bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“Lay down your heart” [bwaga moyo]: heritage as a driver for urban regeneration in the East-African stone town of Bagamoyo
Authors: Vande Keere Nikolaas , Plevoets Bie , Winkels Peggy , Mosha Livin
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The paper aims to elaborate on the potential for regeneration of Bagamoyo (Tanzania) through adaptive reuse of its heritage sites. The town was the most important harbour for ivory and slaves of the East-African mainland during the 19th and early 20th century and the colonial capital of German East-Africa between 1885 and 1890. Today, it has 85,000 inhabitants who mainly live in informal settlements while stone town closer to the coast is largely abandoned with its historical buildings in a poor state of conservation.

Design/methodology/approach

The first part of the paper describes the history and heritage of the old stone town Bagamoyo, and how it impacts its identity. Additionally, it summarises the critical reception of the town's role in the application to UNESCO World Heritage for “The Central Slave and Ivory Trade Route”. This, in order to consider the reuse of its heritage sites more as part of a layered regeneration process than of a singular narrative for preservation. The second part presents research-by-design proposals investigating the economic, social and cultural potentialities of three spatial layers: the main street, the coastal strip and the shoreline.

Findings

The identity and therefore also urban regeneration of post-colonial towns such as Bagamoyo is the result of a complex combination of different narratives rather than of a singular one.

Originality/value

Bagamoyo's heritage has been studied as a driver for international tourism linked to slavery but without successful implementation. This study proposes an alternative perspective by investigating its potential for urban regeneration in line with local needs. Developed in the context of a master studio of architectural design, it presents an innovative didactic approach. Moreover, the methodology of research-by-design can be inspirational for other historical towns.
Moral identity and engagement in sustainable consumption
Authors: Salciuviene Laura , Banytė Jūratė , Vilkas Mantas , Dovalienė Aistė , Gravelines Žaneta
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This study aims to identify the effects of moral identity on consumer engagement in sustainable consumption, and discover any moderating gender effects. The authors deploy regret and identity theories to propose hypotheses and explain research findings.

Design/methodology/approach

Data collection was via online survey, and analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling to test hypotheses.

Findings

Symbolization and internalization dimensions of moral identity are positively associated with five dimensions of engagement. Moreover, the relationship between moral identity and specific dimensions of engagement in sustainable consumption is stronger among males than females.

Originality/value

This study suggests a novel mechanism in a hitherto under-researched area in the sustainability and moral identity literature, viz. consumer engagement in sustainable consumption when moral identity is present. This research also adds to current knowledge regarding gender effects in the link between the symbolization and internalization dimensions of moral identity and engagement in sustainable consumption.
COVID and the club: conversations with Boys & Girls Club leaders on providing services during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Prochnow Tyler , Patterson Megan S. , Umstattd Meyer M. Renee
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCs) provide numerous avenues for youth to connect, be physically active and have healthy meals/snacks. These services are often provided to low-income families at reduced cost to bridge the gap in after school and summer childcare. However, many of these clubs were forced to dramatically change their services during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to examine how 13 BGCs in Texas, USA, experienced COVID-19 and persevered to provide services.

Design/methodology/approach

Interviews were conducted with 16 BGC leaders from 13 different BGCs. Open-ended questions were used to elicit leaders’ experiences with the pandemic, services their clubs were able to offer, barriers overcome and supports crucial to their ability to serve their communities. Thematic analysis was used to generate findings from these interviews.

Findings

BGC services changed significantly during the pandemic. Normal activities were no longer possible; however, leaders (alongside their communities) continually provided services for their families. Further, leaders reiterated the power of the community coming together in support of their families.

Social implications

While BGC leaders had to adapt services, they found ways to reach families and serve their community. These adaptations can have dramatic impacts on the social and physical well-being of children in their communities. Learning from this adversity can improve services as clubs start to build back.

Originality/value

This study provides vital context to the changing care and setting children were exposed to during the pandemic response. Additionally, these results provide understanding of the adaptations that took place in these services.
Changing role of finance in rural small enterprise growth in Ghana
Authors: Kuada John
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This study aims to build on the emerging understanding that small enterprise growth results from a confluence of different factors. This study seeks to provide additional insights into the nature of these factors and how they influence the growth process of small businesses in rural communities in Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

This study undertook a qualitative investigation of 28 small enterprises in three Ghanaian rural districts. Interviews were conducted with owners of the businesses.

Findings

The results indicate that growth-enabling conditions such as entrepreneurial ambition, market demand and infrastructure combine with finance to define small enterprise growth trajectories in rural Ghana. However, finance may not always be the major factor driving the growth.

