bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Essential planetary health workers: Positioning rangers within global policy
Authors: Stolton Sue , Timmins Hannah L. , Dudley Nigel , Biegus Olga , Galliers Chris , Jackson William , Kettunen Marianne , Long Barney , Rao Madhu , Rodriguez Carlos Manuel , Romanelli Cristina , Schneider Tim , Seidl Andrew , Singh Rohit , Sykes Matt
Published: July 2023

Our planet is facing increasing challenges: climate change, biodiversity loss, pandemics, poverty, and many other problems closely linked to a deteriorating environment. Meanwhile, one of our most important assets, rangers working in protected and conserved areas responsible for managing large tracts of the planet's lands and waters, are often underutilized, underrecognized and underequipped. They are generally left out of the debate about conservation and sustainable development policy, despite being central to the success of those policies. This paper outlines the need for global leaders across multiple sectors to recognize the profession of rangers as essential planetary health workers and to position rangers more effectively within global conservation and environmental policy mechanisms. It introduces the challenges facing rangers, the emerging diversity of roles within the ranger profession and the important contribution of rangers to conservation and sustainable development. It presents policy and implementation avenues to improve recognition and professionalization of rangers as key executors of conservation and development policy, particularly considering the recent Global Biodiversity Framework ambitions.
Network design with consideration of hours‐of‐service regulation and drop‐and‐swap trailer operations
Authors: Robinson E. Powell , Sahin Funda , Gao Li‐Lian
Published: July 2023

This research, motivated by collaboration with a leading manufacturer and distributor of building products, introduces two distribution network design models considering federally mandated hours of service restrictions on truck drivers and drop‐and‐swap trailer operations. A key feature of the drop‐and‐swap transport mode is the decoupling of linehaul and last‐mile delivery operations, which enables geographic extension of last‐mile delivery routes while complying with hours of service driver regulations and providing next‐day delivery service. The models simultaneously determine the profit‐maximizing size, number, and location of order fulfillment facilities and satellite drop‐and‐swap terminals, and systemwide transportation flows. A case study of the firm's distribution network reveals that the new location models improve profitability by approximately 5% when compared with traditional network design approaches. An experimental study of five marketing and operational characteristics shows when the models are most advantageously applied. Overall, profit improvements range from 2.32% to 10.97% on a set of 288 test problems. The research provides new insights for integrated facility location and transportation strategic design. The potential application of the models in a variety of e‐commerce scenarios is promising.
Early impairment of right ventricular systolic function in patients with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus: An analysis of two‐dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography
Authors: Wu Ting , Li Xia , Zhang Dan , Gong Liang‐Geng
Published: July 2023

Background

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease that affects multiple target organs. Current data on right ventricular damage in type 2 diabetes, especially in prediabetes, are limited. Due to the anatomical characteristics of the right ventricle, the assessment of the right ventricle by conventional echocardiography is difficult, whereas the ultrasound two‐dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography can provide information on myocardial systolic function by tracking the motion information of myocardial speckles, which can sensitively reflect myocardial mechanical changes.

Aims

To assess the effect of prediabetes and diabetes with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction on right ventricular myocardial systolic function and to identify independent risk factors affecting right ventricular systolic function.

Methods

A total of 49 normoglycaemic (NG) healthy individuals, 43 prediabetics (PDM), and 52 type 2 diabetics (T2DM) were recruited. All study subjects underwent conventional echocardiography and two‐dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D‐STE).

Results

The right ventricular global longitudinal strain (RVGLS) (20.80 ± 1.96% vs. 18.99 ± 3.20% vs. 16.85 ± 4.01%), left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LVGLS), and interventricular septal longitudinal strain (IVS‐LS) (17.28 ± 2. 35% vs. 16.14 ± 3.22% vs. 15.53 ± 3.33%) gradually decreased from the controls, through patients with prediabetes, to those with diabetes (p < .001). Right ventricular free wall strain (RVFW‐LS) was higher in the control group (25.63 ± 4.58% vs. 22.83 ± 4.83% vs. 20.79 ± 4.92%) than in the other two groups with a statistically significant difference (p < .001), while RVFW‐LS was not statistically different between the prediabetic and diabetic groups. Multivariate regression analysis showed that HbA1c (β = −.626, p < .001), IVS‐LS (β = .417, p < .001), and left ventricular end‐diastolic diameter (LVEDd) (β = .191, p = .011) were independently correlated with RVGLS.

