bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficacy and safety of intensified versus standard prophylactic anticoagulation therapy in patients with Covid-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wills Nicola K , Nair Nikhil , Patel Kashyap , Sikder Omaike , Adriaanse Marguerite , Eikelboom John , Wasserman Sean
Published: March 2022

Background

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) have reported inconsistent effects from intensified anticoagulation on clinical outcomes in Covid-19. We performed an aggregate data meta-analysis from available trials to quantify effect on non-fatal and fatal outcomes and identify subgroups who may benefit.

Methods

We searched multiple databases for RCTs comparing intensified (intermediate or therapeutic dose) versus standard prophylactic dose anticoagulation in adults with laboratory-confirmed Covid-19 through 19 January 2022. The primary efficacy outcome was all-cause mortality at end of follow-up or discharge. We used random effects meta-analysis to estimate pooled risk ratios for mortality, thrombotic, and bleeding events, and performed subgroup analysis for clinical setting and dose of intensified anticoagulation.

Results

Eleven RCTs were included (n = 5873). Intensified anticoagulation was not associated with a reduction in mortality for up to 45 days compared with prophylactic anticoagulation: 17.5% (501/2861) died in the intensified anticoagulation group and 18.8% (513/2734) died in the prophylactic anticoagulation group, relative risk (RR) 0.93; 95%CI, 0.79 – 1.10. On subgroup analysis, there was a possible signal of mortality reduction for inpatients admitted to general wards, although with low precision and high heterogeneity (5 studies; RR 0.84; 95% CI, 0.49 - 1.44; I2 = 75%) and not significantly different to studies performed in the ICU (interaction P = 0.51). Risk of venous thromboembolism was reduced with intensified anticoagulation compared with prophylaxis (8 studies; RR 0.53, 95%CI 0.41 – 0.69; I2 = 0%). This effect was driven by therapeutic rather than intermediate dosing on subgroup analysis (interaction P =0.04). Major bleeding was increased with use of intensified anticoagulation (RR 1.73, 95% CI 1.17 – 2.56) with no interaction for dosing and clinical setting.

Conclusion

Intensified anticoagulation has no effect on short term mortality among hospitalised adults with Covid-19 and is associated with increased risk of bleeding. The observed reduction in venous thromboembolism risk and trend towards reduced mortality in non-ICU hospitalised patients requires exploration in additional RCTs.

In this aggregate data meta-analysis, use of intensified anticoagulation had no effect on short term mortality among hospitalised adults with Covid-19 and was associated with increased risk of bleeding.
Angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2): Virus accomplice or host defender
Authors: Wang Jiyan , Chang Hongkai , Qiao Yaya , Sun Huanran , Li Xichuan , Yuan Shuofeng , Zhang Shuai , Shan Changliang
Published: March 2022

The current coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) caused by the acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has seriously disrupted the daily life of human, mainly attributed to the fact that we know too little about SARS-CoV-2. Increasing studies show that viral infection alters host cells glucose metabolism, which is crucial for viral nucleic acid replication. Here, we integrated RNA-sequencing results and found that SARS-CoV-2 infection alters the aerobic glycolysis, pentose phosphate pathway (oxiPPP), and DNA replication in lung tissues and cells. However, the direction of metabolic flux and DNA replication were dominated by angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), a host cell-expressed viral receptor protein. More interesting, although hosts with high expression of ACE2 are more likely to be infected with SARS-CoV-2, the invading virus cannot perform nucleic acid replication well due to the restriction of glucose metabolism, and eventually resulting prolonged infection-cycle or infection failure. Our findings, after a typical epidemiological investigation and modeling analysis, preliminarily explain the reasons for the emergence of asymptomatic infections or lower copy virus at early stage in host with higher ACE2 levels, which will provide important help for the development of more accurate and effective detection methods for diagnosing COVID-19.

Graphical abstract
Belgian endive-derived biostimulants promote shoot and root growth in vitro
Authors: Ogunsanya Halimat Yewande , Motti Pierfrancesco , Li Jing , Trinh Hoang Khai , Xu Lin , Bernaert Nathalie , Van Droogenbroeck Bart , Murvanidze Nino , Werbrouck Stefaan , Mangelinckx Sven , Ramirez Aldana , Geelen Danny
Published: March 2022

