bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ex Vivo Perfusion With Methylprednisolone Attenuates Brain Death-induced Lung Injury in Rats
Authors: van Zanden Judith E. , Leuvenink Henri G.D. , Verschuuren Erik A.M. , Veldhuis Zwanida J. , Ottens Petra J. , Erasmus Michiel E. , Hottenrott Maximilia C.
Published: March 2021

Background.

The onset of brain death (BD) leads to the deterioration of potential donor lungs. Methylprednisolone is considered to increase lung oxygenation capacity and enhance the procurement yield of donor lungs, when applied in situ, during donor management. However, whether BD-induced lung damage is ameliorated upon treatment with methylprednisolone during acellular ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP), remains unknown. We aimed to investigate whether the quality of lungs from brain-dead donors improves upon methylprednisolone treatment during EVLP.

Methods.

Rat lungs were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 experimental groups (n = 8/group): (1) healthy, directly procured lungs subjected to EVLP; (2) lungs from brain-dead rats subjected to cold storage and EVLP; and (3) lungs from brain-dead rats subjected to cold storage and EVLP with 40 mg methylprednisolone added to the perfusate. Ventilation and perfusion parameters, histology, edema formation, metabolic profile, and inflammatory status of lungs were investigated.

Results.

Methylprednisolone treated lungs from brain-dead donors improved positive inspiratory pressures needed to maintain tidal volumes of 7 mL/kg of body weight, which was 25.6 ± 5.8 cm H2O in untreated lungs and 18.0 ± 3.0 cm H2O in methylprednisolone treated lungs, after 6 h EVLP. Furthermore, dynamic lung compliance increased upon methylprednisolone treatment, with values of 0.11 ± 0.05 mL/cm H2O versus 0.18 ± 0.04 mL/cm H2O after 6 h of EVLP. Methylprednisolone treatment ameliorated the amount of lung edema, as corroborated by a reduction of 0.7 in the wet/dry ratio. Although glucose consumption levels were comparable, the BD-induced cumulative lactate production decreased from 0.44 ± 0.26 to 0.11 ± 0.16 mmol/L upon methylprednisolone treatment. Finally, BD-induced inflammatory status was reduced upon methylprednisolone treatment compared to untreated lungs from brain-dead donors, as reflected by lower proinflammatory gene expression levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and MCP-1, and IL-6 perfusate levels.

Conclusions.

We showed that methylprednisolone treatment during EVLP attenuates BD-induced lung injury.
Relation of medication adherence to cognitive functions in egyptian patients with bipolar I disorder
Authors: Khalil Afaf Hamed , El Shahawi Heba Hamed , Abdelgawad Ahmed Saber , Abdeen Mai SeifElDin , El Serafi Doha Mustafa , Khalil Sherien Ahmed
Published: March 2021

Nonadherence to medication regimens is frequently reported in bipolar I disorder (BDI) patients. However, little is known about the relationship between cognitive functions and adherence in BDI. To establish possible associations between medication adherence and cognitive function in patients with BDI. A total of 110 inpatients with BDI were subjected to the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorder, Morisky 8-Item Medication Adherence Scale, Young Mania Rating Scale, Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised, Wechsler memory scale (WMS) and Wisconsin card sorting test (WCST). Patients were assessed on admission and followed up 6 months after discharge. Six months after discharge, (58.2%) of patients were nonadherent to their medications. The nonadherent group were younger males with less years of education, with lower mean scores in information orientation and visual memory backward domains of WMS and lower mean scores in perseveration responses, perseveration errors and learning to learn domains of WCST. In logistic regression analysis, younger age and impaired information orientation domain of WMS were putative predictors of nonadherence. Episodic memory and younger age were the strongest patients’ related factors associated with nonadherence to medication. These results suggest that rehabilitation of specific cognitive skills may improve adherence in BDI.
Jeotgalicoccus meleagridis sp. nov. isolated from bioaerosol from emissions of a turkey fattening plant and reclassification of Jeotgalicoccus halophilus Liu et al. 2011 as a later heterotypic synonym of Jeotgalicoccus aerolatus Martin et al. 2011
Authors: Kämpfer Peter , Busse Hans-Jürgen , Glaeser Stefanie P. , Clermont Dominique , Criscuolo Alexis , Mietke Henriette
Published: March 2021

A Gram-stain-positive, non-motile, non-spore-forming, coccus (strain Do 184T) was isolated from exhaust air of a turkey fattening plant on mannitol salt agar. The strain shared high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to the type strains of

Jeotgalicoccus aerolatus

(98.0%) followed by

Jeotgalicoccus marinus

(97.2%) and

Jeotgalicoccus huakuii

(97.1%). All other 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to species of the genus

Jeotgalicoccus

were below 97%. The average nucleotide identities (ANI) between the Do 184T genome assembly and the ones of type strains of species of the genus

Jeotgalicoccus

were far below the 95% species delineation cutoff value, ranging from 79.47% (

J. marinus

DSM 19772T) to 75.30% (

J. pinnipedialis

CIP 107946T). The quinone system of Do 184T, the polar lipid profile, the polyamine pattern and the fatty acid profile were in congruence with those reported for other species of the genus

