bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recapitulating the frataxin activation mechanism in an engineered bacterial cysteine desulfurase supports the architectural switch model
Authors: Patra Shachin , Lin Cheng-Wei , Ghosh Manas K. , Havens Steven M. , Cory Seth A. , Russell David H. , Barondeau David P.
Published: October 2020

Iron-sulfur (Fe-S) clusters have a key role in many biochemical processes and are essential for most life forms. Despite recent mechanistic advances in understanding the Fe-S cluster biosynthetic pathway, critical questions remain unresolved. Although human NFS1 andE. coliIscS share ∼60% sequence identity, NFS1 exhibits low activity and requires activation by the Friedreich’s ataxia protein frataxin (FXN) forin vivofunction. Surprisingly, structures of the human complex reveal three distinct quaternary structures with one form exhibiting the same subunit interactions as IscS. An architectural switch model has been proposed in which evolutionarily lost interactions between NFS1 subunits results in the formation of low-activity architectures; FXN binding compensates for these lost interactions and facilitates a subunit rearrangement to activate the complex. Here, we used a structure and evolution-guided approach to identify three conserved residues proposed to weaken interactions between NFS1 subunits and transplanted these amino acids into IscS. Compared to native IscS, the engineered variant had a 4000-fold weaker dimer interface and diminished activity that correlated with the absence of the second catalytic subunit. Remarkably, the addition of the FXN homolog to the engineered variant stimulated the decay of the Cys-quinonoid pyridoxal 5’-phosphate intermediate, shifted IscS from the monomeric to dimeric form, and increased the cysteine desulfurase activity, reproducing results from the human system and supporting the architectural switch model. Overall, these studies indicate a weakening of the homodimeric interface was a key development during the evolution of the eukaryotic system and provide new insights into the role of FXN.
Systematic discovery and functional interrogation of SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA-host protein interactions during infection
Authors: Flynn Ryan A. , Belk Julia A. , Qi Yanyan , Yasumoto Yuki , Schmitz Cameron O. , Mumbach Maxwell R. , Limaye Aditi , Wei Jin , Alfajaro Mia Madel , Parker Kevin R. , Chang Howard Y. , Horvath Tamas L. , Carette Jan E. , Bertozzi Carolyn , Wilen Craig B. , Satpathy Ansuman T.
Published: October 2020

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the cause of a pandemic with growing global mortality. There is an urgent need to understand the molecular pathways required for host infection and anti-viral immunity. Using comprehensive identification of RNA-binding proteins by mass spectrometry (ChIRP-MS), we identified 309 host proteins that bind the SARS-CoV-2 RNA during active infection. Integration of this data with viral ChIRP-MS data from three other positive-sense RNA viruses defined pan-viral and SARS-CoV-2-specific host interactions. Functional interrogation of these factors with a genome-wide CRISPR screen revealed that the vast majority of viral RNA-binding proteins protect the host from virus-induced cell death, and we identified known and novel anti-viral proteins that regulate SARS-CoV-2 pathogenicity. Finally, our RNA-centric approach demonstrated a physical connection between SARS-CoV-2 RNA and host mitochondria, which we validated with functional and electron microscopy data, providing new insights into a more general virus-specific protein logic for mitochondrial interactions. Altogether, these data provide a comprehensive catalogue of SARS-CoV-2 RNA-host protein interactions, which may inform future studies to understand the mechanisms of viral pathogenesis, as well as nominate host pathways that could be targeted for therapeutic benefit.

Highlights

· ChIRP-MS of SARS-CoV-2 RNA identifies a comprehensive viral RNA-host protein interaction network during infection across two species

· Comparison to RNA-protein interaction networks with Zika virus, dengue virus, and rhinovirus identify SARS-CoV-2-specific and pan-viral RNA protein complexes and highlights distinct intracellular trafficking pathways

· Intersection of ChIRP-MS and genome-wide CRISPR screens identify novel SARS-CoV-2-binding proteins with pro- and anti-viral function

· Viral RNA-RNA and RNA-protein interactions reveal specific SARS-CoV-2-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction during infection
GNS561 exhibits potentin vitroantiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 through autophagy inhibition
Authors: Halfon Philippe , Bestion Eloïne , Zandi Keivan , Andreani Julien , Baudoin Jean-Pierre , La Scola Bernard , Mege Jean-Louis , Mezouar Soraya , Schinazi Raymond F.
Published: October 2020

