bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Photosynthetic and water transport strategies of plants along a tropical forest aridity gradient: a test of optimality theory
Authors: Zhang-Zheng Huanyuan , Malhi Yadvinder , Gvozdevaite Agne , Peprah Theresa , Boakye Mickey , Ziemińska Kasia , Adu-Bredu Stephen , Aguirre-Gutiérrez Jesús , Sandoval David , Prentice Iain Colin , Menor Imma Oliveras 
Published: January 2023

Summary(1)The research conducted, including the rationaleThe direct effect of aridity on photosynthetic and water-transport strategies is not easy to discern in global analyses because of large-scale correlations between precipitation and temperature. We analyze tree traits collected along an aridity gradient in Ghana, West Africa that shows little temperature variation, in an attempt to disentangle thermal and hydraulic influences on plant traits.(2)MethodsPredictions derived from optimality theory on the variation of key plant traits along the aridity gradient are tested with field measurements.(3)resultsMost photosynthetic traits show trends consistent with optimality-theory predictions, including higher photosynthetic capacity in the drier sites, and an association of higher photosynthetic capacity with greater respiration rates and greater water transport. Hydraulic traits show less consistency with theory or global-scale pattern, especially predictions based on xylem efficiency-safety tradeoff. Nonetheless, the link between photosynthesis and water transport still holds: species (predominantly deciduous species found in drier sites) with both higher sapwood-to-leaf area ratio (AS/AL) and potential hydraulic conductivity (Kp), implying higher transpiration, tend to have both higher photosynthetic capacity and lower leaf-internal CO2.(4)ConclusionsThese results indicate that aridity is an independent driver of spatial patterns of photosynthetic traits, while plants show a diversity of water-transport strategies along the aridity gradient.Plain language summaryAlong an aridity gradient in Ghana, West-Africa, we used optimality theory to explain that aridity is an important driver of photosynthetic traits, independent of temperature. Toward drier sites, plants have higher photosynthetic capacities per leaf area but have fewer leaves. We also explain how plants arrange water transportation to support quicker photosynthesis at drier sites. However, plants at the drier sites seem to have diverse combinations of hydraulic traits to satisfy the need for photosynthesis. We reported surprising data-theory inconsistency for some hydraulic traits along the aridity gradient where further research is needed.
Spatial transcriptomics analysis of neoadjuvant cabozantinib and nivolumab in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma identifies independent mechanisms of resistance and recurrence
Authors: Zhang Shuming , Yuan Long , Danilova Ludmila , Mo Guanglan , Zhu Qingfeng , Deshpande Atul , Bell Alexander T.F. , Elisseeff Jennifer , Popel Aleksander S. , Anders Robert A. , Jaffee Elizabeth M. , Yarchoan Mark , Fertig Elana J. , Kagohara Luciane T. 
Published: January 2023

ABSTRACTNovel immunotherapy combination therapies have improved outcomes for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but responses are limited to a subset of patients and recurrence can also occur. Little is known about the inter- and intra-tumor heterogeneity in cellular signaling networks within the HCC tumor microenvironment (TME) that underlie responses to modern systemic therapy. We applied spatial transcriptomics (ST) profiling to characterize the tumor microenvironment in HCC resection specimens from a clinical trial of neoadjuvant cabozantinib, a multi-tyrosine kinase inhibitor that primarily blocks VEGF, and nivolumab, a PD-1 inhibitor in which 5 out of 15 patients were found to have a pathologic response. ST profiling demonstrated that the TME of responding tumors was enriched for immune cells and cancer associated fibroblasts (CAF) with pro-inflammatory signaling relative to the non-responders. The enriched cancer-immune interactions in responding tumors are characterized by activation of the PAX5 module, a known regulator of B cell maturation, which colocalized with spots with increased B cell markers expression suggesting strong activity of these cells. Cancer-CAF interactions were also enriched in the responding tumors and were associated with extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling as there was high activation of FOS and JUN in CAFs adjacent to tumor. The ECM remodeling is consistent with proliferative fibrosis in association with immune-mediated tumor regression. Among the patients with major pathologic response, a single patient experienced early HCC recurrence. ST analysis of this clinical outlier demonstrated marked tumor heterogeneity, with a distinctive immune-poor tumor region that resembles the non-responding TME across patients and was characterized by cancer-CAF interactions and expression of cancer stem cell markers, potentially mediating early tumor immune escape and recurrence in this patient. These data show that responses to modern systemic therapy in HCC are associated with distinctive molecular and cellular landscapes and provide new targets to enhance and prolong responses to systemic therapy in HCC.
A multivariate network analysis of ring- and diffuse-porous tree xylem vasculature segmented by convolutional neural networks
Authors: Huber Annika Erika , Haft-Javaherian Mohammad , Berg Maxime , Lanba Asheesh , Lorthois Sylvie , Bauerle Taryn L. , Nishimura Nozomi 
Published: January 2023

