bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The nasopharyngeal virome in adults with acute respiratory infection
Authors: Sandybayev N.T. , Beloussov V.Yu. , Strochkov V.M. , Solomadin M.V. , Granica J. , Yegorov S.
Published: August 2023

Background

Respiratory infections are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with a significant proportion thought to have a viral aetiology. Traditional diagnostic approaches often rely on targeted assays for “common” respiratory pathogens, leaving a substantial fraction of infections unidentified. Here, we used metagenomic next generation sequencing (mNGS) to characterize the nasopharyngeal virome associated with acute respiratory infection (ARI), with and without a positive PCR test result for a panel of common respiratory viruses.

Methods

Nasopharyngeal swabs from symptomatic outpatients (n=49), of whom 32 tested positive by a multiplex viral PCR, and asymptomatic controls (n=4) were characterized by mNGS. The virome taxa were stratified into human, non-human eukaryotic host, and bacteriophage sub-groups. We used a phage host classification as a proxy to establish bacterial taxa present in the nasopharynx. We then compared the virome biodiversity and presence of pathogens with known respiratory effects across the participant sub-groups.

Results

The nasopharyngeal virome exhibited similar diversity across the PCR-positive and - negative subsets. Among the top ARI-associated human viruses were enterovirus (16.3%, human rhinovirus, HRV-A), roseolovirus (14.3%, human betaherpesvirus 7, HBV-7) and lymphocryptovirus (8.16%, Epstein-Barr virus, EBV). The top three ARI-associated phage hosts wereStreptococcusspp (32.7%),Pseudomonas aeruginosa(24.5%) andBurkholderiaspp. (20.4%). The virome of both asymptomatic and symptomatic subjects was also abundant in theStaphylococcus(60.4%) andPropionibacterium (Cutibacterium) acnesbacteriophages (90.6%). The PCR and mNGS results were relatively concordant for human rhinovirus (HRV), but not for other PCR panel targets, including human parainfluenza (HPIV), adenovirus (HAdV), bocavirus (BoV) and seasonal coronavirus (HCoV).

Conclusions

mNGS revealed a high diversity of pathogens that could be cause to respiratory symptomatology, either as a single infection or a co-infection between viral and bacterial species. The clinical significance of the mNGS versus multiplex PCR findings warrants further investigation.
Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy Phenomic and Genomic Prediction of Maize Agronomic and Composition Traits Across Environments
Authors: DeSalvio Aaron J. , Adak Alper , Murray Seth C. , Jarquín Diego , Winans Noah D. , Crozier Daniel , Rooney William
Published: August 2023

For nearly two decades, genomic selection has supported efforts to increase genetic gains in plant and animal improvement programs. However, novel phenomic strategies helping to predict complex traits in maize have proven beneficial when integrated into across– and within-environment genomic prediction models. One phenomic data modality is near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), which records reflectance values of biological samples (e.g., maize kernels) based on chemical composition. Predictions of seven maize agronomic traits and three kernel composition traits across two years (2011-2012) and two management conditions (water stressed and well-watered) were conducted using combinations of NIRS and genomic data within four different cross-validation prediction scenarios. In aggregate, models incorporating NIRS data alongside genomic data improved predictive ability over models using only genomic data in 5 of 28 trait/cross-validation scenarios for across-environment prediction and 15 of 28 trait/environment scenarios for within-environment prediction, while the model with NIRS data alone had the highest prediction ability in only 1 of 28 scenarios for within-environment prediction. Potential causes of the surprisingly lower phenomic than genomic prediction power in this study are discussed, including sample size, sample homogenization, and low G×E. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) implicated known (i.e.,MADS69,ZCN8, sh1, wx1, du1) and unknown candidate genes linked to plant height and flowering-related agronomic traits as well as compositional traits such as kernel protein and starch content. This study demonstrated that including NIRS with genomic markers is a viable method to predict multiple complex traits with improved predictive ability and elucidate underlying biological causes.

Key message

Genomic and NIRS data from a maize diversity panel were used for prediction of agronomic and kernel composition traits while uncovering candidate genes for kernel protein and starch content.
A Biotin Targeting Chimera (BioTAC) System to Map Small Molecule Interactomesin situ
Authors: Tao Andrew J. , Jiang Jiewei , Gadbois Gillian E. , Goyal Pavitra , Boyle Bridget T. , Mumby Elizabeth J. , Myers Samuel A , English Justin G. , Ferguson Fleur M.
Published: August 2023

Unbiased chemical biology strategies for direct readout of protein interactome remodelling by small molecules provide advantages over target-focused approaches, including the ability to detect previously unknown targets, and the inclusion of chemical off-compete controls leading to high-confidence identifications. We describe the BioTAC system, a small-molecule guided proximity labelling platform, to rapidly identify both direct and complexed small molecule binding proteins. The BioTAC system overcomes a limitation of current approaches, and supports identification of both inhibitor bound and molecular glue bound complexes.
Microglia mediate contact-independent neuronal pruning via secreted Neuraminidase-3 associated with extracellular vesicles
Authors: Delaveris Corleone S. , Wang Catherine L. , Riley Nicholas M. , Li Sherry , Kulkarni Rishikesh U. , Bertozzi Carolyn R.
Published: August 2023

