bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Innovating from university–industry collaboration: the mediating role of intellectual capital
Authors: Yin Ximing , Li Fei , Chen Jin , Zhai Yuedi
Published: September 2023

Purpose

University–industry (UI) collaboration is essential for knowledge and technology exchange between higher education institutions and industries, enabling enterprises to accelerate innovation. However, few studies have investigated the collaborative innovation mechanism through which UI collaboration can enhance the accumulation of firms' intellectual capital (IC) and how this, in turn, affects their innovation-driven development.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing from the knowledge management and collaborative innovation theory, this research proposes a theoretical framework of the inter-organization relationship between enterprises and universities to investigate the influence mechanism of UI collaboration, including academic engagement and commercialization, on corporate performance as well as the mediating role of IC by employing survey that covers 177 UI collaborations.

Findings

Empirical results show that human capital and relational capital fully mediate the relationship between academic engagement UI collaboration and corporate economic performance, while human capital partially mediates the relationship between commercialization UI collaboration and corporate economic performance. Additionally, structural capital and relational capital partially mediate the relationship between academic engagement and corporate innovation performance, while structural capital fully mediates the relationship between commercialization and corporate innovation performance.

Originality/value

This study empirically investigates how academic engagement and commercialization impact corporate performance (i.e. innovation dimension or economic dimension). It uncovers this relationship's underlying mechanism by documenting the IC's mediating impact.
Application of hybrid cement in passive fire protection of steel structures
Authors: Šejna Jakub , Šulc Stanislav , Šmilauer Vít , Reiterman Pavel , Wald František
Published: September 2023

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to determine the thermal conductivity of a protective layer of alkali-activated cement and the possibility of performing fire protection with fireclay sand and Lightweight mortar. Unprotected steel structures have generally low fire resistance and require surface protection. The design of passive protection of a steel element must consider the service life of the structure and the possible need to replace the fire protection layer. Currently, conventional passive protection options include intumescent coatings, which are subject to frequent inspection and renewal, gypsum and cement-based fire coatings and gypsum and cement board fire protection.

Design/methodology/approach

Alkali-activated cements provide an alternative to traditional Portland clinker-based materials for specific areas. This paper presents the properties of hybrid cement, its manufacturability for conventional mortars and the development of passive fire protection. Fire experiments were conducted with mortar with alkali-activated and fireclay sand and lightweight mortar with alkali-activated cement and expanded perlite. Fire experiment FE modelling.

Findings

The temperatures of the protected steel and the formation of cracks in the protective layer were investigated. Based on the experiments, the thermal conductivities of the two protective layers were determined. Conclusions are presented on the applicability of alkaline-activated cement mortars and the possibilities of applicability for the protection of steel structures. The functionality of the passive fire layer was confirmed and the strengths of the mortar used were determined. The use of alkali-activated cements was shown to be a suitable option for sustainable passive fire protection of steel structures.

Originality/value

Eco-friendly fire protection based on hybrid alkali-activated cement of steel members.
The impact of entrepreneurial cognitive styles and entrepreneurial orientation on innovation performance of organizations in northern India
Authors: Gupta Sunakshi , Jha Suchita , Paliwal Manisha , Dogra Prinka
Published: September 2023

Purpose

The study explores the relationship between entrepreneurial cognitive styles, entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and innovation performance (IP) of organizations in northern India. It also investigates how the cognitive styles of entrepreneurs impact their orientation and influence their innovative performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative research design validates the proposed hypotheses. A survey was conducted using simple random and snowball sampling to gain responses from 150 entrepreneurs based in northern India. The structural relationships in the study were examined using ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) which is a statistical method used to assess whether there are significant differences in means amongst groups by comparing the variance.

Findings

Data analysis revealed that entrepreneurial cognitive styles significantly and positively impact EO. The innovativeness and proactiveness dimensions of EO affect IP.

Originality/value

Previous researchers have worked independently on cognitive style and EO. The present paper combines the impact of cognitive style and EO on IP to identify the missing links between the three constructs, which need to be added to the existing literature. The authors' findings are valuable for entrepreneurs seeking to identify the key factors contributing to developing effective strategies at the firm level, thereby driving IP. Furthermore, the authors' insights would assist potential entrepreneurs in distinguishing between the different cognitive characteristics that differentiate entrepreneurs from non-entrepreneurs and how they strategically decide based on market situations to enhance IP.
Top management team academic competence, university–industry collaboration, proximity and innovation performance: a moderated mediating effect analysis
Authors: Xu Weiqiao , Hu Ruifeng
Published: September 2023

Purpose

The academic experience of top management team (TMT) has a positive impact on firms' innovation performance. However, existing studies predominantly focus on the educational qualifications and institutional prestige of TMT, failing to comprehensively evaluate whether TMT possess genuine academic experience and the role of academic competence. This article aims to examine whether TMT academic competence has a potential influence on firm innovation performance and to understand the mechanisms behind this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

Using firm-level metrics of Chinese listed firms and TMT scholarly publication data spanning 2000–2021, this paper investigates whether TMT academic competence can promote firms' innovation performance and conducts a moderated mediating effect analysis.

