bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
From focus to ambidexterity: the choice of catch-up strategy for EMNEs
Authors: Peng Xinmin , Fang Keyi , Lockett Martin
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Emerging-market multinational enterprises (EMNEs) can choose focused or ambidextrous strategies to catch up with global market leaders through overseas foreign direct investment (OFDI). The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), launched by the Chinese government in 2013, had a profound impact on Chinese multinational enterprises’ international behavior. This paper analyses how EMNEs select focused or ambidextrous catch-up strategies before and after the BRI, integrating ambidexterity and catch-up theories to provide a more nuanced understanding of the evolution of EMNE strategy.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study is well suited for deriving rich descriptions of empirical phenomena for which little theory exists. Because the existing literature has not yet fully explored and conceptually modeled the influence of windows of opportunity on international catch-up strategies, we use qualitative research to explore the mechanisms of strategy evolution in EMNEs.

Findings

The results show that the choice of catch-up strategy is influenced by the nature of windows of opportunity and the firm's accumulated technological capability. Specifically, the opening of institutional windows as a result of the BRI could give significant momentum to the international catch-up process by providing incentives and opportunities for EMNEs to enter more markets and new technology fields. The EMNEs studied underwent a transition from a focused strategy in the catch-up stage to an ambidextrous strategy in the beyond catch-up stage.

Originality/value

These conclusions can not only deepen our understanding of the dynamics of catch-up strategies in the global context but also enrich the research on the ambidexterity of EMNEs, especially in the context of the BRI.
Bibliometric analysis of sharing economy logistics and crowd logistics
Authors: Saglietto Laurence
Published: March 2021

Purpose

This study aims to review the literature on sharing economy logistics and crowd logistics to answer the three following questions: How is the literature on sharing economy logistics structured? What are the main trends in sharing economy logistics and crowd logistics? What are the future research options?

Design/methodology/approach

Bibliometric analysis is used to evaluate 85 articles published over the past 12 years; it identifies the top academic journals, authors and research topics contributing to the field.

Findings

The sharing economy logistics and crowd logistics literature is structured around several disciplines and highlights that some are more scientifically advanced than others in their subject definitions, designs, modelling and innovative solutions. The main trends are organized around three clusters: Cluster 1 refers to the optimal allocation of costs, prices, distribution and supplier relationships; Cluster 2 corresponds to business related crowdsourcing and international industry practices; and Cluster 3 includes the impact of transport on last-mile delivery, crowd shipping and the environment.

Research limitations/implications

The study is based on data from peer-reviewed scientific journals and conferences. A broader overview could include other data sources such as books, book chapters, working papers, etc.

Originality/value

Future research directions are discussed in the context of the evolution from crowd logistics to crowd intelligence, and the complexities of crowd logistics such as understanding how the social crowd can be integrated into the logistics process. Our results are part of the crowd science and engineering concept and provide some answers about crowd cyber-system questions regarding crowd intelligence in logistic sector.
Antecedents, processes and outcomes of an internship program: an employer's perspective
Authors: Kroon Nanja , Franco Mário
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Higher education internships have been studied in different aspects, mainly from the student or university perspective. To contribute to the understanding of the third actor in this type of university-industry cooperation, the paper examines employers' perspectives on higher education internships.

Design/methodology/approach

Through a literature review and based on Narayanan et al. (2010) conceptual model, an a priori model was developed, which was then validated by a multiple-case study in a Portuguese undergraduate course.

Findings

The findings reveal rich and meaningful insights into an under-researched area, including validation of seven antecedents, two processes and six outcomes of internships from the employer's perspective. This research showed that employers give great importance to outcomes of internships, either in terms of productivity, possible future recruitment, inflow of ideas, behaviours and competences or the intern's satisfaction.

Practical implications

The findings suggest the need for universities to undertake more collaboration with industry, as the employers made weak references to the creation and maintenance of ties with the educational institution, denoting low motivation. On the other hand, most of the outcomes for employers found in the literature are confirmed, except for the continued inflow of ideas construct. This may evidence some lack of strategic thinking related to the internship programs on part of the employers.

Originality/value

This paper validates and extends the dispersed findings of existing research by providing a useful, unifying conceptual model of the employer's perspective on higher education internships, which can be tested at other levels of education or in other countries.
The effects of a psychological brand contract breach on customers' dysfunctional behavior toward a brand
Authors: Gong Taeshik , Wang Chen-Ya
Published: March 2021

Purpose

This paper introduces the concept of dysfunctional customer behavior toward a brand and argues that when customers perceive that a brand has failed to fulfill its promises, a psychological brand contract breach occurs, which in turn leads to a psychological brand contract violation, which evokes dysfunctional customer behavior toward the brand. In addition, this study investigates whether the impact of a breach of this contract is dependent on brand relationship quality, brand apology and restitution.

Design/methodology/approach

Study 1 conducted the online survey and 224 respondents were used for data analysis and the moderating role of brand relationship quality was examined. Study 2 conducted an experiment with 201 participants to test the moderating role of brand apology and restitution.

