bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Distinct genetic underpinnings of inter-individual differences in the sensorimotor-association axis of cortical organisation
Authors: Bignardi Giacomo , Nivard Michel G , Schaare H. Lina , Bernhardt Boris C. , Bethlehem Richard A.I. , Fisher Simon E. , Valk Sofie L.
Published: July 2023

The topological differentiation of sensorimotor and association cortical regions along a sensorimotor-association (S-A) axis has undergone profound evolutionary change along the mammalian lineage. In humans, patterns of gene expression, neurotransmitter receptors, cell-type markers, microstructure, and functional connectivity have been shown to vary systematically along such S-A axis. Despite such a notable convergence, it is not yet known whether patterns of S-A axis inter-individual differences mirror the robust spatial relationships across neurobiological properties observed at the group-level. Here, we examined genetic variation associated with inter-individual differences in the S-A axis and assessed whether structural and functional properties that are highly correlated at the group-level also share genetic underpinnings. Using an augmented multivariate twin design, we quantified the expected genetic overlap between properties of the S-A axis, accounting for measurement error heterogeneity across the cortex and its impact on structure-function relationships. Despite robust spatial relationships and highly heritable inter-individual differences in S-A axis microstructure and functional organisation, and contrary to group-level findings, our results indicate partly distinct genetic effects across the different brain features that co-vary along the S-A axis. Our approach highlights the complexity of genetic contributions to brain organisation and their potential implications for cognitive variability.
Factors affecting users' impulse purchases in online group buying: online consumer reviews, countdowns and self-control
Authors: Sun Jingjing , Li Tingting , Sun Shouqiang
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate how online consumer reviews (OCRs), countdowns and self-control affect consumers' online impulse buying behavior in online group buying (OGB) and uncover the relationship between these factors.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the stimulus-organism-response (SOR) framework, this research examines the effects of OCRs, countdowns and self-control on users' impulse purchases. First, the influence of emotions on impulse purchases in group purchasing is investigated. In addition, this study innovatively applies stress-coping theory to group buying research, with countdowns exerting temporal pressure on consumers and OCRs viewed as social pressure, to investigate in depth how countdowns and OCRs affect users' impulse purchase behavior. Finally, this study also surveys the moderating role of users' self-control in the impulse purchase process.

Findings

The results show that the perceived value of OCRs and positive emotions (PE) were positively correlated with impulsiveness (IMP) and the urge to buy impulsively (UBI), while negative emotions (NE) were negatively correlated with IMP. Countdowns (CD) had a positive effect on UBI. Self-control can indirectly affect users' impulse buying by negatively moderating the relationship between PE and UBI, PE and IMP and CD and UBI.

Originality/value

The research results can help group buying platforms and related participants understand the factors influencing users' impulse purchases in OGB and facilitate them to better design strategies to increase product sales.
Supply chain resilience in developing countries: a bibliometric analysis and future research directions
Authors: Kumar Anil , Singh Rohit Kr , Singh Devnaad
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Using bibliometric, this work aims to evaluate the current status of the body of research on the subject of supply chain resilience (SCR) in developing nations and to provide recommendations for potential lines of inquiry for additional research.

Design/methodology/approach

Three hundred and thirty-six articles published between 2011 and 2021 were retrieved in Scopus for this bibliometric analysis. This analysis focuses on SCR research conducted in developing countries, highlighting its key authors, countries, institutions, journals, articles and themes.

Findings

This bibliometric review seeks to enrich the discourse on SCR in developing nations through a comprehensive and detailed review of 336 articles covering 138 Journals, 73 countries, 877 authors, 743 organizations and 1,145 author keywords. The United Kingdom, India, and the United States provided a substantial share of the publications. Publication-wise, Hong Kong Polytechnic University and The University of Hong Kong play key roles. The author found that supply chain risk management, sustainability, agile management, artificial intelligence and blockchain are trending topics. Additionally, the author identified eight themes by page rank analysis.

Practical implications

This study's importance lies primarily in its examination of the current information about SCR in developing countries and significant cluster areas (themes). In the paths, it recommends for further study, which academics may take, and industry professionals should apply in their businesses to create a more resilient and sustainable supply chain.

Originality/value

Based on published studies, this study gives exploratory data on SCR in developing countries context. This is first of its kind bibliometric study that focuses on developing countries.
Pet tourism: motivations and assessment in the destinations
Authors: Hidalgo-Fernández Amalia , Moral-Cuadra Salvador , Menor-Campos Antonio , Lopez-Guzman Tomas
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to perform an analysis of how pets in general and dogs in particular condition the planning and realisation of people’s trips. Similarly, the motivations that lead families to travel with their pets in Spain are analysed.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology used in this research consisted of carrying out fieldwork based on surveys of 1,696 dog owners in Spain. The data analysis was carried out using a Partial Least Squares methodology (PLS-SEM) to test the relationship of the families with their pets, the motivations they have for travelling with their pets and the assessment of the destination by both the family and the pet itself.

