bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bovine serum albumin promotes reactivation of viable but non-culturableMycobacterium tuberculosisvia the activation of protein kinase-dependent cell division processes
Authors: Morishige Yuta , Murase Yoshiro , Chikamatsu Kinuyo , Yamada Hiroyuki , Aono Akio , Igarashi Yuriko , Kamada Keisuke , Shimomura Yoshiko , Hosoya Makiko , Takaki Akiko , Mitarai Satoshi
Published: November 2021

Objective

Mycobacterium tuberculosis(Mtb) H37Ra strain has been reported to rapidly enter the viable but non-culturable (VBNC) state following treatment with an NADH oxidase inhibitor (diphenyleneiodonium [DPI]) and to be reactivated by fetal bovine serum (FBS). However, the mechanism underlying FBS-induced reactivation is unclear. We tried to reveal the mechanism of FBS-induced reactivation usingM. tuberculosisH37Rv.

Methods

First, we evaluated the effect of DPI on culturability, viability and changes of acid-fastness toward H37Rv. Secondly, we measured the reactivation-promoting effects of human serum albumin, egg-white albumin and antioxidative agents in DPI-induced VBNC cells. We also inhibited adenylyl cyclase and protein kinase which is the downstream of adenylyl cyclase to evaluate the influence to reactivation capacity of bovine serum albumin (BSA).

Results

DPI treatment induced VBNC state in H37Rv, resulting in a high proportion of viable cells but a low proportion of culturable cells, loss of acid-fastness and lipid-accumulation. Not only FBS but also BSA alone could reactivate H37Rv. Contrary to our expectation, only human serum albumin had a similar restorative effect to BSA. The inhibition of adenylyl cyclase by SQ22536 did not have a significant effect on reactivation; however, the inhibition of mycobacterial protein kinase by H89 and staurosporine strongly suppressed the BSA-induced reactivation.

Conclusion

DPI-induced VBNC Mtb cells may be reactivated via the activation of protein kinase-dependent cell division processes through interaction with BSA.
New fossil wasp species from the earliest Eocene Fur Formation has its closest relatives in late Eocene ambers (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Pherhombinae)
Authors: Meier Noah , Wacker Anina , Klopfstein Seraina
Published: November 2021

Darwin wasps (Ichneumonidae) are one of the most species-rich insect families, but also one of the most understudied ones, both in terms of their extant and extinct diversity. We here use morphometrics of wing veins and an integrative Bayesian analysis to place a new rock fossil species from the Danish Fur Formation (∼54 Ma) in the tree of Darwin wasps. The new species,Pherhombus parvulusn. sp., is placed firmly in Pherhombinae, an extinct subfamily so far only known from Baltic and Rovno-Ukranian ambers, which are estimated to be 34–48 Ma and 34–38 Ma, respectively. Our phylogenetic analysis recovers a subfamily clade within the higher Ophioniformes formed by Pherhombinae, Townesitinae and Hybrizontinae, in accordance with previous suggestions. Due to the placement of the new species as sister to the remaining members of Pherhombinae, we argue that our finding is not at odds with a much younger, late Eocene age (∼34–41 Ma) of Baltic amber and instead demonstrates thatPherhombusexisted over a much longer period than previously thought. Our results also exemplify the power of wing vein morphometrics and integrative phylogenetic analyses in resolving the placement even of poorly preserved fossil specimens.
Structure determination of riboflavin by synchrotron high-resolution powder X-ray diffraction
Authors: Guerain Mathieu , Affouard Frédéric , Henaff Charline , Dejoie Catherine , Danède Florence , Siepmann Juergen , Siepmann Florence , Willart Jean-François
Published: November 2021

The crystal structure of the stable form of vitamin B2 or riboflavin (C17H20N4O6) was solved using high-resolution powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD). The high-resolution PXRD pattern of riboflavin was recorded at room temperature at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (Grenoble, France). The starting structural model was generated using a Monte Carlo simulated annealing method. The final structure was obtained through Rietveld refinement. The positions of the H atoms belonging to hydroxy groups were estimated from computational energy minimizations. The symmetry is orthorhombic with the space group P212121 and the following lattice parameters: a = 20.01308, b = 15.07337 and c = 5.31565 Å.
Energy financing in COVID-19: how public supports can benefit?
Authors: Iqbal Sajid , Bilal Ahmad Raza
Published: November 2021

Purpose

The study aims to empirically estimate the role of public supports for energy efficiency financing and presents the way forward to mitigate the energy financing barriers that incurred during the COVID-19 crisis.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the G7 countries data, the study estimated the nexus between the constructs. Generalized method of moments (GMM) and conventional increasing-smoothing asymptotic of GMM are applied to justify the study findings. Wald econometric technique is also used to robust the results.

