bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Probing the segregation of evoked and spontaneous neurotransmission via photobleaching and recovery of a fluorescent glutamate sensor
Authors: Wang Camille S. , Chanaday Natali L. , Monteggia Lisa M. , Kavalali Ege T.
Published: December 2021

Synapses maintain both action potential-evoked and spontaneous neurotransmitter release, however, organization of these two forms of release within an individual synapse remains unclear. Here, we used photobleaching properties of iGluSnFR, a fluorescent probe that detects glutamate, to investigate the subsynaptic organization of evoked and spontaneous release. In non-neuronal cells and neuronal dendrites, iGluSnFR fluorescence is intensely photobleached and recovers via diffusion of non-photobleached probes within 10-seconds. After photobleaching, while evoked iGluSnFR events could be rapidly suppressed, their recovery required several hours. In contrast, iGluSnFR responses to spontaneous release were comparatively resilient to photobleaching, unless the complete pool of iGluSnFR was activated by glutamate perfusion. This differential effect of photobleaching on different modes of neurotransmission is consistent with a subsynaptic organization where sites of evoked glutamate release are clustered and corresponding iGluSnFR probes are diffusion restricted, while spontaneous release sites are broadly spread across a synapse with readily diffusible iGluSnFR probes.
Effects of sub-lethal single, simultaneous, and sequential abiotic stresses on phenotypic traits of Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Morales A. , de Boer H. J. , Douma J. C. , Elsen S. , Engels S. , Glimmerveen T. , Sajeev N. , Huber M. , Luimes M. , Luitjens E. , Raatjes K. , Hsieh C. , Teapal J. , Wildenbeest T. , Jiang Z. , Pareek A. , Singla-Pareek S. L. , Yin X. , Evers J.B. , Anten N.P.R. , van Zanten M. , Sasidharan R.
Published: December 2021

Plant responses to abiotic stresses are complex and dynamic, and involve changes in different traits, either as the direct consequence of the stress, or as an active acclimatory response. Abiotic stresses frequently occur simultaneously or in succession, rather than in isolation. Despite this, most studies have focused on a single stress and single or few plant traits. To address this gap, our study comprehensively and categorically quantified the individual and combined effects of three major abiotic stresses associated with climate change (flooding, progressive drought and high temperature) on 12 phenotypic traits related to morphology, development, growth and fitness, at different developmental stages in four Arabidopsis thaliana accessions. Combined sub-lethal stresses were applied either simultaneously (high temperature and drought) or sequentially (flooding followed by drought). In total, we analyzed the phenotypic responses of 1782 individuals across these stresses and different developmental stages.

Overall, abiotic stresses and their combinations resulted in distinct patterns of effects across the traits analyzed, with both quantitative and qualitative differences across accessions. Stress combinations had additive effects on some traits, whereas clear positive and negative interactions were observed for other traits: 9 out of 12 traits for high temperature and drought, 6 out of 12 traits for post-submergence and drought showed significant interactions. In many cases where the stresses interacted, the strength of interactions varied across accessions. Hence, our results indicated a general pattern of response in most phenotypic traits to the different stresses and stress combinations, but it also indicated a natural genetic variation in the strength of these responses.

Overall, our study provides a rich characterization of trait responses of Arabidopsis plants to sub-lethal abiotic stresses at the phenotypic level and can serve as starting point for further in-depth physiological research and plant modelling efforts.
DeepPlnc: Bi-modal Deep Learning for Highly Accurate Plant lncRNA Discovery
Authors: Ritu  , Gupta Sagar , Sharma Nitesh Kumar , Shankar Ravi
Published: December 2021

We present here a bi-modal CNN based deep-learning system, DeepPlnc, to identify plant lncRNAs with high accuracy while using sequence and structural properties. Unlike most of the existing software, it works accurately even in conditions with ambiguity of boundaries and incomplete sequences. It scored consistently high for performance metrics while breaching accuracy of >98% when tested across a large number of validated instances. During benchmarking it consistently outperformed all the compared tools and maintained a highly significant lead in the range of 4.6%-10.3% from the second best performing tool (p-value << 0.01). DeepPlnc was used to annotate a de novo assembled transcriptome of a himalayan species where again it suggested its much better suitability for genome and transcriptome annotation purposes than the existing tools. DeepPlnc has been made freely available as a web-server and stand-alone program at https://scbb.ihbt.res.in/DeepPlnc/.
Adjoint-based methods to compute higher-order topological derivatives with an application to elasticity
Authors: Baumann Phillip , Sturm Kevin
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The goal of this paper is to give a comprehensive and short review on how to compute the first- and second-order topological derivatives and potentially higher-order topological derivatives for partial differential equation (PDE) constrained shape functionals.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors employ the adjoint and averaged adjoint variable within the Lagrangian framework and compare three different adjoint-based methods to compute higher-order topological derivatives. To illustrate the methodology proposed in this paper, the authors then apply the methods to a linear elasticity model.

