bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CryoVesNet: A Dedicated Framework for Synaptic Vesicle Segmentation in Cryo Electron Tomograms
Authors: Khosrozadeh Amin , Seeger Raphaela , Witz Guillaume , Radecke Julika , Sørensen Jakob B. , Zuber Benoît
Published: February 2024

Cryo-electron Tomography (Cryo-ET) has the potential to reveal cell structure down to atomic resolution. Nevertheless, cellular cryo-ET data is often highly complex, and visualization, as well as quantification, of subcellular structures require image segmentation. Due to a relatively high level of noise and anisotropic resolution in cryo-ET data, automatic segmentation based on classical computer vision approaches usually does not perform satisfactorily. For this reason, cryo-ET researchers have mostly performed manual segmentation.

Communication between neurons relies on neurotransmitter-filled synaptic vesicle (SV) exocytosis. Recruitment of SVs to the plasma membrane is an important means of regulating exocytosis and is influenced by interactions between SVs. Cryo-ET study of the spatial organization of SVs and of their interconnections allows a better understanding of the mechanisms of exocytosis regulation.

Extremely accurate SV segmentation is a prerequisite to obtaining a faithful representation of SVs state of connectivity. Hundreds to thousands of SVs are present in a typical synapse, and their time-consuming manual segmentation is a bottleneck in this analysis.

Several attempts to automate vesicle segmentation by classical computer vision or machine learning algorithms have not yielded robust results. We addressed this problem by designing a workflow consisting of a U-Net convolutional segmentation network followed by post-processing steps. This combination yields highly accurate results. Furthermore, we provide an interactive tool for accurately segmenting spherical vesicles in a fraction of the time required by available manual segmentation methods. This tool can be used to segment vesicles that were missed by the fully automatic procedure or to quickly segment a handful of vesicles while bypassing the fully automatic procedure. Our pipeline can in principle be used to segment any spherical vesicle in any cell type as well as extracellular vesicles.
Biomechanical Costs Influence Decisions Made During Ongoing Actions
Authors: Canaveral Cesar Augusto , Lata William , Green Andrea M , Cisek Paul
Published: February 2024

Accurate interaction with the environment relies on the integration of external information about the spatial layout of potential actions and knowledge of their costs and benefits. Previous studies have shown that when given a choice between voluntary reaching movements, humans tend to prefer actions with lower biomechanical costs. However, these studies primarily focused on decisions made before the onset of movement (“decide-then-act” scenarios), and it is not known to what extent their conclusions generalize to many real-life situations, in which decisions occur during ongoing actions (“decide-while-acting”). For example, one recent study found that biomechanical costs did not influence decisions to switch from a continuous manual tracking movement to a point-to-point movement, suggesting that biomechanical costs may be disregarded in decide-while-acting scenarios. To better understand this surprising result, we designed an experiment in which participants were faced with the decision between continuing to track a target moving along a straight path or changing paths to track a new target that gradually moved along a direction that deviated from the initial one. We manipulated tracking direction, angular deviation rate, and side of deviation, allowing us to compare scenarios where biomechanical costs favored either continuing or changing the path. Crucially, here the choice was always between two continuous tracking actions. Our results show that in this situation, decisions clearly took biomechanical costs into account. Thus, we conclude that biomechanics are not disregarded during decide-while-acting scenarios, but rather, that cost comparisons can only be made between similar types of actions.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY

In this study, we aim to shed light on how biomechanical factors influence decisions made during ongoing actions. Previous work suggested that decisions made during actions disregard biomechanical costs, in contrast to decisions made prior to movement. Our results challenge that proposal and suggest instead that the effect of biomechanical factors is dependent on the types of actions being compared (e.g., continuous tracking vs. point-to-point reaching). These findings contribute to our understanding of the dynamic interplay between biomechanical considerations and action choices during ongoing interactions with the environment.
Inferring Neural Communication Dynamics from Field Potentials Using Graph Diffusion Autoregression
Authors: Schwock Felix , Bloch Julien , Khateeb Karam , Zhou Jasmine , Atlas Les , Yazdan-Shahmorad Azadeh
Published: February 2024

