bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perception of yips among professional Japanese golfers: perspectives and challenges
Authors: Revankar Gajanan S. , Kajiyama Yuta , Gon Yasufumi , Ogasawara Issei , Hattori Noriaki , Nakano Tomohito , Kawamura Sadahito , Nakata Ken , Mochizuki Hideki
Published: February 2021

Background

Yips in golf is a complex spectrum of psychological anxiety and movement disorder that affects competitive sporting performance. Existing literature is limited to several western studies and the manifestations of this problem in Japanese golfers is currently unknown.

Objective

To quantify self-reported perception and manifestation of yips among Japanese golfers from the professional golfers’ association (PGA).

Methods

We analyzed 1271 (of 1356) elite golfers in a cross-sectional manner. Golfers were sensitized beforehand about yips by a movement-disorder specialist. Based on a positive history for yips, participants were categorized into yips and non-yips groups. Survey questionnaire focused on demographic information, golfing habits, anxiety and musculoskeletal problems, performance deficits during golfing, changes in training and their outcomes. Statistical procedures included multiple logistic regression and network analysis to assess factors associated with yips.

Results

35% (N=450) of the respondents had experienced symptoms of yips in their career, their odds increasing proportionally to their golfing experience. Severity of musculoskeletal symptoms were higher in those with yips. Regardless, about 57% of all yips-golfers attributed their symptoms to psychological causes. Putting, approach and teeing shots, in that order, were highly susceptible to movement problems. Network analysis highlighted characteristic movement patterns i.e. slowing, forceful or freezing of movement for putting, approach and teeing respectively. Golfers’ self-administered strategies to relieve yips symptoms were generally inconsequential, though improvements were seen only for approach-yips.

Conclusion

Our findings align firmly with prior studies on yips. Though aware of the problem, most Japanese golfers were untouched by yips. Those that were affected, perceived yips to be a psychological issue despite substantial evidence pointing to a movement-disorder. While self-administered interventions for symptom relief in such golfers is satisfactory at best, it may be imperative to sensitize golfers from a movement-disorder standpoint for early identification and management of the problem.
BTBD9 is a novel component of IGF signaling and regulates manganese-induced dopaminergic dysfunction
Authors: Chen Pan , Zheng Fuli , Li Shaojun , Cheng Hong , Bornhorst Julia , Li Yunhui , Yang Bobo , Lee Kun He , Ke Tao , Schwerdtle Tanja , Yang Xiaobo , Bowman Aaron B. , Aschner Michael
Published: February 2021

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common neurological disorder associated with iron deficiency and dopaminergic (DAergic) neuronal dysfunction. BTBD9 is a genetic risk factor for RLS. However, its molecular function remains largely unknown. Here, we report the interaction between BTBD9, manganese (Mn) and insulin/insulin-like growth factor (IGF) signaling inCaenorhabditis elegans, mouse Neuro2a cells and humans. We found that elevated Mn downregulated BTBD9 mRNA levels; in turn, BTBD9 expression attenuated Mn-induced cellular stress and dopaminergic neurodegeneration. As Mn is a known co-factor for insulin receptor and IGF-1 receptor, which activates IGF signaling, we posited that BTBD9 negatively regulates IGF signaling. Our results showed that the protective effects of BTBD9 against Mn toxicity were dependent on the forkhead box O (FOXO) protein. Furthermore, BTBD9 overexpression significantly elevated FOXO level and decreased PKB level, while phosphoinositide-dependent kinase-1 (PDK1) level remained unchanged. We conclude that BTBD9 acts as a key component in the IGF signaling pathway. Meanwhile, the roles of Mn in DAergic neurotoxicity and regulating BTBD9 shed new light on the etiology of RLS.
Structural basis of RICs iron donation for iron-sulfur cluster biogenesis
Authors: Silva Liliana S. O. , Matias Pedro M. , Romão Célia V. , Saraiva Lígia M.
Published: February 2021

Escherichia coliYtfE is a di-iron protein, of the widespread RIC family, with capacity to donate iron, which is a crucial component of the biogenesis of the ubiquitous family of iron-sulfur proteins. Herein we identify inE. colia previously unrecognized link between the YtfE protein and the major bacterial system for iron-sulfur cluster (ISC) assembly. We show that YtfE establishes protein-protein interactions with the scaffold IscU, where the transient cluster is formed, and the cysteine desulfurase IscS. Moreover, we found that promotion by YtfE of the formation of an Fe-S cluster in IscU requires two glutamates, E125 and E159 in YtfE. Both glutamates form part of the entrance of a protein channel in YtfE that links the di-iron centre to the surface. In particular, E125 is crucial for the exit of iron, as a single mutation to leucine closes the channel rendering YtfE inactive for the build-up of Fe-S clusters. Hence, we provide evidence for the key role of RICs as bacterial iron donor proteins involved in the biogenesis of Fe-S clusters.

