bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Computer vision for assessing species color pattern variation from web-based community science images
Authors: Hantak Maggie M. , Guralnick Robert P. , Zare Alina , Stucky Brian J.
Published: February 2022

Openly available community science digital vouchers provide a wealth of data to study phenotypic change across space and time. However, extracting phenotypic data from these resources requires significant human effort. Here, we demonstrate a workflow and computer vision model for automatically categorizing species color pattern from community science images. Our work is focused on documenting the striped/unstriped color polymorphism in the Eastern Red-backed Salamander (Plethodon cinereus). We used an ensemble convolutional neural network model to analyze this polymorphism in 20,318 iNaturalist images. Our model was highly accurate (∼98%) despite image heterogeneity. We used the resulting annotations to document extensive niche overlap between morphs, but wider niche breadth for striped morphs at the range-wide scale. Our work showcases key design principles for using machine learning with heterogeneous community science image data to address questions at an unprecedented scale.
Patterns of item nonresponse behavior to survey questionnaires are systematic and have a genetic basis
Authors: Mignogna Gianmarco , Carey Caitlin E. , Wedow Robbee , Baya Nikolas , Cordioli Mattia , Pirastu Nicola , Bellocco Rino , Nivard Michel G. , Neale Benjamin M. , Walters Raymond K. , Ganna Andrea
Published: February 2022

Response to survey questionnaires is vital for social and behavioral research, and most analyses assume full and accurate response by survey participants. However, nonresponse is common and impedes proper interpretation and generalizability of results. We examined item nonresponse behavior across 109 questionnaire items from the UK Biobank (UKB) (N=360,628). Phenotypic factor scores for two participant-selected nonresponse answers, “Prefer not to answer” (PNA) and “I don’t know” (IDK), each predicted participant nonresponse in follow-up surveys, controlling for education and self-reported general health. We performed genome-wide association studies on these factors and identified 39 genome-wide significant loci, and further validated these effects with polygenic scores in an independent study (N=3,414), gaining information that we could not have had from phenotypic data alone. PNA and IDK were highly genetically correlated with one another and with education, health, and income, although unique genetic effects were also observed for both PNA and IDK. We discuss how these effects may bias studies of traits correlated with nonresponse and how genetic analyses can further enhance our understanding of nonresponse behaviors in survey research, for instance by helping to correct for nonresponse bias.
Whole-genome resequencing reveals the population structure, genomic diversity, and demographic history of American chestnut (Castanea dentata)
Authors: Sandercock Alexander M , Westbrook Jared W , Zhang Qian , Johnson Hayley A , Saielli Thomas M , Scrivani John A , Fitzsimmons Sara F , Collins Kendra , Schmutz Jeremy , Grimwood Jane , Holliday Jason A
Published: February 2022

American chestnut (Castanea dentata) was once the most economically and ecologically important hardwood species in the United States. In the first half of the 20th century, an exotic fungal pathogen – Cryphonectria parasitica – decimated the species, killing approximately four billion trees. Two approaches to developing blight resistant American chestnut populations show promise, but both will require introduction of adaptive genomic diversity from wild germplasm to produce diverse, locally adapted reforestation populations. Here we characterize population structure, demographic history, and genomic diversity in a range-wide sample of 384 wild American chestnuts to inform conservation and breeding with blight resistant varieties. Population structure analyses with DAPC and ADMIXTURE suggest that the chestnut range can be roughly divided into northeast, central, and southwest populations. Within-population genomic diversity estimates revealed a clinal pattern with the highest diversity in the southwest, which likely reflects bottleneck events associated with Quaternary glaciation. Finally, we identified genomic regions under positive selection within each population, which suggests that defense against fungal pathogens is a common target of selection across all populations. Taken together, these results show that American chestnut underwent a postglacial expansion from the southern portion of its range leading to three extant populations. These populations will serve as management units for breeding adaptive genetic variation into the blight-resistant tree populations for targeted reintroduction efforts.
Speciation in Nearctic oak gall wasps is frequently correlated with changes in host plant, host organ, or both
Authors: Ward Anna K.G. , Bagley Robin K. , Egan Scott P. , Hood Glen Ray , Ott James R. , Prior Kirsten M. , Sheikh Sofia I. , Weinersmith Kelly L. , Zhang Linyi , Zhang Y. Miles , Forbes Andrew A.
Published: February 2022

