bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ecological footprint in a global perspective: the role of domestic investment, FDI, democracy and institutional quality
Authors: Emmanuel Ongo Nkoa Bruno , Fonchamnyo Dobdinga Cletus , Thierry Mamadou Asngar , Dinga Gildas Dohba
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The continuous increase in the negative gap between biocapacity and ecological footprint has remained globally persistent since early 1970. The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of foreign capital, domestic capital formation, institutional quality and democracy on ecological footprint within a global panel of 101 countries from 1995 to 2017.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical procedure is based on data mix. To this end, this study uses a battery of testing and estimation approaches both conventional (no cross-sectional dependence [CD]) and novel approaches (accounting for CD). Among the battery of estimation techniques used, there are the dynamic ordinary least square, the mean group, the common correlation effect mean group technique, the augmented mean group technique, the Pooled mean group and the dynamic common correlation effect technique with the desire to obtain outcomes robust to heteroskedasticity, endogeneity, cross-correlation and CD among others.

Findings

The estimated outcomes indicate that using different estimators’ domestic capital formation consistently degrades the environment through an increase in ecological footprint, while institutional quality consistently enhances the quality of the environment. Further, the outcome reveals that, though foreign capital inflow degrades the environment, the time period is essential, as it shows a short-run environmental improvement and a long-run environmental degradation. Democratic activities show a mixed outcome with short-run degrading effect and a long-run enhancement effect on environmental quality.

Practical implications

Green investment should be the policy target of all economies, and these policies should be adopted to target both domestic capital and foreign capital alike. Second, the adoption of democratic practices will produce good leaders that will not just design short-term policies to blindfold the populace temporary but those that will produce long-term-oriented practices that will better and enhance the quality of the environment through the reduction of the global footprint. Equally, enhancing the institutional framework like respect for the rule of law in matters of abatement should be encouraged.

Originality/value

Although much research on the role of macroeconomic indicators on environmental quality has been done this far, democratic practices, intuitional quality and domestic capital have been given little attention. This research fills this gap by considering robust empirical techniques.
The effect of memory and stiffness on energy ratios at the interface of distinct media
Authors: Barak M.S. , Kumar Rajesh , Kumar Rajneesh , Gupta Vipin
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to study the energy ratios of plane waves on an imperfect interface of elastic half-space (EHS) and orthotropic piezothermoelastic half-space (OPHS).

Design/methodology/approach

The dual-phase lag (DPL) theory with memory-dependent derivatives is employed to study the variation of energy ratios at the imperfect interface.

Findings

A plane longitudinal wave (P) or transversal wave (SV) propagates through EHS and strikes at the interface. As a result, two waves are reflected, and four waves are transmitted, as shown in Figure 2. The amplitude ratios are determined by imperfect boundaries having normal stiffness and transverse stiffness. The variation of energy ratios is computed numerically for a particular model of graphite (EHS)/cadmium selenide (OPHS) and depicted graphically against the angle of incidence to consider the effect of stiffness parameters, memory and kernel functions.

Research limitations/implications

The energy distribution of incident P or SV waves among various reflected and transmitted waves, as well as the interaction of waves for imperfect interface (IIF), normal stiffness interface (NSIF), transverse stiffness interface (TSIF), and welded contact interface (WCIF), are important factors to consider when studying seismic wave behavior.

Practical implications

The present model may be used in various disciplines, such as high-energy particle physics, earthquake engineering, nuclear fusion, aeronautics, soil dynamics and other areas where memory-dependent derivative and phase delays are significant.

Originality/value

In a variety of technical and geophysical scenarios, wave propagation in an elastic/piezothermoelastic medium with varying magnetic fields, initial stress, temperature, porosity, etc., gives important information regarding the presence of new and modified waves.
The yin and yang of employee voice: an exploratory study
Authors: Goel Apoorva , Khan Nabila , Dyaram Lata
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This study examines the yin (promotive) and yang (prohibitive) of employee voice based on employee preference for voice channel attributes. Employee inputs may be disregarded, requiring employees to maneuver for unheeded voice and adopt alternate voice tactics. The authors emphasize the ubiquity of lurking employee silence and its affective effects on subsequent cycles of voice or silence.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative design involving semi-structured interviews of employees from service sector firms in India assisted the inquiry.

Findings

Employees prefer voice channel attributes that ensure visibility and data substance for promotive voice and anonymity and confidentiality for prohibitive voice. Voice target switching and message reframing were common employee strategies. Silence on both sharing views/opinions (promotive) and voicing issues/concerns (prohibitive) weakens employee future voice incidents, besides suppressing the affect. Post-silence cognitive reappraisal increases voice incidences.

Research limitations/implications

Findings may have limited generalizability given the qualitative design of the study. Moving beyond extant episodic voice research, the authors demonstrate the recurrent nature of employee voice and silence. The study broadens perspectives on how varied voice types necessitate nuanced voice channel attributes.

