bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of web marketing on corporate social responsibility (CSR) and firms' performance
Authors: Thottoli Mohammed Muneerali , Thomas K.V.
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The current study seeks to examine the impact of web marketing (through the company's website) on corporate social responsibility (CSR) and firms' performance across companies listed in the Muscat Stock Exchange (MSX), Oman.

Design/methodology/approach

This research analyses qualitative and exploratory data taken from companies' website, annual reports (the financial year 2019), Google search and CSR report from 69 out of total 117 listed companies in the MSX to analyze the impact of web marketing on CSR and firms' performance proxied by return of assets (ROA), return of equity (ROE) and Tobin's Q (TQ).

Findings

Web marketing on CSR positively affects firms' performance. Especially, the positive effect of web marketing on firms' performance is stronger for listed companies. Web marketing enhances financial performance proxied by ROA, ROE and TQ.

Practical implications

The research findings provide new insights that are able to enlighten governing bodies in Oman to make standardized compulsory CSR spending (say, 0.5% on profit after tax) by listed companies in MSX.

Originality/value

This research presents evidence that web marketing on CSR can increase firms' performance and brand image among stakeholders. This is the first study to examine the impact of web marketing on CSR and firms' performance using empirical data in Oman.
Consumption narratives: contributions, methods, findings and agenda for future research
Authors: Rahmanian Emad
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Considering the central role of narratives in the articulation of the self, processing experiences and conveying meaning, many scholars in marketing and consumer behaviours have tried to study the subject. This pool of multi-disciplinary studies has yielded fragmented literature resulting in ambiguity. Therefore there is a need for an article, which studies the extant literature comprehensively. Hence, this paper aims to pursue two objectives, to summarize prominent research studies in consumption narratives and to suggest directions for future research.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews 25 key studies on consumption narratives and highlights their most important contributions, methods and findings.

Findings

As in consumer narrative research, the concept almost always has been borrowed from different domains, the findings suggest a concise definition to fill this gap. Also, to enrich the findings, three-level of consumption narratives are discussed.

Originality/value

This paper serves as a basis to comprehend the essence of consumption narratives in the consumption context, to understand the research gaps and provides directions for future research.
“Knowledge management practices” as moderator in the relationship between organizational culture and performance in information technology companies in India
Authors: Shea Timothy , Usman Syed Aktharsha , Arivalagan Sengottuvel , Parayitam Satyanarayana
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to empirically examine knowledge management (KM) practices as a moderator in the relationship between organizational culture and performance. The effect of four types of organizational culture on organizational performance was studied. In addition to direct effects, most importantly, KM practices as a moderator in strengthening the culture-performance relationship were empirically examined.

Design/methodology/approach

A carefully crafted survey instrument was distributed and data was collected from 1,255 respondents from 10 information technology companies in India. After checking the psychometric properties of the instrument, this paper performs hierarchical regression to test hypotheses.

Findings

The results reveal that: cooperative culture, innovative culture, consistent culture and effectiveness culture were all positively and significantly related to organizational performance; KM practices were positively and significantly related to organizational performance, KM practices moderate the relationship between various dimensions of organizational culture and organizational performance.

Research limitations/implications

As with any survey-based research, the present study suffers from the problems associated with self-report measures. These are common method bias and social desirability bias. However, this study attempts to minimize these limitations by following appropriate statistical techniques.

Practical implications

This study contributes to both practicing managers and the literature on KM and organizational culture. The study suggests that managers use KM practices, which are all-pervasive and very important for improving organizational performance. The results highlight the importance of implementing KM practices in organizations.

Originality/value

This study provides new insights into the importance of KM practices in achieving sustained competitive advantage by achieving organizational effectiveness. To the knowledge, the importance of KM practices is underemphasized in organizational culture research.
Understanding the connectivity of ecosystems in the Anthropocene
Authors: Burdon Francis J.
Published: July 2021

In focus: Nash, L. N., Antiqueira, P. A. P., Romero, G. Q., de Omena, P. M., and Kratina, P. (2021). Warming of aquatic ecosystems disrupts aquatic‐terrestrial linkages in the tropics. Journal of Animal Ecology. Meta‐ecosystem ecology offers a holistic framework linking populations, communities and ecosystems in heterogeneous landscapes. This perspective is particularly relevant as anthropogenic drivers of environmental change proliferate, with the potential for impacts to propagate to spatially connected habitats. In aquatic ecosystems, reciprocal exchanges of energy, materials and organisms that form strong connections with adjacent terrestrial habitats can be disrupted by human impacts. Nash et al. (2021) demonstrate how a warming environment alters aquatic–terrestrial linkages by measuring rates of aquatic insect emergence and decomposition in a tropical context. While decomposition predictably increased with warming, insect emergence was greatly reduced. Using metabolic theory, I highlight how these results deviate from previous studies and help underscore the need for comparative research in different biomes. I conclude by exploring where progress can be made in quantifying, predicting and utilising the connectivity of ecosystems to fully realise the potential of a meta‐ecosystem perspective and help address the dual crises of biodiversity loss and climate change.
Morphology and mini‐barcodes: The inclusion of larval sampling and NGS‐based barcoding improves robustness of ecological analyses of mosquito communities
Authors: Yeo Huiqing , Yeoh Tze Xuan , Ding Huicong , Lee Theodore Tze Ming , Puniamoorthy Nalini
Published: July 2021

A significant proportion of vector‐borne diseases are transmitted by blood‐sucking dipterans, including mosquitoes. Understanding transmission risks requires accurate identification of species across heterogeneous habitats, but many cryptic and polymorphic species are overlooked when using morphological identification. Estimates of mosquito diversity are typically based on adult female trapping methods which tend to target host‐seeking species and may represent a biased snapshot of community structure. Unfortunately, diversity estimates based on larval data are rarely included in mosquito ecological analyses.