Originality/value

Most past studies about small enterprise growth in Africa have concentrated on firms in urban communities and see finance gap as the most serious constraint to growth. This study joins the few recent studies about rural enterprise growth in Ghana, showing that the growth of these businesses depends on an interplay of a variety of factors.
Inclusiveness assessment tool for disabled persons in higher education facilities
Authors: Ahmad Ahmad Mohammad , Abdelkarim Shimaa , Al-Nuaimi Maryam , Makhoul Nancy , Mathew Lizmol , Garba Shaibu
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Globally, there is a growing proportion of disabled people as a result of different circumstances. This growth generates attention and leads to ways to integrate the affected population into society. Addressing such disability and integration is particularly important at buildings level, enabling and expanding the scope of activities for people with disabilities (PWDs). The rising number of PWDs and the need to integrate them into society create a need for action to improve their living condition and integration into society. This study aims to examine the issue of accessibility for PWDs in higher education facilities in Qatar.

Design/methodology/approach

Addressing accessibility at buildings level is particularly important in higher education because it enables inclusion in training and education and increases the potential for productive engagement in society. The study aims to develop an objective tool to assess and measure accessibility in educational institutions. Five selected buildings were examined and evaluated at Qatar University based on proximity, multi-use, vertical and horizontal circulation availability. The survey respondents were randomly selected. An existing assessment method was used in surveying respondents, including those with and without disabilities.

Findings

A comparative study was conducted to explore the discrepancy between facility users with and without disability, indicating the gap in existing tools.

Originality/value

The developed tool generates the same outcome when conducted by different assessors, indicating the level of compliance and percentage met as a benefit, not a focus. It allows professionals and non-professionals with minimal experience to conduct the assessment.
Improving the performance/competency of small and medium enterprises through intellectual capital
Authors: Bansal Sanchita , Garg Isha , Jain Mansi , Yadav Anshita
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Conventional economic contexts and value creation exert on the extensive use of intangible resources whose value is much greater than the tangible assets. In particular, intellectual capital (IC) is recognized as an important source of value creation for firms. However, the field of IC is majorly dominated by large firms, and little has been done in exploring IC in small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Within this context, the purpose of this article is to contribute to the body of literature on IC in the SMEs context by investigating the different dynamics of IC and understanding its impact on their organizational performance and processes.

Design/methodology/approach

The study has contextualized an integrative review of literature collected from Web of Science (WoS) and further analyzed integrating the bibliometric and manual review in a systematic approach.

Findings

The paper summarizes the key findings highlighting how SMEs can grasp IC in their core competencies and operational processes to achieve sustainable business performance. The study provides theoretical propositions highlighting the conceptual underpinnings of the literature on IC in SMEs and proposed methods outlining the methodological issues arising out of the diverse empirical/quantitative approaches adopted in the previous literature. Furthermore, empirical findings from the literature show that IC management affects a broad range of financial performance metrics in SMEs, however, sometimes with unexpected and mixed results. Hence, more research to replicate prior studies and corroborate extant research in both similar and different contexts would be desirable.

Research limitations/implications

The study adopts an integrative review to understand the context of IC in SMEs; however, it does not study the synergy between varied IC components individually and their role in SMEs performance. Furthermore, the review relates IC to SMEs and does not cover the role of IC in large corporations.

Originality/value

The originality of this paper lies in its contribution to the body of knowledge in the field of IC and SMEs by exploring IC's impact on SME performance, especially the market performance, knowledge management (KM), strategic business models, sustainability performance (corporate social responsibility [CSR]), innovation and their intercollaborations (varied stakeholders).
Untangling the role of power in knowledge sharing and job performance: the mediating role of discrete emotions
Authors: Luqman Adeel , Zhang Qingyu , Kaur Puneet , Papa Armando , Dhir Amandeep
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to empirically examine how psychological power explains dual conflicting emotions, influences and jeopardises knowledge sharing and eventually affects job performance. Specifically, this study argues that psychological power can induce feelings of pride and anxiety, which have opposite downstream effects on employees’ knowledge sharing and tasks, proactive and affiliative (TPA) performances.

Design/methodology/approach

This study tested the model using three waves of multi-source data from 46 teams and 357 respondents in the information technology and software industry in China. This study used multilevel structural equation modelling with Mplus 7.4 to examine the within-level team variance and thereby estimated the confidence intervals for the direct and indirect paths.

Findings

The results indicate that increased psychological power can cause contradictory emotions (i.e. pride and anxiety). Pride positively mediates the indirect influence of psychological power on knowledge sharing and TPA performance, while anxiety negatively mediates the above-mentioned indirect relationships.

Research limitations/implications

This study provides a novel perspective on how psychological forces shape people’s emotional experiences and subsequently their motivation to share knowledge and job performance. By integrating the existing power literature rooted in the approach/inhibition theory of power and cognitive appraisal theory of emotion, we identify two discrete emotions as underlying mechanisms between increased psychological power and motivation to share knowledge and job performance.

Practical implications

This research provides insights for managers regarding the ways in which psychological power can stimulate individuals to engage in negative behaviour towards others. Managers, in turn, must consider self-regulation to control this negative impact.

