bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bat influenza vectored NS1-truncated live vaccine protects pigs against heterologous virus challenge
Authors: Lee Jinhwa , Li Yonghai , Li Yuhao , Cino-Ozuna A. Giselle , Duff Michael , Lang Yuekun , Ma Jingjiao , Sunwoo Sunyoung , Richt Juergen A. , Ma Wenjun
Published: November 2020

Swine influenza is an important disease for the swine industry. Currently used whole inactivated virus (WIV) vaccines can induce vaccine-associated enhanced respiratory disease (VAERD) in pigs when the vaccine strains mismatch with the infected viruses. Live attenuated influenza virus vaccine (LAIV) is effective to protect pigs against homologous and heterologous swine influenza virus infections without inducing VAERD, but has safety concerns due to potential reassortment with circulating viruses. Herein, we used a chimeric bat influenza Bat09:mH3mN2 virus, which contains both surface HA and NA gene open reading frames of the A/swine/Texas/4199-2/1998 (H3N2) and six internal genes from the novel bat H17N10 virus, to develop modified live-attenuated viruses (MLVs) as vaccine candidates which cannot reassort with canonical influenza A viruses by co-infection. Two attenuated MLV vaccine candidates including the virus that expresses a truncated NS1 (Bat09:mH3mN2-NS1-128, MLV1) or expresses both a truncated NS1 and the swine IL-18 (Bat09:mH3mN2-NS1-128-IL-18, MLV2) were generated and evaluated in pigs against a heterologous H3N2 virus using the WIV vaccineb as a control. Compared to the WIV vaccine, both MLV vaccines were able to reduce lesions and virus replication in lungs and limit nasal virus shedding without VAERD, also induced significantly higher levels of mucosal IgA response in lungs and significantly increased numbers of antigen-specific IFN-γ secreting cells against the challenge virus. However, no significant difference was observed in efficacy between the MLV1 and MLV2. These results indicate that bat influenza vectored MLV vaccines can be used as a safe live vaccine to prevent swine influenza.
Transgenerational Regulation of Sexual Attractiveness inC. elegansNematodes
Authors: Toker Itai Antoine , Lev Itamar , Mor Yael , Gurevich Yael , Fisher Doron , Houri-Zeevi Leah , Antonova Olga , Hadany Lilach , Shaham Shai , Rechavi Oded
Published: November 2020

It is unknown whether transient transgenerational epigenetic responses to environmental challenges affect the process of evolution, which typically unfolds over many generations. Here we show that inC. elegans, inherited small RNAs shape the hard-wired genome and control genetic variation by regulating the decision of whether to self-fertilize or outcross. We found that under stressful temperatures younger hermaphrodites secrete a male-attracting pheromone. Attractiveness transmits transgenerationally to unstressed progeny via heritable small RNAs and the Argonaute Heritable-RNAi-Deficient-1. We identified an endogenous small interfering RNA pathway, enriched in endo-siRNAs which target sperm genes, that transgenerationally regulates sexual attraction, male prevalence, and outcrossing rates. Multigenerational mating competitions and mathematical simulations revealed that over generations, animals that inherit attractiveness mate more, and their alleles spread in the population. We propose that sperm serves as a “stress sensor” which, via small RNA inheritance, can promote outcrossing in challenging environments, when increasing genetic variation is advantageous.
Forecasting the spread of COVID19 in Hungary
Authors: Khanday Owais Mujtaba , Dadvandipour Samad , Lone Mohd. Aaqib
Published: November 2020

Time series analysis of the COVID19/ SARS-CoV-2 spread in Hungary is presented. Different methods effective for short-term forecasting are applied to the dataset, and predictions are made for the next 20 days. Autoregression and other exponential smoothing methods are applied to the dataset. SIR model is used and predicted 64% of the population could be infected by the virus considering the whole population is susceptible to be infectious Autoregression, and exponential smoothing methods indicated there would be more than a 60% increase in the cases in the coming 20 days. The doubling of the number of total cases is found to around 16 days using an effective reproduction number.
Common allotypes of ER aminopeptidase 1 have substrate-dependent and highly variable enzymatic properties
Authors: Hutchinson Jonathan P. , Temponeras Ioannis , Kuiper Jonas , Cortes Adrian , Korczynska Justyna , Kitchen Semra , Stratikos Efstratios
Published: November 2020

Objective

Polymorphic variation of immune system proteins can drive variability of individual immune responses. ER aminopeptidase 1 (ERAP1) generates antigenic peptides for presentation by MHC class I molecules. Coding single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) inERAP1have been associated with predisposition to inflammatory rheumatic disease and shown to affect functional properties of the enzyme, but the interplay between combinations of these SNPs as they exist in allotypes, has not been thoroughly explored.

Methods

We used phased genotype data to estimate ERAP1 allotype frequency in 2,504 individuals across five major human populations, generated highly pure recombinant enzymes corresponding to the 10 most common ERAP1 allotypes and systematically characterized theirin vitroenzymatic properties.

