bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Historical use of coastal wetlands by small-scale fisheries in the Northern Gulf of California
Authors: Morzaria-Luna Hem Nalini , Urquidi Mabilia , Cruz-Piñón Gabriela , Dorantes Hernández Jośe Manuel , Valdivia Jiménez Paloma A. , Cruz Ángeles Sánchez , Martínez Ilse
Published: November 2022

Coastal wetlands are rich and productive ecosystems that historically have been used by small-scale fisheries due to their role as refuges, feeding, and nursery habitats for commercial target species. We used wetland resource users’ Local Ecological Knowledge to document historical patterns of commercial species abundance, areas of fishing importance, trophic level, and species richness and composition in coastal wetlands in the Northern Gulf of California, Mexico. We also reconstructed the environmental history of coastal wetlands in this region from bibliographic sources and photographic records, to document impacts that could have affected coastal fisheries. We found a consistent downward trend in target species abundance; the decrease was perceived as more pronounced by fishers that began fishing in or prior to the 1950’s, pointing to shifting baselines, the failure for resource users to recognize environmental change and accept degraded states as normal. Areas of fishing importance within coastal wetlands also decreased through time. Trophic level of catch showed no distinct pattern across wetland sites or time. Perceived species richness and composition increased with wetland size. Our analysis of the small-scale use of coastal wetlands in the Northern Gulf is relevant to food security and can provide insight into how local populations adapt to depleted coastal food webs.
The aminoglycoside streptomycin triggers ferroptosis in tumor initiating cells
Authors: Guillorit Hélène , Relier Sébastien , Zagiel Benjamin , Di Giorgio Audrey , Cazevieille Chantal , Bansard Lucile , Bouclier Céline , Mialhe Xavier , Brisset Morgan , Hideg Szimonetta , Choquet Armelle , Planque Chris , Bastide Amandine , Pannequin Julie , Duca Maria , Macari Françoise , David Alexandre
Published: November 2022

Compelling evidence suggests that tumor initiating cells (TIC) are the roots of current shortcomings in advanced and metastatic cancer treatment. TIC represents a minor subpopulation of tumor cells endowed with self-renewal and multi-lineage differentiation capacity, which can disseminate and seed metastasis in distant organ. Our work identified Streptomycin (SM), a potent bactericidal antibiotic, as a new molecule capable of targeting non-adherent TIC from colon and breast cancer cell lines by inducing mitochondrial-dependent ferroptosis. SM-induced ferroptosis associates with profound alterations in mitochondrial morphology, such as swelling and cristae enlargement, coupled with hyperpolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential and production of mitochondrial ROS. The peculiar SM structure, and more particularly its aldehyde group, is essential for this mechanism. As such, the mere reduction of SM into dihydrostreptomycin abolishes its effect on TIC. This study reveals a new mechanism of action of SM that could help comprehend the molecular basis of TIC adaptation to inhospitable environments and pave the way for new treatment of advanced cancers.
Capturing species-wide diversity of the gut microbiota and its relationship with genomic variation in the critically endangered kākāpō
Authors: West Annie G. , Digby Andrew , Santure Anna W. , Guhlin Joseph G. , Dearden Peter ,   Kākāpō Recovery Team, Taylor Michael W. , Urban Lara
Published: November 2022

The gut microbiota plays an essential role in host health that has important implications for the conservation management of threatened wildlife. While factors such as diet, medication, and habitat are known to shape the microbiota, our understanding of the entirety of factors, including the complex role of the host genomic background, remains incomplete. Our research on the gut microbiota of the critically endangered kākāpō (Strigops habroptilus), a flightless parrot species endemic to Aotearoa New Zealand, represents, to our knowledge, the first study to describe the gastrointestinal bacterial diversity for virtually an entire species and to assess the relationship between gut microbiota and host genomic diversity in a highly threatened population. Here we report a 16S rRNA gene-based analysis of kākāpō faecal samples representing the gut microbiota for 84% of kākāpō (n = 133). This survey was then leveraged with exceptional metadata to tease apart the impact of host genomic diversity and factors such as sex, diet, antibiotic treatment, disease status, habitat, and time of sampling on the kākāpō gut microbiota, with sex being the only covariate significantly associated with gut microbiota diversity. We find evidence of a highly polygenic genomic architecture of the gut microbiota and further identify putative associations between gut bacterial diversity and functional biological pathways related to intestinal homeostasis, inflammation, immune response and metabolism. This improved understanding of the kākāpō gut microbiota – and its relationship with host genomics – can directly benefit kākāpō management and conservation by providing new insights into the role of the gut microbiome in kākāpō health and disease mitigation. Overall, we anticipate that an integration of microbiome studies in conservation research and management will improve our understanding of how the concept of One Health with its implications for human, animal and environmental welfare can be achieved.
Systematic analysis of cell morphodynamics inC. elegansearly embryogenesis
Authors: Azuma Yusuke , Okada Hatsumi , Onami Shuichi
Published: November 2022

