bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A conserved BAH module within mammalian BAHD1 connects H3K27me3 to Polycomb gene silencing
Authors: Fan Huitao , Guo Yiran , Tsai Yi-Hsuan , Storey Aaron J. , Kim Arum , Gong Weida , Edmondson Ricky D. , Mackintosh Samuel G. , Li Haitao , Byrum Stephanie D. , Tackett Alan J. , Cai Ling , Wang Gang Greg
Published: March 2021

Trimethylation of histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27me3) is important for gene silencing and imprinting, (epi)genome organization and organismal development. In a prevalent model, the functional readout of H3K27me3 in mammalian cells is achieved through the H3K27me3-recognizing chromodomain harbored within the chromobox (CBX) component of canonical Polycomb repressive complex 1 (cPRC1), which induces chromatin compaction and gene repression. Here, we report that binding of H3K27me3 by a Bromo Adjacent Homology (BAH) domain harbored within BAH domain-containing protein 1 (BAHD1) is required for overall BAHD1 targeting to chromatin and for optimal repression of the H3K27me3-demarcated genes in mammalian cells. Disruption of direct interaction between BAHD1BAHand H3K27me3 by point mutagenesis leads to chromatin remodeling, notably, increased histone acetylation, at its Polycomb gene targets. Mice carrying an H3K27me3-interaction-defective mutation of Bahd1BAHcauses marked embryonic lethality, showing a requirement of this pathway for normal development. Altogether, this work demonstrates an H3K27me3-initiated signaling cascade that operates through a conserved BAH “reader” module within BAHD1 in mammals.

Key Points

BAHD1BAHis a functionally validated mammalian “reader” of H3K27me3, mediating BAHD1 targeting for gene silencing.

BAHD1BAHconnects H3K27me3 together with histone deacetylation, an integral step of gene silencing.

BAHD1BAH-mediated functional readout of H3K27me3 is essential for organismal development.

Graphic abstract

A mammalian H3K27me3-transduction pathway operates through an H3K27me3-specific ‘reader’ module (BAH) of BAHD1, which assembles a complex with corepressors (HDACs and others) for suppressing histone acetylation and repressing expression at Polycomb target genes.
Deep learning from phylogenies to uncover the epidemiological dynamics of outbreaks
Authors: Voznica J , Zhukova A , Boskova V , Saulnier E , Lemoine F , Moslonka-Lefebvre M , Gascuel O
Published: March 2021

Widely applicable, accurate and fast inference methods in phylodynamics are needed to fully profit from the richness of genetic data in uncovering the dynamics of epidemics. Standard methods, including maximum-likelihood and Bayesian approaches, generally rely on complex mathematical formulae and approximations, and do not scale with dataset size. We develop a likelihood-free, simulation-based approach, which combines deep learning with (1) a large set of summary statistics measured on phylogenies or (2) a complete and compact representation of trees, which avoids potential limitations of summary statistics and applies to any phylodynamics model. Our method enables both model selection and estimation of epidemiological parameters from very large phylogenies. We demonstrate its speed and accuracy on simulated data, where it performs better than the state-of-the-art methods. To illustrate its applicability, we assess the dynamics induced by superspreading individuals in an HIV dataset of men-having-sex-with-men in Zurich. Our tool PhyloDeep is available ongithub.com/evolbioinfo/phylodeep.
Reconciliation of theoretical and empirical brain criticality via network heterogeneity
Authors: Gu Lei , Wu Ruqian
Published: March 2021

Inspired by heterogeneity in biological neural networks, we explore a heterogeneous network consisting of receipt, transmission and computation layers. It reconciles the dilemma that the data analysis scheme for empirical records yields non-power laws when applied to microscopic simulation of critical neural dynamics. Detailed analysis shows that the reconciliation is due to synchronization effect of the feedforward connectivity. The network favours avalanches with denser activity in the first half of life, and the result is consistent with the experimental observation. This heterogeneous structure facilitates robust criticality against external stimuli, which implies the inappropriateness of interpreting the subcritcality signature as an indication of subcrtical dynamics. These results propose the network heterogeneity as an essential piece for understanding the brain criticality.
Inhibitors of the Small Membrane (M) Protein Viroporin Prevent Zika Virus Infection
Authors: Brown Emma , Swinscoe Gemma , Lefteri Daniella , Singh Ravi , Moran Amy , Thompson Rebecca , Maskell Daniel , Beaumont Hannah , Bentham Matthew , Donald Claire , Kohl Alain , Macdonald Andrew , Ranson Neil , Foster Richard , McKimmie Clive S. , Kalli Antreas C. , Griffin Stephen
Published: March 2021

Flaviviruses, including Zika virus (ZIKV), are a significant global health concern, yet no licensed antivirals exist to treat disease. The small Membrane (M) protein plays well-defined roles during viral egress and remains within virion membranes following release and maturation. However, it is unclear whether M plays a functional role in this setting. Here, we show that M forms oligomeric membrane-permeabilising channelsin vitro, with increased activity at acidic pH and sensitivity to the prototypic channel-blocker, rimantadine. Accordingly, rimantadine blocked an early stage of ZIKV cell culture infection.

