bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Model-based integration of citizen-science data from disparate sources increases the precision of bird population trends
Authors: Hertzog Lionel R , Frank Claudia , Klimek Sebastian , Röder Norbert , Böhner Hannah GS , Kamp Johannes
Published: November 2020

Aim

Timely and accurate information on population trends is a prerequisite for effective biodiversity conservation. Structured biodiversity monitoring programs have been shown to track population trends reliably, but require large financial and time investment. The data assembled in a large and growing number of online databases are less structured and suffer from bias, but the number of observations is much higher compared to structured monitoring programs. Model-based integration of data from these disparate sources could capitalize on their respective strengths.

Location

Germany.

Methods

Abundance data for 26 farmland bird species were gathered from the standardized Common Breeding Bird Survey (CBBS) and three online databases that varied with regard to their degree of survey standardization. Population trends were estimated with a benchmark model that included only CBBS data, and five Bayesian hierarchical models integrating all data sources in different combinations. Across models, we compared consistency and precision of the predicted population trends, and the accuracy of the models. Bird species body mass, prevalence in the dataset and abundance were tested as potential predictors of the explored quantities.

Results

Consistency in predicted annual abundance indices was generally high especially when comparing the benchmark models to the integrated models without unstructured data. The accuracy of the estimated population changes was higher in the hierarchical models compared to the benchmark model but this was not related to data-integration. Precision of the predicted population trends increased as more data sources were integrated.

Main conclusions

Model-based integration of data from different sources can lead to improved precision of bird population trend estimates. This opens up new opportunities for conservation managers to identify declining populations earlier. Integrating data from online databases could substantially increase sample size and thus allowing to derive trends for currently not well-monitored species, especially at sub-national scales.
Pediatric glioblastoma - unlike normal cells - are sensitive to the combination of vorinostat and olaparib and to its downstream effector - phosphorylated eIF2α
Authors: Eytan Karin , Versano Ziv , Leitner Moshe , Paglin Shoshana , Toren Amos , Yalon Michal
Published: November 2020

Current therapies offer only a short relief for patients with pediatric glioblastoma (PED-GBM). Therefore, expanding treatment options for this fatal disease is of utmost importance. We found that PED-GBM cell lines, originated from diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma expressing H3K27M mutation (DIPG), or from hemispheric glioma expressing H3G34R mutation, are sensitive to combinations of histone deacetylase and PARP-1 inhibitors (vorinostat with either olaparib or veliparib). These combinations led to an enhanced decrease in their survival, and to increased phosphorylation of eIF2α. Experiments with the S51D phosphomimetic variant of eIF2α and with brain-penetrating inhibitors of phosphorylated eIF2α (p-eIF2α) dephospohrylation, salubrinal and raphin1, showed that increased eIF2α phosphorylation diminished PED-GBM cell survival and sensitized them to PARP-1 inhibitors as well as to ionizing irradiation, which is the main treatment modality in these patients. PED-GBM cells were also remarkably more sensitive to combination of vorinostat and PARP-1 inhibitors and to salubrinal and raphin1 than normal human astrocytes and fibroblasts.

Importantly, although the overall effect of increased eIF2α phosphorylation was a reduced survival of PED-GBM cells, it also increased the cellular level of MTH1, an enzyme that protects treated cells against the incorporation of oxidized nucleotides into nucleic acids, resulting in an enhanced decrease in cell survival in response to the combination of salubrinal and MTH1 inhibitor, TH588.

Our results indicate that combinations of the FDA approved drugs, vorinostat and either veliparib or olaparib, could potentially be included in PED-GBM treatment protocols and that the effect of salubrinal and raphin1 on PED-GBM survival warrants further evaluation.
Grandmother’s chemical legacy of pesticide exposure: bi-generational effects and acclimation in a model invertebrate
Authors: Poulsen Rikke , De Fine Licht Henrik H. , Hansen Martin , Cedergreen Nina
Published: November 2020

Man-made chemicals are a significant contributor to the ongoing deterioration of ecosystems. Currently, risk assessment of these chemicals is based on observations in a single generation of animals, despite potential adverse intergenerational effects. Here, we investigate the effect of the fungicide prochloraz across three generations ofDaphnia magna.We studied both the effects of continuous exposure over all generations and the effects of first-generation (F0) exposure on two subsequent, non-exposed, generations. Effects at different levels of biological organization were monitored. Acclimation to prochloraz was found after continuous exposure. Following F0-exposure, non-exposed F1-offspring showed no significant effects. However, in the F2 animals, several parameters differed significantly from controls. A direct association between grandmaternal effects and toxic mode of action of prochloraz was found, showing that chemicals can be harmful not only to the exposed generation, but also to subsequent generations and that effects may even skip a generation.
High temperature cycles result in maternal transmission and dengue infection differences between Wolbachia strains in Aedes aegypti
Authors: Mancini Maria Vittoria , Ant Thomas H. , Herd Christie S. , Gingell Daniel D. , Murdochy Shivan M. , Mararo Enock , Sinkins Steven P.
Published: November 2020

