bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The emergence and development of teaching public relations in the United Arab Emirates: an in-depth look
Authors: Zamoum Khaled , Gorpe T. Serra
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The development of teaching public relations in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is an important topic to uncover because it is related to and to some extent parallel with the development of the UAE and its vital sectors. The purpose of the study is determine the circumstances of the emergence of teaching public relations in the UAE, to investigate public relations education offered in the UAE universities, to discuss the development of public relations education including challenges and opportunities.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted 12 semistructured interviews with public relations educators in the UAE universities to understand the importance, development and current status of public relations and education.

Findings

The finding indicates a lot of developments took place in the establishment of public relations programs and its professionalization within a short time span, but more empirical research is needed to address the issues that have been brought up in the study.

Research limitations/implications

The current research looked at the undergraduate public relations programs, but the status of graduate programs in communication and public relations needs to be investigated. More research in academic field is needed to discuss how the development of the public relations education influenced the public relations practice in UAE.

Originality/value

There is not much research done specifically on the public relations education in the UAE. The study sheds light on understanding the perspective of public relations educators on public relations programs and provides insights on how public relations education can be integrated to the local context without losing the global perspective.
Perceptions of nicotine in current and former users of tobacco and tobacco harm reduction products from seven countries
Authors: Rajkumar Sarah , Adibah Nada , Paskow Michael Jonathan , Erkkila Brian Eric
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Nicotine is widely known as a tobacco constituent and for its use as a tobacco cessation aid. The development of new devices for nicotine delivery in recent years has led to uncertainty among consumers regarding the health risks of nicotine relative to tobacco. The purpose of this study was to discover if current and former consumers of tobacco and tobacco harm reduction (THR) products could distinguish between “nicotine” and “cigarettes” and examined the preceding media dialogue to determine if conflicting messages by the media influence public perceptions.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative survey was administered online in Norway (NO), Japan (JP), the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (US), while face-to-face computer-aided interviews were conducted with randomly selected samples in India (IN), Greece (GR) and South Africa (SA). Participants were between 18 and 69 years of age and either current users of tobacco and THR products or previous users who quit within the past five years. Questions assessed beliefs about harmfulness of nicotine. Nicotine and other products and substances were also independently rated for harmfulness on a scale of 1–10 and subsequently compared. In addition, the authors examined the media dialogue of top media outlets in four countries to assess the potential influence on people’s beliefs.

Findings

A total of 54,267 participants (NO: 1,700, JP: 2,227, UK: 2,250, USA: 2,309, IN: 41,633, GR: 1,801, SA: 2,359) were sampled with the percentage of women participants ranging from 14.8% (IN) to 53.8% (UK). Between 68.3% (men, IN) and 88.7% (men, USA) of current consumers believed nicotine is harmful. Current consumers who agreed with the statement that nicotine is the primary cause of tobacco-related cancer ranged from 43.7% (men, UK) to 78.0% (men, SA). In six countries nicotine was rated nearly as harmful as cigarettes and alcohol, while other substances such as sugar, salt or caffeine, were usually rated as less harmful.

Research limitations/implications

A large proportion of consumers across all surveyed countries view nicotine and cigarettes similarly. Clearer communication on the harmful properties of both by the media is needed to help consumers make informed decisions about products across the continuum of risk. Messaging to consumers, especially via the media, propagates misinformation about the relative harms of tobacco and nicotine through reporting that is often incomplete and biased toward more negative aspects.

Originality/value

This study specifically assessed public perceptions of nicotine as opposed to products containing nicotine, which is the focus of previous studies. Apart from showing that consumers often incorrectly perceive nicotine and cigarettes as similar in terms of harmfulness, the authors highlight the need for more accurate and complete reporting by the media to clarify widespread misunderstandings and mitigate public uncertainty.
Expansion plan of Central Tiffin Room: a case on accounting
Authors: Megaravalli Amith Vikram , BS Gopinath
Published: July 2020

Learning outcomes

The case presents students with the opportunity to do the following: students can pre-work questions; understand the relevant factors to be considered in the decision to expand; and list out the industry and macro-environment factors affecting the expansion decision. Assignment questions help understand the various measures used to evaluate the financial performance of the company; understand the practical implication of incremental analysis to estimate the profit; assess the operating profit and margin of safety of the restaurant Shri Sagar with and without expansion; and critically evaluate the impact of uncertainty on projected sales using the sensitivity model.

Case overview/synopsis

Shri Sagar (Central Tiffin Room – CTR) was started by Y.V. Subramanyam and his siblings (Y.V. Srikanteshwaran, Y.V. Krishna Iyer and Y.V. Ramachandran) in the 1920s, specialised in Benne (Butter) Masala dosa, Maddur Vada and Mangalore Bajji. In Bengaluru, there are few restaurants, which have the legacy of more than 50 years such as Vidyarthi Bhavan, Mavalli Tiffin Rooms and Shri Sagar (CTR). Shri Sagar has witnessed three different ownership right from 1920 to the present. Ganesh, an MBA graduate, took the active participation in the business from 2018 and found there are potential opportunities to expand the business. Although business was doing well, Ganesh wanted to assess his company’s financial strength before proceeding. He would require a financial forecast that took into account the strength of the competition and the peculiar nature of the restaurant business in Bengaluru. Ganesh wanted to assess the expansion plan; to address the proposed plan, the case had used cost–volume–profit analysis and sensitivity analysis techniques to make the students understand how these techniques can evaluate the alternatives.