Jeotgalicoccus

and thus supported the affiliation of Do 184T to this genus. Do 184T represents a novel species, for which the name Jeotgalicoccus meleagridis sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain Do 184T (=LMG 31100T=CCM 8918T=CIP 111649T). In addition, data on genome sequences of

Jeotgalicoccus halophilus

C1-52T
=CGMCC 1.8911T=NBRC 105788T and

Jeotgalicoccus aerolatus

MPA-33T=CCM 7679T=CCUG 57953T=DSM 22420T=CIP 111750T indicate that both isolates represent the same species. Pairwise ANI between the genomes of these two strains lead to similarities of 98.98–99.05 %. These results indicate that these strains represent members of the same species. Due to priority of publication it is proposed that

Jeotgalicoccus halophilus

is reclassified as

Jeotgalicoccus aerolatus

.
S-acylation controls SARS-Cov-2 membrane lipid organization and enhances infectivity
Authors: Mesquita Francisco S. , Abrami Laurence , Sergeeva Oksana , Turelli Priscilla , Kunz Béatrice , Raclot Charlène , Montoya Jonathan Paz , Abriata Luciano A. , Peraro Matteo Dal , Trono Didier , D’Angelo Giovanni , van der Goot F. Gisou
Published: March 2021

SARS-CoV-2 virions are surrounded by a lipid bilayer which contains membrane proteins such as Spike, responsible for target-cell binding and virus fusion, the envelope protein E and the accessory protein Orf3a. Here, we show that during SARS-CoV-2 infection, all three proteins become lipid modified, through action of the S-acyltransferase ZDHHC20. Particularly striking is the rapid acylation of Spike on 10 cytosolic cysteines within the ER and Golgi. Using a combination of computational, lipidomics and biochemical approaches, we show that this massive lipidation controls Spike biogenesis and degradation, and drives the formation of localized ordered cholesterol and sphingolipid rich lipid nanodomains, in the early Golgi where viral budding occurs. ZDHHC20-mediated acylation allows the formation of viruses with enhanced fusion capacity and overall infectivity. Our study points towards S-acylating enzymes and lipid biosynthesis enzymes as novel therapeutic anti-viral targets.
Seasonal occurrence of Japanese pygmy octopusOctopus parvusin the intertidal zone
Authors: Yamate Yuta , Ohya Takumi , Wada Toshifumi , Takegaki Takeshi
Published: March 2021

The Japanese pygmy octopusOctopus parvusis a small octopus that occurs commonly along the coast of southern Japan, and is caught using traditional fishing methods. To date, however, there have been no studies on the ecology of this species. In this study, we investigated the annual seasonal occurrence ofO. parvusin the intertidal zone of Fukue Island, Nagasaki, Japan, and examined the growth, maturation, and feeding habits of this octopus. We accordingly found that the octopus inhabits the intertidal zone of the study site from August to January, during which time it appears to move from the high to low intertidal zone, and subsequently migrates to the subtidal zone. During low tide at night in the intertidal zone, we observed that the octopuses actively captured and fed on prey, such as fish, crabs, hermit crabs, shrimp, snails, and bivalves. Both males and females were found to be characterized by similar body sizes and growth, although gonadal development occurs relatively earlier in males. However, any mating or brooding behaviors were not observed during the course of the study. Our observations thus indicate thatO. parvususes intertidal zones as feeding grounds for rapid growth and maturation, and may thereafter move to the subtidal zone for spawning.
An update to the LIFEtime-perspective CardioVascular Disease (LIFE-CVD) model for prediction of individualized lifetime benefit from cardiovascular risk factor management in apparently healthy people
Authors: de Vries Tamar I. , Jaspers Nicole E.M. , Visseren Frank L.J. , Dorresteijn Jannick A.N.
Published: March 2021

Introduction

The previously developed LIFEtime-perspective CardioVascular Disease (LIFE-CVD) model can be used to predict lifetime cardiovascular disease risk, CVD-free life expectancy, and lifetime benefit from cardiovascular risk factor treatment in apparently healthy people aged 45 to 80 years. However, there was an unmet need to be able to apply the model in patients younger than 45 years, and to accurately estimate treatment effects in patients with a life expectancy exceeding 90 years.

Aim

Update the LIFE-CVD model to enable application of the model in people aged 35 to 89 years, and to allow more accurate estimation of treatment effects in patients with a life expectancy exceeding 90 years.

Methods

The study was conducted using data from the same studies as were used for derivation and validation of the original model, including the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) cohort, Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study (ARIC) cohort, and the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer-Netherlands (EPIC-NL) and EPIC-Norfolk cohort studies. Age-specific baseline survivals were smoothed by predicting the progression of baseline survivals with age, using a local polynomial regression function and a exponential function for CVD, and non-CVD mortality baseline survivals respectively. Using these functions, baseline survivals were then extrapolated to the age range of 35 to 100 years. External validation using the newly updated baseline survivals was performed.

