bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Domestication effects on aggressiveness: Comparison of biting motivation and bite force between wild and domesticated finches
Authors: Suzuki Kenta , Okanoya Kazuo
Published: February 2021

Domesticated animals evolve unique traits, known as domestication phenotypes or the domestication syndrome, due to their adaptation to a captive environment and changes in selection pressures. After being tamed, the Bengalese finch (Lonchura striatavar.domestica) has undergone behavioural and physiological trait changes that differ from those of its wild ancestor, the white-rumped munia (Lonchura striata). The Bengalese finch has complex songs, lower fear response, and lower corticosterone levels than those in the white-rumped munia. We hypothesized that domesticated finches increase the effort to reproduce in lieu of maintaining fitness for survival as needed in the wild. Aggressiveness and bite performance affect survival rates and reproductive success, and are good indicators of adaptability in the natural environment. Therefore, we compared the aggressiveness and biting force of white-rumped munias with those of Bengalese finches to explore the evolutionary mechanisms of behavioural changes due to domestication. We found that the Bengalese finch had decreased aggressiveness (incidence of aggressive biting birds and the number of bite responses) and bite force than those in the white-rumped munia due to domestication. Therefore, we believe they could allocate more resources for breeding that would otherwise be needed for coping with predators through aggression.
Evaluation of the data-collection strategy for room-temperature micro-crystallography studied by serial synchrotron rotation crystallography combined with the humid air and glue-coating method
Authors: Hasegawa Kazuya , Baba Seiki , Kawamura Takashi , Yamamoto Masaki , Kumasaka Takashi
Published: February 2021

Synchrotron serial crystallography (SSX) is an emerging data-collection method for micro-crystallography on synchrotron macromolecular (MX) crystallography beamlines. At SPring-8, the feasibility of the fixed-target approach was examined by collecting data using a 2D raster scan combined with goniometer rotation. Results at cryogenic temperatures demonstrated that rotation is effective for efficient data collection in SSX and the method was named serial synchrotron rotation crystallography (SS-ROX). To use this method for room-temperature (RT) data collection, a humid air and glue-coating (HAG) method was developed in which data were collected from polyvinyl alcohol-coated microcrystals fixed on a loop under humidity-controlled air. The performance and the RT data-collection strategy for micro-crystallography were evaluated using microcrystals of lysozyme. Although a change in unit-cell dimensions of up to 1% was observed during data collection, the impact on data quality was marginal. A comparison of data obtained at various absorbed doses revealed that absorbed doses of up to 210 kGy were tolerable in both global and local damage. Although this limits the number of photons deposited on each crystal, increasing the number of merged images improved the resolution. On the basis of these results, an equation was proposed that relates the achievable resolution to the total photon flux used to obtain a data set.
Gender culture and Malawian women’s reconciliation of work and family responsibilities
Authors: Chikapa Tiyesere Mercy
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to examine how cultural systems shape spousal attitudes and the expectations placed upon women. This is based on the assumption that cultural systems shaping spousal attitudes and expectations on women makes their reconciliation of work and family responsibilities difficult despite sorting out childcare challenges and support with domestic work.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on 55 semi-structured interviews with Malawian women working in formal employment. From the 55 women interviewed, 31 worked in the public education sector and the remainder in the private sector’s financial and insurance sector. However, for comparison, 24 men from the same sectors were also engaged in the interviews. These were drawn from education and finance and insurance industries.

Findings

Analysis reveals that contrary to extant literature, childcare is not all or even always the main focus of family responsibilities potentially affecting Malawian women’s work life. Their experiences with reconciling work and family responsibilities were influenced by gender culture, which shapes spousal attitudes and community expectations.

Research limitations/implications

This study has not generated results suitable for statistical generalisation, but it may still allow for theoretical generalisation to similar contexts.

Practical implications

Managers need to recognise that women may be coming from homes and communities that place demanding expectations on them.

Social implications

There is need for promotion of gender equal social norms that enable women, just as men, to focus on their careers.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to limited literature about women’s experiences with reconciliation of work and family responsibilities in the contexts of a developing country where women have access to relatively affordable childcare support.
Pivot decisions in startups: a systematic literature review
Authors: Flechas Chaparro Ximena Alejandra , de Vasconcelos Gomes Leonardo Augusto
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Entrepreneurs' pivot decisions are poorly understood. The purpose of this paper is to review the existing literature on pivot decisions to identify the different conceptualizations, research streams and main theoretical building blocks and to offer a baseline framework for future studies on this phenomenon.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review of 86 peer-reviewed papers published between January 2008 and October 2020, focusing on the pivot decision in startups, was performed through bibliometric, descriptive and content analyses.

Findings

The literature review identifies four research streams concerning the pivot concept – pivot design, cognitive, negotiation and environmental perspectives. Building on previous studies, this paper provides a refined definition of a pivot that bridges elements from the four research streams identified: a pivot comprises strategic decisions made after a failure (or in the face of potential failure) of the current business model and leads to changes in the firm's course of action, resource reconfiguration and possible modifications of one or more business model elements. This study proposes a framework that elaborates the pivot literature by identifying four stages of the pivot process addressed in the existing literature: recognition, generating options, seizing and testing and reconfiguration.