Findings

(1) Academic competence of TMT can contribute positively to firms’ innovation performance; (2) university–industry collaboration partially mediates this relationship; (3) the mediating effect is enhanced by cognitive proximity and (4) distance proximity does not diminish the mediating effect.

Research limitations/implications

Outcome of this study can assist academia in further understanding the impacts of TMT on firm innovation and aid government in promoting university–industry collaboration. Simultaneously, it can help firms adjust their TMT selection and training strategies to enhance innovation performance.

Originality/value

This article, as the first to construct an index of academic competence and to explore whether it has an impact on firms' innovation performance and its inherent mechanism, can provide a new research perspective for the study of the impact of TMT's characteristics on firms' innovation.
Exploring innovation system dynamics: event history analysis of the evolution of the South African additive manufacturing industry
Authors: McClelland Michelle , Grobbelaar Sara , Sacks Natasha
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the growth of the South African additive manufacturing (AM) industry over the past 31 years through the lens of the innovation system (IS) perspective, examining the actor dynamics and mechanisms that facilitated or hindered the industry’s development.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used a case study research approach, analysing semi-structured interviews with eight South African AM experts and documentary evidence. The IS framework and the realist evaluation perspective were used, using a context-intervention-mechanism-outcome (CIMO)-based event history analysis (EHA) framework to explore the actor dynamics and mechanisms of the case study.

Findings

The study used a case study research approach, analysing semi-structured interviews with eight South African AM experts and documentary evidence. The IS framework and the realist evaluation perspective were used, using a CIMO-based EHA framework to explore the actor dynamics and mechanisms of the case study.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the South African AM industry literature by providing an overview of the industry events over the past three decades and analysing the industry through the IS framework. The study is among the first to analyse the development of the South African AM industry, presenting innovation scholars and managers with valuable decision-making support by providing insights into the innovation activities performed during each stage of the industry’s development, who performed them, the sequence in which they were performed and the outcomes they delivered.
Do financial innovations influence bank performance? Evidence from China
Authors: Corbet Shaen , Hou Yang (Greg) , Hu Yang , Oxley Les , Tang Mengxuan
Published: September 2023

Purpose

The rapid growth of Fintech presents a growing challenge for banking institutions, particularly those with more traditional, service backgrounds. This paper aims to examine the relationship between Fintech innovation and bank performance by exploiting novel Chinese market data.

Design/methodology/approach

Guided by the work of Dietrich and Wanzenried (2011, 2014) and Phan et al. (2019), the authors construct a regression model to investigate the effect of Fintech innovation on the profitability of Chinese listed banks. The authors include their measures of Fintech innovation in each of their selected structures.

Findings

Results indicate that Fintech innovation is negatively associated with bank performance and that state-owned banks, joint-stock commercial banks and long-established banks are more negatively impacted by Fintech innovation relative to city and rural commercial banks and younger banks.

Originality/value

Risk tolerance levels, internal structure and efficiency and recent debt repayment performance channels are each shown to be significant, robust explanatory factors underpinning such results.
The mediating effects of work conditions on the relationship between intrinsic motivators and training transfer
Authors: Lathabhavan Remya , H. L. Chidananda
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the relationship between intrinsic motivators and the transfer of knowledge/skills gained during training to work. The intrinsic motivators considered for the study were self-efficacy and motivation to transfer the training knowledge. The study also examined how work conditions mediate the association of intrinsic motivators and training transfer. The working conditions considered in the study were autonomy and the opportunity to perform in the job.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 426 participants from microfinance institutions in Karnataka, India, who had received a three-week job training six months earlier. Data were collected using a questionnaire and structural equation modelling was performed for the analysis of the data.

Findings

The study found positive significant relationships between motivation motivators and training transfer of learning. Positive relationships were also seen between work conditions and training transfer of learning acquired via training. The study also established the role of intrinsic motivators in predicting training transfer through work conditions.

Originality/value

This study stands among the pioneering works to investigate the influence of intrinsic motivators on training transfer, while also examining the mediating role of work conditions. It focuses on an emerging economy, specifically India, thereby contributing valuable insights to the field.
Ecosystem‐level decoupling in response to reduced precipitation frequency and degradation in steppe grassland
Authors: Yang Tianxue , Zhong Xiaoyue , Chen Junda , Nielsen Uffe N. , Ochoa‐Hueso Raúl , Qu Yanan , Sui Yushu , Gao Weifeng , Sun Wei
Published: September 2023

Grasslands across arid and semi‐arid regions are predicted to experience reductions in precipitation frequency. Besides, grassland degradation has become a serious problem in many of these areas. Despite increasing evidence suggesting compound effects of these synchronous alterations on biotic and abiotic ecosystem constituents, we still do not know how they will impact the coupling among ecosystem constituents and its consequences on ecosystem functioning.

