bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Social business and social innovation: the Brazilian experience
Authors: Comini Graziella Maria , Fischer Rosa Maria , D'Amario Edison Quirino
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The aim of this article is to contribute to the field of social businesses, particularly considering the dimension of social innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors adopted a qualitative approach, whose purpose is to gather in-depth insights into a problem to understand its contextual elements and interrelations. The authors used an exploratory descriptive design and a multiple case study, which allows the identification of similarities and differences in the research subjects. They developed a scale that enables the classification of the operation logic of the social businesses analyzed.

Findings

It became evident that social businesses present a few differences in their modus operandi: those based on a social logic are more concerned with the generation of socio-environmental value, however with small-scale innovation; in contrast, social business guided by a market logic do not intend to generate socio-environmental value in different dimensions and are more concerned with the wider range of their innovations.

Research limitations/implications

This research analyzed social businesses from a founder and manager perspective and did not comprise all stakeholders. The purpose of this study was not to measure the effective impact generated by innovation, but to understand its potential to generate socio-environmental value.

Practical implications

The generation of socio-environmental value and the strategies to expand practices of social innovation are associated with the operation logic of social business.

Originality/value

The created scale allowed the classification of social businesses in terms of operation logic (greater emphasis on market or social aspects) and proposes a few dimensions to evaluate a socio-environmental innovation.
The predictive validity of entrance scores and short-term performance for long-term success in engineering education
Authors: Abdelfattah Faisal A. , Obeidat Omar S. , Salahat Yousef A. , BinBakr Maha B. , Al Sultan Adam A.
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This study examined predictors of cumulative grade point average (GPA) from entrance scores and successive performance during students' academic work in university engineering programs.

Design/methodology/approach

Scores from high school coursework, the General Ability Test and the Achievement Test were examined to determine if these factors and annual successive GPAs were predictors of long-term GPA. The sample consisted of 2,031 students registered in university engineering programs during the 2013–2019 period.

Findings

Correlations were significant between entrance scores and the preparatory year GPA but not with cumulative GPA. Also, correlations were significant between year-1 GPA to year-3 GPA and the graduation GPA. Adjacent year GPA is the better predictor of later GPA. More importantly, GPA at the time of graduation is well predicted by GPAs throughout years of study within engineering programs after controlling for entrance scores. Girls outperform boys in their entrance scores and GPAs. Hence, girls are likely to obtain higher cumulative GPAs.

Research limitations/implications

The implications of the study findings could help university faculty and administrators to understand the role of current entrance scores in predicting academic achievement of engineering students. In addition, the results could serve as a foundation to review weights of entrance scores for future developments and revisions. The findings of the study are limited to admission data for engineering students during the 2013–2019 period. Other disciplines may show a different pattern of relationships among the studied variables.

Practical implications

The study findings have useful practical implications for admitting and monitoring student progress at engineering education programs. Results may help program curriculum development specialists and committees in designing admission criteria.

Social implications

Administrators and faculty members are advised to consider entrance scores when providing counseling and monitoring throughout students' program-year progress. More attention should be devoted to university performance when interest is focused on later or graduation CGPA, with less emphasis on entrance scores.

Originality/value

The existed previous studies explored factors that influence the student performance in engineering programs. This study documents the role of admission criteria and successive GPAs in predicting the student graduation CGPA in engineering programs. Relationships between factors are crucial for engineering program revisions and policymaking.
Rethinking interaction in social distancing times: implications for business-to-business companies
Authors: Runfola Andrea , Milanesi Matilde , Guercini Simone
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the interaction in a business-to-business (BtoB) setting and the emerging relational dynamics. The COVID-19 pandemic is having a strong impact on BtoB markets in terms of the stop of production, the difficulty of coping with payments, restrictions on the flows of people and goods within national and international markets. The paper discusses that the effects of worldwide lockdowns, social distancing and other related restrictions undermine one of the salient features of business relationships, namely interaction.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper relies on a qualitative interpretivist approach based on the data collected from in-depth interviews with key informants and secondary sources. The fashion industry is taken as an emblematic case, given the relevance of BtoB relationships, especially those between global fashion brands and their suppliers, and the dramatic impact of the pandemic.

Findings

The paper shows four effects in terms of relational dynamics. The freezing effect is the maintaining of interaction at minimum operating levels capable of ensuring survival for both interacting actors. The ripple effect can be conceived as a negative effect of the pandemic related to the weakening of the freezing effects in interactions along the supply chain. The rebound effect is a sudden increase in interactive processes among existing relationships. The vicious effect is a negative effect of the pandemic on the interaction that refers to the decay of existing interaction and their ending.

