bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sex‐specific plasticity across generations I: Maternal and paternal effects on sons and daughters
Authors: Hellmann Jennifer K. , Bukhari Syed Abbas , Deno Jack , Bell Alison M. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractIntergenerational plasticity or parental effects—when parental environments alter the phenotype of future generations—can influence how organisms cope with environmental change. An intriguing, underexplored possibility is that sex—of both the parent and the offspring—plays an important role in driving the evolution of intergenerational plasticity in both adaptive and non‐adaptive ways.Here, we evaluate the potential for sex‐specific parental effects in a freshwater population of three‐spined sticklebacksGasterosteus aculeatusby independently and jointly manipulating maternal and paternal experiences and separately evaluating their phenotypic effects in sons versus daughters. We tested the adaptive hypothesis that daughters are more responsive to cues from their mother, whereas sons are more responsive to cues from their father.We exposed mothers, fathers or both parents to visual cues of predation risk and measured offspring antipredator traits and brain gene expression.Predator‐exposed fathers produced sons that were more risk‐prone, whereas predator‐exposed mothers produced more anxious sons and daughters. Furthermore, maternal and paternal effects on offspring survival were non‐additive: offspring with a predator‐exposed father, but not two predator‐exposed parents, had lower survival against live predators. There were also strong sex‐specific effects on brain gene expression: exposing mothers versus fathers to predation risk activated different transcriptional profiles in their offspring, and sons and daughters strongly differed in the ways in which their brain gene expression profiles were influenced by parental experience.We found little evidence to support the hypothesis that offspring prioritize their same‐sex parent's experience. Parental effects varied with both the sex of the parent and the offspring in complicated and non‐additive ways. Failing to account for these sex‐specific patterns (e.g. by pooling sons and daughters) would have underestimated the magnitude of parental effects. Altogether, these results draw attention to the potential for sex to influence patterns of intergenerational plasticity and raise new questions about the interface between intergenerational plasticity and sex‐specific selective pressures, sexual conflict and sexual selection.
Towards a unified data infrastructure to support European and global microbiome research: a call to action
Authors: Ryan Matthew J. , Schloter Michael , Berg Gabriele , Kinkel Linda L. , Eversole Kellye , Macklin James A. , Rybakova Daria , Sessitsch Angela 
Published: November 2020

SummaryHigh‐quality microbiome research relies on the integrity, management and quality of supporting data. Currently biobanks and culture collections have different formats and approaches to data management. This necessitates a standard data format to underpin research, particularly in line with the FAIR data standards of findability, accessibility, interoperability and reusability. We address the importance of a unified, coordinated approach that ensures compatibility of data between that needed by biobanks and culture collections, but also to ensure linkage between bioinformatic databases and the wider research community.
Straightjackets of Male Domination in Senior Positions: Revisiting Acker's ‘Ideal Worker’ and the Construction of the ‘Ideal Executive’
Authors: Poorhosseinzadeh Mahan , Strachan Glenda 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThis paper contributes to the on‐going debate on men's overrepresentation in executive positions. Drawing on semi‐structured interviews with male senior managers in two Australian organizations, this paper aims to problematize men's privilege in senior positions by uncovering the different forms of hegemonic masculinity that legitimize men as the ideal candidates for executive positions. Using Joan Acker's concept of the ‘ideal worker’ as a starting point, this paper aggregates these criteria to develop a new concept of the ‘ideal executive’. The model of the ‘ideal executive’ reveals how decision‐makers (mostly male) control executive position allocation, construct the barriers to entry and define the criteria for an ideal candidate for such a position. Candidates who desire to be considered for an executive position need to conform to this ‘ideal’, which has been influenced and shaped by male executives. Patriarchal power structures, particularly careerism and entrepreneurialism, are investigated with a focus on the ways in which they contribute to the construction of the ideal executive and consequently inhibit women's career progression into senior positions. We conclude that masculinities are now more sophisticated and encompass newer forms that account for changes in societal norms.
Adequacy of cool running water first aid by healthcare professionals in the treatment of paediatric burns: A cross‐sectional study of 4537 children
Authors: Frear Cody C , Griffin Bronwyn , Kimble Roy 
Published: November 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the adequacy of cool running water first aid provided by healthcare professionals in the early management of children with thermal burn injuries.MethodsA cross‐sectional study was undertaken using a prospectively collected registry of children who presented with a thermal burn to the only major paediatric burns centre in Queensland, Australia, from January 2013 to December 2018. Main outcome measures included the type and duration of first aid administered by paramedics, general practitioners and emergency providers at local general hospitals and a children's hospital. In accordance with current Australian guidelines, adequate cooling was defined as 20 min of cool running water within 3 h of the injury.ResultsOf the 4537 children who presented to the paediatric burns centre, 3261 (71.9%) received adequate first aid, including 1502 (33.1%) at the scene of injury. Paramedics and general practitioners administered adequate cooling to 184 (25.0%) and 52 (24.2%) of their patients, respectively. ED clinicians adhered to guidelines in the treatment of 1019 (56.3%) children at general hospitals and 411 (76.0%) at the children's hospital. Among ED patients who presented with incomplete prior first aid, the risk of inadequate cooling was significantly greater for those transported via ambulance (P < 0.001).ConclusionDeficiencies remain in the cooling of paediatric burns patients at all levels of initial management. There is a need in the healthcare community for improved education regarding the parameters and clinical benefits of cool running water first aid.
The KNRL nuclear receptor controls hydrolase‐mediated vitellin breakdown during embryogenesis in the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens
Authors: Lu Kai , Cheng Yi‐Bei , Li Yi‐Min , Li Wen‐Ru , Song Yuan‐Yuan , Zeng Ren‐Sen , Sun Zhong‐Xiang 
Published: November 2020

