bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chinese parent firm’s knowledge types and governance modes’ effect on overseas subsidiaries’ performance: a contingency perspective
Authors: Zhu Ying , Li Jun , Wang Lei , Xu Qiqi
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Based on an ensemble sample of multinational enterprises (MNEs), this study aims to explore the effect of the interactions between Chinese parent firms’ knowledge (including both technological and marketing knowledge), equity control and cultural distance on the business performance of their overseas branches under different subsidiary roles.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses a data set compiled from 138 listed Chinese manufacturing enterprises and their 231 overseas subsidiaries to test the hypotheses regarding the interactive effects of transferred knowledge types and the subsidiary’s control mode.

Findings

The empirical results suggest that the moderating effects of equity control and cultural distance vary with the types of the parent firm’s knowledge and subsidiary roles. Specifically, equity control positively regulates the relationship between technological knowledge and subsidiary performance while negatively moderating the relationship between marketing knowledge and subsidiary performance. Cultural distance appears to negatively regulate the relationship between marketing knowledge and subsidiary performance. This binary relationship is shown to be more significant for the implementer subsidiaries.

Originality/value

Drawing on the literature on inter-firm governance and knowledge-induced innovation mechanisms, the authors develop a theoretical contingency framework to derive some managerial implications for inter-firm and infra-firm knowledge transfer in light of MNEs’ performance integrity.
Green library as a subject of research – a quantitative and qualitative perspective
Authors: Fedorowicz-Kruszewska Małgorzata
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The objective of the article is to determine the numerical increase in publications on green libraries and the dynamics of its development as well as to determine the thematic structure of the scientific literature in the field of green libraries and its changes as a representation of research in this area.

Design/methodology/approach

The research material consisted of publications on green libraries published between 1991 and 2020, indexed in the Web of Science database. The bibliometric method was used to determine the numerical increase in publications on green libraries and the dynamics of its development. In order to characterize the thematic structure of publications representing research in this area, content analysis was performed.

Findings

Quantitative analysis of the literature on green libraries has shown that this is a new area of research not explored with constant intensity. The time of publishing materials on green libraries can be divided into two periods: the so-called period of first publications between 1991 and 2006, and the period between 2007 and 2020, when the number of publications increased relatively systematically. The content analysis confirmed the hypothesis that the most frequent theme is the issue of a green building and its management. It showed that the period after 2010 is the time of building a theoretical framework for a new research field, i.e. green libraries.

Originality/value

The main value of the article is the performance of a quantitative and qualitative analysis of the scientific literature indexed in the Web of Science devoted to green libraries, from the moment of the first publications to the present day. The codebook developed for the needs of content analysis can constitute the basis for the development of criteria for the evaluation of green libraries and guidelines for their organization.
Education and enterprising profile of young community: evidence from a transition country
Authors: Hasani Vjollca , Zeqiri Jusuf , Gagica Kumrije , Gleason Kimberly , Ibraimi Sadudin
Published: December 2021

Purpose

This paper, in light of the theory of planned behavior, aims to analyze the factors that have an impact on entrepreneurial intentions among students in Kosovo.

Design/methodology/approach

A structured questionnaire is administered online for data collection, and the analysis is conducted using structural equation modeling.

Findings

The authors find that in the context of Kosovo, personal attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control significantly impact entrepreneurial intention among students. However, the entrepreneurial education survey respondents received was unrelated to entrepreneurial intention of students in Kosovo.

Originality/value

The authors contribute to the literature regarding the role of entrepreneurial education on entrepreneurial intention among students and graduates. In addition, the authors provide new evidence regarding the impact of personal attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control on entrepreneurial intention in the context of a transition economy. Finally, the authors offer recommendations to educational institutions and policymakers concerning the appropriate design of entrepreneurial education.
Facilitating entrepreneurship in the failing Cuban economic model?
Authors: Felzensztein Christian , Gimmon Eli
Published: December 2021

Purpose

This study aims to understand the necessity of entrepreneurship in a poor emerging economy, where the supportive entrepreneurial ecosystem is not in place.

Design/methodology/approach

In the years 2015 and 2019, this study survey first-time small-scale emerging entrepreneurs within the new entrepreneurial ecosystem in Cuba.

Findings

The results suggest that the entrepreneurial environment has deteriorated and declined over this period. The study contributes to the understanding of high-vulnerability regions and poverty conditions as found in some emerging economies. This study contributes to the wider literature on policies that inhibit or stimulate necessity entrepreneurship in emerging economies.

