bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prefrontal Cortex Volume Mediates the Relationship Between Lifetime Chronic Stressor Exposure and Cognition in People Living With and Without HIV
Authors: McIntosh Elissa Charney , Beam Christopher , Spahr Chandler M. , Slavich George M. , Thames April D.
Published: August 2022

Objective

Despite considerable research documenting how stress affects brain and neurobehavioral outcomes, few studies have assessed stressor exposure occurring over the entire life span, and no studies have investigated these associations in people living with HIV (PLWH), despite the high stress and disease burden experienced by this population. To address this issue, we examined how cumulative lifetime chronic stressor exposure related to cognition and brain integrity (i.e., gray matter volume) in White and African American PLWH and HIV-uninfected (HIV−) adults.

Method

Participants were 91 community-dwelling adults (47.3% PLWH) who completed a comprehensive interview assessing lifetime stressor exposure using the Stress and Adversity Inventory and underwent neuropsychological testing and structural magnetic resonance imaging. Regional brain volumes were derived from T1-weighted images processed through Freesurfer.

Results

As hypothesized, greater lifetime chronic stressor exposure was related to worse global cognition (b = −0.06, standard error [SE] = 0.03, p = .032), processing speed (b = −0.04, SE = 0.14, p = .041), and executive functioning (b = −0.06, SE = 0.02, p = .02), and smaller prefrontal cortex (PFC) volume (b = −16.20, SE = 5.78, p = .007). HIV status did not moderate any of these associations. Moreover, results from mediation analyses demonstrated that the relationship between lifetime chronic stressor exposure and processing speed was fully mediated by PFC volume.

Conclusions

These results highlight the critical role of the PFC in the maintenance of processing speed abilities and its vulnerability to cumulative stressor exposure. Specifically, the negative impact of lifetime chronic stressor exposure on cognition—particularly functions reliant on frontal lobe integrity—may be partly driven by smaller volumes in the PFC.
Effects of the androgen receptor inhibitor enzalutamide on the pharmacokinetics of dolutegravir and tenofovir: a case report
Authors: Londero Angela , Fusi Marta , Cinausero Marika , Tascini Carlo , Gervasoni Cristina , Cattaneo Dario
Published: August 2022

Enzalutamide is an androgen receptor inhibitor used for the treatment of prostate cancer. Although enzalutamide causes a favorable adverse effect profile, it might cause drug–drug interactions with some antiretrovirals. No major differences on the main dolutegravir and tenofovir pharmokinetocs were observed in this case report when comparing baseline assessments with those following the introduction of enzalutamide, also when given at higher doses, in a 63-year-old male living with HIV and prostate cancer.
Obesity in HIV infection: host-pathogen interaction
Authors: Savinelli Stefano , Wrigley Kelly Neil E. , Feeney Eoin R. , O'Shea Donal B. , Hogan Andrew E. , Overton Edgar T. , Landay Alan L. , Mallon Patrick W.
Published: August 2022

Objective:

Both obesity and HIV infection are characterized by a state of chronic inflammation associated with increased morbidity and mortality. This review aims to assess the available literature on immune dysregulation in obesity and people with HIV infection (PWH).

Design:

A systematic review of peer-reviewed literature.

Methods:

We conducted a systematic literature search of PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and international conference abstracts for articles on the epidemiology of obesity in the general population and in PWH and the pathogenesis of obesity with a focus on inflammation and immune activation.

Results:

Of the 631 articles selected after title review, 490 met the inclusion criteria and 90 were included in the final selection. The selected studies highlight the increasing prevalence of obesity in PWH and a substantial role for antiretroviral treatment (ART) in its development. Pathogenesis of obesity and its associated inflammation derives from disturbances in adipose tissue (AT) immune function, focused on T-cell and macrophage function, with a switch to pro-inflammatory immune phenotype and resulting increases in pro-inflammatory chemokines, which contribute to the development of metabolic syndrome. Although dysregulation of these pathways is seen in both obesity and HIV, there remains a lack of human studies on AT inflammation in HIV.

Conclusion:

Obesity is an emerging comorbidity in PWH, with a substantial overlap in immune dysregulation patterns seen in both conditions. How this immune dysfunction impacts on development of metabolic complications for both obesity and HIV infection, and whether targeting of AT-derived inflammation will improve outcomes in PWH requires further study.
Early Detection of First Carpometacarpal Joint Osteoarthritis Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging Assessment in Women With High Hypermobility Scores
Authors: Taylor-Gjevre Regina M. , Nair Bindu , Lourens Joe-Ann , Leswick David , Obaid Haron
Published: August 2022

Objective

The aim of this study was to explore association between hypermobility and osteoarthritis (OA) at the first carpometacarpal (CMC) joint, using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to identify early change in women at high risk of developing OA but without yet established diagnoses.

