bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Charting the development ofDrosophilaleg sensory organs at single-cell resolution
Authors: Hopkins Ben R. , Barmina Olga , Kopp Artyom
Published: October 2022

To respond to the world around them, animals rely on the input of a network of sensory organs distributed throughout the body. Distinct classes of sensory organ are specialized for the detection of specific stimuli such as strain, pressure, or taste. The features that underlie this specialization relate both to the neurons that innervate sensory organs and the accessory cells that comprise them. This diversity of cell types, both within and between sensory organs, raises two fundamental questions: what makes these cell types distinct from one another, and how is this diversity generated during development? To address these questions, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing on a developing tissue that displays a wide variety of functionally and structurally distinct sensory organs: the first tarsal segment of the pupal maleDrosophila melanogasterforeleg. We characterize the cellular landscape in which the sensory organs reside, identify a novel cell type that contributes to the construction of the neural lamella, and characterize the transcriptomic differences among support cells within and between sensory organs. We identify the genes that distinguish between mechanosensory and chemosensory neurons, resolve a combinatorial transcription factor code that defines four distinct classes of gustatory neuron and several types of mechanosensory neuron, and match the expression of sensory receptors to specific neuron classes. Collectively, our work identifies core genetic features of a variety of sensory organs and provides a rich, annotated resource for studying their development and function.
Structural basis of epitope selectivity and potent protection from malaria by PfCSP antibody L9
Authors: Martin Gregory M. , Fernández Quintero Monica L. , Lee Wen-Hsin , Pholcharee Tossapol , Eshun-Wilson Lisa , Liedl Klaus R. , Pancera Marie , Seder Robert A. , Wilson Ian A. , Ward Andrew B.
Published: October 2022

A primary objective in malaria vaccine design is the generation of high-quality antibody responses against the circumsporozoite protein of the malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum (PfCSP). To enable rational antigen design, we solved a cryo-EM structure of the highly potent anti-PfCSP antibody L9 in complex with recombinant PfCSP. We found that L9 Fab binds multivalently to the CSP minor (NPNV) repeats, which is stabilized by a novel set of affinity-matured homotypic, antibody-antibody contacts. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed a critical role of the L9 light chain in integrity of the homotypic interface, which likely impacts CSP affinity and protective efficacy. These findings reveal the molecular mechanism of the unique NPNV selectivity of L9 and emphasize the importance of anti-homotypic affinity maturation in protective immunity against P. falciparum.

One sentence summary

The L9 light chain is crucial for potency by conferring multivalent, high affinity binding to the NPNV minor repeats of PfCSP.
Novel Context-Specific Genome-Scale Modelling Explores the Potential of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii for Synthetic Biology Applications
Authors: Yao Herbert , Dahal Sanjeev , Yang Laurence
Published: October 2022

Gene expression data of cell cultures is commonly measured in biological and medical studies to understand cellular decision-making in various conditions. Metabolism, affected but not solely determined by the expression, is much more difficult to measure experimentally. Thus, finding a reliable method to predict cell metabolism for given expression data will greatly benefit model-aided metabolic engineering. We have developed such a pipeline that can explore cellular fluxomics from expression data, using only a high-quality genome-scale metabolic model. This is done through two main steps: first, construct a protein-constrained metabolic model by integrating protein and enzyme information into the metabolic model. Secondly, overlay the expression data onto the modified model using a new two-step non-convex and convex optimization formulation, resulting in context-specific models with optionally calibrated rate constants. The resulting model computes proteomes and intracellular flux states that are consistent with the measured transcriptomes. Therefore, it provides detailed cellular insights that are difficult to glean individually from the omic data or metabolic models alone. As a case study, we apply the pipeline to interpret triacylglycerol (TAG) overproduction by Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, using time-course RNA-Seq data. The pipeline allows us to compute C. reinhardtii metabolism under nitrogen deprivation and metabolic shifts after an acetate boost. We also suggest a list of possible ‘bottlenecking’ proteins that need to be overexpressed to increase the TAG accumulation rate, as well as discussing other TAG-overproduction strategies.
A Whale With A History: Sighting Twain The Humpback Over Three Decades
Authors: Crutchfield James P. , Jurgens Alexandra M. , Straley Janice M. , Cheeseman Ted
Published: October 2022

Extended acoustic interactions with a humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) were captured via playbacks of the purported “throp” social call and hydrophone recordings of the animal’s vocalized responses during August 2021 in Frederick Sound, Southeast Alaska. Fluke photographs identified the animal as a female named Twain (HappyWhale.comidentity SEAK-0401) first observed some 38 years ago. We document Twain’s life history via sightings made over almost four decades. The observational history gives illuminating snapshots of the long history of the individual behind the acoustic interactions.
Profiling neurons surrounding subcellular-scale carbon fiber electrode tracts enables modeling recorded signals
Authors: Letner Joseph G. , Patel Paras R. , Hsieh Jung-Chien , Flores Israel M. Smith , Valle Elena della , Walker Logan A. , Weiland James D. , Chestek Cynthia A. , Cai Dawen
Published: October 2022