Originality/value

This study fits into the current period of the COVID-19 pandemic to stress the role of interaction involving people and businesses as a key to restart. The paper suggests managerial implications to respond to the pandemic in the short term and to set the basis for future opportunities.
Animating business relationships through community social capital: an insight into conviviality
Authors: Guercini Simone , Ranfagni Silvia
Published: July 2021

Purpose

As conviviality can nurture community social capital, this paper aims to investigate how such capital can give rise to economic behaviour in terms of developing business relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical analysis was based on case studies of Italian businesses recognised as active communities that periodically organise convivial activities to fuel reciprocal collaboration. The case studies were constructed by combining a collection of secondary data, in-depth interviews and participant observations.

Findings

This paper shows how: community social capital in convivium emerges from self-narrative stimulated by ritual practices; social trust mobilising a convivial social capital is fuelled by knowledge generated through sharing and empathic relationships; community-based social relations embed business relations and if mediated, community-based business relations can also embed a community business.

Originality/value

The originality of the paper is twofold as it contributes: to understanding how conviviality can be used as a strategic tool for entrepreneurs to develop business relationships from convivial relations; and to finding intersection points between studies on business relationships from social capital and studies on entrepreneurship from community social capital.
When collusion meets the fraud triangle: a case study approach
Authors: Villaescusa Núria , Amat Oriol
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how the different elements of the fraud triangle are present in a case of convicted accounting fraud in collusion.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a case study research.

Findings

The authors find that when a fraud is carried out in collaboration of several internal and external members of the company, the view of the fraud triangle as an explanation of the fraud from a heuristic point of view is a very limited perspective of the fraud as an opportunity has been designed ad hoc for the fraud commission.

Originality/value

Although there is a vast research on accounting fraud, collusion fraud is still an unexplored area. This study gives light on how a real case of fraud is perpetrated.
Safety culture in healthcare: mixed method study
Authors: Lorenzini Elisiane , Oelke Nelly D. , Marck Patricia B.
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Healthcare providers’ perceptions of management's effectiveness in achieving safety culture improvements are low, and there is little information in the literature on the subject. Objective: The overall aim of this study was to examine the patient safety culture within an interprofessional team – physicians, nurses, nurse technicians, speech therapist, psychologist, social worker, administrative support – practicing in an advanced neurology and neurosurgery center in Southern Brazil.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors applied the safety attitudes questionnaire (SAQ) in a mixed methods study, with a quan→QUAL sequential explanatory approach.

Findings

In the quantitative phase, the authors found a negative safety climate through the SAQ. In the qualitative phase, the approach enabled participants to identify specific safety problems. For that, participants proposed improvements that were directly and quickly implemented in the workplace during the study. The joint analysis of the quantitative and qualitative data inferred that the information and reflections of the focus group participants supported and validated the SAQ statistical analysis results. This integrated approach illustrated the importance of various safety culture aspects as a multifaceted phenomenon related to healthcare quality.

Originality/value

This study provides explanations for why management is associated negatively with safety climate in healthcare institutions. In addition, the study provides a novel contribution adding value to mixed methods research methodology.
The influence of attitude functions on Muslim consumer attitude towards social media advertising: a case of bubble tea
Authors: Kamalul Ariffin Shaizatulaqma , Ihsannuddin Nur Qistina , Abdul Mohsin Ainul Mohsein
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between attitude functions and attitude towards social media advertising. Additionally, this study also examines the relationship between attitude towards social media advertising and purchase intention.

Design/methodology/approach

The data was collected via an online survey among Malaysian Muslim participants. Quantitative analysis was used to test the hypothesis. A total of 280 respondents participated in the online survey but only 264 responses fit the analysis. The data was analysed via SPSS and partial least squares structural equation modelling.

Findings

The findings of this paper show that attitude functions, namely, utilitarian, value-expressive, ego-defensive and religiosity have a significant positive influence on attitude towards social media advertising, whilst knowledge function was found to be insignificant. Attitude towards social media advertising was also found to have a significant positive influence on purchase intention.

Practical implications

Advertisers should also consider the religious aspects of Muslim consumers and their level of sensitivity as Muslims nowadays are well-informed. This is to avoid controversies and have a better understanding of their consumer needs.

Originality/value

This is one of the few studies examining the influence of religiosity in the social media advertising of controversial products such as bubble tea.
Role of leadership, strategic planning and entrepreneurial organizational culture towards achieving organizational excellence: evidence from public sector using SEM
Authors: Al-Dhaafri Hassan , Alosani Mohammed Saleh
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to study the collective effect of leadership, strategic planning and entrepreneurial organizational culture (EOC) on organizational excellence.

Design/methodology/approach

Using primary data obtained through a survey questionnaire, hypotheses have been developed for testing. Out of a total of 565 questionnaires, only 355 questionnaires were returned where data were collected from the Dubai police organization. The structural equation modelling (SEM) approach was used to analyse the collected data.

Findings

Statistical findings using SEM-partial least square confirmed the full mediating role of strategic planning as a mechanism between leadership and organizational excellence. In addition, the results reported a significant effect of leadership on strategic planning besides its impact on organizational excellence.

Practical implications

Results reported many valuable implications. The outcomes of this study have practical implications that will help managers, decision-makers and practitioners to consider the study’s variables to enhance the overall performance through achieving excellence.

