bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Monopoly in the container shipping market: an econometric approach
Authors: Matsuda Takuma , Hirata Enna , Kawasaki Tomoya
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Since the 2010s, market conditions for container shipping companies have been deteriorating owing to decreasing container cargo trade and increasing supply capacity. This study aims to contribute to the empirical literature on the container shipping industry market structure. Specifically, this study aims to investigate the extent of market competition.

Design/methodology/approach

This study analyzes the market structure and evaluates the market power of shipping companies through a non-structural test.

Findings

The H-statistic for the entire period of 2004–2018 was 0.37, which is significantly different from zero. This indicates the absence of monopoly pricing throughout the entire period. For the time-phased estimates, the H-statistic between 2004 and 2008 is 0.15, which is not significantly different from zero. On the other hand, the H-statistic from 2009 to 2018 was 0.40, which differs significantly from zero.

Originality/value

As the Far East Freight Conference had released tariffs and charge rates by item for container shipping routes, monopolistic pricing is said to have appeared until the European Union abolished the European Economic Community (No. 4056/86) in 2008, before the economic crisis. However, this study indicates that pricing in the container shipping industry has been distinctly non-monopolistic; further, competition seems to have intensified since 2008. Industry competitiveness is of interest not only to academics but also to practitioners, including policymakers, especially when considering competition policies.
Consumers’ food control risk perception and preference for food safety certification in emerging food markets
Authors: Akinwehinmi Oluwagbenga , Ogundari Kolawole , Amos Taye Timothy
Published: December 2021

Food safety as a credence food attribute potentially leaves room for adverse selection arising from information asymmetry between consumers and suppliers. To mitigate this market inefficiency, certification works effectively when a credible control system is in place. However, in a situation where control is weak and uncoordinated, introducing certification may encounter consumer‐related behavioural barriers. The case of weak food control in an emerging market in sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA) gives us a unique opportunity to stochastically link consumers’ perception of the food control system to preference for different food safety certification options. We test the hypothesis that this perception induces consumers to depend on subjective cue food safety attributes. Using choice experiment data, we estimate a hybrid choice model that includes consumers’ perceptions of food control, accounting for measurement errors and endogeneity bias. Our results show that a strong preference for food safety may not translate into a positive valuation of any of the certification schemes when we control for consumer perception of food control. Consumers are likely to rely more on subjective cue attributes if they have negative perceptions of food control. When such cue attributes are susceptible to market manipulation, consumers become more vulnerable to the risk of adverse selection in the food market. We recommend combining market mechanisms with strengthened food control systems and boosting consumers’ confidence in food control to address asymmetric information problems in emerging food markets.
Low baseline plasma PCSK9 level is associated with good clinical outcomes of immune checkpoint inhibitors in advanced non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Xie Mengqing , Yu Xin , Chu Xiangling , Xie Huikang , Zhou Juan , Zhao Jing , Su Chunxia
Published: December 2021

Background

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a crucial protein involved in the metabolism of low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol. However, the role of plasma PCSK9 in predicting the efficacy of ICIs in advanced non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains to be clarified.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of NSCLC patients who presented at Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital between April 2019 and June 2020. ELISA was conducted to detect the concentration of PCSK9. Clinical efficacy was evaluated according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST, version 1.1).

Results

A total of 55 patients were enrolled in the study. The median progression‐free survival (PFS) following treatment with ICIs in all patients was 9.9 months. The optimal threshold of baseline plasma PCSK9 was 232.2 ng/ml. Patients with low baseline plasma PCSK9 had a longer PFS (NR vs. 7.37 months, p = 0.017, HR = 0.207, 95% CI: 0.086–0.498) and a better response (ORR 71.4% vs. 43.9%, p = 0.075, DCR 100% vs. 80.5%, p = 0.098) to ICIs. Younger patients (≤66 years) with a lower PCSK9 had a significantly longer PFS and higher treatment response than those with a high baseline level of PCSK9 (NR vs. 5.83 months, p = 0.021, HR = 0.134, 95% CI: 0.044–0.409; ORR 66.7% vs. 30.0%, p = 0.106, DCR 100% vs. 75%, p = 0.153). The situation was similar in patients who received first‐line therapy (NR vs. 8.97 months, p = 0.022, HR = 0.138, 95% CI: 0.047–0.400; ORR 63.6% vs. 46.4%, p = 0.480, DCR 100% vs. 89.3%, p = 0.545). Multivariate analysis showed that low PCSK9 concentration was independently associated with PFS (p = 0.032, HR = 0.201).

Conclusions

Low baseline plasma PCSK9 level may predict good outcomes in patients with advanced NSCLC treated with ICIs.
Naltrexone moderates the association of alcohol use and affect among adolescent drinkers in daily life
Authors: Carpenter Ryan W. , Emery Noah N. , Meisel Samuel N. , Miranda Robert
Published: December 2021

Background

Naltrexone is an efficacious medication for the treatment of alcohol use disorder in adults. As an opioid receptor antagonist, naltrexone blocks activation of the endogenous opioid system, which is involved in the affectively reinforcing properties of substance use. Few studies, however, have examined the moderating effect of naltrexone on the association between affect and alcohol use. Additionally, most existing research on naltrexone has been with adults in the human laboratory.

