bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A New Paralog Removal Pipeline Resolves Conflict between RAD-seq and Enrichment
Authors: Zhou Wenbin , Soghigian John , (Jenny) Xiang Qiu-yun
Published: October 2020

Target enrichment and RAD-seq are well-established high throughput sequencing technologies that have been increasingly used for phylogenomic studies, and the choice between methods is a practical issue for plant systematists studying the evolutionary histories of biodiversity of relatively recent origins. However, few studies have compared the congruence and conflict between results from the two methods within the same group of organisms, especially in plants, where extensive genome duplication events may complicate phylogenomic analyses. Unfortunately, currently widely used pipelines for target enrichment data analysis do not have a vigorous procedure for remove paralogs in Hyb-Seq data. In this study, we employed RAD-seq and Hyb-Seq of Angiosperm 353 genes in phylogenomic and biogeographic studies ofHamamelis(the witch-hazels) andCastanea(chestnuts), two classic examples exhibiting the well-known eastern Asian-eastern North American disjunct distribution. We compared these two methods side by side and developed a new pipeline (PPD) with a more vigorous removal of putative paralogs from Hyb-Seq data. The new pipeline considers both sequence similarity and heterozygous sites at each locus in identification of paralogous. We used our pipeline to construct robust datasets for comparison between methods and downstream analyses on the two genera. Our results demonstrated that the PPD identified many more putative paralogs than the popular method HybPiper. Comparisons of tree topologies and divergence times showed significant differences between data from HybPiper and data from our new PPD pipeline, likely due to the error signals from the paralogous genes undetected by HybPiper, but trimmed by PPD. We found that phylogenies and divergence times estimated from our RAD-seq and Hyb-Seq-PPD were largely congruent. We highlight the importance of removal paralogs in enrichment data, and discuss the merits of RAD-seq and Hyb-Seq. Finally, phylogenetic analyses of RAD-seq and Hyb-Seq resulted in well-resolved species relationships, and revealed ancient introgression in both genera. Biogeographic analyses including fossil data revealed a complicated history of each genus involving multiple intercontinental dispersals and local extinctions in areas outside of the taxa’s modern ranges in both the Paleogene and Neogene. Our study demonstrates the value of additional steps for filtering paralogous gene content from Angiosperm 353 data, such as our new PPD pipeline described in this study. [RAD-seq, Hyb-Seq, paralogs,Castanea,Hamamelis, eastern Asia-eastern North America disjunction, biogeography, ancient introgression]
Slowing the Body slows down Time (Perception)
Authors: De Kock Rose , Zhou Weiwei , Joiner Wilsaan Mychal , Wiener Martin
Published: October 2020

Interval timing is a fundamental component action, and is susceptible to motor-related temporal distortions. Previous studies have shown that movement biases temporal estimates, but have primarily considered self-modulated movement only. However, real-world encounters often include situations in which movement is restricted or perturbed by environmental factors. In the following experiments, we introduced viscous movement environments to externally modulate movement and investigated the resulting effects on temporal perception. In two separate tasks, participants timed auditory intervals while moving a robotic arm that randomly applied four levels of viscosity. Results demonstrated that higher viscosity led to shorter perceived durations. Using a drift-diffusion model and a Bayesian observer model, we confirmed these biasing effects arose from perceptual mechanisms, instead of biases in decision making. These findings suggest that environmental perturbations are an important factor in movement-related temporal distortions, and enhance the current understanding of the interactions of motor activity and cognitive processes.
Ca2+signaling driving pacemaker activity in submucosal interstitial cells of Cajal in the colon
Authors: Baker Salah A. , Leigh Wesley A. , De Yturriaga Inigo F. , Ward Sean M. , Cobine Caroline A. , Drumm Bernard T. , Sanders Kenton M.
Published: October 2020

Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) generate pacemaker activity responsible for phasic contractions in colonic segmentation and peristalsis. ICC along the submucosal border (ICC-SM) contributing to mixing and more complex patterns of colonic motility. We show the complex patterns of Ca2+signaling in ICC-SM and the relationship between ICC-SM Ca2+transients and activation of SMCs using optogenetic tools. ICC-SM displayed rhythmic firing of Ca2+transients ∼15 cpm and paced adjacent SMCs. The majority of spontaneous activity occurred in regular Ca2+ transients clusters (CTCs) that propagated through the network. CTCs were organized and dependent upon Ca2+entry through voltage-dependent Ca2+conductances, L- and T-type Ca2+channels. Removal of Ca2+from the external solution abolished CTCs. Ca2+release mechanisms reduced the duration and amplitude of Ca2+transients but did not block CTCs. These data reveal how colonic pacemaker ICC-SM exhibit complex Ca2+firing patterns and drive smooth muscle activity and overall colonic contractions.

