bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Do chromosome rearrangements fix by genetic drift or natural selection? A test inBrenthisbutterflies
Authors: Mackintosh Alexander , Vila Roger , Martin Simon H. , Setter Derek , Lohse Konrad
Published: June 2023

Large-scale chromosome rearrangements, such as fissions and fusions, are a common feature of eukaryote evolution. They can have considerable influence on the evolution of populations, yet it remains unclear exactly how rearrangements become established and eventually fix. Rearrangements could fix by genetic drift if they are weakly deleterious or neutral, or they may instead be favoured by positive natural selection. Here we compare genome assemblies of three closely relatedBrenthisbutterfly species and characterise a complex history of fission and fusion rearrangements. An inferred demographic history of these species suggests that rearrangements became fixed in populations with large long-term effective size (Ne). However, we also find large runs of homozygosity within individual genomes and show that a model of population structure with smaller localNecan reconcile these observations. Using a recently developed analytic framework for characterising hard selective sweeps, we find that chromosome fusions are not enriched for evidence of past sweeps compared to other regions of the genome. Nonetheless, one chromosome fusion in theB. daphnegenome is associated with a valley of diversity where genealogical branch lengths are distorted, consistent with a selective sweep. Our results suggest that drift is a stronger force in these populations than suggested by overall genetic diversity, but that the fixation of strongly underdominant rearrangements remains unlikely. Additionally, although chromosome fusions do not typically exhibit signatures of selective sweeps, a single example raises the possibility that natural selection may sometimes play a role in their fixation.
A resource for development and comparison of multi-modal brain 3T MRI harmonisation approaches
Authors: Warrington S. , Ntata A. , Mougin O. , Campbell J. , Torchi A. , Craig M. , Alfaro-Almagro F. , Miller K. L. , Morgan P. S. , Jenkinson M. , Sotiropoulos S. N.
Published: June 2023

Despite the huge potential of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in mapping and exploring the brain, MRI measures can often be limited in their consistency, reproducibility and accuracy which subsequently restricts their quantifiability. Nuisance nonbiological factors, such as hardware, software, calibration differences between scanners, and post-processing options can contribute to, or drive trends in, neuroimaging features to an extent that interferes with biological variability. Such lack of consistency, known as lack of harmonisation, across neuroimaging datasets poses a great challenge for our capabilities in quantitative MRI. Here, we build a new resource for comprehensively mapping the extent of the problem and objectively evaluating neuroimaging harmonisation approaches. We use a travelling-heads paradigm consisting of multimodal MRI data of 10 travelling subjects, each scanned at 5 different sites on 6 different 3T scanners from all the 3 major vendors and using 5 neuroimaging modalities, providing more comprehensive coverage than before. We also acquire multiple within-scanner repeats for a subset of subjects, setting baselines for multi-modal scan-rescan variability. Having extracted hundreds of image-derived features, we compare three forms of variability: (i) between-scanner, (ii) within-scanner (within-subject), and (iii) biological (between-subject). We characterise the reliability of features across scanners and use our resource as a testbed to enable new investigations that until now have been relatively unexplored. Specifically, we identify optimal pipeline processing steps that minimise between-scanner variability in extracted features (implicit harmonisation). We also test the performance of post-processing harmonisation tools (explicit harmonisation) and specifically check their efficiency in reducing between-scanner variability against baseline standards provided by our data. Our explorations allow us to come up with good practice suggestions on processing steps and sets of features where results are more consistent, while our publicly-released datasets establish references for future studies in this field.
Transcriptomic profiling reveals a pro-nociceptive role for Angiotensin II in inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Higham James P , Bhebhe Charity N , Gupta Rohit A , Tranter Michael , Barakat Farah M , Dogra Harween , Bab Natalie , Wozniak Eva , Barker Katie H , Wilson Catherine H , Mein Charles , Raine Tim , Cox James J , Wood John N , Croft Nicholas , Wright Paul , Bulmer David C
Published: June 2023

Objective

Visceral pain is a leading cause of morbidity in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), contributing significantly to reduced quality of life. Currently available analgesics often lack efficacy or have intolerable side-effects, driving the need for a more complete understanding of the mechanisms causing pain.

Methods

Whole transcriptome gene expression analysis was performed by bulk RNA sequencing of colonic biopsies from patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD) reporting abdominal pain and compared with non-inflamed control biopsies. Putative pro-nociceptive mediators were identified based on pathway analysis of differentially expressed genes in IBD tissue and single cell gene expression in colonic neurons. Pro-nociceptive activity of identified mediators was assessed in assays of sensory neuron and colonic afferent activity.

