bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Translational control as a novel regulator of gradient sensing and chemotropism in yeast
Authors: Gelin-Licht Rita , Conlon Patrick J. , Singh Raman , Nair Rohini R. , Haimovich Gal , Baez Camila , Gal Lihi , Schuldiner Maya , Levchenko Andre , Gerst Jeffrey E.
Published: December 2020

The yeast mating pathway regulates haploid cell fusion in response to pheromone signaling via a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade that controls directional growth (chemotropism). However, the regulators of chemotropic morphogenesis are ill-defined. By using a non-biased genome-wide screen, we identified hundreds of genes that affect mating. An additional screens identified and validated >20 novel positive and negative regulators of pheromone gradient sensing, chemotropism, shmoo development, and mating. Aside from known regulators of exocytosis and endocytosis, genes involved in translational control downstream of the G-protein-regulated pheromone and filamentous growth MAPK pathways were identified. These include the Scp160 RNA-binding protein and the Asc1, Rpl12b, and Rpl19b ribosomal proteins (RPs). Importantly, we demonstrate that pheromone treatment and Gα(Gpa1) activation stimulate Scp160 binding to (and inhibition of) Asc1, which acts downstream of glucose-activated Gα(Gpa2) on the filamentous growth pathway. Moreover, we identify both Rpl12b and Rpl19b as RP paralog-specific positive regulators of translation of mating components, including Scp160. Thus, opposing MAPK pathways may converge at the level of translational control to regulate signaling output.

Abstract Figure
Characterization of habitat requirements of European fishing spiders
Authors: Dickel Lisa , Monsimet Jérémy , Lafage Denis , Devineau Olivier
Published: December 2020

Wetlands are among the most threatened habitats in the world, and so are their species, which suffer habitat loss due to climate and land use changes. Freshwater species and arthropods receive little attention in research and conservation, and the goals to stop and reverse the destruction of wetlands published 25 years ago in a manifesto by the Union of Concerned Scientists have not been reached. In this study, we investigated the occurrence and habitat requirements at two spatial scales of two species of European fishing spidersDolomedes, which rely heavily on declining wetland habitats in Sweden and southern Norway.

We collected occurrence data forDolomedes plantariusandDolomedes fimbriatus, using a live-determination-method. We modelled the placement of nursery webs to describe fine scaled habitat requirements related to vegetation and microclimate. Using a machine learning approach, we described the habitat features for each species, and for co-occurrence sites, to provide insight into variables relevant for the detectability ofDolomedes.

We found that habitat requirements were narrower forD. plantariuscompared toD. fimbriatus; that the detection of nursery webs can be affected by weather conditions and that nursery placement is mostly dependent on the proximity to water, the presence ofCarex sp.(Sedges) and of crossing vegetation structures, and on humidity. Furthermore, co-occurring sites were more similar toD. plantariussites than toD. fimbriatussites, whereby surrounding forest, water type and velocity, elevation and latitude were of importance for explaining which species ofDolomedeswas present.

We provide a detailed field protocol forDolomedesstudies, including a novel live-determination method, and recommendations for future field protocols.
The design of a data management system at HEPS
Authors: Hu Hao , Qi Fazhi , Zhang Hongmei , Tian Haolai , Luo Qi
Published: December 2020

According to the estimated data rates, it is predicted that 24 PB raw experimental data will be produced per month from 14 beamlines at the first stage of the High-Energy Photon Source (HEPS) in China, and the volume of experimental data will be even greater with the completion of over 90 beamlines at the second stage in the future. To make sure that the huge amount of data collected at HEPS is accurate, available and accessible, an effective data management system (DMS) is crucial for deploying the IT systems. In this article, a DMS is designed for HEPS which is responsible for automating the organization, transfer, storage, distribution and sharing of the data produced from experiments. First, the general situation of HEPS is introduced. Second, the architecture and data flow of the HEPS DMS are described from the perspective of facility users and IT, and the key techniques implemented in this system are introduced. Finally, the progress and the effect of the DMS deployed as a testbed at beamline 1W1A of the Beijing Synchrotron Radiation Facility are shown.
Benefits of implementing Six Sigma in competitive tendering process
Authors: Ottou Jemima Antwiwaa , Baiden Bernard Kofi , Nani Gabriel , Tuuli Martin Morgan
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This research investigates the implementation of Six Sigma in competitive tendering processes to address persistent delays by identifying the potential benefits and challenges of implementing Six Sigma in construction competitive tendering processes. The results seek to encourage practitioners to implement Six Sigma in addressing competitive tendering process delays.

Design/methodology/approach

Literature was reviewed to identify the benefits and challenges of Six Sigma implementation in construction processes and categorized under broad headings. Three case studies were used to authenticate the literature findings by applying Define-Measure-Analyse-Improve-Control to their construction competitive tendering processes. Furthermore, quality tools and techniques together with documentary analysis, content analysis and determination of frequencies of quantitised qualitative data were employed to identify potential benefits and challenges.

