bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bayesian genome scale modelling identifies thermal determinants of yeast metabolism
Authors: Li Gang , Hu Yating , Wang Hao , Zelezniak Aleksej , Ji Boyang , Zrimec Jan , Nielsen Jens
Published: April 2020

The molecular basis of how temperature affects cell metabolism has been a long-standing question in biology, where the main obstacles are the lack of high-quality data and methods to associate temperature effects on the function of individual proteins as well as to combine them at a systems level. Here we develop and apply a Bayesian modeling approach to resolve the temperature effects in genome scale metabolic models (GEM). The approach minimizes uncertainties in enzymatic thermal parameters and greatly improves the predictive strength of the GEMs. The resulting temperature constrained yeast GEM uncovered enzymes that limit growth at superoptimal temperatures, and squalene epoxidase (ERG1) was predicted to be the most rate limiting. By replacing this single key enzyme with an ortholog from a thermotolerant yeast strain, we obtained a thermotolerant strain that outgrew the wild type, demonstrating the critical role of sterol metabolism in yeast thermosensitivity. Therefore, apart from identifying thermal determinants of cell metabolism and enabling the design of thermotolerant strains, our Bayesian GEM approach facilitates modelling of complex biological systems in the absence of high-quality data and therefore shows promise for becoming a standard tool for genome scale modeling.
Genome-wide bisulfite sequencing data of normal andAscosphaera apis-infected larval guts of eastern honeybee
Authors: Du Yu , Zhu Zhiwei , Chen Huazhi , Fan Yuanchan , Wang Jie , Fan Xiaoxue , Jiang Haibin , Xiong Cuiling , Zheng Yanzhen , Chen Dafu , Guo Rui
Published: April 2020

Apis cerana cerana, a subspecies of eastern honey,Apis cerana, plays a specific role in beekeeping industry and ecosystem in China and other Asian countries. Larvae ofA. c. ceranacan be infected byAscosphaera apis, the fungal pathogen of chalkbrood. In this article, normal 4-, 5-, and 6-day-old larval guts (AcCK1, AcCK2, AcCK3) andA. apis-infected 4-, 5- and 6-day-old larval guts (AcT1, AcT2, AcT3) ofA. c. ceranaworkers were respectively harvested followed by DNA isolation, bisulfite conversion, cDNA library construction and Illumina sequencing. Based on genome-wide bisulfite sequencing, 79167210, 82175052, 79331489, 81051009, 74742842 and 74849091 raw reads were generated from AcCK1, AcCK2, AcCK3, AcT1, AcT2 and AcT3, and after quality control, 73417030 (92.73%), 76660370 (93.27%), 71804727 (90.44%), 75046507 (92.82%), 67487782 (90.30%) and 67367023 (90.04%) clean reads were obtained, respectively. Additionally, 73333333, 76533333, 71466667, 75066667, 67590965 and 67200000 clean reads were mapped to the reference genome ofA. cerana, including 54656767, 58583415, 54127407, 57943220, 52547867 and 51295824 unique mapped clean reads, and 8624392, 8789458, 7531333, 7747337, 6249679 and 5394174 multiple mapped clean reads. The genome-wide bisulfite sequencing data reported here can be used for genome-wide identification of 5mC methylation sites in eastern honeybee larval guts and systematic investigation of DNA methylation-mediated host response toA. apisinfection.

Value of the data

The current dataset contributes to genome-wide identification of 5mC methylation sites in normal andA. apis-infected larval guts of eastern honeybee.

The reported data could be used for systematic investigation of DNA methylation-mediated response of eastern honeybee larvae toA. apisinfection.

Our data offers a valuable genetic resource for better understanding epigenetic regulation mechanism involved in eastern honeybee larvae-A. apisinteraction.
A rapid, super-selective method for detection of single nucleotide variants inC. elegans
Authors: Touroutine Denis , Tanis Jessica E.
Published: April 2020

With the widespread use of single nucleotide variants generated through mutagenesis screens, the million mutation project, and genome editing technologies, there is pressing need for an efficient and low-cost strategy to genotype single nucleotide substitutions. We have developed a rapid and inexpensive method for detection of point mutants through optimization of SuperSelective (SS) primers for end point PCR inCaenorhabditis elegans. Each SS primer consists of a 5’ “anchor” that hybridizes to the template, followed by a non-complementary “bridge,” and a “foot” corresponding to the target allele. The foot sequence is short, such that a single mismatch at the terminal 3’ nucleotide destabilizes primer binding and prevents extension, enabling discrimination of different alleles. We explored how length, stability, and sequence composition of each SS primer segment affected selectivity and efficiency in order to develop simple rules for primer design that allow for distinction between any mismatches in various genetic contexts over a broad range of annealing temperatures. Manipulating bridge length affects amplification efficiency, while modifying the foot sequence can increase discriminatory power. Flexibility in the positioning of the anchor enables SS primers to be used for genotyping in regions with sequences that are challenging for standard primer design. In summary, we have demonstrated flexibility in design of SS primers and their utility for genotyping inC. elegans. Since SS primers reliably detect single nucleotide variants, we propose that this method could have broad application for SNP mapping, screening of CRISPR mutants, and colony PCR to identify successful site-directed mutagenesis constructs.
Functional diversification of Ser-Arg rich protein kinases to control ubiquitin-dependent neurodevelopmental signalling
Authors: Bustos Francisco , Segarra-Fas Anna , Nardocci Gino , Cassidy Andrew , Antico Odetta , Brandenburg Lennart , Macartney Thomas , Toth Rachel , Hastie C. James , Gourlay Robert , Vargese Joby , Soares Renata , Montecino Martin , Findlay Greg M.
Published: April 2020

