bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Early-life immune expression profiles predict later life health and fitness in a wild rodent
Authors: Wanelik Klara M , Begon Mike , Bradley Janette E , Friberg Ida M , Taylor Christopher H , Jackson Joseph A , Paterson Steve 
Published: October 2021

AbstractIndividuals differ in the nature of the immune responses they produce, affecting disease susceptibility and ultimately health and fitness. These differences have been hypothesised to have an origin in events experienced early in life that then affect trajectories of immune development and responsiveness. Here we investigate early life influences on immune expression profiles using a natural population of field voles,Microtus agrestis, in which we are able to monitor variation between and within individuals though time by repeat (longitudinal) sampling of individually marked animals. We analysed the co-expression of 20 immune genes in early life to create a correlational network consisting of three main clusters, one of which (containingGata3, Il10andIl17) was associated with later life reproductive success and susceptibility to chronic bacterial (Bartonella) infection. More detailed analyses supported associations between early life expression ofIl17and reproductive success later in life, and of increasedIl10expression early in life and later infection withBartonella. We also found significant association between anIl17genotype and the early life expression ofIl10. Our results demonstrate that immune expression profiles can be manifested during early life with effects that persist through adulthood and that shape the variability among individuals in susceptibility to infection and fitness widely seen in natural populations.
Promoter repression and 3D-restructuring resolves divergent developmental gene expression in TADs
Authors: Ringel Alessa R. , Szabo Quentin , Chiariello Andrea M. , Chudzik Konrad , Schöpflin Robert , Rothe Patricia , Mattei Alexandra L. , Zehnder Tobias , Harnett Dermot , Laupert Verena , Bianco Simona , Hetzel Sara , Phan Mai , Schindler Magdalena , Ibrahim Daniel , Paliou Christina , Esposito Andrea , Prada-Medina Cesar A. , Haas Stefan , Giere Peter , Vingron Martin , Wittler Lars , Meissner Alexander , Nicodemi Mario , Cavalli Giacomo , Bantignies Frédéric , Mundlos Stefan , Robson Michael I. 
Published: October 2021

SUMMARYCohesin loop extrusion facilitates precise gene expression by continuously driving promoters to sample all enhancers located within the same topologically-associated domain (TAD). However, many TADs contain multiple genes with divergent expression patterns, thereby indicating additional forces further refine how enhancer activities are utilised. Here, we unravel the mechanisms enabling a new gene,Rex1,to emerge with divergent expression within the ancientFat1TAD in placental mammals. We show that such divergent expression is not determined by a strict enhancer-promoter compatibility code, intra-TAD position or nuclear envelope-attachment. Instead, TAD-restructuring in embryonic stem cells (ESCs) separatesRex1andFat1with distinct proximal enhancers that independently drive their expression. By contrast, in later embryonic tissues, DNA methylation renders the inactiveRex1promoter profoundly unresponsive toFat1enhancers within the intact TAD. Combined, these features adapted an ancient regulatory landscape during evolution to support two entirely independentRex1andFat1expression programs. Thus, rather than operating only as rigid blocks of co-regulated genes, TAD-regulatory landscapes can orchestrate complex divergent expression patterns in evolution.HIGHLIGHTSNew genes can emerge in evolution without taking on the expression pattern of their surrounding pre-existing TAD.Compartmentalisation can restructure seemingly evolutionarily stable TADs to control a promoter’s access to enhancers.Lamina-associated domains neither prevent transcriptional activation nor enhancer-promoter communication.Repression rather than promoter-specificity refines when genes respond to promiscuous enhancer activities in specific tissues.
Disorder or a new order: how climate change affects phenological variability
Authors: Stemkovski Michael , Bell James R. , Ellwood Elizabeth R. , Inouye Brian D. , Kobori Hiromi , Lee Sang Don , Lloyd-Evans Trevor , Primack Richard B. , Templ Barbara , Pearse William D. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractAdvancing spring phenology is a well-documented consequence of anthropogenic climate change, but it is not well understood how climate change will affect the variability of phenology year-to-year. Species’ phenological timings reflect adaptation to a broad suite of abiotic needs (e.g. thermal energy) and biotic interactions (e.g. predation and pollination), and changes in patterns of variability may disrupt those adaptations and interactions. Here, we present a geographically and taxonomically broad analysis of phenological shifts, temperature sensitivity, and changes in inter-annual variance encompassing nearly 10,000 long-term phenology time-series representing over 1,000 species across much of the northern hemisphere. We show that early-season species in colder and less seasonal regions were the most sensitive to temperature change and had the least variable phenologies. The timings of leaf-out, flowering, insect first-occurrence, and bird arrival have all shifted earlier and tend to be less variable in warmer years. This has led leaf-out and flower phenology to become moderately but significantly less variable over time. These simultaneous changes in phenological averages and the variation around them have the potential to influence mismatches among interacting species that are difficult to anticipate if shifts in average are studied in isolation.
Deep-Learning Super-Resolution Microscopy Reveals Nanometer-Scale Intracellular Dynamics at the Millisecond Temporal Resolution
Authors: Chen Rong , Tang Xiao , Shen Zeyu , Shen Yusheng , Li Tiantian , Wang Ji , Cui Binbin , Guo Yusong , Du Shengwang , Yao Shuhuai 
Published: October 2021