Results

We find that ERAP1 allotypes possess a wide range of enzymatic activities, up to 60-fold, whose ranking is substrate-dependent. Strikingly, allotype 10, previously associated with Behçet’s disease, is consistently a low-activity outlier, suggesting that a significant percentage of individuals carry a sub-active ERAP1 gene. Enzymatic analysis revealed that ERAP1 allotypes can differ in both catalytic efficiency and substrate affinity, differences that can change intermediate accumulation in multi-step trimming reactions. Alterations in efficacy of an allosteric inhibitor that targets the regulatory site suggest that allotypic variation influences the communication between the regulatory and the active site.

Conclusion

Our work defines the wide landscape of ERAP1 activity in human populations and demonstrates how common allotypes can induce substrate-dependent variability in antigen processing, thus contributing, in synergy with MHC haplotypes, to immune response variability and to predisposition to chronic inflammatory conditions.
Genetic and pharmacological manipulations of glyoxalase 1 mediate ethanol withdrawal seizure susceptibility in mice
Authors: Barkley-Levenson Amanda M. , Lee Amy , Palmer Abraham A.
Published: November 2020

Central nervous system (CNS) hyperexcitability is a clinically significant feature of acute ethanol withdrawal. There is evidence for a genetic contribution to withdrawal severity, but specific genetic risk factors have not be identified. The gene glyoxalase 1(Glo1)has been previously implicated in ethanol consumption in mice, and GLO1 inhibition can attenuate drinking in mice and rats. Here, we investigated whether genetic and pharmacological manipulations of GLO1 activity can also mediate ethanol withdrawal seizure severity in mice. Mice from two transgenic lines overexpressingGlo1on different genetic backgrounds (C57BL/6J [B6] and FVB/NJ [FVB]) were tested for handling induced convulsions (HICs) as a measure of acute ethanol withdrawal. Following an injection of 4 g/kg alcohol, both B6 and FVB mice overexpressingGlo1showed increased HICs compared to wild type littermates, though only the FVB line showed a statistically significant difference. We also administered daily ethanol injections (2 g/kg + 9 mg/kg 4-methylpyrazole) to wild type B6 mice for 10 days and tested them for HICs on the 10thday, following treatment with either vehicle or a GLO1 inhibitor (S-bromobenzylglutathione cyclopentyl diester [pBBG]). Treatment with pBBG reduced HICs, although this effect was only statistically significant following two 10-day cycles of ethanol exposure and withdrawal. These results provide converging genetic and pharmacological evidence that GLO1 can mediate ethanol withdrawal seizure susceptibility. We discuss the possible role of GLO1’s substrate, methylglyoxal, acting as an agonist at GABAAreceptors.
Cisregulation within a cluster of viral microRNAs
Authors: Vilimova Monika , Contrant Maud , Randrianjafy Ramy , Dumas Philippe , Elbasani Endrit , Ojala Päivi , Pfeffer Sébastien , Fender Aurélie
Published: November 2020

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small regulatory RNAs involved in virtually all biological processes. Although many of them are co-expressed from clusters, little is known regarding the impact of this organization on the regulation of their accumulation. In this study, we set to decipher a regulatory mechanism controlling the expression of the ten clustered pre-miRNAs from Kaposi’s sarcoma associated herpesvirus (KSHV). We measuredin vitrothe efficiency of cleavage of each individual pre-miRNA by the Microprocessor and found that pre-miR-K1 and -K3 were the most efficiently cleaved pre-miRNAs. A mutational analysis showed that, in addition to producing mature miRNAs, they are also important for the optimal expression of the whole set of miRNAs. We showed that this feature depends on the presence of a canonical pre-miRNA at this location since we could functionally replace pre-miR-K1 by a heterologous pre-miRNA. Furtherin vitroprocessing analysis suggests that the two stem-loops act incisand that the cluster is cleaved in a sequential manner. Finally, we exploited this characteristic of the cluster to inhibit the expression of the whole set of miRNAs by targeting the pre-miR-K1 with LNA-based antisense oligonucleotides in cells either expressing a synthetic construct or latently infected with KSHV.
Admixture can readily lead to the formation of supergenes
Authors: Jay Paul , Aubier Thomas G. , Joron Mathieu
Published: November 2020

Supergenes are genetic architectures allowing the segregation of alternative combinations of alleles underlying complex phenotypes. The co-segregation of sets of alleles at linked loci is determined by polymorphic chromosomal rearrangements suppressing recombination locally. Supergenes are involved in many complex polymorphisms, including sexual, color or behavioral polymorphisms in numerous plants, fungi, mammals, fish, and insects. Despite a long history of empirical and theoretical research, the genetic origin of supergenes remains poorly understood. Here, using a population genetic two-island model, we explore how the evolution of overdominant chromosomal inversions may lead to the formation of supergenes. We show that the evolution of inversions in differentiated populations connected by gene flow leads to an increase in frequency of poorly adapted, immigrant haplotypes. When inversions are associated with recessive fitness cost hampering their fixation (such as a mutational load), this results in the formation of supergenes. These results provide a realistic scenario for the evolution of supergenes and inversion polymorphisms in general, and bring new light into the importance of admixture in the formation of new genetic architectures.
Effect of the BMPR-II-SMAD3/MRTF complex on proliferation and migration of ASMCs and the mechanism in asthma
Authors: Gu Wenbo , Lei Jiahui , Xie Jing , Xiao Yali , Zhang Zhenping , Zhao Limin
Published: November 2020

