bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Challenges and opportunities for social entrepreneurs in civil engineering in Brazil
Authors: Vasconcellos Ernesto Ferreira , Leso Bernardo Henrique , Cortimiglia Marcelo Nogueira
Published: April 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to identify challenges and opportunities for social enterprises (SE) in civil engineering in Brazil.

Design/methodology/approach

Starting from the transformative social innovation theory and inspired by grounded theory principles, this paper conducts three-stage exploratory research. First, this paper mapped the Brazilian SE civil engineering ecosystem. Next, this paper classified the SE initiatives along with an organizing framework. Finally, this paper conducted 11 interviews with key ecosystem actors and analyzed data through iterative, parallel and interrelated content analysis procedures.

Findings

The 37 SE found were classified along “Sustainability,” “Housing,” “Transportation” and “Sanitation” pillars, which are aligned with the United Nations’ social development goals. This paper found 50 challenges and opportunities, which were aggregated along seven dimensions. Three elements are particularly relevant as opportunities: opportunities for SE with ecosystem supporters, specialized investors and partnership with major companies; while government and early investment are the most relevant challenges.

Research limitations/implications

Research findings and conclusions cannot be extended to other sectors and countries. Usual limitations associated with exploratory qualitative research must also be highlighted.

Practical implications

The government should offer financial and technical support for civil engineering in working in partnership with ecosystem supporters. Academy could use SE content and ecosystem for its students and should offer diverse resources for network creation.

Originality/value

Focusing on civil engineering SE in Brazil, this study sheds light on a high-impact sector that has not been studied yet.
Servant leadership, organizational identification and turnover intention: an empirical study in hospitals
Authors: Omanwar Sunil P. , Agrawal Rakesh Kumar
Published: April 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to study the relationship between servant leadership (SL), employee turnover intention (TI) and organizational identification (OI) in hospitals.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses a quantitative approach to investigate the relationships between SL, OI and TI, using data collected from a sample of 266 front-facing employees in a private Indian hospital setup. Structural equation modeling is used to analyze the data and test the hypotheses.

Findings

The findings reveal that servant leadership has a positive relationship with organizational identification and negatively impacts turnover intentions of the front-facing employee. Further, the study also reveals, contrary to expectations, organizational identification has no significant mediating effect between servant leadership and turnover intentions.

Research limitations/implications

This research is limited to front-facing employees in hospitals and the study may be extended to other industries in the service sector. Future studies may consider other mediating and moderating variables to fully understand the mechanism of impact of servant leadership on turnover intention. Multi-level studies can also be carried out.

Practical implications

With the ever-increasing expectations for better patient care, robust leadership models have required that address front-facing employee’s well-being, enabling their attention toward patients. This paper provides the impetus for the development and adoption of servant leadership specifically within hospitals and the service sector.

Originality/value

This study is one of the few studies that empirically examines servant leadership in the health-care domain. The study also contributes to the extant literature on servant leadership by empirically examining the mediation effect of organizational identification between SL and TI. To the authors’ best of knowledge, this study may be the first of its kind, providing evidence of servant leadership’s impact on turnover intention and organizational identification in hospitals using data from the Indian context.
A new neutrosophic TF-IDF term weighting for text mining tasks: text classification use case
Authors: Bounabi Mariem , Elmoutaouakil Karim , Satori Khalid
Published: April 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to present a new term weighting approach for text classification as a text mining task. The original method, neutrosophic term frequency – inverse term frequency (NTF-IDF), is an extended version of the popular fuzzy TF-IDF (FTF-IDF) and uses the neutrosophic reasoning to analyze and generate weights for terms in natural languages. The paper also propose a comparative study between the popular FTF-IDF and NTF-IDF and their impacts on different machine learning (ML) classifiers for document categorization goals.

Design/methodology/approach

After preprocessing textual data, the original Neutrosophic TF-IDF applies the neutrosophic inference system (NIS) to produce weights for terms representing a document. Using the local frequency TF, global frequency IDF and text N's length as NIS inputs, this study generate two neutrosophic weights for a given term. The first measure provides information on the relevance degree for a word, and the second one represents their ambiguity degree. Next, the Zhang combination function is applied to combine neutrosophic weights outputs and present the final term weight, inserted in the document's representative vector. To analyze the NTF-IDF impact on the classification phase, this study uses a set of ML algorithms.

Findings

Practicing the neutrosophic logic (NL) characteristics, the authors have been able to study the ambiguity of the terms and their degree of relevance to represent a document. NL's choice has proven its effectiveness in defining significant text vectorization weights, especially for text classification tasks. The experimentation part demonstrates that the new method positively impacts the categorization. Moreover, the adopted system's recognition rate is higher than 91%, an accuracy score not attained using the FTF-IDF. Also, using benchmarked data sets, in different text mining fields, and many ML classifiers, i.e. SVM and Feed-Forward Network, and applying the proposed term scores NTF-IDF improves the accuracy by 10%.

