bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evidence for a role of human blood-borne factors in mediating age-associated changes in molecular circadian rhythms
Authors: Schwarz Jessica E. , Mrčela Antonijo , Lahens Nicholas F. , Li Yongjun , Hsu Cynthia T. , Grant Gregory , Skarke Carsten , Zhang Shirley L. , Sehgal Amita
Published: April 2023

Aging is associated with a number of physiologic changes including perturbed circadian rhythms; however, mechanisms by which rhythms are altered remain unknown. To test the idea that circulating factors mediate age-dependent changes in peripheral rhythms, we compared the ability of human serum from young and old individuals to synchronize circadian rhythms in culture. We collected blood from apparently healthy young (age 25-30) and old (age 70-76) individuals at 14:00 and used the serum to synchronize cultured fibroblasts. We found that young and old sera are equally competent at initiating robust ∼24h oscillations of a luciferase reporter driven by clock gene promoter. However, cyclic gene expression is affected, such that young and old sera promote cycling of different sets of genes. Genes that lose rhythmicity with old serum entrainment are associated with oxidative phosphorylation and Alzheimer’s Disease as identified by STRING and IPA analyses. Conversely, the expression of cycling genes associated with cholesterol biosynthesis increased in the cells entrained with old serum. Genes involved in the cell cycle and transcription/translation remain rhythmic in both conditions. We did not observe a global difference in the distribution of phase between groups, but found that peak expression of several clock-controlled genes (PER3, NR1D1, NR1D2, CRY1, CRY2,andTEF) lagged in the cells synchronizedex vivowith old serum. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that age-dependent blood-borne factors affect circadian rhythms in peripheral cells and have the potential to impact health and disease via maintaining or disrupting rhythms respectively.
Design of effective personalised perturbation strategies for enhancing cognitive intervention in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Vohryzek Jakub , Cabral Joana , Perl Yonatan Sanz , Demirtas Murat , Falcon Carles , Gispert Juan Domingo , Bosch Beatriz , Balasa Mircea , Kringelbach Morten , Sanchez-Valle Raquel , Ruffini Giulio , Deco Gustavo
Published: April 2023

One of the potential and promising adjuvant therapies for Alzheimer’s disease is that of non-invasive transcranial neurostimulation to potentiate cognitive training interventions. Conceptually, this is achieved by driving brain dynamics towards an optimal state for an effective facilitation of cognitive training interventions. However, current neurostimulation protocols rely on experimental trial-and-error approaches that result in variability of symptom improvements and suboptimal progress. Here, we leveraged whole-brain computational modelling by assessing the regional susceptibility towards optimal brain dynamics from Alzheimer’s disease. In practice, we followed the three-part concept of Dynamic Sensitivity Analysis by first understanding empirical differences between healthy controls and patients with mild cognitive impairment and mild dementia due to Alzheimer’s Disease; secondly, by building computational models for all individuals in the mild cognitive impairment and mild dementia cohorts; and thirdly, by perturbing brain regions and assessing the impact on the recovery of brain dynamics to the healthy state (here defined in functional terms, summarised by a measure of metastability for the healthy group). By doing so, we show the importance of key regions, along the anterior-posterior medial line, in driving in-silico improvement of mild dementia and mild cognitive impairment groups. Moreover, this subset consists mainly of regions with high structural nodal degree. Overall, this in-silico perturbational approach could inform the design of stimulation strategies for re-establishing healthy brain dynamics, putatively facilitating effective cognitive interventions targeting the cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease.
A theory of oligogenic adaptation of a quantitative trait
Authors: Höllinger Ilse , Wölfl Benjamin , Hermisson Joachim
Published: April 2023

Rapid phenotypic adaptation is widespread in nature, but the underlying genetic dynamics remain controversial. Whereas population genetics envisages sequential beneficial substitutions, quantitative genetics assumes a collective response through subtle shifts in allele frequencies. This dichotomy of a monogenic and a highly polygenic view of adaptation raises the question of a middle ground, as well as the factors controlling the transition. Here, we consider an additive quantitative trait with equal locus effects under Gaussian stabilizing selection that adapts to a new trait optimum after an environmental change. We present an analytical framework based on Yule branching processes to describe how phenotypic adaptation is achieved by collective changes in allele frequencies at the underlying loci. In particular, we derive an approximation for the joint allele-frequency distribution at threshold levels of the trait mean as a comprehensive descriptor of the adaptive architecture. Depending on the model parameters, this architecture reproduces the well-known patterns of sequential, monogenic sweeps, or of subtle, polygenic frequency shifts. Between these endpoints, we observe oligogenic architecture types that exhibit characteristic patterns of partial sweeps. We find that a single compound parameter, the population-scaled background mutation rate Θbg, is the most important predictor of the type of adaptation, while selection strength, the number of loci in the genetic basis, and linkage only play a minor role.
The Brazilian COVID-19 vaccination campaign: A modelling analysis of socio-demographic factors on uptake
Authors: Li Sabrina L. , Prete Carlos A. , Zarebski Alexander E. , de Souza Santos Andreza A. , Sabino Ester C. , Nascimento Vitor H. , Wu Chieh-Hsi , Messina Jane P.
Published: April 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused over half a million deaths in Brazil, and public healthcare nearly collapsed. Vaccination differs between states and demographics. Dose shortages delayed access.

