bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Anticipatory reinstatement of expected perceptual events during visual sequence learning
Authors: Senoussi Mehdi , VanRullen Rufin , Reddy Leila 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBeing able to predict future events in learned sequences is a fundamental cognitive ability. Successful behavior requires the brain to not only anticipate an upcoming event, but to also continue to keep track of the sequence in case of eventual disruptions, (e.g., when a predicted event does not occur). However, the precise neural mechanisms supporting such processes remain unknown. Here, using multivariate pattern classification based on electroencephalography (EEG) activity and time-frequency amplitude, we show that the visual system represents upcoming expected stimuli during a sequence-learning task. Stimulus-evoked neural representations were reinstated prior to expected stimulus onset, and when an anticipated stimulus was unexpectedly withheld, suggesting proactive reinstatement of sensory templates. Importantly, stimulus representation of the absent stimulus co-occurred with an emerging representation of the following stimulus in the sequence, showing that the brain actively maintained sequence order even when the sequence was perturbed. Finally, selective activity was evident in the alpha-beta band (9-20 Hz) amplitude topographies, confirming the role of alpha-beta oscillations in carrying information about the nature of sensory expectations. These results show that the brain dynamically implements anticipatory mechanisms that reinstate sensory representations, and that allow us to make predictions about events further in the future.
Thymocytes trigger self-antigen-controlling pathways in immature medullary thymic epithelial stages
Authors: Lopes Noëlla , Boucherit Nicolas , Charaix Jonathan , Ferrier Pierre , Giraud Matthieu , Irla Magali 
Published: November 2020

AbstractInteractions of developing T cells with Aire+medullary thymic epithelial cells expressing high levels of MHCII molecules (mTEChi) are critical for the induction of central tolerance. In turn, thymocytes regulate the cellularity of Aire+mTEChi. However, it remains unknown whether thymocytes control Aire+mTEChi-precursors that are contained in mTEClocells or other mTEClosubsets that have recently been delineated or identified by single-cell transcriptomic analyses. Here, using three distinct transgenic mouse models, in which antigen-presentation between mTECs and CD4+thymocytes is perturbed, we show by high-throughput RNA-seq that self-reactive CD4+thymocytes induce in mTEClothe expression of tissue-restricted self-antigens, cytokines, chemokines and adhesion molecules important for T-cell development. This gene activation program is combined with a global increase of the active H3K4me3 histone mark. Finally, we show that these interactions induce key mTEC transcriptional regulators and govern mTEClosubset composition, including Aire+mTEChi-precursors, post-Aire and tuft-like mTECs. Our genome-wide study thus reveals that self-reactive CD4+thymocytes control multiple unsuspected facets from immature stages of mTECs, which determines their heterogeneity.
Wolbachiaload variation inDrosophilais more likely caused by drift than by host genetic factors
Authors: Bénard Alexis , Henri Hélène , Noûs Camille , Vavre Fabrice , Kremer Natacha 
Published: November 2020

AbstractSymbiosis is a continuum of long-term interactions ranging from mutualism to parasitism, according to the balance between costs and benefits for the protagonists. The density of endosymbionts is, in both cases, a key factor that determines both the transmission of symbionts and the host extended phenotype, and is thus tightly regulated within hosts. However, the evolutionary and molecular mechanisms underlying bacterial density regulation are currently poorly understood. In this context, the symbiosis between the fruit fly and its intracellular bacteriaWolbachia(wMelPop strain) is particularly interesting to study. Although vertically transmitted, the symbiont is pathogenic, and a positive correlation between virulence andwMelPop density is observed. In addition, the number of repeats of a bacterial genomic region -Octomom-is positively correlated withWolbachiadensity, underlying a potential genetic mechanism that controls bacterial density. Interestingly, the number of repeats varies between host individuals, but most likely also within them. Such genetic heterogeneity within the host could promote conflicts between bacteria themselves and with the host, notably by increasing within-host competition between symbiont genotypes through a process analogous to the tragedy of the commons. To characterize the determinisms at play in the regulation of bacterial density, we first introgressed wMelPop in different genetic backgrounds ofD. melanogaster, and found different density levels and Octomom copy numbers in each host lineage. To determine whether such variations reflect a host genetic determinism on density regulation through Octomom copy number selection, we replicated the introgressions and performed reciprocal crosses on the two Drosophila populations with the most extreme density levels. In both experiments, we detected an absence of directionality in the patterns of infection, associated with a strong instability of these patterns across generations. Given that bacterial density was highly correlated with Octomom copy numbers in all experiments, these results rather suggest a strong influence of drift and a random increase in the frequency of certain bacterial variants. We then discuss how drift, both on the symbiont population during transmission and on the host population, could limit the efficiency of selection in such a symbiotic system, and the consequences of drift on the regulation of density and composition of bacterial populations.
Modality-specific frequency band activity during neural entrainment to auditory and visual rhythms
Authors: Comstock Daniel C. , Ross Jessica M. , Balasubramaniam Ramesh 
Published: November 2020

