bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relations between hemispheric asymmetries of grey matter and auditory processing of spoken syllables in 281 healthy adults
Authors: Guadalupe Tulio , Kong Xiang-Zhen , Akkermans Sophie E. A. , Fisher Simon E. , Francks Clyde
Published: August 2020

Most people have a right-ear advantage for the perception of spoken syllables, consistent with left hemisphere dominance for speech processing. However, there is considerable variation, with some people showing left-ear advantage. The extent to which this variation is reflected in brain structure remains unclear. We tested for relations between hemispheric asymmetries of auditory processing and of grey matter in 281 adults, using dichotic listening and voxel-based morphometry. This was the largest study of this issue to date. Per-voxel asymmetry indexes were derived for each participant following registration of brain magnetic resonance images to a template that was symmetrized. The asymmetry index derived from dichotic listening was related to grey matter asymmetry in clusters of voxels corresponding to the amygdala and cerebellum lobule VI. There was also a smaller, non-significant cluster in the posterior superior temporal gyrus, a region of auditory cortex. These findings contribute to the mapping of asymmetrical structure-function links in the human brain, and suggest that subcortical structures should be investigated in relation to hemispheric dominance for speech processing, in addition to auditory cortex.
Shedding light on the underlying characteristics of genomes using Kronecker model families of codon evolution
Authors: Zaheri Maryam , Salamin Nicolas
Published: August 2020

The mechanistic models of codon evolution rely on some simplistic assumptions in order to reduce the computational complexity of estimating the high number of parameters of the models. This paper is an attempt to investigate how much these simplistic assumptions are misleading when they violate the nature of the biological dataset in hand. We particularly focus on three simplistic assumptions made by most of the current mechanistic codon models including: 1) only single substitutions between nucleotides within codons in the codon transition rate matrix are allowed. 2) mutation is homogenous across nucleotides within a codon. 3) assuming HKY nucleotide model is good enough at the nucleotide level. For this purpose, we developed a framework of mechanistic codon models, each model in the framework hold or relax some of the mentioned simplifying assumptions. Holding or relaxing the three simplistic assumptions results in total to eight different mechanistic models in the framework. Through several experiments on biological datasets and simulations we show that the three simplistic assumptions are unrealistic for most of the biological datasets and relaxing these assumptions lead to accurate estimation of evolutionary parameters such as selection pressure.
Disparate regulation ofimddrives sex differences in infection pathology inDrosophila melanogaster
Authors: Vincent Crystal M. , Dionne Marc S.
Published: August 2020

Male and female animals exhibit differences in infection outcomes. One possible source of sexually dimorphic immunity is sex-specific costs of immune activity or pathology, but little is known about the independent effects of immune-induced versus microbe-induced pathology, and whether these may differ for the sexes. Here, through measuring metabolic and physiological outputs in wild-type and immune-compromisedDrosophila melanogaster, we test whether the sexes are differentially impacted by these various sources of pathology and identify a critical regulator of this difference. We find that the sexes exhibit differential immune activity but similar bacteria-derived metabolic pathology. We show that female-specific immune-inducible expression ofPGRP-LB, a negative regulator of the Imd pathway, enables females to reduce immune activity in response to reductions in bacterial numbers. In the absence ofPGRP-LB, females are more resistant of infection, confirming the functional importance of this regulation and suggesting that female-biased immune restriction comes at a cost.
Same-sex sexual behavior and selection for indiscriminate mating
Authors: Lerch Brian A , Servedio Maria R
Published: August 2020

The widespread presence of same-sex sexual behavior (SSB) has long been thought to pose an evolutionary conundrum1-3, as participants in SSB suffer the cost of failing to reproduce after expending the time and energy to find a mate. The potential for SSB to occur as part of an optimal strategy has received almost no attention, although indiscriminate sexual behavior may be the ancestral mode of sexual reproduction4. Here, we build a simple model of sexual reproduction and create a theoretical framework for the evolution of indiscriminate sexual behavior. We provide strong support for the hypothesis that SSB is likely maintained by selection for indiscriminate sexual behavior, by showing that indiscriminate mating is the optimal strategy under a wide range of conditions. Further, our model suggests that the conditions that most strongly favor indiscriminate mating were likely present at the origin of sexual behavior. These findings have implications not only for the evolutionary origins of SSB, but also for the evolution of discriminate sexual behavior across the animal kingdom.
Cell-Scale Biophysical Cues from Collagen Fiber Architecture Instruct Cell Behavior and the Propagation of Mechanosensory Signals
Authors: Szulczewski Joseph M. , Inman David R. , Proestaki Maria , Notbohm Jacob , Burkel Brian M. , Ponik Suzanne M.
Published: August 2020

