bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multivalent polymers can control phase boundary, dynamics, and organization of liquid-liquid phase separation
Authors: Zumbro Emiko , Alexander-Katz Alfredo
Published: December 2020

Multivalent polymers are a key structural component of many biocondensates. When interacting with their cognate binding proteins, multivalent polymers such as RNA and modular proteins have been shown to influence the liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) boundary to control condensate formation and to influence condensate dynamics after phase separation. Much is still unknown about the function and formation of these condensed droplets, but changes in their dynamics or phase separation are associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Alzheimer’s Disease. Therefore, investigation into how the structure of multivalent polymers relates to changes in biocondensate formation and maturation is essential to understanding and treating these diseases. Here, we use a coarse-grain, Brownian Dynamics simulation with reactive binding that mimics specific interactions in order to investigate the difference between non-specific and specific multivalent binding polymers. We show that non-specific binding interactions can lead to much larger changes in droplet formation at lower energies than their specific, valence-limited counterparts. We also demonstrate the effects of solvent conditions and polymer length on phase separation, and we present how modulating binding energy to the polymer can change the organization of a droplet in a three component system of polymer, binding protein, and solvent. Finally, we compare the effects of surface tension and polymer binding on the condensed phase dynamics, where we show that both lower protein solubilities and higher attraction/affinity of the protein to the polymer result in slower droplet dynamics. We hope this research helps to better understand experimental systems and provides additional insight into how multivalent polymers can control LLPS.
Social survival: humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) use social structure to partition ecological niches within proposed critical habitat
Authors: Wray Janie , Keen Eric , O’Mahony Éadin N.
Published: December 2020

Animal culture and social bonds are relevant to wildlife conservation because they influence patterns of geography, behavior, and strategies of survival. Numerous examples of socially-driven habitat partitioning and ecological-niche specialization can be found among vertebrates, including toothed whales. But such social-ecological dynamics, described here as ‘social niche partitioning’, are not known among baleen whales, whose societies -- particularly on foraging grounds -- are largely perceived as unstructured and incidental to matters of habitat use and conservation. However, through 16 years of behavioral and photo-identification observations of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) feeding within a fjord system in British Columbia, Canada, we have documented long-term pair bonds (lasting up to 12 years) as well as a complex societal structure, which corresponds closely to persistent patterns in feeding strategy, long-term site fidelity (extended seasonal occupancy and annual rate of return up to 75%), specific geographic preferences within the fjord system, and other forms of habitat use. Randomization tests of network congruency and clustering algorithms were used to test for overlap in patterns of social structure and habitat use, which confirmed the occurrence of social niche partitioning on the feeding grounds of this baleen whale. In addition, we document the extensive practice of group bubble net feeding in Pacific Canada. This coordinated feeding behavior was found to strongly mediate the social structure and habitat use within this humpback whale society. Additionally, during our 2004 – 2019 study, we observed a shift in social network structure in 2010 – 2012, which corresponded with environmental and demographic shifts including a sudden decline in the population’s calving rate. Our findings indicate that the social lives of humpback whales, and perhaps baleen whales generally, are more complex than previously supposed and should be a primary consideration in the assessment of potential impacts to important habitat.
Adoption of supply chain finance by small and medium enterprises in China
Authors: Li Xiaobo , Jiang Bao , Li Jian
Published: December 2020

Purpose

Supply chain finance (SCF) is a promising financing solution for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The study aims to highlight the determinants of the adoption of SCF and the theoretical implications for SCF in SMEs.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), the authors develop a model and test hypotheses about the factors (1) SE, (2) attitude toward SCF, (3) social influence (SI), (4) adoption intention (AI) and (5) actual adoption (AA) of SCF. Data collected from a survey of 211 managers in SMEs in China were used to conduct a partial least squares (PLS) estimation.

Findings

The empirical results indicate that attitude toward SCF and SI positively affect AI towards SCF, whereas AI positively affects the AA of SCF. Specifically, the authors find that AI plays a mediating role in the relationship between SE and AA of SCF, whereas attitude toward SCF plays a mediating role between SI and AI.

Originality/value

First, the authors use the TPB to study the adoption of SCF in SMEs. Second, the authors apply PLS to clarify the influence mechanism of behavioural factors on the adoption of SCF. The authors provide a useful approach for practitioners in examining the adoption of SCF by SMEs.
An alternative method for field analysis in inhomogeneous domains
Authors: Costa Stefano , Costamagna Eugenio
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to solve inhomogeneous dielectric problems by matching boundary conditions at the interfaces among homogeneous subdomains. The capabilities of Hilbert transform computations are deeply investigated in the case of limited numbers of samples, and a refined model is presented by means of investigating accuracies in a case study with three subdomains.