Since December 2019, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2/2019-nCoV) has spread quickly worldwide, with more than 29 million cases and 920,000 deaths. Interestingly, coronaviruses were found to subvert and hijack the autophagic process to allow their viral replication. One of the spotlights had been focused on the autophagy inhibitors as a target mechanism effective in the inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Consequently, chloroquine (CQ) and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), a derivative of CQ, was suggested as the first potentially be therapeutic strategies as they are known to be autophagy inhibitors. Then, they were used as therapeutics in SARS-CoV-2 infection along with remdesivir, for which the FDA approved emergency use authorization. Here, we investigated the antiviral activity and associated mechanism of GNS561, a small basic lipophilic molecule inhibitor of late-stage autophagy, against SARS-CoV-2. Our data indicated that GNS561 showed the highest antiviral effect for two SARS-CoV-2 strains compared to CQ and remdesivir. Focusing on the autophagy mechanism, we showed that GNS561, located in LAMP2-positive lysosomes, together with SARS-CoV-2, blocked autophagy by increasing the size of LC3-II spots and the accumulation of autophagic vacuoles in the cytoplasm with the presence of multilamellar bodies characteristic of a complexed autophagy. Finally, our study revealed that the combination of GNS561 and remdesivir was associated with a strong synergistic antiviral effect against SARS-CoV-2. Overall, our study highlights GNS561 as a powerful drug in SARS-CoV-2 infection and supports that the hypothesis that autophagy inhibitors could be an alternative strategy for SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Cytoplasmic short linear motifs in ACE2 and integrin β3 link SARS-CoV-2 host cell receptors to endocytosis and autophagy
Authors: Kliche Johanna , Ali Muhammad , Ivarsson Ylva
Published: October 2020

The spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 interacts with angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and enters the host cell by receptor-mediated endocytosis. Concomitantly, evidence is pointing to the involvement of additional host cell receptors, such as integrins. The cytoplasmic tails of ACE2 and integrin β3 contain a plethora of predicted binding motifs. Here, we confirm the functionality of some of these motifs through affinity measurements. The class I PDZ binding motif in the ACE2 cytoplasmic tail binds the first PDZ domain of the scaffold protein NHERF3. The clathrin-adaptor subunit AP2 μ2 interacts with an endocytic motif in the ACE2 with low affinity and the interaction is abolished by phosphorylation of Tyr781. Furthermore, the C-terminal region of integrin b3 contains a LC3-interacting region, and its interaction with ATG8 domains is enhanced by phosphorylation. Together, our data provides possible molecular links between host cell receptors and endocytosis and autophagy.

One sentence summary

Affinity measurements confirmed binding of short linear motifs in the cytoplasmic tails of ACE2 and integrin β3, thereby linking the receptors to endocytosis and autophagy.
Archaeal SepF is essential for cell division inHaloferax volcanii
Authors: Nußbaum Phillip , Gerstner Maren , Dingethal Marie , Erb Celine , Albers Sonja-Verena
Published: October 2020

Bacterial cell division has been studied for decades but reports on the different archaeal cell division systems are rare. In many archaea, cell division depends on the tubulin homolog FtsZ, but further components of the divisome in these archaea are unknown. The halophilic archaeonHaloferax volcaniiencodes two FtsZ homologs with different functions in cell division and a putative SepF homolog. In bacteria, SepF is part of the divisome and is recruited early to the FtsZ ring, where it most likely stimulates FtsZ ring formation.H. volcaniiSepF co-localized with FtsZ1 and FtsZ2 at midcell. Overexpression of SepF had no effect on cell morphology, but nosepFdeletion mutants could be generated. SepF depletion led to a severe cell division defect, resulting in cells with a strongly increased size. Overexpression of FtsZ1- and FtsZ2-GFP in SepF-depleted cells resulted in filamentous cells with an increasing number of FtsZ1 rings depending on the cell length, whereas FtsZ2 rings were not increased. Pull-down assays with HA-tagged SepF identified an interaction with FtsZ2 but not with FtsZ1. Archaeal SepF homologs lack the conserved glycine residue important for polymerization in bacteria and theH. volcaniiSepF was purified as a dimer, suggesting that in contrast to the bacterial SepF homologs, polymerization does not seem to be important for its function. A model is proposed where first the FtsZ1 ring is formed and where SepF recruits FtsZ2 to the FtsZ1 ring, resulting in the formation of the FtsZ2 ring. This study provides important novel insights into cell division in archaea and shows that SepF is an important part of the divisome in FtsZ containing archaea.
SARS-CoV-2 infection damages airway motile cilia and impairs mucociliary clearance
Authors: Robinot Rémy , Hubert Mathieu , de Melo Guilherme Dias , Lazarini Françoise , Bruel Timothée , Smith Nikaïa , Levallois Sylvain , Larrous Florence , Fernandes Julien , Gellenoncourt Stacy , Rigaud Stéphane , Gorgette Olivier , Thouvenot Catherine , Trébeau Céline , Mallet Adeline , Duménil Guillaume , Gobaa Samy , Etournay Raphaël , Lledo Pierre-Marie , Lecuit Marc , Bourhy Hervé , Duffy Darragh , Michel Vincent , Schwartz Olivier , Chakrabarti Lisa A.
Published: October 2020