Originality/value

This study is among the earliest to examine the role of discrete positive and negative emotions caused by increased psychological power, which subsequently affect knowledge sharing and TPA performance.
Financial fraud detection: the use of visualization techniques in credit card fraud and money laundering domains
Authors: Lokanan Mark E.
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to reviews the literature on applying visualization techniques to detect credit card fraud (CCF) and suspicious money laundering transactions.

Design/methodology/approach

In surveying the literature on visual fraud detection in these two domains, this paper reviews: the current use of visualization techniques, the variations of visual analytics used and the challenges of these techniques.

Findings

The findings reveal how visual analytics is used to detect outliers in CCF detection and identify links to criminal networks in money laundering transactions. Graph methodology and unsupervised clustering analyses are the most dominant types of visual analytics used for CCF detection. In contrast, network and graph analytics are heavily used in identifying criminal relationships in money laundering transactions.

Originality/value

Some common challenges in using visualization techniques to identify fraudulent transactions in both domains relate to data complexity and fraudsters’ ability to evade monitoring mechanisms.
The cross-section of expected stock returns and components of idiosyncratic volatility
Authors: Tabatabaei Poudeh Seyed Reza , Fu Chengbo
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the existing stock return predictability and idiosyncratic risk literature by examining the relationship between stock returns and components derived from the decomposition of stock returns variance at the portfolio and firm levels.

Design/methodology/approach

A theoretical model is used to decompose the variance of stock returns into two volatility and two covariance terms by using a conditional Fama-French three-factor model. This study adopts portfolio analysis and Fama-MacBeth cross-sectional regression to examine the relationship between components of idiosyncratic risk and expected stock returns.

Findings

The portfolio analysis results show that volatility terms are negatively related to expected stock returns, and alpha risk has the most significant relationship with stock returns. On the contrary, covariance terms have positive relationships with expected stock returns at the portfolio level. Furthermore, the results of the Fama-MacBeth cross-sectional regression show that only alpha risk can explain variations in stock returns at the firm level. Another finding is that when volatility and covariance terms are excluded from idiosyncratic volatility, the relation between idiosyncratic volatility and stock returns becomes weak at the portfolio level and disappears at the firm level.

Originality/value

This is the first study that examines the relations between all the components of idiosyncratic risk and expected stock returns in equal-weighted and value-weighted portfolios. This research also suggests covariance terms of idiosyncratic volatility as new predictors of stock returns at the portfolio level. Moreover, this paper contributes to the idiosyncratic risk literature by examining whether all the four additional components explain all the systematic patterns included in the unconditional idiosyncratic risk.
Exploring the factors influencing users' learning and sharing behavior on social media platforms
Authors: Wang Jianmei , Xie Jinwen
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The research goal is to understand what factors affect users' knowledge and information learning and sharing on social media platforms. This study focuses on the impact of platform characteristics on users' behavior. Specifically, the purpose of this study is to investigate (1) what factors affect users' learning and dissemination of knowledge and information on social media platforms, (2) whether knowledge and information learning behavior will have a positive effect on sharing behavior and (3) try to establish an impact model of users' learning and sharing behavior about knowledge and information.

Design/methodology/approach

This study proposes an impact mechanism model to test these hypotheses. To achieve this, the authors collected data from 430 users who have used the social media platforms to acquire and share knowledge and information to test the hypothesis. The tools SPSS 26.0 and AMOS 23.0 were used to analyze the reliability, validity, model fits and structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results show that the learning of knowledge and information can influence the sharing behavior on social media platforms. Users' platform-based trust and platform-based satisfaction affect their knowledge and information learning and sharing on the platform. Factors affecting users' trust in social platforms include privacy protection effectiveness and network effects. And, perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use are related to users' satisfaction with social media platforms.

Originality/value

This study constructs an impact model on the learning and sharing of knowledge and information. The model takes the information system continuance model as the theoretical framework and integrates other factors, including the network effect, the effectiveness of privacy protection and trust. Most of the hypotheses of this research were confirmed. The conclusions provide practical guidance for the dissemination of knowledge information and platform management.
Vernacular architecture of Turkish eastern Black Sea region: a case study in Senoz (Büyükdere) Valley
Authors: Ceylan Salih
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to elaborate on the characteristics of vernacular architecture, particularly the architecture of the Turkish eastern Black Sea region, through a case study in the area; and to attract the attention of architects and researchers on the unique characters of the region. Another aim of the paper is to examine the contribution of vernacular architecture to sustainability through its design methods and principles, which have been developed throughout centuries.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents a single case study on the architecture of the Turkish eastern Black Sea region through 14 unique samples from Senoz (Büyükdere) Valley. The case study is preceded by theoretical research on vernacular architecture, its characteristics and its contribution to sustainable architecture.