Findings

The most common Six Sigma benefits achievable in construction competitive tendering are Time Related benefits. Other benefits likely to emanate as ripple effects are Customer Focus Related, Quality Related, Process Improvement Related, Human Resource Related, Finance Related and Decision Related. However, implementation challenges should be expected.

Practical implications

Six Sigma implementation in construction competitive tendering promotes time efficiency. It is expected that this will encourage quantity surveyors, procurement practitioners and their institutions to implement Six Sigma in addressing persistent delays in their competitive tendering processes.

Originality/value

This paper demonstrates the use of merged approach under mixed method to identify the benefits and challenges of Six Sigma implementation in construction competitive tendering process within the Ghanaian context.
General Electric and GE Capital
Authors: Varma Jayanth R , Jacob Joshy
Published: December 2020

The case discusses various options available to GE Capital to manage its liquidity and solvency crises which were aggravated during the height of the financial crisis of 2008. GE Capital needs to decide how to restructure its liabilities to meet its urgent liquidity needs while maintaining its long-term growth and competitive advantage. The case brings forth the interrelated and complex issues surrounding the choice of long term and short-term funding of a very large financial services and industrials business combine. The case offers a valuable context to examine the capital raising choices during stressful market and firm conditions.
Banking the Unbanked: The Journey of Indian Bank
Authors: Barua Samir K. , Agarwalla Sobhesh Kumar
Published: December 2020

The case describes the strategy of a large Indian Public Sector Bank (PSB) to enhance financial inclusion and financial literacy of less privileged people located in poorly accessible parts of India. While pursuing the developmental objective ‘imposed’ by the Central Bank/government, being a listed entity, the PSB had to be mindful of the financial viability of the strategy so as to protect the interest of its minority shareholders. The issues covered are endemic to most developing countries where public enterprises often become instrumentality of the state.
Arvind Mills Limited: Financial Restructuring
Authors: Sinha Sidharth
Published: December 2020

Arvind Mills incurred a loss of Rs.316 crores in the year 1999-2000 after a period of declining profits in spite of increasing sales. In January 2001 lenders to Arvind Mills received the Information Memorandum on Debt Restructuring which offered several alternative schemes. They had to decide whether they should accept the proposal and if they accept which specific scheme they should choose.
Fruitzone India Limited (D): Additional Conclusive Research
Authors: Tripathi Sanjeev
Published: December 2020

Fruitzone India Limited (FIL) was the Indian subsidiary of the multinational company Gypsy Inc., the global leader in the beverages industry. The company had conducted market research to identify a new flavour of fruit juice that it could launch. After it had completed the confirmatory research, some questions remained unanswered. It went in for another round of validation through primary research, including simulated test marketing. This case is useful for participants in the Business Research Methods, Market Research and Qualitative Research courses.
2015 UNFCCC Paris Summit: India's Dilemma
Authors: Shobhane Gaurav , Jain Bhaumik , Anchalia Gautam , Agrawal Ayush
Published: December 2020

In December 2015, 196 countries will meet in Paris to reach a new global climate change agreement. This case looks at the climate negotiation process from the eyes of India's environment minister Mr Prakash Javadekar. In India's context, the energy sector has a big role to play in emission reduction as it is the largest emitter of the GHGs. When compared to US and China, India's per-capita emissions are miniscule but they are expected to rise substantially as the GoI is investing heavily in the infrastructure sector which has a substantial carbon footprint. The case discusses the mandatory emission cuts that India will announce considering the fulfillment of sustainable development goals. The case also points out, the government's promise of providing 24*7 electricity by 2019 which it feels can be an impediment in setting an aggressive emission cut target. The case questions if changes in the portfolio mix can be a part of the solution.
Awakening the leadership anatomy in times of crisis
Authors: Yeo Roland K.
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This paper explores the concept of leadership anatomy in a health crisis like Covid-19 as it relates our body parts to sensory connections that affect our response to uncertainty.

Design/methodology/approach

In-depth interviews were conducted with 25 leaders and a cross-section of 47 employees drawn from all six business units of a multinational professional service firm. Content analysis of the data led to key implications for leadership practice.

Findings

Leading through the anatomy results in a productive tension that awakens the inner voice, helping leaders think, feel, and act in more resilient ways.

Practical implications

Using leadership anatomy as an analogy, we suggest that leaders should learn to connect with their inner senses to develop systems thinking. Such is the ability to make sense of our chaotic surroundings in the way we think, feel, and act.

Originality/value

The significance of this study is the rare moments of leadership behavior captured in the midst of a pandemic that contribute to current debate and direction in leadership research and practice.
Bayesian experimental design for CO2 sequestration with leakage risk assessment
Authors: Dia Ben Mansour
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The author examine the sequestration of CO2 in abandoned geological formations where leakages are permitted up to only a certain threshold to meet the international CO2 emissions standards. Technically, the author address a Bayesian experimental design problem to optimally mitigate uncertainties and to perform risk assessment on a CO2 sequestration model, where the parameters to be inferred are random subsurface properties while the quantity of interest is desired to be kept within safety margins.

