bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Collaborative approaches and adaptability in disaster risk situations
Authors: Namagembe Sheila
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The aim of the study was to examine the role of collaborative approaches (productive collaboration, collaborative innovation and collaborative risk management) in disaster risk situations. Thus, the study focused on the effect of productive collaboration and collaborative innovation on collaborative risk management, and the effect of collaborative risk management and collaborative innovation on adaptability.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). The Covariance Based Structural Equation Modeling software was used to obtain results on the influence of productive collaboration and collaborative innovation on collaborative risk management, the influence of collaborative innovation on adaptability and the influence of collaborative risk management on adaptability.

Findings

Findings indicated that both productive collaboration and collaborative innovation influence collaborative risk management, and both collaborative innovation and collaborative risk management influence adaptability.

Research limitations/implications

The study mainly focused on the NGOs eliminating the government, beneficiaries and other actors that may be involved in disaster risk situations. The research has implications to decision makers in government, NGOs and other actors concerned with disaster risk management.

Originality/value

Countries worldwide are focusing on collaborative innovation and productive collaboration in addition to collaborative risk management to respond to epidemics and natural disasters. Despite the relevance of the collaborative initiatives, empirical research explaining the relevance of the variables to adaptability of actors during epidemics or natural disasters is still lacking.
Evaluating the effect of multifactors on employee’s innovative behavior in SMEs: mediating effects of thriving at work and organizational commitment
Authors: Nguyen Nguyen Phuc , McGuirk Helen
Published: June 2022

Purpose

This study aims to explore the effect of multiple factors on employee innovative behavior (EIB) and examine the mediating role that thriving at work and organizational commitment play in this relationship, specifically related to the hospitality sector.

Design/methodology/approach

Primary data was gathered from 612 employees across 100 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Vietnam. Using covariance-based structural equation modeling and the bootstrapping method, the research estimates ten overarching hypotheses to address the research question: how do job, personal and contextual factors influence EIB?

Findings

Job, personal and contextual factors influence EIB significantly and positively. The results uncover the relationship between workplace support and EIB under the mediating effects of thriving at work and organizational commitment. Especially interesting for the hospitality sector is that the authors find these three factors are a strong influence on EIB.

Practical implications

Management can stimulate EIB by designing job control and job demand appropriately to build and maintain workplace social support in the organization, especially in the hospitality sector. Employees’ personal characteristics can also facilitate this behavior. The research adds to theory on EIB and methods to analyze the factors affecting this driver of innovation.

Originality/value

The research enhances our understanding of EIB in the hospitality and the SME context generally. EIB is affected by employee perceptions of job factors (job demand and job control), personal factors (thriving at work and organizational commitment) and contextual factors (supervisor support, coworker support and climate for innovation).
Social support acquisition in online health communities: a social capital perspective
Authors: Liu Xuan , Lin Shan , Jiang Shan , Chen Ming , Li Jia
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The authors empirically examined social capital factors affecting patients' social support acquisition with the aim of providing guidance to patients seeking social support online.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used social network analysis to extract data about social capital factors from online health communities and text mining to identify forms of informational support and emotional support grounded in online, text-based communication. Moreover, the authors employed a random coefficient model to understand the dynamic influence of social capital factors on both informational and emotional support.

Findings

The results from the empirical analyses show that structural connections have a lasting impact on the acquisition of both types of support; that is, social connections developed in the past will have an effect on the future. For relational capital, strong ties were less important; the quantity of connections mattered more than the quality when acquiring informational support. The use of health-related language increased the amount of informational support acquired. Over time, patients gained increasing social support, which primarily came from the patients' historical threads, likely via searches from peers facilitated by accumulated social capital.

Originality/value

The authors' research adds to the literature on social capital and social support in online health communities by exploring how the three dimensions of social capital affect social support acquisition. The authors' research also contributes to the online health care literature by examining social support from a dynamic perspective. Practically, the authors' findings provide guidance for patients on what decisions to make to acquire more social support.
Rice ecosystem heterogeneity and determinants of climate risk adaptation in Indian agriculture: farm-level evidence
Authors: Gouraram Pandaraiah , Goyari Phanindra , Paltasingh Kirtti Ranjan
Published: June 2022

Purpose

This paper examines the determinants of concurrent adoption of farm risk management strategies by rice growers in two different ecosystems of Telangana agriculture-irrigated and rainfed ecosystems.

Design/methodology/approach

The primary data have been collected from the rice growers in two different ecosystems, and after checking the variance inflation factor (VIF) for controlling multicollinearity, a multinomial logit model has been used to examine the determinants of concurrent adoption of coping strategies by rice growers.

Findings

The study finds that adopting one risk management strategy persuades farmers to embrace other strategies, reducing the risk in agriculture between the two ecosystems. Among the determinants, farmers' age, education, contact with extension services, irrigation sources, livestock income, total farm income, crop loss reasons, and crop insurance awareness significantly influence the adoption of various risk management measures. However, considerable heterogeneity is found among the driving forces across the rice ecosystems.

