bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Divergent roles of IREG/Ferroportin transporters from the nickel hyperaccumulatorLeucocroton havanensis
Authors: Gonzalez Dubiel Alfonso , Sanchez Garcia de la Torre Vanesa , Fernandez Rolando Reyes , Barreau Louise , Merlot Sylvain
Published: August 2023

In response to our ever-increasing demand for metals, phytotechnologies are being developed to limit the environmental impact of conventional metal mining. However, the development of these technologies, which rely on plant species able to tolerate and accumulate metals, is partly limited by our lack of knowledge of the underlying molecular mechanisms.

In this work, we aimed to identify genes involved in nickel hyperaccumulation in the Euphorbiaceae speciesLeucocroton havanensis. Using transcriptomic data, we identified two homologous genes,LhavIREG1andLhavIREG2, encoding divalent metal transporters of the IREG/ferroportin family. Both genes are expressed at similar levels in shoots, but LhavIREG1 shows higher expression in roots. Heterologous expression of these transporters inA. thalianarevealed that LhavIREG1 is localized to the plasma membrane, whereas LhavIREG2 is located at the vacuole. In addition, expression of each gene induced a significant increase in nickel tolerance. Taken together, our data suggest that LhavIREG2 is involved in nickel sequestration in vacuoles of leaf cells, whereas LhavIREG1 is mainly involved in nickel translocation from roots to shoots, but could also be involved in metal sequestration in cell walls. Our results suggest that paralogous IREG/ferroportin transporters may play complementary roles in nickel hyperaccumulation in plants.

Highlight

The nickel hyperaccumulatorLeucocroton havanensisendemic to Cuba, expresses two paralogous metal transporters of the IREG/ferroportin family that play distinct but complementary roles in nickel tolerance and accumulation.
A snakemake toolkit for the batch assembly, annotation, and phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial genomes and ribosomal genes from genome skims of museum collections
Authors: White Oliver , Hall Andie , Price Ben W. , Williams Suzanne T. , Clark Matt
Published: August 2023

Low coverage “genome-skims” are often used to assemble organelle genomes and ribosomal gene sequences for cost effective phylogenetic and barcoding studies. Natural history collections hold invaluable biological information, yet poor preservation resulting in degraded DNA often hinders PCR based analyses. However, with improvements to molecular techniques and sequencing technology, it is possible to use methods developed for working with ancient DNA to generate libraries and sequence the short fragments typical of degraded DNA to generate genome skims from museum collections.

Here we introduce a snakemake toolkit comprised of three pipelinesskim2mt,skim2rrnaandgene2phylo, designed to unlock the genomic potential of historical museum specimens using genome skimming. Specifically,skim2mtandskim2rrnaperform the batch assembly, annotation and phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial genomes and nuclear ribosomal genes, respectively, from low-coverage genome skims. The third pipelinegene2phylotakes a set of gene alignments and performs phylogenetic analysis of individual genes, partitioned analysis of concatenated alignments and a phylogenetic analysis based on gene trees.

We benchmark our pipelines with simulated data, followed by testing with a novel genome skimming dataset from both recent and historical solariellid gastropod samples. We show that the toolkit can recover mitochondrial and ribosomal genes from poorly preserved museum specimens of the gastropod family Solariellidae. In addition, the phylogenetic analysis of multiple gene sequences is consistent with our current understanding of taxonomic relationships.

The generation of bioinformatic pipelines that facilitate processing large quantities of sequence data from the vast repository of specimens held in natural history museum collections will greatly aid species discovery and exploration of biodiversity over time, ultimately aiding conservation efforts in the face of a changing planet.
Age-linked lung pathology is reduced by immunotherapeutic targeting of isoDGR protein damage
Authors: Kalailingam Pazhanichamy , Mohd-Kahliab Khalilatul-Hanisah , Ngan SoFong Cam , Iyappan Ranjith , Lee Benjamin Sian Teck , Sharma Bhargy , Machan Radek , Bo Sint Thida , Chambers Emma S , Fajardo Val A , Macpherson Rebecca E. K. , Liu Jian , Klentrou Panagiota , Tsiani Evangelia Litsa , Lim Kah Leong , Su I Hsin , Gao Yong-Gui , Richar A Mark , Kalaria Raj N. , Chen Christopher P. , McCarthy Neil E. , Sze Siu Kwan
Published: August 2023

