bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Subnuclear localisation is associated with gene activation not repression or parental origin at the imprintedDlk1-Dio3locus
Authors: Mashoodh Rahia , Hülsmann Lisa C. , Dearden Frances L. , Takahashi Nozomi , Ferguson-Smith Anne C.
Published: March 2021

At interphase, de-condensed chromosomes have a non-random three-dimensional architecture within the nucleus, however, little is known about the extent to which nuclear organisation might influence expression orvice versa. Here, using imprinting as a model, we use 3D RNA- and DNA-fluorescence-in-situ-hybridisation in normal and mutant mouse embryonic stem cells to assess the relationship between imprinting control, gene expression and allelic distance from the nuclear periphery. We compared the two parentally inherited imprinted domains at theDlk1-Dio3domain and find a small but reproducible trend for the maternally inherited domain to be further away from the periphery if the maternally expressed geneGtl2/Meg3is active compared to when it is silenced. Using Zfp57KO ES cells, which harbour a paternal to maternal epigenotype switch, we observe active alleles significantly further away from the nuclear periphery with the distance from the periphery being proportional to the number of alleles active within the cell. This distribution of alleles suggests an activating effect of the nuclear interior rather than a repressive association with the nuclear periphery. Although we see a trend for the paternally inherited copy of the locus to be closer to the nuclear periphery, this appears to be linked to stochastic gene expression differences rather than parental origin. Our results suggest that transcriptional activity, rather than transcriptional repression or parental origin, defines sub-nuclear localisation at an endogenous imprinted domain.

Author summary

Genomic imprinting is an epigenetically regulated process that results in the preferential expression of a subset of developmentally regulated genes from maternally or paternally inherited chromosomes. We have used imprinted genes as a model system to investigate the relationship between the localisation of genes within the cell nucleus and their active expression while at the same time distinguishing gene repression by genomic imprinting, and gene repression by other mechanisms that act on the active allele. We find that there is a significant correlation between transcription and distance to the edge of the nucleus for theGtl2/Meg3gene in the imprintedDlk1-Dio3region. However, this correlation has a very small effect size and the nuclear envelope, which is commonly thought to act as a repressive environment for gene expression, does not appear to play a major role. We show that position effects, which have been shown for artificially lamina-targeted genes, also exist for endogenous loci and consider the possible biological relevance of the observed small effect.
Expression bias in retinoic acid responsive genes defines variations in neural differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells
Authors: Kim Suel-Kee , Seo Seungmae , Stein-O’Brien Genevieve , Jaishankar Amritha , Ogawa Kazuya , Micali Nicola , Luria Victor , Karger Amir , Wang Yanhong , Hyde Thomas M. , Kleinman Joel E. , Voss Ty , Fertig Elana J. , Shin Joo-Heon , Bürli Roland , Cross Alan J. , Brandon Nicholas J. , Weinberger Daniel R. , Chenoweth Joshua G. , Hoeppner Daniel J. , Sestan Nenad , Colantuoni Carlo , McKay Ronald D.
Published: March 2021

Variability between human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) lines remains a challenge and opportunity in biomedicine. We identified differences in the early lineage emergence across hPSC lines that mapped on the antero-posterior axis of embryonic development. RNA-seq analysis revealed dynamic transcriptomic patterns that defined the emergence of mesendodermal versus neuroectodermal lineages conserved across hPSC lines and cell line-specific transcriptional signatures that were invariant across differentiation. The stable cell line-specific transcriptomic patterns predicted the retinoic acid (RA) response of the cell lines, resulting in distinct bias towards fore-versus hind-brain fates. Replicate hPSC lines and paired adult donor tissue demonstrated that cells from individual humans expressed unique and long-lasting transcriptomic signatures associated with evolutionarily recent genes. In addition to this genetic contribution, we found that replicate lines from a single donor showed divergent brain regional fates linked to distinct chromatin states, indicating that epigenetic mechanisms also contribute to neural fate differences. This variation in lineage bias and its correlation with RA responsive gene expression was also observed in a large collection of hPSC lines. These results define transcriptomic differences in hPSCs that initiate a critical early step specifying anterior or posterior neural fates.
4polar-STORM polarized super-resolution imaging of actin filament organization in cells
Authors: Rimoli Caio Vaz , Cruz Cesar Augusto Valades , Curcio Valentina , Mavrakis Manos , Brasselet Sophie
Published: March 2021

