bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fabric modeling based on Riemann zero curvature
Authors: Hu Xinrong , Li Shuangshuang , Peng Tao , Dong Shi , Zhang Junjie , Chen Changnian , Zhang Zlli , Cui Shuqin , He Ruhan , Li Min , Liu Junping
Published: November 2022

Purpose

Fabric has complicated anisotropic mechanical behavior because of the woven pattern and complex physical properties. However, most current fabric simulation models are not satisfied because the models are usually geometrical models with stiffness parameters.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the authors present a modeling technique to simulate fabric with Riemann manifold. The proposed nonlinear model is formed with ridge wave-curved surface based on the Riemann zero curvature, and the authors develop a solution to conserve the surface area. It decomposes the m × n matrix constituting the fabric into several batches and processes the fabric dots in batches. In this model, the distance between any two adjacent particles of the fabric's is assumed to be equal, and the area of the curved surface is always constant, and the inclination and decay of the ridge wave-curved surface are also considered.

Findings

As the result, the simulated shape is lifelike. In time cost performance, the model improves the efficiency of the fabric styling and meets the requirements of real-time simulation.

Originality/value

The proposed nonlinear model is formed with ridge wave-curved surface based on the Riemann zero curvature, and the authors develop a solution to conserve the surface area.
Embracing change in tandem: resilience and sustainability together transforming supply chains
Authors: Silva Minelle E. , Pereira Michele M.O. , Hendry Linda Caroline
Published: November 2022

Purpose

This article investigates how micro-foundations of sustainability can build supply chain resilience (SCRes). Specifically, by defining supply chains as social-ecological systems, this article explores how sustainability as a supplier capability leads to the transformative development of SCRes capabilities.

Design/methodology/approach

Longitudinal multi-case studies were developed over the first year of the COVID-19 outbreak. A total of 52 interviews were conducted with managers and employees of 12 global supplier firms as well as associated local cooperative and consultancy managers. Secondary data were also used for triangulation. An inductive approach was used for data analysis to elaborate theory through a metaphor.

Findings

Nine micro-foundations of sustainability were identified and categorised using the dynamic capabilities steps: sensing, seizing and reconfiguring. They were found to move together with the preparing, responding and transforming steps of SCRes, respectively, and thus to perform as dance partners using our dance performance metaphor. Moreover, ten supplier cases were found to be adopting a transformative social-ecological perspective as they performed all key stages of our dance performance metaphor. The transformations all resulted from either institutional or social sustainability, and the associated micro-foundations generated six main SCRes capabilities, most commonly linking visibility and organisation with institutional and social sustainability respectively.

Practical implications

A deeper understanding of sustainability micro-foundations is provided for supply chain managers to enhance the development of SCRes strategies in preparation for future sustainability-related crises.

Originality/value

Unlike previous research, this article explores an intertwined understanding of SCRes and sustainability during a crisis. Through the micro-foundations of sustainability we explain how sustainability capability builds transformative SCRes using a supplier perspective.
Exploration and prioritization of enablers to organization work–family balance planning for working sole Indian mothers integrating fuzzy Delphi and AHP
Authors: Kushwaha Jyoti , Sharma Aparna , Singh Pankaj
Published: November 2022

Purpose

This study intends to identify, prioritize and rank the enablers for organizational work–family balance (WFB) planning specifically for working sole mothers by employing the fuzzy Delphi and analytical hierarchy process (AHP) method.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper utilizes the integrated methodology in two steps. Initially, a broad literature review and the fuzzy Delphi method have been utilized to recognize and validate the key WFB enablers. Afterward, the AHP approach has been applied to prioritize and detect the relative importance and rank of identified WFB enablers.

Findings

This paper has identified 9 WFB sub-enablers for working sole mothers under work, family and personal enablers. The work enablers obtain the first rank based on the highest importance weight followed by personal and family enablers. The findings indicate the top five sub-enablers: organizational work–family culture, work from arrangements, emotional intelligence, flexible work schedule and family support.

Research limitations/implications

The findings offer prioritized areas of concern to the human resource managers and administrators to manage these WFB enablers as per their priority in the direction to formulate the organizational WFB policy-planning specifically for sole mothers.

Social implications

The prioritized WFB enablers amongst working sole mothers may help sole mothers to manage their social, family and work-related roles in a more effective manner.

Originality/value

Based on the best of the authors' considerations, this study firstly incorporates the fuzzy Delphi-AHP method to prioritize and rank the WFB enablers to organizational WFB planning for sole mothers.
Resilience as a protective factor against elder abuse by family caregivers: findings from a cross-sectional study in Hong Kong
Authors: Yan Elsie , Ng Haze K.L. , Sun Rongwei , Lai Daniel W.L. , Cheng Sheung-Tak , Lou Vivian W.Q. , Fong Daniel Y.T. , Kwok Timothy
Published: November 2022

Purpose

This study aims to explore the risk and protective factors of abuse on older adults by family caregivers, with a special focus on the protective role of caregiver resilience in elder abuse.

