bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Institutional pressures and risk governance: testing the mediation role of collectivist orientation among financial institutions in Uganda
Authors: Kakooza JohnBosco , Bagire Vicent , Abaho Ernest , Munene John , Tumwine Sulait
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is twofold: to examine the relationship between institutional pressures and risk governance in financial institutions (FIs) in Uganda and to establish mediational role of collectivist orientation in the relationship between institutional pressures and risk governance in financial institutions in Uganda.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopts a cross-sectional and quantitative research design. The authors employed Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modeling (SmartPLS 3.3.0 for professionals) to test hypotheses.

Findings

The results indicate that institutional pressures is significantly associated with risk governance in FIs. The study also finds collectivist orientation partially mediates the relationship between institutional pressures and risk governance in FIs in Uganda.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study provides initial empirical evidence on the relationship between institutional pressures, collectivist orientation and risk governance using evidence from a developing African country – Uganda. Additionally, this study provides an initial evidence of the mediating role of collectivist orientation in the relationship between institutional pressures and risk governance in FIs.
Online knowledge sharing and employee innovation: the role of job self-efficacy and innovative climate
Authors: Le Cong Thuan , Phan Thi Kim Lan , Nguyen Thi Y Nhi
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This study aims to investigate how job self-efficacy mediates the relationship between online knowledge sharing and employee innovation. To fully understand this relationship, this study also tests the moderating role of an innovative climate.

Design/methodology/approach

This study gathered data from 353 full-time employees working at information technology companies in Vietnam. This study used structural equation modeling to test hypotheses.

Findings

The results showed that online knowledge sharing positively influenced employee innovation directly and indirectly through job self-efficacy. Moreover, innovative climate positively affected employee innovation as well as moderated the nexus between online knowledge sharing and employee innovation.

Originality/value

First, this study provides further evidence that job self-efficacy plays a mediator linking online knowledge sharing with employee innovation. Second, this paper confirms that an innovative climate can play a mixed moderator that not only influences employee innovation but also moderates the association between online knowledge sharing and employee innovation.
Behind the curtain of sustainable business models: the role of firm’s strategic agility in value creation
Authors: Mina’ Anna , Michelini Laura
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to identify the archetypes of business models and illustrate how firms create, deliver and capture value by juxtaposing the firm’s aspired value emphasis with its strategic agility.

Design/methodology/approach

The two-by-two matrix is constructed based on an analysis of existing literature and conceptual development.

Findings

We advance a conceptualization of strategic agility to emphasize speed and flexibility as the main drivers, along with attention toward stakeholder expectations. Additionally, we unveil four different archetypes of business models based on the firm’s aspired value emphasis (economic vs plus social/environmental) and the type of strategic agility (defensive vs proactive).

Research limitations/implications

Studies that empirically corroborate the proposed conceptualization of strategic agility are needed. In addition, empirical investigations on the evolutionary paths underlying the development of firms’ business models are requested.

Practical implications

Managers learn about aspects and actions that they should pursue to shift from one business model archetype to another.

Originality/value

We identify the features – in terms of focus on all the components of the triple bottom line (or not) and in terms of strategic agility – that firms need to face or even anticipate environmental and social transformation.
3D-printed conformal sensors for health monitoring of bovine post diaphragmatic hernia surgery: a review
Authors: Barwar Abhishek , Kala Prateek , Singh Rupinder
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Some studies have been reported in the past on diaphragmatic hernia (DH) surgery techniques using additive manufacturing (AM) technologies, symptoms of a hernia and post-surgery complications. But hitherto little has been reported on bibliographic analysis (BA) for health monitoring of bovine post-DH surgery for long-term management. Based on BA, this study aims to explore the sensor fabrication integrated with innovative AM technologies for health monitoring assistance of bovines post-DH surgery.

Design/methodology/approach

A BA based on the data extracted through the Web of Science database was performed using bibliometric tools (R-Studio and Biblioshiny).

Findings

After going through the BA and a case study, this review provides information on various 3D-printed meshes used over the sutured site and available Internet of Things-based solutions to prevent the recurrence of DH.

Originality/value

Research gaps exist for 3D-printed conformal sensors for health monitoring of bovine post-DH surgery.
Barriers to digital technologies-driven circular economy in the Nigerian construction industry
Authors: Sofolahan Onyinye , Eze Emmanuel Chidiebere , Ameyaw Ernest Effah , Nnametu Jovita
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate barriers to the adoption of digital technologies (DTs) in the circular economy (CE) transition in the construction industry. The aim is to quantitatively investigate what the barriers to DTs-driven CE are in the Nigerian construction industry.

Design/methodology/approach

A review of existing literature identified 32 barriers to DTs-led CE. A well-structured quantitative research questionnaire was developed and administered to construction experts using a convenient sampling technique via hand delivery and Google form. The gathered data were analysed using arrays of both descriptive and inferential statistical methods.

Findings

The study revealed that the awareness of the digitalisation of CE is high, but the adoption is low. Five themes of the leading 10 factors responsible for the low adoption of DTs in CE transition in the Nigerian construction industry are (1) finance and demand barrier, (2) data management and information vulnerability, (3) skills shortage and infrastructure challenge, (4) poor government and management support and (5) interoperability and resistance problems.