Originality/value

Present work brings together organizational behavior (OB) perspective on discretionary voice through human resource (HR)-based channels, helping bridge the gap between previously disparate stands.
Nothing to lose: the rationales of grassroots financial innovations in contexts of extreme scarcity
Authors: Zapata Campos Maria Jose , Barinaga Ester , Dimba Kiaka Richard , Ocampo Juan
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Highly deprived urban contexts, such as informal settlements in the global south, can turn into niches of extreme innovation and sparkle ingenuity out of necessity. But what are the rationales behind the participation of disadvantaged communities in social innovations? Why do they engage in grassroots innovations? What is it that makes these grassroots try novelties and continue experimenting with them, even when the perceived benefits are not clear yet? This paper aims to examine and conceptualize the rationales for engaging in grassroots financial innovations in the context of extremely deprived urban settings.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on the case of grassroots organizations which have started experimenting with the development of a community currency in Kisumu, Kenya. This paper is informed by in-depth interviews with members of three grassroots organizations involved in the community currency, together with observations and meeting participation since 2019.

Findings

The rationales argued by the participants for engaging in this grassroots innovation are framed in various ways: as a means for seeking poverty alleviation (the development framing); as a challenge to conventional imaginaries of innovations (the digital framing); and as an innovation embedded in community and trust relations (the community framing). These framings have a mobilizing effect that initially draws participants into the innovation. Yet, what explains persistent participation despite the decreasing influence of these framings over time is the organizational space and strategies of incompleteness accommodating these experiments.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the emerging body of grassroots innovations movements literature. While research has progressed in its understandings of the challenges of scaling up innovative practices, the examination of the grassroots initiatives stemming from extremely deprived settings, and the rationales and framings behind, have been under examined. This paper comes to bridge this gap.
Travel duration and the restorative effects of holiday experiences: an inverted U-shape
Authors: Cui Rui
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Restorative experiences relieve fatigue or stress, leading people to feel more energetic. Activation theory and the nature–dose framework hold travel duration as a crucial influence on restorative effects, yet these factors may not demonstrate a simple linear relationship. This paper, thus, aims to explore the relationship between travel duration and restoration based on a survey conducted during a seven-day holiday (the longitudinal data spanned two months); and explore the reasons for this relationship and the mechanisms for lasting restorative effects based on diary analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

Mixed methods were used in this study. Questionnaires regarding restorative effects were administered to 232 people at six time points before, during and after a holiday. Participants were also asked to keep a diary during their trips. Data were first tested for common method bias and were then processed via independent sample t-tests, analysis of variance and time-series analysis.

Findings

Restorative effects were consistently higher in the travel group than in the non-travel group. Additionally, an inverted U-shaped relationship emerged between travel duration and the restorative effects of a holiday; a moderate duration had stronger restorative effects than a duration that was too long or too short. More importantly, the study found that participants who traveled for a moderate duration (longer or shorter) engaged in non-judgmental challenging (relaxing) activities at least once. They also demonstrated greater eudaimonism (hedonism) and stronger, more sustained restoration versus the original set point. In addition, results revealed how travel activities, emotions, moderators and restorative effects were constructed.

Originality/value

Longitudinal data indicated an inverted U-shaped relationship between travel duration and restoration. Achieving lasting restorative effects requires effort and non-judgmental challenging activities for a moderate travel duration and frequency. The study uncovered mechanisms influencing the relationship between travel experiences and restorative effects. The results offer guidance for research on “travel prescriptions” and for the health and stress relief market.

Visual abstract

Inverted U-shaped curve for different travel durations and restorative effects at T3.

The non-judgmental challenging group showed lasting and stronger restorative effects over the next two months.
Numerical scrutinization of micropolar and Walters-B non-Newtonian fluids motion under the influence of thermal radiation and chemical reaction
Authors: Ayegbusi Florence Dami , Doungmo Goufo Emile Franc , Tchepmo Patrick
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore numerical scrutinization of micropolar and Walters-B non-Newtonian fluids motion under the influence of thermal radiation and chemical reaction.

Design/methodology/approach

The two fluids micropolar and Walters-B liquid are considered to start flowing from the slot to the stretching sheet. A magnetic field of constant strength is imposed on their flow transversely. The problems on heat and mass transport are set up with thermal, chemical reaction, heat generation, etc. to form partial differential equations. These equations were simplified into a dimensionless form and solved using spectral homotopy analysis method (SHAM). SHAM uses the basic concept of both Chebyshev pseudospectral method and homotopy analysis method to obtain numerical computations of the problem.

Findings

The outcomes for encountered flow parameters for temperature, velocity and concentration are presented with the aid of figures. It is observed that both the velocity and angular velocity of micropolar and Walters-B and thermal boundary layers increase with increase in the thermal radiation parameter. The decrease in velocity and decrease in angular velocity occurred are a result of increase in chemical reaction. It is hoped that the present study will enhance the understanding of boundary layer flow of micropolar and Walters-B non-Newtonian fluid under the influences of thermal radiation, thermal conductivity and chemical reaction as applied in various engineering processes.