Conserved protein kinases with core cellular functions have been frequently redeployed during metazoan evolution to regulate specialized developmental processes. Ser-Arg Repeat Protein Kinase (SRPK) is one such conserved eukaryotic kinase, which controls mRNA splicing. Surprisingly, we show that SRPK has acquired a novel function in regulating a neurodevelopmental ubiquitin signalling pathway. In mammalian embryonic stem cells, SRPK phosphorylates Ser-Arg motifs in RNF12/RLIM, a key developmental E3 ubiquitin ligase that is mutated in an intellectual disability syndrome. Processive phosphorylation by SRPK stimulates RNF12-dependent ubiquitylation of transcription factor substrates, thereby acting to restrain a neural gene expression programme that is aberrantly expressed in intellectual disability. SRPK family genes are also mutated in intellectual disability disorders, and patient-derived SRPK point mutations impair RNF12 phosphorylation. Our data reveal unappreciated functional diversification of SRPK to regulate ubiquitin signalling that ensures correct regulation of neurodevelopmental gene expression.
Psychodynamic psychotherapy in severe and profound intellectual disability
Authors: Himmerich Julian
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Psychodynamic psychotherapy is increasingly adapted and used with individuals with intellectual disability (ID) and mental health difficulties. However, the evidence base is still small and largely based on case studies and small trials whose participants mainly have mild to moderate ID. This paper aims to review and critique the literature in regards to the adaptations; and the effectiveness of psychodynamic psychotherapy for those with severe and profound ID.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature search of PsycINFO, Social Policy and Practice, Medline, Cumulative Index to nursing and allied health literature and applied social sciences index and abstracts was conducted. Six studies met inclusion criteria and underwent a quality evaluation and critical review.

Findings

Six papers (all case studies) met inclusion criteria and underwent a quality evaluation and critical review. Some adaptations to therapy were reported, such as a more flexible therapeutic frame and increased use of the physical environment as a therapeutic tool. Due to significant methodological weaknesses of the included studies, it is yet unclear whether psychodynamic psychotherapy is an effective intervention for individuals with severe and profound ID.

Research limitations/implications

Only a small number of case studies met the inclusion criteria. Further research should use more robust outcome measures, larger samples and compare psychodynamic psychotherapy to alternative interventions.

Originality/value

This paper is the first to review the psychodynamic psychotherapy literature with regard to its effectiveness as a treatment specifically for individuals with severe and profound ID and mental health difficulties.
Motives to engage with sports brands on Facebook and Instagram–The case of a Portuguese football club
Authors: Machado Joana César , Martins Carla Carvalho , Ferreira Frederico Correia , Silva Susana C. , Duarte Paulo Alexandre
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Social network sites are key marketing tools that allow brands to connect and engage with consumers. However, there is still a lack of evidence of their value for football brands. This research aims to understand the motivations for fans to engage with their favourite football brands on Facebook and Instagram.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey was performed, resulting in 214 valid responses. As the social media strategy followed by the football brand analysed was built around games, the authors divided fans into two groups based on the main method in which the club's games are watched: in stadium versus mediated. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to explore the relationship between motivations and fans' engagement, through content consumption and contribution, on Facebook and Instagram. Analysis was performed first with the whole sample and then by group (stadium attendance vs mediated attendance fans).

Findings

The findings show that social influence, entertainment, searching for information and rewards are the most relevant motivations for consumers to engage with brand-related content on Facebook. Entertainment, rewards and social influence are the main motivations influencing consumer interactions on Instagram. Group moderation was only confirmed in the impact of social influence on Facebook page content consumption.

Originality/value

The results provide valuable insights into the social media marketing activities of sports brands, which will assist brand managers to develop strategies for effectively stimulating engagement with the different groups of fans.
Social inequality and access to social capital in microfinance interventions
Authors: Singh Mudit Kumar , Lee Jaemin
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine the inequality perpetuated through social categories in accessing the social capital generated through the microfinance interventions in India as the country has pronounced economic inequality by social categories like many developing stratified societies.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses survey data collected from 75 villages in rural India and tests whether the formation and maximization of social capital through self-help groups (SHGs) is dominated by social categories, e.g. high-caste groups, males and superior occupation classes. Using logistic regression framework, the study assesses the formation and maximization of social capital through multiple SHG membership.