Design/methodology/approach

This cross-sectional survey was conducted on a purposive sample of 600 family caregivers of community-dwelling older adults in Hong Kong (mean age = 71.04 and female = 67.2%). Caregivers reported in a guided interview about elder abuse behaviours, caregiver burden, care recipients’ agitated behaviours, caregiver resilience, self-efficacy, social support and basic demographic characteristics. Hierarchical linear regression analyses were conducted to examine the predictors of different forms of elder abuse.

Findings

Caregiver resilience was predictive of lower levels of verbal abuse, physical abuse, injury and financial exploitation but not potentially harmful behaviour (PHB). Social support was independent with all forms of elder abuse, while self-efficacy predicted greater physical abuse after the adjustment of confounding variables. Caregiver burden and agitated behaviours by care recipients remained as significant risk factors in the final models when protective factors were considered.

Research limitations/implications

This study extends current knowledge on the protecting role of resilience in elder abuse in family caregiving. Mixed findings revealed on social support and self-efficacy also highlight the complexity of the prediction of caregiver abuse. Further research should address this area.

Practical implications

The findings of this study warrant the inclusion of caregiver resilience as a key component in developing interventions to prevent elder abuse. Addressing caregiver burden and agitated behaviours have the potential in preventing elder abuse.

Social implications

The findings raise awareness of the importance of supporting caregivers in the community to prevent elder abuse.

Originality/value

Research concerning the protective factors of elder abuse is in a preliminary stage. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is among the first which successfully demonstrates the protective role of resilience in caregiver abuse on older adults. The findings shed invaluable light on the design of effective interventions.
The consequences of government measures in Palestine to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on gender-based violence
Authors: Al-Rantisi Ahmed Mohammed , Faraj Ola Usama
Published: November 2022

Purpose

In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries, including Palestine, implemented lockdown rules. These measures slowed the outbreak of the coronavirus, and because of the poor management of the Palestinian government in dealing with women’s rights in light of the Corona pandemic, they contributed to increasing gender-based violence (GBV).

Design/methodology/approach

The study used the qualitative method. An inductive thematic latent content analysis was applied using the MAXQDA 2020 program throughout the data collection stage. The content analysis in this study focused on interviews made with the survivors. The interview schedule consisted of four questions covering different aspects of knowledge around GBV during COVID-19 in the Gaza Strip. In-depth interviews were conducted in Arabic with 25 survivors who experienced GBV between January 17 and March 13, 2022.

Findings

The results show that the kind of violence the survivors were most subjected to is psychological violence, followed by economic violence, and the least kind of violence that the survivors were subjected to was sexual violence. The study revealed the good practices for preventing and combating violence against Palestinian women and girls due to government measures to reduce COVID-19 from the perspective of survivors.

Research limitations/implications

One of the limitations of this study was the small number of cases coming to the Aisha Association for support. Because of the temporary suspension of psychological and social support projects from the foundation due to a problem related to funding, some survivors also fear that their husbands will discover that they have participated in the study, so they hesitate to agree to an interview. Survivors’ lack of understanding of the study question related to implications of closing social justice institutions due to COVID-19 on GBV? This led to conflicting answers.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, it is the first study in Palestine that dealt Consequences of Government Measures in Palestine to Mitigate COVID-19 on GBV, and its results will be important for the protection of survivors and the adoption of government policies in Palestine.
Jurors’ judgements of an autistic defendant are influenced by awareness of autism, knowledge of psychological conditions and trait-empathy
Authors: Blackhurst Tiegan , Hartley Calum , Turner Polly , Warmelink Lara
Published: November 2022

Purpose

This study aims to investigate whether awareness of an ASD diagnostic label, knowledge of psychological conditions, and trait-empathy influence mock-jurors’ judgements of an autistic defendant. Some autistic adults have an increased risk of acting illegally and standing trial as a defendant because of their behavioural and cognitive characteristics. In court, they may display behaviours stereotypically perceived by jurors as indicators of guilt (e.g. averted gaze), potentially resulting in negative judgements. However, if autistic defendants disclose their condition, this may positively influence jurors’ judgements by offering an alternative explanation for their behaviour. This effect may be stronger in jurors who are highly knowledgeable about psychological conditions and empathic.

Design/methodology/approach

Non-autistic participants (N = 328; M age = 28.21) read a scenario about a defendant’s crime and courtroom behaviour before judging their character and reporting how empathic they felt towards the defendant. Participants were then informed that the defendant was autistic and provided with information about autism before re-evaluating the defendant. Participants’ empathy and knowledge of psychological conditions, including autism, were measured.

