bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The development and application of a decision-useful measure of environmental best practice for the mining industry
Authors: Hutchings Glen , Deegan Craig
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The failure of environmental reporting to meet the needs of stakeholders is partly due to the gap, or inconsistency, between information disclosed in corporate reports and the underlying quality of environmental management. Within the context of the mining industry, this paper present a novel approach to close this gap. By measuring and reporting the comprehensiveness of environmental management – in a manner consistent with the qualitative characteristics applied within financial reporting – this paper contends that stakeholders can, as a result, better assess the environmental risk of mining operations and hold organisations more accountable for their environmental commitments.

Design/methodology/approach

Using interviews and surveys, this paper draws on the knowledge of experienced environmental practitioners to measure the otherwise intangible quality of “environmental management”. The accounting metric developed is then used to quantify the comprehensiveness of environmental management of thirty Australian-based mine sites.

Findings

The findings suggest: (1) the accounting metric presented in this paper could better inform the decisions of both internal and external stakeholders; (2) significant variation in the comprehensiveness of environmental management exists within corporate entities and across the mining industry; (3) ISO 14001 is generally an indicator – but not a guarantee – of strong environmental management and (4) ISO 14001 self-declarations are largely symbolic.

Originality/value

The accounting metric presented in this paper could better inform user decisions, enhance corporate accountability and drive continuous improvement in environmental management. It could also provide a foundation for similar customised metrics in other industries and across other areas of sustainability.
The role of nontraditional lending for socially disadvantaged and financially stressed farmers
Authors: McDonald Tia M. , Law Jonathan , Giri Anil K. , Subedi Dipak
Published: October 2021

Purpose

In recent years, socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers have increased their usage of nontraditional lending nearly converging to levels of usage observed for nonsocially disadvantaged groups. The purpose of this research is to explore explanations for this trend in lending utilization by socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers by examining factors that influence credit usage and credit choice.

Design/methodology/approach

A multinomial logit is used to estimate the probability of loan choice given characteristics of the producer and farm.

Findings

While not a causal analysis, the results suggest that farm characteristics, which differ between socially disadvantaged and nonsocially disadvantaged producers, are associated with a lower likelihood of credit usage by an average socially disadvantaged farmer. For those that have loans, socially disadvantaged producers exhibit higher debt-to-asset ratios and lower current ratios, characteristics that are typically associated with higher than observed probability of usage of loans other than nontraditional. Socially disadvantaged producers also have lower value of assets which is associated with a higher probability of nontraditional loan usage.

Originality/value

This research is among the first to examine loan usage of socially disadvantaged producers using nationally representative data.
View analysis of personal information leakage and privacy protection in big data era—based on Q method
Authors: Huang Lei , Zhou Jingyi , Lin Jiecong , Deng Shengli
Published: October 2021

Purpose

In the era of big data, people are more likely to pay attention to privacy protection with facing the risk of personal information leakage while enjoying the convenience brought by big data technology. Furthermore, people’s views on personal information leakage and privacy protection are varied, playing an important role in the legal process of personal information protection. Therefore, this paper aims to propose a semi-qualitative method based framework to reveal the subjective patterns about information leakage and privacy protection and further provide  practical implications for interested party.

Design/methodology/approach

Q method is a semi-qualitative methodology which is designed for identifying typologies of perspectives. In order to have a comprehensive understanding of users’ viewpoints, this study incorporates LDA & TextRank method and other information extraction technologies to capture the statements from large-scale literature, app reviews, typical cases and survey interviews, which could be regarded as the resource of the viewpoints.

Findings

By adopting the Q method that aims for studying subjective thought patterns to identify users’ potential views, the authors have identified three categories of stakeholders’ subjectivities: macro-policy sensitive, trade-offs and personal information sensitive, each of which perceives different risk and affordance of information leakage and importance and urgency of privacy protection. All of the subjectivities of the respondents reflect the awareness of the issue of information leakage, that is, the interested parties like social network sites are unable to protect their full personal information, while reflecting varied resistance and susceptibility of disclosing personal information for big data technology applications.

Originality/value

The findings of this study provide an overview of the subjective patterns on the information leakage issue. Being the first to incorporate the Q method to study the views of personal information leakage and privacy protection, the research not only broadens the application field of the Q method but also enriches the research methods for personal information protection. Besides, the proposed LDA & TextRank method in this paper alleviates the limitation of statements resource in the Q method.
Understanding big data-driven supply chain and performance measures for customer satisfaction
Authors: Thekkoote Ramadas
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Supply chain analytics with big data capability are now growing to the next frontier in transforming the supply chain. However, very few studies have identified its different dimensions and overall effects on supply chain performance measures and customer satisfaction. The aim of this paper to design the data-driven supply chain model to evaluate the impact on supply chain performance and customer satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

This research uses the resource-based view, emerging literature on big data, supply chain performance measures and customer satisfaction theory to develop the big data-driven supply chain (BDDSC) model. The model tested using questionnaire data collected from supply chain managers and supply chain analysts. To prove the research model, the study uses the structural equation modeling technique.