Findings

The paper finds that the microfinance approach of empowering weaker sections is considerably limited in its success, in the sense that it provides them with the opportunity to the credit access and support through SHGs. But, the empirical model further indicates that social capital in form of these SHGs may fall prey to the dominant social categories, and thus, these institutions may potentially enhance inequality.

Research limitations/implications

The paper is derived from the secondary data set, so it is unable to comment field reality qualitatively.

Practical implications

Microfinance policy makers will have an improved understanding of inherent social inequalities while implementing group-based programs in socially stratified societies.

Originality/value

Social capital, if treated as an outcome accumulated in form of groups, provides with an important framework to assess the unequal access through the microfinance interventions. Overlooking the inherent unequal access will deceive the purpose of social justice in the group-based interventions. The microfinance and other welfare policies engaged in group formation and generating the social capital need to be more sensitive to the disadvantageous sections while focusing on multiple group access by disadvantaged social groups.
Let's ask our students what really matters to them
Authors: Cladera Magdalena
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Students' feedback is of great importance to the development of knowledge about teaching in higher education. One of the main purposes for which this feedback is collected is teaching quality assessment, usually conducted through course and teacher evaluations completed at the end of the course. However, for improving students' perceptions of teaching quality, their prior expectations should be identified first and the aspects that they consider relevant for a “good teaching” should be found out. Moreover, obtaining feedback at the end of a course could not benefit the respondents themselves. This work analyses students' opinions about the importance of several aspects related to the quality of teaching in an undergraduate course.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire was administered to gather students' opinions about the importance of several aspects related to the quality of teaching in an undergraduate course. Differences in the mean score of each aspect depending on students' characteristics were also analyzed.

Findings

The teaching characteristics that students considered more important were lecturer enthusiasm, the organization of the lectures and materials, the examination methods and feedbacks, the interest and intellectual challenge of the course and the friendliness, interest and accessibility of the lecturer. Differences in the importance of the different aspects exist depending on gender, expected grade and prior interest in the subject.

Originality/value

Results could help lecturers to do a better programming of the different features of the course and prepare the subject more effectively, which is likely to positively impact student satisfaction; student satisfaction, in turn, has been related to an improvement in students' performance.
A review of inter-firm relationship quality in supply chains
Authors: Qian Chen , Seuring Stefan , Wagner Ralf
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to conduct a review of the recent literature on inter-firm relationship quality (RQ) in the supply chain (SC) settings.

Design/methodology/approach

100 English-language scientific publications on inter-firm RQ, published from 2006 to 2015 were selected and analyzed by using a content analysis approach.

Findings

The results of the frequency analysis map the antecedents, dimensions and consequences – particularly the performance and behavioral intentions of collaborating partners – of buyer–seller RQ presented in the current literature. The contingency analysis offers insights into the use of relevant constructs of inter-firm RQ in SCs in the individual papers. A range of research gaps is uncovered.

Research limitations/implications

The category building for the content analysis was based on an RQ framework that focuses on the mediator structure and neglects the effects of moderators.

Practical implications

The developed framework of inter-firm RQ in SCs provides managers with a guide to the relevant influencing factors, evaluation indicators and consequences of the quality of their relationships with SC partners.

Originality/value

This paper provides the first literature review at the intersection of RQ and SC. The research framework developed specifies the use of the previous RQ framework in the business-to-business and SC context. A critique of the existing studies is discussed and the agenda for future research are suggested.
Leadership style effect on virtual team efficiency: trust, operational cohesion and media richness roles
Authors: Ben Sedrine Sinda , Bouderbala Amel , Nasraoui Hamza
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to explain the effect of leadership styles on a virtual team efficiency, assuming the existence of mediating variables (media richness) influencing this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected within the framework of an online survey based on a sample of 300 observations (MENA region) with respondents from the IT sector. These results were generated by SPSS and AMOS 23 software and treated using an exploratory factor analysis and modeling by structural equation.

Findings

The results of the research attest that trust and operational cohesion play a mediating role between leadership styles and team performance. They also confirm that leadership styles impact operational cohesion and group trust according to different levels of media richness, thus creating different situations fluctuating according to its level.

Research limitations/implications

From a methodological point of view, the sample choice was not diversified. Only the IT companies are concerned with this study. Therefore, the generalization of obtained results can be questioned. The research results could be refined by trying to highlight trust mediating variable through antecedents evoked by Mayer et al. (1995) or Williams (2001), namely, competence, benevolence or even integrity. Competence and benevolence deserve, on the conceptual plan, to be fully integrated to the definition itself of trust under penalty of see the concept itself of trust impoverish considerably (Mayeret al., 1995).

Practical implications

On a practical level, the optimal efficiency of a virtual team depends on a high level of media richness with a transformational leadership mobilized by the managers that would favor a good operational cohesion of the group. Various techniques could be employed to improve a social dynamic of the group (periodic conference calls, face to face meetings, team building).