Practical implications

This study could be helpful to decision-makers and policy formulators, which would provide an avenue for higher adoption of DTs in CE transition in the construction industry, better performance and environmental protection. It also provides a foundation for further research efforts in Nigeria and other developing countries of Africa and beyond.

Originality/value

Studies on the barriers to DT adoption in CE transition are still growing, and this is even non-existent in the Nigerian construction context. This offers a unique insight and original findings by pioneering the identification and assessment of barriers to the digitalisation of CE transition in Nigeria’s construction industry.
Effect of Ce and Sb doping on microstructure and thermal/mechanical properties of Sn-1.0Ag-0.5Cu lead-free solder
Authors: Liu Fang , Wang Zilong , Zhou JiaCheng , Wu Yuqin , Wang Zhen
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of Ce and Sb doping on the microstructure and thermal mechanical properties of Sn-1.0Ag-0.5Cu lead-free solder. The effects of 0.5%Sb and 0.07%Ce doping on microstructure, thermal properties and mechanical properties of Sn-1.0Ag-0.5Cu lead-free solder were investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

According to the mass ratio, the solder alloys were prepared from tin ingot, antimony ingot, silver ingot and copper ingot with purity of 99.99% at 400°C. X-ray diffractometer was adopted for phase analysis of the alloys. Optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectrometer were used to study the effect of the Sb and Ce doping on the microstructure of the solder. Then, the thermal characteristics of alloys were characterized by a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). Finally, the ultimate tensile strength (UTS), elongation (EL.%) and yield strength (YS) of solder alloys were measured by tensile testing machine.

Findings

With the addition of Sb and Ce, the ß-Sn and intermetallic compounds of solders were refined and distributed more evenly. With the addition of Sb, the UTS, EL.% and YS of Sn-1.0Ag-0.5Cu increased by 15.3%, 46.8% and 16.5%, respectively. The EL.% of Sn-1.0Ag-0.5Cu increased by 56.5% due to Ce doping. When both Sb and Ce elements are added, the EL.% of Sn-1.0Ag-0.5Cu increased by 93.3%.

Originality/value

The addition of 0.5% Sb and 0.07% Ce can obtain better comprehensive performance, which provides a helpful reference for the development of Sn-Ag-Cu lead-free solder.
Why trade matters—How policy shapes who eats what where and how it is produced
Authors: Gordon Jenny
Published: April 2024

Rising uncertainty due to climate change and the failure of globalisation to improve security is threatening trade. As trade matters for prosperity, and ultimately security, policy makers need to resist protectionist responses to perceived security risks.
The Love Problem of a Student—Revisited: A Psycho‐Ethical Map for Cases of Anima Projection
Authors: Polipo Niccolò Fiorentino
Published: April 2024

In its typical form, an “anima projection” is a psychic experience in which a heterosexual man is caught up by an intense, almost magical attraction for a woman. What sets these numinous experiences apart from a common “crush” is a pattern of specific phenomenological characteristics. Anima projections are particularly common in late adolescence and early adulthood, when they can cause a deep sense of disorientation. Little education exists for young men on how to deal with these experiences and to actualize the developmental opportunity that underlies them. In this paper, I frame anima projections as an ethical problem and outline a psycho‐ethical “map” that is intended for use by disoriented young men, or by any practitioner who may be tasked with helping them navigate this challenge along the path of individuation. The map considers four solutions to the love problem: the “concretistic‐literal”, the “fearful‐avoidant”, the “rational‐depressive”, and the “transitional‐developmental” solution, and indicates the latter as the one that is conducive to optimal psychic development. Although developed with a focus on young men, the map may apply to other relations based on projection, regardless of age, sex, gender, or sexual orientation.
Definition of unexplained infertility and career choice of obstetrics and gynaecology for medical students
Authors: Chien Patrick
Published: April 2024

Deputy Editor‐in‐Chief, Dr Patrick Chien, discusses his top articles from this issue in an audio podcast available at: https://soundcloud.com/bjog/June‐editorial‐2024
Gamma‐glutamyl transferase and the risk of all‐cause and disease‐specific mortality in patients with diabetes: A nationwide cohort study
Authors: Chung Goh Eun , Jeong Su‐Min , Yu Su Jong , Yoo Jeong‐Ju , Cho Yuri , Lee Kyu‐na , Shin Dong Wook , Kim Yoon Jun , Yoon Jung‐Hwan , Han Kyungdo , Cho Eun Ju
Published: April 2024

Background

There exists a paucity of data regarding whether gamma‐glutamyl transferase is associated with disease‐specific mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. This study aimed to investigate the association of serum gamma‐glutamyl transferase levels with all‐cause and disease‐specific mortality in patients with diabetes mellitus using a Korean nationwide health‐screening database.

Methods

A total of 9 687 066 patients without viral hepatitis or liver cirrhosis who underwent health examination in 2009 were included. These patients were divided into four groups according to sex‐specific quartiles of serum gamma‐glutamyl transferase levels.

