bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic diversity and population structure of razor clamSinonovacula constrictain Ariake Bay, Japan, revealed using RAD-Seq SNP markers
Authors: Orita Ryo , Nagano Yukio , Kawamura Yoshio , Kimura Kei , Kobayashi Genta
Published: October 2020

The razor clamSinonovacula constrictais a commercially important bivalve in Japan. The current distribution of this species in Japan is limited to Ariake Bay, where the fishery stock is declining. It is necessary to understand the genetic population structure of this species in order to restore the fishery stock while preserving the genetic diversity of the clam. Here, we report for the first time the genetic population structure ofS. constrictain Ariake Bay, Japan. Paired-end restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (RAD-Seq) analyzed samples ofS. constrictacollected from seven mudflats located along Ariake Bay. Two different genetic populations exist in Ariake Bay, one inhabiting wild habitats and the other inhabiting the transplanted area of artificial seedlings. Our results suggest that genetic differentiation occurred between these two populations (Fstvalue = 0.052), and a high level of genetic differentiation is maintained between the two groups. In the future, monitoring the interbreeding status of the two genetically distinct populations and the genetic differentiation within each population is important for conserving the genetic diversity ofS. constrictain Japan.
Compression-based Network Interpretability Schemes
Authors: Warrell Jonathan , Mohsen Hussein , Gerstein Mark
Published: October 2020

Deep learning methods have achieved state-of-the-art performance in many domains of artificial intelligence, but are typically hard to interpret. Network interpretation is important for multiple reasons, including knowledge discovery, hypothesis generation, fairness and establishing trust. Model transformations provide a general approach to interpreting a trained network post-hoc: the network is approximated by a model, which is typically compressed, whose structure can be more easily interpreted in some way (we call such approachesinterpretability schemes). However, the relationship between compression and interpretation has not been fully explored: How much should a network be compressed for optimal extraction of interpretable information? Should compression be combined with other criteria when selecting model transformations? We investigate these issues using two different compression-based schemes, which aim to extract orthogonal kinds of information, pertaining to feature and data instance-based groupings respectively. The first (rank projection trees) uses a structured sparsification method such that nested groups of features can be extracted having potential joint interactions. The second (cascaded network decomposition) splits a network into a cascade of simpler networks, allowing groups of training instances with similar characteristics to be extracted at each stage of the cascade. We use predictive tasks in cancer and psychiatric genomics to assess the ability of these approaches to extract informative feature and data-point groupings from trained networks. We show that the generalization error of a network provides an indicator of the quality of the information extracted; further we derive PAC-Bayes generalization bounds for both schemes, which we show can be used as proxy indicators, and can thus provide a criterion for selecting the optimal compression. Finally, we show that the PAC-Bayes framework can be naturally modified to incorporate additional criteria alongside compression, such as prior knowledge based on previous models, which can enhance interpretable model selection.
The Influence of Pre-Supplementary Motor Area Targeted High-Definition Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Inhibitory Control
Authors: DeLaRosa Bambi L. , Spence Jeffrey S. , Motes Michael A. , To Wing , Vanneste Sven , Hart John , Kraut Michael A.
Published: October 2020

Abstract

The neural underpinnings of inhibitory control, an executive cognitive control function, has been a topic of interest for several decades due to both its clinical significance and the maturation of cognitive science disciplines. Behavioral, imaging, and electrophysiological studies suggest that the pre-supplementary motor area (preSMA) serves as a primary hub in a network of regions engaged in inhibition. High-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) allows us to modulate neural function to assess cortical contribution to cognitive functioning. The present study targeted HD-tDCS modulation of preSMA to affect inhibition. Participants were randomly assigned to receive 20 min of Sham, Anodal, or Cathodal stimulation prior to completing a semantically cued go/nogo task while electroencephalography (EEG) data were recorded. Both anodal and cathodal stimulation improved inhibitory performance as measured by faster reaction times and increased (greater negative) N2 event-related potentials (ERPs). In contrast, the Sham group did not show such changes. We did not find support for the anodal/cathodal dichotomy for HD neural stimulation. These findings constitute an early investigation into role of the preSMA in inhibitory control and in exploring application of HD-tDCS to the preSMA in order to improve inhibitory control.
A multivariate method to correct for batch effects in microbiome data
Authors: Wang Yiwen , Lê Cao Kim-Anh
Published: October 2020

