bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Negative density dependence promotes persistence of a globally rare yet locally abundant plant species (Oenothera coloradensis)
Authors: Stears Alice E. , Heidel Bonnie , Paniw Maria , Salguero-Gómez Roberto , Laughlin Daniel C.
Published: October 2023

Identifying the mechanisms underlying the persistence of rare species has long been a motivating question for ecologists. Classical theory implies that community dynamics should be driven by common species, and that natural selection should not allow small populations of rare species to persist. Yet, a majority of the species found on Earth are rare. Consequently, several mechanisms have been proposed to explain their persistence, including negative density dependence, demographic compensation, vital rate buffering, asynchronous responses of sub-populations to environmental heterogeneity, and fine-scale source-sink dynamics. Persistence of seeds in a seed bank, which is often ignored in models of population dynamics, can also buffer small populations against collapse.

We used integral projection models (IPMs) to examine the population dynamics ofOenothera coloradensis, a rare, monocarpic perennial forb, and determine whether any of five proposed demographic mechanisms for rare species persistence contribute to the long-term viability of two populations. We also evaluated how including a discrete seed bank stage changed population models for this species.

Including a seed bank stage in population models had a significant positive impact on modeledO. coloradensispopulation growth rate. Using IPMs that included a discrete seedbank state, we found that negative density-dependence was the only supported mechanism for the persistence of this rare species.

Synthesis: IPMs of two populations of the rare speciesO. coloradensisemphasize the importance of including cryptic life stages such as seed banks in demographic models, but fail to provide strong support for most of the proposed mechanisms of rare species persistence. We propose that high micro-site abundance in a spatially heterogeneous environment enables this species to persist, allowing it to sidestep the demographic and genetic challenges of small population size that rare species typically face. These results emphasize that globally rare species can employ many different strategies for persistence, including the somewhat counter-intuitive phenomenon of local abundance. This reinforces the need for customized management and conservation strategies that mirror the diversity of mechanisms that allow rare species persistence.
Lagged climate-driven range shifts at species’ leading, but not trailing, range edges revealed by multispecies seed addition experiment
Authors: Goodwin Katie J.A. , Chardon Nathalie I. , Pradhan Kavya , Hille Ris Lambers Janneke , Angert Amy L.
Published: October 2023

Climate change is causing many species’ ranges to shift upslope to higher elevations as species track their climatic requirements. However, many species have not shifted in pace with recent warming (i.e., ‘range stasis’), possibly due either to demographic lags or microclimatic buffering. The ‘lagged-response hypothesis’ posits that range stasis disguises an underlying climatic sensitivity if range shifts lag the velocity of climate change due to slow colonization or mortality. Alternatively, the ‘microclimatic buffering hypothesis’ proposes that small-scale variation within the landscape, such as canopy cover, creates patches of suitable habitat within otherwise unsuitable macroclimates that create climate refugia and buffer range contractions. To test these two hypotheses, we combined a large seed addition experiment of 25 plant species across macro- and micro-scale climate gradients with local herbaria records to compare patterns of seedling recruitment relative to adult ranges and microclimate in the North Cascades, USA. Despite high species-to-species variability in recruitment, community-level patterns supported the lagged response hypothesis, with a mismatch between where recruitment vs. adults occur. On average, the seedling recruitment optimum shifted from the adult climatic range centre to historically cooler, wetter regions and many species recruited beyond their cold (e.g., leading) range edge. Meanwhile, successful recruitment at warm and dry edges, despite recent climate change, suggests that macroclimatic effects on recruitment do not drive trailing range dynamics. By contrast, we were unable to detect evidence of microclimatic buffering due to canopy cover. Combined, our results suggest apparent range stasis in our system is a lagged response to climate change at the cool ends of species ranges, with range expansions likely to occur slowly or in a punctuated fashion.
Virome analysis provides new insights into the pathogenesis mechanism and treatment of SLE disease
Authors: Wu Yifan , Zhang Zhiyuan , Liu Xun , Qiu Ye , Ge Xingyi , Miao Zhichao , Meng Xiangxian , Peng Yousong
Published: October 2023

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multi-system autoimmune disease. Many viruses have been reported to be associated with SLE, but the diversity of the virome in SLE and the mechanisms underlying the interactions between viral infection and SLE are still unclear. This study identified ten human virus species from 826 RNA-Seq samples of human blood from 688 SLE patients and 138 healthy controls. SLE patients were found to have higher positive rates of viruses than healthy controls, although the virus abundances were low and comparable in both SLE patients and healthy controls. Analysis of the antiviral interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) in samples showed higher ISG expression levels in virus-positive samples compared to virus-negative samples, which confirmed viral infections in virus-positive samples. Further analysis of differential expression genes between virus-positive and negative SLE patients showed that several genes that were up-regulated in SLE patients were further up-regulated after viral infections, and they were mainly enriched in immune response-related biological processes, suggesting an excess immune response in SLE patients after viral infections. Finally, three marker genes of the SLE severity, namely STAT1, STAT5A, and STAT5B, showed higher expression levels in virus-positive SLE patients compared to those in virus-negative SLE patients, suggesting that viral infections may aggravate the SLE disease. Overall, the study deepens our understanding of the association between viruses and SLE and provides new insights into prevention and control of the disease.
Noise-induced changes in rat head stability and orientation correlate with dysfunction of otolith irregular afferents
Authors: Niwa Mamiko , Bauer David , Anderson Marie , Kanicki Ariane , Keller Katharine , Altschuler Richard A. , Stewart Courtney E. , King W. Michael
Published: October 2023