Findings

Participants judged the defendant to be more honest and less blameworthy post-label. Trait empathy was positively associated with honesty ratings and higher levels of self-reported empathy. Overall knowledge was negatively associated with ratings for defendant blameworthiness and likeability. Overall, the findings suggest that autistic defendants may benefit from disclosing their diagnosis as this may result in more favourable juror judgements.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to consider how jurors’ overall knowledge of psychological conditions and trait-empathy may influence judgements of an autistic defendant.
Impact of carbon productivity on firm performance: moderating role of industry type and firm size
Authors: Ghose Biswajit , Makan Leo Themjung , Kabra Kailash Chandra
Published: November 2022

Purpose

The primary purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of carbon productivity on firms' financial performance. Secondly, the study also examines the moderating effect of industry types and firm size in the relationship between productivity and firm performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The data used for the study includes 66 listed Indian firms over the period from 2015–2016 to 2019–2020. The data used in the study are collected from the published corporate annual reports and sustainability reports. The study uses a random effect model based on the results of the Hausman test and the Breusch-Pagan test to investigate its objectives.

Findings

Carbon productivity has a favorable impact on firms' financial performance in India, indicating that firms may gain competitive advantages by minimizing carbon emissions and improving carbon productivity. Small and high carbon-intensive firms reap greater benefits from the improvement in carbon productivity compared to their opposite counterparts. However, such differential impact is only observed for the market-based measure but not for the accounting-based measure of financial performance.

Practical implications

The results suggest that high carbon-intensive firms should focus more on improving carbon productivity. Small firms and firms belonging to high carbon-intensive industries can improve their market performance by improving carbon productivity.

Originality/value

This study is a noble attempt to investigate the moderating effect of industry type and firm size while examining the impact of carbon productivity on firm performance in the context of an emerging economy.
The development and pilot evaluation of a mental health mobile app in the Philippines
Authors: Hechanova-Alampay Ma. Regina , Angeles Patrick Louis , Tuliao Antover , Hilario Edgar , Pagente Amadeus Fernando , Narra Carol Villegas
Published: November 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to test a mobile application for mental health created for Filipinos. Specifically, it tested the Lusog-Isip mobile app vis-à-vis a mental health workbook as they affect psychosocial well-being and coping strategies of users.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a randomized control trial design. Participants were assigned to two conditions: a treatment group using the mobile app and a control group that used an existing mental health workbook. Pre- and post-tests were conducted before and two weeks after.

Findings

Results revealed improved psychological well-being and use of cognitive reappraisal for both mobile app and workbook users. Users of the mobile app reported higher scores compared to those who used the workbook for emotional release.

Originality/value

This study adds to the dearth of knowledge on the use of a mobile application for mental health in low-resource countries. It highlights the potential of using digital technologies to provide access to mental health resources in underserved populations.
State-of-the-art analysis of the integration of augmented reality with construction technologies to improve construction safety
Authors: Khorrami Shad Hesam , Tak Wing Yiu Kenneth , Lovreglio Ruggiero , Feng Zhenan
Published: November 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to explore augmented reality (AR) applications in construction safety academic literature and propose possible improvements for future scholarly works. The paper explicitly focuses on AR integration with Construction 4.0 technologies as an effective solution to safety concerns in the construction industry.

Design/methodology/approach

This study applied a systematic review approach. In total, 387 potentially relevant articles from databases were identified. Once filtering criteria were applied, 29 eligible papers where selected. The inclusion criteria were being directly associated with construction safety focused on an AR application and AR interactions associated with the Construction 4.0 technologies.

Findings

This study investigated the structure of AR applications in construction safety. To this end, the authors studied the safety purposes of AR applications in construction safety: pre-event (intelligent operation, training, safety inspection and hazard alerting), during-event (pinpointing hazard) and post-event (safety estimation) applications. Then, the integration of AR with Construction 4.0 technologies was elaborated. The systematic review also revealed that the AR integration has contributed to developing several technical aspects of AR technology: display, tracking and human–computer interaction. The study results indicate that AR integration with construction is effective in mitigating safety concerns; however, further research studies are required to support this statement.

Originality/value

This study contributes to exploring applications and integrations of AR into construction safety in order to facilitate the leverage of this technology. This review can help encourage practitioners and researchers to conduct further academic investigations into AR application in construction safety.
Underwater target passive acoustic localization method based on Hanbury Brown–Twiss interference
Authors: Liu Mengran , Zeng Qiang , Jian Zeming , Nie Lei , Tu Jun
Published: November 2022

Purpose

Acoustic signals of the underwater targets are susceptible to noise, reverberation, submarine topography and biology, therefore it is difficult to precisely locate underwater targets. This paper proposes a new underwater Hanbury Brown-Twiss (HBT) interference passive localization method. This study aims to achieve precise location of the underwater acoustic targets.

Design/methodology/approach

The principle of HBT interference with ultrasensitive detection characteristics in optical measurements was introduced in the field of hydroacoustics. The coherence of the underwater target signal was analyzed using the HBT interference measurement principle, and the corresponding relationship between the signal coherence and target position was obtained. Consequently, an HBT interference localization model was established, and its validity was verified through simulations and experiments.