Here, we assessed the effects of decreased precipitation frequency and grassland degradation on ecosystem coupling, quantified based on the mean strength of pairwise correlations among multispecies communities and their physicochemical environment, individual functions and ecosystem multifunctionality, and reported their relationships within a mechanistic plant–nematode–micro‐organism–soil interactions framework.

Decreased precipitation frequency led to poorly coupled ecosystems, and reduced aboveground plant biomass, soil water content, soil nutrient levels, soil biota abundance and multifunctionality. By contrast, belowground plant biomass and soil potential enzyme activities increased under decreased precipitation frequency treatment. Severe degradation resulted in decoupled ecosystems and suppressed most of individual functions and multifunctionality. Using structural equation modelling, we showed that coupling had a strong direct positive effect on multifunctionality (standardized total effect: 0.74), while multifunctionality was weakened by greater soil water variation (−0.54) and higher soil pH (−0.53).

The great sensitivity of ecosystem coupling to altered precipitation regimes and degradation highlights the importance of considering interactions among biotic and abiotic components when predicting early ecological impacts under changing environments. Moreover, the positive relationship between ecosystem coupling and functioning suggests that restoration of degraded grasslands may be achieved by intensifying ecological interactions.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
To rewire or not to rewire: To what extent rewiring to surviving partners can avoid extinction?
Authors: Vizentin‐Bugoni Jeferson , Maruyama Pietro Kiyoshi
Published: September 2023

Research Highlight: Leimberger, K.G., Hadley, A.S., & Betts, M.G. (2023). Plant–hummingbird pollination networks exhibit minimal rewiring after experimental removal of a locally abundant plant species.Journal of Animal Ecology,https://doi.org/10.1111/1365‐2656.13935. In this paper, Leimberger, Hadley and Betts (2023) explore the effects of removing a locally abundant plant species on plant–hummingbird pollination networks. They experimentally prevented access of hummingbirds to flowers ofHeliconia tortuosaand assessed subsequent changes in the interactions between plants and hummingbirds. Their main hypothesis postulated that the loss of a highly connected species would lead to interaction rewiring and niche expansions by hummingbirds, decreasing individual, species and network specialization. However, they found that the overall structure of the plant‐hummingbird networks remains mostly unaltered, with limited rewiring and minimal changes in specialization. The main contributions of this study can be summarized as (i) it adds to a limited number of manipulative studies on the capacity of species to rewire their interactions following the loss of partners, and importantly, it is the first study from the tropics and with vertebrate pollinators, for which experimental studies at appropriate scales is intrinsically more challenging; and (ii) innovates by evaluating change in specialization for the individual level, carried out through pollen sampling on the body of hummingbirds. The limited change in species interactions highlights that network stability through interaction rewiring may have been overestimated in previous studies, calling for further manipulative studies in the field. At the same time, it also indicated that even the loss of a highly abundant plant species has an overall small effect on network structure. Thus, this study contributes timely findings regarding the capacity of ecological communities to respond to species extinctions.
The healthcare professionals' perspectives and experiences with family presence during resuscitation: A qualitative evidence synthesis
Authors: Rubin Monika Afzali , Meulengracht Sandra E. S. , Frederiksen Katja Anna Poulsen , Thomsen Thordis , Møller Ann Merete
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Family presence during resuscitation (FPDR) is a growing hospital praxis despite lack of high‐quality evidence. The aim of this qualitative evidence synthesis review was to synthesize current evidence regarding healthcare professionals (HCP) perspectives on barriers and facilitating factors of FPDR and the potential impact of FPDR on HCP performance.

Methods

We conducted a systematic literature search May 17, 2023 including primary studies with qualitative study designs. We applied NVivo for data analysis. Data was coded with line‐by‐line coding and organized into themes and categories following the method for thematic synthesis described by Thomas and Harden to analyse data. The studies underwent quality appraisal by Critical Appraisal Skills Program. We used GRADE CERQual to assess the confidence in the evidence.

Results

We identified 8241 articles suitable for screening, 141 articles were full text screened, and nine studies included from Australia, UK and USA. In total, 134 HCP participated, between 2005 and 2019. Most studies lacked sufficiently rigorous data analysis and findings were appraised to have moderate GRADE CERQual confidence.

We identified three analytical themes (“Facilitating factors for FPDR”, “Barriers for FPDR” and “How staff are affected by FPDR”) with eight descriptive subthemes. One finding was of high GRADE CERQual confidence: a belief that FPDR is “the right thing to do” which was a “Facilitating factor of FPDR.”

