bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trust, information asymmetry and professional service online referral agents
Authors: Pedeliento Giuseppe , Andreini Daniela , Bergamaschi Mara , Klobas Jane Elizabeth
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate how the intermediation of an online agent in the relationship between prospective clients and professional service providers affects individual purchasing processes and decisions, and satisfaction with the professional service provider once the commercial transaction is concluded.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on the integrated trust-technology acceptance model, modified to include two additional variables to take into account of the specificities of the context investigated – users’ perceived reduction of information asymmetry and satisfaction with the professional service provider – a research framework is developed and tested with a research design combining a decision tree procedure with structural equation modelling and multi-group analysis. Participants are 188 users of an Italian website which incorporates an online agent that refers notaries to prospective clients.

Findings

Decisions to purchase professional services brokered by online agents depend upon trust in the agent, and users’ perceptions of the agent’s ability to reduce information asymmetry, as well as its perceived usefulness. Online agents for professional services can be effective as well as efficient: users who bought the service from an agent-referred notary had higher levels of satisfaction with their professional service provider than users who purchased the service from a different notary.

Originality/value

This is the first empirical effort to investigate the effects of online agents in the specific context of professional service purchasing. The uniqueness of the research context permitted identification of a new type of online agent, the “double-sided online referral agent”.
Knowledge based decision support system for appraisement of sustainable partner under fuzzy cum non-fuzzy information
Authors: Sahu Anoop Kumar , Sahu Nitin Kumar , Sahu Atul Kumar
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to design a DSS for construction sectors, which can determine the status of the related supplier alternatives, accompanying G-T, SC measures and their interrelated metrics. In today’s era, a supplier is observed as significant among entire agents of green supply chain (SC) management. Presently, it is determined that appraising worth of the supplier under green-traditional (G-T), SCs concerns still require the support of novel algorithmic/decision support systems (DSSs), which could embrace potential decision-making.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors have proposed a DSS (consisting of the implementation of multi-level multi-criterion decision-making [ML-MCDM], reference point approach [RPA] and multi-objective optimization on the basis of simple ratio analysis [MOOSRA] methods on constructed MCDM supplier evaluation appraisement module) for measuring the performance score of clay-brick suppliers coming under G-T SCs corresponding to fuzzy and non-fuzzy information. A comparative analysis is conducted among the performance scores against alternatives, obtained by the three methods, i.e. ML-MCDM, RPA and MOOSRA, for robustly making a potential decision.

Findings

The presented research offers a DSS toward managers of construction sectors for benchmarking the performance scores against supplier alternatives under G-T SC measures and their interrelated metrics, modeled by fuzzy cum non-fuzzy information.

Originality/value

Presented research work exhibited a DSS that can be used by construction sectors for benchmarking the supplier alternatives in accordance with their performance scores under G-T SCs. The MCDM G-T supplier evaluation appraisement module is constructed pertaining to small-scale clay-brick production units, located in the northern part of India to check the effectiveness of the proposed DSS.
The under-loading cascading failure model: a tool for assessing the vulnerability of SME cooperation networks
Authors: Yin Hang , Hou Jishan , Gong Chengju , Xu Chen
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The behavior of the entities in a small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) cooperation network is influenced by the core enterprise. Addressing the problem of how the network vulnerability changes when the core enterprise is attacked is a challenging topic. The purpose of this paper is to reveal the failure process of SME cooperation networks caused by the failure of the core SME from the perspective of cascading failure.

Design/methodology/approach

According to the Torch High Technology Industry Development Center, Ministry of Science & Technology in China, 296 SMEs in Jiangsu province were used to construct an SME cooperation network of technology-based SMEs and an under-loading cascading failure model. The weight-based attack strategy was selected to mimic a deliberate node attack and was used to analyze the vulnerability of the SME cooperation network.

Findings

Some important conclusions are obtained from the simulation analysis: (1) The minimum boundary of node enterprises has a negative relationship with networks' invulnerability, while the breakdown probability has an inverted-U relationship with networks' invulnerability. (2) The combined effect of minimum boundary and breakdown probability indicates that the vulnerability of networks is mainly determined by the breakdown probability; while, minimum boundary helps prevent cascading failure occur. Furthermore, according to the case study, adapting capital needs and resilience in the cooperation network is the core problem in improving the robustness of SME cooperation networks.

Originality/value

This research proposed an under-loading cascading failure model to investigate the under-loading failure process caused by the shortage of resources when the core enterprise fails or withdraws from the SME cooperation network. Two key parameters in the proposed model—minimum capacity and breakdown probability—could serve as a guide for research on the vulnerability of SME cooperation networks. Additionally, practical meanings for each parameter in the proposed model are given, to suggest novel insights regarding network protection to facilitate the robustness and vulnerability in real SME cooperation networks.
Challenges of primary health care leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden: a qualitative study of managers’ experiences
Authors: Skagerström Janna , Fernemark Hanna , Nilsen Per , Seing Ida , Hårdstedt Maria , Karlsson Elin , Schildmeijer Kristina
Published: March 2023

Purpose

At the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, health care was at the centre of the crisis. New demands made existing organizational practices and services obsolete. Primary health care had a great deal of responsibility for COVID-19-related care. The pandemic demanded effective leadership to manage the new difficulties. This paper aims to explore experiences and perceptions of managers in primary health care in relation to their efforts to manage the COVID-19 crisis in their everyday work.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used a qualitative approach based on 14 semi-structured interviews with managers in primary health care from four regions in Sweden. The interviews were conducted during September to December 2020. Data were analysed using conventional qualitative content analysis.

