bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evo-devo dynamics of hominin brain size
Authors: González-Forero Mauricio
Published: March 2023

Brain size tripled in the human lineage over four million years, but why this occurred remains uncertain. To advance our understanding of what caused hominin-brain expansion, I mechanistically replicate it in-silico by modelling the evolutionary and developmental (evo-devo) dynamics of hominin-brain size. I show that, starting from australopithecine brain and body sizes, the model recovers the evolution of brain and body sizes of seven hominin species, the evolution of the hominin brain-body allometry, and major patterns of human development and evolution. Analysis shows that in this model the brain expands because it is “socio-genetically” correlated with developmentally late preovulatory ovarian follicles, not because brain size is directly selected for. The socio-genetic correlation causing the recovered hominin brain expansion is generated over development by ecology and possibly culture. Thus, in this model, direct selection that does not favour brain expansion provides a force that developmental constraints divert causing hominin-brain expansion.
Contingency, Repeatability and Predictability in the Evolution of a Prokaryotic Pangenome
Authors: Beavan Alan , Domingo-Sananes Maria Rosa , McInerney James O.
Published: March 2023

Pangenomes exhibit remarkable variability in many prokaryotic species. This variation is maintained through the processes of horizontal gene transfer and gene loss. Repeated acquisitions of near-identical homologs can easily be observed across pangenomes, leading to the question of whether these parallel events potentiate similar evolutionary trajectories, or whether the remarkably different genetic background of the recipients mean that post-acquisition evolutionary trajectories end up being quite different. In this study, we present a machine learning method that predicts the presence or absence of genes in theEscherichia colipangenome based on the presence of other accessory genes within the genome. We are, in effect, asking whether gene acquisitions potentiate similar evolutionary trajectories or not. Our analysis leverages the repeated transfer of genes through theE. colipangenome to observe patterns of repeated evolution following similar events. The presence or absence of a substantial set of genes is highly predictable, from other genes alone, indicating that selection potentiates and maintains gene-gene co-occurrence and avoidance relationships deterministically over long-term bacterial evolution despite differences in host evolutionary history. We propose that the pangenome can be understood as a set of genes with relationships that govern their likely cohabitants, analogous to an ecosystem’s set of interacting organisms. Our findings highlight intra-genomic gene fitness effects as key drivers of prokaryotic evolution, with ensuing pangenome-wide emergence of repeated patterns of community structure.
Microglial IL-1β plays a protective role in epilepsy
Authors: Wei Li , Wei Zhang , Ming Chen , Yang Liu , Si-Yan Li
Published: March 2023

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures that affect about 50 million people worldwide. Although the exact mechanisms underlying epilepsy remain elusive, it is known that neuroinflammation contributes to the pathogenesis of the disease. Microglia, the resident immune cells of the central nervous system, play a key role in neuroinflammation and are activated in response to seizures. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine produced by microglia and other immune cells. While IL-1β has been implicated in the pathogenesis of various neurological disorders, recent studies have revealed a protective role for microglial IL-1β in epilepsy. This paper aims to review the current knowledge about microglial IL-1β and its potential therapeutic implications for epilepsy.
Two sequence- and two structure-based ML models have learned different aspects of protein biochemistry
Authors: Kulikova Anastasiya V. , Diaz Daniel J. , Chen Tianlong , Cole T. Jeffrey , Ellington Andrew D. , Wilke Claus O.
Published: March 2023

Deep learning models are seeing increased use as methods to predict mutational effects or allowed mutations in proteins. The models commonly used for these purposes include large language models (LLMs) and 3D Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs). These two model types have very different architectures and are commonly trained on different representations of proteins. LLMs make use of the transformer architecture and are trained purely on protein sequences whereas 3D CNNs are trained on voxelized representations of local protein structure. While comparable overall prediction accuracies have been reported for both types of models, it is not known to what extent these models make comparable specific predictions and/or generalize protein biochemistry in similar ways. Here, we perform a systematic comparison of two LLMs and two structure-based models (CNNs) and show that the different model types have distinct strengths and weaknesses. The overall prediction accuracies are largely uncorrelated between the sequence- and structure-based models. Overall, the two structure-based models are better at predicting buried aliphatic and hydrophobic residues whereas the two LLMs are better at predicting solvent-exposed polar and charged amino acids. Finally, we find that a combined model that takes the individual model predictions as input can leverage these individual model strengths and results in significantly improved overall prediction accuracy.
Gain without pain: Adaptation and increased virulence of Zika virus in vertebrate host without fitness cost in mosquito vector
Authors: Jaeger Anna S. , Marano Jeffrey , Riemersma Kasen , Castañeda David , Pritchard Elise , Pritchard Julia , Bohm Ellie K. , Baczenas John J. , O’Connor Shelby L. , Weger-Lucarelli James , Friedrich Thomas C. , Aliota Matthew T.
Published: March 2023