Understanding how SARS-CoV-2 spreads within the respiratory tract is important to define the parameters controlling the severity of COVID-19. We examined the functional and structural consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection in a reconstituted human bronchial epithelium model. SARS-CoV-2 replication caused a transient decrease in epithelial barrier function and disruption of tight junctions, though viral particle crossing remained limited. Rather, SARS-CoV-2 replication led to a rapid loss of the ciliary layer, characterized at the ultrastructural level by axoneme loss and misorientation of remaining basal bodies. The motile cilia function was compromised, as measured in a mucociliary clearance assay. Epithelial defense mechanisms, including basal cell mobilization and interferon-lambda induction, ramped up only after the initiation of cilia damage. Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Syrian hamsters further demonstrated the loss of motile ciliain vivo. This study identifies cilia damage as a pathogenic mechanism that could facilitate SARS-CoV-2 spread to the deeper lung parenchyma.
SepF is the FtsZ-anchor in Archaea: implications for cell division in the Last Universal Common Ancestor
Authors: Pende Nika , Sogues Adrià , Megrian Daniela , Palabikyan Hayk , Sartori-Rupp Anna , Graña Martín , Rittmann Simon K.-M. R. , Wehenkel Anne Marie , Alzari Pedro M. , Gribaldo Simonetta
Published: October 2020

The Archaea present profound differences compared to Bacteria in fundamental molecular and cellular processes. While most Archaea divide by binary fission using an FtsZ-based system similar to Bacteria, they lack the majority of the components forming the complex bacterial divisome. Moreover, how FtsZ precisely functions and interacts with other proteins to assemble the archaeal division machinery remains largely unknown. Notably, among the multiple bacterial factors that tether FtsZ to the membrane during cell constriction, Archaea only possess SepF-like homologues, but their function has not been demonstrated. Here, we combine structural, cellular, and evolutionary approaches to demonstrate that SepF is the FtsZ anchor in the human-associated archaeonMethanobrevibacter smithii. 3D super-resolution microscopy of immunolabeled cells shows thatM. smithiiSepF co-localizes with FtsZ at the division plane. We also show thatM. smithiiSepF binds both to membranes and FtsZ, inducing filament bundling. High-resolution crystal structures of archaeal SepF alone and in complex with FtsZCTDreveal that SepF forms a dimer with a specific homodimerization interface. This drives a strikingly different binding mode from what is observed in Bacteria. Finally, analysis of the distribution and phylogeny of SepF and FtsZ indicates that these proteins date back to the Last Universal Common Ancestor (LUCA) and that Archaea may have retained features of an ancestral minimal cell division system, while Bacteria likely diverged to accommodate the emergence of the complex machinery required to coordinate cytokinesis with the rigid peptidoglycan cell wall and the appearance of additional FtsZ tethers. Our results contribute key insights into the largely understudied mechanisms of archaeal cell division, and pave the way for a better understanding of the processes underlying the divide between the two prokaryotic domains.
Ascertaining service quality and medical practitioners' sensitivity towards surgical instruments using SERVQUAL
Authors: MM Sulphey , Jasim K. Mohamed
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Service quality (SQ) has become an essential and indispensable component in healthcare and many other industries. SQ can deliver guaranteed stakeholder value and consequent consumer delight in the healthcare sector. The purpose of this study is to identify the relationships of various SERVQUAL elements with respect to the SQ of surgical instrument suppliers among surgeons.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from a sample of 112 surgeons working in the USA using the “snowball sampling” technique. A few standardised questionnaires, including SERQUAL, were used to collect the data. R-programming was used to perform structural equation modelling (SEM) analysis on the collected data.

Findings

The research study identified that service delivery factors and the SQ of surgical instruments contribute significantly towards medical practitioner sensitivity in the US healthcare industry. Word of mouth (WOM) did not have any significant impact on the medical practitioners' sensitivity.

Originality/value

A review of related literature revealed that studies that examine the surgeon's perspectives of SQ are scarce. Thus, the present study is directed towards this gap in literature. The findings of the study are significant in nature and have made a substantial contribution to management literature.
An attribute-based framework for students' motivation to join an HEI: a self-determination theory perspective
Authors: Mishra Abhishek , Yousaf Anish , Amin Insha
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The current work explores the attributes that serve as motivation regulations for students' selection of a higher education institute (HEI).

Design/methodology/approach

With a self-determination theory (SDT) perspective, the current study used a mixed-method approach to develop a scale to measure HEI attribute-based motivation regulations.

Findings

A total of eight regulations were proposed: academic/extracurricular activities, infrastructure, faculty research expertise, teaching and learning quality, placement opportunities, marketing and promotion, education cost and social influence. The first four were autonomous motivations and the remaining were controlled motivations.

Research limitations/implications

The study leverages the SDT motivation continuum into a structured HEI attribute-based student motivation framework.

Practical implications

The study guides HEI managers with specific attributes to position the institute appropriately.

