bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Temporal saliency for motion direction may arise from visual stimulus-specific adaptation in avian midbrain inhibitory nucleus
Authors: Wang Jiangtao , Huang Shuman , Wang Zhizhong , Wang Songwei , Shi Li 
Published: November 2021

AbstractFood and predators are the most noteworthy objects for the basic survival of wild animals. In nature, both of these are often rare or deviant in both spatial and temporal domains and would soon attract an animal’s attention. Although stimulus-specific adaptation (SSA) is considered to be one neural basis of salient sound detection in the temporal domain, related research on visual SSA is lacking. The avian nucleus isthmi pars magnocellularis (Imc), which plays an extremely important role in the selective attention network, is one of the best models for investigating the neural correlate of visual stimulus-specific adaptation (SSA) and detection of salient stimulus in the temporal domain. Here, we used a constant order paradigm to test the existence of SSA in the pigeon’s Imc. We found that the strength of response of Imc neurons significantly decreased after repetitive motion stimuli, but recovered when the motion was switched to a novel direction, leading to the saliency detection of the novel motion direction. These results suggest that the inhibitory nucleus Imc shows visual SSA to motion direction, allowing the Imc to implement temporal saliency mapping and to determine the spatial-temporal saliency of the current stimulus. This also implies that pigeons may detect novel spatial-temporal stimuli during the early stage of sensory processing.
Optogenetic dissection of actomyosin-dependent mechanics underlying tissue fluidity
Authors: Herrera-Perez R. Marisol , Cupo Christian , Allan Cole , Dagle Alicia B. , Kasza Karen E. 
Published: November 2021

ABSTRACTRapid epithelial tissue flows are essential to building and shaping developing embryos. However, it is not well understood how the mechanical properties of tissues and the forces driving them to flow are jointly regulated to accommodate rapid tissue remodeling. To dissect the roles of actomyosin in the mechanics of epithelial tissue flows, here we use two optogenetic tools, optoGEF and optoGAP, to manipulate Rho/Rho-kinase signaling and actomyosin contractility in the germband epithelium, which flows via convergent extension movements during Drosophila body axis elongation. The ability to perturb actomyosin in the tissue allows us to analyze the effects of actomyosin on cell rearrangements, tissue tensions, and tissue mechanical properties. We find that either optogenetic activation or deactivation of Rho1 signaling and actomyosin contractility at the apical surface of the germband disrupts cell rearrangements and tissue-level flows. Rho1 activation leads to poorly oriented rearrangements that are associated with a redistribution of myosin II from the junctional to the medial-apical domain, whereas Rho1 deactivation leads to fewer, slower cell rearrangements that are associated with decreased junctional and medial myosin. By probing mechanical tensions in the tissue using laser ablation and inferring tissue mechanical properties from cell packings, we find that actomyosin influences both the anisotropic forces that drive tissue flow and the mechanical properties of the tissue that resist flow, leading to complex relationships between actomyosin activity and tissue fluidity. Moreover, our results link the subcellular distribution of myosin II to tissue tension and cell packings, revealing how junctional and medial myosin have differential roles in promoting and orienting cell rearrangements during tissue flow.
Divergent evolutionary trajectories shape the postmating transcriptional profiles of conspecific and heterospecifically mated females
Authors: Diaz Fernando , Carson Allan W. , Chen Xingsen , Coleman Joshua M. , Bono Jeremy M. , Matzkin Luciano M. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractPostmating-prezygotic (PMPZ) reproductive isolation is hypothesized to result from divergent coevolutionary trajectories of sexual selection and/or sexual conflict in isolated populations (coevolutionary divergence model). However, the genetic basis of PMPZ incompatibilities between species is poorly understood. Here, we use a comparative framework to test predictions of the coevolutionary divergence model using a large transcriptomic dataset generated from con- and heterospecifically mated Drosophila mojavensis and D. arizonae female reproductive tracts. We found striking divergence between the species in the female postmating transcriptional response to conspecific mating, including differences in differential expression (DE), alternative splicing (AS), and intron retention (IR). As predicted, heterospecific matings produced disrupted transcriptional profiles, but the overall patterns of misregulation were different between the reciprocal crosses. Moreover, we found a positive correlation between postmating transcriptional divergence between species and levels of transcriptional disruption in heterospecific crosses, indicating that mating-responsive genes that have diverged more in expression also have more disrupted transcriptional profiles in heterospecifically mated females. Overall, our results are consistent with predictions of the coevolutionary divergence model and lay the foundation for future studies aimed at identifying specific genes involved in PMPZ incompatibilities and the evolutionary forces that have contributed to their divergence in closely related species.
