bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determining inland logistics service attributes: a case study of Chinese landlocked regions
Authors: Kuo Szu-Yu , Yang Ching-Chiao , Lai Po-Lin
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Recently, inland Chinese regions have become the major manufacturing base for most manufacturing firms. Accordingly, with this change, many shipping companies attempted to provide proper logistics service activities to maintain their business. Hence, this study aims to empirically examine the logistics service preference segments for Chinese landlocked regions from a manufacturer's perspective. By understanding these attributes, not only shipping companies but also logistics companies can provide proper service to their customers.

Design/methodology/approach

The preliminary logistics service attributes are determined using an interview and in-depth questionnaire with logistics experts from the local private and government sectors in southwest China and few international logistics coordinators. This study conducted importance-performance analysis (IPA) and used a customer dissatisfaction attitude index to evaluate the priorities for improving logistics service attributes. Cluster analysis is subsequently performed to group respondents on the basis of their factor scores.

Findings

Five crucial logistics service dimensions were identified by the factor analysis, namely, packing and storage, logistics supporting, logistics information, transportation planning and information inquiry. The results also revised the IPA model. The top five service attributes that needed to be improved were carrier selection, ship scheduling inquiry, route planning and inquiry, cargo receiving station and freight forwarding. By applying the factor analysis, this study reduced the 27 logistics attributes derived from the literature review to five underlying critical factors.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the inland logistics by investigating the preferences of manufacturers in Chinese landlocked regions. Moreover, in land logistics in China is lacking in the literature; hence, several important implications can be derived from this study's results.
A bibliometric analysis of managerial finance: a retrospective
Authors: Baker H. Kent , Kumar Satish , Pandey Nitesh
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Managerial finance (MF) started publication in 1975 and celebrated its 45th anniversary in 2019. The purpose of this study is to provide a bibliometric analysis of MF between 1996 and 2019.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses the Scopus database to analyze the most frequent authors in MF along with their affiliated institutions and countries. It also identifies the most often cited MF articles. This study uses bibliometric indicators to analyze productivity and stature of MF. It also uses such tools as bibliographic coupling, keyword analysis and coauthorship analysis to analyze MF. Further, the study provides a temporal analysis of MF publishing across different ownership periods.

Findings

MF publishes between 60 and 70 articles each year and its number of citations steadily grows. Although contributors to the journal come from around the globe, they most often are affiliated with the United States, the United Kingdom and Greece. Temporal analysis of journal's themes reveals that it has expanded its scope from accounting research to a much wider array of finance topics. Bibliographic coupling network analysis shows that major themes published in MF involve stock markets, corporate governance, banking, financial decision-making and initial public offerings.

Research limitations/implications

Due to the unavailability of bibliometric data, the analysis excludes an analysis of MF between 1975 and 1995.

Originality/value

This study provides the first overview of the MF's publication and citation trends as well as its thematic structure. It also suggests future directions that the journal might take.
The influence of cultural intelligence on sales self-efficacy and cross-cultural sales presentations: does it matter for highly challenge-oriented salespeople?
Authors: Charoensukmongkol Peerayuth , Pandey Arti
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the effect of the cultural intelligence (CQ) of salespeople, who engage in cross-cultural selling, on the quality of cross-cultural sales presentations (CSSP) they demonstrate. Based on the self-efficacy theory, this research proposes that the effect of CQ on the quality of CSSP is mediated by sales self-efficacy (SSEF). Moreover, this research explores whether the effect of CQ on SSEF and the quality of CSSP can be moderated by the level of challenge orientation (CHO) that salespeople exhibit.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data were collected from 282 salespeople who work at international tradeshows in Japan, India and Vietnam. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was used for data analysis.

Findings

The results support the significant effect of sales-efficacy that partially mediates the association between CQ and CSSP. Moreover, the analysis of the moderating effect of CHO significantly shows that the positive association between CQ and CSSP is stronger for salespeople who possess low levels of CHO than those who possess high levels of CHO.

Originality/value

From the theoretical perspective, this research contributes to CQ literature by using the self-efficacy theory as a framework to provide a theoretical explanation as to why CQ could allow salespeople to perform better in sales communication with foreign customers. Moreover, this research broadens the knowledge of previous CQ research by showing that CQ might be particularly more important for individuals who lack CHO attitude toward the tasks they perform.
Transforming education to prepare students to invent the future
Authors: Reimers Fernando M.
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Human talent is rapidly becoming the most important asset for individuals, communities and nations. As the world changes rapidly due to globalization and technological innovation new opportunities and challenges arise for individuals, communities and nations. This paper aims to explore transforming education to prepare students to invent the future.

Design/methodology/approach

This essay draws on an evaluation of the impact of an entrepreneurship education program on a sample of youth in Saudi Arabia and integrates the core findings and ideas of literature relevant to the topic of education for the 21st century, including several books by the author.

