bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Distal regulation, silencers and a shared combinatorial syntax are hallmarks of animal embryogenesis
Authors: Cornejo-Páramo Paola , Roper Kathrein , Degnan Sandie M , Degnan Bernard M , Wong Emily S
Published: September 2021

The chromatin environment plays a central role in regulating developmental gene expression in metazoans. Yet, the basal regulatory landscape of metazoan embryogenesis is unknown. Here, we generate chromatin accessibility profiles for six embryonic, plus larval and adult stages in the sponge Amphimedon queenslandica. These profiles are reproducible within stages, reflect histone modifications, and identify transcription factor (TF) binding sequence motifs predictive of cis-regulatory elements during embryogenesis in other metazoans, but not the unicellular relative Capsaspora. Motif analysis of chromatin accessibility profiles across Amphimedon embryogenesis identifies three major developmental periods. As in bilaterian embryogenesis, early development in Amphimedon involves activating and repressive chromatin in regions both proximal and distal to transcription start sites. Transcriptionally repressive elements (‘silencers’) are prominent during late embryogenesis. They coincide with an increase in cis-regulatory regions harbouring metazoan TF binding motifs, and an increase in the expression of metazoan-specific genes. Changes in chromatin state and gene expression in Amphimedon suggest the conservation of distal enhancers, dynamically silenced chromatin, and TF-DNA binding specificity in animal embryogenesis.
The pseudobranch of jawed vertebrates is a mandibular arch-derived gill
Authors: Hirschberger Christine , Gillis J. Andrew
Published: September 2021

The pseudobranch is a gill-like epithelial elaboration that sits behind the jaw of most fishes. This structure was classically regarded as a vestige of the ancestral gill-arch like condition of the gnathostome jaw. However, more recently, hypotheses of jaw evolution by transformation of a gill arch have been challenged, and the pseudobranch has alternatively been considered a specialised derivative of the second (hyoid) pharyngeal arch. Here, we demonstrate by cell lineage tracing in a cartilaginous fish, the skate (Leucoraja erinacea), that the pseudobranch does, in fact, derive from the mandibular arch, and that it shares gene expression features and cell types with gills. We also show that the mandibular arch pseudobranch is supported by a spiracular cartilage that is patterned by ashh-expressing epithelial signalling centre. This closely parallels the condition seen in the gill arches, where cartilaginous appendages called branchial rays supporting the respiratory lamellae of the gills are patterned by ashh-expressing gill arch epithelial ridge (GAER). Taken together, these findings support serial homology of the pseudobranch and gills, and an ancestral origin of gill arch-like anatomical features from the gnathostome mandibular arch.
Attitude toward organic agribusiness: an approach to developing sustainable business
Authors: Shiri Nematollah
Published: September 2021

Purpose

Today due to the use of chemical fertilizers in Iran's agricultural sector, the human health has been in danger. While the literature has increasingly focused on investigating farmers' attitude toward organic agriculture, few studies have been conducted on the attitude of experts toward organic farming. To address this research gap, the current study was performed to investigate the determinants of the attitude of agricultural extension workers (AEW) toward organic agribusiness in Ilam province, Iran.

Design/methodology/approach

The statistical sample of this study comprises 394 AEW in Ilam province (located in the west of Iran) selected through random simple sampling method. The instrument in this study was a questionnaire. Data were analyzed by using SPSSWin26 software.

Findings

Results showed that the AEW's attitude toward organic agribusiness was at the moderate level. Findings of multiple regression analysis indicated that about 42.6% of AEW's attitude toward organic agribusiness is explained by the variables of “reading research articles”, “use of social networks” and “number of information sources”.

Originality/value

The results of this study have practical implications for promoting sustainable agribusinesses in order to produce environmentally friendly products. In this regard, they can encourage agricultural extension experts to study the findings of research in the field of organic agriculture, launching educational channels and groups on organic farming on social networks such as Telegram and WhatsApp, and encourage agricultural extension experts to join these groups. Finally, it is suggested that programs and films in mass media such as TV, radio and satellite programs be designed and implemented to raise people's awareness about organic agribusiness.
Food-related lifestyles across generations
Authors: Arenas-Gaitán Jorge , Peral-Peral Begoña , Reina-Arroyo Jesús
Published: September 2021

Purpose

There is a strong relationship between the changes that society faces and food. The aim of this work is to analyse the differences between generations related to their behaviour towards food.

Design/methodology/approach

To characterise people's behaviour towards their food, the authors will use a tool, food-related lifestyles (FRL), which has been widely employed in the literature. To achieve this general objective, the authors are going to break this down into two operational goals. Firstly, the authors will analyse if there exist differences in generations regarding the characteristics which make up their FRL. Secondly, the authors will determine if there is an association between generations and specific FRL. The authors have developed a study of 1,200 consumers.

