bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using Citizen Science to build baseline data on tropical tree phenology
Authors: Ramaswami Geetha , Sidhu Swati , Quader Suhel
Published: August 2020

Large-scale and long-term understanding of the phenology of widespread tree species is lacking in the tropics, and particularly in the Indian subcontinent. In the absence of baseline information, the impacts of climate on tree phenology, and thus on trophic interactions downstream of tree phenology, are also poorly understood. Citizen scientists can help bridge this gap by contributing simple, technology-based information over large spatial scales and over the long term. In this study, we describe an India-wide citizen science initiative called SeasonWatch, with preliminary insights into contributor behaviour and species phenology. Over a period of 8 years, between 2011 and 2019, cumulative contributor numbers have increased every year, although consistent contribution remains constant and low. The phenological patterns in the 4 most-observed species (JackfruitArtocarpus heterophyllusLam., MangoMangifera indicaL., TamarindTamarindus indicaL., and Indian LaburnumCassia fistulaL.) are described, with discernible seasonal peaks in flowering and fruiting. Seasonal peaks are influenced by tree phenology reported in the south Indian state of Kerala, which has the maximum number of contributors and most number of observations per contributor, comprising 89% of all observations. We look in detail at the flowering phenology of one particular species,Cassia fistula, which appears to show aberrant phenology, reflecting a potential shift away from historical baselines. Latitudinal patterns in the phenology of widespread species such asMangifera indicaare also discernible from 4 seasonal bioblitz events organised during 2018-19, with trees in lower latitudes exhibiting flowering and fruiting phenology earlier than the higher latitudes. We conclude that there are signs of shifts in phenological patterns, as in the case ofC. fistula, and extend a call for action to sustain long-term interest and participation by contributors to develop a baseline for common tropical tree species that can be used to understand long-term consequences of climate change on tropical tree phenology.
Abundant proteins contribute strongly to noise in the growth rate of optimally growing bacteria
Authors: Krah L.H.J. , Hermsen R.
Published: August 2020

In bacterial cells, protein expression is a highly stochastic process. At the same time, physiological variables such as the cellular growth rate also fluctuate significantly. A common intuition is that, due to their relatively high noise amplitudes, proteins with a low mean expression level are the most important causes of these fluctuations on a larger, physiological scale. Noise in highly expressed proteins, whose stochastic fluctuations are relatively small, is often ignored. In this work, we challenge this intuition by developing a theory that predicts the contribution of a protein’s expression noise to the noise in the instantaneous, cellular growth rate. Using mathematical analysis, we decomposed the contribution of each protein into two factors: the noise amplitude of the protein, and the sensitivity of the growth rate to fluctuations in that protein’s concentration. Next, we incorporated evolution, which has shaped the mean abundances of growth-related proteins to optimise the growth rate, causing protein abundances, but also cellular sensitivities to be non-random. We show that in cells that grow optimally fast, the growth rate is most sensitive to fluctuations in highly abundant proteins. This causes such proteins to overall contribute strongly to the noise in the growth-rate, despite their low noise levels. The results are confirmed in a stochastic toy model of cellular growth.
How bank vole-PUUV interactions influence the eco-evolutionary processes driving nephropathia epidemica epidemiology: An experimental and genomic approach
Authors: Madrières Sarah , Tatard Caroline , Murri Séverine , Vulin Johann , Galan Maxime , Piry Sylvain , Pulido Coralie , Loiseau Anne , Artige Emmanuelle , Benoit Laure , Leménager Nicolas , Lakhdar Latifa , Charbonnel Nathalie , Marianneau Philippe , Castel Guillaume
Published: August 2020

In Europe, Puumala virus (PUUV) is responsible for nephropathia epidemica (NE), a mild form of haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFSR). Despite the presence of its reservoir, the bank vole, on most of French territory, the geographic distribution of NE cases is heterogeneous and NE endemic and non-endemic areas have been reported. In this study we analyzed whether bank vole-PUUV interactions could partly shape these epidemiological differences. We performed crossed-experimental infections using wild bank voles from French endemic (Ardennes) and non-endemic (Loiret) areas, and two French PUUV strains isolated from these areas. The serological response and dynamics of PUUV infection were compared between the four cross-infection combinations. We showed that the serological response and the presence of PUUV in excretory organs were more important in bank voles infected with the PUUV endemic strain. Moreover, the within-host viral diversity in excretory organs was higher than in other non-excretory organs for the NE endemic cross-infection, but not for the NE non-endemic cross-infection. Altogether, our results showed that genetically different PUUV strains, and in a lesser extent their interaction with sympatric bank voles, could affect virus replication and diversity. This could impact PUUV excretion/transmission between rodents and to humans, and in turn at least partly shape NE epidemiology in France.
The genotypic and genetic diversity of enset (Ensete ventricosum) landraces used in traditional medicine is similar to the diversity found in starchy landraces
Authors: Nuraga Gizachew Woldesenbet , Feyissa Tileye , Tesfaye Kassahun , Biswas Manosh Kumar , Schwarzacher Trude , Borrell James S. , Wilkin Paul , Demissew Sebsebe , Tadele Zerihun , Heslop-Harrison J.S. (Pat)
Published: August 2020

