bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of Industry 4.0 technologies and the soft side of TQM on organisational performance: a multiple case study analysis on manufacturing organisations
Authors: Margherita Emanuele Gabriel , Braccini Alessio Maria
Published: December 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore how Industry 4.0 (I40) technologies support workers' engagement in soft total quality management (TQM) practices for organisational performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted a multiple case study of six Italian manufacturing organisations that operate with I40 production and implement TQM practices. The authors concentrated on the relationship between I40 technologies and soft TQM aspects.

Findings

I40 technologies provide two forms of engagement with workers. Workers can act as machine supervisors and expert assembly operators. Organisations use five soft TQM practices to involve and develop workers for TQM that vary according to automation levels. The five soft TQM practices are top management design around workers, incremental trials with I40 technologies, worker empowerment, I40 sociotechnical collaboration and individual feedback systems.

Originality/value

In the literature that focusses primarily on how I40 technologies support the hard side of TQM by creating a data-driven and automated quality management system, the authors illustrate how the workforce can be engaged in I40 with five soft TQM practices to improve organisational performance. Thus, the authors complement the theory of hard and soft TQM aspects for I40 production systems.
Establishment of measles virus receptor‐expressing Vero cells lacking functional poliovirus receptors
Authors: Someya Kenji , Okemoto‐Nakamura Yuko , Kurata Takako , Kanbayashi Daiki , Saito Noriko , Itamochi Masae , Otsuki Noriyuki , Hanada Kentaro , Takeda Makoto
Published: December 2022

Global efforts are underway to eliminate measles and rubella, and active viral surveillance is the key to achieving this goal. In addition, the World Health Organization announced guidelines for handling materials potentially infectious for poliovirus (PV) to minimize the risk of PV reintroduction and to achieve PV eradication. To support global efforts, we established new PV‐non‐susceptible cell lines that are useful for the isolation of measles virus (MeV) and rubella virus (RuV) (Vero ΔPVR1/2 hSLAM+). In the cell lines, MeV and RuV replicated efficiently, with no concern regarding PV replication.
Population dynamics of three cloud forest ferns of different growth form
Authors: Briones Oscar , López‐Romero Juan M. , Mehltreter Klaus , Flores‐Galván Catalina , Flores‐Torres José A. , González de León Salvador , Mandujano María C.
Published: December 2022

Cloud forests are highly diverse mountain ecosystems, but habitat loss and fragmentation threaten many species with extinction. Demographic parameters are essential to implement effective conservation actions and to understand the mechanisms of species coexistence, but there are very few population models with transition matrices for fern species. We evaluated the demographic dynamics of three coexisting fern species of different growth form in a cloud forest in eastern central Mexico for six years. The matrix analyses showed that the populations of a trunk‐forming fern (Cyathea divergens) and a short caulescent fern (Marattia laxa) were stable while the population of a trunkless, herbaceous fern (Parablechnum schiedeanum) was decreasing. Survival was the demographic process of the life cycle that contributed the most to the population growth of the three species. As expected, with shorter longevity and high precocity, P. schiedeanum exhibited the demographic pattern of herbaceous species. In contrast, with greater longevity and a longer maturation period, the demography of C. divergens and M. laxa was more comparable with that of tree species. Our results support the hypothesis that the demography of the tropical fern species can be compared with life‐history strategies of angiosperms and gymnosperms.
Bactericidal and non‐cytotoxic activity of bacteriocin produced by Lacticaseibacillus paracaseiF9‐02 and evaluation of its tolerance to various physico‐chemical conditions
Authors: Duraisamy Senbagam , Sathyan Aswathy , Balakrishnan Senthilkumar , Subramani Prabhu , Prahalathan Chidhambaram , Kumarasamy Anbarasu
Published: December 2022

This study aims to explore novel lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from breast‐fed infants' faeces towards characterizing their antimicrobial compound, bacteriocin. The LAB, Lacticaseibacillus paracasei F9‐02 showed strong antimicrobial activity against clinical pathogens. Their proteinaceous nature was confirmed as the activity was completely abolished when treated with proteinaceous enzymes and retained during neutral pH and catalase treatment. The purified bacteriocin showed antimicrobial activity at the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 7.56 μg/ml against vancomycin‐resistant Enterococcus sp. [vancomycin‐resistant enterococcal (VRE)], and methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), 15.13 μg/ml against Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serotype typhi and 30.25 μg/ml against Shigella flexneri. Present study also proved the bactericidal, non‐cytotoxic and non‐hemolytic nature of bacteriocin. Additionally, bacteriocin retained their stability under various physico‐chemical conditions, broad range of pH (2–10), temperature (40–121°C), enzymes (amylase, lipase and lysozyme), surfactants [Tween‐20, 80, 100 and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)], metal ions (CaCl2, FeSO4, ZnSO4, MgSO4, MnSO4, CuCl2) and NaCl (2%–8%). The molecular weight of bacteriocin (~28 kDa) was determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE), functional and active groups were assessed by Fourier Transform‐Infrared (FT‐IR). To our knowledge, this is the first study reporting L. paracasei from breast‐fed infants' faeces and assessing their antimicrobial compound, bacteriocin. The study results furnish the essential features to confirm the therapeutic potential of L. paracasei F9‐02 bacteriocin.
Impacts of Scaling up Agroecology on the Sustainability of European Agriculture in 2050
Authors: Mayer Andreas , Kalt Gerald , Kaufmann Lisa , Röös Elin , Muller Adrian , Weisshaidinger Rainer , Frehner Anita , Roux Nicolas , Smith Pete , Theurl Michaela C. , Matej Sarah , Erb Karlheinz
Published: December 2022

