bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nexus between green human resource management and environmental performance: a green approach for higher education institutes
Authors: Muhammad Ali Qazi , Nisar Qasim Ali
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This study examined the role of green human resource management (GHRM) in the environmental performance of higher education institutes (HEIs). The study also examined the mediating effect of green commitment and green behaviour. Furthermore, the study explored if green self-efficacy (GSE) moderated the relationship between green commitment and green behaviour. The ability, motivation, and opportunity (AMO) theory were employed to explain the relationship between the study's variables.

Design/methodology/approach

The study opted for a descriptive study using the convenience sampling technique by collecting data through a survey questionnaire administered to 208 individuals currently employed in Pakistani HEIs. Data collection was undertaken among senior, middle, and top management of the HEIs. The statistical software, partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM), was used for data analysis.

Findings

The results provide empirical insights indicating the positive relation of GHRM practices with environmental performance in HEIs. Changes in employees' behaviour through human resource management practices can ultimately affect the organisations' environmental performance. Besides, the results also demonstrated that GSE moderates the relationship between green commitment and green behaviour. The findings highlight the role of commitment level and GSE in enhancing the environmental performance of HEIs.

Practical implications

The study proposes that HEIs' management take adequate initiatives to implement GHRM practices.

Originality/value

The current study contributes to the literature by empirically examining the indirect double mediation effect of green commitment and green behaviour on GHRM and environmental performance. Furthermore, the moderating effect of GSE, which is an under-explored area, was also studied.
Contradiction of modern and social-humanitarian artificial intelligence
Authors: Raikov Alexander Nikolaevich , Pirani Massimiliano
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to propose an effective approach of artificial intelligence (AI) addressing social-humanitarian reality comprising non-formalizable representation. The new task is to describe processes of integration of AI and humans in the hybrid systems framework.

Design/methodology/approach

Social-humanitarian dynamics contradict traditional characteristics of AI. Suggested methodology embraces formalized and non-formalized parts as a whole. Holonic and special convergent approaches are combined to ensure purposefulness and sustainability of collective decision-making. Inverse problem solving on topology spaces, control thermodynamics and non-formalizable (considering quantum and relativistic) semantics include observers of eigenforms of reality.

Findings

Collective decision-making cannot be represented only by formal means. Thus, this paper suggests the equation of hybrid reality (HyR), which integrates formalizable and non-formalizable parts conveying and coalescing holonic approaches, thermodynamic theory, cognitive modeling and inverse problem solving. The special convergent approach makes the solution of this equation purposeful and sustainable.

Research limitations/implications

The suggested approach is far reaching with respect of current state-of-the-art technology; medium-term limitations are expected in the creation of cognitive semantics.

Practical implications

Social-humanitarian events embrace all phenomena connected with individual and collective human behavior and decision-making. The paper will impact deeply networked experts, groups of crowds, rescue teams, researchers, professional communities, society and environment.

Originality/value

New possibilities for advanced AI to enable purposeful and sustainable social-humanitarian subjects. The special convergent information structuring during collective decision-making creates necessary conditions toward the goals.
The moderating role of culture in self-efficacy and approach to learning of students
Authors: Singh Reetesh K. , Chaudhary Priya
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This study aims to explore the moderating effect of culture on students’ self-efficacy (SE) and learning approach.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey of 437 students from culturally and pedagogically different higher education institutions was conducted. The relationship between SE, culture and approaches to learning was examined using statistical analysis.

Findings

The results showed that the students from traditional learning environments demonstrated high SE and resorted to deep learning. The culture of an institution moderated SE and approaches to the learning of students.

Practical implications

This study calls for bringing out the best from pedagogical approaches followed by different types of institutions to build a culture that promotes deep learning in the true sense. This research has implications for teachers, policymakers and practitioners in the higher education sector.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the present study is one of the first studies to draw a cultural comparison of traditional and modern higher education institutions.
Distribution of rare N4‐like viruses in temperate estuaries unveiled by viromics
Authors: Sun Mengqi , Chen Feng
Published: August 2022

The relative abundance of N4‐like viruses in two temperate estuaries was assessed using four different methods, read mapping to known N4‐like virus isolates, read mapping to native viral contigs, reciprocal blast search based on core genes, and read taxonomy classification using Kaiju. Overall, N4‐like viruses were found to be of low abundance in the estuarine viromes. When mapping reads to only known N4‐like virus genomes, high occurrences of N4‐like viruses infecting Roseobacter were found, with their diversity consisting mostly of locally isolated Roseobacter N4‐like virus species. Both contig‐based methods and Kaiju classification showed similar seasonal patterns for N4‐like viruses, and redundancy analysis revealed a negative correlation between N4‐like viruses and temperature, suggesting that N4‐like viruses may be more abundant in colder water. The discrepancy of relative abundance estimates using different methods indicates that N4‐like viruses are best represented by native viral sequences. Our study indicates that N4‐like viruses are rare in the marine environment and also provide insight into the importance of including local viral sequences in reference databases.
‘Some Time We Have Trouble in Getting Mail. And Everything Else Here’: Black Women, Freedom Food and the US Postal System
Authors: Walker Pamela N.
Published: August 2022

