bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A deep learning model for analyzing noisy biological systems
Authors: Wang Shangying , Capponi Sara , Bianco Simone
Published: October 2021

Biological systems are inherently noisy so that two genetically identical cells in the exact same environment will sometimes behave in dramatically different ways. This imposes a big challenge in building traditional supervised machine learning models that can only predict determined phenotypic variables or categories per specific input condition. Furthermore, biological noise has been proven to play a crucial role in gene regulation mechanisms. The prediction of the average value of a given phenotype is not always sufficient to fully characterize a given biological system. In this study, we develop a deep learning algorithm that can predict the conditional probability distribution of a phenotype of interest with a small number of observations per input condition. The key innovation of this study is that the deep neural network automatically generates the probability distributions based on only few (10 or less) noisy measurements for each input condition, with no prior knowledge or assumption of the probability distributions. This is extremely useful for exploring unknown biological systems with limited measurements for each input condition, which is linked not only to a better quantitative understanding of biological systems, but also to the design of new ones, as it is in the case of synthetic biology and cellular engineering.
Genome-scale modeling specifies the metabolic capabilities of Rhizophagus irregularis
Authors: Wendering Philipp , Nikoloski Zoran
Published: October 2021

Rhizophagus irregularis is one of the most extensively studied arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) that forms symbioses with and improves the performance of many crops. Lack of transformation protocol for R. irregularis renders it challenging to investigate molecular mechanisms that shape the physiology and interactions of this AMF with plants. Here we used all published genomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics resources to gain insights in the metabolic functionalities of R. irregularis by reconstructing its high-quality genome-scale metabolic network that considers enzyme constraints. Extensive validation tests with the enzyme-constrained metabolic model demonstrated that it can be used to: (1) accurately predict increased growth of R. irregularis on myristate with minimal medium; (2) integrate enzyme abundances and carbon source concentrations that yield growth predictions with high and significant Spearman correlation (ρS = 0.74) to measured hyphal dry weight; and (3) simulated growth rate increases with tighter association of this AMF with the host plant across three fungal structures. Based on the validated model and system-level analyses that integrate data from transcriptomics studies, we predicted that differences in flux distributions between intraradical mycelium and arbuscles are linked to changes in amino acid and cofactor biosynthesis. Therefore, our results demonstrated that the enzyme-constrained metabolic model can be employed to pinpoint mechanisms driving developmental and physiological responses of R. irregularis to different environmental cues. In conclusion, this model can serve as a template for other AMF and paves the way to identify metabolic engineering strategies to modulate fungal metabolic traits that directly affect plant performance.

Importance

Mounting evidence points at the benefits of the symbiotic interactions between the arbuscular mycorrhiza fungus Rhizophagus irregularis and crops; yet, the molecular mechanisms underlying the physiological responses of this fungus to different host plants and environments remain largely unknown. We present a manually curated, enzyme-constrained genome-scale metabolic model of R. irregularis that can accurately predict experimentally observed phenotypes. We show that this high-quality model provides an entry point into better understanding the metabolic and physiological responses of this fungus to changing environments due to the availability of different nutrients. The model can be used to design metabolic engineering strategies to tailor R. irregularis metabolism towards improving the performance of host plants.
COVID-19 Pandemic Impact on Sexually Transmitted Infection Testing in a College Setting
Authors: Marconi Agustina , Falk-Hanson Elizabeth C , Crass Megan , Campbell Peter
Published: October 2021

Objective

Assess the impact of the pandemic on STI (sexually transmitted infections) testing in a college health setting.

Design

Exploratory analysis of the number of STI tests done, positive rates for those tests and of percentage of “compliance to follow-up” from March to December 2020 and its comparison with historical data at the University Health Services, UW-Madison.

Sample

students’ STI tests during the analyzed period.

Measurement

Observed (2020) vs Expected (2015-2019, average) number of STI tests, positive rate, compliance to follow-up testing for STIs.

Results

There was a significant decrease in the number of tests done and increase of positive rate when compared to historical for total sample and per sex. There was a decrease in the percentage of follow-up for the entire sample and females and an increase for males.