Findings

The study findings reported a consistent role of public support on energy efficiency financing indicators, during the COVID-19 crisis period. G7 countries raised funds around 17% through public supports for energy efficiency financing, and it raised 4% of per unit energy usage to GDP, accelerated 16% energy efficiency and 24% output of renewable energy sources, during COVID-19. By this, study findings warrant a maximum support from public offices, energy ministries and other allied departments for energy efficiency optimization.

Practical implications

The study presents multiple policy implications to enhance energy efficiency through different alternative sources, such as, on-bill financing, direct energy efficiency grant, guaranteed financial contracts for energy efficiency and energy efficiency credit lines. If suggested policy recommendations are applied effectively, this holds the potential to diminish the influence of the COVID-19 crisis and can probably uplift the energy efficiency financing during structural crisis.

Originality/value

The originality of the recent study exists in a novel framework of study topicality. Despite growing literature, the empirical discussion in the field of energy efficiency financing and COVID-19 is still shattered and less studied, which is contributed by this study.
Modeling multiple forms of consumer animosity through fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis
Authors: Antonetti Paolo , Manika Danae
Published: November 2021

Purpose

Consumer animosity toward a foreign country can affect negatively international brands. Existing international marketing research offers inconsistent accounts of the factors that explain product quality perceptions, negative word of mouth (NWOM) and product avoidance in animosity contexts. This paper aims to demonstrate that such inconsistency is caused by the fact that different explanations apply to different consumer subgroups. Searching for a single solution, thus, leads to erroneous predictions for sizable subgroups of consumers.

Design/methodology/approach

The study implements a fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis to two quantitative surveys examining Chinese consumers’ (n = 476) reactions to Japanese products and American consumers’ (n = 517) reactions to Chinese products.

Findings

The analysis yields novel explanations of the outcomes of animosity. Only in some causal configurations reduced quality evaluations explain product avoidance and NWOM, while in others negative behaviors co-exist with positive quality perceptions. Moreover, negative emotions’ role varies across forms of animosity. While anger is often associated with the behavioral outcomes of animosity, fear plays an important role in only a few specific combinations.

Research limitations/implications

General models of animosity need to be complemented with accounts that examine the multiple mechanisms underpinning animosity outcomes.

Practical implications

Marketers should identify which animosity model applies to their consumer segment(s) as different mechanisms require different marketing approaches.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study recognizing that the same animosity outcomes are explained by multiple mechanisms offering a more nuanced picture of the motivations associated with consumer animosity.
Evaluating children’s websites from an information visualization perspective: findings of a comparative mixed-methods study
Authors: Norouzi Yaghoub , Keshavarz Hamid , Jafari Athar Zahra
Published: November 2021

Purpose

This study aims to evaluate the selected children’s websites in terms of information visualization features based on the criteria existing in the related literature and expert scrutiny.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed-methods (qualitative-quantitative) study was conducted with a descriptive-comparative approach. A set of 80 English websites, as well as 24 quality Persian websites, were selected constituting a sample size of 104 websites. A conceptual model was developed from an extensive literature review on information visualization in children’s websites. In the quantitative part, a checklist derived from the conceptual model and based on the heuristic evaluation method was distributed among 20 related experts, the data of which were then analysed through Partial Least Squares using SmartPLS 3.0.

Findings

Confirmatory factor analysis showed high-reliability indicators and fit indices in measurement and structural models showing that the conceptual model had the necessary validities among the expert evaluators. Path coefficients showed that layout design and user interface design were the first and last priorities among the dimensions. It was also found that English websites were much more successful than Persian websites in supporting the features of information visualization.

Originality/value

The current study has implications for the effective use of standard features related to information visualization in children’s websites usable for designers, media specialists, parents, instructors and librarians, which would also make the children more engaged to better use, learn and interact with the websites.
Cultural perceptions of ethical leadership and its effect on intention to leave in the independent hotel industry
Authors: Nazarian Alireza , Zaeri Ehsan , Foroudi Pantea , Afrouzi Amir Reza , Atkinson Peter
Published: November 2021

Purpose

Studies have shown that due to the high direct and indirect costs of staff turnover, there is a need for managers to use approaches that engender a feeling that the organisation is fair to its employees and consequently reduce the intention to leave. However, to understand how to apply the research findings and theories from different parts of the world, we need to understand how employees’ perceptions of such factors as ethical leadership and organisational justice are affected by the national culture. Therefore, this study aims to compare the impact of ethical leadership on the intention to leave through justice, loyalty and satisfaction among employees of independent hotels from two Global Leadership and Organizational Behaviour Effectiveness (GLOBE) cultural clusters.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 1,561 questionnaires were received from independent hotel employees, which were analysed using structural equation modelling. Data were collected in the USA, the UK, Italy and Spain whose national cultures fall into two different GLOBE regional clusters.

