bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Island evolutionary syndromes in animals
Authors: Whittaker Robert J. , Fernández-Palacios José María , Matthews Thomas J.
Published: July 2023

‘Island evolutionary syndromes in animals’ describes and evaluates the emergent combinations in physiognomic, reproductive, and behavioural traits exhibited by island endemics for consistency across different island regions. It highlights the importance of rigorous checking to avoid confirmatory biases and to account for differential colonization and anthropogenic extinction. It considers the slowing-down syndrome, exemplified by rodents and lizards. It reviews the island body-size rule (evolution of larger sizes in small-bodied island species and vice versa), in mammals and other vertebrates. It reviews such proposed additional syndromes as: flight loss in insects and birds, adjusted reproductive investment in lizards and birds, loss of defensive behaviour and relaxation in territoriality for specific taxa, herbivory in island lizards, low-gear locomotion traits in large herbivores, colouration and song shifts in birds, and the role of asexual reproduction in lizards. As key drivers, it highlights insular disharmony, reduction of vertebrate predation, and interspecific competition.
Island evolutionary syndromes in—and involving—plants
Authors: Whittaker Robert J. , Fernández-Palacios José María , Matthews Thomas J.
Published: July 2023

‘Island evolutionary syndromes in—and involving—plants’ identifies similarities and differences in the proposed emergent insular traits and syndromes for plants in comparison with those identified for island endemic animals. It reviews evidence for insular secondary woodiness, the loss of dispersibility, size changes, modified defensive traits, reduced fire resilience, tufted-leaved growth form, trends towards self-compatibility (Baker’s law), sexual dimorphism and directional shifts in both floral traits and pollination mechanisms, the prevalence and role of polyploidy, and of mycorrhizal symbionts in island plants. It also reviews putative syndromes involving plant–animal interactions, including both trait shifts and generalism within pollination networks, the involvement of reptiles in plant dispersal, and the development of double mutualisms. It notes that there are slightly fewer definitive and systematic comparative reviews for island plant syndromes than for animals, although uncertainty persists for both taxa.
The application of island theory to fragmented landscapes
Authors: Whittaker Robert J. , Fernández-Palacios José María , Matthews Thomas J.
Published: July 2023

‘The application of island theory to fragmented landscapes’ considers the implications of the widespread fragmentation of natural habitats globally and the application of island theory to inform conservation. It explores the concept of minimum viable populations and how they translate into minimum viable areas for population persistence. It reviews the application of incidence functions and metapopulation theory (and variants describing persistent source–sink relationships) to the occupancy of habitat islands. It reviews evidence for extinction debts, species relaxation (richness reduction), threshold effects, and the habitat amount hypothesis. It traces the development of the ‘single large or several small’ reserves debate from its initial theoretical origins to an increasingly pragmatic research theme. It reviews the prevalence and significance of nestedness within habitat island systems, the roles of edge effects, habitat corridors, and landscape matrix effects. It briefly reviews links between island theory and other conservation themes, such as rewilding and land-sharing versus land-sparing.
Classical Hydrodynamic Stability Theory
Authors: Ruban Anatoly I. , Gajjar Jitesh S. B. , Walton Andrew G.
Published: July 2023

The basic concepts of hydrodynamic stability theory are introduced, followed by a discussion of some of the main classical results. This includes the formulation of the Orr-Sommerfeld equation for parallel flows such as the flow in a channel, and quasi-parallel flows including some boundary layer flows. Here the Tollmien-Schlichting instability is first mentioned. The Rayleigh equation governing inviscid stability is derived and some properties such as the inflexion point theorem are studied. This is followed by a discussion of the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability of shear flows that form, for example, when a boundary layer separates from a rigid surface. The chapter concludes with two other types of instabilities. The first is cross-flow instability which is important in swept wing boundary layer flows and the flow over a rotating disk. The second is centrifugal instability in the flow between rotating cylinders and also in the flow over a concave surface when the instability manifests itself as Taylor-Görtler vortices.
Weakly Nonlinear Stability Theory
Authors: Ruban Anatoly I. , Gajjar Jitesh S. B. , Walton Andrew G.
Published: July 2023

Weakly nonlinear stability theory aims at predicting how the growth of the perturbation amplitude affects the value of the critical Reynolds number. The governing equation of weakly nonlinear theory is known as the Landau-Stuart equation. We derive it using the asymptotic technique proposed by Stuart (1960) and Watson (1960). It follows from this equation that fluid flows can be subdivided into two classes, those that are subcritically unstable and those that are supercritically unstable. To the first category belongs, for example, plane Poiseuille flow. For this flow, an increase in the amplitude of the perturbation leads to a decrease of the critical Reynolds number. Contrary to that, the Blasius boundary layer shows a supercritical behaviour where the critical Reynolds number increases with the amplitude of the perturbations. We conclude Chapter 4 with numerical analysis of finite amplitude perturbations that leads to the concept of a neutral surface.
Critique of Colonial Neoliberalism
Authors: Forjwuor Bernard
Published: July 2023