Findings

The results of the study identify the supply chain performance measures (integration, innovation, flexibility, efficiency, quality and market performance) and customer satisfaction (cost, flexibility, quality and delivery) positively associated with the BDDSC model.

Originality/value

This paper fills the significant gap in the BDDSC on the different dimensions of supply chain performance measures and their impacts on customer satisfaction.
Solution of mass-spring-damper fractional systems using Caputo derivative and orthogonal collocation
Authors: Lima Juliana V.C.F. , Lobato Fran Sérgio , Steffen Jr Valder
Published: October 2021

Purpose

In this contribution, the solution of Mass-Spring-Damper Systems in the fractional context by using Caputo derivative and Orthogonal Collocation Method is investigated. For this purpose, different case studies considering constant and periodic sources are evaluated. The dimensional consistency of the model is guaranteed by introducing an auxiliary parameter. The obtained results are compared with those found by using both the analytical solution and the predictor-corrector method of Adams–Bashforth–Moulton type. The influence of the fractional order on the mechanical system is evaluated.

Design/methodology/approach

In the present contribution, an extension of the Orthogonal Collocation Method to solve fractional differential equations is proposed.

Findings

In general, the proposed methodology was able to solve a classical mechanical engineering problem with different characteristics.

Originality/value

The development of a new numerical method to solve fractional differential equations is the major contribution.
Dragon head enterprises in China's wine production – case study results
Authors: Richter Barbara , Yang Yanlin , Hanf Jon H.
Published: October 2021

Purpose

In 1998, the Chinese Communist Party introduced the strategy for modernizing agriculture with large-scale production and launching large commercial enterprises known as dragon head enterprises (DHEs) to process and market agricultural products. Although scholars have raised awareness of the development of DHEs in China, there has been little investigation on DHEs in the Chinese wine business. Based on the existing theoretical background on the concept of DHEs, this study aims to identify the structure and operating system of a DHE in the Chinese wine business. Changyu is chosen as an example because it is the oldest and largest wine company in China, operating in various grape-growing regions.

Design/methodology/approach

Due to the research's explorative character, the qualitative approach and case study focus were considered adequate. In-depth interviews have been conducted with the employees of the company. The authors analysed data with a qualitative content approach of Gläser and Laudel (2010).

Findings

Results show that the grape procurement of Changyu is organized in an integrated system, which consists of the DHE (Changyu), the Changyu-led cooperative, and the grape producers who have a contract with the cooperative. The company takes different measures in terms of intra-organizational coordination to secure the required quantities and qualities of its grape supply base.

Research limitations/implications

In this research, the authors could only access three interview partners of Changyu's grape procurement department, and it was not possible to conduct interviews with the management of Changyu. Another limitation is that it is difficult to collect adequate data in the Chinese wine industry.

Originality/value

There has been little investigation on DHEs in the Chinese wine business. This research contributes to the existing literature as it takes a closer look at the structure and operating system of a DHE in the Chinese wine business. The case study and chosen example (Changyu) allow a better understanding of DHEs and provide first insights into their operating principle.
Climate differently influences the genomic patterns of two sympatric marine fish species
Authors: Boulanger Emilie , Benestan Laura , Guerin Pierre‐Edouard , Dalongeville Alicia , Mouillot David , Manel Stéphanie
Published: October 2021

Climate influences population genetic variation in marine species. Capturing these impacts remains challenging for marine fishes which disperse over large geographical scales spanning steep environmental gradients. It requires the extensive spatial sampling of individuals or populations, representative of seascape heterogeneity, combined with a set of highly informative molecular markers capable of revealing climatic‐associated genetic variations.

We explored how space, dispersal and environment shape the genomic patterns of two sympatric fish species in the Mediterranean Sea, which ranks among the oceanic basins most affected by climate change and human pressure. We hypothesized that the population structure and climate‐associated genomic signatures of selection would be stronger in the less mobile species, as restricted gene flow tends to facilitate the fixation of locally adapted alleles.

To test our hypothesis, we genotyped two species with contrasting dispersal abilities: the white seabream Diplodus sargus and the striped red mullet Mullus surmuletus. We collected 823 individuals and used genotyping by sequencing (GBS) to detect 8,206 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for the seabream and 2,794 for the mullet. For each species, we identified highly differentiated genomic regions (i.e. outliers) and disentangled the relative contribution of space, dispersal and environmental variables (climate, marine primary productivity) on the outliers' genetic structure to test the prevalence of gene flow and local adaptation.

We observed contrasting patterns of gene flow and adaptive genetic variation between the two species. The seabream showed a distinct Alboran sea population and panmixia across the Mediterranean Sea. The mullet revealed additional differentiation within the Mediterranean Sea that was significantly correlated to summer and winter temperatures, as well as marine primary productivity. Functional annotation of the climate‐associated outlier SNPs then identified candidate genes involved in heat tolerance that could be examined to further predict species' responses to climate change.

