bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Farm diversification efforts, (open) innovation networks and performance: what is the connection?
Authors: Dias Claudia , Rodrigues Ricardo Gouveia , Ferreira João J.
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Based on farm diversification's conventional and unconventional nature, the study intends to discriminate different profiles of farm diversification businesses. Furthermore, this study analyses the links between farm diversification efforts, (open) innovation networks as well as the environmental performance (EP) and financial performance (FP) of farms.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire was administered through personal interviews with 160 fresh fruit farmers in an inland Portuguese region. Linear regression, latent class analysis (LCA) and multinomial logistic regression were used.

Findings

There are significant differences between the levels of diversification, performance and participation in (open) innovation networks of the three classes of farmers discriminated. Different types of diversification efforts and (open) innovation networks influence EP and FP, while FP and R&D projects are associated with the likelihood of being part of a farm diversification class. Moreover, this study shows that innovation networks, promoted by specialized agricultural advisors and R&D projects, are important forms of open innovation in the agricultural sector.

Research limitations/implications

The study contributes to understanding the agricultural sector's diversification efforts and (open) innovation networks and their association with EP and FP. The conventional or unconventional nature of farm diversification was self-reported.

Practical implications

European and local institutions are advised to develop more R&D programs directed to farmers, including environmental and financial issues, besides comprising agricultural and non-agricultural diversification.

Originality/value

This study provides new insights to understand the association between diversification efforts, (open) innovation networks and agricultural businesses' performance.
Review of Tsunami early warning system and coastal resilience with a focus on Indian Ocean
Authors: Pal Indrajit , Ghosh Subhajit , Dash Itesh , Mukhopadhyay Anirban
Published: December 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to provide a general overview of the international Tsunami warning system mandated by the United Nations, particularly on cataloging past studies and a strategic focus in the Indian Ocean, particularly on the Bay of Bengal region.

Design/methodology/approach

Present research assimilates the secondary non-classified data on the Tsunami warning system installed in the Indian Ocean. Qualitative review and exploratory research methodology have been followed to provide a holistic profile of the Tsunami rarly warning system (TEWS) and its role in coastal resilience.

Findings

The study finds the need for strategic focus to expand and interlink regional early warning cooperation mechanisms and partnerships to enhance capacities through cooperation and international assistance and mobilize resources necessary to maintain the TEWS in the Indian Ocean region. The enhanced capacity of the TEWS certainly improves the resilience of Indian Ocean coastal communities and infrastructures.

Originality/value

The study is original research and useful for policy planning and regional cooperation on data interlinkages for effective TEWS in the Indian Ocean region.
Pathways towards Green Banking adoption: moderating role of top management commitment
Authors: Bukhari Syed Asim Ali , Hashim Fathyah , Amran Azlan
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to empirically examine the determinants and outcomes of Green Banking adoption and the moderating influence of top management commitment under the corporate environmental ethics ideology. External stakeholder pressures are analyzed as determinants of Green Banking adoption. Brand image and operational efficiency are examined as outcomes of this business ideology. Green Banking adoption is adapted as a second-order construct with four first-order reflective constructs to ensure in-depth conceptualization of the construct.

Design/methodology/approach

Green Banking adoption is studied at the bank branch level in a developing country, i.e. Pakistan. The data is collected from the branch managers of 212 bank branches from five major cities of Pakistan through mails. Self-administered survey was used for the data collection. The data was analyzed through the application of partial least square-structured equation modeling in SMART PLS 3.2.9. The measurement model and the structural model of the research framework were analyzed through the two-stage approach of the second-order analysis.

Findings

The results indicate a positive relationship between customer and competitor pressure and Green Banking adoption among bank branches in Pakistan depicting an influence of various environmental ethical pressures on bank’s adoption practices. Community pressure was shown to have no significant influence on Green Banking adoption at the branch level. The moderator of top management commitment caused a positive influence on the relationship between all the studied stakeholder pressures and Green Banking adoption. Branch managers reported branch image and operational efficiency to be enhanced due to Green Banking adoption.

Originality/value

This study attempts to fill in the significant gap in Green Banking adoption literature through an empirical analysis of Green Banking’s second-order construct. Currently, limited literature exists on the various aspects of Green Banking adoption, and an empirical study has not been conducted at the bank branch level. The study contributes significant practical, theoretical and methodological contributions to the area of Green Banking.
Power, shared goals and supplier flexibility: a study of the HUB-and-spoke supply chain
Authors: Liu Gordon , Aroean Lukman , Ko Wai Wai
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Supplier flexibility reflects a supplier's operations-related decisions in responsively providing the necessary inputs to the focal firm. Drawing on resource-dependency theory and transaction cost economics, this study develops a conceptual framework to explain the differential effects of a focal firm's power over supplier flexibility in the context of the hub-and-spoke supply chain (SC). This study also considers the goals shared between the focal firm and its suppliers as an important contingency factor within the framework.

Design/methodology/approach

This study tests the proposed conceptual framework using dyadic survey data from a hub-and-spoke SC consisting of a large construction contractor and its 100 suppliers in Indonesia.

