bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SMART technologies in older adult care: a scoping review and guide for caregivers
Authors: Rybenská Klára , Knapová Lenka , Janiš Kamil , Kühnová Jitka , Cimler Richard , Elavsky Steriani
Published: May 2024

Purpose

A wide gap exists between the innovation and development of self-monitoring, analysis and reporting technology (SMART) technologies and the actual adoption by older adults or those caring for them. This paper aims to increase awareness of available technologies and describes their suitability for older adults with different needs. SMART technologies are intelligent devices and systems that enable autonomous monitoring of their status, data analysis or direct feedback provision.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a scoping review of SMART technologies used and marketed to older adults or for providing care.

Findings

Five categories of SMART technologies were identified: (1) wearable technologies and smart tools of daily living; (2) noninvasive/unobtrusive technology (i.e. passive technologies monitoring the environment, health and behavior); (3) complex SMART systems; (4) interactive technologies; (5) assistive and rehabilitation devices. Technologies were then linked with needs related to everyday practical tasks (mainly applications supporting autonomous, independent living), social and emotional support, health monitoring/managing and compensatory assistance rehabilitation.

Research limitations/implications

When developing, testing or implementing technologies for older adults, researchers should clearly identify concrete needs these technologies help meet to underscore their usefulness.

Practical implications

Older adults and caregivers should weigh the pros and cons of different technologies and consider the key needs of older adults before investing in any tech solution.

Social implications

SMART technologies meeting older adult needs help support both independent, autonomous life for as long as possible as well as aiding in the transition to assisted or institutionalized care.

Originality/value

This is the first review to explicitly link existing SMART technologies with the concrete needs of older adults, serving as a useful guide for both older adults and caregivers in terms of available technology solutions.
Unlocking employee flourishing in the hospitality industry: role of high-performance work systems, psychological capital and work passion
Authors: Peethambaran Meera , Naim Mohammad Faraz
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The present study investigates the relationship between high-performance work systems (HPWS) and employee flourishing-at-work (FAW) through psychological capital (PsyCap) and employee work passion (EWP).

Design/methodology/approach

A three-path serial mediation model was constructed to explore the proposed relationships. The hypotheses were empirically tested using SPSS 25 and AMOS 21.0. The study was conducted in India and included a total of 357 hotel employees as participants.

Findings

The study revealed that PsyCap and EWP were significant independent mediators between HPWS and FAW. Moreover, PsyCap and EWP were identified as serial mediators in the relationship between HPWS and FAW. Additionally, a direct relationship between HPWS and FAW was also found.

Practical implications

Implementing HPWS in hospitality organizations can foster PsyCap of the employees and foster EWP among their workforce. This approach not only increases the organization's competitive advantage but also enhances employees' holistic well-being, i.e. FAW.

Originality/value

This study marks a pioneering effort to establish a distinct relationship between HPWS and FAW. Moreover, the study introduces an innovative approach by employing EWP to delve into the influence of both HPWS and PsyCap on FAW.
Glorifying and scapegoating narratives underlying activity-based workspaces in higher education
Authors: Nooij Bernadette , van Teunenbroek Claire , Teelken Christine , Veenswijk Marcel
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Our study centered on activity-based workspaces (ABWs), unassigned open-plan configurations where users’ activities determine the workplace. These workspaces are conceived and shaped by accommodation professionals (APs) like managers and architects and are loaded with their ideas, ideals, norms and values; therefore, they are normative and hegemonic. Previous research has largely failed to consider how APs’ spatial conceptions materialize in the workplace. To address this omission, we adopted a narrative approach to study APs’ impact during the conceptualization stage.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected via a 10-year at-home ethnographic study at a Dutch university, including observations, interviews, documents and reports. Studying the researchers’ organization allowed for a longitudinal research approach and participative observations. The data focused on the narrative techniques of APs when establishing an ABW.

Findings

In introducing ABWs, APs resorted to two principal narrative strategies. Firstly, the ABW concept was lauded as a solution to a host of existing problems. Yet, in the face of shortcomings, lecturers were often blamed.

Originality/value

Despite the considerable influence of APs on both the physical layout of workspaces and the nature of academic labor, there is little insight into their conceptions of the academic workspace. Our research contributes a novel perspective by revealing how APs’ workspace conceptions drive the narratives that underpin the roll-out of ABWs and how they construct narratives of success and failure.
Promoting historical empathy with a local history research project about the pandemic
Authors: Perrotta Katherine , Cross Katlynn
Published: May 2024

Purpose

We examined how high school students demonstrated historical empathy through conducting local history place-based research to create an exhibit and companion book about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their community. The majority of existing historical empathy scholarship focuses on classroom-based inquiry of historical events, people and time periods. We contend that broader examination of how historical empathy can be promoted beyond school-based instruction can contribute to the field by examining how student analyses of historical contexts and perspectives, and making affective connections to historical topics of study are needed when engaging in placed-based local history projects.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative case study methodology was implemented for this study. A Likert-scale survey with a questionnaire was distributed to 30 high school study participants. Thirteen students gave follow-up interviews. Students’ responses on the surveys, interviews and questionnaires were organized into three categories that aligned to the theoretical framework – identification of historical contexts of the sources that students collected, analysis of how contexts shaped the perspectives expressed in the collected sources and expression of reasoned connections between the students’ emotions and experiences during the pandemic. A rubric was used to examine how students’ writing samples and reflections reflected demonstration of historical empathy.

