bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neural event segmentation of continuous experience in human infants
Authors: Yates Tristan S. , Skalaban Lena J. , Ellis Cameron T. , Bracher Angelika J. , Baldassano Christopher , Turk-Browne Nicholas B.
Published: June 2021

How infants experience the world is fundamental to understanding their cognition and development. A key principle of adult experience is that, despite receiving continuous sensory input, we perceive this input as discrete events. Here we investigate such event segmentation in infants and how it differs from adults. Research on event cognition in infants often uses simplified tasks in which (adult) experimenters help solve the segmentation problem for infants by defining event boundaries or presenting discrete actions/vignettes. This presupposes which events are experienced by infants and leaves open questions about the principles governing infant segmentation. We take a different, data-driven approach by studying infant event segmentation of continuous input. We collected whole-brain fMRI data from awake infants (and adults, for comparison) watching a cartoon and used a hidden Markov model to identify event states in the brain. We quantified the existence, timescale, and organization of multiple event representations across brain regions. The adult brain exhibited a known hierarchical gradient of event timescales, from shorter events in early visual regions to longer events in later visual and associative regions. In contrast, the infant brain only represented longer events, even in early visual regions, with no timescale hierarchy. The boundaries defining these infant events only partially overlapped with boundaries defined from adult brain activity and behavioral judgments. These findings suggest that events are organized differently in infants, with longer timescales and more stable neural patterns, even in sensory regions. This may indicate greater temporal integration and reduced temporal precision during dynamic, naturalistic perception.

Significance Statement

Sensory input is continuous and yet humans perceive discrete events. This event segmentation has been studied in adults by asking them to indicate natural breaks in continuous input. This classic parsing task is impossible in infants who cannot understand or follow instructions. We circumvent this barrier by testing how the infant brain parses. We applied a computational model to rare awake fMRI data from infants to identify how their brains transitioned between stable states during a cartoon. Whereas adults showed a gradient in event timescales, from shorter events in sensory regions to longer events in associative regions, infants persistently segmented fewer, longer events across the cortical hierarchy. These findings provide new neuroscientific insight into how infants represent their environment.
Enrichment of SARM1 alleles encoding variants with constitutively hyperactive NADase in patients with ALS and other motor nerve disorders
Authors: Gilley Jonathan , Jackson Oscar , Pipis Menelaos , Estiar Mehrdad A. , Al-Chalabi Ammar , Danzi Matt C. , van Eijk Kristel R. , Goutman Stephen A. , Harms Matthew B. , Houlden Henry , Iacoangeli Alfredo , Kaye Julia , Lima Leandro ,   Queen Square Genomics, Ravits John , Rouleau Guy A. , Schüle Rebecca , Xu Jishu , Züchner Stephan , Cooper-Knock Johnathan , Gan-Or Ziv , Reilly Mary M. , Coleman Michael P.
Published: June 2021

SARM1, a protein with critical NADase activity, is a central executioner in a conserved programme of axon degeneration. We report seven rare missense or in-frame microdeletion human SARM1 variant alleles in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or other motor nerve disorders that alter the SARM1 auto-inhibitory ARM domain and constitutively hyperactivate SARM1 NADase activity. The constitutive NADase activity of these seven variants is similar to that of SARM1 lacking the entire ARM domain and greatly exceeds the activity of wild-type SARM1, even in the presence of nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), its physiological activator. This rise in constitutive activity alone is enough to promote neuronal degeneration in response to otherwise non-harmful, mild stress. Importantly, these strong gain-of-function alleles are completely patient-specific in the cohorts studied and show a highly significant association with disease at the single gene level. These findings of disease-associated coding variants that alter SARM1 function build on previously reported genome-wide significant association with ALS for a neighbouring, more common SARM1 intragenic single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) to support a contributory role of SARM1 in these disorders. A broad phenotypic heterogeneity and variable age-of-onset of disease among patients with these alleles also raises intriguing questions about the pathogenic mechanism of hyperactive SARM1 variants.
Cellular electron tomography of the apical complex in the apicomplexan parasite Eimeria tenella shows a highly organised gateway for regulated secretion
Authors: Burrell Alana , Marugan-Hernandez Virginia , Moreira-Leite Flavia , Ferguson David J P , Tomley Fiona M , Vaughan Sue
Published: June 2021