The European Commission recently embraced the concept of agroecology as a pathway to reduce negative impacts from agri‐food systems on the environment. So far, it remains unclear whether agroecology can deliver on these high hopes if implemented on a large scale. We here assess socio‐economic and environmental implications of multiple agroecological futures in the European Union in 2050, based on a novel diagnostic scenario approach, i.e. the biomass balancing model BioBaM‐GHG 2.0. We find that agroecological measures from the plot to the food systems level can indeed reduce environmental pressures while maintaining domestic food availability within the EU. Such measures are, for example, more hedgerows on croplands or reduced biomass harvest on high natural value – HNV grasslands. However, a key prerequisite is an overall reduction of the food system's size (based on the reduction of animal production, food wastes, and export production) and an optimised crop‐livestock integration. Only then does the transformation towards an agroecological agri‐food system in the EU not risk overstretching domestic land availability or produce insufficient agricultural commodities. Mitigating the accompanied trade‐off of reduced farm income is a central mandate for policy development aimed at re‐designing agriculture in Europe to align with the Green Deal goals.
Creating Conditions for Harnessing the Potential of Transitions to Agroecology in Europe and Requirements for Policy
Authors: Miller David , Legras Sophie , Barnes Andrew , Cazacu Mara , Gava Oriana , Helin Janne , Irvine Katherine , Kantelhardt Jochen , Landert Jan , Latruffe Laure , Mayer Andreas , Niedermayr Andreas , Povellato Andrea , Schaller Lena , Schwarz Gerald , Smith Pete , Vanni Francesco , Védrine Lionel , Viaggi Davide , Vincent Audrey , Vlahos George
Published: December 2022

Food systems require reorientation to take greater account of interactions with the environment, economy, health and society. Transitions to agroecological farming practices and systems can connect policy areas and realise environmental, economic and social aims. These transitions provide a lens for reviewing policy, practice and behaviours of actors in farming systems and value chains, identification of barriers to uptake, and policy areas to which they contribute or where there are gaps. Developing social and human capital, and governance structures that enable transitions to agroecology are key to their prospects of success. Education and life‐long learning are key to developing the knowledge and skills of younger generations of land managers and other actors in value chains, throughout their careers. The outcome sought is for a shared understanding of the benefits of agroecological practices and systems, creating opportunities to rebalance policies towards delivering climate neutrality, reversing biodiversity loss, and enhancing rights of citizens. To realise those opportunities policies and strategies should be coherent across territorial and systems levels, and tailored to place, system, people, and stages of transitions. Overall, they should be designed to ensure all citizens are beneficiaries of transitions to agroecological farming systems, over the long term, and that no‐one or place is disadvantaged by the processes of change or the outcome intended.
Exploring Sustainability Implications of Transitions to Agroecology: a Transdisciplinary Perspective
Authors: Schwarz Gerald , Vanni Francesco , Miller David , Helin Janne , Pražan Jaroslav , Albanito Fabrizio , Fratila Mihaela , Galioto Francesco , Gava Oriana , Irvine Katherine , Landert Jan , Quero Alba Linares , Mayer Andreas , Monteleone Daniel , Muller Adrian , Röös Elin , Smyrniotopoulou Alexandra , Vincent Audrey , Vlahos George , Zīlāns Andis
Published: December 2022

Successful transitions to agroecology require shared understanding of the sustainability implications of transitions for food systems. To gain such understanding, a transdisciplinary approach is increasingly called for by funders, end users of research and scientists. Transdisciplinary processes were used in the UNISECO project to develop strategic pathways that enable transitions to agroecology in case studies across Europe. These strategic pathways were combined with scenarios of EU food systems in 2050, in which combinations of agroecological farming and food consumption practices were assessed. These were then reviewed considering selected UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a reference for discussing the sustainability implications of transitions to agroecology. Sustainability implications were identified for several SDGs including Zero Hunger (SDG 2), Quality Education (SDG 4), Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12), Climate Action (SDG 13) and Life on Land (SDG 15). Key factors contributing to the sustainability of transitions to agroecology are: i) mature social capital and improved farmer knowledge of the benefits of agroecological practices; ii) strengthened collaborative actions and collective institutions to increase negotiating power within the value‐chain; and, iii) changes in consumer behaviour and diets. These factors highlight the need for a food system perspective in transitions to agroecology and supporting policies. This in turn highlights the meaningful role of transdisciplinary research in strengthening the sustainability of European food systems.
Socio‐economic status moderates within‐person associations of risk factors and smoking lapse in daily life
Authors: Potter Lindsey N. , Schlechter Chelsey R. , Nahum‐Shani Inbal , Lam Cho Y. , Cinciripini Paul M. , Wetter David W.
Published: December 2022

Background and Aims

Individuals of lower socio‐economic status (SES) display a higher prevalence of smoking and have more diffxiculty quitting than higher SES groups. The current study investigates whether the within‐person associations of key risk (e.g. stress) and protective (self‐efficacy) factors with smoking lapse varies by facets of SES.