Low-coverage reduced representation sequencing reveals subtle within-island genetic structure in Aldabra giant tortoises
Authors: Çilingir F.G. , Hansen D. , Bunbury N. , Postma E. , Baxter R. , Turnbull L.A. , Ozgul A. , Grossen C. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractAldabrachelys gigantea (Aldabra giant tortoise) is one of only two giant tortoise species left in the world and survives as a single wild population of over 100,000 individuals on Aldabra Atoll, Seychelles. Despite this large current population size, the species faces an uncertain future because of its extremely restricted distribution range and high vulnerability to the projected consequences of climate change. Captive-bred A. gigantea are increasingly used in rewilding programs across the region, where they are introduced to replace extinct giant tortoises in an attempt to functionally resurrect degraded island ecosystems. However, there has been little consideration of the current levels of genetic variation and differentiation within and among the islands on Aldabra. As previous microsatellite studies were inconclusive, we combined low-coverage and double digest restriction associated DNA (ddRAD) sequencing to analyze samples from 33 tortoises (11 from each main island). Using 5,426 variant sites within the tortoise genome, we detected patterns of population structure within two of the three studied islands, but no differentiation between the islands. These unexpected results highlight the importance of using genome-wide genetic markers to capture higher-resolution genetic structure to inform future management plans, even in a seemingly panmictic population. We show that low-coverage ddRAD sequencing provides an affordable alternative approach to conservation genomic projects of non-model species with large genomes.
Krüppel-like factor 4 is required for development and regeneration of germline and yolk cells from somatic stem cells in planarians
Authors: Issigonis Melanie , Redkar Akshada B. , Rozario Tania , Khan Umair W. , Mejia-Sanchez Rosa , Lapan Sylvain W. , Reddien Peter W. , Newmark Phillip A. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractSexually reproducing animals segregate their germline from their soma. In addition to gamete-producing gonads, planarian and parasitic flatworm reproduction relies on yolk-cell-generating accessory reproductive organs (vitellaria) supporting development of yolkless oocytes. Despite the importance of vitellaria for flatworm reproduction (and parasite transmission), little is known about this unique evolutionary innovation. Here we examine reproductive system development in the planarian Schmidtea mediterranea, in which pluripotent stem cells generate both somatic and germ cell lineages. We show that a homolog of the pluripotency factor Klf4 is expressed in primordial germ cells, presumptive germline stem cells, and yolk-cell progenitors. klf4 knockdown animals fail to specify or maintain germ cells; surprisingly, they also fail to maintain yolk cells. We find that yolk cells display germ-cell-like attributes and that vitellaria are structurally analogous to gonads. In addition to identifying a new proliferative cell population in planarians (yolk cell progenitors) and defining its niche, our work provides evidence supporting the hypothesis that flatworm germ cells and yolk cells share a common evolutionary origin.
