bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Priming using Human and Chimpanzee Expressions of Emotion Biases Attention toward Positive Emotions
Authors: Matsulevits Anna , Kret Mariska E.
Published: October 2023

Perceiving and correctly interpreting emotional expressions is one of the most important abilities for social animals’ communication. It determines the majority of social interactions, group dynamics, and cooperation, being highly relevant for an individual’s survival. Core mechanisms of this ability have been hypothesized to be shared across closely related species with phylogenetic similarities. Here, we explored homologies in human processing of different species’ facial expressions using eye-tracking. Introducing a prime-target paradigm, we tested the influences on human attention elicited by priming with differently valenced emotional stimuli depicting human and chimpanzee faces. We demonstrated an attention shift towards the conspecific (human) target picture that was congruent with the valence depicted in the primer picture. We did not find this effect with heterospecific (chimpanzee) primers and ruled out that this was due to participants interpreting them incorrectly. Implications about the involvement of related emotion-processing mechanisms for human and chimpanzee facial expressions, are discussed. Systematic cross-species-investigations of emotional expressions are needed to unravel how emotion representation mechanisms can extend to process other species’ faces. Through such studies, we address the gap of a shared evolutionary ancestry between humans and other animals to ultimately answer the question of“Where do emotions come from?”.
Polynator: a tool to identify and quantitatively evaluate polyhedra and other shapes in crystal structures
Authors: Link Lukas , Niewa Rainer
Published: October 2023

Polynator is a Python program capable of identifying coordination polyhedra, molecules and other shapes in crystal structures and evaluating their distortions. Distortions are quantified by fitting the vertices of a model to a selected set of atoms. In contrast to earlier programs, models can be deformable, which allows them to represent a point group or a range of shapes such as the set of all trigonal prisms, rather than a specific, rigid shape such as the equilateral trigonal prism. The program comes with a graphical user interface and is freely available. This paper discusses its working principle and illustrates a number of applications.
Multiplexed emitting system for an energy-recovery-linac-based coherent light source
Authors: Cao Lu , Liu Junhao , Wang Zhen , Huang Dazhang , Feng Chao , Zhao Zhentang
Published: October 2023

Recently, a novel approach has been proposed to produce ultrashort, fully coherent high-repetition-rate EUV and X-ray radiation by combining an energy recovery linac (ERL) with the angular-dispersion-induced microbunching methodology. It is critical to maintain microbunching when the beam passes through bending magnets between the undulators, which results in difficulties supporting multiple beamlines. In this paper, the design of a multiplexed emitting system consisting of multi-bend achromats, matching sections and radiators to facilitate the multi-beamline operation is presented. Theoretical analysis and numerical simulations have been carried out and the results show that the microbunching and beam quality can be well maintained after four times of bending. Five radiation pulses with a central wavelength of 13.5 nm and peak power at the MW level have been produced by the same electron beam via this multiplexed emitting system. The proposed method holds potential in the multi-beamline operation of ERL- or storage-ring-based coherent light sources.
The new small-angle X-ray scattering beamline for materials research at PETRA III: SAXSMAT beamline P62
Authors: Haas S. , Sun X. , Conceição A. L. C. , Horbach J. , Pfeffer S.
Published: October 2023

The SAXSMAT beamline P62 (Small-Angle X-ray Scattering beamline for Materials Research) is a new beamline at the high-energy storage ring PETRA III at DESY. This beamline is dedicated to combined small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS/WAXS) techniques for both soft and hard condensed matter systems. It works mainly in transmission geometry. The beamline covers an energy range from 3.5 keV to 35.0 keV, which fulfills the requirements of the user community to perform anomalous scattering experiments. Mirrors are used to reduce the intensity of higher harmonics. Furthermore, the mirrors and 2D compound refracting lenses can focus the beam down to a few micrometres at the sample position. This option with the high photon flux enables also SAXS/WAXS tensor tomography experiments to be performed at this new beamline in a relatively short time. The first SAXS/WAXS pattern was collected in August 2021, while the first user experiment was carried out two months later. Since January 2022 the beamline has been in regular user operation mode. In this paper the beamline optics and the SAXS/WAXS instrument are described and two examples are briefly shown.
Crystal structures of the DExH-box RNA helicase DHX9
Authors: Lee Young-Tae , Sickmier E. Allen , Grigoriu Simina , Castro Jennifer , Boriack-Sjodin P. Ann
Published: October 2023

DHX9 is a DExH-box RNA helicase with versatile functions in transcription, translation, RNA processing and regulation of DNA replication. DHX9 has recently emerged as a promising target for oncology, but to date no mammalian structures have been published. Here, crystal structures of human, dog and cat DHX9 bound to ADP are reported. The three mammalian DHX9 structures share identical structural folds. Additionally, the overall architecture and the individual domain structures of DHX9 are highly conserved with those of MLE, the Drosophila orthologue of DHX9 previously solved in complex with RNA and a transition-state analogue of ATP. Due to differences in the bound substrates and global domain orientations, the localized loop conformations and occupancy of dsRNA-binding domain 2 (dsRBD2) differ between the mammalian DHX9 and MLE structures. The combined effects of the structural changes considerably alter the RNA-binding channel, providing an opportunity to compare active and inactive states of the helicase. Finally, the mammalian DHX9 structures provide a potential tool for structure-based drug-design efforts.
Structural analysis of wild-type and Val120Thr mutant Candida boidinii formate dehydrogenase by X-ray crystallography
Authors: Gul Mehmet , Yuksel Busra , Bulut Huri , DeMirci Hasan
Published: October 2023