Design/methodology/approach

The accuracies, refined by Richardson extrapolation to zero error, are compared to finite element (FEM) and finite difference methods. The boundary matching procedures can be easily applied to the results of a previous Schwarz–Christoffel (SC) conformal mapping stage in SC + BC procedures, to cope with field singularities or with open boundary problems.

Findings

The proposed field computations are of general interest both for electrostatic and magnetostatic field analysis and optimization. They can be useful as comparison tools for FEM results or when severe field singularities can impair the accuracies of other methods.

Research limitations/implications

This static field methodology, of course, can be used to analyse transverse electro magnetic (TEM) or quasi-TEM propagation modes. It is possible that, in some case, these may make a contribution to the analysis of axis symmetrical problems.

Originality/value

The most relevant result is the possible introduction of SC + BC computations as a standard tool for solving inhomogeneous dielectric field problems.
Benefits and hazards of alcohol-the J-shaped curve and public health
Authors: Skovenborg Erik , Grønbæk Morten , Ellison R. Curtis
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is a review of updated evidence of a J-shaped association between alcohol consumption and the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) and all-cause mortality in relation to public health issues to create a basis for sensible individual health deliberations.

Design/methodology/approach

A review of the evidence from the first observation of a J-shaped association between a moderate alcohol intake and CHD in 1926 to recent studies of the effect of healthy lifestyles (including moderate alcohol intake) on life expectancy free of cardiovascular disease (CVD), cancer and Type 2 diabetes. An update on the biological plausibility of the J-shaped association with focus on recent findings of the association of alcohol intake and blood lipid levels.

Findings

Plausible J-shaped relations between light to moderate alcohol consumption and the risk of CHD, CVD mortality and all-cause mortality have been found in a large number of robust epidemiological studies. Among the potential mechanisms underlying the proposed protective effects are higher levels of high-density lipoprotein lacking apolipoprotein C3, reduced platelet aggregability, increased level of endothelial cell fibrinolysis, increased insulin sensitivity and decreased inflammation.

Originality/value

The existence of a J-shaped association between alcohol consumption and the risk of CHD and all-cause mortality is based on observational evidence and accordingly challenged by a degree of uncertainty leading some public health circles to state: “there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.” The authors propose that communication on the pros and cons of alcohol intake should emphasize the nadir of a J-shaped curve as a healthy range for the general population while advice regarding the consumption of alcohol should be adjusted to factor in the risks and potential benefits for each individual patient considering age, sex, family history, personal drinking history and specific medical history.
Reduced drinking and harm reduction in the treatment of alcohol use disorders
Authors: Bischof Gallus , Lange Nikolaus , Rumpf Hans Juergen , Preuss Ulrich W.
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to give an overview of the scientific evidence for reduced drinking in alcohol use disorders. While the aim of alcohol use disorders (AUD) treatment usually focuses on abstinence, only a minority of individuals with AUD enter treatment. Lack of alternative treatment goals, including reduced drinking instead of abstinence, have been identified as a potential barrier for treatment entry. Epidemiological and treatment outcome studies reveal that a large proportion of individuals with AUD are able to substantially reduce their alcohol intake for a prolonged duration of time.

Design/methodology/approach

A narrative review of the literature on prevalence rates and health effects as well as evidence-based approaches fostering reduced drinking in individuals with AUD is presented.

Findings

Reduced drinking is associated with improvements in both morbidity and mortality. Research has identified evidence-based psychosocial and pharmacological treatment approaches; however, implementation is still scarce.

Originality/value

Target groups for interventions fostering drinking reduction instead of abstinence are defined and desiderata for further research are outlined.
Knowledge workers' existential affirmation and innovativeness: a Kierkegaardian redescription of Drucker
Authors: Shin M. Minsuk , Lee Jiwon , Chung June-ho
Published: December 2020

Purpose

Although existing studies demonstrate positive relationships between ethical cultures and innovativeness, their explanations of why an ethical culture leads to innovativeness are limited. This study explores the relationship between ethical organizational culture and knowledge workers' innovativeness

Design/methodology/approach

Based on Kierkegaardian existential philosophy, this study proposes a research model that employs knowledge workers' existential affirmation as the link between ethical culture and innovativeness. The main hypothesis proposed in this study is that ethical organizational culture offers knowledge workers the opportunity to find their existential affirmation, which leads them to become more innovative. A structural equation modeling analysis is based on data collected from a survey of 348 knowledge workers from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in different hi-tech industries.

Findings

The findings suggest that among the four subdimensions of an ethical organizational culture, ethics training and awareness raising had the strongest relationships with knowledge workers' existential affirmation, which, in turn, had a significant relationship with their innovativeness.