AbstractThe xylem network, the water conduction system in wood determines the ability of trees to avoid hydraulic failure during drought stress. The capability to withstand embolisms, disruptions of the water column by gas bubbles that contribute to hydraulic failure, is mainly determined by the anatomical arrangement and connectedness (topology) of xylem vessels. However, the quantification of xylem network characteristics has been difficult, so that relating network properties and topology to hydraulic vulnerability and predicting xylem function remains challenging. We studied the xylem vessel networks of three diffuse- (Fagus sylvatica, Liriodendron tulipifera, Populus x canadensis) and three ring-porous (Carya ovata, Fraxinus pennsylvatica, Quercus montana) tree species using volumetric images of xylem from laser ablation tomography (LATscan). Using convolutional neural networks for image segmentation, we generated three-dimensional, high-resolution maps of xylem vessels, with detailed measurements of morphology and topology. We studied the network topologies by incorporating multiple network metrics into a multidimensional analysis and simulated the robustness of these networks against the loss of individual vessel elements that mimic the obstruction of water flow from embolisms. This analysis suggested that networks inPopulus x canadensisandCarya ovataare quite similar despite being different wood types. Similar networks had comparable experimental measurements of P50 values (pressure inducing 50% hydraulic conductivity loss) obtained from hydraulic vulnerability curves, a common tool to quantify the cavitation resistance of xylem networks. This work produced novel data on plant xylem vessel networks and introduces new methods for analyzing the biological impact of these network structures.Significance statementThe resilience of fluid transport networks such as xylem vessels that conduct water in trees depends on both the structure of the network and features of the individual network elements. High-resolution reconstruction of xylem networks from six tree species provided novel, three-dimensional, structural data which enabled the xylem networks to be described using graph theory. Using an array of network metrics as multidimensional descriptors, we compared the xylem networks between species and showed relationships to simulated and experimental measures of drought resistance. In addition to providing insight on drought resistance, these approaches offer new ways for comparative analysis of networks applicable to many systems.
Ancient DNA confirms anaemia as the cause for Porotic Hyperostosis in ancient Neolithics together with a genetic architecture for low bone mineral density
Authors: Ferrando-Bernal Manuel 
Published: January 2023

AbstractPorotic hyperostosis is a disease that used to have an important prevalence during the Neolithic. Several hypotheses have been described to explain its origin but not one has been tested genetically. Here, I used hundreds of SNPs to confirm anaemia and low bone mineral density as the main cause for this disease using data for 80 ancient individuals for which it is known if they had or not the disease. Additionally, Neolithic individuals show the lowest bone mineral density and haemoglobin levels of all other periods tested here, explaining the highest prevalence of the porotic hyperostosis during this age.
Structure and activity of botulinum neurotoxin X
Authors: Martínez-Carranza Markel , Škerlová Jana , Lee Pyung-Gang , Zhang Jie , Burgin Dave , Elliott Mark , Philippe Jules , Donald Sarah , Hornby Fraser , Henriksson Linda , Masuyer Geoffrey , Beard Matthew , Dong Min , Stenmark Pål 
Published: January 2023

AbstractBotulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are the most potent toxins known and are used to treat an increasing number of medical disorders. All BoNTs are naturally co-expressed with a protective partner protein (NTNH) with which they form a 300 kDa complex, to resist acidic and proteolytic attack from the digestive tract. We have previously identified a new botulinum neurotoxin serotype, BoNT/X, that has unique and therapeutically attractive properties. We present the cryo-EM structure of the BoNT/X-NTNH/X complex at 3.1 Å resolution. Unexpectedly, the BoNT/X complex is stable and protease resistant at both neutral and acidic pH and disassembles only in alkaline conditions. Using the stabilizing effect of NTNH, we isolated BoNT/X and showed that it has very low potency bothin vitroandin vivo. Given the high catalytic activity and translocation efficacy of BoNT/X, low activity of the full toxin is likely due to the receptor-binding domain, which presents weak ganglioside binding and exposed hydrophobic surfaces.
A dominant-negative avirulence effector of the barley powdery mildew fungus provides mechanistic insight to barley MLA immune receptor activation
Authors: Crean Emma E , Bilstein-Schloemer Merle , Maekawa Takaki , Schulze-Lefert Paul , Saur Isabel ML 
Published: January 2023

AbstractNucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat receptors (NLRs) recognize pathogen effectors to mediate plant disease resistance, which is often accompanied by a localized host cell death response. Effectors can escape NLR recognition through various polymorphisms, allowing the pathogen to proliferate on previously resistant host plants. The powdery mildew effector AVRA13-1 is recognized by the barley NLR MLA13 and activates host cell death. We demonstrate here that a virulent form of AVRA13, called AVRA13-V2, escapes MLA13 recognition by substituting a serine for a leucine residue at the C-terminus. Counterintuitively, this substitution in AVRA13-V2 resulted in an enhanced MLA13 association and prevented the detection of AVRA13-1 by MLA13. Therefore, AVRA13-V2 is a dominant-negative form of AVRA13and has likely contributed to the breakdown ofMla13resistance. Despite this dominant-negative activity, AVRA13-V2 failed to suppress host cell death mediated by the MLA13 auto-active “MHD” variant. Neither AVRA13-1 nor AVRA13-V2 interacted with the MLA13 auto-active variant, implying that the binding moiety in MLA13 that mediates association with AVRA13-1 is altered after receptor activation. We also show that mutations in the MLA13 coiled-coil signalling domain, which were thought to impair Ca2+-channel activity and NLR function, instead resulted in MLA13 auto-active cell death. The data constitute an important step to define intermediate receptor conformations during NLR activation.
DNA elements tether canonical Polycomb Repressive Complex 1 to human genes
Authors: Barrasa Juan I. , Kahn Tatyana G. , Lundkvist Moa J. , Schwartz Yuri B. 
Published: January 2023

ABSTRACTDevelopment of multicellular animals requires epigenetic repression by Polycomb group proteins. The latter assemble in multi-subunit complexes, of which two kinds, Polycomb Repressive Complex 1 (PRC1) and Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2), act together to effect the repression of key developmental genes. How PRC1 and PRC2 recognize specific genes remains an open question. Here we report systematic identification of DNA elements that tether canonical PRC1 to human developmental genes. Their analysis indicates that sequence features associated with PRC1 tethering differ from those that favour PRC2 binding. Throughout the genome, the two kinds of sequence features mix in different proportions to yield a gamut of DNA elements that range from those tethering predominantly PRC1 to ones capable of tethering both PRC1 and PRC2. The emerging picture is similar to paradigmatic targeting of Polycomb complexes by Polycomb Response Elements (PREs) ofDrosophilabut providing for greater plasticity.
Investigating predictors of medical students' intentions to engagement in volunteering during the health crisis
Authors: Mouloudj Kamel , Bouarar Ahmed Chemseddine 
Published: January 2023

