bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using AI to predict service agent stress from emotion patterns in service interactions
Authors: Bromuri Stefano , Henkel Alexander P. , Iren Deniz , Urovi Visara
Published: September 2020

Purpose

A vast body of literature has documented the negative consequences of stress on employee performance and well-being. These deleterious effects are particularly pronounced for service agents who need to constantly endure and manage customer emotions. The purpose of this paper is to introduce and describe a deep learning model to predict in real-time service agent stress from emotion patterns in voice-to-voice service interactions.

Design/methodology/approach

A deep learning model was developed to identify emotion patterns in call center interactions based on 363 recorded service interactions, subdivided in 27,889 manually expert-labeled three-second audio snippets. In a second step, the deep learning model was deployed in a call center for a period of one month to be further trained by the data collected from 40 service agents in another 4,672 service interactions.

Findings

The deep learning emotion classifier reached a balanced accuracy of 68% in predicting discrete emotions in service interactions. Integrating this model in a binary classification model, it was able to predict service agent stress with a balanced accuracy of 80%.

Practical implications

Service managers can benefit from employing the deep learning model to continuously and unobtrusively monitor the stress level of their service agents with numerous practical applications, including real-time early warning systems for service agents, customized training and automatically linking stress to customer-related outcomes.

Originality/value

The present study is the first to document an artificial intelligence (AI)-based model that is able to identify emotions in natural (i.e. nonstaged) interactions. It is further a pioneer in developing a smart emotion-based stress measure for service agents. Finally, the study contributes to the literature on the role of emotions in service interactions and employee stress.
The role of service firms in societal health: the case for symbiotic value
Authors: Aksoy Lerzan , Alkire (née Nasr) Linda , Kandampully Jay , Kemppainen Laura , Kong Lu , McClelland Laura E.
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to highlight the role that service firms can play to improve societal health and create symbiotic value, defined as value created as a result of collaborative relationships between the firm, its employees, customers and the communities in which it operates.

Design/methodology/approach

This manuscript examines the case of Millennials as they make up a dominant portion of the current workforce in society and proposes a conceptual framework for symbiotic value creation.

Findings

This study identifies the need to develop supporting mechanisms for the growing role of Millennials as employees and members of society that ultimately, in turn, create symbiotic value.

Originality/value

The paper proposes an integrative framework beyond the traditional and siloed examination of linkages between employee, customer, firm and society, creating new opportunities for extending a service theory and practice.
Coworking space as a practised place between welfare working and managerial challenges
Authors: Ivaldi Silvia , Galuppo Laura , Calvanese Eduardo , Scaratti Giuseppe
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The paper aims to analyse a specific configuration of coworking space that emphasises the production of social value in the territory (resilient/welfare-oriented coworking). This kind of space represents the current evolution of coworking that recovers the original meaning of coworking space to promote social changes, questions the role of the physical space and brings to the fore its connections between the internal (space) and the external (territory).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents an action research on a rising network of coworking spaces. The action research was based on qualitative interviews of the founders and main stakeholders of the network and monthly meetings discussions with the steering committee of the coworking spaces.

Findings

The paper provides some key elements that highlight different meanings related to the value produced by the coworking spaces and related interpretations of the material and immaterial characteristics of the spaces. The results also highlight different managerial challenges connected with these interpretations.

Originality/value

The main results of the study shed light on the fact that it is not enough to focus on material aspects of the coworking space, such as the design and the dispositions of furniture and the curatorship of the relationships among coworkers, if the desired outcome is a reinterpretation of work against the consolidated individualistic paradigm. Rather, the boundary work is the condition that permits to sustain and maintain the evolutionary trajectory of coworking in the most innovative direction. Inside a network of different stakeholders, aimed at integrating individual and collective needs, the constant crossing of boundaries between people, relationships and contexts is the process that permits to generate new meanings and possibilities of action (affordance), holding a transformative potential.
Earlier and slower or later and faster: Spring migration pace linked to departure time in a Neotropical migrant songbird
Authors: González Ana M. , Bayly Nicholas J. , Hobson Keith A.
Published: September 2020

Migratory birds travel vast distances and the timing of migratory flights can affect survival and the ability to reproduce. For Neotropical migrant songbirds, early spring departure from wintering sites, early arrival to the breeding grounds and higher reproductive success have been related to the use of suitable habitats and environmental conditions during the non‐breeding season. However, how migratory strategies are shaped by winter habitat choice is largely unknown due to the general inability to track birds from specific wintering habitats to stopovers or breeding destinations.

We assessed how winter habitat (native forest vs. shade‐grown coffee plantations) relates to spring departure date and migration pace in Swainson's Thrush Catharus ustulatus. We also determined the effect of departure date and total migration duration on the arrival date of birds detected near or within their breeding range.

We used a novel application of Motus radiotelemetry arrays to track individuals from their wintering grounds in the Andes of South America along their migratory journey to North America.