Estimating dynamic network communication is attracting increased attention, spurred by rapid advancements in multi-site neural recording technologies and efforts to better understand cognitive processes. Yet, traditional methods, which infer communication from statistical dependencies among distributed neural recordings, face core limitations: they do not model neural interactions in a biologically plausible way, neglect spatial information from the recording setup, and yield predominantly static estimates that cannot capture rapid changes in the brain. To address these issues, we introduce a graph diffusion autoregressive model. Designed for distributed field potential recordings, our model combines vector autoregression with a network communication process to produce a high-resolution communication signal. We successfully validated the model on simulated neural activity and recordings from subdural and intracortical micro-electrode arrays placed in macaque sensorimotor cortex demonstrating its ability to describe rapid communication dynamics induced by optogenetic stimulation, changes in resting state communication, and the trial-by-trial variability during a reach task.
Dispersal history of SARS-CoV-2 in Galicia, Spain
Authors: Gallego-García Pilar , Estévez-Gómez Nuria , De Chiara Loretta , Alvariño Pilar , Juiz-González Pedro M. , Torres-Beceiro Isabel , Poza Margarita , Vallejo Juan A. , Rumbo-Feal Soraya , Conde-Pérez Kelly , Aja-Macaya Pablo , Ladra Susana , Moreno-Flores Antonio , Gude-González María J. , Coira Amparo , Aguilera Antonio , Costa-Alcalde José J. , Trastoy Rocío , Barbeito-Castiñeiras Gema , García-Souto Daniel , Tubío José M. C. , Trigo-Daporta Matilde , Camacho-Zamora Pablo , García Costa Juan , González-Domínguez María , Canoura-Fernández Luis , Glez-Peña Daniel , Pérez-Castro Sonia , Cabrera Jorge J. , Daviña-Núñez Carlos , Godoy-Diz Montserrat , Treinta-Álvarez Ana Belén , Veiga María Isabel , Sousa João Carlos , Osório Nuno S. , Comas Iñaki , González-Candelas Fernando , Hong Samuel L. , Bollen Nena , Dellicour Simon , Baele Guy , Suchard Marc A. , Lemey Philippe , Agulla Andrés , Bou Germán , Alonso-García Pilar , Pérez-del-Molino María Luisa , García-Campello Marta , Paz-Vidal Isabel , Regueiro Benito , Posada David
Published: February 2024

The dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 transmission are influenced by a variety of factors, including social restrictions and the emergence of distinct variants. In this study, we delve into the origins and dissemination of the Alpha, Delta, and Omicron variants of concern in Galicia, northwest Spain. For this, we leveraged genomic data collected by the EPICOVIGAL Consortium and from the GISAID database, along with mobility information from other Spanish regions and foreign countries. Our analysis indicates that initial introductions during the Alpha phase were predominantly from other Spanish regions and France. However, as the pandemic progressed, introductions from Portugal and the USA became increasingly significant. Notably, Galicia's major coastal cities emerged as critical hubs for viral transmission, highlighting their role in sustaining and spreading the virus. This research emphasizes the critical role of regional connectivity in the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and offers essential insights for enhancing public health strategies and surveillance measures.
Interim 2023/24 season influenza vaccine effectiveness in primary and secondary care in the United Kingdom
Authors: Whitaker Heather , Findlay Beth , Zitha Jana , Goudie Rosalind , Hassell Katie , Evans Josie , Kalapotharakou Panoraia , Agrawal Utkarsh , Kele Beatrix , Hamilton Mark , Moore Catherine , Byford Rachel , Stowe Julia , Robertson Chris , Couzens Anastazia , Jamie Gavin , Hoschler Katja , Pheasant Kathleen , Button Elizabeth , Quinot Catherine , Jones Tim , Anand Sneha , Watson Conall , Andrews Nick , de Lusignan Simon , Zambon Maria , Williams Christopher , Cottrell Simon , Marsh Kimberly , McMenamin Jim , Bernal Jamie Lopez
Published: February 2024

We report 2023/24 season interim influenza vaccine effectiveness for three studies, including primary care in Great Britain, hospital settings in Scotland and hospital settings in England. Adjusted vaccine effectiveness against all influenzas ranged from 63% (46 to 75%) to 65% (41 to 79%) among children aged 2-17, from 36% (20 to 49%) to 55% (43 to 65%) among adults 18-64 and from 40% (29 to 50%) to 55% (32 to 70%) among adults aged 65 and over.
Food insecurity prevalence among tertiary students in Ghana
Authors: Agbetsise Evelyn , Letsa Crystal Bubune , Esime Ofori Charlotte Abra , Asalu Geoffrey Adebayo
Published: February 2024

Background

Food insecurity (FI) is a collective term for inadequate access to available, affordable, and safe nutritious food. FI could affect students’ health and academic performance adversely. Currently, there is a paucity of research on food insecurity among tertiary students in Ghana. This study determined the prevalence of food insecurity among tertiary students in an Eastern city of Ghana.

Materials and methods

A descriptive cross-sectional study design was employed. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 411 respondents from four tertiary institutions. The United States Department of Agriculture Adult Household Food Security Survey (HFSS) Module tool was used to collect information on students’ food insecurity status. Data were entered with Epi-data version 3.0 software and then exported into Stata/MP version 16.0 for analysis. For all statistical tests, a p-value < 0.05 was considered significant.

Results

The prevalence of food insecurity was 61.0 %. Of these, 40.4 % had very low food security and 20.2% had low food security. Multiple logistic regression showed that the odds of food insecurity were significantly higher for students who did not have family support [AOR=2.56 (95% CI:1.17 - 5.63), p= 0.019] as compared to those who had family support and students whose fathers were farmers compared to fathers who were employed [AOR=2.71 (95% CI:1.49 - 4.92), p= 0.001].