Background

Enset (Ensete ventricosum) is a multipurpose crop extensively cultivated in southern and southwestern Ethiopia for human food, animal feed and fiber. It contributes to the food security and rural livelihoods of 20 million people. Several distinct enset landraces are cultivated for their uses in traditional medicine. Socio-economic changes and the loss of indigenous knowledge might lead to the decline of important medicinal landraces and their associated genetic diversity. However, it is currently unknown whether medicinal landraces are genetically differentiated from other landraces. Here, we characterize the genetic diversity of medicinal enset landraces to support effective conservation and utilization of their diversity

Results

We evaluated the genetic diversity of 51 enset landraces of which 38 have reported medicinal value. A total of 38 alleles were detected across the 15 SSR loci. AMOVA revealed that 97.6% of the total genetic variation is among individual with an FSTof 0.024 between medicinal and non-medicinal landraces. A neighbor-joining tree showed four separate clusters with no correlation to the use values of the landraces. Principal coordinate analysis also confirmed the absence of distinct clustering between the groups, showing low differentiation among landraces used in traditional medicine and those having other use values.

Conclusion

We found that enset landraces were clustered irrespective of their use value, showing no evidence for genetic differentiation between enset grown for ‘medicinal’ uses and non-medicinal landraces. This suggests that enset medicinal properties may be restricted to a more limited number of genotypes, a product of interaction with the environment or management practice, or partly misreported. The study provide baseline information that promotes further investigations in exploiting the medicinal value of these specific landraces
IT-enabled organizational transformation: a structured literature review
Authors: vom Brocke Jan , Schmid Alexander Michael , Simons Alexander , Safrudin Norizan
Published: August 2020

Purpose

This paper presents a structured literature review of studies on IT-enabled organizational transformation to determine the state of the art and to identify areas for future research.

Design/methodology/approach

We collect 201 academic publications on IT-enabled organizational transformation and analyze them from three perspectives: a publication perspective, a research perspective and a conceptual perspective.

Findings

From a publication perspective, we identify and synthesize the seminal works to provide a brief history of research on IT-enabled organizational transformation. From a research perspective, we show that studies in this area have seldom been grounded in theory and have predominantly used qualitative approaches, while only a few studies have drawn from quantitative data. From a conceptual perspective, we show that most research has studied higher levels of transformation, especially process redesign.

Originality/value

This review presents the landscape of the literature on IT-enabled organizational transformation, which provides a foundation for future research.
Exploration of servant leadership and volunteers' commitment in the nonprofit and voluntary sector in war zones
Authors: Mejheirkouni Ammar
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore and understand the influence of servant leadership on volunteers' commitment working in the voluntary sector in war zones.

Design/methodology/approach

With a qualitative research design, participants were 16 volunteers from a servant-leadership-led charity who took part in three focus groups.

Findings

Results of the present study revealed that (1) the effectiveness of servant leadership in the war environment lies in creating hope, and (2) the overlap between personal ethics of servant leaders and flexible policies in addition to a set of attributes such as honesty; social awareness; listening; a sense of responsibility; emotion; altruism; patience; and leading without power represent the primary reasons that influence volunteers' commitment during war times.

Research limitations/implications

Research data was conducted during the war on Syria, which has negative implications not only on the participants, but also on the way they responded to questions.

Practical implications

This paper explores and attempts to understand the influence of servant leadership on volunteers' commitment working in the voluntary sector in war zones, which can shed light on the importance of servant leadership behavior in the voluntary sector during postwar and reconstruction periods.

Originality/value

The study offers data and interpretation regarding servant leadership and its positive outcome in war zones, which can be used as a foundation for future studies in war zones.
Exploring the role of innovation in the level of readiness to adopt IPSAS
Authors: Abdulkarim Mustafa Elkasih , Umlai Mohamed Ismail , Al-Saudi Layth Faris
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the level of readiness of the public sector in Qatar to adopt International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS), based on the innovation diffusion theory. The responses of accountants (preparers) and auditors employed in the public sector are explored in this regard, and challenges faced in IPSAS implementation are highlighted.

Design/methodology/approach

A primary research approach was adopted using a questionnaire that yielded 101 responses. Five dimensions are focused on: relative advantage, top management support, satisfaction with the current accounting system, barriers to adopting IPSAS, and attitudes towards innovation.

Findings

Relative advantage, barriers to adopting IPSAS and satisfaction with the current system were found to be the most significant. The influence of these variables appears to promote or hinder the implementation of IPSAS in the public sector of Qatar and, perhaps, the wider region.