Phenotype transformation of airway smooth muscle (ASM) is the key feature of airway remodelling in asthma. A variety of smooth muscle-specific genes and proteins, including SMAD3, BMPR-II, and MRTF, are involved in airway remodelling in asthma. Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signalling plays an important role in the physiological and pathological processes of asthma. As a receptor of BMP signalling, BMPR-II has important roles in variety of cellular processes. However, the understanding of the roles and underlying mechanism of BMPR-II in airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) in asthma remains incomplete. First, we observed significant increases in BMPR-II, SMAD3 and MRTF in asthmatic ASMCs at both the mRNA and protein levels. Second, we observed that silencing of siBMPR-II and siMRTF inhibits proliferation, migratory capacity and intracellular Ca2+concentration in ASMCs. Furthermore, our results revealed these three factors, BMPR-II, SMAD3 and MRTF, form a complex that affects the bioactivities of ASMCs. Taken together, this study indicates that the BMPR-II-SMAD3/MRTF signalling pathway is involved in the process of ASM remodelling, providing novel avenues for the identification of new therapeutic modalities.
Mixing the Message: Do Dung Beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) Affect Dung-Generated Greenhouse Gas Emissions?
Authors: Fowler Fallon , Gillespie Christopher J. , Denning Steve , Hu Shuijin , Watson Wes
Published: November 2020

By mixing and potentially aerating dung, dung beetles may affect the microbes producing the greenhouse gases (GHGs): carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O). Here, their sum-total global warming effect is described as the carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e). Our literature analysis of reported GHG emissions and statistics suggests that most dung beetles do not, however, reduce CO2e even if they do affect individual GHGs. Here, we compare the GHG signature of homogenized (“premixed”) and unhomogenized (“unmixed”) dung with and without dung beetles to test whether mixing and burial influence GHGs. Mixing by hand or by dung beetles did not reduce any GHG – in fact, tunneling dung beetles increased N2O medians by ≥1.8x compared with dung-only. This suggests that either: 1) dung beetles do not meaningfully mitigate GHGs as a whole; 2) dung beetle burial activity affects GHGs more than mixing alone; or 3) greater dung beetle abundance and activity is required to produce an effect.
Statistical calibration of microbial suspensions in carrier controls during a textile disinfection ring trial
Authors: Monleon-Getino Antonio ,   AC Marca Home Care
Published: November 2020

Introduction

The high number of uncontrollable variables in microbiological systems increases experimental complexity and reduces accuracy, potentially leading to data misinterpretation or uncorrectable errors. During an interlaboratory calibration analysis it was observed that the microbial logarithmic reduction (LR) caused by disinfectants depends not only on the type of disinfectant but also on the initial microbial load in the fabric carriers, which can produce a misinterpretation of the results. Fabric carriers are commonly used in standard tests such as EN16616 and ASTM2274.

Objective

A method based on statistical calibration is proposed using a regression line between N0(initial microbial load in the carrier) and LR to eliminate the influence of one on the other.

Results

An example withCandida albicansis presented. Once the method was applied, the influence of N0on LR was eliminated and the new LR values can be used for factorial experiments, for example, to check the efficacy of disinfectants or detergents without depending on the microbial load placed in the carrier.
Oscillatory responses to generated and perceived rhythms
Authors: Ostarek Markus , Alday Phillip M. , Gawel Olivia , Wolfgruber Johannes , Knudsen Birgit , Mantegna Francesco , Huettig Falk
Published: November 2020

Neural oscillations have been proposed as a mechanism for structure building in language and music. In music, this idea is appealing because of the intuitive mapping between perceptual and neural rhythms. The strongest evidence has come from studies in which participants listened to isochronous sequences of identical tones and were asked to imagine hearing them in binary (march) or ternary meter (waltz). The critical finding was that in addition to increased signal at the frequency corresponding to the tone rate there was increased signal at the imagined meter frequencies. While it is striking that meter tracking was observed without any acoustic cues in the input, rhythm perception was confounded with rhythm imagery involving active generation of rhythmic structure. We conducted two electroencephalography experiments with musicians and non-musicians, teasing apart the effects of rhythm perception and rhythm generation. Evidence for meter-related neural oscillations was only observed in situations where rhythmic structure was actively generated, either via rhythm imagery or in the form of overt behavior (tapping). Thus, our data suggest that mere rhythm perception is not sufficient to elicit oscillations at the meter frequency and that they are instead driven by the active generation of rhythm. This undermines the proposal that neural oscillations constitute a basic structure building mechanism in rhythm perception and raises questions about the role of oscillations in language processing.
Binding of dsRNA byD. melanogasterDicer-2 is substrate-dependent and regulated by Loquacious-PD
Authors: Jonely M. , Singh R. K. , Bass B. L. , Noriega R.
Published: November 2020