Originality/value

Based on this philosophical reflection, this study develops a research model that examines knowledge workers' existential affirmation as the factor that links ethical organizational culture and knowledge workers' innovativeness. The authors test ethical organizational culture as an environment that allows knowledge workers to validate their existential affirmation. Further, they test the link between knowledge workers' existential affirmation and their innovativeness.
A eudaimonic perspective on prejudice and female workers’ psychological well-being
Authors: Abuhussein Tala , Koburtay Tamer , Syed Jawad
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to use Ryff’s (1989) eudaimonic view to examine how prejudice toward female workers affects their psychological well-being.

Design/methodology/approach

Responses were collected through face-to-face semi-structured interviews along with open-ended questions in a paper-based survey. In total, 24 female workers across various organizations in Jordan participated in this study.

Findings

The results show how prejudice against female workers can affect the six dimensions of their eudaimonic psychological well-being (Ryff, 1989). Specifically, the results show that prejudice may push women to work harder to prove they are capable of achieving their goals and, as a result, it may positively enhance their self-acceptance, sense of growth, purpose in life and autonomy. However, the study also shows that prejudice against women negatively affects their environmental mastery and relationships with others.

Practical implications

This study may help create greater sensitivity and awareness about gender prejudice and its effects on female workers’ psychological well-being. It also highlights women’s resilience which may be deemed valuable to develop women in leadership roles in organizations.

Originality/value

This study offers a fresh and nuanced understanding of the impact of gender prejudice on female workers’ psychological well-being.
The Fourth Market theory and interest rate benchmarking in the Islamic finance industry
Authors: Tahiri Jouti Ahmed
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to understand the issue of interest rate benchmarking in Islamic financial institutions (IFIs) from a macro-economic perspective and assessing the relevance of creating a Sharīʿah-compliant profit rate benchmark to solve this issue. This paper also aims at suggesting an Islamic alternative that will handle both the negative economic impact on IFIs as well as on their financial performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on literature review of conventional finance and Islamic finance theories to construct a theoretical model to assess the impact of interest rate benchmarking on the ability of IFIs to achieve the objectives of the Islamic economy.

Findings

The macro-economic perspective concludes that conceiving a profit rate benchmark for the Islamic finance industry is not relevant to raising the Sharīʿah credibility of the industry. Indeed, several adjustments need to be introduced in terms of the business model.

Research limitations/implications

The recommendations of this paper require the involvement of financial authorities and governments for their implementation. Indeed, the adjustments require a macro-economic review.

Practical implications

The paper considers a profit rate benchmark irrelevant and inefficient. Instead, it suggests the necessary adjustments in terms of business model and economic approach for IFIs to achieve their objectives.

Social implications

The paper considers zakat implementation and the adjustment of IFIs as the real path to implement a fair wealth distribution in the society.

Originality/value

The creation of a profit rate benchmark has always been the only solution for the pricing issue in IFIs. This paper challenges this idea and tries to give a deeper understanding of the situation.
Drivers of logistics outsourcing: examining transaction costs, core competences and planned behavior
Authors: Rintala Oskari , Solakivi Tomi , Laari Sini , Töyli Juuso , Ojala Lauri
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the extent to which psychological factors and the agency of decision-makers drive outsourcing decisions. Arguments based on transaction cost economics, the core competence approach and the theory of planned behavior are used to explain logistics outsourcing.

Design/methodology/approach

The literature was reviewed to identify constructs that are antecedents of logistics outsourcing intentions, and corresponding measures were developed. The data were gathered through a survey of supply chain professionals in Finnish manufacturing companies. A measurement model was reviewed to ensure reliability and validity and converted into a structural model for analysis. The analysis was based on partial least squares (PLS) structural equation modeling.

Findings

Supply chain managers objectively consider the characteristics of their organization's logistics identified in previous research as requiring assessment during the outsourcing process. However, and surprisingly, they also tend to rely on behavioral subjective factors such as positive attitudes, encouraging subjective norms and competence. Moreover, it seems that firms do not outsource logistics activities despite the high strategic importance of the function, but because of it.

Research limitations/implications

The constructed model is limited to the constructs chosen to represent drivers of logistics outsourcing. Further application with more samples would improve its reliability.

Practical implications

The factors proposed here with respect to assets and the capabilities of third-party partners could facilitate decision-making related to logistics outsourcing.

Originality/value

The findings emphasize the role of behavioral factors in the procurement function and therefore enhance the understanding of behavioral supply chain management.
Public appointments as a tool for public governance: a systematic literature review
Authors: Cocciasecca Simone , Grossi Giuseppe , Sancino Alessandro
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review previous research on public appointments to systematize existing knowledge, identify gaps and discuss implications for future research in this field.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on a systematic literature review, carried out using the Scopus database. We selected academic articles published in journals ranked in the 2018 CABS Academic Journal Guide plus public administration articles in journals classified by Google as falling within the areas of public policy and administration. The papers were analysed according to four categories: geographical area, theoretical framework, research method and organizational setting.