Mechanosensory cues from the extracellular matrix underpin numerous cellular behaviors including tumor cell migration yet are influenced by the local structure and organization of the matrix in unknown ways. To investigate mechanical cues with respect to local collagen organization, we used a combination of intravital imaging of the mammary tumor microenvironment and 3D collagen gel systems with both migratory MDA-MB-231 cells and acellular pNIPAAm beads. We identified that fiber organization directs a bias in cell response along the axis of alignment. Using innovative methodology, we determined that local collagen alignment resulted in a 30-fold difference in directional cell-scale stiffness and also dramatically altered the rate at which cell-induced fiber displacements decayed over distance. Our results reveal differential mechanical properties across orthogonal directions in aligned matrices that provide sizeable cues to the cell and have important implications for cellular mechanosensing and cell-cell communication within the tissue microenvironment.
Detecting potential reference list manipulation within a citation network
Authors: Wren Jonathan D. , Georgescu Constantin
Published: August 2020

Although citations are used as a quantifiable, objective metric of academic influence, cases have been documented whereby references were added to a paper solely to inflate the perceived influence of a body of research. This reference list manipulation (RLM) could take place during the peer-review process (e.g., coercive citation from editors or reviewers), or prior to it (e.g., a quid-pro-quo between authors). Surveys have estimated how many people may have been affected by coercive RLM at one time or another, but it is not known how many authors engage in RLM, nor to what degree. Examining a subset of active, highly published authors (n=20,803) in PubMed, we find the frequency of non-self citations (NSC) to one author coming from one paper approximates Zipf’s law. We propose the Gini Index as a simple means of quantifying skew in this distribution and test it against a series of “red flag” metrics that are expected to result from RLM attempts. We estimate between 81 (FDR <0.05) and 231 (FDR<0.10) authors are outliers on the curve, suggestive of chronic, repeated RLM. Based upon the distribution, we estimate approximately 3,284 (16%) of all authors may have engaged in RLM to some degree, possibly opportunistically. Finally, we find authors who use 18% or more of their references for self-citation are significantly more likely to have NSC Gini distortions, suggesting their desire to see their work cited carries over into their peer-review activity.
Pleistocene stickleback genomes reveal the constraints on parallel evolution
Authors: Kirch Melanie , Romundset Anders , Gilbert M. Thomas P. , Jones Felicity C. , Foote Andrew D.
Published: August 2020

Parallel evolution is typically studied by comparing modern populations from contrasting environments, therefore the chronology of adaptive changes remains poorly understood. We applied a paleogenomics approach to investigate this temporal component of adaptation by sequencing the genomes of 11-13,000-year-old stickleback recovered from the transitionary layer between marine and freshwater sediments of two Norwegian isolation lakes, and comparing them with 30 modern stickleback genomes from the same lakes and adjacent marine fjord. The ancient stickleback shared genome-wide ancestry with the modern fjord population, whereas modern lake populations have lost substantial ancestral variation following founder effects. We found modern lake stickleback had lost freshwater-adaptive alleles found in the ancient stickleback genomes, and showed incomplete adaptation, revealing the hitherto underappreciated stochastic nature of selection on standing variation present in founder populations.

One Sentence Summary

‘Pleistocene threespine stickleback genomes reveal insights into the earliest stages of freshwater adaptation’
Preclinical modeling of surgery and steroid therapy for glioblastoma reveals changes in immunophenotype that are associated with tumor growth and outcome
Authors: Otvos Balint , Alban Tyler J. , Grabowski Mathew M. , Bayik Defne , Mulkearns-Hubert Erin E. , Radivoyevitch Tomas , Rabljenovic Anja , Johnson Sarah , Androjna Charlie , Mohammadi Alireza M. , Barnett Gene , Ahluwalia Manmeet S. , Vogelbaum Michael A. , Fecci Peter E. , Lathia Justin D.
Published: August 2020

Recent advances in cancer immunotherapy have created a greater appreciation of potential anti-tumoral impacts by the immune system; however, individual patient responses have been variable. While immunotherapy is often given after standard-of-care treatment, the effects of initial interventions on the ability of the immune system to mount a response are not well understood and this may contribute to the variable response. For glioblastoma (GBM), initial disease management includes surgical resection, perioperative high-dose steroid therapy, chemotherapy, and radiation treatment. While new discoveries regarding the impact of chemotherapy and radiation on immune response have been made and translated to clinical trial design, the impact of surgical resection and steroids on the anti-tumor immune response has yet to be determined. Further, it is now accepted that steroid usage needs to be closely evaluated in the context of GBM and immunotherapy trials. To better model the clinical scenario in GBM, we developed a mouse model that integrates tumor resection and steroid treatment to understand how these therapies affect local and systemic immune responses. Using this model, we observed a systemic reduction in lymphocytes associated with surgical resection and identified a correlation between increased tumor volume and decreased circulating lymphocytes, a relationship that was obviated by dexamethasone treatment. Furthermore, we investigated the possibility of there being similar relationships in a cohort of patients with GBM and found that prior to steroid treatment, circulating lymphocytes inversely correlated with tumor volume. Lastly, correlating GBM patient data and outcomes demonstrated that peripherally circulating lymphocyte content varies with progression-free and overall survival, independent of tumor volume, steroid use, or tumor molecular profiles. These results highlight the systemic immunosuppressive effects that initial therapies can have on patients. Such effects should be considered when designing current and future immunotherapy clinical trials and underscore the importance of circulating lymphocytes as a possible correlate of GBM disease progression.
Learning an efficient hippocampal place map from entorhinal inputs using non-negative sparse coding
Authors: Lian Yanbo , Burkitt Anthony N.
Published: August 2020