Originality/value

The collective role of leadership, strategic planning, EOC and organizational excellence is studied as one of the most important empirical studies which bring original contribution to the existing body of knowledge.
Heads-up! An alert and warning system for phishing emails
Authors: Cooper Molly , Levy Yair , Wang Ling , Dringus Laurie
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This study introduces the concept of audiovisual alerts and warnings as a way to reduce phishing susceptibility on mobile devices.

Design/methodology/approach

This study has three phases. The first phase included 32 subject matter experts that provided feedback toward a phishing alert and warning system. The second phase included development and a pilot study to validate a phishing alert and warning system prototype. The third phase included delivery of the Phishing Alert and Warning System (PAWSTM mobile app) to 205 participants. This study designed, developed, as well as empirically tested the PAWSTM mobile app that alerted and warned participants to the signs of phishing in emails on mobile devices.

Findings

The results of this study indicated audio alerts and visual warnings potentially lower phishing susceptibility in emails. Audiovisual warnings appeared to assist study participants in noticing phishing emails more easily and in less time than without audiovisual warnings.

Practical implications

This study's implications to mitigation of phishing emails are key, as it appears that alerts and warnings added to email applications may play a significant role in the reduction of phishing susceptibility.

Originality/value

This study extends the existing information security body of knowledge on phishing prevention and awareness by using audiovisual alerts and warnings to email recipients tested in real-life applications.
Additive manufacturing of powder components based on subtractive sintering approach
Authors: Carrillo Maricruz Henkel , Lee Geuntak , Maniere Charles , Olevsky Eugene A.
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this work is to introduce a novel approach of using additive manufacturing (AM) to produce dense complex ceramic and metallic parts. Powder 3D printing has been gaining popularity due to its ease of use and versatility. However, powder-based methods such as Selective Laser Melting (SLM) and Sintering (SLS), utilizes high power lasers which generate thermal shock conditions in metals and are not ideal for ceramics due to their high melting temperature. Indirect additive manufacturing methods have been explored to address the above issues but have proven to be wasteful and time-consuming.

Design/methodology/approach

In this work, a novel approach of producing high density net-shaped prototypes using subtractive sintering (SS) and solvent jetting is developed. AM combined with SS (AM-SS) is a process that includes five simple steps. AM-SS can produce repeatable and reliable results as has been shown in this work.

Findings

As a proof-of-concept, a zirconia dental crown with a high density of 97% is fabricated using this approach. Microstructure and properties of the fabricated components are analyzed.

Originality/value

A major advantage of this method is the ability to efficiently fabricate high density parts using either metal powder and more importantly, ceramic powder which is traditionally difficult to densify using AM. Additionally, any powder particle size (including nano) and shape can be used which is not the case for traditional powder-based 3D printing.
Desynchronised times? Chronobiology, (bio)medicalisation and the rhythms of life itself
Authors: Williams Simon J. , Meadows Robert , Coveney Catherine M.
Published: July 2021

This paper takes a critical look at the role of chronobiology in society today, with particular reference to its entanglements with health and medicine and whether or not this amounts to the (bio)medicalisation of our bodily rhythms. What we have here, we show, is a complex unfolding storyline, within and beyond medicine. On the one hand, the promises and problems of these circadian, infradian and ultradian rhythms for our health and well‐being are now increasingly emphasised. On the other hand, a variety of new rhythmic interventions and forms of governance are now emerging within and beyond medicine, from chronotherapies and chronopharmacology to biocompatible school and work schedules, and from chronodiets to the optimisation of all we do according to our ‘chronotypes’. Conceptualising these developments, we suggest challenges us to think within and beyond medicalisation to wider processes of biomedicalisation and the biopolitics of our body clocks: a vital new strand of chronopolitics today indeed which implicates us all in sickness and in health as the very embodiment of these rhythms of life itself. The paper concludes with a call for further research on these complex unfolding relations between chronobiology, health and society in these desynchronised times of ours.
The reification of concrete work in Egyptian film production
Authors: El Khachab Chihab
Published: July 2021

The anthropology of cinema has been instrumental in describing the ‘unseen’ labour invested in making films. What has been less explored is film workers’ erasure of each other's concrete effort in a similar manner. This process is what I call ‘reification’. Extending Georg Lukács's reflections, I argue that the relations of production throughout the film‐making process seem to be transformed into relations between things (images and sounds) in a recurring pattern. In Egypt, this transformation impacts every juncture in commercial film production, and film workers manage its continuous impact via conventional means of recognition towards their concrete work. The overarching project is to understand, on the one hand, how the serial erasure of concrete work contributes to creating the film as a commodity and, on the other hand, how workers find value in their work under conditions where their effort is consumed by the things that they produce.
Headsprout® Early Reading for children with severe intellectual disabilities: a single blind randomised controlled trial
Authors: Grindle Corinna F. , Murray Clodagh , Hastings Richard P. , Bailey Tom , Forster Helen , Taj Sabia , Paris Andreas , Lovell Michael , Jackson Brown Freddy , Hughes J. Carl
Published: July 2021