Environmental factors play a crucial role in the population dynamics of arthropod endosymbionts, and therefore in the deployment of Wolbachia symbionts for the control of dengue arboviruses. The potential of Wolbachia to invade, persist and block virus transmission depends in part on its intracellular density. Several recent studies have highlighted the importance of larval rearing temperature in modulating Wolbachia densities in adults, suggesting that elevated temperatures can severely impact some strains, while having little effect on others. The effect of a replicated tropical heat cycle on Wolbachia density and levels of virus blocking was assessed using Aedes aegypti lines carrying strains wMel and wAlbB, two Wolbachia strains currently used for dengue control. Impacts on intracellular density, maternal transmission fidelity and dengue inhibition capacity were observed for wMel. In contrast wAlbB-carrying Ae. aegypti maintained a relatively constant intracellular density at high temperatures and conserved its capacity to inhibit dengue. Following larval heat treatment, wMel showed a degree of density recovery in aging adults, although this was compromised by elevated air temperatures. When choosing the Wolbachia strain to be used in a dengue control programme it is important to consider the effects of environmental temperatures on invasiveness and virus inhibition.

Author summary

In the past decades, dengue incidence has dramatically increased all over the world. An emerging dengue control strategy utilizes Ae. aegypti mosquitoes artificially transinfected with the bacterial symbiont Wolbachia, with the ultimate aim of replacing wild mosquito populations. Wolbachia is transmitted from mother to offspring and is able to interfere with virus transmission within the mosquito vector. However, the rearing temperature of mosquito larvae is known to impact on some Wolbachia strains. In this study, we compared the effects of a temperature cycle mimicking natural breeding sites in tropical climates on two Wolbachia strains, currently used for open field trials. We observed that the strain wMel was susceptible to high larval rearing temperatures, while the strain wAlbB resulted to be more stable. These results underlines the importance of understanding the impact of environmental factors on released mosquitoes, in order to ensure the most efficient strategy for dengue control.
The effect of ischaemic postconditioning on mucosal integrity and function in equine jejunal ischaemia
Authors: Verhaar Nicole , Breves Gerhard , Hewicker-Trautwein Marion , Pfarrer Christiane , Rohn Karl , Burmester Marion , Schnepel Nadine , Neudeck Stephan , Twele Lara , Kaestner Sabine
Published: November 2020

Background

Ischaemic postconditioning (IPoC) has been shown to ameliorate ischaemia reperfusion injury in different species and tissues.

Objectives

To assess the feasibility of IPoC in equine small intestinal ischaemia and to assess its effect on histomorphology, electrophysiology and paracellular permeability.

Study design

randomized controlled terminal in vivo experiment

Methods

Experimental jejunal ischaemia was induced for 90 min in horses under general anaesthesia. In the control group (C; n=7), the jejunum was reperfused without further intervention. In the postconditioning group (P; n=7), IPoC was implemented by clamping the mesenterial vessels after ischaemia. This was followed by 120 minutes of reperfusion in both groups. Intestinal microperfusion and oxygenation was measured during IPoC using spectrophotometry and Doppler fluxmetry. Histomorphology and histomorphometry of the intestinal mucosa were assessed. Furthermore, electrophysiological variables and unidirectional fluxrates of 3H-mannitol were determined in Ussing chambers. Western Blot analysis was performed to determine the tight junction protein levels of Claudin-1, Claudin-2 and Occludin in the intestinal mucosa. Comparisons between the groups and time points were performed using a two-way repeated measures ANOVA or non-parametric statistical tests for the ordinal and not normally distributed data (significance p<0.05).

Results

Postconditioning significantly reduced intestinal microperfusion during all clamping cycles, yet affected tissue oxygenation only during the first cycle. After reperfusion, group IPoC showed significantly less mucosal villus denudation (mean difference 21.5 %, p=0.02) and decreased mucosal-to-serosal fluxrates (mean difference 15.2 nM/cm2/h, p=0.007) compared to group C. There were no significant differences between the groups for the other tested variables.

Main limitations

small sample size, long term effects were not investigated.