Conclusions

Two‐dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography can sensitively detect subtle changes in the early impairment of right ventricular systolic function in patients with abnormal glucose metabolism. Type 2 diabetes is the common mechanism causing impaired myocardial mechanics in the right and left ventricles. The reduced global systolic longitudinal strain of the right ventricle was associated with reduced global septal longitudinal strain and left ventricular remodeling. HbA1c is an independent predictor of the global longitudinal strain of the right ventricle, and controlling blood glucose levels may be expected to improve the extent of myocardial damage.
Learning and innovation in urban yellow mongooses (Cynictis penicillata)
Authors: Müller Mijke , Pillay Neville
Published: July 2023

Problem‐solving and innovation have been studied extensively, yet urban animals are overlooked despite opportunities to innovate in urban areas. We studied problem‐solving in yellow mongooses (Cynictis penicillata) in an urban setting. Using novel puzzle box experiments, we investigated whether yellow mongooses could solve a task of increasing complexity in three locations with varying extents of anthropogenic interactions. Mongooses in a residential ecological estate took the longest time to solve the problem, whereas those frequenting a residential garden solved the problem the fastest. Mongooses solved the puzzle box problem at each of the four stages of complexity, but were the fastest during the least complex first stage, followed by the third stage and requiring more time in the second and fourth stages of complexity. Overall, the location of the mongoose colonies and the complexity of the task were the main correlates of the speed of solving the problem. Urban‐living yellow mongooses can interact with novelty in an anthropogenic environment and solve novel problems through innovation to obtain a food incentive.
Demersal fish biomass declines with temperature across productive shelf seas
Authors: van Denderen Daniel , Maureaud Aurore A. , Andersen Ken H. , Gaichas Sarah , Lindegren Martin , Petrik Colleen M. , Stock Charles A. , Collie Jeremy
Published: July 2023

Aim

Theory predicts fish community biomass to decline with increasing temperature due to higher metabolic losses resulting in less efficient energy transfer in warm‐water food webs. However, whether these metabolic predictions explain observed macroecological patterns in fish community biomass is virtually unknown. Here, we test these predictions by examining the variation in demersal fish biomass across productive shelf regions.

Location

Twenty one continental shelf regions in the North Atlantic and Northeast Pacific.

Time Period

1980–2015.

Major Taxa Studied

Marine teleost fish and elasmobranchs.

Methods

We compiled high‐resolution bottom trawl survey data of fish biomass containing 166,000 unique tows and corrected biomass for differences in sampling area and trawl gear catchability. We examined whether relationships between net primary production and demersal fish community biomass are mediated by temperature, food‐web structure and the level of fishing exploitation, as well as the choice of spatial scale of the analysis. Subsequently, we examined if temperature explains regional changes in fish biomass over time under recent warming.

Results

We find that biomass per km2 varies 40‐fold across regions and is highest in cold waters and areas with low fishing exploitation. We find no evidence that temperature change has impacted biomass within marine regions over the time period considered. The biomass variation is best explained by an elementary trophodynamic model that accounts for temperature‐dependent trophic efficiency.

Main Conclusions

Our study supports the hypothesis that temperature is a main driver of large‐scale cross‐regional variation in fish community biomass. The cross‐regional pattern suggests that long‐term impacts of warming will be negative on biomass. These results provide an empirical basis for predicting future changes in fish community biomass and its associated services for human wellbeing that is food provisioning, under global climate change.
Sarcoma with MGA::NUTM1 fusion: a report of three cases and literature review
Authors: Wangsiricharoen Sintawat , Wakely Paul E , Prieto Victor G , Yu Wendong
Published: July 2023

Aims

NUTM1‐rearranged sarcoma is an emerging entity that differs from NUT carcinoma at the molecular level, with most of the former tumours harbouring fusions involving genes in the MYC‐associated factor X dimerization (MAD) transcription family (MXD1, MXD4, MXI1 [or MXD2], and MGA). MGA::NUTM1 is one of the most recently described novel gene fusions associated with NUTM1‐rearranged sarcoma. Herein we describe the clinicopathologic features of three sarcomas with an MGA::NUTM1 fusion.

Methods and results

The three study patients were male, with an age range of 10–28 years. The tumour sites were deep soft tissue of the thigh, the chest wall, and the pelvis. All three tumours were aggressive, with multiple recurrences and metastases. Histologically, the tumours were composed of monotonous spindle, round, or epithelioid cells in variably hyalinized stroma and prominent aggregates of amianthoid fibre‐like collagen or collagen rosettes. Mitotic activity was relatively low (5–12 mitotic figures per 10 hhpf). All tumours tested expressed NUT, with one tumour having S100 protein expression and two tumours having CD99 and CD56 expression. The genetic breakpoints were MGA exon 21, MGA exon 22, and NUTM1 exon 3.

Conclusion

MGA::NUTM1 sarcoma often exhibits hyalinized stroma with amianthoid fibre‐like collagen or collagen rosettes in the presence of monotonous round, epithelioid, or spindle cell morphology. NUT immunohistochemistry and molecular testing can help confirm the diagnosis.
Work values and communication styles among Generation X, Y, and Z nurses: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: So Hee Lee , Yeojin Yi
Published: July 2023

Aim

To compare and contrast nurses' work values and communication styles across Generation X, Y, and Z.

Background

Intergenerational differences in the work values of nurses are well known, but the commonalities remain largely uninvestigated. It is also unclear if there are intergenerational differences and commonalities in the rhetorical communication style of nurses.

Methods

This study used a cross‐sectional research design. Participants were 243 nurses of Generation X (n = 78), Y (n = 86), and Z (n = 79) working at a general hospital in Korea. Structured questionnaires were used to collect the data from September to October 2019. The differences in work values and communication types were measured and analyzed using the χ2 test.