Candida boidinii NAD+-dependent formate dehydrogenase (CbFDH) has gained significant attention for its potential application in the production of biofuels and various industrial chemicals from inorganic carbon dioxide. The present study reports the atomic X-ray crystal structures of wild-type CbFDH at cryogenic and ambient temperatures, as well as that of the Val120Thr mutant at cryogenic temperature, determined at the Turkish Light Source `Turkish DeLight'. The structures reveal new hydrogen bonds between Thr120 and water molecules in the active site of the mutant CbFDH, suggesting increased stability of the active site and more efficient electron transfer during the reaction. Further experimental data is needed to test these hypotheses. Collectively, these findings provide invaluable insights into future protein-engineering efforts that could potentially enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of CbFDH.
“Empowering leadership ripple effect: improving employee engagement, performance and knowledge sharing through relational energy and autonomy”
Authors: Burhan Qurat-ul-Ain , Khan Muhammad Asif
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The present study aims to elucidate the mediating role of relational energy between empowering leadership and its attitudinal (employee engagement), behavioral (knowledge sharing) and performance (task) related outcomes, respectively, and the moderating role of autonomy between empowering leadership and relational energy, using the social cognitive theory.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used surveys in the small and medium-sized enterprises sector and collected time-lagged data to address common method variance and reveal causal relationships. AMOS was used to conduct hypothesis testing.

Findings

The results suggest that empowering leaders have a positive impact on outcomes such as employee engagement, knowledge sharing and task performance, and this impact is mediated by relational energy. Autonomy moderates the empowering leaders and relational energy relationship, strengthening it when autonomy is high.

Practical implications

Organizations should focus on leadership development programs depending on the need. Empowering leadership should be promoted to get positive attitudinal and behavioral outcomes in terms of employees. Empowering the employee in terms of decision-making helps motivate employees to perform better.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the empowering leadership literature by associating social cognitive theory. Empowering leaders has the potential to increase employee engagement, knowledge sharing and task performance.
LIKO-S: is green the new grey?
Authors: Zima Filip , Srivastava Mohit , Tyll Ladislav
Published: October 2023

Learning outcomes

After reading and analyzing the case study, the students would be able to identify the main stakeholders and decision-makers and their importance and influence on the environment for a product, evaluate the value chain of the product and critical decision-makers, evaluate the various ways to avoid falling into the trap of greenwashing and examine the marketing strategy to market an environmentally friendly product.

Case overview/synopsis

LIKO-S is a Czech manufacturing and construction company. The company has been designing and creating intelligent solutions, such as green facades or vertical greenery systems, to save energy in building heating and cooling systems. The company launched green facades in the Czech market. However, the main obstacle was the need for supporting data to showcase the positive environmental impact of green facades. Under these circumstances, Libor Musil’s main objective was to overcome prevalent misconceptions about green facades and find a suitable market segment. The situation worried the company, as LIKO-S had heavily invested in developing and marketing the green walls. The management had to tackle this challenge as soon as possible to recover the substantial research and development and marketing investments. Furthermore, owing to lack of information, even genuinely sustainable products were seen as greenwashing. In addition, bad or wrong customer perceptions of these walls might spill over to other products, tarnishing the company’s image and threatening its survival in the domestic market. Under these circumstances, competitors might enter the Czech market, jeopardizing the company’s overall profits. Consequently, Libor was in a great dilemma about managing the financial and reputational risk of the company. Should Libor close the green walls unit, explore different markets/uses or help increase awareness among the general population about green walls by finding a suitable marketing strategy?

Complexity academic level

The case study was designed for graduate-level students in the strategic management (CSR and innovation module) courses. However, the case could also be an excellent addition to marketing courses dealing with customers’ perceptions of innovative products and strategies to improve the adoption of the product.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 3: Entrepreneurship
Consumer engagement with restaurant brands on Instagram: the mediating role of consumer-related factors
Authors: Rasty Fereshte , Filieri Raffaele
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Consumers’ digital engagement can bring various benefits to both brands and consumers. Besides, few studies investigated the outcomes of engagement with restaurant brands on Instagram. Therefore, this study aims to examine the effect of consumer engagement (CE) with restaurant brands on consumer-related factors (namely, consumer’s brand knowledge, perceived enjoyment and consumer social interaction) and brand-related factors (namely, e-WOM and brand reputation), as well as the mediating role of consumer-related factors.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample consisted of 394 Instagram followers of restaurant/coffee shop brands, and covariance-based structural equation modeling and bootstrapping were used to assess the hypothesized relationships.