Conclusions

Following ischaemic postconditioning, the intestinal mucosa demonstrated significantly less villus denudation and paracellular permeability compared to the untreated control group, possibly indicating a protective effect of IPoC on ischaemia reperfusion injury.
Controlling membrane barrier during bacterial type-III protein secretion
Authors: Hüsing Svenja , van Look Ulf , Guse Alina , Gálvez Eric J. C. , Charpentier Emmanuelle , Blair David F. , Erhardt Marc , Renault Thibaud
Published: November 2020

Type-III secretion systems (T3SSs) of the bacterial flagellum and the evolutionarily related injectisome are capable of translocating proteins with a remarkable speed of several thousand amino acids per second. Here, we investigated how T3SSs are able to transport proteins at such a high rate while preventing the leakage of small molecules. Our mutational and evolutionary analyses demonstrate that an ensemble of conserved methionine residues at the cytoplasmic side of the T3SS channel create a deformable gasket (M-gasket) around fast-moving substrates undergoing export. The unique physicochemical features of the M-gasket are crucial to preserve the membrane barrier, to accommodate local conformational changes during active secretion, and to maintain stability of the secretion pore in cooperation with a plug domain (R-plug) and a network of salt-bridges. The conservation of the M-gasket, R-plug, and salt-bridge network suggests a universal mechanism by which the membrane integrity is maintained during high-speed protein translocation in all T3SSs.
The membrane microenvironment regulates the sequential attachment of bacteria to host cells
Authors: Pierrat Xavier , Wong Jeremy P.H. , Al-Mayyah Zainebe , Persat Alexandre
Published: November 2020

Pathogen attachment to host tissue is critical in the progress of many infections. Bacteria use adhesionin vivoto promote colonization and regulate the deployment of contact-dependent virulence traits. To specifically target host cells, they decorate themselves with adhesins, proteins that bind to mammalian cell surface receptors. One common assumption is that adhesin-receptor interactions entirely govern bacterial attachment. However, how adhesins engage with their receptors in anin vivo-like context remains unclear, in particular under the influence of a heterogeneous mechanical microenvironment. We here investigate the biophysical processes governing bacterial adhesion to host cells using a tunable adhesin-receptor system. By dynamically visualizing attachment, we found that bacterial adhesion to host cell surface, unlike adhesion to inert surfaces, involves two consecutive steps. Bacteria initially attach to their host without engaging adhesins. This step lasts about one minute during which bacteria can easily detach. We found that at this stage, the glycocalyx, a layer of glycosylated proteins and lipids, shields the host cell by keeping adhesin away from their receptor ligand. In a second step, adhesins engage with their target receptors to strengthen attachment for minutes to hours. The active properties of the membrane, endowed by the actin cytoskeleton, strengthen specific adhesion. Altogether, our results demonstrate that adhesin-ligand binding is not the sole regulator of bacterial adhesion. In fact, the host cell’s mechanical microenvironment relatively strongly mediated host-bacteria physical interactions, thereby playing an essential role in the onset of infection.
Sand throwing in a pit-building antlion larva from a soil mechanical perspective
Authors: Büsse Sebastian , Büscher Thies H. , Heepe Lars , Gorb Stanislav N. , Stutz Hans Henning
Published: November 2020

Sandy pitfall traps are an elaborate construction to capture prey and antlions are well-known representatives of this predation technique. From a soil mechanical perspective, antlions exploit the interactions between the particles of their habitat and engineer a stable trap. This construction is close to the unstable state, where a prey item will immediately slide towards the center - towards the ambushing antlion - when accidently entering the trap. This method is efficient, but requires permanent pit maintaining. According to the present knowledge, antlions throw sand at their prey, to distract it, and/or cause sand slides towards the center of the pit. Using sand throwing and escape experiments, as well as finite element analysis, we supported this hypothesis. Furthermore, we added new hypothesis about maintaining the pitfall trap. We showed that sand that accumulates in the center of the pit will be continuously removed, which lead to the slope maintenance close to an unstable condition. This avoids self-burial of the antlion, as well as decreasing the chance of prey item escapes by keeping the slope angle steep. This demonstrates the interaction of an insect larva with its abiotic environment from a novel perspective and adds further insights into longstanding entomological hypotheses.
Automatic identification of bird females using egg phenotype
Authors: Šulc Michal , Hughes Anna E. , Troscianko Jolyon , Štětková Gabriela , Procházka Petr , Požgayová Milica , Piálek Lubomír , Piálková Radka , Brlík Vojtěch , Honza Marcel
Published: November 2020

Identification of individuals greatly contributes to understanding animal ecology and evolution, and in many cases can only be achieved using expensive and invasive techniques. Advances in computing technology offer alternative cost-effective techniques which are less invasive and can discriminate between individuals based on visual and/or acoustic cues. Here, we employ human assessment and an automatic analytical approach to predict the identity of common cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) females based on the appearance of their eggs. The cuckoo’s secretive brood parasitic strategy makes studying its life history very challenging. Eggs were analysed using calibrated digital photography for quantifying spotting pattern, size and shape, and spectrometry for measuring colour. Cuckoo females were identified from genetic sampling of their nestlings, allowing us to determine the accuracy of human and automatic female assignment. Finally, we used a novel ‘same-different’ approach that uses both genetic and phenotypic information to assign eggs that were not genetically analysed.

