bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhancing the quality of open and distance learning in China through the identification and development of learning design skills and competencies
Authors: Olney Tom , Li Chenxi , Luo Juan
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify staff skills and competencies on which Chinese open universities should focus their professional development activities in order to enhance the quality of open and distance learning (ODL) in China.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from surveys of 220 academic and academic-related Chinese staff, each of whom participated in one of seven 3-day Learning Design and Course Creation (LDCC) workshops at three large regional open universities in China between 2017 and 2019. The workshops were based on the UK Open University (UKOU) approach to learning design (LD) and course creation. Using content analysis methodology, textual responses were analysed and compared against the Instructional Design Competencies framework provided by the International Board of Standards for Training, Performance and Instruction (IBSTPI).

Findings

(1) Designing instructional interventions, (2) keeping up to date with design theories, (3) communicating in order to manage stakeholders, teams and projects were the main competencies identified from the participants responses. However, these three identified competencies differed in emphasis between the institutions that took part.

Originality/value

In Western higher education institutions (HEIs), LD has developed as an important approach to improving quality. A need has been identified for robust approaches to quality and professional development opportunities to enhance teaching and learning standards in open and distance learning (ODL) in China. This paper identifies and discusses specific LD skills and competencies that could be targeted to improve the quality of ODL in China.
Knowledge transfer among members within cross-cultural teams of international construction projects
Authors: Zhou Qianwen , Chen Shou , Deng Xiaopeng , Mahmoudi Amin
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the key factors affecting knowledge transfer within cross-cultural teams in international construction projects from three levels: individual factors, team factors and knowledge characteristics. It also provides a comprehensive framework to examine how trust, cultural distance, team identification, knowledge tacitness and complexity and members' transfer willingness impact knowledge transfer effectiveness within cross-cultural teams.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual model and 16 hypotheses were put forward through the literature review and pilot investigation. This study used structural equation modeling to examine how factors affect the effectiveness of knowledge transfer within cross-cultural teams based on the questionnaire data of samples from Chinese international construction projects.

Findings

The findings show that affect-based trust and team identification positively affect the willingness to contribute knowledge. Conversely, knowledge tacitness, knowledge complexity and cultural distance negatively influence contribute willingness. Moreover, affect-based trust, cognition-based trust and team identity positively affect receive willingness, while cultural distance negatively impacts receive willingness. Additionally, affect-based and cognition-based trust, knowledge tacitness and complexity affect transfer effectiveness through the full mediation of transfer willingness, while cultural distance and team identity affect transfer effectiveness through the partial mediation of transfer willingness.

Research limitations/implications

On the one hand, this research provides a holistic framework for factors affecting knowledge transfer within cross-cultural teams from three levels: individual factors, team factors and knowledge characteristics. On the other hand, the paper gives other researchers in international project management the enlightenment of focusing on members' cultural structure and the cross-cultural training of the team.

Practical implications

This study offers the direction for cross-cultural team managers to formulate helpful approaches for knowledge transfer and assist corporate leaders in taking integral control measures to enhance knowledge transfer effectiveness within the team.

Originality/value

This study provides other researchers with a comprehensive understanding of the key factors affecting knowledge transfer within cross-cultural teams in international construction projects and insight for further research on project management and knowledge management.
Thriving or surviving: staff health metrics and lifestyle behaviours within an Irish higher education setting
Authors: Bickerdike Andrea , Dinneen Joan , O' Neill Cian
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Due to the international paucity of empirical evidence, this study aimed to investigate the health metrics and lifestyle behaviours of a staff cohort in a higher education institution (HEI) in Ireland.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 279 (16.4% response rate) HEI staff (academic, management, clerical/support), via a web-based health questionnaire that incorporated validated measures such as the Mental Health Index-5, Energy and Vitality Index, Cohen's Perceived Stress Scale (short form) and the AUDIT-C drinking subscale. A cluster analytical procedure was used to examine the presence of distinct clusters of individuals exhibiting either optimal or sub-optimal health behaviours.

Findings

A multitude of concerning patterns were identified including poor anthropometric profiles (64.4% of males overweight/obese), excessive occupational sitting time (67.8% of females sitting for = 4 h per day), hazardous drinking among younger staff (38.2% of 18–34 year olds), sub-optimal sleep duration on weeknights (82.2% less than 8 h), less favourable mean psychometric indices than the general Irish population, and insufficient fruit and vegetable intake (62.1% reporting <5 daily servings). Cluster analysis revealed “Healthy lifestyle” individuals exhibited significantly lower BMI values, lower stress levels and reported fewer days absent from work compared to those with a “Sub-optimal lifestyle”.

