bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stakeholder contributions to commercialization and market creation of a radical innovation: bridging the micro- and macro levels
Authors: Engez Anil , Aarikka-Stenroos Leena
Published: January 2023

Purpose

Successful commercialization is crucial to innovative firms, but further investigation is needed on how diverse stakeholders can contribute to the commercialization of a radical innovation that requires particular market creation support. This paper aims to, therefore, analyze the key stakeholders and their contributive activities in commercialization and market creation, particularly in the case of radical innovations.

Design/methodology/approach

This study relies on qualitative research design including interviews with key stakeholders, such as regulators, scientists, experts, licensing partners, core company representatives and extensive secondary data. This single-case study concerns a functional food product, which is a radical innovation requiring the development of a novel product category positioned between the food and medicine categories in global market settings. Since its market launch in 1995, the involvement of multiple stakeholders was needed for its successful commercialization in over 30 countries.

Findings

Results uncover the contributions of diverse stakeholders to commercialization and market creation, particularly of radical innovation. Stakeholders performed market creation activities such as regulating the marketing and labeling of food products, conducting safety assessments, revealing and validating the positive health effects of the novelty and raising awareness of healthy living and cardiovascular health. The commercialization activities included distributing the products overseas, applying the ingredient to different food products and making the products available for users.

Research limitations/implications

This single-case study provides an overview of the positive stakeholder activities with contributions to market creation and commercialization of functional food innovations. Although the user perspective was not included in the empirical part of this study because of our focus on B2B actors, users of the innovation can contribute to R&D activities to a great extent.

Originality/value

The developed framework of stakeholders’ contributive activities in radical innovation commercialization and market creation contributes to literature discussing market creation as well as commercialization within the marketing and innovation management research fields. This work also generates practical advice for managers who commercialize (radical) innovations.
Alms tax (ZAKAT) compliance intention among entrepreneurs from a social cognitive perspective: the moderating role of knowledge
Authors: Sadallah Mouad , Abdul-Jabbar Hijattulah , Bin-Nashwan Saeed Awadh , Abdul Aziz Saliza Abdul
Published: January 2023

Purpose

This research aims to explore the moderating role of alms tax (zakat) knowledge in the relationship between extrinsic and intrinsic motivations (i.e. political instability, trust in institutions and service quality) and zakat compliance among businessmen in a Muslim developing country.

Design/methodology/approach

A final sample of 315 Algerian entrepreneurs randomly collected through a self-administered survey was analysed. Drawing on the social cognitive theory, estimation and analysis were done using structural equation modelling (Smart PLS).

Findings

The results indicate that all the hypothesised direct relationships are supported. Particularly, the knowledge-moderated interaction of political instability’s effect on entrepreneurs’ zakat compliance intention was significant, while its interactions with service quality and trust were not.

Practical implications

Findings that emerged from this study may serve as a reminder to zakat agencies and policymakers that varying degrees of knowledge about zakat can have a significant impact on shaping intentions to comply with zakat rules, particularly in an unstable political environment. Additionally, this work sheds light on the critical role of service quality delivered by zakat institutions and businessmen’s trust in such entities in shaping their zakat compliance intentions. Finally, it demonstrates how critical it is to strengthen the business sector’s social responsibility to support the zakat’s noble socioeconomic objectives.

Originality/value

This present work augments the scanty literature on zakat compliance because it validates a research model drawing on social cognitive perspectives. Additionally, the model blends the moderating role of knowledge into social cognitive perspectives of zakat compliance among businessmen.
Social punishment by the distribution of aggressive TikTok videos against women in a traditional society
Authors: Ella Ben-Atar , Smadar Ben-Asher , Shirley Druker Shitrit
Published: January 2023

Purpose

Online violence has been rampant in the past decade, intensifying the victims’ suffering owing to its rapid dissemination to vast audiences. This study aims to focus on online gender-based violence directed against young Bedouin women who have left their male-dominated home territory for academic studies. This study examined how the backlash against these students, intended to stop changes in traditional gender roles, is reflected in offensive TikTok videos.

Design/methodology/approach

This research is based on a qualitative-thematic analysis of 77 questionnaires and 30 semistructured in-depth interviews with first-year female Bedouin students aged 18–21 years.

Findings

The backlash was widespread, with young Bedouin men using offensive videos as “proof” that women have violated codes of honor and morality. The videos exhibited four types of gender-based violence: claims of immoral behavior, aggressive captions that take the footage out of context, allegations of immodest clothing and digital photo editing that produced fabricated results. Examining participants' reactions to the videos, this study revealed two patterns of response: passive acceptance of the situation and an active approach that included reaching out to powerful Bedouin men for solutions.