Results

RNA sequencing analysis highlighted a 7.6-fold increase in the expression of angiotensinogen transcripts,Agt,the precursor to angiotensin II (Ang II), in samples from UC patients (p = 3.2×10-8). Consistent with the marked expression of the angiotensin AT1receptor in colonic neurons, Ang II elicited an increase in intracellular Ca2+in capsaicin-sensitive, voltage gated sodium channel subtype NaV1.8-positive sensory neurons. Ang II also evoked action potential discharge in high-threshold colonic nociceptors. These effects were inhibited by the AT1receptor antagonist valsartan.

Conclusion

Findings from our study identify AT1receptor-mediated colonic nociceptor activation as a novel pathway of visceral nociception in IBD patients with UC. This work highlights the potential utility of angiotensin receptor blockers, such as valsartan, as treatments for pain in IBD.
What can be learned from viral co-detection studies in human populations
Authors: Chin Taylor , Foxman Ellen F. , Watkins Timothy A. , Lipsitch Marc
Published: June 2023

When respiratory viruses co-circulate in a population, individuals may be infected with multiple pathogens and experience possible virus-virus interactions, where concurrent or recent prior infection with one virus affects the infection process of another virus. While experimental studies have provided convincing evidence for within-host mechanisms of virus-virus interactions, evaluating evidence for viral interference or potentiation using population-level data has proven more difficult. Recent studies have quantified the prevalence of co-detections using populations drawn from clinical settings. Here, we focus on selection bias issues associated with this study design. We provide a quantitative account of the conditions under which selection bias arises in these studies, review previous attempts to address this bias, and propose unbiased study designs with sample size estimates needed to ascertain viral interference. We show that selection bias is expected in cross-sectional co-detection prevalence studies conducted in clinical settings, except under a strict set of assumptions regarding the relative probabilities of having symptoms under different viral states. Population-wide studies that sample participants irrespective of their symptom status would meanwhile require large sample sizes to be sufficiently powered to detect viral interference, suggesting that a study’s timing, inclusion criteria, and the expected magnitude of interference are instrumental in determining feasibility.
Actin Y53 Phosphorylation Regulates Somatic F-actin Radial Translocation to Promote Neuronal Polarization
Authors: Hong Shuai , Meka Durga Praveen , Kobler Oliver , Scharrenberg Robin , Friedrich Carina Meta , Schwanke Birgit , Richter Melanie , de Anda Froylan Calderon
Published: June 2023

How neurons accomplish the growth of an axon, and several dendrites sequentially is a cellular process not well understood. Here, we show that preferential somatic F-actin delivery to neurites inhibits neurite growth during axon formation. Thus, the neurite receiving less somatic F-actin is growing as an axon. During dendrites outgrowth, radial somatic F-actin translocation into all neurites is drastically diminished suggesting that cellular growth is restricted by the somatic F-actin flow into the growing neurites. Mechanistically, we report that radial somatic F-actin translocation is mediated via the Myosin II motor. Pharmacological inhibition of these molecular motors promotes neurite elongation and precludes F-actin translocation into neurites. Moreover, we show that actin phosphorylation at Y53, which promotes F-actin instability, is enriched selectively in some neurite shafts to exclude/minimize translocation of somatic F-actin only into those neurites. Therefore, enrichment of actin pY53 in the neurite shaft correlates with the longer neurite during axon formation. Accordingly, the Kinesin-1 motor domain, which accumulates transiently in neurites of stage 2 neurons and only in the emerging axon of stage 3 neurons, localizes preferentially in the neurite with the increased actin pY53 signal in the neurite shaft. Finally, we demonstrate that microtubule acetylation promotes actin phosphorylation, and these cytoskeleton modifications coexist in the longest neurite that grows as an axon. Collectively, our data support a model in which somatic F-actin translocation into undifferentiated neurites impedes growth counteracted by actin pY53, consequently, supporting neuronal polarization during axon formation.
Phase-shifting mid-infrared optothermal microscopy for wide-field hyperspectral imaging of living cells
Authors: Yuan Tao , Riobo Lucas , Gasparin Francesca , Ntziachristos Vasilis , Pleitez Miguel A.
Published: June 2023

Fast live-cell hyperspectral imaging at large field-of-views (FOVs) and high cell confluency remains challenging in vibrational microscopy due to the need for point-by-point focal excitation scanning. Imaging at high cell confluency and large FOVs is important, respectively, for proper cell function and statistical significance of measurements. Here, we introduce phase-shifting mid-infrared optothermal microscopy (PSOM) which interprets molecular-vibrational information as the optical path difference (OPD) induced by mid-infrared absorption and is capable of taking snapshot vibrational images over broad mid-infrared excitation areas at high live-cell confluency. By means of phase-shifting, PSOM suppresses noise to a quarter of current optothermal microscopy modalities to allow capturing live-cell vibrational images at FOVs up to 50 times larger than state-of-the-art. Additionally, it reduces illumination power flux density (PFD) down to 5 orders of magnitude lower than conventional vibrational microscopy—thus, considerably decreasing the possibility of cell photodamage.
Structural study of membrane proteins using vesicles
Authors: Liu Hang , Dang Shangyu
Published: June 2023