Findings

The findings show that coercive power has an inverted U-shaped effect on supplier flexibility, while legal-legitimate power has a U-shaped effect. Furthermore, shared goals positively moderate the U-shaped effect between legal-legitimate power and supplier flexibility.

Originality/value

This study differentiates between the impacts of coercive power and legal-legitimate power on supplier flexibility in the hub-and-spoke SC. It also demonstrates that shared goals play a moderating role in affecting the impacts of legal-legitimate power on supplier flexibility. These findings also have important implications with regard to integrating resource-dependency theory and transaction cost economics to explain these associations.
The mediating effects of student satisfaction on technostress–performance expectancy relationship in university students
Authors: Abd Aziz Nurul Nadia , Aziz Mohd Amar , Abd Rahman Noor Amira Syazwani
Published: December 2021

Purpose

This study aimed to explore the technostress effects on the students' expectancy in their academic performance. Three main factors were used as predictors, namely techno-complexity (TC), techno-insecurity (TIS) and techno-overload (TO), to measure the students' performance expectancy via the mediating effects of student satisfaction (SS).

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 234 survey-based online questionnaires were filled by students from Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM). Based on the data, the hypothetical model was tested statistically using the Partial Least Square–Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM), specifically the Smart Partial Least Square (SmartPLS) version 3.3.2.

Findings

The results indicated that SS mediated the relationship between TC, TIS and performance expectancy. Nevertheless, the two predictors (TC and TIS) negatively affected SS, whereas SS positively affected the performance expectancy. The findings further revealed that reducing TC and TIS could increase SS and their expectancy to achieve better academic performance.

Practical implications

This study proposed that higher learning institutions provide an innovative and user-friendly platform for the online learning environment. Consequently, this improvement could increase SS with the online learning experience and motivate them to expect better academic achievement.

Originality/value

This study also contributed to the existing literature by building and testing a technostress model and articulating the inter-relations between SS and performance expectancy.
The mediating effect of mindfulness and self-compassion on leaders' communication competence and job satisfaction
Authors: Ramos Salazar Leslie
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the interrelationships between leaders' communication competence, mindfulness, self-compassion and job satisfaction. Barge and Hirokawa's (1989) communication-centered theoretical approach of leadership and Gilbert's (2005) social mentality offered frameworks to examine mindfulness and self-compassion as co-mediators of the relationship between business leaders' communication competence and job satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional online survey was conducted with 219 business leaders in the USA via snowball sampling.

Findings

The results showed that communication competence served as an antecedent of mindfulness and self-compassion. Additionally, self-compassion served as a significant mediator between the positive relationship between communication competence and job satisfaction.

Practical implications

Managers and business leaders may gain insights about the benefit of developing self-compassion and communication competence skills to enhance their job satisfaction via courses, workshops and certifications.

Originality/value

This study is the first to examine the effect of two well-being constructs (self-compassion and mindfulness) on the relationship between leaders' communication competence and job satisfaction.
Understanding the development of a common social identity between expatriates and host country nationals
Authors: Mumtaz Sana , Nadeem Sadia
Published: December 2021

Purpose

This article examines the impact of expatriates' interaction adjustment and conducive work environment (i.e. trust, shared vision and intercultural communication) on the development of a common social identity between expatriates and host country nationals (HCNs) using the social identity theory (SIT). It also investigates whether increased trust, shared vision and intercultural communication mediate the relationship between expatriates' interaction adjustment and development of a common social identity.

Design/methodology/approach

Dyadic data were collected from 93 Chinese expatriates and 239 Pakistani HCNs using a three-wave time-lag design. A multilevel model was estimated using Bayesian estimation technique in the Mplus software.

Findings

Empirical evidence suggests an inverse relationship between expatriates' interaction adjustment and the development of a common social identity between expatriates and HCNs. Further, trust and intercultural communication led to a positive impact on the group memberships between expatriates and HCNs. However, no support was found regarding the mediating role of trust, shared vision and intercultural communication in this empirical research.

Originality/value

The existing literature focuses mainly on change experiences of expatriates during international assignments. However, the current study goes beyond this and investigates the individualized change experiences of HCNs. Further, empirical evidence in this research found a negative relationship between expatriates' interaction adjustment and the development of a common social identity between expatriates and HCNs, which needs to be examined further.
Flood hazard mapping and analysis under climate change using hydro-dynamic model and RCPs emission scenario in Woybo River catchment of Ethiopia
Authors: Ukumo Tigistu Yisihak , Abebe Adane , Lohani Tarun Kumar , Edamo Muluneh Legesse
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to prepare flood hazard map and show the extent of flood hazard under climate change scenarios in Woybo River catchment. The hydraulic model, Hydrologic Engineering Center - River Analysis System (HEC-RAS) was used to simulate the floods under future climate scenarios. The impact of climate changes on severity of flooding was evaluated for the mid-term (2041–2070) and long-term (2071–2100) with relative to a baseline period (1971–2000).