Originality/value

This study provides a comprehensive review, enabling researchers to establish a baseline for developing future pivot research. Furthermore, it improves the conceptualization of pivots by summarizing prior definitions and proposing a refined definition that places decision-making and judgment at its center. That introduces new contextual and behavioral elements, contributing to a better understanding of how entrepreneurs assess alternative courses of action and envision possible outcomes to redirect a venture after failure.
Pedagogy innovation for management graduates: application of design thinking
Authors: M. Selvalakshmi , Suresh Vidya , Kolluru Mythili
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to develop a pedagogy combining analytic reasoning with a more exploratory skill set that style practitioners have embraced and business schools have traditionally neglected. It proposes a viable business which will be converted into market opportunities. The study aims to expand the domain of design thinking (DT) by applying the concept in the higher education sector with special reference to management education.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper emerged out of an application of one of the models of DT in the field of higher education. While several models of DT are deployed by various sectors, the 3I model developed by IDEO in 2001 was chosen as appropriate to design a pedagogy for MBA students. The data were complemented by classroom teaching experiments, evaluation and student performance.

Findings

This paper provides empirical insights about how a change is brought about during implementing a new pedagogy in the system. This innovative pedagogy was named as “Integrative and Interactive Approach.” It was offered to first-year postgraduate students of management.

Research limitations/implications

Because of the chosen approach, the research results may lack generalizability. Researchers are encouraged to test the model in a smaller group before implementing.

Practical implications

The paper focuses on the testing and implementation of DT in innovating a pedagogy with reference to one chosen institute. The cost, benefits and challenges may differ when applied to other institutes of same kind.

Originality/value

This paper fulfills an identified need to have an integrated approach of teaching in management education using case study approach.
Age and education moderate the relationship between confidence in health and political authorities and intention to adopt COVID-19 health-protective behaviours
Authors: Mata Fernanda , Martins Pedro S.R. , Lopes-Silva Julia B. , Mansur-Alves Marcela , Saeri Alexander , Grundy Emily , Slattery Peter , Smith Liam
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This study aimed to examine (1) whether confidence in political and health authorities predicted intention to adopt recommended health-protective behaviours and (2) whether age, gender and education level moderated the relationship between confidence in political and health authorities and health protective-behaviours (download the COVIDSafe app, wear a face mask and stay at home).

Design/methodology/approach

This study assessed 1,206 Australians using an online survey. Participants answered questions regarding their confidence in political and health authorities and intention to adopt health-protective measures.

Findings

Confidence in health and political authorities predicted intention to stay home and intention to download the COVIDSafe app, but not to wear a face mask in public spaces. Age moderated the relationship between confidence in authorities and intention to stay home (i.e. among respondents with less than 54 years old, confidence in authorities was associated with higher intention to stay home). Further, age and education level moderated the relationship between confidence in authorities and intention to download the COVIDSafe app (i.e. among older respondents and those with a university degree or higher, confidence in authorities was more strongly associated with higher intention to download the COVIDSafe app). The interaction between confidence and education predicted adoption of mask-wearing (i.e. among participants with a university degree or higher, more confidence in authorities was associated with higher intention to wear a mask in public spaces).

Originality/value

Our findings can inform the development of targeted communications to increase health-protective behaviours at early stages of future pandemics.
Impact of technological pedagogical content knowledge on teachers’ digital proficiency at classroom in higher education institution of Pakistan
Authors: Aslam Rabia , Khan Najmonnisa , Asad Muhammad Mujtaba , Ahmed Ushaque
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to address the relationship of teachers’ technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK) and their technology proficiency according to the International Society for Technology in Education Standards for Teachers (ISTE-ST) in public and private universities of Karachi, Pakistan.

Design/methodology/approach

Quantitative approach with survey research design was used. In total, 520 teachers of public and private universities were selected on the basis of simple random sampling technique. Data was collected through questionnaire distribution.

Findings

Strong significant correlation was found between teacher’ TPACK and teachers’ technology proficiency, teachers’ ability to engage in professional development and teachers’ ability to promote digital citizenship and responsibilities in students.

Originality/value

TPACK and ISTE-ST are used for effective teaching. TPACK is used to measure teachers’ ability to integrate technology in their teaching, while ISTE-ST is used to measure the proficiency technology integration. This study is unique as it discusses the relationship of TPACK and ISTE-ST framework in term of teachers’ ability to promote digital citizenship and responsibilities in students and teachers’ ability to engage themselves in professional development program.
The smart SME technology readiness assessment methodology in the context of industry 4.0
Authors: Saad Sameh M , Bahadori Ramin , Jafarnejad Hamidreza
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This study proposes the Smart SME Technology Readiness Assessment (SSTRA) methodology which aims to enable practitioners to assess the SMEs Industry 4.0 technology readiness throughout the end-to-end engineering across the entire value chain; the smart product design phase is the focus in this paper.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed SSTRA utilises the analytic hierarchy process to prioritise smart SME requirements, a graphical interface which tracks technologies' benchmarks under Industry 4.0 Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs); a mathematical model used to determine the technology readiness and visual representation to understand the relative readiness of each smart main area. The validity of the SSTRA is confirmed by testing it in a real industrial environment. In addition, the conceptual model for Smart product design development is proposed and validated.

