bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cortical and autonomic responses during staged Taoist meditation: two distinct meditation strategies
Authors: Volodina Maria , Smetanin Nikolai , Lebedev Mikhail , Ossadtchi Alexei 
Published: November 2021

AbstractMeditation is a consciousness state associated with specific physiological and neural correlates. Numerous investigations of these correlates reported controversial results which prevented a consistent depiction of the underlying neurophysiological processes. Here we investigated the dynamics of multiple neurophysiological indicators during a staged meditation session. We measured the physiological changes at rest and during the guided Taoist meditation in experienced meditators and naive subjects. We recorded EEG, respiration, galvanic skin response, and photoplethysmography. All subjects followed the same instructions split into 16 stages. In the experienced meditators group we identified two subgroups with different physiological markers dynamics. One subgroup showed several signs of general relaxation evident from the changes in heart rate variability, respiratory rate, and EEG rhythmic activity. The other subgroup exhibited mind concentration patterns primarily noticeable in the EEG recordings while no autonomic responses occurred. The duration and type of previous meditation experience or any baseline indicators we measured did not explain the segregation of the meditators into these two groups. These results suggest that two distinct meditation strategies could be used by experienced meditators, which partly explains the inconsistent results reported in the earlier studies evaluating meditation effects. Our findings are also relevant to the development of the high-end biofeedback systems.
Exploiting convergent evolution to derive a pan-cancer cisplatin response gene expression signature
Authors: Scarborough Jessica A. , Eschrich Steven A. , Torres-Roca Javier , Dhawan Andrew , Scott Jacob G. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractPrecision medicine offers remarkable potential for the treatment of cancer, but is largely focused on tumors that harbor actionable mutations. Gene expression signatures can expand the scope of precision medicine by predicting response to traditional (cytotoxic) chemotherapy agents without relying on changes in mutational status. We present a novel signature extraction method, inspired by the principle of convergent evolution, which states that tumors with disparate genetic backgrounds may evolve similar phenotypes independently. This evolutionary-informed method can be utilized to produce signatures predictive of response to over 200 chemotherapeutic drugs found in the Genomics of Drug Sensitivity in Cancer Database. Here, we demonstrate its use by extracting the Cisplatin Response Signature, CisSig, for use in predicting a common trait (sensitivity to cisplatin) across disparate tumor subtypes (epithelial-origin tumors). CisSig is predictive of cisplatin response within the cell lines and clinical trends in independent datasets of tumor samples. Finally, we demonstrate preliminary validation of CisSig for use in muscle-invasive cancer, predicting overall survival in patients who undergo cisplatin-containing chemotherapy. This novel methodology can be used to produce robust signatures for the prediction of traditional chemotherapeutic response, dramatically increasing the reach of personalized medicine in cancer.Translational RelevanceMost precision medicine research focuses on using targeted drugs on patients with known driver mutations, yet the majority of patients don’t have actionable mutations. Using a novel signature extraction method, we produce the Cisplatin Response Signature (CisSig) to predict how well patients with epithelial-origin tumors will respond to cisplatin, a common cytotoxic chemotherapy. We show that expression of CisSig is correlated to clinical trends of cisplatin use in treatment guidelines using independent tumor databases. Then, we look at preliminary validation of CisSig for use in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Using two independent cohorts of pre-treatment tumor samples, we show that a CisSig-trained model is predictive of overall survival in patients who did receive cisplatin, but this signal is lost in patients who did not receive cisplatin–indicating that the model is predictive of therapeutic response, not simply prognosis.
A myosin chaperone, UNC-45A, is a novel regulator of intestinal epithelial barrier integrity and repair
Authors: Lechuga Susana , Cartagena-Rivera Alexander X. , Khan Afshin , Crawford Bert I. , Narayanan Vani , Conway Daniel E. , Lehtimäki Jaakko , Lappalainen Pekka , Rieder Florian , Longworth Michelle S. , Ivanov Andrei I. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThe actomyosin cytoskeleton serves as a key regulator of the integrity and remodeling of epithelial barriers by controlling assembly and functions of intercellular junctions and cell-matrix adhesions. While biochemical mechanisms that regulate activity of non-muscle myosin II (NM-II) in epithelial cells have been extensively investigated, little is known about assembly of the contractile myosin structures at the epithelial adhesion sites. UNC-45A is a cytoskeletal chaperone that is essential for proper folding of NM II heavy chains and myofilament assembly. We found abundant expression of UNC-45A in human intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) lines and in the epithelial layer of the normal human colon. Interestingly, protein levels of UNC-45A were decreased in colonic epithelium of patients with ulcerative colitis. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knock-out of UNC-45A in HT-29 and SK-CO15 IEC disrupted epithelial barrier integrity, impaired assembly of epithelial adherence and tight junctions and attenuated cell migration. Consistently, decreased UNC-45 expression increased permeability of the Drosophila gut in vivo. The mechanisms underlying barrier disruptive and anti-migratory effects of UNC-45A depletion involved disorganization of the actomyosin bundles at epithelial junctions and the migrating cell edge. Loss of UNC-45A also decreased contractile forces at epithelial junctions and matrix adhesions. Expression of deletion mutants revealed roles for the myosin binding domain of UNC-45A in controlling IEC junctions and motility. Our findings uncover a novel mechanism that regulates integrity and restitution of the intestinal epithelial barrier, which may be impaired during mucosal inflammation.
Lysosome-targeted lipid probes reveal sterol transporters NPC1 and LIMP-2 as sphingosine transporters
Authors: Altuzar Janathan , Notbohm Judith , Stein Frank , Haberkant Per , Heybrock Saskia , Worsch Jutta , Saftig Paul , Höglinger Doris 
Published: November 2021