Findings

Results show the lack of research regarding areas like Latin America or East Asia; from a theoretical viewpoint, given the lack of explicit theoretical approaches, future research should have more formal and clear theoretical frameworks. Moreover, given the dominance of case study and review/reflection studies, alternative research methods, such as surveys or mixed methods are suggested for future works.

Research limitations/implications

We identify a new research agenda to revive the focus on public appointments as a tool for intra- and inter-organizational governance in the public sector. Specifically, we argue that how the process of public appointments is managed has huge democratic implications, and public managers have a key role to play in that respect by designing effective governance systems and organizational procedures. The selection of papers has been limited to articles published in peer- review journals ranked in the 2018 CABS Guide; no distinctions have been made regarding journals' positioning in the ranking. Moreover, this work takes a managerial and organizational approach, while the research on public appointments is clearly interdisciplinary, with previous contributions coming mainly from political scientists.

Originality/value

Despite the relevant body of literature on this topic, this study represents the first manuscript to summarize the state of the art of this theme, providing a research agenda on this very relevant but quite neglected issue in public governance.
Regulating religion in a time of COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia: context, dynamics, and implication
Authors: Regus Max
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This study aims to perform a systematic review of the dialectics and telematics strategy for regulating religion during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study also analyzes some important issues related to religions, state, and society.

Design/methodology/approach

A critical literature review was performed to complete this study, using media, institutional, national, and international reports, as well as recent and previous studies during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Findings

Religion was one of the social entities that had a crucial effect on the COVID-19 pandemic. The new system in the form of social distancing affects its performance. Furthermore, the response of religion in Indonesia is unique when its status is considered as the largest Islamic country in the world. Therefore, this study attempts to analyze and demonstrate the dynamics of relationships between actors, religion, and state in the process and strategy of religious regulation.

Research limitations/implications

This study was carried out using a single methodological approach.

Practical implications

This study provides input to both religion and the state (government) in building a synergy of constructive responses to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Social implications

It provides input to society in understanding the critical intersection between religion, state, and society.

Originality/value

This may be the first academic study that analyzes the problems of the process of regulating religion in the context of COVID-19.
Coronavirus crisis and health care: learning from a service ecosystem perspective
Authors: Brodie Roderick J. , Ranjan Kumar Rakesh , Verreynne Martie-louise , Jiang Yawei , Previte Josephine
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The COVID-19 pandemic has created a crisis for healthcare systems worldwide. There have been significant challenges to managing public and private health care and related services systems’ capacity to cope with testing, treatment and containment of the virus. Drawing on the foundational research by Frow et al. (2019), the paper explores how adopting a service ecosystem perspective provides insight into the complexity of healthcare systems during times of extreme stress and uncertainty.

Design/methodology/approach

A healthcare framework based on a review of the service ecosystem literature is developed, and the COVID-19 crisis in Australia provides an illustrative case.

Findings

The study demonstrates how the service ecosystem perspective provides new insight into the dynamics and multilayered nature of a healthcare system during a pandemic. Three propositions are developed that offer directions for future research and managerial applications.

Practical implications

The research provides an understanding of the relevance of managerial flexibility, innovation, learning and knowledge sharing, which offers opportunities leading to greater resilience in the healthcare system. In particular, the research addresses how service providers in the service ecosystem learn from this pandemic to inform future practices.

Originality/value

The service ecosystem perspective for health care offers fresh thinking and an understanding of how a shared worldview, institutional practices and supportive and disruptive factors influence the systems’ overall well-being during a crisis such as COVID-19.
Investigating the low-risk anomaly in South Africa
Authors: Seetharam Yudhvir
Published: December 2020

Purpose

Recent studies have shown that low-volatility shares outperform high-volatility shares. Given the conventional finance theory that risk drives return, this study aims to investigate and attempt to explain the presence of the low-risk anomaly (LRA) in South Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

Using share prices from 1990 to 2016, various buy-and-hold strategies are constructed to determine the return to an investor attempting to capitalise on such an anomaly. These strategies involve combinations relating to a price filter, the calculation of risk and volatility, value-weighting or equal-weighting of portfolios and the window period to construct said portfolios.

Findings

It was found that the LRA exists on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE_=) when using univariate sorts, without controlling for the size or value effect. When using multivariate portfolio sorts (size and volatility or value and volatility), it was found that the LRA does not exist on the JSE under the majority of risk proxies, but particularly prevalent when downside risk is used. This loosely points towards a potential “inverse momentum” effect where low-return portfolios outperform their counterparts.

