bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Attributes of young adults’ favorite retail shops: a qualitative study
Authors: Chan Kara , Li Qiqi
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the common attributes of brick-and-mortar retail shops liked by young adults in the digitalized retail context. The 7Ps of the marketing mix were used as a framework to shed insights for marketing strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative study using personal interviews was designed. A convenience sample of 24 young adults from 20 to 22 years of age was asked to take photos, showing the exterior and interior of their favorite shop in Hong Kong. They were interviewed face to face to explain why they like these shops. Other information about the shopping context, including frequency of visits and whether shopping alone or with friends, was collected.

Findings

The favorite shops of young adults are clothing retailers and stores for snacks. Attributes of favorite shops include stylish product design, variety of choices, cozy physical environment, technology-assisted shopping process and customer-friendly return policy. Young adults seek taste and artistic presentation in consumption. Self-expression and social communication of consumption play a major role in retail brand love.

Research limitations/implications

The sample size of this study was small and may not be generalizable to populations of different socioeconomic status. A quantitative survey can be conducted to further examine the topic.

Practical implications

This study deepens the understanding of how young adults perceive product, store and process attributes of shops that are related to retail brand love. Tangible qualities such as product and physical space played a more important role than intangible attributes such as friendly frontline or sales staff. The results imply that retailers need to pay attention to a shop’s product offering, interior design, as well as develop a seamless integration of online and offline shopping processes to engage customers.

Originality/value

There are very few studies of young consumers and retail brand love using qualitative methods. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of young consumers’ perception of the retail stores that they love in the digitalized retail landscape.
Genomic reaction norms inform predictions of plastic and adaptive responses to climate change
Authors: Oomen Rebekah A. , Hutchings Jeffrey A.
Published: April 2022

Genomic reaction norms represent the range of gene expression phenotypes (usually mRNA transcript levels) expressed by a genotype along an environmental gradient. Reaction norms derived from common‐garden experiments are powerful approaches for disentangling plastic and adaptive responses to environmental change in natural populations. By treating gene expression as a phenotype in itself, genomic reaction norms represent invaluable tools for exploring causal mechanisms underlying organismal responses to climate change across multiple levels of biodiversity.

Our goal is to provide the context, framework and motivation for applying genomic reaction norms to study the responses of natural populations to climate change.

Here, we describe the utility of integrating genomics with common‐garden‐gradient experiments under a reaction norm analytical framework to answer fundamental questions about phenotypic plasticity, local adaptation, their interaction (i.e. genetic variation in plasticity) and future adaptive potential.

An experimental and analytical framework for constructing and analysing genomic reaction norms is presented within the context of polygenic climate change responses of structured populations with gene flow. Intended for a broad eco‐evo readership, we first briefly review adaptation with gene flow and the importance of understanding the genomic basis and spatial scale of adaptation for conservation and management of structured populations under anthropogenic change. Then, within a high‐dimensional reaction norm framework, we illustrate how to distinguish plastic, differentially expressed (difference in reaction norm intercepts) and differentially plastic (difference in reaction norm slopes) genes, highlighting the areas of opportunity for applying these concepts.

We conclude by discussing how genomic reaction norms can be incorporated into a holistic framework to understand the eco‐evolutionary dynamics of climate change responses from molecules to ecosystems. We aim to inspire researchers to integrate gene expression measurements into common‐garden experimental designs to investigate the genomics of climate change responses as sequencing costs become increasingly accessible.
Biogeochemical and ecosystem properties in three adjacent semi‐arid grasslands are resistant to nitrogen deposition but sensitive to edaphic variability
Authors: Osborne Brooke B. , Roybal Carla M. , Reibold Robin , Collier Christopher D. , Geiger Erika , Phillips Michala L. , Weintraub Michael N. , Reed Sasha C.
Published: April 2022

Drylands have low nitrogen stocks and are predicted to be sensitive to modest increases in reactive nitrogen availability, but direct evidence that atmospheric nitrogen deposition will have sustained effects on dryland ecosystems is sparse and conflicting.

We used three long‐running in situ nitrogen deposition simulation experiments and a complementary laboratory incubation experiment to address fundamental questions about how nitrogen inputs affect drylands: (1) What are the long‐ and short‐term consequences of nitrogen inputs for biogeochemical and ecosystem properties?; (2) Do these consequences depend on soil moisture availability?; and (3) Does soil texture modify the effects of nitrogen inputs and/or soil moisture availability?

In 2011, we established three study sites along a soil texture gradient in Arches National Park with plots receiving 0, 2, 5 or 8 kg N ha−1annually (n = 5 per treatment per site). We assessed a suite of biogeochemical metrics over the long term and short term. To assess longer term effects, we sampled annually (2013–2019), just prior to spring nitrogen fertilization. To assess short‐term effects, we sampled immediately before and after spring nitrogen fertilization in 2013. Additionally, we compared foliar chemistry, soil extracellular enzyme activities, heterotrophic respiration rates, and nitrogen trace gas fluxes at select intervals during the study period (2011–2019). Finally, we conducted a laboratory incubation to measure the individual and interacting effects of soil moisture and nitrogen additions on soil microbial activity.

We identified some short‐term effects in situ, but no lasting consequences of added nitrogen for any of the metrics measured. In the incubation, soil moisture treatments independently increased heterotrophic respiration rates but did not modify the effects of added nitrogen. In contrast to nitrogen treatments, soil texture was associated with large differences in biogeochemical cycling.