This article puts food at the centre of the Civil Rights Movement by illuminating rural Black women's experiences accessing food and survival goods in Mississippi from 1964 to 1968. Examining letter correspondence, it demonstrates how Black women strategically participated in the little‐known postal benevolence programme, ‘Box Project’, to feed their families. Within the context of surplus commodities and the food stamp programme, the article reveals how the postal system allowed Black women to acquire food and engage in conversations with northern sympathisers about the insidious state welfare structure under which they lived. As the volume of boxes and letters entering Mississippi increased, so did the risk of Black women's strategic use of the interstate mail services. The US Postal System, as quotidian and seemingly benign a state apparatus, was a battleground for food and freedom for ordinary rural Black women.
Comparative analysis of quality and nutritional traits from Lonicera caerulea (Honeyberry) cultivars and other berries grown in Scotland
Authors: Gamble Louise , Pont Simon D. A. , Allwood J. William , Jarret Dorota A. , Hancock Robert D.
Published: August 2022

Lonicera caeruleabrix is a perennial shrub native to North America, Europe and Asia. It produces dark blue berries known as honeyberries or haskap berries which are produced commercially in several territories including Canada, Japan, Russia and Poland. Plants are suited to UK environments, but it is yet to be widely commercially developed in the UK. In the present work, quality and nutritional traits of six honeyberry cultivars grown in Scotland were compared with other commonly grown berry fruits (strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, blackberry, blackcurrant) to aid the identification of environmentally stable, high‐quality honeyberry cultivars suitable for UK cultivation. Differences were observed in fruit quality variables (soluble solids, titratable acidity and Brix/acid ratios) between honeyberry cultivars. Three of six cultivars examined exhibited notable variation in soluble solids dependent on harvest year with ‘Aurora’ and ‘Strawberry Sensation’ having consistently high oBrix values. Titratable acidity exhibited cultivar differences and there was limited variation over harvest years. ‘Aurora’ exhibited consistently high oBrix/titratable acidity ratio reflected by high glucose and fructose content. Honeyberry fruit had good nutritional profile relative to other soft fruits with higher polyphenol and anthocyanin content than strawberry, blueberry, blackberry and raspberry, manifested in greater antioxidant capacity. The major anthocyanins in aqueous honeyberry fruit extracts were cyanidin, pelargonidin and peonidin glycosides. These findings indicate that L. caerulea represents a crop suitable for UK cultivation capable of producing high quality fruit with a valuable nutritional profile relative to other soft fruits. Cultivars exhibit significant differences in fruit quality and nutritional profile as well as harvest consistency and growers should consider this when establishing new plantations.
Maturing out of alcohol and cannabis co‐use: A test of patterns and personality predictors
Authors: Waddell Jack T. , Jager Justin , Chassin Laurie
Published: August 2022

Objective

Reductions in substance involvement into adulthood are thought to represent a normative maturing out of substance use. However, patterns and predictors of maturing out of alcohol and cannabis co‐use remain largely unstudied. Therefore, the current study tested developmental trajectories of alcohol and cannabis use from late adolescence into adulthood and whether late adolescent personality traits predicted trajectory class membership.

Methods

Data come from a longitudinal study of family history of alcohol disorder (N = 458). Age bands were created to model trajectories of drinking quantity, negative alcohol consequences, and cannabis use frequency from late adolescence (age 18–22) to young adulthood (age 23–28) and adulthood (age 29–36). Participants reported on their sensation seeking, conscientiousness, and neuroticism during late adolescence and their typical drinking quantity, negative alcohol consequences, and cannabis use frequency at each age band.

Results

Three trajectory classes were derived from an initial Parallel Process Growth Mixture Model: (1) low‐risk maturing out of alcohol‐only use, (2) high‐risk maturing out of co‐use, and (3) high‐risk switchers who increased their cannabis use into adulthood. Late adolescent sensation seeking was associated with higher odds of being in both co‐use trajectories, whereas a lack of conscientiousness was associated with higher odds of being a co‐use switcher.

Conclusions

We identified heterogeneity in trajectories of co‐use, which suggests that a lack of maturing out of alcohol involvement may be accompanied by increased cannabis use. Moreover, late adolescent personality traits may predispose individuals toward riskier developmental trajectories of substance use into adulthood.
Does reputation matter? Evidence on spatial competition in China's bond market
Authors: Liu Xing , Yang Lingxuan , Liu Yu
Published: August 2022

This study investigates the effect of market competition on the reputational concerns of credit rating agencies (CRAs) in the Chinese bond market. We find credit ratings increase when the market share distance between an incumbent CRA and its closest peer competitor decreases. This spatial competition effect only exists at the provincial level. We also find the market competition deteriorates the ability of ratings to predict future bond defaults, while the correlation between credit ratings and market‐implied credit spreads is unaffected. Our findings suggest that because of the market inefficiency in emerging economies, CRAs privilege current profits over reputational concerns.
Future land use and climate change escalate connectivity loss for Himalayan brown bears
Authors: Dar S. A. , Singh S. K. , Wan H. Y. , Cushman S. A. , Bashir T. , Sathyakumar S.
Published: August 2022