Practical implications

Even if professionals understand the potential benefits of adopting IPSAS, they are unlikely to advance such adoption without upper echelon-sanctioned cost-benefit analyses and approval. Hence, policymakers should consider the need for a top-down shift in the way IPSASs are viewed and promoted to enable their successful implementation in the public sector.

Social implications

The positive association between satisfaction with current systems and the level of IPSAS implementation suggests that respondents view the usefulness and ease of use of their current systems as a primary reason to adopt IPSAS as an ‘upgrade’.

Originality/value

This study advances the understanding of the pre-transition process by drawing on innovation theory, which reveals determinants of IPSAS implementation in the case of Qatar. This study adds to prior studies on government accounting in developing nations.
Addressing unrealistic optimism with counterfactual reasoning in an employability module in higher education
Authors: Hanson Jill , Burke Ciaran
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The study aimed to explore the effect of second year business students engaging in counterfactual reasoning on their unrealistic optimism regarding attainment on an employability module.

Design/methodology/approach

Using an experimental design, the study compared the module performance of those who generated reasons why they would and would not achieve a series of specific grades. A control group who did not generate any reasons also took part.

Findings

Students who generated reasons why they would not achieve a good grade were less likely to be unrealistically optimistic and more likely to attain a good grade on their assessment.

Research limitations/implications

This is a small sample of students from one form of programme, so replication with a greater sample drawn from other programmes would increase reliability.

Practical implications

The results suggest an easily applied and practical way of engaging students in employability modules to support their development of a range of capitals.

Social implications

The findings are considered in relation to the theory of possible selves, the value for students, particularly widening participation of students, of improved engagement with employability modules and the possibility of applying this technique in wider educational settings.

Originality/value

This paper extends Hoch’s (1985) original study by considering the use of counterfactual reasoning for assessment performance and offering a an easy-to-apply tool for module leaders to support student attainment in employability development modules.
Why are people trapped in Ponzi and pyramid schemes?
Authors: Hidajat Taofik , Primiana Ina , Rahman Sulaeman , Febrian Erie
Published: August 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to identify psychological factors that influence people to be involved in Ponzi and pyramid schemes.

Design/methodology/approach

A psychological approach to finance or behavioural finance is applied in this research because of the assumption that human beings are not always rational. The sample consisted of 98 investors in 11 cities in Indonesia who were or had invested in an investment program with a Ponzi or pyramid scheme. The snowball sampling technique was applied.

Findings

The conclusion is that optimism (emotional bias), confirmation bias, representativeness bias, framing bias and overconfidence (cognitive bias) positively influenced investment decisions related to Ponzi and pyramid schemes.

Originality/value

The novelty aspect of this research is the implementation of a behavioural finance perspective to answer and express the fascinating phenomenon of Ponzi and pyramid investment schemes.
Cross-evaluation based super efficiency DEA approach to designing disaster recovery center location-allocation-routing network schemes
Authors: Hong Jae-Dong , Jeong Ki‐Young
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Finding efficient disaster recovery center location-allocation-routing (DRCLAR) network schemes play a vital role in the disaster recovery logistics network (DRLN) design. The purpose of this paper is to propose and demonstrate how to design efficient DRCLAR network schemes under the risk of facility disruptions as a part of the disaster relief activities.

Design/methodology/approach

A goal programming (GP) model is formulated to consider four performance measures simultaneously for the DRCLAR design. The cross-evaluation based-super efficiency data envelopment analysis (DEA) approach is applied to better evaluate the DRCLAR network schemes generated by solving the GP model so that more efficient network schemes can be identified.

Findings

The proposed approach identifies more efficient DRCLAR network schemes consistently among various network schemes generated by GP. We find that combining these two methods compensates for each method's weaknesses and enhances the discriminating power of the DEA method for effectively identifying and ranking the network schemes.

Originality/value

This study presents how to generate balanced DRCLAR network schemes and how to evaluate various network schemes for identifying efficient ones. The proposed procedure of developing and evaluating them could be extended for designing some disaster recovery/relief supply chain systems with conflicting performance measures.
Successful replication of knowledge in the growth of service organizations: evidence from Spanish hotel chains
Authors: García-Almeida Desiderio J. , Bolívar-Cruz Alicia
Published: August 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to identify the main factors affecting the success of the knowledge replication process in service firms when new units/outlets are created or acquired.

Design/methodology/approach

The quantitative approach of the study is based on a survey to the first general managers of new hotels integrated in Spanish hotel chains that implement a strategy of knowledge replication.

Findings

Transfer experience in the region; compatibility between the underlying cultural context of the knowledge and the recipients’ culture; recipients’ absorptive capacity; source’s and recipients’ motivation; and lack of adaptation in the transfer routines are key factors that influence several aspects of knowledge replication success in service firms.

Research limitations/implications

From an academic point of view, this work identifies the determinants of success in replication processes. Moreover, two dimensions in knowledge replication success have been identified: a functional dimension and an economic one. Industry and survey limitations must be considered.

