bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Multiple time scales of adaptation allow cones to encode the inputs created by visual exploration of natural scenes
Authors: Angueyra Juan M. , Baudin Jacob , Schwartz Gregory W. , Rieke Fred 
Published: February 2021

ABSTRACTPrimates explore their visual environment by making frequentsaccades, discrete and ballistic eye movements that direct the fovea to specific regions of interest. Saccades produce large and rapid changes in input. The magnitude of these changes and the limited signaling range of visual neurons means that effective encoding requires rapid adaptation. Here, we explore how cone photoreceptors maintain sensitivity under these conditions. Adaptation makes cone responses to naturalistic stimuli highly nonlinear and dependent on stimulus history. Such responses cannot be explained by linear or linear-nonlinear models but are well explained by a biophysical model of phototransduction with fast and slow adaptational mechanisms. The resulting model can predict cone responses to a broad range of stimuli and enables the design of stimuli that elicit specific (e.g. linear) cone photocurrents. These advances will provide a foundation for investigating the contributions of cones and post-cone processing to visual function.
Ectosome uptake by glia sculptsCaenorhabditis eleganssensory cilia
Authors: Razzauti Adrià , Laurent Patrick 
Published: February 2021

AbstractCilia are sensory organelles protruding from cell surface. A tight regulation of membrane receptors traffic in and out of cilia is achieved by the action of Intraflagellar Transport (IFT). Here, we show that ectosomes bud from a subset ofC. eleganssensory cilia. Packing and disposal of ciliary receptors in ectosomes complement their retrieval by IFT. Mutations in ciliary retrieval genes increase export of the salt sensor GCY-22 from ASER neurons by ectosomes, preventing its accumulation in ASER cilia. Ectosomes are produced from two ciliary locations: cilia tip and/or cilia base. Ectosomes budding from cilia tip are released in the environment. Ectosomes produced from the cilia base are concomitantly phagocytosed by the associated glial cells. Although ectocytosis does not require glia to occur, ectosome phagocytosis by the contacting glia contributes to maintain cilia shape and sensory function. We suggest this coordinated neuron-glia interaction is required for proper cilia function.
Detection and characterization of the SARS-CoV-2 lineage B.1.526 in New York
Authors: West Anthony P. , Wertheim Joel O. , Wang Jade C. , Vasylyeva Tetyana I. , Havens Jennifer L. , Chowdhury Moinuddin A. , Gonzalez Edimarlyn , Fang Courtney E. , Di Lonardo Steve S. , Hughes Scott , Rakeman Jennifer L. , Lee Henry H. , Barnes Christopher O. , Gnanapragasam Priyanthi N. P. , Yang Zhi , Gaebler Christian , Caskey Marina , Nussenzweig Michel C. , Keeffe Jennifer R. , Bjorkman Pamela J. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractWide-scale SARS-CoV-2 genome sequencing is critical to tracking viral evolution during the ongoing pandemic. Variants first detected in the United Kingdom, South Africa, and Brazil have spread to multiple countries. We developed the software tool, Variant Database (VDB), for quickly examining the changing landscape of spike mutations. Using VDB, we detected an emerging lineage of SARS-CoV-2 in the New York region that shares mutations with previously reported variants. The most common sets of spike mutations in this lineage (now designated as B.1.526) are L5F, T95I, D253G, E484K or S477N, D614G, and A701V. This lineage was first sequenced in late November 2020 when it represented <1% of sequenced coronavirus genomes that were collected in New York City (NYC). By February 2021, genomes from this lineage accounted for~32% of 3288 sequenced genomes from NYC specimens. Phylodynamic inference confirmed the rapid growth of the B.1.526 lineage in NYC, notably the sub-clade defined by the spike mutation E484K, which has outpaced the growth of other variants in NYC. Pseudovirus neutralization experiments demonstrated that B.1.526 spike mutations adversely affect the neutralization titer of convalescent and vaccinee plasma, indicating the public health importance of this lineage.
Conserved residues in the extracellular loop 2 regulateStachel-mediated activation of ADGRG2
Authors: Gad Abanoub A. , Azimzadeh Pedram , Balenga Nariman 
Published: February 2021