We carried out adult and larval sampling over 6 months in Singapore using an integrative approach of morphological identification and molecular delineation with mini‐barcodes (313 bp) generated on a Next‐Generation Sequencing platform to obtain species estimates. We collected 3,201 mosquitoes across 58 species (14 genera). Notably, 16 species were collected only through larval sampling and 22 species were only resolved using mini‐barcodes. Of the latter, we identified three morphologically similar species groups and documented several intraspecific polymorphisms.

We compared adult‐only data against a full dataset (adult + larval + mini‐barcode). The species accumulation curves reached an asymptote for all but one site when using the latter and non‐metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) revealed that mosquito communities were only well separated when using the full dataset. Overall, the full dataset reflects a more defined and accurate community structure across all sites. We find that many mosquito species are niche‐specific and several species were generally influenced by tree cover, rainfall and presence of large water bodies.

Synthesis and applications. We report the first successful use of mini‐barcodes on mosquitoes and demonstrate its utility in delineating multiple challenging species groups. We recommend the use of both morphological and molecular identification methods for ecological studies and vector surveillance. Misidentification in species estimation, especially for medically relevant insect groups, can lead to conflicting reports and slows down vector control efforts. We provide evidence that varying sampling techniques, particularly of the larval stages for holometabolous insects, is important in generating a robust dataset for downstream analyses. Together with DNA barcoding, this integrative approach helps to minimise error cascades when designing management strategies.
Life cycle informed restoration: Engineering settlement substrate material characteristics and structural complexity for reef formation
Authors: Temmink Ralph J. M. , Angelini Christine , Fivash Gregory S. , Swart Laura , Nouta Reinder , Teunis Malenthe , Lengkeek Wouter , Didderen Karin , Lamers Leon P. M. , Bouma Tjeerd J. , van der Heide Tjisse
Published: July 2021

Ecosystems are degrading world‐wide, with severe ecological and economic consequences. Restoration is becoming an important tool to regain ecosystem services and preserve biodiversity. However, in harsh ecosystems dominated by habitat‐modifying organisms, restoration is often expensive and failure prone. Establishment of such habitat modifiers often hinges on self‐facilitation feedbacks generated by traits that emerge when individuals aggregate, causing density‐ or patch size‐dependent establishment thresholds. To overcome these thresholds, adult or juvenile habitat‐forming species are often transplanted in clumped designs, or stress‐mitigating structures are deployed. However, current restoration approaches focus on introducing or facilitating a single life stage, while many habitat modifiers experience multiple bottlenecks throughout their life as they transition through sequential life stages.

Here, we define and experimentally test ‘life cycle informed restoration’, a restoration concept that focuses on overcoming multiple bottlenecks throughout the target species’ lifetime. To provide proof of concept, and show its general applicability, we carried out complementary experiments in intertidal soft‐sediment systems in Florida and the Netherlands where oysters and mussels act as reef‐building habitat modifiers. We used biodegradable structures designed to facilitate bivalve reef recovery by both stimulating settlement with hard and fibrous substrates and post‐settlement survival by reducing predation.

Our trans‐Atlantic experiments demonstrate that these structures enabled bivalve reef formation by: (a) facilitating larval recruitment via species‐specific settlement substrates, and (b) enhancing post‐settlement survival by lowering predation. In the Netherlands, structures with coir rope most strongly facilitated mussels by providing fibrous settlement substrate, and predation‐lowering spatially complex hard attachment substrate. In Florida, oysters were greatly facilitated by hard substrates, while coir rope proved unbeneficial.

Synthesis and applications. Our findings demonstrate that artificial biodegradable reefs can enhance bivalve reef restoration across the Atlantic by mimicking emergent traits that ameliorate multiple bottlenecks over the reef‐forming organism’ life cycle. This highlights the potential of our approach as a cost‐effective and practical tool for nature managers to restore systems dominated by habitat modifiers whose natural recovery is hampered by multiple life stage‐dependent bottlenecks. Therefore, investment in understanding how to achieve life cycle informed restoration on larger scales and whether the method it is applicable to restore other ecosystems is now required.
Agents of past principals: The lasting effects of incumbents on the political ideology of bureaucrats
Authors: KAPPE ROLAND , SCHUSTER CHRISTIAN
Published: July 2021