Conclusion

The study found high levels of food insecurity among tertiary students in Hohoe. An insight into food insecurity among this at-risk population group requires further investigation and action. There is an urgent need for research to better understand the severity and persistence of food insecurity among higher education students in Ghana.
Controlling the human connectome with spatially diffuse input signals
Authors: Betzel Richard F , Puxeddu Maria Grazia , Seguin Caio , Bazinet Vincent , Luppi Andrea , Podschun Alina , Singleton S. Parker , Faskowitz Joshua , Parakkattu Vibin , Misic Bratislav , Markett Sebastian , Kuceyeski Amy , Parkes Linden
Published: February 2024

The human brain is never at "rest"; its activity is constantly fluctuating over time, transitioning from one brain state--a whole-brain pattern of activity--to another. Network control theory offers a framework for understanding the effort -- energy -- associated with these transitions. One branch of control theory that is especially useful in this context is "optimal control", in which input signals are used to selectively drive the brain into a target state. Typically, these inputs are introduced independently to the nodes of the network (each input signal is associated with exactly one node). Though convenient, this input strategy ignores the continuity of cerebral cortex -- geometrically, each region is connected to its spatial neighbors, allowing control signals, both exogenous and endogenous, to spread from their foci to nearby regions. Here, we adapt the network control model so that input signals have a spatial extent that decays exponentially from the input site. We show that this more realistic strategy takes advantage of spatial dependencies in structural connectivity and activity to reduce the energy (effort) associated with brain state transitions. We further leverage these dependencies to explore near-optimal control strategies such that, on a per-transition basis, the number of input signals required for a given control task is reduced, in some cases by two orders of magnitude. This approximation yields network-wide maps of input site density, which we compare to an existing database of functional, metabolic, genetic, and neurochemical maps, finding a close correspondence. Ultimately, not only do we propose a more efficient framework that is also more adherent to well-established brain organizational principles, but we also posit neurobiologically grounded bases for optimal control.
Interaction between a J-domain co-chaperone and a specific Argonaute protein contributes to microRNA function in animals
Authors: Frédérick Pierre-Marc , Jannot Guillaume , Banville Isabelle , Simard Martin J.
Published: February 2024

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are essential regulators of several biological processes. They are loaded onto Argonaute (AGO) proteins to achieve their repressive function, forming the microRNA-Induced Silencing Complex (miRISC). While several AGO proteins are expressed in plants and animals, it is still unclear why specific AGOs are strictly binding miRNAs. Here, we identified the co-chaperone DNJ-12 as a new interactor of ALG-1, one of the two major miRNA-specific AGOs inCaenorhabditis elegans. DNJ-12 does not interact with ALG-2, the other major miRNA-specific AGO, and PRG-1 and RDE-1, two AGOs involved in other small RNA pathways, making it a specific actor in ALG-1-dependent miRNA-mediated gene silencing. The loss of DNJ-12 causes developmental defects associated with defective miRNA function. Using the Auxin Inducible Degron (AID) system, a powerful tool to acutely degrade proteins in specific tissues, we show that DNJ-12 depletion hampers ALG-1 interaction with HSP70, a chaperone required for miRISC loadingin vitro. Moreover, DNJ-12 depletion leads to the decrease of several miRNAs and prevents their loading onto ALG-1. This study uncovers the importance of a co-chaperone for the miRNA functionin vivoand provides insights to explain how different small RNAs associate with specific AGO in animals.
ILLUSORY LIGHT DRIVES PUPIL RESPONSES IN PRIMATES
Authors: Durand Jean-Baptiste , Marchand Sarah , Nasres Ilyas , Laeng Bruno , De Castro Vanessa
Published: February 2024

In humans, the eye pupils respond to both physical light sensed by the retina and mental representations of light produced by the brain. Notably, our pupils constrict when a visual stimulus is illusorily perceived brighter, even if retinal illumination is constant. Yet, it remains unclear whether such perceptual penetrability of pupil responses is an epiphenomenon unique to humans or whether it represents an adaptive mechanism shared with other animals to anticipate variations in retinal illumination between successive eye fixations. To address this issue, we measured the pupil responses of both humans and macaque monkeys exposed to three chromatic versions (cyan, magenta, and yellow) of the Asahi brightness illusion. We found that the stimuli illusorily perceived brighter or darker trigger differential pupil responses that are very similar in macaques and human participants. Additionally, we show that this phenomenon exhibits an analogous cyan bias in both primate species. Beyond evincing the macaque monkey as a relevant model to study the perceptual penetrability of pupil responses, our results suggest that this phenomenon is tuned to ecological conditions since the exposure to a “bright cyan-bluish sky” may be associated with increased risks of dazzle and retinal damages.
Nitrogen cycling during an Arctic bloom: from chemolithotrophy to nitrogen assimilation
Authors: Laso Pérez Rafael , Santisteban Juan Rivas , Fernandez-Gonzalez Nuria , Mundy Christopher J. , Tamames Javier , Pedrós-Alió Carlos
Published: February 2024