Our results supported the ‘constant egg-type hypothesis’, showing that individual cuckoo females lay eggs with a relatively constant appearance and that eggs laid by different females differ more than eggs laid by the same female. The accuracy of unsupervised hierarchical clustering was comparable to assessments of experienced human observers. Supervised random forest analysis showed better results, with higher cluster accuracy. Same-different analysis was able to assign 22 of 87 unidentified cuckoo eggs to seven already known females.

Our study showed that egg appearance on its own is not sufficient for identification of individual cuckoo females. We therefore advocate genetic analysis to be used for this purpose. However, supervised analytical methods reliably assigned a relatively high number of eggs without genetic data to their mothers which can be used in conjunction with genetic testing as a cost-effective method for increasing sample sizes for eggs where genetic samples could not be obtained.
Intronic enhancer region governs transcript-specific BDNF expression in neurons
Authors: Tuvikene Jürgen , Esvald Eli-Eelika , Rähni Annika , Uustalu Kaie , Zhuravskaya Anna , Avarlaid Annela , Makeyev Eugene V. , Timmusk Tõnis
Published: November 2020

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) controls the survival, growth, and function of neurons both during the development and in the adult nervous system. BDNF gene is transcribed from several distinct promoters generating transcripts with alternative 5’ exons. BDNF transcripts initiated at the first cluster of exons have been associated with the regulation of body weight and various aspects of social behavior, but the mechanisms driving the expression of these transcripts have remained poorly understood. Here, we identify an evolutionarily conserved intronic enhancer region inside the BDNF gene that regulates both basal and stimulus-dependent expression of the BDNF transcripts starting from the first cluster of 5’ exons in neurons. We further uncover a functional E-box element in the enhancer region, linking the expression of BDNF and various pro-neural basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors. Collectively, our results shed new light on the cell type- and stimulus-specific regulation of the important neurotrophic factor BDNF.
An Epilepsy-Causing Mutation Leads to Co-Translational Misfolding
Authors: Urrutia Janire , Aguado Alejandra , Gomis-Perez Carolina , Muguruza-Montero Arantza , Ballesteros Oscar R. , Zhang Jiaren , Nuñez Eider , Malo Covadonga , Chung Hee Jung , Leonardo Aritz , Bergara Aitor , Villarroel Alvaro
Published: November 2020

Protein folding to the native state is particularly relevant in human diseases where inherited mutations lead to structural instability, aggregation and degradation. In general, the amino acid sequence carries all the necessary information for the native conformation, but the vectorial nature of translation can determine the folding outcome. Calmodulin (CaM) recognizes the properly folded Calcium Responsive Domain (CRD) of Kv7.2 channels. Within the IQ motif (helix A), the W344R mutation found in epileptic patients has negligible consequences for the structure of the complex as monitored by multiple in vitro binding assays and molecular dynamic computations. In silico studies revealed two orientations of the side chain, which are differentially populated by WT and W344R variants. Binding to CaM is impaired when the mutated protein is produced in cellulo but not in vitro, suggesting that this mutation impedes proper folding during translation within the cell by forcing the nascent chain to follow a folding route that leads to a non-native configuration, and thereby generating non-functional ion channels that fail to traffic to proper neuronal compartments.
Generating complex patterns of gene expression without regulatory circuits
Authors: Shah Sahil B. , Hill Alexis M. , Wilke Claus O. , Hockenberry Adam J.
Published: November 2020

Synthetic biology has successfully advanced our ability to design and implement complex, time-varying genetic circuits to control the expression of recombinant proteins. However, these circuits typically require the production of regulatory genes whose only purpose is to coordinate expression of other genes. When designing very small genetic constructs, such as viral genomes, we may want to avoid introducing such auxiliary gene products while nevertheless encoding complex expression dynamics. To this end, here we demonstrate that varying only the placement and strengths of promoters, terminators, and RNase cleavage sites in a computational model of a bacteriophage genome is sufficient to achieve solutions to a variety of basic gene expression patterns. We discover these genetic solutions by computationally evolving genomes to reproduce desired gene expression time-course data. Our approach shows that non-trivial patterns can be evolved, including complex patterns where the relative ordering of genes by abundance changes over time. We find that some patterns are easier to evolve than others, and comparable expression patterns can be achieved via different genetic architectures. Our work opens up a novel avenue to genome engineering via fine-tuning the balance of gene expression and gene degradation rates.

