bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pick Your Poison: Molecular Evolution of Venom Proteins in Asilidae (Insecta: Diptera)
Authors: Cohen Chris M. , Cole T. Jeffrey , Brewer Michael S.
Published: November 2020

Robber flies are an understudied family of venomous, predatory Diptera. With the recent characterization of venom from three asilid species, it is possible for the first time to study the molecular evolution of venom genes in this unique lineage. To accomplish this, a novel whole-body transcriptome ofEudioctria mediawas combined with 10 other publicly available asiloid thoracic or salivary gland transcriptomes to identify putative venom gene families and assess evidence of pervasive positive selection. A total of 348 gene families of sufficient size were analyzed, and 33 of these were predicted to contain venom genes. We recovered 151 families containing homologs to previously described venoms, and 40 of these were uniquely gained in Asilidae. Our gene family clustering suggests that many asilidin venom gene families are not natural groupings as originally delimited. Additionally, robber-fly venoms have relatively few sites under positive selection, consistent with the hypothesis that the venom of older lineages are dominated by negative selection acting to maintain toxic function.
Inflammatory cytokine profile and plasticity of brain and spinal microglia in response to ATP and glutamate
Authors: Jesudasan Sam Joshva Baskar , Gupta Somnath J , Churchward Matthew A , Todd Kathryn , Winship Ian R
Published: November 2020

Microglia are the primary cells in the central nervous system that identify and respond to injury or damage. Such a perturbation in the nervous system induces the release of molecules including ATP and glutamate that act as damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). DAMPs are detected by microglia, which then regulate the inflammatory response in a manner sensitive to their surrounding environment. The available data indicates that ATP and glutamate can induce the release of pro inflammatory factors TNF (tumor necrosis factor), IL-1β (interleukin 1 beta) and NO (nitric oxide) from microglia. However, non-physiological concentrations of ATP and glutamate were often used to derive these insights. Here, we have compared the response of spinal cord microglia (SM) relative to brain microglia (BM) using physiologically relevant concentrations of glutamate and ATP that mimic injured conditions in the central nervous system. The data show that ATP and glutamate are not significant modulators of the release of cytokines from either BM or SM. Consistent with previous studies, spinal microglia exhibited a general trend towards reduced release of inflammatory cytokines relative to brain-derived microglia. Moreover, we demonstrate that the responses of microglia to these DAMPs can be altered by modifying the biochemical milieu in their surrounding environment. Preconditioning brain derived microglia with media from spinal cord derived mixed glial cultures shifted their release of IL-ß, IL-6 and IL-10 to a less inflammatory phenotype consistent with a spinal microglia.
Structure of the endocytic adaptor complex reveals the basis for efficient membrane anchoring during clathrin-mediated endocytosis
Authors: Lizarrondo Javier , Klebl David P. , Niebling Stephan , Abella Marc , Schroer Martin A. , Mertens Haydyn D.T. , Veith Katharina , Svergun Dmitri I. , Skruzny Michal , Sobott Frank , Muench Stephen , Garcia-Alai Maria M.
Published: November 2020

During clathrin-mediated endocytosis, a complex and dynamic network of protein-membrane interactions cooperate to achieve membrane invagination. Throughout this process, middle coat adaptors, Sla2 and Ent1, must remain attached to the plasma membrane to transmit force from the actin cytoskeleton required for successful membrane invagination. Here, we present a cryoEM structure of a 16-mer complex of membrane binding domains from Sla2 and Ent1 that anchors to the plasma membrane. Detailed mutagenesisin vitroandin vivoof the tetramer interfaces delineate the key interactions for complex formation and deficient cell growth phenotypes demonstrate the biological relevance of these interactions. Finally, time-resolved experimentsin solutionsuggest that adaptors have evolved to achieve a fast subsecond timescale assembly in the presence of PIP2. Together, these findings provide a molecular understanding of an essential piece for the molecular puzzle of clathrin-coated sites.
Kinetic model of small RNA-mediated regulation suggests that a small RNA can regulate co-transcriptionally
Authors: Reyer Matthew A. , Chennakesavalu Shriram , Heideman Emily M. , Ma Xiangqian , Bujnowska Magda , Hong Lu , Dinner Aaron R. , Vanderpool Carin K. , Fei Jingyi
Published: November 2020

Small RNAs (sRNAs) are important regulators of gene expression in bacteria, particularly during stress responses. Many genetically and biochemically well characterized sRNAs regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally, by affecting translation and degradation of the target mRNA after they bind to their targets through base pairing. However, how regulation at each of these levels quantitatively contributes to the overall efficacy of sRNA-mediated regulation is not well understood. Here we present a general approach combining imaging and mathematical modeling to determine kinetic parameters at different levels of sRNA-mediated gene regulation. Unexpectedly, our data reveal that certain previously characterized sRNAs are able to regulate some targets co-transcriptionally, rather strictly post-transcriptionally, and suggest that sRNA-mediated regulation can occur early in the mRNA’s lifetime, perhaps as soon as the sRNA binding site is transcribed. In addition, our data suggest several important kinetic steps that may determine the efficiency and differential regulation of multiple mRNA targets by an sRNA. Particularly, binding of sRNA to the target mRNA is likely the rate-limiting step and may dictate the regulation hierarchy observed within an sRNA regulon.
Two acyclic imides: 3-bromo-N-(3-bromobenzoyl)-N-(pyridin-2-yl)benzamide and 3-bromo-N-(3-bromobenzoyl)-N-(pyrimidin-2-yl)benzamide
Authors: Desmond Féilim , Gallagher John F. , Hehir Niall
Published: November 2020