We found variation in migratory strategies between habitats, with birds wintering in native forest departing later than birds in coffee. We present isotopic evidence for native forest being of higher quality than shade‐coffee for Swainson's Thrush and hypothesize that moister conditions in forest, as shown by stable isotope (δ13C) analysis of thrush whole blood, provides favourable pre‐migratory conditions allowing birds to delay departure from wintering grounds. Habitat, between‐site and ‐year variation in departure date, suggests that birds made facultative adjustments to winter habitat quality and environmental conditions. Independent of habitat, birds that departed later migrated faster and this pattern was maintained along the migration route (n = 44). Migrating earlier and slower or later and faster was unlikely to result in significant differences in arrival time to breeding destinations.

Our findings reveal underappreciated complexity in migratory decisions by long‐distance migrants that contrast with the current paradigm of earlier departures and arrival from optimal habitats. The next step is to understand the relative fitness benefits of early versus late schedules or whether each strategy is an equally good response to experienced conditions.
Determining the prevalence, identity and possible origin of bacterial pathogens in soil
Authors: Ferraresso Jacopo , Lawton Benedict , Bayliss Sion , Sheppard Samuel , Cardazzo Barbara , Gaze Will , Buckling Angus , Vos Michiel
Published: September 2020

Soil biomes are vast, exceptionally diverse and crucial to the health of ecosystems and societies. Soils also contain an appreciable, but understudied, diversity of opportunistic human pathogens. With climate change and other forms of environmental degradation potentially increasing exposure risks to soilborne pathogens, it is necessary to gain a better understanding of their ecological drivers. Here we use the Galleria mellonella insect virulence model to selectively isolate pathogenic bacteria from soils in Cornwall (UK). We find a high prevalence of pathogenic soil bacteria with two genera, Providencia and Serratia, being especially common. Providencia alcalifaciens, P. rustigianii, Serratia liquefaciens and S. plymuthica strains were studied in more detail using phenotypic virulence and antibiotic resistance assays and whole‐genome sequencing. Both genera displayed low levels of antibiotic resistance and antibiotic resistance gene carriage. However, Serratia isolates were found to carry the recently characterized metallo‐β‐lactamase blaSPR‐1 that, although not conferring high levels of resistance in these strains, poses a potential risk of horizontal transfer to other pathogens where it could be fully functional. The Galleria assay can be a useful approach to uncover the distribution and identity of pathogenic bacteria in the environment, as well as uncover resistance genes with an environmental origin.
An AI framework and a metamodel for collaborative situations: Application to crisis management contexts
Authors: Benaben Frederick , Fertier Audrey , Montarnal Aurélie , Mu Wenxin , Jiang Zheng , Truptil Sebastien , Barthe‐Delanoë Anne‐Marie , Lauras Matthieu , Mace‐Ramete Guillaume , Wang Tiexin , Bidoux Loïc , Lamothe Jacques
Published: September 2020

Identifying, designing, deploying and maintaining accurate collaborative networks of organizations (e.g. responders in a crisis situation) are key activities in nowadays ecosystems. However, there is a lack regarding formal approaches dedicated to characterize collaborative networks of organizations. Formal descriptions of collaborative situations, that could be used, transformed, computed and exploited would be of great benefit for the quality of such collaborative networks. This article presents a model‐based AI framework for describing collaborative situations and the associated formal metamodel dedicated to be instantiated to characterize collaborative situations in a very wide range of application domains. This metamodel (describing collaborative situation between organizations) is structured according to four complementary dimensions: the context (social, physical and geographical environment), the partners (the involved organizations, their capabilities resources and relations), the objectives (the aims of the network, the goals to be the achieved and the risks to avoid, etc.) and the behaviour (the collaborative processes to be implemented by the partners to achieve the objectives in the considered context). Besides, this metamodel can be extended for some precise application domains. This article focuses on this mechanism in the specific context of crisis management.
A mathematical model for the diffusion of emergency warning messages during CBRNe emergencies
Authors: D’Arienzo Marco , Di Paolo Ferruccio , Chiacchiararelli Laura , Malizia Andrea , Indovina Luca
Published: September 2020

Understanding the diffusion of warning messages is essential to adequately respond to emergency events and situations. This is especially true in urgent scenarios, that is situations where external events are happening at the same rate or faster than the diffusion process itself. In this paper, an information diffusion model (Bass model) is proposed to study the spread of warning messages during emergencies involving urgent diffusion dynamics, for example a CBRNe event. In the present study, the Bass model is applied to two hazardous materials transportation accidents reported in the literature: the Pittsburgh phosphorus oxychloride release and the precautionary evacuation occurred in Confluence due to toxic chemicals released after a train derailment. Warning data collected from the two accidents and reported in published literature studies were used in this work and fitted with the Bass model. The diffusion of emergency warning messages is modelled as a two‐component system, where the spread of information is characterized by (a) a “broadcast process” that disseminates the emergency warning vertically (in the sense that many people are alerted simultaneously) and (b) a horizontal “contagion process” whereby people first hear of the event and then sequentially tell others (social media, word‐of‐mouth and peer‐to‐peer communication). The Bass model provided an excellent fit of the warning diffusion times related to both accidents suggesting that the very first phase of the warning process is sustained by a “broadcast” information diffusion process. However, after less than 1 hr from the beginning of the warning process the efficacy of its diffusion is dominated by the “contagion” component, that is the effectiveness of a robust social network between individuals. In conclusion, the Bass model proved to be a handy tool to assess epidemics spreading of information from the people who adopted the information. Our results suggest that the general Bass model applied to diffusion of emergency warning has the potential to provide key information in the management of emergencies. This approach can be applied right away by professional communicators, advisors and decision‐makers in case of a CBRNe event.
Fingerprint error rate on close non‐matches
Authors: Koehler Jonathan J. , Liu Shiquan
Published: September 2020