The apical complex of apicomplexan parasites is essential for host cell invasion and intracellular survival and as the site of regulated exocytosis from specialised secretory organelles called rhoptries and micronemes. Despite its importance, there is little data on the three-dimensional organisation and quantification of these organelles within the apical complex or how they are trafficked to this specialised region of plasma membrane for exocytosis. In coccidian apicomplexans there is an additional tubulin-containing hollow barrel structure, the conoid, which provides a structural gateway for this specialised secretion. Using a combination of cellular electron tomography and serial block face-scanning electron microscopy (SBF-SEM) we have reconstructed the entire apical end of Eimeria tenella sporozoites. We discovered that conoid fibre number varied, but there was a fixed spacing between fibres, leading to conoids of different sizes. Associated apical structures varied in size to accommodate a larger or smaller conoid diameter. However, the number of subpellicular microtubules on the apical polar ring surrounding the conoid did not vary, suggesting a control of apical complex size. We quantified the number and location of rhoptries and micronemes within cells and show a highly organised gateway for trafficking and docking of rhoptries, micronemes and vesicles within the conoid around a set of intra-conoidal microtubules. Finally, we provide ultrastructural evidence for fusion of rhoptries directly through the parasite plasma membrane early in infection and the presence of a pore in the parasitophorous vacuole membrane, providing a structural explanation for how rhoptry proteins (ROPs) may be trafficked between the parasite and the host cytoplasm.

Significance

Apicomplexan parasites cause a wide range of human and animal diseases. The apical complex is essential for motility, host cell invasion and intracellular survival within a specialised vacuole called the parasitophorous vacuole. We know that molecules important for all of these processes are secreted from the apical complex via a set of secretory organelles and there is even evidence that some parasite molecules can enter the host cell from the parasitohorous vacuole, but there is little understanding of exactly how this occurs. Here we have used three dimensional electron microscopy to reconstruct the entire apical end of the parasite and whole individual parasites. Our results provide important insights into the structural organisation and mechanisms for delivery of parasite molecules via this important area of the cell.
Molecular basis of mRNA transport by a kinesin-1–atypical tropomyosin complex
Authors: Dimitrova-Paternoga Lyudmila , Jagtap Pravin Kumar Ankush , Cyrklaff Anna , Vaishali  , Lapouge Karine , Sehr Peter , Perez Kathryn , Heber Simone , Löw Christian , Hennig Janosch , Ephrussi Anne
Published: June 2021

Kinesin-1 carries cargos including proteins, RNAs, vesicles, and pathogens over long distances within cells. The mechanochemical cycle of kinesins is well described, but how they establish cargo specificity is not fully understood. Transport ofoskarmRNA to the posterior pole of theDrosophilaoocyte is mediated byDrosophilakinesin-1, also called kinesin heavy chain (Khc), and a putative cargo adaptor, the atypical tropomyosin,aTm1. How the proteins cooperate in mRNA transport is unknown. Here, we present the high-resolution crystal structure of a Khc–aTm1 complex. The proteins form a tripartite coiled coil comprising two in-register Khc chains and oneaTm1 chain, in antiparallel orientation. We show thataTm1 binds to an evolutionarily conserved cargo binding site on Khc, and mutational analysis confirms the importance of this interaction for mRNA transport in vivo. Furthermore, we demonstrate that Khc binds RNA directly and that it does so via its alternative cargo binding domain, which forms a positively charged joint surface withaTm1, as well as through its adjacent auxiliary microtubule binding domain. Finally, we show thataTm1 plays a stabilizing role in the interaction of Khc with RNA, which distinguishesaTm1 from classical motor adaptors.
The psychometric properties of the Iranian version of Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) in children with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Bashirian Saeid , Soltanian Ali Reza , Seyedi Mahdieh , Khazaei Salman , Jenabi Ensiyeh , Razjouyan Katayoon , Zarafshan Hadi , Barati Majid , Afshari Maryam
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the validity of the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) in an Iranian population to determine its efficacy in identifying children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who parents have Persian-speaking parents.

Design/methodology/approach

A case–control study was performed in March until July 2020 in Hamadan city, Iran. The case group was children were examined by the clinicians used a coding scheme based on the DSM-IV criteria for ASD. The control group was all children in the family, including healthy siblings, were asked to participate in the study. The reliability, content and face validity were performed to assess the psychometric properties of the tool. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed to evaluate the four-dimensional structure of the tool (Scores A, B, C and D). Statistical analysis was performed using AMOS for SPSS 21, and the statistical significant level was less than 0.05.

Findings

The quantitative content validity analysis revealed that the mean of content validity ratio (CVR) and content validity index (CVI) for all domains was 0.94 and 0.91, respectively. For CFA, four domains A, B, C and D were used and demonstrated a good fit (CFI = 0.92 and RMSEA = 0.06). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) in domains A, B (verbal), C and D were 100%. For domain B (non-verbal), the sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV were 86.7%, 100%, 100% and 88.2%, respectively.