Design/methodology/approach

The author start with a probabilistic formulation of learning the leak-age rate, and the author later relax it to a Bayesian experimental design of learning the formations geo-physical properties. The injection rate is the design parameter, and the learned properties are used to estimate the leakage rate by means of a nonlinear operator. The forward model governs a two-phase two-component flow in a porous medium with no solubility of CO2 in water. The Laplace approximation is combined with Monte Carlo sampling to estimate the expectation of the Kullback–Leibler divergence that stands for the objective function.

Findings

Different scenarios, of confining CO2 while measuring the risk of harmful leakages, are analyzed numerically. The efficiency of the inversion of the CO2 leakage rate improves with the injection rate as great improvements, in terms of the accuracy of the estimation of the formation properties, are noticed. However, this study shows that those results do not imply in any way that the learned value of the CO2 leakage should exhibit the same behavior. Also this study enhances the implementation of CO2 sequestrations by extending the duration given by the reservoir capacity, controlling the injection while the emissions remain in agreement with the international standards.

Originality/value

Uncertainty quantification of the reservoir properties is addressed. Nonlinear goal-oriented inverse problem, for the estimation of the leakage rate, is known to be very challenging. This study presents a relaxation of the probabilistic design of learning the leakage rate to the Bayesian experimental design of learning the reservoir geophysical properties.
Reading by listening: conceptualising audiobook practices in the age of streaming subscription services
Authors: Tattersall Wallin Elisa
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to clarify issues related to the contemporary study of audiobook practices, in order to aid subsequent research on topics related to reading, digital audiobooks and streaming subscription services.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the concept of remediation, this paper covers four messy issues for audiobook researchers, primarily by developing the concept of reading by listening and then exploring the different remediations of the audiobook, clarifying the audiobook as a book and exploring the context of streaming subscription services.

Findings

Reading is here conceptualised according to the human sense used when making meaning from text, with reading by listening suggested for reading done with the help of the ears. Three different forms of remediation can be seen in subscription-based audiobooks, related to format, content and sense. Audiobooks simultaneously follow traditions of reading aloud, remediates the printed book and previous audiobook formats. It is suggested that the content is what makes an audiobook a book. The concepts library model and bookshop model are introduced to understand different audiobook subscription service models.

Originality/value

This is a research area on the rise with several messy issues and the concepts and clarifications in this paper may benefit future research.
Governmental accounting reforms at a time of crisis: the Italian governmental accounting harmonization
Authors: Mussari Riccardo , Cepiku Denita , Sorrentino Daniela
Published: December 2020

Purpose

Acknowledging fiscal crises as critical junctures for policy makers, this paper investigates how the recent fiscal crisis has affected the paradigmatic approach to the design of an ongoing governmental accounting (GA) reform.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper analyses the Italian GA harmonization as a peculiar instance of an ongoing GA reform at the crisis outbreak. A longitudinal narrative analysis of official documents is complemented with semi-structured interviews with key policy makers and participant observations.

Findings

The fiscal crisis is found to play an indirect role in the Italian GA reform, which, promoting centralization of competencies in the fields of GA, determines the intensification of the approach adopted before the crisis outbreak.

Research limitations/implications

This paper extends the knowledge on the nature of post-crisis reforms by highlighting how fiscal crises can work as catalysts for paradigmatic approaches to ongoing GA reforms. This paper analyses the designing of a GA reform, whereas the long-term adaptations and outcomes of the reform are not taken into consideration.

Practical implications

The tight link between GA and financial management issues featuring the current paradigmatic approaches to reforms suggests the need to design GA reforms consistently with fiscal and financial management policies.

Originality/value

Whereas the extant literature on the nature of post-crisis reforms analyses the latter as responses to the former, this paper enlarges the knowledge on the topic by focusing on a peculiar instance of a GA reform that was ongoing at the crisis outbreak.
Academic libraries' response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria
Authors: Fasae Joseph Kehinde , Adekoya Clement Ola , Adegbilero-Iwari Idowu
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The study aims to investigate the academic libraries' response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic situation in Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey research design was employed for the study. The population of the study was all the 584 approved academic institutions in Nigeria. A structured questionnaire administered online was designed to collect data with Google Form from heads of library (who are the chief principal officer) in all the academic institutions. The link to the survey was sent to the Nigeria Library Association (NLA) Online Forum, the platform on which Nigerian librarians fete and discuss issues relating to the profession. Social media tools such as WhatsApp and Telegram belonging to groups of academic librarians in Nigeria were also employed. The heads of the library from 108 academic libraries responded to the survey. The data generated were analyzed using a statistical tool and presented in tables.