Microbial communities are highly dynamic and sensitive to changes in the environment. Thus, microbiome data are highly susceptible to batch effects, defined as sources of unwanted variation that are not related to, and obscure any factors of interest. Existing batch correction methods have been primarily developed for gene expression data. As such, they do not consider the inherent characteristics of microbiome data, including zero inflation, overdispersion and correlation between variables. We introduce a new multivariate and non-parametric batch correction method based on Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis. PLSDA-batch first estimates treatment and batch variation with latent components to then subtract batch variation from the data. The resulting batch effect corrected data can then be input in any downstream statistical analysis. Two variants are also proposed to handle unbalanced batch x treatment designs and to include variable selection during component estimation. We compare our approaches with existing batch correction methods removeBatchEffect and ComBat on simulated and three case studies. We show that our three methods lead to competitive performance in removing batch variation while preserving treatment variation, and especially when batch effects have high variability. Reproducible code and vignettes are available on GitHub.
Neuropixels 2.0: A miniaturized high-density probe for stable, long-term brain recordings
Authors: Steinmetz Nicholas A. , Aydin Cagatay , Lebedeva Anna , Okun Michael , Pachitariu Marius , Bauza Marius , Beau Maxime , Bhagat Jai , Böhm Claudia , Broux Martijn , Chen Susu , Colonell Jennifer , Gardner Richard J. , Karsh Bill , Kostadinov Dimitar , Mora-Lopez Carolina , Park Junchol , Putzeys Jan , Sauerbrei Britton , van Daal Rik J. J. , Vollan Abraham Z. , Welkenhuysen Marleen , Ye Zhiwen , Dudman Joshua , Dutta Barundeb , Hantman Adam W. , Harris Kenneth D. , Lee Albert K. , Moser Edvard I. , O’Keefe John , Renart Alfonso , Svoboda Karel , Häusser Michael , Haesler Sebastian , Carandini Matteo , Harris Timothy D.
Published: October 2020

To study the dynamics of neural processing across timescales, we require the ability to follow the spiking of thousands of individually separable neurons over weeks and months, during unrestrained behavior. To address this need, we introduce the Neuropixels 2.0 probe together with novel analysis algorithms. The new probe has over 5,000 sites and is miniaturized such that two probes plus a headstage, recording 768 sites at once, weigh just over 1 g, suitable for implanting chronically in small mammals. Recordings with high quality signals persisting for at least two months were reliably obtained in two species and six different labs. Improved site density and arrangement combined with new data processing methods enable automatic post-hoc stabilization of data despite brain movements during behavior and across days, allowing recording from the same neurons in the mouse visual cortex for over 2 months. Additionally, an optional configuration allows for recording from multiple sites per available channel, with a penalty to signal-to-noise ratio. These probes and algorithms enable stable recordings from >10,000 sites during free behavior in small animals such as mice.
Suppressing STAT3 activity protects the endothelial barrier from VEGF-mediated vascular permeability
Authors: Wang Li , Astone Matteo , Alam Sk. Kayum , Zhu Zhu , Pei Wuhong , Frank David A. , Burgess Shawn M. , Hoeppner Luke H.
Published: October 2020

Vascular permeability triggered by inflammation or ischemia promotes edema, exacerbates disease progression, and impairs tissue recovery. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent inducer of vascular permeability. VEGF plays an integral role in regulating vascular barrier function physiologically and in pathologies, such as cancer, ischemic stroke, cardiovascular disease, retinal conditions, and COVID-19-associated pulmonary edema and sepsis, which often leads to acute lung injury, including acute respiratory distress syndrome. However, after initially stimulating permeability, VEGF subsequently mediates angiogenesis to repair damaged tissue. Consequently, understanding temporal molecular regulation of VEGF-induced vascular permeability will facilitate developing therapeutics that achieve the delicate balance of inhibiting vascular permeability while preserving tissue repair. Here, we demonstrate that VEGF signals through signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) to promote vascular permeability. Specifically, we show that genetic STAT3 ablation reduces vascular permeability in STAT3-deficient endothelium of mice and VEGF-inducible zebrafish crossed with CRISPR/Cas9 generated genomic STAT3 knockout zebrafish. Importantly, STAT3 deficiency does not impair vascular development and function in vivo. We identify intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) as a STAT3-dependent transcriptional regulator and show VEGF-dependent STAT3 activation is regulated by JAK2. Pyrimethamine, an FDA-approved anti-microbial agent that inhibits STAT3-dependent transcription, substantially reduces VEGF-induced vascular permeability in zebrafish, mouse, and human endothelium. Indeed, pharmacologically targeting STAT3 increases vascular barrier integrity using two additional compounds, atovaquone and C188-9. Collectively, our findings suggest that the VEGF, VEGFR-2, JAK2, and STAT3 signaling cascade regulates vascular barrier integrity, and inhibition of STAT3-dependent activity reduces VEGF-induced vascular permeability in vertebrate models.

