bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Satun province’s research-based learning initiative under Thailand’s “education sandbox” policy: design, implementation and outcomes
Authors: Khuvasanond Kirati , Chitradub Sompong
Published: February 2025

Purpose

This study aims to enhance the quality of education in Thailand by exploring an educational innovation emphasizing community identities, available resources and needs. It describes the design and implementation of the Satun research-based learning (RBL) initiative under Thailand’s Education Innovation Area Act B.E. 2562, which allowed 10 pilot schools in Satun to develop curriculums for early childhood and primary school levels that incorporated localities’ contexts during the 2018–2019 academic year.

Design/methodology/approach

To evaluate the innovation’s impacts, primary data were collected and verified through methodological triangulation and cross-validation, and then qualitatively analyzed using content analysis.

Findings

Students demonstrated improvements in reading and writing, analytical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, public presentation and creativity. Teachers were more engaged in students’ learning development and felt closer to students. School administrators embraced collaboration with teachers, school committees, parents and communities. Parents recognized students’ eagerness to study and academic improvements. Quantitatively, a difference-in-differences analysis of all 6th-grade Satun students’ standardized test scores from 2016 to 2019 showed that improvements in the participating students’ Thai and English scores were statistically significant at the 0.05 level. These findings suggest that policymakers can improve educational quality by accounting for community contexts and constraints.

Originality/value

The originality of this study lies in the large-scale RBL initiative under investigation and its approach to evaluating the quantitative impacts of this initiative.
How does research and development intensity influence the performance of firms through different stages in product life cycle?
Authors: Li Dan
Published: February 2025

Purpose

It is widely acknowledged that the ability of a firm to develop and exploit their innovative capabilities is a critical determinant that maintains their competitive advantage. The purpose is to evaluate the research and development (R&D) inputs and outcomes on the performance of firms in different stages.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on a sample of 30 firms over 8 years (2009–2016), the results from a three-stage Bayesian stochastic frontier analysis model support were used.

Findings

Some interesting findings were discovered. First, the R&D intensity is positively associated with the number of patents granted, which is negatively associated with the number of new drug approvals (NDAs). Second, R&D inputs, including expenditures and human resources, are negatively related to the number of NDAs and firm performance. Third, state-owned firms perform better and have more patents granted than private-owned firms in China. Finally, the traditional Chinese medicine firms and non-coastal firms both gain fewer profits, but they generate more new drugs than chemical drug firms and coastal firms in terms of policy support.

Originality/value

It is revealed that there are no common factors among Chinese pharmaceutical firms except for ownership, and this heterogeneous behavior indicates that there is no common factor for enhancing the efficiency of all Chinese pharmaceutical firms.
Are lead independent directors greener? Evidence from climate change commitment and ESG performance
Authors: Owusu Andrews , Omoteso Kamil , Gyimah Daniel , Ejiogu Amanze
Published: February 2025

Purpose

This paper sheds light on how appointing a lead independent director (LIDIR) affects a firm’s commitment to climate change and to what extent environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance is affected by a firm’s commitment to climate change in the presence of a LIDIR.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors utilise ordinary least squares (OLS) and a sample of 12,236 firm-year observations in the United States of America (USA) over the 2002–2019 period to test the predictions. The authors also apply alternative research designs such as propensity score matching, Heckman two-step and instrumental variable techniques to address endogeneity concerns.

Findings

The authors find that a LIDIR representation on the board is positively associated with a firm’s commitment to climate change. The authors also find that the association between a LIDIR representation on the board and a firm’s commitment to climate change is more pronounced in firms with a combined chief executive officer (CEO) and board chair positions than firms with both positions separated. Additional analysis suggests that increased commitment to climate change in the presence of a LIDIR improves ESG performance.

Originality/value

While the effect of a LIDIR on firm financial outcomes has received much attention, there is a lack of empirical evidence on whether lead independent directors are greener. The authors provide new and important contribution to the literature by investigating the relationship between an LIDIR representation on the board and non-financial outcomes from the perspective of climate change commitment and ESG performance. The findings may be informative to policymakers seeking to deal with climate change impacts on society to encourage the appointment of a LIDIR.
Asymmetric reactions of the crude oil and natural gas markets on Vietnamese stock markets
Authors: Aladwani Jassim
Published: February 2025

Purpose

The purpose of studying the impact of crude oil and natural gas prices on the Vietnamese stock market is to understand the relationship between energy prices and the overall performance of the financial markets. As Vietnam is an energy-dependent country, fluctuations in crude oil and natural gas prices can significantly affect various industries, including manufacturing, inflation, transportation, energy production and economic growth. These sectors are often sensitive to changes in energy costs, which can lead to shifts in corporate profitability and investor sentiment. By analyzing how crude oil and natural gas prices influence the Vietnamese stock market, policymakers and investors can provide deeper insights into the economic risks and opportunities related to energy price volatility. This paper can also provide valuable information for decision-making in sectors such as economic forecasting, risk management and investment strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

