bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genome-wide association study suggests an independent genetic basis of zinc and cadmium concentrations in fresh sweet corn kernels
Authors: Baseggio Matheus , Murray Matthew , Wu Di , Ziegler Gregory , Kaczmar Nicholas , Chamness James , Hamilton John P. , Buell C. Robin , Vatamaniuk Olena K. , Buckler Edward S. , Smith Margaret E. , Baxter Ivan , Tracy William F. , Gore Michael A. 
Published: February 2021

ABSTRACTDespite being one of the most consumed vegetables in the United States, the elemental profile of sweet corn (Zea maysL.) is limited in its dietary contributions. To address this through genetic improvement, a genome-wide association study was conducted for the concentrations of 15 elements in fresh kernels of a sweet corn association panel. In concordance with mapping results from mature maize kernels, we detected a probable pleiotropic association of zinc and iron concentrations withnicotianamine synthase5(nas5), which purportedly encodes an enzyme involved in synthesis of the metal chelator nicotianamine. Additionally, a pervasive association signal was identified for cadmium concentration within a recombination suppressed region on chromosome 2. The likely causal gene underlying this signal washeavy metal ATPase3(hma3), whose counterpart in rice,OsHMA3, mediates vacuolar sequestration of cadmium and zinc in roots, whereby regulating zinc homeostasis and cadmium accumulation in grains. In our association panel,hma3associated with cadmium but not zinc accumulation in fresh kernels. This finding implies that selection for low cadmium will not affect zinc levels in fresh kernels. Although less resolved association signals were detected for boron, nickel, and calcium, all 15 elements were shown to have moderate predictive abilities via whole-genome prediction. Collectively, these results help enhance our genomics-assisted breeding efforts centered on improving the elemental profile of fresh sweet corn kernels.
Use of lignocellulosic residue from second-generation ethanol production to enhance methane production through co-digestion
Authors: Volpi Maria Paula. C. , Brenelli Lívia B. , Mockaitis Gustavo , Rabelo Sarita C. , Franco Telma T. , Moraes Bruna S. 
Published: February 2021

ABSTRACTThis is a pioneer study evaluating the methane (CH4) production potential from residues of integrated 1st (vinasse and filter cake) and 2nd (deacetylation pretreatment liquor from straw) generation (1G2G) sugarcane biorefinery, providing a fully chemical characterization of them and their relation with the anaerobic digestion (AD) process. Small-scale assays provided fundamentals for basing the co-digestion optimization by assessing the optimal co-substrates synergistic conditions. Biochemical Methane Potential (BMP) tests showed co-digestion enhanced CH4 yield of isolated substrates, reaching up to 605 NmLCH4 gVS-1. The association of vinasse and deacetylation liquor as co-substrates increased the BMP by ~38% mostly by nutritionally benefiting the methanogenic activity. The kinetic analysis confirmed that the deacetylation liquor was the co-substrate responsible for improving the CH4 production in the co-digestion systems due to the highest CH4 conversion rate. The alkaline characteristic of the liquor (pH~12) also prevented alkalizing from being added to the co-digestion, an input that normally makes the process economically unfeasible to implement on an industrial scale due to the large quantities required for buffering the reactor. The filter cake had the lowest BMP (262 NmLCH4 gVS-1) and digestibility (≤ 40%), further limited by the required stirring to improve the mass transfer of biochemical reactions. The present study drives towards more sustainable use of vinasse, the most voluminous waste from the sugarcane industry, and lignin-rich residues derived from pre-treatment alkaline methods, aiming at an energy-efficient utilization, by at least 16% when compared to the traditional vinasse AD. The experimental and modeling elements from this work indicated the lignin-rich liquor is the main responsible for putting the co-digestion as a disruptive technological arrangement within the 1G2G sugarcane biorefineries, reinforcing the biogas production as the hub of the bioeconomy in the agroindustrial sector.
Evaluating how lethal management affects poaching of Mexican wolves
Authors: Louchouarn Naomi , Santiago-Ávila Francisco J. , Parsons David R. , Treves Adrian 
Published: February 2021