Findings

The results have enabled is to achieve the proposed aims and to describe the behaviour of each generation towards its FRL. There are significant differences in 15 of the 22 dimensions of the LRF analysed according to generations. The authors noted six consumer segments with regard to the FRL and the authors have found a relation between the characteristics which define the generations and their FRL. The findings enable offering implications for the food sector and for society.

Originality/value

Firstly, this research spans the five generations present in the current society. Secondly, most works are centred on how FRL correspond with the consumption of specific products. This paper is dedicated to going thoroughly into the intergenerational similarities and differences regarding their FRL. Thirdly, the FRL tool has been especially applied in the context of Central European and Nordic countries, the USA and South-East Asia. In this work, the authors apply the FRL to a Mediterranean cultural context, Spain, characterised by a Mediterranean diet and by a significant family and social component in the diet.
Analysing BIM implementation in the Egyptian construction industry
Authors: Marzouk Mohamed , Elsaay Heba , Othman Ayman Ahmed Ezzat
Published: September 2021

Purpose

This research is built up upon exploring the concepts of building information modeling (BIM) adoption and strategy formulation with the aim to develop a strategy for implementing BIM in the Egyptian construction industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The development of the BIM implementation strategy was based on two pillars, namely the literature review and results of the survey questionnaire and interviews. First, the review of literature helped investigating the BIM challenges and international strategies developed to implement BIM worldwide.

Findings

The research presented recommendations to assist policymakers in Egypt to facilitate BIM implementation.

Originality/value

Although multiple frameworks have been proposed to aid in BIM implementation, a practical strategy to implement BIM in Egypt is still lacking. Moreover, current market scale studies neglect nonsoftware aspects of BIM adoption, do not identify market gaps or reflect market-specific criteria. As such, it cannot be used by policymakers to facilitate BIM diffusion.
Yola EcoSentials, Nigeria: waste-to-wealth community social enterprise
Authors: Mehdi Mokhalles Mohammad , Rakshit Sandip , Zivkovic Jelena
Published: September 2021

Learning outcomes

• Identify challenges of operating a start-up business. • Understand the social enterprise and role of gender (women entrepreneurship). • Assess the responsibility of unskilled women entrepreneurs and the challenges faced by them. • Describe business and marketing strategies adopted in market segmentation and product promotion. • Discuss strategies adopted to sustain a small business.

Case overview/synopsis

Yola EcoSentials (YES) was a social enterprise originated from the American University of Nigeria, Yola, capital city of Adamawa, Nigeria. It was established in September, 2012. It started with the mission to improve the environment, reduce waste and empower women. It engaged in production of hand bags, wallets, table mats and iPad bags from the recycled waste items such as nylons. YES was founded and spearheaded by Charles Reith (Chief Executive Officer). YES faced certain major challenges in expanding its business, namely, maintenance of quality products and accountability of business operations including personal income savings plan and source of new customers. Moreover, YES was having a serious concern of project sustainability because of the availability and division of insufficient raw materials to operate their business. To overcome these challenges, in December 2016, YES planned to devise its growth strategy to operate their business run by local women in Yola, Nigeria.

Complexity academic level

Undergraduate and graduate early stage programme.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 3: Entrepreneurship.
An assessment of gender norms of dietary habits at the time of climate change in Chandigarh, India
Authors: Das Suraj
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this present paper is twofold: (1) to study the role of gender in food preferences and (2) to study the change in food choice due to climate change in Chandigarh, India. Thus, the hypothesis developed are that (1) there is a significant effect of environmental change on the dietary habits of the women and (2) gender norms are significant in the selection of foods in Chandigarh.

Design/methodology/approach

The literature review was done with the help of NVivo 11, and for quantitative data analysis, SPSS version 22 is used.

Findings

The study concluded that societal gender norms were not significant for women in the choice of food. Also, climate change and women are an essential factor in food preferences at the household level.

Originality/value

While framing the adaptation policy and programs at the institutional level, the cultural and traditional knowledge gets little attention. Hence, the present paper will contribute in the policy-making from a gender perspective.
Significant barriers to the adoption of the agricultural cooperative model of entrepreneurship: a literature review
Authors: Pliakoura Alexandra Panagiotis , Beligiannis Grigorios , Kontogeorgos Achilleas
Published: September 2021

Purpose

Literature contributions to agricultural cooperative (AC) entrepreneurship model are fragmented and show some significant limitations. The purpose of this paper is to identify the existing important barriers to this entrepreneurship model as well as to group them into respective themes.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review (SLR) of peer reviewed journal articles was carried out by the authors in well-known databases, such as Scopus, Emerald, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, IDEAS/RePEc search and Web of Science. In total, 78 articles from 26 different countries during 2010–2019 were collected.

Findings

A large number of important barriers are identified in the literature and meaningful dimensions of these barriers are also revealed.

Practical implications

The study has important implications regarding the ways to improve the effectiveness of AC model. Researchers and practitioners can use the results presented in this study for further development of this model.