AbstractRhythm perception depends on the ability to predict the onset of rhythmic events. Previous studies indicate beta band modulation is involved in predicting the onset of auditory rhythmic events (Snyder & Large, 2005; Fujioka et al., 2009, 2012). We sought to determine if similar processes are recruited for prediction of visual rhythms by investigating whether beta band activity plays a role in a modality dependent manner for rhythm perception. We looked at source-level EEG time-frequency neural correlates of prediction using an omission paradigm with auditory and visual rhythms. By using omissions, we can separate out predictive timing activity from stimulus driven activity. We hypothesized that there would be modality specific markers of rhythm prediction in induced beta band oscillatory activity, characterized primarily by activation in the motor system specific to auditory rhythm processing. Our findings suggest the existence of overlapping networks of predictive beta activity based on common activation in the parietal and right frontal regions, auditory specific predictive beta in bilateral sensorimotor regions, and visually specific predictive beta in midline central, and bilateral temporal/parietal regions. We also found evidence for evoked predictive beta activity in the left sensorimotor region specific to auditory rhythms. These findings implicate modality dependent networks for auditory and visual rhythm perception. The results further suggest that auditory rhythm perception may have left hemispheric specific mechanisms.
A maize male gametophyte-specific gene encodes ZmLARP6c1, a potential RNA-binding protein required for competitive pollen tube growth
Authors: Zhou Lian , Vejlupkova Zuzana , Warman Cedar , Fowler John E. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractMembers of the La-Related Protein family (LARPs) contain a conserved La module, which has been associated with RNA-binding activity. Expression of the maize gene GRMZM2G323499/Zm00001d018613, a member of the LARP family, is highly specific to pollen, based on both transcriptomic and proteomic assays. This suggests a pollen-specific RNA regulatory function for the protein, designated ZmLARP6c1 based on sequence similarity to the LARP6 subfamily inArabidopsis. To test this hypothesis, aDs-GFPtransposable element insertion in theZmLarp6c1gene (tdsgR82C05) was obtained from the Dooner/Du mutant collection. Sequencing confirmed that theDs-GFPinsertion is in an exon, and thus likely interferes with ZmLARP6c1 function. Tracking inheritance of the insertion via its endosperm-expressed GFP indicated that the mutation was associated with reduced transmission from a heterozygous plant when crossed as a male (ranging from 0.5% to 26.5% transmission), but not as a female. Furthermore, this transmission defect was significantly alleviated when less pollen was applied to the silk, reducing competition between mutant and wild-type pollen. Pollen grain diameter measurements and nuclei counts showed no significant differences between wild-type and mutant pollen. However,in vitro, mutant pollen tubes were significantly shorter than those from sibling wild-type plants, and also displayed altered germination dynamics. These results are consistent with the idea that ZmLARP6c1 provides an important regulatory function during the highly competitive progamic phase of male gametophyte development following arrival of the pollen grain on the silk. The conditional, competitive nature of theZmlarp6c1::Dsmale sterility phenotype (i.e., reduced ability to produce progeny seed) points toward new possibilities for genetic control of parentage in crop production.
Incident hypertension in Urban Slums of Central India: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Pakhare Abhijit P , Lahiri Anuja , Shrivastava Neelesh , Joshi Ankur , Khadanga Sagar , Joshi Rajnish 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBackgroundNational Program for prevention and control of cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and stroke (NPCDCS) in India envisages annual screening of adults over age of 30 years for hypertension. It is followed by confirmation and further linkage for treatment and health promotion interventions. We aimed to estimate incidence rate of hypertension and to identify risk factors for same, so that it is useful for program implementation.MethodsWe established a cohort of adults residing in urban slums of Bhopal, who were registered in a baseline cardio-vascular risk assessment survey, which was performed between November-2017 and March-2018. Blood pressure assessment was done at-least thrice at baseline for diagnosis of hypertension, which was defined as SBP >/= 140 mm Hg or DBP >/= 90 mm Hg on two or more occasions. Participants who did not have a diagnosis of hypertension, were followed up during April-June 2019.ResultsOf the 5673 participants assessed at baseline, 4185 did not have hypertension of which 3199 (76.4%) were followed up after a median on 1.25 years (IQR 1.08-1.60) and a total of 170(5.31%) individuals were detected with incident hypertension. Overall incidence rate of HTN was 4.1 (95%CI 3.54-4.75) per 100 person-years of follow-up. On multi-variate analysis, age (RR 1.79; 95%CI 1.1-2.92 for age > 60 years) and being illiterate (RR 1.9; (95%CI 1.35-2.69) were significant predictors of incident hypertension. Individuals who had pre-hypertension at baseline also had a significantly increased risk of developing hypertension (RR 3.02; 95%CI 2.06-4.44).ConclusionsWe found that incidence of hypertension in urban slums of central India is higher with increasing age and in men. Illiteracy and prehypertension are other determinants. We also demonstrate feasibility of establishing a cohort within the public-health delivery system, driven by efforts of Community Health Workers.
The impact of COVID-19 disruption to cervical cancer screening in England on excess diagnoses
Authors: Castanon Alejandra , Matejka Rebolj M , Pesola Francesca , Sasieni Peter 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBackgroundCervical cancer screening services in England have been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsUsing routine statistics we estimate number of women affected by delays to screening. We used published research to estimate the proportion of screening age women with high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and progression rates to cancer. Under two scenarios we estimate the impact of COVID-19 on cervical cancer over one screening cycle (3y at ages 25-49 and 5y at ages 50-64). The duration of disruption in both scenarios is six months. In the first scenario all women have their screening interval is extended by six months. In the second some women (those who would have been screened during the disruption) miss one screening cycle, but most women have no delay.ResultsBoth scenarios result in similar numbers of excess cervical cancers: 630 vs. 632 (both 4.3 per 100,000 women in the population). However the scenario in which some women miss one screening cycle creates inequalities - they would have much higher rates of excess cancer: 41.5 per 100,000 screened women compared to those with a six month delay (5.9 per 100,000 screened).ConclusionTo ensure equity for those affected by COVID-19 related screening delays additional screening capacity will need to be paired with prioritising the screening of overdue women.
Institutional investors, stewardship code disclosures and audit fees
Authors: Routledge James 
Published: November 2020