Originality/value

In contrast to the abundance of research pertaining to student cohorts, the current study is the first to examine the clustering of health-related variables in a cohort of HEI staff in Ireland. Findings will be used to inform policy at the host institution and will be of broader interest to higher education stakeholders elsewhere. Future longitudinal studies are required to monitor the health challenges experienced by this influential, yet under-researched cohort.
Machine-Learning-Algorithm to predict the High-Performance concrete compressive strength using multiple data
Authors: Kamath Muralidhar Vaman , Prashanth Shrilaxmi , Kumar Mithesh , Tantri Adithya
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The compressive strength of concrete depends on many interdependent parameters; its exact prediction is not that simple because of complex processes involved in strength development. This study aims to predict the compressive strength of normal concrete and high-performance concrete using four datasets.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, five established individual Machine Learning (ML) regression models have been compared: Decision Regression Tree, Random Forest Regression, Lasso Regression, Ridge Regression and Multiple-Linear regression. Four datasets were studied, two of which are previous research datasets, and two datasets are from the sophisticated lab using five established individual ML regression models.

Findings

The five statistical indicators like coefficient of determination (R2), mean absolute error, root mean squared error, Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency and mean absolute percentage error have been used to compare the performance of the models. The models are further compared using statistical indicators with previous studies. Lastly, to understand the variable effect of the predictor, the sensitivity and parametric analysis were carried out to find the performance of the variable.

Originality/value

The findings of this paper will allow readers to understand the factors involved in identifying the machine learning models and concrete datasets. In so doing, we hope that this research advances the toolset needed to predict compressive strength.
A critical analysis of the anti-money laundering legal and regulatory framework of Mauritius: a comparative study with South Africa
Authors: Beebeejaun Ambareen , Dulloo Lubnaa
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Indeed, the value of money laundering globally is between 2% and 5% of the world’s gross domestic product, which represents $800bn to $2tn per year. There is therefore a dire and urgent need to curb money laundering offences at both national and international level. As such, the purposes of this research are to critically analyse the anti-money laundering (AML) laws and regulations of Mauritius, to identify loopholes in inherent in the Mauritian system and to suggest recommendations to enhance the AML laws in the country.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve these research objectives, the study will adopt the black letter methodology by analysing laws and regulations on AML of Mauritius and will also conduct a comparative analysis against the corresponding AML laws of South Africa. In fact, South Africa has been selected for the comparison to assess how Africa’s most powerful economic powerhouse is dealing with issues of money laundering and whether Mauritius may implement some of these measures to enhance its legal and regulatory framework on AML.

Findings

The research sets out a comprehensive view on the AML legislative framework of South Africa and Mauritius. It has highlighted the mechanisms used in these two countries to combat money laundering is the risk-based approach. Finally, recommendations have been proposed to improve the existing AML frameworks of Mauritius and which can further protect the financial system of the country. However, these suggestions will depend on the evolution of financial crimes within and outside the jurisdiction, and ongoing amendments will always be required to rigidly protect Mauritius from money launderers.

Originality/value

At present, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study will be amongst the first academic writings on the effectiveness of the legal and regulatory measures undertaken by the Mauritian authorities to deal with AML crimes in the country. The study is carried out with the aim of combining a large amount of empirical, theoretical and factual information that can be of use to various stakeholders and not only to academics.
Does it pay to pay attention to attention? Evidence from an emerging market
Authors: Saxena Kirti , Chakraborty Madhumita
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This study aims to explore the asset pricing implications of attention allocation theories in the Indian stock market.

Design/methodology/approach

Investor attention is captured through investors' search behavior, the Google search volume index. Panel least square method is used in this study, and the research is performed at firm-level upon NSE100 constituent firms with 21,566 firm-week observations.

Findings

The authors find a significant increase in abnormal return following an increase in abnormal attention. Also, this effect is strengthened for smaller firms and firms with positive sentiments. Further, applying a geographic lens to the investigation, it is found that the attention impact is attributable to local investors. Finally, the study demonstrates that local attention-based portfolio formation and trading strategy, i.e. long in high abnormal local attention stocks and short in low abnormal local attention stocks, leads to a significant return premium.

Research limitations/implications

This study reveals that behavioral factors like investor attention drive the Indian Stock Market. Also, the geography analysis shows that observing investors' behavior enables predicting the arrival of private information. Thus abnormal local attention can be a potential input factor for forecasting exercises and trading strategy formation, thereby aiding in exploiting profitable opportunities.

Originality/value

The study captures asset pricing implications of investor attention and explores the effect of firm size and sentiment on the attention–return relationship in an emerging economy, India. It also relates location proximity with investors' attention allocation and tests its implications on stock prices.
Implementing a student-managed cryptoasset fund in a finance curriculum
Authors: Carpenter Tim
Published: February 2022

Purpose

In 2004, Roanoke College began offering a Student-Managed Fund course, wherein students were able to manage a portfolio of equity and fixed income using real money. While not a widely adopted concept at the time, it has since become quite common in finance programs, either through courses or clubs. In February 2019, the author supplemented activities in the course with the addition of real cryptoassets for students to manage. The paper discusses the design, implementation, and pedagogical advantages of the fund.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper expands on the existing literature regarding student-managed investment funds (SMIFs or SMFs) by presenting a case study on the implementation of a student-managed cryptoasset fund at Roanoke College.