Findings

The work values of Generation X differed from those of Generation Y and Z, who preferred extrinsic work values. There was no significant intergenerational difference in communication types, although Generation X and Y were similar to each other in communication types and different from Generation Z.

Conclusion

Although the work values of the three generations are different, their communication styles are similar so that they may reduce the generational gap through communication. In particular, Generation Y nurses prefer extrinsic work values and share some work values with Generation Z; however, the dominant communication type of Generation Y is similar to Generation X, not Z. Therefore, Generation Y could play a key role in connecting Generation X with Z during communication.

Implications for nursing policy

Nursing organizations should delegate the authority to Generation Y so that Y may have a voice in the nursing group as the mediator between X and Z.
A Dissolution of the Repugnant Conclusion
Authors: Fumagalli Roberto
Published: July 2023

This article articulates and defends a dissolution of the so‐called repugnant conclusion, which focuses on the notion of life worth living figuring both in Parfit's formulation of the repugnant conclusion and in most responses to such a conclusion. The proposed dissolution demonstrates that the notion of life worth living is plagued by multiple ambiguities and that these ambiguities, in turn, hamper meaningful debate about both the issue of whether the repugnant conclusion can be avoided and the issue of whether the repugnant conclusion is actually repugnant. This result does not exclude that some modified versions of the repugnant conclusion may yield valuable insights about the value of populations and the tenability of different axiological/ethical theories. Still, if the proposed dissolution is correct, then the repugnant conclusion rests on an ill‐defined notion and we lack the information required to assess the merits of the repugnant conclusion.
A cutting‐edge assessment of recent advancements in essential oils extraction technologies for energy and ecological sustainability: A comprehensive review
Authors: Katekar Vikrant P. , Rao Anand B. , Sardeshpande Vishal R.
Published: July 2023

Hydrodistillation (HD) systems have been popular for essential oils extraction from medicinal and aromatic plants for several decades. Nevertheless, they substantially consume thermal or electrical energy and have a visible carbon footprint on the environment. This article describes a state‐of‐the‐art review of the HD systems used for essential oil extraction to examine their effectiveness. From this study, it has been found that, for a microwave‐assisted system, the yield of an essential oil varies from 0.079% to 8.62%. The microwave‐assisted hydrodistillation (MAHD) system yields 32% more than a conventional HD system. The average extraction time saved using the MAHD system is 67.17% compared with the traditional one. Ohmic‐assisted HD system is better than the microwave‐assisted and conventional HD system, with an 18.04% enhancement in the yield. During this study, it is also investigated that for the distillation system operating at atmospheric pressure, the extraction temperature ranges from 80°C to 120°C. This temperature can easily be attained in a solar hydrodistillation system. Several investigators have demonstrated the use of solar energy for essential oil extraction. However, these systems mostly use a concentrating collector, henceforth found bulky and expensive.
Nurse‐led supportive Coordinated Transitional Care (CTraC) program improves care for veterans with serious illness
Authors: Madrigal Caroline , Radlicz Christopher , Hayes Barbara , Gosian Jeffrey , Jensen Laury L. , Skarf Lara M. , Hawley Chelsea E. , Moye Jennifer , Kind Amy J. , Paik Julie M. , Driver Jane A.
Published: July 2023

Background

The Coordinated Transitional Care (CTraC) program is a telephone‐based, nurse‐driven program shown to decrease readmissions. The aim of this project was to implement and evaluate an adapted version of CTraC, Supportive CTraC, to improve the quality of transitional and end‐of‐life care for veterans with serious illness.

Methods

We used the Replicating Effective Programs framework to guide adaptation and implementation. An RN nurse case manager (NCM) with experience in geriatrics and palliative care worked closely with inpatient and outpatient care teams to coordinate care. Eligible patients had a life‐limiting diagnosis with substantial functional impairment and were not enrolled in hospice. The NCM identified veterans at VA Boston Healthcare System during an acute admission and delivered a protocolized intervention to define care needs and preferences, align care with patient values, optimize discharge plans, and provide ongoing, intensive phone‐based case management. To evaluate efficacy, we matched each Supportive CTraC enrollee 1:1 to a contemporary comparison subject by age, risk of death or hospitalization, and discharge diagnosis. We used Kaplan–Meier plots and Cox‐Proportional Hazards models to evaluate outcomes. Outcomes included palliative and hospice care use, acute care use, Massachusetts Medical Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment documentation, and survival.

Results

The NCM enrolled 104 veterans with high protocol fidelity. Over 1.5 years of follow‐up, Supportive CTraC enrollees were 61% more likely to enroll in hospice than the comparison group (n = 57 vs. 39; HR = 1.61; 95% CI = 1.07–2.43). While overall acute care use was similar between groups, Supportive CTraC patients had fewer ICU admissions (n = 36 vs. 53; p = 0.005), were more likely to die in hospice (53 vs. 34; p = 0.008), and twice as likely to die at home with hospice (32.0 vs. 15.5; p = 0.02). There was no difference in survival between groups.

