bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Short-term climate-induced change in French plant communities
Authors: Martin Gabrielle , Devictor Vincent , Motard Eric , Machon Nathalie , Porcher Emmanuelle
Published: July 2019

Latitudinal and altitudinal range shifts in response to climate change have been reported for numerous animal species, especially those with high dispersal capacities. In plants, the impact of climate change on species distribution or community composition has been documented mainly over long periods (decades) and in specific habitats, often forests. Here, we broaden the results of such long-term, focused studies by examining climate-driven changes in plant community composition over a large area (France) encompassing multiple habitat types and over a short period (2009–2017). To this end, we measured mean community thermal preference, calculated as the community-weighted mean of the Ellenberg temperature indicator value, using data from a standardized participatory monitoring scheme. We report a rapid increase in the mean thermal preference of plant communities at national and regional scales, which we relate to climate change. This reshuffling of plant community composition corresponds to a relative increase in the abundance of warm- versus cold-adapted species. However, support for this trend was weaker when considering only the common species, including common annuals. Our results thus suggest for the first time that the response of plant communities to climate change involves subtle changes affecting all species rare and common, which can nonetheless be detected over short time periods. Whether such changes are sufficient to cope with the current climate warming remains to be ascertained.
Martin Harold Phillips Bott. 12 July 1926—20 October 2018
Authors: Watts Anthony Brian
Published: July 2019

Martin Bott was a geophysicist who made fundamental contributions to our understanding of gravity and magnetic anomalies and their geological interpretation. His research on the deep structure of the Earth's crust was both pioneering and innovative, and he showed how field geophysical measurements could be used to address geological problems such as the mechanics of granite emplacement, sedimentary basin formation and mountain building. When he began his research, the use of gravity and magnetic anomalies to understand deep crustal structure was in its infancy and largely confined to research laboratories in the oil and gas industry. Four decades later his lifetime efforts have seen the emergence of potential field methods as one of the principal means of constraining the structure, stress state and long-term strength of the Earth's crust and upper mantle in continents and oceans. Martin was an inspiring undergraduate teacher and outstanding supervisor, as reflected by his many research students who went on to prominent leadership positions in academia, government and industry. He leaves a legacy of more than 150 scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals and a lucidly written and beautifully illustrated textbook. As well as his many scientific achievements, Martin was an accomplished mountaineer, a dedicated churchgoer and an avid gardener. He saw no conflict between his science and his enduring Christian faith.
Group formation on a small-world: experiment and modelling
Authors: Bhattacharya Kunal , Takko Tuomas , Monsivais Daniel , Kaski Kimmo
Published: July 2019

As a step towards studying human-agent collectives, we conduct an online game with human participants cooperating on a network. The game is presented in the context of achieving group formation through local coordination. The players set initially to a small-world network with limited information on the location of other players, coordinate their movements to arrange themselves into groups. To understand the decision-making process, we construct a data-driven model of agents based on probability matching. The model allows us to gather insight into the nature and degree of rationality employed by the human players. By varying the parameters in agent-based simulations, we are able to benchmark the human behaviour. We observe that while the players use the neighbourhood information in limited capacity, the perception of risk is optimal. We also find that for certain parameter ranges, the agents are able to act more efficiently when compared to the human players. This approach would allow us to simulate the collective dynamics in games with agents having varying strategies playing alongside human proxies.
Coarse-grain simulations on NMR conformational ensembles highlight functional residues in proteins
Authors: Sacquin-Mora Sophie
Published: July 2019

Dynamics are a key feature of protein function, and this is especially true of gating residues, which occupy cavity or tunnel lining positions in the protein structure, and will reversibly switch between open and closed conformations in order to control the diffusion of small molecules within a protein's internal matrix. Earlier work on globins and hydrogenases have shown that these gating residues can be detected using a multiscale scheme combining all-atom classic molecular dynamics simulations and coarse-grain calculations of the resulting conformational ensemble mechanical properties. Here, we show that the structural variations observed in the conformational ensembles produced by NMR spectroscopy experiments are sufficient to induce noticeable mechanical changes in a protein, which in turn can be used to identify residues important for function and forming amechanical nucleusin the protein core. This new approach, which combines experimental data and rapid coarse-grain calculations and no longer needs to resort to time-consuming all-atom simulations, was successfully applied to five different protein families.
Metabolic activity affects the response of single cells to a nutrient switch in structured populations
Authors: Dal Co Alma , Ackermann Martin , van Vliet Simon
Published: July 2019