Method

We conducted a secondary analysis of ecological momentary assessment data from a randomized, double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled cross‐over study that compared naltrexone (50 mg/daily) and placebo in 26 adolescents (15 to 19 years old) who exhibited problematic drinking patterns. Multilevel models tested whether naltrexone moderated associations of alcohol use with both positive and negative affect (PA, NA).

Results

Results indicated that, during naltrexone treatment, greater estimated blood alcohol concentration (eBAC) levels were associated with greater NA further into drinking episodes. In turn, greater NA after the first drink of an episode was associated with reduced subsequent eBAC values during naltrexone treatment. Low PA was also associated with lower subsequent eBAC levels in the naltrexone condition after the first drink.

Conclusions

These findings support the idea that naltrexone can disrupt the association between affect and alcohol use, effects that emerge later in drinking episodes. Greater attention to the effects of naltrexone on affect and reinforcement may help to tailor psychotherapy to maximize the benefits of naltrexone. However, in the present study, as most drink reports were in the first 2 h of the drinking episode and participants reported affect only at the first three end‐drink reports of a drinking episode (limiting the number of drinks reported), we had reduced power to detect effects in the continuation phase. Thus, replication of the findings is needed using a design that assesses the impact of naltrexone across the entire episode.
A mutation modulating DDX3Y gene expression cosegregates with the major Y‐chromosomal haplogroups and with testis size in Hu sheep
Authors: Zhang Xueying , Liao Zhi , Tang Shijie , Yuan Zehu , Li Fadi , Yue Xiangpeng
Published: December 2021

Variations in the Y‐chromosome are usually correlated with male‐specific traits. However, this condition has been described only sporadically, even in human genetics. The present study was conducted to clone the full‐length gene sequence of ovine DEAD‐box helicase 3, Y‐linked (DDX3Y), and investigate the effect of the expression and variation of DDX3Y on the reproductive traits of Hu sheep. Consequently, we identified the full coding sequence and genomic sequence of ovine DDX3Y. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) analysis showed that ovine DDX3Y was highly expressed in testis, and the expression level increased during testicular development. Furthermore, individuals with larger testis at 6 months expressed significantly more DDX3Y mRNA in the testis than individuals with smaller testis. Notably, a novel SNP (g. 12657 C>A) in the 3′ untranslated region was identified in Hu sheep and Tan sheep according to the investigation of the full DDX3Y genomic sequence of 1069 individuals from nine sheep breeds. Association analysis revealed that the SNP was significantly related to testis size in Hu sheep. Meanwhile, Hu rams with the derived C allele showed significantly higher expression levels of DDX3Y in testis than those with the ancestral A allele. In addition, data mining in a previous study showed that the C allele cosegregated with the globally major Y‐chromosomal haplogroups y‐HA and y‐HC, and the A allele is found in all rams with haplogroups y‐HB1, y‐HB2 and y‐HD. This study suggests that the association of the Y‐chromosomal haplogroups with testis size in Hu sheep can be extrapolated to the sheep population worldwide.
The molecular landscape of progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis in Turkey: Defining the molecular profiles and expanding the variant spectrum
Authors: Bakır Abdullatif , Topçu Vehap , Çavdarlı Büşranur
Published: December 2021

Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC) is a rare genetically heterogeneous group of autosomal recessive liver disorders that manifests as intrahepatic cholestasis during the neonatal period. ATP8B1, ABCB11, and ABCB4 genes are responsible for PFIC type 1, PFIC type 2, and PFIC type 3, respectively. To determine the underlying molecular etiology of PFIC, 80 patients from 77 families were investigated. The molecular genetic diagnosis was applied by using next‐generation sequencing (NGS) and revealed 29 different variants from 32 patients. In this study, we evaluated these variants according to mechanisms, clinical sub‐groups, and genotype‐phenotype correlation.
There’s more to a vessel than meets the eye: Organic residue analysis of ‘wine’ containers from shipwrecks and settlements of ancient Cyprus (4th–1st century bce)
Authors: Briggs Lisa , Demesticha Stella , Katzev Susan , Wylde Swiny Helena , Craig Oliver E. , Drieu Léa
Published: December 2021

Despite growing evidence to the contrary, wine remains the assumed content of many types of ancient pottery. Vessels from the Kyrenia and Mazotos shipwrecks, and Yeronisos island presumed to have contained wine were subjected to three different extraction protocols to test the assumption that these vessels were used to import and serve wine. Chemical extracts reveal grapevine products but also other fruit juice, beeswax and plant oil, sometimes mixed with grapevine products due to intentional mixing or reuse. Biomarkers detected in sediment samples from Mazotos and Yeronisos demonstrate why quantification is vital. Analyses show that even seemingly identical ceramics from the same shipwreck contained different commodities.
Nanomedicine targets iron metabolism for cancer therapy
Authors: Lin Liangru , Chen Hanqing , Zhao Ruifang , Zhu Motao , Nie Guangjun
Published: December 2021