Originality/value

This is one of the few works in the higher education utilizing the complete SDT framework.
Understanding national barriers to climate change adaptation for public health: a mixed-methods survey of national public health representatives
Authors: Marcus Hannah , Hanna Liz
Published: October 2020

Purpose

To uncover the major government constraints to enactment and implementation of public health-targeted climate change adaptation (CCA) strategies in order to equip public health stakeholders and health advocates with the knowledge resources necessary to more effectively mobilize and support CCA for public health responses at the national level.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed-methods online survey was distributed to the representatives of national public health associations and societies of 82 countries. The survey comprised 15 questions assessing national progress on CCA for public health and the effects of various institutional, economic/financial, technical and sociopolitical barriers on national adaptive capacity.

Findings

Survey responses from 11 countries indicated that national commitments to CCA for public health have increased markedly since prior assessments but significant shortcomings remain. The largest apparent barriers to progress in this domain were poor government coordination, lack of political will and inadequate adaptation finances.

Originality/value

This study is unique in relation to the prior literature on the topic in that it effectively captures an array of country-specific yet cross-cutting adaptation constraints across diverse national contexts. With a deepened understanding of the major determinants of national adaptive capacity, international actors can devise more effective, evidence-informed strategies to support national governments in responding to the health impacts of climate change.
Skills and household financial decision-making in Indonesia
Authors: Lubis Arief Wibisono
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This study examines whether financial literacy is a relevant factor that determines authority in household financial decision-making, an area that is often viewed as boring, difficult and full of uncertainties. Cognitive ability and personality traits are also included as additional explanatory variables.

Design/methodology/approach

The logistic regression technique was applied using a sample of more than 2,300 microfinance institutions' clients in three provinces in Indonesia.

Findings

This study finds that financial literacy correlates positively with authority in household financial decision-making only among men. This does not mean that financial literacy is irrelevant for women's agency, since the skill might be important for authorities in other decision-making areas, including those outside households. Meanwhile, the relationship between cognitive ability and household financial decision-making authority is more universal.

Research limitations/implications

This study does not collect information on the levels of financial literacy of other household members and does not capture respondents' perceptions of household financial decision-making.

Social implications

The overall low level of financial literacy calls for the need for more targeted efforts to address this issue by policymakers. Education policy should also be designed to improve cognitive ability, as this ability is important for human agency and well-being.

Originality/value

Household decision-making has received significant attention in the literature. Authority in household decision-making is important because it represents a person's agency and has a profound impact on well-being. To the best of author's knowledge, studies on the importance of skills in household financial decision-making are very limited.
How monetary policies and ownership structure affect bank supply chain efficiency: a DEA-based case study
Authors: Hu Yelin , Li Bingjing , Zha Ying , Zhang Douqing
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The banking industry plays a key role in China's financial industry. In the past decade, the speed of the development of China's commercial banks has gradually declined. Commercial banks with different ownership structures also have certain differences in terms of operating efficiency, and their monetary policies are often different. Therefore, the authors study the impact of ownership structure on the efficiency of commercial banks under different monetary policies. This study also provides relevant reference opinions with regard to the healthy, sustainable and stable development of China's banking industry.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper mainly uses the two-stage data envelope analysis (DEA) model under meta-frontier and group frontier to study the deposit and loan efficiency changes of 16 banks from 2007 to 2014 under ownership structure heterogeneity. Furthermore, the model introduces the balance parameters between deposits and loans, in order to realize the mathematical abstraction description of macro-monetary policy.

Findings

First, based on bank efficiency analysis, the paper finds that most banks' loan efficiency is higher than their deposits. Second, the paper concludes that different monetary policies have little effect on bank deposit and loan efficiency, while ownership heterogeneity has a significant impact on bank performance. Finally, through the decomposition of the sources of inefficiency in bank performance, this paper finds that management and technology are two factors that affect the inefficiency of banks.

Originality/value

The authors work contributes to the existing literature in the following ways: First, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first attempt to use the DEA model to study the relationship between monetary policies and bank supply chain efficiency. The results may provide additional managerial implications for the banking industry from the perspective of monetary policies. The result is helpful in terms of explaining how and why banks should strengthen risk management, as well as how to deal with non-performing loans in management terms and finally, why banks should make financial technology innovations in technology terms.
Debt–performance relationship and firms' international trade activities
Authors: Forte Rosa , Botelho Andreia
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This study examines the influence of firm's international trade activities on the relationship between debt and firm's performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based on a sample of 8,343 Portuguese manufacturing firms between 2010 and 2017 and resorts to a random effects model.

Findings

Results suggest that international engagement can have a moderating effect on the relationship between debt and a company's performance. In fact, results indicate that the impact of debt on performance is less negative for companies involved in international trade activities (either importing, exporting or both) than for purely domestic firms. Furthermore, results also suggest that the level of international involvement is relevant; importing activities are those that contribute most toward a positive impact.

