bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enzymatic easing of adhesion in honeydew-contaminated cotton for textile applications
Authors: Behera Prapti , N. Kannan , Paul Priyodip , Aravind Sanjukta , S. Balaji
Published: December 2023

Purpose

The textile sector struggles with cotton stickiness from honeydew contamination. It hurts agriculture and marketability. This study aims to examine how bacterial enzymes could reduce honeydew-contaminated cotton adherence in textile businesses sustainably.

Design/methodology/approach

Enzyme was extracted from bacteria isolated from the fermented bamboo shoots “Lung siej”. The enzyme was tested for α-glucosidase using p-nitrophenyl-α-D-glucopyranoside as a substrate. Design of experiments determined enzyme activity temperature and reaction time. Laboratory-prepared artificial honeydew was added to ginning mill cotton to show honeydew contamination. After enzyme treatment, sticky cotton was tested for microscopic examination, ultraviolet (UV), Benedict’s, Elsner colorimetric, high volume instrument (HVI) and viscosity tests.

Findings

The bacterial isolate is characterized as Lysinibacillus sp. as confirmed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The enzyme extracted was identified as α-glucosidase. The ideal temperature and reaction time for enzymatic activity were 32 °C and 35 min, respectively, using central composite design. The microscopic examination, UV test, Benedict’s test, Elsner colorimetric test, HVI test and viscosity test showed that bacterial enzyme treatment reduced cotton fiber adherence.

Originality/value

Although few patents have examined the effect of yeast enzymes, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, a bacterial enzyme is investigated for the first time to reduce the adhesion of honeydew-contaminated cotton.
A review on exploration of the mechanical characteristics of 3D-printed biocomposites fabricated by fused deposition modelling (FDM)
Authors: Anerao Prashant , Kulkarni Atul , Munde Yashwant
Published: December 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the current state of biocomposites used in fused deposition modelling (FDM) with a focus on their mechanical characteristics.

Design/methodology/approach

The study presents a variety of biocomposite materials that have been used in filaments for 3D printing by different researchers. The process of making filaments is then described, followed by a discussion of the process parameters associated with the FDM.

Findings

To achieve better mechanical properties of 3D-printed parts, it is essential to optimize the process parameters of FDM while considering the characteristics of the biocomposite material. Polylactic acid is considered the most promising matrix material due to its biodegradability and lower cost. Moreover, the use of natural fibres like hemp, flax and sugarcane bagasse as reinforcement to the polymer in FDM filaments improves the mechanical performance of printed parts.

Originality/value

The paper discusses the influence of critical process parameters of FDM like raster angle, layer thickness, infill density, infill pattern and extruder temperature on the mechanical properties of 3D-printed biocomposite.
How to boost employee morale and productivity through annual reviews
Authors: Rubens Aaron
Published: December 2023

Purpose

This study aims to share with business leaders how annual reviews can assist with workplace engagement.

Design/methodology/approach

Findings derived from industry experience, working closely with HR leaders from 95% of Fortune 500 companies, and first-hand experience as chief executive officer/leader.

Findings

Key ways that annual reviews boost employee morale are recognition and acknowledgment, constructive feedback, personalized appreciation, team recognition and continuous appreciation.

Originality/value

This study shares original thoughts on annual reviews, which is a timely topic in December, and how they can be used to increase workplace engagement. This study is from a workplace engagement perspective rather than just the organizational benefits of annual reviews.
Managing talent and branding in learning organization
Authors: Patra Gouranga , Datta Sumona , Bose Indranil
Published: December 2023

Purpose

The success of the organization depends on its sustainability and growth in the competitive market. Retention and attraction of talent in the organization are strongly associated with organizational performance. Employer branding is an outcome activity that helps organizations show their strength to attract and retain talent. Talent management practices are mostly essential in the current context for retaining talent. This study aims to explore and identify the contributing factors in efficient talent management and to examine whether the factors contributing to employer branding differ concerning different demographic profiles of the employees for information technology organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 617 adult participants using an 85-item questionnaire on talent management comprising 25 domains, developed for the present study.

Findings

Principal component analysis of the data indicated that 20 different factors make an impact in developing strong talent management practices. Three broad areas were identified, namely, personal benefits and growth, transparent organizational culture and social commitment of the organizations.

Research limitations/implications

Present research has not taken care of few other factors associated with the organization where employees’ retention gets adversely effected such as evaluation of performance and compensation management, training and development, etc. So, future research can be conducted these areas. These aspects are also required to be incorporated in future research.

Practical implications

Several implications of the present research can be presented in the following areas. It is found in the present research that the effectiveness of the talent management system mostly depends on personal benefits and growth, organizational culture and climate and the organizational out. Apart from the academic implications of the present research, practical implications of the present study cannot be ignored. The components and elements of the talent management in the perspectives employer branding can also appropriately applied by the organizations.