Findings

The effects of different array structures on the localization performance were obtained by simulation analysis, and the simulations confirmed that the HBT method exhibited a higher positioning accuracy than conventional beamforming. In addition, the experimental analysis demonstrated the excellent positioning performance of the HBT method, which verified the feasibility of the proposed method.

Originality/value

This study provides a new method for the passive localization of underwater targets, which may be widely used in the field of oceanic explorations.
Dispersal and coastal geomorphology limit potential for mangrove range expansion under climate change
Authors: Raw Jacqueline L. , Van der Stocken Tom , Carroll Dustin , Harris Linda R. , Rajkaran Anusha , Van Niekerk Lara , Adams Janine B.
Published: November 2022

Latitudinal range limits for mangroves on high‐energy, wave‐dominated coasts are controlled by geomorphological features and estuarine dynamics. Mangroves reach a southern global range limit along the South African coastline, but the distribution is patchy, with stands occurring in only 16% of the estuaries in the region. Yet, the persistence of forests planted >50 years ago beyond the natural distribution limit suggests that additional estuaries could support mangroves. Understanding regional drivers is necessary to inform global‐scale estimates for how this important ecosystem is predicted to respond to climate change.

Here, we combine species distribution modelling (MaxEnt), Lagrangian particle tracking using an eddy‐ and tide‐resolving numerical ocean model, and connectivity matrices, to identify suitable mangrove habitats along the South African coastline at present, as well as under the IPCC RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 climate scenarios.

Within the current South African distribution range (±900 km), eight more estuaries were identified to be suitable under contemporary conditions. When considering potential range extension (±110 km), an additional 14 suitable estuaries were identified. Connectivity matrices suggest limited long‐distance dispersal, stranding mostly at or near the release location, and a decreased probability of connectivity towards the range limit. Under both future climate scenarios, 30% of estuaries currently supporting mangroves are predicted to become unsuitable, while an additional six estuaries beyond the current distribution are predicted to become suitable. However, there is limited connectivity between these new sites and established forests.

Synthesis. This study shows that dispersal substantially limits mangrove distribution at the southern African range limit and highlights the importance of including this process in species distribution models. Ultimately, our results provide new insight into mangrove conservation and management at range limits that are not controlled predominantly by temperature, as it has been assumed that mangroves will largely expand to higher latitudes under climate change.
Plant diversity effects on herbivory are related to soil biodiversity and plant chemistry
Authors: Ristok Christian , Weinhold Alexander , Ciobanu Marcel , Poeschl Yvonne , Roscher Christiane , Vergara Fredd , Eisenhauer Nico , van Dam Nicole M.
Published: November 2022

Insect herbivory is a key process in ecosystem functioning. While theory predicts that plant diversity modulates herbivory, the mechanistic links remain unclear. We postulated that the plant metabolome mechanistically links plant diversity and herbivory.

In late summer and in spring, we assessed individual plant above‐ground herbivory rates and metabolomes of seven plant species in experimental plant communities varying in plant species diversity and resource acquisition strategies. In the same communities, we also measured plant individual biomass as well as soil microbial and nematode community composition.

Herbivory rates decreased with increasing plant species richness. Path modelling revealed that plant species richness and community resource acquisition strategy correlated with soil community composition. In particular, changes in nematode community composition were related to plant metabolome composition and thereby herbivory rates.

Synthesis. These results suggest that soil community composition plays an important role in reducing herbivory rates with increasing plant diversity by changing plant metabolomes.
On the early warning signal of degradation in drylands: Patches or plants?
Authors: Oñatibia Gastón R. , Aguiar Martín R.
Published: November 2022

Global drylands are threatened by grazing pressure intensification and climate change, which act as major drivers of land degradation. Detecting this process at an early stage is essential for predicting losses of ecological functions and for restoration management. Vegetation patch‐size distribution is an indicator of dryland multifunctionality and has been proposed as a warning signal for the onset of degradation processes. However, we proposed and tested a general model that stresses that patchiness may fail to detect degradation of the forage provision, depending on plant community species composition. This is a key aspect since forage provision is strongly associated with human well‐being in drylands. We hypothesized that grazing‐induced changes in patchiness and forage provision converge in drylands dominated by forage species but are decoupled in those dominated or co‐dominated by non‐forage species.

We tested the conceptual model in a unique regional‐scale gradient with strong ecological differences but a common biogeographical and human impact history to reduce local contingencies effects. We compared datasets of grazing intensification impacts on (i) plant cover and patch‐size distribution and (ii) plant density and plant‐size distribution of dominant forage grasses (a proxy of forage provisioning).