Research limitations/implications

This study showed that ADI-R has sufficient ability to discriminate between children with ASD and those with no psychiatric diagnosis, and it is a reliable tool in Iran. The sensitivity and specificity for correctly diagnosing ASD was high, regardless of the age and cognitive level of the examiner.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first paper on psychometric properties of ADI-R in children with ASD.
Validation of Hagerman’s behavioral phenotype for fragile X syndrome among men with intellectual disability
Authors: Bellavance Jacques , Diane Morin , Mello Catherine
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The behavioral phenotype of fragile X syndrome (FXS) and intellectual disability (ID) proposed by Hagermanet al.(2009) was primarily based on data from male children and teens. The purpose of this study was to promote a better understanding of how this condition manifests in adults.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 18 men of FXS were paired with men with Down syndrome on the basis of age and level of ID. A screening checklist was created on the basis of existing scales and the Hagermanet al.(2009) behavioral phenotype and completed by care providers.

Findings

Five of the 12 features of the phenotype were significantly more present among men with FXS than in men with Down syndrome.

Originality/value

This study provides partial confirmation for Hagerman et al.’s (2009) behavioral phenotype of FXS among men with moderate ID and identified some traits that warrant further investigation.
Critical considerations on tower crane layout planning for high-rise modular integrated construction
Authors: Zhang Zhiqian , Pan Wei , Pan Mi
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Modular integrated construction (MiC) is the most advanced off-site construction technology. However, the application of MiC for high-rise buildings is still limited and challenging. One critical issue is tower crane layout planning (TCLP) to guarantee safe and efficient multiple crane-lifts for module installation, which, however, has been insufficiently explored. For filling this knowledge gap, this paper aims to systematically explore the critical considerations on TCLP for high-rise MiC to support contractors in determining the optimal crane layout plan.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employed a multimethod strategy. First, previous studies on TCLP and critical features of MiC were reviewed to develop a conceptual model of TCLP considerations. Second, expert interviews with 15 construction planners were conducted to identify the critical TCLP considerations for high-rise MiC. Third, a multicase study with three high-rise MiC projects was undertaken to demonstrate and verify the identified considerations.

Findings

The paper characterises critical considerations on TCLP as performance criteria and influencing factors and identifies 7 critical performance criteria and 25 influencing factors for high-rise MiC. Specifically, the features of MiC (e.g. various modularised layout design, heavyweight and large size of modules) were found to significantly affect the crane layout performance (i.e. technical feasibility, safety and economic efficiency).

Originality/value

The paper is the first-of-its-kind study on crane layout planning for high-rise modular buildings, which contributes a two-stage multicriteria decision-making framework integrated with systematic TCLP considerations. The findings should help contractors determine safe and efficient tower crane layout plans for high-rise MiC projects.
Addressing the problem of global leadership theory: proposing a cognitive process model for leadership training and development
Authors: McClellan Jeffrey
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The application of leadership theory to training and development in international leadership contexts is burdened by the idealistic, western-centric, prescriptive nature of many leadership theories. Consequently, theories are needed that are culturally neutral, descriptive and practically applicable to the culturally diverse contexts in which leadership interaction takes place. To this end, the cognitive process model of (Denis et al., 2012) leadership was developed to facilitate leadership development study in a variety of cultural contexts. The model is based on how the human brain functions at its most basic level in leadership situations across cultures and outlines basic principles of leadership associated with these functions. These principles include awareness, decision-making, attention, relationship building, communication and action. This study aims to discuss this model and how it can be used as a framework for doing leadership training and development study in international settings.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is conceptual in nature and uses psychological studies on brain function as a foundation for developing a process model of leadership.

Findings

In contrast the cognitive process model of leadership provides a foundation for understanding what is truly universal when it comes to leadership activities by examining what happens in the brain in any given leadership moment. It then provides a framework for promoting the development of leadership competencies that are essential to practicing the principles and competencies and applying them as one takes action in specific leadership moments at the self, interpersonal, group and team, organizational and social and political community levels.

Research limitations/implications

The paper has implications for the content, structure and process of leadership development study in relation to training and coaching.

Practical implications

This model makes it possible to identify how to provide training and education in relation to leadership competencies by identifying which aspects of the competencies are universal and which are situational or culture dependent.

Originality/value

This study is an original paper exploring the application of this model in the context of global leadership training and development.
Confidentiality in loan credit agreements
Authors: Nguyen Ca , Pacheco Alejandro
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This study has two primary objectives. First, it analyzes the information content of confidentiality strictness in corporate loan credit agreements. Second, it examines how confidentiality strictness impacts covenant design, lending syndicate structure and loan pricing.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a sample of 6,327 loan credit agreements originated by US public firms in the period of 1996–2017, this study measures the confidentiality strictness in loan contracts using textual analyses that capture the appearance of confidentiality-related words and the length of confidentiality provision. All regressions include relevant loan characteristics, firm-specific accounting variables, industry and year fixed effects. To address the endogeneity concern, the paper uses borrowing firms' rival cash holdings and R&D expenditures to instrument for confidentiality strictness in two-staged least square regressions.

