bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Visualizing Population Structure with Variational Autoencoders
Authors: Battey C. J. , Coffing Gabrielle C. , Kern Andrew D.
Published: August 2020

Dimensionality reduction is a common tool for visualization and inference of population structure from genotypes, but popular methods either return too many dimensions for easy plotting (PCA) or fail to preserve global geometry (t-SNE and UMAP). Here we explore the utility of variational autoencoders (VAEs) – generative machine learning models in which a pair of neural networks seek to first compress and then recreate the input data – for visualizing population genetic variation. VAEs incorporate non-linear relationships, allow users to define the dimensionality of the latent space, and in our tests preserve global geometry better than t-SNE and UMAP. Our implementation, which we callpopvae, is available as a command-line python program atgithub.com/kr-colab/popvae. The approach yields latent embeddings that capture subtle aspects of population structure in humans andAnophelesmosquitoes, and can generate artificial genotypes characteristic of a given sample or population.
Role of microRNA-145 in DNA damage signalling and senescence in vascular smooth muscle cells of Type 2 diabetic patients
Authors: Hemmings Karen E , Riches-Suman Kirsten , Bailey Marc A , O’Regan David J , Turner Neil A , Porter Karen E
Published: August 2020

Increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is a significant clinical problem. Despite advancements in achieving good glycaemic control, this patient population remains susceptible to macrovascular complications. We previously discovered that vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC) cultured from T2DM patients exhibit persistent phenotypic aberrancies distinct from those of individuals without a diagnosis of T2DM. Notably, persistently elevated expression levels of microRNA-145 co-exist with characteristics consistent with aging, DNA damage and senescence. We hypothesised that increased expression of microRNA-145 plays a functional role in DNA damage signalling and subsequent cellular senescence specifically in SMC cultured from the vasculature of T2DM patients. In this study, markers of DNA damage and senescence were unambiguously and permanently elevated in native T2DM versus non-diabetic (ND)-SMC. Exposure of ND cells to the DNA-damaging agent etoposide inflicted a senescent phenotype, increased expression of apical kinases of the DNA damage pathway and elevated expression levels of microRNA-145. Overexpression of microRNA-145 in ND-SMC revealed evidence of functional links between them; notably increased secretion of senescence-associated cytokines and chronic activation of stress-activated intracellular signalling pathways, particularly the mitogen-activated protein kinase, p38α. Exposure to conditioned media from microRNA-145 overexpressing cells resulted in chronic p38α signalling in naïve cells, evidencing a paracrine induction and reinforcement of cell senescence. We conclude that targeting of microRNA-145 may provide a route to novel interventions to eliminate DNA-damaged and senescent cells in the vasculature and to this end further detailed studies are warranted.
A combined RAD-Seq and WGS approach reveals the genomic basis of yellow color variation in bumble beeBombus terrestris
Authors: Rahman Sarthok Rasique , Cnaani Jonathan , Kinch Lisa N. , Grishin Nick V. , Hines Heather M.
Published: August 2020

Background

In the model bumble bee speciesB. terrestris, both males and females exhibit black coloration on the third thoracic and first metasomal segments. We discovered a fortuitous lab-generated mutant in which this typical black coloration is replaced by yellow. As this same color variant is found in several sister lineages toB. terrestriswithin theBombus s.s. subgenus, this could be a result of ancestral allele sorting.

Results

Utilizing a combination of RAD-Seq and whole-genome re-sequencing approaches, we localized the color-generating variant to a single SNP in the protein-coding sequence of a homeobox transcription factor,cut. Sanger sequencing confirmed fixation of this SNP between wildtype and yellow mutants. Protein domain analysis revealed this SNP to generate an amino acid change (Ala38Pro) that modifies the conformation of coiled-coil structural elements which lie outside the characteristic DNA binding domains. We found all Hymenopterans includingB. terrestrissister lineages possess the non-mutant allele, indicating different mechanism(s) are involved in the same black to yellow transition in nature.

Conclusions

Cutis a highly pleiotropic gene important for multiple facets of development, yet this mutation generated no noticeable external phenotypic effects outside of setal characteristics. Reproductive capacity was observed to be reduced, however, with queens being less likely to mate and produce female offspring, in a manner similar to workers. Our research implicates a novel developmental player in pigmentation, and potentially caste as well, thus contributing to a better understanding of the evolution of diversity in both of these processes.
Compensation of heat load deformations using adaptive optics for the ALS upgrade: a wave optics study
Authors: Sanchez del Rio Manuel , Wojdyla Antoine , Goldberg Kenneth A. , Cutler Grant D. , Cocco Daniele , Padmore Howard A.
Published: August 2020

