bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
POT-3 preferentially binds the terminal DNA-repeat on the telomeric G-overhang
Authors: Yu Xupeng , Gray Sean , Ferreira Helder 
Published: July 2022

AbstractEukaryotic chromosomes typically end in 3’ telomeric overhangs. The safeguarding of telomeric single-stranded DNA overhangs is carried out by factors related to the Protection of Telomeres 1 (POT1) protein in humans. Of the three POT1-like proteins inC. elegans, POT-3 was the only member thought to not play a role at telomeres. Here, we provide evidence that POT-3 is abona fidetelomere-binding protein. Using a new loss-of-function mutant, we show that the absence of POT-3 causes telomere lengthening and increased levels of telomeric C-circles. We find that POT-3 directly binds the telomeric G-strandin vitroand map its minimal DNA binding site to the six-nucleotide motif, GCTTAG. We further show that the closely related POT-2 protein binds the same motif, but that POT-3 shows higher sequence selectivity. Crucially, in contrast to POT-2, POT-3 prefers binding sites immediately adjacent to the 3’ end of DNA. These differences are significant as genetic analyses reveal thatpot-2andpot-3do not function redundantly with each otherin vivo. Our work highlights the rapid evolution and specialisation of telomere binding proteins and places POT-3 in a unique position to influence activities that control telomere length.
The extracellular matrix protein fibronectin modulates metanephric kidney development
Authors: Skoczynski Kathrin , Kraus Andre , Büttner-Herold Maike , Amann Kerstin , Schiffer Mario , Hermann Kristina , Herrnberger Leonie , Tamm Ernst R. , Buchholz Bjoern 
Published: July 2022

AbstractComplex interactions of the branching ureteric bud and surrounding mesenchymal cells during metanephric kidney development determine the final number of nephrons. Alterations that result in impaired nephron endowment predispose to arterial hypertension and chronic kidney disease. In the kidney, extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins are usually regarded as acellular scaffolds or as the common histological end-point of chronic kidney diseases. Only little is known about their physiological role in kidney development. The ECM protein fibronectin is expressed at early time points of kidney growth. Therefore, we were interested in the characterization of its expression and role in kidney development. In mouse, fibronectin was expressed during all stages of kidney development with significant changes over time. At embryonic day (E) 12.0 and E13.5 fibronectin lined the ureteric bud epithelium, which was less pronounced at E16.5 and then switched to a glomerular expression in the postnatal and adult kidneys. Similar results were obtained in human kidneys. Deletion of fibronectin at E13.5 in cultured metanephric mouse kidneys resulted in reduced kidney sizes, impaired branching morphogenesis and decreased glomerulogenesis. In line with these findings, fibronectin deletion led to reduced cell proliferation of the branching epithelial cells. Fibronectin colocalized with alpha8 integrin and fibronectin loss caused a reduction in alpha8 integrin-dependent formation of glial cell line-derived factor and expression of Wnt11, both of which are essentially involved in promoting ureteric bud branching. In conclusion, the ECM protein fibronectin acts as a regulator of metanephric kidney development and is a determinant of nephron number.
A modular dCas9-based recruitment platform for combinatorial epigenome editing
Authors: Swain Tessa , Pflueger Christian , Freytag Saskia , Poppe Daniel , Pflueger Jahnvi , Nguyen Trung , Li Ji Kevin , Lister Ryan 
Published: July 2022