Advancing age is the primary risk factor for pulmonary diseases. Our investigation revealed an 8-fold increase in aging induced isoDGR-damaged proteins in lung tissue from human pulmonary fibrosis patients compared to healthy tissues, accompanied by elevated frequencies of CD68+/CD11b+ macrophages, indicating lung tissue is susceptible to time-dependent accumulation of isoDGR-proteins. To elucidate the mechanisms through which isoDGR-proteins may exacerbate aging lung disorders for potential therapeutic targeting, we assessed the functional role of this isoDGR-motif in naturally-aged mice and mice lacking the corresponding isoDGR repair enzyme (Pcmt1-/-). IsoDGR-protein accumulation in mouse lung tissue and blood vessels correlated with chronic low-grade inflammation, pulmonary edema, and hypoxemia. IsoDGR accretion induced mitochondrial and ribosomal dysfunctions, cellular senescence, and apoptosis, contributing to progressive lung damage over time. Treatment with anti-isoDGR antibodies suppressed TLR pathway activity, mitigated cytokine-driven inflammation, restored mtDNA expression, and significantly reduced lung pathology in-vivo. Similarly, exposure of lung endothelial cells to isoDGR-modified fibronectin impaired oxygen consumption, increased reactive oxygen species levels, and disrupted acidification, but these effects were efficiently reversed by target-specific antibody therapy. Collectively, our findings underscore the significant contribution of isoDGR-damaged proteins to age-linked lung pathology. IsoDGR-specific therapy emerges as a promising treatment approach for pulmonary disorders in older patients.
Basal Ganglia Stimulation Ameliorates Schizophrenia Exploration Anomalies
Authors: Asch Nir , Rahamim Noa , Werner-Reiss Uri , Israel Zvi , Bergman Hagai
Published: August 2023

Any learning agent must balance between exploiting its knowledge and exploring new alternatives. Schizophrenia patients are known to have maladaptive exploration-exploitation (E-E) balance1,2and are impaired at reversal learning tasks as early as their first psychotic episode. The cortico-basal ganglia (BG)-dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) network plays a significant role in learning processes3,4. However, how this network maintains the E-E balance and what alters the balance in schizophrenia remains elusive. Using a combination of extracellular recordings, pharmacological manipulations, macro-stimulation techniques, and an adaptive reinforcement learning model, we show that in the non-human primate (NHP), the external segment of the globus pallidus (GPe, the central nucleus of the BG network) maintain this balance. Furthermore, whereas the chronic, low-dose administration of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor (NMDA-R) antagonist, phencyclidine (PCP) leads to E-E imbalance, low-frequency GPe macro-stimulation restores it. E-E balance provides a holistic framework to resolve some of the apparent paradoxes that have emerged within schizophrenia research2. Our findings suggest that Schizophrenia symptoms may reflect abnormal DLPFC-BG E-E balance, and GPe stimulation may be advantageous for these patients.
Mutational basis of serum cross-neutralization profiles elicited by infection or vaccination with SARS-CoV-2 variants
Authors: Wagh Kshitij , Shen Xiaoying , Theiler James , Girard Bethany , Marshall Jean-Claude , Montefiori David C. , Korber Bette
Published: August 2023

A series of SARS-CoV-2 variants emerged during the pandemic under selection for neutralization resistance. Convalescent and vaccinated sera show consistently different cross-neutralization profiles depending on infecting or vaccine variants. To understand the basis of this heterogeneity, we modeled serum cross-neutralization titers for 165 sera after infection or vaccination with historically prominent lineages tested against 18 variant pseudoviruses. Cross-neutralization profiles were well captured by models incorporating autologous neutralizing titers and combinations of specific shared and differing mutations between the infecting/vaccine variants and pseudoviruses. Infecting/vaccine variant-specific models identified mutations that significantly impacted cross-neutralization and quantified their relative contributions. Unified models that explained cross-neutralization profiles across all infecting and vaccine variants provided accurate predictions of holdout neutralization data comprising untested variants as infecting or vaccine variants, and as test pseudoviruses. Finally, comparative modeling of 2-dose versus 3-dose mRNA-1273 vaccine data revealed that the third dose overcame key resistance mutations to improve neutralization breadth.

HIGHLIGHTS

Modeled SARS-CoV-2 cross-neutralization using mutations at key sites

Identified resistance mutations and quantified relative impact

Accurately predicted holdout variant and convalescent/vaccine sera neutralization

Showed that the third dose of mRNA-1273 vaccination overcomes resistance mutations
Dissecting and improving gene regulatory network inference using single-cell transcriptome data
Authors: Xue Lingfeng , Wu Yan , Lin Yihan
Published: August 2023

Single-cell transcriptome data has been widely used to reconstruct gene regulatory networks (GRNs) controlling critical biological processes such as development and differentiation. Although a growing list of algorithms has been developed to infer GRNs using such data, achieving an inference accuracy consistently higher than random guessing has remained challenging. To address this, it is essential to delineate how the accuracy of regulatory inference is limited. Here, we systematically characterized factors limiting the accuracy of inferred GRNs and demonstrated that using pre-mRNA information can help improve regulatory inference compared to the typically used information (i.e., mature mRNA). Using kinetic modeling and simulated single-cell data sets, we showed that target genes’ mature mRNA levels often fail to accurately report upstream regulatory activities because of gene-level and network-level factors, which can be improved by using pre-mRNA levels. We tested this finding on public single-cell RNA-seq data sets using intronic reads as proxies of pre-mRNA levels and can indeed achieve a higher inference accuracy compared to using exonic reads (corresponding to mature mRNAs). Using experimental data sets, we further validated findings from the simulated data sets and identified factors such as transcription factor activity dynamics influencing the accuracy of pre-mRNA-based inference. This work delineates the fundamental limitations of gene regulatory inference and helps improve GRN inference using single-cell RNA-seq data.
Crystal structure refinement, low- and high-temperature X-ray diffraction and Mössbauer spectroscopy study of the oxoborate ludwigite from the Iten'yurginskoe deposit
Authors: Biryukov Yaroslav P. , Zinnatullin Almaz L. , Levashova Irina O. , Shablinskii Andrey P. , Bubnova Rimma S. , Vagizov Farit G. , Ugolkov Valery L. , Filatov Stanislav K. , Pekov Igor V.
Published: August 2023