AbstractCleavage and dissociation of a large N-terminal fragment and the consequent unmasking of a short sequence (Stachel) remaining on the N-terminus have been proposed as mechanisms of activation of some members of the adhesion G protein-coupled receptor (aGPCR) family. However, the identity of residues that play a role in the activation of aGPCRs by the cognateStachelremains largely unknown. Protein sequence alignments revealed a conserved stretch of residues in the extracellular loop 2 (ECL2) of all 33 members of the aGPCR family. ADGRG2, an orphan aGPCR, plays a major role in male fertility, Ewing sarcoma cell proliferation, and parathyroid cell function. We used ADGRG2 as a model aGPCR and generated mutants of the conserved residues in the ECL2 via site-directed mutagenesis. We show that tryptophan and isoleucine in the ECL2 are required for receptor stability and surface expression in the HEK293 cells. By adjusting the receptor surface expression levels, we show that the ECL2 mutation ablates theStachel-mediated activation of multiple signaling pathways of ADGRG2. This study provides a novel understanding of the role of the ECL2 inStachel-mediated signaling and degradation of ADGRG2, which may lay the foundation for the rational design of therapeutics to target aGPCRs.
Two distinct neuronal populations in the rat parafascicular nucleus oppositely encode the engagement in stimulus-driven reward-seeking
Authors: Sicre Mehdi , Meffre Julie , Ambroggi Frederic 
Published: February 2021

ABSTRACTThe thalamus is a phylogenetically well-preserved structure. Known to densely contact cortical regions, its role in the transmission of sensory information to the striatal complex has been widely reconsidered in recent years. The parafascicular of the thalamus (Pf) has been implicated the orientation of attention towards salient sensory stimuli. In a stimulus-driven reward seeking task, we sought to characterize the electrophysiological activity of Pf neurons in rats. We observed a predominance of excitatory responses over inhibitory responses for all events of the task. Neurons responded more strongly to the stimulus compared to lever-pressing and collecting reward, confirming the strong involvement of the Pf in sensory information processing. The use of long sessions allowed us to compare neuronal responses to stimuli when the animal engaged in action or when it did not. We distinguished two populations of neurons responding in an opposite way: MOTIV+ neurons responded more intensively to stimuli followed by a behavioral response than those that did not. Conversely, MOTIV-neurons responded more strongly when the stimulus was ignored by the animal. In addition, MOTIV-neurons excitations appeared at a shorter latency after the stimulus than MOTIV+ neurons. Through this encoding, Pf could perform an early selection of environmental stimuli transmitted to the striatum according to motivational level.HIGHLIGHTSPf neurons respond to reward-predicting stimuli and reward-related actionsMOTIV+ Pf neurons were more active to stimuli evoking reward-seekingMOTIV- Pf neurons were more active to stimuli ignored by the animalStimuli-evoked excitations latencies were shorter in MOTIV- than MOTIV+ neurons
Shadow banking's effects in the Chilean financial system
Authors: López Avilés Diana , Piñeira Paula , Roco Cáceres Víctor Andrés , Vergara Felipe , Araya Nicolas 
Published: February 2021

PurposeThe Financial Stability Board (FSB) determined that entities classified as shadow banking are of a credit nature because they are capable of affecting the financial system through the entry and exit of capital. This study aims at measuring the impact of shadow banking in the systemic risk in Chile. A sample of 91 institutions (Run) belonging to the mutual funds was used, with a series showing a continuous behaviour between 2004 and 2018.Design/methodology/approachThe measurement is carried out using the conditional value at risk (CoVaR) methodology, which analyses the behaviour of an institution in a regular state against the same institution in a state of stress.FindingsThe results obtained reflect that liquidity mismatches do not have a relevant effect on the systemic risk, while the 2008 crisis does contribute to its decline.Originality/valueThere are less number of literature studies that apply statistical models regarding shadow banking, at least at a quantitative level, so this research is a beginning for other studies, supporting future authors in their new research as a basis.
Integration of project management services for International Engineering, Procurement and Construction projects
Authors: Amirtash Parisa , Parchami Jalal Majid , Jelodar Mostafa Babaeian 
Published: February 2021

PurposeInternational Engineering, Procurement and Construction (IEPC) projects deliver complex and critical infrastructure and construction projects. However, these projects face multiple challenges, especially in foreign construction markets, to the main contractors. The purpose of this article is to develop a tool for effective implementation of project management services for these international projects through upskilling and incorporate local expertise. Accordingly, the employment of a Native Project Management Consultant (NPMC) by the main contractor is proposed and investigated.Design/methodology/approachA three-stage research method was employed for triangulation of knowledge. Initially, a comprehensive literature review was carried out to examine the theoretical foundations of the study. The concepts were further explored through a survey and expert interviews. The study was performed in Iran as the host nation of multiple IEPC projects.FindingsIt was found that NPMC involvement has a significant contribution to the success of nearly all project management areas in IEPC projects. However, quality, schedule and budget management were the top-ranked areas. The study combines the results of previous studies with the interviews and questionnaire to create a tool designed to capture strategy actions and detailed activities designed to build capabilities in IEPC teams through the involvement of NPMCs.Practical implicationsA practical tool is developed which aims to enhance NPMC integration into IEPC projects. The tool is in-line with the project management concept of work-breakdown structure; which is understandable by project stakeholders.Originality/valueThe employment of NPMCs, and their potential role in IEPC projects has not been formally investigated and guidelines for such collaborations do not exist. The current study provides a platform for regulating such facilitators and enhancing project success.
Retail disturbances: how should employees respond?
Authors: Arndt Aaron D. , Poujol Juliet F. , Siadou-Martin Béatrice 
Published: February 2021