Originality/value

This study presents the important barriers in AC model in global scope analytically and groups them into meaningful themes, which significantly differentiate the present SLR study from those published so far.
Internal or external social media? The effects of work-related and social-related use of social media on improving employee performance
Authors: Chen Xiayu , Ou Carol Xiaojuan , Davison Robert M.
Published: September 2021

Purpose

This study investigates how employees' work- and social-related use of social media can individually and interactively render different impacts on employees' performance in the context of internal or external social media.

Design/methodology/approach

To test the research model in these two different contexts, the authors collected data from 392 internal social media users and 302 external social media users in the workplace.

Findings

The data suggest that the respondents' job performance can be enhanced when using internal social media for work-related purposes and using external social media for social-related purposes. Meanwhile, the interaction of work- and social-related use is positive for external social media but negative for internal social media on job performance. These findings highlight the significant distinction of social media use in the workplace.

Originality/value

First, this study contributes to the literature on the business value of IT by providing theoretical arguments on how companies can capitalize efforts to consider work-related use in combination with social-related use to create business value. Second, this research theorizes two distinct yet interacting views of social media use. The authors offer a more granular insight of the paths from work- and social-related use to employee performance instead of encapsulating social media use in a unitary concept and linking it simply and broadly to employee performance. Third, this research considers the interdependent effects of work- and social-related use on employee performance, and thus goes beyond the independent roles of these two types of social media use. Fourth, the authors find that the links from employees' work- and social-related use of social media to job performance vary in different contexts.
Multiple intelligence and entrepreneurial opportunity recognition – a failsafe approach of neuromarketing
Authors: Baskaran Shathees , Mahadi Nomahaza , Abd Rasid Siti Zaleha
Published: September 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to clarify the relationship between multiple intelligence (MI) and entrepreneurial opportunity recognition. It discusses to what extent each dimension of MI is considered as an activation driver of entrepreneurial opportunities recognition. This paper also aims to expand the domain of entrepreneurial opportunities recognition via MI by considering the mediating role of neuromarketing perception, adopting a combined perspective of intelligence, entrepreneurship and also neuromarketing to provide a future direction for the creation of interdisciplinary insights in the area of entrepreneurship.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper opted for literature synthesis to define key concepts surrounding MI and entrepreneurial opportunities recognition. Besides, it also attempted to identify an influential mediator in explaining the entrepreneurial opportunities recognition phenomenon. Consequently, this paper identified the gaps in current research to draw upon a more holistic conceptual framework. The rationale for the research was justified within the body of research.

Findings

This paper suggested research propositions based on the literature synthesis in view of MI and entrepreneurial opportunities recognition. More specifically, it has proposed a conceptual framework, explaining the relationship between a multi-dimensional view of both MI and entrepreneurial opportunities recognition. It is envisaged that the mediating role of neuromarketing perception incorporated in this conceptual work will improve the predictive value of the proposed framework and offer additional insights about factors that advance entrepreneurial opportunities recognition.

Research limitations/implications

This paper suffers from the obvious limitation of lacking empirical investigation. However, it does provide a theoretical rationale for the argument that entrepreneurial opportunities recognition can be advanced if MI are identified and associated with neuromarketing dimensions. Perhaps the most important direction for future research is further extension and validation of this framework by performing an empirical investigation to produce newer insights into this phenomenon.

Originality/value

This conceptual work is different from previous studies on the grounds it has considered unexplored issues in explaining entrepreneurial opportunities recognition. To bridge the critical knowledge gap of the entrepreneurial opportunities recognition phenomenon, a mediating effect of neuromarketing perception is also integrated within the model. The proposed model was neither formulated nor tested empirically in previous studies locally or perhaps globally, therefore it stands out as an original contribution incorporating MI and entrepreneurial opportunities recognition phenomenon while considering the brain activity through neuromarketing perception.
EFL Saudi Student's attitudes toward peer feedback activities in a writing class
Authors: Alsehibany Raniya Abdullah
Published: September 2021

Purpose

This study aims to examine Saudi female students' attitude toward peer feedback activity in writing classes with a list of questions for the students to follow during the activity, and to investigate the challenges that may prevent the use of such activity in Saudi EFL classes.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a mixed-methods to ensure the credibility of the data and obtain clear descriptions about the topic. The study instruments are (1) Writing Essays, (2) Writing Checklist, (3) Questionnaire and (4) Semi-structured interview. The data were analysis with SPSS and o 10 software.

Findings

The study results indicated that students had a positive attitude toward peer feedback with a checklist in EFL writing class. For instance, their second written essay (post) has improved and has fewer mistakes than the first one. Also, most of the participants stated that peer feedback has improved their writing quality and has enhanced their writing awareness of their weaknesses and mistakes. Moreover, the interview had highlighted the main challenges that could affect using peer feedback in writing class. Finally, the results indicate the efficiency of peer feedback with a checklist in similar teaching contexts.