Membrane proteins play crucial roles in numerous biological processes and are important drug targets. However, structural studies of memebrane proteins heavily rely on solubilization by detergents, which may not reflect their native states in the cellular context. Moreover, identifying suitable detergents for individual membrane proteins is a tedious and costly screening process. Here, we developed a vesicle-based method that enables membrane protein structure determination in their native lipid environment, thereby bypassing the limitations of detergent solubilization. Using this approach, we isolated vesicles containing the multidrug efflux transporter AcrB and solved its structure by cryo-electron microscopy. Intriguingly, the AcrB trimer in the vesicle exhibited a loose assembly compared to the detergent-solubilized and nanoparticle structures. Our method presents a promising approach for studying structure and function of membrane protein in their native environment without the need for detergent screening and protein purification.
Protein subcellular relocalization and function of duplicated flagellar calcium binding protein genes in honey bee trypanosomatid parasite
Authors: Yuan Xuye , Kadowaki Tatsuhiko
Published: June 2023

The honey bee trypanosomatid parasite,Lotmaria passim, contains two genes that encode the flagellar calcium binding protein (FCaBP) through tandem duplication in its genome. FCaBPs localize in the flagellum and cell body ofL. passimthrough specific N-terminal sorting sequences. This finding suggests that this is an example of protein subcellular relocalization resulting from gene duplication, altering the intracellular localization of FCaBP. However, this phenomenon may not have occurred inLeishmania, as one or both of the duplicated genes have become pseudogenes. Multiple copies of theFCaBPgene are present in severalTrypanosomaspecies andLeptomonas pyrrhocoris, indicating rapid evolution of this gene in trypanosomatid parasites. The N-terminal flagellar sorting sequence ofL. passimFCaBP1 interacts with the BBSome complex, while those ofTrypanosoma bruceiandLeishmania donovaniFCaBPs do not direct GFP to the flagellum inL. passim. These results suggest that the N-terminal flagellar sorting sequence of FCaBP1 has co-evolved with the BBSome complex in each trypanosomatid species. Deletion of the twoFCaBPgenes inL. passimaffected growth and impaired flagellar morphogenesis and motility, but it did not impact host infection. Therefore,FCaBPrepresents a duplicated gene with a rapid evolutionary history that is essential for flagellar structure and function in a trypanosomatid parasite.
Histone H1.2 Dependent Translocation of Poly (ADP-ribose) Initiates Parthanatos
Authors: Fan Jing , Kang Bong Gu , Kam Tae-In , Behensky Adam A. , Rines Jesse , Kang Ho Chul , Dawson Valina L. , Dawson Ted M.
Published: June 2023

Toxic cellular insults activate the nuclear protein poly (ADP-ribose) (PAR) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) to initiate parthanatos, a regulated cell death program. PAR acts as a death signal by translocating from the nucleus to the cytosol, where it activates the next steps in the parthanatic cell death cascade. How PAR translocates from the nucleus to the cytosol is not known. Here we show that PARylation and PAR binding to histone H1.2 enables it to act as a carrier, transporting PAR out of the nucleus to the cytosol. Knocking down the expression of histone H1.2 via CRISPR/Cas9 and knockout of histone H1.2 reduces the translocation of PAR to the cytosol after treatment of human cortical neurons with N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) or following oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD). The PAR-dependent E3 ubiquitin ligase, Iduna (RNF146) ubiquitinates PARylated H1.2. Overexpression of Iduna reduces the expression levels of cytosolic histone H1.2, preventing the translocation of PAR following NMDA or OGD exposure, similar to inhibition of PAR formation by the PARP inhibitor, DPQ. Whereas, the catalytically null variant Iduna C60A, or the PAR binding mutant Iduna Y156A and R157A (YRAA) was ineffective in ubiquitinating histone H1.2 and preventing the reduction in cytosolic histone H1.2 levels and PAR translocation from the nucleus to the cytosol. Histone H1.2 heterozygote and homozygote knockout mice exhibited reduced infarct volume 24 hrs post middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and showed better recovery in motor deficits than wildtype littermates at day 3 and/or day 7 post MCAO. Collectively, these findings reveal histone H1.2 as the key carrier of PAR out of the nucleus to the cytosol where it participates in the next step of the parthanatic cell death cascade.
Extracellular Matrix Stiffness Promotes Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Calcification By Reducing The Levels Of Nuclear Actin Monomers
Authors: McNeill MC , Chee F Li Mow , Ebrahimighaei R , Sala-Newby GB , Newby AC , Hathway T , Annaiah AS , Joseph S , Carrabba M , Bond M
Published: June 2023

1.0

Background

Vascular calcification (VC) is a prevalent independent risk factor for adverse cardiovascular events and is associated with diabetes, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and atherosclerosis. However, the mechanisms regulating the osteogenic differentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) are not fully understood.