PurposeThis study uses content analysis of disclosures under the Japanese Stewardship Code to examine how investee company audit fees are influenced by institutional investor governance.Design/methodology/approachScores are developed based on objective and verifiable Code disclosures made by the top-five institutional investors of Nikkei 225 index companies. The scores are related to management of conflicts of interest, monitoring actions and resource availability connected with stewardship.FindingsThe results show that higher scores on monitoring and resource availability are associated with lower audit fees. The extent of resources that institutional investors allocate to playing an effective stewardship role is found to be the primary determinant of their influence on audit fees. Overall, the findings are consistent with governance by institutional investors reducing audit risk and audit effort, which leads to lower audit fees.Originality/valueThe study offers new insights because there is no apparent prior research that uses Code disclosure content to measure institutional investor governance. This provides new information on the open question of the relation between audit fees and institutional investor governance.
Coping with COVID-19: a reflection on learning challenges and coping strategies – the case of an accounting conversion masters degree in New Zealand
Authors: Ramachandra Sureshchandra , Wells Paul 
Published: November 2020

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to document both, the challenges faced by a cohort of postgraduate students undertaking capstone research projects in an Accounting Conversion Master Degree Programme (ACMP), and the strategies used by teachers in response to those challenges during the COVID-19 lockdown period.

Design/methodology/approach
Written communications originating from students were analysed to identify areas of difficulties faced by them. These communications were thematically grouped and reflected upon through the lens of constructivist and behaviourist perspectives of learning.

Findings
The study found that students were severely challenged in sense-making with conceptual, application and judgement-related issues and understanding of the administrative requirements of the module. Innovative strategies used by teachers to resolve each of these issues were documented. While some strategies can be replicated in future periods, some are not sustainable as they have ramifications on other aspects of teaching and learning.