Originality/value

The study responds to calls for a better understanding by offering new insights into necessity entrepreneurship in challenging contexts under poverty and crisis; and the ways for recovery. It provides insights into the underexplored Cuban economy.
Investigating factors affecting Chinese tertiary students’ online-startup motivation based on the COM-B behaviour changing theory
Authors: Li Lifu , Kang Kyeong , Sohaib Osama
Published: December 2021

Purpose

This study aims to present the Chinese entrepreneurial environment and explore Chinese tertiary students’ online-startup motivation on live streaming platforms. Based on the COM-B behaviour changing theory, this paper discovers various influencing factors from environmental opportunity and personal capability aspects. It analyses their effects under the cooperative system established among official departments, industries and universities. Meanwhile, considering social and cultural control, it also refers to the uncertainty-avoidance dimension from the Hofstede cultural theory and re-evaluates its influence on Chinese tertiary students’ online-startup motivation.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors analyse 474 responses from online questionnaires through partial least squares path modelling and variance-based structural equation modelling. The paper claims that environmental opportunity and personal capability factors positively affect students’ online-startup motivation, but uncertainty-avoidance thinking plays a negative role. The study also measures the importance-performance map analysis to explore additional findings and discuss managerial implications.

Findings

Both platform support and official department support positively impact Chinese tertiary students’ online-startup motivation and entrepreneurial skills learned from universities are beneficial for them to build online-startup confidence. Meanwhile, influenced by the cooperative system implemented among official departments, industries and universities, official department support positively affects platform support and entrepreneurial skills. Conversely, influenced by Chinese traditional Confucian culture, uncertainty-avoidance thinking negatively affects tertiary students’ online-startup motivation.

Originality/value

This paper demonstrates the analysis of Chinese tertiary students’ online-startup motivation drawing on the COM-B behaviour changing and Hofstede cultural theories. Specifically, this study divides influencing factors into three specific aspects as follows: environmental opportunity, personal capability and social and cultural control. Unlike existing research applying traditional research models, the combination of the COM-B behaviour changing theory and the Hofstede cultural theory could be conducive to making the research model reflect influencing factors and present their different relationships.
The challenge of implementing public-private partnerships: a transaction costs perspective on waste to energy projects in Indonesia
Authors: Haqq Azelia Machsari , Gultom Yohanna M.L.
Published: December 2021

Purpose

This study aims to explore the reasons behind the lengthy delays in completing a single public-private partnership (PPP) project in Indonesia and investigates how the transaction costs play a significant role in hindering the project’s success.

Design/methodology/approach

To broaden insight into the transaction cost theory, the authors used a single case study approach to provide a more in-depth analysis of a context whose complexity can be fully explored. As the primary data sources, 16 face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted with the stakeholders directly involved in the project’s initiation, design and execution.

Findings

This case study demonstrates that transaction cost issues, both political and economic, play a significant role. This study has identified four main problems associated with transaction costs hindering project success, namely, executing agencies’ lack of knowledge and experience, lack of coordination for such a complex governance structure that links too many stakeholders and the financial and political risk that increase the uncertainty and public distrust.

Research limitations/implications

This study contributes mainly to the PPP and transaction costs economics literature, providing empirical evidence on why major PPP projects may fail to be procured. The Greater Bandung waste to energy (WTE) Project case demonstrates that transaction costs, both political and economic, have played a significant role in the lengthy delay of the PPP project.

Practical implications

As the project involves many transaction cost issues, mapping the failure factors at the project sites can significantly contribute to the practitioners/stakeholders involved in the PPP WTE projects. Therefore, this study provides a lesson to the policymakers at all levels interested in PPPs to consider the issues of transaction costs related to the PPP projects. It can be used as guidance as well as a reference for future PPP WTE projects in Indonesia.

Social implications

Mapping the failure factors also signifying the response of the public in the PPP WTE projects undertaken. As the citizens become more rule-conscious and rights-conscious, they demand the opportunity to participate in creating rules and project plans. If the project failed to consult with affected communities and undermined democratic accountability, the angry citizens will confront the government to cancel the project. Therefore, political and economic influences for public attitude play significant roles in making the PPP WTE projects successful.

Originality/value

This study provides insight into the transaction cost issues that have hindered the completion of Indonesia’s PPP WTE project over the past 15 years. Additionally, the project feasibility analysis should include an understanding of transaction costs for partnering in PPP.
Organisational agility, environmental knowledge and green product success
Authors: Rabal-Conesa Jose , Jiménez-Jiménez Daniel , Martínez-Costa Micaela
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyse the effect of organisational agility on environmental knowledge as an instrument for the successful development of eco-innovation in products.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a cross-sectional design to collect data on the study variables from a sample of 184 Spanish manufacturing organisations. Structural equations with partial least squares were used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

Organisational agility is significantly linked to internal and external environmental knowledge. The results of this study highlight the effect of external knowledge on the success of eco-innovation. Internal environmental knowledge positively moderates the effect of external knowledge on the success of green products.

