bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Visualization of seasonal phosphorus re-translocation, and expression profile of phosphate transporters in a shortened annual cycle system of the deciduous poplar tree
Authors: Kurita Yuko , Kanno Satomi , Sugita Ryohei , Hirose Atsushi , Ohnishi Miwa , Tezuka Ayumi , Deguchi Ayumi , Ishizaki Kimitsune , Fukaki Hidehiro , Baba Kei’ichi , Nagano Atsushi J. , Tanoi Keitaro , Nakanishi Tomoko M. , Mimura Tetsuro
Published: April 2020

Phosphorus (P) is an essential macronutrient for plant growth. In deciduous trees, P is remobilized from senescing leaves and stored in perennial tissues during winter for further growth. Annual internal recycling and accumulation of P is considered an important strategy to support vigorous growth of trees. However, the pathways of seasonal re-translocation of P and the molecular mechanisms of this transport have not been clarified. Here we show the seasonal P re-translocation route visualized using the real-time radioisotope imaging and the macro- and micro-autoradiography. We analyzed the seasonal re-translocation P in poplar (Populus alba. L) cultivated under “a shortened annual cycle system”, which mimicked seasonal phenology in a laboratory. From growing to senescing season, sink tissues of32P and/or33P shifted from young leaves and the apex to the lower stem and roots. The radioisotope P re-translocated from a leaf was stored in phloem and xylem parenchyma cells and redistributed to new shoots after dormancy. Seasonal expression profile of phosphate transporters (PHT1,PHT5andPHO1family) was obtained in the same system. Our results reveal the seasonal P re-translocation routes at the organ and tissue levels and provide a foothold for elucidating its molecular mechanisms.
Social network relationship, supply chain resilience and customer-oriented performance of small and medium enterprises in a developing economy
Authors: Asamoah David , Agyei-Owusu Benjamin , Ashun Elizabeth
Published: April 2020

Purpose

While the concept of supply chain resilience has received lots of scholarly and policy interest over the past few years, empirical research examining its sources and outcomes remains inadequate, particularly, in the context of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Grounded in the resource-based view and social capital frameworks, the study examines the relationship between social network relationship, supply chain resilience and customer oriented performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The study develops and empirically tests a research model that proposes social network relationships and customer-oriented performance as the antecedent and outcome respectively of supply chain resilience. Data was obtained from a survey of 110 SMEs in Ghana.

Findings

The findings of the study suggest that a firm's external and internal social networks can be leveraged to enhance its supply chain resilience and customer-oriented performance. Supply chain resilience was also found to enhance customer-oriented performance. Additionally, supply chain resilience was found to significantly mediate the effect of social network relationships on customer-oriented performance.

Originality/value

This is the first study that empirically explores and establishes the relationship between social network relationships, supply chain resilience and customer-oriented performance to the best of the authors’ knowledge.
Community-based occupational health promotion programme: an initiative project for Indonesian agricultural farmers
Authors: Susanto Tantut , Rahmawati Iis , Wantiyah
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Occupational health promotion programmes targeting the Indonesian agricultural farmers (AFs) are limited. This action research aimed to involve the AFs in the research and development of community-based occupational health promotion (COHP) programme, which is tailored to meet their perceived needs for preventing health problems related to occupational workplace.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employed the qualitative action research approach. The participants (n = 136) were farmers from seven regions in the rural areas of East Java, Indonesia. The COHP was examined from public health centres (PHCs) in seven regions through eight steps, including recognition, analyses, planning, communication, preparation, implementation, evaluation and continuity of programme, for eight weeks. Data were collected through focus group interviews and examined using qualitative content analysis.

Findings

The findings revealed that the participants not only lacked health status but were also required to promote a comprehensive programme for occupational health and safety. The health problems of AFs were identified as the lack of nutrition and high blood pressure, which are related to un-ergonomic condition during work, limited use of personal protective equipment, high stress and workload. The lack of support for AF groups to prevent health problems and to access health services was a key theme for all the participants. Therefore, self-help group as social support was designed to solve the health problems among AFs.

Originality/value

The COHP, through action research, provided a change strategy for AFs to manage and promote occupational health and safety within their practice. The study findings could be used in the development of a framework for PHCs in delivering occupational health and safety practices in the agricultural sectors.
Dining alone: improving the experience of solo restaurant goers
Authors: Brown Lorraine , Buhalis Dimitrios , Beer Sean
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Solo travel for leisure and business is increasing. It is therefore timely to conduct research into the experiences of solo tourists. This paper aims to explore one aspect of the solo tourist experience that can be challenging, that of dining alone. This topic has received little attention in the tourism or hospitality literature.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative approach was adopted and narrative inquiry was selected as the optimum route to obtain detailed and rich accounts of the experiences of solo diners. In-depth interviews of 27 solo tourists were conducted with varying socio-demographic characteristics.

Findings

This study shows that though travelling alone is prized by participants, dining alone, especially in the evening, is often discomfiting. Discomfort is caused by the perceived negative judgement of others and is mitigated by the use of various props such as books and mobile phones.

Research limitations/implications

A research agenda is put forward on the aspects of the solo tourist/diner experience.