Key Points

Genetic STAT3 deficiency in VEGF-inducible zebrafish and mice reveals that VEGF signals through STAT3 to promote vascular permeability

Pyrimethamine, a clinically available agent that inhibits STAT3 activity, reduces VEGF-induced vascular permeability in preclinical models
Kinetic isotope tracing of glycerol and de novo proteogenic amino acids in Human Lung Carcinoma cells using [U-13C6]glucose
Authors: Akram Subia , Thakur Jyotika , Shree Manu , Masakapalli Shyam K. , Nanda Ranjan Kumar
Published: October 2020

13C based Isotopic tracers of the media components can be used to kinetically track their contribution in the cell systems. A tracer ([U-13C6] glucose) was used to monitor its contribution into the central carbon metabolic pathways of human lung carcinoma (A549) cells by Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) based mass isotopomer analysis. Calculated average 13C of methanolic extracts (glycerol: 5.46±3.53 % and lactate: 74.4±2.65 %), protein acid hydrolysates (serine: 4.51±0.21 %, glycine: 2.44±0.31 %, alanine: 24.56±0.59 %, glutamate: 8.81±0.85 %, proline: 6.96±0.53 % and aspartate: 10.72±0.95 %) and the culture filtrate (glycerol: 43.14±1.45 % and lactate: 81.67±0.91 %), showed significant contribution of 13C glucose. We observed the Warburg effect with higher levels of 13C lactate in the culture filtrate. 13C glycerol levels in culture supernatant showed significant increase with time and amino acids of glucogenic origin also contributed cellular protein biomass. The workflow adopted in this study for 13C analysis could be useful for the metabolic phenotyping of other mammalian cell systems under normal and perturbed (cancer and infection) conditions.
A Darwinian outlook on schistosomiasis elimination
Authors: Van den Broeck Frederik , Vanoverbeeke Joost , Polman Katja , Huyse Tine
Published: October 2020

Schistosomiasis is a poverty-related chronic disease that affects over 240 million people across 78 countries worldwide. In order to control the disease, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the drug praziquantel against all forms of schistosomiasis. Mass Drug Administration (MDA) programs with praziquantel are successful on the short-term as they reduce the prevalence and infection intensity after treatment, and thus instantly relieve the patient from the burden of its disease. However, epidemiological and genetic studies suggest that current school-based interventions may have little or no long-term impact on parasite transmission. Here, we adopt a Darwinian approach to understand the impact of MDA on the neutral evolution ofSchistosomaparasites and assess its potential to eliminate schistosomiasis. We develop a finite island model to simulate the impact of repeated treatments on the genetic diversity of schistosome populations locally (within each host, i.e. infrapopulation) and regionally (within all hosts combined, i.e. component population). We show that repeated treatments induced strong and lasting declines in parasite infrapopulation sizes, resulting in concomitant genetic bottlenecks within the treated individuals. However, parasite genetic diversity recovered quickly in a few generations due to re-infection, and there was little or no impact of treatment on the genetic diversity of the component population when treatment coverage was 95% or lower. This was mainly due to parasite infrapopulations of the untreated host individuals that acted as reservoirs of genetic diversity, sustaining the diversity of the component population. Hence, lasting declines in parasite genetic diversity were only observed when coverage of treatment was 100%, resulting in population crashes after a minimum of six treatment rounds. We argue that achieving a full coverage of treatment is highly challenging for most endemic regions in sub-Saharan Africa, and conclude that MDA alone has little potential to achieve elimination within a conceivable time frame. Our results raise skepticism about the current WHO goals of elimination of schistosomiasis by 2025.
Genetically-Modified Macrophages Accelerate Myelin Repair
Authors: Aigrot Marie-Stephane , Barthelemy Clara , Moyon Sarah , Dufayet-Chaffaud Gaelle , Izagirre-Urizar Leire , Gillet-Legrand Beatrix , Bayón-Cordero Laura , Tada Satoru , Chara Juan-Carlos , Matute Carlos , Cartier Nathalie , Lubetzki Catherine , Tepavčević Vanja
Published: October 2020

Preventing neurodegeneration-associated disability progression in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) remains an unmet therapeutic need. As remyelination prevents degeneration of demyelinated axons, promoting this process in patients might halt the development of permanent disability. In demyelinating mouse lesions, local overexpression of Semaphorin 3F (Sema3F), an oligodendrocyte progenitor cell (OPC) attractant, increases OPC recruitment and remyelination. However, molecular targeting to MS lesions is a challenge because these are disseminated in the central nervous system.