We showed that there is a decoupling between grazing‐induced changes in vegetation patchiness and forage provisioning, particularly in drylands where non‐forage species are dominant. In these drylands, plant cover and patch‐size distribution were slightly affected by grazing intensification, whereas plant density of forage species was decimated and their plant‐size distributions were strongly skewed towards small sizes.

Synthesis. Our dryland conceptual model suggests that global change impacts on forage species populations can be detected even before changes in patch‐size distribution and plant cover. Our findings support the model and indicate that the population status (plant density and plant‐size distribution) of forage species allows for predicting forage dynamics and is useful to the early detection of losses of ecosystem services linked to human well‐being in drylands.
Risk assessment of azo dyes as food additives: Revision and discussion of data gaps toward their improvement
Authors: Ramos‐Souza Caroline , Bandoni Daniel Henrique , Bragotto Adriana Pavesi Arisseto , De Rosso Veridiana Vera
Published: November 2022

The food industry uses dyes mainly to overcome color loss during the processing and storage of products, with the azo dyes currently being the most employed. Studies on the safety of using these dyes in foods started in the 1950s and have indicated the potential for concern. This review discusses the risk assessment of food intake containing artificial azo dyes. There are case reports and, subsequently, double‐blind placebo‐controlled trials in some individuals who may experience adverse effects from the intake of azo dyes, but it is unclear whether these adverse effects are restricted to specific populations or more generalized. In view of this, different toxicological endpoints are evaluated to verify toxic effects in in vitro and in vivo models and to establish the no observed adverse effect level. Exposure estimation studies have shown that human exposure to azo dyes via oral intake is mainly below the acceptable daily intake established by advisory bodies. However, most countries do not have studies that estimate the oral intake of azo dyes. In this case, local food diversity and racial–ethnic specificities are not considered when stating the exposure estimate is below the acceptable daily intake for the human population and thus may not represent actual intake. Concerning the scenario established above, this review discusses the most critical gaps to be overcome to contribute to the direction of future studies and the development of more effective public policies concerning the safety of the intake of artificial azo dyes.
Cytotoxic activity of Solanum tuberosum polyphenolic extracts in human hepatocarcinoma cells is mediated by apoptosis and autophagy
Authors: Martínez María Julia , Andreu Adriana Balbina , Barbini Luciana
Published: November 2022

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most frequent tumors worldwide, associated with a high mortality rate. HCC patient's prognosis remains unfavorable, mainly due to late diagnosis and treatment instauration delay. Thus, there is an urgent requirement for the development of new therapeutical options, particularly for advanced HCC patients. Polyphenols are specialized plant metabolites, which have been broadly characterized for their beneficial effects on human health. Potato is one of the main sources of these compounds in human diet, due to its high consumption. The objectives of this study were to: characterize the polyphenolic composition, analyze the antioxidant properties, evaluate the cytotoxic activity in human tumoral hepatocytes, and describe the molecular mechanisms involved in cell death, of potato polyphenolic extracts (PPEs) from the pigmented Andigena cultivar CL658. The results showed that phenolic acids were the main group of polyphenols in the extracts, chlorogenic acid being the major compound, followed by caffeic acid. HPLC‐DAD profile showed pelargonidin as the principal anthocyanin. The treatment of HCC cell lines with the cytotoxic concentration 50 (CC50) of the PPEs resulted in cytotoxicity, evidenced by increases in the percentage of dead cells (5–10%) after treatments. This cytotoxic effect was mainly due to apoptosis activation, evidenced by modulation of the Bcl‐2 family proteins expression, in favor of pro‐apoptotic members over anti‐apoptotic in the final balance. PPEs also induced autophagy, indicated by increased LC3 expression (122–274%) and autophagosomes, and reduced p62 expression (32–48%), in variable magnitudes according to the treated cell line. Overall, these results support the potential use of PPEs from the cultivar CL658 as a source of bioactive compounds for novel treatments against HCC.
Effective teaching, student engagement and student satisfaction during the Covid‐19 pandemic: Evidence from business students' qualitative survey evaluations
Authors: Tharapos Meredith , Peszynski Konrad , Lau Kwok Hung , Heffernan Margaret , Vesty Gillian , Ghalebeigi Aida
Published: November 2022

We investigate the influence of unanticipated prolonged disruption on effective teaching, student engagement and student satisfaction during campus lockdown due to COVID‐19. Qualitative comments provided by undergraduate business students in the university end‐of‐semester survey were analysed using a variety of methods, including sentiment analysis. Our findings indicate that effective teaching through the characteristics of the instructor, can lead to enhanced student engagement and higher levels of student satisfaction in an emergency remote teaching environment. Our findings highlight the critical role of the instructor in providing cognitive and affective support to students, along with clear communication, during times of substantial change.
Evaluating higher taxa as surrogates of harvestmen biodiversity (Arachnida: Opiliones) along a latitudinal gradient in the Atlantic Forest
Authors: de Andrade Alessandra Rodrigues Santos , de Azevedo Koch Elmo Borges , do Amaral Nogueira André , Pinto‐da‐Rocha Ricardo , Bragagnolo Cibele , Lorenzo Everton , DaSilva Márcio Bernardino , Delabie Jacques Hubert Charles
Published: November 2022

