bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phylogenomics of scorpions reveal a co-diversification of scorpion mammalian predators and mammal-specific sodium channel toxins
Authors: Santibáñez-López Carlos E. , Aharon Shlomi , Ballesteros Jesús A. , Gainett Guilherme , Baker Caitlin M. , González-Santillán Edmundo , Harvey Mark S. , Hassan Mohamed K. , Abu-Almaaty Ali Hussin , Aldeyarbi Shorouk Mohamed , Monod Lionel , Ojanguren-Affilastro Andrés , Raven Robert J. , Pinto-Da-Rocha Ricardo , Zvik Yoram , Gavish-Regev Efrat , Sharma Prashant P.
Published: November 2020

Scorpions constitute a charismatic lineage of arthropods and comprise more than 2,500 described species. Found throughout various tropical and temperate habitats, these predatory arachnids have a long evolutionary history, with a fossil record that began in the Silurian. While all scorpions are venomous, the asymmetrically diverse family Buthidae harbors nearly half the diversity of extant scorpions, and all but one of the 58 species that are medically significant to humans. Many aspects of scorpion evolutionary history are unclear, such as the relationships of the most toxic genera and their constituent venom peptides. Furthermore, the diversification age of toxins that act specifically on mammalian ion channels have never been inferred. To redress these gaps, we assembled a large-scale phylogenomic dataset of 100 scorpion venom transcriptomes and/or genomes, emphasizing the sampling of highly toxic buthid genera. To infer divergence times of venom gene families, we applied a phylogenomic node dating approach for the species tree in tandem with phylostratigraphic bracketing to estimate minimum ages of mammal-specific toxins. Our analyses establish a robustly supported phylogeny of scorpions, particularly with regard to relationships between medically significant taxa. Analysis of venom gene families shows that mammal-specific sodium channel toxins have independently evolved in five lineages within Buthidae. The temporal windows of mammal-specific toxin origins are contiguous with the basal diversification of major scorpion mammal predators such as carnivores, shrews, bats and rodents. These results suggest an evolutionary arms race model comprised of co-diversification of mammalian predators and NaTx homologs in buthid venom.
Cerebellum models of psychosis implicate association nuclei in the pathogenesis of psychosis and mechanisms of cognitive impairment
Authors: Chang Xuebin , Jia Xiaoyan , Dong Debo , Wang Yulin
Published: November 2020

To comprehensively investigate the white matter (WM) features of cerebellum in patients with schizophrenia, and further assess the correlation between altered WM features and clinical and cognitive assessments. Forty-two patients and fifty-two matched healthy controls (HCs) of the Collaborative Informatics and Neuroimaging Suite Data Exchange tool were involved in this study. The cerebellar WM volume was calculated by voxel-based morphometry. And tract-based spatial statistics was used to analysis the diffusion changes in patients when compared to HCs. Furthermore, we investigated the correlation between altered imaging feature and clinical, cognitive assessments. Compared to HCs, the schizophrenia patients did not reveal difference in cerebellar WM volume and schizophrenia patients showed decreased fractional anisotropy and increased radial diffusivity in left middle cerebellar peduncles and inferior cerebellar peduncles in voxel-wise but not in tract-wise. Critically, these cerebellar changes were associated with disease duration in schizophrenia patients. And significant correlation between the altered cerebellar WM features and cognitive assessments only revealed in HCs but disrupted in schizophrenia patients. The present findings suggested that the voxel-wise WM integrity analysis might was the more sensitive way to investigate the structural abnormalities in schizophrenia patients. Middle cerebellar peduncles and inferior cerebellar peduncles may be a crucial neurobiological substrate of cognition and thus might be regarded as a biomarker for treatment.
The unintended consequences of a surge in antibiotic resistance when removing wastewater drain biofilm
Authors: Kotay Shireen M , Parikh Hardik I , Gweon Hyun S , Barry Katie , Stoesser Nicole , Walker A Sarah , Crook Derrick W , Vegesana Kasi , Mathers Amy J
Published: November 2020

The prevalence and proliferation of antimicrobial resistant bacteria is considered one of the critical issues of our time. Wastewater is a habitat for complex microbial communities where bacteria share genes of antimicrobial resistance through horizontal gene transfer. Hospital wastewater drainage systems are an ideal reservoir for environmental and pathogenic bacteria to interface and exchange genes of antimicrobial resistance1. Highly resistant Enterobacterales are of the greatest concern because they not only cause human infections but can also thrive in the environment2,3and have shown to transmit from sink drains to patients4. Replacement of contaminated plumbing may be the most intuitive and widely deployed response once highly resistant potentially pathogenic bacteria are identified in a sink drain. Here we show using shotgun metagenomic sequencing of sink drain biofilms (in 6 intensive care patient rooms, 36 subsamples) paired with microbial culture analysis, an evident shift of biofilm community structure towards increased abundance of Enterobacteriaceae in the newly replaced sink plumbing. Significant increase in resistome load and abundance of clinically relevant resistance and typically mobile genes in the newly replaced plumbing was also observed. Findings from this study demonstrate that exchanging contaminated plumbing for new plumbing may actually have the unexpected consequence of increased abundance of Enterobacterales and genes of antimicrobial resistance in the sink drains. Disruption of preexisting complex environmental biofilms may result in an unintended increase in the amount of antimicrobial resistant Enterobacterales which are targeted for elimination. Temporal variability is an important attribute of ecosystems affecting colonization dynamics and biotic interactions (composition of introduced and resident communities) are key to functional outcomes. Absence of competition within an ecosystem favors invasion.
Propagandist or objective observer? Independent documentaries in/on Hong Kong's recent social movements
Authors: Van den Troost Kristof
Published: November 2020