In the Arctic, phytoplankton blooms are recurring phenomena occurring during the spring-summer seasons and influenced by the strong polar seasonality. Besides, bloom dynamics is affected by nutrient availability, especially nitrogen, which is the main limiting nutrient in the Arctic. This study aimed to investigate the changes in an Arctic microbial community during a phytoplankton bloom with a special focus on the nitrogen cycle. Using metagenomic and metatranscriptomic samples from the Dease Strait (Canada) from March to July (2014), we reconstructed 176 metagenome-assembled genomes. Bacteria dominated the microbial community, although archaea reached up to 25% of genomic abundance in early spring, whenNitrososphaeriaarchaea actively expressed genes associated with ammonia oxidation to nitrite (amt, amoA, nirK). The resulting nitrite was presumably further oxidized to nitrate by aNitrospinotabacterium that highly expressed a nitrite oxidoreductase gene (nxr). Since May, the constant increase in chlorophyllaindicated the occurrence of a phytoplankton bloom, promoting the successive proliferation of different groups of chemoorganotrophic bacteria (Bacteroidetes,AlphaproteobacteriaandGammaproteobacteria). These bacterial taxa showed different strategies to obtain nitrogen, whether it be from organic or inorganic sources, according to the expression patterns of genes encoding transporters for nitrogen compounds. In contrast, during summer, the chemolithotrophic organisms thriving during winter, reduced their relative abundance and the expression of their catabolic genes. Based on the functional analysis of our data, we see a transition from a community where nitrogen-based chemolitotrophy plays a relevant role, to a chemoorganotrophic community based on the carbohydrates released during the phytoplankton bloom, where different groups specialize in different nitrogen sources.
Altruistic disease signalling in ant colonies
Authors: Dawson Erika H. , Kampleitner Niklas , Robb Jennifer , Strahodinsky Florian , Grasse Anna V. , Cremer Sylvia
Published: February 2024

Sick individuals often conceal their disease status to group members, thereby preventing social exclusion or aggression. Here, we show that infected ant pupae, on the contrary, actively emit a chemical signal that triggers their own destruction by colony members. In our experiments, this altruistic disease-signalling was performed only by worker but not queen pupae, reflecting differences in their immune capabilities, as worker pupae suffered from extensive pathogen replication whereas queen pupae were able to restrain infection. Inducing others to sacrifice oneself, only if one’s own immunity fails, suggests a fine-tuned interplay between individual and social immunity, efficiently achieving whole-colony health.
Villification of the intestinal epithelium is driven by Foxl1
Authors: Zhu Guoli , Lahori Deeksha , Schug Jonathan , Kaestner Klaus H
Published: February 2024

The primitive gut tube of mammals initially forms as a simple cylinder consisting of the endoderm-derived, pseudostratified epithelium and the mesoderm-derived surrounding mesenchyme. During mid-gestation a dramatic transformation occurs in which the epithelium is both restructured into its final cuboidal form and simultaneously folded and refolded to create intestinal villi and intervillus regions, the incipient crypts. Here we show that the mesenchymal winged helix transcription factor Foxl1, itself induced by epithelial hedgehog signaling, controls villification by activating BMP and PDGFRα as well as planar cell polarity genes in epithelial-adjacent telocyte progenitors, both directly and in a feed-forward loop with Foxo3.
Discovery of an anti-virulence compound that targets theStaphylococcus aureusSaeRS two-component system to inhibit toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 (TSST-1) production
Authors: Dufresne Karine , DiMaggio Dennis A. , Maduta Carla S. , Brinsmade Shaun R. , McCormick John K.
Published: February 2024

Menstrual toxic shock syndrome (mTSS) is a rare but severe disorder associated with the use of menstrual products such as high-absorbency tampons and is caused byStaphylococcus aureusstrains that produce the toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1) superantigen. Herein, we screened a library of 3920 small bioactive molecules for the ability to inhibit transcription of the TSST-1 gene without inhibiting growth ofS. aureus. The dominant positive regulator of TSST-1 is the SaeRS two-component system (TCS), and we identified phenazopyridine hydrochloride (PP-HCl) that repressed production of TSST-1 by inhibiting the kinase function of SaeS. PP-HCl competed with ATP for binding of the kinase SaeS leading to decreased phosphorylation of SaeR and reduced expression of TSST-1 as well as several other secreted virulence factors known to be regulated by SaeRS. PP-HCl targets virulence ofS. aureus, but it also decreases the impact of TSST-1 on human lymphocytes without affecting the healthy vaginal microbiota. Our findings demonstrate the promising potential of PP-HCl as a therapeutic strategy against mTSS.
Working memory representations are spatially transferred in cortex during mental manipulations
Authors: Chernik Charles , van den Berg Ronald , Lundqvist Mikael
Published: February 2024