Originality/value

The contribution of the study lies in exploring and identifying three important aspects of the organization in talent management. Findings will have implications for different organizations in understanding, developing and implementing policies related to employer branding and talent management.
Individual placement and support: A qualitative investigation of carers' experiences supporting someone experiencing mental illness into employment
Authors: Kernot Jocelyn , Goh Jiin , Aguilar Alejandra , Muller Jess , Dawson Suzanne
Published: December 2023

Background

Unemployment rates for people living with mental illness remain persistently high. Individual Placement Support (IPS) is an evidence‐based employment model that supports people with severe mental illness to gain employment. Although carers provide emotional and instrumental support for people with mental illness, there is limited research exploring carers' perspectives of IPS.

Aims

To explore carers' perspectives of their experience as caregivers of individuals living with mental illness who have participated in IPS.

Methods

This qualitative descriptive study gained carers' perspectives through semi‐structured interviews. A convenience sample of eight carers was recruited via a community mental health service in Adelaide. Data were analysed thematically.

Findings

Three main themes were identified: (1) employment benefits, (2) factors that may impact on employment, and (3) knowledge and opinions of IPS. Within each theme, four sub‐themes emerged.

Conclusions

This study addresses a gap in research and provides insights into carers' experiences of IPS. Increased communication and involvement of carers in IPS may benefit IPS participants and staff as carers provide invaluable additional insight into supporting individuals through their employment journey.
Sources and contamination routes of seafood with human pathogenic Vibrio spp.: A Farm‐to‐Fork approach
Authors: Brauge Thomas , Mougin Julia , Ells Timothy , Midelet Graziella
Published: December 2023

Vibrio spp., known human foodborne pathogens, thrive in freshwater, estuaries, and marine settings, causing vibriosis upon ingestion. The rising global vibriosis cases due to climate change necessitate a deeper understanding of Vibrio epidemiology and human transmission. This review delves into Vibrio contamination in seafood, scrutinizing its sources and pathways. We comprehensively assess the contamination of human‐pathogenic Vibrio in the seafood chain, covering raw materials to processed products. A “Farm‐to‐Fork” approach, aligned with the One Health concept, is essential for grasping the complex nature of Vibrio contamination. Vibrio’s widespread presence in natural and farmed aquatic environments establishes them as potential entry points into the seafood chain. Environmental factors, including climate, human activities, and wildlife, influence contamination sources and routes, underscoring the need to understand the origin and transmission of pathogens in raw seafood. Once within the seafood chain, the formation of protective biofilms on various surfaces in production and processing poses significant food safety risks, necessitating proper cleaning and disinfection to prevent microbial residue. In addition, inadequate seafood handling, from inappropriate processing procedures to cross‐contamination via pests or seafood handlers, significantly contributes to Vibrio food contamination, thus warranting attention to reduce risks. Information presented here support the imperative for proactive measures, robust research, and interdisciplinary collaboration in order to effectively mitigate the risks posed by human pathogenic Vibrio contamination, safeguarding public health and global food security. This review serves as a crucial resource for researchers, industrials, and policymakers, equipping them with the knowledge to develop biosecurity measures associated with Vibrio‐contaminated seafood.
Adenine nucleotide translocase 2 (Ant2) is required for individualization of spermatogenesis of Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: He Zhen , Fang Yang , Zhang Fengchao , Liu Yang , Cheng Xinkai , Wang Jiajia , Li Dechen , Chen Dengsong , Wu Fan
Published: December 2023

Successful completion of spermatogenesis is crucial for the perpetuation of the species. In Drosophila, spermatid individualization, a process involving changes in mitochondrial structure and function is critical to produce functional mature sperm. Ant2, encoding a mitochondrial adenine nucleotide translocase, is highly expressed in male testes and plays a role in energy metabolism in the mitochondria. However, its molecular function remains unclear. Here, we identified an important role of Ant2 in spermatid individualization. In Ant2 knockdown testes, spermatid individualization complexes composed of F‐actin cones exhibited a diffuse distribution, and mature sperms were absent in the seminal vesicle, thus leading to male sterility. The most striking effects in Ant2‐knockdown spermatids were decrease in tubulin polyglycylation and disruption of proper mitochondria derivatives function. Excessive apoptotic cells were also observed in Ant2‐knockdown testes. To further investigate the phenotype of Ant2 knockdown in testes at the molecular level, complementary transcriptome and proteome analyses were performed. At the mRNA level, 868 differentially expressed genes were identified, of which 229 genes were upregulated and 639 were downregulated induced via Ant2 knockdown. iTRAQ‐labeling proteome analysis revealed 350 differentially expressed proteins, of which 117 proteins were upregulated and 233 were downregulated. The expression of glutathione transferase (GstD5, GstE5, GstE8, and GstD3), proteins involved in reproduction were significantly regulated at both the mRNA and protein levels. These results indicate that Ant2 is crucial for spermatid maturation by affecting mitochondrial morphogenesis.
The role of nutrient credit trading for total maximum daily load compliance by the urban stormwater sector: Evidence from Virginia's Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems
Authors: Ferris William N. , Stephenson Kurt
Published: December 2023