Research limitations/implications

The study focused on a small number of participants (30 students). Besides, the study dealt with students at university level only and the study focused on female students.

Practical implications

Based on the study finding, it is recommended that peer feedback should be integrated in all EFL writing classes at all levels. Based on the study finding, it is recommended that peer feedback should be incorporated in all EFL writing classes at all levels. Using checklist can help the students to become more independent learners and in time they will be able to correct their own mistakes.

Originality/value

This paper fulfills an identified need to identify how integrating peer feedback activity in writing class can improve the students' writing performance and help them to be independent learners.
Crawling motility of Treponema denticola modulated by outer sheath protein
Authors: Kokubu Eitoyo , Kikuchi Yuichiro , Okamoto‐Shibayama Kazuko , Nakamura Shuichi , Ishihara Kazuyuki
Published: September 2021

Treponema denticola, a helically shaped motile microorganism, is a major pathogen of chronic periodontitis. Major surface protein (Msp) and dentilisin are virulence factors of T. denticola that are located on the outer sheath. The motility of T. denticola is deeply involved in colonization on and invasion into the host tissue. The outer sheath is located at the interface between the environment and T. denticola, and its components may also contribute to its motility via interaction with the materials outside the cells. The study aimed to clarify whether Msp or dentilisin contributes to the motility of T. denticola on solid surfaces, termed crawling, by investigating their effects using Msp‐deficient and dentilisin‐deficient T. denticola strains. Motility was analyzed by measuring the colony size in agar plates and velocity was analyzed using dark‐field microscopy. The colony area of the mutant strains was smaller than that of the wild‐type strain. The crawling velocity of the mutant strains was lower than that of the wild‐type strain, with the lowest velocity observed in the dentilisin‐deficient strain. Additionally, the ratio of the crawling distance by one revolution to the protoplasmic cylinder pitch (an indicator of the crawling efficiency) in the dentilisin mutant was significantly lower than that in the wild type strain and the Msp mutant. Together, these results indicate that dentilisin facilitates the crawling‐dependent surface spreading of T. denticola.
Impact of exchange rate and exchange rate volatility on foreign direct investment inflow for Mauritius: A dynamic time series approach
Authors: Moraghen Warren , Seetanah Boopen , Sookia Noor
Published: September 2021

Studies focusing on the determinants of foreign direct investment (FDI) inflow to Sub‐Saharan African countries remain fairly limited. Such existing research mostly focuses on the level of the exchange rate, often ignoring its volatility. This paper assesses the impact of the real exchange rate and exchange rate volatility on FDI flows for the case of Mauritius, one of the best economic performers on the continent. Using dynamic time series analysis, namely a Vector Error Correction Model, over the period 1976–2018, exchange rate volatility was found to negatively impact FDI while depreciating real exchange attracts foreign investors. The openness level, wages, literacy level and tax are also observed to be ingredients of FDI in both the long and short term. Moreover, the analysis validates the dynamic nature of FDI in Mauritius.
Male nutritional status does not impact the reproductive potential of female Cnaphalocrocis medinalis moths under conditions of nutrient shortage
Authors: Guo Jia‐Wen , Cui Yu , Lin Pei‐Jiong , Zhai Bao‐Ping , Lu Zhong‐Xian , Chapman Jason W. , Hu Gao
Published: September 2021

In addition to sperm, some accessory substances transferred to females during copulation act as nuptial gifts by passing on valuable nutrients in many insect species. The nutritional status of the males can thus have a great effect on the mating behavior, fecundity and even the longevity of females. However, little is known about the effect of male nutritional status on the female reproductive traits in migratory insect species, particularly when females experience nutrient shortage and have to choose between reproduction and migration. Here, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis, a migratory rice pest in Asia, was studied to explore this issue. Our results showed that in male moths fed with honey solution, their gonads had higher energy content than gonads of starved males, resulting in increased energy content of the bursa copulatrix of females after mating with fed males. Such females showed increased mating frequency, fecundity and longevity compared to females mating with starved males, indicating that male moths deliver nuptial gifts to females and improve their reproductive performance. However, when females were starved, only about 45% mated, with just a single copulation, regardless of male nutritional status. Starved females showed lower fecundity, and a longer pre‐oviposition period (indicating a greater propensity to migrate), compared to fed females. However, copulation still significantly extended their longevity. These results suggest that starved females invest in migration to escape deteriorating habitats, rather than investing the nuptial gift to increased fecundity. Our results further our understanding of the reproductive adaptability of migratory insects under conditions of food stress.
The roles of anurans in antagonistic networks are explained by life‐habit and body‐size
Authors: DUDCZAK Amanda Caroline , DE LA TORRE Gabriel Massaccesi , EUCLYDES Lorena , CAMPIÃO Karla Magalhães
Published: September 2021