Our results oppose the common prediction that coupled dryland biogeochemical cycles are sensitive to nitrogen inputs and suggest that fine‐scale edaphic heterogeneity is a key driver of dryland ecosystem properties.

Synthesis. This study synthesizes a rare, long‐term dataset, which provides robust evidence that carbon and nutrient cycling and availability are resistant to realistic levels of atmospheric nitrogen deposition in remote dryland ecosystems.
Disparities in geographic access to medical oncologists
Authors: Muluk Sruthi , Sabik Lindsay , Chen Qingwen , Jacobs Bruce , Sun Zhaojun , Drake Coleman
Published: April 2022

Objective

The objective of this study is to identify disparities in geographic access to medical oncologists at the time of diagnosis.

Data Sources/Study Setting

2014–2016 Pennsylvania Cancer Registry (PCR), 2019 CMS Base Provider Enrollment File (BPEF), 2018 CMS Physician Compare, 2010 Rural‐Urban Commuting Area Codes (RUCA), and 2015 Area Deprivation Index (ADI).

Study Design

Spatial regressions were used to estimate associations between geographic access to medical oncologists, measured with an enhanced two‐step floating catchment area measure, and demographic characteristics.

Data Collection/Extraction Methods

Medical oncologists were identified in the 2019 CMS BPEF and merged with the 2018 CMS Physician Compare. Provider addresses were converted to longitude‐latitude using OpenCage Geocoder. Newly diagnosed cancer patients in each census tract were identified in the 2014–2016 PCR. Census tracts were classified based on rurality and socioeconomic status using the 2010 RUCA Codes and the 2015 ADI.

Principal Findings

Large towns and rural areas were associated with spatial access ratios (SPARs) that were 6.29 lower (95% CI −16.14 to 3.57) and 14.76 lower (95% CI −25.14 to −4.37) respectively relative to urban areas. Being in the fourth ADI quartile (highest disadvantage) was associated with a 12.41 lower SPAR (95% CI −19.50 to −5.33) relative to the first quartile. The observed difference in a census tract's non‐White population from the 25th (1.3%) to the 75th percentile (13.7%) was associated with a 13.64 higher SPAR (Coefficient = 1.10, 95% CI 11.89 to 15.29;p < 0.01), roughly equivalent to the disadvantage associated with living in the fourth ADI quartile, where non‐White populations are concentrated.

Conclusions

Rurality and low socioeconomic status were associated with lower geographic access to oncologists. The negative association between area deprivation and geographic access is of similar magnitude to the positive association between larger non‐White populations and access. Policies aimed at increasing geographic access to care should be cognizant of both rurality and socioeconomic status.
First rib fracture: Still a marker of trauma severity?
Authors: Flaaten Nordan , Dyke Garry
Published: April 2022

Objective

First rib fractures (FRFs) have historically been a marker for severe trauma and poor outcomes. The aim of the present study was to assess whether an association still exists between a fractured first rib and global trauma scores suffered by the patient, examine mortality rates and identify other commonly associated injuries.

Methods

This retrospective study examined records collected from patients from the Rockhampton Hospital with a traumatic FRF from July 2015 to June 2020. Patient demographics, mortality rate and injuries sustained were compiled. The Injury Severity Score (ISS) was utilised and calculated for each patient. Analysis was conducted to determine associations between trauma scores and FRFs.

Results

In total, 545 patients had a rib fracture with 48 patients identified as having an FRF. Median age was 50 years. Thirty‐seven (77%) were male. The most common mechanism of FRF was motor vehicle/motorbike accidents (71%). Fifty percent of patients with an observed FRF had the highest global ISS of very severe, with 13% severe, 22% moderate and 15% mild. No patients died from their injuries. Of those with an FRF, 79% experienced fractures other than ribs, 75% had other rib fractures and 52% had chest injuries.

Conclusions

A larger than expected proportion of FRFs were not associated with severe trauma scores or high mortality. These findings suggest that patients with an FRF may have a greater chance of surviving their traumatic FRF than previously reported. Clinicians should be aware of the potential for severity and specific associated injuries when treating a patient with FRFs.
The growth‐survival trade‐off is hard‐wired in the Lactococcus lactis gene regulation network
Authors: Ercan Onur , den Besten Heidy M. W. , Smid Eddy J. , Kleerebezem Michiel
Published: April 2022

Most microbes reside in oligotrophic environments for extended periods of time, requiring survival strategies that maintain proliferative capacity. We demonstrate that the non‐spore‐forming Lactococcus lactis KF147 progressively activates the expression of stress‐associated functions in response to the declining growth rate elicited by prolonged retentostat cultivation, which coincides with up to 104‐fold increased stress tolerance. Our findings provide a quantified view of the transcription and stress‐tolerance adaptations underlying the growth‐survival trade‐off in L. lactis, and exemplify the hard‐wiring of this trade‐off in the lactococcal gene regulation network.
A Canadian Response to the Pursuit of Global Sustainability Reporting Standards*
Authors: Elkins Hamilton , Entwistle Gary
Published: April 2022

