bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ethical leadership in project-based organizations of Pakistan: the role of psychological empowerment and Islamic work ethics
Authors: Mubarak Namra , Khan Jabran , Safdar Samyia , Muhammad Shah , Riaz Asim
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This study aims to examine the relationship between ethical leadership and project success directly and indirectly through psychological empowerment along with the moderating role of Islamic work ethic.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a time-lagged design, data were gathered from 202 employees working in project-based organizations of Pakistan. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the distinctiveness of variables used in the study.

Findings

Consistent with the cognitive evaluation theory, the findings supported the hypotheses other than the moderating role of Islamic work ethics between psychological empowerment and project success. The results confirmed that ethical leadership promotes project success directly and indirectly via psychological empowerment. Furthermore, theoretical and practical implications are also discussed highlighting the importance of ethical leadership for researchers and practitioners.

Originality/value

Literature is insufficient on the topic of ethical leadership in the project management domain with the effect of Islamic work ethics and psychological empowerment. Therefore, the current study explored unanswered research questions in the project management domain.
Service employees’ workplace fun and turnover intention: the influence of psychological capital and work engagement
Authors: Tetteh Stephen , Dei Mensah Rebecca , Opata Christian Narh , Mensah Claudia Nyarko
Published: August 2021

Purpose

As a way of addressing how best turnover intention among service employees can be reduced through workplace fun, this study aims to examine how psychological capital (PsyCap) and work engagement, respectively, moderates and mediates the relationship between workplace fun and turnover intention in a moderated mediation.

Design/methodology/approach

Using cross-sectional quantitative design, data were collected by means of questionnaires and convenience sampling. The hypotheses were tested with 482 service employees from the hospitality industry in Ghana using PROCESS macro.

Findings

The findings depict that work engagement mediates the relationship between workplace fun and turnover intention among service employees. Also, PsyCap moderates the workplace fun–engagement relationship, in addition to the workplace fun–work engagement–turnover intention relationship. Specifically, both relationships are stronger for employees with high PsyCap.

Practical implications

The authors would like to conclude that as frontline employees are usually subjected to stressful conditions, monotonous working environments and emotional labor, which affect the quitting intention, incorporating fun into the workplace will strategically help frontline employees to be engaged in their work and reduce their intentions to quit.

Originality/value

With a focus on a developing economy, this work is novel in exploring possible factors that may help increase work engagement and reduce turnover intention among service employees.
Measuring dimensions of perceived business success among Malaysian and Bangladeshi SME owners
Authors: Tehseen Shehnaz , Johara Fatema , Halbusi Hussam Al , Islam Md Asadul , Fattah Fadi Abdel Muniem Abdel
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the perceptions of Malaysian and Bangladeshi retail small- and medium-sized enterprise (SME) business owners on the key elements of business growth.

Design/methodology/approach

The construct measurements have all been taken from previous research studies. The data were gathered from retail SMEs in Malaysia and Bangladesh in order to evaluate entrepreneurs' perception towards the essential elements of a business performance. Structural equation modeling (SEM) with PLS technique, specifically Smart-PLS Version 3.2.4, was used to accomplish the study's objectives and analyze the measurements, as well as the structural model.

Findings

According to the findings, Malaysian and Bangladeshi SMEs have different perspectives toward the dimensions of their business performance. For example, Malaysian retail SME owners consider business growth and financial results to be the most important aspects of their success. Retailers consider financial performance to be less critical than non-financial performance when it comes to their business's success. Owners of Bangladeshi retail SMEs, on the other hand, see efficiency relative to competition and that non-financial performance is the key component to achieving business success. In the sense of Bangladeshi SMEs, market development and financial results are seen as less significant in attaining success.

Research limitations/implications

Since this research was only conducted in Malaysia and Bangladesh, it did not cover a large number of countries. The sample size was limited; therefore, the findings of this study cannot be applied to the entire population of Malaysian and Bangladeshi retail SMEs due to the non-probability sampling technique.

Practical implications

The findings of this study show that entrepreneurs or business owners in the retail sector in Malaysian and Bangladeshi SMEs view the attributes of their business performance differently.

Originality/value

This study adds to the rising context of entrepreneurship by examining SME owners' perception of main business performance dimensions in the scope of Asian retail SMEs.
Low‐grade fibromyxoid sarcoma arising from the lung: A case report
Authors: Yoshimura Ryuichi , Nishiya Masao , Yanagawa Naoki , Deguchi Hiroyuki , Tomoyasu Makoto , Kudo Satoshi , Shigeeda Wataru , Kaneko Yuka , Kanno Hironaga , Sugai Mayu , Shikanai Shunsuke , Sugai Tamotsu , Saito Hajime
Published: August 2021

