bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Congruent visual cues speed dynamic motor adaptation
Authors: Franklin Sae , Leib Raz , Dimitriou Michael , Franklin David W.
Published: February 2023

Motor adaptation to novel dynamics occurs rapidly using sensed errors to update the current motor memory. This adaption is strongly driven by proprioceptive and visual signals, that indicate errors in the motor memory. Here we extend this previous work by investigating whether the presence of additional visual cues could increase the rate of motor adaptation, specifically when the visual motion cue is congruent with the dynamics. Six groups of participants performed reaching movements while grasping the handle of a robotic manipulandum while an additional cue (red object) was connected to the cursor. After a baseline, either a unidirectional (3 groups) or bidirectional (3 groups) velocity dependent force field was applied during the reach. For each group, the movement of the red object relative to the cursor was either congruent with the force field dynamics, incongruent with the force field dynamics or constant (fixed distance). Participants adapted more to the unidirectional force fields than to the bidirectional force field groups. However, across both force fields, groups in which the visual cues matched the type of force field (congruent visual cue) exhibited higher final adaptation level at the end of learning compared to either the control or incongruent conditions. In all groups, we observed an additional congruent cue assisted the formation of the motor memory of the external dynamics. We then demonstrate that a state estimation based model that integrates proprioceptive and visual information can successfully replicate the experimental data.

New & Noteworthy

We demonstrate that adaptation to novel dynamics is stronger when additional online visual cues that are congruent with the dynamics are presented during adaptation, compared to either a constant or incongruent visual cue. This effect was found regardless of whether a bidirectional or unidirectional velocity dependent force field was presented to the participants. We propose that this effect might arise through the inclusion of this additional visual cue information within the state estimation process.
Regional and age-dependent changes in ubiquitination in cellular and mouse models of Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3
Authors: Luo Haiyang , Todi Sokol V. , Paulson Henry L. , Costa Maria do Carmo
Published: February 2023

1

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3), also known as Machado–Joseph disease, is the most common dominantly inherited ataxia. SCA3 is caused by a CAG repeat expansion in theATXN3gene that encodes an expanded tract of polyglutamine (polyQ) in the disease protein ataxin-3 (ATXN3). As a deubiquitinating enzyme, ATXN3 regulates numerous cellular processes including proteasome- and autophagy-mediated protein degradation. In SCA3 disease brain, polyQ-expanded ATXN3 accumulates with other cellular constituents, including ubiquitin (Ub)-modified proteins, in select areas like the cerebellum and the brainstem, but whether pathogenic ATXN3 affects the abundance of ubiquitinated species is unknown. Here, in mouse and cellular models of SCA3, we investigated whether elimination of murineAtxn3or expression of wild-type or polyQ-expanded human ATXN3 alters soluble levels of overall ubiquitination, as well as K48-linked (K48-Ub) and K63-linked (K63-Ub) chains. Levels of ubiquitination were assessed in the cerebellum and brainstem of 7- and 47-week-oldAtxn3knockout and SCA3 transgenic mice, and also in relevant mouse and human cell lines. In older mice, we observed that wild-type ATXN3 impacts the cerebellar levels of K48-Ub proteins. In contrast, pathogenic ATXN3 leads to decreased brainstem abundance of K48-Ub species in younger mice and changes in both cerebellar and brainstem K63-Ub levels in an age-dependent manner: younger SCA3 mice have higher levels of K63-Ub while older mice have lower levels of K63-Ub compared to controls. Human SCA3 neuronal progenitor cells also show a relative increase in K63-Ub proteins upon autophagy inhibition. We conclude that wild-type and mutant ATXN3 differentially impact K48-Ub- and K63-Ub-modified proteins in the brain in a region- and age-dependent manner.
Heat-induced seizures, premature mortality, and hyperactivity in a novelScn1anonsense model for Dravet syndrome
Authors: Mavashov Anat , Brusel Marina , Liu Jiaxing , Woytowicz Victoria , Bae Haneui , Chen Ying-Hsin , Dani Vardhan S. , Cardenal Elena , Spinosa Vittoria , Aibar José Ángel , Rubinstein Moran
Published: February 2023

Dravet syndrome (Dravet) is a severe congenital developmental genetic epilepsy caused byde novomutations in theSCN1Agene. Nonsense mutations are found in ~20% of the patients, and the R613X mutation was identified in multiple patients. Here we characterized the epileptic and non-epileptic comorbidities of a novel preclinical Dravet mouse model harboring this nonsenseScn1amutation. HeterozygousScn1aR613X mutation on a mixed C57BL/6J:129S1/SvImJ background exhibited spontaneous seizures, susceptibility to heat-induced seizures, and premature mortality, recapitulating the core epileptic phenotypes of Dravet. In addition, these mice, available as an open-access model, demonstrated increased locomotor activity in the open-field test, mimicking some non-epileptic Dravet-associated comorbidities. Conversely,Scn1aWT/R613Xmice on the pure 129S1/SvImJ background had a normal life span and were easy to breed. HomozygousScn1aR613X/R613Xmice died before P16.