In this cross-sectional study, data were retrieved from the Brazilian Ministry of Health databases published since 17 January 2021, respectively. We developed a campaign optimality index to characterise inequality in vaccination access caused by age due to premature vaccination towards younger populations before older and vulnerable populations were fully vaccinated. We assessed geographical inequalities in full vaccination coverage and dose by age, sex, race, and socioeconomic status. Generalised linear regression was used to investigate the risk of death and hospitalisation by age group, socioeconomic status, and vaccination coverage.

Vaccination coverage is higher in the wealthier South and Southeast. Men, people of colour, and low-income groups were more likely to be only partially vaccinated due to missing or delaying a second dose. Vaccination started prematurely for age groups under 50 years and may have hindered uptake of older age groups. Vaccination coverage was associated with a lower risk of death, especially in older age groups (OR: 10.5–34.8, 95% CI: (10.2, 35.9)). Risk of hospitalisation was greater in areas with higher vaccination rates due to higher access to care and reporting.

Vaccination inequality persists between states, age and demographic groups despite increasing uptake. The association between hospitalisation rates and vaccination is attributed to preferential delivery to areas of greater transmission and access to healthcare.
COVID-19 Prevalence and Trends Among Pregnant and Postpartum Individuals in Maine by Rurality and Pregnancy Conditions
Authors: Grantham Charlie O. , Ackerman-Banks Christina M. , Lipkind Heather S. , Palmsten Kristin , Ahrens Katherine A.
Published: April 2023

Objective

To estimate COVID-19 diagnosis prevalence and trends among pregnant and postpartum individuals in Maine by rurality and common pregnancy conditions.

Methods

We used the Maine Health Data Organization’s All Payer Claims Data to identify deliveries during 2020-2021. We identified COVID-19 during pregnancy (Apr 2020 to Dec 2021 deliveries) and during the first 6 months postpartum (Apr 2020 to Jun 2021 deliveries) using the ICD-10 diagnosis code U071 on medical claims. We used Joinpoint regression software to model trends. We stratified the analysis by rurality of residence (based on ZIP code) and by common pregnancy conditions: gestational diabetes (GDM), hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), and prenatal depression.

Results

We included 13,457 deliveries in our pregnancy and 9,143 deliveries in our postpartum analysis. COVID-19 diagnosis prevalence among pregnant individuals increased from 0.5% in Apr 2020 to 10.5% in Dec 2021 (Oct 2020 was the start of slope [0.43 per month], p<.01). COVID-19 diagnosis prevalence postpartum increased from 0.9% in Apr 2020 to 3.2% in June 2021 deliveries (slope=0.12 per month, p<.01). Trends in prevalence of COVID-19 diagnosis among pregnant individuals living in urban areas were distinct from those living in rural areas (p=.02), with a steeper slope during the first months of the pandemic in urban areas, followed by a later increase among rural residents. Trends among postpartum individuals living in urban areas were distinct from those living in rural areas (p=.03), with a steeper slope for rural residents over the course of the pandemic. Trends in persons with prenatal depression showed a steeper increase in COVID-19 diagnosis prevalence in pregnancy after Dec 2020 (p<.01) and postpartum overall (p<.01) compared to those without prenatal depression. Individuals without GDM and individuals without HDP had steeper increases in COVID-19 diagnosis prevalence in postpartum compared to those without GDM (p<.01) and those without HDP (p=.03).

Conclusion

COVID-19 diagnosis among pregnant and postpartum individuals in Maine showed distinct patterns by rurality of residence and select pregnancy conditions. This information can be used for assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on maternal and infant health.
CMR Reveals Myocardial Damage from Cardiotoxic Oncologic Therapies in Breast Cancer Patients
Authors: Kersten Johannes , Fink Visnja , Kersten Maria , May Lisa , Nunn Samuel , Tadic Marijana , Huober Jens , Bekes Inga , Radermacher Michael , Hombach Vinzenz , Rottbauer Wolfgang , Buckert Dominik
Published: April 2023

Background

Breast cancer is a common and increasingly treatable disease. However, survivors have a significantly elevated risk of cardiac events afterwards. This study aimed to characterise cardiac changes during cardiotoxic cancer therapy using cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging.