Findings

The authors compute the first- and second-order topological derivatives of the linear elasticity model for various shape functionals in dimension two and three using Amstutz' method, the averaged adjoint method and Delfour's method.

Originality/value

In contrast to other contributions regarding this subject, the authors not only compute the first- and second-order topological derivatives, but additionally give some insight on various methods and compare their applicability and efficiency with respect to the underlying problem formulation.
Fractional order plasma modeling based on linear polarization of LASER light: an Atangana–Baleanu Caputo approach
Authors: Zubair Tamour , Usman Muhammad , Lu Tiao
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this offered research is to articulate a multifaceted kind of highly unstable initial perturbation and further analyze the performance of the plasma particles for time-fractional order evaluation.

Design/methodology/approach

For this purpose, the authors designed specific geometry and further interpreted it into the mathematical model using the concepts of the Vlasov Maxwell system. The suggested algorithm is based on the finite-difference and spectral estimation philosophy. The management of time and memory in generic code for computational purposes is also discussed.

Findings

The main purpose is to analyze the fractional behavior of plasma particles and also the capability of the suggested numerical algorithm. Due to initial perturbations, there are a lot of sudden variations that occurred in the formulated system. Graphical behavior shows that SR parameter produces devastation as compared to others. The variation of fractional parameter between the defend domain demonstrates the hidden pictures of plasma particles. The design scheme is efficient, convergent and has the capability to cover the better physics of the problem.

Practical implications

Plasma material is commonly used in different areas of science. Therefore, in this paper, the authors increase the capability of the mathematical plasma model with specific geometry, and further suitable numerical algorithm is suggested with detailed physical analysis of the outcomes. The authors gave a new direction to study the performance of plasma particles under the influence of LASER light.

Originality/value

In the recent era, science has produced a lot of advancements to study and analyze the physical natural process, which exist everywhere in the real word. On behalf of this current developments, it is now insufficient to study the first-order time evaluation of the plasma particles. One needs to be more precise and should move toward the bottomless state of it, that is, macroscopic and microscopic time-evaluation scales, and it is not wrong to say that there exits a huge gap, to study the time evaluation in this discussed manner. The presented study is entirely an advanced and efficient way to investigate the problem into the new directions. The capability of the proposed algorithm and model with fractional concepts can fascinate the reader to extend to the other dimensions.
National human resource development in China: government–industry–university relations and roles
Authors: Fang Bo , Zhang Panpan , Kim Sehoon
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore recent national human resource development (NHRD) practices in China through a literature review focusing on programs and activities that represent the roles and interactions among the government, industry and universities.

Design/methodology/approach

To effectively consolidate previous work and conceptualize the recent development of the NHRD practices in China, a semi-narrative literature review was used to explore and analyze NHRD-related functions and activities.

Findings

Findings from the literature review showed that although the central government still plays a predominant role in China, universities and corporations are increasingly playing a critical role in developing an innovative and skilled workforce. At the regional level, NHRD initiatives in China have been increasingly undertaken by universities, industry and government–industry–university collaborations. The authors also found a disparity between developed and underdeveloped regions in terms of NHRD in China.

Research limitations/implications

This study used the triple helix model as a framework that provides an insightful lens for researchers to examine how various social entities interact with each other and jointly contribute to NHRD. Further case studies are needed to generate evidence-based knowledge to the NHRD literature.

Practical implications

A more systematic NHRD leadership structure at both the national and local level is desired to unleash the potential of bottom-up development and active government–industry–university collaboration. To counter regional divergence in NHRD in China, intra- and cross-regional collaborations are helpful in improving resources distribution and workforce development.

Originality/value

Based on open system theory, this study focused on programs and activities that represent the roles and interactions among the government, industry and university in Chinese NHRD through the lens of the triple helix model. In addition, this study offers a conceptual model of Chinese NHRD to help scholars and practitioners understand the transitional efforts in NHRD.
Effects of gain-loss-framed messages on virtual reality intervened fitness exercise
Authors: Yadav Rohit , Yadav Mohit , Mittal Amit
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Technology for fitness provides users with numerous features that aid the achievement of intended fitness/health goals such as checking consumption habits and adherence to exercise. Based upon the concepts of self-efficacy and prospect theories, this study aims to inspect the influence of messages frame on behavioral usage of virtual reality (VR) technology intervened fitness exercise.