Originality/value

The novelty of this paper lies in two aspects. First, a new term weighting method, which uses the term frequencies as components to define the relevance and the ambiguity of term; second, the application of NL to infer weights is considered as an original model in this paper, which also aims to correct the shortcomings of the FTF-IDF which uses fuzzy logic and its drawbacks. The introduced technique was combined with different ML models to improve the accuracy and relevance of the obtained feature vectors to fed the classification mechanism.
Structural shocks in monetary policy, exchange rates, and stock prices using SVAR in Iran
Authors: Salehi Mahdi , Behname Mehdi , Adibian Mohammad Sadegh
Published: April 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the interrelationships of monetary policy's structural shocks, the real exchange rate and stock prices.

Design/methodology/approach

According to quarterly data, variables such as gross domestic product, consumer price index, the real exchange rate, stock price and monetary policy indices in the structural vector autoregressions model are estimated. These variables' volatility is attributed to other variables’ structural shocks separately, and analysis of variance tables for all variables is presented.

Findings

The results show that structural shock on the exchange rate does not affect the stock price, but the monetary policy's structural shock positively impacts the real exchange rate. Moreover, the real exchange rate and monetary policy's structural shocks have a negative impact on the stock price index. However, no significant effect is found pertain to the real exchange rate structural shock, statistically.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the current study model is relatively novel in developing countries, and the study sought strength to develop knowledge on the subject of the study.
Using DIME maps and STEM project-based learning to teach physics
Authors: Rugh Michael S. , Beyette Donald J. , Capraro Mary Margaret , Capraro Robert M.
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine a week-long science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) project-based learning (PBL) activity that integrates a new educational technology and the engineering design process to teach middle and high school students the concepts involved in rotational physics. The technology and teaching method described in this paper can be applied to a wide variety of STEM content areas.

Design/methodology/approach

As an educational technology, the dynamic and interactive mathematical expressions (DIME) map system automatically generates an interactive, connected concept map of mathematically based concepts extracted from a portable document format textbook chapter. Over five days, students used DIME maps to engage in meaningful self-guided learning within the engineering design process and STEM PBL.

Findings

Using DIME maps within a STEM PBL activity, students explored the physics behind spinning objects, proposed multiple creative designs and built a variety of spinners to meet specified criteria and constraints.

Practical implications

STEM teachers can use DIME maps and STEM PBL to support their students in making connections between what they learn in the classroom and real-world scenarios.

Social implications

For any classroom with computers, tablets or phones and an internet connection, DIME maps are an accessible educational technology that provides an alternative representation of knowledge for learners who are underserved by traditional methods of instruction.

Originality/value

For STEM teachers and education researchers, the activity described in this paper uses advances in technology (DIME maps and slow-motion video capture on cell phones) and pedagogy (STEM PBL and the engineering design process) to enable students to engage in meaningful learning.
Shadow economy in Africa: how relevant is financial inclusion?
Authors: Ajide Folorunsho M.
Published: April 2021

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the possible relationship between financial inclusion and shadow economy in selected African countries.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses panel data estimation technique and Toda and Yamamoto causality approach. The data of selected African counties over a period of 2005–2015 are sourced from World Bank Development Indicators, International Monetary Fund International Financial statistics database and International Country Risk Guide.

Findings

The results show that financial inclusion reduces the size of shadow economy. The causality results show that there is a unidirectional causality moving from financial inclusion to shadow economy. The results demonstrate that a country with lower level of corruption and higher level of growth can benefit more in reducing the size of shadow economy through financial inclusion.

Originality/value

This study provides the first evidence of the link between financial inclusion and shadow economy from the Sub-Saharan Africa perspective. The study suggests that financial inclusion may be useful in affecting the size of shadow economy in Africa.
The anatomy of non-Muslim consumers’ halal fashion buying behaviour: a quantitative approach
Authors: Tarofder Arun Kumar , Sultana Umme Salma , Ismail Raisal , Salem Suha Fouad , Musah Adiza Alhassan
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is two-fold: classifying non-Muslim halal fashion buyers by applying quantitative techniques and identifying the persuading determinants of the non-Muslim women’ halal fashion buying behaviour (HFBB).

Design/methodology/approach

By adapting items from prior studies, a structured questionnaire was developed and distributed face-to-face to various Muslim fashion stores in Malaysia. After a one-month effort, 221 responses were obtained from non-Muslim consumers by using convenience sampling. Next, a clustering analysis was used to classify them from a contrasting perspective. Finally, regression and Andrew F. Hayes’s process procedures were applied to examine the three independent variables’ effect and the moderating variables.

Findings

The results revealed the characteristic behaviour of the non-Muslim women explicitly, which is related to their halal fashion purchasing decision. Based on the ANOVA results, there were different motives for buying halal fashion by non-Muslim women. Additionally, it was found that the most crucial determinants for non-Muslim’s HFBB are “cultural adaptation”, albeit, there is no substantial proof of a significant moderating effect of age and income on the consumers.