Findings

The value of experiential learning through student-managed funds (SMFs) is well established. Thus, these programs have become much more common in recent years and are now often expanding to securities beyond equities and bonds. The introduction of cryptoassets to be traded by students at Roanoke College is another step in improving students' exposure to various markets and appears to further improve research and critical thinking skills.

Originality/value

This is certainly one of the first, and to the author's knowledge may be the only, real money cryptoasset fund managed by students.
Audit society goes viral: the rise of the online auditor
Authors: Jeacle Ingrid , Carter Chris
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to consider the impact of Michael Power’s (1997) Audit Society thesis for understanding the rise of audit logics in the virtual world.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews some of the key concepts in Audit Society and discusses them with reference to the role of the user review.

Findings

The paper argues that user reviews are an illustrative example of Audit Society in the online world, with notions of independence, measurability and expertise being deployed to create a sense of comfort and trust.

Originality/value

The paper enhances our understanding of the impact of Audit Society on everyday lives with particular reference to the lives of the digital citizen.
Reverse remanufacturing of electrical and electronic equipment and the circular economy
Authors: Brito José Luiz Romero de , Ruiz Mauro Silva , Kniess Cláudia Terezinha , Santos Mario Roberto dos
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The purpose of the article is to analyze the chain of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) and its waste (WEEE), within the product chain of Recicladora Urbana (Reurbi), and its interaction with the circular economy.

Design/methodology/approach

Exploratory research with a qualitative approach, based on the study case method, was conducted. The following stages were carried out: definition of the study object; bibliographic survey; documentary survey; technical visit to Reurbi; contacts with experts; creation of research instruments and research execution.

Findings

The main recipients of remanufactured EEE are third sector organizations that run social programs and schools with few financial resources. Recycling firms receive parts and components from the WEEE handled by Reurbi.

Research limitations/implications

The authors only addressed the WEEE reverse remanufacturing chain of Reurbi; therefore, the authors cannot extend the results to an industrial sector.

Practical implications

One practical contribution is disclosing the remanufacturing processes of EEE and the recycling processes of its waste, fostered by the National Solid Waste Policy (PNRS), under a circular economy policy.

Social implications

There is a large market potential for reverse logistics of WEEE and end-of-life EEE as a source of raw material, which is yet to be explored in Brazil, for creating new jobs and revenue.

Originality/value

The publication of articles with the main reflections from the results can provide new discussions and provide opportunities for new studies regarding the Brazilian Solid Waste Policy.
Investigating barriers to demand-driven SME collaboration in low-volume high-variability manufacturing
Authors: Kazantsev Nikolai , Pishchulov Grigory , Mehandjiev Nikolay , Sampaio Pedro , Zolkiewski Judy
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This paper adopts a multi-tier perspective and aims to explore challenges of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in collaborative manufacturing amid the emergence of dedicated B2B platforms. Original equipment manufacturers welcome formation of demand-driven collaborations between SME suppliers to facilitate ramp-up of production capacity. While being potentially beneficial to suppliers, such collaborations face various barriers.

Design/methodology/approach

An exploratory study of 17 suppliers within the European Union’s aerospace industry was undertaken. The study comprised two stages. In the first stage, suppliers’ answers to self-administered interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. In the second stage, interactions between the barriers were determined through interviews with experienced SME collaboration facilitators. The authors apply system dynamics modelling to analyse the links between barriers and identify re-enforcing and balancing loops of other factors.

Findings

The authors establish five major groups of barriers to collaboration impeding: market transparency, access to orders, partner trust, contracting and (e) data sharing and coordination. The authors model application of four enablers that facilitate barrier removal for technology-enabled supply chains: digital platforms, supplier development, smart contracts and Industry 4.0.

Research limitations/implications

The study is limited by the data collection from the aerospace industry; validation of the models in other low-volume high-variability manufacturing sectors is needed.

Practical implications

The reader will learn about the barriers which impede demand-driven SME collaboration within manufacturing supply chains, interrelationships between these barriers and suggestions about how to remove them. SME cluster managers will find managerial implications particularly interesting as they will help them to overcome collaboration concerns and better prepare cluster members for Industry 4.0.

Social implications

The models developed within this study can be used to explore the effects of intervening at critical points in the model to create virtuous improvement cycles between key barriers and related variables in the model. This can help decision-making and policymaking in the area of supply chain integration.

Originality/value

There is currently a lack of studies about how the existing barriers amplify and de-amplify themselves and what the managerial approaches to tackle the barriers are. It is unclear how far companies will go in terms of information sharing, given the trust levels, power dynamics and governance structures evident in supply chains. This study contributes by explaining the reinforcing interaction between the barriers and showing ways to overcome these using enablers.
The effect of different types of intelligence on organizational performance
Authors: Moradi Mahdi , Salehi Mahdi , Mozan Sadeq
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The present study aims to assess different intelligence types' effect on the auditor's organizational performance (OP) with the mediatory role of social capital (SC) in Iraq.