Results

Performance of the updated model was not dissimilar from the original model, with C-statistics for discrimination ranging from 0.70-0.76 in the external study populations. Calibration plots showed a good agreement between predicted and observed 10-year CVD risks. Estimation of treatment effects in patients with a life expectancy exceeding 90 years was improved.

Conclusion

This update of the LIFE-CVD model improves the clinical usability of the model by increasing the age range and improving the method of estimation of lifetime treatment effects.
Epiblast morphogenesis is controlled by selective mRNA decay triggered by LIN28A relocation
Authors: Modic Miha , de Los Mozos Igor Ruiz , Steinhauser Sebastian , van Genderen Emiel , Schirge Silvia , Bergant Valter , Ryan Joel , Mulholland Christopher B , Faraway Rupert , Lee Flora C Y , Klobučar Tajda , Merl-Pham Juliane , Hauck Stephanie M , Drukker Micha , Bultmann Sebastian , Leonhardt Heinrich , Lickert Heiko , Luscombe Nicholas M , ten Berge Derk , Ule Jernej
Published: March 2021

The embryonic progression from naïve to primed pluripotency is accompanied by the rapid decay of pluripotency-associated mRNAs and a concomitant radical morphogenetic sequence of epiblast polarization, rosette formation and lumenogenesis. The mechanisms triggering and linking these events remain poorly understood. Guided by machine learning and metabolic RNA sequencing, we identified RNA binding proteins (RBPs), especially LIN28A, as primary mRNA decay factors. Using mRNA-RBP interactome capture, we revealed a dramatic increase in LIN28A mRNA binding during the naïve-rosette-primed pluripotency transition, driven by its nucleolar-to-cytoplasmic translocation. Cytoplasmic LIN28A binds to 3’UTRs of pluripotency-associated mRNAs to directly stimulate their decay and drive lumenogenesis. Accordingly, forced nuclear retention of LIN28A impeded lumenogenesis, impaired gastrulation, and caused an unforeseen embryonic multiplication. Selective mRNA decay, driven by nucleo-cytoplasmic RBP translocation, therefore acts as an intrinsic mechanism linking cell identity switches to the control of embryonic growth and morphogenesis.
Gel-like inclusions of C-terminal fragments of TDP-43 sequester and inhibit proteasomes in neurons
Authors: Riemenschneider Henrick , Guo Qiang , Bader Jakob , Frottin Frédéric , Farny Daniel , Kleinberger Gernot , Haass Christian , Mann Matthias , Hartl F. Ulrich , Baumeister Wolfgang , Hipp Mark S. , Meissner Felix , Fernandez-Busnadiego Ruben , Edbauer Dieter
Published: March 2021

TDP-43 inclusions enriched in C-terminal fragments of ~25kDa (“TDP-25”) are associated with neurodegeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Here, we analyzed gain-of-function mechanisms of TDP-25 combining cryo-electron tomography, proteomics and functional assays. TDP-25 inclusions are amorphous with gel-like biophysical properties and sequester proteasomes adopting exclusively substrate-processing conformations. This leads to proteostasis impairment, further enhanced by pathogenic mutations. These findings bolster the importance of proteasome dysfunction in ALS/FTD.
A structure-derived mechanism reveals how capping protein promotes nucleation in branched actin networks
Authors: Funk Johanna , Merino Felipe , Schaks Matthias , Rottner Klemens , Raunser Stefan , Bieling Peter
Published: March 2021

Heterodimeric capping protein (CP/CapZ) is an essential factor for the assembly of branched actin networks, which push against cellular membranes to drive a large variety of cellular processes. Aside from terminating filament growth, CP stimulates the nucleation of actin filaments by the Arp2/3 complex in branched actin networks through an unclear mechanism. Here, we report the structure of capped actin filament barbed ends, which reveals how CP not only prevents filament elongation, but also controls access to both terminal filament subunits. In addition to its primary binding site that blocks the penultimate subunit, we find that the CP sterically occludes the central interaction site of the terminal actin protomer through one of its C-terminal “tentacle” extensions. Deletion of this β tentacle only modestly impairs capping. However in the context of a growing branched actin network, its removal potently inhibits nucleation promoting factors (NPFs) by tethering them to capped filament ends. End tethering of NPFs prevents their loading with actin monomers required for activation of the Arp2/3 complex and thus strongly inhibits branched network assembly both in cells and reconstituted motility assays. Our results mechanistically explain how CP couples two opposed processes –capping and nucleation– in branched actin network assembly.
Evaluation of substrate composition and exogenous hormone application on vegetative propagule rooting success of essential oil hemp (Cannabis sativaL.)
Authors: Campbell S.M. , Anderson S.L. , Brym Z. , Pearson B.J.
Published: March 2021