Conclusions

Considering the three outcomes assessed, we observe an impact in STI testing during the pandemic. In concordance with national data, our analysis shows significant declines in STI testing and follow-up during 2020 compared to previous years and an increase in positivity rate. The finding of higher positivity with lower number of tests is likely due to triaging patients, facilitating testing for those at highest risk of infection.
Tracking Action in XR Mark Test Reveals Developing Body Representation Among Toddlers
Authors: Miyazaki Michiko , Asai Tomohisa , Ban Norihiro , Mugitani Ryoko
Published: October 2021

Despite its popularity as an index of self-recognition, the mark test has not been used for assessing representations of the bodily self. This study combines the mark test and cross-reality task, to demonstrate novel aspects of children’s body representation and its development. Participants’ real-time skeletal data was captured, and virtual marks were displayed on 30 body parts for participants to interact through touch. The accuracy and trajectory of the first touch and reaction time were analyzed. Thirty Japanese 2- and 3-year-olds participated. Localization error could be predicted by dynamical body part coordination. Three-year-olds displayed fast and predictive reaching instead of visually guided reaching. Analyzing hand-reaching strategies in the XR mark test revealed aspects of the development of sensorimotor body representations.
EXTRA LARGE G-PROTEIN 2 (XLG2) mediates cell death and hyperimmunity via a novel, apoplastic ROS-independent pathway inArabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Petutschnig Elena , Anders Julia , Stolze Marnie , Meusel Christopher , Hacke Ronja , Schwier Melina , Gippert Anna-Lena , Kroll Samuel , Fasshauer Patrick , Wiermer Marcel , Lipka Volker
Published: October 2021

Heterotrimeric G-Proteins are signal transduction complexes comprised of three subunits, Gα, Gβ and Gγ, and are involved in many aspects of plant life. The non-canonical Gα subunit XLG2 mediates PAMP-induced ROS generation and immunity downstream of PRRs. A mutant of the chitin receptor component CERK1,cerk1-4, maintains normal chitin signalling capacity, but shows excessive cell death upon infection with powdery mildews. We identifiedXLG2mutants as suppressors of thecerk1-4 phenotype.

We generated stably transformedArabidopsislines expressing Venus-XLG2 and numerous mutated variants. These were analysed by confocal microscopy, Western blotting and pathogen infection. We also crossedcerk1-4 with several mutants involved in immunity and analysed their phenotype. Phosphorylation of XLG2 was investigated by quantitative proteomics.

Mutations in XLG2 complex partners AGB1 and AGG1 have a partialcerk1-4 suppressor effect. Thecerk1-4 phenotype is independent of NADPH oxidase-generated ROS, BAK1 and SOBIR1, but requires PUB2. XLG2 mediatescerk1-4 cell death at the cell periphery. Integrity of the XLG2 N-terminal domain, but not its phosphorylation, is essential for correct XLG2 localisation andcerk1-4 signalling.

Our results suggest that XLG2 transduces signals from an unknown cell surface receptor that activates an apoplastic ROS-independent cell death pathway inArabidopsis.
Robustness in regulatory networks of Epithelial Mesenchymal Plasticity as a function of positive and negative feedback loops
Authors: Hebbar Anish , Moger Ankush , Hari Kishore , Jolly Mohit Kumar
Published: October 2021

Epithelial-Mesenchymal plasticity (EMP) is a key arm of cancer metastasis and is observed across many contexts. Cells undergoing EMP can reversibly switch between three classes of phenotypes: Epithelial (E), Mesenchymal (M), and Hybrid E/M. While a large number of multistable regulatory networks have been identified to be driving EMP in various contexts, the exact mechanisms and design principles that enable robustness in driving EMP across contexts are not yet fully understood. Here we investigated dynamic and structural robustness in EMP networks with regards to phenotypic distribution and plasticity. We use two different approaches to simulate these networks: a computationally inexpensive, parameter-independent continuous state space boolean model, and an ODE-based parameter-agnostic framework (RACIPE), both of which yield similar phenotypic distributions. Using perturbations to network topology and by varying network parameters, we show that multistable EMP networks are structurally and dynamically more robust as compared to their randomized counterparts, thereby highlighting their topological hallmarks. These features of robustness are governed by a balance of positive and negative feedback loops embedded in these networks. Using a combination of the number of negative and positive feedback loops weighted by their lengths and sign, we identified a metric that can explain the structural and dynamical robustness of these networks. This metric enabled us to compare networks across multiple sizes, and the network principles thus obtained can be used to identify fragilities in large networks without simulating their dynamics. Our analysis highlights a network topology-based approach to quantify robustness in multistable EMP networks.

Significance Statement

Epithelial-Mesenchymal plasticity (EMP) is a key arm of cancer metastasis. Despite extensive intra- and inter-tumor heterogeneity, the characteristics of EMP have been observed to be robust across multiple contexts. We hypothesize that topology of EMP regulatory networks contributes towards this robustness. Here, we measure the robustness of EMP in the form of its phenotypic heterogeneity and multistability and show that EMP networks are more robust to dynamical (change in kinetic parameters) and structural (change in network topology) perturbations as compared to their random network counterparts. Furthermore, we propose a network topology-based metric using the nature and length of feedback loops that explains the observed robustness. Our metric hence serves to quantify robustness in multistable EMP networks without simulating their dynamics.
Light-induced asymmetries in the embryonic retina are mediated by the vascular system and extracellular matrix
Authors: Versace Elisabetta , Sgadò Paola , George Julia , Loveland Jasmine L. , Ward Joseph , Thorpe Peter , Jensen Lars Juhl , Spencer Karen A. , Paracchini Silvia , Vallortigara Giorgio
Published: October 2021