Neurons communicate with each other through electrochemical transmission at synapses. Microglia, the resident immune cells of the central nervous system, can prune these synapses through a variety of contact-dependent and -independent means. Microglial secretion of active sialidase enzymes upon exposure to inflammatory stimuli is one unexplored mechanism of pruning. Recent work from our lab showed that treatment of neurons with bacterial sialidases disrupts neuronal network connectivity. Here, we find that activated microglia secrete Neuraminidase-3 (Neu3) associated with fusogenic extracellular vesicles. Furthermore, we show Neu3 mediates contact-independent pruning of neurons and subsequent disruption of neuronal networks through neuronal glycocalyx remodeling. We observe thatNEU3is transcriptionally upregulated upon exposure to inflammatory stimuli, and that a genetic knock-out ofNEU3abrogates the sialidase activity of inflammatory microglial secretions. Moreover, we demonstrate that Neu3 is associated with a subpopulation of extracellular vesicles, possibly exosomes, that are secreted by microglia upon inflammatory insult. Finally, we demonstrate that Neu3 is both necessary and sufficient to both desialylate neurons and decrease neuronal network connectivity. These results implicate Neu3 in remodeling of the glycocalyx leading to aberrant network-level activity of neurons, with implications in neuroinflammatory diseases such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease.

Graphical Abstract

Neuroinflammation induces secretion of the sialidase Neu3 via extracellular vesicles from microglia that prune neuronal synapses and disrupt neuronal communication.
A hyperpolarizing neuron recruits undocked innexin hemichannels to transmit neural information inCaenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Nakayama Airi , Watanabe Masakatsu , Yamashiro Riku , Kuroyanagi Hiroo , Oshima Atsunori , Mori Ikue , Nakano Shunji
Published: August 2023

While depolarization of neuronal membrane is known to evoke the neurotransmitter release from synaptic vesicles, hyperpolarization is regarded as a resting state of chemical neurotransmission. Here we report that hyperpolarizing neurons can actively signal neural information by employing undocked hemichannels. We show that UNC-7, a member of the innexin family inCaenorhabditis elegans,functions as a hemichannel in thermosensory neurons and transmits temperature information from the thermosensory neurons to their post-synaptic interneurons. By monitoring neural activities in freely behaving animals, we find that hyperpolarizing thermosensory neurons inhibit the activity of the interneurons and that UNC-7 hemichannels regulate this process. UNC-7 is required to control thermotaxis behavior and functions independently of synaptic vesicle exocytosis. Our findings suggest that innexin hemichannels mediate neurotransmission from hyperpolarizing neurons in a manner that is distinct from the synaptic transmission, expanding the way of neural circuitry operations.
Genomic and epigenomic evolution of metastatic prostate cancer: the first warm autopsy in China
Authors: Zhang Wenhui , Wang Yan , Qu Min , Shi Haoqing , Lu Xin , Yang Qingsong , Liu Fang , Wang Tao , Wang Ziwei , Lian Bijun , Chen Ling , Yin Xiaoyi , Yu Yongwei , Li Jing , Gao Xu , Liao Zhuan
Published: August 2023

Background

The development and expansion of warm autopsy program have important implications in dissecting the heterogeneity during cancer dissemination and resistance. However, in China, the practice of warm autopsy has not yet been officially launched and documented.

Methods

To explore and establish the procedures and standards for warm autopsy in China, we followed the disease course of a male patient with terminal metastatic prostate cancer. We assembled a multidisciplinary team to perform warm autopsy immediately after death. Through longitudinal sampling from biopsy and autopsy, we performed integrative and comprehensive genomic and epigenomic analysis using multi-omics approaches.

Results

We traced the dynamic evolution and heterogeneity of this prostate tumor, and identified many critical driver events in both the original tumor and its disseminations. TruncatedCDKN1Bmay result in downregulation of expression, which represent a key driver event in the metastatic progression of prostate cancer. We also delineated the congruence of genetic and epigenetic clonal evolution during tumor metastasis.

