation, there remain no publicly available software implementations. itsfm is an open-source package that fills this gap with two implemntations that can segment CF-FM calls, one of them being an implementation of the peak-percentage method. itsfm additionally introduces the ‘pseudo-Wigner-Ville distribution’ (PWVD) method for call segmentation, thus allowing the segmentation of calls captured under a wider variety of recording conditions. I create a synthetic dataset and assess the performance of the PWVD method and the ‘peak-frequency’ method. The PWVD performs consistently well in call component segmentation in comparison to the peak-percentage method. I also discuss the supporting methods in the itsfm package that can help the further automatic segmentation, measurement and analysis of sounds. Though originally developed for the segmentation and measurement of CF-FM bat calls, the methods in itsfm are speciesagnostic, and may be used for vocalisations of any type.
Evolution of Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) as an escape from ecological niche conservatism in MalagasyBulbophyllum(Orchidaceae)
Authors: Gamisch Alexander , Klaus Winter , Fischer Gunter A. , Peter Comes Hans
Published: January 2021

Introductory paragraph

Despite growing evidence that niche shifts are more common in flowering plants than previously thought, still little is known about the key physiological (e.g. photosynthesis) traits underlying such niche shifts. To address this question, we here combine a comprehensively sampled phylogeny for mostly epiphytic MalagasyBulbophyllumorchids (c. 210 spp.) with climatic niche and carbon isotope-derived photosynthesis data to infer the groups’ spatial-temporal history and to test the role of Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM), a highly water-use efficient type of photosynthesis, in facilitating niche shifts and diversification. We find that most extant species still retain niche (Central Highland) and photosynthesis (C3) states as likely present in the single mid-Miocene (c.12.70 Ma) ancestor colonizing Madagascar. However, we also infer a major transition to CAM, linked to a late Miocene (c. 7.36 Ma) invasion of species from the sub-humid highland niche first into the island’s humid eastern coastal, and then into the seasonally dry ‘Northwest Sambirano’ rainforests, yet without significant effect on diversification rates. These findings support the rarely recognized hypothesis that CAM in tropical epiphytes may be selectively advantageous even in high rainfall habitats, rather than presenting a mere adaptation to dry environments or epiphytismper se. Overall, our study qualifies CAM as an evolutionary ‘gateway’ trait that considerably widened the spatial-ecological amplitude of Madagascar’s most species-rich orchid genus.
An Intrinsically Disordered Pathological Variant of the Prion Protein Y145Stop Transforms into Self-Templating Amyloids via Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation
Authors: Agarwal Aishwarya , Rai Sandeep K. , Avni Anamika , Mukhopadhyay Samrat
Published: January 2021

Biomolecular condensation via liquid-liquid phase separation of intrinsically disordered proteins/regions (IDPs/IDRs) along with other biomolecules is thought to govern critical cellular functions, whereas, aberrant phase transitions are associated with a range of deadly neurodegenerative diseases. Here we show, a naturally occurring pathological truncation variant of the prion protein (PrP) by a mutation of a tyrosine residue at 145 to a stop codon (Y145Stop) yielding a highly disordered N-terminal IDR that spontaneously phase-separates into liquid-like droplets. Phase separation of this N-terminal segment that is rich in positively charged and aromatic residues is promoted by the electrostatic screening and a multitude of other transient, intermolecular, noncovalent interactions. Single-droplet Raman measurements in conjunction with an array of bioinformatic, spectroscopic, microscopic, and mutagenesis studies revealed that the intrinsic disorder and dynamics are retained in the liquid-like condensates. Lower concentrations of RNA promote the phase transition of Y145Stop at low micromolar protein concentrations under physiological condition. Whereas, higher RNA to protein ratios inhibit condensation indicating the role of RNA in modulating the phase behavior of Y145Stop. Highly dynamic liquid-like droplets eventually transform into dynamically-arrested, ordered, β-rich, amyloid-like aggregates via liquid-to-solid transition upon aging. These amyloid-like aggregates formed via phase separation display the self-templating characteristic and are capable of recruiting and autocatalytically converting monomeric Y145Stop into amyloid fibrils. In contrast to this disease-associated intrinsically disordered Y145 truncated variant, the wild-type full-length PrP exhibited a much lower propensity for phase separation and liquid-to-solid maturation into amyloid-like aggregates hinting at a potentially crucial, chaperone-like, protecting role of the globular C-terminal domain that remains largely conserved in vertebrate evolution. Such an intriguing interplay in the modulation of the protein phase behavior will have much broader implications in cell physiology and disease.
Erythroid overproduction of erythroferrone causes iron overload and developmental abnormalities in mice
Authors: Coffey Richard , Jung Grace , Olivera Joseph D. , Karin Gabriel , Pereira Renata C. , Nemeth Elizabeta , Ganz Tomas
Published: January 2021