Iron is an essential element for cell proliferation and homeostasis by engaging in cell metabolism including DNA synthesis, cell cycle, and redox cycling; however, iron overload could contribute to tumor initiation, proliferation, metastasis, and angiogenesis. Therefore, manipulating iron metabolisms, such as using iron chelators, transferrin receptor 1 (TFR1) Abs, and cytotoxic ligands conjugated to transferrin, has become a considerable strategy for cancer therapy. However, there remain major limitations for potential translation to the clinic based on the regulation of iron metabolism in cancer treatment. Nanotechnology has made great advances for cancer treatment by improving the therapeutic potential and lowering the side‐effects of the proved drugs and those under various stages of development. Early studies that combined nanotechnology with therapeutic means for the regulation of iron metabolism have shown certain promise for developing specific treatment options based on the intervention of cancer iron acquisition, transportation, and utilization. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of iron metabolism involved in cancer and review the recent advances in iron‐regulatory nanotherapeutics for improved cancer therapy. We also envision the future development of nanotherapeutics for improved treatment for certain types of cancers.
The dietary inflammatory index is directly associated with polycystic ovary syndrome: A case‐control study
Authors: Zirak Sharkesh Elnaz , Keshavarz Seyed A. , Nazari Leila , Abbasi Behnood
Published: December 2021

Introduction

The association between diet and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) might be mediated by the inflammatory properties of the diet. The study aimed to investigate the relationships between the dietary inflammatory index (DII) with odds of PCOS among the adult population.

Methods

In the hospital‐based case‐control study, 203 patients with PCOS and 291 non‐PCOS controls were enroled. DII was calculated via a validated 147‐item quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Thirty‐six macro‐ and micronutrients were extracted from FFQ and used to calculate DII. Employing a case‐control design, odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were obtained, with a dose‐response effect confirmed by the test for trend (p for trend).

Results

The mean ± SD age and body mass index (BMI) of the study participants were 29.67 ± 5.92 years and 24.51 ± 4.71 kg/m2, respectively. Compared with controls subjects, PCOS patients had significantly higher weight, BMI, and waist circumferences, but had lower physical activity. PCOS subjects had higher intakes of carbohydrate, cholesterol, and refined grains, but lower intakes of polyunsaturated fatty acids, fibre, vitamin B12, vitamin D, and dairy as compared to controls. Compared with participants in the lowest quartile of DII, those in the highest quartile had a significantly higher OR for PCOS after further adjustment for potential confounders (OR = 1.75, 95% CI: 0.95–3.22).

Conclusion

Our data suggest that high DII was associated with an increased odds of PCOS diagnosis. Prospective dietary intervention studies and observational prospective cohorts are required to confirm these findings.
Potential role of viral infections in miscarriage and insights into the underlying molecular mechanisms
Authors: Heydarifard Zahra , Zadheidar Sevrin , Yavarian Jila , Shatizadeh Malekshahi Somayeh , Kalantari Shirin , Mokhtari‐Azad Talat , Shafiei‐Jandaghi Nazanin‐Zahra
Published: December 2021

Intrauterine viruses can infect the decidua and placenta and cause adverse effects on the fetus during gestation. This review discusses the contribution of various viral infections to miscarriage and the molecular mechanisms by which viruses can cause devastating effects on healthy fetuses and induce miscarriage. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 as newly emerged coronavirus was considered here, due to the concerns about its role during pregnancy and inducing miscarriage, as well. In this narrative review, an extensive literature search was conducted to find all studies investigating viral infections in miscarriage and their molecular mechanisms published over the past 20 years. The results of various studies investigating the roles of 20 viral infections in miscarriage are presented. Then, the mechanisms of pregnancy loss in viral infections were addressed, including alteration of trophoblast invasion and placental dysfunction, inducing excessive maternal immune response, and inducing apoptosis in the placental tissue. Viruses may cause pregnancy loss through different mechanisms and our knowledge about these mechanisms can be helpful for controlling or preventing viral infections and achieving a successful pregnancy.
Advancing procedural justice in conservation
Authors: Ruano‐Chamorro Cristina , Gurney Georgina G. , Cinner Joshua E.
Published: December 2021

Just participation in conservation decision‐making is a moral imperative and critical to achieving social and ecological goals. However, understanding of what constitutes a just decision‐making process in conservation remains limited. Integrating key literature from environmental justice, psychology of justice, and participatory conservation, we identify 11 procedural justice criteria, many of which have been overlooked in conservation literature. We develop a framework to help promote procedural justice in conservation decision‐making which organizes the criteria into three key domains (Process properties, Agency of participants, Interpersonal treatment), which are underpinned by the justice dimension of recognition. We highlight seven policy levers that can be used to enhance procedural justice (e.g., scalar and contextual fit, conflict resolution, facilitation). However, advancing just decision‐making using this framework requires addressing a number of key challenges, in particular those related to broader structural power inequalities, and elucidating and accounting for plural and situated conceptions of procedural justice. We outline a number of pathways to overcome these challenges, including promoting knowledge coproduction and self‐reflexivity.
Changes in and correlates of Australian public attitudes toward illicit drug use
Authors: Weatherburn Don , Alexeev Sergey , Livingston Michael
Published: December 2021

Introduction

The present study explores Australian public support for more lenient treatment of persons found in possession of small amounts of illegal drugs for personal use.