Findings

This paper highlights five principles guide a series of curriculum resources to advance dispositions and skills for student empowerment and civic participation: start with the end in mind to design curriculum; leverage improvement networks to design curriculum; learn by doing; the power of problem-based education; and the power of collaboration in diverse teams.

Originality/value

Klaus Schwab, the founder of the World Economic Forum, predicts that the Fourth Industrial Revolution, resulting from increased and ubiquitous automation and the development of artificial intelligence, will eliminate many of the jobs currently available. Together with neurotechnological and genetic developments, these changes will create new opportunities and serious challenges, which require a heightened commitment to putting humans at the center, and empowerment as a goal (Schwab, 2017). These developments create a new urgency to examine whether children and youth are being prepared to be effective and productive citizens and workers, and to not just understand the future but to invent it. There is an emerging consensus that the skills students will need to invent the future must include cognitive, interpersonal and intrapersonal skills (Pellegrino and Hilton, 2012). The growing awareness that the adequate development of these requires deliberate efforts to cultivate them is also stimulating questions and innovations about the kind of educational experiences which can cultivate those skills.
At-home ethnography: a native researcher’s fieldwork reflections
Authors: Qamar Azher Hameed
Published: July 2020

Purpose

In last few decades, the native anthropology has been highlighted for its potential to immediately grasping cultural familiarity, contextual sensitivity, and rapport building. Nevertheless, detachment from the native context is also seen as a challenge for the native researcher. This paper aims to provide invaluable information about the fieldwork experience of the author as a native researcher in rural Punjab Pakistan. The author presents and reflects the fieldwork challenges faced and the strategies used to overcome the challenges. The primary objective of this paper is to discuss the methodological strategies to face the challenges of doing at-home ethnography.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on ethnographic fieldwork conducted in native context.

Findings

Dealing with contextual complexity and sensitivity with the author’s native learning, the author used native knowledge as a useful resource to investigate insider’s perspective on infant care belief practices. Furthermore, the author addressed the challenges related to building rapport, gaining friendly access to the families and children, and setting aside presumptions. The author discusses the strategies opted, such as selecting a research assistant, gaining access to the field, planning fieldwork and bracketing native presumptions.

Practical implications

This paper provides important insight of at-home ethnography and technical understanding to conduct fieldwork in native contexts.

Originality/value

Based on my ethnographic fieldwork, this article contributes in contemporary debates on the challenges in doing at-home ethnography.
Process planning based on cylindrical or conical surfaces for five-axis wire and arc additive manufacturing
Authors: Dai Fusheng , Zhang Haiou , Li Runsheng
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The study aims to fabricate large metal components with overhangs built on cylindrical or conical surfaces with a high dimensional precision. It proposes methods to address the problems of generating tool-paths on cylindrical or conical surfaces simply and precisely, and planning the welding process on these developable surfaces.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents the algorithm of tool-paths planning on conical surfaces using a parametric slicing equation and a spatial mapping method and deduces the algorithm of five-axis transformation by addressing the rotating question of two sequential points. The welding process is investigated with a regression fitting model on a flat surface, and experimented on a conical surface, which can be flattened onto a flat surface.

Findings

The paper provides slicing and path-mapping expressions for cylindrical and conical surfaces and a curvature-speed-width (CSW) model for wire and arc additive manufacturing to improve the surface appearances. The path-planning method and CSW model can be applied in the five-axis fabrication of the prototype of an underwater thruster. The CSW model has a confidence coefficient of 98.02% and root mean squared error of 0.2777 mm. The reverse measuring of the finished blades shows the residual deformation: an average positive deformation of about 0.5546 mm on one side of the blades and an average negative deformation of about −0.4718 mm on the other side.

Research limitations/implications

Because of the chosen research approach, the research results may lack generalizability for the fabrication based on arbitrary surfaces.

Originality/value

This paper presented an integrated slicing, tool-path planning and welding process planning method for five-axis wire and arc additive manufacturing.
Supporting faculty through an open education and affordability gratitude campaign
Authors: Goodsett Mandi
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to demonstrate how an academic library can use a library-led, public, positive, and broad faculty gratitude campaign to help a campus embrace a culture of open education.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a literature review of faculty outreach efforts in the area of open education and an examination of the psychology of persuasion, this library developed a gratitude campaign that consisted of a faculty video, letters from the provost, signed cards from students, door hangers, and the delivery of swag bags to faculty offices.

Findings

While it is challenging to assess how much an initiative may have changed campus culture, initial responses to the gratitude campaign have been overwhelmingly positive. In addition, it cost little or nothing to develop the campaign and materials can be reused in future events and initiatives.

Practical implications

Changing campus culture, maintaining momentum in a program with limited funding, and reaching reluctant faculty are all challenges for open education initiatives. Initiating a gratitude campaign can begin to address all of these by being public, positive, and inclusive. This case study describes how a campus could adopt any or all of the gratitude campaign strategies and it includes openly licensed examples, templates, and models for readers to use.