Findings

Data analysis yielded three categories: lonely in decision-making; stretched to the limit; and proud to have coped. The participants felt lonely in their decision-making, and they were stretched to the limit of their own and the organization’s capacity. The psychosocial working conditions in primary care worsened considerably during the pandemic because demands on leaders increased while their ability to control the work situation decreased. However, they also expressed pride that they and their employees had managed the situation by being flexible and having a common focus.

Originality/value

Looking ahead and using lessons learnt, and apart from making wise decisions under pressure, an important implication for primary health-care leaders is to not underestimate the power of acknowledging the virtues of humanity and justice during a crisis. Continuing professional education for leaders focusing on crisis leadership could help prepare leaders for future crises.
Exploring paths underlying Industry 4.0 implementation in manufacturing SMEs: a fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis
Authors: Marrucci Anna , Rialti Riccardo , Balzano Marco
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to develop a configurational approach based on the TOE framework (technology, organization and environment) to understand the degree of implementation of I4.0 technologies in manufacturing small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Specifically, the study considers technological infrastructure and competence, I4.0 integration capabilities, organizational agility and strategic flexibility, environmental dynamism and industry-specific forces as simultaneous pre-conditions for achieving an effective implementation of I4.0 technologies.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses the fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) methodology as it allows for asymmetric and configurational-focused testing of proposition and sound theoretical development. In total, 305 responses were collected through a survey administered to SME managers in Europe and the United Kingdom (UK).

Findings

The study examines the influence of technology, organizational and environmental aspects on I4.0 technologies implementation in SMEs. High I4.0 degree of implementation is structured around 5 configurations, while other 4 configurations are related to low levels of I4.0 implementation.

Originality/value

This study proposes a configurational approach for SMEs to become I4.0 ready and how they may successfully implement I4.0 technologies. Such findings represent an original and novel contribution to existing research, offering a broad view on the I4.0 implementation by manufacturing SMEs.
On to the next one? Using social network data to inform police target prioritization
Authors: Hashimi Sadaf , Bouchard Martin
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Target prioritization is routinely done among law enforcement agencies, but the criteria to establish which targets will lead to the most crime reduction are neither systematic, nor do they take into account the networks in which offenders are embedded. The purpose of this paper is to propose network capital as a guide for prioritization exercises. The approach simultaneously considers a participant’s network centrality and their crime-affiliated attributes.

Design/methodology/approach

Data on all police interactions are used to map the social networks of two mutually connected police targets from a mid-size city in British Columbia, Canada. Network capital is captured by combining the extent to which individuals act as brokers between otherwise unconnected individuals (betweenness centrality), their number of contacts in the network (degree centrality), and whether they have a criminal record, gang ties, and a firearm carrier status.

Findings

The network comprises 101 associates, with nine mutual contacts amongst the two targets, and half of the network having a crime-affiliated attribute. Network capital directed the prioritization process to seven associates who stood out. Targeting strategies from two different investigative outcomes are compared.

Research limitations/implications

The specific recommendations of the study can only be interpreted within the context of the initial targets around which the network was constructed. As a prioritization approach, however, network capital is generalizable to other contexts with implications for law enforcement officials and, more broadly, the community.

Originality/value

The study provides insights into the practical application of network analysis with already existing police data. Network capital is data driven, which comes with its own limitations, but which constitutes an improvement over purely informal approaches to target prioritization.
The net primary productivity of early Permian peatland and their control factors: evidenced by the no. 6 coal seam of Jungar coalfield in North China
Authors: Hou Yijun , Wang Dongdong , Dong Guoqi
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to take the early Permian no.6 coal seam in Jungar coalfield of North China as an example, this paper studied the net primary productivity (NPP) level of the early Permian peatland and its relationship with the atmospheric environment at that time, analyzed the influence of the atmospheric environment, and discussed its control factors.

Design/methodology/approach

First, geophysical logging signals were used for a spectrum analysis to obtain the Milankovitch cycle parameters in the no. 6 coal seam, including the eccentricity (95 ka); obliquity (35.6 ka); and precession (21.2 ka). These were then used to calculate the accumulation rate of the residual carbon in the no. 6 coal seam, which was determined to be between 49.44 and 50.57 gC/(m2 · a). The carbon loss could be calculated according to the density and residual carbon content of the no. 6 coal seam. Then, the total carbon accumulation rate of the peatland was further derived as being between 64.91 and 66.40 gC/(m2 · a). Also, the NPP of the peatland was determined to be between 129.82 and 132.8 gC/(m2 · a).