To support the rapidly expanding industrial hemp industry, a commercial supply of high-quality starter plants with low genetic variability from nurseries will be key to consistent and efficient cultivation efforts. Rooting success was evaluated across four propagation medias, five rooting hormones, and eight commercially available high-cannabidiol (CBD) essential oil hemp cultivars. Cuttings were placed in a climate-controlled room and assessed for rooting success 12 days after cloning. Rooting success was determined by quantifying total root number, cumulative total root length, and total root mass. Propagation media had the greatest effect on rooting success (13-80 %). Rockwool had the highest rooting success resulting in 10-fold increases in rooting traits over the next highest scoring medium (Berger BM6). Hormone applications significantly improved (15-to 18-fold) rooting success compared to no hormone application, while non-statistical differences were observed across auxin hormone concentrations and application methods. Genetic variation in rooting response was observed between cultivars with ‘Cherry Wine’ outperforming all other cultivars with an approximate 20% increase in rooting success over the next highest rooting cultivar, ‘Wife’. Although the ideal combination was not specifically identified in this study, findings provide insight into how rooting hormone application and medium selection impact vegetative propagule rooting success of essential oil hemp.
Prolonged development of long-term potentiation at lateral entorhinal cortex synapses onto adult-born neurons
Authors: Vyleta Nicholas P. , Snyder Jason S
Published: March 2021

Critical period plasticity at adult-born neuron synapses is widely believed to contribute to the learning and memory functions of the hippocampus. Experience regulates circuit integration and for a transient interval, until cells are ~6 weeks old, new neurons display enhanced long-term potentiation (LTP) at afferent and efferent synapses. Since neurogenesis declines substantially with age, this raises questions about the extent of lasting plasticity offered by adult-born neurons. Notably, however, the hippocampus receives sensory information from two major cortical pathways. Broadly speaking, the medial entorhinal cortex conveys spatial information to the hippocampus via the medial perforant path (MPP), and the lateral entorhinal cortex, via the lateral perforant path (LPP), codes for the cues and items that make experiences unique. While enhanced critical period plasticity at MPP synapses is relatively well characterized, no studies have examined long-term plasticity at LPP synapses onto adult-born neurons, even though the lateral entorhinal cortex is uniquely vulnerable to aging and Alzheimer’s pathology. We therefore investigated LTP at LPP inputs both within (4-6 weeks) and beyond (8+weeks) the traditional critical period. At immature stages, adult-born neurons did not undergo significant LTP at LPP synapses, and often displayed long-term depression after theta burst stimulation. However, over the course of 3-4 months, adult-born neurons displayed increasingly greater amounts of LTP. Analyses of short-term plasticity point towards a presynaptic mechanism, where transmitter release probability declines as cells mature, providing a greater dynamic range for strengthening synapses. Collectively, our findings identify a novel form of new neuron plasticity that develops over an extended interval, and may therefore be relevant for maintaining cognitive function in aging.
Arpin regulates migration persistence by interacting with both tankyrases and the Arp2/3 complex
Authors: Simanov Gleb , Dang Irene , Fokin Artem I. , Oguievetskaia Ksenia , Campanacci Valérie , Cherfils Jacqueline , Gautreau Alexis M.
Published: March 2021

During cell migration, protrusion of the leading edge is driven by the polymerization of Arp2/3-dependent branched actin networks. Migration persistence is negatively regulated by the Arp2/3 inhibitory protein Arpin. To better understand Arpin regulation in the cell, we looked for interacting partners and identified both Tankyrase 1 and 2 (TNKS) using a yeast two hybrid screen and co-immunoprecipitation with full-length Arpin as a bait. Arpin interacts with ankyrin repeats of TNKS through a C-terminal binding site on its acidic tail overlapping with the Arp2/3 binding site. To uncouple the interactions of Arpin with TNKS and Arp2/3, we introduced point mutations in the Arpin tail and attempted to rescue the increased persistence of the Arpin knock-out using random plasmid integration or compensating knock-in at theARPINlocus. Arpin mutations impairing either Arp2/3- or TNKS-interaction were insufficient to fully abolish Arpin activity. Only the mutation that affects both interactions rendered Arpin completely inactive, suggesting the existence of two independent pathways, by which Arpin controls migration persistence. Arpin was found to dissolve liquid-liquid phase separation of TNKS upon overexpression. Together these data suggest that TNKS might be mediating the function of Arpin rather than regulating Arpin.
Factors-driven comparison between BIM-based and traditional 2D quantity takeoff in construction cost estimation
Authors: Wahab Abdul , Wang Jun
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Quantity Takeoff (QTO) is an integral part of the decision-making process. Currently, QTO is mostly done using manual or 2D method, and practitioners are considering the use of BIM quantity takeoff as an effective alternative to the traditional 2D software takeoff. However, the existing literature does not have adequate studies to confirm that the use of BIM-based QTO is better than the 2D method. Therefore, this paper aims to expand and improve the existing literature into a more detailed analysis of each element to investigate that BIM is indeed a better option of the two QTO methods.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 19 factors in four broad categories, i.e. timely decision making, accuracy, collaboration, and level of details were identified to draw a significant comparison between the two procedures, i.e. BIM-based quantity takeoff and traditional 2D takeoff. Surveys and case study are used to collect data for analysis to achieve the research goals.