Using monthly data from January 2006 to March 2024, data were collected from the Vietnamese stock market and the OPEC organization for oil prices, while data on natural gas were obtained from the EIA. The data were analyzed using vector error correction (VEC) model, impulse response function, variance decomposition test and asymmetric reactions method; the study tries to ascertain the short-term and long-term dynamic relationships between the shocks of the crude oil price and natural gas prices and their effects on the movement of the stock price. In addition, the GARCH model is applied to measure the volatility of crude oil and natural gas prices.

Findings

Crude oil price shocks have a statistically significant impact on most Vietnamese real stock market indices, except for the utility and consumer indices and some energy companies. Conversely, natural gas price shocks do not significantly affect on Vietnamese stock market indices, except for the energy index and some energy companies. Some “important” of both crude oil price and natural gas price shocks tend to depress the stock returns of energy companies. An increase in both crude oil and natural gas volatility can lead to heightened speculation in certain indices, particularly the energy and industrial indices, as well as in some energy companies. This heightened speculation often results in elevated of their stock returns.

Originality/value

This study provides valuable insights into the field of study examining how fluctuations in the prices of oil and gas, particularly during major crisis periods such as global financial crisis, COVID-19 pandemic and the Russo-Ukrainian War, affect financial markets.
Empowering impact: the influence of charismatic leadership via corporate social responsibility on employee quality of life in hotels
Authors: Salem Islam Elbayoumi , El Gamil Rehab , El-Said Osman Ahmed , Youssif Marwa
Published: February 2025

Purpose

Hotel management and academia are increasingly interested in corporate social responsibility (CSR) and charismatic leadership. In this context, the present study examines how charismatic leaders affect employee quality of life through CSR practices in hotels.

Design/methodology/approach

The survey encompassed employees working at either three-star or five-star hotels in Oman. The model was tested using data gathered from 396 hotel employees.

Findings

Results showed that charismatic leadership positively affects CSR-induced intrinsic and extrinsic attributions. CSR positively affected task significance and intrinsic quality and negatively affected turnover intention. Quality of life predictors had a considerable impact, with intrinsic quality and turnover intention standing out. There was no significant effect of task significance on quality of life. The relationship between charismatic leadership and CSR was stronger for employees in five-star hotels and weaker for employees in three-star hotels. The CSR role mediates the relationship between charismatic leadership and quality of life.

Practical implications

The results indicate that charismatic leaders exert a substantial impact on employees’ attributions of CSR. Upper-level management must emphasize fostering the cultivation of charismatic leadership attributes among non-charismatic leaders as a means to enhance employees’ perceptions of CSR.

Originality/value

Few studies have focused on analyzing employees’ perceptions of CSR activities on a micro level. Investigating CSR phenomena in the context of internal stakeholders, especially employees, is very rare.
What makes tourists go green? A multidimensional exploration of pro-environmental behavior predictors
Authors: Demirović Bajrami Dunja , Đervida Ružica , Radosavac Adriana , Vuksanović Nikola , Matović Stefana
Published: February 2025

Purpose

This study explores the predictors of pro-environmental behavior (PEB) among tourists by integrating psychological, demographic, situational, behavioral and contextual factors. It aims to address theoretical gaps in existing models of PEB within the tourism industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The research employs a stratified random sampling method, surveying 824 domestic and international tourists in Serbia. Data were collected via online surveys and analyzed using linear multiple regression and genetic algorithms to identify significant predictors of PEB.

Findings

The study identifies personal norms, travel companions and perceived effectiveness as the strongest predictors of PEB among tourists. Other influential factors include duration of stay, destination characteristics and demographic variables such as age and education. The results highlight the complex interplay of internal values, social influences and situational factors in shaping sustainable behaviors in tourism.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that tourism stakeholders, including policymakers and managers, should focus on strategies that enhance personal norms and leverage social influences to promote sustainable tourism practices. Emphasizing the perceived effectiveness of eco-friendly actions and providing robust environmental infrastructure can further encourage pro-environmental behavior among tourists.

Originality/value

This research offers a comprehensive model that integrates a diverse range of predictors, providing a holistic understanding of the drivers of PEB in tourism. It advances the literature by addressing the limitations of existing theoretical models and emphasizing the importance of considering broader contextual influences.
Mapping the two decades of Islamic marketing research using bibliometric analysis and novel machine learning topic modeling
Authors: Ali Hassnian , Qazi Haris Saqib , Hashmi Hadia Saqib , Yasin Talha , Abbas Muhammad Hassan
Published: February 2025

Purpose

This study aims to systematically assess and map the evolution, themes and trends within Islamic marketing research, with a focus on identifying areas of high growth potential and guiding future research directions.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a bibliometric analysis and advanced structured topic modeling (STM) techniques, this research analyzes Islamic marketing studies published between 2000 and 2024. The comprehensive database search, centered on Scopus-listed publications, provides a macroscopic view of the field’s development over the past two decades.