AbstractVitellin (Vn) homeostasis is central to the fecundity of oviparous insects. Most studies have focused on the synthesis and transportation of Vn as a building block for developing eggs during vitellogenesis; however, less is known about how the utilization of this nutrient reserve affects embryonic development. Here, we show that the single ortholog of the knirps and knirps‐like nuclear receptors, KNRL, negatively regulates Vn breakdown by suppressing the expression of hydrolase genes in the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens. KNRL was highly expressed in the ovary of adult females, and knockdown of KNRL by RNA interference resulted in the acceleration of Vn breakdown and the inhibition of embryonic development. Transcriptome sequencing analysis revealed that numerous hydrolase genes, including cathepsins and trypsins were up‐regulated after KNRL knockdown. At least eight of the nine significantly enriched Gene Ontology terms for the up‐regulated genes were in proteolysis‐related categories. The expression levels of five selected trypsin genes and the enzymatic activities of trypsin in the embryos were significantly increased after KNRL knockdown. Moreover, trypsin injection prolonged egg duration, delayed embryonic development, accelerated Vn breakdown and severely reduced egg hatchability, a pattern similar to that observed in KNRL‐silenced N. lugens. These observations suggest that KNRL controls Vn breakdown in embryos via the transcriptional inhibition of hydrolases. Generally, this study provides a foundation for understanding how embryo nutrient reserves are mobilized during embryogenesis and identifies several genes and pathways that may prove valuable targets for pest control.
Contrasting influences on bacterial symbiont specificity by co‐occurring deep‐sea mussels and tubeworms
Authors: Brzechffa Camille , Goffredi Shana K. 
Published: November 2020

SummaryRelationships fueled by sulfide between deep‐sea invertebrates and bacterial symbionts are well known, yet the diverse overlapping factors influencing symbiont specificity are complex. For animals that obtain their symbionts from the environment, both host identity and geographic location can impact the ultimate symbiont partner. Bacterial symbionts were analysed for three co‐occurring species each of Bathymodiolus mussels and vestimentiferan tubeworms, from three deep methane seeps off the west coast of Costa Rica. The bacterial internal transcribed spacer gene was analysed via direct and barcoded amplicon sequencing to reveal fine‐scale symbiont diversity. Each of the three mussel species (B. earlougheri, B. billschneideri and B. nancyschneideri) hosted genetically distinct thiotrophic endosymbionts, despite living nearly side‐by‐side in their habitat, suggesting that host identity is crucial in driving symbiont specificity. The dominant thiotrophic symbiont of co‐occurring tubeworms Escarpia spicata and Lamellibrachia (L. barhami and L. donwalshi), on the other hand, was identical regardless of host species or sample location, suggesting lack of influence by either factor on symbiont selectivity in this group of animals. These findings highlight the specific, yet distinct, influences on the environmental acquisition of symbionts in two foundational invertebrates with similar lifestyles, and provide a rapid, precise method of examining symbiont identities.
The Use of Blockchains to Enhance Sustainability Reporting and Assurance*
Authors: Bakarich Kathleen M. , Castonguay John “Jack” , O'Brien Patrick E. 
Published: November 2020