Research limitations/implications

Based on the dynamic capabilities approach, a theoretical model has been proposed in which organisational agility is configured as an effective capacity for the development of environmental knowledge. The results confirm this relationship and indicate that, although internal environmental knowledge is not decisive in developing new green products, it does enhance the effect of external knowledge on the success of eco-innovation.

Practical implications

Innovative companies must implement organisational agility practices that promote environmental knowledge for the success of new green products. They should also promote both external and internal knowledge.

Originality/value

This study addresses the little explored area of the relationship between organisational agility and the successful development of new green products. The inherent particularities of eco-innovation prompt the need for further studies on the creation of specific knowledge for its promotion. This study concludes that adopting agile practices enables key environmental knowledge for this type of innovation to be created. Additionally, it explores the tensions arising from the dichotomy between internal and external knowledge, with scarce resources allocated to the most effective source. Although both types of knowledge seem to be equally relevant, external knowledge plays a more significant role in the case of eco-innovation. A final contribution of this study is the finding that internal knowledge can further enhance the effect of external knowledge on the development of successful green products.
Unfolding the simple heuristics of smart solution development
Authors: Huikkola Tuomas , Kohtamäki Marko , Rabetino Rodrigo , Makkonen Hannu , Holtkamp Philipp
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The present study intends to foster understanding of how a traditional manufacturer can utilize the “simple rules” approach of managerial heuristics to facilitate its smart solution development (SSD) process.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses an in-depth single case research strategy and 25 senior manager interviews to understand the application of simple rules in smart solution development.

Findings

The findings reveal process, boundary, preference, schedule, and stop rules as the dominant managerial heuristics in the case and identify how the manufacturer applies these rules during the innovation process phases of ideation, incubation, transformation, and industrialization for attaining project outcomes.

Research limitations/implications

The study contributes to the new service development (NSD) literature by shedding light on simple rules and how managers may apply them to facilitate SSD. The main limitations stem from applying the qualitative case study approach and the interpretative nature of the study, which produces novel insights but prevents direct generalization to other empirical cases.

Practical implications

The resulting framework provides guidelines for managers on how to establish formal and clear simple rules that enable industrial solution providers to approach decision-making in smart solution development in a more agile manner.

Originality/value

The study comprises one of the first attempts to investigate managerial heuristics in the context of SSD and puts forward a plea for further NSD research applying psychological conceptualizations to enrich the simple rules perspective.
Remote elementary education: a comparative analysis of learner development (part 1)
Authors: Kleinke Stefan , Cross David
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this two-part research was to investigate the effect of remote learning on student progress in elementary education. Part one, presented in this paper, examined achievement differences between learners in a fully remote learning environment and those in a hybrid setting.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative, quasi-experimental study with factorial design was used to investigate group differences in student achievement between the different learning environments. Ex-post-facto data from standardized test scores were utilized to examine in which ways the learning environment may have affected learner progress in two distinct subject areas crucial to elementary education: English language (ELA) and math.

Findings

Findings revealed a significant difference between the two learning environments in both subject areas. While preexisting group differences, selection biases and testing inconsistencies could be effectively ruled out as potential causes for the observed differences, other factors such as developmental and environmental differences between the learning environments seemed to be influential. Therefore, the follow-on research aimed at further investigating and confirming the influence of such factors and will be presented in a Part 2 paper.

Practical implications

Knowledge of the observed differences in learning achievements between the different environments, as well as the factors likely causing them, may aid educators and school administrators in their decision processes when faced with difficult circumstances such as during the pandemic.

Originality/value

When the SARS-CoV-2 virus started to rapidly spread around the globe, educators across the world were looking for alternatives to classroom instruction. Remote learning became an essential tool. However, in contrast to e-learning in postsecondary education, for which an abundance of research has been conducted, relatively little is known about the efficacy of such approaches in elementary education. Lacking this type of information, it seems that educators and administrators are facing difficult decisions when trying to align the often conflicting demands of public health, local politics and parent pressure with what may be best for student learning.
Ductile connection to improve the fire performance of bare-steel and composite frames
Authors: Liu Yu , Huang Shan-Shan , Burgess Ian
Published: December 2021

Purpose

In order to improve the robustness of bare-steel and composite structures in fire, a novel axially and rotationally ductile connection has been proposed in this paper.

Design/methodology/approach

The component-based models of the bare-steel ductile connection and composite ductile connection have been proposed and incorporated into the software Vulcan to facilitate global frame analysis for performance-based structural fire engineering design. These component-based models are validated against detailed Abaqus FE models and experiments. A series of 2-D bare-steel frame models and 3-D composite frame models with ductile connections, idealised rigid and pinned connections, have been created using Vulcan to compare the fire performance of ductile connection with other connection types in bare-steel and composite structures.

Findings

The comparison results show that the proposed ductile connection can provide excellent ductility to accommodate the axial deformation of connected beam under fire conditions, thus reducing the axial forces generated in the connection and potentially preventing the premature brittle failure of the connection.