AbstractLysosomes are central catabolic organelles involved in lipid homeostasis and their dysfunction is associated with pathologies ranging from lysosomal storage disorders to common neurodegenerative diseases. The mechanism of lipid efflux from lysosomes is well understood for cholesterol, while the export of other lipids, particularly sphingosine, is less well studied. To overcome this knowledge gap, we have developed functionalized sphingosine and cholesterol probes that allow us to follow their metabolism, protein interactions as well as their subcellular localization. These probes feature a modified cage group for lysosomal targeting and controlled release of the active lipids with high temporal precision. An additional photo-crosslinkable group allowed for the discovery of lysosomal interactors for both sphingosine and cholesterol. In this way, we found that two lysosomal cholesterol transporters, NPC1 and LIMP-2/SCARB2, also directly bind to sphingosine. In addition, we showed that absence of either protein leads to lysosomal sphingosine accumulation which suggests a sphingosine transport role of both proteins. Furthermore, artificial elevation of lysosomal sphingosine levels impaired cholesterol efflux, consistent with sphingosine and cholesterol sharing a common export mechanism.
Give and take? Knowledge exchange between older and younger employees as a function of generativity and development striving
Authors: Fasbender Ulrike , Gerpott Fabiola H. , Unger Dana 
Published: November 2021

Purpose
Knowledge exchange between older and younger employees enhances the collective memory of an organization and therefore contributes to its business success. The purpose of this paper is to take a motivational perspective to better understand why older and younger employees share and receive knowledge with and from each other. Specifically, this study focuses on generativity striving – the motivation to teach, train and guide others – as well as development striving – the motivation to grow, increase competence and master something new – and argues that both motives need to be considered to fully understand intergenerational knowledge exchange.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper takes a dyadic approach to disentangle how older employees’ knowledge sharing is linked to their younger colleagues’ knowledge receiving and vice versa. The study applied an actor-partner interdependence model based on survey data from 145 age-diverse coworker dyads to test the hypotheses.

Findings
Results showed that older and younger employees’ generativity striving affected their knowledge sharing, which, in turn, predicted their colleagues’ knowledge receiving. Moreover, the study found that younger employees were more likely to receive knowledge that their older colleagues shared with them when they scored higher (vs lower) on development striving.

Originality/value
By studying the age-specific dyadic cross-over between knowledge sharing and knowledge receiving, this research adds to the knowledge exchange literature. This study challenges the current age-blind view on knowledge exchange motivation and provides novel insights into the interplay of motivational forces involved in knowledge exchange between older and younger employees.
Opposing acceleration: the tragedy of resistance in Brazil
Authors: Moriceau Jean-Luc , Mendonça Carlos Magno Camargos , Marques Ângela Salgueiro 
Published: November 2021

PurposeThe study aims to highlight and reflect on resistance to Brazil's illiberal accelerationist politics highlighting alternative possibilities based on affects and forms of relatedness.Design/methodology/approachDrawing on the case of public universities and the arts in today's Brazil, the authors point out a tragedy of resistance (when opposing change fuels its acceleration) and explore a strategy of lines of flight and becomings in the light of Deleuze and Guattari's perspective on acceleration.FindingsAlongside an oppositional and reactive resistance, that is caught in a tragedy of resistance, the authors explore an alternative strategy that protects a plurality of life forms and forces and their becoming. This strategy differs from most critiques of accelerationism.Originality/valueThis strategy of resistance seems more faithful to Deleuze than the accelerationist strategies that claim to be inspired by him. The authors suggest another reading of the often quoted passage by Deleuze and Guattari. While Deleuze and Guattari favor continuous deterritorializations of the flows of desire, accelerationism reterritorializes these flows towards a (often) undesirable future.
The effect of corporate political advocacy on brand perception: an event study analysis
Authors: Klostermann Jan , Hydock Chris , Decker Reinhold 
Published: November 2021

Purpose
In recent years, brands have increasingly engaged in corporate political advocacy (CPA; also termed brand activism or corporate sociopolitical activity) by taking positions on polarizing sociopolitical issues. Recent experimental research suggests that consumers respond to CPA based on its alignment with their own values, and that it typically induces an overall negative response. This study aims to provide additional insights by exploring consumer brand perceptions following CPA.