Quantifying the frequency of shifts to new host plants within diverse clades of specialist herbivorous insects is critically important to understand whether and how host shifts contribute to the origin of species. Oak gall wasps (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae: Cynipini) comprise a tribe of ~1000 species of phytophagous insects that induce gall formation on various organs of trees in the family Fagacae, — primarily the oaks (genusQuercus; ~435 sp). The association of oak gall wasps with oaks is ancient (~50 my), and most oak species are galled by one or more gall wasp species. Despite the diversity of both gall wasp species and their plant associations, previous phylogenetic work has not identified a strong signal of host plant shifting among oak gall wasps. However, most emphasis has been on the Western Palearctic and not the Nearctic where both oaks and oak gall wasps are considerably more species rich and where oaks are more phylogenetically diverse. We collected 86 species of Nearctic oak gall wasps from 10 of the 14 major clades of Nearctic oaks and sequenced >1000 Ultra Conserved Elements (UCEs) and flanking sequences to infer wasp phylogenies. We assessed the relationships of Nearctic gall wasps to one another and, by leveraging previously published UCE data, to the Palearctic fauna. We then used phylogenies to infer historical patterns of shifts among host tree species and tree organs. Our results indicate that oak gall wasps have moved between the Palearctic and Nearctic at least four times, that some Palearctic clades have their proximate origin in the Nearctic, and that gall wasps have shifted within and between oak tree sections, subsections, and organs considerably more often than the analysis of previous data have suggested. Given that host shifts have been demonstrated to drive reproductive isolation between host-associated populations in other phytophagous insects, our analyses of Nearctic gall wasps suggest that host shifts are key drivers of speciation in this clade, especially in hotspots of oak diversity. Though formal assessment of this hypothesis requires further study, two putatively oligophagous gall wasp species in our dataset show signals of host-associated genetic differentiation unconfounded by geographic distance, suggestive of barriers to gene flow associated with the use of alternative host plants.
Bacterial outer-membrane polysaccharide export (OPX) proteins occupy three structural classes with selective β-barrel porin requirements for polymer secretion
Authors: Saïdi Fares , Mahanta Utkarsha , Panda Adyasha , Jolivet Nicolas Y. , Bitazar Razieh , John Gavin , Martinez Matthew , Mellouk Abdelkader , Calmettes Charles , Chang Yi-Wei , Sharma Gaurav , Islam Salim T.
Published: February 2022

Secretion of high-molecular-weight polysaccharides across the bacterial envelope is ubiquitous as it enhances prokaryotic survival in (a)biotic settings. Such polymers are often assembled by Wzx/Wzy- or ABC transporter-dependent schemes that implicate outer-membrane (OM) polysaccharide export (OPX) proteins in polymer translocation to the cell surface. In the social predatory bacterium Myxococcus xanthus, exopolysaccharide (EPS)-pathway WzaX, major spore coat (MASC)-pathway WzaS, and biosurfactant polysaccharide-pathway WzaB were herein found to be truncated OPX homologues of Escherichia coli Wza lacking OM-spanning α-helices. Comparative genomics across all bacteria, complemented with cryo-electron tomography cell- envelope analyses, revealed WzaX/S/B architecture to be the most common amongst three defined OPX-protein structural classes independent of periplasmic thickness. Fold-recognition and deep- learning analyses revealed the conserved M. xanthus proteins MXAN_7418/3226/1916 (encoded adjacent to WzaX/S/B) to be integral OM β-barrels, with structural homology to the poly-N-acetyl-D- glucosamine synthase-dependent pathway porin PgaA. Such porins were identified in bacteria near numerous genes for all three OPX-protein classes. Interior MXAN_7418/3226/1916 β-barrel electrostatics were found to match known properties of their associated polymers. With MXAN_3226 essential for MASC export, and MXAN_7418 absence shown herein to compromise EPS translocation, these data support a novel secretion paradigm for Wzx/Wzy-dependent pathways in which those containing an OPX component that cannot span the OM instead utilize a β-barrel porin to mediate polysaccharide transport across the OM.
Genomic characterization of a wild-like tomato accession from Arizona
Authors: Barnett Jacob , Buonauro Gina , Kuipers April , Sapkota Manoj , van der Knaap Esther , Razifard Hamid
Published: February 2022

Tomato domestication history has been revealed to be a highly complex story. A major contributor to this complexity is an evolutionary intermediate group (Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme (Alef.) Voss; SLC) between the cultivated tomato (Solanum lycopersicum var. lycopersicum L.; SLL) and its wild relative (Solanum pimpinellifolium L.; SP). SLC includes accessions with a broad spectrum of genomic and phenotypic characteristics. Some of the SLC accessions were previously hypothesized to be spreading northward from South America into Mesoamerica and that migration probably entailed reversal to wild-like phenotypes such as smaller fruits. Prior to this study, the northernmost confirmed extension of the SLC was limited to northern Mexico.

In this study, we employed genomic methods to investigate the origin of a wild-like tomato found in a garden in Scottsdale Arizona, USA. The so-called “Arizona tomato” featured a vigorous growth habit and carried small fruits weighing 2-3 grams. Our phylogenomic analyses revealed the identity of the Arizona tomato as a member of the Mexican SLC population (SLC MEX). To our knowledge, this is the first report of an SLC accession, confirmed using genomics, growing spontaneously in Arizona. This finding could have implications for conservation biology as well as agriculture.
A critique of common methods for comparing the scaling of vertical force production in flying insects
Authors: Burnett Nicholas P. , Keliher Emily , Combes Stacey A.
Published: February 2022