Recovering biostimulant compounds from by-products of crops is a promising strategy to add value, enhance sustainability, and increase the environmental safety of the agricultural production chain. Here, we report consistent root and shoot growth-stimulating bioactivity present in water-based extracts from Belgian endive forced roots (Cichorium intybus var. foliosum) over two consecutive harvest years. The shoot and the primary root of in vitro cultivated Arabidopsis thaliana treated with Belgian endive extract were about 30% increased in size compared to plants grown under control conditions. The ornamental species Plectranthus esculentus also showed enhanced in vitro shoot and root growth, suggesting bioactivity on a broad range of species. Fractionation of the Belgian endive extracts into aqueous and organic subfractions coupled with bio-activity measurements showed that the principal root and shoot growth-promoting ingredients are primarily water-soluble. NMR-based characterization of the bioactive aqueous fractions revealed the presence of pre-dominantly sugars and organic acids. Malate and sugars were abundant and common to all water fractions, suggesting these molecules contributed to the growth stimulation phenotype. The findings indicate that Belgian endive roots are a source for the development of organic waste-derived biostimulants with potential for application in tissue culture and putatively for soil-grown crop production.
Enhanced cultured diversity of the mouse gut microbiota enables custom-made synthetic communities
Authors: Afrizal Afrizal , Jennings Susan A. V. , Hitch Thomas C. A. , Riedel Thomas , Basic Marijana , Panyot Atscharah , Treichel Nicole , Hager Fabian T. , Brück Ramona , Wong Erin Oi-Yan , von Strempel Alexandra , Eberl Claudia , Buhl Eva M. , Abt Birte , Bleich André , Tolba René , Navarre William W. , Kiessling Fabian , Horz Hans-Peter , Torow Natalia , Cerovic Vuk , Stecher Bärbel , Strowig Till , Overmann Jörg , Clavel Thomas
Published: March 2022

Microbiome research is hampered by the fact that many bacteria are still unknown and by the lack of publicly available isolates. Fundamental and clinical research is in need of comprehensive and well-curated repositories of cultured bacteria from the intestine of mammalian hosts. In this work, we expanded the mouse intestinal bacterial collection (www.dsmz.de/miBC) to 212 strains, all publicly available and taxonomically described. This includes the study of strain-level diversity, small-sized bacteria, and the isolation and characterization of the first cultured members of one novel family, 10 novel genera, and 39 novel species. We demonstrate the value of this collection by performing two studies. First, metagenome-educated design allowed establishing custom synthetic communities (SYNs) that reflect different susceptibilities to DSS-induced colitis. Second, nine phylogenetically and functionally diverse species were used to amend the Oligo-Mouse Microbiota (OMM)12 model [Brugiroux et al. 2016 Nat Microbiol]. These strains compensated for differences observed between gnotobiotic OMM12 and specific pathogen-free (SPF) mice at multiple levels, including body composition and immune cell populations (e.g., T-cell subtypes) in the intestine and associated lymphoid tissues. Ready-to-use OMM stocks are available to the community for use in future studies. In conclusion, this work improves our knowledge of gut microbiota diversity in mice and enables functional studies via the modular use of isolates.
A short ERAP2 that binds IRAP is expressed in macrophages independently from gene variation
Authors: Mattorre Benedetta , Caristi Silvana , Donato Simona , Volpe Emilia , Faiella Marika , Paiardini Alessandro , Sorrentino Rosa , Paladini Fabiana
Published: March 2022

The M1 zinc metalloproteases ERAP1, ERAP2 and IRAP play a role in HLA-I antigen presentation by refining the peptidome either in the ER (ERAP1 and ERAP2) or in the endosomes (IRAP). They have been also entrusted with other, although less defined, functions such as the regulation of the angiotensin system and blood pressure. In humans, ERAP1 and IRAP are commonly expressed. ERAP2 instead has evolved under balancing selection that maintains two haplotypes one of which undergoing RNA splicing leading to nonsense-mediated decay and loss of protein. Hence, likewise in rodents in which the ERAP2 gene is missing, about a quarter of the human population does not express ERAP2. We report here that macrophages, but not monocytes or other mononuclear blood cells, express and secrete an ERAP2 shorter form independently from the haplotype. The generation of this “short” ERAP2 is due to an autocatalytic cleavage within a distinctive structural motif and requires an acidic microenvironment. Remarkably, ERAP2 “short” binds IRAP and the two molecules are co-expressed in the endosomes as well as in the cell membrane. Of note, the same phenomenon could be observed in some cancer cells. These data prompt to reconsider the role of ERAP2 which might have been maintained in humans because fulfilling a relevant function as “short” form in specialized cells.
Cell-cell metabolite exchange creates a pro-survival metabolic environment that extends lifespan
Authors: Correia-Melo Clara , Kamrad Stephan , Messner Christoph B. , Tengölics Roland , Herrera-Dominguez Lucía , Townsend St John , Alam Mohammad Tauqeer , Freiwald Anja , Campbell Kate , Aulakh Simran , Szyrwiel Lukasz , Yu Jason S. L. , Zelezniak Aleksej , Demichev Vadim , Muelleder Michael , Papp Balázs , Ralser Markus
Published: March 2022

Metabolism is fundamentally intertwined with the ageing process. We here report that a key determinant of cellular lifespan is not only nutrient supply and intracellular metabolism, but also metabolite exchange interactions that occur between cells. Studying chronological ageing in yeast, we observed that metabolites exported by young, exponentially growing, cells are re- imported during the stationary phase when cells age chronologically, indicating the existence of cross-generational metabolic interactions. We then used self-establishing metabolically cooperating communities (SeMeCos) to boost cell-cell metabolic interactions and observed a significant lifespan extension. A search for the underlying mechanisms, coupling SeMeCos, metabolic profiling, proteomics and genome-scale metabolic modelling, attributed a specific role to methionine consumer cells. These cells were enriched over time, adopted glycolytic metabolism and increased export of protective metabolites. Glycerol, in particular, accumulated in the communal metabolic environment and extended the lifespan of all cells in the community in a paracrine fashion. Our results hence establish metabolite exchange interactions as a determinant of the ageing process and show that metabolically cooperating cells shape their metabolic environment to achieve lifespan extension.
Candidates for Drug Repurposing to Address the Cognitive Symptoms in Schizophrenia
Authors: Koch Elise , Kauppi Karolina , Chen Chi-Hua
Published: March 2022