Practical implications

Organizations that face a growth process where they want to replicate their corporate knowledge should consider several aspects that seem to be determinants of success in those projects.

Originality/value

Despite the prevalence of replication-based growth strategies in the service sector, there is a lack of research analyses about this phenomenon in the academic literature. The empirical-based research on knowledge transfer and service firms’ growth is scarce and fragmented. This work provides an integrated view of factors affecting knowledge replication success in new organizational units from an empirical quantitative approach.
Firm exporting and investment in exploratory and exploitative R&D
Authors: Ke Yi , Kafouros Marios , Yan Haifeng
Published: August 2020

Purpose

This study aims to investigate how firms’ internationalization activities through exporting influence their organizational learning. Specifically, this study examines how the level of exporting and geographic market scope impact a firm’s exploratory and exploitative R&D investment differently.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a sample of 7,055 firms in Spain during the period 2006–2011, the study uses regression analysis (generalized least squares random effects) to test various hypotheses.

Findings

Although exporting improves organizational learning, learning opportunities vary for different aspects of exporting. Specifically, the level of a firm’s exporting has a significant positive effect on its exploitative R&D investment, whereas geographic market scope of a firm increases its exploratory R&D investment.

Practical implications

The findings can aid in shaping policies and firms’ decisions pertaining to exporting and exploratory and exploitative R&D investment. As the findings indicate that, the determinants of exploratory and exploitative R&D investment are different, managers and policymakers, who aim at a specific type of R&D investment, should understand which exporting strategy they should pursue.

Originality/value

Prior research suggests that exporting improves organizational learning. This study extends this knowledge by showing that different aspects of exporting, specifically, the level of exporting and geographic market scope, drive different types of organizational learning.
The Covid-19 pandemic and local government finance: Czechia and Slovakia
Authors: Nemec Juraj , Špaček David
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The current Covid-19 crisis research focuses especially on epidemiologic and macro-level socioeconomic aspects. It only marginally covers impacts on local budgets. Our intention is to enrich the existing limited debate on this dimension.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses a qualitative research approach and is based on secondary research and information available in restrictive regulations of national governments, data published by governmental bodies, international statistics and media articles published before 30 June 2020. The authors also conducted six non-structured online interviews with the leading question: “How do you see the current and future impacts of the pandemic on local public finance?”

Findings

Available information on Czechia and Slovakia indicates that the level of municipal fiscal imbalance as the result of the Covid-19 crisis is not proportional to the situation on the central level, and municipal financial resources are not commensurate with their responsibilities as outlined by the constitution and the law. Because the reaction of the central government in both countries to this situation has been inadequate, municipalities will face problems with service delivery in some areas, especially in culture and sport.

Originality/value

The authors enrich the growing debate about the current Covid-19 crisis and its consequences and focus on local government finance in two selected countries from Central and Eastern Europe.
Psychological engagement drives brand loyalty: evidence from Malaysian ecotourism destinations
Authors: Quoquab Farzana , Mohammad Jihad , Mohd Sobri Anis Makhillah
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The present study attempts to shed some light on tourists’ destination brand loyalty (DBL) in the Malaysian ecotourism context. More specifically, this study aims to examine the relationships between electronic word of mouth (eWOM), destination brand quality (DBQ), destination brand image (DBI), psychological engagement (PE) and DBL.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the Stimulus–Organism–Response theory and buyer black box model, this study developed a framework to address tourists’ loyalty towards ecotourism destinations. An online survey was carried out to collect data, which yielded 210 completed usable responses. Structural equation modelling – partial least squares was used to test the study hypotheses.

Findings

Findings from this study revealed that eWOM and destination product quality affect DBI. Moreover, data support the mediating effect of PE between DBI and DBL.

Practical implications

This study provides valuable insights for practitioners and policymakers of the tourism industry in creating a DBI, keeping tourists psychologically engaged and retaining their loyalty to the ecotourism destinations.

Originality/value

This study is amongst the first to examine the effect of eWOM and DBQ on DBI in the ecotourism context. It also examines PE in relation to the DBI, which is a comparatively new area in the literature.
Remarkable lives: Chantelle Garth in conversation with Jerome Carson
Authors: Garth Chantelle , Carson Jerome
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a profile of Chantelle Garth.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a case study approach, Chantelle provides a short account of her background and is then interviewed by Jerome.

Findings

Chantelle gives an account of her very troubled childhood and adolescence. Her adult life has been no easier. Life is a continuous challenge.

Research limitations/implications

It is hard to imagine a tougher life than Chantelle’s, yet her ambition has carried her through. A single account, yet one of the most powerful accounts in this series.

Practical implications

There are few better accounts of resilience in the face of at times what seem like insurmountable obstacles.

Social implications

The belief that can be instilled by a single professional can have a profound effect in encouraging someone facing adversity.