Cells in the entorhinal cortex (EC) contain rich spatial information and projects strongly to the hippocampus where a cognitive map is supposedly created. These cells range from cells with structured spatial selectivity, such as grid cells in the medial entorhinal cortex (MEC) that are selective to an array of spatial locations that form a hexagonal grid, to weakly spatial cells, such as non-grid cells in the MEC and lateral entorhinal cortex (LEC) that contain spatial information but have no structured spatial selectivity. However, in a small environment, place cells in the hippocampus are generally selective to a single location of the environment, while granule cells in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus have multiple discrete firing locations but lack spatial periodicity. Given the anatomical connection from the EC to the hippocampus, how the hippocampus retrieves information from upstream EC remains unclear. Here, we propose a unified learning model that can describe the spatial tuning properties of both hippocampal place cells and dentate gyrus granule cells based on non-negative sparse coding from EC input. Sparse coding plays an important role in many cortical areas and is proposed here to have a key role in the hippocampus. Our results show that the hexagonal patterns of MEC grid cells with various orientations, grid spacings and phases are necessary for the model to learn different place cells that efficiently tile the entire spatial environment. However, if there is a lack of diversity in any grid parameters or a lack of hippocampal cells in the network, this will lead to the emergence of hippocampal cells that have multiple firing locations. More surprisingly, the model can also learn hippocampal place cells even when weakly spatial cells, instead of grid cells, are used as the input to the hippocampus. This work suggests that sparse coding may be one of the underlying organising principles for the navigational system of the brain.

Significance Statement

The brain can perform extremely complex spatial navigation tasks, but how it does this remains unclear. Here we show that the principle of sparse coding can be used to learn the hippocampal place map in a way that efficiently tiles the entire spatial environment using EC inputs, namely either grid cells or weakly spatial cells. This demonstrates that the hippocampus can retrieve spatial information from the entorhinal cortex using an efficient representation and that sparse coding may be one of the underlying principles of the navigational system of the brain.
Super-resolution imaging uncovers the nanoscopic segregation of polarity proteins in epithelia
Authors: Mangeol Pierre , Massey-Harroche Dominique , Richard Fabrice , Lenne Pierre-François , Le Bivic André
Published: August 2020

Epithelial tissues acquire their integrity and function through the apico-basal polarization of their constituent cells. Proteins of the PAR and Crumbs complexes are pivotal to epithelial polarization, but the mechanistic understanding of polarization is challenging to reach, largely because numerous potential interactions between these proteins and others have been found, without clear hierarchy in importance. We identify the regionalized and segregated organization of members of the PAR and Crumbs complexes at epithelial apical junctions by imaging endogenous proteins using STED microscopy on Caco-2 cells, human and murine intestinal samples. Proteins organize in submicrometric clusters, with PAR3 overlapping with the tight junction (TJ) while PALS1-PATJ and aPKC-PAR6β form segregated clusters that are apical of the TJ and present in an alternated pattern related to actin organization. CRB3A is also apical of the TJ and weakly overlaps with other polarity proteins. This organization at the nanoscale level significantly simplifies our view on how polarity proteins could cooperate to drive and maintain cell polarity.
Foam cell induction activates AMPK but uncouples its regulation of autophagy and lysosomal homeostasis
Authors: LeBlond Nicholas D. , Nunes Julia R. C. , Smith Tyler K.T. , Robichaud Sabrina , Gadde Suresh , Cote Marceline , Kemp Bruce , Ouimet Mireille , Fullerton Morgan D.
Published: August 2020

The dysregulation of macrophage lipid metabolism drives atherosclerosis. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a master regulator of cellular energetics and plays essential roles regulating macrophage lipid dynamics. Here, we investigated the consequences of atherogenic lipoprotein-induced foam cell formation on downstream immunometabolic signaling in primary mouse macrophages. A variety of atherogenic low-density lipoproteins (acetylated, oxidized and aggregated forms) activated AMPK signaling in a manner that was in part, due to CD36 and calcium-related signaling. In quiescent macrophages, basal AMPK signaling was crucial for maintaining markers of lysosomal homeostasis, as well as levels of key components in the lysosomal expression and regulation network. Moreover, AMPK activation resulted in targeted up-regulation of members of this network via transcription factor EB. However, in lipid-induced macrophage foam cells, neither basal AMPK signaling nor its activation affected lysosomal-associated programs. These results suggest that while the sum of AMPK signaling in cultured macrophages may be anti-atherogenic, atherosclerotic input dampens the regulatory capacity of AMPK signaling.
Optineurin promotes aggregation of mutant huntingtin and mutant ataxin-3, and reduces cytotoxicity of aggregates
Authors: Moharir Shivranjani C , Raghawan Akhouri Kishore , Swarup Ghanshyam
Published: August 2020

