bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biological networks with singular Jacobians: their origins and adaptation criteria
Authors: Oellerich Tracey , Emelianenko Maria , Liotta Lance , Araujo Robyn P.
Published: March 2021

This work is focused on Ordinary Differential Equations(ODE)-based models of biochemical systems that possess a singular Jacobian manifesting in non-hyperbolic equilibria. We show that there are several classes of systems that exhibit this behavior: a)systems with monomial-type interaction terms and b)systems with linear or nonlinear conservation laws. While models derived from mass-action principles often present with linear conservation laws stemming from the underlying biologic rationale, nonlinear conservation laws are more subtle and harder to detect. Nevertheless, in both situations the corresponding ODE system will contain non-hyperbolic equilibria. While having a potentially more complex dynamics and falling outside of the scope of existing theoretical frameworks, this class of systems can still exhibit adapting behavior associated with certain nodes and inputs. We derive a generalized adaptation condition that extends to singular systems and is compatible with both single-input/single-output and multiple-input/multiple-output settings. The approach explored herein, based on the notion of Moore-Penrose pseudoinverse, is tested on several synthetic systems that are shown to exhibit homeostatic behavior but are not covered by existing methods. These results highlight the role of the network structure and modeling assumptions when understanding system response to input and can be helpful in discovering intrinsic relationships between the nodes.
Intravital imaging of real-time endogenous actin dysregulation in proximal and distal tubules at the onset of severe ischemia-reperfusion injury
Authors: Corridon Peter R. , Karam Shurooq H. , Khraibi Ali A. , Khan Anousha A. , Alhashmi Mohamed A.
Published: March 2021

Severe renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) can lead to acute and chronic kidney dysfunction. Cytoskeletal modifications are among the main effects of this condition. The majority of studies that have contributed to the current understanding of IRI have relied on histological analyses using exogenous probes after the fact. Here we report the successful real-time visualization of actin cytoskeletal alterations in live proximal and distal tubules that arise at the onset of severe IRI. To achieve this, we induced fluorescent actin expression in these segments in rats with hydrodynamic gene delivery (HGD). Using intravital two-photon microscopy we then tracked and quantified endogenous actin dysregulation that occurred by subjecting these animals to 60 minutes of bilateral renal ischemia. Rapid (by 1-hour post-reperfusion) and significant (up to 50%) declines in actin content were observed. The decline in fluorescence within proximal tubules was significantly greater than that observed in distal tubules. Actin-based fluorescence was not recovered during the measurement period extending 24 hours post-reperfusion. Such injury decimated the renal architecture, in particular, actin brush borders, and hampered the reabsorptive and filtrative capacities of these tubular compartments. Thus, for the first time, we show that the combination of HGD and intravital microscopy can serve as an experimental tool to better understand how IRI modifies the cytoskeletonin vivoand provide an extension to current histopathological techniques.
Antibody response patterns toHelicobacter pyloriinfection in a rural Ugandan population cohort
Authors: Sallah Neneh , Hayes Alexander , Osei-Tutu Nana , Butt Julia , Johnston W. Thomas , Asiki Gershim , Waterboer Tim , Hibberd Martin L. , Newton Robert
Published: March 2021

Background

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) establishes life-long infection in humans in the absence of treatment and has been associated with a variety of gastrointestinal conditions including peptic ulcer and gastric cancer. Antibody responses toH. pyloriantigens are found to be associated with disease risk, however, data from Africa are scarce.

Methods

To assess the seroprevalence ofH. pyloriand characterise antibody response patterns, we measured serum IgG antibody levels to 14 antigens among 7,211 individuals in a rural Ugandan population cohort. Multivariate-adjusted linear regression models were fitted to investigate the influence of age, sex, and co-infection on antibody seroreactivity levels.

Results

H. pyloriseroprevalence was 95% in our study population, with 94% of individuals seropositive in childhood (<15 years). InH. pyloripositive individuals, we found a markedly high seroprevalence (~99%) and antibody levels to the high-risk antigens CagA and VacA, in addition to Cagδ. HSV-2 co-infection was significantly associated with higher IgG levels of CagA and VacA (OR=1.10, 95% C. I=1.05-1.16). HIV infection was associated with lowered IgG levels to CagA (OR=0.86, 95% C.I.=0.80-0.93), and HPV infection was associated with increased IgG levels to VacA (OR=1.16, 95% C.I.=1.11-1.21).

Conclusions

H. pyloriin this population is ubiquitous from childhood, with a high prevalence and high seroreactivity levels of high-risk antigens, suggesting chronic active inflammatory responses in individuals that are indicative of risk of disease. Further investigation is warranted to fully understand the relationship between host, immunogenicity, and clinical outcomes to better stratify by risk and improve treatment.

Key Messages

Antibody responses toH. pyloriantigens are found to be associated with risk of gastric cancer, however, despite the high seroprevalence in African populations, data from Africa are scarce. This is the first study of antibody response patterns and their determinants from an African population.

Our study shows a population whereH. pyloriis ubiquitous from childhood, and seroprevalence of virulent antigens is distinctively high suggesting an increased of disease compared to other populations.