Research evaluating phonics reading programs for children with severe intellectual disabilities (ID) is limited. The current study investigated whether using an online reading program (Headsprout® Early Reading; HER) as supplementary reading instruction for children with a severe ID leads to improvements in reading skills as compared to children not receiving this additional instruction. Fifty‐five children from a special school were randomly allocated into the HER group or a waiting list control group. For six months, children in the intervention group received HER as supplementary instruction, whereas children in the control group received only ‘reading as usual’ teaching. Pre‐ and post‐intervention tests on standardised reading measures were conducted. Analysis of data from outcome measures indicated that the HER group made improvements at post‐intervention in comparison with the control group, with medium effect sizes on two domains from the main outcome measure. These results support the case for a larger research trial of HER for children with severe ID.
Two community types occur in gut microbiota of large‐sample wild plateau pikas (Ochotona curzoniae)
Authors: YU Qiaoling , LI Guoliang , LI Huan
Published: July 2021

Studies on large‐sample gut microbial sequencing data indicate that gut microbiota can be divided into multiple community types; different community types may influence the community function and ecosystem service. However, the knowledge on the classification, diversity, interaction, and assembling of microbial community types in the gut of wild animals is still insufficient. Here, we used pika gut microbiota data as an example to study the microbial community types in large‐sample sequencing dataset. Cecal microbial communities from 118 wild plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae) individuals at 5 elevational regions on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau were analyzed. Our results show that pika gut microbiota can be separated into 2 community types (Cluster I and Cluster II). Cluster I was mainly distributed on the high‐elevation regions with more than 3694 m and was most dominated by Firmicutes. Cluster II was from the low‐elevation areas (lower than 3580 m), and was predominated by Bacteroidetes. Cluster I had a higher community alpha‐diversity and predicted functional diversity than Cluster II, and the beta‐diversity and predicted functional profiles of these 2 clusters were significantly different. Network analysis revealed that there were more complex interactions between Cluster I, which had enhanced influence on the co‐occurrences of other microbes in the bacterial community when compared to Cluster II. Phylogenetic analysis found that the environmental filtering in the Cluster I was stronger than Cluster II. The assemblages of pika gut bacterial communities were determined mainly by deterministic processes, while the relative importance of deterministic processes accounted for more percentages in the Cluster I than Cluster II. Our results demonstrated that 2 gut microbial community types in pikas had distinct diversity patterns and ecological functions. Current methods are also helpful for identifying gut community types and the related mechanisms behind gut microbiota types in large‐sample sequencing data of wild animals.
Scutellarin improves the radiosensitivity of non‐small cell lung cancer cells to iodine‐125 seeds via downregulating the AKT/mTOR pathway
Authors: He Guang‐hui , Xing Dian‐jin , Jin Die , Lu Yue , Guo Lei , Li Yu‐liang , Li Dong
Published: July 2021

Background

In our previous study, we indicated that scutellarin (SCU) induced an anticancer effect in A549 cells. However, whether SCU regulates the radiosensitivity of non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and its related mechanism is still unclear.

Methods

In this study, we explored the anticancer effect induced by iodine‐125 (125I) and SCU at a sensitizing concentration in A549 and H1975 cells. Cellular apoptosis and proliferation were detected by flow cytometry, Bcl‐2/Bax expression level, cell cycle, CCK‐8, and EdU staining. A tumor model using nude mice was also carried out to investigate the combined effect of 125I and SCU in vivo. In addition, the expression level of AKT/mTOR pathway was detected to investigate whether it is linked to the anticancer effect of 125I and SCU.

Results

SCU at a sensitizing concentration promoted the 125I‐induced apoptosis and antiproliferative effect in A549 and H1975 cells. Moreover, the same results were obtained in vivo. Based on our findings, the AKT/mTOR pathway was significantly downregulated after combined treatment with 125I and SCU.

Conclusions

The results of our study suggested that SCU promotes the anticancer effects induced by 125I in NSCLC cells by downregulating the AKT/mTOR pathway and lays a foundation for future application of this combined treatment.
A decline in planned, but not spontaneous, preterm birth rates in a large Australian tertiary maternity centre during COVID‐19 mitigation measures
Authors: Gallo Linda A. , Gallo Tania F. , Borg Danielle J. , Moritz Karen M. , Clifton Vicki L. , Kumar Sailesh
Published: July 2021

Background

Reports from around the world suggest that rates of preterm birth decreased during COVID‐19 lockdown measures.

Aims

To compare the prevalence of preterm birth and stillbirth rates during COVID‐19 restriction measures with infants born at the same maternity centre during the same weeks in 2013–2019.