Finding

The result showed that the NPP of the early Permian peatland area was lower than that of the Holocene at the same latitude, and also lower than that of the later Permian of South China.

Originality/value

This study’s comprehensive analysis indicated that the temperature and humidity conditions, along with the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere, were the main control factors of the NPP of the early Permian peatland. Also, wildfires were found to play a role.
Chemical characteristics, oxidation and proteolysis in cheese produced from fresh or stored milk subjected to heat treatments
Authors: Rinaldi Simona , Palocci Giuliano , Contò Michela , Di Giovanni Sabrina , Tripaldi Carmela
Published: March 2023

Cheese produced from fresh, stored or heat pretreated (65°C for 15 s) milk subjected to pasteurisation (72°C or 77°C for 15 s) was studied for chemical characteristics and proteolysis after 4 and 21 days of storage. Antioxidant activity was higher in cheese from fresh milk than in cheese from stored and heat pretreated milk. Malondialdehyde content as an index of lipid oxidation increased in cheese made with pretreated and preserved milk than in cheese made with fresh milk. Antioxidant activity and lipid oxidation were not significantly affected by pasteurisation temperature. Proteolysis increased during cheese maturation regardless of milk heat treatments.
Towards a Framework Law on Sustainable Food Systems
Authors: Poppe Krijn
Published: March 2023

The European Commission has proposed a Framework Law on Sustainable Food Systems. To stimulate debate, this Point de Vue summarises the key messages of a policy brief by the European Environment and Sustainable Development Advisory Councils Network (EEAC). The European food system does not deliver sustainable diets with low environmental impacts which contribute to food and nutrition security and to a healthy life for present and future generations. An EU Framework should foster human and planetary health in a coherent and balanced approach between an agricultural supply policy, environmental policy and food (consumption) policy. It should direct the strong innovation capacity of actors away from ever lower food prices towards more sustainable farming, food processing and food consumption. However, a just transition is key: to the extent that healthy diets are not affordable for consumers, compensation should be given by changes in minimum wages, social security or income taxes. Different policy instruments are needed. Food system actors should not be exempted from economy‐wide measures like carbon pricing. Certification of all commercial farms, as an extension of methods in organic farming and private label certifications is needed. Labelling, sustainable procurement and a blending obligation would reward more sustainable producers and raise the average price of the product towards its true cost.
Trends in substance use disorder diagnoses among Veterans, 2009–2019
Authors: Hoggatt Katherine J. , Chawla Neetu , Washington Donna L. , Yano Elizabeth M.
Published: March 2023

Background and Objectives

Substance use disorder (SUD) represents a substantial health burden to US Veterans. We aimed to quantify recent time trends in Veterans' substance‐specific disorders using Veterans Health Administration (VA) data.

Methods

We identified Veteran VA patients for fiscal years (FY) 2010–2019 (October 1, 2009–September 9, 2019) and extracted patient demographics and diagnoses from electronic health records (~6 million annually). We defined alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, opioid, sedative, and stimulant use disorders with ICD‐9 (FY10–FY15) or ICD‐10 (FY16–FY19) codes and variables for polysubstance use disorder, drug use disorder (DUD), and SUD.

Results

Diagnoses for substance‐specific disorders (excluding cocaine), polysubstance use disorder, DUD, and SUD increased 2%–13% annually for FY10–FY15. Alcohol, cannabis, and stimulant use disorders increased 4%–18% annually for FY16–FY19, while cocaine, opioid, and sedative use disorders changed by ≤1%. Stimulant and cannabis use disorder diagnoses increased most rapidly, and older Veterans had the largest increases across substances.

Discussion and Conclusions

Rapid increases in cannabis and stimulant use disorder present a treatment challenge and key subgroups (e.g., older adults) may require tailored screening and treatment options. Diagnoses for SUD are increasing among Veterans overall, but there is important heterogeneity by substance and subgroup. Efforts to ensure access to evidence‐based treatment for SUD may require greater focus on cannabis and stimulants, particularly for older adults.

Scientific Significance

These findings represent the first assessment of time trends in substance‐specific disorders among Veterans, overall and by age and sex. Notable findings include large increases in diagnoses for cannabis and stimulant use disorder and among older adults.
IL‐4 drastically decreases deuterosomal and multiciliated cells via alteration in progenitor cell differentiation
Authors: Cho Hyung‐Ju , Chung Youn Wook , Moon Sungmin , Seo Ju Hee , Kang Miran , Nam Jae Sung , Lee Sang‐Nam , Kim Chang‐Hoon , Choi Augustine M. K. , Yoon Joo‐Heon
Published: March 2023

Background

Allergic inflammation affects the epithelial cell populations resulting in goblet cell hyperplasia and decreased ciliated cells. Recent advances in single‐cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) have enabled the identification of new cell subtypes and genomic features of single cells. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of allergic inflammation in nasal epithelial cell transcriptomes at the single‐cell level.

