bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Isolation and characterization of a novel glycoside hydrolase positive bacterial strain named Terrimonas ginsenosidimutans sp. nov. with ginsenoside-converting activity
Authors: Siddiqi Muhammad Zubair , Lee Ji Eun , Jun Min Ok , Huq Md. Amdadul , Im Wan-Taek
Published: June 2023

A novel yellow-pigmented catalase- and oxidase-positive bacterial strain (designated NA20T) was isolated from wetland soil and characterized. Results of 16S rRNA and draft genome sequence analysis placed strain NA20T within the genus

Terrimonas

of the family

Chitinophagaceae

. Strain NA20T showed ≤97.1 % sequence similarity to members of the genus

Terrimonas

and the highest sequence similarity was found to

Terrimonas lutea

DYT (97.1%). The draft genome of strain NA20T had a total length of 7 144 125 base pairs. A total of 5659 genes were identified, of which 5613 were CDS and 46 RNA genes were assigned a putative function. Mining the genomes revealed the presence of 225 carbohydrate genes out of 1334 genes. Strain NA20T contained iso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0 G, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1
 ω7c and/or C16 : 1
 ω6c) as major fatty acids. The predominant quinone was MK-7. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, one unknown polar lipid and one unknown aminophospholipid. Additionally, the functional analysis of NA20T showed the conversion of protopanaxatriol-mix type major ginsenosides (Rb1, Rc and Rd) to minor ginsenosides F2 and weak conversion of Rh2 and C-K within 24 h. As a result, the genotypic, phenotypic and taxonomic analyses support the affiliation of NA20T within the genus

Terrimonas

, for which the name Terrimonas ginsenosidimutans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NA20T (=KACC 22218T=LMG 32198T).
Using gut microbiota as a diagnostic tool for colorectal cancer: machine learning techniques reveal promising results
Authors: Lu Fang , Lei Ting , Zhou Jie , Liang Hao , Cui Ping , Zuo Taiping , Ye Li , Chen Hui , Huang Jiegang
Published: June 2023

Introduction. Increasing evidence suggests a correlation between gut microbiota and colorectal cancer (CRC).

Hypothesis/Gap Statement. However, few studies have used gut microbiota as a diagnostic biomarker for CRC.

Aim. The objective of this study was to explore whether a machine learning (ML) model based on gut microbiota could be used to diagnose CRC and identify key biomarkers in the model.

Methodology. We sequenced the 16S rRNA gene from faecal samples of 38 participants, including 17 healthy subjects and 21 CRC patients. Eight supervised ML algorithms were used to diagnose CRC based on faecal microbiota operational taxonomic units (OTUs), and the models were evaluated in terms of identification, calibration and clinical practicality for optimal modelling parameters. Finally, the key gut microbiota was identified using the random forest (RF) algorithm.

Results. We found that CRC was associated with the dysregulation of gut microbiota. Through a comprehensive evaluation of supervised ML algorithms, we found that different algorithms had significantly different prediction performance using faecal microbiomes. Different data screening methods played an important role in optimization of the prediction models. We found that naïve Bayes algorithms [NB, accuracy=0.917, area under the curve (AUC)=0.926], RF (accuracy=0.750, AUC=0.926) and logistic regression (LR, accuracy=0.750, AUC=0.889) had high predictive potential for CRC. Furthermore, important features in the model, namely s__metagenome_g__Lachnospiraceae_ND3007_group (AUC=0.814), s__Escherichia_coli_g__Escherichia-Shigella (AUC=0.784) and s__unclassified_g__Prevotella (AUC=0.750), could each be used as diagnostic biomarkers of CRC.

Conclusions. Our results suggested an association between gut microbiota dysregulation and CRC, and demonstrated the feasibility of the gut microbiota to diagnose cancer. The bacteria s__metagenome_g__Lachnospiraceae_ND3007_group, s__Escherichia_coli_g__Escherichia-Shigella and s__unclassified_g__Prevotella were key biomarkers for CRC.
Active learning of the thermodynamics–dynamics tradeoff in protein condensates
Authors: An Yaxin , Webb Michael A. , Jacobs William M.
Published: June 2023

Phase-separated biomolecular condensates exhibit a wide range of dynamical properties, which depend on the sequences of the constituent proteins and RNAs. However, it is unclear to what extent condensate dynamics can be tuned without also changing the thermodynamic properties that govern phase separation. Using coarse-grained simulations of intrinsically disordered proteins, we show that the dynamics and thermodynamics of homopolymer condensates are strongly correlated, with increased condensate stability being coincident with low mobilities and high viscosities. We then apply an “active learning” strategy to identify heteropolymer sequences that break this correlation. This data-driven approach and accompanying analysis reveal how heterogeneous amino-acid compositions and non-uniform sequence patterning map to a range of independently tunable dynamical and thermodynamic properties of biomolecular condensates. Our results highlight key molecular determinants governing the physical properties of biomolecular condensates and establish design rules for the development of stimuli-responsive biomaterials.
DNA Structure Design Is Improved Using an Artificially Expanded Alphabet of Base Pairs Including Loop and Mismatch Thermodynamic Parameters
Authors: Pham Tuan M. , Miffin Terrel , Sun Hongying , Sharp Kenneth K. , Wang Xiaoyu , Zhu Mingyi , Hoshika Shuichi , Peterson Raymond J. , Benner Steven A. , Kahn Jason D. , Mathews David H.
Published: June 2023