Originality/value

This research clarifies how leadership styles influence virtual team efficiency through operational cohesion and trust. Furthermore, this research reaffirms, in addition from previous works, that the communication means to which virtual teams recur influence the degree of operating cohesion and increase that of performance.
A multidimensional platform ecosystem framework
Authors: Yablonsky Sergey
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Ecosystems that support digital businesses maximize the economic value of network connections. This forces a shift toward platforms and ecosystems that are collaborative by nature by applying business models with multiple actors playing multiple roles. The purpose of this study is to show how the main concepts emerging from research on digital platform ecosystems (DPEs) could be organized in a taxonomy-based framework with different levels or dimensions of analysis. This study discusses some of the contingencies at these different levels and argues that future research needs to study DPEs across multiple levels of analysis. While this integrative framework allows the comparison, contrast and integration of various perspectives at different levels of analysis, further theorizing will be needed to advance the DPE research. The multidimensional framework proposed here involves the use of a multimethodological approach that incorporates a synergy of businesses, technological innovations and management methods to provide support for research in interrelationships across platform ecosystems (PEs) on a regular basis.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper proposes a new PE framework by constructing a formal taxonomy model that explains a vast group of phenomena produced by the PEs.

Findings

In addition to illustrating the PE taxonomy framework, this study also proposes a clear and precise description and structuring of the information in the ecosystem domain. The PE framework assists in identification, creation, assessment and disclosure research of platform business ecosystems.

Research limitations/implications

Because of the large number of taxonomy concepts (over 200), only main taxonomy fragments are shown in the paper.

Practical implications

The outcomes of this research could be used for planning, oversight and control over ecosystem management and the use of ecosystem’s knowledge-related resources for research purposes.

Originality/value

The PE framework is original and represents an effective tool for observing PEs.
Additive manufacturing revolution in ceramic microsystems
Authors: Nawrot Witold , Malecha Karol
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review possibilities of implementing ceramic additive manufacturing (AM) into electronic device production, which can enable great new possibilities.

Design/methodology/approach

A short introduction into additive techniques is included, as well as primary characterization of structuring capabilities, dielectric performance and applicability in the electronic manufacturing process.

Findings

Ceramic stereolithography (SLA) is suitable for microchannel manufacturing, even using a relatively inexpensive system. This method is suitable for implementation into the electronic manufacturing process; however, a search for better materials is desired, especially for improved dielectric parameters, lowered sintering temperature and decreased porosity.

Practical implications

Relatively inexpensive ceramic SLA, which is now available, could make ceramic electronics, currently restricted to specific applications, more available.

Originality/value

Ceramic AM is in the beginning phase of implementation in electronic technology, and only a few reports are currently available, the most significant of which is mentioned in this paper.
Film analysis in management: a journey through the metaphors of the concept of leadership
Authors: Aoki Vanessa Cristina Grabowski , Simi dos Santos Silvia Spagnol
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The use of film language in management is an interesting method to understand the concept of leadership in the internal and external contexts of organizations, by means of metaphors. Thus, the objective of this study was to analyze the metaphors of leadership in a movie.

Design/methodology/approach

This was a qualitative research, which used the strategy of film analysis and content analysis (Bardin, 2016). Data were collected by scene decoupage, registered in an observation protocol. In the field of management, there is a growing interest in film analysis for understanding organizations, from inside and outside, by using dynamic methodologies.

Findings

The use of metaphors in film analysis made it possible to interpret concepts, for a better understanding of organizations. The identified leaders, despite adopting different attitudes at work, reach a common goal, with gains for the community.

Originality/value

This article also contributes to reflect on the teaching–learning process of management research through different methodological dimensions.
Brand experience and brand attachment as drivers of WOM in hospitality
Authors: Gómez-Suárez Mónica , Veloso Mónica
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a model to measure the impact of brand experience in the hotel industry, on word-of-mouth (WOM) recommendations while accounting for the possible mediating role of people’s emotional attachment with the brand.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through an online survey of 416 hotel customers. The proposed model was tested with structural equations modelling (SEM).

Findings

The results suggest that brand experience in the hotel sector is a consequence of four dimensions: location, ambience, staff and Web, in that order of influence. In addition, the study confirms the mediating role of emotional attachment in the relationship between experience and WOM recommendations. However, the experience itself has a greater direct impact than the attachment.

Practical implications

By knowing the dimensions that comprise the hotel brand experience, managers can design more impactful experiences that create strong links with guests, thereby increasing WOM recommendations.

Originality/value

This paper enriches the existing literature on brand experience in the hospitality sector and provides evidence of the mediating role of emotional bonding. Previous research has proven that linking is a consequence of experience, but not yet examined its mediating role.
Assessment of residential institute foodservice using Kano categorization and importance–performance analysis
Authors: Roy Aayush Singha , Bose Dipankar , Bera U.K.
Published: April 2020

Purpose

In this article, we identify various foodservice-related attributes that are important for undergraduate students residing in hostels and avail service from specific foodservice providers. We also investigate the performance of attributes to determine areas where the foodservice providers should maintain a high performance or where improvement is required.