Water quality credit trading has been advanced as a cost‐effective means of achieving regulatory compliance. However, the volume of trading activity in operational programs is typically less than estimated by empirical analysis. The compliance behavior of Virginia Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) is studied in response to the Chesapeake Bay total maximum daily load (TMDL) to understand the circumstances in which trading is adopted, the extent to which trading is adopted, and the factors contributing to trading's use or nonuse. Results indicate that MS4s generally prefer to install their own pollutant control measures rather than trade. Many MS4s, however, rely on trade as a backup compliance option. MS4s favor bay compliance options that help meet other local management objectives (erosion control, infrastructure protection, and reductions toward local water quality objectives) and provide long term pollutant control benefits. Low cost term credits do not provide such benefits. For perpetual credits, MS4s use a variety of strategies to substantially reduce the cost differences between trade and nontrade compliance options.
Provider‐to‐provider telehealth for sepsis patients in a cohort of rural emergency departments
Authors: Mohr Nicholas M. , Young Tracy , Vakkalanka J. Priyanka , Carter Knute D. , Shane Dan M. , Ullrich Fred , Schuette Allison R. , Mack Luke J. , DeJong Katie , Bell Amanda , Pals Mark , Camargo Carlos A. , Zachrison Kori S. , Boggs Krislyn M. , Skibbe Adam , Ward Marcia M.
Published: December 2023

Background

Telehealth has been proposed as one strategy to improve the quality of time‐sensitive sepsis care in rural emergency departments (EDs). The purpose of this study was to measure the association between telehealth‐supplemented ED (tele‐ED) care, health care costs, and clinical outcomes among patients with sepsis in rural EDs.

Methods

Cohort study using Medicare fee‐for‐service claims data for beneficiaries treated for sepsis in rural EDs between February 1, 2017, and September 30, 2019. Our primary hospital‐level analysis used multivariable generalized estimating equations to measure the association between treatment in a tele‐ED–capable hospital and 30‐day total costs of care. In our supporting secondary analysis, we conducted a propensity‐matched analysis of patients who used tele‐ED with matched controls from non–tele‐ED–capable hospitals. Our primary outcome was total health care payments among index hospitalized patients between the index ED visit and 30 days after hospital discharge, and our secondary outcomes included hospital mortality, hospital length of stay, 90‐day mortality, 28‐day hospital‐free days, and 30‐day inpatient readmissions.

Results

In our primary analysis, sepsis patients in tele‐ED–capable hospitals had 6.7% higher (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.1%–11.5%) total health care costs compared to those in non–tele‐ED–capable hospitals. In our propensity‐matched patient‐level analysis, total health care costs were 23% higher (95% CI 16.5%–30.4%) in tele‐ED cases than matched non–tele‐ED controls. Clinical outcomes were similar.

Conclusions

Tele‐ED capability in a mature rural tele‐ED network was not associated with decreased health care costs or improved clinical outcomes. Future work is needed to reduce rural–urban sepsis care disparities and formalize systems of regionalized care.
A multiple trait assessment provides insights into the short‐time viability of a newly founded population in an endangered island passerine
Authors: Illera Juan Carlos , Delgado Alejandro , Trujillo Domingo , Carrascal Luis M.
Published: December 2023

Determining the effectiveness of conservation actions is a priority in conservation biology, especially in island ecosystems which can host large numbers of endemic and often threatened species. In this study, we have brought together a genetic, body condition and breeding success assessment with the aim of evaluating the viability of a newly founded population of the endangered Gran Canaria blue chaffinch (Fringilla polatzeki), the forest passerine species with the most restricted distribution in the Western Palearctic. The species occurs exclusively in the Canary pine forests (Pinus canariensis) of the island of Gran Canaria, with the Inagua nature reserve harbouring the highest number individuals. In 2010, a translocation program was initiated within the same island in the nearby pine forests of La Cumbre with the goal of establishing a viable breeding population. Genetic results revealed that La Cumbre shows genetic parameters (diversity, inbreeding, and relatedness) similar to the core source of Inagua, which contrasts with the reduced genetic diversity expected due to the small size of the newly founded population. The biometric and body condition results (wing and tarsus length, body mass, and length asymmetry of the tail feathers), together with the breeding success (nest survival and number of fledglings per successful breeding attempt), were also similar in both populations. Overall, these findings suggest that the translocation program has been successful and provide insights on the effectiveness of the actions performed. Our evaluation also delivers future avenues for the conservation planning in other upland forest endangered avian species inhabiting island ecosystems, especially those threatened by the effects of global warming.
A systematic review of oculomotor deficits associated with acute and chronic cannabis use
Authors: Manning Brooke , Downey Luke A. , Narayan Andrea , Hayley Amie C.
Published: December 2023