Exposure to intense noise damages both the cochlea and vestibular end organs. Our group previously reported attenuated vestibular short-latency evoked potentials (VsEP) and reduced numbers of calretinin-positive (CR+) calyces in the saccule following noise exposure. Here, we examined rats’ resting head orientation with respect to gravity as well as head stability following a 4-hour exposure to 120 dB SPL noise. We also assessed how behavioral changes are related to changes in VsEP waveforms and calretinin expression in the utricle and saccule to elucidate potential underlying mechanisms. We found significant reductions in the P2N2 and N2P3 amplitudes following noise exposure. The number of CR+ calyces in both saccule and utricle were also significantly reduced. The size of the reduction in N2P3 amplitude was significantly correlated to the number of CR+ calyces. Animals with a greater loss of CR+ calyces in the utricle following noise showed significant decreases in the average speed of y-axis rotational head motion, while those with a fewer loss of CR+ calyces showed significant increases. In addition, animals with larger noise-induced changes in VsEP and CR+ calyces held their heads motionless longer following noise exposure. We hypothesize that noise exposure is inherently destructive to an animal’s head stability and thereby manifests as an increase in average head speed in mildly to moderately affected animals. But when the damage was large enough, animals exhibited reduced duration and head motion speed as a behavioral adaptation. The noise exposure also significantly altered the pitch angle of head orientation in animals who had the largest reduction in CR+ calyces in the saccule, suggesting that saccular irregular afferents, including those that are CR+, are critical in control of head and body posture.
Structural variant calling and clinical interpretation in 6224 unsolved rare disease exomes
Authors: Demidov German , Laurie Steven , Torella Annalaura , Piluso Giulio , Scala Marcello , Morleo Manuela , Nigro Vincenzo , Graessner Holm , Banka Siddharth ,   Solve-RD consortium, Lohmann Katja , Ossowski Stephan
Published: October 2023

Structural variants (SVs), including large deletions, duplications, inversions, translocations, and complex SVs have the potential to disrupt gene function resulting in rare disease. Nevertheless, current pipelines and clinical decision support systems for exome sequencing (ES) tend to focus on small alterations such as single nucleotide variants (SNVs) and insertions-deletions shorter than 50 base pairs (indels). Additionally, detection and interpretation of large copy-number variants (CNVs) are frequently performed. However, detection of other types of SVs in ES data is hampered by the difficulty of identifying breakpoints in off-target (intergenic or intronic) regions, which makes robust identification of SVs challenging. In this paper, we demonstrate the utility of SV calling in ES resulting in a diagnostic yield of 0.4% (23 out of 5,825 probands) for a large cohort of unsolved patients collected by the Solve-RD consortium. Remarkably, 8 out of 23 pathogenic SV were not found by comprehensive read-depth-based CNV analysis, resulting in a 0.13% increased diagnostic value.
Social buffering switches fear to safety encoding by oxytocin recruitment of central amygdala “buffer neurons”
Authors: Hegoburu Chloe , Tang Yan , Niu Ruifang , Ghosh Supriya , Del Rio Rodrigo Triana , Salgado Isabel , Abatis Marios , Caseiro David Mota , den Burg Erwin H. van , Grundschober Christophe , Stoop Ron
Published: October 2023

The presence of a companion can reduce fear, but the precise neural mechanisms underlying this social buffering of fear (SBF) are incompletely known. We studied SBF encoding in the amygdala of rats that were fear-conditioned (FC) to auditory conditioned stimuli (CS). Pharmacological, opto,- and/or chemogenetic interventions showed that oxytocin (OT) signaling from hypothalamus-to-central amygdala (CeA) projections was required for acute fear reduction in the presence, and SBF retention 24h later in the absence of the companion. Single-unit recordings with optetrodes revealed fear-encoding CeA neurons (characterized by increased CS responses after FC) were inhibited by SBF and blue light (BL) stimulation of OTergic projections. Other CeA neurons developed CS responses only after SBF that persisted during SBF retention. Their baseline activity was enhanced by BL and exposure to the companion. SBF thus switches the CS from encoding “fear” to “safety” by OT-mediated recruitment of a distinct group of CeA “buffer neurons”.
The ADEPT service quality model and distinct perceived value for strategic marketing management: the moderating effect of knowledge-learning experience
Authors: Lee Dae Hui
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The first purpose of this study is to identify the suitability of a framework that includes ADEPT (i.e. ambience, delivery, environment, product and technology) service quality constructs, distinct perceived value and customer satisfaction. The second purpose is to not only observe specified connectivity in a comprehensive and complex structural model but also reveal key mediators for better linkages. The third purpose is to detect any moderating effects of the knowledge-learning experience between ADEPT constructs and satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

The causal relationships, mediating effects and moderating effects were analyzed using partial least squares-based structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).