Methods

This study involved 34 patients with histologically proven breast cancer and planned cardiotoxic therapy. All patients underwent CMR before starting therapy, and 6 and 12 months thereafter. The CMR protocol included volumetric and functional analyses, parametric mapping, and deformation analysis using feature tracking. As the control group, 10 healthy female volunteers were scanned using the same protocol.

Results

With therapy, there was a significant reduction of left ventricular and right ventricular ejection fractions (both p < 0.05). Left ventricular radial (p = 0.008), circumferential (p = 0.010), and longitudinal strain (p = 0.036) were also reduced at follow-up. In the parametric mapping, there was a significant increase in native T1 time (1037 ± 41 ms vs. 1068 ± 51 ms vs. 1017 ± 57 ms, p < .001) and T2 time (55 ± 4 ms vs. 59 ± 3 ms vs. 57 ± 3 ms, p = 0.001), with unchanged extracellular volume and relative late gadolinium enhancement. Twelve months after cancer diagnosis, the breast cancer patients exhibited significant impairments in left ventricular global radial (p = 0.001), circumferential (p = 0.001), and longitudinal strain (p = 0.002) and T2 time (p = 0.008) compared to the healthy controls.

Discussion

Breast cancer patients receiving cardiotoxic chemotherapy show persistent deterioration in left ventricular strain values. This is accompanied by inflammatory changes in non-invasive tissue characterisation. Larger studies with longer follow-up periods are needed to identify patients at risk and establish preventive and therapeutic approaches.
Mena and VASP are required for vascular smooth muscle relaxation
Authors: Ulrich Lea , Gliem Carla , Groneberg Dieter , Frömel Timo , Schuh Kai , Fleming Ingrid , Benz Peter M.
Published: April 2023

Enabled/vasodilator stimulated phosphoproteins (Ena/VASP) proteins are important regulators of the cytoskeleton, linking kinase signaling pathways to actin assembly. In mammals, the Ena/VASP family of proteins consists of mammalian enabled (Mena), VASP, and Ena-VASP-like protein (EVL). The proteins are well known targets of cAMP- and cGMP-dependent protein kinases, PKA and PKG, respectively. Given the importance of cyclic nucleotide signaling in mediating vasodilation, we investigated the role of Ena/VASP protein in vascular smooth muscle relaxation. Whereas VASP and Mena were strongly expressed in vascular smooth muscle cells, EVL was undetectable in the arterial wall and EVL-deficiency had no impact on agonist-induced smooth muscle relaxation. VASP deletion impaired the acetylcholine (ACh)- and nitric oxide (NO)-induced relaxation murine mesenteric arteriesex vivo. Similarly, the ACh-induced and NO-dependent relaxation of aorta from 7-month-old but not 3- month-old VASP-/-mice was also reduced. Aortas from animals lacking VASP and expressing only minimal amounts of Mena displayed significantly impaired relaxations in response to NO, cAMP and cGMP stimulation. These results suggest that Mena and VASP play an important role in agonist induced smooth muscle relaxation and functionally compensate for each other.
Label-free Identification of Protein Aggregates Using Deep Learning
Authors: Ibrahim Khalid A. , Grußmayer Kristin S. , Riguet Nathan , Feletti Lely , Lashuel Hilal A. , Radenovic Aleksandra
Published: April 2023

Protein misfolding and aggregation play central roles in the pathogenesis of various neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs), including Huntington’s disease, which is caused by a genetic mutation that leads to a polyglutamine repeat length > 35 in exon 1 of the Huntingtin protein (Httex1). Current research on protein aggregation often involves the use of fluorescent labels to visualize and monitor the dynamics of protein expression, which can alter the biophysical properties of proteins and the final ultrastructure, composition, and toxic properties of the formed aggregates. To overcome this limitation, we present a method for label-free identification of NDD-associated aggregates (LINA). Our approach utilizes deep learning to detect unlabeled and unaltered Httex1 aggregates in living cells from transmitted-light images, without the need for fluorescent labeling. We developed pixel-classification and pixel-regression models, which are robust across imaging conditions, and validated them on aggregates formed by different constructs of Httex1. Our results reveal that Httex1 proteins with shorter polyglutamine repeat lengths form aggregates with a higher average dry mass and area, highlighting the differences in their ultrastructure and aggregation mechanisms. LINA enables the dynamic identification of label-free aggregates and measurement of their dry mass and area changes during their growth process. Our highly-robust models offer high speed, specificity, and simplicity to analyze label-free protein aggregation dynamics and obtain high-fidelity information.
Topology-Aware Focal Loss for 3D Image Segmentation
Authors: Demir Andac , Massaad Elie , Kiziltan Bulent
Published: April 2023