We show thatin silicodesign of DNA secondary structures is improved by extending the base pairing alphabet beyond A-T and G-C to include the pair between 2-amino-8-(1’-β-D-2’-deoxyribofuranosyl)-imidazo-[1,2-a]-1,3,5-triazin-(8H)-4-one and 6-amino-3-(1’-β-D-2’-deoxyribofuranosyl)-5-nitro-(1H)-pyridin-2-one, simply P and Z. To obtain the thermodynamic parameters needed to include P-Z pairs in the designs, we performed 47 optical melting experiments and combined the results with previous work to fit a new set of free energy and enthalpy nearest neighbor folding parameters for P-Z pairs and G-Z wobble pairs. We find that G-Z pairs have stability comparable to A-T pairs and therefore should be considered quantitatively by structure prediction and design algorithms. Additionally, we extrapolated the set of loop, terminal mismatch, and dangling end parameters to include P and Z nucleotides. These parameters were incorporated into the RNAstructure software package for secondary structure prediction and analysis. Using the RNAstructure Design program, we solved 99 of the 100 design problems posed by Eterna using the ACGT alphabet or supplementing with P-Z pairs. Extending the alphabet reduced the propensity of sequences to fold into off-target structures, as evaluated by the normalized ensemble defect (NED). The NED values were improved relative to those from the Eterna example solutions in 91 of 99 cases where Eterna-player solutions were provided. P-Z-containing designs had average NED values of 0.040, significantly below the 0.074 of standard-DNA-only designs, and inclusion of the P-Z pairs decreased the time needed to converge on a design. This work provides a sample pipeline for inclusion of any expanded alphabet nucleotides into prediction and design workflows.
Discrete Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes for Versatile Intracellular Transport of Functional Biomolecular Complexes
Authors: Castillo Kevin , Tasset Aaron , Marinkovic Milos , Foote Aaron
Published: June 2023

In recent years, carbon nanotubes have emerged as a potentially revolutionary material with numerous uses in biomedical applications. Compared to other nanoparticles, discrete multi-walled carbon nanotubes (dMWCNTs) have been shown to exhibit advantageous characteristics such as high surface area to volume ratio, biocompatibility, and unique chemical and physical properties. dMWCNTs can be modified to load various molecules such as proteins and nucleic acids and are capable of crossing the cell membrane, making them attractive delivery vehicles for biomolecules. To investigate this, we measured the impact of dMWCNTs on cell proliferation. Furthermore, we used electron microscopy to demonstrate that dMWCNTs enter the cytoplasm of mammalian cells via an endocytosis-like process. And lastly, we employed variousin vitroreporter and gene assays to demonstrate dMWCNT-mediated delivery of peptides, mRNA, siRNA, and dsRNA. Our work here has helped further characterize dMWCNTs as a versatile delivery platform for biomolecular cargo.
Graded FGF activity patterns distinct cell types within the apical sensory organ of the sea anemoneNematostella vectensis
Authors: Sabin Keith Z. , Chen Shiyuan , Hill Eric , Weaver Kyle J. , Yonker Jacob , Kirkman MaryEllen , Redwine Bret , Klompen Anna M. L. , Zhao Xia , Guo Fengli , McKinney Cathy , Dewey Jessica L. , Gibson Matthew C.
Published: June 2023

Bilaterian animals have evolved complex sensory organs comprised of distinct cell types that function coordinately to sense the environment. Each sensory unit has a defined architecture built from component cell types, including sensory cells, non-sensory support cells, and dedicated sensory neurons. Whether this characteristic cellular composition is present in the sensory organs of non-bilaterian animals is unknown. Here, we interrogate the cell type composition and gene regulatory networks controlling development of the larval apical sensory organ in the sea anemoneNematostella vectensis. Using single cell RNA sequencing and imaging approaches, we reveal two unique cell types in theNematostellaapical sensory organ, GABAergic sensory cells and a putative non-sensory support cell population. Further, we identify the paired-like (PRD) homeodomain geneprd146as a specific sensory cell marker and show that Prd146+sensory cells become post-mitotic after gastrulation. Genetic loss of function approaches show that Prd146 is essential for apical sensory organ development. Using a candidate gene knockdown approach, we placeprd146downstream of FGF signaling in the apical sensory organ gene regulatory network. Further, we demonstrate that an aboral FGF activity gradient coordinately regulates the specification of both sensory and support cells. Collectively, these experiments define the genetic basis for apical sensory organ development in a non-bilaterian animal and reveal an unanticipated degree of complexity in a prototypic sensory structure.
Cotyledon Peeling Method for Passion Fruit Protoplasts: a versatile cell system for transient gene expression in passion fruit (Passiflora edulis)
Authors: Wang Linxi , Liu Haobin , Liu Peilan , Wu Guanwei , Shen Wentao , Cui Hongguang , Dai Zhaoji
Published: June 2023

Passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) is a perennial evergreen vine that grows mainly in tropical and subtropical regions due to its nutritional, medicinal and ornamental values. However, the molecular biology study of passion fruit is extremely hindered by the lack of an easy and efficient method for transformation. The protoplast transformation system plays a vital role in plant regeneration, gene function analysis and genome editing. Here, we present a new method (‘Cotyledon Peeling Method’) for simple and efficient passion fruit protoplast isolation using cotyledon as the source tissue. A high yield (2.3 × 107protoplasts per gram of fresh tissues) and viability (76%) of protoplasts were obtained upon incubation in the enzyme solution [1% (w/v) cellulase R10, 0.25% (w/v) macerozyme R10, 0.4 M mannitol, 10 mM CaCl2, 20 mM KCl, 20 mM MES and 0.1% (w/v) BSA, pH 5.7] for 2 hours. In addition, we achieved high transfection efficiency of 83% via the polyethylene glycol (PEG)-mediated transformation with a green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged plasmid upon optimization. The crucial factors affecting transformation efficiency were optimized as follows: 3 μg of plasmid DNA, 5 min transfection time, PEG concentration at 40% and protoplast density of 100 × 104cells/ml. Furthermore, the established protoplast system was successfully applied for subcellular localization analysis of multiple fluorescent organelle markers and protein-protein interaction study. Taken together, we report a simple and efficient passion fruit protoplast isolation and transformation system, and demonstrate its usage in transient gene expression for the first time in passion fruit. The protoplast system would provide essential support for various passion fruit biology studies, including genome editing, gene function analysis and whole plant regeneration.
Analysts' identity negotiations and politeness behaviour in earnings calls of US firms with extreme earnings changes
Authors: Koller Veronika , Wu Xiaoxi
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Financial analysts' roles and incentives mean that they have conflicting identities to maintain towards investors and firm managers. The authors study how analysts adopt various politeness strategies in their questioning to establish socially desirable identities in the Q&A of publicly accessible earnings calls.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on a sample of US firms with extreme earnings changes. 46 transcripts of end-of-year earnings calls were investigated with the help of linguistic discourse analysis, drawing on frameworks of face and linguistic politeness. For each transcript, the authors identified the structure of the face-threatening acts (FTAs) that arise when analysts ask probing questions and ascertained what specific politeness strategies, if any, are used by analysts to mitigate those FTAs. The authors examine how analysts perform identities through politeness in language and compare analysts' politeness behaviour and identity construction in the increasing earnings sub-sample with the decreasing earnings sub-sample.

Findings

Analysts negotiate different identities according to specific social contexts, promoting their identity as (1) competent professionals when firms report problematic performance by asking questions in a confrontational manner with few politeness strategies and (2) dependents of the firm by asking questions in a more polite manner when firms experience satisfactory performance. Analysts aim to present a socially desirable face in Q&A to influence managers' and investors' perceptions.

Practical implications

The study raises awareness about linguistic politeness as a communication strategy in the Q&A in earnings calls. It thereby enables managers and analysts to use linguistic politeness consciously and strategically and to recognise such use by others.

Originality/value

This study complements existing literature on earnings conference calls as part of external corporate communications by focusing on analysts' use of language when interacting with manages. To the best of our knowledge, this paper is the first to show that politeness underpins analysts' language use as a device for identity negotiations. This is important to understand because analysts' identities vis-a-vis managers and investors is closely related to the stability of the financial system.
Random vibration-based virtual fatigue test for large-scale welded structures using frequency-domain structural stress method and its application to traction transformers
Authors: Tang Zimou , Yang Min , Xiao Jianxiong , Shen Zheng , Tang Liming , Wang Jibin
Published: June 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to present an engineering computational method for fatigue life evaluation of welded structures on large-scale equipment under random vibration load.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a case study of the traction transformers, virtual fatigue test (VFT) was proposed via numerical simulation approach. Static analysis was conducted to identify the risky zone and then dynamic response of the risky welds under random vibration load was calculated based on frequency-domain structural stress method (FDSSM) theory, life distribution and associated survivability at various locations of the structure were obtained. Structural modification was finally performed according to the evaluation results. Moreover, experimental test was carried out and compared with the virtual test result.

