bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Packaging-free practices in food retail: the impact on customer loyalty
Authors: Barbosa Belem , Shabani Shojaei Alireza , Miranda Hugo
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This study analyzes the impact of packaging-free practices in food retail stores, particularly supermarkets, on customer loyalty.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the literature on the impacts of sustainable practices and corporate social responsibility (CSR) policies on consumer behavior, this study defined a set of seven hypotheses that were tested using data collected from 447 consumers that regularly buy food products at supermarkets. The data were subjected to structural equation modeling using SmartPLS.

Findings

This study confirmed that packaging-free practices positively influence brand image, brand trust, satisfaction and customer loyalty. The expected positive impacts of brand image and satisfaction on customer loyalty were also confirmed. However, the expected impact of brand trust on customer loyalty was not confirmed.

Practical implications

This article demonstrates how a competitive sector can reap benefits from implementing sustainable practices in the operational domain, particularly by offering packaging-free products at the point of purchase. Thus, as recommended, general retail stores (e.g. supermarkets) gradually increase the stores' offering of packaging-free food products, as this practice has been shown to have positive impacts not only on brand image, but also on customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Originality/value

This study extends the literature on the effects of sustainable practices on customer loyalty, by focusing on a specific practice. Furthermore, this study contributes to the advancement of research on packaging-free practices in retail by developing a research framework and providing evidence on the direct and indirect effects of this specific practice on customer loyalty.
Autonomous vehicles will spur moving budget from railroads to roads
Authors: Wiseman Yair
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Nowadays, transportation authorities in various countries are in tension as to whether to invest in railroads or roads. There are arguments for each side, and in the end, each transportation authority reaches a kind of balance between the investments. This study aims to anticipate how autonomous vehicles will influence this decision.

Design/methodology/approach

The roads' capacity in the era of autonomous vehicles is assessed and research has concluded that the anticipated increase in road capacity will encourage transportation authorities to invest much more in roads than in railroads.

Findings

The appearance of the autonomous vehicles will significantly change the balance in favor of the roads, because the roads' capacity will be increased substantially so the roads will be able to accommodate many more vehicles.

Research limitations/implications

Currently, autonomous vehicles are still very rare.

Practical implications

The impact of autonomous vehicles on the decision whether to build more roads is explained.

Originality/value

The study explained why the transportation authorities in the various countries will be more inclined to switch to road construction and why the transition to more roads and fewer railroads will likely be done gradually as more autonomous vehicles enter service.
Linking government interventions to firm performance: the influence of stringency and support during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Zou Qi , Wang Yuan , Modi Sachin
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This study uncovers how government interventions, in terms of stringency and support, shape coronavirus disease 2019's (COVID-19) detrimental impact on organizations' performance. Specifically, this paper studies whether stringency and support play complementary or substitutive roles in lowering COVID-19's impact on organizations' performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors gathered primary data from USA manufacturing companies and combined this with secondary data from the Oxford COVID-19 Government Response Tracker (OxCGRT) to test the proposed model with structural equation modeling (SEM).

Findings

The results show that the stringency approach increases the detrimental impact on both operational and financial performance, while economic support (to households) and fiscal spending (to organizations) work differently on lowering the impacts of COVID-19. Further, these combinative effects only influence the firm's operational performance, albeit in opposite directions.

Originality/value

This study advances the knowledge of government interventions by examining stringency and support's direct and interaction effects on firm performance as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings contribute to the literature by uncovering the unique roles of both supportive policies, thus differentiating economic support (to individuals/households) from fiscal spending (to organizations) and providing important academic, managerial and policy insights into how government should best initiate and blend stringency and support policies during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Female preference for males with lower pattern contrast follows Weber's law of proportional processing in jumping spiders
Authors: Kwek Bernetta Z. W. , Zhou Wei , Yu Long , Ding Guohua , Li Daiqin
Published: July 2023

According to Weber's law of proportional processing, perceptual discrimination between stimuli of different magnitudes is based on their proportional differences in magnitude (not absolute differences). Proportional processing operates in various sensory modalities and behavioural contexts. However, whether female mate preference for colour patterns in animals follows Weber's law of proportional processing remains untested.

We addressed this research gap using the jade jumping spider, Siler semiglaucus, whose males exhibit remarkable sexually selected colour patterns and whose females show preferences for males with low abdomen pattern contrast (pattern contrast is defined as the spatial feature of the relative abundance of two adjacent colour patches). By manipulating the dorsal abdomen colour patterns of S. semiglaucus males, we created males with varying abdomen pattern contrasts. We then assessed female preference for males that varied in both absolute and proportional differences in pattern contrast.

We found that females preferred males with lower abdomen pattern contrasts and discriminated between males based on both absolute and proportional differences in pattern contrast. While proportional difference alone was not a significant predictor of female mate‐choice, discrimination based on proportional difference coupled with absolute difference had a greater influence on female mate preference than absolute difference alone.