Structure-based channel models, comprising hexameric arrangements of twotrans-membrane domain protomers were shown to comprise more stable assemblages than other oligomers using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Models contained a predicted lumenal rimantadine binding site, as well as a second druggable target region on the membrane-exposed periphery.In silicoscreening enriched for repurposed drugs/compounds predicted to bind to either one site or the other. Hits displayed superior potencyin vitroand in cell culture compared with rimantadine, with efficacy demonstrably linked to virion-resident channels. Finally, rimantadine effectively blocked ZIKV viraemia in preclinical models, supporting that M constitutes a physiologically relevant target. This could be explored by repurposing rimantadine, or development of new M-targeted-therapies.
Sars-CoV-2 attack rate in reception and accommodation centres for asylum seekers: systematic review of outbreak media reports in Germany
Authors: Jahn Rosa , Hintermeier Maren , Bozorgmehr Kayvan
Published: March 2021

Objectives

Despite concerns about the impact of the severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus (Sars-CoV-2) in refugee camps, data on attack rates and effectiveness of containment measures are lacking. We aimed to (1) quantify the attack rate of Sars-CoV-2 during outbreaks in reception and accommodation centres in Germany, (2) assess differences in the attack rate based on containment measures, and (3) provide an overview of testing strategies, communication, conflicts, and protection measures for refugees with special needs.

Methods

Systematic web-based review of outbreak media reports (until June 2020) on confirmed Sars-CoV-2 cases in reception centers for asylum seekers in Germany using the google search engine. Reports were screened for pre-defined inclusion criteria and complemented by snowball searches. Data on facility name, location, confirmed cases, containment measures, communication, protection strategies, and conflicts was extracted for each outbreak and reporting date. Evidence synthesis: meta-analysis and negative binomial regression.

Findings

We identified 337 media reports on 101 Sars-CoV-2 outbreaks in 99 reception and accommodation centers in Germany. The pooled Sars-CoV-2 attack rate was 13.1% (95% confidence interval, CI: 9.8-16.7). Outbreak sites implementing mass quarantine (n=76) showed higher rates (15.7; 95% CI: 11.6 - 20.2) compared to sites using conventional strategies (6.6; 95%CI: 3.1 - 11.2), yielding a rate ratio of 0.44 (95%CI: 0.27-0.72) adjusted for testing strategies, type and size of accommodation. Conflicts occurred in at least 11.8% of all outbreaks. Few sites reported specific measures to protect refugees with special needs.

Conclusion

Mass quarantine is associated with higher attack rates, and appears to be a counter-productive containment measure in overcrowded camps. Although further research with individual-level data is required to rule out residual confounding, reception centers and refugee camps should follow the available guidelines on Covid-19 response and refrain from mass quarantine if physical distancing cannot be guaranteed.
“I was facilitating everybody else’s life. And mine had just ground to a halt”: the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on women in the UK
Authors: Herten-Crabb Asha , Wenham Clare
Published: March 2021

A growing body of research has highlighted the disproportionately negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on women globally. This paper contributes to this work by interrogating the lived realities of 64 women in the UK through semi-structured interviews, undertaken during the first and second periods of lockdown associated with COVID-19 in 2020. Categorising the data by theme and type of gendered disadvantage, this paper explores the normative and policy-imposed constraints experienced by women in 2020, highlighting the role that government can and should proactively play in attending to gender inequalities throughout its COVID-19 response.
YAP1 Regulates the Self-organized Fate Patterning of hESCs-Derived Gastruloids
Authors: Giraldez Servando , Stronati Eleonora , Huang Ling , Hsu Hui-Ting , Abraham Elizabeth , Jones Kathy A. , Estaras Conchi
Published: March 2021

During gastrulation, the coordinated activity of BMP, WNT and NODAL signaling pathways guide the differentiation of the pluripotent epiblast into the three germinal layers. Recent studies underline the role of the Hippo-effector YAP1 regulating WNT and NODAL signaling pathways and repressing mesoendodermal differentiation in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). However, the contribution of YAP1 to the cell-fate patterning decisions that transform the epiblast in a three-germ layer gastrula remains unknown. We address this question by analyzing micropatterned 2D-gastruloids derived from hESCs, in the presence and absence of YAP1. Our findings show that YAP1 is necessary for gastrulation. YAP1 KO-gastruloids display reduced ectoderm layer and enlarged mesoderm and endoderm layers, compared to WT. Furthermore, YAP1 regulates the self-organized patterning of the hESCs, as the discrete position of the three germ layers is altered in the YAP1 KO-gastruloids. Our epigenome (single-nuclei ATACseq) and transcriptome (RNA-seq) analysis revealed that YAP1 directly represses the chromatin accessibility and transcription of key genes in the NODAL pathway, including the NODAL and FOXH1 genes. In WT gastruloids, a gradient of NODAL: SMAD2.3 signaling from the periphery to the center of the colony regulates the exit of pluripotency toward endoderm, mesoderm and ectoderm, respectively. Hence, in the absence of YAP1, a hyperactive NODAL signaling retains SMAD2.3 in the nuclei impeding the self-organized differentiation of hESCs. Accordingly, the partial inhibition of NODAL signaling is sufficient to rescue the differentiation and pattern -defective phenotypes of the YAP1 KO gastruloids. Our work revealed that YAP1 is a master regulator of NODAL signaling, essential to instruct germ layer fate patterning in human gastruloids.
When shared concept cells support associations: theory of overlapping memory engrams
Authors: Gastaldi Chiara , Schwalger Tilo , De Falco Emanuela , Quiroga Rodrigo Quian , Gerstner Wulfram
Published: March 2021