Materials and Methods

Deidentified data were extracted from the Mater Mothers’ healthcare records database. This is a supra‐regional tertiary perinatal centre. Logistic regressions were used to examine singleton live preterm birth rates during the beginning of COVID‐19 restrictions (16 March‐17 April; ‘early’; 6955 births) and during the strictest part of COVID‐19 restrictions (30 March‐1 May; ‘late’; 6953 births), according to gestational age subgroups and birth onset (planned or spontaneous). We adjusted for multiple covariates, including maternal age, body mass index, ethnicity, parity, socioeconomic status, maternal asthma, diabetes mellitus and/or hypertensive disorder. Singleton stillbirth rates were also examined between 16 March–1 May.

Results

Planned moderate/late preterm births declined by more than half during early COVID‐19 restrictions compared with the previous seven years (29 vs an average of 64 per 1000 births; adjusted odds ratio 0.39, 95% CI 0.22–0.71). There was no effect on extremely or very preterm infants, spontaneous preterm births, or stillbirth rates. Rolling averages from January to June revealed a two‐week non‐significant spike in spontaneous preterm births from late April to early May, 2020.

Conclusions

Together with evidence from other nations, the pandemic provides a unique opportunity to identify causal and preventative factors for preterm birth.
Environmental justice and park accessibility in urban China: Evidence from Shanghai
Authors: Wang Chunlan , Li Chen , Wang Mark , Yang Shangguang , Wang Luyao
Published: July 2021

This article applies the pluralistic concept of environmental justice to the issue of park accessibility between people across different socioeconomic strata in the metropolitan region of Shanghai. Data were obtained from China's 2000 and 2010 population census, Shanghai Landscaping and City Appearance Administrative Bureau, semi‐structured interviews and secondary sources. The article finds significant environmental injustice between foreign citizens and Chinese citizens (including people from Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan and mainland people with and without Shanghai hukou) and between blue collar, white collar and wealthy white collar people from distributive, recognition, participatory and procedural justice perspectives. The article then discusses why such injustice is the result of urban China's unique authoritarian mode of governance, power structure, neoliberal practice and globalisation development. The findings offer insights into the development of the concept of environmental justice in the Chinese context and the country's objective to build an impartial society.
Students’ understanding and support for anti‐racism in universities
Authors: Jankowski Glen S.
Published: July 2021

Critical Race Theory (CRT) suggests psychology’s contribution to racism takes various forms. Abstractly, racism is promoted through psychology’s flawed theoretical conceptualization as an individualized, inevitable occurrence. Concretely, it occurs because psychology is one of the most popular reasons students come to university and Black Asian and Minoritized Ethnic (BAME) students report racist harassment and less access to formal support whilst there. This racism and student‐proposed anti‐racist recommendations are often ignored. Concretely assessing what racism students face, assessing how students understand racism, and demonstrating student support for anti‐racist recommendations, are CRT‐informed methods of challenging university racism. White (n = 213) and BAME (n = 182) UK students were asked about their estimation of racism, any positive action and discrimination experienced, and their access to university support. Participants were also randomized into multiple conditions where five anti‐racist recommendations were proposed (by Professors N. Patel, R. Smith, or no one). Participant consensus was found in high racism estimations, in benefiting from similar positive actions and in accessing four types of university support. However, White students underestimated racism more so, received less discrimination, and reported more access to three university support types. Almost all participants supported the recommendations regardless of proposer. These results suggest the implementation of anti‐racist recommendations converges with university’s interests as student stakeholder support them. Psychologists in universities can advocate for these recommendations and take other anti‐racist actions.
The evolution of perennially enlarged breasts in women: a critical review and a novel hypothesis
Authors: Pawłowski Bogusław , Żelaźniewicz Agnieszka
Published: July 2021

The possession of permanent, adipose breasts in women is a uniquely human trait that develops during puberty, well in advance of the first pregnancy. The adaptive role and developmental pattern of this breast morphology, unusual among primates, remains an unresolved conundrum. The evolutionary origins of this trait have been the focus of many hypotheses, which variously suggest that breasts are a product of sexual selection or of natural selection due to their putative role in assisting in nursing or as a thermoregulatory organ. Alternative hypotheses assume that permanent breasts are a by‐product of other evolutionary changes. We review and evaluate these hypotheses in the light of recent literature on breast morphology, physiology, phylogeny, ontogeny, sex differences, and genetics in order to highlight their strengths and flaws and to propose a coherent perspective and a new hypothesis on the evolutionary origins of perennially enlarged breasts in women. We propose that breasts appeared as early asHomo ergaster, originally as a by‐product of other coincident evolutionary processes of adaptive significance. These included an increase in subcutaneous fat tissue (SFT) in response to the demands of thermoregulatory and energy storage, and of the ontogenetic development of the evolving brain. An increase in SFT triggered an increase in oestradiol levels (E2). An increase in meat in the diet of earlyHomoallowed for further hormonal changes, such as greater dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA/S) synthesis, which were crucial for brain evolution. DHEA/S is also easily converted to E2 in E2‐sensitive body parts, such as breasts and gluteofemoral regions, causing fat accumulation in these regions, enabling the evolution of perennially enlarged breasts. Furthermore, it is also plausible that after enlarged breasts appeared, they were co‐opted for other functions, such as attracting mates and indicating biological condition. Finally, we argue that the multifold adaptive benefits of SFT increase and hormonal changes outweighed the possible costs of perennially enlarged breasts, enabling their further development.
Young citizen sensors for managing large carnivores: Lessons from 40 years of monitoring a brown bear population
Authors: Takinami Hiroto , Ishiyama Nobuo , Takafumi Hino , Kubo Takahiro , Tomita Kanji , Tsujino Muku , Nakamura Futoshi
Published: July 2021