Design and setting

Observational study using ecological momentary assessment to collect data for a 28‐day period following a smoking quit attempt. Multi‐level mixed models (i.e. generalized linear mixed models) examined cross‐level interactions between lapse risk and protective factors and indicators of SES on smoking lapse.

Participants

A diverse sample of 330 adult US smokers who completed a larger study examining the effects of race/ethnicity and social/environmental influences on smoking cessation.

Measurements

Risk factors included momentary urge, negative affect, stress; protective factors included positive affect, motivation, abstinence self‐efficacy; SES measures: baseline measures of income and financial strain; the primary outcome was self‐reported lapse.

Findings

Participants provided 43 297 post‐quit observations. Mixed models suggested that income and financial strain moderated the effect of some risk factors on smoking lapse. The within‐person association of negative [odds ratio (OR) = 0.967, 95% CI= 0.945, 0.990, P < 0.01] and positive affect (OR = 1.023, 95% CI = 1.003, 1.044, P < 0.05) and abstinence self‐efficacy (OR = 1.020, 95% CI = 1.003, 1.038, P < 0.05) on lapse varied with financial strain. The within‐person association of negative affect (OR = 1.005, 95% CI = 1.002, 1.008, P < 0.01), motivation (OR = 0.995, 95% CI = 0.991, 0.999, P < 0.05) and abstinence self‐efficacy (OR = 0.996, 95% CI = 0.993, 0.999, P < 0.01) on lapse varied by income. The positive association of negative affect with lapse was stronger among individuals with higher income and lower financial strain. The negative association between positive affect and abstinence self‐efficacy with lapse was stronger among individuals with lower financial strain, and the negative association between motivation and abstinence self‐efficacy with lapse was stronger among those with higher income. The data were insensitive to detect statistically significant moderating effects of income and financial strain on the association of urge or stress with lapse.

Conclusion

Some risk factors (e.g. momentary negative affect) exert a weaker influence on smoking lapse among lower compared to higher socio‐economic status groups.
Classifying responsible investors: Identifying clusters of Ontario investors
Authors: Piscitelli Anthony
Published: December 2022

Little empirical research has explored Canadian investors' interest in responsible investing. A variety of demographic and attitudinal characteristics can contribute to who makes ethical investments. Using a survey of 1,834 residents of Ontario, Canada three groups of investors are identified: those interested in responsible investments who actively avoid investing in some sectors, those interested in responsible investments who do not actively avoid any types of investments, and traditional investors that are not interested in responsible investing. Demographic and attitudinal variables that explain who falls into which group are explored.
Effects and mechanisms of an online short‐term audio‐based mindfulness program on positive affect: A randomized controlled trial including exploratory moderator analyses
Authors: Kang Man Ying , Nan Joshua K. M. , Yuan Yue
Published: December 2022

This study investigated the effects and mechanisms of an online short‐term audio‐based mindfulness (SAM) intervention program on positive affect and explored how well‐being and negative affect influenced these effects and mechanisms. Participants (N = 100) were randomized into an intervention group (n = 50) and a control group (n = 50). Those in the mindfulness group underwent 3 weeks of an online SAM program and completed the online measures four times, while those in the control group completed the measures twice. Participants completed measures including the World Health Organization Well‐Being Index, the Freiburg Mindfulness Inventory, and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule. The effects of measures in both groups were compared. Parallel process latent growth curve modeling analysis was used to explore the longitudinal moderated mediation effects. The results showed that SAM was effective at improving positive affect, mindfulness, well‐being, and reducing negative affect. Mindfulness growth speed during the intervention period mediated the relationship between SAM and positive affect improvement speed. The moderation effects of baseline well‐being and negative effect on mediation effects were found to be significant. The SAM program was effective for the general public and was more beneficial for those with medium/high well‐being and low/medium negative affect.
Editorial: dietary interventions to understand and treat primary sclerosing cholangitis—is gluten‐free diet a starting point?
Authors: Hov Johannes R.
Published: December 2022

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Liwinski et al paper. To view this article, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17256
Computer‐based performance approach for critical thinking assessment in children
Authors: Uglanova Irina , Orel Ekaterina , Gracheva Daria , Tarasova Ksenia
Published: December 2022

Background

Critical thinking (CT) has been identified as one of the key skills in the modern world. Despite a variety of CT assessment systems for secondary school and higher education, there is a shortage of CT assessments for children.

Aims

To fill the gap, we developed a computer‐based performance assessment (CPBA) of CT with automatic scoring. In the study, we analysed: (1) To what extent is the internal structure of the critical thinking assessment tool confirmed? (2) What are the patterns of students' behaviour within the CPBA? (3) To what extent is the convergent validity of the CPBA supported?