Findings

Borrowers which have higher R&D and operate in more competitive product markets have tighter confidentiality policies. Furthermore, this study reveals that confidentiality strictness is negatively associated with the imposition of financial covenants, especially performance covenants. Loan contracts for borrowers with stricter confidentiality on average have more relaxed covenant intensity, measured by the number of covenants. The study also shows that stricter confidentiality attracts finance companies, which have strong expertise in product markets of their parent firms, into the lending syndicate. However, confidentiality-conscious borrowers with higher degree of information asymmetry are subject to higher loan spreads.

Originality/value

This study provides the first examination of confidentiality policies in loan contracts and supports the idea that loan provisions are not simply made of “boilerplate” language. The results suggest that, for confidentiality-sensitive borrowers, the greater exposure to product market competition helps control managerial slack and substitute monitoring from financial markets.
Analysing the effect of low carbon product design on firm performance
Authors: Das Chiranjit
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of low carbon product design on firm's competitiveness and economic performance. It also examines the mediating role of the proactive environmental strategy and eco-innovation on low carbon product design, competitiveness and economic performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Through a questionnaire-based survey, the data were collected from 69 Indian manufacturing firms and analyzed using a variance-based structural equation modeling (SEM) technique to test the proposed hypotheses.

Findings

The results show that the low carbon product design significantly improves firm's competitiveness and economic performance, and proactive environmental strategy significantly mediates the relationship between low carbon product design and firm's competitiveness.

Practical implications

This study provides a framework for the adoption of low carbon product design. It demonstrates how manufacturing firms can implement environmental friendly product design. It also analyses the contextual factors that ensure a successful low carbon product design.

Originality/value

This article investigates the economic benefit of low carbon product design, thus filling lacuna in existing research.
The use of blockchain in the luxury industry: supply chains and the traceability of goods
Authors: de Boissieu Elodie , Kondrateva Galina , Baudier Patricia , Ammi Chantal
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Most businesses strive to control the efficiency of their supply chains; however, luxury firms face additional challenges from counterfeit, gray market and copycat products. Blockchain technology can address these issues and enhance firms' supply chain management, guaranteeing the traceability and origin of luxury products. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the utility and contexts influencing the implementation of blockchain technology to optimize supply chain management and prevent fraud in the luxury industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The research uses a qualitative approach based on the grounded theory method. Data are collected by semi-structured interviews with 12 stakeholders working on blockchain applications in the luxury business sector.

Findings

Highlighting the problems faced by luxury brands' supply chains, this study presents blockchain technology as a solution for disintermediation, traceability and transparency in the luxury goods sector. The constraints faced by luxury brands incorporating this technology into their ecosystem include the knowledge gap, the multiplicity of third parties involved in the production process and bias toward short-term returns on investment.

Originality/value

Blockchains promote greater transparency and efficiency within supply chains, which builds consumer trust and improves brand revenue. Considering luxury brands' reluctance to adopt blockchains, this study suggests that luxury firms adopt a staggered implementation of private blockchain networks starting with a small number of third-party suppliers.
Mindfulness at the workplace: an approach to promote employees pro-environmental behaviour
Authors: Kumar Sachin , Panda Tapan K. , Pandey Krishan Kumar
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This study aims to examine the relationship between employees’ mindfulness and pro-environmental behaviour, along with the mediating role of self-transcendent values, at the workplace.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses online data collected from 381 respondents employed in different industries across India. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to check the construct’s validity and reliability and Pearson correlation was used to examine the relationship between the variables. Moreover, the PROCESS macro of Hayes (2017) was used to examine the mediation.

Findings

Employees’ mindfulness was found to be positively associated with voluntary pro-environmental behaviour at the workplace, and the mediation analysis specifies that a self-transcendent value partially mediates this relationship.

Research limitations/implications

This study tested and extends the S-ART model and Schwartz value theory in the context of employees’ pro-environment behaviours at the workplace.

Practical implications

The results could be encouraging and helpful for top management and organizational change champions in strategizing and effective implementation of mindfulness programmes that would encourage and enhance employees’ voluntary participation in environment-friendly activities at their workplace.