The title compounds, C19H12Br2N2O2 and C18H11Br2N3O2, were synthesized in good yields from condensation reactions of 3-bromobenzoyl chloride with 2-aminopyridine or 2-aminopyrimidine using standard condensation reaction conditions and subsequent column chromatography.
Effect of entrepreneurial competencies on micro-enterprises income and assets in Malaysia
Authors: Mustapha Wan Nurulasiah Wan , Al Mamun Abdullah , Mansori Shaheen , Balasubramaniam Sudesh
Published: November 2020

Purpose

This study aims to provide a foundation for the performance-focused micro-entrepreneurship development program; hence, this study is designed to investigate the effect of selected entrepreneurial competencies on micro-enterprise income and assets in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopts the cross-sectional design, and the quantitative data was collected from 300 randomly selected micro-entrepreneurs from the list of participants of several micro-enterprise development programs offered in Peninsular Malaysia.

Findings

Findings revealed that micro-entrepreneur’s commitment competency and opportunity recognition competency have a significant positive effect on micro-enterprise income, whereas only opportunity recognition competency has a significant positive effect on the net worth of micro-enterprise assets.

Originality/value

This study examined the effect of key elements of entrepreneurial competencies on micro-enterprise income and asset, which provides the foundation for a performance-focused micro-entrepreneurship development program designed to enhance the performance of micro-enterprises in Malaysia.
Prospects and challenges of entrepreneurship internationalization on the competitiveness of SMEs
Authors: Olaore Gbemi Oladipo , Adejare Bimbo Onaolapo , Udofia Ekpenyong Ekpenyong
Published: November 2020

Purpose

Global presence pursuit by Nigerian firms has increased the inquiry into internationalization. While a few implement regional presence, the pros and cons of full internationalization are evaluated. Giving the scarce empirical research, this paper aims to add to scholarly works and knowledge on internationalization and establish regional internationalization as the feasible option for Nigerian firms.

Design/methodology/approach

Random and stratified sampling techniques were used. Data collection was conducted with questionnaire copies and analyzed with confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation model.

Findings

Internationalization strategy enhances small and medium enterprises (SME’s) competitive advantage, and full internationalization seems unrealistic for Nigerian firms; however, regional internationalization is the bedrock for full internationalization. Finally, the nature of the Nigerian business environment developed an increased value creation process in SMEs through increased flexibility and problem-solving abilities.

Practical implications

SMEs should internationalize partially, and critically evaluate socio-cultural and institutional environmental challenges in this study, to enable them to strategize for full internationalization.

Originality/value

The study demonstrates that the only way to fast track the internationalization drive of SME’s in Nigeria is first to embrace regional internationalization because it is difficult to achieve full internationalization at a go. Then, apply appropriate strategies to embrace full internationalization in the nearest future.
Developing a measure of climate strategy proactivity displayed to attain competitive advantage
Authors: Kant Nikhil , Agrawal Neeti
Published: November 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to develop a scale to measure climate strategy proactivity (CSP) displayed by corporate in developing countries to attain competitive advantage (CA) and sustain it through sources of sustained competitive advantage (SOSCA). It attempts to derive sound operational definitions of CSP, CA and SOSCA through horizontal analysis of previous studies and discussions with experts and practitioners to construct a measurement scale.

Design/methodology/approach

Research design includes broad stages, namely, item generation, scale development and assessment of psychometric properties of the scale starting with review of literature and discussions with experts and practitioners, which were followed by a pilot and full study carried out through a cross-sectional, self-administered online survey questionnaire and assessment using suitable tools and techniques.

Findings

Findings of the study comprise development of sound operational definitions and construction of a valid and reliable measurement scale of CSP displayed by corporate to attain CA with strong psychometric properties, which is expected to be useful in developing countries not only for researchers and academics but also for the practitioners and organizations.

Research limitations/implications

The information was self-reported by respondents through climate strategy proactivity questionnaire (CSPQ) and consequently can be at risk to have been influenced by bias. Nonetheless, this CSPQ scale devoid of conceptual problems can be used in developing countries in future empirical studies with the caution that its reliability and validity require further tests.

Practical implications

Using the CSPQ scale will help managers in developing countries in enhancing their awareness with the provision of these conceptually clear comprehensive operational definitions of CSP, CA and SOSCA with respect to the conceptual nature and the latent expressions, and draw an extensively enhanced scope of climate-conscious strategy to bring about CA.