Findings

The case study carried out in the Senoz Valley revealed that the region's vernacular architecture is still living. However, it has lost its importance in the past. Outcomes of the case study indicate that the unique character of the architecture in the valley needs to be protected and sustained, so that future generations can also benefit from its special design features.

Originality/value

Senoz Valley is a settlement located near the city of Rize in the eastern Black Sea region of Turkey. Vernacular architecture reflects the characteristics of the region and contains unique features in construction and planning. According to these special features, the architecture of Senoz valley deserves a place in the literature of vernacular architecture.
Carbon emissions and in-building open public spaces: a case study on hypothetical building models in Shanghai
Authors: Feng Tian , Huang Yiru , Zhou Bo
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Current policies and research on carbon emissions focus on operational emission but overlook the importance of embodied and user-transport emissions in residential buildings. This study built a comprehensive framework to assess the impact of life-cycle carbon emissions on different in-building open public spaces (open roof, open vertical garden, and open ground floor) in affordable housing.

Design/methodology/approach

A parametric model of a typical affordable housing building in Shanghai, China was constructed and 36 variations of open public spaces studied. Embodied, operational, and user-transport carbon emissions were quantified over 50 years.

Findings

The results show that the life-cycle carbon emissions decrease with the application of the open public space. In addition, the paper found that the carbon reduction due to user transport is seven times higher than the carbon increment due to construction and over long-term operation.

Originality/value

This paper provides quantitative evidence for carbon emissions and in-building open public spaces, and the authors suggest taking multiple aspects into account in addition to the structure of the building is crucial to sustainable building development.
Review on fabric thermal comfort in wet conditions
Authors: Garg Samridhi , Sikka Monica Puri , Midha Vinay Kumar
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Perspiration and heat are produced by the body and must be eliminated to maintain a stable body temperature. Sweat, heat and air must pass through the fabric to be comfortable. The cloth absorbs sweat and then releases it, allowing the body to chill down. By capillary action, moisture is driven away from fabric pores or sucked out of yarns. Convectional air movement improves sweat drainage, which may aid in body temperature reduction. Clothing reduces the skin's ability to transport heat and moisture to the outside. Excessive moisture makes clothing stick to the skin, whereas excessive heat induces heat stress, making the user uncomfortable. Wet heat loss is significantly more difficult to understand than dry heat loss. The purpose of this study is to provided a good compilation of complete information on wet thermal comfort of textile and technological elements to be consider while constructing protective apparel.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper aims to critically review studies on the thermal comfort of textiles in wet conditions and assess the results to guide future research.

Findings

Several recent studies focused on wet textiles' impact on comfort. Moisture reduces the fabric's thermal insulation value while also altering its moisture characteristics. Moisture and heat conductivity were linked. Sweat and other factors impact fabric comfort. So, while evaluating a fabric's comfort, consider both external and inside moisture.

Originality/value

The systematic literature review in this research focuses on wet thermal comfort and technological elements to consider while constructing protective apparel.
A non-array customizable tactile sensor based on spraying process
Authors: Wu Deyu , Wang Ding , Yang Daliang , Jinhua Ye , Wu Haibin
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The tactile sensor with array structure normally has the defects of existing nondetection zone, complex and nonstretchable structure. It is difficult to seamlessly attach to the surface of the robot. For this reason, this paper proposes a method to prepare nonarray structure tactile sensor directly on the surface of the robot by spraying process.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the principle of gradient potential distribution, the potential fields are constructed in two different directions over the conductive film in time-sharing. The potentials at touching position in the two directions are detected to determine the coordinate of the touching point. The designed tactile sensor based on this principle consists of only three layers. Its bottom layer is designed as a weak conductive film made of graphite coating and used to construct the potential field. It can be sprayed either on PET substrate or directly on robot surface.

Findings

The radial basis function neural network is used for remodeling the potential distribution, which can effectively solve the problem of nonlinear potential distribution caused by irregular sensor shape, and uneven conductivity at different points of the spraying coating. The simulation and experimental results show that the principle of the proposed tactile sensor used for touching position detection is feasible to be applied to complex surfaces of the robot.

Originality/value

This paper proposed a nonarray customizable tactile sensor based on the spraying process. The sensor has a simple structure, and only five lead wires are needed to realize the coordinate detection of the touch position.
Numerical simulation of reliability of single-sided/double-sided package interconnect structure under temperature cyclic load
Authors: Huang Shuo , Liu Yang , Li Ke
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare the single-sided packaging structure and double-sided packaging structure of high-power module and study the overall heat dissipation performance and reliability of the module.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the single-sided packaging structure and double-sided packaging structure of power module are designed based on Wolfspeed products. This paper is analyzed by finite element method. First, the heat dissipation performance of single-sided packaging structure and double-sided packaging structure is analyzed; second, the deformation and stress of single-sided packaging structure and double-sided packaging structure are compared and analyzed; and finally, the cumulative plastic deformation of single-sided packaging and double-sided packaging structures are compared and analyzed, and the fatigue life of the structure is calculated based on the plastic deformation.