Conclusion

The evidence on HCP perspectives is of low to moderate confidence. The interviewed consent that FPDR is the “right thing to do”, and an ethical principle of beneficence is dominant, especially regarding children.
End‐of‐life decision‐making in critically ill old patients with and without coronavirus disease 2019
Authors: Syrous Alma Nordenskjöld , Gudnadottir Gudny , Oras Jonatan , Ferguson Thalia , Lilja David , Odenstedt Herges Helena , Larsson Emma , Block Linda
Published: September 2023

Background

There are few studies on the differences in end‐of‐life decisions making in critically ill patients with and without coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). This study aimed to investigate the independent factors that predicted the decision to withdraw or withhold life‐sustaining treatments (LST) in critically ill patients and if these decisions were based on different variables for critically ill patients with COVID‐19 compared to those for critically ill patients with other diagnoses in a Swedish intensive care unit.

Methods

This observational pilot study was performed at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden. Patients ≥65 years were included from 1 March 2020 to 30 April 2021. The association between a decision to limit LST and a priori selected variables including sex, age, Simplified Acute Physiology Score 3 (SAPS 3), Clinical Frailty Scale ≥4, Charlson Comorbidity Index, Body Mass Index, living at home, invasive and non‐invasive mechanical ventilation was assessed using a univariate and multivariable logistic regression model and presented as odds ratio with corresponding 95% confidence intervals.

Results

There were 394 patients included in this study, 131 in the non‐COVID‐19 group and 263 in the COVID‐19 group. For the non‐COVID‐19 cohort, the univariate analysis demonstrated that age and SAPS 3 were significantly associated with the decision to withdraw or withhold life‐sustaining treatments, and this association remained in the multivariable analysis, with odds ratios of 1.10 (1.03–1.19) p = .009 and 1.06 (1.03–1.10) p < .001, respectively. For the COVID‐19 cohort, the univariate analysis indicated that age, SAPS 3, and Charlson comorbidity index were significantly associated with the decision to withdraw or withhold life‐sustaining treatments. However, in multivariable analysis, only the Charlson comorbidity index remained independently associated with the decision to withdraw or withhold life‐sustaining treatments, with an odds ratio of 1.26 (1.07–1.49), p = .006.

Conclusion

Decisions to withdraw or withhold life‐sustaining treatments were based on other variables for the critically ill COVID‐19 cohort compared to those for the critically ill non‐COVID‐19 cohort. Further studies are warranted to forge a common path for ethical end‐of‐life decision‐making in critically ill patients.
Mediation of mPFC‐LHb pathway in acupuncture inhibition of cocaine psychomotor activity
Authors: Chang Suchan , Kim Hyung Kyu , Ryu Yeonhee , Jang Han Byeol , Ahn DanBi , Lee Bong Hyo , Youn Dong‐ho , Lee Bae Hwan , Kim Hee Young
Published: September 2023

The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and the lateral habenula (LHb) play roles in drug addiction and cognitive functions. Our previous studies have suggested that acupuncture at Shenmen (HT7) points modulates mesolimbic reward system in order to suppress drug‐induced addiction behaviours. To explore whether an mPFC‐LHb circuit mediates the inhibitory effects of acupuncture on addictive behaviours, we examined the projection from mPFC to LHb, excitation of mPFC neurons during acupuncture stimulation, the effects of optogenetic modulation of mPFC‐LHb on HT7 inhibition of cocaine‐induced locomotion and the effect of mPFC lesion on HT7 inhibition of nucleus accumbens (NAc) dopamine release. Acupuncture was applied at bilateral HT7 points for 20 s, and locomotor activity was measured in male Sprague–Dawley rats. Although cocaine injection significantly increased locomotor activity, HT7 acupuncture suppressed the cocaine‐induced locomotion. The inhibitory effect of HT7 on cocaine‐enhanced locomotion was blocked by optogenetic silencing of the mPFC‐LHb circuit. In vivo extracellular recordings showed that HT7 acupuncture evoked an increase in the action potentials of mPFC neurons. Optopatch experiment proved glutamatergic projections from mPFC to LHb. HT7 acupuncture suppressed NAc dopamine release following cocaine injection, which was blocked by electrolytic lesion of mPFC. These results suggest the mediation of mPFC‐LHb circuit in the inhibitory effects of acupuncture on cocaine psychomotor activity in rats.
Genetic architecture of adiposity measures among Asians: Findings from GWAS
Authors: Agarwal Tripti , Lyngdoh Tanica , Khadgawat Rajesh , Prabhakaran Dorairaj , Chandak Giriraj Ratan , Walia Gagandeep Kaur
Published: September 2023