Hence, our findings suggest that S. semiglaucus female preference for males with lower pattern contrast follows Weber's law, and female discrimination may have the potential to limit the exaggeration of sexually selected colour patterns.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Forensic age estimation of living individuals: a novel bibliometric approach to the literature review
Authors: Panci Valentina , Hackman Lucina
Published: July 2023

This study investigates the trends within the published research up to 2019 in relation to skeletal and dental age estimation in living individuals by using a novel bibliometric analysis which utilizes a specialist, open‐source R script. The analysis was performed on a total of 644 papers (627 articles, fifteen conference papers, and two reviews) retrieved using the online database Scopus. The analysis included an investigation of publication trends, authors’ affiliations, citation, Open Access publications, authors’ keywords, and index keywords. An additional investigation was conducted to study the relation between the methodologies developed and the specific populations that have been tested. The relation between imaging techniques and areas of the body used in these studies was also examined.
Adult patients with constipation presenting to the emergency department: Can care be improved?
Authors: Bunting Catherine , Smith Emily , Dunham Fiona , Simpson Sally , Truter Piers
Published: July 2023

Objective

This study aimed to establish the demographic profile of adult patients presenting with constipation and constipation‐related issues to an Australian tertiary hospital ED, investigate ED management and referral pathways in this cohort and determine satisfaction of these aspects of care from a patient's perspective.

Methods

This is a single‐centre study conducted in an Australian tertiary hospital ED which sees 115 000 presentations annually. ED presentations of adults aged 18–80 years with symptoms of constipation were evaluated through retrospective electronic medical record audit and follow‐up by survey 3–6 months after their ED presentation.

Results

The patients presenting to the ED with constipation had a median age of 48 years (IQR 33.5–63.5) and arrived self‐referred by private transport. Median length of stay was 292 min. 22% of patients reported they had previously attended the ED for the same issue within the previous year. Diagnosis of chronic constipation was inconsistent, with limited supporting documentation. Constipation was largely managed with aperients. Four in five patients were satisfied with ED care; however, 3–6 months post‐ED visit, 92% of patients reported ongoing bowel‐related issues, reflecting the chronic course of functional constipation.

Conclusion

This is the first study to investigate the management of constipation in adult patients in an Australian ED setting. It is important that ED clinicians recognise that functional constipation is a chronic condition and many patients have persistent symptoms. There are opportunities for quality‐of‐care improvements including diagnostics, treatment, and referral post‐discharge to allied health, nursing and medical specialist services.
Machine learning and the prediction of changes in profitability
Authors: Jones Stewart , Moser William J. , Wieland Matthew M.
Published: July 2023

This study uses machine‐learning methods to predict next‐period change in profitability based on a model proposed by Penman and Zhang (2004, Working paper, Columbia University and University of California, Berkeley; “PZ”). We find that new machine‐learning methods predict out of sample substantially better than traditional regression methods and provide richer interpretations about the role and impact of different predictor variables through their nonlinear relationships and interaction effects. For example, our results contrast with previous research by showing that both components of the DuPont decomposition (change in profit margin and change in asset turnover) are informative of next‐period changes in profitability. Our results are robust across different performance metrics, alternative machine‐learning models, and software. Furthermore, an unconstrained machine‐learning model using a larger feature space could not significantly improve the performance of the PZ model. PZ variables alone accounted for most of the explanatory power of the unconstrained model, suggesting the PZ model is both well specified (in terms of feature selection) and robust in higher dimensional settings. With respect to the economic significance of this information, we find mixed results. The market appears to adjust its expectations more in line with the machine‐learning predictions relative to the PZ model but the portfolio returns are not significantly different.
Testing pharmacotherapies for alcohol use disorder with cue exposure paradigms: A systematic review and quantitative synthesis of human laboratory trial methodology
Authors: Meredith Lindsay R. , Burnette Elizabeth M. , Nieto Steven J. , Du Han , Donato Suzanna , Grodin Erica N. , Green ReJoyce , Magill Molly , Baskerville Wave‐Ananda , Ray Lara A.
Published: July 2023

Alcohol cue exposure is a widely used experimental paradigm for screening pharmacotherapies for alcohol use disorder (AUD). Medication‐related reductions in cue‐reactivity signal early efficacy and inform medications development. Yet, across trials, the design of cue exposure, parameter testing, and outcome reporting is heterogeneous. This systematic review is a quantitative synthesis of trial methodologies and effect size estimation for AUD medication‐related craving and psychophysiological outcomes under the cue exposure paradigm. A PubMed search was conducted on January 3, 2022 based on identified pharmacotherapies for peer‐reviewed articles reported in English. Study‐level characteristics, including sample descriptors, paradigm design, analytic approach, and Cochrane Risk of Bias, along with descriptive statistics for cue‐exposure outcomes, were coded by two independent raters. Study‐level effect sizes were estimated for craving and psychophysiological outcomes separately and sample‐level effect sizes were calculated for each medication. Thirty‐six trials, comprising 1640 participants and testing 19 different medications satisfied eligibility criteria. All studies reported on biological sex (71% male participants on average). The exposure paradigms implemented used in vivo (n = 26), visual (n = 8), and audio script (n = 2) cues. Some trials included means for craving by medication condition in text (k = 7) or figures (k = 18). The quantitative synthesis included 63 effect sizes (craving kes = 47; psychophysiological kes = 16) from 28 unique randomized trials testing 15 medications for effects on cue reactivity. For cue‐induced craving, eight medications (kes range: 1–12) demonstrated small‐to‐medium effects (Cohen's d range: |0.24–0.64|) compared to placebo, with individuals randomized to receive medication reporting lower craving following cue exposure. Recommendations are provided to promote further consilience, so that the utility of cue exposure paradigms can be maximized in the development of effective AUD pharmacotherapies. Future work should explore the predictive utility of medication‐related reductions in cue‐reactivity on clinical outcomes.
Expression of placental growth factor and a disintegrin and metalloprotease with a thrombospondin type motifs 1‐4‐8 during the three trimesters of rat pregnancy at the maternal‐fetal interface
Authors: Tatar Musa , Uslu Sema , Öner Jale
Published: July 2023