This paper reports an investigation of the chemistry, crystal structure refinement and thermal behavior (80–1650 K) of ludwigite from the Iten'yurginskoe deposit (Eastern Chukotka, Russia). Its chemical composition was determined by electron microprobe analysis, giving an empirical formula (Mg1.70Fe2+
0.29Mn0.01)Σ2.00(Fe3+
0.90Al0.08Mg0.02)Σ1.00O2(BO3). A refinement of the crystal structure from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data (SCXRD) was provided for the first time for ludwigite from this deposit (R = 0.047). The structure can be described as a framework composed of [MO6]
n− octahedra and isolated [BO3]3− triangles located in triangular interstices of the framework. Based on a comprehensive analysis of SCXRD and Mössbauer spectroscopy data, the M1 site is occupied by Mg, M2 and M3 by Mg and Fe2+, M4 by Fe3+, Mg and Al. There are also oxo-centered [O4M
4]
n+ and [O2M
5]
n+ polyhedra building up a framework with the [BO3]3− triangles located in its hexagonal interstices. No indications of magnetic ordering are found in the temperature range investigated. The Fe2+ → Fe3+ oxidation occurs above 600 K, and is accompanied by a decrease of the unit-cell parameters and subsequent incomplete solid-phase decomposition with the formation of hematite, warwickite and magnetite. The mineral melts at temperatures above 1582 K. The thermal expansion of ludwigite is slightly anisotropic, which is explained by a dense packing of the [MO6]
n− octahedra as well as a virtually perpendicular orientation of the oxo-centered double chains to each other. At room temperature, maximum expansion is along the c axis (α
c
= 9.1 × 10−6 K−1) and minimum expansion is in the ab plane (α
a
= 8.6 × 10−6, α
b
= 7.6 × 10−6 K−1), which is due to the preferred orientation of the [BO3]3− triangles. A comparison of the thermal behavior of three oxoborates of the ludwigite group, namely azoproite (Mg,Fe2+)2(Fe3+,Ti,Mg,Al)O2(BO3), vonsenite (Fe2+,Mg)2(Fe3+,Mn2+,Sn,Al)O2(BO3) and ludwigite (Mg,Fe2+
,Mn)2(Fe3+
,Al,Mg)O2(BO3), is provided.
From hutong to horizon: a study of the transformation of labour NGOs in China
Authors: Zhou Ao , Blumenfeld Stephen B.
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This study examines the transformation of labour non-governmental organisations (NGOs) operating in Mainland China since the enactment of the 2017 Overseas NGO Management Law, which aims to regulate foreign concerns functioning outside the direct control of the state. It focuses on the extent to which these organisations have responded to the rapidly changing political and social environment by altering their goals and strategies in support of migrant workers. It also considers the relevance of Western social movement theories (SMTs) to China's grassroots labour movement in the 2020s. 

Design/methodology/approach

The research is based on case studies of ten labour NGOs operating in Beijing, Tianjin and Yunnan. It draws upon fifteen semi-structured interviews with the founders, leaders and activists affiliated with those organisations, as well as records and documented information of each of those organisations.

Findings

While the power and influence of labour NGOs markedly diminished, most have been able to adapt their goals and the strategies remain sustainable amidst both China's changing political and social climates and the global pandemic. It suggests that conventional SMTs can still offer valuable insights into understanding the development of labour NGOs in China, although they might not fully interpret the specific conditions and challenges faced by these organisations.

Originality/value

This study stands out as one of very few to offer empirical evidence on the inner workings of China's labour NGOs over the last six years. It also contributes to our understanding of social movements in a non-Western context.
Green loyalty of Islamic banking customers: combined effect of green practices, green trust, green perceived value, and green satisfaction
Authors: Muflih Muhammad , Iswanto Bambang , Purbayati Radia
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Departing from the spirit of environmental concern, this study aims to connect green practices of Islamic banking with green customer loyalty, both directly and through the role of green trust, green perceived value and green satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

In responding to the research hypothesis, this study analyzed 341 customer questionnaires using the structural equation modeling-partial least squares method.

Findings

This study found that a solid green practices program directly makes customers loyal to Islamic banks. It also discovered an indirectly convincing relationship between green practices and green loyalty through the mediation path of green satisfaction and less convincing through the mediation path of green perceived value and green trust.

Practical implications

Practically, this study highlights the importance of green practices innovation and the development of green practices programs that please customers because these programs can generate their loyalty toward the Islamic banking industry.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to investigate the relationship between green practices and the green loyalty of customers in the Islamic banking industry.
Showrooming: a retrospective and prospective review using the SPAR-4-SLR methodological framework
Authors: Sharma Neha , Sharma Amit , Dutta Nirankush , Priya Pankaj
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This article undertakes a literature review on showrooming, offering an exhaustive overview of research publications and future research objectives that will contribute to extending the understanding of the phenomenon.