Methods

We performed scRNAseq in cultured primary human nasal epithelial (HNE) cells and in vivo nasal epithelium. The transcriptomic features and epithelial cell subtypes were determined under IL‐4 stimulation, and cell‐specific marker genes and proteins were identified.

Results

We confirmed that cultured HNE cells were similar to in vivo epithelial cells through scRNAseq. Cell‐specific marker genes were utilized to cluster the cell subtypes, and FOXJ1+‐ciliated cells were sub‐classified into multiciliated and deuterosomal cells. PLK4 and CDC20B were specific for deuterosomal cells, and SNTN, CPASL, and GSTA2 were specific for multiciliated cells. IL‐4 altered the proportions of cell subtypes, resulting in a decrease in multiciliated cells and loss of deuterosomal cells. The trajectory analysis revealed deuterosomal cells as precursor cells of multiciliated cells and deuterosomal cells function as a bridge between club and multiciliated cells. A decrease in deuterosomal cell marker genes was observed in nasal tissue samples with type 2 inflammation.

Conclusion

The effects of IL‐4 appear to be mediated through the loss of the deuterosomal population, resulting in the reduction in multiciliated cells. This study also newly suggests cell‐specific markers that might be pivotal for investigating respiratory inflammatory diseases.
Green synthesis of gold nanoparticles modulates lipopolysaccharide‐induced lung inflammation in Wistar rats
Authors: Casagrande Laura de R. , Porto Germano D. , Colares Mateus C. , Venturini Ligia M. , Silveira Gustavo de B. , Mendes Carolini , Corrêa Maria Eduarda A. B. , Lima Igor R. , Feuser Paulo E. , Machado‐de‐Ávila Ricardo A. , Silveira Paulo C. L.
Published: March 2023

This study aimed to investigate the effect of intranasal treatment of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) and Curcumin (Cur) on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced acute pulmonary inflammatory response. A single intraperitoneal injection of LPS (0.5 mg/Kg) was performed, and the animals in the Sham group were injected with 0.9% saline. Treatment was daily intranasally with GNPs (2.5 mg/L), Cur (10 mg/kg) and GNP‐Cur started 12 h after LPS administration and ended on the seventh day. The results show that the treatment performed with GNP‐Cur was the most effective to attenuate the action of pro‐inflammatory cytokines, and a lower leukocyte count in the bronchoalveolar lavage, in addition to positively regulating anti‐inflammatory cytokines in relation to other groups. As a result, it promoted an oxirreductive balanced environment in the lung tissue, providing a histological outcome with a reduction in inflammatory cells and greater alveolar area. The group treated with GNPs‐Cur was superior to the other groups, with better anti‐inflammatory activity and reduced oxidative stress, resulting in less morphological damage to lung tissue. In conclusion, the use of reduced GNPs with curcumin demonstrates promising effects in the control of the acute inflammatory response, helping to protect the lung tissue at the biochemical and morphological levels.
A systematic review and meta‐ethnography to explore people's experiences of psychotherapy for self‐harm
Authors: Haw Rebecca , Hartley Samantha , Trelfa Sarah , Taylor Peter J.
Published: March 2023

Background

Self‐harm is a major public health concern. Lifetime prevalence is high, and rates of self‐harm are rising; however, available interventions do not benefit everyone, and engagement with therapy can be low. Qualitative accounts allow for a greater understanding of what is helpful to individuals. This study aimed to synthesize the experiences of interventions for self‐harm, from participants who have participated in these themselves.

Methods

Participants had self‐harmed at least once and undergone an individual psychotherapeutic intervention for self‐harm. Papers not written or translated to the English language were excluded. Four databases (Medline, CINAHL, Web of Science and PsycINFO) were systematically searched and each paper was assessed using the CASP quality appraisal tool. A meta‐ethnographic approach to the synthesis was taken.

Results

Ten studies encompassing 104 participants were included. Four overarching themes were developed and the importance of recognizing the person beyond the self‐harm emerged through a line of argument synthesis. Building a trusted, therapeutic relationship founded on patience and without judgement was essential for the perceived success of therapy, which was unique to each person and often went beyond reducing self‐harming behaviours.

Limitations

Papers included in the study showed a lack of diversity with regard to ethnicity and gender.

Conclusions

The findings illustrate the importance of the therapeutic alliance when working with self‐harm. Clinical implications of this paper include the importance of utilizing key therapeutic competencies which should be considered fundamental to change within psychotherapeutic interventions for self‐harm, with the uniqueness of each patient recognized throughout.
From Vicious to Virtuous Cycles: A Conceptual Framework on (De‐)Marginalisation and Citizen Security in Colombia
Authors: McGill Dáire , Boesten Jan , Idler Annette , Palma Oscar
Published: March 2023