Results

During a median follow‐up period of 8.1 years, 222 242 deaths were identified. The all‐cause mortality rate increased as the serum gamma‐glutamyl transferase levels became higher (highest quartile vs lowest quartile: hazard ratio [HR], 1.57; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.55–1.59; p for trend <.001). Similar trends were observed for cardiovascular disease (HR, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.53–1.62), ischemic heart disease (HR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.33–1.48), and stroke (HR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.60–1.85) in the highest quartile, as compared with the lowest quartile (p for trend <.001). As the gamma‐glutamyl transferase quartiles became higher, mortality rates related to cancer (HR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.52–1.60), liver disease (HR, 9.42; 95% CI, 8.81–10.07), respiratory disease (HR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.49–1.62), and infectious disease (HR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.59–1.87) also increased in the highest quartile, compared with the lowest quartile (p for trend <.001).

Conclusions

Serum gamma‐glutamyl transferase levels may be useful for the risk assessment of all‐cause and disease‐specific mortality among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

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Cost saving analysis of prediabetes intervention modalities in comparison with inaction using Markov state transition model—A multiregional case study
Authors: Al‐Omar Hussain Abdulrahman , Czech Marcin , Quang Nam Tran , Gottwald‐Hostalek Ulrike , Vesic Nikola , Whitehouse James , Dawson Maddy
Published: April 2024

Background

Prediabetes management is a priority for policymakers globally, to avoid/delay type 2 diabetes (T2D) and reduce severe, costly health consequences. Countries moving from low to middle income are most at risk from the T2D “epidemic” and may find implementing preventative measures challenging; yet prevention has largely been evaluated in developed countries.

Methods

Markov cohort simulations explored costs and benefits of various prediabetes management approaches, expressed as “savings” to the public health care system, for three countries with high prediabetes prevalence and contrasting economic status (Poland, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam). Two scenarios were compared up to 15 y: “inaction” (no prediabetes intervention) and “intervention” with metformin extended release (ER), intensive lifestyle change (ILC), ILC with metformin (ER), or ILC with metformin (ER) “titration.”

Results

T2D was the highest‐cost health state at all time horizons due to resource use, and inaction produced the highest T2D costs, ranging from 9% to 34% of total health care resource costs. All interventions reduced T2D versus inaction, the most effective being ILC + metformin (ER) “titration” (39% reduction at 5 y). Metformin (ER) was the only strategy that produced net saving across the time horizon; however, relative total health care system costs of other interventions vs inaction declined over time up to 15 y. Viet Nam was most sensitive to cost and parameter changes via a one‐way sensitivity analysis.

Conclusions

Metformin (ER) and lifestyle interventions for prediabetes offer promise for reducing T2D incidence. Metformin (ER) could reduce T2D patient numbers and health care costs, given concerns regarding adherence in the context of funding/reimbursement challenges for lifestyle interventions.

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Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion versus multiple daily injection therapy in pregnant women with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Gong Yixin , Wei Tian , Liu Yujie , Wang Jing , Yan Jinhua , Yang Daizhi , Luo Sihui , Weng Jianping , Zheng Xueying
Published: April 2024

Introduction

The study aimed to compare glycemic control and pregnancy outcomes in women with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) using multiple daily injection therapy (MDI) and continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) and to compare outcomes of women treated with long‐acting insulin or neutral protamine Hagedorn (NPH).

Methods

This multicenter prospective cohort study involved women with pregestational T1DM treated with MDI and CSII. Primary outcome was glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) before and during pregnancy. Secondary outcomes included maternal and neonatal outcomes and quality of life.

Results

Of the 121 studied women, the average age was 28.48 years, and the average body mass index was 21.29 kg/m2 at conception and 26.32 kg/m2 at delivery. Of the studied women, 78.51% had planned pregnancy. Women treated with MDI and CSII had comparable HbA1c before pregnancy or in the first and second trimesters. In the third trimester, women on CSII therapy had significantly lower HbA1c (6.07 ± 0.62 vs 6.20 ± 0.88%, p = .017), higher HbA1c on‐target rate (71.43% vs 64.62%, p = .030), and greater decline of HbA1c from preconception to the third trimester (−0.65 vs −0.30%, p = .047). Fewer daily insulin requirements were observed in those used CSII compared with MDI‐treated women (0.60 ± 0.22 vs 0.73 ± 0.25 U/kg/day, p = .004). Newborns born of mothers treated with the CSII method were more likely to have neonatal jaundice (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 2.76, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.16–6.57) and neonatal intensive care unit (adjusted OR 3.73, 95%CI 1.24–11.16), and women on CSII had lower scores in patient‐reported quality of life (p = .045). In the MDI group, those receiving long‐acting insulin had nonsignificant lower HbA1c and higher HbA1c on‐target rate in the second and third trimesters, compared with those treated with NPH.

Conclusions

Insulin pump users may achieve better glycemic control than multiple daily insulin injections, which did not substantially improve pregnancy outcome.