As business, government, and society continue to emphasize the importance of sustainability—both of individual organizations and of the natural world—accounting standard‐setting bodies want to be part of the process. In September 2020, in response to “urgent and growing demand” for more “consistent and comparable” sustainability reporting, the IFRS Foundation (the Foundation) released for comment a Consultation Paper on Sustainability Reporting. In the paper, the Foundation proposed the creation of a Sustainability Standards Board (SSB), which it would oversee alongside the IASB. The SSB would become, de facto, the global sustainability reporting standard setter. The Foundation received 577 responses to its proposal. These responses came from around the world and from a wide range of stakeholders. Thirty‐eight of the responses came from Canada. This study profiles the Canadian responses, contrasting them with the wider set of worldwide responses. Some uniquely Canadian features include user responses from a large number of pension funds and preparer responses solely from the energy sector. There was also a significant response from the Canadian accounting community, including from the full set of Canadian standard‐setting organizations. Five auditors general also responded. Overall, Canadian respondents supported both globalized sustainability reporting standards and the Foundation's creation of the SSB. This support aligns Canada's response with the worldwide response.
Commensalistic epiphyte–phorophyte networks in woody vegetation of tropical inselbergs: Patterns of organization and structure
Authors: Couto Dayvid Rodrigues , Francisco Talitha Mayumi , Nascimento Marcelo Trindade
Published: April 2022

The properties of ecological networks help to understand the patterns of commensal interactions between epiphytes and phorophytes as well as the importance of each species in the structure of the interactions in the community. Consequently, understanding how these interactions occur is extremely important, especially on inselbergs, one of the most threatened ecosystems in the world. In this study, we used connectivity, specialization, nestedness and robustness to investigate the horizontal structure and modularity of the vertical structure in the epiphyte–phorophyte networks in woody vegetation on two inselbergs in the Atlantic Forest in south‐eastern Brazil. We found 113 phorophyte individuals in 13 species interacting with 4412 epiphyte individuals in 30 species, with a predominance of bromeliads, orchids and cactus. The networks had a nested horizontal structure, poor connectivity and low specialization. Using a modelling approach, these systems had low robustness when the phorophytes with more interactions were eliminated, being a fragile system in regard to local species loss, with 67% of the species restricted to Pseudobombax, a generalist phorophyte. There was little vertical modularity since many species of epiphytes were found in two or more modules, that we used to describe the vertical phorophyte zones. Highest species richness was found in the lower crown and on surface roots (mainly accidental epiphytes) while abundance had a different pattern, being highest in the upper crown, especially for the bromeliad Tillandsia loliacea. Our results suggest that both size (measured as DBH) as well as the species of phorophyte are important factors in the structuring of epiphyte–phorophyte networks on neotropical inselbergs woody vegetation.
Sociodemographic characteristics and social exclusion among the oldest old
Authors: Paine Naomi , Rachele Jerome N. , Turrell Gavin
Published: April 2022

Objectives

The socioeconomically disadvantaged oldest old (people aged 85 years and over) are more vulnerable to social exclusion than the general population. Using a population representative sample, this paper examined associations between sociodemographic characteristics and social exclusion among the oldest old.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study included 307 participants aged 85 years and over from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey. Sociodemographic characteristics were measured using household composition, country of birth, housing tenure, income, education and neighbourhood‐level disadvantage. Three social exclusion domains were derived representing unsupportive relationships, neighbourhood exclusion and community disengagement. Analysis was undertaken separately for men and women.

Results

Among men, living alone was associated with higher levels of unsupportive relationships (β = 11.6, 95%CI 2.1, 21.0) and having a lower income was associated with lower levels of neighbourhood disunity (β = −16.7, 95%CI −31.2, −2.2). Among women, living alone was associated with lower levels of community disengagement (β = −7.2, 95%CI −13.4, −0.9) and neighbourhood disadvantage was associated with lower levels of neighbourhood disunity (β = −10.4, 95%CI −19.6, −1.2). Both men and women with lower levels of education had higher levels of community disengagement (men: β = 8.3, 95%CI 1.9, 14.7; women: β = 17.0, 95%CI 8.6, 25.5).

Conclusions

This study showed few and unexpected associations between sociodemographic characteristics and social exclusion among oldest‐old Australians, suggesting a homogeneous effect of advancing age. Government approaches aimed at reducing social exclusion in this age group should consider gender and taking action across all socioeconomic stratification. Further research is warranted to understand the underlying mechanisms linking sociodemographic characteristics to social exclusion.
Management of bacterial infections in young infants in Ethiopia: Facility preparedness, health workers’ knowledge and quality of care
Authors: Getahun Tigist , Azale Telake , Alemayehu Mekuriaw , Yitayal Mezgebu , Persson Lars Åke , Berhanu Della
Published: April 2022

Aim

We assessed primary care facility preparedness, health workers’ knowledge and their classification and treatment of possible serious bacterial infection and local bacterial infection in young infants aged 0–59 days.

Method

A cross‐sectional survey was conducted in four regions of Ethiopia, including 169 health posts with 276 health extension workers and 155 health centres with 175 staff. Registers of 1058 sick young infants were reviewed.

Result

Antibiotics to treat possible serious bacterial infection were available in 71% of the health centres and 38% of the health posts. Nine of ten health extension workers and eight of ten health centre staff mentioned at least one sign of possible serious bacterial infection and local bacterial infection. Among the registered cases with signs of bacterial infections, the health extension workers classified 49% as having a possible serious bacterial infection and 88% as local bacterial infection. The health centre staff classified 25% as possible serious bacterial infections and 86% as local bacterial infections. One‐fourth (26%) of possible serious bacterial infection received the recommended treatment at health posts and 35% at health centres.