Research limitations/implications

These discoveries are advantageous for halal fashion retailers and provide an appealing domain for further investigations in the context of the global halal study.

Practical implications

This study provided an idea for an untapped segment on the halal fashion sellers’ segmentation and positioning strategy. The study’s results suggested specific managerial and practical recommendation that the sellers can use to attract non-Muslim consumers.

Originality/value

This study was amongst the uncommon investigations within the halal fashion context that will enlighten the managers’ selling strategy on the most neglected market segment. The results of this study provided an empirical understanding of how to sell halal fashion to non-Muslim consumers.
Organizational culture, organizational citizenship behavior, knowledge sharing and innovation: a study of indigenous people production organizations
Authors: Chang Wen-Jung , Hu Da-Chian , Keliw Panay
Published: April 2021

Purpose

Therefore, this study aims to explore the relationships among OC, KS, OCB and OI “Organization” is often seen as a company and few studies pay much attention to tribes and other related organizations and communities of Indigenous peoples. However, Indigenous peoples production organizations (IPPOs) would be certainly influenced by factors from the internal/external, including organizational culture (OC), organizational citizenship behavior (OCB), knowledge sharing (KS) and organizational innovation (OI). Therefore, this study aims to explore the relationships among OC, KS, OCB and OI.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on valid 139 Indigenous workers in IPPOs, this study used structural equation modeling to validate the relationships among OC, OCB, KS and OI.

Findings

The empirical findings indicate that OC would significantly influence OCB and OI, whereas KS would not have significant impact on OI. In addition, OC would not influence KS as usual, whereas OCB would do. Finally, OCB would impact KS.

Practical implications

As OCB acts as a complete mediator in OC–KS relationship, it means that these IPPOs already have OCB to motivate their staffs to do KS, but not enough to achieve more excellent performance on innovation.

Originality/value

Compared to past studies, this study aims to investigate the theory of organizational behavior and whether it is suitable between general businesses and IPPOs.
Introducing bi-directional participatory place branding: a theoretical model with multi-stakeholder perspectives
Authors: Jain Varsha , Shroff Preeti , Merchant Altaf , Bezbaruah Subhalakshmi
Published: April 2021

Purpose

A place brand is a culmination of its exclusive history, people and traditions that affect customer and community experiences. Place branding has become increasingly important for collective heritage brand strategy, as stakeholders undertake efforts to create an aura of a distinctive geographic location. Though place branding has received considerable scholarly attention, there is a lacuna: the role of residents as co-creators of a place and its heritage. Accordingly, this paper aims to develop a “bi-directional participatory place branding” model by applying the stimulus–organism–response approach grounded theory.

Design/methodology/approach

A grounded theory approach with multi-sited ethnography, personal interviews (with residents and city leaders) and observational techniques were adopted in a UNESCO world heritage city of India, Ahmedabad.

Findings

The findings indicate that the people (residents) aspect of place branding is associated with their life stories, past experiences, feelings and aspirations. However, the place acts as a nostalgia enabler, disseminating symbolic and heritage metaphors to residents and visitors as place brand ambassadors. When the place and people components are perceived positively, residents participate involve themselves with the place and thus, in turn, become the place ambassadors.

Originality/value

No prior studies have analyzed the association between residents, the place where they reside and the resultant behavior toward the place. The unique contribution is the bi-directional participatory place branding model, especially involving a UNESCO world heritage city rather than solely a site.
Towards viability of academic departments: the power of organizational cybernetics
Authors: Rezk Sahar Saeed , Gamal Shahinaz
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to use the power of organization cybernetics (OC) to design a flexible viable academic department that is at the risk of losing its viability because of the complexity of the educational environment.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed framework is developed based on Beer’s OC and the viable system model (VSM). This study adopts the guidelines for applying the VSM described by Stafford Beer and José Pérez Ríos.

Findings

The framework presents a comprehensive explanation of the essential functions of a viable academic department. In addition, it determines the basis for an inclusive redesign that can be used to maintain the department’s identity and viability as well.

Originality/value

Although there are many studies applying the framework of the VSM, in an educational context, most of them limited its usage to the evaluation of the viability of academic departments. They did not use the power of OC to design for systemic viability. Accordingly, the application of OC and the VSM, for the sake of designing a viable academic department, can be considered as highly original.
Integration of social media into HRM practices: a bibliometric overview
Authors: Hosain Md Sajjad
Published: April 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to critically discuss the mounting role of social media (SM) or social networking sites (SNSs) on various human resource management (HRM) practices.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on 87 published papers collected from the Web of Science Database particularly from 2010 to 2020 (up to June) using VOSviewer software. After reviewing those paper contents, the author briefly highlighted the findings.