We observe inter-individual variation in virulent antibody responses partly influenced by co-infection.

We highlight crucial insights into antibody-based biomarkers of disease risk and reinforce the need for population-basedH. pyloriscreening and treatment programmes for gastric cancer control.
BMP signaling: A significant player and therapeutic target for osteoarthritis
Authors: Jaswal Akrit Pran , Kumar Bhupendra , Roelofs Anke J. , Iqbal Sayeda Fauzia , Singh Amaresh Kumar , Riemen Anna H.K. , Wang Hui , Ashraf Sadaf , Nanasaheb Sanap Vaibhav , Agnihotri Nitin , De Bari Cosimo , Bandyopadhyay Amitabha
Published: March 2021

Objective

To investigate the role of BMP signaling in osteoarthritis' pathogenesis and propose a disease-modifying therapy for OA.

Methods

C57BL6/J mouse line was used to perform ACLT surgery at P120 to study the expression pattern of the BMP signaling readout pSMAD1/5/9. To investigate whether activation of BMP signaling is sufficient and necessary to induce osteoarthritis, we have used conditional GOF and LOF mouse lines in which BMP signaling can be activated or depleted, respectively, upon intra-peritoneal injection of tamoxifen. Finally, we locally inhibited BMP signaling through intra-articular injection of LDN-193189 pre- and post-onset surgically induced OA. Most of the analysis has been done through immunohistochemistry, histopathological staining, and micro-CT to evaluate the status of the pathogenesis of the disease.

Results

We observed concomitant activation of BMP signaling, as judged by pSMAD1/5/9 immunoreactivity in the articular cartilage, upon induction of osteoarthritis with simultaneous depletion of SMURF1, an intra-cellular BMP signaling inhibitor in articular cartilage. Even without surgical induction of osteoarthritis, only BMP gain-of-function mutation induces OA in mouse articular cartilage. Also, genetic, or pharmacological inhibition of BMP signaling offered significant protection against OA pathogenesis. Interestingly, post-onset of the disease, inhibition of BMP signaling by intra-articular injection of LDN-193189 retarded OA progression with a significant reduction in inflammatory markers.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrated that BMP signaling plays an essential role in the pathogenesis of OA and that local BMP inhibition can be an effective therapeutic strategy to mitigate osteoarthritis.
Chronic tissue inflammation and metabolic disease
Authors: Lee Yun Sok , Olefsky Jerrold
Published: March 2021

Obesity is the most common cause of insulin resistance, and the current obesity epidemic is driving a parallel rise in the incidence of T2DM. It is now widely recognized that chronic, subacute tissue inflammation is a major etiologic component of the pathogenesis of insulin resistance and metabolic dysfunction in obesity. Here, we summarize recent advances in our understanding of immunometabolism. We discuss the characteristics of chronic inflammation in the major metabolic tissues and how obesity triggers these events, including a focus on the role of adipose tissue hypoxia and macrophage-derived exosomes. Last, we also review current and potential new therapeutic strategies based on immunomodulation.
How to Grow Xenopus laevis Tadpole Stages to Adult
Authors: Ishibashi Shoko , Amaya Enrique
Published: March 2021

In Xenopus laevis, the tadpole stage is characterized by three forms—those occurring before the initiation of limb development, those covering limb development, and those encompassing metamorphosis. Maximal tadpole growth, especially during the second form, is critically dependent on good husbandry practices. Here we describe a protocol for raising Xenopus laevis tadpoles through to adulthood. Each step may need to be modified depending on the aquaria used and local conditions.
Crystal structures of zinc(II) complexes with β-hydroxypyridinecarboxylate ligands: examples of structure-directing effects used in inorganic crystal engineering
Authors: May Nóra Veronika , Nys Kevin , Ching H. Y. Vincent , Bereczki Laura , Holczbauer Tamás , Di Marco Valerio B. , Bombicz Petra
Published: March 2021

The coordination properties of four hydroxypyridinecarboxylates, designed for the treatment of iron-overloading conditions as bidentate O,O′-donor ligands, have been studied with ZnII in the solid state. The coordination compounds [Zn(A1)2(H2O)2] (1), [Zn(A2)2(H2O)] (2), [Zn(A3)2(H2O)]·2H2O (3) and [Zn2(B1)4(H2O)2]·4H2O (4), where the ligands are 1-methyl-4-oxidopyridinium-3-carboxylate (A1, C7H6NO3), 1,6-dimethyl-4-oxidopyridinium-3-carboxylate (A2, C8H8NO3), 1,5-dimethyl-4-oxido-pyridinium-3-carboxylate (A3, C8H8NO3) and 1-methyl-3-oxidopyridinium-4-carboxylate (B1, C7H6NO3), have been synthesized and analysed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The ligands were chosen to probe (i) the electronic effects of inverting the positions of the O-atom donor groups (i.e. A1 versus B1) and (ii) the electronic and steric effects of the addition of a second methyl group in different positions on the pyridine ring. Two axially coordinated water molecules resulting in a six-coordinated symmetrical octahedron complement the bis-ligand complex of A1. Ligands A2 and A3 form five-coordinated trigonal bipyramidal complexes with one additional water molecule in the coordination sphere, which is a rarely reported geometry for ZnII complexes. Ligand B1 shows a dimeric structure, where the two Zn2+ dications have slightly distorted octahedral geometry and the pyridinolate O atom of the neighbouring complex bridges them. The coordination spheres of the Zn2+ dications and the supramolecular structures are discussed in detail. The packing arrangements of 1–3 are similar, having alternating hydrophilic and hydrophobic layers, however the similarity is broken in 4. The obtained coordination geometries are compared with their previously determined CuII analogues. The study of the individual complexes is complemented with a comprehensive analysis of ZnII complexes with oxygen donor ligands with data from the Cambridge Structural Database.
Managers from heaven: how do hospitality employees describe good managers?
Authors: Mistry Trishna G. , Hight S. Kyle , Okumus Fevzi , Terrah Abraham
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to empirically investigate the characteristics of good hospitality managers and the core causes that lead to developing such characteristics.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a qualitative inquiry approach, 93 line-level hospitality employees were surveyed online regarding their experiences about the characteristics of good managers.