Multifaceted control of E-cadherin dynamics by the Adaptor Protein Complex 1 during epithelial morphogenesis
Authors: Ramírez Moreno Miguel , Boswell Katy , Casbolt Helen L. , Bulgakova Natalia A. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractIntracellular trafficking regulates the distribution of transmembrane proteins including the key determinants of epithelial polarity and adhesion. The Adaptor Protein 1 (AP-1) complex is the key regulator of vesicle sorting, which binds many specific cargos. We examined roles of the AP-1 complex in epithelial morphogenesis, using the Drosophila wing as a paradigm. We found that AP-1 knockdown leads to ectopic tissue folding, which is consistent with the observed defects in integrin targeting to the basal cell-extracellular matrix adhesion sites. This occurs concurrently with an integrin-independent induction of cell death, which counteracts elevated proliferation and prevents hyperplasia. We discovered a distinct pool of AP-1, which localizes at the subapical Adherens Junctions. Upon AP-1 knockdown, E-cadherin is hyperinternalized from these junctions and becomes enriched at the Golgi and recycling endosomes. We then provide evidence that E-cadherin hyperinternalization acts upstream of cell death in a potential tumour-suppressive mechanism. Simultaneously, cells compensate for elevated internalization of E-cadherin by increasing its expression to maintain cell-cell adhesion.Author SummaryThe epithelium is one of the four types of tissues found in animals and is essential for the normal development and maintenance of multicellular organisms. In this tissue, the adhesion protein E-cadherin helps keep cells together and facilitates the coordination of their behaviours. E-cadherin is highly dynamic and undergoes constant turnover by intracellular trafficking machinery. Here, we describe the contributions of one of the core components of intracellular trafficking, the AP-1 complex to E-cadherin dynamics. Using epithelial cells from Drosophila melanogaster, we discover that the AP-1 complex limits E-cadherin internalization from the plasma membrane, which is consistent with the localization of a distinct pool of the AP-1 complex at the sites of E-cadherin cell-cell adhesion. We also show that increased E-cadherin internalization triggers programmed cell death, preventing the tissue from hyperplastic overgrowth in a potential tumour-suppressive mechanism. At the same time, cells compensate for the reduction in the membrane presentation of E-cadherin by increasing its expression, therefore protecting tissue integrity.
Fintech credit, bank regulations and bank performance: a cross-country analysis
Authors: Nguyen Liem , Tran Son , Ho Tin 
Published: November 2021

PurposeThis study is the first to investigate whether fintech credit influences bank performance, considering the moderating impact of bank regulations.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses an aggregate dataset of 73 countries from 2013 to 2018 to examine the nexus between fintech credit, bank regulations and bank performance. For robustness tests, the authors introduce different proxies of fintech credit, perform sub-sample analysis and substitute control variables, as well as conduct their empirical strategy to tackle potential endogeneity issue.FindingsThe authors document some significant findings. First, the authors’ evidence implies that fintech credit tends to reduce bank profitability, while improving bank risk-related performance. This suggests that as fintech grows, it competes with banks and takes some share of profits, but it also benefits banks in terms of stability. Second, stricter regulations contribute positively to bank stability. Third, the authors argue that the impact of fintech credit on bank performance may depend on the degree of banking regulation, and find that fintech credit would impose a more positive influence on bank stability as more stringent banking regulation is present.Originality/valueThis study is the first to investigate whether fintech credit influences bank performance, considering the moderating impact of bank regulations. The findings imply that fintech credit tends to be more beneficial when bank regulations become stricter. Therefore, they bring relevant implications to the regulators, as well as bank and fintech managers with regard to the potential cooperation.