Findings

The results show that CE with restaurant brands on Instagram enhances brand-related outcomes as well as consumer-related outcomes. Moreover, consumer-related factors partially mediate these relationships.

Practical implications

The findings of this study provide insights for restaurant managers and digital marketers to stimulate consumer-brand engagement.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is among the first that examines the effect of CE with restaurant brands on consumer- and brand-related outcomes on Instagram. The context of the study is Iran, which adds to the literature on CE that mainly focuses on developed countries.
How much conflict is too much? How frequent task conflict expressions affect angels’ reinvestment intention
Authors: Tetteh Alexander (Degreat) Narh , Weng Qingxiong (Derek) , Sungu Lincoln Jisuvei , Adams Magdalene Zeinab Akosua
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The aim of this study is to understand the levels (i.e. mild vs intense) of task conflict (TC) expressions between angel investors and entrepreneurs at the post-investment stage and how it affect angel investors’ follow-on investment intentions with the same entrepreneur.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data was gathered from 71 angel investors in China. Mplus was used to test the proposed research model.

Findings

This study found that angels perceive affective conflict (AC) when engaged in intense TC, unlike the case for mild TC expressions. Furthermore, the analysis shows that, unlike mild TC expressions, intense TC expressions impede angels’ reinvestment intentions when they perceive ACs. Other results indicate that when angels perceive that entrepreneurs are not open to coaching, the prominence of mild TC expression is sharply mitigated and becomes as detrimental as intense TC expressions.

Research limitations/implications

This study only focused on one specific aspect of the angel–entrepreneur post-investment relationship: The effect of their TC expressions on angels’ reinvestment intentions. By no means do the authors imply that TC expression in the angel–entrepreneur post-investment relationship is the only factor that matters to angel investors in their follow-on investment intentions with the same entrepreneur.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that entrepreneurs should pay careful attention to TC that may arise between them and their financiers. TCs are not entirely detrimental, but their negative effect might depend on how they are expressed. An appropriate level of TC may also improve enterprise performance and collaboration. Thus, angels and entrepreneurs should set clear goals and performance standards, where task interactions mainly focus on the goals and expected outcomes.

Originality/value

Prior to this study, little was known about whether all TCs potentially lead to ACs. By distinguishing between levels (i.e. mild vs intense) of TC expressions between angels and entrepreneurs, this study adds a novel aspect to it by showing that TC, in and of itself, does not necessarily lead to AC but can lead to AC once its intensity grows.
Blockchain adoption and strategic contracting in a green supply chain considering market segmentation
Authors: Xu Wentao , Yan Wei , Song Bo , He Junliang
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The aim of this study is to examine the influence of consumer preferences for overseas green products and the implementation of blockchain technology on the performance of a supply chain, which comprises an overseas manufacturer and a domestic e-commerce platform. This research endeavors to identify the optimal pricing decisions and strategies for both the manufacturer and the platform in the context of the expanding e-commerce and globalization of the economy.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors propose and analyze four distinct models based on the selection of selling contracts by the manufacturer and the adoption strategy of blockchain by the platform, using game theory to obtain the optimal solutions for these models.

Findings

The authors show that consumer migration promotes the manufacturer's green inputs, while the expansion of green consumer proportion is not conducive to it. They also show that blockchain technology has the potential to effectively limit manufacturer cannibalization. Interestingly, the study reveals a cascading effect of advantage where the manufacturer's profit variation trend changes only with the integration of pricing power advantage and blockchain technology inputs. This effect suggests that the equilibrium strategy is achievable under the agency contract with blockchain adoption, while Pareto improvement can be obtained with blockchain technology under both selling contracts.

Research limitations/implications

This research could be extended in several possible directions. First, future work could explore outsourcing strategies for overseas manufacturers. Second, more types of consumer heterogeneity and different risk preferences could be considered. Third, this study can be extended by further exploring the design of mechanisms under asymmetric demand information to make the model more realistic.

Originality/value

The authors examine the impact of market segmentation and consumer preferences on green supply chain decisions, and analyze supply chain members' strategic choices for selling contracts and blockchain adoptions. The research also sheds light on the theoretical underpinnings and practical applications of green supply chain development and blockchain applications.
Consumer response to podcast advertising: the interactive role of persuasion knowledge and parasocial relationships
Authors: Brinson Nancy H. , Lemon Laura L. , Bender Coral , Graham Annika Fetzer
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine whether consumers are able to critically evaluate promotional content presented by a podcast host with whom they have a parasocial relationship, and how this interaction impacts the listeners’ behavioral intentions toward the advertised brand.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a blended theoretical foundation of Persuasion Knowledge Model and Parasocial Interaction theory, this between subjects’ experimental study examined the effects of a traditional advertisement versus a host-read promotional message for the same brand in a highly rated podcast among listeners who reported varying levels of a parasocial relationship (PSR) with the host.

Findings

Results from a moderated mediation analysis suggest that a PSR with the podcast host decreased evaluative persuasion knowledge about the promotional message presented, which indirectly enhanced respondents’ intention to seek more information about the promoted brand.