The functional roles of the a disintegrin and metalloprotease with a thrombospondin type motifs (ADAMTS) gene family in reproductive physiology, reproductive organs developments and adult reproductive health are still under investigation. The expression of the anti‐angiogenic proteases ADAMTS‐1, ADAMTS‐4 and ADAMTS‐8 in placental angiogenesis at various stages of pregnancy also remains unclear. The purpose of this study was therefore to determine the localization and expression of the ADAMTS‐1, ADAMTS‐4 and ADAMTS‐8 proteins during the three stages of pregnancy in rats. Maternal‐fetal tissue samples were collected on Days 5, 12 and 19 of each trimester, corresponding to the first, second and third trimesters. The expression of placental growth factor (PlGF) and ADAMTS‐1, ADAMTS‐4 and ADAMTS‐8 at the maternal‐fetal interface was examined using immunohistochemistry and western blot at three distinct phases of pregnancy. ADAMTS‐1, ADAMTS‐4 and ADAMTS‐8 were detected in all three trimesters of pregnancy. The relative amount of PIGF increased in the first trimester and decreased significantly in the third trimester (p < 0.05). The expression of ADAMTS‐1 and ADAMTS‐4 was significantly higher in the second (p < 0.05) and third trimesters (p < 0.01) compared to the first trimester. However, no statistically significant change was observed in ADAMTS‐8 expression between trimesters. The ADAMTS exhibiting the highest expression during the first trimester was ADAMTS8. These findings indicate that the expression of ADAMTS‐1, ADAMTS‐4 and ADAMTS‐8 in the three different stages of rat pregnancy may be involved in the modulation of decidualization, morphogenesis and angiogenesis. Periodic changes in ADAMTS expression are thought to be regulated by gonadal steroids.
Berberine enhances autophagic flux by activating the Nrf2 signaling pathway in bovine endometrial epithelial cells to resist LPS‐induced apoptosis
Authors: Fu Kaiqiang , Chen Han , Mei Lian , Wang Jifang , Gong Benzhi , Li Yan , Cao Rongfeng
Published: July 2023

Berberine exerts many beneficial effects on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced bovine endometrial epithelial cells (BEECs). Recently, we also found that berberine shows significant antiapoptotic and autophagy‐promoting activities, but the underlying mechanism has not been elucidated. This research explored the association between the antiapoptotic and autophagy‐promoting activities of berberine in LPS‐treated BEECs. BEECs were first preconditioned with an inhibitor of autophagic flux (chloroquine [CQ]) for 1 h, treated with berberine for 2 h, and then incubated with LPS for 3 h. Cell apoptosis was assessed by flow cytometry, and autophagy activities were assessed by immunoblot analysis of LC3II and p62. The results indicated that the antiapoptotic activity of berberine was notably inhibited in LPS‐treated BEECs after preconditioning with CQ for 1 h. Furthermore, to determine whether berberine promoted autophagy by activating the nuclear factor‐erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway, we assessed autophagy in LPS‐treated BEECs after preconditioning with a signaling pathway inhibitor of Nrf2 (ML385). The results indicated that the enhanced autophagy activity induced by berberine was partially reversed in LPS‐treated BEECs after the Nrf2 signaling pathway was disturbed by ML385. In conclusion, berberine enhances autophagic flux to allow resistance to LPS‐induced apoptosis by activating the Nrf2 signaling pathway in BEECs. The present study may provide new insight into the antiapoptotic mechanism of berberine in LPS‐induced BEECs.
Lesson‐drawing under authoritarianism: generosity and cost control in China's hospital payment reforms
Authors: Mueller Armin , ten Brink Tobias
Published: July 2023