Design/methodology/approach

We apply the Kano methodology to design the questionnaire for 24 different attributes. For each attribute, we construct three questions; namely, functional type, dysfunctional type, and performance of the hostel foodservice. We collect a total of 317 responses. We use multiple methods to determine the dominant category. Finally, combining the values of these methods, we study relative positions of the attributes in the importance–performance grid.

Findings

Based on the Kano categorization, quality-related attributes are most important, followed by hygiene, comfort, availability, variety, and time, in the descending order. The gender of the respondent plays an important role in categorization of some attributes. Using the importance–performance analysis, we identify the attributes where the foodservice provider should maintain a high performance or where improvement is required. Improvements in some attributes are difficult due to foodservice provider's self-assessment of high performance or high difficulty for improvement.

Originality/value

In this study, we examine the importance of various foodservice attributes among undergraduate residential students. We combine multiple methods of Kano categorization to compute importance values of the attributes. We also investigate the reasons behind the gap between student's and foodservice manager's perception of the performance of these attributes.
Fishing technique: A novel way to prevent oesophageal stent migration
Authors: Wong Kevin KF , Lai KM , Yiu CW , Leung SK
Published: April 2020

Self‐expandable metallic stent (SEMS) is commonly used in treating oesophageal disorders but migration is not uncommon. A special method, the Fishing technique, is introduced in this article to show how it works in a complicated oesophageal perforation case.
Intraductal papillary neoplasm in common bile duct opening into the stomach
Authors: Lai Victoria Cindy , Lai Eric C.H. , Tang Chung Ngai
Published: April 2020

Ectopic bile duct openings are uncommonly encountered and due to limited reports, the incidence and work up are not well delineated. We therefore present our experience in the assessment and management of one such case. A 62‐year‐old lady presented with obstructive jaundice. Final investigation results revealed intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct (IPNB) in an ectopic common bile duct (CBD) inserting ectopically into the lesser curve of the stomach with a normal pancreatic duct opening into the duodenum. Anatomical delineation and staging was done using computer tomography (CT) scan and endoscopic cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Robotic distal gastrectomy, extrahepatic bile duct excision with porta lymph node dissection, and hepaticojejunostomy with Roux‐en‐Y reconstruction was performed. The blood loss and operation time were 200 mL and 301 minutes, respectively. Pathology showed IPNB with high grade dysplasia and clear margins. After transient gastroparesis, the patient recovered and was disease‐free at 1 year postoperatively. Ectopic biliary drainage into the stomach is extremely rare, but its recognition may help identify the cause of certain clinical conditions and prevent bile duct injury during surgery if required.
The practice of breast reconstruction with abdominal tissue in a Hong Kong high caseload centre
Authors: Liu Hin‐Lun , Suen Dacita , Kwong Ava
Published: April 2020

Aim

In the recent few years, the breast centre of Hong Kong West Cluster, that is Queen Mary Hospital and Tung Wah Hospital, has had the highest caseload of breast reconstruction among all hospitals in the Hospital Authority. Immediate breast reconstruction with abdominal tissue is the most common surgery performed for our breast cancer patients. In this article, the goal and timing of reconstruction, various reconstructive options, our experience in breast reconstruction using abdominal tissue and the extra microvascular procedures are described.

Patients and Methods

From January 2016 to December 2018, 155 female patients underwent breast reconstruction. The mean age was 46.5 (range 32–68 years). All required total mastectomy as the treatment of breast cancer.

Results

A total of 163 breast reconstructions were performed in our unit. 153 (93.9%) were reconstructions with autologous tissue, 10 (6.1%) were pure implant reconstructions. Of the 153 autologous tissue reconstructions, 123 (80.4%) were abdominal tissue reconstructions and 30 (19.6%) were latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap reconstructions.

Conclusions

Abdomen is the most popular donor site of autologous tissue for breast reconstruction. Pedicled transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap and free deep inferior epigastric perforator flap are the reliable flap options. Venous superdrainage is an extra procedure that was performed routinely in TRAM breast reconstruction to reduce the incidence of venous congestion.
Diurnal feeding as a potential mechanism of osmoregulation in aphids
Authors: Nalam Vamsi , Isaacs Travis , Moh Sarah , Kansman Jessica , Finke Deborah , Albrecht Tessa , Nachappa Punya
Published: April 2020