Sample and Methods

The sample consists of 1689 students, aged 9–11 years. To answer the research questions, the following quantitative data analysis methods were selected. The Bayesian Network was applied to investigate the internal structure. Latent Class Analysis was used to investigate the patterns of students' behaviour. To verify the convergent validity, the students were asked to solve the standardized math and language literacy tests.

Results and Conclusions

The theoretically expected internal structure of the CPBA was confirmed: the two‐factor structure (the Analysis of information and the Making inferences subskills of CT) describes the data appropriately. Moreover, CT was described not as a list but as a sequence of cognitive operations. Four different strategies that lead to different results of CT were revealed. A weak positive correlation between the results of the CPBA and the achievement tests confirmed the test validity.
Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia and immune thrombocytopenia following SARS‐CoV‐2 and non‐SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccination: 32 Years of passive surveillance data
Authors: Jacobs Jeremy W. , Booth Garrett S. , Guarente Juliana , Schlafer Danielle , Zheng Leon , Adkins Brian D.
Published: December 2022

Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA) and immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) are two uncommon haematologic autoimmune conditions that can rarely arise secondary to vaccination. Prior studies using the US Centers for Disease Control's (CDC) Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) have demonstrated this infrequency, but contemporary data as well as comparison with current information regarding SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccination has not been assessed. In this study, we reviewed VAERS database reports from 1990 to 2022 to characterize the incidence and clinical and laboratory findings of non‐SARS‐CoV‐2‐associated AIHA and ITP and SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccine‐associated AIHA and ITP. We discovered a total of 863 AIHA and ITP reports following vaccination with 15 non‐SARS‐CoV‐2 and four SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccines submitted to the CDC VAERS database. AIHA and ITP reporting was low for both groups, with a large proportion excluded due to a lack of clinical details. ITP was reported the most frequently in both groups and was significantly more common with measles–mumps–rubella (MMR) vaccination (p < 0.001) in the non‐SARS‐CoV‐2 group. AIHA and ITP cases were higher in the SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccine group, though ultimately still very infrequent. Autoimmune haematologic disease is vanishingly rare after immunization and rates are lower than in the general population according to passive reporting.
Short Research Article: Promoting digital citizenship through a school‐based intervention in early adolescence in Perú (a pilot quasi‐experimental study)
Authors: Magis‐Weinberg Lucía , Muñoz Lopez Daniela E. , Gys Christopher L. , Berger Estelle L. , Dahl Ronald E.
Published: December 2022

Objective

Evaluate the preliminary effectiveness of a school‐based intervention to promote digital citizenship (DC) in Perú.

Methods

We piloted a translation and cultural adaptation of a DC curriculum originally designed for the U.S. with students in Perú. Students were assigned to either the Intervention group (n = 136, 52% female; mean age = 13.3) or Control group (n = 130, 55% female; mean age = 13.4). Students in the Control group continued with “business‐as‐usual” during their advisory period while the Intervention group received the DC curriculum.

Results

We found limited evidence that the DC curriculum can promote positive online experience and online conflict resolution skills, as well as increase knowledge regarding DC terms and concepts. However, the lack of strong effects suggests the need to revise materials, improve implementation and consider further adaptations. Nonetheless, results from this proof‐of‐concept study provide building blocks for future implementations of DC interventions for youth in Latin America.
Do differences in surgical quality account for the higher rate of R1 margins to lymph node metastases in right‐ versus left‐sided Stage III colon cancer: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Smith Henry G. , Chiranth Deepthi J. , Schlesinger Nis H.
Published: December 2022

Aim

Microscopically positive (R1) margins to lymph node metastases (R1LNM) are associated with poorer oncological outcomes in patients with Stage III colon cancer. R1LNM margins are more common in right‐sided cancer, although the cause of this phenomenon is unknown. We sought to investigate whether differences in surgical quality account for the higher rate of R1LNM in right‐sided cancers.

Method

Patients treated for Stage III colon cancer from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2018 were identified using the Danish national cancer registry. Indicators of surgical quality (mesocolic resection grade, median lymph node yield, and length to the distal colonic margin) were compared according to tumour site and margin status.

Results

In all, 1765 patients were included, 981 (55.6%) with right‐sided cancers. R1LNM margins were more common in right‐sided cancers (14.4% vs. 6.1%, P < 0.001). All three surgical quality indicators were higher in patients with right‐sided cancers (mesocolic resection planes 81.7% vs. 69.5%, P < 0.001; median lymph node yield 28 vs. 25, P < 0.001; ≥5 cm to the distal colon margin 81.2% vs. 53.6%, P < 0.001). When stratified according to margin status, no differences in mesocolic resection planes or resectate length were noted, whilst median lymph node yield was higher in patients with R1LNM margins (29 vs. 27, P = 0.009).