Left-right asymmetries in the nervous system (lateralisation) influence a broad range of behaviours, from social responses to navigation and language. The role and pathways of endogenous and environmental mechanisms in the ontogeny of lateralisation remains to be established. The domestic chick is a model of both endogenous and experience-induced lateralisation driven by light exposure. Following the endogenous rightward rotation of the embryo, the asymmetrical position in the egg results in a greater exposure of the right eye to environmental light. To identify the genetic pathways activated by asymmetric light stimulation, and their time course, we exposed embryos to different light regimes: darkness, 6 hours of light and 24 hours of light. We used RNA-seq to compare gene expression in the right and left retinas and telencephalon. As expected, no differential expression between left and right was present in darkness. We detected differential gene expression in right vs left retina after 6 hours of light exposure. This difference disappeared before 24 hours of light exposure, suggesting that light-induced activation is a self-terminating phenomenon. This transient effect of light exposure was associated with a downregulation of the sensitive-period mediator gene DIO2 (iodothyronine deiodinase 2) in the right retina. No differences between genes expressed in the right vs. left telencephalon were detected. Gene networks associated with lateralisation were connected to vascularisation, cell motility, and the extracellular matrix. Interestingly, we know that the extracellular matrix– including the differentially expressed PDGFRB (platelet-derived growth factor receptor β) gene – is involved in both sensitive periods and in the endogenous chiral mechanism of primary cilia, that drives lateralisation. Our data show a similarity between endogenous and experience-driven lateralisation, identifying functional gene networks that affect lateralisation in a specific time window.
On the relation between input and output distributions of scRNA-seq experiments
Authors: Schwabe Daniel , Falcke Martin
Published: October 2021

Structured Abstract

Motivation

Single-cell RNA sequencing determines RNA copy numbers per cell for a given gene. However, technical noise poses the question how observed distributions (output) are connected to their cellular distributions (input).

Results

We model a single-cell RNA sequencing setup consisting of PCR amplification and sequencing, and derive probability distribution functions for the output distribution given an input distribution. We provide copy number distributions arising from single transcripts during PCR amplification with exact expressions for mean and variance. We prove that the coefficient of variation of the output of sequencing is always larger than that of the input distribution. Experimental data reveals the variance and mean of the input distribution to obey characteristic relations, which we specifically determine for a HeLa data set. We can calculate as many moments of the input distribution as are known of the output distribution (up to all). This, in principle, completely determines the input from the output distribution.

Contact

martin.falcke@mdc-berlin.de
Proximity interactome of LC3B in normal growth conditions
Authors: Nollet Marie , Agrotis Alexander , Michailidis Fanourios , Dokal Arran David , Rajeeve Vinothini , Burden Jemima , Nightingale Thomas D. , Cutillas Pedro , Ketteler Robin , Kermorgant Stéphanie
Published: October 2021

LC3 (Light Chain 3) is a key player of autophagy, a major stress-responsive proteolysis pathway promoting cellular homeostasis. It coordinates the formation and maturation of autophagosomes and recruits cargo to be further degraded upon autophagosome-lysosome fusion. To orchestrate its functions, LC3 binds to multiple proteins from the autophagosomes’ inner and outer membranes, but the full extent of these interactions is not known. Moreover, LC3 has been increasingly reported in other cellular locations than the autophagosome, with cellular outcome not fully understood and not all related to autophagy. Furthermore, novel functions of LC3 as well as autophagy can occur in cells growing in a normal medium thus in non-stressed conditions. A better knowledge of the molecule in proximity to LC3 in normal growth conditions will improve the understanding of LC3 function in autophagy and in other cell biology function. Using an APEX2 based proteomic approach, we have detected 407 proteins in proximity to the well-characterised LC3B isoform in non-stress conditions. These include known and novel LC3B proximity proteins, associated with various cell localisation and biological functions. Sixty-nine of these proteins contain a putative LIR (LC3 Interacting Region) including 41 not reported associated to autophagy. Several APEX2 hits were validated by co-immunoprecipitation and co-immunofluorescence. This study uncovers the LC3B global interactome and reveals novel LC3B interactors, irrespective of LC3B localisation and function. This knowledge could be exploited to better understand the role of LC3B in autophagy and non-autophagy cellular processes.
Disrupted intrinsic connectivity links to language and social deficits in toddlers with autism
Authors: Xiao Yaqiong , Wen Teresa H. , Kupis Lauren , Eyler Lisa T. , Goel Disha , Lombardo Michael V. , Pierce Karen , Courchesne Eric
Published: October 2021