Since the 2016 Havana Peace Accord (HPA), for many Colombians security has hardly improved. This article argues that this is largely due to socially rooted marginalisation that constrains citizen participation and contributes to entrenched insecurity in the country, especially its border regions. We show how post‐HPA community‐level responses to insecurity, including constructive engagement with the state, can enhance security and kick‐start processes of de‐marginalisation. Drawing on original data from interviews in Cesar Department and a series of cross‐stakeholder fora in 2019, we demonstrate the utility of the citizen security lens when examining processes of marginalisation, de‐marginalisation, and their impact on perceptions of (in)security of marginalised communities.
Genotypic and phenotypic characterisation of RP2‐ and RPGR‐associated X‐linked inherited retinal dystrophy, including female manifestations
Authors: Kuruvilla Shilpa E. , Song Eileen , Raoof Naz , van Bysterveldt Katherine , Oliver Verity F. , Hong Sheng Chiong , Al‐Taie Rasha , Wilson Graham , Vincent Andrea L.
Published: March 2023

Background

With the promise of gene replacement therapy, eligible males and females with X‐linked inherited retinal dystrophy (XL‐IRD) should be identified.

Methods

Retrospective observational cohort study to establish the phenotypic and genotypic spectrum of XL‐IRD within New Zealand (NZ). Thirty‐two probands, including 9 females, with molecularly proven XL‐IRD due to RP2 or RPGR mutations, and 72 family members, of which 43 were affected, were identified from the NZ IRD Database. Comprehensive ophthalmic phenotyping, familial cosegregation, genotyping, and bioinformatics were undertaken. Main outcome measures were: RP2 and RPGR pathogenic variant spectrum, phenotype in males and females (symptoms, age of onset, visual acuity, refraction, electrophysiology, autofluorescence, retinal appearance), and genotype–phenotype correlation.

Results

For 32 families, 26 unique pathogenic variants were identified; in RP2 (n = 6, 21.9% of all families), RPGR exons 1–14 (n = 10, 43.75%), and RPGR‐ORF15 (n = 10, 34.3%). Three RP2 and 8 RPGR exons 1–14 variants are novel, rare, and cosegregate. Thirty‐one percent of carrier females were significantly affected, with 18.5% of families initially classified as autosomal dominant. Of five Polynesian families, 80% had novel disease‐causing variants. One Māori family showed keratoconus segregating with an ORF15 variant.

Conclusions

Significant disease was present in 31% of genetically proven female carriers, often leading to an erroneous presumption of the inheritance pattern. Pathogenic variants in 44% of the families were in exon 1–14 of RPGR, more frequent than usually described, which may inform the gene testing algorithm. Proving cosegregation in families for novel variants and identifying affected females and males translates to optimised clinical care and potential for gene therapy.
Mortality after spinal fusion in children with cerebral palsy and cerebral‐palsy‐like conditions: A 30‐year follow‐up study
Authors: Hariharan Arun , Sees Julieanne P. , Pargas Carlos , Rogers Kenneth J. , Niiler Tim , Shrader Michael Wade , Miller Freeman
Published: March 2023

Aim

To report survival probability of a large cohort of children with cerebral palsy (CP) after spinal fusion.

Method

All children with CP who had spinal fusion between 1988 and 2018 at the reporting facility were reviewed for survival. Death records of the institutional CP database, institutional electronic medical records, publicly available obituaries, and the National Death Index through the US Centers for Disease Control were searched. Survival probabilities with different surgical eras, comorbidities, ages, and curve severities were compared using Kaplan–Meier curves.

Results

A total of 787 children (402 females, 385 males) had spinal fusion at a mean age of 14 years 1 month (standard deviation 3 years 2 months). The 30‐year estimated survival was approximately 30%. Survival decreased for children who had spinal fusion at younger ages, longer postoperative hospital stays, longer postoperative intensive care unit stays, gastrostomy tubes, and pulmonary comorbidities.

Interpretation

Children with CP who required spinal fusions had reduced long‐term survival compared with an age‐matched typically developing cohort; however, a substantial number survived 20 to 30 years after the surgery. This study had no comparison group of children with CP scoliosis; therefore, we do not know whether correction of scoliosis affected their survival.
Lack of evidence for the match‐mismatch hypothesis across terrestrial trophic interactions
Authors: Kharouba Heather M. , Wolkovich E. M.
Published: March 2023

Climate change has led to widespread shifts in the timing of key life history events between interacting species (phenological asynchrony) with hypothesized cascading negative fitness impacts on one or more of the interacting species—often termed ‘mismatch’. Yet, predicting the types of systems prone to mismatch remains a major hurdle. Recent reviews have argued that many studies do not provide strong evidence of the underlying match‐mismatch hypothesis, but none have quantitatively analysed support for it. Here, we test the hypothesis by estimating the prevalence of mismatch across antagonistic trophic interactions in terrestrial systems and then examine whether studies that meet the assumptions of the hypothesis are more likely to find a mismatch. Despite a large range of synchrony to asynchrony, we did not find general support for the hypothesis. Our results thus question the general applicability of this hypothesis in terrestrial systems, but they also suggest specific types of data missing to robustly refute it. We highlight the critical need to define resource seasonality and the window of ‘match’ for the most rigorous tests of the hypothesis. Such efforts are necessary if we want to predict systems where mismatches are likely to occur.
Physiological tipping points in the relationship between foraging success and lifetime fitness of a long‐lived mammal
Authors: Beltran Roxanne S. , Hernandez Keith M. , Condit Richard , Robinson Patrick W. , Crocker Daniel E. , Goetsch Chandra , Kilpatrick A. Marm , Costa Daniel P.
Published: March 2023