Conclusions

A nurse‐driven transitional care program for veterans with serious illness is feasible and effective at improving end‐of‐life outcomes.
An online survey to understand the needs of caregivers of family members with 22q11 deletion syndrome
Authors: Cosman T. , Finless A. , Rideout A. L. , Lingley‐Pottie P. , Palmer L. D. , Shugar A. , McDonald‐McGinn D. M. , Swillen A. , McGrath P. J. , Bassett A. S. , Cytrynbaum C. , Orr M. , Meier S.
Published: July 2023

Background

Most individuals with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS) have multi‐system and lifelong needs requiring substantial support. Their primary caregivers are usually family members who dedicate lifelong time and effort to their role. The pressures of their roles can negatively impact caregivers' psychosocial well‐being, suggesting a need for additional support for this community who currently have no specialised interventions available.

Method

This online study surveyed 103 caregivers of family members with 22q11DS to determine the barriers to accessing support that they faced, the kind of support they would value and whether an online intervention could meet their needs.

Results

The caregivers indicated that a brief online intervention focused on teaching practical skills and connecting them with a peer network of support would be most valuable.

Conclusions

Future studies are planned that will build on these results by designing and testing online interventions tailored to this community.
Phenotypic features of RETREG1‐related hereditary sensory autonomic neuropathy
Authors: Çakar Arman , Bagırova Gulandam , Durmuş Hacer , Uyguner Oya , Parman Yeşim
Published: July 2023

Background and Aims

Homozygous loss‐of‐function mutations in the RETREG1 gene result in Hereditary Sensory Autonomic Neuropathy Type 2B. Clinical features include pain loss, autonomic disturbances, and upper motor neuron features.

Methods

We evaluated the clinical and genetic features of seven patients from four families with RETREG1 variants.

Results

Five patients were male. The median age of disease onset was 7.00 ± 2.81 (between 2 and 10 years). A combination of painless wounds, trophic changes, and foot ulcerations was the presenting symptom in five patients and walking difficulties in two. Motor symptoms were present in five patients. In a median disease duration of 30.00 ± 12.88 years, five patients had osteomyelitis, and three had toe amputations. A history of renal disease was present in one family. In another family, three affected siblings had short stature and a history of delayed puberty. Although sensory signs predominated the clinical findings, various degrees of motor signs such as muscle weakness, spasticity, and brisk tendon reflexes were noted in all patients. Nerve conduction studies showed axonal sensory‐motor neuropathy in five patients and sensory neuropathy in two. Three pathogenic variants were identified in the RETREG1 gene. Two unrelated patients had a homozygous c.433C > T/p.(Gln145*), one a homozygous c.826delA/p.(Ser276Valfs*8), and the last had a novel homozygous c.102delC/p.(Ala35Glnfs*349) variants.

Interpretation

In our study, all patients showed signs and symptoms consistent with pain insensitivity. Although shadowed by sensory symptoms, motor signs were noted in our patients. Further studies are necessary to clarify the causal relationship between extra‐neurological features and RETREG1 mutations.
Brush border enzyme hydrolysis and glycaemic effects of isomaltulose compared to other saccharides in dogs
Authors: Corbee Ronald J. , Mes Jurriaan J. , de Jong Govardus A. H. , van den Dool Ronald T. M. , Neumer Franka , Theis Stephan , Bosch Guido
Published: July 2023

Digestible carbohydrates differ in glycaemic response, therewith having the potential to influence metabolic conditions such as insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus. Isomaltulose has been proven to lower the glycaemic response in humans, which to date has not been studied in dogs. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to characterise the digestibility, as well as the physiological effects of isomaltulose in dogs, in comparison to other saccharides. To this end, three studies were performed. Study 1 was an in vitro study, evaluating the small intestinal hydrolysis of isomaltulose compared to other relevant carbohydrate sources. Three of these saccharides, having close and low‐moderate degrees of hydrolysis by brush border enzymes, were also evaluated in vivo for their glycaemic effects by measuring plasma levels of glucose, insulin and glucagon‐like peptide 1 (GLP‐1) 0‐180 min after administration of a single dosage after an overnight fast (i.e., isomaltulose, sucrose and maltodextrin in a 3 × 3 Latin‐square design, in 9 dogs, Study 2). To understand if digestive enzymes, underlying glycaemic responses for isomaltulose and sucrose can be upregulated, we exposed dogs to these saccharides for 2 weeks and repeated the measurements after an overnight fast in 18 dogs (Study 3). Isomaltulose was hydrolysed by intestinal enzyme preparation from all three dogs, but the degrading activity was low (e.g., 3.95 ± 1.03 times lower vs. sucrose), indicating a slower rate of hydrolysis. Isomaltulose had a low glycaemic response, in line with in vitro data. In vitro hydrolysis of sucrose was comparable or even higher than maltodextrin in contrast to the more pronounced glycaemic response to maltodextrin observed in vivo. The numerically higher blood glucose response to sucrose after continuous consumption, might indicate an adaptive response. In conclusion, the current work provides valuable insights into the digestion physiology of various saccharides in dogs. Further investigations on related benefits are thus warranted.
The interplay of financial toxicity, health care team communication, and psychosocial well‐being among rural cancer patients and survivors
Authors: Miller Melissa F. , Olson Julie S. , Doughtie Kara , Zaleta Alexandra K. , Rogers Kimberly P.
Published: July 2023

Background

Financial toxicity contributes to psychosocial distress among cancer patients and survivors. Yet, contextual factors unique to rural settings affect patient experiences, and a deeper understanding is needed of the interplay between financial toxicity and health care team communication and its association with psychosocial well‐being among rural oncology patients.