In the protein-protein interactome, we have previously identified a significant overlap between schizophrenia risk genes and genes associated with cognitive performance. Here, we further studied this overlap to identify potential candidate drugs for repurposing to treat the cognitive symptoms in schizophrenia. We first defined a cognition-related schizophrenia interactome from network propagation analyses, and identified drugs known to target more than one protein within this network. Thereafter, we used gene expression data to further select drugs that could counteract schizophrenia-associated gene expression perturbations. Additionally, we stratified these analyses by sex to identify sex-specific pharmacological treatment options for the cognitive symptoms in schizophrenia. After excluding drugs contraindicated in schizophrenia, we identified eight drug candidates, most of which have anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects. Due to gene expression differences in male and female patients, four of those drugs were also selected in our male-specific analyses, and the other four in the female-specific analyses. Based on our bioinformatics analyses of disease genetics, we suggest eight candidate drugs that warrant further examination for repurposing to treat the cognitive symptoms in schizophrenia, and suggest that these symptoms could be addressed by sex-specific pharmacological treatment options.
Surface interaction patches link non-specific binding and phase separation of antibodies
Authors: Ausserwöger Hannes , Krainer Georg , Welsh Timothy J. , Sneideris Tomas , Schneider Matthias M. , Invernizzi Gaetano , Herling Therese W. , Lorenzen Nikolai , Knowles Tuomas P. J.
Published: March 2022

Non-specificity is a key challenge in the successful development of therapeutic antibodies. The tendency for non-specific binding in antibodies is often difficult to reduce via judicious design and, instead, it is necessary to rely on comprehensive screening campaigns. A better understanding of the molecular origins that drive antibody non-specificity is therefore highly desirable in order to prevent non-specific off-target binding. Here, we perform a systematic analysis of the impact of surface patch properties on antibody non-specificity using a designer antibody library as a model system and DNA as a non-specificity ligand. Using an in solution microfluidics approach, we discover patches of surface hydrogen bonding to be causative of the observed non-specificity under physiological salt conditions and suggest them to be a vital addition to the molecular origins of non-specificity. Moreover, we find that a change in formulation conditions leads to DNA-induced antibody liquid–liquid phase separation as a manifestation of antibody non-specificity. We show that this behaviour is driven by a cooperative electrostatic network assembly mechanism enabled by mutations that yield a positively charged surface patch. Together, our study provides a direct link between molecular binding events and macroscopic liquid–liquid phase separation. These findings highlight a delicate balance between surface interaction patches and their crucial role in conferring antibody non-specificity.
Global phylogeography of marine Synechococcus in coastal areas reveals strikingly different communities than in the open ocean
Authors: Doré Hugo , Leconte Jade , Guyet Ulysse , Breton Solène , Farrant Gregory K. , Demory David , Ratin Morgane , Hoebeke Mark , Corre Erwan , Pitt Frances D. , Ostrowski Martin , Scanlan David J. , Partensky Frédéric , Six Christophe , Garczarek Laurence
Published: March 2022

Marine Synechococcus comprise a numerically and ecologically prominent phytoplankton group, playing a major role in both carbon cycling and trophic networks in all oceanic regions except in the polar oceans. Despite their high abundance in coastal areas, our knowledge of Synechococcus communities in these environments is based on only a few local studies. Here, we use the global metagenome dataset of the Ocean Sampling Day (June 21st 2014) to get a snapshot of the taxonomic composition of coastal Synechococcus communities worldwide, by recruitment on a reference database of 141 picocyanobacterial genomes, representative of the whole Prochlorococcus, Synechococcus and Cyanobium diversity. This allowed us to unravel drastic community shifts over small to medium scale gradients of environmental factors, in particular along European coasts. The combined analysis of the phylogeography of natural populations and the thermophysiological characterization of eight strains, representative of the four major Synechococcus lineages (clades I to IV), also brought novel insights about the differential niche partitioning of clades I and IV, which most often co-dominate the Synechococcus community in cold and temperate coastal areas. Altogether, this study tackles the main differences between open-ocean and coastal communities worldwide.
Excitatory and inhibitory D-serine binding to the NMDA receptor
Authors: Yovanno Remy A. , Chou Tsung Han , Brantley Sarah J. , Furukawa Hiro , Lau Albert Y.
Published: March 2022