Research limitations/implications

The major policy implications that can be drawn from the analysis are increased access to information through government-funded extension services and the provision of alternative risk management technologies, such as drought-resistant or flood-resistant seeds, farmers' field schools and increased provision of crop insurance, farmer-friendly agriculture extension services, and farm investment support, are critical for assisting farmers managing risks. In addition, however, there should be ecosystem-specific policies to tackle the ecosystem heterogeneity.

Originality/value

This paper is very timely and entails some relevant policy implications for the development of Indian agriculture.
Can village savings and loans association (VSLA) approach achieve/promote rural sustainable development in the Egyptian community?
Authors: Shaaban Safaa
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of the Village Saving and Loans Association (VSLA) on sustainable development (SD) and to explore VSLA as an approach that leads to women’s financial empowerment and its impact on SD in Egypt.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed method was applied for this study, including qualitative and quantitative methods. Qualitative method includes 50 individual interviews with women in the upper Egypt communities that applied the VSLA approach, the quantitative method, on the other hand, relied on secondary data, such as the outcomes of (knowledge, attitude, and practices [KAP]). The VSLA was applied in the Egyptian Community in 2015–2019, according to KAP study reports presented by international funders.

Findings

This study concludes that this VSLA approach helped many women and families to improve their economic situation and overcome financial hardship, which reflected on rural SD. Furthermore, the concept equipped and empowered women with a needed financial hardship that allowed them to improve their family situation and to participate in the process of developing their communities in a sustainable way. Also, women participated in VSLA leading initiatives and took an active role in rural SD in their community.

Research limitations/implications

The findings only apply to the sample that has participated in the VSLA project implemented by an international donor. A longitudinal quantitative evaluation of the VSLA approach and its impact on SD strategy of Egypt would be recommended in terms of further research study, highlighting the role of VSLA’s impact on achieving the Egyptian sustainable strategy 2030.

Originality/value

This paper is unique in presenting the concept of the VSLA as an intervention and approach for rural SD in the rural community by empowering marginalized women financially. Although this approach has been used by international donors as part of large programs implemented in Egypt and other countries since 1979 aimed at SD in rural areas, there is scarcity in the literature related to this approach.
Comparing viewpoints of top management, consultants and employees about Lean Six Sigma
Authors: Yadav Neeraj , Al Owad Ali
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Despite extensive research on Lean Six Sigma (LSS), it predominantly remains focussed on organisational aspects. Individual perceptions were often sidelined. Comparative studies about different perspectives of LSS from the point of view of top management, consultants and employees are unavailable. This paper captures the opinions of these stakeholders about different dimensions of LSS and presents the comparison.

Design/methodology/approach

Using empirical research, opinion is captured of three LSS stakeholder categories: top management/business owners, facilitators/consultants and practising managers/employees. Their opinions about 15 different perspectives of LSS, including its future in the Industry 4.0/Quality 4.0 era, are evaluated in this study under 95 variables (decision aspects). Comparison among the opinions of these stakeholders is performed using chi-square hypothesis testing and ANOVA (analysis of variance) methods.

Findings

In a total of 95 comparisons, a statistically significant difference among different stakeholders' views is observed in 62 cases. In 33 cases, the opinions of the three stakeholder groups can be considered in agreement with one another.

Research limitations/implications

The findings will help different LSS stakeholder groups better understand the expectations of other groups. During LSS implementation, it will help in aligning priorities and achieving success. Theoretically, it will help in narrowing the research gap about the rarity of comparing views of multiple stakeholder groups.

Originality/value

The comparison among views of three critical LSS stakeholder groups – top management/business owners, facilitators/consultants and managers/employees, is currently unavailable, and therefore, this research provides a fresh perspective to an otherwise extensively researched theme. It is immensely helpful in preventing LSS failures arising from misaligned stakeholder views and expectations.
Are secondary equity offerings of Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) REITs less underpriced than non-BEE REITs?
Authors: Ajayi Oluwaseun Damilola , Akinsomi Omokolade
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the literature on secondary equity offerings (SEOs) by examining the impact of the Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) policy on secondary equity offering (SEO) pricing dynamics of South African Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs).

Design/methodology/approach

With a sample of 152 SEOs of South African REITs from 2010 to 2020, ordinary least squares (OLS) models, fixed effect models, parametric and non-parametric tests were applied to test for the impact of BEE on the underpricing of SEOs.

Findings

Significant underpricing is discovered in highly compliant (BEE) REITs; in other words, SEOs pricing of BEE compliant REITs are more underpriced compared to non-compliant BEE REITs. With this, BEE compliant REITs and more so, highly compliant BEE REITs in particular leave more money on the table.