Assemblies of neurons, called concepts cells, encode acquired concepts in human Medial Temporal Lobe. Those concept cells that are shared between two assemblies have been hypothesized to encode associations between concepts. Here we test this hypothesis in a computational model of attractor neural networks. We find that for concepts encoded in sparse neural assemblies there is a minimal fractioncminof neurons shared between assemblies below which associations cannot be reliably implemented; and a maximal fractioncmaxof shared neurons above which single concepts can no longer be retrieved. In the presence of a periodically modulated background signal, such as hippocampal oscillations, recall takes the form of association chains reminiscent of those postulated by theories of free recall of words. Predictions of an iterative overlap-generating model match experimental data on the number of concepts to which a neuron responds.

Authors contributions

All authors contributed to conception of the study and writing of the manuscript. CG and TS developed the theory. CG wrote the code for all figures. EDF and RQQ provided the experimental data. EDF and CG analyzed the data. WG and CG developed algorithms to fit the experimental data.
Central tendency biases must be accounted for to consistently capture Bayesian cue combination in continuous response data
Authors: Aston Stacey , Negen James , Nardini Marko , Beierholm Ulrik
Published: March 2021

Observers in perceptual tasks are often reported to combine multiple sensory cues in a weighted average that improves precision – in some studies, approaching statistically-optimal (Bayesian) weighting, but in others departing from optimality, or not benefitting from combined cues at all. To correctly conclude which combination rules observers use, it is crucial to have accurate measures of their sensory precision and cue weighting. Here, we present a new approach for accurately recovering these parameters in perceptual tasks with continuous responses. Continuous responses have many advantages, but are susceptible to a central tendency bias, where responses are biased towards the central stimulus value. We show such biases lead to inaccuracies in estimating both precision gains and cue weightings, two key measures used to assess sensory cue combination. We introduce a method that estimates sensory precision by regressing continuous responses on targets and dividing the variance of the residuals by the squared slope of the regression line, “correcting-out” the error introduced by the central bias and increasing statistical power. We also suggest a complementary analysis that recovers the sensory cue weights. Using both simulations and empirical data, we show that the proposed methods can accurately estimate sensory precision and cue weightings in the presence of central tendency biases. We conclude that central tendency biases should be (and can easily be) accounted for to consistently capture Bayesian cue combination in continuous response data.
Nicotinamide riboside alleviates Parkinson’s disease symptoms but downregulates dopamine metabolism upon lactacystin-induced proteostasis failure
Authors: Turconi Giorgio , Alam Farhan , SenGupta Tanima , Pirnes-Karhu Sini , Olfat Soophie , Schmidt Mark S. , Mätlik Kärt , Montaño-Rodriguez Ana , Heiskanen Vladimir , Piepponen Petteri T. , Brenner Charles , Holmberg Carina I. , Nilsen Hilde , Andressoo Jaan-Olle , Pirinen Eija
Published: March 2021

Activation of mitochondrial metabolism and proteostasis with the NAD+precursor nicotinamide riboside (NR) has emerged as a potential therapeutic approach for neurodegenerative disorders including Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, despite recently started clinical trials, studies on NR in animal models of PD are scarce. In this study, we investigated the effect of NR in multiple models of PD. In transgenicC. elegansoverexpressing α-synuclein, a protein of which aggregation is believed to promote PD, NR rescued PD-like phenotypes including mitochondrial dysfunction and motility defects, decreased oxidative stress, and age-related dopamine (DA) neuron loss. We found that NR eased symptoms of disease by activating the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt) via the transcription factoratfs-1. Similarly, in a proteasome inhibitor, lactacystin, -induced mouse model of PD, NR rescued mitochondrial dysfunction and behavioural deficits caused by lactacystin lesion. However, long-term NR supplementation, in conjunction with proteasome inhibition, resulted in decreased DA levels in both the lesioned and unlesioned sides of the substantia nigra with concomitant downregulation of key genes in DA metabolism. Our results suggest specific endpoints that should be monitored in ongoing NR clinical trials.
Staircase array of inclined refractive multi-lenses for large field of view pixel super-resolution scanning transmission hard X-ray microscopy
Authors: Mamyrbayev Talgat , Ikematsu Katsumasa , Takano Hidekazu , Wu Yanlin , Kimura Kenji , Doll Patrick , Last Arndt , Momose Atsushi , Meyer Pascal
Published: March 2021