Methods

Data for the study are drawn from the 2013, 2016 and 2019 National Drug Strategy Household Surveys. Bivariate associations were tested using χ2 tests corrected for survey design. Multivariate analyses of public support for legalisation and imprisonment involved logistic regression. Multivariate analyses of public preferences for various responses to those found in possession of illicit drugs involved the use of multinomial regression.

Results

Support for legalising personal use of three drugs (cannabis, ecstasy and cocaine) has risen significantly since 2013 but remained stable (and low) for two (heroin and methamphetamine). Support for no action, a caution or a warning has grown for those found in possession of cannabis, ecstasy and heroin for personal use but not for those found in possession of methamphetamine. There is, however, more support for responding to this group with treatment, education or a small fine than there is for imprisonment.

Discussion and Conclusion

There is strong support for legalising use of cannabis. There is little support for legalising use of ecstasy and cocaine but growing public support for a less punitive approach to those who use these drugs. There is little public support for a change in the current approach to heroin and methamphetamine.
Molecular diagnostics in dermatology: An online survey to study usage, obstacles and requirements in Germany
Authors: Tizek Linda , Schuster Barbara , Gebhardt Christoffer , Reich Kristian , von Kiedrowski Ralph , Biedermann Tilo , Eyerich Kilian , Zink Alexander , Garzorz‐Stark Natalie
Published: December 2021

Background and objectives

Molecular diagnostics (MDx) increasingly gains importance in dermatology and its application is a prerequisite for personalized medicine. The goal of this cross‐sectional study was to determine how MDx is implemented in dermatologists’ offices in the three fields of oncology, inflammation and infectiology and which hurdles office‐based dermatologists face in terms of MDx.

Methods

Physician members of the Association of the German Dermatologists (Berufsverband der Deutschen Dermatologen e. V.; BVDD) were surveyed via an online questionnaire on MDx.

Results

39.6 % of the 192 participants reported using MDx. Of these, the vast majority used MDx for diagnosing infectious diseases (86.5 % and 44.3 % of users perform MDx for detection of funghi and sexually transmitted diseases, respectively). Only a small minority applied MDx to answer oncological or immunological questions. The major obstacles for non‐users as compared to users were difficulties in implementation, lack of expertise as well as time, personnel, and technical availability. Reimbursement was a main issue in both groups.

Conclusions

Despite availability of specific therapies requiring precision medicine, MDx has not yet been broadly implemented in office‐based dermatology. To advance MDx, more needs to be done in terms of continuous education, availability of reliable and valid tests, and reimbursability.
Comparative effectiveness of cardiovascular, renal and safety outcomes of second‐line antidiabetic drugs use in people with type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and network meta‐analysis of randomised controlled trials
Authors: Sim Ruth , Chong Chun Wie , Loganadan Navin K. , Fong Alan Y. Y. , Navaravong Leenhapong , Hussein Zanariah , Khunti Kamlesh , Lee Shaun Wen Huey
Published: December 2021

Aims

To compare the cardiovascular, renal and safety outcomes of second‐line glucose‐lowering agents used in the management of people with type 2 diabetes.

Methods

MEDLINE, EMBASE and CENTRAL were searched from inception to 13 July 2021 for randomised controlled trials comparing second‐line glucose lowering therapies with placebo, standard care or one another. Primary outcomes included cardiovascular and renal outcomes. Secondary outcomes were non‐cardiovascular adverse events. Risk ratios (RRs) and corresponding confidence intervals (CI) or credible intervals (CrI) were reported within pairwise and network meta‐analysis. The quality of evidence was evaluated using the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation) criteria. Number needed to treat (NNT) and number needed (NNH) to harm were calculated at 5 years using incidence rates and RRs. PROSPERO (CRD42020168322).

Results

We included 38 trials from seven classes of glucose‐lowering therapies. Both sodium‐glucose co‐transporter‐2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) and glucagon‐like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP1RA) showed moderate to high certainty in reducing risk of 3‐point major adverse cardiovascular events, 3P‐MACE (network estimates: SGLT2i [RR 0.90; 95% CrI 0.84–0.96; NNT, 59], GLP1RA [RR 0.88; 95% CrI 0.83–0.93; NNT, 50]), cardiovascular death, all‐cause mortality, renal composite outcome and macroalbuminuria. SGLT2i also showed high certainty in reducing risk of hospitalization for heart failure (hHF), ESRD, acute kidney injury, doubling in serum creatinine and decline in eGFR. GLP1RA were associated with lower risk of stroke (high certainty) while glitazone use was associated with an increased risk of hHF (very low certainty). The risk of developing ESRD was lower with the use of sulphonylureas (low certainty). For adverse events, sulphonylureas and insulin were associated with increased hypoglycaemic events (very low to low certainty), while GLP1RA increased the risk of gastrointestinal side effects leading to treatment discontinuation (low certainty). DPP‐4i increased risk of acute pancreatitis (low certainty). SGLT2i were associated with increased risk of genital infection, volume depletion (high certainty), amputation and ketoacidosis (moderate certainty). Risk of fracture was increased with the use of glitazones (moderate certainty).