Design/methodology/approach

The study's statistical population includes 201 auditors in Iraq's audit firms, among whom 198 auditors are selected as the sample using the Cochran sampling method. Partial least squares (PLS) is used to assess the effect of independent variables on the dependent variable.

Findings

The results show a positive and significant association between different types of intelligence, including spiritual intelligence (SI), emotional intelligence (EI) and organizational intelligence (OI) and audit firms' OP. The enhancement of the desired organization can accelerate the organization's talent and capacity to reach its goals. Moreover, SC does not mediate the relationship between spiritual, emotional and organizational intelligence and OP.

Originality/value

Since no study has carried out so far on the effect of the different types of auditors' intelligence on Iraqi audit firms' performance, the study results can provide useful information and contribute to the development of knowledge in this field.
The Effects of Product Standards on Trade: Quasi‐Experimental Evidence from China
Authors: Wang Xuejun , Zhang Xiaoqi , Meng Dan , Kaiser Harry M.
Published: February 2022

Using China Compulsory Certification (CCC) as a case study, we investigate how compulsory certification schemes impact China's imports. A difference‐in‐difference approach is used with China customs data to measure the impact of CCC on imports. Our findings show that the CCC regulation increases China's market access for products requiring certification. The results show that the import‐promoting effects of CCC regulation are due to an increase in the intensive margin effect rather than to an increase in the extensive margin effect. We also find that product quality plays no significant mediation role in the effect of CCC regulation on China's imports.
Everyday Public History
Authors: Halstead Huw
Published: February 2022

Public history is often viewed rather narrowly as something that ‘happens’ in familiar places at particular moments in time under the watchful eye of a ‘professional’. This is the public history of the impact and engagement statement: bounded, controlled, measurable. Conversely, I argue for a more ecumenical, diverse and anarchic understanding of public history. Drawing on observations from oral history, participant observation and digital ethnography, I present public history as something that suffuses the everyday lives of historians and non‐historians alike as they continually construct their own histories through myriad sources and methodologies. This ‘everyday public history’ is diffuse, noisy, messy, often confusing, sometimes troubling; but never singular, straightforward or authoritative. By studying this everyday public history, historians gain a fuller understanding of the power of the past in society, a greater capacity to comprehend and challenge problematic historical narratives, and a more productive entanglement between their work and people's everyday lives.
Crisis management, surveillance, and digital ethics in the COVID‐19 era
Authors: Boersma Kees , Büscher Monika , Fonio Chiara
Published: February 2022

In this special issue, we reflect on the global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) crisis and the containment measures put in place by formal authorities, combining both theoretically and empirically three different fields of study: crisis management, surveillance studies, and digital ethics. The special issue shows how the intersection of these fields provides a great opportunity to better understand challenges that are of critical importance to today's societies, as well as opening up new avenues for innovation. The focus of this special issue is to unpack and understand the debate on crisis management measures, surveillance, and ethical consequences during the ongoing, enduring COVID‐19 crisis. Building on crisis management literature, surveillance studies, and digital ethics research the articles included in this special issue reflect on issues of governance, space, as well as moral and ethical considerations, which were often overlooked in the public discourse in relation to the COVID‐19 pandemic. The special issue provides a deeper and clearer understanding of intended and unintended ethical and political consequences of crisis management practices, such as a politics of visibility that makes the operation of power invisible and fails to combat inequality, whilst ignoring the potential positive power of digital data and surveillance for empowerment and resilience
Source‐anchored, trace‐anchored, and general match score‐based likelihood ratios for camera device identification
Authors: Reinders Stephanie , Guan Yong , Ommen Danica , Newman Jennifer
Published: February 2022

Forensic camera device identification addresses the scenario, where an investigator has two pieces of evidence: a digital image from an unknown camera involved in a crime, such as child pornography, and a person of interest’s (POI’s) camera. The investigator wants to determine whether the image was taken by the POI’s camera. Small manufacturing imperfections in the photodiode cause slight variations among pixels in the camera sensor array. These spatial variations, called photo‐response non‐uniformity (PRNU), provide an identifying characteristic, or fingerprint, of the camera. Most work in camera device identification leverages the PRNU of the questioned image and the POI’s camera to make a yes‐or‐no decision. As in other areas of forensics, there is a need to introduce statistical and probabilistic methods that quantify the strength of evidence in favor of the decision. Score‐based likelihood ratios (SLRs) have been proposed in the forensics community to do just that. Several types of SLRs have been studied individually for camera device identification. We introduce a framework for calculating and comparing the performance of three types of SLRs — source‐anchored, trace‐anchored, and general match. We employ PRNU estimates as camera fingerprints and use correlation distance as a similarity score. Three types of SLRs are calculated for 48 camera devices from four image databases: ALASKA; BOSSbase; Dresden; and StegoAppDB. Experiments show that the trace‐anchored SLRs perform the best of these three SLR types on the dataset and the general match SLRs perform the worst.
Rural healthcare delivery and maternal and infant outcomes for diabetes in pregnancy: A systematic review
Authors: Payne Ellen , Palmer Gwendolyn , Rollo Megan , Ryan Kate , Harrison Sandra , Collins Clare , Wynne Katie , Brown Leanne J , Schumacher Tracy
Published: February 2022

Aim

The aim of this systematic review was to examine the literature regarding rural healthcare delivery for women with any type of diabetes in pregnancy, and subsequent maternal and infant outcomes.