Findings

This study found the moderating role of brand relationship quality, brand apology and brand restitution on the relationship between a psychological brand contract breach and dysfunctional customer behavior toward a brand (i.e. brand-negative word-of-mouth, brand retaliation and brand boycott), which is mediated by psychological brand contract violation.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the theoretical understanding of dysfunctional customer behavior toward a brand by integrating the literature on brand management with the organizational literature on psychological contracts between organizations and their employees. Furthermore, this study sheds light on the effectiveness of reparative actions by the firm after occurrence of the psychological brand contract breach.
GOVERNING URBAN AGRICULTURE: Formalization, Resistance and Re‐visioning in Two ‘Green’ Cities
Authors: McClintock Nathan , Miewald Christiana , McCann Eugene
Published: March 2021

As municipalities across the global North highlight urban agriculture as a marker of their ‘greenness’, how can we best understand how the spaces and practices of urban food production are governed? This article develops an analysis of urban agriculture as a complex site of governance in which numerous interests engage. We underscore the politics of governance, through which some actors resist the imposition of a narrowly normative and exclusive notion of urban agriculture and against which they envision and enact alternatives. The article contributes to efforts to transcend the often dichotomous framing of urban agriculture as radical or neoliberal, formal or informal, political or post‐political by employing ‘everyday governance’ and ‘everyday resistance’ as lenses through which to focus on the prosaic practices of engaging with, pushing back against, and stepping beyond the imposition of hegemonic models of urban agriculture. We argue that the co‐constitutive, ‘braided’ nature of urban agricultural governance is revealed through attention to the manifold forms of negotiation and resistance to formal urban agricultural governance. Moreover, our perspective highlights the ways that some practitioners are excluded by, challenge, or re‐vision formal definitions of urban agriculture. We draw on the cases of Portland, OR and Vancouver, BC to illustrate our argument.
Early Essential Newborn Care can still be used with mothers who have COVID‐19 if effective infection control measures are applied
Authors: Tran Hoang Thi , Huynh Le Thi , Le Chau Hoang Minh , Nguyen Vinh Dai , Nguyen Phuong Thi Thu , Hoang Diep Thi , Nguyen Nhan Thi Thanh , Pham Nga Thi Quynh , Murray John C. S. , Park Kidong , Sobel Howard
Published: March 2021

We describe the first infant born to a woman with COVID‐19 in Vietnam, by Caesarean section at 36 weeks and 5 days of gestation. The mother and baby remained together during their hospital stay and prolonged skin‐to‐skin contact and early and exclusive breastfeeding were achieved. This was in line with the World Health Organization's Early Essential Newborn Care (EENC) recommendations, the national Vietnamese standard of care since 2014. The baby remained virus‐free throughout the 34‐day postpartum follow‐up.

Conclusion

The EENC approach can still be used with mothers who have COVID‐19 if effective infection control measures are applied.
Hierarchy of environmental factors driving restoration of dry grasslands: A multi‐site analysis
Authors: Prach Karel , Fajmon Karel , Řehounková Klára , Jongepierová Ivana
Published: March 2021

Questions

Quantification of the role of particular factors driving restoration may improve our understanding of restoration processes and thus lead to a better design of restoration projects. We investigated how restoration methods, soil characteristics, time since sowing or abandonment, proximity effects, and climate influence vegetation changes and restoration success in the restored grasslands. We particularly asked: (a) which of the studied environmental factors influence the course of restoration of dry grasslands and how much; (b) what is their hierarchy; and (c) what are the implications for ecological restoration?

Location

White Carpathians Protected Landscape Area, eastern Czech Republic.

Methods

We studied 82 dry grasslands restored on former arable land, either sown with a regional or commercial clover–grass seed mixture or left to spontaneous succession, and compared them with ancient dry grasslands as reference sites. Data were processed using Detrended Correspondence Analysis and Canonical Correspondence Analysis. Generalized linear models (GLMs) were used to test the relationships between two measures of restoration success (number of colonizing target species and Bray–Curtis similarity between restored and reference vegetation) and the environmental factors.

Results

The ordination results demonstrate some convergence of grasslands restored with different methods toward reference sites. Using regional seed mixtures led to a higher participation of dry grassland species, while using commercial seed mixtures and spontaneous succession favored mesic grassland species. All tested groups of environmental variables exhibited some significant effects on the course of restoration. Their hierarchy varied depending on the vegetation characteristic we used but generally, restoration method and soil factors appeared to be the most important, followed by time since sowing or abandonment, climatic factors, and proximity effects.

Conclusions

When planning grassland restoration projects, we have to consider especially soil characteristics and landscape context, i.e., location of the restored site in the landscape matrix and climatic conditions, and select proper restoration methods.
Upward shifts in elevational limits of forest and grassland for Mexican volcanoes over three decades
Authors: Jiménez‐García Daniel , Li Xingong , Lira‐Noriega Andrés , Peterson Andrew Townsend
Published: March 2021

Global climates have been warming over the past four decades, with many implications and effects on species and natural communities, in terms of shifts in geographic and elevational ranges. Nonetheless, major knowledge gaps exist, particularly for tropical regions, as regards the timescale and rate of range shifts. We used Landsat imagery to characterize the upper limits of forest and of bunch grassland on the 15 highest (>3500 m) volcanoes of central Mexico over three decades (1986–2018), and documented upward vegetation shifts averaging >490 m in elevation over this period. Treelines showed upward shifts averaging 17.3 m/year over 1986–2018; for one eastern Mexican volcano (Sierra Negra), the NDVI‐based rate (35.7 m/year) contrasts dramatically with a rate of 4.5 m/year measured over the preceding century for that volcano based on comparisons of photographs. These upward elevational shifts imply areal reductions for high‐elevation habitats, and particularly for the bunch grassland that is the focus of considerable local endemism.