Habitat loss and fragmentation have highlighted the importance of monitoring remaining habitats. For megadiverse groups such as arthropods, of which many species are still being discovered, the use of higher taxonomic levels as substitutes for diversity may be a useful tool. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of substitute taxonomic resolutions to assess the richness and composition of Laniatores harvestmen (Arachnida: Opiliones). The five resolutions selected were as follows: genus, family, subfamily, indicator taxa and intermediate resolution (combination of genus and species identification levels). In addition, we evaluated whether the diversity substitutes provide good estimates of latitudinal gradients. Nineteen Atlantic Forest sites located along a latitudinal gradient in northeastern Brazil were sampled. We recorded a total of 88 harvestmen species/morpho‐species, distributed in 7 families, 15 subfamilies and 36 genera. Genus and intermediate resolution were excellent substitutes for harvestmen species richness. The efficiency differed according to the substitute resolution used. Four resolutions were adequate to replace the harvestmen composition: genus, intermediate resolution, indicator taxa, and subfamily. The number of harvestmen species recorded was significantly different between Seasonal Semideciduous Forest and Costal Atlantic Rainforest. The same relationship was also observed the same relationship was observed when we consider genus and intermediate resolution. Our results suggest the use of genus as a substitute for richness and composition of harvestmen for reducing monitoring costs and providing evaluation in a shorter time and a more practical way.
Oral immunocontraceptive vaccines: A novel approach for fertility control in wildlife
Authors: Yang Jinpeng , Zhou Ziyao , Li Gangshi , Dong Zhiyou , Li Qianlan , Fu Keyi , Liu Haifeng , Zhong Zhijun , Fu Hualin , Ren Zhihua , Gu Wuyang , Peng Guangneng
Published: November 2022

The overabundant populations of wildlife have caused many negative impacts, such as human‐wildlife conflicts and ecological degradation. The existing approaches like injectable immunocontraceptive vaccines and lethal methods have limitations in many aspects, which has prompted the advancement of oral immunocontraceptive vaccine. There is growing interest in oral immunocontraceptive vaccines for reasons including high immunization coverage, easier administration, frequent boosting, the ability to induce systemic and mucosal immune responses, and cost‐effectiveness. Delivery systems have been developed to protect oral antigens and enhance the immunogenicity, including live vectors, microparticles and nanoparticles, bacterial ghosts, and mucosal adjuvants. However, currently, no effective oral immunocontraceptive vaccine is available for field trials because of the enormous development challenges, including biological and physicochemical barriers of the gastrointestinal tract, mucosal tolerance, pre‐existing immunity, antigen residence time in the small intestine, species specificity and other safety issues. To overcome these challenges, this article summarizes achievements in delivery systems and contraceptive antigens in oral immunocontraceptive vaccines and explores the potential barriers for future vaccine design and application.
An exploratory project to develop an effective educational system to teach mastery of assistant laparoscopic gynecologic surgery skills
Authors: Kakuda Mamoru , Kobayashi Eiji , Matsuzaki Shinya , Ueda Yutaka , Yoshino Kiyoshi , Kimura Tadashi
Published: November 2022

Introduction

In laparoscopic surgery, the cooperation of the first assistant surgeon is essential for the creation and maintenance of an appropriate and safe surgical field. The aim of this study is a validation of the impact of our educational system for first assistant laparoscopic surgeon residency in a single university‐affiliated teaching hospital.

Methods

Five residents were recruited for this study. We created a slide‐set as an educational tool using Microsoft's PowerPoint that was in line with our surgical procedure to master the assistant skills of laparoscopic gynecologic surgery. Immediately after surgery, the attending doctor and residents reviewed videos of the first assistant's operative procedures. This study evaluated the effect of our educational checklist against the transition of evaluation scores before and after training in two groups of residents, those with minimal experience (Group 1) or with high experience (Group 2).

Results

Before receiving our training tool, there was an expected significant difference in the review scores of the two experience groups (29.1 ± 3.1 vs 48.7 ± 3.9, P = .01). After our modified training, the inexperienced residents of Group 1 received review scores comparable to or higher than those of the experienced residents of Group 2 (81.9 ± 5.9 vs 70.4 ± 7.5, P = .23). As they assisted with more surgeries, the concordance between the resident's self‐assessment and the attending doctor's assessment scores significantly increased (P < .001).