Zika virus (ZIKV) is now in a post-pandemic period, for which the potential for re-emergence and future spread is unknown. Adding to this uncertainty is the unique capacity of ZIKV to directly transmit between humans via sexual transmission. Recently, we demonstrated that direct transmission of ZIKV between vertebrate hosts leads to rapid adaptation resulting in enhanced virulence in mice and the emergence of three amino acid substitutions (NS2A-A117V, NS2A- A117T, and NS4A-E19G) shared among all vertebrate-passaged lineages. Here, we further characterized these host-adapted viruses and found that vertebrate-passaged viruses also have enhanced transmission potential in mosquitoes. To understand the contribution of genetic changes to the enhanced virulence and transmission phenotype, we engineered these amino acid substitutions, singly and in combination, into a ZIKV infectious clone. We found that NS4A- E19G contributed to the enhanced virulence and mortality phenotype in mice. Further analyses revealed that NS4A-E19G results in increased neurotropism and distinct innate immune signaling patterns in the brain. None of the substitutions contributed to changes in transmission potential in mosquitoes. Together, these findings suggest that direct transmission chains could enable the emergence of more virulent ZIKV strains without compromising mosquito transmission capacity, although the underlying genetics of these adaptations are complex.
Spatial and single-cell transcriptomics reveal neuron-astrocyte interplay in long-term memory
Authors: Sun Wenfei , Liu Zhihui , Jiang Xian , Chen Michelle B. , Dong Hua , Liu Jonathan , Südhof Thomas C. , Quake Stephen R.
Published: March 2023

Memory encodes past experiences, thereby enabling future plans. The basolateral amygdala (BLA) is a center of salience networks that underlie emotional experience and thus plays a key role in long-term fear memory formation1, 2. Here we used spatial and single-cell transcriptomics to illuminate the cellular and molecular architecture of the role of the basolateral amygdala in long-term memory. We identified transcriptional signatures in subpopulations of neurons and astrocytes that were memory-specific and persisted for weeks. These transcriptional signatures implicate neuropeptide signaling, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), ubiquitination pathways, and synaptic connectivity in long-term memory. We also discovered that a neuronal sub-population, defined by increasedPenkexpression and decreasedTacexpression, constitutes the most prominent component of the BLA’s memory engram. These transcriptional changes were observed both with single-cell RNAseq and with single-molecule spatial transcriptomics in intact slices, thereby providing a rich spatial map of a memory engram. The spatial data enabled us to show that this neuronal subpopulation further interacts with spatially related astrocytes that are essential for memory consolidation, indicating that neurons require interactions with astrocytes to encode long term memory.
Multivariate estimation of substructure amplitudes for a single-wavelength anomalous diffraction experiment
Authors: Pannu Navraj S. , Skubák Pavol
Published: March 2023

To determine a substructure from single-wavelength anomalous diffraction (SAD) data using Patterson or direct methods, the substructure-factor amplitude (|F
a|) is first estimated. Currently, the absolute value of the Bijvoet difference is widely used as an estimate of |F
a| values for SAD data. Here, an equation is derived from multivariate statistics and tested that takes into account the correlation between the observed positive (F
+) and negative (F
−) Friedel pairs and F
a along with measurement errors in the observed data. The multivariate estimation of |F
a| has been implemented in a new program, Afro. Results on over 180 test cases show that Afro provides a higher correlation to the final substructure-factor amplitudes (calculated from the refined, final substructures) than the Bijvoet differences and improves the robustness of direct-methods substructure detection.
The role of employees' cognitive capabilities, knowledge creation and decision-making style in predicting the firm's performance
Authors: Elrehail Hamzah , Aljahmani Raed , Taamneh Abdallah Mohammad , Alsaad Abdallah Khalaf , Al-Okaily Manaf , Emeagwali Okechukwu Lawrence
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This study explored the relationship between employees' cognitive capabilities and firm performance by exploring the moderating role of decision-making style and the mediating effect of knowledge creation. Understanding the role of cognitive capabilities in value creation is crucial for human resource management to achieve the anticipated organizational performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Structural equation modeling, cognitive skills theory, cognitive skills acquisition theory and a knowledge creation framework were applied.

Findings

The first finding suggests that only A-shaped skills predict higher knowledge creation, while T-shaped skills do not. Second, knowledge creation predicts higher financial performance and a lower level of financial uncertainty. Third, T-shaped skills have no indirect effect on financial performance or financial uncertainty. Fourth, A-shaped skills exerted significant indirect effects on financial performance and uncertainty. Fifth, the rational decision-making style did not moderate the link between knowledge creation and financial performance, as opposed to the intuitive decision-making style.