Diurnal variation in phloem sap composition has a strong influence on aphid performance. The sugar‐rich phloem sap serves as the sole diet for aphids and a suite of physiological mechanisms and behaviors allow them to tolerate the high osmotic stress. Here, we tested the hypothesis that night‐time feeding by aphids is a behavior that takes advantage of the low sugar diet in the night to compensate for osmotic stress incurred while feeding on high sugar diet during the day. Using the electrical penetration graph (EPG) technique, we examined the effects of diurnal rhythm on feeding behaviors of bird cherry‐oat aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi L.) on wheat. A strong diurnal rhythm in aphids as indicated by the presence of a cyclical pattern of expression in a core clock gene did not impact aphid feeding and similar feeding behaviors were observed during day and night. The major difference observed between day and night feeding was that aphids spent significantly longer time in phloem salivation during the night compared to the day. In contrast, aphid hydration was reduced at the end of the day‐time feeding compared to end of the night‐time feeding. Gene expression analysis of R. padi osmoregulatory genes indicated that sugar breakdown and water transport into the aphid gut was reduced at night. These data suggest that while diurnal variation occurs in phloem sap composition, aphids use night‐time feeding to overcome the high osmotic stress incurred while feeding on sugar‐rich phloem sap during the day.
Evaluating survey methods for bat roost detection in ecological impact assessment
Authors: Froidevaux J. S. P. , Boughey K. L. , Hawkins C. L. , Jones G. , Collins J.
Published: April 2020

The disturbance, damage and destruction of roosts are key drivers of bat population declines worldwide. In countries where bats are protected by law, bat roost surveys are often required to inform ecological impact assessments. Yet, evidence‐based information on survey methodology to detect bat roosts is crucially lacking, and failing to detect a roost can lead to serious errors during decision‐making processes. Here, we assess the efficacy of bat roost surveys in buildings as implemented in the UK. These consist of a daytime inspection of buildings, followed by a series of acoustic surveys at dusk/dawn if during the daytime inspection evidence of bats is found, or if the absence of bats cannot be verified. We reviewed 155 ecological consultants’ reports to (1) compare survey outcome between daytime inspection and acoustic surveys and (2) determine the minimum sampling effort required during acoustic surveys to be confident that no bats are roosting within a building. We focused on two genera of bats most frequently found in buildings in Europe – Pipistrellus (crevice roosting species with high‐intensity echolocation calls that can be easily detected by ultrasound detectors) and Plecotus (species that roost in open spaces and which emit faint echolocation calls that are difficult to detect). Daytime inspections were efficient in detecting open‐roosting species such as Plecotus species but were likely to miss the presence of crevice‐dwelling ones (here Pipistrellus species) which may lead to erroneous conclusions if no acoustic surveys are subsequently prescribed to confirm their absence. A minimum of three and four acoustic surveys are required to be 95% confident that a building does not host a roost of Pipistrellus species and Plecotus species, respectively, thus exceeding current recommendations. Overall, we demonstrated that reports submitted as part of an ecological impact assessment provide suitable data to test and improve survey methods.
Estimating Long‐Run Incarceration Rates for Australia, Canada, England and Wales, New Zealand, and the United States
Authors: Leigh Andrew
Published: April 2020

Compiling data from dozens of archival sources, I assemble the most extensive series to date of the long‐run imprisonment rate for five English‐speaking nations: Australia, Canada, England and Wales, New Zealand, and the United States. These series are constructed as a share of adults rather than the entire population, and I discuss why the latter can be misleading. In the late‐nineteenth century, Australia had the highest incarceration rate of these nations. Today, the United States has the highest rate. With the exception of Canada, incarceration rates have risen markedly since the mid‐1980s. These new series are made available in full, to allow other researchers to explore the consequences and causes of incarceration.
Prevalence of risk factors for sudden infant death among Indigenous and non‐Indigenous people in Australia
Authors: Shipstone Rebecca A. , Young Jeanine , Kearney Lauren , Thompson John M. D.
Published: April 2020

Aim

To examine differences in the prevalence of risk factors for sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI) between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non‐Indigenous infants.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study of SUDI in Queensland during 2010‐2014 examined exposure to SUDI risk factors, to identify factors accounting for higher SUDI mortality among Indigenous infants. A multistage algorithm was applied to linked data to determine Indigenous status.

Results

There were 228 SUDI, of which Indigenous infants comprised 26.8%. The Indigenous SUDI rate was 2.13/1000 live births compared to 0.72/1000 for non‐Indigenous. The disparity between Indigenous and non‐Indigenous SUDI was accounted for by surface sharing (OR = 2.93 95% CI = 1.41, 6.07), smoking (OR = 2.49, 95% CI = 1.13, 5.52), and a combination of background antenatal and sociodemographic factors (inadequate antenatal care [OR = 6.93, 95% CI = 2.20, 21.86], young maternal age at first birth [OR = 4.02, 95% CI = 1.49, 10.80] and outer regional [OR = 3.03, 95% CI = 1.37, 6.72] and remote locations [OR = 11.31, 95% CI = 3.47, 36.83]).

Conclusion

Culturally responsive prevention efforts, including wrap‐around maternity care and strategies that reduce maternal smoking and promote safer yet culturally acceptable ways of surface sharing, may reduce Indigenous SUDI mortality.
Vaccination coverage of children with chronic diseases is inadequate especially for specifically recommended vaccines
Authors: Diallo Diariatou , Santal Claire , Lagrée Marion , Martinot Alain , Dubos François
Published: April 2020

Aim

Our objectives were to measure the vaccine coverage rates for children with chronic diseases as well as the prevalence of potentially harmful delays for generally recommended vaccines. We also identified the factors influencing non‐adherence to vaccines specifically recommended for chronic conditions.