Findings

The proposed SSTRA offers decision-makers the facility to identify requirements and rank them to reflect the current priorities of the enterprise. It allows SMEs to assess their current capabilities in a range of technologies of high relevance to the Industry 4.0 area. The SSTRA assembles a readiness profile allowing decision-makers to not only perceive the overall score of technology readiness but also the distribution of technology readiness across the main smart areas. It helps to visualise strengths and weaknesses; whilst emphasising the fundamental gaps that require serious action to assist the program with a well-balanced effort towards a successful transition to Industry 4.0.

Originality/value

The SSTRA provides a step-by-step approach for decision-making based on data collection, analysis, visualisation and documentation. Hence, it greatly mitigates the risk of further Industry 4.0 technology investment and implementation.
Evolution of REITs in the Nigerian real estate market
Authors: Dabara Daniel Ibrahim
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This study aims to examine the performance of real estate investment trusts (REITs) in emerging property markets. The paper used the Nigerian REIT (N-REIT) as a case study of an African REIT market, to provide information for investment decisions.

Design/methodology/approach

Seven years quarterly returns data (from 2013 to 2019) were obtained and used to analyse the holding period returns, return–risk ratio, coefficient of variation and Sharpe ratios of N-REIT, All Share Index of stocks (ASI) and the Federal Government Bonds (FGB) in Nigeria.

Findings

The study reveals that N-REIT outperformed stocks but underperformed bonds. Concerning risk, stocks provided the highest level of risk (7.69), followed by bonds (2.78), while N-REIT provided the lowest risk (2.7). The Sharpe ratios showed that N-REIT is the second-best performing asset, while bond is the first and stocks the last on the risk-adjusted basis.

Practical implications

N-REIT is the second-largest REIT market in Africa with a market capitalisation of about US$136m. The N-REIT market has provided investment benefits to institutional and individual investors such as liquidity, transparency and ease of transaction. This study shows the peculiarity of N-REITs; this can guide investors in making informed investment decisions.

Originality/value

This study is one of the first to empirically analyse in a comparative context, the risk-adjusted performance of N-REITs, ASI and FGB. The study will add to the limited research in this field and equip investors with valuable information for informed investment decisions.
The effect of heavy metal pollution on urban ecosystem and the evaluation of different land classifications; in Bingöl city/Turkey
Authors: Vural Hüccet , Akbana Ayşenur , Meral Alperen
Published: February 2021

Purpose

One of the problems that urbanization creates on the ecosystem is the increase of heavy metal accumulation of the urban lands. Due to constant urbanization and industrialization in many parts of the world, metals are constantly spreading to the environment and pose a great threat to human health. The purpose of the study is to determine the effect of heavy metal accumulation values of the lands located in Bingöl city center on the urban ecosystem by examining them in terms of zonal and land-use classification.

Design/methodology/approach

The research was conducted on 30 samples taken from five zones and six land-use classes (traffic area-TA, school area-SA, commercial-industry area-CA, green space-GS, residential area-RA and open space-OS). Heavy metal deposits of soil samples were determined in accredited laboratories using the Inductively Coupled Plasma – Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS) and Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS) device. The study employed the SPSS program for statistical analysis of laboratory results, and ArcGIS Pro programs were used to determine spatial pollution distribution.

Findings

Although the heavy metal contents of soil samples pose no problems in terms of national and international standards, a number of zones carry risks for the future. In the analyzes, traffic and settlement area soils in terms of land-use classifications and Zone 5 soils in terms of zonal distribution were determined as ecologically risky areas.

Originality/value

The study provided suggestions on what should be done to use the results of the research in planning the physical development of the city.
Evaluation of a fluorescent dye to visualize touch DNA on various substrates
Authors: Champion Jessica , Kanokwongnuwut Piyamas , van Oorschot Roland A. H. , Taylor Duncan , Linacre Adrian
Published: February 2021