Design/methodology/approach

By usage of a laboratory-based experiment commissioning certain fitness exercises, this study is conducted on 150 respondents. An assessment is conducted on the efficiency of gain appeal mechanism (exercise performance feedback) toward the usage of VR intervened fitness exercise and measured surge in exercise self-efficacy (ESE), playfulness (PL) and outcome expectations.

Findings

The results show that gain-appealed/framed messages prove advantageous over loss-appealed/framed in performing VR intervened exercises. A bootstrapped (method) mediation analysis confirms higher positive effects of gain-framed messages upon intentions to use VR intervened fitness exercise. VR intervened fitness exercise was strongly and positively mediated by ESE, PL and outcome expectations.

Practical implications

This study is of help to researchers and marketers trying to understand the role played by gain- and loss-framed messages on VR technology enabled fitness exercises.

Originality/value

This study helps VR and fitness technology developers and marketers understand the effectiveness of persuasive performance messages toward VR fitness exercise technology adoption amalgamating message intervention with better technology usage.
Magic muzzles? The silencing of teachers through HRM, performance appraisal and reputation concern
Authors: Dahle Dag Yngve
Published: December 2021

Purpose

In the deregulated public sector upper secondary school field in Oslo, Norway, teachers’ voice is found to be restricted. The purpose of the present paper is to examine human resource management (HRM) approach, satisfaction with the performance appraisal (PA) system and concern for reputation as possible antecedents to voice restrictions.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study is based on a survey (N = 1,055) carried out among upper secondary school teachers in one urban, one suburban and one rural area of Norway. Data were analyzed with path analysis, including analyses of mediation, moderation and moderated mediation.

Findings

Analyses reveal that there is a positive relationship between voice restrictions and control-oriented HRM, PA dissatisfaction and reputation concern, respectively. Low-quality leader–member exchange (LMX) mediates the relationships between voice restrictions and control-oriented HRM, and voice restrictions and PA dissatisfaction, but not between voice restrictions and reputation concerns. No moderation or moderated mediation effects were found.

Originality/value

While there is a broad literature on deregulation and marketization of public sector schools, research on its consequences is limited, and scholarship on the consequences for teachers’ voice is in its infancy. To the best of the author’s knowledge, this study is among the first to explore these issues, and, in addition, makes a rare contribution by unveiling that both PA satisfaction and reputation concern is related to voice restrictions.
Quality Control 4.0: a way to improve the quality performance and engage shop floor operators
Authors: Silva Cláudia Sousa , Borges António Fernando , Magano José
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Organizations must focus on increasingly complex and customized products and production processes integrated into technological and digital evolution. Thus, shop floor operators have a more significant number of complex tasks with responsibility for their quality control, looking for high productivity levels. However, there are human limitations to deal with the increased amount of information/data resulting from the integration of new technologies. As such, the main research objective is to answer the following research question “How can the combination of recent smart technologies with the human factor contribute to employees' involvement at the shop floor level and thus improve quality control?”

Design/methodology/approach

This study follows a qualitative research approach by developing a singular case study in CPMG PSA Group – Peugeot Citroën, where two innovative information technology (IT) projects were implemented following the continuous improvement methodology PDCA cycle (Deming, 1986).

Findings

This work contributed to highlighting the human-centered approach in the discussion of Quality 4.0 development. The main theoretical contribution of this research is the identification of a set of key elements that should be present in the integration of the information technologies in quality control, namely: Prioritizing the quality problems supported by the fundamentals knowledge and tools of traditional quality management (QM); building multidisciplinary teams at different organization levels; following approaches that promote continuous improvement; developing the human-centered and user-friendly perspective; implementing solutions as directly as possible in the workstation; finally, enabling an effective communication and motivation strategies.

Research limitations/implications

The research addresses a singular case study and solely explores the vertical integration process of Quality 4.0.

Practical implications

The projects presented may inspire other organizations to integrate information technologies solutions in quality control, following the implementation process and the essential elements described in these examples. Thus, this research stresses that one should customize these projects with the involvement of shop floor operators in a human-centered and user-friendly perspective, both at the preliminary and succeeding stages.

Originality/value

This research presents two original and customized projects, bridging the technological perspective with the human factor in the digital transformation era, supporting the worker, not replacing it.
Adoption intentions towards improved vegetable varieties among commercial and subsistence farmers in Nepal
Authors: Begho Toritseju
Published: December 2021

Purpose

In Nepal, not much is known about the adoption of improved vegetable varieties. Also, there are reasons to expect that the determinants of adoption may vary between subsistence and commercial farmers, given their different production/market orientations. Therefore, the paper aims to examine the adoption intentions of commercial and subsistence vegetable farmers.