Adiposity has gradually become a global public threat over the years with drastic increase in the attributable deaths and disability adjusted life years (DALYs). Given an increased metabolic risk among Asians as compared to Europeans for any given body mass index (BMI) and considering the differences in genetic architecture between them, the present review aims to summarize the findings from genome‐wide scans for various adiposity indices and related anthropometric measures from Asian populations. The search for related studies, published till February 2022, were made on PubMed and GWAS Catalog using search strategy built with relevant keywords joined by Boolean operators. It was recorded that out of a total of 47 identified studies, maximum studies are from Korean population (n = 14), followed by Chinese (n = 7), and Japanese (n = 6). Nearly 200 loci have been identified for BMI, 660 for height, 16 for weight, 28 for circumferences (waist and hip), 32 for ratios (waist hip ratio [WHR] and thoracic hip ratio [THR]), 5 for body fat, 16 for obesity, and 28 for adiposity‐related blood markers among Asians. It was observed that though, most of the loci were unique for each trait, there were 3 loci in common to BMI and WHR. Apart from validation of variants identified in European setting, there were many novel loci discovered in Asian populations. Notably, 125 novel loci form Asian studies have been reported for BMI, 47 for height, 5 for waist circumference, and 2 for adiponectin level to the existing knowledge of the genetic framework of adiposity and related measures. It is necessary to examine more advanced adiposity measures, specifically of relevance to abdominal adiposity, a major risk factor for cardiometabolic disorders among Asians. Moreover, in spite of being one continent, there is diversity among different ethnicities across Asia in terms of lifestyle, climate, geography, genetic structure and consequently the phenotypic manifestations. Hence, it is also important to consider ethnic specific studies for identifying and validating reliable genetic variants of adiposity measures among Asians.
Acute chest syndrome in children with sickle cell disease: Data from a national AIEOP cohort identify priority areas of intervention in a hub‐and‐spoke system
Authors: Munaretto V. , Corti P. , Bertoni E. , Tripodi S. I. , Guerzoni M. E. , Cesaro S. , Arcioni F. , Piccolo C. , Mina T. , Zecca M. , Cuzzubbo D. , Casale M. , Palazzi G. , Notarangelo L. D. , Masera N. , Samperi P. , Perrotta S. , Russo G. , Sainati L. , Colombatti R.
Published: September 2023

Acute chest syndrome (ACS) is a frequent cause of hospitalization in sickle cell disease (SCD). Despite advances in acute care, many settings still lack knowledge about ACS best practices. After the AIEOP Guidelines were published in 2012, suggesting standardized management in Italy, a retrospective study was performed to assess the diagnostic and therapeutic pathways of ACS in children. From 2013 to 2018, 208 ACS episodes were presented by 122/583 kids in 11 centres. 73 were male, mean age 10.9 years, 85% African, 92% HbSS or Sβ°. In our hub‐and‐spoke system, a good adherence to Guidelines was documented, but discrepancies between reference centres and general hospitals were noted. Improvement is needed for timely transfer to reference centres, use of incentive spirometry, oxygen therapy and pain management.
Intergenerational mobility through inhabited meritocracy: Evidence from civil service examinations of the early‐ and mid‐Ming dynasty
Authors: Zhang Lei , Zheng Enying
Published: September 2023

The civil service examination system emerged to strengthen the emperor's power by recruiting political elites through open examinations. Did it, during the early‐ and mid‐Ming dynasty, facilitate intergenerational mobility? Rather than oversimplifying it as a single‐stage system of meritocracy, we propose a two‐stage evaluation framework. In the first stage, the Metropolitan Exam featured merit‐based evaluations and generated credentials necessary for becoming political elites. The subsequent non‐eliminating Palace Exam then functioned to assess the students’ organizational fit in line with an emperor's political calculations. In particular, those whose families served in the bureaucracy were favored, while those from affluent families were discriminated against. We test this two‐stage framework using the records of 12,427 students who passed 46 exams between 1400 and 1580, a period characterizing the heyday of this system. Our empirical findings from the mixed‐effect regression models confirm this argument and suggest promising directions for future research.
Incorporating intraspecific variation into species responses reveals both their resilience and vulnerability to future climate change
Authors: Palacio Ruben Dario , Clark James S.
Published: September 2023

Incorporating intraspecific variation into species responses can improve our understanding of the effects of climate change. However, most studies overlook such variation or model intraspecific groups independently, leading to widely varying estimates at the species level. In this study, we used a generalized additive framework to model the climate responses of 25 bird species in the tropical Andes, allowing for the estimation of nonlinear responses between subspecies. We measured the effects of environmental covariates (climate, topography, and primary productivity) on relative abundances and projected population trends for near‐future (2050) scenarios. Compared with models that ignored subspecies, the subspecies‐level models performed better in terms of accuracy, discrimination, and goodness‐of‐fit, while projecting fewer species to decline in relative abundance. Thus, species could be more resilient than estimated using species‐level models that ignore intraspecific variation. Nevertheless, our modeling approach also revealed that intraspecific groups may be vulnerable to future threats. We found that subspecies can have low relative abundances and small population sizes. Additionally, based on a preliminary IUCN Red List assessment, one in four subspecies could be threatened due to a small geographical range or a declining population trend. Most of these subspecies at risk inhabit centers of endemism in the northern Andes, such as the Santa Marta Mountains and the Serranía de Perijá. We suggest that protecting subspecies and other intraspecific groups (e.g. populations) could be a critical conservation strategy to buffer against the impacts of climate change, especially in biologically diverse regions.
Continental‐scale climatic gradients of pathogenic microbial taxa in birds and bats
Authors: Xu Yanjie , Poosakkannu Anbu , Suominen Kati M. , Laine Veronika N. , Lilley Thomas M. , Pulliainen Arto T. , Lehikoinen Aleksi
Published: September 2023