The accuracy of fingerprint identifications is critically important to the administration of criminal justice. Accuracy is challenging when two prints from different sources have many common features and few dissimilar features. Such print pairs, known as close non‐matches (CNMs), are increasingly likely to arise as ever‐growing databases are searched with greater frequency. In this study, 125 fingerprint agencies completed a mandatory proficiency test that included two pairs of CNMs. The false‐positive error rates on the two CNMs were 15.9% (17 out of 107, 95% C.I.: 9.5%, 24.2%) and 28.1% (27 out of 96, 95% C.I.: 19.4%, 38.2%), respectively. These CNM error rates are (a) inconsistent with the popular notion that fingerprint evidence is nearly infallible, and (b) larger than error rates reported in leading fingerprint studies. We conclude that, when the risk of CNMs is high, the probative value of a reported fingerprint identification may be severely diminished due to an elevated false‐positive error risk. We call for additional CNM research, including a replication and expansion of the present study using a representative selection of CNMs from database searches.
The Laws of Musical Fame and Obscurity
Authors: Gustar Andrew
Published: September 2020

Andrew Gustar explains how power laws describe patterns of musical success, from pop charts and streaming services to classical concerts
A Replication Crisis in Methodological Research?
Authors: Boulesteix Anne-Laure , Hoffmann Sabine , Charlton Alethea , Seibold Heidi
Published: September 2020

Statisticians have been keen to critique statistical aspects of the “replication crisis” in other scientific disciplines. But new statistical tools are often published and promoted without any thought to replicability. This needs to change, argue Anne-Laure Boulesteix, Sabine Hoffmann, Alethea Charlton and Heidi Seibold
Acetic acid buffer as extraction medium for free and bound phenolics from dried blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum L.) skins
Authors: Azman Ezzat Mohamad , Charalampopoulos Dimitris , Chatzifragkou Afroditi
Published: September 2020

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different solvent and extraction temperatures on the free and bound phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of dried blackcurrant skins (DBS). Apart from acetic acid buffer solution, different solvent systems, including water, methanol, and mixtures of methanol/water, were also employed and the effects of solvent and temperature (30 and 50 °C) on the free and bound forms of anthocyanins, hydroxycinnamic acids, and flavonols yield were assessed. The results showed that among all solvents, acetic acid buffer resulted in the highest free anthocyanin content (1,712.3 ± 56.1 mg/100 g) (P < 0.05) after 2 hr extraction at 50 °C from DBS, while lower amounts of bound anthocyanins and anthocyanidins were detected after acid hydrolysis. Acetic acid buffer extracts exhibited the highest free hydroxycinnamic acid content (268.0 ± 4.5 mg/100 g), total phenolic content (3702.2 ± 259.3 mg GAE/100 g), and DPPH activity (60.7 ± 2.0% of inhibition). However, their free flavonol content was slightly lower (60.2 ± 0.8 mg/100 g) compared to 100% methanol at 30 and 50 °C (71.4 ± 1.5 mg/100 g and 71.5 ± 6.2 mg/100 g, respectively). Two‐way ANOVA indicated interactions between solvent and temperature (P < 0.05), which suggested that the relationship between solvent and phenolic compounds depends on the extraction temperature.

Practical Application

Overall, acetic acid buffer is more environmental friendly, efficient, and cost effective than other solvents, thus, offering an improved extraction method for phytochemicals as valuable ingredients for nutraceutical applications, from underutilized dried blackcurrant skins (DBS).
Spoiled milk: A Chinese mother’s struggle and the rebuilding of trust in state dairy enterprises
Authors: Wang Yuli , Steckler Erica , Hoffman W. Michael
Published: September 2020

Recent research has highlighted the importance of cultivating the ethical climate of a firm with implications for ethical decision making and consumer confidence. However, there are important lessons still to be gleaned from firms responsible for generating ethical failures. Based on a case study of the Sanlu melamine milk powder scandal in China, this article analyzes the key factors that have affected consumer confidence in Sanlu and highlights main reasons for Chinese consumers’ continued distrust of state dairy enterprises. We explore the causes of business distrust in the Sanlu case from the perspective of Chinese product consumers. We further recommend solutions to repair a crisis of consumer confidence and trust in the domestic dairy industry by considering these stakeholders’ perspectives.
Parent‐reported socioemotional and cognitive development in children with a cleft lip and/or palate at 18 months: Findings from a UK birth cohort
Authors: Costa Bruna , White Paul , Kiff James D. , Davies Amy , Stock Nicola M.
Published: September 2020

Background

One of the most common congenital conditions in the world, cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) has been shown to potentially impact long‐term physical and developmental outcomes in affected children. However, little is known about the factors that contribute to such outcomes, and there is a lack of consensus about which screening tools may be most effective. The aims of the current study were (a) to assess parent‐reported socioemotional and cognitive development in children born with CL/P at 18 months of age; (b) to identify factors associated with the incidence of developmental concerns; and (c) to assess the utility of the widely recommended Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASQs) in identifying developmental concerns from an early age in the CL/P population.