Practical implications

The paper concludes by asking what can be done to ameliorate the solo dining experience and provides some recommendations to hospitality operators to support this market and improve competitiveness and profitability. The paper shows that inclusive environments can attract multiple market segments and agile restaurants can develop both solo and plural dining experiences.

Originality/value

This paper addresses a topic that has received limited scholarly attention as well as industry engagement despite the growth in solo travel.
Product recall strategy in the supply chain: utility and culture
Authors: Schniederjans Dara , Khalajhedayati Mehrnaz
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Product recalls have the potential to damage firm and consumer quality reputation. While globalization has brought about various economic benefits, expanding supply chain networks have also made it more difficult for downstream organizations to manage product recall strategy. This study aims to examine the role of culture on a manufacturer's initiation of a recall and the severity of the remedy chosen for the product recall.

Design/methodology/approach

Utilizing the culture-specific argument, this study uses an exploratory approach to assess how cultural variables impact recall strategy utilizing a large-scale data analysis with a cross-sectional time-series panel of 898 firms.

Findings

The results provide support for the expected utility hypothesis that the more severe the consequence, the more likely a manufacturer will decide to recall the product. Moreover, the more likely the manufacturer will provide greater returns to the consumer. However, these relationships are impacted to differing degrees by the manufacturer's cultural origin.

Originality/value

These results provide evidence to researchers about how culture impacts the expected utility hypothesis in the decision theory. The study examines how deeply embedded cultural variables impact the relationship between the foreseeable consequence of the product recall and the recall facilitator and remedy.
Perspective directions of state regulation of competition between human and artificial intellectual capital in Industry 4.0
Authors: Bogoviz Aleksei V.
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The purpose of the research is to determine the perspective directions of state regulation of competition between human and artificial intellectual capital in Industry 4.0 and to develop scientific and methodological recommendations for their implementation. For this, the directions of state regulation of competition between human and artificial intellectual capital are described, monitoring of competition between human and artificial intellectual capital by the example of modern Russia (2019) is performed and scientific and practical recommendations for state regulation of competition between human and artificial intellectual capital are developed, with their approbation by the example of modern Russia (2019).

Design/methodology/approach

A method of expert evaluation is used for collection of the information and empirical data. The method of comparative analysis is used for comparing the successfulness of implementing the distinguished directions of state regulation of competition between human and artificial intellectual capital (4.1) according to the official statistics to their current evaluation according to the interested parties. Also, future evaluation (forecasts) according to the interested parties (until 2045) is determined.

Findings

It is substantiated that during evaluation of state regulation of competition between human and artificial intellectual capital in Industry 4.0, one cannot use only the official statistics, as these data are fragmentary and indirect. Fuller and more precise data are provided by assessment according to the interested parties. They allow determining the current and the future state of affairs and, based on it, compiling a forecast and developing a long-term strategy of state regulation of competition between human and artificial intellectual capital in Industry 4.0.

Originality/value

The perspective directions of state regulation of competition between human and artificial intellectual capital in Industry 4.0 are as follows: stimulation of competition in the market of intellectual capital, social risk management of the market of intellectual capital, managing international competition in the market of intellectual capital and ecological risk management of the intellectual capital market. As the experience of modern Russia shows, even at the initial stage of transition to Industry 4.0, the measures of state regulation of competition between human and artificial intellectual capital are not enough, but their deficit is moderate. In the course of development of Industry 4.0, the necessity for the measures of regulation will grow, and their deficit will increase. That's why there's a need for strategic approach to their implementation, which envisages their systemic reconsideration and supplementing. An author's algorithm is offered for this.
Affectivity and riskiness of retirement investment decisions
Authors: Palmer Joshua C. , Chung Yunhyung , Park Youngkyun , Wang Gang
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Drawing on broaden-and-build theory and promotion- and prevention-focus theory, the authors examined the role of positive and negative affectivity (PANA) on the riskiness of investment decisions. The authors also examined the mediating impact of financial knowledge network intensity (i.e. the level of communication with financially literate others in employees' social network) on the PANA—riskiness of investment decisions relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

Study 1 used a sample of undergraduate students and operationalized risk using a hypothetical investment scenario. Study 2 replicated and extended the Study 1 findings using employees and operationalized risk using their real-world investment allocations.

Findings

Both Studies 1 and 2 provided support for the negative direct relationship between NA and the riskiness of investment decisions. Study 2 found PA was marginally positively related to the riskiness of investment decisions. Financial knowledge network intensity mediated the relationship between NA and the riskiness of investment decisions in Study 2.

Research limitations/implications

The findings suggest that employees who see the world in a generally negative light tended to have weaker financial knowledge networks, and this may be one mechanism that explains why they make low-risk investments.

Practical implications

Financial knowledge networks can provide access to critical information regarding investment opportunities. Socialization training or social mixers can be used to help employees build and improve their financial knowledge networks.