Originality/value

In general, it is established that the risk–return relationship is non-linear and deterministic under traditional proxies, but improves to being somewhat, but not completely, linear under a Kalman filter. The Kalman filter, which can be considered a proxy for learning, does not remove the anomaly in its entirety, indicating that behavioural approaches are needed to explain such phenomena.
Research on GMAW based non-supporting thin-wall structure manufacturing
Authors: Liu Bing , Shen Hongyao , Deng Rongxin , Zhou Zeyu , Jin Jia’ao , Fu Jianzhong
Published: December 2020

Purpose

Additive manufacturing based on arc welding is a fast and effective way to fabricate complex and irregular metal workpieces. Thin-wall metal structures are widely used in the industry. However, it is difficult to realize support-free freeform thin-wall structures. This paper aims to propose a new method of non-supporting thin-wall structure (NSTWS) manufacturing by gas metal arc welding (GMAW) with the help of a multi-degree of freedom robot arm.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses the geodesic distance on the triangular mesh to build a scalar field, and then the equidistant iso-polylines are obtained, which are used as welding paths for thin-wall structures. Focusing on the possible problems of interference and the violent variation of the printing directions, this paper proposes two types of methods to partition the model mesh and generate new printable iso-polylines on the split meshes.

Findings

It is found that irregular thin-wall models such as an elbow, a vase or a transition structure can be deposited without any support and with a good surface quality after applying the methods.

Originality/value

The experiments producing irregular models illustrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the methods to fabricate NSTWSs, which could provide guidance to some industrial applications.
The underuse of couple therapy for depression in Improving Access to Psychological Therapies Services (IAPTS): a service evaluation exploring its effectiveness and discussion of systemic barriers to its implementation
Authors: Shepherd Melanie , Butler Lucy
Published: December 2020

Couple therapy for depression (CTfD) is an intrinsically systemic, behaviourally‐based, interactional model. It is underused despite recommendation by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and data from Improving Access to Psychological Therapies Services (IAPTS) demonstrating its effectiveness compared with other therapies. In 2016/17, only 1,842 CTfD interventions were delivered nationally, compared with vastly greater cognitive behavioural therapy and counselling provision (NHS Digital, 2018). Depressed clients’ access to CTfD is extremely restricted. IAPT CTfD service evaluation data for 81 couples indicated good outcomes for CTfD in terms of depression, anxiety and relationship satisfaction, despite mean interventions of 7.27 sessions. Recommendations for addressing the underuse of CTfD include increasing capacity through delivery targets, CTfD promotion and improved referral processes. Strengthened links between IAPTS, CTfD training courses and systemic therapists, and expanding systemic training and supervision, would support CTfD implementation and increase family inclusiveness and patient choice. Depressed clients deserve access to CTfD equivalent to individual therapies.

Practitioner points

CTfD is a NICE‐recommended NHS couple therapy with equivalent effectiveness to other IAPT therapies yet is underused.

A CTfD service evaluation showed good outcomes for depression, anxiety and relationship satisfaction, despite brief intervention lengths.

Leadership, organisational change and training are required for IAPTS to widen patient choice and address barriers to CTfD implementation.

Strengthened links between IAPTS and systemic therapists are needed.
Paediatric domestic accidents during COVID‐19 pandemic in Hong Kong
Authors: Wong Tiffany W. K. , Hung Judy W. S. , Leung Michael W. Y.
Published: December 2020

Background

With school closures and social isolation imposed by the COVID‐19 pandemic, both children and parents in Hong Kong have been forced to stay at home for extended periods of time. Besides the disease itself growing globally, this pandemic has inflicted many other healthcare problems. This study aims to look at the impact of COVID‐19 pandemic on paediatric surgical accidents.

Methods

A retrospective review of all patients under 18 years of age admitted to a tertiary paediatric surgical unit with accidents was done between January to May 2020 (COVID‐19 social isolation period). Comparison was made with cases between January to May 2018 and 2019. Inclusion diagnoses include foreign body ingestion (FBI), scald injury, animal bite, and fall. Demographic data including age and gender, details of injury and treatment, and length of hospitalization were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed by Fisher exact test and statistical significance was defined as P ≤ .05.

Results

A total of 35 patients were admitted during the period 1‐5/2020 compared to 28 patients in 1‐5/2019 and 16 patients in 1‐5/2018. Median age at presentation is 3 years. Diagnoses include FBI, animal bite, scald injury and fall. Thirteen required surgical intervention including oesophagogastroduodenoscopy (20%), wound debridement (13%), wound suturing (67%). Mean length of hospital stay was 2.89 days. The proportion of domestic accidents in 2020 increased compared with the same period in 2018 and 2019 (P‐values = .0001, .0259). Non‐food foreign body ingestions at home during COVID19 increased significantly (P‐values = .0018, .0223). Surgical intervention required for domestic accidents in 2020 also increased (P‐values = .1223, .107).