Originality/value

A review of existing research indicates a lack of studies examining the effect of cognitive skills on organizational outcomes and contingencies under which cognitive skills lead to superior outcomes. This study advances research on T-shaped and A-shaped skills and knowledge creation by empirically exploring their interrelationships with financial performance. Managerial implications and suggestions for future research are also highlighted.
Does family ownership matter? Evidence of the payment method and market reaction to M&A deals in Taiwan
Authors: Ahmed Yousry , Elsayed Mohamed , Chen Yuru
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the effect of family ownership on the payment method of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) deals. It also investigates the market reaction around the announcement of these M&A deals.

Design/methodology/approach

Archival data of M&A deals of a sample of Taiwanese listed firms during 2008–2018 are collected and examined using probit, event study and OLS models. This study addresses the endogeneity concern using the two-stage least squares statistical technique and Heckman’s two-step estimation method.

Findings

This study finds that family firms are more likely to use cash as an exchange medium in M&A deals to avoid the problem of diluting control rights. This study further finds that family firms receive a positive market reaction around the announcement of M&A deals relative to non-family counterparts. The empirical results support the notion that family ownership is a value-creation structure.

Practical implications

The findings provide additional evidence-based insights into the debate about family ownership with the aim of informing policy and offering practical recommendations to expand the US-based literature.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to provide empirical evidence on the impact of family ownership on payment method choice in M&A activities in Taiwan. It also provides novel evidence that family firms experience value gains when taking M&A investment decisions relative to non-family firms.
Tensioning as intertwining, competition and superseding: a self-regulation approach to managing hybridity tensions in social enterprises
Authors: Angelucci Anaïs , Hermans Julie , Radu-Lefebvre Miruna , Angel Vincent
Published: March 2023

Purpose

As hybrid organisations operating at the intersection of opposing institutional logics, social enterprises (SEs) pursue the creation of social value w hile functioning as businesses, which generates tensions between social and business concerns. Limited knowledge exists, however, of how hybridity is managed at the intra-individual level. Drawing on regulatory focus theory (RFT), this paper investigates the role of self-regulation in managing hybridity tensions in SEs.

Design/methodology/approach

A multiple-case design is useful in investigating the situated cognitive mechanisms underlying individual self-regulation in the context of managing tensions in SEs. The authors interviewed 22 managers from Belgian SEs that had been active in the home-care sector for at least five years before the COVID-19 pandemic to understand how managers handle the tensions between social and business concerns through self-regulation.

Findings

The authors show that managers in SEs experience three forms of tensioning: tensioning as intertwining, tensioning as competition and tensioning as superseding. Managers respond differently to tensions depending on their self-regulatory focus (promotion versus prevention) on social and business goals, and this is reflected in their hybridity practices (entrepreneurship, commercialisation, corporatisation and managerialisation). Informed by both social and business logics, hybridity practices serve as tactics used as part of managers' self-regulation, enabling them to handle tensions.

Originality/value

By studying the interactions between individual cognition and institutional logics, this study contributes to the micro-foundations of institutional logics by revealing the role of self-regulation mechanisms in managing tensions in hybrid organisations.
Impacts of service guarantees on consumers' perceived quality and satisfaction in e-commerce
Authors: Oliveira Alessandro Silva de , Souki Gustavo Quiroga , Silva Dirceu da , Silva Matheus Alberto Rodrigues , Medeiros Francisco de Assis da Silva
Published: March 2023

Purpose

E-commerce platforms offer service guarantees (SGs) to improve consumers’ perceived quality and satisfaction. This survey aimed to test the direct and indirect effects of SGs on consumers’ perceived quality and satisfaction concerning the services of an international e-commerce platform.

Design/methodology/approach

The survey sample consisted of 378 consumers of an international e-commerce platform. Structural equation modelling (SEM) tested two structural models.

Findings

The first hypothetical model demonstrated that SGs positively and directly affects perceived quality and consumers' satisfaction on an e-commerce platform. This model also revealed that the perceived quality directly and positively impacted consumer satisfaction. The second hypothetical model confirmed that perceived quality mediates the relationship between SGs and satisfaction. Moreover, SGs positively and indirectly impacts consumer satisfaction.

Practical implications

This study suggests that e-commerce platforms use SGs as a marketing strategy in their business models to increase perceived quality and consumer satisfaction. However, to positively impact the perception of quality and consumer satisfaction, such SGs must have the following characteristics: unconditional, easy to understand and communicate, meaningful, easy and painless to invoke, and easy and quick to collect.

Originality/value

This research demonstrated the direct effects of SGs on perceived quality and consumer satisfaction on an international e-commerce platform. SGs directly impacts consumer satisfaction with the platform, even if they have not experienced its quality attributes (reliability, customisation, security and design). The indirect effects of SGs on consumer satisfaction were also proven, mediated by perceived quality. No previous study demonstrated such relationships simultaneously on e-commerce platforms.
Gender discrimination and inequalities in education expenditure in India
Authors: Singh Shree Priya , Singh Pushpendra , Komaraiah Jadi Bala
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is twofold. Firstly, the study has investigated the changing scenario of gender bias in households' education expenditure and the socioeconomic factors responsible for it. Secondly, the study has estimated the inequality in education expenditure for the male and female students and determined the significance of socioeconomic variables in gender discrimination.