Optineurin (OPTN), a cytoplasmic adaptor protein involved in cargo selective autophagy of bacteria, damaged mitochondria and mutant protein aggregates, is frequently seen in pathological structures containing protein aggregates, associated with several neurodegenerative diseases. However, the function of OPTN in these protein aggregates is not known. Here, we have explored the role of OPTN in mutant protein aggregation and in cytoprotection from toxicity of mutant proteins. Mutant huntingtin (mHtt) and mutant ataxin-3 (mAtax-3) showed reduced formation of aggregates inOptn−/−mouse embryonic fibroblasts as compared with wild type cells. Co-expression of OPTN enhanced aggregate formation by mHtt and mAtax-3 inOptn−/−cells. C-terminal domain of OPTN (412-577 amino acids) was necessary and sufficient to promote aggregate formation by these mutant proteins. The E478G mutant of OPTN, defective in ubiquitin-binding and autophagy, was also able to promote aggregation of mHtt and mAtax-3. OPTN and its C-terminal domain form a complex with the chaperone HSP70 known to promote mutant protein aggregation. Overexpression of mHtt or mAtax-3 induced more cell death inOptn−/−cells compared with wild type cells. Importantly, compared to wild type cells, Optn-deficient cells having mHtt or mAtax-3 aggregates showed higher level of cell death in neuronal (N2A) and non-neuronal cells. Our results show that OPTN promotes formation of mutant huntingtin and mutant ataxin-3 aggregates, and this function of OPTN might be mediated through interaction with HSP70 chaperones. Our results also show that OPTN reduces cytotoxicity caused by these mutant protein aggregates.

Significance statement

The hallmark of several neurodegenerative diseases like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and Pick’s disease is the formation of pathological structures containing aggregated proteins, and OPTN is frequently observed in these structures. What role optineurin plays in those aggregates is not clear. Our results show that OPTN promotes aggregation of mutant huntingtin and mutant ataxin-3, and reduces cytotoxicity of aggregates in neuronal and non-neuronal cells. We suggest that OPTN provides cytoprotection in three different ways-by promoting mutant protein aggregation, by reducing cytotoxicity of aggregates and by autophagy-dependent clearance of aggregates reported earlier. These properties of OPTN provide a possible explanation for its association with various pathological structures containing protein aggregates seen in several neurodegenerative diseases.
The TPLATE subunit is essential for structural assembly of the endocytic TSET complex
Authors: Yperman Klaas , Wang Jie , Eeckhout Dominique , Winkler Joanna , Vu Lam Dai , Vandorpe Michael , Grones Peter , Mylle Evelien , Kraus Michael , Merceron Romain , Nolf Jonah , Mor Eliana , De Bruyn Pieter , Loris Remy , Potocký Martin , Savvides Savvas N. , De Rybel Bert , De Jaeger Geert , Van Damme Daniel , Pleskot Roman
Published: August 2020

All eukaryotic cells rely on endocytosis to regulate the plasma membrane proteome and lipidome. Most eukaryotic groups, with the exception of fungi and animals, have retained the evolutionary ancient TSET complex as a regulator of endocytosis. Despite the presence of similar building blocks in TSET, compared to other coatomer complexes, structural insight into this adaptor complex is lacking. Here, we elucidate the molecular architecture of the octameric plant TSET complex (TPLATE complex/TPC) using an integrative structural approach. This allowed us to describe a plant-specific connection between the TML subunit and the AtEH/Pan1 proteins and show a direct interaction between the complex and the plasma membrane without the need for any additional protein factors. Furthermore, we identify the appendage of TPLATE as crucial for complex assembly. Structural elucidation of this ancient adaptor complex vastly advances our functional as well as evolutionary insight into the process of endocytosis.

Graphical abstract
Mesodermal FGF and BMP govern the sequential stages of zebrafish thyroid specification
Authors: Haerlingen Benoit , Opitz Robert , Vandernoot Isabelle , Molinaro Angelo , Shankar Meghna , Gillotay Pierre , Trubiroha Achim , Costagliola Sabine
Published: August 2020

Thyroid tissue is the site forde novosynthesis of thyroid hormones which are essential for vertebrate development and growth. Defects in embryonic thyroid morphogenesis are a predominant cause for congenital thyroid diseases but the molecular pathomechanisms are incompletely understood. The first molecularly recognizable step of thyroid development is the specification of thyroid precursors at a defined position in the anterior foregut endoderm. While recent studies identified FGF and BMP pathways as critical signaling factors for thyroid specification, the interplay between extrinsic signaling cues and thyroid transcription factor expression remained elusive. Here, we used zebrafish embryos to decipher the dynamics of thyroid transcription factor induction in relation to FGF and BMP signaling activities in pharyngeal endoderm. We first identified a previously unrecognized endodermal thyroid progenitor cell population expressing Pax2a but not Nkx2.4b. This cell population is characterized by enhanced FGF signaling but initially lacks detectable BMP signaling. A subpopulation of Pax2a-expressing progenitors differentiates subsequently into thyroid lineage-committed precursor cells co-expressing Pax2a and Nkx2.4b. We next combined pharmacological approaches with genetic models permitting inhibition or ectopic overactivation of signaling pathways to timely manipulate FGF and BMP activities. These experiments support a model where FGF signaling primarily regulates Pax2a expression whereas BMP signaling has dual functions in regulation of both Pax2a and Nkx2.4b expression. Collectively, our data allow us to formulate a refined model of thyroid cell specification from foregut endoderm.
Chondroitinase and antidepressants promote plasticity by releasing TRKB from dephosphorylating control of PTPσ in parvalbumin neurons
Authors: Lesnikova Angelina , Casarotto Plinio Cabrera , Fred Senem Merve , Voipio Mikko , Winkel Frederike , Steinzeig Anna , Antila Hanna , Umemori Juzoh , Biojone Caroline , Castrén Eero
Published: August 2020