Our results illustrate the key steps of a comparative seascape genomics study aiming to unravel the evolutionary processes at play in marine species, to better anticipate their response to climate change. Defining population adaptation capacities and environmental niches can then serve to incorporate evolutionary processes into species conservation planning.
Tail price risk spillovers along the US beef and pork supply chains
Authors: Fousekis Panos , Tzaferi Dimitra
Published: October 2021

The objective of this paper was to investigate the intensity and the pattern of tail price risk spillovers in the US beef and pork industries. To this end, it estimates CoVaR functions for directly linked market pairs (farm–wholesale and wholesale–retail) along the relevant supply chains using quantile regressions. Over the total sample (1980–2020) and two sub‐samples (1980–1999 and 2000–2020), the beef industry appears to exhibit a higher degree of price risk connectedness relative to the pork industry. Positive and negative tail price events are transmitted between markets with the same intensity. However, tail price events (irrespective of sign) are likely to spillover with greater intensity backwards in the supply chain than forwards. This pattern of transmission may be a cause of concern about the efficiency of alternative meat marketing arrangements as risk‐sharing instruments.
Social Bots and the Spread of Disinformation in Social Media: The Challenges of Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Hajli Nick , Saeed Usman , Tajvidi Mina , Shirazi Farid
Published: October 2021

Artificial intelligence (AI) is creating a revolution in business and society at large, as well as challenges for organizations. AI‐powered social bots can sense, think and act on social media platforms in ways similar to humans. The challenge is that social bots can perform many harmful actions, such as providing wrong information to people, escalating arguments, perpetrating scams and exploiting the stock market. As such, an understanding of different kinds of social bots and their authors’ intentions is vital from the management perspective. Drawing from the actor‐network theory (ANT), this study investigates human and non‐human actors’ roles in social media, particularly Twitter. We use text mining and machine learning techniques, and after applying different pre‐processing techniques, we applied the bag of words model to a dataset of 30,000 English‐language tweets. The present research is among the few studies to use a theory‐based focus to look, through experimental research, at the role of social bots and the spread of disinformation in social media. Firms can use our tool for the early detection of harmful social bots before they can spread misinformation on social media about their organizations.
Haven‐Sent? Tax Havens, Corporate Social Irresponsibility and the Dark Side of Family Firm Internationalization
Authors: Temouri Yama , Nardella Giulio , Jones Chris , Brammer Stephen
Published: October 2021

Family firms have been associated with an enhanced propensity for corporate social responsibility (CSR), but does this imply that family firms have a reduced propensity for corporate social irresponsibility (CSI)? Drawing on the behavioural agency model (BAM) and socio‐emotional wealth (SEW) perspectives, our study explores the ‘dark side’ of family firm internationalization, by focusing specifically on the use of tax havens. We theorize that decision trade‐offs to internationalize to tax haven locations tend to be tempered by SEW considerations in family firms, which subsequently decreases the propensity of family firms to engage in this form of CSI, when compared to non‐family firms. We explore how family firm heterogeneity, such as relationships with tax advisors and generational involvement in the family business, influence their propensity for tax haven internationalization. Our analysis examines 1,024 US family and non‐family firms between 2010 and 2018, and confirms the effects of SEW and family firm heterogeneity on tax haven internationalization.
Are We Richer than Our Parents Were? Absolute Income Mobility in Australia*
Authors: Kennedy Tomas , Siminski Peter
Published: October 2021

We conduct the first dedicated study of absolute income mobility in Australia for the period 1950–2019. Approximately two‐thirds of 30–34‐year‐olds have higher real incomes than their parents did at the same age, and this has been stable for 25 years. This is a high level of mobility among countries where estimates are available. Nevertheless, mobility has declined. Over 80 per cent of baby boomers had higher incomes than their parents. Some two‐thirds of this decline is due to lower income growth. The remainder is due to rising inequality. The mobility estimate is higher (78 per cent) when income is adjusted (equivalised) for family size.
Shrimp ferritin greatly improves the physical and chemical stability of astaxanthin
Authors: Zhang Chenxi , Tan Xiaoyi , Lv Chenyan , Zang Jiachen , Zhao Guanghua
Published: October 2021

The low stability of trans‐astaxanthin (AX) not only limits its applications as a functional factor in food systems, but also affects the sensor quality of most shrimp products. Therefore, it is important to find an easy, effective way to improve the physical and chemical stability of AX. In this study, by taking advantage of the co‐existence of AX and shrimp ferritin (Marsupenaeus japonicus ferritin, MjF), we investigated the interaction of AX with MjF. Results showed that AX molecules are able to bind on the outer surface of MjF to form complexes, and quantitative analyses demonstrated that one ferritin molecule is bound to ∼48 AX molecules. Consequently, such binding not only greatly enhances the water solubility, thermal stability, and photo stability of AX, but also protects AX from Fe2+‐induced oxidative damage, as compared to free AX. Thus, MjF could be used as a protective molecule to improve the physical and chemical stability of AX.