Originality/value

Compared with conventional connection types, the proposed ductile connection exhibits considerable deformability, and can potentially enhance the robustness of structures in fire.
Study on the residual performance of RC beams exposed to processed temperatures and fire
Authors: Vijaya Kumar Sachin , Suresh N.
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The Reinforced Concrete(RC) elements are known to perform well during exposure to elevated temperatures. Hence, RC elements are widely used to resist the extreme heat developing from accidental fires and other industrial processes. In both of the scenarios, the RC element is exposed to elevated temperatures. However, the primary differences between the fire and processed temperatures are the rate of temperature increase, mode of exposure and exposure durations. In order to determine the effect of two heating modalities, RC beams were exposed to processed temperatures with slow heating rates and fire with fast heating rates.

Design/methodology/approach

In the present study, RC beam specimens were exposed to 200 °C, to 800 °C temperature at 200 °C intervals for 2 h' duration by adopting two heating modes; Fire and processed temperatures. An electrical furnace with low-temperature increment and a fire furnace with standard time-temperature increment is adapted to expose the RC elements to elevated temperatures.

Findings

It is observed from test results that, the reduction in load-carrying capacity, first crack load, and thermal crack widths of RC beams exposed to 200 °C, and 600 °C temperature at fire is significantly high from the RC beams exposed to the processed temperature having the same maximum temperature. As the exposure temperature increases to 800 °C, the performance of RC beams at all heating modes becomes approximately equal.

Originality/value

In this work, residual performance, and failure modes of RC beams exposed to elevated temperatures were achieved through two different heating modes are presented.
Resolving the conflict of nuclear wastewater discharging into the ocean based on the GMCR
Authors: Yang Benshuo , Xu Haojun
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Japan's decision to release nuclear wastewater into the Pacific Ocean in 2023 has sparked strong opposition at home and abroad. In this study, Graph Model for Conflict Resolution (GMCR) method is adopted to analyze the conflict problem, and reasonable equilibrium solutions are given to solve the conflict event.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, GMCR is adopted to solve the conflict problem. First, identify the key decision-makers (DMs) on the issue of nuclear effluent and the relevant options they might adopt. Second, the options of each DM are arranged and combined to form a set of feasible states. Thirdly, the graph model is constructed according to the change of DM's options, and the relative preference of each DM is determined. Finally, the conflict problem is solved according to the definition of GMCR equilibrium.

Findings

Discharging nuclear wastewater into the ocean is not the right choice to solve the problem. Developing more space to store nuclear wastewater is more conducive to the protection of the ocean environment.

Practical implications

It is undesirable for the Japanese government to unilaterally discharge nuclear wastewater into the ocean. Objectively assessing the radioactivity of nuclear wastewater and the cooperation of relevant stakeholders can better solve this conflict.

Originality/value

The problem arising from Japan's releasing plan is complicated because of a lack of information and the existence of multiple stakeholders, while GMCR can help us with a better view of the current circumstance in the conflict.
Behavioural responses by a bumble bee to competition with a niche‐constructing congener
Authors: Rosenberger Nick M. , Aizen Marcelo A. , Dickson Rachel G. , Harder Lawrence D.
Published: December 2021

While feeding, foragers can alter their environment. Such alteration constitutes ecological niche construction (ENC) if it enables future benefits for the constructor and conspecific individuals. The environmental modification may also affect non‐constructing, bystander species, especially if they share resources with constructor species. If so, ENC could confer the constructor species a competitive advantage by both enhancing its foraging returns and reducing those of bystander species.

Expectations – (E1) ENC frequency should vary positively with the recent and current density of the constructor species, and (E2) constructors should use modifications disproportionately. In contrast, bystanders should (E3) experience intensified competition for the affected resource, and (E4) exhibit diverse, possibly mitigating, responses to ENC, depending on opportunity and relative benefits.

We investigated these expectations in Argentina for competition for Fuchsia magellanica nectar between an invasive bumble bee Bombus terrestris (terr: putative constructor), which often bites holes at the bases of floral tubes to rob nectar, and native B. dahlbomii (dahl: bystander), which normally accesses Fuchsia nectar through the flower mouth (front visits). Robbing holes constitute ENC, as they persist until the 7‐day flowers wilt. The dynamics of the incidence of robbed flowers, abundance of both bees and the number and types of their flower visits (front or robbing) were characterised by alternate‐day surveys of plants during 2.5 months.

After initially accessing Fuchsia nectar via front visits, terr switched to robbing and its abundance on Fuchsia increased 20‐fold within 10 days (E2). Correspondingly, the incidence of robbed flowers varied positively with recent and past terr abundance (E1). In contrast, dahl abundance remained low and varied negatively with the incidence of robbed flowers (E3). When terr ceased visiting Fuchsia, dahl abundance increased sixfold within 10 days (E3), possibly because many dahl previously had avoided competition with terr by feeding on other plant species (E4). While terr was present, dahl on Fuchsia used front visits (tolerance) or used existing robbing holes (adoption: E4). The diverse dahl responses suggest partial compensation for competition with terr.