Perineuronal nets (PNNs) are an extracellular matrix structure rich in chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans (CSPGs) which preferentially encase parvalbumin-containing (PV+) interneurons. PNNs restrict cortical network plasticity but the molecular mechanisms involved are unclear. We found that reactivation of ocular dominance plasticity in the adult visual cortex induced by chondroitinase (chABC)-mediated PNN removal requires intact signaling by the neurotrophin receptor TRKB in PV+ neurons. Additionally, we demonstrate that chABC increases TRKB phosphorylation (pTRKB), while PNN component aggrecan attenuates BDNF-induced pTRKB in cortical neurons in culture. We further found that protein tyrosine phosphatase sigma (PTPσ, PTPRS), receptor for CSPGs, interacts with TRKB and restricts TRKB phosphorylation. PTPσ deletion increases phosphorylation of TRKBin vitroandin vivoin male and female mice, and juvenile-like plasticity is retained in the visual cortex of adult PTPσ deficient mice (PTPσ+/-). The antidepressant drug fluoxetine, which is known to promote TRKB phosphorylation and reopen critical period-like plasticity in the adult brain, disrupts the interaction between TRKB and PTPσ by binding to the transmembrane domain of TRKB. We propose that both chABC and fluoxetine reopen critical period-like plasticity in the adult visual cortex by promoting TRKB signaling in PV+ neurons through inhibition of TRKB dephosphorylation by the PTPσ-CSPG complex.

Significance statement

Critical period-like plasticity can be reactivated in the adult visual cortex through disruption of perineuronal nets (PNNs) by chondroitinase treatment, or by chronic antidepressant treatment. We now show that the effects of both chondroitinase and fluoxetine are mediated by the neurotrophin receptor TRKB in parvalbumin-containing (PV+) interneurons. We found that chondroitinase-induced visual cortical plasticity is dependent on TRKB in PV+neurons. Protein tyrosine phosphatase type S (PTPσ, PTPRS), a receptor for PNNs, interacts with TRKB and inhibits its phosphorylation, and chondroitinase treatment or deletion of PTPσ increases TRKB phosphorylation. Antidepressant fluoxetine disrupts the interaction between TRKB and PTPσ, thereby increasing TRKB phosphorylation. Thus, juvenile-like plasticity induced by both chondroitinase and antidepressant treatment is mediated by TRKB activation in PV+interneurons.
On the crystal structures and phase transitions of hydrates in the binary dimethyl sulfoxide–water system
Authors: Fortes A. D. , Ponsonby J. , Kirichek O. , García-Sakai V.
Published: August 2020

Neutron powder diffraction data have been collected from a series of flash-frozen aqueous solutions of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) with concentrations between 25 and 66.7 mol% DMSO. These reveal the existence of three stoichiometric hydrates, which crystallize on warming between 175 and 195 K. DMSO trihydrate crystallizes in the monoclinic space groupP21/c, with unit-cell parameters at 195 K ofa= 10.26619 (3),b= 7.01113 (2),c= 10.06897 (3) Å, β = 101.5030 (2)° andV= 710.183 (3) Å3(Z= 4). Two of the symmetry-inequivalent water molecules form a sheet of tiled four- and eight-sided rings; the DMSO molecules are sandwiched between these sheets and linked along thebaxis by the third water molecule to generate water–DMSO–water tapes. Two different polymorphs of DMSO dihydrate have been identified. The α phase is monoclinic (space groupP21/c), with unit-cell parameters at 175 K ofa= 6.30304 (4),b= 9.05700 (5),c= 11.22013 (7) Å, β = 105.9691 (4)° andV= 615.802 (4) Å3(Z= 4). Its structure contains water–DMSO–water chains, but these are polymerized in such a manner as to form sheets of reniform eight-sided rings, with the methyl groups extending on either side of the sheet. On warming above 198 K, α-DMSO·2H2O undergoes a solid-state transformation to a mixture of DMSO·3H2O + anhydrous DMSO, and there is then a stable eutectic between these two phases at ∼203 K. The β-phase of DMSO dihydrate has been observed in a rapidly frozen eutectic melt and in very DMSO-rich mixtures. It is observed to be unstable with respect to the α-phase; above ∼180 K, β-DMSO·2H2O converts irreversibly to α-DMSO·2H2O. At 175 K, the lattice parameters of β-DMSO·2H2O area= 6.17448 (10),b= 11.61635 (16),c= 8.66530 (12) Å, β = 101.663 (1)° andV= 608.684 (10) Å3(Z= 4), hence this polymorph is just 1.16% denser than the α-phase under identical conditions. Like the other two hydrates, the space group appears likely, on the basis of systematic absences, to beP21/c, but the structure has not yet been determined. Our results reconcile 60 years of contradictory interpretations of the phase relations in the binary DMSO–water system, particularly between mole fractions of 0.25–0.50, and confirm empirical and theoretical studies of the liquid structure around the eutectic composition (33.33 mol% DMSO).
Synthesis, structure and in vitro cytotoxicity testing of some 2-aroylbenzofuran-3-ols
Authors: Cong Nguyen Tien , Trang Huynh Thi Xuan , Dung Pham Duc , Phuong Tran Hoang , Trung Vu Quoc , Dat Nguyen Dang , Anh Dang Thi Tuyet , Tuyen Nguyen Van , Van Meervelt Luc
Published: August 2020