Findings

By applying the virtual test, fatigue life of the complex welded structures on large-scale equipment can be accurately and efficiently obtained considering dynamic effect under random vibration load. Meanwhile, risky welds can be directly determined and targeted modification scheme can be accordingly concluded. Validity of the VFT result was proved by comparing with the experimental test.

Originality/value

The proposed method can help obtain equivalent structural stress and fatigue life distribution of the welded structure at any position with various survivability and make quantitative evaluation on the life-extending effect of the structural modification. This method shows significant cost and efficiency advantages over experimental test during design stage of the large-scale structures in numerous manufacturing industries.
Entrepreneurial leadership fostering service innovation in the hospitality firms: the roles of knowledge acquisition, market-sensing capability and competitive intensity
Authors: Hoang Giang , Luu Tuan Trong , Nguyen Thuy Thu , Tang Thuy Thanh Thi , Pham Nhat Tan
Published: June 2023

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the effects of entrepreneurial leadership on service innovation in the hospitality industry and examine the mediating effects of market-sensing capability and knowledge acquisition. Additionally, the study explores the moderating role of competitive intensity in the relationships between market-sensing capability, knowledge acquisition and service innovation, drawing on the dynamic capability theory and resource dependence theory.

Design/methodology/approach

The data for this study were obtained from 322 employees and 137 leaders working in 103 hotels in Vietnam, using a time-lagged approach. The collected data were analyzed using structural equation modeling in SPSS Amos 28.

Findings

The results of this study reveal a significant positive association between entrepreneurial leadership and service innovation, with mediation effects observed through both knowledge acquisition and market-sensing capability. Moreover, the findings demonstrate that competitive intensity moderates the association between knowledge acquisition and service innovation.

Practical implications

The results of this study provide implications for hospitality firms to cultivate entrepreneurial leadership through leadership training and development programs and enhance their dynamic capabilities (i.e. market-sensing capability and knowledge acquisition) to allow them to survive and develop in a competitive market.

Originality/value

This study advances entrepreneurial leadership research in the hospitality context by identifying mediating and moderating mechanisms that translate entrepreneurial leadership into hospitality firms’ service innovation.
Entrepreneuring and family firms cofounders' familiness at work through rhetoric appeals
Authors: Anderson Alistair , Clipa Anca Maria , Fritzsche Albrecht , Clipa Catalin Ioan , Agheorghiesei Daniela Tatiana
Published: June 2023

Purpose

This research objective was to explore how Romanian IT family businesses' co-founders enable entrepreneuring through familiness practices. The authors explored what familiness practices emerge and how these are facilitated and supported by the rhetoric framework.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on Romanian IT entrepreneurs' practice from five case studies of IT family businesses and purposive revelatory cases, the authors considered the family co-founders' narratives and representations of familiness presented in 31 interviews.

Findings

The respondents' communication in entrepreneuring is a joint collaborative effort of the family co-founders to function well. Family entrepreneurs generate positive perceptions in favour of enterprising families using persuasive communication via rhetoric appeals to familiness ethos, familiness logos and familiness pathos, leading to constructive conflict management. The rhetoric of persuasion supports family entrepreneuring.

Research limitations/implications

The authors conducted multiple case studies, profiling technological co-founders and family entrepreneurs in the challenging circumstances of an emerging economy.

Practical implications

The analysis of the use of rhetoric contributes to a better understanding of familiness practices in the family business. Through appeals to ethos, family business entrepreneurs enforce family values built on shared history, complementarity and moral exemplarity. The appeals to logos in entrepreneuring involve fulfilling complementary roles, alignment and continuous learning and coaching. The appeals to pathos are about emotions and how the family entrepreneurs' discourse enforces constructive handling of emotions.

Social implications

The perceived familiness communicated through appeals to ethos, logos and pathos contributes to legitimating the family firm structures.

Originality/value

Theorising from family entrepreneurs' familiness practices, the authors suggest that entrepreneuring requires good communication of the representation of familiness for co-founders, employees and other stakeholders to also serve constructive conflict handling. The perceived familiness communicated through appeals to ethos, logos and pathos helps family businesses leverage their unique strengths and resources in the entrepreneuring process.
Strategic working capital management in response to a performance shock: evidence from the NOx Budget Trading Program
Authors: Moore Paula Hearn , Le Ben , Paul Donna L.
Published: June 2023

Purpose

This paper examines how manufacturing firms impacted by the nitrogen oxides (NOx) Budget Trading Program (NBP) strategically managed working capital to release funds for increased costs and mitigate the negative impact on firm performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses a panel data set including 11,302 manufacturing firm-year observations listed on the US exchanges during the period 2000–2008. The authors use Tobin's Q to proxy for firm performance, and cash holding, cash conversion cycle (CCC), days sales outstanding (DSO), days sales inventory (DSI) and days payable outstanding (DPO) for working capital management (WCM). The empirical analysis is conducted using both ordinary least squares (OLS) and propensity score matching (PSM) regressions.