Findings

The finding reveals that nearly all the students are not on campus since they have been directed to vacate their campus as a result of the lockdown. The study reveals some safety measures that were put in place by the libraries in Nigeria to include total closure of the library (59.3%), provision of hand sanitizer (55.6%) and the use of face mask and nose covers by library users (31.9%). The finding further indicates social distancing measures also put in place to include communication done via social media (59.3%), attendance to patrons (51.9%), class/lecture (51.9%), training/conferences (37%) and paper presentations (37%) that are all canceled, respectively. On access to library materials, a majority (87.96%) of the academic libraries in Nigeria provide only online materials to their users, while 9.26% of the academic libraries provide access to both prints and online materials.

Research limitations/implications

The paper will contribute to the body of literature on academic libraries' response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria and beyond.

Practical implications

While the disease is still very much with the world, libraries have to continue providing information resources in support of the research studies and sensitize the world on the measures to take to curtail the pandemic.

Originality/value

The results can help other libraries find ways and means to adjust services, so that they can still meet the needs of users in this pandemic.
Understanding virtual reality continuance: an extended perspective of perceived value
Authors: Yang Heetae , Han Sang-Yeal
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop an integrated research model that can explain current users' continuance intention regarding the adoption of virtual reality (VR).

Design/methodology/approach

This study builds a new research model based on the perceived value theory. The model and the hypotheses formulated are tested using partial least squares analysis with 295 respondents.

Findings

Both utilitarian value and hedonic value have positive impacts on VR users' continuance intention. Among the four constructs reflecting VR device and service-related attributes, content quality and ease of use have significant impacts on the utilitarian value and hedonic value. Visual attractiveness is positively associated with hedonic value while portability affected only utilitarian value.

Practical implications

To increase users' retention of VR, VR service providers should focus developing high-quality VR content, and VR device manufacturers should consider both ease of use and visual attractiveness of VR devices.

Originality/value

This study is the first empirical study to investigate user adoption of VR devices and services synthetically, as most of prior studies related to VR adoption mainly focused on VR devices or specific services.
Headquarters’ roles and interventions in subsidiaries: a systematic review
Authors: Fallah Mohammad Ali , Heidari Ali
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This study aims to review the existing literature on corporate-level strategy to develop a conceptual framework of the headquarters’ roles as well as situational factors influencing them.

Design/methodology/approach

The systematic review is conducted. Accordingly, 598 studies (published from 1962–2018) were extracted from three databases (ProQuest, EBSCO and Web of Science). Then, after screening and ensuring the quality by the TAPUPAS checklist, 53 articles were systematically analyzed by manual coding method.

Findings

In total, 31 interventions in the form of four roles, namely, “value creation,” “value reduction,” “portfolio management“ and “loss prevent“ were identified for headquarters (HQ). Furthermore, four influencing situational factors distinguish “business characteristics,” “headquarters characteristics,” “corporate company characteristics” and “characteristic of the HQ-subsidiary relationships.”

Originality/value

The value of this research can be outlined as: mapping the cutting edge on the topic and systematizes the current knowledge; presenting an integrative, unique conceptual framework of HQs’ roles and influences, and particularly, of situational factors that determine the consequents of the interventions; and producing practical insights for corporate parent managers considering the situational factors influencing HQs’ roles and influences in managing their business portfolio successfully.
Bioenergy landscapes drive trophic shifts in generalist ants
Authors: Helms Jackson A. , Roeder Karl A. , Ijelu Selassie E. , Ratcliff Ian , Haddad Nick M.
Published: December 2020

Changes in trophic niche—the pathways through which an organism obtains energy and nutrients—are a fundamental way in which organisms respond to environmental conditions. But the capacity for species to alter their trophic niches in response to global change, and the ways they do so when able, remain largely unknown.

Here we examine food webs in three long‐term and large‐scale experiments to test how resource availability and nutritional requirements interact to determine an organism's trophic niche in the context of one of the largest global trends in land use—the rise in bioenergy production.

We use carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analyses to characterize arthropod food webs across three biofuel crops representing a gradient in plant resource richness (corn monocultures, fields dominated by native switchgrass and restored prairie), and to quantify changes in the trophic niche of a widespread generalist ant species across habitats. In doing so, we measure the effects of basal resource richness on food chain length, niche breadth and trophic position. We frame our results in the context of two hypotheses that explain variation in trophic niche—the niche variation hypothesis which emphasizes the importance of resource diversity and ecological opportunity, and the optimal diet hypothesis which emphasizes dietary constraints and the availability of optimal resources.

Increasing plant richness lengthened food chains by 10%–20% compared to monocultures. Niche breadths of generalist ants did not vary with resource richness, suggesting they were limited by optimal diet requirements and constraints rather than by ecological opportunity. The ants instead responded to changes in plant richness by shifting their estimated trophic position. In resource‐poor monocultures, the ants were top predators, sharing a trophic position with predatory spiders. In resource‐rich environments, in contrast, the ants were omnivores, relying on a mix of animal prey and plant‐based resources.