Conclusion

The social isolation imposed by the COVID‐19 pandemic has caused an increase in paediatric domestic accidents requiring admission to our surgical ward. Governments and healthcare authorities should proactively implement appropriate intervention programs and better plan resources to prevent these domestic accidents during lockdown.
The role of CD23 in the regulation of allergic responses
Authors: Engeroff Paul , Vogel Monique
Published: December 2020

IgE, the key molecule in atopy has been shown to bind two receptors, FcεRI, the high‐affinity receptor, and FcεRII (CD23), binding IgE with lower affinity. Whereas cross‐linking of IgE on FcεRI expressed by mast cells and basophils triggers the allergic reaction, binding of IgE to CD23 on B cells plays an important role in both IgE regulation and presentation. Furthermore, IgE‐immune complexes (IgE‐ICs) bound by B cells enhance antibody and T cell responses in mice and humans. However, the mechanisms that regulate the targeting of the two receptors and the respective function of the two pathways in inflammation or homeostasis are still a matter of debate. Here, we focus on CD23 and discuss several mechanisms related to IgE binding, as well as the impact of the IgE/antigen‐binding on different immune cells expressing CD23. One recent paper has shown that free IgE preferentially binds to FcεRI whereas IgE‐ICs are preferentially captured by CD23. Binding of IgE‐ICs to CD23 on B cells can, on one hand, regulate serum IgE and prevent effector cell activation and on the other hand facilitate antigen presentation by delivering the antigen to dendritic cells. These data argue for a multifunctional role of CD23 for modulating IgE serum levels and immune responses.
Can information regarding the index stillbirth determine risk of adverse outcome in a subsequent pregnancy? Findings from a single‐center cohort study
Authors: Graham Nicole , Stephens Louise , Johnstone Edward D. , Heazell Alexander E. P.
Published: December 2020

Introduction

Women with a history of stillbirth have an almost five‐fold increased risk of stillbirth in a subsequent pregnancy, as well as increased risk of other adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. The reasons for this association are not well understood but could relate to recurrent causes. We aimed to determine whether information from the time of index stillbirth, including cause, is associated with outcome of a subsequent pregnancy.

Material and methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted at a UK tertiary maternity center. Cases were included if stillbirth was investigated, subsequent pregnancy care was provided, and the birth occurred in the same unit. Data on maternal characteristics, findings of investigations, and classification of death using the ReCoDe system were extracted, and logistic regression was performed to determine whether these factors were associated with adverse outcome in the subsequent pregnancy.

Results

In this cohort (n = 266), there were 69 adverse outcomes, including three perinatal deaths. Preterm delivery (16.2%) and birthweight <10th centile (12.4%) were the most common adverse outcomes. Of the preterm births, 69.8% were iatrogenic and 47% of these were due to abnormalities of fetal growth. On multivariate analysis women with a preexisting medical condition (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.12, 95% CI 1.10‐4.12) and those who smoked in their subsequent pregnancy (aOR 6.80, 95% CI 1.99‐23.30) were at increased risk of adverse outcome. Neither ReCoDe classification of stillbirth (P = .61) nor gestation of stillbirth (P = .36) were associated with subsequent pregnancy outcome. Placental histopathological findings of maternal vascular malperfusion (aOR 11.34, 95% CI 2.20‐58.62), fetal vascular malperfusion (aOR 9.27, 95% CI 1.09‐78.82), and chorioamnionitis (aOR 6.35, 95% CI 1.16‐34.78) in the index stillbirth were associated with adverse outcome in subsequent pregnancy. These associations were independent of maternal characteristics.

Conclusions

Placental examination at time of stillbirth is important, as certain placental disorders inform the risk of adverse outcome in subsequent pregnancy. In this cohort, information regarding maternal characteristics and classification of cause of stillbirth do not provide significant prognostic information about the risk of adverse outcome in subsequent pregnancies. Optimal management of maternal medical disorders and access to smoking cessation are essential.
Revegetation of degraded ecosystems into grasslands using biosolids as an organic amendment: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Ploughe Laura W. , Akin‐Fajiye Morodoluwa , Gagnon Alyson , Gardner Wendy C. , Fraser Lauchlan H.
Published: December 2020

Questions

Biosolids are a source of nutrient‐rich organic material that can be used to improve degraded or disturbed soils. Research on vegetation responses to the land application of biosolids has increased in the past 20 years, but there is no consensus on how plant communities respond to biosolids applications. What factors influence productivity and vegetative cover following biosolids application for grassland reclamation? How does the addition of biosolids impact plant community responses?

