bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The case against probabilistic inference: a new deterministic theory of 3D visual processing
Authors: Domini Fulvio 
Published: December 2022

How the brain derives 3D information from inherently ambiguous visual input remains the fundamental question of human vision. The past two decades of research have addressed this question as a problem of probabilistic inference, the dominant model being maximum-likelihood estimation (MLE). This model assumes that independent depth-cue modules derive noisy but statistically accurate estimates of 3D scene parameters that are combined through a weighted average. Cue weights are adjusted based on the system representation of each module's output variability. Here I demonstrate that the MLE model fails to account for important psychophysical findings and, importantly, misinterprets the just noticeable difference, a hallmark measure of stimulus discriminability, to be an estimate of perceptual uncertainty. I propose a new theory, termed Intrinsic Constraint, which postulates that the visual system does not derive the most probable interpretation of the visual input, but rather, the most stable interpretation amid variations in viewing conditions. This goal is achieved with the Vector Sum model, which represents individual cue estimates as components of a multi-dimensional vector whose norm determines the combined output. This model accounts for the psychophysical findings cited in support of MLE, while predicting existing and new findings that contradict the MLE model.This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘New approaches to 3D vision’.
Convergent Decay of Skin-specific Gene Modules in Pangolins
Authors: Pinto Bernardo , Valente Raul , Caramelo Filipe , Ruivo Raquel , Castro L. Filipe C. 
Published: December 2022

AbstractThe Mammalia skin exhibits a rich spectrum of evolutionary adaptations. The pilosebaceous unit, composed of the hair shaft, follicle, and the sebaceous gland, is the most striking synapomorphy. The evolutionary diversification of mammals across different ecological niches was paralleled by the appearance of an ample variety of skin modifications. Pangolins, order Pholidota, exhibit keratin-derived scales, one of the most iconic skin appendages. This formidable armor is intended to serve as a deterrent against predators. Surprisingly, while pangolins have hair on their abdomens, the occurrence of sebaceous and sweat glands is contentious. Here, we explore various molecular modules of skin physiology in four pangolin genomes, including that of sebum production. We show that genes driving wax monoester formation -Awat1/2, show patterns of inactivation in the stem pangolin branch; while the triacylglycerol synthesis geneDgat2l6seems independently eroded in the African and Asian clades. In contrast,Elovl3implicated in the formation of specific neutral lipids required for skin barrier function, is intact and expressed in the skin. An extended comparative analysis shows that genes involved in skin pathogen defense and structural integrity of keratinocyte layers also show inactivating mutations: associated with both ancestral and independent pseudogenization events. Finally, we deduce that the suggested absence of sweat glands is not paralleled by the inactivation of the ATP-binding cassette transporterAbcc11, as previously described in Cetacea. Our findings reveal the sophisticated, convergent and complex history of gene retention and loss as key mechanisms in the evolution of the highly modified mammalian skin phenotypes.
Ecological drivers and evolutionary consequences of torpor in Andean hummingbirds
Authors: Revelo Hernández Diana Carolina , Baldwin Justin W. , Londoño Gustavo A. 
Published: December 2022

AbstractDaily torpor allows endotherms to save energy during energetically stressful (e.g., cold) conditions. Although studies on avian torpor have mostly been conducted under laboratory conditions, information on the usage of torpor in the wild is limited to few, predominantly temperate-zone species. We studied torpor under seminatural conditions from 249 individuals from 29 hummingbird species across a 1,920 m elevational gradient in the western Andes of Colombia using cloacal thermistors. Small birds used torpor more often than large birds, but only at low ambient temperatures, where torpor was prolonged. We also found effects of proxy variables for body condition and energy expenditure on the use of torpor, its characteristics, and impacts. Our results suggest that judicious deployment and subtle modifications of torpor, as well as phylogenetic variation in propensity for torpor, have allowed only certain clades of hummingbirds to colonize and persist in the harsh climate of the high Andes.
Copepod life history evolution under high and low food regimes
Authors: Blake Alexander , Marshall Dustin J. 
Published: December 2022