Drosophila melanogasterDicer-2 is a large, multidomain protein that cleaves double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) into small interfering RNAs in a terminus-dependent manner as part of the RNA interference pathway. We characterize the local binding environment involved in this substrate-selective molecular recognition event by monitoring the time-resolved photophysics of a cyanine dye linked to the dsRNA terminus. We observe substantial changes in the molecular rigidity and local freedom of motion of the probe as a function of distinct conformations of the biomolecular complex between Dicer-2 and dsRNA as a function of dsRNA termini, the presence of regulatory proteins, and the addition of a biochemical energy source (ATP) or a non-hydrolysable equivalent (ATP-γS). With a clustering analysis based solely on these molecular-scale measures of the local binding environment at the dsRNA terminus, we identify sub-populations of similar conformations that define distinct modes of molecular recognition which are correlated with biochemical activity. These observations reveal the important role of substrate-selective molecular recognition properties for proteins with multiple domains that can bind RNA, regulatory proteins, and cofactors.

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

The molecular-scale determinants of protein-RNA binding remain elusive, particularly when different subunits of a single protein confer specificity toward small structural differences of their RNA partners. An important case is that ofDrosophila melanogasterDicer-2, a critical component of the antiviral RNA interference response. Dicer-2 discriminates between double stranded RNA with blunt or 3’ overhang termini, a feature suggested to mediate recognition of “self” vs. “non-self” substrates. We study these interactions at the binding site with a fluorescent label at the RNA terminus, monitoring intramolecular and collective measures of flexibility to report on the local environment. Dicer-2 has distinct modes of molecular recognition which are regulated by accessory proteins and ATP, leading to different conformations and tuning biochemical activity.
Asymmetric outcome of community coalescence of seed and soil microbiota during early seedling growth
Authors: Rochefort Aude , Simonin Marie , Marais Coralie , Guillerm-Erckelboudt Anne-Yvonne , Barret Matthieu , Sarniguet Alain
Published: November 2020

Seed microbial community constitutes a primary inoculum for plant microbiota assembly. Still, the persistence of seed microbiota when seeds encounter soil during plant emergence and early growth is barely documented. Here, we characterized the interchange event or coalescence of seed and soil microbiota and how it structured seedling bacterial and fungal communities. We performed eight contrasted coalescence events to identify drivers influencing seedling microbiota assembly: four seed lots of twoBrassica napusgenotypes were sown in two soils of contrasted diversity. We found that seedling root and stem microbiota were influenced by soil diversity but not by initial seed microbiota composition. A strong selection on the two-source communities occurred during microbiota assembly, with only 8-32% of soil taxa and 0.8-1.4% of seed-borne taxa colonizing seedlings. The recruitment of seedling microbiota came mainly from soil (35-72% of diversity) and not from seeds (0.3-15%). The outcome of seed and soil microbiota coalescence is therefore strongly asymmetrical with a dominance of soil taxa. Interestingly, seedling microbiota was primarily composed of initially rare taxa (from seed, soil or unknown origin) and sub-dominant soil taxa. Our results suggest that plant microbiome engineering success based on native seed or soil microbiota will rely on rare and sub-dominant taxa in source communities.
Distorted Te nets in the modulated crystal structures ofRETe1.94(1)(RE= La, Pr, Nd)
Authors: Poddig Hagen , Doert Thomas
Published: November 2020

The two-dimensionally incommensurately modulated crystal structures of the compoundsRETe1.94(1)(RE= La, Pr, Nd) were investigated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The compounds crystallize in the tetragonal superspace groupP4/n(αβ½)00(−βα½)00 (No. 85.2.58.2) withq1= αa*+βb*+½c* andq2= −βa*+αb*+½c* and share a common motif of an alternating stacking of a puckered [RETe] layer and a planar [Te] layer. This basic structural motif is observed for all reported compounds with unusually large anisotropic displacement parameters in the planar [Te] layer. Taking the modulation into account, a distortion from this perfect square planar net is noted along with vacancies in the planar [Te] layer. The distortion leads to the formation of different discrete anions, like Te2−, Te22−and Te32−, similar to previously reported structures forREX2–δcompounds (RE= trivalent rare earth metal,X= S, Se, Te). The Te–Te distances in the modulated [Te] layer are found in a narrow range as compared to those in the corresponding sulfides and selenides.
Toward an understanding of strategic control at a distance in public service delivery
Authors: Ahmad Salman , Connolly Ciaran , Demirag Istemi
Published: November 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how localized (organization-level) actors of policy initiatives that are inspired by neoliberal ideologies use management accounting and control practices. Specifically, it addresses the operational stages of a case study Private Finance Initiative (PFI) contract within the United Kingdom's (UK's) transport sector of roads for embedding government objectives in the underlying project road.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper adopts Dean's (2010) analytics of government to unpack the accounting-based control practices within the case study contract in order to articulate how, at the micro level, the government's objective of improving road-users' safety is enacted, modified and maintained through such regimes.