Design/methodology/approach

To address the above-mentioned issues, this paper has used the unit-level data of NSSO 52nd, 64th, 71st and 75th rounds from 1995–1996 to 2017–2018. The log linear regression model is applied to estimate factor impending average education expenditure dynamics. The Oaxaca–Blinder Decomposition method has been employed to measure gender discrimination, and the Lorenz curve and Gini coefficient are used to assess inequality among girls experiencing prejudice.

Findings

The study has discovered an gender bias in education expenditure against females during the study period in India. Further, it has been found that gender discrimination against girl students is decreasing. Moreover, the factors such as age, religion, castes, MPCE (income quantile), type of institution, present enrolment and type of education are responsible for this gender differences.

Originality/value

This paper uses 20 years of household-level data for study and suggests that discriminatory behaviour of households and credit constraints of the underdeveloped countries prevent investment in girl's education. Therefore, the state must pay for education of girls by offering scholarships and free or heavily subsidized education. In addition to this, awareness programs for gender equality should also be implemented by the government, especially in rural areas.

Peer review

The peer-review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-08-2022-0537.
The influence of the firm on family business branding: the mediator role of the family
Authors: Zhang Zhibiao , Rowan Peter
Published: March 2023

Purpose

It is acknowledged that the firm and the family interact in the family firm system and that family identity can influence family business brand communication through affecting stakeholders' perception, raising a question of whether the firm can implement its effect on the communication of family business brands via family identity. To address this question, this research investigates how firm revenue influences family business branding via family harmony.

Design/methodology/approach

Data for this research were gathered from a survey of 327 Chinese family firms.

Findings

The results show that family harmony fully mediates the relationship between firm revenue and family business branding.

Originality/value

This study is the first to demonstrate that the firm has an indirect effect on family business branding via family identity, a contribution to family business brand literature. The findings also offer insights into the relationship between firm performance and family business branding. Additionally, this project has implications for research on family harmony in the family business.
Why do consumers purchase green clothing? Investigating symbolic meanings beyond social status and the role of consumer mindset
Authors: Bakış Selen , Kitapçı Hakan
Published: March 2023

Purpose

In the purchase intention of green products context, researchers have mainly investigated the role of symbolism but have mostly discussed symbolic attributes/meanings in terms of social status only. This research aims to investigate the impact of four perceived symbolic meanings of green clothing (status, environmentalism, innovation and fashion symbols) on consumers' purchase intention of green clothing through their attitude toward it. Besides, the moderating role of a consumer mindset in the indirect relationship between symbolic attributes and the purchase intention of green products through consumer attitude is examined.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected through a survey from a sample of 325 respondents in Turkey, especially younger ones. The data were analyzed via confirmatory factor analysis and hypothesized relationships were tested with multiple and simple regression analyses and PROCESS macros in SPSS.

Findings

All symbolic meanings of green clothing impact purchase intention positively and indirectly through consumers' attitudes toward it. The results of moderated mediation analyses showed that the impact of symbolic meanings, except for environmentalism symbol, on purchase intention through consumer attitude was significantly moderated by the consumer mindset.

Originality/value

This research contributes to the under-researched areas of the impact of various symbolic attributes/meanings of green clothing on consumers' purchase intention. Besides, this study advances the role of consumer mindset in consumer behavior research in such a way that it connects mindsets of personality, consumers' attitudes toward green products and their green purchase intention. Furthermore, this study addresses the gap in regard to the role of mindsets of personality on sustainable/environmental behaviors. It will provide implications for fashion marketing managers to develop appropriate targeting, positioning and communication strategies for consumers' mindsets.
2D seismic design on frontier basins using potential field data, a case study in the south of the eastern arm of the East African Rift System
Authors: Nalogwa Mussa , Schultz Gehrig , Laws Kevin , Thompson Richard
Published: March 2023

The 2D seismic design for a frontier basin was conducted from potential field data and available geological information using a case of a Block within the East African Rift System. The Block forms part of a southern extension of the eastern branch of the East African Rift System. The most significant structural features of the Block within this part of the rift were mapped using Airborne Gravity Gradiometry data along A, B and C sub‐basin boundaries. The Block covers a total area of more than 10,107 km2 in the central north of Tanzania. The 2D seismic lines were planned to intersect the major structures within the Block, in which a total of 1074 line kilometres from 18 seismic lines were proposed. The spatial sampling interval of 12.5 m with a minimum of two samples per wavelength was deemed adequate for a frontier basin, as would record dips well above 15° limit from the minimum target of 2000 m. The relevant source spacing may be suitable if tested, and the required energy has been recorded. These parameters, though may need refining depending on the field, are proposed for a good resolution imaging and wide bandwidth recording of complex geology for a frontier basin. The seismic design provided the basis for the economic evaluation of the possible survey to be undertaken for a frontier basin. The suggested parameters allow for the flexibility of inclusion or improvement in any subsequent study related to the seismic acquisition in a Block with similar characteristics.
Benign effects of logging on aerial insectivorous bats in Southeast Asia revealed by remote sensing technologies
Authors: Yoh Natalie , Seaman Dave J. I. , Deere Nicolas J. , Bernard Henry , Bicknell Jake E. , Struebig Matthew J.
Published: March 2023