Purpose

This article explores recent changes in Hong Kong’s independent documentary filmmaking during a decade of escalating protests in the territory, focusing in particular on cinema's role in Hong Kong's “movement field.”

Design/methodology/approach

The article focuses on Ying E Chi, an important distributor and promoter of Hong Kong independent films; the annual Hong Kong Independent Film Festival it organizes; three recent documentaries it distributes that are relevant to the 2019–2020 protests. The findings in this article are based on interviews, the textual analysis of relevant films and participant observation at film screenings.

Findings

This study argues that independent documentaries function in Hong Kong's “movement field” in three main ways: by contributing to and providing a space for civic discourse, by facilitating international advocacy and by engaging in memory work. Its contributions to civic culture, it asserts, are reflected in the films' observational aesthetic, which invites reflection and discussion. Public screenings and lengthy post-screening discussions are important ways in which these functions are realized.

Originality/value

This article builds on existing literature to propose a new way of thinking about cinema's role in Hong Kong social movements. It also analyses three important recent films that have not yet been covered much in existing academic literature.
International trade and innovation: delving in Latin American commerce
Authors: Vallina-Hernandez Ana María , de la Fuente-Mella Hanns , Fuentes-Solís Rodrigo
Published: November 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare and contrast the international trade characteristics of commerce between Latin American countries and some of the top economies in the world, in order to identify new business opportunities for LATAM firms in dynamical external markets.

Design/methodology/approach

A triple indexed gravity model, correcting with robust standardized errors clustered, and a panel data analysis was used to obtain the relationship between Latin American countries and advanced and other emerging economies.

Findings

The main finding of this paper is that innovation overcomes gravity effects and parameters typical of a knowledge society are the significant ones to explain trade among different regions. The model that includes an innovation proxy accommodates with the new international theories of trade. Besides, communication capacity is essential to reach consumers abroad with newer and more complex products. Moreover, the constant is significant when innovation is included, which may imply intersectoral trade that behaves relatively stable in bilateral trade.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that the economies that have some relevance in trade, have increasing numbers regarding patents. Thus, the empirical findings relate to the theoretical models which state that comparative advantages may be dynamic due to technological innovation.

Originality/value

This paper shows that innovation is a central parameter to engage in intratrade and develop a knowledge-based economy. Latin America sometimes appears to be a puzzle as to how to improve its economic performance and overcome its social and economic problems. Intratrade seems to be the route to increase Latin American business participation in world trade.
Consumers' perception and physicochemical properties of novel functional cookie enriched with medicinal plant Strobilanthes crispus
Authors: Wirawan Elsa Uttamo , Yan See Wan
Published: November 2020

Purpose

Over the past decades, there has been a rising trend in the prevalence of non-communicable diseases and their risk factors in Malaysia. Consequently, functional food is gaining interest amongst health-conscious consumers. This study aimed to evaluate the functional potential of cookie enhanced with Strobilanthes crispus (SC) and to evaluate its physicochemical and organoleptic properties.

Design/methodology/approach

Sensory evaluation was carried out using nine-point hedonic and line scales and the ranking test amongst consumer panels (n = 150) to evaluate control, 2, 4 and 6% SC cookies. Preferred formulation and control cookies were then subjected to chemical (moisture, protein, fat, ash, carbohydrate, calcium, sodium and potassium contents) and physical (texture profile and water activity [Aw]) analyses.

Findings

There was no significant difference (p < 0.05) in terms of overall acceptability and ranking scores between control and 2% SC cookies upon gender discrimination. Results indicated that incorporation of 2% SC into cookie caused significant enhancement (p < 0.05) of moisture, fat, ash, calcium and potassium contents but did not cause a significant effect on hardness, although loss of crispiness was observed after two weeks of storage at room temperature. This study showed that the 2% SC cookie did not diminish consumers' acceptance while increasing potassium content. Most notably, it can be declared as a source of calcium.