Characterizing the relationship between neuron spiking and the signals electrodes record is vital to defining the neural circuits driving brain function and informing computational modeling. However, electrode biocompatibility and precisely localizing neurons around the electrodes are critical to defining this relationship. Here, we show the ability to localize post-explant recording tips of subcellular-scale carbon fiber electrodes and surrounding neurons. Immunostaining of astrocyte, microglia, and neuron markers confirmed improved tissue health. While neurons near implants were stretched, their number and distribution were similar to control, suggesting that these minimally invasive electrodes demonstrate the potential to sample naturalistic neural populations. This motivated prediction of the spikes produced by neurons nearest to the electrodes using a model fit with recorded electrophysiology. These simulations show the first direct evidence that neuron placement in the immediate vicinity of the recording site influences how many spike clusters can be reliably identified by spike sorting.
Multi-omic modeling of antidepressant response implicates dynamic immune and inflammatory changes in individuals who respond to treatment
Authors: Fuh Shih-Chieh , Fiori Laura M. , Turecki Gustavo , Nagy Corina , Li Yue
Published: October 2022

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a leading cause of disability worldwide, and is commonly treated with antidepressant drugs (AD). Although effective, many patients fail to respond to AD treatment, and accordingly identifying factors that can predict AD response would greatly improve treatment outcomes. In this study, we developed a machine learning tool to integrate multi-omic datasets (gene expression, DNA methylation, and genotyping) to identify biomarker profiles associated with AD response in a cohort of individuals with MDD. To address this rich multi-omic dataset with high dimensional features, we developed integrative Geneset-Embedded non-negative Matrix factorization (iGEM), a non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) based model, supplemented with auxiliary information regarding genesets and gene-methylation relationships. Using our model, we identified a number of meta-phenotypes which were related to AD response. By integrating geneset information into the model, we were able to relate these meta-phenotypes to biological processes, including immune and inflammatory functions. This represents both biomarkers to predict response, as well as potential new treatment targets. Our method is applicable to other diseases with multi-omic data, and the software is open source and available on Github (https://github.com/li-lab-mcgill/iGEM).
MRPS36 provides a missing link in the eukaryotic 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complex for recruitment of E3 to the E2 core
Authors: Hevler Johannes F. , Albanese Pascal , Cabrera-Orefice Alfredo , Potter Alisa , Jankevics Andris , Misic Jelena , Scheltema Richard A. , Brandt Ulrich , Arnold Susanne , Heck Albert J.R.
Published: October 2022

The tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, or Krebs cycle, is the central pathway of energy production in eukaryotic cells and plays a key part in aerobic respiration throughout all kingdoms of life. The enzymes involved in this cycle generate the reducing equivalents NADH and FADH2 by a series of enzymatic reactions, which are utilized by the electron transport chain to produce ATP. One of the pivotal enzymes in this cycle is 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complex (OGDHC), which generates NADH by oxidative decarboxylation of 2-oxoglutarate to succinyl-CoA. OGDHC is a megadalton protein complex originally thought to be assembled just from three catalytically active subunits (E1o, E2o, E3). In fungi and animals, however, the protein MRPS36 has more recently been proposed as a putative additional component. Based on extensive XL-MS data obtained from measurements in mice and bovine heart mitochondria, supported by phylogenetic analyses, we provide evidence that MRPS36 is an essential member of OGDHC, albeit only in eukaryotes. Comparative sequence analysis and computational structure predictions reveal that in eukaryotic OGDHC, E2o does not contain the peripheral subunit-binding domain (PSBD), present in bacterial and archaeal E2o’s. We propose that in eukaryotes MRPS36 evolved as an E3 adaptor protein, functionally replacing the PSBD. We further provide a refined structural model of the complete eukaryotic OGDHC containing 16 E1o, 12 E3, and 6 subunits of MRPS36 accommodated around the OGDHC core composed of 24 E2o subunits (3.45 MDa). The model provides new insights into the OGDH complex topology and stipulates putative mechanistic implications.
Inflammation of the retinal pigment epithelium drives early-onset photoreceptor degeneration inMertk-associated retinitis pigmentosa
Authors: Mercau Maria E. , Akalu Yemsratch T. , Mazzoni Francesca , Gyimesi Gavin , Alberto Emily , Kong Yong , Hafler Brian P. , Finnemann Silvia C. , Rothlin Carla V. , Ghosh Sourav
Published: October 2022

