bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sex differences in aggression and its neural substrate in a cichlid fish
Authors: Jackson Lillian R. , Dumitrascu Mariam , Alward Beau A.
Published: October 2023

Aggression is ubiquitous among social species and functions to maintains social dominance hierarchies. The African cichlid fishAstatotilapia burtoniis an ideal study species for studying aggression due to their unique and flexible dominance hierarchy. However, female aggression in this species and the neural mechanisms of aggression in both sexes is not well understood. To further understand the potential sex differences in aggression in this species, we characterized aggression in male and femaleA. burtoniin a mirror assay. We then quantified neural activation patterns in brain regions of the social behavior network (SBN) to investigate if differences in behavior are reflected in the brain with immunohistochemistry by detecting the phosphorylated ribosome marker phospho-S6 ribosomal protein (pS6), a marker for neural activation. We found thatA. burtoniperform both identical and sex-specific aggressive behaviors in response to a mirror assay. We observed sex differences in pS6 immunoreactivity in the Vv, a homolog of the lateral septum in mammals. Males but not females had higher ps6 immunoreactivity in the ATn after the aggression assay. The ATn is a homolog of the ventromedial hypothalamus in mammals, which is strongly implicated in the regulation of aggression in males. Several regions also have higher pS6 immunoreactivity in negative controls than fish exposed to a mirror, implicating a role for inhibitory neurons in suppressing aggression until a relevant stimulus is present. Male and femaleA. burtonidisplay both similar and sexually dimorphic behavioral patterns in aggression in response to a mirror assay. There are also sex differences in the corresponding neural activation patterns in the SBN. In mirror males but not females, the ATn clusters with the POA, revealing a functional connectivity of these regions that is triggered in an aggressive context in males. These findings suggest that distinct neural circuitry underlie aggressive behavior in male and femaleA. burtoni, serving as a foundation for future work investigating the molecular and neural underpinnings of sexually dimorphic behaviors in this species to reveal fundamental insights into understanding aggression.
Differential effects of follicle-stimulating hormone glycoforms on the transcriptome profile of cultured rat granulosa cells as disclosed by RNA-seq
Authors: Zariñán Teresa , Espinal-Enriquez Jesús , De Anda-Jáuregui Guillermo , Lira-Albarrán Saúl , Hernández-Montes Georgina , Gutiérrez-Sagal Rubén , Rebollar-Vega Rosa G. , Bousfield George R. , Butnev Viktor Y. , Hernández-Lemus Enrique , Ulloa-Aguirre Alfredo
Published: October 2023

It has been documented that variations in glycosylation on glycoprotein hormones, confer distinctly different biological features to the corresponding glycoforms when multiplein vitrobiochemical readings are analyzed. We here applied next generation RNA sequencing to explore changes in the transcriptome of rat granulosa cells exposed for 0, 6, and 12 h to 100 ng/ml of four highly purified follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) glycoforms, each exhibiting different glycosylation patterns: human pituitary FSH18/21and equine FSH (eqFSH) (hypo-glycosylated), and human FSH24and chinese-hamster ovary cell-derived human recombinant FSH (recFSH) (fully-glycosylated). Total RNA from triplicate incubations was prepared from FSH glycoform-exposed cultured granulosa cells obtained from DES-pretreated immature female rats, and RNA libraries were sequenced in a HighSeq 2500 sequencer (2 x 125 bp paired-end format, 10-15 x 106reads/sample). The computational workflow focused on investigating differences among the four FSH glycoforms at three levels: gene expression, enriched biological processes, and perturbed pathways. Among the top 200 differentially expressed genes, only 4 (0.6%) were shared by all 4 glycoforms at 6 h, whereas 118 genes (40%) were shared at 12 h. Follicle-stimulating hormone glycocoforms stimulated different patterns of exclusive and associated up regulated biological processes in a glycoform and time-dependent fashion with more shared biological processes after 12 h of exposure and fewer treatment-specific ones, except forrecFSH, which exhibited stronger responses with more specifically associated processes at this time. Similar results were found for down-regulated processes, with a greater number of processes at 6 h or 12 h, depending on the particular glycoform. In general, there were fewer downregulated than upregulated processes at both 6 h and 12 h, with FSH18/21exhibiting the largest number of down-regulated associated processes at 6 h whileeqFSH exhibited the greatest number at 12 h. Signaling cascades, largely linked to cAMP-PKA, MAPK, and PI3/AKT pathways were detected as differentially activated by the glycoforms, with each glycoform exhibiting its own molecular signature. These data extend previous observations demonstrating glycosylation-dependent differential regulation of gene expression and intracellular signaling pathways triggered by FSH in granulosa cells. The results also suggest the importance of individual FSH glycoform glycosylation for the conformation of the ligand-receptor complex and induced signalling pathways.
Characterizing the Cellulose Binding Interactions of Type-A Carbohydrate-Binding Modules using Acoustic Force Spectroscopy
Authors: Ganesan Gokulnath , Hackl Markus , Chundawat Shishir P.S.
Published: October 2023