Understanding representation is central to politics. Numerous studies assess under which conditions politicians share citizens’ ideological preferences. However, under which conditions bureaucrats share citizens’ ideological preferences has not been systematically studied. Yet, bureaucratic preferences shape policy outcomes. Our paper thus studies why bureaucrats are more right or left‐wing than citizens in some countries and points of time, yet not others. We theorize that political ideologies of past incumbents shape this variation. Incumbents can select ideologically aligned bureaucrats and socialize bureaucrats into ideological preferences; moreover, prospective bureaucrats may self‐select into ideologically aligned governments. As bureaucratic tenure exceeds political tenure, this politicization has lasting effects. Survey data from 87 countries supports this argument: bureaucrats are more left‐leaning than citizens in countries with longer prior rule by economically left‐wing governments, and more right‐wing in countries with more authoritarian pasts. This suggests that incumbents continue to shape the ideological preferences of bureaucrats after leaving office.
Involvement of CYP347W1 in neurotoxin 3‐nitropropionic acid‐based chemical defense in mustard leaf beetle Phaedon cochleariae
Authors: Fu Nanxia , Becker Tobias , Brandt Wolfgang , Kunert Maritta , Burse Antje , Boland Wilhelm
Published: July 2021

Chrysomelina beetlesstore 3‐nitropropionic acid in form of a pretoxin, isoxazolin‐5‐one glucoside‐conjugated ester, to protect themselves against predators. Here we identified a cytochrome P450 monooxygenase, CYP347W1, to be involved in the production of the 3‐nitropropionic acid moiety of the isoxazolin‐5‐one glucoside ester. Knocking down CYP347W1 led to a significant depletion in the concentration of the isoxazolin‐5‐one glucoside ester and an increase in the concentration of the isoxazolin‐5‐one glucoside in the larval hemolymph. Enzyme assays with the heterologously expressed CYP347W1 showed free β‐alanine was not the direct substrate. Homology modeling indicated that β‐alanine‐CoA ester can fit into CYP347W1’s active site. Furthermore, we proved that Phaedon cochleariae eggs are not able to de novo synthesize 3‐NPA, although both isoxazolin‐5‐one glucoside and its 3‐NPA‐conjugated ester are present in the eggs. These results provide direct evidence for the involvement of CYP347W1 in the biosynthesis of a P. cochleariae chemical defense compound.
Metagenomic and metatranscriptomic analysis reveals enrichment for xenobiotic‐degrading bacterial specialists and xenobiotic‐degrading genes in a Canadian Prairie two‐cell biobed system
Authors: Russell Jennifer N. , Perry Benjamin J. , Bergsveinson Jordyn , Freeman Claire N. , Sheedy Claudia , Nilsson Denise , Braul Larry , Yost Christopher K.
Published: July 2021

Biobeds are agriculture‐based bioremediation tools used to safely contain and microbially degrade on‐farm pesticide waste and rinsate, thereby reducing the negative environmental impacts associated with pesticide use. While these engineered ecosystems demonstrate efficient pesticide removal, the microbiomes in these environments remain largely understudied both taxonomically and functionally. This study used metagenomic and metatranscriptomic techniques to characterize the microbial community in a two‐cell Canadian biobed system before and after a field season of pesticide application. These culture‐independent approaches identified an enrichment of xenobiotic‐degrading bacteria, such as Afipia, Sphingopyxis and Pseudomonas, and enrichment and transcription of xenobiotic‐degrading genes, such as peroxidases, oxygenases, and hydroxylases, among others; we were able to directly link the transcription of these genes to Pseudomonas, Oligotropha, Mesorhizobium, Rhodopseudomonas, and Stenotrophomonas taxa.
Overexpression of hsa_circ_0008274 inhibited the progression of lung adenocarcinoma by regulating HMGA2 via sponging miR‐578
Authors: Wang Maolong , Ma Minge , Yang Yuling , Li Chuan , Wang Yuanyong , Sun Xiao , Wang Mengdi , Sun Yong , Jiao Wenjie
Published: July 2021

Background

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) had been identified as a non‐coding RNA associated with many types of cancer in recent years. However, the involvement of hsa_circ_0008274 in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) has not been explored. The aim of our research is to explore the biological mechanism and function of hsa_circ_0008274 in LUAD.

Methods

The hsa_circ_0008274, miR‐578, and high mobility group AT‐Hook 2 (HMGA2) mRNA expression levels were detected via qRT‐PCR. Cell Counting Kit‐8 (CCK‐8) Transwell assay and wound healing assay were performed to measure the cell proliferation, invasion, and migration ability. Luciferase reporter and Western blotting experiments were performed to characterize the competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) mechanism of hsa_circ_0008274.

Results

Our findings determined that the expression of hsa_circ_0008274 in LUAD was significantly decreased. Cell experiments showed that overexpressed hsa_circ_0008274 could reduce the proliferation and invasion ability of LUAD cells. Moreover, miRNA‐578 could identify as a miRNA sponge of hsa_circ_0008274. Overexpressed hsa_circ_0008274 reduced the proliferation and invasion of LUAD cells caused by miR‐578 mimics. Increasing the expression of miR‐578 can aggravate the proliferation and invasion of LUAD cells and block the inhibition of proliferation and invasion of LUAD cells mediated by overexpressed hsa_circ_0008274. Subsequent data indicate that HMGA2 of the tumor‐promoting gene is the target gene of miR‐578. The upregulation of HMGA2 partially reversed the tumor inhibitory effect of LUAD cells induced by overexpressed hsa_circ_0008274 or miR‐578 mimics.