Severe, early-onset photoreceptor (PR) degeneration associated withMERTKmutations is thought to result from failed phagocytosis by retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Notwithstanding, the severity and onset of PR degeneration in mouse models ofMertkablation is determined by the hypomorphic expression or the loss of theMertkparalogTyro3. Here we find that loss ofMertkand reduced expression/loss ofTyro3led to RPE inflammation even before eye-opening. Incipient RPE inflammation cascaded to involve microglia activation and PR degeneration with monocyte infiltration. Inhibition of RPE inflammation with the JAK1/2 inhibitor ruxolitinib mitigated PR degeneration inMertk-/-mice. Neither inflammation nor severe, early-onset PR degeneration were observed in mice with defective phagocytosis alone. Thus, inflammation drives severe, early-onset PR degeneration-associated withMertkloss of function.
Screening and diagnosing dementia in people with Down’s syndrome: implications of using the DLD questionnaire
Authors: Perera Bhathika , Kamieniarz Lukasz , Iftikhar Mashal , Solomou Solomis
Published: October 2022

Purpose

The Dementia Questionnaire for People with Learning Disabilities (DLD) is one of the main screening and monitoring tools for dementia in people with Down’s syndrome (DS). As part of a quality improvement project to improve the care for people with DS and dementia in an intellectual disability service, the authors studied the screening and monitoring process by retrospectively investigating the use of DLD and exploring clinicians’ experience of using it.

Design/methodology/approach

DLDs completed in the service was retrospectively assessed. Changes in DLD scores were matched against people who received a clinical diagnosis of dementia. Data were analysed to estimate sensitivity, specificity and predictive values of DLD. A questionnaire was used to assess clinicians’ experience.

Findings

Data for 20 service users was collected. DLD cognitive scores showed 80% sensitivity and 60% specificity for the diagnosis of dementia, with a positive predictive value of 40% and negative predictive value of 90%. Staff found DLD to be easy to perform but time consuming. This led to the preparation of a decision tool for appropriateness of performing a DLD.

Originality/value

The results show that a negative DLD helps to exclude dementia where there is concern over cognitive decline, but a positive result is not specific enough to suggest the possibility of dementia. This shows that DLD may have limitations if used as a screening tool alone but could be used for the monitoring of the disease trajectory of those with a confirmed diagnosis as well as to establish a baseline DLD when a person is screened for dementia first.
Young people’s preferences in public spaces
Authors: Khalifa Sara Ibrahim , Shafik Zeinab , Shehayeb Dina
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Few public places are designed with due consideration to the needs and preferences of teens. Teens in public spaces are often viewed with apprehension from other user groups. Teens hanging out in public spaces are always observed with caution and are sometimes associated with negative behaviour by other community members. In designing public spaces that are suitable for the teens and not alienating them to other members of the community, it is necessary to understand how teens perceive their environment and what they expect from it. The psychological, social and emotional development determines the teens’ preferences regarding public spaces. This research attempts to understand how teens perceive and value those places and the factors that influence teens’ preferences in public spaces. This study aims to deduce some factors that influence teens’ preferences and behaviour from an environmental psychology perspective and then test these factors on a sample of teenagers in an Egyptian setting.

Design/methodology/approach

An empirical study was conducted with teens in two districts in Cairo, Egypt: “Dokki” and “Sheikh Zayed,” to understand how teens perceive their neighbourhoods, identify preferred places and discern factors that influence their preferences. A sample of 67 teens, aged between 13 and 19 years old, in which 31 were males, and 36 were females, completed a survey that allowed teens to identify and rate their experiences. This occurred using a map-based mobile application to foster more active engagement by participants, in which they identified their favourite places, the behaviour associated with these places, what teens do there – when, and with whom, as well as their rating of the place.

Findings

The most important conclusion drawn from this study was that teens’ preferences are linked to their cognitive, emotional and social development. They influence and are associated with essential aspects such as the sense of freedom, sense of safety, self-identity, enjoyment, thrill-seeking and peer relationships. Therefore, it is important to adopt a new perspective to the design of public spaces to create teen-friendly places.

Originality/value

Adopt a new perspective to public space design to create teen-friendly places by adopting an environmental psychology lens to shed light on the social and psychological dimensions of the built environment.
Towards circular economy practices in food waste management: a retrospective overview and a research agenda
Authors: Alonso-Muñoz Sara , García-Muiña Fernando E. , Medina-Salgado María-Sonia , González-Sánchez Rocío
Published: October 2022

Purpose

This study aims to offer a research overview of circular food waste management, covering key themes and trends. It analyses state-of-the-art research in this field and proposes an agenda to guide future research.