Advances in single-molecule localization microscopy are providing unprecedented insights into the nanometer-scale organization of protein assemblies in cells and thus a powerful means for interrogating biological function. However, localization imaging alone does not contain information on protein conformation and orientation, which constitute additional key signatures of protein function. Here, we present a new microscopy method which combines for the first time Stochastic Optical Reconstruction Microscopy (STORM) super-resolution imaging with single molecule orientation and wobbling measurements using a four polarization-resolved image splitting scheme. This new method, called 4polar-STORM, allows us to determine both single molecule localization and orientation in 2D and to infer their 3D orientation, and is compatible with high labelling densities and thus ideally placed for the determination of the organization of dense protein assemblies in cells. We demonstrate the potential of this new method by studying the nanometer-scale organization of dense actin filament assemblies driving cell adhesion and motility, and reveal bimodal distributions of actin filament orientations in the lamellipodium, which were previously only observed in electron microscopy studies. 4polar-STORM is fully compatible with 3D localization schemes and amenable to live-cell observations, and thus promises to provide new functional readouts by enabling nanometer-scale studies of orientational dynamics in a cellular context.
The Dynamic Continuum of Nanoscale Peptide Assemblies Facilitates Endocytosis and Endosomal Escape
Authors: He Hongjian , Guo Jiaqi , Xu Jiashu , Wang Jiaqing , Liu Shuang , Xu Bing
Published: March 2021

Considerable number of works have reported alkaline phosphatase (ALP) enabled intracellular targeting by peptide assemblies, but little is known how these substrates of ALP enters cells. Here we show that the nanoscale assemblies of phosphopeptides, as a dynamic continuum, cluster ALP to enable caveolae mediated endocytosis (CME) and eventual endosomal escape. Specifically, fluorescent phosphopeptides, as substrates of tissue nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP), undergo enzyme catalyzed self-assembly to form nanofibers. As shown by live cell imaging, the nanoparticles of phosphopeptides, being incubated with HEK293 cells overexpressing red fluorescent protein-tagged TNAP (TNAP-RFP), cluster TNAP-RFP in lipid rafts to enable CME, further dephosphorylation of the phosphopeptides form the peptide nanofibers for endosomal escape inside cells. Inhibiting TNAP, cleaving the membrane anchored TNAP, or disrupting lipid rafts abolishes the endocytosis. Moreover, decreasing the formation of peptide nanofibers prevents the endosomal escape. As the first study establishing a dynamic continuum of supramolecular assemblies for cellular uptake, this work not only illustrates an effective design for enzyme responsive supramolecular therapeutics, but also provides mechanism insights for understanding the dynamics of cellular uptakes of proteins or exogenous peptide aggregates at nanoscale.
Sequence determinants of human gene regulatory elements
Authors: Sahu Biswajyoti , Hartonen Tuomo , Pihlajamaa Päivi , Wei Bei , Dave Kashyap , Zhu Fangjie , Kaasinen Eevi , Lidschreiber Katja , Lidschreiber Michael , Daub Carsten O. , Cramer Patrick , Kivioja Teemu , Taipale Jussi
Published: March 2021

DNA determines where and when genes are expressed, but the full set of sequence determinants that control gene expression is not known. To obtain a global and unbiased view of the relative importance of different sequence determinants in gene expression, we measured transcriptional activity of DNA sequences that are in aggregate ∼100 times longer than the human genome in three different cell types. We show that enhancers can be classified to three main types: classical enhancers1, closed chromatin enhancers and chromatin-dependent enhancers, which act via different mechanisms and differ in motif content. Transcription factors (TFs) act generally in an additive manner with weak grammar, with classical enhancers increasing expression from promoters by a mechanism that does not involve specific TF-TF interactions. Few TFs are strongly active in a cell, with most activities similar between cell types. Chromatin-dependent enhancers are enriched in forkhead motifs, whereas classical enhancers contain motifs for TFs with strong transactivator domains such as ETS and bZIP; these motifs are also found at transcription start site (TSS)-proximal positions. However, some TFs, such as NRF1 only activate transcription when placed close to the TSS, and others such as YY1 display positional preference with respect to the TSS. TFs can thus be classified into four non-exclusive subtypes based on their transcriptional activity: chromatin opening, enhancing, promoting and TSS determining factors – consistent with the view that the binding motif is the only atomic unit of gene expression.
Stonewall prevents expression of testis-enriched genes and binds to insulator elements inD. melanogaster
Authors: Zinshteyn Daniel , Barbash Daniel A
Published: March 2021

Germline stem cells (GSCs) are the progenitor cells of the germline for the lifetime of an animal. InDrosophila, these cells reside in a cellular niche that is required for both their maintenance (self-renewal) and differentiation (asymmetric division resulting in a daughter cell that differs from the GSC). The stem cell-daughter cell transition is tightly regulated by a number of processes, including an array of proteins required for genome stability. The germline stem-cell maintenance factor Stonewall (Stwl) associates with heterochromatin, but its molecular function is poorly understood. We performed RNA-Seq onstwlmutant ovaries and found significant derepression of many transposon families but not heterochromatic genes. We also discovered that testis-enriched genes, including the differentiation factorbgcnand a large testis-specific cluster on chromosome 2, are upregulated or ectopically expressed instwlmutant ovaries. Surprisingly, we also found that RNAi knockdown ofstwlin somatic S2 cells results in ectopic expression of these genes.