ENC alters competitive asymmetry, favouring constructor species. However, bystander responses can partially offset this advantage, perhaps facilitating coexistence.
Evaluation of the systemic and spinal antinociceptive effect of a new hybrid NSAID tetrahydropyran derivative
Authors: Gonçalves Gabriela Mastrangelo , Oliveira Joyce Mattos de , Fernandes Thayane Ferreira da Costa , de Carvalho Cid Gabriela , Laureano‐Melo Roberto , Côrtes Wellington da Silva , Carvalho Vivian de Assunção Nogueira , Capim Saulo Luis , Vasconcellos Mário Luiz Araujo de Almeida , Marinho Bruno Guimarães
Published: December 2021

Pain is responsible for inducing physical and mental stress, interfering negatively in patients' quality of life. Classic analgesic drugs, such as opioids and non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs, are known for their wide range of adverse effects, making it important to develop new drugs. Thus, this study aimed to analyse the action of the hybrid compound cis‐ (±) ‐acetate of 4‐chloro‐6‐ (naphthalene‐1‐yl) ‐tetrahydro‐2h‐pyran −2‐yl) methyl2‐ (2‐ [2,6‐dichlorophenylamine] phenyl (LS19) under acute nociceptive conditions, and deepened the understanding of the responsible mechanisms. Male Swiss mice were evaluated in the acetic acid‐induced abdominal writhing, formalin, tail flick, capsaicin‐ and glutamate‐induced nociception, thermal stimulation in animals injected with capsaicin and rotarod tests besides the acute and subchronic toxicological evaluation. The compound showed effect on the acetic acid‐induced abdominal writhing, formalin (both phases), tail flick, thermal stimulation in animals injected with capsaicin and capsaicin‐induced nociception tests. In the study of the mechanism of action was observed reversion of the antihyperalgesic effect of the compound from the previous intraperitoneal and intrathecal administration of naloxone, nor‐binaltorphimine, naltrindole, methylnaltrexone, 7‐nitroindazole, L‐NAME, ODQ, glibenclamide on the tail flick test. In the thermal stimulation in animals injected with capsaicin, the compound showed antinociceptive effect by oral and intraplantar routes, besides to reducing the levels of TNF‐α, IL‐1β and PGE2 in the paws previously administered with capsaicin. There were no signs of acute and subchronic intoxication with the compound. In summary, the compound LS19 presented spinal and local antihyperalgesic effect, demonstrating participation of the opioid/NO/cGMP/K+ ATP pathway and TRPV1 receptors and it demonstrated safety in its use in mice.
Maternal inheritance of the koala gut microbiome and its compositional and functional maturation during juvenile development
Authors: Blyton Michaela D.J. , Soo Rochelle M. , Hugenholtz Philip , Moore Ben D.
Published: December 2021

The acquisition and maturation of the gastrointestinal microbiome is a crucial aspect of mammalian development, particularly for specialist herbivores such as the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus). Joey koalas are thought to be inoculated with microorganisms by feeding on specialized maternal faeces (pap). We found that compared to faeces, pap has higher microbial density, higher microbial evenness and a higher proportion of rare taxa, which may facilitate the establishment of those taxa in joey koalas. We show that the microbiomes of captive joey koalas were on average more similar to those of their mothers than to other koalas, indicating strong maternal inheritance of the faecal microbiome, which can lead to intergenerational gut dysbiosis when the mother is ill. Directly after pap feeding, the joey koalas' microbiomes were enriched for milk‐associated bacteria including Bacteroides fragilis, suggesting a conserved role for this species across mammalian taxa. The joeys' microbiomes then changed slowly over 5 months to resemble those of adults by 1 year of age. The relative abundance of fibrolytic bacteria and genes involved in the degradation of plant cell walls also increased in the infants over this time, likely in response to an increased proportion of Eucalyptus leaves in their diets.
The brown root rot fungus Phellinus noxius affects microbial communities in different root‐associated niches of Ficus trees
Authors: Liu Tse‐Yen , Chen Chao‐Han , Yang Yu‐Liang , Tsai Isheng J. , Ho Ying‐Ning , Chung Chia‐Lin
Published: December 2021