Low‐grade fibromyxoid sarcoma (LGFMS) is a rare sarcoma subtype that most commonly arises in young adults. This tumor typically presents in the deep soft tissues of the proximal extremities or trunk as a painless mass. Although the most common site of LGFMS metastasis is the lung, it is rarely the primary site. Here, we report a case of primary pulmonary LGFMS. A 22‐year‐old asymptomatic man was referred to our hospital for investigation of a lung mass that had been discovered incidentally. Computed tomography (CT) showed a well‐defined mass 4.0 cm in diameter in the upper lobe of the right lung. Malignancy was suggested by focal uptake of 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron‐emission tomography (18‐FDG‐PET). Following surgery, postoperative histological analysis of the resected specimen demonstrated LGFMS based on histological and immunohistological findings. In particular, mucin 4 showed diffuse positivity in the spindle‐shaped tumor cells. In conclusion, LGFMS can arise in the lungs, and physicians should consider this entity as a differential diagnosis for solitary lung mass in young adults.
Evaluating the impact of preferential trade agreement on fishery imports: An application of difference‐in‐differences with matching method
Authors: Chi Pei‐Yu , Chang Ting‐Yu , Chang Kuo‐I
Published: August 2021

The purpose of thisstudy is to investigate the average treatment effect of the preferential tariff scheme at the HS 6‐digit level on the imports of fishery products between each OECD country and the world. The estimated results by employing a difference‐in‐differences with matching method show statistically positive average treatment effects for imports of frozen yellowfin tuna (HS030342) and fresh long‐finned tuna (HS030231) in many countries. However, there are also several negative average treatment effects on imports, implying that several OECD countries do not utilize preferential tariff schemes with exporter countries with sufficient productivity. This study fills the gap in the literature by providing more rigorous insights in the discussion regarding the trade creation/diversion effect of preferential trade agreements (PTAs).
Increased uterine NLRP3 inflammasome and leucocyte infiltration in a rat model of preeclampsia
Authors: Zeng Huiqian , Han Xinjia , Zhu Zhiqin , Yu Shengjun , Mei Shanshan , Cheng Xi , Zhang Weiqiang , Zhang Guanglan , Fang Dajun
Published: August 2021

The disruption of the inflammatory microenvironment in the uterus affects pregnancy outcome. However, the exact quantification and distribution of leukocyte subpopulations in the uterus in preeclampsia (PE) have not been clearly characterized. Inflammasomes promote the release of proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)‐β and IL‐18. A higher expression of NLRP3 inflammasome in placentas contributes to excessive inflammation in PE. However, related studies on the uterus are scarce. We aimed to investigate changes in the infiltration of leukocyte subpopulations in decidual and uterine tissues, and explore the role of activation of uterine NLRP3 inflammasomes in PE. Decidual tissues were collected from normotensive pregnant women and preeclamptic women. A PE‐like model was established via administration of lipopolysaccharide to normal pregnant rats. Uterine and decidual tissues were collected from all experimental groups. It was found that the number of leukocytes was significantly elevated in decidual and uterine tissues in PE patients compared to normal controls. The leukocytes (predominantly macrophages and NK cells) particularly infiltrated into the decidua and uterine decidua in PE‐like rats, and these were sparse in the myometrium. The NLRP3 immunoreactivity in the uterus was extremely little in control rats, its immunoreactivity and caspase‐1 immunoreactivity were significantly elevated in the PE‐like rats; the mRNA expression results also indicated an upward trend in the activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes. These results support that leucocyte infiltration in the decidua and uterine deciduas, and the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in the uterus, which participate in the pathogenesis, are responsible for the excessive inflammation at the maternal‐fetal interface during PE.
Effects of intrauterine growth restriction during late pregnancy on the ovine fetal renal function and antioxidant capacity
Authors: Zi Yang , Ma Chi , Li Huimin , Shen Suting , Liu Yingchun , Li Ming , Gao Feng
Published: August 2021

This study investigated the effects of intrauterine growth restriction during late pregnancy on the ovine fetal renal function and renal antioxidant capacity. Eighteen ewes pregnant were randomly divided into control group (CG, ad libitum, 0.67 MJ ME·BW−0.75·day−1, n = 6), restricted group 1 (RG1, 0.18 MJ ME·BW−0.75·day−1, n = 6), and restricted group 2 (RG2, 0.33 MJ ME·BW−0.75·day−1, n = 6). At 140 days, the fetal blood, allantoic fluid and kidney tissue were collected to determinate fetal renal function and renal antioxidant capacity. The results showed that the fetal weight, kidney weight, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px), aquaporin‐2 (AQP‐2) and aquaporin‐3 (AQP‐3), and total antioxidant capacity (T‐AOC) in RG1 group were decreased compared with the CG (P < 0.05), but the contents of β2‐Microglobulin (β 2‐MG), cystatin C (Cys‐C), filtered sodium excretion fraction (FENa), malondialdehyde (MDA), and hydroxyl radical (OH) in RG1 group were increased (P < 0.05). The impaired ovine fetal renal growth, antioxidant imbalance and dysfunction of glomerulus ultrafiltration, and the renal tubules reabsorption were induced by maternal malnutrition during late pregnancy.
Radical circles and visionary innovation: Angry birds and the transformation of video games
Authors: Ainamo Antti , Dell'Era Claudio , Verganti Roberto
Published: August 2021