Findings

This study reveals significant insights into the field of Islamic marketing, including the identification of key research themes, the growth in literature and geographical hotspots of scholarly activity. Emerging trends suggest a growing focus on consumer behavior, brand loyalty, Halal certification and ethical marketing practices.

Research limitations/implications

This research is limited by its reliance on the Scopus database for source materials, and by focusing primarily on English-language publications. These constraints may have excluded relevant research in other languages or published in nonindexed formats.

Practical implications

This study offers valuable insights for marketers, businesses and policymakers aiming to engage the Islamic market. Understanding the dynamics of Islamic marketing can help in developing strategies that align with Muslim consumers’ values and preferences.

Originality/value

This research contributes to the Islamic marketing literature by using bibliometric analysis and STM, offering a unique, comprehensive overview of the field’s evolution, trends and future directions. It underscores the importance and growth of Islamic marketing as an independent academic discipline.
Understanding esports venue operations: how venue characteristics influence spectator outcomes
Authors: Çevik Hüseyin , Chen Sam S. , Mastromartino Brandon , Zhang James J.
Published: February 2025

Purpose

This study aims to identify the key attributes of esports venues as perceived by spectators. Using the stimulus-organism-response framework, it also examines how these attributes influence customer experience, satisfaction and re-attendance intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

This mixed-methods research comprises two main stages. In the qualitative stage (Stage 1), we conducted a literature review, interviews with live esports event attendees and observations at two esports events to identify key esports venue attributes from spectators’ perspectives. In the quantitative stage (Stage 2), we recruited 564 esports game attendees at two live events to validate a measurement scale developed from the qualitative procedures. We also examined the relationships between venue attributes and the three spectator outcomes by using structural equation modeling.

Findings

Five key perspectives of esports venue attributes emerged from the qualitative analysis: (1) stage and stage lighting, (2) Internet infrastructure, (3) visibility of display screens, (4) concourse layout and (5) seating comfort. These dimensions were validated through exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses and were found to directly influence spectator experience and satisfaction, but not re-attendance intentions.

Originality/value

This study provides pioneering insights into the specific esports venue attributes that drive spectator outcomes. The findings offer valuable directions for future esports research and practical strategies for esports venue management.
Rural place branding through social media: a stakeholder strategy perspective
Authors: Stylianou Christiana , Pipyros Kosmas , Aslanides Anastasia
Published: February 2025

Purpose

This study explores the strategies employed and challenges faced by various stakeholder groups in Cyprus as they engage in rural place branding through social media.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative research is used through 14 semi-structured interviews to understand the perspectives of local community representatives, government entities and small business owners and entrepreneurs in rural areas.

Findings

The research underscores the crucial importance of social media in strengthening rural place branding. Using strategies such as storytelling, visual content creation and short-form videos, create the identity and visibility of rural areas. Moreover, rural place branding by various stakeholder groups necessitates digital skills upskilling and reskilling and precise online content dissemination and segmentation to address the varied needs of potential visitors.

Research limitations/implications

The relative homogeneity of professionals in the sample as well as their background and education, could generate agreement in some areas among respondents, leading to possible limitations in generalisations from the findings of this study.

Originality/value

The study was conducted in an island state where social media usage for rural place branding is at a relatively early stage.
Corticosteroids combined with low‐dose methotrexate in the treatment of pemphigus vulgaris: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Chen Yan , Li Jiaqi , Tang Yuchen , Chong Shan , Shang Panpan , Chen Xixue , Zhu Xuejun , Wang Mingyue
Published: February 2025