A wide variety of items are submitted as evidence in a forensic investigation. Identifying the location of DNA on such items is central to maximizing DNA profiling success and thus the ability to link a person of interest to a particular item or crime. Recent publications describe a fluorescent staining method using Diamond™ Dye (DD) to visualize cellular material on the surface of non‐porous items (e.g., glass, plastic). However, substrates of varying porosity and background color have not yet been examined. Varying porous substrates (i.e., paper bank note, stamp, cigarette, wooden matchstick, and fabric) and non‐porous substrates (i.e., enamel tooth and plastic bank note) were examined for their suitability with the use of DD. To improve the visualization of cellular material on the porous substrates, we also explored two DD diluents and adjusting image contrast. The results suggest the optimal diluent depends on the absorbent nature of the substrate. For example, ethanol was sufficient for visualization on the non‐porous substrates, whereas water was better for the porous substrates. While cellular material was detected on the paper bank note, tooth, and stamp, background fluorescence or autofluorescence and surface type of matchstick prevented clear visualization on this substrate. It was also determined that by adjusting the contrast of images for tooth, paper bank note and matchstick aided in the detection of cellular material. Overall, this study extends the use of DD for latent DNA detection to absorbent substrates, highlights the limitations associated with these substrate types, and suggests modifications to improve visualization on these challenging substrates.
Characterization of JEN family carboxylate transporters from the acid‐tolerant yeast Pichia kudriavzevii and their applications in succinic acid production
Authors: Xi Yongyan , Zhan Tao , Xu Hongtao , Chen Jing , Bi Changhao , Fan Feiyu , Zhang Xueli
Published: February 2021

The unconventional yeast Pichia kudriavzevii is renowned for its ability to survive at low pH and has been exploited for the industrial production of various organic acids, especially succinic acid (SA). However, P. kudriavzevii can also utilize the di‐ and tricarboxylate intermediates of the Krebs cycle as the sole carbon sources for cell growth, which may adversely affect the extracellular accumulation of SA. Because the carboxylic acid transport machinery of P. kudriavzevii remains poorly understood, here, we focused on studying its SA transportation process from the perspective of mining and characterization of dicarboxylate transporters in a newly isolated acid‐tolerant P. kudriavzevii strain CY902. Through genome sequencing and transcriptome analysis, two JEN family carboxylate transporters (PkJEN2‐1 and PkJEN2‐2) were found to be involved in SA transport. Substrate specificity analysis revealed that both PkJEN proteins are active dicarboxylate transporters, that can effectively import succinate, fumarate and L‐malate into the cell. In addition, PkJEN2‐1 can transport α‐ketoglutarate, while PkJEN2‐2 cannot. Since PkJEN2‐1 shows higher transcript abundance than PkJEN2‐2, its role in dicarboxylate transport is more important than PkJEN2‐2. In addition, PKJEN2‐2 is also responsible for the uptake of citrate. To our best knowledge, this is the first study to show that a JEN2 subfamily transporter is involved in tricarboxylate transport in yeast. A combination of model‐based structure analysis and rational mutagenesis further proved that amino acid residues 392‐403 of the tenth transmembrane span (TMS‐X) of PkJEN2‐2 play an important role in determining the specificity of the tricarboxylate substrate. Moreover, these two PkJEN transporters only exhibited inward transport activity for SA, and simultaneous inactivation of both PkJEN transporters reduced the SA influx, resulting in enhanced extracellular accumulation of SA in the late stage of fermentation. This work provides useful information on the mechanism of di‐/tricarboxylic acid utilization in P. kudriavzevii, which will help improve the organic acid production performance of this microbial chassis.
Pleural staging using local anesthetic thoracoscopy in dry pleural dissemination and minimal pleural effusion
Authors: Imabayashi Tatsuya , Matsumoto Yuji , Tanaka Midori , Nakai Toshiyuki , Tsuchida Takaaki
Published: February 2021

Background

Dry pleural dissemination (DPD) and minimal (<10 mm thick) pleural effusion (PE) may be discovered intraoperatively as unexpected metastases. A definitive diagnostic procedure such as pleural biopsy is rarely attempted in such patients preoperatively. We retrospectively investigated the use and safety of local anesthetic thoracoscopy (LAT) as a pleural staging tool in the diagnosis of DPD and minimal PE.

Methods

We reviewed 18 patients with non‐small cell lung cancer (radiological DPD and minimal PE in 13 and five patients, respectively) who underwent LAT using a flex‐rigid pleuroscope for pleural staging from April 2015 to September 2020.

Results

The median age of the patients was 72 years. Nine patients (50%) were men. The dominant histological type was adenocarcinoma (n = 16). Three patients each with radiological DPD and minimal PE had visible PE on the LAT. Pleural biopsy was performed in the 16 cases in which pleural abnormalities were identified. On pleural staging, five cases were diagnosed without pleural dissemination (M0), and 13 cases were diagnosed with pleural dissemination (M1a). Only one case in which the lesion could not be identified because of pleural adhesions was false‐negative. The success rates for pleural staging, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 94.4% (17/18), 92.8% (13/14), 100% (4/4), 100% (13/13), and 80.0% (4/5), respectively. There were no lung lacerations or other severe complications caused by the procedure or during blunt dissection.

Conclusion

LAT might be a useful tool for accurate pleural staging in cases with DPD and minimal PE suspected radiologically.
The associations of smoking dependence motives with depression among daily smokers
Authors: Piirtola Maarit , Kaprio Jaakko , Baker Timothy B. , Piasecki Thomas M. , Piper Megan E. , Korhonen Tellervo
Published: February 2021

Aims

To investigate how strongly smoking dependence and smoking dependence motives are associated with depressive symptoms among daily smokers and if these associations are independent of measured confounders and shared familial factors.