In addition to highlighting novel ecosystem impacts of alternate bioenergy landscapes, our results suggest that niche breadth and trophic diversification depend more on the presence of optimal resources than on ecological opportunity alone.
Tropical riparian forests in danger from large savanna wildfires
Authors: Flores Bernardo M. , de Sá Dechoum Michele , Schmidt Isabel B. , Hirota Marina , Abrahão Anna , Verona Larissa , Pecoral Luísa L. F. , Cure Marcio B. , Giles André L. , de Britto Costa Patrícia , Pamplona Matheus B. , Mazzochini Guilherme G. , Groenendijk Peter , Minski Géssica L. , Wolfsdorf Gabriel , Sampaio Alexandre B. , Piccolo Fernanda , Melo Lorena , Fiacador de Lima Renato , Oliveira Rafael S.
Published: December 2020

Tropical savannas are known for the fire‐prone ecosystems, yet, riparian evergreen forests are another important landscape feature. These forests usually remain safe from wildfires in the wet riparian zones. With global changes, large wildfires are now more frequent in savanna landscapes, exposing riparian forests to unprecedented impact.

In 2017, a large wildfire spread across the Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park, an iconic UNESCO site in central Brazil, raising concerns about its impact on the fire‐sensitive ecosystems. By combining remote sensing analysis of Google Earth images (2003–2019) with detailed field information from 36 sites, we assessed wildfire impacts on riparian forests. For this, we measured the structure of trees, saplings and herbaceous plants, as well as topsoil variables.

Since 2003, all riparian forests had canopy cover above 90%, but after 2017, canopy cover dropped to 20% in some forests, indicating large variation in wildfire damage. A closer look in the field revealed that, on average, the wildfire killed 52% of adult trees and 87% of tree saplings in flooded forests. In non‐flooded forests, impacts on adult trees were negligible, but fire killed 75% of tree saplings. Opportunistic vines and the invasive grass Melinis minutiflora were already present in severely disturbed flooded forests. In all forests, impacts on many ecosystem variables were related to canopy damage, a variable measurable from satellite. Overall, seasonally flooded riparian forests were the most severely impacted, possibly due to the relatively thinner barks of their trees.

Synthesis and applications. Our findings reveal how riparian forests embedded in tropical savanna landscapes are in danger from large wildfires. The destruction of some forests has opened space for new plant species that may propel a shift to an alternative ecosystem state. Riparian forests are habitat of large savanna animals and their loss could affect entire trophic networks. Managing wildfires and invasive grasses locally is probably the best strategy to maintain riparian forests resilient. As wildfire regimes intensify in tropical savanna landscapes, our findings stress the need for an integrated management that considers riparian forests as a vulnerable element of the system.
Role of extracellular matrix components in the formation of biofilms and their contribution to the biocontrol activity of Pseudomonas chlororaphis PCL1606
Authors: Heredia‐Ponce Zaira , Gutiérrez‐Barranquero José Antonio , Purtschert‐Montenegro Gabriela , Eberl Leo , de Vicente Antonio , Cazorla Francisco M.
Published: December 2020

Pseudomonas chlororaphis PCL1606 (PcPCL1606) displays plant‐colonizing features and exhibits antagonistic traits against soil‐borne phytopathogenic fungi. Biofilm formation could be relevant for the PcPCL1606 lifestyle, and in this study the role of some putative extracellular matrix components (EMC; Fap‐like fibre, alginate and Psl‐like polysaccharides) in the biofilm architecture and biocontrol activity of this bacterium were determined. EMC such as the Fap‐like fibre and alginate polysaccharide play secondary roles in biofilm formation in PcPCL1606, because they are not fundamental to its biofilm architecture in flow cell chamber, but synergistically they have shown to favour bacterial competition during biofilm formation. Conversely, studies on Psl‐like polysaccharide have revealed that it may contain mannose, and that it is strongly involved in the PcPCL1606 biofilm architecture and niche competition. Furthermore, the Fap‐like fibre and Psl‐like exopolysaccharide play roles in early surface attachment and contribute to biocontrol activity against the white root rot disease caused by Rosellinia necatrix in avocado plants. These results constitute the first report regarding the study of the extracellular matrix of the PcPCL1606 strain and highlight the importance of a putative Fap‐like fibre and Psl‐like exopolysaccharide produced by PcPCL1606 in the biofilm formation process and interactions with the host plant root.
NPR1 is required for root colonization and the establishment of a mutualistic symbiosis between the beneficial bacterium Rhizobium radiobacter and barley
Authors: Kumar Neelendra , Galli Matteo , Dempsey D'Maris , Imani Jafargholi , Moebus Anna , Kogel Karl‐Heinz
Published: December 2020