Importance

The ubiquitous iron-sulfur proteins require specialized cellular machineries to promote the assembly of the cofactor. These systems include proteins that provide sulfur and iron, and scaffold proteins where the cluster is formed. Although largely studied the nature of the iron donor remains to be fully clarified. In this work, we show thatEscherichia coliYtfE, which belongs to the RIC protein family, establishes protein-protein interactions with two of the major proteins of the ISC system, and we reveal the structural characteristics necessary for the exit of iron ions from YtfE. Altogether our results prove that RICs can be considered a family of iron donor proteins involved in the biogenesis of iron-sulfur containing proteins.
Investigating crosstalk among PTMs provides novel insight into the structural basis underlying the differential effects of Nt17 PTMs on mutant Httex1 aggregation
Authors: Chiki Anass , Zhang Zhidian , Rajasekhar Kolla , Abriata Luciano A. , Rostami Iman , Krapp Lucien , Boudeffa Driss , Dal Peraro Matteo , Lashuel Hilal A.
Published: February 2021

Post-translational modifications (PTMs) within the first 17 amino acids (Nt17) of the Huntingtin protein (Htt) have been shown to inhibit the aggregation and attenuate the toxicity of mutant Htt proteinsin vitroand in various models of Huntington’s disease. Our group’s previous studies suggested that the Nt17 PTM code is a combinatorial code that involves a complex interplay between different PTMs. Here, we expand on these studies by investigating the effect of methionine 8 oxidation (oxM8) and crosstalk between this PTM and either lysine 6 acetylation (AcK6) or threonine 3 phosphorylation (pT3) on the aggregation of mutant Httex1. We show that M8 oxidation delays but does not inhibit the aggregation and has no effect on the final morphologies of mutant Httex1 aggregates. This delay in aggregation kinetics could be attributed to the transient accumulation of oligomeric aggregates, which disappear upon the formation of Httex1 oxM8 fibrils. Interestingly, the presence of both oxM8 and AcK6 resulted in dramatic inhibition of Httex1 fibrillization, whereas the presence of oxM8 did not influence the aggregation inhibitory effect of pT3. To gain insight into the structural basis underlying these proteins’ aggregation properties, we investigated the impact of each PTM and the combination of these PTMs on the conformational properties of the Nt17 peptide by circular dichroism spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulation. These studies show that M8 oxidation decreases the helicity of the Nt17 in the presence or absence of PTMs and provides novel insight into the structural basis underlying the effects of different PTMs on mutant Httex1 aggregation. PTMs that lower the mutant Httex1 aggregation rate (oxM8, AcK6/oxM8, pT3, pT3/oxM8, and phosphorylation at Serine 13) result in stabilization and increased population of a short N-terminal helix (first eight residues) in Nt17 or decreased abundance of other helical forms, including long helix and short C-terminal helix. PTMs that did not alter the aggregation of mutant Httex1 exhibit a similar distribution of helical conformation as the unmodified peptides. These results show that the relative abundance of N- vs. C-terminal helical conformations and long helices, rather than the overall helicity of Nt17, better explains the effect of different Nt17 PTMs on mutant Httex1; thus, explaining the lack of correlation between the effect of PTMs on the overall helicity of Nt17 and mutant Httex1 aggregationin vitro. Taken together, our results provide novel structural insight into the differential effects of single PTMs and crosstalk between different PTMs in regulating mutant Httex1 aggregation.

TOC Figure
Generation of a microsporidia species attribute database and analysis of the extensive ecological and phenotypic diversity of microsporidia
Authors: Murareanu Brandon M. , Sukhdeo Ronesh , Qu Rui , Jiang Jason , Reinke Aaron W.
Published: February 2021

Microsporidia are a large group of fungal-related obligate intracellular parasites. Though many microsporidia species have been identified over the past 160 years, there is a lacking depiction of the full diversity of this phylum. To systematically describe the characteristics of these parasites, we created a database of 1,440 species and their attributes, including the hosts they infect and spore characteristics. We find that microsporidia have been reported to infect 16 metazoan and four protozoan phyla, with smaller phyla being underrepresented. Most species are only reported to infect a single host, but those that are generalists are also more likely to infect a broader set of host tissues. Strikingly, polar tubes are 3-fold longer in species that infect tissues besides the intestine, suggesting that polar tube length is a determinant of tissue specificity. Phylogenetic analysis revealed four clades which each contain microsporidia infecting hosts from all major habitats. Although related species are more likely to infect similar hosts, we observe examples of changes in host specificity and convergent evolution. Taken together, our results show that microsporidia display vast diversity in their morphology and the hosts they infect, illustrating the flexibility of these parasites to evolve new traits.
High-Speed, Cortex-Wide Volumetric Recording of Neuroactivity at Cellular Resolution using Light Beads Microscopy
Authors: Demas Jeffrey , Manley Jason , Tejera Frank , Kim Hyewon , Traub Francisca Martínez , Chen Brandon , Vaziri Alipasha
Published: February 2021