Findings

According to most of the previous studies, the utilization of SM information for various HRM practices is rising although such utilization is mostly limited to talent search and recruitment & selection at present. Further, it was found that Facebook and LinkedIn are the two most accepted sites among the hiring professionals where the first one mostly provides behavioral information and the second one provides job-related information. Finally, it was revealed that organizations can develop a strong corporate branding through the presence in SM.

Research limitations/implications

This review paper is expected to motivate further research initiatives regarding the role of social media into different HRM practices.

Practical implications

The author expects that based on the findings, the organizational policymakers can get some practical guidelines regarding the efficient utilization of such a platform.

Originality/value

Social media is a powerful platform for flourishing business entities, promoting products, branding, talent search and so many more purposes. An organization can well promote its existence through this popular platform. In particular, the media can be a well-established platform for searching competent employees and creating employer branding. Therefore, more and more research studies should be carried out focusing on this recent issue. This review paper can be a base for the upcoming researchers as it has accumulated the previous literature and their findings.
Reforming theory of planned behavior to measure money management intention: a validation study among student debtors
Authors: Boonroungrut Chinun , Huang Fei
Published: April 2021

Purpose

This study aims to validate the money management intention screening questionnaire under the framework of theory of planned behavior, which includes attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control and intention.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 919 undergraduate students with loans were randomly selected and grouped into four sub-studies to address the psychometric properties of the imposed structure. The item–object congruence, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), test–retest reliability method and other statistical tests were carried out for item selection and confirmation. Two self-reported measures, namely, Saving Behavior Scale and Short Dark Triad (SD3-Thai version), were applied for the measure concurrent validation.

Findings

The final 12 items with four-component structures were deemed reliable and generally valid in university students with loans, with CFA results indicating good fit indices (χ2 = 96.44, df = 43; CFI = 0.96; GFI = 0.94; RMSEA = 0.06). The test–retest method indicated values between 0.66 (subjective norm) and 0.71 (attitude). Machiavellianism from SD3-TH and saving attitude from the Saving Behavior Scale showed the strongest significant relation among the items. The abbreviation of the 12-item structure was labeled in the Money Management Intention Questionnaire (MMIQ-TPB).

Research limitations/implications

This study provided a reliable and valid substantial structure for identifying money management intention. However, there was a consideration that MMIQ-TPB questions referred to cognitive influences through intention; thus, it was designed to cover the intended preparation and not in the action stage.

Practical implications

Great money management practically predicts a lower likelihood of being in debt. Attentive educators or loan providers can thus benefit from this alternative structure as a screening scale for identifying risky cognitive mismanagement.

Social implications

The evidence provided in this study highlights the possibility of identifying students who necessarily need a program to improve their monetary management skills during their studying periods. Policymakers could address this problem at the first stage of the general mode in the loan providing operation.

Originality/value

This study bridges the gap in the literature on financial behavioral changes for establishing money management intention among undergraduate students with loans. Furthermore, it confirms the advantages and disadvantages of having certain dark personality traits in a financial context.
Molecular mechanisms of self‐regulation in multiannual rodent populations: Experimental test of an updated hypothesis
Authors: Montgomery W. Ian
Published: April 2021

In Focus

Edwards, P. D., Frenette‐Ling, C., Palme, R., & Boonstra, R. (2021). Social density suppresses GnRH expression and reduces reproductivity in voles: A mechanism for population self‐regulation. Journal of Animal Ecology, 90, 784–795. Intrinsic population processes are important in the regulation of populations of small rodents, including those which display multiannual cycles. By measuring reproductive parameters, faecal androgen metabolites, and gene expression and DNA methylation in the CNS of juvenile voles, this paper demonstrates that suppression of reproduction occurs in female voles at high density compared to low density in enclosures, and that this maternal, epigenetic effect is also apparent in their offspring. This suggsests that direct density dependence influences reproduction and, hence, immediate rate of population growth, while gene expression mediated by DNA methylation blocking transcription, may have a delayed density‐dependent effect in juveniles. Both direct and delayed density dependence are necessary to generate multiannual population cycles. Edwards et al. (2021) break new ground in demonstrating the molecular and physiological basis of variation in population dynamics of small mammals ranging from multiannual cycles to stability that have fascinated researchers for nearly a century.
Top 100 cited paramedicine papers: A bibliometric study
Authors: Olaussen Alexander , Beovich Bronwyn , Williams Brett
Published: April 2021

Objective

Understanding the impact different journal articles have in any academic field is important – particularly in emerging professions. A bibliometric analysis like this does not yet exist for paramedicine, despite the rapid increase in its primary literature. The objective of the present study was to identify and analyse the 100 top‐cited articles about paramedicine.

Methods

We searched the Scopus database in August 2020 for studies relating to paramedicine. After screening titles and abstracts, we extracted the citation count, journal name, publication year, and country of origin. We manually assessed whether the study was clinical or not, noted the sex of the authors, the profession of first and last authors and the study design used.