Originality/value

This study extends the limited research examining the effects of promotional messaging delivered by podcast hosts with whom audiences have a PSR, and how this interaction impacts the listeners’ behavioral intentions. Theoretical contributions and practical implications for podcast marketers are also discussed.
A primer on using Monte Carlo simulations to evaluate marksmanship
Authors: Biggs Adam , Hamilton Joseph
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Evaluating warfighter lethality is a critical aspect of military performance. Raw metrics such as marksmanship speed and accuracy can provide some insight, yet interpreting subtle differences can be challenging. For example, is a speed difference of 300 milliseconds more important than a 10% accuracy difference on the same drill? Marksmanship evaluations must have objective methods to differentiate between critical factors while maintaining a holistic view of human performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Monte Carlo simulations are one method to circumvent speed/accuracy trade-offs within marksmanship evaluations. They can accommodate both speed and accuracy implications simultaneously without needing to hold one constant for the sake of the other. Moreover, Monte Carlo simulations can incorporate variability as a key element of performance. This approach thus allows analysts to determine consistency of performance expectations when projecting future outcomes.

Findings

The review divides outcomes into both theoretical overview and practical implication sections. Each aspect of the Monte Carlo simulation can be addressed separately, reviewed and then incorporated as a potential component of small arms combat modeling. This application allows for new human performance practitioners to more quickly adopt the method for different applications.

Originality/value

Performance implications are often presented as inferential statistics. By using the Monte Carlo simulations, practitioners can present outcomes in terms of lethality. This method should help convey the impact of any marksmanship evaluation to senior leadership better than current inferential statistics, such as effect size measures.
Phenological overlap between crop and pollinators: Contrasting influence of native and non‐native bees on raspberry fruits over the flowering season
Authors: Sáez Agustín , Garibaldi Lucas A. , Aizen Marcelo A. , Morales Carolina L. , Traveset Anna , de Groot Grecia S. , Schmucki Reto
Published: October 2023

Phenological overlap between crop flowering and pollinators is a crucial trait for the pollination of more than 75% of the world's crops. However, crop management rarely considers the seasonal aspect of plant–pollinator mutualism. Here, we investigate the phenological overlap between crops and pollinators and how it affects pollination and fruit production.

We measured the abundance and richness of native and non‐native pollinators visiting raspberry flowers at two different times during the flowering season (i.e. early and late flowering periods) and examined their effects on crop yield in 16 fields.

The community of pollinators foraging on raspberry flowers was more diverse and dominated by native pollinators during the early flowering period when most native plant species were flowering. Later in the season, when native flower resources declined in the surrounding environment, raspberry flowers were visited mainly by two non‐native bees: managed honeybees and the invasive bumblebee Bombus terrestris.

Pollinator contribution to raspberry yield was twice as high in the early flowering period compared to the late period (61% vs. 31% increase in drupelet set respectively). Flower damage caused by extremely high visitation frequencies by non‐native bees in the late period was six times higher than in the early flowering period (30% vs. 5% of damaged flowers respectively).

Synthesis and applications. Providing sufficient pollen and nectar resources to support wild pollinators over extended periods in agricultural landscapes can contribute to crop pollination and ensure high fruit weight and quality. This can be achieved by restoring natural and semi‐natural areas near crop fields with native, long‐flowering plant species. Growers and crop breeding programmes should consider selecting flowering times that coincide with periods of high diversity or abundance of native pollinators to reduce dependence on managed pollinators.
Reading In‐Between: How Women Engage with Messages of ‘Superstar’ Business Role Models
Authors: Adamson Maria , Kelan Elisabeth K.
Published: October 2023

With role models being seen as central for developing women as leaders, recent research has been critical of messages that contemporary elite businesswomen role models promote. But how do women actually relate to female business ‘superstar’ role models’ messages? We argue that the implicit assumption that role models’ effects may be understood through exploring exclusively the kind of messages they send is problematic. Through introducing active audience theory, specifically de Certeau's concepts of ‘tactics’ and ‘strategy’, to analyse interviews with women who read autobiographies of business celebrity role models, we identify three key tactics in which female role aspirants engage with role models’ messages: tactics of confirmation, namely a selective adoption of intended messages; tactics of challenge, namely a contestation of messages; and tactics of change, through which unscripted meanings of collective consciousness and support for other women emerge. In doing so, the paper offers a novel way of theorising the influence of distant role models – as emerging from a process of co‐creation in the ‘in‐between’ space. We argue that theorising the role of models’ influence as co‐creation allows us to systematically incorporate role aspirants’ perceptions into the role‐modelling process and to further understand the unscripted and unforeseen effects of role models.
Companions’ contributions to information gathering in Chinese outpatient clinical interaction
Authors: Zhang Shuai , Cheng Meili , Ma Wen
Published: October 2023

