bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Publication bias and low power in field studies on goal priming
Authors: Shanks David R. , Vadillo Miguel A.
Published: October 2021

Research on goal priming asks whether the subtle activation of an achievement goal can improve task performance. Studies in this domain employ a range of priming methods, such as surreptitiously displaying a photograph of an athlete winning a race, and a range of dependent variables including measures of creativity and workplace performance. Chen, Latham, Piccolo and Itzchakov (Chen
et al.
2021
J. Appl. Psychol.
70
, 216–253) recently undertook a meta-analysis of this research and reported positive overall effects in both laboratory and field studies, with field studies yielding a moderate-to-large effect that was significantly larger than that obtained in laboratory experiments. We highlight a number of issues with Chen
et al
.'s selection of field studies and then report a new meta-analysis (
k
= 13,
N
= 683) that corrects these. The new meta-analysis reveals suggestive evidence of publication bias and low power in goal priming field studies. We conclude that the available evidence falls short of demonstrating goal priming effects in the workplace, and offer proposals for how future research can provide stronger tests.
Directed network Laplacians and random graph models
Authors: Gong Xue , Higham Desmond J. , Zygalakis Konstantinos
Published: October 2021

We consider spectral methods that uncover hidden structures in directed networks. We establish and exploit connections between node reordering via (a) minimizing an objective function and (b) maximizing the likelihood of a random graph model. We focus on two existing spectral approaches that build and analyse Laplacian-style matrices via the minimization of frustration and trophic incoherence. These algorithms aim to reveal directed periodic and linear hierarchies, respectively. We show that reordering nodes using the two algorithms, or mapping them onto a specified lattice, is associated with new classes of directed random graph models. Using this random graph setting, we are able to compare the two algorithms on a given network and quantify which structure is more likely to be present. We illustrate the approach on synthetic and real networks, and discuss practical implementation issues.
Model comparison via simplicial complexes and persistent homology
Authors: Vittadello Sean T. , Stumpf Michael P. H.
Published: October 2021

In many scientific and technological contexts, we have only a poor understanding of the structure and details of appropriate mathematical models. We often, therefore, need to compare different models. With available data we can use formal statistical model selection to compare and contrast the ability of different mathematical models to describe such data. There is, however, a lack of rigorous methods to compare different modelsa priori. Here, we develop and illustrate two such approaches that allow us to compare model structures in a systematic way by representing models as simplicial complexes. Using well-developed concepts from simplicial algebraic topology, we define a distance between models based on their simplicial representations. Employing persistent homology with a flat filtration provides for alternative representations of the models as persistence intervals, which represent model structure, from which the model distances are also obtained. We then expand on this measure of model distance to study the concept of model equivalence to determine the conceptual similarity of models. We apply our methodology for model comparison to demonstrate an equivalence between a positional-information model and a Turing-pattern model from developmental biology, constituting a novel observation for two classes of models that were previously regarded as unrelated.
Highly sensitive and specific detection of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant by double-mismatch allele-specific PCR
Authors: Garson Jeremy A. , Badru Samuel , Parker Eleanor L. , Tedder Richard S. , McClure Myra O.
Published: October 2021

The highly transmissible Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 (B.1.617.2), first identified in India, is currently replacing pre-existing variants in Europe, the USA, and many other parts of the world. It is essential to monitor efficiently its spread to help guide public health policies. Genome sequencing is the gold standard for identification of Delta, but is time-consuming, expensive, and unavailable in many regions. We describe here a rapid and relatively inexpensive alternative to sequencing for specific identification of the Delta variant, by application of double-mismatch allele-specific RT-PCR (DMAS-RT-PCR). The technique exploits forward and reverse allele-specific primers, targeting two spike gene mutations, L452R and T478K, within the same amplicon. The discriminatory power of each primer is enhanced by the presence of an additional mismatch located at the fourth nucleotide from the 3′ end. Amplicons are detected in real-time by means of a conventional fluorescently-labelled hydrolysis probe. Specificity was assessed by testing a range of well characterised cell culture-derived viral isolates and clinical samples, most of which had previously been fully sequenced. In all cases the results of viral genotyping by DMAS-RT-PCR were entirely concordant with the results of sequencing, and the assay was shown to discriminate reliably between the Delta variant and other variants of concern (Alpha, B.1.1.7 and Beta, B.1.351), and ‘wild-type’ SARS-CoV-2. Other respiratory viruses, including influenza A and respiratory syncytial virus, were non-reactive in the assay. The sensitivity of DMAS-RT-PCR matched that of the diagnostic SARS-CoV-2 RT-qPCR screening assay, which targets the E gene. Several samples that could not be sequenced due to insufficient virus could successfully be genotyped by DMAS-RT-PCR. The method we describe would be simple to establish in any laboratory that has the ability to conduct PCR assays and should greatly facilitate monitoring of the spread of the Delta variant throughout the world, and its proportional representation in any SARS-CoV-2-infected population.
Covid-19 genomic analysis reveals clusters of emerging sublineages within the delta variant
Authors: Rono Evans K.
Published: October 2021

The emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants may potentially have enhanced transmissibility and virulence of the virus, and impacts on performance of diagnostic tools and efficacy of vaccines. Genomic surveillance provides an opportunity to detect and characterize new mutations early enough for effective deployment of control strategies. Here, genomic data from Germany and United Kingdom were examined for genetic diversity by assessing gene mutations and inferring phylogeny, and simplifying genomic data workflow for faster visualization and interpretation. Delta variant sublineages were grouped into seven distinct clusters of spike mutations located in N-terminal domain of S1 region (T95I, D138H, *D142G, Y145H and A222V) and S2 region (T719I and *N950D). The most predominant cluster was T95I mutation, with the highest frequencies (71.1% - 83.9%) in Wales, England and Scotland, and the least frequencies (8.9% - 12.1%) in Germany. Two mutations, *D142G and *N950D here described as *reverse mutations and T719I mutation, were largely unique to Germany. In a month, frequencies of D142G had increased from 55.6% to 67.8 % in Germany. Additionally, a cluster of D142G+T719I/T mutation went up from 27.7% to 34.1%, while a T95I+ D142G+N950D/N cluster rose from 19.2% to 26.2%. Although, two distinct clusters of T95I+D138H (2.6% - 3.8%) and T95I+Y145H+A222V (2.5% - 8.5%) mutations were present in all the countries, they were most predominant in Wales and Scotland respectively. Results suggest divergent evolutionary trajectories between the clusters of T95I mutation and those of D142G mutation. These findings provide insights into underlying dynamics of evolution of the delta variant. Future studies may evaluate the epidemiological and biological implications of these sublineages.
Intelligent Resolution: Integrating Cryo-EM with AI-driven Multi-resolution Simulations to Observe the SARS-CoV-2 Replication-Transcription Machinery in Action
Authors: Trifan Anda , Gorgun Defne , Li Zongyi , Brace Alexander , Zvyagin Maxim , Ma Heng , Clyde Austin , Clark David , Salim Michael , Hardy David J. , Burnley Tom , Huang Lei , McCalpin John , Emani Murali , Yoo Hyenseung , Yin Junqi , Tsaris Aristeidis , Subbiah Vishal , Raza Tanveer , Liu Jessica , Trebesch Noah , Wells Geoffrey , Mysore Venkatesh , Gibbs Thomas , Phillips James , Chennubhotla S. Chakra , Foster Ian , Stevens Rick , Anandkumar Anima , Vishwanath Venkatram , Stone John E. , Tajkhorshid Emad , Harris Sarah A. , Ramanathan Arvind
Published: October 2021

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) replication transcription complex (RTC) is a multi-domain protein responsible for replicating and transcribing the viral mRNA inside a human cell. Attacking RTC function with pharmaceutical compounds is a pathway to treating COVID-19. Conventional tools, e.g., cryo-electron microscopy and all-atom molecular dynamics (AAMD), do not provide sufficiently high resolution or timescale to capture important dynamics of this molecular machine. Consequently, we develop an innovative workflow that bridges the gap between these resolutions, using mesoscale fluctuating finite element analysis (FFEA) continuum simulations and a hierarchy of AI-methods that continually learn and infer features for maintaining consistency between AAMD and FFEA simulations. We leverage a multi-site distributed workflow manager to orchestrate AI, FFEA, and AAMD jobs, providing optimal resource utilization across HPC centers. Our study provides unprecedented access to study the SARS-CoV-2 RTC machinery, while providing general capability for AI-enabled multi-resolution simulations at scale.
Glucocorticoid signaling delays castration-induced regression in murine models of prostate cancer
Authors: Maolake Aerken , Zhang Renyuan , Sha Kai , Singh Shalini , Pan Chunliu , Xu Bo , Chatta Gurkamal , Mastri Michalis , Eng Kevin H. , Krolewski John J. , Nastiuk Kent L.
Published: October 2021

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) induces regression of recurrent and advanced prostate cancer (PrCa), but many tumors recur. To understand the response to ADT, changes in tumor volume were imaged after castration of murine PrCa models. While mouse (non-tumor) prostate begins to regress within two days of castration, murine PrCa regresses after a delay of 3-14 days in two distinct mouse models. Intra-tumoral androgens are undetectable after castration, but tumor cells proliferate during this period. Intratumoral glucocorticoids and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) protein increase, as does GR mRNA and a set of GR-regulated genes specifically in tumor epithelial cells identified using scRNAseq. A selective GR antagonist (CORT125281, relacorilant), in clinical trials for late-state PrCa, eliminates the delayed regression phenotype in both models. Thus, activated GR signaling and murine tumor proliferation following castration resembles the GR-dependent escape mechanism of castrate resistant PrCa. These results suggest simultaneous inhibition of GR and androgen receptor signaling could improve PrCa therapy.