We hypothesized that a clinically-relevant paradigm to deliver Sema3F to demyelinating lesions and increase OPC recruitment may be to use blood-derived macrophages as vehicles. Thus, we chose transplantation of genetically-modified hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) as means of obtaining circulating monocytes that overexpress Sema3F. We first demonstrated that the supernatant from Sema3F-lentiviral vector transduced HSCs stimulates OPC migration in Neuropilin 2 (Nrp2, Sema3F receptor)-dependent fashion. We then investigated whether OPCs remain responsive to Sema3F with age. While Sema3F expression in the lesions of middle-aged and old mice (characterized by decreased efficiency of OPC recruitment and remyelination) was decreased, middle-aged OPCs retained Nrp2 expression and migrated in response to both recombinant Sema3F and Sema3F-transduced cell supernatant in vitro. We then investigated whether blood cells engineered to overexpress Sema3F can target demyelinating CNS lesions and improve remyelination. Thus, we transplanted Sema3F-transduced HSCs and obtained chimeric mice (with Sema3F overexpression in blood cells), in which we induced demyelinating spinal cord lesions. Transgene-carrying cells, predominantly macrophages, quickly infiltrated lesions in both control and Sema3F chimeras. While infiltration of Sema3F-expressing cells did not alter the inflammatory status of the lesions nor OPC survival, it increased OPC recruitment, which accelerated the onset of remyelination. Our results provide a proof-of-concept that blood cells, particularly monocyte-derived macrophages, can be used to deliver pro-remyelinating agents “at the right time and place”, suggesting novel means for remyelination-promoting strategies.
Assortative Mating, Autistic Traits, Empathizing, and Systemizing
Authors: Richards Gareth , Baron-Cohen Simon , Stokes Holly , Warrier Varun , Mellor Ben , Winspear Ellie , Davies Jessica , Gee Laura , Galvin John
Published: October 2020

It has been suggested that the children of parents with particular interests and aptitude for understanding systems via input-operation-output rules (i.e. systemizing) are at increased likelihood of developing autism. Furthermore, assortative mating (i.e. a non-random pattern in which individuals are more likely to pair with others who are similar to themselves) is hypothesised to occur in relation to systemizing, and so romantic couples may be more similar on this variable than chance would dictate. However, no published study has yet tested this hypothesis. We therefore examined intra-couple correlations for a measure of autistic traits (Autism Spectrum Quotient [AQ]), self-report measures of empathizing (Empathy Quotient [EQ]), and systemizing (Systemizing Quotient-Revised [SQ-R]), as well as the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET) and Embedded Figures Task (EFT). We observed positive intra-couple correlations of small-to-medium magnitude for all measures except EQ. Further analyses suggest that these effects are attributable to people pairing with those who are more similar to themselves than chance (initial assortment) rather than becoming more alike over the course of a relationship (convergence), and to seeking out self-resembling partners (active assortment) rather than pairing in this manner due to social stratification increasing the likelihood of similar people meeting in the first place (social homogamy). Additionally, we found that the difference in scores for the AQ, SQ-R, RMET and EFT of actual couples were smaller (i.e. more similar) than the average difference scores calculated from all other possible male-female pairings within the dataset. The current findings therefore provide clear evidence in support of the assortative mating theory of autism.
Quantitative Behavioural Phenotyping to Investigate Anaesthesia-Induced Neurobehavioural Impairment
Authors: Nambyiah Pratheeban , Brown Andre EX
Published: October 2020

Background

Vertebrate animal experiments have suggested that anaesthesia exposure to the developing nervous system causes neuroapoptosis and behavioural impairment. Mechanistic understanding is limited, and target-based approaches are challenging. High-throughput methods may be an important parallel approach to drug-discovery and mechanistic research. The nematode wormCaenorhabditis elegansis an ideal candidate as a model for this. A rich subset of its behaviour can be studied, and hundreds of morphological and behavioural features can be quantified, then aggregated to yield a ‘signature’. Perturbation of this behavioural signature may provide a tool that can be used to quantify the effects of anaesthetic regimes, and act as an outcome marker for drug screening and molecular target research.

Methods

LarvalC. eleganswere exposed to: isoflurane, ketamine, morphine, dexmedetomidine, and lithium (and combinations). Behaviour was recorded, and videos analysed with automated algorithms to extract behavioural and morphological features.

Results

Anaesthetic exposure during early development leads to persisting morphological and behavioural variation (in total, 125 features/exposure combinations). Higher concentrations, and combinations of isoflurane with ketamine, lead to more feature ‘hits’. Morphine and dexmedetomidine do not appear to lead to behavioural impairment. Lithium rescues the neurotoxic phenotype produced by isoflurane.

Conclusions

Findings correlate well with vertebrate research: impairment is dependent on agent, is concentration-specific, is more likely with combination therapies, and can potentially be rescued by lithium. These results suggest thatC. elegansmay be an appropriate model with which to pursue phenotypic screens for drugs that mitigate the neurobehavioural impairment. Some possibilities are suggested for how high-throughput platforms might be organised in service of this field.
Cycling hypoxia selects for constitutive HIF stabilization
Authors: Pressley Mariyah , Gallaher Jill A. , Brown Joel S. , Tomaszewski Michal R. , Borad Punit , Damaghi Mehdi , Gillies Robert J. , Whelan Christopher J.
Published: October 2020