Originality/value

The authors integrate the research on PANA, social networks, and investment decisions to illuminate the social network processes that explain how affectivity impacts the riskiness of retirement investment decisions.
Local and landscape‐scale environmental filters drive the functional diversity and taxonomic composition of spiders across urban greenspaces
Authors: Delgado de la flor Yvan A. , Perry Kayla I. , Turo Katherine J. , Parker Denisha M. , Thompson Jennifer L. , Gardiner Mary M.
Published: April 2020

Urban patch colonization and species establishment within cities are restricted by the behavioural, life history and physiological attributes of colonizing species, in conjunction with environmental filtering processes at small and large spatial scales. To enhance the local biodiversity in urban greenspaces, these filtering processes need to be assessed so that greenspace design and management can guide establishment of local species pools.

We investigated the relative importance of local and landscape‐scale features on spider community assembly using a functional and taxonomic approach. Within the city of Cleveland, Ohio, USA, we established a field experiment wherein control vacant lots, urban meadows, and low‐ and high‐diversity pocket prairies were established across eight neighbourhoods (N = 32). Spiders were sampled during June–August of 2015 and 2016 using pitfall traps and vacuums. Spider functional diversity was assessed using null models, while local and landscape drivers were analysed via canonical partial least squares and clustered image maps.

Increased mowing was associated with lower‐than‐expected spider functional alpha and beta diversity in 2015. Patch isolation and percentage impervious surface increased the functional dissimilarity and taxonomic diversity of spiders in 2016, resulting in higher‐than‐expected overall functional alpha diversity. We also found that increasing plant height and biomass favoured spiders with large body size and decreased the abundance of small web weavers.

Synthesis and applications. Our findings suggest that increasing the amount of impervious surface in cities will act as a strong environmental filter, producing more spatially distinct spider communities at a landscape scale. Additionally, while periodic mowing in vacant lots benefits some spider taxa, it has a negative impact on the establishment of several species, mainly larger spiders and those most sensitive to disturbance. To conserve spiders and the biota depended upon them, investment in managed greenspaces such as pocket prairies that require infrequent mowing is warranted. In doing so, cities can enhance urban biodiversity and beautify local neighbourhoods.
RETRACTED: Rotenone restrains the proliferation, motility and epithelial–mesenchymal transition of colon cancer cells and the tumourigenesis in nude mice via PI3K/AKT pathway
Authors: Xue Wusong , Men Siye , Liu Renghai
Published: April 2020

Rotenone, a toxic rotenoid compound, has anti‐tumour effects on several cancers. This study aims to clarify the effect of rotenone on the proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and migration of colon cancer cells and tumourigenesis in nude mice. The present results show that rotenone significantly inhibited the proliferation, promoted the apoptosis, and suppressed the invasion and migration of colon cancer cells in a dose‐dependent manner. Rotenone inhibited PI3K/AKT pathway in LoVo and SW480 cells in a dose‐dependent manner. In addition, rotenone regulated the proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, migration and EMT of LoVo and SW480 cells through PI3K/AKT pathway. In colon cancer xenograft mice, rotenone inhibited tumour volume and weight in nude mice, inhibited PI3K/AKT pathway and EMT in vivo. Therefore, rotenone inhibited the proliferation, invasion and migration, promoted the apoptosis of colon cancer cells through PI3K/AKT pathway in vitro, and suppressed the tumourigenesis in nude mice in vivo.
Tolerance to arsenic contaminant among multidrug‐resistant and copper‐tolerant Salmonella successful clones is associated with diverse ars operons and genetic contexts
Authors: Mourão Joana , Rebelo Andreia , Ribeiro Sofia , Peixe Luísa , Novais Carla , Antunes Patrícia
Published: April 2020

Emergence and expansion of frequent multidrug‐resistant (MDR) major Salmonella clones/serotypes has been a significant threat in the last years. Metal compounds, such as copper, commonly used in animal‐production settings, have been pointed out as possible contributors for the selection of such strains/clones. However, the scarcity of studies limits our understanding of the impact of other metal environmental contaminants as arsenic (used in insecticides/herbicides/coccidiostats). We analysed arsenic tolerance (AsT) dispersion by phenotypic and genotypic (PCR/sequencing/I‐CeuI/S1/XbaI‐PFGE/hybridization) assays among Salmonella with diverse epidemiological and genetic backgrounds. Then, to better understand ars operon genetic contexts, the whole genome of five representative strains was sequenced. We found a high dispersion of ars operons conferring AsT, especially among copper‐tolerant and relevant serotypes/clones related to pig‐production setting. The acr3‐type was found dispersed in the chromosome of diverse serotypes, including the emergent S. Rissen. Conversely, arsBII was almost confined to the MDR ST34 European clone of S. Typhimurium/S. 4,[5],12:i:‐, always along with copper/silver tolerance sil + pco clusters in an integrative conjugative element. These data suggest that AsT is an essential adaptive feature for the ecological success of these epidemic clones/serotypes and alerts for global strategies to reduce arsenic‐based compounds' impact thus preventing environmental/food contamination with frequent MDR foodborne pathogens.
Revisiting the Concept of Absorptive Capacity: The Moderating Effects of Market Sensing and Responsiveness
Authors: Bouguerra Abderaouf , Mellahi Kamel , Glaister Keith , Hughes Mathew , Tatoglu Ekrem
Published: April 2020