AbstractSingle-molecule localization microscopy (SMLM) can be used to resolve subcellular structures and achieve a tenfold improvement in spatial resolution compared to that obtained by conventional fluorescence microscopy. However, the separation of single-molecule fluorescence events in thousands of frames dramatically increases the image acquisition time and phototoxicity, impeding the observation of instantaneous intracellular dynamics. Based on deep learning networks, we develop a single-frame super-resolution microscopy (SFSRM) approach that reconstructs a super-resolution image from a single frame of a diffraction-limited image to support live-cell super-resolution imaging at a ∼20 nm spatial resolution and a temporal resolution of up to 10 ms over thousands of time points. We demonstrate that our SFSRM method enables the visualization of the dynamics of vesicle transport at a millisecond temporal resolution in the dense and vibrant microtubule network in live cells. Moreover, the well-trained network model can be used with different live-cell imaging systems, such as confocal and light-sheet microscopes, making super-resolution microscopy accessible to nonexperts.
Early evoked brain activity underlies auditory and audiovisual speech recognition deficits in schizophrenia
Authors: Senkowski Daniel , Moran James K. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractObjectivesPeople with Schizophrenia (SZ) show deficits in auditory and audiovisual speech recognition. It is possible that these deficits are related to aberrant early sensory processing, combined with an impaired ability to utilize visual cues to improve speech recognition. In this electroencephalography study we tested this by having SZ and healthy controls (HC) identify different unisensory auditory and bisensory audiovisual syllables at different auditory noise levels.MethodsSZ (N = 24) and HC (N = 21) identified one of three different syllables (/da/, /ga/, /ta/) at three different noise levels (no, low, high). Half the trials were unisensory auditory and the other half provided additional visual input of moving lips. Task-evoked mediofrontal N1 and P2 brain potentials triggered to the onset of the auditory syllables were derived and related to behavioral performance.ResultsIn comparison to HC, SZ showed speech recognition deficits for unisensory and bisensory stimuli. These deficits were primarily found in the no noise condition. Paralleling these observations, reduced N1 amplitudes to unisensory and bisensory stimuli in SZ were found in the no noise condition. In HC the N1 amplitudes were positively related to the speech recognition performance, whereas no such relationships were found in SZ. Moreover, no group differences in multisensory speech recognition benefits and N1 suppression effects for bisensory stimuli were observed.ConclusionOur study shows that reduced N1 amplitudes relate to auditory and audiovisual speech processing deficits in SZ. The findings that the amplitude effects were confined to salient speech stimuli and the attenuated relationship with behavioral performance, compared to HC, indicates a diminished decoding of the auditory speech signals in SZs. Our study also revealed intact multisensory benefits in SZs, which indicates that the observed auditory and audiovisual speech recognition deficits were primarily related to aberrant auditory speech processing.HighlightsSpeech processing deficits in schizophrenia related to reduced N1 amplitudes Audiovisual suppression effect in N1 preserved in schizophrenia Schizophrenia showed weakened P2 components in specifically audiovisual processing
The child as an active participant: enhancing the child's attachment to kindergartens through architectural design
Authors: Beheiry Dalia A. , Gabr Hisham S. 
Published: October 2021