Two-photon microscopy together with genetically encodable calcium indicators has emerged as a standard tool for high-resolution imaging of neuroactivity in scattering brain tissue. However, its various realizations have not overcome the inherent tradeoffs between speed and spatiotemporal sampling in a principled manner which would be necessary to enable, amongst other applications, mesoscale volumetric recording of neuroactivity at cellular resolution and speed compatible with resolving calcium transients. Here, we introduce Light Beads Microscopy (LBM), a scalable and spatiotemporally optimal acquisition approach limited only by fluorescence life-time, where a set of axially-separated and temporally-distinct foci record the entire axial imaging range near-simultaneously, enabling volumetric recording at 1.41 × 108 voxels per second. Using LBM, we demonstrate mesoscopic and volumetric imaging at multiple scales in the mouse cortex, including cellular resolution recordings within ~3×5×0.5 mm3 volumes containing >200,000 neurons at ~5 Hz, recording of populations of ~1 million neurons within ~5.4×6×0.5 mm3 volumes at ~2Hz as well as higher-speed (9.6 Hz) sub-cellular resolution volumetric recordings. LBM provides an unprecedented opportunity for discovering the neurocomputations underlying cortex-wide encoding and processing of information in the mammalian brain.
Rare genera differentiate urban green space soil bacterial communities in three cities across the world
Authors: Mills Jacob G. , Selway Caitlin A. , Weyrich Laura S. , Skelly Chris , Weinstein Philip , Thomas Torsten , Young Jennifer M. , Marczylo Emma , Yadav Sudesh , Yadav Vijay , Lowe Andrew J. , Breed Martin F.
Published: February 2021

Vegetation complexity is potentially important for urban green space designs aimed at fostering microbial biodiversity to benefit human health. Exposure to urban microbial biodiversity may influence human health outcomes via immune training and regulation. In this context, improving human exposure to microbiota via biodiversity-centric urban green space designs is an underused opportunity. There is currently little knowledge on the association between vegetation complexity (i.e., diversity and structure) and soil microbiota of urban green spaces. Here, we investigated the association between vegetation complexity and soil bacteria in urban green spaces in Bournemouth, UK; Haikou, China; and the City of Playford, Australia by sequencing the 16S rRNA V4 gene region of soil samples and assessing bacterial diversity. We characterized these green spaces as having ‘low’ or ‘high’ vegetation complexity and explored whether these two broad categories contained similar bacterial community compositions and diversity around the world. Within cities, we observed significantly different alpha and beta diversities between vegetation complexities; however, these results varied between cities. Rare genera (< 1 % relative abundance individually, on average 35 % relative abundance when pooled) were most likely to be significantly different in sequence abundance between vegetation complexities and therefore explained much of the differences in microbial communities observed. Overall, general associations exist between soil bacterial communities and vegetation complexity, although these are not consistent between cities. Therefore, more in-depth work is required to be done locally to derive practical actions to assist the conservation and restoration of microbial communities in urban areas.
Structural Basis for Accommodation of Emerging B.1.351 and B.1.1.7 Variants by Two Potent SARS-CoV-2 Neutralizing Antibodies
Authors: Cerutti Gabriele , Rapp Micah , Guo Yicheng , Bahna Fabiana , Bimela Jude , Reddem Eswar R. , Yu Jian , Wang Pengfei , Liu Lihong , Huang Yaoxing , Ho David D. , Kwong Peter D. , Sheng Zizhang , Shapiro Lawrence
Published: February 2021

Emerging SARS-CoV-2 strains, B.1.1.7 and B.1.351, from the UK and South Africa, respectively show decreased neutralization by monoclonal antibodies and convalescent or vaccinee sera raised against the original wild-type virus, and are thus of clinical concern. However, the neutralization potency of two antibodies, 1-57 and 2-7, which target the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of spike, was unaffected by these emerging strains. Here, we report cryo-EM structures of 1-57 and 2-7 in complex with spike, revealing each of these antibodies to utilize a distinct mechanism to bypass or accommodate RBD mutations. Notably, each antibody represented a response with recognition distinct from those of frequent antibody classes. Moreover, many epitope residues recognized by 1-57 and 2-7 were outside hotspots of evolutionary pressure for both ACE2 binding and neutralizing antibody escape. We suggest the therapeutic use of antibodies like 1-57 and 2-7, which target less prevalent epitopes, could ameliorate issues of monoclonal antibody escape.
Illustrating Potential Effects of Alternate Control Populations on Real-World Evidence-based Statistical Analyses
Authors: Huang Yidi , Yuan William , Kohane Isaac S. , Beaulieu-Jones Brett K.
Published: February 2021

Case-control study designs are commonly used in retrospective analyses of Real-World Evidence (RWE). Due to the increasingly wide availability of RWE, it can be difficult to determine whether findings are robust or the result of testing multiple hypotheses. We investigate the potential effects of modifying cohort definitions in a case-control association study between depression and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2D). We found that small permutations to the criteria used to define the control population result in significant shifts in both the demographic structure of the identified cohort as well as the odds ratio of association. These differences remain present when testing against age and sex-matched controls. We believe this offers strong support for the need for robust guidelines, best practices and regulations around the use of observational RWE for clinical or regulatory decision making.
Chemical rescue of mutant proteins in living cells by naturally occurring small molecules
Authors: Hassell Daniel S. , Steingesser Marc G. , Denney Ashley S. , Johnson Courtney R. , McMurray Michael A.
Published: February 2021