Originality/value

With the data collected from a sample representing different stakeholders of Indian companies from across the country, CSPQ scale possesses significant robustness and implicative potential which can contribute to the evolution of the strategic management field by providing a valid and reliable measure of CSP in developing countries applicable under any major theoretical perspective in strategic management serving the needs of not only the empirical research but also of the management practices intended to attain CA.
Estimating economic benefits of urban conifers in terms of abatement of ultrafine dust (PM2.5)
Authors: Shin Soo Min , Lim Song Soo , Cho Yongsung
Published: November 2020

Purpose

This study aimed to estimate the economic benefits of PM2.5 emission abatement by Red Pine, Pinus Koraiensis and Quercus, using a metering model analyzing the amount of PM2.5 absorption in Korea.

Design/methodology/approach

To estimate the economic effects of PM2.5 adsorptions by trees, the frequency of hospital visits resulting from respiratory and circulatory diseases was estimated using a Probit model based on the data from National Health and Nutrition Survey.

Findings

The results show that Quercus and Pinus Koraiensis absorb and eliminate the largest amount of PM2.5. Reducing 1 ton of PM2.5 emission through the planting of trees leads to lower incidences of respiratory and circulatory diseases equivalent to the amount of 95 million won. When the trees planted are 2-year-old Red Pine, Pinus Koraiensis and Quercus, the resulting economic benefits of the PM2.5 abatement would amount to 481 million won, 173 million won and 1,027 million won, respectively. If the trees are 80 years old, the economic benefits are estimated to be 73 billion won for Red Pine, 103 billion won for Pinus Koraiensis and 38 billion won for Quercus.

Research limitations/implications

One limitation of this study is that the weight of PM2.5 adsorbed by each leaf area entirely depended on the experimental results from a prior study and the values are likely to be different from those actually absorbed in natural surroundings. In addition, because of the lack of data from a domestic survey on the surface of leaf area or the reload flow rate of PM2.5, this study referred to data from foreign research. Unfortunately, this specific data may not reflect climatic and terrain characteristics specific to the target country. We used the annual wind speed to calculate the reload flow rate and elimination volume; however, the figures could be more accurate with hourly or daily climate variations. When estimating the health benefits of changes in PM2.5 emissions on respiratory and circulatory diseases, more segmented access to patients' hospital visits and hospital admissions are desirable. Finally, the study focused on the three major tree species of Korea, however, a more detailed study of PM2.5 reduction by various tree types is needed in the future.

Originality/value

This paper quantitatively assessed the amount of PM2.5 adsorption by each of the three tree species. Then, the economic benefits were calculated in terms of how much money would be saved on hospital visits thanks to the reduced PM2.5 levels and lower incidences of respiratory and circulatory system diseases. The net contribution of this study was to prove the trees' function of reducing PM2.5 as it relates to human health. We focused on the most common trees in Korea and compared them to provide new information on the species.
Spending the night with strangers while traveling? Examining the antecedents of shared room booking through Airbnb
Authors: Baldick Hwijin Jeon , Jang SooCheong (Shawn)
Published: November 2020

Purpose

This study aims to examine the motivating factors that influence intentions to book shared rooms through Airbnb as well as the moderating effects of past experience and gender.

Design/methodology/approach

This study analyzed data from 214 leisure travelers who had previously stayed in shared rooms through Airbnb and 207 participants who had not yet experienced Airbnb. A covariance-based structural equation modeling (CB-SEM) technique was performed to test the significance of attitude, subjective norms, extroverted personality, perceived risk and perceived price. Furthermore, the study explored past experience and gender as moderators.

Findings

The results suggest that attitude, subjective norms and perceived risk significantly impacted intentions to book shared rooms through Airbnb. However, perceived price was not a significant determinant. In addition, this study verified that past experience and gender moderated the relationship between important referents and attitude/booking intentions.

Practical implications

This study gives Airbnb hosts a better understanding of travelers who choose Airbnb’s shared rooms. In addition, hosts who offer shared rooms can implement marketing strategies and complementary activities to not only reduce the risk of booking shared rooms but also attract more travelers.

Originality/value

While previous studies examined Airbnb as one homogeneous type of accommodation, this study focused on Airbnb’s shared rooms. A clearer understanding of consumers who intend to book Airbnb’s shared rooms will enable hosts to develop effective marketing strategies.
The role of need for cognition in consumers' mental imagery: a study of retail brand's Instagram
Authors: Huang Ran , Ha Sejin
Published: November 2020

Purpose

Drawn from the concepts of processing fluency and mental imagery, the present study aims to fill the void by developing the mechanism underlying consumers' cognitive processing of visually appealing digital content in social media (i.e. Instagram) of retail brands.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were gathered using a web-based survey method with consumers residing in the USA (N = 328). Structural equation modelling (SEM) was employed to investigate the proposed hypotheses. In addition, measurement invariance and multigroup analyses were conducted to test the moderation effect of need for cognition (NFC).

Findings

The results supported the pivotal role of mental imagery when consumers process visual messages in the context of a retail brand's Instagram. Both comprehension fluency and imagery fluency positively influence mental imagery, which in turn cultivates positive attitude towards the brand. The mediating role of mental imagery is confirmed. Furthermore, individuals' NFC interacts with imagery fluency but not with comprehension fluency such that high NFC strengthens the effect of imagery fluency on mental imagery. That is, when high-NFC consumers process information on Instagram, their perceptions of ease of generating imagery likely evoke visual representation of the brand's messages on Instagram in their minds.