Design/methodology/approach

Future climate scenarios were constructed from the bias corrected outputs of five regional climate models and the inflow hydrographs for 10, 25, 50 and 100 years design floods were derived from the flow which generated from HEC-hydrological modeling system; that was an input for the HEC-RAS model to generate the flood hazard maps in the catchment.

Findings

The results of this research show that 25.68% of the study area can be classified as very high hazard class while 28.56% of the area is under high hazard. It was also found that 20.20% is under moderate hazard and about 25.56% is under low hazard class in future under high emission scenario. The projected area to be flooded in far future relative to the baseline period is 66.3 ha of land which accounts for 62.82% from the total area. This study suggested that agricultural/crop land located at the right side of the Woybo River near the flood plain would be affected more with the 25, 50 and 100 years design floods.

Originality/value

Multiple climate models were assessed properly and the ensemble mean was used to prepare flood hazard map using HEC-RAS modeling.
Suppression of pheromone biosynthesis and mating behavior by RNA interference of pheromone gland‐specific fatty acyl reductase in Maruca vitrata
Authors: Cha Wook Hyun , Lee Dae‐Weon
Published: December 2021

In moths, various enzymes, such as fatty acid synthases, fatty acyl desaturases, and fatty acyl reductases (FARs), are involved in pheromone biosynthesis. In particular, pheromone gland‐specific FAR (pgFAR) plays an important role in converting the functional group from carboxylic to alcohol during pheromone biosynthesis. A novel pgFAR of Maruca vitrata, Mvi‐pgFAR, was identified through transcriptome sequencing of its pheromone gland. To investigate the involvement of Mvi‐pgFAR in pheromone biosynthesis, Mvi‐pgFAR was cloned from the pheromone gland and suppressed by RNA interference (RNAi). Mvi‐pgFAR harbored several conserved motifs related to NAD(P)H‐binding, N‐glycosylation, and adenosine / guanosine triphosphate binding. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Mvi‐pgFAR with other lepidopteran pgFARs formed an independent clade. Mvi‐pgFAR was specifically expressed only in the pheromone gland. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction showed that the diurnal expression levels of Mvi‐pgFAR in the pheromone gland were the highest at 2 h before the scotophase. After primarily confirming Mvi‐pgFAR suppression by RNAi, (E,E)‐10,12‐hexadecadienal (E10E12‐16:Ald), a major sex pheromone component, was quantified by gas chromatography. When Mvi‐pgFAR was successfully suppressed, E10E12‐16:Ald production was reduced by up to half of that of the control, and the mating rate was subsequently decreased. Our results demonstrate that Mvi‐pgFAR downregulation can suppress mating behavior by changing the relative sex pheromone component ratio, suggesting that Mvi‐pgFAR can be used as a novel control target.
Attracting accounting and finance graduate talent – beyond the Big Four
Authors: Jackson Denise , Richardson Julia , Michelson Grant , Munir Rahat
Published: December 2021

This study responds to ongoing challenges with recruiting quality graduate talent in the accounting/finance industry, critical given transforming labour market requirements. Drawing on Person‐Organisation Fit (POF) theory, we explore what attracts 475 Accounting/Finance students to graduate roles, their preferences for different organisation types, and influences on career decision‐making. Supporting earlier work, we evidence dominating preferences for ‘Big Four’ firms yet discern several appealing features of other organisational types and important intrinsic and extrinsic factors in decision‐making. Findings inform stakeholder strategies to support students for sustainable careers in different accounting/finance contexts and improve the recruitment outcomes of all organisation types in the industry.
A transit state
Authors: EL‐SHAARAWI NADIA
Published: December 2021

For Iraqi refugees in Cairo, third‐country resettlement offers a possible alternative to conditions of exile that they describe as “living in transit.” Yet resettlement—in which refugees are “selected and transferred” by a third country that offers them residence and, usually, citizenship—is available to less than 1 percent of refugees. A scholarly focus on already‐resettled refugees obscures the resettlement process's larger social and political effects in places where seeking resettlement may take years, shaping life in exile and simultaneously rendering mobility, and citizenship, both possible and unlikely. Ethnographically, this article follows refugees from the US‐led war in Iraq as they navigate the resettlement process, a process that places contradictory demands on them and evokes its own ambivalences. Centering Iraqis’ experiences of seeking resettlement troubles its designation as a “durable solution” and reveals ambivalence not only about bureaucratic processes but also about the very possibility of humanitarian solutions to displacement. [refugees, resettlement, humanitarianism, displacement, ambivalence, Iraq, Egypt]
Letter: evaluation and proposed reclassification of HCC prediction model of Tahata et al. in chronic hepatitis C genotype 4 patient. Authors’ reply
Authors: Tahata Yuki , Sakamori Ryotaro , Yamada Ryoko , Kodama Takahiro , Hikita Hayato , Hagiwara Hideki , Imai Yasuharu , Hiramatsu Naoki , Tamura Shinji , Yamamoto Keiji , Oshita Masahide , Ohkawa Kazuyoshi , Hijioka Taizo , Fukui Hiroyuki , Ito Toshifumi , Doi Yoshinori , Yamada Yukinori , Yakushijin Takayuki , Yoshida Yuichi , Tatsumi Tomohide , Takehara Tetsuo ,   and the Osaka Liver Forum
Published: December 2021