Logging is the most widespread disturbance in tropical forests, altering ecological communities and functions. However, many species can persist in logged forests, particularly where disturbance is low. Despite a growing understanding of how logging affects wildlife, there remains little information for Southeast Asia's bats—in part due to major challenges in monitoring.

We integrated remote sensing data from passive acoustic bat detectors with LiDAR‐derived measures of forest structure from a human‐modified landscape in Sabah, Borneo. Our appraisal of logging effects benefitted from a semi‐automated classifier of bat calls that vastly speeds up the analysis of acoustic recording data. We recorded 105,576 bat passes from 21 phonic groups across a habitat disturbance gradient, comprising old‐growth forest, repeatedly logged forest and tree plantations.

We show that logging pressure (as depicted by changes to habitat quality, e.g. canopy height or shape) had negligible impact on the acoustic activity of bats. However, bat activity was higher in areas with a greater extent of high‐biomass forest, as well as areas with greater topographical ruggedness. Logged forest supported higher levels of activity for several common bat phonic groups compared to old‐growth forest. Across the landscape, plantations supported the lowest levels of bat activity, representing a threefold decrease compared to old‐growth forest, and several species were not recorded in this habitat.

We found different call groups demonstrated different responses to forest disturbance. Sheath‐tailed bats (Emballonura spp.) were active across all habitat types and were the most resilient to logging. Edge/open foragers were more prevalent in highly forested and topographically rugged areas. Horseshoe and leaf‐nosed bats (flutter clutter foragers) demonstrated idiosyncratic responses to logging but were consistently absent from plantations.

Synthesis and applications. Logged forests can provide an important refuge for many common bat species in Southeast Asia, but do not capture the full breadth of forest‐specialist species. Nevertheless, logged forests provide substantially better habitat for bats than tree plantations. While aerial insectivorous bats sampled via acoustic methods are poor indicators of forest disturbance overall, several species that respond predictably to logging could be targeted for biodiversity monitoring using acoustic and capture‐based methods.
Fragmentation disrupts microbial effects on native plant community productivity
Authors: Kiesewetter Kasey N. , Otano Leydiana , Afkhami Michelle E.
Published: March 2023

Anthropogenic habitat fragmentation—the breaking up of natural landscapes—is a pervasive threat to biodiversity and ecosystem function world‐wide. Fragmentation results in a mosaic of remnant native habitat patches embedded in human‐modified habitat known as the ‘matrix’. By introducing novel environmental conditions in matrix habitats and reducing connectivity of native habitats, fragmentation can dramatically change how organisms experience their environment. The effects of fragmentation can be especially important in urban landscapes, which are expanding across the globe. Despite this surging threat and the importance of microbiomes for ecosystem services, we know very little about how fragmentation affects microbiomes and even less about their consequences for plant–microbe interactions in urban landscapes.

By combining field surveys, microbiome sequencing and experimental mesocosms, we (1) investigated how microbial community diversity, composition and functional profiles differed between 15 native pine rockland fragments and the adjacent urban matrix habitat, (2) identified habitat attributes that explained significant variation in microbial diversity of native core habitat compared to urban matrix and (3) tested how changes in urbanized and low connectivity microbiomes affected plant community productivity.

We found urban and native microbiomes differed substantively in diversity, composition and functional profiles, including symbiotic fungi decreasing 81% and pathogens increasing 327% in the urban matrix compared to native habitat. Furthermore, fungal diversity rapidly declined as native habitats became increasingly isolated, with ~50% of variation across the landscape explained by habitat connectivity alone. Interestingly, microbiomes from native habitats increased plant productivity by ~300% while urban matrix microbiomes had no effect, suggesting that urbanization may decouple beneficial plant–microbe interactions. In addition, microbial diversity within native habitats explained significant variation in plant community productivity, with higher productivity linked to more diverse microbiomes from more connected, larger fragments.