Findings

Based on the ADEPT value-added framework, the higher the ADEPT service quality constructs, the more satisfied the general attendees are through the distinct mediating role of perceived value. Moreover, the influence of service delivery on satisfaction is strengthened with high-level knowledge-learning experiences.

Originality/value

The optimized fit of the ADEPT service quality constructs that are significantly linked to distinct perceived value was theoretically conceptualized and empirically identified in this work. The complex connections and degrees of significant influence throughout the entire process of the ADEPT constructs, distinct perceived value and satisfaction serve here as the basis (i.e. framework) for establishing strategic marketing management in exhibitions. Furthermore, the knowledge-learning experience acts as a key moderator to further increase satisfaction.
Accelerating the modernization of agriculture and rural areas in China
Authors: Liu Mingguo , Fang Xiangming , Ren Jingru
Published: October 2023

Purpose

This study aims to identify the importance of agricultural and rural modernization and propose ways to accelerate such modernization.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors systematically examine the crucial role that the modernization of agriculture and rural areas plays in China, discuss the current issues in China's modernization from the perspective of agricultural and rural fields and propose practical measures to accelerate agricultural and rural modernization.

Findings

This study emphasizes the importance of China's agricultural and rural modernization in five aspects: the significance inherent in theories and experiences, the high complexity of the modernization work, the extreme difficulty of the task, the particular sluggishness of the process and its specific impact on the overall development. Numerous shortcomings in domestic agriculture and rural areas have been identified. The following actions can help achieve modernization: strengthening strategic leadership, providing policy support and constructing supportive measures.

Originality/value

This paper summarizes the significance of agricultural and rural modernization, highlights the issues regarding such modernization and suggests effective solutions.
Intelligent inspection of appearance quality for precast concrete components based on improved YOLO model and multi-source data
Authors: Liang Yangze , Xu Zhao
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Monitoring of the quality of precast concrete (PC) components is crucial for the success of prefabricated construction projects. Currently, quality monitoring of PC components during the construction phase is predominantly done manually, resulting in low efficiency and hindering the progress of intelligent construction. This paper presents an intelligent inspection method for assessing the appearance quality of PC components, utilizing an enhanced you look only once (YOLO) model and multi-source data. The aim of this research is to achieve automated management of the appearance quality of precast components in the prefabricated construction process through digital means.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper begins by establishing an improved YOLO model and an image dataset for evaluating appearance quality. Through object detection in the images, a preliminary and efficient assessment of the precast components' appearance quality is achieved. Moreover, the detection results are mapped onto the point cloud for high-precision quality inspection. In the case of precast components with quality defects, precise quality inspection is conducted by combining the three-dimensional model data obtained from forward design conversion with the captured point cloud data through registration. Additionally, the paper proposes a framework for an automated inspection platform dedicated to assessing appearance quality in prefabricated buildings, encompassing the platform's hardware network.

Findings

The improved YOLO model achieved a best mean average precision of 85.02% on the VOC2007 dataset, surpassing the performance of most similar models. After targeted training, the model exhibits excellent recognition capabilities for the four common appearance quality defects. When mapped onto the point cloud, the accuracy of quality inspection based on point cloud data and forward design is within 0.1 mm. The appearance quality inspection platform enables feedback and optimization of quality issues.

Originality/value

The proposed method in this study enables high-precision, visualized and automated detection of the appearance quality of PC components. It effectively meets the demand for quality inspection of precast components on construction sites of prefabricated buildings, providing technological support for the development of intelligent construction. The design of the appearance quality inspection platform's logic and framework facilitates the integration of the method, laying the foundation for efficient quality management in the future.
Influence of blockchain adoption barriers and drivers on potential application areas in the construction lifecycle: partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) approach
Authors: Oyewobi Luqman , Okanlawon Taofeek Tunde , Ibrahim Kabir , Jimoh Richard Ajayi
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The construction industry faces public criticism for issues like wastefulness, inefficiency, slim profits, scheduling setbacks, budget overruns, quality concerns, trust deficits, transparency, coordination, communication and fraud. This paper aims to assess the nexus between barriers and drivers for adopting blockchain in construction and its impact on construction lifecycle.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative research approach was used to collect data using a well-structured questionnaire survey. The survey, which used snowball sampling, included 155 Nigerian construction experts that included architects, builders, quantity surveyors and engineers in the built environment. The data were analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM), which allowed for a thorough evaluation of the proposed relationships as well as industry-specific insights.