Conclusions

In summary, our data show that the overexpression of hsa_circ_0008274 repressed the proliferation and invasion of LUAD through downregulating miR‐578 and activating HMGA2.
Immaterial Error Corrections and Financial Reporting Reliability*
Authors: Choudhary Preeti , Merkley Kenneth , Schipper Katherine
Published: July 2021

We provide large‐sample archival evidence on the nature and consequences of errors deemed immaterial to the previously issued financial statements containing the errors (immaterial errors). The incidence of immaterial error corrections has been increasing since about 2004, and these corrections are associated with modestly and discernibly negative share returns that are more negative for income‐decreasing corrections and corrections that involve multiple issues. We find that immaterial errors are a leading indicator of poor reporting reliability as measured by future material and immaterial reporting errors, material weaknesses in internal controls, and SEC comment letters. Our findings suggest that immaterial errors provide researchers and investors with a more frequent and less severe indicator of potential audit or financial reporting issues as compared to more extreme reporting problems such as material errors corrected by restatements.
Editorial: is tofacitinib another rescue option for acute severe ulcerative colitis?
Authors: Honap Sailish , Pavlidis Polychronis , Irving Peter M.
Published: July 2021

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Uzzan et al paper. To view this article, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16463
Investigating how autonomy‐supportive teaching moderates the relation between student honesty and premeditated cheating
Authors: Bureau Julien S. , Gareau Alexandre , Guay Frédéric , Mageau Geneviève A.
Published: July 2021

Background

Cheating at the post‐secondary level is a skewed phenomenon. While personality and environmental factors are associated with cheating, few studies account for the zero inflation when predicting cheating behaviour.

Aim

In this study, we explore a person‐situation interaction hypothesis where teacher autonomy support (AS) could modify the relation between students’ honesty trait and premeditated cheating.

Sample

Participants were 710 college students and 31 teachers.

Methods

Teacher and student reports of teacher AS were collected and students also completed self‐reports of honesty and premeditated cheating.

Results

Given that cheating had a zero‐inflated negative binomial distribution, we can investigate two separate outcomes: likelihood of cheating and magnitude of cheating. Predictably, student honesty trait predicted lower likelihood and magnitude of cheating. AS, whether student‐ or teacher‐reported, moderated the relation between honesty and likelihood of cheating. In low perceived AS teaching environments, student honesty was associated with cheating likelihood. However, there was no such relation in high perceived AS teaching environments.

Conclusions

Students’ honesty generally predicts lower cheating. However, the educational environment provided by the teacher influences the strength of this association. The less autonomy‐supportive students perceive the educational environment, the more their personality is important in predicting the likelihood of cheating.
Actions of glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor ligands in the gut
Authors: Holst Jens Juul , Andersen Daniel Bjørklund , Grunddal Kaare Villum
Published: July 2021

The incretin hormone glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) is inactivated by the enzyme dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 even before it leaves the gut, but it seems to act predominantly via activation of intestinal sensory neurons expressing GLP‐1 receptors. Thus, activation of vagal afferents is probably responsible for its effects on appetite and food intake, gastrointestinal secretion and motility, and pancreatic endocrine secretion. However, GLP‐1 receptors are widely expressed in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, including epithelial cells in the stomach, and the Brunner glands, in endocrine cells of the gut epithelium, and on mucosal lymphocytes. In this way, GLP‐1 may have important local actions of epithelial protection and endocrine signalling and may interact with the immune system. We review the formation and release of GLP‐1 from the endocrine L cells and its fate after release and describe the localization of its receptor throughout the GI tract and discuss its direct or indirect actions in the GI tract.

LINKED ARTICLES

This article is part of a themed issue on GLP1 receptor ligands (BJP 75th Anniversary). To view the other articles in this section visithttp://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v179.4/issuetoc
Protective role of cortistatin in pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis
Authors: Barriga Margarita , Benitez Raquel , Ferraz‐de‐Paula Viviane , Garcia‐Frutos Marina , Caro Marta , Robledo Gema , O'Valle Francisco , Campos‐Salinas Jenny , Delgado Mario
Published: July 2021

Background and Purpose

Acute lung injury (ALI), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and pulmonary fibrosis remain major causes of morbidity, mortality and a healthcare burden in critically ill patient. There is an urgent need to identify factors causing susceptibility and for the design of new therapeutic agents. Here, we evaluate the effectiveness of the immunomodulatory neuropeptide cortistatin to regulate pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis in vivo.

Experimental Approach

ALI/ARDS and pulmonary fibrosis were induced experimentally in wild‐type and cortistatin‐deficient mice by pulmonary infusion of the bacterial endotoxin LPS or the chemotherapeutic drug bleomycin, and the histopathological signs, pulmonary leukocyte infiltration and cytokines, and fibrotic markers were evaluated.