Findings

The questionnaire survey showed that using BIM for the QTO process has significant benefits in achieving higher productivity on takeoff, accuracy, clarity and collaboration among the team members. The case study results also showed improvement in BIM-based QTO by achieving higher accuracy and productivity.

Originality/value

Understanding the difference between the two QTO processes is a challenging task; therefore, this paper contributes to drawing a comparison line between the two processes by introducing the factors that affect the QTO process.
Antecedents of small business financial performance: the role of human resource management practices and strategy
Authors: Chinyamurindi Willie , Kyogabiirwe Janatti Bagorogoza , Kabagabe Jolly Byarugaba , Mafabi Samuel , Dywili MTutuzeli
Published: March 2021

Purpose

There is noted emphasis on the role of small businesses as conduits for economic development especially in emerging economies. Given this, there is need for constantly seeking for ways to assist small businesses achieve success. Calls exist in the literature to investigate the combined role that strategy and human resource management practices can play leading to efforts of financial success.

Design/methodology/approach

A structured questionnaire was utilised and data collected from 401 small businesses operating in the Eastern Province of South Africa. Pearson product–moment correlation and hierarchical regression were used in the data analysis.

Findings

The results confirm that a direct relationship exists between strategy and financial performance. Further, the relationship is made significant only through the mediation effect of human resource management practices.

Practical implications

To fully realise the enactment of strategy within small businesses there is need to pay attention to the role that human resource management practices may potentially have on financial performance. Small business owner-managers need to ground their strategies with sound human resource management practices. Through this, firm financial performance can be attained.

Originality/value

The paper sheds light and presents a model that illustrates the mediating role of human resource management practices on the relationship between strategy and financial performance.
Health literacy and mental health of school principals. Results from a German cross-sectional survey
Authors: Dadaczynski Kevin , Kotarski Claudia , Rathmann Katharina , Okan Orkan
Published: March 2021

Purpose

School principals are generally seen as key facilitators for the delivery and long-term implementation of activities on school health promotion, including health literacy. However, there is little evidence on the health literacy and health status of this occupational group. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the health literacy of school principals and its association with mental health indicators.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional online survey with German school principals and members of the management board (vice principals) was conducted (n = 680, 68.3% female). Demographic (gender, age) and work characteristics (type of school, professional role) as well as health literacy served as independent variables. Mental health as a dependent variable included well-being, emotional exhaustion and psychosomatic complaints. Next to uni- and bivariate analysis, a series of binary logistic regression models was performed.

Findings

Of the respondents, 29.2% showed a limited health literacy with significant differences to the disadvantage of male principals. With regard to mental health, respondents aged over 60 years and those from schools for children with special educational needs were less often affected by low well-being as well as frequent emotional exhaustion and psychosomatic complaints. Taking into account demographic and work characteristics, regression models revealed significant associations between a low level of health literacy and poor mental health across all indicators.

Research limitations/implications

The cross-sectional nature of this study does not allow to draw conclusions about the causal pathways between health literacy and mental health. Although the sample has been weighted, the results cannot be generalized to the whole population of school principals. There is a need for evidence-based interventions aiming at promoting health literacy and mental health tailored to the needs of school principals.

Originality/value

This is the first study to investigate health literacy and its association with health indicators among school principals.
The role of perceived value of entrepreneurial identity in growth motivation
Authors: Prasastyoga Bramesada , Harinck Fieke , van Leeuwen Esther
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Three studies aimed to investigate the role of perceived value of entrepreneurial identity (i.e. one's evaluation of the worthiness of one's entrepreneurial role) in the relationship between motives for entrepreneurship and business growth motivation among small-business owners.

Design/methodology/approach

Two studies were conducted online (Studies 1 and 2) and one study in the field in Indonesia (Study 3); both employed a cross-sectional design with a mixed correlational and experimental approach.

Findings

Opportunity-based entrepreneurship, but not necessity-based entrepreneurship, was positively associated with perceived value of entrepreneurial identity. Perceived value of entrepreneurial identity was a positive predictor of future time perspective and growth-pursuit intentions. Study 2 further showed the potential of increasing the salience of both personal and others' positive views of one's business for increasing one's perceived value of their entrepreneurial identity.

Research limitations/implications

The investigation of perceived value of entrepreneurial identity in this paper extends current knowledge regarding the mechanism through which motives for entrepreneurship predict business growth motivation.

Practical implications

The paper provides practitioners and policy-makers with useful insights into the importance of small-business owners' perceived value of entrepreneurial identity for business growth motivation, and offers suggestions on how to increase it.

Originality/value

The paper sheds light on the important role of perceived value of entrepreneurial identity in explaining the association between motives for entrepreneurship and business growth motivation.
Estimating the economic return to education in Ghana: a gender-based perspective
Authors: Asravor Richard Kofi
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The increasing rate at which individuals, especially, females in Ghana are seeking higher education calls for an estimation of the returns to schooling and education in Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employs the Mincer equation to a representative cross-sectional micro-data from Ghana using OLS and instrumental variable (IV) methodologies. The paper uses spouse's education as instruments in the IV estimation.