Originality/value

This research enriches the literature on online gender-based violence, particularly against women in traditional societies, and suggests practical steps: developing online media literacy in traditional societies, adopting a proactive approach and nurturing social self-competence in women who have been victims of online gender-based violence.
Critical analysis of grounded theory strategy in organisational and management research
Authors: Koleva Petya
Published: January 2023

Purpose

Although grounded theory (GT) was introduced in 1967, GT remains widely misunderstood as scholars incorporate a limited spectrum of the GT techniques and fail to integrate GT's full potential into academic research. The purpose of this article is, therefore, to discuss divergences between four GT strategies and by doing so to provide criteria for making an informed choice between one GT approach or another.

Design/methodology/approach

The study offers a comparative analysis of four GT approaches by relying on a recently completed empirical work focused on the practice and perception of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in non-Western context conducted by the author.

Findings

As a result, the study outlines the main points of divergence between the four GT strategies and discusses how their differences impact the research outcomes, theoretical products and application of the proposed theories in organisational and management research.

Research limitations/implications

As a result of the comparative analysis, the study will help researchers make an informed choice when selecting one GT approach or another.

Originality/value

The study demonstrates the potential of GT in organisational and management research by utilising a practical example of GT's implementation from a recently completed empirical study.
Impact of religious tourism on the economic development, energy consumption and environmental degradation: evidence from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Authors: Tabash Mosab I. , Farooq Umar , El Refae Ghaleb A. , Al-Faryan Mamdouh Abdulaziz Saleh , Athamena Belkacem
Published: January 2023

Purpose

Saudi Arabia is the main destination of religious tourism, as it has many spiritual places. With the passage of years, the figures for pilgrim visits are increasing, which is contributing to the economic growth of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). However, pilgrims’ visits can create strong opportunity costs in the form of environmental degradation. Owing to these notions, this study aims to discover the impact of religious tourism on the quality of the natural environment of Saudi Arabia.

Design/methodology/approach

This study develops the empirical relationship between the variables by sampling the data from 35 years ranging from 1986 to 2020. The regression among variables was checked by using fully modified ordinary least square and dynamic ordinary least square models.

Findings

This analysis proves that religious tourism has a direct impact on the environmental degradation of KSA. The unceasing visits of pilgrims accelerate various economic operations and activities, e.g. assimilation and digestion of industrial products, that necessarily hamper the environmental quality. In addition, this analysis indicates a negative impact on financial development, foreign investment and renewable energy consumption while the positive impact of fossil fuels assimilation and economic expansion on the secretion of CO2. The statistical findings are robust and verify the pollution halo hypothesis while rejecting the Environmental Kuznets Curve model in this region.

Research limitations/implications

This analysis recommends restructuring the policies on hajj and Umrah visits. KSA Government should ensure green consumption by pilgrims. The limitation on pilgrims’ visits and the introduction of quotas are alternative policies to impede the pollution in this region.

Originality/value

By controlling the routine determinants, this study offers innovative thoughts regarding the consequences of religious tourism on environmental quality.
Plant community responses to alterations in soil abiotic and biotic conditions are decoupled for above‐ and below‐ground traits
Authors: Gao Chenguang , Bezemer T. Martijn , van Bodegom Peter M. , Cornelissen Hans C. , van Logtestijn Richard , Liu Xiangyu , Mancinelli Riccardo , van der Hagen Harrie , Zhou Meng , Soudzilovskaia Nadejda A.
Published: January 2023

Plant functional traits are increasingly recognised as being impacted by soil abiotic and biotic factors. Yet, the question to what extent the coupling between community‐level above‐ and below‐ground traits is affected by soil conditions remains open.

In a field experiment in dune grassland, we quantified the responses of both community‐level leaf and root traits to changes in soil abiotic and biotic conditions using soil inoculation by living and sterile soil inocula originated from different dune ecosystems.

Altered soil conditions resulted in a strong decoupling in responses of community‐level leaf and root traits. Changes in soil abiotic conditions imposed by soil inoculation were more important in determining the decoupling of the leaf vs root relationships than additions of soil biota. Altered soil abiotic factors influenced both leaf and root traits at the community level and caused the entire community‐level trait spectrum to shift, while experimental additions of living soil inocula only significantly influenced root traits towards longer and thinner roots.

Synthesis. Our results bring direct evidence that, at a plant community level, the dynamics of plant above‐ground traits are not informative of below‐ground traits. Particularly, below‐ground abiotic processes are a major driver of commonly observed trait spectra. We suggest that future study is required to test the general pattern of leaf and root correlations across different ecosystems under field conditions.
Rural former service members participate in meaningful occupations to ‘fill the void’ after military service
Authors: Carra Kylie , Curtin Michael , Fortune Tracy , Gordon Brett
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Over 50% of former service members report debilitating health conditions and difficulty adjusting to civilian life. Former service members living in rural areas are even more likely to experience poor health outcomes and have decreased access to specialist health‐care services. Participation in meaningful occupations can support health and adjustment after military service. However, little is known about rural former service members' perspectives and experiences of participating in occupations after separating from military service. This study explored rural former service members' experiences of participating in occupations during their transition and their perceptions of how these experiences influenced their health and adjustment.