Originality/value

Despite the decisive role of employees in organisations’ environmental sustainability programmes’ success, the availability of scant literature has led researchers to call for more studies. The present study is timely and could be the first to examine the role of employees’ mindfulness and self-transcendent values in influencing employees’ engagement in environmental-friendly behaviours at the workplace.
Foreign tourist satisfaction, commitment and revisit intention: exploring the effect of environmental turbulence in the Arab region
Authors: Mohammed Abdul Raheem Jasim , Mohd Zahari Mohd Salehuddin , Hanafiah Mohd Hafiz , Rahman Abdul Rais Abdul
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the relationships between travel satisfaction, commitment and revisits intention among the UAE international tourists as well as the moderating effect of environmental turbulence.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the quantitative approach, the experience of individual foreign tourists who travelled to three UAE major cities, namely, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Fujairah, were probed. Through a drop-off and collect approach survey, 413 usable questionnaires were successfully collected and analysed.

Findings

The results of multiple regression path analysis confirm tourist satisfaction towards UAE tourism product and services influences their travel commitment and boosts tourist revisit intention behaviour. This paper also demonstrates how the Arab environmental turbulence moderates tourist satisfaction’s effect on revisit intention adversely.

Originality/value

This study offers valuable input to the UAE’s tourism governing bodies and industry practitioners. While continuously boosting the quality of tourism products and services, they also need to curb the effect of environmental turbulence as it would discourage tourists from revisiting UAE in the future.
The impact of Internet celebrity characteristics on followers' impulse purchase behavior: the mediation of attachment and parasocial interaction
Authors: Chen Tser Yieth , Yeh Tsai Lien , Lee Fang Yu
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the relationship between Internet celebrity characteristics and the follower's impulse purchase behavior in YouTuber. Attachment and parasocial interaction are mediating variables concerning the impact of Internet celebrity characteristics on followers' impulse purchase behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

This study conducted an online survey of YouTube users in Taiwan and utilized quota sampling with 500 samples to examine the influence of two types of Internet celebrities on impulse purchase behavior.

Findings

As to the empirical results, the main path indicated that the self-disclosure Internet celebrity positively affected the attachment, which mainly positively affected the impulse purchase behavior. The second path showed that the expertise-knowledge Internet celebrity positively affected the attachment, which positively affected the impulse purchase behavior.

Practical implications

YouTube marketers should proceed prudently with the market segmentation and choose the appropriate type of Internet celebrities who are suitable for the product image to differentiate marketing. Empirical results can aid marketers in selecting a product-endorser, and enhance consumers' purchasing effect on product advertisements in interactive marketing.

Originality/value

The novelty of this study is to explore the mediation effect of the impact of Internet celebrity characteristics on followers' impulse purchase behavior in interactive marketing. The explaining mechanism of attachment and parasocial interaction is promised to be highlighted as the contribution of this study to the extant literature. This study constructs a theoretical mechanism between attachment theory and parasocial interaction theory and then can be used as a theoretical lens for designing successful social media strategies and explaining social media brand relationships.
How chatbots' social presence communication enhances consumer engagement: the mediating role of parasocial interaction and dialogue
Authors: Tsai Wan-Hsiu Sunny , Liu Yu , Chuan Ching-Hua
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This study presents one of the earliest empirical investigations on how brand chatbots' anthropomorphic design and social presence communication strategies may improve consumer evaluation outcomes via the mediators of parasocial interaction and perceived dialogue.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employs a 2 (high vs. low social presence communication) by 2 (anthropomorphic vs. non-anthropomorphic bot profile) between-subject experimental design to evaluate how chatbots' high social presence communication and anthropomorphic profile design may enhance perceptions of parasocial interactions and dialogue with the chatbot, which in turn drive user engagement, interaction satisfaction and attitude toward the represented brand.

Findings

The influences of chatbots' high social presence communication on consumer engagement outcomes are mediated by perceived parasocial interaction and dialogue. Additionally, chatbots' anthropomorphic profile design can boost the positive effects of social presence communication via the psychological mediators.

Originality/value

This study advances the interactive marketing literature by focusing on an emerging interactive technology, chatbots. Additionally, distinct from prior chatbot studies that focused on the utilitarian use of chatbots for online customer support, this study not only examines which factors of chatbot communication and profile design may drive chatbot effectiveness but also examines the mechanism underlying the messaging and design effects on consumer engagement. The findings highlight the mediating role of interpersonal factors of parasocial interaction and perceived dialogue.
An analysis of university students' health information service needs from academic library in the post-COVID-19 age through Kano model
Authors: Meng Yuan , Dong Li , Guan Rui , Zhang Yan
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The study aims to find out the university students' health information service needs in post-COVID-19 age and then consider how to do the health information services well and promote it in further work.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses Kano model to design a questionnaire about university students' health information service needs from academic library and investigates 243 students from seven universities in China. The data generated were analyzed using a statistical tool and presented in tables.