Findings

Return to schooling was found to be higher for females than males, likewise, membership of an old student associations and location of the household. Returns to education increases as the level of education rises whilst the rate of returns initially increases but fall as labour market experience rises. The study also found that the rates of return to education were higher for Christian, followed by Muslim and believers of other lesser-known religion in Ghana.

Research limitations/implications

Return to schooling was found to be higher for females than males. Likewise, individuals who are members of an old student association and are in urban areas were found to have a higher return to schooling than individuals who are not members of an old student association and are in rural areas. Returns to education increases as the level of education rises whilst the rate of returns initially increases but fall as labour market experience rises. The study also found that the rates of return to education were higher for Christian, followed by Muslim and believers of other lesser-known religion in Ghana.

Practical implications

Wage determination process is different for males and females, across religion and residency. The higher returns to schooling for females imply education is a good investment for women and girls and should be a development priority.

Social implications

The higher returns to schooling for females imply an investment in girl's education should be a development priority.

Originality/value

The paper extends the existing literature by focussing on the role of religion, old student's association (alma mater) and gender on the differential earning returns to schooling.
Intra-household distribution of resources and income poverty and inequality in Visegrád countries
Authors: Fialová Kamila , Mysíková Martina
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The authors aim to demonstrate the impact of allowing for unequal intra-household distribution of resources on income poverty and income inequality.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper applies a collective consumption model to study the intra-household distribution of resources in Visegrád countries (V4). It utilises subjective financial satisfaction as a proxy for indirect utility from individual consumption to estimate the indifference scales within couples instead of the traditional equivalence scale. The European Union Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC) 2013 and 2018 data are applied.

Findings

This study’s results indicate substantial economies of scale from living in a couple that are generally higher than implied by the commonly applied equivalence scale. The sharing rule estimates suggest that at the mean of distribution factors, women receive a consumption share between 0.4 and 0.6; however, some of the results are close to an equal sharing of 0.5. The female consumption share rises with her contribution to household income. Regarding income poverty and inequality, the authors show that both these measures might be underestimated in the traditional approach to equal sharing of resources.

Originality/value

The authors add to the empirics by estimating indifference scales for Czechia (CZ), Hungary (HU), Poland (PL) and Slovakia (SK), countries that have not been involved in previous research.
Behavioral study of social media followers of a music event: a case study of a Chinese music festival
Authors: Chen Yunxi , Lei Weng Si (Clara)
Published: March 2021

Purpose

With the increasing importance of social media in promoting events, understanding the relationship between event followers' motivations and their behaviors on an event's social media platform becomes a key success factor to attract event-goers. Previous studies on exploring the relationship between social media and event attendees have concentrated mostly on a Western context social media, for example, Facebook, and Western festivals; studies concerning the East or China are scant. This study uses the Strawberry Music Festival in China as a case study and researches its two official social media platforms: WeChat and Weibo.

Design/methodology/approach

The research explores the hedonic and utilitarian motivation of social media followers and investigates followers' browsing and participation behaviors as well as the influence of their usage behaviors on intentions to attend an event. A total of 190 valid responses were collected through an online questionnaire from social media followers of the music festival.

Findings

The findings reveal that both utilitarian and hedonic motivation have significant effects on browsing and participation behaviors. More importantly, browsing and participation behaviors also affect the intentions to attend an event and the electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) effect.

Practical implications

The research results provide practical insights for event organizers regarding potential event-goers' usage patterns on social media platforms and their intention to visit events.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the authors’ understanding of the relationship between event attendance and social media behavior, in particular of the East.
Rare plant species are at a disadvantage when both herbivory and pollination interactions are considered in an alpine meadow
Authors: Xi Xinqiang , Zhou Wenlong , Li Zhao , Hu Lei , Dong Yuran , Niklas Karl J. , Sun Shucun
Published: March 2021

Rare plant species often suffer less damage than common species because of positive density‐dependent herbivory, and it has been suggested that this ‘rare species advantage’ fosters plant species coexistence. However, it is unknown whether rare species have an advantage when pollination interactions are also considered.

We hypothesized that a ‘positive density‐dependent pollination success’ across plant species would result in common plants experiencing higher seed set rates compared to rare species, and that positive density‐dependent effects would negate or even override the positive density‐dependent damage due to herbivory resulting in higher seed loss rates in common plant species.

We tested this hypothesis by concurrently examining a plant–predispersal seed predator system and a plant–pollinator system for 24 Asteraceae species growing in an alpine meadow community (Sichuan Province, China). Having previously reported a positive density‐dependent effect on seed loss rates due to seed predators, we here focus on the density‐dependent effects on pollination success by investigating pollinator species richness, visitation frequencies and seed set rates for each plant species. We also estimated the seed output rate of each plant species as the product of seed set rate and the rate of surviving seeds (i.e. 1 − the seed loss rate).

Consistent with our hypothesis, a positive density‐dependent effect was observed for pollinator species richness, visitation frequencies and seed set rates across plant species. Moreover, the positive effect overrode the negative density‐dependent effect of herbivores on seed production, such that common species tended to have a higher seed output rate than rare species (i.e. we observed a ‘rare species disadvantage’).