Methods

Eight databases were searched in September 2020, including Medline, EMCare, CINAHL, EMBASE, Maternity and Infant Care, Cochrane, Rural and Remote Health and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health bibliography. Studies from high‐income countries in rural, regional or remote areas with interventions conducted during the antenatal period were included. Intervention details were reported using the template for intervention description and replication template. Two reviewers independently assessed for risk of bias using the RoB2 and ROBINS I tools.

Results

Three articles met the inclusion criteria: two conducted in Australia and one in the United States. A multidisciplinary approach was reported in two of the included studies, which were modified specifically for their respective rural settings. All three studies reported rates of caesarean section, birthweight (grams) and gestational age at birth as maternal and infant outcomes. One study was considered at moderate risk of bias, and two studies were at serious risk of bias.

Conclusion

There is a significant gap in research relating to healthcare delivery for women with diabetes in pregnancy in rural areas. This lack of research is concerning given that 19% of individuals in high‐income countries reside rurally. Further research is required to understand the implications of healthcare delivery models for diabetes in pregnancy in rural areas.
Sampling error and the joint estimation of imputation credit value and cash dividend value
Authors: Cannavan Damien , Gray Stephen , Hall Jason
Published: February 2022

The value of imputation credits can only be estimated jointly with the value of cash dividends. We show that random variation across samples leads to estimates of credit value that move in the opposite direction to estimates of cash value. Derivative prices suggest a value for credits of 0.01 to 0.20 (0.01 to 0.07 if cash is worth 0.94, and 0.13 to 0.20 if cash is worth 0.87). Ex‐dividend prices suggest a value for credits of 0.23 to 0.46 (0.23 to 0.36 if cash is worth 0.85, and 0.33 to 0.46 if cash is worth 0.75).
Affected other interventions: a systematic review and meta‐analysis across addictions
Authors: Merkouris Stephanie S. , Rodda Simone N. , Dowling Nicki A.
Published: February 2022

Background and Aims

Individuals impacted by someone else’s alcohol, illicit drug, gambling and gaming problems (affected others) experience extensive harms. To our knowledge, this is the first systematic review and meta‐analysis to determine the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions delivered to affected others across addictions.

Methods

This review adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses. An electronic database search (PsycInfo, Medline, Cinahl and EMBASE) of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published until August 2021 was conducted. RCTs with passive control groups, evaluating psychosocial tertiary interventions delivered to affected others of people with addictions (problematic alcohol use, substance use, gambling or gaming) that did not require the involvement of the addicted person, were included.

Results

Twenty included studies, published in 22 articles, mainly evaluated interventions for alcohol use, followed by gambling and illicit drugs, with none investigating gaming interventions. The interventions mainly targeted partners/spouses and focused upon improving affected other outcomes, addicted person outcomes or both. Meta‐analyses revealed beneficial intervention effects over control groups on some affected other (depressive symptomatology [standardized mean difference (SMD) = −0.48, 95% confidence interval (CI) = −0.67, –0.29], life satisfaction (SMD = −0.37, 95% CI = −0.71, −0.03) and coping style (SMD = −1.33, 95% CI = −1.87, –0.79), addicted person [treatment entry, risk ratio (RR) = 0.86, 95% CI = 0.75–0.98] and relationship functioning outcomes (marital discord, SMD = −0.40, 95% CI = −0.61, −0.18) at post‐intervention. No beneficial intervention effects were identified at short‐term follow‐up (4–11 months post‐treatment). The beneficial intervention effects identified at post‐treatment remained when limiting to studies of alcohol use and therapist‐delivered interventions.