This chapter explores the concept of colonial neoliberalism. This concept is developed at the intersection of two seemingly incommensurable terms: colonialism and neoliberalism. Charting the genealogies of these terms, the chapter shows the lines of entanglements that hold these two concepts together as a mutually reinforcing project. It also demonstrates how self-governance under liberal democracy works to accomplish neoliberal objectives, thus curtailing the legitimacy of ipseity as an essential democratic value. What is legitimized in the absence of ipseity is the neoliberal colonial intrusions that operate as the rationality of power/governmentality that is deployed to regulate postcolonial aspirations and desires. The chapter also demonstrates that what was accomplished through violent colonial oppressive rule is now easily accomplished under these neoliberal colonial terms. The extractive capacity of the West has extended beyond what physical territorial aggrandizement could permit. Unfettered access to resources complements the reproduction of a people that is straight-jacketed into fulfilling the desires of what is now called its development partners.
Historical Background
Authors: Matthew Christopher A.
Published: July 2023

This chapter examines the ancient and modern sources available for the study of Eratosthenes’ experiment to calculate the circumference of the Earth in the third century BC. This chapter also contains a biography of Eratosthenes which looks at his life, education, career, and the city in which he grew up (Cyene). This is followed by an overview of the city of Alexandria and why it became a focus of intellectual enquiry in the ancient world during the politically turbulent times following the death of Alexander the Great through its engagement with its main rival for cultural supremacy in the Greek world—the city of Pergamon. The chapter concludes with an examination of Greek astronomical though up to the time of Eratosthenes. This is done to place the chapters that follow into their correct historical context.
The Circumference
Authors: Matthew Christopher A.
Published: July 2023

This chapter begin with an overview of the findings presented in the work regarding the accuracy of Eratosthenes’ calculation of the circumference of the Earth. It shows that Eratosthenes was able to undertake observations of the shadows cast by sundials, and then apply the details of the ratios gleaned from these observations to calculations of the Earth’s circumference, with a very high level of accuracy. Yet, despite how accurate Eratosthenes’ results were, they were not universally accepted at the time, nor for centuries to come. This chapter concludes with an examination of the influence that his result had on the works of following generations of scholars, astronomers and thinkers, and how it impacted how people saw the world (and their place in it) for the next seventeen centuries. It will also demonstrate how, somewhat ironically, the rejection of Eratosthenes’ accurate result played an important role in one of the most famous feats of the Age of Exploration—a feat which forever changed our understanding of the world.
Nature in the raw, and cooked
Authors: Cutter Asher D.
Published: July 2023

Introduces the topics that get expanded through the remainder of the book: evolution drives biodiversity; evolution can happen fast; humans influence evolution; existing organisms have exotic traits that one might combine together with genetics; humans devised genetic engineering methods using CRISPR-Cas9; and humans stand on the brink of setting loose the new biotechnological evolutionary force of “genetic welding,” as well as the technical and philosophical challenges of such an endeavor. Evolving a viable new and extraordinary species is framed as a biological twin of the Apollo Moon mission, an Artemis Earth mission. Personal anecdotes and examples illustrate amazing exotic creatures that already exist in the world. Summarizes features of the Anthropocene environment, how we humans have led to the world being the way it is, and how humans must define its future.
Evolution’s racetracks
Authors: Cutter Asher D.
Published: July 2023

Demonstrates the rapid speed that evolutionary change can take, using case studies from the laboratory, field experiments, and everyday life. Shows how humans influence evolution to have caused rapid evolution through artificial selection, and use experimental evolution in real time to test the mechanisms of evolution itself. Examples include bacteria and vaccines, lice and insecticides, guppies in tropical streams, Caribbean anoles, and brewer’s yeast in microliter-sized “beer bottles.” The results of evolution can be repeatable in some respects, in terms of both genetic and trait outcomes. Illustrates the fact that evolution can produce rapid change visible in a person’s lifetime, within years, weeks, or even days.
On the origin of species
Authors: Cutter Asher D.
Published: July 2023

Considers what it means to be a species. Shows how natural selection and reproductive strategies influence the formation of reproductive isolation in the form of Dobzhansky-Muller incompatibilities. Explains how genetically distinct biological entities can be reproductively isolated and yet still have conduits to the exchange of DNA, and what this genetic introgression means for genome evolution, the evolution of organismal features, and extinction. Describes hybridization between species, the genetic origins of new species, adaptive radiation, and how we can detect these features of biodiversity. Illustrates speciation concepts with examples from lice, European mice, Iberian snails, Canadian stickleback fish, Caribbean lizards, South American Caenorhabditis nematode roundworms, and American sunflowers.
A midnight coterie of transcendent fauna
Authors: Cutter Asher D.
Published: July 2023

Interweaves the prevailing themes from throughout the book in a forward-looking way. Considers the idea of entire communities of species shaped with the aid of genetic welding. Contrasts creation of new and extraordinary species in the Anthropocene with drastic environmental interventions like solar geoengineering to manage climate change. Revisits ideas about evolutionary engineering in the wild as domesticating nature, creating biological curiosities, and as a societal loss of innocence. Considers the weapons that animals have to defend themselves, including examples from jellyfish, poison birds, wasp stings, and pain-insensitive grasshopper mice. Concludes that humanity will continue to alter evolution’s path across our planet, while withholding advocacy for accelerating the pace of evolution with genetic welding, and promises that there is more change to come.
Nuclear Trust Challenged, 1958–63
Authors: Baylis John , Eames Anthony
Published: July 2023