Practical implications

The government is therefore aware of the impact policy interventions play when REITs raise financing through SEOS. With these, highly compliant BEE REITs will need to be more strategic when making BEE compliance decisions as this is shown in our study to impact the underpricing of SEOs.

Originality/value

This is the first study to investigate SEO underpricing for the BEE policy using the South African REITs context.
Impacts of big data analytics adoption on firm sustainability performance
Authors: Chatterjee Sheshadri , Chaudhuri Ranjan , Vrontis Demetris , Thrassou Alkis
Published: June 2022

Purpose

This study aims to examine the impacts of adopting big data analytics (BDA) on firm sustainability performance (FSP) mediated through firm financial performance (FIP) and operational performance (OPP).

Design/methodology/approach

A theoretical model is based on ideas from existing literature on BDA, sustainability, FIP, dynamic capability view theory and resource capability view theory. The model is then validated using the partial least squares–structural equation modeling technique with consideration of 312 responses from 24 Indian firms.

Findings

The study provides three important findings. First, there is a significant and positive impact of BDA on firms’ financial and OPP. Second, BDA significantly and positively impacts firm business process performance (BPP) and dynamic capabilities (DYC), which, in turn, significantly impacts the firm’s financial and OPP. Finally, both the financial and OPP of the firm significantly and positively impact sustainability performance.

Research limitations/implications

This theoretical model is unique in showing the impacts of BDA on BPP, firm DYC, financial and OPP. The study also shows how BDA can enhance FSP by mediating through financial as well as the OPP of the firms. The study uses data only from India and thus the proposed model cannot be generalizable.

Originality/value

This study provides valuable input to researchers, academicians and industry practitioners on the importance of BDA for FSP. The study also adds value to the body of knowledge on sustainability, FIP and technology adoption. The proposed unique theoretical model has an explanative power of 70%, which is quite high and can be used across different industries.
Tree species identity drives nutrient use efficiency in young mixed‐species plantations, at both high and low water availability
Authors: Maxwell Tania L. , Fanin Nicolas , Parker William C. , Bakker Mark R. , Belleau Ariane , Meredieu Céline , Augusto Laurent , Munson Alison D.
Published: June 2022

Previous studies have demonstrated that tree species diversity increases productivity and may enhance nutrient cycling in forests. The effect of mixing tree species on stand‐level nutrient use efficiency (NutUE) has seldom been studied, and even less so in the context of climate change. Here we present the first study examining how diversity effects on NutUE may be modified by growing season water availability (low vs. high), and importantly, during periodic drought or on water‐limited sites.

We tested the interaction of water availability and tree species diversity (i.e. species richness and species identity) on NutUE in two young, experimental plantations located in south‐western France (ORPHEE), and northern Ontario, Canada (IDENT‐SSM). We calculated stand‐level NutUE as above‐ground net primary productivity (ANPP) divided by the product of litterfall mass and macronutrient concentrations, of monocultures and mixed tree communities composed of several temperate tree species, with a focus on birch and pine at both sites.

We found significant species richness and water availability effects on NutUE, but they were weakly and inconsistently expressed, detected only for specific nutrients, and differed between the two sites. Species identity had much stronger effects on NutUE when examined using the birch–pine plots at both sites. At ORPHEE, nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and phosphorus use efficiency (PUE) were significantly greater in the birch–pine mixture than in each monoculture. This was due to an increase in ANPP coupled with a decrease in litter nutrient concentrations in the two‐species plot that was driven by the dominance of pine in the mixture. In the comparatively younger, denser plots at IDENT‐SSM, birch was the dominant species that resulted in positive mixing effects on ANPP and litter nutrient concentrations and a neutral effect of mixing on NUE and PUE in the birch–pine mixture.

Overall, the effects of mixing did not differ with water availability treatments, suggesting that species composition of mixtures is more important than water availability for stand‐level NutUE in these young forest communities.

Read the freePlain Language Summaryfor this article on the Journal blog.
Generalization of Bayesian inversion with application to PP reflection in a vertical transverse isotropy medium
Authors: Zidan Ahmed , Li Yunyue , Cheng Arthur
Published: June 2022