Originality/value

Open education and affordability efforts that use presentations, grant programs, and awards are common on academic campuses. However, when funding is tight or these efforts fail to reach new audiences, a gratitude campaign can make inroads where these traditional efforts are limited.
A profile of mobile service users in a mature market: from “uninvolved pragmatics” to “potential switchers”
Authors: Calvo-Porral Cristina , Otero-Prada Luis-Miguel
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Mobile services are expanding rapidly, and in this tremendously dynamic environment, companies should provide value-added services to meet users’ demand. In this context, the study aims to determine whether different user groups exist in this market and profile them.

Methodology

Based on the information of 568 mobile service users, a research was developed in the context of a mature mobile services market – Spain. A behavior-based cluster analysis is developed by means of confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), followed by two-step clustering. Then, an ANOVA and post hoc Tukey tests are conducted to confirm differences among the obtained clusters.

Findings

The study findings show that mobile service users cannot be perceived as a homogenous group, as different users with different behaviors coexist in this market. More specifically, four behavior-based segments emerge in the mobile service sector: “service connoisseurs,” “uninvolved pragmatics,” “potential switchers” and “delighted loyal”; “potential switchers” being the most challenging segment for mobile service companies.

Value

This study reports mobile service users’ heterogeneity; and in turn, mobile service managers should consider customers as four different types, instead of considering them as one single customer.
Finance, governance and inclusive education in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Asongu Simplice A. , Odhiambo Nicholas M.
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the importance of credit access in modulating governance for gender-inclusive education in 42 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa with data spanning the period 2004–2014.

Design/methodology/approach

The generalized method of moments is used as empirical strategy.

Findings

The following findings are established: First, credit access modulates government effectiveness and the rule of law to induce positive net effects on inclusive “primary and secondary education.” Second, credit access also moderates political stability and the rule of law for overall net positive effects on inclusive secondary education. Third, credit access complements government effectiveness to engender an overall positive impact on inclusive tertiary education.

Originality/value

Policy implications are discussed with emphasis on sustainable development goals.
Transformational leadership as a factor that decreases turnover intention: a mediation of work stress and organizational citizenship behavior
Authors: Manoppo Vinno Petrus
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to examining the effect of transformational leadership on work stress, organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) and turnover intention, examining the effect of work stress on OCB and turnover intention and examining the effect of OCB on turnover intention.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected using the survey method, with questionnaires and data analysis were done employing the WarpPLS with two approaches. This research finds the results of this study indicate that the higher the transformational leadership, the lower the work stress will be. The positive significant relationship might be because of direction or command given by the leaders to nurses at each meeting held regularly.

Findings

The results of this study indicate that the higher transformational leadership, the lower the turnover intention will be even though it is not significant. The results of this study indicate that the higher the work stress, the lower the OCB, although not significant.

Originality/value

Previous studies have not examined the relationship of the variables mentioned above, especially in Manado where the respondents have different cultures.
Chemical structure predicts the effect of plant‐derived low‐molecular weight compounds on soil microbiome structure and pathogen suppression
Authors: Gu Yian , Wang Xiaofang , Yang Tianjie , Friman Ville‐Petri , Geisen Stefan , Wei Zhong , Xu Yangchun , Jousset Alexandre , Shen Qirong
Published: July 2020

Plant‐derived low‐molecular weight compounds play a crucial role in shaping soil microbiome functionality. While various compounds have been demonstrated to affect soil microbes, most data are case‐specific and do not provide generalizable predictions on their effects. Here we show that the chemical structural affiliation of low‐molecular weight compounds typically secreted by plant roots—sugars, amino acids, organic acids and phenolic acids—can predictably affect microbiome diversity, composition and functioning in terms of plant disease suppression.

We amended soil with single or mixtures of representative compounds, mimicking carbon deposition by plants. We then assessed how different classes of compounds, or their combinations, affected microbiome composition and the protection of tomato plants from the soil‐borne Ralstonia solanacearum bacterial pathogen.

We found that chemical class predicted well the changes in microbiome composition and diversity. Organic and amino acids generally decreased the microbiome diversity compared to sugars and phenolic acids. These changes were also linked to disease incidence, with amino acids and nitrogen‐containing compound mixtures inducing more severe disease symptoms connected with a reduction in bacterial community diversity.

Together, our results demonstrate that low‐molecular weight compounds can predictably steer rhizosphere microbiome functioning providing guidelines to engineer microbiomes based on root exudation patterns by specific plant cultivars or crop regimes.