Methods

Purposive sampling was used to recruit 10 rural former Australian Defence Force members discharged from service between 1 July 2013 and 1 July 2018. Former service members participated in a series of semi‐structured interviews. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to determine themes for individual participants and then overarching themes that characterised the experiences of the group.

Findings

A single overarching theme, ‘It can't all be for nothing’: Searching for ways to fill ‘the void’ through meaningful occupational participation, reflected rural former service members' experiences. The different ways that participants sought to fill ‘the void’ after military service were interpreted through two sub‐themes: (1) ‘You can't heal if you're still in a battlefield’: Participating in occupations to re‐establish safety and wellbeing, and (2) ‘I was in a uniform and I could still do well’: Participating in occupations to reconnect with self and continue the mission to serve.

Conclusion

Rural former service members participated in various occupations to establish safety, wellbeing, and reconnection after transitioning from military service. The findings point to the need for further research to inform the development of consumer‐led occupation‐based interventions that are sensitive to individuals' service history, environmental context, and trauma recovery needs.
Labour‐saving technologies in smallholder agriculture: An economy‐wide model with field operations
Authors: Feuerbacher Arndt , Luckmann Jonas
Published: January 2023

Labour‐saving technologies are relevant for agricultural development. Yet, as this study shows, they are poorly integrated into agricultural production functions of economy‐wide models. We report a computable general equilibrium (CGE) model, which explicitly incorporating field operations (e.g. land preparation, weeding or harvesting) in the context of smallholder agriculture. The field operations approach allows to model technological trade‐offs in organic and conventional production systems at various stages of the agricultural production process. Simulating a structural change scenario, we compare the performance of the field operations approach with published benchmark production structures by assessing how they replicate empirically observed changes in land and agrochemical use. This benchmark analysis shows that incorporating field operations replicates the observed empirical changes most accurately and allows for more realistic modelling of labour‐saving technologies. We use the field operations model to investigate three policy options to mitigate labour shortages in the agricultural sector of Bhutan. Permitting the employment of Indian workers in agriculture has the highest short‐term potential in this respect. We find that subsidising agricultural machinery hiring services and removing import tariffs on agrochemical inputs are found to be less effective. Further options for model developments, such as combining field operations and labour market seasonality, are highlighted.
Internally‐Assessed Bank Capital Requirements and Loan Portfolio Spreads
Authors: Mascia Danilo V.
Published: January 2023

How the choice of more risk‐sensitive capital requirements by some banks influences average borrowing costs for their customers remains an open question. By exploiting cross‐country manually collected capital requirement data, we find higher portfolio loan spreads in banks that compute a larger share of these requirements for the loan portfolio through internal rating‐based (IRB) models. This result is driven by larger IRB adopters operating in credit markets with low competition from banks computing capital requirements with the less risk‐sensitive standardized models, by IRB adopters in credit markets where borrowers have more limited funding opportunities, and by IRB adopters in markets characterized by lower levels of political connectedness. Our results contrast with theoretical predictions suggesting that the heterogeneity in risk weights induced by IRB models should reduce average borrowing costs for bank customers. Instead, we show that IRB adopters do not fully incorporate the decrease in capital requirements obtained with these models into their pricing policies when competitive and political pressures are low.
From conflict to collaboration: Atewa Forest governance
Authors: Agbo Victor Mawutor , Swatuk Larry
Published: January 2023

The problem of forest degradation and loss has become the concern of many countries. To address this challenge, some collaborate in sustainable forest management. The most successful outcomes, however, are observed where local participation is an essential part of conservation efforts. In Ghana, forests have experienced various degrees of exploitation over the years, resulting in their ecological decline. Despite its designation as a protected area for biodiversity and ecosystem services, the Atewa Range Forest Reserve in Ghana has been significantly impacted by deforestation, illegal mining, and other destructive activities. The purpose of this paper is to examine ecologically based management approaches that could be adopted to generate beneficial outcomes for all forest stakeholders and actors in Ghana. The study sampled forest stakeholders in Kwabeng, the administrative capital of the Atewa West District, to understand forest governance challenges and outline strategies for overcoming them. The study revealed that a bottom‐up all‐inclusive approach to managing forest resources is necessary. This paper, therefore, proposes an integrated forest governance that prioritizes the UN Sustainable Development Goal 15—Life on Land‐related to forest preservation.
Evaluating the discriminating power of amino acid ratios on distinguishing dark colored hair samples
Authors: Yaroshuk Timothy , Powers Robert H. , Marsico Alyssa L. M.
Published: January 2023