Intracellular proteins function in a complex milieu wherein small molecules influence protein folding and act as essential cofactors for enzymatic reactions. Thus protein function depends not only on amino acid sequence but also on the concentrations of such molecules, which are subject to wide variation between organisms, metabolic states, and environmental conditions. We previously found evidence that exogenous guanidine reverses the phenotypes of specific budding yeast septin mutants by binding to a WT septin at the former site of an Arg side chain that was lost during fungal evolution. Here we used a combination of targeted and unbiased approaches to look for other cases of “chemical rescue” by naturally occurring small molecules. We reportin vivorescue of hundreds of yeast mutants representing a variety of genes, including likely examples of Arg or Lys side chain replacement by the guanidinium ion. Failed rescue of targeted mutants highlight features required for rescue, as well as key differences between thein vitroandin vivoenvironments. Some non-Arg mutants rescued by guanidine likely result from “off-target” effects on specific cellular processes in WT cells. Molecules isosteric to guanidine and known to influence protein folding had a range of effects, from essentially none for urea, to rescue of a few mutants by DMSO. Strikingly, the osmolyte trimethylamine-N-oxide rescued ∼20% of the mutants we tested, likely reflecting combinations of direct and indirect effects on mutant protein function. Our findings illustrate the potential of natural small molecules as therapeutic interventions and drivers of evolution.
Restoration of BDNF-TrkB signaling rescues deficits in a mouse model of SCA6
Authors: Cook Anna A. , Jayabal Sriram , Sheng Jacky , Fields Eviatar , Leung Tsz Chui Sophia , Quilez Sabrina , McNicholas Eileen , Lau Lois , Watt Alanna J.
Published: February 2021

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 6 (SCA6) is a neurodegenerative disease resulting in motor coordination deficits and cerebellar pathology. Expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is reduced in several neurodegenerative diseases, including in post-mortem tissue from SCA6 patients. Here, we show that cerebellar BDNF levels are reduced at an early disease stage in a mouse model of SCA6 (SCA684Q/84Q). One month of voluntary exercise was sufficient to elevate BDNF expression, as well as rescue both motor coordination and cerebellar Purkinje cell firing rate deficits. A BDNF mimetic, 7,8-dihydroxyflavone (7,8-DHF) likewise improved motor coordination and reversed Purkinje cell firing rate deficits, suggesting that exercise acts via BDNF-TrkB signaling. Prolonged chronic 7,8-DHF administration rescued ataxia when treatment commenced near disease onset, but was ineffective when treatment was started late. These data suggest that 7,8-DHF, which is orally bioavailable and crosses the blood-brain barrier, is a promising therapeutic for SCA6 and argue for the importance of early intervention for SCA6.
High-level representations in human occipito-temporal cortex are indexed by distal connectivity
Authors: Walbrin Jon , Almeida Jorge
Published: February 2021

Human object recognition is dependent on occipito-temporal cortex, but a complete understanding of the complex functional architecture of this area must account for how it is connected to the wider brain. Converging functional magnetic resonance imaging evidence shows that univariate responses to different categories of information (e.g. faces, bodies, & non-human objects) are strongly related to, and potentially shaped by, functional and structural connectivity to the wider brain. However, to date, there have been no systematic attempts to determine how distal connectivity and complex local high-level responses in occipito-temporal cortex (i.e. multivoxel response patterns) are related. Here, we show that distal functional connectivity is related to, and can reliably index, high-level representations for several visual categories (i.e. tools, faces, & places) within occipito-temporal cortex; that is, voxels sets that are strongly connected to distal brain areas show higher pattern discriminability than less well-connected sets do. We further show that, in several cases, pattern discriminability is higher in sets of well-connected voxels than sets defined by ‘local’ activation (e.g. strong amplitude responses to faces in fusiform face area). Together, these findings demonstrate the important relationship between the complex functional organization of occipito-temporal cortex and wider brain connectivity.

Significance statement

Human object recognition relies strongly on occipito-temporal cortex (OTC), yet responses in this broad area are often considered in relative isolation to the rest of the brain. We employ a novel ‘connectivity-guided’ voxel selection approach with functional MRI data to show higher sensitivity to information (i.e. higher multivoxel pattern discriminability) in voxel sets that share strong connectivity to distal brain areas, relative to: 1) voxel sets that are less-strongly connected; and in several cases 2) voxel sets that are defined by strong ‘local’ response amplitude. These findings underscore the importance of distal contributions to local processing in OTC.
Nitroxide radicals appended to phthalonitriles: synthesis, structural characterization and photophysical properties
Authors: Fidan Ismail , Onal Emel , Hirel Catherine
Published: February 2021