Non‐expressor of pathogenesis‐related genes 1 (NPR1) is a key regulator of plant innate immunity and systemic disease resistance. The model for NPR1 function is based on experimental evidence obtained largely from dicots; however, this model does not fit all aspects of Poaceae family, which includes major crops such as wheat, rice and barley. In addition, there is little scientific data on NPR1's role in mutualistic symbioses. We assessed barley (Hordeum vulgare) HvNPR1 requirement during the establishment of mutualistic symbiosis between barley and beneficial Alphaproteobacterium Rhizobium radiobacter F4 (RrF4). Upon RrF4 root‐inoculation, barley NPR1‐knockdown (KD‐hvnpr1) plants lost the typical spatiotemporal colonization pattern and supported less bacterial multiplication. Following RrF4 colonization, expression of salicylic acid marker genes were strongly enhanced in wild‐type roots; whereas in comparison, KD‐hvnpr1 roots exhibited little to no induction. Both basal and RrF4‐induced root‐initiated systemic resistance against virulent Blumeria graminis were impaired in leaves of KD‐hvnpr1. Besides these immune‐related differences, KD‐hvnpr1 plants displayed higher root and shoot biomass than WT. However, RrF4‐mediated growth promotion was largely compromised in KD‐hvnpr1. Our results demonstrate a critical role for HvNPR1 in establishing a mutualistic symbiosis between a beneficial bacterium and a cereal crop.
Does questioning strategy facilitate second language (L2) reading comprehension? The effects of comprehension measures and insights from reader perception
Authors: Liu Huan
Published: December 2020

Background

Extensive second language (L2) reading research has examined the effects of comprehension strategies on comprehension performance. Often ignored, however, is the potential impact of comprehension measures that differ in cognitive complexity, which might cause potential bias when interpreting the (in)effectiveness of comprehension strategies.

Method

With a total of 54 Chinese learners of English at college in China, this study examined whether the effect of the questioning strategy (answering what and why questions while reading) on L2 reading comprehension of expository texts might vary by comprehension measure (short‐answer and multiple‐choice questions). L2 readers' perception of the questioning strategy was also thematically analysed.

Results

Mixed‐effects modelling analyses revealed a significant interaction between the questioning strategy and comprehension measure, controlling for individual‐level differences in first language (L1) reading ability, L2 vocabulary size and topic familiarity. Using the questioning strategy significantly facilitated comprehension measured by short‐answer questions but not multiple‐choice questions. Three themes regarding L2 readers' perception of the questioning strategy were identified: memorising text details, understanding main ideas and disrupting reading fluency.

Conclusion

Evaluation of comprehension strategies needs to consider comprehension measures differing in response format and cognitive complexity. For positive effect to occur, there needs a match between cognitive processing triggered by a comprehension strategy and cognitive skills demanded to successfully complete a comprehension task.
Late Holocene environmental and climatic changes in the Western Sayan Mountains based on high‐resolution multi‐proxy data
Authors: Blyakharchuk Tatiana , Kurina Irina
Published: December 2020

Southern Siberia is characterized by complex climatic and vegetation patterns, and the late‐Quaternary evolution of climate and vegetation in this vast region is still poorly understood. This study uses pollen, spores, testate amoebae and plant macrofossils to characterize environmental and climatic changes at Bezrybnoe Mire (Western Sayan Mountains, southern Central Siberia). Pollen data indicate permanent forest cover in the region during the Late Holocene and subtle variations in abundances of dominant taxa (Pinus sibirica,Abies sibirica,Larix,Pinus sylvestris and Betula pendula). Higher values of Betula and Artemisia at the beginning of the record (>2500 cal. a BP, probably c. 3300 cal. a BP) and c. 420–140 cal. a BP suggest slight expansion of birch forest and steppe. The intervening period has higher values of dark taiga taxa, suggesting a shift to higher moisture levels. Superimposed on this longer‐term variation, the testate amoeba record of mire wetness reveals 12 sub‐millennial episodes of drier conditions (with a sample resolution of c. 50–90 years). Mire plant communities reacted to the high‐frequency fluctuations in moisture but with a delayed response of c. 30–40 years. Both the short‐ and long‐term variations in moisture show general concordance with neighbouring regional records and align with observed cultural changes of the Eurasian steppe region. These variations in moisture probably relate to the degree of penetration of the moisture‐bearing Westerlies into southern Siberia.
Pre-existing influenza-specific nasal IgA or nasal viral infection does not affect live attenuated influenza vaccine immunogenicity in children
Authors: Cole M E , Kundu R , Abdulla A F , Andrews N , Hoschler K , Southern J , Jackson D , Miller E , Zambon M , Turner P J , Tregoning J S
Published: December 2020