ABSTRACTCRISPR-dCas9 based targeted epigenome editing tools allow precise manipulation and functional investigation of various genome modifications. However, these tools often display substantial context dependency, with highly variable efficacy between target genes and cell types, potentially due to underlying variation in the chromatin modifications present. While simultaneous recruitment of multiple distinct ‘effector’ chromatin regulators has improved efficacy, these systems typically lack control over which effectors bind and their spatial organisation. To overcome this we have created a new modular combinatorial epigenome editing platform, called SSSavi. This system acts as an interchangeable and reconfigurable docking platform fused to dCas9 to enable simultaneous recruitment of up to four different effectors, allowing precise control and reconfiguration of the effector composition and spatial ordering of their binding. We demonstrate the activity and specificity of the SSSavi system and compare it to existing multi-effector targeting systems, establishing its efficacy. Furthermore, by altering the spatial ordering of effector recruitment, across multiple target genes and cell lines, we demonstrate the importance of effector recruitment order for effective transcriptional regulation. Together, this system offers the capacity to explore effector co-recruitment to specific loci to potentially enhance the manipulation of chromatin contexts previously resistant to targeted epigenomic editing.
Neural activity and theta rhythmicity in the anterior hypothalamic nucleus are involved in regulating social investigation
Authors: Jabarin Renad , Dagash Wael , Netser Shai , Pal Shelly , Paul Blesson K. , Barkai Edi , Wagner Shlomo 
Published: July 2022

SummarySocial interactions are highly complex, involving both approach and avoidance actions towards specific individuals, dependent on the social context. Currently, the brain regions subserving these behaviors are not fully known. The anterior hypothalamic nucleus (AHN) is a relatively unstudied and poorly defined brain area, known as part of the medial hypothalamic defensive system. Recent studies that examined the role of the AHN in various contexts have yielded contradicting results regarding its contribution to approach, avoidance, and escape behaviors. Yet, none of these studies has directly examined its role in social interactions. Here we explored the role of AHN neurons in regulating approach and avoidance actions towards distinct stimuli during various types of social interactions, using electrophysiological recording of neural activity in the AHN of behaving mice, c-Fos staining, and direct optogenetic stimulation. We found that theta rhythmicity in the AHN was enhanced during affiliative interactions, but decreased during aversive ones. Moreover, spiking activity of AHN neurons was found to be elevated more persistently during investigation of social stimuli, as compared to objects. Notably, AHN neuronal firing was found to be modulated by theta rhythmicity during social interactions. Finally, we found that during social interaction, direct optogenetic stimulation of AHN neurons augmented approach behavior towards stimuli associated with the optogenetic activation. Overall, our results suggest a context-dependent role for AHN neuronal activity in regulating approach behavior during social interactions, and for theta rhythmicity in mediating the valence of the social context.
Acute innate immune activation in silkworm by the human commensal bacterium Cutibacterium acnes
Authors: Matsumoto Yasuhiko , Sato Eri , Sugita Takashi 
Published: July 2022

AbstractCutibacterium acnes is a pathogenic bacterium that cause inflammatory diseases of the skin and intervertebral discs. The immune activation induced by C. acnes requires multiple cellular responses in the host. Silkworm, an invertebrate, generates melanin by phenoloxidase upon recognizing bacterial or fungal components. Therefore, the melanization reaction can be used as an indicator of innate immune activation. A silkworm infection model was developed for evaluating the virulence of C. acnes, but a system for evaluating the induction of innate immunity by C. acnes using melanization as an indicator has not yet been established. Here we demonstrated that C. acnes rapidly causes melanization of the silkworm hemolymph within 3 h. On the other hand, Staphylococcus aureus, a gram-positive bacterium identical to C. acnes, does not cause immediate melanization. Even injection of heat-killed C. acnes cells caused melanization of the silkworm hemolymph. DNase, RNase, and protease treatment of the heat-treated C. acnes cells did not decrease the silkworm hemolymph melanization. Treatment with peptidoglycan-degrading enzymes, such as lysostaphin and lysozyme, however, decreased the induction of melanization by the heat-treated C. acnes cells. These findings suggest that silkworm hemolymph melanization may be a useful indicator to evaluate innate immune activation by C. acnes and that C. acnes peptidoglycans are involved in the induction of innate immunity in silkworms.
Identifying and responding to social media risks: towards an organizational paracrisis communication framework
Authors: Chen Feifei , Holladay Sherry J. 
Published: July 2022