The hormone erythroferrone (ERFE) is produced by erythroid cells in response to hemorrhage, hypoxia or other erythropoietic stimuli, and suppresses the hepatic production of the iron-regulatory hormone hepcidin, thereby mobilizing iron for erythropoiesis. Suppression of hepcidin by ERFE is thought to be mediated by interference with paracrine BMP signaling that regulates hepcidin transcription in hepatocytes. In anemias with ineffective erythropoiesis, ERFE is pathologically overproduced but its contribution to the clinical manifestations of these anemias is not well understood. We generated three lines of transgenic mice with graded erythroid overexpression of ERFE and showed that they developed dose-dependent iron overload, impaired hepatic BMP signaling and relative hepcidin deficiency. These findings add to the evidence that ERFE is a mediator of iron overload in conditions where ERFE is overproduced, including anemias with ineffective erythropoiesis. At the highest levels of ERFE overexpression the mice manifested decreased perinatal survival, impaired growth, small hypofunctional kidneys, decreased gonadal fat depots and neurobehavioral abnormalities, all consistent with impaired organ-specific BMP signaling during development. Neutralizing excessive ERFE in congenital anemias with ineffective erythropoiesis may not only prevent iron overload but may have additional benefits for growth and development.

Key Points

Chronic erythroid overproduction of erythroferrone dose-dependently suppresses hepcidin, causing iron overload even in the absence of anemia

High level overexpression of erythroferrone can cause delayed growth, impaired kidney function and other developmental abnormalities consistent with altered BMP signaling
Transmission of one predicts another: Apathogenic proxies for transmission dynamics of a fatal virus
Authors: Gilbertson Marie L.J. , Fountain-Jones Nicholas M. , Malmberg Jennifer L. , Gagne Roderick B. , Lee Justin S. , Kraberger Simona , Kechejian Sarah , Petch Raegan , Chiu Elliott , Onorato Dave , Cunningham Mark W. , Crooks Kevin R. , Funk W. Chris , Carver Scott , VandeWoude Sue , VanderWaal Kimberly , Craft Meggan E.
Published: January 2021

Identifying drivers of transmission prior to an epidemic—especially of an emerging pathogen—is a formidable challenge for proactive disease management efforts. We tested a novel approach in the Florida panther, hypothesizing that apathogenic feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) transmission could predict transmission dynamics for pathogenic feline leukemia virus (FeLV). We derived a transmission network using FIV whole genome sequences, and used exponential random graph models to determine drivers structuring this network. We used these drivers to predict FeLV transmission pathways among panthers and compared predicted outbreak dynamics against empirical FeLV outbreak data. FIV transmission was primarily driven by panther age class and distances between panther home range centroids. Prospective FIV-based modeling predicted FeLV dynamics at least as well as simpler, often retrospective approaches, with evidence that FIV-based predictions captured the spatial structuring of the observed FeLV outbreak. Our finding that an apathogenic agent can predict transmission of an analogously transmitted pathogen is an innovative approach that warrants testing in other host-pathogen systems to determine generalizability. Use of such apathogenic agents holds promise for improving predictions of pathogen transmission in novel host populations, and could thereby provide new strategies for proactive pathogen management in human and animal systems.
Working memory relates to individual differences in speech category learning: Insights from computational modeling and pupillometry
Authors: McHaney Jacie R. , Tessmer Rachel , Roark Casey L. , Chandrasekaran Bharath
Published: January 2021