Seismic inversion of amplitude variation with offset is an ill‐conditioned problem, in which small errors in the observed data result in large errors in the estimates, and therefore regularization functions are necessary. The Bayes' theorem regularizes ill‐posed problems using the statistical properties of the model parameters of interest; however, our knowledge of these statistical properties is poor. Meanwhile, the Bayesian framework is limited to particular forms of a priori probability distributions, due to poor knowledge of the statistical properties of individual probability distributions. Moreover, each particular a priori probability distribution requires a reformulation of the inversion under a Bayesian framework, which is not practically preferred. Here, we construct a Bayesian framework that enables the use of various types of a priori probability distributions without the need to reformulate the problem and to obtain well‐established statistical information on the model parameters of interest, specifically a lower bound on the variance of the a priori model, for example. Fisher information. Consequently, different probability distributions that best address the parameters of interest are first fitted using the maximum likelihood estimator . A lower bound on the variance of each a priori model is then estimated, which provides adequate statistical information between different model parameters; hence, it is ideally suited for the Bayesian framework. Thereafter, an iterative approach is proposed that utilizes the Hessians of the data and model spaces, and an adaptive learning rate to compute the optimal directions for model updates. The approach is applied to synthetic and real seismic data to estimate the elastic and seismic anisotropy parameters of shale formations. The regularization from the a priori probability density successfully stabilizes the updates of the variant‐sensitivity parameters by imposing the correlation information in the optimization process.
Localizing weak microseismic events using transfer learning with a deep neural network
Authors: Vinard Nicolas André , Drijkoningen Guy Gérard , Verschuur Dirk Jacob , Alexandrov Dmitry , Eisner Leo
Published: June 2022

Retrieving accurate microseismic source locations induced by hydraulic‐fracturing operations is an important step to gain insights into the hydraulically stimulated reservoir volume. Recently, deep neural networks have been proposed that directly recover source locations from the seismic waveforms. The optimal performance of the proposed deep neural networks usually requires large training sets. The need for a large training set can be circumvented if a previously trained deep neural network can be used to start the training process with its weights instead of randomly initialized weights. These weights can then be fine‐tuned using a smaller training set, which is also known as transfer learning . In this work, we implement a transfer learning workflow to update the weights of a deep neural network that was initially trained on a large synthetic dataset to localize microseismic events. We present two methods of processing, namely one post‐monitoring mode and one continuous mode where the processing takes place during the monitoring period. We apply the methods to field data from a hydraulic fracturing site in Texas, USA. In the first scenario, a subset of the field data from the entire monitoring period is used to update the weights of the deep neural network, which is then applied to the remaining data resulting in mean and median distances of 227 and 182 m, respectively, compared to the results of a good localization method. In the second scenario, the deep neural network is updated daily with previously detected and located events and applied to the events detected the following day. Since the observed data used for training generally do not cover a wide range of source locations, we enrich the training set with synthetic data. The addition of synthetics for transfer learning ensures that the updated deep neural network provides accurate source locations for events with locations far from locations used during transfer learning. Transfer learning combining synthetic and real data performs significantly better (more consistent) locations than transfer learning without synthetics.
Anaerobic sulfamethoxazole‐degrading bacterial consortia in antibiotic‐contaminated wetland sediments identified by DNA‐stable isotope probing and metagenomics analysis
Authors: Chen Jianfei , Yang Yuyin , Ke Yanchu , Chen Xiuli , Jiang Xinshu , Chen Chao , Xie Shuguang
Published: June 2022

Anaerobic degradation has been demonstrated as an important pathway for the removal of sulfonamide (SA) in contaminated environments, and identifying the microorganisms responsible for the degradation of SA is a key step in developing bioaugmentation approaches. In this study, we investigated the anaerobic degradation activity of three SA [sulfadiazine (SDZ), sulfamethazine (SMZ) and sulfamethoxazole (SMX)] and the associated bacterial community in wetland sediments contaminated by aquaculture (in Fujian Province, coded with FJ), livestock farming (in Sichuan Province, coded with SC), or rural wastewaters (in Guangdong Province, coded with GD). Additionally, the combination of DNA‐stable isotope probing (SIP) with metagenomics was further applied to assess the active SA‐degrading microbes using SMX as a model SA. Among SDZ, SMZ and SMX, only SMX could be effectively dissipated, and the degradation of SMX was relatively fast in the microcosms of sediments with higher levels of SA contamination (FJ and SC). The anaerobic biotransformation pathway of SMX was initiated by hydrogenation with the cleavage of the N–O bond on the isoxazole ring. DNA‐SIP revealed that the in situ active anaerobic SMX‐degraders (5, 18 and 3 genera in sediments FJ, SC and GD respectively) were dominated by Proteobacteria in sediments FJ and SC, but by Firmicutes (two Family XVIII members) in sediment GD. Mycobacterium, unclassified Burkholderiaceae and Rhodocyclaceae were identified as the dominant active SMX‐degrading bacteria in both sediments FJ and SC. Higher proportions of antibiotic resistance gene and genes involved in various functional categories were observed in sediments FJ and SC.
‘I Just Kept it to Myself’: Unbelief, Feminism and Secularisation in English Canada, 1960s–1980s
Authors: Block Tina
Published: June 2022