Conclusions

Our data and analysis elucidated the mechanisms and drivers during metastasis, which represent a valuable resource for the study and treatment of prostate cancer. We also call on more investigators to improve warm autopsy of prostate cancer for clinical and experimental investigations.
Synthesis, crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of 3-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-formyl-7-methylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-1-ium chloride monohydrate
Authors: Guseinov Firudin I. , Ovsyannikov Viacheslav O. , Sokolovskiy Pavel V. , Sebyakin Yurii L. , Samigullina Aida I. , Akkurt Mehmet , Çelikesir Sevim Türktekin , Bhattarai Ajaya
Published: August 2023

In the title salt, C15H12FN2O+·Cl−·H2O, the imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-1-ium ring system of the cation is almostly planar [maximum deviaition = −0.047 (2) Å for the ring C atom with the attached arene ring] and forms a dihedral angle of 61.81 (6)° with the plane of the fluorophenyl ring. In the crystal, water molecules form an R
2
4(8) motif parallel to the (100) plane by bonding with the chloride ions via O—H...Cl hydrogen bonds. The cations are connected along the b axis via N—H...O hydrogen bonds involving the O atoms of water molecules, and C—H...O, C—H...Cl and π–π interactions [centroid-to-centroid distance = 3.6195 (8) Å] form layers parallel to the (100) plane. Furthermore, these layers are connected via π–π interactions [centroid-to-centroid distance = 3.8051 (9) Å] that further consolidate the crystal structure.
Determinants of organic food purchase intention: the moderating role of health consciousness
Authors: Devi Kritika , Singh Gurmeet , Roy Sanjit K. , Cúg Juraj
Published: August 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to understand the effects of self-risk perception and health consciousness on the intention to purchase organic food. The study also explored external factors, such as social networking, culture and their impact on attitude, self-risk perception and purchasing organic food.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a quantitative research method to collect data from New Zealand and Fiji (N = 701). The data analysis used the partial least squares path modeling technique (PLS-PM) to test the proposed model.

Findings

The empirical results revealed that self-risk perception positively influenced organic food intention. The results show that the health consciousness level strengthens the relationship between self-risk perception, beliefs, values and purchase intention. The health consciousness level dampens the relationship between social networking and purchase intention.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of this study provide valuable insights into the guidance and promotion of Fijian and New Zealand's organic food industry. This study enables marketers to develop health-related promotional tactics to stimulate organic food sales. It gauges organic food promoters to use social media-oriented consumer networking to spread health awareness swiftly.

Originality/value

This comprehensive study extends the literature by scrutinizing the profundity of self-risk perception and health consciousness in influencing and explaining consumers' purchase intentions. Aside from ample growth in the study of organic food purchase intention, which commonly replicates simple relationships, this study ascertains deeper meaning and new relationships to understand the moderating role of health consciousness levels in organic food studies, expanding the theory of planned behavior.
Experiences lived by international nurses concerning professional integration and interpersonal relationships in the workplace: qualitative research
Authors: Aydogdu Ana Luiza Ferreira , Baykal Ulku
Published: August 2023

Purpose

The recruitment of international nurses has been used for a long time to address the global nurse shortage. In 2012, the employment of international nurses was released in Turkey. Cultural differences can hinder interpersonal relationships, and fostering strong interpersonal relationships among nurses in the workplace is known to have a positive impact on productivity, job satisfaction and the quality of care provided. This study aims to explore the lived experiences and perceptions of international nurses working in Turkey regarding their professional integration and interpersonal relationships in the workplace.

Design/methodology/approach

It is a qualitative descriptive study. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 19 international nurses using a semi-structured form. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Findings

Data were presented into two themes: (1) Interpersonal relationships in the workplace and (2) Professional integration. Participants reported positive and negative experiences regarding interpersonal relationships in the work environment, such as warm and supportive approaches, or exclusionary and discriminatory behaviors. The existence of different nursing practices, positive and negative factors concerning orientation programs and the gain of experience and professional satisfaction were mentioned by the participants.

Originality/value

This is the first study to explore the lived experiences and perceptions of international nurses working in Turkey. The study highlights the unique needs and challenges faced by international nurses during workplace adaptation and provides practical recommendations to facilitate interpersonal relationships in the workplace and other aspects related to professional integration from hiring to the end of the adaptation period.
Do female directors influence firm value? The mediating role of green innovation
Authors: Lestari Kurnia Cahya , Soewarno Noorlailie
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Building on the upper echelons and natural resource-based view (NRBV) theory, this study aims to examine the role of green innovation in mediating the relationship between female directors and firm value.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses panel data for 2016–2020 of 108 manufacturing firms listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange with 518 observations. This study collects data from the firm’s annual and sustainability reports and the Osiris database. This study uses feasible generalized least squares in controlling heteroscedasticity and correlation to validate the relationship.

Findings

The results show that green innovation mediates the relationship between female directors and firm value. The results support the upper echelons theory, which views that the impact of the female directors’ policy has a positive effect on green innovation. The results also support the NRBV theory, which views green innovation as an environmentally friendly resource capable of increasing firm value.

Originality/value

In examining the indirect effect of female directors on firm value, this study is one of the early works that discuss the mediation relationship using green innovation in the relationship of female directors to firm value drawn from upper echelons and NRBV theory.
Mental distress symptoms among Muscat firefighters: the impact of sociodemographic factors, sleep disturbance and smoking
Authors: Hashempour Javad , Shebani Zubaida , Kimble Jeffrey
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Firefighting can pose a number of psychological health risks due to the nature of the job. Previous studies have examined the relationship between distress symptoms in firefighters and factors such as age, experience in the service, workload, sleep and alcohol use. However, the relationship between risk factors and mental health problems in firefighters remains unclear. In the present study, the authors aim to assess mental distress among Muscat firefighters using the Brief Symptom Inventory-18. The authors expected that this research will allow researchers to determine the prevalence of mental distress among Muscat firefighters and assess the role of the above risk factors on the ratio.