Patients are commonly accompanied to visit clinicians in Chinese outpatient clinics. Although there has been extensive research on the roles of companions in asymmetric interactions within medical settings, there is a paucity of conversation analytic studies that examine the active participation and contributions of companions on an equal footing in medical consultations. How companions on an equal footing participate and contribute in Chinese outpatient clinical consultations remains under‐explored. By employing video recordings of three‐party consultations in the Chinese orthopaedic outpatient clinic as the data and adopting conversation analysis as the method, this study investigated how companions participated in and contributed to the information‐gathering activity and how their contributions were interactionally negotiated and managed by clinicians and adult patients over sequences of interaction. We showed that companions negotiated epistemic rights in reporting and repairing the information about medical problems in the patients’ epistemic domain and displayed different levels of encroachment on patients’ epistemic rights by endorsing patients’ responses, repairing the information in patients’ responses, and offering information directly to clinicians. Companions also exerted deontic authority and shaped the trajectory of the consultations by hindering or facilitating the progressivity of the interaction. We argued that companions’ contributions to the information‐gathering activity might reflect the family‐centred model of the doctor–patient relationship in the Chinese orthopaedic outpatient clinic. Clinicians are suggested to open up opportunities for companions’ participation and contributions while respecting patients’ rights, especially when there is a collision of knowledge claims between patients and their companions.
Transparency in Hierarchies
Authors: HOFMANN CHRISTIAN , INDJEJIKIAN RAFFI J.
Published: October 2023

We use an agency model to address the benefits and costs of transparency in a hierarchical organization in which the principal employs a manager entrusted with contracting authority and several workers, all under conditions of moral hazard. We define the principal's transparency choices as a decision to allow workers to observe their coworkers’ performances (observability) and as an investment in monitoring worker performance (precision). We find that whereas precision alleviates agency conflicts as expected, observability can exacerbate agency conflicts, especially if the manager's interests are misaligned sufficiently with those of the principal. Our results suggest several testable hypotheses including predictions that opaque performance measurement practices are well suited for small organizational units at lower hierarchical ranks, and in settings where the sensitivity‐precision of the available measures is low, workers’ performances are correlated positively, and managerial productivity is modest.
Trophic niche and adaptation in highland lizards: sex has greater influences than species matching
Authors: YANG Shengnan , QU Jiapeng , TANG Ke , ZHAO Xinquan , ZHOU Huakun , HU Junhua
Published: October 2023

The plateau environments are typically arid, cool, and high altitude, posing formidable challenges to wildlife survival due to resource scarcity and harsh conditions. Unraveling ecological adaptability in severe conditions requires a deeper understanding of the niche characteristics of plateau species. Trophic niche, which is a comprehensive indicator describing the energy acquisition strategy of animals, remains relatively understudied in plateau species. Here, by combining stable isotopes and morphological data, we quantified the trophic niches of two allopatric lizard species (Phrynocephalus vlangalii and P. erythrurus) that live in the hinterland of the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau, and explored how their trophic niches correlate with morphological and environmental factors. While both trophic niche and morphological traits were similar between species, noteworthy distinctions were observed between male and female Phrynocephalus lizards. The morphological traits associated with predation (i.e. limb length and head size) and reproduction (i.e. abdomen length), annual mean temperature, and sex played influential roles in shifting trophic niches. These results imply that sexual dimorphism may facilitate inter‐sex divergence in resource utilization, leading to trophic niche variations in the highland lizards. Furthermore, extreme environmental stress can constrain interspecific divergence in morphological and trophic traits. Our findings illustrate the dynamic variations of trophic niches in highland lizards, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of the adaptation strategies employed by lizard species in plateau environments.
Long‐term effects of low prenatal alcohol exposure on GABAergic interneurons of the murine posterior parietal cortex
Authors: Licheri Valentina , Jacquez Belkis J. , Castillo Victoria K. , Sainz Dylan B. , Valenzuela C. Fernando , Brigman Jonathan L.
Published: October 2023

Background

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) are characterized by a wide range of physical, cognitive, and behavioral impairments that occur throughout the lifespan. Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) can lead to adult impairments in cognitive control behaviors mediated by the posterior parietal cortex (PPC). The PPC plays a fundamental role in the performance of response tasks in both primates and rodents, specifically when choices between similar target and nontarget stimuli are required. Furthermore, the PPC is reciprocally connected with other cortical areas. Despite the extensive literature investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying PAE impairments in cognitive functions mediated by cortical areas, little is known regarding the long‐term effects of PAE on PPC development and function. Here, we examined changes in the cellular organization of GABAergic interneurons and their function in PPC using behaviorally naïve control and PAE mice.

Methods

We used a limited access model of PAE in which C57BL/6J females were exposed to a solution of 10% (w/v) ethanol and 0.066% (w/V) saccharin for 4 h/day throughout gestation. Using high‐throughput fluorescent microscopy, we quantified the levels of GABAergic interneurons in the PPC of adult PAE and control offspring. In a separate cohort, we recorded spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs) using whole‐cell patch clamp recordings from PPC layer 5 pyramidal neurons.