Conclusion

Many health posts lacked antibiotics. The classification and treatment of possible serious bacterial infection did not follow guidelines. The lack of medicines and poor adherence compromise the quality of care.
Aspergilloma complicating previous COVID‐19 pneumonitis – a case report
Authors: Banke Gry , Kjeldgaard Peter , Shaker Saher Burhan , Sivapalan Pradeesh , Søholm Jacob , Back Holmgaard Dennis , Thyssen Astvad Karen Marie , Bangsborg Jette , Brun Andersen Michael , Bonnesen Barbara
Published: April 2022

Aspergillomas are found in pre‐existing cavities in pulmonary parenchyma. To the best of our knowledge, aspergilloma has not previously been reported in COVID‐19‐associated pulmonary architecture distortion combined with barotrauma from invasive mechanical ventilation therapy. We present a case of a 67‐year‐old woman, who suffered from severe COVID‐19 in the summer of 2020 with no suspicion of infection with Aspergillus in the acute phase. Ten months after discharge from her COVID‐related admission, she developed bilateral aspergillomas diagnosed by image diagnostics, bronchoscopy, and blood samples, and she now receives antifungal therapy. We would like to raise awareness on aspergilloma in post‐COVID‐19 patients, since it is an expected long‐term complication to COVID‐19 patients with pulmonary architectural distortion.
Interactions between color and intensity of LED light on growth performance, serum biochemical profile, immune response variable, and nutrient apparent utilization in broiler chicken
Authors: Tan Zichao , Sun Jinling , Liu Xiaodong , Liu Jie , Wang Shubai
Published: April 2022

This study investigated the effects of light‐emitting diode (LED) color and intensity of broilers. One‐day‐old Cobb‐500 broilers (n = 648) were fed nine groups with six replicates; three light colors (white, blue, & green) and intensities (for 1 to 7 days, viz., 20, 40, and 60 lx; for 8 to 42 days, viz., 5, 10, and 15 lx) were applied. Test lasted for 42 days. Results indicated that compared with blue light, 60‐lx white light for 1 to 7 days increased the average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) of broilers (p < 0.01). In the 10‐lx light groups, the levels of interleukin‐2 (IL‐2) and the concentrations of albumin (ALB) (p < 0.05) increased. Moreover, the nutrient apparent utilization for ether extract (EE) under 10‐lx green light was higher than that under 15‐lx blue light (p < 0.01). The interaction effects of light intensity and light color had an extremely significant influence on the ADG for 1 to 7 days, IL‐2 level, ALB content, and EE apparent utilization rate (p < 0.01) and had a significant influence on the ADFI and F/G for 1 to 7 days (p < 0.05). The production performance of broilers reared in three‐layer cage could be improved by using 60‐lx white LED light for 1 to 7 days and 5‐ to 10‐lx green LED light or 10‐lx white LED light for 8 to 42 days.
Diaphragmatic plication among lung transplant patients: A single‐center experience
Authors: Lawrence Adrian , Lovin Dylan , Mohanka Manish R. , Joerns John , Bollineni Srinivas , Kaza Vaidehi , Torres Fernando , Murala John , Peltz Matthias , Wait Michael A. , Banga Amit
Published: April 2022

Background

There is lack of data reporting outcomes among patients needing diaphragmatic plication (DP) during or after lung transplantation (LT). We sought to assess the association of DP with post‐transplant spirometry among other outcomes.

Methods

We included all patients who underwent LT between 2012 and 2016 (n = 324, mean age 56.3±13.4 years; M:F 198:126). We compared early and late outcomes based on the need for DP.

Results

The frequency of diaphragmatic dysfunction (DD) on pre‐transplant fluoroscopy was 52.2%. A total of 38 DP procedures were performed among 37 patients (11.4% of LT patients). DP was done for anatomic (sizing or spacing issues) or functional indications (symptomatic DD). While patients with DP had significantly lower spirometry throughout the 3‐year follow‐up period, their slope of decline, functional assessments at the first annual visit, the risk of CLAD, and mortality were similar to patients without DP. A sub‐group analysis limited to patients with restrictive lung diseases as the transplant indication had similar findings.

Conclusions

Pre‐transplant DD is common among LT candidates although it did not predict the need for DP. DP may be performed for functional or anatomic indications especially for addressing the donor‐recipient size mismatch. Despite the lack of favorable effect on post‐transplant spirometry, patients undergoing DP have acceptable and comparable early and late outcomes.
The spectrum of melanocytic nevi and their clinical implications
Authors: Frischhut Nina , Zelger Bernhard , Andre Fiona , Zelger Bettina Gudrun
Published: April 2022

The magnitude of the topic of melanocytic nevi (MN) is directly related to its relevance in everyday clinical work. The different MN have different prognostic significance in regard to comorbidity and possible risk of transformation. In addition to the criteria of the ABCDE rule, relevant criteria in the assessment of an MN are the time of occurrence, the growth tendency, the distribution and the comparison with other MN of the respective individual.