The United Kingdom has a national immunization programme which includes annual influenza vaccination in school-aged children, using live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV). LAIV is given annually, and it is unclear whether repeat administration can affect immunogenicity. Because LAIV is delivered intranasally, pre-existing local antibody might be important. In this study, we analysed banked samples from a study performed during the 2017/18 influenza season to investigate the role of pre-existing influenza-specific nasal immunoglobulin (Ig)A in children aged 6–14 years. Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected prior to LAIV immunization to measure pre-existing IgA levels and test for concurrent upper respiratory tract viral infections (URTI). Oral fluid samples were taken at baseline and 21–28 days after LAIV to measure IgG as a surrogate of immunogenicity. Antibody levels at baseline were compared with a pre-existing data set of LAIV shedding from the same individuals, measured by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction. There was detectable nasal IgA specific to all four strains in the vaccine at baseline. However, baseline nasal IgA did not correlate with the fold change in IgG response to the vaccine. Baseline nasal IgA also did not have an impact upon whether vaccine virus RNA was detectable after immunization. There was no difference in fold change of antibody between individuals with and without an URTI at the time of immunization. Overall, we observed no effect of pre-existing influenza-specific nasal antibody levels on immunogenicity, supporting annual immunization with LAIV in children.
Horizontal versus vertical plication of the rectovaginal septum in transperineal repair of anterior rectocele: a pilot randomized clinical trial
Authors: Omar Waleed , Elfallal Ahmed Hossam , Emile Sameh Hany , Elshobaky Ayman , Fouda Elyamani , Fathy Mohammad , Youssef Mohamed , El‐Said Mohamed
Published: December 2020

Aim

Anterior rectocele is usually an asymptomatic condition in many women, yet it can be associated with obstructed defaecation syndrome (ODS). Transperineal repair of rectocele (TPR) has been followed by variable rates of improvement in ODS. The present pilot randomized clinical trial aimed to evaluate the outcome of TPR with vertical plication (VP) of the rectovaginal septum compared to horizontal plication (HP).

Methods

Adult women with anterior rectocele were recruited to the study and were randomly allocated to one of two equal groups. The first group underwent TPR with VP of the rectovaginal septum and the second group underwent TPR with HP. The main outcome measures were improvement in ODS, recurrence of rectocele, complications and dyspareunia.

Results

The trial included 40 female patients with anterior rectocele. There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding the postoperative Wexner score. Complete cure and significant improvement in ODS symptoms were comparable after the two techniques. The reduction in rectocele size after HP was significantly greater than after VP (1.7 vs. 2.6, P < 0.0001). Significant improvement in dyspareunia was recorded after HP (P = 0.001) but not after VP (P = 0.1). There was no significant difference between the two groups with regard to operating time, complications and recurrence.

Conclusion

VP and HP of the rectovaginal septum in TPR were associated with a comparable improvement in ODS symptoms and similar complication rates. HP was followed by a greater reduction in the rectocele size and greater improvement in dyspareunia than VP.
Benzodiazepine and Z drug cessation in elderly patients: A qualitative study on the perception of healthcare providers and the place of advanced practice nurses
Authors: Lefebvre‐Durel Camille , Bailly Isabelle , Hunault Johanna , Jovic Ljiljana , Novic Martine , Vorspan Florence , Bellivier Frank , Drunat Olivier , Kerever Sébastien
Published: December 2020

Sedative‐use disorder can occur in elderly individuals, but remains a taboo subject. France is the second top‐consuming country of benzodiazepines (BZDs) and Z drugs in Europe, with 38% of women >80 years old using these drugs. Despite the recommendations of the French National Authority for Health (HAS) to general practitioners, deprescription remains rare. The aim of this study was to understand the perception of healthcare providers towards BZD or Z drug withdrawal within a psychogeriatric unit and to provide insights from advanced practice nurses (APRNs) on this topic. Eight healthcare providers from different professions in a psychogeriatric unit were interviewed. The interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim, and the data were analysed following the interpretive phenomenological approach. The COREQ statement was used as a guide in the reporting of the study. Four themes were identified in the interview transcripts: (i) problems specific to the elderly; (ii) problems specific to BZD or Z drug consumption; (iii) present care; and (iv) envisioned practice. While the healthcare providers interviewed appeared to have knowledge on the adverse effects of BZDs, it appears difficult to taper the use of BZDs outside crisis periods of behaviour disorders in elderly patients. Caregivers recommend an evolution of practices, such as introducing BDZ and Z drug withdrawal programs that could involve the emerging profession of APRNs in general practice in France. APRNs could be a valuable resource to screen for BZD‐related disorders and to manage withdrawal strategies in complex cases.
Identification of potential circRNAs and circRNA‐miRNA‐mRNA regulatory network in the development of diabetic foot ulcers by integrated bioinformatics analysis
Authors: Tian Ming , Dong Jiaoyun , Yuan Bo , Jia Huiying
Published: December 2020