In brief

Androgen deprivation therapy for high risk and recurrent prostate cancers is initially effective, but ultimately fails; better understanding the mechanisms should improve therapy. In two murine prostate cancer models, GR signaling is activated immediately following castration, substituting for the acute reduction in AR signaling, and allowing for continued tumor growth. This continued growth is blocked by relacorilant, selective GR antagonist in clinical trials for late-state PrCa.

Highlights

Androgen deprivation therapy induces regression of prostate cancer, but tumors recur

Murine PrCa continues to proliferate for 3-14 days in two distinct mouse prostate cancer models

Tumor cells proliferate during this period, and intratumoral glucocorticoids and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) protein increase, as does GR mRNA and a set of GR-regulated genes

Relacorilant, a selective GR antagonist in clinical trials for late-state PrCa, eliminates the delayed regression
Deep Learning Genome-wide Linkage Association Study for Wheat Fusarium Head Blight Resistance Genes Discovery
Authors: Xu Wayne , Bilichak Andriy , Dhariwal Raman , Henriquez Maria A. , Randhawa Harpinder
Published: October 2021

Background

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is one of the most devastating diseases of wheat worldwide and artificial intelligence can assist with understanding resistance to the disease. Considering different sample populations, marker types, reference maps, and statistical methods, we developed a Deep Learning Genome-wide Linkage Association Study (dpGLAS) of FHB resistance in wheat.

Results

The dpGLAS was first applied to two bi-parental population datasets in which the cultivar AC Barrie was a common parent for FHB resistance. Eight candidate gene markers were discovered in the one AC Barrie population and 10 in the other associated with FHB resistance. Eight of these markers were also supported by the conventional QTL mapping. Most of these candidate marker genes were found associated with the Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and Abscisic acid (ABA) axes. These ROS and ABA pathways were further supported by RNA-seq transcriptome data of FHB resistant cv. AAC Tenacious, a parent of the third bi-parental population. In this dataset, the ROS-centered Panther protein families were significantly enriched in those genes that had most different response to FHB when compared the resistance Tenacious and the susceptible Roblin.

Conclusions

This study developed the framework of dpGLAS and identified candidate genes for FHB resistance in the Canadian spring wheat cultivars AC Barrie and AAC Tenacious.
A reservoir of timescales in random neural network
Authors: Stern Merav , Istrate Nicolae , Mazzucato Luca
Published: October 2021

The temporal activity of many biological systems, including neural circuits, exhibits fluctuations simultaneously varying over a large range of timescales. The mechanisms leading to this temporal heterogeneity are yet unknown. Here we show that random neural networks endowed with a distribution of self-couplings, representing functional neural clusters of different sizes, generate multiple timescales of activity spanning several orders of magnitude. When driven by a time-dependent broadband input, slow and fast neural clusters preferentially entrain slow and fast spectral components of the input, respectively, suggesting a potential mechanism for spectral demixing in cortical circuits.
IL-1α secreted by subcapsular sinus macrophages promotes melanoma metastasis in the sentinel lymph node by upregulating STAT3 signaling in the tumor
Authors: Virgilio Tommaso , Bordini Joy , Sartori Giulio , Latino Irene , Molina-Romero Daniel , Leoni Cristina , Akhmedov Murodzhon , Rinaldi Andrea , Arribas Alberto J. , Morone Diego , Jafari S. Morteza Seyed , Bersudsky Marina , Ottolenghi Aner , Kwee Ivo , Chiaravalli Anna Maria , Sessa Fausto , Hunger Robert E. , Bruno Antonino , Mortara Lorenzo , Voronov Elena , Monticelli Silvia , Apte Ron N. , Bertoni Francesco , Gonzalez Santiago F.
Published: October 2021

During melanoma metastasization, tumor cells originated in the skin migrate via lymphatic vessels to the sentinel lymph node (sLN) in a process that facilitates their spread across the body. Here, we characterized the innate inflammatory responses to melanoma metastasis in the sLN. For this purpose, we confirmed the migration of fluorescent metastatic melanoma cells to the sLN and we characterized the inflammatory response in the metastatic microenvironment. We found that macrophages located in the subcapsular sinus (SSM), produce pro-tumoral IL-1α after recognition of tumor antigens. Moreover, we confirmed that the administration of an anti-IL-1α depleting antibody reduced metastasis. Conversely, the administration of recombinant IL-1α accelerated the lymphatic spreading of the tumor. Additionally, the elimination of the macrophages significantly reduced the progression of the metastatic spread. To understand the mechanism of action of IL-1α in the context of the lymph node microenvironment, we applied single-cell RNA sequencing to dissected metastases obtained from animals treated with an anti-IL-1α blocking antibody. Amongst the different pathways affected, we identified STAT3 as one of the main targets of IL-1α signaling in metastatic cells. Moreover, we found that the anti-IL-1α anti-tumoral effect was not mediated by lymphocytes, as IL-1R1 KO mice did not show any improvement in metastasis growth. Finally, we found a synergistic anti-metastatic effect of the combination of IL-1α blocking and the STAT3 inhibitor (STAT3i) stattic. In summary, we described a new mechanism by which SSM support melanoma metastasis, highlighting a new target for immunotherapy.
Ligand GA: a genetic algorithm for automated protein inhibitor design
Authors: Chalmers Gordon
Published: October 2021