Findings

The study's findings validate the conceptual framework established. The results indicate that implementing blockchain across all stages of construction projects has the potential to improve the construction process by 88.2% through its drivers. However, there were no significant relationships found between the barriers to adopting blockchain and the potential application areas in the construction lifecycle.

Research limitations/implications

This research was carried out in the South-western which is one of the six geo-political zones/regions in Nigeria, using a cross-sectional survey method. The study did not investigate the interdependence of the identified categories of drivers and barriers, limiting a comprehensive understanding of the complex dynamics and interactions influencing blockchain adoption in construction. The study is expected to stimulate further exploration and generate new insights on how blockchain technology (BT) can influence various stages of the construction lifecycle.

Practical implications

The findings will be immensely beneficial to both professionals and practitioners in the Nigerian construction industry in learning about the potential of BT application in improving the construction lifecycle.

Originality/value

This paper developed and assessed a conceptual framework by investigating the interrelationships between the constructs. The findings have important implications for the construction industry, as they offer opportunities to improve the construction process and overall lifecycle. The findings are useful for researchers interested in the potential impact of BT on the construction lifecycle and its wider implications.
Do shareholders appreciate the audit committee and auditor moderation? Evidence from sustainability reporting
Authors: Kuzey Cemil , Elbardan Hany , Uyar Ali , Karaman Abdullah S.
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the association between sustainability reporting (SR) and firm value considering the moderating effect of audit committee (AC) quality and auditor tenure on this association.

Design/methodology/approach

The data for the study comprise 41,500 firm-year observations worldwide between 2007 and 2018 drawing on ten main sectors. The authors run a country-industry-year fixed effect regression and address endogeneity concerns with further methodologies.

Findings

First, the authors find that SR is significantly and positively associated with both firm value and industry-adjusted firm value. Further tests revealed that the baseline findings hold for SR assurance and the Global Reporting Initiative framework as well. Second, the moderation analysis outlined the significant moderating role that the AC assumes. More specifically, AC independence and expertise were found to strengthen the value relevance of SR. Third, the market also appreciates the moderation of auditor tenure in SR.

Practical implications

Investors appreciate greater corporate transparency which means that sustainability reports are likely to reduce information asymmetry and thereby agency conflicts. In addition, the moderation analyses imply that shareholders consider AC quality while they attach value to corporate sustainability reports. Hence, the structure of the auditing function appears to perform an implicit assurance role in the value relevance of sustainability reports. In line with these implications, corporations can review and re-design their auditing function and decide whether or not they will attest to sustainability reports given that AC independence and expertise and auditor tenure predict this decision.

Originality/value

The study highlights the audit function’s growing role beyond financial reporting and suggests implications for ACs and auditors in ensuring shareholders about the credibility of SR.
The effect of IFRS convergence on risk disclosure: an investigation into the Indian accounting system
Authors: R. Saravanan , Firoz Mohammad , Dalal Sumit
Published: October 2023

Purpose

This study aims to empirically investigate the effect of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) convergence on corporate risk disclosure, with a particular emphasis on the quantity and coverage of risk information. The research also conducts economic benefit and cost analysis to investigate the economic implications that may arise from the transition to IFRS reporting.

Design/methodology/approach

A content analysis approach is used to measure two broader dimensions of risk disclosure, namely, risk disclosure quantity and risk topic coverage. Furthermore, using firm-fixed effect regression on a sample of 143 Indian-listed companies, this study investigates the variations in these risk disclosure dimensions before (2012–2016) and subsequent to (2017–2021) the convergence with IFRS.

Findings

The empirical results of this research demonstrate that IFRS convergence has led to a significant improvement in firms’ risk disclosure across several dimensions. Particularly, during the post-IFRS period, firms’ usage of risk-related words and sentences has considerably surged in MD&A, Notes and whole annual reports. In addition, upon IFRS convergence, firms’ risk descriptions have become more extensive and evenly distributed across risk topic categories. Moreover, the in-depth benefit and cost analysis revealed that firms reporting under IFRS benefit from decreased cost of equity capital, but they also incur a higher cost of audit fees.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature in two ways. First, this is the only study, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, to conduct a broader examination of the impact of mandatory IFRS convergence on corporate risk disclosure, with a major focus on quantity and coverage of risk information. Second, by conducting economic benefit and cost analysis, this study provides novel insights into the critical role of IFRS risk disclosures toward multiple economic outcomes.
Experiences in a wine tourism destination from the visitors’ perspective
Authors: Amaral Marcia Mariluz , Kuhn Vitor Roslindo , dos Anjos Sara Joana Gadotti , Flores Luiz Carlos da Silva
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The objective of this study is to analyze the experiences in wine tourism according to narratives shared by the visitors themselves. Furthermore, this study aims to examine the levels of intensity associated with these experiences within a wine destination, considering the segmentation of visitors.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a mixed-methods approach to analyze data, incorporating a deductive process followed by content analysis. Data collection procedures include a bibliographic review and a data survey conducted through netnography research to analyze 954 visitor reviews on TripAdvisor shared by visitors to Vale dos Vinhedos. Also, statistical analysis is performed to assess whether there are any significant variations in attribute citations among different market segmentation profiles.