Maximum vertical force production (Fvert) is an integral measure of flight performance that generally scales with size. Numerous methods of measuring Fvert and body size exist, but few studies have compared how these methods affect the conclusions of scaling analyses. We compared two common techniques for measuring Fvert in bumblebees (Bombus impatiens) and mason bees (Osmia lignaria), and examined Fvert scaling using five size metrics. Fvert results were similar with incremental or asymptotic load-lifting, but scaling analyses were sensitive to the size metric used. Analyses based on some size metrics indicated similar scaling exponents and coefficients between species, whereas other metrics indicated different coefficients. Furthermore, Fvert showed isometry with body lengths and fed and starved masses, but negative allometry with dry mass. We conclude that Fvert can be measured using either incremental or asymptotic loading but choosing a size metric for scaling studies requires careful consideration.
Comparative single-cell transcriptional atlases ofBabesiaspecies reveal conserved and species-specific expression profiles
Authors: Rezvani Yasaman , Keroack Caroline D , Elsworth Brendan , Arriojas Argenis , Gubbels Marc-Jan , Duraisingh Manoj T , Zarringhalam Kourosh
Published: February 2022

Babesiais a genus of Apicomplexan parasites that infect red blood cells in vertebrate hosts. Pathology occurs during rapid replication cycles in the asexual blood-stage of infection. Current knowledge ofBabesiareplication cycle progression and regulation is limited and relies mostly on comparative studies with related parasites. Due to limitations in synchronizingBabesiaparasites, fine-scale time-course transcriptomic resources are not readily available. Single-cell transcriptomics provides a powerful unbiased alternative for profiling asynchronous cell populations. Here, we applied single-cell RNA sequencing to threeBabesiaspecies (B. divergens, B. bovis, andB. bigemina). We used analytical approaches and algorithms to map the replication cycle and construct pseudo-synchronized time-course gene expression profiles. We identify clusters of co-expressed genes showingjust-in-timeexpression profiles, with gradually cascading peaks throughout asexual development. Moreover, clustering analysis of reconstructed gene curves reveals coordinated timing of peak expression in epigenetic markers and transcription factors. Using a regularized Gaussian Graphical Model, we reconstructed co-expression networks and identified conserved and species-specific nodes. Motif analysis of a co-expression interactome of AP2 transcription factors identified specific motifs previously reported to play a role in DNA replication inPlasmodiumspecies. Finally, we present an interactive web-application to visualize and interactively explore the datasets.
Synthetic memory circuits for programmable cell reconfiguration in plants
Authors: Lloyd James P B , Ly Florence , Gong Patrick , Pflüger Jahnvi , Swain Tessa , Pflüger Christian , Khan Muhammad Adil , Kidd Brendan , Lister Ryan
Published: February 2022

Plant biotechnology predominantly relies on a restricted set of genetic parts with limited capability to customize spatiotemporal and conditional expression patterns. Synthetic gene circuits have the ability to integrate multiple customizable input signals through a processing unit constructed from biological parts, to produce a predictable and programmable output. Here, we present a suite of functional recombinase-based gene circuits for use in plants. We first established a range of key gene circuit components compatible with plant cell functionality. We then used these to develop a range of operational logic gates using the identify function (activation) and negation function (repression) in Arabidopsis protoplasts and in vivo, demonstrating their utility for programmable manipulation of transcriptional activity in a complex multicellular organism. Through utilization of genetic recombination these circuits create stable long-term changes in expression and recording of past stimuli. This highly-compact programmable gene circuit platform provides new capabilities for engineering sophisticated transcriptional programs and previously unrealised traits into plants.
The evolution of colistin resistance increases bacterial resistance to host antimicrobial peptides and virulence
Authors: Jangir Pramod K. , Ogunlana Lois , Szili Petra , Czikkely Márton , Stevens Emily J. , Yang Yu , Yang Qiue , Wang Yang , Pál Csaba , Walsh Timothy R. , MacLean Craig
Published: February 2022

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) offer a promising solution to the antibiotic resistance crisis. However, an unresolved serious concern is that the evolution of resistance to therapeutic AMPs may generate cross-resistance to host AMPs, compromising a cornerstone of the innate immune response. We systematically tested this hypothesis using globally disseminated mobile colistin resistance (MCR) that has been selected by the use of colistin in agriculture and medicine. Here we show that MCR provides a selective advantage to E. coli in the presence of key AMPs from humans and agricultural animals by increasing AMP resistance. Moreover, MCR promotes bacterial growth in human serum and increases virulence in a Galleria mellonella infection model. Our study shows how the anthropogenic use of AMPs can drive the accidental evolution of resistance to the innate immune system of humans and animals. These findings have major implications for the design and use of therapeutic AMPs and they suggest that MCR will be difficult to eradicate, even if colistin use is withdrawn.
Improved structural variant discovery in hard-to-call regions using sample-specific string detection from accurate long reads
Authors: Denti Luca , Khorsand Parsoa , Bonizzoni Paola , Hormozdiari Fereydoun , Chikhi Rayan
Published: February 2022

Structural variants (SVs) account for a large amount of sequence variability across genomes and play an important role in human genomics and precision medicine. Despite intense efforts over the years, the discovery of SVs in individuals remains challenging due to the diploid and highly repetitive structure of the human genome, and by the presence of SVs that vastly exceed sequencing read lengths. However, the recent introduction of low-error long-read sequencing technologies such as PacBio HiFi may finally enable to overcome these barriers. Here we present SVDSS, a novel hybrid method for discovery of SVs from long-read sequencing technologies (e.g., PacBio HiFi) that combines and effectively leverages mapping-free, mapping-based and assembly-based methodologies for overall superior SV discovery performance. Our experiments on several human samples show that SVDSS outperforms state-of-the-art mapping-based methods for discovery of insertion and deletion SVs in PacBio HiFi reads and achieves significant improvements in calling SVs in repetitive regions of the genome.