Practical implications

This research provides feasible ways for brands to increase the effectiveness of digital marketing communications in social media (e.g. optimising of the contextual features of visual information and employing interactive features such as filters of social media to enhance processing fluency).

Originality/value

Within the context of digital retailing, this study provides a new perspective of consumers' imagery processing to investigate the effectiveness of visual-focussed messages.
Evaluation of changes in alcohol consumption: evidence from Russia
Authors: Kossova Tatiana , Kossova Elena , Sitnikova Arina , Sheluntcova Maria
Published: November 2020

Purpose

The paper investigates changes in consumption of pure alcohol, vodka, beer, wine and fortified wine by neighboring age classes of Russians.

Design/methodology/approach

Data source is the Russian Longitudinal Monitoring Survey – HSE from 2000 to 2017. Age groups are those born in 1934 and older, in 1935–1944 and further with a 10-years interval till the group of 1985 and younger. The amount of consumed alcohol is estimated with Heckman model. LR-test is used to determine the similarity of alcohol consumption behavior of age groups. Oaxaca–Blinder decomposition presents the difference in the average level of alcohol consumption among two neighboring age classes with the explained and unexplained parts.

Findings

Male and female respondents from the group (1985+) drink significantly less absolute alcohol than the previous age class born in 1975–1984. Oaxaca–Blinder decomposition shows that an increase in absolute alcohol consumption for women and a decrease in absolute alcohol consumption for men come from the unexplained difference of consumption volumes. Policy measures should be targeted on the prevention of excessive alcohol consumption among Russian women since they demonstrate an increase in the consumption of vodka, beer and fortified wine from one generation to another.

Originality/value

For the first time, the paper presents decomposition of changes in alcohol consumption volumes for neighboring age groups of Russians. The change in consumption volumes might be due to the change of objective characteristics of individuals and unobservable factors like the influence of advertising, government policy and the entry of new alcohol producers into the market.
The impact of ethnic diversity on the quality of exports: evidence from China
Authors: Luong Tuan Anh
Published: November 2020

Purpose

The quality of exports is an important indicator of the economic development of a country. It is, therefore, important to understand its determinants. Existing literature reveals a number of determinants such as the position of a country, the distance to the trading partner, the size of the firm and the productivity or the quality of inputs. In this study, the author proposes a new determinant, namely ethnic diversity.

Design/methodology/approach

In the first stage of this research, the author estimates the quality of exports following Berry (1994) approach. The author also addresses the endogeneity problem as suggested by Khandelwal (2010). The author’s measure of ethnic diversity follows Easterly and Levine (1997). In the second stage, the author regresses the estimated quality on the measure of ethnic diversity, interacted by the degree of differentiation of the goods.

Findings

First, the author finds that ethnic diversity in general reduces the quality of exports. Second, the author finds that the impact varies with the degree of differentiation. In particular, while ethnic diversity decreases the quality of differentiated goods, it increases the quality of homogeneous goods.

Research limitations/implications

Because of data limitations, the research cannot investigate the impact of migration.

Practical implications

The findings of this paper show how one can improve the quality of products based on the characteristics of the population and of the products.

Originality/value

In the last decade, there has been growing attention paid to the impact of ethnic diversity on economic performance. As industrial powerhouses such as China continue to urbanize, stitching together once-disparate ethnic groups, the role ethnic diversity plays in the economic life of a country must be examined from a variety of angles. This paper is the first to investigate the specific impact of that diversity on product quality and on how diversity interacts with the characteristics of products.
Methodological and conceptual issues in studying effort-reward fit
Authors: Lang Jonas W.B. , Van Hoeck Sander , Runge J. Malte
Published: November 2020

Purpose

Research on effort-reward “imbalance” (ERI) has gained popularity in the occupational health literature, and authors typically use effort-reward ratios (ERRs) to study this phenomenon. This article provides a methodological and theoretical critique of this literature and suggestions on how future research can better study joint effects of efforts and reward.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted a simulation study, analyzed panel data and surveyed the literature on the theoretical and methodological basis of the “imbalance” concept.

Findings

The simulation study indicates that under many conditions the ERR captures main effects of effort and reward and that effects also depend on the scaling of the variables. The panel data showed that when main effects and the interactions of effort and reward are entered simultaneously in a regression predicting mental and physical health, the significant effect of the ERRs disappears. The literature review reveals that psychological theories include more elaborate theoretical ideas on joint effects of effort and reward.

Research limitations/implications

The results suggest that moderated multiple regression analyses are better suited to detect a misfit between effort and reward than ERRs. The authors also suggest to use the term effort-reward fit in future research.