Design/methodology/approach

A logistic regression model was used to empirically test the determinants of the intention to adopt and recommend improved vegetable varieties. The paper also uses propensity score matching (PSM) to assess the causal effects of production/market orientation on household dietary patterns. Cross-sectional data of 600 Nepalese vegetable farmers are analyzed.

Findings

Compared to subsistence farmers, commercial vegetable farmers obtain seeds mainly from formal sources and use hybrid seeds. The most consistent covariates of vegetable adoption intentions were risk preferences and experience growing vegetables. Overall, adoption intentions were higher among commercial farmers, and commercial vegetable households tend to consume more vegetables.

Practical implications

Considering that vegetable farming provides an important supplementary food production system for the household, adopting improved vegetable varieties is pivotal to increasing productivity and improving household level dietary diversity in developing countries. Actions to promote wider adoption of vegetable varieties and encourage healthier dietary patterns could be successful if these efforts also focus on subsistence farmers. The findings in this paper will be useful to policymakers to better prioritize dissemination strategies.

Originality/value

The paper highlights the differences in characteristics and adoption intention towards new vegetable varieties between subsistence and commercial farmers. The impact of commercial production on healthier household dietary patterns is accentuated.
An overview of pruning and harvesting manipulators
Authors: Tinoco Vítor , Silva Manuel F. , Santos Filipe N. , Valente António , Rocha Luís F. , Magalhães Sandro A. , Santos Luis C.
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The motivation for robotics research in the agricultural field has sparked in consequence of the increasing world population and decreasing agricultural labor availability. This paper aims to analyze the state of the art of pruning and harvesting manipulators used in agriculture.

Design/methodology/approach

A research was performed on papers that corresponded to specific keywords. Ten papers were selected based on a set of attributes that made them adequate for review.

Findings

The pruning manipulators were used in two different scenarios: grapevines and apple trees. These manipulators showed that a light-controlled environment could reduce visual errors and that prismatic joints on the manipulator are advantageous to obtain a higher reach. The harvesting manipulators were used for three types of fruits: strawberries, tomatoes and apples. These manipulators revealed that different kinematic configurations are required for different kinds of end-effectors, as some of these tools only require movement in the horizontal axis and others are required to reach the target with a broad range of orientations.

Originality/value

This work serves to reduce the gap in the literature regarding agricultural manipulators and will support new developments of novel solutions related to agricultural robotic grasping and manipulation.
How do innovation and financial reporting influence public sector performance in a transition market?
Authors: Tran Yen Thi , Nguyen Nguyen Phong , Hoang Trang Cam
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Drawing on new public management (NPM) theory and institutional theory, this research examined the direct and indirect effects of an innovation-oriented culture on organisational performance as measured based on financial reporting quality and accountability. The investigation involved public organisations in Vietnam, which is a transition market.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was administered to accountants and finance managers working in the public sector, and 248 valid questionnaires were subjected to analysis. The research model and hypotheses were tested via partial least squares-structural equation modelling.

Findings

Results indicated that an innovation-oriented culture favourably affects the performance of public sector organisations. The quality of financial reporting and accountability mediate the relationship between the aforementioned culture and performance.

Originality/value

This study is the first to examine the chain of activities that spans innovation, financial reporting quality, accountability and organisational performance in the context of public sector organisations in an Asian transition market.
Can you manage shocks? An investigation of career shocks on proactive career behavior: a COR theory perspective
Authors: Ali Zulqurnain , Mehreen Aqsa
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Considerable research has been done to link career-development strategies to career-management success, but little is known about how career shocks (CSs) relate to proactive career behavior (PCB). Furthermore, the study investigates the mediation mechanism of personal resources (i.e. perceived self-efficacy (PSE) and perceived employability (PEMP)) in the linkage between CSs and PCB using the tenets of conservation of resources (COR) theory.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the survey approach, the authors recruited 322 banking professionals and validated the proposed model and hypotheses in AMOS.

Findings

The outcome shows that CSs are significantly related to PSE and PEMP (personal resources), subsequently linked to PCB. Moreover, personal resources mediate the linkage between CSs and PCB. Thus, CSs cannot be ignored but can be minimized through proactive efforts.

Practical implications

The findings support the banks' management to protect their personnel career by not giving CSs and build their PCB through personal resources. The employees should strive for enhancing personal resources through organizational development opportunities (i.e. training and development) to rescue themselves from sudden CSs.