The efficacy of segmentation algorithms is frequently compromised by topological errors like overlapping regions, disrupted connections, and voids. To tackle this problem, we introduce a novel loss function, namely Topology-Aware Focal Loss (TAFL), that incorporates the conventional Focal Loss with a topological constraint term based on the Wasserstein distance between the ground truth and predicted segmentation masks’ persistence diagrams. By enforcing identical topology as the ground truth, the topological constraint can effectively resolve topological errors, while Focal Loss tackles class imbalance. We begin by constructing persistence diagrams from filtered cubical complexes of the ground truth and predicted segmentation masks. We subsequently utilize the Sinkhorn-Knopp algorithm to determine the optimal transport plan between the two persistence diagrams. The resultant transport plan minimizes the cost of transporting mass from one distribution to the other and provides a mapping between the points in the two persistence diagrams. We then compute the Wasserstein distance based on this travel plan to measure the topological dissimilarity between the ground truth and predicted masks. We evaluate our approach by training a 3D U-Net with the MICCAI Brain Tumor Segmentation (BraTS) challenge validation dataset, which requires accurate segmentation of 3D MRI scans that integrate various modalities for the precise identification and tracking of malignant brain tumors. Then, we demonstrate that the quality of segmentation performance is enhanced by regularizing the focal loss through the addition of a topological constraint as a penalty term.
Massive expansion of the pig gut virome based on global metagenomic mining
Authors: Mi Jiandui , Jing Xiaoping , Ma Chouxian , Yang Yiwen , Li Yong , Zhang Yu , Long Ruijun , Zheng Haixue
Published: April 2023

The pig gut virome plays a crucial role in the gut microbial ecosystem of pigs, yet a comprehensive reference database is still lacking. To address this gap, we established the Pig Virome Database (PVD) of the gut that comprises 5,566,804 viral contig sequences from 4,650 publicly available gut metagenomic samples using a pipeline named “metav” developed in this study. The majority of viral operational taxonomic units (vOTUs) were identified asCaudoviricetes(65.36%). By clustering sequences, we identified 48,299 vOTU genomes, of which 92.83% were not found in existing major databases. The PVD database contains a total of 18,161,503 protein-coding genes that can be used to explore the functional potential of the pig gut virome. Our study showed that the PVD can improve the detection of viruses that carry antibiotic/metal resistance genes, mobile genetic elements, virulence factor genes, and quorum sensing systems. These findings highlight the extensive diversity of viruses in the pig gut and provide detailed insight into host‒virus interactions.
Molecular Coevolutionary Drive
Authors: Lynch Michael
Published: April 2023

Most aspects of the molecular biology of cells involve tightly coordinated intermolecular interactions requiring specific recognition at the nucleotide and/or amino-acid levels. This has led to long-standing interest in the degree to which constraints on interacting molecules result in conserved vs. accelerated rates of sequence evolution, with arguments commonly being made that molecular coevolution can proceed at rates exceeding the neutral expectation. Here, a fairly general model is introduced to evaluate the degree to which the rate of evolution at functionally interacting sites is influenced by effective population sizes (Ne), mutation rates, strength of selection, and the magnitude of recombination between sites. This theory is of particular relevance to matters associated with interactions between organelle- and nuclear-encoded proteins, as the two genomic environments often exhibit dramatic differences in the power of mutation and drift. Although genes within lowNeenvironments can drive the rate of evolution of partner genes experiencing higherNe, rates exceeding the neutral expectation require that the former also have an elevated mutation rate. Testable predictions, some counterintuitive, are presented on how patterns of coevolutionary rates should depend on the relative intensities of drift, selection, and mutation.

Significance Statement

A wide variety of features at the cellular level involve precise interactions between participating molecular partners, thereby requiring coordinated co-evolutionary changes within lineages. The same is true for ecological interactions between species. Although there has been much speculation on how such constraints might drive molecular evolutionary rates beyond the neutral expectation, there has been little formal evolutionary theory to evaluate the generality of such claims. Here, a general framework is developed for ascertaining how rates of sequence evolution depend on the population-genetic environments of both interacting partner molecules. Although the features of one site can indeed drive the evolution of the other, only under restrictive conditions does this process push rates beyond the neutral expectation.
The SToP (See, Treat, Prevent) Skin Sores and Scabies Trial - a stepped wedge cluster randomised trial for skin disease control in remote Western Australia: Statistical analysis plan
Authors: Jones Mark , Thomas Hannah , Snelling Thomas , Bowen Asha , Marsh Julie
Published: April 2023