Practical Application

Our study opens up a new avenue for improving the physicochemical properties of bioactive molecules by interacting with protein, and shrimp ferritin could be explored as a protective system for the bioactive molecules.
Devonian–Carboniferous Hangenberg Crisis in South China: Variations in Trace Elements, Strontium and Carbon Isotope Chemostratigraphy in the Nanbiancun Carbonate Section
Authors: DENG Faliang , LIU Xijun , YU Hongxia , YAO Ye , ZHANG Zhiguo , WEI Weilie , LI Rui
Published: October 2021

The global Hangenberg Crisis or Hangenberg Extinction is a mass extinction near the Devonian–Carboniferous boundary. Comprehensive research of petrology and geochemistry on the Devonian–Carboniferous boundary, as exposed in the Nanbiancun auxiliary stratotype section, South China, elucidates paleoenvironmental changes and controls on marine strontium (87Sr/86Sr) and carbonate carbon (δ13Ccarb) isotopes during the Hangenberg Crisis. The new 87Sr/86Sr data reveal a regression in the Middle Siphonodella praesulcata Zone, while the Hangenberg Extinction was occurring in South China. Moreover, the δ13Ccarb data records a negative excursion near the base of the Middle Siphonodella praesulcata Zone that may have been connected with the Hangenberg Extinction. A positive δ13Ccarb excursion, corresponding with the Upper Siphonodella praesulcata Zone, may reflect the effects of a vigorous biological pump. The magnitude of the Hangenberg Carbon Isotopic Excursion in peak δ13carb values and δ13Ccarb gradient in carbonate Devonian–Carboniferous boundary sections of the South China Craton during the Hangenberg Crisis, are a function of depositional water depth and distance from the shore. The carbon cycling during the Hangenberg Carbon Isotopic Excursion had a much stronger impact on oceanic surface waters than on the deep ocean and the δ13Ccarb gradient of local seawater was likely caused by enhanced marine productivity, associated with biological recovery in platform sediments during the Hangenberg Crisis.
Is R&D Really That Special? A Fixed‐Cost Explanation for the Empirical Patterns of R&D Firms†
Authors: Resutek Robert J.
Published: October 2021

I propose an explanation for the positive relation between R&D, future earnings, and future stock returns based on the fixed‐cost qualities of R&D. If R&D is relatively fixed over short horizons, demand shocks realized by some R&D firms will push these firms into R&D intensity levels that are suboptimal as common scale proxies—market equity, assets, and sales—respond more quickly to demand shocks than R&D. In response, R&D firms realizing negative demand shocks reduce future expenses and capital expenditures, producing higher future profitability on lower sales growth. Consistent with the fixed‐cost hypothesis, I find the higher future profits of high R&D firms are explained by cost cutting, not revenue growth. Collectively, the restructuring of cost and capital structures of the subset of high R&D firms realizing demand shocks explains the future profit and investment patterns of R&D firms, while the fixed‐cost qualities of R&D seem to explain patterns in future stock returns. My results have implications for literatures that examine how decisions on R&D investment levels affect future firm performance, growth, and stock returns.
Distribution, nature and threats to soils of the Australian Alps: A review
Authors: Wilson Brian R. , Tulau Mitch , Kuginis Laura , McInnes‐Clarke Sally , Grover Samantha , Milford Humphrey , Jenkins Brian R.
Published: October 2021

The Australian Alps contain an assemblage of soil types that is unique on the Australian continent. The above‐ground ecosystems of the Australian Alps have received considerable scientific attention but research relating to the nature of its soils has been much more limited. A fuller understanding of the role of soils in these ecosystems is required to inform effective management strategies. This review was undertaken to assess existing research on soils in the Australian Alps. We aimed to summarise our current knowledge of their nature, distribution and characteristics, to examine the services they provide and to assess their vulnerability to the range of threats that exist to the soil resource both local and external. Soils of higher elevations, namely Transitional Alpine Humus Soils, Alpine Humus Soils and upland Peat Soils are particularly important to the ecology, hydrology and potential carbon storage of the region, yet our understanding of the nature, formation and functioning of these soil types remains weak. A series of knowledge gaps and research priorities are identified, relating to basic knowledge needs on the formation, distribution and function of these soils, particularly their microbial populations and the impacts of specific threats (i.e. climate change, grazing, fire, visitors, infrastructure, feral animals and pollution).
Difficulties of assessing the impacts of the 2019–2020 bushfires on koalas
Authors: Cristescu Romane H , Gardiner Riana , Terraube Julien , McDonald Kye , Powell Dan , Levengood Alexis L. , Frère Céline H
Published: October 2021

The 2019–2020 Australian bushfires were unprecedented both in extent and severity, impacting wildlife through direct mortality as well as habitat damage. More than 10% of koala habitat is estimated to have been affected by fires. Estimating the number of koalas lost is crucial to assess koala conservation status and to determine the appropriate management actions required. However, this is not a trivial task, as accurate data on koala distribution and population density before the fires is patchy.