Originality/value

All results are presented graphically and all physical quantities are computed and tabulated.
Two‐dimensional inversion of airborne radiometric data for source concentrations: Application to Cu–Au targeting at Mara Rosa Magmatic Arc, Brazil
Authors: Weihermann Jessica Derkacz , Oliveira Saulo Pomponet , Li Yaoguo , Silva Adalene Moreira , Ferreira Francisco José Fonseca
Published: March 2023

Airborne radiometrics (radiometric surveying) has been used in many applications, such as geological mapping, environmental studies, mineral exploration and lithology mapping. The standard processing of gamma‐ray spectrometry data provides good results when the acquisition conditions such as the flight and sensor orientation are constant. In practice, abrupt changes in flight height when flying in mountainous terrain are common, and standard processing neglecting this factor can lead to erroneous interpretation. The primary cause is the fact that the successive corrections applied to radiometric data in standard processing do not consider the effective sampled area of a survey (i.e. the field of view), which can have significant and variable overlaps between adjacent samples due to changing observation height. For this reason, standard height and sensitivity corrections may lead to incorrect estimates of the concentrations of the radioelements on the ground. To ameliorate this problem, we have developed a two‐dimensional inversion‐based processing method that incorporates the aircraft height, replaces the sensitivity correction and accounts for a positivity condition using a logarithmic barrier. Some minerals associated with potassium, uranium and thorium allow the mapping of hydrothermal alteration, especially potassium which is an important constituent of hydrothermal fluids. We demonstrate the new methods by comparing the standard processing results with the inversion‐based processing of airborne gamma‐ray spectrometry data in the gold deposit‐rich area of Mara Rosa Magmatic Arc, Brazil. The inversion‐based processing results enhance the anomalies and suppress the interpolation artefacts as well as increase the signal‐to‐noise ratio. The application of airborne radiometric transformed maps also improved the footprint knowledge around Cu–Au mineralization and highlighted potential areas for further studies.
Least‐squares reverse time migration with flux‐corrected transport technique
Authors: Liang Chen , Huang Jianping , Song Cheng , Han Jiale
Published: March 2023

Due to high computational costs and memory requirements, it is necessary to use coarse grids for least‐squares reverse time migration when processing large‐scale field data. According to the dispersion relation, strong numerical dispersion will occur in least‐squares reverse time migration images when the migration velocity of the shallow strata is low, reducing the resolution of the migration results. To overcome this shortcoming, we propose new least‐squares reverse time migration implementation method with a modified flux‐corrected transport technique. This algorithm involves two main steps: obtain an appropriate calibration parameter for flux‐corrected transport through forward modelling and perform least‐squares reverse time migration using flux‐corrected transport. We remove the non‐linear processing from conventional flux‐corrected transport algorithm often used in computational fluid dynamics based on the assumption that the seismic wavefield is relatively continuous and smooth without strong ripples, which makes it possible to apply flux‐corrected transport to least‐squares reverse time migration without increasing too much computation complexity. To suppress the numerical dispersion more effectively, the diffusion fluxes along the diagonal direction are added to flux‐corrected transport. Numerical tests on synthetic data and field data illustrate that compared to the conventional least‐squares reverse time migration method, the proposed method produces images with fewer migration artefacts, more accurate amplitudes and faster convergence speed on the coarse grids.
Have States Reduced Obesity by Legislating More Physical Activity in Elementary School?
Authors: von HIPPEL PAUL T. , FRISVOLD DAVID E.
Published: March 2023

Policy Points

Between 1998 and 2016, 24 states and the District of Columbia passed laws meant to increase the time that children spent in physical education (PE) or other school‐based physical activity (PA).

Schools largely disregarded changes to PE/PA laws, which did not increase the time that children spent in PE or recess and did not reduce body mass index, overweight, or obesity.

Closer oversight of schools would be needed to improve compliance with state PE and PA laws. Yet, even with better compliance, we estimate that PE and PA policies would be inadequate to reverse the obesity epidemic. Policies should also address consumption, both inside and outside of school.

Context

To control childhood obesity, leading medical organizations have recommended increasing the time that children spend in physical education (PE) and other school‐based physical activity (PA). Yet, it is unknown how many states have passed laws that codify these recommendations, and it is unknown what effect changing state laws has had on obesity or the time that children actually spent in PE and PA.

Methods

We joined state laws to national samples of 13,920 children from two different cohorts of elementary students. One cohort attended kindergarten in 1998; the other attended kindergarten in 2010; both cohorts were followed from kindergarten through fifth grade. We estimated the effects of changes to state laws in a regression with state and year fixed effects.

Findings

Twenty‐four states and the District of Columbia increased the time that children were recommended or required to spend in PE or PA. These changes in state policies did not increase actual time spent in PE or recess, did not affect average body mass index (BMI) or BMI Z score, and did not affect the prevalence of overweight or obesity.

Conclusion

Increasing the PE or PA time required or recommended by state laws has not slowed the obesity epidemic. Many schools have failed to comply with state laws. A back‐of‐the‐envelope calculation suggests that, even with better compliance, the legislated changes in PE laws might not have changed energy balance enough to reduce obesity prevalence.
Characteristics of reflux and gastric electrical activity in gastroesophageal reflux disease with ineffective esophageal motility
Authors: Chen Rong Rong , Chen Qian Zhu , Feng Ben Chang , Wang Mei Feng , Lin Lin , Ye Bi Xing , Jiang Liu Qin
Published: March 2023

Objectives

The impact of ineffective esophageal motility (IEM) on gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) remains unknown, and abnormal esophageal motility often coexists with abnormal gastric motility. We aimed to investigate the role of IEM in GERD and its relationship with gastric electrical activity.