Across two experiments, we examine the relationship between individual differences in working memory (WM) and the acquisition of non-native speech categories in adulthood. While WM is associated with individual differences in a variety of learning tasks, successful acquisition of speech categories is argued to be contingent onWM-independentprocedural-learning mechanisms. Thus, the role of WM in speech category learning is unclear. In Experiment 1, we show that individuals with higher WM acquire non-native speech categories faster and to a greater extent than those with lower WM. In Experiment 2, we replicate these results and show that individuals with higher WM use more optimal, procedural-based learning strategies and demonstrate more distinct speech-evoked pupillary responses for correct relative to incorrect trials. We propose that higher WM may allow for greater stimulus-related attention, resulting in more robust representations and optimal learning strategies. We discuss implications for neurobiological models of speech category learning.
A mosquito small RNA genomics resource reveals dynamic evolution and host responses to viruses and transposons
Authors: Ma Qicheng , Srivastav Satyam P. , Gamez Stephanie , Dayama Gargi , Feitosa-Suntheimer Fabiana , Patterson Edward I. , Johnson Rebecca M. , Matson Erik M. , Gold Alexander S. , Brackney Douglas E. , Connor John H. , Colpitts Tonya M. , Hughes Grant L. , Rasgon Jason L. , Nolan Tony , Akbari Omar S. , Lau Nelson C.
Published: January 2021

Although mosquitoes are major transmission vectors for pathogenic arboviruses, viral infection has little impact on mosquito health. This immunity is caused in part by mosquito RNA interference (RNAi) pathways that generate antiviral small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs). RNAi also maintains genome integrity by potently repressing mosquito transposon activity in the germline and soma. However, viral and transposon small RNA regulatory pathways have not been systematically examined together in mosquitoes. Therefore, we developed an integrated mosquito small RNA genomics (MSRG) resource that analyzes the transposon and virus small RNA profiles in mosquito cell cultures and somatic and gonadal tissues across four medically important mosquito species. Our resource captures both somatic and gonadal small RNA expression profiles within mosquito cell cultures, and we report the evolutionary dynamics of a novel Mosquito-Conserved piRNA Cluster Locus (MCpiRCL) made up of satellite DNA repeats. In the larger culicine mosquito genomes we detected highly regular periodicity in piRNA biogenesis patterns coinciding with the expansion of Piwi pathway genes. Finally, our resource enables detection of cross talk between piRNA and siRNA populations in mosquito cells during a response to virus infection. The MSRG resource will aid efforts to dissect and combat the capacity of mosquitoes to tolerate and spread arboviruses.
Case series of elderly patients with scabies topically applied with ivermectin via whole‐body bathing
Authors: Komoda Masayo , Miyajima Atsushi , Koshino Machi , Akutsu Shunta , Yamada Mizuki , Ozeki Rie , Makigami Kuniko
Published: January 2021

As a novel method of ivermectin (IVM) administration for the treatment of scabies, we devised a whole‐body bathing (WBB), in which patients are immersed in a fluid that contains IVM. A multi‐institutional trial for elderly patients with scabies was conducted to investigate the efficacy and safety of IVM‐WBB. Seven elderly patients with scabies were enrolled and received IVM‐WBB up to four times at 1‐week interval. The cure for scabies was defined as the absence of mites in two consecutive microscopic or dermoscopic examinations at weekly intervals and the absence of new skin lesions indicative of scabies. Consequently, the cure rate on day 22, the primary end‐point, was 71.4%, and all patients had been cured until day 29. Additionally, neither significant adverse events nor clinically problematic abnormal blood test values were obtained. Furthermore, no IVM was detected in the optional plasma (five cases) collected for IVM measurement after bathing. These results suggest that IVM‐WBB was effective to treat scabies, causing no serious adverse events and with a very low internal exposure of IVM.
The PhenObs initiative: A standardised protocol for monitoring phenological responses to climate change using herbaceous plant species in botanical gardens
Authors: Nordt Birgit , Hensen Isabell , Bucher Solveig Franziska , Freiberg Martin , Primack Richard B. , Stevens Albert‐Dieter , Bonn Aletta , Wirth Christian , Jakubka Desiree , Plos Carolin , Sporbert Maria , Römermann Christine
Published: January 2021

Changes in phenology induced by climate change occur across the globe with important implications for ecosystem functioning and services, species performance and trophic interactions. Much of the work on phenology, especially leaf out and flowering, has been conducted on woody plant species. Less is known about the responses in phenology of herbaceous species induced by global change even though they represent a large and important part of biodiversity worldwide. A globally coordinated research effort is needed to understand the drivers and implications of such changes and to predict effects of global change on plant species phenology and related ecosystem processes.