Findings

The results show the students' different requirements level of health information services from academic library as must-be requirements, one-dimensional requirements, attractive quality attributes and indifferent quality in post-COVID-19 age.

Research limitations/implications

The questionnaire design and the scale of respondents have limitation, such as only focus on Chinese university, have not characteristically research on different group of students. It could optimize to cover more worldwide university students and refer to different groups of students' needs in further research.

Originality/value

The paper expands and deepens the theory about university library health information service and provides a practical reference and proposes some suggestions for academic libraries on how to carry out health information services and give the social health institutions inspiration on how to promote the health services, especially in post-COVID-19 age.
Sustainable management of national resources through implementation of balanced scorecard
Authors: Arif Muhammad
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This study has been undertaken to find as to how the Pakistan defense services being resource-intensive organizations can help to secure the natural environment and achieve sustained national development by adopting modern management concepts like the balanced scorecard (BSC) while not compromising on their core aim of achieving strategic national defense objectives. With this main purpose in mind, this study focused on locating the core functionalities of Pakistan armed services to be adopted as the key perspectives for building their BSCs.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is quantitative in nature, and after the formulation of hypotheses by carrying out a thorough literature review, the distributed questionnaire collected quantitative data to test the hypotheses using computer-based SPSS software. Personnel of all the three arms of Pakistan defense service, namely army, navy and the air force, formed the population of this study.

Findings

This quantitative study has found that pursuit of national purpose, availability of resources, internal processes and building for future are the main core functionalities of Pakistan defense services and can be safely adopted as the main perspectives for the development of their BSCs to ensure sustained national development by exercising economy of resources without overburdening the natural resources and the environment.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of this study are based on cross-sectional data rather than longitudinal; therefore, these are not a representative of a dynamic situation. As the data collection for this study is limited to Pakistan, its findings cannot be generalized globally.

Originality/value

This study is unique in a way as it endeavors to bring out empirically that how a public entity like defense force can contribute to the safe keeping of environment while achieving sustained development. Most importantly, it highlights that how BSC as a management tool can help the defense force leadership to achieve desired state of sustained national development through intelligent application of precious resources placed on their disposal.
Investor sentiment, realized volatility and stock returns
Authors: Abdelmalek Wafa
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This paper examines the relationship between volatility, sentiment and returns in terms of levels and changes for both lower and higher data frequencies using quantile regression (QR) method.

Design/methodology/approach

In the first step, the study applies the Granger causality test to understand the causal relationship between realized volatility, returns and sentiment as levels and changes. In the second step, the study employs a QR method to investigate whether investor sentiment and returns can predict realized volatility. This regression method gives robust results irrespective of distributional assumptions and to outliers in the dependent variable.

Findings

Empirical results show that the VIX volatility index is a better fear gauge of market-wide investors' sentiments and has a predictive power for future realized volatility in terms of levels and changes for both higher and lower data frequencies. This study provides evidence that the relationship between realized volatility, investor sentiment and returns, respectively, is not symmetric for all quantiles of QR, as opposed to OLS regression. Furthermore, this work supports the behavioral theory beyond leverage hypothesis in explaining the asymmetric relation between returns and volatility at higher and lower data frequencies.

Originality/value

This paper adds to the limited understanding of investor sentiment’s impact on volatility by proposing a QR model which provides a more complete picture of the relationship at all parts of the volatility distribution for both higher and lower data frequencies and in terms of levels and changes. To the author knowledge, this is the first paper to study the volatility responses to positive and negative sentiment changes for developed market and to use both lower and higher data frequencies as well as data in terms of levels and changes.
Variable coverage in an Autocidal Gravid Ovitrap intervention impacts efficacy of Aedes aegypti control
Authors: Juarez Jose G. , Chaves Luis F. , Garcia‐Luna Selene M. , Martin Estelle , Badillo‐Vargas Ismael , Medeiros Matthew C. I. , Hamer Gabriel L.
Published: June 2021

Control of the arboviral disease vector Aedes aegypti has shown variable levels of efficacy around the globe. We evaluated an Autocidal Gravid Ovitrap (AGO) intervention as a stand‐alone control tool for population suppression of A. aegypti in US communities bordering Mexico.

We conducted a cluster randomized crossover trial with weekly mosquito surveillance of sentinel households from July 2017 to December 2018. The intervention took place from August to December of both years. Multilevel models (generalized linear and additive mixed models) were used to analyse the changes in population abundance of female A. aegypti.