The treatment of pemphigus vulgaris (PV) often requires long‐term systemic corticosteroids. Although new biologicals like rituximab are changing the landscape, traditional immunosuppressants still prevail in many underdeveloped areas. One such medication is methotrexate (MTX), which has been widely used in autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases, but its role in treating pemphigus remains somewhat unclear and controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the effect and safety profile of using low‐dose MTX in PV patients receiving glucocorticoids. PV patients who visited the Department of Dermatology, Peking University First Hospital from January 2010 to December 2021 were retrospectively screened. Based on different treatment regimens, patients were automatically divided into a corticosteroid monotherapy group and a corticosteroid combined with low‐dose MTX group (MTX was administered at a dose of no more than15 mg per week, with a minimum duration of 8 weeks). All patients were followed up for 1 year. A total of 142 patients with PV were eligible for the study (100 in the corticosteroid monotherapy group and 42 in the corticosteroid combined with low‐dose MTX group). The Kaplan–Meier curve indicated that the corticosteroid combined with low‐dose MTX group achieved a 50% reduction in glucocorticoid use faster, with a P value of 0.0132, especially among patients who initially received more than 60 mg of steroids per day. The inclusion of MTX reduced the occurrence of hyperpilidemia. There was not sufficient evidence to determine if the addition of MTX was associated with more bacterial infection cases for certain. The inclusion of low‐dose MTX in the corticosteroid treatment regimen for patients with PV, particularly those receiving high doses, can facilitate the reduction of glucocorticoid dosages and lower the incidence of hyperlipidemia, without increasing the risk of other adverse effects.
Evolution characteristics and mechanism of coal fracture under resonance excitation based on computed tomography scanning
Authors: Ren Yongjie , Wei Jianping , Wen Zhihui , Wei Jieyun , Ma Yixuan , Wang Shengcheng , Su Shanjie
Published: February 2025

The resonance of coal reservoir induced by external excitation is a kind of environment‐friendly stimulation technology. In this work, an experimental system was established to carry out the coal resonance fracturing experiments, and the change trend of fracture structure was investigated by computed tomography scanning. The results showed that under the excitation of vibration within the resonance frequency band range, the coal fracture will gradually expand to failure. There are three forms of coal fracture expansion under the condition of resonant, which are the formation of slip zones in coal, the formation of fracture at phase interface and the formation of ‘void’. When the excitation frequency is constant, the natural frequency of coal decreases gradually with the expansion of fractures, resulting in the vibration frequency gradually deviating from the natural frequency of coal, and the fracture propagation behaviour of vibrating coal gradually changes from divergence to convergence.
Tree species identity shapes the relationship between canopy cover and herb‐layer species in temperate forests
Authors: Vallé Clément , Le Viol Isabelle , Nabias Jean , Princé Karine , Gosselin Frédéric
Published: February 2025

The composition of canopy tree species is known to impact the distribution of herb‐layer species through various factors, such as light availability, soil structure and composition. However, relationships between these strata have been rarely demonstrated empirically across a wide range of species and large spatial areas, which could help understand and spatially predict herb‐layer species distribution patterns.

We examined the response of 85 herb‐layer species occurrence (presence/absence) distribution to the cover of 105 tree species across 7255 sites in mainland France. By accounting for site characteristics and canopy diversity, we ensured that associations between herbaceous and tree species were not a reflection of these factors. We then predicted the occurrence distribution of herbaceous species by considering these environmental factors and comparing them with the addition of individual tree species cover.

Our models revealed that tree species identity cover relationships are important for all herb‐layer species and with some strong associations between these two strata. While all herb‐layer species had increased explanatory and predictive model performance from the information added by tree species identity cover, non‐forest and open vegetation species showed the greatest increase. Non‐forest generalist species are those with the most negative associations with these canopy tree species. Models also highlighted that tree species identity cover cannot be fully replaced by unidimensional functional tree groups based on trophic, dynamic, hydric or life form classification.

Our study emphasizes that incorporating tree species identity composition can enhance the prediction of herb‐layer species occurrence distribution at new sites. Consequently, we provide an empirical demonstration of improved prediction leveraging on species associations, which synthesizes various factors challenging to measure in situ. This knowledge could guide future experiments to explore mechanisms involved, especially for the high‐magnitude associations detected.

Synthesis. Our study is an empirical demonstration of the importance of tree species identity cover in shaping the distribution of the herb layer, surpassing the effects of tree diversity alone. By considering the significance of tree species identity cover, we can inform forest management and conservation measures, improve spatial prediction of herb‐layer species distribution and better understand herb layer and tree species relationships.
Who pays for a VAT hike at an international border?
Authors: Chávez Emmanuel , Domínguez Cristóbal
Published: February 2025

This research studies the effects of a value added tax (VAT) reform that raised the rate from 11 to 16 per cent at localities close to international borders in Mexico. Using difference‐in‐differences, we find that the VAT hike increased prices by one‐third the size of the full‐passthrough counterfactual. Moreover, we find that workers absorbed part of the VAT hike, as the reform had a negative effect on workers’ compensation. Informality, competition across the border, worker mobility and earnings level drive the effects we find.
Ultraviolet and pulsed light treatment of spices and herbs and their products: Microbial safety, enzyme inactivation, bioactive retention, and shelf‐life extension
Authors: Pravallika Kosana , Pradhan Swadhin , Prabha Abhirami , Chakraborty Snehasis
Published: February 2025