The SToP trial is an (open-cohort) stepped-wedge cluster randomised trial (SWCRT) that aims to evaluate a skin health programme comprising three intervention components (1) seeing skin infections; (2) treating skin infections; and (3) preventing skin infections. Four community clusters in the remote Kimberley region of Western Australia will participate in the study. The primary outcome is the diagnosis of impetigo in children (5–9 years) observed during school-based surveillance visits. We provide a detailed, prospective statistical analysis plan (SAP). The plan was written by the trial statistician and details the study design as well as the statistical methods and reporting to be used. The SAP was produced prior to any of the authors viewing any of the trial data. Application of this SAP will minimise bias and supports transparent and reproducible research. SToP is registered under the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, ACTRN12618000520235.
Cortical Plasticity is associated with Blood-Brain-Barrier Modulation
Authors: Swissa Evyatar , Monsonego Uri , Yang Lynn T. , Schori Lior , Kamintsky Lyna , Mirloo Sheida , Burger Itamar , Uzzan Sarit , Patel Rishi , Sudmant Peter H , Prager Ofer , Kaufer Daniela , Friedman Alon
Published: April 2023

Brain microvessels possess the unique properties of a blood-brain barrier (BBB), tightly regulating the passage of molecules from the blood to the brain neuropil and vice versa. In models of brain injury, BBB dysfunction and the associated leakage of serum albumin to the neuropil have been shown to induce pathological plasticity, neuronal hyper-excitability, and seizures. The effect of neuronal activity on BBB function and whether it plays a role in plasticity in the healthy brain remain unclear. Here we show that neuronal activity induces modulation of microvascular permeability in the healthy brain and that it has a role in local network reorganization. Combining simultaneous electrophysiological recording and vascular imaging with transcriptomic analysis in rats, and functional and BBB-mapping MRI in human subjects we show that prolonged stimulation of the limb induces a focal increase in BBB permeability in the corresponding somatosensory cortex that is associated with long-term synaptic plasticity. We further show that the increased microvascular permeability depends on neuronal activity and involves caveolae-mediated transcytosis and transforming growth factor beta signaling. Our results reveal a role of BBB modulation in cortical plasticity in the healthy brain, highlighting the importance of neurovascular interactions for sensory experience and learning.
NOCICEPTRA2.0 - a comprehensive ncRNA atlas of human native and iPSC-derived sensory neurons
Authors: Zeidler Maximilian , Tavares-Ferreira Diana , Brougher Jackson , Price Theodore J. , Kress Michaela
Published: April 2023

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) play a critical role in regulating gene expression during development and in the pathogenesis of diseases. In particular, microRNAs have been extensively studied in the context of neurogenesis, the differentiation of pain sensing nociceptive neurons and the pathogenesis of pain disorder, however, little is known about the developmental signatures of other ncRNA species throughout sensory neuron differentiation. Moreover, there is currently no information available about the general expression signatures of ncRNAs in human dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) harboring the cell bodies of primary afferent nociceptors.

To bridge this knowledge gap, we developed a comprehensive atlas of small ncRNA species signatures during the differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived nociceptive neurons. By employing a combination of iPSC-derived sensory neuron and human DRG long and short RNA co-sequencing, we identified specific signatures that describe the developmental processes and the signatures of all currently known small ncRNA species in detail.

Our analysis revealed that different ncRNA species, including tRNAs, snoRNAs, lncRNAs, and piRNAs, are associated with different stages of sensory neuron differentiation and maturation. We retrieved pronounced similarities in ncRNA expression between human DRG and late-stage iPSC-derived sensory neurons, which further supports the use of iPSC-derived sensory neurons to uncover functional and regulatory changes in ncRNAs and their suitability as a as a human model system to bridge the translational gap between preclinical findings mostly from rodent models and our understanding of human disorders for the development of mechanism-based treatments.

In summary, our findings provide important insights into the role of ncRNA species other than microRNAs in human nociceptors. The updated NOCICEPTRA2.0 Tool will be the first fully comprehensive searchable ncRNA database for human sensory neurons enabling researchers to investigate important hub ncRNA regulators in nociceptors in full detail.
Semantic feature production norms for manipulable objects
Authors: Valério Daniela , Hussain Akbar , Almeida Jorge
Published: April 2023

Feature generation tasks and feature databases are important for understanding how knowledge is organized in semantic memory, as they reflect not only the kinds of information that individuals have about objects but also how objects are conceptually parse. Traditionally, semantic norms focus on a variety of object categories, and, as a result, have a small number of concepts per semantic category. Here, our main goal is to create a more finely-tuned feature database exclusively for one category of objects – manipulable objects. This database contributes to the understanding of within-category, content-specific processing. To achieve this, we asked 130 participants to freely generate features for 80 manipulable objects, and another group of 32 participants to generate action features for the same objects. We then compared our databases with other published semantic norms and found high structural similarity between them. In our databases, we calculated the similarity between visual, functional, encyclopedic, and action feature types. We discovered that objects were grouped in a distinctive and meaningful way according to feature type. Finally, we tested the validity of our databases by asking three groups of participants to perform a feature verification task while manipulating production frequency. Our results demonstrate that participants can recognize and associate the features of our databases with specific manipulable objects. Participants were faster to verify high-frequency features than low-frequency features. Overall, our data provide important insights into how we process manipulable objects and can be used to further inform cognitive and neural theories of object processing and identification.
Structural genomic variation and migratory behavior in wild songbirds
Authors: Delmore Kira E. , Van Doren Benjamin M. , Ullrich Kristian , Curk Teja , van der Jeugd Henk P. , Liedvogel Miriam
Published: April 2023