We aimed to explore the mechanism of circular RNAs (circRNAs) and provide potential biomarkers for molecular therapy of diabetic foot ulcers (DFU). Gene expression profile of GSE114248, including five normal samples and five DFU samples, was downloaded from GEO database. Differentially expressed circRNAs (DEcircRNAs) between two groups were identified. Then, DEcircRNA‐miRNA and miRNA‐mRNA interaction was revealed, followed by the circRNA‐miRNA‐mRNA network construction. Moreover, functional and pathway analysis were performed based on mRNAs, followed by the DM‐related pathway exploration. Specific binding sites for key circRNAs and associated miRNAs were under investigation. Finally, RT‐qPCR was used to verify the candidate the relative expression level of circRNA between normal tissues and DFU. Totally, 65 DEcircRNAs were revealed between two groups, followed by 113 circRNA‐miRNA‐mRNA interactions explored. The mRNAs in these interactions were mainly assembled in functions like cell proliferation and pathways. Moreover, a total of 11 DM‐related pathways were revealed. Finally, circRNA‐miRNA specific binding‐site analysis revealed two key circRNAs, for example, circRNA_072697 and circRNA_405463, corresponding to their miRNAs. These two circRNAs were novel biomarkers for DFU. circRNA_072697 acted as a sponge of miR‐3150a‐3p in the progression of DFU via regulating KRAS. MAPK signaling pathway might contribute to the development of DFU.
‘Organic Temper’ and the Early Neolithic Pottery Production: Interpretational Challenges
Authors: Dzhanfezova Tanya
Published: December 2020

Well-preserved plant remains found in clay bodies of Early Neolithic pottery of Southeastern Europe have been largely understudied. The characteristics and provenance of this ‘organic temper’ remain mostly unknown, making interpretations obscure. Based on a range of research methods, this article explores the macro and micro plant remains within the pottery clays, considering such aspects as the use of domesticated versus wild plants and actual functional temper versus organic inclusions as background noise. This innovative approach is applied to explore three different Early Neolithic Balkan sites, demonstrating the importance in distinguishing between (a) deliberate addition of selected temper as a technological prerequisite; (b) sporadic occurrence of plant parts in (domestic) areas where pottery was made, (c) natural characteristics of the local clays containing organics and used as raw materials, and (d) plant use pointing towards more specific pottery-making techniques. Possible misinterpretations and pitfalls are discussed in using the applied integrated methodology, thus revealing crucial details on the variability of the technological approaches applied during the Early Neolithic of Southeastern Europe.
Predicting Lunar Eclipses in Northern Latitudes by Naked Eye Observation
Authors: Lee Charles , Reilly Thomas
Published: December 2020

We investigate methods which may have been found appropriate for predicting lunar eclipses in northern Europe, where naked‐eye astronomy has to be adapted to conditions, which are different from those found at lower latitudes and in places with less cloud cover. The ecliptic is lower in the sky, and transient phenomena cannot reliably be observed under these astronomical viewing conditions. We consider those techniques, which only require the use of objects made of wood, stone and soil, which use no written records, and which require no understanding of celestial mechanics. We show that it should have been possible to answer the question ‘Is there going to be a lunar eclipse, either tonight or tomorrow night?‘ with surprising accuracy. We include an analysis of the nature of some of the artefacts, which may have been helpful in doing so.
A systematic review of supportive interventions to promote women's comfort and well‐being during induction of labour
Authors: Evans Kerry , Sands Gina , Spiby Helen , Evans Catrin , Pallotti Phoebe , Eldridge Jeanette
Published: December 2020

Aims

To evaluate the effectiveness of non‐pharmacological non‐invasive supportive interventions for impacts on women's comfort and well‐being during induction of labour.

Design

A quantitative systematic review without meta‐analysis.

Data Sources

Databases were searched for primary research published in English between 2000–2019: AMED, CINAHL, Medline, Maternity and Infant Care database, PsycINFO, and ProQuest. The quality of studies was evaluated using JBI levels of evidence and established critical appraisal tools. Studies describing measures of comfort, coping, and well‐being for women during induction of labour were included.

Results

Two articles met the criteria for inclusion. There is limited evidence to suggest that women having outpatient cervical priming were more satisfied with their experience than women having inpatient cervical priming and that outpatient cervical priming did not increase women's anxiety. A specifically designed information brochure explaining the induction process improved women's knowledge and understanding.

Review Methods

The quantitative systematic review followed the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination guidelines and Cochrane Effective Practice and Organisation of Care guidance. Quality appraisal was conducted using JBI levels of evidence, Cochrane Risk of Bias, and other established tools. A narrative description of the quantitative data was undertaken. There was insufficient evidence to perform a narrative synthesis or meta‐analysis due to the nature of the study designs and insufficient outcome data.

Conclusions

Globally, the number of women having an induction of labour is increasing and there is a lack of evidence on the effectiveness of supportive interventions. Components of supportive care for women having induction of labour require urgent evaluation. Measurement tools which capture the complexity of supportive care for women having induction of labour need to be developed and validated.

Impact

This is the first review to evaluate non‐pharmacological, non‐invasive supportive interventions for women having induction of labour. The findings of this review identify the urgent need to develop an evidence base for effective supportive.