These results indicate that the low seed output rate of rare species might result from a pollination limitation, and that both mutualistic and antagonistic interactions should be examined simultaneously to fully understand plant species coexistence in local communities.
Chronic pain in parturients with an accidental dural puncture: A case‐controlled prospective observational study
Authors: Binyamin Yair , Heesen Philip , Orbach‐Zinger Sharon , Gozal Yaacov , Halimi David , Frenkel Amit , Ioscovich Alexander
Published: March 2021

Background

We set out to examine incidence of chronic headache and back pain in women with PDPH after accidental dural puncture during labor.

Methods

Chronic headache, backache, and disability were assessed 18‐24 months postpartum. Women with PDPH treated with epidural blood patch (PDPH‐EBP) were identified and matched with women who had a PDPH without epidural blood patch (PDPH‐no EBP), with women with uncomplicated epidural analgesia and with women without epidural analgesia. Our primary outcome was incidence of chronic headache and backache. Secondary outcome was the effect of epidural blood patch on chronic pain development. We used Chi‐square or Fisher's exact test to calculate odds ratios.

Results

There was no statistically significant difference in demographic characteristics between groups. In the no epidural group, no women reported chronic headache and 2/116 (1.7%) reported chronic backache. In the uncomplicated epidural group, no women reported chronic headache and 7/116 (6.0%) reported chronic backache. In the PDPH‐no EBP group, 9/56 (16.1%) women reported chronic headache and 10/56 (17.9%) reported chronic backache. In the PDPH‐EBP group, 12/59 (20.3%) had chronic headache and 14/59 (23.7%) had chronic backache. No women in the no epidural or uncomplicated epidural group reported disability (chronic pain score of 3 or 4). High disability was reported by 8.9% of women in the PDPH‐no EBP group and by 8.4% in the PDPH‐EBP group.

Conclusion

Women with PDPH had a high incidence of chronic headache, back pain, and disability. We did not find a statistically significant difference in chronic pain development between conservatively treated and EBP‐treated patients.
Stand boundary effects on obligate seeding Eucalyptus delegatensis regeneration and fuel dynamics following high and low severity fire: Implications for species resilience to recurrent fire
Authors: Gale Matthew G. , Cary Geoffrey J.
Published: March 2021

Increased fire frequency can result in a decline of obligate seeding plants, which rely on re‐seeding for population persistence following canopy scorching fire. The resilience of obligate seeding plants to fire at any point in time depends on plant maturity and the size of plants in relation to potential fire scorch height. We investigated variation in the resilience of post‐fire regenerating Eucalyptus delegatensis subsp. delegatensis (alpine ash) to a short inter‐fire interval at its boundaries with E. fastigata (brown barrel) stands. The resilience of post‐fire E. delegatensis regeneration was modelled across these stand boundaries as a function of the height of the plants, their reproductive maturity and predicted fire behaviour derived from local fuel characteristics. We measured these attributes 14 years following the Canberra 2003 wildfires and stratified study sites by fire severity. The height and reproductive maturity of post‐fire E. delegatensis saplings decreased at stand boundaries with E. fastigata, while fuel was uniformly abundant and capable of supporting canopy scorching fire under mild fire weather conditions. This suggests that E. delegatensis is less resilient to frequent fire in the presence of interspecific competition and other environmental conditions that occur at stand boundaries, which represent the edge of the species’ realised niche. With forecasts for increased fire frequency in south eastern Australia, persistence of E. delegatensis may be greatest in pure stands corresponding to the core of the species’ realised niche, and in moist and sheltered topographic areas that are less prone to frequent canopy scorching fire. Our findings suggest the importance of considering fine‐scale spatial variation in important obligate seeding plant traits when predicting and managing the response of obligate seeding species to frequent fire.
How weather affects the decomposition of total factor productivity in U.S. agriculture
Authors: Plastina Alejandro , Lence Sergio H. , Ortiz‐Bobea Ariel
Published: March 2021

This study illustrates and quantifies how overlooking the impact of weather shocks can affect the measurement and decomposition of agricultural total factor productivity (TFP) change. The underlying technology is represented by a flexible input distance function with quasi‐fixed inputs estimated with Bayesian methods. Using agricultural production and weather data for 16 states in the Pacific Region, Central Region, and Southern Plains of the United States, we estimate TFP change as the direct sum of multiple components, including a net weather effect. To assess the role of weather, we conduct a comparative analysis based on two distinct sets of input and output variables. A traditional set of variables that ignore weather variations, and a new set of “weather‐filtered” variables that represent input and output levels that would have been chosen under average weather conditions. From this comparative analysis, we derive biases in the decomposition of TFP growth from the omission of weather shocks. We find that weather shocks accelerated productivity growth in 12 out of 16 states by the equivalent of 11.4% of their group‐average TFP growth, but slowed down productivity by the equivalent of 6.5% of the group‐average TFP growth in the other four states (located in the Northern‐most part of the country). We also find substantial biases in the estimated contribution of technical change, scale effects, technical efficiency change, and output allocation effects to TFP growth (varying in magnitude and direction across regions) when weather effects are excluded from the model. This is the first study to present estimates of those biases based on a counterfactual analysis. One major implication from our study is that the official USDA's measures of TFP change would appear to overestimate the rate of productivity growth in U.S. agriculture stemming from technical change, market forces, agricultural policies, and other nonweather drivers.
Short versions of the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) among widowed older people in Taiwan: Comparing their psychometric properties
Authors: Li Yueh‐Ping , Lin Chung‐Ying , Hu Fang‐Wen , Shih Samuel A.
Published: March 2021

Objective

To compare the psychometric properties of different short versions of the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) among community‐dwelling widowed older people.