Methods

Patients diagnosed as GERD based on GERD‐questionnaire score ≥8 in our hospital from January 2020 to June 2022 were included. All patients underwent 24‐h multichannel intraluminal impedance‐pH monitoring, high‐resolution manometry, and electrogastrogram and were categorized into the normal esophageal motility (NEM) and IEM groups, respectively. Reflux characteristics and gastric electric activity were compared between the two groups, and the correlation between gastric electric activity and reflux was analyzed.

Results

Acid exposure time, total reflux episodes, and DeMeester score in the IEM group were higher than those in the NEM group. Distal mean nocturnal baseline impedance was significantly lower in the IEM group. Compared with the NEM group, the power ratio (PR) of fundus, antrum and pylorus and premeal and postmeal normal wave ratio of antrum were significantly lower in IEM. The total reflux episodes were negatively correlated with the PR of fundus and pylorus, and the DeMeester score was negatively correlated with the PR of corpus and pylorus.

Conclusions

IEM may lead to increased reflux, resulting in esophageal mucosal damage. There may be consistency between abnormal esophageal motility and gastric motility.
Genome‐wide association study reveals new QTL and functional candidate genes for the number of ribs and carcass length in pigs
Authors: Liu Kaiyue , Hou Liming , Yin Yanzhen , Wang Binbin , Liu Chenxi , Zhou Wuduo , Niu Peipei , Li Qiang , Huang Ruihua , Li Pinghua
Published: March 2023

The number of ribs (NR) and carcass length (CL) are important economic traits in pig breeding programs. Pigs with a higher NR and longer CL produce greater pork yields. In the present study, Suhuai pigs with NR and CL phenotypes were genotyped using the Neogen® GGP Porcine 80 K SNP array to identify the QTL affecting NR and CL and dissect the candidate genes for the two traits. The SNP‐chip data was imputed to the whole‐genome sequence (iWGS) to increase the probability of identifying causal variants. Through genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) based on both chip and iWGS data, significant SNPs were detected on Sus scrofa chromosome (SSC) 1, SSC4 and SSC7 for NR and on SSC5, SSC16 and SSC17 for CL. Moreover, two SNPs (H3GA0022644 and WU_10.2_7_103460706) on SSC7 detected in chip‐based GWAS were significantly associated with both NR and CL. Through Bayes fine mapping, one reported QTL for NR on SSC7 and two reported QTL for CL on SSC17 were verified, and two new QTL (SSC1: 14.05–15.84 Mb and SSC4: 64.83–66.59 Mb) affecting NR and two new QTL (SSC5: 58.31–59.84 Mb and SSC16: 22.98–23.43 Mb) affecting CL were detected. According to the biological functions of genes, MTHFD1L on SSC1 and SULF1 on SSC4 are novel functional candidate genes for NR, and EMP1 on SSC5 and EGFLAM on SSC16 are novel functional candidate genes for CL. Overall, our findings provide a basis for identifying new causal genes and mutations affecting NR and CL.
The Preference for Reciprocity in Congress
Authors: Fong Christian
Published: March 2023

Most researchers assume legislators repay past favors to secure future rewards and avoid future punishments, but a growing literature shows that human beings are intrinsically motivated to reciprocate past favors. However, there is no systematic evidence as to whether legislators bring this preference for reciprocity to Congress. An original survey experiment, an observational study of end‐of‐career behavior, and a matching‐based analysis of responses to committee assignments provide consistent evidence that legislators have a preference for reciprocity.
Retaining Political Talent: A Candidate‐Centered Theory of Primary Adoption
Authors: Ascencio Sergio J.
Published: March 2023

Why do party leaders constrain their own power and allow the use of primary elections? I develop a model of intraparty politics and electoral competition in which an ambitious office‐seeker reevaluates their party affiliation after their party chooses a nomination rule. The model shows that in settings in which the linkages between politicians and parties are weak, party leaders adopt primaries in order to keep potential defectors from pursuing their individual ambitions outside of the party. The main theoretical result shows that only parties that are electorally strong ex ante can use primaries as a strategy to hold their parties together. Thus, in contrast to an extensive literature linking the use of primaries to electorally weak parties, this model posits the existence of a positive relationship between the use of primaries and a party's electoral strength. Analysis of legislative and gubernatorial nominations in Mexico provides strong support for the model's expectations.
Agenda Control under Policy Uncertainty
Authors: Callander Steven , McCarty Nolan
Published: March 2023