Findings

The main results of this research focus on analysing how and when a family plans a trip with their pet, except for their second home, there are several motivations for both families themselves and their pets, which condition this trip and that must be considered by tourist destinations. Similarly, it is also concluded that the motivations are closely related to the attachment that the family has to the pet.

Originality/value

The originality of this research focuses on including the relationship of the family with their dog and the adequacy of the destination to the needs of their pet as motivation to make a certain trip or choose a certain destination.
Trade-offs between accuracy and efficiency in BIM-LCA integration
Authors: Zheng Bowen , Hussain Mudasir , Yang Yang , Chan Albert P.C. , Chi Hung-Lin
Published: July 2023

Purpose

In the last decades, various building information modeling–life cycle assessment (BIM-LCA) integration approaches have been developed to assess the environmental impact of the built asset. However, there is a lack of consensus on the optimal BIM-LCA integration approach that provides the most accurate and efficient assessment outcomes. To compare and determine their accuracy and efficiency, this study aimed to investigate four typical BIM-LCA integration solutions, namely, conventional, parametric modeling, plug-in and industry foundation classes (IFC)-based integration.

Design/methodology/approach

The four integration approaches were developed and applied using the same building project. A quantitative technique for evaluating the accuracy and efficiency of BIM-LCA integration solutions was used. Four indicators for assessing the performance of BIM-LCA integration were (1) validity of LCA results, (2) accuracy of bill-of-quantity (BOQ) extraction, (3) time for developing life cycle inventories (i.e. developing time) and (4) time for calculating LCA results (i.e. calculation time).

Findings

The results show that the plug-in-based approach outperforms others in developing and calculation time, while the conventional one could derive the most accuracy in BOQ extraction and result validity. The parametric modeling approach outperforms the IFC-based method regarding BOQ extraction, developing time and calculation time. Despite this, the IFC-based approach produces LCA outcomes with approximately 1% error, proving its validity.

Originality/value

This paper forms one of the first studies that employ a quantitative and objective method to determine the performance of four typical BIM-LCA integration solutions and reveal the trade-offs between the accuracy and efficiency of the integration approaches. The findings provide practical references for LCA practitioners to select appropriate BIM-LCA integration approaches for evaluating the environmental impact of the built asset during the design phase.
Exploring the paradox of gender preferred leadership in Kenya: a GLOBE study on gender egalitarianism and women in leadership
Authors: Anaya Ella Ruth
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore gender gaps, values and practices in a Sub-Saharan African (SSA) country, specifically to identify gender inequality in Kenyan leadership and propose suggestions for advancing gender equity.

Design/methodology/approach

This Kenya study replicated the research design of the Global Leadership and Organizational Behaviour Effectiveness Project for gathering country data. It sampled middle and upper management in the commercial sector (finance and agriculture) and added the civic sectors of health care and education, using quantitative research (267 managers in over 100 organizations) and qualitative research design (30 interviewees from 23 organizations).

Findings

Gender had no apparent effect on leadership attributes nor on preferred modes of leadership. Statistical and thematic analysis revealed conflicting values and behaviours regarding gender equality and leadership. A high cultural dimension score on practices reflects a traditional leadership approach for male dominance, referred to as the Bwana Kubwa model. However, a high value score for gender equality reflects a more contemporary perspective, identified as the Inspirational Idealist. The gender gap presents a cultural paradox and a leadership constraint.

Research limitations/implications

The Inspirational Idealist model advances African leadership theory as it identifies a preferred value-based paradigm of effective performance-based leadership. This is contrary to the prevalent patriarchal practices of the Bwana Kubwa (Big Boss) model, which reflects biased gendered preference.

Practical implications

Male and female leaders need to challenge the status quo and align leadership practices with the articulated cultural values expressed as an Inspirational Idealist model. It has considerable relevance to advancing African leadership theory and informing culturally relevant policies and contextualized practices focused on gender equity in leadership.

Originality/value

This research on practices and values pertaining to gender equality of Kenyan managers is the first in-depth managerial leadership study of any SSA country. It is unique in that it broadened the scope of study to include professional sectors, gender, age and ethnicity variables.
Understanding numeracy coach research in Canada: a review
Authors: Liu Peng , Li Xuyang , Zhuoma Ciren
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to understand the research on numeracy coach in the Canadian context.