Originality/value

Methodologically and conceptually the authors showed that the ERR is not an appropriate approach because it confuses main effects with interaction effects. Furthermore, the concept of ERI is better substituted by a broader conceptualization of effort-reward fit that can be integrated with the existing literature on person-environment fit. Recommendations for future research are provided.
Beyond gender: reconceptualizing understandings of work–life balance and the extreme work model for 21st-century high-potential top earners
Authors: DeSimone Kimberly
Published: November 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to broaden an understanding of women's perceptions regarding advancement potential/barriers to success in upper echelon corporate roles in the S&P 500 in connection with understanding 21st-century family dynamics, rather than addressing gender in isolation.

Design/methodology/approach

Data collection in this study is based on semi-structured phone interviews with 13 women who have been identified by organizational leadership in an S&P 500 company as having high advancement potential. The results are evaluated using interpretive phenomenological analysis.

Findings

Participants' responses support existing research showing that women feel more responsible than their male counterparts for subordinating their career prospects to those of their male partners. Further, participants express that work–life and work–family balance constitute problematic barriers to advancement and often lead them to “choose” to slow-track career advancement and to avoid advancement opportunities. This choice narrative propagates women's perceptions that barriers to advancement are self-imposed. Participants viewed the extreme work model as inevitable in upper-echelon corporate roles, signaling the need for an increased understanding of how a broad definition of familial roles and work culture – rather than gendered issues in isolation – affect advancement opportunities in a 21st-century workforce.

Practical implications

Current organizational diversity initiatives have focused too myopically on gender. For organizations to create a more inclusive model for success at the upper echelons, it is essential to broaden organizational initiatives to address 21st-century employees rather than gendered programs. Organizations can endeavor to implement more effective models that enable two partners in a home with dependent children to advance, and all employees, even top leaders, to balance current definitions of work–life in several ways discussed.

Originality/value

The findings of this study are significant, in that they move toward addressing a gap in knowledge concerning women's perspectives on the changing family paradigm, extreme work culture and an expanded understanding of work–life balance. This reconceptualization can help mitigate gendered research and organizational programs that reinforce entrenched binaries, and instead enable organizations to implement more effective initiatives to improve advancement opportunities.
Artemisia restores systolic blood pressure, attenuates serum sodium/potassium levels and prevents cardiac oxidative stress in hypertension
Authors: Koriem Khaled M.M. , Saleh Hend N. , El-Attar Marwa A.
Published: November 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to evaluate systolic blood pressure (SBP), serum sodium/potassium levels and cardiac antioxidants after Artemisia herba-alba oral administration in spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHR).

Design/methodology/approach

Hypertension is a silent killer disease. The SHR model was used in this study due to the similarity of high blood pressure in human and rat. The SBP, serum sodium and potassium, urinary sodium and potassium, cardiac antioxidants and heart histology were examined in SHR after oral administration with 10 and 20% of the LD50 of Artemisia herba-alba during four weeks.

Findings

The LD50 of Artemisia herba-alba was found to be 1000 mg/kg. Doses of 100 mg/kg (10% LD50) and 200 mg/kg (20% LD50) were considered in the present study. The oral administration of SHR rats with Artemisia extract at 100 and 200 mg/kg decreased (p < 0.01) the body weights, SBP and serum sodium and potassium. Meanwhile, cardiac superoxide dismutase and gluthatione peroxidase were increased in SHR-treated rats. Histology of SHR cardiac tissues showed tissue degenerative but oral intake of 100 and 200 mg/kg artemisia exhibited normal muscle fibers, acidophilic cytoplasm and central nuclei.

Originality/value

The cardiovascular diseases are the first reason for high death rate in Western countries and collapsing economies due to hypertensive patients suffering high health-care costs. The advantage of hypertension Herba l treatment occurred due to its cheap and available source. Artemisia herba-alba leaves restored SBP, attenuated serum sodium/potassium levels and prevented cardiac oxidative stress in SHR.
How to improve revenue forecasts from strategic investments
Authors: Deneffe Daniel , Vantrappen Herman
Published: November 2020

Purpose

One fundamental need of business executives: to obtain sufficiently reliable estimates of the likely revenues and profits from making a strategic move.

Design/methodology/approach

The article explains how to make more reliable estimates of the real targets for the company’s offering.

Findings

What often leads to revenue estimates that are way off is to attempt to identify some average willingness-to-pay.

Practical implications

“‘Competitors’ include those that may be unknown to the company and, in the case of a new-to-the-world offering, providers of substitute solutions.

Originality/value

As well-informed customers today have more choices than ever, careful customer analysis is of paramount importance to minimize the risks that can be managed and, as a result, maximize the chances of making successful strategic choices.
Seismic time–frequency analysis as a robust method to estimate the fluid saturation: A case study of carbonates reservoir, Iran
Authors: Jamali Javad , Javaherian Abdolrahim
Published: November 2020