N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) uniquely require binding of two different neurotransmitter agonists for synaptic transmission. D-serine and glycine bind to one subunit, GluN1, while glutamate binds to the other, GluN2. These agonists bind to the receptor’s bi-lobed ligand-binding domains (LBDs), which close around the agonist during receptor activation. To better understand the unexplored mechanisms by which D-serine contributes to receptor activation, we performed multi-microsecond molecular dynamics simulations of the GluN1/GluN2A LBD dimer with free D-serine and glutamate agonists. Surprisingly, we observed D-serine binding to both GluN1 and GluN2A LBDs, suggesting that D-serine competes with glutamate for binding to GluN2A. This mechanism is confirmed by our electrophysiology experiments, which show that D-serine is indeed inhibitory at high concentrations. Although free energy calculations indicate that D-serine stabilizes the closed GluN2A LBD, its inhibitory behavior suggests that it either does not remain bound long enough or does not generate sufficient force for ion channel gating. We developed a workflow using pathway similarity analysis to identify groups of residues working together to promote binding. These conformation-dependent pathways were not significantly impacted by the presence of N-linked glycans, which act primarily by interacting with the LBD bottom lobe to stabilize the closed LBD.
E. coli can eat DNA as excellent nitrogen source to grow quickly
Authors: Huang Lili , Zhang Yehui , Du Xinmei , An Ran , Liang Xingguo
Published: March 2022

Is DNA or RNA a good nutrient? Although scientists have raised this question for dozens of years, few textbooks mention the nutritional role of nucleic acids. Paradoxically, mononucleotides are widely added to infant formula milk and animal feed for improving Intestinal health. Here, found that E. coli can grow well in the medium with DNA as carbon and nitrogen sources. More interestingly, in the presence of glucose and DNA, bacteria grew more rapidly, showing that bacteria can use DNA as an excellent nitrogen source. Surprisingly, the amount of DNA in culture media decreased but its length remained unchanged, demonstrating that E. coli ingested long DNA directly. The gene expression study shows that E. coli mainly ingests DNA before digestion and digests it in the periplasm. Bifidobacterium bifidum can also use DNA as the nitrogen source for growth but not efficiently as E. coli. This study is of great significance to study DNA metabolism and utilization in organisms. It also lays a foundation to understand the nutritional function of DNA for intestinal flora and human health.
Attenuation of a DNA Cruciform by a Conserved Regulator Directs T3SS-1 mediated virulence in Vibrio parahaemolyticus
Authors: Getz Landon J. , Brown Justin M. , Sobot Lauren , Chow Alexandra , Mahendrarajah Jastina , Thomas Nikhil A.
Published: March 2022

Pathogenic Vibrio species account for 3-5 million annual life-threatening human infections. Virulence is driven by bacterial hemolysin and toxin gene expression often positively regulated by the winged helix-turn-helix (wHTH) HlyU transcriptional regulator family and silenced by Histone-like nucleoid structural protein (H-NS). In the case of Vibrio parahaemolyticus, HlyU is required for virulence gene expression associated with Type 3 Secretion System-1 (T3SS-1) although its mechanism of action is not understood. Here, we provide evidence for DNA cruciform attenuation mediated by HlyU binding to support concomitant virulence gene expression. Genetic and biochemical experiments revealed that upon HlyU mediated DNA cruciform attenuation, an intergenic cryptic promoter became accessible allowing for exsA mRNA expression and initiation of an ExsA autoactivation feedback loop at a separate ExsA-dependent promoter. Using a heterologous E. coli expression system, we reconstituted the dual promoter elements which revealed that HlyU binding and DNA cruciform attenuation were strictly required to initiate the ExsA autoactivation loop. The data indicate that HlyU acts to attenuate a transcriptional repressive DNA cruciform to support T3SS-1 virulence gene expression and reveals a non-canonical extricating gene regulation mechanism in pathogenic Vibrio species.
Comparing lipid remodeling in mouse adipose and liver tissue with quantitative Raman microscopy
Authors: Paul Alexandra , Chanclón Belén , Brännmark Cecilia , Wittung-Stafshede Pernilla , Olofsson Charlotta S. , Asterholm Ingrid Wernstedt , Parekh Sapun H.
Published: March 2022

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) consists of highly metabolically active adipocytes that catabolize nutrients to produce heat. Playing an active role in triacylglycerol (TAG) clearance, research has shown that dietary fatty acids can modulate the TAG chemistry deposition in BAT after weeks-long dietary intervention, similar to what has been shown in white adipose tissue (WAT). Our objective was to compare the influence of sustained, non-chronic dietary intervention (a one-week interval) on WAT and BAT lipid metabolism and deposition in situ. We use quantitative, label-free chemical microscopy to show that one week of HFD intervention results in dramatically larger lipid droplet (LD) growth in BAT (and liver) compared to LD growth in inguinal WAT (IWAT). Moreover, BAT showed lipid remodeling as increased unsaturated TAGs in LDs, resembling the dietary lipid composition, while WAT (and liver) did not show lipid remodeling on this time scale. Concurrently, expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism, particularly desaturases, was reduced in BAT and liver from HFD-fed mice after one week. Our data show that BAT lipid chemistry remodels exceptionally fast to dietary lipid intervention compared WAT, which further points towards a role in TAG clearance.
Nuclear lamina strain states revealed by intermolecular force biosensor
Authors: Danielsson Brooke E. , Abraham Bobin George , Mäntylä Elina , Cabe Jolene I. , Mayer Carl R , Rekonen Anna , Ek Frans , Conway Daniel E. , Ihalainen Teemu O.
Published: March 2022