Here, we present the rationale of the PhenObs initiative—botanical gardens as a global phenological observation network. The initiative aims to collect data on plant phenology in botanical gardens which will be used alongside information on plant traits and site conditions to answer questions related to the consequences of global change:

What is the variation in plant phenology in herbaceous species across the growing season and in response to changes in climate?

How can plant phenology be predicted from species’ trait composition, provenance, position and extent of the distribution range and species’ phylogeny?

What are the implications of this variation with respect to species performance and assembly, biotic interactions (e.g. plant–pollinator interactions) as well as ecosystem processes and services under changing land use and climate?

Here, we lay out the development of a straightforward protocol that is appropriate for monitoring phenology across a vast diversity of growth forms of herbaceous species from various habitats and geographical regions.

To focus on a key number of stages necessary to capture all aspects of plant species phenology, we analysed associations between 14 phenological stages. These data were derived from a 2‐year study on 199 species in four German botanical gardens.

Based on the relationships of the phenological stages, we propose to monitor three vegetative stages (‘initial growth’, ‘leaves unfolding’ and ‘senescence’) and two reproductive stages (‘flowers open’ and ‘ripe fruits’) to fully capture herbaceous species phenology.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Barrier Behaviour Analysis (BaBA) reveals extensive effects of fencing on wide‐ranging ungulates
Authors: Xu Wenjing , Dejid Nandintsetseg , Herrmann Valentine , Sawyer Hall , Middleton Arthur D.
Published: January 2021

As human activities expand globally, there is a growing need to identify and mitigate barriers to animal movements. Fencing is a pervasive human modification of the landscape that can impede the movements of wide‐ranging animals. Previous research has largely focused on whether fences block movements altogether, but a more nuanced understanding of animals' behavioural responses to fences may be critical for examining the ecological consequences and prioritizing conservation interventions.

We developed a spatial‐ and temporal‐explicit approach, Barrier Behaviour Analysis (BaBA, available as an r package), to examine individual‐level behaviours in response to linear barriers. BaBA classifies animal‐barrier encounters into six behaviour categories: quick cross, average movement, bounce, back‐and‐forth, trace and trapped. We applied BaBA to wide‐ranging female pronghorn Antilocapra americana and mule deer Odocoileus hemionus in an area of western Wyoming, USA, with >6,000 km of fencing.

We found both species were extensively affected by fences, with nearly 40% of fence encounters altering their normal movements, though pronghorn were more strongly affected than mule deer. On average, an individual pronghorn encountered fences 250 times a year—twice the encounter rate of mule deer. Pronghorn were more likely to bounce away from fences, whereas deer engaged in more back‐and‐forth, trace and average movement near fences.

We aggregated these behavioural responses to demonstrate how BaBA can be used to examine species‐specific fencing permeability and to identify problematic fence segments in order to guide fence modification or removal.

Synthesis and applications. Our work provides empirical evidence on how fences affect wildlife movement. Importantly, Barrier Behaviour Analysis (BaBA) can be applied to evaluate other linear features (such as roads, railways and pipelines) and habitat edges, enhancing our ability to understand and mitigate widespread barrier effects to animal movement.
Fungal root endophytes influence plants in a species‐specific manner that depends on plant's growth stage
Authors: Geisen Stefan , ten Hooven Freddy C. , Kostenko Olga , Snoek L. Basten , van der Putten Wim H.
Published: January 2021

The mycobiome (fungal microbiome) influences plants—from seed germination to full maturation. While many studies on fungal‐plant interaction studies have focused on known mutualistic and pathogenic fungi, the functional role of ubiquitous endophytic fungi remains little explored.