Purpose

We examined associations between financial toxicity and psychosocial well‐being among rural cancer patients, exploring variability in these linkages by health care team communication.

Methods

Using data from 273 rural cancer patients who participated in Cancer Support Community's Cancer Experience Registry, we estimated multivariable regression models predicting depression, anxiety, and social function by financial toxicity, health care team communication, and the interplay between them.

Results

We demonstrate robust associations between financial toxicity and psychosocial outcomes among our sample of rural cancer patients and survivors. As financial toxicity increased, symptoms of depression and anxiety increased. Further, financial toxicity was linked with decreasing social function. Having health care team conversations about treatment costs and distress‐related care reduced the negative impact of financial toxicity on depressive symptoms and social function, respectively, in rural cancer patients at greatest risk for financial burden.

Conclusions

Financial toxicity and psychosocial well‐being are strongly linked, and these associations were confirmed in a rural sample. A theorized buffer to the detrimental impacts of financial toxicity—health care team communication—played a role in moderating these associations. Our findings suggest that health care providers in rural oncology settings may benefit from tools and resources to bolster communication with patients about costs, financial distress, and coordination of care.
Effect of human periodontal ligament stem cell‐derived exosomes on cementoblast activity
Authors: Li Shengnan , Guan Xiuchen , Yu Wenting , Zhao Zeqing , Sun Yaxi , Bai Yuxing
Published: July 2023

Objectives

Exosomes derived from stem cells are a potential cell‐free tool for tissue regeneration with therapeutic potential. However, its application in cementum repair is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effect of human periodontal ligament stem cell‐derived exosomes on the biological activity of cementoblasts, the main effector cells in cementum synthesis.

Materials and Methods

OCCM‐30 cementoblasts were cultured with various human periodontal ligament stem cell‐derived exosome concentrations. OCCM‐30 cells proliferation, migration, and cementogenic mineralization were examined, along with the gene and protein expression of factors associated with cementoblastic mineralization.

Results

Exosomal promoted the migration, proliferation, and mineralization of OCCM‐30 cells. The exosome‐treated group significantly increased the expression of cementogenic‐related genes and proteins. Furthermore, the expression of p‐PI3K and p‐AKT was enhanced by exosome administration. Treatment with a PI3K/AKT inhibitor markedly attenuated the gene and protein expression of cementoblastic factors, and this effect was partially reversed by exosome administration.

Conclusions

Human periodontal ligament stem cell‐derived exosomes can promote the activity of cementoblasts via the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, providing a scientific basis for promoting the repair process in orthodontically induced inflammatory root resorption.
IL17RB expression is associated with malignant cancer behaviors and poor prognosis in oral cancer
Authors: Yuan Shyng‐Shiou F. , Su Chang‐Wei , Chan Leong‐Perng , Nguyen Hieu D. H. , Chen Yuk‐Kwan , Du Je‐Kang , Cheng Kuang‐Hung , Wang Yen‐Yun
Published: July 2023

Objectives

Previously, we demonstrated that IL17RB plays an essential role in lung cancer progression. This study aimed to determine whether IL17RB correlates with oral cancer and promotes oral cancer progression.

Subjects and Methods

IL17RB expression in oral cancer tissues and normal tissues was determined by immunohistochemistry staining, while the association of IL17RB expression with the clinicopathological characteristics of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients was analyzed and its correlation with progression‐free survival and response to radiotherapy and chemotherapy in OSCC patients was also explored. Western blotting was performed to investigate the expression of IL17RB in various OSCC cell lines; moreover, transwell assay was performed to evaluate the effect of IL17RB expression on cell migration ability.

Results

In this study, we found that IL17RB was expressed higher in OSCC tissues compared to normal oral mucosa tissues and its expression was positively correlated with tumor size, lymph node metastasis, advanced cancer stage, and poor prognosis. In vitro study showed that IL17RB expression in OSCC cell lines as determined by Western blotting, was positively correlated with their migration ability.