Nuclear lamins have been considered to be an important structural element of the nucleus. The nuclear lamina is thought both to shield DNA from excessive mechanical forces and to transmit mechanical forces onto the DNA. However, to date there is not yet a technical approach to directly measure mechanical forces on nuclear lamins at the protein level. To overcome this limitation, we developed a nanobody-based intermolecular tension FRET biosensor capable of measuring the mechanical strain of lamin filaments. Using this sensor, we were able to show that the nuclear lamina is subjected to significant force. These forces are dependent on nuclear volume, actomyosin contractility, functional LINC complex, chromatin condensation state, cell cycle, and EMT. Interestingly, large forces were also present on nucleoplasmic lamins, indicating that these lamins may also have an important mechanical role in the nucleus. Overall, we demonstrate that nanobody-based approach allows construction of novel force biosensors for mechanobiology studies.
The CIpP activator, TR-57, is highly effective as a single agent and in combination with venetoclax against CLL cells in vitro
Authors: Fatima Narjis , Shen Yandong , Crassini Kyle , Iwanowicz Edwin J. , Lang Henk , Karanewsky Donald S. , Christopherson Richard I , Mulligan Stephen P , Best O. Giles
Published: March 2022

Despite advances in treatment, a significant proportion of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) will relapse with drug-resistant disease.

Recent studies demonstrate that the imipridones ONC-201 and ONC-212 and the more potent TR-compounds are effective against a range of different cancers, including acute myeloid leukaemia and tumours of the brain, breast, and prostate. These drugs induce cell death through inhibition of mitochondrial function and activation of the mitochondrial protease, caseinolytic protease (CIpP), and the unfolded protein response (UPR).

Here we demonstrate that a drug in this class, TR-57, has efficacy as a single agent and is synergistic with venetoclax against CLL cells cultured under in vitro conditions that mimic the tumour microenvironment. The inhibitory effects of TR-57 on cell survival, proliferation and migration were irrespective of poor-risk features, including aberrations of TP53. Changes in protein expression suggest the mechanisms of action of TR-57 and its synergy with venetoclax involve activation of the UPR, inhibition of the AKT and ERK1/2 pathways and a pro-apoptotic shift in expression of proteins of the BCL-2 family.

The study suggests TR-57, as a single agent and in combination with venetoclax, may represent an effective treatment option for CLL, including for patients with poor-risk disease.
Multimodal chromatin profiling using nanobody-based single-cell CUT&Tag
Authors: Bartosovic Marek , Castelo-Branco Gonçalo
Published: March 2022

Probing epigenomic marks such as histone modifications at a single cell level in thousands of cells has been recently enabled by technologies such as scCUT&Tag. Here we developed a multimodal and optimized iteration of scCUT&Tag called nano-CT (for nano-CUT&Tag) that allows simultaneous probing of three epigenomic modalities at single-cell resolution, using nanobody-Tn5 fusion proteins. nano-CT is compatible with starting materials as low as 25 000 cells and has significantly higher resolution than scCUT&Tag, with a 16-fold increase in the number of fragments per cells. We used nano-CT to simultaneously profile chromatin accessibility, H3K27ac and H3K27me3 in a complex tissue - juvenile mouse brain. The obtained multimodal dataset allowed for discrimination of more cell types/states that scCUT&Tag, and inference of chromatin velocity between ATAC and H3K27ac in the oligodendrocyte (OL) lineage. In addition, we used nano-CT to deconvolute H3K27me3 repressive states and infer two sequential waves of H3K27me3 repression at distinct gene modules during OL lineage progression. Thus, given its high resolution, versatility, and multimodal features, nano-CT allows unique insights in epigenetic landscapes in different biological systems at single cell level.
Organic–inorganic hybrid mixed-halide ZnII and CdII tetrahalometallates with the 2-methylimidazo[1,5-a]pyridinium cation
Authors: Vassilyeva Olga Yu. , Buvaylo Elena A. , Kokozay Vladimir N. , Skelton Brian W.
Published: March 2022

Three isomorphous 0-D hybrid salts, namely, 2-methylimidazo[1,5-a]pyridinium trichloridoiodidozincate(II), (C8H9N2)2[ZnCl3.19I0.81] or [L]2[ZnCl3.19I0.81], (I), 2-methylimidazo[1,5-a]pyridinium dibromidodichloridocadmate(II), (C8H9N2)2[CdBr2.42Cl1.58] or [L]2[CdBr2.42Cl1.58], (II), and 2-methylimidazo[1,5-a]pyridinium trichloridoiodidocadmate(II), (C8H9N2)2[CdCl3.90I0.10] or [L]2[CdCl3.90I0.10], (III), are assembled from discrete 2-methylimidazo[1,5-a]pyridinium cations, L
+, and mixed-halide tetrahalometallate anions. In the three structures, there are two crystallographically non-equivalent cations that were modelled as being rotationally disordered by 180°. In the lattices of the three compounds, a disordered state exists involving partial substitution of Cl by I for sites 2–4 in (I), Br by Cl for all four sites in (II) and Cl by I for site 2 in (III). In the solid state, the organic and inorganic sheets alternate parallel to the bc plane in a pseudo-layered arrangement. In the organic layer, pairs of centrosymmetically related trans-oriented cations form π-bonded chains. The adjacent tetrahalometallate anions in the inorganic layer show no connectivity with the shortest M...M separations being greater than 7 Å. A variety of C—H...X—M (X = Cl, Br, I) contacts between the organic and inorganic counterparts provide additional structural stabilization. The title structures are isomorphous with the previously reported structures of the chloride analogues, [L]2[ZnCl4] and [L]2[CdCl4].
Maintaining the stability of the housing market in the event of an economic shock
Authors: Stundziene Alina , Pilinkiene Vaida , Grybauskas Andrius
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to identify the economic stimulus measures that ensure stability of the Lithuanian housing market in the event of an economic shock.