Structural variants (SVs) are a major source of genetic variation, but accurate descriptions in natural populations and connections with phenotypic traits remain scarce. We integrated advances in genomic sequencing and animal tracking to begin filling this knowledge gap in the Eurasian blackcap. Specifically, we (i) characterized the genome-wide distribution, frequency and overall fitness effects of SVs using haplotype-resolved assemblies for 79 birds, and (ii) used these SVs to study the genetics of seasonal migration. We detected >15K SVs. Many SVs overlapped repetitive regions and exhibited evidence of purifying selection suggesting they have overall deleterious effects on fitness. We used estimates of genomic differentiation to identify SVs exhibiting evidence of selection in blackcaps with different migratory strategies. Insertions and deletions dominated these SVs and were associated with genes that are either directly (e.g., regulatory motifs that maintain circadian rhythms) or indirectly (e.g., through immune response) related to migration. We also broke migration down into individual traits (direction, distance and timing) using existing tracking data and tested if genetic variation at the SVs we identified could account for phenotypic variation at these traits. This was only the case for one trait – direction – and one specific SV (a deletion on chromosome 27) accounted for much of this variation. Our results highlight the evolutionary importance of SVs in natural populations and provide insight into the genetic basis of seasonal migration.
(N-Benzoyl-N-phenylhydroxylaminato)carbonyl(triphenylarsine)rhodium(I)
Authors: Motente Mokete A. , Venter Johan , Brink Alice
Published: April 2023

The molecule of the title compound, [Rh(C13H10NO2){As(C6H5)3}(CO)] or [Rh(BPHA)(AsPh3)(CO)] (BPHA is the N-benzoyl-N-phenylhydroxylaminate anion), comprises a bidentate N-benzoyl-N-phenylhydroxylaminate anion coordinating through the O atoms to the soft Lewis acid, rhodium(I), and two monodentate ligands, viz. triphenylarsine and carbonyl. The resulting CO2As coordination environment around the central RhI atom is distorted square planar.=
Outcomes of use of the quality outcome measure for individuals with dementia (QOMID) with people with Down’s syndrome and dementia
Authors: Ryan Aoife , Dodd Karen
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to describe the outcomes of the use of the Quality Outcome Measure for individuals with dementia (QOMID) within a dementia pathway for people with Down’s syndrome (DS). The QOMID is a tool for clinicians to use with 17 outcome domains, each with descriptors for early, mid and late stage dementia, rated on a four point scale from rarely achieved for the person (1) to consistently and completely achieved for the person (4).

Design/methodology/approach

Data from first time use of the QOMID with 49 people with DS and dementia was analysed to determine if specific outcome domains are more achievable than others, if this differs by stage of dementia and what recommendations are suggested.

Findings

Results suggest that there were significant differences in achievability across the domains but that achievability did not vary between early and mid-stages of dementia. The themes with most recommendations were: quality of paperwork and documentation; improving communication with the person with DS and dementia; and working together with health and social care professionals.

Practical implications

Results suggest that outcomes which fall outside of the typical learning disabilities skillset and are dementia specific are being achieved less often. Primarily, recommendations focused on practical solutions such as using visual timetables to communicate with the person and adapting their environment. Further work on integrating the QOMID and stage-related team training for care staff is underway.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first detailed analysis of the use of the QOMID in clinical practice with people with DS and dementia.
Exploring the role of potential knowledge sources for the fuzzy-front end of the new product development (NPD) – bridging the knowledge gaps
Authors: Bashir Naheed
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Drawing on open innovation and knowledge-based view, this study was initiated by investigating the fact that despite the growing literature on external knowledge being important for bridging the knowledge gap across the new product development (NPD) processes, gaps exist to explore as to what are the potential knowledge sources and their contribution for the Fuzzy-Front end (FFE-) (i.e. idea-generation) phase of the NPD process?

Design/methodology/approach

Thirty-seven open-ended interviews with the NPD managers in large firms from the Chemicals and Electronic industries have been conducted to collect the data following thematic analysis into NVIvo 12.

Findings

The findings reveal customers, suppliers and external research organizations are the potential knowledge sources. Each of the sources delivers distinct knowledge for FFE of the NPD process. The empirical analysis of this study demonstrates that each of the potential knowledge sources though bridges the knowledge gap that innovative firms seek for the FFE of the NPD process, however collaboration with such sources incurs significant costs, risks, resources, capabilities and management practices which differs noticeably among different kinds of knowledge sources.