Five 2-aroyl-5-bromobenzo[b]furan-3-ol compounds (two of which are new) and four new 2-aroyl-5-iodobenzo[b]furan-3-ol compounds were synthesized starting from salicylic acid. The compounds were characterized by mass spectrometry and 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectroscopy. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies of four compounds, namely, (5-bromo-3-hydroxybenzofuran-2-yl)(4-fluorophenyl)methanone, C15H8BrFO3, (5-bromo-3-hydroxybenzofuran-2-yl)(4-chlorophenyl)methanone, C15H8BrClO3, (5-bromo-3-hydroxybenzofuran-2-yl)(4-bromophenyl)methanone, C15H8Br2O3, and (4-bromophenyl)(3-hydroxy-5-iodobenzofuran-2-yl)methanone, C15H8BrIO3, were also carried out. The compounds were tested for their in vitro cytotoxicity on the four human cancer cell lines KB, Hep-G2, Lu-1 and MCF7. Six compounds show good inhibiting abilities on Hep-G2 cells, with IC50 values of 1.39–8.03 µM.
Does outsourcing affect agricultural productivity of farmer households? Evidence from China
Authors: Deng Xin , Xu Dingde , Zeng Miao , Qi Yanbin
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Previous studies focused on the influence of outsourcing (labor division) on productivity, especially in the industrial economy. However, few studies have focused on how labor division in agriculture affects agricultural productivity. To bridge this gap, this study uses survey data from 4864 farmer households in China to explore the impacts of outsourcing on agricultural productivity.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employs an endogenous switching regression to account for selection bias and a counterfactual framework to measure the degree of influence. Thus, this study analyzes determinants of outsourcing and the impacts of outsourcing on agricultural productivity under the same framework.

Findings

The results revealed the following. (1) Farmer households with the below average productivity tended to outsource; conversely, farmer households with the above average productivity tended to cultivate the land by themselves. (2) Productivity increased by 25.61% for farmer households who choose to outsource. Moreover, if nonoutsourcing farmer households would choose to outsource, their productivity would increase by 10.86%.

Originality/value

This study furthers one’s understanding of how outsourcing affects agricultural productivity among farmer households.
The impact of board size on board demographic faultlines
Authors: Ali Muhammad , Ayoko Oluremi B.
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Demographic faultlines are associated with negative group processes and low performance. Little is known about the formation of faultlines in boards and how they can be weakened to capitalize on the positive effects of diversity.

Design/methodology/approach

This study draws on social identity theory and faultlines theory to provide insights into how gender and age faultlines are formed in a board. Subsequently, it proposes and tests a U-shaped board size–faultlines strength relationship. Archival data were collected on 288 organizations listed on the Australian Securities Exchange.

Findings

Hierarchical regression analyses indicate that small- and large-sized boards experience stronger faultlines than medium-sized boards.

Originality/value

This study provides pioneering evidence for a U-shaped relationship between board size and demographic faultlines strength. These findings inform practice by suggesting an optimal board size.
The structural integrity of high-strength welded pipeline steels: a review
Authors: Singh Mayur Pratap , Shukla Dinesh Kumar , Kumar Rajneesh , Arora Kanwer Singh
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The key purpose of conducting this review is to identify the issues that affect the structural integrity of pipeline structures. Heat affected zone (HAZ) has been identified as the weak zone in pipeline welds which is prone to have immature failures

Design/methodology/approach

In the present work, literature review is conducted on key issues related to the structural integrity of pipeline steel welds. Mechanical and microstructural transformations that take place during welding have been systematically reviewed in the present review paper.

Findings

Key findings of the present review underline the role of brittle microstructure phases, and hard secondary particles present in the matrix are responsible for intergranular and intragranular cracks.

Research limitations/implications

The research limitations of the present review are new material characterization techniques that are not available in developing countries.

Practical implications

The practical limitations are new test methodologies and associated cost.

Social implications

The fracture of pipelines significantly affects the surrounding ecology. The continuous spillage of oil pollutes the land and water of the surroundings.