Spices and herbs are a crucial component of the global food industry, valued for their unique flavors, aromas, and bioactive properties. However, microbial contamination and quality degradation during production, storage, and distribution pose significant challenges. Ultraviolet (UV) and pulsed light (PL) processing have emerged as nonthermal technologies offering effective, eco‐friendly solutions for microbial decontamination and quality retention in spices. This review explores recent advancements and applications of UV and PL treatments in the spice industry, highlighting their impact on pathogenic and spoilage microbial safety, physicochemical properties, and bioactive compound retention. UV processing, primarily involving UV‐C radiation, inactivates microorganisms by disrupting DNA, offering effective surface decontamination without compromising quality of spices and herbs. PL, which utilizes high‐intensity, broad‐spectrum light pulses, extends this capability to irregularly shaped surfaces, further enhancing microbial inactivation. Both methods preserve key quality attributes such as phenolics, flavonoids, antioxidant activity, ascorbic acids, and color while mitigating sensory losses, making them attractive alternatives to conventional thermal and chemical treatments. The review also examines critical factors influencing the efficacy of these technologies, including processing parameters, spice morphology, and microbial load. Despite promising results, challenges related to regulatory approval, equipment design, and consumer acceptance remain. This comprehensive analysis underscores the potential of UV and PL technologies to revolutionize spices and herbs processing, ensuring safety and quality while aligning with sustainable and consumer‐driven demands in the food industry.
Global parent perspectives on school food service internationally: A mixed papers narrative review
Authors: Manson Alexandra C. , Golley Rebecca K. , Johnson Brittany J.
Published: February 2025

Aims

The views of parents/caregivers about food programs in schools internationally is not well understood. This review aimed to synthesise what parents/caregivers identify as the key features of school food programs and their perspectives of these programs globally.

Methods

A mixed papers review was undertaken with a systematic search (January 2024) and screening of three databases (Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed). Eligible studies captured parent/caregiver perspectives across all school food models. Study findings were extracted using Bayesian methods to translate quantitative findings into qualitative data. Data was deductively categorised to identify features of school food models, and separately themed to identify parent perspectives.

Results

Twenty‐six eligible studies were identified from 11 countries. Fifteen features were identified, including cost, time, effort and convenience, child preferences, nutrition, policy and messaging, eating environment and food education. Parent perspective themes were: child is the priority, lunchbox procurement, preparation and provision is challenging, school‐provided meals have strengths and limitations, and parents acknowledge they are central to feeding. An overarching theme was that compromises must be made to meet the needs of family members, when parents make decisions on school food.

Conclusions

This review found that globally parents perceive benefits and challenges to school food programs, regardless of provision model, with a range of features that influence parent acceptability. Considering parent/caregiver perspectives when developing or changing school food provision models is likely to increase caregiver acceptability, supporting children to engage with health promotion efforts.
Anethum graveolens L. (dill) seed polyphenolic fractions: Assessment of high‐voltage electrical discharges, subcritical water, and microwave‐assisted extraction systems
Authors: Nastić Nataša , Lončarić Ante , Simić Siniša , Pastor Kristian , Banožic Marija , Jokić Stela , Aladić Krunoslav , Vladić Jelena
Published: February 2025

Continuous exploration of innovative and sustainable solutions within green chemistry is imperative to tackle challenges inherent in traditional production processes. This study examined three novel methods for obtaining polyphenolic extracts from dill seeds: nonthermal high voltage electric discharge (HVED), subcritical water extraction (SWE), and microwave‐assisted extraction (MAE). SWE was conducted at temperatures ranging from 100 to 200°C under 30 bar pressure, while MAE utilized a hydroethanolic solvent at temperatures from 40 to 120°C. HVED extraction was performed at varying frequencies (40–100 Hz) and durations (5–15 min) in water. The total phenolic and flavonoid content of the extracts was quantified, and antioxidant activity was evaluated via 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. Polyphenol content and DPPH radical scavenging capacity varied across techniques, with MAE at 40°C yielding the highest values. Increasing MAE temperature caused a steep decline in total phenol and flavonoid contents and a rise in DPPH IC50 values. Conversely, SWE significantly increased phenolic recovery at temperatures between 150–200°C. HVED extraction revealed frequency as the most critical parameter for phenolic recovery. Catechin (224.88 µg/mL), epicatechin (120.62 µg/mL), epigallocatechin (107.56 µg/mL), and procyanidin B1 (116.36 µg/mL) emerged as the primary phenolics. SWE demonstrated superior suitability for individual phenolic recovery compared with the other two techniques. Multivariate data analysis reveals relationships between extraction parameters and polyphenol recovery, underscoring the potential for eco‐friendly and efficient extraction processes. This study highlights the transition toward sustainable extraction methods in modern industrial processing.