Interactions among living beings are the structuring basis of ecosystems, and studies of networks allow us to identify the patterns and consistency of such interactions. Antagonistic networks reflect the energy flow of communities, and identifying network structure and the biological aspects that influence its stability is crucial to understanding ecosystem functioning. We used antagonistic anuran interactions—predator–prey and host–parasite—to assess structural patterns and to identify the key anuran species structuring these networks. We tested whether anuran body‐size and life‐habit are related to their roles in these networks. We collected individuals of 9 species of anurans from an area of the Atlantic Forest in Brazil and identified their prey and helminth parasites. We used network (modularity, specialization, and nestedness) and centrality metrics (degree, closeness, and betweenness) to identify the role of anuran species in both networks. We then evaluated whether anuran body‐size or life‐habit were related to anuran centrality using generalized linear mixed models. The networks formed specialized interactions in compartments composed by key species from different habits. In our networks, anurans with rheophilic and cryptozoic habit are central in predator‐prey networks, and those with larger body size and arboreal and cryptozoic habit in the host‐parasite network. This study represents a step towards a better understanding of the influential factors that affect the structure of anuran antagonist networks, as well as to recognize the functioning roles of anuran species.
A polyhydroxyalkanoates bioprocess improvement case study based on four fed‐batch feeding strategies
Authors: Guzik Maciej W. , Duane Gearóid F. , Kenny Shane T. , Casey Eoin , Mielcarek Paweł , Wojnarowska Magdalena , O’Connor Kevin E.
Published: September 2021

The modelling and optimization of a process for the production of the medium chain length polyhydroxyalkanoate (mcl‐PHA) by the bacterium Pseudomonas putida KT2440 when fed a synthetic fatty acid mixture (SFAM) was investigated. Four novel feeding strategies were developed and tested using a constructed model and the optimum one implemented in further experiments. This strategy yielded a cell dry weight of 70.6 g l−1 in 25 h containing 38% PHA using SFAM at 5 l scale. A phosphate starvation strategy was implemented to improve PHA content, and this yielded 94.1 g l−1 in 25 h containing 56% PHA using SFAM at 5 l scale. The process was successfully operated at 20 l resulting in a cell dry weight of 91.2 g l−1 containing 65% PHA at the end of a 25‐h incubation.
Outcomes of salvage lung resections in advanced EGFR‐mutant lung adenocarcinomas under EGFR TKIs
Authors: Chen Ying‐Yuan , Yen Yi‐Ting , Lai Wu‐Wei , Huang Wei‐Li , Chang Chao‐Chun , Tseng Yau‐Lin
Published: September 2021

Background

Studies regarding the outcomes of salvage lung resections of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)‐mutant advanced lung adenocarcinomas (ALAs) following treatment with EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are limited, hence the objective of this study was to investigate such outcomes.

Methods

A total of 29 patients with EGFR‐mutant ALA who underwent salvage surgery after EGFR‐TKI treatment from October 2013 through January 2019 were enrolled. The patients were divided into two groups according to the surgical indications. Their perioperative parameters and surgical outcomes, including progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), were then analyzed.

Results

The initial stages of the patients were stage IIIB (seven patients), IVA (17 patients), and IVB (five patients). Their surgical indications included residual tumor (25 patients) and progressive disease (PD) (four patients). They all underwent surgery via minimally invasive approaches and the median follow‐up was 33.9 months. Within that follow‐up duration, the median PFS after surgery was 36.4 months, and the median OS was still not reached. There were no significant differences in PFS or OS according to the different EGFR‐TKIs used, the different durations of EGFR‐TKI treatment before surgery, or the different surgical indications. However, the patients presenting with pleural seeding before EGFR‐TKI treatment had significantly poorer PFS and OS than the other patients (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Salvage surgery following EGFR‐TKI treatment of ALAs is a safe procedure with acceptable intra‐ and postoperative results. However, studies involving more cases and longer follow‐up periods are needed to clarify its benefits.

Key points

Salvage surgery following EGFR‐TKI treatment of ALAs is a safe procedure with acceptable intra‐ and postoperative results.

Our results support the use of surgery following treatment with EGFR‐TKIs such as afatinib in advanced lung cancer.
Elevations of monocyte and neutrophils, and higher levels of granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor in peripheral blood in lung cancer patients
Authors: Yin Wencheng , Lv Jiaoyun , Yao Yanhong , Zhao Yang , He Ziyi , Wang Qiqi , Cui Liyan , Dai Hui
Published: September 2021

Introduction

Immune cells and molecules are considered as clinical biomarkers and potential targets for immunotherapy. Analyses of the composition of peripheral blood cells hold promise for providing a basis for diagnosing and prognosis lung cancer. In this study, we assessed correlations between immune cell subset profiles in peripheral blood and disease prognosis in patients with lung cancer.