Tumors experience temporal and spatial fluctuations in oxygenation. Hypoxia inducible transcription factors (HIF-α) in tumor cells are stabilized in response to low levels of oxygen and induce angiogenesis to re-supply oxygen. HIF-α stabilization is typically facultative, induced by hypoxia and reduced by normoxia. In some cancers, however, HIF-α stabilization becomes constitutive even under normoxia, a condition known aspseudohypoxia. Herein, we develop a mathematical model that predicts the effects of fluctuating levels of oxygen availability on stabilization of HIF-α and its client proteins based on fitness. The model shows that facultative regulation of HIF-α always promotes greater cell fitness than constitutive regulation. However, cell fitness is nearly identical regardless of HIF-α regulation strategy when there are rapid periodic fluctuations in oxygenation. Furthermore, the model predicts that stochastic changes in oxygenation favor facultative HIF-α regulation. We conclude that rapid and regular cycling of oxygenation levels selects for pseudohypoxia.
“The frog in the pan”: relational transformation of public values in the UK tax authority
Authors: Closs-Davies Sara C. , Bartels Koen P.R. , Merkl-Davies Doris M.
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The authors aim to contribute to conceptual and empirical understanding of publicness in public sector accounting research by analysing how accounting technologies facilitated the transformation of public values of the UK tax authority.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors develop a conceptual framework for analysing public values in terms of relational power. Combining governmentality and actor–network theory, the authors focus on the complex relationships through which human and non-human actors interact and the public values that emerge from these evolving socio-material networks. Based on a critical-interpretivist ethnographic study of interviews, documents and secondary survey data, the authors identify the emergent properties of accounting technologies in their case study.

Findings

The authors explain how accounting technologies facilitated the transformation of public values in the tax authority by reshaping relational power. Traditional public values were eroded and replaced by neoliberal values through a gradual change process (“frog in the pan”) of (1) disconnecting workers and citizens both spatially and socially; (2) losing touch with the embodied nature of tax administration; and (3) yielding to a dehumanising performance management system. Neoliberal accounting technologies transformed the texture of relationships in such a way that workers and citizens became disempowered from effective, accountable and humane tax administration.

Research limitations/implications

Further research is needed that gains wider access to tax authority workers, extends the scope of the empirical data and provides comparisons with other tax authorities and public sector organisations.

Social implications

The authors show that a relational approach to public values enables identification of what is “valuable” and how public sector organisations can become “value-able”.

Originality/value

The authors offer an interdisciplinary conceptualisation of publicness based on public administration literature, develop a relational conceptualisation of public values and provide original empirical evidence about the changing publicness of the UK tax authority.
Use of Chinese medicine in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 in China and Asia
Authors: Law Siukan , Xu Chuanshan , Leung Albert Wingnang
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe and discuss the use of Chinese medicine in the prevention and treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in China and Asia.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper provides a brief overview of the COVID-19. Based on the syndrome differentiation (辨證論治), the concept of clearing heat and detoxifying lung in traditional Chinese medicine is used to prevent and treat COVID-19 through restoring the vital qi (正氣) in human body and regulating the lung as well as spleen to strengthen the immune system. Traditional Chinese medicine has been used as a complementary therapy for the possible intervention of COVID-19 including traditional Chinese herbal decoctions, Chinese traditional patent medicines, acupuncture and moxibustion as well as the traditional health exercises in China and parts of Asia.

Findings

Traditional Chinese medicine plays a significant role in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 pandemic. The infection cases of China are around 80,000 and a steady decline compared with the USA which has 5,000,000 infection cases and continuous increases. It is shown that more than 90% of patients recovered after the treatment of traditional Chinese herbal decoctions and Chinese traditional patent medicines without any side-effect compared to the use of Remdesivir (GS-5734). Acupuncture (針灸) and moxibustion (艾灸) stimulate the immune and nervous systems for preventing infectious diseases. Taichi (太極) and Baduanjin (八段錦) as the auxiliary aerobic exercise under the theory of Chinese medicine can enhance the immune system and improve the lung function. Thus, an integration of traditional Chinese Medicine and Western medicine is the best strategy for the prevention, treatment and control of COVID-19 pandemic in the future.

Originality/value

This paper describes traditional Chinese medicine as an effective way for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19.
Food consumption values and the influence of physical activity
Authors: Thomé Karim Marini , Cappellesso Giselle , Pinho Guilherme Mata
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This article aims to explore the influence of values concerning food consumption and the effect of physical activity habit moderation on these.

Design/methodology/approach

The consumption value theory was used as a base, and a survey with 292 participants was analysed by means of factor analysis and structural equation modelling.

Findings

The findings are presented at three levels. The first is the clustering of food consumption habits in different dimensions: healthy, unhealthy and hybrid. The second is the relationship between values and food consumption. In detail: (1) emotional value is the only significant measurement for the consumption of the three food dimensions; (2) social value is a significant measurement for healthy food consumption; (3) conditional value is significant for the consumption of hybrid and unhealthy foods; (4) epistemic value has significance in the consumption of hybrid foods; (5) functional value is denied for all dimensions. The third concerns the relationship between value perceptions and food consumption moderated by physical activity in: (1) social value of healthy foods; (2) functional value of hybrid foods; and (3) emotional and epistemic values of unhealthy foods.