Findings

Drawing on a content-based analysis of UK government PFI policy and extensive case study-specific documents, together with interviews and observations, this research provides theoretical insights about how control practices, at a distance without direct intervention, function as forms of power for government for shaping the performance of the PFI contractor. The authors find that the public sector's accounting control regimes in the case study project have a constraining effect on “real partnership working” between the government and private contractors and on the private sector's incentive to innovate.

Research limitations/implications

By analyzing a single road case study PFI contract, the findings may not be generalizable.

Originality/value

This paper provides significant theoretically informed insights about how public service delivery that is outsourced to private contractors is controlled by government at a distance within complex organizational arrangements (e.g. PFI).
How do stakeholders evaluate smart specialization policies defined for their regions?
Authors: Farinha Luís , Lopes João , Sebastião João Renato , Ferreira João José , Oliveira José , Silveira Paulo
Published: November 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to understand how the different stakeholders assess the adequacy of smart specialization policies defined for their regions.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper has followed a quantitative methodology through the application of questionnaire surveys to stakeholders of the various territorial regions in Portugal.

Findings

As a result, from the “resource-based view” approach applied to the various regions, the attained results highlight that the suitability of smart specialization policies defined for the Portuguese regions is not unanimous among its stakeholders.

Originality/value

The research can be used as a tool to assist regional policymakers in strategic reflection when defining and adjusting smart specialization strategies in their territories.
The role of financial development on economic growth in the emerging market countries of the sub-Saharan African (SSA) region
Authors: Omar Bakar Hamad , Sulong Zunaidah , Chowdhury Mohammad Ashraful Ferdous
Published: November 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the effect of financial development (FD) on economic growth and growth-enhancing transmission channels for the sub-Saharan African (SSA) region in three different periods: the pre-Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) era (1990–1999), during the MDGs (2000–2017) era and the main period (1990–2017).

Design/methodology/approach

The study used the system generalized method of moments (SGMM) approach on 45 SSA countries from 1990 to 2017, using the data collected from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Findings

The long-run effect of the study showed mixed results in pre-MDGs and during MDGs periods but was positive in the main period. For growth-enhancing transmission channels, the results were mixed, although in many cases, institutional (INST) quality, human capital (HC) and foreign direct investment (FDI) were the main transmission channels.

Research limitations/implications

Some of the countries were dropped from the analysis due to data inadequacy.

Practical implications

The empirical results of this study provide evidence that the financial sector has robust positive effect throughout 1990–2017. Furthermore, the financial sector depends on several factors to improve economic growth. The SSA region has to focus on improving HC, INST quality in terms of good governance and create environment that is attractive to FDI since they were the main growth-enhancing channels.

Originality/value

Most of the studies in SSA countries assessed the direct effect of FD on economic growth without considering its transmission channels in different time frames. Moreover, they often used specific variables but not the financial index. This study extended the scope by considering various financial sector transmission channels, in different time periods and the financial index.
What drives target status decision in emerging markets acquisitions?
Authors: Hoang Viet Anh , Dang Man , Nguyen Ngoc Vu , Nguyen Ngoc Thang , Henry Darren
Published: November 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of cross-country characteristics on acquirers' target status choice in cross-border mergers and acquisitions across 41 emerging markets.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper first reviews the existing literature and develops the related hypotheses, in conjunction with the objectives of this paper. We then describe the data employed, variable measurement and examine the effects of cross-country characteristics on the acquirers' target status choice in cross-border mergers and acquisitions while controlling for firm-level and deal-specific characteristics. The paper continues to conduct the robustness check on cross-country determinants of target status choices using the difference independent variables rather than target country-level variables only.

Findings

This research found that the likelihood of a public firm acquired relative to private one is higher if the target firm is located in countries with stronger government quality, weaker economic freedom, better financial market development and lower cultural distance between the host and home countries. The results suggest that bidders actively assess cross-country characteristics as part of their acquisition planning.

Originality/value

Rather than commonly analysed determinants in the previous research such as firm- and deal-specific attributes, value creation and shareholder protection, this paper indicates that institutional environments and economic conditions are closely associated with acquisition risks and benefits and have direct influences on bidder firms' acquisition bidding planning and target choice decision-making.
Understanding disruptive technology transitions in the global logistics industry: the role of ecosystems
Authors: Mikl Jasmin , Herold David M. , Pilch Kamila , Ćwiklicki Marek , Kummer Sebastian
Published: November 2020

Purpose

Disruptive technologies in the global logistics industry are often regarded as a threat to the existing business models of incumbents’ companies. Existing research, however, focuses mainly on whether technologies have disruptive potential, thereby neglecting when such disruptive transitions occur. To understand the timing of potential disruptive technological change, this paper aims to investigate the elements of the underlying ecosystem shaping these transitions.