A realistic wave optics simulation method has been developed to study how wavefront distortions originating from heat load deformations can be corrected using adaptive X-ray optics. Several planned soft X-ray and tender X-ray insertion-device beamlines in the Advanced Light Source upgrade rely on a common design principle. A flat, first mirror intercepts the white beam; vertical focusing is provided by a variable-line-space monochromator; and horizontal focusing comes from a single, pre-figured, adaptive mirror. A variety of scenarios to cope with thermal distortion in the first mirror are studied by finite-element analysis. The degradation of the intensity distribution at the focal plane is analyzed and the adaptive optics that correct it is modeled. The range of correctable wavefront errors across the operating range of the beamlines is reported in terms of mirror curvature and spatial frequencies. The software developed is a one-dimensional wavefront propagation package made available in the OASYS suite, an adaptable, customizable and efficient beamline modeling platform.
Trust and commitment in supply chain management: a systematic review of literature
Authors: Paluri Ratna Achuta , Mishal Aditi
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Trust and commitment (T&C) among the supply chain partners in the context of supply chain management (SCM) are of interest for both researchers and practitioners. This paper analyses literature on T&C and identifies gaps for further research.

Design/methodology/approach

The current literature review paper provides a comprehensive perspective on the topic using bibliometric analysis followed by a systematic review of literature. In all, 207 relevant articles were extracted from the Scopus database using the relevant key word searches. For the purpose of the systematic review, another 48 relevant papers were identified through an iterative process. Hence, 255 papers published between the years 1990–2019 were analysed for the sake of this study.

Findings

A total of 15 definitions of trust, nine definitions of commitment, 13 classifications of trust, 40 antecedents of trust, six classifications of commitments, 39 consequences of trust, 11 antecedents of commitment and 15 consequences of commitment were identified and analysed. Future research directions were presented.

Research limitations/implications

The study is limited to identifying the antecedents and consequences of T&C. A detailed framework could be developed in future research. The antecedent and consequences for T&C could be discussed in greater detail.

Practical implications

Important implications for managers emerge from this study for building and implementing T&C, as SCM requires a thorough understanding of relationship-building skills. The discussion on the definitions of T&C, types of trust and the antecedents and consequences provides important insights for practitioners for strategy formulation. Results provide important insights and bring about greater clarity for researchers and practitioners on T&C in SCM.

Originality/value

Through rigorous analysis of the prevailing research, this paper extensively reviews literature on T&C in SCM till 2019. It summarises the current status and proposes future research directions.
Digital library of required classical literature for elementary and secondary school curricula in domestic languages of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Authors: Beširević Kanita
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to present, in the introductory part, the main project phases and the translation of classical literature masterpieces in the public domain from English or French languages to Bosnian, Serbian and Croatian; digital formatting to make the contents as usable and attractive for students and teachers as possible; Web presentation and digital library application; and marketing of the project and the materials published. Additionally, extensive descriptions of all project activities and elaboration on the financial constraints are given together with the observations related to the proposed self-sustainability by using the cross-platform free cloud software. Another challenge originating in a unique political context was presented with an explanation of the necessity to create digital content in three domestic languages. The central part provides a wider context by discussing the potentials of similar digital practices to be applied elsewhere based on the lessons learned. Finally, in conclusion, the short recapitulation and the final assessment of the project are given.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents the project Digital Library of Required Classic World Literature for Elementary and Secondary School Curricula in Domestic Languages of Bosnia and Herzegovina (in Bosnian: Digitalna biblioteka lektira). The descriptive methodology has been used to present the project to the scientific community and get constructive feedback.

Findings

This study aims to be the first significant school digital library initiative in Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, because of zero funding and plans directed to self-sustainability through the use of free cloud software solutions, its viability will be tested over time.

Research limitations/implications

The limitations are concerned with paper length and formal limitations. A longer study should be written to present all features of this project. However, it implies possible positive developments in digital content creation and usage in schools of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Practical implications

This study was initiated to support the physical school libraries, but in the context of the coronavirus pandemic, its importance increased exponentially since the classes went online.

Originality/value

This paper is based on the original project and is written by the person who is the project leader and digital librarian. This paper aims to be the first significant school digital library initiative in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Heuristic for the new coordinated dynamic demand lot-size and delivery planning problem
Authors: Wang Lin , Peng Lu , Liu Rui , Cui Ligang , Liu Shan
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to propose a new coordinated dynamic demand lot-size and delivery planning problem (CDLSDP), in which the delivery policy is integrated into the coordinated dynamic demand lot-size problem (CDLSP).

Design/methodology/approach

As a non-deterministic polynomial complete (NP-complete) problem, this CDLSDP seems difficult to be solved by a polynomial-time method. To handle this problem effectively and efficiently, a four-phase heuristic that balances the setup and inventory costs in the coordinating and delivery stages is designed to find near-optimal solutions.