Using parallel ChIP-Seq and RNA-Seq experiments in S2 cells, we discovered that Stwl binds upstream of transcription start sites and localizes to heterochromatic sequences. We also find that Stwl is enriched at repetitive sequences associated with telomeres. Finally, we identify Stwl binding motifs that are shared with known insulator binding proteins. We propose that Stwl affects gene regulation by binding insulators and establishing chromatin boundaries.
Fronto-medial theta coordinates posterior maintenance of working memory content
Authors: Ratcliffe Oliver , Shapiro Kimron , Staresina Bernhard P.
Published: March 2021

How does the human brain manage multiple bits of information to guide goal-directed behaviour? Successful working memory (WM) functioning has consistently been linked to oscillatory power in the theta frequency band (4-8 Hz) over fronto-medial cortex (fronto-medial theta, FMT). Specifically, FMT is thought to reflect the mechanism of an executive sub-system that coordinates maintenance of memory contents in posterior regions. However, direct evidence for the role of FMT in controlling specific WM content is lacking. Here we collected high-density Electroencephalography (EEG) data whilst participants engaged in load-varying WM tasks and then used multivariate decoding methods to examine WM content during the maintenance period. Higher WM load elicited a focal increase in FMT. Importantly, decoding of WM content was driven by posterior/parietal sites, which in turn showed load-induced functional theta coupling with fronto-medial cortex. Finally, we observed a significant slowing of FMT frequency with increasing WM load, consistent with the hypothesised broadening of a theta ‘duty cycle’ to accommodate additional WM items. Together these findings demonstrate that frontal theta orchestrates posterior maintenance of WM content. Moreover, the observed frequency slowing elucidates the function of FMT oscillations by specifically supporting phase-coding accounts of WM.

Significance Statement

How does the brain juggle the maintenance of multiple items in working memory (WM)? Here we show that increased WM demands increase theta power (4-8 Hz) in fronto-medial cortex. Interestingly, using a machine learning approach, we found that the content held in WM could be read out not from frontal, but from posterior areas. These areas were in turn functionally coupled with fronto-medial cortex, consistent with the idea that frontal cortex orchestrates WM representations in posterior regions. Finally, we observed that holding an additional item in WM leads to significant slowing of the frontal theta rhythm, supporting computational models that postulate longer ‘duty cycles’ to accommodate additional WM demands.
Ultrastructural plasma membrane asymmetries in tension and curvature promote yeast cell fusion
Authors: Muriel Olivia , Michon Laetitia , Kukulski Wanda , Martin Sophie G
Published: March 2021

Cell-cell fusion is central to the process of fertilization for sexual reproduction. This necessitates the remodeling of peri-cellular matrix or cell wall material and the merging of plasma membranes. In walled fission yeastS. pombe, the fusion of P and M cells during sexual reproduction relies on the fusion focus, an actin structure that concentrates glucanase-containing secretory vesicles for local cell wall digestion necessary for membrane fusion. Here, we present a correlative light and electron microscopy (CLEM) quantitative study of a large dataset of 3D tomograms of the fusion site, which revealed the ultrastructure of the fusion focus as an actin-containing, vesicle-dense structure excluding other organelles. Unexpectedly, the data revealed asymmetries between the two gametes: M-cells exhibit a taut and convex plasma membrane that progressively protrudes into P-cells, which exhibit a more slack, wavy plasma membrane. These asymmetries are relaxed upon plasma membrane fusion, with observations of ramified pores that may result from multiple initiations or inhomogeneous expansion. We show that P-cells have a higher exo-to endocytosis ratio than M-cells, and that local reduction in exocytosis abrogates membrane waviness and compromises cell fusion significantly more in P-than M-cells. Reciprocally, reduction of turgor pressure specifically in M-cells prevents their protrusions into P-cells and delays cell fusion. Thus, asymmetric membrane conformations, which result from differential turgor pressure and exocytosis/endocytosis ratios between mating types, favor cell-cell fusion.
The mechanosensitive Ca2+-permeable ion channel PIEZO1 promotes satellite cell function in skeletal muscle regeneration
Authors: Hirano Kotaro , Tsuchiya Masaki , Takabayashi Seiji , Nagao Kohjiro , Kitajima Yasuo , Ono Yusuke , Nonomura Keiko , Mori Yasuo , Umeda Masato , Hara Yuji
Published: March 2021

Muscle satellite cells (MuSCs), myogenic stem cells in skeletal muscle, play an essential role in muscle regeneration. During the regeneration process, cues from the surrounding microenvironment are critical for the proliferation and function of MuSCs. However, the mechanism by which mechanical stimuli from the MuSCs niche is converted into biochemical signals to promote muscle regeneration is yet to be determined. Here, we show that PIEZO1, a calcium ion (Ca2+)-permeable cation channel that is activated by membrane tension, mediates the spontaneous Ca2+influx to controls the regenerative function of MuSCs. Our genetically engineering approach in mice revealed that PIEZO1 is functionally expressed in MuSCs, and the conditional deletion ofPiezo1in MuSCs delays myofiber regeneration after myofiber injury, which is at least in part due to the growth defect in MuSCs via the reduction in RhoA-mediated actomyosin formation. Thus, we provide the first evidence in MuSCs that PIEZO1, abona fidemechanosensitive ion channel, promotes the proliferative and regenerative function during skeletal muscle regeneration.
Transcription Factor NF-κB Unravels Nucleosomes
Authors: Stormberg Tommy , Filliaux Shaun , Baughman Hannah E. R. , Komives Elizabeth A. , Lyubchenko Yuri L.
Published: March 2021