Working Memory (WM) enables us to maintain and directly manipulate mental representations, yet we know little about the neural implementation of this privileged online format. We recorded EEG data as human subjects engaged in a task requiring continuous updates to the locations of objects retained in WM. Analysis of contralateral delay activity (CDA) revealed that mental representations moved across cortex in real time as their remembered locations were updated.
CD44 facilitates adhesive interactions in airineme-mediated intercellular signaling
Authors: Bowman Raquel Lynn , Kim Jiyea , Eom Dae Seok
Published: February 2024

Specialized cellular protrusions facilitate local intercellular communications in various species, including mammals. Among these, airinemes play a crucial role in pigment pattern formation in zebrafish by mediating long-distance Notch signaling between pigment cells. Remarkably, airinemes exhibit large vesicle-like structure at their tips, which are pulled by macrophages and delivered to target cells. The interaction between macrophages and Delta-ligand carrying airineme vesicles is essential for initiating airineme-mediated signaling, yet the molecular detail of this interaction remains elusive. Through high-resolution live imaging, geneticin vivomanipulations andin vitroadhesion assay, we found that adhesive interactions via the extracellular domain of CD44, a class I transmembrane glycoprotein, between macrophages and airineme vesicles are critical for airineme signaling. Mutants lacking the extracellular domain of CD44 lose their adhesiveness, resulting in a significant reduction in airineme extension and pigment pattern defects. Our findings provide valuable insights into the role of adhesive interactions between signal-sending cells and macrophages in a long-range intercellular signaling.
Spectral properties of transverse Laguerre-Gauss modes in parametric down-conversion
Authors: Sevilla-Gutiérrez Carlos , Kaipalath Varun Raj , Baghdasaryan Baghdasar , Gräfe Markus , Fritzsche Stephan , Steinlechner Fabian
Published: February 2024

The first color photos of the parametric down-conversion (PDC) emission cone illustrate the correlation of longitudinal and transverse momentum in the process, i.e., wavelength-dependent emission angles of PDC photons. However, current experiments and applications are more conveniently described in terms of discrete mode sets, with the most suitable choice depending on the propagation symmetries of the experimental setting. Remarkably, despite the fact that experiments with PDC sources are becoming ever more demanding, e.g., in terms of brightness or state fidelity, a description of spectral-spatial coupling in parametric down-conversion for the case of discrete modal decompositions remains elusive. We present a comprehensive study, in theory and experiment, of the spectral dependence of the transverse Laguerre-Gauss modes in parametric down-conversion. Moreover, we show how the spectral and spatial coupling can be harnessed to tune the purity of the well-known orbital angular momentum entanglement. This paper has implications for efficient collection of entangled photons in a transverse single mode, quantum imaging, and engineering pure states for high-dimensional quantum information processing.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Design concept of a
γ
-ray beam with low bandwidth and high spectral density
Authors: Constantin P. , Matei C. , Ur C. A.
Published: February 2024

The Variable Energy Gamma facility of the Extreme Light Infrastructure-Nuclear Physics center will deliver a gamma beam generated by the Compton scattering of laser and electron beams. It will have the highest spectral density and the lowest bandwidth available worldwide. A suite of several experimental setups is being developed for a wide range of research programs in fundamental and applied nuclear science driven by gamma beams. The proposed design concept for this facility is outlined. A study of the gamma beam properties at its source, as well as those after collimation, is presented. The impact of the variation in the parameters of the electron and laser beams on the quality of the gamma beam is analyzed and discussed.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Roles of chalcogen sublayers of
1H
transition metal dichalcogenides in metal-semiconductor van der Waals heterostructures
Authors: Habe Tetsuro
Published: February 2024

In this paper, the crystal and electronic structures are investigated using first-principles theory for metal-semiconductor van der Waals heterostructures 1H-transition-metal dichalcogenides (NbS2, NbSe2, TaS2, TaSe2, MoS2, MoSe2, WS2, and WSe2). The theoretical investigations reveal that chalcogen sublayers play crucial roles in the crystal and electronic structures though these sublayers are minor parts in the pristine crystals. Actually, selenide sublayers energetically stabilize the commensurate heterobilayers, whereas moiré structure gives a much lower electronic energy with sulfide sublayers. Moreover, the chalcogen sublayers dominate the charge distribution via the difference of work functions in the component layers, i.e., the charge transfer between the metallic and semiconducting layers in the heterobilayers. The theoretical results suggest that the chalcogen sublayers can be the key to control the crystal and electronic structures in the metal-semiconductor vdW heterostructure of TMDC monolayers.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Hegemon or South-South partner? The ambiguity of Chinese foreign direct investment in Peru
Authors: Da Gama Francisca , Bui Kim
Published: February 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a framework for evaluating the relationship between China and Peru, drawing on dependency theory, against the backdrop of China’s explicit policies towards foreign direct investment. It seeks to transcend traditional interpretations of this relationship in the literature that focuses on China as either hegemon or a South–South partner to Latin American countries to highlight a more nuanced relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper adopts a case study approach, focusing on China in Peru. The authors examine three areas of traditional, strategic and emerging industries drawing from Chinese national policies, reviewing these against characteristics of dependency: control of production, heterogeneity of actors, transfer of knowledge and delinking.