Findings

The research findings revealed five key themes of good managerial characteristics, including interpersonal skills, communication skills, supervisory skills, leadership skills, and positive personality and professionalism. Additionally, the root causes of these managerial characteristics were also analyzed. The good managerial characteristics were perceived to have developed from having worked under either a great manager or a terrible manager.

Research limitations/implications

This study advanced the literature on managerial characteristics by confirming several existing categories from the viewpoint of hospitality industry employees.

Practical implications

Human resource managers should be considerate of these findings in terms of recruitment, hiring, and training, development, and promotion of employees in their companies.

Originality/value

This is one of the first studies to analyze the perceived reasons behind the development of these characteristics.
Twin deficits hypothesis in Bangladesh: an empirical investigation
Authors: Dey Sima Rani , Tareque Mohammad
Published: March 2021

Purpose

This study attempts to examine the twin deficits hypothesis for Bangladesh. Along with the traditional twin deficits hypothesis associated with the current account and fiscal deficit, the paper also explores the causal relationship between the trade deficit and fiscal deficit.

Design/methodology/approach

We start with the investigation of the conventional twin deficit hypothesis employing autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) bounds testing approach in a multivariate framework. Due to the absence of cointegration between the budget deficit and trade deficit, the study adopts a multivariate vector autoregressive (VAR) model to analyze the nexus.

Findings

The study supports the presence of the twin deficits hypothesis in Bangladesh, both in the short run and long run. Unidirectional causation running from the budget deficit to the current account deficit in the long run. The trade model also supports the twin deficit hypothesis, like the aforementioned current account model.

Practical implications

Therefore, the sustainable fiscal deficit is the key to maintain a stable current account deficit and trade deficit in Bangladesh.

Originality/value

The study incorporates the country risk indicators to address the governance issue while analyzing the models' deficit scenarios because good governance is an integral part of explaining the development outcome and failure of a country like Bangladesh.
Ownership structure and OFDI by EMNES: the moderating effects of international experience and migrant networks
Authors: Yi Changjun , Zhan Yun , Zhang Jipeng , Zhao Xiaoyang
Published: March 2021

Purpose

This study investigates the effect of ownership structure – ownership concentration and firm ownership – on outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) by emerging market multinational enterprises (EMNEs), and further explores the moderating effects of international experience and migrant networks on this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

Data of Chinese MNEs listed on Shenzhen and Shanghai stock exchanges between 2005 and 2016 are used. The empirical analysis is based on the negative binomial regression model.

Findings

The empirical results reveal a significant inverted-U relationship between ownership concentration and OFDI by EMNEs. State ownership is found to have a positive effect on OFDI by EMNEs. Both international experience and migrant networks strengthen the inverted-U relationship between ownership concentration and OFDI as well as the positive effect of state ownership on OFDI by EMNEs.

Practical implications

EMNEs need to maintain a moderate ownership concentration when conducting OFDI, and they are supposed to make full use of their own international experience and focus on migrant networks of the host country. Policy-makers in emerging economies need to better create a fair business environment for enterprises.

Originality/value

Combining agency theory and the resource-based view, this study integrates ownership structure, firm-level heterogeneous resources – international experience and country-level heterogeneous resources – migration networks into a framework to study OFDI by EMNEs, which expands the scope of research in international business.
Consumer response toward native advertising on social media: the roles of source type and content type
Authors: Kim Mikyoung , Song Doori , Jang Ahnlee
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Drawing upon attribution theory, this study aims to examine how different types of product information sources (mainstream celebrities vs micro-celebrities) interact with content type (experiential vs promotional) to influence consumer response toward native posts on social media (causal attributions and click intention).

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 134 adult Twitter users participated in a 2 (source type: mainstream celebrity vs micro-celebrity) × 2 (content type: experiential vs promotional) between-subjects online experimental design.