Conclusions

Psychosocial interventions delivered to affected others of people with addictions (problematic alcohol use, substance use, gambling or gaming) may be effective in improving some, but not all, affected other (depression, life satisfaction, coping), addicted person (treatment) and relationship functioning (marital discord) outcomes for affected others across the addictions, but the conclusion remains tentative due to limited studies and methodological limitations.
Biology, host specificity and DNA barcoding of cryptic Eueupithecia species (Lepidoptera: Geometridae), and implications for biological control of Parkinsonia aculeata (Fabaceae) in Australia
Authors: Rafter Michelle A , McKay Fernando , Parisi Marcelo , Sosa Alejandro , Heard Tim A , White Andrew , Fichera Gio , Brookes Dean , Nagalingam Kumaran , Kaye Lauren , Raghu S
Published: February 2022

Parkinsonia aculeata L. (Fabaceae: Caesalpinioideae), native to the Americas, is a designated Weed of National Significance in Australia. The leaf‐feeding geometrid moth species, Eueupithecia cisplatensis Prout (Lepidoptera: Geometridae), was identified as a potential biological control agent of P. aculeata following native range surveys in Argentina. After importation into quarantine for host specificity assessment, this species was identified as a cryptic species complex of two morphologically similar species. The new species, Eueupithecia vollonoides Hausmann (Lepidoptera: Geometridae), was subsequently described. The biology and host range of both moth species were examined to determine their suitability as biological control agents. Host specificity was evaluated in the native range, by surveying insects found on closely related plant species, and in the laboratory, by no‐choice larval development tests. Native range surveys and laboratory assays revealed a high level of specificity to P. aculeata by both Eueupithecia species. Of the 71 plant species from the Fabaceae family that were tested, E. cisplatensis completed development on only one non‐target species, Parkinsonia praecox. This plant species is not present in Australia, and no Eueupithecia species were found to use P. praecox in the field in its native range. Hence, the risk of non‐target effects if these species were to be released in Australia was considered to be low. One mitochondrial (COI) gene region and two nuclear (28S and CAD) gene regions were tested for their ability to differentiate between the two cryptic species. COI haplotypes from E. cisplatensis and E. vollonoides belong to two divergent haplotype groups and can reliably distinguish either species from the other. Some 28S and CAD gene haplotypes are shared at low frequencies, perhaps because of rare or historical hybridisation or incomplete lineage sorting, thus cannot reliably discriminate between the species. This pattern of mito‐nuclear discordance requires further elucidation using population genetics studies to determine its biological significance. Based on the results of host specificity tests, E. cisplatensis and E. vollonoides were approved for release in Australia in May 2013 and May 2014, respectively.
Edge contrast modulates ant community responses to edge distance in agricultural landscapes
Authors: Martello Felipe , Andriolli Fernando Sarti , Medeiros Hugo Reis , Barão Thamilin , Ribeiro Milton Cezar
Published: February 2022

Although edge influence has been studied extensively, there is no consensus on how insect communities respond to edge environments. Studies highlight the importance of an experimental design that considers samples in adjacent matrix and the distance from the edge as a continuous factor. We sampled ants along edges composed by Cerrado vegetation and three types of crop matrix: sugarcane, eucalyptus and pasture. We assessed the response patterns of ant communities to edge contrast and distance using linear models. Ant richness increases linearly towards Cerrado core in edges composed by sugarcane, while it did not change along edges composed by eucalyptus. In both cases, ant composition on both sides of these edges tended to be highly different. In pasture, ant richness is higher than Cerrado, while the composition changes gradually along this edge, indicating that low contrast edges imply a smoother effect of edge influence on communities. Our results suggest that edge influence is dependent on the structural contrast between the habitats that compose the edges. We highlight the importance of the two‐sided approach on edge studies and the use of more than a single biodiversity dimension to provide an accurate picture of edge influence on insect communities.
Serial changes in two immune checkpoint receptors and ligands, Tim‐3/Gal‐9 and PD‐1/PD‐L1 in peripheral blood prior to miscarriage: Comparison with pregnancies resulting in a live birth
Authors: Zhang Tao , Zhao Yiwei , Cheung Wing Ching , Gan Yong Huang , Huang Lin , Li Mingqing , Leung Kam Tong , Chung Piu Wah , Wang Chi Chiu , Laird Susan , Chen Xiaoyan , Li Tin Chiu
Published: February 2022

Problem

Immune checkpoints Tim‐3/Gal‐9 and PD‐1/PL‐1 are involved in the maintenance of maternal‐fetal immune tolerance systematically and locally. This study aimed to compare the serial changes of Tim‐3/Gal‐9, and PD‐1/PL‐1 in peripheral blood over a 4‐week period after blastocyst transfer, between women who had a live birth and those who miscarried.

Methods of study

Serial blood samples were obtained on the day of ET, and 9, 16, 23, and 30 days after ET for the measurement of Tim‐3 and PD‐1 expressions on various lymphocytes by flow cytometry. Concentrations of serum Gal‐9 and PD‐L1 were measured by ELISA.

Results

In pregnancies that resulted in a live birth, a significant and sustained increase in the proportion of Tim‐3+pNK cells was observed from the 9th to 30th days after ET, whilst the concentration of serum PD‐L1 was significantly increased on the 23rd and 30th days after ET when compared to the day of ET. In pregnancies that later miscarried, none of the parameters were significantly changed across all the time points examined. When comparing the results between the two groups, the proportion of Tim‐3+ CD56dimNK cells in the women who had a live birth was significantly higher than that in women who miscarried from the 9th to 30th day after ET.