Originality/value

This original research features the incorporation of medicinal plant SC in the development of novel functional cookie and the results constitute unique findings pertaining to its nutritional contents. Remarkably, the findings of this research have contributed knowledge to existing literature as well as benefits food manufacturers in creating nutritious functional cookie to better meet the needs and expectations of consumers, healthcare providers, governmental organisations and consumer advocacy groups while maintaining health benefits without compromising consumers' acceptance.
Endogenous thresholds for the determinants of FDI inflows: evidence from the MENA countries
Authors: Taşdemir Fatma
Published: November 2020

Purpose

This paper investigates the main drivers of foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows for a balanced panel of 11 Middle East and North Africa (MENA) economies over the 1995–2017 annual period. The author postulates that the impacts of the main pull (growth) and push (global financial conditions, GFC) factors may not be invariant to endogenously estimated thresholds for structural domestic conditions (SDCs) including trade and capital account openness, financial development, human capital (HC) and natural resource endowments.

Design/methodology/approach

The author investigates whether the main SDC provide endogenous thresholds for the impacts of basic pull and push factors on FDI inflows for the MENA sample by employing panel fixed effects threshold procedure of Hansen (1999). As a robustness check, the author also present the results of the dynamic panel data two-step system generalized method of moments (GMM) estimation, which explicitly consider the potential endogeneity of SDC along with main pull factor for the evolution of FDI inflows.

Findings

Growth, GFC and SDC are important drivers of FDI inflows. The impacts of SDC tend to be higher in countries with higher financial depth, openness to international trade and finance and lower natural resource and HC endowments. The sensitivities of FDI inflows to GFC are substantially higher in the countries which are more open to international trade and capital flows and higher levels of financial depth. FDI inflows are found to be pro-cyclical and this pro-cyclicality tends to be much higher for the episodes exceeding the SDC thresholds.

Practical implications

Improving SDC including higher openness to international trade and finance and financial development may be effective in encouraging FDI inflows. The findings support an argument that, better SDC are crucially important not only for attracting FDI but also achieving the growth benefits of FDI inflows. Therefore, improving SDC appears to be an important growth-oriented policy agenda for emerging market and developing economies (EMDEs) including MENA.

Originality/value

The impacts of the main push and pull factors on FDI (and capital) inflows may be nonlinear. The literature often tackles the nonlinearity issue either by some interaction specifications or imposing exogenous thresholds. The literature, however, is yet to comprehensively investigate whether the main SDC provide endogenous thresholds for the impacts of basic pull and push factors. The author aims to contribute to the literature by estimating endogenous SDC threshold levels for the impacts of the main determinants of FDI flows for MENA.
The role of E-service quality in shaping online meeting platforms: a case study from higher education sector
Authors: Demir Ahmet , Maroof Lubna , Sabbah Khan Noor Us , Ali Bayad Jamal
Published: November 2020

Purpose

In this study, we have collected the response from 200 private university lecturers in Kurdistan Region of Iraq. In order to test the hypotheses, we have proposed structural equations modeling (SEM).

Design/methodology/approach

The purpose of this paper is to elaborate the direct and indirect effects of e-service quality on perceived value, satisfaction and willingness to pay for online meeting platforms in the education sector. This study also explores the effect of e-service quality on users' perception and satisfaction.

Findings

The results reveal that e-service quality directly affects the perceived value and satisfaction but has no direct effect on the willingness to pay. Secondly, perceived value and satisfaction mediated the relationships between service quality and willingness to pay. However, it is observed that perceived value has a more significant impact on the willingness to pay compared to satisfaction. It is further reported that perceived value is one of the antecedents of satisfaction. The study also explores the direct relationship between perceived value and willingness to pay, and introduces satisfaction as a mediating variable between perceived value and willingness to pay.

Research limitations/implications

The sample is geographically limited as only online faculty and staff working at private universities participated in the study. This study has implications for administrators of higher educational institutions and companies providing IT solutions for online meetings. From a managerial standpoint, this study provides and IT companies a broad theoretical basis that designing a successful online meeting platform should specifically emphasize e-service quality, perceived value and customer satisfaction.

Originality/value

There is no study that evaluated the links among e-service quality, value, satisfaction, and willingness to pay for the online meeting platform services. Therefore, this study is useful for the private university administration and online meeting platform developers and investors.
Ethnic Albanian family businesses and COVID-19 pandemic: a gender-based comparison
Authors: Mucha Sara
Published: November 2020

Purpose

This qualitative research aims to analyze the effects of the global crisis known as COVID-19 in family businesses in North Macedonia and defines the strategies that Albanian entrepreneurs have used to overcome the pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

The purpose of this study is to conduct a gender comparison between the behaviors of ten men entrepreneurs with ten women entrepreneurs in the city of Skopje. The data we collected by the interview method. The interviews were conducted by phone from June 1 to June 15.