The syntheses of 4-[4-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-2-imidazoline-3-oxide-1-oxyl-2-yl)phenoxy]phthalonitrile (3, C21H19N4O3) and 4-[4-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-2-imidazoline-1-oxyl-2-yl)phenoxy]phthalonitrile (4) were carried out by microwave-assisted nucleophilic aromatic substitution of 4-nitrophthalonitrile (2) by the pre-formed 2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-2-imidazoline-3-oxide-1-oxyl (1). Compounds 3 and 4 were characterized unambiguously by a rich array of analyses, such as melting point, FT–IR, MALDI–TOF MS, elemental analysis, UV–Vis, CV, EPR, magnetic measurements and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Structural studies demonstrate that the C—H...X and C—X...π (X = O and N) interactions in the radical nitronyl nitroxide groups play an important role in the assembly of the crystal structures. Moreover, cyclic voltammetry analyses show that the phthalonitrile substituent retains the redox properties of the Ullman radicals.
Alcohol versus sponsorship: effectiveness in sports posters
Authors: Alonso Dos Santos Manuel , Huertas-Serrano Maria , Sánchez-Franco Manuel J. , Torres-Moraga Eduardo I.
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The academic literature debates the desirability of sponsoring alcohol products at sporting events, a discussion that increases as major sporting events approach. This study aims to examine the influence that sponsorship of an alcoholic product such as beer has on the sports spectator, and the level of efficacy with respect to congruent, alcohol, and incongruent sponsorship.

Design/methodology/approach

The experiment was performed on 180 subjects considering three variables 3 × 3 × 2 (congruency type vs alcohol; sport discipline; placement). The experiment consisted of exposure to sponsored sports posters. Visual attention was recorded through eye tracking and then a self-reported questionnaire.

Findings

Through an experiment using eye tracking the results showed that the recall variable is higher among alcohol sponsorships and incongruent sponsorship, but it cannot be concluded either that the intention to buy or the attitude toward the brand differ among the sponsorships analyzed.

Practical implications

Alcohol brand is perceived as an incongruous brand in the context of sports sponsorship. Congruent sponsors attract more attention and recall, but no differences in terms of intention to buy. If purchase intent and consumption does not increase, perhaps sports sponsorship by alcohol brands should be reconsidered.

Originality/value

This research makes at least three relevant contributions to the scientific literature. (1) It examines the response to sponsorship in the media of the sports poster. (2) It analyses the consumer's response using neurophysiological means and provides new indicators in this area and (3) It compares performance indicators such as purchase intent, recall and brand attitude for alcoholic and non-alcoholic brand sponsors. These contributions could introduce new information about sponsorship performance.
Expectations and tensions in school leadership regarding the 2014 Danish school reform: emerging perspectives linking school leadership, learning and well-being
Authors: Carlsson Monica
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the expectations of and possible tensions in school leadership regarding the implementation of the 2014 Danish school reform and, by extension, to address emerging perspectives linking school leadership, learning and well-being.

Design/methodology/approach

An analysis of central policy documents in the reform as well as research reports examining the role of leadership in the implementation of the reform offers insights into the new expectations of and tensions in school leadership. Drawing on theories of school leadership, the analysis highlights the various forms and aspects of school leadership that are at play in the reform.

Findings

The analysis identifies expectations regarding school leadership, ranging from aspects of strategic leadership that focus on management by objectives and results to aspects that are closer to teaching, such as curriculum and instructional leadership. It furthermore highlights barriers with regard to realizing policy intentions of strengthening instructional leadership, such as encroaching upon pedagogical and curriculum leadership, which have traditionally been the domain of teachers. Meanwhile, the kind of leadership that can be practiced through data-based management by objectives and results seems to have been perceived as a more viable approach in the implementation of the reform.

Research limitations/implications

The papers' theoretical and empirical foundation is rooted in Danish and Scandinavian perspectives on schooling, and thus the generalizability of the findings may be limited to countries with similar perspectives or “packages of expectations” on linking school leadership, learning and well-being.

Originality/value

The paper provides an original contribution through its engagement with the tensions inherent in the specific “package of expectations” and new demands on school leadership in the 2014 school reform.
Educational innovation: trends for higher education in Brazil
Authors: Riccomini Fernanda Edileuza , Cirani Claudia Brito Silva , Carvalho Carolina Corrêa de , Storopoli José Eduardo
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to characterize the trends for educational innovation in higher education in Brazil, constructing a conceptual model of innovation trends in the sector.

Design/methodology/approach

A preliminary profile online was done with 76 experts in university education, and 17 were contacted for in-depth perceptions. The analysis of the content was made of all material and, as a result, the critical analysis of the results, which culminated in the development of a conceptual model and characterization of trends, dimensions and subdimensions to innovation in higher education.

Findings

The dimension universal design of accessibility and learning had major considerations, contributing to implementation of new innovative practices for higher education. Some subdimensions emerged, namely, governance, risk management, curricular extension and affirmative policies.

Research limitations/implications

The difficulty in performing the deepening of all dimensions involved in terms of plurality of specialties involved.

Practical implications

The use of the model and characterization of trends could serve as tools to support the strategic planning of HEI, and the trends allow planning innovation practices, favoring improvements of higher education institutions (HEI), students, employees and community to learning organization.

Social implications

The identification of trends for higher education, highlighting innovation indicators or successful practices, and the characterization of the dimensions and subdimensions trends, and undeniable contribution to measure the educational innovation in higher education.