Local policy experimentation was a driving force behind China's economic progress, but its results in the field of social policy are more ambiguous. This article takes a lesson‐drawing perspective on the transfer of international hospital payment reforms to Chinese cities, focusing on the Urban Employees' Basic Medical Insurance. We distinguish two waves of reform. The first wave was driven by local government initiatives dominated by simplified versions of international models which lacked strong prospective payment components (inspirations) and protected local bureaucratic and hospital interests. The second wave was driven by central government intervention dominated by syntheses and adaptations with strong prospective payment components and was more oriented toward patients' interests. Data were collected via expert interviews, administrative documents, academic studies, and newspaper articles. We find that elements of social policy are transferred depending on central–local interaction, with pressure from the center needed to overcome local bureaucratic self‐interest.
Drivers affecting habitat use in Afrotropical hipposiderid and pteropodid bats
Authors: Mande Claude , Van Cakenberghe Victor , Kirkpatrick Lucinda , Laudisoit Anne , De Bruyn Luc , Gembu Guy‐Crispin , Verheyen Erik
Published: July 2023

Assessing how bats respond to habitat attributes requires an integrative approach to reliably predict direct community‐level effects. We focused on hipposiderid and pteropodid bats because of their diverse resource use patterns, body size ranges, and dispersal abilities. We combined an array of bat species‐level characteristics with key forest stand characteristics that may covary with habitat use. Twelve stations were sampled in the Lomami and Yangambi landscapes, Democratic Republic of the Congo. We investigated whether species‐level flight ability of bats and forest stand characteristics can affect bat commuting flights and community‐level estimates of both species detection and habitat occupancy. We captured bats for 108 trap‐nights. Three sampling events (early evening, middle of the night, and early morning) were replicated for each survey night. Hipposiderids showed an early evening flight peak, while flight activity of pteropodids was constant throughout the night, but increased around the middle of the night. Species capture probability decreased with higher wing loading in hipposiderids and was negatively correlated with higher wing aspect ratio in pteropodids. Forest occupancy of hipposiderids increased along the gradient towards waterways, while pteropodid occurrence was not directly linked to measured forest stand variables. This suggests a consequence of habitat patterns at larger spatial scales, which would need clarifying through additional data collection. We discuss these findings in terms of resource‐use strategies of clutter‐tolerant and clutter‐intolerant species. We argue that the occurrence of specific bat species and their habitat use patterns can serve as surrogate measures of ecosystem health.
You can't play with us: First‐person ostracism affects infants' behavioral reactivity
Authors: Quadrelli E. , Mermier J. , Nazzari S. , Bulf H. , Turati C.
Published: July 2023

Ostracism negatively affects fundamental psychological needs, induces physiological and behavioral changes, and modulates the processing of social information in adults. Yet little is known about children and preverbal infants' responses to first‐person experiences of ostracism. The current study aimed to explore the efficacy of a triadic ball‐tossing game in manipulating social inclusion and ostracism with 13‐month‐old infants (N = 84; 44% males; mostly White; tested from 2019 to 2022) by developing an observational coding system. Infants' behaviors were recorded while participating in a ball‐tossing game where they were either included or ostracized from the game. Ostracized, but not included, infants showed an increase in negative emotionality and involvement behaviors, thus suggesting that behavioral responses to being ostracized emerge early in life.
Mpox virus and coinfections: An approach to rapid diagnosis
Authors: Derrick Kristina M. , Marson Justin W. , Chakka Srita , Heilman Edward R.
Published: July 2023

We report a case of a 42‐year‐old immunocompromised (human immunodeficiency virus [HIV], CD4 count 86 cells/μL) Black male who presented with fever, oropharyngeal candidiasis, and phimosis, followed by eruption of umbilicated papulovesicles most concentrated on the face. The patient was diagnosed with Mpox (MPXV, formerly monkeypox), herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV1), varicella‐zoster virus (VZV), and late latent syphilis. Tzanck smear of a Mpox lesion proved a useful and rapidly obtained pertinent negative test, lacking the typical changes of HSV/VZV (multinucleation, margination, and molding). A biopsy specimen showed viral changes consistent with both Mpox (ballooning degeneration and multinucleated keratinocytes) and herpesvirus (multinucleated epithelial giant cell within a zone of follicular necrosis). Lesion PCR was positive for HSV1 and MPXV, and negative for HSV2 and VZV. Immunohistochemistry was positive for VZV and orthopoxvirus. Empiric treatment for HSV/VZV in patients with suspected or confirmed Mpox should be considered for patients with HIV or other immunocompromised patients. It is important to recognize that MPXV, HSV, and VZV may all be present and difficult to distinguish clinically. More than one test modality (PCR, H&E, immunohistochemistry, and Tzanck) and multiple lesion samples may be required to thoroughly evaluate widespread papulovesicular eruptions, especially in immunocompromised patients.
Predicting predator–prey interactions in terrestrial endotherms using random forest
Authors: Llewelyn John , Strona Giovanni , Dickman Christopher R. , Greenville Aaron C. , Wardle Glenda M. , Lee Michael S. Y. , Doherty Seamus , Shabani Farzin , Saltré Frédérik , Bradshaw Corey J. A.
Published: July 2023