Location

Global, but predominantly North America and Europe.

Methods

To explore vegetative responses following biosolids application, we used a global systematic review and meta‐analysis of 59 articles. Our meta‐analysis used the log response ratio (LRR) as an effect size for productivity, total cover, species richness, diversity and exotic species abundance and explored covariates addressing various site characteristics and reclamation strategies.

Results

We found that across sites, the land application of biosolids significantly increased productivity and cover but had no significant overall effect on species richness, Shannon diversity or exotic species abundance on degraded lands. These increases in the LRR for productivity and vegetative cover were lower on sites that experienced a fire prior to biosolids application. Climatic variables like mean annual temperature were shown to alter the response of vegetative cover, where warmer sites tended to have more positive responses to biosolids. Seeding was found to increase plant cover but decrease species richness early in the reclamation process.

Conclusions

This area of research is growing; most of the publications we used come from the last 20 years and were mostly conducted in North America and Europe. While we can build on the present literature, there is clearly room for more research to ensure the process of reclaiming degraded ecosystems using biosolids results in desired plant communities, e.g. high native species diversity. Future research should consistently report biosolids chemical characteristics as well as application and processing methodologies.
Synaptonemal complex proteins modulate the level of genome integrity in cancers
Authors: Hosoya Noriko , Miyagawa Kiyoshi
Published: December 2020

The synaptonemal complex (SC) is a proteinaceous structure that is transiently formed during meiosis to promote homologous recombination between maternal and paternal chromosomes. As this structure is required only for meiotic recombination, the proteins constituting the complex are almost undetectable in normal somatic cells, but they can be expressed under the conditions in which the transcriptional machinery is deregulated. Accumulating evidence indicates that they are epigenetically expressed in cancers of various origin. Not surprisingly, in contrast to their meiotic roles, the somatic roles of the SC proteins remain to be investigated. However, it has recently been reported that SYCP3 and SYCE2 control DNA double‐strand break repair negatively and positively, respectively, suggesting that the ectopic expression of the SC proteins in somatic cells could be associated with the maintenance of genomic instability. Thus, it is highly likely that the investigation of the somatic roles of the SC proteins would improve our understanding of the mechanisms underlying tumor development.
Individual differences in musical ability are stable over time in childhood
Authors: Kragness Haley E. , Swaminathan Swathi , Cirelli Laura K. , Schellenberg E. Glenn
Published: December 2020

The development of human abilities stems from a complex interplay between genetic predispositions and environmental factors. Numerous studies have compared musicians with non‐musicians on measures of musical and non‐musical ability, frequently attributing musicians’ superior performance to their training. By ignoring preexisting differences, however, this view assumes that taking music lessons is akin to random assignment. In the present longitudinal study, the musical ability of 5‐ to 10‐year‐olds was measured at Time 1 with a test of music perception and cognition. Five years later, at Time 2, the children took the same test and a second test designed for older listeners. The test‐retest correlation for aggregate scores was remarkably high, r ≈ 0.7, and remained strong when confounding variables (age, cognitive abilities, personality) were held constant. At both time points, music training was associated with musical ability, but the association at Time 2 became nonsignificant when musical ability at Time 1 was held constant. Time 1 musical ability also predicted duration of subsequent music training. These data are consistent with results from genetic studies, which implicate genes in all aspects of musical behavior and achievement, and with meta‐analyses, which indicate that transfer effects from music training are weak. In short, early musical abilities significantly predicted later abilities, demonstrating that individual differences are stable over time. We found no evidence, however, to suggest that music training predicted musical ability after accounting for prior ability. The results underscore the importance of considering preexisting abilities in any type of learning.
Attention‐dependent switching between intrinsic‐muscle and extrinsic‐visual coordinates during bimanual movements
Authors: Sakurada Takeshi , Kansaku Kenji
Published: December 2020

Inter‐limb coordination is achieved through multiple levels of motor control based on intrinsic‐muscle and extrinsic‐visual coordinates. Online visual feedback affects which of these coordinates is dominant, and visual perception is involved in the switching of motor coordination across the two hands; however, it remains unclear whether there is any role for attention in inter‐limb coordination. Therefore, we evaluated the effects of attention on the dominance of intrinsic‐muscle and extrinsic‐visual coordinates by investigating inter‐limb interference in the right or left hand during bimanual reaching movements, as induced by visual perturbations. We first showed an effect of differences in online visual feedback on bimanual coordination (Experiment 1). We then revealed that attention to visual cursors that directly affected the hand movement led to the dominance of the intrinsic‐muscle coordinates, which synchronized homologous muscle activities. In contrast, attention to an integrated visual object controlled by bilateral hand movements was associated with a preference for extrinsic‐visual coordinates to synchronize bilateral movement directions (Experiment 2). Thus, attention‐dependent switching between intrinsic‐muscle and extrinsic‐visual coordinates was observed during bimanual movements; extrinsic‐visual coordinates may enable goal‐directed bimanual movements at least for particular task requirements.
Resource selection in nasute termite: The role of social information
Authors: Silva Aline Nascimento Filgueira , Silva Cátila Regina , Santos Renan Edson Campelo , Arce Carla Cristina Marques , Araújo Ana Paula Albano , Cristaldo Paulo Fellipe
Published: December 2020