Design/methodology/approach

The assessment includes the prevalence of anxiety, somatization and depression symptoms among firefighters. The impact of sociodemographic factors, sleep problems and smoking on symptomatic cases was also evaluated. Data was collected from 110 firefighters then processed as per instructions in the BSI-18 manual to identify clinical cases in each of the three scales of the assessment.

Findings

Results show that all factors influence the number of cases to different extents. Young, single firefighters with high school level education were found to have the highest number of extreme cases followed by those who are non-smokers and satisfied with their job. This study did not find a relationship between sleep disorder and job dissatisfaction with regard to the number of critical cases. The prevalence of anxiety, somatic and depression cases among firefighters was found to be 11.8%, 10.9% and 10%, respectively. These findings have implications for fire service work-organization policies and for the development and monitoring of treatment programs for firefighters.

Originality/value

This work presents a comprehensive assessment on common factors that may impact prevalence of mental distress among an underrepresented firefighter community. These findings have implications for fire service work-organization policies and for updating current monitoring programs or updating new programs for firefighters.
How do gender attitudes influence the relationships between perceived desirability, perceived feasibility and social entrepreneurial intentions?
Authors: Lopes João M. , Gomes Sofia , Dias Cláudia
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This study aims to understand how perceived desirability and perceived feasibility influence Portuguese higher education students' social entrepreneurial intention and general entrepreneurial intention and explore how gender attitudes can affect these relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

This study's sample comprises 391 participants. The hypotheses formulated in the research model were tested through structural equation modelling, using the bootstrapping method to perform decomposition tests and multigroup analyses to assess the effect of gender on perceived desirability, perceived feasibility and social and general entrepreneurial intention.

Findings

The sample data reveal that women have a greater social entrepreneurial intention, and men have a greater general entrepreneurial intention. The results regarding the research model reveal that perceived desirability positively influences social and general entrepreneurial intention, with stronger relationships for men than for women. However, perceived feasibility positively influences overall entrepreneurial intention but is insignificant in explaining social entrepreneurial intention. When the differences between genders are analysed, the perceived feasibility by women is significant and positively influences the social entrepreneurial intention, not being significant when men are considered. Contrary to previous studies about higher education students, men have a higher perceived desirability in both general and social entrepreneurial intentions, while women have a stronger perceived feasibility in both general and social entrepreneurial intentions.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the development of the social entrepreneurship literature, demonstrating that social entrepreneurial intention can be influenced by gender. The results show the importance of considering the spatial and organisational context in examining the relationships between perceived desirability/perceived feasibility and social entrepreneurial intentions of men and women.
Work from home and job outcomes: does well-being matter for accountants in a developing country?
Authors: Giang Thi Trang , Nguyen Cong-Hoang , Ho Yi-Hui
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Well-being is an important dimension of human life but plays a controversial role in organizations, especially in different working environments. This study aims to explore the role of well-being in work from home (WFH) context, and its consequence on job outcomes among accountants in a fast-developing country, Vietnam.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative study is conducted with the data from Vietnamese accountants who had to work from home during the pandemic time. Partial least squares structural equation modeling method is applied to analyze the data.

Findings

The results show a direct and significant relationship of WFH with the employees’ well-being and job satisfaction (JS). Well-being fully mediates the influence of home-based work and JS on job performance.

Originality/value

This study generates valuable knowledge and practical implication in organizational policies and initiatives that aim to enhance employees’ well-being and promote positive job outcomes in the context of remote work. Organization employers should take their employees’ well-being as a key factor and consider it in personnel policy to enhance their work performance.
Predicting elderly users' intention of digital payments during COVID-19: an extension of the theory of planned behavior model
Authors: Zhu Jiaji , Li Xin , Jiang Yushi , Ma Wenju
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Promoting the adoption of digital payments by the elderly plays an important role in the development of the digital economy. The purpose of this study is to build an extended theory of planned behavior (TPB) model to predict the elderly's intention to pay for digital services under COVID-19 epidemic constraints.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the extended TPB model, 320 qualified participants were recruited on the network. The structural equation model was tested using the SmartPLS3.3 tool, and the moderation effects were tested through SPSS26 and the Process macro.

Findings

The results showed that the three dimensions of TPB theory, the basic elements (perceived value and perceived risk), and the external environment (COVID-19 pandemic) were important factors that influence the elderly users' intention to adopt digital payments. Further research found that motivation factors (personal innovativeness, intergenerational support, and social support) can positively moderate these effects.