Acknowledging this weakness, we sought to estimate fire impact on koalas at specific sites, by comparing habitat areas affected by the fire with habitat areas that were unaffected by the fire, pairing closely related study sites (based on geography and vegetation). To compare koala density, we deployed two koala detection methods; drone‐acquired thermal imagery and detection dogs coupled with genetic fingerprinting, in four fire‐affected sites paired with four control sites in New South Wales and Queensland.

Through drone surveys, we detected 140 koalas in 5,240 ha in New South Wales. The detection dogs found 144 scat samples corresponding to 79 unique koalas in 77 ha of transects in Queensland. Our preliminary results show many koalas were still present in fire‐affected areas after the 2019–2020 bushfire season. Koala density was 24 to 71% lower in fire‐affected sites compared with control sites in three of the habitat pairs, whereas unexpectedly, in the fourth pair, we observed a 317% higher koala density in the fire‐affected site. This underlined that koalas can be present in fire‐affected areas and that monitoring their health could be critical for months after the fires.
Distributional modelling, megafires and data gaps highlight probable underestimation of climate change risk for two lizards from Australia’s montane rainforests
Authors: Torkkola Janne J. , Chauvenet Alienor L. M. , Hines Harry , Oliver Paul M.
Published: October 2021

Species endemic to high elevations are predicted to see declines in their suitable habitat under future global climate change, even in protected or little disturbed areas. However, such risks are often not included in conservation assessments, especially when appropriate models to predict climate change impacts are not available. Here, we use species distribution models to explore the likely impacts of climate change and recent megafires on the status of two high‐elevation cloud forest‐centred lizards from Australia that were listed as Least Concern in a recent (2017) IUCN Red List assessment of Australian reptiles. We found both species (Harrisoniascincus zia and Silvascincus tryoni) are predicted to lose all suitable habitat by 2050, under ‘optimistic’ future climate projections. We also found that 52.34–48.5% of H. zia modelled suitable habitat was potentially affected by recent and unprecedented megafires in eastern Australia, while only 0.02–0% of S. tryoni habitat was affected. Our results support upgrading the IUCN Red Listings of H. zia and S. tryoni to vulnerable and endangered, respectively. Our data also highlight an alarming paucity in the number of verified records for these species over the last decade, at precisely the time when these records are becoming critical to testing and validating predictions of declines. The next decade looms as a critical period to establish baseline data sets on the distribution and genetic diversity of these high‐elevation taxa. For reasonably visible and easily identifiable species such as these skinks, citizen science approaches may offer a key path to addressing this challenge.
Who Rallies around the Flag? Nationalist Parties, National Security, and the 2019 Indian Election
Authors: Hintson Jamie , Vaishnav Milan
Published: October 2021

National security crises often generate a ‘rally‐around‐the‐flag’ effect, especially under nationalist administrations, but the salience of a security crisis varies within a country. Does exposure to a crisis intensify rallying by fomenting nationalism, inciting hawkishness, and distracting from quotidian economic concerns? Or does exposure deepen dissatisfaction with the incumbent, thereby reducing a rallying effect? We argue the latter using evidence from a difficult test in India. A major pre‐election terrorist attack boosted the nationwide popularity of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the nationalist ruling party. Yet we find that proximity to the victims’ funeral processions, which served as patriotic rallies, substantially reduced BJP support where the party was incumbent. The size and breadth of our observed effects indicate that the social commemoration of the attack, rather than direct personal connections to its victims, fuelled anti‐incumbent sentiment. Mobilizing collective anger after a crisis may dampen rather than augment a rally‐around‐the‐flag effect.
Diagnosis and management of hypernatraemia in children
Authors: Zieg Jakub
Published: October 2021

Hypernatraemia is most commonly caused by excessive loss of solute‐free water or decreased fluid intake; less often, the aetiology is salt intoxication. Especially infants, young children and individuals with a lack of access to water are at risk of developing hypernatraemia. Diagnosis is based on detailed history, physical examination and basic laboratory tests. Correction of hypernatraemia must be slow to prevent cerebral oedema and irreversible brain damage. This article reviews the aetiology, differential diagnosis and management of conditions associated with paediatric hypernatraemia. Distinguishing states with water deficiency from states with salt excess is important for proper management of hypernatraemic patients.
Neurodevelopmental problems in children with febrile seizures followed to young school age: A prospective longitudinal community‐based study in Sweden
Authors: Nilsson Gill , Lundström Sebastian , Fernell Elisabeth , Gillberg Christopher
Published: October 2021

Aim

To estimate the accumulated prevalence of neurodevelopmental problems from preschool to school age in children with a history of febrile seizures (FS).

Methods

In a community‐based cohort of children with previous FS, 25/73 clinically assessed children met diagnostic criteria for neurodevelopmental disorders or had major indications of such problems at the age of 4–5 years. Parents of 54 of the 73 children accepted to take part in an interview according to the Autism‐Tics, ADHD and other Comorbidities (A‐TAC) inventory, when the children were 9–10 years.

Results

There was a trend for ADHD symptom scores to be higher in the FS group. Non‐participants at age 9–10 years had had much higher rates of neurodevelopmental problems at 4–5 years, and the total number of such problems at either 4–5 or age 9–10 was 41% (30/73).