Conclusions

SGLT2i and GLP1RA were associated with lower risk for different cardiorenal end points, when used as an adjunct to metformin in people with type 2 diabetes. Additionally, SGLT2i demonstrated benefits in reducing risk for surrogate end points in kidney disease progression. Safety outcomes differ among the available pharmacotherapies.
High Dickkopf‐1 levels are associated with chronic inflammation in children with sickle cell disease
Authors: Giordano Paola , Vecchio Giovanni Carlo Del , Russo Giovanna , Palmieri Viviana Valeria , Piacente Laura , Fidone Carmelo , Urbano Flavia , Faienza Maria Felicia
Published: December 2021

Objectives

Sickle bone disease (SBD) is a chronic complication of sickle cell disease (SCD) whose pathogenesis is not completely understood. Chronic inflammation associated with SCD could alter bone remodeling. Our aim was to analyze the serum levels of bone remodeling markers in a group of SCD children to evaluate their involvement in the SBD.

Methods

We enrolled 26 SCD subjects and 26 age‐matched controls, who lived in the same geographic area. DKK‐1, sclerostin, RANKL, and OPG serum levels were evaluated. Neutrophil‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was also evaluated as a marker of inflammation.

Results

The analysis of bone remodeling markers did not show any significant difference between the two groups except for DKK‐1 levels that were significantly higher in the patients than controls (p < .05). A significant direct correlation between NLR and DKK‐1 (p = .004) was found. An inverse correlation between NLR and osteocalcin (p = .01) has also been observed.

Conclusions

The chronic inflammation, which represents a peculiar characteristic in SCD patients, would represent the primary causal agent of the activation of osteoblastogenesis inhibitors responsible of bone impairment in these subjects. Further studies will be needed to better explain the role of these inhibitors in SCD, to prevent or treat bone damage in this population.
Dysregulation of immune cell and cytokine signalling correlates with clinical outcomes in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)
Authors: Chee Lynette , Ritchie David , Ludford‐Menting Mandy , Ripley Jane , Chung Jessica , Park Daniel , Norton Sam , Kenealy Melita , Koldej Rachel
Published: December 2021

Objectives

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are characterised by ineffective haematopoiesis. Although hypomethylating agents (HMA) have improved survival in higher‐risk MDS, most patients eventually succumb to progressive disease. Utilising samples collected prospectively from three MDS clinical trials, we analysed genetic and immunological biomarkers and correlated them with clinical outcomes.

Methods

A hundred and fifty four samples were analysed from 133 de novo MDS patients for T‐cell and myeloid cell immunophenotyping and gene expression analysis. Treatments were with HMA or immunomodulatory drug (IMiD) alone or in combination.

Results

We observed differences in immune cell subsets between lower‐ and higher‐risk IPSS groups with NKT cells, MDSCs, intermediate‐proinflammatory and non‐classical monocytes being higher in the latter group, while naïve CD4+ T cells were reduced. Intermediate‐proinflammatory monocytes were increased in non‐responders and those failing to achieve at least a haematological improvement. Proinflammatory NKT cells were increased at diagnosis for patients failing to derive clinical benefit after 12 months of treatment. Gene expression analysis of paired bone marrow (BM) colony‐forming units (CFUs) from diagnosis and 4 cycles post‐treatment confirmed that genes involved in cytokine signalling were downregulated in C4 normal colonies.

Conclusions

These findings support the central roles of dysregulation in innate immunity and inflammatory signalling in the pathogenesis of MDS which correlated with clinical outcomes post‐treatment.
Successful predatory‐avoidance behaviour to lion auditory cues during soft‐release from captivity in cheetah
Authors: Wemer Nynke , Naude Vincent N. , van der Merwe Vincent C. , Smit Marna , de Lange Gerhard , Komdeur Jan
Published: December 2021

Due to global biodiversity declines, conservation programmes have increasingly had to consider reintroducing captive animals into the wild. However, reintroductions often fail as captive individuals may be naïve to predators and do not recognise or respond appropriately to predatory cues, contributing to high mortality rates soon after release. This study evaluates differences in predator‐response behaviours between individuals from three experimental groups, a captive population (n = 13), a semi‐wild population (i.e. raised in captivity and successfully released; n = 6) and a wild population (n = 2) of cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) to an artificially simulated auditory threat of lions (Panthera leo), a larger, natural predator in South Africa. Such comparisons improve our understanding of differences between captive and wild behaviours and provide an aspect to evaluating the relative success of reintroduction programmes. Changes in the proximal distance, the latency of approach and hesitation towards both control (African bush cricket, Acanthoplus discoidalis) and treatment (lion) auditory cues were observed for 29 cheetah from captive, semi‐wild and wild populations in at least three trial replicates each. Overall, captive individuals consistently displayed poor predatory‐response behaviours, approaching the treatment as often as the control, as well as spending more time near the stimulus (<10 m) and hesitating more often than semi‐wild cheetah, which could distinguish between the control and treatment, consistently fleeing from the latter with little hesitation. Repeatability analyses indicated that these behavioural responses to predatory cues could not be explained by individual personality and between‐trial learning comparisons showed no evidence of habituation. Our findings demonstrate how a priori testing for predator naïvety could inform future introductory decisions and thereby increase post‐release survival rates, significantly improving the efficacy of reintroduction strategies. We, therefore, emphasise the importance of such research and screening in highly threatened species, such as cheetah, where reintroduction from captivity has become a necessary consideration.
Peri‐ictal and non‐seizure EEG event detection using generated metadata
Authors: Handa Palak , Goel Nidhi
Published: December 2021