A critical understanding of carbohydrate binding modules (CBMs) is vital for the manipulation of a variety of biological functions they support, including biomass deconstruction, polysaccharide biosynthesis, pathogen defence, and plant development. The unbinding characteristics of CBMs from a polysaccharide substrate surface can be studied using rupture force measurements since it enables a quantitative inference of binding properties through the application of dynamic force spectroscopy (DFS) theory. With the increase in usage of CBMs for diverse applications, it is important to engineer and characterize CBMs that have desired sets of interactions with various carbohydrate substrates. However, though the effect of mutations in the binding motif residues is known to influence CBM binding affinity, its effect on the rupture forces is still not well quantified. This is primarily due to the low experimental throughput of most single-molecule DFS techniques available to characterize the force-induced dissociation of protein-ligand interactions. Here, we have determined the rupture forces of microscopic beads functionalized with various wild-type and mutant CBMs using a highly multiplexed DFS technique called Acoustic Force Spectroscopy (AFS). We have characterized the acoustic force-induced dissociation of specifically two type A CBMs (i.e., CBM3a and CBM64) and relevant seven binding motif targeting CBM mutants unbinding from a nanocellulose surface, over a broad range of DFS loading rates (i.e., 0.1 pN/s to 100 pN/s). Our analysis of the rupture force DFS data yields apparent CBM-cellulose bond interaction parameters, which enables a quantitative comparison of the effect of corresponding mutations on cellulose-CBM binding interactions that compares favorably with results from classical bulk ensemble based binding assays. In summary, detailed insights into the rupturing mechanism of multi-CBM fused domains provides motivation for usage of specific constructs for industrial biotechnological applications.
Correlation of coalescence times in a diploid Wright-Fisher model with recombination and selfing
Authors: Kogan David , Diamantidis Dimitrios , Wakeley John , Fan Wai-Tong (Louis)
Published: October 2023

The correlation among the gene genealogies at different loci is crucial in biology, yet challenging to understand because such correlation depends on many factors including genetic linkage, recombination, natural selection and population structure. Based on a diploid Wright-Fisher model with a single mating type and partial selfing for a constant large population with sizeN, we quantify the combined effect of genetic drift and two competing factors, recombination and selfing, on the correlation of coalescence times at two linked loci for samples of size two. Recombination decouples the genealogies at different loci and decreases the correlation while selfing increases the correlation. We obtain explicit asymptotic formulas for the correlation for four scaling scenarios that depend on whether the selfing probability and the recombination probability are of orderO(1/N) orO(1) asNtends to infinity. Our analytical results confirm that the asymptotic lower bound in [King, Wakeley, Carmi (TPB 2018)] is sharp when the loci are unlinked and when there is no selfing, and provide a number of new formulas for other scaling scenarios that have not been considered before. We present asymptotic results for the variance of Tajima’s estimator of the population mutation rate for infinitely many loci asNtends to infinity. When the selfing probability is of orderO(1) and is equal to a positive constantsfor allNand if the samples at both loci are in the same individual, then the variance of the Tajima’s estimator tends tos/2 (hence remains positive) even when the recombination rate, the number of loci and the population size all tend to infinity.
Mechanisms Controlling Hemolymph Circulation Under Resting Conditions In The Chagas Disease VectorRhodnius Prolixus(Stål)
Authors: Villalobos Sambucaro María José , Alzugaray María Eugenia , Ronderos Jorge Rafael
Published: October 2023

Chagas disease vectors can ingest several times its own volume in blood with each meal. This ad libitum feeding causes an intense process of diuresis inducing the insect to eliminate a large quantity of urine during the next few hours. This process, which is under the control of endocrine and neuroendocrine systems is necessary to restore homeostasis, and to begin physiological mechanisms leading to growth and reproduction. To ensure diuresis, the speed of circulation of the hemolymph must be increased to allow the Malpighian tubules to produce the urine. Behind this acute phenomenon, triatominae insects can spend several weeks without feeding. In this way, it could be assumed that during most of the time of life the insect is in a resting condition. Triatominae circulatory system is quite simple, including a dorsal vessel which pumps hemolymph in an anterograde direction. The return is caused by peristaltic contractions of the anterior midgut. While the mechanisms controlling the circulation of the hemolymph during post-prandial diuresis was largely analysed, the mechanisms controlling it during resting conditions is poorly understood. In this study we analyse several canonical pathways (i.e. L-type VGCC; GPCR; RyR; IP3R) and a novel system represented by the recently characterized Piezo proteins. Our results show that during the resting condition hemolymph circulation depends on a cross-talk between myogenic activity, inhibitory and stimulatory cell messengers, and also Piezo proteins. We present for the first time the existence of a putative Piezo protein in Hemiptera.
Proteomic Analysis Reveals the Molecular Pathways Responsible for Solar UV-B Acclimation in High-altitude Malbec Berries
Authors: Arias Leonardo A. , Murcia Germán , Berli Federico , Muñoz Flavio , Fontana Ariel , Piccoli Patricia
Published: October 2023