SVDSS is open source and publicly available at: https://github.com/Parsoa/SVDSS
DNA-functionalized Gold Nanorods for Targeted Triple-modal Optical Imaging and Photothermal Therapy of Triple-negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Pal Suchetan , Koneru Jaya Krishna , Andreou Chrysafis , Rakshit Tatini , Rajasekhar Vinagolu K. , Wlodarczyk Marek , Healey John H. , Kircher Moritz F. , Mondal Jagannath
Published: February 2022

Targeted imaging and therapy for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) in the perioperative period are believed to be imperative for better disease management and improved life expectancy. Still, they are not yet available in clinical settings, and only a few nanoparticle-based theranostic agents potentially offer these capabilities. Herein, we develop an innovative class of biocompatible triple-modality nanoprobes (TMNPs) that offer optical imaging using optoacoustic, fluorescence, and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), as well as photothermal therapy (PTT) with near-infrared (NIR) light. The TMNPs are fabricated by immobilizing positively charged NIR fluorophores on negatively charged DNA-coated gold nanorods (AuNR), then silica encapsulation. The DNA-based design allows the screening of commercially available positively charged NIR fluorophores for the optimum fluorescence and SERS signals. After the design optimization, we functionalize TMNPs with folate groups to target folate receptor1 (FOLR1)-overexpressing TNBC in vitro and in vivo. Our results reveal that TMNPs preferentially accumulate in the FOLR1 positive tumors in TNBC patient-derived xenograft mouse models and show excellent imaging capabilities with all three imaging modalities. Selective exposure of the tumor with NIR laser further shows efficient thermal tissue ablation without causing systemic toxicity. Collectively, TMNP holds great promise for real-time multiplexed imaging of cancer biomarkers and therapeutic capability.
Pervasive species-specific repulsion among adult tropical trees
Authors: Kalyuzhny Michael , Lake Jeffrey K. , Wright S. Joseph , Ostling Annette M.
Published: February 2022

For species to coexist, performance must decline as the density of conspecific individuals increases. Although evidence for such Conspecific Negative Density Dependence (CNDD) exists in forests, the spatial repulsion it should produce has not been demonstrated in adults. Here we show that in comparison to a null model of stochastic birth, death and limited dispersal, the adults of dozens of tropical forest tree species show almost ubiquitous and strong spatial repulsion, some to surprising distances of ~100 meters. We use simulations to show such strong repulsion can only occur if CNDD considerably exceeds Heterospecific Negative Density Dependence, an even stronger condition required for coexistence, and that large-scale repulsion can indeed result from small-scale CNDD. These results highlight the power of limited dispersal spatial null models.

One-Sentence Summary

Spatial distributions of tropical trees reflect a strong negative effect of conspecifics, exceeding that of heterospecifics
Lack of evidence for participation of TMEM150c/TENTONIN3 in sensory mechanotransduction
Authors: Ojeda-Alonso Julia , Bégay Valérie , Garcia-Contreras Jonathan Alexis , Campos-Pérez Andrea Fernanda , Purfürst Bettina , Lewin Gary R.
Published: February 2022

The membrane protein TMEM150c has been proposed to form a mechanosensitive ion channel that is required for normal proprioceptor function. Here we examined whether expression of TMEM150c in neuroblastoma cells lacking Piezo1 is associated with the appearance of mechanosensitive currents. Using three different modes of mechanical stimuli, indentation, membrane stretch and substrate deflection we could not evoke mechanosensitive currents in cells expressing TMEM150c. We next asked if TMEM150c is necessary for the normal mechanosensitivity of cutaneous sensory neurons. We used an available mouse model in which the Tmem150c locus was disrupted through the insertion of a LacZ cassette with a splice acceptor that should lead to transcript truncation. Analysis of these mice indicated that ablation of the Tmem150c gene was not complete in sensory neurons of the dorsal root ganglia (DRG). Using a Crispr/cas9 strategy we made a second mouse model in which a large part of the Tmem150c gene was deleted and established that these Tmem150c-/- mice completely lack TMEM150c protein in the DRGs. We used an ex vivo skin nerve preparation to characterize the mechanosenstivity of mechanoreceptors and nociceptors in the glabrous skin of the Tmem150c-/- mice. We found no quantitative alterations in the physiological properties of any type of cutaneous sensory fiber in Tmem150c-/- mice. Since it has been claimed that TMEM150c is required for normal proprioceptor function we made a quantitative analysis of locomotion in Tmem150c-/- mice. Here again we found no indication that there was altered gait in Tmem150c-/- mice compared to wild type controls. In summary, we conclude that existing mouse models that have been used to investigate TMEM150c function in vivo are problematic. Furthermore, we could find no evidence that TMEM150c forms a mechanosensitive channel or that it is necessary for the normal mechanosensitivity of cutaneous sensory neurons.
The tRNA thiolation-mediated translational control is essential for plant immunity
Authors: Zheng Xueao , Chen Hanchen , Deng Zhiping , Wu Yujing , Zhong Linlin , Wu Chong , Chen Qiansi , Yan Shunping
Published: February 2022