Key Results

Partially deficient mice in cortistatin showed exacerbated pulmonary damage, pulmonary inflammation, alveolar oedema and fibrosis, and subsequent increased respiratory failure and mortality when challenged to LPS or bleomycin, even at low doses. Treatment with cortistatin reversed these aggravated phenotypes and protected from progression to severe ARDS and fibrosis, after high exposure to both injury agents. Moreover, cortistatin‐deficient pulmonary macrophages and fibroblasts showed exaggerated ex vivo inflammatory and fibrotic responses, and treatment with cortistatin impaired their activation. Finally, the protective effects of cortistatin in ALI and pulmonary fibrosis were partially inhibited by specific antagonists for somatostatin and ghrelin receptors.

Conclusion and Implications

We identified cortistatin as an endogenous inhibitor of pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis. Deficiency in cortistatin could be a marker of poor prognosis in inflammatory/fibrotic pulmonary disorders. Cortistatin‐based therapies could emerge as attractive candidates to treat severe ALI/ARDS, including SARS‐CoV‐2‐associated ARDS.
Asthma: role of the angiotensin‐(1‐7)/Mas (MAS1) pathway in pathophysiology and therapy
Authors: Gregório Juliana Fabiana , Rodrigues‐Machado Maria da Gloria , Santos Robson Augusto Souza , Carvalho‐Ribeiro Igor Antônio , Nunes Olivia Mendonça , Oliveira Isabel Fusaro Aguiar , Vasconcellos Ana Victoria de Oliveira , Campagnole‐Santos Maria Jose , Magalhães Giselle Santos
Published: July 2021

The incidence of asthma is a global health problem and requires studies aimed for the development of new treatments to improve its clinical management, reducing personal and economic burdens on the health system. Therefore, the discovery of mediators that promote anti‐inflammatory and pro‐resolutive effects are highly desirable to improve lung function and quality of life of asthmatic patients. In that regard, experimental studies have shown that the angiotensin‐(1‐7)/Mas receptor (MAS1) of the renin‐angiotensin system is a potential candidate for the treatment of asthma. Therefore, we have reviewed findings related to the function of the angiotensin‐(1‐7)/Mas pathway in regulating the processes associated with inflammation, including leukocyte influx, fibrogenesis, pulmonary dysfunction and the resolution of inflammation in asthma. Thus, a knowledge of the role of the angiotensin‐(1‐7)/Mas can help pave the way for the development of new treatments for this disease, which has high morbidity and mortality, through new types of experiments and clinical trials.
Neuroprotective effects and mechanisms of ischemic/hypoxic preconditioning on neurological diseases
Authors: Liu Jia , Gu Yakun , Guo Mengyuan , Ji Xunming
Published: July 2021

As the organ with the highest demand for oxygen, the brain has a poor tolerance to ischemia and hypoxia. Despite severe ischemia/hypoxia induces the occurrence and development of various central nervous system (CNS) diseases, sublethal insult may induce strong protection against subsequent fatal injuries by improving tolerance. Searching for potential measures to improve brain ischemic/hypoxic is of great significance for treatment of ischemia/hypoxia related CNS diseases. Ischemic/hypoxic preconditioning (I/HPC) refers to the approach to give the body a short period of mild ischemic/hypoxic stimulus which can significantly improve the body's tolerance to subsequent more severe ischemia/hypoxia event. It has been extensively studied and been considered as an effective therapeutic strategy in CNS diseases. Its protective mechanisms involved multiple processes, such as activation of hypoxia signaling pathways, anti‐inflammation, antioxidant stress, and autophagy induction, etc. As a strategy to induce endogenous neuroprotection, I/HPC has attracted extensive attention and become one of the research frontiers and hotspots in the field of neurotherapy. In this review, we discuss the basic and clinical research progress of I/HPC on CNS diseases, and summarize its mechanisms. Furthermore, we highlight the limitations and challenges of their translation from basic research to clinical application.
The impact of strictly protected areas in a deforestation hotspot
Authors: Hernandez Stephanie , Barnes Megan D. , Duce Stephanie , Adams Vanessa M.
Published: July 2021

Protected areas are often thought of as a key conservation strategy for avoiding deforestation and retaining biodiversity; therefore, it is crucial to know how effective they are at achieving this purpose. Using a case study from Queensland, Australia, we identified and controlled for bias in allocating strictly protected areas (IUCN Class I and II) and evaluated their impact (in terms of avoiding deforestation) using statistical matching methods. Over the 30 years between 1988 and 2018, approximately 70,481 km2 of native forest was cleared in the study region. Using statistical matching, we estimated that 10.5% (1,447 km2) of Category I and II (strict) protected areas would have been cleared in the absence of protection. Put differently, 89.5% of strictly protected areas are unlikely to have been cleared, even if they were never protected. While previous studies have used statistical matching at a country or state level, we conducted an analysis that allows regional comparison across a single State. Our research indicates that strictly protected areas are marginally effective at preventing deforestation, and this likely due to biases in establishing protected areas on unproductive land.
Willing and able? Theory of mind, social motivation, and social competence in middle childhood and early adolescence
Authors: Devine Rory T. , Apperly Ian A.
Published: July 2021