Design/methodology/approach

This study outlines bibliometric analysis from a sample of 349 articles with VOSviewer and SciMat software to identify research trend topics.

Findings

The findings reveal a substantial amount of interest in this field. The main research topics relate to the recovery processes and valorisation of food waste and its conversion into renewable and cleaner materials or energy sources, towards circularity. However, these processes require consideration of social aspects that facilitate their implementation, which are currently under-researched.

Practical implications

Companies can target their circular food waste management by considering three key aspects. Firstly, the establishment of closer and more sustainable relationships with various stakeholders; Secondly, a regulatory framework and the support of institutions are both required for the correct implementation of circularity. Finally, what is not measured does not exist. It is therefore necessary to establish indicators to measure both the level of development of circularity in waste management and the fulfilment of the established objective.

Originality/value

This bibliometric analysis looks at the application of circularity principles in food waste management from a holistic perspective, considering different areas of knowledge.
Reid & Taylor: the ignominious decline of an iconic brand
Authors: John Kishore Thomas
Published: October 2022

Learning outcomes

The learning outcomes of this case are in understanding core concepts of brand management and brand dilution. Assessment of macro-economic risks and proper positioning strategies are the key take-away from this case. The case gives an understanding of how brands are built and positioned, and the pitfalls of poor brand planning and assessment that could lead to brand dilution. The case is useful for highlighting the importance of brand management and the challenges of re-positioning. The discussions would shed light on why it is important to plan and manage spending on marketing for brand building activities, and why brands would suffer when spending is reduced. This case is a teaching case and not a research case. It will help participants assimilate available information in combination with existing academic theories and publications to help develop an accurate assessment and prognosis of the events leading until the point of slicing the case.

Case overview/synopsis

Reid & Taylor in 2015 had been reduced to a discounter brand offering extended end-of-season sales when most other competitors have ended their promotions. In the 17 years since its big-budget launch in the Indian market in one of the most memorable brand introductions, Reid & Taylor changed its ambassador twice and repositioned itself thrice. The case would allow participants to delve deeper into aspects of marketing spending, brand management, positioning and advertising effectiveness. The case brings to the fore discussions on marketing, specifically on branding, positioning and its related advertising in the textile sector for a brand that has not been studied in academic literature until the present time. The discussion allows for novelty, involving both forward- and backward-looking assessments and evaluations to help participants better imbibe learnings in brand management and positioning.

Complexity academic level

The case is suitable for a graduate-level (Master’s level) course in marketing and brand management. This case is suitable for elective courses that discuss positioning and brands.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 8: Marketing
The incubator: an innovative approach to professional development for beginning teachers and mentors
Authors: Arviv Elyashiv Rinat , Levi-Keren Michal
Published: October 2022

Purpose

The present study focused on an incubator model for the absorption of beginning teachers into the education system. This new model is based on the cooperative approach. The study examined mentoring perceptions among mentors. More specifically, the study investigated how mentors perceive the incubator and how mentors view the support provided to beginning teachers, as well as the contribution mentoring makes to fostering mentors' own sense of efficacy and professional development. These aspects were examined in comparison to the traditional dyadic model.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on quantitative and qualitative methods. In the quantitative study, 92 mentors working in incubators and 382 mentors working in a traditional dyadic setting responded to a self-report questionnaire. In the qualitative study, 28 mentors who were part of an incubator were interviewed.

Findings

The research findings indicate that the incubators create a dual effect of development and constitute a mantle of support that impacts the mentoring process, positions that as a dialogic–communal process and at the same time contributes to the professional development of both the beginning teachers and mentors.

Originality/value

The paper discusses the theoretical and practical contribution of the incubators as a new model for inducting beginning teachers into the profession.
Zakat payment from cryptocurrencies and crypto assets
Authors: Muneeza Aishath , Bin-Nashwan Saeed Awadh , Abdel Moshin Magda Ismail , Mohamed Ismail , Al-Saadi Abdelrahman
Published: October 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the existing practice of accepting zakat payments using cryptocurrencies and crypto assets by discussing its Shariah issues.

Design/methodology/approach

This is qualitative research in nature, as unstructured interviews with experts in the field were conducted to understand the existing practice regarding zakat on cryptocurrencies/crypto assets while literature on the topic was reviewed to derive conclusions.

Findings

It is found that there are divergent views among contemporary Shariah scholars on the Shariah permissibility of cryptocurrency and crypto assets. As such, by evaluating the existing practices of some companies, this study has concluded that there is room to pay zakat using cryptocurrencies and from investments made on crypto assets. As long as they have been screened and classified as Shariah-compliant, they can be qualified to be part of one’s wealth from which zakat shall be paid. However, the findings of this research shall be subject to the fatwa and rules adopted in the specific jurisdiction in which the zakat payer resides. Laws made by the ruler to benefit the public ought to be considered in upholding the masalih (public interests) of all, which is in line with the legal maxim of “tasarruf al imam manut bi al-maslahah” (the ruler’s decision is dictated in favor of the people).