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Tahata et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16632 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16704
Comparison of minimal residual disease measurement by multicolour flow cytometry and PCR for fusion gene transcripts in infants with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia with KMT2A gene rearrangements
Authors: Popov Alexander , Tsaur Grigory , Verzhbitskaya Tatiana , Riger Tatiana , Permikin Zhan , Demina Anna , Mikhailova Ekaterina , Shorikov Egor , Arakaev Oleg , Streneva Olga , Khlebnikova Olga , Makarova Olga , Miakova Natalia , Fominikh Veronika , Boichenko Elmira , Kondratchik Konstantin , Ponomareva Natalia , Novichkova Galina , Karachunskiy Alexander , Fechina Larisa
Published: December 2021

This study aimed to evaluate the concordance between minimal residual disease (MRD) results obtained by multicolour flow cytometry (MFC) and polymerase chain reaction for fusion gene transcripts (FGTs) in infants with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) associated with rearrangement of the KMT2A gene (KMT2A‐r). A total of 942 bone marrow (BM) samples from 123 infants were studied for MFC‐MRD and FGT‐MRD. In total, 383 samples (40.7%) were concordantly MRD‐negative. MRD was detected by the two methods in 441 cases (46.8%); 99 samples (10.5%) were only FGT‐MRD‐positive and 19 (2.0%) were only MFC‐MRD‐positive. A final concordance rate of 87.4% was established. Most discordance occurred if residual leukaemia was present at levels close to the sensitivity limits. Neither the type of KMT2A fusion nor a new type of treatment hampering MFC methodology had an influence on the concordance rate. The prognostic value of MFC‐MRD and FGT‐MRD differed. MFC‐MRD was able to identify a rapid response at early time‐points, whereas FGT‐MRD was a reliable relapse predictor at later treatment stages. Additionally, the most precise risk definition was obtained when combining the two methods. Because of the high comparability in results, these two rather simple and inexpensive approaches could be good options of high clinical value.
Documenting Diaspora, Diasporising Memory: Memory and Mediation among Chilean and UruguayanHijxs del exilio
Authors: Levey Cara
Published: December 2021

Addressing the absence of second‐generation exiles from Southern Cone post‐dictatorship memory scholarship, this paper compares two documentaries:Hora Chilena, about the British‐Chilean community andTus padres volverán, depicting Uruguayan exiles across Europe – both made by and/or about theno retornadxs(those who did not return to their countries of origin after dictatorship). The paper deploys documentary to offer a nuanced depiction of thehijxs del exilio(children of exile), finding them to be distinct to both the protagonist generation and their second‐generation peers in the Southern Cone. By incorporating neglected voices and reframing post‐dictatorship memory in Europe, the paper challenges memory narratives about second‐generation exile.
Mapping the uneven geographies of digital phenomena: The case of blockchain
Authors: Zook Matthew , McCanless Michael
Published: December 2021

Key messages

Grounding practices within the materiality of geography is an important technique for studying the complexity of digital phenomena.

The DIGO (Discourses, Infrastructures, Groupings, and Outcomes) framework uses these categories to guide data selection for locating digital phenomenon in material geographies.

This article applies the DIGO framework to blockchain (using data about tweets, miners, firms, and ICOs) to show how this digital practice connects to and across material geographies.
Does the geometry of scan bodies affect the alignment accuracy of computer‐aided design in implant digital workflow: An in vitro study?
Authors: Pan Yu , Tsoi James K. H. , Lam Walter Y. H. , Chen Zhuofan , Pow Edmond H. N.
Published: December 2021

Objectives

To compare 2 implant scan bodies with different geometry on the accuracy of the virtual alignment process in the digital workflow.

Materials and Methods

A master model of the edentulous maxilla with 6 implants and multiunit abutments (MUA) inserted was fabricated. Six dome‐shaped and cuboidal scan bodies were mounted on the MUAs, respectively, and consecutively scanned by a laboratory scanner 10 times. The original scans were imported to a dental‐specific CAD software and virtually aligned with the default CAD model in the implant library. Thus, 10 aligned models were created. Both the original scans and the aligned models were evaluated by an inspection software for deviation of the scan body surfaces, the centroids of scan body and MUA, the scan body center‐axis, and the inter‐MUA distances/angles. The two‐sample T‐test/Mann–Whitney U test were used to analyze the data with the level of significance set at 0.05.

Results

The cuboidal group showed significant greater deviations of the model surface (13.9 µm vs. 10.7 µm) and the MUA centroids (31.7 µm vs. 22.8 µm) but smaller deviation of the inter‐MUA angle (0.047° vs. 0.070°) than those of the dome‐shaped group (p < .05). No significant differences in the deviation of scan body centroids, center‐axis, and the inter‐MUA distances between the 2 groups were found.

