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Employing a methodology reported in a recent theoretical study on male astronauts, this study estimated the effects of body size and aerobic countermeasure (CM) exercise in a four-person, all-female crew composed of individuals drawn from a stature range (1.50- to 1.90-m) representative of current space agency requirements (which exist for stature, but not for body mass) upon total energy expenditure (TEE), oxygen (O 2 ) consumption, carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and metabolic heat (H prod ) production, and water requirements for hydration, during space exploration missions. Assuming geometric similarity across the stature range, estimates were derived using available female astronaut data (mean age: 40-years; BMI: 22.7-kg·m −2 ; resting VO 2 and VO 2max : 3.3- and 40.5-mL·kg −1 ·min −1 ) on 30- and 1080-day missions, without and with, ISS-like countermeasure exercise (modelled as 2 × 30-min aerobic exercise at 75% VO 2max , 6-day·week −1 ). Where spaceflight-specific data/equations were not available, terrestrial equivalents were used. Body size alone increased 24-h TEE (+ 30%), O 2 consumption (+ 60%), CO 2 (+ 60%) and H prod (+ 60%) production, and water requirements (+ 17%). With CM exercise, the increases were + 25–31%, + 29%, + 32%, + 38% and + 17–25% across the stature range. Compared to the previous study of theoretical male astronauts, the effect of body size on TEE was markedly less in females, and, at equivalent statures, all parameter estimates were lower for females, with relative differences ranging from -5% to -29%. When compared at the 50th percentile for stature for US females and males, these differences increased to − 11% to − 41% and translated to larger reductions in TEE, O 2 and water requirements, and less CO 2 and H prod during 1080-day missions using CM exercise. Differences between female and male theoretical astronauts result from lower resting and exercising O 2 requirements (based on available astronaut data) of female astronauts, who are lighter than male astronauts at equivalent statures and have lower relative VO 2max values. These data, combined with the current move towards smaller diameter space habitat modules, point to a number of potential advantages of all-female crews during future human space exploration missions.

We redevelop persistent homology (topological persistence) from a categorical point of view. The main objects of study are -indexed diagrams in some target category. A set of such diagrams has an interleaving distance, which we show generalizes the previously studied bottleneck distance. To illustrate the utility of this approach, we generalize previous stability results for persistence, extended persistence, and kernel, image, and cokernel persistence. We give a natural construction of a category of ε -interleavings of -indexed diagrams in some target category and show that if the target category is abelian, so is this category of interleavings.

The purpose of this theoretical study was to estimate the effects of body size and countermeasure (CM) exercise in an all-male crew composed of individuals drawn from a height range representative of current space agency requirements upon total energy expenditure (TEE), oxygen (O 2 ) consumption, carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and metabolic heat (H prod ) production, and water requirements for hydration, during space exploration missions. Using a height range of 1.50- to 1.90-m, and assuming geometric similarity across this range, estimates were derived for a four-person male crew (age: 40-years; BMI: 26.5-kg/m 2 ; resting VO 2 and VO 2max : 3.3- and 43.4-mL/kg/min) on 30- to 1,080-d missions, without and with, ISS-like CM exercise (modelled as 2 × 30-min aerobic exercise at 75% VO 2max , 6-d/week). Where spaceflight-specific data/equations were not available, terrestrial data/equations were used. Body size alone increased 24-h TEE (+ 44%), O 2 consumption (+ 60%), CO 2 (+ 60%) and H prod (+ 60%) production, and water requirements (+ 19%). With CM exercise, the increases were + 29 to 32%, + 31%, + 35%, + 42% and + 23 to 33% respectively, across the height range. Compared with a ‘small-sized’ (1.50-m) crew without CM exercise, a ‘large-sized’ (1.90-m) crew exercising would require an additional 996-MJ of energy, 52.5 × 10 3 -L of O 2 and 183.6-L of water, and produce an additional 44.0 × 10 3 -L of CO 2 and 874-MJ of heat each month. This study provides the first insight into the potential implications of body size and the use of ISS-like CM exercise upon the provision of life-support during exploration missions. Whilst closed-loop life-support (O 2 , water and CO 2 ) systems may be possible, strategies to minimize and meet crew metabolic energy needs, estimated in this study to increase by 996-MJ per month with body size and CM exercise, are required.