Originality/value

The work extends the existing literature by considering various types of international trade activities.
Employee engagement, creativity and task performance: role of perceived workplace autonomy
Authors: Pattnaik Subash Chandra , Sahoo Rashmita
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the mediating effect of creativity in the relationship between employee engagement and task performance and the moderating role of perceived workplace autonomy in the relationship between employee engagement and creativity through a moderated mediation analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used a quantitative research method. The sample for the study consisted of 396 employees and their clients in an Indian software development organization. Statistical analysis of the data was conducted using confirmatory factor analysis, Sobel test and Hayes' PROCESS for Model 1.

Findings

Findings of the study indicated that creativity of employees partially mediate the relationship between employee engagement and their task performance and perceived workplace autonomy moderates the relationship between employee engagement and creativity.

Practical implications

Managers may use findings of the study to harness creativity of their employees by providing an autonomous workplace environment to improve their task performance so as to contribute to the bottom line of the organization.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the literature by examining the mediating effect of creativity in the relationship between employee engagement and task performance, especially in a non-Western context and the moderating role played by perceived workplace autonomy using componential and broaden-and-build theories.
Out of Love for Any Thing? A Response to Vlieghe and Zamojski on Some Pedagogical Problems with an Object-Oriented ‘Educational Love’
Authors: Gibbs Alexis , O'brien Elizabeth
Published: October 2020

In this paper we consider some of the problems inherent in the attempt to define and circumscribe an exclusively ‘educational love’, as presented by Joris Vlieghe and Piotr Zamojski in a recent paper for this journal. In seeking to move beyond the confusing interpersonal relations involved in student-centred discourses on teaching, the authors aim to articulate an ‘educational love’ that is more oriented towards subject matter than the student subject. In the process, the concept of love itself becomes increasingly abstract and open to interpretation. Further, the attempt to reconcile these elements in an uncomplicated ‘love for the object’, following the example of Alain Badiou's St Paul, constitutes an injustice to the other subjects—the students—involved in the teaching situation. We consider the ways in which such abstractions might sit with student teachers, to demonstrate how and why the intersubjective dimension—with some of the possible emotive messiness that is implied therein—must not fade from view, if we are to avoid conceiving of education as something that can be purified of individual interest, motivation and desire.
The Role of Traders and Small Businesses in Urban Social Movements: The Case of London's Workspace Struggles
Authors: Taylor Myfanwy
Published: October 2020

This article focuses on the role of traders and small businesses in urban social movements by exploring three examples of opposition to commercial displacement in London. While the work of Castells, Lefebvre and the wider field of urban social movement research has radically expanded the terrain of struggle beyond the workplace to take in a wide range of community and grassroots groups and concerns, little attention has been paid to the potential role of traders and small businesses, particularly in the global North. The article focuses specifically on the mobilization of traders and small businesses in response to the threat of commercial displacement which, as one of the ways in which surplus value is extracted from cities, is a potentially significant site of urban contestation. Drawing on the author's research and involvement with one metropolitan and two local ‘workspace struggles’ in London, the article demonstrates that commercial displacement may mobilize threatened traders and small businesses to play a role in broader urban social movements with wide‐ranging goals and concerns. Further research on workspace struggles has the potential to offer much‐needed insights for radical urban politics and possibilities for developing alternatives by challenging and working across divides between economy and society.
Determinants of Livestock Insurance Demand: Experimental Evidence from Chinese Herders
Authors: Liu Pengfei , Hou Lingling , Li Dongqing , Min Shi , Mu Yueying
Published: October 2020

We provide the first evidence about insurance preferences among herders in pastoral regions in China. We estimate herders’ preferences for alternative insurance configurations based on a hypothetical and a consequential choice experiment, aiming to minimise hypothetical bias. Our results show that herders prefer the insurance plan in general with demand for livestock insurance increasing when insurance premiums decrease or payouts increase. The hypothetical bias only influences the willingness‐to‐pay estimates through the cost attribute, while the marginal rates of substitution of non‐cost attributes remain largely unchanged. The hypothetical treatment nearly doubles the magnitudes of willingness‐to‐pay estimates for some insurance attributes.
Estimating heritability of social phenotypes from social networks
Authors: Radersma Reinder
Published: October 2020

For understanding how social behaviour evolves and responds to selection, we need to be able to accurately estimate heritability with quantitative genetic models. More recently, this has moved into using node‐specific statistics from social networks as social phenotypes. However, parameter estimation can be problematic because social phenotypes are not independent observations and standard models tend to ignore the uncertainties around their estimates.

Here I present a framework using latent variable modelling to account for these dependencies and uncertainties. I use edge weights, rather than node‐specific network statistics, as dependent variables. From these edge weights, two types of latent (i.e. unobserved) phenotypes are estimated: the individual tendency to be social (i.e. social tendency) and the relative contribution to associations (i.e. social governance). Effects of the social environment and indirect genetic effects are accounted for in the model and can be estimated post hoc. If edge weights are a proportion (e.g. simple ratio index) their uncertainty can be accounted for by a binomial sampling process.