Design/methodology/approach

The showrooming literature has been collected from journals indexed by SCOPUS and ranked by ABDC. This was later analysed with the SPAR-4-SLR framework and the TCCM methodology (theories, contexts, characteristics, and methodologies) proposed by Paul et al. (2021) and Paul and Rosado-Serrano (2019).

Findings

The insights of this review include bibliometrics of showrooming research and the number of explored showrooming theories, methodologies, and contexts from which the phenomenon has been studied. It also highlights the various aspects that might be considered while building an optimal approach.

Research limitations/implications

Articles published in SCOPUS-indexed and ABDC-ranked journals between 2012 and August 2022 were considered. Some articles published in conference proceedings and journals, not fulfilling the aforementioned criteria, might have been missed.

Practical implications

SPAR-4-SLR and TCCM methodologies would aid the researchers in further exploration of this phenomenon and suggest options for enhancing customer experience (CX) eventually leading to customer retention. Retail channel managers will find this knowledge handy in “encouraging loyal showrooming” and ensuring business sustainability.

Originality/value

This study uses the novel SPAR-4-SLR framework to structure the review, while TCCM methodology sheds light on the showrooming from the perspective of various theories, contexts, characteristics, and methodologies. The scope for further research identified through the above-mentioned framework and methodology would be of high value to the researchers and practitioners alike.
The diffusion of recruit knowledge and core technological change in organizations
Authors: Jain Amit
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This study aims to develop a model of learning-by-hiring in which knowledge gains may occur at the time of recruitment but also after recruitment when other incumbent organizational members assimilate a recruit’s knowledge. The author’s model predicts that experienced recruits are more likely to catalyze change to their organization’s core technological capabilities.

Design/methodology/approach

The continuous-time parametric hazard rate regressions predict core technological change in a long panel (1970–2017) of US biotechnology industry patent data. The author uses over 140,000 patents to model the evolution of knowledge of over 52,000 scientists and over 4,450 firms. To address endogeneity concerns, the author uses the Heckman selection method and does robustness tests using a difference-in-difference analysis.

Findings

The author finds that a hire’s prior research and development (R&D) experience helps overcome inertia arising from her or his new-to-an-organization “distant” knowledge to increase the likelihood of core technological change. In addition, while the author finds that incumbent organizational members resist technological change, experienced hires may effectively induce them to adopt new ways of doing things. This is particularly the case when hires collaborate with incumbents in R&D projects. Understanding the effects of hiring on core technological change, therefore, benefits from an assessment of hire R&D experience and its effects on incumbent inertia in an organization.

Practical implications

First, the author does not recommend managers to hire scientists with considerable distant knowledge only as this may be detrimental to core technological change. Second, the author recommends organizations striving to effectuate technological change to hire people with considerable prior R&D experience as this confers them with the ability to influence other members and socialize incumbent members. Third, the author recommends that managers hire people with both significant levels of prior experience and distant knowledge as they are complements. Finally, the author recommends managers to encourage collaboration between highly experienced hired scientists and long-tenured incumbent organizational members to facilitate incumbent learning, socialization and adoption of new ways of doing things.

Originality/value

This study develops a model of learning-by-hiring, which, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, is the first to propose, test and advance KM literature by showing the effectiveness of experienced hires to stimulate knowledge diffusion and core technological change over time after being hired. This study contributes to innovation, organizational learning and strategy literatures.
Farmers' markets or the supermarket? Channel selection in small farming businesses
Authors: Cortes Juan David , Jackson Jonathan E. , Cortes Andres Felipe
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Despite the abundance of small-scale farms in the USA and their importance for both rural economic development and food availability, the extensive research on small business management and entrepreneurship has mostly neglected the agricultural context, leaving many of these farms' business challenges unexplored. The authors focus on informing a specific decision faced by small farm managers: selling directly to consumers (i.e. farmer's markets) versus selling through aggregators. By collecting historical data and a series of interviews with industry experts, the authors employ simulation methodology to offer a framework that advises how small-scale farmers can allocate their product across these two channels to increase revenue in a given season. The results, which are relevant for operations management, small business management and entrepreneurship literature, can help small-scale farmers improve their performance and compete against their larger counterparts.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors rely on historical and interview data from key industry players (an aggregator and a small farm manager) to design a simulation analysis that determines which factors influence season-long farm revenue performance under varying strategies of channel allocation and commodity production.

Findings

The model suggests that farm managers should plan to evenly split their production between the two distribution channels, but if an even split is not possible, they should plan to keep a larger percentage in the nonaggregator (farmers' market/direct) channel. Further, the authors find that farmers can benefit significantly from a strong aggregator channel customer base, which suggests that farmers should promote and advertise the aggregator channel even if they only use it for a limited amount of their product.