Results

The median citation count for the top 100 papers in paramedicine was 58 (interquartile range 46–84 citations). The articles were published across 48 different journals, with Resuscitation and Prehospital Emergency Care being the two most frequent. The top‐cited paramedic papers originated from 16 different countries and were written predominantly by medical doctors. Three quarters (73%) of the studies had a clinical focus, and a quarter (26%) were randomised controlled trials.

Conclusions

The evolution of paramedicine towards professionalism is backed up by the growth of its own body of knowledge. This analysis of the 100 most cited studies in paramedicine is the first of its kind and highlights that paramedicine articles have a high citation count and are published across numerous journals, but with a relative lack of contribution from paramedic practitioners and female researchers.
Appraisal of MsepCSP14 for chemosensory functions in Mythimna separata
Authors: Younas Aneela , Waris Muhammad Irfan , Shaaban Muhammad , Tahir ul Qamar Muhammad , Wang Man‐Qun
Published: April 2021

Chemosensory proteins (CSPs) have great contributions in performing diverse functions in insects. However, physiological appraisal of chemosensory protein genes still remains elusive in insects. We studied expression patterns and binding affinities of MsepCSP14, a chemosensory protein, in Mythimna separata. The distinct functions of MsepCSP14 were validated by employing different molecular techniques. The MsepCSP14 had high resemblance of sequence with chemosensory proteins of other insect family members. The MsepCSP14 expression was higher in antennal tissues of females than other tissues. Fluorescence binding assay validated that binding of nine out of 21 ligands to MsepCSP14 was higher at pH 7.4 than at pH 5.0. Three dimensional modeling (3D) and docking analysis predicted that amino acid residues of MsepCSP14 were involved in binding of compounds, and behavior assay displayed that adults of M. separata considerably responded to four volatiles from compounds demonstrating strong binding ability to MsepCSP14. Results of the present study suggest that MsepCSP14 is likely to mediate chemosensory functions in M. separata.
Antioxidant and functional properties of cowhide collagen peptides
Authors: Xie Zhike , Wang Xuguang , Yu Shuyan , He Ming , Yu Shaoxuan , Xiao Haifang , Song Yuanda
Published: April 2021

In the present study, antioxidant activities and functional properties of cowhide collagen antioxidant peptides (CCAPs) with different molecular weight (MW) were investigated. The optimum preparation conditions of CCAPs were hydrolysis time of 1.53 hr, temperature of 54.9 °C, pH 7.38, and neutral enzyme to trypsin ratio of 0.048 g: 0.016 g according to single factor test and response surface methodology (RSM). Three fractions (CCAP‐I, CCAP‐II, and CCAP‐III) were obtained by ultrafiltration and lyophilization. Antioxidant activities revealed that CCAP‐III had high reducing power activity (0.323 ± 0.035) and scavenging effect on 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals (64.30 ± 5.99%), 2,2‐azino‐bis‐(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline)‐6‐sulfonic acid (ABTS) radicals (75.25 ± 3.14%), and hydroxyl radicals (68.26 ± 6.74%) compared to the other fractions. In addition, LC‐MS/MS analysis showed that Ala‐Gly‐Glu‐Arg, Gly‐Ile‐Ala‐Gly‐Glu‐Arg, Gly‐Pro‐Ala‐Gly‐Pro‐Ala‐Gly‐Pro‐Arg, Gly‐Val‐Val‐Gly‐Pro‐Glu‐Gly‐Ala‐Arg and Gly‐Phe‐Ser‐Gly‐Leu‐Asp‐Gly‐Ala‐Lys were the major peptides of CCAP‐III. CCAP‐III showed good hygroscopicity (HYG), water holding capacity (WHC), and oil holding capacity (OHC) when compared with CCAP‐I and CCAP‐II. However, CCAP‐II has great emulsifying properties, and CCAP‐I has excellent foaming properties. Therefore, CCAPs can be used as a promising source of functional peptides with antioxidant properties.

Practical Application

This study demonstrated the peptides of cowhide collagen has superior antioxidant and functional properties. This study provided a scientific basis for the preparation of antioxidant peptides from cowhide collagen.
Characterization and quantification of bioactive compounds from Ilex paraguariensis residue by HPLC‐ESI‐QTOF‐MS from plants cultivated under different cultivation systems
Authors: Lorini Alexandre , Damin Fernanda Mateus , de Oliveira Diogo Noin , Crizel Rosane Lopes , Godoy Helena Teixeira , Galli Vanessa , Meinhart Adriana Dillenburg
Published: April 2021