The invariant cell lineage ofCaenorhabditis elegansallows unambiguous assignment of the identity for each cell, which offers a unique opportunity to study developmental dynamics such as the timing of cell division, dynamics of gene expression, and cell fate decisions at single-cell resolution. However, little is known about the cell morphodynamics, including the extent to which they are variable between individuals, mainly due to the lack of sufficient amount and quality of quantified data. In this study, we systematically quantified the cell morphodynamics in 52C. elegansembryos from the two-cell stage to mid-gastrulation at high spatiotemporal resolution, 0.5 μm thickness of optical sections, and 30-second intervals of recordings. By comparing the morphodynamics between the embryos, we found high reproducibility of the dynamics. The median correlation coefficient of morphological features, such as volume and surface area, was 0.09, suggesting high reproducibility. Furthermore, the morphodynamics was significantly different from the other cell types in all cells before the onset of gastrulation, indicating high uniqueness of the dynamics. Furthermore, physical cell-cell contacts were quantified to analyze inter-cell relationships, and their reproducibility was calculated between the embryos. The number of contacts formed in every embryo was less than half of all detected contacts because variability in division timings and cell arrangements produced various combinations of brief contacts. In contrast, the area of contacts formed in every embryo occupied 96% of the total area, suggesting the high reproducibility of spatial occupancies and adjacency relationships of the cells. Our data further allowed detailed analyses of specific cellular features. By normalizing the sphericity dynamics, we found a significant increase in sphericity at the end of metaphase in every cell, indicating the universality of the mitotic cell rounding. Concomitant with the rounding, the volume also increased in most but not all cells, suggesting less universality of the mitotic swelling. Therefore, we demonstrate that our data provides a precise understanding of the cellular processes and could potentially be used to gain further insight into developmental mechanisms.
Transient receptor potential melastatin 4 (TRPM4) regulates hilar mossy cell loss in temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Mundrucz Laura , Kecskés Angéla , Henn-Mike Nóra , Kóbor Péter , Buzás Péter , Vennekens Rudi , Kecskés Miklós
Published: November 2022

Mossy cells comprise a large fraction of excitatory neurons in the hippocampal dentate gyrus and their loss is one of the major hallmarks of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). The vulnerability of mossy cells in TLE is well known in animal models as well as in patients, however the mechanisms leading to cellular death is unclear. One possible explanation for their sensitivity is linked to their specific ion channel composition. TRPM4 is a Ca2+-activated non-selective cation channel regulating diverse physiological function of excitable cells. Here, we identified that TRPM4 is present and functionally active in hilar mossy cells. Furthermore, we showed that TRPM4 contributes to mossy cells death following status epilepticus and therefore modulates seizure susceptibility and epilepsy-related memory deficits in the chronic phase of TLE.
Optogenetic control of beta-carotene bioproduction in yeast across multiple lab-scales
Authors: Pouzet Sylvain , Cruz-Ramon Jessica , Bec Matthias Le , Cordier Céline , Banderas Alvaro , Barral Simon , Sorre Benoit , Castano-Cerezo Sara , Lautier Thomas , Truan Gilles , Hersen Pascal
Published: November 2022

Optogenetics arises as a valuable tool to precisely control genetic circuits in microbial cell factories. Light control holds the promise of optimizing bioproduction methods and maximize yields, but its implementation at different steps of the strain development process and at different culture scales remains challenging. In this study, we aim to control beta-carotene bioproduction using optogenetics inSaccharomyces cerevisiaeand investigate how its performance translates across culture scales. We built four lab-scale illumination devices, each handling different culture volumes, and each having specific illumination characteristics and cultivating conditions. We evaluated optogenetic activation and beta-carotene production across devices and optimized them both independently. Then, we combined optogenetic induction and beta-carotene production to make a light-inducible beta-carotene producer strain. This was achieved by placing the transcription of the bifunctional lycopene cyclase / phytoene synthase CrtYB under the control of the pC120 optogenetic promoter regulated by the EL222-VP16 light-activated transcription factor, while other carotenogenic enzymes (CrtI, CrtE, tHMG) were expressed constitutively. We show that illumination, culture volume and shaking impact differently optogenetic activation and beta-carotene production across devices. This enabled us to determine the best culture conditions to maximize light-induced beta-carotene production in each of the devices, reaching a content of up to 880 μg/gCDW. Our study exemplifies the stakes of scaling up optogenetics in devices of different lab scales and sheds light on the interplays and potential conflicts between optogenetic control and metabolic pathway efficiency. As a general principle, we propose that it is important to first optimize both components of the system independently, before combining them into optogenetic producing strains to avoid extensive troubleshooting. We anticipate that our results can help designing both strains and devices that could eventually lead to larger scale systems in an effort to bring optogenetics to the industrial scale.
Online versus Cognitive Control: A Dividing Line between Physical Action and Motor Imagery
Authors: Martel Marie , Glover Scott
Published: November 2022