Originality/value

The present review contains recent and past studies conducted on welded pipeline steel structures. The systematic analysis of studies conducted so far highlights various bottlenecks of the welding methods.
Transformative marketing: health and well-being of Special Olympic athletes
Authors: McCullough Brian P. , Trail Galen T.
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Transformative marketing provides a way to encourage positive behaviors. This approach can be applied to community intervention organizations, such as the Special Olympics. Such organizations bring services to provide activity, healthy eating, proper healthcare and caretaker education. This study examines one campaign of the 2018 Special Olympics USA Summer Games focusing on health and wellness.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors surveyed caretakers about these campaigns including their attitudes toward health and wellness and other basic psychographics (i.e. needs/values) to inform a transformative marketing campaign directed to engaging the caretakers.

Findings

The hierarchical regression shows us is that all the variables combined explain 26.9% of intentions to help their athlete eat as healthily as possible, with needs/values explaining the most variance, even after all of the other variables are in the model. The authors discuss their results and the practical applications of their findings to improve transformative marketing campaigns to achieve desirable social outcomes through the Special Olympics.

Originality/value

The authors identified what variables uniquely contributed to the intention by caretakers of ID athletes to engage in health and wellness campaigns that benefit their athletes. Future research can apply the results to developing similar sustainability (environmental, social or economic) campaigns using transformative marketing perspectives that will more positively benefit target markets in and through sport.
Local community support, attitude and perceived benefits in the UNESCO World Heritage Site
Authors: Hanafiah Mohd Hafiz , Jamaluddin Mohd Raziff , Riyadi Agus
Published: August 2020

Purpose

This study aims to explore the support and attitudes of the local community together with the benefits of living in the vicinity of George Town UNESCO World Heritage Site. George Town is one of the popular UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 319 respondents residing in the gazetted area of George Town World Heritage Sites were interviewed. The covariance-based structural equation modelling (CB-SEM) analysis was conducted to test the study’s hypotheses.

Findings

The community's attitudes and personal benefits were identified to strongly influence community’s support towards the conservation and development of the World Heritage Sites in George Town. While a small number of community members acknowledged the significant opportunities through tourism, majority of them expected economic and non-economic benefits from the development of World Heritage Sites.

Practical implications

The findings from this study are expected to contribute to the ongoing debate on the perceived effects, benefits and future support of the World Heritage Sites from the local community's perspectives.

Social implications

Understanding the behaviour of the local community to create successful tourism planning, especially in delicate heritage destinations.

Originality/value

This study enriches the scarce empirical research study on community’s behaviour living in the vicinity of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, especially in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ (ASEAN) region.
Armed and (potentially) dangerous: exploring sheriffs' perspectives of police militarization
Authors: Meitl Michele Bisaccia , Wellman Ashley , Kinkade Patrick
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Domestic law enforcement increasingly utilizes military tools and techniques in traditional policing activities. An increased militaristic approach is not without controversy, given the many high-profile incidents involving such tactics that have resulted in tragedy. We seek to assess specific views of policymakers who implement such strategies by measuring the attitudes of Texas sheriffs on these measures.

Design/methodology/approach

In late 2019 and early 2020, a census was completed with Texas sheriffs to better understand their attitudes about the use of military tactics. A robust return rate captured the views of 142 (56%) respondents from a diverse set of rural and urban counties. Opinions on the appropriateness, effectiveness and necessity of military techniques were measured.

Findings

Results indicate Texas sheriffs strongly support the use of military tools and techniques, believe they protect officer safety and should continue to be taught and utilized by law enforcement when appropriate.

Practical implications

Secondary consequences of police militarization may counteract its desired positive outcomes and lead to significant risks for officers and citizens alike. Strong police support makes the reduction in use of these tactics unlikely, but these results give opportunity for consideration of such policy to all law enforcement agencies.

Originality/value

It is the first study to examine county sheriffs' perceptions of militarization since the events of Ferguson, Missouri and provides a very recent assessment of views from a population of leaders both integrated into policy decisions and intimately accountable for policy implementation.
A structural equation modeling analysis of factors driving customer purchase intention towards solar water heater
Authors: Kumar Vikas , Syan Amanjot Singh , Kaur Komalpreet
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The underlying research is an attempt to discover the factors responsible for influencing customer purchase intention towards solar water heaters.

Design/methodology/approach

Six dimensions have been considered to assess customer purchase intention towards a solar water heater. The primary data involves the responses collected from 695 respondents belonging to the north region of India using a convenience sampling technique. Structural equation modeling analysis has been employed to examine the dimensions' impact on customer purchase intention.

Findings

The results concluded that dimensions such as increasing energy prices, product knowledge and experience, financial support and subsidies, perceived cost, have a positive influence on customers' purchase intention of solar water heater except for the dimension of “solar water heater aesthetics”.

Research limitations/implications

Due to the limited sample size, findings cannot be generalized for the large-scale population. Moreover, this study is only confined to the assessment of particular factors that are affecting the purchase intention of customers confined to solar water heaters only.

Practical implications

The present study will provide an advantage to organizations that are in the process of implementing solar energy products into working. Moreover, this research will also assist policymakers regarding the formulation of policies on solar energy products. An undue advantage of this would be the increasing adoption of a solar water heater by understanding the factors that impact customer purchase intention.