Less than five years after the signature of the MDA, a new crisis emerged over the US provision of the Skybolt missile to the UK. The controversy settled on the terms of cooperation, Britain’s possession of an independent nuclear deterrent, and how the special status of the Anglo-American nuclear relationship might jeopardize non-proliferation and integration efforts in Europe. Though Skybolt significantly ruptured trust at the political level, it also provided an opportunity for new arrangements to be made concerning the Polaris nuclear submarine and ballistic missile weapons system. Despite the trauma of Skybolt to bilateral relations, the Cuban Missile Crisis and cooperation on other matters suggested that the special relationship remained a unified force in war and diplomacy with Cold War adversaries.
‘Independent’ Deterrence, the MLF, and the Future of Polaris, 1963–9
Authors: Baylis John , Eames Anthony
Published: July 2023

The multilateral force concept threatened Britain’s status as an independent nuclear power. The Atlantic Nuclear Force emerged as the solution, but American ambivalence to Britain’s membership in the nuclear club along with a lack of British support for the US in the Vietnam War led once again to a questioning of the special relationship and a geopolitical drift. More than any prime minister before him, Harold Wilson set out to publicly and privately reassess the importance of the special relationship. However, technical work on Polaris and ABM issues kept alive cooperative working arrangements that would eventually lead to the restoration of the relationship at political levels.
Polaris Improvement
Authors: Baylis John , Eames Anthony
Published: July 2023

Realism took hold in both Washington and Whitehall. While Nixon and Kissinger set out to leverage the Anglo-American nuclear relationship to realize their preferred arrangements to uphold détente, the British under Prime Minister Ted Heath looked to a closer relationship with Europe. Anglo-American nuclear relations were affected by the attempts by France to achieve greater nuclear cooperation with the United States and Heath’s ideas of Anglo-French nuclear cooperation. Differences between the US and the UK were particularly pronounced in the context of arms control and ultimately led the British to pursue the development of their own largely indigenous nuclear warhead.
Conclusion
Authors: Baylis John , Eames Anthony
Published: July 2023

The main conclusion of this study is that the Anglo-American nuclear alliance has been remarkably persistent because of the degree of trust that that has existed between the two countries. That trust, however, has had an ambiguous quality. This ambiguity has been a product of the multi-layered nuclear interactions between American and British society that has allowed mistrust and trust to coexist. In effect, trust in the Anglo-American nuclear alliance has been contingent upon, and strengthened by, each partner’s acceptance that the other may mistrust their intentions for a time, and in specific circumstances, but their broad overarching interests and sentimental attachments are so closely aligned that each country permits mistrust to be framed ambiguously through ‘Understandings’ or informal agreements or for the good of the alliance. It is argued that trust and mistrust are certain to develop in multiple dimensions given the complexity and multi-layered interactions between political leaders, ordinary citizens, scientists and soldiers, cultural elites, and protestors, among others.
Generating a narrative step by step
Authors: Pérez Rafael Pérez y , Sharples Mike
Published: July 2023

This chapter provides a detailed example that illustrates how a computer program can employ the narrative structures defined in Chapter 4 to produce a narrative. Throughout the chapter we explain how the narrative structures are instantiated and how each of the sentences that make up the story arises. We also explain how the use of routines to manipulate text are useful for producing a better-quality output. Then we describe the main characteristics of TALE-SPIN, one of the most well-known story-generators. For instance, we explain that the system represents characters’ goals to meet physical needs, to move around the story-world, to persuade other characters to act in certain ways, and to communicate information. We end with some reflections about the scope and limitations of narrative generation based on problem-solving.
Inspired by the brain
Authors: Pérez Rafael Pérez y , Sharples Mike
Published: July 2023

For years, the brain has been an inspiration for the creation of artificial intelligent systems. In this chapter, we start our study of neural networks by considering the performance of a single artificial neuron. We introduce essential concepts, such as weight, activation function, training, and learning. We describe the main features of a neuron and provide an example that illustrates how it works. For instance, we show how a single neuron is able to detect statistical regularities in a dataset and how those regularities can be employed to correctly classify data that the system has never seen before. We end the chapter describing the main limitation of individual neurons and how such a limitation has been overcome.
Inspired by the brain
Authors: Pérez Rafael Pérez y , Sharples Mike
Published: July 2023

In the 1980s and 1890s, a typical neural network comprised hundreds of elements organized in layers. Nowadays, deep neural networks (DNN) interconnect millions of those artificial neurons. This chapter introduces DNNs. Its objective is to discuss the basic concepts behind DNNs, such as parallel distributed system, training, learning, and transformers, as well as to illustrate how these concepts are used to generate texts. We describe how to design a narrative generator employing this approach. The chapter ends with a summary of some automatic storytellers based on DNNs like GPT-3, some thoughts about the neural-symbolic systems, and a reflection on this approach to narrative generation.
The story we always wanted to tell you
Authors: Pérez Rafael Pérez y , Sharples Mike
Published: July 2023