Methods

Parent‐reported questionnaire data were extracted from The Cleft Collective Cohort Study for 322 mothers of children with CL/P aged 18 months.

Results

Mean scores across both ASQ measures indicated typical development in the study sample overall. However, 31.1% of children met a referral criterion on at least one domain. Child‐related risk factors included problems with physical development and feeding method. Parent‐related risk factors included the mother's levels of anxiety and depression and mother's marital status. Additional developmental concerns extracted from mothers' qualitative data included feeding difficulties, speech development, sleep patterns, aggressive behaviours, vision, oral health, hearing, breathing and motor skills.

Conclusions

The majority of children in this study were developing as expected at 18 months of age. However, parent‐reported developmental concerns were identified in a minority of children, suggesting a need to screen for potential risk factors in routine practice. Further, the ASQ appears to offer a viable option in the early identification of developmental concerns in children with CL/P. A combined medical and systemic approach to healthcare is recommended to support the prevention of long‐term developmental concerns in the child and poor psychological adjustment in parents.
Type I interferon regulates cytokine-delayed neutrophil apoptosis, reactive oxygen species production and chemokine expression
Authors: Glennon-Alty L , Moots R J , Edwards S W , Wright H L
Published: September 2020

Interferons (IFNs) are key regulators of a number of inflammatory conditions in which neutrophils play an important role in pathology, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), where type I IFNs are implicated in disease pathology. However, IFNs are usually generated in vivo together with other cytokines that also have immunoregulatory functions, but such interactions are poorly defined experimentally. We measured the effects of type I (IFN-α) IFN, elevated in both RA and SLE, on the functions of healthy neutrophils incubated in vitro in the absence and presence of proinflammatory cytokines typically elevated in inflammatory diseases [tumour necrosis factor (TNF-α), granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF)]. IFN-α alone had no effect on neutrophil apoptosis; however, it abrogated the anti-apoptotic effect of GM-CSF (18 h, P < 0·01). The enhanced stability of the anti-apoptotic protein myeloid cell leukaemia 1 (Mcl-1) and delayed activation of caspase activation normally regulated by GM-CSF were blocked by IFN-α: this effect was mediated, in part, by activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). IFN-α alone also primed reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and maintained the transient priming effect of TNF-α for up to 4 h: it also down-regulated GM-CSF- and TNF-α-activated expression of chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand (CXCL)1, CXCL2, CXCL3, CXCL8, CCL3 and CCL4 but, in contrast, increased the expression of CXCL10. These novel data identify complex regulatory signalling networks in which type I IFNs profoundly alter the response of neutrophils to inflammatory cytokines. This is likely to have important consequences in vivo and may explain the complexity and heterogeneity of inflammatory diseases such as RA, in which multiple cytokine cascades have been activated.
Polycaprolactone primers with zinc oxide and silicon dioxide nanoparticles for paper substrates: Influence on the properties of cyan and magenta offset prints
Authors: Hudika Tomislav , Tomašegović Tamara , Cigula Tomislav , Prša Marija
Published: September 2020

In this research study, the applicability of polycaprolactone‐silicon dioxide and polycaprolactone‐zinc oxide coatings used as primers on papers for offset printing, was analysed. Polycaprolactone nanocomposites with different concentrations of nanoparticles were prepared and coated onto three types of papers: uncoated, low‐coated and gloss. The main aim was to analyse the influence of the nanoparticle concentration in primer on the optical and colorimetric properties of cyan and magenta offset printed samples. To further evaluate the applicability of the primers, the tensile strength of primed samples and their surface properties were analysed. Results show that prepared primers are primarily applicable on uncoated and low coated papers. Both nanoparticles in specific concentrations increased gloss values for printed samples on low‐coated paper, and the addition of both types of nanoparticles increased the rub resistance of printed samples. Furthermore, for each type of nanoparticle, the optimal concentration at which the colour deviation on print was minimised could be defined. Adding nanoparticles to primers did not significantly improve mottling on cyan‐printed samples. However, by increasing the concentration of nanoparticles in the primer by up to 1%, the mottling on magenta‐printed samples decreased.
COVID‐19 and Immunological Dysregulation: Can Autoantibodies be Useful?
Authors: Pascolini Simona , Vannini Antonio , Deleonardi Gaia , Ciordinik Michele , Sensoli Annamaria , Carletti Ilaria , Veronesi Lorenza , Ricci Chiara , Pronesti Alessia , Mazzanti Laura , Grondona Ana , Silvestri Tania , Zanuso Stefano , Mazzolini Marcello , Lalanne Claudine , Quarneti Chiara , Fusconi Marco , Giostra Fabrizio , Granito Alessandro , Muratori Luigi , Lenzi Marco , Muratori Paolo
Published: September 2020