Findings

Students responded that their local history research about the pandemic contributed to their displays of historical empathy. Students displayed weaker evidence of historical empathy while examining archival resources to explain the historical contexts of the pandemic. Student demonstration of historical empathy was stronger when analyzing community-sourced documents for perspectives and making reasoned affective connections to what they learned about the historical significance of the pandemic. The place-based aspects of this project were strongly connected to the students’ engagement in historical empathy because the sources they analyzed were relevant to their experiences and identities as citizens in their community.

Originality/value

Documenting the diverse human experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic is crucial to preserving the history of this extraordinary time. Every person around the globe experienced the pandemic differently, hence riding out the same storm in different boats. At some point, the pandemic will appear in historical narratives of the social studies curriculum. Therefore, now is an opportune time to ascertain whether place-based local history research about the contexts, perspectives and experiences of community members and children themselves, during the pandemic can foster historical empathy.
Environmental sustainability and government health expenditure in Africa: is there a nexus?
Authors: Yakubu Ibrahim Nandom , Musah Alhassan , Aminu Danaa Issah
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This study aims to explore the impact of environmental sustainability on government health expenditure in Africa for the period 2000–2021.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employs the generalized method of moments (GMM) technique and utilizes a sample of 43 African countries.

Findings

The study reveals that carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and renewable energy consumption have a positive relationship with health expenditure. For the control factors, we demonstrate that economic growth, urbanization and industrialization have a significant negative influence on health expenditure, while the impact of education on health expenditure is positive.

Practical implications

The study proposes several policy recommendations, including prioritizing investment in renewable energy sources and promoting the use of cleaner energy sources such as wind, solar and hydroelectric power. These measures would help improve environmental quality and reduce government health expenditure.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the limited research on the relationship between environmental quality and health expenditure in Africa. Moreover, it goes beyond previous studies that only considered CO2 emissions and explores the impact of adopting cleaner energy sources on health expenditure.
Fitness effects of symbiotic relationships between arthropod predators: Synergy in a three‐way spider symbiosis
Authors: Peng Po , Stuart‐Fox Devi , Su Yong‐Chao , Baba Yuki G. , Elgar Mark A.
Published: May 2024

Symbiotic relationships shape ecological communities and often involve more than two species. Yet few experimental studies examine the impact of symbioses involving three species, particularly any mediating role of third parties, and none involving symbioses of predators.

We investigated experimentally the synergistic and antagonistic fitness effects of three symbiotic spider predators across a broad latitudinal range and involving different species combinations.

The three‐dimensional web complex of Cyrtophora spiders is a habitat patch to different associates—species of Argyrodes and web‐building Leucauge spider guests. Our field experiments, which manipulated the presence of each guest species and determined the subsequent host weight change, revealed a remarkable consistency in fitness outcomes across the three populations, with the consequences of the interactions between two species depending upon the services provided by a third.

Cyrtophora hosts intercepted more prey when web‐building Leucauge guests were present and thus gained more weight. In contrast, Argyrodes guests exerted a fitness cost on their Cyrtophora host, but only when Leucauge guests were absent. A comparison of the prey consumed by Cyrtophora hosts and Argyrodes guests revealed that their diets (reflected in the size of prey) overlapped less in the presence of Leucauge web‐building guests.

Our novel experimental study highlights the importance of exploring synergistic effects in multi‐species symbioses.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Range‐wide intraspecific variation reflects past adaptation to climate in a gypsophile Mediterranean shrub
Authors: Blanco‐Sánchez Mario , Ramírez‐Valiente José Alberto , Ramos‐Muñoz Marina , Pías Beatriz , Franks Steven J. , Escudero Adrián , Matesanz Silvia
Published: May 2024

Phenotypic differences among populations stem from the interaction between neutral and adaptive processes, and phenotypic plasticity. Although clinal trait variation along climatic gradients often evolves in widely distributed species, it is unknown whether substrate specialization, such as that of Mediterranean gypsum plants, has constrained adaptation to climate.