Although anthropogenic change is often gradual, the impacts on animal populations may be precipitous if physiological processes create tipping points between energy gain, reproduction or survival. We use 25 years of behavioural, diet and demographic data from elephant seals to characterise their relationships with lifetime fitness. Survival and reproduction increased with mass gain during long foraging trips preceding the pupping seasons, and there was a threshold where individuals that gained an additional 4.8% of their body mass (26 kg, from 206 to 232 kg) increased lifetime reproductive success three‐fold (from 1.8 to 4.9 pups). This was due to a two‐fold increase in pupping probability (30% to 76%) and a 7% increase in reproductive lifespan (6.0 to 6.4 years). The sharp threshold between mass gain and reproduction may explain reproductive failure observed in many species and demonstrates how small, gradual reductions in prey from anthropogenic disturbance could have profound implications for animal populations.
Mesoscale eddies modulate the dynamics of human fishing activities in the global midlatitude ocean
Authors: Xing Qinwang , Yu Haiqing , Wang Hui , Ito Shin‐ichi , Chai Fei
Published: March 2023

Frequent fishing activities are causing overfishing, destroying the habitat of marine life, and threatening global marine biodiversity. Understanding the dynamics of fishing activities and their drivers is crucial for designing and implementing effective ocean management. The fishing activities in the open sea are reported to be characterized by high spatial variability in local waters; however, it is still unclear whether their high spatial variability is random or regulated by oceanographic variations. Mesoscale eddies are ubiquitous swirling currents that dominate locally biogeochemical processes. Previous case studies presented an ongoing debate regarding how eddies exert impacts on high trophic organisms, which imposes limitations on understanding the dynamics of fishing activities based on the bottom‐top control hypothesis from eddies to fish and fishing activities. By combining global fishing activities from deep learning and oceanic eddy atlases from satellite monitoring, we showed that the spatial variations in fishing activities were closely related to mesoscale eddies in the global midlatitude ocean, confirming that fishing activities primarily targeting tuna, were aggregated in (repelled from) anticyclonic (cyclonic) eddy cores. This eddy‐fishing activity relationship was opposite to satellite‐observed primary production but corresponded well with the temperature and oxygen content in deeper water. By integrating existing evidence, we attribute eddy‐related fishing activities to a reasonable hypothesis that warm and oxygen‐rich deeper water in anticyclonic eddies relieves the thermal and anoxic constraints for diving predation by tuna while the constraints are aggravated in cold and oxygen‐poor cyclonic eddies.
Gillnet size selectivity of shark and ray species from Queensland, Australia
Authors: Lemke L. R. , Simpfendorfer C. A.
Published: March 2023

Gillnets are size‐selective fishing gears commonly used by industrial and small‐scale fishers, so understanding selectivity can aid fisheries management by identifying suitable mesh sizes to optimize catches of target species while reducing bycatch. Few size selectivity parameters have been estimated for sharks, with even fewer for rays. Size selection parameters were estimated for seven species of sharks and two species of rays from the Queensland East Coast Inshore Finfish Fishery (ECIFF). Size frequency data from a fishery observer program on ECIFF vessels was used to fit a standard size selection model. Mesh size independent parameters, θ1 and θ2, were estimated for each species to define selectivity curves for different mesh sizes for each species. Parameter values were compared with previous studies that used the same method. Estimates of θ1 were similar among species within the same genus, such as Carcharhinus, Rhizoprionodon, and Sphyrna. Anoxypristis cuspidata had the largest θ1 and θ2 values, likely because of its toothed rostrum that affected catchability in gillnets. Our findings can be used for the ECIFF and other gillnet fisheries to aid in mesh size recommendations and risk mitigation.
Remote sensing of night‐time lights and electricity consumption: A systematic literature review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Bhattarai Dipendra , Lucieer Arko , Lovell Heather , Aryal Jagannath
Published: March 2023

Night‐time light (NTL) satellite imagery can provide unique insights into the energy sector. Nevertheless, there are limited studies that have systematically reviewed the literature on the relationship between electricity consumption and NTL. Therefore, this paper aims to provide a systematic review of studies that have explored this relationship. The review identified over 200 regression models estimating electricity consumption using NTL satellite images. The key finding of the review was that there was a large variability in regression performance for model prediction of electricity consumption from NTL imagery, indicating a need for further work to refine the techniques and approaches in this emerging field of remote sensing research. The level of spatial aggregation had an important influence on model performance with larger geographical areas, such as countries or states, providing better estimations.
Insights into the growth parameters, mineral composition, protein and UHPLC–QTOF–LC/MS‐based non‐targeted metabolomic fingerprints of wheatgrass as a function of photoperiod and temperature
Authors: Kumar Arun , Singh Narpinder , Joshi Robin
Published: March 2023