Species interactions play a fundamental role in ecosystems. However, few ecological communities have complete data describing such interactions, which is an obstacle to understanding how ecosystems function and respond to perturbations. Because it is often impractical to collect empirical data for all interactions in a community, various methods have been developed to infer interactions. Machine learning is increasingly being used for making interaction predictions, with random forest being one of the most frequently used of these methods. However, performance of random forest in inferring predator‐prey interactions in terrestrial vertebrates and its sensitivity to training data quality remain untested. We examined predator–prey interactions in two diverse, primarily terrestrial vertebrate classes: birds and mammals. Combining data from a global interaction dataset and a specific community (Simpson Desert, Australia), we tested how well random forest predicted predator–prey interactions for mammals and birds using species' ecomorphological and phylogenetic traits. We also tested how variation in training data quality – manipulated by removing records and switching interaction records to non‐interactions – affected model performance. We found that random forest could predict predator–prey interactions for birds and mammals using ecomorphological or phylogenetic traits, correctly predicting up to 88 and 67% of interactions and non‐interactions in the global and community‐specific datasets, respectively. These predictions were accurate even when there were no records in the training data for focal species. In contrast, false non‐interactions for focal predators in training data strongly degraded model performance. Our results demonstrate that random forest can identify predator–prey interactions for birds and mammals that have few or no interaction records. Furthermore, our study provides guidance on how to prepare training data to optimise machine learning classifiers for predicting species interactions, which could help ecologists 1) address knowledge gaps and explore network‐related questions in data‐poor situations, and 2) predict interactions for range‐expanding species.
A Whole‐School Approach to Address Youth Radicalization
Authors: Gereluk Dianne
Published: July 2023

Schools are increasingly being asked to identify and monitor youth who may be susceptible to recruitment toward radical groups. Rather than asking teachers to identify at‐risk behaviors, Dianne Gereluk argues here that a whole‐school approach may help to foster belonging and connection among youth that is not additive, but a central component of safe and inclusive schools. Whole‐school approaches attend to the different power relationships that occur within the school community, focusing on the classroom environment, the school organization, and the broader school environment. Insofar as radicalization is partly a response to the perception of exclusion and oppression, these factors may go some way toward mitigating the appeal of extremism.
Recasting “Fundamental ‘British’ Values”: Education, Justice, and Preventing Violent Extremism
Authors: Stevens David
Published: July 2023

Societies concerned with preventing acts of violent extremism often target the ideas that are thought to motivate such acts. The state's use of educational institutions is one mechanism by which those ideas are subjected to challenge. Teaching liberal democratic values to students is one method. Here, David Stevens argues that this model is misguided. First, commitment to violent methods is not primarily driven by the attractiveness of radical ideas themselves, but by material facts and circumstances. Second, an education that ignores the teaching of various socioeconomic values, such as a commitment to a certain degree of material equality and welfare provision, is inadequate as a conception of citizenship. These criticisms are related. Citizens are owed certain resources and commitments as citizens, and grounds for dissatisfaction and violence are reduced when citizens receive the holdings to which they are entitled, and when their fellow citizens recognize and endorse this. Consequently, it is the role of education to teach directively toward the adoption of such socioeconomic values and commitments.
Learning to Avoid Extremism
Authors: Ben‐Porath Sigal
Published: July 2023

Democracies are calling on schools to respond to a rise in extremist ideologies and actions. In this article Sigal Ben‐Porath situates the rise in extremism within the broader context of political polarization. She suggests that the latter is a more appropriate target for school intervention than the former. She further suggests that addressing polarization can result in a reduction in extremism, and that polarization can be addressed by refocusing the use of existing teaching and learning tools, rather than by instituting new forms of intervention such as the Prevent strategy used in the UK. Tackling polarization through media literacy and the development of democratic habits can help rectify false beliefs, which contribute both to broad political polarization and to individuals' slide toward extremism. Focusing on strengthening knowledge as well as social ties can fortify individuals' and communities' resilience against extremism, as well as build bridges and connect people to a sense of shared fate across political divides. These practices are more effective and more justified than targeting individual students who are suspected of holding radical beliefs.
Where does working from home “work”?
Authors: Peretz Hilla
Published: July 2023

As the COVID‐19 outbreak forced many organizations to shift to work from home (WFH) arrangements, many are now considering whether to continue these arrangements post‐pandemic. To make informed decisions, understanding the environmental factors that influence employees' capacity to WFH effectively is crucial. This study contributes to this understanding by drawing on neo‐institutional theory to develop a model that characterizes how employees' WFH outcomes are shaped by their national institutional environment. The model was tested using data from multiple national‐level sources and individual‐level data obtained via a survey. The findings reveal that employees from high competency (cognitive institutions), meritocratic (normative institutions), and more labor‐regulated (regulatory institutions) contexts demonstrate higher levels of perceived productivity and satisfaction with WFH. Moreover, the link between the institutional context and WFH effectiveness is more pronounced when employees' capacity to adjust to WFH is high. Theoretical and practical implementations for organizations, especially multinational ones, are being discussed.
A new cheese population in Penicillium roqueforti and adaptation of the five populations to their ecological niche
Authors: Crequer Ewen , Ropars Jeanne , Jany Jean‐Luc , Caron Thibault , Coton Monika , Snirc Alodie , Vernadet Jean‐Philippe , Branca Antoine , Giraud Tatiana , Coton Emmanuel
Published: July 2023