Complexity academic level

This case is best used while teaching Managerial Accounting, which is a core course in MBA program with a module on break-even-analysis or it can also be used in an executive education class with a similar purpose. The teaching plan can be used for MBA students and entrepreneurial training programmes, which involve training on important managerial decisions, which includes business expansion, estimating business profits/revenue targets, etc. It assumes some basic knowledge of cost–benefit analysis concepts where participants have already exposed some basic understanding of break-even analysis and what-if analysis.

Supplementary materials

Teaching Notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 1: Accounting and Finance
Prediction of grain supply and demand structural balance in China based on grey models
Authors: Yang Weiming , Li Bingjun
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to comprehensively and accurately analyze the supply and demand structural balance of grain in the context of China's agricultural supply-side reform. By subdividing and forecasting the supply and demand, it is beneficial for targeted production in the case of clear demand and supply trends of main grain varieties.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper forecasted and analyzed the demand of main grain varieties by the grey interval forecast, and based on the grey incidence analysis of more influence factors, forecasted the grain production with GM (1,N) model.

Findings

The results show that the demand and yield will keep sustainable growth in the next three years, while there is still a big gap between the supply and demand of the main grain varieties in China and the soybean's production is far behind the growing demand.

Practical implications

This paper can make full use of the information to provide the evidence for government to formulate policies and put forward some correlative suggestions for growers.

Originality/value

In this paper, the grey model technology is applied to the structural reform of grain supply side, and different models are used to predict the structural balance of supply and demand of different kinds of grain. The study of grain supply and demand structural balance in China is vital to ensure grain security in the context of agricultural supply-side reform.
Dual solutions of the nonlinear problem of heat transfer in a straight fin with temperature-dependent heat transfer coefficient
Authors: Karamollahi Nasibeh , Barid Loghmani Ghasem , Heydari Mohammad
Published: July 2020

Purpose

In this paper, a numerical scheme is provided to predict and approximate the multiple solutions for the problem of heat transfer through a straight rectangular fin with temperature-dependent heat transfer coefficient.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed method is based on the two-point Taylor formula as a special case of the Hermite interpolation technique.

Findings

An explicit approximate form of the temperature distribution is computed. The convergence analysis is also discussed. Some results are reported to demonstrate the capability of the method in predicting the multiplicity of the solutions for this problem.

Originality/value

The duality of the solution of the problem can be easily predicted by using the presented method. Furthermore, the computational results confirm the acceptable accuracy of the presented numerical scheme even for estimating the unstable lower solution of the problem.
Development and validation of an instrument to measure turnover intention of Generation Y in Thailand
Authors: Na-Nan Khahan , Kanthong Suteeluck N. , Dhienhirun Auemporn
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The turnover intention (TI) is a very challenging concept for an organisation, but there are seemingly not many instruments around to measure TI. The purpose of this paper was to develop and validate an instrument to measure the TI concept of Generation Y in Thailand.

Design/methodology/approach

Ten questions were developed as an instrument to measure TI based on previous concepts and theories and verified using exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and convergent validity.

Findings

Three dimensions were proposed to measure TI including aspects of intention to quit, turnover thinking and opportunities for new job with excellent reliability at 0.811, 0.837 and 0.830, respectively.

Originality/value

A measurement scale to assess TI of Generation Y salespeople has never been studied in Thailand. The measurement scale was proved to be valid and will enable human resource officers, divisions and companies to accurately analyse the level of employee TI. This instrument can help educators and researchers to better understand and comprehend factors of employee TI.
Info-analytic technologies in the work of fire and rescue units using infrared technologies
Authors: Nguyen Hai T. , Topolsky Nikolay , Tarakanov Denis , Mokshantsev Alexander
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The salvation of human life is the goal of work for all rescue units. At the same time, a significant part of rescue operations is carried out in buildings or premises, which themselves are often in a state of destruction or are emergency ones. This paper aims to find how it is possible to carry out rescue operations in the face of the threat of constant collapse of the building.

Design/methodology/approach

To study the collapse hazard of the building, the information systems are used that display the process of rescue measures in case of a threat of deformation of the building in which there is a risk of burnback or destruction.

Findings

The findings show that the analysis of destruction parameters online allows using infrared sensors to form a picture of the allocation of places where people can be and thus saves lives while reducing the risk for the fire and rescue unit. To implement the presented format, it is proposed to use infrared sensors.