Methods

Using hydrogels of tuneable stiffness and lysyl oxidase-mediated stiffening of human saphenous vein ex vivo,we investigated the role of extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffness in the regulation of VSMC calcification

Results

We demonstrate that increased ECM stiffness enhances VSMC osteogenic differentiation and VSMC calcification. We show that the effects of ECM stiffness are mediated via a reduction in the level of actin monomer within the nucleus. We show that in cells interacting with soft ECM, elevated levels of nuclear actin monomer repress osteogenic differentiation and calcification by repressing YAP-mediated activation of both TEA Domain transcription factor (TEAD) and RUNX Family Transcription factor 2 (RUNX2).

Conclusion

This work highlights for the first time the role of nuclear actin in mediating ECM stiffness-dependent VSMC calcification and the dual role of YAP-TEAD and YAP-RUNX2 transcriptional complexes.

2.0

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

9.0

HIGHLIGHTS

Increased ECM stiffness promotes VSMC calcification.

Increased ECM stiffness reduces levels of nuclear actin monomer.

On physiological soft ECM, high levels of nuclear actin monomer inhibits calcification by repressing YAP activation.

YAP activation promotes calcification by stimulating the activity of TEAD and RUNX2.
Temporally resolved early BMP-driven transcriptional cascade during human amnion specification
Authors: Sekulovski Nikola , Wettstein Jenna C. , Carleton Amber E. , Juga Lauren N. , Taniguchi Linnea E. , Ma Xiaolong , Rao Sridhar , Schmidt Jenna K. , Golos Thaddeus G. , Lin Chien-Wei , Taniguchi Kenichiro
Published: June 2023

Amniogenesis, a process critical for continuation of healthy pregnancy, is triggered in a collection of pluripotent epiblast cells as the human embryo implants. Previous studies have established that BMP signaling is a major driver of this lineage specifying process, but the downstream BMP-dependent transcriptional networks that lead to successful amniogenesis remain to be identified. This is, in part, due to the current lack of a robust and reproducible model system that enables mechanistic investigations exclusively into amniogenesis. Here, we developed an improved model of early amnion specification, using a human pluripotent stem cell-based platform in which the activation of BMP signaling is controlled and synchronous. Uniform amniogenesis is seen within 48 hours after BMP activation, and the resulting cells share transcriptomic characteristics with amnion cells of a gastrulating human embryo. Using detailed time-course transcriptomic analyses, we established a previously uncharacterized BMP-dependent amniotic transcriptional cascade, and identified markers that represent five distinct stages of amnion fate specification; the expression of selected markers was validated in early post-implantation macaque embryos. Moreover, a cohort of factors that could potentially control specific stages of amniogenesis was identified, including the transcription factor TFAP2A. Functionally, we determined that, once amniogenesis is triggered by the BMP pathway, TFAP2A controls the progression of amniogenesis. This work presents a temporally resolved transcriptomic resource for several previously uncharacterized amniogenesis states and demonstrates a critical intermediate role for TFAP2A during amnion fate specification.
Investigating the factors affecting green innovation of service sector: a moderated mediation model
Authors: Khan Shabnam , Rehman Saqib , Nasir Adeel
Published: June 2023

Purpose

This study aims to explore the role of green motive (GM) and green dynamic capabilities (GDC) in green innovation (GI) through green value co-creation (GVC). Moreover, this study investigates the moderation of top management support (TMS) to strengthen the mediation of specific constructs; GM, GDC, green value co-creation (GVC) and green innovation (GI).

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 337 respondents (executive level/chief executive officer (CEO)) of service organizations were approached using a convenience sampling technique to collect the data through the survey method. Of these, 294 (87% response rate) duly filled responses were used in the final data analysis. In SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) v-23, the Process Macro-Hayes was used to evaluate the study's conceptual framework empirically.

Findings

The study revealed that TMS strengthened the mediation framework of GM, GDC, GVC and GI. Moreover, all hypotheses related to direct and indirect associations of specific constructs used in the theoretical framework were statistically significant and proved.

Originality/value

The comprehensive framework for GI of service organizations, primarily in the context of developing countries like Pakistan, is deficient in literature. This study helps service organizations by providing a comprehensive GI model to put a central focus on the transformation of management philosophy and working approach for achieving GI in the services structure.
Do national culture and economic freedom affect bank risk-taking behavior? Evidence from GCC countries
Authors: Akhter Tanzina , Abdul Halim Zairihan , Mehzabin Saima , Shahriar Ahanaf , Azad Md. Abul Kalam
Published: June 2023

Purpose

The global financial crisis of 2008 has put greater doubt on the bank risk-management effectiveness around the world. As a part of the response to such doubt, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region is formulating some feasible approaches to manage bank risk. In this regard, an understanding of the role of the region’s culture and economic freedom will provide immense input into this risk management approach. This study examines the impact of national culture and economic freedom on bank risk-taking behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

Data on bank risk measures, culture and economic freedom are obtained from the FitchConnect, World Bank database, Hofstede’s insights and Heritage Foundation. Generalized least squares and two step-system generalized method of moments are then used to examine the risk-taking behavior of the region.