Microbes live in ever-changing environments where they need to adapt their metabolism to different nutrient conditions. Many studies have characterized the response of genetically identical cells to nutrient switches in homogeneous cultures; however, in nature, microbes often live in spatially structured groups such as biofilms where cells can create metabolic gradients by consuming and releasing nutrients. Consequently, cells experience different local microenvironments and vary in their phenotype. How does this phenotypic variation affect the ability of cells to cope with nutrient switches? Here, we address this question by growing dense populations of
Escherichia coli
in microfluidic chambers and studying a switch from glucose to acetate at the single-cell level. Before the switch, cells vary in their metabolic activity: some grow on glucose, while others cross-feed on acetate. After the switch, only few cells can resume growth after a period of lag. The probability to resume growth depends on a cells' phenotype prior to the switch: it is highest for cells cross-feeding on acetate, while it depends in a non-monotonic way on the growth rate for cells growing on glucose. Our results suggest that the strong phenotypic variation in spatially structured populations might enhance their ability to cope with fluctuating environments.
Model selection and parameter estimation for root architecture models using likelihood-free inference
Authors: Ziegler Clare , Dyson Rosemary J. , Johnston Iain G.
Published: July 2019

Plant root systems play vital roles in the biosphere, environment and agriculture, but the quantitative principles governing their growth and architecture remain poorly understood. The ‘forward problem’ of what root forms can arise from given models and parameters has been well studied through modelling and simulation, but comparatively little attention has been given to the ‘inverse problem’: what models and parameters are responsible for producing an experimentally observed root system? Here, we propose the use of approximate Bayesian computation (ABC) to infer mechanistic parameters governing root growth and architecture, allowing us to learn and quantify uncertainty in parameters and model structures using observed root architectures. We demonstrate the use of this platform on synthetic and experimental root data and show how it may be used to identify growth mechanisms and characterize growth parameters in different mutants. Our highly adaptable framework can be used to gain mechanistic insight into the generation of observed root system architectures.
Neck sensor-supported hyoid bone movement tracking during swallowing
Authors: Mao Shitong , Zhang Zhenwei , Khalifa Yassin , Donohue Cara , Coyle James L , Sejdic Ervin
Published: July 2019

Hyoid bone movement is an important physiological event during swallowing that contributes to normal swallowing function. In order to determine the adequate hyoid bone movement, clinicians conduct an X-ray videofluoroscopic swallowing study, which even though it is the gold-standard technique, has limitations such as radiation exposure and cost. Here, we demonstrated the ability to track the hyoid bone movement using a non-invasive accelerometry sensor attached to the surface of the human neck. Specifically, deep neural networks were used to mathematically describe the relationship between hyoid bone movement and sensor signals. Training and validation of the system were conducted on a dataset of 400 swallows from 114 patients. Our experiments indicated the computer-aided hyoid bone movement prediction has a promising performance when compared with human experts’ judgements, revealing that the universal pattern of the hyoid bone movement is acquirable by the highly nonlinear algorithm. Such a sensor-supported strategy offers an alternative and widely available method for online hyoid bone movement tracking without any radiation side-effects and provides a pronounced and flexible approach for identifying dysphagia and other swallowing disorders.
Generating electricity while walking with a medial–lateral oscillating load carriage device
Authors: Martin Jean-Paul , Li Qingguo
Published: July 2019

Biomechanical energy harvesters generate electricity, from human movement, to power portable electronics. We developed an energy harvesting module to be used in conjunction with a load carriage device that allows carried mass in a backpack to oscillate in the medial–lateral (M–L) direction. The energy harvesting module was designed to tune M–L oscillations of the carried mass to create favourable device–user interaction. We tested seven energy harvesting conditions and compared them to walking with the device when the weight was rigidly fixed to the backpack frame. For each energy harvesting condition, we changed the external load resistance: altering how much electricity was being generated and how much the carried mass would oscillate. We then correlated device behaviour to the biomechanical response of the user. The energy harvesting load carriage system generated electricity with no significant increase in the metabolic power required to walk, when compared to walking with the carried weight rigidly fixed. The device was able to generate up to 0.22 ± 0.03 W of electricity, while walking with 9 kg of carried weight. The device also reduced the interaction forces experienced by the user, in the M–L direction, compared to walking with the device when the mass was rigidly fixed.
Is implicit Theory of Mind real but hard to detect? Testing adults with different stimulus materials
Authors: Kulke Louisa , Wübker Marieke , Rakoczy Hannes
Published: July 2019

Recently, Theory of Mind (ToM) research has been revolutionized by new methods. Eye-tracking studies measuring subjects' looking times or anticipatory looking have suggested that implicit and automatic forms of ToM develop much earlier in ontogeny than traditionally assumed and continue to operate outside of subjects’ awareness throughout the lifespan. However, the reliability of these implicit methods has recently been put into question by an increasing number of non-replications. What remains unclear from these accumulating non-replication findings, though, is whether they present true negatives (there is no robust phenomenon of automatic ToM) or false ones (automatic ToM is real but difficult to tap). In order to address these questions, the current study implemented conceptual replications of influential anticipatory looking ToM tasks with a new variation in the stimuli. In two separate preregistered studies, we used increasingly realistic stimuli and controlled for potential confounds. Even with these more realistic stimuli, previous results could not be replicated. Rather, the anticipatory looking pattern found here remained largely compatible with more parsimonious explanations. In conclusion, the reality and robustness of automatic ToM remains controversial.
Towards a better understanding of the electrosynthesis of 2,5-dicarboxy-2,5-dihydrofurans: structure, mechanism and influence over stereochemistry
Authors: Shipman Michael A. , Sproules Stephen , Wilson Claire , Symes Mark D.
Published: July 2019