Radical circle is an innovation approach, alternative in comparison to innovation teams and innovation communities, superior to these when detailed managerial guidance is not readily available because of high uncertainty, high ambiguity, or both. Through an empirical case analysis of Angry Birds, the video game, we strengthen earlier radical‐circle research findings on how a common sense of malaise with a current situation and dominant visions sometimes a small group of creative individuals meaningfully together, each volunteering to contribute much to change situation and dominant meaningfully vision. We find in this case that radical circles were more fluid in their membership and boundaries than what these earlier studies have found. There was considerable change over time in both the radical circles and visionary innovation. After Angry Birds's launch, a huge and very active brand community ensued, with radical creativity, with innovative community members contributing meaningful new inputs both for free and for global market and industry transformation. We call for further research on why and how line‐up changes in radical circles in between times of original visionary innovation and later‐phase market and industry transformation may matter. We also call for further research to study in what kinds of situations, why, and how radical circles are a good approach to mobilize extra‐organizational volunteers for visionary innovation of new‐to‐the world products or processes.
Genetic variants of SDCCAG8 and MAGI2 in mitosis‐related pathway genes are independent predictors of cutaneous melanoma‐specific survival
Authors: He Yuanmin , Liu Hongliang , Luo Sheng , Amos Christopher I. , Lee Jeffrey E. , Li Xin , Nan Hongmei , Wei Qingyi
Published: August 2021

Mitosis is a prognostic factor for cutaneous melanoma (CM), but accurate mitosis detection in CM tissues is difficult. Therefore, the 8th Edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system has removed the mitotic rate as a category criterion of the tumor T‐category, based on the evidence that the mitotic rate was not an independent prognostic factor for melanoma survival. As single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been shown to be potential predictors for cutaneous melanoma‐specific survival (CMSS), we investigated the potential prognostic value of SNPs in mitosis‐related pathway genes in CMSS by analyzing their associations with outcomes of 850 CM patients from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in a discovery dataset and validated the findings in another dataset of 409 CM patients from the Harvard University Nurses’ Health Study and Health Professionals Follow‐up Study. In both datasets, we identified two SNPs (SDCCAG8 rs10803138 G>A and MAGI2 rs3807694 C>T) as independent prognostic factors for CMSS, with adjusted allelic hazards ratios of 1.49 (95% confidence interval = 1.17‐1.90, P = .001) and 1.45 (1.13‐1.86, P = .003), respectively. Furthermore, their combined unfavorable alleles also predicted a poor survival in both discovery and validation datasets in a dose‐response manner (Ptrend = .0006 and .0001, respectively). Additional functional analysis revealed that both SDCCAG8 rs10803138 A and MAGI2 rs3807694 T alleles were associated with elevated mRNA expression levels in normal tissues. Therefore, these findings suggest that SDCCAG8 rs10803138 G>A and MAGI2 rs3807694 C>T are independent prognostic biomarkers for CMSS, possibly by regulating the mRNA expression of the corresponding genes involved in mitosis.
Informing the development of the Canadian Neurodiversity Platform: What is important to parents of children with neurodevelopmental disabilities?
Authors: Gonzalez Miriam , Saxena Shikha , Chowdhury Farhin , Dyck Holzinger Sasha , Martens Rachel , Oskoui Maryam , Shikako‐Thomas Keiko
Published: August 2021

Background

A crowd‐sourced Canadian platform that collects information across neurodevelopmental disabilities (NDDs) can (1) facilitate knowledge mobilization; (2) provide epidemiological data that can benefit knowledge, treatment, and advocacy; and (3) inform policy and resource allocation decisions. We obtained input from parents of children with NDDs about relevance and feasibility of questionnaire items as a first step to inform questionnaire development of a stakeholder‐driven, national platform for data collection on children with NDDs.

Methods

A parent of a teenager with NDDs was a research partner on the project. Through four focus groups and using a guided discussion consensus process, 16 participants provided feedback on whether questionnaire items from existing instruments related to function and disability were feasible for parents to complete and important to include in the platform. Data were analysed using content analysis.

Results

Participants (1) indicated that questions about medical history, general health, body functioning, self‐care, access to resources, and outcomes (e.g., quality of life) are important to include in the platform and are feasible for self‐completion; (2) provided various suggestions for the questionnaire ranging from additional items to include, using non‐medical language, and keeping completion time from 20 to 30 min; (3) identified incentives and knowing the purpose of the platform as strong motivators to platform participation; (4) spoke about the challenges of their caregiver experience including impact of caregiving on themselves and barriers to accessing services; and (5) highlighted the isolation experienced by their children.