Originality/value

There are numerous accounts of individuals facing difficulties in life, then there is Chantelle’s. This is in a category of its own.
Strategic responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in Pacific Alliance countries
Authors: Vivas Vanina , Villar Manuel
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced governments of different countries to implement unprecedented strategies with the aim of reducing the rate of contagion and mitigating its economic and social effects. In this scenario, the purpose of this paper is to analyze four fundamental strategies, namely, testing and diagnosis, macroprudential, labor market and social assistance, based on the crisis management theory.

Design/methodology/approach

This research note is based on a review of the principal official legislations regarding the strategies implemented during the first 80 days from the first zero case registered in the Pacific Alliance countries.

Findings

The review shows that the Pacific Alliance countries have implemented similar strategies regarding macroprudential and labor market measures. On the other hand, there are differences among the strategies related to testing and diagnostic and social assistance.

Originality/value

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected Latin American countries due to their economic and social problems. In this sense, the reporting and analysis of the principal strategies implemented by the Pacific Alliance countries constitute a baseline to understand the effectiveness of these strategies in mitigating the negative effects of the pandemic.
Improvised routines driving best practices: investing in disobedience
Authors: Gerard Joseph A.
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine different processes four organizations use to achieve best practices. There is an apparent contradiction between projects designed to create innovation and rigid rule following used for productivity. While both contribute to best practices this study describes a third source. Employees disobeyed rules and, in some cases, the results became best practices. This study identifies three management responses to deviant employee behaviors.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a multi-case field study design built upon organizational theory in the area of work structures. It uses qualitative methods based on grounded theory. Interviews, observations and archival data were used to triangulate findings. Four firms were selected to participate. One global and one regional accounting firm were compared and contrasted with one global and one regional manufacturing firm.

Findings

The paper provides insights about how change occurs not only from intentional innovation but also from disobeying rigid rules designed to enhance productivity. It also highlights three specific management responses to deviant behavior and the conditions under which each is selected.

Research limitations/implications

Because of the chosen research approach, this research may not be easily generalized. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to further test the proposed conclusions. The paper expands organizational routine theory to examine how improvisation may change the structure of a formal work process.

Practical implications

The paper includes management implications. It suggests that rigid conformance to rules may inhibit a possible source of best practice innovation and gives management potential reasons to rethink imposed constraints.

Social implications

Relationships of supervisory action to employee performance and productivity become more important when innovation and efficiency are sought in an organization. These relationships should be examined with a specific outcome in mind. There may be a choice between control and discovery that will require further consideration by management.

Originality/value

Many studies look at processes, procedures and organizational routines, most assuming that what is designed is implemented. Others consider deviant behavior usually in a negative light. This paper provides insights into non-conforming actions by employees and the positive unexpected results that can occur, taking into consideration the studies that took this approach to innovation.
Pores and the formation mechanisms of SLMed AlSi10Mg
Authors: Wang Tingting , Dai Shimin , Liao Hailong , Zhu Haihong
Published: August 2020

Purpose

To fabricate high performance parts, this paper aims to systematically study the pores characteristics and their formation mechanisms in selective laser melting (SLM) AlSi10Mg.

Design/methodology/approach

Cubes of 10 × 10 × 5 mm were manufactured in different laser power, scan speed and scan space. Optical microscope (OM) and scanning electron microscopes (SEM) were used to observe morphology of pores.

Findings

Round or irregular pores were found in SLMed AlSi10Mg parts. All the round pores have smooth inner walls and locate in the melt pool. The formation mechanisms of the round pores are contributed to the evaporation of elements in the melt pool, H2O, high laser energy input and hollow powder. Irregular pores have rough inner walls. Big scan space, unevenness of the upper surface, large layer thickness, spatter and oxide are the main reasons of generating irregular pores which outside the melt pool. Instability of keyhole leads to the irregular pores locate in the bottom of keyhole mode melt pool.

Originality/value

Relationship between pores and melt pool were studied systematically for the first time. Researches of pores characteristics and their formation mechanisms in SLMed AlSi10Mg would be a valuable reference for researchers to obtain an important insight into and control the defect in SLMed Al alloy.
Catching a glimpse of the bacterial gut community of companion animals: a canine and feline perspective
Authors: Alessandri Giulia , Argentini Chiara , Milani Christian , Turroni Francesca , Cristina Ossiprandi Maria , van Sinderen Douwe , Ventura Marco
Published: August 2020