PurposeThis paper seeks to advance paracrisis research by clarifying paracrises’ distinct features and developing typologies of paracrises and response strategies with strong external validity.Design/methodology/approachA case series study of 143 paracrises systematically selected from various news and trade sources was conducted to build an organizational paracrisis communication framework that connects paracrisis clusters with paracrisis response strategies.FindingsResults of the study attest to the validity of the paracrisis concept by demonstrating refined paracrisis clusters’ connections with refined paracrisis response strategies.Research limitations/implicationsThis study enriches paracrisis research by refining the paracrisis definition, paracrisis clusters and response strategies. Its rigorous descriptions of how organizations address paracrises distinguish paracrisis response strategies from traditional crisis response strategies and generate rich possibilities for future analytic investigations.Originality/valueAs perhaps the first empirical attempt to build a comprehensive framework of organizational paracrisis communication, this descriptive study lays the groundwork for the burgeoning paracrisis communication research.
Utilizing mobile-learning and CAP(E) lesson framework in improving the productive skills of learners in a hybrid environment
Authors: Ironsi Chinaza Solomon , Bensen Bostancı Hanife 
Published: July 2022

PurposeResearch advocates for the use of good teaching practices and approaches while integrating technology in digitally enhanced learning. This is on the premise that previous studies on mobile learning have neglected this aspect of technology integration resulting in numerous challenges. Moreover, there is evidence in the literature showing a scarcity of studies on the use of mobile learning in teaching productive skills. On the other hand, linguists recommend the use of responsive lesson design frameworks in language teaching, claiming effectiveness in teaching all language skills. However, responsive lesson design frameworks are yet to be implemented in a classroom setting. To bridge these gaps in scientific literature, our study decides to utilize the CAPE framework as a good teaching method for improving the productive skills of students in mobile-based instruction.Design/methodology/approachThis study utilizes a mixed-methods research design with an experimental approach. Post-tests and interviews were employed to elicit information from the student-participants on the objective of the study.FindingsFollowing the analysis of the collected data, notable findings were obtained. While there was evidence to show that the students perceived m-learning as boring and ineffective when incorporated with a traditional lesson framework, our study unveiled that students showed a different perception when incorporated with the CAPE framework.Practical implicationsOur study unveils that integrating responsive lesson frameworks with m-learning improves the speaking and writing skills of students.Originality/valueThis study provides empirical evidence to show the role of good teaching practices like integrating responsive LDFs and mobile learning in improving the productive skills of students. This study is the first to investigate the integration of CAPE and mobile learning in enhancing expressive skills.
The mission statement in Catholic higher education organizations and identity challenges
Authors: Serra Fernando Antonio Ribeiro , Mazieri Marcos Rogério , Scafuto Isabel Cristina , Westarb Cruz June Alisson , Pinoti Fabio 
Published: July 2022

PurposeMission statements are usually related to strategic management and elements related to the organization's identity. Catholic higher education organizations (CHEOs) identity is based on the Charisma of the founder of the Catholic order or congregation. If in contradiction, it puts their organizational legitimacy at risk. If organizations deviate from their identity, it means a mission drift. Even more severe is when mission statements are misaligned with the identity. In this study, the authors seek better understand the mission drift by the misalignment between the mission statement and the organizational identity of the CHEOs.Design/methodology/approachThe authors examine the mission statements of 112 Catholic CHEOs in Brazil. They used lexical analysis based on descending hierarchical classification and post-factorial analysis. They analyzed the vocabularies of each class extracted from the descending hierarchical classification and determine the presence or absence of the Charisma.FindingsThe results indicate that aspects of Catholic identity through the Charisma are manifested in the organizational mission but are not predominant. There is a variation of the mission statements relative to the Charisma of the orders and congregations. A significant part manifests generically. They respond in a similar and isomorphic way or to internal institutional pressures of CHEOs.Originality/valueThe authors empirically identified a mission drift, considering the mismatch between the mission statement and the Charisma. The authors emphasize that for organizational identity to manifest, it should consider the identity that emerges from the founder's Charisma. This influence must appear in central elements of the organizational identity, such as the mission statements.
Young people between education and the labour market during the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy
Authors: Fiaschi Davide , Tealdi Cristina 
Published: July 2022