Modelling interrelationships of quality management, information technology and entrepreneurial culture and their impact on performance from Indian IT enabled service SMEs
Authors: Basu Rana , Bhola Prabha 
Published: November 2021

PurposeThis paper attempts to empirically model and analyse interrelationships of quality management (QM), information technology (IT) and entrepreneurial culture (EC) with its impact on performance of Indian IT enabled service small and medium size enterprises (SMEs). More specifically, this paper aims to investigate the proposed model which is validated by analysing both direct and indirect paths by deploying higher order structural modelling.Design/methodology/approachA quantitative approach has been followed by deploying cross-sectional research design. Structured questionnaires were distributed personally and by e-mail to around 1,380 service SMEs. The approach follows empirical testing and analyses of hypothesized paths of the proposed research model which is validated with confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) using maximum likelihood estimation. This study also identifies and tests the mediation effect of higher order constructs.FindingsThe findings demonstrate poor manifestation of entrepreneurial and market-oriented activities and confirm the mediation effect of IT and QM in the relationships of QM→EC along with IT→performance paths, respectively. Results indicate that IT and QM are complementary resource factors which signifies symbiotic relationships between them. Analyses highlights the significance of QM as a mediator in enhancing performance outcome through IT benefits and the effect of inculcation of EC by enterprises on their performance in today's vibrant and uncertain environment.Practical implicationsThis study highlights major key areas of the decision-making process for SMEs’ owner and operations manager to overcome identified challenges like instituting collaboration with external business firms for learning, sharing risks and diversifying innovation capacity for managing capabilities of firms to earn sustainable profit margins. The outcome of this study would help operations manager, decision makers and entrepreneurs to redesign their business processes and entrepreneurial strategies by deploying operational intelligence in order to ensure agility and smooth flow within the firms. This would facilitate and help SMEs to cut down costs and redundancies in the process which would improve productivity and performance excellence.Originality/valueThe novelty of this study is based on development and empirical validation of the proposed research model which depicts how service SMEs could generate value with influence/effect of contextual factors on the QM–performance relationship. Findings of this study make significant contribution to the body of knowledge with new insights by highlighting the niche area in terms of interlinkages pertaining to quality management, IT and EC explicitly in Indian SMEs’ context.
Material convergence issue in the pharmaceutical supply chain during a disease outbreak
Authors: Patil Anchal , Madaan Jitender , Shardeo Vipulesh , Charan Parikshit , Dwivedi Ashish 
Published: November 2021

PurposePharmaceutical donations are a practical approach to increase medicine availability during disasters such as disease outbreaks. However, often donated pharmaceuticals are inappropriate and unsuitable. This convergence of inappropriate pharmaceuticals is a severe operational challenge and results in environmental hazards. This study explores the pharmaceutical supply chains (PSCs) during a disease outbreak to relieve the negative impact of the material convergence problem (MCP).Design/methodology/approachThis study adopts a situation-actors-process learning-action-performance (SAP-LAP) linkage framework to understand the PSC dynamics. The problem-solving component of the SAP-LAP analysis provides the strategies catering to MCP. The findings from the SAP-LAP helped to develop the causal loop diagram (CLD). This study conducts several experiments on the proposed strategies by integrating CLD into a stock and flow diagram. Later, a disease outbreak case study accessed the pharmaceutical donations effect on PSC performance.FindingsThe study synthesises and evaluates propositions and strategies to incorporate circular economy (CE) principles in PSC. This study proposed two strategies; one to sort and supply and the other to sort, supply and resell. The reuse policy improves humanitarian organisations' finances in the simulation study. This study verified the operational improvement of PSC by reducing the transport and storage burden due to MCP.Originality/valueThis study comprehensively approaches the issue of drug donation and uniquely produced several propositions for incorporating a CE perspective in PSC. The study also proposed a unique simulation approach to model the donation arrivals in response to a disease outbreak using susceptible, exposed, infectious and recovered modelling.