AbstractDespite illegal killing (poaching) being the major cause of death among large carnivores globally, little is known about the effect of implementing lethal management policies on poaching. Two opposing hypotheses have been proposed in the literature: implementing lethal management may decrease poaching incidence (‘killing for tolerance’) or increase it (‘facilitated illegal killing’). Here, we report a test of the two opposed hypotheses that poaching (reported and unreported) of Mexican grey wolves (Canis lupus baileyi) in Arizona and New Mexico, USA, responded to changes in policy that reduced protections to allow more wolf-killing. We employ advanced biostatistical survival and competing-risk methods to data on individual resightings, mortality and disappearances of collared Mexican wolves, supplemented with Bayes Factors to assess strength of evidence. We find inconclusive evidence for any decreases in reported poaching. We also find strong evidence that Mexican wolves were 121% more likely to disappear during periods of reduced protections than during periods of stricter protections, with only slight changes in legal removals by the agency. Therefore, we find strong support for the ‘facilitated illegal killing’ hypothesis and none for the ‘killing for tolerance’ hypothesis. We provide recommendations for improving the effectiveness of US policy on environmental crimes, endangered species, and protections for wild animals. Our results have implications beyond the USA or wolves because the results suggest transformations of decades-old management interventions against human-caused mortality among wild animals subject to high rates of poaching.
Interactions among rooting traits for deep water and nitrogen uptake in upland and lowland ecotypes of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.)
Authors: Griffiths Marcus , Wang Xueyan , Dhakal Kundan , Guo Haichao , Seethepalli Anand , Kang Yun , York Larry M. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractPlant phenotypic plasticity in response to nutrient and water availability is an important adaptation for abiotic stress tolerance. Roots intercept water and nutrients while foraging through soil searching for further resources. Substantial amounts of nitrate can leach into groundwater; yet, little is known about how deep rooting affects this process. Here, we phenotyped root system traits and deep 15N nitrate capture across 1.5 m profiles of solid-media using tall mesocosms in switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), a cellulosic bioenergy feedstock. Root and shoot biomass, photosynthesis and respiration, and nutrient uptake traits were quantified in response to a water and nitrate stress factorial experiment in the greenhouse for switchgrass upland (VS16) and lowland (AP13) ecotypes. The two switchgrass ecotypes shared common plastic abiotic responses to nitrogen (N) and water availability and yet showed genotypic differences for root and shoot traits. A significant interaction between nitrogen and water stress for axial and lateral root traits represents a complex and shared root development strategy for stress mitigation. Deep root growth and 15N capture were found to be closely linked to aboveground growth. Together, these results represent the wide genetic pool of switchgrass and that deep rooting promotes nitrate capture, plant productivity, and sustainability.HighlightTwo main ecotypes of switchgrass have both shared and different root responses to varying water and nitrogen conditions, with deep rooting shown to be closely linked to aboveground growth.
High levels of truncated RHAMM cooperate with dysfunctional p53 to accelerate the progression of pancreatic cancer
Authors: Feng Jennifer , Lin Anthony , Chen Xiang , Wang Dunrui , Wong Megan , Zhang George , Na Joseph , Zhang Tiantian , Chen Zhengming , Chen Yao-Tseng , Nancy Du Yi-Chieh 
Published: February 2021

AbstractPancreatic cancer has the lowest survival rate in all types of cancer. Pancreatic cancer patients are often diagnosed at advanced stages. A better therapeutic development for this devastating disease is urgently needed. Receptor for hyaluronan-mediated motility (RHAMM), not expressed in adult pancreas, has been suggested as a prognostic factor and a potential therapeutic target for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (PNET). In this study, we initially sought to determine whether genetic deletion of RHAMM would slow down pancreatic cancer progression using Rhamm-/- mice. However, we found that Rhamm-/- mice expressed a truncated HMMRΔexon8-16 protein at higher abundance levels than wild-type RHAMM. While HMMRΔexon8-16 did not enable malignant progression of pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia in p48-Cre; LSL-KRASG12D mice, it accelerated the formation of invasive PDAC and shortened the survival of p48-Cre; LSL-KRASG12D mice with heterozygous p53 knockout. KrasG12D PDAC mice with homozygous p53 knockout mice died around 10 weeks, and the effect of HMMRΔexon8-16 was not apparent in these mice with short-life span. In addition, HMMRΔexon8-16 shortened the survival of PNET-bearing RIP-Tag mice, which had inactivated p53. In our analysis of TCGA dataset, pancreatic cancer patients with mutant TP53 or loss of one copy of TP53 had higher RHAMM expression, which, combined, predicted worse outcomes. Taken together, by collaborating with dysfunctional p53, high levels of HMMRΔexon8- 16 that lacks the centrosome targeting domain and degrons for interaction with the Anaphase-Promoting Complex (APC) accelerated pancreatic cancer progression.
Letters: Complex response of beta diversity to dispersal in meta-community models
Authors: Lu Muyang 
Published: February 2021