Design/methodology/approach

The econometric analysis includes stationarity test, Granger causality test, correlation analysis, autoregressive distributed lag models and cointegration analysis using ARDL bounds testing.

Findings

The econometric modelling reveals that the housing price in Lithuania correlates with quarterly changes in the gross domestic product and approves that the cycles of the real estate market are related to the economic cycles. Economic stimulus measures should mainly focus on stabilizing the economics, preserving the cash and deposits of households, as well as consumer spending in the case of economic shock.

Originality Value

This study is beneficial for policy makers to make decisions to maintain stability in the housing market in the event of any economic shock.
Workplace spirituality, knowledge-hiding and the mediating role of organizational identification: evidence from Pakistan
Authors: Muavia Muhammad , Hussain Ghulam , Sahibzada Umar Farooq , Wan Ismail Wan Khairuzzaman
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This research aims to investigate relationship between workplace spirituality and employees' knowledge-hiding as mediated by organizational identification.

Design/methodology/approach

In this research, a time-lagged design is employed and multi-source data are collected through self-administered questionnaires. A sample of 305 focal respondents and 1,048 of the respondents' peers is used to test the hypotheses using AMOS (analysis of moment structures) 24.0.

Findings

The results reveal that two dimensions of workplace spirituality – meaningful work and values alignment –play significant roles in reducing knowledge-hiding in terms of workplace spirituality's three dimensions of evasive hiding, rationalized hiding and “playing dumb.” However, contrary to expectations, a sense of community has significant positive effects on the dimensions of knowledge-hiding. The study also reveals that organizational identification significantly mediates the relationships between the dimensions of workplace spirituality and those of knowledge-hiding.

Originality/value

This pioneer study introduces workplace spirituality (which differs from religious spirituality) and the significance of workplace spirituality in the workplace in the religious and conservative society of Pakistan. This study uses the lens of social identity theory (SIT) to establish for the first-time organizational identity as a mediating mechanism between workplace spirituality and knowledge-hiding to offer new insights for theory and practice.
An assessment tool for stakeholder integration excellence and project delivery optimisation
Authors: Ominde Diana , Ochieng Edward G. , Omwenga Vincent O.
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The aim of this study was to appraise the delivery of information communication technology (ICT) projects and identify key determinants for stakeholder integration.

Design/methodology/approach

Given that empirically, little was known about stakeholder integration in the ICT sector and its influence or effect on project delivery; qualitative method was used. Forty-seven semi-structured interviews were carried out to derive senior project practitioners and policymakers' constructs of stakeholder integration and infrastructure performance improvement of ICT projects. The verification and validation of the proposed assessment tool were achieved through the use of focus group discussion.

Findings

As established in this research study, there is a need for project delivery teams to evaluate the level of stakeholder integration, the formulation of a project business case, the project processes and issues of compliance and regulation in ICT projects. What is evident in the findings of the study is that the management model adopted for the stakeholders in the Kenyan ICT sector ought to make communication the fulcrum of their engagement.

Originality/value

The inferences made herein are critical in contributing to knowledge regarding the ICT infrastructure project management terrain in developing countries. There is evidence in the study to conclude that the concept of stakeholder management and integration has implications for the sustainability of ICT projects. One of the issues that predominantly featured in the research was the input of stakeholder integration in terms of project sustainability.
Spherical robot with spring energy storage type hopping mechanisms: design, dynamics and experimental evaluation
Authors: Dong Yangyang , Zhang Tongle , Han Shaojie , Guo Yipan , Zeng Bo , Wang Yongbin , Zhang Zijian
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Spherical robot plays an essential role in the field of mobile robot because of its unique shape and omni-directional mobility, especially in the application of planet detection. Although spherical robot has many advantages over leg robot, its obstacle climbing performance is still not satisfactory, that is exactly the motivation of this paper. The purpose of this paper is to propose a high-performance hopping mechanism for spherical robot, which can adapt to different terrain and effectively cross obstacles.

Design/methodology/approach

The hopping system uses torque spring as part of the energy storage mechanism, and converts the kinetic energy of rotation into elastic potential energy with a particularly designed turntable. Moreover, the track of the turntable, based on the Archimedes spiral principle, has the attributes of equidistance and equivelocity that enable better stability of energy storage process.