Synopsis

How Ca2+signaling in colonic submucosal pacemaker cells couples to smooth muscle responses is unknown. This study shows how ICC modulate colonic motility via complex Ca2+signaling and defines Ca2+transients’ sources using optogenetic techniques.
Genome-scale metabolic model of the diatomThalassiosira pseudonanahighlights the importance of nitrogen and sulfur metabolism in redox balance
Authors: van Tol Helena M. , Virginia Armbrust E.
Published: October 2020

Diatoms are unicellular photosynthetic algae known to secrete organic matter that fuels secondary production in the ocean, though our knowledge of how their physiology impacts the character of dissolved organic matter remains limited. Like all photosynthetic organisms, their use of light for energy and reducing power creates the challenge of avoiding cellular damage. To better understand the interplay between redox balance and organic matter secretion, we reconstructed a genome-scale metabolic model ofThalassiosira pseudonanastrain CCMP 1335, a model for diatom molecular biology and physiology, with a 60-year history of studies. The model simulates the metabolic activities of 1,432 genes via a network of 2,792 metabolites produced through 6,079 reactions distributed across six subcellular compartments. Growth was simulated under different steady-state light conditions (5-200 μmol photons m−2s−1) and in a batch culture progressing from exponential growth to nitrate-limitation and nitrogen-starvation. We used the model to examine the dissipation of reductants generated through light-dependent processes and found that when available, nitrate assimilation is an important means of dissipating reductants in the plastid; under nitrate-limiting conditions, sulfate assimilation plays a similar role. The use of either nitrate or sulfate uptake to balance redox reactions leads to the secretion of distinct organic nitrogen and sulfur compounds. Such compounds can be accessed by bacteria in the surface ocean. The model of the diatomThalassiosira pseudonanaprovides a mechanistic explanation for the production of ecologically and climatologically relevant compounds that may serve as the basis for intricate, cross-kingdom microbial networks. Diatom metabolism has an important influence on global biogeochemistry; metabolic models of marine microorganisms link genes to ecosystems and may be key to integrating molecular data with models of ocean biogeochemistry.
Characterization and structural prediction of the putative ORF10 protein in SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Schuster Noah A.
Published: October 2020

Upstream of the 3’-untranslated region in the SARS-CoV-2 genome is ORF10 which has been proposed to encode for the ORF10 protein. Current research is still unclear on whether this protein is synthesized, but further investigations are still warranted. Herein, this study uses multiple bioinformatic tools to biochemically and functionally characterize the ORF10 protein, along with predicting its tertiary structure. Results indicate a highly ordered, hydrophobic, and thermally stable protein that contains at least one transmembrane region. This protein also possesses high residue protein-binding propensity, primarily in the N-terminal half. An assessment of forty-one missense mutations reveal slight changes in residue flexibility, mainly in the C-terminal half. However, these same mutations do not inflict significant changes on protein stability and other biochemical features. The predicted model suggests the ORF10 protein contains a β-α-β motif with a β-molecular recognition feature occurring in the first β-strand. Functionally, the ORF10 protein could be a membrane protein. A single pocket was identified in this protein but found to possess low druggability. The ORF10 itself consists of two distinct lineages: the SARS-CoV lineage and the SARS-CoV-2 lineage. Evidence of strong positive selection (dN/dS = 4.01) and purifying selection (dN/dS = 0.713) were found within the SARS-CoV-2 lineage and SARS-CoV lineage, respectively. Collectively, these results continue to assess the biological relevance of ORF10 and its putatively encoded protein, thereby aiding in diagnostic and possibly vaccine development.
Buprenorphine exposure alters the development and migration of interneurons in the cortex
Authors: Nieto-Estévez Vanesa , Donegan Jennifer J. , McMahon Courtney , Elam Hannah B. , Chavera Teresa A. , Varma Parul , Berg Kelly A. , Lodge Daniel J. , Hsieh Jenny
Published: October 2020

The misuse of opioids has reached epidemic proportions over the last decade, with over 2.1 million people in the U.S. suffering from substance use disorders related to prescription opioid pain relievers. This increase in opioid misuse affects all demographics of society, including women of child-bearing age, which has led to a rise in opioid use during pregnancy. Opioid use during pregnancy has been associated with increased risk of obstetric complications and adverse neonatal outcomes, including neonatal abstinence syndrome. Currently, opioid use disorder in pregnant women is treated with long-acting opioid agonists, including buprenorphine. Although buprenorphine reduces illicit opioid use during pregnancy and improves infant outcomes at birth, few long-term studies of the neurodevelopmental consequences have been conducted. The goal of the current experiments was to examine the effects of buprenorphine on the development of the cortex using fetal brain tissue, 3D brain cultures, and rodent models. First, we demonstrated that we can grow cortical and subpallial spheroids, which model the cellular diversity, connectivity, and activity of the developing human brain. Next, we show that cells in the developing human cortex express the nociceptin opioid (NOP) receptor and that buprenorphine can signal through this receptor in cortical spheroids. Using subpallial spheroids to grow inhibitory interneurons, we show that buprenorphine can alter interneuron development and migration into the cortex. Finally, using a rodent model of prenatal buprenorphine exposure, we demonstrate that alterations in interneuron distribution can persist into adulthood. Together, these results suggest that more research is needed into the long-lasting consequences of buprenorphine exposure on the developing human brain.
Ancestral circuits for vertebrate colour vision emerge at the first retinal synapse
Authors: Yoshimatsu Takeshi , Bartel Philipp , Schröder Cornelius , Janiak Filip K , St-Pierre Francois , Berens Philipp , Baden Tom
Published: October 2020