Domestication is an excellent case study for understanding adaptation and multiple fungal lineages have been domesticated for fermenting food products. Studying domestication in fungi has thus both fundamental and applied interest. Genomic studies have revealed the existence of four populations within the blue‐cheese‐making fungus Penicillium roqueforti. The two cheese populations show footprints of domestication, but the adaptation of the two non‐cheese populations to their ecological niches (i.e., silage/spoiled food and lumber/spoiled food) has not been investigated yet. Here, we reveal the existence of a new P. roqueforti population, specific to French Termignon cheeses, produced using small‐scale traditional practices, with spontaneous blue mould colonisation. This Termignon population is genetically differentiated from the four previously identified populations, providing a novel source of genetic diversity for cheese making. The Termignon population indeed displayed substantial genetic diversity, both mating types, horizontally transferred regions previously detected in the non‐Roquefort population, and intermediate phenotypes between cheese and non‐cheese populations. Phenotypically, the non‐Roquefort cheese population was the most differentiated, with specific traits beneficial for cheese making, in particular higher tolerance to salt, to acidic pH and to lactic acid. Our results support the view that this clonal population, used for many cheese types in multiple countries, is a domesticated lineage on which humans exerted strong selection. The lumber/spoiled food and silage/spoiled food populations were not more tolerant to crop fungicides but showed faster growth in various carbon sources (e.g., dextrose, pectin, sucrose, xylose and/or lactose), which can be beneficial in their ecological niches. Such contrasted phenotypes between P. roqueforti populations, with beneficial traits for cheese‐making in the cheese populations and enhanced ability to metabolise sugars in the lumber/spoiled food population, support the inference of domestication in cheese fungi and more generally of adaptation to anthropized environments.
Dentine surface modification and remineralization induced by bioactive toothpastes
Authors: Gandolfi Maria Giovanna , Taddei Paola , Zamparini Fausto , Ottolenghi Livia , Polimeni Antonella , Prati Carlo
Published: July 2023

Objective

In this study, dentine surface was analysed through Environmental‐scanning‐electron‐microscopy (ESEM) with energy‐dispersive‐X‐ray‐spectrometry (EDX) and Fourier‐transform‐infrared‐spectroscopy (FTIR) with attenuated total‐reflectance (ATR) to assess the morpho‐chemical changes and variations in mineralization degree after demineralizing treatment, after five toothpastes application (HA & Citrate toothpaste, Zinc‐HA toothpaste, Calcium Sodium Phosphosilicate toothpaste, Arginine & Calcium carbonate toothpaste, Colgate‐Triple‐Action, and Control toothpaste), after soaking in artificial saliva and after citric acid attack.

Methods

Ca/P, Ca/N and P/N ratios were calculated from EDX atomic data to evaluate the mineralization degree of dentine surface. The IR calcium phosphate (CaP)/collagen and carbonate/collagen ratios has been evaluated to assess the remineralization changes in dentine; the carbonate/collagen IR ratio was calculated to identify the nucleation of B‐type‐carbonated apatite and calcium carbonate.

Results

ESEM–EDX and ATR–FTIR showed residuals of toothpastes after the treatments in all cases, with a general increase in the mineralization degree after soaking in artificial saliva and a decrease after acid attack.

Treatment with Arginine & Calcium carbonate toothpaste showed the highest Ca/P value after treatment (Ca/P 1.62) and acid attack (Ca/P 1.5) in confirmation, IR showed the highest amount of carbonate after treatment and soaking in artificial saliva.

Arginine and calcium carbonate toothpaste and HA and citrate toothpaste remained to a higher extent on the dentine surface and revealed a higher remineralization activity. These formulations showed higher resistance to demineralization attack, as demonstrated by a higher ICaP/IAmide II intensity ratio than those obtained after EDTA treatment.

Conclusions

Toothpastes that remained to a higher extent on dentine surface (arginine and calcium carbonate toothpaste in particular) were more able to promote remineralization. The formed calcium phosphate (CaPs) phase was intimately bound to dentine rather than a simple deposit.
Deformity or variation? Phenotypic diversity in the zebrafish vertebral column
Authors: Martini Arianna , Sahd Lauren , Rücklin Martin , Huysseune Ann , Hall Brian K. , Boglione Clara , Witten P. Eckhard
Published: July 2023