Ligand GA is introduced in this work and approaches the problem of finding small molecules inhibiting protein functions by using the protein site to find close to optimal or optimal small molecule binders. Genetic algorithms (GA) are an effective means for approximating or solving computationally hard mathematics problems with large search spaces such as this one. The algorithm is designed to include constraints on the generated molecules from ADME restriction, localization in a binding site, specified hydrogen bond requirements, toxicity prevention from multiple proteins, sub-structure restrictions, and database inclusion. This algorithm and work is in the context of computational modeling, ligand design and docking to protein sites.
Viral mediated knockdown of GATA6 in SMA iPSC-derived astrocytes prevents motor neuron loss and microglial activation
Authors: Allison Reilly L. , Welby Emily , Khayrullina Guzal , Burnett Barrington G. , Ebert Allison D.
Published: October 2021

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a pediatric genetic disorder, is characterized by the profound loss of spinal cord motor neurons and subsequent muscle atrophy and death. Although the mechanisms underlying motor neuron loss are not entirely clear, data from our work and others support the idea that glial cells contribute to disease pathology. GATA6, a transcription factor that we have previously shown to be upregulated in SMA astrocytes, is negatively regulated by SMN and can increase the expression of inflammatory regulator NFκB. In this study, we identified upregulated GATA6 as a contributor to increased activation, pro-inflammatory ligand production, and neurotoxicity in spinal-cord patterned astrocytes differentiated from SMA patient induced pluripotent stem cells. Reducing GATA6 expression in SMA astrocytes via lentiviral infection ameliorated these effects to healthy control levels. Additionally, we found that SMA astrocytes contribute to SMA microglial phagocytosis, which was again decreased by lentiviral-mediated knockdown of GATA6. Together these data identify a role of GATA6 in SMA astrocyte pathology and further highlight glia as important targets of therapeutic intervention in SMA.
The Evolution of Host Specialization in an Insect Pathogen
Authors: Visher Elisa , Uricchio Lawrence , Bartlett Lewis , DeNamur Nicole , Yarcan Aren , Alhassani Dina , Boots Mike
Published: October 2021

Niche breadth coevolution between biotic partners underpins theories of diversity and co-existence and influences patterns of disease emergence and transmission in host-parasite systems. Despite these broad implications, we still do not fully understand how the breadth of parasites’ infectivity evolves, the nature of any associated costs, or the genetic basis of specialization. Here, we serially passage a granulosis virus on multiple inbred populations of its Plodia interpunctella host to explore the dynamics and outcomes of specialization. In particular, we collect time series of phenotypic and genetic data to explore the dynamics of host genotype specialization throughout the course of experimental evolution and examine two fitness components. We find that the Plodia interpunctella granulosis virus consistently evolves increases in overall specialization, but that our two fitness components evolve independently such that lines specialize in either productivity or infectivity. Furthermore, we find that specialization in our experiment is a highly polygenic trait best explained by a combination of evolutionary mechanisms including conditionally positive fitness asymmetries and mutation accumulation. These results are important for understanding the evolution of specialization in host-parasite interactions and its broader implications for co-existence, diversification, and infectious disease management.
Representations of temporal community structure in hippocampus and precuneus predict inductive reasoning decisions
Authors: Pudhiyidath Athula , Morton Neal W , Duran Rodrigo Viveros , Schapiro Anna C. , Momennejad Ida , Hinojosa-Rowland Demitrius M. , Molitor Robert J. , Preston Alison R.
Published: October 2021