Climate and land use change are among the main drivers affecting virtually all species on earth. There were extensive studies projecting impacts of climate and land use changes on habitat loss and fragmentation but few on connectivity loss, and those that investigated connectivity did not disentangle the combined effects between climate change and land use change. This study uses the Himalayan brown bear (Ursus arctos isabellinus) as a case study to illustrate an approach for disentangling the effects of climate change and human land use on population connectivity in the future. First, we assessed the current spatial pattern of population connectivity by simulating cumulative resistant kernels and factorial least‐cost paths with empirical field data. Then, we simulated the changes in connectivity due to future climate change under alternative emission scenarios (RCP 2.6 and RCP 8.5) in mid (2041–2060) and late (2061–2080) 21st century, which served as baseline scenarios of future connectivity. Finally, we estimated the changes in future connectivity due to human land use changes by adding a low and a high human land use activity scenario to the baseline climate change scenarios in our simulations. Alarmingly, all high emission scenarios, with or without human land use change, were projected to result in >99% reduction in current core areas of connectivity by the end of 21st century at 50th percentile threshold or above. This study demonstrates a spatially explicit scenario modeling approach to examine the interplay between future climate change and human land use on species connectivity. Our results suggest that regional land use regulations may be insufficient to conserve connectivity for HBB if nothing is done to reduce climate change at a global scale.
Non‐contact detection method of pregnant sows backfat thickness based on two‐dimensional images
Authors: Yu Mengyuan , Zheng Hongya , Xu Dihong , Shuai Yonghui , Tian Shanfeng , Cao Tingjin , Zhou Mingyan , Zhu Yuhua , Zhao Shuhong , Li Xuan
Published: August 2022

Since sow backfat thickness (BFT) is highly correlated with its service life and reproductive effectiveness, dynamic monitoring of BFT is a critical component of large‐scale sow farm productivity. Existing contact measures of sow BFT have their problems including, high measurement intensity and sows' stress reaction, low biological safety, and difficulty in meeting the requirements for multiple measurements. This article presents a two‐dimensional (2D) image‐based approach for determining the BFT of pregnant sows when combined with the backfat growth rate (BGR). The 2D image features of sows extracted by convolutional neural networks (CNN) and the artificially defined phenotypic features of sows such as hip width, hip height, body length, hip height–width ratio, length–width ratio, and waist–hip ratio, were used respectively, combined with BGR, to construct a prediction model for sow BFT using support vector regression (SVR). Following testing and comparison, it was shown that using CNN to extract features from images could effectively replace artificially defined features, BGR contributed to the model's accuracy improvement. The CNN‐BGR‐SVR model performed the best, with R2 of 0.72 and mean absolute error of 1.21 mm, and root mean square error of 1.50 mm, and mean absolute percentage error of 7.57%. The results demonstrated that the CNN‐BGR‐SVR model based on 2D images was capable of detecting sow BFT, establishing a new reference for non‐contact sow BFT detection technology.
Pregnancy imparts distinct systemic adaptive immune function
Authors: Demery‐Poulos Catherine , Romero Roberto , Xu Yi , Arenas‐Hernandez Marcia , Miller Derek , Tao Li , Galaz Jose , Farias‐Jofre Marcelo , Bhatti Gaurav , Garcia‐Flores Valeria , Seyerle Megan , Tarca Adi L. , Gomez‐Lopez Nardhy
Published: August 2022

Problem

Pregnancy represents a state of systemic immune activation that is primarily driven by alterations in circulating innate immune cells. Recent studies have suggested that cellular adaptive immune components, T cells and B cells, also undergo changes throughout gestation. However, the phenotypes and functions of such adaptive immune cells are poorly understood. Herein, we utilized high‐dimensional flow cytometry and functional assays to characterize T‐cell and B‐cell responses in pregnant and non‐pregnant women.

Methods

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from pregnant (n = 20) and non‐pregnant (n = 25) women were used for phenotyping of T‐cell and B‐cell subsets. T‐cell proliferation and B‐cell activation were assessed by flow cytometry after in vitro stimulation, and lymphocyte cytotoxicity was evaluated by using a cell‐based assay. Statistical comparisons were performed with linear mixed‐effects models.

Results

Pregnancy was associated with modestly enhanced basal activation of peripheral CD4+ T cells. Both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from pregnant women showed increased activation‐induced proliferation; yet, a reduced proportion of these cells expressed activation markers compared to non‐pregnant women. There were no differences in peripheral lymphocyte cytotoxicity between study groups. A greater proportion of B cells from pregnant women displayed memory‐like and activated phenotypes, and such cells exhibited higher activation following stimulation.