Personality meta–traits and time-based work–family conflict: the mediating role of work–home boundaries
Authors: Kroumova Maya , Mittal Rakesh , Bienstock Joshua 
Published: November 2021

PurposeThis study aims to examine the complex relationship between the personality meta-traits of stability and plasticity and time-based work–family conflict (WFC). Stability and plasticity are hypothesized to influence WFC directly and indirectly, via boundary strength at work (BSW) and boundary strength at home (BSH) domains. WFC has two dimensions – conflict due to family interfering in work (FIW) and conflict due to work interfering in family (WIF).Design/methodology/approachData was collected from 419 full-time employees in multiple US companies. Hypotheses were tested using structural equation modeling.FindingsStability was associated with lower levels of WFC and stronger boundaries around the work and home domains. BSW mediated the relationship between stability and FIW; BSH mediated the relationship between stability and WIF. plasticity was associated with weaker boundaries around the work and home domains. BSW and BSH had a negative relationship with FIW and WIF, respectively.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is cross-sectional and limited to time-based work–family conflict. The results support the adoption of a more agentic view of personality in the boundary setting and WFC literatures.Practical implicationsEmployers need to design flexible work programs that offer employees control over work–home boundary strength.Originality/valueThe study links stability and plasticity to WFC. It expands the nomological network of work–home boundaries.
Omni-channel integration: the matter of information and digital technology
Authors: Saghiri Soroosh , Mirzabeiki Vahid 
Published: November 2021

PurposeThis paper aims to explore how omni-channel data flows should be integrated by specifying what data, omni-channel agents and information and digital technologies (IDTs) should be considered and connected.Design/methodology/approachA multiple case study method is used with 17 British companies. The studies are supported by 68 interviews with the case companies and their consumers, 5 site visits, 4 focus group meetings and the companies’ archival data and documentations.FindingsThis paper provides novel frameworks for omni-channel data flow integration from consumer and business perspectives. The frameworks consist of omni-channel agents, their data transactions and their supporting IDTs. Relatedly, this paper formalizes the omni-channel data flow integration in the forms of horizontal, vertical and total integrations and explores their contributions to the adaptability of omni-channel, as a complex adaptive system (CAS). It also discusses that how inter-organizational governance mechanisms can support data flow integration and their relevant IDT implementations.Research limitations/implicationsThe breadth and depth of the required IDTs for omni-channel integration prove the necessity for omni-channel systems to move toward total integration. Therefore, supported by CAS and inter-organizational governance theories, this research indicates how data flow integration and IDT can transform the omni-channel through self-organization and autonomy capability enhancement.Originality/valueThis research’s recommended frameworks provide a robust platform to formalize data flow integration as the omni-channel's core driver. Accordingly, it moves the literature from a basic description of “what omni-channel is” and provides a novel and significant debate on what specific data should be shared at what levels between which agents of the omni-channel, and with what type of relationship governance mechanism, to assure omni-channel horizontal, vertical and total integrations.
Analysis of the Ecuadorian government's proposed methodology of brand valuation: application in agricultural sector brands
Authors: Macias Washington , Rodriguez Katia , Arosemena-Burbano Flavio , Zhangallimbay Donald 
Published: November 2021

PurposeThe purpose of this work is to analyze a brand valuation methodology proposed by the current Ecuadorian National Service for Intellectual Rights, assessing the relevance of the proposed marketing variables: awareness, associations and evaluation of purchase determinants, and their relationship within the proposed methodology.Design/methodology/approachThe authors used data from surveys of 482 consumers of two agricultural brands in Ecuador (supplies, equipment and services). The authors applied linear multiple regressions estimated by generalized least squares with heteroskedasticity-robust standard errors. “Intention to repurchase” and “recommend” the brands were selected as dependent variables due to their relationship with brand value.FindingsBrand awareness and associations positively influence the two dependent variables. However, the interaction between brand awareness and associations is negative, suggesting that, for the upper level of awareness, associations have no effect over intentions. This result holds for both brands. Brand evaluation of purchase determinants was a significant predictor of intentions only for the brand which belongs to a product category in which the purchase decision process is more extensive and with more effort.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is focused only on agricultural brands, which limits the generalization of the findings.Originality/valueThe agricultural sector is very important in Ecuador due to its contribution to GDP and employment, and the country's position as the fifth exporter of bananas worldwide. Understanding consumer behavior is important for brands and firms' managers in order to preserve or increase brand value, for which a reliable valuation model is useful.