Findings

The study’s discoveries indicate that there are no significant differences in intensity among profile segments for the dimensions of entertainment, aesthetics, educational and interactions, unlike escapism. The findings reveal that attributes such as “winery,” “wine,” “products and services” and “landscape” are essential for all visitors. In addition, the study shows that social interactions in the wine tourism destination are not as significant as previously assumed.

Originality/value

This research study constitutes a methodological advancement in the field of market segmentation using electronic word-of-mouth data. It provides crucial insights into the experiential nuances of the research locus and the varying degrees of these experiences in relation to visitor segmentation. Additionally, the contributions of this study are not only of theoretical importance but also hold practical implications for market segmentation strategies.
Aesthetic atmospheres and their affordances in urban squares
Authors: Eronen Minna
Published: October 2023

Purpose

This study aims to explore aesthetic atmospheres and their affordances in urban squares to advance knowledge on the research and design of attractive living environments.

Design/methodology/approach

Descriptions of pleasant and unpleasant experiences of urban squares were collected using qualitative questionnaires with open-ended questions. The theoretical framework and the lens of aesthetic affordances were applied to pinpoint and understand the connections between the place attributes and experiences.

Findings

This study found four distinct aesthetic atmospheres formed by perceived synergies of both the material and immaterial aspects of the environment. It was also found that the atmospheres may shift. A model that shows the aesthetic atmospheres and their potential affordances as layered and emerging is presented.

Research limitations/implications

Everyday aesthetics considered as affordances open new research perspectives for the understanding of what generates attractive living environments – or not.

Practical implications

Aesthetics affordances may provide the design professionals and alike means on how to design places that engender specific aesthetic atmosphere.

Social implications

Gathering and discussing commonplace aesthetic experiences in everyday life may enhance democratic participation in place development among people with different levels of design expertise.

Originality/value

This study combines theories of place with a novel concept of aesthetic affordances to identify distinct aesthetic atmospheres. A holistic overview structure of how the various constituents of aesthetic atmospheres relate to each other provides new ways of studying and understanding urban aesthetic atmospheres.
Earlier springs increase goose breeding propensity and nesting success at Arctic but not at temperate latitudes
Authors: Boom Michiel P. , Schreven Kees H. T. , Buitendijk Nelleke H. , Moonen Sander , Nolet Bart A. , Eichhorn Götz , van der Jeugd Henk P. , Lameris Thomas K.
Published: October 2023

Intermittent breeding is an important tactic in long‐lived species that trade off survival and reproduction to maximize lifetime reproductive success. When breeding conditions are unfavourable, individuals are expected to skip reproduction to ensure their own survival.

Breeding propensity (i.e. the probability for a mature female to breed in a given year) is an essential parameter in determining reproductive output and population dynamics, but is not often studied in birds because it is difficult to obtain unbiased estimates. Breeding conditions are especially variable at high latitudes, potentially resulting in a large effect on breeding propensity of Arctic‐breeding migratory birds, such as geese.

With a novel approach, we used GPS‐tracking data to determine nest locations, breeding propensity and nesting success of barnacle geese, and studied how these varied with breeding latitude and timing of arrival on the breeding grounds relative to local onset of spring.

Onset of spring at the breeding grounds was a better predictor of breeding propensity and nesting success than relative timing of arrival. At Arctic latitudes (>66° N), breeding propensity decreased from 0.89 (95% CI: 0.65–0.97) in early springs to 0.22 (95% CI: 0.06–0.55) in late springs, while at temperate latitudes, it varied between 0.75 (95% CI: 0.38–0.93) and 0.89 (95% CI: 0.41–0.99) regardless of spring phenology. Nesting success followed a similar pattern and was lower in later springs at Arctic latitudes, but not at temperate latitudes. In early springs, a larger proportion of geese started breeding despite arriving late relative to the onset of spring, possibly because the early spring enabled them to use local resources to fuel egg laying and incubation.