Originality/value

Shocks cannot be ignored but can be managed through PCB. This research is the first that successfully adds to the career-development literature by empirically establishing the direct and indirect association between CSs and PCB through personal resources.
Reconfigure the apparel retail stores with interactive technologies
Authors: Vidushi Vidushi , Kashyap Radha
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The omni-channel strategy provides a holistic experience during shopping by integrating online and offline channel services. In this digitalized realm, customers are more dependent on online elements for shopping. However, physical stores are still their first choice for apparel shopping. The introduction of interactive technology is one of the key elements to provide an online experience in the physical store. The purpose of this paper is to identify the impact of interactive technologies on purchase intention and its role.

Design/methodology/approach

This study has been conducted in Delhi using 573 customers who are using interactive technologies for shopping. A self-developed questionnaire was used to collect the data. Data was analysed using structural equation modelling through smart partial least square 3.

Findings

The results show that 46% change in purchase intention was due to mobile point of sale/digital wallet, tablet/i-pad/digital signage, smartphone and click and collect/ship from store technology. However, there was no impact of the smart mirror and in-store Wi-Fi technology on purchase intention.

Originality/value

This study focuses on various technologies which provide online experience at physical stores. This study offers new insights for the theoretical and business framework of omni-channel brands. These technologies could be used as key performance indicators of omni-channel retailing in future.
Radical re-imagination: centering a BIPOC library workforce in an asset-based autoethnography
Authors: Shearer Janis J. , Chiewphasa Ben B.
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Academic BIPOC librarians oftentime struggle to envision themselves and navigate in White-dominant spaces due to deficit thinking. To better understand how DEIA efforts can bolster structural change in academic libraries, the two BIPOC authors opted to lean on an asset-based exercise–imagining a positive work environment made possible through a library staffed entirely by BIPOC individuals.

Design/methodology/approach

Through collaborative autoethnography, the two authors interviewed one another and centered their unstructured conversations around one question: “What does an academic library composed entirely of a BIPOC workforce look like?” Three emergent themes were agreed upon and finalized by the two authors.

Findings

The authors' imagined library is able to foster a supportive community and also function efficiently thanks to its shared purpose grounded in DEIA. Despite relying on an asset-based framework, the authors found themselves having to reckon with trials and tribulations currently faced by BIPOC librarians. Effectively envisioning the “ideal” library environment is not possible without also engaging with librarianship's legacy of racial injustices.

Originality/value

Recognizing that confronting systems of oppression naturally invokes trauma, this paper encourages librarians to challenge deficit thinking and instead rely on asset-based models to candidly imagine an anti-racist academic library. The authors acknowledge that BIPOC voices and experiences add tremendous value to the library workplace. At the heart of this paper is the belief that reparations for past racial injustices should not only fix past wrongdoings, but also contribute to positive workplace cultures.
Strategic workforce planning: from closing skills gaps to optimizing talent
Authors: Tucker Elissa
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this APQC (American Productivity and Quality Center) research study is to understand which strategic workforce planning approaches are currently in use; whether these approaches are meeting business needs; and what workforce planning challenges organizations are facing today.

Design/methodology/approach

This study involved survey research with 236 valid respondents representing organizations from a wide range of industries, regions, workforce sizes and revenues. American productivity and quality center (APQC) identified 46 “best-in-class” workforce planners from among these organizations based on their consistent achievement of superior results from workforce planning.

Findings

Best-in-class workforce planners are doing more than closing skills gaps and reducing skills surpluses. They are optimizing talent. Leveraging technology, varied work arrangements and employee development, they assemble the optimal mix of talent to achieve business goals.

Originality/value

The findings provide insight into how best-in-class workforce planners build a strong foundation for effective workforce planning through the distinctive ways they use process, people, technology and time. Organizations that adopt the practices and approaches of best-in-class workforce planners can drive improvements in their own workforce planning process.
Employee-level consequences of perceived internal and external CSR: decoding the moderation and mediation paths
Authors: Aggarwal Priyanka , Singh Reetesh K.
Published: December 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to examine whether and how internal and external typologies of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and employees’ CSR participation (CSRP) differentially impact organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) and turnover intentions (TI), mediated by meaningful work (MW) and affective commitment (AC) and moderated by CSR motive attributions.

Design/methodology/approach

Bootstrapped structural equation modeling using AMOS and mediation and moderation analysis using Hayes’ Process macro in SPSS are performed on a sample of 193 employees from diverse industries in India.

Findings

The CSR-work outcomes relationship is rather multifaceted. Internal CSR (ICSR) and CSRP directly promote the meaningfulness of work and AC. Further, all three kinds of CSR (ICSR, external CSR (ECSR) and CSRP) influence work behaviors (OCB and TI) sequentially via MW and AC. Intrinsic (extrinsic) CSR attributions strengthen (weaken) the positive effect of ECSR on MW. Nevertheless, the conditional indirect effects could not be established, warranting further investigation.