Methods

For this observational study, 33 women (aged 30–50 years) with self-reported history of maternal hand OA but without personal diagnoses of OA were recruited. Participants completed a 5-point hypermobility questionnaire. The 20 participants with 2 or more positive responses were categorized with “high hypermobility scores.” The remaining 13 were categorized with “low hypermobility scores.” Data collection included functional index, hand pain measure, parity, smoking status, and body mass index. Each participant underwent dominant hand radiographic and MRI examination. Imaging studies were interpreted by assessors blinded to hypermobility score categorization.

Results

No significant differences in age, body mass index, parity, functional index, or pain scores were observed between higher and lower hypermobility score groups. Similarly, there were no significant differences between groups for radiographic changes. However, significantly higher proportions of women with higher hypermobility scores were observed on MRI to have abnormalities of trapezium cartilage (75% vs. 38%), metacarpal cartilage (80% vs. 38%), and trapezium bone (70% vs. 31%); p < 0.05 for all.

Conclusions

First CMC joint structural abnormalities were more frequently observed in women with higher hypermobility scores. Identification of early preradiographic changes in this group supports the concept that early-life joint laxity may contribute to future OA predisposition. Magnetic resonance imaging may be a preferred imaging test for detection of early cartilage changes in people at high risk of CMC joint OA.
Thoracic Imaging in China
Authors: Fan Li , Yang Wenjie , Tu Wenting , Zhou Xiuxiu , Zou Qin , Zhang Hanxiao , Feng Yan , Liu Shiyuan
Published: August 2022

Thoracic imaging has been revolutionized through advances in technology and research around the world, and so has China. Thoracic imaging in China has progressed from anatomic observation to quantitative and functional evaluation, from using traditional approaches to using artificial intelligence. This article will review the past, present, and future of thoracic imaging in China, in an attempt to establish new accepted strategies moving forward.
Striatal tau burden is increased in APOE-e4+ mild cognitive impairment
Authors: Langley Jason , Dara Sumanth , Bennett Ilana J. , Hu Xiaoping P. ,   the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: August 2022

Background

The presence of β-amyloid (Aβ) extracellular plaques and hyper-phosphorylated tau neurofibrillary tangles characterize the pathology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Individuals carrying the apolipoprotein E-ε4 (APOE-ε4) allele are at increased risk of cognitive decline and developing AD pathology. The 18F-AV1451 radioligand allows for assessment of tau burden in vivo. However, this radioligand also binds with iron and this off-target binding can occlude tau deposition in iron rich gray matter structures such as the putamen and caudate nucleus.

Methods

We employ a MRI measure sensitive to iron, quantitative susceptibility mapping, to control for off-target binding effects of the 18F-AV1451 radioligand and examine tau burden in the striatum. 20 APOE-ε4 negative MCI, 20 APOE-ε4 positive MCI, and 29 APOE-ε4 negative control participants from ADNI were used in this analysis.

Results

Increased tau pathology (18F-AV1451 PET uptake), after controlling for tissue susceptibility, was found in the putamen and caudate nucleus of APOE-ε4+ MCI participants as compared to APOE-ε4 negative MCI and control participants. Tau burden in the caudate nucleus of the APOE-ε4+ MCI group was correlated with Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) score with higher caudate tau burden associated with greater cognitive impairment.

Conclusions

Controlling for iron allows for the assessment of tau burden in iron rich deep gray matter structures. Our findings suggest that APOE-ε4 allele increases the risk of developing AD pathology in the striatum.
How Have Global Scientists Responded to Tackling COVID-19?
Authors: Cao Longbing , Hou Wenfeng
Published: August 2022

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the global scientific communities across almost all countries have made urgent, intensive, and continuous effort on understanding, fighting and modeling the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 research turns out to be the first overwhelming global scientific reaction to significant global crises and threats. This literature analysis report collects and summarizes the profiles, trends, quality and impact of this global scientific response. It collects and analyzes 346,267 scientific references in English, involving researchers from 189 countries and regions in 27 subject areas. The report generates a picture of how global scientists have responded to COVID-19 between Jan 2020 and Mar 2022 in terms of their publication quantity, impact, focused major problems, and research areas and methods over country/region, discipline and time and collaboratively. The report also captures broad-reaching distributions and trends of modeling COVID-19 by AI, data science, analytics, shallow and deep machine learning, epidemic modeling, applied mathematics, and social science methods, etc. We further show the correlations between publication quality and quantity and economic status and COVID-19 infections globally and in major countries and regions. The literature analysis results of this global scientific response to COVID-19 present a comprehensive global, regional and subject-specific picture of the significant cross-disciplinary, cross-country, cross-problem, and cross-technique profiles and differences of the COVID-19 publication quantity and quality. The report also discloses significant imbalances in the COVID-19 research across countries/regions, subject areas, problems, topics, methods, research collaborations, and economic statuses. We share the source and analytical data of this global literature analysis for further research on this unprecedented and future crises.

More Information about COVID-19 Modeling

The COVID-19 global scientists response dataset

The COVID-19 global scientists response dataset supporting this report can be found in Kaggle at: https://www.kaggle.com/datasets/datascienceslab/covid19-global-scientists-response, Dataset doi: 10.34740/kaggle/dsv/4077649.