For colour vision, retinal circuits separate information about intensity and wavelength. This requires comparison of at least two spectrally distinct photoreceptors, as in the case of most mammals. However, many vertebrates use the full complement of four ‘ancestral’ cone-types (‘red’, ‘green’, ‘blue’, ‘UV’), and in those cases the nature and implementation of this computation remains poorly understood. Here, we establish the complete circuit architecture of outer retinal circuits underlying colour processing in larval zebrafish, which involves the full ancestral complement of four cone- and three horizontal cell types. Our findings reveal that the synaptic outputs of red- and green-cones efficiently rotate the encoding of natural daylight in a principal component analysis (PCA)-like manner to yield primary achromatic and spectrally-opponent axes, respectively. Together, these two cones capture 91.3% of the spectral variance in natural light. Next, blue-cones are tuned so as to capture most remaining variance when opposed to green-cones. Finally, UV-cones present a UV-achromatic axis for prey capture. We note that fruit flies – the only other tetrachromat species where comparable circuit-level information is available - use essentially the same strategy to extract spectral information from their relatively blue-shifted terrestrial visual world. Together, our results suggest that rotating colour space into primary achromatic and chromatic axes at the eye’s first synapse may be a fundamental principle of colour vision when using more than two spectrally well-separated photoreceptor types.
Intra-axonal translation of Khsrp mRNA slows axon regeneration by destabilizing localized mRNAs
Authors: Patel Priyanka , Buchanan Courtney , Kar Amar N. , Lee Seung Joon , Sahoo Pabitra K. , Urisman Anatoly , Oses-Prieto Juan , Dell’Orco Michela , Cassidy Devon E. , Miller Sharmina , Thames Elizabeth , Smith Terika P. , Zdradzinski Matthew D. , Burlingame Alma L. , Perrone-Bizzozero Nora , Twiss Jeffery L.
Published: October 2020

Proteins generated by localized mRNA translation in axons support nerve regeneration through retrograde injury signaling and localized axon growth mechanisms. RNA binding proteins (RBP) are needed for this and other aspects of post-transcriptional control of localized mRNAs, but only a limited number of axonal RBPs have been reported. We used a targeted mass spectrometry approach to profile the axonal RBPs in naïve, injured and regenerating PNS axons. We detected 76 axonal proteins that are reported to have RNA binding activity, with the levels of several of these axonal RBPs changing with axonal injury and regeneration. These axonal RBPs with altered axoplasm levels include KHSRP that we previously reported decreases neurite outgrowth in developing CNS neurons. We show that KHSRP levels rapidly increase in sciatic nerve axons after crush injury and remain elevated increasing in levels out to 28 days post-sciatic nerve crush injury. Khsrp mRNA localizes into axons and the rapid increase in axonal KHSRP after axotomy is mediated by the local translation of its mRNA. KHSRP binds to mRNAs with a 3’UTR AU-rich element and targets those mRNAs to the cytoplasmic exosome for degradation. KHSRP knockout mice show increased axonal levels of defined KHSRP target mRNAs, Gap43 and Snap25 mRNAs, following sciatic nerve injury and accelerated nerve regeneration in vivo. These data indicate that axonal translation of Khsrp mRNA following nerve injury serves to destabilize other axonal mRNAs and slow axon regeneration.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA14 produces R-bodies, extendable protein polymers with roles in host colonization and virulence
Authors: Wang Bryan , Lin Yu-Cheng , Vasquez-Rifo Alejandro , Jo Jeanyoung , Price-Whelan Alexa , McDonald Shujuan Tao , Brown Lewis M. , Sieben Christian , Dietrich Lars E.P.
Published: October 2020

Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA14, an opportunistic pathogen of diverse hosts, contains genes with the potential to confer production of R-bodies (i.e., a “reb cluster”). R-bodies are large, extendable protein polymers best known for their role in killing of paramecia by the bacterium Caedibacter taeniospiralis, and genes in the reb cluster have been implicated in PA14 virulence. Here, we present evidence that PA14 expresses reb cluster genes during colonization of plant and nematode hosts. We identify products of the reb cluster that are R-body-associated and that control stochastic expression of R-body structural genes. We also show that R-body production is required for full virulence in nematodes. Analyses of nematode ribosome content and immune response indicate that R-bodies act via a mechanism involving ribosome cleavage and translational inhibition. These observations provide insight into the biology of R-body production and its consequences during P. aeruginosa infection.
ChronoRoot: High-throughput phenotyping by deep segmentation networks reveals novel temporal parameters of plant root system architecture
Authors: Gaggion Nicolás , Ariel Federico , Daric Vladimir , Lambert Éric , Legendre Simon , Roulé Thomas , Camoirano Alejandra , Milone Diego H. , Crespi Martin , Blein Thomas , Ferrante Enzo
Published: October 2020

Background

Deep learning methods have outperformed previous techniques in most computer vision tasks, including image-based plant phenotyping. However, massive data collection of root traits and the development of associated artificial intelligence approaches have been hampered by the inaccessibility of the rhizosphere. Here we present ChronoRoot, a system which combines 3D printed open-hardware with deep segmentation networks for high temporal resolution phenotyping of plant roots in agarized medium.