Originality/value

The use of infrared sensors allows online interaction with foci of dangerous situations and identifies the main aspects of the stratification of the preparation of the fire and rescue unit’s activities in conditions of increased danger.
Enacting governance at the local level through management control systems: the case of a multinational energy company
Authors: Granà Fabrizio , Achilli Giulia , Busco Cristiano , Izzo Maria Federica
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This paper draws on the case of a multinational energy company to explore the role played by management control systems (MCSs) in enacting governance policies at the local (subsidiary) level.

Design/methodology/approach

This research mobilizes the literature on governmentality to interpret MCSs as technologies of government that can be drawn upon to translate governance policies into practice. In particular, the authors discuss this process by interpreting “governance” as an epistemic object, that is an object that generates knowledge because of its inherent incompleteness and abstract nature.

Findings

The paper shows how MCSs act as technical objects insofar they attract, bind and engage local subsidiary managers in the generation of knowledge about governance policies (i.e. the epistemic object) set at the global level, thereby enacting these policies locally.

Practical implications

The findings have practical implications by showing how subsidiary managers engage with MCSs to translate and implement broader governance policies in their daily activities.

Originality/value

This research contributes to the accounting literature on governmentality by showing the role of MCSs as technologies that enact governance at the local level through the process of knowledge generation that these technologies enable. Such knowledge is triggered by the engagement between different participating subjects, attracted by MCSs in the attempt to define governance in practice.
Characterizing multispecies connectivity across a transfrontier conservation landscape
Authors: Brennan Angela , Beytell Piet , Aschenborn Ortwin , Du Preez Pierre , Funston Paul J. , Hanssen Lise , Kilian J. W. , Stuart‐Hill Greg , Taylor Russell D. , Naidoo Robin
Published: July 2020

Connectivity conservation is aimed at sustaining animal movements and ecological processes important to ecosystem functioning and the maintenance of biodiversity. However, connectivity conservation plans are typically developed around a single species and rarely empirically evaluated for their relevance to others, thereby limiting our understanding of how connectivity requirements differ across species.

We used an omnidirectional application of circuit theory and GPS data from six species to evaluate connectivity at multiple scales for multiple species within the world's largest transfrontier conservation landscape in southern Africa. We evaluated the effects of linear barriers, natural habitat types and anthropogenic land use on movement. We identified multispecies connectivity hotspots as areas where current flow was concentrated or channelled through pinch points. To evaluate surrogate species for connectivity, we evaluated the correspondence among single‐species connectivity across the entire landscape and also examined whether a more localized corridor for African savanna elephant Loxodonta africana captured high multispecies connectivity values.

Connectivity models revealed many intact areas across the landscape with diffuse current flow, but also evidence that fences, rivers, roads and areas of anthropogenic use acted as strong barriers to movement—particularly in the case of fences, which completely blocked female elephant movement. Tests of correspondence among single‐species connectivity models revealed spotted hyaena and African wild dog as the strongest surrogate species of connectivity. Female elephants were found to be the weakest surrogate species of connectivity at the landscape scale. However, focusing within a localized elephant corridor revealed the areas of concentrated or channelled connectivity for most species in our study.

Synthesis and applications. Our results suggest that the single‐species focus permeating connectivity literature may result in conservation plans that poorly conserve the connectivity needs of co‐occurring species. Our study also highlights the importance of testing the efficacy of surrogate species for connectivity at multiple scales. We recommend evaluating multispecies connectivity to prioritize areas for conservation that safeguard the connectivity needs of multiple species of conservation concern.
The Standardisation of Tort Damages
Authors: Descheemaeker Eric
Published: July 2020

This article explores the nature, scope, rationale and merits of the standardisation of compensatory damages in tort law, ie the fact of giving the claimant not the value (subject to ordinary limiting principles) of his own loss, but that of the loss which an ordinary claimant placed in the same circumstances would have suffered. Standardisation happens in respect of pecuniary and non‐pecuniary losses, direct and consequential losses, and also normative losses. Its two main spurs are either that the orthodox award would not give the desired result—typically ‘too little’ damages—or that it runs into evidentiary difficulties, which the award of a typical sum overrides. While epistemic standardisation (which is not strictly standardisation) might be acceptable, the avowed granting of compensatory damages which do not aim to correspond to the claimant's own loss should be resisted, and is in any event impossible because consequential losses can never be meaningfully standardised.
Steroid hormone 20‐hydroxyecdysone promotes CTL1‐mediated cellular immunity in Helicoverpa armigera
Authors: Wang Gui‐Jie , Wang Wen‐Wen , Liu Yu , Chai Lian‐Qin , Wang Guo‐Xiu , Liu Xu‐Sheng , Wang Yu‐Feng , Wang Jia‐Lin
Published: July 2020