Practical Application

This study provides insights into innovative extraction techniques for obtaining polyphenols from dill seeds, which could be applied in the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. The findings suggest that these eco‐friendly methods can improve the efficiency of extracting antioxidants, offering manufacturers a greener and more effective approach to producing health‐promoting ingredients.
Detection methods and control measures of Burkholderia gladioli and its toxins: A review
Authors: Gao Bin , Deng Haotian , Wang Yuehua , Zhang Chunhong , Zhu Jinyan
Published: February 2025

Burkholderia gladioli is a widely distributed Gram‐negative bacterium. Under suitable environmental conditions, it can produce harmful toxins bongkrekic acid (BKA) and toxoflavin (TF) in food carriers (such as fermented cereal products, spoiled fresh Tremella and Auricularia auricula, and fermented potatoes), posing a serious threat to the safety of food producers and consumers. Food poisoning caused by B. gladioli can manifest as comprehensive symptoms such as diarrhea, and in severe cases, symptoms such as convulsions and shock may occur. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive and in‐depth exploration of the food safety issues it causes. First, this article summarizes the clinical cases and prevalence caused by B. gladioli. Second, the detection methods for BKA and the methods for simultaneous detection of BKA and TF were reviewed. Finally, the methods that can inhibit the proliferation of B. gladioli and effective measures to control its production of BKA in different food carriers were reviewed. This review will help to comprehensively understand the spread of B. gladioli and its toxins and preventive measures, aiming to reduce their harm to human health.
A novel real‐time crayfish weight grading method based on improved Swin Transformer
Authors: Wen Ke , Chen Yan , Zhu Zhengwei , Yang Jinzhou , Bao Jinjin , Fu Dandan , Hu Zhigang , Peng Xianhui , Jiao Ming
Published: February 2025

This study proposed a novel detection method for crayfish weight classification based on an improved Swin‐Transformer model. The model demonstrated a Mean Intersection over Union (MIOU) of 90.36% on the crayfish dataset, outperforming the IC‐Net, DeepLabV3, and U‐Net models by 17.44%, 5.55%, and 1.01%, respectively. Furthermore, the segmentation accuracy of the Swin‐Transformer model reached 99.0%, surpassing the aforementioned models by 1.25%, 1.73%, and 0.46%, respectively. To facilitate weight prediction of crayfish from segmented images, this study also investigated the correlation between the projected area and the weight of each crayfish part, and developed a multiple regression model with a correlation coefficient of 0.983 by comparing the total projected area and the relationship between the projected area and the actual weight of each crayfish part. To validate this model, a test set of 40 samples was employed, with the average prediction accuracy reaching 98.34% based on 10 representative data points. Finally, grading experiments were carried out on the crayfish weight grading system, and the experimental results showed that the grading accuracy could reach more than 86.5%, confirming the system's feasibility. The detection method not only predicts the weight based on the area but also incorporates the proportional relationship of the area of each part to improve the accuracy of the prediction further. This innovation makes up for the limitations of traditional inspection methods and shows higher potential for application. This study has important applications in industrial automation, especially for real‐time high‐precision weight grading in the aquatic processing industry, which can improve production efficiency and optimize quality control.
Effect of Eurotium cristatum fermentation on chemical composition and hypoglycemic and sedative activities of Anji Baicha (Camellia sinensis)
Authors: Qiu Yue , Liu Xiaolin , Huang Zhiye , Lyu Fei , Hu Xinyu , Han Shenghua , Ren Hao , Zhang Anqiang
Published: February 2025

Anji Baicha (Camellia sinensis), one of the top 10 teas in China, possesses old leaves rich in bioactive ingredients yet is frequently discarded due to inferior taste. This study evaluated the effects of fermentation with Eurotium cristatum, a probiotic known to enhance bioactivity, on the primary nutrients and on the hypoglycemic and sedative properties of old leaves of Anji Baicha. Results indicated a considerable reduction in free amino acids and tea polyphenols post‐fermentation. Conversely, the concentrations of flavonoids and theabrownins increased significantly, showing a positive correlation with the in vitro hypoglycemic effect. The contents of L‐theanine and γ‐aminobutyric acid (γ‐GABA), known for their sedative effects, increased after fermentation, while caffeine and glutamate, renowned for their neural stimulation effect, decreased. Molecular docking revealed that L‐theanine and γ‐GABA may act as a sedative and sleep aid by competing for receptors with caffeine and glutamate, specifically NMDAR2A. This study not only introduces a novel approach for utilizing old leaves of Anji Baicha but also establishes a foundation for further investigating the hypoglycemic, sedative, and sleep‐aiding effects of tea fermented with Eurotium cristatum.