Practical implications

The management must elevate employees’ CSR awareness allowing them to partake in the planning and execution of CSR programs that are authentic, righteous and seamlessly unified with core business activities to nurture work meaningfulness and positive employee attitudes and behaviors.

Originality/value

This is the foremost study that involves a bibliometric analysis of employee-based CSR research and a systematic meta-analytic review of the relationship between CSR and meaningfulness from employees’ perspectives. The present study is novel as it divulges an integrative framework about how employees’ CSR perceptions, participation/volunteering and attributions collectively influence the work outcomes at three levels (namely, cognitive, attitudinal and behavioral), drawing on sensemaking, needs and justice-based views, social identity, social exchange and attribution theories. Thus, new nuances are added to extant micro-CSR literature.
Exploring nursing and medical perceptions of sepsis management in a New Zealand emergency department: A qualitative study
Authors: Rogan Alice , Lockett Jessica , Peckler Brad , Robinson Brian , Raymond Nigel
Published: December 2021

Objective

Early sepsis recognition and treatment are essential in order to reduce the burden of disease. Initial assessment of patients with infection is often undertaken by ED nurses and resident doctors. This descriptive qualitative study aimed to explore their perceptions and perspectives regarding the factors that impede the identification and management of patients with sepsis.

Methods

This was a qualitative study conducted between 30 January 2020 and 27 February 2020. Semi‐structured focus group interviews were performed to collect data. All participants provided written informed consent and completed a basic demographic and work experience form. Two study investigators facilitated the interviews. Interviews were audio‐recorded and later transcribed. Thematic analysis was performed with the aid of NVivo 12 software.

Results

Six focus group interviews were conducted involving 40 ED nurses and doctors. Interview length ranged from 27 to 38 min (mean 33.5 min). Three major themes were identified: (i) clinical management; (ii) challenges and delays; and (iii) communication. Each of these themes was broken down into subthemes, which are presented in more detail.

Conclusion

ED nurses and doctors have identified important factors that limit and enhance their capacity to recognise and respond to patients with sepsis. Complex interactions exist between clinical and organisational structures that can affect the care of patients and the ability of clinicians to provide optimal care. The three major themes and specific subthemes provide a useful framework and stimulus for service improvements and research that could help foster future sepsis management improvement strategies.
Clinical features and prognostic factors of systemic sclerosis in Guangxi, China: Retrospective, single‐center study of long‐term survival in 470 patients
Authors: Chen Juan , Yang Chenxi , Pan Jie , Zhao Cheng , Chen Zhanrui , Wen Jing , Dong Fei , Liao Xiaoling , Lei Ling
Published: December 2021

Objective

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease the prevalence of which varies among populations. We analyzed SSc patients from Guangxi to improve the clinical understanding of this disease.

Methods

Data of 470 SSc patients admitted to our institution from October 1,2012 to January 1,2019 were examined. The characteristics of these patients were analyzed using Kaplan‐Meier survival analysis. Cox proportional‐hazard regression was used to identify prognostic factors.

Results

The average age was 50.44 ± 12.31 years, 285 patients (60.6%) were women, 2.1% had pneumoconiosis, 58.2% had pulmonary interstitial disease (ILD), 18.7% had pulmonary hypertension (PH), and 3.6% had renal crisis. These patients had diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc, 70.2%) or limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis (29.7%), and PH and renal crisis were more common in the dcSSc group. Patients 50 years old or more had greater prevalences of ILD, PH, and musculoskeletal damage, greater positivity of laboratory biomarkers, and increased mortality (all P < .05). Seventy‐four patients (15.7%) died. The non‐survivors were older, had longer disease duration, had higher prevalences of ILD, restrictive ventilation dysfunction, PH, and renal crisis, and had higher levels of creatine kinase myocardial band (CK‐MB), C‐reactive protein, and immunoglobin A (all P < .05). Renal crisis, PH, and high CK‐MB were independent risk factors for death.

Conclusions

Pneumoconiosis was more common in SSc patients than the general population from this region. Our patients had a 10‐year cumulative survival rate of 74.9%, higher than reported for patients from the US. Renal crisis, PH, and high CK‐MB level were independent risk factors for death.
Deep learning and satellite imagery predict genetic diversity and differentiation
Authors: Kittlein Marcelo J. , Mora Matías S. , Mapelli Fernando J. , Austrich Ailín , Gaggiotti Oscar E.
Published: December 2021

During the last decade, convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have revolutionised the application of deep learning (DL) methods to classification tasks and object recognition. These procedures can capture key features of image data that are not easily visible to the human eye and use them to classify and predict outcomes with exceptional precision.