Findings

Results showed that for experiential native advertising, messages from a micro-celebrity generated more information-sharing attributions and less monetary gain attributions than those from a mainstream celebrity on social media. Moreover, the experiential native ads from a micro-celebrity elicited greater intention to click the URL than those from a mainstream celebrity. However, consumer response was similar for promotional native advertising regardless of message source. This study demonstrates that information-sharing attributions mediate the interaction effects of source type and content types on click intention.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature on native advertising by providing empirical evidence to highlight the effect of message source and content type on consumer response. This study shows that the success of native advertising depends on how consumers perceive the messages and content creators' intention to communicate.
Managers ability and investment dynamics during the global financial crisis: an emerging market context
Authors: Naheed Rehana , Sarwar Bushra , Naheed Rukhsana
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Many scholars have developed several theories and empirics to study issues related to investment policy. However, there are still some unexplored issues in the field of finance that require further analysis and investigation, particularly in the corporate governance literature such as the role of managerial talent in the firms. This study investigated the impact of managerial ability on investment decisions of the firms.

Design/methodology/approach

The study first uses firm efficiency and managerial ability by using data envelope analysis (DEA) proposed by Demerjian, Lev and McVay, 2012. Data is collected for the firms listed in Shenzhen and Shanghai stock exchange for an emerging market of China during the crisis period with 1,640 number of observations.

Findings

The study reveals that the presence of more managerial talent in a firm is significant for the strategic decisions of the firms. Findings follow a resource-based view and identify that more talented managers help the firms in the acquisition of resources specifically during financial distress. The study subdivides the firms based on: ownership structures and financial constraints. Results generated from propensity score matching imply that the role of high-talented managers is significantly different from that of low-talented managers.

Originality/value

The study reveals managerial ability as a determinant of investment policy. To the researchers’ best knowledge, none of the previous studies have been conducted in emerging market literature during the crisis period.
Political institutions and economic performance in Ethiopia: an auto regressive distributed lag bound approach to co-integration
Authors: Garedow Fikadu Abera
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The main objective of this study is to examine how political institutions affect economic performance in Ethiopia over the 1980–2019 time periods.

Design/methodology/approach

Mainly, the impact of political institution indicators including, level of democracy, political violence, democratic accountability and regime durability have been examined using auto regressive distributed lag (ARDL) bound test approach to co-integration and the error correction model.

Findings

This study confirms that level of democracy and democratic accountability has an adverse long effect on the economic performance of Ethiopia. On the other hand, political violence has a negative short-run causal effect on economic performance in Ethiopia. The study concluded that the deterioration of political institutions harmfully affected economic performance in Ethiopia.

Practical implications

Government policymakers should primarily pay attention to promoting and changing those political institutions that harm economic performance. Additionally, better management of political violence has important implications for fostering the economic performance of Ethiopia.

Originality/value

This study provides some valuable evidence on the nexuses between political institutions and economic performance in Ethiopia. Likely, this is the first investigation on the subject under the consideration to use time analysis and will vigorously contribute to the literature as well by employing the ADRL bound test. Previous studies have examined the impact of the institution on economic growth on a cross-country basis. Further analysis is required to understand the effects of institutions such as level of democracy, political violence and democratic accountability on economic development.
How work–life conflict affects employee outcomes of Chinese only-children academics: the moderating roles of gender and family structure
Authors: Xian Huiping , Atkinson Carol , Meng-Lewis Yue
Published: March 2021

Purpose

China's controversial one-child policy has been blamed for creating an ageing population, a generation of employees without siblings and a 4-2-1 family structure that places eldercare responsibility, primarily on women. Current understanding of how this affects contemporary employees' work–life interface is lacking. This study examined the moderating roles of family structure and gender in the relationships between work–life conflict (WLC), job satisfaction and career aspiration for university academics.

Design/methodology/approach

Online and self-administered surveys were used to collect data, which involved 420 academic staff in three Chinese research universities.

Findings

Our results revealed that WLC is positively related to career aspiration, and this relationship is stronger for academics with siblings and, within the only-children group, significantly stronger for women than for men. WLC is also negatively related to job satisfaction, and this relationship is stronger for only-children academics.

Research limitations/implications

Results were limited by a cross-sectional sample of modest size. Nevertheless, this study contributes to the understanding of gender roles and changing family structure in the work–life interface of Chinese academics.

Practical implications

Our findings have implications for both universities seeking to improve staff well-being and for wider society. A number of support mechanisms are proposed to enhance the ability of only children, especially women, to operate as effective members of the labour market.

Originality/value

Our results showed that only-children academics face a unique set of difficulties across career and family domains, which have been previously neglected in literature.
Building capable environments using practice leadership
Authors: Hume Linda , Khan Nadia , Reilly Martin
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to outline the development and piloting of a training intervention for social care staff that uses a capable environments framework to improve the quality of staff support.

Design/methodology/approach

A single case study was used to evaluate changes in the quality of staff support and in levels of engagement and challenging behaviour for one of the individuals supported.

Findings

The case study demonstrates the usefulness of the capable environments framework as a model for training and development of support planning. Staff provided more positive interaction and support to the individual, who displayed increased participation in activities and reductions in the occurrence and episodic severity of challenging behaviour.