Originality/value

The authors integrate small business management and operations management literature to study a widely understudied context and present practical implications for the performance of small-scale farms.
Dattopant Thengadi National Board for Workers Education and Development (DTNBWED): a need for re-organisation
Authors: Agarwal Saurabh
Published: August 2023

Research methodology

The students should go through the concepts of motivation, leadership, organisational communication, organisational culture, organisational conflict, power and politics and organisational change and development from their course on organisational behaviour.

In Business Communication, the students could review effective communication skills, the process of communication and barriers to communication to prescribe suitable recommendations for the organisation.

In Financial Accounting, the reader should revise the income statement and balance sheet. They can undertake financial analysis on the data presented in the case to analyse the performance of the organisation. The participants may be asked to identify future possible financial risks that may arise.

Case overview/synopsis

The Dattopant Thengadi National Board for Workers Education and Development (DTNBWED) was an autonomous body under the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India. It had been responsible for creating a disciplined and skill-oriented workforce for the organised, unorganised and rural sectors in India. In the past, DTNBWED undertook training programmes to educate and improve the quality of life of workers. However, the objectives were far from being fulfilled because of challenges such as an acute shortage of education officers, a slow recruitment process, communication issues between the ministry and the DTNBWED and a large part of the budget being spent on salaries. The main challenges faced by DTNBWED were the implementation of the 7th Pay Commission and the higher contribution of the Government under a new pension scheme. The DTNBWED faced audit issues, including the absence of an inventory register, non-compliance with accounting rules and statutory norms and inadequate internal audit. The DTNBWED could not shift its headquarters from Nagpur to Delhi because of office politics and differences between the staff and the ministry. The organisation needed a complete reorganisation using principles of change management and agile management. It was recommended that departmental promotion committees review promotions immediately; recruitment of education officers should be done along with post-revival with the Ministry of Finance; rental of offices should be from Government departments only; and the administrative manual and recruitment rules should be revised. These measures would help to overcome the challenges faced by DTNBWED, such as low expenditure on training, poor communication between the ministry and headquarters, vacant top-level posts and low motivation levels among existing officers.

Complexity academic level

The case is appropriate for MBA students, executive MBAs, and those working in government organisations.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/TCJ-04-2021-0056/
Taguchi and ANN-based optimization method for predicting maximum performance and minimum emission of a VCR diesel engine powered by diesel, biodiesel, and producer gas
Authors: Mohapatra Taraprasad , Mishra Sudhansu Sekhar , Bathre Mukesh , Sahoo Sudhansu Sekhar
Published: August 2023

Purpose

The study aims to determine the the optimal value of output parameters of a variable compression ratio (CR) diesel engine are investigated at different loads, CR and fuel modes of operation experimentally. The output parameters of a variable compression ratio (CR) diesel engine are investigated at different loads, CR and fuel modes of operation experimentally. The performance parameters like brake thermal efficiency (BTE) and brake specific energy consumption (BSEC), whereas CO emission, HC emission, CO2 emission, NOx emission, exhaust gas temperature (EGT) and opacity are the emission parameters measured during the test. Tests are conducted for 2, 6 and 10 kg of load, 16.5 and 17.5 of CR.

Design/methodology/approach

In this investigation, the first engine was fueled with 100% diesel and 100% Calophyllum inophyllum oil in single-fuel mode. Then Calophyllum inophyllum oil with producer gas was fed to the engine. Calophyllum inophyllum oil offers lower BTE, CO and HC emissions, opacity and higher EGT, BSEC, CO2 emission and NOx emissions compared to diesel fuel in both fuel modes of operation observed. The performance optimization using the Taguchi approach is carried out to determine the optimal input parameters for maximum performance and minimum emissions for the test engine. The optimized value of the input parameters is then fed into the prediction techniques, such as the artificial neural network (ANN).

Findings

From multiple response optimization, the minimum emissions of 0.58% of CO, 42% of HC, 191 ppm NOx and maximum BTE of 21.56% for 16.5 CR, 10 kg load and dual fuel mode of operation are determined. Based on generated errors, the ANN is also ranked for precision. The proposed ANN model provides better prediction with minimum experimental data sets. The values of the R2 correlation coefficient are 1, 0.95552, 0.94367 and 0.97789 for training, validation, testing and all, respectively. The said biodiesel may be used as a substitute for conventional diesel fuel.

Originality/value

The blend of Calophyllum inophyllum oil-producer gas is used to run the diesel engine. Performance and emission analysis has been carried out, compared, optimized and validated.
Warmer springs increase potential for temporal reproductive isolation among habitat patches in subalpine flowering plants
Authors: Rivest Sébastien , Inouye Brian D. , Forrest Jessica R. K.
Published: August 2023

Flowering phenology can vary considerably even at fine spatial scales, potentially leading to temporal reproductive isolation among habitat patches. Climate change could alter flowering synchrony, and hence temporal isolation, if plants in different microhabitats vary in their phenological response to climate change. Despite the importance of temporal isolation in determining patterns of gene flow, and hence population genetic structure and local adaptation, little is known about how changes in climate affect temporal isolation within populations.

Here, we use flowering phenology and floral abundance data of 50 subalpine plant species over 44 years to test whether temporal isolation between habitat patches is affected by spring temperature. For each species and year, we analysed temporal separation in peak flowering and flowering overlap between habitat patches separated by 5–950 m.