Research limitations/implications

The results of the study provide a further explanation for understanding the willingness of elderly people to adopt digital payments during the COVID-19 pandemic and bring inspiration to system developers and social managers to reduce the risk of COVID-19 pandemic and increase the share of digital payments for this category.

Originality/value

This paper used the extended TPB theory to construct a fundamental environmental motivation (FEM) framework for understanding the main influencing factors of elderly users' intention to adopt digital payments during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The effect of perceived scarcity on impulse-buying tendencies in a fast fashion context: A mediating and multigroup analysis
Authors: Cengiz Hakan , Şenel Mehmet
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This study investigates the relationships between perceived scarcity, fear of missing out (FOMO) and impulse-buying tendencies (IBT) in the fast fashion context in both scarcity and non-scarcity conditions. Additionally, this study examines whether these relationships vary depending on the type of scarcity messages: limited-quantity scarcity (LQS) and limited-time scarcity (LTS).

Design/methodology/approach

We used written scenarios, and each participant was assigned to one of the experimental or control groups for LQS and LTS conditions. Using a structural modeling approach, we tested the conceptual model and analyzed the data through SmartPLS version 4. We conducted mediating and multigroup (MGA) analysis.

Findings

We found that perceived scarcity directly increases IBT and that FOMO partially mediates this relationship across all samples. The MGA findings also revealed that hypothesized relationships were not significantly different across LQS and LTS groups, suggesting that the effect of scarcity messages may be context specific.

Originality/value

Previous studies have yielded mixed results on the effects of different scarcity messages on consumer behavior. This study contributes to the literature by providing evidence of the direct relationship between perceived scarcity, FOMO and impulse buying in the fast fashion context. The study supports the idea that the effect of different types of scarcity messages is context specific, suggesting that the relationship between scarcity perceptions and consumer behavior may vary depending on the product category and cultural context.
The role of authentic leadership in nurses’ stress and burnout in emergency departments
Authors: Alsalmi Mashael , Alilyyani Bayan
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Nurses are one the essential health-care providers within society, seeking the employment of authentic leadership approaches to reduce the burnout and stressors established within the emergency departments. Burnout has been vitally documented as a psychological impulse that emerges due to the prevalence of chronic job stressors. Authentic leadership approaches will act as an affirmative organizational resource that could help to minimize burnout in the work environments. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the role of authentic leadership in stress and burnout among nurses in emergency departments.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a quantitative, cross-sectional design. A package of surveys was distributed to nurses working in emergency departments using standardized questionnaires that measured the study variables. A total of 188 nurses participated in the study. SPSS was used to analyze data.

Findings

The study’s results supported the hypotheses and found that authentic leadership significantly and negatively influenced nurses’ job stress R = –0.169, p = 0.0205. Also, the results of this study found that the relationship between authentic leadership and burnout was significant and negative R = –0.245, F (1,186) = 11.8, p = 0.0007.

Originality/value

Nurse leaders can introduce flexible working hours and develop coordination and cooperation among nurses, and management of the hospitals needs to focus on improving the structure and enhancing nurses’ outcomes that could affect patients’ and organizations’ outcomes.
Immersive innovations: an examination of the efficacy and evolution of virtual reality in human movement training
Authors: Deng Yi , Wang Zhiguo , Dong Lin , Lei Yu , Dong Yanling
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This systematic review, following preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis guidelines, rigorously investigates the emergent role of virtual reality (VR) technology in human movement training. The purpose of this study is to explore the effectiveness and evolution of VR in enhancing movement training experiences.

Design/methodology/approach

Acknowledging its pivotal role in diverse applications, such as sports and rehabilitation, human movement training is currently experiencing accelerated evolution, facilitated by the proliferation of wearable devices and mobile applications. This review conducted an exhaustive search across five different electronic databases, such as Web of Science, PubMed and ProQuest, resulting in the selection of 69 eligible articles published within the past five years. It also integrates 40 studies into a narrative summary, categorized based on the level of immersion offered by respective VR systems.

Findings

Enhanced immersion in VR potentially augments the effectiveness of movement training by engendering more realistic and captivating experiences for users. The immersive and interactive environments provided by VR technology enable tailored training experiences accompanied by precise, objective feedback. This review highlights the benefits of VR in human movement training and its potential to revolutionize the way training is conducted.

Originality/value

This systematic review contributes significantly to the existing literature by providing a comprehensive examination of the efficacy and evolution of VR in human movement training. By organizing the findings based on the level of immersion offered by VR systems, it provides valuable insights into the importance of immersion in enhancing training outcomes. In addition, this study identifies the need for future research focusing on the impacts of VR on learning and performance, as well as strategies to optimize its effectiveness and improve accessibility.
Sustainability assurance and provider choice: a meta-regression analysis
Authors: Hay David C. , Kend Michael , Sierra-García Laura , Subramaniam Nava
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to assess the cumulative evidence on the determinants of sustainability assurance (SA) reports and the choice of assurance provider quality. It addresses the contradictory and inconsistent findings of past studies conducted over the past two decades.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors undertake a meta-regression analysis that enables systematic, comparative assessment of the variables associated with the choice of SA and the type of assurance provider. The authors undertake a chronological analysis with the aim of identifying systematic differences in the empirical evidence across distinct time periods.