Methods

One hundred and thirteen patients with lung cancer and 99 age‐matched healthy people were enrolled in this study. The percentage and cell count of monocytes, neutrophils, T cells, B cells, natural killer (NK), and NKT cells in peripheral blood were analyzed by flow cytometry or peripheral blood analyzer. Serum cytokines and colony‐stimulating factors were detected by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results

A reduction in antitumor NK cells (p < 0.0001) and an increase in the protumor MDSCs (p < 0.0001) were observed in the lung cancer patients compared with the controls. Monocyte counts were significantly higher in lung cancer patients with histories of smoking (p < 0.05) or drinking (p < 0.01) than in patients with no relevant history or healthy controls. The number of neutrophils and the neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR) were particularly higher in patients with liver metastasis (p < 0.01) compared with no metastasis patients or healthy controls. Levels of the monocyte‐derived cytokine interleukin‐6 (p < 0.05), granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF) (p < 0.0001), and granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF) (p < 0.0001) were higher in patients than in controls. G‐CSF levels decreased during the remission phase (p < 0.05), and positively correlated with carbohydrate antigen 19–9 (p < 0.05) and gene mutation (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Monocyte and neutrophil counts were higher in peripheral blood in lung cancer patients than in controls, especially when patients had histories of smoking, drinking, and liver metastasis. Serum levels of G‐CSF and GM‐CSF were higher in lung cancer patients, and G‐CSF levels positively correlated with disease severity.
Pests of Australian dairy pastures: distribution, seasonality and potential impacts on pasture production
Authors: Umina Paul A , Kemp Stuart , Babineau Marielle , Maino James L , Roberts Isobel , Govender Alana , McDonald Garrick , Popay Alison J , Hume David E , Hardwick Scott , Richards Nicola K , Reynolds Olivia , Chirgwin Evatt
Published: September 2021

The dairy industry provides an important contribution to the Australian economy, but its productivity relies on grass pastures that suffer significant damage from invertebrate pests. Managing these pests remains a challenge as information on their abundance and impact is only available for a handful of taxa in a few Australian dairy regions. In this study, we undertook an extensive survey of above‐ and below‐ground pest communities across seven dairy regions in south‐eastern Australia by repeatedly sampling 57 paddocks in 2017 and 2018. We then applied energetic models to estimate the amount of metabolisable energy produced by pastures that are potentially consumed by pests. Our survey indicates that dairy farmers encounter a similar composition of above‐ground pests in most sampled regions, with a few pests, especially Sminthurus viridis (lucerne flea) and Rhopalosiphum padi (bird cherry‐oat aphid), dominating pest communities. Below‐ground pests were more variable between regions and are more likely to require region‐specific control strategies. Our energetic modelling suggests that pests consume a threefold greater percentage of metabolisable energy produced by pastures during autumn than spring. S. viridis and R. padi were among the most economically important pests across all regions and seasons, while other pests, including several species of scarabs and the small pointed snail, Prietocella barbara, were predicted to be particularly damaging in specific regions. Together, our field survey and energetic modelling provide baseline information to assist dairy farmers manage invertebrate pests and help guide future research in the Australian dairy industry.
Current allergy educational needs in primary care. Results of the EAACI working group on primary care survey exploring the confidence to manage and the opportunity to refer patients with allergy
Authors: Cabrera Martha , Ryan Dermot , Angier Elisabeth , Losappio Laura , Flokstra ‐ de Blok Bertine M. J. , Gawlik Radoslaw , Purushotam Dan , Bosnic‐Anticevich Sinthia
Published: September 2021

The aim of this survey was to explore the specific educational needs of a cohort of European GPs with regards to allergy training so that future educational initiatives may better support the delivery of allergy services in primary care. Method: This study took the form of a cross‐sectional observational study in which a structured electronic questionnaire was distributed to primary care providers, in eight languages, across 8 European countries between September 2019 and November 2019. Data associated with demographic parameters, professional qualifications, type of employment, level of confidence regarding competencies for diagnosis and treatment of allergic diseases, referral of patients to allergist and preferred method of learning and assessment were collected. A 5‐point Likert scale was used to assess level of confidence. Exploratory analysis was carried out. Results: A total of 687 responses were available for analysis, with 99.3% of responders working within Europe. 70.1% of participants were female; and 48.0% and 48.0% of participants respectively had received some undergraduate and/or postgraduate allergy education. Confidence in dealing with different aspect of allergy management differed between countries. The main reason for specialist referral was a perceived need for tertiary assessment (54.3%), and the main barrier for referral was the consideration that the patient's condition could be appropriately diagnosed and treated in a primary care facility. Up to 44.7% and 55.3% of participants reported that they preferred e‐Learning over traditional learning. Conclusions: This study identified the specific areas of skills training and educational needs of GPs in managing allergic conditions in primary care, and provided insights into possible strategies for more feasible and cost‐effective approaches.
Sustainability disclosures in emerging economies: Evidence from human capital disclosures on listed banks' websites in Bangladesh
Authors: Absar Mir Mohammed Nurul , Dhar Bablu Kumar , Mahmood Monowar , Emran Md.
Published: September 2021