NF-κB is a transcription factor responsible for activating hundreds of genes in mammalian organisms. To accomplish its function, NF-κB must interact with DNA occupied by nucleosomes, but how this interaction occurs is unclear. Here we used Atomic Force Microscopy to characterize complexes of NF-κB with nucleosomes assembled on different DNA templates. The assembly of NF-κB-nucleosome complexes leads to a substantial decrease of DNA wrapping efficiency. Mapping of the nucleosomes did not reveal displacement of under-wrapped nucleosomes from their original position, suggesting that unravelling involves dissociation of one or both flanks of the nucleosomes. We discovered two binding modes of NF-κB associated with nucleosome unraveling - NF-κB bound to the nucleosome core and to the DNA flanks and propose models explaining the interaction of NF-κB with the nucleosome. We speculate that NF-κB can function as a pioneer factor enhancing its ability to facilitate rapid transcriptional response to cell stress.
Dynamic movement primitives based cloud robotic skill learning for point and non-point obstacle avoidance
Authors: Lu Zhenyu , Wang Ning
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Dynamic movement primitives (DMPs) is a general robotic skill learning from demonstration method, but it is usually used for single robotic manipulation. For cloud-based robotic skill learning, the authors consider trajectories/skills changed by the environment, rebuild the DMPs model and propose a new DMPs-based skill learning framework removing the influence of the changing environment.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors proposed methods for two obstacle avoidance scenes: point obstacle and non-point obstacle. For the case with point obstacles, an accelerating term is added to the original DMPs function. The unknown parameters in this term are estimated by interactive identification and fitting step of the forcing function. Then a pure skill despising the influence of obstacles is achieved. Using identified parameters, the skill can be applied to new tasks with obstacles. For the non-point obstacle case, a space matching method is proposed by building a matching function from the universal space without obstacle to the space condensed by obstacles. Then the original trajectory will change along with transformation of the space to get a general trajectory for the new environment.

Findings

The proposed two methods are certified by two experiments, one of which is taken based on Omni joystick to record operator’s manipulation motions. Results show that the learned skills allow robots to execute tasks such as autonomous assembling in a new environment.

Originality/value

This is a new innovation for DMPs-based cloud robotic skill learning from multi-scene tasks and generalizing new skills following the changes of the environment.
Radiation heat transfer within a solar system considering nanofluid flow inside the absorber tube
Authors: Ebrahimpour Zahra , Sheikholeslami Mohsen , Farshad Seyyed Ali , Shafee Ahmad
Published: March 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to model solar unit equipped with mirrors with numerical simulation. To augment the efficiency of system, absorber pipe was equipped with fins and nanomaterial was used as carrier fluid. Existence of secondary reflector results in better optical efficiency.

Design/methodology/approach

Finite volume approach is used for modeling which is done in two steps. The first one is done to achieve the heat flux distribution and second step to model turbulent flow inside the pipe. Verification has been presented for calculation of important functions (f and Nu). Outputs reveal the impacts of fin height (HF), number of fin (NF), inlet temperature (Tin) and velocity on irreversibility, thermal treatment.

Findings

Surface temperature decreases by 0.498, 0.07 and 0.017% with intensify of Re, HF and NF, respectively, when other factors were minimum. With augment of Tin, wall temperature increases about 9.87%. Given NF = 8, HF = 3 mmm, growth of Re makes Darcy factor to decrease about 28.28%, but it augments the Nu by 2.63%. Nu augments with rise of NF and HF about 2.63 and 7.66%. Irreversibility reduces about 29.5 and 11.65% with augment of NF and HF, respectively.

Originality/value

Numerical simulations for solar unit equipped with mirrors were reported in this modeling. To augment the efficiency of system, absorber pipe was equipped with fins and nanomaterial was used as carrier fluid. Existence of secondary reflector results in better optical efficiency. Finite volume approach is used for modeling which is done in two steps. The first one is done to achieve the heat flux distribution and second step to model turbulent flow inside the pipe. Verification has been presented for calculation of important functions (f and Nu). Outputs reveal the impacts of fin height (HF), number of fin (NF), inlet temperature (Tin) and velocity on irreversibility, thermal treatment.
Mixed convective stagnation point flow of a hybrid nanofluid toward a vertical cylinder
Authors: Khashi'ie Najiyah Safwa , Arifin Norihan M. , Merkin John H. , Yahaya Rusya Iryanti , Pop Ioan
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to numerically analyze the stagnation point flow of Cu-Al2O3/water hybrid nanofluid with mixed convection past a flat plate and circular cylinder.