Conclusion

Through the focus groups, parent stakeholders contributed to questionnaire development and shared their caregiver experiences. Obtaining feedback from youths with NDDs and healthcare providers on the questionnaire is a next step to validating findings. Stakeholder engagement is fundamental to developing a platform that will inform research that is relevant to the needs of children with NDDs and their families.
Example‐Based Colour Transfer for 3D Point Clouds
Authors: Goudé Ific , Cozot Rémi , Le Meur Olivier , Bouatouch Kadi
Published: August 2021

Example‐based colour transfer between images, which has raised a lot of interest in the past decades, consists of transferring the colour of an image to another one. Many methods based on colour distributions have been proposed, and more recently, the efficiency of neural networks has been demonstrated again for colour transfer problems. In this paper, we propose a new pipeline with methods adapted from the image domain to automatically transfer the colour from a target point cloud to an input point cloud. These colour transfer methods are based on colour distributions and account for the geometry of the point clouds to produce a coherent result. The proposed methods rely on simple statistical analysis, are effective, and succeed in transferring the colour style from one point cloud to another. The qualitative results of the colour transfers are evaluated and compared with existing methods.
Phylogenetic supergraphs
Authors: Wheeler Ward C.
Published: August 2021

Phylogenetic graph structures used in empirical and theoretical analysis have expanded beyond trees to more general directed acyclic graphs including networks and forests. Several methods to reconcile multiple such graphs are presented and discussed here, extending existing consensus and supertree techniques to form a set of phylogenetic supergraph methods. These graphs can be used as the summary of analytical results, or as heuristic initial graphs for further phylogenetic analysis.
Inhibition of neuronal necroptosis mediated by RIP1/RIP3/MLKL provides neuroprotective effects on kaolin‐induced hydrocephalus in mice
Authors: Liu Chang , Chen Yaxing , Cui Wenyao , Cao Yi , Zhao Long , Wang Haoxiang , Liu Xiaoyin , Fan Shuangmin , Huang Keru , Tong Aiping , Zhou Liangxue
Published: August 2021

Objectives

Necroptosis is widespread in neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we examined necroptosis in the hippocampus and cortex after hydrocephalus and found that a necroptosis pathway inhibitor alleviates necroptosis and provides neuroprotective effects.

Materials and methods

Hydrocephalus was induced in C57BL/6 mice by kaolin. Haematoxylin and eosin (HE), Nissl, PI and Fluoro‐Jade B (FJB) staining were used for general observations. Phosphorylated receptor‐interacting protein kinase 3 (p‐RIP3) and phosphorylated mixed lineage kinase domain‐like (p‐MLKL) were measured by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to observe ependymal cilia. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the Morris water maze (MWM) test were used to assess neurobehavioral changes. Immunofluorescence was used to detect microglial and astrocyte activation. Inflammatory cytokines were measured by Western blotting and RT‐PCR.

Results

Obvious pathological changes appeared in the hippocampus and cortex after hydrocephalus, and expression of the necroptosis markers p‐RIP3, p‐MLKL and inflammatory cytokines increased. Necrostatin‐1 (Nec‐1) and GSK872 reduced necrotic cell death, attenuated p‐RIP3 and p‐MLKL levels, slightly improved neurobehaviours and inhibited microglial and astrocyte activation and inflammation.

Conclusions

RIP1/RIP3/MLKL mediates necroptosis in the cortex and hippocampus in a hydrocephalus mouse model, and Nec‐1 and GSK872 have some neuroprotective effects.
Responses of an endemic species (Roscoea humeana) in the Hengduan Mountains to climate change
Authors: Chu Xue , Gugger Paul F. , Li Li , Zhao Jian‐Li , Li Qing‐Jun
Published: August 2021

Aim

Adaptation, migration and extinction of species is closely associated with climate changes and shape the distribution of biodiversity. The adaptive responses of species in the biodiversity hotspot, the Hengduan Mountains, to climate change remain poorly understood.

Location

The Hengduan Mountains, southeast of the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau.

Methods

The principles of phylogeography and landscape genomics were applied to the endemic speciesRoscoea humeanain the Hengduan Mountains by genotyping by sequencing data. A total of 5,902 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms were used to analyse the genetic structure/diversity and changes in effective population size over time. Species distribution modelling, principal component analysis and gradient forest analysis were used to explore associations between climate change and genetic variation.

Results

The population size ofR. humeanarapidly increased after the Last Glacial Maximum. The contribution of climate to genetic variation was greater than that of geography. Precipitation during the warmest season played a pivotal role in the adaptation to climate changes. Loci associated with drought tolerance and anti‐ultraviolet radiation were identified, suggesting local adaptation ofR. humeanato alpine environments.

Main conclusions

These results suggest that the current genetic structure and diversity ofR. humeanawere shaped by Quaternary climate fluctuations and persistence of microrefugia in the Hengduan Mountains. The results further suggest thatR. humeanacan survive in future refugia within the area where the warmest quarter precipitation is higher than 560 mm, and local adaptation to drought tolerance may be beneficial for its acclimation to future climate changes.
A modified Tet‐ON system minimizing leaky expression for cell‐type specific gene induction in medaka fish
Authors: Hosoya Osamu , Chung Myung , Ansai Satoshi , Takeuchi Hideaki , Miyaji Mary
Published: August 2021