Findings

The results indicate that there is very little evidence to support many of the expected associations between commonly studied predictor variables (namely, measures based on agency and corporate governance conceptions) and the choice of SA and the assurance provider type. As a result, research on this topic does not make as effective a contribution as might be expected. There is, however, a time period difference. The authors find results from studies using company data prior to 2010 are significantly different from those using post-2010 data. The results indicate the decision to publish SA to be significantly associated with companies in the oil industry and utilities, and larger organisations where agency costs tend to be higher. Obtaining assurance from a higher-quality provider is found to be associated with companies in environmentally sensitive industries and in stakeholder-oriented countries.

Practical implications

The study shows that as yet there is not sufficient evidence to support expected results. Users of the research should be aware of this, and researchers should know that more work is needed. The authors suggest researchers take greater care in the choice and comparability of variable measurement and expand the conceptual base when selecting predictor variables.

Social implications

Companies need to be more transparent and accountable to critical stakeholders such as report users and regulators, and the latter should be more aware that the organisational practice of SA and choice of service provider have changed over time and are increasingly open to agency and other cultural biases.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to apply meta-regression techniques for understanding the body of literature on SA and provider choice.
Tree community overyielding during early stand development is explained by asymmetric species‐specific responses to diversity
Authors: Urgoiti Jon , Messier Christian , Keeton William S. , Paquette Alain
Published: August 2023

Recent long‐term tree biodiversity experiments have shown that diversity effects on productivity tend to strengthen over time, as complementarity among constituent species increases over the course of forest development. However, these community‐level metrics only account for the net outcome of multiple interactions among species and, thus, do not inform about the individual species' responses to diversity.

In this study, using 11 years of growth records from a large diversity experiment, we explored how species respond to diversity based on their functional traits and those of their heterospecific neighbours over time and analysed their contribution to the community‐level overyielding.

We show species‐specific responses to diversity, with fast‐growing deciduous species rapidly performing better in mixtures relative to monocultures, than slow‐growing evergreen species. Moreover, we find that species productivity in mixtures enhances over time as the proportion of slow‐growing evergreen species in the heterospecific neighbourhood increases. These patterns of response of species scale up and explain community overyielding, which occurs primarily in deciduous‐evergreen mixtures and is explained by the overyielding of deciduous species overcompensating the poor performance of evergreen species.

This study sheds light on the temporal dynamics of species responses to diversity, which together help improve our understanding of community‐level overyielding over the course of stand development.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Trait‐based approaches as ecological time machines: Developing tools for reconstructing long‐term variation in ecosystems
Authors: Brown Kerry A. , Bunting M. Jane , Carvalho Fabio , de Bello Francesco , Mander Luke , Marcisz Katarzyna , Mottl Ondrej , Reitalu Triin , Svenning Jens‐Christian
Published: August 2023

Research over the past decade has shown that quantifying spatial variation in ecosystem properties is an effective approach to investigating the effects of environmental change on ecosystems. Yet, current consensus among scientists is that we need a better understanding of short‐ and long‐term (temporal) variation in ecosystem properties to plan effective ecosystem management and predict future ecologies.

Trait‐based approaches can be used to reconstruct ecosystem properties from long‐term ecological records and contribute significantly to developing understandings of ecosystem change over decadal to millennial time‐scales.

Here, we synthesise current trait‐based approaches and explore how organisms' functional traits (FTs) can be scaled across time and space. We propose a framework for reconstructing long‐term variation in ecosystems by means of analysing FTs derived from palaeoecological datasets. We then summarise challenges that must be overcome to reconcile trait‐based approaches with palaeo‐datasets. Finally, we discuss the benefits and limitations of trait‐based reconstructions of ecosystem temporal dynamics and suggest future directions for research.

Reconstructing environmental properties through time vis‐à‐vis FTs can be separated into two parts. The first is to record trait data for organisms present in modern ecosystems, and the second is to reconstruct temporal variability in FTs from palaeoecological datasets, capturing changes in trait composition over time. Translating palaeoecological datasets into FTs is challenging due to taphonomic, taxonomic and chronological uncertainties, as well as uniformitarian assumptions. Explicitly identifying and addressing these challenges is important to effectively calculate changes in FT through time.

Palaeo‐trait research offers insights into questions related to short‐ and long‐term ecosystem functioning, environmental change and extinction and community assembly rules across time. As work in this area matures, we expect that trait‐based approaches integrating palaeoecology and neo‐ecology will improve understanding of past ecologies and provide a deeper insight of their implications for present‐day and future ecosystem management and conservation.