Grapevine cultivation at high altitudes provides a viable option for producing premium quality wines in the context of climate change. This is primarily attributed to cooler temperatures, wider thermal amplitudes, and increased UV-B radiation. Although high UV-B levels can cause oxidative-stress, grape berries acclimate by generating UV-blocking anthocyanins and antioxidant compounds accumulated in the berry skins, thereby enhancing the organoleptic qualities and aging capacity of wine. This UV-B exclusion study examines how Malbec berries respond to solar UV-B at a high-altitude vineyard in Mendoza, Argentina (1350 m a.s.l.). The results showed that high solar UV-B acts both as a photomorphogenic signal and a stressor. The proteomic changes of berries exposed to +UV-B conditions indicate a decrease of photosynthesis and oxidative phosphorylation, coupled with an increase of glycolysis and tricarboxylic acid cycle as compensatory respiration pathways. Furthermore, numerous chaperones and proteins associated with the antioxidant system exhibited increased abundance to maintain cellular homeostasis. Lastly, veraison-stage berries exposed to +UV-B displayed an activation of the UVR8 signaling cascade and the phenylpropanoid pathway, resulting in higher concentration of phenolic compounds and more oxidation-resistant types of anthocyanins. This is the first report of field-grown grape berry proteomic modulation in response to solar UV-B, and it may have significant implications for the cultivation of high-quality wine grapes in both current and future climate scenarios.

Significance
The widely usedUcp1-CreEvdrtransgene elicits complex developmental and metabolic phenotypes
Authors: Halurkar Manasi Suchit , Inoue Oto , Mukherjee Rajib , Bonatto Paese Christian Louis , Duszynski Molly , Brugmann Samantha A. , Lim Hee-Woong , Sanchez-Gurmaches Joan
Published: October 2023

Bacterial artificial chromosome transgenic models, including mostCre-recombinases, enable potent interrogation of gene functionin vivobut require rigorous validation as limitations emerge. Due to its high relevance to metabolic studies, we performed comprehensive analysis of theUcp1-CreEvdrline which is widely used for brown fat research. Hemizygotes exhibited major brown and white fat transcriptomic dysregulation, indicating potential altered tissue function.Ucp1-CreEvdrhomozygotes also show high mortality, growth defects, and craniofacial abnormalities. Mapping the transgene insertion site revealed insertion in chromosome 1 accompanied by large genomic alterations disrupting several genes expressed in a range of tissues. Notably,Ucp1-CreEvdrtransgene retains an extraUcp1gene copy that may be highly expressed under high thermogenic burden. Our multi-faceted analysis highlights a complex phenotype arising from the presence of theUcp1-CreEvdrtransgene independently of the intended genetic manipulations. Overall, comprehensive validation of transgenic mice is imperative to maximize discovery while mitigating unexpected, off-target effects.

Highlights

HemizygousUcp1-CreEvdrmice exhibit substantial brown and white fat tissue dysregulation.

HomozygousUcp1-CreEvdrmice display high mortality, growth defects, and craniofacial abnormalities.

TheUcp1-CreEvdrtransgene integration resulted in major genomic disruptions affecting multiple genes.

TheUcp1-CreEvdrtransgene retains a possibly functional extraUcp1copy.
Hydrodynamic synchronization of elastic cilia: How flow confinement determines the characteristics of metachronal waves
Authors: von Kenne Albert , Bär Markus , Niedermayer Thomas
Published: October 2023

Cilia are hair-like micro-actuators whose cyclic motion is specialized to propel extracellular fluids at low Reynolds numbers. Clusters of these organelles can form synchronized beating patterns, called metachronal waves, which presumably arise from hydrodynamic interactions. We model hydrodynamically interacting cilia by microspheres elastically bound to circular orbits, whose inclinations with respect to the cellular wall model the ciliary power and recovery stroke, resulting in an anisotropy of the viscous flow. We derive a coupled phase oscillator description by reducing the microsphere dynamics to the slow time scale of synchronization and determine analytical metachronal wave solutions and their stability in a periodic chain setting. In this framework, a simple intuition for the hydrodynamic coupling between phase oscillators is established by relating the geometry of near-wall flow to the directionality of the hydrodynamic coupling functions. This intuition naturally explains the properties of the linear stability of metachronal waves. The flow confinement at the wall stabilizes metachronal waves with long wavelengths propagating in the direction of the power stroke and, moreover, metachronal waves with short wave lengths propagating perpendicularly to the power stroke. Performing simulations of phase oscillator chains with periodic boundary conditions, we indeed find that both wave types emerge with a variety of linearly stable wave numbers. In open chains of phase oscillators, the dynamics of metachronal waves is fundamentally different. Here, the elasticity of the model cilia controls the wave direction and selects a particular wave number: At large elasticity, waves traveling in the direction of the power stroke are stable, whereas at smaller elasticity waves in the opposite direction are stable. For intermediate elasticity both wave directions coexist. In this regime, waves propagating towards both ends of the chain form, but only one wave direction prevails, depending on the elasticity and initial conditions.
Slitrk/LAR-RPTP and disease-associated variants control neuronal migration in the developing mouse cortex independently of synaptic organizer activity
Authors: Medvedeva Vera P. , Billuart Pierre , Jeanmart Alice , Vigier Lisa , Ko Jaewon , Danglot Lydia , Pierani Alessandra
Published: October 2023