Design/methodology/approach

This study was a systematic review of studies about numeracy coaching in Canada, which described the trend of knowledge production on this topic. The study made use of qualitative meta-analysis. According to Timulak (2009, p. 591), qualitative meta-analysis is “an attempt to conduct a rigorous secondary qualitative analysis of primary qualitative findings. Its purpose is to provide a more comprehensive description of a phenomenon and an assessment of the influence of the investigation on findings.” By using meta-analysis, this article analyzed the general pattern of knowledge production, the nature of the publications, the focal topics, the research methods and the citation impact of numeracy coaching studies in Canada. The literature analyzed in this review included all the available sources we were able to find with regard to Canadian numeracy coaches. The sources included peer-reviewed journal articles, online magazines, program reports and information from non-profit organizations, as well as doctoral theses.

Findings

Research about numeracy coaches in Canadian contexts remains in an initial stage, and there is, as yet, no accepted definition of a Canadian numeracy coach. Scholars in this area have been fond of empirical studies and qualitative research methods. This research has shown that numeracy coaches, who can be regarded as directors, evaluators and consultants in schools, also experience difficulties such as a lack of background knowledge in math. Scholars have advised several ways to improve the quality of coaching activities, including teacher collaboration and coaching models. The citation impact of the current Canadian literature about numeracy coaches has been quite uneven; only a few articles have been cited by other researchers. This article concludes by summarizing the results of this meta-analysis, its limitations and suggestions for future research.

Originality/value

This is one of important studies to explore numeracy coach research in Canadian context. Theoretical and practical significance is explored.
Board composition and corporate social responsibility: uncovering the effects of co-opted directors
Authors: El Saleh Ali I. , Jurdi Doureige J.
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Prior research shows that co-opted directors adversely impact many corporate outcomes, yet little is known about these directors' impact on CSR performance. The authors investigate whether and how co-opted boards affect the firm's CSR score and component CSR scores.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use panel regression models to investigate this study's research questions and address endogeneity concerns using the system generalized method of moments (system GMM) and a quasi-natural experiment.

Findings

The authors report new evidence showing that co-opted boards negatively impact CSR performance based on the CSR score. Results identify board characteristics that accentuate or moderate the effect of co-option on the CSR score and show that board independence, the presence of women on the board, and CEO duality positively and significantly impact the CSR score. These findings are robust across alternative measures of co-option and in the results of models addressing endogeneity concerns. An extended analysis utilizing CSR component scores reveals a significant negative impact of co-option on the environment component score using various measures of co-option and on employee relations, product quality, and human rights component scores using selected measures of co-option.

Practical implications

Findings have implications for board structuring and composition for firms aiming at improving their CSR score.

Originality/value

The study provides new evidence on the impact of co-opted boards on CSR performance. The results help inform stakeholders such as policymakers, executives and directors, shareholders, and capital market participants on how board composition affects socially responsible activities and performance and identify CSR component areas that require attention.
The role of the dark triad and emotion regulation in women’ sexual coercion: a social information processing perspective
Authors: Escarguel Maxime , Benbouriche Massil , Tibbels Sarah , Przygodzki-Lionet Nathalie
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The perpetration of sexual coercion is a complex public health problem associated with many kinds of deficits. The literature has shown that women also perpetrate sexually coercive behaviours. Recent work has suggested that this kind of behaviour could be explained by two distinct developmental pathways. However, this model does not allow the authors to identify how the individual processes social information in situ and may decide to resort to coercive behaviours. This study aimed to investigate the role of social information processing in women’s sexual coercion.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 125 French-speaking women from the general population were recruited to complete online questionnaires pertaining to dark triad personality traits, emotion abilities, alexithymia and antecedents of sexual coercion.

Findings

Results revealed that women with a history of sexual coercion had a significantly higher narcissistic traits score and more emotion regulation (ER) deficits than those without a history. For women with a history of sexual coercion perpetration, correlational analyses showed positive correlations, respectively, between psychopathic traits and alexithymia and between Machiavellianism and deficits in ER.

Originality/value

These results contribute to identifying the deficits relating to SIP in terms of sexual coercion perpetrated by women. Women with a history of sexual coercion perpetration appear to endorse more dark triad traits and to have ER issues. Certain level of these deficits could be a trigger and affect the SIP of women and increase the likelihood behaving in a sexually coercive manner.
Organizational learning and adaptation in participatory Islamic finance
Authors: Nouman Muhammad , Ullah Karim , Jan Shafiullah , Khan Farman Ullah
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Islamic banking has undergone significant adaption since its inception. This study aims to investigate why and how Islamic banks adapt their services, using participatory financing as evidence.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative study is designed, using working capital financing and commodity operations financing in Pakistan as analytical units. The data for each analytical unit is analyzed using a qualitative content analysis, while the findings are synthesized using a cross-case synthesis method.