Plants have evolved sophisticated mechanisms to regulate gene expression to activate immune responses against pathogen infections. However, how the translation system contributes to plant immunity is largely unknown. The evolutionarily conserved thiolation modification of tRNA ensures efficient decoding during translation. Here we show that tRNA thiolation is required for plant immunity inArabidopsis. We identify acgb Arabidopsismutant, which is hyper-susceptible to the pathogenPseudomonas syringae. CGBencodes ROL5, a homolog of yeast NCS6 required for tRNA thiolation. ROL5 physically interacts with CTU2, a homolog of yeast NCS2. Mutations in eitherROL5orCTU2result in loss of tRNA thiolation. Further analyses reveal that both transcriptional reprogramming and translational reprogramming during immune responses are compromised incgb.Notably, the translation of the salicylic acid receptor NPR1 is reduced incgb, resulting in reduced salicylic acid signaling. Our study not only reveals a new regulatory mechanism for plant immunity but also uncovers a new biological function of tRNA thiolation.
Oligodendrocyte-lineage cell exocytosis and L-type prostaglandin D synthase promote oligodendrocyte development and myelination
Authors: Pan Lin , Trimarco Amelia , Zhang Alice J. , Fujimori Ko , Urade Yoshihiro , Sun Lu O. , Taveggia Carla , Zhang Ye
Published: February 2022

In the developing central nervous system, oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) differentiate into oligodendrocytes, which form myelin around axons. Oligodendrocytes and myelin are essential for the function of the central nervous system, as evidenced by the severe neurological symptoms that arise in demyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis and leukodystrophy. Although many cell-intrinsic mechanisms that regulate oligodendrocyte development and myelination have been reported, it remains unclear whether interactions among oligodendrocyte-lineage cells (OPCs and oligodendrocytes) affect oligodendrocyte development and myelination. Here, we show that blocking vesicle-associated membrane protein (VAMP) 1/2/3-dependent exocytosis from oligodendrocyte-lineage cells impairs oligodendrocyte development, myelination, and motor behavior in mice. Adding oligodendrocyte-lineage cell-secreted molecules to secretion-deficient OPC cultures partially restores the morphological maturation of oligodendrocytes. Moreover, we identified L-type prostaglandin D synthase as an oligodendrocyte-lineage cell-secreted protein that promotes oligodendrocyte development and myelination in vivo. These findings reveal a novel autocrine/paracrine loop model for the regulation of oligodendrocyte and myelin development.
Glutathione in the nucleus accumbens regulates motivation to exert reward-incentivized effort
Authors: Zalachoras Ioannis , Ramos-Fernández Eva , Hollis Fiona , Trovò Laura , Rodrigues João , Strasser Alina , Zanoletti Olivia , Steiner Pascal , Preitner Nicolas , Xin Lijing , Astori Simone , Sandi Carmen
Published: February 2022

Emerging evidence is implicating mitochondrial function and metabolism in the nucleus accumbens in motivated performance. However, the brain is vulnerable to excessive oxidative insults resulting from neurometabolic processes and whether antioxidant levels in the nucleus accumbens contribute to motivated performance is not known. Here, we identify a critical role for glutathione (GSH), the most important endogenous antioxidant in the brain, in motivation. Using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) at ultra-high field in both clinical and preclinical populations, we establish that higher accumbal GSH levels are highly predictive of better, and particularly steady performance over time in effort-related tasks. Causality was established in preclinical in vivo experiments that, first, showed that down-regulating GSH levels through micro-injections of the GSH synthesis inhibitor buthionine sulfoximine in the nucleus accumbens impaired effort-based reward-incentivized performance. In addition, systemic treatment with the GSH precursor N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) increased accumbal GSH levels and led to improved performance, potentially mediated by a cell-type specific shift in glutamatergic inputs to accumbal medium spiny neurons. Our data indicate a close association between accumbal GSH levels and individual’s capacity to exert reward-incentivized effort over time. They also suggest that improvement of accumbal antioxidant function may be a feasible approach to boost motivation.
Coordination chemistry of nitrile-functionalized mixed thia-aza macrocycles [9]aneN2S and [9]aneNS2 towards silver(I)
Authors: Blake Alexander J. , Lippolis Vito , Schröder Martin
Published: February 2022

The coordination chemistry towards silver(I) of the small-ring macrocycles [9]aneN2S (1-thia-4,7-diazacyclononane) and [9]aneNS2 (1,4-dithia-7-azacyclononane) incorporating nitrile-functionalized pendant arms is considered both in the presence and the absence of exogenous bridging ligands. The aim is to understand the influence of the number and length of the pendant arms on the nuclearity and dimensionality of the resulting complexes. The X-ray crystal structures of the complexes bis[4,7-bis(cyanomethyl)-1-thia-4,7-diazacyclononane-κ3
N,N′,S]silver(I) tetrafluoridoborate, [Ag(C10H16N4S)2]BF4 or [Ag(L1
)2]BF4, [4,7-bis(2-cyanoethyl)-1-thia-4,7-diazacyclononane-κ3
N,N′,S](thiocyanato-κS)silver(I), [Ag(C12H20N4S)(NCS)] or [Ag(L2
)(SCN)], and μ-thiocyanato-κ2
S:S-bis{[7-(2-cyanoethyl)-1,4-dithia-7-azacyclononane-κ3
N,S,S′]silver(I)} tetrafluoridoborate, [Ag2(C9H16N2S2)2(SCN)]BF4 or [Ag2(L3
)2(μ-SCN)]BF4, are discussed in relation to analogous compounds in the literature.
Synthesis and structures of three benzoannelated macrobicyclic diamides
Authors: Smith Gary L. N. , Taylor Richard W.
Published: February 2022