Lack of open access, seizure specific database has hindered the development of Automated Seizure Detection System (ASDS) along with state‐of‐the‐art feature selection and classification methods. Available databases contain noise, artefacts, different length & time EEG segments, associated comorbidities, clinical settings, and epilepsy/seizure types etc. Pre‐processing of such continuous EEG segments requires significant amount of time and may feed redundant information (with reference to a seizure event) to the classification model leading to inaccurate, real‐time seizure event detection systems. Hence, this paper proposes a metadata generation of large EEG databases (here, CHB‐MIT EEG scalp database v.1.0.0) for ASDS. We elucidate the need to generate seizure sensitive data through peri‐ictal and non‐seizure EEG segments. This paper performs multi‐variate analysis and two class (non‐seizure and seizure event) classification between these fixed length and time EEG segments from support vector machine (SVM) and k‐NN classifier. We thoroughly analysed the variation and dependence of different kernels, cost function, gamma, and degree for SVM based pipeline. The proposed pipeline has been compared with state‐of‐the‐art pipelines and has achieved good classification score. Such methods will help in development of generalised approach toward handling large EEG databases and machine learning applications for seizure detection and prediction.
Accountants’ postures under compulsory digital transformation imposed by government oversight authorities
Authors: Lino André Feliciano , Aquino André Carlos Busanelli de , Neves Fabricio Ramos
Published: December 2021

Governments are becoming digital; however, a shift toward digital transformation may not always occur voluntarily. For example, despite their willingness or skills, local government accountants are usually forced to adopt a digital innovation to comply with requirements from top‐down public financial management reforms—a typical case of compulsory digital transformation. We observe local government accountants’ attitudes toward compulsory digital transformation and their effects on the comprehensiveness of the digital transformation linked to accounting reforms in place. We empirically analyzed the public financial management oversight function in Brazil, in which digitalization requires local government accountants to report financial information to external authorities via computerized tools. Relying on interviews and an open‐ended survey with local government accountants, our findings revealed how Brazilian government accountants deal with compulsory digital transformation in the context of task overload. Most of the accountants present a resigned posture in which they opt to comply with the oversight authorities’ deadlines at the expense of reductions in the reported data's accuracy. However, other accountants assume a visionary posture by adopting a transformative attitude and turning the mandatory digital transformation to their advantage to favor a broader reformist agenda. The implications of such a scenario are discussed.
Darwin’s preadaptation hypothesis and the phylogenetic structure of native and alien regional plant assemblages across North America
Authors: Qian Hong , Sandel Brody
Published: December 2021

Aim

Studies focusing on relatively small spatial scales have shown that alien plants are more likely to invade phylogenetically clustered communities, and that the introduction of alien plants further increases phylogenetic clustering in the recipient communities. However, whether these patterns hold at a continental scale remains untested. Here, we investigate the phylogenetic structure of native and alien regional assemblages of angiosperms across North America.

Location

North America north of Mexico.

Time period

Current.

Major taxon studied

Angiosperms (flowering plants).

Methods

We divided North America into 65 regions across two longitudinal zones, and collated native and naturalized alien species lists of angiosperms for each region. Two phylogenetic metrics, which represent different evolutionary depths, were used to quantify phylogenetic structure of angiosperms as a whole and each major clade in each region, and were related to temperature and precipitation using correlation analyses.

Results

We found that alien angiosperm richness is highest in regions with diverse and phylogenetically dispersed native floras. The introduction of alien species nearly uniformly increases phylogenetic clustering.

Main conclusions

Alien species are generally from the same major clades as native species, consistent with Darwin’s preadaptation hypothesis. The results of this study are consistent across a wide range of phylogenetic extents, but not always with analyses conducted at smaller spatial extents.
Deaths of despair and the social geographies of health denial
Authors: DeVerteuil Geoffrey
Published: December 2021

The aim of this article is to articulate and translate the key points emerging from Case and Deaton's (2020) provocation on “deaths of despair” in the United States, to an audience concerned with the social geography of health and health denial. According to the authors, the recent waning life expectancy in the United States is mostly due to an unprecedented increase in deaths among middle‐aged Whites in rural areas, due to suicide, alcohol and especially drug overdoses, set within the larger context of gradual societal breakdown. While largely implicit in the book, I explicitly connect this phenomenon to debates in social geography around the role of place, violence and inequality in the systemic production of health denial, bringing out embedded political, geographical and sociological arguments. Finally, I propose a research agenda that takes into account other versions of deaths of despair that share the same underlying patterns of health denial.
Negotiating masculinities in times of crisis: On the COVID frontline in Pakistan
Authors: Chaudhry Amna , Amis John
Published: December 2021