Findings

In the heat transfer simulation, under the same power input, the heat dissipation performance of single-sided packaging structure is not as good as that of double-sided packaging structure. Under the reliability simulation of the same temperature cycle standard, the maximum equivalent stress of single-sided packaging structure is lower than that of double-sided packaging structure, but the fatigue life prediction based on plastic strain shows that the fatigue life of double-sided packaging structure is not different from that of single-sided packaging structure.

Originality/value

This paper creatively simulates the thermal characteristics and reliability of single-sided packaging structure and double-sided packaging structure and proves the advantages of double-sided packaging structure compared with single-sided packaging structure from the aspects of heat transfer performance and reliability.
Management of hair loss after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection: Insight into the pathophysiology with implication for better management
Authors: Ohyama Manabu , Matsudo Kiichi , Fujita Toru
Published: May 2022

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization, and COVID‐19 continues to have a major impact on society. Numerous studies have reported impaired health sequelae after COVID‐19 recovery, one of which is hair loss. Individuals with hair loss experience a substantial mental burden, which potentially hinders their social life. However, few studies have systematically analyzed the details including hair loss. Therefore, we conducted a narrative review using PubMed on the frequency, associated comorbidities, disease characteristics, and treatment of hair loss after SARS‐CoV‐2 infection (HLASCI). Two search strings were used to identify 28 articles. Of note, most of the literature identified on COVID‐19 sequelae reported an emergence/occurrence of hair loss. HLASCI is speculated to be composed of a heterogeneous population, with the onset or exacerbation of telogen effluvium (TE), anagen effluvium, androgenetic alopecia (AGA), and alopecia areata (AA) reported as possible underlying mechanisms. Among these, acute TE is thought to be the primary cause of HLASCI, with COVID‐19 treatment and TE improvement being considered crucial for HLASCI management. An association between COVID‐19 and AA exacerbation has also been implicated with still insufficient evidence. Spontaneous recovery of TE can be expected once infection reduces; however, faster improvement in symptoms is expected to reduce the mental and social burden of patients. An additional search string identified 11 articles about TE treatment which suggested that the use of minoxidil may be beneficial. Topical minoxidil has been widely used for AGA patients, who have been speculated to exhibit poor resistance to SARS‐CoV‐2. Topical minoxidil may provide relief from HLASCI, but future clinical research is warranted to confirm this observation.
Fruit bat migration matches green wave in seasonal landscapes
Authors: Hurme Edward , Fahr Jakob ,   Eidolon Monitoring Network, Eric‐Moise Bakwo Fils , Hash C. Tom , O'Mara M. Teague , Richter Heidi , Tanshi Iroro , Webala Paul W. , Weber Natalie , Wikelski Martin , Dechmann Dina K. N.
Published: May 2022

Migrating grazers and carnivores respond to seasonal changes in the environment and often match peaks in resource abundance. However, it is unclear whether and how frugivorous animals use phenological events to time migration, especially in the tropics.

The straw‐coloured fruit bat Eidolon helvum, Africa's most gregarious fruit bat, forms large seasonal colonies throughout much of sub‐Saharan Africa. We hypothesized that aggregations of E. helvum match the timing of their migration with phenologies of plant growth or precipitation.

Using monthly colony counts from across much of the species' range, we matched peak colony size to landscape phenologies and explored the variation among colonies matching the overall closest phenological event.

Peak colony size was closest to the peak instantaneous rate of green‐up, and sites with closer temporal matching were associated with higher maximum greenness, short growing season and larger peak colony size. Eidolon helvum seem to time their migrations to move into highly seasonal landscapes to exploit short‐lived explosions of food and may benefit from collective sensing to time migrations.

The link between rapid changes in colony size and phenological match may also imply potential collective sensing of the environment. Overall decreasing bat numbers along with various threats might cause this property of large colonies to be lost.

Remote sensing data, although, indirectly linked to fruiting events, can potentially be used to globally describe and predict the migration of frugivorous species in a changing world.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Every hooked beak is maintained by a prey: Ecological signal in cephalopod beak shape
Authors: Roscian Marjorie , Herrel Anthony , Zaharias Paul , Cornette Raphaël , Fernandez Vincent , Kruta Isabelle , Cherel Yves , Rouget Isabelle
Published: May 2022

Beaks are among the few hard parts of coleoid cephalopods and are informative for species identification. Although mandible shape has been shown to be adaptive in many vertebrate taxa, it has been suggested that the shape of coleoid beaks does not bear any ecological signal. Yet, previous studies only explored beak shape in 2D and none have provided an in‐depth investigation of the potential relationship with ecological variables such as habitat use or diet.