Social and language abilities are closely intertwined during early development. Yet, it is still unknown how neural features underlying early social and language deficits are linked in toddlers with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). We examined functional connectivity of left and right temporal language regions and its correlations with language and social abilities in a cohort of 1– 4 years old toddlers (52 ASD/34 non-ASD). Further, ASD toddlers were stratified into those who strongly prefer social visual stimuli (ASDSoc) vs. those who do not (ASDnonSoc) based on performance on an eye-tracking paradigm. In non-ASD toddlers, connectivity between temporal regions and other language- and social-related cortical regions was significantly correlated with language, communication, and social scores. Conversely, ASD toddlers showed atypical correlations between temporal–visual cortex (cuneus) connectivity and communication ability. This temporal–visual connectivity was also correlated with social visual attention in ASDnonSocbut not in ASDSoctoddlers. These findings suggest language- and social-related functional connectivity was not correlated with language and social functions in ASD toddlers. Abnormal engagement of temporal–visual cortex connectivity may be an early-age signature of ASD and may help explain why interventions targeting social skills and language are so challenging, particularly in those with poor social engagement.
Population-scale long-read sequencing uncovers transposable elements contributing to gene expression variation and associated with adaptive signatures inDrosophila melanogaster
Authors: Rech Gabriel E. , Radío Santiago , Guirao-Rico Sara , Aguilera Laura , Horvath Vivien , Green Llewellyn , Lindstadt Hannah , Jamilloux Véronique , Quesneville Hadi , González Josefa
Published: October 2021

High quality reference genomes are crucial to understanding genome function, structure and evolution. The availability of reference genomes has allowed us to start inferring the role of genetic variation in biology, disease, and biodiversity conservation. However, analyses across organisms demonstrate that a single reference genome is not enough to capture the global genetic diversity present in populations. In this work, we generated 32 high-quality reference genomes for the well-known model speciesD. melanogasterand focused on the identification and analysis of transposable element variation as they are the most common type of structural variant. We showed that integrating the genetic variation across natural populations from five climatic regions increases the number of detected insertions by 58%. Moreover, 26% to 57% of the insertions identified using long-reads were missed by short-reads methods. We also identified hundreds of transposable elements associated with gene expression variation and new TE variants likely to contribute to adaptive evolution in this species. Our results highlight the importance of incorporating the genetic variation present in natural populations to genomic studies, which is essential if we are to understand how genomes function and evolve.
Early-life immune expression profiles predict later life health and fitness in a wild rodent
Authors: Wanelik Klara M , Begon Mike , Bradley Janette E , Friberg Ida M , Taylor Christopher H , Jackson Joseph A , Paterson Steve
Published: October 2021

Individuals differ in the nature of the immune responses they produce, affecting disease susceptibility and ultimately health and fitness. These differences have been hypothesised to have an origin in events experienced early in life that then affect trajectories of immune development and responsiveness. Here we investigate early life influences on immune expression profiles using a natural population of field voles,Microtus agrestis, in which we are able to monitor variation between and within individuals though time by repeat (longitudinal) sampling of individually marked animals. We analysed the co-expression of 20 immune genes in early life to create a correlational network consisting of three main clusters, one of which (containingGata3, Il10andIl17) was associated with later life reproductive success and susceptibility to chronic bacterial (Bartonella) infection. More detailed analyses supported associations between early life expression ofIl17and reproductive success later in life, and of increasedIl10expression early in life and later infection withBartonella. We also found significant association between anIl17genotype and the early life expression ofIl10. Our results demonstrate that immune expression profiles can be manifested during early life with effects that persist through adulthood and that shape the variability among individuals in susceptibility to infection and fitness widely seen in natural populations.
Promoter repression and 3D-restructuring resolves divergent developmental gene expression in TADs
Authors: Ringel Alessa R. , Szabo Quentin , Chiariello Andrea M. , Chudzik Konrad , Schöpflin Robert , Rothe Patricia , Mattei Alexandra L. , Zehnder Tobias , Harnett Dermot , Laupert Verena , Bianco Simona , Hetzel Sara , Phan Mai , Schindler Magdalena , Ibrahim Daniel , Paliou Christina , Esposito Andrea , Prada-Medina Cesar A. , Haas Stefan , Giere Peter , Vingron Martin , Wittler Lars , Meissner Alexander , Nicodemi Mario , Cavalli Giacomo , Bantignies Frédéric , Mundlos Stefan , Robson Michael I.
Published: October 2021