2,5-Dicarboxy-2,5-dihydrofurans are key constituents of a number of natural products and have roles as intermediates in the formation of other such compounds of interest. Typically, these species are synthesized using toxic Pb(IV) salts. Electrochemical syntheses of 2,5-diacetoxy-2,5-dihydrofuran that do not require the use of lead have been reported, but a general lack of experimental detail has prevented these procedures from being more widely adopted. Moreover, no electrochemical study has yet reported the ratio of
cis
and
trans
isomers produced. Herein, we compare the chemical, lead-based route to 2,5-diacetoxy-2,5-dihydrofuran with a fully described electrosynthesis method. In doing so, we have discovered that the
cis
and
trans
isomers of this compound were previously incorrectly assigned in the literature, an error that we correct by obtaining the crystal structure of
cis-
2,5-diacetoxy-2,5-dihydrofuran. This allows the ratios of the isomers as prepared by the chemical (2 : 1
cis
:
trans
) and electrochemical (7 : 5
cis
:
trans
) methods to be obtained. Through experimental and computational insights, we propose a mechanism for the electrochemical synthesis of 2,5-dicarboxy-2,5-dihydrofurans and go some way towards validating this mechanism by synthesizing 2,5-dibutoxy-2,5-dihydrofuran electrochemically for the first time. We hope that these findings will provide some greater clarity to the literature surrounding the electrosynthesis and potential applications of 2,5-dicarboxy-2,5-dihydrofurans.
Effects of WO
3
electrode microstructure on NO
2
-sensing properties for a potentiometric sensor
Authors: Yang Bin , Xiao Jianzhong , Wang Chao
Published: July 2019

Planar potentiometric NO
2
sensors based on 8YSZ (8 mol% Y
2
O
3
-doped ZrO
2
) were prepared with WO
3
sensing electrode material. The various electrode microstructures prepared by different sintering temperatures were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the microstructure influences on the sensors' performances were investigated. The sensor sintered at 800°C, with the most reaction sites, moderate adsorption sites and appropriate electrode thickness, exhibits the highest NO
2
voltage response. While the sensor sintered at 750°C exhibits the lowest NO
2
sensitivity because of the strongest gas-phase catalytic consumption in the WO
3
sensing electrode. Based on the results of SEM characterization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy tests, the difference in NO
2
-sensing performance was attributed to different amounts of electrochemical reaction sites at three-phase boundary, adsorption sites and different degrees of gas-phase catalysis.
Age determination in echinoderms: first evidence of annual growth rings in holothuroids
Authors: Sun Jiamin , Hamel Jean-François , Gianasi Bruno L. , Mercier Annie
Published: July 2019

While age is fundamental in animal biology, forming the basis of critical concepts such as life-history strategies, longevity and population structures, measuring this variable in some taxa remains problematic. Such is the case of holothuroid echinoderms, which play key roles in marine benthic communities from the shore to the abyss, and which are extensively fished in many regions across the globe. Here, we present and validate a promising ageing technique using the cold-water species
Psolus fabricii
. The method involves the extraction of the oldest dermal plates (largest dorsal ossicles) to preserve their original pigments and structure. While plates initially appear to have a uniform texture, polishing and dying them reveals layered ring patterns. A study of laboratory-reared juveniles, from settlement to 40 months of age, confirmed that one layer is added annually, making plates both larger and thicker, and generating successive light and dark rings, the latter representing the transition (overlap) between two layers. Therefore, each pair of rings represents an annual growth band. Size-at-age data obtained using this method revealed that growth of
P. fabricii
is slow and that wild individuals collected at diving depths had reached an age of several decades.
Spontaneous perception of numerosity in pre-school children
Authors: Anobile G. , Guerrini G. , Burr D. C. , Monti M. , Del Lucchese B. , Cicchini G. M.
Published: July 2019

There is strong evidence that humans can make rough estimates of the numerosity of a set of items, almost from birth. However, as numerosity covaries with many non-numerical variables, the idea of a direct number sense has been challenged. Here we applied two different psychophysical paradigms to demonstrate the spontaneous perception of numerosity in a cohort of young pre-school children. The results of both tasks showed that even at that early developmental stage, humans spontaneously base the perceptual choice on numerosity, rather than on area or density. Precision in one of these tasks predicted mathematical abilities. The results reinforce strongly the idea of a primary number sense and provide further evidence linking mathematical skills to the sensory precision of the spontaneous number sense, rather than to mechanisms involved in handling explicit numerosity judgements or extensive exposure to mathematical teaching.
Hysteresis in the selective synchronization of brain activity to musical rhythm
Authors: Lenc Tomas , Keller Peter E. , Varlet Manuel , Nozaradan Sylvie
Published: July 2019