This study proposes new moderators acting on well‐established antecedents of absorptive capacity. We treat separately the two dimensions of potential absorptive capacity and realized absorptive capacity. We first examine the moderating effect of market sensing on the relationship between coordination capability and potential absorptive capacity. Then, we assess the moderating effect of market responsiveness on the links between organizational systems and socialization processes and realized absorptive capacity. We draw on multilevel analysis with data from 205 managers from the banking sector in Turkey to test our hypothesized relationships. Our contribution reveals interesting insights on the contingent effects of market sensing and responsiveness for the emergence of absorptive capacity. Market sensing moderates the relationship between coordination capability and potential absorptive capacity, while market responsiveness moderates the relationships between organizational systems and socialization processes and realized absorptive capacity. The findings provide important implications for theory and practice on developing potential and realized absorptive capacity.
Perceived arrest risk, psychic rewards, and offense specialization: A partial test of rational choice theory†
Authors: Thomas Kyle J. , Loughran Thomas A. , Hamilton Benjamin C.
Published: April 2020

In prior tests of Beckerian rational choice theory, the notion that individuals are responsive to the (dis)incentives associated with crime has been supported. Much of this research has comprised composite scores of perceived rewards and risks of multiple, often disparate, crime types that are then used to predict “general” offending behavior. Although the results of such prior tests are informative, we believe that this tendency has resulted in two shortcomings. First, a central component of mathematical rational choice theory is overlooked, namely, that responsivity to incentives will be crime specific. That is, offenders should prefer crime types that subjectively offer greater rewards and fewer risks relative to other crimes. Second, individual differences in offending specialization are not addressed, of which Clarke and Cornish (1985) and Shover (1996) argued rational choice theories are well suited to explain. Using a sample of serious offenders, we find that in a given time period, individuals are more likely to engage in crime types they viewed as more intrinsically rewarding and less risky compared with other crimes. Furthermore, individuals displayed greater specialization in violence to the extent they view violence as more rewarding and less risky than property offenses
Physicochemical properties and mode of action of a novel bacteriocin BM1122 with broad antibacterial spectrum produced by Lactobacillus crustorum MN047
Authors: Lu Yingying , Yan Hong , Li Xin , Gu Yaxin , Wang Xin , Yi Yanglei , Shan Yuanyuan , Liu Bianfang , Zhou Yuan , Lü Xin
Published: April 2020

Bacteriocins are defined as ribosomally synthesized antibacterial peptides/proteins that either kill or inhibit the growth of other bacteria. In the present study, the physicochemical properties, mode of action, and potential use in food preservation of a novel bacteriocin BM1122 from Lactobacillus crustorum MN047 were studied. It exhibited a broad inhibitory spectrum against selected Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria. Kinetic curves revealed efficient time‐dependent bactericidal activity. Moreover, BM1122 possessed low hemolytic activity and good thermal stability between 60 and 120 °C. It was resistant to a wide range of pH (2 to 11) and proteinases. The scanning and transmission electron microscopy showed that BM1122 led to plasmolysis of Staphylococcus aureus and pore formation in Escherichia coli. Flow cytometric analysis demonstrated that BM1122 destroyed cell membrane integrity. Additionally, BM1122 could also inhibit biofilm formation and disturb the normal cell cycles of S. aureus and E. coli. Finally, BM1122 may enhance the inhibition of S. aureus and E. coli on beef meat stored at 4 °C for a duration of 10 days. These findings indicated that BM1122 had the potential for use as a natural preservative in the food industry.

Practical Application

Fresh raw meats are highly perishable products. Bacteriocin BM1122 with a broad antibacterial spectrum can inhibit the growth of microorganisms in beef meat during refrigerated storage.
Genome mining of a fungal endophyte of Taxus yunnanensis (Chinese yew) leads to the discovery of a novel azaphilone polyketide, lijiquinone
Authors: Cain Jesse W. , Miller Kristin I. , Kalaitzis John A. , Chau Rocky , Neilan Brett A.
Published: April 2020

Genome mining of Ascomycete sp. F53 (F53), a fungal endophyte of the traditional Chinese medicinal plant Taxus yunnanensis (Chinese yew), revealed 35 putative specialized metabolite biosynthesis gene clusters, one of which encodes a rarely seen tandem polyketide synthase pathway with close homology to azaphilone biosynthesis pathways. A novel compound, lijiquinone 1, was subsequently isolated from F53 and structurally and functionally characterized. The m/z 385 [M + H+]+ compound, comprised of a cyclohexenone side group attached to a core bicyclic ring, displayed cytotoxicity against human myeloma cells (IC50 = 129 μM), as well as antifungal activity against Candida albicans (IC50 = 79 μM) and Cryptococcus albidus (IC50 = 141 μM). Our results suggest that enzymes encoded on the lij gene cluster are responsible for the synthesis of 1 and that the medicinal properties of T. yunnanensis could be partially mediated by this novel azaphilone. This study highlights the utility of combining traditional knowledge with contemporary genomic approaches for the discovery of new bioactive compounds.
A systematic review of the prophylactic role of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine in coronavirus disease‐19 (COVID‐19)
Authors: Shah Sanket , Das Saibal , Jain Avinash , Misra Durga Prasanna , Negi Vir Singh
Published: April 2020

Objective

The pandemic coronavirus disease‐19 (COVID‐19) has pushed the global healthcare system to a crisis and amounted to a huge economic burden. Different drugs for prophylaxis against COVID‐19 including chloroquine (CQ) or hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) have been tried. This study was performed to systematically review the role of CQ and HCQ in preventing the spread of COVID‐19.

