bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rhythmic Entrainment Echoes in Auditory Perception
Authors: L’Hermite Sylvain , Zoefel Benedikt 
Published: December 2022

AbstractRhythmic entrainment echoes – rhythmic brain responses that outlast rhythmic stimulation – can evidence endogenous neural oscillations entrained by the stimulus rhythm. We here tested for such echoes in auditory perception. Participants detected a pure tone target, presented at a variable delay after another pure tone that was rhythmically modulated in amplitude. In four experiments involving 154 participants, we tested (1) which stimulus rate produces the strongest entrainment echo and (2) – inspired by audition’s tonotopical organisation and findings in non-human primates – whether these are organized according to sound frequency. We found strongest entrainment echoes after 6-Hz and 8-Hz stimulation, respectively. Best moments for target detection (in or in anti-phase with the preceding rhythm) depended on whether sound frequencies of entraining and target stimuli matched, in line with a tonotopical organisation. However, for the same experimental condition, best moments were not always consistent across experiments. We provide a speculative explanation for these differences that relies on the notion that neural entrainment and repetition-related adaptation might exercise competing, opposite influences on perception. Together, we find rhythmic echoes in auditory perception that seem more complex than those predicted from initial theories of neural entrainment.
Identification of a Female-produced Sex Attractant Pheromone of the Winter Firefly,Photinus corrusca
Authors: Lower Sarah E. , Pask Gregory M. , Arriola Kyle , Halloran Sean , Holmes Hannah , Halley Daphné C. , Zheng Yiyu , Collins Douglas B. , Millar Jocelyn G. 
Published: December 2022

AbstractFirefly flashes are well-known visual signals used by these insects to find, identify, and choose mates. However, many firefly species have lost the ability to produce light as adults. These “unlighted” species generally lack developed adult light organs, are diurnal rather than nocturnal, and are believed to use volatile pheromones acting over a distance to locate mates. While cuticular hydrocarbons, which may function in mate recognition at close range, have been examined for a handful of the over 2000 extant firefly species, no volatile pheromone has ever been identified. In this study, using coupled gas chromatography - electroantennographic detection, we detected a single female-emitted compound that elicited antennal responses from wild-caught male winter fireflies,Photinus corrusca. The compound was identified as (1S)-exo-3-hydroxycamphor (hydroxycamphor). In field trials at two sites across the species’ eastern North American range, large numbers of maleP. corruscawere attracted to synthesized hydroxycamphor, verifying its function as a volatile sex attractant pheromone. Males spent more time in contact with lures treated with synthesized hydroxycamphor than those treated with solvent only in laboratory two-choice assays. Further, using single sensillum recordings, we characterized a pheromone-sensitive odorant receptor neuron in a specific olfactory sensillum on maleP. corruscaantennae and demonstrated its sensitivity to hydroxycamphor. Thus, this study has identified the first volatile pheromone and its corresponding sensory neuron for any firefly species, and provides a tool for monitoringP. corruscapopulations for conservation, and further inquiry into the chemical and cellular bases for sexual communication among fireflies.
Loss of allosteric regulation in α-isopropylmalate synthase identified as an antimicrobial resistance mechanism
Authors: Sullivan Jaryd R. , Courtine Christophe , Taylor Lorne , Solomon Ori , Behr Marcel A. 
Published: December 2022