Large carnivores encounter various threats from human activities. Population trend detection among carnivore species and implementation of management policies based on monitoring are urgently needed for human–carnivore coexistence. We demonstrate how young citizens have helped reveal long‐term trends in brown bear field sign detection rates following a government policy change (i.e., abolishment of the spring cull). We used a 40‐year dataset of field signs collected by volunteer college students in northern Japan and analyzed the resulting data using state‐space models. The spring cull had a significant negative impact on the number of grids with field signs; the detection rate under spring cull pressure declined from 19 to 0% between 1976 and 1990. However, abolishment of the spring cull in 1990 had a significant positive effect on the number of grids with field signs; the detection rate increased from 0 to 13% between 1991 and 2015, suggesting that the government policy change strongly affected the threatened brown bear population. Structured monitoring schemes, simplicity and/or attractiveness in monitoring targets may ensure the data quality and duration of citizen‐based monitoring. These findings suggest a high potential for engaging college students in developing sustainable monitoring of large carnivore populations and in supporting wildlife management.
The assets’ pledgeability channel of unconventional monetary policy
Authors: Ferrero Giuseppe , Loberto Michele , Miccoli Marcello
Published: July 2021

We identify a new channel of the monetary policy transmission that affects asset prices through the secured interbank market. Central bank’s open market operations, by changing the relative amount of securities and reserves, alter the amount of securities that can be used as collateral and, consequently, influence their prices. Ceteris paribus the magnitude of the effect depends on assets’ pledgeability properties (haircuts). We analyze the relation between yields of euro area government bonds, the haircuts applied to these assets and the relative amount of bonds and central banks reserves. The empirical evidence confirms that this channel is economically relevant.
Unraveling the substrates of cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis: A multiparametric structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging study
Authors: Conti Lorenzo , Preziosa Paolo , Meani Alessandro , Pagani Elisabetta , Valsasina Paola , Marchesi Olga , Vizzino Carmen , Rocca Maria A. , Filippi Massimo
Published: July 2021

Background

Cognitive impairment frequently affects multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. However, its neuroanatomical correlates still need to be fully explored. We investigated the contribution of structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) abnormalities in explaining cognitive impairment in MS.

Methods

Brain dual‐echo, diffusion tensor, 3D T1‐weighted and resting‐state (RS) MRI sequences were acquired from 276 MS patients and 102 healthy controls. Using random forest analysis, the contribution of regional white matter (WM) lesions, WM fractional anisotropy (FA) abnormalities, gray matter (GM) atrophy and RS functional connectivity (FC) alterations to cognitive impairment in MS patients was investigated.

Results

Eighty‐four MS patients (30.4%) were cognitively impaired. The best MRI predictors of cognitive impairment (relative importance [%]) (out‐of‐bag area under the curve [AUC] = 0.795) were (a) WM lesions in the right superior longitudinal fasciculus (100%), left anterior thalamic radiation (93.4%), left posterior corona radiata (78.5%), left medial lemniscus (74.2%), left inferior longitudinal fasciculus (70.4%), left optic radiation (68.7%), right middle cerebellar peduncle (60.6%) and right optic radiation (53.5%); (b) decreased FA in the splenium of the corpus callosum (64.3%), left optic radiation (61.0%), body of the corpus callosum (51.9%) and fornix (50.9%); and (c) atrophy of the left precuneus (91.4%), right cerebellum crus I (84.4%), right caudate nucleus (78.6%), left thalamus (76.2%) and left supplementary motor area (59.8%). The relevance of these MRI measures in explaining cognitive impairment was confirmed in a cross‐validation analysis (AUC =0.765).

Conclusion

Structural damage in strategic WM and GM regions explains cognitive impairment in MS patients more than RS FC abnormalities.
Long‐term safety of adjunctive cenobamate in patients with uncontrolled focal seizures: Open‐label extension of a randomized clinical study
Authors: French Jacqueline A. , Chung Steve S. , Krauss Gregory L. , Lee Sang Kun , Maciejowski Maciej , Rosenfeld William E. , Sperling Michael R. , Kamin Marc
Published: July 2021

Objective

This study was undertaken to examine long‐term (up to 7.8 years) retention rate, safety, and tolerability of the antiseizure medication (ASM) cenobamate as adjunctive treatment in the open‐label extension (OLE) of study YKP3089C013 (C013; ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01397968).