AbstractCopepods play a critical role in the carbon cycle of the planet – they mediate the sequestration of carbon into the deep ocean, and are the trophic link between phytoplankton and marine foodwebs. Global change stressors that decrease copepod productivity create the potential for catastrophic positive feedback loops. Accordingly, a growing list of studies examine the evolutionary capacity of copepods to adapt to the two primary stressors associated with global change: warmer temperatures and lower pH. But the evolutionary capacity of copepods to adapt to changing food regimes, the third major stressor associated with global change, remains unknown. We used experimental evolution to explore how a 10-fold difference in food availability affects life history evolution in the copepod,Tisbe sp. over two years, and spanning 30+ generations. Different food regimes evoked evolutionary responses across the entire copepod life history: we observed evolution in body size, size-fecundity relationships and offspring investment strategies. Our results suggest that changes to food regimes reshape life histories and that cryptic evolution in traits such as body size is likely. We demonstrate that evolution in response to changes in ocean productivity will alter consumer life histories, and may distort trophic links in marine foodchains. Evolution in response to changing phytoplankton productivity may alter the efficacy of the global carbon pump in ways that have not been anticipated until now.1
Developmental exposure to a real-life environmental chemical mixture alters testicular transcription factor expression in neonatal and pre-pubertal rams, with morphological changes persisting into adulthood
Authors: Elcombe Chris S. , Monteiro Ana , Ghasemzadeh-Hasankolaei Mohammad , Padmanabhan Vasantha , Sinclair Kevin D. , Lea Richard , Evans Neil P. , Bellingham Michelle 
Published: December 2022

AbstractEnvironmental chemical (EC) exposure may be impacting male reproductive health. The translationally relevant biosolids treated pasture (BTP) sheep model was used to investigate gestational low-level EC mixture exposure on the testis of F1 male offspring. Adult rams from ewes exposed to BTP 1 month before and throughout pregnancy had more seminiferous tubules with degeneration and depletion of elongating spermatids, indicating “recovery” from previously reported testicular dysgenesis syndrome-like phenotype in neonatal and pre-pubertal BTP lambs. Expression of transcription factorsCREB1(neonatal) andBCL11AandFOXP2(pre-pubertal) were significantly higher in the BTP exposed testes, with no changes seen in the adults. IncreasedCREB1, which is crucial for testes development and regulation of steroidogenic enzymes, could be an adaptive response to gestational EC exposure to facilitate the phenotypic recovery. Overall, this demonstrates that testicular effects from gestational exposure to low-level mixtures of ECs can last into adulthood, potentially impacting fertility and fecundity.
Species-dependent effects of seawater acidification on alkaline phosphatase activity in dinoflagellates
Authors: Guo Chentao , Li Ling , Lin Senjie , Lin Xin 
Published: December 2022

AbstractGlobal climate change is widely shown to cause ocean acidification (OA) and projected to intensify nutrient limitation. Phosphorus (P) is an essential nutrient for phytoplankton to grow. While dissolved inorganic phosphate (DIP) is the preferred form of P, phytoplankton have evolved alkaline phosphatase (AP) to utilize dissolved organic phosphorus (DOP) when DIP is deficient. Although AP is known to require pH>7, how OA may affect AP activity and hence the capacity of phytoplankton to utilize DOP is poorly understood. Here, we examine the effects of pH conditions (5.5 to 11) on AP activity from six species of dinoflagellates, an important group of marine phytoplankton. We observed a general pattern that AP activity declined sharply at pH 5.5, peaked between pH 7 and 8, and dropped at pH>8. However, our data revealed remarkable interspecific variations in optimal pH and niche breadth of pH. Among the species examined,Fugacium kawagutiiandProrocentrum cordatumhad an optimal pH at 8,Alexandrium pacificum, Amphidinium carterae, Effrenium voratum, andKarenia mikimotoishowed an optimal pH of 7. However, whereasA. pacificum, F. kawagutiiandK. mikimotoihad a broad pH range for AP (7-11),A. carterae, E. voratum, andP. cordatumexhibited a narrow pH range. The response of AP activity ofA. carteraeto pH changes was verified using purified AP heterologously expressed inEscherichia coli. These findings suggest that OA will likely differentially impact the capacity of different phytoplankton species to utilize DOP in the projected acidified and nutrient-limited future ocean.
Immunogenic fusion proteins induce neutralizing SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the serum and milk of sheep
Authors: Jacobson Gregory M. , Kraakman Kirsty , Wallace Olivia , Pan Jolyn , Hennebry Alex , Smolenski Grant , Cursons Ray , Hodgkinson Steve , Williamson Adele , Kelton William 
Published: December 2022