Findings

Banks of the GCC region operating in the low power distance, high collectivism, masculine and low uncertainty avoidance cultures are susceptible to assuming more operational and insolvency risks. Furthermore, banks’ overall risk-taking inclination is positively increased once the region has considerable business and monetary freedom.

Practical implications

The governments and bank regulatory bodies may benefit from the study findings by developing the best economic freedom index and national culture that enriches risk management practices and curves excessive risk-taking inclination.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first attempt to address the interplay among culture, economic freedom and bank risk to ensure constructive risk-taking behavior for the GCC banking industry.
Pre-COVID-19 student perceptions on blended learning and flipped classroom in accountancy: a case study from two emerging UK HEIs
Authors: Sawan Nedal , Al-Hajaya Krayyem , Salem Rami Ibrahim A. , Alshhadat Mohammad
Published: June 2023

Purpose

This study aims to explore the perceptions of accountancy students on the use of technology, blended learning and flipped classroom in two emerging UK higher education institutions (HEIs).

Design/methodology/approach

The primary data for the study were collected using a questionnaire survey and descriptively analysed.

Findings

The findings revealed that there is some use of technology in terms of the Blackboard and PowerPoint presentations but blogs and wikis have very limited use. An aspect that does not seem to be integrated fully yet is the use of blended technology and a flipped classroom.

Practical implications

The study findings offer a picture of how technology, blended learning and the flipped classroom technique were utilised with accountancy students prior to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This information is valuable for accounting educators and by extension to other aspects of business studies disciplines in providing a comparison between the pre-COVID-19 scenario and the current one and thus enabling an evaluation of advancement in the application of these teaching strategies as a result of the pressure imposed by social distancing. Such intelligence will facilitate the identification of areas where enhancing learning outcomes has been possible and point to opportunities for improved student experience.

Originality/value

Where COVID-19 brought about significant structural change in teaching and learning in the HE environment, this study represents a pre-COVID-19 consideration of student perceptions on blended learning and flipped classroom. This study thus has the potential to anchor future relevant studies that consider the post-COVID-19 environment.
Does organisational politics moderates the relationship between organisational culture and employee efficiency?
Authors: Awaah Fred
Published: June 2023

Purpose

The study aims to examine the relationship between organisational culture and employee efficiency and how organisational politics strengthens or weakens that relationship in the public sector of Ghana due to the perceived inefficiency of public sector employees.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employs cross-sectional survey design and quantitative approach to collect the data from public sector employees in Ghana. The analysis is done using descriptive statistics, correlation and hierarchical regression models.

Findings

The results show that negative organisational politics is the predominant perceived politics in the Ghanaian public sector. Further, organisational culture and employee efficiency have significant positive association and organisational politics (positive and negative) significantly moderate the association. However, negative organisational politics depicts negative interaction effect, meaning that negative organisational politics affects the positive influence of organisational culture on employee efficiency.

Practical implications

The findings imply that strategies such as formulation of organisational policy and strict enforcement of same to eradicate or minimise the practise of negative organisational politics, whilst positive organisational politics is encourages and awarded to induce employees to be efficient. This will enhance the overall effect of organisational culture on employee efficiency.

Originality/value

The study contributes significantly to extant literature by providing empirical evidence that organisational politics (positive and negative) effectively strengthens the association between organisational culture and employee efficiency from a developing country perspective.
Prototyping technology adoption among entrepreneurship and innovation libraries for rural health innovations
Authors: Gupta Varun , Gupta Chetna , Swacha Jakub , Rubalcaba Luis
Published: June 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this research study is to empirically investigate the Figma prototyping technology adoption factors among entrepreneurship and innovation libraries for providing support to startups by developing and evolving the prototype solutions in collaboration with health libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses the technology adoption model (TAM) as a framework and the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) method of structural equation modeling (SEM) using SmartPLS 3.2.9 software version to investigate the prototyping adoption factors among entrepreneurship and innovation libraries for rural health innovations. A total of 40 libraries, spread over 16 entrepreneurship and innovation libraries, participated in this survey, including participants from Europe (35%), Asia (15%) and USA (50%).

Findings

The findings show that previous experience, social impact, brand image and system quality have a significant positive impact on entrepreneurship and innovation libraries' perceived usefulness (PU) of prototyping technology. Perceived ease of use of prototype technology is positively influenced by usability, training materials and documentation, experience and self-efficacy. Together, perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use have a significant influence on behavioural intention. Behavioural intention is positively impacted by minimal investment and shallow learning curve. Technology adoption is furthered by behavioural intention. The control variables, for instance location, gender and work experience (as librarian), were found not having any impact on Figma technology adoption.