Methods

Three non‐interventional point‐prevalence surveys were performed in 2014 in all paediatric units at Lille University Hospital among children aged 2 months‐18 years with chronic diseases and vaccination data. Vaccine coverage and delays for generally recommended vaccines were studied. The children who were up‐to‐date and those under‐vaccinated for specifically indicated vaccines were compared and the factors potentially associated with under‐vaccination were studied with multivariable analysis.

Results

We screened 682 patients: of 207 with chronic diseases, mainly neurological, muscular and respiratory disorders, 146 had vaccination data. Only 47% (95% confidence interval 39‐55) were up‐to‐date for all generally recommended vaccinations; potentially harmful vaccination delays were high (26%‐75%). Only 11% of the 81% of patients for whom some vaccines were specifically recommended were up‐to‐date. Low maternal education level was significantly associated with under‐vaccination (adjusted odds ratio 10.5, 95% confidence interval 1.3‐86.9, P = .03).

Conclusion

This study showed inadequate vaccine coverage rates and significant delays among children with chronic diseases.
Experience with provisional WHO‐entities large B‐cell lymphoma with IRF4‐rearrangement and Burkitt‐like lymphoma with 11q aberration in paediatric patients of the NHL‐BFM group
Authors: Au‐Yeung Rex K. H. , Arias Padilla Laura , Zimmermann Martin , Oschlies Ilske , Siebert Reiner , Woessmann Wilhelm , Burkhardt Birgit , Klapper Wolfram
Published: April 2020

Large B‐cell lymphoma with IRF4 rearrangement, and Burkitt‐like lymphoma with 11q aberration are two provisional lymphoma entities in the 2017 revision of the WHO classification of lymphoid neoplasms. Despite being more frequent in young patients, knowledge regarding their true incidence and clinical features in unselected cohorts of paediatric and adolescent patients is limited. We screened for both entities among paediatric patients (<18 years of age) in the German NHL‐BFM (Non‐Hodgkin lymphoma Berlin‐Frankfurt‐Münster) group. Among follicular lymphomas and diffuse large B‐cell lymphomas (DLBCL), 7/34 cases (21%) showed an IRF4 break‐apart pattern by fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) and are associated with stages I and II disease (P = 0·043). Among lymphomas morphologically resembling Burkitt lymphoma, DLBCL and high‐grade B‐cell lymphoma, unclassifiable, 13/102 cases (13%) lacked a MYC break‐apart pattern but were positive for 11q proximal gain and telomeric loss by FISH. MYC‐negative Burkitt‐like lymphomas with the typical 11q gain‐loss pattern by FISH were older (P = 0·004), showed less male predominance (P = 0·003), lower stage (P = 0·040), lower serum LDH level (P = 0·01) and less abdominal involvement (P = 0·008) compared to high grade B‐cell lymphomas without 11q gain‐loss pattern. Both entities showed excellent outcome with overall survival of 100% when managed according to NHL‐BFM strategies and may provide candidates for future therapy de‐escalation in clinical trials.
Use of inhaled corticosteroids and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Saeed Mohamad Isam , Eklöf Josefin , Achir Imane , Sivapalan Pradeesh , Meteran Howraman , Løkke Anders , Biering‐Sørensen Tor , Knop Filip Krag , Jensen Jens‐Ulrik Stæhr
Published: April 2020

Aim

To determine the risk of type 2 diabetes onset associated with accumulated inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) dose during the previous year in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Materials and methods

We conducted a nationwide observational cohort study based on data from patients with COPD between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2017 extracted from Danish health databases. Patients were followed for 7 years, until death or a type 2 diabetes event. A propensity‐matched Cox model and an adjusted Cox proportional hazards model (stratified on body mass index [BMI]) were used to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) for new‐onset type 2 diabetes.

Results

A total of 50 148 patients with COPD were included, 3566 (7.1%) of whom had a type 2 diabetes event. During the previous year before study entry, 35 368 patients (70.5%) used ICS. The propensity‐matched Cox model (N = 33 466) showed an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, which progressed with increasing accumulated ICS dose (low‐ICS: HR 1.076, confidence interval [CI] 1.075‐1.077, P < .0001; medium‐ICS: HR 1.106, CI 1.105‐1.108, P < .0001; high‐ICS: HR 1.150, CI 1.148‐1.151, P < .0001), compared with no ICS use. Results were confirmed in the adjusted Cox analysis on the entire study population, but only for patients with BMI <30 kg/m2.