Conclusion

Surgical quality does not appear to be poorer in patients undergoing surgery for right‐sided versus left‐sided colon cancers in Denmark. Suboptimal surgery does not appear to be responsible for R1LNM margins, implying that these margins may be a surrogate for more aggressive biology.
Institutional cross‐ownership and trade credit: Evidence from China
Authors: Liu Huan , Hou Canran
Published: December 2022

Research Question/Issue

Relying on enhanced market power and improved information environment associated with institutional cross‐ownership, this paper examines the relation between institutional cross‐ownership and trade credit in China.

Research Findings/Insights

Listed firms with cross‐ownership can obtain more trade credit. The main conclusion is robust when we consider endogeneity problems, alternative measures of institutional cross‐ownership, and the effect of a financial crisis. Further, we perform several tests to examine the influencing mechanisms, confirming that the positive relation between institutional cross‐ownership and trade credit is more pronounced for listed firms in more competitive industries, or with poorer information environment. Further analysis also finds that the positive effect of institutional cross‐ownership on trade credit is more prominent for listed firms with fewer bank loans.

Theoretical/Academic Implications

This paper emphasizes information sharing and cooperation among listed firms with institutional cross‐ownership and argues that the information improvement effect is a relatively more important mechanism in affecting listed firms' decisions.

Practitioner/Policy Implications

China's market‐oriented reform is in progress and shows some weaknesses in corporate governance and investor protection. The research focusing on institutional cross‐ownership can provide useful suggestions for policy makers on how to improve corporate governance and construct efficient capital markets.
Selective utilization of non‐homologous end‐joining and homologous recombination for DNA repair during meiotic maturation in mouse oocytes
Authors: Lee Crystal , Leem Jiyeon , Oh Jeong Su
Published: December 2022

DNA double‐strand breaks (DSBs) are highly toxic lesions that can cause genomic instability and can be repaired by non‐homologous end‐joining (NHEJ) and homologous recombination (HR) pathways. Despite extensive studies about DSB repair pathways, the roles of each pathway during meiotic maturation in oocytes are not well understood. Here we show that oocytes selectively utilize NHEJ and HR to repair DSBs during meiotic maturation. Inhibition of NHEJ impaired the meiotic maturation of oocytes with DNA damage by activating the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) with a concomitant increase in metaphase I (MI) arrest and DNA damage levels. In contrast, oocytes with DNA damage bypassed SAC‐mediated MI arrest despite the presence of fragmented DNA when HR was inhibited. Notably, this bypass of SAC arrest by HR inhibition was associated with a loss of centromere integrity and subsequent impairment of chromosome architecture. Our results demonstrate that, while NHEJ is critical for the meiotic maturation of oocytes with DNA damage, HR is essential to maintain centromere integrity against DNA damage during meiotic maturation, revealing distinct roles of NHEJ and HR during meiotic maturation in mouse oocytes.
Habitat suitability and area of occupancy defined for rare New World sea snake
Authors: Bessesen Brooke L. , Garrido‐Cayul Carla , González‐Suárez Manuela
Published: December 2022

Hydrophis platurus xanthos is a marine reptile endemic to the inner basin of Golfo Dulce, Costa Rica, and one of only two sea snake taxa found in the New World. In this study we assessed several marine conditions that describe its habitat, and we define its geographical distribution range. We used 423 occurrence records of H. p. xanthos collected during multiple studies to model habitat suitability in Maxent considering water depth and 12 interpolated hydrographic variables: Beaufort wind force, sea surface temperature, and averages of temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, and pH at 0.5 and 10 m based on probe readings collected in 2020 and 2021 at 68 sampling locations. We used area under the curve (AUC) to evaluate our Maxent models and the cloglog minimum training presence threshold to render our suitable habitat maps. The most influential environmental predictor was depth, but occurrences were also affected by hydrographic conditions. Indeed, a model excluding depth consistently identified only areas in and around the inner basin area as suitable, suggesting the sea snakes are not only restricted by depth but likely have adapted to water conditions that differ from those farther to the south and outside the gulf in the broader Pacific Ocean. Anthropogenic and climate‐induced changes may already be impacting the marine environment of this single, isolated population. Our study offers the first quantitative evaluation of habitat suitability for H. p. xanthos and we estimate its extent of occurrence (282 km2) and current area of occupancy (260 km2) to inform conservation assessments and guide protection measures.
Priorities for translating goodwill between movement ecologists and conservation practitioners into effective collaboration
Authors: Nuijten Rascha J. M. , Katzner Todd E. , Allen Andrew M. , Bijleveld Allert I. , Boorsma Tjalle , Börger Luca , Cagnacci Francesca , Hart Tom , Henley Michelle A. , Herren Richard M. , Kok Eva M. A. , Maree Bronwyn , Nebe Bruno , Shohami David , Vogel Susanne Marieke , Walker Paul , Heitkönig Ignas M. A. , Milner‐Gulland E. J.
Published: December 2022

