bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genomics and Phenomics Enabled Prebreeding Improved Early-Season Chilling Tolerance in Sorghum
Authors: Marla Sandeep , Felderhoff Terry , Hayes Chad , Perumal Ramasamy , Wang Xu , Poland Jesse , Morris Geoffrey P. 
Published: November 2022

SUMMARYIn temperate climates, earlier planting of tropical-origin crops can provide longer growing seasons, reduce water loss, suppress weeds, and escape post-flowering drought stress. However, chilling sensitivity of sorghum, a tropical-origin cereal crop, limits early planting and over 50 years of conventional breeding has been stymied by coinheritance of chilling tolerance (CT) loci with undesirable tannin and dwarfing alleles. In this study, phenomics and genomics-enabled approaches were used for prebreeding of sorghum early-season CT. Uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) high-throughput phenotyping platform tested for improving scalability showed moderate correlation between manual and UAS phenotyping. UAS normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) values from the chilling nested association mapping population detected CT QTL that colocialized with manual phenotyping CT QTL. Two of the four first-generation KASP molecular markers, generated using the peak QTL SNPs, failed to function in an independent breeding program as the CT allele was common in diverse breeding lines. Population genomicFSTanalysis identified SNP CT alleles that were globally rare but common to the CT donors. Second-generation markers, generated using population genomics, were successful in tracking the donor CT allele in diverse breeding lines from two independent sorghum breeding programs. Marker-assisted breeding, effective in introgressing CT allele from Chinese sorghums into chilling-sensitive US elite sorghums, improved early-planted seedling performance ratings in lines with CT alleles by up to 13–24% compared to the negative control under natural chilling stress. These findings directly demonstrate the effectiveness of high-throughput phenotyping and population genomics in molecular breeding of complex adaptive traits.
A secreted protease-like protein inZymoseptoria triticiis responsible for avirulence onStb9resistance gene in wheat
Authors: Amezrou Reda , Audéon Colette , compain Jérôme , Gélisse Sandrine , Ducasse Aurélie , Saintenac Cyrille , Lapalu Nicolas , Louet Clémentine , Orford Simon , Croll Daniel , Amselem Joëlle , Fillinger Sabine , Marcel Thierry C 
Published: November 2022

AbstractZymoseptoria triticiis the fungal pathogen responsible for Septoria tritici blotch on wheat. Disease outcome in this pathosystem is partly determined by isolate-specific resistance, where wheat resistance genes recognize specific fungal factors triggering an immune response. Despite the large number of known wheat resistance genes, fungal molecular determinants involved in such cultivar-specific resistance remain largely unknown. We identified the avirulence factorAvrStb9using association mapping and functional validation approaches. PathotypingAvrStb9transgenic strains onStb9cultivars, near isogenic lines and wheat mapping populations, showed thatAvrStb9interacts withStb9resistance gene, triggering an immune response.AvrStb9encodes an unusually large avirulence gene with a predicted secretion signal and a protease domain. It belongs to a S41 protease family conserved across different filamentous fungi in the Ascomycota class and may constitute a core effector.AvrStb9is also conserved among a globalZ. triticipopulation and carries multiple amino acid substitutions caused by strong positive diversifying selection. These results demonstrate the contribution of an ‘atypical’ conserved effector protein to fungal avirulence and the role of sequence diversification in the escape of host recognition, adding to our understanding of host-pathogen interactions and the evolutionary processes underlying pathogen adaptation.Author SummaryFungal avirulence (Avr) genes are involved in gene-for-gene relationships with host resistance genes.Avrgenes may at the same time target host defenses to allow infection and be recognized by a host resistance gene triggering a defense response. The fungusZymoseptoria triticicauses Septoria tritici blotch, a major disease of wheat worldwide.Z. triticipopulations rapidly adapt to selection pressures such as host resistance, leading to resistance breakdown. We report the identification of the avirulence geneAvrStb9based on genetic mapping, sequence polymorphisms and allele swapping.AvrStb9is involved in the interaction withStb9resistance gene following the gene-for-gene model, and its recognition hinders disease symptoms in hosts carrying the corresponding resistance gene. Unlike other knownZ. tritici Avreffectors,AvrStb9encodes for an unusually large Avr protein with a predicted protease S41 domain conserved among diverse ascomycete lineages. We also highlight several gene mutations likely involved in escapingStb9-mediated recognition.
Lysergic Acid Diethylamide Alters the Effects of Brain Stimulation in Rodents
Authors: Dwiel Lucas , Henricks Angela , Bragg Elise , Nicol Jeff , Gui Jiang , Doucette Wilder 
Published: November 2022