The goal of the present study was to understand whether variation in cephalopod beak shape reflects ecology and/or is more driven by phylogenetic relatedness as suggested previously.

We imaged 101 lower and 108 upper beaks in 3D using underwater photogrammetry and micro‐CT scanning. Our 3D morphometric analysis conducted on 75 species of cephalopod shows that there is a significant but moderate phylogenetic signal. However, comparative phylogenetically informed analyses demonstrate that beak shape is also driven by ecology.

We detected significant differences in beak shape between species inhabiting different habitats (pelagic, benthic or demersal) and of different trophic levels. Our results further suggest that beak shape variation can be summarized along a continuum between two main functions: fast closing versus hard biting.

These results provide novel insights into the drivers of beak shape diversity in coleoid cephalopods and suggest that beak shape has evolved adaptively in relation to diet and habitat use.

Read the freePlain Language Summaryfor this article on the Journal blog.
Intraspecific competition: A missing link in dermal armour evolution?
Authors: Broeckhoven Chris
Published: May 2022

Predation is widely regarded as an important selective force in the evolution and maintenance of dermal armour; yet, the basic premise that predation and armour are strongly linked to each other has proven to be difficult to assess.

In this concept, I put forward the fighting‐advantage hypothesis, the view that aggressive interactions with conspecifics, not predation, might have been a key selective pressure in the evolution of dermal armour.

Considering intraspecific competition as a potential explanation could not only reveal previously overlooked aspects of the functional and evolutionary significance of dermal armour, but also advance the emerging field of biomimetics in which such knowledge forms the starting point of technological innovation.
Flower plantings support wild bee reproduction and may also mitigate pesticide exposure effects
Authors: Rundlöf Maj , Stuligross Clara , Lindh Arvid , Malfi Rosemary L. , Burns Katherine , Mola John M. , Cibotti Staci , Williams Neal M.
Published: May 2022

Sustainable agriculture relies on pollinators, and wild bees benefit yield of multiple crops. However, the combined exposure to pesticides and loss of flower resources, driven by agricultural intensification, contribute to declining diversity and abundance of many bee taxa. Flower plantings along the margins of agricultural fields offer diverse food resources not directly treated with pesticides.

To investigate the potential of flower plantings to mitigate bee pesticide exposure effects and support bee reproduction, we selected replicated sites in intensively farmed landscapes where half contained flower plantings. We assessed solitary bee Osmia lignaria and bumble bee Bombus vosnesenskii nesting and reproduction throughout the season in these landscapes. We also quantified local and landscape flower resources and used bee‐collected pollen to determine forage resource use and pesticide exposure and risk.

Flower plantings, and their local flower resources, increased O. lignaria nesting probability. Bombus vosnesenskii reproduction was more strongly related to landscape than local flower resources.

Bees at sites with and without flower plantings experienced similar pesticide risk, and the local flowers, alongside flowers in the landscape, were sources of pesticide exposure particularly for O. lignaria. However, local flower resources mitigated negative pesticide effects on B. vosnesenskii reproduction.

Synthesis and applications. Bees in agricultural landscapes are threatened by pesticide exposure and loss of flower resources through agricultural intensification. Therefore, finding solutions to mitigate negative effects of pesticide use and flower deficiency is urgent. Our findings point towards flower plantings as a potential solution to support bee populations by mitigating pesticide exposure effects and providing key forage. Further investigation of the balance between forage benefits and added pesticide risk is needed to reveal contexts where net benefits occur.
Juvenile hormone acts on male accessory gland function via regulating l‐asparaginase expression and triacylglycerol mobilization in Aedes aegypti
Authors: Lyu Xiang‐Yang , Wang Xue‐Li , Geng Dan‐Qian , Jiang Hong , Zou Zhen
Published: May 2022

Hormones control the reproductive development of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. The adult male reproductive process and mating behavior require adequate nutrients and energy. Understanding the molecular mechanism linking hormones, energy metabolism, and reproduction in male mosquitoes is important. In this study, we found that the size of the male accessory gland, an essential part of the male reproductive system, gradually increased after eclosion. However, it was significantly reduced in male mosquitoes deficient in methoprene‐tolerant (Met), the receptor of juvenile hormone. Likewise, egg hatchability of females that mated with Met‐depleted males showed the same downward trend. The mRNA level of the gene encoding accessory gland protein, l‐asparaginase (ASNase), was reduced in Met dsRNA‐treated males. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay and quantitative reverse transcription–PCR results revealed that Met was capable of binding directly to the promoter of ASNase and activated its transcription. RNA interference of ASNase in males resulted in the reduction of egg hatchability of the females with which they mated. These results showed that Met influenced the fecundity of male mosquitoes by directly upregulating the expression of the ASNase gene. Moreover, the levels of triacylglycerol and the sizes of lipid droplets were decreased by 72–78 h after eclosion in the fat body cells, whereas both of them increased in Met‐depleted male mosquitoes, indicating that Met knockdown reduced lipid catabolism. These data demonstrate that Met might influence the egg hatchability of females by regulating lipid metabolism and the development of the male accessory gland in male mosquitoes.
Juvenile hormone inhibitory and mosquito larvicidal substances derived from actinomycetes
Authors: Park Dong Hwan , Choi Jae Young , Kim Jong Hoon , Park Min Gu , Wang Minghui , Kim Sang Hee , Lee Ho Yeon , Je Yeon Ho
Published: May 2022