AbstractDispersal is one of the most important drivers of community assembly. The conventional belief that dispersal leads to biotic homogenization (lower beta diversity) has been recently challenged by an experiment conducted in nectar microbes (Vannette & Fukami, 2017), showing that dispersal could lead to community divergence. In this paper, I re-examined the relationship between beta diversity and local dispersal in a range of theoretical models: from the classic island biogeography model and meta-population model to a meta-community model that incorporates biotic interactions. I find that the emergence of hump-shaped beta diversity-dispersal relationship is closely related to local dispersal (rather than global dispersal), non-neutrality and biotic interactions. The results reveal rich metacommunity dynamics in relation to dispersal types and biotic interactions which might be overlooked in previous theoretical and empirical studies. The findings call for more realistic experimental manipulations on dispersals in future community assembly studies.
Genomic and Spectral Visual Adaptation in Southern Leopard Frogs during the Ontogenetic Transition from Aquatic to Terrestrial Light Environments
Authors: Schott Ryan K , Bell Rayna C , Loew Ellis R , Thomas Kate N , Gower David J , Streicher Jeffrey W , Fujita Matthew K 
Published: February 2021

AbstractMany animals have complex life cycles where larval and adult forms have distinct ecologies and habitats that impose different demands on their sensory systems. While the adaptive decoupling hypothesis predicts reduced genetic correlations between life stages, how sensory systems adapt across life stages at the molecular level is not well understood. Frogs are a compelling system to study this question in because most species rely on vision as both aquatic tadpoles and terrestrial adults, but these habitats present vastly different light environments. Here we used whole eye transcriptome sequencing to investigate differential expression between aquatic tadpoles and terrestrial juveniles of the southern leopard frog (Lithobates sphenocephalus). Because visual physiology changes with light levels, we also tested how constant light or dark exposure affected gene expression. We found 42% of genes were differentially expressed in the eyes of tadpoles versus juveniles, versus 5% for light/dark exposure. Analyses targeting a curated set of visual genes revealed significant differential expression between life stages in genes that control aspects of visual function and development, including spectral sensitivity and lens composition. Light/dark exposure had a significant effect on a smaller set of visual genes. Finally, microspectrophotometry of photoreceptors confirmed shifts in spectral sensitivity predicted by the expression results, consistent with adaptation to distinct light environments. Overall, we identified extensive expression-level differences in the eyes of tadpole and juvenile frogs related to observed morphological and physiological changes through metamorphosis, and corresponding adaptive shifts to optimize vision in aquatic versus terrestrial environments.
A novel generalized grey target decision method with index and weight both containing mixed types of data
Authors: Ma Jinshan , Tian Di , Yue Jinmeng 
Published: February 2021

PurposeThis paper is to propose a novel generalized grey target decision method (GGTDM) with index and weight both containing mixed types of data.Design/methodology/approachThe decision-making steps of the proposed approach are as follows. First, all mixed attribute values of alternatives and weights are transformed into binary connection numbers and also comprised two-tuple (determinacy, uncertainty) numbers. Then, the two-tuple (determinacy, uncertainty) numbers of target center indices are calculated. Next, the certain weights are determined by the Gini–Simpson (G–S) index-based method. Following this, the comprehensive-weighted Kullback–Leibler distances (CWKLDs) of all alternatives and the target center are obtained. Finally, the alternative ranking relies on the CWKLD considering the smaller value as the better option.FindingsThe certain weights determined by the improved Gini–Simpson index (IGSI) based method are more accurate in compared with that by the proximity-based method and the weight function method. The discrimination ability of alternatives ranking of the proposed approach is stronger than that of the compared comprehensive-weighted proximity (CWP) based method and comprehensive-weighted Gini–Simpson index (CWGSI) based method.Research limitations/implicationsThe proposed method fulfills the decision-making task relying on CWKLD, which solves the uncertain measurement from the viewpoint of entropy.Originality/valueThe proposed approach adopts the IGSI to transform uncertain weights into certain ones and takes the CWKLD as the basis for the decision-making.
Thermo-mechanical disturbances in a nonlocal rotating elastic material with temperature dependent properties
Authors: Sheoran Devender , Kumar Rajesh , Thakran Seema , Kalkal Kapil Kumar 
Published: February 2021

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to study two-dimensional deformations in a nonlocal, homogeneous, isotropic, rotating thermoelastic medium with temperature-dependent properties under the purview of the Green-Naghdi model II of generalized thermoelasticity. The formulation is subjected to a mechanical load.Design/methodology/approachThe normal mode analysis technique is adopted to procure the exact solution of the problem.FindingsFor isothermal and insulated boundaries, discussions have been made to highlight the influences of rotational speed, nonlocality, temperature-dependent properties and time on the physical quantities.Originality/valueThe exact expressions for the displacement components, stresses and temperature field are obtained in the physical domain. These are also calculated numerically for a magnesium crystal-like material and depicted through graphs to observe the variations of the considered physical quantities. The present study is useful and valuable for the analysis of problems involving mechanical shock, rotational speed, nonlocal parameter, temperature-dependent properties and elastic deformation.
How do hotels in developing countries manage the impact of COVID-19? The case of Lebanese hotels
Authors: Yacoub Laurent , ElHajjar Samer 
Published: February 2021

Purpose
Many researchers have attempted to outline the effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on the growth of economies across the world. Few researchers consider addressing the COVID-19 pandemic as a crisis that needs effective crisis management measures. In particular, there is a gap in research that maps a way forward that managers can use as a guide to recover and revive the hospitality industry after the pandemic. This paper aims to fill this gap.

Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected through interviews with 26 hoteliers managing 4- and 5-star hotels in the city of Beirut. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Findings
Findings show that the level of preparedness toward dealing with such a pandemic had been low. Hotels have been focused on ensuring transparency with the employees, providing adequate information and decentralizing power to the departmental levels to deal with the impacts of COVID-19. Operationally, hotel managers are shifting focus toward more safety-conscious operations across all departments; emphasizing the importance of local tourists rather than complete dependence on foreigners as a source of revenue; increasing flexibility in bookings and cancellations to incentivize customers. Shifts are expected to be made, making operations in hotels more technologically-aligned and focused.

Research limitations/implications
The aim of this study is to address the managerial reactions of the hotel industry during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis and the potential strategic approaches that hotels might adopt in the future. A focus on the Lebanese context can provide scholars with a new model and inform managers on how to approach a crisis of such nature and magnitude, especially in a country that is facing its worst political and economic crisis. The main challenge of this paper is that it examines the hotel industry only in the Lebanese context. The development of the hospitality sector cannot be studied outside the institutional context in which it operates.

Originality/value
This paper fulfills an identified need to study to which extent hotel managers were prepared to deal with a crisis the size of a global pandemic, what shifts in strategies were implemented and what is the future of the hospitality industry?
The “interactive” performance measurement system and team performance – Towards optimal organizational utility
Authors: Yuliansyah Yuliansyah , Khan Ashfaq Ahmad , Triwacananingrum Wijaya 
Published: February 2021

PurposeThis study aims to highlight the significance of Performance Measurement System (PMS) as an “interactive” system that adapts to the organization's peculiar operational setup, thereby delivering optimal employee performance management benefits. Using Schatzki's (2002) “site of the social” theoretical conceptualization, it aims to empirically investigate the influence PMS's such strategic adaptation could have on employees' team performance through its mediating effect on improving organizational learning and knowledge sharing.Design/methodology/approachIn pursuit of the set objective, we conducted a survey of 200 employees in public accounting firms located in the two major Indonesian cities of Jakarta and Surabaya. The survey yielded 89 responses of which 87 were deemed fit for empirical analyses. The statistical analyses of the data were performed using SmartPLS.FindingsThe statistical analyses using SmartPLS found evidence that the strategic use of the PMS positively influences team performance, both directly and indirectly, through its role in enhancing organizational learning; however, its role in enhancing knowledge sharing did not demonstrate leveraging team performance.Research limitations/implicationsThe study conclusions are based on a relatively small data sample and the context of a developing economy, and, hence, need to be replicated with caution.Originality/valueThe study contributes to the management accounting theory and practice and emphasizes the strategic use of PMS to help improve organizational performance. Its novel “site” and context directs researchers' and practitioners' attention to the “interactive”, rather than passive and standalone, use of PMS to influence team performance and instigates a new debate on the management tool's optimal use.
Determinants, persistence and value implications of liquidity creation: an evidence from Indian banks
Authors: Grover Naina , Sinha Pankaj 
Published: February 2021

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the micro and macro factors affecting liquidity creation by scheduled commercial banks (excluding Regional Rural Bank) in India from 2005 to 2018.

Design/methodology/approach
Two measures of liquidity creation, the broad and narrow measures, are constructed using RBI data available on Indian banks. System generalized method of moments has been applied to explore the factors affecting liquidity creation.

Findings
This study finds high level of persistence in liquidity creation in banks. Variation in the broad measure is explained by equity ratio, market share, GDP, gross savings and lending rate, whereas the narrow measure is explained by equity ratio, market share, size and lending rate. The Global Financial Crisis had a negative effect on liquidity creation as per both the measures, and the impact was more severe for the broad measure as compared to the narrow measure.

Research limitations/implications
This study finds a positive correlation between bank value and liquidity creation which suggests that the investors favourably evaluate banks that create more liquidity. This study is confined to India only.

Practical implications
There is a negative influence of capital on liquidity created by banks, which implies a trade-off that exists between financial stability and liquidity creation. Basel III norms impose higher capital and liquidity standards which will have negative implications for liquidity creation.

Originality/value
To the best of authors’ knowledge, this is the first study in the Indian context that focusses on factors affecting liquidity creation in a dynamic framework and determines the relationship between liquidity creation and market value of a bank.