Conclusion

High rates of neurodevelopmental problems (41%) were found at either age 4–5 or 9–10 years or both in this group of 73 children with FS. Non‐participants at 9–10 years had had much higher rates of neurodevelopmental problems at 4–5 years. Further follow‐up of this cohort is needed before definite conclusions can be drawn about whether FS should be considered a marker for more complex neurodevelopmental problems.
Small bowel water content assessed by MRI in health and disease: a collation of single‐centre studies
Authors: Dellschaft Neele , Hoad Caroline , Marciani Luca , Gowland Penny , Spiller Robin
Published: October 2021

Background

New developments in MRI have allowed the non‐invasive, accurate measurement of the small bowel water content (SBWC).

Aims

To collate studies measuring SBWC following ingestion of a range of foods in both health and disease to provide data for adequately powering future studies in this area.

Methods

This collation brings together 29 studies including 954 participants (530 healthy, 54 diverticulosis, 255 IBS, 53 functional constipation, 12 cystic fibrosis, 15 Crohn's disease, 20 coeliac disease, 15 scleroderma) which have been carried out in a single centre using comparable study designs.

Results

Fasting SBWC (mean 82 [SD 65] mL) shows high variability with a small decline with advancing age (healthy volunteers only; individual patient data). Fasting values are increased in untreated coeliac disease (202 [290] mL, P = 0.004). Post‐prandial SBWC shows less intra‐individual variability than fasting values in healthy volunteers. SBWC is increased by eating, most markedly by high fat meals but also by fibre, both viscous and particulate. Indigestible residue accumulates in late post‐prandial period but empties soon after ingestion of a high calorie meal which produces a significant drop (by 50 [52] mL) in healthy volunteers. The associated fall in SBWC is abnormal in people with cystic fibrosis (SBWC reduced by 10 [121] mL, P = 0.002) and in people with irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhoea (SBWC reduced by 17 [43] mL, P = 0.007).

Conclusions

SBWC as assessed by MRI is a valuable biomarker indicating the balance of secretion and absorption in health and disease and the impact of treatments.
Study on the colouring, microstructure, and glaze formula of ‘Ru‐type ware’ excavated from Qingliang Temple kiln in Henan Province, China
Authors: Wu Bo , Zhao Hong , Feng Songlin , Feng Xiangqian , Zhao Dan , Liu Xiaomin , Li Jihong , Zhao Weijuan
Published: October 2021

Thirty samples of ‘Ru‐type ware’ glazes from Qingliang Temple Kiln were selected. The dominant wavelength, microstructure, and chemical composition of elements in the glaze formula of each glaze sample were measured and studied through integrating‐sphere spectrophotometry, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and energy‐dispersive X‐ray fluorescence analyses. The energy‐dispersive X‐ray fluorescence data were processed by multivariate statistical analysis. The following conclusions were drawn. With the dominant wavelength range of 535–660 nm, Ru‐type ware glaze falls into the category of a celadon‐glazed system. The glaze formulas of different glaze colours of Ru‐type ware are comparable but not identical, the difference in content of colour oxides Fe2O3 and TiO2 resulting in the various glaze colours of Ru‐type ware. For the first time, Ru‐type ware glaze is revealed as a crystallisation‐phase glaze. This finding demonstrates that the firing process of the Ru‐type ware was inherited to some extent from Ru Guan ware.
Participatory modelling of upward shifts of altitudinal vegetation belts for assessing site type transformation in Swiss forests due to climate change
Authors: Zischg Andreas Paul , Frehner Monika , Gubelmann Päivi , Augustin Sabine , Brang Peter , Huber Barbara
Published: October 2021

Aims

Climate change is expected to markedly change site factors, tree species composition and finally ecosystem services provided by forests. Here, we describe the development of a framework for modelling how these changes may transform forest site types. Site types capture information on site conditions like climate, topography and soil, all factors with strong influence on tree species occurrence.

Location

Switzerland.

Methods

We elicited expert knowledge and followed a participatory modelling approach for quantifying upward shifts of altitudinal vegetation belts and the changes in the zonal distribution of main tree species, as a basis for assessing transformation pathways of forest site types for three climate projections.

Results

The model results show marked range shifts of altitudinal vegetation belts. The change in the vegetation belt and a rule base for forest site type transformations allow for assessing the location‐specific and long‐term transformation pathway from the current to a future forest site type.