Conclusion

Maternal circulating T cells and B cells display distinct responses during pregnancy. The former may reflect the unique capacity of T cells to respond to potential threats without undergoing aberrant activation, thereby preventing systemic inflammatory responses that can lead to adverse perinatal consequences.
Molecular networks in atopic mothers impact the risk of infant atopy
Authors: Schedel Michaela , Leach Sonia M. , Strand Matthew J. , Danhorn Thomas , MacBeth Morgan , Faino Anna V. , Lynch Anne M. , Winn Virginia D. , Munoz Lindsay L. , Forsberg Shannon M. , Schwartz David A. , Gelfand Erwin W. , Hauk Pia J.
Published: August 2022

Background

The prevalence of atopic diseases has increased with atopic dermatitis (AD) as the earliest manifestation. We assessed if molecular risk factors in atopic mothers influence their infants' susceptibility to an atopic disease.

Methods

Pregnant women and their infants with (n = 174, high‐risk) or without (n = 126, low‐risk) parental atopy were enrolled in a prospective birth cohort. Global differentially methylated regions (DMRs) were determined in atopic (n = 92) and non‐atopic (n = 82) mothers. Principal component analysis was used to predict atopy risk in children dependent on maternal atopy. Genome‐wide transcriptomic analyses were performed in paired atopic (n = 20) and non‐atopic (n = 15) mothers and cord blood. Integrative genomic analyses were conducted to define methylation–gene expression relationships.

Results

Atopic dermatitis was more prevalent in high‐risk compared to low‐risk children by age 2. Differential methylation analyses identified 165 DMRs distinguishing atopic from non‐atopic mothers. Inclusion of DMRs in addition to maternal atopy significantly increased the odds ratio to develop AD in children from 2.56 to 4.26. In atopic compared to non‐atopic mothers, 139 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified significantly enriched of genes within the interferon signaling pathway. Expression quantitative trait methylation analyses dependent on maternal atopy identified 29 DEGs controlled by 136 trans‐acting methylation marks, some located near transcription factors. Differential expression for the same nine genes, including MX1 and IFI6 within the interferon pathway, was identified in atopic and non‐atopic mothers and high‐risk and low‐risk children.

Conclusion

These data suggest that in utero epigenetic and transcriptomic mechanisms predominantly involving the interferon pathway may impact and predict the development of infant atopy.
Early life exposures and development of allergic disease in infants with familial risk: Results from ongoing probiotic intervention trials
Authors: Puisto Reetta , Turta Olli , Rautava Samuli , Isolauri Erika
Published: August 2022

Aim

We search revision of risk determinants of the ongoing allergy epidemic.

Methods

Children numbering 433 born to mothers with allergic disease or sensitisation were selected from the three ongoing probiotic intervention trials for this case–control study. Children who developed atopic eczema or food allergy, had positive skinprick test results or had been prescribed inhaled corticosteroids by the age of 2 years were identified as cases (n = 231), while children without allergic manifestations were the healthy controls (n = 202). The data on early environmental exposures were collected from prospectively documented study records. The statistical analyses were adjusted for potential confounders.

Results

Determinants associated with the increased risk of atopic eczema were lower maternal prepregnancy BMI (aOR 0.15, 95% CI: 0.037–0.54) and maternal intrapartum antibiotic treatment (aOR 2.21, 95% CI 1.20–4.10), the latter also linked to obstructive respiratory symptoms (aOR 3.87, 95% CI 1.07–14.06). The risk of allergic sensitisation was associated with lower maternal prepegnancy BMI (aOR 0.18, 95% CI 0.43–0.79) and intrapartum antibiotic treatment (aOR 2.13, 95% CI 1.07–4.22).

Conclusion

Based on our demonstrations, interventions such as personalised diets, can be optimised for specific subgroups and definite risk periods.
Monitoring kidney size to interpret MRI‐based assessment of renal oxygenation in acute pathophysiological scenarios
Authors: Cantow Kathleen , Gladytz Thomas , Millward Jason M. , Waiczies Sonia , Niendorf Thoralf , Seeliger Erdmann
Published: August 2022

Aim

Tissue hypoxia is an early key feature of acute kidney injury. Assessment of renal oxygenation using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) markers T2 and T2* enables insights into renal pathophysiology. This assessment can be confounded by changes in the blood and tubular volume fractions, occurring upon pathological insults. These changes are mirrored by changes in kidney size (KS). Here, we used dynamic MRI to monitor KS for physiological interpretation of T2* and T2 changes in acute pathophysiological scenarios.

Methods

KS was determined from T2*, T2 mapping in rats. Six interventions that acutely alter renal tissue oxygenation were performed directly within the scanner, including interventions that change the blood and/or tubular volume. A biophysical model was used to estimate changes in O2 saturation of hemoglobin from changes in T2* and KS.

Results

Upon aortic occlusion KS decreased; this correlated with a decrease in T2*, T2. Upon renal vein occlusion KS increased; this negatively correlated with a decrease in T2*, T2. Upon simultaneous occlusion of both vessels KS remained unchanged; there was no correlation with decreased T2*, T2. Hypoxemia induced mild reductions in KS and T2*, T2. Administration of an X‐ray contrast medium induced sustained KS increase, with an initial increase in T2*, T2 followed by a decrease. Furosemide caused T2*, T2 elevation and a minor increase in KS. Model calculations yielded physiologically plausible calibration ratios for T2*.