Cohesin loop extrusion facilitates precise gene expression by continuously driving promoters to sample all enhancers located within the same topologically-associated domain (TAD). However, many TADs contain multiple genes with divergent expression patterns, thereby indicating additional forces further refine how enhancer activities are utilised. Here, we unravel the mechanisms enabling a new gene,Rex1,to emerge with divergent expression within the ancientFat1TAD in placental mammals. We show that such divergent expression is not determined by a strict enhancer-promoter compatibility code, intra-TAD position or nuclear envelope-attachment. Instead, TAD-restructuring in embryonic stem cells (ESCs) separatesRex1andFat1with distinct proximal enhancers that independently drive their expression. By contrast, in later embryonic tissues, DNA methylation renders the inactiveRex1promoter profoundly unresponsive toFat1enhancers within the intact TAD. Combined, these features adapted an ancient regulatory landscape during evolution to support two entirely independentRex1andFat1expression programs. Thus, rather than operating only as rigid blocks of co-regulated genes, TAD-regulatory landscapes can orchestrate complex divergent expression patterns in evolution.

HIGHLIGHTS

New genes can emerge in evolution without taking on the expression pattern of their surrounding pre-existing TAD.

Compartmentalisation can restructure seemingly evolutionarily stable TADs to control a promoter’s access to enhancers.

Lamina-associated domains neither prevent transcriptional activation nor enhancer-promoter communication.

Repression rather than promoter-specificity refines when genes respond to promiscuous enhancer activities in specific tissues.
Disorder or a new order: how climate change affects phenological variability
Authors: Stemkovski Michael , Bell James R. , Ellwood Elizabeth R. , Inouye Brian D. , Kobori Hiromi , Lee Sang Don , Lloyd-Evans Trevor , Primack Richard B. , Templ Barbara , Pearse William D.
Published: October 2021

Advancing spring phenology is a well-documented consequence of anthropogenic climate change, but it is not well understood how climate change will affect the variability of phenology year-to-year. Species’ phenological timings reflect adaptation to a broad suite of abiotic needs (e.g. thermal energy) and biotic interactions (e.g. predation and pollination), and changes in patterns of variability may disrupt those adaptations and interactions. Here, we present a geographically and taxonomically broad analysis of phenological shifts, temperature sensitivity, and changes in inter-annual variance encompassing nearly 10,000 long-term phenology time-series representing over 1,000 species across much of the northern hemisphere. We show that early-season species in colder and less seasonal regions were the most sensitive to temperature change and had the least variable phenologies. The timings of leaf-out, flowering, insect first-occurrence, and bird arrival have all shifted earlier and tend to be less variable in warmer years. This has led leaf-out and flower phenology to become moderately but significantly less variable over time. These simultaneous changes in phenological averages and the variation around them have the potential to influence mismatches among interacting species that are difficult to anticipate if shifts in average are studied in isolation.
TGFβR Inhibition Represses TGF-β1 Initiated Keratin-7 Expression in Human Salivary Gland Progenitor Cells
Authors: Fowler Eric W. , Venrooy Emmett V. , Witt Robert L. , Jia Xinqiao
Published: October 2021

Towards the goal of engineering an implantable salivary gland for the treatment of xerostomia, we culture primary human salivary gland stem/progenitor cells (hS/PCs) in hyaluronic acid (HA)-based hydrogels containing a covalently conjugate integrin-binding peptide (RGDSP). We characterize how RGDSP affects hS/PC phenotype and discover the presence of cells expressing both amylase and keratin-7 (K7) in our 3D cultures. Typically, amylase is expressed by acinar cells, and K7 is found in ducts. After assaying an array of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily members, we find increased expression of TGF-β1 and growth/differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) in RGDSP cultures. However, 2D model studies confirm that only TGF-β1 is required to induce K7 expression in hS/PCs. We then demonstrate that with pharmacological inhibition of TGF-β signaling, K7 expression is repressed while amylase expression is maintained in RGDSP cultures. Thus, TGF-β signaling regulates K7 expression in hS/PCs, and modulation of TGF-β signaling is essential for the regeneration of salivary gland function.
Deep-Learning Super-Resolution Microscopy Reveals Nanometer-Scale Intracellular Dynamics at the Millisecond Temporal Resolution
Authors: Chen Rong , Tang Xiao , Shen Zeyu , Shen Yusheng , Li Tiantian , Wang Ji , Cui Binbin , Guo Yusong , Du Shengwang , Yao Shuhuai
Published: October 2021

Single-molecule localization microscopy (SMLM) can be used to resolve subcellular structures and achieve a tenfold improvement in spatial resolution compared to that obtained by conventional fluorescence microscopy. However, the separation of single-molecule fluorescence events in thousands of frames dramatically increases the image acquisition time and phototoxicity, impeding the observation of instantaneous intracellular dynamics. Based on deep learning networks, we develop a single-frame super-resolution microscopy (SFSRM) approach that reconstructs a super-resolution image from a single frame of a diffraction-limited image to support live-cell super-resolution imaging at a ∼20 nm spatial resolution and a temporal resolution of up to 10 ms over thousands of time points. We demonstrate that our SFSRM method enables the visualization of the dynamics of vesicle transport at a millisecond temporal resolution in the dense and vibrant microtubule network in live cells. Moreover, the well-trained network model can be used with different live-cell imaging systems, such as confocal and light-sheet microscopes, making super-resolution microscopy accessible to nonexperts.
Early evoked brain activity underlies auditory and audiovisual speech recognition deficits in schizophrenia
Authors: Senkowski Daniel , Moran James K.
Published: October 2021