I illustrate this method inStan, a flexible Bayesian inference library, using a publicly available dataset on bottlenose dolphin networks. This method not only accounts for dependencies and uncertainties, it also illuminates aspects of social evolution which are not observed with standard quantitative genetic models. For instance, indirect genetic effects models predict heritable variation in sociality (21.9%), while latent variable modelling shows heritability of social tendency (28.7%), but not for social governance (0.0%). Covariates at different levels in the model (edge and node level) highlight differences in sociality between different foraging strategies and the sexes.

This example shows that not properly accounting for the assumptions underlying the use of social network statistics can have misleading effects on conclusions. Although some model assumption violations are less common, others are inherit to the study of (semi)wild populations. The presented framework offers solutions for some critical assumptions and is a flexible tool to further develop and tailor to the needs of specific studies, to ensure the proper fit to the study system.
Improved ecological insights commission new conservation targets for a crepuscular bird species
Authors: Evens R. , Jacot A. , Artois T. , Ulenaers E. , Neyens T. , Rappaz L. , Theux C. , Pradervand Jean‐Nicolas
Published: October 2020

Knowledge on species’ ecological requirements is the key to an effective evidence‐based conservation. An adaptive approach can refine management recommendations following the outcomes of previous actions or as improved scientific knowledge about a species’ ecology becomes available. Following severe population declines the majority of the Swiss European Nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus) population is now restricted to a small core area in the canton of Valais, despite the local application of evidence‐based restoration measures to the breeding habitats. The habitat use of this crepuscular bird species is presumed to be restricted to semi‐open oak‐pine scrublands and rocky steppe. By deploying miniature GPS loggers we assessed the spatial and habitat selection of 42 individuals (25 individuals in 2018 and 30 individuals in 2019; comprising 13 redeployments between years) in five study sites in the canton Valais. We highlight the importance of using fine‐scaled movement data to obtain insight into complex multi‐scale habitat requirements of a species. Nightjars used multiple habitats, indicating the importance of complementary resources to breed (e.g. open forest and shrub) and to forage (e.g. semi‐extensive grasslands and vineyards). The connectivity between these resources was influenced by habitat configuration and composition. Given these new insights for future conservation strategies, our results also suggest that national‐level land use changes, mainly due to agricultural intensification processes, have contributed to the long‐term population declines in Switzerland. We therefore consider our result in the context of knowledge gaps for species that exploit complementary habitats and the potential shortcomings for conservation planning on discrete species showing complex ecological requirements.
Severe metabolic acidosis due to acetazolamide intoxication in a dog
Authors: Johnston L , Leister E , Singer L
Published: October 2020

Case report

This case report describes the clinical signs and case management of a 1‐year‐old neutered male Siberian Husky that accidentally ingested 635 mg/kg of oral acetazolamide (a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor). The dog presented with severe tachypnoea due to the development of hyperchloraemic metabolic acidosis and associated hypokalaemia that persisted for 7 days. Clinical and biochemical changes resolved with intravenous and subsequent oral supplementation of sodium bicarbonate and potassium. Complete recovery occurred within 9 days of presentation.

Conclusion

To the authors' knowledge, this is the first case that reports overdosage of an oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitor in a dog and subsequent recovery with adequate supplementation and supportive care.
High genetic diversity with low connectivity among Mauritia flexuosa (Arecaceae) stands from Ecuadorean Amazonia
Authors: Montúfar Rommel , Recalde Andrés , Couvreur Thomas L. P.
Published: October 2020

Mauritia flexuosa dominated palm swamps are an important forest resource covering over 30,000 km2 across the Amazon basin. In Ecuadorean Amazonia, Mauritia flexuosa, a dioecious and arborescent palm species, forms small and isolated populations or large and dense stands on poorly drained soils. How these populations are genetically interconnected and how genetic diversity varies between cohorts of different ages remains little studied although they are important for conservation of these ecosystems. The genetic structure of Mauritia flexuosa was studied in five natural stands using eight microsatellite loci and two cohorts (seedling and adults). In addition, age structure and sex ratio within the stands were assessed using transects. The age structure of the studied Mauritia flexuosa stands is represented by a high number of seedlings (mean = 1,153.6/ha) and adults (mean = 563.2/ha), with a sex ratio favoring female individuals (1.42:1). These stands are also characterized by a fine‐scale genetic structure, high observed heterozygosity (mean: HO seedlings=0.52; HO adults=0.52), high inbreeding (mean: FIS seedlings = 0.26; FIS adults = 0.26), low number of migrants (Nm=0.29), strong genetic differentiation (mean: pairwise RST/ D‐values seedlings = 0.08/ 0.74; mean RST/D‐values adults = 0.17/ 0.76), and an average effective population size (Ne) of 191.42 individuals. No intergenerational genetic variation was detected between seedlings and adults. We suggest that the high genetic diversity and inbreeding as well as the strong differentiation among stands of these populations could be explained, at least partially, by a low genetic connectivity among populations. Destructive harvesting of its fruits and defaunation will be major threats to Mauritia flexuosa populations in the future.