Originality/value

Capable environments is a systematic, theoretically-driven approach, which is focussed on the quality of support design and provision for people with intellectual disability. The use of such a framework as an intervention assists staff in the provision of effective personalised supports, a foundation for positive behaviour support.
Integrating continuous hypermutation with high‐throughput screening for optimization of cis,cis‐muconic acid production in yeast
Authors: Jensen Emil D. , Ambri Francesca , Bendtsen Marie B. , Javanpour Alex A. , Liu Chang C. , Jensen Michael K. , Keasling Jay D.
Published: March 2021

Directed evolution is a powerful method to optimize proteins and metabolic reactions towards user‐defined goals. It usually involves subjecting genes or pathways to iterative rounds of mutagenesis, selection and amplification. While powerful, systematic searches through large sequence‐spaces is a labour‐intensive task, and can be further limited by a priori knowledge about the optimal initial search space, and/or limits in terms of screening throughput. Here, we demonstrate an integrated directed evolution workflow for metabolic pathway enzymes that continuously generate enzyme variants using the recently developed orthogonal replication system, OrthoRep and screens for optimal performance in high‐throughput using a transcription factor‐based biosensor. We demonstrate the strengths of this workflow by evolving a rate‐limiting enzymatic reaction of the biosynthetic pathway for cis,cis‐muconic acid (CCM), a precursor used for bioplastic and coatings, in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. After two weeks of simply iterating between passaging of cells to generate variant enzymes via OrthoRep and high‐throughput sorting of best‐performing variants using a transcription factor‐based biosensor for CCM, we ultimately identified variant enzymes improving CCM titers > 13‐fold compared with reference enzymes. Taken together, the combination of synthetic biology tools as adopted in this study is an efficient approach to debottleneck repetitive workflows associated with directed evolution of metabolic enzymes.
Association of metabolic score for insulin resistance and its 6‐year change with incident type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Zhang Ming , Liu Dechen , Qin Pei , Liu Yu , Sun Xizhuo , Li Honghui , Wu Xiaoyan , Zhang Yanyan , Han Minghui , Qie Ranran , Huang Shengbing , Li Yang , Wu Yuying , Yang Xingjin , Feng Yifei , Zhao Yang , Hu Dongsheng , Hu Fulan
Published: March 2021

Background

The evidence for the association between metabolic score for insulin resistance (METS‐IR) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is limited. We aimed to explore the association of METS‐IR and its 6‐year change with risk of incident T2DM in a rural Chinese population.

Methods

We analyzed data for 12 107 participants (mean age 50.48 years). A Cox proportional‐hazard model was used to estimate the association of METS‐IR with incident T2DM by using hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs); a logistic regression model was used to assess the association of 6‐year METS‐IR change with incident T2DM by using odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs. We used subgroup analyses of the association of METS‐IR and its 6‐year change with incident T2DM by sex, age, and baseline fasting plasma glucose (FPG) level as well as restricted cubic splines to describe the dose‐response association.

Results

The association of METS‐IR and 6‐year METS‐IR change with incident T2DM was significant (per SD unit increase: HR = 1.80, 95% CI: 1.60‐2.02 for METS‐IR, OR = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.28‐1.57 and OR = 1.59, 95% CI: 1.44‐1.76 for relative and absolute METS‐IR change). The significant association remained on subgroup analyses by sex, age, and baseline FPG level. Dose‐response analysis demonstrated that the probability of incident T2DM was significantly increased with increasing METS‐IR and 6‐year METS‐IR change.

Conclusions

Increased METS‐IR and 6‐year METS‐IR change were positively associated with risk of incident T2DM in a rural Chinese population. METS‐IR may be a vital indicator for identifying T2DM.
Trends in use of remotely sensed data in wetlands assessment and monitoring in Zimbabwe
Authors: Ngwenya Keto , Marambanyika Thomas
Published: March 2021

The paper assesses trends in use of earth observation data in wetland conditions monitoring and assessment in Zimbabwe from 1980 to 2019. Reviewed literature shows academia and research institutions (69.8%), government agencies (14%) and international development partners (16.3%) as the main users of remotely sensed data in wetland ecological assessments and monitoring. There is more reliance by the abovementioned stakeholders on freely available low‐cost resolution imagery from Landsat (62.9%) and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (14.3%). Other stakeholders, however, are reliant on high‐resolution imagery like Rapid Eye (5.7%) and aerial photography (11.4%). Satellite images in wetland management in Zimbabwe are used for land use land cover change detection (42.1%), vegetation health monitoring (21.1%), water quantity monitoring (5.3%), water quality monitoring (13.2%) and wetland mapping (18.4%). The identified challenges faced by different stakeholders to effectively utilise EO data include high cost of high‐resolution imageries, limited expertise, inadequate equipment and software. Since the cost of high‐resolution satellite imagery mainly constraints the acquisition of suitable satellite data to assess the small wetlands that dominate Zimbabwe's landscape, there is need to promote use of recently launched freely available high‐resolution Sentinel data to improve the ecological assessment of wetland conditions.
Remote sensing of aboveground grass biomass between protected and non‐protected areas in savannah rangelands
Authors: Dube Timothy , Shoko Cletah , Gara Tawanda W.
Published: March 2021