We report the synthesis and structures of 9,10,20,21-tetrahydro-5,14-(ethanooxyethano)dibenzo[e,q][1,4,10,13,7,16]tetraoxadiazacyclooctadecine-6,13-dione [systematic name: 8,11,21,24,29-pentaoxa-1,18-diazatetracyclo[16.8.5.02,7.012,17]hentriaconta-2,4,6,12(17),13,15-hexaene-19,26-dione C24H28N2O8, I], 6,7,9,10,12,13,20,21-octahydro-5,14-(ethanooxyethano)dibenzo[e,q][1,4,10,13,7,16]tetraoxadiazacyclooctadecine-23,27-dione (8,11,21,24,29-pentaoxa-1,18-diazatetracyclo[16.8.5.02,7.012,17]hentriaconta-2,4,6,12,14,16-hexaene-27,31-dione; C24H28N2O7, II), and 9,10,20,21-tetrahydro-5,14-(ethanooxyethanooxyethano)dibenzo[e,q][1,4,10,13,7,16]tetraoxadiazacyclooctadecine-6,13-dione [8,11,21,24,29,32-hexaoxa-1,18-diazatetracyclo[16.8.8.02,7.012,17]tetratriaconta-2,4,6,12(17),13,15-hexaene-19,26-dione; C26H32N2O7, III]. All three compounds are made up of two tertiary diamides and are composed of two 15-membered rings with N2O3 donor sets and one 18-membered ring with an N2O4 donor set (compounds I and II) or three 18-membered rings with N2O4 donor sets (compound III). The solid-state structures of compounds I and II show little effects from the movement of the amide groups. However, compound III has a larger cavity and a different orientation of donor atoms in comparison to compounds I and II.
Participatory practice guideline development at the intersections of domestic and family violence, mental distress and/or parental substance use
Authors: Heward-Belle Susan Lynn , Kertesz Margaret , Humphreys Cathy , Tsantefski Menka , Isobe Jasmin
Published: February 2022

Purpose

It is well established that the service system has a poor history of responding holistically to address the needs of children and families living with co-occurring complexities such as domestic violence, parental mental health and/or substance use. The purpose of this conceptual paper is to primarily describe the developmental process used to create guidelines to inform practice at the intersections of domestic violence, mental health and alcohol and other drug services, ensuring that the tactics of coercive control are visible in contexts of complexity.

Design/methodology/approach

The guidelines were developed through undertaking a literature review, followed by a practice-led research approach with practitioners from 33 organisations across three Australian states, Safe & Together consultants and researchers. Communities of practice composed of practitioners providing interventions to children and families were central to the approach. Data that informed the development of the guidelines included a literature review, ethnographic notes, qualitative interviews, quantitative surveys and reflections.

Findings

Practice-led research engaged practitioners in the development of guidelines to promote an integrated response to working with families experiencing domestic violence, substance use and mental health issues. The integrated approach drew from the Safe & Together model, emphasising partnering with women survivors, pivoting to the perpetrator, focusing on children’s safety and well-being, promoting worker safety, collaborating across agencies and influencing organisational change. The process demonstrated the usefulness of this integrated approach, using practitioner-based examples.

Originality/value

Successful iterative processes to develop the guidelines were undertaken to support cultural change towards holistic and collaborative work across multiple sectors and organisations.
An individualized life-skills coaching program for adults with autism
Authors: Hillier Ashleigh , Poto Nataliya , Schena II David , Buckingham Abigail , Frye Alice
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The lack of services for adults on the autism spectrum is of growing concern. Given the huge variation in how autism impacts people, individualized approaches might be particularly effective. The purpose of this paper is to present an overview of a community-based life-skills coaching program for adults with autism “LifeMAP.”

Design/methodology/approach

LifeMAP is structured around individualized meetings between a client and their coach where they identify, prioritize and make progress toward self-selected goals. LifeMAP was established in 2008 and has since served around 2,600 clients. This paper provides an outline of the LifeMAP program, how sessions with clients are structured, goals that adults with autism prioritize and preliminary data on progress toward goal attainment.

Findings

Findings indicated that the LifeMAP program model was effective in supporting progress toward goals, increasing confidence toward goals and reducing anxiety.

Originality/value

Given the scope of the LifeMAP program, this overview is unique in providing pertinent information to others looking for effective and authentic strategies to support autistic adults and those transitioning from high school. This study provides a realistic perspective on how programs are applied in community-based settings, outside a structured, formal lab setting. It is concluded that individualized intervention approaches might be key to successful outcomes for adults with autism.
Does Islamic microfinance contribute to economic empowerment in Tunisia?: a case study of Zitouna Tamkeen
Authors: Zitouni Takwa , Ben Jedidia Khoutem
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Islamic microfinance is a substantial tool for poverty alleviation and economic empowerment. The paper aims at accessing the potential of Islamic microfinance for the purpose of achieving the economic empowerment in Tunisia.