Results

We developed a novel deep learning based root extraction method which leverages the latest advances in convolutional neural networks for image segmentation, and incorporates temporal consistency into the root system architecture reconstruction process. Automatic extraction of phenotypic parameters from sequences of images allowed a comprehensive characterization of the root system growth dynamics. Furthermore, novel time-associated parameters emerged from the analysis of spectral features derived from temporal signals.

Conclusions

Altogether, our work shows that the combination of machine intelligence methods and a 3D-printed device expands the possibilities of root high-throughput phenotyping for genetics and natural variation studies as well as the screening of clock-related mutants, revealing novel root traits.
A configurable model of the synaptic proteome reveals the molecular mechanisms of disease co-morbidity
Authors: Sorokina Oksana , Mclean Colin , Croning Mike DR , Heil Katharina F , Wysocka Emilia , He Xin , Sterratt David , Grant Seth GN , Simpson T Ian , Armstrong J Douglas
Published: October 2020

Synapses contain highly complex proteomes which control synaptic transmission, cognition and behaviour. Genes encoding synaptic proteins are associated with neuronal disorders many of which show clinical co-morbidity. Our hypothesis is that there is mechanistic overlap that is emergent from the network properties of the molecular complex. To test this requires a detailed and comprehensive molecular network model.

We integrated 57 published synaptic proteomic datasets obtained between 2000 and 2019 that describe over 7000 proteins. The complexity of the postsynaptic proteome is reaching an asymptote with a core set of ~3000 proteins, with less data on the presynaptic terminal, where each new study reveals new components in its landscape. To complete the network, we added direct protein-protein interaction data and functional metadata including disease association.

The resulting amalgamated molecular interaction network model is embedded into a SQLite database. The database is highly flexible allowing the widest range of queries to derive custom network models based on meta-data including species, disease association, synaptic compartment, brain region, and method of extraction.

This network model enables us to perform in-depth analyses that dissect molecular pathways of multiple diseases revealing shared and unique protein components. We can clearly identify common and unique molecular profiles for co-morbid neurological disorders such as Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder and even disease comorbidities which span biological systems such as the intersection of Alzheimer’s Disease with Hypertension.
RNA polymerase II is required for spatial chromatin reorganization following exit from mitosis
Authors: Zhang Shu , Übelmesser Nadine , Josipovic Natasa , Forte Giada , Slotman Johan A. , Chiang Michael , Gothe Henrike , Gusmao Eduardo Gade , Becker Christian , Altmüller Janine , Houtsmuller Adriaan B. , Roukos Vassilis , Wendt Kerstin S. , Marenduzzo Davide , Papantonis Argyris
Published: October 2020

Mammalian chromosomes are three-dimensional entities shaped by converging and opposing forces. Mitotic cell division induces drastic chromosome condensation, but following reentry into the G1 cell cycle phase, condensed chromosomes unwind to reestablish interphase organization. Here, we use a cell line allowing auxin-mediated degradation of RNA polymerase II to test its role in this transition.In situHi-C showed that RNAPII is required for compartment and loop formation following mitosis. RNAPs often counteract loop extrusion and, in their absence, longer and more prominent loops arise. Evidence from chromatin fractionation, super-resolution imaging andin silicomodeling attribute these effects to RNAPII-mediated cohesin loading at active promoters upon reentry into G1. Our findings reconcile the role of RNAPII in gene expression with that in chromatin architecture.
Insights into long non-coding RNA regulation of anthocyanin carrot root pigmentation
Authors: Chialva Constanza , Blein Thomas , Crespi Martin , Lijavetzky Diego
Published: October 2020

Carrot (Daucus carotaL.) is one of the most cultivated vegetable in the world and of great importance in the human diet. Its storage organs can accumulate large quantities of anthocyanins, metabolites that confer the purple pigmentation to carrot tissues and whose biosynthesis is well characterized. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play critical roles in regulating gene expression of various biological processes in plants. In this study, we used a high throughput stranded RNA-seq to identify and analyze the expression profiles of lncRNAs in phloem and xylem root samples using two genotypes with a strong difference in anthocyanin production. We discovered and annotated 8484 new genes, including 2095 new protein-coding and 6373 non-coding transcripts. Moreover, we identified 639 differentially expressed lncRNAs between the phenotypically contrasted genotypes, including certain only detected in a particular tissue. We then established correlations between lncRNAs and anthocyanin biosynthesis genes in order to identify a molecular framework for the differential expression of the pathway between genotypes. A specific natural antisense transcript (NAT) linked to theDcMYB7key anthocyanin biosynthetic transcription factor suggested how the regulation of this pathway may have evolved between genotypes.
Comparison of wearable and clinical devices for acquisition of peripheral nervous system signals
Authors: Bizzego Andrea , Gabrieli Giulio , Furlanello Cesare , Esposito Gianluca
Published: October 2020