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In Search of the Romans: Sir Richard Colt Hoare in Wales
Authors: Stacey David B.
Published: April 2024

The eighteenth century saw antiquaries taking an increased interest in evidence arising from the Roman occupation of Britain. Sir Richard Colt Hoare explored Wales. From 1793 to 1804, his tours follow in the footsteps of Giraldus de Barri. His journals describing the Welsh tours are known, except for the year 1804. These have recently been uncovered at Stourhead. The 1804 tour was taken ‘[…] with a view to […] exploring the Roman Roads and Stations through the Principality’. Colt Hoare's translation of the The Itinerary of Archbishop Baldwin Through Wales, a.d. MCLXXXVIII/by Giraldus de Barri; …, followed in 1806. Comparison of Colt Hoare's journals with his translation of Giraldus' Latin text, which is mostly silent on the Romans, shows how he uses the translation to privilege his observations on Roman Wales.
Accelerated biological aging as a potential risk factor for rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Dan Yi‐Lin , Yang Yi‐Qun , Zhu Dong‐Cheng , Bo Lin , Lei Shu‐Feng
Published: April 2024

Objects

Previous studies have suggested a potential correlation between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and biological aging, but the intricate connections and mechanisms remain elusive.

Methods

In our study, we focused on two specific measures of biological age (PhenoAge and BioAge), which are derived from clinical biomarkers. The residuals of these measures, when compared to chronological age, are defined as biological age accelerations (BAAs). Utilizing the extensive UK Biobank dataset along with various genetic datasets, we conducted a thorough assessment of the relationship between BAAs and RA at both the individual and aggregate levels.

Results

Our observational studies revealed positive correlations between the two BAAs and the risk of developing both RA and seropositive RA. Furthermore, the genetic risk score (GRS) for PhenoAgeAccel was associated with an increased risk of RA and seropositive RA. Linkage disequilibrium score regression (LDSC) analysis further supported these findings, revealing a positive genetic correlation between PhenoAgeAccel and RA. PLACO analysis identified 38 lead pleiotropic single nucleotide polymorphisms linked to 301 genes, providing valuable insights into the potential mechanisms connecting PhenoAgeAccel and RA.

Conclusion

In summary, our study has successfully revealed a positive correlation between accelerated biological aging, as measured by BAAs, and the susceptibility to RA.
Utilization of clinical practice guidelines for cancer care in routine practice and during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic in India
Authors: Mathur Prashant , Ramamoorthy Thilagavathi , Lakshminarayana Sudarshan Kondalli , Nath Anita , Mathew Stany , Rajput Gurpreet Kaur
Published: April 2024

Aim

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic affected cancer service delivery and the feasibility of following the standard treatment guidelines. The present paper describes the use of clinical care guidelines for cancer management in routine practice and the approach adopted towards cancer care during the COVID‐19 pandemic in India.

Methods

A web‐based survey was done in 107 hospitals (including public and private health facilities) that hosted Hospital‐Based Cancer Registries under the National Cancer Registry Programme. The participants comprised Principal Investigators of these registries, who were also medical, surgical, and radiation oncology clinicians. The survey was done between May 1, 2021, and July 31, 2021. Participants were provided with a web link for the survey questionnaire, confidential login, and password.

Results

The study found high utilization of Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) during practice, with eight out of ten physicians constantly to referring them. The study reported lack of knowledge, skills, and training to administer the treatment based on the guidelines followed by organizational infrastructure and affordability of treatment by the patients as the factors hampering utilization. International clinical guidelines were preferred when compared to national guidelines. The COVID‐19 pandemic decreased the use of CPGs, wherein six out of ten clinicians reported their use.

Conclusion

Stakeholders who formulate clinical guidelines must consider the practical aspects and feasibility of implementing such guidelines during a pandemic and similar situations. This should be coupled with adequate changes in care practice to ensure optimal care delivery and a continuum of cancer care in routine and pandemic‐imposed situations.
Introduction ‐ Anthropology and the security encounter: Toward an abolitionist anthropology in the age of permanent war
Authors: Glück Zoltán
Published: April 2024

Anthropologists need to grapple politically with the ways in which security, war and militarization shape our fields of study. This special section of American Anthropologist, “Forever War: Anthropology and the Global War on Terror,” brings together scholars studying, writing and enacting their politics amidst the immense socio‐political impacts of the Global War on Terror. In this introductory article, I offer the concept of “the security encounter” to describe the complex and inherently political conditions of doing anthropology within the current conjuncture, as well as a provocation for anthropologists to adopt an abolitionist approach to security, militarization, and permanent war which increasingly structure our lives and work.
Deep Learning for prediction of late recurrence of retinal detachment using preoperative and postoperative ultra‐wide field imaging
Authors: Catania Fiammetta , Chapron Thibaut , Crincoli Emanuele , Miere Alexandra , Abdelmassih Youssef , Beaumont William , Chehaibou Ismael , Metge Florence , Bruneau Sebastien , Bonnin Sophie , Souied Eric H. , Caputo Georges
Published: April 2024

Purpose

To elaborate a deep learning (DL) model for automatic prediction of late recurrence (LR) of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) using pseudocolor and fundus autofluorescence (AF) ultra‐wide field (UWF) images obtained preoperatively and postoperatively.