Using a common garden experiment with two contrasting watering treatments, we quantified phenotypic plasticity, assessed evidence for footprints of selection using FST – QST comparisons, and evaluated the ecological factors driving genetically based phenotypic differentiation of 11 populations encompassing the full environmental range of the gypsum shrub Lepidium subulatum.

We found evidence for genetic differentiation among populations related to climatic differences, with populations from warmer and drier sites showing lower specific leaf area and leaf N, earlier phenology, greater water use efficiency and greater fitness. Multiple lines of evidence suggest that this differentiation was driven by past divergent selection rather than neutral processes. All populations showed high phenotypic plasticity, indicating that plasticity has not been selected against, even in populations from sites with harsher climatic conditions.

Synthesis. Our results indicate that despite strong substrate specialization, adaptive differentiation related to climatic gradients occurs in this species. However, we also found that populations from mesic sites may be particularly vulnerable to future climate change given their relatively lower fitness under both wet and dry conditions.
Australian Pioneers in Health Economics: The Origins of Medicare
Authors: Williams Ross
Published: May 2024

Medicare is now 40 years old, but the blueprint was developed in the 1960s by John Deeble and Richard Scotton working at the Melbourne Institute. Starting with a desire to understand the Australian health system of the early1960s, Deeble and Scotton collected much information and data on the provision of health services and their financing. This led them to be highly critical of the health system and, in response to a challenge from the Labor leader, Gough Whitlam, the development of a new system which we now know as Medicare.
Technology to the Rescue: Shifting to a Predict–Prevent Model for Sustainable Healthcare
Authors: Sullivan Clair M.
Published: May 2024

The traditional break–fix model of healthcare, characterised by reactive interventions after the onset of diseases, is undergoing a significant transformation globally, including in Australia. This is occurring at the same time that revolutionary technologies such as artificial intelligence and precision prevention of disease are emerging. This article explores the imperative to transition from our current break–fix model of health care towards a predict–prevent model, emphasising proactive healthcare strategies underpinned by technology.
The view of freedom that shaped the Swedish welfare state
Authors: Reinikainen Jouni
Published: May 2024

The paper contributes to the debate of the Swedish welfare state by re‐examining the view of freedom underlying the design of this welfare model. The point of departure is two interpretations by Bo Rothstein and Henrik Berggren and Lars Trägårdh, which both describe advancement of individual autonomy as the ultimate point of the model. The paper argues that these readings are overly liberal in the sense that they exaggerate the importance of individualism and autonomy. The view of freedom that shaped the Swedish welfare state was not liberal, and individual autonomy was not the overriding goal for the founders of the model. Instead, the view is best described as quasi‐republican and nondomination based. It was mostly a result of semi‐Marxist ideas about capitalist power and exploitation that lingered on in the ideology of the Swedish social democratic party, the SAP, in the 1930s and 1940s. During the first decades of the 1900s, the SAP gradually revised these ideas in a domination‐based direction. It was the outcome of this process that more than anything else gave the impetus to the design of the Swedish welfare state.
Regulatory mechanism and expression level of PRPS2 in lung cancer
Authors: Meng Ying , Zhang Hua , Xu Mingling , Chen Zhenzhen , Wei Lei
Published: May 2024

Background

Lung cancer, with high morbidity and mortality, is the commonest respiratory system neoplasm, which seriously endangers the life safety of patients. In this study, the effect of PRPS2 on cell progression was preliminarily investigated.

Methods

Immunohistochemical staining, western blot and reverse transcription‐quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR) were performed to verify the expression level of PRPS2 in lung cancer. Lung cancer cell lines with stable downregulation of PRPS2 were constructed in A549 cells and NCIH460 cells. The function of PRPS2 silencing on the proliferation ability was verified by the EdU and cell colony formation experiment. Scratch and transwell tests were conducted to verify the role of PRPS2 silencing on the migratory and invasive ability of cells. The impact of PRPS2 silencing on cell apoptosis and cell cycle was verified by flow cytometry test. The effects of PRPS2 silencing on apoptosis‐associated proteins were assessed by western blot assay. The function of PRPS2 silencing on tumor growth in vivo was studied through xenograft tumor experiment.

Results

In comparison with normal tissues, PRPS2 was upregulated in lung cancer tissues. PRPS2 knockdown notably hindered the migratory ability, invasive ability and proliferation, but accelerated cell apoptosis. In vivo experiments confirmed that PRPS2 silencing blocked the growth of transplanted tumors.