Conclusion

Clinical and in vitro studies suggest that IL17RB might serve as an independent risk factor and a therapeutic target for oral cancer.
Improving measurement and prediction in personnel selection through the application of machine learning
Authors: Koenig Nick , Tonidandel Scott , Thompson Isaac , Albritton Betsy , Koohifar Farshad , Yankov Georgi , Speer Andrew , Hardy Jay H. , Gibson Carter , Frost Chris , Liu Mengqiao , McNeney Denver , Capman John , Lowery Shane , Kitching Matthew , Nimbkar Anjali , Boyce Anthony , Sun Tianjun , Guo Feng , Min Hanyi , Zhang Bo , Lebanoff Logan , Phillips Henry , Newton Charles
Published: July 2023

Machine learning (ML) is being widely adopted by organizations to assist in selecting personnel, commonly by scoring narrative information or by eliminating the inefficiencies of human scoring. This combined article presents six such efforts from operational selection systems in actual organizations. The findings show that ML can score narrative information collected from candidates either in writing or orally in response to assessment questions (called constructed response) as accurately and reliably as human judges, but much more efficiently, making such responses more feasible to include in personnel selection and often improving validity with little or no adverse impact. Moreover, algorithms can generalize across assessment questions, and algorithms can be created to predict multiple outcomes simultaneously (e.g., productivity and turnover). ML has even been demonstrated to make job analysis more efficient by determining knowledge and skill requirements based on job descriptions. Collectively, the studies in this article illustrate the likely major impact that ML will have on the practice and science of personnel selection from this point forward.
The effects of sexual and gender minority stress on relationship functioning: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Bresin Konrad , Nicholas Julia K. , Cowand Alexandra L. , Alacha Helena F. , Rodriguez Alyssa M. , Parrott Dominic J.
Published: July 2023

Theory and research indicate that experiences of sexual and gender minority (SGM) stress among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, plus (LGBTQ+) individuals are related to a variety of negative health outcomes. Because positive romantic relationships promote better physical and mental health outcomes, understanding factors that contribute positively or negatively to relationship functioning is necessary to improve relationships and promote physical and mental health. As such, the primary goals of the present study were to conduct a meta‐analysis on the association between SGM stress and (1) relationship functioning and (2) substance use, a well‐established predictor of relationship functioning. We used multivariate meta‐analysis with robust variance estimation to summarize the effects. Across 304 effects from 73 studies, we found a significant negative association between SGM stress and relationship functioning, r = −.13, 95% CI [−0.16, −0.10]. We also found significant positive associations between SGM stress and alcohol use r = .08, 95% CI [0.06, 0.11], and drug use r = .09, 95% CI [0.05, 0.13]. These small, but significant, relations are interpreted to indicate that SGM stress could erode relationship functioning and, in turn, weaken its potential protective effects against negative health outcomes, although longitudinal studies are needed.
Functional identification of ANR genes in apple (Malus halliana) that reduce saline–alkali stress tolerance
Authors: Wang W.‐X. , Zhang Z.‐X. , Wang X. , Han C. , Dong Y.‐J. , Wang Y.‐X.
Published: July 2023

As one of the major abiotic stresses restricting the development of global agriculture, saline–alkali stress causes osmotic stress, ion poisoning, ROS damage and high pH damage, which seriously restrict sustainable development of fruit industry. Therefore, it is essential to develop and cultivate saline–alkali‐resistant apple rootstocks to improve the yield and quality of apples in China.

Based on transcriptome data, MhANR (LOC114827797), which is significantly induced by saline–alkali stress, was cloned from Malus halliana. The physicochemical properties, evolutionary relationships and cis‐acting elements were analysed. Subsequently, the tolerance of MhANR overexpression in Arabidopsis thaliana, tobacco, and apple calli to saline–alkali stress was verified through genetic transformation.

Transgenic plants contained less Chl a, Chl b and proline, SOD, POD and CAT activity, and higher relative electrical conductivity (REC) compared to WT plants under saline–alkali stress. In addition, expression of saline–alkali stress‐related genes in overexpressed apple calli were also lower than in WT calli, including the antioxidant genes (MhSOD and MhCAT^), the Na+ transporter genes (MhCAX5, MhCAX5, MhSOS1, MhALT1), and the H+‐ATPase genes (MhAHA2 and MhAHA8), while expression of the K+ transporter genes (MhSKOR and MhNHX4) were higher.

Expression of MhANR reduced tolerance of A. thaliana, tobacco, and apple calli to saline–alkali stress by regulating osmoregulatory substances, chlorophyll content, antioxidant enzyme activity, and expression of saline–alkali stress‐related genes. This research provides a theoretical basis for cultivating apple rootstocks with effective saline–alkali stress tolerance.
Building community resilience through cross‐sector partnerships and interdisciplinary research
Authors: Ge Yue “Gurt” , Kapucu Naim , Zobel Christopher W. , Hasan Samiul , Hall Jeremy L. , Wang Haizhong , Wang Liqiang , Martín Yago , Cechowski Michelle
Published: July 2023

Building community resilience has become a national imperative. Substantial uncertainties in dynamic environments of emergencies and crises require real‐time information collection and dissemination based on big data analytics. These, in turn, require networked communities and cross‐sector partnerships to build lasting resilience. This viewpoint article highlights an interdisciplinary approach to building community resilience through community‐engaged research and partnerships. This perspective leverages existing community partnerships and network resources, undertakes an all‐hazard and whole‐community approach, and evaluates the use of state‐of‐the‐art information communication technologies. In doing so, it reinforces the multifaceted intergovernmental and cross‐sector networks through which resilience can be developed and sustained.
Understanding the micro‐foundations of administrative corruption in the public sector: Findings from a systematic literature review
Authors: Weißmüller Kristina S. , Zuber Anna
Published: July 2023