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) is often associated with interstitial pneumonia. However, there is insufficient knowledge on the presence of autoimmune serological markers in patients with COVID‐19. We analyzed the presence and role of autoantibodies in patients with COVID‐19‐associated pneumonia. We prospectively studied 33 consecutive patients with COVID‐19, 31 (94%) of whom had interstitial pneumonia, and 25 age‐matched and sex‐matched patients with fever and/or pneumonia with etiologies other than COVID‐19 as the pathological control group. All patients were tested for the presence of antinuclear antibodies (ANAs), anti‐antiphospholipid antibodies, and anti‐cytoplasmic neutrophil antibodies (ANCAs). Clinical, biochemical, and radiological parameters were also collected. Fifteen of 33 patients (45%) tested positive for at least one autoantibody, including 11 who tested positive for ANAs (33%), 8 who tested positive for anti‐cardiolipin antibodies (immunoglobulin (Ig)G and/or IgM; 24%), and 3 who tested positive for anti‐β2‐glycoprotein antibodies (IgG and/or IgM; 9%). ANCA reactivity was not detected in any patient. Patients that tested positive for auto‐antibodies had a significantly more severe prognosis than other patients did: 6 of 15 patients (40%) with auto‐antibodies died due to COVID‐19 complications during hospitalization, whereas only 1 of 18 patients (5.5%) who did not have auto‐antibodies died (P = 0.03). Patients with poor prognosis (death due to COVID‐19 complications) had a significantly higher respiratory rate at admission (23 breaths per minute vs. 17 breaths per minute;P = 0.03) and a higher frequency of auto‐antibodies (86% vs. 27%;P = 0.008). In conclusion, auto‐antibodies are frequently detected in patients with COVID‐19 possibly reflecting a pathogenetic role of immune dysregulation. However, given the small number of patients, the association of auto‐antibodies with an unfavorable prognosis requires further multicenter studies.
Clear cell acanthoma
Authors: Wagner Gunnar , Back Walter , Sachse Michael Max
Published: September 2020

Clear cell acanthoma is a rarely diagnosed tumor with variable clinical morphology that is usually only recognized by its histopathological features. The primary lesion is a red papule a few millimeters in diameter that often occurs as a single lesion on the lower extremities. In dermoscopy, resemblance of the vessels to a string of pearls is a largely specific finding of clear cell acanthoma. In contrast to the initially uncharacteristic clinical findings, histopathology of clear cell acanthomas is characterized by a typical compact, well‐demarcated acanthosis consisting of pale‐staining, PAS‐reactive keratinocytes. As etiology and pathogenesis are both unclear, nosology of clear cell acanthoma is also controversial, with an ongoing debate as to its classification as cutaneous neoplasia or reactive inflammatory dermatosis.
Sodium‐glucose co‐transporter‐2 inhibitors and susceptibility to COVID‐19: A population‐based retrospective cohort study
Authors: Sainsbury Christopher , Wang Jingya , Gokhale Krishna , Acosta‐Mena Dionisio , Dhalla Samir , Byne Nathan , Chandan Joht Singh , Anand Astha , Cooper Jennifer , Okoth Kelvin , Subramanian Anuradhaa , Bangash Mansoor N. , Taverner Thomas , Hanif Wasim , Ghosh Sandip , Narendran Parth , Cheng Kar K. , Marshall Tom , Gkoutos Georgios , Toulis Konstantinos , Thomas Neil , Tahrani Abd , Adderley Nicola J. , Haroon Shamil , Nirantharakumar Krishnarajah
Published: September 2020

Sodium‐glucose co‐transporter‐2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are widely prescribed in people with type 2 diabetes. We aimed to investigate whether SGLT2 inhibitor prescription is associated with COVID‐19, when compared with an active comparator. We performed a propensity‐score‐matched cohort study with active comparators and a negative control outcome in a large UK‐based primary care dataset. Participants prescribed SGLT2 inhibitors (n = 9948) and a comparator group prescribed dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 (DPP‐4) inhibitors (n = 14 917) were followed up from January 30 to July 27, 2020. The primary outcome was confirmed or clinically suspected COVID‐19. The incidence rate of COVID‐19 was 19.7/1000 person‐years among users of SGLT2 inhibitors and 24.7/1000 person‐years among propensity‐score‐matched users of DPP‐4 inhibitors. The adjusted hazard ratio was 0.92 (95% confidence interval 0.66 to 1.29), and there was no evidence of residual confounding in the negative control analysis. We did not observe an increased risk of COVID‐19 in primary care amongst those prescribed SGLT2 inhibitors compared to DPP‐4 inhibitors, suggesting that clinicians may safely use these agents in the everyday care of people with type 2 diabetes during the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Imperial Satiety Protocol: A new non‐surgical weight‐loss programme, delivered in a health care setting, produces improved clinical outcomes for people with obesity
Authors: Hameed Saira , Salem Victoria , Alessimii Haya , Scholtz Samantha , Dar Owais , Miras Alexander D. , Meeran Karim , Bloom Stephen R. , Ahmed Ahmed R. , Purkayastha Sanjay , Chahal Harvinder , Tan Tricia
Published: September 2020