Abstract in Spanish is available with online material.
Tetrahedral DNA nanostructure improves transport efficiency and anti‐fungal effect of histatin 5 against Candida albicans
Authors: Zhang Bowen , Qin Xin , Zhou Mi , Tian Taoran , Sun Yue , Li Songhang , Xiao Dexuan , Cai Xiaoxiao
Published: March 2021

Objectives

Anti‐microbial peptides (AMPs) have been comprehensively investigated as a novel alternative to traditional antibiotics against microorganisms. Meanwhile, Tetrahedral DNA nanostructures (TDNs) have gained attention in the field of biomedicine for their premium biological effects and transportation efficiency as delivery vehicles. Hence, in this study, TDN/Histatin 5 (His‐5) was synthesized and the transport efficiency and anti‐fungal effect were measured to evaluate the promotion of His‐5 modified by TDNs.

Materials and Methods

Tetrahedral DNA nanostructures/His‐5 complex was prepared via electrostatic attraction and characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and electrophoretic light scattering (ELS). The anti‐fungal effect of the TDN/His‐5 complex was evaluated by determining the growth curve and colony‐forming units of C. albicans. The morphological transformation of C. albicans was observed by light microscope and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Immunofluorescence was performed, and potassium efflux was detected to mechanistically demonstrate the efficacy of TDN/His‐5.

Results

The results showed that Histatin 5 modified by TDNs had preferable stability in serum and was effectively transported into C. albicans, leading to the increased formation of intracellular reactive oxygen species, higher potassium efflux and enhanced anti‐fungal effect against C. albicans.

Conclusions

Our study showed that TDN/His‐5 was synthesized successfully. And by the modification of TDNs, His‐5 showed increased transport efficiency and improved anti‐fungal effect.
Breeder aggression does not predict current or future cooperative group formation in a cooperatively breeding bird
Authors: Cusick Jessica A. , DuVal Emily H. , Cox James A.
Published: March 2021

In cooperatively breeding species, subordinates forgo reproduction to assist breeders in raising offspring. When cooperative breeding is facultative, breeders from the same population may differ in whether they are assisted by non‐breeding helpers. Predation risk is a major source of nest failure and assistance during nest defense is often an overlooked, yet important, way helpers assist breeders. A breeder's aggressive response to a nest predator could have important implications for whether they form cooperatively breeding groups. We investigated the hypothesis that breeder aggression toward a nest predator is related to current and future helper recruitment. We tested the prediction that less aggressive breeders were more likely to form cooperative groups, which could occur if these breeders benefit from helper assistance during nest defense. We also considered the possibility that more aggressive breeders were more likely to form cooperative groups. We assessed the effects of partnerships and tested whether aggression exhibited by breeding partners was correlated. We conducted this work in the facultative, cooperatively breeding brown‐headed nuthatch (Sitta pusilla). We measured breeder aggression in response to a taxidermy model of a nest predator to determine whether breeders’ aggression correlated with their current or future helper recruitment. We found no evidence of a sex difference in aggression among breeders and aggression scores of breeding partners were not significantly correlated. Aggression scores for both breeding males and breeding females were unrelated to whether they formed cooperative groups in the current year. We followed most of the breeding males, though not breeding females, across years and found that breeding males’ aggression scores were unrelated to helper recruitment the following year. Our results suggest that breeders’ responses to nest predators are not related to cooperative group formation in this species and that males and females showed comparable levels of aggression toward a nest predator.
Sustainable production of microalgae biomass for biofuel and chemicals through recycling of water and nutrient within the biorefinery context: A review
Authors: Farooq Wasif
Published: March 2021

Commercial‐scale production of microalgae biomass for biofuel and biochemicals requires a substantial amount of water and nutrients. Many studies are conducted to explore the potential of various aqueous streams originating from harvesting stage and different energy recovery steps as an alternative for water and nutrient supply. Presence of toxic organic compounds, unassimilated ions, particulate matter, and high alkalinity in post‐harvest water limit its recyclability. Nutrient recovery from biomass via anaerobic digestion (AD) and various hydrothermal processes is being explored. So, there is a need to understand the impact of harvesting methods, nature and impact of organic compounds, buildup of algogenic organic matter (OM), amount of unused nutrients, and salinity on water recycling. Optimum conditions for maximum nutrient recovery from AD and hydrothermal processes are discussed for effective nutrient recycling. This review is an attempt to understand the challenges associated with the recycling of aqueous streams for water and nutrient requirement for sustainable microalgae cultivation. The effectiveness of a recycling stream is defined here as “biomass ratio.” Possible growth inhibiting factors are identified, and their solutions are suggested along with potential directions for future research. Large‐scale sustainable cultivation of microalgae through recycling of different streams depends on better understanding of biological activity of algal OM through detailed characterization and in‐depth understanding of physiochemical properties.
Amorphous self‐glazed, chopped basalt fiber reinforced, geopolymer‐based composites
Authors: Chadha Vimanyu , Kriven Waltraud M.
Published: March 2021