Findings

The results show similarities and differences between countries and within and between clusters. No relationship was found between procedural justice and intention to leave in any of the four countries. Ethical leadership had no significant impact on job satisfaction and organisational justice in the UK, which contrasts with results in the other three countries. The study findings also show that distributive justice has a significant relationship with the intention to leave in the USA and the UK (Anglo cluster), whereas no specific relationship was found between these two variables in Italy and Spain (Latin European cluster).

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature of ethical leadership and its application to the hotel industry in two culturally different GLOBE clusters. This study shows how the relationships between organisational variables are affected by national culture and emphasises the importance for hotel managers of being aware of the specific characteristics of the culture of the country in which they are operating.
Supplier audits during COVID-19: a process perspective on their transformation and implications for the future
Authors: Castka Pavel , Zhao Xiaoli , Bremer Phil , Wood Lincoln C. , Mirosa Miranda
Published: November 2021

Purpose

Audits are an essential part of supply chain management, whether they be of a single supplier's facilities or the whole supply chain. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, auditors mainly conducted supplier audits in-person and on-site. Subsequent travel restrictions have meant that auditors have had to perform these audits remotely. The purpose of this paper is to conceptually describe the emerging phenomenon of remote audits and explore the implications of this change for the future.

Design/methodology/approach

This exploratory research used qualitative interviews with key stakeholders (firms, auditors and regulators) to provide an empirical basis for the study. A total of 60 interviews were conducted in two rounds with 40 respondents from 26 organizations. A process perspective lens was used to explore the fundamental changes in supplier audits.

Findings

The study provides an interpretative conceptual framework of remote supplier audits grounded in key factors (audit process, use of technologies, document and record sharing) and identifies a set of contingency factors (technological sophistication, reputation for integrity, maturity of internal audit processes, and level of complexities and risk involved) that affect the effectiveness of remote audits.

Originality/value

Remote supplier audits have radically changed how supply chains operate. This paper presents the first empirically-grounded study on remote auditing. It provides a springboard for future research in this domain and practical implications for managers to assist them with the development of remote auditing in their firms and supply chains.
The impact of corporate governance performance on the association between information asymmetry and opportunities' optimal levels: evidence from developed markets
Authors: Poursoleyman Ehsan , Joudi Samira , Mansourfar Gholamreza , Homayoun Saeid
Published: November 2021

Purpose

Previous literature posits that corporate governance and information asymmetry are the main factors in making efficient investments. Meanwhile, a growing body of studies is of the opinion that corporate governance can also mitigate the problem of information asymmetry and consequently exerts significant impacts on the association between information asymmetry and investment efficiency. This study aims to analyze the impact of corporate governance and information asymmetry on investment efficiency. It also tests the moderating role of corporate governance in the relationship between information asymmetry and investment efficiency.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample consists of 4,082 firms domiciled in 20 developed countries over the years from 2003 to 2019, including 33,812 firm-year observations. The bid–ask spread is used as a proxy for information asymmetry. To measure corporate governance performance, a proxy provided by ASSET4 is employed, and to determine the optimal levels of investments, we relied on the growth opportunity. To estimate the models, ordinary least squares and generalized method of moment are used.

Findings

The results reveal that information asymmetry is inversely related to investment efficiency, and, corporate governance mitigates this negative association.

Originality/value

This paper sheds light on the role of corporate governance in firms as a lever for mitigating information asymmetry and tries out information asymmetry and agency theories in relation to the impact of information asymmetry on investment efficiency. It also confirms the theory stating that corporate governance can be considered as a determinant of investment efficiency.
Attributes and impact of advance payment system on cash flow, project and organisational performance
Authors: Omopariola Emmanuel Dele , Windapo Abimbola Olukemi , Edwards David J. , Chileshe Nicholas
Published: November 2021

Purpose

Construction companies require meticulous and thorough financial planning to ensure business survival in an increasingly competitive global market. Past studies assert that cash flow management is also crucial to meeting project and organisational performance expectations. However, the link between an advance payment system (APS), cash flow and project performance has hitherto received scant academic attention. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the attributes and impact of APS on cash flow, project and organisational performance. This study surveyed all registered contractors listed in Grades 1–9 on the Construction Industry Development Board Register of Contractors in South Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopted an empirical epistemological design and deductive reasoning to analyse primary data collated via a questionnaire data collection instrument. Summary statistical and regression analysis were used to explore data garnered.