Mermithid nematodes, such as Ovomermis sinensis, are used as biological control agents against many insect pests, including cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera). However, given the host's robust immune system, the infection rate of O. sinensis is low, thus restricting its widespread use. To understand the host defense mechanisms against mermithid nematodes, we identified and characterized a protein involved in the recognition of O. sinensis, the potential O. sinensis‐binding protein C‐type lectin 1 (HaCTL1a and/or HaCTL1b), which was eluted from the surface of O. sinensis after incubation with H. armigera plasma. HaCTL1b is homologous to the previously reported HaCTL1a protein. HaCTL1 was predominantly expressed in hemocytes and was induced by the steroid hormone 20‐hydroxyecdysone through ecdysone receptor (HaEcR) or ultraspiracle (HaUSP), or both. Binding assays confirmed the interactions of the HaCTL1 proteins with O. sinensis but not with Romanomermis wuchangensis, a parasitic nematode of mosquito. Moreover, the HaCTL1 proteins were secreted into the hemocoel and promoted hemocyte‐mediated encapsulation and phagocytosis. A knockdown of HaEcR and/or HaUSP resulted in compromised encapsulation and phagocytosis. Thus, HaCTL1 appears to modulate cellular immunity in the defense against parasitic nematodes, and the 20‐hydroxyecdysone–HaEcR–HaUSP complex is involved in regulating the process.
CDK4/6 inhibitor palbociclib overcomes acquired resistance to third‐generation EGFR inhibitor osimertinib in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
Authors: Qin Qiong , Li Xiaoqing , Liang Xingmei , Zeng Lili , Wang Jing , Sun Linlin , Zhong Diansheng
Published: July 2020

Background

The third‐generation EGFR‐TKI, represented by osimertinib, has been widely used in clinical practice; however, resistance eventually emerges. At present, it remains unclear whether an abnormal cell cycle is involved in acquired resistance, and whether the combination of palbociclib (CDK4/6 inhibitor) and osimertinib can overcome the third‐generation TKI resistance.

Methods

We established osimertinib‐resistant cells (H1975 OR) derived from EGFR‐mutant NSCLC cells H1975. Drug effects on cells were assessed with Cell Counting Kit‐8 (CCK8). Protein alterations were detected with western blot analysis. RT‐PCR was used to evaluate the differences of gene mRNA. Cell cycle distribution of H1975 S and H1975 OR cells was compared using flow cytometry.

Results

Compared with H1975, the sensitivity of H1975OR to the CDK4/6 inhibitor was increased and the proportion of cells in G1 phase was decreased. The mRNA level of CDK4, CDK 6 and the protein level of CDK4, pRB were increased in H1975OR. In the H1975OR cells, palbociclib significantly increased the proportion of G1 phase cells. The combination of osimertinib and palbociclib synergistically decreased the survival of H1975OR by cell cycle arrest. Combined treatment was found to inhibit the initial phosphorylation of RB by inhibiting the function of CDK4/6, significantly reducing the level of p‐RB, and blocking cell proliferation.

Conclusions

An osimertinib acquired resistance cell line (H1975 OR) was successfully established. The expression of cell cycle related genes was altered in H1975OR. The expression of CDK4 and the phosphorylation of Rb, the downstream molecule of CDK4/6, was increased in H1975OR cells. The combination of CDK4/6 inhibitor palbociclib and osimertinib could overcome the acquired resistance of osimertinib.
ntbox: An r package with graphical user interface for modelling and evaluating multidimensional ecological niches
Authors: Osorio‐Olvera Luis , Lira‐Noriega Andrés , Soberón Jorge , Peterson Andrew Townsend , Falconi Manuel , Contreras‐Díaz Rusby G. , Martínez‐Meyer Enrique , Barve Vijay , Barve Narayani
Published: July 2020

Biodiversity studies rely heavily on estimates of species' distributions often obtained through ecological niche modelling. Numerous software packages exist that allow users to model ecological niches using machine learning and statistical methods. However, no existing package with a graphical user interface allows users to perform model calibration and selection based on convex forms such as ellipsoids, which may match fundamental ecological niche shapes better, incorporating tools for exploring, modelling, and evaluating niches and distributions that are intuitive for both novice and proficient users.

Here we describe an r package, NicheToolBox (ntbox), that allows users to conduct all processing steps involved in ecological niche modelling: downloading and curating occurrence data, obtaining and transforming environmental data layers, selecting environmental variables, exploring relationships between geographic and environmental spaces, calibrating and selecting ellipsoid models, evaluating models using binomial and partial ROC tests, assessing extrapolation risk, and performing geographic information system operations via a graphical user interface. A summary of the entire workflow is produced for use as a stand‐alone algorithm or as part of research reports.

The method is explained in detail and tested via modelling the threatened feline species Leopardus wiedii. Georeferenced occurrence data for this species are queried to display both point occurrences and the IUCN extent of occurrence polygon (IUCN, 2007). This information is used to illustrate tools available for accessing, processing and exploring biodiversity data (e.g. number of occurrences and chronology of collecting) and transforming environmental data (e.g. a summary PCA for 19 bioclimatic layers). Visualizations of three‐dimensional ecological niches modelled as minimum volume ellipsoids are developed with ancillary statistics. This niche model is then projected to geographic space, to represent a corresponding potential suitability map.