Conclusions

Virtual alignment of implant scan body affected the accuracy of the digital workflow for complete‐arch implant‐supported prostheses (up to ~30 µm/0.09°). Different geometries of the implant scan body could also influence the transfer accuracy in the CAD process.
Suppression of adult cytogenesis in the rat brain leads to sex‐differentiated disruption of the HPA axis activity
Authors: Silveira‐Rosa Tiago , Mateus‐Pinheiro António , Correia Joana Sofia , Silva Joana Margarida , Martins‐Macedo Joana , Araújo Bruna , Machado‐Santos Ana Rita , Alves Nuno Dinis , Silva Mariana , Loureiro‐Campos Eduardo , Sotiropoulos Ioannis , Bessa João Miguel , Rodrigues Ana João , Sousa Nuno , Patrício Patrícia , Pinto Luísa
Published: December 2021

Objectives

The action of stress hormones, mainly glucocorticoids, starts and coordinates the systemic response to stressful events. The HPA axis activity is predicated on information processing and modulation by upstream centres, such as the hippocampus where adult‐born neurons (hABN) have been reported to be an important component in the processing and integration of new information. Still, it remains unclear whether and how hABN regulates HPA axis activity and CORT production, particularly when considering sex differences.

Materials and Methods

Using both sexes of a transgenic rat model of cytogenesis ablation (GFAP‐Tk rat model), we examined the endocrinological and behavioural effects of disrupting the generation of new astrocytes and neurons within the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG).

Results

Our results show that GFAP‐Tk male rats present a heightened acute stress response. In contrast, GFAP‐Tk female rats have increased corticosterone secretion at nadir, a heightened, yet delayed, response to an acute stress stimulus, accompanied by neuronal hypertrophy in the basal lateral amygdala and increased expression of the glucocorticoid receptors in the ventral DG.

Conclusions

Our results reveal that hABN regulation of the HPA axis response is sex‐differentiated.
Climate change impacts plant carbon balance, increasing mean future carbon use efficiency but decreasing total forest extent at dry range edges
Authors: Mathias Justin M. , Trugman Anna T.
Published: December 2021

Carbon use efficiency (CUE) represents how efficient a plant is at translating carbon gains through gross primary productivity (GPP) into net primary productivity (NPP) after respiratory costs (Ra). CUE varies across space with climate and species composition, but how CUE will respond to climate change is largely unknown due to uncertainty in Ra at novel high temperatures. We use a plant physiological model validated against global CUE observations and LIDAR vegetation canopy height data and find that model‐predicted decreases in CUE are diagnostic of transitions from forests to shrubland at dry range edges. Under future climate scenarios, we show mean growing season CUE increases in core forested areas, but forest extent decreases at dry range edges, with substantial uncertainty in absolute CUE due to uncertainty in Ra. Our results highlight that future forest resilience is nuanced and controlled by multiple competing mechanisms.
Decreasing relatedness among mycorrhizal fungi in a shared plant network increases fungal network size but not plant benefit
Authors: van 't Padje Anouk , Klein Malin , Caldas Victor , Oyarte Galvez Loreto , Broersma Cathleen , Hoebe Nicky , Sanders Ian R. , Shimizu Thomas , Kiers E. Toby
Published: December 2021

Theory suggests that relatives will cooperate more, and compete less, because of an increased benefit for shared genes. In symbiotic partnerships, hosts may benefit from interacting with highly related symbionts because there is less conflict among the symbionts. This has been difficult to test empirically. We used the arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis to study the effects of fungal relatedness on host and fungal benefits, creating fungal networks varying in relatedness between two hosts, both in soil and in‐vitro. To determine how fungal relatedness affected overall transfer of nutrients, we fluorescently tagged phosphorus and quantified resource distribution between two root systems. We found that colonization by less‐related fungi was associated with increased fungal growth, lower transport of nutrients across the network, and lower plant benefit ‐ likely an outcome of increased fungal competition. More generally, we demonstrate how symbiont relatedness can mediate benefits of symbioses.
Functional traits explain the consistent resistance of biodiversity to plant invasion under nitrogen enrichment
Authors: Li Shao‐peng , Jia Pu , Fan Shu‐ya , Wu Yingtong , Liu Xiang , Meng Yani , Li Yue , Shu Wen‐sheng , Li Jin‐tian , Jiang Lin
Published: December 2021

Elton's biotic resistance hypothesis, which posits that diverse communities should be more resistant to biological invasions, has received considerable experimental support. However, it remains unclear whether such a negative diversity–invasibility relationship would persist under anthropogenic environmental change. By using the common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) as a model invader, our 4‐year grassland experiment demonstrated consistently negative relationships between resident species diversity and community invasibility, irrespective of nitrogen addition, a result further supported by a meta‐analysis. Importantly, our experiment showed that plant diversity consistently resisted invasion simultaneously through increased resident biomass, increased trait dissimilarity among residents, and increased community‐weighted means of resource‐conservative traits that strongly resist invasion, pointing to the importance of both trait complementarity and sampling effects for invasion resistance even under resource enrichment. Our study provides unique evidence that considering species’ functional traits can help further our understanding of biotic resistance to biological invasions in a changing environment.
Ambulatory blood pressure and drug treatment for orthostatic hypotension as predictors of mortality in patients with multiple system atrophy
Authors: Pavy‐Le Traon Anne , Foubert‐Samier Alexandra , Ory‐Magne Fabienne , Fabbri Margherita , Senard Jean‐Michel , Meissner Wassilios G. , Rascol Olivier , Amar Jacques
Published: December 2021

Objectives

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a rare fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by parkinsonism, cerebellar ataxia and autonomic failure. This study was aimed at investigating possible associations between mortality, 24‐h blood pressure (BP) level and variability, and drug treatments for orthostatic hypotension (OH) in MSA patients.