Results

PAE led to a significant overall reduction of parvalbumin‐expressing GABAergic interneurons in PAE mice regardless of sex. Somatostatin‐ and calretinin‐expressing GABAergic interneurons were not affected. Interestingly, PAE did not modulate sIPSC amplitude or frequency.

Conclusions

These results suggest that impairments in cognitive control observed in FASD may be due to the significant reduction of parvalbumin‐expressing GABAergic interneurons in the PPC. PAE animals may show compensatory changes in GABAergic function following developmental reduction of these interneurons.
Patient navigation for pregnant individuals with opioid use disorder: Results of a randomized multi‐site pilot trial
Authors: Cochran Gerald , Smid Marcela C. , Krans Elizabeth E. , Yu Ziji , Carlston Kristi , White Ashley , Abdulla Walitta , Baylis Jacob , Charron Elizabeth , Okifugi Akiko , Gordon Adam J. , Lundahl Brad , Silipigni John , Seliski Natasha , Haaland Benjamin , Tarter Ralph
Published: October 2023

Background and aims

Patient navigation (PN) may benefit pregnant individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD) by improving treatment adherence. We examined participant enrollment, session delivery and assessment feasibility for a PN intervention among pregnant participants and compared PN preliminary effectiveness for OUD treatment engagement with participants in usual care (UC).

Design

This study was a pilot single‐blinded multi‐site randomized trial.

Setting

Two academic medical centers in Pennsylvania (n = 57) and Utah (n = 45), United States participated.

Participants

One hundred and two pregnant adult participants unestablished (fewer than 6 weeks) on medication for OUD (MOUD) were randomized to PN (n = 53) or UC (n = 49).

Intervention

PN was composed of 10 prenatal sessions (delivered after baseline but before the prenatal assessments) and four postnatal sessions (delivered before the 2‐ and 6‐month postpartum assessments) focused upon OUD treatment and physical/mental health needs. UC involved brief case management.

Measurements

Feasibility assessments included consent, session delivery and assessment rates. Mixed‐effect models for intent‐to‐treat (ITT) and per protocol (PP, received six or more sessions) populations were estimated to compare outcomes of MOUD use, secondary outcomes of substance use disorder (SUD) treatment attendance and non‐prescribed opioid use, and exploratory outcome of overdose at baseline, predelivery and 2 and 6 months postpartum.

Findings

We consented 87% (106 of 122) of the proposed target, delivered ~60% of sessions delivered and completed ≥ 75% assessments. PN ITT and PP had better MOUD adherence, SUD treatment attendance, non‐prescribed opioid use and overdose outcomes than UC. Notable changes included good evidence for greater percentage change in days for PN PP MOUD use from baseline to 2 months postpartum [PN = 28.0 versus UC = −10.9, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 9.7, 62.1] and some evidence for baseline to 6 months postpartum (PN = 45.4 versus UC = 23.4, 95% CI = −0.7, 48.2). PN PP percentage change in days for SUD treatment attendance also showed good evidence for improvements from baseline to prenatal assessment (PN = 7.4 versus UC = −21.3, 95% CI = 3.3, 53.5). PN compared to UC participants reported fewer overdoses at 2 months (PN = 11.9%/UC = 16.1%) and at 6 months postpartum (PN = 3.8%/UC = 6.2%).

Conclusions

Patient navigation appears to be associated with improvements in opioid use disorder treatment engagement and overdoses during pregnancy. This pilot trial shows the feasibility of the intervention and a future large‐scale trial.
Passion is key: High emotionality in diversity statements promotes organizational attractiveness
Authors: Krivoshchekov Vladislav , Graf Sylvie , Sczesny Sabine
Published: October 2023

To attract and retain a more diverse workforce, organizations embrace diversity initiatives, expressed in diversity statements on their websites. While the explicit content of diversity statements influences attitudes towards organizations, much less is known about the effect of subtle cues such as emotions. In three pre‐registered studies, we tested the effect of positive emotionality in diversity statements on attitudes towards organizations. Study 1 focused on the degree to which 600 European organizations employed emotionality in their diversity statements, finding that although their statements differed in the level of emotionality, on average, organizations avoided highly emotional words. Study 2 (N = 220 UK participants) tested the effect of original diversity statements on readers' attitudes towards an organization, demonstrating that the level of emotionality in the existing statements did not influence positive attitudes towards the organization. In Study 3 (N = 815 UK participants), we thus modified the diversity statements so that they contained high levels of positive emotionality that triggered more positive emotions and resulted in more positive attitudes towards an organization. Taken together, highly emotional words (e.g. passionate; happy; wholeheartedly) are key in diversity statements if organizations wish to increase their attractiveness among potential employees.
Early childhood language gains, kindergarten readiness, and Grade 3 reading achievement
Authors: Logan Jessica A. R. , Piasta Shayne B. , Purtell Kelly M. , Nichols Robert , Schachter Rachel E.
Published: October 2023