Design

Cross‐sectional individual‐based and within‐pair analyses.

Setting

Fourth wave of the population‐based Finnish Twin Cohort conducted in 2011.

Participants

918 daily smokers born 1945–1957 (48% men), mean age 59.5 years including 38 twin pairs discordant for depression.

Measurements

Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale with a cut off value ≥20 for depression. Smoking dependence was assessed using the Fagerström Test for Cigarette Dependence (FTCD) and smoking dependence motives with three subscales from the multi‐dimensional Brief Wisconsin Inventory of Smoking Dependence Motives (WISDM): primary dependence motives (PDM), affective enhancement (AE), and Taste. Logistic regressions, using standardized scores of independent variables and adjusted for multiple confounders with correction for sampling as twin pairs, were used in the individual‐based analyses. Conditional logistic regression was used to control for shared familial factors in discordant twin pairs.

Findings

Prevalence of depression was 18% (n = 163: 61 [14%] in men, n = 102 [22%] in women). Higher smoking dependence measured by the FTCD (OR 1.45; 95% CI 1.20, 1.75), and dependence motives measured by the PDM (1.56; 1.30, 1.87) and the AE (1.54; 1.28, 1.85) were associated with higher odds of depression. The associations remained after adjusting for individual confounders, except for neuroticism, which attenuated all associations. FTCD, PDM, and AE showed associations with depression within depression‐discordant monozygotic pairs, suggesting an association independent of familial factors.

Conclusions

Depression appears to be associated with smoking dependence and smoking dependence motives related to heavy, automatic use and use to regulate affective states. The associations appear to be confounded or mediated by neuroticism but are independent of shared familial influences.
Facing Janus: Reflections on Social and Political Change
Authors: Torres Nicole , Gurevich Andrew
Published: February 2021

This article is based on a conversation between the president of the Society for the Anthropology of Consciousness and the editor‐in‐chief of its journal. The aim of this conversation is threefold: (1) to engage a broader audience within the field of the anthropology of consciousness, (2) to discuss the recent history of the organization and its current direction, and (3) to recognize why concrete efforts toward a practice of decolonization is essential to maintaining the relevance of an anthropology of consciousness.
The long‐term postoperative effect of the Baerveldt glaucoma drainage device and of a trabeculectomy on the corneal endothelium
Authors: van Kleij Jeroen M. , Islamaj Esma , Vermeer Koenraad A. , Lemij Hans G. , de Waard Peter W. T.
Published: February 2021

Purpose

To determine whether the postoperative corneal endothelial cell density (ECD) differs between glaucoma patients who underwent Baerveldt implant (BGI) surgery and patients who underwent a trabeculectomy (TE) over 5 years ago.

Methods

Cross‐sectional, observational study including 34 patients who underwent TE and 36 patients who underwent BGI surgery 5–11 years ago, as part of a randomized clinical trial. None of the patients had a history of intraocular surgery prior to their glaucoma surgery. Central and peripheral ECD was measured by using a non‐contact specular microscope.

Results

Central and peripheral ECD in the TE group was 2285 ± 371 cells/mm2 (mean ± SD) and 2463 ± 476 cells/mm2, respectively. Central and peripheral ECD in the BGI group was 1813 ± 745 cells/mm2 and 1876 ± 764 cells/mm2, respectively. The central and peripheral ECD was statistically significantly higher in the TE group than in the BGI group (p = 0.001 for both). Additional intraocular surgical interventions were more prevalent in the BGI group (23) than in the TE group (5) (p < 0.001). In a subanalysis, without eyes that had undergone additional surgical interventions, only the peripheral ECD was statistically significantly higher in the TE group compared with the BGI group (p = 0.011). For the BGI group, a longer postoperative period resulted in a lower central ECD (r = −0.614, p = 0.004).

Conclusion

Long‐term ECD in eyes that underwent a BGI was considerably lower compared with eyes that underwent a TE, mainly in the peripheral cornea. This suggests that BGI causes a larger decrease of ECD than TE. Additionally, the decrease after BGI appears to continue for a longer period than after TE.
Prevalence of fundus tessellation and its associated factors in Chinese children and adolescents with high myopia
Authors: Cheng Tianyu , Deng Junjie , Xu Xian , Zhang Bo , Wang Jingjing , Xiong Shuyu , Du Yuchen , Yu Suqin , Gong Wei , Zhao Huijuan , Luan Mengli , Fan Ying , Zhu Jianfeng , Zou Haidong , Xu Xun , He Xiangui
Published: February 2021

Purpose

To investigate the prevalence and associated factors of fundus tessellation in highly myopic children and adolescents.