Findings

Numerous computational experiments show that the proposed four-phase heuristic is effective and efficient. For 1,800 experiments with different scales, and different joint setup costs, solutions by the proposed heuristic have an average gap no more than 1.34% from the optimal solution.

Research limitations/implications

To decrease total system cost, the CDLSDP optimizes the time-phased replenishment and delivery schedule, which includes joint setup cost, item setup, delivery and inventory cost, for each period. An effective and efficient four-phase heuristic is designed to solve the CDLSDP.

Originality/value

Compared with the traditional CDLSP, the delivery policy is considered by the new CDLSDP. Moreover, the proposed four-phase heuristic is a good candidate for solving the CDLSDP.
ψ-Haar wavelets method for numerically solving fractional differential equations
Authors: Ali Amjid , Minamoto Teruya , Saeed Umer , Rehman Mujeeb Ur
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to obtain a numerical scheme for finding numerical solutions of linear and nonlinear fractional differential equations involving ψ-Caputo derivative.

Design/methodology/approach

An operational matrix to find numerical approximation of ψ-fractional differential equations (FDEs) is derived. This study extends the method to nonlinear FDEs by using quasi linearization technique to linearize the nonlinear problems.

Findings

The error analysis of the proposed method is discussed in-depth. Accuracy and efficiency of the method are verified through numerical examples.

Research limitations/implications

The method is simple and a good mathematical tool for finding solutions of nonlinear ψ-FDEs. The operational matrix approach offers less computational complexity.

Originality/value

Engineers and applied scientists may use the present method for solving fractional models appearing in applications.
Work–family lockdown: implications for a post-pandemic research agenda
Authors: Powell Gary N.
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to consider the implications of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic for future research on the intersection of gender, work and family.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper offers personal reflections on needed research in a post-pandemic future.

Findings

This paper identifies several promising areas for future research on the intersection of gender, work and family.

Research limitations/implications

The paper offers numerous recommendations for a post-pandemic research agenda, including future research on essential workers, virtual workers, workers with enhanced family demands, single employed parents, social supports and issues of gender associated with these populations and topics.

Social implications

The paper reinforces the value of social supports at the individual, family, organizational, community and societal levels.

Originality/value

The paper discusses implications for future research of an original event, the COVID-19 pandemic, as it is still transpiring.
Do e-commerce customers change their preferred last-mile delivery based on its sustainability impact?
Authors: Ignat Bianca , Chankov Stanislav
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore if e-commerce customers change their preferred last-mile delivery, when they are provided with additional information on the environmental and social sustainability impact of the available last-mile delivery options.

Design/methodology/approach

We conduct a stated-preference survey and apply McNemar test on the collected data.

Findings

The results show that displaying the environmental and social impacts of last-mile deliveries influences E-commerce customers, and generally makes them more likely to choose a more sustainable last-mile delivery.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitations are (1) the possible inconsistency between participants' intentions stated in the survey and their actual behaviour in real life and (2) the possibility of participants denying socially undesirable behaviours. Further research can study e-commerce customers' real behaviour.

Practical implications

E-retailers and logistics companies could implement transparent information sharing on the delivery sustainability impact on all three sustainability pillars.

Social implications

The suggested transparent information sharing has the potential to change customers' behaviours towards more sustainable deliveries.

Originality/value

We provide a new approach in investigating customers' preferences on last-mile deliveries, by giving E-customers the chance of making choices between different deliveries, not only based on the economic factors (as in common practice nowadays) but also based on the environmental and social factors.
Task satisfaction: the effect of relative performance information versus outcome feedback
Authors: Marley Robert , Kersting Lee
Published: August 2020

Purpose

In this empirical study, the primary aim is to examine whether the type of feedback provided, relative performance information (RPI) vs outcome, affects individual's task satisfaction in a context without financial incentives. A secondary objective is to explore whether differences in individuals' task satisfaction were associated with their performance level.

Design/methodology/approach

Participants completed a mundane, effort-based task in a 1 × 2 between-subjects experimental design where the type of feedback was manipulated at two levels (RPI vs outcome).

Findings

The results revealed a positive link between providing RPI feedback to individuals and their self-reported task satisfaction compared to individuals provided with outcome feedback. We find that individuals' task satisfaction is not associated with their task performance, supporting our prediction that the level of knowledge of results affects individuals' task satisfaction.

Research limitations/implications

The experimental task used in this study was mundane and effort intensive. Consequently, future research may be needed to examine whether the results generalize to more creative, less effort-intensive tasks. This study also utilized student participants as a proxy for employees, which is appropriate for the task, but may not generalize to organizational settings requiring specialized knowledge or task experience.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that organizations may find providing employees with RPI to be a relatively low-cost, non-financial incentive for improving employee task satisfaction, a construct documented to reduce employee turnover and absenteeism.