The Tet‐ON system is an important molecular tool for temporally and spatially‐controlled inducible gene expression. Here, we developed a Tet‐ON system to induce transgene expression specifically in the rod photoreceptors of medaka fish. Our modified reverse tetracycline‐controlled transcriptional transactivator (rtTAm) with 5 amino acid substitutions dramatically improved the leakiness of the transgene in medaka fish. We generated a transgenic line carrying a self‐reporting vector with the rtTAm gene driven by the Xenopus rhodopsin promoter and a tetracycline response element (TRE) followed by the green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene. We demonstrated that GFP fluorescence was restricted to the rod photoreceptors in the presence of doxycycline in larval fish (9 days post‐fertilization). The GFP fluorescence intensity was enhanced with longer durations of doxycycline treatment up to 72 h and in a dose‐dependent manner (5–45 μg/ml). These findings demonstrate that the Tet‐ON system using rtTAm allows for spatiotemporal control of transgene expression, at least in the rod photoreceptors, in medaka fish.
CONVALESCENT plasma for COVID‐19: A meta‐analysis of clinical trials and real‐world evidence
Authors: Kloypan Chiraphat , Saesong Matthanaporn , Sangsuemoon Juthamat , Chantharit Prawat , Mongkhon Pajaree
Published: August 2021

Background

There is still a lack of consensus on the efficacy of convalescent plasma (CP) treatment in COVID‐19 patients. We performed a systematic review and meta‐analysis to investigate the efficacy of CP vs standard treatment/non‐CP on clinical outcomes in COVID‐19 patients.

Methods

Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched from December 2019 to 16 July 2021, for data from clinical trials and observational studies. The primary outcome was all‐cause mortality. Risk estimates were pooled using a random‐effect model. Risk of bias was assessed by Cochrane Risk of Bias tool for clinical trials and Newcastle‐Ottawa Scale for observational studies.

Results

In total, 18 peer‐reviewed clinical trials, 3 preprints and 26 observational studies met the inclusion criteria. In the meta‐analysis of 18 peer‐reviewed trials, CP use had a 31% reduced risk of all‐cause mortality compared with standard treatment use (pooled risk ratio [RR] = 0.69, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.56‐0.86, P = .001, I2 = 50.1%). Based on severity and region, CP treatment significantly reduced risk of all‐cause mortality in patients with severe and critical disease and studies conducted in Asia, pooled RR = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.47‐0.81, P = .001, I2 = 0.0%; pooled RR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.49‐0.92, P = .013, I2 = 0.0%; and pooled RR = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.48‐0.80, P < .001, I2 = 20.3%, respectively. The meta‐analysis of observational studies showed the similar results to the clinical trials.

Conclusions

Convalescent plasma use was associated with reduced risk of all‐cause mortality in severe or critical COVID‐19 patients. However, the findings were limited with a moderate degree of heterogeneity. Further studies with well‐designed and larger sample size are needed.
First record of the mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) and its seven parasitoids and five predators in Morocco
Authors: El Aalaoui Mohamed , Sbaghi Mohamed
Published: August 2021

Phenacoccus solenopsis (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) is the most important scale pest of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) around the world and has emerged as an important pest on a wide range of host plants in many countries. This scale insect was first detected in Morocco in 2020 during sampling in a cactus crop in the Benni Mellal region (32° 20′ N, 6° 21′ W) and has also been found on many other non‐cultivated host plants, such as purslane (Portulaca oleracea). The endoparasitoids Aprostocetus mymaridis (Eulophidae: Hymenoptera), Anagyrus aligarhensis, Anagyrus sp., Leptomastix epona, Metaphycus sp. (Encyrtidae: Hymenoptera), Trissolcus basalis (Scelionidae: Hymenoptera) and Asobara persimilis (Braconidae: Hymenoptera) were recorded from mummies of P. solenopsis. The predators Scymnus nubilus, Scymnus interruptus and Hippodamia convergens (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), and Orius niger and Geocoris megacephalus (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) were also found associated with the mealybug. This short paper reports the first record of P. solenopsis and its natural enemies in Morocco. Methods for sampling, preparation, preservation and identification are described.
Genomic signatures of artificial selection in the Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas
Authors: Hu Boyang , Tian Yuan , Li Qi , Liu Shikai
Published: August 2021

The Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas, is an important aquaculture shellfish around the world with great economic and ecological value. Selective breeding programs have been carried out globally to improve production and performance traits, while genomic signatures of artificial selection remain largely unexplored. In China, we performed selective breeding of C. gigas for over a decade, leading to production of several fast‐growing strains. In the present study, we conducted whole‐genome resequencing of 20 oysters from two fast‐growing strains that have been successively selected for 10 generations, and 20 oysters from the two corresponding wild populations. Sequencing depth of >10× was achieved for each sample, leading to identification of over 12.20 million SNPs. The population structures investigated with three independent methods (principal component analysis, phylogenetic tree, and structure) suggested distinct patterns among selected and wild oyster populations. Assessment of the linkage disequilibrium (LD) decay clearly indicated the changes in genetic diversity during selection. Fixation index (Fst) combined with cross‐population composite likelihood ratio (XP‐CLR) allowed for identification of 768 and 664 selective sweeps (encompassing 1042 and 872 genes) tightly linked to selection in the two fast‐growing strains. KEGG enrichment and functional analyses revealed that 33 genes are important for growth regulation, which act as key components of various signaling pathways with close connection and further take part in regulating the process of cell cycle. This work provides valuable information for the understanding of genomic signatures for long‐term selective breeding and will also be important for growth study and genome‐assisted breeding of the Pacific oyster in the future.
The structural basis for high‐affinity uptake of lignin‐derived aromatic compounds by proteobacterial TRAP transporters
Authors: Bisson Claudine , Salmon Robert C. , West Laura , Rafferty John B. , Hitchcock Andrew , Thomas Gavin H. , Kelly David J.
Published: August 2021