Across our study species, warmer springs were associated with more temporal differentiation in flowering peaks among habitat patches, and less flowering overlap, increasing potential for temporal isolation within populations.

Synthesis. By reducing opportunities for mating among plants in nearby habitat patches, our results suggest that warmer springs may reduce opportunities for gene flow within populations, and, consequently, the capacity of plant populations to adapt to environmental changes.
How Does Carbon Footprint Information Affect Consumer Choice? A Field Experiment
Authors: BEYER BIANCA , CHASKEL RICO , EULER SIMONE , GASSEN JOACHIM , GROßKOPF ANN‐KRISTIN , SELLHORN THORSTEN
Published: August 2023

This paper reports the results of a field experiment investigating how attributes of carbon footprint information affect consumer choice in a large dining facility. Our hypotheses and research methods were preregistered via the Journal of Accounting Research’s registration‐based editorial process. Manipulating the measurement units and visualizations of carbon footprint information on food labels, we quantify effects on consumers’ food choices. Treated consumers choose less carbon‐intensive dishes, reducing their food‐related carbon footprint by up to 9.2%, depending on the treatment. Effects are strongest for carbon footprint information expressed in monetary units (“environmental costs”) and color‐coded in the familiar traffic‐light scheme. A postexperimental survey shows that these effects obtain although few respondents self‐report concern for the environmental footprint of their meal choices. Our study contributes to the accounting literature by using an information‐processing framework to shed light on the information usage and decision‐making processes of an increasingly important user group of accounting information: consumers.
Patient termination of a life‐sustaining medical device: Suicide or natural death?
Authors: Adams Rodney K.
Published: August 2023

Medical technology has made tremendous strides in extending the lives of patients who have suffered organ failure. Machines can now replace the function of the kidneys, the heart, and other vital organs. Much has been written about a patient's right to refuse or direct the withdrawal of medical treatment, especially at the end of life, under the guise of “death with dignity.” However, little attention has been paid to the situation where a patient elects to deactivate their life‐sustaining medical device without a physician's involvement. This raises the challenging question of whether the patient's manner of death should be classified as suicide or natural. Surprisingly, common law, statutes, medical ethics, and public health practice are not in alignment on the answer. This article will explore the ramifications and far‐reaching impact that such divergence has on the survivors and the medical community, as well as recommend corrective actions and practical approaches for the medical and legal practitioner.
Bayesian tests for random mating in polyploids
Authors: Gerard David
Published: August 2023

Hardy–Weinberg proportions (HWP) are often explored to evaluate the assumption of random mating. However, in autopolyploids, organisms with more than two sets of homologous chromosomes, HWP and random mating are different hypotheses that require different statistical testing approaches. Currently, the only available methods to test for random mating in autopolyploids (i) heavily rely on asymptotic approximations and (ii) assume genotypes are known, ignoring genotype uncertainty. Furthermore, these approaches are all frequentist, and so do not carry the benefits of Bayesian analysis, including ease of interpretability, incorporation of prior information, and consistency under the null. Here, we present Bayesian approaches to test for random mating, bringing the benefits of Bayesian analysis to this problem. Our Bayesian methods also (i) do not rely on asymptotic approximations, being appropriate for small sample sizes, and (ii) optionally account for genotype uncertainty via genotype likelihoods. We validate our methods in simulations and demonstrate on two real datasets how testing for random mating is more useful for detecting genotyping errors than testing for HWP (in a natural population) and testing for Mendelian segregation (in an experimental S1 population). Our methods are implemented in Version 2.0.2 of the hwep R package on the Comprehensive R Archive Network https://cran.r‐project.org/package=hwep.
Reactive arthritis as a rare complication of intravesical bacillus Calmette–Guérin treatment: Report of two cases
Authors: Bandeira Matilde , Dourado Eduardo , Lopes Filipe , Tenazinha Catarina , Barros Rita , Barreira Sofia C.
Published: August 2023

Intravesical bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) immunotherapy is recommended for non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer after transurethral resection. BCG‐associated musculoskeletal adverse events are rare. We report two cases of BCG reactive arthritis that were unusually severe and refractory. These describe two male patients who presented with polyarthritis after BCG exposure. Ultrasonography‐guided glucocorticoid injections, high‐dose systemic glucocorticoids and the institution of sulfasalazine were required for achievement of remission. Bacillus Calmette–Guérin reactive arthritis can present as polyarthritis of small and medium joints or as mono‐oligoarthritis of asymmetrical ankles and knees, frequently associated with tenosynovitis and enthesitis. The mechanism by which BCG promotes arthralgia and arthritis is poorly understood. The most well‐accepted theory is that the BCG antigens migrate to different peripheral tissues, including the joints. There is also a lack of knowledge regarding risk factors, with possible genetic factors playing a role. As the two presented cases show, BCG‐induced reactive arthritis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of arthritis and refractory tenosynovitis in BCG‐exposed patients.
Assessing real‐time positive subjective effects of alcohol using high‐resolution ecological momentary assessment in risky versus light drinkers
Authors: Fridberg Daniel J. , Lee Zoe , Fischer Andrew M. , Cursio John F. , King Andrea C.
Published: August 2023

Background

High‐resolution ecological momentary assessment (HR‐EMA) can assess acute alcohol responses during naturalistic heavy drinking episodes. The goal of this study was to use HR‐EMA to examine drinking behavior and subjective responses to alcohol in risky drinkers (moderate–severe alcohol use disorder [MS‐AUD], heavy social drinkers [HD]) and light drinkers (LD). We expected that risky drinkers would endorse greater alcohol stimulation and reward, with lower sedation, than LD, even when controlling for amount of alcohol consumed.