Originality/value

While prior research focuses on the effects of providing RPI on individuals' performance and effort, this study extends prior research to individuals' task satisfaction, an affective construct, illustrating that RPI is multi-dimensional. Our results also have implications for theory. We extend the feedback proposition of the widely applied Job Characteristics Model (JCM) by illustrating the type of feedback provided to individuals has task satisfaction effects beyond those associated with the mere presence of feedback.
Mechanism of organisational excellence as a mediator on the relationship between human resource management and organisational performance: empirical evidence from public sector
Authors: Al-Dhaafri Hassan Saleh , Alosani Mohammed Saleh
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The main purpose of this paper aims to evaluate the mediating effect of organisational excellence between human resource management (HRM) and organisational performance through the perspective of the resource-based view theory of the firm.

Design/methodology/approach

The four hypotheses presented in this study were tested using data collected from employees of the Dubai Police Force in the United Arab Emirates. A questionnaire survey was performed and the SmartPLS analysis software was used to examine the relationship between the proposed variables by testing the measurement and structural models.

Findings

The results obtained in this study indicated that all four of the proposed hypotheses were supported.

Practical implications

The findings of this research can be used by decision-makers, managers and practitioners to improve the performance of their organisations through the implementation of innovative strategies such as organisational excellence.

Originality/value

This study is considered one of the very few empirical studies that examine the effect of HRM, excellence and performance.
Cuddle, kill, conserve: a posthuman analysis of the African lion within the South African wildlife security assemblage
Authors: Fletcher-Barnes Emma
Published: August 2020

Purpose

This paper explores the life cycle of a captive bred lion in South Africa, focusing on the distinction between captive bred and wild individuals. Lions are bred in captive breeding facilities across the country to provide cubs and teenagers for ecotourism, and following this, hunting “trophies.” A distinction is made between the “wild” and “captive” lion, a categorization that I argue legitimizes violent and unethical treatment toward those bred specifically to be cuddled and killed. This analysis explores how the lion is remade or modified from wild to commodity and the repercussions this has had throughout the wildlife security assemblage.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on ethnographic research carried out in South Africa during 2016 that involved conducting informal and semi-structured interviews with activists, breeders, wildlife security personnel and conservationists drawing out the interspecies relations that influenced the encounters between humans and wildlife.

Findings

Dominant conservation narratives continue to understand and interpret wildlife solely as a commodity or profitable resource, which has led to the normalization of unethical and cruel practices that implicate wildlife in their own security and sustenance through their role in ecotourism, hunting and more recently, the lion bone trade. Captive bred lions are treated as products that undergo a series of translations through which they are exposed to violence and exploitation operationalized through practices linked to conservation and ecotourism.

Originality/value

Through posthuman thinking, this paper contributes to debates on the interspecies dimensions of politics through challenging the dominant assumptions that govern conservation and the interspecies encounter.
The organizational collaboration framework of smart logistics ecological chain: a multi-case study in China
Authors: Liu Weihua , Liang Yanjie , Wei Shuang , Wu Peng
Published: August 2020

Purpose

This study explores the influencing factors of smart logistics ecological chain's (SLEC's) organizational collaboration and designs a corresponding conceptual framework.

Design/methodology/approach

The multi-case study is applied to this paper. Specifically, this study is a combination of exploratory and explanatory case studies.

Findings

The findings are threefold. First, empowerment capability and the information-sharing level are unique factors that affect SLEC's organizational collaboration. Second, greater empowerment capability stimulates the increase of information-sharing level. Third, emerging digital technology, personalized demand and peer competition affect the degree of SLEC's organizational collaboration through an intermediary variable – empowerment capability. Specifically, the emerging digital technology application and peer competition degrees have positive effects on empowerment capability, while the demand personalization degree negatively (positively) affects empowerment capability in the short (long) term.

Originality/value

As an important part of supply chain performance, organizational collaboration is receiving more attention. However, in the smart economy context, no theoretical framework exists for analyzing factors that affect the organizational collaboration degree of SLEC. This study fills this gap.
Do international remittances accelerate out-farm labor migration in developing countries? A dynamic panel time-series analysis
Authors: Seidu Ayuba , Onel Gulcan , Moss Charles B.
Published: August 2020

Purpose

A major policy issue facing leaders in the developing world is whether international migration, through remittances, contributes to the development process in migrant-sending communities or impedes the efficient allocation of labor and human capital at the origin countries. This study examines the impact of remittance inflows on out-farm migration of farm labor toward the nonfarm sector. Specifically, this study shows how international migrant remittances may alter the predictions of out-farm migration models by Harris–Todaro.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use unbalanced panel time-series data on 77 developing countries between 1991 and 2010 within a dynamic panel time-series framework to estimate the impact of remittances on the out-farm migration rate.