Vertebral bodies are composed of two types of metameric elements, centra and arches, each of which is considered as a developmental module. Most parts of the teleost vertebral column have a one‐to‐one relationship between centra and arches, although, in all teleosts, this one‐to‐one relationship is lost in the caudal fin endoskeleton. Deviation from the one‐to‐one relationship occurs in most vertebrates, related to changes in the number of vertebral centra or to a change in the number of arches. In zebrafish, deviations also occur predominantly in the caudal region of the vertebral column. In‐depth phenotypic analysis of wild‐type zebrafish was performed using whole‐mount stained samples, histological analyses and synchrotron radiation X‐ray tomographic microscopy 3D reconstructions. Three deviant centra phenotypes were observed: (i) fusion of two vertebral centra, (ii) wedge‐shaped hemivertebrae and (iii) centra with reduced length. Neural and haemal arches and their spines displayed bilateral and unilateral variations that resemble vertebral column phenotypes of stem‐ward actinopterygians or other gnathostomes as well as pathological conditions in extant species. Whether it is possible to distinguish variations from pathological alterations and whether alterations resemble ancestral conditions is discussed in the context of centra and arch variations in other vertebrate groups and basal actinopterygian species.
Effectiveness of teen Mental Health First Aid in Improving Teen‐to‐Teen Support Among American Adolescents*
Authors: Wilcox Holly C. , Pas Elise , Murray Sarah , Kahn Geoffrey , DeVinney Aubrey , Bhakta Sanjana , Rosenbaum Lacey , Hart Laura M.
Published: July 2023

BACKGROUND

teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA) is an Australian school‐based universal program for grade 10 to 12 students. tMHFA teaches teens how to recognize and respond to a peer in crisis or experiencing mental health concerns.

METHODS

Schools implementing tMHFA in 2019 and 2020 were propensity score matched, yielding a sample of instructors (n = 130) and students (n = 1915) in 44 high schools in 24 American states. Effectiveness and acceptability were assessed with student surveys at baseline and after implementation.

RESULTS

There were significant findings for primary outcomes, including improved helpful first aid intentions (Cohen ds = 0.57 to 0.58), confidence supporting a peer (ds = 0.19 to 0.31); the number of adults rated as helpful (ds = 0.37 to 0.44); and reductions in stigmatizing beliefs (ds = 0.21 to 0.40) and “harmful first aid intentions” (ds = 0.11 to 0.42). Instructors and students rated the program favorably with students sharing improvements on their recognition and responses to mental health problems and crises.

CONCLUSION

tMHFA is an effective, feasible, and scalable training program for increasing mental health literacy and decreasing mental health stigma in adolescents in the short term, consistent with trials of tMHFA in Australian adolescents.
Revision of the rattan Calamus javensis Blume complex (Arecaceae, Calamoideae) in Malesia with notes on all recognisable taxa and forms
Authors: Atria Mega , Dransfield John , van Welzen Peter C.
Published: July 2023

The problem of polymorphism in the Calamus javensis complex has been examined by various techniques in several publications. A wide range of morphological variation was identified during these studies. Characters showing high variation were leaf sheath and ocrea morphology, number and arrangement of leaflets, length and arrangement of the rachillas. All names used in the complex are here regarded as synonyms of C. javensis except C. tenompokensis, which is retained as a distinct species. One variety is recognized, C. javensis var. polyphyllus (including C. acuminatus). Using morphological characters, we recognized 11 informal (often not monophyletic) forms within C. javensis var. javensis. Here we present identification keys, descriptions and notes of all recognisable forms, varieties and species included in the Calamus javensis complex.
Co‐occurrence of fecal incontinence with constipation or irritable bowel syndrome indicates the need for personalized treatment
Authors: Sun Ge , Trzpis Monika , Ding Haibo , Gao Xianhua , Broens Paul M. A. , Zhang Wei
Published: July 2023

Background

This study aimed to compare the prevalence and symptoms of fecal incontinence (FI) in relation to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS‐associated FI), constipation (constipation‐associated FI), and isolation (isolated FI).

Methods

Data were analyzed from 3145 respondents without organic comorbidities known to influence defecation function from the general Chinese population who filled in the online Groningen Defecation and Fecal Continence questionnaire. FI, IBS, and constipation were evaluated with the Rome IV criteria.

Key Results

The prevalence of FI was 10.5% (n = 329) in the non‐comorbidity group. After multivariable logistic regression analysis, IBS (odds ratio [OR]: 12.55, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 9.06–17.36) and constipation (OR: 4.38, 95% CI: 3.27–5.85) were the most significant factors contributing to FI. Based on this finding, 106/329 (32.2%) had IBS‐associated FI, 119/329 (36.2%) had constipation‐associated FI, and 104/329 (31.6%) had isolated FI. Among the 329 FI respondents, there was a high prevalence of IBS and constipation‐related symptoms, including abdominal pain (81.5%) and abdominal bloating (77.8%) for IBS and straining during defecation (75.4%), incomplete defecation (72.3%), defecation blockage (63.2%), anal pain during defecation (59.3%), and hard stools (24%) for constipation. The patients with IBS‐associated FI asked for specialists' help less frequently than those with isolated FI. Interestingly, among the patients with constipation‐associated FI, 56.3% used anti‐diarrhea medicine.