Mosquitoes are major pests that attack humans and spread pathogens. To control mosquito larvae, insect growth regulators such as methoprene and pyriproxyfen have been widely used. Juvenile hormone antagonists (JHAN) have the potential to act as an eco‐friendly insecticide with a novel mode of action. Actinomycetes are known as a producer of an enormous number of secondary metabolites. In this study, secondary metabolites of 232 Actinomycetes strains were screened for their juvenile hormone antagonist activity and their mosquito larvicidal activity. Among them, IMBL‐1939, 1952, 2005 and 2064 strains showed mosquito larvicidal activity with JHAN activity. These actinomycetes derived JHAN could be alternative sustainable vector control agents.
The disease severity index for inflammatory bowel disease is associated with psychological symptoms and quality of life, and predicts a more complicated disease course
Authors: Swaminathan Akhilesh , Fan Dali , Borichevsky Grace M. , Mules Thomas C. , Hirschfeld Esther , Frampton Chris M. , Day Andrew S. , Siegel Corey A. , Gearry Richard B.
Published: May 2022

Background

The Disease Severity Index (DSI) is a novel tool to predict disease severity in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, its ability to predict disease complications and the presence of psychosocial comorbidity is unclear. Aims: To assess prospectively associations between the DSI and psychological symptoms, quality‐of‐life (QoL) and disease outcomes in an IBD cohort.

Methods

Patients with IBD undergoing ileocolonoscopy were followed prospectively for 12 months. DSI, psychological symptoms (perceived stress (PSS‐10), depression (PHQ‐9), anxiety (GAD‐7)) and QoL (IBDQ‐32) scores were assessed at baseline. Logistic regression identified variables predicting a complicated IBD course at 12 months (composite outcome of need for escalation of biological/immunomodulator for disease relapse, recurrent corticosteroid use, IBD‐related hospitalisation and surgery). Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis identified optimal DSI thresholds predicting a complicated disease course and multivariable logistic regression assessed the risk of reaching this outcome.

Results

One hundred and seventy‐two patients were recruited (100 Crohn's disease, 91 female). Median DSI was 21 (IQR 11–32) and 97 patients had endoscopically active disease at baseline. The DSI was significantly higher in patients with symptoms of moderate–severe stress (PSS‐10 > 14, p < 0.01), depression (PHQ‐9 ≥ 10, p < 0.01), anxiety (GAD‐7 ≥ 10, p < 0.05) and impaired quality‐of‐life (IBDQ‐32 < 168, p < 0.01). Only the baseline DSI (OR 1.05, p < 0.01) and endoscopically active disease (OR 6.12, p < 0.01) were associated with a complicated IBD course. A DSI > 23 was strongly predictive of a complicated IBD course (OR 8.31, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

The DSI is associated with psychological distress, impaired QoL and predicts a more complicated disease course in patients with IBD.
‘I can actually do it without any help or someone watching over me all the time and giving me constant instruction’: Autistic adolescent boys' perspectives on engagement in online video gaming
Authors: Pavlopoulou Georgia , Usher Claire , Pearson Amy
Published: May 2022

Research into autistic adolescents' engagement in online gaming has so far focused on time spent gaming, or characterizing problematic gaming behaviour and has relied mostly on caregiver report. In the current study, we interviewed 12 autistic adolescent boys, asking about their perspectives on their engagement in online gaming, and their motivations. We analysed the interview data using thematic analysis and identified three key themes in the data, which focused on agency and a sense of belonging, emotion regulation, and acknowledgement of the differing perceptions that the young people and their caregivers had of gaming. Our findings show the need to include the viewpoints of autistic young people in research about their interests and well‐being, and provide insights that can help caregivers and professionals to support autistic young people in flourishing.
Classification of PD‐L1 expression in various cancers and macrophages based on immunohistocytological analysis
Authors: Saito Yoichi , Fujiwara Yukio , Shinchi Yusuke , Mito Remi , Miura Yuji , Yamaguchi Tomoya , Ikeda Koei , Urakami Shinji , Nakashima Yuta , Sakagami Takuro , Suzuki Makoto , Tabata Yasuhiko , Komohara Yoshihiro
Published: May 2022