We examined how root‐inhabiting fungi (endophytes) influence range‐expanding plant species. We isolated endophytes from three European intra‐continental range‐expanders and three congenerics that are native both in the range expander's original (southern Europe) and new (northern Europe) range. To standardize our collection, endophytes were obtained from all six plant species growing under controlled conditions in northern (new range of the range expander) and southern (native range of the range expander) soils. We cultivated, molecularly identified and tested the effects of all isolates on seed germination, and growth of seedlings and older plants.

Most of the 34 isolates could not be functionally characterized based on their taxonomic identity and literature information on functions. Endophytes affected plant growth in a plant species–endophyte‐specific manner, but overall differed between range‐expanders and natives. While endophytes reduced germination and growth of range‐expanders compared to natives, they reduced seedling growth of natives more than of range‐expanders.

Synthesis. We conclude that endophytic fungi have a direct effect on plant growth in a plant growth stage‐dependent manner. While these effects differed between range expanders and natives, the effect strength and significance varied among the plant genera included in the present study. Nevertheless, endophytes likely influence the establishment of newly arriving plants and influence vegetation dynamics.
Rethinking the impact of GDP on financial development: Evidence from heterogeneous panels
Authors: Ehigiamusoe Kizito Uyi , Guptan Vinitha , Narayanan Suresh
Published: January 2021

This paper examines the nonlinear impact of real GDP per capita on financial development in a panel of 125 countries. It also determines the moderating effect of inflation on the impact of GDP on financial development. It employs the dynamic panel system generalized method of moments (GMM) and the dynamic common correlated effects (CCE) to do both panel and country‐specific analysis, as well as control for cross‐sectional dependence, heterogeneity and endogeneity. This study shows that GDP has a positive impact on financial development in the entire panel. However, when we split the panel into different income groups, we find a positive impact in the high‐ and middle‐income groups while the impact is insignificant in the low income group. Although we find no evidence of a nonlinear impact of GDP on financial development in the panel, the country‐specific analysis reveals a significant nonlinear relationship between GDP and financial development in 73 countries. We also show that inflation adversely moderates the positive impact of GDP on financial development in middle‐income countries. This study implies that the relationship between GDP and financial development depends on the levels of GDP and inflation rate. We recommend some policy options based on the findings.
The More the Merrier? Diversity and Private Equity Performance
Authors: Hammer Benjamin , Pettkus Silke , Schweizer Denis , Wünsche Norbert
Published: January 2021

This paper explores how diversity among lead partner teams (LPTs) of private equity (PE) funds affects buyout performance. We argue that there is a trade‐off between the ‘bright side’ of diversity (i.e. improved decision‐making due to a broader set of perspectives) and the ‘dark side’ (i.e. deteriorated decision‐making due to a potential for clashes and a lack of cooperation). Our theoretical framework suggests that the net effect on performance depends on whether LPTs are diverse in socio‐demographic or occupational aspects. To test this hypothesis, we develop a comprehensive index that measures LPT diversity along six dimensions. Using a sample of 241 buyouts and 547 involved PE partners, we find that higher scores in the socio‐demographic component (gender, age, nationality) are associated with higher deal returns and multiple expansions. The opposite is true for higher scores in the occupational component (professional experience, educational background, university affiliation). Further results suggest that the ‘bright side’ of diversity gets relatively more important in case of complex buyouts and uncertain deal environments.
Recovery from Covid‐19 towards a low‐carbon economy: a role for accounting technologies in designing, implementing and assessing stimulus packages
Authors: Bui Binh , de Villiers Charl
Published: January 2021

Accounting technologies can be used to help stimulus packages achieve the twin goals of economic stimulus and climate mitigation. Utilising an institutional logic perspective, we show that despite the massive financial consequences of climate change, the current climate response is dominated by the economising logic that justifies limited action. Further, despite its strong potential, accounting technologies are not extensively used in the design of stimulus packages. We develop a framework to explicitly integrate accounting technologies in the design, delivery and review of stimulus packages, thereby simultaneously enabling economic growth and social equity whilst addressing the climate crisis.
Developmental biology and seasonal phenology of Aacanthocnema dobsoni (Hemiptera: Triozidae) and the influence of climate‐mediated changes in body size on vibrational signals
Authors: Lubanga Umar K , Taylor Gary S , Steinbauer Martin J
Published: January 2021