Owing to the development of X-ray focusing optics during the past decades, synchrotron-based X-ray microscopy techniques allow the study of specimens with unprecedented spatial resolution, down to 10 nm, using soft and medium X-ray photon energies, though at the expense of the field of view (FOV). One of the approaches to increase the FOV to square millimetres is raster-scanning of the specimen using a single nanoprobe; however, this results in a long data acquisition time. This work employs an array of inclined biconcave parabolic refractive multi-lenses (RMLs), fabricated by deep X-ray lithography and electroplating to generate a large number of long X-ray foci. Since the FOV is limited by the pattern height if a single RML is used by impinging X-rays parallel to the substrate, many RMLs at regular intervals in the orthogonal direction were fabricated by tilted exposure. By inclining the substrate correspondingly to the tilted exposure, 378000 X-ray line foci were generated with a length in the centimetre range and constant intervals in the sub-micrometre range. The capability of this new X-ray focusing device was first confirmed using ray-tracing simulations and then using synchrotron radiation at BL20B2 of SPring-8, Japan. Taking account of the fact that the refractive lens is effective for focusing high-energy X-rays, the experiment was performed with 35 keV X-rays. Next, by scanning a specimen through the line foci, this device was used to perform large FOV pixel super-resolution scanning transmission hard X-ray microscopy (PSR-STHXM) with a 780 ± 40 nm spatial resolution within an FOV of 1.64 cm × 1.64 cm (limited by the detector area) and a total scanning time of 4 min. Biomedical implant abutments fabricated via selective laser melting using Ti–6Al–4V medical alloy were measured by PSR-STHXM, suggesting its unique potential for studying extended and thick specimens. Although the super-resolution function was realized in one dimension in this study, it can be expanded to two dimensions by aligning a pair of presented devices orthogonally.
A 35-year-old mystery solved: a facile synthetic route and structural confirmation of tetrachlorobis(diethyl ether)tungsten(IV)
Authors: Shaw Thomas E. , Sattelberger Alfred P. , Jurca Titel
Published: March 2021

The true identity of the diethyl ether adduct of tungsten(IV) chloride, WCl4(Et2O)
x
, has been in doubt since 1985. Initially postulated as the bis-adduct, WCl4(Et2O)2, questions arose when elemental analyses were more in line with a mono-ether adduct, viz. WCl4(Et2O). It was proposed that this was due to the thermal instability of the bis-adduct. Here, we report the room-temperature X-ray crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface characteristics of trans-tetrachloridobis(diethyl ether)tungsten(IV), trans-WCl4(Et2O)2 or trans-[WCl4(C4H10O)2]. The compound crystallizes, with half of the molecule in the asymmetric unit, in the centrosymmetric space group P21/n. The W—O distance is 2.070 (2) Å, while the W—Cl distances are 2.3586 (10) and 2.3554 (10) Å.
New perspectives in macromolecular powder diffraction using single-photon-counting strip detectors: high-resolution structure of the pharmaceutical peptide octreotide
Authors: Spiliopoulou Maria , Karavassili Fotini , Triandafillidis Dimitris-Panagiotis , Valmas Alexandros , Fili Stavroula , Kosinas Christos , Barlos Kleomenis , Barlos Kostas K. , Morin Mickael , Reinle-Schmitt Mathilde L. , Gozzo Fabia , Margiolaki Irene
Published: March 2021

Advances in instrumentation, as well as the development of powerful crystallographic software have significantly facilitated the collection of high-resolution diffraction data and have made X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) particularly useful for the extraction of structural information; this is true even for complex molecules, especially when combined with synchrotron radiation. In this study, in-line with past instrumental profile studies, an improved data collection strategy exploiting the MYTHEN II detector system together with significant beam focusing and tailored data collection options was introduced and optimized for protein samples at the Material Science beamline at the Swiss Light Source. Polycrystalline precipitates of octreotide, a somatostatin analog of particular pharmaceutical interest, were examined with this novel approach. XRPD experiments resulted in high angular and d-spacing (1.87 Å) resolution data, from which electron-density maps of enhanced quality were extracted, revealing the molecule's structural properties. Since microcrystalline precipitates represent a viable alternative for administration of therapeutic macromolecules, XRPD has been acknowledged as the most applicable tool for examining a wide spectrum of physicochemical properties of such materials and performing studies ranging from phase identification to complete structural characterization.
Platforms' partner networks: the missing link in crowdfunding performance
Authors: Cosma Stefano , Grasso Alessandro Giovanni , Pattarin Francesco , Pedrazzoli Alessia
Published: March 2021

Purpose

A network of partners helps and assists a crowdfunding platform (CFP) in scouting, assessing and selecting projects. This cooperation increases the number of successful projects by attracting a sizable number of investors, proponents and attracting marginal investors when a campaign falls short of the threshold for success. This study examines the role of partner networks in a platform ecosystem, specifically in terms of number of different partners and their diversity in the performance of the crowdfunding campaign.

Design/methodology/approach

Using logistic and linear regressions, we analyze a sample of 233 projects, both funded and not funded, launched by 10 Italian equity CFPs between 2014 and 2018.