AbstractAntigen-specific polyclonal immunoglobulins derived from the serum, colostrum, or milk of immunized ruminant animals have potential as scalable therapeutics for the control of viral diseases such as COVID-19. Enhancing the efficacy of vaccine antigens to induce robust and specific antibody responses remains central to developing highly effective formulations. The direct fusion of immunoglobulin (IgG) Fc domains or other immune-stimulating proteins to antigens has shown promise in several mammalian species but has not yet been tested and optimized in commercially-relevant ruminant species. Here we show that the immunization of sheep with fusions of the receptor binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 to ovine IgG2a Fc domains promotes significantly higher levels of antigen-specific antibodies compared to native RBD or full-length spike antigens. This antibody population was shown to contain elevated levels of neutralizing antibodies that suppress binding between the RBD and soluble hACE2 receptorsin vitro. The parallel evaluation of a second immune-stimulating fusion candidate, Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), induced high neutralizing responses in select animals but narrowly missed achieving significance at the group level. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the antibodies induced by these fusion antigens are transferred from maternal serum into colostrum/milk. These antibodies also demonstrate cross-neutralizing activity against diverse SARS-CoV-2 variants including delta and omicron. Our findings highlight a new pathway for recombinant antigen design in ruminant animals with applications in immune milk production and animal health.
Impacts of institutional isomorphism on the adoption of social procurement in the Chinese construction industry
Authors: Nawaz Ahsan , Guribie Francis Lanme 
Published: December 2022

Purpose
Social procurement (SP) is a complicated and risky innovation, the adoption of which needs to be accompanied by complementary process and organizational change. To date, however, there has been little empirical evidence explaining whether and how different sorts of external pressures affect the level of SP adoption in the construction sector. Drawing on institutional theory, this study aims to analyze how three types of isomorphic pressures (i.e. coercive, mimetic and normative pressures) influence the adoption of SP in the construction sector.

Design/methodology/approach
The impacts of these pressures are empirically tested with survey data collected from 134 construction firms in the Chinese construction industry.

Findings
The findings show that both coercive and mimetic pressures have a considerable impact on the adoption of SP. However, there is little evidence in this study that normative demands had a major impact on SP.

Practical implications
This research is a useful instrument for promoting a favorable social attitude regarding construction procurement. Through socioeconomic regeneration and development, procurement can be considered as a significant route for social transformation, economic development and poverty reduction.

Originality/value
This study addresses the paucity of research into SP in the construction industry by establishing the institutional drivers to procuring services and products from a social enterprise perspective. Findings from this study extend the frontiers of existing knowledge on SP in the construction industry.
The more funds the better? External funds, R&D investment and firm innovation: critical role of firm leaders' international experience
Authors: Liu Li , Dong Caiting 
Published: December 2022

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the moderating effect of two types of external funds in terms of loan and government subsidy on the relationship between R&D investment and firms' innovation performance in emerging markets, as well as the contingent role of firm leader's international experience associated with the effects of loan and government subsidy.Design/methodology/approachThe authors tested the hypotheses using a longitudinal dataset of 716 high-tech firms of Zhongguancun Science Park (ZSP) in China during 2008–2014, covering detailed information on the operations, financial situation and R&D activities, patents, etc. The authors finally identified an unbalanced panel of 2,430 firm-year observations. Considering the dependent variable is the countable data and non-negative values, the negative binomial regression with fixed effects was adopted to test the hypotheses.FindingsThe results show that the more loans or government subsidies the firm receives, the weaker the positive effect of R&D investment on firms' innovation performance in emerging markets. Furthermore, the findings reveal that firm leaders' international experience can mitigate the negative moderating effect of government subsidies, but strengthen the negative moderating effect of loans.Originality/valueThe study provides new insights into how loans and government subsidies as external funds influence the effectiveness of R&D in enhancing innovation performance, and the findings highlight the fact that more external funds can reduce firm R&D efficiency. Moreover, the authors also enrich the resource orchestration theory by revealing the critical role of firm leaders' international experience in the decision-making of resource configuration to mitigate the inefficiency of high subsidies in emerging markets.
Building conditions and citizen satisfaction with local public services
Authors: Hopland Arnt O. , Kvamsdal Sturla 
Published: December 2022

Purpose
Although Norway is an affluent country, there is widespread and long-lasting worry related to the condition of public purpose buildings. The purpose of this paper is to study how the condition of local public purpose buildings affect citizen satisfaction with local public services in Norwegian local governments, using data from two Norwegian survey data sets.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper investigates how the conditions of local public purpose buildings affect residents’ satisfaction with local public services, using data from two Norwegian survey data sets. The data is analyzed using regression analysis.

Findings
This paper finds a significantly positive relationship between building conditions and overall satisfaction with local public services, kindergartens and schools. This paper finds no such relationship between building conditions and satisfaction with nursing homes. This paper quantifies the average expected impact on public service satisfaction from a hypothetical one unit improvement in building conditions, as measured on the building condition scale, and discuss this impact in the context of expenditure on public services.