Accurate information on the amount of aboveground grass biomass (AGBg) stored in savannah rangelands remains unknown. Therefore, in this study we assessed the capability of a new multispectral sensor (Landsat‐8 OLI) in estimating aboveground grass biomass stored within two different land use management units in savannah rangelands using the stepwise multiple linear regression methods. Specifically, we evaluated the performance of different Landsat‐8 OLI derivatives (i.e. (a) spectral bands, (b) derived vegetation indices and (c) a combination of spectral bands and vegetation indices) to quantify aboveground grass biomass. The results highlighted that the use of spectral bands as stand‐alone model variables yielded considerably high accuracies in terms of the coefficient of determination (r2) and the root mean square error (RMSE). An r2 of 0.73 (72.81%) and RMSE of 37.88% for the protected area and an r2 of 0.75 (75.18%) and with a RMSE of 33.16% for the nonprotected area were attained. The use of vegetation indices, however, demonstrated a very weak model performance yielding an r2 of 0.31 (30.68%) and a RMSE of 51.51%, for the protected area and an r2 of 0.50 (50.43%) and RMSE of 40% for the nonprotected areas. Comparatively, combining Landsat‐8 OLI derived spectral bands and vegetation indices demonstrated improved model performance, yielding an r2 of 0.92 (91.90%), and RMSE of 41.3% for the protected area and an r2 of 0.94 (93.82%) with a RMSE of 33.14% for the nonprotected area. Therefore based on the observed results, AGBg in savannah rangelands can be satisfactorily estimated using broadband multispectral derivatives.
The Making and Unmaking of a Megaproject: Contesting Temporalities along the LAPSSET Corridor in Kenya
Authors: Aalders Johannes Theodor , Bachmann Jan , Knutsson Per , Musembi Kilaka Benard
Published: March 2021

In this paper, we show how communities in Northern Kenya proactively engage an unfolding megaproject and the temporalities it evokes—the Lamu Port South Sudan Ethiopia Transport Corridor (LAPSSET). We argue that the latitude communities have in contending with megaprojects is broader and more dynamic than passive reception of or outright resistance against the futures promised. By introducing the concepts of entangling and fraying, we emphasise the agency communities create for themselves by appreciating their strategies and expressions of stabilising or troubling the “megaproject”. While entangling refers to practices through which communities attach additional features to an otherwise rather stable vision of its “meganess”, fraying, in contrast, describes the strands that splice off towards different spatio‐temporal imaginaries. We discuss these practices in four instances of engaging LAPSSET: constructing temporary homes at project sites; engaging in land reform; disputing land acquisition at oil exploration sites; and contesting a planned resort city.
Meta‐humanization enhances positive reactions to prosocial cross‐group interaction
Authors: Borinca Islam , Tropp Linda R. , Ofosu Nana
Published: March 2021

The present research investigated whether learning that an outgroup humanizes the ingroup (i.e., meta‐humanization) enhances how people react to intergroup prosocial behaviours and their willingness to engage in intergroup contact. In three experiments conducted in two cultural contexts (Kosovo and North Macedonia; n = 601), we manipulated meta‐humanization by informing participants that their ingroup is perceived to be as human as the outgroup by outgroup members. We compare this meta‐humanization condition with a meta‐dehumanization condition in which the participant's ingroup is perceived to be less human than the outgroup (Experiments 1 and 3), a meta‐liking condition in which the participant's ingroup is liked as much as the outgroup (Experiment 2), and a control condition (Experiments 1 and 2). Overall, results showed that participants in the meta‐humanization condition attributed more empathy and prosocial motives to a potential outgroup helper and were more willing to accept outgroup help and engage in future intergroup contact than participants in the other conditions. In addition, positive perceptions of the outgroup helper mediated the effect of meta‐humanization on willingness to accept outgroup help and engage in intergroup contact. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of these findings for intergroup relations and reconciliation efforts.
Different elevational environments dictate contrasting patterns of niche evolution in NeotropicalPithecopustreefrog species
Authors: Bandeira Lucas Nicioli , Villalobos Fabricio , Werneck Fernanda P. , Peterson A. Townsend , Anciães Marina
Published: March 2021

Understanding how species’ ecological niches evolve can shed light on observed large‐scale biogeographic patterns, temporal range shifts, and the potential ability for species to cope with climate changes. Here, we investigated climatic niche evolution in the Neotropical treefrog genusPithecopusby testing for phylogenetic niche conservatism (PNC). We first evaluated niche overlap patterns based on pairwise niche comparisons of sister species pairs inferred from two alternative topologies for the genus, where higher niche overlap for those pairs compared to random species pairs would represent evidence of PNC. Second, we evaluated phylogenetic conservatism of climatic niches by fitting evolutionary models for niche position and niche breadth across the two alternative phylogenetic trees for the genus. Sister species pairs did not show higher mean niche overlap when compared to random pairs. Comparisons considering species’ elevational habitats, on the other hand, showed that lowland sister species had greater niche overlap and montane species lower overlap than expected given the prevailing environmental conditions in each habitat, suggesting different evolutionary histories of niche differentiation for species with different elevational ranges. The best fit of niche position and breadth to both stasis and drift models supported the existence of PNC. We conclude that evolution of climatic niches inPithecopussuggests overall PNC and that the contrasting patterns found for lowland and mountainous species reinforce the importance of considering the effects of habitat type in understanding climatic niches dynamics.