Originality/value

It is anticipated that the findings of this research will benefit zakat organizations and zakat payers in understanding how they should deal with cryptocurrencies and crypto assets in the collection and payment of zakat.
Educational technology research during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Xue Sijia , Crompton Helen
Published: October 2022

Purpose

This systematic review paper aims to examine extant empirical research involving educational technology during COVID-19 to provide an aggregated analysis of how the pandemic has influenced educational technology research.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis systematic review and an integrative review methodology, 50 primary research studies were selected from ten top-ranked educational research journals. These studies were reviewed regarding research purposes, methodologies, instruments, educational level, geographical distribution, and findings of the studies.

Findings

The findings reveal four emerging themes: influencing factors, effectiveness, challenges and teachers. The majority of the studies focused on higher education. Quantitative research design based on a questionnaire was the most adopted method of investigation by researchers.

Research limitations/implications

Search parameters focused on the top 10 journals in the field of educational technology. Although this provides a level of quality, it narrowed the search.

Practical implications

For practitioners and researchers, this study provides a summary of the field to better understand what knowledge we have gained on the use of educational technology to enable a more agile, knowledgeable response to education in future emergencies.

Originality/value

This systematic review is unique in examining how the pandemic has influenced educational technology research. It also provides insight into gaps in the research that future researchers can use as a springboard to enable a more knowledge and a more agile approach to future emergencies.
Environmental and socio-psychological drivers of building users’ behaviours: a case study of tertiary institutional offices in Auckland
Authors: Weerasinghe Achini Shanika , Rasheed Eziaku Onyeizu , Rotimi James Olabode Bamidele
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Better identification of comfort preferences and occupant behaviour drivers is expected to improve buildings’ user-centred designs and energy operations. To understand the underline drivers of occupant behaviours in office buildings, this study aims to evaluate the inter-relationships among occupant energy behaviours, indoor environmental quality satisfaction, user control and social-psychological factors influencing occupant behaviours in New Zealand offices.

Design/methodology/approach

Using an occupant perception survey, this study identifies the occupant behaviour patterns based on multi-domain comfort preferences. A case study was conducted in five office spaces of a university in Auckland, New Zealand. Data were collected from 52 occupants and analysed using descriptive and binary logistic regression analysis. Indoor environmental quality, user control, motivational, opportunity and ability factors were the independent variables considered. A model to predict the behaviours using environmental, building and social-psychological aspects was developed.

Findings

The results showed that the primary sources of indoor environmental quality discomfort were related to thermal and air quality, while occupants’ indoor environmental quality satisfaction correlated with their comfort preferences. The outcomes emphasise how the connection between building systems and occupants’ comfort preferences affect the choice of occupant behaviours in offices. Also, the primary occupant behaviours were drinking hot and cold beverages, opening/closing windows and internal doors and adjusting clothing. The binary logistic regression analysis showed that occupants’ perceived user control satisfaction is the main driver for increasing window actions. No other independent variable showed a statistically significant association with other behaviours.

Originality/value

This study adopted a novel approach to assess the combined effects of comfort preferences, occupant energy behaviours and various environmental, building and socio-psychological factors for modelling energy-saving behaviours in office buildings.
What (specifically) differentiates the successful and unsuccessful systems delivery projects (SDPs)
Authors: Haverila Matti , Twyford Jenny Carita
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Against the backdrop of management, planning, temporary organizations, Shannon–Weaver theory of communication and evaluation theories, the purpose of this research paper is to examine the relative importance of specific project management tasks in the various phases of system delivery projects in distinguishing successful and unsuccessful projects.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey method was used (N = 3,129) to collect data from the customers of a major systems delivery project management company operating in the facilities management industry. Logistic regression was used to analyze the capability and relative importance of the tasks in discriminating successful and unsuccessful projects.

Findings

The results of the paper indicate that three out four installation tasks were among the top three in their ability to differentiate the successful and unsuccessful systems delivery project. Especially critical tasks were “Meeting milestones” and “Allocation of appropriate resources” so that the project could be completed on-time. Relatively less important tasks were “Advice and suggestions regarding the development of specifications for the project” and “Proposal to meet the intent of the company’s specifications” in the proposal phase of the project, and “Resolving warranty issues as defined by the warranty process” in the commissioning phase.