PurposeThe aim is to study the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the careers of different groups of young individuals, based on transition probabilities.Design/methodology/approachThe authors analyse the evolution of individual shares and flows between different types of employment (self-employment, temporary, and permanent), unemployment, education, and other types of inactivity of individuals aged 20–29 in Italy.FindingsThe authors find that the pandemic worsened an already concerning situation of higher inactivity rates, compared to other EU countries. In quarters III and IV of 2020, mainly females and non-Italian citizens were less in (permanent and temporary) employment and more in the NLFET (neither in the labour force nor in education or training) state compared to the same quarters one year before. The authors also find evidence of a temporary but not persistent return to education among 20–24 years old individuals, particularly females. These changes are suggestive of a prolongation of the time needed to achieve temporary and permanent employment, mostly for females and non-Italian citizens.Originality/valueThe contribution lies in the provision of a rigorous estimation and analysis of the impact of COVID-19 on the careers of young individuals in Italy.
Designing energy policy in the presence of underground economy: the case of Pakistan
Authors: Ahad Muhammad , Farid Saqib , Anwer Zaheer 
Published: July 2022

PurposeIn the presence of informal sector in the country, designing an energy policy and the pursuit of higher economic growth become challenging for emerging economies. These economies are usually resource starved, and the presence of underground economy leads to faulty estimates of energy demand. The authors explore the energy–growth nexus in the presence of underground economy for Pakistan, an emerging economy host to large informal sector and facing recurring energy crises.Design/methodology/approachThe authors evaluate the impact of underground economy on energy demand in the presence of explanatory variables, including official gross domestic product (GDP), foreign direct investment and financial development. The authors first assess the influence of official economy on the consumption of energy. The authors investigate how energy consumption is influenced solely by underground economy. Finally, the authors evaluate the impact of true GDP on the energy consumption. The authors employ combined cointegration method of Bayer and Hanck (2013) and then apply vector error correction model.FindingsThe results reveal that official GDP, underground economy and true GDP positively and significantly affect energy consumption in both short and long run. Similarly, financial development as well as foreign direct investment enhance energy consumption. The authors find unidirectional causality between energy consumption and official GDP variables (OGDP → EC), underground economy (UE → EC) and true GDP variables (TGDP → EC) in the long run. The authors observe bidirectional causality in the short run between energy consumption and official GDP (OGDP ↔ EC) and true GDP (TGDP ↔ EC).Originality/valueTo the best of the authors' knowledge, no study examines the causal relationship of energy consumption and underground economy. Overall, the findings assist policymakers to consider and implement different energy-related policies considering the significant role of underground economy for energy consumption in Pakistan.
Digital welfare state and problem arising: an exploration and future research agenda
Authors: Larasati Zita Wahyu , Yuda Tauchid Komara , Syafa'at Akbarian Rifki 
Published: July 2022