Brown root rot (BRR) caused by Phellinus noxius is a destructive tree disease in tropical and subtropical areas. To understand how BRR affects the composition of the plant rhizoplane‐enriched microbiota, the microbiomes within five root‐associated compartments (i.e., bulk soil, old/young root rhizosphere soil, old/young root tissue) of Ficus trees naturally infected by P. noxius were investigated. The level of P. noxius infection was determined by quantitative PCR. Illumina sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer and 16S rRNA revealed that P. noxius infection caused a significant reduction in fungal diversity in the bulk soil, the old root rhizosphere soil, and the old root tissue. Interestingly, Cosmospora was the only fungal genus positively correlated with P. noxius. The abundance and composition of dominant bacterial taxa such as Actinomadura, Bacillus, Rhodoplanes, and Streptomyces differed between BRR‐diseased and healthy samples. Furthermore, 838 isolates belonging to 26 fungal and 35 bacterial genera were isolated and tested for interactions with P. noxius. Antagonistic activities were observed for isolates of Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Trichoderma. Cellophane overlay and cellulose/lignin utilization assays suggested that Cosmospora could tolerate the secretions of P. noxius and that the degradation of lignin by P. noxius may create suitable conditions for Cosmorpora growth.
Amsterdam urban canals contain novel niches for methane‐cycling microorganisms
Authors: Pelsma Koen A. J. , in 't Zandt Michiel H. , Op den Camp Huub J. M. , Jetten Mike S. M. , Dean Joshua F. , Welte Cornelia U.
Published: December 2021

Urbanised environments have been identified as hotspots of anthropogenic methane emissions. Especially urban aquatic ecosystems are increasingly recognised as important sources of methane. However, the microbiology behind these emissions remains unexplored. Here, we applied microcosm incubations and molecular analyses to investigate the methane‐cycling community of the Amsterdam canal system in the Netherlands. The sediment methanogenic communities were dominated by Methanoregulaceae and Methanosaetaceae, with co‐occurring methanotrophic Methanoperedenaceae and Methylomirabilaceae indicating the potential for anaerobic methane oxidation. Methane was readily produced after substrate amendment, suggesting an active but substrate‐limited methanogenic community. Bacterial 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing of the sediment revealed a high relative abundance of Thermodesulfovibrionia. Canal wall biofilms showed the highest initial methanotrophic potential under oxic conditions compared to the sediment. During prolonged incubations the maximum methanotrophic rate increased to 8.08 mmol gDW−1 d−1 that was concomitant with an enrichment of Methylomonadaceae bacteria. Metagenomic analysis of the canal wall biofilm lead to the recovery of a single methanotroph metagenome‐assembled genome. Taxonomic analysis showed that this methanotroph belongs to the genus Methyloglobulus. Our results underline the importance of previously unidentified and specialised environmental niches at the nexus of the natural and human‐impacted carbon cycle.
Medicaid prevalence and opioid use disorder treatment access disparities
Authors: Richards Michael R. , Leech Ashley A. , Stein Bradley D. , Buntin Melinda B. , Patrick Stephen W.
Published: December 2021

Objective

To examine how variation in the size of the local Medicaid population moderates Medicaid‐to‐private treatment access differentials for women with opioid use disorder (OUD).

Data Sources

County‐level information on total Medicaid enrollment combined with randomized field experiment data from 10 diverse states that used a simulated patient (audit) methodology to examine buprenorphine providers' appointment granting behavior.

Study Design

We used multiple regression modeling approaches to capture the moderating influence of Medicaid prevalence on differences in the likelihood of receiving an insurance‐covered appointment between Medicaid and privately insured female patients.

Data Extraction

Completed calls to buprenorphine treatment providers.

Principal Findings

We find a 0.37 percentage point (p value <0.01) narrowing of the Medicaid‐to‐private access gap with each one percentage point increase in the local insured population on Medicaid. There is effectively no difference in the likelihood of being granted an insurance‐covered appointment across the two payer groups in the top tercile of Medicaid penetration.

Conclusions

When Medicaid is a common source of insurance within the local population, buprenorphine providers are much less likely to discriminate between Medicaid and privately insured prospective patients. Efforts to enhance equitable access across patient groups are perhaps best targeted where Medicaid prevalence is lower.
HRM and the smart and dark side of technology
Authors: Holland Peter , Dowling Peter , Brewster Chris
Published: December 2021

As part of this 60th anniversary edition of the Asia Pacific Journal of Human Resources, this paper provides a review of the impact of technology over the last decade on the role of HRM. This period was bookended by the global financial crisis and the Covid‐19 pandemic and saw the emergence of fourth industrial revolution. The decade provided a platform and maturity of a wide range of technology‐based processes requiring appropriate policies to guide and manage them. From social media and cyber‐vetting, to electronic monitoring and surveillance and biometric testing, all have made a significant impact across the workplace and not least on the HRM aspect of work. The paper addresses these changes to show the significant impact on the workplace.
Ambiguity and legal compliance
Authors: Barnum Timothy C. , Nagin Daniel S.
Published: December 2021

Research Summary

This study examines the independent and joint effect of ambiguity and perceived certainty of apprehension on law‐breaking decision‐making. Data come from a survey of experienced drivers (N = 1147) who viewed videos depicting a car speeding on an interstate highway under experimentally manipulated circumstances. The sampled drivers were generally ambiguity averse, opting to reduce speeding as ambiguity about the perceived certainty of apprehension increased. However, perceived ambiguity interacted with perceived certainty such that increases in ambiguity increased the deterrent effect of ambiguity for low certainty probabilities and decreased the effect for high probabilities.