Our molecular analyses of hippocampal and cortical expression demonstrated that the premature stop codon induced by the R613X mutation reducedScn1amRNA and Nav1.1 protein levels to ~50% in heterozygousScn1aWT/R613Xmice, with marginal expression in homozygousScn1aR613X/R613Xmice. Together, we introduce a novel Dravet model carrying the R613XScn1anonsense mutation that can. be used to study the molecular and neuronal basis of Dravet, as well as the development of new therapies associated withSCN1Anonsense mutations in Dravet.
Bacterial toxin-antitoxin system MazEF as a native defense mechanism against RNA phages inEscherichia coli
Authors: Nikolic Nela , Bergmiller Tobias , Pleška Maroš , Guet Călin C.
Published: February 2023

Bacteria have evolved a wide range of defense strategies to protect themselves against bacterial viruses (phages). However, the known mechanisms almost exclusively target phages with DNA genomes. While several bacterial toxin-antitoxin systems have been considered to cleave single-stranded bacterial RNA in response to stressful conditions, their role in protecting bacteria against phages with single-stranded RNA genomes has not been studied. Here we investigate the role of a representative toxin-antitoxin system, MazEF, in protectingEscherichia coliagainst two RNA phages – MS2 and Qβ. Our population-level experiments revealed that amazEFdeletion strain is more susceptible to RNA phage infection than the wild-type. At the single-cell level, deletion of themazEFlocus significantly shortened the time to lysis of individual bacteria challenged with RNA phage. At the genomic level, we found that the adenine-cytosine-adenine sequence, directly recognized and cleaved by the MazF toxin, is systematically underrepresented in the genomes of RNA phages that are known to infectE. coli, indicating selection for decreased probability of cleavage. These results suggest that in addition to other physiological roles, RNA-degrading toxin-antitoxin modules can function as a primitive immune system against RNA phages.
Intravital microscopy of satellite cell dynamics and their interaction with myeloid cells during skeletal muscle regeneration
Authors: He Yingzhu , Heng Youshan , Qin Zhongya , Wei Xiuqing , Wu Zhenguo , Qu Jianan
Published: February 2023

Skeletal muscle regeneration requires the highly coordinated cooperation of muscle satellite cells (MuSCs) with other cellular components. However, due to technical limitations, it remains unclear how MuSCs dynamically interact with non-myogenic cells, especially myeloid cells, in live animals. In this work, we developed a dual-laser multimodal nonlinear optical microscope platform to serve as an effective tool for studying the real-time interaction between MuSCs and non-myogenic cells during the early phase of muscle regeneration. Increased cell volume and mitochondrial mass, cell density, and myotube formation are indicative of MuSCs activation/growth, proliferation, and differentiation, respectively. Using 3D time-lapse imaging on live reporter mice containing both red fluorescence protein (RFP)-labeled macrophages and yellow fluorescence protein (YFP)-labeled MuSCs, and taking advantages of the autofluorescence of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH), we monitored the real-time spatiotemporal interaction between RFP+macrophages/RFP-non-myogenic cells and YFP+muscle stem/progenitor cells during the activation and the proliferation stages of regeneration. Our results indicated that their cell-cell contact was transient in nature. By inhibiting macrophage infiltration, we further showed that direct cell-cell contact between macrophages and MuSCs was not required for early activation of MuSCs before the proliferation stage. However, decreased macrophage infiltration impeded the proliferation and differentiation of MuSCs and also led to intramuscular fibrosis. Besides, neutrophil depletion in the CCR2 deficient mice did not delay the initial growth of MuSCs. These findings provide a new perspective on myeloid cells’ role during muscle regeneration.
The soil emergence-related transcription factor PIF3 regulates root penetration by interacting with the receptor kinase FER
Authors: Xu Fan , Chen Jia , Li Yingbin , Ouyang Shilin , Wang Yirong , Fang Xianming , He Kai , Yu Feng
Published: February 2023