While earlier springs due to climate warming are considered to have mostly negative repercussions on reproductive success through phenological mismatches, our results suggest that these effects may partly be offset by higher breeding propensity and nesting success.
Mitigating greenhouse gas emissions on Dutch dairy farms. An efficiency analysis incorporating the circularity principle.
Authors: Wang Scarlett , Ang Frederic , Oude Lansink Alfons
Published: October 2023

Circular agriculture is vital to achieve a substantial reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Optimizing resources and land use are an essential circularity principle. The objective of this article is to assess the extent to which land optimization can simultaneously reduce GHG emissions and increase production on dairy farms. In addition, we explore the potential reduction of GHG emissions under four different pathways. The empirical application combines the network Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) with the by‐production approach. This study focuses on a representative sample of Dutch dairy farms over the period of 2010–2019. Our results suggest that farms can simultaneously increase production and reduce GHG emissions by both 5.1%. However, only 0.6% can be attributed to land optimization. The land optimization results show that on average 25.3% of total farm size should be allocated to cropland, which is 6.7% more than the actual land allocation. GHG emissions could be reduced by 11.79% without changing the level of inputs and outputs. This can be achieved by catching up with the mitigation practices of the best performing peers.
Adult neurogenesis research in China
Authors: Luo Xing , Xu Mingyue , Guo Weixiang
Published: October 2023

Neural stem cells are multipotent stem cells that generate functional newborn neurons through a process called neurogenesis. Neurogenesis in the adult brain is tightly regulated and plays a pivotal role in the maintenance of brain function. Disruption of adult neurogenesis impairs cognitive function and is correlated with numerous neurologic disorders. Deciphering the mechanisms underlying adult neurogenesis not only advances our understanding of how the brain functions, but also offers new insight into neurologic diseases and potentially contributes to the development of effective treatments. The field of adult neurogenesis is experiencing significant growth in China. Chinese researchers have demonstrated a multitude of factors governing adult neurogenesis and revealed the underlying mechanisms of and correlations between adult neurogenesis and neurologic disorders. Here, we provide an overview of recent advancements in the field of adult neurogenesis due to Chinese scientists.
Do zombie firms affect healthy firms' exporting? Evidence from China
Authors: Bu Jing , Du Julan , Pi Jiancai
Published: October 2023

This paper empirically investigates whether zombie firms affect healthy firms' exporting. Using the 1998–2007 Chinese firm‐level dataset, we provide strong evidence that zombie firms significantly decrease exports of healthy firms in each city‐industry cluster, that is, both whether to export and export values are affected by zombie firms. Specifically, non‐stated‐owned enterprises (non‐SOEs) are more vulnerable to the effect than their SOE counterparts. In addition, we also identify government subsidies, financial resources and total factor productivity as the sources of the effect, and the heterogeneous export performances of different types of firms are due to the variation in these sources.
Non‐CEO executives' intraorganizational competition incentives and corporate labour investment efficiency
Authors: Li Zhe , Wang Bo
Published: October 2023

This study examines the impact of non‐Chief Executive Officer (non‐CEO) executives' intraorganizational promotion‐based incentives, also known as tournament incentives, on corporate labour investment efficiency. We find that tournament incentives lead to inefficient labour investment, measured as the absolute deviation from optimal net hiring warranted by firm fundamentals. This positive relationship is weakened when non‐CEO executives are less eager to compete in the tournament. Mediating analysis demonstrates that reduced team cohesion, captured by non‐CEO executive turnover, mediates the relationship between tournament incentives and labour investment inefficiency. Our evidence is consistent with the dysfunctional view of tournament incentives and highlights the importance of non‐CEO executives' incentives in corporate labour investment.
Evidence of a pheromone involved in the behaviour ofDrosophila suzukiiMatsumura (Diptera: Drosophilidae)
Authors: Lima Itzel , Tadeo Eduardo , Remedios‐Mendoza María , Martínez‐Hernández María de Jesús , Ruiz‐Montiel Cesar
Published: October 2023

Recent findings have documented the importance of (Z)‐11‐octadecenyl acetate (cVA) in the melanogaster group as a sex pheromone that regulates several sexual and social behaviours. However, this pheromone is missing inDrosophila suzukii, thus posing the question of whether it could have been replaced by another compound similar to cVA. Olfactory responses ofD. suzukiifemales and males to conspecific volatiles in laboratory and field trails suggest the existence of a pheromone. Females attracted more females and males than the control. In field trials, both sexes were successfully captured in traps baited with conspecifics. Females were attracted to conspecific females and males. Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry of volatiles showed that both sexes released 18 compounds, including Z‐9‐tricosene, hexacosane and heneicosane. Our results suggest that these compounds may influence the behaviour ofD. suzukiiand can act as sex or aggregation pheromones.
Proactive coping with discrimination: A mediator between ethnic‐racial socialization and Latinx youth's internalizing symptoms
Authors: Salcido Valerie V. , Stein Gabriela L.
Published: October 2023

There is a dearth of knowledge in the coping literature on how minoritized youth cope with racism‐related stressors and the predictors of effective coping responses. This two‐wave study examined the direct and indirect effects of ethnic‐racial socialization on depressive and anxiety symptoms via proactive coping with discrimination in a community sample of 135 Latinx adolescents (Mage = 16, SD = 1.27; 59% female). Results indicate that cultural socialization was related to higher use of proactive coping with discrimination 6 months later, which in turn, was related to fewer depressive and anxiety symptoms. There were no direct or indirect effects between preparation for bias and mental health outcomes.
From luddite to luminary: Implementing technology in healthcare education
Authors: Kassutto Stacey , Tsao Suzana , Bennett Nadia L.
Published: October 2023