Conclusions

Our educational system for first assistant surgeons is effective for new residents, as it proved capable of imparting them with many of the same skill sets as much more experienced attending doctors.
(Un)warranted variation in local hospital protocols for neonatal referral to the pediatrician: An explorative study in the Netherlands
Authors: Goodarzi Bahareh , Seijmonsbergen‐Schermers Anna , Cronie Doug , van Laerhoven Henriëtte , van den Akker Thomas , van Kaam Anton H. , de Jonge Ank
Published: November 2022

Background

Studies indicate unwarranted variation in a wide range of neonatal care practices, contributing to preventable morbidity and mortality. Unwarranted variation is the result of complex interactions and multiple determinants. One of the determinants contributing to unwarranted variation in care may be variation in local hospital protocols. The purpose of this study was to examine variation in the content of obstetric and neonatal protocols for six common indications for neonatal referral to the pediatrician: large for gestational age/macrosomia, small for gestational age/fetal growth restriction, meconium‐stained amniotic fluid, vacuum extraction, forceps extraction, and cesarean birth.

Methods

We conducted a nationwide cross‐sectional study examining protocols for neonatal referral to the pediatrician in the obstetric and neonatal departments of all Dutch hospitals. Variation in protocols was analyzed between regions, between neonatal and obstetrics departments located in the same hospital, and within neonatal and obstetrics departments.

Results

There was considerable variation in protocols between regions, between neonatal and obstetrics departments, and within neonatal and obstetrics departments. The results of this study showed considerable variation in recommendations for type of referral, admission, screening/diagnostic tests, treatment, and discharge. Furthermore, results generally showed lower referral thresholds in neonatal departments compared with obstetric departments, and higher referral thresholds in the eastern region of the Netherlands. We also found variation in local hospital protocols, which could not be explained by population characteristics but which may be explained by varying recommendations in existing national and international guidelines and/or lack of adherence to these guidelines.

Conclusions

To reduce unwarranted variation in local protocols, evidence‐based, multidisciplinary guidelines should be developed in the Netherlands. Further research addressing knowledge gaps is needed to inform these guidelines. Attention should be paid to the implementation of evidence, and only where evidence is lacking or inconclusive should agreements be based on multidisciplinary consensus. Where protocols deviate from evidence‐based guidelines because of specific local circumstances, clearer, more transparent justifications should be made. Uniformity in guidance will offer clear standards for care evaluation and provide opportunities to reduce inappropriate care.
Business Risk Management Program and risk‐balancing in Ontario hog sector: An empirical analysis
Authors: Sarker Rakhal , Phan Truc , Lee Yu Na , Weersink Alfons
Published: November 2022

Business risk management (BRM) has been an important focus of Canadian agricultural policy in the New Millennium. Safety net payments received by farmers can alter their investment portfolio and lead to risk‐balancing behavior in agriculture. Risk‐balancing is an unintended consequence of the farm safety net program and has a direct implication for future growth and sustainability of farm business. Does risk‐balancing exist in Ontario agriculture? This question is addressed in this paper using data for the hog sector in Ontario. While safety net programs were designed to address Business Risk (BR) for all farms, our empirical results indicate that CAIS/AgriStability payments reduced BR for small, medium, and large farms. The results from our fixed effect panel regression analysis demonstrate that there is a significant risk‐balancing behavior among medium hog farms in Ontario. Our results also reveal that the presence of risk‐balancing behavior in Ontario hog sector does not pose any problem for future growth of the hog sector or the long‐term sustainability of the farm safety net program.
Development and implementation of an aspiration pneumonia cause investigation algorithm
Authors: Yoshimatsu Yuki , Tobino Kazunori , Ortega Omar , Oda Hiroyuki , Ota Hiroaki , Kawabata Takafumi , Hiramatsu Yuri , Murakami Yosuke , Clavé Pere
Published: November 2022

The diagnostic criteria of aspiration pneumonia have not been established, and it remains an underdiagnosed entity. Diagnosis and cause investigation is essential in improving the management of aspiration pneumonia. The Japanese Respiratory Society Guidelines for the Management of Pneumonia in Adults (JRS Guidelines) show a list of risk factors for aspiration pneumonia. We developed an algorithm to aid physicians in evaluating these possible underlying factors and guide their management with a focus on aspiration pneumonia. The algorithm was developed based on the JRS Guidelines. The algorithm suggested dysphagia screening, pneumococcal and influenza vaccination, and other preventative measures for pneumonia. The algorithm was implemented in the acute setting of a general hospital among older patients admitted with pneumonia. Their outcomes were compared with a historical control group constituting similar patients from the previous year. Forty patients with pneumonia were assessed with the algorithm group, and 44 patients were included in the control group. In the algorithm group, significantly more cases (95.0% vs. 15.9%, p < 0.01) underwent early screening for a swallowing disorder. Two patients in the algorithm group were diagnosed with a new condition causing aspiration pneumonia, as opposed to none in the control group. Drugs with a potential risk for aspiration were identified and discontinued in 27.5% of the patients in the algorithm group and 4.5% in the control group. In conclusion, an aspiration pneumonia cause investigation algorithm translating the JRS guideline approach into practice enhanced the rate of swallow screening and preventative measures for aspiration.
Effects of the egg incubation environment on turtle carapace development
Authors: Cordero Gerardo A. , Birk Katie , Ruane Sara , Dinkelacker Stephen A. , Janzen Fredric J.
Published: November 2022