The present CME article provides an overview of the knowledge that has been gained with regard to the development and genetic background of MN and any risk of degeneration that may exist. In addition, certain clinical and/or dermatoscopic features may provide the clinician with a decision‐making aid in the management of different MNs.
Global patterns of soil gross immobilization of ammonium and nitrate in terrestrial ecosystems
Authors: Elrys Ahmed S. , Chen Zhaoxiong , Wang Jing , Uwiragiye Yves , Helmy Ayman M. , Desoky El‐Sayed M. , Cheng Yi , Zhang Jin‐bo , Cai Zu‐cong , Müller Christoph
Published: April 2022

Microbial nitrogen (N) immobilization, which typically results in soil N retention but based on the balance of gross N immobilization over gross N production, affects the fate of the anthropogenic reactive N. However, global patterns and drivers of soil gross immobilization of ammonium (INH4) and nitrate (INO3) are still only tentatively known. Here, we provide a comprehensive analysis considering gross N production rates, soil properties, and climate and their interactions for a deeper understanding of the patterns and drivers of INH4 and INO3. By compiling and analyzing 1966 observations from 274 15N‐labelled studies, we found a global average of INH4 and INO3 of 7.41 ± 0.72 and 2.03 ± 0.30 mg N kg−1 day−1 with a ratio of INO3 to INH4 (INO3:INH4) of 0.79 ± 0.11. Soil INH4 and INO3 increased with increasing soil gross N mineralization (GNM) and nitrification (GN), microbial biomass, organic carbon, and total N and decreasing soil bulk density. Our analysis revealed that GNM and GN were the main stimulators for INH4 and INO3, respectively. The structural equation modeling showed that higher soil microbial biomass, total N, pH, and precipitation stimulate INH4 and INO3 through enhancing GNM and GN. However, higher temperature and soil bulk density suppress INH4 and INO3 by reducing microbial biomass and total N. Soil INH4 varied with terrestrial ecosystems, being greater in grasslands and forests, which have higher rates of GNM, than in croplands. The highest INO3:INH4 was observed in croplands, which had higher rates of GN. The global average of GN to INH4 was 2.86 ± 0.31, manifesting a high potential risk of N loss. We highlight that anthropogenic activities that influence soil properties and gross N production rates likely interact with future climate changes and land uses to affect soil N immobilization and, eventually, the fate of the anthropogenic reactive N.
Phosphorus addition decreases plant lignin but increases microbial necromass contribution to soil organic carbon in a subalpine forest
Authors: Luo Ruyi , Kuzyakov Yakov , Zhu Biao , Qiang Wei , Zhang Yan , Pang Xueyong
Published: April 2022

Increasing phosphorus (P) inputs induced by anthropogenic activities have increased P availability in soils considerably, with dramatic effects on carbon (C) cycling and storage. However, the underlying mechanisms via which P drives plant and microbial regulation of soil organic C (SOC) formation and stabilization remain unclear, hampering the accurate projection of soil C sequestration under future global change scenarios. Taking the advantage of an 8‐year field experiment with increasing P addition levels in a subalpine forest on the eastern Tibetan Plateau, we explored plant C inputs, soil microbial communities, plant and microbial biomarkers, as well as SOC physical and chemical fractions. We found that continuous P addition reduced fine root biomass, but did not affect total SOC content. P addition decreased plant lignin contribution to SOC, primarily from declined vanillyl‐type phenols, which was coincided with a reduction in methoxyl/N‐alkyl C by 2.1%–5.5%. Despite a decline in lignin decomposition due to suppressed oxidase activity by P addition, the content of lignin‐derived compounds decreased because of low C input from fine roots. In contrast, P addition increased microbial (mainly fungal) necromass and its contribution to SOC due to the slower necromass decomposition under reduced N‐acquisition enzyme activity. The larger microbial necromass contribution to SOC corresponded with a 9.1%–12.4% increase in carbonyl C abundance. Moreover, P addition had no influence on the slow‐cycing mineral‐associated organic C pool, and SOC chemical stability indicated by aliphaticity and recalcitrance indices. Overall, P addition in the subalpine forest over 8 years influenced SOC composition through divergent alterations of plant‐ and microbial‐derived C contributions, but did not shape SOC physical and chemical stability. Such findings may aid in accurately forecasting SOC dynamics and their potential feedbacks to climate change with future scenarios of increasing soil P availability in Earth system models.
The missing subject: Enabling a postcolonial future for climate conflict research
Authors: Siddiqi Ayesha
Published: April 2022

This paper suggests that the dominance of one debate on climate related conflict – establishing whether climate change leads to conflict, or not ‐ is the product of Imperial knowledge produced in the Global North Orientalising the Global South. This debate is also one in which the subdiscipline of political geography has been inadvertently complicit by accepting positivist approaches, that erase the subject and their subjectivities from this discussion, and frame them as science. The argument in this paper problematises the fundamental understanding of ‘climate conflict’, as defined and universalised by Western science in the Western academy. Instead, it argues that the subaltern's lived experience and interpretation of hazards and their relationship with conflicts needs to be located and centred in this conversation – not just as that of a hapless victim but as knowledge producers able to set the agendas and re‐orient the focus of this field. Research examining conflicts around floods and evictions begins to map a new future for how that might be possible.
Vertebrate lies? Arthropods were the first land animals!
Authors: Brookfield Michael E. , Catlos Elizabeth J. , Suarez Stephanie E.
Published: April 2022