Originality/value
There are no known studies in this genre, conducted especially during a pandemic period.
An integrated BIM-based approach for cost estimation in construction projects
Authors: Fazeli Abdulwahed , Dashti Mohammad Saleh , Jalaei Farzad , Khanzadi Mostafa 
Published: November 2020

PurposeAnalyzing different scenarios at the design stage of construction projects has always been a challenging task. One of the main parameters that helps owners in making better decisions in designing their buildings is to look after the cost perspective on different design scenarios. Thus, this study aims to propose a semi-automated BIM-based cost estimation approach that enables practitioners to estimate the cost of projects based on different design scenarios by an accurate and agile system.Design/methodology/approachThis study proposes an integrated framework, through which the cost estimation standard of Iran (FehrestBaha) is linked to the materials quantity take-offs (QTO) from BIM models. The performance of the system is based on connecting the classification standards of UniFormat and MasterFormat to the cost estimation standard of FehrestBaha. A BIM-based extension in the Revit environment is developed to automate the cost estimation process.FindingsTo evaluate the efficiency of the proposed approach in cost estimation, it is implemented to estimate the cost of the architectural discipline in a real construction project. The results indicate that the proposed BIM-based approach estimated the cost of the architectural discipline with an acceptable level of accuracy.Practical implicationsThe proposed approach could be used by practitioners to have an agile and accurate BIM-based cost estimation of different scenarios during design process. The semi-automated system considerably reduces the time of cost estimation in comparison to the traditional manual approaches, particularly in complex structures. Owners are able to easily trace changes in project cost according to any changes in components and materials of the BIM model. Furthermore, the proposed approach provides a practical roadmap for BIM-based cost estimation based on cost estimation standards in different countries.Originality/valueUnlike the traditional manual cost estimation approaches, the proposed BIM-based approach is not highly dependent on the knowledge of experienced estimators, which therefore facilitates its implementation. Furthermore, automating both QTO process and the required calculations in this approach increases the accuracy of cost estimation while decreasing the probability of human errors or omission occurrence.
The influence of digital marketing on recruitment effectiveness: a qualitative study
Authors: Rodrigues Dalvia , Martinez Luis F. 
Published: November 2020

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to unfold how different digital marketing tools and strategies influence recruitment effectiveness. More specifically, it focusses on understanding if, and how, information sources’ credibility, content marketing, and organisational reputation influence candidates’ decision to apply for a job in the Portuguese market.

Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative research, aligned with a content analysis, was conducted to focus on the insights from the 21 participants interviewed, to understand their thoughts and experiences regarding the subject.

Findings
The results show that digital marketing tools owned by the company are seen to be more credible and more relevant for the job application decision. LinkedIn is considered to be a more credible platform for advertising job openings than Facebook. In terms of content marketing, LinkedIn has a positive influence on candidates’ decision, as well as companies’ reputation.

Practical implications
This study provides practical implications which are useful for both HR and marketing managers, namely, the implementation of an integrated marketing communication strategy, the reinforcement of the company’s website and LinkedIn page and a presence on universities’ platforms, and also in terms of the information that content marketing should focus on.

Originality/value
This research paper incorporates marketing insights into a well-known HRM subject – recruitment, and thus adds further knowledge to the literature and prepares the ground for researchers who wish to explore this subject further.
Enhancing the construction projects safety performance level to confront the civil engineering trades-related hazards
Authors: Akal Ahmed Yousry , El-Kholy Amr Metwally 
Published: November 2020

PurposeThis work affords a practical checklist that specifies the civil engineering trades-related hazards and offers a safety indicator to identify the safety level of a construction project concerning the hazards of the civil engineering trades.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology depends on reviewing the archival works, visiting the construction sites, utilizing the direct observation and preliminary hazard analysis methods and conducting semistructured interviews to pinpoint and validate the checklist of the civil engineering trades-related hazards. Additionally, a questionnaire-based survey with the rank sum weight technique has been employed to assemble and analyze the data required to build the safety indicator.FindingsRelying upon the used methodology, 70 hazards under the trades of general environment, earth, demolition, excavation, concrete, dewatering, waterproofing insulation and scaffolding have been pinpointed and validated. This is in addition to the safety level indicator of the civil engineering trades-related hazards (SLICETH), which indicates high viability during its validation in five national and international projects.Originality/valueThe value of this work lies in its ability to tackle the gap existing in the safety management knowledge regarding the notion of the hazards of the civil engineering trades and their influences on the safety performance of the construction projects. As a result, it offers a complete knowledge to the academics and the practitioners for confronting the negative impacts of the civil engineering trades-related hazards. Consequently, it helps in enhancing the safety performance level in the sites of the construction projects.