Using ntbox allows a fast and straightforward means by which to retrieve and manipulate occurrence and environmental data, which can then be implemented in model calibration, projection and evaluation for assessing distributions of species in geographic space and their corresponding environmental combinations.
Resting Borg score as a predictor of safe discharge of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease from the emergency department observation unit
Authors: Sengupta Ruchira , Loftus Timothy M. , Doers Matthew , Jandarov Roman A. , Phillips Michael , Ko Jonathan , Panos Ralph J. , Zafar Muhammad A.
Published: July 2020

Background

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations (eCOPD) can be life‐threatening and costly. Emergency department (ED) observation units (ED‐Obs) offer short‐term care to safely reduce preventable hospitalizations. Accurately identifying eCOPD patients who can be discharged safely will improve outcomes.

Objectives

The objective were to: I) evaluate utility of conventional clinical variables as predictors of safe discharge and II) assess utility of serial resting Borg score and novel Dyspnea Assessment Score (DAS) for identifying eCOPD patients who can be safely discharged from ED‐Obs.

Methods

This study was carried out in a 680‐bed tertiary, academic hospital with >700 annual eCOPD ED encounters and a 16‐bed ED‐Obs. A two‐phase study of eCOPD patients admitted to ED‐Obs was performed. Objective I was a retrospective study including all eCOPD admits from April 2016 to May 2017. Predictor variables (demographics, COPD severity, comorbid conditions, exacerbation severity, clinical care in ED) and outcome variables (ED‐Obs disposition, ED revisits) were obtained through electronic medical records. Safe discharge was defined as home disposition from ED‐Obs without 7‐day revisit. A stepwise regression was performed for predictors of safe discharge. Objective II was a prospective observation study for change in every 4‐hour serial resting Borg score and DAS as identifiers of safe discharge. Comparative and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were performed. A p‐value of <0.05 was considered significant.

Results

In Objective I, 171 patients with age, FEV1%, and body mass index of 59.8 (±9.5) years, 35 (±24)%, and 28.8 (±8) m2/kg were included. After ED‐Obs treatment 78 (45.6%) were hospitalized and 93 (54.4%) were discharged home, of whom 11 (6.4%) had 7‐day ED revisit. Safe discharge occurred in 82 (48%). None of the predictor variables correlated with safe discharge. In Objective II, of 38 patients included, 20 (52.6%) had safe discharge. Among others, 16 (42%) were hospitalized and two (5.2%) had 7‐day ED revisit. The admission Borg scores and DASs were similar in both groups. The predisposition Borg score was significantly lower in patients with safe discharge (2.75 vs. 5.28, p < 0.001) and had the highest area under curve on ROC (0.77) for safe discharge. DAS was not significantly different between groups.

Conclusions

Routine clinical variables do not identify eCOPD patients who can be safely discharged from ED‐Obs. Change in resting Borg score during the course of ED‐Obs treatment safely identifies patients for discharge. Prospective, external validation is needed to incorporate serial Borg scores in ED‐Obs disposition decision for improved safety.
Remineralization and fluoride uptake of white spot lesions under dental varnishes
Authors: Shen P , McKeever A , Walker GD , Yuan Y , Reynolds C , Fernando JR , Chen Y‐Y , MacRae CM , Schneider P , Reynolds EC
Published: July 2020

Introduction

The aim of this study was to evaluate white spot lesion (WSL) remineralization and fluoride uptake by the application of fluoride varnishes directly onto artificial WSLs in vitro.

Methods

MI varnish containing casein phosphopeptide–amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP‐ACP) and 2.26% fluoride and Duraphat varnish containing 2.26% fluoride (no added calcium) were compared with a placebo varnish (no added calcium or fluoride). Two WSLs were prepared in enamel slabs and varnish applied to cover one of the two lesions. Each slab was immersed in artificial saliva for 14 days at 37°C. Mineral content was determined using transverse microradiography and fluoride uptake using electron probe microanalysis. The data were statistically analysed using a linear mixed model.

Results

Both MI and Duraphat varnishes significantly remineralized the covered and uncovered WSLs when compared with the placebo varnish (P < 0.001). The WSLs covered with varnish showed greater remineralization than those uncovered. MI varnish produced the highest level of remineralization and significantly greater fluoride uptake (0.44 ± 0.08 wt%) compared with Duraphat (0.24 ± 0.03 wt%) and the placebo varnish (0.06 ± 0.05 wt%).

Conclusion

Varnish containing fluoride and CPP‐ACP was superior to varnish containing fluoride alone in promoting WSL remineralization and fluoride uptake.
Geochemical analyses of Jewish chalk vessel remains from Roman‐era production and settlement sites in the southern Levant
Authors: Adler Y. , Ayalon A. , Bar‐Matthews M. , Flesher R. , Yasur G. , Zilberman T.
Published: July 2020

Vessels made of chalk are common at Jewish sites throughout the southern Levant during the Roman period, apparently because stone was perceived to be impervious to ritual impurity. The study analyses samples from settlement and production sites to determine whether distinctive geochemical compositions might relate to specific source locations, and thus to provide the basis for conducting future large‐scale provenance studies. Distinctions between major elements, trace and rare‐earth elements as well asδ18O andδ13C isotopic compositions make it possible to discriminate between chalk sourced from Galilee and chalk from Judea.
Dibenzazepine promotes cochlear supporting cell proliferation and hair cell regeneration in neonatal mice
Authors: Wu Jingfang , Dong Xinran , Li Wen , Zhao Liping , Zhou Li , Sun Shan , Li Huawei
Published: July 2020

Objectives

To investigate the role of dibenzazepine (DBZ) in promoting supporting cell (SC) proliferation and hair cell (HC) regeneration in the inner ear.