Conclusion

In lung cancer, PRPS2 silencing suppressed the malignant progression, indicating that PRPS2 might be a novel biomarker for lung cancer treatment and diagnosis.
Enhanced systemic antitumor efficacy of PD‐1/PD‐L1 blockade with immunological response induced by photodynamic therapy
Authors: Sonokawa Takumi , Fujiwara Yukio , Pan Cheng , Komohara Yoshihiro , Usuda Jitsuo
Published: May 2024

Background

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an antitumor therapy and has traditionally been regarded as a localized therapy in itself. However, recent reports have shown that it not only exerts a direct cytotoxic effect on cancer cells but also enhances body's tumor immunity. We hypothesized that the immunological response induced by PDT could potentially enhance the efficacy of programmed death‐1 (PD‐1) / programmed death‐ligand 1 (PD‐L1) blockade.

Methods

The cytotoxic effects of PDT on colon 26 cells were investigated in vitro using the WST assay. We investigated whether the antitumor effect of anti‐PD‐1 antibodies could be amplified by the addition of PDT. We performed combination therapy by randomly allocating tumor‐bearing mice to four treatment groups: control, anti‐PD‐1 antibodies, PDT, and a combination of anti‐PD‐1 antibodies and PDT. To analyze the tumor microenvironment after treatment, the tumors were resected and pathologically evaluated.

Results

The viability rate of colon 26 cells decreased proportionally with the laser dose. In vivo experiments for combined PDT and anti‐PD‐1 antibody treatment, combination therapy showed an enhanced antitumor effect compared with the control. Immunohistochemical findings of the tumor microenvironment 10 days after PDT indicated that the number of CD8+ cells, the area of Iba‐1+ cells and the area expressing PD‐L1 were significantly higher in tumors treated with combination therapy than in tumors treated with anti‐PD‐1 antibody alone, PDT alone, or the control.

Conclusions

PDT increased immune cell infiltration into the tumor microenvironment. The immunological response induced by PDT may enhance the efficacy of PD‐1/PD‐L1 blockade.
Evangelicals and global warming
Authors: Defoe Terry F.
Published: May 2024

Evangelicals have long been suspicious of scientific expertise. About 60% of evangelicals, a group which makes up approximately one‐third of the US population, reject climate change. Many evangelicals allow the Bible to take precedence over science. Various non‐scientific factors contribute to this pervasive skepticism. This paper lists several social and cultural factors that contribute to evangelical concerns, including religion, politics, education, and conservative media. The paper ends on a positive note, pointing out that young evangelicals are taking the lead in getting the word out, lobbying climate‐denying politicians and educators, in addition to contacting young people in universities, places of worship, and through social media, sharing information about climate change with their peers, with the clear advantage of being from the same faith community. As a group, evangelicals present a formidable challenge to effectively dealing with global warming, but a few glimmers of hope are beginning to emerge.
The risk for ophthalmological conditions in ulcerative colitis: A population‐based case–control study. Is silica dust‐exposure associated with inflammatory eye disease?
Authors: Makdoumi Karim , Ayoub Lucyn , Bryngelsson Ing‐Liss , Graff Pål , Wiebert Pernilla , Vihlborg Per
Published: May 2024

Purpose

To study the risk for eye diseases in individuals with Ulcerative Colitis (UC), and to assess whether silica dust‐exposure could contribute to the development of inflammatory eye diseases.

Methods

A case–control study was conducted using a patient register processed by the National Board of Health and Welfare (NBHW) and Statistics Sweden. Cases were diagnosed with UC between 2007 and 2016. Matching was done with two random controls having the same age, sex and county of residence, without a systemic inflammatory disease. Using a job‐exposure matrix, cases and controls were assessed for work‐related silica dust exposure. The risk for eye disease was estimated by Cox regression analysis with calculation of Hazard Ratio (HR).

Results

A total of 58 989 individuals were included, comprising 19 663 cases and 39 326 controls. The sex distribution was similar. Overall, individuals with UC had an increased risk for eye disease, specified in ICD 10 chapter VII (H00‐H59) with HR 1.25 (CI 1.20–1.32). The highest HR on block‐level for cases was 1.52 (CI 1.36–1.70), (H15‐H22), which includes episcleritis, keratitis and anterior uveitis. The risk for ocular disease was higher in silica dust‐exposed than non‐exposed with a HR of 1.44 (CI 1.16–1.78) and 1.25 (CI 1.19–1.31), respectively. Among cases, the risk for iridocyclitis (H20) was further elevated by silica dust exposure, with HR of 3.84 (CI 1.64–8.97) in exposed compared to 1.94 (1.57–2.41) in non‐exposed.