Findings

The results of this research show that women entrepreneurs have overcome the crisis through defensive strategy compared to men entrepreneurs who have used more offensive approach. Due to the pandemic, the majority of women entrepreneurs have lost incomes, labor and clients. Men entrepreneurs have maintained their employees with the minimum salaries, but they have suffered the same loss in the aspect of revenues and clients. Findings show that in the category of women-owned enterprises lower financial results have shown those who operate in the textile industry and beauty salons. In companies with men entrepreneurship, the biggest loss is estimated in the luxury jewelry industry and restaurants, while pharmacies, supermarkets and detergent manufacturing companies proved to be profitable. Even companies that have shown high financial performance have encountered considerable problems in supplying raw materials due to the pandemic. This research will help SMEs in our country with useful suggestions to make the right decisions for the mentioned issue.

Research limitations/implications

There are some limitations in this study that should be considered a guide for future research. First, this research includes only Albanian entrepreneurs located in the city of Skopje. The investigation will be complete if we add a more significant number of Albanian entrepreneurs from more cities in North Macedonia. Second, considering that this paper's topic is new, we did not have enough literature to compare or enrich the study. Third, due to the current situation caused by the virus, we have faced difficulties in convincing entrepreneurs over the phone to respond in our questionnaires.

Originality/value

This paper addresses a new topic comparing Albanian entrepreneurs' behaviors based on their gender in overcoming the pandemic in Skopje, North Macedonia.
Unraveling customer experiences in a new servicescape: an ethnographic schema elicitation technique (ESET)
Authors: Stead Susan , Odekerken-Schröder Gaby , Mahr Dominik
Published: November 2020

Purpose

This article investigates the role of schemas in shaping customer experiences in new servicescapes, across the customer journey. The authors take a customer perspective that reveals how schematic information processing takes place at four pyramidal levels—event, touchpoint, encounter and concrete activities—that in turn lead to customer responses.

Design/methodology/approach

The study introduces a novel ethnographic schema elicitation technique (ESET), which enables unraveling schemas at the touchpoint level across the customer journey of a European grocery store that recently launched a new SST innovation. This tailored approach provides fine-grained insights into customer experiences at the moment they occur.

Findings

The conceptual framework unravels schematic information processing, as illustrated with an empirical study. The activation of different schemas and their modification is highlighted in rich qualitative data.

Research limitations/implications

Innovative service offerings require customers to adapt their existing behaviors. Understanding this highly individual process, which requires schema modification, could be furthered by longitudinal in-depth research.

Practical implications

By understanding schematic information processing, managers and policymakers can develop better strategies for activating sustainability or health-conscious schemas that guide customer behavior in positive directions.

Originality/value

By applying ESET to new self-service technology, the authors provide valuable insights for service managers and retailers. They show the particular need for prudence in changing schemas in ways that avoid negative cognitive, emotional or behavioral responses.
Field building through strategic bricolage: system leadership and the institutionalizing role of intermediary organizations
Authors: Eddy-Spicer David , Arce-Trigatti Paula , Young Michelle D.
Published: November 2020

Purpose

This article explores two intermediary organizations that are attempting to alter the landscape of US education by building organizational networks and professional capital that disrupt traditional relationships between K-12 education and higher education.

Design/methodology/approach

The work is a theory-driven, comparative case study of the University Council for Educational Administration (UCEA) and the National Network of Education Research-Practice Partnerships (NNERPP). Through the lens of institutional theory, the authors employ an extended case method that uses comparative analysis of situationally-embedded organizational case studies to build theory.

Findings

The two organizations play an intermediary role by The two organizations play an intermediary role by establishing new standards, norms, and patterns of practice between higher education and local systems of education. In doing so, these organizations serve as meso-institutions, alliances that mediate the processes of institutionalization and play essential parts in developing new facets of infrastructure and new professional identities that hold the potential for nurturing and sustaining professional capital. System leadership hinges on strategic bricolage to identify near-term next steps that align with longer-term strategic goals related to field building.

Originality/value

Professional capital as a concept was initially characterized from a bottom-up perspective, valorizing the agentive dimensions of human, social and decisional capital in opposition to top-down, centralized control. Our conceptualization of intermediary organizations as meso-institutions addresses how the processes of mediated networking and system leadership operate to build professional capital in specific ways that crystallize institutional change.
Output regularities of China's international collaboration research projects funded by NSFC
Authors: Chen Xiujuan , Zhang Zhiqiang , Guo Jinjing
Published: November 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide theoretical basis and data support for researchers to choose appropriate international partners, provide a basis for Chinese research funding agencies, such as National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) to formulate international research collaboration (IRC) strategies and policies and provide recommendations for the improvement of the internationalization level of China's basic scientific research.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on existing research, this study took output of “Major International (Regional) Joint Research Project” (MIJRP) funded by NSFC and participated by Chinese scholars in the meantime as the analysis object, proposed hypotheses and constructed the indicators of IRC and research output (RO). In addition, the mathematical statistics was used to compare the RO of China's IRC and nonIRC, and the statistical analysis model was used to measure the influence on RO of collaboration country's research capacity, research collaboration between China and US, scope of international research collaboration and reprint author country.