Policy Implications

Ambiguity may serve as a valuable tool for increasing the efficacy of crime‐prevention strategies, especially for crimes with naturally low levels of risk. However, researchers should think carefully about the effects of ambiguity when analyzing the efficacy of certainty‐based policies because the injection of ambiguity can both increase and decrease legal compliance. Also, discussed are the implications for a key function of policing—traffic safety.
Trends in the use of short‐course radiation therapy for rectal cancer in New South Wales, Australia
Authors: Batumalai Vikneswary , Descallar Joseph , Wong Karen , Gabriel Gabriel , Delaney Geoff P , Shafiq Jesmin , Vinod Shalini K , Barton Michael B
Published: December 2021

Introduction

Trends in the use of short‐course radiation therapy (RT) for rectal cancer in Australia are unknown. The purpose of this study was to compare short‐course RT and long‐course chemoradiation (CRT) utilisation in the neoadjuvant treatment of rectal cancer in New South Wales (NSW).

Methods

Patients who received neoadjuvant RT (2009–2014) for rectal cancer were identified from the NSW Central Cancer Registry. Univariate and multivariable analyses were performed to investigate factors associated with receipt of short‐course RT.

Results

A total of 1196 (81%) patients received long‐course CRT, and 274 (19%) patients received short‐course RT. Receipt of short‐course RT was associated with older age: 54% in patients ≥80 years, and 11% in patients <50 years (P < 0.0001). Patients with T2 disease (30%) were more likely to receive short‐course RT, compared with T3 (19%) or T4 (8%) disease (P = 0.002). Patients with N0 (23%) disease were more likely to be treated with short‐course RT, compared with N+ (16%) (P = 0.03). The proportion of short‐course RT delivered to patients with Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) ≥ 2 (28%) was higher than patients with CCI = 0 (17%) (P = 0.002). There was wide variation in the proportion of short‐course RT used across residence local health districts (5–29%) (P < 0.0001).

Conclusion

In rectal cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant RT in NSW, 19% received short‐course RT. The use of short‐course RT was associated with older age, comorbidities and less advanced disease. Wide variation across NSW was identified and future research investigating factors for the variation will be useful.
Fish eDNA metabarcoding from aquatic biofilm samples: Methodological aspects
Authors: Rivera Sinziana F. , Rimet Frédéric , Vasselon Valentin , Vautier Marine , Domaizon Isabelle , Bouchez Agnès
Published: December 2021

Fish eDNA metabarcoding is usually performed from filtered water samples. The volume of filtered water depends on the study scope and can rapidly become time consuming according to the number of samples that have to be processed. To avoid time allocated to filtration, passive DNA samplers have been used to recover fish eDNA from marine environments faster. In freshwater ecosystems, aquatic biofilms were used to catch eDNA from macroinvertebrates. Here, we test the capacity of aquatic biofilms to entrap fish eDNA in a large lake and, therefore, the possibility to perform fish eDNA metabarcoding from this matrix compared to the traditional fish eDNA approach from filtered water samples. Methodological aspects of the use of aquatic biofilms for fish eDNA metabarcoding (e.g. PCR replicates, biological replicates, bioinformatics pipeline, reference database and taxonomic assignment) were validated against a mock community. When using biofilms from habitats sheltered from wind and waves, biofilm and water approach provided similar inventories. Richness and diversity were comparable between both approaches. Approaches differed only for rare taxa. Our results illustrate the capacity of aquatic biofilms to act as passive eDNA samplers of fish eDNA and, therefore, the possibility to use biofilms to monitor fish communities efficiently from biofilms. Furthermore, our results open up avenues of research to study a diversity of biological groups (among which bioindicators as diatoms, macroinvertebrates and fish) from eDNA isolated from a single environmental matrix reducing sampling efforts, analysis time and costs.
Ultrasonography of auricular cartilage is a potential tool for diagnosing relapsing polychondritis and monitoring disease activity
Authors: Yoshida Mitsuharu , Taniguchi Yoshinori , Yoshida Takeshi , Nishikawa Hirofumi , Terada Yoshio
Published: December 2021

Aim

To assess the clinical utility of ultrasonography in the diagnosis and monitoring of disease activity in relapsing polychondritis (RP).

Methods

Auricular and nasal chondritis of 6 patients with RP were assessed by ultrasonography before treatment initiation. Changes in the ultrasonographic and clinical findings and serum inflammatory markers were longitudinally assessed. Ultrasonography was also performed in 6 patients with repeat ear trauma, 6 patients with auricular cellulitis and 6 healthy controls for comparison among groups.