Findings

This study found that key significant attributes of APS in South Africa were payment of balance to the contractor upon project delivery; advance payment to contractors before the commencement of the work; and payment to contractors as agreed. This study proffers that project performance in terms of cost, time and quality performance is highly and positively supported by APS. Moreover, APS positively supports the efficiency, competitiveness and profitability of construction organisations. Cumulatively, these findings confirm that APS attributes in South Africa conforms to the global attributes of APS. The research concludes that client use of APS on projects improves the likelihood of attaining improved quality and time performance. This paper concludes with a recommendation that both public and private clients consider the option of an APS as the ideal payment system to support project and organisational performance.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this work constitutes the first attempt to explore the linkages between an APS, cash flow and project performance in South Africa and seeks to engender wider polemic debate and further discussion among industry stakeholders.
The effect of servant leadership on organisational sustainability: the parallel mediation role of creativity and psychological resilience
Authors: Batool Fatima , Mohammad Jihad , Awang Siti Rahmah
Published: November 2021

Purpose

The main concern of this research is to examine the indirect effects servant leadership on organisational sustainability (OS) through creativity and psychological resilience in the hoteling sector in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey method based on a questionnaire was employed to gather data from 441 employees working in the hotel industry in Malaysia. The partial least squares technique, SmartPLS3.3.7, was employed to examine the hypotheses.

Findings

The result of the study found support for effect of servant leadership on creativity and psychological resilience. In addition, the effect of creativity and psychological resilience on OS was supported. Moreover, the mediation role of creativity and psychological resilience between servant leadership and organisational suitability was also supported by data.

Originality/value

This is a pioneering study that has combined human capital elements (i.e. servant leadership, creativity and psychological resilience) to examine their impacts on OS. Besides, this work has established comparatively new relationships, i.e. the impact of servant leadership on OS through the mediating role of creativity and psychological resilience. In addition, this study has developed relatively new link between psychological resilience and OS. In addition, it has confirmed the validity and reliability of servant leadership and OS at first and second orders.
COVID-19 pandemic sentiment and stock market behavior: evidence from an emerging market
Authors: Debata Byomakesh , Ghate Kshitish , Renganathan Jayashree
Published: November 2021

Purpose

This study aims to examine the relationship between pandemic sentiment (PS) and stock market returns in an emerging order-driven stock market like India.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses nonlinear causality and wavelet coherence techniques to analyze the sentiment-returns nexus. The analysis is conducted on the full sample period from January to December 2020 and further extended to two subperiods from January to June and July to December to investigate whether the associations between sentiment and market returns persist even several months after the outbreak.

Findings

This study constructs two novel measures of PS: one using Google Search Volume Intensity and the other using Textual Analysis of newspaper headlines. The empirical findings suggest a high degree of interrelationship between PS and stock returns in all time-frequency domains across the full sample period. This interrelationship is found to be further heightened during the initial months of the crisis but reduces significantly during the later months. This could be because a considerable amount of uncertainty regarding the crisis is already accounted for and priced into the markets in the initial months.

Originality/value

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has resulted in sharp volatility and frequent crashes in the global equity indices. This study is an endeavor to shed light on the ongoing debate on the COVID-19 pandemic, investors’ sentiment and stock market behavior.
Technology aspect of Electric Vehicles Initiative's social sustainability
Authors: Tyagi Ruchi , Vishwakarma Suresh
Published: November 2021

Purpose

The Electric Vehicles Initiative (EVI) is a multi-government policy forum devoted to speed up the introduction and adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) worldwide. EVI key themes for sustainable development include energy-efficient transportation with e-mobility (drive-by science and technology), reduced greenhouse gas emissions, decreased oil dependence and improved local air quality. India's transport sector contributes around 142 million tons of CO2 every year, with road transport contributing 123 million tons.

Design/methodology/approach

Review methodology forms a basis for knowledge development, creating guidelines for policy and practice. Quality assessment of review articles is by using mixed methods appraisal tool (MMAT).

Findings

The research trends on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) technological and social aspects highlight the critical role of technology in economic and social development, emphasising infrastructure development and communication of government policy and rewards for awareness and end-user acceptance.

Originality/value

The scenario brings a school of thought if it is equally important to address a social perspective to improve India's perception and acceptance of technology-enabled EVs.
Postnatal growth rate varies with latitude in range‐expanding geese: The role of plasticity and day length
Authors: Boom Michiel P. , van der Jeugd Henk P. , Steffani Boas , Nolet Bart A. , Larsson Kjell , Eichhorn Götz
Published: November 2021

The postnatal growth period is a crucial life stage, with potential lifelong effects on an animal's fitness. How fast animals grow depends on their life‐history strategy and rearing environment, and interspecific comparisons generally show higher growth rates at higher latitudes. However, to elucidate the mechanisms behind this gradient in growth rate, intraspecific comparisons are needed.

Recently, barnacle geese expanded their Arctic breeding range from the Russian Barents Sea coast southwards, and now also breed along the Baltic and North Sea coasts. Baltic breeders shortened their migration, while barnacle geese breeding along the North Sea stopped migrating entirely.

We collected cross‐sectional data on gosling tarsus length, head length and body mass, and constructed population‐specific growth curves to compare growth rates among three populations (Barents Sea, Baltic Sea and North Sea) spanning 17° in latitude.