Findings

The RO of China's IRC is higher than that of nonIRC; research capacity of collaboration country has no inevitable effect on the RO of China's IRC; the RO of China's IRC participated by Americans is higher than that without American scholars; expanding the scope of China's IRC to some degree can increase RO; the RO of China's IRC led by foreigners is higher than that led by Chinese. In particular, China–US IRC and foreign scholars acting as the reprint author are two major factors for the RO of China's IRC.

Originality/value

Most of the traditional research on IRC are based on the co-author papers, and this study tried to analyze the characteristics and regularities on IRC from a new view of international collaboration projects, which can be a supplement to the traditional international collaboration research on co-author papers.
Preparing the next generation of global educators: an imperative in teacher education
Authors: Cruz Bárbara C. , Viera Cristina M.
Published: November 2020

Purpose

In addition to imparting pedagogical content knowledge, teacher educators have the special responsibility to help future practitioners understand critical, contemporary social issues in our ever-globalized world. The purpose of this article is to describe one teacher education effort that heeds calls from learned societies and accreditation agencies to prepare preservice teachers for their inevitably global classrooms.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors – both instructors of a semester-long, required course in a social studies teacher education program – reflect on their practice, outline guiding principles and provide pedagogical examples that encourage preservice teachers to consider complex topics found within global education, while simultaneously helping them reflect on their own positionality.

Findings

Most preservice teachers embrace global perspectives in education if provided with opportunities to identify curricular relevance, acknowledge multiple viewpoints, practice continuous reflection, explore global awareness and citizenship, and understand the imperative of accepting responsibility to prepare global citizens.

Practical implications

This manuscript shares successful classroom strategies and learning exercises that have resulted in preservice teacher growth. Teacher educators can and should “globalize” course curricula, equipping social studies teachers with the knowledge, aptitude and skills necessary to teach the next generation of global citizens.

Originality/value

The teacher education course described herein offers a practical approach for preparing a cadre of educators ready to teach in our globalized world.
The cactus cladode (Opuntia ficus indica) modulates uricemia, improves endothelial dysfunction and corrects oxidative damage in rats fed a cafeteria diet
Authors: Chekkal Hadjera , Harrat Nour el Imane , Bensalah Fatima , Affane Fouad , Louala Sabrine , Lamri-Senhadji Myriem
Published: November 2020

Purpose

The effects of Opuntia ficus indica (OFI) cladodes on uricemia level, endothelial dysfunction and oxidative damage were studied in young rats fed a cafeteria diet (CD).

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 16 young male Wistar rats (weighing 110 ± 20 g and four weeks old) were divided into two homogenous groups. The first group received a CD containing 50% of hyperlipidic diet and 50% of junk food mix (processed mix: hyper-fat, hyper-salted and sweetened) (CD group), and the second group (CD + OFI nopalitos) received the same diet supplemented with 50 g of fresh OFI nopalitos (young cladodes) for 30 days.

Findings

OFI nopalitos regulate the hyperuricemia, improve the endothelial dysfunction by raising the bioavailability of nitric oxide(NO) and reduce prooxidant markers by reducing lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation (p < 0.05) and boosting antioxidant capacity and enhancing the antioxidant enzymes activities (p < 0.05) in blood and aorta tissues of rats early fed with a high-fat diet /junk food.

Social implications

By-products of OFI have specific functional properties that may be beneficial in metabolic disorders and offer a better alternative with an economic and sustainable development perspective.

Originality/value

By-products of OFI highlight potential functional properties mainly based on its potent antioxidant capacity. By-products of OFI can be used as a promising nutraceutical resource to prevent various metabolic disorders in relation with cardiovascular diseases or hyperuricemia in subjects consuming junk food and or living in the Western society to reach the objectives of health policy and maintain a sustainable health system development.
Consequences of nest site selection vary along a tidal gradient
Authors: Brown Nicholas A. W. , Houpt Noah S. B. , Yee Nicole L. , Curtis Jennifer E. M. , Bolker Benjamin M. , Juanes Francis , Balshine Sigal
Published: November 2020

Parents providing care must sometimes choose between rearing locations that are most favourable for offspring versus those that are most favourable for themselves. Here, we measured how both parental and offspring performance varied in nest sites distributed along an environmental gradient.

The plainfin midshipman fishPorichthys notatusnests along a tidal gradient. When ascending from the subtidal to the high intertidal at low tide, both nest temperature and frequency of air exposure increase. We used one lab and two field experiments to investigate how parental nest site choices across tidal elevations are linked to the physiological costs incurred by parents and the developmental benefits accrued by offspring.

Under warmer incubation conditions, simulating high intertidal nests, offspring developed faster but had higher mortality rates compared to those incubated in cooler conditions that mimicked subtidal nests.

In the field, males in higher intertidal nests were more active caregivers, but their young still died at the fastest rates. Larger males claimed and retained low intertidal nests, where offspring survival and development rates were also highest.