More information about COVID-19 modeling

Interested readers may refer to the following review on modeling COVID-19 which complements this global literature analysis: Longbing Cao and Qing Liu, COVID-19 Modeling: A Review, 1-103, 2022 (version 2). Accessible at medRxiv: https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.08.22.22279022v1.

More information about COVID-19 modeling, including the analytical results of this report and data and review on COVID-19 can be found at: https://datasciences.org/covid19-modeling.

Citation of this report

Longbing Cao and Wenfeng Hou. How have global scientists responded to tackling COVID-19? Full technical report, https://doi.org/10.1101/2022.08.16.22278871, Data Science Lab, University of Technology Sydney, 2022.
Soil variation among natural habitats alters glucosinolate content in a wild perennial mustard
Authors: Wagner Maggie R. , Mitchell-Olds Thomas
Published: August 2022

Baseline levels of glucosinolates—important defensive phytochemicals in Brassicaceous plants—are determined by both genotype and the environment. However, the ecological causes of glucosinolate plasticity are not well characterized. Fertilization is known to alter glucosinolate content of Brassica crops, but the effect of naturally-occurring soil variation on glucosinolate content of wild plants is unknown. Here, we conduct greenhouse experiments using Boechera stricta to ask 1) whether soil variation among natural habitats shapes leaf and root glucosinolate profiles; 2) whether such changes are caused by abiotic soil properties, soil microbes, or both; and 3) whether soil-induced glucosinolate plasticity is genetically variable.

Total glucosinolate quantity differed up to two-fold between soils from different natural habitats, while the relative amounts of different compounds was less responsive. This effect was due to physico-chemical soil properties rather than microbial communities. We detected modest genetic variation for glucosinolate plasticity in response to soil. In addition, glucosinolate composition, but not quantity, of field-grown plants could be accurately predicted from measurements from greenhouse-grown plants. In summary, soil alone is sufficient to cause plasticity of baseline glucosinolate levels in natural plant populations, which may have implications for the evolution of this important trait across complex landscapes.
Multiclass Semantic Segmentation of Immunostained Breast Cancer Tissue with a Deep-Learning Approach
Authors: Ortega-Ruiz Mauricio Alberto , Roman-Rangel Edgar , Reyes-Aldasoro Constantino Carlos
Published: August 2022

This paper describes a multiclass semantic segmentation of breast cancer images into the following classes: Tumour, Stroma, Inflammatory, Necrosis and Other. The images were stained with Haematoxilin and Eosin and acquired from the Cancer Genome Atlas through the Breast Cancer Semantic Segmentation Challenge. Over 12,000 patches of data and classes were generated from training images with the use of data augmentation.The segmentation was obtained with a U-Net architecture for which the hyperparameters were explored systematically. Optimal values were obtained with batch size = 8, Loss function Adam and 50 epochs, which took over 50 hours to train. Due to this fact and limitations in time, the rest of the parameters were explored with 10 epochs and we speculate that values would increase if 50 epochs would be used. The trained U-Net was applied to unseen images, per-patch and the following metrics were obtained from full scale WSI; Accuracy, Mean Area Under the Curve and Dice Index. No post-processing was applied. The resulting segmentations outperformed the baseline in terms of accuracy for some tissues; Tumour from 0.804 to 0.913, Inflammatory from 0.743 to 0.8364. The data is available from the Grand Challenges website (https://bcsegmentation.grand-challenge.org/) and the code is available from the following GitHub repository (https://github.com/mauOrtRuiz/Breast_Cancer_Sem_Seg).
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Personal Networks and Neurological Outcomes of People with Multiple Sclerosis: A Case-Control Cross-sectional and Longitudinal Analysis
Authors: Riley Claire S. , Venkatesh Shruthi , Dhand Amar , Doshi Nandini , Kavak Katelyn , Levit Elle E. , Perrone Christopher , Weinstock-Guttman Bianca , Longbrake Erin E. ,   MSReCOV investigators, De Jager Philip L. , Xia Zongqi
Published: August 2022

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the social fabric of people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS).

Objective

To evaluate the associations between personal social network environment and neurological function in pwMS and controls during the COVID-19 pandemic and compare with the pre-pandemic baseline.

Methods

We first analyzed data collected from 8 cohorts of pwMS and control participants during the COVID-19 pandemic (March-December 2020). We then leveraged data collected between 2017-2019 in 3 of the 8 cohorts for longitudinal comparison. Participants completed a questionnaire that quantified the structure and composition of their personal social network, including the health behaviors of network members. We assessed neurological disability using three interrelated patient-reported outcomes: Patient Determined Disease Steps (PDDS), Multiple Sclerosis Rating Scale – Revised (MSRS-R), and Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS)-Physical Function. We identified the network features associated with neurologic disability using paired t-tests and covariate-adjusted regressions.