Findings

The authors find two competing effects of remittances on out-farm migration of labor in developing countries. First, remittances decelerate the out-farm migration rates by supplementing farm income and consumption expenditures. Second, remittances provide a source of investment in nonfarm activities that increase the rate of migration out of agriculture over time. Combining these effects, on average, our elasticity estimates indicate that a 10% increase in remittances reduces the migration out of agriculture, on average, by 0.5% in developing countries over time.

Research limitations/implications

The authors findings align with the “developmentalist” or “optimistic” views of international migration. International migration, through remittances, help make the inevitable transition out of the farm sector smoother for developing countries.

Originality/value

To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to extend the empirical literature on macro-level determinants of out-farm migration within the Harris–Todaro framework to explicitly account for the impacts of remittances inflows into developing countries that the new economics of labor migration (NELM) theory hypothesizes.
Bottom-up rather than top-down: evidence from Middle Eastern and North African educational institutions
Authors: Mah'd Osama
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Educational institutions in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) are striving for better resource management and finance. The bottom-up budgeting approach plays an important role in motivating executives' performance. The main aim of this paper is to discover whether there is a significant difference between bottom-up and a top-down approaches to budgeting in terms of managers' performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Questionnaires were distributed to 453 university executives in 21 MENA educational institutions. The Kruskal–Wallis test was utilized to test the difference between the three groups (bottom-up, top-down and consultative approaches). Further analysis was conducted to test the difference between the two groups using the Mann–Whitney test.

Findings

The results show that there is a significant difference between a bottom-up and top-down approach in terms of managerial performance. The study's findings indicate that the bottom-up approach to budgeting leads to higher performance indicators than a top-down approach to budgeting.

Originality/value

The current study contributes to the research as it increases awareness of budgeting approaches that are used in higher education institutions, specifically in terms of the effect of these differences on executives' performance.
Do experience and engagement matter to millennial consumers?
Authors: Khan Imran , Fatma Mobin , Kumar Vikas , Amoroso Sara
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to examine the effect of certain dimensions of brand experience (sensory, behavioural, affective and intellectual) on millennial consumers' engagement.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected using the central location intercept method from 443 millennial consumers (aged between 18 and 35 years) of fashion apparel. Structure equation modelling was used for the analysis.

Findings

Results showed that all dimensions of brand experience (namely, sensory, behavioural, affective and intellectual) significantly affect millennial consumers' engagement.

Practical implications

This study will assist managers in determining the role of experiences and engagement in strategy formulation for millennial fashion consumers. In particular, understanding the effect of brand experience dimensions on customer engagement provides new practical insights into consumer behaviour in the fashion apparel industry.

Originality/value

Examining the phenomenon of experience and engagement amongst millennial consumers is an original approach and contributes to experience and engagement research in marketing.
Caring for students in postsecondary open educational resource (OER) and open education initiatives: inviting student participation and voice
Authors: McLure Merinda , Sinkinson Caroline
Published: August 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to examine librarians’ professional motivations and theoretical perspectives to attend to care and student voice, as they pursue open educational resource (OER) initiatives in higher education.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors examine OER initiatives that serve as models for their work at the University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder), describe how they have attended to care and student voice in their work to date and reflect on how they hope to continue to do so in their future OER initiatives.

Findings

The authors find connections between theoretical perspectives for care in education and the values and ethics of both the open education movement and librarianship. They propose that these connections provide a foundation for librarians to align their professional motivations and practices in support of learning. The authors provide examples of OER programming that attend to care and student voice and offer related strategies for practitioners to consider.

Originality/value

Librarians at many post-secondary institutions provide critical advocacy and support the adoption, adaptation and creation of OER in higher education. Theories of care, values and ethics in the open education movement and librarianship provide a foundation for librarians to attend to care and elevate student voice as they undertake OER advocacy and initiatives.
The effect of TQM practices on operational performance: an empirical analysis of ISO 9001: 2008 certified manufacturing organizations in Ethiopia
Authors: Kebede Adem Mulugeta , Virdi Sandeep Singh
Published: August 2020

Purpose

This study is aimed at examining the effect of Total Quality Management (TQM) practices on the operational performance of ISO 9001:2008 certified manufacturing companies in Ethiopia.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional survey was conducted to meet the purpose. Primary data was collected from the managers and senior experts working under the production and quality management units of the surveyed firms. Data was obtained from a survey of 302 participants found in 73 ISO 9001:2008 certified manufacturing organizations. Both EFA and CFA were applied to validate and confirm the instrument, and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The results revealed that among the practices of TQM used in the model only supplier quality management, continuous improvement and process management were found to have significant and positive effect on the operational performance of the ISO 9001:2008 certified manufacturing organizations in Ethiopia.