Findings

Experiments show that the proposed hopping mechanism can make a 250 g spherical robot jump up to 58 cm with the take-off angle of 60°. Finally, the influence of friction and take-off angle on the hopping height and distance of the robot is also analyzed, which provides a prior guidance for optimizing its jumping process.

Originality/value

This paper shows how to easily design a lightweight, compact and embedded spring hopping structure so that a spherical hopping robot with detection ability can be developed.
Differential spillover effects of different non-audit fees on audit report lag
Authors: Lai Kam-Wah
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Regulators treat all non-audit services the same by using a broad-brush approach which is reflected in the study of total non-audit fees in the same analyses or different non-audit fees in isolation by prior studies. To know whether the non-audit services have different effects and hence, should be regulated separately, this paper compares their effects on audit report lag and examines whether they follow the implied hierarchy of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Design/methodology/approach

The effects of audit-related non-audit fees, tax fees and other non-audit fees are compared in an audit report lag model to determine whether they are the same statistically. Supporting tests for audit quality use discretionary accruals and the reporting of a small profit or small positive change in profit.

Findings

This paper finds that different non-audit fees do not have the same effects on report lag and partial support for the implied hierarchy of the Commission. Specifically, for large accelerated filers, audit-related fees and tax fees have the same negative effects on report lag but other non-audit fees are unrelated to report lag. Tests of audit quality suggest that auditors do not compromise audit quality.

Research limitations/implications

Different non-audit services are unique in their spillover effects and deserve individual attention. Audit practitioners could be more comfortable in providing audit-related non-audit or tax services for audit clients since these services could facilitate audit work without compromising independence. On the other hand, they should be cautious about the provision of other non-audit services because the services do not enhance the efficiency of audit work and without such a benefit to audit clients, the provision may create issues of perceived independence.

Practical implications

Insight is limited by the types of disclosure of non-audit fees available and the lack of internal measures of audit efficiency.

Originality/value

The results provide deeper insight into the knowledge spillover theory and prior studies which implicitly assume all non-audit services having the same effect. The results suggest that the services should be regulated each on its own but not in a bundle. Last, this paper provides the first evidence that audit-related non-audit fees reduce report lag.
Information experience as an object of LIS research: a definition based on concept analysis
Authors: Yu Liangzhi , Liu Yijun
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This study aims to contribute to the clarification of core concepts in information experience research and to the consolidation of information experience as a distinctive research object.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopts a series of techniques from Wilson's toolkit of concept analysis.

Findings

This study finds that there exist tensions between different uses of the term information experience, giving rise to two fundamentally different conceptions of this particular human experience which this study names, respectively, the posterior conception and the a priori conception. It also finds that it is linguistically more useful, practically more consonant with LIS's concerns and unitarily more consistent to define information experience following the a priori conception. It postulates that information experience can be defined as a person's subjective, pre-reflective living through of his/her life as an information user in the information sphere of the lifeworld.

Research limitations/implications

If adopted by future research, the concept proposed in this study is likely to push information experience research toward a more prominent phenomenological turn on the one hand, and a return to conventional LIS concerns on the other.

Practical implications

The clarified concept may help user experience librarians and system designers to see the relevance of information experience research for their work more clearly.

Originality/value

By identifying, comparing and discussing different existing uses of information experience, and by suggesting a redefinition of the concept, this study has brought the core concepts of information experience research to a new level of clarity, and has verified information experience as a distinctive object for LIS research.
Predicting purchase behaviour of Indonesian and French Muslim consumers: insights from a multi-group analysis
Authors: Firdaus Farah Syahida , Ikhsan Ridho Bramulya , Fernando Yudi
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to model Muslim consumers' purchase behaviour that predicts the impacts of behavioural factors of spirituality, emotional value, image, trust and satisfaction on Halal-labelled food products. The model was used among Muslim consumers in Indonesia and France.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was conducted among Indonesian and French Muslim consumers who had bought Halal-labelled food products. The model was examined using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) with multi-group analysis (PLS-MGA) to test specific differences between sample groups.

Findings

All proposed hypotheses were accepted, except for the trust in purchasing behaviour. It was not significantly different in the two sample groups. The linkage from image to purchasing behaviour was not significantly related to the French sample group, and emotional value did not influence Halal-labelled food product purchase behaviour in the Indonesian sample group. The MGA results found a significant difference in spirituality, emotional value image and trust among Indonesian and French Muslim consumers.

Practical implications

The guarantee of Halal food through a Halal label can fulfil the spirituality of Muslim consumers in carrying out Allah’s (SWT) command to consume Halal food, creating a product image, trust, satisfaction and emotional value that encourages positive buying behaviour. The finding shows that Muslim spirituality has extended the Islamic marketing literature to predict Muslim consumer behaviour. The company can emphasise in advertisements that the Halal-certified logo reflects the quality of products.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research is among the early study empirically confirming that spirituality and emotional value are critical domains to predict purchase behaviour between two different groups of Indonesian and French Muslim consumers.
Emission and sectoral energy intensity: a variance decomposition analysis
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Ujjaini , Pani Ratnakar
Published: March 2022

Purpose

In the backdrop of growing global concern on escalating CO2 emission leading to climate disorder and controversy between economic growth and environment, this study undertakes a decomposition analysis of the top 20 emitters of the world during 1992–2016 with two objectives: to identify the relative contribution of the major driving factors in CO2 emission and to comprehend the role and performance of sectoral energy consumption pattern in changing the emission level.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses variance analysis method to perform two stage decomposition: first, it decomposes emission into the major driving factors, and, secondly, it also decomposes fossil fuel intensity of different sectors into fuel mix and energy intensity effects, which are new in the literature.