Originality/value

This paper adds to the literature on consumption values and raises new insights into value and habits regarding food consumption, such as physical activity involved in the consumption context.
The role of career competencies and proactive personality in early-career employee career adaptability
Authors: AlKhemeiri Ahmed Khamis , Khalid Khalizani , Musa Norwahida
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Employees with high career competencies are more successful in career development. However, it is unclear whether proactivity matters for early-career employees. Thus, this study aims to investigate the influence of career competencies and proactive personality on career adaptability and the moderating role of proactive personality in this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopts a quantitative methodology, collecting data through online questionnaires from respondents (n = 400) who had less than five years of work experience in the UAE. A measurement model and hypotheses testing were conducted using AMOS software. Multigroup structural equation modelling was used to test the moderation model.

Findings

The results show a direct relationship between career competencies and career adaptability. However, a proactive personality is insignificantly related to career adaptability. Further, early-career employees with low proactive personality benefit from high career competencies.

Originality/value

This study offers contributions to the emerging understanding of career construction by emphasising the important role of career competencies for early-career employees who manifest a low proactive personality.
Principals’ knowledge of school law in Kuwait: implications for professional development
Authors: Alazmi Ayeshah Ahmed
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine a principal's knowledge of school law in Kuwait. It further aims to examine the relationship between a principal's knowledge of school law and other variables.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employed a quantitative research paradigm. Data for this study, collected via survey, were collected from a sample of 369 public school principals.

Findings

Using descriptive and inferential statistical methods, the findings indicated that school principals have only limited knowledge about the legal rights of teachers and students. Furthermore, the results revealed a significant difference in knowledge of school law relative to a principal's gender, school level, years of experience, knowledge source and the number of completed school law training courses.

Practical implications

The implications for professional development programs which prepare all school leaders to serve the needs of students’ and teachers’ rights are included.

Originality/value

Studies showed that there is a lack of research regarding a principal's legal knowledge in the Arab countries. As such, this study examined a school principal's knowledge of school law in Kuwait and discussed the associated implications for principal professional development programs.
Barriers in omnichannel retailing returns: a conceptual framework
Authors: de Borba Jorge Luiz Gayotto , Magalhães Mauricio Rodrigues de , Filgueiras Raquel Stefan , Bouzon Marina
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Performing retailing in a complete omnichannel manner is not a simple task, and it considerably increases the complexity of supply chain management operations. This paper aimed at identifying the barriers hindering efficient management of a return channel in this type of retail.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review procedure was used, including descriptive and content analysis of results. The review was performed using four academic databases. Applicable barriers were categorized thematically, a conceptual framework was proposed and future research avenues were drawn.

Findings

The contribution of this paper comprises a theoretical description of reverse logistics applied to omnichannel retail, the identification of the return barriers in omnichannel and a conceptual framework for a holistic view of the problem. In all, 43 barriers were identified including high investments, product restocking, additional transportation costs and poor communication.

Research limitations/implications

The link between reverse logistics and omnichannel area is recent and publications are still scarce, so the newness of this study limits the opportunity for further deepening or more robust validation of the results.

Practical implications

The results offered may be used by managers in the areas of retail and supply chain management in general in order to reduce the natural complexity in omnichannel environment.

Originality/value

Regarding previous literature on omnichannel retail, only a few works consider the after-sales stage. This work intended to pave the way in this poorly explored intersection (reverse logistics and omnichannel) by presenting a conceptual framework to classify various barriers in omnichannel retail return.
Improving the effectiveness of social media-based crowdsourcing innovations: roles of assurance mechanism and innovator's behaviour
Authors: Yang Yefei , Dong Ciwei , Yao Xin , Lee Peter K.C. , Cheng T.C.E.
Published: October 2020

Purpose

With the development of social media and Internet technology, many firms have started to use various crowdsourcing innovation platforms to operate their open innovation business modes. The purpose of this study is to explore how such platforms' assurance mechanisms enhance the effectiveness of crowdsourcing innovations and how to apply assurance mechanisms to handle different innovation tasks, thereby motivating more seekers to use crowdsourcing innovations.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use a Python-based technology to collect the research data comprising 2,302 solvers and 8,390 trade records from zbj.com and apply statistical methods to test the postulated hypotheses.

Findings

The effectiveness of assurance mechanism is confirmed by its positive relationship with solver's behaviour, thereby improving seeker's retention behaviour. However, task complexity, task novelty and task professionalization have different moderating effects on the relationships among assurance mechanism, solver's (innovator's) behaviour and seeker's behaviour.

Research limitations/implications

This study enriches the literature on crowdsourcing innovations and extends the application of uncertainty reduction theory to innovation research. It also makes the theoretical contribution that the assurance mechanism adopted by the platform has different impacts on user's behaviour depending on the task characteristics.