Conclusion

Monitoring KS allows physiological interpretation of acute renal oxygenation changes obtained by T2*, T2. KS monitoring should accompany MRI‐oximetry, for new insights into renal pathophysiology and swift translation into human studies.
Extrahepatic morbidities and mortality of NAFLD: an umbrella review of meta‐analyses
Authors: Yi Mengshi , Peng Wei , Feng Xi , Teng Fei , Tang Youyin , Kong Qingyan , Chen Zheyu
Published: August 2022

Background

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has reached pandemic proportions currently and may contribute to multiple extrahepatic outcomes.

Aim

To comprehensively summarise evidence of associations between NAFLD and risk of extrahepatic outcomes.

Methods

We conducted an umbrella review. We searched PubMed, Web of Science and Cochrane database from inception to 27 November 2021.

Results

We included 22 meta‐analyses with 374 original studies in our analysis. Subjects with NAFLD had an increased risk of mortality, multiple cardiovascular complications, extrahepatic cancers, diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD) than those without NAFLD. Excess risks of several other extrahepatic outcomes including hypothyroidism, urolithiasis, gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease, gallstones, depression and worse maternal and foetal outcomes were also observed in this population. However, associations were not significant for prostate cancer, female organ genital cancer, haematological cancer, diabetic retinopathy or osteoporotic fracture. The risks of CVD, diabetes and CKD were similar in obese and non‐obese patients. Most associations were heterogeneous across regions; significantly, Europeans with NAFLD were more prone to all‐cause mortality than North Americans. The certainty of evidence was graded from only very low to moderate as all included studies were observational.

Conclusions

Patients with NAFLD are at heightened risk of extrahepatic outcomes. However, the certainty of evidence is only from very low to moderate. Further studies at low risk of bias are required to support the evidence and elucidate any causal associations.
Accounting for the decline in homeownership among the young
Authors: Yao Yuxi
Published: August 2022

This paper documents that the drop in young homeownership is more persistent among non‐college graduates compared to college graduates: while some college graduates postpone home purchasing, non‐college graduates are likely to remain long‐term renters. I develop a model showing that the combination of rising college share and a widening education‐driven income gap accounts for the delayed purchasing of college graduates and the lack of purchasing among non‐college graduates. Exploiting cross‐city variation, I verify the implications of the model and show that the mechanism can quantitatively account for the diverging ownership decisions between the two education groups from 1980 to 2019.
Fine‐needle biopsy with 19G needle is effective in combination with endoscopic ultrasound‐guided tissue acquisition for genomic profiling of unresectable pancreatic cancer
Authors: Ikeda Go , Hijioka Susumu , Nagashio Yoshikuni , Maruki Yuta , Ohba Akihiro , Hisada Yuya , Yoshinari Motohiro , Harai Shota , Kitamura Hidetoshi , Koga Takehiko , Murashima Yumi , Maehara Kosuke , Okada Mao , Yamashige Daiki , Okamoto Kohei , Hara Hidenobu , Hagiwara Yuya , Agarie Daiki , Takasaki Tetsuro , Takeshita Kotaro , Kawasaki Yuki , Kondo Shunsuke , Morizane Chigusa , Ueno Hideki , Hiraoka Nobuyoshi , Yatabe Yasushi , Saito Yutaka , Iwakiri Katsuhiko , Okusaka Takuji
Published: August 2022

Objectives

Comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) has been approved in Japan since June 2019, enabling mutation‐specific therapy. Although tissue sampling via endoscopic ultrasound‐guided tissue acquisition (EUS‐TA) is standard in pancreatic cancer, reports on obtaining appropriate samples for CGP, especially for the OncoGuide NCC Oncopanel System (NOP) and FoundationOne CDx (FOne), are lacking. Therefore, we investigated the success rate and factors related to appropriate EUS‐TA sampling for CGP analysis suitability in unresectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (UR‐PDAC).

Methods

Participants comprised 150 UR‐PDAC patients who underwent EUS‐TA and tumor sample evaluation for CGP analysis suitability between June 2019 and December 2021. The proportion of patients meeting the criteria was evaluated considering tumor size, puncture lesion, presence of metastasis, type and size of puncture needle, suction method, number of punctures, and puncture route.

Results

In total, 39.2% (60/153) of samples met NOP analysis suitability criteria and 0% met FOne analysis suitability criteria. The suitability rate was significantly higher with 19G fine‐needle biopsy (FNB) (56.0%; 42/75) than with 22G FNB (32.6%; 14/43) and 22G fine‐needle aspiration (11.4%; 4/35). Nineteen‐gauge needle (odds ratio [OR] 2.53; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.15–5.57; P = 0.021) and FNB (OR 3.57; 95% CI 1.05–12.20; P = 0.041) were independent factors contributing to NOP analysis suitability. Among 30 patients who underwent actual NOP analysis, the analysis success rate was 100% (30/30).