PurposeRecently, children are no longer considered the passive users of their spaces; they are rather treated as active participants in those spaces design, with their own experiences. The present research aims to investigate the impact of selected architectural variables of kindergartens' design on the child's attachment to the place. It also examines the multi-complex approach in dealing with children in experiments.Design/methodology/approachSpatial analysis and photographing methods were used to analyse the educational spaces in two kindergartens in Greater Cairo, Egypt. In measuring children's place attachment, the research depended on a complex participatory approach, which comprised interviews with children, story completion, children's drawings and visual questionnaires.FindingsThe results of this qualitative study highlight that the design of a kindergarten classroom's details plays a significant role in strengthening the child's place attachment. The results also stress that connection and exposure to nature supports the child's spatial values.Originality/valueThe authors argue that this paper is considered a good basis for including children as the architectural design decision-makers for their buildings, by shedding light on the architect–user relationship and its impact on the design process. It demonstrates how architectural design of child-oriented spaces can promote a child's self-identity and perception.
Antecedents of noise pollution control behaviour of employees of construction companies
Authors: Kaluarachchi Mekhala , Waidyasekara K.G.A.S. , Rameezdeen Raufdeen 
Published: October 2021

PurposeConstruction activities generate noise that is harmful to workers and the neighbouring community. Engineering control methods are often used for its control which are expensive and limited in effectiveness. This study aims to investigate factors that affect employee behaviour and how it could be used by construction companies to manage noise pollution on sites.Design/methodology/approachNorm Activation Model (NAM) is used to investigate the relationship between attitudes and behaviour of site-based employees using a questionnaire survey administered in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The responses were analysed using structural equation modelling to discern behavioural patterns and how it differs between managers and workers.FindingsThe results showed that behaviour of site employees could be influenced when they are aware of the consequences of noise pollution and take responsibility for its control. Personal norm of an employee and company's environmental behaviour are found to influence the behaviour in a positive manner.Practical implicationsConstruction companies should focus more on how to harness their employee's behaviour in order to reduce noise pollution on sites. Employees should be made aware of consequences of noise pollution and feel responsible for their actions through training, awareness campaigns, signage and so on.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the literature by building a theoretical model of employee noise control behaviour in construction organizations and empirically testing it among managers and workers. It compares the differences between these two groups which enhances one’s understanding of behavioural control methods when applied in a construction project setting. The study also evaluates the effects of company's environmental behaviour on employee behaviour.
Relationships, sustainability and agri-food purchasing behaviour in farmer markets in Italy
Authors: Foti Vera Teresa , Timpanaro Giuseppe 
Published: October 2021

PurposeThe study aims to demonstrate that farmers' markets can represent a model of environmental, social and governance reference for modern agri-food systems facing the challenge of post COVID-19 pandemic reconstruction, responding to consumer expectations in terms of health, safety and wholesomeness of agri-food products.Design/methodology/approachA sample of consumers was surveyed in farmers' markets and social network analysis (SNA) was adopted as a methodological approach to reconstruct the links between the worlds of production and consumption and to derive the relative importance attributed to various factors that promote relational structures.FindingsThe work demonstrates the importance of sustainability – as a productive and behavioural model of firms – for the construction of efficient and durable relationship systems in two farmer markets in Sicily. In particular, four fundamental components emerge in the construction of networks represented by consumer sensitivity to sustainability processes, the individual behavioural model of purchasing and consumption, the expectation of political direction and the level and factors of knowledge of the firm. The clustering elements of the relationships were found to be the territory and local products, the environmentalist attitude and the protection of resources, as well as the adoption of a rational waste disposal policy, the fight against food waste, the encouragement of healthier and more sustainable consumption styles, clear and transparent communication and the activation of sustainable supply chain processes in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).Originality/valueThe paper aims to demonstrate how alternative food systems can become a useful model for large enterprises, which are committed to rebuilding their business strategy to overcome the current crisis.
Towards the assessment of business process knowledge intensity – a systematic literature review
Authors: Berniak-Woźny Justyna , Szelągowski Marek 
Published: October 2021