Abstract in Portuguese is available with online material.
Sphingosine‐1‐phosphate receptor 3 is implicated in BBB injury via the CCL2‐CCR2 axis following acute intracerebral hemorrhage
Authors: Xu Dingkang , Gao Qiang , Wang Fang , Peng Qianrui , Wang Guoqing , Wei Qingjie , Lei Shixiong , Zhao Shengqi , Zhang Longxiao , Guo Fuyou
Published: March 2021

Background

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a catastrophic cerebrovascular disease with high morbidity and mortality. Evidence demonstrated that sphingosine‐1‐phosphate receptor (S1PR) plays a vital role in inflammatory damage via the upregulation of CCL2 expression. However, whether S1PR3 is involved in blood‐brain barrier (BBB) breakdown via CCL2 activation after ICH has not been described.

Methods

We investigated the expression profiles of all S1PRs using high‐throughput RNA‐seq analysis and RT‐PCR. The potential role of S1PR3 and interaction between S1PR3 and CCL2 were evaluated via Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and flow cytometry. BBB disruption was examined via magnetic resonance imaging, transmission electron microscopy, and Evans blue extravasation. Microglial activation, proliferation, and polarization were assessed via histopathological analysis. The expression levels of CCL2, p‐p38 MAPK, ICAM‐1, and ZO‐1 were examined in vitro and in vivo.

Results

The present results showed that the levels of S1PR3 and its ligand, sphingosine 1‐phosphate (S1P), were dramatically increased following ICH, which regulated the expression of CCL2 and p38MAPK. Moreover, reductions in brain edema volume, amelioration of BBB integrity, and improvements in behavioral deficits were achieved after the administration of CAY10444, an S1PR3 antagonist, to rats. Remarkably increased CCL2, p‐p38MAPK, and ICAM‐1 expression and decreased ZO‐1 expression were observed in cocultured human astrocytes (HAs) and hCMEC/D3 cells after S1P stimulation. However, the expression levels of CCL2, p‐p38 MAPK, and ICAM‐1 were decreased and ZO‐1 expression was increased after S1PR3 inhibition. In addition, microglial proliferation and M1 polarization were attenuated after CAY10444 administration.

Conclusion

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of the neuroprotective role of S1PR3 modulation in maintaining BBB integrity by inhibiting the S1PR3‐CCL2 axis after ICH, providing a novel treatment for ICH by targeting S1PR3.
A potential association of RNF219‐AS1 with ADHD: Evidence from categorical analysis of clinical phenotypes and from quantitative exploration of executive function and white matter microstructure endophenotypes
Authors: Fu Guang‐Hui , Chen Wai , Li Hai‐Mei , Wang Yu‐Feng , Liu Lu , Qian Qiu‐Jin
Published: March 2021

Aims

Attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neuropsychiatric disorder of substantial heritability, yet emerging evidence suggests that key risk variants might reside in the noncoding regions of the genome. Our study explored the association of lncRNAs (long noncoding RNAs) with ADHD as represented at three different phenotypic levels guided by the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) framework: (i) ADHD caseness and symptom dimension, (ii) executive functions as functional endophenotype, and (iii) potential genetic influence on white matter architecture as brain structural endophenotype.

Methods

Genotype data of 107 tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) from 10 candidate lncRNAs were analyzed in 1040 children with ADHD and 630 controls of Chinese Han descent. Executive functions including inhibition and set‐shifting were assessed by STROOP and trail making tests, respectively. Imaging genetic analyses were performed in a subgroup of 33 children with ADHD and 55 controls using fractional anisotropy (FA).

Results

One SNP rs3908461 polymorphism in RNF219‐AS1 was found to be significantly associated with ADHD caseness: with C‐allele detected as the risk genotype in the allelic model (P = 8.607E‐05) and dominant genotypic model (P = 9.628E‐05). Nominal genotypic effects on inhibition (p = 0.020) and set‐shifting (p = 0.046) were detected. While no direct effect on ADHD core symptoms was detected, mediation analysis suggested that SNP rs3908461 potentially exerted an indirect effect through inhibition function [B = 0.21 (SE = 0.12), 95% CI = 0.02‐0.49]. Imaging genetic analyses detected significant associations between rs3908461 genotypes and FA values in corpus callosum, left superior longitudinal fasciculus, left posterior limb of internal capsule, left posterior thalamic radiate (include optic radiation), and the left anterior corona radiate (P FWE corrected < 0.05).