This study investigated the links between theory of mind, social motivation, and children's social competence in middle childhood and early adolescence. Two hundred and sixty four children (136 girls, 128 boys) aged between 8 and 13 years (M Age = 10.88 years, SD = 1.45) completed theory‐of‐mind tests and self‐report questionnaires measuring social motivation. Teachers rated children's social competence at school. Teacher‐rated social competence was associated with individual differences in both theory of mind and children's motivation to develop and maintain social relationships. Results suggest that while individual differences in social motivation and theory of mind are partially overlapping, both theory of mind ability and social motivation contribute to successful social interaction at school.
Larvae and adults exhibit contrasting patterns of immune gene expression and infection resistance in wild flour beetle populations
Authors: Tate Ann T. , Perry Abby , Jent Derrick
Published: July 2021

1. In nature, hosts face shifting patterns of parasite exposure and life history trade‐offs, as they develop from birth to old age. As a result, the net fitness benefit of immunological investment can change dramatically from one life stage to the next.

2. Previous work has revealed a puzzling diversity of relative immune investment patterns among juvenile and adult stages, and it is not clear whether lessons learned from one particular population or species can be generalised to wild populations, after accounting for local adaptation and other variance‐generating processes.

3. In this study, we quantify larval and adult immune gene expression and resistance to bacterial infection in two flour beetle species (Tribolium castaneum and Tribolium confusum) from seven wild‐derived populations.

4. Our results provide a clear signal of higher infection‐induced immunological investment and resistance in adults relative to larvae, despite variation among species in immune gene regulation.

5. Better characterisation of stage‐specific investment in infection resistance in natural populations can inform our understanding of life history evolution and improve predictions of disease dynamics in the wild.
Trophic niche segregation among native whitefish and invasive vendace in a north Norwegian lake system
Authors: Kelly Brianne , Amundsen Per‐Arne , Power Michael
Published: July 2021

Introductions and invasions of non‐native species alter nutrient cycling and trophic dynamics resulting in significant ecological disturbance. Stable isotope data were used to test for evidence of invader‐induced trophic niche differences in a north Norwegian lake system differentially dominated by native European whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus) morphotypes and invasive vendace (Coregonus albula). Aspects of both realised trophic niche position and trophic niche width were affected by the invader, with the effects varying by whitefish morphotype. Densely rakered pelagic whitefish demonstrated a relatively lower reliance on pelagic resources in the presence of the invader and the isotopic niche size was relatively larger in conjunction with the broadening of the prey base. Within the benthic‐dwelling sparsely rakered whitefish morphotype, the trophic impacts of invading vendace were size‐dependent, with larger individuals experiencing niche compression. Smaller sparsely rakered whitefish increased, contrary to our hypothesis, reliance on pelagic‐based energy in the face of invasion. Our findings demonstrate that the trophic ecology of invaded systems can differ in multiple and subtle ways that have consequences for community‐ and ecosystem‐level energy flows, which if persisting over time are likely to have implications for the recruitment, growth and reproductive rate of the native fishes.
Effects of miR‐224‐5p‐enhanced downregulation of pannexin‐1 on docetaxel‐induced apoptosis in amoeboid‐like CD44high oral cancer cells
Authors: Yokoyama Sho , Shigeishi Hideo , Murodumi Hiroshi , Sakuma Miyuki , Ono Shigehiro , Tobiume Kei , Ohta Kouji , Takechi Masaaki
Published: July 2021

We previously found that microRNAs play major roles in the maintenance of amoeboid‐like oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells with high expression of CD44 (CD44high). However, the roles of microRNAs in chemotherapeutic resistance exhibited by CD44high amoeboid‐like OSCC cells are unclear. Here, docetaxel‐induced apoptosis was examined in CD44high OSCC cells (CD44high OM‐1 cells) cultured on laminin‐coated silicone gel. Amoeboid‐like CD44high OSCC cells exhibited robust resistance to docetaxel‐induced apoptosis and significant upregulation of miR‐224‐5p expression compared with epithelial‐like CD44high OSCC cells and mesenchymal‐like CD44high OSCC cells. The expression of pannexin‐1 (PANX1), a channel‐forming protein that regulates the release of ATP, was significantly upregulated following transfection of amoeboid‐like CD44high OSCC cells with an miR‐224‐5p inhibitor. These results suggest that miR‐224‐5p inhibits PANX1 expression. Furthermore, miR‐224‐5p inhibitor‐transfected amoeboid‐like CD44high OSCC cells exhibited significant enhancement of the proportion of apoptotic cells; however, this effect was significantly inhibited by knockdown of PANX1 with PANX1 small interfering RNA. Additionally, the miR‐224‐5p inhibitor‐enhanced extracellular ATP levels were significantly reduced by PANX1 knockdown. These findings imply that miR‐224‐5p plays a vital role in the resistance to docetaxel‐induced apoptosis by attenuating PANX1‐induced ATP discharge. Moreover, amoeboid‐like CD44high OSCC cells may be involved in chemotherapeutic resistance of OSCC.
Epileptic heart: A clinical syndromic approach
Authors: Verrier Richard L. , Pang Trudy D. , Nearing Bruce D. , Schachter Steven C.
Published: July 2021