The organic polymer lignin is a component of plant cell walls, which like (hemi)‐cellulose is highly abundant in nature and relatively resistant to degradation. However, extracellular enzymes released by natural microbial consortia can cleave the β‐aryl ether linkages in lignin, releasing monoaromatic phenylpropanoids that can be further catabolised by diverse species of bacteria. Biodegradation of lignin is therefore important in global carbon cycling, and its natural abundance also makes it an attractive biotechnological feedstock for the industrial production of commodity chemicals. Whilst the pathways for degradation of lignin‐derived aromatics have been extensively characterised, much less is understood about how they are recognised and taken up from the environment. The purple phototrophic bacterium Rhodopseudomonas palustris can grow on a range of phenylpropanoid monomers and is a model organism for studying their uptake and breakdown. R. palustris encodes a tripartite ATP‐independent periplasmic (TRAP) transporter (TarPQM) linked to genes encoding phenylpropanoid‐degrading enzymes. The periplasmic solute‐binding protein component of this transporter, TarP, has previously been shown to bind aromatic substrates. Here, we determine the high‐resolution crystal structure of TarP from R. palustris as well as the structures of homologous proteins from the salt marsh bacterium Sagittula stellata and the halophile Chromohalobacter salexigens, which also grow on lignin‐derived aromatics. In combination with tryptophan fluorescence ligand‐binding assays, our ligand‐bound co‐crystal structures reveal the molecular basis for high‐affinity recognition of phenylpropanoids by these TRAP transporters, which have potential for improving uptake of these compounds for biotechnological transformations of lignin.
Getting into rhythm: developmental emergence of circadian clocks and behaviors
Authors: Poe Amy R. , Mace Kyla D. , Kayser Matthew S.
Published: August 2021

Circadian clocks keep time to coordinate diverse behaviors and physiological functions. While molecular circadian rhythms are evident during early development, most behavioral rhythms, such as sleep–wake, do not emerge until far later. Here, we examine the development of circadian clocks, outputs, and behaviors across phylogeny, with a particular focus on Drosophila. We explore potential mechanisms for how central clocks and circadian output loci establish communication, and discuss why from an evolutionary perspective sleep–wake and other behavioral rhythms emerge long after central clocks begin keeping time.
High glycosyltransferase 8 domain containing two protein levels contribute to poor prognosis in urothelial carcinoma
Authors: Chen Tzu‐Ju , Chan Ti‐Chun , Li Chien‐Feng , Dilshan Sampath Dissanayaka Dissanayakage , Kianpour Maryam , He Hong‐Lin , Huang Steven K , Li Wan‐Shan , Chen Nai‐Yu , Shiue Yow‐Ling
Published: August 2021

Objective

To examine the expression levels of the glycosyltransferase 8 domain containing protein 2 and its clinical implications in urothelial carcinoma patients.

Methods

Data mining, immunohistochemistry together with H‐score calculation was carried out to evaluate the glycosyltransferase 8 domain containing protein 2 levels on tissue specimens from urothelial carcinoma patients, retrospectively. Correlations between glycosyltransferase 8 domain containing protein 2 H‐score and imperative clinicopathological factors were measured. The indication of glycosyltransferase 8 domain containing protein 2 level on disease‐specific and metastasis‐free survivals were next analyzed.

Results

In upper tract urothelial carcinomas (n = 340) and bladder urothelial carcinomas (n = 295), 170 (50%) and 148 (50%) patients, respectively, were identified to have high glycosyltransferase 8 domain containing protein 2 expression. The glycosyltransferase 8 domain containing protein 2 levels were correlated to several clinicopathological characteristics and patient survival. Upregulation of the glycosyltransferase 8 domain containing protein 2 was correlated to primary tumor (P < 0.001), nodal metastasis (P < 0.001), histological grade (P < 0.001), vascular invasion (P < 0.001), perineural invasion (P < 0.05) and mitotic rate (P < 0.001). High glycosyltransferase 8 domain containing protein 2 levels independently predicted poor disease‐specific survival (P = 0.049) and metastasis‐free survival (P = 0.008) in upper tract urothelial carcinoma and urinary bladder urothelial carcinoma, respectively. Gene Ontology enrichment analysis additionally showed that multiple biological processes were enriched including “ECM organization” (Gene Ontology:0030198), “extracellular structure organization” (Gene Ontology:0043062), “biological adhesion” (Gene Ontology:0022610), “cell adhesion” (Gene Ontology:0007155), “collagen fibril organization” (Gene Ontology:0030199) and “vasculature development” (Gene Ontology:0001944).