Human hairs are one of the most commonly encountered items of trace evidence. Currently, conventional methods for hair analysis include microscopic comparison and DNA analysis (nuclear and mitochondrial). Each approach has its own drawbacks. Hair proteins are stable and offer an alternative to DNA testing, as demonstrated with proteomics for distinguishing humans. However, proteomics is complicated and requires identifying peptides to remain intact following harsh sample preparation methods. Alternatively, the actual amino acid content of a hair sample may also offer important identifying information and actually requires proteins and peptides to be broken down completely rather than remaining intact. This study evaluated the discriminating power of using hair amino acid ratios to differentiate hair samples from 10 unrelated individuals with dark colored hair. Hair proteins were digested, derivatized, and analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Amino acid ratios were calculated for each individual and comparisons using ANOVA and post‐hoc pairwise t‐test with Bonferroni correction were made with amino acid ratios for individuals. Overall, out of the 45 possible pairwise comparisons between all hair samples, 38 (84%) were differentiable. Out of the 36 possible pairwise comparisons between brown haired individuals, 32 (89%) were considered differentiable using univariate statistics. Multivariate statistics were also attempted but, overall, univariate models were sufficient for exclusionary purposes. These results indicate that amino acid ratio analysis can potentially be used as an exclusionary method using hair if DNA analysis cannot be performed, or to corroborate conclusions made following microscopic analysis.
Reducing barriers to the hepatitis C care cascade in prison via point‐of‐care RNA testing: a qualitative exploration of men in prison using an integrated framework
Authors: Lafferty Lise , Sheehan Yumi , Cochrane Amanda , Grebely Jason , Lloyd Andrew R. , Treloar Carla
Published: January 2023

Background and Aims

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is highly prevalent within the prison setting. Although HCV testing and treatment are available within prisons, system barriers can impede progress along the HCV care cascade for those who are incarcerated. The PIVOT intervention used a ‘one‐stop‐shop‘ model (i.e. point‐of‐care HCV RNA testing, Fibroscan‐based liver disease assessment and treatment) at a reception prison in New South Wales, Australia. This analysis sought to understand the role of point‐of‐care HCV RNA testing at intake in reducing barriers to the HCV care cascade within the male prison setting.

Design and Setting

Qualitative analysis using semi‐structured interviews in a reception prison in Australia.

Participants

Twenty‐four men enrolled in the PIVOT study; all participants had undergone HCV point‐of‐care testing in the intervention arm.

Measurements

Høj's Integrated Framework informed this analysis.

Findings

Participants widely expressed the view that point‐of‐care HCV RNA testing on entry was beneficial for care engagement. Point‐of‐care testing was perceived as timely (compared with standard pathology) and reduced opportunities for adjudication by correctional officers due to fewer clinic visits for testing and results. Adoption of routine opt‐out testing at prison intake was regarded as an important strategy for normalising HCV testing (and likely to increase pathways to treatment uptake) and fostered patient candidacy (i.e. self‐perceived eligibility to access care).

Conclusion

Twenty‐four men in prison in New South Wales, Australia, who underwent opt‐out point‐of‐care HCV RNA testing on entry into prison, widely supported the programme as a means of overcoming barriers to HCV testing and treatment in the prison setting, as well as providing public health benefits through early detection of HCV infection among people entering into custody.
Comparing the adult and pre‐pubertal testis: Metabolic transitions and the change in the spermatogonial stem cell metabolic microenvironment
Authors: Voigt Anna Laura , de Lima e Martins Lara Nathalia , Dobrinski Ina
Published: January 2023

Background

Survivors of childhood cancer often suffer from infertility. While sperm cryopreservation is not feasible before puberty, the patient's own spermatogonial stem cells could serve as a germ cell reservoir, enabling these patients to father their own children in adulthood through the isolation, in vitro expansion, and subsequent transplantation of spermatogonial stem cells. However, this approach requires large numbers of stem cells, and methods for successfully propagating spermatogonial stem cells in the laboratory are yet to be established for higher mammals and humans. The improvement of spermatogonial stem cell culture requires deeper understanding of their metabolic requirements and the mechanisms that regulate metabolic homeostasis.

Aim

This review gives a summary on our knowledge of spermatogonial stem cell metabolism during maintenance and differentiation and highlights the potential influence of Sertoli cell and stem cell niche maturation on spermatogonial stem cell metabolic requirements during development.