Design/methodology/approach

Building on the established ecosystem framework from Adner and Kapoor (2016a), this paper constructs four categories of technology substitution to assess how quickly disruptive change may occur in the global logistics industry and defines key technology substitution determinants in logistics to emphasize the role of ecosystems for further consideration into disruptive innovation theory.

Findings

Based on the key determinants, this paper proposes first definitions of distinctive ecosystems elements linked to the three types of innovations, namely, sustaining innovations, low-end disruptions and new-market disruptions, thereby integrating ecosystems into Christensen’s (1997) disruptive innovation theory.

Originality/value

By developing a framework that conceptualizes the pace of technology substitution, this paper contributes to a more nuanced understanding of how logistics managers and academics can better predict disruptive transitions and develop strategies to allocate resources.
High soilpHenhances the network interactions among bacterial and archaeal microbiota in alpine grasslands of the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Chen Beibei , Jiao Shuo , Luo Shuaiwei , Ma Beibei , Qi Wei , Cao Changdong , Zhao Zhigang , Du Guozhen , Ma Xiaojun
Published: November 2020

Soil functions and processes are driven by complex microbial interactions. It is, therefore, critical to understand the coexistence patterns of soil microbiota, especially in fragile alpine ecosystems. We identified biogeographic patterns in the network‐level topological features of the soil microbial co‐occurrence network in the Tibetan alpine grasslands, based on high‐throughput sequencing. We verified that soil pH was the most important environmental variable for predicting network‐level topological features of soil microbial co‐occurrence networks. Associations among soil microbiota were enhanced with increasing pH (5.17–8.92), and the network was the most stable at neutral pH. Moreover, node‐level topological features suggested that the archaeal operational taxonomic units, compared with bacterial operational taxonomic units, hold a central role in the co‐occurrence network. Network‐level topological features revealed closer connections among soil microbiota in the steppe ecosystem than in the meadow ecosystem. Therefore, our study demonstrated that soil pH served as a critical environmental filter that influenced the potential associations and ecological signature of soil microbiota in the Tibetan alpine grasslands. These findings provide a new perspective on the distinct biogeographic patterns of co‐occurrence networks, to explore the ecological role of soil microbiota and thus help manage soil bacterial and archaeal communities for provisioning alpine ecosystem services.
Culture, institutions, and long‐run performance
Authors: Zhou Haiwen
Published: November 2020

If institutions are essential for long‐run performance, why don't developing countries adopt institutions in developed countries to become rich? In this dynamic model, culture affects a ruler's institutional choice, while culture itself evolves endogenously. Multiple stable steady states are possible, and even similar initial conditions can lead to dramatically different steady states. The state of Qin's unification of China in 221bcis used to illustrate the model. In one steady state, consistent with what happened in the state of Qin, individuals value material incentives. Qin did not strictly practice the patriarchal clan system advocated by Confucianism. Qin adopted Legalist institutions under which government officials were chosen by merit, and Qin culture was further shaped by Legalism. In another steady state, consistent with what happened in states other than Qin, individuals value loyalty and family values. Those states chose not to adopt Legalist institutions comprehensively, fearing that inconsistencies between culture and institutions could lead to internal rebellions even though institutional reforms would increase their military power. Other cases of how the interdependence between culture and institutions affects performance are also discussed.
Pre‐procedural platelet transfusion thresholds in hospitalised children — Protocol for a scoping review
Authors: Holst Lars Broksø , Afshari Arash , Møller Morten Hylander , Russell Lene
Published: November 2020

Background

Thrombocytopenia is a common condition in hospitalised critically ill children and most platelet transfusions are given as prophylaxis to non‐bleeding children prior to invasive procedures such as central venous catheterisation and lumbar puncture. Platelet transfusion may reduce bleeding complications but have also been associated with potential adverse effects and variation in clinical practice exist. To direct future research, we aim to assess the current evidence regarding prophylactic platelet transfusion prior to procedures in hospitalised thrombocytopenic children.

Methods

We will conduct a scoping review of all study designs in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) statement. We will include studies on hospitalised children undergoing invasive procedures where the prevalence of thrombocytopenia and the predefined outcome measures, including bleeding, transfusion‐related adverse events and use of blood products and life support are reported. We will provide descriptive analyses of the included studies/trials and the quality of evidence will be assessed according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach.

Conclusion

The outlined scoping review will provide an overview on the benefits and harms of prophylactic platelet transfusion prior to invasive procedures in thrombocytopenic hospitalised children.
Seasonal variation in biopsy‐proven giant cell arteritis in Eastern Denmark from 1990‐2018
Authors: Kønig Elisabeth Bay , Stormly Hansen Michael , Foldager Jonathan , Siersma Volkert , Loft Annika , Terslev Lene , Møller Døhn Uffe , Radmer Jensen Mads , Wiencke Anne Katrine , Faber Carsten , Hamann Steffen , Heegaard Steffen
Published: November 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate seasonal variation in cases of biopsy‐proven GCA in eastern Denmark in a 29‐year period.