Programmed death (PD)‐1/PD‐ligand 1 (PD‐L1) antibodies have shown an intense clinical effect in some patients with PD‐L1+ tumors, and their applications have rapidly expanded to various cancer types with or without the application of new companion diagnostics (CDx) with a lower cutoff value and inclusion of macrophage evaluation. However, the pathological background explaining the difference in the cutoff value remains unknown. To address this, we evaluated tissue array samples from 231 patients with lung adenocarcinoma, 186 with lung squamous cell carcinoma, and 38 with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) who were not receiving PD‐1/PD‐L1 antibodies to investigate the relationship between PD‐L1 expression on tumor cells and CD8+ T‐cell infiltration in tumor tissues. PD‐L1 expression in RCC was clearly lower than that in non–small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tissue, whereas CD8+ T‐cell infiltration was low in all cancers. We next analyzed PD‐L1 expression by interferon (α, β, and γ) and LPS stimulation in both macrophages and 41 cancer cell lines derived from various organs and histological types. The PD‐L1 expression patterns were classified into three types, which differed depending on each organ or tissue type. Interestingly, NSCLC cell lines showed highly diverse PD‐L1 expression patterns compared with RCC cell lines. Conversely, PD‐L1 expression was stronger and more prolonged in macrophages than in typical cell lines. Here, we revealed the diversity of the PD‐L1 expression patterns in tumor cells and macrophages, demonstrating the pathological and cytological significance of the transition of cutoff values in PD‐L1 CDx for PD‐1/PD‐L1 antibody administration.
Describing autism spectrum disorder in tuberous sclerosis complex: Challenges and future opportunities
Authors: Capal Jamie K.
Published: May 2022

This commentary is on the systematic review by Mitchell et al. on pages 1214‐1229 of this issue.
Pharmacokinetics and clinical efficacy of acetaminophen (paracetamol) in adult horses with mechanically induced lameness
Authors: Mercer Melissa A. , McKenzie Harold C. , Byron Christopher R. , Pleasant Robert S. , Bogers Sophie H. , Council‐Troche Roberto M. , Werre Stephen R. , Burns Travis , Davis Jennifer L.
Published: May 2022

Background

Acetaminophen has been used clinically in horses alone or combined with traditional non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs for treatment of musculoskeletal pain in horses.

Objectives

To determine the pharmacokinetics and efficacy of acetaminophen at two doses in horses with mechanically induced lameness compared with phenylbutazone or placebo control.

Study design

In vivo experiment.

Methods

Nine healthy mares with mechanical lameness induced via a reversible sole pressure horseshoe model were treated with acetaminophen (20 mg/kg PO; A20), acetaminophen (30 mg/kg PO; A30), phenylbutazone (2.2 mg/kg, PO; PB) and oral placebo (C) in a randomised four‐way Latin square model. Plasma concentrations for A20 and A30 were analysed via LC‐MS/MS and noncompartmental pharmacokinetic analysis. Heart rate and heart rate variability were measured using a portable telemetry. Lameness was scored by three blinded boarded equine surgeons using the AAEP and 10‐point scales.

Results

Mean maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) for A20 was 20.01 μg/ml within 0.66 h (Tmax) after administration; The meanCmaxfor A30 was 30.02 μg/ml with aTmaxof 0.43 h. Post‐treatment heart rate for A30 was significantly lower than A20 at 1 and 7 h; lower than PB at 2, 3, 4.5 and 7 h; lower than C at 2, 3.5, 4.5, 6, 7 and 8 h. 10‐point Lameness scores were significantly improved for A30 than C at 2 and 4 h post‐treatment; PB was significantly improved than C at 8 h post treatment. There were no significant differences in lameness between A20, A30 and PB.

Main limitations

Small sample size, lack of objective lameness measurement.

Conclusions

Acetaminophen at 30 mg/kg produced a more rapid improvement in lameness scores and heart rate compared with other treatments in this model. Further evaluation of the pharmacokinetics and safety of repeated oral dosing of acetaminophen at 30 mg/kg is needed to determine clinical utility.
Deciphering cilia and ciliopathies using proteomic approaches
Authors: Chen Xiying , Shi Zhouyuanjing , Yang Feng , Zhou Tianhua , Xie Shanshan
Published: May 2022

Cilia are microtubule‐based organelles that protrude from the cell surface and play crucial roles in cellular signaling pathways and extracellular fluid movement. Defects in the ciliary structures and functions are implicated in a set of hereditary disorders, including polycystic kidney disease, nephronophthisis, and Bardet–Biedl syndrome, which are collectively termed as ciliopathies. The application of mass spectrometry‐based proteomic approaches to explore ciliary components provides important clues for understanding their physiological and pathological roles. In this review, we focus primarily on proteomic studies involving the identification of proteins in motile cilia and primary cilia, proteomes in ciliopathies, and interactomes of ciliopathy proteins. Collectively, the integration of these data sets will be beneficial for the comprehensive understanding of ciliary structures and exploring potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for ciliopathies.