AbstractBackgroundPsychedelic drugs have resurged in neuroscience and psychiatry with promising success in psychedelic-assisted therapy for the treatment of anxiety, depression, and addiction. At the cellular level, psychedelic drugs elicit neuroplastic processes 24 hours after administration, priming neural circuits for change. The acute effects of psychedelic drugs are well characterized with functional imaging and neural oscillations showing an increase in the entropy of spontaneous cortical activity.HypothesesWe hypothesized that cortical-striatal oscillations recorded in rats would confirm the effects of psychedelic drugs. We also hypothesized that brain stimulation delivered 24 hours after LSD administration would lead to different effects than brain stimulation alone.MethodsWe recorded local field potential (LFP) oscillations from rats following lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) or saline administration and determined if exposure to these treatments altered the effect of a targeted intervention (brain stimulation) 24 hours later.ResultsWe confirmed acutely decreased low frequency power across the brain when rats are given LSD. We also demonstrated these altered states return to baseline after 24 hours. Brain stimulation applied in the previously reported window of heightened neuroplasticity produced distinct shifts in brain state compared to brain stimulation applied 24 hours after saline.ConclusionsDespite the acute effects of LSD disappearing after 24 hours, there are still latent effects that interact with brain stimulation to create larger and distinct changes in brain activity compared to brain stimulation alone. Our proof-of-concept findings are the first to suggest that psychedelic drugs could work in combination with brain stimulation to achieve enhanced effects on brain activity and future work will assess impacts on stimulation induced changes in behavior.
mRNA bivalent booster enhances neutralization against BA.2.75.2 and BQ.1.1
Authors: Davis-Gardner Meredith E. , Lai Lilin , Wali Bushra , Samaha Hady , Solis Daniel , Lee Matthew , Porter-Morrison Andrea , Hentenaar Ian Thomas , Yamamoto Fumiko , Godbole Sucheta , Douek Daniel C. , Lee Frances Eun-Hyung , Rouphael Nadine , Moreno Alberto , Pinsky Benjamin A. , Suthar Mehul S. 
Published: November 2022

AbstractThe emergence of the highly divergent SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant has jeopardized the efficacy of vaccines based on the ancestral spike. The bivalent COVID-19 mRNA booster vaccine within the United States is comprised of the ancestral and the Omicron BA.5 spike. Since its approval and distribution, additional Omicron subvariants have been identified with key mutations within the spike protein receptor binding domain that are predicted to escape vaccine sera. Of particular concern is the R346T mutation which has arisen in multiple subvariants, including BA.2.75.2 and BQ.1.1. Using a live virus neutralization assay, we evaluated serum samples from individuals who had received either one or two monovalent boosters or the bivalent booster to determine neutralizing activity against wild-type (WA1/2020) virus and Omicron subvariants BA.1, BA.5, BA.2.75.2, and BQ.1.1. In the one monovalent booster cohort, relative to WA1/2020, we observed a reduction in neutralization titers of 9-15-fold against BA.1 and BA.5 and 28-39-fold against BA.2.75.2 and BQ.1.1. In the BA.5-containing bivalent booster cohort, the neutralizing activity improved against all the Omicron subvariants. Relative to WA1/2020, we observed a reduction in neutralization titers of 3.7- and 4-fold against BA.1 and BA.5, respectively, and 11.5- and 21-fold against BA.2.75.2 and BQ.1.1, respectively. These data suggest that the bivalent mRNA booster vaccine broadens humoral immunity against the Omicron subvariants.
Neurofluid Coupling during Sleep and Wake States
Authors: Nair Vidhya Vijayakrishnan , Kish Brianna R , Chong Pearlynne L H , Yang Ho-Ching (Shawn) , Wu Yu-Chien , Tong Yunjie , Schwichtenberg A. J. 
Published: November 2022

AbstractLow-frequency changes in cerebral hemodynamics have recently been shown to drive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) movement in the human brain during non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep and resting state wakefulness. However, whether the coupling strength between these neurofluids varies between wake and sleep states is not known. In addition, the principal origin (i.e., neuronal vs. systemic) of these slow cerebral hemodynamic oscillations in either state also remains unexplored. To investigate this, a wake/sleep study was conducted on eight young, healthy volunteers, concurrently acquiring neurofluid dynamics using functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging, neural activity using Electroencephalography, and non-neuronal systemic physiology with peripheral functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy. Our results reveal that low-frequency cerebral hemodynamics and CSF movements are strongly coupled regardless of whether participants were awake or in light NREM sleep. Furthermore, it was also found that, while autonomic neural contributions are present only during light NREM sleep, non-neuronal systemic physiology influences neurofluid low-frquency oscillations in a significant way across both wake and sleep states. These results further our understanding regarding the low-frequency hemodynamic drivers of CSF movement in the human brain and could help inform the development of therapies for enhancing CSF circulation.
Mapping the literature of internal auditing in Europe: a systematic review and agenda for future research
Authors: Hazaea Saddam A. , Zhu Jinyu , Khatib Saleh F.A. , Elamer Ahmed A. 
Published: November 2022

Purpose
Although many firms are investing considerable resources in building and designing strong and effective internal auditing (IA) to improve corporate governance and internal control processes, IA literature is still relatively fragmented. Therefore, this paper aims to provide a systematic review of studies on IA in 27 European countries and the UK.