Practical implications

The findings provide guidance to the platform operator on how to design the assurance mechanism to match the innovation task and innovator's behaviour to reduce seeker's uncertainty, thereby facilitating the seeker's decision-making.

Originality/value

A particular value of this study lies in exploring the impact of the platform assurance mechanism of social media-based crowdsourcing innovations on innovator's behaviour, which may further improve seeker's behaviour, based on uncertainty reduction theory.
Impact of higher education imparted by Indian universities on the pro-sustainability orientation of students
Authors: Dasgupta Hirak , Pawar Sanjay Krishnapratap
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to test a model on pro-sustainability orientation (PSO) among the students and comparison of the levels of PSO among the first-year and the second-year MBA/PGDM students studying in Indian higher education institutions.

Design/methodology/approach

The study comprised of quantitative analysis of PSO through a questionnaire that was distributed among MBA/PGDM students of four prominent higher education institutions in the state of Maharashtra. A total of 425 students responded to the survey. The items of this instrument included actions such as reuse, recycling, energy, conservation and so on. Likert scale was used to measure the dimensions and structural equation modelling was applied to test the PSO model.

Findings

The study revealed significant difference in the PSO among male and female students with respect to equity dimension and significant differences among the first- and second-year MBA students with respect to pro-environmental deliberations. A significant difference was found among the four institutions with respect to the pro-environmental deliberations, altruistic behaviour and affinity towards diversity. The study showed positive influence of PSO over SB. The study revealed that the students enrolled in MBA/PGDM showed positive attitude towards SD and the environment.

Practical implications

There has been a dearth of studies conducted on PSO of students enrolled in Indian higher education. This study is an attempt to show the impact of the Indian higher education on the pro-sustainable lifestyles among the students of MBA/PGDM that can provide valuable insights for the millennials of the emerging economies.

Originality/value

This study is an attempt to depict the role played by the Indian higher education institutions in the development of PSO among the students of MBA/PGDM. In order to promote sustainable development within one’s society, one needs to educate future leaders about the importance of sustainability.
In-field training in the police: Learning in an ethical grey area?
Authors: Hoel Linda , Christensen Erik
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Although workplace learning is an important part of professional learning, little is known about the unethical aspects of workplace learning. This study aims to describe students’ learning experiences from in-field training in the police. This paper aims to examine how workplace learning can challenge proper ethical professional development and thus become a question of ethical concern.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on open-ended questions in a questionnaire among Norwegian police students (N = 277) who had ended their one year’s in-field training and had returned to campus for the third and final year of police education. The data are analysed by means of a qualitative content analysis.

Findings

The paper presents two findings. First, the students learn best from assignments that push them beyond their comfort zone. Second, students struggle with their own expectations of themselves as police officers. The findings suggest that workplace learning leaves students aspiring to demonstrate their capability to be a police officer, rather than focusing on learning to be a police officer.

Practical implications

The study can provide organisations such as educations, public services and businesses with better understanding on how to enrich learning in their on-the-job training manuals and programmes to evolve ethical professional behaviour. Ethical considerations can help leadership to improve efficiency and performance at the workplace.

Originality/value

How the potentially unethical aspects of workplace learning can influence the profession’s ethical attitude is an understudied topic in studies on learning to become a professional.
Primary sources, simulations and peanut butter and jelly
Authors: Chapman Melissa A. , Gomez Miguel
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This paper seeks to provide instructional methods for using simulations to teach primary and secondary sources within a social studies classroom. Classroom simulations provide students with authentic opportunities to engage in meaningful learning experiences that are both hands-on in nature and promote the use of critical thinking.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper opted to describe an approach to teach students about primary and secondary sources through a classroom simulation. Step-by-step instruction was provided via an included table, so that readers can recreate the lesson in their own classrooms.

Findings

This paper offers insights about how simulations can be used to provide students an authentic experience with primary and secondary sources. These experiences include opportunities to critically think about the benefits and limitations that both primary and secondary sources offer students while engaging in historical inquiry.

Practical implications

This paper is designed for teachers to utilize and replicate in their own social studies classrooms.

Originality/value

This paper recognizes the important role that primary and secondary sources have in the social studies classroom. Through an original approach, using simulations, the authors present a unique perspective on how to teach about primary and secondary sources in a manner that supports historical inquiry.
Abortion and Black Women's Health Networks in South Carolina, 1940–70
Authors: Ware Madeleine , Delay Cara , Sundstrom Beth
Published: October 2020

This article investigates criminal abortions in South Carolina from 1940 to 1970. This research reveals an increased regulation of Black women's bodies and heightened reporting on Black women's criminal offenses, especially abortion, from the 1940s through the 1960s. It also, however, demonstrates the intergenerational persistence of Black women's communally driven health practices, including abortion. It reveals Black women's understandings of the essential links between the past and the present: not only the persistent legacies of reproductive repression at the hands of medical and state authorities, but also women's connections with their enslaved ancestors, whose healthcare practices survived and even flourished through the mid‐twentieth century in some areas.
The long‐term effect of prenatal progesterone treatment on child development, behaviour and health: a systematic review
Authors: Simons NE , Leeuw M , van’t Hooft J , Limpens J , Roseboom TJ , Oudijk MA , Pajkrt E , Finken MJJ , Painter RC
Published: October 2020

Background

Progesterone is widely used in prenatal care. However, long‐term effects of prenatal progesterone treatment on child development are unclear.