Addressing ongoing biodiversity loss requires collaboration between conservation scientists and practitioners. However, such collaboration has proved challenging. Despite the potential importance of tracking animal movements for conservation, reviews of the tracking literature have identified a gap between the academic discipline of movement ecology and its application to biodiversity conservation. Through structured conversations with movement ecologists and conservation practitioners, we aimed to understand whether the identified gap is also perceived in practice, and if so, what factors hamper collaboration and how these factors can be remediated. We found that both groups are motivated and willing to collaborate. However, because their motivations differ, there is potential for misunderstandings and miscommunications. In addition, external factors such as funder requirements, academic metrics, and journal scopes may limit the applicability of scientific results in a conservation setting. Potential solutions we identified included improved communication and better presentation of results, acknowledging each other's motivations and desired outputs, and adjustment of funder priorities. Addressing gaps between science and implementation can enhance collaboration and support conservation action to address the global biodiversity crisis more effectively.
Climate change affects Galliformes taxonomic, phylogenetic and functional diversity indexes, shifting conservation priority areas in China
Authors: Wang Bin , Ye Weijia , Xu Yu , Zhong Xue , Zhang Jindong , Yang Nan , Yang Biao , Zhou Caiquan
Published: December 2022

Aim

Comprehensive biodiversity protection necessitates the consideration of multiple indexes of diversity, and how the distribution patterns of priority areas may shift under climate change. Galliformes is a globally endangered avian order vulnerable to climate change that provide an important indicator for wildlife conservation effectiveness. Here, we identified priority areas for conserving Galliformes taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional diversity in China and their spatial dynamics subject to climate change, and examined how well existing protected areas align with current and future priority areas.

Location

China.

Methods

We applied species distribution modelling and Zonation algorithms to identify conservation priority area dynamics for 47 galliform species across three biodiversity indexes subject to three future climate change scenarios to 2050s and 2070s. We overlaid these identified priority areas onto existing national nature reserves and national parks to assess and project their effectiveness.

Results

Current priority areas proved spatially incongruent between indexes, with an optimal area overlap comprising just 10.3% of China's land area, lying largely outside of existing protected areas. Furthermore, over 80% of modelled optimal priority areas currently lacked formal conservation status. Future priority areas will shift substantially under climate change, to an extent dependent on greenhouse gas emission scenarios. Nevertheless, we identified five large regions where optimal Galliformes diversity indexes should remain stable under all scenarios, thus providing potential climatic refugia, if protected from human encroachment.

Main Conclusions

The current deficits we identified for Galliformes protection in China resonate with a broader need for hierarchical conservation strategic planning across regions and ecosystems to ensure long‐term biodiversity protection, accommodating for climate change.
Gestational diabetes mellitus and long‐term neurological morbidity
Authors: Sheiner Eyal
Published: December 2022

This commentary is on the original article by Chen et al. on pages 933–941 of this issue.
Anagliptin twice‐daily regimen improves glycaemic variability in subjects with type 2 diabetes: A double‐blind, randomized controlled trial
Authors: Lee Yong‐ho , Kim Doo‐Man , Yu Jae Myung , Choi Kyung Mook , Kim Sin Gon , Park Kang Seo , Son Hyun‐Shik , Chung Choon Hee , Ahn Kyu Jeung , Lee Soon Hee , Song Ki‐Ho , Kwon Su Kyoung , Park Hyeong Kyu , Won Kyu Chang , Jang Hak Chul ,   the ACACIA Study Group
Published: December 2022

Aim

To determine whether the twice‐daily (BID) regimen is superior to the once‐daily (QD) regimen for managing glycaemic variability by comparing the effects of anagliptin 100 mg BID versus sitagliptin 100 mg QD.

Materials and Methods

A double‐blinded, randomized, multicentre study was performed in 89 patients with type 2 diabetes treated with metformin alone (6.5% < HbA1c < 8.5%). Subjects were randomly assigned to anagliptin 100 mg BID or sitagliptin 100 mg QD in a 1:1 ratio for 12 weeks. Continuous glucose monitoring was used to measure the mean amplitude of glycaemic excursion (MAGE) and postprandial time in range (TIR) before and after dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 (DPP‐4) inhibitor treatment to compare glycaemic variability.

Results

The decrease from baseline in MAGE at 12 weeks after DPP‐4 inhibitor treatment was significantly greater in the anagliptin BID group than in the sitagliptin QD group (P < .05); −30.4 ± 25.6 mg/dl (P < .001) in the anagliptin group versus −9.5 ± 38.0 mg/dl (P = .215) in the sitagliptin group. The TIR after dinner increased by 33.0% ± 22.0% (P < .001) in the anagliptin group and by 14.6% ± 28.2% (P = .014) in the sitagliptin group, with a statistically significant difference (P = .009). No statistically significant differences were observed between the groups in the changes in HbA1c and fasting plasma glucose (FPG).