Abstract in Spanish is available with online material
A re‐evaluation of management units based on gene flow of a rare waterbird in the Americas
Authors: Shahrokhi Golya , Rodriguez David , Collins Samantha , Kent Gina , Meyer Ken , Palacios Eduardo , Green Michael Clay
Published: October 2020

The maintenance of gene flow in species that have experienced population contractions and are geographically fragmented is important to the maintenance of genetic variation and evolutionary potential; thus, gene flow is also important to conservation and management of these species. For example, the Reddish Egret (Egretta rufescens) has recovered after severe population reductions during the 19th and 20th centuries, but population numbers remain below historical levels. In this study, we characterized gene flow among management units of the Reddish Egret by using ten nuclear microsatellite markers and part of the mitochondrial (mtDNA) control region from 176 nestlings captured at eight localities in Mexico (Baja California, Chiapas, Tamaulipas, and Yucatan), the USA (Texas, Louisiana, and Florida), and the Bahamas. We found evidence of population structure and that males disperse more often and across longer distances compared with females, which is congruent with previous banding and telemetry data. The maternally inherited mtDNA and biparentally inherited microsatellite data supported slightly different MU models; however, when interpreted together, a four MU model that considered population structure and geographic proximity was most optimal. Namely, MU 1 (Baja California); MU 2 (Chiapas); MU 3 (Yucatan, Tamaulipas, Texas, and Louisiana); and MU 4 (Florida and the Bahamas). Regions outside our sampled localities (e.g., the Greater Antilles and South America) require additional sampling to fully understand gene flow and movement of individuals across the species’ entire range. However, the four MUs we have defined group nesting localities into genetically similar subpopulations, which can guide future management plans.

Abstract in Spanish is available with online material
Reservoir fish assemblage structure across an aquatic ecotone: Can river‐reservoir interfaces provide conservation and management opportunities?
Authors: Pennock Casey A. , Hines Brian A. , Elverud Darek S. , Francis Travis A. , McKinstry Mark C. , Schleicher Benjamin J. , Gido Keith B.
Published: October 2020

River‐reservoir interfaces have been described as aquatic ecotones and contain strong environmental gradients of depth, turbidity and trophic resource abundance. These transitional habitats have traditionally been excluded by riverine and reservoir management schemes despite their prevalence in modern riverscapes. By systematically sampling shoreline habitats along a river‐reservoir interface gradient from riverine to lacustrine zones with trammel nets in 2018–2019, strong patterns were identified in total species captured and individuals captured in the San Juan River‐Lake Powell inflow, USA. Changes in assemblage structure were driven mainly by increases in relative abundance of benthic omnivores towards the riverine zone, including imperiled razorback sucker, Xyrauchen texanus (Abbott), but also by increases in predatory species, such as striped bass, Morone saxatilis (Walbaum). Inter‐annual variation in species distributions along the river‐reservoir interface gradient was likely influenced by variation in reservoir water level that differed by nearly 12 m between years. River‐reservoir interfaces provide high‐quality feeding and potentially spawning areas for both benthic omnivores and piscivores, and these areas should be considered in management and conservation efforts for species using these habitats.
Lacking transient receptor potential melastatin 2 attenuates lipopolysaccharide‐induced bladder inflammation and its associated hypersensitivity in mice
Authors: Kamei Jun , Aizawa Naoki , Nakagawa Takayuki , Kaneko Shuji , Fujimura Tetsuya , Homma Yukio , Kume Haruki , Igawa Yasuhiko
Published: October 2020

Objective

To study the role of transient receptor potential melastatin 2 in bladder function and inflammation‐associated hypersensitivity.

Methods

We evaluated physiological function of the bladder and intravesical lipopolysaccharide‐induced inflammatory nociceptive responses in female wild‐type and transient receptor potential melastatin 2‐knockout mice. In vivo frequency/volume and decerebrated unanesthetized cystometry measurements, as well as in vitro detrusor strip functional studies, were carried out to evaluate bladder function. Mice received intravesical lipopolysaccharide (2.0 mg/mL) or saline instillation to evaluate responses to bladder inflammation. Voiding and bladder pain‐like behaviors, cystometry measurements and histological evaluation were carried out before and after intravesical lipopolysaccharide instillation.

Results

Few phenotypic differences in in vivo and in vitro physiological function were found between the two genotypes. Comparison of measurements taken before and 24–48 h after intravesical lipopolysaccharide instillation showed that voiding parameters did not change in transient receptor potential melastatin 2‐knockout mice, whereas an increased voiding frequency was observed in wild‐type mice. At 24 h after intravesical lipopolysaccharide instillation, the numbers of bladder pain‐like behaviors and of infiltrated inflammatory cells in the bladder submucosal layer were significantly increased, and the voided volume and the intercontraction interval were significantly decreased on cystometry measurements in wild‐type mice compared with those in both transient receptor potential melastatin 2‐knockout mice and in wild‐type mice treated with saline instillation.