Objectives

People with Schizophrenia (SZ) show deficits in auditory and audiovisual speech recognition. It is possible that these deficits are related to aberrant early sensory processing, combined with an impaired ability to utilize visual cues to improve speech recognition. In this electroencephalography study we tested this by having SZ and healthy controls (HC) identify different unisensory auditory and bisensory audiovisual syllables at different auditory noise levels.

Methods

SZ (N = 24) and HC (N = 21) identified one of three different syllables (/da/, /ga/, /ta/) at three different noise levels (no, low, high). Half the trials were unisensory auditory and the other half provided additional visual input of moving lips. Task-evoked mediofrontal N1 and P2 brain potentials triggered to the onset of the auditory syllables were derived and related to behavioral performance.

Results

In comparison to HC, SZ showed speech recognition deficits for unisensory and bisensory stimuli. These deficits were primarily found in the no noise condition. Paralleling these observations, reduced N1 amplitudes to unisensory and bisensory stimuli in SZ were found in the no noise condition. In HC the N1 amplitudes were positively related to the speech recognition performance, whereas no such relationships were found in SZ. Moreover, no group differences in multisensory speech recognition benefits and N1 suppression effects for bisensory stimuli were observed.

Conclusion

Our study shows that reduced N1 amplitudes relate to auditory and audiovisual speech processing deficits in SZ. The findings that the amplitude effects were confined to salient speech stimuli and the attenuated relationship with behavioral performance, compared to HC, indicates a diminished decoding of the auditory speech signals in SZs. Our study also revealed intact multisensory benefits in SZs, which indicates that the observed auditory and audiovisual speech recognition deficits were primarily related to aberrant auditory speech processing.

Highlights

Speech processing deficits in schizophrenia related to reduced N1 amplitudes Audiovisual suppression effect in N1 preserved in schizophrenia Schizophrenia showed weakened P2 components in specifically audiovisual processing
Remote targeted electrical stimulation
Authors: Cheeniyil Rahul , Kubanek Jan
Published: October 2021

The ability to generate electric fields in deep tissues remotely, without surgically implanting electrodes, could transform diagnoses and treatments of nervous system disorders. Here, we show that focal electrostimulation effects can be elicited remotely by combining two noninvasive forms of energies—magnetic and focused ultrasonic fields. The approach, based in the Lorentz equation and referred to as Lstim, electrically stimulates specified tissue targets with the precision of deep brain or spinal cord stimulation, but does not require electrode implantation. Lstim potentiated the responses of human nerves, enhancing the neuromodulatory effects of ultrasound by 74% on average. The effects showed a double dissociation—a significant and substantial increase in nociceptive responses, yet a significant reduction in tactile responses. In line with the Lorentz equation, Lstim was only observed when nerves were oriented perpendicularly to the magnetic and ultrasonic fields. A sham condition showed no effects. Both the ultrasonic and the induced electric fields were well below the respective safety indices, and no detrimental effects were detected. Lstim uniquely integrates noninvasiveness, sharp focus, and the efficacy of electrical stimulation. The approach has the potential to provide a noninvasive tool to dissect brain function in humans and to diagnose the neural circuits involved in nervous system disorders. Moreover, this effect should be taken into account when ultrasound is applied inside MRI.
The child as an active participant: enhancing the child's attachment to kindergartens through architectural design
Authors: Beheiry Dalia A. , Gabr Hisham S.
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Recently, children are no longer considered the passive users of their spaces; they are rather treated as active participants in those spaces design, with their own experiences. The present research aims to investigate the impact of selected architectural variables of kindergartens' design on the child's attachment to the place. It also examines the multi-complex approach in dealing with children in experiments.

Design/methodology/approach

Spatial analysis and photographing methods were used to analyse the educational spaces in two kindergartens in Greater Cairo, Egypt. In measuring children's place attachment, the research depended on a complex participatory approach, which comprised interviews with children, story completion, children's drawings and visual questionnaires.

Findings

The results of this qualitative study highlight that the design of a kindergarten classroom's details plays a significant role in strengthening the child's place attachment. The results also stress that connection and exposure to nature supports the child's spatial values.