Read the freePlain Language Summaryfor this article on the Journal blog.
Methylated cycloalkanes fuel a novel genus in the Porticoccaceae family (Ca. Reddybacter gen. nov)
Authors: Arrington Eleanor C. , Tarn Jonathan , Kittner Hailie E. , Kivenson Veronika , Liu Rachel M. , Valentine David L.
Published: August 2023

Cycloalkanes are abundant and toxic compounds in subsurface petroleum reservoirs and their fate is important to ecosystems impacted by natural oil seeps and spills. This study focuses on the microbial metabolism of methylcyclohexane (MCH) and methylcyclopentane (MCP) in the deep Gulf of Mexico. MCH and MCP are often abundant cycloalkanes observed in petroleum and will dissolve into the water column when introduced at the seafloor via a spill or natural seep. We conducted incubations with deep Gulf of Mexico (GOM) seawater amended with MCH and MCP at four stations. Within incubations with active respiration of MCH and MCP, we found that a novel genus of bacteria belonging to the Porticoccaceae family (Candidatus Reddybacter) dominated the microbial community. Using metagenome‐assembled genomes, we reconstructed the central metabolism of Candidatus Reddybacter, identifying a novel clade of the particulate hydrocarbon monooxygenase (pmo) that may play a central role in MCH and MCP metabolism. Through comparative analysis of 174 genomes, we parsed the taxonomy of the Porticoccaceae family and found evidence suggesting the acquisition of pmo and other genes related to the degradation of cyclic and branched hydrophobic compounds were likely key events in the ecology and evolution of this group of organisms.
Analysis of phthalate acid esters in butter and cheese samples using MSPE‐GC/MS method: A health risk assessment study
Authors: Mirzaei Sara , Ahmadi Mohammad , Shariatifar Nabi , Ariaii Peiman
Published: August 2023

The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of six phthalate acid esters (PAE) and associated health risks in butter and cheese samples, using the magnetic solid‐phase extraction with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (MSPE‐GC/MS) technique. In this study, the limit of detection (LODs), limit of quantifications (LOQs) and the recovery percentages were 0.26–1.02, 0.78–3.06 μg/kg and 98.6–102%. The results showed that in all samples, the mean total PAEs was 9.76 ± 2.39 μg/kg (in the range of 6.33–14.49 μg/kg) and the average of Bis (2‐ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) was 2.9 ± 0.88 μg/kg (in the range of 1.84–4.24 μg/kg), which is lower than the standard level (EFSA set PAE standard levels between 0 and 50 μg/kg in food and US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set 6 μg/L for DEHP in drinking water). Moreover, the average total PAEs in all butter samples were 11.52 ± 2.03 μg/kg (in the range of 7.82–14.49 μg/kg) and the average of DEHP was 3.53 ± 0.73 μg/kg (in the range of 2.05–4.24 μg/kg) and the average total PAEs in all cheese samples were 8.00 ± 1.02 μg/kg (in the range of 6.33–9.91 μg/kg) and the average of DEHP was 2.26 ± 0.43 μg/kg (in the range of 1.84–3.04 μg/kg). The rank order of the estimated THQ (target hazard quotient) values based on the 95% percentile (in all samples) was DEHP > DBP (dibutyl phthalate) > BBP (butylbenzyl phthalate) > DEP (diethyl phthalate). The ILCR (Incremental Life Cancer Risk) assessment found that phthalates (DEHP) in dairy product samples are not of concern to humans. Finally, since the amount of these pollutants was less than the existing standards, it can be concluded that it does not pose any danger to Iranian consumers.
Environmental sustainability in obstetrics and gynaecology: A systematic review
Authors: Cohen Eva Sayone , Kouwenberg Lisanne H. J. A. , Moody Kate S. , Sperna Weiland Nicolaas H. , Kringos Dionne Sofia , Timmermans Anne , Hehenkamp Wouter J. K.
Published: August 2023

Background

The healthcare sector is responsible for 4%–10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Considering the broad range of care that obstetricians and gynaecologists provide, mitigation strategies within this specialty could result in significant reductions of the environmental footprint across the whole healthcare industry.

Objectives

The aim of this review was to identify for what services, procedures and products within obstetric and gynaecological care the environmental impact has been studied, to assess the magnitude of such impact and to identify mitigation strategies to diminish it.

Search strategy

The search strategy combined terms related to environmental impact, sustainability, climate change or carbon footprint, with the field of obstetrics and gynaecology.

Selection criteria

Articles reporting on the environmental impact of any service, procedure or product within the field of obstetrics and gynaecology were included. Included outcomes covered midpoint impact categories, CO2 emissions, waste generation and energy consumption.

Data collection and analysis

A systematic literature search was conducted in the databases of MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase (Ovid) and Scopus, and a grey literature search was performed on Google Scholar and two websites of gynaecological associations.