The propagation of seismic waves through a saturated reservoir compresses the fluid in the pore spaces. During this transition, parts of seismic energy would be attenuated because of intrinsic absorption. Rock physics models make the bridge between the seismic properties and petrophysical reality in the earth. Attenuation is one of the significant seismic attributes used to describe the fluid behaviour in the reservoirs. We examined the core samples using ultrasonic experiments at the reservoir conditions. Given the rock properties of the carbonate reservoir and experiment results, the patchy saturation mechanism was solved for substituted fluid using the theory of modulus frequency. The extracted relationship between the seismic attenuation and water saturation was used in time–frequency analysis. We performed the peak frequency method to estimate theQfactor in the Gabor domain and determined the water saturation based on the computed rock physics model. The results showed how the probable fault in the reservoir has stopped the fluid movement in the reservoir and caused touching the water‐bearing zone through drilling.
The Role of History in International Business: Evidence, Research Practices, Methods and Theory
Authors: Buckley Peter J.
Published: November 2020

This paper examines four aspects of the increasing role of history in international business – history as an underpinning for international business theory, history as evidence, history as a source of research practices and history as a source of research methods. International business has been successful in utilizing spatial comparisons. Theorists and empirical researchers can build on this by using temporal and counterfactual comparative analyses. A more critical approach to sources and attention to sequence and process is recommended. The conclusion suggests a research agenda making dynamics intrinsic to international business theory and empirics by focusing attention on the timing of key decisions.
Time to consider supraglottic airway device oropharyngeal leak pressure measurement more objectively
Authors: Kumar Chandra M. , Van Zundert Tom C. , Seet Edwin , Van Zundert André A.
Published: November 2020

Oropharyngeal leak pressure (OLP) is considered a measure of successful placement, adequate performance and is a useful comparator between supraglottic airway devices (SADs). OLP measurement is based on the premise that the SAD is sited properly in the hypopharynx after blind placements, but the evidence suggests otherwise. Several limitations and controversies surround OLP. This editorial addresses the uses and pitfalls of OLP, the rationale for and methods of ascertaining OLP, the pros and cons of OLP measurement and newer modalities to improve its accuracy.
Clinical correlates of seasonality in bipolar disorder: A specifier that needs specification?
Authors: Fico Giovanna , de Toffol Marco , Anmella Gerard , Sagué‐Vilavella Maria , Dellink Annelies , Verdolini Norma , Pacchiarotti Isabella , Goikolea Jose Manuel , Solmi Marco , Vieta Eduard , Murru Andrea
Published: November 2020

Objective

Seasonal pattern (SP) is a bipolar disorder (BD) specifier that indicates a tendency towards affective relapses during specific moments of the year. SP affects 15%–25% of BD patients. In the past, SP was applied only to depressive relapses while, in DSM‐5, SP may be applied to both depressive and (hypo)manic episodes. We examined the association between different clinical correlates of BD and SP according to its current definition in a cohort of patients with BD type I (BDI) and II (BDII).

Methods

Patients were recruited from a specialized unit and assessed according to the season of relapse and type of episode per season. SP and non‐SP patients were compared looking into sociodemographic and clinical correlates. Significant variables at univariate comparisons were included in multivariate logistic regression with SP as the dependent variable.

Results

708 patients were enrolled (503 BDI, 205 BDII), and 117 (16.5%) fulfilled DSM‐5 criteria for SP. The mean age was 45.3 years (SD = 14.18), and 389 were female (54.9%). The logistic regression model included a significant contribution of BDII (OR = 2.23, CI 1.4–3.55), family history of mood disorder (OR = 1.97, CI 1.29–3.01), undetermined predominant polarity (OR = 0.44, CI 0.28–0.70), and aggressive behavior (OR = 0.42, CI 0.23–0.75).

Conclusion

Our results outline a novel positive association of SP with undetermined predominant polarity, BDII, family history of mood disorder, and with fewer aggressiveness‐related symptoms. Seasonality is associated with a biphasic pattern with similar dominance of (hypo)mania and depression and is more frequent in BDII as compared to BDI. Seasonal episodes may be easier to predict, but difficult to prevent.
Response of the egg parasitoids of the pine processionary moth to host density and forest cover at the southern edge of the range
Authors: Bouzar‐Essaidi Khaled , Branco Manuela , Battisti Andrea , Garcia André , Fernandes Maria Rosário , Chabane Younes , Bouzemarene Mourad , Benfekih Leïla
Published: November 2020

Thaumetopoea pityocampa is the most important pine defoliator in the Mediterranean basin. Despite being attacked by a number of natural enemies, populations occur frequently at high density in several areas.

Egg parasitism was studied in 27 pine and cedar forests in Algeria, in relation to the host density (tents per tree) and the proportion of forest cover in the landscape.

Egg parasitism varied from 2% to 25%, accounted by two parasitoid species, the specialist Baryscapus servadeii and the generalist Ooencyrtus pityocampae.

Tent density was negatively correlated with parasitism by B. servadeii but not with that of O. pityocampae. Conversely, parasitism by O. pityocampae increased with the proportion of forest and agricultural cover, but not in the case of B. servadeii.

Maximum summer temperature showed no correlation with parasitism rates. Still, temperature frequently exceeded 40 °C during the period of adult parasitoid activity.