Findings

The authors find that Chinese foreign direct investment (FDI) in Peru demonstrates mixed motives and collectively operates as an ambiguous player. Chinese firms appear to be willing to work with various actors, but this engagement does not translate into a decolonial development alternative in the absence of a Peruvian political will to delink and Chinese willingness to actively transfer control of production and knowledge.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to existing literature on China in Latin America by evaluating Chinese outward FDI in Peru against China’s strategic aims in terms of a re-evaluation of dependency theory.
Modeling digital skills beyond the IT workforce: construct definition, measurement and impact on digitalization value
Authors: Molla Alemayehu , Gekara Victor , Karanasios Stan , Snell Darryn
Published: February 2024

Purpose

Information technology (IT) personnels’ technical, business and behavioral skills are critical enablers for generating IT value. In an increasingly digitalized working environment where non-IT employees participate in digital innovations, a focus on IT personnels’ skills only doesn’t meet researchers’ need for a framework to study digital skills and managers’ need to address digital skills challenges across an enterprise’s workforce. Nevertheless, the digital skills topic is complicated by conceptual ambiguity and a lack of theoretically derived and empirically validated model. The purpose of this study is to address this problem.

Design/methodology/approach

Theoretically, this study draws on human capital (HC) and resource-based view (RBV) theories. Empirically, it follows mixed method combining interviews and a survey.

Findings

The digital skills construct is a multidimensional second order reflective construct. While its development is influenced by an organization’s commitment and exposure to digitalization, it influences the value organizations obtain from digitalization.

Research limitations/implications

This study conceptualizes the digital skills construct, identifying technology agnostic subdimensions that are meaningful beyond a particular digital domain [information and communication technology (ICT), information, Internet, Inter of Things (IoT)] and establishing a valid measure. Other researchers can improve both the indicators of the existing four conceptually distinct and managerially recognizable workplace digital skills dimensions as well as testing new ones.

Practical implications

Managers can use the instrument to assess the extent to which their non-IT workforces are equipped with digital skills and get strategic insights for specific interventions such as upskilling or buying in skills.

Originality/value

The main theoretical contribution of the paper is the conceptualization and validation of the digital skills construct for the non-IT workforce. Furthermore, we provide a theoretical framework to explain the factors that could influence the development of digital skills and demonstrate the impact that digital skills have on selected digitalization value indicators. This contribution provides the foundation for investigating the drivers, outcomes and the relationship of digital skills to other constructs such as digital transformation, innovation and firm performance.
The enigma of fraud as a unique crime and its resonance for auditing research and practice: unlearned lessons of psychological pathways to fraud
Authors: Maulidi Ach
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This study aims to observe people’s decisions to commit fraud. This study is important in the current time because it provides insights into the development of fraudulent intentions within individuals.

Design/methodology/approach

The information used in this study is derived from semi-structured interviews, conducted with 16 high-ranking officials who are employed in Indonesian local government positions.

Findings

The study does not have strong evidence to support prior studies assuming that situational factors or social enablers have direct effects on fraud intentions. As suggested, individual factors which are related to moral reasoning (moral judgment and rationalisation) emerge as a consequence of social enablers. The significant role of that moral reasoning is to rationalise any fraud attempt as permissible conduct. As such, when an individual is capable of legitimising his/her fraud attempt into appropriate self-judgement, s/he is more likely to engage in fraudulent behaviours.

Practical implications

This study offers practical prescriptions in guiding the management to develop strategies to curb fraudulent behaviours. The study suggests that moral cognitive reasoning is found to be a parameter of whether fraud is an acceptable option or not. So, an understanding of observers’ moral reasoning is helpful in predicting the likelihood of fraud within an organisation or in detecting it.

Originality/value

This study provides a different perspective on the psychological pathway to fraud. It becomes a complement work for the fraud triangle to explain fraudulent behaviours. Specifically, it provides crucial insights into the underlying motivations that lead individuals to accept invitations to engage in fraudulent activities.
A destination’s personality as a factor in tourists’ environmental knowledge management
Authors: Scuotto Veronica , Karagöz Deniz , Farronato Nicola , Alon Ilan
Published: February 2024

Purpose

Environmental knowledge management (EKM) has been studied mainly owing to the increasing awareness of environmental issues. Such issues have generated a warning in the tourism industry that has stimulated a new wave of research on EKM. EKM forges landscape characteristics and so destination image. In turn, EKM sounds affecting tourism destination which calls for destination personality which shows a research context less explored. From a knowledge management perspective, The present research aims to investigate on EKM to understand how it leverages tourists' and destination personality.