Findings

Findings suggest that participatory financing has undergone extensive adaptation in the Islamic banking industry of Pakistan, in the wake of resolving constraints to participatory financing and increasing its viability. Consequently, participatory finance has emerged as an attractive and viable option in Pakistan. These findings suggest that unlike in the past, where Islamic banks used to buffer themselves from the environment and ignore the market demands, they have learned to respond effectively to the market demands and the challenges posed by the environment.

Research limitations/implications

Findings suggest that the adaptation strategy is more effective than the migration strategy, because it enables the financial service systems to reduce the underlying risks by avoiding emergent threats and eradicating the inherent weaknesses.

Originality/value

The extant literature provides a generalized view on the adaptation process that Islamic banks undergo to comply with their environment. However, it is limited in terms of conceptualizing the adaptations and innovations in their products and the underlying structural variations. The present study fills this gap.
Tropical butterflies use thermal buffering and thermal tolerance as alternative strategies to cope with temperature increase
Authors: Ashe‐Jepson Esme , Arizala Cobo Stephany , Basset Yves , Bladon Andrew J. , Kleckova Irena , Laird‐Hopkins Benita C. , Mcfarlane Alex , Sam Katerina , Savage Amanda F. , Zamora Ana Cecilia , Turner Edgar C. , Lamarre Greg P. A.
Published: July 2023

Climate change poses a severe threat to many taxa, with increased mean temperatures and frequency of extreme weather events predicted.

Insects can respond to high temperatures using behaviour, such as angling their wings away from the sun or seeking cool local microclimates to thermoregulate or through physiological tolerance.

In a butterfly community in Panama, we compared the ability of adult butterflies from 54 species to control their body temperature across a range of air temperatures (thermal buffering ability), as well as assessing the critical thermal maxima for a subset of 24 species.

Thermal buffering ability and tolerance were influenced by family, wing length, and wing colour, with Pieridae, and butterflies that are large or darker in colour having the strongest thermal buffering ability, but Hesperiidae, small, and darker butterflies tolerating the highest temperatures.

We identified an interaction between thermal buffering ability and physiological tolerance, where species with stronger thermal buffering abilities had lower thermal tolerance, and vice versa. This interaction implies that species with more stable body temperatures in the field may be more vulnerable to increases in ambient temperatures, for example heat waves associated with ongoing climate change.

Our study demonstrates that tropical species employ diverse thermoregulatory strategies, which is also reflected in their sensitivity to temperature extremes.
Water use efficiency and climate legacies dominate beech growth at its rear edge
Authors: Olano J. M. , Sangüesa‐Barreda G. , García‐López M. A. , García‐Hidalgo M. , Rozas V. , García‐Cervigón A. I. , Delgado‐Huertas A. , Hernández‐Alonso H.
Published: July 2023

Rear‐edge tree populations are experiencing a combination of higher temperatures and more intense droughts that might push individuals beyond their tolerance limits. This trend towards rising atmospheric [CO2] is concurrent with an increase in intrinsic water use efficiency (iWUE), which theoretically enhances photosynthesis and decrease evapotranspiration rates, consequently improving tree resistance to drought. However, it remains unclear whether iWUE is favouring tree growth under current climate conditions, particularly when climate and iWUE legacy effects are simultaneously considered.

We evaluated this question with an extensive sampling along Iberian rear‐edge (dry) populations comprising four mountain ranges and two distinct altitudes. We simultaneously examined the effects of climate and iWUE on secondary growth using annually resolved basal area increments (BAIs) for the period 1901–2017. We used linear mixed models including second‐order autocorrelation and 1‐year legacy effects of iWUE and summer drought.

BAI and iWUE increased across the studied period. iWUE increase was driven by changes in atmospheric CO2 concentration and water availability during the growing season. Climate and iWUE exerted direct and lagged effects on beech growth. Water availability during growing season was the main driver of tree growth, combining direct and indirect effects through its impact on iWUE. Legacy effects of water availability and iWUE were more important than growing season conditions. The net effect of iWUE shifted when lagged effects were considered, resulting in a net negative impact on tree growth.

Synthesis: Our results reveal that climate and iWUE legacy effects must be considered to assess the net iWUE effect on secondary growth. Considering lagged effects, the current increase in iWUE is constraining tree growth. Modelling efforts of tree growth response to climate warming should include climate and iWUE legacy effects to adequately assess terrestrial ecosystem carbon balance.
Are two occupational therapists better than one? Occupational therapists' perspectives of intra‐disciplinary practice within community health
Authors: Evans Melissa Kaye , Lane Haylee , Hitch Danielle Patricia , Tull Victoria , Pepin Genevieve
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Intra‐disciplinary practice is rarely discussed in occupational therapy and the broader health‐care literature. Community‐based occupational therapists often work autonomously in clients' homes and consequently have limited access to routine intra‐disciplinary practices. Additionally, the community‐based role covers a large scope of practice requiring comprehensive expertise. This study aimed to describe occupational therapists' perspectives on intra‐disciplinary practice within community health settings.