Methods

PubMed, EMBASE, ClinicalTrials.gov, International Clinical Trials Registry Platform and Cochrane Library databases were searched for studies that evaluated the prophylactic role of CQ or HCQ on SARS‐CoV‐2 (pre‐clinical studies) or COVID‐19 (clinical studies) until 30 March 2020. The available literature was critically appraised.

Results

A total of 45 articles were screened and 5 (3 in vitro pre‐clinical studies and 2 clinical opinions) were included. The pre‐clinical studies showed the prophylactic effects of CQ and HCQ against SARS‐CoV‐2. On the other hand, the clinical opinions advocated the prophylactic use of CQ and HCQ against COVID‐19. However, no original clinical studies on the prophylactic role of CQ or HCQ on COVID‐19 were available.

Conclusion

Although pre‐clinical results are promising, to date there is a dearth of evidence to support the efficacy of CQ or HCQ in preventing COVID‐19. Considering potential safety issues and the likelihood of imparting a false sense of security, prophylaxis with CQ or HCQ against COVID‐19 needs to be thoroughly evaluated in observational studies or high‐quality randomized controlled studies.
Consolidation treatment of durvalumab after chemoradiation in real‐world patients with stage III unresectable non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Chu Chia‐Hsun , Chiu Tzu‐Hsuan , Wang Chin‐Chou , Chang Wen‐Chen , Huang Allen Chung‐Cheng , Liu Chien‐Ying , Wang Chih‐Liang , Ko Ho‐Wen , Chung Fu‐Tsai , Hsu Ping‐Chih , Guo Yi‐Ke , Kuo Chih‐Hsi S. , Yang Cheng‐Ta
Published: April 2020

Background

Treatment for stage III non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) of unresectable disease mainly involves concurrent chemoradiation (CRT). Post‐CRT consolidation treatment with durvalumab is a major therapeutic advance that provides survival benefit in this group of patients. However, the performance of this treatment strategy remains to be studied in a real‐world setting.

Methods

A total of 31 patients who had disease control post‐CRT were included in the durvalumab early access program (EAP) as an intent‐to‐treat cohort and retrospectively reviewed for post‐CRT progression‐free survival (PFS) and time to metastatic disease or death (TMDD). The neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR) at the initiation of durvalumab was analyzed in 29 patients.

Results

The median time from the completion of concurrent CRT to the initiation of durvalumb was 2.8 months. The objective response was 25.8% and the 12 month PFS and TMDD‐free rate were 56.4% and 66.9%, respectively. The low NLR patients showed a significantly longer post‐CRT PFS (not reach vs. 12.0 months [95% CI: 5.5–not estimable]; P = 0.040; the hazard ratio for disease progression or death, 0.23 [95% CI: 0.05–1.00]; P = 0.048) and the 12 month post‐CRT PFS rate (82.5 vs. 42.6%). The post‐CRT TMDD (not reach vs. 12.6 months, [95% CI: 10.8–not estimable]; P = 0.010; the hazard ratio for distant metastasis or death, 0.11 [95% CI: 0.01–0.88]; P = 0.037) and 12 month post‐CRT TMDD‐free rate (90.9 vs. 57.1%) were also significantly higher in the low NLR patients.

Conclusions

Durvalumab consolidation treatment in real‐world patients showed substantial efficacy and the correlation with the NLR level warrants further investigation.
Release from sheep‐grazing appears to put some heart back into upland vegetation: A comparison of nutritional properties of plant species in long‐term grazing experiments
Authors: Marrs Robert H. , Lee HyoHyeMi , Blackbird Sabena , Connor Leslie , Girdwood Susan E. , O'Connor Michael , Smart Simon M. , Rose Robert J. , O'Reilly John , Chiverrell Richard C.
Published: April 2020