The cotyledons of etiolated seedlings from terrestrial flowering plants must emerge from the soil surface, while roots must penetrate the soil to ensure plant survival. We show here that the soil emergence-related transcription factor PHYTOCHROME-INTERACTING FACTOR 3 (PIF3) regulates root penetration via transducing external signals perceived by the receptor kinase FERONIA (FER) inArabidopsis thaliana. The loss of FER function in thefer-4mutant resulted in a severe defect in root penetration into hard soil or medium. Single-cell RNA-seq profiling of roots revealed a distinct cell clustering pattern, especially for root cap cells, and revealed PIF3 as one of FER-regulated transcription factor. Biochemical, imaging, and genetic experiments confirmed that PIF3 is required for root penetration into soil. Moreover, FER interacted with and stabilized PIF3, which then modulated the expression of mechanosensitive ion channel and the sloughing of outer cells in the root cap. Based on these findings, we propose a novel mechanism of soil penetration by plant roots.
Social risk analysis for mega construction projects based on structural equation model and Bayesian network: a risk evolution perspective
Authors: Lu Ying , Liu Jie , Yu Wenhui
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Mega construction projects (MCPs), which play an important role in the economy, society and environment of a country, have developed rapidly in recent years. However, due to frequent social conflicts caused by the negative social impact of MCPs, social risk control has become a major challenge. Exploring the relationship between social risk factors and social risk from the perspective of risk evolution and identifying key factors contribute to social risk control; but few studies have paid enough attention to this. Therefore, this study aims to systematically analyze the impact of social risk factors on social risk based on a social risk evolution path.

Design/methodology/approach

This study proposed a social risk evolution path for MCPs explaining how social risk occurs and develops with the impact of social risk factors. To further analyze the impact quantitatively, a social risk analysis model combining structural equation model (SEM) with Bayesian network (BN) was developed. SEM was used to verify the relationship in the social risk evolution path. BN was applied to identify key social risk factors and predict the probabilities of social risk, quantitatively. The feasibility of the proposed model was verified by the case of water conservancy projects.

Findings

The results show that negative impact on residents’ living standards, public opinion advantage and emergency management ability were key social risk factors through sensitivity analysis. Then, scenario analysis simulated the risk probability results with the impact of different states of these key factors to obtain management strategies.

Originality/value

This study creatively proposes a social risk evolution path describing the dynamic interaction of the social risk and first applies the hybrid SEM–BN method in the social risk analysis for MCPs to explore effective risk control strategies. This study can facilitate the understanding of social risk from the perspective of risk evolution and provide decision-making support for the government coping with social risk in the implementation of MCPs.
Servant and authentic leadership as drivers of innovative work behaviour: the moderating role of creative self-efficacy
Authors: Gelaidan Hamid Mahmood , Al-Swidi Abdullah Kaid , Al-Hakimi Mohammed A.
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The importance of innovation has attracted growing attention due to the complex and rapidly changing business environment. This study aimed, first, to examine the joint effect of servant and authentic leadership (AUL) styles on employee creativity (EC), second, to examine the direct and mediated effect of servant leadership (SL) on employees' innovative work behaviour (IWB), third, to examine the effect of EC on IWB and finally, to investigate the moderating effect of creative self-efficacy (CSE) on the relationship between AUL and EC.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative approach was used, and the data were collected from 446 employees in the Qatari public sector. The data were then analysed by employing partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) using SmartPLS software to validate the measures before testing the proposed model.

Findings

The results of this study emphasized the strong hypothesized link between EC and IWB. It also endorsed the mediating role of EC between SL and IWB and the moderating role of CSE in the AUL-EC relationship.

Originality/value

The originality of this study comes from various aspects. First, it is unique in separately examining EC and innovation and the link between them. Second, it investigates the joint impact of servant and AUL styles on EC. Third, it explores the mediating role of EC between SL and IWB. Fourth, the moderating effect of CSE on the AUL-EC link also was examined to gain a full understanding of the relation effect. Finally, the value of the current study also comes from the integration of the triangular theory of creativity, SL and AUL theories and self-efficacy theory to explain the proposed model of the study. Moreover, this study serves as a guideline for decision-makers on how to enhance IWB among employees by focusing on leadership programmes and the creative and innovative culture.
Entrepreneurial business network and dynamic relational capabilities: a case study approach
Authors: Zardini Alessandro , Ceesay Lamin B. , Rossignoli Cecilia , Mahto Raj
Published: February 2023

Purpose

To further extend the understanding of the aggregating functions of an entrepreneurial business network, this paper attempts to explore the antecedents enabling the organisation of diverse entrepreneurs to engage in a collaborative inter-firm business network project. This paper also elucidates the development of the relational capabilities and performance of entrepreneurial business networks.

Design/methodology/approach

An explorative, longitudinal case study design is employed to analyse an Italian agricultural business network, which comprised a group of local small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Using the network as the focus of analysis, the case study draws insights from key informants comprising the network management team and the entrepreneurs who make up the membership of the business network.

Findings

The results of the study provide critical factors for successful organisation of inter-firm engagement. Although these factors are not mutually exclusive, the results show that organising for inter-firm engagement in an entrepreneurial business network context positively influenced the network relational performance and entrepreneurs' innovation capabilities.