Ilex paraguariensis is a perennial plant used in the production of mate tea, “chimarrão” and “tererê,” cosmetics, and other food products. Its leaves are harvested every 12 or 18 months. Approximately 2 to 5 tons of residue are generated per hectare during the harvest. The bioactive composition of this residue has not been characterized to date. Therefore, this paper presents for the first time, the simultaneous characterization of the bioactive compounds of the leaves, thin branches, and thick branches (residue) from I. paraguariensis grown under two cultivation systems: “full sun” and “shaded.” The identification and quantification of the compounds was performed using high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionisation and quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometer (HPLC‐ESI‐QTOF‐MS). Consequently, 35 compounds were identified. The average dry weight of phenolic compounds in the residue was 4.1 g/100 g, whereas that in the bark of the residue was 12.9 g/100 g, which was similar to the content found in leaves. The same compounds were identified in the two cultivation systems but with a difference in their contents. While the “full sun” cultivation had a higher content of phenolic acids, the “shaded” cultivation had a higher content of flavonoids and saponins. It was found that the I. paraguariensis residue, particularly the bark, is rich in bioactive compounds, such as quinic, 3‐caffeoylquinic, 5‐cafefoylquinic, 3,5‐dicaffeoylquinic, and 4,5‐dicaffeoylquinic acids as well as rutin, and their contents vary according to the cultivation system. Therefore, this residue is an underutilized natural resource with a potential for industrial applications.

Practical Application

Yerba mate producers will be able to choose the best cultivation system (“full sun” or “shaded”) to increase the content of bioactive compounds.

New products may be developed with yerba mate residue due to its high concentration of compounds that are beneficial to the human health.

New destinations may be applied to yerba mate residue from the harvest pruning, adding commercial value to this unexplored natural resource.
Impact of encapsulating probiotics with cocoa powder on the viability of probiotics during chocolate processing, storage, and in vitro gastrointestinal digestion
Authors: Hossain Md Nur , Ranadheera Chaminda Senaka , Fang Zhongxiang , Ajlouni Said
Published: April 2021

Chocolates can be formulated as a functional food via enrichment with probiotics. However, the added probiotics must overcome the challenges of processing and storage conditions and the harsh gastrointestinal environment. The study aimed to overcome these challenges using two different formulations of cocoa powder as alternative encapsulants along with Na‐alginate (A1) and Na‐alginate and fructooligosaccharides (A2). Seven different probiotic strains were encapsulated individually using the new formulations and viabilities of these encapsulated probiotics were assessed prior to and after they were added to chocolates. The highest achieved encapsulation efficiencies were 93.40% for formulation A1 (with Lactobacillus casei) and 95.36% for formulation A2 (with Lactobacillus acidophilus La5). The encapsulated probiotics with the new formulations maintained higher viability than the recommended therapeutic level (107 colony forming unit [CFU]/g) for up to 180 and 120 days of storage at 4 and 25 °C, respectively. The tested encapsulants improved probiotics survival when subjected to thermal stress and maintained about 9.0 Logs CFU/g at 60 °C. Additionally, the viable numbers of probiotics in fortified chocolates showed higher than 7 Logs CFU/g after 90 days of storage at 25 °C. Both formulations exhibited significantly (P < 0.05) high survivability of probiotics (8.0 Logs CFU/g) during the in vitro gastrointestinal digestion. This study demonstrated that cocoa powder along with Na‐alginate and FOS has the potential to be used as a probiotic encapsulating material, and chocolates could be an excellent carrier for the development of healthy probiotic chocolate products.

Practical Application

The introduction of cocoa powder as an effective encapsulating agent to deliver probiotics could help the chocolate industry to develop healthy and attractive functional snacks for health‐conscious consumers.
The shape of gambling risk‐curves for frequency, expenditure and proportion of income in Australia
Authors: Greenwood Christopher J. , Youssef George J. , Merkouris Stephanie S. , Dowling Nicki A.
Published: April 2021

Background and aim

Examining risk‐curves is important to understanding the degree to which indices of gambling consumption are associated with gambling‐related harm. Risk‐curves have largely been described as J‐shaped, suggesting that at low levels of consumption harm remain constant but then increase sharply at a certain threshold. Alternative methods in recent work, however, have described risk‐curves as linear and R‐shaped, indicating that risk of harm increases as consumption increases at all levels of consumption. The aim of the current study is to estimate the shape of gambling risk‐curves using competing methods.

Design

Systematic comparison of gambling risk‐curves using categorical (via plots) and continuous (via bootstrapped regression analyses) operationalizations of gambling consumption.

Setting and participants

Data were 2873 gamblers (1417 women) from the fourth Social and Economic Impact Study of Gambling in Tasmania.

Measurements

Gambling‐related harm was assessed using the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) and Short Gambling Harm Screen (SGHS). Gambling consumption was assessed as annual frequency, expenditure and expenditure as a proportion of income.

Findings

Categorical gambling consumption data plotted with equal magnitudes evidenced J‐shaped risk‐curves. When the magnitude of gambling categories was re‐scaled to the mid‐points, risk‐curves no longer appeared J‐shaped. Additionally, bootstrapped regression analyses using the continuous gambling consumption data did not provide evidence for J‐shaped risk‐curves.