Methods

Participants (N = 112; 54% male, M ± SD age = 27.2 ± 4.2 years) completed smartphone‐based HR‐EMA during one typical alcohol drinking occasion and one non‐alcohol‐drinking occasion in their natural environment. Participants were prompted to complete next‐day surveys that assessed drinking‐related outcomes, study acceptability, and safety.

Results

HR‐EMA prompt completion rates were excellent (92% and 89% for the alcohol and nonalcohol episodes, respectively). The MS‐AUD group consumed the most alcohol with the highest estimated blood alcohol concentration (eBAC) by the end of the alcohol drinking episode (0.14 g/dL) versus LD (0.02 g/dL), with HD intermediate (0.10 g/dL). Relative to LD, MS‐AUD and HD endorsed greater positive effects of alcohol (stimulation, liking, and wanting).

Conclusions

This study is the first to use HR‐EMA to measure and compare real‐world acute alcohol responses across diverse drinker subgroups, including persons with MS‐AUD. Results demonstrate that risky drinkers experience heightened pleasurable effects measured in real‐time during natural‐environment alcohol responses. Rather than drinking excessively to eventually achieve desirable subjective effects, risky drinkers show sensitivity to positive alcohol effects throughout a heavy drinking episode.
CEO narcissism and firm's cash conversion cycle: The moderating role of CEO's gender
Authors: Zaher Heba F. , Marquez‐Illescas Gilberto
Published: August 2023

This study investigates the effect of CEO narcissism on firm's cash conversion cycle (CCC), and how this influence is moderated by CEO gender. Based on a sample of 354 CEOs in 229 S&P 500 firms, our results indicate that firms led by more narcissistic CEOs tend to have a shorter CCC and this effect is weaker in companies led by a female CEO. Our additional analyses show that the effect of CEO narcissism on the CCC may improve or damage firm performance depending on the firm's CCC level.
Mound‐building behaviour of a keystone bioturbator alters rates of leaf litter decomposition and movement in urban reserves
Authors: Hall Matthew J. , Martin John M. , Burns Alicia L. , Hochuli Dieter F.
Published: August 2023

Bioturbation, the disturbance of soil and litter by digging animals plays an important role for a variety of species and ecological processes in many ecosystems. The majority of studies globally on the ecosystem engineering effects of digging vertebrates have focussed on mammals, with birds, reptiles and amphibians remaining comparatively understudied. The loss of ecosystem engineers is a key conservation challenge, and the return of these species is increasingly seen as a priority for habitat restoration; yet this concept is highly novel when we consider urban ecosystems. The Australian brush‐turkey (Alectura lathami), historically a rainforest bird and now common in urban ecosystems, displaces significant quantities of soil and leaf litter through its foraging and nest‐building behaviour and has previously been described as an ecosystem engineer. Here, we tested the effect of brush‐turkey nest building on the decomposition rate of leaf litter, an important ecosystem process. We placed mesh bags of dried Angophora costata and Lantana camara leaves at increasing distances from brush‐turkey incubation mounds. We predicted that leaf litter closer to the nest would break down faster during the brush‐turkey breeding season due to increased turnover associated with nest mound maintenance. We found slower leaf litter decomposition in the breeding than the non‐breeding season, but a relatively greater rate of decomposition closer to the mound in the breeding season. Our results show a seasonal difference in the spatial pattern of leaf litter decomposition and movement; we interpret that brush‐turkey mound‐building behaviour was the key driver. The ecosystem services provided by brush‐turkeys are of particular interest for future research as this species is naturally recolonizing areas where it has been absent for decades, including urban areas. The effect of this species on ecosystem processes including nutrient cycling, seedbank stimulation and reduced fuel loads warrants further investigation.
Political Tribalism in Kuwait: The Shift of Badū from the Regime's Political Ally to Political Opposition
Authors: Abu Sulaib Faisal Mukhyat
Published: August 2023

Addressing issues of political tribalism in Kuwait, the study reported here examined the political role of tribes in Kuwait, particularly to determine why badū tribespeople in Kuwait have shifted from being the regime's political ally to its political opponent. To that end, a survey questionnaire was created and distributed to 696 badū individuals living in Kuwait. The results suggest that most badū in Kuwait agree with the political opposition's agenda and feel excluded, marginalised, powerless, deprived of equal social justice, and deliberately targeted by certain local media networks. Furthermore, most badū sampled agreed that parliamentary elections are an effective way to exercise their political influence and that their tribes provide them with social protection as well as political power.
Bioethical implications of organ‐on‐a‐chip on modernizing drug development
Authors: Thakar Rahul G. , Fenton Kathleen N.
Published: August 2023