In this final chapter, we recapitulate the core features of the systems we have studied and draw some general conclusions that provide an overview of the field. We start by summarizing the five techniques studied in this book: templates, problem-solving, planning, engagement and reflection, and statistical methods. We explain how systems can be grouped into different categories, such as audience versus theory. Finally, we reflect on some of the implications for society from the development of automatic narrative generator systems and provide examples, such as how these systems might support intercultural diversity through storytelling, or the role of AI in education.
Immunohistochemical Surrogates for Molecular Stratification in Medulloblastoma
Authors: Chinnam Dheeraj , Saraswati Aastha , Jogunoori Swathi , Verma Aanchal , Kiran Tanvi , Salunke Pravin , Gupta Nalini , Kumar Narendra , Madan Renu , Radotra Bishan Dass , Gupta Kirti
Published: July 2023

Background:

The WHO classification of central nervous system neoplasms (2016) recognized 4 histologic variants and genetically defined molecular subgroups within medulloblastoma (MB). Further, in the 2021 classification, new subtypes have been provisionally added within the existing subgroups reflecting the biological diversity. YAP1, GAB1, and β-catenin were conventionally accepted as surrogate markers to identify these genetic subgroups.

Objectives:

We aimed to stratify MB into molecular subgroups using 3 immunohistochemical markers. TP53 mutation was also assessed in Wingless (WNT), and Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) subgroups. Demographic profiles, imaging details, and survival outcomes were compared within these molecular subgroups.

Patients and methods:

Our cohort included 164 MB cases diagnosed over the last 10 years. The histologic variants were identified on histology, and tumors were molecularly stratified using YAP1, GAB1, and β-catenin. Further, TP53 mutation was assessed using immunohistochemical in WNT and SHH subgroups. The clinical details and survival outcomes were retrieved from the records, and the mentioned correlates were evaluated statistically.

Results:

The age ranged from 1 to 52 years with M:F ratio of 2:1. Group 3/group 4 constituted the majority (48.4%), followed by SHH (45.9%) and WNT subgroups (5.7%). Desmoplastic/nodular and MB with extensive nodularity had the best survival, whereas large cell/anaplastic had the worst. The follow-up period ranged from 1 to 129 months. The best outcome was observed for the WNT subgroup, followed by the SHH subgroup; group 3/group 4 had the worst. Among the SHH subgroup, TP53 mutant tumors had a significantly poorer outcome compared with SHH-TP53 wildtype.

Conclusions:

Molecular stratification significantly contributes to prognostication, and a panel of 3 antibodies is helpful in stratifying MB into its subgroups in centers where access to advanced molecular testing is limited. Our study reinforces the efficacy of incorporating this cost-effective, minimal panel into routine practice for stratification. Further, we propose a 3-risk stratification grouping, incorporating morphology and molecular markers.
TcZC3HTTP, a regulatory element that contributes toTrypanosoma cruzicell proliferation
Authors: Alves Romagnoli Bruno Accioly , Rodrigues Lucena Aline Castro , Freire Eden Ribeiro , da Rocha Isadora Filipaki Munhoz , Alves Lysangela Ronalte. , Goldenberg Samuel
Published: July 2023

Post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression is a critical process for adapting and survivingTrypanosoma cruzi, a parasite with a complex life cycle. RNA binding proteins (RBPs) are key players in this regulation, forming ribonucleoprotein complexes (mRNPs) and RNA granules that control transcript stability, localization, degradation, and translation modulation. Understanding the specific roles of individual RBPs is crucial for unraveling the details of this regulatory network. In this study, we generated null mutants of the TcZC3HTTP gene, a specific RBP in the Trypanosoma family, characterized by a C3H zinc finger and a DNAJ domain associated with RNA and protein binding, respectively. Through cell growth assays, we demonstrated that the absence of TcZC3HTTP or the expression of an additional tagged version significantly impacted epimastigote growth, indicating its contribution to cell proliferation. TcZC3HTTP was found to associate with mRNAs involved in cell cycle and division in epimastigotes, while nutritionally stressed parasites exhibited associations with mRNAs coding for other RBPs and rRNA. Furthermore, our analysis of TcZC3HTTP protein partners revealed the presence of several enzymes during normal growth conditions, whereas starvation conditions enriched ribosomal proteins and other RBPs. This study provides insights into the post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression inT. cruzi, highlighting the role of TcZC3HTTP as an RBP involved in cell proliferation and uncovering its versatile functions in different cellular contexts.