Conclusions

Gambling risk‐curves in Tasmania appear not to be J‐shaped, but rather suggest that risk of gambling‐related harm increases with even small increases in gambling consumption.
Surface temperature and shrub cover drive ground beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) assemblages in short‐rotation coppices
Authors: Kriegel Peter , Fritze Michael‐Andreas , Thorn Simon
Published: April 2021

Increasing demand for biomass has led to an on‐going intensification of fuel wood plantations with possible negative effects on open land biodiversity. Hence, ecologists increasingly call for measures that reduce those negative effects on associated biodiversity. However, our knowledge about the efficiency of such measures remains scarce.

We investigated the effects of gap implementation in short rotation coppices (SRCs) on carabid diversity and assemblage composition over 3 years, with pitfall traps in gaps, edges and interiors. In parallel, we quantified soil surface temperature, shrub‐ and herb cover.

Edges had the highest number of species and abundances per trap, whereas rarefied species richness was significantly lower in short rotation coppice interiors than in other habitat types. Carabid community composition differed significantly between habitat types. The main environmental drivers were temperature for number of species and abundance and shrub cover for rarefied species richness.

We found significantly higher rarefied species richness in gaps compared with interiors. Hence, we argue that gap implementation benefits overall diversity in short rotation coppices. Furthermore, the differences in species community composition between habitat types through increased species turnover support carabid diversity in short rotation coppices. These positive effects were largely attributed to microclimate conditions. However, to maintain positive effects, continuous management of herb layer might be necessary.
Effectiveness of stress control large group psychoeducation for anxiety and depression: Systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Dolan Neil , Simmonds‐Buckley Melanie , Kellett Stephen , Siddell Elizabeth , Delgadillo Jaime
Published: April 2021

Objectives

This review sought to evaluate the effectiveness of the ‘Stress Control’ (SC) large psychoeducational 6‐session group programme developed to increase access to treatment for patients with anxiety and depression.

Design

Systematic review and meta‐analysis (Prospero registration: CRD42020173676).

Methods

Pre–post and post‐treatment follow‐up effect sizes were extracted and synthesized in a random effects meta‐analysis, and variations in effect sizes were investigated via moderator analyses. Secondary analyses synthesized between‐group effect sizes from controlled studies containing comparator treatments and calculated the average dropout rate. The quality of the meta‐analysis was assessed using the GRADE approach.

Results

Nineteen studies with pre–post treatment outcomes were included. The average group size was N = 39, and the average dropout rate was 34%. Pooled effect sizes indicated moderate pre–post treatment reductions in anxiety (ES = 0.58; CI 0.41 to 0.75; N = 5597; Z = 7.13; p < .001), moderate reductions in depression (ES = 0.62; CI 0.44 to 0.80; N = 5538, Z = 7.30; p < .001), and large reductions in global distress (ES = 0.86; CI 0.61 to 1.11; N = 591; Z = 7.41; p < .001). At follow‐up, improvements in anxiety, depression, and global distress were maintained. When SC was compared to active and passive controls, outcomes were equivalent for anxiety (ES = 0.12, 95% CI −0.25 to 0.49, Z = −0.70; p = .482) and depression (ES = 0.15, 95% CI −0.24 to 0.54, Z = 0.84; p = .401).

Conclusions

SC appears to be a clinically effective and durable low‐intensity group intervention that facilitates access to treatment for large patient numbers. However, conclusions are limited by the low methodological quality of the evidence.

Practitioner points

The stress control version of large group psychoeducation is appropriate and effective for mild‐to‐moderate anxiety and depression

The evidence base for stress control is predominantly made up of practice‐based studies

Stress control needs to form one component of the overall offer made to patients presenting with mild‐to‐moderate anxiety and depression

The competencies required to deliver such groups need better specification
Evolution of physical activity habits after a context change: The case of COVID‐19 lockdown
Authors: Maltagliati Silvio , Rebar Amanda , Fessler Layan , Forestier Cyril , Sarrazin Philippe , Chalabaev Aïna , Sander David , Sivaramakrishnan Hasmini , Orsholits Dan , Boisgontier Matthieu P. , Ntoumanis Nikos , Gardner Benjamin , Cheval Boris
Published: April 2021

Objective

Habits, defined as well‐learned associations between cues and behaviours, are essential for health‐related behaviours, including physical activity (PA). Despite the sensitivity of habits to context changes, little remains known about the influence of a context change on the interplay between PA habits and behaviours. We investigated the evolution of PA habits amidst the spring COVID‐19 lockdown, a major context change. Moreover, we examined the association of PA behaviours and autonomous motivation with this evolution.

Design

Three‐wave observational longitudinal design.

Methods

PA habits, behaviours, and autonomous motivation were collected through online surveys in 283 French and Swiss participants. Variables were self‐reported with reference to three time‐points: before‐, mid‐, and end‐lockdown.