Author summary

Viruses that infect bacteria, commonly called bacteriophages, typically have small genomes that encode as few as 10 genes. From the perspective of understanding genome design and regulation, these organisms are important model systems. Similar to cellular species, the genes encoded on a phage genome often must be expressed at different levels and at particular times during the phage lifecycle. Given their unique size constraints, it may be advantageous for phages to accomplish differential gene expression without having to produce a variety of dedicated regulatory molecules—which are frequently encoded on the larger and more complex genomes of free-living species. Here, we use a computational simulation of phage infection coupled with an evolutionary selection algorithm to illustrate that phage genomes can encode complex time-dependent gene expression patterns without the need for dedicated regulatory molecules. We anticipate that this simulation framework may additionally aid future phage genome design and engineering efforts.
Molecular and functional architecture of striatal dopamine release sites
Authors: Banerjee Aditi , Imig Cordelia , Balakrishnan Karthik , Kershberg Lauren , Lipstein Noa , Uronen Riikka-Liisa , Wang Jiexin , Cai Xintong , Benseler Fritz , Rhee Jeong Seop , Cooper Benjamin H. , Liu Changliang , Wojcik Sonja M. , Brose Nils , Kaeser Pascal S.
Published: November 2020

Dopamine controls striatal circuit function, but its transmission mechanisms are not well understood. We recently showed that dopamine secretion requires RIM, suggesting that it occurs at active zone-like sites similar to conventional synapses. Here, we establish using a systematic conditional gene knockout approach that Munc13 and Liprin-α, active zone proteins for vesicle priming and release site organization, are important for dopamine secretion. Correspondingly, RIM zinc finger and C2B domains, which bind to Munc13 and Liprin-α, respectively, are needed to restore dopamine release in RIM knockout mice. In contrast, and different from conventional synapses, the active zone scaffolds RIM-BP and ELKS, and the RIM domains that bind to them, are expendable. Hence, dopamine release necessitates priming and release site scaffolding by RIM, Munc13, and Liprin-α, but other active zone proteins are dispensable. Our work establishes that molecularly simple but efficient release site architecture mediates fast dopamine exocytosis.
The molecular basis of Kale domestication: Transcription profiling of leaves and meristems provides new insights into the evolution of aBrassica oleraceavegetative morphotype
Authors: Arias Tatiana , Niederhuth Chad , McSteen Paula , Pires J. Chris
Published: November 2020

Morphotypes ofBrassica oleraceaare the result of a dynamic interaction between genes that regulate the transition between vegetative and reproductive stages and those that regulate leaf morphology and plant architecture. In kales ornate leaves, delayed flowering, and nutritional quality are some of the characters potentially selected by humans during domestication.

We used a combination of developmental studies and transcriptomics to understand the vegetative domestication syndrome of kale. To identify candidate genes that are responsible for the evolution of domestic kale we searched for transcriptome-wide differences among three vegetativeB. oleraceamorphotypes. RNAseq experiments were used to understand the global pattern of expressed genes during one single phase of development in kale, cabbage and the rapid cycling kale line TO1000.

We identified gene expression patterns that differ among morphotypes, and estimate the contribution of morphotype-specific gene expression that sets kale apart (3958 differentially expressed genes). Differentially expressed genes that regulate the vegetative to reproductive transition were abundant in all morphotypes. Genes involved in leaf morphology, plan architecture, defense and nutrition were differentially expressed in kale.

RNA-Seq experiments allow the discovery of novel candidate genes involved in the kale domestication syndrome. We identified candidate genes differentially expressed in kale that could be responsible for variation in flowering times, taste and herbivore defense, variation in leaf morphology, plant architecture, and nutritional value. Understanding candidate genes responsible for kale domestication is of importance to ultimately improve Cole crop production.
phiC31 integrase for recombination mediated single copy insertion and genome manipulation inC. elegans
Authors: Yang Fang-Jung , Chen Chiao-Nung , Chang Tiffany , Cheng Ting-Wei , Chang Ni-Chen , Kao Chia-Yi , Lee Chih-Chi , Huang Yu-Ching , Chan Shih-Peng , Wang John
Published: November 2020

C. elegansbenefits from a large set of tools for genome manipulation. Yet, the insertion of large DNA constructs and the generation of inversions is still challenging. Here, we adapted the phiC31 integrase system forC. elegans.We generated an integrated phiC31 integrase expressing strain flanked by attP sites that also serves as a landing pad for integration of transgenes by recombination mediated cassette exchange (RCME). This strain isunc-119(-)so RMCE integrants can be produced simply by injection of a plasmid carrying attB sites flankingunc-119(+)and the gene(s) of interest. Additionally, phiC31 integrase is removed concomitantly with integration, eliminating the need to outcross away the integrase. Integrations are relatively easy to obtain for insert sizes up to ~15 kb. Taking advantage of this integration method we establish a dual color fluorescent operon reporter system to study post-transcriptional regulation of mRNA. Last we show that large chromosomal segments can be inverted using phiC31 integrase. Thus the phiC31 integrase system should be a useful addition to theC. eleganstoolkit.
Heuristic hyperparameter optimization of deep learning models for genomic prediction
Authors: Han Junjie , Gondro Cedric , Reid Kenneth , Steibel Juan P.
Published: November 2020