Importance

Understanding howTrypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease, regulates gene expression is crucial for developing targeted interventions. In this study, we investigated the role of TcZC3HTTP, an RNA binding protein, in post-transcriptional regulation. Our findings demonstrate that TcZC3HTTP is essential for the growth and proliferation of epimastigotes, a stage of the parasite’s life cycle. We identified its associations with specific mRNAs involved in cell cycle and division and its interactions with enzymes and other RBPs under normal and starvation conditions. These insights shed light on the regulatory network underlying gene expression inT. cruziand reveal the multifaceted functions of RBPs in this parasite. Such knowledge enhances our understanding of the parasite’s biology and opens avenues for developing novel therapeutic strategies targeting post-transcriptional gene regulation inT. cruzi.
Systematic mapping and modeling of 3D enhancer-promoter interactions in early mouse embryonic lineages reveal regulatory principles that determine the levels and cell-type specificity of gene expression
Authors: Murphy Dylan , Salataj Eralda , Di Giammartino Dafne Campigli , Rodriguez-Hernaez Javier , Kloetgen Andreas , Garg Vidur , Char Erin , Uyehara Christopher M. , Ee Ly-sha , Lee UkJin , Stadtfeld Matthias , Hadjantonakis Anna-Katerina , Tsirigos Aristotelis , Polyzos Alexander , Apostolou Effie
Published: July 2023

Mammalian embryogenesis commences with two pivotal and binary cell fate decisions that give rise to three essential lineages, the trophectoderm (TE), the epiblast (EPI) and the primitive endoderm (PrE). Although key signaling pathways and transcription factors that control these early embryonic decisions have been identified, the non-coding regulatory elements via which transcriptional regulators enact these fates remain understudied. To address this gap, we have characterized, at a genome-wide scale, enhancer activity and 3D connectivity in embryo-derived stem cell lines that represent each of the early developmental fates. We observed extensive enhancer remodeling and fine-scale 3D chromatin rewiring among the three lineages, which strongly associate with transcriptional changes, although there are distinct groups of genes that are irresponsive to topological changes. In each lineage, a high degree of connectivity or “hubness” positively correlates with levels of gene expression and enriches for cell-type specific and essential genes. Genes within 3D hubs also show a significantly stronger probability of coregulation across lineages, compared to genes in linear proximity or within the same contact domains. By incorporating 3D chromatin features, we build a novel predictive model for transcriptional regulation (3D-HiChAT), which outperformed models that use only 1D promoter or proximal variables in predicting levels and cell-type specificity of gene expression. Using 3D-HiChAT, we performed genome-widein silicoperturbations to nominate candidate functional enhancers and hubs in each cell lineage, and with CRISPRi experiments we validated several novel enhancers that control expression of one or more genes in their respective lineages. Our study comprehensively identifies 3D regulatory hubs associated with the earliest mammalian lineages and describes their relationship to gene expression and cell identity, providing a framework to understand lineage-specific transcriptional behaviors.

HIGHLIGHTS

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Cell lines representing early embryonic lineages undergo drastic enhancer remodeling and fine-scale 3D chromatin reorganization

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Highly interacting 3D hubs strongly enrich for highly expressed, cell-type specific and essential genes

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3D chromatin features greatly improve prediction of cell-type specific gene expression compared to 1D promoter features

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In silicoand experimental perturbations identify novel enhancers regulating the expression of two or more genes in early embryonic lineages
Phenomic Versus Genomic Prediction - A Comparison of Prediction Accuracies for Grain Yield in Hard Winter Wheat Lines
Authors: Winn Zachary J. , Amsberry Amanda L. , Haley Scott D. , DeWitt Noah D. , Mason R. Esten
Published: July 2023

Common bread wheat (Triticum aestivumL.) is a key component of global diets, but the genetic improvement of wheat is not keeping pace with the growing demands of the world’s population. To increase efficiency and reduce costs, breeding programs are rapidly adopting the use of unoccupied aerial vehicles (UAVs) to conduct high-throughput spectral analyses. This study examined the effectiveness of multispectral indices in predicting grain yield compared to genomic prediction. Multispectral data were collected on advanced generation yield nursery trials during the 2019-2021 growing seasons in the Colorado State University Wheat Breeding Program. Genome-wide genotyping was performed on these advanced generations and all plots were harvested to measure grain yield. Two methods were used to predict grain yield: genomic estimated breeding values (GEBVs) generated by a genomic best linear unbiased prediction (gBLUP) model and phenomic phenotypic estimates (PPEs) using only spectral indices via multiple linear regression (MLR), k-nearest neighbors (KNN), and random forest (RF) models. In cross-validation, PPEs produced by MLR, KNN, and RF models had higher prediction accuracy (r̄: 0.41 ≤r̄≤ 0.48) than GEBVs produced by gBLUP (r̄= 0.35). In leave-one-year-out forward validation using only multispectral data for 2020 and 2021, PPEs from MLR and KNN models had higher prediction accuracy of grain yield than GEBVs of those same lines. These findings suggest that a limited number of spectra may produce PPEs that are more accurate than or equivalently accurate as GEBVs derived from gBLUP, and this method should be evaluated in earlier development material where sequencing is not feasible.
Spatial and long-term temporal evolution of a marine mussel hybrid zone (Mytilusspp.) in SW England
Authors: Diz Angel P. , Skibinski David O. F.
Published: July 2023