Findings

The authors find that firms respond to the higher utility costs imposed by the NBP by decreasing CCC, DSO and DSI. This active WCM response partially mitigated the impact of increased compliance costs on performance for firms affected by the NBP. Results are robust in PSM regressions.

Research limitations/implications

Climate change is a global issue that has attracted increasing attention in recent years. This study shows how firms can adjust short-term financing strategies to address the costs of compliance with climate change regulation.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the emerging literature on corporate finance and climate policy actions. The authors use the unique experimental setting of the NBP to examine the regulatory impact on corporate financial management. The authors demonstrate how firms used active WCM to mitigate the negative performance impact of regulatory compliance with the NBP, providing novel insight on the implication of compliance with climate change legislation.
The depoliticisation of social policy through financial inclusion
Authors: Dodaro Maria , Bifulco Lavinia
Published: June 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore two financial inclusion measures adopted within the local welfare context of the city of Milan, Italy, examining their functioning and underpinning representations. The aim is also to understand how such representations take concrete shape in the practices of local actors, and their implications for the opportunities and constraints regarding individuals' effective inclusion. To this end, this paper takes a wide-ranging look at the interplay between the rise of financial inclusion and the individualisation and responsibilisation models informing welfare policies, within the broader context of financialisation processes overall.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper draws on the sociology of public action approach and provides a qualitative analysis of two case studies, a social microcredit service and a financial education programme, based on direct observation and semi-structured interviews conducted with key policy actors.

Findings

This paper sheds light on the rationale behind two financial inclusion services and illustrates how the instruments involved incorporate and tend to reproduce, individualising logics that reduce the problem of financial exclusion, and the social and economic vulnerability which underlies it, to a matter of personal responsibility, thus fuelling depoliticising tendencies in public action. It also discusses the contradictions underlying financial inclusion instruments, showing how local actors negotiate views and strategies on the problems to be addressed.

Originality/value

The paper makes an original contribution to the field of sociology and social policy by focusing on two under-researched instruments of financial inclusion and improving understanding of the finance-welfare state nexus and of the contradictions underpinning attempts at financial inclusion of the most vulnerable.
Knowledge-oriented leadership and organizational performance: modelling the mediating role of service innovation, knowledge sharing quality
Authors: Sahibzada Umar Farooq , Janjua Nadia Aslam , Muavia Muhammad , Aamir Suhaib
Published: June 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the link between knowledge-oriented leadership (KOL) and organizational performance (OP) at Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) both directly and indirectly through service innovation and knowledge-sharing quality.

Design/methodology/approach

This research used Smart PLS 4.0 to model structural equations using a sample comprising 237 academic staff from HEIs in China.

Findings

According to the study data, KOL has a negligible direct influence on organizational performance. The link between KOL and OP, on the other hand, is entirely mediated by the quality of knowledge sharing quality and service innovation.

Practical implications

The study results validate universities' experience with KOL and propose ways for academics at higher education institutions to prioritize the quality of knowledge sharing and service innovation, which in turn helps organizations function better in a volatile environment.

Originality/value

Despite the growing relevance of knowledge-oriented leadership in higher education, little research has been conducted to examine the mediating impact of numerous factors in the link between KOL and OP. The present research examines the link between knowledge-oriented leadership, the quality of knowledge sharing, service innovation and the performance of higher education institutions. The current study scientifically investigates the link between KOL and OP and offers insight into the existing literature by examining the mediating role of KSQ and SI.
Is housing becoming less affordable? A study of affordability in the Portuguese housing market
Authors: Fragoso Januário João , Oliveira Cruz Carlos , Varum Humberto , Faria e Sousa Vítor
Published: June 2023

Purpose

From the perspective of housing affordability, Portugal is an interesting case study, considering that Portugal ranks 5th in terms of price-to-income ratio and has experienced, since 2015, a significant increase in real estate prices.

Design/methodology/approach

The provision of housing is a critical social development factor. With the growing worldwide urbanization and the demand pressure over real estate in many cities, the problem of affordability has gained increase attention by policy makers. Housing affordability is hardly a new topic from a literature perspective, but the recent post-pandemic worldwide inflation growth has re-centered affordability as key topic in the housing agenda. This paper provides a comprehensive overview on past literature and a detailed analysis on the Portuguese market at the municipal level, by analyzing the changes in housing affordability in recent years.

Findings

Despite this growth, overall, affordability has improved. The study also shows the importance of municipal-level analysis, given the significant geographical differences. The authors' study confirms that many municipalities, outside metropolitan areas, exhibit low levels of affordability. Nevertheless, markets with higher average real estate values tend to exhibit even lower affordability, outpacing the higher levels of income.