When listening to musical rhythm, people tend to spontaneously perceive and move along with a periodic pulse-like meter. Moreover, perception and entrainment to the meter show remarkable stability in the face of dynamically changing rhythmic structure of music, even when acoustic cues to meter frequencies are degraded in the rhythmic input. Here we show that this perceptual phenomenon is supported by a selective synchronization of endogenous brain activity to the perceived meter, and that this neural synchronization is significantly shaped by recent context, especially when the incoming input becomes increasingly ambiguous. We recorded the EEG while non-musician and musician participants listened to nonrepeating rhythmic sequences where acoustic cues to meter frequencies either gradually decreased (from regular to ambiguous) or increased (from ambiguous to regular). We observed that neural activity selectively synchronized to the perceived meter persisted longer when the sequence gradually changed from regular to ambiguous compared to the opposite, thus demonstrating hysteresis in the neural processing of a dynamically changing rhythmic stimulus. This dependence on recent context was weaker in the neural responses of musicians, who also showed greater ability to tap along with a regular meter irrespective of stimulus ambiguity, thus reflecting greater stability relative to current and recent stimulus in musicians. Together, these asymmetric context effects demonstrate how the relative contribution of incoming and prior signals is continuously weighted to shape neural selection of functionally-relevant features and guide perceptual organization of dynamic input.

Significance statement

When listening to musical rhythm, people tend to spontaneously perceive and move along with a periodic pulse-like meter. Moreover, perception and entrainment to the meter seem to show remarkable stability in the face of dynamically changing rhythmic structure of music. Here we show that this is supported by a selective synchronization of brain activity at meter frequencies. This selective neural synchronization persists longer when a nonrepeating sequence gradually transforms from a regular to an ambiguous rhythm compared to the opposite. This asymmetric context effect suggests that the brain processes rhythm based on a flexible combination of sensory and endogenous information. Such continuously updated neural emphasis on meter periodicities might therefore guide robust perceptual organization of a dynamic rhythmic input.
Theory of Minds: Managing mental state inferences in working memory is associated with the dorsomedial subsystem of the default network and social integration
Authors: Meyer Meghan L. , Collier Eleanor
Published: July 2019

We often interact with multiple people at a time and consider their various points-of-view to facilitate smooth social interaction. Yet, how our brains track multiple mental states at once, and whether skill in this domain links to navigating real-world social interactions, remains underspecified. To fill this gap, we developed a novel social working memory paradigm in which participants manage two- or four-people’s mental states in working memory, as well as control trials in which they alphabetize two- or four-people’s names in working memory. In Study 1, we found that the dorsomedial subsystem of the default network shows relative increases in activity with more mental states managed in working memory. In contrast, this subsystem shows relative decreases in activity with more non-mental state information (the number of names alphabetized) managed in working memory. In Study 2, only individual differences in managing mental states in working memory, specifically on trials that posed the greatest mental state load to working memory, correlated with social network integration. Collectively, these findings add further support to the hypothesis that social working memory relies on partially distinct brain systems and may be a key ingredient to success in a social world.
iPSC-Derived Ovarian Tissue Restores Ovarian Function in Subfertile Mice and After Gonadotoxic Chemotherapy
Authors: Elias K.M. , Ng N.W. , Dam K.U. , Milne A. , Disler E.R. , Gockley A. , Holub N. , Church G.M. , Ginsburg E.S. , Anchan R.M.
Published: July 2019

Many reproductive age women with cancer who receive chemotherapy are exposed to gonadotoxic agents and risk diminished ovarian reserve, sterility, and premature menopause. Previously, we reported the derivation of steroidogenic ovarian cells from induced pluripotent and embryonic stem cells. Derived cells not only produced reproductive hormones, but also displayed markers of ovarian tissue and primordial gametes. Here, we describe that human follicular fluid (HFF), when added to our stem cell differentiation system, enhances the steroidogenic potential of differentiating stem cells and increases the subpopulation of cells that express the ovarian and germ cell markers GJA1 and ZP1, respectively. More importantly, using an in vivo model of chemotherapy-induced premature ovarian insufficiency in subfertile nude mice, we demonstrate that orthotopic implantation of these derived cells restores ovarian hormone synthesis and produces functional stem cell-derived oocytes. Additionally, these cells also ameliorate subfertility in nude mice, as demonstrated by the delivery of multiple litters of healthy pups from stem cell-derived oocytes. Collectively, these data support the hypothesis that stem cell-derived steroidogenic ovarian tissue could be used to promote neo-gametogenesis and treat the endocrinologic and reproductive sequelae of premature ovarian insufficiency.