Methods

A total of 129 patients followed at the French Reference Center for MSA who underwent routine 24‐h ambulatory BP monitoring were included. Unified MSA Rating Scale (UMSARS) scores, drug treatments and the occurrence and cause of death were recorded.

Results

Seventy patients died during follow‐up (2.9 ± 1.8 years), mainly from terminal illness, pulmonary or sudden death. Multivariate Cox regression analysis, after adjustment for gender, disease duration and severity (UMSARS I+II score), showed that increased daytime systolic BP variability, OH severity and OH drug treatment were independently correlated with mortality. OH treatment was associated with the risk of cardiac causes and/or sudden death (p = 0.01). In a fully adjusted model, male gender [(female vs. male) hazard ratio (HR) 0.56, 95% CI 0.34–0.94, p = 0.03], UMSARS I+II score (HR 1.04, 95% CI 1.02–1.06, p < 0.01), systolic BP daytime variability (HR 3.66, 95% CI 1.46–9.17, p < 0.01) and OH treatment (HR: 2.13, 95% CI 1.15–3.94, p = 0.02) predicted mortality.

Conclusions

Increased daytime BP variability and OH treatment were predictive of mortality in patients with MSA, independently from disease severity. Further studies are required to assess if these associations are explained by more severe autonomic dysfunction or if OH treatment exposes per se to a specific risk in this population.
Seasonal variation in emergent hemodialysis initiation in the late elderly: A single‐center study
Authors: Takayama Suguru , Sakurada Tsutomu , Shibagaki Yugo , Imai Naohiko
Published: December 2021

Background

The number of new dialysis patients, particularly among the elderly population, has been globally increasing. In Japan, patients aged ≥65 years and ≥75 years comprised 72% and 45% of patients on dialysis in 2018, respectively. Few studies have reported seasonal variations in the initiation of dialysis. We investigated the seasonal prevalence of the emergent hemodialysis initiation in the elderly.

Methods

We reviewed 479 elderly patients who initiated hemodialysis between January 2006 and December 2018. Early elderly patients were defined as patients aged between 65 and 74 years, and late elderly patients were defined as those aged ≥75 years. Emergent hemodialysis initiation was defined as initiation with a temporary vascular catheter without elective permanent vascular access or unplanned hemodialysis initiation due to patients requiring critical care regardless of elective permanent vascular access. The information collected included age, sex, and details of the initiation of hemodialysis.

Results

The early elderly group consisted of 199 patients, and the late elderly group consisted of 279 patients. In the late elderly group, hemodialysis initiation was most frequent in winter, followed by spring, autumn, and summer (p = 0.018). Moreover, emergent hemodialysis initiation was most frequent in winter, followed by spring, autumn, and summer (p = 0.009). Emergent hemodialysis initiation due to fluid overload was most frequent in winter, followed by autumn, spring, and summer (p < 0.001). Among late elderly patients who initiated hemodialysis, 78% did not have permanent hemodialysis access at the time of the initiation of hemodialysis.

Conclusion

In the late elderly group, hemodialysis initiation and emergent hemodialysis initiation were significantly more frequent in the winter than in the remaining seasons. In addition, emergent hemodialysis initiation due to fluid overload was most frequent in winter in the late elderly group.
Genealogies of exception: Writing histories of North‐East India
Authors: Sen Anandaroop
Published: December 2021

The North‐East in India is a shorthand for a territory built on violence, commodity extraction and exceptional laws. For years now, the region has nurtured a stygian discontent. However, instead of succumbing to the despair and disapproval of technocrats and security personnel such crises usually evokes, one can find political and analytical sustenance in such turbulent histories. Often in the histories of ‘failed’ states, ‘disturbed’ frontiers and borderlands, one finds cyphers to modern governance. In this sense, the North‐East is quite au courant. In this analytically productive sense, the essay will discuss the recent and older trends of historiographies of the North‐East. How is the North‐East located within South Asian historiography? How does it speak to academic collectives beyond the Indian/South Asian historiography? How does the political discord and potential of the region shape academic engagements? Answers to these questions will provide insight into the production and nature of academic silos or lumps as the North‐East simultaneously poses as a political problematic at the heart of Indian democracy and a component of an emergent field of South‐Asian, South‐East Asian and global scholarship.
Protein profile and antioxidant capacity of processed seeds from two common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivars
Authors: Rossi Gabriela Barbosa , Seraglio Siluana Katia Tischer , Honaiser Tuany Camila , Toaldo Isabela Maia , Costa Ana Carolina de Oliveira , Faria Josias Correa de , Arisi Ana Carolina Maisonnave
Published: December 2021