The low performance of the egg parasitoids at the southern edge of the host range could be explained by the reduced fecundity of the host, climate effects, and phenological mismatching between the parasitoids and the egg development. These and other factors potentially involved the need to be further explored with a long‐term study of population dynamics.
Investigating the formation and diagnostic value of ω‐(o‐alkylphenyl)alkanoic acids in ancient pottery
Authors: Bondetti M. , Scott E. , Courel B. , Lucquin A. , Shoda S. , Lundy J. , Labra‐Odde C. , Drieu L. , Craig O. E.
Published: November 2020

Long‐chain ω‐(o‐alkylphenyl)alkanoic acids (APAAs) derived from the heating of unsaturated fatty acids have been widely used for the identification of aquatic products in archaeological ceramic vessels. To date, little attention has been paid to the diagnostic potential of shorter chain (< C20) APAAs, despite their frequent occurrence. Here, a range of laboratory and field experiments and analyses of archaeological samples were undertaken to investigate whether APAAs could be used to further differentiate different commodities. The results provide new insights about the conditions for the formation of APAAs and enable the proposition of novel criteria to distinguish different natural products.
Nutritional interventions for promoting stress resilience: Recent progress using psychosocial stress models of rodents
Authors: Toyoda Atsushi
Published: November 2020

Prevention of stress‐induced adverse effects is important for animals and humans to maintain their quality of life (QOL). Stress decreases the productivity of farm animals and induces abnormal behaviors, which is one of the major problems in animal welfare. In humans, stress increases the risk of mental illness which adversely impacts QOL. Stress is, thus, a common health problem for both animals and humans, and stress prevention and promotion of stress resilience could improve animal and human health and QOL. Among various stresses, psychosocial stress experienced by individuals is particularly difficult to prevent and it could, thus, prove beneficial to attempt to increase resilience to psychosocial stress. There exist a few critical interventions for promoting such resilience, environmental enrichment being one. However, this review describes recent progress in nutritional interventions that could confer resilience to psychosocial stress. The efficacy of this intervention is studied in the social defeat model mouse, which is a standard model for studying psychosocial stress. Several nutrients were found to rescue stress vulnerability using the models. Furthermore, probiotics and prebiotics became crucial dietary interventions for combating psychosocial stress. Collectively, dietary intake of appropriate nutrients will be more important for maintaining QOL in animals and humans.
Intracranial mesenchymal tumor with FET‐CREB fusion—A unifying diagnosis for the spectrum of intracranial myxoid mesenchymal tumors and angiomatoid fibrous histiocytoma‐like neoplasms
Authors: Sloan Emily A. , Chiang Jason , Villanueva‐Meyer Javier E. , Alexandrescu Sanda , Eschbacher Jennifer M. , Wang Wesley , Mafra Manuela , Ud Din Nasir , Carr‐Boyd Emily , Watson Michael , Punsoni Michael , Oviedo Angelica , Gilani Ahmed , Kleinschmidt‐DeMasters Bette K. , Coss Dylan J. , Lopes M. Beatriz , Raffel Corey , Berger Mitchel S. , Chang Susan M. , Reddy Alyssa , Ramani Biswarathan , Ferris Sean P. , Lee Julieann C. , Hofmann Jeffrey W. , Cho Soo‐Jin , Horvai Andrew E. , Pekmezci Melike , Tihan Tarik , Bollen Andrew W. , Rodriguez Fausto J. , Ellison David W. , Perry Arie , Solomon David A.
Published: November 2020

Intracranial mesenchymal tumors with FET‐CREB fusions are a recently described group of neoplasms in children and young adults characterized by fusion of a FET family gene (usually EWSR1, but rarely FUS) to a CREB family transcription factor (ATF1, CREB1, or CREM), and have been variously termed intracranial angiomatoid fibrous histiocytoma or intracranial myxoid mesenchymal tumor. The clinical outcomes, histologic features, and genomic landscape are not well defined. Here, we studied 20 patients with intracranial mesenchymal tumors proven to harbor FET‐CREB fusion by next‐generation sequencing (NGS). The 16 female and four male patients had a median age of 14 years (range 4–70). Tumors were uniformly extra‐axial or intraventricular and located at the cerebral convexities (n = 7), falx (2), lateral ventricles (4), tentorium (2), cerebellopontine angle (4), and spinal cord (1). NGS demonstrated that eight tumors harbored EWSR1‐ATF1 fusion, seven had EWSR1‐CREB1, four had EWSR1‐CREM, and one had FUS‐CREM. Tumors were uniformly well circumscribed and typically contrast enhancing with solid and cystic growth. Tumors with EWSR1‐CREB1 fusions more often featured stellate/spindle cell morphology, mucin‐rich stroma, and hemangioma‐like vasculature compared to tumors with EWSR1‐ATF1 fusions that most often featured sheets of epithelioid cells with mucin‐poor collagenous stroma. These tumors demonstrated polyphenotypic immunoprofiles with frequent positivity for desmin, EMA, CD99, MUC4, and synaptophysin, but absence of SSTR2A, myogenin, and HMB45 expression. There was a propensity for local recurrence with a median progression‐free survival of 12 months and a median overall survival of greater than 60 months, with three patients succumbing to disease (all with EWSR1‐ATF1 fusions). In combination with prior case series, this study provides further insight into intracranial mesenchymal tumors with FET‐CREB fusion, which represent a distinct group of CNS tumors encompassing both intracranial myxoid mesenchymal tumor and angiomatoid fibrous histiocytoma‐like neoplasms.
Developing cell therapies as drug products
Authors: Ciccocioppo Rachele , Comoli Patrizia , Astori Giuseppe , del Bufalo Francesca , Prapa Malvina , Dominici Massimo , Locatelli Franco
Published: November 2020