Conclusions

Although the physiological roles of transient receptor potential melastatin 2 channels in the bladder might be limited, inflammation and associated hypersensitivity of the bladder caused by intravesical lipopolysaccharide instillation are attenuated in transient receptor potential melastatin 2‐knockout mice, suggesting pathophysiological roles of transient receptor potential melastatin 2 channels in these processes.
Carton Set Optimization in E‐commerce Warehouses: A Case Study
Authors: Singh Manjeet , Ardjmand Ehsan
Published: October 2020

In this study, a three‐stage methodology for carton set optimization in e‐commerce warehouses is proposed and evaluated on three DHL Supply Chain warehouses. The methodology includes order cubing, carton grouping, and optimal carton set selection. A modified largest area fits first algorithm for order cubing is proposed. For optimal carton set selection, a genetic algorithm with a novel crossover strategy is introduced. The results show that the proposed carton set optimization approach can improve the shipping cost and carton utilization by 7% and 7.8%, and considerably improve the carbon footprint of the operations, even when the number of carton types is not changed.
Rosacea in acne vulgaris patients: Subtype distribution and triggers assessment—A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Chen Haiyan , Lai Wei , Zheng Yue
Published: October 2020

Background

Recent studies have reported that the incidence of acne combined with rosacea is increasing. However, the clinical feature and inducing factor of these two diseases co‐occurrence is remain unclear.

Aims

This study aims to investigate the classification and severity of female patients combining with acne and rosacea.

Patients/Methods

Female patients with facial acne combined with rosacea, 15‐50 years old, were included from dermatology outpatient department from January 2019 to December 2019. The severity of acne was classified according to the Pillsbury grading system. Rosacea was diagnosed and classified according to the Standard issued by National Rosacea Society Expert Committee. Questionnaire was designed to collect the information of rosacea triggers from each patient.

Results

563 vulgaris acne combined with rosacea patients (mean age 23.2 ± 43), included 70.33% severe acne (n = 396), 15.81% moderate acne(n = 89), and 13.85% mild acne(n = 78), had finished the study. In severe acne group, 72.47% combine with erythematotelangiectatic rosacea (ETR), 22.47% combined with papulopustular rosacea (PPR), and 5.05% combine with phymatous rosacea (PHR). In moderate acne group, 53.93% combine with ETR, 43.82% combined with papulopustular rosacea (PPR), and 2.24% combine with PHR. All patients in moderate acne subject group was combined with ETR (100%). Patients that did not use skin care produces presented 12.79 times higher rate to combine with ETR than that frequently using skin care products (P = .014).

Conclusions

Erythema telangiectasia rosacea is the most common rosacea type in female acne patients. There is a need to be vigilant about the combination of sever/moderate acne and papulopustular rosacea. Rational daily use of skin care products can reduce the incidence of rosacea in acne patients. For acne patients without family history of rosacea, dermatologists should also not ignore the healthy education to avoid potential triggers of rosacea.
Prediction of oral intake recovery for inpatients with aspiration pneumonia by videoendoscopic evaluation using the Hyodo‐Komagane score in Japan
Authors: Kimura Masanori , Nakayama Enri , Ogawa Yusuke , Sato Mari , Inagawa Motoaki , Watanabe Mao , Sato Mitsuyasu , Naganuma Atsushi , Ogawa Tetsushi , Ueda Koichiro
Published: October 2020

Objective

To verify the validity of the prediction of oral intake recovery for inpatients with aspiration pneumonia using the Hyodo‐Komagane score.

Background

Patients admitted for treatment of aspiration pneumonia sometimes have difficulty in resuming oral intake due to decreased swallowing function. Predicting whether the swallowing function will recover enough to achieve oral ingestion at discharge is an important factor in developing a treatment strategy. No studies have investigated the prediction of oral intake recovery using videoendoscopic examination.

Methods

Subjects were 65 patients who were admitted to an acute care hospital for the treatment of aspiration pneumonia. The patients were divided into two groups, the oral feeding group and the tube feeding group, according to their oral intake status at discharge or transfer. Logistic regression analysis was performed using the condition that tube feeding was not required as an objective variable and the items with significant differences between the two groups as explanatory variables. Additionally, the receiver operating characteristic curve was used to identify patients who could take food orally at discharge.

Results

The odds ratios for the Hyodo‐Komagane score and the pharyngeal clearance score were 1.485 and 3.379, respectively. When the cut‐off values of the Hyodo‐Komagane score and the pharyngeal clearance score were 6 and 1, the sensitivity was 0.88 and 0.91, and the specificity was 0.64 and 0.70, respectively.

Conclusion

The Hyodo‐Komagane score and especially the pharyngeal clearance score are useful indices to predict oral intake recovery for inpatients with aspiration pneumonia.