A free plain language summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
The treatment and follow‐up of ‘recurrence’ with discharged COVID‐19 patients: data from Guizhou, China
Authors: Tian Maolu , Long Yanjun , Hong Yang , Zhang Xiangyan , Zha Yan
Published: July 2020

We reported 20 cases of discharged COVID‐19 patients whose RT‐PCR test results showed ‘re‐positive’. After finding ‘re‐positive’, these patients were admitted to hospital for the second time and were followed up until the end of May 2020. We recorded detailed treatment and follow‐up process, and collected relevant data. The possible causes and potential clinical significance of this phenomenon are discussed.
Intergenerational transmission of trauma and family systems theory: an empirical investigation
Authors: Fitzgerald Michael , London‐Johnson Antoinette , Gallus Kami L.
Published: July 2020

Research indicates that intergenerational transmission of trauma often leads to behavioural and emotional problems in children of parents with a history of trauma; however, intervening pathways are less well understood. The current study used the Longitudinal Studies of Child Abuse and Neglect (LONGSCAN; Runyan et al., 1998) data set. Among a sample of 361 mothers involved with child welfare services or ‘at risk’ of becoming involved in the future, we explored harsh parenting and couple relationship quality as mechanisms in the transmission of maternal trauma to changes in children’s behavioural and emotional problems over a two‐year period. Findings indicate that verbal aggression predicted children’s internalising and externalising issues, but negative relationship quality was the only significant mechanism linking maternal trauma to children’s mental health problems. Clinical implications are discussed.

Practitioner points

Trauma has a twofold effect on women’s romantic relationships, increasing negative qualities and decreasing positive qualities

Providing a trauma‐informed approach to therapy with a focus on the negative relationship quality can reduce harsh parenting and a child’s internalising symptomology
Radical systemic intervention that goes to the root: working alongside inner‐city school children, linking trauma with oppression and consciousness with action
Authors: Afuape Taiwo
Published: July 2020

Trauma can be viewed through the lens of oppression, and a radical systemic approach in groups is an example of this view in practice. Group‐work in an inner‐city secondary school, with twelve 13–14 year‐olds the school was concerned about, and eleven 12–15 year‐olds at risk of exclusion, drew on systemic, narrative and critical consciousness ideas. This approach enabled the young people to link what they understood about trauma and oppression (consciousness) with what they wanted to do about it (action). An independent qualitative evaluation suggested that participants valued being listened to, the improvement in their confidence and behaviour and the opportunity to be change‐makers. Recommendations were made by the participants about future groups and by the participants and group facilitators about whole‐school approaches to wellbeing based on challenging oppression.

Practitioner points

How we name experience (consciousness) shapes what we deem appropriate in response (action)

Levels of consciousness reflect how problems are named, explained and addressed; levels of action range from oppressive to transformative

A radical systemic approach to trauma involves joining with the marginalised, naming oppression and collective social action

This involves the body as embodied consciousness and as embedded in social, cultural and political contexts

In schools, clinicians direct their intervention at the entire system based on the views of the most marginalised pupils
Titles support the development of coherent situation models
Authors: Christofalos Andriana L. , Raney Gary E. , Daniel Frances , Demos Alexander P.
Published: July 2020

Background

Research shows that providing readers with a title prior to reading a passage increases comprehension compared with reading a passage without a title. However, the specific type of comprehension that is facilitated by the presence of a title and how this relates to reading time has not been examined. We present three experiments in which we evaluated the effect of passage titles on comprehension and reading time.

Methods

Participants read vague passages once or twice either with titles or without titles and answered questions after each reading that assessed surface form, textbase and situation model comprehension. Reading time was recorded for each reading of each passage.

Results

When a title was absent, there was a large reduction of situation model comprehension, a small to moderate reduction in textbase comprehension and little or no reduction in surface form comprehension compared with when a title was present. The presence or absence of titles had an inconsistent effect on reading time.

Conclusions

We conclude that titles provided a theme that helped readers develop a coherent situation model when reading the vague passages and that creating a situation model supports comprehension but has a smaller effect on reading time for the simple texts used here.
Incorporating community culture in teaching food innovation: Ideation, prototyping, and storytelling
Authors: Kuo Wan‐Yuan , Kim Sun‐Hwa , Lachapelle Paul
Published: July 2020

At most institutions, food innovation courses do not highlight the role of community culture, a blind spot that otherwise could connect the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals. This study presents a unique approach to teaching food product innovation, incorporating community culture in ideation, prototyping, and storytelling. Through participatory action research, NUTR 435 Experimental Foods at Montana State University partnered with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes to teach culturally appropriate product innovation. The class visited the food system stakeholders at the Flathead Reservation and conducted focus groups to gather food memories, understand culinary practices, and recognize product preference of the tribal members. Based on the cultural experiences obtained from the community, the students created smoked trout prototypes and developed recommended recipes for using the smoked trout. The recommended recipes used Native ingredients to tell the tribes’ food stories. The students were affirmative on the importance of incorporating culture in food innovations in both the pre‐ and post‐semester learning assessments. Yet, after the semester, the students’ attitude and knowledge on this topic became more positive and dynamic, focusing on empowering the community in story and identity telling. Future improvements include recommending a preparatory course in Native American food systems, collaborating with a tribal class, encouraging engagement with the tribal partners beyond the class, and implementing policies to guard the cultural property of the tribal communities. This study presents pilot results for food science educators to consider incorporating community culture in their instructions to address food system challenges.
Solid‐phase micro extraction of food irradiation marker 2‐dodecylcyclobutanone (2‐DCB) from chicken jerky treated with glycerol
Authors: Taghvaei Mostafa , Sommers Christopher , Ceric Olgica , Hussain Faris , Yucel Umut , Smith J. Scott
Published: July 2020