There is a growing interest among quantitative geneticists and animal breeders in the use of deep learning (DL) for genomic prediction. However, the performance of DL is affected by hyperparameters that are typically manually set by users. These hyperparameters do not simply specify the architecture of the model, they are also critical for the efficacy of the optimization and model fitting process. To date, most DL approaches used for genomic prediction have concentrated on identifying suitable hyperparameters by exploring discrete options from a subset of the hyperparameter space. Enlarging the hyperparameter optimization search space with continuous hyperparameters is a daunting combinatorial problem. To deal with this problem, we propose using differential evolution (DE) to perform an efficient search of arbitrarily complex hyperparameter spaces in DL models and we apply this to the specific case of genomic prediction of livestock phenotypes. This approach was evaluated on two pig and cattle datasets with real genotypes and simulated phenotypes (N=7,539 animals and M=48,541 markers) and one real dataset (N=910 individuals and M=28,916 markers). Hyperparameters were evaluated using cross validation. We compared the predictive performance of DL models using hyperparameters optimized by DE against DL models with “best practice” hyperparameters selected from published studies and baseline DL models with randomly specified hyperparameters. Optimized models using DE showed clear improvement in predictive performance across all three datasets.DE optimized hyperparameters also resulted in DL models with less overfitting and less variation in predictive performance over repeated retraining compared to non-optimized DL models.
Left frontal motor delta oscillations reflect the temporal integration of multimodal speech
Authors: Biau Emmanuel , Schultz Benjamin G. , Gunter Thomas C. , Kotz Sonja A.
Published: November 2020

During multimodal speech perception, slow delta oscillations (~1 - 3 Hz) in the listener’s brain synchronize with speech signal, likely reflecting signal decomposition at the service of comprehension. In particular, fluctuations imposed onto the speech amplitude envelope by a speaker’s prosody seem to temporally align with articulatory and body gestures, thus providing two complementary sensations to the speech signal’s temporal structure. Further, endogenous delta oscillations in the left motor cortex align with speech and music beat, suggesting a role in the temporal integration of (quasi)-rhythmic stimulations. We propose that delta activity facilitates the temporal alignment of a listener’s oscillatory activity with the prosodic fluctuations in a speaker’s speech during multimodal speech perception. We recorded EEG responses in an audiovisual synchrony detection task while participants watched videos of a speaker. To test the temporal alignment of visual and auditory prosodic features, we filtered the speech signal to remove verbal content. Results confirm (i) that participants accurately detected audiovisual synchrony, and (ii) greater delta power in left frontal motor regions in response to audiovisual asynchrony. The latter effect correlated with behavioural performance, and (iii) decreased delta-beta coupling in the left frontal motor regions when listeners could not accurately integrate visual and auditory prosodies. Together, these findings suggest that endogenous delta oscillations align fluctuating prosodic information conveyed by distinct sensory modalities onto a common temporal organisation in multimodal speech perception.
Basal ganglia and cerebellar contributions to vocal emotion processing: a high resolution fMRI study
Authors: Ceravolo Leonardo , Frühholz Sascha , Pierce Jordan , Grandjean Didier , Péron Julie
Published: November 2020

Until recently, brain networks underlying emotional voice prosody decoding and processing were focused on modulations in primary and secondary auditory, ventral frontal and prefrontal cortices, and the amygdala. Growing interest for a specific role of the basal ganglia and cerebellum was recently brought into the spotlight. In the present study, we aimed at characterizing the role of such subcortical brain regions in vocal emotion processing, at the level of both brain activation and functional and effective connectivity, using high resolution functional magnetic resonance imaging. Variance explained by low-level acoustic parameters (fundamental frequency, voice energy) was also modelled. Wholebrain data revealed expected contributions of the temporal and frontal cortices, basal ganglia and cerebellum to vocal emotion processing, while functional connectivity analyses highlighted correlations between basal ganglia and cerebellum, especially for angry voices. Seed-to-seed and seed-to-voxel effective connectivity revealed direct connections within the basal ganglia ̶ especially between the putamen and external globus pallidus ̶ and between the subthalamic nucleus and the cerebellum. Our results speak in favour of crucial contributions of the basal ganglia, especially the putamen, external globus pallidus and subthalamic nucleus, and several cerebellar lobules and nuclei for an efficient decoding of and response to vocal emotions.
Why should broadband be free? Promises and rhetoric in the United Kingdom general election of 2019
Authors: Sutherland Ewan
Published: November 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to analyse the promises of the various political party in the 2019 general election in the United Kingdom (UK) concerning the provision of broadband, especially in remote and rural areas.

Design/methodology/approach

This is an analysis of the party manifestos, some interviews and speeches involving party leaders. It identified the various commitments, any costs for those and the reasoning given.