Originality/value

Encourages researchers, in partnership with institutions, to develop scientific projects with other institutions and researchers, to meet interests not only of HEI as a whole but also of countries that prioritize education with quality, to reach the real educational objectives.
Sociodemographic aspects and their relationship with motivations, satisfaction and loyalty in ecotourism: a study in Costa Rica
Authors: Carvache-Franco Mauricio , Carvache-Franco Orly , Víquez-Paniagua Ana Gabriela , Carvache-Franco Wilmer , Perez-Orozco Allan
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The objectives of this study were to (a) analyze the relationship between sociodemographic aspects and motivations in ecotourism and (b) identify the relationship between sociodemographic aspects and satisfaction and loyalty variables.

Design/methodology/approach

The research was carried out in the Arenal National Park and the Caño Negro National Wildlife Refuge in Costa Rica, an ecologically important ecotourism destination. The sample consisted of 310 surveys obtained in situ. For data analysis, factor analysis and the multiple regression method were used.

Findings

The results show that younger tourists tend to be more motivated by self-development, whereas older tourists and lower-income tourists are more motivated toward strengthening interpersonal relationships with family and friends. In contrast, tourists with lower education levels are highly motivated by novelty, feel more satisfied with the visit and are more willing to recommend and say positive things about the destination. Besides, repeat visitors are most likely to return.

Research limitations/implications

The present study was limited by the timing in which it was carried out. Among the future lines of research, studies that address the relationship between sociodemographic variables in the different ecotourism segments should be conducted.

Practical implications

Regarding the practical implications, this study helps companies related to tourism to pay attention to the sociodemographic characteristics of tourists to design activities and services according to their motivations, satisfaction and loyalty. For younger tourists who are motivated by self-development, activities and services related to learning about nature can be planned to encourage their personal growth, new abilities and individual skills. Regarding elderly and lower-income tourists, who are motivated to be with family and friends, recreational activities to improve family and friendship relationships can be promoted.

Social implications

These findings will serve to plan attractions and services in protected areas, benefiting the destinations and the communities sustainably.

Originality/value

One of the contributions of this study is to find a negative relationship between the level of education and other variables such as satisfaction, intentions to recommend and intentions to say positive things about the destination. This research also identified a negative relationship between age and the self-development motivational dimension, a positive relationship between age and being with family and friends dimension, a negative relationship between income and being with family and friends dimension and a negative relationship between the number of visits and the novelty dimension.
Corona crisis chronicle: Fang Fang's Wuhan Diary (2020) as an act of sousveillance
Authors: Fedtke Jana , Ibahrine Mohammed , Wang Yuting
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This paper analyzes Fang Fang's 2020 Wuhan Diary‐Dispatches from a Quarantined City, to show how the author communicates the coronavirus crisis in Wuhan in a global information ecosystem. The success of the diary showcases how the actual health emergency has been transformed into a communication issue.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is exploratory and qualitative in nature. The authors conducted a thematic analysis (TA) of Wuhan Diary, in which we decided to focus on the aspects of sousveillance and solidarity. For the purposes of our paper, we used the English translation of the text by Dr. Michael Berry.

Findings

The authors focus on two major themes in their exploration of the corona crisis as a global communication issue: sousveillance and solidarity. The authors argue that the diary's ways of seeing perform a version of “sousveillance” or “undersight” in juxtaposition to surveillance or “oversight” (Mann, 2017). Fang Fang calls for solidarity as an effective measure for individuals, communities and societies to contain the pandemic and a potential misinfodemic.

Originality/value

Since Wuhan was the early epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic, Wuhan Diary presents an unprecedented narrative account of life under quarantine that could function as a litmus test for other cities and countries. Fang Fang's diary provides a countermeasure to official accounts of the pandemic in Wuhan, which has resonated both with people in China and abroad.
A powerful diagnostic tool for 21st Century management
Authors: Denning Stephen
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The author offers The Principles, Processes, Practices (PPP) Worksheet, an analytic tool that can help firms diagnose their current status in relation to the transformation from 20th Century to 21st Century management.

Design/methodology/approach

The author posits that there are currently two strikingly different ways of running a corporation in a coherent and consistent fashion. The predominant mode of 20th Century management refined over the last 50 years has the goal of maximizing shareholder value. 10;By contrast, for 21st Century management–the pioneering mode of Agile enterprises and of leading Silicon Valley firms, the goal leads to principles and processes that enable agility. The principles and processes help firms mobilize talent to create instant, intimate, incremental value for customers. 10;

Findings

The Principles, Processes, Practices (PPP) Worksheet an be applied either to the entire organization or to any part of that organization, such as the leadership team, or any department, or any team, at any point in time.

Practical implications

Leaders using the PPP worksheet will become, in effect, what Richard Sheridan, CEO of Menlo Innovations, calls “a high tech anthropologist” probing what is going on.