Materials and Methods

Postnatal day 1 wild‐type or neomycin‐damaged mouse cochleae were cultured with DBZ. Immunohistochemistry and scanning electron microscopy were used to examine the morphology of cochlear cells, and high‐throughput RNA‐sequencing was used to measure gene expression levels.

Results

We found that DBZ promoted SC proliferation and HC regeneration in a dose‐dependent manner in both normal and damaged cochleae. In addition, most of the newly regenerated HCs induced by DBZ had visible and relatively mature stereocilia bundle structures. Finally, RNA sequencing detected the differentially expressed genes between DBZ treatment and controls, and interaction networks were constructed for the most highly differentially expressed genes.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrates that DBZ can significantly promote SC proliferation and increase the number of mitotically regenerated HCs with relatively mature stereocilia bundles in the neonatal mouse cochlea by inhibiting Notch signalling and activating Wnt signalling, suggesting the DBZ might be a new therapeutic target for stimulating HC regeneration.
Under adverse conditions, older small tree finch males (Camarhynchus parvulus) produce more offspring than younger males
Authors: Wappl Christian , Cimadom Arno , Filek Nikolaus , Heyer Eileen , Tebbich Sabine
Published: July 2020

Females of many bird species prefer mating with older males, presumably because they provide superior parental care and possibly superior genes. A previous study found that female small tree finches (Camarhynchus parvulus) preferred pairing with old males and had a higher breeding success when paired with old males because their nests were more concealed, higher up in the canopy and therefore less likely to be depredated. However, causes for brood loss have changed over the last decade: predation of small tree finch nests has decreased, whereas brood losses due to parasitism by the invasive parasitic fly Philornis downsi have increased. In the present study, we investigated (a) how the change in predation and parasitism by P. downsi influenced the breeding success of small tree finches, (b) whether there were still differences in breeding success between young and old males, (c) whether P. downsi infestation had a differential effect on nests of young and old males and (d) whether young and old males differed in foraging success. During 2012–2016, we found an overall low influence of predation and a high influence of P. downsi, but neither differed between nests of young and old males. Nests of old males had more fledglings than those of young males. However, the difference in breeding success disappeared when P. downsi numbers were experimentally reduced by injecting an insecticide into nests. This indicates that older males were able to compensate for the detrimental effects of parasitism.
Hiatal hernia with focal megaoesophagus in a Friesian stallion
Authors: Lehman M. , Hendrickson D. , Selberg K.
Published: July 2020

Hiatal hernia with focal megaoesophagus was diagnosed in a 10‐year‐old Friesian stallion presenting to the referral hospital for further investigation of recurrent oesophageal obstruction. Oesophageal endoscopy revealed dilation of the distal oesophagus with alterations in the mucosa characteristic of gastric mucosa in the distal oesophagus. In addition, a moderate amount of feed material was identified in the distal oesophagus. Positive contrast radiography showed that approximately half of the stomach was herniated cranially through the diaphragm. Management of the disease included recommendations to elevate the patient’s torso during feeding and provide mash‐only feeds. Provided that successful control of the megaoesophagus could be achieved, surgical repair of the hiatal hernia may be an option for the future. This is the first report of hiatal herniation in horses. We report the successful conservative management of a stallion with both megaoesophagus and hiatal herniation through elevated feedings and selective exercise management.
R‐hydroxynitrile lyase from the cyanogenic millipede, Chamberlinius hualienensis—A new entry to the carrier protein family Lipocalines
Authors: Motojima Fumihiro , Izumi Atsushi , Nuylert Aem , Zhai Zhenyu , Dadashipour Mohammad , Shichida Sayaka , Yamaguchi Takuya , Nakano Shogo , Asano Yasuhisa
Published: July 2020

Hydroxynitrile lyases (HNLs) catalyze the cleavage of cyanohydrin into cyanide and the corresponding aldehyde or ketone. Moreover, they catalyze the synthesis of cyanohydrin in the reverse reaction, utilized in industry for preparation of enantiomeric pure pharmaceutical ingredients and fine chemicals. We discovered a new HNL from the cyanogenic millipede, Chamberlinius hualienensis. The enzyme displays several features including a new primary structure, high stability, and the highest specific activity in (R)‐mandelonitrile ((R)‐MAN) synthesis (7420 U·mg−1) among the reported HNLs. In this study, we elucidated the crystal structure and reaction mechanism of natural ChuaHNL in ligand‐free form and its complexes with acetate, cyanide ion, and inhibitors (thiocyanate or iodoacetate) at 1.6, 1.5, 2.1, 1.55, and 1.55 Å resolutions, respectively. The structure of ChuaHNL revealed that it belongs to the lipocalin superfamily, despite low amino acid sequence identity. The docking model of (R)‐MAN with ChuaHNL suggested that the hydroxyl group forms hydrogen bonds with R38 and K117, and the nitrile group forms hydrogen bonds with R38 and Y103. The mutational analysis showed the importance of these residues in the enzymatic reaction. From these results, we propose that K117 acts as a base to abstract a proton from the hydroxyl group of cyanohydrins and R38 acts as an acid to donate a proton to the cyanide ion during the cleavage reaction of cyanohydrins. The reverse mechanism would occur during the cyanohydrin synthesis. (Photo: Dr. Yuko Ishida)