Driving is a critical everyday task necessitating the rapid and seamless integration of dynamic visually derived information to guide neurobehaviour. Biological markers are frequently employed to detect Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) consumption among drivers during roadside tests, despite not necessarily indicating impairment. Characterising THC‐specific alterations to oculomotor behaviour may offer a more sensitive measure for indexing drug‐related impairment, necessitating discrimination between acute THC effects, chronic use and potential tolerance effects. The present review aims to synthesise current evidence on the acute and chronic effects of THC on driving‐relevant oculomotor behaviour. The review was prospectively registered (10.17605/OSF.IO/A4H9W), and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines informed reporting standards. Overall, 20 included articles comprising 12 experimental acute dosing trials, 5 cross‐sectional chronic use studies and 3 roadside epidemiological studies examined the effects of cannabis/THC on oculomotor parameters including saccadic activity gaze behaviour, nystagmus, smooth pursuit and eyelid/blink characteristics. Acute THC consumption selectively impacts oculomotor control, notably increasing saccadic latency and inaccuracy and impairing inhibitory control. Chronic cannabis users, especially those with early age of use onset, display enduring oculomotor deficits that affect visual scanning efficiency. The presence of eyelid tremors appears to be a reliable indicator of cannabis consumption while remaining distinct from direct impairment associated with visual attention and motor control. Cannabis selectively influences oculomotor activity relevant to driving, highlighting the role of cannabinoid systems in these processes. Defining cannabis/THC‐specific changes in oculomotor control may enhance the precision of roadside impairment assessments and vehicle safety systems to detect drug‐related impairment and assess driving fitness.
Insights into the influence of diet and genetics on feed efficiency and meat production in sheep
Authors: Chacko Kaitholil Steffimol Rose , Mooney Mark H. , Aubry Aurélie , Rezwan Faisal , Shirali Masoud
Published: December 2023

Feed costs and carcass yields affect the profitability and sustainability of sheep production. Therefore, it is crucial to select animals with a higher feed efficiency and high‐quality meat production. This study focuses on the impact of dietary and genetic factors on production traits such as feed efficiency, carcass quality, and meat quality. Diets promote optimal sheep growth and development and provide sufficient protein can lead to higher‐quality meat. However, establishing an optimized production system requires careful consideration and balance of dietary parameters. This includes ensuring adequate protein intake and feeding diets with higher intestinal absorption rates to enhance nutrient absorption in the gut. The study identifies specific genes, such as Callipyge, Calpastatin, and Myostatin, and the presence of causal mutations in these genes, as factors influencing animal growth rates, feed efficiency, and meat fatty acid profiles. Additionally, variants of other reported genes, including PIGY, UCP1, MEF2B, TNNC2, FABP4, SCD, FASN, ADCY8, ME1, CA1, GLIS1, IL1RAPL1, SOX5, SOX6, and IGF1, show potential as markers for sheep selection. A meta‐analysis of reported heritability estimates reveals that residual feed intake (0.27 ± 0.07), hot carcass weight (0.26 ± 0.05), dressing percentage (0.23 ± 0.05), and intramuscular fat content (0.45 ± 0.04) are moderately to highly heritable traits. This suggests that these traits are less influenced by environmental factors and could be improved through genetic selection. Additionally, positive genetic correlations exist between body weight and hot carcass weight (0.91 ± 0.06), dressing percentage (0.35 ± 0.15), and shear force (0.27 ± 0.24), indicating that selecting for higher body weight could lead to favorable changes in carcass quality, and meat quality.
Pine plantations and native forest fragments adjacent to intact forests provide surrogate habitats for birds in an Afrotropical forest landscape
Authors: Ogola Simon Peter , Ssekuubwa Enock
Published: December 2023

Tropical forests harbour 72% of the world's bird species. The changing land uses have fragmented natural forests or replaced them with plantation forests. This sets in an argument as to whether forest fragments and plantations can support birds. We assessed birds in a plantation, fragment and an intact (continuous) Budongo forest, Uganda. We compared bird species composition, diversity and functional traits between the forests and examined their response to habitat characteristics. We sampled birds using 135 point counts along nine transects and assessed habitat characteristics in 90 plots in the fragment and intact forest. We classified bird species according to habitat preference and feeding guild. Bird species composition differed between forests. Bird abundance and richness in plantation and fragment were lower than in intact forest. Forest specialists and insectivores dominated the intact forest. Most birds in the fragment were forest generalists and frugivores. Forest visitors and granivores dominated in the plantation. Trachyphorus purpuratus, Andropadus latirostris and A. curvirostris preferred sites with greater tree height, diameter and many snags, respectively. Bird species abundance and richness declined with increasing tree diameter and increased with snags. Forest specialists preferred sites without climbers. Thus, plantations and fragments close to intact forests provide surrogate habitats for bird conservation.
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in obstetric patients: An Israeli nationwide study
Authors: Yahav‐Shafir Dana , Ilgiyaev Eduard , Galante Ori , Gorfil Dan , Statlender Liran , Soroksky Arie , Carmi Uri , Sinai Yitzhak Brzezinski , Iprach Nisim , Haviv‐Yadid Yael , Makhoul Maged , Fatnic Elena , Ginosar Yehuda , Einav Sharon , Helviz Yigal , Fink Daniel , Sternik Leonid , Kogan Alexander
Published: December 2023

Background

The leading causes of maternal mortality include respiratory failure, cardiovascular events, infections, and hemorrhages. The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) as rescue therapy in the peripartum period for cardiopulmonary failure is expanding in critical care medicine.