Originality/value

The paper extends current understanding of inter-organisational engagement and illuminates the antecedents enabling the development of network relational dynamics capabilities. The empirical results provide unusual insights into the aggregating roles of an entrepreneurial business network, giving practitioners practical insights into managing a successful inter-organisational collaborative project. Using the relevant theoretical frameworks, the study empirically tests the organisation solutions relevant to literature on inter-firm engagement in a business network context and addresses the organisation solutions' interrelationship and linkages to entrepreneurial network relational performance in terms of knowledge practice, information and resources sharing and innovation.
With a little help from my friends: the interaction between coopetition, an entrepreneurial orientation and firm performance
Authors: Crick James M. , Crick Dave
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Underpinned by a stakeholder-oriented resource-based theoretical lens, this inter-disciplinary study investigates the association between an entrepreneurial orientation and firm performance under different degrees of coopetition (cooperation among rival firms).

Design/methodology/approach

Alongside undertaking 20 semi-structured interviews, survey responses were obtained from 302 smaller-sized producers in the American wine industry. The elements of the conceptual model were evaluated via hierarchical regression. Moreover, all major robustness checks were assessed.

Findings

Positive and significant relationships respectively existed between an entrepreneurial orientation and coopetition with firm performance. However, a somewhat counter-intuitive finding involved the interaction between these two constructs negatively and significantly influencing firm performance.

Originality/value

Even though employing an entrepreneurial orientation has been long-since linked to facilitating improved firm performance, under-resourced owner-managers of certain smaller-sized enterprises may struggle to implement these activities. In principle, cooperating with competitors can enhance resources/capabilities and lead to mutually beneficial outcomes. Nevertheless, unique insights suggest that the potential exists for coopetition-based networking activities to have detrimental outcomes with respect to entrepreneurially orientated strategies. Consequently, decision-makers are advised to consider the merits of collaborating with their industry rivals, but also be aware of the potential “dark sides” surrounding these behaviours. Furthermore, improved knowledge emerges regarding the stakeholder themes of resource-based theory.
Driving in a man's world: examining gender disparity in the trucking industry
Authors: Scott Alex , Davis-Sramek Beth
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Recent supply chain disruptions have highlighted the global shortage of truck drivers. Because it is a quintessential “masculine” profession, the proportion of women truck drivers is small, although efforts are underway to recruit and retain women. This research offers a comprehensive and theoretically-driven empirical analysis of women in the US trucking industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The research utilizes a detailed longitudinal database of 20 million driver inspections from 2010 to 2019. It is paired with US Social Security Administration data to infer the gender of the driver for each inspection. Descriptive evidence is provided, and a logit model is used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The research finds that female truck drivers make up 3.2% of the inspection sample, but their representation has grown by 23.1% over the last decade. Women are vastly overrepresented in the jobs that are the easiest to get and underrepresented in jobs that offer better pay, more regular hours and more time at home. However, the proportion of women in more desirable truck driving jobs has grown from 2010 to 2019, offering positive news for the industry.

Practical implications

The research offers a more credible and realistic statistic for the proportion of women in the industry, contradicting previous industry figures. The research also highlights policy implications for industry stakeholders.

Social implications

The truck driving industry is vital for a nation's economic sustainability. Truck driving jobs offer better wages and more opportunity than many non-professional female-dominant jobs. The research emphasizes the path to move into jobs that are better suited for women with domestic or family responsibilities.

Originality/value

The authors document hitherto unknown facts about women in the US trucking industry. Using theoretically driven research in organizational science, this study highlights the interplay of supply-side and demand-side factors that help to explain a nuanced perspective of the workforce composition and discusses potential policies to increase the number of female drivers.
Performance measurement of e-commerce supply chains using BWM and fuzzy TOPSIS
Authors: Praneeth Boga Balaji , Nadeem Simon Peter , Vimal K.E.K , Kandasamy Jayakrishna
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to persuade a hybrid framework, which can be used to assess the performance of various supply chains and can be further used to segregate supply chains concerning critical KPMs. The KPMs have been selected in the COVID-19 pandemic condition.

Design/methodology/approach

A real case of e-commerce is presented to illustrate the working of the proposed framework comprising a hybrid methodology of BWM and Fuzzy TOPSIS to measure the performance of the e-commerce supply chains by identifying the critical key performance metrics (KPMs) and measuring the performance of the considered supply chains against these.

Findings

The proposed framework is illustrated using real-time data from experts, collected through interviews and discussions. It is found that rate of return on investment (SCPM 27), flexibility of service systems to meet particular customer needs (SCPM 23) and supplier lead time against industry norm (SCPM 33) are significantly weighed in assessing performance of the selected supply chains, with weights 0.07764, 0.06863 and 0.0547, respectively. Amazon and Flipkart are seen to stand out among the other supply chains taken for the present study with closeness coefficients as 0.945 and 0.516, respectively.