PurposeThe aim of the article is to propose an integrated definition of knowledge-intensive business processes (kiBPs) and a model of business process (BP) knowledge intensity and develop holistic criteria and measures for the assessment of BP knowledge intensity.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative systematic literature review (SLR) was carried out as a means of evaluating and interpreting all available research relevant to the research topic, in this case, BP knowledge intensity. The SLR is based on the resources of the ProQuest, Springer Nature and ScienceDirect full-text databases. Regarding inclusion criteria, the authors considered peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings published in English in the last 10 years. The results were summarized and synthesized narratively.FindingsBased on the review, the authors classified existing knowledge intensity definitions, starting with knowledge-intensive economy or country, sectors and services, through knowledge-intensive organizations, BPs, to tasks. Then, an integrated definition of kiBPs was proposed and the business process knowledge intensity model encompassing three domains developed. Finally, 12 knowledge intensity criteria with measures were proposed.Originality/valueThe major value of this research is that it presents a novel approach to understanding BP knowledge intensity and kiBPs. By creating the BP knowledge intensity model, supplemented by the assessment criteria and measures, the authors contribute to the more effective management of kiBP, help find similarities and differences between various knowledge-intensive processes, as well as provide important implications for their effective management and research.
Can relational governance improve sustainability in public-private partnership infrastructure projects? An empirical study based on structural equation modeling
Authors: Tian Bo , Wang Zizhao , Li Chunhao , Fu Jiaxin 
Published: October 2021

PurposeAccording to relational contract theory, relational governance has potential to improve public-private partnership (PPP) infrastructure project sustainability. The main purpose of this research is to investigate the association between relational governance and the sustainability of PPP infrastructure projects. Further, this study examines the mediating effect of managerial innovation and the moderating role of public involvement.Design/methodology/approachResearch data were collected from 158 valid questionnaires completed by Chinese PPP professionals. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was then employed to test five hypotheses.FindingsResults indicate a positive correlation between relational governance and PPP infrastructure project sustainability. This linkage is regulated by public involvement. In addition, managerial innovation plays a mediating role between relational governance and the sustainability of PPP infrastructure projects.Originality/valueThis study verifies the relationship between relational governance and PPP infrastructure project sustainability, as well as intermediary and regulatory factors, providing a new approach to achieving sustainability in PPP infrastructure projects.
CSR communication and firms’ ability to win public procurement contracts
Authors: Kaddouri Ouiam , Saussier Stephane 
Published: October 2021

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the link between the corporate social responsibility (CSR) communication efforts of companies and their ability to obtain public procurement contracts.Design/methodology/approachThe authors are exploiting a database with the number of public procurement contracts won by SBF 120 companies in France and a constructed CSR index over the period of 2007–2015. The authors provide estimates of the amount of public contracts won by those companies.FindingsThe results suggest a striking influence of CSR communication on the ability of firms to win contracts.Research limitations/implicationsThis study focused on the case of the SBF 120 companies under the French regulatory system and European directives, which are different from the obligations in North American countries. Second, our constructed CSR index may be too simplistic in nature, and its application is limited only to the French context. Third, we do not have any evidence about the efficiency of well-ranked firms in our study. CSR reporting is still considered to be a form of communication, even if formal, that can contain information that does not especially reflect reality, as the scandals of several companies have shown in recent years (e.g. Volkswagen, Eiffage, Enron).Practical implicationsCompanies should consider Business-to-Government (B-to-G) market when investing in CSR actions.Originality/valueThis is one of the first empirical studies measuring the impact of CSR on the ability of companies to win public contracts.
Application of gamification to library services: awareness, perception, and readiness of academic librarians in Nigeria
Authors: Adeyemi Ismail Olatunji , Esan Adedoyin Oluwatosin , Aleem Abdulmalik 
Published: October 2021

Purpose
Gamification is a growing field of study that has not been touched by Nigerian academic librarians. This study aims to explore the awareness, perception and readiness of academic librarians on the application of gamification to library services.

Design/methodology/approach
This study adopts an interpretive research design and a qualitative research approach. This involves using semi-structured interviews to collect data for the study. Purposive sampling technique was used to select a sample of 20 participants but only 15 participated in the study. Participants were interviewed on their lived experience as to gamification; hence, phenomenology research method was adopted for the study. Thematic analysis was used to analyze collected data.

Findings
The findings of the study show that most of the academic librarians in Nigeria were not aware of gamification to library services. However, the few that were aware knew about the gamification of library service through their personal academic reading. It was shown that there is a link between awareness and positive perception of gamification to library services. It was found that most of the academic librarians did not have a positive perception of applying gamification to library services in Nigeria. Results show that important factors to consider in readiness towards application of gamification to academic library services in Nigeria include library management support, librarians’ technical know-how and IT compliance.

Originality/value
The findings of this study will provide insights as to academic librarians’ awareness, perception and readiness in applying gamification to library services in Nigeria and may provide insights into other developing Africa countries at large.