Research limitations/implications

Future studies are suggested to consider some contextual variables such as firm age, scope of operation, firm size and firm strategy while addressing the objective.

Practical implications

The study will encourage managers of manufacturing companies in Ethiopia to utilize a reliable and valid framework of TQM practices for better operational performance results.

Originality/value

The fact that Ethiopian manufacturing organizations are required to improve their product's quality in order to improve their productivity and enhance their competitiveness in a global market is the rationale of this study. Even though several studies have evolved to scrutinize the link between TQM and operational performance across the world, nearly nothing, is known about this linkage in Ethiopia. Thus, the study represents one of the first attempts to empirically investigate this linkage in Ethiopian context.
Relations between attachment insecurity and role and outcome expectations for couple therapy
Authors: Muetzelfeld Hannah , Megale Allison , Friedlander Myrna L. , Xu Mengfei
Published: August 2020

With the efficacy of couple therapy no longer in doubt, researchers are seeking to identify client characteristics that explain variability in retention and outcomes. We examined the link between two self‐reported characteristics, attachment insecurity and treatment expectations (for self, partner, and outcome), in a Mechanical Turk sample of 182 adults in committed relationships. A significant canonical correlation accounted for 27 per cent of the variance between the two sets of variables. Interpretation of the structure coefficients indicated that (1) low role expectations for one’s partner were predicted by high attachment anxiety; (2) low expectations for the outcome of couple therapy were predicted by high attachment avoidance coupled with low attachment anxiety; and (3) high self and outcome expectations were predicted by high attachment anxiety when attachment avoidance was low. We discuss the implications of these results for engaging couples with insecure attachment patterns.

Practitioner points

Expectations for couple therapy are measurable, and related to levels of attachment insecurity

Results of this study underscore the importance of clinicians inquiring early on in treatment about what each partner anticipates about the process of couple therapy

Clinicians should work gently and creatively with clients with low expectations to help them safely engage in the treatment process

Recognising attachment insecurity should be a signal to clinicians to monitor relevant attachment behaviours and related expectations
Neonatal outcome by planned mode of delivery in women with a body mass index of 35 or more: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Tzadikevitch‐Geffen K , Melamed N , Aviram A , Sprague AE , Maxwell C , Barrett JFR , Mei‐Dan E
Published: August 2020

Objective

To compare neonatal outcomes of women with a body mass index (BMI) of ≥35 kg/m2 who underwent a trial of labour with those of women who underwent a planned primary caesarean section (CS).

Design

A retrospective cohort study of births between April 2012 and March 2014.

Setting

A provincial database: Better Outcomes Registry & Network (BORN) Ontario, Canada.

Population

A cohort of 8752 women with a BMI of ≥35 kg/m2 who had a singleton birth at 38–42 weeks of gestation.

Methods

Neonatal outcomes were compared between women who underwent a trial of labour (with either a successful vaginal birth or intrapartum CS) and those who underwent a planned CS.

Main outcome measure

A composite of any of the following outcomes: intrapartum neonatal death, neonatal intensive care unit admission, 5‐minute Apgar score of <7 or umbilical artery pH of <7.1.

Results

During the study period, 8433 (96.4%) women had a trial of labour and 319 (3.6%) had a planned CS. Intrapartum CS was performed in 1644 (19.5%) cases. There was no association between planned mode of delivery and the primary outcome (aOR 0.80, 95% CI 0.59–1.07). The primary outcome was lower among women who had a successful trial of labour (aOR 0.67, 95% CI 0.50–0.91) and was higher among women who had a failed trial of labour (aOR 1.74, 95% CI 1.21–2.48), compared with women who underwent a planned CS.

Conclusions

In women with a BMI of ≥35 kg/m2 at a gestational age of 38–42 weeks, neonatal outcomes are comparable between planned vaginal delivery and planned CS, although a failed trial of labour is at risk of adverse neonatal outcome.

Tweetable abstract

Neonatal outcomes are not affected by planned mode of delivery in women who are obese, with a BMI of ≥35 kg/m2.
Civilian Forensic Technician and Sworn Police Officer Job‐Related Stress
Authors: McKay‐Davis Selena , Robinson Tharinia , Sebetan Ismail M. , Stein Paul
Published: August 2020