Originality/value

Previous studies have focused on affordability issues on a national or highly aggregated level or focusing only on the two largest metropolitan areas in the country. This paper provides a deeper understanding on the inequalities of housing affordability between Portuguese municipalities.
Dynamic cyclic kitting part-feeding scheduling for mixed-model assembly line by a hybrid quantum-behaved particle swarm optimization
Authors: Zhou Binghai , Huang Yufan
Published: June 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to cut down energy consumption and eliminate production waste on mixed-model assembly lines. Therefore, a supermarket integrated dynamic cyclic kitting system with the application of electric vehicles (EVs) is introduced. The system resorts to just-in-time (JIT) and segmented sub-line assignment strategies, with the objectives of minimizing line-side inventory and energy consumption.

Design/methodology/approach

Hybrid opposition-based learning and variable neighborhood search (HOVMQPSO), a multi-objective meta-heuristics algorithm based on quantum particle swarm optimization is proposed, which hybridizes opposition-based learning methodology as well as a variable neighborhood search mechanism. Such algorithm extends the search space and is capable of obtaining more high-quality solutions.

Findings

Computational experiments demonstrated the outstanding performance of HOVQMPSO in solving the proposed part-feeding problem over the two benchmark algorithms non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm-II and quantum-behaved multi-objective particle swarm optimization. Additionally, using modified real-life assembly data, case studies are carried out, which imply HOVQMPSO of having good stability and great competitiveness in scheduling problems.

Research limitations/implications

The feeding problem is based on static settings in a stable manufacturing system with determined material requirements, without considering the occurrence of uncertain incidents. Current study contributes to assembly line feeding with EV assignment and could be modified to allow cooperation between EVs.

Originality/value

The dynamic cyclic kitting problem with sub-line assignment applying EVs and supermarkets is solved by an innovative HOVMQPSO, providing both novel part-feeding strategy and effective intelligent algorithm for industrial engineering.
Three cases of subcorneal pustular dermatosis with immunohistochemical examinations
Authors: Kishimoto Megumi , Komine Mayumi , Okada Hirofumi , Sato Atsuko , Kamiya Koji , Maekawa Takeo , Murata Satoru , Ohtsuki Mamitaro
Published: June 2023

Subcorneal pustular dermatosis, a rare, benign skin disease, is a type of neutrophilic dermatosis. The authors reported three cases of subcorneal pustular dermatosis. In case 1, a 9‐year‐old girl developed a skin rash with blisters following a mycoplasma infection and had a flare‐up due to a common cold. She was successfully treated with a topical corticosteroid. In case 2, a 70‐year‐old woman who had been treated for rheumatoid arthritis with adalimumab, salazosulfapyridine, and leflunomide developed 3‐ to 5‐mm pustules on her trunk and thighs 4 days after flu vaccination. The rash disappeared with drug withdrawal and treatment with diaminodiphenyl sulfone. In case 3, an 81‐year‐old man, who was diagnosed with pyoderma gangrenosum at 61 years old, developed multiple small flaccid pustules on his trunk and extremities due to an infection in the arteriovenous shunt area on the forearm. The pustule disappeared with intravenous antibiotic therapy; however, the pustules subsequently flared up along with ulcers typical of pyoderma gangrenosum. He was given oral prednisolone therapy, which was effective for the small pustules and some ulcers. Immunohistochemical examination of the three cases revealed neutrophilic infiltration in the subcorneal layer of the epidermis. The pustules contained neutrophils as well as some CD68+ and a few CD1a+ cells. The epidermis and dermis were more predominantly infiltrated by CD4+ cells than by CD8+ cells. Positive stainings for interleukin 8, interleukin 36γ, and phospho‐extracellular signal‐regulated kinases 1 and 2 were observed in the upper layers of the epidermis below the pustules. Although the pathogenesis of subcorneal pustular dermatosis has not been clarified, the current results suggest that a variety of inflammatory cells, including those responsible for both innate and acquired immunity, are involved in the accumulation of neutrophils in subcorneal pustular dermatosis.
Species interactions in the Anthropocene
Authors: Prugh Laura R.
Published: June 2023

Research Highlight: Van Scoyoc, A., Smith, J. A., Gaynor, K. M., Barker, K., & Brashares, J. S. (2023) The influence of human activity on predator–prey spatiotemporal overlap. Journal of Animal Ecology, https://doi.org/10.1111/1365‐2656.13892. Few corners of the globe remain untouched by humans, and thus nearly all wildlife communities are influenced by human activity. Van Scoyoc et al. (2023) present a framework that places predator–prey interactions explicitly within an anthropogenic context, revealing that predator–prey dyads fall into one of four categories depending on whether predators and prey are attracted to or avoid human activity. These responses can either increase or decrease overlap among species via divergent pathways, which can help to make sense of seemingly conflicting patterns from prior studies. Their framework facilitates hypothesis testing, which they demonstrate with a meta‐analysis of 178 predator–prey dyads from 19 camera trap studies. With evidence for each of the four pathways, yet some unexpected outcomes for temporal overlap among dyads, this review generates exciting questions and lays out a productive path forward to improve our understanding of species interactions in the Anthropocene.
Habitat restoration and the recovery of metacommunities
Authors: Gawecka Klementyna A. , Bascompte Jordi
Published: June 2023

Ecosystem restoration is becoming a widely recognised solution to the biodiversity crisis. However, there is still a gap between restoration science and practice. Specifically, we lack a theoretical framework that would improve our understanding of ecosystems' recovery and allow us to optimise restoration design.