PurposeThe penetration of technology and the strengthening of evidence-based policies have paved the way for the automated delivery of social services. This study aims to discuss the inherent risks of this automatization, particularly those associated with the discrimination, exclusion and inequality problem, which the authors package under the theoretical umbrella of a digital welfare state (DWS).Design/methodology/approachThis conceptual article reviews the literature on the welfare DWS, with an empirical focus on the recent experience of selected countries from India, Kenya and Sweden. These countries reflect three different types of welfare regimes but are connected by the same digital social risk. The authors’ exploration also includes questions about what this DWS has in common with and how it differs from the previous era. This article illustrates that there has been a very similar trajectory in regards to the development of the DWS and the associated risks in the examined countries.FindingsDWS has triggered new social risks (e.g. discrimination, exclusion and inequality in welfare access) that are a result of data breaches experienced by citizens. Further, vulnerable groups in the digital age should be viewed not only as those who lack access to welfare services, such as education, health and employment, but also as those without internet access, without digital skills and excluded from the DWS system.Originality/valueThe article calls for the development of scholarly research into the DWS in particular and the contemporary one in general. The authors also predict that a critical aspect of the future regime typology rests in the ability to mobilize resources to address contemporary digital risks, as every country is equally vulnerable to them. Overall, this article can be considered to be one of the initial works that focus on cross-national comparison across different meta-welfare regimes.
The political determinants of country crises
Authors: Hilmário de Oliveira Siqueira Alexandre 
Published: July 2022

PurposeCountry crises can provoke damages to a country's economic activity and citizens in a way that will always demand a deeper understanding of their determinants. Political issues are commonly mentioned as an important factor boosting these crises. This paper investigates the political factors behind financial crises and recessions.Design/methodology/approachUsing variables from the ICRG rating system, logistic panel regressions are run to determine whether or not the political risk variables explain country crises.FindingsResults disclose the importance of socioeconomic conditions to financial crises and recessions with no influence from the political arena. Against expectations, political instability does not help to explain crises. Political risk ratings also show their importance, demonstrating that the higher is the risk, the higher is the probability of debt and currency crises occurrence.Originality/valueThe findings in this paper contribute to a growing literature of political risk and crises, enhancing the value of political risk assessment and increasing the application of its consequences.
The impact of influential shareholders on corporate dividend policy: evidence from Russia
Authors: Ershova Tatiana , Zavertiaeva Marina , Kirpishchikov Dmitry 
Published: July 2022

PurposeThis study examines the impact of influential shareholders, namely, state and influential businessmen, on the dividend policies of firms. A special focus is made on the causal effect of exogenous changes: general and personal economic sanctions leading to toughened state policies concerning dividends.Design/methodology/approachRussian firms included into the Moscow Stock Exchange Broad Market Index were examined for a period from 2009 to 2019 using a generalized method of moments and a tobit model. The effect of personal sanctions was elucidated with the use of difference-in-differences method with multiple time periods.FindingsThe analysis showed that government or businessmen's ownership does not affect dividend payments. However, after 2014, state-owned companies began to increase their payments. At the same time, owing to a series of changes triggered by general economic sanctions, businessmen-owned companies decrease their dividends payout ratio. Personal sanctions imposed do not have long-term effect on Russian companies' dividends.Originality/valueThis study estimates the effect of ownership structure on dividend payouts after an exogenous change. The results show that there is heterogeneity in influential owners' decisions regarding dividends and changes strengthening it.
Viscoelastic and viscoacoustic modelling using the Lie product formula
Authors: Araujo Edvaldo S. , Pestana Reynam C. 
Published: July 2022

ABSTRACTWe present efficient and accurate modelling of seismic wavefields in anelastic media. We use a first‐order viscoelastic wave equation based on the generalized Robertsson's formulation. In our work, viscoacoustic and viscoelastic wave equations use the standard linear solid mechanism. To numerically solve the first‐order wave equation, we employed a scheme derived from the Lie product formula, where the time evolution operator of the analytic solution is written as a product of exponential matrices, and each exponential matrix term is approximated by the Taylor series expansion. The accuracy of the proposed scheme is evaluated by comparison with the analytical solution for a homogeneous medium. We also present simulations of some geological models with different structural complexities, whose results confirm the accuracy of the proposed scheme and illustrate the attenuation effect on the seismic energy during its propagation in the medium. Our results demonstrate that the numerical scheme employed can be used to extrapolate wavefields stably for even larger time steps than those usually used by traditional finite‐difference schemes.