Practical Application

This research offers a sustainable solution for repurposing the underutilized old leaves of Anji Baicha, enhancing their market value and contributing to the circular economy within the tea industry. The fermented tea could be integrated into health‐conscious food and beverage products, targeting consumers seeking natural hypoglycemic and sleep‐aiding alternatives. Additionally, the findings open avenues for the development of functional teas that cater to specific health needs, such as diabetes management and sleep improvement.
Efficacy and Safety of Low‐Dose Oral Etoposide Combined With Capecitabine for Patients With Postoperative Metastatic Breast Cancer Resistant to Anthracycline/Taxanes
Authors: Chen Xue , He Yingjian , Fan Tie , Wei Yan
Published: February 2025

Introduction

The purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy and safety of metronomic chemotherapy with all‐oral combination of low‐dose etoposide/capecitabine in patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) previously treated with anthracyclines and/or taxanes.

Methods

Metronomic chemotherapy, giving lower, more frequent doses of chemotherapy drugs over an extended period, often without long breaks between cycles. With oral low‐dose etoposide + capecitabine was administered to patients who had postoperative MBC resistant to anthracycline/taxanes: etoposide 30 mg/m2/day, qd for 7 days + capecitabine 1400 mg/m2/day, administered in two equal dose for 14 days, with 21 days as a cycle. Patients received treatments if complete response, partial response, or stable disease was obtained until disease progressed or became intolerable. RECIST criteria were used for standard efficacy evaluation and NCI‐CTC version 3.0 was used for evaluation of side effects.

Results

From June 2008 to May 2020, 85 patients received the aforesaid treatment; 67 of these patients were eligible for efficacy and side effects evaluation. After treatment, 6 (8.96%) patients obtained partial response, 41 (61.19%) patients had stable disease, and 20 (29.85%) patients had disease progression. The overall response rate (complete response + partial response) was 8.96%, and disease control rate (complete response + partial response + stable of disease) was 70.15%. Clinical benefits (complete response + partial response + stable of disease ≥ 24 weeks) were obtained for 50% of the patients. The median and mean treatment to progression time was 5 months and 6.06 months (95% CI: 3.43~8.70), respectively. The most common grade I/II side effects were leukopenia and fatigue (15.8%).

Conclusions

For patients with postoperative MBC resistant to anthracycline/taxanes, oral low‐dose etoposide + capecitabine was effective with tolerable safety. The patients did not need antiemetics or leukocytic drugs, and the treatment was cost‐effective because the patients did not need to be hospitalized for intravenous infusion.
Rapid ecological data collection from 360‐degree imagery using visualisation and immersive sampling in the R pannotator package
Authors: Godfree Robert , Knerr Nunzio
Published: February 2025

With rapid environmental change occurring globally there is an urgent need for new field survey methods that enable fast and efficient collection of ecological information from impacted systems. Advances in 360‐degree (panospheric) camera technology now allow the collection of geospatially explicit visual records of ecological properties far more cheaply, quickly and efficiently than traditional field survey methods. However, generalisable workflows and software platforms to manage, extract, process and use ecological information from large panospheric image datasets are still lacking.

Here we develop a flexible, integrative workflow for rapid acquisition, preparation and extraction of macroscopic data from 360‐degree imagery. We introduce the open‐source R package Panospheric Image Annotator in R (pannotator), which allows the user to visualise and annotate images and extract cropped geocoded sub‐images in a repeatable, systematic way using customisable drop‐down menus and help files.

We demonstrate the workflow and pannotator package using panoramic images collected from a study area at Uluṟu‐Kata Tjuṯa National Park in central Australia, which was affected by severe drought and fire in 2018–2020. In this study, 180 images were captured using GoPro Max cameras and imported into the pannotator package for data annotation. We extracted data for three key ecological attributes (plant species distribution, understorey cover and tree health) and show how these data can be used to spatially reconstruct species richness and community structure, plant size class, mortality and burn history.

Modern 360‐degree cameras and immersive sampling using the pannotator package now offer a transformative solution for efficiently capturing and extracting macroscopic ecological and biogeographical data from field surveys. More generally, the package may be used to visualise and extract data from any georeferenced panospheric imagery and generate cropped images with embedded geolocation data for use in downstream artificial intelligence/machine learning–based applications.
Cooperative learning of Pl@ntNet's Artificial Intelligence algorithm: How does it work and how can we improve it?
Authors: Lefort Tanguy , Affouard Antoine , Charlier Benjamin , Lombardo Jean‐Christophe , Chouet Mathias , Goëau Hervé , Salmon Joseph , Bonnet Pierre , Joly Alexis
Published: February 2025

Deep learning models for plant species identification rely on large annotated datasets. The Pl@ntNet system enables global data collection by allowing users to upload and annotate plant observations, leading to noisy labels due to diverse user skills. Achieving consensus is crucial for training, but the vast scale of collected data (number of observations, users and species) makes traditional label aggregation strategies challenging. Existing methods either retain all observations, resulting in noisy training data or selectively keep those with sufficient votes, discarding valuable information. Additionally, as many species are rarely observed, user expertise cannot be evaluated as an inter‐user agreement: otherwise, botanical experts would have a lower weight in the AI training step than the average user.