Methods

This study utilised an online cross‐sectional survey design, collecting quantitative and qualitative data to explore perspectives of occupational therapists working within Australian community health services. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis. Both forms of data were compared and contrasted.

Results/Findings

Eighty occupational therapists completed the survey. Seventy‐eight participants (97%) previously used or currently use intra‐disciplinary practice in their workplace. Participants predominantly consult their peers when client needs are perceived as complex. Participants indicated that intra‐disciplinary practice can benefit the client, therapist, and workplace. Enablers and barriers to the use of intra‐disciplinary practice had overlapping themes, including access to therapists, attitudes towards intra‐disciplinary practice, management support, and funding influences. Most participants expressed a desire to utilise intra‐disciplinary practices (n = 70, 87%) and were also likely or extremely likely to incorporate it into their clinical work (n = 73, 91%). Participants who did not want to utilise intra‐disciplinary practices or who were unsure provided reasons related to cost, practice inefficiencies, and being uncertain of the benefit.

Conclusions

Occupational therapists perceive intra‐disciplinary practice as beneficial for problem‐solving and an opportunity for knowledge sharing that supports therapist confidence with clinical reasoning. Conversely, some therapists believe its use may lead to client confusion, a greater need for communication and coordination among therapists, and that power differentials between therapists may discourage equal collaboration. Greater understanding of intra‐disciplinary practice will help guide how it is used and supported in community health settings.
More than dirt: Sedimentary ancient DNA and Indigenous Australia
Authors: Lewis Dawn A. , Simpson Rebecca , Hermes Azure , Brown Alex , Llamas Bastien
Published: July 2023

The rise of sedimentary ancient DNA (sedaDNA) studies has opened new possibilities for studying past environments. This groundbreaking area of genomics uses sediments to identify organisms, even in cases where macroscopic remains no longer exist. Managing this substrate in Indigenous Australian contexts, however, requires special considerations. Sediments and soils are often considered as waste by‐products during archaeological and paleontological excavations and are not typically regulated by the same ethics guidelines utilised in mainstream ‘western’ research paradigms. Nevertheless, the product of sedaDNA work—genetic information from past fauna, flora, microbial communities and human ancestors—is likely to be of cultural significance and value for Indigenous peoples. This article offers an opinion on the responsibilities of researchers in Australia who engage in research related to this emerging field, particularly when it involves Indigenous communities. One aspect that deserves consideration in such research is the concept of benefit sharing. Benefit sharing refers to the practice of ensuring that the benefits that arise from research are shared equitably with the communities from which the research data were derived. This practice is particularly relevant in research that involves Indigenous communities, who may have unique cultural and spiritual connections to the research material. We argue that the integration of Traditional Knowledges into sedaDNA research would add enormous value to research and its outcomes by providing genomic outputs alongside and within the rich context of multimillennia oral histories.
Effects of adolescent ethanol exposure on adult nondrug reward seeking behavior in male and female mice
Authors: Giacometti Laura L. , Side Christine M. , Chandran Kelsey , Stine Sam , Buck Lauren A. , Wenzel‐Rideout Rebecca M. , Barker Jacqueline M.
Published: July 2023

Background

Adolescent alcohol use is associated with an increased likelihood of developing an alcohol use disorder in adulthood, potentially due to the effects of alcohol exposure on reward‐seeking behavior. However, it remains unclear whether adolescent drinking is sufficient to alter nondrug reward seeking in adulthood. As adolescence is a period of both brain and sexual maturation, which occur in a sex‐dependent manner, males and females may be differentially sensitive to the consequences of adolescent alcohol exposure. The present study investigated whether adolescent ethanol exposure affected food reward taking and seeking in male and female adult mice.

Methods

Male and female C57BL/6J mice underwent intermittent ethanol exposure (AIE) via vapor inhalation during early adolescence (28–42 days of age). At 10 weeks of age, the mice were trained in a conditioned place preference paradigm (CPP) for a food reward. We measured food consumption, CPP, and cFos expression in multiple brain regions following CPP testing. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance with exposure (air vs. AIE), sex, and time as factors.

Results

AIE exposure increased food consumption during CPP training in adult male mice, but reduced pellet consumption in adult female mice. AIE exposure impaired CPP expression only in female mice. Despite these behavioral differences, exposure to the reward‐paired chamber did not induce differential cFos expression following CPP testing in the prelimbic and infralimbic cortices or the nucleus accumbens core and shell.