This article is based on newspapers and magazines, statistical sources and oral histories with 42 white, English Canadian women who rejected religious belief in the 1960s–1980s. During that era, organised religious involvement declined sharply in Canada and levels of unbelief gradually increased. This article explores how feminism shaped women's departure from religion in those years. The second‐wave women's movement tended to disregard religious feminisms and to associate religiosity with women's disempowerment; while secularity was endemic to the movement, the focus was on challenging institutional religion rather than belief itself. The secularity of the second wave could be narrow and exclusionary, but it also helped some women to challenge religious constraints. Although few interviewees were active in the women's movement, many recalled that feminism informed their journeys away from religion. Most came to an awareness of the patriarchy of organised religion – and dismissed it as such – in their teens or twenties, but rejected religious belief later in life. Due to persistent religious and gender norms, nonbelieving women were often reticent in voicing their unbelief. Nevertheless, they disseminated irreligion in a range of subtle yet powerful ways, and played a central role in the secularisation of post‐war English Canada.
A target capture approach for phylogenomic analyses at multiple evolutionary timescales in rosewoods (Dalbergia spp.) and the legume family (Fabaceae)
Authors: Crameri Simon , Fior Simone , Zoller Stefan , Widmer Alex
Published: June 2022

Understanding the genetic changes associated with the evolution of biological diversity is of fundamental interest to molecular ecologists. The assessment of genetic variation at hundreds or thousands of unlinked genetic loci forms a sound basis to address questions ranging from micro‐ to macroevolutionary timescales, and is now possible thanks to advances in sequencing technology. Major difficulties are associated with (i) the lack of genomic resources for many taxa, especially from tropical biodiversity hotspots; (ii) scaling the numbers of individuals analysed and loci sequenced; and (iii) building tools for reproducible bioinformatic analyses of such data sets. To address these challenges, we developed target capture probes for genomic studies of the highly diverse, pantropically distributed and economically significant rosewoods (Dalbergia spp.), explored the performance of an overlapping probe set for target capture across the legume family (Fabaceae), and built the general purpose bioinformatic pipeline CaptureAl. Phylogenomic analyses of Malagasy Dalbergia species yielded highly resolved and well supported hypotheses of evolutionary relationships. Population genomic analyses identified differences between closely related species and revealed the existence of a potentially new species, suggesting that the diversity of Malagasy Dalbergia species has been underestimated. Analyses at the family level corroborated previous findings by the recovery of monophyletic subfamilies and many well‐known clades, as well as high levels of gene tree discordance, especially near the root of the family. The new genomic and bioinformatic resources, including the Fabaceae1005 and Dalbergia2396 probe sets, will hopefully advance systematics and ecological genetics research in legumes, and promote conservation of the highly diverse and endangered Dalbergia rosewoods.
Prenatal antibiotic exposure, asthma, and the atopic march: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Cait Alissa , Wedel Alexander , Arntz Jeanne L. , Duinkerken Jacyra , Datye Swarali , Cait Jessica , Alhasan Moumen M. , Conrad Melanie L.
Published: June 2022

Antibiotic use during pregnancy may increase the risk for asthma in children. We performed a meta‐analysis assessing prenatal antibiotic exposure and the risk for childhood wheeze or asthma, as well as for diseases associated with the atopic march. A systematic literature search protocol (PROSPERO‐ID: CRD42020191940) was registered and searches were completed using Medline, Proquest, Embase, and the Cochrane central register of controlled trials. Screening for inclusion criteria: published in English, German, French, Dutch, or Arabic, intervention (use of any antibiotic at any time point during pregnancy), and disease (reporting atopic disease incidence in children with a primary outcome of asthma or wheeze), and exclusion criteria: reviews, preclinical data, and descriptive studies, yielded 27 studies. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Assessment Scale. Quality of the evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. Our meta‐analysis demonstrates that antibiotic use during pregnancy is associated with an increased relative risk (RR) of developing wheeze RR 1.51 (95% CI: 1.17–1.94) or asthma RR 1.28 (95% CI 1.22–1.34) during childhood. Assessment of the atopic march in association with asthma or wheeze revealed that antibiotic use during pregnancy also increases the risk for eczema/dermatitis RR 1.28 (95% CI: 1.06–1.53) and allergic rhinitis RR 1.13 (95% CI: 1.02–1.25). One study found an increase in food allergy RR 1.81 (95% CI: 1.11–2.95). Maternal antibiotic use during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk for wheeze or asthma development in children, as well as for diseases involved in the atopic march. There was high heterogeneity in the data, and the certainty of the evidence was determined to be low quality, highlighting the need for more high‐quality studies on this topic. These results have importance for antibiotic stewardship throughout the prenatal period. This work was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.
Entity theory of emotion was associated with more daily negative affect during quarantine: Evidence from a 14‐day diary study among healthy young adults
Authors: Jiang Da , Lee Chi‐Kin John
Published: June 2022