Here, we narrow this gap by developing spatially explicit metacommunity models and studying the recovery dynamics of communities during restoration.

We show that community response depends on how damaged the landscape is prior to restoration, with highly fragmented landscapes imposing greater challenges to community recovery. In such cases, recovery depends on the type of interaction and the structure of the interaction network.

Furthermore, we demonstrate that community recovery can be maximised with careful spatial planning. Specifically, when recovering communities composed of antagonistic interactions, restoration should target areas adjacent to the most species‐rich sites. In the case of mutualistic communities, the same strategy should be adopted in the short term, whereas in the long term, restoration should be extended to sites that improve the overall connectivity of the landscape.

Synthesis and applications: Our results highlight the importance of considering interactions between species and spatial planning in restoration projects. Moreover, they provide insights into improving the efficiency of restoration and, thus, can help guide the design of restoration projects.
Local and landscape scale woodland cover and diversification of agroecological practices shape butterfly communities in tropical smallholder landscapes
Authors: Vogel Cassandra , Mayer Vera , Mkandawire Mwapi , Küstner Georg , Kerr Rachel Bezner , Krauss Jochen , Steffan‐Dewenter Ingolf
Published: June 2023

The conversion of biodiversity‐rich woodland to farmland and subsequent management has strong, often negative, impacts on biodiversity. In tropical smallholder agricultural landscapes, the impacts of agriculture on insect communities, both through habitat change and subsequent farmland management, is understudied. The use of agroecological practices has social and agronomic benefits for smallholders. Although ecological co‐benefits of agroecological practices are assumed, systematic empirical assessments of biodiversity effects of agroecological practices are missing, particularly in Africa.

In Malawi, we assessed butterfly abundance, species richness, species assemblages and community life‐history traits on 24 paired woodland and smallholder‐managed farmland sites located across a gradient of woodland cover within a 1 km radius. We tested whether habitat type (woodland vs. farmland) and woodland cover at the landscape scale interactively shaped butterfly communities. Farms varied in the implementation of agroecological pest and soil management practices and flowering plant species richness.

Farmland had lower butterfly abundances and approximately half the species richness than woodland. Farmland butterfly communities had, on average, a larger wingspan than woodland site communities. Surprisingly, higher woodland cover in the landscape had no effect on butterfly abundance in both habitats. In contrast, species richness was higher with higher woodland cover. Butterfly species assemblages were distinct between wood‐ and farmland and shifted across the woodland cover gradient.

Farmland butterfly abundance, but not species richness, was higher with higher flowering plant species richness on farms. Farms with a higher number of agroecological pest management practices had a lower abundance of the dominant butterfly species, but not of rarer species. However, a larger number of agroecological soil management practices was associated with a higher abundance of rarer species.

Synthesis and applications: We show that diversified agroecological soil practices and flowering plant richness enhanced butterfly abundance on farms. However, our results suggest that on‐farm measures cannot compensate for the negative effects of continued woodland conversion. Therefore, we call for more active protection of remaining African woodlands in tandem with promoting agroecological soil management practices and on‐farm flowering plant richness to conserve butterflies while benefiting smallholders.
Seasonality of top‐down control of bacterioplankton at two central Red Sea sites with different trophic status
Authors: Sabbagh Eman I. , Calleja Maria Ll. , Daffonchio Daniele , Morán Xosé Anxelu G.
Published: June 2023

The role of bottom‐up (nutrient availability) and top‐down (grazers and viruses mortality) controls on tropical bacterioplankton have been rarely investigated simultaneously from a seasonal perspective. We have assessed them through monthly samplings over 2 years in inshore and offshore waters of the central Red Sea differing in trophic status. Flow cytometric analysis allowed us to distinguish five groups of heterotrophic bacteria based on physiological properties (nucleic acid content, membrane integrity and active respiration), three groups of cyanobacteria (two populations of Synechococcus and Prochlorococcus), heterotrophic nanoflagellates (HNFs) and three groups of viruses based on nucleic acid content. The dynamics of bacterioplankton and their top‐down controls varied with season and location, being more pronounced in inshore waters. HNFs abundances showed a strong preference for larger prey inshore (r = −0.62 to −0.59, p = 0.001–0.002). Positive relationships between viruses and heterotrophic bacterioplankton abundances were more marked inshore (r = 0.67, p < 0.001) than offshore (r = 0.44, p = 0.03). The negative correlation between HNFs and viruses abundances (r = −0.47, p = 0.02) in shallow waters indicates a persistent seasonal switch between protistan grazing and viral lysis that maintains the low bacterioplankton stocks in the central Red Sea area.
Ammonia oxidation and nitrate reduction marker genes are key indicators of nitrogen losses in temperate forest catchments
Authors: Tahovská Karolina , Kaštovská Eva , Choma Michal , Čapek Petr , Bárta Jiří , Oulehle Filip
Published: June 2023