In the last 20 years, the global regulatory frameworks for drug assessment have been managing the challenges posed by using cellular products as new therapeutic tools. Currently, they are defined as “Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products”, comprising a large group of cellular types that either alone or in combination with gene and tissue engineering technology. They have the potential to change the natural course of still lethal or highly debilitating diseases, including cancers, opportunistic infections and chronic inflammatory conditions. Globally, more than 50 cell‐based products have obtained market authorization. This overview describes the advantages and unsolved challenges on developing cells as innovative therapeutic vehicles. The main cell therapy players and the legal framework are discussed, starting from chimeric antigen receptor T‐cells for leukaemia and solid tumours, dealing then with lymphocytes as potent anti‐microbiological tools and then focusing on mesenchymal stem/stromal cells whose role covers regenerative medicine, immunology and anti‐tumour therapy.
Imidazoline ligand BU224 reverses cognitive deficits, reduces microgliosis and enhances synaptic connectivity in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Mirzaei Nazanin , Mota Bibiana C. , Birch Amy M. , Davis Nicola , Romero‐Molina Carmen , Katsouri Loukia , Palmer Emily O.C. , Golbano Arantxa , Riggall Laura J. , Nagy Istvan , Tyacke Robin , Nutt David J. , Sastre Magdalena
Published: November 2020

Background and Purpose

Activation of type 2 imidazoline receptors has been shown to exhibit neuroprotective properties including anti‐apoptotic and anti‐inflammatory effects, suggesting a potential therapeutic value in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Here, we explored the effects of the imidazoline‐2 ligand BU224 in a model of amyloidosis.

Experimental Approach

Six‐month‐old female transgenic 5XFAD and wild‐type (WT) mice were treated intraperitoneally with 5‐mg·kg−1 BU224 or vehicle twice a day for 10 days. Behavioural tests were performed for cognitive functions and neuropathological changes were investigated by immunohistochemistry, Western blot, elisa and qPCR. Effects of BU224 on amyloid precursor protein (APP) processing, spine density and calcium imaging were analysed in brain organotypic cultures and N2a cells.

Key Results

BU224 treatment attenuated spatial and perirhinal cortex‐dependent recognition memory deficits in 5XFAD mice. Fear‐conditioning testing revealed that BU224 also improved both associative learning and hippocampal‐ and amygdala‐dependent memory in transgenic but not in WT mice. In the brain, BU224 reduced levels of the microglial marker Iba1 and pro‐inflammatory cytokines IL‐1β and TNF‐α and increased the expression of astrocytic marker GFAP in 5XFAD mice. These beneficial effects were not associated with changes in amyloid pathology, neuronal apoptosis, mitochondrial density, oxidative stress or autophagy markers. Interestingly, ex vivo and in vitro studies suggested that BU224 treatment increased the size of dendritic spines and induced a threefold reduction in amyloid‐β (Aβ)‐induced functional changes in NMDA receptors.

Conclusion and Implications

Sub‐chronic treatment with BU224 restores memory and reduces inflammation in transgenic AD mice, at stages when animals display severe pathology.
Congenital heart diseases and parental occupational exposure in a Hungarian case‐control study in 1997 to 2002
Authors: Fazekas‐Pongor Vince , Csáky‐Szunyogh Melinda , Fekete Mónika , Mészáros Ágota , Cseh Károly , Pénzes Melinda
Published: November 2020

The etiology of congenital heart diseases is not fully understood yet, however, endocrine disrupting chemicals may have a causative role in their development. The purpose of our study was to examine the association between congenital heart diseases and periconceptional parental occupational exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals. In our Hungarian population‐based case‐control study, we examined 2263 live born cases with any congenital heart disease and 6789 matched controls selected between years 1997 to 2002. Occupational exposure was assessed with a job‐exposure matrix developed for endocrine disrupting chemicals. Conditional multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to test associations between parental occupational exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals and congenital heart diseases of the offspring as a whole and by congenital heart disease subtypes. The prevalence of exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals was 4.5% for both case and control mothers and 19.1% and 19.4% for case and control fathers, respectively. We found a positive association between paternal pesticide (adjusted odds ratio = 1.66, 95% confidence interval: 1.03‐2.69) and alkylphenolic compound exposure (adjusted odds ratio = 1.95, 95% confidence interval: 1.30‐2.93) and the development of patent ductus arteriosus in the offspring. Alkylphenolic compound exposure occurred among painters, famers, and those working in the food service industry, while pesticide exposure occurred predominantly among farm workers. We identified that certain occupations may increase the occurrence of certain congenital heart disease phenotypes in the offspring. By paying closer attention to those working in these areas, antenatal detection rates of congenital heart diseases may be improved.