A key access point to the functioning of the Autonomic Nervous System is the investigation of peripheral signals. Wearable Devices (WDs) enable the acquisition and quantification of peripheral signals in a wide range of contexts, from personal uses to scientific research. WDs have lower costs and higher portability than medical-grade devices. But achievable data quality can be lower, subject to artifacts due to body movements and data losses. It is therefore crucial to evaluate the reliability and validity of WDs before their use in research. In this study we introduce a data analysis procedure for the assessment of WDs for multivariate physiological signals. The quality of cardiac and Electrodermal Activity signals is validated with a standard set of Signal Quality Indicators. The pipeline is available as a collection of open source Python scripts based on the pyphysio package. We apply the indicators for the analysis of signal quality on data simultaneously recorded from a clinical-grade device and two WDs. The dataset provides signals of 6 different physiological measures collected from 18 subjects with WDs. This study indicates the need of validating the use of WD in experimental settings for research and the importance of both technological and signal processing aspects to obtain reliable signals and reproducibility of results.
High resolution cryo EM analysis of HPV16 identifies minor structural protein L2 and describes capsid flexibility
Authors: Goetschius Daniel J. , Hartmann Samantha R. , Subramanian Suriyasri , Bator Carol , Christensen Neil D. , Hafenstein Susan L
Published: October 2020

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a significant health burden and leading cause of virus-induced cancers. HPV is epitheliotropic and its replication is tightly associated with terminal keratinocyte differentiation making production and purification of high titer virus preparations for research problematic, therefore alternative HPV production methods have been developed for virological and structural studies. In this study we use HPV16 quasivirus, composed of HPV16 L1/L2 capsid proteins with a packaged cottontail rabbit papillomavirus genome. We have achieved the first high resolution, 3.1Å, structure of HPV16 by using a local subvolume refinement approach. The high resolution enabled us to build L1 unambiguously and identify L2 protein strands. The L2 density is incorporated adjacent to conserved L1 residues on the interior of the capsid. Further interpretation with our own software for Icosahedral Subvolume Extraction and Correlated Classification (ISECC) revealed flexibility, on the whole-particle level through diameter analysis and local movement with inter-capsomer analysis. Inter-capsomer expansion or contraction, governed by the connecting arms, showed no bias in the magnitude or direction of capsomer movement. We propose that papillomavirus capsids are dynamic and capsomers move as rigid bodies connected by flexible linkers. The resulting virus structure will provide a framework for continuing biochemical, genetic and biophysical research for papillomaviruses. Furthermore, our approach has allowed insight into the resolution barrier that has previously been a limitation in papillomavirus structural studies.
Toward a framework for strengthening participants' self-efficacy in online education
Authors: Kundu Arnab
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to review the role of self-efficacy in online education with an objective to propose a holistic framework for strengthening participants' self-efficacy, especially in the Asian context.

Design/methodology/approach

To investigate the potential role of self-efficacy of the participants of online academic activities, this study followed the conceptual analysis method, which is breaking down concepts into constituent elements to get a superior understanding of a particular philosophy.

Findings

The findings revealed that self-efficacy, the level of confidence someone has to perform a particular task, is an important factor among teachers and students operating online platforms, and enhanced efficacy is capable of encouraging online practices. Finally, the study proposed a framework to strengthen self-efficacy among participants with intervention measures to make online education effective and impressive.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed framework will help stakeholders of online education to improve their efficacy and leverage the potential of online education to the fullest. Millions of first-generation online users in many Asian countries who possess low self-confidence in their ability might find the framework easier for better integration, interaction and collaboration in the online learning environment.

Originality/value

A vast literature survey was made before proposing this framework that could open up a new dimension in online education by scaffolding participants' inner thrust.
Inter-provincial correlations of agricultural GHG emissions in China based on social network analysis methods
Authors: Qu Jiansheng , Han Jinyu , Liu Lina , Xu Li , Li Hengji , Fan Yujie
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the heterogeneity and correlations of agricultural greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions among provinces in China, and then policy implications are proposed.

Design/methodology/approach

After agricultural GHG accounting and a pre-analysis of inter-provincial heterogeneity, improved gravity model and the Social Network Analysis (SNA) methods are introduced to construct the network, being carried out from three aspects of the whole network, individual provincial characteristics and cluster analysis.