Prevention of premature death in patients with chronic epilepsy remains a major challenge. Multiple pathophysiologic factors have been implicated, with intense investigation of cardiorespiratory mechanisms. Up to four in five patients with chronic epilepsy exhibit cardiovascular comorbidities. These findings led us to propose the concept of an “epileptic heart,” defined as “a heart and coronary vasculature damaged by chronic epilepsy as a result of repeated surges in catecholamines and hypoxemia leading to electrical and mechanical dysfunction.” Among the most prominent changes documented in the literature are high incidence of myocardial infarction and arrhythmia, altered autonomic tone, diastolic dysfunction, hyperlipidemia, and accelerated atherosclerosis. This suite of pathologic changes prompted us to propose for the first time in this review a syndromic approach for improved clinical detection of the epileptic heart condition. In this review, we discuss the key pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying the candidate criteria along with standard and novel techniques that permit evaluation of each of these factors. Specifically, we present evidence of the utility of standard 12‐lead, ambulatory, and multiday patch‐based electrocardiograms, along with measures of cardiac electrical instability, including T‐wave alternans, heart rate variability to detect altered autonomic tone, echocardiography to detect diastolic dysfunction, and plasma biomarkers for assessing hyperlipidemia and accelerated atherosclerosis. Ultimately, the proposed clinical syndromic approach is intended to improve monitoring and evaluation of cardiac risk in patients with chronic epilepsy to foster improved therapeutic strategies to reduce premature cardiac death.
Connectivity within isolation: dispersal, population genetics, and conservation of the rarest European damselfly
Authors: Landmann Molinia , Schlick‐Steiner Birgit C. , Steiner Florian M. , Landmann Armin
Published: July 2021

Coenagrion hylas (Trybom, 1899) has a very limited distribution in Europe, lives in very small, isolated populations, has rather specialised habitat demands, and is regarded as the rarest damselfly of Europe.

Using a combination of capture‐mark‐recapture and population genetics, we aimed to evaluate the state of the populations in the Tyrolean Lech valley and to test whether exuviae from this species are usable as a DNA source. DNA was extracted from mid‐leg tibiae and exuviae and genotyped with species‐specific microsatellite markers. The results from the capture–recapture and the genetic methods were congruent.

Coenagrion hylas has an unexpectedly high tendency to disperse within the valley, covering distances of up to 30 km, and lives longer than other damselflies, with an average longevity of 12 days and a maximum lifespan of at least 40 days. Low inbreeding coefficients and low ranges of genetic differentiation across sites provide evidence of panmixia, with no clear signs of inbreeding. The current population size is estimated at 1150 males based on the recapture data.

We further demonstrated that exuviae deliver a sufficient amount of DNA, which will be important for future monitoring. Although C. hylas currently shows appropriate viability at most Lech valley sites, our study indicates that management measurements, such as creating stepping stone habitats, are crucial to maintain the current population status. Given the high dispersal capability of the species, such management measurements seem promising.
Serum resistin levels and resistin gene polymorphism in patients with acne vulgaris: does it correlate with disease severity?
Authors: Shehata Wafaa A. , Maraee Alaa , Wahab Tagreed A. A. , Azmy Rania
Published: July 2021

Background

Acne vulgaris is a disease that inflames the sebaceous gland with multiple etiologies. Many proinflammatory adipokines contribute to this pathogenesis. Resistin is a proinflammatory mediator that activates kappa B, a nuclear factor, and c‐Jun N‐terminal kinases pathways inducing toll‐like receptor‐2, interleukin‐1, 6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha. Resistin gene affects the promoter and intron regions' polymorphisms' expression levels. We aimed to study the association of resistin gene polymorphisms (RETN ‐420 C/G) and the development of acne vulgaris and whether it is associated with serum resistin levels and disease severity.

Subjects and methods

Resistin (RETN) gene (rs1862513) genotypes were identified using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), and serum resistin presence was assessed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay in 40 patients with acne vulgaris and 40 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls as a cross‐reference. Patients were divided into mild, moderate, and severe groups. Global Acne Grading System (GAGS) was used to assess the severity of acne vulgaris.

Results

CG and GG genotypes were present in cases (P = 0.006) odds ratio (OR)1 = 4.43; 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.53, 12.7) and OR2 = 5.47; 95% CI (0.99, 30.1); G‐allele statistically dominated in the patient group where P = 0.001 and OR = 3.57; 95% CI (1.63, 7.80). A positive significant relationship between RETN genotypes and serum resistin levels and GAGS score was present.