Developing organisms are often exposed to fluctuating environments that destabilize tissue‐scale processes and induce abnormal phenotypes. This might be common in species that lay eggs in the external environment and with little parental care, such as many reptiles. In turtles, morphological development has provided striking examples of abnormal phenotypic patterns, though the influence of the environment remains unclear. To this end, we compared fluctuating asymmetry, as a proxy for developmental instability, in turtle hatchlings incubated in controlled laboratory and unstable natural conditions. Wild and laboratory hatchlings featured similar proportions of supernumerary scales (scutes) on the dorsal shell (carapace). Such abnormal scutes likely elevated shape asymmetry, which was highest in natural nests. Moreover, we tested the hypothesis that hot and dry environments cause abnormal scute formation by subjecting eggs to a range of hydric and thermal laboratory incubation regimes. Shape asymmetry was similar in hatchlings incubated at five constant temperatures (26–30°C). A hot (30°C) and severely Dry substrate yielded smaller hatchlings but scutes were not overtly affected. Our study suggests that changing nest environments contribute to fluctuating asymmetry in egg‐laying reptiles, while clarifying the conditions at which turtle shell development remains buffered from the external environment.
Love and evaluative conflict
Authors: Tillman Jeremiah
Published: November 2022

Lovers often disagree. We may reject the specific goals our loved ones pursue or the broad values they hold. Some philosophers suggest that such evaluative conflict makes romantic love in its ideal form deficient. I argue that this is mistaken. On the contrary, our ideal of love holds that we can love people for “who they are” (as we say), even as we profoundly disagree with them. My argument draws on intuitive cases from screwball comedy about love amid conflict, love across political party lines, as well as “forbidden” love across religions and cultures. At a deeper level, I sketch an ideal of love I call intimate independence and argue that this ideal is (a) fully compatible with any evaluative conflict, (b) embedded in our ordinary attitudes toward mature love between equals, and (c) an ideal worth achieving. As long as intimate independence is a compelling ideal, deep conflict will not seem like an obstacle to true love. The ideal reminds us that love can bring together people with radically different points of view, and that to insist on shared ends or values is thus to miss a part of the meaning and power of love.
Data‐driven approach to design fatigue‐resistant notched structures
Authors: Wang Qingbo , Gao Chao , Berto Filippo
Published: November 2022

Fatigue is the most common failure mode for engineering materials in various industrial applications. Generally, designing new products and components based on typical deterministic fatigue design approaches is slow and expensive. Although numerous investigations have been carried on this topic over decades, there still lacks a robust and efficient method to design a super‐fatigue‐resistant and testless structure. In this investigation, a novel data‐driven approach based on the deep learning algorithm is applied on designing a fatigue‐resistant notched structure under different loading via numerical simulations and deep learning. The notches with various shapes are designed by employing the same material. Then finite element (FE) simulations are performed to obtain the mechanical behaviors of notched structures under different loading conditions. The deep learning algorithm is applied to predict mechanical behaviors of unknown notched structures based on input training set of simple notched geometries and relative lower computational cost. It is demonstrated that deep learning on the fatigue‐resistant structure is a promising approach of fatigue design. This work offers an alternative design strategy of fatigue‐resistant structure and cost‐effective solution to accelerate the design of engineering components under different loading conditions.
Bibliometric analysis of COVID‐19 publications shows the importance of telemedicine and equitable access to the internet during the pandemic and beyond
Authors: Samadbeik Mahnaz , Bastani Peivand , Fatehi Farhad
Published: November 2022

Background

Pandemics highlight the increasing role of information and communications technology for improving access to health care. This study aimed to present a bibliometric analysis of the concept of digital divide reported in the published articles concerning the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic.

Methods

To conduct this bibliometric analysis of research topics and trends, we used VOSviewer software. We developed a search strategy to retrieve peer‐reviewed publications related to ‘digital divide in the COVID‐19 era' from the Scopus database.

Results

In total, 241 publications on the topic of digital divide and COVID‐19 were retrieved from Scopus database between 2020 and 2021. The analysis of keywords co‐occurrence of research topics revealed four main clusters including: ‘telemedicine’, ‘Internet access and Internet use’, ‘e‐learning’ and ‘epidemiology’. Seven characteristic categories were examined in these research topics, including: sociodemographic, economic, social, cultural, personal, material and motivational.

Conclusion

‘Telemedicine’ and ‘Internet access and Internet use’ as the largest clusters are connected to topics addressing inequalities in online health care access. Thus, policymakers should develop or modify policies in more egalitarian Internet access for all community members not only during a pandemic like the COVID‐19 but also at regular times.