The food irradiation marker, 2‐dodecylcyclobutanone (2‐DCB), assayed by SPME provides a fast and simple method to estimate the irradiation history of fat‐containing food products. The SPME conditions were optimized to maximize the extraction of 2‐DCB from chicken jerky treats (CJT) irradiated at low (5 kGy) and high (50 kGy) doses. The extracted 2‐DCB was measured using GC‐MS in selected ion mode (m/z 98, and 112). Water dilution (1:5) was needed to mobilize 2‐DCB and allow partition to the headspace form the CJT matrix. Increasing the incubation temperature to 80 °C resulted in higher response. Spiking control jerky samples with 2‐DCB from 10 to 150 ng/g CJT compared with spiking water revealed a significant food matrix effect. This method provides a fast, simple, and environmental friendly alternative for the existing solvent extraction methods.
Zuccagnia‐type Propolis from Argentina: A potential functional ingredient in food to pathologies associated to metabolic syndrome and oxidative stress
Authors: Salas Ana L. , Mercado María Inés , Eugenia Orqueda Maria , Correa Uriburu Florencia M. , García Maria Elena , Pérez María Jorgelina , Alvarez María de los Angeles , Ponessa Graciela I. , Maldonado Luis Maldonado , Zampini Iris Catiana , Isla María Inés
Published: July 2020

The effect of Argentine propolis extracts against enzymes related to metabolic syndrome and oxidative stress, as well as the botanical origin of raw propolis, were studied. Histological and chemical analyses of propolis samples revealed that the botanical origin is Zuccagnia punctata, an Argentine medicinal plant. The melissopalynological analysis showed both pollen grains of Z. punctata and the other plant species. This result indicates that the differences found in the botanical remains compared to the palynological studies may have been caused by the bees selecting resinous shrubs mainly of Z. punctata for the production of propolis and other plants with flowers for the production of honey.

The richness of propolis was remarkable in two flavonoid precursors (2´,4´‐dihydroxy‐3´‐methoxychalcone, 2´,4´‐dihydroxychalcone), the major chemical components of Z. punctata. The hydroalcoholic extracts of Argentine propolis and Z. punctata were able to inhibit enzymes associated with the metabolic syndrome, including α‐glucosidase, α‐amylase and lipase, with IC50 values between 7 to 14, 37 to 48, and 13 to 28 µg/mL, respectively. Biological activity was mainly attributed to chalcones. Oxygen and nitrogen reactive species scavenging activity was determined by the assays of superoxide radical (O2•−), hydroxyl radical (HO•), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), nitric oxide (NO•), and cation radical (ABTS•+). Results showed SC50 values between 115 to 278, 12.50 to 46; 39 to 92; 50 to 104.50 and 23 to 33.75 µg/mL, respectively. This study suggests for the first time that propolis from Argentina is highly effective in inhibiting enzymes related to the metabolic syndrome and in free‐radical scavenging that would justify its use as a dietary supplement or as a functional ingredient in special food.

Practical Application

Propolis from Catamarca, Argentina, is traditionally used as medicine and food. Its botanical origin is Zuccagnia punctata, an endemic plant species popularly used as a medicine in Argentina. Propolis has the ability to regulate the activity of enzymes involved in the carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, and consequently in metabolic syndrome. Besides, its antioxidant capacity makes it a natural product that can be used as a dietary supplement or as a functional ingredient in special foods. It is important to highlight that in the Argentine Food Code, propolis was incorporated in 2008 as a dietary supplement and the present results give major added value to this product.
Killing time in cover crops? Artificial perches promote field use by raptors
Authors: Zagorski Megan E. , Swihart Robert K.
Published: July 2020