Findings

Our findings indicate that the variety of partners in a platform's network influence the probability of campaign success and how much capital the proponent company raises. CFPs are resource-constrained new ventures, and a network with a wider variety of partners ensures the strategic resources and competencies that are required in an early stage market, thus facilitating campaign funding.

Practical implications

The variety of partner networks could help CFPs to offer unique and strategic value propositions and define the competitive positioning of platforms.

Originality/value

This study provides a deeper understanding of the determinants of equity crowdfunding campaign performance by emphasizing the role of CFP's network of partners on the entire crowdfunding ecosystem and its underlying organizational elements.
Impact of smart logistics on smart city sustainable performance: an empirical investigation
Authors: Shee Himanshu Kumar , Miah Shah J. , De Vass Tharaka
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Technologies continue to disrupt logistics and freight transport (known as smart logistics), but their impacts on smart city sustainability is underinvestigated. Drawing on technology, organisation and environment (TOE) perspective, the objective of this study is to empirically investigate the hierarchical effects of smart logistics on smart city sustainable dimensions (i.e. environmental, social and economic).

Design/methodology/approach

The study used cross-sectional survey to collect data from urban transporters, warehouse managers, retailers and information technology (IT) managers in Australia. Data were analysed using structural equation modeling (SEM) to test the hypothesised relationship between constructs of smart logistics and smart city sustainable performance.

Findings

The findings reveal that information and communications technologies (ICTs) use and IT capability (ITC) have positive and significant effects on smart logistics. Technology-enabled smart logistics have an immediate positive effect on smart city environment, which in turn has positive impacts on social and economic performance.

Practical implications

The study informs managers that smart logistics equipped with freight transport telematics can improve smart city environment through enhanced tracking and tracing of goods movement. The improved environmental stewardship is likely to support social and economic performance.

Originality/value

Smart city research remains primarily theoretical and focussed on concerns surrounding sustainable growth amid urbanisation and digitalisation. City logistics and urban freights play key role in smart city economic growth, but vehicular pollution pose social and environmental challenges. Technology-assisted smart logistics are likely to improve smart city sustainable performance but yet to find how they affect each other.
Simulation-based search for optimal designs of accelerated life tests through response surface methodology
Authors: Ayasse Daniel , Seo Kangwon
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Planning an accelerated life test (ALT) for a product is an important task for reliability practitioners. Traditional methods to create an optimal design of an ALT are often computationally burdensome and numerically difficult. In this paper, the authors introduce a practical method to find an optimal design of experiments for ALTs by using simulation and empirical model building.

Design/methodology/approach

Instead of developing the Fisher information matrix-based objective function and analytic optimization, the authors suggest “experiments for experiments” approach to create optimal planning. The authors generate simulated data to evaluate the quantity of interest, e.g. 10th percentile of failure time and apply the response surface methodology (RSM) to find an optimal solution with respect to the design parameters, e.g. test conditions and test unit allocations. The authors illustrate their approach applied to the thermal ALT with right censoring and lognormal failure time distribution.

Findings

The design found by the proposed approach shows substantially improved statistical performance in terms of the standard error of estimates of 10th percentile of failure time. In addition, the approach provides useful insights about the sensitivity of each decision variable to the objective function.

Research limitations/implications

More comprehensive experiments might be needed to test its scalability of the method.

Practical implications

This method is practically useful to find a reasonably efficient optimal ALT design. It can be applied to any quantities of interest and objective functions as long as those quantities can be computed from a set of simulated datasets.

Originality/value

This is a novel approach to create an optimal ALT design by using RSM and simulated data.
Humble leader behavior and team creativity: the team learning perspective
Authors: Chen Lifan , Liu Shengming , Wang Yue , Hu Xiaoli
Published: March 2021

Purpose

This study argues that leader humility is an important facilitator of team creativity. Based on social learning theory, the study explores a new mechanism that links humble leader behavior to team creativity through a path of team learning.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected in two private-owned technology companies located in South China. The two-time survey included 77 team leaders and 310 employees. An analysis of time-lagged, multisource data was conducted.

Findings

Evidence shows that humble leader behavior promotes team learning behavior through a social learning process, with a subsequent increase in team creativity. This influence is also strengthened when leader effectiveness is high.

Practical implications

Team creativity is an important determinant of organizational success. This research shows that humble leaders can motivate team creativity by acting as a role model. In addition, this research also reminds us that humble leader behavior loses its effect if the leader is incapable.

Originality/value

This research contributes to existing literature on humble leader behavior and team creativity, especially on the mechanisms and contingency effects between these factors.
Disrupting the brave new world: COVID-19 effects on organisations' sustainability efforts
Authors: Lozano Rodrigo , Barreiro-Gen María
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Organisations have been working towards becoming more sustainable; where their efforts have been mainly on a steady state focussing on internal proactive changes. The purpose of this paper is to analyse how external events, e.g. COVID-19, affect organisations and their sustainability efforts.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was sent to a database of 11,657 contacts, with a response rate of 5.60% obtained. The results were analysed using descriptive statistics, ranking and a ratio analysis comparing different types of organisations (corporations, higher education institutions, civil society and public sector organisations).