Results and conclusions

Fetal human spermatogonial stem cell precursors, or gonocytes, migrate into the seminiferous cords and supposedly mature to adult stem cells within the first year of human development. However, the spermatogonial stem cell niche does not fully differentiate until puberty, when Sertoli cells dramatically rearrange the architecture and microenvironment within the seminiferous epithelium. Consequently, pre‐pubertal and adult spermatogonial stem cells experience two distinct niche environments potentially affecting spermatogonial stem cell metabolism and maturation. Indeed, the metabolic requirements of mouse primordial germ cells and pig gonocytes are distinct from their adult counterparts, and novel single‐cell RNA sequencing analysis of human and porcine spermatogonial stem cells during development confirms this metabolic transition. Knowledge of the metabolic requirements and their changes and regulation during spermatogonial stem cell maturation is necessary to implement laboratory‐based techniques and enable clinical use of spermatogonial stem cells. Based on the advancement in our understanding of germline metabolism circuits and maturation events of niche cells within the testis, we propose a new definition of spermatogonial stem cell maturation and its amendment in the light of metabolic change.
Mental health and loneliness in Scottish schools: A multilevel analysis of data from the health behaviour in school‐aged children study
Authors: Goodfellow Claire , Willis Malachi , Inchley Joanna , Kharicha Kalpa , Leyland Alastair H. , Qualter Pamela , Simpson Sharon , Long Emily
Published: January 2023

Background

Adolescent loneliness and poor mental health represent dual public health concerns. Yet, associations between loneliness and mental health, and critically, how these associations vary in school settings are less understood.

Aims

Framed by social‐ecological theory, we aimed to identify key predictors of adolescent mental health and examine school‐level variation in the relationship between loneliness and mental health.

Sample

Cross‐sectional data on adolescents from the 2018 wave of the Health Behaviour in School‐aged Children study (HBSC) in Scotland were used (N = 5286).

Methods

Mental health was measured as a composite variable containing items assessing nervousness, irritability, sleep difficulties and feeling low. Loneliness was measured via a single item assessing how often adolescents felt ‘left out’. Multilevel models were used to identify social‐ecological predictors of mental health, associations with loneliness and between‐school variation.

Results

Loneliness, as well as demographic, social and school factors, was found to be associated with mental health. Mental health varied across schools, with the between‐school difference greater among adolescents with high levels of loneliness. Additionally, the negative effect of loneliness on mental health was stronger in schools with lower average mental health scores.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that schools can play an important role in shaping adolescent mental health. Our study uniquely identifies that school‐based interventions targeting mental health may be especially necessary among lonely adolescents, and programmes aimed at tackling loneliness may be more beneficial in schools with poorer mental health.
Unconscious integration: Current evidence for integrative processing under subliminal conditions
Authors: Zher‐Wen  , Yu Rongjun
Published: January 2023

Integrative processing is traditionally believed to be dependent on consciousness. While earlier studies within the last decade reported many types of integration under subliminal conditions (i.e. without perceptual awareness), these findings are widely challenged recently. This review evaluates the current evidence for 10 types of subliminal integration that are widely studied: arithmetic processing, object‐context integration, multi‐word processing, same‐different processing, multisensory integration and 5 different types of associative learning. Potential methodological issues concerning awareness measures are also taken into account. It is concluded that while there is currently no reliable evidence for subliminal integration, this does not necessarily refute ‘unconscious’ integration defined through non‐subliminal (e.g. implicit) approaches.
Adversity profiles of children receiving care and support from social services: A latent‐class analysis of school‐aged children in Wales
Authors: Anthony Rebecca , Scourfield Jonathan , Moore Graham , Paranjothy Shantini , Evans Annette , Brophy Sinead , Daniel Rhian , Long Sara
Published: January 2023

Background

Children receive care and support from social services due to the risk of harm or impeded development or because of disability. This study aimed to identify typologies of adversity experienced by children receiving care and support from social services and to explore how typologies differ by sociodemographic characteristics.

Methods

This is a cross‐sectional study of ‘Children Receiving Care and Support’ (N = 12 792) during 2017/2018 in Wales, UK. We sought to (1) examine the prevalence of household adversities experienced by children in receipt of care and support from social services; (2) identify typologies of household adversities; and (3) explore how typologies of household adversities differ by family characteristics (demographics, measures of social disadvantage, perinatal and care factors).

Results

We found evidence for multiple risk factor constellations. The four‐class solution suggested four distinct classes of adversities: child disability (50.0%), low adversities (20.3%), family poor health (6.7%) and multiple risks (23.0%). Children in the ‘multiple risk’ class were significantly more likely to be younger, more deprived and ‘looked after’ by the local authority compared with those in the ‘low adversities’ class.

Conclusions

Given the presence of different constellations of household adversities, policies and interventions that address multiple risk factors simultaneously may be more effective and have longer‐lasting benefits.
Further delineation of dosage‐sensitive K/L mediated Xq28 duplication syndrome includes incomplete penetrance
Authors: Leffler Melanie , Christie Louise , Hackett Anna , Bennetts Bruce , Goel Himanshu , Amor David J. , Peters Greg B. , Field Michael , Dudding‐Byth Tracy
Published: January 2023