Originality/value

The contemporary world has seen the drastic attack of COVID-19 on many firms worldwide, and hence measuring the performance of the supply chains has become necessary so as to understand the critical factors affecting performance, their relative importance and the firm's relative standings. There have been studies in the recent past where researchers worked on similar motives to generate a framework to measure performance of supply chains, but it is seen that the methodologies lack flexibility with respect to effectively handling large data, uncertainty in human emotions, consistency, etc. This is where the current study stands out in effectively measuring the performance of supply chains so as to aid many firms affected by the pandemic.
Omnichannel as a driver of digitalization: evidence from the emerging market in the fashion industry
Authors: Szozda Natalia
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The aim of the study presented in this paper is to investigate the interrelationships among technologies in retail, webrooming and showrooming purchase intentions and customer experience.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was conducted in the fashion industry in three fashion groups: LPP, CCC and Inditex, which declare to use omnichannel solutions in their supply chains. The study focusses on 825 customers drawn from the emerging market in Poland. The research follows the partial least squares path model procedure.

Findings

Based on the study, it was concluded that out-store technologies are positively associated with omnichannel purchase intentions and also positively associated with cognitive and affective customer experience. This study proves that the boundary between traditional and online stores is beginning to blur, and thanks to new technologies, customers can experience traditional shopping resembling online shopping, and vice-versa.

Research limitations/implications

Although the results provide several major contributions to theory and implications for practitioners, the study still demonstrates some methodological constraints. More specifically, although the study employs a relatively large research sample of 825 shoppers, it still focusses only on a selected group of customers in three fashion groups, LPP, CCC and Inditex, and is limited to investigating a particular type of customer experience solely in the fashion industry.

Originality/value

The results of this study not only verify the theoretical concepts and assumptions of technologies supporting omnichannel retail but also offer a practical roadmap for creating omnichannel solutions providing the best customer experience.
Intelligent human resources for the adoption of artificial intelligence: a systematic literature review
Authors: Jatobá Mariana Namen , Ferreira João J. , Fernandes Paula Odete , Teixeira João Paulo
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This study is dedicated to critically analysing research addressing human resource management (HRM) and the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) with the purpose of driving development in the field of human resources (HR) at the strategic and managerial level.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted using the Scopus database, which gathered 61 articles between 2002 and 2022. The SLR process has the potential to, in addition to generating knowledge and theories, support and guide policy development and practice in many disciplines.

Findings

The results of this study allowed the author to identify three main conclusions: (a) there are four thematic clusters – (i) Strategic HR and AI, (ii) Recruitment and AI, (iii) Training and AI and (iv) Future of work; (b) there is a growing academic interest in studying the implementation of AI to develop the HR sector and (c) the application of AI stands out in the strategic HR and AI cluster as a means of achieving profit maximisation and the overall development of the organisation.

Originality/value

This study is the first SLR to present a strategic and managerial view on AI applications associated with specific HRM dimensions. The study is also the first SLR to identify key trends in the literature, drivers and obstacles to the development of AI in HRM and then place them within the landscape of positive and negative approaches in a framework. Also, as a contribution, the study has practical implications for HR managers and practitioners in adopting AI as a decision support in the area's processes.
Ride-sharing platforms: the effects of online social interactions on loyalty, mediated by perceived benefits
Authors: Zhang Jing , Zhang Linghua , Ma Bei
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This study examines how customer loyalty among DiDi users in China is affected by two types of online social interaction (transactional and interpersonal) and how the online interaction–customer loyalty relationship is mediated by three kinds of perceived benefits (functional, social-hedonic and safety).

Design/methodology/approach

This study empirically examines research hypotheses based on a questionnaire survey of 428 DiDi consumers.

Findings

The results reveal that transactional interactions significantly enhance customer loyalty among DiDi users via the partial mediating effects of customers' perceived functional, social-hedonic and safety benefits. By contrast, interpersonal interactions do not directly influence customer loyalty, and only social-hedonic benefits fully mediate the positive influence of interpersonal interactions on loyalty.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the theoretical development of interactive marketing management by examining how two types of online social interactions contribute to customer loyalty on sharing economy platforms by influencing the perception of benefits. It also provides useful managerial insights to help ride-sharing platforms design online social interaction functions that improve customer perceptions and loyalty.
Heat stress increases risk taking in foraging shorebirds
Authors: Gutiérrez Jorge S. , Catry Teresa , Espinosa‐Colín María , Masero José A. , Granadeiro José Pedro
Published: February 2023

Animals often face a trade‐off between food acquisition and predation/disturbance avoidance. Yet, the extent to which this trade‐off is affected by modulating factors such as thermal risk and foraging opportunities has been largely overlooked.

Here, we examined the influence of temporal and environmental gradients on the flight initiation distance (FID, the distance at which animals flee from an approaching human‐simulated predator) and escape mode (flying/low risk versus running/low cost) in 16 species of shorebirds foraging on tidal flats of the Bijagós Archipelago, Guinea‐Bissau. We measured escape responses throughout the low tide period during wet and dry seasons and simultaneously recorded microclimate variables and occurrence of heat‐reduction behaviour (ptiloerection). Furthermore, we measured corticosterone metabolites (CORTm) from droppings in red knots Calidris canutus to assess whether ptiloerection is associated to a physiological stress response to hot conditions.