Databases

Structural data are available in PDB database under the accession numbers 6JHC, 6KFA, 6KFB, 6KFC, and 6KFD.
Temperature and precipitation at migratory grounds influence demographic trends of an Arctic‐breeding bird
Authors: Doyle Susan , Cabot David , Walsh Alyn , Inger Richard , Bearhop Stuart , McMahon Barry J.
Published: July 2020

Anthropogenic climate disruption, including temperature and precipitation regime shifts, has been linked to animal population declines since the mid‐20th century. However, some species, such as Arctic‐breeding geese, have thrived during this period. An increased understanding of how climate disruption might link to demographic rates in thriving species is an important perspective in quantifying the impact of anthropogenic climate disruption on the global state of nature. The Greenland barnacle goose (Branta leucopsis) population has increased tenfold in abundance since the mid‐20th century. A concurrent weather regime shift towards warmer, wetter conditions occurred throughout its range in Greenland (breeding), Ireland and Scotland (wintering) and Iceland (spring and autumn staging). The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between weather and demographic rates of Greenland barnacle geese to discern the role of climate shifts in the population trend. We quantified the relationship between temperature and precipitation and Greenland barnacle goose survival and productivity over a 50 year period from 1968 to 2018. We detected significant positive relationships between warmer, wetter conditions on the Icelandic spring staging grounds and survival. We also detected contrasting relationships between warmer, wetter conditions during autumn staging and survival and productivity, with warm, dry conditions being the most favourable for productivity. Survival increased in the latter part of the study period, supporting the possibility that spring weather regime shifts contributed to the increasing population trend. This may be related to improved forage resources, as warming air temperatures have been shown to improve survival rates in several other Arctic and northern terrestrial herbivorous species through indirect bottom‐up effects on forage availability.
Fungal endophyte diversity in Paspalum and effects on plant growth
Authors: Depetris Mara B. , Acuña Carlos A. , Gutierrez Susana , Marcón Florencia , Felitti Silvina A.
Published: July 2020

In natural ecosystems, plants appear to be in symbiosis with diverse fungal endophytes which can have impacts on plant communities. Paspalum is one of the most important grass genera in South American grasslands. The aim of this work was to determine the presence of fungal endophytes in two Paspalum species and evaluate their effects on plant growth. Sixty plant samples were collected for Paspalum notatum in a rangeland in northeastern Argentina, and the same number for Paspalum dilatatum in central Argentina. A triple‐sterilization process was carried out by submerging small pieces of leaves and stems for the isolation of fungi from the collected plants. In order to identify endophytes, morphological characters and fungal sequences corresponding to the ITS (Internal Transcribed Spacer) region were analysed. A total of eight genera were identified: Acremonium, Alternaria, Aspergillus, Bipolaris, Cladosporium, Fusarium, Penicillium and Trichoderma. A greenhouse trial was conducted to determine the effects of fungal endophytes on growth. Trichoderma significantly increased relative chlorophyll content in P. notatum and Acremonium endophytes increased tiller number, and above‐ and below‐ground biomass in P. dilatatum. The diversity of fungal endophytes that was present in P. notatum and P. dilatatum was described. In conclusion, some aspects of growth of these Paspalum species seem to be positively affected by Trichoderma and Acremonium.
Effects of cryoprotectants on Nostoc sphaeroides superchilled at low temperature (−3.0°C) and their action mechanisms
Authors: Wu Xiao‐Fei , Zhang Min , Sun Yanan , Bhandari Bhesh , Fan Dongcui
Published: July 2020

Effects of cryoprotectants (NaCl, sucrose and trehalose) on Nostoc sphaeroides (N. sphaeroides) superchilled at −3.0°C as well as their action mechanisms were studied. Prior to storage, N. sphaeroides were immersed into different concentrations (5% and 10%) of NaCl solutions, sucrose solutions, and trehalose solutions for 2 hr. The texture properties, drip loss and low field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)‐imaging of N. sphaeroides with different treatments were evaluated. The freezing point, solute absorption, water distribution and microscopic structure were also measured to illustrate the action mechanisms of cryoprotectants. Results suggested that cryoprotectants offered an effective method for keeping the texture properties, lowering drip loss, and maintaining the shape of N. sphaeroides. Among all the cryoprotectants used, 5% NaCl exhibited the best effect. The study of their action mechanisms showed that cryoprotectants were efficient in reducing the freezing point, the proportion of free water and microscopic structure destruction of N. sphaeroides.