Rewilding or wilding is a popularised means for enhancing the conservation value of marginal land. In the British uplands, it will involve a reduction, or complete removal, of livestock grazing (sheep), based on the belief that grazing has reduced plant species diversity, the ‘Wet Desert’ hypothesis. The hope is that if livestock is removed, diversity will recover. If true, we hypothesise that the species extirpated/reduced by grazing and then recover on its removal would more nutritious compared to those that persisted. We test this hypothesis at Moor House National Nature Reserve (North‐Pennines), where seven sets of paired plots were established between 1953 and 1967 to compare ungrazed/sheep‐grazed vegetation. Within these plot‐pairs, we compared leaf properties of seven focal species that occurred only, or were present in much greater abundance, in the absence of grazing to those of 10 common species that were common in both grazed and ungrazed vegetation. Each sample was analysed for macro‐nutrients, micro‐nutrients, digestibility, palatability and decomposability. We ranked the species with respect to 22 variables based on effect size derived from Generalised Linear Modelling (GLM) and compared species using a Principal Components Analysis. We also assessed changes in abundance of the focal species through time using GLMs. Our results support the ‘Wet Desert’ hypothesis, that is, that long‐term sheep grazing has selectively removed/reduced species like our focal ones and on recovery, they were more nutritious (macro‐nutrients, some micro‐nutrients) palatable, digestible and decomposable than common species. Measured changes in abundance of the focal species suggest that their recovery will take 10–20 years in blanket bog and 60 years in high‐altitude grasslands. Collectively, these results suggest that sheep grazing has brought about biotic homogenization, and its removal in (re)wilding schemes will reverse this process eventually! The ‘white woolly maggots’ have eaten at least part of the heart out of the highlands/uplands, and it will take some time for recovery.
Salinity stress response of non‐transformed and AtCKX transgenic centaury (Centaurium erythraea Rafn.) shoots and roots grown in vitro
Authors: Trifunović‐Momčilov Milana , Paunović Danijela , Milošević Snežana , Marković Marija , Jevremović Slađana , Dragićević Ivana Č , Subotić Angelina
Published: April 2020

Common centaury (Centaurium erythraea Rafn.) is a plant species that can inhabit saline soils. It is known as a plant with high spontaneous regeneration potential in vitro. In the present work we evaluated shoots and roots salinity tolerance of non‐transformed and three AtCKX transgenic centaury lines to graded NaCl concentrations (0, 50, 100, 150, 200 mM) in vitro. Overexpression of AtCKX genes in transgenic centaury plants resulted in an altered cytokinins (CKs) profile leading to a decline of bioactive CK levels and, at the same time, increased contents of storage CK forms, inactive CK forms and/or CK nucleotides. Significant increment of fresh shoot weight was obtained in shoots of non‐transformed and AtCKX1 transgenic line only on medium supplemented with 50 mM NaCl. However two analysed AtCKX2 transgenic lines reduced shoot growth at all NaCl concentrations. In general, centaury roots showed higher tolerance to salinity than shoots. Non‐transformed and AtCKX1 transgenic lines tolerated up to 100 mM NaCl without change in frequency of regeneration and number of regenerated plants. Roots of two analysed AtCKX2 transgenic lines showed different regeneration potential under salt stress. Regeneration of transgenic AtCKX2‐26 shoots even at 200 mM NaCl was recorded. Salinity stress response of centaury shoots and roots was also evaluated at biochemical level. Free proline, malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide content as well as antioxidative enzymes activities were investigated in shoots and roots after 1, 2, 4 and 8 weeks. In general, adition of NaCl in culture medium elevated all biochemical parameters in centaury shoots and in roots. Considering that all analysed AtCKX transgenic centaury lines showed altered salt tolerance to graded NaCl concentrations in vitro it can be assumed that CKs might be involved in plant defence to salt stress conditions.
Mitochondrial sequence‐based evolutionary analysis of riverine–swamp hybrid buffaloes of India indicates novel maternal differentiation and domestication patterns
Authors: Singh R. , Lava Kumar S. , Mishra S. K. , Gurao A. , Niranjan S. K. , Vohra V. , Dash S. K. , Rajesh C. , Kataria R. S.
Published: April 2020

In this study, mitochondrial D‐loop sequence data on riverine, swamp and hybrid buffaloes from India have been generated and compared with other reported Indian riverine, Chinese and Bangladeshi swamp buffalo populations. Sequence analysis revealed the presence of 132 haplotypes, with a haplotype diversity of 0.9611 ± 0.0045 and a nucleotide diversity of 0.04801 ± 0.00126. For the first time, the existence of riverine–swamp hybrids among the Indian Chilika buffalo population has been recorded, having 49 chromosomes, which was also confirmed by mitochondrial haplotype sharing between Chilika and Indian swamp as well as Chinese swamp buffalo populations in the network analysis. Phylogenetic analysis documents the sharing of reported pre‐domestication haplogroups ‘SA1’, ‘SA2’, ‘SA3’ and ‘SB1’ between the Chilika and swamp buffalo populations of India, China and Bangladesh, an indication of the migration of swamp buffaloes towards Bangladesh and adjoining lower parts of India and north towards Chinese domestication sites. The results have also been supplemented by multidimension scaling, grouping Indian and Chinese swamp buffaloes more closely together with Bangladeshi buffaloes, but into a separate quadrant, whereas Chilika grouped away from other riverine as well as swamp buffaloes. These findings thus confirm the previous reports that the northeast region of India, close to the Indo‐China border, is the point of evolution of swamp buffaloes with multiple sites of domestication.
Dissection of white matter association fasciculi in bovine (Bos taurus), pig (Sus scrofa domesticus) and rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) brains
Authors: Guerrero Marco , Veuthey Carlos , del Sol Mariano , Ottone Nicolas E.
Published: April 2020