Our proposed label aggregation strategy aims to cooperatively train plant identification AI models. This strategy estimates user expertise as a trust score per user based on their ability to identify plant species from crowdsourced data. The trust score is recursively estimated from correctly identified species given the current estimated labels. This interpretable score exploits botanical experts' knowledge and the heterogeneity of users. Subsequently, our strategy removes unreliable observations but retains those with limited trusted annotations, unlike other approaches.

We evaluate Pl@ntNet's strategy on a newly released large subset of the Pl@ntNet database focused on European flora, comprising over 6 M observations and 800 K users. This anonymized dataset of votes and observations is released openly via Lefort, Affouard, et al. (2024). We demonstrate that estimating users' skills based on the diversity of their expertise enhances labelling performance.

Our findings emphasize the synergy of human annotation and data filtering in improving AI performance for a refined training dataset. We explore incorporating AI‐based votes alongside human input in the label aggregation. This can further enhance human‐AI interactions to detect unreliable observations (even with few votes).
An integrative framework to combine migratory connectivity and demographic data
Authors: Gregory Killian A. , Francesiaz Charlotte , Jiguet Frédéric , Crochet Pierre‐André , Bocher Pierrick , Düttmann Heinz , Elts Jaanus , Fartmann Thomas , Garthe Stefan , Kämpfer Steffen , Kruckenberg Helmut , Marja Riho , Piha Markus , Schwemmer Philipp , Besnard Aurélien
Published: February 2025

Migratory species experience various conditions and events throughout their annual cycle that influence their spatial and demographic dynamics. To understand these dynamics, it is essential to describe the origin and destination of individuals. Migratory connectivity, which is defined as the geographic linkage between populations across the annual cycle, is increasingly incorporated in population models to relate population trends to environmental variables at different stages of the cycle. However, such information on migratory movements is obtained independently from the study of population dynamics despite the interaction between both processes. Expanding on the growing use of integrated modelling approaches, we developed an integrated framework that allows the sharing of information between migratory connectivity and population data.

We first assembled an integrated migratory connectivity model and an integrated population model to join the analysis of GPS, live‐reencounter, dead‐recovery, capture–mark–recapture, and population count data within a unified framework. Based on simulated data, we assessed the ability of the resulting integrated connectivity and population model to produce unbiased and precise connectivity and demographic estimates. We then applied the same assessment to real data using the Eurasian Curlew (Numenius arquata) as a case study.

On simulated data, the integrated connectivity and population model estimated connectivity and survival parameters with no bias and similar precision to the connectivity model alone. However, it outperformed the population model in estimating fecundity in the absence of explicit productivity data. When applied to the Eurasian Curlew, the integrated connectivity and population model produced overall similar migratory connectivity and more accurate demographic estimates than the connectivity model alone, consistent with previous studies. Additionally, the model was able to estimate fecundity, whereas the data were too sparse for the population model alone to disentangle juvenile survival and fecundity.

The sharing of information between migratory connectivity and population data improved the estimation of demographic parameters by the population model and improved connectivity parameter estimates when data were scarce. This flexible framework can be generalised to include diverse data on migration movements, population structure, individual heterogeneity or environmental variables, allowing further investigation of the interaction between migration patterns and population dynamics.
Does more uncertainty incentivize risk diversification in conservation?
Authors: Sims Charles B. , Mingie James C. , Armsworth Paul R. , Papeş Mona , Giam Xingli , Zhu Gengping , Cho Seong‐Hoon
Published: February 2025

Conservation investments must balance risk and return as the benefits and costs of conservation are becoming increasingly difficult to predict. This article investigates whether a more uncertain world will strengthen the case for conservation investments strategies that diversify risk. We consider two ways the world could be more uncertain: (1) a more uncertain future climate that increases uncertainty in conservation benefits and (2) broader market uncertainties affecting conservation costs. We use concepts from expected utility theory to highlight that, as there is more risk to diversify, the incentive and ability to diversify risk depend on relative changes in expected payoffs at each site and covariances across sites as uncertainty increases. We then illustrate our findings using an application to land protection investments in southern Appalachia. In this biodiversity hotspot, we find risk diversification is most cost‐effective when conservation agencies face multiple uncertainties, and market uncertainty creates greater incentives to diversify risk than climate uncertainty.