Practical Applications

Considering the higher water content of N. sphaeroides, it is not suitable to be deeply frozen because the formation of numerous ice crystals can cause severe damages to the tissue. To suppress these undesirable changes in superchilling, cryoprotectants including NaCl, sucrose and trehalose are added to the food products. This research contributes to lay a theoretical foundation for the further study of superchilling storage of N. sphaeroides.
The physiochemical and preservation properties of fish sarcoplasmic protein/chitosan composite films containing ginger essential oil emulsions
Authors: Cai Luyun , Wang Yaru , Cao Ailing
Published: July 2020

Active films with essential oils have attracted more attention in recent years. In order to improve the solubility and stability of ginger essential oil (GEO) in film forming solutions, GEO coarse emulsion and nanoemulsions were prepared named CGEO (z‐average = 799.53 nm), NGEO‐1 (z‐average = 114.71 nm) and NGEO‐2 (z‐average = 59.30 nm), respectively. And the effect of concentration (0.5% and 1.0% v/v) and particle sizes of GEO emulsions on the physiochemical and preservation properties of fish sarcoplasmic protein and chitosan blend based edible films were studied in this study. The elongation at break significantly (p < .05) increased after adding GEO emulsions, and the light transmittance, water vapor permeability and water solubility were the lowest when NGEO‐2 was incorporated into films. The antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of films were concentration‐dependent. Furthermore, all the films were applied into packaging red sea breams fillets, and the results of total viable counts, pH and thiobarbituric acid demonstrated that SP‐CH films with GEO emulsions, especially nanoemulsions obviously prolonged the shelf‐life of fillets during 4°C.

Practical Applications

In recent years, the research about incorporating essential oils into edible films to prepare active edible films due to their antimicrobial and antioxidant properties have been more documented. In this study, fish sarcoplasmic protein and chitosan were chosen as film‐forming materials to prepare active films with ginger essential oil emulsions. The physicochemical, mechanical, optical properties of films showed that the films have the basic characteristics as food packaging materials. The releasing and antioxidant property of films indicated that the active films have a potential application in packaging food which was easy oxidized. The basic properties of films combined with oxidation indicators (total viable count, pH and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) would provide the scientific basis for developing active films and their application for food packaging, such as seafood, meat, fruits and vegetables.
Plasma metabolites associated with biomarker evidence of neurodegeneration in cognitively normal older adults
Authors: Chatterjee Pratishtha , Cheong Yeo‐Jin , Bhatnagar Atul , Goozee Kathryn , Wu Yunqi , McKay Matthew , Martins Ian J. , Lim Wei L. F. , Pedrini Steve , Tegg Michelle , Villemagne Victor L. , Asih Prita R. , Dave Preeti , Shah Tejal M. , Dias Cintia B. , Fuller Stephanie J. , Hillebrandt Heidi , Gupta Sunil , Hone Eugene , Taddei Kevin , Zetterberg Henrik , Blennow Kaj , Sohrabi Hamid R. , Martins Ralph N.
Published: July 2020

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that currently has no cure. Identifying biochemical changes associated with neurodegeneration prior to symptom onset, will provide insight into the biological mechanisms associated with neurodegenerative processes, that may also aid in identifying potential drug targets. The current study therefore investigated associations between plasma neurofilament light chain (NF‐L), a marker of neurodegeneration, with plasma metabolites that are products of various cellular processes. Plasma NF‐L, measured by ultrasensitive Single molecule array (Simoa) technology (Quanterix) and plasma metabolites, measured by mass‐spectrometry (AbsoluteIDQ® p400HR kit, BIOCRATES), were assessed in the Kerr Anglican Retirement Village Initiative in Ageing Health (KARVIAH) cohort comprising 100 cognitively normal older adults. Metabolites belonging to biogenic amine (creatinine, symmetric dimethylarginine, asymmetric dimethylarginine; ADMA, kynurenine, trans‐4‐hydroxyproline), amino acid (citrulline, proline, arginine, asparagine, phenylalanine, threonine) and acylcarnitine classes were observed to have positive correlations with plasma NF‐L, suggesting a link between neurodegeneration and biological pathways associated with neurotransmitter regulation, nitric oxide homoeostasis, inflammation and mitochondrial function. Additionally, after stratifying participants based on low/high brain amyloid‐β load (Aβ ±) assessed by positron emission tomography, while creatinine, SDMA and citrulline correlated with NF‐L in both Aβ‐ and Aβ+ groups, ADMA, proline, arginine, asparagine, phenylalanine and acylcarnitine species correlated with NF‐L only in the Aβ+ group after adjusting for confounding variables, suggesting that the association of these metabolites with neurodegeneration may be relevant to AD‐related neuropathology. Metabolites identified to be associated with plasma NF‐L may have the potential to serve as prognostic markers for neurodegenerative diseases, however, further studies are required to validate the current findings in an independent cohort, both cross‐sectionally and longitudinally.

image