Methods

A total of 513 high myopes (spherical equivalent [SE] ≤ −5.0 D, 4–19 years of age) without any advanced pathological myopic lesions were enrolled. Fundus photographs and choroidal thickness (ChT) data were collected by SS‐OCT. A novel grading approach was adopted to classify fundus tessellation into four categories on colour fundus photography, referring to the location of tessellation divided by an Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study grid centred on the fovea, through which closer to the fovea represents higher grades of fundus tessellation. Peripapillary atrophy (PPA) area and ovality index were also measured.

Results

Among the participants, with a mean age of 13.47 ± 3.13 years and mean SE of − 8.34 ± 1.91 D, there were 29 (5.7%), 95 (18.5%), 233 (45.4%) and 156 (30.4%) participants with grade 0 to grade 3 fundus tessellation, respectively. The ChT in both the macular and peripapillary area was negatively correlated with the fundus tessellation grade (R = −0.763 and −0.537, respectively, all p < 0.001). Higher grades of fundus tessellation were independently associated with thinner macular ChT (OR = 1.734, 95% CI: 1.621–1.856, p < 0.001), longer axial length (OR = 1.368, 95% CI: 1.105–1.695, p = 0.004), larger PPA area (OR = 1.391, 95% CI: 1.073–1.802, p = 0.013) and the female sex (OR = 1.605, 95% CI: 1.092–2.359, p = 0.016).

Conclusion

The fundus tessellation grade could reflect the ChT, representing the severity of myopic maculopathy among young high myopes who rarely had any advanced lesions of pathological myopia. Fundus tessellation grade might be a potential index for assessing early‐stage myopic maculopathy in children and adolescents.
TSP50 promotes hepatocyte proliferation and tumour formation by activating glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD)
Authors: Zhang Xiaojun , Gao Feng , Ai Huihan , Wang Shuyue , Song Zhenbo , Zheng Lihua , Wang Guannan , Sun Ying , Bao Yongli
Published: February 2021

Background & Aims

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignant tumour with high morbidity and mortality. Metabolic regulation by oncogenes is necessary for tumour growth. Testes‐specific protease 50 (TSP50) has been found to promote cell proliferation in multiple tumour types. However, the mechanism that TSP50 promotes HCC progression are not known.

Methods

Hepatocyte proliferation was analysed by MTT and BrdU incorporation after TSP50 transfection. Furthermore, LC‐MS/MS, co‐immunoprecipitation and GST pull‐down assays were performed to analyse protein(s) binding to TSP50. Moreover, the site‐specific mutation of G6PD was used to reveal the key site critical for G6PD acetylation mediated by TSP50. Finally, the role of G6PD K171 acetylation regulated by TSP50 in cell proliferation and tumour formation was investigated.

Results

Our data suggest that the overexpression of TSP50 accelerates hepatocyte proliferation. In addition, G6PD is an important protein that binds to TSP50 in the cytoplasm. TSP50 activates G6PD activity by inhibiting the acetylation of G6PD at the K171 site. In addition, TSP50 promotes the binding of G6PD to SIRT2. Furthermore, the K171ac of G6PD regulated by TSP50 is required for TSP50‐induced cell proliferation in vitro and tumour formation in vivo. Additionally, according to The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) programme, TSP50 and G6PD are negatively correlated with the survival of HCC patients.

Conclusions

Collectively, our findings demonstrate that TSP50‐induced cell proliferation and tumour formation are mediated by G6PD K171 acetylation.
Alcohol consumption, harms and policy developments in sub‐Saharan Africa: The case for stronger national and regional responses
Authors: Morojele Neo K. , Dumbili Emeka W. , Obot Isidore S. , Parry Charles D. H.
Published: February 2021

Issues

Sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA) has long been characterised as a region with weak alcohol policies, high proportions of abstainers and heavy episodic drinkers (among drinkers), and as a target for market expansion by global alcohol producers. However, inter‐regional analyses of these issues are seldom conducted.

Approach

Focusing mainly on the period 2000–2016, we compare alcohol consumption and harms, alcohol policy developments and alcohol industry activities over time and across the four sub‐regions of SSA.

Key Findings

Per‐capita consumption of alcohol and alcohol‐related disease burden have increased in Central Africa but stabilised or reduced in other regions, although they are still high. Most countries have implemented tax policies, but they have seldom adopted other World Health Organization ‘best buys’ for cost‐effective alcohol control policies. Countries range from having minimal alcohol controls to having total bans (e.g. some Muslim‐majority countries); and some, such as Botswana, have attempted stringent tax policies to address alcohol harm. Alcohol producers have continued their aggressive marketing and policy interference activities, some of which have been highlighted and, in a few instances, resisted by civil society and public health advocates, particularly in southern Africa.

Implications

Increased government support and commitment are needed to be able to adopt and implement effective alcohol policies and respond to pressures from alcohol companies to which SSA remains a target market.