In contrast to the ‘propaganda’ of the currently dominant vertebrates (i.e. us), arthropods not amphibians were the first land animals. And like many another great advance, they first appeared in Scotland. The first land animals were ‘millipedes’, which evolved with the first true land plants at the edges of Scottish mountain lakes about 425 Ma. From then on, more elaborate and complex plant‐arthropod land communities evolved incredibly rapidly, and spread to lowland marshes, taking only 40 Myr to reach complex forest grade communities by 385 Ma. We recently dated some of the sediments enclosing these fossils to give a more precise age for the communities, a study still in progress, which indicates that the oldest land animal is a ‘millipede’ from Kerrera, Oban, Scotland.
Classic localities explained 25
Authors: Simms Michael J.
Published: April 2022

Britain's geology is perhaps more diverse than any equivalent area in the world, spans almost 3 billion years, and has been studied for more than two centuries yet, for too long, it seemed that we could find no evidence here for one of the most spectacular events on the Earth—a giant meteorite impact. Perhaps, the only evidence might be localized and easily overlooked, like the thin layer of millimetre‐scale microtektites, once molten beads of rock blasted out by an impact, found near Bristol in 2001. Alas, these proved actually to have originated more than a thousand kilometres from Britain, in the 100 km Manicouagan Crater in eastern Canada. However, just a few years later, a spectacular discovery revealed that a world‐class impact deposit, metres thick and extending for tens of kilometres, had been hiding in plain sight at a location visited by countless geology students and their teachers. For decades, the Assynt region in northwest Scotland has been a training ground for geologists, drawn by the immensely old Lewisian Gneiss, the spectacular hills of Torridon sandstone that overlie it, and the structural complexity of the Moine Thrust Zone. How could this remarkable impact deposit have gone unnoticed for so long?
The impact of ICT on shadow economy in West Africa
Authors: Ajide Folorunsho M. , Dada James T.
Published: April 2022

In accordance with the 2030 UN Sustainable Development Goal 9, this study probes the impact of information and communication technology (ICT) on shadow economy in West Africa. The study is based on 12 countries in the period of 1996–2017. We augment the least‐squares dummy variables with Driscoll and Kraay's (1998) panel spatial correlation consistent (PSCC‐LSDV) to estimate the model, while the instrumental variables based on fixed effects (IV/FE) estimation technique and the novel method of moments quantile regression (MM‐QR) are used for robustness checks. Dumitrescu and Hurlin's (2012) panel causality test is employed to examine the causal direction. The results show that ICT reduces shadow economy in the West African region. In addition, the results of panel causality show that there is a bidirectional relationship between shadow economy and ICT variables in the West African region. This implies the two variables can be used to predict each other. The study concludes ICT can be used to reduce the level of shadow economy in West African countries and the magnitude impact differs across quantiles.
Dark side of skin‐lightening products: Social responsibility of advertisers
Authors: Raj Sahil , Sampat Brinda , Kajla Tanveer , Singh Harpreet
Published: April 2022

The obsession with fair skin in India has prompted the Ministry of Health and Welfare to propose an amendment in the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act of 1954. This amendment proposes to impose a ban on advertisements promoting skin‐fairness products. However, with the proposed amendment, companies have adopted innovative strategies to rebrand their products and shift the spotlight from fair skin to glowing skin. Yet, the underlying message remains the same. The burgeoning growth of skin‐whitening creams in India calls for urgent attention to study the Indian consumers' motivations to purchase these products. The research study utilises self‐determination theory (SDT) to develop a grounded framework. The study results highlighted that intrinsic motivation and the two types of extrinsic motivation, namely, introjected regulation and external regulation, were positively associated with consumer buying behaviour. Surprisingly, attitude has no association with consumer buying behaviour. The results of the first moderator gender suggested that females are under social pressure to look fair for better jobs and marital prospects. The second moderator country of origin revealed that Indian consumers prefer foreign brands compared to Indian brands.
Phase evolution and thermophysical properties of high‐entropy RE2(Y0.2Yb0.2Nb0.2Ta0.2Ce0.2)2O7 oxides
Authors: Xu Liang , Su Lei , Wang Hongjie , Niu Min , Zhuang Lei , Peng Kang , Fan Xingyu , Gao Hongfei , Lu De
Published: April 2022

Pursuing novel thermal barrier–coating materials with lower thermal conductivity and high‐temperature stability can simultaneously improve the working efficiency and service temperature of a gas turbine. In this study, a series of high‐entropy RE2(Y0.2Yb0.2Nb0.2Ta0.2Ce0.2)2O7 (RE = La, Nd, Sm, Gd, Dy, and Er) oxides were prepared though solid‐state reaction. Through tuning the rare‐earth cations, an order–disorder transition occurs from certain partially ordered weberite structure (C2221) to disordered defective fluorite structure (Fmm). All the high‐entropy RE2(Y0.2Yb0.2Nb0.2Ta0.2Ce0.2)2O7 oxides possess low thermal conductivity in the range of 0.91–1.34 W m−1 K−1 at room temperature, which can be attributed to increased lattice anharmonicity and disorder, resulting in additional phonon scattering. Herein, we proved that the incorporation of heterovalent cations at B‐sites in high‐entropy A2B2O7 crystals is an effective strategy to reduce the thermal conductivity without compromising the decrease of oxygen vacancy. Moreover, the high‐entropy RE2(Y0.2Yb0.2Nb0.2Ta0.2Ce0.2)2O7 oxides show the relatively higher thermal expansion coefficients of 10.3–10.7 × 10−6°C−1 and excellent phase stability at elevated temperatures.
Photoelectrochemical properties of butane reduced flame‐treated Zr‐doped hematite thin films
Authors: Mouchani Niusha , Yourdkhani Amin , Poursalehi Reza
Published: April 2022