Results

In the cross-sectional analysis of the pandemic data from 1130 pwMS and 1250 control participants, higher percent of network members with a perceived negative health influence was associated with greater neurological symptom burden in pwMS (MSRS-R: Beta[95% CI]=2.181[1.082, 3.279], p<.001) and worse physical function in controls (PROMIS-Physical Function: Beta[95% CI]=-5.707[-7.405, -4.010], p<.001). In the longitudinal analysis of 230 pwMS and 136 control participants, the networks of both pwMS and controls experienced an increase in constraint (pwMS p=.006, control p=.001) as well as a decrease in network size (pwMS p=.003, control p<.001), effective size (pwMS p=.007, control p=.013), maximum degree (pwMS p=.01, control p<.001), and percent contacted weekly or less (pwMS p<.001, control p<.001), suggesting overall network contraction during the COVID-19 pandemic. There was also an increase in percentage of kin (p=.003) in the networks of pwMS but not controls during the COVID-19 pandemic when compared to the pre-pandemic baseline. These changes in personal social network due to the pandemic were not associated with worsening neurological disability during the pandemic.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that perceived negative health influences in personal social networks are associated with worse disability in all participants during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the perturbation in social environment and connections during the pandemic, the stability in neurological function among pwMS suggests potential resilience.
Polymorphic KIR3DL3 expression modulates tissue-resident and innate-like T cells
Authors: Palmer William H. , Leaton Laura Ann , Codo Ana Campos , Hume Patrick S. , Crute Bergren , Stone Matthew , van Bokhoven Adrie , Tobin Richard P. , McCarter Martin D. , Janssen William J. , Roest James , Zhu Shiying , Petersen Jan , Vivian Julian P. , Rossjohn Jamie , Trowsdale John , Getahun Andrew , Cambier John , Loh Liyen , Norman Paul J.
Published: August 2022

Most human killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) are expressed by Natural Killer (NK) cells and recognize HLA class I molecules as ligands. Uniquely, KIR3DL3 is a conserved but polymorphic inhibitory KIR recognizing a B7 family ligand, HHLA2, and is implicated for immune checkpoint targeting. Because the expression profile and biological function of KIR3DL3 remained elusive, we searched extensively for KIR3DL3 transcripts, revealing expression is highly enriched in γδ and CD8+ T cells rather than NK cells. These KIR3DL3 expressing cells are rare in the blood and thymus, but more common in the lungs and digestive tract. High resolution flow cytometry and single cell transcriptomics showed that peripheral blood KIR3DL3+ T cells have an activated transitional memory phenotype and are hypofunctional. The TCR usage is biased towards genes from early rearranged TCR-α variable segments or Vδ1 chains. Whereas we detected no impact of KIR3DL3 polymorphism on ligand binding, variants in the proximal promoter and at residue 86 can reduce expression. Together, we demonstrate that KIR3DL3 is upregulated in response to unconventional T cell stimulation and that individuals may vary in their ability to express KIR3DL3. These results have implications for the personalized targeting of KIR3DL3/HHLA2 checkpoint inhibition.
Single molecule long-read real-time amplicon-based sequencing ofCYP2D6: a proof-of-concept with hybrid haplotypes
Authors: Dong Rachael , Thamilselvan Megana , Foo Jerome Clifford , DeJarnette Jacqueline , Hu Xiuying , Henriques Beatriz Carvalho , Wang Yabing , Wallace Keanna , Sivapalan Sudhakar , Buchner Avery , Yavorskyy Vasyl , Martens Kristina , Maier Wolfgang , Henigsberg Neven , Hauser Joanna , Cattaneo Annamaria , Mors Ole , Rietschel Marcella , Pfeffer Gerald , Aitchison Katherine J.
Published: August 2022