Research limitations/implications

Through strategic partnerships with other libraries (including health libraries), policymakers, and technology providers, the adoption of prototype technology can be further accelerated. The important ramifications for policymakers, technology providers, public and entrepreneurship and innovation libraries to create a self-reliant innovation ecosystem to foster rural health innovation based on entrepreneurship are also listed in the article.

Originality/value

This research is distinctive since it integrates several areas of study, including entre, advances in rural healthcare and libraries. A novel idea that hasn't been thoroughly investigated is the collaboration between entrepreneurship and innovation libraries and health libraries for supporting businesses. This study offers insights into the factors that drive technology adoption and offers practical advice for policymakers and technology providers. It also advances understanding of the adoption of Figma prototyping technology among libraries for rural health innovation. Overall, this study provides a novel viewpoint on the nexus between different disciplines, showing the opportunity for cooperation and innovation in favour of rural health.
Positioned as pedagogues, finding their teaching personas: critical, project-based clinical experiences in PDS/school-university contexts
Authors: Zenkov Kristien , Taousakis Marion , Goransson Jennifer , Staudt Emily , Ewaida Marriam , Stephens Madelyn , Hostutler Megan , Castorena Jasmin , Kitchen Matt
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Policy makers, professional associations and scholars continue to advocate for the integration of enhanced clinical experiences for future teachers’ preparation. These recommendations reflect the growing recognition that few events in preservice teachers’ education are more significant than their experiences in the classrooms of veteran peers. Aware of the fact that the field of teacher education needs examples of effective clinical experiences, the authors examined the “critical, project-based” (CPB) model, employing Photovoice activities in a dropout prevention course in a secondary education partner school at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper aims to discuss the aforementioned objective.

Design/methodology/approach

Aware that the field of teacher education needs examples of effective clinical experiences, the authors examined the CPB model, employing Photovoice activities in a dropout prevention course in a secondary education partner school at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this article they detail a practitioner research examination that explores the experiences of 12 preservice middle/high school teachers, reporting on these individuals’ considerations of general pedagogies, writing instruction strategies and teaching personas.

Findings

Results suggest that preservice teachers might best identify pedagogical practices that are consistent with their nascent teaching identities via experiences that occur in school-university partnerships in which future teachers are positioned as pedagogues.

Originality/value

This manuscript explores the use of the “CPB” clinical experience model, identifying the impacts of this approach for preparing future teachers.
Optimization of dry sliding wear performance of TiO2 filled bamboo and flax fiber reinforced epoxy composites using Taguchi approach
Authors: Prabhu Ravikantha , Mendonca Sharun , Bellairu Pavana Kumara , D’Souza Rudolf Charles , Bhat Thirumaleshwara
Published: June 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to report the effect of titanium oxide (TiO2) particles on the specific wear rate (SWR) of alkaline treated bamboo and flax fiber-reinforced composites (FRCs) under dry sliding condition by using a robust statistical method.

Design/methodology/approach

In this research, the epoxy/bamboo and epoxy/flax composites filled with 0–8 Wt.% TiO2 particles have been fabricated using simple hand layup techniques, and wear testing of the composite was done in accordance with the ASTM G99-05 standard. The Taguchi design of experiments (DOE) was used to conduct a statistical analysis of experimental wear results. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted to identify significant control factors affecting SWR under dry sliding conditions. Taguchi prediction model is also developed to verify the correlation between the test parameters and performance output.

Findings

The research study reveals that TiO2 filler particles in the epoxy/bamboo and epoxy/flax composite will improve the tribological properties of the developed composites. Statistical analysis of SWR concludes that normal load is the most influencing factor, followed by sliding distance, Wt.% TiO2 filler and sliding velocity. ANOVA concludes that normal load has the maximum effect of 31.92% and 35.77% and Wt.% of TiO2 filler has the effect of 17.33% and 16.98%, respectively, on the SWR of bamboo and flax FRCs. A fairly good agreement between the Taguchi predictive model and experimental results is obtained.

Originality/value

This research paper attempts to include both TiO2 filler and bamboo/flax fibers to develop a novel hybrid composite material. TiO2 micro and nanoparticles are promising filler materials, it helps to enhance the mechanical and tribological properties of the epoxy composites. Taguchi DOE and ANOVA used for statistical analysis serve as guidelines for academicians and practitioners on how to best optimize the control variable with particular reference to natural FRCs.
Diversity‐conditioned soil strengthens plant diversity–productivity relationship
Authors: Ren Haiyan , Xie Jiayao , Li Kang , Shi Sibo , Li Xianping , Guo Hui , Liu Manqiang , Yu Qiang
Published: June 2023

How biodiversity affects terrestrial productivity is important to the maintenance of ecosystem services under global change. Although the crucial role of plant–soil feedbacks (PSF) in determining diversity–productivity relationship has been increasingly recognized in recent years, its legacy effects on subsequent diversity–productivity relationship are still unclear.