The low copy tandem repeat area at Xq28 is prone to recurrent copy number gains, including the K/L mediated duplications of 300 kb size (herein described as the K/L mediated Xq28 duplication syndrome). We describe five families, including nine males with K/L mediated Xq28 duplications, some with regions of greater copy number variation (CNV). We summarise findings in 25 affected males reported to date. Within the five families, males were variably affected by seizures, intellectual disability, and neurological features; however, one male with a familial K/L mediated Xq28 duplication has normal intelligence, suggesting that this CNV is not 100% penetrant. Including our five families, 13 carrier females have been identified, with nine presenting phenotypically normal. Three carrier females reported mild learning difficulties, and all of them had duplications containing regions with at least four copies. Delineation of the spectrum of K/L mediated Xq28 duplication syndrome highlights GDI1 as the most likely candidate gene contributing to the phenotype. For patients identified with CNVs in this region, high‐resolution microarray is required to define copy number gains and provide families with accurate information.
Diversity, abundance, and conservation status of woody species in a West African dry forest
Authors: Yilangai Rahila M. , Onoja Joseph Daniel , Saha Sonali , Elisha Emmanuel Barde , Manu Shiiwua A. , Barshep Yahkat , Molokwu‐Odozi Mary
Published: January 2023

This study presents data on woody plant species richness and diversity of an inaccessible dry forest of Tula Mountains Woodland (TMW) located in the northeast of Nigeria. TMW supports a minimally disturbed mosaic of dry forest‐woodland. We sampled woody species in 190 plots of size 0.01‐ha, spaced 50 m apart on series of line transects. We found a total of 133 woody species belonging to 88 genera and 39 families in 1.9 ha area sampled in total. Out of 133 species, 120 were identified to species level, and 113 were recorded as trees, shrubs and lianas with diameter at breast height (dbh) ≥ 5 cm. Species accumulation curve was non‐asymptotic. Fisher's logseries model suggests that the plots sampled in the dry forest communities of TMW are represented by a high number of rare species. Of 120 identified species, 46 (38%) lacked evaluation on conservation status by IUCN. Out of 74 (62%) evaluated species, 2 were listed as critically endangered, 3 were vulnerable, and 69 were of least concern. In the TMW, 27% of woody species were restricted to Sudanian savannah biome, 61% occurred in Sudanian and Zambezian savannah biome. TMW serves as refugia for native plant species and plant communities in northeastern Nigeria.
Metabarcoding reveals seasonal and spatial patterns of arthropod community assemblages in two contrasting habitats: Desert and oasis of the Baja California Peninsula, Mexico
Authors: Klimova Anastasia , Rodríguez‐Estrella Ricardo , Meng Guanliang , Gutiérrez‐Rivera Jesús Neftalí , Jimenez‐Jimenez María Luisa , Liu Shanlin
Published: January 2023

Aim

Desert springs or oases are the only permanent mesic environments in highly water‐limited arid regions. Oases have immense cultural, evolutionary and ecological importance for people and a high number of endemic and relic species. Nevertheless, they are also highly vulnerable ecosystems, with invasive species, overexploitation and climate change being the primary threats. We used the arthropod communities' spatiotemporal diversity and distribution patterns as a proxy to understand biodiversity dynamics in two geographically close but ecologically contrasting and highly threatened ecosystems: deserts and oases.

Location

Baja California Peninsula, Mexico.

Methods

Arthropod communities at five oases and surrounding desert scrub areas were sampled in two seasons. Using DNA metabarcoding and traditional taxonomic surveys, we tried to identify what biotic and abiotic characteristics of the habitat are important drivers of arthropod diversity and how these characteristics can change across spatial and temporal scales.

Results

Over 6200 individuals representing 23 orders were collected. In oasis samples, the community composition fluctuated more in space (i.e. among sites) than in time (i.e. seasons). Thus, seasonal changes did not affect oasis community diversity and composition, but the dissimilarity among sites increased with geographic distance. Moreover, anthropic activities negatively correlated with arthropod diversity in oases. On the other hand, the season, geography (e.g. latitude) and biotic characteristics of the habitat (e.g. sampled scrub species) significantly affected the diversity and composition of the desert arthropod communities.

Main Conclusions

Neutral dynamics (e.g. historical climatic events, dispersal limitation and spatial component) and human impact significantly influenced the biodiversity patterns of each oasis. In contrast, the habitat's seasonal variation and biotic characteristics were the most important variables influencing the diversity of the desert communities. Baja California oases harbour distinct invertebrate communities; therefore, each oasis should be conserved individually to preserve these unique assemblages.
Diagnostic accuracy of the Hammersmith Neonatal Neurological Examination in predicting motor outcome at 12 months for infants born very preterm
Authors: Howard Grace T. , Baque Emmah , Colditz Paul B. , Chatfield Mark D. , Ware Robert S. , Boyd Roslyn N. , George Joanne M.
Published: January 2023

Aim

To evaluate the predictive validity of the Hammersmith Neonatal Neurological Examination (HNNE) performed early (at 32 weeks postmenstrual age) and at term‐equivalent age (TEA) for 12‐month motor outcomes in infants born very preterm.