Our understanding of the world is shaped by inferences about underlying structure. For example, at the gym, you might notice that the same people tend to arrive around the same time and infer that they are friends that work out together. Consistent with this idea, after participants are presented with a temporal sequence of objects that follows an underlying community structure, they are biased to infer that objects from the same community share the same properties. Here, we used fMRI to measure neural representations of objects after temporal community structure learning and examine how these representations support inference about object relationships. We found that community structure learning affected inferred object similarity: when asked to spatially group items based on their experience, participants tended to group together objects from the same community. Neural representations in perirhinal cortex predicted individual differences in object grouping, suggesting that high-level object representations are affected by temporal community learning. Furthermore, participants were biased to infer that objects from the same community would share the same properties. Using computational modeling of temporal learning and inference decisions, we found that inductive reasoning is influenced by both detailed knowledge of temporal statistics and abstract knowledge of the temporal communities. The fidelity of temporal community representations in hippocampus and precuneus predicted the degree to which temporal community membership biased reasoning decisions. Our results suggest that temporal knowledge is represented at multiple levels of abstraction, and that perirhinal cortex, hippocampus, and precuneus may support inference based on this knowledge.
Lineage Recording Reveals the Phylodynamics, Plasticity and Paths of Tumor Evolution
Authors: Yang Dian , Jones Matthew G. , Naranjo Santiago , Rideout William M. , Min Kyung Hoi (Joseph) , Ho Raymond , Wu Wei , Replogle Joseph M. , Page Jennifer L. , Quinn Jeffrey J. , Horns Felix , Qiu Xiaojie , Chen Michael Z. , Freed-Pastor William A. , McGinnis Christopher S. , Patterson David M. , Gartner Zev J. , Chow Eric D. , Bivona Trever G. , Chan Michelle M. , Yosef Nir , Jacks Tyler , Weissman Jonathan S.
Published: October 2021

Tumor evolution is driven by the progressive acquisition of genetic and epigenetic alterations that enable uncontrolled growth, expansion to neighboring and distal tissues, and therapeutic resistance. The study of phylogenetic relationships between cancer cells provides key insights into these processes. Here, we introduced an evolving lineage-tracing system with a single-cell RNA-seq readout into a mouse model of Kras;Trp53(KP)-driven lung adenocarcinoma which enabled us to track tumor evolution from single transformed cells to metastatic tumors at unprecedented resolution. We found that loss of the initial, stable alveolar-type2-like state was accompanied by transient increase in plasticity. This was followed by adoption of distinct fitness-associated transcriptional programs which enable rapid expansion and ultimately clonal sweep of rare, stable subclones capable of metastasizing to distant sites. Finally, we showed that tumors develop through stereotypical evolutionary trajectories, and perturbing additional tumor suppressors accelerates tumor progression by creating novel evolutionary paths. Overall, our study elucidates the hierarchical nature of tumor evolution, and more broadly enables the in-depth study of tumor progression.
Single-particle cryo-EM structures from iDPC-STEM at near-atomic resolution
Authors: Lazić Ivan , Wirix Maarten , Leidl Max Leo , de Haas Felix , Beckers Maximilian , Pechnikova Evgeniya V. , Müller-Caspary Knut , Egoavil Ricardo , Bosch Eric G.T. , Sachse Carsten
Published: October 2021

Electron cryo-microscopy (cryo-EM) is becoming one of the routine tools for structure determination of biological macromolecules. Commonly, molecular images are obtained by conventional transmission electron microcopy (CTEM) using underfocus and subsequently computationally combined into a high-resolution 3D structure. Here, we apply scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) using the integrated differential phase contrast mode also known as iDPC-STEM to the cryo-EM test specimen of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV). The micrographs show complete contrast transfer to high resolution and enable the cryo-EM structure determination at 3.5 Å resolution using single-particle based helical reconstruction. A series of cryo-EM TMV maps was resolved at near-atomic resolution taken at different convergence semi-angle (CSA) beams and share identical features with maps obtained by CTEM of a previously acquired same-sized TMV data set. The associated map B-factors from iDPC-STEM match those obtained by CTEM recordings using 2ndgeneration direct electron detection devices. These data show that STEM imaging in general, and in particular the iDPC-STEM approach, can be applied to vitrified single-particle specimens to determine near-atomic resolution cryo-EM structures of biological macromolecules.
Getting out of a mammalian egg: the egg tooth and caruncle of the echidna
Authors: Fenelon Jane C , Abbie Bennetts , Neal Anthwal , Pyne Michael , Johnston Stephen D , Evans Alistair R , Tucker Abigail S , Renfree Marilyn B
Published: October 2021

In the short-beaked echidna, Tachyglossus aculeatus, after an initial period of in utero development, the egg is laid in the pouch and incubated for 10 days. During this time, the fetuses develop an egg tooth and caruncle to help them hatch. However, there are only a few historical references that describe the development of the monotreme egg tooth. Using unprecedented access to echidna pre- and post-hatching tissues, the egg tooth and caruncle were assessed by micro-CT, histology and immunofluorescence, to map the changes at the morphological and molecular level. Unlike mammalian tooth germs that develop by invagination of a placode, the echidna egg tooth developed by evagination, similar to that of the first teeth in some reptiles. The egg tooth ankylosed to the premaxilla, rather than forming a mammalian thecodont attachment, with loss of the egg tooth post-hatching associated with high levels of odontoclasts, and apoptosis. The caruncle formed as a separate mineralisation from the adjacent nasal capsule, and as observed in birds and turtles, the nasal region epithelium expressed markers of cornification. Together, this highlights that the monotreme egg tooth shares many similarities with reptilian teeth, suggesting that this tooth is conserved from a common ancestor of mammals and reptiles.
Applying And Promoting Open Science In Ecology - Surveyed Drivers And Challenges
Authors: Strømme Christian B. , Lane A. Kelly , Halbritter Aud H. , Law Elizabeth , Nater Chloe R. , Nilsen Erlend B. , Boutouli Grace D. , Egelkraut Dagmar D. , Telford Richard J. , Vandvik Vigdis , Cotner Sehoya H.
Published: October 2021