The cerebral fasciculi (association, commissural and projection) pass through the cerebral white matter in organized groups connecting regions, hemispheres, gyri, areas and brain lobes to each other. The study can be done in vivo through diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) but presenting some technical problems. The post‐mortem study by dissection allows to have a clearer view of its location, path and connections. In this work, we dissect, identify and compare the fasciculi of association of the white matter of the dorsolateral face of bovine hemispheres (Bos taurus), pig hemispheres (Sus scrofa domesticus) and rabbit hemispheres (Oryctolagus cuniculus), applying the Klingler´s technique. In 30 cerebral hemispheres (10 of each species, five right and five left), we applied the Klingler technique to identify and isolate the occipitofrontal fasciculus, uncinate fasciculus, inferior longitudinal fasciculus and superior longitudinal fasciculus; we established its location by fixing landmarks, and determined the difference in its length and width between the right and left hemispheres as well as between species using the statistical tests of t‐student and one‐way ANOVA. We identify the gyri, sulci and fasciculi of the dorsolateral surface of the cerebral hemispheres of the three species. We found statistically significant differences in several fasciculi between species principally in the occipitofrontal fasciculus. The preparation of the brains through the modified Klingler technique allowed a successful identification of the fascicules of association of the dorsolateral face of the cerebral hemispheres and the empowerment of these animal models for future research work in this field.
Growth phenology and water potential patterns of Periploca angustifolia in relation to water availability
Authors: DGHIM Fairouz , Boukhris Makki , Neffati Mohamed , Chaieb Mohamed
Published: April 2020

Periploca angustifoliaLabill., is a multipurpose shrub also used to rehabilitate drylands. It is essential to understand its phenological patterns under arid conditions. In order to understand how plants manage extreme drought, this study investigates the relationship between phenological traits of P. angustifolia Labill., water potential and climatic conditions. During two successive growing seasons (Sep 2009–Augst 2011) phenological patterns, soil water content and water potentials were measured monthly for plants of Periploca angustifoliaLabill growing under rain‐fed conditions (Annual rainfall = 168 mm) at the pastoretum of the Arid Regions Institute in southern Tunisia. The Ψmd decreased progressively and concomitantly with increasing seasonal drought, reaching the lowest values in late summer (down to –3 MPa). Water potentials of P. angustifoliaLabill were affected by spatial and temporal variations in soil water content. The increased diurnal amplitude values (∆ψ > −1.3 MPa) explained the especially high biological activity of this species during the dry season. Our results clearly demonstrate that P. angustifolia Labill is a drought‐tolerant species reaching low water potentials during the driest months of summer. These characteristics make this shrub as promising for rehabilitating degraded arid ecosystems.
The role of the peer support worker in increasing rural mental health help‐seeking
Authors: Cheesmond Natalie , Davies Kate , Inder Kerry J.
Published: April 2020

Objective

Mental health peer support workers draw on lived experience to provide benefit to people experiencing mental distress. People living in rural areas are less likely than their urban counterparts to seek professional help for psychological distress. The aim of this study was to explore the perceived value of rural peer support workers as facilitators to rural mental health help‐seeking.

Design

Data were gathered through a cross‐sectional survey distributed by a social media boosted post.

Setting

A total of 349 “small” rural towns in New South Wales as defined by the Modified Monash Model classification system as MMM5.

Participants

A total of 765 adult, rural residents completed the survey.

Main outcome measure(s)

Participants were asked to select, from a list of potential facilitators, those which they felt would make mental health help‐seeking easier or harder.

Results

Study participants felt that a help provider with lived experience of mental illness or distress would make mental health help‐seeking easier. Similarly, rural life experience in a help provider was thought to facilitate help‐seeking. Participants also believed that flexible and informal meeting settings would make it easier to seek help for mental distress.

Conclusions

Engaging rural mental health peer support workers in a flexible/informal setting, as a complement to conventional health service provision, may increase rural help‐seeking for mental distress. Increased mental health help‐seeking is likely to have a positive impact on instances of serious mental illness.
Co‐designing the InnoWell Platform to deliver the right mental health care first time to regional youth
Authors: Rowe Shelley C. , Davenport Tracey A. , Easton Michael A. , Jackson Tanya A. , Melsness Jennifer , Ottavio Antonia , Sinclair Jenny , Hickie AM Ian B.
Published: April 2020

Objective

Building upon earlier research, a person‐centred technology‐enabled solution (the InnoWell Platform) is being co‐designed and implemented into regional youth primary mental health services to improve clinical safety and service quality.

Design

Co‐design methodologies of service pathway mapping and participatory design workshops as well as usability testing guide the development and implementation of the InnoWell Platform.

Setting and participants

headspace centres on the North Coast of New South Wales and their associated communities.

Main outcome measures

Participation in co‐design methodologies, implementation and uptake, identification of youth mental health care needs, and service provision.

Results

Nine service pathway mapping (N = 81 participants) and 10 participatory design (N = 48) workshops and usability testing sessions (N = 30) with youth, their supportive others, health professionals, service managers and administrators have been conducted. Four headspace centres have implemented the InnoWell Platform. To date, 120 youth are using the platform and 96 have completed an initial multidimensional assessment. Of these, the majority reported moderate‐to‐high psychological distress and a quarter reported experiencing high suicidal thoughts and behaviours with subsequent earlier provision of care. Young people have independently commenced recommended online tools and collaborated on clinical care options with their health professionals.