Methods

This retrospective observational study was conducted on a nationwide cohort in Israel. During the 3‐year period, between September 1, 2019, and August 31, 2022, all women in the peripartum period who had been supported by ECMO for respiratory or circulatory failure at 10 large Israeli hospitals were identified. Indications for ECMO, maternal and neonatal outcomes, details of ECMO support, and complications were collected.

Results

During the 3‐year study period, in Israel, there were 540 234 live births, and 28 obstetric patients were supported by ECMO, with an incidence of 5.2 cases per 100 000 or 1 case per 19 000 births (when excluding patients with COVID‐19, the incidence will be 2.5 cases per 100 000 births). Of these, 25 were during the postpartum period, of which 16 (64%) were connected in the PPD1, and 3 were during pregnancy. Eighteen patients (64.3%) were supported by V‐V ECMO, 9 (32.1%) by V‐A ECMO, and one (3.6%) by a VV‐A configuration. Hypoxic respiratory failure (ARDS) was the most common indication for ECMO, observed in 21 patients (75%). COVID‐19 was the cause of ARDS in 15 (53.7%) patients. The indications for the V‐A configuration were cardiomyopathy (3 patients), amniotic fluid embolism (2 patients), sepsis, and pulmonary hypertension. The maternal and fetal survival rates were 89.3% (n = 25) and 100% (n = 28). The average ECMO duration was 17.6 ± 18.6 days and the ICU stay was 29.8 ± 23.8 days. Major bleeding complications requiring surgical intervention were observed in one patient.

Conclusions

The incidence of using ECMO in the peripartum period is low. The maternal and neonatal survival rates in patients treated with ECMO are high. These results show that ECMO remains an important treatment option for obstetric patients with respiratory and/or cardiopulmonary failure.
Income volatility in adolescence and university enrollment: The case of South Korea
Authors: Kwon Bo‐hui , Jeon Gyeahyung
Published: December 2023

This study examines the relationship between parental income volatility and children's university enrollment. It measures parental income instability using the following indicators: (1) transitory income volatility, (2) standard deviation of the arc percent change, and (3) coefficient of variation. These metrics are derived from the total household income data collected from the child's first year of middle school through the third year of high school. Additionally, this study investigates the impact of income trends by analyzing the regression coefficient obtained by regressing total household income against the father's age. An investigation of individuals born between 1986 and 1998, who graduated from general high school, reveals an negative correlation between parental income instability/trends and the likelihood of children enrolling in a 4‐year university. However, this correlation is only statistically significant for low‐income households. These findings imply that despite similar average income levels, households with high income volatility in the lower‐income group are less likely to make adequate educational investments in their children.
Individual tourist expenditures in Japan during the inbound tourism boom period (2015–2017): Empirical evidence from micro survey data
Authors: Matsubayashi Yoichi , Inada Yoshihisa
Published: December 2023

This study empirically examines the characteristics of demand generated by inbound tourism (inbound demand) in Japan in the 2010s using individual data from the Consumption Trend Survey for Foreigners Visiting Japan. This is the first study to investigate the detailed characteristics of inbound consumption during Japan's inbound boom period using individual micro survey data. One of the main findings is that household income and the exchange rate significantly affect inbound demand. This is especially true for inbound demand by visitors from Asian countries, whose main purpose for visiting Japan is shopping. Another main finding is that visa relaxation effectively increases the number of tourists from China. The third finding is that the payment environment in Japan, including the use of credit cards, has a significant impact on inbound demand. These findings provide an in‐depth insight into inbound demand as a potential engine for future economic growth in Japan.
Does outward foreign direct investment improve the performance of domestic firms? Case of Korea
Authors: Han Soomin , Kim Sunghyun
Published: December 2023

In this article, we use firm‐level data in Korea from 2010 to 2019 to analyze whether outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) affects the productivity of domestic firms, known as reverse knowledge spillovers. Using propensity score matching and difference‐in‐difference regressions, we verify that OFDI improves the productivity of parent companies. Considering the characteristics of OFDI and the parent company, these positive effects become greater when (1) parent company's absorptive capacity (technology level) is high, (2) OFDI is in the M&A form, and (3) OFDI is toward developed countries. In addition to these direct effects, we investigate whether OFDI improves the productivity of other domestic firms within and across industries, known as horizontal and vertical spillovers. The results demonstrate strong evidence of positive vertical spillovers but not horizontal spillovers. These evidence provide important policy implications about the specifics of outward direct investment that are beneficial to capital‐exporting countries.
Is the Balint Group an Opportunity to Mentalize?
Authors: Farkas Kinga , Csukly Gábor , Fonagy Peter
Published: December 2023