Synthesis. Taken together, our study not only documents significant changes in microbial diversity, composition and functions in the urban matrix, but also supports that two aspects of habitat fragmentation—the introduction of a novel urban matrix and reduced habitat connectivity—disrupt microbial effects on plant community productivity, highlighting preservation of native microbiomes as critical for productivity in remnant fragments.
Evolution and Spread of Politeness Systems inIndo‐European
Authors: Dunn Michael , Bellamy Kate
Published: March 2023

In this paper, we investigate the phenomenon of pronominal politeness in the Indo‐European languages and demonstrate that the processes of change of pronominal systems related to politeness follow two evolutionary regimes, one inside the ‘Standard Average European’ (SAE) linguistic area and another outside of it. Historical processes of language change differ at different levels of linguistic structure. In general, we presume that lower level, unconscious aspects of language change slowly over phylogenetic time, giving rise to patterns of relationship that can often be described as a family tree. Aspects of language that are consciously manipulated by speakers are expected to vary at a faster rate and to diffuse within areas of contact. Politeness is a social phenomenon, so we expect these systems to be highly susceptible to areal norms of interaction. We show that the similarities of SAE politeness systems can be accounted for with a model of convergence due to parallel evolution in a shared (social‐demographic) environment, rather than by genealogical relatedness or borrowing. By quantifying and testing factors determining rates of structural change, we offer a novel and realistic approach that can explain similarities between distantly related languages sharing the same environment.
Determinants of dairy‐product trade: Do subsidies matter?
Authors: Kondaridze Magdana , Luckstead Jeff
Published: March 2023

Given the recent changes in the supply and demand of dairy products, many opportunities arise for exporting and importing countries. This paper examines determinants of dairy‐product trade by applying the Poisson Pseudo‐Maximum Likelihood (PPML) method to the gravity model using panel data on 49 exporting and 235 importing countries for the 17 years from 2000 to 2016. The gravity model is estimated using both interval data and dynamic analyses. The results show that domestic subsidies have a modest, but significant, impact on dairy‐product trade across the models. For example, a 1% increase in subsidies leads to a roughly 0.02% increase in trade for an average country. Memberships in trade agreements, market size factors, and government institutions also positively affect dairy‐product trade. However, tariffs are insignificant in the main model specification. Results from the lag‐policy analysis show that the impact of subsidies disappears after the second year of distribution; whereas for the lead‐policy analysis, results suggest at least 3 years of anticipatory effects on domestic subsidies.
Understanding deliberate indifference to suicide in corrections facilities: A review of recent legal cases
Authors: Barnes Carol , Piel Jennifer
Published: March 2023

The US corrections system is the largest provider of mental health care in the country. Suicide is a leading cause of death in corrections facilities with rates of inmate suicide being far higher than the national average. Suicide is an event that can lead to legal action against the facility, staff, and treating health‐care providers. Some claims are based on medical malpractice. In this setting, claims may also be brought based on violations of the detainee's constitutional rights. Pretrial detainees and prisoners, alike, have a constitutional right to adequate medical and psychiatric care through the Fourteenth Amendment and Eighth Amendment, respectively. But, there is limited information on constitutional claims made against correctional health‐care providers for cases of inmate suicide. To help bridge this gap, the authors conducted a search of federal legal case decisions involving claims against health‐care providers for deliberate indifference to a detainee's serious illness or injury in the event of attempted suicide or death by suicide over a 5 year period from 2016 to 2021. Fifteen cases were identified. Five themes emerged from the cases, which could serve as bases for claims against health‐care professionals: receiving screening, mental health assessment, treatment, documentation, and attention to facility policies. The cases and their clinical significance are summarized in this article. The materials provide an overview of the problems surrounding correctional suicides and can serve as practice pointers in the corporeal setting.
Escalation of alcohol intake is associated with regionally decreased insular cortex activity but not changes in taste quality
Authors: Mukherjee Ashmita , Paladino Morgan S. , McSain Shannon L. , Gilles‐Thomas Elizabeth A. , Lichte David D. , Camadine Rece D. , Willock Saidah , Sontate Kajol V. , Honeycutt Sarah C. , Loney Gregory C.
Published: March 2023

Background

Intermittent access to ethanol drives persistent escalation of intake and rapid transition from moderate to compulsive‐like drinking. Intermittent ethanol drinking may facilitate escalation of intake in part by altering aversion‐sensitive neural substrates, such as the insular cortex (IC), thus driving greater approach toward stimuli previously treated as aversive.

Methods

We conducted a series of experiments in rats to examine behavioral and neural responses associated with escalation of ethanol intake. First, taste reactivity analyses quantified the degree to which intermittent brief‐access ethanol exposure (BAEE) alters sensitivity to the aversive properties of ethanol. Next, we determined whether pharmacological IC inhibition facilitated ethanol escalation. Finally, given that the IC is primary gustatory cortex, we employed psychophysical paradigms to assess whether escalation of ethanol intake induced changes in ethanol taste. These paradigms measured changes in sensitivity to the intensity of ethanol taste and whether escalation in intake shifts the salient taste quality of ethanol by measuring the degree to which the taste of ethanol generalized to a sucrose‐like (“sweet”) or quinine‐like (“bitter”) percept.