Geopolymer composites reinforced with refractory, chopped basalt fibers, and low melting glass were fabricated and heat treated at higher temperatures. K2O·Al2O3·4SiO2·11H2O was the stoichiometric composition of the potassium‐based geopolymer which was produced from water glass (fumed silica, deionized water, potassium hydroxide), and metakaolin. Addition of low melting glass (Tm ~815°C) increased the flexure strength of the composites to ~5 MPa after heat treatment above 1000°C to 1200°C. A Weibull statistical analysis was performed exhibiting how the amorphous self‐healing and self‐glazing effect of the glass frit significantly improved the flexure strength of the geopolymer and ceramic composites after exposure for 1 hour to high temperatures. At 950‐1000°C, the K‐based geopolymer converted to primarily a crystalline leucite ceramic, but the basalt fiber remained intact, and the melted glass frit flowed out of the surface cracks and sealed them. 1150℃ was determined to be the optimum heat treatment temperature, as at ≤1200°C, the basalt fibers melt and the strength of the reinforcement in the composites is significantly reduced. The amorphous self‐healing and amorphous self‐glazing effects of the glass frit significantly improved the room temperature flexure strength of the heat‐treated geopolymer and ceramic composites.
A qualitative study on parents’ concerns about adult children with intellectual disabilities amid the COVID‐19 pandemic in South Korea
Authors: Kim Min Ah , Yi Jaehee , Jung Sang Mi , Hwang Shinyeong , Sung Jimin
Published: March 2021

Background

This study aimed to understand parents’ concerns about their adult child with intellectual disabilities due to the restriction of community‐based services amid the COVID‐19 pandemic in South Korea.

Methods

In‐depth interviews were conducted face‐to‐face or by telephone with 19 parents of adult children with intellectual disabilities who had to stop using community‐based services.

Results

Participants worried that their adult child was not aware of the seriousness of COVID‐19, was more susceptible to the COVID‐19 virus, could not recognize self‐infection and could have fatal consequences of getting infected with COVID‐19. They expected challenges in their adult child's life (losing a daily routine, being isolated, regression in skills, becoming bored, lacking physical activities and increased behavioural challenges) but also experienced adjustments and hopes.

Conclusion

The study demonstrated parents’ worry about their adult child becoming infected with COVID‐19, highlighting the urgent need for community‐based services to address psychosocial challenges during the pandemic.
Regional differences in office and self‐measured home heart rates in Asian hypertensive patients: AsiaBP@Home study
Authors: Tomitani Naoko , Hoshide Satoshi , Buranakitjaroen Peera , Chia Yook Chin , Park Sungha , Chen Chen‐Huan , Nailes Jennifer , Shin Jinho , Siddique Saulat , Sison Jorge , Soenarta Arieska Ann , Sogunuru Guru Prasad , Tay Jam Chin , Turana Yuda , Zhang Yuqing , Wanthong Sirisawat , Matsushita Noriko , Wang Ji‐Guang , Kario Kazuomi ,   the HOPE Asia Network
Published: March 2021

Increased heart rate is a predictor of cardiovascular disease, heart failure, and all‐cause mortality. In those with high heart rates, interventions for heart rate reduction have been associated with reductions in coronary events. Asia is a diverse continent, and the prevalences of hypertension and cardiovascular disease differ among its countries. The present analysis of AsiaBP@Home study data investigated differences among resting heart rates (RHRs) in 1443 hypertensive patients from three Asian regions: East Asia (N = 595), Southeast Asia (N = 680), and South Asia (N = 168). This is the first study to investigate self‐measured RHR values in different Asian countries/regions using the same validated home BP monitoring device (Omron HEM‐7130‐AP/HEM‐7131‐E). Subjects in South Asia had higher RHR values compared with the other two regions, and the regional tendency found in RHR values was different from that found in BP values. Even after adjusting for age, sex, BMI, habitual alcohol consumption, current smoking habit, shift worker, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, history of heart failure, and beta‐blocker use, both office and home RHR values in South Asia were the highest among Asia (mean values ± SE of office: East Asia [E] 75.2 ± 1.5 bpm, Southeast Asia [Se] 76.7 ± 1.5 bpm, South Asia [S] 81.9 ± 1.4 bpm; home morning: [E] 69.0 ± 1.2 bpm, [Se] 72.9 ± 1.2 bpm, [S] 74.9 ± 1.1 bpm; home evening: [E] 74.6 ± 1.2 bpm, [Se] 78.3 ± 1.2 bpm, [S] 83.8 ± 1.1 bpm). Given what is known about the impact of RHR on heart disease, our findings suggest the possible benefit of regionally tailored clinical strategies for cardiovascular disease prevention.
Oxidized low‐density lipoprotein activates extracellular signal‐regulated kinase signaling to downregulate sortilin expression in liver sinusoidal endothelial cells
Authors: Zhang Qi , Lin Wenyan , Tian Limin , Di Baoshan , Yu Jing , Niu Xiang'e , Liu Jing
Published: March 2021

Background and Aim

Both type 2 diabetes mellitus and non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease are closely associated with elevated levels of low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and its oxidized form (ox‐LDL). This study aimed to investigate the regulation of sortilin in liver tissue and its potential implications for lipid metabolism.