Design/methodology/approach

The similarity equations that reduced from the boundary layer and energy equations are solved using the bvp4c solver. The duality of solutions is observed within the specific range of the control parameters, namely, mixed convection parameterλ, curvature parameterγand nanoparticles volumetric concentrationϕ1for alumina, while for copperϕ2. The stability analysis is also designed to justify the particular solutions’ stability. Additionally, the idea to obtain the solution for large value ofλandγis also presented in this paper.

Findings

Two solutions exist in opposing and assisting flows up to a critical valueλcwhereλclies in the opposing region. An upsurge of the curvature parameter tends to extend the critical value (delay the separation process), whilst increase the heat transfer performance of the working fluid. Meanwhile, the application of hybrid Cu-Al2O3/water nanofluid also can decelerate the separation of laminar boundary layer flow and produce higher heat transfer rate than the Cu–water nanofluid and pure water.

Originality/value

The results are new and original. This study benefits to the other researchers, specifically in the observation of the fluid flow characteristics and heat transfer rate of the hybrid nanofluid. Also, this paper features with the mathematical formulation for the solution with large values ofλandγ.
Listening to your employees: analyzing opinions from online reviews of hotel companies
Authors: Shi Xiaolin (Crystal) , Chen Zixi
Published: March 2021

Purpose

This study aims to examine the factors influencing hotel employee satisfaction and explores the different sentiments expressed in these factors in online reviews by hotel type (premium versus economy) and employment status (current versus former).

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 78,535 online reviews by employees of 29 hotel companies for the period of 2011-2019 were scraped from Indeed.com. Structural topic modeling (STM) and sentiment analysis were used to extract topics influencing employee satisfaction and examine differences in sentiments in each topic.

Findings

Results showed that employees of premium hotels expressed more positive sentiments in their reviews than employees of economy hotels. The STM results demonstrated that 20 topics influenced employee satisfaction, the top three of which were workplace bullying and dirty work (18.01%), organizational support (16.29%) and career advancement (8.88%). The results indicated that the sentiments in each topic differed by employment status and hotel type.

Practical implications

Rather than relying on survey data to explore employee satisfaction, hotel industry practitioners can analyze employees’ online reviews to design action plans.

Originality/value

This study is one of only a few to use online reviews from an employment search engine to explore hotel employee satisfaction. This study found that workplace bullying and dirty work heavily influenced employee satisfaction. Moreover, analysis of the comments from previous employees identified antecedents of employees’ actual turnover behavior but not their turnover intention.
First-generation Ethiopian immigrants and beliefs about physical activity
Authors: Alemu Brook T. , Carlisle Kristy L. , Abate Sara N.
Published: March 2021

Purpose

While several studies have examined the attitudes, perceptions and beliefs of physical activity in different immigrant groups, little is known in this area among the first-generation Ethiopian immigrant population who lives in the USA. The purpose of this paper is to explore the behavioral, normative and control beliefs of physical activity among first-generation Ethiopian immigrants living in the DC-Metro area.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions and unobtrusive observation. Three structural themes and six textural themes were identified from the three forms of data collections. Qualitative data analysis including topics, categories and pattern analysis were conducted using phenomenological techniques.

Findings

Findings highlighted similarities to the theory of planned behavior with regard to attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control. Consistent with the literature, several salient behavioral determinants of physical activity that could affect participants’ decision-making were identified in the current pilot study. Increased longevity, mental well-being, improved sleep and improved metabolism were listed as the most common benefits of physical activity. Lack of time, family responsibility, neighborhood safety, location of the gym, lack of awareness and social and economic stressors were the major barriers to engage in physical activity. Implications for service providers and future research are discussed.

Practical implications

This study supported the need for future research into the social aspects of physical activity, as well as barriers to physical activity, including time, family responsibility, culture, income and neighborhood safety.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study exploring the behavioral, normative and control beliefs of physical activity among first-generation Ethiopian immigrants. To understand the beliefs, desires and barriers to physical activity in this population subgroup, the authors examined the behavioral, normative and control beliefs of regular moderate-intensity physical activity using the theory of planned behavior as a conceptual framework. As health education researchers, it is their responsibility to develop theory-driven policies and interventions to promote a healthy lifestyle among these underserved populations.
Spatial decision support for social hybrid organizations: siting new social supermarkets in Austria
Authors: Lienbacher Eva , Koschinsky Julia , Holweg Christina , Vallaster Christine
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Increasingly complex societal challenges call for new, innovative solutions that social hybrid business models can provide. Social supermarkets (SSMs) are one example offering access to affordable food to people living in poverty while reducing food waste of nearby retailers. Finding the “right” location is an essential part of this retail marketing strategy. However, limited research has attempted to investigate the specific conditions of locational planning for hybrid and nonprofit retail organizations. This paper illustrates the case of Austria where SSMs are well established.

Design/methodology/approach

A GIS-based white space analysis was carried out to identify potential neighborhoods or rural areas for new social supermarkets with sufficient nearby demand, supply and no existing SSMs. The empirical parameters for this spatial analysis can be transferred to European countries with similar ecosystems. The authors collected a unique data set of 79 (2014) and 88 SSMs (2019) and 4,665 (2014) and 4,211 (2019) food retailers as (potential) suppliers to SSMs. To determine demand, the authors relied on small-scale integrated wage and income tax data and unemployment rates (2011) from Statistics Austria.