Recent work has shown that motor imagery is highly sensitive to tasks that interfere with executive resources, whereas physical actions are largely immune. This has been taken as support for the Motor-Cognitive model of motor imagery, and against the theory of Functional Equivalence. Here, we examined another prediction of the MCM, namely that an opposite pattern of effects would be observed when the information available for online control was reduced. This was tested in three experiments in which participants performed either physical actions or motor imagery. The experiments manipulated the quality of information available during the online control of movement through: 1) comparing movements made with or without visual feedback; 2) comparing movements made using foveal vs. peripheral vision; and 3) comparing physical to mimed actions. All three experiments found evidence in favour of the Motor-Cognitive model in that manipulations of online control affected motor imagery but not overt action. These same results were, however, inconsistent with a Functional Equivalence view. We discuss these results in the broader context of theoretical views on perceptual vs. motor imagery.
Interactions between Trypillian farmers and North Pontic forager-pastoralists in Eneolithic central Ukraine
Authors: Nikitin Alexey G. , Videiko Mykhailo , Patterson Nick , Renson Virginie , Reich David
Published: November 2022

The establishment of agrarian economy in Eneolithic East Europe is associated with the Pre-Cucuteni-Cucuteni-Trypillia complex (PCCTC). PCCTC farmers interacted with Eneolithic forager-pastoralist groups of the North Pontic steppe as PCCTC extended from the Carpathian foothills to the Dnipro Valley beginning in the late 5thmillennium BCE. While the cultural interaction between the two groups is evident through the Cucuteni C pottery style that carries steppe influence, the extent of biological interactions between Trypillian farmers and the steppe remains unclear. Here we report the analysis of artefacts from the late 5thmillennium Trypillian site of Kolomiytsiv Yar Tract (KYT) in central Ukraine, focusing on a bone fragment found in the Trypillian context at KYT. Diet stable isotope ratios obtained from the bone fragment place the diet of the KYT individual within the range of forager-pastoralists of the North Pontic area. Strontium isotope ratios of the KYT individual are consistent with having originated from contexts of the Sredny Stog culture sites of the Middle Dnipro Valley. Genetic analysis of the KYT individual indicates ancestry derived from a proto-Yamna population such as Sredny Stog. Overall, the KYT archaeological site presents evidence of interactions between Trypillians and Eneolithic Pontic steppe inhabitants of the Sredny Stog horizon and suggests a potential for gene flow between the two groups as early as the beginning of the 4thmillennium BCE.
Dually biofortified cisgenic tomatoes with increased flavonoids and branched-chain amino acids content
Authors: Vazquez-Vilar Marta , Fernandez-del-Carmen Asun , Garcia-Carpintero Victor , Drapal Margit , Presa Silvia , Ricci Dorotea , Diretto Gianfranco , Rambla José Luis , Fernandez-Muñoz Rafael , Espinosa-Ruiz Ana , Fraser Paul D. , Martin Cathie , Granell Antonio , Orzaez Diego
Published: November 2022

Higher dietary intakes of flavonoids may have a beneficial role in cardiovascular disease prevention. Additionally, supplementation of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) in vegan diets can reduce risks associated to their deficiency, particularly in older adults, which can cause loss of skeletal muscle strength and mass. Most plant-derived foods contain only small amounts of BCAAs and those plants with high levels of flavonoids are not eaten broadly. Here we describe the generation of metabolically-engineered cisgenic tomatoes enriched in both flavonoids and BCAAs. In this approach, coding and regulatory DNA elements, all derived from the tomato genome, were combined to obtain a herbicide-resistant version of an acetolactate synthase (mSlALS) gene expressed broadly, and a MYB12-like transcription factor (SlMYB12) expressed in a fruit-specific manner. The mSlALS played a dual role, as a selectable marker as well as being key enzyme in BCAA enrichment. The resulting cisgenic tomatoes were highly enriched in Leucine (21-fold compared to wild type levels), Valine (9-fold), Isoleucine (3-fold), and concomitantly biofortified in several antioxidant flavonoids including kaempferol (64-fold) and quercetin (45-fold). Comprehensive metabolomic and transcriptomic analysis of the biofortified cisgenic tomatoes revealed marked differences to wild type and could serve to evaluate the safety of these biofortified fruits for human consumption.
GluK2 Q/R editing regulates kainate receptor signalling to modulate AMPA receptor synaptic expression and plasticity
Authors: Nair Jithin D. , Wilkinson Kevin A. , Yucel Busra P. , Mulle Christophe , Vissel Bryce , Mellor Jack , Henley Jeremy M.
Published: November 2022

Q/R editing of the kainate receptor (KAR) subunit GluK2 radically alters properties of recombinant KARs, but the effectsin vivoremain largely unexplored. We compared GluK2 editing-deficient mice that express ∼95% unedited GluK2(Q) to wild-type counterparts that express ∼85% edited GluK2(R). At mossy fibre-CA3 (MF-CA3) synapses GluK2(Q) mice displayed enhanced postsynaptic KAR function and increased KAR-mediated presynaptic facilitation, demonstrating heightened ionotropic function. Conversely, there was reduced metabotropic KAR function, assessed by KAR-mediated afterhyperpolarization currents, in GluK2(Q) mice. GluK2(Q) mice had fewer GluA1- and GluA3-containing AMPA receptors (AMPARs) and reduced postsynaptic AMPAR currents at both MF-CA3 and CA1-Schaffer collateral synapses. Moreover, long-term potentiation of AMPAR-mediated transmission at CA1-Schaffer collateral synapses was reduced in GluK2(Q) mice. These findings suggest that GluK2 Q/R editing influences ionotropic/metabotropic balance of KAR signalling to regulate synaptic expression of AMPARs and plasticity.
Synchronized proinsulin trafficking reveals delayed Golgi export accompanies β-cell secretory dysfunction in a rodent model of hyperglycemia
Authors: Boyer Cierra K. , Bauchle Casey J. , Zhang Jianchao , Wang Yanzhuang , Stephens Samuel B.
Published: November 2022