Conclusions

In patients with COPD, ICS use was associated with a moderate dose‐dependent increase in the occurrence of type 2 diabetes.
Modelling past and future peatland carbon dynamics across the pan‐Arctic
Authors: Chaudhary Nitin , Westermann Sebastian , Lamba Shubhangi , Shurpali Narasinha , Sannel A. Britta K. , Schurgers Guy , Miller Paul A. , Smith Benjamin
Published: April 2020

The majority of northern peatlands were initiated during the Holocene. Owing to their mass imbalance, they have sequestered huge amounts of carbon in terrestrial ecosystems. Although recent syntheses have filled some knowledge gaps, the extent and remoteness of many peatlands pose challenges to developing reliable regional carbon accumulation estimates from observations. In this work, we employed an individual‐ and patch‐based dynamic global vegetation model (LPJ‐GUESS) with peatland and permafrost functionality to quantify long‐term carbon accumulation rates in northern peatlands and to assess the effects of historical and projected future climate change on peatland carbon balance. We combined published datasets of peat basal age to form an up‐to‐date peat inception surface for the pan‐Arctic region which we then used to constrain the model. We divided our analysis into two parts, with a focus both on the carbon accumulation changes detected within the observed peatland boundary and at pan‐Arctic scale under two contrasting warming scenarios (representative concentration pathway—RCP8.5 and RCP2.6). We found that peatlands continue to act as carbon sinks under both warming scenarios, but their sink capacity will be substantially reduced under the high‐warming (RCP8.5) scenario after 2050. Areas where peat production was initially hampered by permafrost and low productivity were found to accumulate more carbon because of the initial warming and moisture‐rich environment due to permafrost thaw, higher precipitation and elevated CO2 levels. On the other hand, we project that areas which will experience reduced precipitation rates and those without permafrost will lose more carbon in the near future, particularly peatlands located in the European region and between 45 and 55°N latitude. Overall, we found that rapid global warming could reduce the carbon sink capacity of the northern peatlands in the coming decades.
Dramatic loss of inorganic carbon by nitrogen‐induced soil acidification in Chinese croplands
Authors: Raza Sajjad , Miao Na , Wang Peizhou , Ju Xiaotang , Chen Zhujun , Zhou Jianbin , Kuzyakov Yakov
Published: April 2020

Intensive crop production systems worldwide, particularly in China, rely heavily on nitrogen (N) fertilization, but left more than 50% of fertilizer N in the environment. Nitrogen (over) fertilization and atmospheric N deposition induce soil acidification, which is neutralized by soil inorganic carbon (SIC; carbonates), and carbon dioxide (CO2) is released to the atmosphere. For the first time, the loss of SIC stocks in response to N‐induced soil acidification was estimated for Chinese croplands from 1980 to 2020 and forecasts were made up to 2100. The SIC stocks in croplands in 1980 were 2.16 Pg C (16.3 Mg C/ha) in the upper 40 cm, 7% (0.15 Pg C; 1.1 Mg C/ha) of which were lost from 1980 to 2020. During these 40 years, 7 million ha of cropland has become carbonate free. Another 37% of the SIC stocks may be lost up to 2100 in China, leaving 30 million ha of cropland (37.8%) without carbonates if N fertilization follows the business‐as‐usual (BAU) scenario. Compared to the BAU scenario, the reduction in N input by 15%–30% after 2020 (scenarios S1 and S2) will decrease carbonate dissolution by 18%–41%. If N input remains constant as noted in 2020 (S3) or decreases by 1% annually (S4), a reduction of up to 52%–67% in carbonate dissolution is expected compared to the BAU scenario. The presence of CaCO3 in the soil is important for various processes including acidity buffering, aggregate formation and stabilization, organic matter stabilization, microbial and enzyme activities, nutrient cycling and availability, and water permeability and plant productivity. Therefore, optimizing N fertilization and improving N‐use efficiency are important for decreasing SIC losses from acidification. N application should be strictly calculated based on crop demand, and any overfertilization should be avoided to prevent environmental problems and soil fertility decline associated with CaCO3 losses.
The social order of transnational migration markets
Authors: SHIRE KAREN
Published: April 2020

The ‘infrastructural turn’ in labour migration studies has shifted attention away from the experiences of migrants to the role of public authorities and private actors in facilitating migrant mobilities. As part of a broader turn towards studying transnational mobilities rather than immigration and settlement, this research shows that the formalization of transnational labour migration has made mobility both freer and more difficult. In this article, I reinterpret mobility infrastructures from a market sociological perspective. Transnational labour migration, I argue, is more clearly conceptualized as the organized ‘making’ of cross‐border labour markets. Moreover, from a market sociological perspective the construction of cross‐border labour exchanges is at the same time a question of how the uncertainties inherent in market exchanges are coordinated by market actors. In its focus on how exchanges across borders are possible at all, a market sociological perspective makes note of the conflicting interests, power imbalances and uncertainties that must be handled for a social order of transnational migration markets to emerge. An important question concerns whether alternatives to the less regulated neo‐liberal market order that is evident in most migration corridors are possible and under what conditions. With reference to the challenges facing the regulation of cross‐border labour markets, in my conclusion, I map an agenda for future research.