Growth rate was faster at higher latitudes, and the gradient resembled the latitudinal gradient previously observed in an interspecific comparison of precocial species. Differences in day length among the three breeding regions could largely explain the observed differences in growth rate. In the Baltic, and especially in the Arctic population, growth rate was slower later in the season, most likely because of the stronger seasonal decline in food quality.

Our results suggest that differences in postnatal growth rate between the Arctic and temperate populations are mainly a plastic response to local environmental conditions. This plasticity can increase the individuals' ability to cope with annual variation in local conditions, but can also increase the potential to re‐distribute and adapt to new breeding environments.
Prescribing of low‐ versus high‐cost Part B drugs in Medicare Advantage and traditional Medicare
Authors: Anderson Kelly E. , Polsky Daniel , Dy Sydney , Sen Aditi P.
Published: November 2021

Objective

Examine whether Medicare Advantage (MA) coverage is associated with more efficient prescribing of Part B drugs than traditional Medicare (TM) coverage.

Data Sources

Twenty percent sample of 2016 outpatient and carrier TM claims and MA encounter records and Master Beneficiary Summary File data.

Study Design

We analyzed whether MA enrollees compared to TM enrollees more often received the low‐cost Part B drug in four clinical scenarios where multiple similarly effective drugs exist: (1) anti‐VEGF agents to treat macular degeneration, (2) bone resorption inhibitors for osteoporosis, (3) bone resorption inhibitors for malignant neoplasms, and (4) intravenous iron for iron deficiency anemia. We then estimated differences in spending if TM prescribing aligned with MA prescribing. Finally, using linear probability models, we examined whether differences in MA and TM prescribing patterns were attributable to differences in the hospitals and clinician practices who treat MA and TM enrollees or differences in how these hospitals and clinician practices treat their MA versus TM patients.

Data Collection/Extraction Methods

Not applicable.

Principal Findings

In all cases, a larger share of MA enrollees received the low‐cost drug compared to TM enrollees, ranging from 8 percentage points higher for anemia to 16 percentage points higher for macular degeneration in the unadjusted analysis. Results were similar in regression analyses controlling for enrollee characteristics and market factors (5–13 percentage points). If TM prescribing matched MA prescribing, we estimated savings ranging from 6% to 20% of TM spending for each scenario. Differences in prescribing patterns were driven both by MA enrollees receiving treatment at more efficient hospitals and clinician practices and hospitals and clinician practices more often prescribing low‐cost drugs to their MA patients.

Conclusions

Our findings show MA enrollees were more likely than TM enrollees to receive low‐cost Part B drugs in four clinical scenarios where multiple similarly or equally effective treatment options exist.
Does racial congruence between police agencies and communities reduce racialized police killings of civilians?
Authors: Gaston Shytierra , Teti Matthew J. , Sanchez Matheson
Published: November 2021

Research Summary

In response to highly publicized, controversial police killings of Black Americans, policymakers and advocates have proposed several police reforms, including a recurrent, decades‐long demand for police departments to diversify their forces to better match the racial composition of the communities they serve. We draw on a unique police agency‐level dataset comprising 1,988 local police agencies and regress measures of police killings of Black, Hispanic, and White Americans from 2013 to 2018 onto racial congruence ratios and other theoretically relevant predictors. The results provide support for the hypothesis, revealing a negative association between racial congruence and police killings among Black and Hispanic victims.

Policy Implications

Our results suggest that for at least some local police departments, increasing the racial/ethnic representation of officers might lower police killings of people of color. This implication offers some optimism amid impassioned demands to decrease police killings of Black Americans, specifically, and reform policing.
Dietary intake of patients with inflammatory bowel disease aligns poorly with traditional Mediterranean diet principles
Authors: Marsh Abigail , Radford‐Smith Graham , Banks Merrilyn , Lord Anton , Chachay Veronique
Published: November 2021

Aim

Previous research has shown that individuals with inflammatory bowel disease avoid specific food items, such as fibre rich foods, in order to manage symptoms. Dietary fibre and the traditional Mediterranean diet are both associated with reduced mucosal and systemic inflammation, gut barrier integrity, and microbiota diversity. There is limited data on the diet composition of individuals with inflammatory bowel disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate how it compares to the traditional Mediterranean diet and national dietary guidelines.

Methods

Outpatients with inflammatory bowel disease were recruited to the study between February and August 2019. Demographic and medical information was obtained for consenting participants. All participants completed a dietary assessment of usual intake (24‐h diet recall and 17‐point ready reckoner) from which a Mediterranean diet adherence score was calculated. Dietary intake of core food groups was compared to the recommended number of serves outlined in the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating.

Results

100 participants were recruited. The mean Mediterranean diet adherence score was 5.1 ± 1.3 (maximum 14 points), 4% of participants scored ≥9 (commonly agreed criteria for Mediterranean diet adherence). Participants also consumed considerably less grains and vegetables than national dietary guidelines recommendations.