The pancreatic islet β-cell’s preference for release of newly synthesized insulin requires careful coordination of insulin exocytosis with sufficient insulin granule production to ensure that insulin stores exceed peripheral demands for glucose homeostasis. Thus, the cellular mechanisms regulating insulin granule production are critical to maintaining β-cell function. In this report, we utilized the synchronous protein trafficking system, RUSH, in primary β-cells to evaluate proinsulin transit through the secretory pathway leading to insulin granule formation. We demonstrate that the trafficking, processing, and secretion of the proinsulin RUSH reporter, proCpepRUSH, are consistent with current models of insulin maturation and release. Using a rodent dietary model of hyperglycemia and β-cell dysfunction, we show that proinsulin trafficking is impeded at the Golgi and coincides with the decreased appearance of nascent insulin granules at the plasma membrane. Ultrastructural analysis of β-cells from diabetic leptin receptor deficient mice revealed gross morphological changes in Golgi structure, including shortened and swollen cisternae, and partial Golgi vesiculation, which are consistent with defects in secretory protein export. Collectively, this work highlights the utility of the proCpepRUSH reporter in studying proinsulin trafficking dynamics and suggests that altered Golgi export function contributes to β-cell secretory defects in the pathogenesis of Type 2 diabetes.
The Transcription Factor Foxi1 Promotes Expression of V-ATPase and Gpr116 in M-1 cells
Authors: Kui Mackenzie , Pluznick Jennifer L. , Zaidman Nathan A.
Published: November 2022

The diverse functions of each nephron segment rely on the coordinated action of specialized cell populations that are uniquely defined by their transcriptional profile. In the collecting duct, there are two critical and distinct cell populations: principal cells and intercalated cells. Principal cells play key roles in the regulation of water, Na+, and K+, while intercalated cells are best known for their role in acid-base homeostasis. Currently, there are noin vitrosystems that recapitulate the heterogeneity of the collecting ducts, which limits high-throughput and replicate investigations of genetic and physiological phenomena. Here, we have demonstrated that the transcription factor Foxi1 is sufficient to alter the transcriptional identity of M-1 cells, a murine cortical collecting duct cell line. Specifically, overexpression ofFoxi1induces the expression of intercalated cell transcripts includingGpr116, Atp6v1b1, Atp6v1g3, Atp6v0d2, Slc4a9, andSlc26a4. These data indicate that overexpression ofFoxi1differentiates M-1 cells towards a B-type intercalated cell phenotype and may provide a novelin vitrotool to study transcriptional regulation and physiological function of the renal collecting duct.
Allosteric inhibition of the epidermal growth factor receptor through disruption of transmembrane interactions
Authors: Rybak Jennifer A , Sahoo Amita R , Kim Soyeon , Pyron Robert J , Pitts Savannah B , Guleryuz Saffet , Smith Adam W , Buck Matthias , Barrera Francisco N
Published: November 2022

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) commonly targeted for inhibition by anti-cancer therapeutics. Current therapeutics target EGFR’s kinase domain or extracellular region. However, these types of inhibitors are not specific for tumors over healthy tissue and therefore cause undesirable side effects. Our lab has recently developed a new strategy to regulate RTK activity by designing a peptide that specifically binds to the transmembrane (TM) region of the RTK to allosterically modify kinase activity. These peptides are acidity-responsive, allowing them to preferentially target acidic environments like tumors. We have applied this strategy to EGFR and created the PET1 peptide. We observed that PET1 behaves as a pH-responsive peptide that modulates the configuration of the EGFR TM through a direct interaction. Our data indicated that PET1 inhibits EGFR-mediated cell migration. Finally, we investigated the mechanism of inhibition through molecular dynamics simulations, which showed that PET1 sits between the two EGFR TM helices; this molecular mechanism was additionally supported by AlphaFold-Multimer predictions. We propose that the PET1-induced disruption of native TM interactions disturbs the conformation of the kinase domain in such a way that it inhibits EGFR’s ability to send migratory cell signals. This study is a proof-of-concept that acidity-responsive membrane peptide ligands can be generally applied to RTKs. In addition, PET1 constitutes a viable approach to therapeutically target the TM of EGFR.
The E3 ubiquitin ligase FBXL6 controls the quality of newly synthesized mitochondrial ribosomal proteins
Authors: Lavie Julie , Lalou Claude , Mahfouf Walid , Dupuy Jean-William , Lacaule Aurélie , Ars Agata , Lacombe Didier , Duchêne Anne-Marie , Raymond Anne-Aurélie , Rezvani Hamid Reza , Ngondo Richard Patryk , Bénard Giovanni
Published: November 2022