Slitrks and their ligands LAR-RPTPs are type I transmembrane proteins previously implicated in the etiology of various neuropsychiatric disorders including obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCDs) and schizophrenia. Over the last decade, their functions were extensively studied in hippocampal neuronsin vitroand shown to shape synapse organization. Although both protein families are highly expressed prior to synapse formation, their function in earlier steps of cerebral cortex development remains unknown. Here we investigated the role of Slitrk1, Slitrk2, Slitrk3 and LAR-RPTPs (Ptprs and Ptprd) in the embryonic mouse cortex by acute genetic manipulation usingin uteroelectroporation. All genes, except Slitrk3, promoted specific alterations in radial migration of glutamatergic neurons. Slitrk1 and Slitrk2 overexpression was associated with accumulation of neurons in distinct regions of the cortical plate. Using deletion mutants and a series of Slitrk variants associated with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), we showed that distinct domains are crucial for intracellular Slitrk1 distribution and/or density and shape of VAMP2+presynaptic boutons. Interestingly, bouton alterations did not correlate with the observed migration delays, suggesting that Slitrk1 influence cell migration independently on its synaptogenic function. Furthermore, co-electroporation experiments with LAR-RPTPs, mimicking their co-expression observed by scRNAseq, rescued the migration deficits, suggesting possiblecis-interactions between Slitrks and LAR-RPTPs. Together, these data indicate that in the embryonic cerebral cortex Slitrks and LAR-RPTPs cooperate in consecutive steps of radial migration through distinct mechanisms than in synapse organization and support a relevant role of Slitrk/LAR-RPTP dysfunctions in NDDs at earlier stages of cortical development.
Quantifying Variability in Attentional Shifts During Target Switching Using Steady-State Visual Evoked Potentials
Authors: Eidelman-Rothman Moran , Reuveni Omer , Keil Andreas , Kritzman Lior , Freche Dominik , Okon-Singer Hadas , Levit-Binnun Nava
Published: October 2023

A large body of ssVEP research has provided significant insights into the temporal dynamics of attentional processes. While these studies focused primarily on group level inspection, there is a need for further research employing methodological approaches that enable the examination of individual-level variability. This is particularly relevant in psychological contexts, where such measures are linked to various cognitive and clinical outcomes. In the present study, we aimed to measure and discern attentional shift processes, examining both group and individual subject dynamics. We utilized EEG frequency tagging to examine attentional engagement, disengagement, and reengagement while participants switched focus between four flickering stimuli. Analysis of ssVEPs revealed significant changes in amplitude between attentional conditions. Specifically, group-level results indicated an increase in activity during engagement with the first target, followed by a decrease upon disengagement, while reengagement with the second target showed a corresponding increase in activity occurring on average 110 ms prior to disengagement. Distinct individual patterns emerged, with participants showing either disengagement, reengagement, both, or no shifts. Notably, the timing and order of these attentional shifts varied considerably across individuals relative to target switch events. These findings demonstrate the ability of this approach to quantify attentional shifts on both group and individual levels, providing a foundation for further research into individual differences in attentional control, which may have implications for understanding adaptive and maladaptive psychological functioning.

Highlights

EEG frequency tagging captures attentional engagement, disengagement, and reengagement processes.

Group-level ssVEP analysis reveals that attentional reengagement occurs 110 ms before attentional disengagement.

Individual-level analysis demonstrates diverse patterns of attentional shift timing and order.

The experimental framework successfully quantifies attentional dynamics on the group and individual levels.
Bacteriocin peer selection for the production of antibiotic selection free biotherapeutic pDNA
Authors: El Bakkoury Mohamed , P. Gómez de Cadiñanos Luz , Gabant Philippe
Published: October 2023

Plasmid vectors are well established tools used to genetically engineer bacteria both in the laboratory and at industrial scale. The past few decades have seen a rising interest in the use of plasmid DNA (pDNA) for biotherapeutic applications. This interest is a strong driver for the development of technologies to increase pDNA production at biopharmaceutical scale in terms of decreasing production costs and meeting regulatory requirements. Although cell free technologies are emerging, pDNA vectors are still produced by fermentation inEscherichia colistrains. As plasmids are extra-chromosomic molecules there is a probability of losing a certain ratio within theE. colipopulation during the fermentation process leading to a decrease of DNA production efficiency. Maintaining pDNA in the population is thus a key element to reach efficient and robust production. Traditionally, antibiotic resistance genes and antibiotics have been used to generate a selective pressure to ensure pDNA stability in the microbial population during the production process. Nowadays, having an antibiotic resistance gene in the pDNA coding sequence represents a limitation both for safety and legal requirements and in terms of production yield. For this reason, we have developed a pDNA antibiotic-free bacteriocin-based selection system, based on the genes involved in the production, processing, secretion and immunity of the bacteriocin microcin V. Our approach is based on the peer pressure exerted by the bacteriocin and does not rely on the addition of any selective agent in the medium to limit population drift and ensure plasmid stability. This novel antibiotic-free approach may be applied to any pDNA vector in differentE. colistrains and expands their potential applications in both animal and human health as delivery vectors for biotherapeutics.
Crystal structure of adenylosuccinate lyase from the thermophilic bacterium Thermus thermophilus HB8
Authors: Nemoto Naoki , Kawai Gota , Sampei Gen-ichi
Published: October 2023