We analyse the tensions in a hybrid collaboration (specifically, a social alliance comprising three social enterprises and a local council) and how these are mitigated using boundary-spanning community impact, leading to compatibility between distinctive institutional logics. Our qualitative longitudinal study undertaken during 2011-2016 involved reviewing literature and archival data, key informant interviews, workshop and focus groups. We analysed common themes within the data, relating to our two research questions concerning how and why hybrids collaborate, and how resulting tensions are mitigated. The findings suggest a viable model of service delivery termed hybridized collaboration in which the inherent tensions from different institutional logics do not prevent success. Paradoxically, multiple logics are a basis for the partnership's existence, but the ability to achieve different and occasionally conflicting aims simultaneously (including \"value for money\" and local community benefit) can be difficult, resulting in tensions. We offer two novel insights. First, we highlight how social enterprise hybrids collaborate locally and in multi-organizational relationships. We found that the initial opportunity to collaborate was catalysed by the existence of shared objectives (to address housing need and unemployment). Pre-existing relationships between organizations, and the existence of synergistic capabilities also influence the choice of partners. Secondly, we identify how tensions arise (from differences in organizational size and available resources; ambitions for growth; and issues related to values and ethics), and are mitigated via several factors including the pre-existing relationships, allowing for regular \"spaces of negotiation\" between collaborators, the shared social mission, community social impact, the resulting public relations, and shared resources and knowledge.

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to use univariate statistical analysis to investigate barriers to raising bank finance faced by UK small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), specifically the impact of personal characteristics (ethnicity, gender and education).Design methodology approach - A conceptual model was developed and the results of a telephone survey of 400 SMEs conducted (before the \"credit crunch\") by the Barclays Bank small business research team were analysed. The survey was based on a large stratified random sample drawn from the Bank's entire SME population.Findings - It was found that education made little difference to sources of finance, except that those educated to A-level more frequently used friends and family and remortgaged their homes. However, graduates had the least difficulties raising finance. Though statistically insignificant, women respondents found it easier to raise finance than men. The survey confirmed that - and this finding was statistically significant - ethnic minority businesses, particularly black owner-managers, had the greatest problem raising finance and hence relied upon \"bootstrapping\" as a financing strategy.Practical implications - The study makes an important contribution to filling a research gap, given the critical need of policy-makers to understand differentials between different types of owner-managers. It brings new insights into its field - access to finance - and with respect, especially, to marginalised groups.Originality value - The paper adopts a different approach than many prior studies, with a large sample and robust analysis, to explore a critical need-to-know area in a new way - both for policy-makers and academics in the field of SME finance.

The nasal epithelium is a plausible entry point for SARS-CoV-2, a site of pathogenesis and transmission, and may initiate the host response to SARS-CoV-2. Antiviral interferon (IFN) responses are critical to outcome of SARS-CoV-2. Yet little is known about the interaction between SARS-CoV-2 and innate immunity in this tissue. Here we apply single-cell RNA sequencing and proteomics to a primary cell model of human nasal epithelium differentiated at air-liquid interface. SARS-CoV-2 demonstrates widespread tropism for nasal epithelial cell types. The host response is dominated by type I and III IFNs and interferon-stimulated gene products. This response is notably delayed in onset relative to viral gene expression and compared to other respiratory viruses. Nevertheless, once established, the paracrine IFN response begins to impact on SARS-CoV-2 replication. When provided prior to infection, recombinant IFNβ or IFNλ1 induces an efficient antiviral state that potently restricts SARS-CoV-2 viral replication, preserving epithelial barrier integrity. These data imply that the IFN-I/III response to SARS-CoV-2 initiates in the nasal airway and suggest nasal delivery of recombinant IFNs to be a potential chemoprophylactic strategy. The innate immune response in epithelial cells after SARS-CoV-2 infection is not fully understood. Here the authors use human air-liquid interface culture and show single cell transcription changes and delayed type I Interferon responses after SARS-CoV-2 infection compared with other respiratory viruses.