Originality/value

Previous research has assessed the importance of the various project management phases. This research examines the capability of the more minutiae tasks to distinguish the successful and unsuccessful projects in the various phases of systems delivery projects, i.e. proposal, installation and commissioning.
Collaborating inside and outside the school: together overcoming COVID-19 challenges in Chile
Authors: Pino-Yancovic Mauricio , Ahumada Luis , DeFerrari Josefina , Correa Fernanda , Valenzuela Juan Pablo
Published: October 2022

Purpose

This research paper explores the value of collaborative inquiry networks of headteachers and curriculum coordinators to cope with 2020's coronavirus pandemic in Chile. Specifically, the authors describe the main challenges that networks identify in their contexts, the collaborative practices performed by different schools to address these challenges, and the influence of the networks on the innovative responses of teachers in their own schools.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a mixed-method study from a complementary stance using different methods and data of a project implemented with a total of 54 headteachers and curriculum coordinators. The data sources were participants' individual reports, the network teams' reports of their collaborative inquiry projects, and a short open-ended questionnaire responded by teachers that did not participate directly in the networks but benefited from their work. The data were analyzed using content analysis, categories were created to organize and describe the main findings.

Findings

Participants of the networks reported that their active participation in the collaborative inquiry allows them to share knowledge among different schools and has helped them to support innovative practices in their own schools. Specifically, they have reported that collaborating has permitted them to maintain a pedagogical focus, foster distributed leadership within the school communities, provide them with greater autonomy, and develop skills to favor the emotional containment of their teams. Inquiry teams perform diverse collective practices; they designed and applied virtual surveys, planned and implemented virtual workshops with teachers, and generated meaningful reflection about formative assessment and pedagogical practices.

Originality/value

This work offers insights into how the Chilean school system has responded to COVID-19 challenges and shows how despite the negative aspects of the pandemic, it has become an opportunity to recognize and enhance teachers' professional development through the collaboration among different schools. Most headteachers and curriculum coordinators reported that an active collaborative inquiry changed how they used to think about their leadership and strengthened the value of professional relationships to address extremely difficult challenges as a result of the pandemic. These lessons can be taken for the future, to rethink and rebuild educational systems.
Reviewing the role of cultural and creative industries in developing an urban cultural policy platform in Rasht city, Iran
Authors: Pourzakarya Maryam , Fadaei Nezhad Bahramjerdi Somayeh
Published: October 2022

Purpose

In spite of controversies in academia, various nations around the world have been propounding the importance of cultural and creative industries (CCIs) as the driving force in economic growth and development strategies. Accordingly, this research aims to understand how these industries could contribute to forming a cultural and creative policy scheme in an urban context that is structured based on local cultural assets.

Design/methodology/approach

The case analysis of Rasht city, a UNESCO Creative City, assesses the planning policies from the national to the regional level to determine the cultural policy planning platform of Creative Rasht in four phases of urban cultural resources, municipal objectives, festival urban branding and the role of stakeholders, which are fashioned by the integrated cultural identity and sustainable city. This is followed by semi-structured interviews with experts and young researchers in the field of culture-led urban regeneration to evaluate different phases of the policy planning process.

Findings

By means of the qualitative method and ethnographic research, this paper argues that managerial regulations for local cultural industries contribute not only to the reinforcement of cultural resources but also to urban cultural sustainable development.

Originality/value

Building on empirical research, this paper attempts to argue the significant role of local CCIs alongside social values in creating a creative city platform, given the necessity for an urban cultural platform in Iran. It also emphasises the importance of local communities’ participation in the decision-making process and awareness-raising among different groups of stakeholders.
Discovering ethnic minority business research directions using text mining and topic modelling
Authors: Moro Sérgio , Pires Guilherme , Rita Paulo , Cortez Paulo , Ramos Ricardo F.
Published: October 2022

Purpose

This study aims to unveil within the current academic literature the principal directions in the ethnic entrepreneurship and small business marketing research context.

Design/methodology/approach

An automated literature analysis procedure was undertaken, attempting to cover all literature published on the subject since 1962. A total of 188 articles were analysed using text mining and topic modelling.

Findings

The results show a lack of framing of ethnic entrepreneurship literature outside the narrower scope of migration. Some core themes were found (e.g. network, diversity) around which several other themes orbit, including both related issues to the ethnic factor (e.g. barriers and minorities) and managerial issues (e.g. marketing and production).

Originality/value

Ethnic minority business and small business marketing research has seen a growing number of publications. However, a careful review of existing work is missing.
The status of internalized prejudice in leader self-development
Authors: Hogue Mary , Knapp Deborah Erdos , Peck Jessica A. , Weems-Landingham Velvet
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Little research directly examines leader self-development among marginalized workers. The authors offer a framework to explain the role of internalized prejudice in limiting leader self-development, and the authors use that framework to suggest organizational interventions aimed at enhancing leader self-development among marginalized workers.