PurposeThe customer retail experience is frequently interrupted by disturbances such as ringing phones and other people. Employees must be able to respond to retail disturbances effectively to ensure that customers have a satisfactory experience in the retailer. Using Affective Events Theory as a framework, the purpose of this paper is to develop and test a model for understanding how retail disturbances affect customers outcomes and how retail employee response mitigates the negative impact of retail disturbances.Design/methodology/approachThe model was tested using a pre-study of retail managers and consumers, a survey study and four experimental studies.FindingsRetail disturbances reduce interactional justice and customer positive emotions. Customers pay attention to how employees address retail disturbances, even when they are not directly involved.Research limitations/implicationsThe research experiments focus on sound-based disturbances. Other stimuli (e.g. olfactory or visual) should be examined in more detail.Practical implicationsEmployees can mitigate the negative effects of retail disturbances on customers with a positive response to the disturbance and to customers. Employee responses influence customers currently receiving service and nearby shoppers.Social implicationsThe findings demonstrate the deleterious effect of solicitation calls on small retailers and provide recommendations for reducing solicitation calls.Originality/valueThis research shows that retail disturbances reduce customer outcomes, employee response becomes part of the disturbance event, and that it is possible for employees to address a group of nearby customers indirectly through unintentional observation.
English for Professionals students' perceptions of the relevance of internship to their undergraduate courses and career choices
Authors: Husain Fauzilah Md , Mahfoodh Omer Hassan Ali 
Published: February 2021

PurposeThis qualitative study examined English for Professionals students' experience of the internship programme and their perceptions of the relevance of the internship programme to their current and future courses and to their future career choices.Design/methodology/approachThis study employed a qualitative inquiry in which qualitative data were collected using journal writing. Using purposeful sampling, 40 English for Professionals students in Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) were selected. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.FindingsThis study revealed that the internship programme was beneficial to interns because it helped them to gain real-world experience and knowledge about the environment of real workplace. Interns' negative experience can affect their career selection. The majority of the participants revealed that the internship programme is relevant to most of their undergraduate courses. The participants revealed that the internship programme was effective as it helped them to explore their career choices and to select future courses that match their interests.Originality/valueTaking into account students' negative experience and their perceptions of the relevance of internship to their courses and career choices, improvement of undergraduate programmes can be done. Unlike samples in previous studies, the sample in this study is English for Professionals students. The study provides significant findings which are related to interns' perceptions of the relevance of the internship programme to their career choices. Unlike all data collection methods used in previous studies, journal writing was used to collect qualitative data in this study.
Computer vision-based color sorting for waste textile recycling
Authors: Zhou Jie , Zou Xingxing , Wong Wai Keung 
Published: February 2021

PurposeEfficient and high-accuracy intelligent color and material sorting systems are the main bottlenecks restricting the recycling of waste textiles. The mixing of waste textiles with different colors will make the reconstructed raw material of textile fiber useless or with low quality. In this study, some challenges about the automatic color sorting for waste textile recycling are discussed. A computer vision-based color sorting system for waste textile recycling is introduced, which can classify the required colors well and meet the efficiency requirements of an automatic recycling line.Design/methodology/approachThere are four aspects, (1) two cameras with different exposure times and white-balance parameters are involved for establishing the computer vision system. (2) Two standard color databases with two cameras are constructed. (3) A statistical model to determine the colors of textile samples is presented in which uniform sampling of pixels and mid-tone enhancing techniques are exploited. (4) The experiments with a number of waste textile samples from a factory in Hong Kong are conducted to illustrate the efficiency of the developed system.FindingsThe experiments with a number of waste textile samples from a factory in Hong Kong are reported. The total classification accuracy performs good. The research methods and results reported in this study can provide an important reference for improving the intelligent level of color sorting for waste textile recycling.Originality/valueIt is the first time to introduce computer vision technology to a color sorting system for recycling waste textiles, especially in a real recycling factory in Hong Kong. The research methods and results reported in this study also deliver guidance for designing a computer vision-based color sorting system for other industrial scenarios.
An experimental study of the effect of packaging colour on children's evaluation of packaging and attitude towards the brand
Authors: Bezaz Nora , Kacha Mathieu 
Published: February 2021