‘Imperial Satiety Protocol’ (I‐SatPro) is a new multifaceted approach to weight loss for people with obesity (PwO), encompassing dietary advice, time‐restricted eating, physical activity and coaching to support behaviour change. Participants (n = 84) attended fortnightly I‐SatPro group sessions for 30 weeks, with 70% of participants completing. On completion at 30 weeks, the mean weight loss was 15.2 ± 1.1 kg (13.2 ± 0.8% from baseline, P < .0001), which was maintained to 52 weeks (16.6 ± 1.5 kg, 14.1 ± 1.2%, P < .0001). Weight loss was not associated with reduced energy expenditure. In participants with type 2 diabetes and pre‐diabetes (n = 16), glycated haemoglobin fell from 50 to 43 mmol/mol (P < .01). Systolic blood pressure fell by 12 mmHg (P < .0001). Triglycerides fell by 0.37 mmol/L (P < .01) and high‐density lipoprotein rose by 0.08 mmol/L (P < .01). Short Form‐36 (SF‐36) functioning and wellbeing scores increased in all domains post I‐SatPro intervention. For selected PwO, I‐SatPro delivers clinically meaningful weight loss, and the potential for long‐term health and wellbeing improvements.
Relationship between peripheral neuropathy, diastolic function and adverse cardiovascular outcome in individuals with type 1 diabetes mellitus without known cardiovascular disease: Results from the Thousand & 1 Study
Authors: Hansen Gorm Mørk , Jørgensen Peter Godsk , Andersen Henrik Ullits , Rossing Peter , Jensen Magnus Thorsten
Published: September 2020

Aims

To investigate the association between measures of peripheral neuropathy (PN) and impaired left ventricular diastolic function, and the prognosis in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) and no known cardiovascular disease (CVD), and to test the incremental prognostic value of including measures of PN and diastolic function to the established Steno T1 Risk Engine.

Methods

Echocardiography and quantitative biothesiometry was performed to evaluate diastolic function and PN. The participants were categorized according to severity of diastolic function and PN. The study endpoint was combined cardiovascular (CV) events and all‐cause death. Associations were analysed using multivariable regression models. The prognostic capability was assessed with Harrell's C‐statistics and tested against the Steno T1 Risk Engine.

Results

A total of 946 individuals (51.5% men) were included. The mean (SD) follow‐up was 6 (1.3) years. The total number of CV events and all‐cause death were 100. In the multi‐adjusted analysis, both PN and impaired diastolic function were associated with increased risk of CV events and all‐cause death: severe PN versus no PN: hazard ratio (HR) 2.23 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06–4.68; P = 0.035); severe diastolic impairment versus normal function: HR 2.27 (95% CI 1.16–4.44; P = 0.016).

Measures of diastolic function improved prognostic capability when added to the Steno T1 Risk Engine: C‐statistic 0.797 (95% CI 0.793–0.817) versus 0.785 (95% CI 0.744–0.825; P = 0.006).

Conclusion

Peripheral neuropathy and impaired diastolic function are associated with an increased risk of CV events and all‐cause death in patients with T1DM. Measures of diastolic function improved prediction of prognosis by the Steno T1 Risk Engine.
Mammal population densities at a global scale are higher in human‐modified areas
Authors: Tucker Marlee A. , Santini Luca , Carbone Chris , Mueller Thomas
Published: September 2020

Global landscapes are changing due to human activities with consequences for both biodiversity and ecosystems. For single species, terrestrial mammal population densities have shown mixed responses to human pressure, with both increasing and decreasing densities reported in the literature. How the impacts of human activities on mammal populations translates into altered global density patterns remains unclear. Here we aim to disentangle the effect of human impacts on large‐scale patterns of mammal population densities using a global dataset of 6729 population density estimates for 468 mammal species (representing 59% and 44% of mammalian orders and families). We fitted a mixed effect model to explain the variation in density based on a 1‐degree resolution as a function of the human footprint index (HFI), a global proxy of direct and indirect human disturbances, while accounting for body mass, trophic level and primary productivity (normalized vegetation index; NDVI). We found a significant positive relationship between population density and HFI, where population densities were higher in areas with a higher HFI (e.g. agricultural or suburban areas – no populations were located in very high HFI urban areas) compared to areas with a low HFI (e.g. wilderness areas). We also tested the effect of the individual components of the HFI and still found a consistent positive effect. The relationships remained positive even across populations of the same species, although variability among species was high. Our results indicate shifts in mammal population densities in human modified landscapes, which is due to the combined effect of species filtering, increased resources and a possible reduction in competition and predation. Our study provides further evidence that macroecological patterns are being altered by human activities, where some species will benefit from these activities, while others will be negatively impacted or even extirpated.
Entomophagous insects – an introduction
Authors: Conti Eric , Wajnberg Eric , Beukeboom Leo W.
Published: September 2020