Wheatgrass juice powder (WJP) obtained from four Indian wheat varieties grown under different photoperiod and temperature conditions were examined for growth parameters, chlorophyll content, mineral composition, protein and metabolomic profile. The percentage yield and total chlorophyll content of WJP varied from 2.5% to 9.12% and 1.08 to 4.76 mg g−1, respectively. The WJP obtained from PBW‐752 showed the highest yield and total chlorophyll content. The mineral composition (Na, K, Ca and Mg) of WJP also showed variation with different photoperiod and temperature conditions. The electrophoretic pattern of total soluble proteins of WJP showed variability in the accumulation of high and low molecular weight polypeptides against different photoperiod and temperature conditions. The comprehensive metabolites profile of WJP was analysed by UHPLC–QTOF–liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. Based on the retention times and m/z values, 1012 feature peaks in positive ionisation mode were detected. The metabolomic profile of WJP revealed 180 different classes of primary and secondary metabolites.
CAUTI‐bundle application in patients' care among nurses in a Nigerian tertiary health facility
Authors: Calistus Ezike Okwudili , Odikpo Linda C. , Onyia Evert  , Chidinma Amadi Osinachi , Chiedu Egbuniwe Michel , Nwaneri Ada C. , Makata Ngozi E. , Chikaodilli Ihudiebube‐Splendor
Published: March 2023

Catheter associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) is the most prevalent healthcare‐associated infection worldwide, and the use of care bundles such as CAUTI bundles has been identified as the most effective ways of preventing it. This cross sectional descriptive study thus, evaluated the application and barriers to application of CAUTI bundles in patients' care among nurses in a tertiary government hospitals. Census method was used to recruit into the study all 446 registered nurses and midwives who met the inclusion criteria in the institution; thus, no sampling was done to select the participants from the study area. Data were collected by means of researchers' developed and validated semi‐structured self‐administered questionnaire delivered through Google drive. Univariate and bivariate data analyses were conducted with the aid of SPSS version 24. Results of the study revealed that only 7 (1.9%) of the nurses claimed they always use written guidelines during catheter insertion, whilst majority 57.4% do not follow any written protocol or guidelines when inserting catheter. The use of aseptic non‐touch technique was always done by 80% of the respondents. In general, score on compliance with the bundles was poor, as only 46.4% of the respondents correctly apply the bundles to patients' care. Barriers to application of the bundles as revealed by the results include; lack of written policy/guideline documents on CAUTI bundles in the facility (100%), lack of existing monitoring and feedback tools (98.9%), Supervisors/staff do not feel empowered to challenge suboptimal practices in a safe way (52.4%), lack of team meeting/ward round routinely addressing patients with indwelling urinary catheter (78.6%). It is thus, imperative to conclude that although the nurses in this study have some knowledge about the catheter associated urinary tract infections' bundles, their application of the bundles to patients' care is very poor, and was found to be due to some modifiable barriers. These barriers are some of the areas nurse educators and hospital policy‐makers should focus in their bid to curbing healthcare acquired infections.
Decolonizing nursing education and research to address racial disparities in maternal health
Authors: Iradukunda Favorite , Canty Lucinda
Published: March 2023

Purpose

In this paper, we discuss the need to move beyond theoretical explorations of social determinants of health (SDoH) to addressing systemic racism and its effect on Black maternal health outcomes. We also address the importance of connecting nursing research, education and practice and offer suggestions on how to transform the teaching, research and clinical practice specific to Black maternal health.

Knowledge Development

A critical analysis of current Black maternal health teaching and research practices in nursing informed by the authors' experience in Black/African diasporic maternal health and reproductive justice.

Discussion

There is a need for nursing to be more intentional in addressing the effects of systemic racism on Black maternal health outcomes. In particular, there is still a substantial focus on race rather than racism as a risk factor. The focus on racial and cultural differences rather than systems of oppression continues to pathologize racialized groups while failing to address the impact of systemic racism on the health outcomes of Black women.

Conclusion

Using a social determinant of health framework to examine maternal health disparities is useful; however, focusing on SDoH without challenging systems of oppression producing these disparities does not produce substantial changes. We suggest adding frameworks grounded in intersectionality, reproductive and racial justice and moving beyond biological assumptions about race that pathologize Black women. We also recommend a deliberate commitment to reshaping nursing research and education to centre anti‐racist and anti‐colonial practices that value community knowledge and practices.