The study of spatial and temporal changes in hybrid zones offers important insights into speciation. Earlier studies on hybrid populations of the marine mussel speciesMytilus edulisandM. galloprovincialisin SW England provided evidence of admixture but were constrained by the limited number of molecular markers available. We use 57 highly ancestry-informative SNPs, most of which have been mapped genetically, to provide evidence of distinctive differences between highly admixed populations in SW England and asymmetrical introgression fromM. edulistoM. galloprovincialis. We combine the genetic study with analysis of phenotypic traits of potential ecological and adaptive significance. We demonstrate that hybrid individuals have brown mantle edges unlike the white or purple in the parental species, suggesting allelic or non-allelic genomic interactions. We report differences in gonad development stage between the species consistent with a prezygotic barrier between the species. By incorporating results from publications dating back to 1980 we confirm the long-term stability of the hybrid zone consistent with higher viability ofM. galloprovincialis. This stability coincides with a dramatic change in temperature of UK coastal waters and suggests that these hybrid populations might be resisting the effects of global warming. However, a single SNP locus associated with the notch 2 signalling transmembrane protein shows a markedly different pattern of variation to the others and might be associated with adaption ofM. galloprovincialisto colder northern temperatures.
Using dynamic biomaterials to study the temporal role of osteogenic growth peptide during osteogenesis
Authors: Fumasi Fallon M. , MacCulloch Tara , Bernal-Chanchavac Julio , Stephanopoulos Nicholas , Holloway Julianne L.
Published: July 2023

The extracellular matrix is a highly dynamic environment, and the precise temporal presentation of biochemical signals is critical for regulating cell behavior during development, healing, and disease progression. To mimic this behavior, we developed a modular DNA-based hydrogel platform to enable independent and reversible control over the immobilization of multiple biomolecules during in vitro cell culture. We combined reversible DNA handles with a norbornene-modified hyaluronic acid hydrogel to orthogonally add and remove multiple biomolecule-DNA conjugates at user-defined timepoints. We demonstrated that the persistent presentation of the cell adhesion peptide RGD was required to maintain cell spreading on hyaluronic acid hydrogels. Further, we discovered the delayed presentation of osteogenic growth peptide (OGP) increased alkaline phosphatase activity compared to other temporal variations. This finding is critically important when considering the design of OGP delivery approaches for bone repair. More broadly, this platform provides a unique approach to tease apart the temporal role of multiple biomolecules during development, regeneration, and disease progression.
Differential formation of motor cortical dynamics during movement preparation according to the predictability of go timing
Authors: Chae Soyoung , Sohn Jeong-Woo , Kim Sung-Phil
Published: July 2023

Motor cortex not only executes but also prepares movement, as motor cortical neurons exhibit preparatory activity that predicts upcoming movements. In movement preparation, animals adopt different strategies in response to uncertainties existing in nature such as the unknown timing of when a predator will attack—an environmental cue informing ‘go’. However, how motor cortical neurons cope with such uncertainties is less understood. In this study, we aim to investigate whether and how preparatory activity is altered depending on the predictability of ‘go’ timing. We analyze firing activities of anterior lateral motor cortex (ALM) in mice during two auditory delayed-response tasks each with predictable or unpredictable go timing. When go timing is unpredictable, preparatory activities immediately reach and stay in a neural state capable of producing movement anytime to a sudden go cue. When go timing is predictable, preparation activity reaches the movement-producible state more gradually, to secure more accurate decisions. Surprisingly, this preparation process entails a longer reaction time (RT). We find that as preparatory activity increase in accuracy, it takes longer for a neural state to transition from the end of preparation to the start of movement. Our results suggest that motor cortex fine-tunes preparatory activity for more accurate movement using the predictability of go timing.

Significant statements

Anticipating when to move is important in movement preparation. However, it is unclear how motor cortex prepares movement depending on how easy that anticipation is. To answer this, we examine motor cortical activity of mice during a delayed-response task. While motor cortical activity rapidly reaches a “movement-ready” state with unpredictable timing of a go signal (go timing), it does so more gradually when go timing is predictable. Moreover, when go timing is more predictable, motor cortex produces more accurate movement with, unexpectedly, a longer response time. This suggests that rodent motor cortical neurons can resource time information.
Unveiling ways to examine the purchase intension of green products in emerging markets
Authors: Lavuri Rambabu , Parida Ratri , Singh Sonia
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This research study uses the theory of planned behavior to investigate the factors such as environmental concern, perceived control behavior and subjective norms that foster green purchasing intention in the developing market, with the moderating influence of environmental knowledge.

Design/methodology/approach

Convenience and purposive sampling were used to obtain data from 418 respondents, which were analyzed using structural equation modeling.

Findings

The findings revealed that environmental concern had a significant impact on the subjective norms, green attitude and perceived behavioral control; subjective norms had a positive impact on the green attitude, did not on perceived behavioral control and green purchase intention directly; perceived behavioral control had a significant impact on green attitude directly but did not green purchase intention; green attitude had a significantly impacted the green purchase intention. Environmental knowledge had a strong moderation association between green attitude and green purchase intention.