Models of agenda setting are central to the analysis of political institutions. Elaborations of the classical agenda‐setting model of Romer–Rosenthal have long been used to make predictions about policy outcomes and the distribution of influence among political actors. Although the canonical model is based on complete and perfect information about preferences and policy outcomes, some extensions relax these assumptions to include uncertainty about preferences and reversion points. We consider a different type of uncertainty: incomplete knowledge of the mapping between policies and outcomes. In characterizing the optimal agenda setting under this form of uncertainty, we show that it amends substantively the implications of the Romer–Rosenthal model. We then extend the model dynamically and show that rich dynamics emerge under policy uncertainty. Over a longer horizon, we find that agenda control suppresses the incentive of legislators to experiment with policy, leading to less policy learning and worse outcomes than are socially efficient.
Relation of emotion malleability beliefs to subjective well‐being: A short‐term longitudinal study
Authors: Zhang Meng , Li Wen Jie , Zhang Linting , Jia Ning , You Xuqun , Zhen Zonglei , Kong Feng
Published: March 2023

Prior research has shown that emotion malleability beliefs are positively related to subjective well‐being, but less is known about the longitudinal relationship between both variables. The present study used a two‐wave longitudinal design to examine the temporal directionality of the relationship in a sample of Chinese adults. Using cross‐lagged models, we found that emotion malleability beliefs predicted all three dimensions of subjective well‐being (i.e. positive affect, life satisfaction, and negative affect) 2 months later. However, we did not detect any reverse or reciprocal effect between emotion malleability beliefs and subjective well‐being. In addition, emotion malleability beliefs still predicted life satisfaction and positive affect after controlling for the effect of the cognitive or emotional component of subjective well‐being. Our study provided primary evidence for the temporal directionality of the association between emotion malleability beliefs and subjective well‐being. Implications and suggestions for future research were discussed.
Letter: repeat hepatic resection versus radiofrequency ablation for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma in ideal candidates – authors' reply
Authors: Tong Yao , Chang De‐Hua , Xiao Yu‐Dong
Published: March 2023

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Tong et al papers. To view these articles, visithttps://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17263 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17409
Concomitant use of statins and sodium‐glucose co‐transporter 2 inhibitors and the risk of myotoxicity reporting: A disproportionality analysis
Authors: Gravel Christopher A. , Krewski Daniel , Mattison Donald R. , Momoli Franco , Douros Antonios
Published: March 2023

Aims

Recent case reports have suggested that sodium‐glucose co‐transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors may interact with statins to increase their risk of myotoxicity. We assessed the risk of myotoxicity reporting associated with concomitant use of SGLT2 inhibitors and statins.

Methods

We queried the US Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) from 2013 to 2021 for reports including SGLT2 inhibitors, statins or both. We estimated several measures of disproportionate reporting of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis associated with concomitant use of SGLT2 inhibitors and statins: reporting odds ratio (ROR) with 95% confidence interval (CI), Ω shrinkage measure (safety signal if >0) and an extension of the proportional reporting ratio (PRR) (two‐criteria set, safety signal if both criteria are met), using the full FAERS dataset as the reference set. In sensitivity analyses, we focussed on specific SGLT2 inhibitor‐statin pairs with higher interaction potential (canagliflozin‐rosuvastatin, empagliflozin‐rosuvastatin) and accounted for stimulated reporting.

Results

There were 456 myopathy and 77 rhabdomyolysis reports involving both an SGLT2 inhibitor and a statin. Concomitant use of SGLT2 inhibitors and statins was not associated with an increased risk of myopathy (ROR 0.79, 95% CI 0.70 to 0.89) or rhabdomyolysis (ROR 0.58, 95% CI 0.41 to 0.83) reporting. For both outcomes, the Ω shrinkage measure was negative and only one criterion of the PRR extension was met. SGLT2 inhibitor‐statin pairs with higher interaction potential yielded potential signals for rhabdomyolysis; these signals disappeared after accounting for stimulated reporting.

Conclusion

There was no increased risk of myotoxicity reporting associated with concomitant use of SGLT2 inhibitors and statins or for specific drug pairs.
Soil nutrient dissimilarity and litter nutrient limitation as major drivers of home field advantage in riparian tropical forests
Authors: Oliva Rebeca Leme , Veen G. F. (Ciska) , Tanaka Marcel Okamoto
Published: March 2023

Decomposition is a key process driving carbon and nutrient cycling in ecosystems worldwide. The home field advantage effect (HFA) has been found to accelerate decomposition rates when litter originates from “home” when compared to other (“away”) sites. It is still poorly known how HFA plays out in tropical, riparian forests, particularly in forests under restoration. We carried out three independent reciprocal litter transplant experiments to test how litter quality, soil nutrient concentrations, and successional stage (age) influenced HFA in tropical riparian forests. These experimental areas formed a wide gradient of soil and litter nutrients, which we used to evaluate the more general hypothesis that HFA varies with dissimilarity in soil nutrients and litter quality. We found that HFA increased with soil nutrient dissimilarity, suggesting that litter translocation uncouples relationships between decomposers and litter characteristics; and with litter N:P, indicating P limitation in this system. We also found negative HFA effects at a site under restoration that presented low decomposer ability, suggesting that forest restoration does not necessarily recover decomposer communities and nutrient cycling. Within each of the independent experiments, the occurrence of HFA effects was limited and their magnitude was not related to forest age, nor soil and litter quality. Our results imply that HFA effects in tropical ecosystems are influenced by litter nutrient limitation and soil nutrient dissimilarity between home and away sites, but to further disentangle major HFA drivers in tropical areas, a gradient of dissimilarity between litter and soil properties must be implemented in future experimental designs.