PurposeThe purpose of the present paper is to investigate Algerian medical students' intention to participate in volunteer work during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.Design/methodology/approachThe authors adopted an extended theory of planned behavior (TPB) framework by integrating the constructs of personal moral norms and perceived risk of COVID-19 and followed a self-administered questionnaire survey to collect data among a convenience sample of medical students (n = 267) in five Algerian universities. The data obtained were analyzed through a hierarchical multiple regression process in which three models were considered.FindingsFindings of this study show that attitude toward volunteering, perceived behavior control (PBC), personal moral norm and subjective norm significantly and positively predicted medical students' intention to engage in volunteer work during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, students' perceived risk of COVID-19 significantly and negatively predicted students' intention to participate in volunteer activities. Moreover, the authors' analyses showed that the extended TPB model explained 75.1% of the variance of intention.Practical implicationsThe findings of this study have implications for understanding medical students' volunteer behavior during health crises. Some implications are provided for the crisis and emergency managers of hospitals and policymakers to attract and recruit enough medical students' volunteers for future waves of COVID-19 or other similar health crises.Originality/valueThis is the first paper from Algeria and one of the few from Africa that identifies predictors of intentions to participate in volunteer activities among medical students.
Evaluating the decentralization of public hospitals in Turkey in terms of technical efficiency: data envelopment analysis and Malmquist index
Authors: Bağcı Hasan , Çil Koçyiğit Seyhan 
Published: January 2023

PurposeDecree Law No. 663 introduced a decentralized organizational structure and administration pertaining to Turkish public hospitals in November 2011. This study aims to explore the effects of the public hospital unions (PHUs), which were a result of Decree Law No. 663, on the efficiency and productivity of public hospitals.Design/methodology/approachData envelopment analysis (DEA) and DEA-based Malmquist total factor productivity (TFP) index were used from 2011 to 2016. Raw materials and supply expenses, salaries and fringe benefits, other service costs, general administrative expenses, total number of beds, number of specialists, number of residents, number of general practitioners, number of nurses and midwives and other medical officials were used as input variables. Working capital turnover, number of inpatients, number of outpatients and number of surgical operations for Groups A, B and C were used as output variables.FindingsAccording to the DEA scores, the percentage of efficient hospitals showed a declining trend from 2011 to 2016. The TFP results also showed a decreasing trend from 2011 to 2016.Practical implicationsProviding administrative and financial autonomy to public hospital managers may cause efficiency and productivity losses, which is contrary to expectations.Originality/valueThis study is the first to reveal the impact of decentralization of public healthcare providers on their performance levels in Turkey.
Does Facebook penetration improve governance? A reflection on the World Governance Indicators of 185 countries
Authors: Morshed Md. Manjur , Mazumder Tanmoy 
Published: January 2023

Purpose
Social media creates a public sphere, which functions as the third wheel of governance. This study aims to examine the relationship between Facebook penetration and the World Bank’s World Governance Indicators.

Design/methodology/approach
First, a Pearson correlation was estimated between Facebook penetration and governance indicators. Second, ordinary least squares analysis was used to examine a variety of additional economic and population factors, including Facebook penetration. In both instances, the colinearity of the variables is examined.

Findings
The findings indicate that there is no conclusive correlation between Facebook penetration and governance; however, the opposite is true for developing, emerging and least developed countries, though the relationship is not uniform across regions. In addition, per capita gross domestic product and population dynamics, specifically the proportion of the population aged 15–64, have a significant impact on governance measures. The colinearity of the variables suggests that governance is a broad concept, and that the direct correlation between Facebook penetration and governance may be misleading.

Research limitations/implications
Future research should incorporate panel data from other social media platforms, such as Twitter and Reddit, to better understand temporal factors and the relationship between social media penetration and governance.

Practical implications
This paper opens up new avenue for investigation on the impact of social media on governance.