Findings

Overall, Austria has very good spatial access to grocery stores, including to SSMs. SSM access increased especially in the capital of Vienna between 2014 and 2019. The GIS-based white space analysis identified several other regions where residents have a high demand for affordable food with sufficient potential suppliers of surplus food but no SSM yet. Neighborhood-level findings are released as part of a publicly accessible spatial decision support system.

Originality/value

The methodology allowed a specific definition of the key areas of relevance by matching the demand for SSMs, calculated as the number of people with low incomes in the respective regions in Austria, with the supply of SSMs, calculated as the amount of potential food loss prevention by nearby retail stores. These parameters have proven to help in identifying the white spaces and therefore can be used in Austria and other European countries with similar ecosystems.
Effects of financial instability on subjective well-being: a preference-based approach
Authors: Polyzos Stathis , Abdulrahman Khadija , Dandu Jagadish
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the link between banking crises and the subjective well-being of individuals. In addition, the authors examine the transmission of crises from the banking sector to well-being and show that negative financial shocks have significant adverse effects.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors employ agent-based modeling to test for the direct and indirect welfare effects of banking crises. The model includes a support vector machine (SVM) optimized subjective well-being function. The existing literature suggests that this is influenced by both the negative psychological effects of recessions and the adverse economic effects of income loss and increased unemployment.

Findings

The authors show that the different choices of policy response to a banking crisis carry different opportunity costs in terms of welfare and that societal preferences should be taken into account. The authors demonstrate that these effects influence different population classes in an asymmetric manner. Finally, the results demonstrate that the welfare loss of a bank failure is much higher than the cost of a bailout.

Practical implications

The authors are able to propose to the authorities the best policy mix in order to handle banking crises in the most adequate manner, according to society's preferences between financial stability and public goods.

Social implications

The findings extend the existing literature on subjective well-being, by quantifying the welfare cost of banking crises and showing that authorities should reconsider bank bailouts as a policy solution to bank distress.

Originality/value

The originality of this article lies in the use of an agent-based model to model the relationship between societal well-being and financial stability. Also, the authors extend existing agent-based methodologies to include machine learning optimization techniques.
Empirically revisiting a social class scheme for mental health in Barcelona, Spain
Authors: Bartoll-Roca Xavier , Julià Albert
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Social inequalities in mental health can be captured by occupational situation and social class stratification. This study analyzes the adequacy of a classification of work and employment conditions and an adaptation of the Goldthorpe social class scheme in relation to mental health in Barcelona, Spain.

Design/methodology/approach

Multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (CA) on working and employment conditions were used to empirically construct distinctive working groups. Through 2 logistic regression models, we contrasted the association between mental health and (1) the cluster of employment and working conditions (with 4 categories: insiders, instrumental, precarious and peripheral workers), and (2) a standard Spanish version of the Goldthorpe social class scheme. The performance of the 2 models was assessed with Akaike and Bayesian information criteria. The analyses were carried out using the Barcelona Health Survey (2016) including the labor force population from 22 to 64 years of age.

Findings

Wide inequalities were found in mental health with both class schemes. The empirical class scheme was more effective than the Goldthorpe social class scheme in explaining mental health inequalities. In particular, precarious and peripheral workers in the MCA-CA analysis, together with unemployed workers, emerged as distinctive social groups apparently masked within the lower social class in the standard scheme. When using the standard scheme, the authors recommend widening the scope at the bottom of the social class categories while shrinking it at the top as well as considering unemployed persons as a separate category to better represent mental health inequalities.

Social implications

The working poor appear to report at least as much poor mental health as unemployed persons. Policies aimed at more inclusive work should consider job quality improvements to improve the mental well-being of the labor force.

Originality/value

Our study examines the utility of social classes to explain mental health inequalities by comparing an empirically based social class to the Spanish adaptation of the Goldthorpe classification.
Welfare effects of limiting bank loans
Authors: Bose Arup , Pal Debashis , Sappington David
Published: March 2021

Purpose

This paper examines the effects of limiting the number of loans a bank can issue, reflecting a policy recently implemented by the US Federal Reserve.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper does so in a streamlined model of the banking sector.

Findings

This paper finds that a binding limit on loans can enhance welfare by motivating the bank to reduce the number of socially unproductive loans it makes. However, the limit can sometimes reduce welfare by inducing a reduction in the number of socially productive loans the bank issues, the quality of the bank’s loan portfolio, and/or the accuracy with which the bank screens loan opportunities.

Practical implications

The research demonstrates that limits on the loans a bank issues can have subtle and unintended consequences. Consequently, careful thought is warranted before such limits are imposed.