Conclusions

The anagliptin BID regimen for the treatment of type 2 diabetes was superior in blood glucose control after dinner to improve glycaemic variability, as indicated by MAGE and TIR, but was equivalent to the QD regimen in terms of HbA1c and FPG.
Revenue pressure of local governments and firm productivity: Evidence from a natural experiment in China
Authors: Zhu Ling , Kong Dongmin
Published: December 2022

This study investigates how the revenue pressure of local governments affects firm total factor productivity (TFP). To establish causality, we exploit a policy shock in China, that is, the cancellation of agricultural tax in 2005. Specifically, we document that governments suffering from sudden tax reduction substantially increase local firms' productivity in the subsequent periods. Furthermore, we use the difference‐in‐differences‐in‐differences approach to explore the potential channels through which the local fiscal squeeze improves firm productivity. Local firms increase capital and employment and adopt a higher capital‐to‐labour substitution for a higher TFP in response to the local governments' fiscal squeeze. We find that the effects of revenue pressure incentives on productivity are prominent in firms with low resource misallocation and high labour quality. Our finding suggests that local governments could improve firm productivity in response to fiscal revenue pressure by enhancing resource allocation efficiency and labour quality.
Desensitization protocol to lenalidomide: An effective and safe treatment modality for delayed hypersensitivity‐induced rash in patients with multiple myeloma
Authors: Shamriz Oded , Parnasa Elchanan , Rubin Limor , Talmon Aviv , Ribak Yaarit , Lebel Eyal , Vainstein Vladimir , Aumann Shlomzion , Saban Revital , Gatt Moshe E. , Tal Yuval
Published: December 2022

Introduction and Objectives

Lenalidomide is considered a standard of care in multiple myeloma (MM) Some MM patients will develop delayed hypersensitivity to lenalidomide, which can lead to treatment discontinuation. Desensitization to lenalidomide can help these patients to complete treatment courses. Here, we aimed to review lenalidomide‐treated MM patients who developed delayed hypersensitivity‐induced rash and were treated with desensitization.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of medical files of MM patients, who were desensitized to lenalidomide due to delayed hypersensitivity rash. Patients were treated between 2018 and 2022 at Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel.

Results

Search of patients yielded 16 patients that underwent desensitization to lenalidomide within the study period. The desensitization protocol consisted of a slow, 3‐week‐long protocol with lenalidomide's target doses of 10, 15, and 25 mg/day. Of the 16 patients, 10 (62.5%) succeeded to complete the protocol and thus were able to complete lenalidomide treatment cycles. One patient with unsuccessful desensitization was subsequently treated with first‐generation IMiD thalidomide, with no rash appearing. None of the patients that were treated with desensitization had severe immune‐mediated or non‐dermatological adverse reactions.

Conclusions

Desensitization to lenalidomide is safe and effective. Discontinuation of lenalidomide in MM patients with delayed hypersensitivity and no contraindication to desensitization should be discouraged. Collaboration between hematologists and allergists is needed.
Black‐headed gulls synchronize vigilance with their nearest neighbor irrespective of the neighbor's relative position
Authors: Novčić Ivana , Mlakar Matija Medved , Vidović Zoran , Hauber Mark E.
Published: December 2022

Behavioral synchronization refers to actions conducted simultaneously by two or more individuals at the same place. Through behavioral synchronization, animals may increase social cohesion of their groups or achieve antipredator and foraging benefits. We examined whether black‐headed gulls (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) synchronized vigilance with their nearest neighbors and whether synchronization was affected by the neighbor's relative position. We predicted that (1) the synchronization of vigilance is less likely when neighbors are positioned behind focal individuals, i.e., within the blind sector of their visual field, and that (2) birds may show preference for copying vigilance when neighbors are situated at one side due to known laterality in avian eye use for antipredator vigilance. Data were obtained for 46 pairs of individuals—focal gulls and their nearest neighbors—through the observation of video‐recorded material. Gulls significantly synchronized vigilance with their nearest neighbors irrespective of the neighbor's relative spatial position—the odds that the focal individual would scan its environment were increased almost three times if the nearest neighbor was also vigilant. Contrary to our predictions, however, we did not find evidence that synchronization of vigilance in gulls was dependent on their nearest neighbor's relative position, which could be due to several reasons: (i) gulls may pay attention not only to their nearest neighbors but also to more distant ones and/or (ii) gulls may have reacted to some cues other than visual, such as alarm sounds. Although the mechanism of synchronization in gulls remains unknown, by being vigilant at the same time as other group members, the gulls may achieve additional antipredator benefits.
Analysis of user's car parking behaviour through twitter hashtags
Authors: Arhab Nabil , Oussalah Mourad , Bounab Yazid
Published: December 2022

Due to its ease and popularity, social media has recently become an essential source of data for researchers and various stakeholder groups that seek a reliable assessment of their policies based on a comprehensive understanding of users' feedback and inputs, which are reflected in their posts and discussions. In this study, we investigate the issue of users' car parking behaviour through a comprehensive analysis of related hashtags collected from the Twitter social media platform. For this purpose, we adopted a two‐step strategy where in the first stage, a surface‐level analysis of the identified hashtags involving inductive reasoning, sentiment analysis, and user interaction in terms of engagement and diversity scores is performed. In the second phase, a tweet content analysis is performed using sentiment analysis and Empath categorization with respect to the most frequent wordings (assimilating to separate topics), in the same spirit as aspect‐sentiment analysis, to gain further insights regarding the occurrence of negative and positive posts. A quantitative evaluation of the coherence of the Empath categorization indicates that achieved 0.83% coherence score and outperformed both LDA and LSA that had a score of 0.77% and 0.76% respectively. Furthermore, the common word technique assimilated to aspect sentiment compared to the state‐of‐the‐art model for aspect sentiment‐based deberta‐v3‐base model. Besides, the influence of bots or spammers is evaluated using engagement/diversity measures and Botometer API. The results provide valuable insights in terms of discriminating between positive and negative posts and the correlation of surface‐level analysis with content‐based analysis, as well as the impact of various categorizations. The results expect to enable urban planners and policymakers to advance evidence‐based policing in the future design of intelligent parking systems.
Borealization of nearshore fishes on an interior Arctic shelf over multiple decades
Authors: von Biela Vanessa R. , Laske Sarah M. , Stanek Ashley E. , Brown Randy J. , Dunton Kenneth H.
Published: December 2022