The potential for technology to transform healthcare education is boundless. Here, Kassutto, Tsao, and Bennett offer thoughts on how we must engage and embrace the possibility of change rather than ignore it.
The Fertility Revolution of the Arab Countries Following the Arab Spring
Authors: Winckler Onn
Published: October 2023

While the Arab Spring was primarily a revolution of young civilians against the old regimes, its influence on fertility patterns and natalist policies has not received sufficient attention. The first part of this article examines fertility in Arab countries on the eve of the uprisings, and the second looks into the patterns from the decade following the onset of the protests through the outbreak of Covid‐19. The third part analyzes the impact of the Arab Spring on the states’ natalist policies, and the final section deals with the socioeconomic challenges imposed by the current demographic structures of these countries. The conclusion is that during the 2010s, the non‐oil Arab countries went through two fertility revolutions, with an increase in the first few years and a substantial decrease after. Will the Arab states achieve the targeted replacement‐level fertility rate, as was the case in many developing countries around the world over the past generation, including many non‐Arab Islamic countries? And what are the socioeconomic and political consequences of this fertility revolution in the Arab countries?
Mitochondrial‐targeting effector RsIA_CtaG/Cox11 in Rhizoctonia solani AG‐1 IA has two functions: plant immunity suppression and cell death induction mediated by a rice cytochrome c oxidase subunit
Authors: Zhang Danhua , Lin Runmao , Yamamoto Naoki , Wang Zhaoyilin , Lin Hui , Okada Kazunori , Liu Yao , Xiang Xing , Zheng Tengda , Zheng Haoxi , Yi Xiaoqun , Noutoshi Yoshiteru , Zheng Aiping
Published: October 2023

Rhizoctonia solani AG‐1 IA causes a necrotrophic rice disease and is a serious threat to rice production. To date, only a few effectors have been characterized in AG‐1 IA. We previously identified RsIA_CtaG/Cox11 and showed that infiltration of the recombinant protein into rice leaves caused disease‐like symptoms. In the present study, we further characterized the functionality of RsIA_CtaG/Cox11. RsIA_CtaG/Cox11 is an alternative transcript of cytochrome c oxidase copper chaperone Cox11 that starts from the second AUG codon, but contains a functional secretion signal peptide. RNA interference with RsIA_CtaG/Cox11 reduced the pathogenicity of AG‐1 IA towards rice and Nicotiana benthamiana without affecting its fitness or mycelial morphology. Transient expression of the RsIA_CtaG/Cox11‐GFP fusion protein demonstrated the localization of RsIA_CtaG/Cox11 to mitochondria. Agro‐infiltration of RsIA_CtaG/Cox11 into N. benthamiana leaves inhibited cell death by BAX and INF1. In contrast to rice, agro‐infiltration of RsIA_CtaG/Cox11 did not induce cell death in N. benthamiana. However, cell death was observed when it was coinfiltrated with Os_CoxVIIa, which encodes a subunit of cytochrome c oxidase. Os_CoxVIIa appeared to interact with RsIA_CtaG/Cox11. The cell death triggered by coexpression of RsIA_CtaG/Cox11 and Os_CoxVIIa is independent of the leucine‐rich repeat receptor kinases BAK1/SOBIR1 and enhanced the susceptibility of N. benthamiana to AG‐1 IA. Two of the three evolutionarily conserved cysteine residues at positions 25 and 126 of RsIA_CtaG/Cox11 were essential for its immunosuppressive activity, but not for cell death induction. This report suggests that RsIA_CtaG/Cox11 appears to have a dual role in immunosuppression and cell death induction during pathogenesis.
Effects of IL‐34 and anti‐IL‐34 neutralizing mAb on alveolar bone loss in a ligature‐induced model of periodontitis
Authors: Duarte Carolina , Yamada Chiaki , Ngala Bidii , Garcia Christopher , Akkaoui Juliet , Birsa Maxim , Ho Anny , Nusbaum Amilia , AlQallaf Hawra , John Vanchit , Movila Alexandru
Published: October 2023

Macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (M‐CSF) and interleukin‐34 (IL‐34) are ligands for the colony‐stimulating factor‐1  receptor (CSF‐1r) expressed on the surface of monocyte/macrophage lineage cells. The importance of coordinated signaling between M‐CSF/receptor activator of the nuclear factor kappa‐Β ligand (RANKL) in physiological and pathological bone remodeling and alveolar bone loss in response to oral bacterial colonization is well established. However, our knowledge about the IL‐34/RANKL signaling in periodontal bone loss remains limited. Recently published cohort studies have demonstrated that the expression patterns of IL‐34 are dramatically elevated in gingival crevicular fluid collected from patients with periodontitis. Therefore, the present study aims to evaluate the effects of IL‐34 on osteoclastogenesis in vitro and in experimental ligature‐mediated model of periodontitis using male mice. Our initial in vitro study demonstrated increased RANKL‐induced osteoclastogenesis of IL‐34‐primed osteoclast precursors (OCPs) compared to M‐CSF‐primed OCPs. Using an experimental model of ligature‐mediated periodontitis, we further demonstrated elevated expression of IL‐34 in periodontal lesions. In contrast, M‐CSF levels were dramatically reduced in these periodontal lesions. Furthermore, local injections of mouse recombinant IL‐34 protein significantly elevated cathepsin K activity, increased the number of tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)‐positive osteoclasts and promoted alveolar bone loss in periodontitis lesions. In contrast, anti‐IL‐34 neutralizing monoclonal antibody significantly reduced the level of alveolar bone loss and the number of TRAP‐positive osteoclasts in periodontitis lesions. No beneficial effects of locally injected anti‐M‐CSF neutralizing antibody were observed in periodontal lesions. This study illustrates the role of IL‐34 in promoting alveolar bone loss in periodontal lesions and proposes the potential of anti‐IL34 monoclonal antibody (mAb)‐based therapeutic regimens to suppress alveolar bone loss in periodontitis lesions.
Contrast‐enhanced computed tomography in the venous rather than the arterial phase is essential for the evaluation of the right phrenic nerve
Authors: Tsuji Toshihiko , Aoyama Daisetsu , Ishida Tomokazu , Nomura Ryohei , Kakehashi Shota , Mukai Moe , Hasegawa Kanae , Uzui Hiroyasu , Tada Hiroshi
Published: October 2023

Background

Preprocedural detection of the running course of the right pericardiophrenic bundles (PBs) is considered to be useful in preventing phrenic nerve (PN) injury during catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF). However, previous studies using the arterial phase of contrast‐enhanced computed tomography (CT) reported a relatively low right PBs detection rate.

Methods

This study included 63 patients with AF who underwent catheter ablation and preoperative contrast‐enhanced CT imaging of the venous and arterial phases (66.7 ± 10.2 years; 44 male). The venous phase of contrast‐enhanced CT significantly improved the detection rate of PBs compared to the arterial phase (96.8% vs. 60.3%, p < .001), and PBs were detected in the venous phase only in 23 (36.7%) patients. No significant differences were observed between the right PBs detection rate using non‐contrast CT versus the arterial phase of contrast‐enhanced CT (p = .37). Patients without visualization of the right PBs during the arterial phase had a higher frequency of chronic heart failure (p = .0083), lower left ventricular ejection fraction (p = .021), and a higher CHADS2 score (p = .048) than those with visualization. In five patients whose right PBs could only be detected during the venous phase of contrast‐enhanced CT, the reconstructed running course of the right PBs corresponded with the PN generated by electrical high‐output pacing.

Conclusion

Contrast‐enhanced CT images of the venous phase, rather than the arterial phase, are useful in detecting the right PBs, especially in patients with heart failure or reduced left ventricular ejection fraction.
Gene pyramiding for boosted plant growth and broad abiotic stress tolerance
Authors: Zhao Guiqin , Liu Yu , Li Lei , Che Rui , Douglass Megan , Benza Katherine , Angove Mitchell , Luo Kristopher , Hu Qian , Chen Xiaotong , Henry Charles , Li Zhigang , Ning Guogui , Luo Hong
Published: October 2023

Abiotic stresses such as salinity, heat and drought seriously impair plant growth and development, causing a significant loss in crop yield and ornamental value. Biotechnology approaches manipulating specific genes prove to be effective strategies in crop trait modification. The Arabidopsis vacuolar pyrophosphatase gene AVP1, the rice SUMO E3 ligase gene OsSIZ1 and the cyanobacterium flavodoxin gene Fld have previously been implicated in regulating plant stress responses and conferring enhanced tolerance to different abiotic stresses when individually overexpressed in various plant species. We have explored the feasibility of combining multiple favourable traits brought by individual genes to acquire superior plant performance. To this end, we have simultaneously introduced AVP1, OsSIZ1 and Fld in creeping bentgrass. Transgenic (TG) plants overexpressing these three genes performed significantly better than wild type controls and the TGs expressing individual genes under both normal and various abiotic stress conditions, exhibited significantly enhanced plant growth and tolerance to drought, salinity and heat stresses as well as nitrogen and phosphate starvation, which were associated with altered physiological and biochemical characteristics and delicately fine‐tuned expression of genes involved in plant stress responses. Our results suggest that AVP1, OsSIZ1 and Fld function synergistically to regulate plant development and plant stress response, leading to superior overall performance under both normal and adverse environments. The information obtained provides new insights into gene stacking as an effective approach for plant genetic engineering. A similar strategy can be extended for the use of other beneficial genes in various crop species for trait modifications, enhancing agricultural production.