Results

In all cases of RP, ultrasonographic findings before treatment revealed low‐echoic swollen auricular and nasal cartilage and perichondral soft‐tissue with increased power Doppler signals (PDS) corresponding to biopsy findings. After 2‐month treatment with prednisolone (PSL) combined with methotrexate, clinical and serum inflammatory markers were completely resolved. Although swollen perichondral soft‐tissue, cartilage and PDS on auricular ultrasonography were also significantly improved, PDS remained in 2 of 6 cases, which showed flare early after tapering PSL. Finally, ultrasonographic findings of RP were substantially differentiated between patients with repeat trauma and cellulitis and healthy controls based on the thickness of soft tissue around the cartilage, PDS and subperichondral serous effusion.

Conclusion

Assessment of RP lesions by ultrasonography is useful for the evaluation of cartilaginous lesions and monitoring of disease activity, especially when considering the treatment response and the timing of drug tapering.
Congruence of local ecological knowledge (LEK)‐based methods and line‐transect surveys in estimating wildlife abundance in tropical forests
Authors: Braga‐Pereira Franciany , Morcatty Thais Q. , El Bizri Hani R. , Tavares Aline S. , Mere‐Roncal Carla , González‐Crespo Carlos , Bertsch Carolina , Rodriguez Claudia Ramos , Bardales‐Alvites Claudio , von Mühlen Eduardo M. , Bernárdez‐Rodríguez Galicia Fernanda , Paim Fernanda Pozzan , Tamayo Jhancy Segura , Valsecchi João , Gonçalves Jonas , Torres‐Oyarce Leon , Lemos Lísley Pereira , de Mattos Vieira Marina A. R. , Bowler Mark , Gilmore Michael P. , Perez Natalia Carolina Angulo , da Nóbrega Alves Rômulo Romeu , Peres Carlos A. , E. Pérez‐Peña Pedro , Mayor Pedro
Published: December 2021

Effective estimation of wildlife population abundance is an important component of population monitoring, and ultimately essential for the development of conservation actions. Diurnal line‐transect surveys are one of the most applied methods for abundance estimations. Local ecological knowledge (LEK) is empirically acquired through the observation of ecological processes by local people. LEK‐based methods have only been recognized as valid scientific methods for surveying fauna abundance in the last three decades. However, the agreement between both methods has not been extensively analysed.

We compared concomitant abundance data for 91 wild species (mammals, birds and tortoises) from diurnal line transects (9,221 km of trails) and a LEK‐based method (291 structured interviews) at 18 sites in Central and Western Amazonia. We used biological and socioecological factors to assess the agreements and divergences between abundance indices obtained from both methods.

We found a significant agreement of population abundance indices for diurnal and game species. This relationship was also positive regardless of species sociality (solitary or social), body size and locomotion mode (terrestrial and arboreal); and of sampled forest type (upland and flooded forests). Conversely, we did not find significant abundance covariances for nocturnal and non‐game species. Despite the general agreement between methods, line transects were not effective at surveying many species occurring in the area, with 40.2% and 39.8% of all species being rarely and never detected in at least one of the survey sites. On the other hand, these species were widely reported by local informants to occur at intermediate to high abundances.

Although LEK‐based methods have been long neglected by ecologists, our comparative study demonstrated their effectiveness for estimating vertebrate abundance of a wide diversity of taxa and forest environments. This can be used simultaneously with line‐transect surveys to calibrate abundance estimates and record species that are rarely sighted during surveys on foot, but that are often observed by local people during their daily extractive activities. Thus, the combination of local and scientific knowledge is a potential tool to improve our knowledge of tropical forest species and foster the development of effective strategies to meet biodiversity conservation goals.
Land certification, rental market participation, and household welfare in rural China
Authors: Xu Licheng , Du Xiaodong
Published: December 2021

The 2009 land reform in China marks a move toward a more flexible land tenure system in rural areas. This study evaluates the effect of this reform on rental market participation and household welfare in rural China. Using a four‐period nationally representative household‐level panel data during 2010–2016, we find that the 2009 land reform increased rental market participation by 6.6 to 7.0 percentage points on average. The effect varies significantly with village and household characteristics. The welfare impact of rental market participation on rural households depends on the type of participation. Specifically, the households renting in land witness an increase in their aggregated income by 10.7% on average through the expansion of farm production, which is accompanied by an increase in aggregated expenditure by approximately 11.2%. Those leasing out their land lose the portion of income on the farm but the aggregated household income is on average statistically unchanged, possibly due to a higher off‐farm income and the inflow of land rental income. Along with the statistically unchanged aggregated expenditure, the households leasing out land experience no significant welfare changes after the 2009 land reform.