Findings

The results indicate that aggressive pursuit for economic growth, particularly by developing countries, is the major reason behind unprecedented emission growth, with income effect, fossil fuel intensity effect and population effect having substantial roles. Considerable decline in dependence on fossil fuel, coupled with rising emissions, signifies that emission intensity is still to be harnessed. Sectoral decomposition shows that while fossil fuel intensity has declined in residential sector, it has remarkably shot up in industry, transport and commercial sectors. On the other hand, sectoral energy intensity has declined, particularly due to favourable performances of transport and commercial sectors.

Research limitations/implications

The detailed country-wise sectoral analysis identifies the sectors with favourable contribution in curtailing emission and lends a direction to other countries for policy making.

Originality/value

This study contributes by incorporating multi-country sectoral segregation in decomposition analysis. It focuses not only on energy intensity, but on the effect of energy substitution in each sector as well. It identifies the sectors that have lowered their dependence on fossil fuel to highlight that emission can effectively be dealt with through a prudent choice of fuel mix.
Administrators within personality disorder services: their role and contribution in maintaining the overall structure and treatment approach
Authors: Larsson-Thomas Emma , Ruprai Sukhi , Manonga Louise , Lee Tennyson
Published: March 2022

Purpose

People with personality disorders often present with interpersonal difficulties which affect their relationship with significant others but also with staff involved in their care. Administrators work in “frontline positions” where they are required to face challenging situations yet their role has not been studied. This study aims to describe the role and contribution of an administrator in a personality disorder service.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed-methods design was used. All incoming calls to a specialist personality disorder service over three months were documented. A semi-structured focus group (n = 7) with clinicians working in the service was conducted. The data was analysed using thematic analysis. Clinical vignettes are presented to highlight typical interactions.

Findings

The qualitative results highlighted that the administrator is key in psychological preparations, managing pressure and maintaining clinical boundaries. Traits identified as useful in an administrator working in a personality disorder service are flexibility, consistency and assertiveness. Tensions between administrators and clinicians were related to the role definition of the administrator, boundaries, countertransference and process interaction. The majority of incoming calls were from patients scheduling and cancelling appointments. Only 3% of calls evoked negative feelings in the administrator such as feeling “annoyed” or “drained”.

Practical implications

Results highlight a need for careful selection, training and supervision of staff. A key recommendation is the need for integration and close coordination of the administrator within the clinical team.

Originality/value

This study represents one of the first efforts to explore the contribution of administrators within personality disorder services. It explores the impact of the administrator on the team.
Severe skin inflammation leads to salivary gland atrophy and dysfunction
Authors: Matsushima Yoshiaki , Mizutani Kento , Iida Shohei , Ichishi Masako , Nakanishi Takehisa , Okada Karin , Umaoka Ai , Kondo Makoto , Habe Koji , Watanabe Masatoshi , Yamanaka Keiichi
Published: March 2022

Psoriasis and atopic dermatitis are inflammatory skin diseases, and these patients have an increased risk of cardiovascular events and other medical complications. It has been clarified that skin inflammation affects internal organs. Additionally, dental caries tends to occur more frequently in patients with psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. In this study, we aim to investigate the effects of dermatitis on the salivary glands using an inflammation model mouse. Salivary secretion stimulated with pilocarpine was reduced in dermatitis mice. Histologically, dermatitis mice showed amyloid deposition, glandular atrophy, and fibrosis in the salivary glands. Expression of inflammatory cytokines in the salivary glands was higher in dermatitis mice; however, secretion of cytokines in saliva was not significantly different. Dermatitis mice showed decreased salivary secretion and histological changes, which may cause periodontal disease. Therefore, appropriate control of skin inflammation is essential.
Scale of the Nation: Alberto Giacometti's Miniature Monument
Authors: Fiduccia Joanna
Published: March 2022

In 1939, Alberto Giacometti proposed an unusual work for the Swiss National Exhibition: a tiny head placed on a wide pedestal, which gave rise to dramatic scalar effects. This essay places this little‐known episode at the origin of Giacometti's post‐war experiments with scale, and argues that those experiments emerged out of a historical context – Switzerland's tense negotiation of national identity in the 1930s – in which monumental forms of sculpture could no longer fulfil their political functions. By untethering the bigness of a monument from its scale, Giacometti's little head disclosed scale's more profound social operation: to formalize and embody our historical practices of engaging with vast structures, including the political structure of the nation. This alignment of aesthetic and political scale suggests how a new phenomenological account of modern sculpture, indebted to Jean‐Paul Sartre rather than Maurice Merleau‐Ponty, calls into question modernism's supposed negation of the monument.