In this preregistered study, we used latent change score models to address two research aims: (1) whether preschool‐aged children's language gains, over a year of early childhood education, were associated with later performance on state‐mandated, literacy‐focused kindergarten readiness and Grade 3 reading achievement assessments, and (2) whether gains in language, a more complex skill, predicted these outcomes after controlling for more basic emergent literacy skills. There were 724 participating children (mean = 57 months; 51% male; 76% White, 12% Black, 6% multiple races, and 5% Hispanic or Latino). We found that language gains significantly predicted kindergarten readiness when estimated in isolation (effect = 0.24 SDs, p < .001), but not when gains in letter knowledge and phonological awareness were also included.
Transcriptional differences between vesicular hand eczema and atopic dermatitis
Authors: Rosenberg Fieke M. , Wardenaar René , Voorberg Angelique N. , Spierings Diana C. J. , Schuttelaar Marie‐Louise A.
Published: October 2023

Background

Transcriptome analyses of vesicular hand eczema (VHE) indicated a large overlap with atopic dermatitis (AD). However, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) that differentiate VHE from AD are unknown.

Objective

To identify distinctive transcriptional features of VHE in comparison to AD.

Methods

We re‐analysed RNA sequencing data of 10 lesional palmar VHE epidermal biopsies and performed DEG analyses. We adjusted the obtained DEG results of 57 lesional whole AD skin biopsies of the upper extremities or trunk to our criteria. Up‐ and down‐regulated DEGs in both skin diseases, VHE‐only, AD‐only, and opposite regulated DEGs were identified. Enrichment analyses and Chi‐squared tests were conducted to test for differences in gene set enrichment between both skin diseases.

Results

Comparing 3028 DEGs in VHE (1645 up; 1383 down) with 5391 DEGs in AD (3842 up; 1549 down), revealed 1516 shared DEGs (1179 up; 337 down) and 1512 DEGs unique to VHE (466 up, 1046 down). Interferon signalling and necroptosis were significantly more prominent in VHE compared to AD. Downregulated genes identified only in VHE (like DNASE1L2, KRT2, KRT9 and KRT25) indicate an aberrant epidermal differentiation.

Conclusion

Our study indicates a common pathophysiology between VHE and AD, but also reveals transcriptional differences between VHE and AD.
Does certification of corporate governance compliance pay off? Evidence from a unique regulatory setting
Authors: Sobhan Abdus , Bose Sudipta , Miah Muhammad Shahin , Razzaque Rushdi Md. Rezaur
Published: October 2023

Research Questions/Issues

Using insights from agency and signaling theories, we examine the effect on companies' market‐based performance of a unique monitoring mechanism of compliance with a corporate governance (CG) code, that is, independent certification of compliance with a CG code and type of certification provider. Furthermore, we examine the impact of two boundary conditions, family company status and company‐level information asymmetry, influencing the effect of independent CG compliance certification and type of certification provider on the market‐based performance of companies.

Research Findings/Insights

Based on 1110 Bangladeshi company‐year observations from 2006 to 2017, we firstly find that independent CG compliance certification is positively associated with companies' market‐based performance. Secondly, we show that CG compliance certification by a chartered secretarial firm is related to higher market‐based performance. Thirdly, we document that family companies attenuate both these associations. Finally, we find that, while company‐level information asymmetry reinforces the association between CG compliance certification and market‐based performance, it weakens the relationship between certification by a chartered secretarial firm and companies' market‐based performance.

Theoretical/Academic Implications

Our findings are consistent with the agency and signaling theory that independent certification of CG compliance and this certification by a chartered secretarial firm reduce information asymmetry between managers and external investors by signaling enhanced credibility of reported CG compliance information. However, the roles of CG compliance certification and certification by a chartered secretarial firm to reduce agency conflict and provide credible signals are conditional on two boundary conditions: family company status and company‐level information asymmetry.

Practitioner/Policy Implications

This study's findings highlight the economic implications of a unique mechanism for monitoring compliance with an adopted CG code. The findings have significant implications for policy makers and regulators in emerging economies.
Impact of regular cold exposure on electrical skin resistance in patients with joint degenerative diseases
Authors: Machnia Marcin , Douzi Wafa , Jdidi Hela , Miller Elzbieta , Dugué Benoit
Published: October 2023

Objective

Common features in chronic inflammatory disease patients (CIDP) are inflammation, mental stress (MS), and autonomic nervous system imbalance. Whole‐body cryotherapy (WBC) exposure and regular physical exercise are known to regulate these features. In this study, we assessed the impact of regular physical exercise and the use of WBC exposure in CIDP on the level of electrical skin resistance (SR) to evaluate the skin sympathetic nervous activity and and estimate MS levels.

Methods

SR was evaluated before and after a 10‐day‐period of daily physical exercise preceded or not by WBC (3 min at −110°C) in two groups of 134 CIDP (WBC vs. non‐WBC groups).

Results

At baseline, the number of severe MS patients was similar in both groups. However, after the training period, the number of severe MS patients significantly decreased in the WBC group, only. An increase in SR (a decrease in stress level) was noted in the WBC group only, and such increase was higher in men than in women and in patients younger than 60 versus patients older than 60 years old.