Social implications
This paper can contribute to the complexity of social media as means for voice and accountability. In addition, the paper mentions how social media can be used more neutrally to ensure exposure to diverse perspectives.

Originality/value
The growing importance of the internet and the popularity of social networking websites are generating a great deal of scholarly attention. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, there is almost no literature that links Facebook penetration and governance. This paper intends to fill this void.
Best practices for digital transformation based on a systematic literature review
Authors: Van Veldhoven Ziboud , Vanthienen Jan 
Published: January 2023

PurposeDigital transformation (DT) projects are complex and often unsuccessful. While researchers have suggested many guidelines and best practices on how to successfully roll out DT projects and how they are spread among a large number of scientific papers. The aim of this paper is to synthesize these guidelines into clear overviews.Design/methodology/approachA systematic literature review was conducted on both Scopus and Web of Science to search for papers suggesting DT guidelines or best practices. In total, 150 papers dealing with DT and guidelines were fully analyzed.FindingsEight main DT guidelines were found and each one was expanded with several best practices on how to implement these. The results are eight tables giving an overview of the commonly agreed-upon best practices for each DT guideline.Research limitations/implicationsThese overviews are useful for both researchers and practitioners, to guide future work and to be inspired respectively. This paper calls for more research on how these guidelines are followed in practice, how these differ per industry and what their impact is on the overall success of DT projects.Originality/valueThe synthesis of DT guidelines organized into an accessible format has not yet been conducted before, and can serve as a seminal pinpoint for future research.
How do females in top executive positions influence firm profitability: new insight from non financial firms on Ghana Stock Exchange
Authors: Luh Peter Kodjo , Kusi Baah Aye 
Published: January 2023

Purpose
This study aims to investigate the impact of female chairperson, female chief executive officer and presence of females on boards on listed firms’ profitability using data from Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach
This study used ordinary least square estimation and generalized least square (i.e. fixed and random effect estimation techniques) estimation on the data of 15 nonfinancial listed firms on Ghana Stock Exchange between 2010 and 2020.

Findings
The results show that while males dominate corporate executive positions in listed nonfinancial firms in Ghana, females serving in top corporate executive positions like chief executive officer, board chairperson and female board membership positively impact listed firms’ performance in the form of return on assets, net profit margin and gross profit margin. These findings are consistent even when year and industry effects are controlled for. This suggests that enacting policies at the national and firm levels to encourage female participation in corporate executive roles/positions are critical for promoting firm performance.

Originality/value
This study extends extant empirical literature on the economic role of female executives in firm performance from the developing context of Ghana. With calls in literature for more studies on the subject matter in varied contexts and conditions, this study takes the discussion a step further by investigating whether the gender of those in positions such as board chairperson and chief executive officer matters in firm profitability in Ghana.
The role of financial status, attitudes, behaviours and knowledge for overall well-being in Portugal: the mediating role of financial well-being
Authors: Junça Silva Ana , Dias Raquel 
Published: January 2023

Purpose
Although overall well-being is a well-studied phenomenon, financial well-being only recently has attracted scholars’ attention. Accordingly, this study aimed to understand the relationship between financial well-being, its predictors (financial status, financial behaviour, financial knowledge and financial attitudes) and overall well-being.

Design/methodology/approach
The authors collected data from 262 working adults.

Findings
The results showed that only financial status was positively related to financial well-being and the latter was positively related to overall well-being. It was also found that financial well-being mediated the relationship between financial status and overall well-being. In sum, these results showed a multidisciplinary concept of overall well-being and that individuals tend to prioritize financial security over the other components.

Research limitations/implications
The cross-sectional nature of the data is a limitation.

Practical implications
Practically speaking, this research is relevant because it highlights the evidence of financial status as an important influence on financial well-being, as well as the role of household income in individuals’ financial satisfaction.

Originality/value
The study addresses a call for research on the relationship between financial well-being, its main predictors and how these contribute to explain overall well-being.