Method

This was a diagnostic study using data from a prospective birth cohort. A total of 104 infants born preterm at less than 31 weeks gestational age (males n = 61; mean = 28 weeks 1 day [SD 1 week 6 days], range 23 weeks 1 day–30 weeks 6 days) underwent HNNE early and at TEA, which were scored by comparison with term data. Motor outcomes at 12 months corrected age were determined using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition (scores ≤85). Cut‐off points were determined using receiver operating characteristic curves.

Results

Sixteen (15%) infants born preterm had motor impairment at 12 months corrected age. The HNNE total score cut‐off points with the best combination of sensitivity and specificity at early and TEA assessments were 15.2 or lower (sensitivity 77%, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 46%–95%; specificity 74%, 95% CI = 63%–83%) and 23.5 or lower (sensitivity 67%, 95% CI = 38%–88%; specificity 66%, 95% CI = 54%–76%) respectively. The most predictive subscale at the early assessment was reflexes (sensitivity 86%, 95% CI = 57%–98%; specificity 62%, 95% CI = 51%–72%; cut‐off point ≤3); at TEA, it was spontaneous movements (sensitivity 73%, 95% CI = 45%–92%; specificity 60%, 95% CI = 48%–70%; cut‐off point ≤2).

Interpretation

The HNNE provides moderate predictive accuracy for motor outcome at 12 months corrected age in infants born very preterm. Although modest at both time points, early assessment had stronger predictive ability for motor outcomes than TEA when scored using term data, highlighting the value of performing the HNNE earlier in the neonatal period. Performing HNNE earlier may assist risk stratification when planning follow‐up services.
The Middle‐Eastern marriage pattern? Malthusian dynamics in nineteenth‐century Egypt
Authors: Kumon Yuzuru , Saleh Mohamed
Published: January 2023

Malthus predicted that fertility rises with income and that people regulate fertility via regulating marriage. However, evidence on the Malthusian equilibrium has been mostly confined to Europe and East Asia. We employ Egypt's population censuses of 1848 and 1868 to provide the first evidence on the preindustrial Malthusian dynamics in the Middle East and North Africa. At the aggregate level, we document rural Egyptian women having a high fertility rate that is close to the Western European level, combined with low age at marriage and low celibacy rate, that are closer to the East Asian levels. This resulted in a uniquely high fertility regime that was probably offset by the high child mortality. Next, we provide individual‐level evidence on the positive correlation between fertility and income (occupation). We find that the higher fertility of rural white‐collar men is attributed to their marriage behaviour, and not to marital fertility. Specifically, white‐collar men's higher polygyny explains 45 per cent of their fertility advantage, whereas their higher marriage rate and lower wife's age at marriage explains 55 per cent. Therefore, polygyny was an additional factor that led to a steeper income–fertility curve than in Western Europe by enabling the rural middle class to out‐breed the poor.
Cross‐sectional and longitudinal associations between cardiometabolic measures and clinical stage in young people accessing early intervention mental health services
Authors: Wilson Chloe E. , Carpenter Joanne S. , Crouse Jacob J. , Park Shin , Koethe Dagmar , Scott Elizabeth M. , Hickie Ian B.
Published: January 2023

Aim

This retrospective cohort study aimed to identify the cardiometabolic characteristics, cross‐sectionally and longitudinally, associated with clinical stage in youth accessing early intervention mental health services.

Methods

Cardiometabolic data we collected in 511 young people (aged 12–25 years at entry) receiving mental health care at the early intervention services in Sydney, Australia.

Results

The majority of young people (N = 448, 87.67%) were classified in stage 1a or 1b at entry. At entry to care, there was no cross‐sectional relationship between clinical stage and age, gender, fasting insulin, fasting glucose, updated homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA2‐IR) score, BMI or waist circumference. Of the 111 (21.7%) young people initially classified at stage 1a (‘non‐specific symptoms’) and the 337 (65.9%) classified in stage 1b (‘attenuated syndromes’), 40 individuals transitioned to stage 2+ (7.8%) (“full‐threshold disorders”) longitudinally. No cardiometabolic factors predicted clinical stage transitions. However, those with an increase in BMI over the course of care (n = 54) were 1.46 (OR; 95% CI: 1.02–2.17) times more likely to progress to stage 2+ at follow up.

Conclusions

Whilst no relationships were found between demographic or cardiometabolic variables and clinical stage at entry to care, an increased BMI over time was associated with clinical stage transition longitudinally. Further longitudinal research is needed to understand the demographic, clinical, illness progression or treatment factors associated with changes in cardiometabolic status.
Implementing a combined individual placement and support and vocational peer work program in integrated youth mental health settings
Authors: Simmons Magenta B. , Chinnery Gina , Whitson Sarah , Bostock Sarah , Braybrook Joshua , Hamilton Matthew , Killackey Eóin , Brushe Mary
Published: January 2023

Aim

To describe the implementation and outcomes of a combined individual placement and support (IPS) and vocational peer work program for young people with mental ill‐health.