Practical implications

Managers must need assessing not just the gains but also the pains associated with each of the knowledge source before deciding to make additional investments in terms of resources and capabilities dedicated to learning from them while considering any of these for the FFE.

Originality/value

This new conceptualization of FFE offers a better theoretical and practical rationale for how and what types of different sources of knowledge can bridge the knowledge gaps for the FFE of NPD processes provided that innovative firms have necessary resources to entail a successful collaboration.
Investigating gamification services of university libraries in China
Authors: Zhou Lei , Yang Yanni
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This study aims to analyze the construction of gamification service in university libraries in China and to help university libraries improve service and user experience.

Design/methodology/approach

This study took 147 university libraries in China as research object, analyzed the gamification services announced by these libraries on official websites, Weibo, WeChat and other platforms during the period from July 1, 2021 to August 20, 2022, and investigated the gamification services from the four aspects of functions, forms, game elements and mechanisms.

Findings

The results show that the gamification service of university library in China is often used in the popularization of scientific and cultural knowledge, information literacy education, reading promotion, library service promotion and library entrance education. Questions and answers, points contests, passing the game level and treasure hunting are common forms of games. At the same time, many gamification services combine game elements such as points, leaderboards and grades with the game mechanism to enhance readers’ participation.

Originality/value

This study investigates gamification services of university libraries in China and provides suggestions for optimizing gamification services, which can provide reference for libraries in China and other countries.
Pilot evaluation of the electronic monitoring scheme in the UK
Authors: Churchman James William , Baron Susan , Carr Michelle , Orr Donna
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Following research into the application of Electronic Monitoring (EM), Criminal Justice Order (2016) no. 954 was published, which introduced EM for offenders leaving custody in England and Wales (Ministry of Justice, 2016). EM was later extended to include those subjected to release on temporary licence (ROTL). The purpose of this study is to be the first, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, to evaluate a pilot project using EM during the ROTL process. The outcome allowed for recommendations to be made regarding the continued use of EM within the open prison estate.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a qualitative research project involving semi-structured interviews with staff and residents. Transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis which resulted in exploration of 4 themes and 11 sub-themes and recommendations for future research/practice.

Findings

Results demonstrated that both staff and residents evaluated the use of EM as helpful with regard to evidencing compliance with ROTL conditions. In addition, staff also found it helpful for providing additional reassurance to victims and providing evidence for ROTL breaches.

Practical implications

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this was the first qualitative evaluation of EM relating to the ROTL process. The evaluation improves understanding of the value of EM for policymakers and the Ministry of Justice, especially in terms of the ROTL process. The recommendations made in this paper evidence the value of EM use in the future.

Originality/value

This evaluation supports continued use of EM and its integration into policy and procedures for residents subject to temporary licence. This paper concluded that consistent and reliable use of EM may contribute to victim reassurance and reduce recidivism of residents during ROTL, subsequently increasing the public’s perception of safety.
Sustainability and firm performance: the role of environmental, social and governance disclosure and green innovation
Authors: Khanchel Imen , Lassoued Naima , Baccar Ines
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to determine whether financial performance is affected in firms adopting separately or jointly two sustainability tools (green innovation and environmental, social and governance reporting (ESG)).

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical study examines a sample of 211 S&P 500 firms over the 2011 to 2019 period and uses the quantile estimation method.

Findings

The results show that two dimensions of ESG disclosure (the social and governance dimensions) and green innovation positively affect financial performance. This result suggests that sustainability tools have a strong financial impact. The positive relationship between green innovation and financial performance is detected at the 10th quantile up to the 70th quantile. This finding suggests that financial performance needs a moderate investment in green innovation. When considering the joint effect of ESG disclosure and green innovation, our findings show that the positive impact of some ESG disclosure dimensions (social and governance) on financial performance is more observable with a moderate investment in green innovation.

Originality/value

This study highlights the prominent role of sustainability tools in financial performance. Despite the contributions of the literature, to our knowledge, the relationship between these tools and financial performance is not yet comprehensively investigated. Sustainability is less studied from the social movement perspective. This paper is among the few to study the effect of ESG reporting on financial performance in a world of green innovation.
High performance assembly of complex structural parts in special environments – research on space manipulator assisted module docking method
Authors: Liu Yang , Chen Ziyu , Gao Jie , Gan Shuai , Kang Erlong
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Compared with the robotic manipulation in structured environment, high performance assembly of complex parts in extreme special environment is facing great challenges because of the uncertainty in the environment, and the decline of the control accuracy of the robot and the sensor accuracy. The assembly and construction of the space station is a typical case. An important step in the construction of the space station is the module positioning and docking with the auxiliary of the space manipulator. The operation of the manipulator is faced with many problems, such as low sensing information accuracy, large end position deviation and the requirement of weak impact in the docking process. The purpose of this paper is to design a docking method at the strategy level to effectively solve the problems that may be faced in the docking process.