Methods

Sixty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: control group (n = 15), ox‐LDL group (n = 15), PD98059 group (n = 15), and ox‐LDL + PD98059 group (n = 15). Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells were extracted from liver tissue of the control group and were identified using an anti‐CD31 antibody. Lipid droplet accumulation was observed by Oil red O and hematoxylin–eosin staining. The protein expression levels were detected by immunohistochemical staining, real‐time reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction, and western blot. Histopathologic examinations were performed by Gomori methenamine silver staining.

Results

The ox‐LDL group exhibited increased lipid droplet accumulation. Further, ox‐LDL activated the extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK)‐mediated downregulation of sortilin expression, whereas blocking of ERK signaling by PD98059 increased sortilin protein expression. Consistently, hematoxylin–eosin staining showed that the structure of the hepatocytes was loose and disordered in arrangement, with lipid droplets present in the cytoplasm of the ox‐LDL group. However, PD98059 significantly improved the integration of the scaffold structure. Gomori methenamine silver staining showed that the ox‐LDL group had darker and more obvious fragmented silver nitrate deposits in the basement membrane and sinus space.

Conclusions

Sortilin can protect liver sinusoidal endothelial cells from injury and maintain integration of the liver scaffold structure in ox‐LDL‐induced lipid‐injured liver.
Mechanisms for establishment of GABA signaling in adrenal medullary chromaffin cells
Authors: Harada Keita , Matsuoka Hidetada , Toyohira Yumiko , Yanagawa Yuchio , Inoue Masumi
Published: March 2021

γ‐Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is thought to play a paracrine role in adrenal medullary chromaffin (AMC) cells. Comparative physiological and immunocytochemical approaches were used to address the issue of how the paracrine function of GABA in AMC cells is established. GABAA receptor Cl‐ channel activities in AMC cells of rats and mice, where corticosterone is the major glucocorticoid, were much smaller than those in AMC cells of guinea‐pigs and cattle, where cortisol is the major. The extent of enhancement of GABAA receptor α3 subunit expression in rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells by cortisol was larger than that by corticosterone in parallel with their glucocorticoid activities. Thus, the species difference in GABAA receptor expression may be ascribed to a difference in glucocorticoid activity between corticosterone and cortisol. GABAA receptor Cl‐ channel activity in mouse AMC cells was enhanced by allopregnanolone, as noted with that in guinea‐pig AMC cells, and the enzymes involved in allopregnanolone production were immunohistochemically detected in the zona fasciculata in both mice and guinea pigs. The expression of glutamic acid decarboxylase 67 (GAD67), one of the GABA synthesizing enzymes, increased after birth, whereas GABAA receptors already developed at birth. Stimulation of pituitary adenylate cyclase‐activating polypeptide (PACAP) receptors, but not nicotinic or muscarinic receptors, in PC12 cells, resulted in an increase in GAD67 expression in a protein‐kinase A‐dependent manner. The results indicate that glucocorticoid and PACAP are mainly responsible for the expressions of GABAA receptors and GAD67 involved in GABA signaling in AMC cells, respectively.

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AMPK‐regulated miRNA‐210‐3p is activated during ischaemic neuronal injury and modulates PI3K‐p70S6K signalling
Authors: Pfeiffer Shona , Tomašcová Anna , Mamrak Uta , Haunsberger Stefan J. , Connolly Niamh M. C. , Resler Alexa , Düssmann Heiko , Weisová Petronela , Jirström Elisabeth , D’Orsi Beatrice , Chen Gang , Cremona Mattia , Hennessy Bryan T. , Plesnila Nikolaus , Prehn Jochen H. M.
Published: March 2021

Progressive neuronal injury following ischaemic stroke is associated with glutamate‐induced depolarization, energetic stress and activation of AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK). We here identify a molecular signature associated with neuronal AMPK activation, as a critical regulator of cellular response to energetic stress following ischaemia. We report a robust induction of microRNA miR‐210‐3p both in vitro in primary cortical neurons in response to acute AMPK activation and following ischaemic stroke in vivo. Bioinformatics and reverse phase protein array analysis of neuronal protein expression changes in vivo following administration of a miR‐210‐3p mimic revealed altered expression of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), 3‐phosphoinositide‐dependent protein kinase 1 (PDK1), ribosomal protein S6 kinase (p70S6K) and ribosomal protein S6 (RPS6) signalling in response to increasing miR‐210‐3p. In vivo, we observed a corresponding reduction in p70S6K activity following ischaemic stroke. Utilizing models of glutamate receptor over‐activation in primary neurons, we demonstrated that induction of miR‐210‐3p was accompanied by sustained suppression of p70S6K activity and that this effect was reversed by miR‐210‐3p inhibition. Collectively, these results provide new molecular insight into the regulation of cell signalling during ischaemic injury, and suggest a novel mechanism whereby AMPK regulates miR‐210‐3p to control p70S6K activity in ischaemic stroke and excitotoxic injury.