Conclusion

These findings indicate that adolescent ethanol exposure disrupted nondrug reward taking and seeking in adulthood in female mice and altered consumption in adult male mice.
A shocking result—Electric fences protect western saw‐shelled turtle (Myuchelys bellii) nests from depredation by foxes
Authors: Streeting Louise M. , Dillon Martin L. , Nesbitt Jack , Nesbitt Brad , Baker Lynn , Spark Philip H. , Chessman Bruce C. , McKnight Donald T. , McDonald Paul G. , Bower Deborah S.
Published: July 2023

Introduced red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) are a major predator of freshwater turtle nests in Australia. We evaluated the effectiveness of electric fences, in combination with individual nest protection, for shielding western saw‐shelled turtle (Myuchelys bellii: Chelidae) nests from predation by foxes. We compared the numbers of raided and intact turtle nests found in paired fenced treatment and unfenced control areas of streambank. We also individually protected all intact nests found in both area types with wire mesh or a steel cage. The total numbers of nests found in treatment and control areas did not significantly differ from parity, but significantly more intact nests were found in treatment areas and significantly more raided nests in control areas. The fences were occasionally damaged by livestock, wildlife and flooding, rendering them inoperative for varying periods of time until repair. However, foxes raided nests inside the fences on only two occasions, despite these breaks in functionality. Our study demonstrates that electric fences can provide an effective method of protecting entire nesting areas from depredation by foxes.
Strategic Task Decomposition in Joint Action
Authors: Gordon Jeremy , Knoblich Guenther , Pezzulo Giovanni
Published: July 2023

The core of human cooperation is people's ability to perform joint actions. Frequently, this requires effectively decomposing a joint task into individual subtasks, for example, when jointly shopping at the market to buy food. Surprisingly, little is known about how collaborators balance the costs of establishing a joint strategy for such decompositions and its expected benefits for a joint goal. We created a new online task that required pairs of randomly matched participants to jointly collect colored items. We then systematically varied the cognitive costs and benefits of applying a color‐splitting strategy. The results showed that pairs adopted a color‐splitting strategy more often when necessary to lower cognitive costs. However, once the strategy was jointly adopted, it continued to be used even when the cost–benefits changed. Our results provide first insights on how people decompose joint tasks into individual components and how decomposition strategies may evolve into conventions.
Developing a model semantic‐based image retrieval by combining KD‐Tree structure with ontology
Authors: Le Thanh Manh , Dinh Nguyen Thi , Van Thanh The
Published: July 2023

The paper proposes an alternative approach to improve the performance of image retrieval. In this work, a framework for image retrieval based on machine learning and semantic retrieval is proposed. In the preprocessing phase, the image is segmented objects by using Graph‐cut, and the feature vectors of objects presented in the image and their visual relationships are extracted using R‐CNN. The feature vectors, visual relationships, and their symbolic labels are stored in KD‐Tree data structures which can be used to predict the label of objects and visual relationships later. To facilitate semantic query, the images use the RDF data model and create an ontology for the symbolic labels annotated. For each query image, after extracting their feature vectors, the KD‐Tree is used to classify the objects and predict their relationship. After that, a SPARQL query is built to extract a set of similar images. The SPARQL query consists of triple statements describing the objects and their relationship which were previously predicted. The evaluation of the framework with the MS‐COCO dataset and Flickr showed that the precision achieved scores of 0.9218 and 0.9370, respectively.
U–Pb and fission‐track dating of Miocene hydrocarbon source rocks in the Akita Basin, Northeast Japan, and implications for the timing of paleoceanographic changes in the sea of Japan
Authors: Nakajima Takeshi , Iwano Hideki , Danhara Tohru , Hirata Takafumi , Asahina Kenta , Takahashi Koji U. , Hanamura Yasuaki
Published: July 2023

Middle to Late Miocene organic‐rich siliceous mudstones (Onnagawa Formation) in the Akita Basin, Northeast Japan have been an important target for both paleoceanographic studies and hydrocarbon exploration in Japan. However, the reliable age of their formation has remained poorly constrained. Here, we report new zircon U–Pb and fission‐track ages of the Onnagawa Formation from a previously well‐studied outcrop route in the Yashima area, central Akita Basin. The thin tuff bed in the lower Onnagawa Formation was dated at around 11.6 Ma, whereas thin tuff beds in the upper Onnagawa Formation was dated at 10.4–9.6 Ma. The new age model constrains the base of the succession as older than 15.6–13.8 Ma and the top of the succession as 8.7–8.2 Ma. The results suggest that the lowest part of the succession was deposited before the Onnagawa Stage. The new age model indicates a rapid deposition in the lower Onnagawa Stage. The new age model also clarifies a temporary decrease in the sedimentation rate during 10.9–9.4 Ma, which coincided with a hiatus or slow deposition reported from other areas along the Sea of Japan coast. The new age model also revises the timing of paleoceanographic changes, of the best hydrocarbon source horizon, and of hydrothermal activity responsible for seafloor chemoautotrophic communities in the Akita Basin. This revised timing reveals that the onset of paleoceanographic changes from oxidizing to anoxic bottom environments favorable for hydrocarbon source rock formation was closely related to the tectonic uplift of the Northeast Japan Arc at ~12 Ma, whereas the timing of hydrothermal activity was related to the following extensional tectonics at ~9 Ma. The results of this study thus shed light on hitherto unclarified relationships between tectonics, volcanism, and paleoceanographic changes in the Sea of Japan.
Association of temperament with oral health behaviour and caries status in Thai preschool children
Authors: Gultangvattana Piyanuch , Chutabhakdikul Nuanchan , Leelataweewud Pattarawadee , Smutkeeree Apiwan , Jirarattanasopha Varangkanar
Published: July 2023