Dogs and cats have gained a special position in human society by becoming our principal companion animals. In this context, efforts to ensure their health and welfare have increased exponentially, with in recent times a growing interest in assessing the impact of the gut microbiota on canine and feline health. Recent technological advances have generated new tools to not only examine the intestinal microbial composition of dogs and cats, but also to scrutinize the genetic repertoire and associated metabolic functions of this microbial community. The application of high‐throughput sequencing techniques to canine and feline faecal samples revealed similarities in their bacterial composition, with Fusobacteria, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes as the most prevalent and abundant phyla, followed by Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria. Although key bacterial members were consistently present in their gut microbiota, the taxonomic composition and the metabolic repertoire of the intestinal microbial population may be influenced by several factors, including diet, age and anthropogenic aspects, as well as intestinal dysbiosis. The current review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the multitude of factors which play a role in the modulation of the canine and feline gut microbiota and that of their human owners with whom they share the same environment.
Aging‐associated changes in CD47 arrangement and interaction with thrombospondin‐1 on red blood cells visualized by super‐resolution imaging
Authors: Wang Feng , Liu Yan‐Hou , Zhang Ting , Gao Jing , Xu Yangyue , Xie Guang‐Yao , Zhao Wen‐Jie , Wang Hongda , Yang Yong‐Guang
Published: August 2020

CD47 serves as a ligand for signaling regulatory protein α (SIRPα) and as a receptor for thrombospondin‐1 (TSP‐1). Although CD47, TSP‐1, and SIRPα are thought to be involved in the clearance of aged red blood cells (RBCs), aging‐associated changes in the expression and interaction of these molecules on RBCs have been elusive. Using direct stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (dSTORM)‐based imaging and quantitative analysis, we can report that CD47 molecules on young RBCs reside as nanoclusters with little binding to TSP‐1, suggesting a minimal role for TSP‐1/CD47 signaling in normal RBCs. On aged RBCs, CD47 molecules decreased in number but formed bigger and denser clusters, with increased ability to bind TSP‐1. Exposure of aged RBCs to TSP‐1 resulted in a further increase in the size of CD47 clusters via a lipid raft‐dependent mechanism. Furthermore, CD47 cluster formation was dramatically inhibited on thbs1−/− mouse RBCs and associated with a significantly prolonged RBC lifespan. These results indicate that the strength of CD47 binding to its ligand TSP‐1 is predominantly determined by the distribution pattern and not the amount of CD47 molecules on RBCs, and offer direct evidence for the role of TSP‐1 in phagocytosis of aged RBCs. This study provides clear nanoscale pictures of aging‐associated changes in CD47 distribution and TSP‐1/CD47 interaction on the cell surface, and insights into the molecular basis for how these molecules coordinate to remove aged RBCs.
Effects of platelet‐rich plasma on spermatogenesis and hormone production in an experimental testicular torsion model
Authors: Kutluhan Musab Ali , Özsoy Emrah , Şahin Aytaç , Ürkmez Ahmet , Topaktaş Ramazan , Toprak Tuncay , Gümrükçü Gülistan , Verit Ayhan
Published: August 2020

Background

Platelet‐rich plasma is a biological instrument rich in growth factors and cytokines.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of platelet‐rich plasma on spermatogenesis and hormone production in an experimental testicular torsion model.

Materials and methods

The rats were randomly divided into three groups, including six rats in each group as follows: the first group as the sham group; the second group as the ischemia/reperfusion + Saline group and the third group as the ischemia/reperfusion + platelet‐rich plasma group. The left testicles of the ischemia/reperfusion + Saline and ischemia/reperfusion + platelet‐rich plasma group were kept in four‐hour torsion. Then, the left testicles of ischemia/reperfusion + Saline and ischemia/reperfusion + platelet‐rich plasma groups were detorsioned, and intra‐testicular 1 cc saline (ischemia/reperfusion + Saline) and 1 cc platelet‐rich plasma (ischemia/reperfusion + platelet‐rich plasma) were injected. At one month, blood samples were taken from all groups for hormonal evaluation and left orchiectomy was performed.

Results

The mean follicle‐stimulating hormone level of ischemia/reperfusion + Saline group was significantly higher than ischemia/reperfusion + platelet‐rich plasma group (7.78 ± 0.23 vs 6.18 ± 0.28 nmol/l, respectively, P = .004). The mean LH level of ischemia/reperfusion + platelet‐rich plasma group was significantly lower than ischemia/reperfusion + Saline group (3.63 ± 0.28 vs 5.68 ± 0.21 nmol/l, respectively, P = .004). The mean total testosterone level of ischemia/reperfusion + platelet‐rich plasma group was significantly higher than ischemia/reperfusion + Saline group (8.05 ± 0.24 vs 5.78 ± 0.23 nmol/l, respectively, P = .004). The mean Johnsen scores of ischemia/reperfusion + platelet‐rich plasma group were significantly higher than ischemia/reperfusion + Saline group (5.85 ± 0.58 vs 3.93 ± 0.65, respectively, P = .004). The mean Johnsen score of the sham group was significantly higher than ischemia/reperfusion + platelet‐rich plasma and ischemia/reperfusion + Saline groups (P = .003 and P = .003, respectively).