In this research, Zr‐doped hematite thin films were prepared by a simple and highly scalable liquid phase deposition method, and their photoelectrochemical (PEC) properties were investigated. The samples were post‐heat treated using a butane reduced flame. PEC studies revealed that both Zr‐doping and flame‐treatment enhanced the performance of the hematite photoanodes. The photocurrent densities of the samples were considerably increased upon flame‐treatment, that is, about 3.5 times for a 4% Zr‐doped sample. The highest photocurrent density at 1.23 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) was obtained, about 0.50 mA cm−2 for the 4% Zr‐doped sample, about five times higher than the undoped sample. The Mott–Schottky measurements revealed that the donor charge carrier density for the 4% Zr‐doped sample was increased fivefold upon flame‐treatment from 2.49 × 1019 to 1.38 × 1020 cm−3. The optical investigations showed that the optical band gap energy values depend on the level of Zr‐doping, and the sample with 4% Zr‐doping showed the lowest band gap energy value, about 1.82 eV. The mechanism behind the effectiveness of the flame‐treatment was investigated and attributed to the oxygen vacancy formation upon flame‐treatment. The formation of oxygen vacancies activates the donor doping, and as a result, the charge carrier density increases. In general, butane reduced flame‐treatment as a simple and effective strategy can be used as a post‐heat treatment to boost the PEC properties of hematite thin films.
Unmet clinical needs and burden of disease in hidradenitis suppurativa: real‐world experience from EU5 and US
Authors: Ingram J.R. , Bettoli V. , Espy J.I. , Kokolakis G. , Martorell A. , Villani A.P. , Wallinger H. , Coak E. , Kasparek T. , Muscianisi E. , Richardson C. , Kimball A.B.
Published: April 2022

Background

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, inflammatory, debilitating skin disease characterized by painful deep lesions and associated with substantial disease burden.

Objectives

The objective of this study was to describe physician‐ and patient‐reported clinical unmet needs from a real‐world perspective.

Methods

This study used data from the Adelphi HS Disease Specific Programme, a point‐in‐time survey of dermatologists and their patients with HS in Europe and the United States. Dermatologists completed patient record forms (PRFs) for 5–7 consecutively consulting patients with HS; patients or carers of patients also optionally completed a patient/carer self‐completion questionnaire (PSC/CSC). Data collection included demographics, symptomatology and impact on quality of life (QoL).

Results

Dermatologists (N = 312) completed PRFs for 1787 patients with HS; patient‐ and carer‐reported questionnaires (PSC/CSC) were completed for 33.1% (591/1787) of patients. The mean age was 34.4 ± 12.2 years and 57.6% of patients were female (1029/1787). Physician‐judged disease severity at sampling was categorized as mild in 66.0% (1179/1787), moderate in 29.3% (523/1787) and severe in 4.7% (85/1787) of patients. Deterioration or unstable condition over the previous 12 months was described by 17.1% [235/1372] and 12.6% [41/325] of physician‐ and patient/carer‐reported cases, respectively. Despite receiving treatment, high proportions of patients still experienced symptoms at sampling (general pain/discomfort [49.5%, 885/1787]; inflammation/redness of lesions/abscesses [46.1%, 823/1787] and itching [29.9%, 535/1787]); these symptoms were more frequent in patients with moderate or severe disease. Patients reported a mean Dermatology Life Quality Index score of 5.9 ± 5.4 (555/591; mild, 4.1 ± 4.3; moderate, 9.4 ± 5.4; severe, 13.3 ± 5.5) and a mean Hidradenitis Suppurativa Quality of Life score of 11.0 ± 10.6 (518/591; mild, 7.6 ± 8.3; moderate, 17.7 ± 10.0; severe, 31.0 ± 15.4) indicating a substantial impact on QoL.

Conclusions

Patients with HS experienced a high disease burden despite being actively treated by a dermatologist. This study demonstrates that the burden of HS disease is generally poorly managed with a considerable impact observed on patients' QoL.
Quinoline, with the active site of 8‐hydroxyl, efficiently inhibits Micropterus salmoides rhabdovirus (MSRV) infection in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Li Bo‐Yang , Yang Fei , Zhang Zhong‐Yu , Shen Yu‐Feng , Wang Tao , Zhao Liang , Qin Jia‐Cheng , Ling Fei , Wang Gao‐Xue
Published: April 2022