Design/methodology/approach
An event study of 106 CPA events and weekly consumer brand perception data was conducted. A regression model was used to investigate the moderating effects of CPA effort, concurrence and the strength of the online protests evoked by the CPA.

Findings
The results show that CPA had a negative effect on consumers’ brand perceptions and that the effect was stronger for customers relative to non-customers. The negative effect was attenuated by CPA concurrence and amplified by effort. Additionally, online protests were driven by the CPA effort and had a strong negative effect on brand perception. Online protests were stronger in the past, and, in turn, the negative effects of CPA on brand perceptions have slightly weakened in recent years.

Originality/value
This study contributes to the existing literature by highlighting the role of online protests following CPA and distinguishing consumer and customer responses. This study also provides converging evidence of the moderating effects of effort and concurrence identified in previous studies.
Current situation, challenges and future development directions of facilities management in Kosovo
Authors: Hoxha Visar , Hoxha Dhurata , Hoxha Jehona 
Published: November 2021

Purpose While facilities management (FM) in Kosovo is a constantly growing discipline, the studies so far in Kosovo have been scarce and too general. The purpose of the paper is to discuss the current situation of FM in Kosovo, identify challenges and recommend new future development directions of the sector with regard to capabilities of facility managers, integration of technology in FM and FM standardization.Design/methodology/approach The present study uses qualitative method by using semi-structured interviews with purposive sample of 20 FM professionals with experience of more than 15 years that cover public, private sector and international organizations.Findings The present study finds that FM in Kosovo is in its infancy stage, and it is mainly perceived as maintenance and cleaning with the low level of outsourcing. Generally, it was agreed that FM industry in Kosovo faces several challenges such as lack of budget, resources and staff; inappropriate FM planning; absence of uniform KPIs and low sensitivity of FM to sustainability. The study finally finds that FM in Kosovo can be enhanced only through integration of novel technologies, development of adaptive capability of facility managers and adequate FM standardization.Research limitations/implications The present study helps researchers and practitioners to understand the current situation of FM in Kosovo in terms of planning, outsourcing and primary purpose of FM in Kosovo. The study also provides an overview of challenges of FM in Kosovo, which can be used by researchers and practitioners to identify future development directions for the sector and profession.Originality/value The study contributes to the current knowledge about the state of development of FM in transitional countries such as Kosovo. The findings will identify future development areas of FM in Kosovo especially with regard to capability and skills of FM professionals and integration of technology in FM, which can be used by other countries facing the same perceptional and developmental challenges in FM.
Omnivory in predatory lady beetles is widespread and driven by an appetite for sterols
Authors: Ugine Todd A. , Krasnoff Stuart B. , Behmer Spencer T. 
Published: November 2021

Abstract

Animals maintain physiological and behavioural systems that allow them to detect and consume specific macro‐ and micronutrients to maximize their fitness. One common physiological system is the nutrient‐state‐dependent or demand‐driven appetite. These systems are well described for macronutrient regulation, but not for micronutrients.

Sterols are essential micronutrients that all animals need to survive. They are the backbone of many hormones, important in cell signalling and an integral component of cell membranes.

Lady beetles are globally distributed predators of insect herbivores. Adult sevenspotted lady beetles maintain a state‐dependent sterol appetite and consume plant tissues to obtain sterols, which improves their fitness. Additionally, sevenspotted lady beetles can detect sterols pre‐ingestion.

We used lady beetle species distributed across the three clades of the Coccinellini to determine (a) whether other beetle species maintain a state‐dependent sterol appetite, (b) if sterol structure affects beetles' state‐dependent sterol appetite and (c) whether lady beetles consume foliage in a sterol‐state dependent manner. Additionally, we determined (a) what sensory organ beetles use to detect sterols, (b) their limit of detection and (c) when during development their appetite manifests.

All six beetle species we tested maintained a state‐dependent appetite for sterols. Sterol structure affected beetles' propensity to feed on sterol‐treated disks, indicating that the number and position of double bonds in sterol molecules affects beetles' ability to detect or desire to feed on them. Only beetles in clade III fed on plant foliage in response to sterol limitation. Few beetles in any clade that were supplemented with sterols consumed plant tissue.