Adenylosuccinate lyase (PurB) catalyzes two distinct reactions in the purine nucleotide biosynthetic pathway using the same active site. The ability to recognize two different sets of substrates is of structural and evolutionary interest. In the present study, the crystal structure of PurB from the thermophilic bacterium Thermus thermophilus HB8 (TtPurB) was determined at a resolution of 2.38 Å by molecular replacement using a structure predicted by AlphaFold2 as a template. The asymmetric unit of the TtPurB crystal contained two TtPurB molecules, and some regions were disordered in the crystal structure. The disordered regions were the substrate-binding site and domain 3. TtPurB forms a homotetramer and the monomer is composed of three domains (domains 1, 2 and 3), which is a typical structure for the aspartase/fumarase superfamily. Molecular dynamics simulations with and without substrate/product were performed using a full-length model of TtPurB which was obtained before deletion of the disordered regions. The substrates and products were bound to the model structures during the MD simulations. The fluctuations of amino-acid residues were greater in the disordered regions and became smaller upon the binding of substrate or product. These results demonstrate that the full-length model obtained using AlphaFold2 can be used to generate the coordinates of disordered regions within the crystal structure.
Bis(diisobutylammonium) tetrachloridobis[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]stannate
Authors: Song Xueqing , Li William
Published: October 2023

The asymmetric unit in the title salt, (C8H20N)2[SnCl4(C7H4Cl2F3)2], features a di-isobutylammonium cation in a general position and a diorganotin tetrachloride dianion, i.e. tetrachloridobis(3-trifuoromethylphenyl)stannate(IV), located on a centre of inversion; the SnIV atom is octahedrally coordinated. In the crystal, charge-assisted N+—H...Cl hydrogen bonds along with C—H...F contacts occur within supramolecular layers that interdigitate along the a-axis direction.
Enhancing children's social and cognitive development through play space design
Authors: Kamal Aliaa M. , Gabr Hisham S.
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the design of outdoor play spaces in Cairo that provide an enjoyable play experience, along with opportunities for enhancing child social and cognitive developmental skills through play features incorporated in their play spaces to achieve this goal.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopts a qualitative methodology to examine the effectiveness of natural, customized and elevated features on social and cognitive play behaviors of 6–8 year-olds. Data were gathered in three different play settings; a play space inside a social club, a park and a schoolyard. Data gathering relied on observations, written descriptions of play patterns and recordings of children's conversations. Additionally, the researcher utilized sketching diagrams to illustrate children's preferences for play with each feature.

Findings

The results of the study indicate that incorporating natural, elevated and customized play features into children's play spaces can enhance their environment and provide opportunities for fostering their social and cognitive skills.

Research limitations/implications

This study reports the occurrence of indicative behaviors and not the exact measurement of skill development. Research involving children can have limitations in terms of reliability of results due to slight variations affected by unmeasurable circumstances.

Originality/value

The study makes a valuable contribution towards enhancing the quality of children's play spaces in Cairo by emphasizing the significance of providing opportunities for social and cognitive in addition to physical play.
Predicting working sole Indian mothers' satisfaction towards work–family balance integrating the Kano model and weighted average method
Authors: Kushwaha Jyoti , Singh Pankaj , Kushwaha Ruchi
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The main impetus of the current paper is to identify and prioritize the work–family balance (WFB) satisfaction attributes specifically for working sole mothers' by deploying the Kano technique and weighted average method.

Design/methodology/approach

A multi-stage methodology has been used in the present analysis. Initially, the Kano method has been utilized to categorize the WFB satisfaction attributes using a three-dimensional WFB satisfaction scale. Afterward, the satisfaction coefficient technique was employed on Kano outcomes to get the WFB satisfaction and dissatisfaction index. Subsequently, the weighted average method was employed to prioritize the WFB satisfaction attributes.

Findings

Findings uncovered the significance of a non-linear association between WFB attributes and employed sole mothers' WFB satisfaction. The findings revealed that one-dimensional and must-be-based WFB satisfaction attributes are responsible for sole mothers' WFB satisfaction and employing organizations must not overlook them. Additionally, the results of weighted average method-based prioritization can help organizations to focus on particular WFB satisfaction criteria according to their priority level.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are useful for WFB policy-makers and managers to formulate a suitable WFB strategy specifically for single mothers.