One Sentence Summary

We show that orthotopic injection of sorted, differentiated iPSCs in ovaries of subfertile mice restores reproductive hormone synthesis and fertility.
Precise targeting of myotubes to muscle attachment sites patterns the musculoskeletal system
Authors: Yang Shuo , Weske Allison , Du Yingqiu , Valera Juliana M. , Johnson Aaron N.
Published: July 2019

Nascent myotubes undergo a dramatic morphological transformation during myogenesis in which the myotubes elongate over several cell diameters and choose the correct muscle attachment sites. Although this process of myotube guidance is essential to pattern the musculoskeletal system, the mechanisms that control myotube guidance remain poorly understood. Using transcriptomics, we found that components of the Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF) signaling pathway were enriched in nascent myotubes inDrosophilaembryos. Null mutations in the FGF receptorheartless(htl), or its ligands, caused significant myotube guidance defects. Mechanistically, paracrine FGF signals to Htl in the mesoderm regulate the activity of Rho/Rac GTPases in nascent myotubes to effect changes in the actin cytoskeleton. FGF signals are thus essential regulators of myotube guidance that act through cytoskeletal regulatory proteins to pattern the musculoskeletal system.
Distribution and restoration of serotonin-immunoreactive paraneuronal cells during caudal fin regeneration in zebrafish
Authors: König Désirée , Dagenais Paule , Senk Anita , Djonov Valentin , Aegerter Christof M. , Jaźwińska Anna
Published: July 2019

Aquatic vertebrates possess diverse types of sensory cells in their skin to detect stimuli in the water. In the adult zebrafish, a common model organism, the presence of such cells in fins has only rarely been studied. Here, we identified scattered serotonin (5-HT)-positive cells in the epidermis of the caudal fin. These cells were distinct from keratinocytes as revealed by their low immunoreactivity for cytokeratin and desmosome markers. Instead, they were detected by Calretinin (Calbindin-2) and Synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2 (SV2) antibodies, indicating a calcium-regulated neurosecretory activity. Consistently, electron microscopy revealed abundant secretory organelles in desmosome-negative cells in the fin epidermis. Based on the markers, 5-HT, Calretinin and SV2, we referred to these cells as HCS-cells. We found that HCS-cells were spread throughout the entire caudal fin at an average density of 140 cells per mm2on each fin surface. These cells were strongly enriched at ray bifurcations in wild type fins, as well as in elongated fins ofanother longfinmutant fish. To determine whether hydrodynamics play a role in the distribution of HCS-cells, we used an interdisciplinary approach and performed kinematic analysis. Measurements of particle velocity with a fin model revealed differences in fluid velocities between bifurcated rods and adjacent non-bifurcated regions. Therefore the accumulation of HCS-cells near bone bifurcations may be a biological adaptation for sensing of water parameters. The significance of this HCS-cell pattern is reinforced by the fact, that it is reestablished in the regenerated fin after amputation. Regeneration of HCS-cells was not impaired by the chemical inhibition of serotonin synthesis, suggesting that this neurotransmitter is not essential for the restorative process. In conclusion, our study identified a specific population of solitary paraneurons in the zebrafish fin, whose distribution correlates with fluid dynamics.
Solar UAV design framework for a HALE flight
Authors: Hwang Hoyon , Cha Jaeyoung , Ahn Jon
Published: July 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the development of an optimal design framework for high altitude long endurance solar unmanned aerial vehicle. The proposed solar aircraft design framework provides a simple method to design solar aircraft for users of all levels of experience.

Design/methodology/approach

This design framework consists of algorithms and user interfaces for the design of experiments, optimization and mission analysis that includes aerodynamics, performance, solar energy, weight and flight distances.

Findings

The proposed sizing method produces the optimal solar aircraft that yields the minimum weight and satisfies the constraints such as the power balance, the night time energy balance and the lift coefficient limit.

Research limitations/implications

The design conditions for the sizing process are given in terms of mission altitudes, flight dates, flight latitudes/longitudes and design factors for the aircraft configuration.

Practical implications

The framework environment is light and easily accessible as it is implemented using open programs without the use of any expensive commercial tools or in-house programs. In addition, this study presents a sizing method for solar aircraft as traditional sizing methods fail to reflect their unique features.

Social implications

Solar aircraft can be used in place of a satellite and introduce many advantages. The solar aircraft is much cheaper than the conventional satellite, which costs approximately $200-300m. It operates at a closer altitude to the ground and allows for a better visual inspection. It also provides greater flexibility of missions and covers a wider range of applications.