Methods

This uncontrolled pilot study co‐located IPS workers and vocational peer workers within two integrated youth mental health services (provided to clients aged 15–25 years old). Employment outcomes included job placements (working 15 hours or more per week in a paid competitive job in the open employment market) and sustained employment (employed for at least 26 weeks). Participants who required additional assistance also received peer work.

Results

Of the 326 young people enrolled, 195 (59.8%) achieved competitive employment, including 157 (48.2%) in funder‐approved placements. Among those in approved placements, 87 (55.4%) achieved sustained employment. For the 116 participants additionally receiving vocational peer work, 54 (46.6%) worked in funder‐approved placements, of whom 27 (50.0%) achieved sustained employment. Among 210 participants who did not receive peer work, 103 (49.0%) worked in funder‐approved placements, of whom 60 (58.3%) achieved sustained employment.

Conclusions

The program achieved positive vocational outcomes and good fidelity to the IPS model. Approximately half of young people had employment placements, with a relatively high proportion maintained over time. The similar proportion of placements for those who did and did not receive peer work was encouraging given the IPS team determined that the former group needed additional support.

Recommendations include upskilling the workforce, a data linkage system to obtain placement evidence, and using implementation science methodologies to understand how IPS programs are successfully embedded. This demands a coordinated effort between governments and funders, policymakers, services, and professional bodies.
Use of an exotic host plant reduces viral burden in a native insect herbivore
Authors: Muchoney Nadya D. , Bowers M. Deane , Carper Adrian L. , Teglas Mike B. , Smilanich Angela M.
Published: January 2023

Incorporation of exotic plants into the diets of native herbivores is a common phenomenon, influencing interactions with natural enemies and providing insight into the tritrophic costs and benefits of dietary expansion. We evaluated how use of an exotic plant, Plantago lanceolata, impacted immune performance, development and susceptibility to pathogen infection in the neotropical herbivore Anartia jatrophae (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae). Caterpillars were reared on P. lanceolata or a native plant, Bacopa monnieri, and experimentally infected with a pathogenic virus, Junonia coenia densovirus. We found that virus‐challenged herbivores exhibited higher survival rates and lower viral burdens when reared on P. lanceolata compared to B. monnieri, though immune performance and development time were largely similar on the two plants. These findings reveal that use of an exotic plant can impact the vulnerability of a native herbivore to pathogen infection, suggesting diet‐mediated protection against disease as a potential mechanism facilitating the incorporation of novel resources.
Intraspecific variation in species interactions promotes the feasibility of mutualistic assemblages
Authors: Arroyo‐Correa Blanca , Jordano Pedro , Bartomeus Ignasi
Published: January 2023

Patterns of resource use observed at the species level emerge from the way individuals exploit the range of available resources. Hence, accounting for interindividual differences in resource use, such as pollinator use by plants, is essential to advance our understanding of community assembly and persistence. By using finely resolved data on plant–pollinator interactions, we evaluated how interindividual plant variation in pollinator use scales up to affect community structure and dynamics. All co‐occurring plant species comprised specialists interacting with proper subsets of pollinators that visited generalists, and differences in interaction patterns were driven by among‐individual trait variation. Furthermore, the nested structure and feasibility of plant–pollinator communities were maximised at higher levels of interindividual plant variation in traits and pollinator use. Our study sheds light on how pervasive properties of community structure arise from individual‐level processes and contributes to elucidate the importance of preserving intraspecific variation in traits and resource use within populations.
An attention‐based representation learning model for multiple relational knowledge graph
Authors: Han Zhongming , Chen Fuyu , Zhang Hui , Yang Zhiyu , Liu Wenwen , Shen Zequan , Xiong Haitao
Published: January 2023

Knowledge graph embedding models are used to learn low‐dimensional representations of entities and relations in knowledge graphs. In this paper, we propose Multi‐RAttE, an attention‐based learning method for multiple relational knowledge graph embedding representation, which divides the information transfer in the knowledge graph into cross‐relational information transfer and relation‐specific information transfer, and divides the embedding of knowledge graph entities into structural embedding and multi‐relational embedding for joint learning. To objectively analyse the performance of the Multi‐RAttE model, we select two typical datasets and different representative baseline models for experimental evaluation on several tasks such as link prediction, multi‐relation prediction and node classification. The experimental results show that the Multi‐RAttE model improves 8% over the state‐of‐the‐art model Composition‐based Multi‐Relational Graph Convolutional Networks (CompGCN) in terms of Hits@1 metric on the link prediction task on FB15k‐237 dataset; on the multi‐relation prediction task, the accuracy improves by 1.8% and 3.7% in the auc metric and F1 metric, respectively. The experimental results have proved that the Multi‐RAttE model can effectively perform the representation of multiple relations.