Findings

COVID-19 changed the organisation drivers for and barriers to sustainability perspective towards external stimuli, rather than internal factors. COVID-19 also affected the system elements negatively, with the exception of organisational systems. The results also show that the system elements are affected by an external event or crisis and are dependent on the type of organisation.

Originality/value

This paper proposes the “Organisational sustainability transition forced by exogenous events” framework to help organisations better understand and be prepared for unexpected external events. Organisations should learn from the experiences in dealing with COVID-19 and adopt a more humanistic approach to their sustainability efforts, rather than traditional approaches based on solipsism and techno-managerial centrism.
Towards smart green wall maintenance and Wallbot technology
Authors: Wilkinson Sara , Carmichael Marc , Khonasty Richardo
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The UN forecast of a 3-degree Celsius global temperature increase by 2,100 will exacerbate excessive heat. Population growth, urban densification, climate change and global warming contribute to heat waves, which are more intense in high-density environments. With urbanisation, vegetation is replaced by impervious materials which contribute to the urban heat island effect. Concurrently, adverse health outcomes and heat- related deaths are increasing, and heat stress affects labour productivity. More green infrastructure, such as green walls, is needed to mitigate these effects; however maintenance costs, OH&S issues and perceptions of fire risk inhibit take up. What if these barriers could be overcome by a green Wallbot? This research examines the feasibility of integrating smart technology in the form of a Wallbot.

Design/methodology/approach

The research design comprised two workshops with key stakeholders; comprising green wall designers and installers, green wall maintenance teams, project managers and building owners with green wall installations, horticulture scientists, designers and mechatronics engineers. The aim was to gain a deeper understanding of the issues affecting maintenance of green walls on different building types in New South Wales Australia to inform the design of a prototype robot to maintain green walls.

Findings

The Wallbot has great potential to overcome the perceived barriers associated with maintaining green walls and also fire risk and detection. If these barriers are addressed, other locations, such as the sides of motorways or rail corridors, could be used for more green wall installations thereby increasing mitigation of UHI. This innovation would be a welcome addition to smart building technology and property maintenance.

Research limitations/implications

This is a pilot study, and the sample of stakeholders attending the workshops was small, though experienced. The range of green walls is varied, and it was decided to focus initially on a specific type of green wall design for the prototype Wallbot. Therefore other types and sizes of green walls may suit other specifications of Wallbot design.

Practical implications

To date, no robot exists that maintains green walls, and this innovative research developed a prototype for trialling maintenance and inspection.

Originality/value

To date, no robot exists that maintains green walls. No study to date has assessed stakeholder perceptions and developed prototype Wallbot technology.
Coordinating food quality: How do quality standards influence contract arrangements? A study on Uruguayan food supply chains
Authors: Groot-Kormelinck Annemarie , Trienekens Jacques , Bijman Jos
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to study the influence of quality standards on contract arrangements in food supply chains.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative double case study was conducted on the dairy and citrus sectors in Uruguay. A transaction cost theoretical framework was used. All current public and private quality standards applied by processors were studied in relation to contract arrangements between processors and upstream producers as well as downstream buyers for each sector.

Findings

Quality standards complement contract arrangements for upstream transactions, leading to hierarchy-type contract arrangements. Quality standards substitute contract arrangements for downstream transactions, leading to market- or hybrid-type contract arrangements.

Research limitations/implications

Longitudinal studies that measure changes in contract arrangements over time are recommended.

Practical implications

Supply chain actors can reduce transaction costs by aligning quality standards with appropriate contract arrangements – further supported by public instruments.

Originality/value

Quality standards have differential influence on underlying transaction characteristics, and therefore on contract arrangements, depending on the location of the transaction in the supply chain.
Prognostic value of the geriatric nutritional risk index among patients with previously treated advanced non‐small cell lung cancer who subsequently underwent immunotherapy
Authors: Sonehara Kei , Tateishi Kazunari , Araki Taisuke , Komatsu Masamichi , Yamamoto Hiroshi , Hanaoka Masayuki
Published: March 2021

Background

The geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) is a simple and useful marker for predicting prognosis and treatment efficacy among patients with various cancers. However, to the best of our knowledge, there are no previous reports regarding the prognostic value of GNRI among patients with non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who were treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs).

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated 85 patients with previously treated advanced NSCLC who were administered ICIs at Shinshu University Hospital between February 2016 and October 2020. Progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were compared between groups with high (≥89.5) and low (<89.5) GNRI values. We used univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses to identify prognostic factors that were associated with PFS and OS.

Results

The high and low GNRI groups included 61 and 24 patients, respectively. Relative to the low GNRI group, the high GNRI group had significantly longer median PFS (3.7 vs. 2.4 months, p = 0.041) and significantly longer median OS (14.2 vs. 6.1 months, p = 0.008). Multivariate analyses revealed that independent predictors of favorable OS were high GNRI, performance status of 0–1, and age of ≥70 years. The high GNRI group was significantly more likely to undergo subsequent therapy after immunotherapy (68.6 vs. 33.3%, p = 0.008).