Originality/value

This study presents the implementation of a function that yields optimized flight performance under the given mission conditions, such as climb, cruise and descent for a solar aircraft.
Does regulation matter? Changes in corporate governance in China and its impact on financial market growth: an empirical analysis (1995-2014)
Authors: Chen Ding , Samanta Navajyoti , Hughes James
Published: July 2019

Purpose

Over the past two decades, China’s stock market has experienced rapid growth. This period has seen the transplantation of many “OECD principles of corporate governance” into the Chinese corporate regulatory framework. These regulations are dominated by shareholder values. This paper aims to discover whether there is a causal relationship between the changes in China’s corporate governance and financial market growth.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses data from 1995-2014 to create a robust corporate index by looking at 52 variables and a financial index out of five financial market parameters. Subsequently, data are subject to a panel regression analysis, with the financial market index as the outcome variable, corporate governance index explanatory variable and a variety of economics, social and technological control variables.

Findings

This paper concludes that changes in corporate regulation have in fact had no statistically significant impact on China’s financial market growth, which must therefore be attributed to other factors.

Originality/value

The study is the first in the context of Chinese corporate governance impact studies to use Bayesian methodology to analyse a panel dataset. It uses OECD principles as the anchor to provide a clear picture of evolution of corporate governance for a 20-year period which is also longer than previous studies.
Developing an integrated indoor built environment–quality of life model for the elderly in public and subsidized housing
Authors: Leung Mei-yung , Famakin Ibukun Oluwadara , Wang Chendi
Published: July 2019

Purpose

The growth rate of the aging population raises the demand for and challenges of public and subsidized (P&S) housing for the elderly. The decline in elderly ability increases their dependence on the quality of facilities provided by their residential apartment. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to develop an integrated indoor built environment–quality of life model for the elderly in P&S housing estates.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire survey, including scales for 4 quality of life (QoL) domains (physical health, psychological health, social relationships and overall QoL), and 13 indoor built environment (BE) components were identified. In total, 365 survey data were collected from the elderly in 18 political districts of Hong Kong, while reliability analysis, multiple regression analysis and structural equation modeling were adopted in the data analysis.

Findings

Based on the congruence of results of these statistical analyses, it was revealed that: furniture and fixtures predict all the four QoL domains of the elderly; lighting and color induce social relationships; and overall QoL is predicted by distance and handrails.

Originality/value

Several recommendations were made in accordance with the research results, such as review minimum spacing requirements to provide walking distance for elderly physical activity, investigate the micro-climate for appropriate building orientation, consider the changing body size of the elderly for supply of furniture, use warm colors with high levels of illumination, and so on.
Engagement in peer review, learner-content interaction and learning outcomes
Authors: Goh Chin Fei , Tan Owee Kowang , Rasli Amran , Choi Sang Long
Published: July 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a reciprocal peer review approach that resembled the scholarly peer review process using the Moodle e-learning system. The authors investigated interrelations among engagement in providing peer feedback, engagement in responding to peer feedback, learner-content interaction and learning outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

An experimental intervention study was designed. A total of 45 students who enroled in an undergraduate research methods course completed the assigned project. Reciprocal peer review was adopted, in which the participants provided a peer review report on a randomly assigned peer’s research proposal. Subsequently, participants revised and submitted their proposal along with a response letter that highlighted the revisions.

Findings

This study highlights that the engagement in providing peer feedback exerts an indirect effect on learning outcomes through learner-content interaction. Learner-content interaction fully mediates the causal relationship between engagement in providing peer feedback and learning outcomes.

Practical implications

Learner-content interaction fully mediates the causal relationship between engagement in providing peer feedback and learning outcomes. Thus, e-learning practitioners who engage in peer review should first construct high-quality course materials to enhance learning outcomes.

Originality/value

Learning outcomes can be enhanced if there is a high level of engagement in providing peer feedback among learners. However, learner-content interaction fully mediates the positive effect of engagement in providing peer feedback on learning outcomes. Furthermore, engagement in providing peer feedback will enhance the learner’s motivation to intensify his or her learning from the course material.
Some recent influences on global consumer culture
Authors: Özsomer Ayşegül
Published: July 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to build on Steenkamp’s reflections, and introduce emerging and important developments that are shaping the global landscape and influencing global consumer culture (GCC) and global brands (GBs).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is a thought piece.

Findings

The implications for GCC and GBs are discussed in the context of digital networked technologies, new brands from emerging markets and the digitally connected bottom of the pyramid consumers.

Originality/value

The paper suggests areas where research value can be added within the GCC and global branding literatures.
Value co-creation andco-production in the interaction between citizens and public administration
Authors: Capolupo Nicola , Piscopo Gabriella , Annarumma Carmela
Published: July 2019

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to address the value co-creation and co-production theories in public administration (P.A.) sector, particularly when public administration communicates with citizens during catastrophes, to provide a state of the art of the theoretical approach and its evolution.

Design/methodology/approach

Authors collected data between August and October 2017 from Scopus and Sciencedirect, looking for journals publications from 2010 to 2017, considering only articles containing in the abstract, title and keywords the following combinations: value co-creation AND P.A., value coproduction AND “P.A., crisis communication” AND “P.A.”.