Main results

The scope of the investigated studies encompassed vaginal births, obstetric and gynaecological surgical procedures, menstrual products, vaginal specula and transportation to gynaecological oncologic consultations. Among the highest yielding mitigation strategies were displacing disposable with reusable materials and minimising content of surgical custom packs. The lowest yielding mitigation strategy was waste optimisation, including recycling.

Conclusions

This systematic review highlights opportunities for obstetricians and gynaecologists to decrease their environmental footprint in many ways. More high‐quality studies are needed to investigate the environmental impact of other aspects of women's and reproductive health care.
Quantifying economic policy: Unsupervised learning on archival evidence from the United Kingdom, 1983–2021
Authors: POPA MIRCEA
Published: August 2023

The evolution of economic policy in Western countries in the post‐1980 era is subject to extensive academic debate, but statistical modelling of its many qualitative aspects can be challenging. I use two sources of textual data from the United Kingdom – policy documents written by executive departments, as well as recently declassified cabinet minutes – together with unsupervised text‐as‐data methods to examine the evolution of economic policy discourse between 1983 and 2021. The findings challenge the hypothesis of an undifferentiated post‐1980 liberal era. Instead, several shifts away from the liberalizing priorities of the 1980s are identified. The first is an increased attention to the public services in the 1990s. The second is a rise of activist approaches focused on state‐supported innovation in the 2010s – a claim which has been widely articulated but has not been rigorously tested so far. These discourse‐based conclusions are validated through an econometric analysis of detailed spending data.
Exposure to sublethal concentration of flupyradifurone alters sexual behavior and cuticular hydrocarbon profile in Heriades truncorum, an oligolectic solitary bee
Authors: Boff Samuel , Ayasse Manfred
Published: August 2023

The aboveground oligolectic bee, Heriades truncorum, is a particularly good model for studying the impact of pesticides on sexual communication, since some aspects of its mating behavior have previously been described. We have tested (1) the interference of the pesticide flupyradifurone on male precopulatory behavior and male mating partner preferences, (2) the way that the pesticide interferes in male quality assessment by the female, and (3) the effects of the pesticide on the chemical compounds in the female cuticle. We exposed bees of both sexes to a sublethal concentration of flupyradifurone. Various behaviors were registered in a mating arena with two females (one unexposed and one exposed) and one male (either unexposed or exposed). Unexposed males were quicker to attempt to mate. Treatment also impacted precopulatory behavior and male quality assessment by females. Males approached unexposed females more quickly than insecticide‐exposed ones. Females exposed to insecticide produced lower amounts of some cuticular hydrocarbons (sex pheromone candidates) and appeared less choosy than unexposed females. Our findings suggest that insecticide exposure affects sexual communication, playing a role both in male preference and in male quality assessment by the female.
Fimbria targeting superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles enhance the antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity of ciprofloxacin against quinolone‐resistant E. coli
Authors: Atac Nazli , Onbasli Kubra , Koc Irem , Yagci Acar Havva , Can Fusun
Published: August 2023

High quinolone resistance of Escherichia coli limits the therapy options for urinary tract infection (UTI). In response to the urgent need for efficient treatment of multidrug‐resistant infections, we designed a fimbriae targeting superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle (SPION) delivering ciprofloxacin to ciprofloxacin‐resistant E. coli. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) conjugated poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) coated SPIONs (BSA@PAA@SPION) were developed for encapsulation of ciprofloxacin and the nanoparticles were tagged with 4‐aminophenyl‐α‐D‐mannopyrannoside (mannoside, Man) to target E. coli fimbriae. Ciprofloxacin‐loaded mannoside tagged nanoparticles (Cip‐Man‐BSA@PAA@SPION) provided high antibacterial activity (97.1 and 97.5%, respectively) with a dose of 32 μg/mL ciprofloxacin against two ciprofloxacin‐resistant E. coli isolates. Furthermore, a strong biofilm inhibition (86.9% and 98.5%, respectively) was achieved in the isolates at a dose 16 and 8 times lower than the minimum biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC) of ciprofloxacin. Weaker growth inhibition was observed with untargeted nanoparticles, Cip‐BSA@PAA@SPIONs, confirming that targeting E. coli fimbria with mannoside‐tagged nanoparticles increases the ciprofloxacin efficiency to treat ciprofloxacin‐resistant E. coli. Enhanced killing activity against ciprofloxacin‐resistant E. coli planktonic cells and strong growth inhibition of their biofilms suggest that Cip‐Man‐BSA@PAA@SPION system might be an alternative and/or complementary therapeutic option for the treatment of quinolone‐resistant E. coli infections.
A microbial evolutionary approach for a sustainable future
Authors: Wackett Lawrence P.
Published: August 2023

With the continued population increase, more sustainable use of water, land, air and chemicals is imperative. Microorganisms will need to be called upon to aid in many sustainability efforts. Prokaryotes are the fastest‐evolving cellular life, and most manipulatable via synthetic biology. Moreover, their natural diversity in processing organic and inorganic chemicals, and their survivability in extreme niches, make them prime agents to enlist for solving many of society's pressing problems.