The large majority of mitochondrial proteins is synthesized in the cytosol and then imported to the organelle. To ensure proper mitochondrial functions, the quality of these proteins needs to be guaranteed. Here, we show that the E3 ubiquitin ligase F-box/LRR-repeat protein 6 (FBXL6) participates to the quality of these mitochondrial proteins at the level of the cytosolic translation. We found that lack of FBXL6 has severe effects including mitochondrial ribosomal protein aggregations, altered mitochondrial metabolism and inhibited cell cycle progression in oxidative conditions. FBXL6 was found to interact specifically with ribosomal-associated quality control proteins and chaperones involved in the regulation of newly synthesized proteins and also it preferentially binds newly synthesized mitochondrial ribosomal proteins. Consistently, deletion of the RQC protein, NEMF or HSP70-family chaperone HSPA1A impedes FBXL6 interaction with its substrate. In addition, cells lacking FBXL6 display altered degradation of defective mitochondrial ribosomal protein containing C-terminal alanyl-threonyl extension.
Morpholin-4-ium [5-cyano-6-(4-methylphenyl)-4-(morpholin-4-yl)pyrimidin-2-yl](phenylsulfonyl)amide
Authors: Mohamed-Ezzat Reham A. , Kariuki Benson M. , Azzam Rasha A.
Published: November 2022

In the title molecular salt, C4H10NO+·C22H20N5O2S−, pairs of anions are linked by pairs of morpholinium cations through N—H...N and bifurcated N—H...(O,N) hydrogen bonds. Every cation donates two such bonds, one to each of the neighbouring pair of cations, generating centrosymmetric tetramers.
Framing the use of performance management in universities: the paradox of business disciplines
Authors: Hyndman Noel , Liguori Mariannunziata
Published: November 2022

Purpose

This paper explores how performance-management systems are understood and framed through the use of rhetoric and language within universities, where not-for-profit, charitable goals are (or should be) central. It addresses the issues of: how strategic rhetorical frames are used by university actors; and how these relate to actors' primary frames and reactions to performance-management practices. The study focuses on the case of UK universities, taking into consideration both old and newer institutions.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopts a case-study approach, relying on 28 interviews with key-academic actors involved in the design and implementation of university performance-management systems in four UK universities.

Findings

The research highlights the important effect of primary frames over the strategic frames that are mobilised to achieve desired outcomes or individual advantage. In Business disciplines, the consistency between actors' primary frames and managerial and performance-management tools introduced into universities makes such disciplines a fertile ground for these practices to be embraced. This is not the case with Natural Sciences.

Practical implications

While framing a new practice consistently with existing/prevailing primary frames may be a winning strategy in the short term, in the long term, those tasked with introducing new practices should consider that the prevalence of a certain view of the world has the potential to hamper innovation and learning.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to advance our understanding of the interaction between individual primary and strategic frames, as well as academic staff's reactions and interpretations of performance-management practices in universities as knowledge-intensive, not-for-profit organisations.
DEIM-embedded hybrid snapshot simulation for reduced order model generation
Authors: Bai Feng , Wang Yi
Published: November 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to establish an intelligent framework to generate the data representatives in snapshot simulation in order to construct the online reduced-order model based on the generated data information. It could greatly reduce the computational time in snapshot simulation and accelerate the computational efficiency in the real-time computation of reduced-order modeling.

Design/methodology/approach

The snapshot simulation, which generates the data to construct reduced-order models (ROMs), usually is computationally demanding. In order to accelerate the snapshot generation, this paper presents a discrete element interpolaiton method (DEIM)-embedded hybrid simulation approach, in which the entire snapshot simulation is partitioned into multiple intervals of equal length. One of the three models: the full order model (FOM), local ROM, or local ROM-DEIM which represents a hierarchy of model approximations, fidelities and computational costs, will be adopted in each interval.

Findings

The outcome of the proposed snapshot simulation is an efficient ROM-DEIM applicable to various online simulations. Compared with the traditional FOM and the hybrid method without DEIM, the proposed method is able to accelerate the snapshot simulation by 54.4%–63.91% and 10.5%–27.85%, respectively. In the online simulation, ROM-DEIM only takes 4.81%–8.56% of the computational time of FOM, while preserving excellent accuracy (with relative error <1%).

Originality/value

1. A DEIM-embedded hybrid snapshot simulation methodology is proposed to accelerate snapshot data generation and reduced-order model (ROM)-DEIM development. 2. The simulation alternates among FOM, ROM and ROM-DEIM to adaptively generate snapshot data of salient subspace representation while minimizing computational load. 3. The DEIM-embedded hybrid snapshot approach demonstrates excellent accuracy (<1% error) and computational efficiency in both online snapshot simulation and online ROM-DEIM verification simulation.
Choice consistency and inconsistency between self- and gift-purchases: the role of attitude functions
Authors: Lyu Dong , Moosmayer Dirk , Ding Hao , Jin Jia
Published: November 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to explore when and why consumers hold inconsistent and consistent choices between self- and gift-purchases.

Design/methodology/approach

Across three paper-based questionnaire experiments, the authors examine how consumers’ preferences for desirability and feasibility vary with purchase types (self- vs gift-purchases) based on the functional theories of attitudes. The authors examine consumers’ attitude functions and their self-monitoring closely associated with chronic attitude functions.