Borealization is a type of community reorganization where Arctic specialists are replaced by species with more boreal distributions in response to climatic warming. The process of borealization is often exemplified by the northward range expansions and subsequent proliferation of boreal species on the Pacific and Atlantic inflow Arctic shelves (i.e., Bering/Chukchi and Barents seas, respectively). But the circumpolar nearshore distribution of Arctic‐boreal fishes that predates recent warming suggests borealization is possible beyond inflow shelves. To examine this question, we revisited two nearshore lagoons in the eastern Alaska Beaufort Sea (Kaktovik and Jago lagoons, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, USA), a High Arctic interior shelf. We compared summer fish species assemblage, catch rate, and size distribution among three periods that spanned a 30‐year record (baseline conditions, 1988–1991; moderate sea ice decline, 2003–2005; rapid sea ice decline, 2017–2019). Fish assemblages differed among periods in both lagoons, consistent with borealization. Among Arctic specialists, a clear decline in fourhorn sculpin (Myoxocephalus quadricornis, Kanayuq in Iñupiaq) occurred in both lagoons with 86%–90% lower catch rates compared with the baseline period. Among the Arctic‐boreal species, a dramatic 18‐ to 19‐fold increase in saffron cod (Eleginus gracilis, Uugaq) occurred in both lagoons. Fish size (length) distributions demonstrated increases in the proportion of larger fish for most species examined, consistent with increasing survival and addition of age‐classes. These field data illustrate borealization of an Arctic nearshore fish community during a period of rapid warming. Our results agree with predictions that Arctic‐boreal fishes (e.g., saffron cod) are well positioned to exploit the changing Arctic ecosystem. Another Arctic‐boreal species, Dolly Varden (Salvelinus malma, Iqalukpik), appear to have already responded to warming by shifting from Arctic nearshore to shelf waters. More broadly, our findings suggest that areas of borealization could be widespread in the circumpolar nearshore.
Machine learning extracts oncogenic‐specific γ‐H2AX foci formation pattern upon genotoxic stress
Authors: Furuya Kanji , Ikura Masae , Ikura Tsuyoshi
Published: December 2022

H2AX is a histone H2A variant that becomes phosphorylated upon genotoxic stress. The phosphorylated H2AX (γ‐H2AX) plays an antioncogenic role in the DNA damage response and its foci patterns are highly variable, in terms of intensities and sizes. However, whether characteristic γ‐H2AX foci patterns are associated with oncogenesis (oncogenic‐specific γ‐H2AX foci patterns) remains unknown. We previously reported that a defect in the acetyltransferase activity of TIP60 promotes cancer cell growth in human cell lines. In this study, we compared γ‐H2AX foci patterns between TIP60 wild‐type cells and TIP60 HAT mutant cells by using machine learning. When focused solely on the intensity and size of γ‐H2AX foci, we extracted the TIP60 HAT mutant‐like oncogenic‐specific γ‐H2AX foci pattern among all datasets of γ‐H2AX foci patterns. Furthermore, by using the dimensionality reduction method UMAP, we also observed TIP60 HAT mutant‐like oncogenic‐specific γ‐H2AX foci patterns in TIP60 wild‐type cells. In summary, we propose the existence of an oncogenic‐specific γ‐H2AX foci pattern and the importance of a machine learning approach to extract oncogenic signaling among the γ‐H2AX foci variations.
Graduating in uncertain times: The impact of COVID‐19 on recent graduate career prospects, trajectories and outcomes
Authors: Tomlinson Michael , Reedy Florence , Burg Damon
Published: December 2022

This article examines the impacts of the COVID‐19 pandemic on recent UK graduates' initial employment outcomes and how they experience the transition into a challenging labour market context. We draw on longitudinal survey and interview data, collected from recent graduates who had mainly graduated during the onset of the COVID‐19 pandemic in summer 2020 that examines graduate perception of the labour market, impacts on labour market entry impacts and early career progression and effects of periods of unemployment or under‐employment. The article shows some of the main impacts of the recent pandemic‐affected labour market, including: widespread concerns about job opportunities and employer support, the perceived employment impacts of the pandemic and early signs of scarring and labour market disorientation amongst those who were struggling to find employment of their choice. Such experiences are clearly intensified during the specific COVID‐19 context, but the policy implications they raise have wider relevance for supporting graduates during future periods of labour market volatility.