Conclusions and Inferences

The prevalence of IBS‐associated FI, constipation‐associated FI, and isolated FI is comparably high. It is important to diagnose and target the cause of FI to provide personalized and cause‐targeting care instead of treating only the FI symptoms.
The clinical effect of benesco™ on reflux symptoms: A double‐blind randomized placebo‐controlled trial
Authors: Kuipers Thijs , Oude Nijhuis Renske A. B. , Schuitenmaker Jeroen M. , Bredenoord Albert J.
Published: July 2023

Background

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the most prevalent gastrointestinal diseases in the western world. Lifestyle modifications and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) form the basis of the management of GERD. A subset of patients seeks for (natural) alternative therapies besides PPIs. benesco™ is an over‐the‐counter nutrition based on quercetin which has a presumed positive effect on esophageal barrier function. Therefore we aim to assess the effect of benesco™ on reflux symptoms.

Methods

We performed a double‐blind randomized placebo‐controlled trial in participants with reflux symptoms. Participants were assigned randomly (1:1) to receive 6 weeks of benesco™ (three times daily one lozenge containing 200 mg of quercetin) or placebo. The primary outcome was treatment success (≥50% reduction in Reflux Disease Questionnaire Score). Secondary outcomes included GERD‐related quality of life, reflux‐free days and nights, and participant‐reported treatment success.

Key Results

One hundred participants were randomized. Treatment success was seen in 18 (39%) of 46 participants in the intervention group versus 21 (47%) of 45 in the placebo group (p = 0.468). In the intervention group 10 (1–21) reflux‐free days were reported compared to 10 (2–25) in the placebo group (p = 0.673). In addition, 38 (34–41) versus 39 (35–42) reflux‐free nights were reported (p = 0.409).

Conclusions & Inferences

In our trial benesco™ showed no significant benefit over placebo at group level.
The Early Bird Catches the Worm: The Effect of Birth Order on Old‐Age Mortality
Authors: Noghanibehambari Hamid , Fletcher Jason
Published: July 2023

Previous studies explore the role of birth order in children's and adults’ outcomes. This literature usually provides evidence of disadvantage of children with higher birth order. A narrow strand of this literature explores the association between birth order and old‐age mortality. This study re‐visits the birth‐order‐longevity relationship using US data. We employ Social Security Administration death records between the years 1988 and 2005 linked to the 1940 full‐count census and implement family fixed effect strategy to compare within‐sibling differences in the outcome. The findings suggest that later‐born children live, on average, 1–3 fewer months of life. The observed associations are exclusively concentrated among whites. However, the results do not point to significant heterogeneity based on family socioeconomic status, maternal education, and gender. Additional analyses suggest that higher birth order is associated with negative early educational outcomes.
Veteran suicide rates mirror, but do not account for, elevated suicide rates among the general population in US cultures of honor
Authors: Bock Jarrod E. , Tucker Raymond P. , Brown Ryan P. , Foster Stephen , Anestis Michael D.
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Veteran total and firearm suicide rates are higher compared to the general population. Among the general population, total and firearm suicide rates are higher in US states deemed cultures of honor compared to non‐honor states, likely because honor states have higher firearm ownership rates and fewer firearm laws. Considering that veterans tend to live in states with fewer firearm laws and that veteran population rates predict both statewide total and firearm suicide rates, it is possible that the elevated suicide rates seen in honor states in part due to those states having a greater presence of veterans compared to non‐honor states.

Method

Publicly available databases were used to obtain total and firearm suicide rates (per 100 k) for veterans and non‐veterans, as well as our covariates (e.g., rurality).

Results

Veteran population proportions were higher in honor states than non‐honor states. Veteran and non‐veteran total and firearm suicide rates were higher in honor states compared to non‐honor states. Statewide differences in all four suicide rates were indirectly explained by honor states having higher firearm ownership than non‐honor states.

Conclusions

These findings add to a growing body of literature showing that enacting firearm regulations may be a viable public health approach for preventing suicide.
(Mis)Informing the public? The public's responsiveness to reliable and unreliable information in illiberal information environments
Authors: Buchanan Ross , Zhong Lingna
Published: July 2023

Background

Public opinion has a dynamic relationship with policy and real‐world outcomes in liberal settings where reliable information is abundant. In these settings, the public continuously updates its opinions with reliable policy‐relevant information, and the changes in public opinion go on to affect policy and outcomes. It is unknown whether this dynamic exists in illiberal settings where the public's access to reliable information is heavily restricted.

Objectives

This article advances a theory of public opinion's dynamic relationship with policy and outcomes that applies to illiberal settings.

Methods

Our study examines a vital public good in one of the world's most restrictive information environments and estimates a dynamic model of relationships among three variables—public opinion, policy, and outcomes—with a focus on public opinion and outcomes as the key dependent variables. The analysis looks at air pollution remediation in 274 Chinese localities.

Results

We find that public opinion reacts to objective air pollution outcomes and not to misleading information that downplays air pollution severity, which suggests the public can accurately evaluate the reliability of available information. We also find that local public opinion's impact on local air pollution is substantively meaningful on timescales as short as 1 to 2 years, indicating that the additional policy effort prompted by public opinion change is sufficient to yield tangible real‐world outcomes even in the short term.

Conclusion

Public opinion has a dynamic relationship with policy and real‐world outcomes even in highly illiberal settings. We argue that these findings are likely to generalize across issue domains with outcomes that can be directly observed by the public.