Materials and Methods

We retrospectively included patients >18 years who underwent either scleral buckling (SB) or pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for primary or recurrent RRD with a post‐operative follow‐up >2 years. Records of RRD recurrence between 6 weeks and 2 years after surgery served as a ground truth for the training of the deep learning (DL) models. Four separate DL models were trained to predict LR within the 2 postoperative years (binary outputs) using, respectively, UWF preoperative and postoperative pseudocolor images and UWF preoperative and postoperative AF images.

Results

A total of 412 eyes were included in the study (332 eyes treated with PPV and 80 eyes with SB). The mean follow‐up was 4.0 ± 2.1 years. The DL models based on preoperative and postoperative pseudocolor UWF imaging predicted recurrence with 85.6% (sensitivity 86.7%, specificity 85.4%) and 90.2% accuracy (sensitivity 87.0%, specificity 90.8%) in PPV‐treated eyes, and 87.0% (sensitivity 86.7%, specificity 87.0%) and 91.1% (sensitivity 88.2%, specificity 91.9%) in SB‐treated eyes, respectively. The DL models using preoperative and postoperative AF‐UWF imaging predicted recurrence with 87.6% (sensitivity 84.0% and specificity 88.3%) and 91.0% (sensitivity 88.9%, specificity 91.5%) accuracy in PPV eyes, and 86.5% (sensitivity 87.5%; specificity 86.2%) and 90.6% (sensitivity 90.0%, specificity 90.7%) in SB eyes, respectively. Among the risk factors detected with visualisation methods, potential novel ones were extensive laser retinopexy and asymmetric staphyloma.

Conclusions

DL can accurately predict the LR of RRD based on UWF images (especially postoperative ones), which can help refine follow‐up strategies. Saliency maps might provide further insight into the dynamics of RRD recurrence.
Unlocking mitochondrial drug targets: The importance of mitochondrial transport proteins
Authors: Hoogstraten Charlotte A. , Schirris Tom J. J. , Russel Frans G. M.
Published: April 2024

A disturbed mitochondrial function contributes to the pathology of many common diseases. These organelles are therefore important therapeutic targets. On the contrary, many adverse effects of drugs can be explained by a mitochondrial off‐target effect, in particular, due to an interaction with carrier proteins in the inner membrane. Yet this class of transport proteins remains underappreciated and understudied. The aim of this review is to provide a deeper understanding of the role of mitochondrial carriers in health and disease and their significance as drug targets. We present literature‐based evidence that mitochondrial carrier proteins are associated with prevalent diseases and emphasize their potential as drug (off‐)target sites by summarizing known mitochondrial drug–transporter interactions. Studying these carriers will enhance our knowledge of mitochondrial drug on‐ and off‐targets and provide opportunities to further improve the efficacy and safety of drugs.
Letter: Association of persistently high HBsAg levels during HBeAg‐seropositive stage and hepatocellular carcinoma risk in chronic hepatitis B patients—Authors' reply
Authors: Lin Hsin‐Che , Jeng Wen‐Juei , Yang Hwai‐I
Published: April 2024

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Lin et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17915 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17971
The forgotten adaptive social benefits of social learning in animals
Authors: Harrison Rachel A. , Dongre Pooja , van Schaik Carel P. , van de Waal Erica
Published: April 2024

Theoretical and empirical scholars of cultural evolution have traditionally studied social learning strategies, such as conformity, as adaptive strategies to obtain accurate information about the environment, whereas within social psychology there has been a greater focus upon the social consequences of such strategies. Although these two approaches are often used in concert when studying human social learning, we believe the potential social benefits of conformity, and of social learning more broadly, have been overlooked in studies of non‐humans. We review evidence from studies of homophily, imitation, and rapid facial mimicry that suggests that behaving like others affords social benefits to non‐human animals and that behaviour matching may be deployed strategically to increase affiliation. Furthermore, we review studies of conformity in dispersers, and suggest that forgoing personal information or preferences in favour of those of the new group during immigration may be a strategy to facilitate social integration. We therefore propose that the informational and social functions of conformity apply to humans and animals alike. We use this perspective to generate several interesting research questions to inspire work in this field. For example, under what conditions do animals use informational or social conformity and what role does uncertainty play in social learning in immigrant individuals?
Optimisation of cationic dye dyeing process of Porel fabrics using response surface methodology
Authors: Chang Yuan , Hou Keru , Ji Yating , Yun Zhongfang , Cheng Guolei , Cai Zaisheng
Published: April 2024