Originality/value

To our knowledge, the existing literature does not provide guidance on the merits of such loan restrictions.
The impact of heuristic and herding biases on portfolio construction and performance: the case of Greece
Authors: Gavrilakis Nektarios , Floros Christos
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify whether heuristic and herding biases influence portfolio construction and performance in Greece. The current research determines the situation among investors in Greece, a country with several economic problems for the last decade.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey has been conducted covering a group of active private investors. The relationship between private investors' behavior and portfolio construction and performance was tested using a multiple regression.

Findings

The authors find that heuristic variable affects private investor's portfolio construction and performance satisfaction level positively. A robustness test on a second group, consisting of professional investors, reveals that heuristic and herding biases affect investment behavior when constructing a portfolio.

Practical implications

The authors recommend investors to select professional's investment portfolio tools in constructing investment portfolios and avoid excessive errors, which occur due to heuristic. The awareness and understanding of heuristic and herding could be helpful for professionals and decision-makers in financial institutions by improving their performance resulting in more efficient markets.

Originality/value

The main contribution of this paper lies in the fact that it is the first study on two major behavioral dimensions that affect the investor's portfolio construction and performance in Greece. The rationale of the current research is that the results are helpful for investors in order to take rational, reliable and profitable decisions.
The composite alliance of FTO locus with obesity‐related genetic variants
Authors: Chauhdary Zunera , Rehman Kanwal , Akash Muhammad Sajid Hamid
Published: March 2021

Obesity has become a genuine global pandemic due to lifestyle and environmental modifications, and is associated with chronic lethal comorbidities. Various environmental factors such as lack of physical activity due to modernization and higher intake of energy‐rich diets are primary obesogenic factors in pathogenesis of obesity. Genome‐wide association study has identified the crucial role of FTO (fat mass and obesity) in human obesity. A bunch of SNPs in the first intron of FTO has been identified and subsequently correlated to body mass index and body composition. Findings of in silico, in vitro, and in vivo studies have manifested the robust role of FTO in regulation of energy expenditure and food consumption. Numerous studies have highlighted the mechanistic pathways behind the concomitant functions of FTO in adipogenesis and body size. Current investigation has also revealed the link of FTO neighbouring genes i.e., RPGRIP1L, IRX3 and IRX5 and epigenetic factors with obesity phenotypes. The motive behind this review is to cite the consequences of FTO on obesity vulnerability.
Livestock exclusion reduces the spillover effects of pastoral agriculture on soil bacterial communities in adjacent forest fragments
Authors: Wu Jieyun , Buckley Hannah L. , Curry Liz , Stevenson Bryan A. , Schipper Louis A. , Lear Gavin
Published: March 2021

Forest‐to‐pasture conversion is known to cause global losses in plant and animal diversity, yet impacts of livestock management after such conversion on vital microbial communities in adjoining natural ecosystems remain poorly understood. We examined how pastoral land management practices impact soil microorganisms in adjacent native forest fragments, by comparing bacterial communities sampled along 21 transects bisecting pasture–forest boundaries. Our results revealed greater bacterial taxon richness in grazed pasture soils and the reduced dispersal of pasture‐associated taxa into adjacent forest soils when land uses were separated by a boundary fence. Relative abundance distributions of forest‐associated taxa (i.e., Proteobacteria and Nitrospirae) and a pasture‐associated taxon (i.e., Firmicutes) also suggest a greater impact of pastoral land uses on forest fragment soil bacterial communities when no fence is present. Bacterial community richness and composition were most related to changes in soil physicochemical variables commonly associated with agricultural fertilization, including concentrations of Olsen P, total P, total Cd, delta 15N and the ratio of C:P and N:P. Overall, our findings demonstrate clear, and potentially detrimental effects of agricultural disturbance on bacterial communities in forest soils adjacent to pastoral land. We provide evidence that simple land management decisions, such as livestock exclusion, can mitigate the effects of agriculture on adjacent soil microbial communities.
Equity Crowdfunding Founder Teams: Campaign Success and Venture Failure
Authors: Coakley Jerry , Lazos Aristogenis , Liñares‐Zegarra José M.
Published: March 2021

This paper examines whether solo founders are more likely to succeed in an initial equity crowdfunding (ECF) campaign and are subsequently less likely to fail than founder teams for a large sample of initial ECF campaigns conducted on the three largest UK platforms: Crowdcube, Seedrs and SyndicateRoom. The results show that solo founders have a lower probability of conducting successful initial ECF offerings than founder teams, and are also more likely to fail thereafter. The implication that founder teams enjoy more success is due to the fact that the quality of their human capital may likely attract professional investors who can act as a certification effect. Likewise, the monitoring role of professional investors helps to minimize moral hazard concerns and thus lowers the likelihood of failure for ECF founder teams. The results also establish that founder team human capital characteristics are significant determinants of initial ECF campaign outcomes and venture failure.
Myoprotein–phytophenol interaction: Implications for muscle food structure‐forming properties
Authors: Guo Anqi , Xiong Youling L.
Published: March 2021