Design/methodology/approach

A structured questionnaire survey method is used. The method is intended for some of the beneficiaries of Zitouna Tamkeen (ZT), the only Islamic microfinance institution in Tunisia. Responses are analyzed using the statistical package for the social sciences program.

Findings

The authors infer that though the Islamic and conventional microfinance have similar objectives, the methods are different. What is more, the economic empowerment requires not only financial inclusion and entrepreneurship, but also skill development. The results of the survey reveal that ZT has contributed to certain economic empowerment of most of ZT's beneficiaries. In addition, the authors bring to the fore that providing supportive infrastructure and investment is a prominent component of the economic empowerment process.

Research limitations/implications

In the paper, the sample is limited.

Practical implications

The authors have highlighted that some structural barriers to entrepreneurship – such as legal, operational and marketing challenges – need to be addressed in a practical way.

Originality/value

This paper establishes the relationship between the Islamic microfinance and economic empowerment. The current paper is the first investigation in this field in Tunisia.
Can attraction to and competition for high‐quality habitats shape breeding propensity?
Authors: Acker Paul , Schaub Michael , Besnard Aurélien , Monnat Jean‐Yves , Cam Emmanuelle
Published: February 2022

In many animal species, sexually mature individuals may skip breeding opportunities despite a likely negative impact on fitness. In spatio‐temporally heterogeneous environments, habitat selection theory predicts that individuals select habitats where fitness prospects are maximized. Individuals are attracted to high‐quality habitat patches where they compete for high‐quality breeding sites. Since failures in contests to secure a site may prevent individuals from breeding, we hypothesized that attraction to and competition for high‐quality habitats could shape breeding propensity.

Under this hypothesis, we predicted the two following associations between breeding propensity and two key population features. (1) When mean habitat quality in the population increases in multiple patches such that availability of high‐quality sites increases across the population, the resulting decrease in competition should positively affect breeding propensity. (2) When the number of individuals increases in the population, the resulting increase in competitors should negatively affect breeding propensity (negative density dependence).

Using long‐term data from kittiwakes Rissa tridactyla, we checked the prerequisite of prediction (1), that availability of high‐quality sites is positively associated with current mean habitat quality in the population (represented by breeding success). We then applied integrated population modelling to quantify annual fluctuations in population mean breeding success, breeding propensity and number of individuals by breeding status (pre‐breeders, breeders, skippers and immigrants), and tested our predictions.

Our results showed that breeding propensity acts as an important driver of population growth. As expected, breeding propensity was positively associated with preceding mean habitat quality in the population, and negatively with the number of competitors. These relationships varied depending on breeding status, which likely reflects status dependence in competitive ability.

These findings highlight the importance of competition for high‐quality breeding sites in shaping breeding propensity. Thereby, we draw attention towards alternative and complementary explanations to more standard considerations regarding the energetic cost of reproduction, and point to possible side effects of habitat selection behaviours on individual life histories and population dynamics.
Drivers of the Australian native pet trade: The role of species traits, socioeconomic attributes and regulatory systems
Authors: Toomes Adam , García‐Díaz Pablo , Stringham Oliver C. , Ross Joshua V. , Mitchell Lewis , Cassey Phillip
Published: February 2022

The pet trade is a major driver of both biodiversity loss and the introduction of invasive alien species. Building a comprehensive understanding of the pet trade would improve prediction of conservation and biosecurity threats, with the aim to prevent further negative impacts.

We used South Australia’s native wildlife permit reporting system as a data‐rich example of a vertebrate pet market, spanning 590 distinct taxa across 105 families of terrestrial vertebrates (mammals, reptiles, birds and amphibians). Using a piecewise structural equation modelling (SEM) approach, we tested the influence of 11 a priori variables relating to pets (e.g. species traits), pet owners (e.g. socioeconomic metrics) and regulatory systems (e.g. permit requirements) on the quantities of captive pet keeping, breeding, trading and escapes into the wild.

Birds and reptiles with higher annual fecundity were more likely to be kept in captivity and birds with larger adult mass were more likely to be sold. Species with more stringent permit requirements were possessed and escaped, in lower abundances. Pet keeping was weakly correlated with regions of lower human population densities and higher unemployment rates, yet all socioeconomic variables were ultimately poor at explaining trade dynamics.

More escapes occurred in regions that possessed larger quantities of pets, further emphasising the role of propagule pressure in the risk of pet escapes.