Conclusion

Our present study examined the potential roles of lncRNA in genetic etiological of ADHD and provided preliminary evidence in support of the potential RNF219‐AS1 involvement in the pathophysiology of ADHD in line with the RDoC framework.
A salt‐free pad‐irradiate‐pad‐steam reactive dyeing process for cotton fabric and the influence of cationising conditions on its coloration
Authors: Yu Chengbing , Liu Yuanqiu , Lu Yilin , Tao Kaixin , Yi Zhong
Published: March 2021

The salt‐free reactive dyeing of cotton fabric meets the need of the modern textile industry and overcomes the problems posed by salt usage. In this study, a pad‐irradiate‐pad‐steam (PIPS) process for the salt‐free dyeing of cotton fabric with a reactive dye was applied. In this process, 3‐chloro‐2‐hydroxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride (CHPTMAC) was used to modify the fabric with cations under microwave heating. Then, the cationic fabric was dyed using a reactive dye. The influence of the cationising conditions in the PIPS process on the K/S value of the dyed cotton fabric was investigated. The results showed that the CHPTMAC concentration, the mole ratio of sodium hydroxide to CHPTMAC, the microwave irradiation power and the treatment time had significant effects on the dyeing of cotton fabric. Also, fastness to light, washing, and rubbing of the dyed cotton fabric was satisfactory.
Examining untreated and treated alcohol problem resolution in an Australian online survey sample
Authors: Mellor Richard , Lancaster Kari , Ritter Alison
Published: March 2021

Introduction

While treatment is an effective way to resolve alcohol problems, many people resolve their alcohol problems in the absence of treatment. Just how many do so is not known and may vary based on the definition of treatment. Various estimates of untreated alcohol problem resolution were calculated in this study, and the differences between people who resolve their alcohol problems with or without treatment were explored in relation to sociodemographic variables, levels of alcohol consumption in the past 12 months and lifetime alcohol problem severity.

Methods

A cross‐sectional online survey was administered to 719 people who had resolved an alcohol problem in Australia. Convenience sampling was used through a recruitment strategy targeted towards the general population via Facebook.

Results

Almost half (49.8%) of all people who resolved their alcohol problem did so in the absence of alcohol treatment, whether specialist alcohol treatment, mutual‐aid services or digital support services. When accessing mental health treatment is included under the scope of ‘treatment’, this estimate dropped to 12.8%. The estimated odds of having accessed treatment increased with age and lifetime alcohol problem severity. Other sociodemographic variables, or levels of alcohol consumption in the past 12 months, were not significantly associated with treatment status.

Discussion and Conclusions

It might be beneficial to expand the scope of ‘treatment’ to include mental health services and focus on the development of cost‐effective and less intrusive standalone activities, which can expedite and support alcohol problem resolution for those who choose not to access specialist treatment.
The effect of phytic acid on enzymatic degradation of dentin
Authors: Forgione Diletta , Nassar Mohannad , Seseogullari‐Dirihan Roda , Thitthaweerat Suppason , Tezvergil‐Mutluay Arzu
Published: March 2021

We evaluated the effect of phytic acid on matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐ or cysteine cathepsin (CC)‐mediated dentin degradation. Demineralized dentin beams were divided into five groups (n = 12) and treated with 1%, 2%, or 3% phytic acid or with 37% phosphoric acid. Untreated demineralized beams served as controls. After incubation for 1 or 3 wk, dry mass loss was determined and aliquots of incubation media were analysed for cross‐linked telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP) fragments for MMP‐mediated and c‐terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX) for cathepsin‐k‐mediated degradation. The direct effect of phytic acid was evaluated using MMP activity assay. Data were analysed using repeated‐measures anova. ICTP releases with 1% and 2% phytic acid treatment were statistically significantly lower than those following phosphoric acid treatment at 3 wk. The CTX release for phytic acid‐treated beams at 3 wk was not significantly different from that of untreated control beams, but it was significantly lower than that of phosphoric acid‐treated beams. Their MMP activities at 3 wk were not significantly different from those of the controls but they were significantly lower than those seen for phosphoric acid‐treated beams. Compared to phosphoric acid, phytic acid treatment resulted in a reduced dentinal host‐derived endogenous enzymatic activity and collagen degradation.
A novel cost‐sensitive algorithm and new evaluation strategies for regression in imbalanced domains
Authors: Sadouk Lamyaa , Gadi Taoufiq , Essoufi El Hassan
Published: March 2021

Many real‐world data mining applications involve obtaining predictive models using imbalanced datasets. Frequently, the least common target variables present within datasets are associated with events that are highly relevant for end users. When these variables are nominal, we have a class‐imbalance problem which has been thoroughly studied within machine learning. As for regression tasks where target variables are continuous, few predictive models and evaluation techniques exist. This paper proposes a solution to these challenges. First, we introduce a cost‐sensitive learning algorithm based on a neural network trained on the minimization of a biased loss function. Results show a higher or comparable performance and convergence speed to existent techniques. Second, we develop new approaches for performance assessment of regression tasks within imbalanced domains by proposing new scalar measures, namely Geometric Mean Error (GME) and Class‐Weighted Error (CWE), as well as new graphical‐based measures, namely RECTPR, RECTNR, RECG − Mean and RECCWA curves. Unlike standard measures, our evaluation strategies are shown to be more robust to data imbalance as they reflect the performance of both rare and frequent events.