Discussion and conclusion

The platelet‐rich plasma has beneficial effects on spermatogenesis and reproductive hormone production in testicular torsion. It is easily accessible and applicable. In the future, intra‐testicular platelet‐rich plasma injection may be used in testicular torsion after detorsion. However, further experimental and large‐scale prospective clinical studies are needed to establish a definitive conclusion on this topic.
Assessing potential for aortoiliac vascular injury from venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation cannulae: An in vitro particle image velocimetry study
Authors: Haymet Andrew B. , Boone Alice , Vallely Michael P. , Malfertheiner Maximilian Valentin , Pauls Jo P. , Suen Jacky Y. , Fraser John F.
Published: August 2020

Limb ischemia is a major complication associated with peripheral venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA‐ECMO). The high velocity jet from arterial cannulae can cause “sandblasting” injuries to the arterial endothelium, with the potential risk of distal embolization and end organ damage. The aim of this study was to identify, for a range of clinically relevant VA‐ECMO cannulae and flow rates, any regions of peak flow velocity on the aortic wall which may predispose to vascular injury, and any regions of low‐velocity flow which may predispose to thrombus formation. A silicone model of the aortic and iliac vessels was sourced and the right external iliac artery was cannulated. Cannulae ranged from 15 to 21 Fr in size. Simulated steady state ECMO flow rates were instituted using a magnetically levitated pump (CentriMag pump). Adaptive particle image velocimetry was performed for each cannula at 3, 3.5, 4, and 4.5 L/min. For all cannulae, in both horizontal and vertical side hole orientations, the peak velocity on the aortic wall ranged from 0.3 to 0.45 m/s, and the regions of lowest velocity flow were 0.05 m/s. The magnitude of peak velocity flow on the aortic wall was not different between a single pair versus multiple pairs of side holes. Maximum velocity flow on the aortic wall occurred earlier at a lower pump flow rate in the vertical orientation of distal side holes compared to a horizontal position. The presence of multiple paired side holes was associated with fewer low‐velocity flow regions, and some retrograde flow, in the distal abdominal aorta compared to cannulae with a single pair of side holes. From this in vitro visualization study, the selection of a cannula design with multiple versus single pairs of side holes did not change the magnitude of peak velocity flow delivered to the vessel wall. Cannulae with multiple side holes were associated with fewer regions of low‐velocity flow in the distal abdominal aorta. Further in vivo studies, and ideally clinical data would be required to assess any correlation of peak velocity flows with incidence of vascular injury, and any low‐velocity flow regions with incidence of thrombosis.
Systematic review with meta‐analysis: SARS‐CoV‐2 stool testing and the potential for faecal‐oral transmission
Authors: van Doorn Amarylle S. , Meijer Berrie , Frampton Chris M. A. , Barclay Murray L. , de Boer Nanne K. H.
Published: August 2020

Background

Since the start of the COVID‐19 pandemic, there have been many scientific reports regarding gastrointestinal manifestations. Several reports indicate the possibility of viral shedding via faeces and the possibility of faecal‐oral transmission.

Aims

To critically assess the clinical relevance of testing stool samples and anal swabs and provide an overview of the potential faecal‐oral transmission of SARS‐CoV‐2.

Methods

A systematic literature search with MeSH terms was performed, scrutinising the Embase database, Google scholar, MEDLINE database through PubMed and The Cochrane Library, including articles from December 2019 until July 7 2020. Data were subsequently analysed with descriptive statistics.

Results

Ninety‐five studies were included in the qualitative analysis. 934/2149 (43%) patients tested positive for SARS‐CoV‐2 in stool samples or anal swabs, with positive test results up to 70 days after symptom onset. A meta‐analysis executed with studies of at least 10 patients revealed a pooled positive proportion of 51.8% (95% CI 43.8 ‐ 59.7%). Positive faecal samples of 282/443 patients (64%) remained positive for SARS‐CoV‐2 for a mean of 12.5 days, up to 33 days maximum, after respiratory samples became negative for SARS‐CoV‐2. Viable SARS‐CoV‐2 was found in 6/17 (35%) patients in whom this was specifically investigated.

Conclusions

Viral shedding of SARS‐CoV‐2 in stool samples occurs in a substantial proportion of patients, making faecal‐oral transmission plausible. Furthermore, detection in stool samples or anal swabs can persist long after negative respiratory testing. Therefore, stool sample or anal swab testing should be (re)considered in relation to decisions for isolating or discharging a patient.
Penalized Fieller's confidence interval for the ratio of bivariate normal means
Authors: Wang Peng , Xu Siqi , Wang Yi‐Xin , Wu Baolin , Fung Wing Kam , Gao Guimin , Liang Zhijiang , Liu Nianjun
Published: August 2020