Synthesis and applications. Species traits are a strong determinant of native pet trade dynamics, yet permit systems also play a key role in de‐incentivising undesirable trade practices. While our research highlighted the positive potential of trade regulatory systems, we recommend that consistent permit category criteria are established to reduce trade in threatened species as well as invasive alien species of high biosecurity risk. Implementation of such systems is broadly needed across a greater diversity of wildlife markets and jurisdictions.
The Fundamental Endogeneity of Survey‐Based Cultural Dimension
Authors: Shoham Amir
Published: February 2022

Survey‐based cultural dimensions are used extensively in empirical analysis as the primary source of quantitative cultural scores. However, survey‐based cultural dimensions have a significant endogeneity problem. The individuals responding to the surveys are affected by their current socioeconomic condition and environment (social mood), meaning that the outcomes are a mixture of culture and current socioeconomic effects. The World Value Survey (WVS) waves provided empirical support for the endogeneity problem. Our empirical findings show that in‐country scores frequently change between waves. In addition, the countries in the WVS change their ranking between waves; so, even the relative position held by a country is questionable when measured along survey‐based cultural dimensions. This finding contrasts with the idea that cultural values are sticky. We provide an alternative method for capturing cultural dimensions based on the grammatical structures of languages that capture ancestral culture with no fear of the current socioeconomics pollution of the measure.
Do the Conservatives Believe in Social Mobility?
Authors: Maslen Joseph
Published: February 2022

In light of the great realignment of British politics over the last half decade, Conservatives have sometimes seemed to be the new egalitarians, railing against the ‘new snobbery’ of leftish elites. Focussing on output from the website ConservativeHome, this article considers the complex and subtle place of social mobility—conventionally understood as fair opportunity to ascend to professional status for people of all social backgrounds—in this seemingly more progressive brand of UK conservatism. It notes that these new egalitarians are, in fact, sceptical of setting professional status as an aspirational ideal for working class people, yet still value the concept of social mobility. Explaining this apparent contradiction, the article suggests that the new egalitarians attach social mobility to a particular concept: the self‐mastery of free individuals who are able to assert themselves as choice‐makers, breaking social barriers in the expression of personal drive.
Prospects for habitat management to suppress vegetable pests in Australia
Authors: Rizvi Syed Z M , Reynolds Olivia L , Haque Ahsanul , Furlong Michael J , Mo Jianhua , Melo Maria C , Akter Salma , Sandoval‐Gomez Vivian E. , Johnson Anne C , Gurr Geoff M
Published: February 2022

Habitat management is an ecologically based approach to suppress pest densities, utilising properties of non‐crop vegetation to improve the impact of natural enemies or to directly affect pest behaviour. Research in this approach has escalated dramatically this century, extending to uptake in some crops, but adoption in Australia has been lower than overseas. Here, we address the need of the Australian vegetable sector to reduce reliance on insecticides by assessing the scope for habitat management in brassica (Brassicaceae), lettuce (Lactuca sativa) (Asteraceae), capsicum (Capsicum annuum) (Solanaceae), carrot (Daucus carota) (Apiaceae), French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) (Fabaceae) and sweetcorn (Zea mays) (Poaceae) crops. Each crop is of major economic importance, and together, they represent contrasting botanical families and production systems that are associated with different arthropod complexes. We review studies of habitat management that are based on provision of shelter, nectar, alternative prey or pollen for natural enemies (top‐down effects) or changing pest behaviour (bottom‐up effects) through intercropping or trap crops. The likely utility of these approaches under Australian conditions is assessed, and recommendations are made to promote adoption and for adaptive research. Nectar‐ and pollen‐providing plants, such as alyssum (Lobularia maritima) (Brassicaceae), offer strong potential to promote natural enemies in multiple crops whilst trap crops, especially yellow rocket (Barbarea vulgaris) (Brassicaceae), have more targeted utility against diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), the most serious pest of brassicas. Opportunities for intercrops and banker plant species are also identified. Our recommendations serve as a platform for researchers and for farmer‐led studies to help realise the full potential of habitat management approaches in Australian vegetable production systems.
Tail regeneration in the gecko Sphaerodactylus argus shows that the formation of an axial elastic skeleton is functional for the new tail
Authors: Alibardi Lorenzo
Published: February 2022

Tail regeneration in the gecko Sphaerodactylus argus shows that the formation of an axial elastic skeleton is functional for the new tail (Acta Zoologica, Stockolm). The present autoradiographic and immunohistochemical study describes tail regeneration and formation of the axial skeleton in early regenerating tails of the Jamaican red‐tailed gecko, Sphaerodactylus argus. Cell proliferation, studied by tritiated thymidine, shows intense labelling mainly in forming scales and differentiating cartilaginous, muscle and ependymal cells of the regenerating spinal cord, while the labelling is more diffuse in the apical blastema and proximal connective tissues. The slow apical proliferation maintains the tail front growing while in more proximal regions, cells initiate differentiation, losing thymidine‐labelling. Cell proliferation is maximal at the beginning of scales, muscles and cartilage formation. Scales are regenerated following migration into the dermis of tritiated thymidine‐labelled keratinocytes to form epithelial pegs that later split and give rise new scales. Differentiation of new corneous layers begins underneath the external corneous epidermis, starting with a shedding layer followed by a beta‐layer that accumulates corneous beta proteins. Intense proliferation of apical myoblasts gives rise to long myotubes and segmented muscles. The vertebral column is substituted with a cartilaginous tube made of turgid chondrocytes accumulating chondroitin sulphate proteoglycan and elastin. Therefore, the regenerated tail remains flexible and capable of curling to maintain efficient the climbing ability in these geckos.