Cover crops are an increasingly common conservation practice in intensive row‐crop agriculture of the Midwestern United States and can improve wildlife habitat. However, they also benefit agricultural pest species such as voles (Microtus), which have damaged cover‐cropped soybean fields in Indiana. We tested the feasibility of attracting raptors, which are natural predators of voles, to cover‐cropped fields by supplying artificial perches from which to hunt. We assessed raptor use of artificial perches in cover‐cropped fields during the winters of 2018 and 2019. Perches were erected at three different distances from the field edge: 50, 125 and 200 m. We modelled perch use of our three most common species, great horned owl, red‐tailed hawk and American kestrel, with a logistic generalised linear mixed model. Raptors used 82% of the perches, and perch use was greatest at 200 m. However, even at peak use, our best model predicted a low probability of overall perch use for all three species. Artificial perches can attract raptors into large row‐crop fields. Sturdier perch design, extended perch availability and greater vole populations could increase use of perches. Although raptor perch use by itself is unlikely to control vole populations in cover‐cropped fields, artificial perches could form a valuable component of an integrated pest management system.
Borderline‐low testosterone levels are associated with lower left ventricular wall thickness in firefighters: An exploratory analysis
Authors: Lofrano‐Porto Adriana , Soares Edgard M. K. V. K. , Matias Alexs , Porto Luiz Guilherme Grossi , Smith Denise L.
Published: July 2020

Background

Low endogenous testosterone has been associated with increased cardiovascular risk in men.

Objectives

To determine the prevalence of low serum testosterone level (TT) in a cohort of male US career firefighters and to examine its relation with left ventricular wall thickness (LVWT).

Materials and Methods

We conducted a cross‐sectional study among 341 career firefighters, (age: 37.5 ± 10.3 years; BMI: 28.9 ± 4.5 kg/m2), who underwent an occupational medical screening examination. TT quartiles were determined, and LVWT distribution among them was plotted. Then, TT values were categorized as low (<264 ng/dL), borderline (264‐399 ng/dL), reference range (400‐916 ng/dL), and high (>916 ng/dL). To further investigate the association of mildly decreased TT on LVWT, we divided the borderline group into borderline‐low (264‐319 ng/dL) and borderline‐high (320‐399 ng/dL) ranges. LVWT values were classified as low LVWT when <0.6 cm. A multivariate model was used to compare LVWT, age, BMI, systolic blood pressure (SBP), and HbA1c among groups by TT values.

Results

The prevalence of low TT was 10.6% and of borderline was 26.4%, while 58.7% had levels in the reference range. The low‐TT group was older and had higher BMI and SBP as compared to the reference group (P < .01). LVWT values were different among groups (P = .04) and significantly lower in firefighters with borderline‐low TT as compared to the reference group (P < .05). This finding also occurred within obese firefighters (P = .03). The borderline‐low group had a higher adjusted risk for a low LVWT as compared to the reference group [OR: 4.11 (95% CI: 1.79‐9.43)].

Discussion

Our findings highlight the possible relationship between a mild reduction in testosterone levels (borderline) and lower LVWT.

Conclusions

A high prevalence of subnormal TT levels (low and borderline: 37%) was observed in this relatively homogeneous cohort of career firefighters. Mildly decreased TT levels and lower LVWT might represent a preclinical condition and a window of opportunity for cardiovascular preventive interventions in firefighters.
Comparison of laparoscopic surgery and hand‐assisted laparoscopic surgery in esophagectomy: A propensity score‐matched analysis
Authors: Tanishima Yuichiro , Nishikawa Katsunori , Matsumoto Akira , Yuda Masami , Tanaka Yujiro , Yano Fumiaki , Mitsumori Norio , Yanaga Katsuhiko
Published: July 2020

Introduction

Laparoscopic surgery (LAP) and hand‐assisted laparoscopic surgery (HALS) for mobilization of the stomach and abdominal lymph node dissection in esophagectomy have become standard procedures in Japan. However, the differences in outcomes between LAP and HALS have not been examined. We aimed to compare the safety and feasibility of these techniques in patients undergoing esophagectomy.

Methods

We assessed 171 patients who underwent esophagectomy and reconstruction for clinical stage 0 to IVa esophageal cancer; 108 patients were treated with HALS and 63 with LAP. Mortality, morbidity, and long‐term survival were compared in all patients who had undergone these surgical procedures and then in 59 propensity score‐matched pairs to correct for differences in baseline characteristics.

Results

In our analysis, HALS had a shorter abdominal operative time (84.4 ± 26.6 vs 110.0 ± 34.1 minutes, P < .0001), but LAP enabled a larger number of abdominal lymph nodes to be harvested with (17.9 ± 6.6 vs 15.4 ± 7.4, P = .0486). The 5‐year overall survival rates were 62.1% and 74.5% (P = .1257) for patients who had undergone HALS and LAP, respectively, and the relapse‐free survival rates were 67.0% and 72.3% (P = .7243).