Design/methodology/approach
Based on the Scopus database, 142 papers published between 1987 and 2022 were analyzed. This study focused on evaluating and analyzing the characteristics of literature and the themes investigated with a focus on four key aspects: governance, the effectiveness of IA, the relationship between internal auditors and other parties and risk management to provide directions for future research.

Findings
This study found that IA literature did not provide the integrated knowledge of internal audit functions (IAFs) and the factors that could contribute to their implementation as required. The results showed that the UK, Greece and Italy dominate the published literature in terms of the number of studies. There are a few studies that investigate IA in private institutions and nonprofit organizations. Interestingly, a vast majority of studies are not based on theoretical grounds. The results also showed that there is an absence of studies that discuss the impact of cultural and political systems as well as the demographic characteristics of auditors on the implementation of IAFs.

Originality/value
This study is useful for researchers, organizations and regulators because it contributes to the literature by highlighting the intellectual development of IA in the European countries and the UK, providing several directions for future studies. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research is the first study to use a systematic review approach in evaluating the intellectual development of IA research in European countries, identifying areas and elements that received less attention in previous studies and providing a roadmap for future studies.
Regulatory influence on sustainability reporting: evidence from Murray–Darling Basin Authority in Australia
Authors: Hossain Md Moazzem , Rana Tarek , Nahar Shamsun , Rahman Md Jahidur , Lema Aklema Choudhury 
Published: November 2022

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to explore the sustainability reporting of a public sector organisation (PSO). This study focuses on socio-environmental practices of a major agro-economic platform in Australia – the Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) to provide a unique perspective on water resource management and sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach
This longitudinal qualitative case study collects published data from the MDBA’s annual reports over 21 years (1998–2018) and considers economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainability using legitimacy and institutional theory.

Findings
This study finds that the MDBA’s sustainability reporting is influenced by its response to the Water Act 2007 and the Basin Plan 2012 regulations and to maintain its legitimacy with stakeholders. The MDBA wished to pursue sustainability through integrating these regulations complemented by stakeholder expectations. Although all categories increased in reporting, the environment category has the highest primacy in achieving a healthy basin through sustainable water management for the long-term benefit of the stakeholders.

Research limitations/implications
This study contributes to the PSOs sustainability reporting literature. Particularly, this study provides insights of sustainability reporting patterns and practices over a long period through a longitudinal study. This study contributes new knowledge on the awareness of PSOs sustainability practice which has implications for governments, regulators, policymakers, managers and other stakeholders.

Originality/value
The Australian PSOs setting is under-researched from the perspective of a regulatory framework. The MDBA case provides unique insights on water resource management and sustainability which has value for many countries around the world.
From talk to action: the effects of the non-financial reporting directive on ESG performance
Authors: Aluchna Maria , Roszkowska-Menkes Maria , Kamiński Bogumił 
Published: November 2022

Purpose
Non-financial reporting (NFR) is viewed as a major step towards organisational transparency and accountability. While the number of non-financial reports published every year has been growing exponentially over the last two decades, their quality and effectiveness in managing environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance have been questioned. Addressing these concerns, several jurisdictions, including EU Member States, introduced mandatory NFR regimes. However, the evidence on whether such regulation truly translates into enhanced ESG performance remains scarce. This paper aims to fill this gap in the literature by investigating the impact of the EU’s Directive 2014/95/EU (Non-financial Reporting Directive, NFRD) on the ESG scores of Polish companies.

Design/methodology/approach
Drawing upon institutional and strategic perspectives on legitimacy theory, the authors test the relationship between the introduction of the NFRD and the ESG scores derived from the Refinitiv database, using a sample of all those companies listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange whose disclosure allows for measuring ESG performance (yielding 171 firm-year observations from 43 companies).

Findings
This study’s findings show an improvement of ESG performance following the introduction of the NFRD. The difference-in-differences approach indicates that the improvement is larger for companies that are subject to the legislation when it comes to overall ESG performance, particularly for environmental and social performance. Nonetheless, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, no significant effect is found for performance in the governance dimension.