A company reports its most important resource—human capital (HC) under the social sustainability disclosures as per the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards. Based on stakeholder theory, the study examines the level of voluntary HC disclosures (HCD) in the websites of all the 30 listed banks of Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), Bangladesh. Applying content analysis with a comprehensive 30‐item disclosure index shows that the intensity of HC disclosure on banks' websites is very stumpy in Bangladesh's context. Employee training was found as the highest disclosed item. In contrast, no bank has disclosed information about HC's financial values, employees' age profile, employee education, whistleblower policy, trade union activity, employee satisfaction, employee attrition, employee disability, HR designated section, and child labor. In this age of information, the HC disclosure index formulated in this study can be used as a replica by the banks of Bangladesh and other emerging economies to improve their voluntary HCD practices through the websites. The present study adds to the existing HCD literature, where there has been a divergent lack of research on corporate websites.
Respiratory diseases in patients with bed bugs
Authors: Sheele Johnathan M.
Published: September 2021

Introduction

Some arthropods such as cockroaches can exacerbate asthma, but it is unknown is this is true of bed bugs.

Objectives

The objective of this work is to determine if bronchospastic diseases like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) would be higher for ED patients who have bed bug infestation compared with patients who do not have bed bug infestation.

Methods

A case–control study was performed with 332 adult emergency department (ED) patients with bed bug infestation and 4952 without infestation. Univariable and multivariable regression analysis was performed.

Results and Conclusion

Patients with bed bug infestation were not more likely to have a past history of or an ED diagnosis of asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, bed bug infested patients were significantly more likely to undergo chest radiography, be admitted to the hospital, and receive albuterol in the ED (P < 0.05). Infested patients receiving albuterol in the ED were more likely to be admitted to the hospital compared with uninfested patients receiving albuterol (P < 0.001). Patients with an ED or inpatient diagnosis of asthma or COPD and bed bugs (compared with those without bed bugs) had significantly more ED visits during the study (P < 0.03). Bed bug infestations may be associated with respiratory pathology, which requires further investigation.
The use of state‐and‐transition models in assessing management success
Authors: Sato Chloe F. , Lindenmayer David B.
Published: September 2021

State‐and‐transition models (STM) are valuable tools that aid understanding and management of ecosystems. There also is potential for STMs to be used as a framework to assess whether management actions are achieving desired conservation objectives. However, few published examples exist where STMs have been used in this way. Using high‐quality empirical field data collected in endangered temperate woodlands across a 6‐year period, we explore whether a Box Gum Grassy Woodland STM employed in an Australian agri‐environment scheme can be used to assess whether management interventions are achieving an improvement in woodland Condition State. We found there was insufficient contextual information in the STM to facilitate its robust use as a framework for assessing whether management interventions were achieving conservation outcomes in Box Gum Grassy Woodlands. Weather was a key driver influencing management effectiveness, but its effects were absent from the STM, as were probabilities and time frames for transitions between Condition States. The deficiencies in the STM may preclude accurate conclusions about the effectiveness of the program. Given the influence of weather on the system, longer time frames are required to adequately assess the influence of management on key variables (e.g., native plant richness, native ground cover) underpinning the STM. This case study provides opportunities to understand the potential implications of using insufficiently contextualized STMs as frameworks for assessing whether management actions are achieving desired conservation objectives. It also provides opportunities to learn from what went wrong. To this end, based on our findings, we provide practical recommendations (applicable beyond our case study system) for improving the construction and implementation of STMs for the purposes of evaluating the success of management interventions in ecological restoration and conservation programs.
Can direct oral anticoagulants be used in kidney transplant recipients?
Authors: Parker Kathrine , Chu Janette , Morton Muir , Bhutani Shiv , Picton Michael , Mitra Sandip , Thachil Jecko
Published: September 2021

Background

: Kidney transplant recipients(KTRs) are at an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and atrial fibrillation(AF). Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have shown important advantages over vitamin K antagonists; however, in KTRs, concerns regarding interactions and use in severe kidney disease may limit their use. This evaluation describes a large UK kidney transplant center's experience of DOACs in KTRs with CrCl > 15 mL/min.

Methods

Electronic records were reviewed for all adult KTRs at Manchester University Foundation Trust Hospitals taking DOACs between January 2018 and October 2020 with VTE or AF. The primary outcome was trough and peak DOAC levels within the expected reference ranges and secondary outcomes included bleeding and thrombotic events.

Results

In 31 KTRs taking DOACS, eight patients had a CrCl < 30 mL/min. Overall, 94% (62/66) of DOAC levels were within the recommended ranges. There were no thrombotic events and four bleeding events (two major and two clinically relevant non‐major bleeds). The overall bleeding rate was 6.9 per 100 patient‐years at risk.