Conclusions

There were no significant differences in postoperative mortality and morbidity between the two groups. This suggests that in addition to having a short operative time, HALS has good technical feasibility and is oncologically safe for patients with esophageal cancer.
Enhanced life distress inventory: Development and validation in two African countries
Authors: Palermo Tia , Hall Brian J. , Cirillo Cristina ,   the Tanzania PSSN Youth Study Evaluation Team, Tanzania Adolescent Cash Plus Study Team, and Ghana LEAP 1000 Evaluation Team in Acknowledgement
Published: July 2020

Objective

Poverty is linked to poor mental health, and stress is a key pathway. Most existing stress scales were developed in high‐income settings. We use primary data collected from three large population‐based studies in Ghana and Tanzania to examine the performance and psychometric properties of a new measure of self‐perceived stress, the Enhanced Life Distress Inventory (ELDI).

Methods

Development of the ELDI was informed by an exploratory qualitative study implemented among youth and adolescents in Ghana, Malawi, and Tanzania and structured following the Life Distress Inventory (LDI). We implemented the ELDI in three ongoing longitudinal impact evaluations involving quantitative household surveys in two studies in Tanzania and in one in Ghana to evaluate its performance and psychometric properties.

Findings

Sample sizes ranged from N = 608 to N = 2,458, with variation in gender, age, and geographic location. Exploratory factor analysis uncovered three underlying factors of the ELDI, which justified the use of three sub‐scales: economic and health‐related well‐being, risk/security, and social relations. Further analysis demonstrated that the ELDI has adequate psychometric properties, including internal consistency, and construct validity.

Conclusion

A major contribution of the ELDI is its development in and for LMIC settings and its ability to assess different areas (life domains) of distress. This multi‐sectoral lens gives the scale the potential to examine not only programmes targeting stress, but also those targeting sources of stress, and to examine whether they improve stress and mental health via those pathways. More testing of the ELDI’s performance and psychometric properties is needed in additional settings.
Ependymoma relapse goes along with a relatively stable epigenome, but a severely altered tumor morphology
Authors: Yang Denise , Holsten Till , Börnigen Daniela , Frank Stephan , Mawrin Christian , Glatzel Markus , Schüller Ulrich
Published: July 2020

The molecular biology of ependymomas is not well understood and this is particularly true for ependymoma relapses. We aimed at finding out if and to which extent, relapses differ from their corresponding primary tumors on the morphological, chromosomal and epigenetic level. We investigated 24 matched ependymoma primary and relapsed tumor samples and, as a first step, compared cell density, necrosis, vessel proliferation, Ki67 proliferative index, trimethylation at H3K27 and expression of CXorf67. For the investigation of global methylation profiles, we used public data in order to analyze copy number variation profiles, differential methylation, methylation status and fractions of hypo‐ and hypermethylated CpGs in different epigenomic substructures. Morphologically, we found a significant increase with relapse in cell density and proliferation. H3K27 trimethylation and CXorf67 expression remained stable between primary and relapse tumor samples, and the analysis of DNA methylation profiles neither revealed significant differences in copy number variations nor differentially methylated regions. Significant differences in the methylation status were found for CpG islands, but also in N Shelves or S Shelves, depending on the molecular subgroup. The fraction of probes changing their methylation in the epigenomic substructures appeared subgroup‐specific. Most changes occur in CpG islands, for which relapsed tumors demonstrate higher methylation values than primary tumors. The morphological differences reflect increased aggressiveness upon ependymoma relapse, but, despite slight changes, this observation does not appear to be sufficiently explained by epigenetic changes.
Adaptations to thermal stress in social insects: recent advances and future directions
Authors: Perez Rémy , Aron Serge
Published: July 2020

Thermal stress is a major driver of population declines and extinctions. Shifts in thermal regimes create new environmental conditions, leading to trait adaptation, population migration, and/or species extinction. Extensive research has examined thermal adaptations in terrestrial arthropods. However, little is known about social insects, despite their major role in ecosystems. It is only within the last few years that the adaptations of social insects to thermal stress have received attention. Herein, we discuss what is currently known about thermal tolerance and thermal adaptation in social insects – namely ants, termites, social bees, and social wasps. We describe the behavioural, morphological, physiological, and molecular adaptations that social insects have evolved to cope with thermal stress. We examine individual and collective responses to both temporary and persistent changes in thermal conditions and explore the extent to which individuals can exploit genetic variability to acclimatise. Finally, we consider the costs and benefits of sociality in the face of thermal stress, and we propose some future research directions that should advance our knowledge of individual and collective thermal adaptations in social insects.
Corrigendum: Shear adhesive performance of leaf‐cutting ant workers (Atta cephalotes)
Authors: Stark Alyssa Y. , Davis Hayden R. , Harrison William K.
Published: July 2020