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fibre, widely utilised across diverse industries, suffers from inherent drawbacks such as inadequate moisture absorption, limited hydrophilicity, and susceptibility to static electricity. To address these limitations, Porel fibre has emerged as a novel modified polyester fibre that incorporates flexible aliphatic polyester into its macromolecular chain. This innovative design not only overcomes the deficiencies of PET fibre but also enables it to be dyed using cationic dyes or disperse dyes under atmospheric pressure conditions. However, the investigation of the dyeing process of cationic dyes on Porel textiles remains relatively scarce. In this work, response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimise the dyeing process of Porel fabrics with C.I. Basic Blue 162. The effects of dyeing temperature, dyeing time, and dye concentration on exhaustion percentage and colour strength (K/S value) were investigated using the Central Composite Design (CCD) method. The optimal dyeing process condition was as follows: a dyeing temperature of 96°C, a dyeing time of 51 min, a dye concentration of 3.6% owf, a dye solution pH value of 4–5, and a liquor ratio of 1:20. Under the optimal dyeing process conditions, the Porel fabrics achieved an exhaustion percentage of 96.2% and a K/S value of 36.0. The aforementioned efforts endow Porel fibre with high‐quality dyeing capabilities and broaden the application prospects of polyester textiles.
Flexible migration and habitat use strategies of an endangered waterbird during hydrological drought
Authors: Pearse Aaron T. , Caven Andrew J. , Baasch David M. , Bidwell Mark T. , Conkin John A. , Brandt David A.
Published: April 2024

Wildlife species confront threats from climate and land use change, exacerbating the influence of extreme climatic events on populations and biodiversity. Migratory waterbirds are especially vulnerable to hydrological drought via reduced availability of surface water habitats. We assessed how whooping cranes (Grus americana) modified habitat use and migration strategies during drought to evaluate their resilience to changing conditions and adaptive capacity. We categorized >8000 night‐roost sites used by 146 cranes from 2010 to 2022 and examined relative use during non‐drought, moderate drought, and extreme drought conditions. We found cultivated and uncultivated palustrine and lacustrine wetlands were generally used less during droughts than non‐drought conditions. Conversely, impounded palustrine and lacustrine systems and rivers served more frequently as drought refugia (i.e., used more during drought than non‐drought conditions). Night roosts occurred primarily on private lands (86% overall); public land use decreased with latitude and increased with drought severity, with greatest use (56%) occurring during severe autumn drought in the southern Great Plains. Quantifying use of identified critical habitats in the United States indicated that Cheyenne Bottoms State Waterfowl Management Area and Quivira National Wildlife Refuge were used less during drought, and the Central Platte River and Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge received similar use during drought compared to non‐drought conditions. Our findings provide insights into compensatory use of habitats, where impounded surface water may function in a complementary fashion with natural wetlands. Collectively, these and other types of wetlands distributed across the migration corridor provided a reliable network of habitat available across the Great Plains. A diversity of wetlands available during variable environmental conditions would be useful in supporting continued recovery of whooping cranes and likely have benefits for a wide array of migratory birds.
Underprediction of extirpation and colonisation following climate and land‐use change using species distribution models
Authors: Auffret Alistair G. , Nenzén Hedvig , Polaina Ester
Published: April 2024

Aim

To evaluate the performance of species distribution models in predicting observed colonisations, persistences and extirpations in response to changes in climate and land use over a multi‐decadal period.

Location

Sweden.

Methods

We use historical (early 20th century) land use and climate data to build species distribution models for 84 plant species across three provinces of Sweden. Model performance was then evaluated internally using a subset of the historical data for cross‐validation, as well as by using the models to project occurrences to the modern day and validating them with observed occurrences from 1990 to 2020. We then analysed predicted and observed occurrences in the modern period in terms of persistence, extirpation (local extinction) and colonisation in relation to species' habitat and climate associations.

Results

We found overall high agreement between evaluation methods, although internal evaluation gave consistently higher values for model performance (using true skill statistic, TSS). Overall, extirpations were worst predicted, with on average fewer than one‐third of each species' extirpations being foreseen by the models. Colonisations were better predicted, while persistences were relatively well‐predicted. Predictive accuracy of colonisations was higher for species with relatively warmer temperature associations (climate‐driven expansion), while extirpations were better predicted in cool‐related species (retractions at cool edges). Colonisations of forest‐associated species were more common than predicted (underpredicted), despite widespread patterns of afforestation. Assessing grid‐cell level turnover, we found that in grid cells that experienced the largest changes in terms of climate and land use, predicted extirpations were less likely to have happened.

Main Conclusions

We found that commonly applied modelling approaches have limited ability to predict observed changes in species occurrences, especially extirpations. This suggests that we should take predictions of future biodiversity loss very seriously. However, the ability for species to (at least temporarily) persist in unsuitable conditions could be an opportunity for biodiversity conservation.
Breaking free? The evolution of intra‐Asian trade at the dawn of globalization (1795–1839)
Authors: Ayuso‐Diaz Alejandro
Published: April 2024