Conclusion

RETN genes rs1862513 GG and G allele are correlated to acne vulgaris development and severity in a sample of the Egyptian population. This study comprised a small sample size. The cases may not accurately represent the general population; only one clinic was enrolled in the study.
Dermoscopy of acquired pigmentary disorders: a comprehensive review
Authors: Krueger Loren , Saizan Autumn , Stein Jennifer A. , Elbuluk Nada
Published: July 2021

Dermoscopy has traditionally been used for the diagnosis of neoplasms and more recently in the evaluation of inflammatory conditions. Recent observational studies have suggested a role for dermoscopy in identifying and differentiating acquired pigmentary disorders. This comprehensive review will summarize the growing literature on the use of dermoscopy for pigmentary disorders. A literature review was performed on PubMed dating from inception to October 2020. The following pigmentary disorders were included in this study: melasma, solar lentigines, poikiloderma of Civatte, exogenous ochronosis, lichen planus pigmentosus, erythromelanosis follicularis faciei et colli, pigmented contact dermatitis, Riehl’s melanosis, postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, erythema dyschromicum perstans, ashy dermatosis, confluent and reticulated papillomatosis, acanthosis nigricans, pityriasis versicolor, tinea versicolor, idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis, and vitiligo. Search terms used included each pigmentary disorder along with the terms “dermoscopy” or “dermatoscopy.” Relevant case reports and case series were included. Many pigmentary disorders have unique and distinguishable features on dermoscopy. Given that these disorders can be clinically challenging for clinicians and emotionally distressing for patients, dermoscopy provides an additional, useful tool in the evaluation and assessment process.
Lycopene‐rich cream obtained via high‐pressure homogenisation of tomato processing residues in a water–oil mixture
Authors: Jurić Slaven , Jurić Marina , Ferrari Giovanna , Režek Jambrak Anet , Donsì Francesco
Published: July 2021

Tomato processing residues are still rich in bioactive compounds that may be recovered and reused, with environmental and economic benefits. This short communication discloses for the first time that the high‐pressure homogenisation (HPH) treatment of tomato residues in the presence of water and sunflower oil is able to promote the extraction of bioactive compounds concurrently to the formation of an oil‐in‐water emulsion stabilised by the micronized residues. The mechanical disruption effect of HPH improved the mass transfer of lycopene into the oil phase, and formed fine fibrous debris, improving stabilisation and visual appearance of the emulsion. Results showed a progressive increase of lycopene concentration in the cream phase up to 5 HPH passes and a concurrent reduction of its content in the pellet. Total polyphenols content and antioxidant activity in the aqueous phase gradually decreased when increasing the number of passes, suggesting their progressive transfer in the cream phase. The proposed process that relies on a purely physical treatment and uses only water/sunflower oil as extraction media resulted in the production of a lycopene‐rich cream of potential use as a functional food ingredient.
Effect of combined treatments of ultrasound and high hydrostatic pressure processing on the physicochemical properties, microbial quality and shelf‐life of cold brew tea
Authors: Song YongCheng , Bi Xiufang , Zhou Min , Zhou Zhongyu , Chen Lei , Wang Xiaoqiong , Ma Yuan
Published: July 2021

Effects of ultrasound combined with high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) on physicochemical properties,microorganisms and storage attributes of cold brew tea were investigated. HHP at 400 MPa/5 min/25 °C inactivated the total aerobic bacteria, yeast and mould in cold brewed tea prepared by static brewing (SB‐tea) at 13 h/4 °C, ultrasonic bath (UB‐tea) at 150 W/120 min/0 °C and ultrasonic pulveriser (UP‐tea) at 600 W/40 min/0 °C, ensuring their microbiological safety. The results showed that there was no significant difference in the concentration of tea polyphenols between hot brewed tea prepared by 7 min/100 °C and cold brewed tea under different preparation conditions, while the caffeine in cold brewed tea was significantly lower (P < 0.05) than that in hot brewed tea. During the storage period of 8 days, compared with the untreated group, the cold brewed tea after HHP treatment had better microbiological safety. In addition, HHP treatment constantly maintained the tea polyphenols, pH, colour, antioxidant capacity and turbidity in cold brewed tea. The untreated and HHP‐treated cold brew tea were evaluated by 20 trained volunteers. Results showed that UB‐tea was more close to SB‐tea than UP‐tea in sensory profile, while HHP seem to maintain a good sensory profile as well. Therefore, this particular combined technology of ultrasonic bath and HHP displayed considerable potential for application in the cold brew tea manufacturing industry.
Effects of different wet heating methods on the water distribution, microstructure and protein denaturation of pork steaks
Authors: Song Yu , Huang Feng , Li Xia , Han Dong , Zhang Chun‐hui
Published: July 2021

This study aimed to investigate the influence of different wet heating methods (SC: steam cooking; BC: boiling cooking) on the water distribution, microstructure and protein denaturation of pork steaks. Results showed that SC increased the proton relaxation intensity (T1 and T2) and the amount of immobilized water, but decreased the amount of free water compared with BC treatment. Proton density images showed that the red area was more in SC treatment than BC treatment. Muscle volume contraction and microstructure destruction in SC treatments were lower than that of BC treatments. Meanwhile, SC had higher protein solubility, but lower surface hydrophobicity as compared with BC. Additionally, pork steaks containing salt cooked by the same heating method had higher water mobility than those of without salt. Moreover, salting process aggravated the swelling of muscle fibre structure and protein denaturation.