Originality/value
There is widespread worry that poor facilities adversely impact public services, but the size and significance of this impact are open questions. This paper contributes by offering new insights into the relationship between the condition of public buildings and provision of public services. The results indicate how the state of public facilities should be considered a part of the production function for public services.
Entrepreneurship and social capital: a multi-level analysis
Authors: Crowley Frank , Barlow Peter 
Published: December 2022

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between an individual's social capital context and entrepreneurship using a multi-level modelling framework.Design/methodology/approachThis paper uses data from 87,007 individual level observations across 428 regions in 37 countries. The data comes from the 2010 and 2016 Life in Transition Surveys. The paper uses a principal component analysis to identify the different dimensions of an individual's social capital context. Subsequently, a multi-level model is employed examining the relationship between the components of an individual's social capital context and entrepreneurship (which is proxied by an individual's attempt to set up a business), whilst controlling for both country and regional effects.FindingsGreater levels of networking, informal connections and tolerance of others have a significant positive relationship with entrepreneurial activity. Trust of institutions and others have a negative relationship with entrepreneurial activity. Regional and country differences are also important for entrepreneurship, demonstrating the importance of the multi-level and social contextual environment for business development.Originality/valueFirstly, the authors present a broad, but comprehensive social contextual framework incorporating many measures of social capital when examining the importance of social capital for business development. Secondly, the work provides interesting results on the “bright and dark sides of trust” for entrepreneurship, answering calls for improved understandings on the positive and negative relationships between social capital and entrepreneurial activity. Thirdly, the paper extends the burgeoning but limited number of studies that examine the multi-level contextual environment of entrepreneurial activities.
Investigation of urban versus rural energy and water conservation behavior in Prishtina, Kosovo
Authors: Hoxha Visar , Hoxha Dhurata 
Published: December 2022

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to analyze the determinants of intention for energy and water conservation behavior in Prishtina, Kosovo by using the theory of planned behavior (TPB) conceptual framework and then examine the influence of intention and demographic factors on the conservation behavior itself. In addition, the present study examines the differences between urban and rural consumers in Prishtina in terms of their intention for energy and water conservation behaviors and their actual conservation behavior.

Design/methodology/approach
This study uses a qualitative approach by conducting ten in-depth interviews followed by one focus group with urban consumers and ten in-depth interviews followed by one focus group with rural consumers in Prishtina to analyze the influence of determinants on the conservation intention. In addition, the present study uses the quantitative research method to empirically examine the influence of intention and demographic variables on the actual conservation behavior.

Findings
The findings show that there is a difference between the urban and rural sample populations in Prishtina in terms of determinants that influence their intention to conserve energy and water. While attitude is the strongest determinant among the urban population, the social norms seem to be the strongest antecedent of the behavioral intention among the rural population. In addition, the study finds that the intention, income, family size and place of residence as a whole influence the actual behavior; however, the manifestation of the influence of separate variables on the actual conservation varies between urban and rural population. While intention is very strong among urban respondents and the actual conservation behavior is less dependent on the income level and family size, in the case of rural respondents, intention alone is not sufficient to predict the actual behavior and varies also on the income level.

Originality/value
The study brings unique and new knowledge about the application of the TPB in the context of small and developing economies bridging the research gaps arising from few scholarly research studying the differences between urban and rural populations.
Predictors of home insurance purchase: the homeowners’ knowledge, perceived benefits and perceived vulnerability towards disaster losses
Authors: Mathur Tanuj , Paul Ujjwal Kanti 
Published: December 2022

Purpose
Home insurance is widely recognised as a tool for mitigating economic risk associated with natural disasters. This study aims to analyse the influence of homeowners’ home insurance knowledge (both objective and subjective types), perceived benefits (PB) and perceived vulnerability towards disaster loss (PVUL) on their intention to purchase (ITP).

Design/methodology/approach
This research makes use of survey data collected from 394 respondents (the homeowners) residing in various parts of India. The structural equation modelling is used to verify 11 hypotheses proposed in the study.

Findings
The findings indicate that both objective knowledge (OK) and subjective knowledge (SK) of home insurance have significant influence on homeowners’ benefit perception and PVUL. The homeowners’ PB of home insurance negatively affect PVUL. The OK of home insurance has a stronger influence on homeowners’ ITP home insurance than SK while the homeowners benefit perceptions and PVUL significantly affects homeowners’ ITP home insurance. These findings confirms that if homeowners are knowledgeable about home insurance, they perceive the plans as more beneficial and feel less vulnerable about catastrophic events, resulting in positive intentions towards purchasing them.

Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first comprehensive research that assesses the Indian homeowners’ knowledge, PB and PVUL in influencing their ITP home insurance. The finding of this paper will assist both public and private insurance companies in India and similar markets in designing and implementing effective strategies to sell home insurance policies.