CYP2D6 is a widely expressed human xenobiotic metabolizing enzyme, best known for its role in the hepatic phase I cytochrome P450 enzyme system, where it metabolizes ∼20% of medications. It is also expressed in other organs including the brain, where its potential role in physiology and mental health traits and disorders is under further investigation. Owing to the presence of homologous pseudogenes in theCYP2Dlocus and transposable repeat elements in the intergenic regions, the gene encoding the CYP2D6 enzyme,CYP2D6, is one of the most hypervariable known human genes - with more than 165 core haplotypes. Haplotypes include structural variants, with a subtype of these known as hybrid haplotypes or fusion genes comprising part ofCYP2D6and part of its adjacent pseudogene,CYP2D7. The fusion genes are particularly challenging to identify. High fidelity (HiFi) single molecule real-time (SMRT) long-read sequencing can cover wholeCYP2D6haplotypes in a single continuous sequence, and is therefore ideal for structural variant detection. In addition, it is highly accurate and suitable for novel haplotype identification, which is necessary as newCYP2D6haplotypes are continuously being discovered, and many more likely remain to be identified in relatively understudied populations such as Indigenous Peoples. The aim of the present work was to develop an efficient and accurate HiFi SMRT amplicon-based method capable of detecting the full range ofCYP2D6haplotypes including fusion genes. We report proof-of-concept for 24 amplicons including three positive controls, aligned to fusion gene haplotypes, with prior cross-validation data. Amplicons withCYP2D7-D6fusion genes, including positive controls, aligned to the*13subhaplotypes predicted (*13F, *13A2) with 100% accuracy, with the exception of one that aligned at 99.9%. Alignment of the*68was 100% and above 99.9% to theCYP2D6*68partial sequences EU5300606 and JF307779, respectively. The best alignments for the remainingCYP2D6-2D7fusion genes were ≥99.7% (to 3 significant figures). Lower percentage alignment forCYP2D6-2D7fusion genes may reflect imperfect PCR optimization and/or the possibility that we may have haplotypes not yet in public databases. Further work on these is in progress. Moreover, we have adapted this method for non-hybrid haplotypes. This technique could therefore suffice for the characterization of the full range ofCYP2D6haplotypes. The method that we have developed could be extended to other complex loci and to other species in a multiplexed high throughput assay.
A biomechanical model for the relation between bite force and mandibular opening angle in arthropods
Authors: Püffel Frederik , Johnston Richard , Labonte David
Published: August 2022

Bite forces play a key role in animal ecology: they affect mating behaviour, fighting success, and the ability to feed. Although feeding habits of arthropods have an enormous ecological and economical impact, we lack fundamental knowledge on how the morphology and physiology of their bite apparatus controls bite performance and its variation with mandible gape. To address this gap, we derived a comprehensive biomechanical model that characterises the relationship between bite force and mandibular opening angle from first principles. We validate the model by comparing its geometric predictions with morphological measurements on CT-scans ofAtta cephalotesleaf-cutter ants. We then demonstrate its deductive and inductive power with three exemplary use cases: First, we extract the physiological properties of the leaf-cutter ant mandible closer muscle fromin-vivobite force measurements. Second, we show that leaf-cutter ants are extremely specialised for biting: they generate maximum bite forces equivalent to about 2600 times their body weight. Third, we discuss the relative importance of morphology and physiology in determining the magnitude and variation of bite force. We hope that our work will facilitate future comparative studies on the insect bite apparatus, and advance our knowledge of the behaviour, ecology and evolution of arthropods.
Mitochondrial decline in the ageing old world primate retina: little evidence for difference between the centre and periphery
Authors: Kam Jaimie Hoh , Shinhmar Harpreet , Powner Michael Barry , JohnHayes Matthew , Aboelnour Asmaa , Jeffery Glen
Published: August 2022

Mitochondrial decline is a key feature of ageing. The retina has more mitochondria than any other tissue and ages rapidly. To understand human retinal ageing it is critical to examine old world primates that have similar visual systems to humans, and do so across central and peripheral regions, as there is evidence for early central decline. Hence, we examine mitochondrial metrics in young and ageing Macaca fascicularis retinae. In spite of reduced ATP with age, primate mitochondrial complex activity did not decline. But mitochondrial membrane potentials were reduced significantly, and concomitantly, mitochondrial membrane permeability increased. The mitochondrial marker Tom20 declined significantly, consistent with reduced mitochondria number, while VDAC, a voltage dependent anion channel and diffusion pore associated with apoptosis increased significantly. In spite of these clear age-related changes, there was almost no evidence for regional differences between the centre and the periphery.

Primate cones do not die with age, but many showed marked structural decline with vacuous spaces in proximal inner segments normally occupied by endoplasmic reticulum (ER), that regulate mitochondrial autophagy. In many peripheral cones, ER was displaced by the nucleus that transposed across the outer limiting membrane and could become embedded in mitochondrial populations. These data are consistent with significant changes in retinal mitochondria in old world primate ageing but provide little if any evidence that aged central mitochondria suffer more than those in the periphery.
Single cell atlas of Xenoturbella bocki highlights the limited cell-type complexity of a non-vertebrate deuterostome lineage
Authors: Robertson Helen E. , Sebe-Pedros Arnau , Saudemont Baptiste , Loe Mie Yann , Zakrzewski Anne , Grau-Bové Xavier , Mailhe Marie-Pierre , Schiffer Philipp , Telford Maximilian J. , Marlow Heather
Published: August 2022

Evidence for a sister relationship between Xenacoelomorpha and Ambulacraria (Xenambulacraria) has revived the longstanding debate surrounding the complexity of the Urdeuterostomian and Urbilaterian ancestors and has led to a reassessment of early bilaterian features. Employing whole organism single-cell RNA-seq in the marine xenacoelomorph worm Xenoturbella bocki, we show that Xenambulacrarian nerve nets share regulatory features and a peptidergic identity with those found in cnidarians and protostomes. We also suggest that Xenacoelomorpha muscles are likely to have evolved their “smooth” phenotype convergently. Furthermore, we identify pigmented cells as a potential synapomorphy of the Xenambulacraria. Taken together, these data are consistent with a simplification from an ancestral urbilaterian/urdeuterostomian body plan and a non-centralized nerve net, minimally differentiated contractile cells and evidence of deuterostome cell-type synapomorphies.
Multiomic investigation of sugarcane mosaic virus resistance in sugarcane
Authors: Pimenta Ricardo José Gonzaga , Aono Alexandre Hild , Burbano Roberto Carlos Villavicencio , da Silva Marcel Fernando , dos Anjos Ivan Antônio , de Andrade Landell Marcos Guimarães , Gonçalves Marcos Cesar , Pinto Luciana Rossini , de Souza Anete Pereira
Published: August 2022

Sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV) is the main etiological agent of sugarcane mosaic disease, which affects sugarcane, maize and other economically important grass species. Despite the extensive characterization of quantitative trait loci controlling resistance to SCMV in maize, the genetic basis of this trait is largely unexplored in sugarcane. Here, a genome-wide association study was performed and machine learning coupled to feature selection was used for the genomic prediction of resistance to SCMV in a diverse panel of sugarcane accessions. This ultimately led to the identification of nine single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) explaining up to 29.9% of the phenotypic variance and a 73-SNP set that predicted resistance with high accuracy, precision, recall, and F1 scores. Both marker sets were validated in additional sugarcane genotypes, in which the SNPs explained up to 23.6% of the phenotypic variation and predicted resistance with a maximum accuracy of 69.1%. Synteny analyses showed that the gene responsible for the major SCMV resistance in maize is probably absent in sugarcane, explaining why such a major resistance source is thus far unknown in this crop. Lastly, using sugarcane RNA sequencing data, markers associated with the resistance to SCMV in sugarcane were annotated and a gene coexpression network was constructed to identify the predicted biological processes involved in SCMV resistance. This allowed the identification of candidate resistance genes and confirmed the involvement of stress responses, photosynthesis and regulation of transcription and translation in the resistance to this virus. These results provide a viable marker-assisted breeding approach for sugarcane and identify target genes for future molecular studies on resistance to SCMV.
Saccades are coordinated with directed circuit dynamics and stable but distinct hippocampal patterns that promote memory formation
Authors: Wagner Isabella C. , Jensen Ole , Doeller Christian F. , Staudigl Tobias
Published: August 2022

During natural viewing, humans explore their environment by moving the eyes – a process that involves saccades to guide attention and shape memory. Saccades are controlled by visuo-oculomotor regions and are known to impact medial temporal lobe processing, but the circuit dynamics in humans are unclear. Here, we asked which of the functional routes between the visual cortex, frontal eye fields, and the hippocampus facilitates memory encoding during visual exploration and whether saccades affect neural representations. Forty-eight human participants underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and continuous monitoring of eye gaze while studying scenes and performing a recognition memory test thereafter. We discovered saccade-related excitatory coupling from the visual cortex and frontal eye fields towards the hippocampus, independent of memory. This was complemented by hippocampal inhibition of the visual cortex that determined whether participants would later remember or forget. Moreover, saccades were associated with overall stable but distinct hippocampal voxel patterns during memory formation and the degree of pattern distinctiveness positively scaled with inhibition along the hippocampus-to-visual cortex route. This suggests that eye movements are timed to the orchestration of circuit connectivity and neural representations, setting the stage for memory formation.
Robustness increases heritability: implications for familial disease
Authors: Frank Steven A.
Published: August 2022

Robustness protects organisms in two ways. Homeostatic buffering lowers the variation of traits caused by internal or external perturbations. Tolerance reduces the consequences of bad situations, such as extreme phenotypes or infections. This article shows that both types of robustness increase the heritability of protected traits. Additionally, robustness strongly increases the heritability of disease. Perhaps the natural tendency for organisms to protect robustly against perturbations partly explains the high heritability that occurs for some diseases.
Interoperability approaches of blockchain technology for supply chain systems
Authors: Al-Rakhami Mabrook , Al-Mashari Majed
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This work focuses on the interoperability of the blockchain from the viewpoint of its technological evolution in the wider context of supply chain systems. Interoperability concerns the most since it is among the most persevering problems in the process of blockchain adaptation. The study aims to trace and pinpoint all the different methods that affect the interoperability of blockchains, gather all the obtainable evidence and recognize gaps in between the applicable approaches mentioned across the contemporary academic literature.

Design/methodology/approach

An analysis is done of seven interoperability approaches based on their relevance, practical usefulness and adoption processes concerning the blockchain. Mainly, this work examines interoperability from several different perspectives. An interoperability modular decomposition via a layered model has been defined through the level of conceptual interoperability (LCIM) and level of information system interoperability (LISI), which represent the most popular metrics with regard to assessing the level of interoperability from a qualitative level.