This special issue contains papers presented at the 6th International Entomophagous Insects Conference. Entomophagous insects consume other insects. They are a fundamental component of ecosystems and are extensively used as biocontrol agents. The first article reviews the role of ladybirds in biological control and the second reviews the biological control of stink bugs. The following nine research articles cover the rearing, behavior, life history, and ecology of parasitoid and predator species.
Influences of academic culture in Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL): Differences in Mexican and U.S. students' reported experiences
Authors: King Ramírez Carmen
Published: September 2020

Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) is an education model that provides a framework for international academic exchanges. Though COIL projects outline some best practices for academic partnerships, there are still several areas of project development in which participating faculty must make important decisions that affect the success of the academic venture. Perhaps one of the most important, yet frequently overlooked, aspects of international academic exchanges are the considerations made for differences in academic cultural practices. The current article details a COIL project in which binational faculty and students shared a semester‐long course. At the conclusion of the course, the two student groups reported vast differences in their experiences. In an effort to explain students' divergent perspectives, the author examines the academic climate reported by students and how academic practices implemented in the COIL project affected the overall success of the course.
Community isolation drives lower fish biomass and species richness, but higher functional evenness, in a river metacommunity
Authors: Borthagaray Ana I. , Teixeira‐de Mello Franco , Tesitore Giancarlo , Ortiz Esteban , Illarze Mariana , Pinelli Verónica , Urtado Lucía , Raftopulos Pablo , González‐Bergonzoni Iván , Abades Sebastián , Loureiro Marcelo , Arim Matías
Published: September 2020

The flow of individuals among communities and their interactions with local environmental filters are increasingly recognised as determinants of biodiversity patterns in riverine ecosystems. Both incoming dispersers and local conditions are expected to systematically change along connectivity gradients from headwaters to downstream communities. However, the interplay between isolation‐centrality gradients and environmental conditions as determinants of biodiversity structure and function has seldom been considered.

Here, we represented the dendritic structure of the Negro River basin riverscape (Uruguay) in a directed graph quantifying the isolation‐centrality of each river section and evaluated the direct and indirect pathways by which riverscape structure and environmental local drivers determine fish community assembly.

Fish communities (n = 58) were sampled following a stratified sampling design that properly represents this isolation‐centrality connectivity gradient through the riverscape. In each community, fish abundance, biomass, richness, and functional diversity were estimated, and the direct and indirect hypothesised connections among them were evaluated with structural equation models.

We showed that the range of isolation among river sections determines a 2‐fold, 5‐fold, and 25‐fold variation in total fish richness, abundance, and biomass, respectively. Additionally, isolation‐centrality was positively associated with local temperature and conductivity, while negatively related to local depth. These variables and taxonomic richness accounted for most of the variation in total fish biomass (81%) herein used as measurement of ecosystem function. Local fish abundance was negatively and positively associated with functional evenness and taxonomic richness, respectively. Furthermore, once the effect of isolation on biomass and richness was accounted for, an effect of diversity on biomass became evident.

Our results provide empirical evidence for the role of riverscape structure on taxonomic and functional diversity, biomass, and the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem function. We emphasise that in the understanding of river biodiversity and its management, local determinants should not be considered without attention to metacommunity processes.
The carbon and nitrogen cycle impacts of reverting perennial bioenergy switchgrass to an annual maize crop rotation
Authors: Moore Caitlin E. , Berardi Danielle M. , Blanc‐Betes Elena , Dracup Evan C. , Egenriether Sada , Gomez‐Casanovas Nuria , Hartman Melannie D. , Hudiburg Tara , Kantola Ilsa , Masters Michael D. , Parton William J. , Van Allen Rachel , von Haden Adam C. , Yang Wendy H. , DeLucia Evan H. , Bernacchi Carl J.
Published: September 2020

In the age of biofuel innovation, bioenergy crop sustainability assessment has determined how candidate systems alter the carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycle. These research efforts revealed how perennial crops, such as switchgrass, increase belowground soil organic carbon (SOC) and lose less N than annual crops, like maize. As demand for bioenergy increases, land managers will need to choose whether to invest in food or fuel cropping systems. However, little research has focused on the C and N cycle impacts of reverting purpose‐grown perennial bioenergy crops back to annual cropping systems. We investigated this knowledge gap by measuring C and N pools and fluxes over 2 years following reversion of a mature switchgrass stand to an annual maize rotation. The most striking treatment difference was in ecosystem respiration (ER), with the maize‐converted treatment showing the highest respiration flux of 2,073.63 (± 367.20) g C m−2 year−1 compared to the switchgrass 1,412.70 (± 28.72) g C m−2 year−1 and maize‐control treatments 1,699.16 (± 234.79) g C m−2 year−1. This difference was likely driven by increased heterotrophic respiration of belowground switchgrass necromass in the maize‐converted treatment. Predictions from the DayCent model showed it would take approximately 5 years for SOC dynamics in the converted treatment to return to conditions of the maize‐control treatment. N losses were highest from the maize‐converted treatment when compared to undisturbed switchgrass and maize‐control, particularly during the first conversion year. These results show substantial C and N losses occur within the first 2 years after reversion of switchgrass to maize. Given farmers are likely to rotate between perennial and annual crops in the future to meet market demands, our results indicate that improvements to the land conversion approach are needed to preserve SOC built up by perennial crops to maintain the long‐term ecological sustainability of bioenergy cropping systems.
Bureaucratic locus of control
Authors: Kay Kerenssa , Rogger Daniel , Sen Iman
Published: September 2020