Design/methodology/approach

The framework is grounded in the incompleteness thesis with its attention to the mutual shaping of culture and mind, and the interventions are drawn from principles of social movements with their focus on changing culture and the minds of individuals. The framework and interventions address the role of status in internalized prejudice.

Findings

Status-related experiences in culture shape status-related thoughts in the mind, resulting in internalized prejudice. Internalized prejudice reduces the status-related behavior of leader self-development, which serves to shape status in the culture. This repeats in an ongoing, recursive process that can be disrupted through organizational interventions. The social movement principles of common purpose and networking can provide new status-related experiences to reduce internalized prejudice, and habit-breaking can stop automatic self-limiting behaviors that can arise from internalized prejudice.

Originality/value

By focusing on status, the authors provide a framework that allows integration of literature across marginalized groups, providing a guide for understanding both commonality and uniqueness of experience. The authors bring principles of social movement to the discussion of leader self-development among marginalized workers as a guide for developing organizational interventions.
Exploring environmental – economic performance linkages in EU agriculture: evidence from a panel cointegration framework
Authors: Zafeiriou Eleni , Azam Muhammad , Garefalakis Alexandros
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Within an effort of European Union (EU) policy to achieve carbon-neutral agriculture, the present study intends to explore the impact of carbon emissions generated by different sources related to agriculture namely energy used in farming, by enteric fermentation and by fertilizers on agricultural income in 25 countries from EU.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to evaluate the environmental – economic performance linkage for EU agriculture, we employ a couple of different widely used panel unit root tests explicitly Levin, Li and Chu, Im, Pesaran and Shin, ADF and PP Fisher Chi-square test cointegration test (Pedroni and Kao cointegration tests) and model estimation methodologies namely the FMOLS and DOLS and ARDL – PMG models.

Findings

All the cointegration techniques employed namely Pedroni, Kao test and Johansen Pesaran cointegration tests validate the existence of long run relationships. The most significant finding is the model estimation based on three different methodologies namely FMOLS, DOLS and ARDL/PMG models. No convergence in the results was found by different estimation models. For the short term coefficients and more specifically for the case of carbon emissions generated by energy the impact on agricultural income seems to be decreasing with a decreasing trend, a result that validates the little effort made by farmers to limit carbon emissions along with the limited efficacy of the implementing policy. The same findings are valid for the first two estimation models while for the case of the third model the reversed relationship is validated. For the carbon emissions generated by enteric fermentation, the inverted-U pattern is validated with DOLS and ARDL/PMG model while for the case of fertilizers only the third model confirms the validity of inverted-U- pattern.

Practical implications

Based on the obtained empirical results, a list of policy implications is unveiled with multiple impacts on the strategy and practices adopted by farmers in order for the objective of eco efficieny to be achieved.

Originality/value

The conducted research is focusing on the environmental – economic performance linkages for EU agriculture and examines the role of agri – environmental policy in the evolution of the particular relationship for different sources of environmental pollution in agricultural activity.
Drivers of unemployment intensity in sub-Saharan Africa: do government intervention and natural resources matter?
Authors: Akinyele Olawale Daniel , Oloba Olusola Mathew , Mah Gisele
Published: October 2022

Purpose

African countries are endowed with both human and natural resources. These resources constitute integral components for any economic development due to the long-lasting relationship with all sectors in an economy, yet there is an obvious disagreement between growing economy and employment generation in Africa. Though there has been a growing pattern of economic size, particularly the gross domestic product (GDP) among African countries, most of these economies are low in human development. The disagreement between economic growth and employment generation in Africa despite abundant natural resources located on the continent calls for public discourse among scholars. Therefore, the purpose of the study is to examine the peculiar drivers of unemployment intensity in a region characterized by endowed resources.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper adopts two approaches; the authors employed the pooled mean group (PMG) estimator and utilised stochastic frontier analysis (SFA) to generate a government efficiency index between the period 1991 and 2017 among sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries.

Findings

The empirical results through the single output-multiple inputs framework indicate that on average, there is a low level of government efficiency towards increasing the objective of human development in Africa. However, in the long run, natural resource endowment has a positive and significant relationship with employment generation for SSA. Hence, the study established that a low level of government efficiency has a long-lasting effect on low human development experienced in Africa.

Social implications

The need to improve the level of government efficiency towards economic development by making both human and physical capital more effective will spur the exploration of natural resources.