During the COVID‐19 pandemic, quarantine has been implemented as a physical distancing measure to reduce the risk of transmission. However, no studies have examined the relationship between quarantine and daily affective experiences. Few studies have examined the individual‐level factors that may alleviate or strengthen the negative impact of quarantine on daily affective experiences. To this end, we conducted a diary study by comparing the affective experiences of people in quarantine with those of people not subject to quarantine. There were 201 participants in the study. After the pretest collecting responses on demographic information and entity theory of emotion, the participants completed a daily questionnaire measuring their daily positive and negative affect for 14 consecutive days. The results of hierarchical linear modeling showed that the participants in the quarantine condition reported less daily positive affect than those in the social interaction condition. We found that when the participants under quarantine believed more strongly that their emotions could not be changed, they reported a higher level of daily negative affect. These findings demonstrate the role of entity theory of emotion in understanding daily negative affect during quarantine.
Letter: non‐invasive prediction models to exclude cirrhosis in NAFLD – not everyone fits the mould
Authors: Giri Suprabhat , Agrawal Dhiraj , Afzalpurkar Shivaraj
Published: June 2022

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Brandman et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16874 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16972
Editorial: timing of carvedilol – promoting survivors in cirrhosis
Authors: Kimer Nina , Hobolth Lise
Published: June 2022

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Dunne et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16901
Editorial: chronic DILI and HILI – corticosteroid plus glycyrrhizin as standard therapy?
Authors: Teschke Rolf , Eickhoff Axel
Published: June 2022

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Wang et al papers. To view this article, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16902 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16983
Editorial: COVID‐19 vaccines are safe and effective in patients with inflammatory bowel disease—but many unanswered questions remain. Authors' reply
Authors: Bhurwal Abhishek , Mutneja Hemant , Seril Darren
Published: June 2022

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Bhurwal et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16913 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16935
Editorial: acute severe autoimmune hepatitis—a diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma
Authors: Bayhan Ibrahim , Wahlin Staffan , Efe Cumali
Published: June 2022

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Téllez et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16926
Letter: non‐selective beta‐blockers in cirrhosis—effect beyond portal hypertension. Authors' reply
Authors: Dunne Philip , Young David , Chuah Cher Shiong , Hayes Peter , Tripathi Dhiraj , Leithead Joanna , Smith Lyn , Gaya Daniel , Forrest Ewan , Stanley Adrian J.
Published: June 2022

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Dunne et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16901 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16941
Editorial: group‐based hypnotherapy as good as individually delivered hypnotherapy for symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome—authors' reply
Authors: Lövdahl Jenny , Törnblom Hans , Ringstrom Gisela , Palsson Olafur S. , Simrén Magnus
Published: June 2022

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Lövdahl et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16934 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16947
Gendered, embodied knowledge within a Welsh agricultural context and the importance of listening to farmers in the rewilding debate
Authors: Jones Ffion
Published: June 2022

This paper uses key ideas developed from practice‐led research to explore the division between the land management approaches of rewilding and the embodied and gendered knowledge and practices of upland sheep farmers in an area of Wales known as the Cambrian Mountains. Such knowledge, I argue, is developed through a haptic, temporal, hybrid and complex engagement with the land and environment of the farm and this, in turn, defines the nature of farming identities. In contrast, rewilding, as discussed in the paper's exploration of Rewilding Britain's 10,000‐hectare rewilding project in the Cambrian Mountains in 2018, is perceived as a challenge to these practices; a threat not only to farm livelihoods, but also to the hybrid construction of masculine identities. Due to the embedded nature of my relationship with the subject material of my art work and research, Donna Haraway's term “situated knowledge” is used to address how my art practice and research is always situated, partial, incomplete, hybrid and defined by my gendered subjectivity within the patriarchal world of my farming community. This article argues that part of the failure of Rewilding Britain to establish their project within the Cambrian Mountain area relates to an underappreciation of the importance of situated knowledge, and that within the context of the polarising ideas of rewilding, sensitivity, and the need to listen to embodied, situated, agricultural knowledge and practice, should be taken seriously.
Mapping hegemony in geography: A historical perspective from the periphery
Authors: Bekaroğlu Erdem , Yazan Suat
Published: June 2022

One of the ongoing debates in geography in the last quarter‐century has been on the Anglo‐American hegemony in the discipline. In the present study, the historicity of geographical practice in Turkey as a periphery country is focused on, and it is aimed to determine how hegemonic relations in geography are felt by the geographical agenda of a typical periphery country. For this purpose, a database was created based on citations to non‐Turkish geographers (with regard to their workplaces) in the articles published in all academic geography journals in Turkey between the years 1943 and 2018. Analysis shows that multiple hegemonies are present in Turkish geography. While French and German geographical practices dominated the ‘long twentieth century’ of the discipline in Turkey as standard‐setting and emulated practices, the twenty‐first century has been dominated by Anglo‐American hegemony, which serves as the governor of capitalist relations and unguided internationalisation in the academy. This pattern, which also reflects a sharp intellectual transformation in Turkish geography, provides a striking example of how localisation (Anglo‐Americanisation) can occur in line with internationalisation goals.
Somatostatin receptor ligands suppressed proliferation and lipogenesis in 3T3‐L1 preadipocytes
Authors: Zhao Zhe , Gong Fengying , Duan Lian , Lv Xiaorui , Wu Haijie , Tang Yan , Zhu Huijuan , Chen Xiaoguang
Published: June 2022