The Balint group, a time‐tested and efficacious resource for fortifying resilience among helping professionals, is explored in depth in this article through a case vignette. Despite its demonstrated efficacy in assisting professionals handling challenging cases, the Balint method's adoption remains inexplicably limited. We hypothesize that this restraint is due to a deficient understanding of the method's mechanics, operational processes and outcomes. In response, we offer a contemporary interpretation anchored in the theoretical framework of mentalization, aligning with current psychotherapeutic standards. The article underscores the Balint group's remarkable utility, akin to other mentalization‐based therapeutic methods, in navigating intricate cases, emotionally demanding situations and circumstances that exceed the expertise and experience of the professional. By highlighting this, we hope to broaden the acceptance of the method, enable systematic assessment of its effectiveness and augment training for group leaders and participant commitment. This endeavour represents both a nod to the research‐centric approach originally espoused by Mihály Bálint and an embrace of the growing emphasis on evidence‐based methodology in medicine and psychotherapy. Ultimately, we aim to illuminate the potential of the Balint group and promote its extensive application in support of helping professionals.
Social valuation of biodiversity relative to other types of assets at risk in wildfire
Authors: Woinarski John C. Z. , Garnett Stephen T. , Zander Kerstin K.
Published: December 2023

Environmental crises, such as wildfires, can cause major losses of human life, infrastructure, biodiversity, and cultural values. In many such situations, incident controllers must make fateful choices about what to protect—and hence what to abandon. With an online representative survey of >2000 adult Australians, we investigated social attitudes to this dilemma. We used best–worst scaling to assess preferences across a set of 11 assets representing human life, infrastructure, biodiversity, and cultural values. Survey respondents overwhelmingly prioritized a single human life (best–worst score of 6647 out of possible score ranging from −10695 to 10695), even if that choice resulted in extinction of other species. Inanimate (replaceable) objects were accorded lowest priority (best–worst scores of −4655 for a shed and −3242 for a house). Among biodiversity assets, respondents prioritized protecting a population of the iconic koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) (best–worst score of 1913) ahead of preventing the extinction of a snail (score −329) and a plant species (−226). These results variably support current policy in that they emphasize the importance the community places on protection of human life, but results diverged from conventional practice in rating some biodiversity assets ahead of infrastructure. The preference for protecting a population of koalas ahead of action taken to prevent the extinction of an invertebrate and plant species corroborates previous research reporting biases in the way people value nature. If noncharismatic species are not to be treated as expendable, then the case for preventing their extinction needs to be better made to the community. Given the increasing global incidence of high‐severity wildfires, further sampling of societal preferences among diverse asset types is needed to inform planning, policy, and practice relating to wildfire. Other preemptive targeted management actions (such as translocations) are needed to conserve biodiversity, especially noniconic species, likely to be imperiled by catastrophic events.
Experimentally testing animal responses to prescribed fire size and severity
Authors: Doherty Tim S. , Bohórquez Fandiño Daniel F. , Watchorn Darcy J. , Legge Sarah M. , Dickman Chris R.
Published: December 2023

Deserts are often highly biodiverse and provide important habitats for many threatened species. Fire is a dominant disturbance in deserts, and prescribed burning is increasingly being used by conservation managers and Indigenous peoples to mitigate the damaging effects of climate change, invasive plants, and land‐use change. The size, severity, and patchiness of fires can affect how animals respond to fire. However, there are almost no studies examining such burn characteristics in desert environments, which precludes the use of such information in conservation planning. Using a before‐after control‐impact approach with 20 sampling sites, we studied the outcomes of 10 prescribed burns of varying size (5–267 ha), severity, and patchiness to identify which variables best predicted changes in small mammal and reptile species richness and abundance. Three of the 13 species showed a clear response to fire. Captures increased for 2 species (1 mammal, 1 reptile) and decreased for 1 species (a reptile) as the proportional area burned around traps increased. Two other mammal species showed weaker positive responses to fire. Total burn size and burn patchiness were not influential predictors for any species. Changes in capture rates occurred only at sites with the largest and most severe burns. No fire‐related changes in capture rates were observed where fires were small and very patchy. Our results suggest that there may be thresholds of fire size or fire severity that trigger responses to fire, which has consequences for management programs underpinned by the patch mosaic burning paradigm. The prescribed burns we studied, which are typical in scale and intensity across many desert regions, facilitated the presence of some taxa and are unlikely to have widespread or persistent negative impacts on small mammal or reptile communities in this ecosystem provided that long unburned habitat harboring threatened species is protected.
Successful hemostasis for arterial bleeding in duodenal malignant lymphoma using reopenable clip
Authors: Ohno Kento , Waki Kotaro , Gushima Ryosuke
Published: December 2023