Originality/value
This study investigates the role of transnational mandatory reporting regulation in the first years of its enactment. The evidence offers insights into the effects of disclosure legislation in the context of an underdeveloped institutional environment.
Do you see what I see? Enhancement of rigour in qualitative approaches to inquiry: a systematic review of evidence
Authors: Patterson Eira Wyn , Ball Kerry , Corkish Jessica , Whittick Isabella May 
Published: November 2022

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to synthesise current literature on the conceptualisation of rigour within qualitative studies and to identify factors which contribute to the enhancement of rigour for the practical implementation of qualitative research.Design/methodology/approachThis paper presents an interpretivist stance in line with a qualitative approach to research. A systematic review method was adopted to provide a structured and rigorous selection of relevant literature. Data was analysed using a thematic synthesis method, as outlined by Thomas and Harden (2008).FindingsThe results of the thematic synthesis identified seven descriptive themes in the literature: conceptualising rigour, conceptualising truth and value in knowledge generation, participant trust and communication of truth, rigour in research design and implementation, subjectivity, reflexivity and researcher identity, reader confidence and transparency and strategies for enhancing rigour. These descriptive themes were further developed into three analytical themes: ethical co-construction, methodological alignment and multi-perspective interpretation.Originality/valueThis paper presents an interdisciplinary exploration of the concept of rigour in qualitative research. The themes identified are applicable across fields and provide an original application of thematic synthesis.
Investigation of Nagashima‐type palmoplantar keratoderma in China: A cross‐sectional study of 234 patients
Authors: Liu Juan , Chen Zhiming , Hu Linghan , Song Zhongya , Mo Ran , Tsang Lemuel Shui‐Lun , Liu Yihe , Huang Xin , Gong Zhuoqing , Lin Zhimiao , Yang Yong 
Published: November 2022

AbstractNagashima‐type palmoplantar keratoderma (NPPK) is the most prevalent hereditary palmoplantar keratoderma (PPK) in China, but there is a paucity of epidemiological data on the Chinese population. To explore the clinical and genetic characteristics, evaluate the demographic distribution, and estimate the burden of disease of NPPK. A total of 234 Chinese patients with NPPK were enrolled from two medical centers and an online PPK support group. Next‐generation sequencing and Sanger sequencing were performed to screen out and confirm pathogenic mutations in SERPINB7. Clinical features and quality of life (QOL) were evaluated using self‐completed questionnaires. In total, 14 pathogenic mutations were identified in SERPINB7 from the cohort. The top four recurrent mutations were c.796C>T (355, 75.9%), c.522dupT (66, 14.1%), c.650_653delCTGT (24, 5.1%), and c.455G>T (12, 2.6%), accounting for 97.6% of Chinese NPPK patients. Other mutations (11, 2.4%) include c.455‐1G>T, c.336+2T>G, c.635delG and seven novel mutations c.2T>C, c.434delG, c.455‐16A>G, c.656T>C, c.745‐553T>G, c.832C>T, c.1036G>T. The estimated prevalence of NPPK in China was found to be 0.975/10 000 based on Chinese databases. Clinically, there were no apparent genotype–phenotype correlations in NPPK patients. Pediatric patients mainly presented with palmoplantar peeling, while adults presented with scale (p < 0.001). The most common comorbidities in NPPK patients were onychomycosis (40.0%), eczema (36.8%), and tinea pedis (30.3%). As for burden of disease, NPPK patients' QOL was decreased by a moderate degree. In this study, pathogenic mutations' allele frequencies in SERPINB7 were updated, and prevalence of NPPK in China was estimated. This large‐scale cohort study provides evidence‐based recommendations for patient management. Identification of new mutations are important for timely diagnosis of NPPK. Palmoplantar peeling in children can be used as a hallmark for early recognition of NPPK.
High accuracy of single‐molecule real‐time sequencing in detecting a rare α‐globin fusion gene in carrier screening population
Authors: Zhou Qiao‐Miao , Jiang Fan , Xu Jing , Lin Dan , Huang Ren‐Liang , Zhou Jian‐Ying , Qu Yan‐Xia , Li Dong‐Zhi 
Published: November 2022

AbstractIntroductionThe α‐globin fusion gene between the HBA2 and HBAP1 genes becomes clinically important in thalassemia screening because this fusion gene can cause severe hemoglobin (Hb) H disease when combining with α0‐thalassemia (α0‐thal). Due to its uncommon rearrangement in the α gene cluster without dosage changes, this fusion gene is undetectable by common molecular testing approaches used for α‐thal diagnosis.MethodsIn this study, we used the single‐molecule real‐time (SMRT) sequencing technique to detect this fusion gene in 23 carriers identified by next‐generation sequencing (NGS) among 16,504 screened individuals. Five primers for α and β thalassemia were utilized.ResultsAccording to the NGS results, the 23 carriers include 14 pure heterozygotes, eight compound heterozygotes with common α‐thal alleles, and one homozygote. By using SMRT, the fusion mutant was successfully detected in all 23 carriers. Furthermore, SMRT corrected the diagnosis in two “pure” heterozygotes: one was compound heterozygote with anti‐3.7 triplication, and the other was homozygote.ConclusionOur results indicate that SMRT is a superior method compared to NGS in detecting the α fusion gene, attributing to its efficient, accurate, and one‐step properties.