Somatostatin and its analogues, known as somatostatin receptor ligands (SRLs), have been reported to attenuate weight gain in some clinical settings. However, their direct effects on preadipocytes are barely investigated. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the influence of SRLs on preadipocytes and to further explore the potential mechanisms. Cell Counting Kit‐8 assay, Oil Red O staining, triglyceride contents measurements, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and western blot were used to investigate the effects of SRLs on preadipocytes. We found that three SRLs (octreotide, TT232 and pasireotide) inhibited cell viability after 8–48 h but not 4 h. Further western blot results showed that they significantly suppressed activation of PI3K/Akt pathway. Besides, lipid accumulation was also significantly inhibited by these SRLs. Moreover, mRNA levels of some critical adipogenic markers, including Pparg, Cebpa, Fasn, Fabp4, Acaca and Lpl, were downregulated by the treatments of all these SRLs. Consistently, the protein expression of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ (PPARγ), CCAAT/enhancer binding protein α (C/EBPα) and fatty acid synthase (FAS) was also suppressed by SRLs. SRLs inhibit the proliferation and lipogenesis in preadipocytes. Their inhibitory effects on cell proliferation may be mediated by the downregulated PI3K/Akt pathway, and the suppressive actions on lipogenesis may be related to the decreased PPARγ and C/EBPα expression.
A biomarker signature to predict complete response to itacitinib and corticosteroids in acute graft‐versus‐host disease
Authors: Pratta Michael , Paczesny Sophie , Socie Gerard , Barkey Natalie , Liu Hao , Owens Sherry , Arbushites Michael C. , Schroeder Mark A. , Howell Michael D.
Published: June 2022

A broad proteomic analysis was conducted to identify and evaluate candidate biomarkers potentially predictive of response to treatment with an oral selective Janus kinase 1 (JAK1) inhibitor, itacitinib, in acute graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD). Plasma samples from 25 participants (identification cohort; NCT02614612) were used to identify novel biomarkers that were tested in a validation cohort from a placebo‐controlled, randomised trial (n = 210; NCT03139604). The identification cohort received corticosteroids plus 200 or 300 mg itacitinib once daily. The validation cohort received corticosteroids plus 200 mg itacitinib once daily or placebo. A broad proteomic analysis was conducted using a proximity extension assay. Baseline and longitudinal comparisons were performed with unpairedt‐test and one‐way analysis of variance used to evaluate biomarker level changes. Seven candidate biomarkers were identified. Monocyte‐chemotactic protein (MCP)3, pro‐calcitonin/calcitonin (ProCALCA/CALCA), together with a previously identified prognostic acute GVHD biomarker, regenerating islet‐derived protein (REG)3A, stratified complete responders from non‐responders (participants with progressive disease) to itacitinib, but not placebo, potentially representing predictive biomarkers of itacitinib in acute GVHD. ProCALCA/CALCA, suppressor of tumorigenicity (ST)2, and tumour necrosis factor receptor (TNFR)1 were significantly reduced over time by itacitinib in responders, potentially representing response‐to‐treatment biomarkers. Novel biomarkers have the potential to identify patients with acute GVHD that may respond to itacitinib plus corticosteroid treatment (NCT02614612; NCT03139604).
Acute extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy for ureteric stones – 7‐years’ experience from a busy district general hospital
Authors: Young Matthew J. , Pang Karl H. , Elmussarah Muhammad , Hughes Paul F. , Browning Anthony J. , Symons Stephanie J.
Published: June 2022

Objectives

To demonstrate the efficacy and cost‐effectiveness of acute extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) for ureteric stones we present our experience of ESWL in 530 ureteric stone cases, in the largest UK series we are aware of to date. ESWL is underutilised in ureteric stone management. The Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) report showed just four units nationally treated >10% of acute ureteric stones with ESWL. Despite guideline recommendations as a first‐line treatment option, few large volume studies have been published.

Patients and Methods

Retrospective review of prospectively collected data between December 2012 and February 2020 was performed. Data relating to patient demographics, stone characteristics, skin‐to‐stone distance, and treatment failure were collected. Cost analysis was conducted by the Trust’s surgical financial manager. Multivariable analyses were performed to assess for predictors of ESWL success.

Results

A success rate of 68% (95% confidence interval 64%–72%) at 6 weeks was observed (n = 530). The median (interquartile range) number of treatment sessions was 2 (1, 2). Stone diameter was observed to be a predictor of ESWL success. The small number of stones treated of >13 mm or >1250 HU had an ~50% chance of successful treatment. Acute ureteric ESWL was less costly than acute ureterorenoscopy, consistent with findings from previous NHS studies.