The biology and seasonal phenology of Aacanthocnema dobsoni (Froggatt) were studied at a single site in Victoria over a 2 year period between 2013 and 2015. This species is monophagous on the dioecious host, Allocasuarina verticillata (Lam.) L. Johnson (Casuarinaceae). Laboratory studies found that females attained reproductive maturity 24 h post‐eclosion, lived for 28.6 ± 2.8 (mean ± SE) days and laid 182 ± 23 (mean ± SE) eggs each. Egg development was most rapid at 26 °C, ceased below 7 °C and above 33 °C; hatching required 188 degree‐days. Nymphs could not be reared to adulthood on excised host branchlets maintained under controlled conditions, so no developmental data were obtained for these life stages. Seasonal phenology data revealed pronounced developmental asynchrony, i.e. with overlapping generations and multiple life stages occurring simultaneously. Three generations per year were observed, and there was no evidence of either developmental (egg and nymph) or reproductive diapause. A 4 day heat wave in January 2014 drastically reduced psyllid abundance at the study site and the size of the adults that eclosed from the surviving nymphs. These smaller adults produced substrate‐borne vibrational signals with altered characteristics, i.e. with significantly higher intensities and power. The altered signals might have facilitated communication over longer distances and increased mate finding opportunities when populations were low. The abundance of adults had recovered to preheat wave levels 3 months after the heat wave. High fecundity, multivoltinism and effective mate attraction signalling are life history traits that may mitigate against localised extinction of populations as a consequence of extreme weather events.
Loose glass tesserae and lost decorations: chronology and production of mosaics from Gerasa's Northwest Quarter*
Authors: Boschetti C. , Lichtenberger A. , Raja R. , Wootton W. , Schibille N.
Published: January 2021

Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS) analyses of loose glass tesserae from the Northwest Quarter of Gerasa/Jerash has enhanced our understanding of the dynamics regulating the production and circulation of glass tesserae in second‐ to eighth‐centuries ce Jordan and the diachronic development of mosaics at the site. The identification of Levantine and Egyptian compositions (Roman‐Mn, Levantine I, HIMT, Foy 2.1) proves the continuous production of mosaics from the second to the seventh centuries. The Levantine I tesserae were made by the recycling and colouring of glass cullet. The gilded tesserae, in contrast, were all of an Egyptian base glass, likely illustrating the import of finished tesserae.
Prevention programmes for children of parents with a mood/anxiety disorder: Systematic review of existing programmes and meta‐analysis of their efficacy
Authors: Havinga Petra J. , Maciejewski Dominique F. , Hartman Catharina A. , Hillegers Manon H.J. , Schoevers Robert A. , Penninx Brenda W.J.H.
Published: January 2021

Objectives

To systematically describe the characteristics and techniques of prevention programmes for children of parents with mood/anxiety disorders. In addition, recruitment approaches and difficulties were identified and a meta‐analysis was conducted to examine the efficacy of these prevention programmes.

Methods

Randomized controlled trials assessing the efficacy of a prevention programme for children (6–25 years) of parents with mood and/or anxiety disorders were included. A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, PsychINFO, and CENTRAL from the earliest record to March 2019. In addition, programme manuals of identified prevention programmes were requested for a content analysis.

Results

Twenty‐two articles containing eight unique prevention programmes involving 1,325 subjects were identified. Programmes varied in the number and types of techniques, but all provided psychoeducation. Results suggested that recruitment via clinicians was more successful than recruitment via health maintenance organization databases. In a meta‐analysis, a significant risk difference was found in favour of prevention programmes on the risk of developing a depressive/anxiety disorder in offspring at short‐term (9–18 months follow‐up; RR = 0.37, 95% CI [0.21; 0.66]) and long‐term follow‐up (24 months or longer follow‐up; RR = 0.71, 95% CI [0.57; 0.87] and on symptom levels in offspring at post‐intervention (SMD = −0.19, 95% CI [−0.36; −0.02]) and at 12‐months follow‐up (SMD = −0.31, 95% CI [−0.57; −0.06]).