Results

We found a near‐complete loss of aversive oromotor responses in ethanol‐exposed relative to ethanol‐naïve rats. Additionally, we observed significantly lower expression of ethanol‐induced c‐Fos expression in the posterior IC in exposed rats relative to naïve rats. Inhibition of the IC resulted in a modest, but statistically reliable increase in the acceptance of higher ethanol concentrations in naïve rats. Finally, we found no evidence of changes in the psychophysical assessment of the taste of ethanol in exposed, relative to naïve, rats.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate that neural activity within the IC adapts following repeated presentations of ethanol in a manner that correlates with reduced sensitivity to the aversive hedonic properties of ethanol. These data help to establish that alterations in IC activity may be driving exposure‐induced escalations in ethanol intake.
Progress in the remote sensing of veld fire occurrence and detection: A review
Authors: Graham Earl , Dube Timothy , Mpakairi Kudzai S.
Published: March 2023

Our research provides a detailed overview of the progress in remotely sensed fire monitoring techniques, which have been developed and employed for fire occurrence and detection. Our overview is provided from a literature search of English‐peer reviewed articles, conference proceedings and scientific book sections published between the periods of 1980 and 2019. Literature reveals that historically, fire detection through remotely sensed techniques has mainly occurred through ground‐based, airborne and satellite systems. Mathematical models, such as decision tree models, Species Distribution Models, Dynamic Global Vegetation Models and Global Climate Models, have also been employed alongside satellite systems to facilitate a greater understanding of fire dynamics and its susceptibility to changes in ecological and climatic variables. Fire frequency and severity are known to be influenced by atmospheric conditions, fuel load and ignitions. However, the literature suggests that targeting inappropriate wildfires with these techniques may still result in wildfires outside of the natural fire regime. Most studies regarding fire occurrence and/or monitoring focus on satellite‐based techniques as they provide the greatest coverage of wildfires at varying spatial and temporal resolutions depending on the sensor used. Satellite systems are advantageous for fire monitoring as they provide extensive coverage inexpensively. Finally, fire occurrence is explicitly influenced by moisture‐limited climatic conditions and/or fuel load in the form of leaf‐litter or water‐stressed plants.
Activity and nocturnal home range size of male common hippopotamus in Kruger National Park, South Africa
Authors: Fritsch Camille J. A. , Streicher Jarryd P. , Downs Colleen T.
Published: March 2023

The common hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) is a driver of ecological processes in African savannah aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Recent studies have highlighted the ecological impacts of hippos in these systems; however, these lack behavioural data to contextualise their ecological inputs. We fitted global positioning system (GPS) transmitter bracelets on male hippos (n = 3) in Kruger National Park, South Africa. The mean home range size for hippos using Adaptive Local Convex Hull (a‐LoCoH) home range (~6 km2) was smaller than previously documented. This study contributes baseline behavioural data for managing hippos in Kruger National Park and southern Africa.
Association of lipid‐lowering agent use and dry eye disease: A nationwide matched case–control study in Taiwan, 2002–2016
Authors: Chien Li‐Nien , Chou Yun‐I , Tsai Yuan‐Jen , Sung Li‐Chin , Liu Hung‐Yi , Lin Meng‐Yin , Wang Tsung‐Jen , Lin I‐Chan
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the association between lipid‐lowering agent use and the risks of diagnosed dry eye disease (DED).

Methods

This retrospective, case–control study included 780 786 patients who received lipid‐lowering agents in 2002–2016, of which 17 409 were newly diagnosed with DED during a ≥2‐year follow‐up period. These patients were matched 1:4 with control participants for age, sex, and comorbidities. Separate odds ratios (OR) were calculated for DED and each of statin and fibrate use.

Results

Statin users had significantly higher odds of DED (adjusted OR = 1.12; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.08–1.16, p < 0.0001) than nonusers. Fibrate users did not show higher odds of DED than nonusers (adjusted OR = 1.04; 95% CI = 0.99–1.10, p = 0.125). The lipophilic statin users did not show higher odds of DED compared with the hydrophilic statin users (adjusted OR = 0.99, 95% CI = 0.93–1.06, p = 0.729). Among statin users, the odds of DED did not differ significantly between patients receiving statin therapy for >180 days vs. ≤90 days or patients receiving statin therapy for 91–180 days vs. ≤90 days (adjusted OR = 1.00, p = 0.922; adjusted OR = 0.94, p = 0.541, respectively). The odds of DED were not statistically different among patients receiving low‐intensity, moderate‐intensity, and high‐intensity of statin therapy.