Conclusion

In sample collection via EUS‐TA, 19G and FNB needles contribute to NOP analysis suitability.
The granular nature of emerging market economies: The case of Kazakhstan
Authors: Konings Jozef , Sagyndykova Galiya , Subramanian Venkat , Volckaert Astrid
Published: August 2022

This paper analyzes the granularity hypothesis in a large emerging economy, Kazakhstan. We use a new longitudinal dataset at the firm level and at quarterly frequency between 2012 and 2018 to document the size distribution of firms and to provide evidence that it follows a power law. We find that the largest 30 firms explain nearly 80 percent of the growth in aggregate total factor productivity. This confirms earlier research for the U.S. and other developed countries. However, the granular nature of the Kazakh economy is even more outspoken than in other countries. Thus idiosyncratic shocks and the way they ripple through the production network matter to understand changes in aggregate productivity growth. Moreover, since these granular firms are concentrated in the oil industry it exposes the vulnerability of the economy more to unexpected shocks in one industry in particular.
Detection of Phytophthora cinnamomi on declining Araucaria araucana forests
Authors: Sanfuentes Eugenio , González Mariela , Castillo Miguel , Rubilar Rafael , Besoain Ximena , Sanhueza Claudia , Smith Milena
Published: August 2022

Since 2016, crown death and mortality of Araucaria araucana trees have been observed at different localities of the Nahuelbuta Coastal Range, Chile. The objective of this study was to determine the presence of Phytophthora spp. in the rhizosphere of A. araucana trees that may explain its decline. Samples of soil rhizosphere were collected from trees with crown death as well as from asymptomatic trees at two visually contrasting severity areas. Phytophthora detection from soil samples was carried out using leaf bait technique, and isolates were identified by morphology and molecular methods. Recovered Phytophthora isolates were used in pathogenicity tests with A. araucana plants. From rhizosphere soil samples of 30 A. araucana trees, 56 isolates of Phytophthora cinnamomi were obtained. Isolations were more frequent in the rhizosphere of trees with severe crown symptoms and originated exclusively from the selected area showing severe crown symptoms. Plant stem inoculation with P. cinnamomi isolates caused 100% mortality; however, through root infestation, mortality was variable depending on the specific isolate. These results are the first report of the pathogenicity of P.cinnamomi A2 in natural forests of A. araucana in Chile.
Clomiphene citrate treatment during perinatal development alters adult partner preference, mating behaviour and androgen receptor and vasopressin in the male mandarin vole Microtus mandarinus
Authors: He Fengqin , Yan Bingjie , Tian Zhen , Wang Bo , Cheng Xiaoxia , Wang Zijian , Yu Bing
Published: August 2022

During development, many aspects of behaviour, including partner preferences and sexual behaviour, are “organized” by neural aromatization of androgen and oestrogen. This study aimed to analyse these processes in the mandarin vole (Microtus mandarinus); this is a novel mammalian model exhibiting strong monogamous pair bonds. Male pups were treated daily with a sesame oil only (MC) or the oestrogen receptor blocker‐clomiphene citrate sesame oil mixture (MT) from prenatal day 14 to postnatal day 10. Female pups were treated daily with sesame oil only (FC). Partner preferences, sexual behaviour, and the expression of androgen receptor (AR) and arginine vasopressin (AVP) were examined when animals were 3 months old. The MT and FC groups exhibited male‐directed partner preferences and feminized behaviour. AR‐immunoreactive neurons (AR‐IRs) in the medial preoptic area (mPOA), bed nucleus of stria terminalis (BNST), and medial amygdaloid nucleus (MeA) were reduced in MT males compared to MC males, and there was no significant difference in the number of AR‐IRs between MT males and FC females. AVP‐immunoreactive neurons (AVP‐IRs) in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and supraoptic nucleus (SON) were reduced in MT males compared to MC males, and there were no significant differences in the number of AVP‐IRs between MT males and FC females. The results indicate a significant role of hormone signalling in the development of male mate preference in the novel monogamous mammal model.
Implications of large‐scale miscanthus cultivation in water protection areas: A Life Cycle Assessment with model coupling for improved policy support
Authors: Weik Jan , Lask Jan , Petig Eckart , Seeger Stefan , Marting Vidaurre Nirvana , Wagner Moritz , Weiler Markus , Bahrs Enno , Lewandowski Iris , Angenendt Elisabeth
Published: August 2022