Conclusions

The present study revealed that high GNRI was associated with good outcomes among patients with previously treated NSCLC who were treated with ICIs.
Learning curve of robotic portal lobectomy for pulmonary neoplasms: A prospective observational study
Authors: Yang Mu‐Zi , Lai Ren‐Chun , Abbas Abbas E. , Park Bernard J. , Li Ji‐Bin , Yang Jie , Wu Jin‐Chun , Wang Gang , Yang Hao‐Xian
Published: March 2021

Background

We aim to assess the learning curve of robotic portal lobectomy with four arms (RPL‐4) in patients with pulmonary neoplasms using prospectively collected data.

Methods

Data from 100 consecutive cases with lung neoplasms undergoing RPL‐4 were prospectively accumulated into a database between June 2018 and August 2019. The Da Vinci Si system was used to perform RPL‐4. Regression curves of cumulative sum analysis (CUSUM) and risk‐adjusted CUSUM (RA‐CUSUM) were fit to identify different phases of the learning curve. Clinical indicators and patient characteristics were compared between different phases.

Results

The mean operative time, console time, and docking time for the entire cohort were 130.6 ± 53.8, 95.5 ± 52.3, and 6.4 ± 3.0 min, respectively. Based on CUSUM analysis of console time, the surgical experience can be divided into three different phases: 1–10 cases (learning phase), 11–51 cases (plateau phase), and >51 cases (mastery phase). RA‐CUSUM analysis revealed that experience based on 56 cases was required to truly master this technique. Total operative time (p < 0.001), console time (p < 0.001), and docking time (p = 0.026) were reduced as experience increased. However, other indicators were not significantly different among these three phases.

Conclusions

The RPL‐4 learning curve can be divided into three phases. Ten cases were required to pass the learning curve, but the mastery of RPL‐4 for satisfactory surgical outcomes requires experience with at least 56 cases.
The urban–rural gap in the demand for food safety in China: The role of food label knowledge
Authors: Shimokawa Satoru , Hu Dezhuang , Li Dandan , Cheng Hong
Published: March 2021

Despite the national promotion of food safety measures, a substantial urban–rural gap remains in the demand for food safety in China. To explain this gap, we explore the role of knowledge of food safety labels. We measure demand using the marginal willingness to pay (MWTP) for the green food label and the organic food label for rice and pork in urban and rural areas. We employ discrete choice experiments and the control function approach to control for potential endogeneity problems. The results show that the MWTP for the labels is significantly positive among people with label knowledge but insignificant or even negative among people without label knowledge, and the urban–rural gap in the MWTP is larger among the former than among the latter. These knowledge‐related differences explain 8–29% of the urban–rural gap in the MWTP for the green food label. Our findings imply that improving knowledge about the green food label could potentially be effective in reducing the urban–rural gap, while our results also imply the existence of a future challenge for the government in promoting label knowledge more effectively in rural China.
Vergleich der Patientenpfade bei der Früherkennungsuntersuchung auf Hautkrebs – eine Sekundärdatenanalyse
Authors: Krensel Magdalene , Petersen Jana , Stephan Brigitte , Katalinic Alexander , Augustin Jobst
Published: March 2021

Hintergrund

Bei der Hautkrebs‐Vorsorge haben Patienten in Deutschland die Wahl zwischen einem direkten Screening durch Dermatologen oder einem ersten Screening durch Hausärzte mit anschließendem dermatologischen Screening, falls eine Abklärung erforderlich ist. Ziel dieser Studie ist die Untersuchung, ob Screenings durch Hausärzte mit einer Risikoselektion bei nachfolgenden dermatologischen Screenings einhergehen.

Patienten und Methodik

Basierend auf Abrechnungsdaten einer deutschen Krankenversicherung (Barmer GEK) wurde eine retrospektive Beobachtungsstudie durchgeführt. Analysiert wurden Patientenpfade der Hautkrebsscreenings von 2008 bis 2016. Die Prüfung von Unterschieden zwischen beiden Gruppen erfolgte über 95 %‐Konfidenzintervalle.

Ergebnisse

Es wurden 495 000 initiale und 111 000 Zweituntersuchungen bei Dermatologen analysiert. Der Anteil anschließender Exzisionen war bei initialen Screenings durch Dermatologen niedriger. Um eine Person mit nichtmelanozytärem Hautkrebs beziehungsweise Melanom zu diagnostizieren, waren, abhängig von der Art berücksichtigter Exzisionen, fünf beziehungsweise 23 bis 42 Exzisionen notwendig. Die Anzahl der Untersuchungen, um einen Patienten zu identifizieren, lag zwischen 25 bis 53 für nichtmelanozytären Hautkrebs und 42 bis 165 für Melanome. Für das Melanom war die Anzahl der Exzisionen und Screening‐Untersuchungen, um einen Hautkrebs zu diagnostizieren, bei Zweituntersuchungen geringer.