Our results suggest that males compete more intensively for nest sites in the low intertidal, where they can raise their young quickly and with lower per‐offspring investments. Smaller, less‐competitive males forced into higher intertidal sites nest earlier in the season and provide more active parental care, possibly to bolster brood survival under harsh environmental conditions.
A habitat‐based assessment of the role of competition in plant invasions
Authors: Fridley Jason D. , Jo Insu , Hulme Philip E. , Duncan Richard P.
Published: November 2020

Many invasion theories invoke resource competition as the primary mechanism of invader advantage. These include Darwin's naturalization hypothesis (DNH), which treats phylogenetic similarity as a proxy for niche overlap and competitive intensity, and the evolutionary imbalance hypothesis (EIH), which suggests the phylogenetic diversity (PD) of an introduced species’ native range is an indicator of its competitive ability.

Few tests of invasion theory, however, consider habitat characteristics associated with the role of competition in community assembly. In particular, plant invasions of habitats characterized by high environmental stress and disturbance levels should rarely be driven by competition. This suggests tests of EIH and DNH are habitat dependent, and their relative importance in invasiveness models should be predictable based on habitat qualities related to competitive intensity.

Using a dataset of plant invasions in New Zealand (NZ) natural areas that distinguishes naturalized species according to both habitat type and community impact, we evaluated the predictive ability of factors related to EIH, DNH and covariates including year of introduction, introduction mode and life history attributes, in driving species invasiveness. We hypothesized that EIH and DNH would be more important predictors of invasiveness in forested habitats and decline in importance as communities shifted towards those more dominated by herbaceous species and/or more sparsely vegetated.

We found mixed support for the role of competition linked to DNH and EIH as a driver of invasions in relation to habitat type. Native range PD was among the best predictors of invasiveness in forests, and declined in importance in more disturbed habitats, supporting EIH. In contrast, phylogenetic nearest neighbour distance (PNND) of invaders to native communities was more important in disturbed environments, suggesting competition does not drive DNH. Further, for most habitats and across all of NZ, neither PD nor PNND was as important as year of introduction or life history and growth form attributes in predicting invasiveness.

Synthesis. Although both native range PD and PNND predict the invasiveness of naturalized plants in NZ, the results of our habitat‐specific models indicate that only PD is consistent with an invasion mechanism based on competitive ability. Effects of PNND were greatest in grasslands that have been extensively modified by fire and grazing, suggesting they are more likely driven by invader pre‐adaptation to modified habitat conditions. Due to the importance of matching species' traits to environmental context, invasiveness risk assessments perform better when applied to invaders of particular habitats.
From the periodic table to photochemistry with fluorescent jellies: A food science celebration of the International Year of the Periodic Table of Chemical Elements
Authors: Jaconiano Yasmim R. , Goulart Juliana S. , Barros José C. , Michel Ricardo C.
Published: November 2020

It began in 1869, and today we have 118 elements listed in the Periodic table, thanks to Mendeleev's work. Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen are elements presented in many organic compounds. Some of them can exhibit photophysical and photochemical properties. Herein, we proposed an easy to make an experiment in chemistry classes to connect both subjects, periodic table and photochemistry, through periodic tables made of fluorescent jellies. A sheet of PET‐G was heated and put over the periodic table mold made in a 3D‐printing to produce the form used in this work. Quinine and vitamin B2, from tonic water and vitamin supplement, respectively, were the fluorescent compounds selected to be in the gelification process to give the jelly fluorescence. The light source was a black light lamp. This work allowed for the discussion of photophysics and photochemistry concepts, 3D‐printing process, gelification, and the International Year of the Periodic Table of Chemical Elements—IYPT2019—with undergraduate students without the use of expensive reagents or equipment.
Transformations and functional role of starch during potato crisp making: A review
Authors: Reyniers Stijn , Ooms Nand , Delcour Jan A.
Published: November 2020

Potato chips are a major product in the savory snack market and are consumed worldwide because of their enjoyable and distinctive organoleptic properties. They are conventionally produced by deep‐frying thin slices of fresh potato. In contrast, potato crisps are manufactured from dried potato derivatives such as potato flakes (PFs). Their production is reviewed in this manuscript and requires the formation of dough based on hydrated PFs. Expansion of the dough during deep‐frying provides the crisps with their desired crunchy texture. As part of an overall trend, the consumer search for calorie‐reduced food products has also stimulated research to lower oil uptake during crisp production. However, minimizing oil absorption without losing the characteristic palatability of deep‐fried products is challenging and requires fundamental knowledge on factors determining product texture and oil absorption. The transformations and functional role of starch, potato's main constituent, during crisp making are key in this respect and are reviewed here.
The membrane mucin Msb2 regulates aflatoxin biosynthesis and pathogenicity in fungus Aspergillus flavus
Authors: Qin Ling , Li Ding , Zhao Jiaru , Yang Guang , Wang Yinchun , Yang Kunlong , Tumukunde Elisabeth , Wang Shihua , Yuan Jun
Published: November 2020