Micropterus salmoides rhabdovirus (MSRV) is an significant pathogen that causes high mortality and related economic losses in bass aquaculture. There is no effective or approved therapy to date. In this study, we evaluated the anti‐MSRV effects of 22 quinoline derivatives in grass carp ovary (GCO) cells. Among these compounds, 8‐hydroxyquinoline exhibited valid inhibition in decreasing MSRV nucleoprotein gene expression levels of 99.3% with a half‐maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) value of 4.66 μM at 48 h. Moreover, 8‐hydroxyquinoline significantly enhanced a protective effect in GCO cells by reducing the cytopathic effect (CPE). By comparing the anti‐MSRV activity of 22 quinoline derivatives, we found that 8‐hydroxyquinoline possessed the efficient active site of 8‐hydroxyl and inhibited MSRV infection in vitro. For in vivo studies, 8‐hydroxyquinoline via intraperitoneal injection exhibited an antiviral effect in MSRV‐infected largemouth bass by substantially enhancing the survival rate by 15.0%. Importantly, the viral loads in the infected largemouth bass notably reduced in the spleen on the third days post‐infection. Overall, 8‐hydroxyquinoline was considered to be an efficient agent against MSRV in aquaculture.
EXPLICIT‐Kinase: A gene expression predictor for dissecting the functions of the Arabidopsis kinome
Authors: Peng Yuming , Zuo Wanzhu , Zhou Hui , Miao Fenfen , Zhang Yu , Qin Yue , Liu Yi , Long Yu , Ma Shisong
Published: April 2022

Protein kinases regulate virtually all cellular processes, but it remains challenging to determine the functions of all protein kinases, collectively called the “kinome”, in any species. We developed a computational approach called EXPLICIT‐Kinase to predict the functions of the Arabidopsis kinome. Because the activities of many kinases can be regulated transcriptionally, their gene expression patterns provide clues to their functions. A universal gene expression predictor for Arabidopsis was constructed to predict the expression of 30,172 non‐kinase genes based on the expression of 994 kinases. The model reconstituted highly accurate transcriptomes for diverse Arabidopsis samples. It identified the significant kinases as predictor kinases for predicting the expression of Arabidopsis genes and pathways. Strikingly, these predictor kinases were often regulators of related pathways, as exemplified by those involved in cytokinesis, tissue development, and stress responses. Comparative analyses revealed that portions of these predictor kinases are shared and conserved between Arabidopsis and maize. As an example, we identified a conserved predictor kinase, RAF6, from a stomatal movement module. We verified that RAF6 regulates stomatal closure. It can directly interact with SLAC1, a key anion channel for stomatal closure, and modulate its channel activity. Our approach enables a systematic dissection of the functions of the Arabidopsis kinome.
The function of nuclear hormone receptor 4A signaling in the human reproductive system: A review
Authors: Wang Boya , He Yingming , Zhang Pin , Huang Yue , Xiang Huifen
Published: April 2022

Aim

This review aims to summarize the research focused upon the functions of nuclear hormone receptor 4A (NR4A) in the human reproductive system. The research questions addressed are to decipher what role the NR4A subfamily plays in the regulation of the human reproductive system and effects upon fertility issues through regulation of the expression of the NR4A subfamily.

Methods

The electronic database PubMed was searched for studies published before November 2021. Keywords included “NR4A,” “trophoblast,” “decidualization,” “folliculogenesis,” “estrogen,” “pregnancy,” “Leydig cells,” “fertility,” and “reproductive.” Relevant references from retrieved manuscripts and review articles were also searched manually.

Results

NR4A subfamily are involved in trophoblast differentiation, endometrial decidualization, embryo adhesion, secretion of related hormones, and regulation of spontaneous term labor. Besides, many studies have provided strong evidence that they play critical roles in spermatogenesis. Furthermore, Multiple mechanisms can affect the expression of NR4As. Broadly, NR4A family receptors affect the human reproductive system in multiple ways.

Conclusions

Further research is needed to specifically dissect the functions and regulatory mechanisms of these receptors and their pharmaceutical antagonists and agonists. The connection between the NR4A subfamily and a variety of reproductive disorders needs to be proven experimentally such that further examination of human tissue is required to assess the role of these receptors in human reproductive diseases.
Beyond the (family) binary: Family environment heterogeneity among transgender adults
Authors: Allen Samuel H. , Fish Jessica N. , McGuire Jenifer K. , Leslie Leigh A.
Published: April 2022

Objective

To identify latent profiles of family environments among transgender adults and to examine the relationships between these profiles and mental and physical health.

Background

How a family‐of‐origin responds to a transgender family member has significant implications for that individual's mental and physical health. However, the extant research on the health of transgender people has largely relied on a binary conceptualization of family environments that has been critiqued as simplistic, reductionistic, and misrepresentative. To date, no known quantitative studies have assessed transgender family environments beyond this ostensibly antiquated conceptualization.

Method

Data were collected in 2018 from transgender adults via Amazon's MTurk (N = 873). Participants completed questionnaires about their family environment, experiences of minority stress, mental and physical health, and quality of life.

Results

Latent profile analysis yielded five profiles of transgender family environments: disengaged; accepting and affirming; repudiating; moderate family ambiguity; and high family ambiguity. Over half of respondents were assigned membership to one of the two ambiguity profiles (56.4%). Distal regression models demonstrated that, relative to embracing and affirming, membership in each of the other four profiles was negatively associated with both mental and physical health. Participants assigned to the ambiguity profiles did not statistically differ on health outcomes when compared to those in the repudiating profile.

Conclusion

Ambiguity is prevalent in transgender people's families‐of‐origin. It also appears equally detrimental as family rejection is to the mental and physical health of transgender adults.