Overall, birds tolerated a closer approach at higher environmental temperatures and when showing ptiloerection. They also had shorter FIDs during the dry season and towards the start/end of the low tide period. FIDs also increased with body mass and decreased in areas with more human presence. In red knots, individuals showing ptiloerection had higher levels of CORTm, demonstrating a link between physiological and behavioural stress coping responses to heat events.

Our results suggest that heat‐stressed shorebirds take greater risks, supporting the idea of a thermoregulation–predation risk trade‐off. They also indicate that shorebirds adjust risk taking to tidal and seasonal cycles, generally reducing FIDs when the energetic costs of escape are expected to be large. Finally, they suggest that shorebirds habituate to non‐lethal human presence and respond to perceived predation risk in accordance with the predictions of optimal escape theory.

These results are relevant to many animals that face a tight window for foraging activity while being exposed to predation/disturbance and heat during the day. We discuss management implications of our results in the context of global change.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Acclimation limits for embolism resistance and osmotic adjustment accompany the geographical dry edge of Mediterranean species
Authors: Alon Asaf , Cohen Shabtai , Burlett Régis , Hochberg Uri , Lukyanov Victor , Rog Ido , Klein Tamir , Cochard Hervé , Delzon Sylvain , David‐Schwartz Rakefet
Published: February 2023

Survival and growth of woody species in the Mediterranean are mainly restricted by water availability. We tested the hypothesis that Mediterranean species acclimate their xylem vulnerability and osmotic potential along a precipitation gradient.

We studied five predominant co‐occurring Mediterranean species; Quercus calliprinos, Pistacia palaestina, Pistacia lentiscus, Rhamnus lycioides and Phillyrea latifolia, over two summers at three sites. The driest of the sites is the distribution edge for all the five species. We measured key hydraulic and osmotic traits related to drought resistance, including resistance to embolism (Ψ50) and the seasonal dynamics of water and osmotic potentials.

The leaf water potentials (Ψl) of all species declined significantly along the summer, reaching significantly lower Ψl at the end of summer in the drier sites. Surprisingly, we did not find plasticity along the drought gradient in Ψ50 or osmotic potentials. This resulted in much narrower hydraulic safety margins (HSMs) in the drier sites, where some species experienced significant embolism.

Our analysis indicates that reduction in HSM to null values put Mediterranean species in embolism risk as they approach their hydraulic limit near the geographical dry edge of their distribution.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Gender and Class in Nineteenth‐Century Catholic Charity: Categories of Difference in the Discourses and Practices of the Belgian Vincentians
Authors: Fluit Hannah
Published: February 2023

During the nineteenth century, Catholic charity was an important source of poor relief in Belgium, as well as a means for Catholics to practice and express their devotion. Driven by a renewed religious fervour, men and women actively engaged in lay charitable organisations with the purpose of serving God through the poor and working towards self‐sanctification. Historical research has especially noted women's charitable fervour, furthering the idea that the nineteenth century was characterised by a feminisation of religion. Recent studies have shown, however, that men did not become estranged from religion, and that multiple religious identities and practices existed at the same time across different contexts. Charity attracted both men and women, but the various masculinities and femininities that existed in the charitable space have seldom been explored. This study examines how gender roles were defined in the discourses of Catholic charities and the ways in which these roles structured social interactions among charitable actors, and between them and their recipients. To this end, two lay charities are taken as a case study: the Society and the Ladies of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul, both committed to the practice of poor visits.
Genome‐wide exploration reveals distinctive northern and southern variants of Clonorchis sinensis in the Far East
Authors: Kinkar Liina , Korhonen Pasi K. , Saarma Urmas , Wang Tao , Zhu Xing‐Quan , Harliwong Ivon , Yang Bicheng , Fink J. Lynn , Wang Daxi , Chang Bill C. H. , Chelomina Galina N. , Koehler Anson V. , Young Neil D. , Gasser Robin B.
Published: February 2023