In our previous article, Shear adhesive performance of leaf‐cutting ant workers (Atta cephalotes), a technical error occurred when calculating shear adhesive performance divided by tarsal pad area of worker ants carrying leaves (Stark, A. Y., Davis, H. R., & Harrison, W. K. (2019). Biotropica, 51(4), 572–580). Shear adhesive performance of worker ants carrying leaves was mistakenly divided by the tarsal pad area of workers riding on leaves. This has slightly changed our results. After correcting for this error, there is now no statistically significant difference in shear adhesive performance divided by tarsal pad area of worker ants riding on leaves and those carrying leaves. Shear adhesive performance of these groups remains statistically different than soldiers, and our original results (shear adhesive performance of all three groups differ from one another) are consistent with the reported trend in the original article using true pad area for each individual (rather than estimated). We list below the pages and figures in the original article that this correction applies to. All authors agree with this change, apologize for their error, and appreciate the opportunity granted by the editors and publisher to make this correction. Our original conclusion, that there is variation in shear adhesive performance per unit area among worker roles of Atta cephalotes, is still supported by these corrected results.
Dental sealants and restorative treatment for first molars among Medicaid enrollees
Authors: Okunseri Christopher E. , Hodgson Brian , Okunseri Elaye , Garcia Raul , Visotcky Alex , Szabo Aniko
Published: July 2020

Objectives

To assess the association between dental sealant placement and subsequent restorative treatment of permanent first molars over time.

Methods

We analysed Wisconsin Medicaid claims data from 2001 to 2009 for children aged 6‐16 years. Children entered the study cohort at age 6 and were censored if Medicaid eligibility was lost for >31 days. A fixed effects analysis via a Cox proportional hazards model, stratified by individual, was used to estimate the time‐averaged and time‐dependent effects of sealant placement on dental treatment defined as any restorative, endodontic or surgical procedure.

Results

A total of 185,262 children with permanent first molars who turned 6 years enrolled in Medicaid were examined. Sealant placement was higher for teeth #16 and 26 (5.42 and 5.46 per 100 person‐years (100PY), versus 5.29 and 5.31/100PY for #36 and 46, respectively. The average rate for restorative treatments had the opposite pattern, with lower rate for teeth #16 and 26 (1.78 and 1.72/100PY) versus teeth #36 and 46 (2.14 and 2.12/100PY), respectively. In the fixed effects regression model, the hazard of dental treatment was substantially lower after sealant placement on a tooth, with time‐averaged hazard ratio HR = 0.23 (95% CI 0.21‐0.25, P < .001) versus before sealant. The largest effect was in the first year after sealant placement (HR = 0.13, 95% CI: 0.11‐0.14), which decreased over time (HR = 0.50, 0.59 and 0.74 in years 2, 3 and 4, respectively), and was not statistically significant in later years.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that permanent first molar sealant placement delayed subsequent dental treatments in children enrolled in Medicaid.
Longitudinal changes in plasma sex hormone concentrations correlate with changes in CT‐measured regional adiposity among Japanese American men over 10 years
Authors: Dinh Kathryn T. , Amory John K. , Matsumoto Alvin M. , Marck Brett T. , Fujimoto Wilfred Y. , Leonetti Donna L. , Boyko Edward J. , Page Stephanie T. , Rubinow Katya B.
Published: July 2020

Objective

Ageing in male adults is typically accompanied by adiposity accumulation and changes in circulating sex hormone concentrations. We hypothesized that an ageing‐associated increase in oestrogens and decrease in androgens would correlate with an increase in adiposity.

Design

10‐year prospective, observational study.

Study subjects

A total of 190, community‐dwelling men in the Japanese American Community Diabetes Study.

Measurements

At 0 and 10 years, CT scanning quantified intra‐abdominal fat (IAF) and subcutaneous fat (SCF) areas while plasma concentrations of oestradiol, oestrone, testosterone and dihydrotestosterone were measured by liquid chromatography‐tandem‐mass spectrometry at each time point. Multivariate linear regression analyses assessed correlations between 10‐year changes in hormone concentrations and IAF or SCF, adjusting for age and baseline fat depot area.

Results

Participants were middle‐aged [median 54.8 years, interquartile range (IQR) 39.9‐62.8] men and mostly overweight by Asian criterion (median BMI 24.9, IQR 23.3‐27.1) and with few exceptions had normal sex‐steroid concentrations. Median oestradiol and dihydrotestosterone did not change significantly between 0 and 10 years (P = .084 and P = .596, respectively) while median oestrone increased (P < .001) and testosterone decreased (P < .001). Median IAF and SCF increased from 0 to 10 years (both P < .001). In multivariate analyses, change in oestrone positively correlated (P = .019) while change in testosterone (P = .003) and dihydrotestosterone (P = .014) negatively correlated with change in IAF. Plasma oestradiol and oestrone positively correlated with change in SCF (P = .041 and P = .030, respectively) while testosterone (P = .031) negatively correlated in multivariate analysis.

Conclusion

Among 190 community‐dwelling, Japanese American men, increases in IAF were associated with decreases in plasma androgens and increases in plasma oestrone, but not oestradiol, at 10 years. Further research is necessary to understand whether changing hormone concentrations are causally related to changes in regional adiposity or whether the reverse is true.