ABSTRACTThe changing dynamics of the accounting profession have been strongly influenced by emerging technologies and the demand for nontraditional metrics and information by stakeholders and regulators. In this article, we perform an exploratory content analysis to examine the role that blockchain technology can play in enhancing sustainability reporting and assurance. The benefits to companies and assurance professionals in using the distributed ledger technology of blockchain are increased trust, transparency, and traceability, which matches stakeholders' demands as it relates to sustainability reporting. This article identifies and analyzes potential and current use cases of blockchain in the United States and Canada to assist accountants and auditors in preparing and reviewing sustainability information. We highlight how augmenting traditional reporting systems with blockchain can overcome problems with sustainability reporting. We discuss implications for practice in detail—finding that blockchain is well‐positioned to provide reliable tracking and custodial support as it relates to sustainability information currently being self‐reported by many firms, such as greenhouse gas emissions, conflict mineral disclosure, or product provenance, among others. Expanded adoption of blockchains by companies will lead to higher‐quality information being included in sustainability reports and allow assurance professionals to verify a wider range of information, potentially leading to uniform standards in the evaluation of sustainability reports.
Spatial thinning and class balancing: Key choices lead to variation in the performance of species distribution models with citizen science data
Authors: Steen Valerie A. , Tingley Morgan W. , Paton Peter W. C. , Elphick Chris S. 
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Spatial biases are a common feature of presence–absence data from citizen scientists. Spatial thinning can mitigate errors in species distribution models (SDMs) that use these data. When detections or non‐detections are rare, however, SDMs may suffer from class imbalance or low sample size of the minority (i.e. rarer) class. Poor predictions can result, the severity of which may vary by modelling technique.

To explore the consequences of spatial bias and class imbalance in presence–absence data, we used eBird citizen science data for 102 bird species from the northeastern USA to compare spatial thinning, class balancing and majority‐only thinning (i.e. retaining all samples of the minority class). We created SDMs using two parametric or semi‐parametric techniques (generalized linear models and generalized additive models) and two machine learning techniques (random forest and boosted regression trees). We tested the predictive abilities of these SDMs using an independent and systematically collected reference dataset with a combination of discrimination (area under the receiver operator characteristic curve; true skill statistic; area under the precision‐recall curve) and calibration (Brier score; Cohen's kappa) metrics.

We found large variation in SDM performance depending on thinning and balancing decisions. Across all species, there was no single best approach, with the optimal choice of thinning and/or balancing depending on modelling technique, performance metric and the baseline sample prevalence of species in the data. Spatially thinning all the data was often a poor approach, especially for species with baseline sample prevalence <0.1. For most of these rare species, balancing classes improved model discrimination between presence and absence classes using machine learning techniques, but typically hindered model calibration.

Baseline sample prevalence, sample size, modelling approach and the intended application of SDM output—whether discrimination or calibration—should guide decisions about how to thin or balance data, given the considerable influence of these methodological choices on SDM performance. For prognostic applications requiring good model calibration (vis‐à‐vis discrimination), the match between sample prevalence and true species prevalence may be the overriding feature and warrants further investigation.
Unraveling Apathy in Korsakoff Syndrome Patients Receiving Long‐Term Care With and Without Cerebrovascular Comorbidity
Authors: Oey Misha J. , Brouwer Veerle H. E. W. , Buijs Marie J. , Wijnia Jan Watze , Postma Albert , Oudman Erik 
Published: November 2020

BackgroundKorsakoff syndrome (KS) is a severe neuropsychiatric disorder caused by acute deficiency of vitamin B1 and concomitant alcoholism. Patients with KS are particularly vulnerable for cerebrovascular comorbidity. KS is characterized by cognitive and neuropsychiatric symptoms, one of which is apathy. Apathy is a pathological lack of goal‐directed behaviors, goal‐directed cognitions, and goal‐directed emotions. Cerebrovascular accidents are known to carry a risk for developing apathy. Apathy has a dramatic effect on the autonomy and daily lives of patients suffering from this condition.MethodsWe assessed general apathy and related subconstructs in fifteen patients with KS, fifteen patients with KS and cerebrovascular comorbidity who reside in a 24‐hour care facility, and fifteen healthy controls.ResultsCompared with healthy controls, both KS patient groups showed higher levels of apathy as rated by a close informant. We found no difference between both KS patient groups and the healthy control group on the self‐report section of the Pleasant Activities List, suggesting that motivation is still intact in KS patients. It is important to note a discrepancy was found between self‐reporting and proxy reporting on this list. KS patients with cerebrovascular comorbidity showed more severe emotional blunting compared to both KS patients without cerebrovascular comorbidity and healthy controls. The competency to consent was lower in patients compared with healthy controls, but no difference was found between KS patients with cerebrovascular comorbidity and those without.ConclusionsOur results suggest that KS patients show increased levels of general apathy compared with healthy controls. Patients show a diminished competency to consent and increased emotional blunting, while motivation is not compromised. Cerebrovascular comorbidity in KS forms a high risk for emotional blunting. The results of this study suggest that apathy is a severe problem in KS. More attention in both the literature and clinical practice would benefit this complex patient population.
Patch‐Clamp Recording of Low Frequency Stimulation‐induced Long‐Term Synaptic Depression in Rat Hippocampus Slices During Early and Late Neurodevelopment
Authors: Bertrand Cédric , Deschamps Chloé , Rabiant Kevin , Peineau Stéphane , Antol Johann , Martinetti Margaret , Naassila Mickael , Vilpoux Catherine , Pierrefiche Olivier 
Published: November 2020