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) seeds are an economical protein source rich in bioactive compounds with antioxidant activity. In this work, we evaluated processed seeds from two common bean cultivars regarding protein profile and antioxidant capacity before and after enzymatic digestion in vitro. We provided protein maps by two‐dimensional electrophoresis (2‐DE) of seeds germinated during 36 h and 72 h. The principal component analysis (PCA) showed that protein abundance had more variation on germination times than the cultivar ones. Seeds germinated for 36 h showed greater antioxidant capacity compared to germination for 72 h and cooking, before and after enzymatic digestion. In protein isolates, cooking associated with digestion provided better antioxidant capacity. Germination time influences protein expression as well as the antioxidant capacity of common beans. Furthermore, in vitro digestion increases the antioxidant capacity of cooked bean protein isolates.
Enhanced anticancer effect of quercetin microparticles formulation obtained by spray drying
Authors: Caruana Roberto , Montalbano Francesco , Zizzo Maria Grazia , Puleio Roberto , Caldara Gaetano , Cicero Luca , Cassata Giovanni , Licciardi Mariano
Published: December 2021

This study unravels a formulation made of food‐based microparticles (MPs) able to control the release of quercetin, a natural anticancer compound, which activity is only limited by its poor aqueous solubility and consequent low bioavailability. To solve this issue, a spray‐dried micro delivery system was developed using a bench mini spray dryer B290 Buchi. The resulting MPs were only manufactured with food‐derived ingredients such as whey proteins and milk, avoiding the use of any other synthetic material. These microparticles were characterised with a testing campaign encompassing either the physical–chemical characterisation with SEM, DSC and DLS, or the technological and biological features with in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo studies, the latter being characterised by a human colon cancer xenograft model. These studies showed as the quercetin solubility and release rate improved when tested in condition mimicking oral administration, resulting in a general improvement of its bioavailability and the consequent anticancer activity. This study shows as the whey proteins may serves as natural adjuvant able to provide valuable technological features when used to manufactures micro carriers by spray drying.
Missed nursing care, nurse staffing levels and patient safety outcomes in low‐income country acute care settings: An observational study
Authors: Assaye Ashagre Molla , Wiechula Richard , Schultz Timothy J. , Feo Rebecca
Published: December 2021

Aims

The aim of this study was to measure the level of missed nursing care and determine its relationship with nurse staffing and patient safety outcomes in acute care settings in Ethiopia.

Background

Missed nursing care in hospitals increases the likelihood of patient adverse events, complications, disability and death. However, little is known about the level of missed nursing care and its impact on patient outcomes in low‐income countries.

Methods

An observational study was conducted comprising of a survey of nurses at two time points (n = 74 and 80, respectively) and a medical record review of 517 patients in four units across two hospitals between September 2018 and March 2019.

Results

The level of missed nursing care in the study units was very high. The hospital type and hours nurses worked during the last week were significantly associated with missed nursing care. A unit increase in missed nursing care score increased the incidence of adverse patient outcomes by 10%.

Conclusion

There was a higher level of missed nursing care in the study units compared with similar studies from high‐income countries. Higher level of missed nursing care was significantly associated with higher incidence of adverse patient safety outcomes.
Comparative proteome analysis identified CD44 as a possible serum marker for docetaxel resistance in castration‐resistant prostate cancer
Authors: Keresztes Dávid , Csizmarik Anita , Nagy Nikolett , Módos Orsolya , Fazekas Tamás , Bracht Thilo , Sitek Barbara , Witzke Kathrin , Puhr Martin , Sevcenco Sabina , Kramer Gero , Shariat Shahrokh , Küronya Zsófia , Takács László , Tornyi Ilona , Lázár József , Hadaschik Boris , Lászik András , Szűcs Miklós , Nyirády Péter , Szarvas Tibor
Published: December 2021