Chronic nitrogen inputs can alleviate N limitation and potentially impose N losses in forests, indicated by soil enrichment in 15N over 14N. However, the complexity of the nitrogen cycle hinders accurate quantification of N fluxes. Simultaneously, soil ecologists are striving to find meaningful indicators to characterise the “openness” of the nitrogen cycle. We integrate soil δ15N with constrained ecosystem N losses and the functional gene potential of the soil microbiome in 14 temperate forest catchments. We show that N losses are associated with soil δ15N and that δ15N scales with the abundance of soil bacteria. The abundance of the archaeal amoA gene, representing the first step in nitrification (ammonia oxidation to nitrite), followed by the abundance of narG and napA genes, associated with the first step in denitrification (nitrate reduction to nitrite), explains most of the variability in soil δ15N. These genes are more informative than the denitrification genes nirS and nirK, which are directly linked to N2O production. Nitrite formation thus appears to be the critical step associated with N losses. Furthermore, we show that the genetic potential for ammonia oxidation and nitrate reduction is representative of forest soil 15N enrichment and thus indicative of ecosystem N losses.
Cultural reflexivity and the referral problem: A discourse analysis of three initial sessions of intercultural couple therapy
Authors: Cadenhead Raphael A. , Fellin Lisa Chiara
Published: June 2023

Using a combination of macro‐ and micro‐analytic approaches in discourse analysis, this article examines transcripts from three initial sessions of DVD‐recorded conjoint couple therapy with an intercultural couple. We analyse the strategies of power employed by therapy participants to promote their preferred construction of the referral problem. Focusing on the intersections of gender, psychopathology and culture, we explore how wider sociocultural discourses play out in the micro‐context of participants' discursive exchanges. We also consider how the therapist's interventions privilege and marginalise client discourses in both strategic and unintended ways. This article offers some clinical techniques to address the dilemmas and difficulties identified in our analysis. We conclude by underscoring the value of reviewing recordings and transcripts of therapy dialogues to enhance cultural reflexivity.
Promoting foundational linguistic skills for reading development in young Chinese language learners: A 1‐year intervention study
Authors: Wong Yu Ka , Zang Xuan , Inoue Tomohiro
Published: June 2023

Background

Using a 1‐year longitudinal design, we evaluated the effectiveness of an intervention programme to improve reading attainments among Chinese‐as‐a‐second‐language (CSL) learners. Using the simple view of reading as a theoretical framework, the intervention focused on students' orthographic knowledge, word reading and listening comprehension to facilitate reading comprehension.

Method

A total of 186 Grade 4 CSL students (mean age = 9.22, SD = 0.56) participated in the study and were grouped into the treatment (N = 96) and control (N = 90) groups. A range of Chinese language and literacy skills were assessed before and after the intervention.

Results

The path analysis showed that the intervention significantly affected orthographic knowledge, word reading and listening comprehension directly and reading comprehension indirectly through the three componential skills after controlling for nonverbal reasoning, vocabulary and autoregressors.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that orthographic knowledge, word reading and listening comprehension may be promising targets for instructing young CSL learners.
Does using social media increase or decrease happiness? An empirical study of Facebook users in Taiwan
Authors: Lee Ming‐Hsuan , Liu Ya‐Ming , Yu Clarence
Published: June 2023

In 2022, approximately 90% of the entire population in Taiwan actively used social media. Although several studies have examined emotional changes among social media users in Taiwan, the endogeneity problem stemming from reverse causality has not been recognized and properly addressed. Therefore, this study examines the effect of social media usage on negative emotions using ‘the frequency of using mobile phones as opposed to landline phones’ and ‘the frequency of using the Internet to run errands’ as instrumental variables for social media usage. Using data collected from the 2017 ‘Taiwan Social Change Survey’, our estimation results showed that Facebook usage significantly increased the frequency with which users experienced negative emotions, including envy, feelings of inferiority, and depression. The findings suggested that the negative emotions caused by social comparison via social media likely outweighed the happiness derived from social media, resulting in Facebook users experiencing more negative emotions. One important implication of our study is that reducing social media usage can alleviate mood swings.