AbstractDespite our best efforts to discover new antimicrobials, bacteria have evolved mechanisms to become resistant. Resistance to antimicrobials can be attributed to innate, inducible, and acquired mechanisms.Mycobacterium abscessusis one of the most antimicrobial resistant bacteria and is known to cause chronic pulmonary infections within the cystic fibrosis community. Previously, we identified epetraborole as an inhibitor againstM. abscessuswithin vitroandin vivoactivities and that the efficacy of epetraborole could be improved with the combination of the non-proteinogenic amino acid norvaline. Norvaline demonstrated activity against theM. abscessusepetraborole resistant mutants thus, limiting resistance to epetraborole in wild type populations. Here we showM. abscessusmutants with resistance to epetraborole can acquire resistance to norvaline in a leucyl-tRNA synthetase (LeuRS) editing-independent manner. After showing that the membrane hydrophobicity and efflux activity are not linked to norvaline resistance, whole-genome sequencing identified a mutation in the allosteric regulatory domain of α-isopropylmalate synthase (α-IPMS). We found that mutants with the α-IPMSA555Vvariant incorporated less norvaline in the proteome and produced more leucine than the parental strain. Furthermore, we found that leucine can rescue growth inhibition from norvaline challenge in the parental strain. Our results demonstrate thatM. abscessuscan modulate its metabolism through mutations in an allosteric regulatory site to upregulate the biosynthesis of the natural LeuRS substrate and outcompete norvaline. These findings emphasize the antimicrobial resistant nature ofM. abscessusand describe a unique mechanism of substrate-inhibitor competition.Significance StatementCystic fibrosis patients and individuals undergoing plastic surgery are at risk for acquiring chronic infections fromMycobacterium abscessus. Current antibiotics are not adequate and require increased drug discovery efforts to identify better treatments for these patients. The benzoxaborole, epetraborole has been shown by our group and others to be a promising candidate againstM. abscessusbut the emergence of resistance to epetraborole in a clinical trial for complicated urinary tract infections has hindered its development. Previously, we identified the combination of epetraborole and norvaline as a potential means to limit resistance against epetraborole. Our results here demonstrate thatM. abscessuscan acquire resistance to both epetraborole and norvaline. These results may help develop combination therapies to reduce the risk of resistance to benzoxaboroles and non-proteinogenic amino acids.
VPS35 and α-Synuclein Fail to Interact to Modulate Neurodegeneration in Rodent Models of Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Chen Xi , Tsika Elpida , Levine Nathan , Moore Darren J. 
Published: December 2022

AbstractMutations in thevacuolar protein sorting 35 ortholog(VPS35) gene cause late-onset, autosomal dominant Parkinson’s disease (PD), with a single missense mutation (Asp620Asn, D620N) known to segregate with disease in families with PD. TheVPS35gene encodes a core component of the retromer complex, involved in the endosomal sorting and recycling of transmembrane cargo proteins.VPS35-linked PD is clinically indistinguishable from sporadic PD, although it is not yet known whetherVPS35-PD brains exhibit α-synuclein-positive brainstem Lewy pathology that is characteristic of sporadic cases. Prior studies have suggested a functional interaction between VPS35 and the PD-linked gene product α-synuclein in lower organisms, whereVPS35deletion enhances α-synuclein-induced toxicity. In mice, VPS35 overexpression is reported to rescue hippocampal neuronal loss in human α-synuclein transgenic mice, potentially suggesting a retromer deficiency in these mice. Here, we employ multiple well-established genetic rodent models to explore a functional or pathological interaction between VPS35 and α-synucleinin vivo. We find that endogenous α-synuclein is dispensable for nigrostriatal pathway dopaminergic neurodegeneration induced by the viral-mediated delivery of human D620N VPS35 in mice, suggesting that α-synuclein does not operate downstream of VPS35. We next evaluated retromer levels in affected brain regions from human A53T-α-synuclein transgenic mice, but find normal levels of the core subunits VPS35, VPS26 or VPS29. We further find that heterozygousVPS35deletion fails to alter the lethal neurodegenerative phenotype of these A53T-α-synuclein transgenic mice, suggesting the absence of retromer deficiency in this PD model. Finally, we explored the neuroprotective capacity of increasing VPS35 expression in a viral-based human wild-type α-synuclein rat model of PD. However, we find that the overexpression of wild-type VPS35 is not sufficient for protection against α-synuclein-induced nigral dopaminergic neurodegeneration, α-synuclein pathology and reactive gliosis. Collectively, our data suggest a limited interaction of VPS35 and α-synuclein in neurodegenerative models of PD, and do not provide support for their interaction within a common pathophysiological pathway.
Automatic generative design and optimization of hospital building layouts in consideration of public health emergency
Authors: Zhou Ying , Wang Yu , Li Chenshuang , Ding Lieyun , Wang Cong 
Published: December 2022

PurposeThis study aimed to propose a performance-oriented approach of automatically generative design and optimization of hospital building layouts in consideration of public health emergency, which intended to conduct reasonable layout design of hospital building to meet different performance requirements for both high efficiency during normal periods and low risk in the pandemic.Design/methodology/approachThe research design follows a sequential mixed methodology. First, key points and parameters of hospital building layout design (HBLD) are analyzed. Then, to meet the requirements of high efficiency and low risk, adjacent preference score and infection risk coefficient are constructed as constraints. On this basis, automatic generative design is conducted to generate building layout schemes. Finally, multi-objective deviation analysis is carried out to obtain the optimal scheme of hospital building layouts.FindingsAutomatic generative design of building layouts that integrates adjacent preferences and infection risks enables hospitals to achieve rapid transitions between normal (high efficiency) and pandemic (low risk) periods, which can effectively respond to public health emergencies. The proposed approach has been verified in an actual project, which can help systematically explore the solution for better decision-making.Research limitations/implicationsThe form of building layouts is limited to rectangles, and future work can explore conducting irregular layouts into optimization for the framework of generative design.Originality/valueThe contribution of this paper is the developed approach that can quickly and effectively generate more hospital layout alternatives satisfying high operational efficiency and low infection risk by formulating space design rules, which is of great significance in response to public health emergency.
Collaborative online international learning between Spain and Mexico: a microlearning experience to enhance creativity in complexity
Authors: Romero-Rodríguez José-María , Ramirez-Montoya María Soledad , Glasserman-Morales Leonardo David , Ramos Navas-Parejo Magdalena 
Published: December 2022