Social implications

Results provide a path for employers to minimize the work–family role conflict and societal dissatisfaction that helps sole mothers to attain the desired WFB.

Originality/value

This study first employed a novel approach that incorporates the Kano application with the weighted average method in order to prioritize the WFB satisfaction attributes for lone mothers.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-02-2023-0074
Lightning forecast from chaotic and incomplete time series using wavelet de-noising and spatiotemporal kriging
Authors: Nystrom Jared , Hill Raymond R. , Geyer Andrew , Pignatiello Joseph J. , Chicken Eric
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Present a method to impute missing data from a chaotic time series, in this case lightning prediction data, and then use that completed dataset to create lightning prediction forecasts.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the technique of spatiotemporal kriging to estimate data that is autocorrelated but in space and time. Using the estimated data in an imputation methodology completes a dataset used in lightning prediction.

Findings

The techniques provided prove robust to the chaotic nature of the data, and the resulting time series displays evidence of smoothing while also preserving the signal of interest for lightning prediction.

Research limitations/implications

The research is limited to the data collected in support of weather prediction work through the 45th Weather Squadron of the United States Air Force.

Practical implications

These methods are important due to the increasing reliance on sensor systems. These systems often provide incomplete and chaotic data, which must be used despite collection limitations. This work establishes a viable data imputation methodology.

Social implications

Improved lightning prediction, as with any improved prediction methods for natural weather events, can save lives and resources due to timely, cautious behaviors as a result of the predictions.

Originality/value

Based on the authors’ knowledge, this is a novel application of these imputation methods and the forecasting methods.
Entrepreneurs and firm growth under guilt vs shame cultures
Authors: Bose Feler , Mironko Arkadiusz
Published: October 2023

Purpose

This study aims to try and understand under what cultural conditions entrepreneurship will thrive and prosper, whether under shame or guilt cultures.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use basic game theory to model the conditions under which entrepreneurship will thrive. The authors anticipate that guilt cultures allow for the development of a rules-based culture that allows for the development of impersonal exchange, whereas shame cultures, which are relationship-oriented, focus on strong ties and hence lack the means to expand firms from small and medium family/clan-based businesses.

Findings

Empirical results are completed to see whether guilt-dominating cultures are more conducive to having larger firms and whether guilt-dominating cultures have less informality. The authors find support for the latter but lack the right data to test the former.

Originality/value

The authors use a new measure of culture to see how it impacts entrepreneurship.
How does a good leader–member relationship motivate employees' innovative behaviour?
Authors: Fan Jianpeng , Fan Yukun , He Jie , Dai Huichuan
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Enterprise innovation depends on the innovative behaviour of employees. The relationship between leaders and employees has a significant impact on employees' attitudes and behaviours. Therefore, it is of great practical significance to explore how a good leader–member relationship (LMR) motivates employees' innovative behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on 316 questionnaires completed by the members of 53 organisations, SPSS 25.0, Mplus 8.0 and HLM 6.08 were used to analyse the internal mechanisms of LMRs and employees' innovative behaviour.

Findings

The study identified the following findings: first, LMR was positively correlated with employees' innovative behaviour; second, perceived supervisor support and followership behaviour played mediating roles between leader–member relationship and employees' innovative behaviour and third, organisational political climate was negatively correlated with employees' innovative behaviour and played a moderating role in the relationship between LMR and employees' innovative behaviour.

Originality/value

The results of this study have clarified the transmission mechanism between LMRs and employees' innovative behaviour while providing useful references for improving the effectiveness of human resource management in organisations.
Do grassroots interventions relax behavioural constraints and improve adoption of nutrition‐sensitive food production systems?
Authors: Alvi Muzna , Ward Patrick , Makhija Simrin , Spielman David J.
Published: October 2023

In most developing countries, agricultural policies and programs are designed to promote productivity growth with modern inputs and technologies, and the success of these policies is measured primarily along the dimensions of technology adoption, with limited reference to the ancillary impacts on behavioural outcomes that may be a prerequisite to adoption. We test whether grassroots programs can additionally relax behavioural constraints, potentially enhancing the adoption of diversified production systems. In Odisha, India, using a series of laboratory‐in‐field experiments and survey instruments to elicit farmers' preferences for risk, agency and aspirations for themselves and their children, we find that respondents in villages where grassroots interventions were promoted showed significantly lower levels of risk aversion and higher aspirations for themselves and their children, along with improvements in production and consumption diversity. However, we do not find a mediating role of reduced risk aversion in improving direct program outcomes. Our results show that grassroots approaches are effective in inducing a shift towards changing production systems, and relaxing behavioural constraints, that can be leveraged over time to strengthen impacts.
Placental growth factor testing at 19–23 weeks of gestation as a guide to subsequent care in pregnancy: A prospective observational study
Authors: Magee Laura A. , Syngelaki Argyro , Akolekar Ranjit , von Dadelszen Peter , Nicolaides Kypros H.
Published: October 2023

Objective

To determine whether serum placental growth factor (PlGF) at 19–23 weeks of gestation can improve the identification of risk for adverse outcomes.