Background

Temperament associated with oral health behaviour and early childhood caries (ECC) in preschoolers remains inconclusive.

Aim

This cross‐sectional study investigated the association of temperament with oral health behaviour and ECC status.

Design

A total of 421 Thai preschoolers were recruited from elementary schools in Chonburi Province, Thailand. Their caregivers assessed three temperament dimensions (surgency, negative affectivity and effortful control) using the Thai version of the Children's Behaviour Questionnaire Very Short Form and reported oral health behaviours (brushing cooperation and cariogenic snack frequency). Three calibrated dentists assessed ECC status using the modified WHO dmft/dmfs (decayed, missing and filled teeth/surface) index that included noncavitated and cavitated carious lesions.

Results

Multiple regression analysis, after adjusting for child's and caregiver's characteristics, revealed that children with high negative affectivity or low effortful control were more likely to have uncooperative brushing behaviour. The temperament scores of children who consumed cariogenic snacks daily and those who did not were comparable. Children with low surgency, high negative affectivity or low effortful control were more likely to have high dmfs scores.

Conclusion

Negative affectivity and effortful control were associated with brushing behaviour. Temperament was not associated with the frequency of cariogenic snack consumption. All temperamental dimensions, however, were associated with ECC.
The impact of pre‐existing influenza antibodies and inflammatory status on the influenza vaccine responses in older adults
Authors: Kang Min , Lin Fangmei , Jiang Zhanpeng , Tan Xiaohua , Lin Xia , Liang Zaolan , Xiao Cheng , Xia Yonghe , Guan Wenda , Yang Zifeng , Yu Guangchuang , Zanin Mark , Tang Shixing , Wong Sook‐San
Published: July 2023

Age‐associated immune changes and pre‐existing influenza immunity are hypothesized to reduce influenza vaccine effectiveness in older adults, although the contribution of each factor is unknown. Here, we constructed influenza‐specific IgG landscapes and determined baseline concentrations of cytokines typically associated with chronic inflammation in older adults (TNF‐α, IL‐10, IL‐6, and IFN‐γ) in 30 high and 29 low influenza vaccine responders (HR and LR, respectively). In a background of high H3 antibody titers, vaccine‐specific H3, but not H1, antibody titers were boosted in LRs to titers comparable to HRs. Pre‐vaccination concentrations of IL‐10 were higher in LRs compared with HRs and inversely correlated with titers of pre‐existing influenza antibodies. Baseline TNF‐α concentrations were positively correlated with fold‐increases in antibody titers in HRs. Our findings indicate that baseline inflammatory status is an important determinant for generating post‐vaccination hemagglutinin‐inhibition antibodies in older adults, and IgG responses can be boosted in the context of high pre‐existing immunity.
Sleep quality, frailty and overall health among community‐dwelling older people: A longitudinal study
Authors: Xu Lijuan , Tao Xuemei , Lou Yan , Engström Maria
Published: July 2023

Aims

The aims of the study were to describe sleep quality among community‐dwelling older people; determine the association between sleep quality (total and multidimensional), frailty and overall health; study frailty as a mediator in the association between sleep quality and overall health.

Design

This longitudinal, correlative study used data from 2020 to 2022.

Methods

A total of 181 community‐dwelling older people in a city in Southeast China were assessed twice. Sleep quality was measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index at Time 1 (year 2020); frailty was measured using the FRAIL scale, and overall health was measured using the EuroQol visual analogue scale at Time 1 and 2 (1 year later). Associations and indirect effects were examined using linear regression analyses using the PROCESS Macro (Model 4).

Results

Poor sleep quality (higher scores) was associated with increased frailty over time (total scale), as well as subjective sleep quality, sleep duration, sleep efficiency and daytime dysfunction. Mediation analyses indicated that frailty change had an indirect effect on the association between sleep quality total score Time (T) 1 and overall health T2 and between the dimensions subjective sleep quality, sleep duration, sleep efficiency and daytime dysfunction and overall health. All analyses were adjusted for age, multimorbidity and overall health T1.