Conclusions

The diet of outpatients with inflammatory bowel disease did not align with Mediterranean diet characteristics. Participants consumed significantly less grains and vegetables than national guidelines, suggesting a low fibre intake. These findings suggest that dietary interventions focusing on improving the diet of individuals with inflammatory bowel disease to align with Mediterranean diet characteristics are warranted.
Evaluation of Water‐Energy‐Food (WEF) Nexus Research: Perspectives, Challenges, and Directions for Future Research
Authors: Sušnik Janez , Staddon Chad
Published: November 2021

In 2018, Albrecht et al., published a comprehensive review of water‐energy‐food nexus literature, coming to five main criticisms in nexus research based on their perception of the state‐of‐the‐art. The five central conclusions of that review together with a consideration of more recent initiatives form the basis for this critical review. The current state of nexus research, and in particular modeling research, is examined and updated to reflect recent advances, correct some misperceptions, and put the nexus enterprise into the context of larger epistemological issues. The main conclusions of this review are:

The considerable and growing diversity in nexus studies necessarily precludes a one‐size‐fits‐all approach, and indeed it has never been an objective to develop a “grand unified nexus theory or model.”

A lack of “fundamental equations” between many nexus parameters hinders full quantification of all nexus linkages, though data‐driven, stochastic, and agent‐based approaches offer useful avenues for further development.

The use of qualitative and social science methods in nexus studies is rapidly gaining traction, especially when blended with quantitative modeling.

Great progress has been made in attempting to break disciplinary siloes, especially when considering integrated assessment models and system dynamics models.

The paper concludes with some reflections on how progress to date could inform new initiatives, such as the Sustainable Urban Nexus Project, and future work more generally. These reflections are summarized as follows:

Integration of ecosystem services and their relationships to the nexus should be a priority in near‐future nexus research efforts.

Social science techniques blended with quantitative modeling efforts, and local stakeholder engagement, are critical to the success and impact of nexus studies and their recommendations.

Policy‐relevant recommendations are starting to be developed. Greater focus, and stakeholder involvement, will further the policy impact of nexus studies.
Disentangling effects of climate and land use on biodiversity and ecosystem services—A multi‐scale experimental design
Authors: Redlich Sarah , Zhang Jie , Benjamin Caryl , Dhillon Maninder Singh , Englmeier Jana , Ewald Jörg , Fricke Ute , Ganuza Cristina , Haensel Maria , Hovestadt Thomas , Kollmann Johannes , Koellner Thomas , Kübert‐Flock Carina , Kunstmann Harald , Menzel Annette , Moning Christoph , Peters Wibke , Riebl Rebekka , Rummler Thomas , Rojas‐Botero Sandra , Tobisch Cynthia , Uhler Johannes , Uphus Lars , Müller Jörg , Steffan‐Dewenter Ingolf
Published: November 2021

Climate and land‐use change are key drivers of environmental degradation in the Anthropocene, but too little is known about their interactive effects on biodiversity and ecosystem services. Long‐term data on biodiversity trends are currently lacking. Furthermore, previous ecological studies have rarely considered climate and land use in a joint design, did not achieve variable independence or lost statistical power by not covering the full range of environmental gradients.

Here, we introduce a multi‐scale space‐for‐time study design to disentangle effects of climate and land use on biodiversity and ecosystem services. The site selection approach coupled extensive GIS‐based exploration (i.e. using a Geographic information system) and correlation heatmaps with a crossed and nested design covering regional, landscape and local scales. Its implementation in Bavaria (Germany) resulted in a set of study plots that maximise the potential range and independence of environmental variables at different spatial scales.

Stratifying the state of Bavaria into five climate zones (reference period 1981–2010) and three prevailing land‐use types, that is, near‐natural, agriculture and urban, resulted in 60 study regions (5.8 × 5.8 km quadrants) covering a mean annual temperature gradient of 5.6–9.8°C and a spatial extent of ~310 × 310 km. Within these regions, we nested 180 study plots located in contrasting local land‐use types, that is, forests, grasslands, arable land or settlement (local climate gradient 4.5–10°C). This approach achieved low correlations between climate and land use (proportional cover) at the regional and landscape scale with |r ≤ 0.33| and |r ≤ 0.29| respectively. Furthermore, using correlation heatmaps for local plot selection reduced potentially confounding relationships between landscape composition and configuration for plots located in forests, arable land and settlements.