Clonorchis sinensis is a carcinogenic liver fluke that causes clonorchiasis—a neglected tropical disease (NTD) affecting ~35 million people worldwide. No vaccine is available, and chemotherapy relies on one anthelmintic, praziquantel. This parasite has a complex life history and is known to infect a range of species of intermediate (freshwater snails and fish) and definitive (piscivorous) hosts. Despite this biological complexity and the impact of this biocarcinogenic pathogen, there has been no previous study of molecular variation in this parasite on a genome‐wide scale. Here, we conducted the first extensive nuclear genomic exploration of C. sinensis individuals (n = 152) representing five distinct populations from mainland China, and one from Far East Russia, and revealed marked genetic variation within this species between “northern” and “southern” geographical regions. The discovery of this variation indicates the existence of biologically distinct variants within C. sinensis, which may have distinct epidemiology, pathogenicity and/or chemotherapic responsiveness. The detection of high heterozygosity within C. sinensis specimens suggests that this parasite has developed mechanisms to readily adapt to changing environments and/or host species during its life history/evolution. From an applied perspective, the identification of invariable genes could assist in finding new intervention targets in this parasite, given the major clinical relevance of clonorchiasis. From a technical perspective, the genomic‐informatic workflow established herein will be readily applicable to a wide range of other parasites that cause NTDs.
Outcomes and pulmonary function after sleeve lobectomy compared with pneumonectomy in patients with non–small cell lung cancer
Authors: Matsuo Tsubasa , Imai Kazuhiro , Takashima Shinogu , Kurihara Nobuyasu , Kuriyama Shoji , Iwai Hidenobu , Tozawa Kasumi , Saito Hajime , Nomura Kyoko , Minamiya Yoshihiro
Published: February 2023

Background

Sleeve lobectomy is recommended to avoid pneumonectomy and preserve pulmonary function in patients with central lung cancer. However, the relationship between postoperative pulmonary functional loss and resected lung parenchyma volume has not been fully characterized. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between pulmonary function and lung volume in patients undergoing sleeve lobectomy or pneumonectomy.

Methods

A total of 61 lung cancer patients who had undergone pneumonectomy or sleeve lobectomy were analyzed retrospectively. Among them, 20 patients performed pulmonary function tests, including vital capacity (VC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) tests, preoperatively and then about 6 months after surgery. VC and FEV1 ratios were calculated (measured postoperative respiratory function/predicted postoperative respiratory function) as the standardized pulmonary functional loss ratio.

Results

Thirty‐day operation‐related mortality was significantly lower after sleeve lobectomy (3.2%) than pneumonectomy (9.6%). The 5‐year relapse‐free survival rate was 46.67% versus 29.03%, and the 5‐year overall survival rate was 63.33% versus 38.71% in patients receiving sleeve lobectomy versus pneumonectomy. The VC ratio in the pneumonectomy group was better than in the sleeve lobectomy group (1.003 ± 0.117 vs. 0.779 ± 0.12; p = 0.0008), as was the FEV1 ratio (1.132 ± 0.226 vs. 0.851 ± 0.063; p = 0.0038).

Conclusions

Both short‐term and long‐term outcomes were better with sleeve lobectomy than pneumonectomy. However, actual postoperative pulmonary function after pneumonectomy may be better than clinicians expect, and pneumonectomy should still be considered a treatment option for patients with sufficient pulmonary reserve and in whom sleeve lobectomy is less likely to be curative.
Human bocavirus 1 epidemiology in children in relation to virus load and codetection
Authors: Oldhoff Elina , Bennet Rutger , Eriksson Margareta , Allander Tobias
Published: February 2023

Aim

Human bocavirus 1 (HBoV1) has been associated with respiratory tract infections in children. We aimed at retrospectively describing patient characteristics, seasonality, pre‐existing medical conditions, codetections, clinical manifestations and complications of HBoV1 infection in relation to viral load in the child population in Stockholm, with the overarching aim of elucidating the clinical significance of HBoV1.

Methods

We included all hospitalised children 0—17 years testing positive for HBoV1 by real‐time polymerase chain reaction on nasopharyngeal aspirates 1 July 2008—30 June 2019. Patients with HBoV1 single detection, high viral load expressed as an HBoV1‐DNA cycle threshold (Ct) < 25, or both, were separately analysed. We retrieved information on pre‐existing conditions and clinical course from the medical records.

Results

We found 768 episodes in 727 children, 496 (64.6%) male and 441 (60.7%) previously healthy. The median age was 17.6 months. Most (476/768, 62.0%) episodes occurred during December–March. HBoV1 was in 549 episodes (71.5%) codetected with other viruses. Ct < 25 was independently associated with young age, single detection of HBoV1 and presentation early in the epidemic season. We saw few differences in clinical manifestations between the subgroups.

Conclusion

Our findings are consistent with primary HBoV1 infection causing mild‐to‐severe respiratory tract manifestations in young children.
Internet activities and social and community participation among young people with learning disabilities
Authors: Ågren Kristin Alfredsson , Hemmingsson Helena , Kjellberg Anette
Published: February 2023

Background

A digital lag has been reported on access to the internet and performing internet activities for young people with learning disabilities in everyday life.

Aim

The aim of this study is to explore environmental opportunities and challenges when performing internet activities and how internet use influences social and community participation for young people with learning disabilities from the perspectives of the target group.

Methods

An inductive design was applied, with focused observations and follow‐up interviews of 15 internet‐using young persons with learning disabilities in their everyday settings. The data was analysed interpretatively using open coding.