Originality/value

The paper provides an empirical study of the effectiveness and efficiency of government through PMG and SFA in establishing the relationship between government approaches and employment level in selected SSA countries.
The Crisis of Everyday Liveability, Policy and Politics
Authors: Calafati Luca , Froud Julie , Haslam Coilin , Johal Sukhdev , Williams Karel
Published: October 2022

This article develops a distinctive foundational analysis of what is loosely termed the ‘everyday economy’. The ‘cost of living crisis’ is analysed as an acute crisis of household liveability which overlays a decade‐long chronic crisis. This is caused by the crumbling of all three pillars of liveability: disposable and residual income, essential services and social infrastructure. Mainstream economists and politicians fail to understand or respond to these chronic problems because they continue to assert and assume that higher wages will deliver better living standards. Effective response requires not only a reset of central state policies, but also a rethinking of politics so that government recognises and empowers the diverse and distributed sources of social innovation.
Fecal microbiota transplantation relieves abdominal bloating in children with functional gastrointestinal disorders via modulating the gut microbiome and metabolome
Authors: Wang Yi Zhong , Xiao Fang Fei , Xiao Yong Mei , Li Xiao Lu , Hu Hui , Hong Kai , Li Dan , Le Jun , Yu Guang Jun , Zhang Ting
Published: October 2022

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) in functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) in children with abdominal bloating and changes in their gut microbiome and metabolome.

Methods

Twelve pediatric FGID patients with predominant abdominal bloating who underwent FMT were enrolled in the study. Fourteen healthy controls and four stool donors were included for analysis. Clinical responses were assessed at 8 weeks after FMT. Fecal bacterial composition was determined by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The fecal metabolome was measured by targeted metabolomics analysis.

Results

Median age of the 12 children with FGIDs was 6 years, and nine were boys. Abdominal bloating was relieved in all patients by FMT at 8 weeks. Meanwhile, FMT significantly improved abdominal pain and diarrhea. The a diversity was significantly lower in the FGID patients, while the fecal microbial community (β diversity) separated from that of healthy control (HCs). The relative abundances of multiple bacterial genera were significantly changed in the feces of the pediatric FGID patients. The levels of several short‐chain fatty acids were lower, and lactic acid level was higher in FGID patients than in HCs. Altered bacterial composition was correlated with changes in the fecal metabolite profile and clinical symptoms in FGID patients. FMT modulated fecal microbiome and metabolome in FGID children toward a healthy state.

Conclusions

FMT relieves abdominal bloating and modulates fecal microbiome and metabolome toward a healthy state in children with FGIDs. FMT may provide an alternative therapy for children with FGIDs and abdominal bloating.
Effects of probiotics on gastric microbiota and its precombination with quadruple regimen for Helicobacter pylori eradication
Authors: Wu You , Dong Xiao Yang , Zhou Xian Zhu , Li Zhao Shen , Du Yi Qi
Published: October 2022

Objectives

This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of probiotics for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication therapy as well as their effects on gastric microbiota.

Methods

Patients who had failed H. pylori eradication therapy for at least twice were prospectively enrolled during March 2019 and March 2021. A 2‐week administration of compound Lactobacillus acidophilus probiotic (1 g thrice daily) followed by a 10‐day quadruple bismuth‐containing H. pylori eradication therapy was administrated. Endoscopy was performed, and gastric biopsy samples were obtained for drug sensitivity testing and 16S rRNA gene sequencing before and after probiotic treatment. Eradication was evaluated by the 13C‐urea breath test at least 4 weeks after treatment completion. Adverse events (AEs) were recorded.

Results

Thirty‐seven patients were included. Probiotic supplementation had no effects on the diversity, community structure, and composition of gastric microbiota and no inhibition on H. pylori activity. However, it increased some of the beneficial bacteria such as Blautia, Dorea, and Roseburia (P < 0.05). The overall eradication rate was 97.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] 91.8%–100%). AEs, mainly dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, and chest distress, were detected in six individuals, all of which were resolved upon cessation of antibiotic administration. Dyspeptic symptoms were improved after probiotic supplementation and at treatment completion (both P < 0.001).

Conclusions

H. pylori‐infected individuals might benefit from probiotics followed by a quadruple bismuth‐containing eradication therapy. Further studies with large sample sizes are warranted.
Unlikely cause of primary upper limb venous thrombosis
Authors: Chen Christopher , Baker Luke
Published: October 2022

Primary upper limb venous thrombosis is a rare disease usually caused by external compression of the proximal deep upper limb veins from aberrant musculoskeletal anatomy such as cervical ribs, abnormal tendon insertions and hypertrophy of the anterior scalene or subclavius muscles. We present an unusual case of primary upper limb thrombosis caused by compression of the brachiocephalic vein from a sternoclavicular ganglion cyst. This case illustrates the importance of considering a wide differential when searching for a cause of primary upper limb venous thrombosis.