No Patient or Public Contribution

The discussion in this paper is based on the author's expertise.
Triggers and Hierarchies of Social Identities in the European Parliament
Authors: Hornung Johanna , Vogeler Colette S. , Bandelow Nils C.
Published: March 2023

Research on dynamics within the European Parliament frequently draws on group‐based explanations – such as parties and national affiliations – for the behaviour of its members. Hence, there is a growing interest in the question of how policy issues trigger the salience of group memberships and whether partisan or national group memberships – and which of them – rank higher when voting on issues. This article provides answers to these questions by presenting empirical evidence on the group memberships that are decisive for the voting behaviour of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs). In theoretical terms, it introduces the social‐psychological perspective on social identities to European Union (EU) parliamentary research. Methodologically, the article relies on a qualitative comparative analysis of voting results in three resolutions of the 9th EU legislative term. The findings emphasize a hierarchy of salient social identities and reveal that some national and some partisan identities are stronger than others in the European Parliament.
Physical and functional stability of spray‐dried jamun (Syzygium cumini L.) juice powder produced with different carrier agents
Authors: Shelke Ganesh , Kad Vikram , Pandiselvam Ravi , Yenge Govind , Kakade Sudama , Desai Shivani , Kukde Ritu , Singh Punit
Published: March 2023

Jamun (Syzygium cumini L.) fruit is an underutilized source of bioactive phytochemicals. Therefore, preserving this fruit in various forms over the year is necessary. Spray drying can effectively preserve jamun juice; but the stickiness issue of fruit juice powder mainly arises during the drying, which may be overcome by using different carriers. Consequently, this experiment aimed to ascertain the effect of different carrier types (maltodextrin, gum arabic, whey protein concentrate, waxy starch, and maltodextrin: gum arabic) on the physical, flow, reconstitution, functional, and color stability of spray‐dried jamun juice powder. The physical parameters of the produced powder such as moisture content, bulk, and tapped density were in the range of 2.57%–4.95% (w.b.), 0.29–0.50 and 0.45–0.63 g/mL, respectively. The powder yield ranged between 55.25% and 75.9%. The flow characteristics, Carr's index and Hausner ratio, were in the range of 20.89–35.90 and 1.26–1.56, respectively. Reconstitution attributes viz., wettability, solubility, hygroscopicity, and dispersibility were in the range of 90.3–199.7 s, 55.28%–95%, 15.23–25.86 g/100 g, and 70.97%–95.79%, respectively. The functional attributes include total anthocyanin, total phenol content, and encapsulation efficiency, were in the range of 75.13–110.01 mg/100 g, 129.48–215.02 g GAE/100 g, and 40.49%–74.07%, respectively. The L*, a*, and b* values ranged from 41.82 to 70.86, 14.33 to 23.04, −8.12 to −0.60, respectively. A combination of maltodextrin and gum arabic was found effective in producing jamun juice powder with appropriate physical, flow, functional, and color attributes.
Understudied proteins and understudied functions in the model bacterium Bacillus subtilis—A major challenge in current research
Authors: Wicke Dennis , Meißner Janek , Warneke Robert , Elfmann Christoph , Stülke Jörg
Published: March 2023

Model organisms such as the Gram‐positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis have been studied intensively for decades. However, even for model organisms, no function has been identified for about one fourth of all proteins. It has recently been realized that such understudied proteins as well as poorly studied functions set a limitation to our understanding of the requirements for cellular life, and the Understudied Proteins Initiative has been launched. Of poorly studied proteins, those that are strongly expressed are likely to be important to the cell and should therefore be considered high priority in further studies. Since the functional analysis of unknown proteins can be extremely laborious, a minimal knowledge is required prior to targeted functional studies. In this review, we discuss strategies to obtain such a minimal annotation, for example, from global interaction, expression, or localization studies. We present a set of 41 highly expressed and poorly studied proteins of B. subtilis. Several of these proteins are thought or known to bind RNA and/or the ribosome, some may control the metabolism of B. subtilis, and another subset of particularly small proteins may act as regulatory elements to control the expression of downstream genes. Moreover, we discuss the challenges of poorly studied functions with a focus on RNA‐binding proteins, amino acid transport, and the control of metabolic homeostasis. The identification of the functions of the selected proteins not only will strongly advance our knowledge on B. subtilis, but also on other organisms since many of the proteins are conserved in many groups of bacteria.
Long‐term associations of common bottlenose dolphins with a fish farm in Hawaiʻi and impacts on other protected species
Authors: Harnish Annette E. , Baird Robin W. , Corsi Enrico , Gorgone Antoinette M. , Perrine Doug , Franco Alicia , Hankins Cynthia , Sepeta Emily
Published: March 2023

The global expansion of mariculture offers numerous potential benefits but may also pose a threat to wildlife populations. There is currently only one commercial finfish mariculture facility in Hawaiʻi, a nearshore kanpachi (Seriola rivoliana) farm off the west coast of Hawaiʻi Island. This farm lies within the range of several resident odontocete species, and almost daily common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) associations with the farm have been reported since 2007. We analyzed photographs of 35 bottlenose dolphin groups at the farm sighted between 2008 and 2021 in the context of 20 years of survey effort and extensive community science contributions from Hawaiʻi Island. Thirty‐six bottlenose dolphins were identified associated with the farm, representing almost one‐quarter of the estimated total population size. The discovery rate of new individuals at the farm indicates this is a conservative estimate of the total number of individuals associating with the farm, and social network analysis suggests that associations may continue to spread within the population. We also found a high frequency of farm associated bottlenose dolphins showing aggression towards several other species of dolphins, demonstrating impacts to multiple protected species.