Conclusion

The use of daily WBC combined with physical exercise induced physiological adaptations and lowered the sympathetic nervous activity that may reflect a reduced level of MS in CIDP. These adaptations seem to depend on gender and age.
1067. Pinus armandii var. dabeshanensis (W. C. Cheng & Y. W. Law) Silba: Pinaceae
Authors: O'Brien Seamus , Stringer Lynn
Published: October 2023

Pinus armandii Franch. var. dabeshanensis (W. C. Cheng & Y. W. Law) Silba, the highly threatened Dabei Shan pine from the mountains of central China, is illustrated; its introduction, cultivation and horticultural merits are discussed.
Biochar mitigates N2O emissions by promoting complete denitrification in acidic and alkaline paddy soils
Authors: Wei Zhijun , Li Chenglin , Ma Xiaofang , Ma Shutan , Han Zongyang , Yan Xiaoyuan , Shan Jun
Published: October 2023

Biochar is an efficacious amendment for mitigating nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions in soils. Nevertheless, the underlying mechanisms responsible for reduced N2O emissions by biochar in paddy soils remain inadequately elucidated. Here, using two typical paddy soils with contrasting pH values (5.40 and 7.56), the N2 and N2O fluxes and the associated functional genes were investigated in soil amended with varying amounts of biochar (0%, 0.5%, and 5%, weight/weight) via soil slurry incubation integrated with the N2/Ar technique and qPCR analysis. The results showed that N2O fluxes were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced by 0.65–3.64 times following biochar amendment, concomitant with a significant (p < 0.05) increase in N2 fluxes (5.47–46.14%) in both acidic and alkaline paddy soils. As a result, the N2O/(N2O + N2) ratios were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced by 1.53–4.65 fold in both soil types. In acidic paddy soils, the enhanced denitrification rates and the decreased N2O/(N2O + N2) ratios exhibited a strong correlation with increased pH values. In alkaline paddy soil, these changes were ascribed to the enhanced nosZ Clade I gene abundance and nosZ/(nirS + nirK) ratio. Our findings reveal that biochar primarily mitigates N2O emissions in paddy soils by promoting its reduction to N2.
Effect of different thermal treatments on flavonoids and quality traits of tartary buckwheat and its noodles
Authors: Tang Renyong , Xie Mingzhu , Bai Yuting , Yang Ping , Zhang Feng , Guo Xiulan
Published: October 2023

Hydrothermal treatments can efficiently inactivate rutin‐degrading enzymes (RDEs) in tartary buckwheat, albeit increasing moisture content. Stir‐frying (SF) is a promising thermal processing. Thus, this study applied steaming in combination with oven‐drying (S + OD), SF, roasting (R) and oven‐drying (OD) to treat tartary buckwheat before noodles were processed with heated buckwheat flours. The flavonoid contents and quality traits of buckwheat and noodles were detected. All thermal treatments reduced noodle breakage and water absorption, S + OD, SF and R inhibited RDEs with lower quercetin and higher rutin, and S + OD had the best effect. S + OD and R enhanced the texture properties of noodles. Correspondingly, S + OD noodles had better textural and taste scores, and higher flavonoids and antioxidant ability, while R reduced total flavonoids and elevated noodles' a*, and SF noodles had inferior textural properties. Therefore, S + OD treatment could better retain total flavonoids and rutin contents of tartary buckwheat and its noodles and improve their quality traits.
Partial Purification of An Oxygen Scavenging Cell Membrane Fraction for use in Anaerobic Biochemical Reactions
Authors: Jacobson KB , Manos RE , Wadzinski FA
Published: October 2023

Anaerobic conditions are necessary to prevent the autoxidation of tetrahydrobiopterin. An enzymatic method for achieving such an anaerobic condition is shown to be obtained by a lactate oxidase activity in the membrane of Escherichia coli when the enzyme concentration exceeds 0.05 unit/ml. A procedure is described for partial purification of the membrane fragment that involves salt precipitation and gel sieve chromatography on Bio‐Gel A‐50m. The rate of removal of oxygen is used to define the enzyme activity, to determine stability during storage, and to define conditions for stabilization of tetrahydrobiopterin. A second assay procedure that measures the rate of reduction of resazurin is described and is useful when the enzyme concentration is low.
Comparison of the Properties of the Purified Beta‐Glucosidase from the Transformed Strain of Saccharomyces Cerevisiae TYKF2 with that of the Donor Strain Kluyveromyces Fragilis Y610
Authors: Leclerc M. , Chemardin P. , Arnaud A. , Ratomahenina R. , Galzy P. , Gerbaud C. , Raynal A. , Guerineau M.
Published: October 2023

Saccharomyces cerevisiae TYKF2 was obtained by cloning in S. cerevisiae the gene coding for beta‐glucosidase in Kluyveromyces fragilis Y610 (ATCC 12424). The beta‐glucosidases of both organisms were purified and their biochemical characteristics were determined. The two beta‐glucosidases had the same enzymatic properties as those previously described in the literature. The strain S. cerevisiae TYKF2 is able to produce enhanced amounts of enzyme.