This study provides a detailed analysis of the ways in which male Pakistani civil servants negotiated their masculinity while working as frontline workers during the COVID‐19 pandemic. We show how these men, in high‐pressure work environments, invoked multiple hegemonic and non‐hegemonic manifestations of masculinities as they experienced extreme stress. We contribute to the existing hegemonic masculinity literature by illuminating the ways in which different types of masculinities can be performed, embodied, and disrupted in high‐stress situations. We also explore the processes by which these different types of masculinities are negotiated in a Global South context allowing us to examine how masculinity is contested in a context with particular cultural and societal norms and expectations.
Effect of nurse‐led interventions on patient outcomes in patients with prostate cancer: A systematic review
Authors: Çolak Sevgi , Vural Fatma
Published: December 2021

When prostate cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, the survival rate is high with the effect of the treatment methods applied. However, because its treatment is a long and difficult process, patients experience many problems. Although nursing interventions are important in the management of these problems, there are few studies in this area. The aim of this study is to summarize the literature on the effect of nurse‐led interventions on patient outcomes in patients with prostate cancer. The literature review was conducted within the framework of the PRISMA guidelines and PICO. In the study, international studies published between 2005 and 2021 in Medline/PubMed, Cochrane, Web of Science, Proquest and Scopus databases and accessible with the keywords “nurse‐led interventions, prostate cancer, patient outcomes” were reviewed. As a result of the review of 56 studies, four articles that met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. Nurse‐led practices in patients with prostate cancer are as follows: nurse‐led psycho‐educational intervention, nurse‐led group and one individual consultation and nurse‐led algorithm‐based treatment. It was determined that these interventions made by the nurse were effective on health‐related quality of life, emotional and psychological symptoms, anxiety, depressive symptoms and cancer‐related anxieties. Evidence for nurse‐led interventions in prostate cancer patients is limited. More randomized controlled studies are needed to eliminate the lack of knowledge on this subject and to create quality evidence for practice. Individual nurse‐led interventions are more beneficial in patients with prostate cancer.
Comparison of the presence and absence of an intervention to reduce hand stereotypies in individuals with Rett syndrome
Authors: Hirano Daisuke , Goto Yoshinobu , Shoji Hiroaki , Taniguchi Takamichi
Published: December 2021

Background

We investigated how many individuals with Rett syndrome were undergoing interventions to reduce stereotypic hand movements and the factors determining the presence or absence of an intervention.

Method

A questionnaire was sent to 194 families. Each survey item was compared between the intervention and non‐intervention groups according to the presence or absence of interventions to reduce hand stereotypies.

Results

Information was acquired from 72 cases; 72.1% of individuals had received an intervention to reduce stereotypies at some point in their lives. An upper limb splint was the most common intervention. Age, locomotor and reaching function, diagnostic age, frequency and type of stereotypy, joint contractures and stereotypy‐associated problems separated the presence or absence of a current or past intervention.

Conclusions

Interventions for stereotypy‐associated problems are important and there are several variables related to whether an intervention is received.
The thoughts of parents to vaccinate their children against COVID‐19: An assessment of situations that may affect them
Authors: Çelik Melike Y.
Published: December 2021

Introduction

This study examined what affects parents' thoughts about vaccinating their children. We explored whether parents' attitudes towards the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) vaccine and their perception of control of COVID‐19 were related to their thoughts about vaccinating their children.

Methods

The sample of this descriptive study consisted of parents (n = 274) with children between the ages of 0–12. To collect data on parents’ thoughts and opinions participants completed the Attitudes Towards COVID‐19 Vaccine Scale and the Perception of Control of COVID‐19 Scale.

Results

Parents' thoughts about having their children vaccinated were related to a number of children, gender, education status, employment status, death of a relative due to COVID‐19, and fear of taking their child to a hospital due to fear of COVID‐19. There was a statistically significant relationship between the parents' thought of vaccinating their children against COVID‐19 and the mean scores of the Attitudes Toward the COVID‐19 Vaccine Scale and the Perception of Control of COVID‐19 Scale.

Conclusion

It was surprising that parents with a high education level and working parents had negative thoughts about getting their children vaccinated against COVID‐19. In addition, parents' attitudes towards COVID‐19 vaccine and their perceptions of COVID‐19 control were related to parents' thoughts on getting their children vaccinated.
Mechanisms underlying legume–rhizobium symbioses
Authors: Yang Jun , Lan Liying , Jin Yue , Yu Nan , Wang Dong , Wang Ertao
Published: December 2021