Findings

Generally, the findings of this work are directed in two major aspects: Firstly, it expands the research around blockchain technology interoperability by providing crucial background information and pinpointing important connotations for both industrial and academic environments. It also defines and analyzes several different approaches toward the blockchain platform's interoperability. Secondly, it also identifies and proposes several scenarios that take advantage of multiple blockchain application approaches, highlights various issues and challenges to the evolution of interoperability standards and solutions and indicates the desired areas of further research.

Originality/value

An essential aspect of the originality of this paper is that, contrary to other work contributions, this work summarized the different interoperability approaches for blockchain in supply chain systems. Mainly, seven approaches were discussed for practitioners and researchers, and the open issues and future research direction were considered.
Experimental investigation on the wear behavior of low-cost composite made from industrial wastes
Authors: Venkatesan S.P. , Ramachandran K. , Kumar A. John Presin , G.M. Balamurugan
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Aluminum alloy AA5083 is applicable in ship building, military, railway and industry because of its excellent properties like resistance to chemical and sea water attack. However, its performance is affected by weak wear resistance. Hence, this should be solved to improve the performance of AA5083 alloy in the aforementioned fields. The purpose of this research is to enhance the wear properties of AA5083 alloy.

Design/methodology/approach

In this research, AA5083 alloy was reinforced with industrial wastes such as red mud and granite particles using stir casting method. Totally, four types of composites were fabricated, namely, AA5083/3 Wt.% red mud (C1), AA5083/3 Wt.% granite (C2), AA5083/1 Wt.% red mud-2Wt.% granite (C3) and AA5083/2 Wt.% red mud-1Wt.% granite (C4). Wear properties such as mass loss and coefficient of friction (COF) were analyzed for different wear parameters. Further, the mechanical properties like hardness and tensile strength were investigated.

Findings

Results showed that the inclusion of reinforcement particles improved the wear and mechanical properties of AA5083 alloy (C0). The C2 sample displayed the maximum hardness of 87 HV and tensile strength of 317 MPa owing to the inclusion of 3 Wt.% granite particles. Furthermore, the wear study results showed that the C2 sample displayed the minimum mass loss and COF. It was concluded from this research that C2 sample could be a good candidate to be applicable in marine, military, railway and industrial applications with improved performance.

Originality/value

This work is original as the industrial waste is used as reinforcements in the performance improvement of AA5083 aluminum alloy.
Artificial intelligence enabled robots for stay experience in the hospitality industry in a smart city
Authors: Gupta Shivam , Modgil Sachin , Lee Choong-Ki , Cho Minsook , Park Yaena
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The hospitality industry has witnessed numerous changes to enhance the stay experience of guests. To offer a memorable stay experience, the industry has started deploying intelligent robots. Therefore, this case study aims to examine and explore artificial intelligence (AI) enabled robots in hospitality industry in order to enhance guest experience in a smart city.

Design/methodology/approach

Semistructured interviews have been conducted at Novotel Ambassador Seoul Dongdaemun Hotels and Residences, Seoul, South Korea, to understand the stay experience of guests regarding services offered by AI enabled robots. The authors have selected employees for interviews since employees listen and witness the guest experience directly. Out of 214 employees in the hotel with varied experience and background, 26 interviews are conducted.

Findings

Through a systematic approach of coding, the authors have identified that deploying AI enabled robots facilitates the automation, information gathering, personalization and seamless service in the hospitality industry of a smart city. Further, with a back-and-forth mapping mechanism based on epistemological principles, the authors made four propositions that lead to the development of a research framework.

Research limitations/implications

The practicing managers of hospitality industry can employ AI enabled robots within the scope of improving and automating the processes that can also offer increased personalization to enhance the stay experience, which is expected in a smart city.

Originality/value

The study offers a unique contribution to literature, since it is a live case study, and the information is from the practicing employees of a well-known organization in a hospitality sector from a smart city (Novotel Ambassador Seoul Dongdaemun Hotels and Residences, Seoul, South Korea).
Use of gamification to enhance e-learning experience
Authors: Kashive Neerja , Mohite Sayali
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This study aims to look at the integration of gamification in an e-learning model based on the technology acceptance model. The data was collected from respondents residing in India and elements of gamification (achievement, immersion and social) and personal characteristics of learners (self-efficacy, computer anxiety and enjoyment) and their impact on perceived ease of use (PEOU) and perceived usefulness (PU) were tested.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected from students and professionals who have ever played games during learning while using an e-learning module. Structural equation modeling using smart partial least square was used to create a model.

Findings

The findings showed that enjoyment affected both PEOU and PU and attitude toward e-learning. Achievement and social elements impacted attitude and the immersion element moderated the relation between enjoyment and PEOU and PU. These finally impact attitude and satisfaction, leading to higher intention to use e-learning platforms.

Research limitations/implications

Because this study is very specific to the Indian context, a broad generalization requires further exploration in other cultural contexts. The absence of this exploration is one of the limitations of this study.