Objectives

To evaluate long‐term outcomes in children after prenatal progesterone treatment.

Search strategy

MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from inception to 24 May 2020.

Selection criteria

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) reporting outcomes in children born to women who received progesterone treatment (compared with placebo or another intervention) during any trimester in pregnancy.

Data collection and analysis

Two authors independently selected and extracted data. We used the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool for randomised trials and Quality In Prognosis Studies.

Main results

Of 388 papers, we included seven articles based on five RCTs, comprising 4222 measurements of children aged 6 months to 8 years. All studies compared progesterone to placebo in second and/or third trimester for the prevention of preterm birth. Meta‐analysis (two studies,n = 890 children) showed no difference in neurodevelopment as assessed by the Bayley‐III Cognitive Composite score at 2 years between children exposed to progesterone versus placebo (Standardised Mean Difference −0.04, 95% Confidence Interval −0.26 to 0.19),I2 = 22%. Heterogeneity prohibited additional meta‐analyses. Other long‐term outcomes showed no differences.

Conclusions

Our systematic review comprising a multitude of developmental measurements with a broad age range did not find evidence of benefit or harm in offspring prenatally exposed to progesterone treatment for the prevention of preterm birth. We identified an urgent need for follow‐up studies of prenatal progesterone administration in early pregnancy and effects in offspring beyond early childhood.

Tweetable abstract

Progesterone to prevent preterm birth: no effect on child development. Outcomes after first trimester progesterone are unclear.
Dynamics of epigenetic modifications in ICSI embryos from in vitro‐produced spermatozoa
Authors: Oblette Antoine , Rives‐Feraille Aurélie , Dumont Ludovic , Delessard Marion , Saulnier Justine , Rives Nathalie , Rondanino Christine
Published: October 2020

Background

In prepubertal boys with cancer, fertility preservation relies on testicular tissue freezing before treatment. In vitro maturation of frozen/thawed tissues could be one of the procedures envisaged to restore the fertility of cured patients. It is necessary to ascertain in the mouse model that in vitro‐generated spermatozoa are able to ensure embryo development, without altering the epigenetic processes occurring during the pre‐implantation period.

Objectives

The aims of the present study were to investigate the fertilizing ability of in vitro‐produced spermatozoa and explore several epigenetic marks at different stages of embryo development.

Materials and methods

Fresh or controlled slow‐frozen (CSF)/thawed testicular tissues from 6 to 7 days post‐partum (dpp) mice were cultured for 30 days. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) experiments were performed using in vitro‐produced spermatozoa. Testicular spermatozoa from 36 to 37 dpp mice were used as in vivo controls. DNA methylation/hydroxymethylation and histone post‐translational modifications (H3K4me3, H3K27me3 and H3K9ac) were analysed by immunofluorescence from the zygote to the blastocyst stages.

Results

The spermatozoa generated in cultures of fresh or CSF testicular tissues were able to initiate embryonic development. The freezing of prepubertal testicular tissues limits the production of spermatozoa in vitro and the fertilization rate after ICSI. Similar levels of H3K4me3, H3K27me3 and H3K9ac were found in ICSI embryos derived from in vitro‐ and in vivo‐produced spermatozoa. DNA methylation levels were increased in 4‐cell embryos and morula obtained by ICSI with in vitro‐produced spermatozoa.

Discussion and conclusion

Our study shows for the first time that the use of in vitro‐produced spermatozoa alters DNA methylation/demethylation dynamics but has little impact on H3K4me3, H3K27me3 and H3K9ac levels in mouse early embryos. Further work will have to be performed to determine whether the use of these gametes is not deleterious for embryo development before considering a human application.
Paradigms and parallels: A commentary on the transformation of the self East and West
Authors: Tasman Allan
Published: October 2020

Ways of gaining enhanced self understanding have developed in every culture. A modern way of referring to this understanding is insight, defined as the individual's understanding of associations between past and present, typical relationship patterns and their vicissitudes, emotional experiences, and psychological symptoms. This paper explores the similarities and differences among the approaches developed in Europe, the United States, and Asia. An example of evolving changes in psychoanalytic theory and practice in the United States, embodied in the body of work called “self psychology” is described as an illustration of how “western” approaches may be incorporating wisdom from “eastern” practice.