We observed that female populations were being suppressed 77% (2018) and four times lower outdoor female abundance when AGO coverage (number of intervention AGO traps that surrounded a sentinel home) was high (2.7 AGOs/house). However, we also observed that areas with low intervention AGO coverage resulted in no difference (2017) or slightly higher abundance compared to the control. These results suggest that coverage rate might play a critical role on how populations of female A. aegypti are being modulated in the field. The lack of larval source habitat reduction and the short duration of the intervention period might have limited the A. aegypti population suppression observed in this study.

Synthesis and applications. The mosquito, A. aegypti, is a public health concern in most tropical and subtropical regions. With the rise of insecticide resistance, the evaluation of non‐chemical tools has become pivotal in the fight against arboviral disease transmission. Our study shows that the AGO intervention, as a stand‐alone control tool, is limited by its coverage in human settlements. Vector control programmes should consider, that if the target coverage rate is not achieved, measures will be ineffective unless coupled with other control approaches. Although our multilevel modelling was focused on A. aegypti and the AGO, the approach can be applied to other mosquito vector species.
LncRNA Miat knockdown alleviates endothelial cell injury through regulation of miR‐214‐3p/Caspase‐1 signalling during atherogenesis
Authors: Li Tao , Tu Peiyang , Bi Jianbo , Sun Yanling , Yu Dejun , Wang Jinghao , Zhao Baoshan
Published: June 2021

Atherosclerosis is a common problem in healthy people around the world. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important roles in atherosclerosis. Myocardial infarction‐associated transcript (Miat) is a cardiovascular disease‐associated lncRNA. Its role and mechanism in atherosclerosis is still not fully clarified. Our study aims to explore the role and mechanism of lncRNA Miat in atherosclerosis. The atherosclerosis models were established both in vitro and in vivo. Real‐time PCR was used to measure the expression of lncRNA Miat, miR‐214, Caspase‐1 and IL‐1β. Western blot was performed to detect the protein expression of Caspase‐1. CCK‐8 assay, Tunel staining, and flow cytometry analysis were conducted to detect proliferation and apoptosis of human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs), respectively. Oil red O staining and HE staining were used to evaluated the histological changes of the aorta. The results found that lncRNA Miat was upregulated in ox‐LDL‐induced atherosclerosis model in vitro. The inhibition of lncRNA Miat protects against ox‐LDL‐induced HAEC injury, presented as increased cell viability and decreased apoptosis. LncRNA Miat and miR‐214 has binding site, and CASP1, which encodes Caspase‐1, is a target of miR‐214. The downregulation of lncRNA Miat increased the expression of miR‐214‐3p and decreased the expression of Caspase‐1, as well as its downstream molecule IL‐1β in HAECs. However, the inhibition of miR‐214‐3p attenuated the effect of lncRNA Miat downregulation on HAECs. Furthermore, the downregulation of lncRNA Miat alleviated atherosclerosis in ApoE‐deficient mice. Correspondingly, the expression of miR‐214‐3p was upregulated and Caspase‐1 was downregulated after knockdown of lncRNA Miat. In conclusion, downregulation of lncRNA Miat exerts a protective effect against atherosclerosis through the regulation miR‐214‐3p/Caspase‐1 signalling pathway. Therefore, the inhibition of lncRNA Miat expression may be an effective strategy in the treatment of atherosclerosis.
Proteomic responses of the coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi to zinc limitation and trace metal substitution
Authors: Shire David M. , Kustka Adam B.
Published: June 2021

Zinc concentrations in pelagic surface waters are within the range that limits growth in marine phytoplankton cultures. However, the influence of zinc on marine primary production and phytoplankton communities is not straightforward due to largely uncharacterized abilities for some phytoplankton to access zinc species that may not be universally bioavailable and substitute zinc with cobalt or cadmium. We used a quantitative proteomic approach to investigate these strategies and other responses to zinc limitation in the coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi, a dominant species in low zinc waters. Zinc limitation resulted in the upregulation of metal transport proteins (ZIP, TroA‐like) and COG0523 metallochaperones. Some proteins were uniquely sensitive to growth under replete zinc, substitution of zinc with cobalt, or enhancement of growth with cadmium, and may be useful as biomarkers of zinc stress or substitution in situ. Several proteins specifically upregulated under cobalt‐supported or cadmium‐enhanced growth appear to reflect stress responses, despite titration of these metals to optimal nutritive levels. Relief from zinc limitation by zinc or cadmium resulted in increased expression of a δ‐carbonic anhydrase. Our inability to detect metal binding enzymes that are specifically induced under cobalt‐ or cadmium‐supported growth suggests cambialism is important for zinc substitution in E. huxleyi.
SURVIVING SUPERGENTRIFICATION IN INNER CITY SYDNEY: Adaptive Spaces and Makeshift Economies of Cultural Production
Authors: Pollio Andrea , Magee Liam , Ang Ien , Rowe David , Stevenson Deborah , Swist Teresa , Wong Alexandra
Published: June 2021