Baseline or acquired resistance to docetaxel (DOC) represents a significant risk for patients with metastatic prostate cancer (PC). In the last years, novel therapy regimens have been approved providing reasonable alternatives for DOC‐resistant patients making prediction of DOC resistance of great clinical importance. We aimed to identify serum biomarkers, which are able to select patients who will not benefit from DOC treatment. DOC‐resistant PC3‐DR and DU145‐DR sublines and their sensitive parental cell lines (DU145, PC3) were comparatively analyzed using liquid chromatography‐coupled tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS). Results were filtered using bioinformatics approaches to identify promising serum biomarkers. Serum levels of five proteins were determined in serum samples of 66 DOC‐treated metastatic castration‐resistant PC patients (mCRPC) using ELISA. Results were correlated with clinicopathological and survival data. CD44 was subjected to further functional cell culture analyses. We found at least 177 two‐fold significantly overexpressed proteins in DOC‐resistant cell lines. Our bioinformatics method suggested 11/177 proteins to be secreted into the serum. We determined serum levels of five (CD44, MET, GSN, IL13RA2 and LNPEP) proteins in serum samples of DOC‐treated patients and found high CD44 serum levels to be independently associated with poor overall survival (p = 0.001). In accordance, silencing of CD44 in DU145‐DR cells resulted in re‐sensitization to DOC. In conclusion, high serum CD44 levels may help identify DOC‐resistant patients and may thereby help optimize clinical decision‐making regarding type and timing of therapy for mCRPC patients. In addition, our in vitro results imply the possible functional involvement of CD44 in DOC resistance.
The effectiveness of in‐office dental bleaching with and without sonic activation: A randomized, split‐mouth, double‐blind clinical trial
Authors: de Moura Martins Leandro , de Azevedo Cardoso Gabriel Guedes , de Lima Liliane Motta , Rezende Marcia , Sutil Elisama , Reis Alessandra , Loguercio Alessandro D. , da Silva Luciana Mendonça
Published: December 2021

Objective

This study was aimed at comparing the bleaching efficacy and bleaching sensitivity (BS) of two higher‐concentration in‐office bleaching gels (37% carbamide peroxide [CP] and 38% hydrogen peroxide [HP]) applied under two conditions: alone or in association with sonic activation.

Methods

Fifty‐six volunteers were randomly assigned in the split‐mouth design into the following groups: CP, CP with sonic activation (CPS), HP, and HP with sonic activation (HPS). Two in‐office bleaching sessions were performed. Color was evaluated using Vita Classical, Vita Bleachedguide, and digital spectrophotometer at baseline and at 30 days post‐bleaching. Absolute risk and intensity of BS were recorded using two pain scales. All data were evaluated statistically (color changes [t test], BS [Chi‐square and McNemar test], and BS intensity [VAS; t test; NRS; Wilcoxon; α = 0.05]).

Results

Significant and higher whitening was observed for HP when compared with CP (p < 0.04). However, higher BS intensity was observed in the former (p < 0.001). No significant difference was observed in whitening effect or BS when the HP or CP bleaching gels were agitated (sonic application) compared with when they were not (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

The 37% CP gel demonstrated lower bleaching efficacy and lower BS compared with the 38% HP bleaching gel. The whitening effect was not influenced by the use of sonic activation.

Clinical significance

The use of 37% CP gel did not achieve the same whitening effect when compared to 38% HP gel used for in‐office bleaching. The use of sonic activation offers no benefit for in‐office bleaching.
Professional and psychological perceptions of emergency nurses during the COVID‐19 pandemic: A qualitative study
Authors: Kandemir Didem , Yılmaz Ayşegül , Sönmez Betül
Published: December 2021

Aim

To explore the changing roles and responsibilities, difficulties, feelings, and coping strategies of emergency nurses during the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Methods

This study was conducted as a qualitative study using a phenomenological approach. A total of 12 emergency nurses were recruited using purposive sampling from a COVID‐19‐designated hospital in Konya, Turkey for qualitative study. Data were collected through semi‐structured individual interviews in January 2021. The data were analyzed using the content analysis method with the MAXQDA 2020 software program. The study conforms to the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research checklist.

Results

Four theme categories emerged from the data analysis: (a) “Increasing roles and responsibilities as an emergency nurse”; (b) “Difficulties of working in pandemic conditions”; (c) “Emotional responses in the pandemic”; and (d) “Strategies for coping with the effects of the pandemic”. In this study, it was determined that emergency nurses had increased roles and responsibilities due to physicians being in the background, fulfilled their roles and responsibilities in a chaotic working environment, experienced many positive and negative feelings together or gradually, and applied individual coping strategies.

Conclusions

This study indicated that emergency nurses fulfilled their increasing roles and responsibilities on the frontlines in a chaotic working environment during the pandemic. Despite many negative feelings, it was determined that they tried to show psychological adjustment and resilience with a strong professional commitment and social support.
Detection of early myocardial cell death in owl monkeys (Aotus nancymai) using complement component C9 immunohistochemistry in formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded heart tissues: A retrospective study
Authors: Gozalo Alfonso S. , Lambert Lynn E. , Zerfas Patricia M. , Elkins William R.
Published: December 2021

Background

Owl monkeys are commonly used in biomedical research which is affected by the high incidence of cardiomyopathy in this species. Occasionally, owl monkeys with no clinical signs of heart disease are found dead and at necropsy show no, or very mild, cardiomyopathy. A possible explanation for sudden death is acute myocardial infarction; however, early myocardial changes may be difficult to assess by conventional stains and light microscopy.

Methods

Complement component C9 immunohistochemistry was performed in paraffin‐embedded heart tissue samples from owl monkeys who died suddenly, or were euthanized due to sickness, to determine whether these animals suffered from acute myocardial infarcts.

Results and Conclusion

C9 deposits were found in the myocardium of 19 out of 20 (95%) animals. The findings in this study suggest owl monkeys suffer from acute myocardial infarcts, and complement component C9 immunohistochemistry may be a useful diagnostic tool.