Conclusions

The present findings suggest that upregulation of the glycosyltransferase 8 domain containing protein 2 is an independent and disadvantageous prognosticator in urothelial carcinoma. High glycosyltransferase 8 domain containing protein 2 level might play a crucial role in progression of urothelial carcinoma.
El largo discurso sobre la informalidad reflejado en algunos artículos de la Revista Internacional del Trabajo
Authors: KANBUR Ravi
Published: August 2021

Este artículo es una introducción al presente número monográfico sobre la informalidad, inscrito en la colección del centenario de la Revista Internacional del Trabajo (RIT). Se recogen aquí diez artículos dedicados exclusivamente al análisis de la informalidad, que aparecieron en la RIT entre 1975 y 2016. La introducción se inicia con un marco analítico, seguido de un examen de los orígenes del discurso de la informalidad y una lectura crítica de los artículos seleccionados en su contexto bibliográfico, a través de una serie de referencias ilustrativas, y concluye mirando al futuro, a lo que nos depararán los próximos decenios de análisis y discurso de políticas.
Biogeographic drivers of community assembly on oceanic islands: The importance of archipelago structure and history
Authors: Aguilée Robin , Pellerin Félix , Soubeyrand Maxence , Choin Jeremy , Thébaud Christophe
Published: August 2021

Aim

Accounting for geo‐environmental dynamics is crucial to understand community assembly across islands. Whittaker et al. (J Biogeogr, 35:977–994, 2008)’s General Dynamic Model (GDM) aims towards this goal. Yet, it does not explicitly consider that most islands belong to archipelagos. We examined how island biodiversity dynamics are influenced by the interaction of eco‐evolutionary processes acting at the archipelago level with each island's geo‐environmental dynamics.

Location

Hypothetical archipelagos.

Taxon

Any.

Methods

We used an individual‐based model, ecologically neutral within the archipelago. Several islands emerge in succession with a typical volcanic ontogeny. We considered both mainland and inter‐island dispersal. Geographically isolated lineages diverged over time, possibly speciating.

Results

We found diversity to be at dynamic equilibrium. In an archipelago, islands hosted more diversity and more endemic species, at both island and archipelago levels, than an equivalently‐sized single isolated island. This was due to an ‘archipelago effect’: inter‐island dispersal increased within‐island diversity through species occurrence on multiple islands; species may undergo anagenetic changes on the colonised islands, eventually speciating, thereby increasing archipelago diversity. Biodiversity dynamics of different islands may differ even on islands with identical geo‐environmental dynamics because the archipelago effect varied over time and affected each island differently (‘history effect’). By accounting for these effects, we predicted detectable deviations from the GDM predictions, which are largest for remote archipelagos, with islands located close together and with an intermediate time of island emergence. In linear stepping‐stone archipelagos, we predicted higher diversity on centrally located islands.

Main conclusions

Our results demonstrate that analyses of insular biodiversity data would greatly benefit from explicitly accounting for both archipelago and history effects. We suggest incorporating variables characterising the spatio‐temporal structure of the whole archipelago. We discuss possible difficulties in distinguishing between the archipelago effect and equilibrium diversity dynamics.
“Retained wire femoral lead removal and fibroplasty” for obtaining venous access in patients with refractory venous obstruction
Authors: Brar Vijaywant , Worley Seth J. , Eldadah Zayd , O′Donoghue Susan , Makanjee Bhavanesh , Steen Torkel , Bansal Sandeep , Oza Saumil
Published: August 2021

Background

Patients with wire and catheter refractory venous occlusion are traditionally referred for pectoral transvenous lead extraction (TLE) to obtain venous access. TLE causes 1–2 mm circumferential mechanical or laser destruction of tissue surrounding the lead(s). This not only exposes the patient to the risk of major complications but also can damage nontargeted leads. We present a series of patients where retained wire femoral lead removal and fibroplasty was used to obtain venous access in patients with refractory obstruction.

Methods

Between 2008 and 2021, we identified 17 patients where retained wire lead removal followed by fibroplasty was used to retain venous access. Demographic and procedural data were obtained by retrospective review of patient charts.

Results

We were able to successfully obtain venous access in all 17 patients in whom this technique was attempted. In two patients the target lead was less than or equal to 1 year old. In the remaining 15 patients, the average dwell time of the target lead(s) was 6 years. There were no procedure‐related complications, and no changes in the parameters of other leads were noted.

Conclusion

Retained wire femoral lead removal and fibroplasty is safe and highly efficacious at obtaining venous access in patients with refractory venous occlusion. If the target lead(s) is less than or equal to 1 year old, this technique can help obtain venous access at the time of the initial surgery, hence avoiding the need for TLE. Furthermore, in patients referred for TLE to obtain venous access, this technique by avoiding the use of TLE tools spares the patient of the associated risks.
Mathematical modeling of vibratory shear‐enhanced nanofiltration in the preconcentration of coffee extracts for soluble coffee manufacturing
Authors: Laurio Michael Vincent O. , Yenkie Kirti M. , Eusebio Ramon Christian P. , Hesketh Robert P. , Savelski Mariano J. , Slater C. Stewart
Published: August 2021