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Peroral direct digital cholangioscopy‐assisted retrieval of a sheared nasobiliary drainage tube through the overtube in a patient with surgically altered anatomy
Authors: Hirakawa Noriyuki , Kitamura Katsuya , Itoi Takao
Published: December 2023

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Influence of isometric versus isotonic exercise training on right ventricular morpho‐functional parameters in Olympic athletes
Authors: Di Gioia Giuseppe , Polito Dajana , Crispino Simone Pasquale , Maestrini Viviana , Nenna Antonio , Segreti Andrea , Squeo Maria Rosaria , Lemme Erika , Pelliccia Antonio
Published: December 2023

Background

Cardiovascular adaptations in elite athletes involve both ventricular and atrial changes. Nowadays, limited research exists on right ventricular (RV) remodeling, particularly in female athletes and across different types of exercise training.

Methods

Our study evaluated 370 athletes (61% males) participated at 2020 Tokyo and 2022 Beijing Olympic Games. Athletes were categorized according to main type of exercise into isometric and isotonic. Comprehensive echocardiographic assessments were conducted to analyze RV morpho‐functional parameters, comparing genders and different sporting exercise.

Results

Significant differences in RV parameters were observed based on exercise type and gender. Isotonic athletes showed greater RV remodeling with larger RV outflow tract (15.1 ± 2.1 vs. 14.5 ± 1.7 mm, p < .0001) end‐diastolic and end‐systolic area (respectively, 24.6 ± 5.5 vs. 21.7 ± 5 mm, p < .000 and 11.7 ± 3.2 vs. 10.1 ± 2.8 mm, p < .0001) and right atrium size (11.7 ± 3.2 vs. 10.2 ± 2.3 mm2, p = .0001). Functional parameters, such as TDI velocities, were similar between groups. Males showed larger RV area and right atrium size (p < .0001) and lower RV TDI velocities with reduced E′ (15.4 ± 2.9 vs. 16.1 ± 3.2 m/s in females, p = .031), resulting in lower E′/A′ ratio (1.69 ± .6 vs. 1.84 ± .6 m/s, p = .021), while S′ was lower females (14.6 ± 2.3 vs. 14.1 ± 2.4 m/s, p = .041). RV TDI velocities were similar in isotonic and isometric both in male and females.

Conclusions

In elite athletes, RV morphological changes are influenced by exercise modality but do not translate into functional differences. Female athletes present distinct RV functional profiles, with lower S′ velocities and a higher E′/A′ ratio. Functional RV TDI parameters are not affected by the typology of exercise practiced.
Understanding different dominance patterns in western Amazonian forests
Authors: Matas‐Granados Laura , Draper Frederick C. , Cayuela Luis , de Aledo Julia G. , Arellano Gabriel , Saadi Celina Ben , Baker Timothy R. , Phillips Oliver L. , Honorio Coronado Eurídice N. , Ruokolainen Kalle , García‐Villacorta Roosevelt , Roucoux Katherine H. , Guèze Maximilien , Sandoval Elvis Valderrama , Fine Paul V. A. , Amasifuen Guerra Carlos A. , Gomez Ricardo Zarate , Stevenson Diaz Pablo R. , Monteagudo‐Mendoza Abel , Martinez Rodolfo Vasquez , Socolar Jacob B. , Disney Mathias , del Aguila Pasquel Jhon , Llampazo Gerardo Flores , Arenas Jim Vega , Huaymacari José Reyna , Grandez Rios Julio M. , Macía Manuel J.
Published: December 2023

Dominance of neotropical tree communities by a few species is widely documented, but dominant trees show a variety of distributional patterns still poorly understood. Here, we used 503 forest inventory plots (93,719 individuals ≥2.5 cm diameter, 2609 species) to explore the relationships between local abundance, regional frequency and spatial aggregation of dominant species in four main habitat types in western Amazonia. Although the abundance‐occupancy relationship is positive for the full dataset, we found that among dominant Amazonian tree species, there is a strong negative relationship between local abundance and regional frequency and/or spatial aggregation across habitat types. Our findings suggest an ecological trade‐off whereby dominant species can be locally abundant (local dominants) or regionally widespread (widespread dominants), but rarely both (oligarchs). Given the importance of dominant species as drivers of diversity and ecosystem functioning, unravelling different dominance patterns is a research priority to direct conservation efforts in Amazonian forests.
PowerPulse: Power energy chat model with LLaMA model fine‐tuned on Chinese and power sector domain knowledge
Authors: Yin ChunLin , Du KunPeng , Nong Qiong , Zhang HongCheng , Yang Li , Yan Bin , Huang Xiang , Wang XiaoBo , Zhang Xuan
Published: December 2023