Methods

Pathology records of all temporal artery biopsies in eastern Denmark between 1990 and 2018 were reviewed. For each patient, data were collected which included age, sex, date of birth and biopsy result. Seasonality was evaluated using logistic regression and Poisson regression analysis. Lastly, an explorative pilot study was conducted to investigate a possible association between three weather parameters (average temperature, amount of rain and hours of sunshine) and the biopsy outcome.

Results

One thousand three hundred twenty‐three biopsies were included of which 336 fulfilled objective criteria for GCA diagnosis. Mean age at diagnosis was 75.6 years (range 52–94 years). Among the biopsy‐proven cases of GCA, there were 223 women (66.3%, mean age 76.2 years) and 113 men (33.7%, mean age 74.4 years) giving a female to male ratio of 1.97:1. The peak occurrence of GCA was in the 70–79 years age group. Statistical analysis of seasonal variation showed an increased risk of a positive biopsy during summer compared to autumn (p = 0.037). No association between the three weather parameters and the biopsy outcome was found.

Conclusion

In this study of biopsy‐proven GCA in a large Danish patient cohort, the occurrence of GCA showed seasonal variation with higher occurrence in the summer months when compared to autumn. Future studies pooling all cases of GCA worldwide are needed to determine seasonality in the occurrence of GCA.
Pleistocene freshwater environments of Poland: a comprehensive study of fish assemblages based on a multi‐proxy approach
Authors: Stefaniak Krzysztof , Kovalchuk Oleksandr , Kotusz Jan , Stachowicz‐Rybka Renata , Mirosław‐Grabowska Joanna , Winter Hanna , Niska Monika , Sobczyk Artur , Barkaszi Zoltán , Kotowski Adam , Malkiewicz Małgorzata , Alexandrowicz Witold Paweł , Raczyński Paweł , Badura Janusz , Przybylski Bogusław , Ciszek Dariusz , Urbański Krzysztof
Published: November 2020

The results of a comprehensive study of Pleistocene fish‐bearing localities from the territory of Poland are presented. Fish remains came from lacustrine deposits and cave sites representing a time‐span from the late Early Pleistocene until the Early Holocene. Here we present the taxonomic composition and species diversity of all known fish assemblages from Poland. In total, 23 species belonging to 20 genera of eight families were identified. Cyprinids were the most taxonomically diverse, followed by salmonids and percids. Other families were each represented only by a single species. The roach, rudd, bream, pike and perch were the most common components of the Pleistocene fish assemblages of Poland. These assemblages are clearly divided into two groups representing palaeolakes and cave sites. A significant taxonomic similarity is observed between fish assemblages from Poland and those of Chibanian and Late Pleistocene ages from central and eastern Europe. Pleistocene environments and climates of Poland are characterized using a multi‐proxy approach (analysis of stable isotopes, plant macro‐remains, pollen, molluscs and cladocerans). Obtained data allowed us to estimate a number of parameters of Pleistocene water bodies of the Polish Lowland (reservoir type, trophism, oxygen content, depth and water level changes, bottom character, and flow speed). The formation of freshwater fish assemblages was influenced by dynamic changes in the hydrographic network, and climatic changes during the Pleistocene and Holocene. Their development was favoured by the formation of lakes after melting of the ice sheet.
Public opinion and experiences of crime two and five years following the implementation of a targeted regulation of licensed premises in Newcastle, Australia
Authors: Wiggers John , Tindall Jenny , Hodder Rebecca K. , Gillham Karen , Kingsland Melanie , Lecathelinais Christophe
Published: November 2020

Introduction and Aims

In 2008 additional licensing restrictions were imposed on ‘high‐risk’ licensed premises in the entertainment precinct of Newcastle (Australia) including earlier closing, a ‘lock‐out’ and additional responsible service of alcohol restrictions. A study was conducted to assess community perceptions, experiences of crime and support for the restrictions, 2 and 5 years following implementation.

Design and Methods

Telephone surveys were conducted with random samples of Newcastle community members (≥18 years) in 2010 and 2013. Change over time in perceptions and experiences of crime, and awareness and support of the conditions was analysed using logistic regression analyses for all participants, and separately for night‐time visitors.

Results

Among all participants (2010: n = 376; 2013: n = 314) the perception that alcohol misuse was a problem declined between 2010 and 2013 for all participants (90% to 85%; P = 0.02), and specifically among night‐time visitors (87% to 75%; P = 0.06). Awareness of the restrictions was high among all participants and sub‐groups, and remained constant over time. Support for the restrictions was also high, with drink restrictions being the most popular. More night‐time visitors reported that conditions made the streets safer in 2013 (62%) than 2010 (47%; P = 0.05). Support for applying restrictions to all licensed premises in the Newcastle entertainment precinct (83%) and across New South Wales was high in 2013 (86%).