Open Science (OS) comprises a variety of practices and principles that are broadly intended to improve the quality and transparency of research, and the concept is gaining traction. Since OS has multiple facets and still lacks a unifying definition, it may be interpreted quite differently among practitioners. Moreover, successfully implementing OS broadly throughout science requires a better understanding of the conditions that facilitate or hinder OS engagement, and in particular, how practitioners learn OS in the first place. We addressed these issues by surveying OS practitioners that attended a workshop hosted by the Living Norway Ecological Data Network in 2020. The survey contained scaled-response and open-ended questions, allowing for a mixed-methods approach. Out of 128 registered participants we obtained survey responses from 60 individuals. Responses indicated usage and sharing of data and code, as well as open access publications, as the OS aspects most frequently engaged with. Men and those affiliated with academic institutions reported more frequent engagement with OS than women and those with other affiliations. When it came to learning OS practices, only a minority of respondents reported having encountered OS in their own formal education. Consistent with this, a majority of respondents viewed OS as less important in their teaching than in their research and supervision. Even so, many of the respondents’ suggestions for what would help or hinder individual OS engagement included more knowledge, guidelines, resource availability and social and structural support; indicating that formal instruction can facilitate individual OS engagement. We suggest that the time is ripe to incorporate OS in teaching and learning, as this can yield substantial benefits to OS practitioners, student learning, and ultimately, the objectives advanced by the OS movement.
Wheat grain width: A clue for re-exploring visual indicators of grain weight
Authors: Haghshenas Abbas , Emam Yahya , Jafarizadeh Saeid
Published: October 2021

Mean grain weight (MGW) is among the most frequently measured parameters in wheat breeding and physiology. Although in the recent decades, various wheat grain analyses (e.g. counting, and determining the size, color, or shape features) have been facilitated thanks to the automated image processing systems, MGW estimations has been limited to using few number of image-derived indices; i.e. mainly the linear or power models developed based on the projected area (Area). Following a preliminary observation which indicated the potential of grain width in improving the predictions, the present study was conducted to explore potentially more efficient indices for increasing the precision of image-based MGW estimations. For this purpose, an image archive of the grains was processed, which was harvested from a two-year field experiment carried out with 3 replicates under two irrigation conditions and included 15 cultivar mixture treatments (so the archive was consisted of 180 images taken from an overall number of more than 72000 grains). It was observed that among the more than 30 evaluated indices of grain size and shape, indicators of grain width (i.e. Minor & MinFeret) along with 8 other empirical indices had a higher correlation with MGW, compared with Area. The most precise MGW predictions were obtained using the Area×Circularity, Perimeter×Circularity, and Area/Perimeter indices. In general, two main common factors were detected in the structure of the major indices, i.e. either grain width or the Area/Perimeter ratio. Moreover, comparative efficiency of the superior indices almost remained stable across the 4 environmental conditions. Eventually, using the selected indices, ten simple linear models were developed and validated for MGW prediction, which indicated a relatively higher precision than the current Area-based models. The considerable effect of enhancing image resolution on the precision of the models has been also evidenced. It is expected that the findings of the present study improve the precision of the image-based MGW estimations, and consequently facilitate wheat breeding and physiological assessments.
Crystal structures of two alanylpiperidine analogues
Authors: Mambourg Kalina , Tumanov Nikolay , Henon Gilles , Lanners Steve , Garcia-Ladona Javier , Wouters Johan
Published: October 2021

The structure of ethyl 1-[N-(4-methylphenyl)-N-(methylsulfonyl)alanyl]piperidine-4-carboxylate, C19H28N2O5S, I, a compound of interest as activator of Ubiquitin C-terminal Hydrolase-L1 (UCH-L1), was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD) analysis. In order to find new activators, a derivative of compound I, namely, 1-[N-(4-methylphenyl)-N-(methylsulfonyl)alanyl]piperidine-4-carboxylic acid, C17H24N2O5S, II, was studied. The synthesis and crystal structure are also reported. Despite being analogues, different crystal packings are observed. Compound II bears a carboxylic group, which favors a strong hydrogen bond. A polymorph risk assessment was carried out to study interactions in compound II.
Objective vs subjective design newness
Authors: Sung Billy , Hartley Nicole , Vanman Eric , Hooshmand Reyhane
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The paper aims to examine whether (1) deviation of design (i.e. objective design newness) is distinct to consumers' perception of design newness (i.e. subjective design newness) and (2) subjective design newness rather than objective design newness evokes the emotion of interest and enhances product evaluation.