As a pathogenic fungus, Aspergillus flavus can produce carcinogenic aflatoxins (AFs), which poses a great threat to crops and animals. Msb2, the signalling mucin protein, is a part of mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway which contributes to a range of physiological processes. In this study, the roles of membrane mucin Msb2 were explored in A. flavus by the application of gene disruption. The deletion of msb2 gene (Δmsb2) caused defects in vegetative growth, sporulation and sclerotia formation when compared to WT and complement strain (Δmsb2C) in A. flavus. Using thin‐layer chromatography (TLC) and high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis, it was found that deletion of msb2 down‐regulated aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) synthesis and decreased the infection capacity of A. flavus. Consistently, Msb2 responds to cell wall stress and osmotic stress by positively regulating the phosphorylation of MAP kinase. Notably, Δmsb2 mutant exhibited cell wall defect, and it was more sensitive to inhibitor caspofungin when compared to WT and Δmsb2C. Taking together, these results revealed that Msb2 plays key roles in morphological development process, stresses adaptation, secondary metabolism and pathogenicity in fungus A. flavus.
Joint damage in rheumatoid arthritis: Lessons learned from an extended 36‐joint ultrasonography and 28‐joint Disease Activity Score assessments
Authors: Tan York Kiat , Li HuiHua , Allen John Carson , Thumboo Julian
Published: November 2020

Aim

To study joint damage severity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients classified using ultrasound power Doppler (PD) and gray‐scale (GS) joint inflammation outcomes and the 28‐joint Disease Activity Score (DAS28).

Method

Ultrasound erosion scores were compared between (a) patients in group 1 (PD positive and GS ≥ median score), group 2 (PD negative and GS ≥ median score) and group 3 (PD positive and GS < median score) vs group 4 (PD negative and GS < median score) and (b) patients with high, moderate and low DAS28 scores vs those in DAS28 remission. Comparative analyses were performed using the 2‐sample Student's t test.

Results

There were 1080 joints and 1800 joint recesses from 36 joints scanned in 30 RA adult patients (mean DAS28, 3.58; mean disease duration, 70.3 months) in this cross‐sectional study. The mean and 95% CI ultrasound erosion scores were significantly higher (P = .026) for groups 1 (9.75, 6.69‐12.81) vs 4 (3.4, 1.11‐5.69) with a difference (95% CI) of 6.35 (0.78‐11.83), but not significantly different (P values all > .05) for (a) groups 2 and 3 vs 4 and (b) patients with high, moderate and low DAS28 scores vs those in DAS28 remission.

Conclusion

Severity of ultrasound‐detected bone erosions was significantly greater when both positive PD and a greater degree of GS joint inflammation were present in RA. This association was not observed when either component was absent. Single time point ultrasound joint inflammation assessment – and not DAS28 – is reflective of joint damage severity in RA patients.
Role of exosome in autoimmunity, with a particular emphasis on rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Hejrati Alireza , Hasani Bahare , Esmaili Mozhgan , Bashash Davood , Tavakolinia Naeimeh , Zafari Parisa
Published: November 2020

Cell‐derived exosomes are identified as carriers of lipids, proteins, and genetic materials that participate in cell‐cell signal communication, biological process, and cell signaling. Also, their involvement has been reported in a vast array of disorders and inflammatory conditions such as autoimmune diseases. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a common cause of joint disorder, is an inflammation‐based disease in which the precise understanding of its pathogenesis needs to be further investigated. Also, there is only a palliative care approach for the alleviation of RA symptoms. This paper discusses the recent advances in the biology of exosomes in autoimmune disorders especially in RA, and also provides a new line of research for arthritis therapy using exosomes.
Root and canal morphology of the anterior permanent dentition in Malaysian population using two classification systems: A CBCT clinical study
Authors: Karobari Mohmed Isaqali , Noorani Tahir Yusuf , Halim Mohamad Syahrizal , Ahmed Hany Mohamed Aly
Published: November 2020

This cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) study aimed to evaluate the root canal morphology of permanent anteriors in Malaysian population using two classification systems (Vertucci 1984 and Ahmed et al 2017). CBCT images of 856 patients with 10,080 anterior teeth were analysed. Results showed that, except for six mandibular canines, all anterior teeth were single‐rooted. According to Ahmed et al’s system and Vertucci’s classification, code 1MaxA1 and type I were the most common types except in mandibular laterals where 1ManA1‐2‐1 and type III were the most common, respectively. The prevalence of canal variations in mandibular incisors was higher in males and the 20–30 age group than in females and other age groups (P < 0.001). The Malay ethnic group showed more canal variations in mandibular incisors than Chinese and Indians (P < 0.001). Mandibular anteriors showed a wide range of canal variations, and the canal complexity is significantly affected by sex, ethnicity and age. The new classification provides an accurate presentation for root canal morphology.
Voluntary social insurance for Vietnamese laborers in the informal economic sector
Authors: Mai Linh , Nguyen Hoa T. K. , Nguyen Nga T. T. , Nguyen Trang T.
Published: November 2020