This article contributes to the scholarly discourse on the repercussions of trade liberalization in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries that contributed to early globalization, offering a perspective that extends beyond the traditional focus on Atlantic economies. Our study centres on East and Southeast Asia, pivotal in Pacific and Indian Ocean trade. We overcome data scarcity by presenting a new, partner‐disaggregated imports dataset spanning 10 ports across the region from 1795 to 1839. Employing a gravity model and incorporating interactions, we assess the degree of intra‐Asian trade and its evolution following key events that liberalized East and Southeast Asian commerce in a period when measurable global integration started to become apparent. Supporting new Asian scholarship, our results highlight the remarkable intra‐Asian trade before the high colonial era. We also show that, in general, colonial trade policies fostering inter‐continental trade disproportionately augmented colonial imports in East and Southeast Asia, eclipsing gains in intra‐Asian or Pacific trade, especially before 1830. We explore the impact of the influx of British textiles in the region as a mechanism to explain these trends. Our study illuminates complex trade dynamics in East and Southeast Asia during a transformative period of measurable global integration.
The US–China trade war and corporate innovation: Evidence from China
Authors: Kong Dongmin , Liu Chen , Narayan Paresh Kumar , Sharma Susan Sunila
Published: April 2024

This study investigates the effect of the US–China trade war on corporate innovation in the context of China. We find that the first‐order effect of the trade war on corporate innovation is significantly negative. That is, Chinese firms exposed to the US–China trade war have lower numbers of patent applications and invention patent applications. Underlying mechanisms include reductions in market expansion and innovation input. Our findings are more pronounced for firms connected to the United States and those suffering financial distress and for non‐state‐owned enterprises. We further contribute to the literature by showing that firms with developed managerial ability, more confident managers, and better corporate social responsibility performance tend to increase innovation for competitiveness in response to the trade war. Finally, we explore the effect of Chinese retaliatory tariff shocks on corporate innovation and find that US tariffs and Chinese retaliatory tariffs hinder corporate innovation in China.
Turnover of EDEM1, an ERAD‐enhancing factor, is mediated by multiple degradation routes
Authors: Katsuki Riko , Kanuka Mai , Ohta Ren , Yoshida Shusei , Tamura Taku
Published: April 2024

Quality‐based protein production and degradation in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) are essential for eukaryotic cell survival. During protein maturation in the ER, misfolded or unassembled proteins are destined for disposal through a process known as ER‐associated degradation (ERAD). EDEM1 is an ERAD‐accelerating factor whose gene expression is upregulated by the accumulation of aberrant proteins in the ER, known as ER stress. Although the role of EDEM1 in ERAD has been studied in detail, the turnover of EDEM1 by intracellular degradation machinery, including the proteasome and autophagy, is not well understood. To clarify EDEM1 regulation in the protein level, degradation mechanism of EDEM1 was examined. Our results indicate that both ERAD and autophagy degrade EDEM1 alike misfolded degradation substrates, although each degradation machinery targets EDEM1 in different folded states of proteins. We also found that ERAD factors, including the SEL1L/Hrd1 complex, YOD1, XTP3B, ERdj3, VIMP, BAG6, and JB12, but not OS9, are involved in EDEM1 degradation in a mannose‐trimming‐dependent and ‐independent manner. Our results suggest that the ERAD accelerating factor, EDEM1, is turned over by the ERAD itself, similar to ERAD clients.
Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms role in COVID‐19 severity: Results of a Mexican patients’ cohort
Authors: Ochoa‐Ramírez Luis Antonio , Corona‐Angulo Alba Lissy , Ríos‐Burgueño Efrén Rafael , Sánchez‐Zazueta Jorge Guillermo , Becerra‐Loaiza Denisse Stephania , Velarde‐Félix Jesús Salvador
Published: April 2024

Vitamin D status has been involved with coronavirus disease 19 (COVID‐19) severity. This may be mediated by vitamin D metabolism regulatory genes. Of interest is the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene, which has been previously associated with other inflammatory and respiratory diseases. In order to investigate the role of VDR gene polymorphisms in COVID‐19 severity and outcome, a total of 292 COVID‐19 patients were classified according to severity in moderate (n = 56), severe (n = 89) and critical (n = 147) and, according to outcome in survivor (n = 163) and deceased (n = 129), and analysed for FokI and TaqI VDR gene polymorphisms by polymerase chain reaction‐based restriction enzyme digestion. The FokI and TaqI single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were not associated with COVID‐19 severity or mortality individually but when analysed by haplotype, TC was associated with an increased risk of presenting critical COVID‐19. Additionally, FokI CT genotype was more frequent in COVID‐19 patients with hypertension, and T allele carriers presented higher aspartate aminotransferase levels. Our results suggest a relationship between VDR FokI and TaqI SNPs and COVID‐19 severity in Mexican population. Although there are some previous reports of VDR polymorphisms in COVID‐19, this represents the first report in Latin American population. Further studies on other populations are encouraged.
Tumour‐derived exosome SNHG17 induced by oestrogen contributes to ovarian cancer progression via the CCL13–CCR2–M2 macrophage axis
Authors: Liang Haiyan , Geng Shuo , Wang Yadong , Fang Qing , Xin Yongfeng , Li Yanqing
Published: April 2024