Abstract in Portuguese is available with online material.
Canada's Ocean Supercluster initiative: A national policy in regional clothing?
Authors: Shearmur Richard , Doloreux David , Fil‐Kristensen Iryna
Published: March 2023

Since the late 1980s, there has been no explicit regional policy in Canada. Indirectly, though, equalization payments, industrial policies, as well as regional agencies encouraging the adoption of federal industrial and innovation policies, impact regional economies. In 2017, the federal government appeared to alter its approach: the Supercluster initiative was announced, drawing upon the idea that localized networks of interrelated firms can generate innovation and local development. In this paper, we discuss the mechanisms through which spatially focused industrial innovation policy can lead to regional development. We then focus on Canada's Ocean Supercluster initiative. The question we address is as follows: to what extent can this initiative (and, more widely, Canada's Supercluster policy) be understood as a regional development strategy driven by a coherent rationale for regional intervention? Apart from the fact that each Supercluster focuses on a pre‐existing core of firms located within a region, there is little evidence that the Supercluster initiative has regional development objectives or impacts.
Economics of conservation law enforcement by rangers across Asia
Authors: Farhadinia Mohammad S. , Johnson Paul J. , Kamath Vignesh , Eid Ehab , Hikmani Hadi Al , Ambarlı Hüseyin , Alom Zahangir , Askerov Elshad , Buchakiet Polawee , Buuveibaatar Bayarbaatar , Gavashelishvili Alexander , Tsiklauri Khatuna , Gritsina Mariya A. , Haidir Iding , Htun Saw , Kabir Muhammad , Khanal Gopal , Kittle Andrew , Koshkin Maxim A. , Kulenbekov Rahim , Kubanychbekov Zairbek , Lynam Antony , Maheshwari Aishwarya , Penjor Ugyen , Rasphone Akchousanh , Raza Hana , Redford Tim , Rizayeva Afag , Rosen Tatjana , Weinberg Pavel , Yachmennikova Anna , Yamaguchi Nobuyuki , Macdonald David W.
Published: March 2023

Biodiversity targets, under the Kunming‐Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, prioritize both conservation area and their effectiveness. The effective management of protected areas (PAs) depends greatly on law enforcement resources, which is often tasked to rangers. We addressed economic aspects of law enforcement by rangers working in terrestrial landscapes across Asia. Accordingly, we used ranger numbers and payment rates to derive continental‐scale estimates. Ranger density has decreased by 2.4‐fold since the 1990s, increasing the median from 10.9 to 26.4 km2 of PAs per ranger. Rangers were generally paid more than the minimum wage (median ratio = 1.9) and the typical salaries in agriculture, forestry, and fishing sector (median ratio = 1.2). Annual spending on ranger salaries varied widely among countries, with a median of annual US71 km−2 of PA. Nearly 208,000 rangers patrolling Asian PAs provide an invaluable opportunity to develop ranger‐based monitoring plans for evaluating the conservation performance. As decision‐makers frequently seek an optimum number of law enforcement staff, our study provides a continental baseline median of 46.3 km2 PA per ranger. Our findings also provide a baseline for countries to improve their ranger‐based law enforcement which is critical for their Kunming‐Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework targets.
Parachute conservation: Investigating trends in international research
Authors: Miller James , White Thomas B. , Christie Alec P.
Published: March 2023

Parachute science (inequity in research relationships between Global North and South scientists) has known detrimental impacts on Global South researchers in conservation. Using two international datasets of English and non‐English‐language studies testing conservation interventions, we compared the continents in which studies were conducted to those in which authors were affiliated. We found that a substantial proportion of English‐language studies conducted in Global South continents were led by researchers affiliated to Global North institutions. Studies in the Global South had relatively few locally affiliated lead authors and a higher percentage of studies with no locally affiliated authors. There were similar but typically less pronounced patterns for non‐English‐language studies. We discuss the potential drivers of these problematic findings and future directions that could help avoid and eliminate unethical parachute conservation science.
Utilization of machine learning to model the effect of blood product transfusion on short‐term lung transplant outcomes
Authors: Melnyk Vladyslav , Xu Wen , Ryan John P. , Karim Helmet T. , Chan Ernest G. , Mahajan Aman , Subramaniam Kathirvel
Published: March 2023