Conclusion

Acute ESWL is a safe, reliable, and financially viable treatment option for a wider spectrum of patients than reflected in international guidelines based on our large, heterogenous series. In the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) era, with theatre access reduced and concerns over aerosol generating procedures, acute ESWL remains an attractive first‐line treatment option.
Comprehensive review of the use of hydrogel spacers prior to radiation therapy for prostate cancer
Authors: Harvey Michael , Ong Wee Loon , Chao Michael , Udovicich Cristian , McBride Sean , Bolton Damien , Eastham James , Perera Marlon
Published: June 2022

Objectives

To provide a comprehensive narrative review of the published data on the impact of hydrogel spacers on rectal dosimetry and toxicity and to outline the practicalities of inserting hydrogel spacers.

Results

A growing body of evidence suggests that the administration of hydrogel spacers is safe and is associated with limited peri‐operative morbidity. The impact on rectal dosimetry has been clearly established and use of hydrogel spacers is associated with reduced rectal morbidity. These results have been corroborated by several Phase II and III clinical trials and subsequent meta‐analysis. There are several areas for future research, including the role of hydrogel spacers in prostate stereotactic beam radiotherapy and post‐radiotherapy local recurrence.

Conclusions

Hydrogel spacers provide a low‐morbidity method to potential reduce rectal toxicity after radiation therapy in men with prostate cancer. Data outlining sexual function and oncological outcomes are limited to date. Future studies, currently being conducted, may provide further clarification of the role of hydrogel spacers in prostate cancer management.
Intelligent computation offloading for educational virtual reality applications in smart campus using MoCell
Authors: Liu Peichen , Peng Kai , Tao Peng
Published: June 2022

Nowadays, as the smart campus concept becomes a reality, virtual reality (VR) applications are being applied to connect students with the virtual teaching world via VR devices (VDs), enhancing learning efficiency. Nevertheless, VR applications are latency‐sensitive while VDs are subjected to shortcomings to handle many VR applications simultaneously. Fortunately, mobile edge computing (MEC) has been recognized as a promising solution that can bring abundant resources to VDs to relieve hardware limits. However, the computing resources of edge nodes in MEC are limited, and thus how to allocate resources effectively is critical. Meanwhile, some sensitive information of students collected by VD needs to be protected. In view of this, we investigate computation offloading for educational VR applications in MEC‐enabled smart campus. The aims of this issue are to optimize the motion‐to‐photon latency, energy consumption, and resource utilization while satisfying the privacy and security constraints. To this end, we propose a new multi‐objective optimization method using MoCell. Eventually, the experimental evaluations are designed to illustrate the effectiveness and superiority our proposed method.
One‐year immunologic outcomes of lung transplantation utilizing hepatitis C‐viremic donors
Authors: Lewis Tyler C. , Lesko Melissa , Rudym Darya , Lonze Bonnie E. , Mangiola Massimo , Natalini Jake G. , Chan Justin C.Y. , Chang Stephanie H. , Angel Luis F.
Published: June 2022

Little is known about the effects of hepatitis C viremia on immunologic outcomes in the era of direct‐acting antivirals. We conducted a prospective, single‐arm trial of lung transplantation from hepatitis C‐infected donors into hepatitis C‐naïve recipients (n = 21). Recipients were initiated on glecaprevir‐pibrentasvir immediately post‐transplant and were continued on therapy for a total of 8 weeks. A control group of recipients of hepatitis C‐negative lungs were matched 1:1 on baseline variables (n = 21). The primary outcome was the frequency of acute cellular rejection over 1‐year post‐transplant. Treatment with glecaprevir‐pibrentasvir was well tolerated and resulted in viremia clearance after a median of 16 days of therapy (IQR 10–24 days). At one year, there was no difference in incidence of acute cellular rejection (71.4% vs. 85.7%, P = .17) or rejection requiring treatment (33.3% vs. 57.1%, P = .12). Mean cumulative acute rejection scores were similar between groups (.46 [SD ± .53] vs. .52 [SD ± .37], P = .67). Receipt of HCV+ organs was not associated with acute rejection on unadjusted Cox regression analysis (HR .55, 95% CI .28‐1.11, P = .09), or when adjusted for risk factors known to be associated with acute rejection (HR .57, 95% CI .27‐1.21, P = .14). Utilization of hepatitis C infected lungs with immediate treatment leads to equivalent immunologic outcomes at 1 year.
1022. COLCHICUM MACROPHYLLUM: Colchicaceae
Authors: Rix Martyn , Wilford Richard , King Christabel
Published: June 2022

Colchicum macrophyllum B.L. Burtt, is illustrated. Its distribution in the eastern Mediterranean is discussed. It has the largest leaves of all the species of Colchicum.