Public sector corruption is one of the most pressing unresolved issues of our time. Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior, this study examines the psychological and contextual mechanisms that allow individuals to rationalize their engagement in administrative corruption. By conducting a systematic literature review of 93 studies, 241 cases of empirical evidence on the relationships between micro, meso, and macro‐level factors are synthesized to reveal seven dimensions, which affect civil servants' corruptibility. Mapping the status quo of the discourse, this study reveals that moral justification for administrative corruption is the outcome of a multi‐layered and dynamic process of social cognition based on various processes of rationalization beyond greed: accountability conflicts, social obligations, and culturally reinforced norms (mis‐)guide behavior in the context of socially varying psychological reference points of accountability and legitimacy that lead to essential value conflicts between self‐serving behavior and integrity.
The odd woman out: An (in)congruity analysis of gender stereotyping ingender‐dominantpublic sector professions
Authors: Dinhof Katharina , Willems Jurgen
Published: July 2023

Public sector professions are highly gender‐dominant (e.g., police officers, teachers) and determined not only by professionals but also by gender roles. According to the role congruity theory, these social roles result in perceived (in)congruities between the jobholders' gender and gender‐dominant professions. This research investigates this intersection for several professions. Throughout three large‐scale surveys (conducted in Austria), we first document the gender dominance of various public sector professions, and further analyze the effects from (in)congruities in gender‐dominant professions. The findings are two‐fold: First, for police officers, firefighters, politicians, nurses, and teachers, (in)congruities of job‐holder's gender with gender dominance of the profession result in positive (negative) ascriptions of job‐related traits. However, (in)congruity effects are not confirmed for other gender‐dominant professions outside the public sector. Second, no (in)congruity effects are found for perceived professionalism. Findings are important for policy makers, as well as recruiters and employers who aim to reduce gender‐related disadvantages within public sector employment.
Institutional design and biases in evaluation reports by international organizations
Authors: Eckhard Steffen , Jankauskas Vytautas , Leuschner Elena
Published: July 2023

Governments spend hundreds of millions on evaluations to assess the performance of public organizations. In this article, we scrutinize whether variation in the institutional design of evaluation systems leads to biases in evaluation findings. Biases may emerge because influence over evaluation processes could enable the bureaucracy to present its work in a more positive way. We study evaluation reports published by nine international organizations (IOs) of the United Nations system. We use deep learning to measure the share of positive assessments at the sentence level per evaluation report as a proxy for the positivity of evaluation results. Analyzing 1082 evaluation reports, we find that reports commissioned by operative units, as compared to central evaluation units, systematically contain more positive assessments. Theoretically, this link between institutional design choices and evaluation outcomes may explain why policymakers perceive similar tools for evidence‐based policymaking as functional in some organizations, and politicized in others.
Exploring the role of pesticide traders in protecting farmers' benefit
Authors: Mottaleb Khondoker A. , Rahut Dil Bahadur , Shakur Shamim
Published: July 2023

Owing to the inadequacy of the public extension services, farmers in developing countries often rely on the suggestions of agricultural input traders. As profit‐making agents, these traders, in their turn, may have an incentive to exploit farmers by suggesting relatively expensive inputs. In this study, the Endogenous Switching Regression (ESR) estimation method is applied to demonstrate that input traders in many ways play the substitute role of the public extension agents in a developing country. In the process, this study relied on primary information collected from 379 farmers in Bangladesh in two seasons (N = 758). Then the ESR estimation procedure is applied to predict farmer's expenditure on pesticides, conditional on whether or not they rely on traders' advice. Findings of this study suggest that pesticide expenditures are not statistically different between the farmers that rely on traders' suggestions and those that do not. The study thus concludes that by providing unbiased, useful information to the client farmers, profit‐maximizing agricultural input traders render the services of public extension workers, which corrects possible market failures.
Sanctions in directed trade networks
Authors: Joshi Sumit , Mahmud Ahmed Saber , Nandy Abhinaba , Sarangi Sudipta
Published: July 2023

We model three factors that affect effectiveness of trade sanctions: a country's endowment, distance between countries, and network connectivity. Our model explains several empirical observations: (i) sanctions impose costs on both sender and target; (ii) sanctions are often unsuccessful; and (iii) import sanctions, and export plus import sanctions, are more effective than export sanctions alone. We also offer extensions of our benchmark including retaliation by target, incentives of the third country to participate in multilateral sanctions or sanction‐busting, and the consequences of different centralities of sender and target in a trade network.
The stability of personal traits and preferences in times of the Corona pandemic: Evidence from Germany
Authors: Frondel Manuel , Osberghaus Daniel , Sommer Stephan
Published: July 2023

Based on panel data on around 5500 German households, this article analyzes whether the experience of financial losses due to the Corona pandemic has affected three kinds of personal traits and preferences: the willingness to take risks, patience, and the locus of control (LOC). Our empirical results indicate that patience and the LOC remain unchanged by the experience of pandemic‐related financial losses, whereas we find a negative effect of severe financial losses on risk‐taking, contrasting with the traditional assumption that such preferences are constant. In this respect, our heterogeneity analysis indicates that financial losses due to the Corona pandemic particularly affect the most vulnerable households, notably low‐income households and those with little income diversification.
El lugar de la Crítica del juicio en el pensamiento de Heidegger: Hölderlin y el decir de lo sagrado
Authors: Martínez Matías Paloma
Published: July 2023