Here, we show for the first time that CNNs provide highly accurate predictions for small‐scale genetic differentiation and diversity in Ctenomys australis, a subterranean rodent from central Argentina. Using microsatellite genotypes and high‐resolution satellite imagery, we trained a simple CNN to predict local FST and mean allele richness. To identify landscape features with high impact on predicted values, we applied species distribution models to obtain the distribution of suitable habitat. Subsequent use of a machine learning algorithm (random forest) allowed us to identify the attributes that contribute the most to predictions of population genetic metrics.

Predictions obtained from the CNN accounted for more than 98% of the variation observed both in FST and mean allele richness values. Random forest regression on landscape metrics indicated that features involving connectivity and consistent prevalence of suitable habitat promoted genetic diversity and reduced genetic differentiation in C. australis.

Validation with synthetic data via simulations of genetic differentiation based on the landscape structure of the study area and of a nearby area showed that DL models are able to capture complex relationships between actual data and synthetic data in the same landscape and between synthetic data generated under different landscapes.

Our approach represents an objective and powerful approach to landscape genetics because it can extract information from patterns that are not easily identified by humans. Spatial predictions from the CNN may assist in the identification of areas of interest for biodiversity conservation and management of populations.
Combining laser rangefinder and viewshed technologies to improve ground surveys of invasive tree distributions
Authors: Wyse Sarah V. , Hulme Philip E. , Etherington Thomas R.
Published: December 2021

Quantifying the spatial extent, location and habitat associations of invasive tree species is critical to predict their future spread and prioritise areas for management. Species–environment relationship analyses are useful tools for understanding and predicting the potential geographical distribution of these species; however, such tools require rigorous and extensive data about species presence and, crucially, the area surveyed.

Here, we describe a method for performing ground‐based visual surveys of invasive trees from a set of viewpoints that utilises laser rangefinder and global navigation satellite system (GNSS) technology to detect tree locations. We then highlight the novel use of geographical information system (GIS) viewsheds as a tool to define the area surveyed.

Using the invasive conifer,Pinus radiata, as our target, we undertook a ground‐truthing exercise for 50 trees established in the wild to assess the accuracy of the method and determine the suitable spatial resolution for GIS data that would be used in subsequent species–environment relationship analyses. For these trees, location error was positively related to distance from the tree to the viewpoint. The calculated locations for all trees within 600 m of the observer were within 25 m of the location as determined by the GNSS unit, with a median location error of 4 m. These results indicate that data of a resolution suitable for mapping invasive trees can be efficiently collected over large areas. We also outline suggestions and instructions for computing the viewsheds to determine the surveyed area.

This approach allows for efficient collection of accurate data on the occurrence of non‐native trees and the land area surveyed. These data can underpin species–environment relationship analyses that then form the basis of risk maps for areas prone to future invasion. Given the speed and accuracy with which data can be obtained using this method, and the use of standard and easily accessible field equipment and GIS software, we recommend this approach to other spatial and invasion ecologists.
Twice neglected? Neglected diseases in neglected populations
Authors: Weld Ethel D. , Waitt Catriona , Barnes Karen , Garcia Bournissen Facundo
Published: December 2021

It is unfortunately true that clinicians lack the necessary evidence to know how to use medications properly in large sections of the population and do not have optimal treatments to use for many neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). NTDs often disproportionately affect neglected populations that are left out of research efforts, such as children and pregnant women. As reliable access to safe, effective preventives and treatments can break the cycle of poverty, illness, and ensuing debility that further perpetuates poverty, it is of paramount importance to investigate and develop new medicines for neglected populations suffering from NTDs. Furthermore, there is not only a need to develop and evaluate novel therapies, but also to ensure that these are affordable, available, and adapted to the communities who need them. The NIH has proposed a “4 C's” framework which is relevant for neglected diseases and populations and should be leveraged for the study of the Twice Neglected: Consider inclusion; Collect data from neglected populations with neglected conditions; Characterize differences through meaningful analysis; Communicate findings pertaining to neglected diseases and populations. With this editorial, the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology hereby launches a call for high‐quality articles focusing on NTDs in special populations, to facilitate and encourage the reversal of this dual neglect.
hsa_circ_0003410 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma progression by increasing the ratio of M2/M1 macrophages through the miR‐139‐3p/CCL5 axis
Authors: Cao Pei , Ma Bo , Sun Ding , Zhang Weigang , Qiu Junyi , Qin Lei , Xue Xiaofeng
Published: December 2021