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Preference of eyebrow apex positions on different facial shapes in Malaysian population: An inter‐ethnic study
Authors: Packirisamy Vasanthakumar , Sadacharan Chakravarthy Marx
Published: March 2021

Background

Eyebrows are an important esthetic feature of the face. In cosmetic surgery, knowledge about the patient's preference of eyebrow apex position is important to achieve agreeable esthetic results.

Aim

To study the preference of eyebrow apex positions on the different facial shapes in the Malaysian population.

Methods

A frontal view photograph of a female model was morphed into oval, square, round, and long facial shapes. Four types of brow apex were created on each facial shape, A. above the midpupil (A‐MP), B. above the lateral limbus (A‐LL), C. halfway between the lateral limbus and lateral canthus (A‐HF) and D. above the lateral canthus (A‐LC). Out of the four brow apexes, the respondent selected one esthetically appealing brow apex for each facial shape. A total of 441 Malaysians completed the survey questionnaire. Differences in preference between the ethnic groups were analyzed by the chi‐square test.

Results

The majority of Malaysian Chinese (MC) and Malaysian Indians (MI) subjects found A‐LL as attractive on the oval (MC‐73%, MI‐52%), square (MC‐42%, MI‐42%), round (MC‐45%, MI‐40%) and long (MC‐39%, MI‐44%) shape, but the Malaysian Malays preferred more the A‐HF on long (42%) and round (42%) face. While the Malaysian Indians least preferred the A‐MP on the oval (4%), square (5%), round (6%), and long (5%). A significant difference in preference of apex position was observed between MC versus MI and MC versus MM in both oval and square faces. On the round face, the difference was noted between all the ethnic groups. However, on the long face, a significant difference was noted only between MI and MM.

Conclusions

Significant interethnic differences exist in the preference of eyebrow apex position on the facial shapes.
Temporal stability of biomass in annual plant communities is driven by species diversity and asynchrony, but not dominance
Authors: Kigel Jaime , Konsens Irit , Segev Udi , Sternberg Marcelo
Published: March 2021

Aims

Primary biomass production is a fundamental process for ecosystem functioning. Yet, little is known on the mechanisms driving temporal stability of biomass production in annual plant communities, particularly when subjected to highly variable environments and undergoing temporal changes in species composition. We aimed to disentangle the relative importance of biomass production, species diversity, dominance and asynchrony of species fluctuations as drivers of biomass stability in mediterranean and semi‐arid annual plant communities.

Location

Mediterranean (31°42′ N; 35°03′ E) and semi‐arid (31°23′ N; 34°54′ E) sites, Israel.

Methods

Above‐ground biomass and species abundance were monitored in 15 plots of 250 m2 per site during eight consecutive years. Relationships between stability drivers and community stability were studied at the regional (between sites) and local (within sites) spatial scales.

Results

Community biomass stability (mean biomass/SD) increased from the semi‐arid to the mediterranean site concomitantly with higher biomass production, richness, and evenness. Differences in stability between sites were due to opposite effects of site conditions on the mean and SD of community biomass, leading to higher stability in the mediterranean site. Within sites, species asynchrony was the key driver of stability at the local spatial scale. Richness and biomass production affected stability indirectly through asynchrony, but in different ways at each site. At the mediterranean site, these factors had indirect negative effects on stability by reducing asynchrony, but did not rescind a positive effect of asynchrony on community stability. At the semi‐arid site, biomass production had indirect positive effects on stability through asynchrony, while richness had no effect on asynchrony and stability. Stability was not driven by species evenness in either site.

Conclusions

Our study provides new insights into the complex control of biomass stability in the dynamics of mediterranean and semi‐arid annual plant communities, with different mechanisms driving stability across the regional vs local spatial scales.
Candidemia indicates poor outcome in patients with infected pancreatic necrosis
Authors: Ning Caihong , Zhu Shuai , Wei Qin , Liu Zhiyong , Lin Chiayen , Li Jiarong , Cao Xintong , Bonsu Abdul Aziz F. K. , Shen Dingcheng , Peng Milin , Huang Gengwen
Published: March 2021

Background

Intra‐abdominal fungal infection (AFI) and candidemia are common in patients with acute pancreatitis (AP), but with limited and conflicting reports on their clinical impacts. This study aims to evaluate the clinical impacts of AFI and candidemia in infected pancreatic necrosis (IPN).

Methods

A single‐centre, prospective cohort including 235 consecutive patients with IPN between January 2010 and September 2020 was analysed to study the clinical impacts of AFI and candidemia.