Design/methodology/approach

Inspired by the research of robotic high-precision compliant assembly, this paper introduces the concept of Attractive Region in Environment (ARIE) into the space manipulator–assisted module docking. The contact configuration space of the docking mechanism and the existence of ARIE are systematically analyzed. The docking strategy based on ARIE framework is proposed, in which the impedance control is used to ensure the weak impact during the docking process.

Findings

For the androgynous peripheral spacecraft docking mechanism, a large range of attractive region exists in the high-dimensional contact configuration space. The docking strategy based on ARIE framework can be designed according to the geometric characteristics of the constraint region and the structural characteristics of the docking mechanism. The virtual models and the simulation environment are established, and the effectiveness of the proposed method is preliminarily verified.

Originality/value

Based on the research results of robotic precision compliant manipulation, in this paper, the theory of ARIE is first systematically applied to the analysis of spacecraft docking problem and the design of docking scheme. The effectiveness of the proposed docking method is preliminarily verified for the requirements of large position tolerance and weak impact. The research results will provide theoretical support and technical reference for the assembly and construction of space station and other space manipulator operations.
Dimensional accuracy and impact resistance of 3D printed clay reinforced with scrap polymer powder
Authors: Mele Mattia , Campana Giampaolo , Pisaneschi Gregorio , De Martino Luciano , Ricciarelli Michele
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to give an insight into relevant aspects of 3D printing of clay paste enhanced with scrap polymer powder which have not been investigated by previous studies. Specifically, the geometrical features of the deposited lines, dimensional accuracy of benchmarks and mechanical properties of printed parts are investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

Firstly, the 3D printer is used to deposit lines of the paste under various combinations of material composition and process parameters. 3D scanning is used to measure their dimensional and geometrical errors. The results are elaborated through statistics to highlight the role of material and processing conditions. Then, four benchmark parts are printed using materials with different percentages of polymer powder. The parts are scanned after each step of the post-processing to quantify the effects of printing, drying and melting on dimensional accuracy. Finally, drop weight tests are carried out to investigate the impact resistance of specimens with different powder contents.

Findings

It is found that the quality of deposition varies with the printing speed, nozzle acceleration and material composition. Also, significant differences are observed at the ends of the lines. Materials with 10 Wt.% and 40 Wt.% of powder exhibit relevant shape variations due to the separation of phases. Accuracy analyses show significant deformations of parts at the green state due to material weight. This effect is more pronounced for higher powder contents. On the other hand, the polymer reduces shrinkage during drying. Furthermore, the impact test results showed that the polymer caused a large increase in impact resistance as compared to pure clay. Nonetheless, a decrease is observed for 40 Wt.% due to the higher amount of porosities.

Research limitations/implications

The results of this study advance the knowledge on the 3D printing of clay paste reinforced with a scrap polymer powder. This offers a new opportunity to reuse leftover powders from powder bed fusion processes. The findings presented here are expected to foster the adoption of this technique reducing the amount of waste powder disposed of by additive manufacturing companies.

Originality/value

This study offers some important insights into the relations between process conditions and the geometry of the deposited lines. This is of practical relevance to toolpath planning. The dimensional analyses allow for understanding the role of each post-processing step on the dimensional error. Also, the comparison with previous findings highlights the role of part dimensions. The present research explores, for the first time, the impact resistance of parts produced by this technology. The observed enhancement of this property with respect to pure clay may open new opportunities for the application of this manufacturing process.
Bill George: Guiding two decades of the authentic leadership movement
Authors: Leavy Brian
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Over the last two decades Bill George has been researching the basic ingredients of authentic leadership through one of the most extensive empirical studies of leadership ever undertaken. He and his team have extended their research to include both international and rising generation leaders and parlayed their findings into a development process aimed at helping current and aspiring leaders to become both more authentic and effective. His latest book, True North: Leading Authentically in Today’s Workplace (Emerging Leader Edition), is co-authored with Zach Clayton.

Design/methodology/approach

Interview with authors Bill George, former CEO of Medtronic, and Zach Clayton, CEO of Three Ships, conducted by Brian Leavy, Emeritus Professor of Strategy at Dublin City University Business School, a Strategy &Leadership contributing editor and author of the S&L masterclass, “ Effective leadership today – character, not just competence.

Findings

Authentic leaders engender trust and develop genuine connections, which enables them to motivate people to achieve high levels of performance.

Practical implications

“I believe the hardest person you will ever have to lead is yourself.” -- Bill George

Originality/value

“The authors interviewed hundreds of CEOs and found that the self-awareness that they develop in the process of self-discovery is the most essential determinant of their effectiveness as a leader.”