Findings

By using three different keywords it appeared that the results of the individual topic contain results of all the other topics as well. It means that searching “value co-creation” AND “P.A.” appeared contributions of “value co-production” and “crisis communication” and vice-versa. The second reached result was to inscribe the theoretical approach of value co-creation into the interaction between citizens and public administration.

Research limitations/implications

Firstly, concentrating the research only on most recent articles from peer reviewed journals tends to exclude conference paper and other eventual contributions. Secondly, because the SLR has been conducted by searching with the keywords, only articles, which appeared in relation to the keywords connection in those databases, have been selected, excluding those papers closed to the themes, but classified under other terms.

Originality/value

This work value consists of trying to contextualize crisis communication during natural disasters in a theoretical context different from that which literature usually considers, i.e. value co-creation between public administration and citizens.
Investigating pressure advance algorithms for filament-based melt extrusion additive manufacturing: theory, practice and simulations
Authors: Tronvoll Sigmund Arntsønn , Popp Sebastian , Elverum Christer Westum , Welo Torgeir
Published: July 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to present the mathematical foundation of so-called advance algorithms, developed to compensate for defects during acceleration and deacceleration of the print head in filament-based melt extrusion additive processes. It then investigates the validity of the mathematical foundation, its performance on a low-cost system and the effect of changing layer height on the algorithm’s associated process parameter.

Design/methodology/approach

This study starts with a compilation and review of literature associated with advance algorithms, then elaborates on its mathematical foundation and methods of implementation. Then an experiment displaying the performance of the algorithm implemented in Marlin machine firmware, Linear Advance 1.0, is performed using three different layer heights. The results are then compared with simulations of the system using Simulink.

Findings

Findings suggests that advance algorithms following the presented approach is capable of eliminating defects because of acceleration and deacceleration of the print head. The results indicate a layer height dependency on the associated process parameter, requiring higher compensation values for lower layer heights. It also shows higher compensation values for acceleration than deacceleration. Results from the simulated mathematical model correspond well with the experimental results but predict some rapid variations in flow rate that is not reflected in the experimental results.

Research limitations/implications

As there are large variations in printer design and materials, deviation between different setups must be expected.

Originality/value

To the best of authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to describe and investigate advance algorithms in academic literature.
Plant communities on nitrogen‐rich soil are less sensitive to soil moisture than plant communities on nitrogen‐poor soil
Authors: Shovon Tanvir Ahmed , Rozendaal Danaë M. A. , Gagnon Daniel , Gendron Fidji , Vetter Mary , Vanderwel Mark C.
Published: July 2019

Plant species composition and diversity are known to change across local gradients of light, moisture and nutrients, but ecologists still have a relatively limited understanding of how communities respond to multiple limiting resources.

We used a trait‐based approach to investigate how the functional composition and diversity of forest understorey plant communities change along gradients in light, soil moisture and nitrogen availability. We used a total of seven leaf, root and whole‐plant traits for 55–78 species, and estimated the effects of the three resources on the mean and dispersion of these traits in understorey plant communities across 50 forest sites.

Soil moisture and nitrogen availability (C/N ratio) both influenced plant community traits, but light availability (canopy openness) did not. Generally, increases in moisture and nitrogen both resulted in shifts towards more acquisitive resource use strategies, including greater leaf area, specific leaf area and maximum plant height, and lower leaf dry matter content, root dry matter content and rooting depth. Functional diversity of most traits also increased with increasing soil moisture and nitrogen. Although most traits varied with soil moisture on nitrogen‐poor sites, moisture did not influence of the distribution of any traits on nitrogen‐rich sites.

Synthesis. Independent co‐limitation of soil moisture and nitrogen appeared to influence the functional composition and diversity of understorey vegetation in our study area. The co‐occurrence of species with resource acquisitive and conservative strategies on nitrogen‐rich sites may make plant communities relatively resistant to changes to soil moisture. These results suggest that altered precipitation regimes under climate change could lead to greater changes in the composition and diversity of plant communities on nutrient‐poor soils than on nutrient‐rich soils.
Seed germination ecology and salt stress response in eight Mediterranean populations of Sarcopoterium spinosum (L.) Spach
Authors: Santo Andrea , Dessì Ludovica , Ucchesu Mariano , Bou Dagher Kharrat Magda , Charbel Sakr Ramy , Accogli Rita A. , Buhagiar Joseph , Kyratzis Angelos , Fournaraki Christini , Bacchetta Gianluigi
Published: July 2019

This study aims to deepen the analysis of seed germination ecology and salinity tolerance of Sarcopoterium spinosum (Rosaceae).