Results

Of the 235 patients with IPN, 69 patients (29.4%) developed AFI and 13 patients (5.5%) developed candidemia. AFI was associated with higher intestinal leakage rate (27.5% vs 12.7%, P = .006), higher pancreatic fistula rate (53.6% vs 34.3%, P = .006) and longer hospital stays (72 vs 58 days, P = .003), but with similar mortality rate compared with patients without AFI (23.2% vs 24.7%, P = .806). However, candidemia was associated with significantly higher mortality rate compared with patients without candidemia (69.2% vs 21.6%, P < .001). Patients with candidemia had higher rate of multiple organ failure and AFI (69.2% vs 36.5%, P = .018; 69.2% vs 27.0%, P = .001, respectively). Multivariable analysis showed that age ≥ 50 years (OR = 2.8; 95% CI, 1.3‐5.8; P = .007), severe category (OR = 11.2; 95% CI, 3.5‐35.7; P < .001), multidrug‐resistant organisms infection (OR = 2.5; 95% CI, 1.0‐6.2; P = .039), candidemia (OR = 11.8; 95% CI, 2.5‐56.5; P = .002), step‐down surgical approach (OR = 3.2; 95% CI, 1.5‐7.0; P = .004) were the independent predictors associated with higher mortality in IPN patients.

Conclusion

Although AFI did not increase the mortality of IPN, patients with candidemia carried significantly higher mortality.
Evaluating esophageal motility beyond primary peristalsis: Assessing esophagogastric junction opening mechanics and secondary peristalsis in patients with normal manometry
Authors: Carlson Dustin A. , Baumann Alexandra J. , Donnan Erica N. , Krause Amanda , Kou Wenjun , Pandolfino John E.
Published: March 2021

Background

Functional luminal imaging probe (FLIP) Panometry assesses the esophageal response to distention and may complement the assessment of primary peristalsis on high‐resolution manometry (HRM). We aimed to investigate whether FLIP Panometry provides complementary information in patients with normal esophageal motility on HRM.

Methods

Adult patients that completed FLIP and had an HRM classification of normal motility were retrospectively identified for inclusion. 16‐cm FLIP studies performed during endoscopy were evaluated to assess EGJ distensibility, secondary peristalsis, and identify an abnormal response to distention involving sustained LES contraction (sLESC). Clinical characteristics and esophagram were assessed when available.

Key Results

Of 164 patients included (mean(SD) age 48(16) years, 75% female), 111 (68%) had normal Panometry with EGJ‐distensibility index (DI) ≥2.0 mm2/mmHg, maximum EGJ diameter ≥16mm and antegrade contractions. Abnormal EGJ distensibility was observed in 44/164 (27%), and 38/164 (23%) had an abnormal contractile response to distension. sLESC was observed in 11/164 (7%). Among 68 patients that completed esophagram, abnormal EGJ distensibility was more frequently observed with an abnormal esophagram than normal EGJ opening: 14/23 (61%) vs 10/45 (22%); P=0.003. Epiphrenic diverticula were present in 3/164 patients: 2/3 had sLESC.

Conclusions & Inferences

Symptomatic patients with normal esophageal motility on HRM predominantly have normal FLIP Panometry; however, abnormal FLIP findings can be observed. While abnormal Panometry findings appear clinically relevant via an association with abnormal bolus retention, complementary tests, such as provocative maneuvers with HRM and timed barium esophagram, are useful to determine clinical context.
Estrogen and serotonin enhance stress‐induced visceral hypersensitivity in female rats by up‐regulating brain‐derived neurotrophic factor in spinal cord
Authors: Chen Jinghong , Li Qingjie , Saliuk Genevieve , Bazhanov Sonia , Winston John H.
Published: March 2021

Background

We previously reported that female offspring of dams subjected to chronic prenatal stress (CPS) develop enhanced visceral hypersensitivity (VHS) following exposure to chronic stress in adult life that is mediated by up‐regulation of spinal cord BDNF. The aims of this study were to examine the roles of estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and an increase in spinal serotonin signaling in promoting this enhanced VHS in female rats and up‐regulation of spinal cord BDNF transcription.

Methods

Pregnant dams were exposed to chronic stress from E11 until delivery. At 8 weeks, a chronic adult stress (CAS) protocol was applied for nine days.

Key Results

Ovariectomy before CAS or treatment with letrozole before and during CAS significantly prevented the development of enhanced VHS in female CPS+CAS rats. Intrathecal application of ERα siRNA significantly reduced VHS, decreased lumbar‐sacral spinal cord expression of both ERα and BDNF, and reversed pro‐transcriptional epigenetic modifications at BDNF promoter lX. Cerebrospinal fluid serotonin levels and 5HT3A receptor expression in the LS spinal cord were both significantly increased in female CPS+CAS rats. During CAS, intrathecal infusion of alosetron significantly decreased VHS, reduced BDNF and ERα expression in the LS spinal cord, and attenuated RNA pol II and ERα binding to the BNDF core promoter IX.

Conclusions & inferences

Serotonin‐mediated activation of 5HT3A receptors in the spinal cord drives the development of enhanced female‐specific VHS in our two hit CPS+CAS through up‐regulation of spinal cord ERα.
Protocol to ensure continued pediatric liver transplantation service during the COVID pandemic and the encouraging outcomes
Authors: Varma Sharat , Pandey Yuktansh , Chikkala Bhargava Ram , Acharya Rajgopal , Verma Sapana , B Inbaraj , Sreekumar Sreejith , Das Dibyajyoti , Dey Rajesh , Agarwal Shaleen , Gupta Subhash
Published: March 2021