Findings

(1) There are significant regional variations in agricultural GHG scale among provinces owing to the layout of agricultural production, and the temporal trends show that the direction and speed of agricultural GHG scale change vary among provinces; (2) In terms of inter-provincial correlations, there exists a complex spatial network of agricultural GHG among provinces, which tends to be more complex, intensive and stable, while the status of the provinces in the network also has gradually become more balanced. All provinces played their respective roles in the four clusters of the network with agricultural layout and comparative advantages, and the distribution has continuously optimized.

Practical implications

The inter-provincial network characteristics of agricultural GHG emissions and its evolution have practical implications for differentiated and coordinated agricultural GHG reduction policies at the provincial levels.

Originality/value

This paper innovatively study inter-provincial agricultural GHG correlations in China with the SNA methods used to study economic and social connections in the past. There is some originality in the introduction of network theory and application of the SNA methods, which can provide some reference for researches in similar fields.
Exploring the linkages between project managers' mindset behaviour and project leadership style in the Ghanaian construction industry
Authors: Owusu-Manu De-Graft , Debrah Caleb , Amissah Lydia , Edwards David J. , Chileshe Nicholas
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Leadership encapsulates a process of influencing others to understand what needs to be done and how it can be done. The related area of mindset behaviour which moderates leadership styles adopted in various industries has hitherto received scant academic attention in a construction context. This paper thus explores the linkages between project manager's mindset behaviour and project leadership style in the construction industry.

Design/methodology/approach

Literature reviewed provides the basis for a questionnaire data collection instrument developed to gather primary data from construction professionals in the Ghanaian construction industry (GCI). A quantitative research strategy was then adopted using the Relative Importance Index (RII) to determine the level of significance of the leadership and mindset archetypes. A Pearson's correlation test was run to ascertain whether the mindset behaviour of project managers has a significant impact upon the type of leadership style.

Findings

The study's results indicate that democratic, transformational and situational leadership styles were prevalent leadership styles in the GCI. The analysis also revealed that project managers favoured the “growth mindset”. Furthermore this style had a moderate positive relationship with democratic and transformational leadership styles. Conversely, a fixed mindset had a low positive relationship with autocratic and situational leadership styles but a low negative relationship with transformational leadership style.

Research limitations/implications

This research provides sufficient data for project managers to identify the type of mindset to nurture (the growth mindset is recommended) and the effective leadership style to be employed. This study engenders wider discussion on mindset behaviour and project leadership style in developing countries. Moreover, the findings present policymakers and practitioners with the leadership styles to promote and develop (democratic, transformational and situational) and mindset behaviour (growth mindset) to ensure project success in Ghana and other developing countries.

Originality/value

This research represents the first comprehensive study appraising the linkages between project managers’ mindset behaviour and project leadership style in the construction industry. Empirical data presented bridge the identified knowledge gap that exists on the lack of theoretical understanding of the influence that project managers' mindset has on leadership styles in the GCI.
Assessing physical activity, nutrient intake and obesity in middle-aged adults in Akuse, Lower Manya Krobo, Ghana
Authors: Nyakotey David Adjatey , Ananga Alberta Seyram , Apprey Charles
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess physical activity and nutrient intake and their association with obesity in apparently healthy middle-aged adults in Akuse, a rural community in the Eastern region of Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

This cross-sectional study assessed demography and anthropometry, nutrient intakes using a 3-day repeated 24 h dietary recall and physical activity using the global physical activity questionnaire (GPAQ). Data were entered into Microsoft excel and analyzed with SPSS version 25.

Findings

There were 118 respondents (55 males, 46.6% and 63 females, 53.4%) in the study with mean age of 45.62 ± 6.88 years. About 90% of respondents were physically active based on WHO physical activity recommendation. Prevalence of overweight/obesity was higher among inactive participants compared to active participants and sitting/reclining hours was significantly (p-value = 0.042) associated positively with BMI after a bivariate correlation analysis, suggesting that physical activity plays a role in obesity. About one in five respondents were obese. Mean energy intake exceeded RDA for females. Sodium intake far exceeded RDA for both males and females, putting the population at potential risk of hypertension.

Practical implications

This study demonstrates the need for intensifying health education and other obesity prevention interventions to curb the rising obesity prevalence in rural communities.

Originality/value

The study revealed that overweight/ obesity in this rural community is higher than previously reported for rural Ghana.
Factor affecting competitive advantage of real estate developers in Indonesia
Authors: Sukaatmadja I Putu Gede
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This study aims to test and explain the implementation of the green marketing mix (GMM) strategy, based on an environmental orientation (EO) in increasing the competitive advantage (CA) of the real estate developers or companies in Indonesia.

Design/methodology/approach

This study was conducted at real estate developer companies in several cities in Bali, i.e. Denpasar, Gianyar, Buleleng, Singaraja and Tabanan of Bali Province, Indonesia, registered as a member of Real Estate Indonesia. Bali was chosen as a province with a very rapid growth of the property sector than other provinces in Indonesia. This study is about census research. The sample unit is a real estate developer in Bali whose scope of operation project is at least 20 hectares, which means the scale of the property business is middle-class and upper-class companies. The unit of analysis was developer companies in Bali, whereas the respondents were the General Manager, CEO or owners of the company. The respondents were chosen so that each question in the questionnaire could be filled correctly and accurately.