Forensic Technicians provide crime scene investigation services and are exposed to stressful violent crimes, motor vehicle accidents, biological or chemical hazards, and other appalling imagery. Forensic Technicians would likely experience physical and psychological stress after exposure to trauma, and security vulnerabilities similar to Sworn Police Officers. The perceived availability of mental health resources, job‐related physical, psychological stress, and traumatic experiences of both Forensic Technicians and Sworn Police Officers from California law enforcement agencies were investigated using a self‐reported survey. Responses were evaluated for any significant differences in the perceived stress, job‐related physical stress, and resulting psychological impact affecting the participants. The survey contained a mix of True/False, Circle/Check the Appropriate Box, or Likert Scale (1–5) responses. The results were evaluated statistically and discussed. Results indicated Sworn Police Officers and Forensic Technicians have different on‐duty stress levels, but similar off‐duty stress levels. Nearly two‐thirds of 54 job‐related stressors were not significantly different between the two occupations. However, Forensic Technicians reported more adverse effects in 17 physical and psychological job‐related activities compared with Sworn Police Officers. Forensic Technicians reported lower awareness levels and availability of agency mental health support services than were reported by Sworn Police Officers. This study reports for the first time an unexpected outcome that perceived and job‐related psychological stress is greater for Forensic Technicians than Sworn Police Officers. Possible reasons for this disparity will be discussed as well as stress management tools that should be implemented to reduce health risk factors for both career professionals as well as increase public safety.
Family‐supportive organisational culture, work–family balance satisfaction and government effectiveness: Evidence from four countries
Authors: Heras Mireia L. , Rofcanin Yasin , Escribano Pablo I. , Kim Sowon , Mayer Michael C. J.
Published: August 2020

This study examines the extent to which perceptions of family‐friendly organisational culture relate to employees' satisfaction with work–family balance (SATWFB) and how this, in turn, associates with their turnover intentions (TIs). Furthermore, we explore the extent to which employee experiences of different levels of government effectiveness (GE; high, medium and low) moderate these associations. Drawing on the work–home resources (W‐HR) model, we test our hypotheses with a sample of 1185 employees drawn from countries with substantially different levels of GE—Nigeria, the Philippines, Guatemala and Spain. Our results show that employees' perceptions of SATWFB mediate the relationship between the two dimensions of family‐friendly organisational culture and TIs of employees. This mediation is weaker for countries where employees experience high GE. Our findings contribute to research on the drivers of work–family balance satisfaction from a cultural and organisational perspective. We expand this line of research by introducing a new resource: GE. Our focus on four different national contexts also strengthens the comparative work–family balance literature.
Preparation and characterization of oleogel emulsions: A comparative study between the use of recovered and commercial sunflower waxes as structuring agent
Authors: Merchán Sandoval Julie , Carelli Amalia , Palla Camila , Baümler Erica
Published: August 2020

The objective of this study was to evaluate the capacity of recovered sunflower waxes (RW) to be used as a structuring agent of oleogel emulsions in comparison with commercial sunflower waxes (CW). RW were recovered from filter cake with a simple hexane extraction procedure. For this purpose, oleogel‐based emulsions were prepared using 2%, 3.5%, and 5% w/w wax in oleogel and characterized using several physicochemical techniques in order to evaluate the potential of these materials to develop products with functionality similar to commercial margarines. The total wax esters content of RW was similar to that of the CW and was mainly composed of wax esters with more than 44 carbon atoms (crystallizable waxes). Polarized light and scanning electron microscopy showed that RW produced emulsions with more intricate crystalline networks composed of smaller platelets than CW. The melting enthalpy was greater in CW emulsions than RW emulsions, which was in agreement with the thermal behavior found for CW and RW. The oil binding capacity of CW oleogel emulsions was higher than the RW ones, and this property improved with the increase in wax concentration. Likewise, the elastic behavior, as well as hardness and adhesiveness, increased with the wax content as a result of a greater amount of microstructural elements composing the network of these semisolid materials. The oleogel emulsions stability was monitored for 2 months at room temperature. The increase of CW concentration slowed down the coalescence process, but this behavior was not observed for RW emulsions. Obtained results demonstrated that RW oleogel emulsions have the potential to replace the functionality of soft spreadable products.

Practical Application

Wax esters are organogelators that have been shown to successfully gel liquid oil at low concentrations. In this work, we are interested in evaluating the potential of sunflower waxes recovered from filter cake, a waste generated during refined oil production, to structure oil and produce oil‐in‐water emulsions with functionality similar to commercial margarines. With this, it is sought not only the development of healthier fats but also the use of wastes to generate more sustainable products.
New approaches to species delimitation and population structure of anthozoans: Two case studies of octocorals using ultraconserved elements and exons
Authors: Erickson Katie L. , Pentico Alicia , Quattrini Andrea M. , McFadden Catherine S.
Published: August 2020