Originality/value

The study explores the complex relationships between various factors, including environmental concern, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, green attitude and environmental knowledge, and their impact on green purchase intention which can provide a more nuanced understanding of the drivers for sustainable consumption. Additionally, the study's finding on the moderating effect of environmental knowledge on the relationship between green attitude and green purchase intention may be a novel contribution to the existing literature.
The effect of cold glow discharge nitrogen plasma treatment of sisal fiber (Agave Sisalana) on sisal fiber reinforced epoxy composite
Authors: Gupta Upendra S. , Tiwari Sudhir , Sharma Uttam
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The incompatibility of natural fibers with polymer matrices is one of the key obstacles restricting their use in polymer composites. The interfacial connection between the fibers and the matrix was weak resulting in a lack of mechanical properties in the composites. Chemical treatments are often used to change the surface features of plant fibers, yet these treatments have significant drawbacks such as using substantial amounts of liquid and chemicals. Plasma modification has recently become very popular as a viable option as it is easy, dry, ecologically friendly, time-saving and reduces energy consumption. This paper aims to explore plasma treatment for improving the surface adhesion characteristics of sisal fibers (SFs) without compromising the mechanical attributes of the fiber.

Design/methodology/approach

A cold glow discharge plasma (CGDP) modification using N2 gas at varied power densities of 80 W and 120 W for 0.5 h was conducted to improve the surface morphology and interfacial compatibility of SF. The mechanical characteristics of unmodified and CGDP-modified SF-reinforced epoxy composite (SFREC) were examined as per the American Society for Testing and Materials standards.

Findings

The cold glow discharge nitrogen plasma treatment of SF at 120 W (30 min) enhanced the SFREC by nearly 122.75% superior interlaminar shear strength, 71.09% greater flexural strength, 84.22% higher tensile strength and 109.74% higher elongation. The combination of improved surface roughness and more effective lignocellulosic exposure has been responsible for the increase in the mechanical characteristics of treated composites. The development of hydrophobicity in the SF had been induced by CGDP N2 modification and enhanced the size of crystals and crystalline structure by removing some unwanted constituents of the SF and etching the smooth lignin-rich surface layer of the SF particularly revealed via FTIR and XRD.

Research limitations/implications

Chemical and physical treatments have been identified as the most efficient ways of treating the fiber surface. However, the huge amounts of liquids and chemicals needed in chemical methods and their exorbitant performance in terms of energy expenditure have limited their applicability in the past decades. The use of appropriate cohesion in addition to stimulating the biopolymer texture without changing its bulk polymer properties leads to the formation and establishment of plasma surface treatments that offer a unified, repeatable, cost-effective and environmentally benign replacement.

Originality/value

The authors are sure that this technology will be adopted by the polymer industry, aerospace, automotive and related sectors in the future.
Studying the properties of polypyrrole-montmorillonite polyacrylic-urethane nanocomposite coatings: the role of an eco-friendly ionic liquid
Authors: Amini Reza , Kardar Pooneh
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to achieve an anti-corrosive coating via uniform dispersion of nanoclay particles (montmorillonite) and polypyrrole (PPy) as a conductive polymer as well as their effects on the anti-corrosion features in the presence of the eco-friendly ionic liquids (ILs).

Design/methodology/approach

In this research, PPy with different forms of nanoclay were used. Moreover, ILs additive is used to enhance the better dispersion process of clay and PPy nanoparticles in the resin.

Findings

As a result, the IL additive in the formulation of nano-composite coatings greatly improves the dispersion process of clay and PPy nanoparticles in the resin. Due to its high compatibility with polyurethane resin and clay and PPy nanoparticles, this additive contains a high dispersing power to disperse the investigated nanoparticles in the resin matrix.

Research limitations/implications

High polarity of ILs as well as abilities to dissolve both mineral and organic materials, they can provide the better chemical processes compared to common solvents.

Practical implications

IL abilities have not been discovered to a large extent such as catalysts and detectors.

Social implications

ILs have been emerging as promising green solvents to replace conventional solvents in recent years. They possess unique properties such as nonvolatility, low toxicity, ease of handling, nonflammability and high ionic conductivity. Thus, they have received much attention as green media for various chemistry processes.

Originality/value

The simultaneous existence of clay, PPy and IL additive in the nano-composite coating formulation is responsible for the high corrosion resistance of the coating.
Conforming to Gender Stereotypes and Entrepreneurs’ Financing Outcomes
Authors: Liu Weixi , Cowling Marc
Published: July 2023

Recent research into the gender aspects of small business financing has shown that in crisis periods, banks actively reward female entrepreneurs with privileged access to loans because they put forward more realistic and cautious funding proposals compared to hubristic male entrepreneurs. We build on this research by considering in greater detail how broader gender differences in entrepreneurial confidence play out in the context of bank lending. Further, we also question whether banks treat overconfident female entrepreneurs differently from their overconfident male counterparts. Our findings show that on average there is no discrimination, but if a female entrepreneur dares to exhibit overconfidence then this changes.
Radiation oncologists' scope of practice and role in cancer management in Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore: Are we clinicians or technicians?
Authors: Leung John , James Melissa , Adams Gerry , Gupta Nishant
Published: July 2023

Introduction

To evaluate the scope of practice and role in cancer management for radiation oncologists in Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore (ANZ).