Conclusions

The prevention programmes combined psychoeducational elements with skills training and/or cognitive‐behavioural therapy elements. The recruitment process and the content of these programmes are sometimes insufficiently described. Nevertheless, they appear to be effective, indicating a need to further examine how these programmes exactly work and for whom.

Practitioner points

Preventive interventions for children of parents with mood/anxiety disorders appear to be effective in preventing these disorders in offspring.

Available preventive intervention programmes focus mostly on psychoeducation, cognitive‐behavioural therapy, and family processes.

More effort should be made into describing preventive interventions so that they can be easily implemented by practitioners.

Studies should further examine why and for whom preventive interventions for children of parents with mood/anxiety disorders are effective.
Eltrombopag added to immunosuppression for children with treatment‐naïve severe aplastic anaemia
Authors: Groarke Emma M. , Patel Bhavisha A. , Gutierrez‐Rodrigues Fernanda , Rios Olga , Lotter Jennifer , Baldoni Daniela , St. Pierre Annie , Shalhoub Ruba , Wu Colin O. , Townsley Danielle M. , Young Neal S.
Published: January 2021

Acquired severe aplastic anaemia (SAA) has an immune pathogenesis, and immunosuppressive therapy (IST) with anti‐thymocyte globulin and cyclosporine is effective therapy. Eltrombopag (EPAG) added to standard IST was associated with higher overall and complete response rates in patients with treatment‐naïve SAA compared to a historical IST cohort. We performed a paediatric subgroup analysis of this trial including all patients aged <18 years who received EPAG plus standard IST (n = 40 patients) compared to a historical cohort (n = 87) who received IST alone. Response, relapse, clonal evolution, event‐free survival (EFS), and overall survival were assessed. There was no significant difference in either the overall response rate (ORR) or complete response rate at 6 months (ORR 70% in EPAG group, 72% in historical group, P = 0·78). Adults (≥18 years) had a significantly improved ORR of 82% with EPAG compared to 58% historically (P < 0·001). Younger children had lower response rates than did adolescents. The trend towards relapse was higher and EFS significantly lower in children who received EPAG compared to IST alone. Addition of EPAG added to standard IST did not improve outcomes in children with treatment‐naïve SAA. EPAG in the paediatric population should not automatically be considered standard of care. Registration: clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01623167).
Digital transformation: What we have learned (thus far) and what is next
Authors: Schneider Sabrina , Kokshagina Olga
Published: January 2021

There is certainly a lot of discussion about digital technologies, their transformative nature, and their potentially disruptive impact on business and society. The number of publications on digital technologies and their impact on business and management have risen dramatically. This paper's main objective is to draw attention to practical and research‐related views on what we know and what we still need to learn about business and management in the digital era. We do so by combining the insights obtained from interviews with senior managers in charge of their firm's digital transformation activities in 2017 with the results of a systematic literature review covering a decade of practice‐oriented, academic literature on the impact of digital technologies. We identify the challenges that firms face at the beginning of their digital transformation efforts and summarize the managerial guidance offered by 242 publications over the years, 133 of which have been published since 2017. Based on the analysis conducted, we discuss the emerging solutions for a number of the key challenges identified in 2017, flag the remaining ones, and identify new themes that require attention. This leads us to propose an agenda for future, practice‐oriented research on digital transformation.
A Mixed‐Methods Longitudinal Investigation of Mothers’ Disclosure of HIV to Their Children
Authors: Goodrum Nada M. , Masyn Katherine E. , Armistead Lisa P. , Avina Ivette , Schulte Marya , Marelich William , Murphy Debra A.
Published: January 2021

Mothers living with HIV (MLH) must navigate disclosing their serostatus to their children, but the longitudinal impact on families remains unknown. This study examined HIV disclosure, parenting, parenting stress, and child adjustment among 174 MLH‐child dyads (aged 6–14; 35% Latinx; 57% Black/African American). Quantitative data were collected over four waves spanning 15 months. Qualitative data were collected with 14 families in which disclosure had occurred. Latent change score modeling revealed that disclosure led to improvements in parenting stress, communication, and relationship quality. Disclosure did not predict child adjustment. Qualitative themes contextualized these findings, revealing stability and improvements in family functioning. MLH should be supported in disclosing their serostatus to their children to minimize parenting stress and bolster parenting skills.