Findings

The findings show that the social adjustive function moderates whether consumers hold consistent or inconsistent preferences across the two purchases. Specifically, consumers generally rely more on desirability in gift-purchases than self-purchases, whereas this inconsistent preference only exists when the social adjustive function is comparable or advantaged to the utilitarian function. When the social adjustive function is significantly disadvantaged relative to the utilitarian function, consumers consistently prefer feasibility irrespective of self- or gift-purchases.

Research limitations/implications

The research contributes to the familiar topic of consumers’ choice trade-offs between self- and gift-purchases. It documents the moderating role of the social adjustive function of consumers’ attitudes in whether they hold consistent or inconsistent choices across the two purchases. This extends the extensive research on self-other decisions.

Practical implications

The findings strongly suggest retailers identify or manipulate consumers’ attitude functions to make the attitude functions align with the purchase type when recommending products.

Originality/value

Most relevant literature focuses on exploring choice differences between self- and gift-purchases. This research not only explores the choice differences but also attempts to find the condition under which people’s choices do not differ between the two purchases.
Transitioning to a circular economy: lessons from the wood industry
Authors: De Vass Tharaka , Nand Alka Ashwini , Bhattacharya Ananya , Prajogo Daniel , Croy Glen , Sohal Amrik , Rotaru Kristian
Published: November 2022

Purpose

Using a soft-hard continuum of drivers and barriers, this research seeks to explain wood companies' adoption of circular economy (CE) practices.

Design/methodology/approach

Multiple interviews, complemented by secondary documents and site observations were used to investigate three wood-based companies that have adopted CE practices. The 10R framework and soft-hard continuum are used to guide data analysis.

Findings

The adoption of 10R practices were explained by soft-factor incentives of leaders' values and vision and openness for innovation, all within a regulatory void, and eventually overcome hard-factor barriers of process development, supply chain capability and customer behaviours at product end-of-life.

Practical implications

Crucial for CE model adoption are leaders' positive attitudes, subsequently grown across the companies. The 10Rs are a prompt for CE practice adoption to capture and retain value and generate revenue. Collaboration across the supply chain, including customers and other value capture companies (e.g. repurposing companies), is essential to maximise value retention. Government should play an increased soft-factor incentive regulatory role and support CE practices to overcome hard-factor barriers.

Originality/value

This study contributes an explanation of CE adoption within a relatively unsupported context. Despite the regulatory void, CE practice adoption was driven by leader values. To achieve their vision and overcome the numerous barriers, suppliers and customers required a large investment in education. Indeed, customer behaviour, previously thought to be an incentive for CE adoption, is also identified as a barrier.
Lecturers' personality traits and affective states amidst the COVID-19 pandemic: estimating a theory-driven longitudinal model using the novel PLSe2 methodology
Authors: Ghasemy Majid
Published: November 2022

Purpose

This longitudinal study aims at assessing the impact of openness to experience and neuroticism on affective states experienced by the academics from the Malaysian public universities during the first strict COVID-19 lockdown in 2020.

Design/methodology/approach

The author collected data for openness to experience and neuroticism at the beginning of the lockdown, and for positive and negative affect, when the lockdown ended. The author used the efficient partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLSe2-SEM) methodology to fit the model to the screened data (N = 291).

Findings

The results showed that openness to experience had a negative effect on negative affect and a positive effect on positive affect. The author also observed that neuroticism had a positive effect on negative affect and a negative effect on positive affect. These findings provided support for the proposition of the impact of personality traits on affective states amidst the COVID-19 pandemic in academic settings.

Practical implications

The study shows that careful assessment of lecturers' personality traits should be considered during the process of selection and recruitment since these factors, theoretically and empirically, trigger affective states which, in turn, lead to behaviors and attitudes.

Originality/value

This is the first study on examining the impact of academics' personality traits on their affective states. Also, it is amongst the few longitudinal studies on evaluating personality traits during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a methodological novelty, the author used the PLSe2 methodology to test the model and compared the results with maximum likelihood (ML) results.
Counterattacking long videos: exploring the characteristics of popular instant videos and roles of producers and viewers
Authors: Chi Yanyan , Park Eunil
Published: November 2022

Purpose

Recently, analyses of the characteristics of viral content in the social media field have attracted considerable attention. However, the influence of instant videos has grown significantly, and most social media platforms have begun to introduce them.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted a series of independent-samples t-tests using a large-scale data set collected from the YouTube Shorts platform to identify the characteristics of popular instant videos and discussions surrounding them. The authors further analyzed how they differ from other viral content.

Findings

The results indicate that viewers leave varied variety of comments based on the topic of conversation in the community, rather than on the video itself. Furthermore, video producers and viewers attempt to reach a consensus in a straightforward and intuitive manner. All analyzed texts contained appropriate attitudes and tendencies according to their roles on the platform.

Originality/value

This study aimed to discover and understand the video and conversational characteristics of popular instant videos, which differ from the existing widely known viral content.
The response to freehold growth information when estimating ground leasehold value
Authors: Pope Alan Richard , Squires Graham , Young Martin
Published: November 2022

Purpose

This paper is concerned with behavioural responses to reviewed ground rents in New Zealand. The focus is on how freehold growth information is interpreted when considering reviewed ground rents on ground leasehold value.