Conclusions

Preliminary findings support co‐design methodologies for the development of person‐centred technology‐enabled solutions embedded within youth primary mental health services in regional Australia. The findings further demonstrate that such solutions may improve clinical safety and service quality, which in turn may facilitate the delivery of the right care, first time!
Troponin T correlates with MRI results in neonatal encephalopathy
Authors: Sweetman Deirdre U. , Kelly Lynne , Hurley Tim , Onwuneme Chike , Watson R. William Gordon , Murphy John F. A. , Slevin Marie , Donoghue Veronica , Molloy Eleanor J.
Published: April 2020

Aim

Troponin is a sensitive marker of asphyxia in term infants mirroring the myocardial injury sustained in global hypoxia‐ischaemia. In addition, troponin is a sensitive marker of severity of stroke in adults and neonatal encephalopathy (NE). We aimed to examine the relationship between troponin T in infants with perinatal asphyxia and brain injury on MRI and correlate with neurodevelopmental outcome.

Methods

Serum troponin was sampled in infants requiring resuscitation at birth and/or neonatal encephalopathy in a tertiary referral neonatal centre. Birth history, clinical parameters, neuroimaging and developmental outcome (Bayley Scores of Infant Development [BSID] III) were evaluated.

Results

Infants with perinatal asphyxia (n = 54) had serum troponin T measured and 27 required therapeutic hypothermia. Troponin T levels on days 1 and 2 were predictive of need for TH, development of seizures and grade II/III NE (AUC = 0.7; P‐values < .001), troponin T levels on days 1, 2 and 3 were highly significant predictors of mortality (AUC = 0.99, P‐values .005). The cut‐off values of troponin T for best prediction of mortality were 0.84, 0.63 and 0.58 ng/mL on days 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Troponin T on day 3 of life was predictive of injury in the combined area of basal ganglia/watershed on MRI (AUC 0.70; P‐value = .045).

Conclusion

Infants with brain injury on neuroimaging following perinatal asphyxia had significantly elevated serum troponin, and troponin also correlated with developmental scores at 2 years. Further studies combining troponin and MRI may assist in the classification of neonatal brain injury to define aetiology, prognosis and response to treatment.
Organizational failure to ethically manage sexual harassment: Limits to #metoo
Authors: Clarke Heather M.
Published: April 2020

The recent deluge of sexual harassment allegations in the media serves as a reminder that sexual harassment remains a pervasive, destructive occurrence in the workplace. Organizations in the United States have taken a legal‐centric approach to managing workplace sexual harassment, resulting in impotent anti‐harassment policies, ineffective sexual harassment training, and underused reporting mechanisms. In this conceptual paper, I argue that men's differential perceptions of sociosexual behaviors have propagated this legal‐centric approach, which fails to meet organizations’ ethical obligation to provide a safe and healthy work environment. Specifically, men have a different psychological experience of sexual harassment, which may inhibit their ability to take the perspective of targets. This lack of perspective‐taking has influenced the jurisprudence on workplace sexual harassment, which has in turn informed organizations’ approach to managing the phenomenon. I contribute to research on both business ethics and workplace sexual harassment by integrating two bodies of scholarship that have developed largely independent of one another: organizational psychology and legal. In so doing, I offer an explanation for the continued pervasiveness of workplace sexual harassment despite decades of legal sanction, organizational interventions, and research.
Effect of increased levothyroxine dose on depressive mood in older adults undergoing thyroid hormone replacement therapy
Authors: Moon Jae Hoon , Han Ji Won , Oh Tae Jung , Choi Sung Hee , Lim Soo , Kim Ki Woong , Jang Hak Chul
Published: April 2020

Objective

Depressive mood consequent to hypothyroidism can be reversed with levothyroxine (LT4) replacement therapy. However, it is unclear whether increasing LT4 dose confers additional mood benefits.

Design and Patients

A single‐blinded before‐and‐after study of 24 patients with hypothyroidism who were aged 65 years or older and undergoing LT4 replacement therapy with stable doses.

Measurements

Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS‐K) and Hyperthyroid Symptom Scale (HSS‐K) were assessed at baseline, 3 months after increasing LT4 dose by an additional 12.5 µg/d, and finally 3 months after returning to the baseline dose.

Results

Serum thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations decreased at the higher LT4 dose (1.95 ± 2.16 vs 0.47 ± 1.09 mIU/L, P < .001) and recovered after returning to the baseline dose. Serum‐free thyroxine levels and HSS‐K scores were unchanged during the study period. GDS‐K scores improved on the increased dose (9.5 ± 6.6 vs 7.5 ± 4.7, P = .029), and this improvement was maintained after returning to the baseline dose (9.5 ± 6.6 vs 7.4 ± 5.4, P = .010). Higher serum TSH was independently associated with both higher GDS‐K and depression risk among those with depressive mood (GDS‐K > 10) at baseline.

Conclusions

Depressive mood improves with increased LT4 dose, without significant hyperthyroid symptoms or signs, in older adults undergoing thyroid hormone replacement. These findings suggest the potential for varying the treatment target for hypothyroidism based on mood status and that low‐dose LT4 treatment might be an ancillary treatment for depression.