The suggested design expands upon previous research in covering a significant range of environmental gradients and including a diversity of dominant land‐use types at different scales within different climatic contexts. It allows independent assessment of the relative contribution of multi‐scale climate and land use on biodiversity and ecosystem services. Understanding potential interdependencies among global change drivers is essential to develop effective restoration and mitigation strategies against biodiversity decline, especially in expectation of future climatic changes. Importantly, this study also provides a baseline for long‐term ecological monitoring programs.
Knowledge and attitudes toward vaccination among nurses and midwives in Cyprus: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Fakonti Georgia , Kyprianidou Maria , Toumbis Giannos , Giannakou Konstantinos
Published: November 2021

Purpose

To assess the level of knowledge and attitudes of nurses and midwives in Cyprus toward vaccinations and provide new insights into the determinants that influence them.

Methods

An online cross‐sectional study was carried out during the period between December 08 and 28 2020. Participants included registered nurses and midwives working in public or private service provision. A self‐administered questionnaire was used with questions about sociodemographic characteristics, questions assessing attitudes and beliefs toward vaccination, and participants’ general vaccine knowledge.

Findings

A total of 437 responders answered the survey, with 93% being nurses and 7% midwives. Around two‐thirds (67.3%) of the participants had a high vaccination knowledge, while the remaining have moderate (30.7%), and low (2.1%), respectively. Most of the participants agreed that by vaccinating they protect themselves and those around them (80.5%) and that when most people are not vaccinated, epidemics can easily initiate (74%). Oppositely, many participants disagreed with vaccination and avoided it due to a fear of injections (95.4%) or the belief that it is better to get sick rather than be vaccinated (69.1%). Neutral attitudes toward vaccine‐mediated side effects (43.1%) and vaccination safety (41.7%) were observed. Sociodemographic factors such as age, educational status, and work setting significantly affected the nurses’ and midwives’ knowledge and attitudes toward vaccination (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

The findings indicate that the overall vaccination knowledge of participants was high, however, gaps in vaccination knowledge were observed. Individuals who adopted a neutral stance toward vaccination can be prone to changes either toward positive or negative attitudes.

Implications for nursing practice

The survey findings suggest implementing educational strategies and targeted interventions in clinical settings to enhance nurses’ and midwives’ vaccination knowledge and awareness.
Landscape connectivity and population density of snow leopards across a multi‐use landscape in Western Himalaya
Authors: Pal R. , Sutherland C. , Qureshi Q. , Sathyakumar S.
Published: November 2021

Human modification and habitat fragmentation significantly impact large carnivores requiring large, connected habitats to persist in a landscape. Understanding species responses to such change and the protection of critical areas and connectivity they provide is essential when planning effective conservation strategies. Our study examines the spatial distribution of the snow leopard (Panthera uncia) across a gradient of protection status, anthropogenic pressures and habitat types in the Gangotri landscape (~4600 km2), Western Himalaya. Using spatial capture‐recapture modeling, we analyzed a 4‐year camera trapping dataset (2015–2019) to assess the relationship between snow leopard movement and topography and identified the conducible areas for facilitating movement across the landscape. Snow leopard density was positively associated with elevation and slope, and was higher in protected areas (summer: 1.42 SE 0.02/100km2; winter 2.15 SE 0.03 vs. summer: 0.4 SE 0.01; winter: 0.6 SE 0.01 for unprotected areas). Precipitous terrain and several prominent mountain peaks were found to be resistant to snow leopard movement. Even with a range of human activities inside protected areas, the higher density suggests a positive impact of protection. Density‐weighted connectivity showed that conducible areas are available between the Gangotri landscape and the adjacent protected areas. However, compared to protected area, these areas are relatively less used and require attention for management. We recommend regulating human activities and co‐managing pastures with local communities to revive prey base outside protected areas, especially in corridors, to ensure such areas are functionally conducive. Our study provides a framework to collectively quantitate the spatial pattern of abundance, distribution and connectivity. Our approach has broad applicability for policymakers to develop strategic plans for balancing the conservation of species, and other land uses in a multiuse landscape.
Recommended testing algorithms for NTRK gene fusions in pediatric and selected adult cancers: Consensus of a Singapore Task Force
Authors: Lim Kiat Hon Tony , Kong Hwai Loong , Chang Kenneth Tou En , Tan Daniel Shao Weng , Tan Iain Bee Huat , Mohamad Farid , Soh Shui Yen , Pang Brendan Nghee‐Kheem , Soo Ross Andrew , Choo Su Pin , Hsieh Wen‐Son , Aung LeLe
Published: November 2021