Design/methodology/approach

With the intent of exploring EKM, the research uses a quantitative analysis on a sample of 2,222 young Chinese tourists. In this context, EKM is linked with destination’s personality and tourists’ personalities, their satisfaction with the destination and their behavioral intentions.

Findings

By SPSS regression model, EKM and destination personality are positively linked. This positive relationship is also reflected on destination personality and destination satisfaction, behavioral intention.

Originality/value

The authors’ original contribution to the knowledge management literature extends the new wave of research on EKM. The research also proves the need to make a close collaboration between tourists, the local community and marketers. Marketers need to pay more attention to what tourists want to do and see in the place visited. In a nutshell, there is the need of enforcing and promoting EKM.
Graduate education and government policy in times of crisis: a case study of the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Holley Karri , Joseph Joretta
Published: February 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand US federal government policy during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic and the connections to graduate education. Using the multiple streams framework, the paper outlines these actions through various streams (problems, policy and political) and perspectives (defining problems, articulating options and mobilizing responses).

Design/methodology/approach

The primary sources of data collected for this study were US federal government policies from March 2020 through May 2021. Policies were examined through introduction, implementation and alteration (when possible) within the specific time period of the study. The policies outlined in this paper were connected to the US Department of Education, and to a lesser extent, the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation and other federal agencies. Data analysis was a two-fold process. First, the individual policy was considered as a single case and second, a cross-case comparison occurred across the multiple cases.

Findings

Analysing the study’s data in the problem stream provides a strong indicator of how the pandemic was perceived as a challenge for US graduate education. The pandemic served as a focusing event and illuminated the connections of graduate education to key institutional functions, including research and teaching. Broadly, US federal policy actions in this area focused on giving institutions resources and flexibility to support graduate students and allow them to continue their academic work while also seeding funding and incentives to continue the movement of knowledge, activities and people in the research pipeline. Actions in the policy stream aligned with the decentralized nature of the US higher education system and allowed for choice by academic institutions within the parameters of options.

Originality/value

This paper extends extant literature related to policy-making and graduate education to consider policy-making during a time of crisis. The paper offers methodological and conceptual ideas for consideration in future research.
Geospatial modeling of climate change indices at Mexico City using machine learning regression
Authors: Saldana-Perez Magdalena , Guzmán Giovanni , Palma-Preciado Carolina , Argüelles-Cruz Amadeo , Moreno-Ibarra Marco
Published: February 2024

Purpose

Climate change is a problem that concerns all of us. Despite the information produced by organizations such as the Expert Team on Climate Change Detection and Indices and the United Nations, only a few cities have been planned taking into account the climate changes indices. This paper aims to study climatic variations, how climate conditions might change in the future and how these changes will affect the activities and living conditions in cities, specifically focusing on Mexico city.

Design/methodology/approach

In this approach, two distinct machine learning regression models, k-Nearest Neighbors and Support Vector Regression, were used to predict variations in climate change indices within select urban areas of Mexico city. The calculated indices are based on maximum, minimum and average temperature data collected from the National Water Commission in Mexico and the Scientific Research Center of Ensenada. The methodology involves pre-processing temperature data to create a training data set for regression algorithms. It then computes predictions for each temperature parameter and ultimately assesses the performance of these algorithms based on precision metrics scores.

Findings

This paper combines a geospatial perspective with computational tools and machine learning algorithms. Among the two regression algorithms used, it was observed that k-Nearest Neighbors produced superior results, achieving an R2 score of 0.99, in contrast to Support Vector Regression, which yielded an R2 score of 0.74.

Originality/value

The full potential of machine learning algorithms has not been fully harnessed for predicting climate indices. This paper also identifies the strengths and weaknesses of each algorithm and how the generated estimations can then be considered in the decision-making process.
Vasculitis‐like herpes zoster in the course of treatment with tofacitinib in ulcerative colitis: An assessment of local viral distribution by RNA in situ hybridization
Authors: Uchiyama Eri , Yamaguchi Reimon , Anzawa Kazushi , Fujii Toshiki , Watanabe Daisuke , Shimizu Akira
Published: February 2024