Organ‐on‐chips are three‐dimensional microdevices that emulate the structure, functionality, and behavior of specific tissues or organs using human cells. Combining organoids with microfabricated fluidic channels and microelectronics, these systems offer a promising platform for studying disease mechanisms, drug responses, and tissue performance. By replicating the in vivo microenvironment, these devices can recreate complex cell interactions in controlled conditions and facilitate research in various fields, including drug toxicity and efficacy studies, biochemical analysis, and disease pathogenesis. Integrating human induced pluripotent stem cells further enhances their applicability, thereby enabling patient‐specific disease modeling for precision medicine. Although challenges like economy‐of‐scale, multichip integration, and regulatory compliance exist, advances in this modular technology show promise for lowering drug development costs, improving reproducibility, and reducing the reliance on animal testing. The ethical landscape surrounding organ‐on‐chip usage presents both benefits and concerns. While these chips offer an alternative to animal testing and potential cost savings, they raise ethical considerations related to community engagement, informed consent, and the need for standardized guidelines. Ensuring public acceptance and involvement in decision‐making is vital to address misinformation and mistrust. Furthermore, personalized medicine models using patient‐derived cells demand careful consideration of potential ethical dilemmas, such as modeling physiological functions of fetuses or brains and determining the extent of protection for these models. To achieve the full potential of organ‐on‐a‐chip models, collaboration between scientists, ethicists, and regulators is essential to fulfil the promise of transforming drug development, advancing personalized medicine, and contributing to a more ethical and efficient biomedical research landscape.
Verbalized arithmetic principles correlate with mathematics achievement
Authors: Cui Jiaxin , Wang Li , Li Dawei , Zhou Xinlin
Published: August 2023

Background

When mathematical knowledge is expressed in general language, it is called verbalized mathematics. Previous studies on verbalized mathematics typically paid attention to mathematical vocabulary or educational practice. However, these studies did not exclude the role of symbolic mathematics ability, and almost no research has focused on verbalized mathematical principles.

Aims

This study is aimed to investigate whether verbalized mathematics ability independently predicts mathematics achievement. The current study hypothesized that verbalized mathematics ability supports mathematics achievement independent of general language, related cognitive abilities and even symbolic mathematical ability.

Sample

A sample of 241 undergraduates (136 males, 105 females, mean age = 21.95, SD = 2.38) in Beijing, China.

Methods

A total of 12 tests were used, including a verbalized arithmetic principle test, a mathematics achievement test, and tests on general language (sentence completion test), symbolic mathematical ability (including symbolic arithmetic principles test, simple arithmetic computation and complex arithmetic computation), approximate number sense ability (numerosity comparison test) and several related cognitive covariates (including the non‐verbal matrix reasoning, the syllogism reasoning, mental rotation, figure matching and choice reaction time).

Results

Results showed that the processing of verbalized arithmetic principles displayed a significant role in mathematics achievement after controlling for general language, related cognitive abilities, approximate number sense ability and symbolic mathematics ability.

Conclusions

The results suggest that verbalized mathematics ability was an independent predictor and provided empirical evidence supporting the verbalized mathematics role on achievement as an independent component in three‐component mathematics model.
Towards the convergent therapeutic potential of G protein‐coupled receptors in autism spectrum disorders
Authors: Annamneedi Anil , Gora Caroline , Dudas Ana , Leray Xavier , Bozon Véronique , Crépieux Pascale , Pellissier Lucie P.
Published: August 2023

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are diagnosed in 1/100 children worldwide, based on two core symptoms: deficits in social interaction and communication, and stereotyped behaviours. G protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest family of cell‐surface receptors that transduce extracellular signals to convergent intracellular signalling and downstream cellular responses that are commonly dysregulated in ASD. Despite hundreds of GPCRs being expressed in the brain, only 23 are genetically associated with ASD according to the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI) gene database: oxytocin OTR; vasopressin V1Aand V1B; metabotropic glutamate mGlu5and mGlu7; GABAB2; dopamine D1, D2and D3; serotoninergic 5‐HT1B; β2‐adrenoceptor; cholinergic M3; adenosine A2Aand A3; angiotensin AT2; cannabinoid CB1; chemokine CX3CR1; orphan GPR37 and GPR85; and olfactory OR1C1, OR2M4, OR2T10 and OR52M1. Here, we review the therapeutic potential of these 23 GPCRs, as well as 5‐HT2Aand 5‐HT7, for ASD. For each GPCR, we discuss its genetic association, genetic and pharmacological manipulation in animal models, pharmacopoeia for core symptoms of ASD and rank them based on these factors. Among these GPCRs, we highlight D2, 5‐HT2A, CB1, OTR and V1Aas the more promising targets for ASD. We discuss that the dysregulation of GPCRs and their signalling is a convergent pathological mechanism of ASD. Their therapeutic potential has only begun as multiple GPCRs could mitigate ASD.