Governments formulate public policy to address perceived problems. Sometimes governments need to respond quickly, say, to a health crisis. One policy domain, however, rarely sees a crisis and that is small business. Governments might, therefore, be expected to take a long-term, evidence informed and rational approach, learning from the success of practitioners and policies implemented by other governments and seen to be successful. However, our review of 50 years of small firms policy in England suggests that it has been poorly conceived, short term and without strategic coherence. Part of the reason may be that small firms ministers spend an average of just 19 months in post and are driven by a desire to do something to make their mark. We conclude that this somewhat irrational approach to policy making is driven by a self-imposed “pressure to act swiftly”.

PurposeIn exploring how small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) overcame COVID-19 restrictions by deploying their specific dynamic capabilities to pivot their business models, this article explains the novel approaches that SMEs take and how they have responded to the financial challenges that arose from the pandemic.Design/methodology/approachThe article adopts a dynamic capabilities lens to explain: (1) the specific financial effects of the relatively “short” (seven week) COVID-19 lockdown during March and April 2020 on SMEs; (2) the barriers they faced; and (3) how they overcame these barriers. The data were collected via semi-structured interviews with the owner-manager or a senior manager in each surveyed SME. The interview data were analysed using NVivo.FindingsAnalysis of the findings revealed five key factors: (1) the capability of SMEs to access external resources, especially entrepreneurial finance; (2) their ability to reconfigure resources and plan for the longer term, yet retain flexibility; (3) how entrepreneurial learning provided the capability to deal with the “unplanned” events/uncertainty; (4) the importance of networking and sources of information; and (5) the remarkable optimism for a future recovery, despite the difficulties of the trading period.Originality/valueThis research fills a unique niche, as no previous studies have examined the resilience and dynamic capabilities of SMEs during a complete lockdown and business shutdown of this magnitude. This context, unprecedented in the history of modern economies, offers a new lens through which to understand the mechanisms of business survival and adaptation in times of severe disruptions. No previous studies have been conducted in unique circumstances during a time when SMEs were faced with such a strict lockdown with travel and business completely shut down.

PurposeThe study evaluates small marginal farmers’ (SMFs) potential behavior, attitude and trust in the adoption of innovative emerging technologies.Design/methodology/approachThe study employed an agile multi-factor approach to conceptualize a digital marketplace to connect a supply chain ecosystem for stakeholders.FindingsThe empirical findings suggest that most SMFs are willing to embrace innovative technologies. Nonetheless, they lack the necessary technological oriented education, training and funds to innovate. However, their reluctance to adapt changes is attributable to their fear of losing past customs and practices; they were threatened by the reaction of intermediaries (arthyias) to the adoption of technologies, which could result in them suffering huge losses.Originality/valueThis innovative disintermediation business model has a significant potential to reduce information asymmetry, cost and hoarding – and can thus increase the SMFs’ profit margins. Agricultural technological innovations have a profound potential to impact their supply chain logistics positively by reducing the wastage of perishable food and thus enhancing the consumer experience.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to conduct a critical appraisal of how experiential approaches can more effectively enhance the achievement of desired learning outcomes in entrepreneurship education. In particular, the authors critique whether actual learning outcomes can be profitably used to measure effectiveness; and consider how student performance can be evaluated through the twin lenses of implementation or innovation. Design/methodology/approach: The authors undertook a review of both traditional and experiential approaches to entrepreneurship education. In addition to comparing these approaches, the authors critiqued a number of \"taken for granted\" assumptions regarding the effectiveness of experiential approaches to entrepreneurship education and made recommendations. Findings: Although there is a large body of research on experiential approaches towards entrepreneurship education, the authors know little about how these approaches contribute towards the effective achievement of desired learning outcomes. Whilst many authors claim that such approaches are effective, such assertions are not supported by sufficient robust evidence. Hence the authors need to establish more effective student performance evaluation metrics. In particular: first, whether actual learning outcomes are appropriate measures of effectiveness; and second, the authors should evaluate student performance through the lenses of the two \"Is\"--implementation or innovation. Practical implications: Whether actual learning outcomes are used as a measure of effectiveness at all needs to be critiqued further. Implementation involves doing things that are determined by others and matching against their expectations, whereas innovation comprises producing multiple and varied solutions that respond to change and often surprise. Originality/value: Through revisiting the discussions on the art and the science of entrepreneurship education, this paper represents an initial critical attempt--as part of an ongoing study--to fill a gap in entrepreneurship education research. The paper, therefore, has significant value for students, entrepreneurship educators and policy-makers.