BackgroundStudying synaptic plasticity in the rat hippocampus slice is a well‐established way to analyze cellular mechanisms related to learning and memory. Different modes of recording can be used, such as extracellular field excitatory post‐synaptic potential (EPSP) and diverse patch‐clamp methods. However, most studies using these methods have examined only up to the juvenile stage of brain maturation, which is known to terminate during late adolescence/early adulthood. Moreover, several animal models of human diseases have been developed at this late stage of brain development. To study the vulnerability of adolescent rat to the cognitive impairment of alcohol, we developed a model of binge‐like exposure in which ethanol selectively abolishes low frequency stimulation (LFS)‐induced, field EPSP long‐term depression (LTD) in the rat hippocampus slice.MethodsIn the present study, we sought to use whole‐cell patch‐clamp recording in the voltage‐clamp mode to further investigate the mechanisms involved in the abolition of LFS‐induced LTD in our model of binge‐like exposure in adolescent rat hippocampus slices. In addition, we investigated LFS‐induced NMDAR‐LTD and mGluR‐LTD at different ages and changed several parameters to improve the recordings.ResultsUsing patch‐clamp recording, LFS‐induced NMDAR‐LTD and mGluR‐LTD could be measured until 4 weeks of age, but not in older animals. Similarly, chemical mGluR‐LTD and a combined LFS‐LTD involving both N‐Methyl‐D‐Aspartate Receptor (NMDAR) and mGluR were not measured in older animals. The absence of LFS‐LTD was not due to the loss of a diffusible intracellular agent nor the voltage mode of recording or intracellular blockade of either sodium or potassium currents. In contrast to voltage‐clamp recordings, LFS‐induced LTD tested with field recordings was measured at all ages and the effects of EtOH were visible in all cases.ConclusionsWe concluded that whole‐cell patch‐clamp recordings are not suitable for studying synaptic LFS‐induced LTD in rats older than 4 weeks of age and therefore cannot be used to explore electrophysiological disturbances, such as those induced by alcohol binge drinking during adolescence, which constitutes a late period of brain maturation.
A co‐twin–control analysis of adolescent and young adult drinking effects on learning and memory
Authors: Malone Stephen M. , Wilson Sylia , Bair Jessica L. , McGue Matt , Iacono William G. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBackground and aimsExisting evidence for a link between alcohol use and memory impairments in adolescents and young adults is largely correlational. We aimed to determine whether associations between drinking and episodic memory were consistent with a causal effect of drinking or accounted for by familial factors confounding such associations. Because cannabis use is associated with a similar pattern of performance on episodic memory measures, we assessed whether any associations might be attributable to concurrent cannabis use.Design, setting and participantsObservational study of individuals aged approximately 20–29 years, comprising two independent population‐based cohorts of twins. A co‐twin–control design permitted an estimate of alcohol exposure effects free of shared genetic and environmental confounding influences. Significant associations were followed‐up with twin‐difference analyses. Propensity scores derived from measures collected at age 11 were used to adjust for unshared confounders. Participants in both cohorts were assessed from the age of 11 (n = 1251) under the auspices of the Minnesota Center for Twin and Family Research.MeasurementsRegression analyses with cumulative alcohol use as the predictor of interest. Multiple measures of attention, learning and memory from a widely used episodic memory task constituted dependent variables.FindingsDrinking was associated with poorer attention (P ≤ 0.003) and learning (P ≤ 0.008). Results were similar across the two cohorts. The within‐pair effect in twin‐difference analyses was significant only for measures of learning (P‐values ≤ 0.004). Results were not due to measured unshared confounders or cannabis use. Drinking in adolescence (to age 20) and early adulthood (between 20 and 29) exerted independent effects on learning.ConclusionsThere appears to be a robust and specific association between drinking and learning that can be reproduced across cohorts, is not easily accounted for by confounding factors or concurrent cannabis use and is consistent with a causal influence of drinking.