Findings

EO has a positive but insignificant effect on CA. On the other hand, EO has a positive and significant influence on the GMM strategy. Furthermore, the results show that the GMM strategy has a positive and significant effect on CA.

Originality/value

The originality of this study is evident from the effort to deepen the analysis and the results of the hypothesis testing of previous studies; hence, this study uses a GMM strategy for real estate developers as a service company. The mapping of the previous research is done uses variables related to current research. This study seeks to develop a model from some previous studies aimed at enriching the results of research for further development.
A social capital view of women on boards and their impact on firm performance
Authors: Oldford Erin , Ullah Saif , Hossain Ashrafee Tanvir
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The objective of this paper is to leverage a two-sided view of social capital to develop a model of board gender diversity and firm performance using social capital data from Northeast Regional Center of Rural Development.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors examine a large sample of 2,322 US publicly listed firms over the period 1996 to 2009. The final sample consists of 14,634 firm-year observations.

Findings

The authors find that when a firm's social network is not supportive of gender diversity, corporate boards have lower levels of female representation. The strength of a social network's social ties exacerbates the relationship between social capital and board gender diversity. The authors also report a negative relationship between female board membership and firm performance in social networks that are not pro-diversity. Robustness tests reveal that the authors’ social capital view of board diversity also applies to board ethnic diversity.

Research limitations/implications

This study focuses primarily on blue chip firms due to data constraints. It will be interesting for future researchers to investigate a broader spectrum of firms from a broader perspective of diversity beyond the study’s gender and ethnicity findings. Furthermore, this study assesses the US context, and future research could investigate firm sociability in other national contexts.

Practical implications

This study contributes new insights to the discourse on gender diversity on corporate boards which stand to inform both policy and practice. The results of the study can inform the position of an industry association on board gender diversity, with guidance on how messaging across networks can be more effective should it account for the hidden bias that the authors uncover in the current study. From a manager's perspective, this study can help those managers and boards trying to enhance board gender diversity by providing a more complete understanding of the factors that can limit progress.

Originality/value

This study contributes a social capital view of board gender diversity to the growing literature of corporate governance, board diversity and local environmental influences on corporate policies.
Irreversibility analysis in squeezing nanofluid flow with thermal radiation
Authors: Hayat T. , Ahmad M. Waqar , Khan Sohail Ahamd , Alsaedi Ahmed
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) nanoliquid are significant for thermal conductivity enhancement. The examination of heat transfer of crushing time-subordinate liquid flow past isometric surfaces has throughout the decades been a field of consideration for its wide scope of physical necessities: nourishment preparation, pressure, grease setup and hydrodynamic machines. Entropy generation in the squeezing flow of viscous nanomaterial is developed. MHD, Brownian motion and thermophoresis are considered. Porous space between the disks is taken. The analysis is carried out in the presence of radiation and viscous dissipation.

Design/methodology/approach

Nonlinear systems are reduced to an ordinary one through similarity variables. The convergent solution is developed by employing the homotopy analysis technique (HAM).

Findings

Convergent homotopic solutions are developed for the velocity, temperature and concentration. Entropy generation and Bejan number are explained. Skin friction and Nusselt number and Sherwood number are analyzed. For a higher approximation of porosity, parameter velocity is augmented. Temperature upsurges for larger thermophoresis and Brownian diffusion parameters. Concentration has an increasing effect on thermophoresis and Brownian diffusion parameters. For the rising value of the radiation parameter, both the Bejan number and entropy rate have increasing behaviors.

Originality/value

No such work is yet published in the literature.
Trying to motivate employees through intimidation? Think again
Authors: Meisler Galit
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This study advances our knowledge about counternormative emotion management processes utilized in organizations. We investigate a research model in which managerial intimidation, and more specifically subordinates' perceptions about it, evokes fear, which reduces their job satisfaction and increases their turnover intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

The model was tested using two samples, one from the public sector and the other from the private sector. The data were collected in three waves using questionnaires.

Findings

Our findings validated the research model in the public sector alone, revealing sectorial differences regarding the destructive emotional and attitudinal implications of perceived managerial intimidation.