A 67‐year‐old man had taken the janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor, tofacitinib, for ulcerative colitis. He was referred to our department for a refractory ulcer on his lower leg. We suspected vasculitis and performed skin biopsy. Histopathological examination showed multinucleated giant cells in the epidermis and fibrinoid degeneration of small vessels in the upper dermis. Varicella zoster virus (VZV) DNA was detected by polymerase chain reaction and we diagnosed the patient with atypical vasculitis‐like herpes zoster. The patient was treated with oral valacyclovir, but the rash persisted and took 2 months to heal. Immunostaining using anti‐VZV antibody was positive mainly in epidermal keratinocytes, but was also observed to be positive in cells in the dermis. We further performed RNA in situ hybridization using a VZV ORF9 mRNA probe and clearly showed that the distribution of VZV mRNA extended into the dermis, including the dermal vessel walls and the eccrine sweat glands as well as the epidermis. The internal administration of JAK inhibitors may induce regional widespread VZV infection including vessels and involved in the formation of prolonged vasculitis‐like manifestation. RNA in situ hybridization can be a potent tool for detecting the spread of VZV infection in the skin.
Effects of food supplementation and helminth removal on space use and spatial overlap in wild rodent populations
Authors: Mistrick Janine , Veitch Jasmine S. M. , Kitchen Shannon M. , Clague Samuel , Newman Brent C. , Hall Richard J. , Budischak Sarah A. , Forbes Kristian M. , Craft Meggan E.
Published: February 2024

Animal space use and spatial overlap can have important consequences for population‐level processes such as social interactions and pathogen transmission. Identifying how environmental variability and inter‐individual variation affect spatial patterns and in turn influence interactions in animal populations is a priority for the study of animal behaviour and disease ecology. Environmental food availability and macroparasite infection are common drivers of variation, but there are few experimental studies investigating how they affect spatial patterns of wildlife.

Bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus) are a tractable study system to investigate spatial patterns of wildlife and are amenable to experimental manipulations. We conducted a replicated, factorial field experiment in which we provided supplementary food and removed helminths in vole populations in natural forest habitat and monitored vole space use and spatial overlap using capture–mark–recapture methods.

Using network analysis, we quantified vole space use and spatial overlap. We compared the effects of food supplementation and helminth removal and investigated the impacts of season, sex and reproductive status on space use and spatial overlap.

We found that food supplementation decreased vole space use while helminth removal increased space use. Space use also varied by sex, reproductive status and season. Spatial overlap was similar between treatments despite up to threefold differences in population size.

By quantifying the spatial effects of food availability and macroparasite infection on wildlife populations, we demonstrate the potential for space use and population density to trade‐off and maintain consistent spatial overlap in wildlife populations. This has important implications for spatial processes in wildlife including pathogen transmission.
Research progress of aphid immunity system: Potential effective target for green pest management
Authors: Sun Li‐Na , Meng Jian‐Yu , Wang Zeng , Lin Shi‐Yang , Shen Jie , Yan Shuo
Published: February 2024

Due to the absence of acquired immunity, insects primarily rely on their innate immune system to resist pathogenic microorganisms and parasitoids in natural habitats. This innate immune system can be classified into cellular immunity and humoral immunity. Cellular immunity is mediated by hemocytes, which perform phagocytosis, aggregation, and encapsulation to fight against invaders, whereas the humoral immunity primarily activates the immune signaling pathways and induces the generation of immune effectors. Existing studies have revealed that the hemipteran aphids lack some crucial immune genes compared to other insect species, indicating the different immune mechanisms in aphids. The current review summarizes the adverse impacts of pathogenic microorganisms and parasitoids on aphids, introduces the cellular and humoral immune systems in insects, and analyzes the differences between aphids and other insect species. Furthermore, our review also discussed the existing prospects and challenges in aphid immunity research, and proposed the potential application of immune genes in green pest management.
Association between sacroiliac joint forms and subchondral changes in patients with Crohn's disease
Authors: Melekh Oksana , Barajas Ordonez Felix , Melekh Bohdan , Rodríguez‐Feria Pablo , Pech Maciej , Flintrop Wiebke , Surov Alexey
Published: February 2024

Aim

To assess the relationship between anatomical variants of sacroiliac joint (SIJ) and subchondral changes detected in magnetic resonance enterography (MRE) in patients with Crohn's disease (CD).

Methods

This was a retrospective study of 60 CD patients, who were divided into two groups: with (n = 16) and without SIJ (n = 44) involvement, depending on the presence of inflammatory (bone marrow edema) and structural changes (sclerosis and erosions) in MRE. Anatomical variants of SIJ were assessed in CT of the abdomen and/or pelvis, distinguishing typical form with convex iliac surface and atypical forms. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to reveal an association between joint changes and forms.

Results

Our study included 60 patients (38 males; mean age 38.72 years ± 13.33). Patients with SIJ changes were older (p = .044). No significant differences in CD localization and behavior were found. The most common SIJ lesions were structural changes (in 75% of patients); the main atypical form was the iliosacral complex. The univariate and multivariate analyses showed a significant association of atypical forms with total subchondral changes (odds ratio [OR]: 3.429, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.043–11.268; p = .042; OR: 5.066, 95% CI: 1.273–20.167; p = .021, respectively), and with structural changes (OR: 4.185, 95% CI: 1.155–15.160; p = .029; OR: 5.986, 95% CI: 1.293–27.700; p = .022, respectively).

Conclusion

Atypical forms of SIJ are a risk factor for the occurrence of structural joint changes in CD patients. An association between bone marrow edema and atypical forms was not found.