Constructing a confidence interval for the ratio of bivariate normal means is a classical problem in statistics. Several methods have been proposed in the literature. The Fieller method is known as an exact method, but can produce an unbounded confidence interval if the denominator of the ratio is not significantly deviated from 0; while the delta and some numeric methods are all bounded, they are only first‐order correct. Motivated by a real‐world problem, we propose the penalized Fieller method, which employs the same principle as the Fieller method, but adopts a penalized likelihood approach to estimate the denominator. The proposed method has a simple closed form, and can always produce a bounded confidence interval by selecting a suitable penalty parameter. Moreover, the new method is shown to be second‐order correct under the bivariate normality assumption, that is, its coverage probability will converge to the nominal level faster than other bounded methods. Simulation results show that our proposed method generally outperforms the existing methods in terms of controlling the coverage probability and the confidence width and is particularly useful when the denominator does not have adequate power to reject being 0. Finally, we apply the proposed approach to the interval estimation of the median response dose in pharmacology studies to show its practical usefulness.
Unfolded protein response activation in C9orf72 frontotemporal dementia is associated with dipeptide pathology and granulovacuolar degeneration in granule cells
Authors: Gami‐Patel Priya , van Dijken Irene , Meeter Lieke H. , Melhem Shamiram , Morrema Tjado H. J. , Scheper Wiep , van Swieten John C. , Rozemuller Annemieke J. M. , Dijkstra Anke A. , Hoozemans Jeroen J. M.
Published: August 2020

A repeat expansion in the C9orf72 gene is the most prevalent genetic cause of frontotemporal dementia (C9‐FTD). Several studies have indicated the involvement of the unfolded protein response (UPR) in C9‐FTD. In human neuropathology, UPR markers are strongly associated with granulovacuolar degeneration (GVD). In this study, we aim to assess the presence of UPR markers together with the presence of dipeptide pathology and GVD in post mortem brain tissue from C9‐FTD cases and neurologically healthy controls. Using immunohistochemistry we assessed the presence of phosphorylated PERK, IRE1α and eIF2α in the frontal cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum of C9‐FTD (n = 18) and control (n = 9) cases. The presence of UPR activation markers was compared with the occurrence of pTDP‐43, p62 and dipeptide repeat (DPR) proteins (poly(GA), ‐(GR) & ‐(GP)) as well as casein kinase 1 delta (CK1δ), a marker for GVD. Increased presence of UPR markers was observed in the hippocampus and cerebellum in C9‐FTD compared to control cases. In the hippocampus, overall levels of pPERK and peIF2α were higher in C9‐FTD, including in granule cells of the dentate gyrus (DG). UPR markers were also observed in granule cells of the cerebellum in C9‐FTD. In addition, increased levels of CK1δ were observed in granule cells in the DG of the hippocampus and granular layer of the cerebellum in C9‐FTD. Double‐labelling experiments indicate a strong association between UPR markers and the presence of dipeptide pathology as well as GVD. We conclude that UPR markers are increased in C9‐FTD and that their presence is associated with dipeptide pathology and GVD. Increased presence of UPR markers and CK1δ in granule cells in the cerebellum and hippocampus could be a unique feature of C9‐FTD.
Fault‐controlled base‐of‐scarp deposits
Authors: Chiarella Domenico , Capella Walter , Longhitano Sergio G. , Muto Francesco
Published: August 2020

The term base‐of‐scarp is proposed for those submarine deposits controlled by a fault and physically disconnected from their more proximal counterpart located on the footwall, although genetically linked to it. These systems differ from conventional fault‐controlled deltas, such as shoal‐ and Gilbert‐type, because they are entirely subaqueous and lack equilibrium morphology—a steady state in which the system grows in size without altering its shape. We present field examples of fault‐controlled deposits from the Crati Basin and the Messina Strait (southern Italy) consisting of stratigraphic clastic wedges that thin towards and onlap onto the active margin with primary inclined bedding. Beds are composed of immature coarse‐grained gravels and sand, lack structures representative of wave‐action and reflect gravity‐driven processes such as debris flow, debris fall and high‐density turbidity currents. These deposits represent the unsteady‐state phase in which the system grows reducing its slope angle leading to conditions under which the unsteady state may eventually turn into a Gilbert‐type or shoal‐water system. A diagram for fault‐controlled base‐of‐scarp (B), Gilbert (G) and shoal‐water (S) deposits is presented, including their steady‐ and unsteady states, and the conceptual conditions under which a base‐of‐scarp system might evolve into Gilbert‐type or shoal‐water systems and vice versa.
Staging Labor Renewal: An Application of the Theory of Interaction Rituals
Authors: Quinlan Elizabeth
Published: August 2020

Once thought to be the only genuinely revolutionary force, the labor movement is in retreat worldwide. By way of example, this article argues that by reawakening our human capacity for solidaristic relationships, theatrical plays are one means of revitalizing the labor movement. This article uses the theory of interaction rituals to analyze a dramatic production that follows in the tradition of the workers’ theater movement. The play focuses on the little‐known historical role of women in the 1941 to 1942 strike in Canada's gold fields. Audience responses to the after‐performance survey reveal the play's positive ritual effects. This study fills a gap in the empirical literature on interaction rituals.