Design/methodology/approach

In total five sets of quasi-experiments were conducted on the natural manipulations of design newness. Specifically, the first four studies examine consumers' perception of design newness, feeling-of-interest and product evaluation toward old and new Apple's iOS (i.e., iPhone OS) icons when a new Apple's iOS is released. The fifth study generalized the findings to the new design of XiaoMi MiPhone.

Findings

Across five quasi-experimental studies, the authors found that (1) consumers do not necessarily perceive an objectively new design to be subjectively new; (2) subjective design newness, but not objective design newness, evokes interest and (3) interest, in turn, enhances product evaluation and behavioral intention toward an innovation.

Research limitations/implications

The current finding extended the current literature on design newness by demonstrating that subjective (vs objective) design newness provides a more holistic account of consumers' interest and positive product evaluation toward the innovations.

Practical implications

The research showed that simply updating or altering the design of a product does not evoke consumers' perception of design newness and positive product evaluation. Instead, designer and managers must explore ways to evoke consumers' perception of novelty, complexity, unfamiliarity, atypicality and difference. Furthermore, the current finding demonstrated that subjective design newness can be used to evoke consumer interest and, therefore, result in positive purchase evaluation.

Originality/value

The current research is the first to examine (1) the difference between objective and subjective design newness, (2) the emotional response toward design newness and (3) the emotion of interest as a mediator that explain the strong relationship between design newness and positive product evaluation.
The business paradigm: explanation for patterns of business interactions
Authors: Leszczyński Grzegorz , Mandjak Tibor , Margitay Tihamér , Zieliński Marek
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to introduce the concept of business paradigm to conceptualize and explain differences in business interaction patterns in the IMP research.

Design/methodology/approach

The concept of the interaction and the concepts related to and driven from it describe the business at both a general level. At the same time, the IMP points out the uniqueness of business interactions. This paper addresses the specific lies between the general and the particular by referring to various patterns of interactions. To close that gap, this paper implies the Kuhnian philosophy of science to conceptualize the business paradigm.

Findings

The business paradigm is a socially constructed collective term. It simultaneously captures the cognitive (what business is and what rules it has) and social (business community) dimensions of the actor’s behavior and actions. It has two interdependent dimensions: cognitive and social. It determines how the actors view and do business, and it explains the variations of interactions.

Research limitations/implications

Not applicable as it is a conceptual paper.

Practical implications

Not applicable as it is a conceptual paper.

Social implications

Not applicable as it is a conceptual paper.

Originality/value

The concept of the business paradigm is a theoretical extension of the IMP actor’s theory. The dimensions of the business paradigm capture the psychological and sociological characteristics of the business actor. The business paradigm application provides an opportunity to find that business can be different because actors in various communities have various views on what business is and how it should be properly run. Adding the business paradigm concept to the IMP theory implies strengthening the theory explanation power because the interaction explains the business’s general characteristics. The business relationship explains the business’s unique features, and the business paradigm explains the various interaction patterns.
Privacy concerns with COVID-19 tracking apps: a privacy calculus approach
Authors: Fernandes Teresa , Costa Marta
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The COVID-19 pandemic represents a unique challenge for public health worldwide. In this context, smartphone-based tracking apps play an important role in controlling transmission. However, privacy concerns may compromise the population’s willingness to adopt this mobile health (mHealth) technology. Based on the privacy calculus theory, this study aims to examine what factors drive or hinder adoption and disclosure, considering the moderating role of age and health status.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional survey was conducted in a European country hit by the pandemic that has recently launched a COVID-19 contact-tracing app. Data from 504 potential users was analyzed through partial least squares structural equation modeling.

Findings

Results indicate that perceived benefits and privacy concerns impact adoption and disclosure and confirm the existence of a privacy paradox. However, for young and healthy users, only benefits have a significant effect. Moreover, older people value more personal than societal benefits while for respondents with a chronical disease privacy concerns outweigh personal benefits.

Originality/value

The study contributes to consumer privacy research and to the mHealth literature, where privacy issues have been rarely explored, particularly regarding COVID-19 contact-tracing apps. The study re-examines the privacy calculus by incorporating societal benefits and moving from a traditional “self-focus” approach to an “other-focus” perspective. This study further adds to prior research by examining the moderating role of age and health condition, two COVID-19 risk factors. This study thus offers critical insights for governments and health organizations aiming to use these tools to reduce COVID-19 transmission rates.
Triggering sustainable professional agency: using change laboratory to tackle unequal access to educational success collectively
Authors: Spante Maria , Varga Anita , Carlsson Linnéa
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This study aims to depict how a change laboratory (CL) promotes sustainable professional practice at the workplace to tackle unequal access to educational success.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical findings are from a CL focusing on school professionals’ agency and a follow-up study one year after the CL.