Coronavirus disease 2019 is a global pandemic, and to deal with the unexpected, enormous burden on healthcare system, liver transplantation (LT) services have been suspended in many centers. Development of robust and successful protocols in preventing the disease among the recipients, donors and healthcare workers would help in re‐starting the LT programs. We adapted a protocol at our center, which is predominantly a living donor liver transplant center based in north India, and continued the service as the pandemic unfolded and peaked in India with good results and shared the experience of the same. Between March 24 and June 7, 2020, during the government‐enforced public curfew—“lockdown”—7 children received LT. The protocols of infection control were drafted in our team by local customization of published guidelines. The number of pediatric LT done during the lockdown period in 2020 was similar to that done in corresponding pre‐COVID period in 2019. The outcomes were of 100% survival, and none of recipients developed COVID. One potential donor was asymptomatic positive for COVID, responded well to conservative treatment, and was later accepted as a donor. LT program during the COVID pandemic can successfully function after putting in place standard protocols for infection control. These can be implemented with minimal extra involvement of healthcare infrastructure, hence without diversion of resources from COVID management. In conclusion, pediatric liver transplantation services can be continued amid COVID‐19 pandemic after establishing a properly observed protocol with minimum additional resources.
In Situ Prepared Solar Light‐Driven Flexible Actuated Carbon Cloth‐Based Nanorod Photocatalyst for Selective Radical–Radical Coupling to Vinyl Sulfides
Authors: Singh Chandani , Yadav Rajesh K. , Kim Tae Wu , Upare Pravin P. , Gupta Abhishek Kumar , Singh Atul P. , Yadav Bal Chandra , Dwivedi Dilip K.
Published: March 2021

A global challenge faced by light harvesting photocatalyst is how to promote the selective organic transformation, such as C‐S bond formation via radical–radical coupling under solar light. Here, we report a two‐dimensional covalent organic frameworks (2D‐COFs), poly (perylene‐imide‐benzoquinone) nanorod through in situ condensation on flexible activated carbon cloth (PPIBNR‐FACC) to function as a light harvester material for highly selective radical–radical coupling to vinyl sulfides (i.e. C‐S bond activation). Such a structure supports charge transfer from PPIBNR to FACC, which is essential for the selective radical–radical coupling. Hence, organic transformation is attaining high yields and selectivity (˜99%) under solar light using in situ prepared PPIBNR‐FACC photocatalyst. The structural virtues of PPIBNR‐FACC will trigger the utmost investigations into designable and versatile 2D‐COFs for fine chemical synthesis.
Future CO2, warming and water deficit impact white and red Tempranillo grapevine: Photosynthetic acclimation to elevated CO2 and biomass allocation
Authors: Kizildeniz Tefide , Pascual Inmaculada , Irigoyen Juan José , Morales Fermín
Published: March 2021

Due to the CO2 greenhouse effect, elevated atmospheric concentration leads to higher temperatures, accompanied by episodes of less water availability in semiarid and arid areas or drought periods. Studies investigating these three factors (CO2, temperature and water availability) simultaneously in grapevine are scarce. The present work aims to analyze the combined effects of high CO2 (700 ppm), high temperature (ambient +4°C) and drought on the photosynthetic activity, biomass allocation, leaf non‐structural carbon composition, and carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratio in grapevine. Two grapevine cultivars, red berry Tempranillo and white berry Tempranillo, were used, the latter being a natural, spontaneous mutant of the red cultivar. The experiment was performed on fruit‐bearing cuttings during a 3‐month period, from June (fruit set) to August (maturity). The plants were grown in research‐oriented facilities, temperature‐gradient greenhouses, where temperature, CO2, and water supply can be modified in a combined way. Drought had the strongest effect on biomass accumulation compared to the other environmental variables, and root biomass allocation was increased under water deficit. CO2 and temperature effects were smaller and depended on cultivar, and on interactions with the other factors. Acclimation effects were observed on both cultivars as photosynthetic rates under high atmospheric CO2 were reduced by long‐term exposition to elevated CO2. Exposure to such high CO2 resulted in increased starch concentration and reduced C/N ratio in leaves. A correlation between the intensity of the reduction in photosynthetic rates and the accumulation of starch in the leaves was found after prolonged exposure to elevated CO2.
Earnings gap between men and women in the informal labor market in Cameroon
Authors: Wirba Ebenezer Lemven , Akem Fiennasah Annif’ , Baye Francis Menjo
Published: March 2021

This paper investigates the extent of gender earnings gap among informal labor market workers in Cameroon. We have used the 2010 employment and informal sector survey, the Heckman two‐step bivariate selection model, and the Neuman–Oaxaca–Ransom decomposition framework to address these concerns. We find that, compared to men, women are more likely to make the joint decision of participating in the labor market and choosing informal work. Findings also reveal that among informal workers, male workers have an earnings premium over their female counterparts. Returns to informal labor market experience are solidly consistent in narrowing the gender earnings gap. Among the self‐employed workers, male workers also enjoy an earnings premium. However, when the inverse Mills ratio is decomposed, the overall and the self‐employed gender discrimination virtually disappears. Meanwhile, female wage earners enjoy a wage premium and have an unambiguous education‐based advantage over their male counterparts. The implications of these findings support the wisdom that promoting the human capital development of the girl child would play a vital role in alleviating gender‐based differentials by eroding sociocultural conventions and advancing women's agency.