Two major global challenges related to agriculture are climate change and the unbalanced nitrogen cycle. For both, national and international reduction targets have been defined to catalyse policy support for more sustainable farming systems. Miscanthus cultivation in water protection areas has been proposed as a contribution to achieving these targets. However, a thorough understanding of the underlying system dynamics at various spatial levels is required before recommendations for policy development can be provided. In this study, a model framework was established to provide economic and environmental indicator results at regional and sub‐regional levels. It presents a consequential Life Cycle Assessment coupled with an agro‐economic supply model (Economic Farm Emission Model) that simulates crop and livestock production, and an agricultural hydrology model (DAISY) that assesses effects on the nitrogen cycle. The framework is applied to Baden‐Württemberg, a federal state in southwest Germany with eight agro‐ecological regions. Scenarios investigating the differences between mandatory and voluntary miscanthus cultivation were also explored. While the results show the high potential of miscanthus cultivation for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (−16% to −724%), the potential to reduce nitrate leaching (−4% to −44%) is compromised in some sub‐regions and scenarios (+4% to +13%) by substantial effects on the crop rotation. Furthermore, the cultivation of miscanthus reduces gross margins in most sub‐regions (−0.1% to −9.6%) and decreases domestic food production (−1% to −50%). However, in regions with low livestock density and high yields, miscanthus cultivation can maintain or increase farmers' income (0.1%–5.8%) and improve environmental protection. The study shows that the heterogeneity of arable land requires a flexible promotion programme for miscanthus. Voluntary cultivation schemes were identified as most suitable to capture sub‐regional differences. Policies should address the demand for miscanthus, for example, support the development of regional value chains, including farmers, water suppliers and the biobased industry.
Species turnover increases ant–trophobiont interaction dissimilarities along a geographical gradient
Authors: Belchior Matheus , Neves Frederico Siqueira , Dáttilo Wesley , Camarota Flávio
Published: August 2022

Despite the recent advances regarding the ecological and evolutionary dynamics of ant–trophobiont mutualistic interactions, understanding their spatial variation remains a challenge. An approach involving species interaction networks is a helpful tool to overcome it because it allows us to compare how different species interact among them.

Here, we assessed how the dissimilarities in the composition of ant–trophobiont relationships (β‐diversity of interactions) of ants and trophobionts change with increasing geographical distance.

For this, we assessed ant–trophobiont interactions in 90 trees along a geographical gradient ranging from 1 to 213 km of distance.

We found that the β‐diversity of ant–trophobiont interactions increased with the geographical distance between two sites. Moreover, we observed that the turnover of interacting species was the main component of the β‐diversity of interactions, increasing with the distance between the sampled sites. Even so, interaction rewiring generated by the reassembly of the interactions between the same species in different sites was low and did not change with increasing geographical distance.

Our findings indicate that the high species turnover between ant–trophobiont interaction networks could be shaped by the low habitat connectivity between vegetation patches and the low mobility and dispersal capacities of mutualistic partners, generating unique interactions over space.
Toward a dimensional model of risk and protective factors influencing children's early cognitive, social, and emotional development during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Hendry Alexandra , Gibson Shannon P. , Davies Catherine , McGillion Michelle , Gonzalez‐Gomez Nayeli
Published: August 2022

Variation in infants’ home environment is implicated in their cognitive and psycho‐social development. The pandemic has intensified variations in home environments through exacerbating socioeconomic inequalities, and increasing psychological stressors for some families. This study investigates the effects of parental (predominantly maternal) mental health, enriching activities and screen use on 280 24‐ to 52‐month‐olds’ executive functions, internalising and externalising problems, and pro‐social behaviour; with socioeconomic status and social support as contextual factors. Our results indicate that aspects of the home environment are differentially associated with children’s cognitive and psycho‐social development. Parents who experienced sustained mental distress during the pandemic tended to report higher child externalising and internalising problems, and executive function difficulties at follow‐up. Children who spent more time engaged in enriching activities with their parents showed stronger executive functions and social competence six months later. Screen use levels during the first year of the pandemic were not associated with outcomes. To mitigate the risk of persistent negative effects for this ‘pandemic generation’ of infants, our study highlights the importance of supporting parents’ mental health. As our results demonstrate the impact of social support on mental health, investing in support services and interventions promoting building support networks are likely to be beneficial.
Controllability is key: Goal pursuit during COVID‐19 and insights for theories of self‐regulation
Authors: Clayton McClure J. Helgi , Cole Scott N.
Published: August 2022

The COVID‐19 pandemic has been an unprecedented public health emergency with wide‐ranging psychological impacts. The resulting uncertainty surrounding employment, finance, and health could impact how individuals think about and pursue their personal goals. Specifically, we anticipated that pandemic‐related goals would be perceived as less controllable, presenting a unique opportunity to test effects of controllability on self‐regulation. We elicited spontaneous self‐regulatory thought (SRT) data for personal goals related and unrelated to COVID‐19, predicting that (A) the relative prevalence of different SRT modes (e.g., dwelling, indulging, mental contrasting) would differ between COVID‐related and unrelated goals; and (B) the typical motivational benefit of mental contrasting (i.e., considering a desired outcome followed by present obstacles) would be attenuated for COVID‐related goals. As anticipated, UK‐resident adults (n = 288) judged COVID‐related goals such as keeping one's family safe to be less controllable compared to unrelated goals, and tended to engage different SRT modes (e.g., higher incidence of dwelling vs. indulging). Mental contrasting occurred equally for both goal types, but when predicting goal commitment, its typical beneficial effect was absent for COVID‐related goals. Results are consistent with the proposition that low subjective control influences both the cognitive processing of goals (i.e., promoting dwelling) and subsequent motivational outcomes. This poses a challenge to current theory, calling for greater emphasis on controllability as a contributing factor in self‐regulation and goal pursuit.
Ecological marginality and recruitment loss in the globally endangered freshwater pearl mussel
Authors: Tamario Carl , Tibblin Petter , Degerman Erik
Published: August 2022

Aim

Ecological marginality is the existence of species/populations in the margins of their ecological niche, where conditions are harsher, and the risk of extinction is more pronounced. In threatened long‐lived species, the disparity between distribution and population demography may provide understanding of how environmental heterogeneity shapes ecological marginality, potential extinction patterns and range shifts. We set out to evaluate this by combining a species distribution model (SDM) with population‐specific demography data.