Recently, large‐scale language models (LLMs) such as chat generative pre‐trained transformer and generative pre‐trained transformer 4 have demonstrated remarkable performance in the general domain. However, inadaptability in a particular domain has led to hallucination for these LLMs when responding in specific domain contexts. The issue has attracted widespread attention, existing domain‐centered fine‐tuning efforts have predominantly focused on sectors like medical, financial, and legal, leaving critical areas such as power energy relatively unexplored. To bridge this gap, this paper introduces a novel power energy chat model called PowerPulse. Built upon the open and efficient foundation language models (LLaMA) architecture, PowerPulse is fine‐tuned specifically on Chinese Power Sector Domain Knowledge. This work marks the inaugural application of the LLaMA model in the field of power energy. By leveraging pertinent pre‐training data and instruction fine‐tuning datasets tailored for the power energy domain, the PowerPulse model showcases exceptional performance in tasks such as text generation, summary extraction, and topic classification. Experimental results validate the efficacy of the PowerPulse model, making significant contributions to the advancement of specialized language models in specific domains.
Analysis of data‐driven models for predicting fatigue strength of steel components with uncertainty quantification
Authors: Frie Christian , Kolyshkin Anton , Eberl Chris
Published: December 2023

Material informatics has emerged as a valuable research field in material science, providing solutions to previously unsolvable problems or accelerating deliverables. Fatigue failure, as a complex and non‐deterministic phenomenon, requires a probabilistic approach to assess the uncertainty of the fatigue strength prediction. This study compares various probabilistic data‐driven models for credible fatigue strength predictions for three distinct steel groups. The analysis considers data and model uncertainty, evaluating their impacts on predictive quality from engineering and data science perspectives. Results reveal that deep ensembles outperform other probabilistic models regarding negative log‐likelihood (NLL), while random forest exhibits the lowest root mean square error (RMSE). Notably, the prediction accuracy of case‐hardened steels is negatively affected by insufficient material properties definitions, while stainless steels demonstrate the best performance compared to other steel types.
Cyclic behavior of AA2024 aluminum alloy under different loading paths and heat treatments
Authors: Mokdad Abdelghani , May Abdelghani , Belattar Adel , Ould Ouali Mohand , Ramtani Salah
Published: December 2023

The focus of this study is to investigate the impact of cyclic loading path and temperature on the mechanical behavior of AA2024 aluminum alloy, a material commonly used in the aerospace industry. Our study aims to understand the cyclic evolution of work hardening (isotropic and kinematic) in response to different loading paths: tension‐compression cycles followed by equivalent torsion cycles, and vice versa. We also perform microstructural investigations using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) to gain insights into the evolution of fatigue damage during cyclic loading. By examining these factors, we aim to provide insights into the material's mechanical behavior and anisotropy. This research contributes to improving our understanding of the performance of AA2024 alloy under cyclic loading conditions.
Positive effects of biomass of unpalatable neighborhoods on palatable plants in a grassland community under heavy grazing pressure by sika deer
Authors: Otsu Chiaki , Iijima Hayato , Nagaike Takuo
Published: December 2023

The intensity of grazing on palatable species can vary depending on the neighboring plants in plant communities. We aimed to search for species whose biomass can have a positive effect on palatable plants near them in a grassland under grazing pressure by sika deer. We selected Iris sanguinea Hornem. as an indicator species of ease of being grazed because it is a palatable and past dominant species before the increase in deer density. We estimated the effects of the biomass of neighboring plant species, soil water content, and distance from the forest edge on the height of I. sanguinea. The height was remarkably and positively affected by the biomass of four graminoid species with larger biomass and slightly positively affected by the biomass of a toxic species. This study suggests that the biomass of less‐palatable species may have an important influence on the size of palatable species under grazing pressure by deer.
Development of the Groundwater Concept Inventory to Measure Groundwater Knowledge in a General Audience
Authors: Ojeda Ann , Rogers Stephanie R. , Jannach Charlotte , McNeal Karen S.
Published: December 2023

Groundwater is a critical resource globally, and understanding groundwater processes is vital to ensure sustainable management practices. However, there are many widely held misconceptions and inaccuracies about groundwater, and we currently lack tools to measure groundwater knowledge across large populations and measure how groundwater knowledge relates to management decisions or behaviors. Here, we present a survey instrument, the Groundwater Concept Inventory (GWCI), that has been designed for general audiences to measure groundwater knowledge comparable to that in an introductory geoscience curriculum. The GWCI was developed using ∼1200 responses using an online platform, Amazon Mechanical Turks, to represent a general population. Responses were evaluated using the Rasch model that configures a relationship between person‐ability and item‐difficulty. We found that the study population displayed similar misconceptions about groundwater compared with previous literature, and that age and education were not strong predictors of GWCI scores. The GWCI can be used by researchers to understand links between knowledge and behavior, and also by other stakeholders to quantify misconceptions about groundwater and target resources for a more informed public.