The objective of this study was to identify the relationship between blood product transfusion and short‐term morbidity and mortality following lung transplantation utilizing machine learning. Preoperative recipient characterstics, procedural variables, perioperative blood product transfusions, and donor charactersitics were included in the model. The primary composite outcome was occurrence on any of the following six endpoints: mortality during index hospitalization; primary graft dysfunction at 72 h post‐transplant or the need for postoperative circulatory support; neurological complications (seizure, stroke, or major encephalopathy); perioperative acute coronary syndrome or cardiac arrest; and renal dysfunction requiring renal replacement therapy. The cohort included 369 patients, with the composite outcome occurring in 125 cases (33.9%). Elastic net regression analysis identified 11 significant predictors of composite morbidity: higher packed red blood cell, platelet, cryoprecipitate and plasma volume from the critical period, preoperative functional dependence, any preoperative blood transfusion, VV ECMO bridge to transplant, and antifibrinolytic therapy were associated with higher risk of morbidity. Preoperative steroids, taller height, and primary chest closure were protective against composite morbidity.
Tooth autotransplantation with 3D‐printed replicas as part of interdisciplinary management of children and adolescents: Two case reports
Authors: Dhillon Ishreen Kaur , Khor Melissa Mei‐Yi , Tan Bing Liang , Wong Raymond Chung Wen , Duggal Mandeep Singh , Soh Shean Han , Lu Wilson Weixun
Published: March 2023

The management of missing teeth as a result of dental trauma or associated with hypodontia in children and adolescents presents as a clinical challenge for the dental team. One of the options that is regaining popularity is dental autotransplantation. To improve autotransplantation outcomes, careful interdisciplinary planning, surgical simulation using cone beam computed tomography images and three‐dimensional‐printed teeth replicas should be undertaken for presurgical preparation. This case report showcases two applications of autotransplantation, with emphasis on interdisciplinary management, presurgical preparation and postsurgical orthodontic and aesthetic management to deliver a good long‐term, sustainable, biological outcome, as a part of a comprehensive rehabilitation treatment plan in children.
Clinical symptoms in mild cognitive impairment with Lewy bodies: Frequency, time of onset, and discriminant ability
Authors: Donaghy Paul C. , Hamilton Calum , Durcan Rory , Lawley Sarah , Barker Sally , Ciafone Joanna , Barnett Nicola , Olsen Kirsty , Firbank Michael , Roberts Gemma , Lloyd Jim , Allan Louise M. , Saha Ranjan , McKeith Ian G. , O'Brien John T. , Taylor John‐Paul , Thomas Alan J.
Published: March 2023

Background and purpose

Mild cognitive impairment with Lewy bodies (MCI‐LB) is associated with a range of cognitive, motor, neuropsychiatric, sleep, autonomic, and visual symptoms. We investigated the cumulative frequency of symptoms in a longitudinal cohort of MCI‐LB compared with MCI due to Alzheimer disease (MCI‐AD) and analysed the ability of a previously described 10‐point symptom scale to differentiate MCI‐LB and MCI‐AD, in an independent cohort.

Methods

Participants with probable MCI‐LB (n = 70), MCI‐AD (n = 51), and controls (n = 34) had a detailed clinical assessment and annual follow‐up (mean duration = 1.7 years). The presence of a range of symptoms was ascertained using a modified version of the Lewy Body Disease Association Comprehensive LBD Symptom Checklist at baseline assessment and then annually.

Results

MCI‐LB participants experienced a greater mean number of symptoms (24.2, SD = 7.6) compared with MCI‐AD (11.3, SD = 7.4) and controls (4.2, SD = 3.1; p < 0.001 for all comparisons). A range of cognitive, parkinsonian, neuropsychiatric, sleep, and autonomic symptoms were significantly more common in MCI‐LB than MCI‐AD, although when present, the time of onset was similar between the two groups. A previously defined 10‐point symptom scale demonstrated very good discrimination between MCI‐LB and MCI‐AD (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve = 0.91, 95% confidence interval = 0.84–0.98), replicating our previous finding in a new cohort.

Conclusions

MCI‐LB is associated with the frequent presence of a particular profile of symptoms compared to MCI‐AD. Clinicians should look for evidence of these symptoms in MCI and be aware of the potential for treatment. The presence of these symptoms may help to discriminate MCI‐LB from MCI‐AD.
Multiple sleep–wake disturbances after stroke predict an increased risk of cardio‐cerebrovascular events or death: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Duss Simone B. , Bernasconi Corrado , Steck Anita , Brill Anne‐Kathrin , Manconi Mauro , Dekkers Martijn , Schmidt Markus H. , Bassetti Claudio L. A.
Published: March 2023

Background and purpose

Contradictory evidence on the impact of single sleep‐wake‐disturbances (SWD), such as sleep‐disorderd breating (SDB) or insomnia, in patients with stroke, on the risk of subsequent cardio‐ and cerebrovascular events (CCE) and death, exists. Very recent studies in the general population suggest that the presence of multiple SWD increases cardio‐cerebrovascular risk. Hence, the aim of this study was to asssess whether a novel score capturing the burden of multiple SWD, a so called "sleep burden index", is predictive for subsequent CCE including death in a prospectively followed cohort of stroke patients.

Methods

Patients with acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) were prospectively recruited. Four SWD were analyzed: (i) SDB with respirography; (ii) insomnia (defined using the insomnia severity index [ISI]); (iii) restless legs syndrome (RLS; defined using the International RLS Study Group rating scale); and (iv) self‐estimated sleep duration at 1 and 3 months. A “sleep burden index”, calculated using the mean of z‐transformed values from assessments of these four SWD, was created. The occurrence of CCE was recorded over a mean ± standard deviation (SD) follow‐up of 3.2 ± 0.3 years.