Findings

The UK lags badly on fibre to the premises, both homes and offices. Without analysing the reasons, the two dominant parties proposed to borrow large amounts of money to fund fibre deployment, the Conservative Party without explaining how it would be disbursed. The Labour Party produced a confused proposal to nationalise BT Openreach and probably other operators, without explaining how this transition would work. Nor did they explain why the service was to be free to users.

Practical implications

The UK political parties need to improve their understanding of broadband and digital policies, including means to simplify the governance of markets.

Originality/value

This is the first analysis of the broadband commitments of a UK general election and one of the very few analyses of political offers in an election.
Does “hot” lead to “not so hot?”
Authors: Chang Chun-Tuan , Tok Dickson , Chu Xing-Yu (Marcos) , Lee Yu-Kang , Wang Shr-Chi
Published: November 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to examine how exposure to sexual images activates the urge to yield to temptation in a subsequent unrelated context.

Design/methodology/approach

In Study 1, this paper uses empirical data based on an automobile expo to examine the correlational relationship between sexual imagery and indulgence. In Studies 2 and 3, this study examines the moderating effects of self-construal and gender differences on indulgent consumption, with different dependent measures. Study 4 distinguishes the sexual images into gratuitous sex and romantic love and tests the mediating role of sensation seeking.

Findings

For men, an independent self-construal increases indulgent consumption. In contrast, an interdependent self-construal facilitates women’s indulgent consumption. Having an interdependent self-construal has the opposite impact on indulgent consumption for the two genders: sexual images of romantic love attenuate the effect on men but boost the effect on women. Perceived sensation-seeking serves as the underlying mechanism.

Research limitations/implications

This paper contributes to the literature on sex, reward-processing, context effects in marketing and indulgent consumption.

Practical implications

Advertisers, retailers, food courts and restaurants may use sexual imagery to promote more indulgent consumption with gender and self-construal as segmentation variables. Public policymakers and other concerned parties should also raise consumers’ awareness of the priming effect found in this research.

Originality/value

This research advances the literature on sex by demonstrating the priming effects of sexual imagery and further considers the simultaneous impacts of gender and self-construal on consumers’ subsequent indulgent consumption.
Reflections on an NHS ambulance service trust bidding for non-emergency patient transport services
Authors: Slater Alan
Published: November 2020

Purpose

Ambulance service trusts in England have historically had little or no competition for non-emergency patient transport services (NEPTS), but following the imposition of the NHS Procurement, Patient Choice and Competition (PPCC) Regulation (Number 2) 2013, NHS commissioners could accept suitable bids for NEPTS work from third-party commercial competition. This paper describes how NEPTS evolved in England and how an Ambulance Service Trust Board had to step-up their approach to bidding for NHS NEPTS work and to protect their brand and financial position in a competitive commercial market place.

Design/methodology/approach

The Trust Board developed a competitive bidding strategy with a market research project using “grounded theory” to identify and categorise stakeholders' issues followed by re-engineering to achieve new operational goals. A fundamental element of the bid was an opportunity to share patient information between local NHS facilities using a common access data warehouse. This would represent a serious barrier to entry to any third-party non-NHS commercial competitor.

Findings

Key projects were identified in the bidding process, including relocation of NEPTS resource bases, use of third-party resources and the establishment of a local NHS-wide data warehouse. They were all self-financing within the contract period and accepted by the commissioners. However, the establishment of NEPTS hubs at hospitals with clinics scattered throughout their grounds was rejected by the commissioners due to incompatibility with existing hospital practices.

Originality/value

This case study defines the challenges and opportunities faced by an English Ambulance Service Trust Board when responding to an invitation to tender (ITT) from NHS commissioners for NEPTS and competing with third-parties on a commercial basis. Any emergency service would face similar challenges bidding for work in a competitive environment.
Linguistic and cultural barriers to access and utilization of mental health care for Farsi-speaking newcomers in Quebec
Authors: Mianji Fahimeh , Tomaro Jann , Kirmayer Laurence J.
Published: November 2020

Purpose

In light of the growing number of refugees and immigrants in Canada, this paper aims to identify barriers to mental health services for newcomer immigrants and refugees in Quebec and to examine how mental health services can be improved for these populations.

Design/methodology/approach

In this qualitative study, semi-structured individual interviews with Farsi-speaking health professionals and focus group interviews with participants from community organizations in Quebec were conducted.

Findings

Participants, both health-care professionals and community members, reported that mental health services are not readily accessible to Farsi-speaking immigrants and refugees. Structural barriers, language barriers, cultural safety and stigma were identified as obstacles to accessing care. Recommended strategies for improving access to mental health care are discussed.