Originality/value

This study tested the GAMEFULQUEST suggested by Högberg et al. (2019) based on self-determination theory and its impact on the overall e-learning experience. The moderation of immersion has come out to be significant and achievement and social elements impacted attitude.
The readability of abstracts in library and information science journals
Authors: Jamar Nina
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The purpose of the research was to find out if there are any differences in the readability score between abstracts published in scientific journals from library and information science with and without an impact factor. Therefore, the author made a comparison between the readability of abstracts from one journal with (Journal of Documentation) and one journal without (Knjižnica or Library) an impact factor.

Design/methodology/approach

As a measure of readability, the Flesch Reading Ease Readability Formula was used. Then, with the help of statistical experts, a comparison of the readability scores between the abstracts of two selected journals was performed.

Findings

The results showed that some statistically important differences exist between the abstracts published in the Journal of Documentation and Knjižnica. The statistically important differences were found in the number of words and sentences in abstracts and in the readability of abstracts included in the research. Therefore, it can be said that there exists a statistically important difference between abstracts with and without an impact factor.

Originality/value

The primary purpose was to find out whether there is a statistically important difference in the readability score of abstracts with and without an impact factor in the field of library and information science. Some similar research studies have been conducted in other scientific fields.
ICT diffusion, women empowerment, and sustainable development in SAARC countries
Authors: Verma Anushka , Giri Arun Kumar , Debata Byomakesh
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The main purpose of this paper is to analyze the role of information and communication technology (ICT) diffusion in women empowerment and in fostering the process of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries using panel data from 2005 to 2020.

Design/methodology/approach

An ICT diffusion index was constructed using principal component analysis (PCA). Further, the study uses econometric techniques robust to cross-sectional dependence (CSD) which include Pesaran's CSD tests, second-generation unit root test, Pedroni, Kao, Westerlund cointegration test, FMOLS, DCCE, Driscoll–Kraay (DK) regression, and D&H causality tests.

Findings

ICT diffusion and economic growth have a significant and favorable impact on women's empowerment. However, fertility rates and trade openness harm women's empowerment. In addition, the causality test results depict a bidirectional causal relationship between ICT and women empowerment and between growth and women empowerment. In addition, unidirectional causality is detected between education and women's empowerment. Overall, the findings indicate that expanding ICT and bridging the digital divide, particularly among women, can be effective in achieving empowerment-related SDGs.

Originality/value

To date, there are hardly any studies in SAARC context that empirically evaluate the link between ICT, women empowerment, and the issue of sustainability in a unified framework. Therefore, this study is unique in terms of conceptualization and methodological robustness in this context. The study will benefit policymakers and regulatory bodies to formulate appropriate policies to empower women and thereby attain the SDGs by 2030.
Personality research in the 21st century: new developments and directions for the field
Authors: Medina-Craven Michele N. , Ostermeier Kathryn , Sigdyal Pratigya , McLarty Benjamin David
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to systematically examine and classify the multitude of personality traits that have emerged in the literature beyond the Big Five (Five Factor Model) since the turn of the 21st century. The authors argue that this represents a new phase of personality research that is characterized both by construct proliferation and a movement away from the Big Five and demonstrates how personality as a construct has substantially evolved in the 21st century.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted a comprehensive, systematic review of personality research from 2000 to 2020 across 17 management and psychology journals. This search yielded 1,901 articles, of which 440 were relevant and subsequently coded for this review.

Findings

The review presented in this study uncovers 155 traits, beyond the Big Five, that have been explored, which the authors organize and analyze into 10 distinct categories. Each category comprises a definition, lists the included traits and highlights an exemplar construct. The authors also specify the significant research outcomes associated with each trait category.

Originality/value

This review categorizes the 155 personality traits that have emerged in the management and psychology literature that describe personality beyond the Big Five. Based on these findings, this study proposes new avenues for future research and offers insights into the future of the field as the concept of personality has shifted in the 21st century.
Facets of life skills education – a systematic review
Authors: Bansal Monika , Kapur Surbhi
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The study aims to review the existing theories and literature related to life skills education for adolescents to construct a model portraying the inter-relatedness between these variables. This study discerns the inferences from the studies conducted earlier to propose various aspects to be considered for future research and interventions targeting the effectiveness of life skills education for adolescents.

Design/methodology/approach

Prolific examination of numerous theoretical and empirical studies addressing these variables was carried out to formulate assertions and postulations. Deducing from the studies in varied streams of education, public health, psychology, economics and international development, this paper is an endeavor toward clarifying some pertinent issues related to life skills education.

Findings

Although there is abundant evidence to encourage and assist the development of life skills as a tool to achieve other outcomes of interest, it is also important to see life skills as providing both instrumental and ultimate value to adolescents. Quality life skills education needs to be intertwined with the curriculum through the primary and secondary education, in the same way as literacy and numeracy skills.

Originality/value

The present study has important implications for educators and policymakers for designing effective life skills education programs. Additionally, this paper provides a three-step model based on Lewin’s three step prototype for change, to impart life skills trainings to adolescents through drafting pertinent systems. This will help in imparting quality life skills education to adolescents and raising them to be psychologically mature adults.