A semi‐empirical model was applied to evaluate the performance of a vibratory nanofiltration (NF) system, using 150‐Da TS80 NF membrane, for the preconcentration of coffee extracts in soluble coffee processing. The effects of transmembrane pressure (TMP), feed concentration, and module vibration on flux enhancement were correlated with membrane surface concentrations and fouling resistances under steady state operation. Vibratory shear thinned the boundary layer and increased the mass transfer coefficient of the solvent (water) by a factor of 3.5. Membrane surface concentrations and fouling resistances reduced by 60% compared with crossflow (CF) NF operation. These reductions enhanced permeate fluxes by about 2–3 times that of CF operation, with low flux decline. Feed concentration and TMP promoted polarization more than the negative effect of vibration. Osmotic pressure resistances were dominant under low feed concentrations and TMP. However, concentration polarization resistances exceeded osmotic pressure resistances as TMP and feed concentrations were increased. Real rejections relative to membrane surface chemical oxygen demand (COD) were above 0.99, indicating the potential of the operation to recover permeate that is reusable for ancillary plant operations. Overall, the experimental and theoretical permeate fluxes and CODs were in reasonable agreement, indicating the reliability of the model.

Practical Applications

Vibratory membrane processes alleviate the issues on membrane fouling that is advantageous when integrated into food and beverage processes. Its application as a coffee extract preconcentration alternative to thermal evaporation opens opportunities for sustainable soluble coffee production that can be adapted in other food and beverage industries. However, the unique dynamic nature of the vibratory membrane system challenges conventional approaches for understanding and predicting the mechanisms of the process. This gap limits the overall transferability of the technology to broader industry sectors. The semi‐empirical resistance‐in‐series model developed in this study correlates the important factors with the vibratory NF performance based on fundamental concepts: concentration polarization, osmotic pressure effects, and fouling resistance. The model is not only useful in managing membrane fouling in vibratory systems, but also in optimizing and developing alternative approaches on similar lines and their scale‐up to promote other industrial applications.
Reperfusion therapy for acute ischemic stroke in older people: An observational real‐life study
Authors: Sudre Justine , Venditti Laura , Ancelet Claire , Chassin Olivier , Sarov Mariana , Smadja Didier , Chausson Nicolas , Lun François , Laine Olga , Duron Emmanuelle , Verny Christiane , Spelle Laurent , Rouquette Alexandra , Legris Nicolas , Denier Christian
Published: August 2021

Background

While randomized clinical trials have shown the benefit of thrombolysis and endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS), we aimed to describe in a real‐life study the differences between older (>80 years old) and younger patients treated for AIS.

Methods

Thousand patients treated with thrombolysis and/or EVT were consecutively included in a prospective monocentric database (admitted from December 2015 to May 2019 in our comprehensive stroke center). Demographic data with detailed history, baseline physical examinations and treatments, laboratory and imaging data, prestroke functional status, and outcome 3 months after stroke were analyzed.

Results

Older patients (n = 357) had more baseline comorbidities and lower levels of prestroke independence (modified Rankin scale ≤2; 67.2% vs. 96.1%) and more severe strokes (median National Institute of Health Stroke Score [NIHSS] 15 vs. 12; p < 0.001) than younger patients (n = 643). There was no difference in the reperfusion treatments used or treatment timelines. In older patients, good functional status at 3 months was less common (29.7% vs. 61.3%) and mortality was higher (37.1% vs. 11.4%) than in younger patients. Younger age was independently associated with better prognosis (odds ratio [OR] 0.37, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.20–0.67; p = 0.001) and lower mortality (OR 4.38, 95% CI: 2.11–9.09; p < 0.001). Among older adults, features associated with good outcome at 3 months were age (OR 0.89, 95% CI: 0.81–0.97; p = 0.01), initial NIHSS (OR 0.89, 95% CI: 0.83–0.94; p < 0.0001), and absence of severe leukoaraiosis, anticoagulant treatment, and symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage following reperfusion therapy (respectively, OR 0.42, 95% CI: 0.19–0.93; p = 0.03; OR = 0.07, 95% CI: 0.01–0.70; p = 0.02; and OR = 0.07, 95% CI: 0.01–0.61; p = 0.02).

Conclusion

Although reperfusion therapy was less successful in older patients, these patients may benefit from acute recanalization despite their age. With an increasing older adult population, high‐quality prospective studies are still required to better predict functional outcome and clarify the criteria that would allow better selection of appropriate treatment.
The representation of ethnic economies in industry clusters and the earnings differences of ethnic members from others: A case of Chinese in Canada
Authors: Fong Eric , Shu Binbin
Published: August 2021

Drawing from organizational, organizational ecology, and social network perspectives, we examined how earning differences between coethnic members (i.e., Chinese in Canada) and others (i.e., non‐Chinese in Canada) were relatedto whether they participated in ethnic economy and also to the percentage of ethnic economies among related industrial sectors in a larger industry cluster. The study envisages ethnic economy is embedded in larger industry cluster and its operation is shaped by the larger industrial context. Drawing from the 2011 Canadian National Survey, we found thatthe percentage of ethnic economies among all related industrial sectors in an industry cluster was related to lower differences in the earnings of its coethnic members and others working there. The findings further showed that the relationship was significant for coethnic employees, but not for coethnic employers.