Design/methodology/approach

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ground leaseholders to inform the design of a controlled experiment. The interviews revealed that (a) purchasers tended to directly compare freeholds to ground leaseholds and (b) used rudimentary valuation methods. In the experiment, 40 property investors were requested to estimate the ground leasehold value close to the ground rent review time. Thereafter, 20 of the investors reassessed their ground leasehold value estimate using a projection of the future ground rent and a statement as to freehold growth (treatment). The control group of the remaining 20 investors received the estimate of the future ground rent only.

Findings

The tendency for higher treatment group valuations indicated the growth information was too available. Comparing ground leaseholds directly to freeholds, rather than thinking about the cost implications, is attributed to a manifestation of the availability heuristic.

Research limitations/implications

The study involves a typical ground lease arrangement (as verified by experts) in the New Zealand market where there are few protections for ground leaseholders. These findings justify prohibiting new ground leases where the ground rents are set by reference to freehold land value.

Originality/value

This paper extends behavioural theory (availability heuristic) to explaining human interaction with ground leaseholds.
Sedimentology and Paleoenvironmental Characteristics of Fine‐grained Sediments in Coal‐bearing Strata in the Eastern Ordos Basin: A Case Study of the Exploratory Well in the Zizhou Area
Authors: LI Guanlin , GUO Yinghai , WANG Huaichang , LI Mi , HAN Jiang , YANG Xiaokai
Published: November 2022

The continuously collected cores from the Permo–Carboniferous coal‐bearing strata of the eastern Ordos Basin are essential for studying the hydrocarbon potential in this region. This study adopted sedimentological and geochemical methods to analyze the sedimentary environment, material composition, and geochemical characteristics of the coal‐bearing strata. The differences in depositional and paleoclimatic conditions were compared; and the factors influencing the organic matter content of fine‐grained sediments were explored. The depositional environment of the Benxi and Jinci formations was lagoon to tidal flat with weakly reduced waters with low salinity and dry‐hot paleoclimatic conditions; while that of the Taiyuan Formation was a carbonate platform and shallow water delta front, where the water was highly reductive. The xerothermic climate alternated with the warm and humid climate. The period of maximum transgression in the Permo–Carboniferous has the highest water salinity. The Shanxi Formation was deposited in a shallow water delta front with a brackish and fresh water environment and alternative weak reductiveness. And the paleoclimate condition is dry‐hot. The TOC content in fine‐grained samples was averaging 1.52%. The main controlling mechanism of organic matter in this area was the input conditions according to the analysis on input and preservation of organic matter.
abmR: An R package for agent‐based model analysis of large‐scale movements across taxa
Authors: Gochanour Benjamin , Fernández‐López Javier , Contina Andrea
Published: November 2022

Agent‐based modelling (ABM) shows promise for animal movement studies. However, a robust, open‐source and spatially explicit ABM coding platform is currently lacking.

We present abmR, an R package for conducting continental‐scale ABM simulations across animal taxa. The package features two movement functions, each of which relies on the Ornstein–Uhlenbeck (OU) process.

The theoretical background for abmR is discussed and the main functionalities are illustrated using example populations.

Potential future additions to this open‐source package may include the ability to specify multiple environmental variables or to model interactions between agents. Additionally, updates may offer opportunities for disease ecology and integration with other R movement modelling packages.
Extended reality veterinary medicine case studies for diagnostic veterinary imaging instruction: Assessing student perceptions and examination performance
Authors: Guaraná Julia B. , Aytaç Güneş , Müller Alois F. , Thompson Jesse , Freitas Silvio H. , Lee U‐Young , Lozanoff Scott , Ferrante Bruno
Published: November 2022

Educational technologies in veterinary medicine aim to train veterinarians faster and improve clinical outcomes. COVID‐19 pandemic, shifted face‐to‐face teaching to online, thus, the need to provide effective education remotely was exacerbated. Among recent technology advances for veterinary medical education, extended reality (XR) is a promising teaching tool. This study aimed to develop a case resolution approach for radiographic anatomy studies using XR technology and assess students' achievement of differential diagnostic skills. Learning objectives based on Bloom's taxonomy keywords were used to develop four clinical cases (3 dogs/1 cat) of spinal injuries utilizing CT scans and XR models and presented to 22 third‐year veterinary medicine students. Quantitative assessment (ASMT) of 7 questions probing ‘memorization’, ‘understanding and application’, ‘analysis’ and ‘evaluation’ was given before and after contact with XR technology as well as qualitative feedback via a survey. Mean ASMT scores increased during case resolution (pre 51.6% (±37%)/post 60.1% (± 34%); p < 0.01), but without significant difference between cases (Kruskal–Wallis H = 2.18, NS). Learning objectives were examined for six questions (Q1–Q6) across cases (C1‐4): Memorization improved sequentially (Q1, 2 8/8), while Understanding and Application (Q3,4) showed the greatest improvement (26.7%–76.9%). Evaluation and Analysis (Q5,6) was somewhat mixed, improving (5/8), no change (3/8) and declining (1/8).Positive student perceptions suggest that case studies' online delivery was well received stimulating learning in diagnostic imaging and anatomy while developing visual–spatial skills that aid understanding cross‐sectional images. Therefore, XR technology could be a useful approach to complement radiological instruction in veterinary medicine
Effects of environmental factors on the distribution of flagship species in Bomfobiri Wildlife Sanctuary, Kumawu, Ghana: Implications for conservation and ecotourism development
Authors: Acquah Emmanuel , Nsor Collins Ayine , Boadi Samuel , Owusu Edwin Agyapong
Published: November 2022