Originality/value

Multiple studies have found that language and cultural barriers are associated with health inequalities and under-utilization of mental health services among linguistic and ethnic minorities. However, there are limited data on many groups and contexts, and a need to better understand how language barriers affect health outcomes, service utilization, patient satisfaction or overall costs to the health system or to society. In response to this gap, the present study explores how access to mental health services for Farsi-speaking newcomers may be limited by structural and linguistic barriers and cultural differences and as well as to identify strategies that can reduce the identified barriers.
Effect of group-based logotherapy on imprisoned women’s level of hope: a randomized controlled trial (RCT)
Authors: Ghelbash Zakiye , Yektatalab Shahrzad , Momennasab Marzieh , Foruhi Zohre
Published: November 2020

Purpose

Female prisoners are a vulnerable group in society, often exposed to emotional deprivation and violent experiences and in need of support and attention due to mental health problems. The purpose of this study is to find out whether logotherapy, as an existential approach that emphasizes finding the true meaning in life, can affect imprisoned women’s level of hope, as well as investigating the relationship between participants’ criminological and demographic factors.

Design/methodology/approach

This study comprised a clinical trial with pre-test and post-test, carried out in two groups of intervention and control. The research environment for the study was the Prison Training Center of Shiraz. In total, 90 imprisoned women participated in the study, with the intervention group attending 10 sessions of group logotherapy. Two questionnaires, the Miller Hope scale and demographic and criminological information questionnaires were used for assessment. Participants were evaluated in three periods before, immediately after and one month after the intervention.

Findings

The results showed that logotherapy had a significant effect on increasing the feeling of hopefulness (p = 0.001). Therefore, using the logotherapy approach in other vulnerable groups is recommended.

Originality/value

This study can be a basis for further research due to limited studies on the mental health of women prisoners in the country.
Unsustainability as a key source of epi- and pandemics: conclusions for sustainability and ecosystems accounting
Authors: Schaltegger Stefan
Published: November 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to identify sources of epidemics and deduct conclusions for management, accounting and reporting.

Design/methodology/approach

Review of scientific literature on epidemics; conceptualization.

Findings

Three key sources and paths of zoonotic diseases are distinguished and conclusions drawn for organizational change and accounting.

Research limitations/implications

Accounting for ecosystems and ecosystem management needs to receive more attention in research and practice to combat key sources of epidemics and pandemics.

Social implications

To reduce the likelihood of future pandemics the paths of epidemics development need to be broken.

Originality/value

Conceptual systematization of key sources of epidemics and pandemics; concluding management, accounting and reporting consequences.
Postpartum psychological pressure on single mothers: an interpretative phenomenological analysis
Authors: Benuyenah Vic , Tran Phuong Bich
Published: November 2020

Purpose

To delve further into the phenomenon of psychological pressure on single mothers, the purpose of this paper is to explore the factors that affect the psychological state of single mothers in Vietnam.

Design/methodology/approach

Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) interviews were conducted and analysed with the aim of understanding the psychological state of single mothers sampled from a social group in Vietnam.

Findings

Single mothers lack direct support needed to improve their confidence, job opportunities, income levels and social status. The absence of interventions increases the psychological pressure on single mothers in Vietnam.

Research limitations/implications

A future study can explore the psychological state of single mothers using a more expansive data set.

Practical implications

Understanding the psychosocial and socio-economic risk factors of postpartum psychological pressure in single mothers may have important implications on preventative and support measures, as well as laying the groundwork for social protection interventions and informing welfare policy-making at a national level.

Social implications

Social constructs in Vietnam compound the effect of postnatal depression on Vietnamese single mothers (in contrast to their counterparts in developed Western nations). This means that researchers and policymakers need to reconstruct stigmas that cause psychological pressures on single motherhood, and in doing so, help to change the view held about single motherhood.

Originality/value

This study is the first to explore psychological state of mothers in Vietnam using IPA.
“Black, white and gray”–A qualitative study of how Swedish police officers describe occupational knowledge
Authors: Eliasson Michelle Nathalie
Published: November 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore how Swedish police officers describe occupational knowledge. By learning more about how officers describe occupational knowledge, the study gives more insight about the types of information that they may be more likely to adopt in their occupational tasks.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, the author conducted 27 semi-structured interviews with Swedish police officers. I asked officers several open-ended questions about their everyday work life and professional experience.

Findings

Swedish officers divide knowledge into two categories, which are theoretical knowledge and practical knowledge. Theoretical knowledge is learned in the academy and is described as “black and white,” meaning that it is considered static and not applicable to what happens out in patrol. Practical knowledge is learned in the field from colleagues.

Research limitations/implications

Police officers around the world have a wide range of requirements and training to become police officers. However, empirical studies have found that officers tend to use different types of information when performing policing tasks. Depending on how information is perceived and is taught, officers may respond differently to different types of knowledge, due to their evaluation of the validity of the knowledge.

Originality/value

The findings in this study support previous empirical studies on the area of policing and knowledge in two ways; first, this study argues that there is a categorization of knowledge among police officers. Second, this study suggests that officers view one occupational knowledge type as more theoretical and one as more practical.