Conclusions

The resulting maps enable forest managers to take climate change into account when selecting tree species. The presented method complements statistical distribution models as it considers more site information, integrates expert knowledge and is based on a forest site type classification which is already widely used by forest practitioners.
Book‐Sharing for Parenting and Child Development in South Africa: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Dowdall Nicholas , Murray Lynne , Skeen Sarah , Marlow Marguerite , De Pascalis Leonardo , Gardner Frances , Tomlinson Mark , Cooper Peter J.
Published: October 2021

This study evaluated the impact of a parenting intervention on children’s cognitive and socioemotional development in a group of caregivers and their 21‐to‐28‐month‐old children in a low‐income South African township. A randomized controlled trial compared an experimental group (n = 70) receiving training in dialogic book‐sharing (8 weekly group sessions) with a wait‐list control group (n = 70). They were assessed before the intervention, immediately following it, and at a six month follow‐up. The intervention had positive effects on child language and attention, but not behavior problems, prosocial behavior, or theory of mind. Intervention caregivers were less verbally and psychologically harsh, showed more sensitivity and reciprocity and more complex cognitive talk. This program benefitted parenting and child development and holds promise for low‐income contexts.
Longitudinal change in adolescent hope among recent immigrant Latinx adolescents: Links with adolescent and parent cultural stress, family functioning, emotional well‐being, and behavioral health
Authors: Lorenzo‐Blanco Elma I. , Zhang Minyu , Cobb Cory , Meca Alan , Szapocznik José , Unger Jennifer B. , Cano Miguel Ángel , Schwartz Seth J.
Published: October 2021

Adolescent hope can promote the emotional and behavioral well‐being of Latinx families. Positive family functioning may foster adolescent hope, whereas cultural stress may compromise adolescent hope and well‐being. We examined how adolescent hope changed over time, and whether cultural stress and family functioning predicted emotional and behavioral health via adolescent hope intercept and slope. Recent Latinx immigrant adolescents (Mage = 14.51) and parents (Mage = 41.09; N = 302; n = 150 from Los Angeles; n = 152 from Miami) completed measures of above constructs over 3 years (Summer 2010 to Spring 2013). Latent growth curve modeling indicated that adolescent hope increased over time. Higher cultural stress predicted lower initial hope. Higher family functioning predicted higher initial levels of and less steep increase in hope. Increase in hope predicted better emotional and behavioral health. Family functioning predicted better health outcomes by way of hope.
Outcomes of radical surgical resections for nonmetastatic anorectal melanomas: Experience from a tertiary care centre
Authors: Chatterjee Ambarish , Rohila Jitender , Kazi Mufaddal , Sharma Vivekanand , Desouza Ashwin , Ostwal Vikas , Bajpai Jyoti , Engineer Reena , Bal Munita , Saklani Avanish
Published: October 2021

Aim

The outcome of radical surgery in nonmetastatic anorectal melanoma (AM) patients is studied infrequently. Here, we aimed to explore the stage‐wise outcomes and the impact of radical resections in these patients.

Methods

In this single‐centre retrospective study, data of 154 eligible patients were recorded and analysed. Data were obtained from November 2010 to September 2019 with follow‐up until November 2020. Overall survival (OS) and disease‐free survival (DFS) was calculated by Kaplan Meir method and univariate analysis of prognostic factors by Cox regression.

Results

Of 154 patients, 110 were metastatic (stage III) and 44 were nonmetastatic (stage I:22, stage II:22) and underwent curative resections. Median follow‐up was 48 months (14–119 months). A total of 39 patients underwent total mesorectal excisions (TME) and five transanal excision (TAE) were performed. Seven patients underwent extended resections. Stage I and II patients had 3‐ and 5‐year OS of 40% and 36%; and DFS of 45% and 33.2%, respectively. Median OS and DFS were 31 and 24 months, respectively. Stage II (node‐positive) patients had better median OS compared to stage III (21 vs. 4 months; p = 0.000), and 54.5% patients had recurrences, most commonly both systemic and nodal (45.83%). Median OS of patients without recurrence was 34 months.

Conclusion

In this large surgical series of AMs, outcome in stage I and II patients was significantly better than stage III and patients with stage II disease can have acceptable oncological outcomes. Radical surgical resections with or without lymphadenectomy could be considered in these patients. The role of adjuvant systemic therapy and radiation needs to be explored as part of multimodality treatment.
How translational modeling in oncology needs to get the mechanism just right
Authors: Yates James W. T. , Fairman David A
Published: October 2021

Translational model‐based approaches have played a role in increasing success in the development of novel anticancer treatments. However, despite this, significant translational uncertainty remains from animal models to patients. Optimization of dose and scheduling (regimen) of drugs to maximize the therapeutic utility (maximize efficacy while avoiding limiting toxicities) is still predominately driven by clinical investigations. Here, we argue that utilizing pragmatic mechanism‐based translational modeling of nonclinical data can further inform this optimization. Consequently, a prototype model is demonstrated that addresses the required fundamental mechanisms.
Blue nevus with smooth muscle hyperplasia: A rare hamartoma
Authors: Higgins Alyssa D. , Shalin Sara C.
Published: October 2021