Conclusions

There was no evidence of a significant interaction of apixaban or rivaroxaban with CNIs based on expected DOAC and CNI levels. Their use was found to be safe and effective with no VTE events and bleeding episodes similar to published trial data.
Epilepsy and cannabis: so near, yet so far
Authors: Kirkpatrick Martin , O'callaghan Finbar
Published: September 2021

Following media attention on children with refractory epilepsies reportedly deriving benefit from cannabis‐based medicinal products (CBMPs), the UK government changed the law in 2018 so that CBMPs could be legally prescribed. Subsequently, a pure cannabidiol (CBD) product has been licensed for two epilepsy syndromes. However, despite pressure from campaign groups and allied politicians, almost no children have received unlicensed CBMPs under the UK NHS. This review explores the science behind CBMPs in paediatric epilepsies and highlights the areas that warrant further research. It identifies a lack of level I evidence for efficacy and safety as, currently, the major obstacle to prescribing. Unlicensed medicines are often used in paediatrics but almost all are used ‘off‐label’, with supporting evidence of efficacy and safety derived either from other age‐groups or from disease conditions. CBMPs, except for pure CBD, are unique in that they are currently both unlicensed and fall outside the ‘off‐label’ category. The review acknowledges the treatment gap in refractory epilepsies and the potential use of CBMPs. However, it argues against exceptionally circumventing the usual standard of evidence required by regulatory prescribing authorities and warns against allowing vulnerable children to become the ‘trojan horse’ for deregulation of the commercial cannabis market.
Echoing and re‐echoing refugee policies in the international system: The Lebanese state and its political imaginary
Authors: Fakhoury Tamirace
Published: September 2021

This article sets out to contribute to the debate on how Arab refugee hosting states, generally regarded as norm recipients and recalcitrant implementers of refugee law, have sought to shape, localize, and reconfigure understandings and practices of asylum. More broadly, it also hints at how states draw on the question of asylum to craft “political imaginaries” defined as certain ways of seeing, representing, and enacting the political to entrench power structures and strategies of governance. Drawing on the example of Lebanon, traditionally considered as a peripheral actor in the Euro‐Mediterranean migration system, I explore how the small state has recast the understandings of refugee reception and resisted some prescriptions for refugee solutions. In doing so, the Lebanese polity, I argue, has twinned its refugee politics with a broader logic of governmentality vying on sectarian and geopolitical imaginings.
Mapping and contesting peer selection in digitalized public sector benchmarking
Authors: Chua Wai Fong , Graaf Johan , Kraus Kalle
Published: September 2021

This paper investigates the influence of digitalization on different modes of peer selection in public sector benchmarking. We do so in the context of a field study of the impact of “Kolada”—a digital database and benchmarking device comparing the performance of Swedish municipalities. We find that the municipal quality controllers often used algorithmically selected peer groups to identify “pure” performance gaps for a range of performance indicators. Politicians, departmental managers, and the citizenry, however, continued to prefer benchmarking against neighboring municipalities. Drawing on Gieryn's concept of cultural cartography, differences in peer selection are characterized as a form of credibility contest between digitally generated and local maps. Our paper contributes to the literature in three main ways. First, we demonstrate how peer selection involves a mutual interplay between new digitally generated, abstract maps of performance and local cartographic legacies sustained by complex social attachments. Second, our paper illustrates the importance of often overlooked social ties informing processes of peer selection, highlighting the importance of professional ties, neighborly familiarity, and affective relations. Third, our paper characterizes the power of “native truths.” More generally, our paper indicates the epistemic authority of digital “truths” is contestable and may be resisted. Ultimately, the coexistence of “old” and new epistemic maps confers choice, which contributes to the legitimacy of new technologies enabling digitalized benchmarking to persist in shifting and locally meaningful ways.
Fatigue life prediction and effects of cerium oxide‐filled vulcanized natural rubber on fatigue life under multiaxial loading
Authors: Pan Zheng , Lai Yaling , Wang Yanping , Duan Wuwei , Qiao Yu , Liu Yuanwen , Song Chengkai
Published: September 2021

In this study, a rubber dumbbell cylindrical tube specimen is used as an example to study the effect of cerium oxide on the multiaxial fatigue life of vulcanized natural rubber (rb) under different strain amplitudes and different loading paths. The cracking energy density (CED), strain energy density (SED), Smith–Watson–Topper (SWT), Chen–Xu–Huang (CXH), and Fatemi–Socie fatigue life prediction models were used to evaluate the experimental data. The results show that the multiaxial fatigue life of the specimen increases with decreasing strain amplitude, the loading path has a significant influence on the life of rb, the SWT model and the CXH model have good prediction results for both materials, and the filling of cerium oxide can improve the fatigue resistance of vulcanized natural rubber.