PurposeThis article aims to determine how packaging colour (hue, saturation and brightness) for a healthy food product might influence children's evaluation of the packaging and their attitude towards the brand.Design/methodology/approachAn experiment involving 157 children (7–12 years of age) features a within-subject, factorial design. The product selected for this experiment is an unknown brand of orange juice.FindingsEach colour dimension on packaging exerts an impact on children's evaluation of the packaging and attitude towards the brand. Therefore, the colour featured on packaging can be an effective lever for action to ensure and enhance children's healthy diets.Research limitations/implicationsFurther research should investigate these effects across additional product categories, brands and colours.Practical implicationsPackaging is an important marketing tool that influences children's evaluation of the packaging and attitude towards the brand, especially at the point of sale. To understand and exploit these packaging colour effects appropriately for healthy products, it is crucial to understand the effects of various packaging colour dimensions.Originality/valueLittle prior research has addressed the effects of packaging on children's responses, especially by accounting for multiple colour dimensions. Nor has extant research identified how packaging colour dimensions can affect children's evaluation and brand attitude. Especially in consideration of the growing problem of childhood obesity, it is important to give marketers effective ways to promote healthy products.
Understanding employees' information security identities: an interpretive narrative approach
Authors: Wall Jeffrey D. , Palvia Prashant 
Published: February 2021

PurposeThe authors seek to understand the formation of control- and security-related identities among organizational employees through and interpretive narrative analysis. The authors also seek to identify how the identities form over time and across contexts. Several identities are identified as well as the changes that may occur in the identities.Design/methodology/approachFew interpretive or critical studies exist in behavioral information security research to represent employee perspectives of power and control. Using qualitative interviews and narrative analysis of the interview transcripts, this paper analyzes the security- and control-related identities and values that employees adopt in organizational settings.FindingsTwo major categories of behavioral security compliance identities were identified: compliant and noncompliant. Specific identities within the compliant category included: faithful follower vs the reasoned follower, and other-preserving versus the self-preserving identities. The noncompliant category included: anti-authority identity, utilitarian identity, trusting identity and unaware identity. Furthermore, three patterns of identity changes were observed.Research limitations/implicationsThe authors’ narrative stories suggest that employee identities are complex and multi-faceted, and that they may be fluid and adaptive to situational factors. Future research should avoid assumptions that all employees are the same or that employee beliefs remain constant over time or in different contexts. Identities are also strongly rooted in individuals' rearing and other life experiences. Thus, security control is far broader than is studied in behavioral studies. The authors find that history matters and should be examined carefully.Practical implicationsThe authors’ study provides insights that managers can use to enhance security initiatives. It is clear that different employees build different control-related identities. Managers must understand that their employees are unique and will not all respond to policies, punishments, and other forms of control in the same way. The narratives also suggest that many organizations lack appropriate programs to enhance employees' awareness of security issues.Originality/valueThe authors’ narrative analysis suggests that employee security identities are complex and multi-faceted, and that they are fluid and adaptive to situational factors. Research should avoid assumptions that all employees are the same or that their beliefs remain constant over time or in different contexts. Identities are also strongly rooted in individuals' rearing and other life experiences. Their history matters and should be examined carefully.
Waypoint sequencing: simplifying behaviour sequence analysis for criminal cases
Authors: Keatley David , Clarke David D. 
Published: February 2021

Purpose
While behaviour sequence analysis (BSA) is popular, it is not without limitations, namely, the level of detail required and time taken to run analyses; therefore, this paper aims to outline a novel method, using 30 serial homicide cases as a worked example.

Design/methodology/approach
Temporal analysis methods are becoming increasingly popular in applied forensic and criminological research. In recent years, BSA has become a widely used approach.

Findings
Waypoint sequencing provides a streamlined version of the traditional BSA approach, allowing for fewer behaviours to be included and providing a clearer overview of the main behaviours of interest.

Practical implications
Waypoint sequencing is shown in the current paper through serial killer research to show how to conduct the analyses and how it is effective in current investigations by expediting the process and allowing quicker analysis to facilitate current investigations.

Originality/value
The current research provides a novel approach to sequence analysis that is more useful in applied settings as it requires fewer behaviours or events than traditional BSA.