Conclusions

Patients receiving statin therapy had a higher DED risk than patients not receiving statin therapy. The type of statin, the duration, and the intensity of statin use were not significantly associated with DED risks. Further studies are required to identify the relevant factors related to DED risks with statin.
Meaningful work and unethical work: The crisis in Australian financial advice
Authors: West Andrew
Published: March 2023

Recurrent scandals in business ethics demonstrate that work is, on occasion, unambiguously unethical. It is not clear, however, exactly how the concept of ‘meaningful work’ can be applied to such work, and whether, for example, work can be both unethical and meaningful. This article explores three different conceptualisations of meaningful work: where meaningful work is considered to be subjective, primarily subjective but with objective constraints or primarily objective (adopting Alasdair MacIntyre's neo‐Aristotelian framework). These competing conceptualisations are examined in relation to the ethical failures in the Australian financial advice industry. From 2009, a range of parliamentary inquiries, including a Royal Commission, documented significant ethical failures at both individual and institutional levels across the industry, which caused substantial hardship to tens of thousands of clients. Among the subsequent reforms was a drive towards the professionalisation of financial advice through enhanced educational standards, a code of ethics and the development of a professional identity. This case demonstrates the different ways in which the conceptualisations of meaningful work can be applied. However, Alasdair MacIntyre's scheme of practices, institutions, internal and external goods is presented as a preferred conceptualisation of the case, accommodating considerations of both ethics and meaningful work and contributing towards a theory of good work in general.
Burden of COVID‐19 disease and vaccine coverages in Apulian splenectomized patients: A retrospective observational study
Authors: Bianchi Francesco Paolo , Stefanizzi Pasquale , Rizzi Donato , Signorile Noemi , Cuscianna Eustachio , Daleno Antonio , Migliore Giovanni , Tafuri Silvio
Published: March 2023

Splenectomy/asplenia is a condition associated with immune‐compromission and specific vaccines are recommended for these patients, including the anti‐COVID‐19 vaccine. Among the high‐risk group for which vaccination was prioritized in Italy, the immunocompromised patients after therapies or treatments were included. The Apulian regional archive of hospital discharge forms was used to define the list of splenectomized Apulian inhabitants, considering data from 2015 through 2020. The overall vaccination status of asplenic patients was assessed via data collected from the Regional Immunization Database. The history of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and the infectious disease outcomes were extracted from the Italian Institute of Health platform “Integrated surveillance of COVID‐19 cases in Italy”. 1219 Apulian splenectomized inhabitants were included; the incidence rate of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection was 15.0 per 100 persons‐year with a proportion of re‐infection equal to 6.4%; the proportion of hospitalization was 2.9%, with a case‐fatality rate of 2.6%. The vaccine coverage (VC) for the anti‐COVID‐19 vaccine basal routine was 64.2%, for the first booster dose was 15.4%, and for the second booster dose was 0.6%. A multifactorial approach is needed to increase the vaccination uptake in this sub‐group population and to increase the awareness of the asplenia‐related risks to patients and health personnel.
Osteogenic markers in peri‐implant crevicular fluid in immediate and delayed‐loaded dental implants: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Rastogi Simran , Rani Komal , Sharma Vaibhav , Bharti Prahalad Singh , Deo Krishna , Jain Veena , Nanda Aditi , Kumar Saroj , Koli Dheeraj Kumar
Published: March 2023

Introduction

The study evaluates the levels of matrix metalloprotease‐8 (MMP‐8), and Cathepsin‐K (CatK) in peri‐implant crevicular fluid (PICF) among patients with immediate loaded (IL) and delayed‐loaded (DL) implants at different time points to know the inflammation and osteogenic status.

Methods

The study population consisted of two groups (n = 25, each group) with a mean age of 28.7 ± 3.5 years, and PICF was collected. MMP‐8 and CatK levels were quantified through ELISA.

Results

We observed the concentrations of inflammatory markers (MMP‐8 and CatK) at three time points in the IL and DL groups. The mean concentration of MMP‐8 in the IL group was 9468 ± 1230 pg/mL, 5547 ± 1088 pg/mL, and 7248 ± 1396 pg/mL at 2 weeks, 3 months, and 12 months, respectively; while in the DL group was 10 816 ± 779.7 pg/mL, 9531 ± 1245 pg/mL, and 9132 ± 1265 pg/mL at 2 weeks, 3 and 12 months, respectively. The mean concentration of Cat‐K in the IL group was observed at 422.1 ± 36.46 pg/mL, 242.9 ± 25.87 pg/mL, and 469 ± 75.38 pg/mL at 2 weeks, 3, and 12 months, whereas in the DL group was 654.6 ± 152.9 pg/mL, 314.7 ± 28.29 pg/mL, and 539.8 ± 115.1 pg/mL at 2 weeks, 3 months and 12 months, respectively.

Conclusion

In this study, the levels of CatK and MMP‐8 levels decline at 12 months in both groups, and the IL group shows lower values compared to the DL group; however, no significant changes were observed after analyses were adjusted for multiple comparisons (p > 0.025). Therefore, there is not much difference observed in the inflammation process between immediate and delayed loading. (Clinical trial identifier: CTRI/2017/09/009668).