Results

Mixed effect modelling revealed a decrease in PA habits from before‐ to mid‐lockdown, especially among individuals with strong before‐lockdown habits. Path analysis showed that before‐lockdown PA habits were not associated with mid‐lockdown PA behaviours (β = −.02, p = .837), while mid‐lockdown PA habits were positively related to end‐lockdown PA behaviours (β = .23, p = .021). Autonomous motivation was directly associated with PA habits (ps < .001) and withto before‐ and mid‐lockdown PA behaviours (ps < .001) (but not with end‐lockdown PA behaviours) and did not moderate the relations between PA behaviours and habits (ps > .072).

Conclusion

PA habits were altered, and their influence on PA behaviours was impeded during the COVID‐19 lockdown. Engagement in PA behaviours and autonomous motivation helped in counteracting PA habits disruption.
Moments of weaknesses – exploiting vulnerabilities between germination and encystment in the Phytomyxea
Authors: Amponsah Jonathan , Tegg Robert S. , Thangavel Tamilarasan , Wilson Calum R.
Published: April 2021

Attempts at management of diseases caused by protozoan plant parasitic Phytomyxea have often been ineffective. The dormant life stage is characterised by long‐lived highly robust resting spores that are largely impervious to chemical treatment and environmental stress. This review explores some life stage weaknesses and highlights possible control measures associated with resting spore germination and zoospore taxis. With phytomyxid pathogens of agricultural importance, zoospore release from resting spores is stimulated by plant root exudates. On germination, the zoospores are attracted to host roots by chemoattractant components of root exudates. Both the relatively metabolically inactive resting spore and motile zoospore need to sense the chemical environment to determine the suitability of these germination stimulants or attractants respectively, before they can initiate an appropriate response. Blocking such sensing could inhibit resting spore germination or zoospore taxis. Conversely, the short life span and the vulnerability of zoospores to the environment require them to infect their host within a few hours after release. Identifying a mechanism or conditions that could synchronise resting spore germination in the absence of host plants could lead to diminished pathogen populations in the field.
Induction chemotherapy followed by intensity‐modulated radiotherapy versus concurrent chemoradiotherapy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma: A retrospective analysis
Authors: He Yan , Zhao Zhihao , Wang Ying , He Jialing , Chai Jiamin , Wei Zhigong , Guan Hui , Wang Jingjing , Liu Zheran , Li Ruidan , Mu Xiaoli , He Ling , Peng Xingchen
Published: April 2021

Objectives

The optimal treatment strategy of combining systemic chemotherapy and radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is controversial. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and toxicities of induction chemotherapy followed by intensity‐modulated radiotherapy (IC‐RT) versus concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) in NPC.

Methods

Of 448 stage II‐IVb NPC patients treated with IC‐RT or CCRT were retrospectively analysed. The primary outcome was overall survival, which was analysed by using Kaplan‐Meier curves and log‐rank (Mantel‐Cox) test.

Results

The median follow‐up was 66 months (interquartile range, 46‐84 months). There was no statistically significant difference in the estimated 5‐year overall survival (OS), progression‐free survival (PFS), distance metastasis‐free survival (DMFS) and locoregional relapse‐free survival (LRFS) between IC‐RT group and CCRT group (OS: 89.5% vs 91.7%, P = .568; PFS: 85.2% vs 87.5%, P = .615; DMFS: 90.9% vs 91.7%, P = .847; LRFS: 92.0% vs 96.9%, P = .104). In the multivariate analysis, the treatment group (IC‐RT vs CCRT) was not an independent prognostic factor for OS, PFS, DMFS and LRFS. Less advanced tumour stage and lymph node stage were predictive of higher OS. EBV‐DNA level was an independent prognostic factor that was only significantly associated with LRFS.

Conclusions

IC‐RT achieves similar survival outcomes and treatment‐related toxicities as CCRT in OS, PFS, DMFS and LRFS for patients with NPC. We need multicentre randomised controlled trials to reconfirm our data.
COVID‐19 and protected areas: Impacts, conflicts, and possible management solutions
Authors: Jones Nikoleta , McGinlay James , Jones Angela , Malesios Chrisovalantis , Holtvoeth Jens , Dimitrakopoulos Panayiotis G. , Gkoumas Vassilis , Kontoleon Andreas
Published: April 2021

During the first wave of the COVID‐19 pandemic, management authorities of numerous Protected Areas (PAs) had to discourage visitors from accessing them in order to reduce the virus transmission rate and protect local communities. This resulted in social–ecological impacts and added another layer of complexity to managing PAs. This paper presents the results of a survey in Snowdonia National Park capturing the views of over 700 local residents on the impacts of COVID‐19 restrictions and possible scenarios and tools for managing tourist numbers. Lower visitor numbers were seen in a broadly positive way by a significant number of respondents while benefit sharing issues from tourism also emerged. Most preferred options to manage overcrowding were restricting access to certain paths, the development of mobile applications to alert people to overcrowding and reporting irresponsible behavior. Our findings are useful for PA managers and local communities currently developing post‐COVID‐19 recovery strategies.