Conclusions

Poor sleep quality is a common problem associated with poor overall health after 1 year, and the progression of frailty mediates this association.

Impact

The findings provide a better understanding of the association between sleep quality and overall health and elucidate the mediating effect of frailty. Regular screening and effective treatment by healthcare providers for sleep problems and frailty in older people are necessary to improve their overall health and enhance healthy ageing.

Patient or Public Contribution

Participants in the study provided the data used for all data analysis in the manuscript. Patient or public were not involved in data analysis, interpretation or manuscript preparation. Staff in the community health centre helped with data collection.
Annual Research Review: Early intervention viewed through the lens of developmental neuroscience
Authors: Nelson Charles A. , Sullivan Eileen , Engelstad Anne‐Michelle
Published: July 2023

The overarching goal of this paper is to examine the efficacy of early intervention when viewed through the lens of developmental neuroscience. We begin by briefly summarizing neural development from conception through the first few postnatal years. We emphasize the role of experience during the postnatal period, and consistent with decades of research on critical periods, we argue that experience can represent both a period of opportunity and a period of vulnerability. Because plasticity is at the heart of early intervention, we next turn our attention to the efficacy of early intervention drawing from two distinct literatures: early intervention services for children growing up in disadvantaged environments, and children at elevated likelihood of developing a neurodevelopmental delay or disorder. In the case of the former, we single out interventions that target caregiving and in the case of the latter, we highlight recent work on autism. A consistent theme throughout our review is a discussion of how early intervention is embedded in the developing brain. We conclude our article by discussing the implications our review has for policy, and we then offer recommendations for future research.
De‐noising method of aquatic product image with foreign matters based on improved wavelet transform and bilateral filter
Authors: Zhang Chunyan , Li Xinxing
Published: July 2023

Aiming at the strong spot noise caused by the reflection of meat slices in fish image with foreign matters that collected by ordinary camera or Single Lens Reflex (SLR) camera, we proposed an improved wavelet transform and bilateral filtering algorithm to reduce the noise of image. In this paper, our algorithm absorbed the advantages of wavelet threshold de‐noising algorithm and bilateral filtering algorithm, the wavelet threshold de‐noising algorithm being used for high frequency components and bilateral filtering being used for low frequency components, which not only achieved the effect of eliminating noise and weakening light spot, but also protected the details of the image. In the experiment, in order to verify the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm, we used the traditional bilateral filtering, Gaussian filtering and median filtering algorithms to process 500 salmon fish images which had residual fishbone, respectively. Since the original image itself was a noisy image, it was impossible to evaluate the noise reduction effect by using an algorithm that requires a noiseless image as a reference image, so we used five methods to evaluate the quality of the image processed by each algorithm, which were Blind/Referenceless Image Spatial QUality Evaluator (BRISQE), Cumulative Probability of Blur Detection (CPBD), variance, image entropy, and operation speed. Among them, BRISQE and CPBD could quantitatively reflect the overall quality of the image, the lower the BRISQE score or the higher the CPBD score, the better the quality of the image. Compared with other algorithms, the BRISQE score and CPBD score of the image processed by our algorithm were the best, with the average scores reaching 20.65 and .8421, respectively. Experimental results showed that the improved algorithm in this paper can effectively eliminate this kind of strong spot noise. The processed image has achieved better visual effect in both subjective and objective level.
Strategic Behaviour and Risk Aversion in Local Governance
Authors: Harmon Josephine
Published: July 2023

Under what conditions is local governance influenced by external interests? I illustrate the capacity of external lobbies' strategic behavior to affect local change on hot button issues by exploiting resource asymmetries between them. Using a case of gun policy in the Chicago suburbs, I analyse how local policymaking on guns changed. While the gun lobby's federal impact has been explored, its local influence is insufficiently considered. I find two main insights. First, the institutional landscape around firearms after 2008 impacted local policymaking that was resilient to challenge in 1981. Second, the gun lobby became more resourceful in its influencing strategies, which activated the latent potential of these institutional changes to exert a local effect. This granular study contributes insights on the gun lobby's local impact and the institutional local consequences federal changes brought. This comparative analysis theorises the NRA's strategic use of ‘precedent as resource’, locales' risk aversion when faced with better‐resourced external lobbies, and how resource asymmetries become significant in unfavorable legal environments, with wider implications regarding lobby‐locale policy interactions afterDobbs v Jackson Women's Health Organization(2022). The social‐political uses of law as a strategic resource offers a study of the downstream impacts of the courts' politicization since the 2000s.