PurposeThe aim of this paper was to analyse the creative competence of students before and after a micro-learning experience carried out in a collaborative online international learning (COIL) environment between Spanish and Mexican university students in the field of education and entrepreneurship.Design/methodology/approachA single-group quasi-experimental design with pre-test and post-test measures was adopted. The composition of the group was natural and included a total of 57 students who participated in the COIL experience. The duration was three weeks, where students from both countries were linked together in the development of a micro-learning project. The creativity self-efficacy scale was used as a data collection instrument.FindingsThe micro-learning activities through COIL developed the creative competence of the participating students. In particular, the groups from both universities improved their scores on the creative competence in the post-test compared to the pre-test measure.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitations of this study were linked to the sample loss of some cases, as some students did not complete the post-test measure. The main implication of the study was to demonstrate that COIL experiences are suitable for developing certain skills in students, such as creative competence or co-operative work.Originality/valueCOIL experiences break down the barriers of physical space and give students an active role, allowing them to fully develop competences and offering an intercultural perspective, which encourages open-mindedness and understanding of the world.
The gender diversity–performance linkage at the board of directors and the workforce levels: testing two competing curvilinear models
Authors: Campos-García Irene , Zúñiga-Vicente José Ángel 
Published: December 2022

PurposeThe use of linear models has major limitations for accurately representing the true link between gender diversity and organizational performance. This study aims to explore two curvilinear models and tests which one – the U-shape or the inverted U-shape – best represents the gender diversity–performance link at two hierarchical levels: the board of directors and the workforce.Design/methodology/approachBoth models are tested using data collected from a representative sample of Spanish educational organizations, which are dominated numerically by women, although women are still slightly underrepresented in managerial positions.FindingsThe results show the existence of an inverted U-shape and, therefore, the existence of a potential “optimal” level of gender diversity for both the board of directors and the workforce. While the highest performance by the board of directors is attained when the proportion of women and men is balanced in the workforce, the highest level of performance is attained when the proportion of women is greater.Originality/valueThere are hardly any studies simultaneously exploring the gender diversity–performance linkage at two hierarchical levels where the proportion of women/men is substantially different: the board of directors and the workforce. Thus, this study contributes to better know whether such relationship is dependent on the hierarchical position. It is important to know this because each level is related to different functions and tasks and shape a social status that can significantly influence performance.
NFC m-payment as a driver for customer loyalty towards retailers amongst Generation Z
Authors: Alt Mónika-Anetta , Agárdi Irma 
Published: December 2022

PurposeThe diffusion of near-field communication (NFC) m-payment depends largely on retailers who are more motivated to provide NFC m-payment for the retailers' customers if NFC m-payment increases loyalty. Therefore, this paper investigates the relationship between customer acceptance of NFC m-payment and loyalty towards the retailer amongst Generation Z.Design/methodology/approachThe NFC m-payment technology acceptance model was extended with loyalty intention towards the retailer. Therefore, an online survey was conducted amongst Generation Z that resulted in a sample of 310 respondents. The collected data were analysed by structural equation modelling (SEM).FindingsResults proved that the customers' intention to use NFC m-payment contributes to a large extent to loyalty intention toward the retailer. Besides, usefulness, enjoyment, social influence and compatibility with lifestyle played a significant role in customer acceptance of NFC m-payment.Research limitations/implicationsThis study's sample consists of Generation Z customers, and other generations should also be tested in future studies.Practical implicationsThe intention to use NFC m-payment predict retail loyalty. Retailers should communicate m-payment availability as a new retail service to influence store patronage.Originality/valueThis study provides theoretical contributions to NFC m-payment acceptance and retail loyalty literature. First, this research extends the NFC m-payment technology acceptance model with a new behavioural outcome, loyalty intention towards retailers. Second, this research enriched retail loyalty literature by proving that NFC m-payment technology adoption drives customer loyalty towards retailers.
Tourism and COVID-19 in China: recovery and resilience strategies of main Chinese tourism cities
Authors: Yang Luqi , Li Xiaoni , Hernández-Lara Ana Beatriz 
Published: December 2022

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate the recovery and resilience tourism strategies and possible future development of four main Chinese tourism cities.