The connections of climatic variables to zoonotic and wildlife diseases remain uncertain. Here, we compiled a systematic database for the prevalence of 121 pathogenic microbial taxa in birds (ca 376 species) and bats (ca 39 species), including 11 939 observations from over 450 000 individuals across Europe and surrounding regions. We modelled the potential connection of climatic variables with the prevalence of 75 pathogenic microbial taxa at a multi‐pathogenic‐taxa level and of 17 most‐studied pathogenic taxa at a single‐pathogenic‐taxon level. According to the multi‐taxa model, the prevalence of bacterial taxa was positively associated with temperature, while this association was significantly weaker for eukaryotes and viruses. The prevalence of bacterial taxa was negatively associated with rainfall, while viruses showed a positive association with rainfall. These associations between climatic variables and prevalence of pathogenic taxa were not different between bird and bat hosts. According to the single‐taxon models, the prevalence of influenza A viruses, Plasmodium, and several bacterial taxa in birds and bats was positively associated with temperature. Rainfall showed positive associations with the prevalence of Usutu, Sindbis and Influenza A viruses but the directions of significant associations varied among bacterial taxa. Strikingly, this was evidenced also between bacterial taxa that share hosts and transmission mechanism hinting towards hitherto unknown features on pathogen ecology, e.g. Salmonella versus Campylobacter and Anaplasma versus Borrelia. Our results suggest that rising temperature and increasing precipitation will accelerate the threat of bird‐ and bat‐associated bacterial and viral pathogens to wildlife, domesticated animals and humans, respectively. However, the idiosyncratic relationships with climatic conditions among pathogenic taxa highlight the need for pathogen‐specific predictive models to understand future pathogen distributions.
Mechanisms involved in the antinociceptive and anti‐inflammatory effects of xanthotoxin
Authors: Zhu Chan , Yang Yan , Song Yizhi , Guo Jun , Yu Guang , Tang Juanjuan , Tang Zongxiang
Published: September 2023

Xanthotoxin (XAT) is a natural furanocoumarin clinically used in the treatment of skin diseases such as vitiligo and psoriasis. Recent studies have also investigated its effects on anti‐inflammatory, anti‐cognitive dysfunction, and anti‐amnesia as a guideline for clinic application. However, little is known about its effects on pain relief. Here, we tested the analgesic effects of XAT in serious acute pain and chronic pain models. For acute pain, we used hot‐, capsaicin‐ and formalin‐induced paw licking. Nociceptive threshold was measured by mechanical stimuli with von Frey filaments. For chronic pain, we injected complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) into the mice's plantar surface of the hind paw to induce inflammatory pain. Heat and mechanical hyperalgesia were evaluated by radiant heat and von Frey filament tests, respectively. To investigate the mechanisms underlying the analgesic effect of XAT, we used calcium imaging and western blot to assess transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) activity and expression in isolated L4‐L6 dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. Haematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, reverse transcription‐quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR) and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were used to examine immune cell recruitment and proinflammatory factor release from skin tissue from paw injection sites. Our results demonstrated that XAT not only reduced acute pain behaviors generated by hot, capsaicin, and formalin but also attenuated CFA‐induced heat and mechanical hyperalgesia. The analgesic activity of XAT may be achieved by controlling peripheral inflammation, lowering immune cell infiltration at the site of inflammatory tissue, reducing inflammatory factor production, and therefore inhibiting TRPV1 channel sensitization and expression.
Digital Module 33: Fairness in Classroom Assessment: Dimensions and Tensions
Authors: Rasooli Amirhossein
Published: September 2023

Perceptions of fairness are fundamental in building cooperation and trust, undermining conflicts, and gaining legitimacy in teacher‐student relationships in classroom assessment. However, perceptions of unfairness in assessment can undermine students’ mental well‐being, increase antisocial behaviors, increase psychological disengagement with learning, and threaten the belief in a fair society, fundamental to engaging in civic responsibilities. Despite the crucial role of perceived fairness in assessment, there are widespread experiences of unfairness reported by students internationally. To undermine these widespread unfair experiences, limited explicit education on promoting fairness in assessment is being delivered in graduate, preservice, and in‐service training. However, it seems that explicit education is the first step in capacity building for reducing unfair perceptions and related undesirable outcomes. The purpose of this module is thus to share the findings drawn from theoretical and empirical research from various countries to provide a space for further critical reflection on best practices in enhancing fairness in classroom assessment contexts.
Between “devoted mothers” and “disability advocates”: When Korean mothers of developmentally disabled adults become committed to social change
Authors: Oh Junghun
Published: September 2023