Noncoding RNAs have been verified to regulate the infiltration of macrophages to accelerate tumor biological progression, however the regulation of macrophages by circular RNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unresolved. Using high‐throughput RNA sequencing, we demonstrated that hsa_circ_0003410 was clearly upregulated in HCC. 5‐Ethynyl‐2′‐deoxyuridine and transwell assays showed that hsa_circ_0003410 facilitated the proliferation and migration of HCC cells in vitro. We knocked down the expression of hsa_circ_0003410 in HepG2 cells and performed next‐generation sequencing to determine possible target genes of hsa_circ_0003410. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis revealed that different genes were mainly enriched in immune‐related pathways. Mechanistically, we identified CCL5 as the target gene of hsa_circ_0003410. RNA‐FISH showed the co‐expression of hsa_circ_0003410 and CCL5. Western blot and ELISA also verified that hsa_circ_0003410 could upregulate the expression of CCL5 protein. Flow cytometry and immunofluorescence assays indicated that CCL5 activated and recruited M2 macrophages and increased the ratio of M2/M1 macrophages to promote the progression of HCC. Animal experiments in vitro also confirmed our results. Taken together, our experiments revealed that noncoding RNAs play a critical role in the HCC microenvironment and can be considered as markers for the diagnosis and prognosis of HCC.
Myelodysplasia cutis as the presenting sign of chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia
Authors: Maglie Roberto , Senatore Stefano , Di Stefano Gioia , Barzacchi Marta , Maio Vincenza , Montefusco Francesca , Baffa Maria Efenesia , Bianchi Beatrice , Santucci Marco , Antiga Emiliano
Published: December 2021

We describe an unusual case of myelodysplasia cutis in a patient with chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia.
Ketogenic diet ameliorates cognitive impairment and neuroinflammation in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Xu Yunlong , Jiang Chenyu , Wu Junyan , Liu Peidong , Deng Xiaofei , Zhang Yadong , Peng Bo , Zhu Yingjie
Published: December 2021

Introduction

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder that causes dementia and affects millions of people worldwide. Although it has devastating outcomes for patients and tremendous economic costs to society, there is currently no effective treatment available.

Aims

The high‐fat, low‐carbohydrate ketogenic diet (KD) is an established treatment for refractory epilepsy with a proven efficacy. Although the considerable interest has emerged in recent years for applying KD in AD patients, only few interventional studies in animals and humans have addressed the effects of KD on cognitive impairments, and the results were inconclusive. The aim of this study was to explore the impact of KD on cognitive functions and AD pathology in 5XFAD mice—a validated animal model of AD.

Results

Four months of a ketogenic diet improved spatial learning, spatial memory and working memory in 5XFAD mice. The improvement in cognitive functions was associated with a restored number of neurons and synapses in both the hippocampus and the cortex. Ketogenic diet treatment also reduced amyloid plaque deposition and microglial activation, resulting in reduced neuroinflammation. The positive effect of ketogenic diet on cognitive functions depended on the starting time and the duration of the diet. A shorter period (2 months) of ketogenic diet treatment had a weaker effect. Ketogenic diet initiated at late stage of AD (9 months of age) displayed no effect on cognitive improvement.

Conclusions

These findings indicate positive effects of ketogenic diet on both cognitive function and histopathology in Alzheimer's disease, which could be due to reduced microglial activation and neuroinflammation. Our findings provide new insights and therapeutic interventions for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
Children's attention to numerical quantities relates to verbal number knowledge: An introduction to the Build‐A‐Train task
Authors: Sokolowski H. Moriah , Merkley Rebecca , Kingissepp Sarah Samantha Bray , Vaikuntharajan Praja , Ansari Daniel
Published: December 2021

Which dimension of a set of objects is more salient to young children: number or size? The ‘Build‐A‐Train’ task was developed and used to examine whether children spontaneously use a number or physical size approach on an un‐cued matching task. In the Build‐A‐Train task, an experimenter assembles a train using one to five blocks of a particular length and asks the child to build the same train. The child's blocks differ in length from the experimenter's blocks, causing the child to build a train that matches based on either the number of blocks or length of the train, as it is not possible to match on both. One hundred and nineteen children between 2 years 2 months and 6 years 0 months of age (M = 4.05, SD = 0.84) completed the Build‐A‐Train task, and the Give‐a‐Number task, a classic task used to assess children's conceptual knowledge of verbal number words. Across train lengths and verbal number knowledge levels, children used a number approach more than a size approach on the Build‐A‐Train task. However, children were especially likely to use a number approach over a size approach when they knew the verbal number word that corresponded to the quantity of blocks in the train, particularly for quantities smaller than four. Therefore, children's attention to number relates to their knowledge of verbal number words. The Build‐A‐Train task and findings from the current study set a foundation for future longitudinal research to investigate the causal relationship between children's acquisition of symbolic mathematical concepts and attention to number.