Artists and creative workers have long been recognized as playing an important role in gentrification, being often portrayed as forerunners of urban change and displacement in former industrial and working‐class suburbs of ‘post‐Fordist’ cities. However, as is well represented by recent research, the relationship between the arts, gentrification and displacement has been called into question. The purpose of this article, which draws on 30 case studies of creative spaces in Sydney's inner suburbs, is to chart some of the strategies of spatial adaptation and makeshift economies of solidarity that cultural workers adopt in order to keep living and working in areas of ‘supergentrification’. We document how cultural infrastructure is transformed by the gentrification process and argue that these alterations are critical to the survival of arts and culture in the city. Such makeshift economies contribute, in a practical way, to preserving the diversity that gentrification is sometimes deemed to destroy or displace. While the survival of creative spaces is a much less researched phenomenon than other forms of resistance or displacement, we suggest that it has important consequences for both research and policy decisions around gentrification, infrastructural development and urban cultural economies.
Evaluation of the RCOG guideline for the prediction of neonates that are small for gestational age and comparison with the competing risks model
Authors: Papastefanou I , Nowacka U , Buerger O , Akolekar R , Wright D , Nicolaides KH
Published: June 2021

Objective

To examine the predictive performance of the relevant guideline by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) for neonates that are small for gestational age (SGA), and to compare the performance of the RCOG guideline with that of our competing risks model for SGA.

Design

Prospective observational study.

Setting

Obstetric ultrasound departments in two UK maternity hospitals.

Population

A total of 96 678 women with singleton pregnancies attending for routine ultrasound examination at 19–24 weeks of gestation.

Methods

Risks for SGA for different thresholds were computed, according to the competing risks model using maternal history, second‐trimester estimated fetal weight, uterine artery pulsatility index and mean arterial pressure. The detection rates by the RCOG guideline scoring system and the competing risks model for SGA were compared, at the screen positive rate (SPR) derived from the RCOG guideline.

Main outcome measures

Small for gestational age (SGA), <10th or <3rd percentile, for different gestational age thresholds.

Results

At an SPR of 22.5%, as defined by the RCOG guideline, the competing risks model predicted 56, 72 and 81% of cases of neonates that are SGA, with birthweights of <10th percentile, delivered at ≥37, <37 and <32 weeks of gestation, respectively, which were significantly higher than the respective figures of 36, 44 and 45% achieved by the application of the RCOG guideline. The respective figures for neonates that were SGA with birthweights of <3rd percentile were 66, 79, 85 and 41, 45, 44%.

Conclusion

The detection rate for neonates that were SGA with the competing risk approach is almost double than that obtained with the RCOG guideline.

Tweetable abstract

The competing risks approach for the prediction of SGA performs better than the existing RCOG guideline.
The endangered White Sands pupfish (Cyprinodon tularosa) genome reveals low diversity and heterogenous patterns of differentiation
Authors: Black Andrew N. , Willoughby Janna R. , Brüniche‐Olsen Anna , Pierce Brian L. , DeWoody J. Andrew
Published: June 2021

The White Sands pupfish (Cyprinodon tularosa), endemic to New Mexico in Southwestern North America, is of conservation concern due in part to invasive species, chemical pollution, and groundwater withdrawal. Herein, we developed a draft reference genome and use it to provide biological insights into the evolution and conservation of C. tularosa. We used our assembly to localize microsatellite markers previously used to demarcate evolutionary significant units (ESU), quantified genomic divergence and transposable element profiles between species, and compared C. tularosa genomic diversity related species. Our de novo assembly of PacBio Sequel II error‐corrected reads resulted in a 1.08 Gb draft genome with a contig N50 of 1.4 Mb and 25,260 annotated protein coding genes, including 95% of the expected Actinopterygii conserved complete single‐copy orthologues. Many of the C. tularosa microsatellite markers used for conservation assessments fell within, or near, genes and exhibited a pattern of increased heterozygosity near genic areas compared to those in intergenic regions. Nuclear alignments between these two species revealed 193 genes contained in rapidly diverging tracts; transposable element profiles were largely concordant and suggest a shared, rapid expansion of LINE and Gypsy elements. Genome‐wide heterozygosity was markedly lower in C. tularosa compared to estimates from other related species, probably because of smaller long‐term effective population sizes constrained by their isolated and limited habitat. Overall, these inferences provide new insights into C. tularosa that should help inform future management efforts.