During foraging, organisms need to assess the costs and benefits related to resources wanted. An energy‐efficient way of locating and deciding among new food sources is to use cues left by other organisms in the environment (i.e., social information). In the present study, manipulative bioassays were conducted to evaluate the role of intra‐ and interspecific chemical cues in the selection of food resource by Nasutitermes corniger (Termitidae: Nasutitermitinae). For this, we tested the hypothesis that individuals of N. corniger are able to perceive and use chemical cues by either colonies of the same species or from different species. Linear trail bioassays were conducted to verify whether N. corniger workers perceive and accept intra‐ and interspecific chemical cues. Then, resource bioassays were performed with a binary and multiple choices to evaluate whether the termite group's decision of food resources was based on intra‐ and/or interspecific chemical cues. In general, groups of N. corniger preferred baits with chemical cues of other intraspecific colonies or with undetectable cues (hexane solvent or interspecific cues) than those with their own chemical signals. These results suggest that intraspecific chemical cues seem to modulate the food resource selection in N. corniger, which may help researchers to better understand the use of habitat by termites.
Modelling seedling emergence in Paspalum species using environmental data from field experiments
Authors: Glison Nicolás , Batlla Diego , González Barrios Pablo , Viega Luis , Saldanha Sylvia , Musacchio Eduardo Mario , Rush Pablo , Speranza Pablo Rafael
Published: December 2020

In warm‐temperate regions, the adoption of warm‐season forage grasses has been hindered by low and unpredictable seedling emergence because of seed dormancy. Developing models driven by temperature (T) and soil water potential (Ψ) may provide tools for choosing adequate sowing conditions. Models are usually developed with controlled chamber germination data, but they can be built using field emergence and weather station data. Seedling emergence data of four Paspalum populations (two dallisgrass subspecies, bahiagrass and vaseygrass) were gathered from five experiments in three Campos locations (Buenos Aires, Montevideo and Salto) during two years, with fall and spring sowing dates and irrigated and non‐irrigated plots. Thermal and hydrothermal time models were used for emergence timing. The predictions were better for irrigated plots and fall sowings. For maximum emergence proportion (MEP), a mixed linear model was adjusted. Within a non‐irrigated treatment, the higher MEP was for early‐spring sowings, but the lowest for late‐spring ones. Additionally, a thermal time index (TTI) was modified to model MEP. A coefficient which weighs degree‐days accumulation according to the hydrothermal range (HTR) of each day was set. The HTRs were defined by T and Ψ thresholds. Thresholds and coefficient values were optimized by genotype until linear regressions between MEP and modified TTI achieved higher fit. Days with high temperature (>18°C or 20°C according to genotype) accumulated half or none of degree‐days when high‐ or mid‐soil water content was available, respectively. Differences among Paspalum genotypes, sowing date recommendations and modified TTI usefulness were discussed.
The intersection of COVID‐19, school, and headaches: Problems and solutions
Authors: Karvounides Dina , Marzouk Maya , Ross Alexandra C. , VanderPluym Juliana H. , Pettet Christina , Ladak Ali , Ziplow Jason , Patterson Gentile Carlyn , Turner Scott , Anto Marissa , Barmherzig Rebecca , Chadehumbe Madeline , Kalkbrenner Jocelyn , Malavolta Carrie P. , Clementi Michelle A. , Gerson Trevor , Szperka Christina L.
Published: December 2020

Objective

To equip clinicians with recommendations specific to concerns related to the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), which impact the physical, emotional, and social health of youth with headache disorders.

Background

COVID‐19 has affected societies on a global scale including children and youth with chronic headache disorders. Many concerns are predicted to arise in the 2020–2021 school year, whether classes are conducted in‐person or virtually.

Methods

Clinical impressions were combined with a review of the literature, although limited due to the recent nature of this issue.

Results

We describe recommendations to support caregivers and youth as they face changes expected with the return to school in the fall of 2020.

Conclusion

Although there are significant concerns for caregivers and youth with migraine given the context of changes related to the pandemic, there are many recommendations that can help minimize exacerbations of the physical, emotional, and social health of youth with chronic migraine.