Conclusion

UC is associated with an increased risk for eye diseases, including inflammatory conditions. Our findings highlight that silica dust‐exposure may be of importance in the pathogenesis of uveitis.
Asparagine transport through SLC1A5/ASCT2 and SLC38A5/SNAT5 is essential for BCP‐ALL cell survival and a potential therapeutic target
Authors: Taurino Giuseppe , Dander Erica , Chiu Martina , Pozzi Giulia , Maccari Chiara , Starace Rita , Silvestri Daniela , Griffini Erika , Bianchi Massimiliano G. , Carubbi Cecilia , Andreoli Roberta , Mirandola Prisco , Valsecchi Maria Grazia , Rizzari Carmelo , D'Amico Giovanna , Bussolati Ovidio
Published: May 2024

B‐cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (BCP‐ALL) blasts strictly depend on the transport of extra‐cellular asparagine (Asn), yielding a rationale for L‐asparaginase (ASNase) therapy. However, the carriers used by ALL blasts for Asn transport have not been identified yet. Exploiting RS4;11 cells as BCP‐ALL model, we have found that cell Asn is lowered by either silencing or inhibition of the transporters ASCT2 or SNAT5. The inhibitors V‐9302 (for ASCT2) and GluγHA (for SNAT5) markedly lower cell proliferation and, when used together, suppress mTOR activity, induce autophagy and cause a severe nutritional stress, leading to a proliferative arrest and a massive cell death in both the ASNase‐sensitive RS4;11 cells and the relatively ASNase‐insensitive NALM‐6 cells. The cytotoxic effect is not prevented by coculturing leukaemic cells with primary mesenchymal stromal cells. Leukaemic blasts of paediatric ALL patients express ASCT2 and SNAT5 at diagnosis and undergo marked cytotoxicity when exposed to the inhibitors. ASCT2 expression is positively correlated with the minimal residual disease at the end of the induction therapy. In conclusion, ASCT2 and SNAT5 are the carriers exploited by ALL cells to transport Asn, and ASCT2 expression is associated with a lower therapeutic response. ASCT2 may thus represent a novel therapeutic target in BCP‐ALL.
Prevalence of kidney health genetic variants in adults with sickle cell nephropathy
Authors: Ruiz Maria Armila , Zhang Xu , Mansilla M. Adela , Zahr Rima S. , Thomas Christie P. , Smith Richard J. , Gordeuk Victor R. , Saraf Santosh L.
Published: May 2024

The pathophysiology and genetic risk for sickle cell disease (SCD)‐related chronic kidney disease (CKD) are not well understood. In 70 adults with SCD‐related CKD and without APOL1 inherited in a high‐risk pattern, 24 (34%) had pathogenic variants in candidate genes using KidneySeq™. A moderate impact INF2 variant was observed in 20 (29%) patients and those with 3 versus 0–2 pathogenic or moderate impact glomerular genetic variants had higher albuminuria and lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (adjusted p ≤ 0.015). Using a panel of preselected genes implicated in kidney health, we observed several variants in people with sickle cell nephropathy.
Holding the hope? Therapist and client perspectives on long COVID recovery: A Q‐methodology
Authors: Burton‐Fisher William , Gordon Kim
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Long COVID is a global health concern which has debilitating effects on the individual experiencing it. In the United Kingdom, psychological therapies are being offered to people with long COVID, although the evidence for these therapies is yet to be demonstrated. This research aimed to understand how therapists and clients define and understand recovery from long COVID, and use hope theory to interpret the results.

Methods

An online Q‐methodology was employed, where participants sorted a range of statements pertaining to long COVID recovery based on their level of agreement with them. These arranged statements (Q‐sorts) were collated and factor analysed to explore and compare underlying perspectives.

Results

Sixteen participants were recruited for the study, including eleven clients, four IAPT therapists and one therapist working in the broader long COVID pathway. A four‐factor model is reported, including (1) Psychological Pathways to Recovery, (2) Social Context and Agency, (3) Physiological Goals of Recovery and (4) Personal Meaning Making. All IAPT therapists loaded onto the psychological pathways factor, whereas the remaining participants shared more diverse perspectives.

Conclusions

The belief that long COVID recovery was possible, taken as an indicator of hopefulness, was rated highest for Factor 1, Psychological Pathways to Recovery, and Factor 3, Physiological Recovery Goals. This suggested that having a clear definition of recovery, or clear guidance on how to intervene, promoted hopefulness and, theoretically, well‐being. However, clients reported experiences of being invalidated and disbelieved by health professionals, with psychological explanations sometimes being experienced as dismissive and invalidating. Clinical implications and future research directions are discussed.
Liquid–liquid phase separation of microtubule‐binding proteins in the regulation of spindle assembly
Authors: Sun Shuang , Yang Yang , Zhou Jun , Liu Peiwei
Published: May 2024