The occurrence of neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase (NTRK) gene fusions in a wide range of tumor types presents an attractive opportunity for using a tropomyosin receptor kinase (TRK) inhibitor as cancer therapy. Recent clinical studies have demonstrated highly efficacious outcomes associated with the use of TRK inhibitors, such as larotrectinib and entrectinib in NTRK fusion‐bearing cancers, in both adult and pediatric populations. While NTRK gene fusions are commonly found in some uncommon adult and pediatric malignancies, they are also found, albeit rarely, in a wide range of more common malignancies. The potential value of testing for NTRK gene fusions in practically all advanced malignancies is underpinned by the remarkable therapeutic outcomes that TRK inhibitors offer. This requirement presents practical and financial challenges in real‐world oncological practice. Furthermore, different testing platforms exist to detect NTRK gene fusions, each with its advantages and disadvantages. It is, therefore, imperative to develop strategies for NTRK gene fusion testing in an attempt to optimize the use of limited tissue specimen and financial resources, and to minimize the turnaround time. A multidisciplinary task force of Singapore medical experts in both public and private sectors was convened in late 2020 to propose testing algorithms for adult colorectal tumors, sarcomas, non‐small cell lung cancer, and pediatric cancers, with particular adaptation to the Singapore oncological practice. The recommendations presented here highlight the heterogeneity of NTRK‐fusion positive cancers, and emphasize the need to customize the testing methods to each tumor type to optimize the workflow.
Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis of arteriovenous dialysis access flow using ultrasound
Authors: Yii Erwin , Yii Ming Kon , Thwaites Stephen , Zhu John , Chong Timothy , Tong Lauren , Nair Sachin
Published: November 2021

Backgrounds

Despite numerous studies investigating the use of ultrasound (US) in assessing arteriovenous fistulas (AVF), there are no universally agreed threshold flow velocities in diagnosing significantly abnormal flow that are useful in predicting thrombotic flow‐related dysfunction. This study evaluates a predictive model using receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analyses to establish threshold velocities.

Methods

Five hundred and eleven US scans were analysed. ROC curves were used to determine the optimal threshold time average mean velocity (TAMV), peak systolic velocity (PSV) and end diastolic velocity (EDV) of the brachial artery supplying the AVF in determining the need for intervention or thrombosis within 3 months of the scans. Estimated flow volume (FV) ROC was used as an evaluative comparison.

Results

There were 356 negative and 155 positive scan results in relation to the need for intervention or thrombosis. Empirical flow velocity parameters of TAMV, EDV and PSV were analysed using ROC curves, yielding an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.95, 0.92 and 0.86, respectively. FV ROC analysis yields a comparative AUC of 0.90. A TAMV cut‐off at 48.6 cm/s yielded the highest AUC. Subgroup analysis yielded an optimal TAMV cut‐off of 45 cm/s for forearm and 49 cm/s for arm AVF. The EDV was also highly predictive of outcomes. PSV has the lowest accuracy.

Conclusion

The TAMV of inflow brachial artery to AVF is highly predictive of outcomes of thrombotic flow‐related dysfunction. Our study confirms TAMV cut‐offs of 45 cm/s for forearm and 49 cm/s for arm AVF. These results require prospective validation.
Why do or don't older employees seek knowledge from younger colleagues? A relation–opportunity model to explain how age‐inclusive human resources practices foster older employees' knowledge seeking from younger colleagues
Authors: Fasbender Ulrike , Gerpott Fabiola H.
Published: November 2021

Knowledge‐related interactions between older and younger employees are crucial for business success. Although research has contributed much to understanding why older employees share knowledge with younger colleagues, little is known about older employees' motivation to seek knowledge. In this study, we answer the question of how age‐inclusive human resources (HR) practices can foster older employees' knowledge seeking from younger colleagues. Drawing on social learning theory that conceptualises learning‐oriented behaviour (i.e. knowledge seeking) as being inextricably linked to social context and person‐related factors, we develop a dual pathway relation–opportunity model outlining how age‐inclusive HR practices foster older employees' development striving, which, in turn, promotes knowledge seeking from younger colleagues. On the one hand, we propose a relation‐based pathway that identifies contact quality with younger colleagues as a socio‐emotional mechanism linking age‐inclusive HR practices with knowledge seeking via development striving. On the other hand, we suggest an opportunity‐based pathway that identifies older employees' future time perspective as a person‐related mechanism. We find support for our hypotheses in a sample of 502 older employees who participated in a three‐wave survey. We discuss theoretical implications and encourage scholars to further shift the conversation towards an inclusive perspective that overcomes stereotypical views of older employees.
Recognizing racism in George Floyd's death
Authors: Toosi Negin R. , Layous Kristin , Reevy Gretchen M.
Published: November 2021

The first formal statements made by members of the US Congress relating to the murder of George Floyd and subsequent protests were coded on whether racism was identified as a cause. We also coded the number of victims of police or racial violence mentioned, and word usage relating to historical and systemic discrimination. We tested the predictive effect of congressperson's race, gender, US geographic region, political party, percentage of the congressperson's jurisdiction that was African American, and state support for the Black Lives Matter movement. Democratic politicians were more likely than Republicans to identify racism as a causal factor, to name more victims of police or racial violence, and to mention systemic discrimination in their statements. Region and constituent demographics also predicted mentions of systemic discrimination, but the model did not predict mentions of historical discrimination. Findings are interpreted in light of the Marley Hypothesis, motivation to identify racism, and consequences of political discourse.