As coral populations decline worldwide in the face of ongoing environmental change, documenting their distribution, diversity and conservation status is now more imperative than ever. Accurate delimitation and identification of species is a critical first step. This task, however, is not trivial as morphological variation and slowly evolving molecular markers confound species identification. New approaches to species delimitation in corals are needed to overcome these challenges. Here, we test whether target enrichment of ultraconserved elements (UCEs) and exons can be used for delimiting species boundaries and population structure within species of corals by focusing on two octocoral genera, Alcyonium and Sinularia, as exemplary case studies. We designed an updated bait set (29,181 baits) to target‐capture 3,023 UCE and exon loci, recovering a mean of 1,910 ± 168 SD per sample with a mean length of 1,055 ± 208 bp. Similar numbers of loci were recovered from Sinularia (1,946 ± 227 SD) and Alcyonium (1,863 ± 177 SD). Species‐level phylogenies were highly supported for both genera. Clustering methods based on filtered single nucleotide polymorphisms delimited species and populations that are congruent with previous allozyme, DNA barcoding, reproductive and ecological data for Alcyonium, and offered further evidence of hybridization among species. For Sinularia, results were congruent with those obtained from a previous study using restriction site associated DNA sequencing. Both case studies demonstrate the utility of target‐enrichment of UCEs and exons to address a wide range of evolutionary and taxonomic questions across deep to shallow timescales in corals.
The Synergistic and Neuroprotective Effects of Alcohol–Antioxidant Treatment on Blood–Brain Barrier Endothelial Cells
Authors: Fisher David , Thomas Kelly Angelique , Abdul‐Rasool Sahar
Published: August 2020

Background

Alcohol (EtOH) is reported to adversely affect one of the most crucial roles of the blood–brain barrier (BBB), the regulation of its permeability, thereby compromising the stability of the homeostatic environment of the brain. The central component of the BBB, endothelial cells (ECs), regulates BBB transcellular transport, while their paracellular pathways are made virtually impermeable by molecular structures called tight junctions (TJs). These TJs are composed of proteins, such as claudin‐5, a protein involved in the regulation of paracellular permeability and of key interest in this study.

Methods and Results

The working hypothesis of this study postulated that the high levels of antioxidants (AOs) in the fermented Aspalathus linearis (Rooibos; Rf) tincture may protect the ECs of the BBB against oxidative stress induced by EtOH exposure. Cells were exposed for 24 hours to selected concentrations of EtOH (25 and 100 mM), Rf (containing an antioxidant equivalence of 1.9 nM Aspalathin), and cotreatments of EtOH and Rf. Cell viability, live cell number, and toxicity were analyzed using the trypan blue exclusion assay. RT‐qPCR was implemented to quantify claudin‐5 transcription. In addition, permeability (Transepithelial Electrical Resistance) of bEnd5 monolayers was measured. The experimental timeline for the above‐mentioned parameters was 24 and 48 hours.

Conclusions

Our study showed that simultaneous exposure of Rf and EtOH was able to negate the effects of EtOH on cell viability and cell proliferation, but was not able to reverse or reduce the effects of EtOH on claudin‐5 transcription and paracellular permeability. Furthermore, a novel finding in this study suggests that very low concentrations of AOs in tinctures such as Rooibos tea could profoundly alter the redox status of brain ECs.
The polygenic risk for obsessive‐compulsive disorder is associated with the personality trait harm avoidance
Authors: Bey K. , Weinhold L. , Grützmann R. , Heinzel S. , Kaufmann C. , Klawohn J. , Riesel A. , Lennertz L. , Schmid M. , Ramirez A. , Kathmann N. , Wagner M.
Published: August 2020

Objective

Obsessive‐compulsive disorder (OCD) is a complex psychiatric disorder with a substantial genetic contribution. While the specific variants underlying OCD's heritability are still unknown, findings from genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) corroborate the importance of common SNPs explaining the phenotypic variance in OCD. Investigating associations between the genetic liability for OCD, as reflected by a polygenic risk score (PRS), and potential endophenotypes of the disorder, such as the personality trait harm avoidance, may aid the understanding of functional pathways from genes to diagnostic phenotypes.

Methods

We derived PRS for OCD at several P‐value thresholds based on the latest Psychiatric Genomics Consortium OCD GWAS (2688 cases, 7037 controls) in an independent sample of OCD patients (n = 180), their unaffected first‐degree relatives (n = 108) and healthy controls (n = 200). Using linear regression, we tested whether these PRS are associated with the personality trait harm avoidance.

Results

Results showed that OCD PRS significantly predicted OCD status, with patients having the highest scores and relatives having intermediate scores. Furthermore, the genetic risk for OCD was associated with harm avoidance across the entire sample, and among OCD patients. As indicated by mediation analyses, harm avoidance mediated the association between the OCD PRS and OCD caseness. These results were observed at multiple P‐value thresholds and persisted after the exclusion of patients with a current comorbid major depressive or anxiety disorder.

Conclusion

Our findings support the polygenic nature of OCD and further validate harm avoidance as a candidate endophenotype and diathesis of OCD.