Methods

A cross‐sectional design was conducted between February 2018 and August 2019 in southern Taiwan (n = 330). The GDS short versions included Hoyl et al’s 5‐item version, Molloy et al’s 5‐item version and van Marwijk et al’s 4‐item version.

Results

All GDS short versions had satisfactory internal consistency (α = 0.83‐0.90), with strong item loading embedded in the same construct of depression (0.43‐0.72). The activity of daily living (ADL) scores had strong associations with van Marwijk et al’s 4‐item version (absolute standardised coefficient [|β|] = 0.15‐0.59), Hoyl et al’s 5‐item version (|β| = 0.16‐0.45) and Molloy et al’s 4‐item version (|β| = 0.09‐0.40).

Conclusions

Hoyl et al’s 5‐item version was found to be more suitable than the other two versions of the GDS to assess the precise construct of depression. Meanwhile, van Marwijk et al’s 4‐item version can be used when the focus is on ADL performance. However, the conclusion should be interpreted with caution since the results were derived only from a widowed population in Taiwan. More research on this topic among other populations is thus needed to corroborate our conclusion.
To seed, or not to seed? An endogenous labor supply approach in a simple overlapping generation economy
Authors: Desmarchelier David , Mayol Alexandre
Published: March 2021

Within this paper, we develop a simple overlapping generations model with a renewable resource (forest) in the spirit of Koskela et al. (2002). Seeding activities (more broadly, forestry) are introduced in the form of a domestic production as well as a joy‐of‐giving bequest motive regarding the resource. In this simple framework, we show that altruism always guarantee a positive resource level at the steady state. However, studying the dynamics, we point out that the stability of the steady state crucially depends upon both altruism and forestry productivity: under low forestry productivity the steady state is always stable, while under high forestry productivity two period cycles (flip bifurcation) can emerge near the steady state if and only if altruism is sufficiently high which raises the question of resource preservation and leads to the conclusion that the road to hell is paved with good intentions.
Region‐specific preservation of Purkinje cell morphology and motor behavior in the ATXN1[82Q] mouse model of spinocerebellar ataxia 1
Authors: White Joshua J. , Bosman Laurens W. J. , Blot Francois G. C. , Osório Catarina , Kuppens Bram W. , Krijnen Wilhelmina H. J. J. , Andriessen Charlotte , De Zeeuw Chris I. , Jaarsma Dick , Schonewille Martijn
Published: March 2021

Purkinje cells are the primary processing units of the cerebellar cortex and display molecular heterogeneity that aligns with differences in physiological properties, projection patterns, and susceptibility to disease. In particular, multiple mouse models that feature Purkinje cell degeneration are characterized by incomplete and patterned Purkinje cell degeneration, suggestive of relative sparing of Purkinje cell subpopulations, such as those expressing Aldolase C/zebrinII (AldoC) or residing in the vestibulo‐cerebellum. Here, we investigated a well‐characterized Purkinje cell‐specific mouse model for spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1) that expresses human ATXN1 with a polyQ expansion (82Q). Our pathological analysis confirms previous findings that Purkinje cells of the vestibulo‐cerebellum, i.e., the flocculonodular lobes, and crus I are relatively spared from key pathological hallmarks: somatodendritic atrophy, and the appearance of p62/SQSTM1‐positive inclusions. However, immunohistological analysis of transgene expression revealed that spared Purkinje cells do not express mutant ATXN1 protein, indicating the sparing of Purkinje cells can be explained by an absence of transgene expression. Additionally, we found that Purkinje cells in other cerebellar lobules that typically express AldoC, not only display severe pathology but also show loss of AldoC expression. The relatively preserved flocculonodular lobes and crus I showed a substantial fraction of Purkinje cells that expressed the mutant protein and displayed pathology as well as loss of AldoC expression. Despite considerable pathology in these lobules, behavioral analyses demonstrated a relative sparing of related functions, suggestive of sufficient functional cerebellar reserve. Together, the data indicate that mutant ATXN1 affects both AldoC‐positive and AldoC‐negative Purkinje cells and disrupts normal parasagittal AldoC expression in Purkinje cells. Our results show that, in a mouse model otherwise characterized by widespread Purkinje cell degeneration, sparing of specific subpopulations is sufficient to maintain normal performance of specific behaviors within the context of the functional, modular map of the cerebellum.