Voluntary social insurance (VSI), a type of social insurance organized by the Government, allows participants, who work in the informal sector with unstable jobs and income, to choose the premium and payment methods in accordance with their income for their retirement plan. The rate of Vietnamese laborers participating in VSI is low. This study aims to examine the current situation of VSI participation of laborers, as well as their perception of VSI visibility and assessment of VSI policies and utilization. Results from survey with 293 laborers, including 144 VSI participants and 149 VSI non‐participants, and semi‐structured interviews with 60 stakeholders in two districts in Northern Vietnam show the lack of awareness of VSI existence among non‐VSI participants, and limited knowledge of VSI policies among VSI participants. Although participants endorsed beneficiaries and premium in the retirement plan, they were concerned about the long 20‐year premium payment duration in the situation of unstable jobs and income, and the lack of other benefits, for example, maternity leave and unemployment benefit. Results recommend better propagandas, distributed documents, and educational sessions on VSI policies on mass and social media, as well as at VSI conferences and their workplace.
Cardiorespiratory responses to high‐intensity skeletal muscle metaboreflex activation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Iepsen Ulrik Winning , Ryrsø Camilla Koch , Rugbjerg Mette , Secher Niels H. , Barbosa Thales Coelho , Lange Peter , Thaning Pia , Pedersen Bente K. , Mortensen Stefan P. , Fadel Paul J.
Published: November 2020

Background

Augmented skeletal muscle metaboreflex activation may accompany chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The maintained metaboreflex control of mean arterial pressure (MAP) that has been reported may reflect limited evaluation using only one moderate bout of static handgrip (HG) and following postexercise ischaemia (PEI).

Objective

We tested the hypothesis that cardiovascular and respiratory responses to high‐intensity static HG and isolated metaboreflex activation during PEI are augmented in COPD patients.

Methods

Ten patients with moderate to severe COPD and eight healthy age‐ and BMI‐matched controls performed two‐minute static HG at moderate (30% maximal voluntary contraction; MVC) and high (40% MVC) intensity followed by PEI.

Results

Despite similar ratings of perceived exertion, arm muscle mass and strength, COPD patients demonstrated lower MAP responses during both HG intensities compared with controls (time × group interaction, p < .05). Indeed, during high‐intensity HG at 40% MVC, peak MAP responses were significantly lower in COPD patients (ΔMAP: COPD 41 ± 9 mmHg vs. controls 56 ± 14 mmHg, p < .05). Notably, no group differences in MAP were observed during PEI (e.g. 40% MVC PEI: ΔMAP COPD 33 ± 9 mmHg vs. controls 33 ± 6 mmHg, p > .05). We found no between‐group differences in heart rate, respiratory rate, or estimated minute ventilation during HG or PEI.

Conclusion

These results suggest that the pressor response to high‐intensity HG is blunted in COPD patients. Moreover, despite inducing a strong cardiovascular and respiratory stimulus, skeletal muscle metaboreflex activation evoked similar responses in COPD patients and controls.
Site‐specific skeletal muscle echo intensity and thickness differences in subcutaneous adipose tissue matched older and younger adults
Authors: Paris Michael T. , Letofsky Noah , Mourtzakis Marina
Published: November 2020

Background

Age‐related deterioration of muscle mass does not occur uniformly across the body. However, there is limited knowledge on the uniformity of age‐related muscle composition changes across the body.

Objective

Our primary objective was to evaluate muscle composition differences between younger and older adults across multiple muscle groups.

Methods

We re‐analysed data from a previously published cohort to evaluate differences in ultrasound muscle composition (echo intensity) between younger (<45 years) and older (>60 years) adults, when matched for adipose tissue mass at the anterior upper arm, anterior upper leg and abdominal muscles. Analysis of echo intensity is confounded by subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) thickness overlaying the muscle; we accounted for these effects by matching older and younger adults (1:1), stratified by sex, for absolute SAT thickness at each landmark.

Results

From 96 adults (n = females), 58 (n = 34) were SAT matched at the anterior upper arm, 52 (n = 30) at the anterior upper leg and 60 (n = 30) at the abdominal region; thus, there were no age group differences in SAT thickness at each landmark. In comparison with younger adults, older adults presented with greater echo intensity at the anterior upper leg (females:40.3 ± 6.8 vs. 52.4 ± 7.6; males:35.7 ± 8.0 vs. 54.3 ± 9.8, p < .01) and abdominal (females:38.7 ± 27.6 vs. 73.4 ± 31.0; males:18.7 ± 15.2 vs. 60.9 ± 23.4, p < .01) muscles, but not anterior upper arm muscles (females:47.0 ± 6.5 vs. 53.2 ± 13.1; males:43.4 ± 8.9 vs. 48.9 ± 10.1, p = .18).

Conclusions

Distinct age‐related differences in trunk and lower limb muscle composition were evident compared to upper limb muscles; highlighting the importance of quantifying specific muscle groups when evaluating age‐associated muscle characteristics.