Cell division is a highly regulated process essential for the accurate segregation of chromosomes. Central to this process is the assembly of a bipolar mitotic spindle, a highly dynamic microtubule (MT)‐based structure responsible for chromosome movement. The nucleation and dynamics of MTs are intricately regulated by MT‐binding proteins. Over the recent years, various MT‐binding proteins have been reported to undergo liquid–liquid phase separation, forming either single‐ or multi‐component condensates on MTs. Herein, we provide a comprehensive summary of the phase separation characteristics of these proteins. We underscore their critical roles in MT nucleation, spindle assembly and kinetochore‐MT attachment during the cell division process. Furthermore, we discuss the current challenges and various remaining unsolved problems, highlights the ongoing research efforts aimed at a deeper understanding of the role of the phase separation process during spindle assembly and orientation. Our review aims to contribute to the collective knowledge in this area and stimulate further investigations that will enhance our comprehension of the intricate mechanisms governing cell division.
The effects of fiscal policy management, candidacy of previous mayors, and illiteracy on mayoral reelection in Brazil
Authors: Lautenschlage Jonatan , Veiga Linda G. , Veiga Francisco J.
Published: May 2024

This study investigates factors influencing the reelection prospects of Brazilian mayors. Analyzing a comprehensive data set spanning 5114 municipalities across four elections reveals that increases in investment and current expenditures before elections pay off at the polls. Moreover, higher average investment expenditures throughout the term enhance reelection chances. The results also indicate that when former term‐limited mayors run against the incumbent, reelection probability diminishes, particularly with higher average investment by the previous mayor. Finally, the level of literacy shapes voter attitudes towards opportunistic fiscal strategies: voters with limited literacy are inclined to reward increases in current expenditures, whereas more educated populations prefer increasing investment.
Host preferences of an invasive specialist herbivore and native predators on chemically defended plants
Authors: Huss Christiana P. , Golan Jonathan E. , Blubaugh Carmen K.
Published: May 2024

Herbivorous insects generally choose host plants that optimize their growth. However, many specialists choose chemically defended host plants that slow their growth, prioritizing protection from natural enemies.

Invasive specialist herbivores may have an added advantage in their non‐native range where they lack co‐evolved specialist natural enemies, in addition to being unpalatable to generalist predators.

Here, we explore the diet preferences of the invasive yellowmargined leaf beetle, Microtheca ochroloma and those of native natural enemies. We measured M. ochroloma preferences among six Brassica cultivars varying in glucosinolate concentrations.

In both field and laboratory experiments, M. ochroloma preferred the relatively less defended host plants, mizuna and Chinese cabbage. M. ochroloma grew quickest on mizuna.

Generalist predators also preferred to eat M. ochroloma larvae that had been fed mizuna in choice trials, yet in the field, predatory insects were least commonly found on mizuna, and most commonly found on plants dominated by native herbivores.

M. ochroloma consumes plants that increase their susceptibility to predators, but predation pressure in the field appears to be generally low. Our results suggest that invasive specialist herbivores may prioritize growth over protection against natural enemies.

Weak top‐down regulation of specialist herbivore invaders might enable them to exploit less‐defended host plants in their novel range that facilitate faster growth and exacerbate crop damage. Invasive pests may be more effectively managed by leveraging plant preferences in the novel host range in trap crop systems.
Isothermal and thermomechanical fatigue crack growth behavior of 316LN stainless steel under load‐ and strain‐controlled modes
Authors: Zheng Yiming , Li Bingbing , Chen Xu
Published: May 2024

Crack growth tests of 316LN stainless steel under load‐controlled and strain‐controlled thermo‐mechanical fatigue (TMF) loadings at the temperature range of 350°C ~ 550°C were conducted. Moreover, the isothermal fatigue (IF) crack growth tests at the maximum temperature of 550°C were performed for comparison. The differences in IF and TMF crack propagation behavior under different loading conditions were thoroughly discussed, and the underlying mechanisms were revealed by a comprehensive characterization of the deformation state of the crack tip region using digital image correlation (DIC) and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) methods. Furthermore, it was found that the EBSD characterization was simply based on a single plane made it difficult to evaluate the complex crack growth behavior. In addition, the limitations of the classical parameter of stress intensity factor under TMF loading were presented.
Effect of nozzle diameter and raster orientation on tensile and fracture behavior of FDM‐PLA specimens under mixed‐mode I/II loading
Authors: Ayatollahi Majid R. , Nabavi‐Kivi Amir , Hosseini Shadi Salamatian , Khosravani Mohammad Reza
Published: May 2024

Fused deposition modeling (FDM) is a material extrusion technique that works by extruding molten filament on a heated platform. In this method, several manufacturing parameters are engaged which affect the mechanical performance of printed parts. In this study, the effects of nozzle diameter on tensile (under two loading rates) and mixed‐mode I/II fracture behavior of printed specimens were examined. The obtained results revealed that testing speed had a minor effect on basic mechanical properties. For instance, ultimate tensile strengths of tensile specimens printed with 1 mm nozzle diameter were 32.56 and 39.71 MPa for test speeds of 1 and 5 mm/min, respectively. Higher nozzle diameters resulted in higher mechanical properties and fracture resistance (e.g., specimens printed with 45/−45° raster angle with 0.4 and 1 mm nozzle diameters indicated fracture loads of 4520 and 5071 N, respectively). Besides, fracture loads were predicted through the equivalent material concept coupled with J‐integral method.
The impact of Covid‐19 on banking groups’ balance sheets in the euro area
Authors: Agoraki Maria‐Eleni K. , Kouretas Georgios P. , Nadal De Simone Francisco
Published: May 2024