Design

Prospective observational cohort study.

Setting

Two English maternity units.

Population

Unselected singleton pregnancies attending routine ultrasound at 19–23 weeks of gestation.

Methods

Outcomes ascertained by health record review. Diagnostic test properties evaluated clinical risk factors for pre‐eclampsia (according to National Institute of Care Excellence) or fetal growth restriction (according to Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists), low PlGF at 19–23 weeks of gestation (<5th percentile) or both.

Main outcome measures

Pre‐eclampsia, gestational hypertension, stillbirth, birthweight below third percentile or neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission for ≥48 h.

Results

In 30 013 pregnancies, risk factors were present in 9941 (33.1%), low PlGF was present in 1501 (5.0%) and both (‘two‐stage’ screening) were present in 547 (1.8%) pregnancies. Risk factors detected 41.7%–54.7% of adverse outcomes, and could not meaningfully revise the risk (all positive likelihood ratios, +LR, <5.0; all negative likelihood ratios, −LR, ≥0.2). Low PlGF detected 8.5%–17.4% of adverse outcomes, but meaningfully increased risks (other than NICU admission) associated with delivery <37 weeks of gestation (+LR = 5.03–15.55); all −LRs were ≥0.2. ‘Two‐stage’ screening detected 4.2%–8.9% of adverse outcomes, with meaningful +LRs (6.28–18.61) at <37 weeks of gestation, except for NICU admission of ≥48 h, which had an +LR of 7.56 at <34 weeks of gestation; all −LRs were ≥0.2. No screening strategy meaningfully increased or decreased the detection of adverse outcome risk at term.

Conclusions

Clinical risk factor screening has a high screen‐positive rate and a poor detection of adverse outcomes. False positives cannot be reduced by PlGF testing at 19–23 weeks of gestation; therefore, this cannot be recommended as a useful strategy on its own.
Updating, subtyping, and perceptions of the police: Implications of police contact for youths’ perceptions of procedural justice
Authors: Dan‐Irabor Dale , Slocum Lee Ann , Wiley Stephanie A.
Published: October 2023

Individuals enter police encounters with expectations about how these interactions will unfold. These expectations are often rooted in racialized personal, vicarious, and collective experiences with the police. Bayesian updating posits that the way youth perceive treatment by the police during stops and arrests combines with prior expectations and perceptions to shape current views of the law, whereas subtyping suggests this process differs by race. This study examines intra‐ and interracial variability in these processes using longitudinal survey data from 3,085 Black and White youth. Regardless of race, youth who indicate they were treated with disrespect during police encounters had lower perceptions of procedural justice than did those with no contact, whereas contact perceived as respectful had no significant effects. For White but not Black youth, police encounters rated as “neutral” are associated with more negative views of the police. Other forms of legal socialization are also racialized, including messages conveyed in the media and by parents. Limited evidence exists that prior views of the police moderate the effect of police encounters on procedural justice or that these conditioning effects vary by race. Findings support updating, but race differences do not neatly align with findings expected with updating or subtyping theory.
Effect of soy peptides with different hydrolysis degrees on the rheological, tribological, and textural properties of soy protein isolate gels
Authors: Bourouis Imane , Li Borui , Pang Zhihua , Chen Cunshe , Liu Xinqi
Published: October 2023

This study was performed to examine the effect of two soy peptides addition with hydrolysis degrees of 90% and 30% (hydrolysis degree (DH)90, DH30) at various concentrations (1–10 mg/mL) on soy protein isolate (SPI) gel behavior and pure SPI gel was set as control. SPI gels with adding peptides were prepared, and their rheological, textural, and tribological properties, as well as water‐holding capacity, zeta potential, and particle size, were determined. During the rheological measurement, adding peptides reduced storage modulus (G′) compared to the control, with larger particles formed. However, peptide addition could significantly reduce gelation time, showing a more significant effect with DH30. The gels' firmness, adhesiveness, and water‐holding capacity decreased as peptide concentration increased. Syneresis was observed in gels with peptides, whereas the control sample showed no syneresis. Based on the rheological results, the shear stress in the control sample was higher than in the gels containing peptides indicating more resistance to shear. The gels with DH30 showed greater G′ and G″ than DH90 at all studied concentrations. Nevertheless, there was an improvement in the lubrication behavior of SPI gels with peptide addition. DH30 showed a relatively more significant friction reduction than DH90, indicating their slightly better lubrication properties.
Conservation in a litre of air
Authors: Lodge David M.
Published: October 2023