Methods

Patients who completed the 12‐week, multicenter, multinational, double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled C013 study, which examined adjunctive cenobamate treatment of adults with uncontrolled focal seizures, were eligible to enroll in the OLE. During the OLE, dose adjustments of cenobamate and concomitant ASMs were allowed. Safety assessments included frequency of treatment‐emergent adverse events (TEAEs) and serious TEAEs, TEAE severity, and TEAEs leading to discontinuation. Probability of patient continuation in the OLE was examined using a Kaplan–Meier analysis.

Results

One hundred forty‐nine patients entered the OLE (median duration of cenobamate treatment = 6.25 years). As of the data cutoff, 57% of patients (85/149) remained in the OLE (median treatment duration = 6.8 years, range = 6.4–7.8 years). The median modal daily cenobamate dose was 200 mg (range = 50–400 mg). The probability of treatment continuation at 1–6 years of cenobamate treatment was 73%, 67%, 63%, 61%, 60%, and 59%, respectively. Among patients who continued at 1 year (n = 107), the probability of continuing at Years 2–5 was 92%, 87%, 83%, and 82%. The most common discontinuation reasons were patient withdrawal (19.5%, 29/149), adverse event (10.1%, 15/149), and lack of efficacy (5.4%, 8/149). TEAEs leading to discontinuation in 1% or more of patients were fatigue (1.3%, 2/149), ataxia (1.3%, 2/149), and memory impairment or amnesia (1.3%, 2/149). Dizziness (32.9%, 49/149), headache (26.8%, 40/149), and somnolence (21.5%, 32/149) were the most frequently reported TEAEs and were primarily mild or moderate in severity.

Significance

Long‐term retention in the C013 OLE study demonstrated sustained safety and tolerability of adjunctive cenobamate treatment up to 7.8 years in adults with treatment‐resistant focal seizures taking one to three ASMs.
Could 3D food printing help to improve the food supply chain resilience against disruptions such as caused by pandemic crises?
Authors: Derossi Antonio , Bhandari Bhesh , van Bommel Kjeld , Noort Martijn , Severini Carla
Published: July 2021

The ongoing COVID‐19 pandemic is having a tremendous effect on the current food system. The situation urges us to face many issues never experienced before, aimed at mitigating a multitude of sanitary and social risks. The current pandemic has affected the food system in many ways: significant changes in dietary habits and in the health status of people; the food chain is broken, which has an effect on food security (including making it difficult to find or to buy fresh food at affordable prices); unemployment or underemployment is rising due to the damages of the food sector; there is a lack of food‐socialising events which has an effect on people’s mental status; and there are concerns about food safety. To mitigate all these issues, the implementation of innovative technologies urges. We have mapped the scientific studies and online information on 3D food printing (3DFP) about the effects of 3DFP on the food system and people’s health when adopted in food industry, restaurants, hospitals, schools, offices, homes, etc. Finally, this information has been examined in light to the future challenges of the food chain also considering the ongoing COVID‐19 pandemic, demonstrating its potential benefits to mitigate this and future pandemics.
Training poverty in India: Reassessing the effect of social ascription
Authors: Anikin Vasiliy A.
Published: July 2021

This paper set out to reassess the effects of economic and social determinants of the probability of formal vocational training in India. Applying the four‐level cross‐classified logistic model to the 2011–2012 National Sample Survey data, the paper identified the association between formal training and ‘good jobs’ in large urban electrified firms that offer permanent employment and regular monthly salary to their skilled occupation workers. Nevertheless, India remains a country of severe training poverty. This study confirms that the traditional mindset of the society does contribute to the training poverty; however, this impact is much limited to the household level and religious groups, such as Christians, which are systematically excluded from formal training as compared to Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists. In contrast, the lower castes and deprived social backgrounds do not affect, as predicted by previous studies. Moreover, it is shown that unskilled males from the rural area of India were less likely to receive formal training as compared to educated single women.
Which phase of Ta2O5 being of the largest dielectric constant
Authors: Zhang Hui‐Fen , Ning Bo‐Yuan , Weng Tsu‐Chien , Ning Xi‐Jing
Published: July 2021

As a promising dielectric material, tantalum pentoxide (Ta2O5) exhibits multi‐phase co‐existing under common fabrication conditions, so it is highly desired to predict theoretically which phase is of the largest dielectric constant. Considering that the specific operations and parameters employed in ab initio calculations may lead to considerably different lattice structure, we set the experimental lattice constants as the criteria to select the functional and parameters in density of functional theory and calculated the dielectric tensors of crystalline δ‐, β‐, LSR‐, B‐, and Z‐Ta2O5, showing that the dielectric constant is very sensitive to the lattice constants and δ‐Ta2O5 possesses the largest dielectric constant, 375.1, which is about 10 times larger than those of the other four phases and the experimental measurement of common Ta2O5 samples with several phases co‐existed, and furthermore, the dielectric constant of δ‐ and β‐Ta2O5 could be enhanced to 1175.2 and 939.5, respectively, with the Ta atom replaced by Ti atom at a molar ratio of 7.14%, which is in qualitative agreement with the experimental observations of Ti‐doped β‐, LSR‐, and H‐Ta2O5.
Pressure‐assisted flash sintering of ZnO ceramics
Authors: Liang Yihan , Xiang Siqi , Li Tongye , Yu Chong , Leng Ke , Zhang Xinfang
Published: July 2021