Most studies have found that the Covid‐19 pandemic did not negatively impact the euro area banking industry's performance at an aggregate level. This study explores whether this finding still holds using the return on assets of 16 banking groups operating in the euro area and considering bank‐specific factors, idiosyncrasies related to different exposures of their portfolios to the business cycle and weaknesses stemming from underlying structural vulnerabilities. The banking groups are classified into clusters using unsupervised learning techniques. This research contributes to the empirical literature on the determinants of banks’ performance by highlighting the importance of banks’ heterogeneity, notably controlling for differential performance due to asset quality, solvency and business model. In addition, this paper shows that the magnitude of return on assets’ exposure to the business cycle varies across banks and that inflation in the euro area matters only for a subset of them. Importantly, the study sheds some light on the possible reasons for the mixed results in the literature regarding the role of non‐interest income, the T1 capital ratio and inflation. Finally, no significant effects of the Covid‐19 variables on banks’ return on assets are found during the first seven quarters of the pandemic.
Buffering and phenological mismatch: A change of perspective
Authors: Weir Jamie C. , Phillimore Albert B.
Published: May 2024

The potential for climate change to disrupt phenology‐mediated interactions in interaction networks has attracted considerable attention in recent decades. Frequently, studies emphasize the fragility of ephemeral seasonal interactions, and the risks posed by phenological asynchrony. Here, we argue that the fitness consequences of asynchrony in phenological interactions may often be more buffered than is typically acknowledged. We identify three main forms that buffering may take: (i) mechanisms that reduce asynchrony between consumer and resource; (ii) mechanisms that reduce the costs of being asynchronous; and (iii) mechanisms that dampen interannual variance in performance across higher organizational units. Using synchrony between the hatching of winter moth caterpillars and the leafing of their host‐plants as a case study, we identify a wide variety of buffers that reduce the detrimental consequences of phenological asynchrony on caterpillar individuals, populations, and meta‐populations. We follow this by drawing on examples across a breadth of taxa, and demonstrate that these buffering mechanisms may be quite general. We conclude by identifying key gaps in our knowledge of the fitness and demographic consequences of buffering, in the context of phenological mismatch. Buffering has the potential to substantially alter our understanding of the biotic impacts of future climate change—a greater recognition of the contribution of these mechanisms may reveal that many trophic interactions are surprisingly resilient, and also serve to shift research emphasis to those systems with fewer buffers and towards identifying the limits of those buffers.
In situ decrease in rhodolith growth associated with Arctic climate change
Authors: Teichert Sebastian , Reddin Carl J. , Wisshak Max
Published: May 2024

Rhodoliths built by crustose coralline algae (CCA) are ecosystem engineers of global importance. In the Arctic photic zone, their three‐dimensional growth emulates the habitat complexity of coral reefs but with a far slower growth rate, growing at micrometers per year rather than millimeters. While climate change is known to exert various impacts on the CCA's calcite skeleton, including geochemical and structural alterations, field observations of net growth over decade‐long timescales are lacking. Here, we use a temporally explicit model to show that rising ocean temperatures over nearly 100 years were associated with reduced rhodolith growth at different depths in the Arctic. Over the past 90 years, the median growth rate was 85 μm year−1 but each °C increase in summer seawater temperature decreased growth by a mean of 8.9 μm (95% confidence intervals = 1.32–16.60 μm °C−1, p < .05). The decrease was expressed for rhodolith occurrences in 11 and 27 m water depth but not at 46 m, also having the shortest time series (1991–2015). Although increasing temperatures can spur plant growth, we suggest anthropogenic climate change has either exceeded the population thermal optimum for these CCA, or synergistic effects of warming, ocean acidification, and/or increasing turbidity impair rhodolith growth. Rhodoliths built by calcitic CCA are important habitat providers worldwide, so decreased growth would lead to yet another facet of anthropogenic habitat loss.
Biological invasions are a population‐level rather than a species‐level phenomenon
Authors: Haubrock Phillip J. , Soto Ismael , Ahmed Danish A. , Ansari Ali R. , Tarkan Ali Serhan , Kurtul Irmak , Macêdo Rafael L. , Lázaro‐Lobo Adrián , Toutain Mathieu , Parker Ben , Błońska Dagmara , Guareschi Simone , Cano‐Barbacil Carlos , Dominguez Almela Victoria , Andreou Demetra , Moyano Jaime , Akalın Sencer , Kaya Cüneyt , Bayçelebi Esra , Yoğurtçuoğlu Baran , Briski Elizabeta , Aksu Sadi , Emiroğlu Özgür , Mammola Stefano , De Santis Vanessa , Kourantidou Melina , Pincheira‐Donoso Daniel , Britton J. Robert , Kouba Antonín , Dolan Ellen J. , Kirichenko Natalia I. , García‐Berthou Emili , Renault David , Fernandez Romina D. , Yapıcı Sercan , Giannetto Daniela , Nuñez Martin A. , Hudgins Emma J. , Pergl Jan , Milardi Marco , Musolin Dmitrii L. , Cuthbert Ross N.
Published: May 2024