Conclusion

SSA needs effective alcohol control measures in order to reverse the trajectory of worsening alcohol harms observed in some countries and reinforce improvements in alcohol harms observed in others.
Evaluating the effectiveness of the Family Connections program for caregivers of youth with mental health challenges, part II: A qualitative analysis
Authors: Sheikhan Natasha Y. , Wang Karen , Boritz Tali , Hawke Lisa D. , McMain Shelley , Henderson Joanna
Published: February 2021

Background

The Family Connections™ (FC) program is a 12‐week support and skill‐training program for caregivers of youth with mental health challenges. The intervention was originally developed with a focus on borderline personality disorder (BPD). It is important to understand the experiences of caregivers in such interventions, as well as its applicability beyond BPD, for the purposes of evaluation and ongoing program improvement.

Objective

To explore and analyse the experiences of caregivers of youth with diverse mental health challenges and who participated in FC.

Design

Semi‐structured interviews with thirteen FC‐participating caregivers of youth with mental health challenges.

Results

Thematic analysis uncovered three major themes regarding caregivers' experience with FC: (a) FC increased the caregivers' ability to manage their youth's mental health challenges; (b) participating in FC impacted their intra‐ and interpersonal spheres; and (c) improvements to the program were proposed. Following participation in FC, caregivers felt they learned a new approach to understanding themselves, their youth and mental health, and were better able to manage their youth's mental health challenges.

Discussion and conclusion

FC is a promising intervention for caregivers of youth with mental health challenges, beyond the traditional BPD focus. The intervention has the potential to provide broad‐based benefits for caregivers and should be considered for implementation and scale‐up across youth‐ and caregiver‐serving organizations. Potential areas of intervention flexibility and improvement are discussed.

Patient/public contribution

Caregivers were involved in the program development and facilitation of FC. A person with lived experience was involved with the analysis.
Evaluation of standard physico‐chemical and rheological parameters in predicting bread‐making quality of durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. ssp. durum [Desf.] Husn.)
Authors: Spina Alfio , Dinelli Giovanni , Palumbo Massimo , Whittaker Anne , Cambrea Michele , Negri Lorenzo , Bosi Sara
Published: February 2021

The efficacy of empirical rheological methodology for modern Triticum aestivum L. in predicting bread‐making quality in Triticum turgidum L. ssp. durum is warranting of attention. The present study was aimed at providing a comparative evaluation of an array of standard rheological tests in predicting bread quality in three modern cultivars (Core, Sant’Agata and Simeto) and three durum wheat landraces (Ruscìa, Timilìa and Tumminia SG3). Gluten strength, alveograph dough strength and tenacity/extensibility ratio, farinograph stability and mixograph peak dough height and overall score, were significantly higher in the modern cultivars, and distinctive in accounting for the variance between modern and old genotypes, using principal component analysis. Quality bread‐making parameters, including bread volume, height and specific volume, were significantly higher in the durum wheat landraces. Standard rheological parameters were ineffective in predicting bread quality, necessitating the requisite in redefining rheological parameters to meet the increasing interest in heritage durum wheat genotypes for bread‐making.
Anatomical comparison across heads, fore‐ and hindlimbs in mammals using network models
Authors: Ziermann Janine M. , Boughner Julia C. , Esteve‐Altava Borja , Diogo Rui
Published: February 2021

Animal body parts evolve with variable degrees of integration that nonetheless yield functional adult phenotypes: but, how? The analysis of modularity with Anatomical Network Analysis (AnNA) is used to quantitatively determine phenotypic modules based on the physical connection among anatomical elements, an approach that is valuable to understand developmental and evolutionary constraints. We created anatomical network models of the head, forelimb, and hindlimb of two taxa considered to represent a ‘generalized’ eutherian (placental: mouse) and metatherian (marsupial: opossum) anatomical configuration and compared them with our species, which has a derived eutherian configuration. In these models, nodes represent anatomical units and links represent their physical connection. Here, we aimed to identify: (1) the commonalities and differences in modularity between species, (2) whether modules present a potential phylogenetic character, and (3) whether modules preferentially reflect either developmental or functional aspects of anatomy, or a mix of both. We predicted differences between networks of metatherian and eutherian mammals that would best be explained by functional constraints, versus by constraints of development and/or phylogeny. The topology of contacts between bones, muscles, and bones + muscles showed that, among all three species, skeletal networks were more similar than musculoskeletal networks. There was no clear indication that humans and mice are more alike when compared to the opossum overall, even though their musculoskeletal and skeletal networks of fore‐ and hindlimbs are slightly more similar. Differences were greatest among musculoskeletal networks of heads and next of forelimbs, which showed more variation than hindlimbs, supporting previous anatomical studies indicating that in general the configuration of the hindlimbs changes less across evolutionary history. Most observations regarding the anatomical networks seem to be best explained by function, but an exception is the adult opossum ear ossicles. These ear bones might form an independent module because the incus and malleus are involved in forming a functional primary jaw that enables the neonate to attach to the teat, where this newborn will complete its development. Additionally, the human data show a specialized digit 1 module (thumb/big toe) in both limb types, likely the result of functional and evolutionary pressures, as our ape ancestors had highly movable big toes and thumbs.
Nutritional and weight status of Indian mother‐child dyads experienced by a natural disaster
Authors: Nowak‐Szczepanska Natalia , Gomula Aleksandra , Chakraborty Raja , Koziel Slawomir
Published: February 2021