A limited number of distinct histopathological variants of blue nevus exist, and hamartomatous proliferations involving melanocytic components, dendritic, or otherwise, have also been described. Blue nevus/smooth muscle hamartomas represent a rarely described entity. In this paper, we add two examples of this unusual hamartoma to the existing literature. These additional blue nevus/smooth muscle hamartomas occurred on the left mid‐upper back of a 50‐year‐old woman and the central upper back of a 54‐year‐old man. Both lesions were clinically atypical pigmented lesions. Histopathologic review of both specimens revealed proliferations of predominantly spindled and pigmented dermal melanocytes with associated smooth muscle hyperplasia, compatible with blue nevus/smooth muscle hamartoma. Both specimens were accompanied by subtle changes suggesting follicular induction, a phenomenon previously described as occurring in a minority of specimens. A brief re‐examination of recently diagnosed blue nevus at our institution did not reveal any additional cases in which a subtle smooth muscle component had been missed, suggesting this type of hamartoma is, indeed, exceedingly rare.
Biogeography of Angolan rodents: The first glimpse based on phylogenetic evidence
Authors: Krásová Jarmila , Mikula Ondřej , Bryja Josef , Baptista Ninda L. , António Telmo , Aghová Tatiana , Šumbera Radim
Published: October 2021

Aim

Assessment of phylogenetic diversity and biogeographical affinities of the rodent fauna from one of the most neglected areas in Africa.

Location

Angola (with biogeographical implications in adjacent areas).

Methods

Inference of mitochondrial phylogenies for rodent genera occurring in Angola, delimitation of molecular operational taxonomic units (MOTUs), assessment and comparative analysis of their geographical distribution.

Results

We provide the first genetic evidence for the presence of 44 rodent taxa from 19 genera and 5 families in Angola, including twelve MOTUs endemic to Angola, and 12 candidate new species, pending integrative taxonomic revisions. The endemic MOTUs were found almost exclusively in the Angolan Miombo Woodlands and in Angolan montane forest−grassland mosaic.

Main conclusions

The highly diverse Angolan rodent fauna is mostly composed of and shows affinities with taxa originating from three major biogeographical regions of sub‐Saharan Africa (Zambezian, South African and Congolian). It is also composed of a unique fauna comprising palaeoendemics from the Angolan Highlands. The species richness and the endemism detected in the Angolan montane forest−grassland mosaic and in the Angolan escarpment forests suggest that these are relevant for conservation, but more studies including other biological groups are needed to fundament this.
Upper endoscopy photodocumentation quality evaluation with novel deep learning system
Authors: Chang Yuan‐Yen , Yen Hsu‐Heng , Li Pai‐Chi , Chang Ruey‐Feng , Yang Chia Wei , Chen Yang‐Yuan , Chang Wen‐Yen
Published: October 2021

Objectives

Visualization and photodocumentation during endoscopy procedures are suggested to be one indicator for endoscopy performance quality. However, this indicator is difficult to measure and audit manually in clinical practice. Artificial intelligence (AI) is an emerging technology that may solve this problem.

Methods

A deep learning model with an accuracy of 96.64% was developed from 15,305 images for upper endoscopy anatomy classification in the unit. Endoscopy images for asymptomatic patients receiving screening endoscopy were evaluated with this model to assess the completeness of photodocumentation rate.

Results

A total of 15,723 images from 472 upper endoscopies performed by 12 endoscopists were enrolled. The complete photodocumentation rate from the pharynx to the duodenum was 53.8% and from the esophagus to the duodenum was 78.0% in this study. Endoscopists with a higher adenoma detection rate had a higher complete examination rate from the pharynx to duodenum (60.0% vs. 38.7%, P < 0.0001) and from esophagus to duodenum (83.0% vs. 65.7%, P < 0.0001) compared with endoscopists with lower adenoma detection rate. The pharynx, gastric angle, gastric retroflex view, gastric antrum, and the first portion of duodenum are likely to be missed by endoscopists with lower adenoma detection rates.

Conclusions

We report the use of a deep learning model to audit endoscopy photodocumentation quality in our unit. Endoscopists with better performance in colonoscopy had a better performance for this quality indicator. The use of such an AI system may help the endoscopy unit audit endoscopy performance.
Back and forth: History of and new insights on the vertebrate lymphatic valve
Authors: Shin Masahiro , Lawson Nathan D.
Published: October 2021

Lymphatic valves develop from pre‐existing endothelial cells through a step‐wise process involving complex changes in cell shape and orientation, along with extracellular matrix interactions, to form two intraluminal leaflets. Once formed, valves prevent back‐flow within the lymphatic system to ensure drainage of interstitial fluid back into the circulatory system, thereby serving a critical role in maintaining fluid homeostasis. Despite the extensive anatomical characterization of lymphatic systems across numerous genus and species dating back several hundred years, valves were largely thought to be phylogenetically restricted to mammals. Accordingly, most insights into molecular and genetic mechanisms involved in lymphatic valve development have derived from mouse knockouts, as well as rare diseases in humans. However, we have recently used a combination of imaging and genetic analysis in the zebrafish to demonstrate that valves are a conserved feature of the teleost lymphatic system. Here, we provide a historical overview of comparative lymphatic valve anatomy together with recent efforts to define molecular pathways that contribute to lymphatic valve morphogenesis. Finally, we integrate our findings in zebrafish with previous work and highlight the benefits that this model provides for investigating lymphatic valve development.