This study explores how mothers of children who are young adults with developmental disabilities in South Korea experience identity strain and tension when they engage in advocacy on behalf of their children. Based on in‐depth interviews with 20 mothers in Korea who are members of parents’ advocacy groups, this article found that women experienced feelings of tension that arose when they deviated from normative understandings of what it means to be “devoted mothers.” Furthermore, they created two alternative versions of maternal roles—professional “I” mothers and professional “WE” mothers—that supported their identities as “disability advocates” in order to alleviate their emotional experiences. Such differences led them to practice different styles of advocacy in their interactions with disability welfare services. Based on these findings, this article discusses identity strain that emerges during the mothers’ political engagement on behalf of their disabled children. In doing so, it contributes to expanding current attention to parental advocacy activities in order to more deeply understand women's agential power to force social change and to act against existing state policies and power.
Born after the Volcker Rule: Regulatory change, managerial remuneration and hedge fund performance
Authors: Bowe Michael , Kolokolova Olga , Yu Lijie
Published: September 2023

Substantial remunerative benefits accrue to managers of new hedge funds launched after the implementation of the Volcker Rule if their previous employer is a large US bank. After the rule, ex‐bankers' funds charge higher management fees and receive more flows as compared with other new hedge funds established during the same period. This phenomenon is related to changes in investor perception of the distribution of skills of new fund managers rather than to the actual differences in skills. Ex‐bankers' funds are indistinguishable from other funds in terms of performance, risk, and liquidation probability, both before and after the Volcker Rule.
Longleaf pine savannas reveal biases in current understanding of savanna biogeography
Authors: Pau Stephanie , Griffith Daniel M. , Zampieri Nicole E. , Costanza Jennifer
Published: September 2023

Biased understanding of savanna biogeography

Grasslands and savannas exist across a wide range of climates. Mesic savannas, with highly variable tree densities, are particularly misunderstood and understudied in comparison to arid and semi‐arid savannas. North America contains historically extensive mesic savannas dominated by longleaf pine. Longleaf pine savannas may have once been the largest savanna type on North America, yet these ecosystems have been overlooked in global syntheses. Excluding these “Forgotten Ecosystems” from global syntheses biases our understanding of savanna biogeography and distribution.

Evolutionary history and distinct climate of longleaf savannas

We assessed the evolutionary history and biogeography of longleaf pine savannas. We then harmonize plot data from longleaf savannas with plot data from valuable existing global synthesis of savannas on other continents. We show that longleaf pine savannas occur in a strikingly distinct climate space compared to savannas on Africa, Australia, and South America, and are unique in having wide ranging tree basal areas.

Future directions

Grass‐dominated ecosystems are increasingly recognized as being ancient and biologically diverse, yet threatened and undervalued. A new synthesis of savanna ecosystems considering their full range of distributions is needed to understand their ecology and conservation status. Interestingly, the closest analogues to North American savannas and their relatives in Mesoamerica and the Caribbean may be Asian savannas, which also contain mesic fire‐driven pine savannas and have been similarly neglected in existing global syntheses.
A Treasure Hidden in a Field: Katherine Sonderegger on Scripture
Authors: Sanders Kirsten
Published: September 2023

This paper considers Katherine Sonderegger's view of Scripture. In volume 2 of her Systematic Theology Sonderegger suggests a ‘dogmatic reading’ that overcomes the impasse of both a too historicist and a too theologically narrow view of the biblical text. As evidenced in her innovative reading of Isaiah 53, Sonderegger's engagement with Scripture is both thoroughly traditional and a novel approach to theologically engaging the biblical text.
Parochialism and Non‐co‐operation: The Case of Poland's Opposition to EU Migration Policy
Authors: Vaagland Karin , Chmiel Oskar
Published: September 2023

EU policy responses to the migration crisis caused by the Russian war against Ukraine challenge existing explanations of EU migration policy, which have typically leaned on economic rationales. This study leans on public attitudes to shed light on Poland's opposition to migration co‐operation across three recent European migration crises: Syria (2015), Belarus (2021) and Ukraine (2022). Throughout these crises, Poland has become a significant migration border country and one of the top refugee‐receiving countries. We build an analytical framework for exploring how the Polish government instrumentalised ‘parochial attitudes’ that prioritise sovereignty, locality and the in‐group and exclude out‐groups, and we analyse Poland's (op)position to EU co‐operation on migration through this lens. Using survey data, policy documents, 83 media articles and 10 interviews with policy‐makers and experts, we demonstrate that Poland's position on EU solidarity measures has remained static despite the dynamic, evolving circumstances and aligned with parochial attitudes amongst the public.
Comparative evaluation of different drying techniques for beef meat
Authors: Kamiloğlu Aybike , Elbir Tuğba , Dölek Muzaffer , Eşrefoğlu Emine Sedanur
Published: September 2023

The study aimed to evaluate the influence of different drying techniques (Convective and microwave drying) on beef meat's drying kinetics and color parameters. While drying rates with convective drying vary between .005 and .009 g water/g dry matter, it varies between .014 and .166 g water/g dry matter for microwave drying. Among the model proposed, for the conditions applied in the microwave and convective drying methods, the Midilli model gave a better fit. The Arrhenius‐type equation calculated the activation energies of beef samples. Activation energies were 64.15 and 449.86 kJ/mol for convective and microwave drying, respectively. According to measured L*, a*, and b* values and calculated ΔE, C*, and h° values, convective drying at 80°C provided the closest color characteristics to fresh meat.