Sustainable ecotourism development and conservation depend on understanding factors that affect flagship species. This study analysed environmental factors and their effects on flagship species: African buffalo (Syncerus caffer), red‐river hog (Potamochoerus porcus), olive baboon (Papio anubis), duiker (Cephalophus spp.), and crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) distribution in Bomfobiri Wildlife Sanctuary (BWS). Secondary data (camp reports 2017–2019) showed flagship species distribution across four vegetation types in 14 sites. Field observations were used to reconstruct camp report information using GPS coordinates to show animal distribution. Environmental factors were assessed based on the scope and severity of their threats to the species. PAST ver.3.06 was used to analyse animal and vegetation data. A total of 995 individual animals were recorded. Riverine forest (n = 325) had the highest, followed by semi‐deciduous (n = 316), and woodland Savanna (n = 192). Bushfire was the major predictive factor on animal distribution, followed by grazing pressure, farming activities, elevation, and erosion. These findings imply that an increased scale of disturbances reduces the chance of sighting flagship animals. A higher concentration of these species in riverine and semi‐deciduous forests calls for increased patrols as a conservation measure. Constructing viewing platforms and hiking trails in areas of higher animal activity would improve ecotourism development.
Tangible policy framework for affordable housing in India: Analysis and policy Prescriptions
Authors: Biswas Sampriti , Prakash Pranay
Published: November 2022

Provision of “affordable” housing is increasingly becoming an extremely challenging as well as complex issue. There is no tailor‐made, well‐defined definition of “affordable” where urban housing is concerned. Large metropolitan cities such as Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi, and so forth, have teeming populations living in large slums. The Burrabazar or Bara Bazar area in Central Kolkata is extremely populous. This also shows how dire the necessity of proper shelter for these poor migrants as well as other laborers and poor of the area. A sample of 100 laborers (both migrants as well as locals) was selected randomly and surveyed with a questionnaire comprising 41 main questions from the Burrabazar area, starting from the Ganesh Talkies area. The respondents were semiskilled to unskilled workers involved in physically hazardous occupations like handheld rickshaw pullers, “mutiyahs,” manual scavengers, small deliverymen, domestic help, and so forth, mainly in the age group of 25–55 years. The entire sample survey was started and carried out in the month of February 2016 in all the wards of Burrabazar. A two‐pronged approach is suggested as a remedy for this problem of an affordable place to stay. The first is to provide hostel‐type “homes” where they will be able to stay in groups and obtain meals at cheap prices. It will be of a minimum value so that not only they obtain a safe and secure place to stay, and a bed but also at least a couple of healthy and nutritious meals as well as medicines (in times of emergency). The second option is “mobile homes.” This is not only a very interesting concept but is also extremely useful. Since these mobile homes can be moved they can be kept anywhere with proper permission from the municipality and the other concerned authorities, say the local police. But then, effective guidelines must be there to identify the beneficiaries properly.
An experimental COVID‐19 messaging study in a representative sample of the Scottish population: Increasing physical distancing intentions through self‐efficacy
Authors: den Daas Chantal , Johnston Marie , Hubbard Gill , Dixon Diane
Published: November 2022

Objectives

Self‐efficacy is important for adherence to transmission‐reducing behaviours (e.g., physical distancing) as also shown in the CHARIS project. We aimed to show that a theory‐based short message can increase physical distancing self‐efficacy and intentions to keep physical distance.

Design

Structured telephone surveys with a randomly selected nationally representative sample of adults in Scotland (N = 497).

Methods

Participants were randomly assigned to one of two experimental conditions: message condition (short message to increase self‐efficacy via vicarious experiences, verbal persuasion and emotional arousal) or control condition (no message). Followed by measures for self‐efficacy and intention for physical distancing on 4‐point scales. Adherence to physical distancing was assessed on a 5‐point frequency scale (never – always).

Results

Using mediation analyses with bootstrapping procedures, we first confirmed that self‐efficacy was associated indirectly with adherence, via higher intentions in a partial mediation (unstandardized indirect effect .21, 95% CI .18–.25). The message increased self‐efficacy; participants receiving the message reported higher self‐efficacy (M = 4.23, SD = .80) compared to participants in the control condition (M = 4.08, SD = .77; standardized regression coefficient = .19, p < .05) and self‐efficacy affected intention (.48, p < .001). There was a small significant indirect effect of the message on intention via self‐efficacy (unstandardized indirect effect .07, CI .01–.14).

Conclusions

Increasing self‐efficacy for physical distancing with a short message can successfully increase intention to physical distance via increased self‐efficacy. As both self‐efficacy and intentions are important predictors of adherence to transmission‐reducing behaviours short messages have potential to limit the spread of COVID‐19.