Originality/value

The authors argue that this paper is considered a good basis for including children as the architectural design decision-makers for their buildings, by shedding light on the architect–user relationship and its impact on the design process. It demonstrates how architectural design of child-oriented spaces can promote a child's self-identity and perception.
Antecedents of noise pollution control behaviour of employees of construction companies
Authors: Kaluarachchi Mekhala , Waidyasekara K.G.A.S. , Rameezdeen Raufdeen
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Construction activities generate noise that is harmful to workers and the neighbouring community. Engineering control methods are often used for its control which are expensive and limited in effectiveness. This study aims to investigate factors that affect employee behaviour and how it could be used by construction companies to manage noise pollution on sites.

Design/methodology/approach

Norm Activation Model (NAM) is used to investigate the relationship between attitudes and behaviour of site-based employees using a questionnaire survey administered in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The responses were analysed using structural equation modelling to discern behavioural patterns and how it differs between managers and workers.

Findings

The results showed that behaviour of site employees could be influenced when they are aware of the consequences of noise pollution and take responsibility for its control. Personal norm of an employee and company's environmental behaviour are found to influence the behaviour in a positive manner.

Practical implications

Construction companies should focus more on how to harness their employee's behaviour in order to reduce noise pollution on sites. Employees should be made aware of consequences of noise pollution and feel responsible for their actions through training, awareness campaigns, signage and so on.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature by building a theoretical model of employee noise control behaviour in construction organizations and empirically testing it among managers and workers. It compares the differences between these two groups which enhances one’s understanding of behavioural control methods when applied in a construction project setting. The study also evaluates the effects of company's environmental behaviour on employee behaviour.
Relationships, sustainability and agri-food purchasing behaviour in farmer markets in Italy
Authors: Foti Vera Teresa , Timpanaro Giuseppe
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The study aims to demonstrate that farmers' markets can represent a model of environmental, social and governance reference for modern agri-food systems facing the challenge of post COVID-19 pandemic reconstruction, responding to consumer expectations in terms of health, safety and wholesomeness of agri-food products.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of consumers was surveyed in farmers' markets and social network analysis (SNA) was adopted as a methodological approach to reconstruct the links between the worlds of production and consumption and to derive the relative importance attributed to various factors that promote relational structures.

Findings

The work demonstrates the importance of sustainability – as a productive and behavioural model of firms – for the construction of efficient and durable relationship systems in two farmer markets in Sicily. In particular, four fundamental components emerge in the construction of networks represented by consumer sensitivity to sustainability processes, the individual behavioural model of purchasing and consumption, the expectation of political direction and the level and factors of knowledge of the firm. The clustering elements of the relationships were found to be the territory and local products, the environmentalist attitude and the protection of resources, as well as the adoption of a rational waste disposal policy, the fight against food waste, the encouragement of healthier and more sustainable consumption styles, clear and transparent communication and the activation of sustainable supply chain processes in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Originality/value

The paper aims to demonstrate how alternative food systems can become a useful model for large enterprises, which are committed to rebuilding their business strategy to overcome the current crisis.
Towards the assessment of business process knowledge intensity – a systematic literature review
Authors: Berniak-Woźny Justyna , Szelągowski Marek
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The aim of the article is to propose an integrated definition of knowledge-intensive business processes (kiBPs) and a model of business process (BP) knowledge intensity and develop holistic criteria and measures for the assessment of BP knowledge intensity.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative systematic literature review (SLR) was carried out as a means of evaluating and interpreting all available research relevant to the research topic, in this case, BP knowledge intensity. The SLR is based on the resources of the ProQuest, Springer Nature and ScienceDirect full-text databases. Regarding inclusion criteria, the authors considered peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings published in English in the last 10 years. The results were summarized and synthesized narratively.

Findings

Based on the review, the authors classified existing knowledge intensity definitions, starting with knowledge-intensive economy or country, sectors and services, through knowledge-intensive organizations, BPs, to tasks. Then, an integrated definition of kiBPs was proposed and the business process knowledge intensity model encompassing three domains developed. Finally, 12 knowledge intensity criteria with measures were proposed.

Originality/value

The major value of this research is that it presents a novel approach to understanding BP knowledge intensity and kiBPs. By creating the BP knowledge intensity model, supplemented by the assessment criteria and measures, the authors contribute to the more effective management of kiBP, help find similarities and differences between various knowledge-intensive processes, as well as provide important implications for their effective management and research.
Can relational governance improve sustainability in public-private partnership infrastructure projects? An empirical study based on structural equation modeling
Authors: Tian Bo , Wang Zizhao , Li Chunhao , Fu Jiaxin
Published: October 2021

Purpose

According to relational contract theory, relational governance has potential to improve public-private partnership (PPP) infrastructure project sustainability. The main purpose of this research is to investigate the association between relational governance and the sustainability of PPP infrastructure projects. Further, this study examines the mediating effect of managerial innovation and the moderating role of public involvement.