Location

Sweden, 450,000 km2.

Major Taxa Studied

Freshwater pearl mussel (FPM, Margaritifera margaritifera) and two salmonid fish species.

Methods

A SDM for the mussel was constructed with MaxEnt using salmonid host fish (Salmo trutta plus S. salar) density, extreme low and high temperatures, precipitation, altitude, and clay content as explanatory variables. The output was used to test the ecological marginality hypothesis by evaluating whether lowly predicted populations had higher loss of recruitment. Logistic regression was used to explicitly test the factors involved in recruitment loss.

Results

Host fish density contributed the most (50.3%) to the mussel distribution, followed by lowest temperature the coldest month (34.3%) and altitude (10.3%), while the remaining explanatory variables contributed minimally (<3.3%). Populations with lower SDM scores lacked recruitment to a significantly higher degree. Populations inhabiting areas at low altitude, with lower densities of host fish, and warmer winter temperatures have lost recruitment to a higher degree.

Main Conclusions

We found support for the ecological marginality hypothesis. The patterns indicate that FPM habitat niche may shift northwards over time. Salmonid host fish density seems to be a driving factor for both historical distribution and recent demographic performance. Finally, we emphasize the value of combining SDMs with independent data on population demography as it both lends rigidity to model validation and understanding of how ecological marginality affects species distribution and viability.
Self‐nudging contracts and the positive effects of autonomy—Analyzing the prospect of behavioral self‐management
Authors: Tontrup Stephan , Sprigman Christopher Jon
Published: August 2022

Nudging interventions typically presume some asymmetry of sophistication and power between the choice architect and the nudged. But the nudged need not be relegated to a passive role. We present evidence that individuals have a capacity to counter their biases, and even to use them to their advantage. This capacity for behavioral self‐management (“BSM”) can allow them to act as the choice architects of their future‐self. In our study, we provide participants with the autonomy to choose among a variety of loss‐ and gain‐framed contracts that govern the terms under which they perform a real effort task. The results show that subjects strategically harness their own loss aversion to counter their present bias and significantly improve their performance. The loss‐framed contracts give individuals a tool they can use to self‐nudge. This possibility of self‐nudging should widen our perspective on biases. Biases can cause cognitive error and dampen motivation, but they can also be a valuable tool for individual decision making. And giving subjects the autonomy to choose their favored contract adds to the effectiveness of their BSM strategy. We show that subjects' experience self‐determination utility separate from performance benefits driven by a better adjustment of work tasks to subjects' production functions. To demonstrate the policy relevance of our results, we expand on an application of BSM strategies to retirement savings plans, which we suggest may lift participation and savings rates at no additional cost.
Experimental infection trials with European North Atlantic ranavirus (Iridoviridae) isolated from lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus, L.)
Authors: Scholz Felix , Vendramin Niccolò , Olesen Niels Jørgen , Cuenca Argelia , Moesgaard Iburg Tine , Mirimin Luca , O'Connor Ian , Ruane Neil M. , Rodger Hamish D. , MacCarthy Eugene
Published: August 2022

European North Atlantic ranavirus (ENARV,Iridoviridae), is a ranavirus species recently isolated from lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus, L.), which are used as cleaner fish in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) farming in Northern Europe. This study aimed to investigate (1) the virulence of ENARV isolates from Ireland, Iceland and the Faroe Islands to lumpfish; (2) horizontal transmission between lumpfish; and (3) virulence to Atlantic salmon parr. Lumpfish were challenged in a cohabitation model using intraperitoneally (IP) injected shedders, and naïve cohabitants. IP challenge with isolates from Iceland (1.9 × 107TCID50 ml−1) and the Faroe Islands (5.9 × 107TCID50 ml−1) reduced survival in lumpfish, associated with consistent pathological changes. IP challenge with the Irish strain (8.6 × 105TCID50 ml−1) did not significantly reduce survival in lumpfish, but the lower challenge titre complicated interpretation. Horizontal transmission occurred in all strains tested, but no clinical impact was demonstrated in cohabitants. Salmon parr were challenged by IP injection with the Irish isolate, no virulence or virus replication were demonstrated. A ranavirus qPCR assay, previously validated for fish ranaviruses, was first used to detect ENARV in tissues of both in lumpfish and Atlantic salmon. This study provides the first data on the assessment of virulence of ENARV isolates to lumpfish and salmon, guidelines for the diagnosis of ENARV infection, and poses a basis for further investigations into virulence markers.