Conclusion

A significant and sustained increase in the proportion of Tim‐3+ pNK cells was observed in pregnancies resulting in a live birth but not in pregnancies resulting in a miscarriage, suggesting the changes may be associated with successful pregnancy outcomes.
Improved pregnancy outcomes of cyclosporine A on patients with unexplained repeated implantation failure in IVF/ICSI cycles: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Cheng Wei , Wu Yanan , Wu Huihua , Zou Qinyan , Meng Qingxia , Wang Fuxin , Li Huimin , Xu Yongle , Zhao Nannan , Zhou Ying , Li Mingqing , Du Meirong , Li Dajin , Li Hong , Zhu Rui
Published: February 2022

Problem

Repeated implantation failure (RIF) is a daunting obstacle restricting the further improvement of embryo implantation rate (IR) and live birth rate (LBR). The beneficial effect of cyclosporine A (CsA) on reproductive outcomes of unexplained RIF(URIF) was explored after de novo embryo transfer (ET).

Method of study

A retrospective cohort study was conducted, comparing pregnancy outcomes of 146 cycles (CsA group, n = 62; control group, n = 84) at the IVF center of Suzhou Municipal Hospital from April 2016 to March 2020.

Results

Baseline and transfer cycle characteristics of participants were comparable between groups. Overall, CsA exerted obvious improvement on IR (51.16% vs 31.97%, P = .006), clinical pregnancy rate (CPR) (58.06% vs 38.10%, P = .017), and LBR (48.39% vs 32.14%, P = .047). Especially, CsA showed remarkably enhancement on IR (41.38% vs 14.63%, P = .012), CPR (47.62% vs 17.24%, P = .021) of non‐high quality embryos. No difference in obstetric and pediatric complications was observed, and no birth defects were reported under CsA application. CsA was found to be a predictor of clinical pregnancy [fine adjusted OR 2.360, 95 % CI 1.165–4.781; P = .017] and live birth [fine adjusted OR 2.339, 95% CI 1.124–4.867; P = .023] for multivariate logistic regression. Not surprisingly, the number of high quality embryos should also be considered as an independent predictor for clinical pregnancy [fine adjusted OR 1.637,95%CI 1.027–2.609; P = .038] and live birth [fine adjusted OR 1.890, 95% CI 1.165–3.068; P = .010].

Conclusion

CsA application in patients with URIF promotes the pregnancy outcomes and does not increase the risk of obstetric and pediatric complications.
A reflective evaluation of a feeding clinic intervention—Parents as a reflecting team
Authors: Moynihan Manus , Illsley Sarah
Published: February 2022

Accessible summary

Children with disabilities can present with eating difficulties that can be a significant stressor on families and the health care teams trying to support them.

Integrating behavioural and family therapy models offers a novel way to work with families in this context.

Parents working as a reflecting team can facilitate sharing and comparing of ideas and learning over time.

Supporting families to move from consumers of health care to co‐producers enables them to not only learn new techniques but also, and more importantly, to critically think about the techniques being offered and how to adapt these to their family preferences, culture, and context.
Examining the cost and impact of dosing fees among clients in opioid agonist treatment: Results from a cross‐sectional survey of Australian treatment clients
Authors: Zahra Emma , Chen Rory , Nielsen Suzanne , Tran Anh Dam , Santo Thomas , Degenhardt Louisa , Farrell Michael , Byrne Jude , Ali Robert , Larance Briony
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Opioid agonist treatment (OAT) clients frequently bear costs associated with their treatment, including dosing fees. This study aimed to explore the financial and social impact of dosing fees upon clients.

Methods

Cross‐sectional survey of people who use opioids regularly (N = 402) between December 2017 and March 2018, conducted in Australia. Dosing fees were calculated and expressed as percentage of income, by OAT type. Consequences and strategies for difficulties making payments were examined as proportions.

Results

A total of N = 360 participants had ever been in OAT and N = 245 participants currently engaged in OAT reported data on dosing fees, of them 53% (n = 129) reported paying dosing fees. Compared to clients with high levels of dosing supervision, those with moderate or low levels of supervision were more likely to pay dosing fees. The median 28‐day dosing fee was AUD$110 (interquartile range AUD$80); median 28‐day income was AUD$1520 (interquartile range AUD$700). For those who paid dosing fees, the fee comprised <10% of total monthly income for 70% of participants; however, 23% of participants paid fees comprising 10% to <20%, and 7% of participants paid fees comprising 20% or more of monthly income. Among those that had ever been in OAT, 72% experienced difficulties in paying treatment costs; 36% left treatment earlier than intended and 25% had been excluded due to payment difficulties.