Implementing pressure‐assisted flash sintering of ZnO powder without pretreatment by a new experimental configuration is presented. Rapid and energy‐concentrated heating of electrode‐sample‐electrode area by induction heating allows preheating and flash sintering of loose‐pack powder in the die with pressure assistance. Using an insulated die enables the current to flow through the sample during flash sintering. ZnO ceramics with a relative density of 95.1% can be achieved in less than 3 min. The whole process includes 104 s of preheating by a low‐power induction heating device and 30 s of flash sintering assisted by a pressure of 26 MPa using the pulsed direct current (DC). The process characteristics of pressure‐assisted flash sintering using the pulsed DC are discussed. The effect of pressure on densification and grain size is analyzed in detail, and some potential mechanisms are provided.
Prevalence, characteristics, and predictors of endocardial and nonendocardial conduction gaps during local impedance‐guided extensive pulmonary vein isolation of atrial fibrillation with high‐resolution mapping
Authors: Nakamura Kohki , Sasaki Takehito , Minami Kentaro , Take Yutaka , Inoue Mitsuho , Sasaki Wataru , Kishi Shohei , Yoshimura Shingo , Okazaki Yoshinori , Motoda Hiroyuki , Niijima Katsura , Miki Yuko , Goto Koji , Kaseno Kenichi , Yamashita Eiji , Koyama Keiko , Funabashi Nobusada , Naito Shigeto
Published: July 2021

Introduction

Local impedance (LI) drops during radiofrequency ablation can predict lesion formation. Some conduction gaps during pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) can be associated with nonendocardial connections. This study aimed to investigate the incidence, characteristics, and predictors of endocardial and nonendocardial conduction gaps during an LI‐guided PVI.

Methods and Results

We prospectively enrolled 157 consecutive patients undergoing an initial LI‐guided extensive PVI of atrial fibrillation (AF). After the first‐pass encirclement, the residual conduction gaps and reconnected gaps were mapped using Rhythmia (Boston Scientific) and a mini‐basket catheter. Right and left PV (RPV/LPV) gaps were observed in 22.3% and 18.5% of the patients, respectively: 27 endocardial and 49 nonendocardial gaps. The carina regions were common sites for the gaps (51 carina‐related vs. 25 noncarina‐related). The carina‐related gaps consisted of more nonendocardial gaps than endocardial gaps (RPVs: 90.0% vs. 10.0%, p = .001; LPVs: 76.2% vs. 23.8%, p < .001). A univariate analysis revealed that paroxysmal AF and the left atrial (LA) volume index for RPV endocardial gaps (odds ratio [OR]: 8.640 and 0.946; p = .043 and 0.009), minor right inferior PV diameter for RPV nonendocardial gaps (OR: 1.165; p = .028), and major left inferior PV diameter for LPV endocardial gaps (OR: 1.233; p = .028) were significant predictors.

Conclusions

During the LI‐guided PVI, approximately two‐thirds of the conduction gaps were nonendocardial. The carina regions had more conduction gaps than noncarina regions, which was due to the presence of nonendocardial connections. Paroxysmal AF, a lower LA volume index, and larger inferior PV diameters may increase the risk of conduction gaps.
Serum tumour M2‐pyruvate kinase as a biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis of early‐stage non–small cell lung cancer
Authors: Xu Chunhua , Liu Wei , Li Li , Wang Yuchao , Yuan Qi
Published: July 2021

Tumour M2‐pyruvate kinase (TUM2‐PK) is up‐regulated in many human cancers. This study was to evaluate the clinical value of serum TUM2‐PK in early‐stage non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. A total of 162 consecutive early‐stage NSCLC patients were enrolled and followed up after tumour resection. Serum TUM2‐PK level was detected by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in NSCLC patients, 50 benign pulmonary disease patients and 102 healthy controls. The TUM2‐PK level in NSCLC patients was higher than that of healthy controls (P < .001) and benign pulmonary disease patients (P < .001). A threshold of 30 U/mL could be used to diagnose early‐stage NSCLC with 71.6% sensitivity and 98.0% specificity. The 5‐year overall survival rate in patients with high TUM2‐PK level was lower than that of patients with low TUM2‐PK level (P = .009). Multivariable Cox regression showed that high TUM2‐PK level was an independent risk factor for overall survival (HR = 2.595, 95% CI: 1.231‐5.474, P = .012). High serum TUM2‐PK level could be a potential biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis of early‐stage NSCLC patients.