Discussion and Conclusions

At 2 years and 5 years following implementation of additional licensing restrictions, significant improvements in public perceptions of the occurrence of alcohol‐related harm and crime were evident, as were high levels of support for the restrictions.
The impact of volume substitution on post‐operative atrial fibrillation
Authors: Schnaubelt Sebastian , Pilz Arnold , Koller Lorenz , Kazem Niema , Hofer Felix , Fleck Tatjana , Laufer Günther , Steinlechner Barbara , Niessner Alexander , Sulzgruber Patrick
Published: November 2020

Background

Post‐operative atrial fibrillation (POAF) represents a common complication after cardiac valve or coronary artery bypass surgery. While strain of atrial tissue is known to induce atrial fibrillating impulses, less attention has been paid to potentially strain‐promoting values during the peri‐ and post‐operative period. This study aimed to determine the association of peri‐ and post‐operative volume substitution with markers of cardiac strain and subsequently the impact on POAF development and promotion.

Results

A total of 123 (45.4%) individuals were found to develop POAF. Fluid balance within the first 24 hours after surgery was significantly higher in patients developing POAF as compared to non‐POAF individuals (+1129.6 mL [POAF] vs +544.9 mL [non‐POAF], P = .044). Post‐operative fluid balance showed a direct and significant correlation with post‐operative N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide (NT‐ProBNP) values (r = .287; P = .002). Of note, the amount of substituted volume significantly proved to be a strong and independent predictor for POAF with an adjusted odds ratio per one litre of 1.44 (95% CI: 1.09‐1.31; P = .009). In addition, we observed that low pre‐operative haemoglobin levels at admission were associated with a higher need of intraoperative transfusions and volume‐demand.

Conclusion

Substitution of larger transfusion volumes presents a strong and independent predictor for the development of POAF. Via the observed distinct association with NT‐proBNP values, it can reasonably be assumed that post‐operative atrial fibrillating impulses are triggered via increased global cardiac strain. Optimized pre‐operative management of pre‐existing anaemia should be considered prior surgical intervention in terms of a personalized patient care.
WHEN YOU CAN'T TUBE… IMPACT OF A MAJOR YOUTUBE OUTAGE ON RAPES
Authors: Gibbons M. Amelia , Rossi Martín A.
Published: November 2020

On Tuesday, October 16, 2018, YouTube experienced a major and rare global service outage. Using high‐frequency crime data from the United States, we document an important increase in rapes in the 24‐hour period following the outage. We investigate various potential underlying channels that may link the YouTube outage to the subsequent observed increase in rapes. The overall evidence only supports the hypothesis that the increase in rapes was driven by an increase in pornography viewing. (JEL D91, K42, L82)
Proteasome interaction with ubiquitinated substrates: from mechanisms to therapies
Authors: Chen Xiang , Htet Zaw Min , López‐Alfonzo Erika , Martin Andreas , Walters Kylie J.
Published: November 2020

The 26S proteasome is responsible for regulated proteolysis in eukaryotic cells. Its substrates are diverse in structure, function, sequence length, and amino acid composition, and are targeted to the proteasome by post‐translational modification with ubiquitin. Ubiquitination occurs through a complex enzymatic cascade and can also signal for other cellular events, unrelated to proteasome‐catalyzed degradation. Like other post‐translational protein modifications, ubiquitination is reversible, with ubiquitin chain hydrolysis catalyzed by the action of deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs), ~ 90 of which exist in humans and allow for temporal events and dynamic ubiquitin‐chain remodeling. DUBs have been known for decades to be an integral part of the proteasome, as deubiquitination is coupled to substrate unfolding and translocation into the internal degradation chamber. Moreover, the proteasome also binds several ubiquitinating enzymes and shuttle factors that recruit ubiquitinated substrates. The role of this intricate machinery and how ubiquitinated substrates interact with proteasomes remains an area of active investigation. Here, we review what has been learned about the mechanisms used by the proteasome to bind ubiquitinated substrates, substrate shuttle factors, ubiquitination machinery, and DUBs. We also discuss many open questions that require further study or the development of innovative approaches to be answered. Finally, we address the promise of expanded therapeutic targeting that could benefit from such new discoveries.
Promoting ethics across the healthcare sector: what can codes achieve?
Authors: Lipworth Wendy , Kerridge Ian , Montgomery Kathleen , Komesaroff Paul A.
Published: November 2020

Over the course of the twentieth century, numerous national and international ethics ‘codes’ have been developed. While such codes serve important substantive and symbolic functions, they can also pose challenges. In this article, we discuss these challenges, noting that they fall into four main categories relating to conceptual tensions, power imbalances, organisational barriers, and threats of exploitation. We illustrate these challenges using examples provided from the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights. We emphasise the importance of accountability in the development and maintenance of national and international codes and argue that, despite all their challenges, codes provide an important common language among otherwise disparate and sometimes adversarial groups, and provide visible and explicit sets of standards that may be invoked by community members to criticise and hold powerful bodies to account. This is particularly important for practitioners and researchers who belong to organisations that are signatories to codes, who can use these codes to both guide and justify ethical behaviour in the face of competing organisational, professional and political imperatives.