Practical applications

Beef is a perishable food and storage conditions are very important. It is important to have information about the drying methods to be applied in the preservation of these foods in terms of process control. In this study, microwave drying and convective drying methods were examined and it was shown that microwave drying, which is one of the drying methods, shortens the processing time. However, in the convective drying method, color properties similar to the fresh product are provided. This research can provide theoretical guidance for further processing and preservation.
Clinical features of women with thrombotic microangiopathy in pregnancy: A case series from a single Japanese tertiary perinatal care center
Authors: Nagaoka Kanako , Kaneko Kayoko , Miyagawa Eiko , Abe Sawako , Kohno Chie , Tsurane Kotoyi , Mito Asako , Ozawa Nobuaki , Sago Haruhiko , Arata Naoko , Murashima Atsuko
Published: September 2023

Aim

Although perinatal thrombotic microangiopathy has become increasingly understood, the racial characteristics of patients with this condition remain unclear. Herein, we report the characteristics of patients with perinatal thrombotic microangiopathy at a single institution in Japan.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study over a 5‐year period from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2021, using the electronic medical records of pregnant women who delivered at the perinatal center of our hospital. We extracted the data of those who developed perinatal thrombotic microangiopathy and evaluated their characteristics at the time of disease onset, final diagnosis, and maternal and fetal outcomes.

Results

Of the 10 224 deliveries that occurred during the 5‐year period, only seven patients (0.06%) had perinatal thrombotic microangiopathy. The median pre‐pregnant body mass index was 18.65 kg/m2 (minimum 17.3 kg/m2, maximum 20.7 kg/m2). More than half of the patients were conceived by in‐vitro fertilization, and 42% these had twin deliveries. Four patients had a history of rheumatic disease. The other three patients without underlying diseases developed thrombotic microangiopathy with HELLP syndrome, and one patient transitioned to atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome.

Conclusions

Based on low body mass index and in‐vitro fertilization, which are characteristic of Japanese women, medical complications and twin pregnancies may be a risk for thrombotic microangiopathy. Additionally, depending on the cause of thrombotic microangiopathy, its timing and onset differed.
Scoping Review of Family and Community Engagement Strategies Used in School‐Based Interventions to Promote Healthy Behaviors
Authors: Michael Shannon L. , Barnes Seraphine Pitt , Wilkins Natalie J.
Published: September 2023

BACKGROUND

School efforts to promote health among students are more successful when families and community members are involved.

METHODS

We conducted a scoping review to summarize and categorize family and community engagement strategies used in US school and out‐of‐school time (OST) interventions to address physical activity (PA) and nutrition in kindergarten through 12th grade students.

RESULTS

The National Network of Partnership Schools' Six Keys to Success framework was useful in organizing the types of family and community engagement strategies used in included interventions. Many interventions used multiple family and community engagement strategies, with the most common being communicating with families and community members; providing support or education to families; and collaborations among school/OST program and community to support students and their families.

CONCLUSIONS

This review identified six common family and community engagement strategies used in school and OST interventions for PA and nutrition. Including family and community engagement strategies in school and OST interventions could play an important role in maximizing support, resources, and expertise to promote healthy behaviors among all students.
Physical Activity Interventions During the School Day: Reviewing Policies, Practices, and Benefits
Authors: Cornett Kelly , Murfay Ken , Fulton Janet E.
Published: September 2023

BACKGROUND

There are many ways to increase physical activity (PA) during the school day as part of a Comprehensive School Physical Activity Plan. This article reviews policies and practices that can be used during the school day to increase PA for students.

METHODS

We searched systematic reviews for articles that met criteria (2010‐2018, phase 1), followed by a search for individual articles addressing topics for which we did not identify a sufficiently relevant or recent review or to update an earlier review that concluded insufficient evidence (2010‐2020, phase 2). We included 45 articles (45 studies, 54 interventions).

RESULTS

We grouped studies by intervention type: school‐wide PA approaches to reach all students within the school setting (17), physical education (PE) interventions (13), and interventions related to recess (15). Few studies involved secondary schools or rural settings. Among 45 studies reporting PA behavior or fitness outcomes, 37 reported at least 1 improvement.

CONCLUSIONS

PA policies, PE, and recess can help improve school health by increasing the PA levels of students.