Discussion and Conclusions

Negative consequences of treatment costs to clients, particularly dosing fees, are evident. These costs impact treatment access and retention that may negatively impact clients' physical health, mental health and social wellbeing.
The role of status in the early emergence of pro‐White bias in rural Uganda
Authors: Marshall Julia , Gollwitzer Anton , Mermin‐Bunnell Kellen , Mandalaywala Tara
Published: February 2022

Research investigating the early emergence of racial prejudice has been largely limited to contexts in which racial prejudice is most likely to emerge—multiracial societies that have pronounced racial inequality (e.g., United States, South Africa). The present study assessed whether pro‐White racial bias is also early emerging in a homogenous Black community that has little exposure to modern media and where children presumably experience less overt discrimination than in past samples. Black African children (N = 214) between 5‐ and 12‐years‐old living in rural Uganda exhibited substantial pro‐White racial bias, preferring White over Black children 78% of the time. Ugandan children also judged White children as higher status than Black children, and these status judgments predicted their degree of pro‐White bias. Our results indicate that pro‐White racial biases can emerge even in a homogenous Black community and that, in some contexts, minimal status cues can be sufficient for the early development of racial prejudice.
Fast assessment of left ventricular systolic function in obstructive sleep apnea patients with automated function imaging: Comparison with mitral annular plane systolic excursion
Authors: Ma ChenYao , Sanderson John E. , Chen Qi , Liang Zhe , Zhan XiaoJun , Wu Chan , Liu Hu , Xiao Lei , Fang Fang
Published: February 2022

Background

Early detection of left ventricular (LV) subclinical dysfunction is clinically relevant before developing irreversible impairment in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients. Mitral annulus plane systolic excursion (MAPSE) is a fast tool for OSA due to high prevalent obesity; another quick but more comprehensive tool is LV global longitudinal stain (GLS) based on automated function imaging (AFI). We therefore aimed to compare the feasibility and reproducibility of AFI to MAPSE in OSA patients, as a good model in whom obesity is common.

Methods

A comprehensive echocardiographic examination was done in 186 consecutive patients having polysomnography for suspected OSA. MAPSE was measured by using M‐mode to calculate excursion of mitral annulus. GLS was derived by offline analysis of three long‐axis views that semi‐automatically detects LV endocardial boundary, which is adjusted manually as necessary with AFI measurement. Variability of AFI and MAPSE were compared among the different subgroups.

Results

Despite a relatively high obesity rate (42.9%), the feasibility of AFI was 94% (175/186) and that of 100% in MAPSE. AFI showed excellent correlation (r = .882) superior to MAPSE (r = .819) between the Expert and Beginner. Intra‐ and inter‐ observer variability of AFI and MAPSE in Bland‐Altman analysis were 5.5% and 6.5%; 6.2% and 8.8%, respectively. In repeated measurements, AFI showed higher intra‐class correlation (ICC = .95) than MAPSE (ICC = .87) (p < 0.05). Furthermore, analysis showed that AFI was feasible even in more obese patients (BMI≥28 kg/m2).

Conclusions

Even in obese patients with OSA, AFI‐GLS is feasible and more reliable for less expert operators than MAPSE in detecting LV longitudinal dysfunction.
The soul‐soother of later antiquity: Nietzsche on Epicurus and Schopenhauer
Authors: Fawcett Tom
Published: February 2022

In this article, I raise an interpretive problem presented by Nietzsche's adulatory attitude toward Epicurus during his middle period. I make the case that Epicurus' ethics is in several major respects identical to that of Schopenhauer. This is problematic for interpreters of Nietzsche insofar as Schopenhauer's ethics provides the main grounds for Nietzsche's emphatic rejection of him as a life‐denying ascetic. How is it then, I ask, that the middle Nietzsche felt he was able to embrace Epicurus? I argue that the difference between Nietzsche's appraisals of Epicurus and Schopenhauer can be accounted for in terms of the difference in their respective responses to suffering in general and psychological conflict in particular.
Conservative treatment of an incomplete calcaneal fracture in a pony using a tarsal sleeve cast
Authors: Marcatili M. , Cantatore F. , Riley G. , Withers J.
Published: February 2022

A 9‐year‐old 390 kg games pony presented with acute onset of grade 5/5 (AAEP) right hindlimb (RH) lameness. During clinical examination, the source of lameness was localised to the tarsal region. Radiographic examination identified a closed, simple, nondisplaced, incomplete fracture of the calcaneal shaft. The pony was initially treated with box rest; however, despite an initial good response, the horse re‐presented with a grade 5/5 (AAEP) RH lameness, 2 weeks after initial presentation. The decision was made to treat the fracture using a tarsal sleeve cast extending from mid‐third of the tibia/crus to the level of distal metatarsus. The cast was replaced every 2 weeks and maintained for a total of 8 weeks. After cast removal, the horse was kept on strict box rest for 3 weeks. After discharge from the hospital, in‐hand walking exercise from the stable was commenced and gradually increased over a 4‐week period. The horse was then gradually reintroduced to small paddock turnout exercise for eight further weeks. The horse was able to return to full athletic function. Conservative treatment using a tarsal sleeve cast should be considered only in horses presenting an incomplete nondisplaced fracture of the calcaneal shaft.