Design/methodology/approach
The authors collected data from the official accounts of tourism administrations of these cities, tourist attractions and opinions from media and newspapers in Sina Weibo platform. The authors adopted an inductive approach in observing relevant social media posts and applied content analysis to identify main China’s tourism prevention and recovery strategies.

Findings
During the mass pandemic infection period, top-down prevention and control measures were implemented by the Chinese central and local governments, with feasible and regional recovery policies and protocols being adapted according to local situations. Measures related to tourism industrial re-employment, improvement of international images and governmental financial supports to re-boost local tourism in Chinese cities were paid great attention. Digitalization, close-to-nature and cultural heritages became important factors in the future development of China’s tourism. Dark tourism, as a potential tourism recovery strategy, also obtained huge emergence, for the memory of people deceased in the pandemic and for the inheritance of national patriotism.

Originality/value
This study enriches the current literature in urban tourism recovery studies analyzing the specific case of Chinese tourism cities and fulfill some voids of previous research mostly focused on the first wave of the pandemic and the recovery strategies mainly of Western cities. It also provides valuable suggestions to tourism practitioners, destinations and urban cities in dealing with regional tourism recession and finding possible solutions for the scenario associated to the COVID-19 and other similar health crisis.
Beyond AI-powered context-aware services: the role of human–AI collaboration
Authors: Jiang Na , Liu Xiaohui , Liu Hefu , Lim Eric Tze Kuan , Tan Chee-Wee , Gu Jibao 
Published: December 2022

PurposeArtificial intelligence (AI) has gained significant momentum in recent years. Among AI-infused systems, one prominent application is context-aware systems. Although the fusion of AI and context awareness has given birth to personalized and timely AI-powered context-aware systems, several challenges still remain. Given the “black box” nature of AI, the authors propose that human–AI collaboration is essential for AI-powered context-aware services to eliminate uncertainty and evolve. To this end, this study aims to advance a research agenda for facilitators and outcomes of human–AI collaboration in AI-powered context-aware services.Design/methodology/approachSynthesizing the extant literature on AI and context awareness, the authors advance a theoretical framework that not only differentiates among the three phases of AI-powered context-aware services (i.e. context acquisition, context interpretation and context application) but also outlines plausible research directions for each stage.FindingsThe authors delve into the role of human–AI collaboration and derive future research questions from two directions, namely, the effects of AI-powered context-aware services design on human–AI collaboration and the impact of human–AI collaboration.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the extant literature by identifying knowledge gaps in human–AI collaboration for AI-powered context-aware services and putting forth research directions accordingly. In turn, their proposed framework yields actionable guidance for AI-powered context-aware service designers and practitioners.
How do different stakeholder groups within an open source software project influence the project's development: a case study of OpenSimulator
Authors: Di Gangi Paul , Teigland Robin , Yetis Zeynep 
Published: December 2022

PurposeThis research investigates how the value creation interests and activities of different stakeholder groups within one open source software (OSS) project influence the project's development over time.Design/methodology/approachThe authors conducted a case study of OpenSimulator using textual and thematic analyses of the initial four years of OpenSimulator developer mailing list to identify each stakeholder group and guide our analysis of their interests and value creation activities over time.FindingsThe analysis revealed that while each stakeholder group was active within the OSS project's development, the different groups possessed complementary interests that enabled the project to evolve. In the formative period, entrepreneurs were interested in the software's strategic direction in the market, academics and SMEs in software functionality and large firms and hobbyists in software testing. Each group retained its primary interest in the maturing period with academics and SMEs separating into server- and client-side usability. The analysis shed light on how the different stakeholder groups overcame tensions amongst themselves and took specific actions to sustain the project.Originality/valueThe authors extend stakeholder theory by reconceptualizing the focal organization and its stakeholders for OSS projects. To date, OSS research has primarily focused on examining one project relative to its marketplace. Using stakeholder theory, we identified stakeholder groups within a single OSS project to demonstrate their distinct interests and how these interests influence their value creation activities over time. Collectively, these interests enable the project's long-term development.