Methods

A 27‐question survey was emailed to all practicing radiation oncologists listed on the RANZCR database in mid‐2021.

Results

There was a 54% response rate. Respondents reported managing symptoms associated with radiation therapy (96%), cancer‐related symptoms (86%), writing narcotic and analgesic prescriptions (76%), being involved in palliative care (57%), prescribing non‐cytotoxic systemic therapy (45%), and admitting patients (41%). Just over 20% wanted to expand their scope of practice, but for those who were unable to, insufficient time (35%), inter‐specialty political difficulties (14%), and lack of support from the organisation (12%) were the major reasons. Over half of respondents (56.4%) thought they provided an opinion on the overall role of cancer management. Just under 20% provided a radiation therapy opinion only and <1% provided radiation therapy at the request of the referring clinician. The remainder reported a combination of these. Over 80% of respondents thought their ideal role was to be involved in overall cancer management and 20% believed they should be providing an opinion on radiation therapy only. The ideal role matched the actual role in over 87% of respondents and most respondents thought radiation oncology training enabled an opinion on overall cancer management. Over 90% of respondents were satisfied with their current role in cancer management. Radiation oncologists felt they were perceived as independent clinicians and the large majority (87%) thought radiation oncologists should be part of a multidisciplinary team rather than leaders in cancer management.

Conclusion

This study has revealed a broad but expected scope of practice for ANZ radiation oncologists with the large majority providing an opinion on overall cancer management or radiation therapy and their ideal role matching their actual role.
The rs72613567:TA polymorphism in HSD17B13 is associated with survival benefit after development of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Innes Hamish , Morgan Marsha Y. , Hampe Jochen , Stickel Felix , Buch Stephan
Published: July 2023

Background

The influence of genetic factors on survival following a diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unclear.

Aim

To assess whether genetic polymorphisms influencing the susceptibility to develop HCC are also associated with HCC prognosis.

Methods

We included United Kingdom Biobank (UKB) participants diagnosed with HCC after study enrolment. The primary outcome was all‐cause mortality. Patients were followed from the date of HCC diagnosis to death or the registry completion date. Five HCC susceptibility loci were investigated: rs738409 (PNPLA3), rs58542926 (TM6SF2); rs72613567 (HSD17B13); rs2242652 (TERT) and rs708113 (WNT3A). The associations between these genetic variants and HCC mortality risk were assessed using Cox regression, adjusted for age, sex, ethnicity, aetiology, severity of the underlying liver disease and receipt of curative HCC treatment.

Results

The final sample included 439 patients; 74% had either non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease or alcohol‐related liver disease. There were 321 deaths during a mean follow‐up of 1.9 years per participant. Kaplan–Meier survival estimates at 1, 3 and 5 years were 53.2%, 31.2% and 22.6% respectively.

In multivariate analysis, rs72613567:TA (HSD17B13) was the only genetic susceptibility variant significantly associated with all‐cause mortality risk (aHR: 0.74; 95% CI: 0.61–0.90; p = 0.003). Other associated factors were Baveno stage 3–4 (aHR: 1.65; 95% CI: 1.05–2.59; p = 0.03) and HCC treatment with curative intent (aHR: 0.25; 95% CI: 0.17–0.37; p < 0.001).

Conclusions

The rs72613567:TA polymorphism in HSD17B13 is not only associated with a reduction in the risk of developing HCC but with a survival benefit in HCC once established. Therapeutic inhibition of HSD17B13 may augment survival in individuals with HCC.
Bachmann–Bupp syndrome and treatment
Authors: Bachmann André S. , VanSickle Elizabeth A. , Michael Julianne , Vipond Marlie , Bupp Caleb P.
Published: July 2023

Bachmann–Bupp syndrome (BABS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by developmental delay, hypotonia, and varying forms of non‐congenital alopecia. The condition is caused by 3′‐end mutations of the ornithine decarboxylase 1 (ODC1) gene, which produce carboxy (C)‐terminally truncated variants of ODC, a pyridoxal 5′‐phosphate‐dependent enzyme. C‐terminal truncation of ODC prevents its ubiquitin‐independent proteasomal degradation and leads to cellular accumulation of ODC enzyme that remains catalytically active. ODC is the first rate‐limiting enzyme that converts ornithine to putrescine in the polyamine pathway. Polyamines (putrescine, spermidine, spermine) are aliphatic molecules found in all forms of life and are important during embryogenesis, organogenesis, and tumorigenesis. BABS is an ultra‐rare condition with few reported cases, but it serves as a convincing example for drug repurposing therapy. α‐Difluoromethylornithine (DFMO, also known as eflornithine) is an ODC inhibitor with a strong safety profile in pediatric use for neuroblastoma and other cancers as well as West African sleeping sickness (trypanosomiasis). Patients with BABS have been treated with DFMO and have shown improvement in hair growth, muscle tone, and development.