Results

We assessed 437 patients (87% ischemic stroke, 13% TIA, 64% males) with a mean ± SD age of 65.1 ± 13.0 years. SDB (respiratory event index ≥ 5/h) was present in 66.2% of these patients. Insomnia (ISI ≥ 10), RLS and extreme sleep duration affected 26.2%, 6.4% and 13.7% of the patients 3 months post‐stroke. Seventy out of the 437 patients (16%) had at least one CCE during the follow‐up. The sleep burden index was associated with a higher risk for subsequent CCE, including death (odds ratio 1.80 per index unit, 95% confidence interval 1.19–2.72; p = 0.0056).

Conclusion

The presence of multiple SWDs constitutes a risk for subsequent CCE (including death) within the first 3 years following stroke. Larger systematic studies should assess the utility of the sleep burden index for patients' risk stratification in clinical practice.
Perovskite modified catalysts with improved coke resistance for steam reforming of glycerol to renewable hydrogen fuel
Authors: Umar Ahmed , Thotyl Musthafa Ottakam
Published: March 2023

Catalytic steam reforming of renewable feedstock to renewable energy or chemicals always goes with intense coking activities that produce carbonaceous products leading to low performance and eventual catalyst deactivation. Supported metal catalyst such as Ni/Al2O3 is known to catalysed gasification and decomposition of biomass feedstock largely for renewable fuel production with promising results. Catalyst deactivation from high carbon deposition, agglomeration and phase transformations resulting to rapid deactivation are some of the issues identified with the use of the catalyst. In this work, improvement on the coke resistance and catalytic properties of Ni/Al2O3 catalyst is sought via the use of a thermally stable and coke‐resistant perovskite La0.75Sr0.25Cr0.5Mn0.5O3‐δ (LSCM) as catalyst promoter/modifier and involving Zirconia‐doped Ceria (Ce‐Zr) as alternative support in steam reforming of pure and by‐product glycerol. The stabilizing influence of the LSCM on the Ni catalyst has improved stability against agents of deactivation with a consequent significant improvement of catalytic activity of Ni/Al2O3 in H2 production and robust suppression of carbon deposition. Particularly, the synergy between the LSCM promoter and alternative Ce0.75Zr0.25O2 support enhanced the basic and redox properties known for Ce0.75Zr0.25O2 support in contrast to the week acid centres in γ‐Al2O3 support which further improved nickel stability, catalyst–support interaction with a resultant high catalytic activity and robust coke suppression as a result of enhanced oxygen mobility. There is correlation between the product distribution, nature of coke deposited and reforming temperature as well as type of support and structural modification. Hence, integration of a robust perovskite material as a catalyst promoter and choice of support could be tailored in design and development of robust catalyst systems to improve the performance of supported metal catalysts, particularly the suppression of carbon deposition for hydrocarbon and biomass conversion to renewable fuel or chemicals.
Evaluation of bone marrow aspirates using the automated hematology analyzer Sysmex XN‐3000
Authors: Tsuchiya Koji , Kimura Konobu , Ai Tomohiko , Yamamoto Takamasa , Nagasaka Kaori , Takemura Hiroyuki , Edahiro Yoko , Saito Kaori , Horiuchi Yuki , Misawa Shigeki , Takaku Tomoiku , Ando Jun , Ando Miki , Miida Takashi , Uchihashi Kinya , Tabe Yoko
Published: March 2023

Introduction

This study evaluated the feasibility of the Sysmex XN‐3000 automated hematology analyzer for the assessment of total nucleated cells (TNC) and bone marrow (BM) cell density in routine bone marrow aspiration (BMA) samples.

Methods

A total of 54 BMA samples from 39 hematological patients were evaluated. The number of megakaryocytes was calculated by a specific gating algorithm using the body fluid mode of the WBC differential (WDF) channel. Lipid contents were calculated through a newly developed algorithm utilizing the WDF channel. The ratio of lipid particles over TNCs by the WNR channel was compared with the BM cellularity assessed by the BM biopsy. The myeloid/erythroid (M/E) ratio was calculated by measuring the number of myeloid cells in the WDF channel and the number of nucleated red blood cells (NRBCs) in the WNR channel.

Results

XN‐3000 counts and microscopic results showed a linear correlation in TNC (R2 = .98, p < .001), megakaryocytes (R2 = .59, p = .002), NRBC (R2 = .84, p < .001), and M/E ratio (R2 = .59, p < .001). There were significant differences in the lipid/TNC ratios of hypercellular, normocellular, and hypocellular BMs measured by XN‐3000 (p < .001). Receiver‐operating characteristic analysis detected cut‐off values of the lipid/TNC ratio of >0.4054 for hypoplasia and <0.157 for hyperplasia. The sensitivity and specificity for hypoplasia were 100% and 88%, and for hyperplasia were 89% and 86%, respectively.

Conclusion

XN‐3000 provides a quantitative assessment of BM cellularity, supporting the qualitative assessment by myelogram and BM biopsy.