We conducted a classic PSF experiment to assess how plant diversity‐conditioned soils influenced subsequent plant diversity–productivity relationships, where three plant diversity levels (1, 4 and 8 species) were planted in soils conditioned at three diversity levels (conditioned by 1, 4 and 8 species for 3 years). In addition, to test the role of soil microbial diversity in mediating the effects of soil conditioning diversity, the three plant diversity levels were planted with low, moderate and high soil biodiversity created by a soil inoculum dilution.

The results showed that plant productivities were promoted by mixed‐conditioned soils (4 and 8 species) comparing to mono‐conditioned soils (1 species). Productivity was positively related to planted diversity in mixed‐conditioned soils, while showed no relation with planted diversity in mono‐conditioned soils. Productivity was promoted by soil biodiversity when 4 and 8 species were mixed planted, while did not change when 1 species was planted.

Synthesis and applications . Our results highlight that PSF is crucial to strengthen the positive effects of biodiversity on productivity, implying that diversifying cropping systems should be encouraged in agroecosystem management to benefit from positive PSF effects. The importance of soil legacy for optimizing plant productivity is particularly important for conditioning soils with an intermediate number of plant species.
Large‐scale restoration of species‐rich dry grasslands on arable land: Environmental filtering drives successful species establishment over a period of 10 years
Authors: Mudrák Ondřej , Jongepierová Ivana , Řehounková Klára , Prach Karel
Published: June 2023

Sowing of regionally specific seed mixtures on former arable land is increasingly used to restore species‐rich grasslands but it often faces important obstacles in environmental conditions and colonisation from preserved surrounding grasslands. Long‐term landscape scale studies, which explore the processes governing plant establishment from seed mixtures and later colonisation from the surrounding landscape are scarce.

We studied the species and functional trait composition of 32 grasslands restored 1–11 years before the first sampling by sowing regional seed mixtures in the White Carpathian Mts (SE Czech Republic). We compared them with 23 well‐preserved permanent grasslands in their surroundings. In each grassland, we estimated plant species cover in three plots of 25 m2, in restored grasslands in 2009, 2014 and 2019, in permanent grasslands in 2009.

The species composition of the restored grasslands converged towards the permanent grasslands due to expansion of dry grassland species and retreat of mesic grassland and weed species. The majority (60%–71%) of the vegetation cover of restored grasslands was formed by sown species, while the species number was mainly determined by colonising unsown species (61%–63%). The species number of restored grasslands remained lower than that in permanent grasslands.

Functional trait composition (community weighted mean) of the sown seed mixtures, permanent grasslands and restored grasslands overlapped in all three samplings. With increasing grassland age, species with resource‐retaining traits of low specific leaf area and high leaf dry matter content, lower stature, higher seed mass and lower capacity for clonal reproduction expanded. Functional trait diversity of the plots was mostly lower than expected by null model randomisations of community, which indicates strong environmental filtering. Comparison of newly colonising species and extinct species indicated that mainly species with traits similar to the rest of the community are able to colonise the grasslands successfully.

Synthesis and applications: Sowing of regionally specific seed mixtures was successful and demonstrated to be a fast way of grassland restoration, particularly in terms of functional trait composition. The resulting species diversity depended on the colonisation processes, which are controlled by the functional composition of the local communities.
Decorporatization and organized interests in public policymaking in Norway: A tide that lifts all ships or an ebb tide leaving only the few afloat?
Authors: Arnesen Daniel
Published: June 2023

Over the past decades, there has been evidence of a shift from corporatist representation to pluralist policymaking in Norway and the neighboring Scandinavian countries. This article examines the policy involvement of voluntary associations and interest groups within the context of decorporatization and pluralization. Should decorporatization be understood as a tide that lifts all groups into public policymaking, or an ebb tide leaving only the few privileged afloat? By analyzing survey data on Norwegian voluntary associations and interest groups regarding their contacts with the parliament, government, and administration in 1983 and 2013, the article presents evidence of a growing mobilization and representation of citizen groups that have traditionally held a less prominent position in the policymaking process. However, economic groups have also increased or maintained their access to the parliamentary and governmental arenas, and insider access appears to persist as a factor in shaping group representation. Furthermore, the results indicate a widening gap in more frequent access between resource‐rich and resource‐poor groups. This leads to a somewhat contradictory conclusion: In one sense, decorporatization has been a tide lifting all ships, but in another, also an ebb tide leaving the few afloat.
Stability and change in political trust: Evidence and implications from six panel studies
Authors: DEVINE DANIEL , VALGARÐSSON VIKTOR ORRI
Published: June 2023