Design/methodology/approach

Research data were collected from 158 valid questionnaires completed by Chinese PPP professionals. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was then employed to test five hypotheses.

Findings

Results indicate a positive correlation between relational governance and PPP infrastructure project sustainability. This linkage is regulated by public involvement. In addition, managerial innovation plays a mediating role between relational governance and the sustainability of PPP infrastructure projects.

Originality/value

This study verifies the relationship between relational governance and PPP infrastructure project sustainability, as well as intermediary and regulatory factors, providing a new approach to achieving sustainability in PPP infrastructure projects.
CSR communication and firms’ ability to win public procurement contracts
Authors: Kaddouri Ouiam , Saussier Stephane
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the link between the corporate social responsibility (CSR) communication efforts of companies and their ability to obtain public procurement contracts.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors are exploiting a database with the number of public procurement contracts won by SBF 120 companies in France and a constructed CSR index over the period of 2007–2015. The authors provide estimates of the amount of public contracts won by those companies.

Findings

The results suggest a striking influence of CSR communication on the ability of firms to win contracts.

Research limitations/implications

This study focused on the case of the SBF 120 companies under the French regulatory system and European directives, which are different from the obligations in North American countries. Second, our constructed CSR index may be too simplistic in nature, and its application is limited only to the French context. Third, we do not have any evidence about the efficiency of well-ranked firms in our study. CSR reporting is still considered to be a form of communication, even if formal, that can contain information that does not especially reflect reality, as the scandals of several companies have shown in recent years (e.g. Volkswagen, Eiffage, Enron).

Practical implications

Companies should consider Business-to-Government (B-to-G) market when investing in CSR actions.

Originality/value

This is one of the first empirical studies measuring the impact of CSR on the ability of companies to win public contracts.
Application of gamification to library services: awareness, perception, and readiness of academic librarians in Nigeria
Authors: Adeyemi Ismail Olatunji , Esan Adedoyin Oluwatosin , Aleem Abdulmalik
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Gamification is a growing field of study that has not been touched by Nigerian academic librarians. This study aims to explore the awareness, perception and readiness of academic librarians on the application of gamification to library services.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopts an interpretive research design and a qualitative research approach. This involves using semi-structured interviews to collect data for the study. Purposive sampling technique was used to select a sample of 20 participants but only 15 participated in the study. Participants were interviewed on their lived experience as to gamification; hence, phenomenology research method was adopted for the study. Thematic analysis was used to analyze collected data.

Findings

The findings of the study show that most of the academic librarians in Nigeria were not aware of gamification to library services. However, the few that were aware knew about the gamification of library service through their personal academic reading. It was shown that there is a link between awareness and positive perception of gamification to library services. It was found that most of the academic librarians did not have a positive perception of applying gamification to library services in Nigeria. Results show that important factors to consider in readiness towards application of gamification to academic library services in Nigeria include library management support, librarians’ technical know-how and IT compliance.

Originality/value

The findings of this study will provide insights as to academic librarians’ awareness, perception and readiness in applying gamification to library services in Nigeria and may provide insights into other developing Africa countries at large.
Corporate governance practices and firm performance: a configurational analysis across corporate life cycles
Authors: Amin Hala M. , Mohamed Ehab K.A. , Hussain Mostaq M.
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This study aims to explore corporate governance (CG) practices that can lead to firms’ better performance in different organizational life cycles. The authors propose a configurational approach to explore how a set of CG practices combine in bundles to achieve high performance outcomes for firms across their corporate life cycles.

Design/methodology/approach

Fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis was used to analyze a sample of data of 21 countries and 9 industries. Data referred to the period of 9 years extending from the year 2005 to the year 2013.

Findings

This study reveals that there are multiple CG practices that exist through firms that can achieve high firm performance. Moreover, CG practices combine in different ways for firms in their growth, maturity and declining stages.

Research limitations/implications

This study demonstrates the value of using a configurational analytical approach to explore both the firm and country-specific CG practices (together) that engage firms to achieve the desired level of performance across the corporate life cycles.

Practical implications

The current study draws attention to the policymakers’ need to assess the current level of regulatory and competitive development of their countries and form policy accordingly. The approach used in the current research study not only offers the linkages between CG and performance to managers as incentives to comply with regulation but also to view CG-related activity as a strategic move.

Social implications

The approach used in the current research study not only offers the linkages between CG and performance to managers as incentives to comply with regulation but also to view CG-related activity as a strategic move.

Originality/value

This study broadening the focus of CG studies to include a rigorous explanation of the global CG phenomena and to provide effective solutions for the practitioners.

Contribution to Impact

This study demonstrates the value of using a configurational analytical approach to explore both the firm and country-specific CG practices (together) that engage firms to achieve the desired level of performance across the corporate life cycles.