Originality/value

Considerably, this research, by filling up the gap in the existing studies, will empirically contribute to the customer purchase intention towards SWHs. Additionally, the results of the study will also endow an additive advantage to the existing firms.
British‐Israelists and the “State of Israeli” in the Twentieth Century
Authors: Cottrell‐Boyce Aidan
Published: August 2020

British‐Israelism was a significant movement in British culture in the twentieth century. At its high‐point in the mid‐twentieth century, card‐carrying members of the British‐Israel World Federation numbered in the tens of thousands. Several members of the royal family — including King George VI — publicly declared their adherence to British‐Israelist doctrine. They have shared this belief with lawmakers and generals, poets and television personalities. British‐Israelists believe that the descendants of the biblical polity of Israel are the Anglo‐Saxon people of Britain. As such, the British occupation of Jerusalem in 1917 was seen by British Israelists as an event of incomparable prophetic significance. This article explores the ways in which British‐Israelists responded to the changing status of Palestine over the course of the short twentieth century. Drawing on the insights of Zygmunt Bauman and of Andrew Crome, I contend that British‐Israelism — at times philo‐Semitic, at times anti‐Semitic — is fundamentally allosemitic in its attitude towards Israel and the Jews. As such, to paraphrase Crome, British‐Israelists can “never interact with Israel on its own terms.”
Secondary non‐invasive prenatal screening for fetal trisomy: an effectiveness study in a public health setting
Authors: Guy GP , Hargrave J , Dunn R , Price K , Short J , Thilaganathan B ,   the SAFE test collaborative
Published: August 2020

Objective

To evaluate the effectiveness of secondary screening using non‐invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) in a routine NHS setting including test performance, turn‐around times (TATs) and no‐call (failure to obtain result) rates. To examine the influence of maternal and fetal characteristics on test performance.

Design

Retrospective cohort.

Setting

London teaching hospital.

Sample

A total of 8651 pregnancies undergoing screening for fetal trisomy using NIPT provided by an NHS cell‐free DNA screening laboratory – the SAFE laboratory.

Methods

Screening test evaluation and TATs. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis to identify significant predictors of no‐call results and reported by low fetal fraction (<2%), very high fetal fraction (>40%) and processing failure.

Main outcome measures

Test performance, TATs and no‐call rates, factors affecting no‐call results.

Results

Average TAT was 4.0 days (95% CI 4.0–4.2 days). Test sensitivities for trisomies 21 and 13/18 were 98.9% (95% CI 95.9–99.9%) and 90.4% (95% CI 80.0–96.8%), respectively. The overall no‐call rate was 32/8651 (0.37%, 95% CI 0.26–0.52%). The overall risk of a no‐call result was influenced by gestational age, dichorionic twin pregnancy, history of malignancy and pregnancies affected by trisomy 13/18, but not by maternal weight or use of low‐molecular‐weight heparin.

Conclusions

High‐throughput NIPT can be effectively embedded into a public health NHS setting. TATs of 4 days and no‐calls of <0.5% were well within clinically desirable tolerances. Gestational age, maternal weight, assisted reproductive techniques, use of low‐molecular‐weight heparin and past history of malignancy did not have major impacts on test no‐call rates and should not constitute reasons for withholding the option of NIPT from women.

Tweetable abstract

Turn‐around times of 4 days, no‐call (test failure) rates of 0.37% and highly accurate NIPT can be successfully embedded in the NHS.
How often do we identify fetal abnormalities during routine third‐trimester ultrasound? A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Drukker L , Bradburn E , Rodriguez GB , Roberts NW , Impey L , Papageorghiou AT
Published: August 2020

Background

Routine third‐trimester ultrasound is frequently offered to pregnant women to identify fetuses with abnormal growth. Infrequently, a congenital anomaly is incidentally detected.

Objective

To establish the prevalence and type of fetal anomalies detected during routine third‐trimester scans using a systematic review and meta‐analysis.

Search strategy

Electronic databases (MEDLINE, Embase and the Cochrane library) from inception until August 2019.

Selection criteria

Population‐based studies (randomised control trials, prospective and retrospective cohorts) reporting abnormalities detected at the routine third‐trimester ultrasound performed in unselected populations with prior screening. Case reports, case series, case‐control studies and reviews without original data were excluded.

Data collection and analysis

Prevalence and type of anomalies detected in the third trimester. We calculated pooled prevalence as the number of anomalies per 1000 scans with 95% confidence intervals. Publication bias was assessed.

Main results

The literature search identified 9594 citations: 13 studies were eligible representing 141 717 women; 643 were diagnosed with an unexpected abnormality. The pooled prevalence of a new abnormality diagnosed was 3.68 per 1000 women scanned (95% CI 2.72–4.78). The largest groups of abnormalities were urogenital (55%), central nervous system abnormalities (18%) and cardiac abnormalities (14%).

Conclusion

Combining data from 13 studies and over 140 000 women, we show that during routine third‐trimester ultrasound, an incidental fetal anomaly will be found in about 1 in 300 scanned women. This information should be taken into account when taking consent from women for third‐trimester ultrasound and when designing and assessing cost of third‐trimester ultrasound screening programmes.

Tweetable abstract

One in 300 women attending a third‐trimester scan will have a finding of a fetal abnormality.