Originality/value

This is the first description of a potent analytical tool that can help a firm plan and implement a management transformation to 21st Century Agile practices.
Skill or will? The respective contribution of motivational and behavioural characteristics to secondary school students' reading comprehension
Authors: Van Ammel Kim , Aesaert Koen , De Smedt Fien , Van Keer Hilde
Published: February 2021

Background

A significant number of secondary school students struggle with comprehending texts proficiently. Enhancing their reading comprehension requires knowledge about how this ability is related to various motivational and behavioural characteristics. The central aim of this study was therefore to investigate the (in)direct relationships between ninth‐grade students' motivational (i.e., reading motivation and reading self‐concept) and behavioural characteristics (i.e., reading strategy use, reading engagement and reading frequency) and their reading comprehension. Furthermore, differential relationships across educational tracks are investigated.

Methods

A total of 2,485 ninth‐grade students completed a standardised reading comprehension test and an online questionnaire to operationalise the motivational and behavioural reading variables. Data were analysed using multigroup structural equation modelling to study potential differential relationships across educational tracks (i.e., academic, technical and vocational track).

Results

Motivational and behavioural characteristics were directly related to students' reading comprehension. Moreover, the relationships between motivational characteristics and reading comprehension were mediated by behavioural characteristics. As to differences across educational tracks, not all of the relationships were corroborated similarly for each track.

Conclusion

Generally, the results emphasise the importance of considering the ‘bigger picture’, taking into account the respective contribution of both behavioural and motivational characteristics to secondary school students' reading comprehension and concurrently considering differences across educational tracks.
Influence of altitude and climate on species richness and endemism: A study case with non‐volant small mammals in the Atlantic Forest, Brazil
Authors: Ferreguetti Átilla Colombo , Bezerra de Menezes Márjore , Pereira‐Ribeiro Juliane , Rocha Carlos Frederico Duarte , Bergallo Helena Godoy
Published: February 2021

Elevational gradients usually help to explain the potential factors underlying global biodiversity, as changing altitude leads to strong habitat changes in a relatively small area. We tested the influence of the altitude gradient on the small non‐volant mammal’s community along the regional landscape of the Atlantic Forest located of the Espírito Santo state, Brazil. We trapped non‐volant small mammals from January 2017 to October 2018 in 12 locations distributed along an altitude gradient ranging from sea level to 2100 m above sea level (asl). We ordered the non‐volant small mammal species by using a Non‐Metric Multidimensional Scaling analysis using the Bray–Curtis metric. To understand how the altitude, vegetation types and climate variables influence the richness and abundance of species, we fitted generalised linear model. We observed that small mammal species composition differed according to altitude, with higher richness in locations with intermediate altitude between 500–1500 m asl. In locations with higher altitude, between 1501–2200 m asl, we recorded a lower species richness, but higher endemism. Our results suggest altitude influenced the community of non‐volant small mammals. However, altitude direct influence on other variables is not evaluated in the present study, such as food availability. In addition, we found a high endemism in higher altitude areas, pointing out the importance of conserving these mountain areas for the preservation of endemic species. Thus, highlighting the importance of this study to suggest areas that deserve greater attention in the development of management and conservation plans.
The Importance of Agriculture in the Economy: Impacts from COVID‐19
Authors: Beckman Jayson , Countryman Amanda M.
Published: February 2021

Much of the attention from COVID‐19 has been on the impacts on tourism and other service sectors; but there has been a growing interest in some agricultural and food topics, such as the decline in food away from home (FAFH) expenditures. Our work considers the importance of FAFH in the overall economy, and we also consider changes in agricultural production and trade that have occurred because of COVID‐19. We gather data on actual changes to these components, as well as similar shocks to non‐agricultural sectors, and employ a simulation model to estimate the impacts on gross domestic product (GDP). Results indicate that changes from agriculture due to COVID‐19 have had a larger effect on the overall U.S. economy than the share of agriculture in the economy at the beginning of COVID‐19. But the non‐agricultural shocks still outweigh the impacts from agriculture by a magnitude of 3. Breaking the results down along the components, we find that the loss in FAFH expenditures is the largest contributor to the change in GDP resulting from shocks to agricultural markets and conclude that agricultural production/trade markets have been very resilient during the pandemic. Our results also indicate that our model (computable general equilibrium) does reasonably well in estimating GDP compared to actual changes due to the inclusion of data on actual demand, supply, and fiscal responses to COVID‐19.
Pre‐operative low muscle mass is associated with major complications and lower recurrence‐free survival after gastric cancer surgery
Authors: Alnimri Feras , Sivakumar Jonathan , Sutherland Tom , Johnson Mary A. , Ward Salena , Chong Lynn , Hii Michael W.
Published: February 2021

Background

Low muscle mass (LMM) has been associated with post‐operative morbidity. This study aimed to examine the relationship between pre‐operative LMM and major post‐operative complications and survival in patients undergoing curative resection for gastric cancer.

Methods

A single‐centre retrospective cohort study was conducted on consecutive patients who underwent surgical resection for gastric adenocarcinoma between 2008 and 2018. Patient demographics, radiological parameters, pathological data and complications were recorded. Skeletal muscle index was calculated using OsiriX software by manually measuring the cross‐sectional skeletal muscle area at the third lumbar vertebra and correcting to the patient's height. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify the risk factors associated with the outcomes.