Findings

The study shows how the staff gained insight that professional agency is a collective and relational practice. Furthermore, the staff explored how to make a difference with viable means to create new workplace models for students’ success despite experiencing a conundrum.

Research limitations/implications

This study examined participants’ perspectives in workplace change and provided support for further research examining how professionally and collectively designed models gain sustainability in schools.

Practical implications

This study provides empirical data of how professional agency for change driven by collective visions can be accelerated with the interventionist method CL among school professionals.

Social implications

This study emphasizes the value of professional collective learning at the workplace, driven by several professional groups in school, and the need to follow up to detect sustainable change.

Originality/value

This study emphasizes the value of professional collective learning at the workplace, driven by several professional groups in school, and the need to follow up to detect sustainable change.
Improvement on modal curvatures methods for multiple damage identification in beams
Authors: Cinque Daniele , Santos Jose Viriato Araujo dos , Gabriele Stefano , Marfia Sonia , Lopes Hernâni
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a study on the application of four damage factors to several single and multiple damage scenarios of aluminium beams. Each one of these damage factors is defined by the information given by modal curvatures of the beams.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology consisted of a first experimental stage in which the modal rotations were measured with shearography and a subsequent numerical analysis in order to obtain the modal curvatures. To this end, three finite difference formulae were applied. The modal curvatures were then used to calculate the damage factors.

Findings

It was found that the profile of the damage factors varies according to the finite difference formula used. In view of the findings, the differences among the damage factors analysed are highlighted and some final recommendations to improve damage identifications via modal curvature-based are presented.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the application and comparison of several finite difference formulae and corresponding optimal sampling has not been carried out before. With the proposed approach, it is possible to identify multiple damages, which is still a great challenge. The post-processing of shearography measurements with a numerical method, which is inherently a multidisciplinary approach, is also a substantial improvement upon other type of approaches found in the literature.
The determinants of the COVID-19 related stock price overreaction and volatility
Authors: Sun Yiyang Val , Liu Bin , Prodromou Tina
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This study aims to investigate which stock characteristics and corporate governance variables affect stock price overreaction and volatility during the COVID-19 pandemic period.

Design/methodology/approach

A set of stock characteristics and corporate governance variables which may affect price overreaction and volatility were identified following a review of the literature. A dummy variable was created for the cross-sectional analysis to take into account the unique sector effect in the consumer staples sector. Out of sample analysis was conducted to confirm the robustness of the main results.

Findings

The empirical results consistently show that size, dividend and trading volume determine the stock price reactions when the market is in turmoil during the pandemic period. Board size and average board tenure exhibit moderate effects on reducing the stock price reactions, but the effects become insignificant while controlling for the firm characteristics in the regressions. The results remain robust when tested out of the sample. More interestingly, a consumer staples sector effect is identified and tested. The test results show that the consumer staples sector effect mitigates the stock price reactions.

Practical implications

The results have practical implications for investors who aim to manage desired levels of risk in their portfolios during the pandemic. The results also provide meaningful insights to stock market speculators regarding pandemic-related speculation opportunities.

Originality/value

This study makes a meaningful connection between the irrational stock market anomalies and the COVID-19 pandemic.
The role of farm-to-table activities in agritourism towards sustainable development
Authors: Pehin Dato Musa Siti Fatimahwati , Chin Wei Lee
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the role of farm-to-table (FTT) activities in agritourism towards sustainable development based on three agritourism farms in Brunei.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on qualitative data using semi-structured interviews with 23 participants involved in the management of the farms. In-depth interviews are considered the most appropriate approach to gain the unexplored perspectives of the agriculture community at the three agritourism farms.

Findings

The study found that FTT activities imparted in agritourism contribute towards sustainable development economically, socially and environmentally. FTT leads to the establishment of small medium and micro enterprises, which, in turn, creates employment for the local people. It also plays a part in preserving the ethno-culinary heritage of indigenous food, promoting food localism and sustainable agriculture. These findings suggest that FTT activities play an important role in revitalizing the local community. The outcome of this empirical research may enable planners to better formulate regional policy based on a balanced approach taking into account the three dimensions of sustainability towards agritourism development. From a theoretical standpoint, this study adds value to the literature by identifying the contributions of FTT activities towards sustainable development emphasising on the consumption of local ethnic food and food localism.

Originality/value

The contributions of agritourism for local farms has not been extensively discussed especially in Brunei’s local agriculture industry. This study will provide evidence that FTT activities contribute towards a moderate form of food activism; one that re-forges the disrupted linkages between people, nature and cultural heritage.