Oestrogen is known to be strongly associated with ovarian cancer. There was much work to show the importance of lncRNA SNHG17 in ovarian cancer. However, no study has revealed the molecular regulatory mechanism and functional effects between oestrogen and SNHG17 in the development and metastasis of ovarian cancer. In this study, we found that SNHG17 expression was significantly increased in ovarian cancer and positively correlated with oestrogen treatment. Oestrogen could promote M2 macrophage polarization as well as ovarian cancer cells SKOV3 and ES2 cell exosomal SNHG17 expression. When exposure to oestrogen, exosomal SNHG17 promoted ovarian cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion and epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) in vitro, and tumour growth and lung metastasis in vivo by accelerating M2‐like phenotype of macrophages. Mechanically, exosomal SNHG17 could facilitate the release of CCL13 from M2 macrophage via the PI3K‐Akt signalling pathway. Moreover, CCL13‐CCR2 axis was identified to be involved in ovarian cancer tumour behaviours driven by oestrogen. There results demonstrate a novel mechanism that exosomal SNHG17 exerts an oncogenic effect on ovarian cancer via the CCL13–CCR2–M2 macrophage axis upon oestrogen treatment, of which SNHG17 may be a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for ovarian cancer responded to oestrogen.
A simple method to identify sex at pre‐pupal stages of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
Authors: Liu Zhuangzhuang , Wang Peng , He Yanjin , Zou Luming , Gao Qionghua , Xiao Yutao
Published: April 2024

The sex of Lepidoptera species can typically be identified at the pupal or adult stage by their morphological characteristics. However, for most species, no obvious sex‐specific traits can be used at the larval or embryonic stage. The growing interest in studying sex determination and differentiation, along with the potential application of research findings in genetic regulation techniques, is promoting the advancement of new sexing methods at early developmental stages. In this study, the sex of individual eggs and larvae was successfully identified by means of W chromosome molecular markers, which were identified through analysing the previously published W chromosome sequence data of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Additionally, we present methods to extract DNA and RNA from individual eggs and larval hemolymph. These techniques provide a simple and dependable method to identify sex at pre‐pupal stages. This approach could potentially be extended to other Lepidoptera species of which the W chromosome information is available.
Parasite load, rather than parasite presence, decreases upstream movement in Trinidadian guppies Poecilia reticulata
Authors: Blondel L. , Klemet‐N'Guessan S. , Hendry A. P. , Scott Marilyn E.
Published: April 2024

Several factors influence whether an organism remains in its local habitat. Parasites can, for example, influence host movement by impacting their behavior, physiology, and morphology. In rivers, fish that swim efficiently against the current are able to maintain their position without being displaced downstream, a behavior referred to as positive rheotaxis. We hypothesized that both the presence and number of ectoparasites on a host would affect the ability of fish to avoid downstream displacement and thus prevent them from remaining in their habitat. We used the guppy‐Gyrodactylus host‐ectoparasite model to test whether parasite presence and parasite load had an effect on fish rheotaxis. We quantified rheotaxis of sham‐infected and parasite‐infected fish in a circular flow tank in the laboratory prior to infection and 5–6 days postinfection. Both parasite‐infected and sham‐infected individuals expressed similar levels of positive rheotaxis prior to infection and after infection. However, with increasing parasite numbers, guppies covered less distance in the upstream direction and spent more time in slower flow zones. These results suggest that higher numbers of Gyrodactylus ectoparasites negatively influence rheotactic movements. Further research is needed to understand the ecological and evolutionary implications of this ectoparasite on fish movement.
Gender differences in diet quality and the association between diet quality and BMI: an analysis in young Australian adults who completed the Healthy Eating Quiz
Authors: Fenton Sasha , Ashton Lee M. , Lee Daniel C. W. , Collins Clare E.
Published: April 2024

Background

Many young adults report poor diet quality. However, research evaluating whether young adult males and females differ in diet quality is limited. Additionally, although diet quality has a known inverse association with body mass index (BMI), it is unclear whether this association is observed in young adults and whether it varies by gender. The present study aimed to evaluate gender differences in diet quality in young adults, as well as the associations between diet quality and BMI.

Methods

Data collected via the Healthy Eating Quiz (HEQ) in respondents aged 18–35 years between July 2019 and December 2021 were analysed, including demographics, and diet quality calculated using the Australian Recommended Food Score (ARFS). Differences in characteristics were analysed using a two‐sample t‐test, chi‐squared and one‐way analysis of covariance. Linear regressions were performed to estimate associations between diet quality and BMI. An interaction term was included in the model to test differences between genders.

Results

The respondents (n = 28,969) were predominantly female (70.8%) with a mean ± SD age of 25.9 ± 5.0 years and BMI of 24.6 ± 5.2 kg/m2. The mean ± SD ARFS was significantly different between females and males (33.1 ± 8.6 vs. 31.4 ± 9.3 points out of 70; p < 0.001). Diet quality had a small, significant inverse association with BMI in both genders. The interaction effect between diet quality score and gender in predicting BMI was significant (p < 0.001), suggesting the impact of diet quality on BMI varies by gender, with lower diet quality more strongly associated with higher BMI in females compared to males.

Conclusion

Interventions that target young adults are needed to improve diet quality and its potential contribution to BMI status. As a result of the small observed effect sizes, caution should be applied in interpreting these findings.