Results

A total of 62 patients (36 males, mean age 68.3 ± 1.5 years) met the inclusion criteria. Twenty‐six (41.9%) patients had LMM pre‐operatively. Demographic data in the non‐LMM and LMM groups were equally matched except for body mass index (27.6 ± 0.8 kg/m2 versus 24.3 ± 1.1 kg/m2; P = 0.012) and serum albumin (36.7 ± 0.7 g/L versus 33.8 ± 1.0 g/L; P = 0.017), which were higher in the non‐LMM. LMM was associated with higher incidence of total (35.5% versus 64.5%; P = 0.006), minor (40% versus 60%; P = 0.030), major (9.1% versus 90.9%; P = 0.004) post‐operative complications and decreased recurrence‐free survival (hazard ratio 2.29; 95% confidence interval 1.10–4.77; P = 0.027).

Conclusion

LMM is a significant independent risk factor for major post‐operative complications and recurrence‐free survival after gastrectomy. Pre‐operative identification of LMM could be a useful tool for prognostication and may identify a group suitable for prehabilitation.
Articulation, oral function, and quality of life in patients treated with implant overdentures in the mandible: A prospective study
Authors: Fonteyne Ester , Matthys Carine , Bruneel Laura , Becue Laurence , De Bruyn Hugo , Van Lierde Kristiane
Published: February 2021

Background

Modifications of facial and oral structures affect aesthetic appearance, orofacial functions, and have impact on quality of life.

Purpose

This study determined alterations of articulation, oromyofunctional behavior, and Oral Health Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) in patients replacing complete removable dentures by implant retained overdentures in the mandible.

Materials and methods

Twenty‐one fully edentulous patients received mandibular overdenture retained on a bar connecting two titanium dental implants. Patients were evaluated after receiving a new set of fully removable dentures (stage 1), after surgery during provisionalization on healing abutments (stage 2), and after final connection to the bar (stage 3). Assessments were taken by speech therapists and included evaluation of: articulation (picture naming and reading); oromyofunctional behavior; OHRQoL (OHIP‐14 questionnaire), and overall satisfaction and speech (VAS). To measure changes over time, Wilcoxon matched‐pairs signed‐rank‐test and McNemar test was used.

Results

There was no significant impact of the treatment on speech nor on the results of oromyofunction. In stage 1, patients had different kinds of articulation errors (mean:1.21) which evolved to 0.71 and 0.67. In stage 3, especially problems with the /s/ sound are seen in 37% (7/19) of the participants. Results of OHRQoL and satisfaction reveal that the average of satisfaction with oral health evolved from 67% to 63% and finally 78%. OHIP‐14 total score was 17.4/56 in stage 1, remained unchanged in stage 2 and evolved in stage 3 to 9.8/56 (P: .010). This indicates improvement. Satisfaction with speech evolved significantly from 68% pretreatment to 82% in stage 3 (P: .013).

Conclusion

Despite existing articulation and oromyofunctional disorders after treatment, people are very satisfied with their OHRQoL and their speech. Impact of mandibular denture wearing on OHRQoL declines once connected. It's important to inform patients that speech and oromyofunctional disorders may occur during treatment where especially the /s/ sound is vulnerable.
961. ZINGIBER FLAVOFUSIFORME
Authors: Tanaka Nobuyuki , Aung Mu Mu
Published: February 2021

Zingiber flavofusiforme M.M. Aung & Nob. Tanaka, a little‐known species, is described and illustrated. This species was described as endemic to Myanmar, but has recently been recorded from Assam, India. Morphological comparison with the Indian plants and variation in this species is discussed. An overview of Hthamanthi Wildlife Sanctuary, the type locality of this species, is introduced.
963. IMPATIENS KINGDON‐WARDII
Authors: Tanaka Nobuyuki
Published: February 2021

Impatiens kingdon‐wardii Nob. Tanaka & T. Sugaw. is illustrated, and the history of its discovery is given. IUCN conservation status is reassessed based on the recent further collections from Myanmar. A white flower form of I. kingdon‐wardii is described here.
964. BEGONIA TOGASHII
Authors: Tanaka Nobuyuki
Published: February 2021

Begonia togashii Nob. Tanaka & C.I Peng is illustrated. Though Begonia togashii was described only in 2016, it had been unnamed for nearly 40 years after its discovery from Myanmar by an outstanding Japanese plant hunter, Makoto Togashi. The interesting history of naming this species is given.
MYANMAR, THE LAST FRONTIER OF FLORISTIC RESEARCH IN SE ASIA
Authors: Tanaka Nobuyuki
Published: February 2021

With its wealth of plant diversity, Myanmar is one of the most botanically fascinating countries in the world. Despite over two decades of collecting since the 2000s by world botanists, Myanmar still shows a low specimen collection density. Much more fundamental inventories are required to comprehend the whole flora and its conservation. This part of Curtis's Botanical Magazine introduces seven species of Myanmar flowering plants, most of which are endemic to Myanmar and recently described.