Natural disasters have detrimental effects not only on local infrastructure in an affected population but may also have an impact on the human biological condition, particularly during critical periods of life. This study aimed to assess the nutritional and weight status of women and their children who had experienced cyclone Aila prenatally and postnatally in comparison with a non‐affected neighbouring group. The study sample involved N = 597 dyads consisting of mothers and their prepubertal children prenatally or postnatally (during infancy) exposed to a natural disaster and a control group from a neighbouring region (West Bengal, India). The analysed anthropometric indices involved body mass index (BMI) and mid‐upper arm circumference (MUAC). Moreover, several socioeconomic characteristics were collected (mother's and father's education, family size and family income). Analyses revealed that the group factor (Aila‐exposed or non‐exposed groups) had the highest impact on both children's and their mothers' BMI and MUAC (p < 0.001) in comparison with socioeconomic variables. Surprisingly, both mothers and their children revealed deteriorated nutritional and relative weight status several years after the occurrence of cyclone Aila, which is in opposition to the results obtained in developed countries, where prenatal maternal stress caused by the natural disaster led to the subsequent higher risk of excessive weight in affected children.
Performance Profiles on Second Language Speaking Tasks
Authors: PANG FRANCINE , SKEHAN PETER
Published: February 2021

This study uses a complexity–accuracy–lexis–fluency (CALF) framework to explore performance on 2 speaking tasks: a narrative picture‐based task and an interactive decision‐making task. A preliminary aim is to compare performance on the 2 tasks, using a wide range of CALF measures to explore where scores are similar and where they are different. However, the research design is within‐subjects, and so it is also possible to look at performance by participants across the 2 tasks to explore whether particular CALF measures show more consistency than others, and whether any such consistency is related to hypothesised stages in the process of speaking. The main focus of the study is to use the technique of cluster analysis to examine whether there are performance profiles across CALF measures that go beyond consistency with the individual performance variables. The data suggest that there is something of a tension between a discourse‐oriented style—emphasising speed, fluency, and subordination—and a clause‐oriented style—emphasising longer clauses, dysfluency, and slow performance. In addition, it is reported that there is some limited style consistency across the 2 tasks, with just under half of the 47 participants using the same style in each task.
PdGNC confers drought tolerance by mediating stomatal closure resulting from NO and H2O2 production via the direct regulation of PdHXK1 expression in Populus
Authors: Shen Chao , Zhang Yue , Li Qing , Liu Shujing , He Fang , An Yi , Zhou Yangyan , Liu Chao , Yin Weilun , Xia Xinli
Published: February 2021

Drought is one of the primary abiotic stresses, seriously implicating plant growth and productivity. Stomata play a crucial role in regulating drought tolerance. However, the molecular mechanism on stomatal movement‐mediated drought tolerance remains unclear.

Using genetic, molecular and biochemical techniques, we identified that the PdGNC directly activating the promoter of PdHXK1 by binding the GATC element, a hexokinase (HXK) synthesis key gene.

Here, PdGNC, a member of the GATA transcription factor family, was greatly induced by abscisic acid and dehydration. Overexpressing PdGNC in poplar (Populus clone 717) resulted in reduced stomatal aperture with greater water‐use efficiency and increased water deficit tolerance. By contrast, CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated poplar mutant gnc exhibited increased stomatal aperture and water loss with reducing drought resistance. PdGNC activates PdHXK1 (a hexokinase synthesis key gene), resulting in a remarkable increase in hexokinase activity in poplars subjected to water deficit. Furthermore, hexokinase promoted nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production in guard cells, which ultimately reduced stomatal aperture and increased drought resistance.

Together, PdGNC confers drought stress tolerance by reducing stomatal aperture caused by NO and H2O2 production via the direct regulation of PdHXK1 expression in poplars.
Combination of ablation and left atrial appendage closure as “One‐stop” procedure in the treatment of atrial fibrillation: Current status and future perspective
Authors: He Ben , Jiang Li‐Sheng , Hao Zi‐Yong , Wang Hao , Miao Yu‐Tong
Published: February 2021

Atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common arrhythmia, is a major cause of stroke and systemic embolism. Left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) has been proved to be noninferior to traditional Vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) as well as novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs), which is becoming an important alternative to prevent stroke in non‐valvular AF. Catheter‐based AF ablation (CA) is recommended to be a standard of care in patients with AF refractory to drug therapy due to a better rhythm control and improvement of life quality than antiarrhythmic drugs. Theoretically, the one‐stop combination with LAAC and CA tends to bring more benefits in patients with AF, as it not only relieves symptoms, but also reduces the risk of stroke significantly. However, several important questions still need to be considered in the combination procedure although quite a few attempts have already been made in clinical practice. This review provides a comprehensive update on the concept, technique, perioperative management, benefits and other critical issues of the “one‐stop” procedure.