Findings

The environment offered both opportunities and challenges in terms of the design of digital devices and digital support. Support from peers was often preferred. All participants performed internet activities related to social participation although not all used social media. Searching for information was performed, however, finding the information or understanding it was challenging and led to restricted participation in the community.

Conclusion

More examples of internet use positively influencing social participation were found, contrary to community participation. It is indicated that concrete learning situations when using the internet for social participation were more adapted to the participants and promoted this type of participation, contrary to situations of internet use influencing community participation.
Does the new digital infrastructure improve total factor productivity?
Authors: Tang Junjun , Zhao Xing
Published: February 2023

Improving total factor productivity (TFP) is essential to achieving high‐quality and sustainable economic development. The existing literature mainly focuses on the impact of traditional infrastructure on TFP but generally ignores the role of new digital infrastructure in TFP and does not test impact mechanisms and whether there is heterogeneity in effects. Using panel data of 30 regions in China from 2006 to 2017, this paper analyzes the impact of new digital infrastructure on TFP and its mechanisms. The results are as follows: (1) New digital infrastructure can significantly improve regional TFP. After the robustness test, the results still support the findings. (2) New digital infrastructure can promote technological innovation, optimize factor allocation, and achieve economies of scale, thus improving TFP. (3) Further analysis shows that the positive effect of new digital infrastructure on TFP shows significant heterogeneity. In regions with high economic development levels, high research and development (R&D) levels, and high traditional infrastructure development levels, the positive effect of new digital infrastructure on TFP is more obvious. These findings not only enrich the literature on digital infrastructure and economic growth but also serve as a reference for governmental departments as they optimize their strategy for developing digital infrastructure and realizing sustainable economic development.
Conceptualizing responsible exits in conservation philanthropy
Authors: Le Cornu Elodie , Gruby Rebecca L. , Blackwatters Jeffrey E. , Enrici Ash , Basurto Xavier , Betsill Michele
Published: February 2023

Conservation philanthropy has grown significantly in the past decade. As the number of philanthropic‐supported conservation initiatives increases, so too will the frequency of exits—the ending of funding relationships. A trend toward “strategic philanthropy,” where foundations fund time‐limited grants, is already contributing to near‐constant exits. We draw attention to exits as a critical and ubiquitous—yet understudied—part of conservation grantmaking processes that can have tremendous impacts on the people and places foundations invest in. This paper begins to address this research gap with the first empirical study of exit processes in the context of ocean conservation philanthropy. We draw on an analysis of interviews and a knowledge co‐production workshop with donors representing 36 foundations investing in ocean conservation globally to: (1) develop a conceptual framework that broadens and clarifies definitions of exits and provides a common language to characterize exits along varied dimensions, and (2) derive best practices for exiting responsibly. This paper provides timely guidance for environmental philanthropy broadly, including the need to think about exits early and often as an integral part of the grantmaking strategy. Responsible giving must include responsible exits.
Cytopathological features associated with POLE mutation in endometrial cancer
Authors: Yanazume Shintaro , Iwakiri Kaori , Kobayashi Yusuke , Kitazono Ikumi , Akahane Toshiaki , Mizuno Mika , Togami Shinichi , Tanimoto Akihide , Kobayashi Hiroaki
Published: February 2023

Objective

For patients with endometrial cancer, the POLE (polymerase epsilon) mutation (POLEmut)‐subtype, one of four molecular‐analysis‐based categories in the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), has the best prognosis. The following histological characteristics are typically observed in endometroid carcinoma cases with the POLEmut‐subtype: (1) the presence of tumour giant cells, (2) numerous tumour‐infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and/or peri‐tumoral lymphocytes, and (3) a high grade. However, in the context of cytology, the morphological characteristics of this subtype remain unknown.

Methods

DNA extracted from formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded (FFPE) tissues was subjected to next‐generation sequencing analysis and categorised according to the TCGA classifications. Genomic mutation, tumour mutation burden (TMB), and microsatellite instability were also assessed. Cytological specimens of resected uteri obtained using the Papanicolaou method were histologically separated into three types.

Results

Seven out of 112 patients (6%) with endometrial cancer were diagnosed with the POLEmut‐subtype between January 2019 and August 2021. Tumour giant cells were observed in three cases (43%) on histology and cytology. TIL and/or peritumoral lymphocytes with inflammatory cells were detected in five cases (71%) on histology and three cases (43%) on cytology. Cases in which these three characteristics were observed on both cytology and histology may have belonged to the POLEmut‐subtype. There were no cases in which these characteristics were absent on histology but present on cytology. TMB tended to be higher in cases when the three characteristics were observed in both cytological and histological findings.

Conclusions

Preoperative endometrial cytology highlighted the characteristics of the POLEmut‐subtype in the histological analysis of resected uterine specimens and has the potential to play an important role in treatment decisions.