Originality/value

The current study sheds light on counternormative emotion management processes utilized in organizations, a topic we know little about. Furthermore, it advances our knowledge regarding the responses of the targets of impression management attempts, revealing sectorial differences about them. Finally, this study broadens our understanding about intimidation, an under-investigated impression management strategy.
Safety and effectiveness of secukinumab in psoriasis vulgaris and psoriatic arthritis: Real‐world evidence in Japan
Authors: Fujita Hideki , Ohtsuki Mamitaro , Morita Akimichi , Nagao Ryuji , Seko Noriko , Matsumoto Kazuko , Tani Yumiko , Terui Tadashi
Published: October 2020

Secukinumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody that selectively neutralizes interleukin‐17A, has been available for the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis since February 2015 in Japan. Because there was a time gap after the previous approval of biologics for psoriatic disease indication, it was suggested that patients to be treated with secukinumab at its launch might have refractory disease symptoms. In order to assess the safety and effectiveness of secukinumab in those patients, a 52‐week, open‐label, multicenter, observational cohort study was conducted. In total, 306 and 250 patients were included in the safety and effectiveness analysis sets, respectively. Over half of patients had previously received biologics (56.9%). Adverse events, serious adverse events and adverse reactions were reported in 41.2%, 7.2% and 24.2% of patients, respectively. The most commonly reported adverse reactions were oral candidiasis (2.9%), consistent with those reported in clinical studies. In addition, none of the patient characteristics assessed for the effect on safety of secukinumab increased the occurrence of adverse reactions. Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score (mean ± standard deviation) improved from baseline (14.7 ± 12.3) to week 12 (1.78 ± 3.3), which was maintained up to week 24 (1.59 ± 3.0). The proportion of patients with a Dermatology Life Quality Index score of 0/1 improved from baseline (2.2%) to week 12 (64.7%) and sustained up to week 24 (71.4%). In addition to the skin symptoms, improvement was observed in all psoriatic arthritis disease‐related assessments. The current study reaffirmed the safety and effectiveness of secukinumab with broader patients than those in the clinical studies.
Detection rates of periodontal bacteria and herpesviruses in different forms of periodontal disease
Authors: Puletic Miljan , Popovic Branka , Jankovic Sasa , Brajovic Gavrilo
Published: October 2020

The aim was to investigate the detection rates of periodontal bacteria (Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, Prevotella intermedia, and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans) and herpesviruses (herpes simplex virus‐1 [HSV‐1], cytomegalovirus [CMV], and Epstein‐Barr virus [EBV]) in different forms and severity of periodontal disease, and to compare them with those in periodontally healthy subjects. One hundred and twenty‐nine patients participated in the study: 39 diagnosed with periodontal abscess (PA), 33 with necrotizing ulcerative periodontitis (NUP), 27 with chronic periodontitis (CP), and 30 participants with healthy periodontal tissue represented a healthy control group. All patients with periodontal disease (PA, NUP, and CP) were also divided into two groups according to the severity of their disease: moderate and severe periodontitis. The subgingival samples were collected from the periodontitis active sites and the detection of microorganisms was performed by end‐point polymerase chain reaction analyses. The results revealed significantly higher detection rates of P. gingivalis, T. forsythia, and P. intermedia in all three groups of patients with periodontitis than in healthy participants. The highest detection rate of A. actinomycetemcomitans was noticed in CP, which was significantly higher than that in PA, NUP, and healthy control. The occurrence of EBV was significantly higher in NUP than in CP and healthy participants. CMV was detected significantly more frequently in PA and NUP than in CP and healthy participants. Comparisons among healthy participants and patients with moderate and severe periodontitis showed significantly higher detection rates of EBV and CMV in patients with severe forms of periodontitis than in healthy participants and those with moderate periodontitis.
Phenological synchronization of seasonal bird migration with vegetation greenness across dietary guilds
Authors: La Sorte Frank A. , Graham Catherine H.
Published: October 2020

The seasonal movement of animals has been linked to seasonal variation in ecological productivity, and it has been hypothesized that primary consumers synchronize migration with vegetation phenology. Within temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, herbivorous bird species often track the phenology of vegetation greenness during spring migration. Phenological synchronization with vegetation greenness by migratory birds in other dietary guilds, across the full extent of their annual distributions during both spring and autumn migration, has not been explored.

Here, we document population‐level associations with a remotely sensed measure of vegetation greenness for 230 North American migratory bird species in seven dietary guilds across the full annual cycle using eBird occurrence information for the combined period 2006–2018.

Evidence of phenological synchronization was strongest for omnivores, herbivores, herbivore–granivores and granivores during spring and autumn migration, except for omnivores in the west during spring migration. Strong evidence of synchronization was also observed for insectivores during spring migration and carnivores during spring and autumn migration that migrated across the entire breadth of the continent. The level of evidence declined for insectivores in the west and east during spring migration, and for nectarivores in the west during spring and autumn migration. Limited evidence was also found for insectivores in the east during autumn migration, insectivores in the west and the centre of the continent during spring and autumn migration, and carnivores in the west during spring migration. Carnivores in the west during autumn migration showed the weakest evidence of synchronization.

We found broad support across an array of dietary guilds for phenological coupling between vegetation greenness and seasonal bird migration within North America. Our results highlight the potential for many migratory bird species to encounter phenological mismatches as vegetation phenology responds to climate change. Our findings emphasize the need to better understand the environmental cues that regulate migratory behaviour across dietary guilds, consumer levels and migration tactics.