Schlussfolgerungen

Die Ergebnisse weisen auf eine Risikoselektion durch eine Erstuntersuchung bei Hausärzten hin. Es existieren jedoch weitere Aspekte, die bei einem Vergleich beider Pfade berücksichtigt werden sollten.
CAR‐T‐Zellen auf dem Weg zur praktischen Anwendung in der dermatologischen Onkologie
Authors: Uslu Ugur
Published: March 2021

Etwa die Hälfte aller Patienten mit metastasiertem Melanom können erfolgreich mit kombinierten Immuncheckpoint‐Inhibitoren gegen CTLA‐4 (Cytotoxic T‐Lymphocyte‐Associated Protein 4) und PD‐1 (Programmed Cell Death Protein 1) behandelt werden. Für Patienten, die auf diese Therapie nicht ansprechen, müssen andere Strategien und Behandlungsoptionen entwickelt werden. Ein interessanter Ansatz sind hier die chimären Antigenrezeptor (CAR)‐T‐Zellen. Diese neuartige Therapie hat bisher bei hämatologischen Malignomen eindrucksvolle Erfolge erzielt; der große Durchbruch bei soliden Tumoren steht allerdings noch aus. Beim Melanom und anderen soliden Tumoren sind noch einige Probleme zu lösen, um den Therapieansatz zu verbessern – eines davon sind Escape‐Mechanismen des Tumors, die überwunden werden müssen. In diesem Kontext konnten wir zeigen, dass durch Kombination zweier unterschiedlicher Methoden, nämlich lentiviraler Transduktion und RNA‐Elektroporation, ein und derselbe T‐Lymphozyt mit zwei verschiedenen tumorantigenspezifischen Rezeptoren ausgestattet werden kann. Noch bedarf es allerdings weiterer Analysen, um diese neue Strategie aus dem Labor ans Krankenbett zu bringen. Benötigt werden geeignete Ziel‐Antigene zur Vermeidung von on‐target/off‐tumor Toxizitäten sowie eine verbesserte Wirksamkeit der CAR‐T‐Zellen, um den potentiellen Nutzen dieses Ansatzes in der dermatologischen Onkologie zu maximieren.
Pilots flying with insulin‐treated diabetes
Authors: Russell‐Jones David L. , Hutchison Ewan J. , Roberts Graham A.
Published: March 2021

People with diabetes treated with insulin have often faced blanket bans from safety‐critical occupations, largely because of fear of incapacitation due to hypoglycaemia. Recent advances in insulin therapies, modes of administration, monitoring, and noninvasive monitoring techniques have allowed stereotypical views to be challenged. The aviation sector has led the way, in allowing pilots to fly while on insulin. Recently, countries that have traditionally been opposed to this have changed their minds, largely due to the increasing evidence of safety. The purpose of this review was to gather all available information to update clinicans. The physiology and pathophysiology underpinning glucose regulation and the management of diabetes in the air allowing certain insulin‐treated pilots to fly are discussed.
Cortisol promotes the cognitive regulation of high intensive emotions independent of timing
Authors: Langer Katja , Jentsch Valerie L. , Wolf Oliver T.
Published: March 2021

Failures to cognitively downregulate negative emotions are a crucial risk factor for mental disorders. Previous studies provide evidence for a stress‐induced improvement of cognitive emotion regulation possibly mediated via glucocorticoid actions. Cortisol can initialize immediate non‐genomic as well as delayed genomic effects on cognitive control functioning, but its distinct effects on emotion regulation processes remain to be shown. Here, we sought to characterize time‐dependent effects of oral cortisol administration on cognitive emotion regulation outcomes. We expected cortisol to improve emotion regulation success. Possible interactions with the delay between cortisol treatment and emotion regulation, strategy use and intensity of the emotional stimuli were examined. Eighty‐five healthy men received either 10 mg hydrocortisone or a placebo in a double‐blind, randomized design 30 or 90 min prior to an emotion regulation paradigm, in which they were asked to downregulate their emotional responses towards low and high intensive negative pictures via reappraisal or distraction. Affective ratings and pupil dilation served as outcome measures. Reduced arousal, enhanced valence ratings as well as increases in pupil dilations indexing the cognitive regulatory effort indicated successful downregulation of negative emotions evoked by high intensive but not low intensive negative pictures. Cortisol significantly reduced arousal ratings when downregulating high intensive negative emotions via distraction and (at a trend level) via reappraisal, independent of timing, demonstrating a beneficial effect of cortisol on subjective regulatory outcomes. Taken together, this study provides initial evidence suggesting that cortisol promotes the cognitive control of high intensive negative emotions both, 30 and 90 min after treatment.
Private‐label consumer studies: A review and future research agenda
Authors: Riboldazzi Sabina , Capriello Antonella , Martin Drew
Published: March 2021

Focusing on the consumer studies, this review investigates the private label (PL) research to identify emerging themes and future research avenues. Through a systematic review approach, we outline theories, contexts, and methods described in 145 PLconsumer studies published over the past five decades, unveiling a growing and formative body of literature consisting of five themes aggregated into the following three overarching themes: (1) PL buyer characteristics and perceptions, (2) PL marketing stimuli, and (3) PL post‐purchase‐related factors. In the context of these thematic areas, the present study identifies the factors influencing PL buying decision, highlighting peculiarities and characteristics of PL consumer behavior. Finally, we delineate long‐range research goals of PL consumer studies.