To what extent do public officials feel they have control over their lives in public service? We develop a new measure of perceived control in the bureaucracy based on the locus of control scale. The “bureaucratic locus of control” (BLOC) scale extends standard measures to a bureaucratic context as well as introduces an extension to these measures that focuses on the power of systemic forces in officials' lives. Field tests among a representative sample of Ethiopian public officials suggest that the BLOC scale has good internal reliability and that it is positively associated with promotion opportunities, rewards and motivation. We showcase its use by investigating the extent to which inequality in control impacts the general perception of control. Potential uses of the scale to study bureaucratic dynamics are discussed.
QuantiFERON TB‐gold conversion rate among psoriasis patients under biologics: a 9‐year retrospective study
Authors: Megna Matteo , Ferrillo Maria , Ruggiero Angelo , Cinelli Eleonora , Gallo Lucia , Fabbrocini Gabriella
Published: September 2020

Background

Tuberculosis (TB) screening is mandatory for psoriasis biologic treatment. However, evidences regarding TB screening results during biologic treatment are conflicting.

Objectives

The aim of this study is to evaluate the rate of QuantiFERON TB Gold test (QFT) conversion in psoriasis patients during biologics over time.

Methods

A 9‐year single center retrospective study was performed in order to evaluate the rate of QFT conversion in patients affected by moderate‐to‐severe plaque psoriasis under available biological therapies (anti‐TNF‐α, IL‐12/23, IL‐17). For each patient, demographic data, age, gender, comorbidities, previous psoriasis therapy, as well as ongoing treatment type were registered. Five‐hundred twenty‐six patients (61.2% male, with a mean age of 52.6 ± 13.9 years) treated with biologics were enrolled.

Results

QFT conversion occurred in 6.5% of patients over a mean treatment duration of 3.2 years. On average, QFT conversion occurred after 34.05 months of treatment. Anti‐TNF‐α drugs, and among them, adalimumab above all (35.5% of all cases), were the most commonly involved treatment during QFT conversion, followed by anti‐IL‐12/23 (17.6%) and anti‐IL‐17 (14.7%). However, differences among biologics class or single biologics (adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab, golimumab, certolizumab, ustekinumab, ixekizumab, secukinumab) did not approach statistical significance.

Conclusions

Annual TB screening is important in psoriasis patients under biologic treatment in order to avoid possible latent TB infection reactivation. Indeed, our data showed that even in a low TB prevalence country like Italy, QFT may convert over time in psoriasis patients under biologics in 6.5% of the cases.
Grape skin extracts as a sustainable source of antioxidants in an oil‐in‐water emulsion: an alternate natural approach to synthetic antioxidants using principal component analysis
Authors: Sridhar Kandi , Charles Albert Linton
Published: September 2020

Grape (Kyoho) skin, used to retard lipid oxidation in edible oil foods, was investigated to reduce lipid oxidation in an oil‐in‐water (O/W) emulsion during 20 day of storage. The antioxidant efficacy of Kyoho skin extracts in O/W emulsions was determined by the measurement of secondary oxidation products. Moreover, principal component analysis (PCA) was conducted to determine similarities between emulsions treated with or without Kyoho skin extracts and standards. The data revealed that Kyoho skin extracts exhibited >93% inhibition and reported a similar p‐anisidine (4.30–20.71) and TBARS (6.08–11.15 mg MDA L−1) values over the standards during 20 day of storage. PCA (PCs 1 (51.83%) and 2 (18.85%)) demonstrated a similarity in the contribution of Kyoho skin extracts over the synthetic antioxidants in O/W emulsion. Overall, these findings highlighted the possibility of using Kyoho skin extracts as natural antioxidants to decrease oxidative rancidity in foods.
Gel texture and rheological properties of normal amylose and waxy potato starch blends with rice starches differing in amylose content
Authors: Liu Yi , Chen Xiaojing , Xu Yijuan , Xu Zekun , Li Haitao , Sui Zhongquan , Corke Harold
Published: September 2020

This study characterised the textural and rheological behaviour of blends of rice (waxy, low‐ and high‐amylose) and potato (waxy and normal) starch. Blends of potato starch with rice starch in the ratios of 100:0, 80:20, 60:40, 40:60, 20:80 and 0:100 were tested. Addition of rice starch (except high‐amylose rice starch) greatly increased the swelling of rice–potato starch mixtures. Addition of rice starch decreased gel firmness for most starch mixtures and increased gel adhesiveness for blends containing waxy potato starch. For rheological measurements, storage modulus was much higher than loss modulus of blends, indicating solid‐like behaviour. Starch blends with 20%/40% proportion of rice starch showed a greater thickening effect, whereas with further increase in rice starch proportion, a pseudoplastic, shear‐thinning behaviour was observed. This study may provide a basis to develop blends of potato and rice starch for potato noodle production without use of chemical additives.