Legumes, unlike most land plants, can form symbiotic root nodules with nitrogen‐fixing bacteria to secure nitrogen for growth. The formation of nitrogen‐fixing nodules on legume roots requires the coordination of rhizobial infection at the root epidermis with cell division in the cortex. The nodules house the nitrogen‐fixing rhizobia in organelle‐like structures known as symbiosomes, which enable nitrogen fixation and facilitate the exchange of metabolites between the host and symbionts. In addition to this beneficial interaction, legumes are continuously exposed to would‐be pathogenic microbes; therefore the ability to discriminate pathogens from symbionts is a major determinant of plant survival under natural conditions. Here, we summarize recent advances in the understanding of root nodule symbiosis signaling, transcriptional regulation, and regulation of plant immunity during legume–rhizobium symbiosis. In addition, we propose several important questions to be addressed and provide insights into the potential for engineering the capacity to fix nitrogen in legume and non‐legume plants.
Is It Safe to Reuse Healing Abutments? An Experimental Study on IL‐1β and TNF‐α Cytokine Levels in Peri‐Implant Crevicular Fluid
Authors: Lashkarizadeh Nazila , Foroudisefat Mehrnaz , Abyari Sina , Mohammadi Mohammad , Lashkarizadeh Lida
Published: December 2021

Purpose

To compare pro‐inflammatory cytokine levels in the peri‐implant crevicular fluid (PICF) in unused and reused healing abutments.

Materials and methods

This study was a controlled randomized, double‐blind clinical trial. Seventy‐two patients who met the inclusion criteria were divided into two groups. After one‐stage implant placement, in group A, an unused healing abutment, and in group B, a reused healing abutment, was connected to the implant fixture. After 2 months, clinical measurements for keratinized gingiva (KG), plaque index (PI), and bleeding index (BI) (Ainamo and Bay) were taken, and PICF sampling was performed to evaluate pro‐inflammatory IL‐1β and TNF‐α cytokine levels using the ELISA test. Comparison of clinical measurements and cytokine levels between the two study groups was made using the Mann‐Whitney test.

Result

Clinical measurements and sampling were performed on 60 patients (nA = 27, nB = 33). There was no significant difference between the two groups in clinical measurements (BI (p = 0.96) and PI (p = 0.06)) or TNF‐α (p = 0.63), and IL‐1β (p = 0.26) cytokine levels.

Conclusion

Reused healing abutments that are cleaned and sterilized properly do not appear to induce further peri‐implant pro‐inflammatory response; therefore, they can be utilized temporarily until implant abutment insertion.
Religion and Charitable Donations: Experimental Evidence from Africa
Authors: Doces John A. , Goldberg Jack , Wolaver Amy
Published: December 2021

We hypothesize that there are two mechanisms by which religion can affect prosocial behaviors. Being reminded about religion can induce prosocial behaviors through an external, triggering effect. The underlying beliefs can have an effect through internal mechanisms. To untangle these competing effects, a lab‐in‐the‐field experiment was conducted in West Africa in which we asked people participating in a survey if they would like to donate their participation fee to a local charity. We randomly assigned respondents a question asking about belief in heaven and hell. We also vary the donation price to test whether there are limits on the prosocial behaviors. We find that the trigger has no effect on the decision to donate, but that belief in heaven/hell has a positive, large, statistically significant effect on the likelihood of donations. Religious belief does encourage prosocial behavior but those effects dissipate as the opportunity cost of giving increases.
Determination of key residues in tospoviral NSm required for Sw‐5b recognition, their potential ability to overcome resistance, and the effective resistance provided by improved Sw‐5b mutants
Authors: Huang Haining , Zuo Chongkun , Zhao Yaqian , Huang Shen , Wang Tongkai , Zhu Min , Li Jia , Tao Xiaorong
Published: December 2021

Sw‐5b is an effective resistance gene used widely in tomato to control tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV), which causes severe losses in crops worldwide. Sw‐5b confers resistance by recognizing a 21‐amino‐acid peptide region of the viral movement protein NSm (NSm21, amino acids 115–135). However, C118Y or T120N mutation within this peptide region of NSm has given rise to field resistance‐breaking (RB) TSWV isolates. To investigate the potential ability of TSWV to break Sw‐5b‐mediated resistance, we mutagenized each amino acid on NSm21 and determined which amino acid mutations would evade Sw‐5b recognition. Among all alanine‐scan mutants, NSmP119A, NSmW121A, NSmD122A, NSmR124A, and NSmQ126A failed to induce a hypersensitive response (HR) when coexpressed with Sw‐5b in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. TSWV with the NSmP119A, NSmW121A, or NSmQ126A mutation was defective in viral cell‐to‐cell movement and systemic infection, while TSWV carrying the NSmD122A or NSmR124A mutation was not only able to infect wild‐type N. benthamiana plants systemically but also able to break Sw‐5b‐mediated resistance and establish systemic infection on Sw‐5b‐transgenic N. benthamiana plants. Two improved mutants, Sw‐5bL33P/K319E/R927A and Sw‐5bL33P/K319E/R927Q, which we recently engineered and which provide effective resistance against field RB isolates carrying NSmC118Y or NSmT120N mutations, recognized all NSm21 alanine‐substitution mutants and conferred effective resistance against new experimental RB TSWV with the NSmD122A or NSmR124A mutation. Collectively, we determined the key residues of NSm for Sw‐5b recognition, investigated their potential RB ability, and demonstrated that the improved Sw‐5b mutants could provide effective resistance to both field and potential RB TSWV isolates.