Germination tests were conducted to evaluate the effect of the fruit’s spongy tissue and the intraspecific variability in seed germination among eight populations of the species on responses to light and total darkness, constant and alternating temperatures, salt stress and germination recovery. The effect of the presence of the spongy tissue varied among populations, with significant results for seed germination. For all populations, optimum germination temperatures were observed in the range of 10–20°C, indicating that S. spinosum and its germination in the field might occur preferably in the period between autumn and early spring. The high water availability due to rainfall during this period could be a considerable advantage for the seed germination of this species. Seeds of S. spinosum showed the ability to germinate in up to 250 mM NaCl in the substrate, and their ability to recover after salt exposure may be interpreted as adaptation to the coastal habitats in which they generally grow. These results give this species a halo‐tolerant character. Great inter‐population variability is detected in this study in several aspects, which indicated that the Mediterranean populations of S. spinosum differ considerably and are adapted to their local conditions. This study provides new information about S. spinosum seed ecology, which could help to preserve and apply effective conservation measures for this species, which in several areas of its distribution range is endangered.
Spontaneous mutations in FgSAD1 suppress the growth defect of the Fgprp4 mutant by affecting tri‐snRNP stability and its docking in Fusarium graminearum
Authors: Li Xiaoping , Fan Zhili , Yan Ming , Qu Jia , Xu Jin‐Rong , Jin Qiaojun
Published: July 2019

FgPrp4, the only kinase in the spliceosome, is not essential for viability, but is important for splicing efficiency in Fusarium graminearum. The Fgprp4 deletion mutant had severe growth defects but often produced spontaneous suppressors with faster growth rate. To better understand the suppression mechanism, we identified and characterized spontaneous mutations in the tri‐snRNP‐specific protein, FgSad1, which suppressed the growth defects of Fgprp4. The L512P mutation was verified for its suppressive effects on Fgprp4, suggesting that mutations in FgSad1 may have effects involving FgPrp4 phosphorylation on FgSad1. Phosphoproteomics analysis showed that FgSad1 may not be the direct substrate of FgPrp4 kinase. Furthermore, truncation analysis showed that the N‐terminal, extra RS‐rich region of FgSad1 is critical for its function and is post‐translationally modified. The P258S or S269P mutations in FgSad1 increased its interactions with the U5 protein FgPrp8 and the U4/U6 protein FgPrp31, which may result in tri‐snRNP stabilization. Additionally, the D76N mutation increased the association of FgSad1 with the U2 snRNP. These data indicate that suppressor mutations in FgSad1 increase the stability of the tri‐snRNP and/or the affinity of FgSad1 with U2 snRNP and therefore potentially facilitate the docking of tri‐snRNP into the spliceosome.
Linking transformational leadership and value congruence among Chinese police force: The mediating role of goal clarity and the moderating role of public service motivation
Authors: Bao Yuanjie , Ge Leilei
Published: July 2019

Although claimed as an important value assimilating factor within public administration, transformational leadership's effect over value congruence receives limited empirical investigation. Furthermore, the underlying mechanism and boundary condition of this effect are underspecified. Drawing from an interactionist perspective whereby value congruence is the joint product of situational influence and individual characteristic, this study investigates the relationship between transformational leadership and value congruence focusing on the mediating role of goal clarity and the moderating role of public service motivation (PSM). The analysis of data collected from a sample of 420 Chinese police officers indicates that goal clarity partially mediates the relationship between transformational leadership and value congruence. In addition, PSM moderates the relationship between goal clarity and value congruence such that the relationship is stronger when PSM is high. Finally, theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Primitivist tourism and anthropological research: awkward relations★
Authors: Stasch Rupert
Published: July 2019

Many anthropologists dislike the tourism depicted in the filmCannibal tours(1988), which values visited people for their supposed embodiment of an archaic mode of life, isolated from capitalist modernity. Here I approach such tourism through how its participants relate to anthropology, based on research into encounters between tourists and Korowai of Indonesian Papua. I juxtapose three patterns. First, Korowai sometimes assimilate me to ‘tourist’ or ‘tour guide’. Second, tourists often embrace ‘anthropology’ as an adjunct to their primitivist goals. Third, certain tourists investigate their own primitivism, in ways that parallel my research on that topic. This diversity of alignments of tourist, anthropologist, and Korowai calls for an analytic strategy not of seeking out the ultimate basic relations between these character‐types, but of understanding categorization as a practice of its own, through which categorizers grapple with broader historical conditions.
A Tale of Two Widows: Marriage, Widowhood, and Faith on Bendigo Goldfield, 1859–1869
Authors: Jones Jennifer
Published: July 2019

This article examines how, in the context of unstable colonial circumstances and the absence of traditional support mechanisms, the religious beliefs and support of faith communities enabled two migrant women to manage changed marital circumstances and economic disaster on the Victorian goldfields. The concept of Providence provided an important rationale to understand mining failure and the untimely death of sanctioned breadwinners, and supported these women in their management of economic independence. Both women adopted tactics of mobility as a mean to reinvigorate hope, pairing faith and relocation to pursue socially mandated vocations and family livelihoods.