Phenolic compounds are commonly incorporated into muscle foods to inhibit lipid oxidation and modify product flavor. Those that are present in or extracted from plant sources (seeds, leaves, and stems) known as “phytophenols” are of particular importance in the current meat industry due to natural origins, diversity, and safety record. Apart from these primary roles as antioxidants and flavorings, phytophenols are now recognized to be chemically reactive with a variety of food constituents, including proteins. In processed muscle foods, where the structure‐forming ability is critical to a product's texture‐related quality attributes and palatability, the functional properties of proteins, especially gelation and emulsification, play an essential role. A vast amount of recent studies has been devoted to protein–phenol interactions to investigate the impact on meat product texture and flavor. Considerable efforts have been made to elucidate the specific roles of phytophenol interaction with “myoproteins” (i.e., muscle‐derived proteins) probing the structure‐forming process in cooked meat products. The present review provides an insight into the actions of phytophenols in modifying and interacting with muscle proteins with an emphasis on the reaction mechanisms, detection methods, protein functionality, and implications for structural characteristics and textural properties of muscle foods.
Photo‐identification comparison of four Indo‐Pacific humpback dolphin populations off southeast China
Authors: TANG Xiaoming , LIN Wenzhi , KARCZMARSKI Leszek , LIN Mingli , CHAN Stephen C.Y. , LIU Mingming , XUE Tianfei , WU Yuping , ZHANG Peijun , LI Songhai
Published: March 2021

Indo‐Pacific humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis) inhabit shallow coastal waters of the Indo‐Pacific region including southeast China, with at least 6 putative populations identified to date in Chinese waters. However, the connectivity among these populations has not yet been fully investigated. In the present study, we compared and cross‐matched photographic catalogs of individual dolphins collected to date in the Pearl River Delta region, Leizhou Bay, Sanniang Bay, and waters southwest of Hainan Island, a total of 3158 individuals, and found no re‐sighting of individual dolphins among the 4 study areas. Furthermore, there was a notable difference in the pigmentation pattern displayed by individuals from these 4 regions. We suggest that this may be a phenotypical expression of fine‐scale regional differentiation among humpback dolphin groups, possibly distinct populations. Given the considerable conservation management implications it may carry (e.g. definition of management units), further research is much needed.
Endometrial osseous metaplasia in a patient with secondary infertility referred for hysterosalpingogram with ultrasound
Authors: Peart Jane , Pillay Sunil
Published: March 2021

Endometrial osseous metaplasia is a rare entity resulting in the formation of trabecular bone fragments within the uterine cavity and frequently presents as secondary infertility with a history of previous pregnancy loss or termination. The unusual transvaginal ultrasound appearances are important to recognise, as fertility is often restored after hysteroscopic removal of the bone fragments from the uterine cavity.
Systematics and convergent evolution in three Australian genera of Pepsinae spider wasps (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae)
Authors: Shimizu Akira , Pitts James P , Rodriguez Juanita , Wahis Raymond , Yoshimura Jin
Published: March 2021

We treat the Australian spider wasp ‘Ctenocerini’, revising the systematics of Maurillus Smith, adding a new species Maurillus argenticapitis Pitts & Shimizu sp. nov. and describing two new monobasic genera Maurilloides Pitts & Shimizu gen. nov. based on Maurilloides nigrisoma Pitts & Shimizu sp. nov. and Evansiclavelia Pitts, Rodriguez & Shimizu gen. nov. based on Evansiclavelia poecilopteryx Pitts, Rodriguez & Shimizu sp. nov. We further discuss the phylogenetic position of Maurillus and the convergent evolution of the modification in head and pronotal structures occurring in the above three genera, as well as in pompilids from other subfamilies, that parasitise trapdoor spiders.
Surgical applied anatomy: alive and kicking
Authors: Farley Edward , Hindmarch Jake , Eizenberg Norman , Midwinter Mark
Published: March 2021

Background

Contention exists amongst anatomists, clinicians and surgeons about how much anatomical knowledge medical students need, although what is taught should be aligned with current surgical practice. The aim of this study was to explore the scope of recent advances in applied anatomy as highlighted in the ANZ Journal of Surgery in each of the surgical specialties.

Methods

The 2018 volume of the ANZ Journal of Surgery was narrowed to 254 articles by applying the search term ‘anatomy’. The main topic was extracted from each paper. The content of the paper was assessed for ‘novel description’ or ‘novel application’ of anatomical knowledge and classified accordingly.

Results

Most papers with an anatomical focus were from general surgery, which focused on surgical techniques, outcomes and management. Vascular surgery had the highest percentage of papers with a novel description and application of anatomy. Although cardiothoracic and paediatric surgery had no papers with a novel description of anatomy, novel applications of anatomy were a focus in each speciality.

Conclusion

The trend towards novel applications of anatomical knowledge in all surgical specialties should encourage medical schools to shape their anatomy curricula in tandem with such advances as they evolve. The high proportion of novel applications and descriptions of anatomy in general surgery indicates continued growth as a benchmark of anatomical understanding. Vascular surgery's proportion of novel application and description of anatomy may change the way students will learn vascular anatomy to incorporate endovascular, radiologically based approaches.