Are political attitudes a stable feature of individuals or a rational response to changing circumstances and contexts? This question has long been a feature of political science and underpins our theories of how political attitudes are formed and what their consequences might be. In this paper, we explore this perennial question with a focus on the case of political trust, a fundamental indicator of democratic legitimacy and a long‐standing topic of debate. Theoretically, we devise a framework that highlights how different theories of political trust assume different levels of stability or volatility and the implications that this has for those theories and their normative consequences. Empirically, we study within‐individual stability of political trust using six panel studies that cover five countries between 1965 and 2020. Our results consistently point to trust being stable in the long term, with potential for short‐term volatility in response to changing political contexts, and for substantial changes between people's formative years and their adulthood. Even over a period of 19 years, most people's responses to trust questions are remarkably similar between surveys and significant life events such as unemployment and going to University do not significantly influence trust. Changes in the political environment, like incumbent government turnover, have larger effects but these appear to return to equilibrium in a few years. The exception to this general finding is individuals who are first surveyed when they are under the age of 18, who appear much more likely to change their trust levels in subsequent waves. Overall, our results complement previous research on attitude stability, indicating that trust is approximately as stable as other attitudes, such as towards immigration and redistribution. These findings have fundamental implications for our understanding of the nature of political trust and attitude formation more broadly.
Inferring landscape resistance to gene flow when genetic drift is spatially heterogeneous
Authors: Savary Paul , Foltête Jean‐Christophe , Moal Hervé , Vuidel Gilles , Garnier Stéphane
Published: June 2023

In connectivity models, land cover types are assigned cost values characterizing their resistance to species movements. Landscape genetic methods infer these values from the relationship between genetic differentiation and cost distances. The spatial heterogeneity of population sizes, and consequently genetic drift, is rarely included in this inference although it influences genetic differentiation. Similarly, migration rates and population spatial distributions potentially influence this inference. Here, we assessed the reliability of cost value inference under several migration rates, population spatial patterns and degrees of population size heterogeneity. Additionally, we assessed whether considering intra‐population variables, here using gravity models, improved the inference when drift is spatially heterogeneous. We simulated several gene flow intensities between populations with varying local sizes and spatial distributions. We then fit gravity models of genetic distances as a function of (i) the ‘true’ cost distances driving simulations or alternative cost distances, and (ii) intra‐population variables (population sizes, patch areas). We determined the conditions making the identification of the ‘true’ costs possible and assessed the contribution of intra‐population variables to this objective. Overall, the inference ranked cost scenarios reliably in terms of similarity with the ‘true’ scenario (cost distance Mantel correlations), but this ‘true’ scenario rarely provided the best model goodness of fit. Ranking inaccuracies and failures to identify the ‘true’ scenario were more pronounced when migration was very restricted (<4 dispersal events/generation), population sizes were most heterogeneous and some populations were spatially aggregated. In these situations, considering intra‐population variables helps identify cost scenarios reliably, thereby improving cost value inference from genetic data.
Hand eczema in glove‐wearing patients
Authors: Clément Aude , Ferrier le Bouëdec Marie‐Christine , Crépy Marie‐Noëlle , Raison‐Peyron Nadia , Tétart Florence , Marcant Pierre , Pralong Pauline , Valois Aude , Pasteur Justine , Assier Haudrey , Bernier Claire , Le Cam Marie‐Thérèse , Hacard Florence , Nosbaum Audrey , Giordano Labadie Françoise , Morice Cécile , Leleu Camille , Milpied Brigitte , Darrigade Anne‐Sophie , Delaunay Juliette , Barbaud Annick , Castelain Florence , Collet Evelyne , Amsler Emmanuelle ,   from the Dermatology and Allergology group of the French Society of Dermatology (DAG)
Published: June 2023

Background

Allergic contact dermatitis to gloves is mostly induced by rubber accelerators. The European baseline series (EBS) appears insufficient to detect glove allergy. Since 2017, it is recommended to use the European rubber series (ERS) and to test the patients' own gloves.

Objectives

To investigate the clinical profile of glove‐wearing patients with hand eczema (HE) and to evaluate their sensitisation profile to glove allergens and the value of testing the patients' own gloves.

Methods

We conducted a French multicentre study of patients evaluated for HE between 2018 and 2020 and tested with the EBS, the ERS and their own gloves in patch tests and semi‐open (SO) tests.

Results

A total of 279 patients were included; 32.6% of patients had positive tests to their own gloves or to glove allergens. Almost 45% of the sensitisations to glove allergens were detected only by the ERS. Among the patients tested both in patch tests and SO tests with their own gloves with positive results, 28% had positive SO tests only. Polyvinylchloride (PVC) gloves were positive in four patients.

Conclusion

Our series confirms the need to test the ERS. All the patients' gloves must also be tested including PVC gloves. SO tests with gloves are useful as a complement to patch tests.