Since Ficetola et al. (2008) alerted ecologists and conservation biologists to the existence of environmental DNA (eDNA), the number of studies using eDNA has exploded, with a rapidly increasing diversity of research, monitoring, and management objectives. Initial applications focused on amphibians and fishes while today's taxonomic targets span the phylogenetic tree. The environmental media that are sampled have expanded from freshwater to saltwater to soils, and, most recently, to air. In this issue of Molecular Ecology Resources, Lynggaard et al. (Molecular Ecology Resources, 2023) use eDNA captured on air filters to census vertebrate biodiversity in a forest. With a three day, six sample period, 143 sample effort in a nature park in a rural area of Zealand, Denmark, their wild species detections comprised about 25% of the terrestrial vertebrates that are known to occur in the area, including about 33% of the mammal, 17% of the bird, and 60% of the amphibian species. This study demonstrates that air sampling for eDNA has the potential to become a powerful standard method for terrestrial biodiversity assessment that is complementary to traditional methods (e.g., trapping, visual and acoustic observation, collection of scat and hair).
Vaccination recommendations for pregnant people travelling overseas
Authors: Alexander Adrian , Krishnaswamy Sushena , Cole Stephen , Giles Michelle L.
Published: October 2023

With international travel on the rise following pandemic restrictions, the number of pregnant travellers is likely to proportionally increase. Recent published data suggest most pregnant travellers seek pre‐travel advice from their maternity and primary care providers. With these data, it is important to provide maternity and primary care providers with guidelines and resources to help aid safe, informed, and timely delivery of vaccinations prior to travel. Vaccination for travel during pregnancy is fundamental in mitigating maternal and fetal communicable disease morbidity and mortality. This clinical perspective provides an overview of the indications, safety, and recommendations for pre‐travel vaccines in pregnancy.
Development of a clinical algorithm to predict phenotypic switches between atopic dermatitis and psoriasis (the “Flip‐Flop” phenomenon)
Authors: Müller Svenja , Welchowski Thomas , Schmid Matthias , Maintz Laura , Herrmann Nadine , Wilsmann‐Theis Dagmar , Royeck Thorben , Havenith Regina , Bieber Thomas
Published: October 2023

Background

Atopic dermatitis (AD) and psoriasis vulgaris (PV) are almost mutually exclusive diseases with different immune polarizations, mechanisms and therapeutic targets. Switches to the other disease (“Flip‐Flop” [FF] phenomenon) can occur with or without systemic treatment and are often referred to as paradoxical reactions under biological therapy.

Methods

The objective was to develop a diagnostic algorithm by combining clinical criteria of AD and PV to identify FF patients. The algorithm was prospectively validated in patients enrolled in the CK‐CARE registry in Bonn, Germany. Afterward, algorithm refinements were implemented based on machine learning.

Results

Three hundred adult Caucasian patients were included in the validation study (n = 238 with AD, n = 49 with PV, n = 13 with FF; mean age 41.2 years; n = 161 [53.7%] female). The total FF scores of the PV and AD groups differed significantly from the FF group in the validation data (p < .001). The predictive mean generalized Youden‐Index of the initial model was 78.9% [95% confidence interval 72.0%–85.6%] and the accuracy was 89.7%. Disease group‐specific sensitivity was 100% (FF), 95.0% (AD), and 61.2% (PV). The specificity was 89.2% (FF), 100% (AD), and 100% (PV), respectively.

Conclusion

The FF algorithm represents the first validated tool to identify FF patients.
Management of diabetic macular oedema in France from 2012 to 2018: The nationwide LANDSCAPE study
Authors: Creuzot Garcher Catherine P. , Massin Pascale , Srour Mayer , Baudin Florian , Dot Corinne , Nghiem‐Buffet Sylvia , Girmens Jean‐Francois , Collin Cedric , Ponthieux Anne , Delcourt Cecile
Published: October 2023

Objective

To describe the management of diabetic macular oedema (DME) patients from the entire French population between 2012 and 2018.

Methods

In this retrospective longitudinal study, we identified adults treated for DME from the French population using the exhaustive French National Health Information database (SNDS), and an algorithm based on diagnosis and procedure codes, and reimbursed treatments.

Results

Between 2012 and 2018, we identified 53 584 treated DME patients, who were followed for up to 7 years from DME treatment initiation. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) became the predominant imaging tool to diagnose DME.

Only 14% of patients consulted a diabetologist or endocrinologist in the 3 months prior to initiating DME treatment, whereas 84% consulted a general practitioner. The percentage of patients consulting an ophthalmologist declined over time, from 97% of patients in Year 1 (median of 9 consultations), to 46% in Year 7 (median of 7 consultations).

The median DME treatment duration with an anti‐VEGF and/or dexamethasone implant treatment was 9 months; 54% of patients had a treatment duration less than 1 year. First‐line treatment was more common with ranibizumab (55% of patients) than with aflibercept (30%), or dexamethasone implant (15%). About 25% of patients who initiated anti‐VEGF treatment switched treatment at least once, while 30% of patients who initiated dexamethasone implant switched to anti‐VEGF treatment at least once.

Conclusions

French DME patients seem well‐monitored by their ophthalmologist, but median DME treatment duration was just 9 months. These results emphasise the challenge to manage and treat patients with DME over the long term.