Beetles' appetite for sterols first appeared during the second larval stadium, and the rate of sterol consumption increased with age. Ablations of sensory organs revealed that beetles use their labial palps to detect sterols, and that they detect them at concentrations as low as 1ppm.

These data demonstrate that lady beetles across the Coccinellini maintain a state‐dependent appetite for an essential class of micronutrients. They also provide very strong evidence that lady beetles can taste sterols, raising the possibility that they maintain novel as‐yet undescribed gustatory receptors for an essential class of lipids.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Estimating the effect of terrorism on agricultural production in Nigeria
Authors: Okafor Godwin , Chikalipah Sydney 
Published: November 2021

AbstractNigeria has always been affected by terrorism but since the late 2000s, there has been a sharp increase in terrorist acts, perpetrated by Boko Haram and Fulani herdsmen terror groups. The rise in terrorism and insurgency has decimated communities and farmers have fled to protected camps. In view of that background, this paper estimates the effect of terrorism on agricultural output in Nigeria over the period 1971–2019. Our empirical results provide evidence which indicates that terrorism (as measured by the number of fatalities) has a negative and significant effect on agricultural output. Furthermore, this negative impact was larger over the period 2011–2019. This period corresponds with the onset of escalated violence from Boko Haram and Fulani herdsmen terror groups. The following policy implications were deduced. First, government should pursue credible policies in reducing the number ofviolent attacks on farmers. Second, nomadic cattle herders should be trained and encouraged to adopt modern techniques in animal husbandry. Third, government should equip forest rangers and guards to help safeguard rural and farming communities.
Banking sector competition and intermediation efficiency in Kenya
Authors: Kiemo Samuel , Kamau Anne 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThis paper seeks to evaluate efficiency and competition dynamics of the banking sector in Kenya for the period 2001–2017 using bank‐level data for 37 commercial banks. We apply non‐parametric data envelopment analysis to analyze measures of various aspects of efficiency in the banking sector. We also adopt Panzar–Rosse, H‐statistics to assess the level of competition in the banking sector. To examine the effect of efficiency on competition, panel estimators are applied. The study findings indicate that efficiency was on an upward trend and averaged 69%. The banking sector is characterized by monopolistic competition as shown by an H‐statistic of .59. Managerial ability measured by data envelopment analysis efficiency score was found to be an important factor in promoting competition for the Kenyan banking sector. The study shows that there is room for Kenyan banks to improve their efficiency by optimizing the scale of operations and continuing to adopt technology. This paper recommends policy makers to continue adopting policies that promote greater banking sector efficiency and competition.
Assessing Ghana's bilateral exports potential and gap
Authors: Boadu Michael Tutu , Obeng Camara Kwasi , Dasmani Isaac , Brafu‐Insaidoo William Gabriel 
Published: November 2021

AbstractTo generate sufficient foreign exchange earnings for economic transformation, Ghana needs to expand its export base. This study analysed Ghana's bilateral export potential and gap using the stochastic frontier gravity model for a panel of 61 key trading countries over the period 2000–2018. The results show a mean untapped export potential of US$1.1 billion and a mean gap of US$1 billion for Ghana. The tax burden of trading partners, poor infrastructure and low credit to the private sector limit the exploitation of Ghana's bilateral export potential. On the basis of these findings, it is recommended that the government and policy‐makers of Ghana should increase investment in trade‐related infrastructure, provide reliable and affordable electricity supply, deal decisively with corruption and negotiate for the elimination of all forms of barriers to increase export flows.
The role of all‐payer claims databases to expand central cancer registries: Experience from Colorado
Authors: Perraillon Marcelo C. , Liang Rifei , Sabik Lindsay M. , Lindrooth Richard C. , Bradley Cathy J. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the quality of a multiyear linkage between the Colorado all‐payer claims database (APCD) and the Colorado Central Cancer Registry.Data sourcesSecondary 2012–2017 data from the APCD and the Colorado Cancer Registry.Study designDescriptive analysis of the proportion of cases captured by the linkage in relation to the cases reported by the registry.Data collection/extraction methodsWe used probabilistic linkage to combine records from both data sources for all patients diagnosed with cancer.ResultsWe successfully linked 93% of the 146,884 patients in the registry. Approximately 63% of linked patients were perfect matches on five identifiers. Of partial matches, 81.6% were matched on four identifiers with missing or partial Social Security Numbers. The linkage rate was lower for uninsured patients at diagnosis (74.7%) or patients with private plans (89.4%) but close to 100% for Medicare and Medicaid enrollees. Most of the 29% of patients who did not have claims at the time of diagnosis were covered by private plans that may not submit claims.ConclusionsAPCD‐registry linkages are a promising source of data to conduct population‐based research from multiple payers. However, not all payers submit claims, and the quality of the data may vary by state.