Si bien los textos y cursos que Martin Heidegger dedica a la filosofía de Kant se circunscriben al análisis e interpretación de la Crítica de la razón pura, en este artículo se plantea que a su obra subyacería igualmente una particular lectura de la Crítica del juicio que se aprecia en ensayos como la conferencia de 1935 “El origen de la obra de arte”. La singularidad de esta lectura tendría su fundamento en la asunción, por parte de Heidegger, de la visión que se proyecta en la poesía de Hölderlin sobre la relación entre Grecia y la modernidad. Pues a pesar de la influencia de la Crítica del juicio en la obra poética de Hölderlin, este habría acabado por distanciarse de la posición de Kant en función de la tarea que asigna al poeta moderno en su diferencia y a la vez necesaria vinculación con el decir poético griego.
“No hay tiempo que perder”: disincronía temporal, desfactificación y psicopolítica como paradigmas del neoliberalismo contemporáneo
Authors: Botero Bernal Andrés , Aguirre Román Javier Orlando , Almeyda Sarmiento Juan David
Published: July 2023

El presente escrito tiene por objetivo demostrar cómo el estado actual del capitalismo neoliberal, entendido como una fuerza productora de la subjetividad basada en el rendimiento [síntesis de la disciplina (Foucault) y el control (Deleuze y Guattari) que se cataliza con la digitalidad (Han, Berardi, Fisher, entre otros)], se centra en ejercer una colonización frente al tiempo como concepto estructural de la existencia humana para poder desplegar un sistema de dispositivos psicopolíticos que le permitan su reproducción sistémica. Para conseguir este objetivo la investigación cuenta con tres momentos: el primero expone el paso del domino espacial del capitalismo fordista al neoliberalismo actual de carácter temporal desde una disincronía del tiempo. El segundo explica la desfactificación del mundo como la pérdida del vínculo humano con la realidad, lo que perturba directamente el estado de ánimo de los sujetos desde un peso cargado de nihilismo. Finalmente, se expone la psicopolítica como un concepto que parte tanto de la disincronía como de la desfactificación para posicionar un dominio sugestivo de la psique humana.
Performance Analysis of a Solar Cascaded Absorption Cooling System Using a Performance-Enhanced Parabolic Trough Collector
Authors: Altwijri Faisal , Sherif S. A. , Alghamdi Abdulmajeed
Published: July 2023

This article proposes an innovative approach to improve the performance of solar cooling systems by utilizing a cascaded absorption cooling (CAC) system. This article also examines the viability of coupling an NH3–H2O absorption system with an H2O–LiBr absorption system to simultaneously satisfy both a refrigeration load and an air-conditioning load. Results of this analysis shows that the CAC system uses 7.1% less thermal energy than the sum of the energies used by the ammonia absorption system and the LiBr absorption system if they were to operate separately to meet the same cooling load. In addition, the article investigates the impact of a performance-enhanced parabolic trough collector (PEPTC) on the thermal and exergetic efficiencies of the solar cooling system. By employing a PEPTC, the area required for the solar field in a given solar cooling system will be reduced by 14% compared to the area required by a conventional parabolic trough collector (PTC). Combining the CAC system with the PEPTC results in a 22% increase in the overall efficiency of a cooling plant compared to a conventional PTC coupled with an ammonia system and a LiBr system in the same plant. In summary, it is suggested that the simultaneous utilization of the proposed CAC system and the PEPTC can considerably improve the efficiency of solar cooling systems. Doing so will lead to sustainable cooling alternatives.
Hot corrosion behavior of NiCoCrAlY laser cladding coating on 17-4PH stainless steel before and after high-current pulsed electron beam irradiation
Authors: Duan Ruibin , Tian Miao , Li Yuxin , Bai Peikang , Zhao Zhanyong , Wang Jianhong , Wei Shouzheng
Published: July 2023

In this study, we employed high-current pulsed electron beam technology (HCPEB) to modify NiCoCrAlY coatings that were created via laser cladding on 17-4PH stainless steel. We compared and analyzed the hot corrosion behavior of the coatings before and after HCPEB irradiation using a molten salt of 75 wt. %Na2SO4 + 25 wt. %NaCl at 700 °C. We also elucidated the mechanism by which irradiation affects the hot corrosion performance of the coatings. Our findings demonstrate that the irradiated coating surface exhibited a dense remelting layer, which effectively prevented erosion by oxygen and molten salt, without any internal oxidation corrosion. Moreover, irradiation refined the grains on the coating surface and increased the diffusion rate of grain boundaries. Consequently, the irradiated coating formed laminated thermal growth oxides (TGO) during the hot corrosion process, with the interface between the TGO and the coating always covered by an Al2O3 layer. This TGO structure provided excellent protection, reduced the corrosion weight gain, and corrosion rate of the coating, and significantly improved the hot corrosion performance of the coating.