Biological invasions pose a rapidly expanding threat to the persistence, functioning and service provisioning of ecosystems globally, and to socio‐economic interests. The stages of successful invasions are driven by the same mechanism that underlies adaptive changes across species in general—via natural selection on intraspecific variation in traits that influence survival and reproductive performance (i.e., fitness). Surprisingly, however, the rapid progress in the field of invasion science has resulted in a predominance of species‐level approaches (such as deny lists), often irrespective of natural selection theory, local adaptation and other population‐level processes that govern successful invasions. To address these issues, we analyse non‐native species dynamics at the population level by employing a database of European freshwater macroinvertebrate time series, to investigate spreading speed, abundance dynamics and impact assessments among populations. Our findings reveal substantial variability in spreading speed and abundance trends within and between macroinvertebrate species across biogeographic regions, indicating that levels of invasiveness and impact differ markedly. Discrepancies and inconsistencies among species‐level risk screenings and real population‐level data were also identified, highlighting the inherent challenges in accurately assessing population‐level effects through species‐level assessments. In recognition of the importance of population‐level assessments, we urge a shift in invasive species management frameworks, which should account for the dynamics of different populations and their environmental context. Adopting an adaptive, region‐specific and population‐focused approach is imperative, considering the diverse ecological contexts and varying degrees of susceptibility. Such an approach could improve and refine risk assessments while promoting mechanistic understandings of risks and impacts, thereby enabling the development of more effective conservation and management strategies.
Estimated prophylactic dose required to achieve 3% trough as a function of age and concentrate class in multi‐country severe WAPPS‐Hemo haemophilia patients
Authors: Hajducek Dagmar M. , Chelle Pierre , Iorio Alfonso , Iserman Emma , Edginton Andrea N.
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Web‐Accessible Population–Pharmacokinetic Service–Haemophilia (WAPPS‐Hemo) data are available to study factor‐concentrate usage, defined as the required weekly dose to achieve a 3% trough (WD3T), across standard and extended half‐life (SHL/EHL) products.

Aim

To provide baseline usage data including (i) differences across plasma‐derived (pdSHL) versus recombinant (rSHL) products, (ii) SHL versus EHL, and (iii) effect of age and positive inhibitor history.

Methods

PK profiles (n = 14,416 patients, 0.3–85.2 years) and linear mixed effects models were used to estimate usage versus age, controlling for significant factors, using 95% confidence intervals to perform comparisons across all ages and posthoc tests to assess the differences.

Results

Average usage was significantly higher for pdSHL versus rSHL in patients with a positive inhibitor history (PIH; 1.9–2.5 times higher), for SHL versus EHL (4–10 times), and was significantly associated with age.

Conclusion

Baseline usage patterns from 2017 to early 2023 provide a benchmark for assessing the impact of emerging technologies in haemophilia.
Severe haemorrhages leading to a diagnosis of rare bleeding disorder occur at a very young age: A study from the FranceCoag network
Authors: Meunier Sandrine , Harroche Annie , Rauch Antoine , Bally Cécile , Huguenin Yoann , Voltzenlogel Romain , Tabélé Clémence , Chambost Hervé , Balençon Martine ,   FranceCoag
Published: May 2024

Introduction

In the context of severe unexplained haemorrhage (SH), it is usual to seek haematological evaluation and investigate for an inherited rare bleeding disorder (IRBD). In such circumstances, appropriate screen can discriminate between IRBD and suspected child abuse. Yet, little information is available about the frequency of SH in the population of patients with IRBD.

Aim

To collect epidemiologic data about SH and IRBD.

Method

The database of the FranceCoag network has collected information about IRBD since January 2004. Based on data gathered up to 16 March 2022, a retrospective search was conducted for of SH events having occurred before or at the time of IRBD diagnosis. Demographics and diagnosis circumstances were retrieved, as well as information about SH, defined as any life‐threatening bleeding or intracranial haemorrhage.

Results

Among the 13,433 patients of the database, 109 (0.8%) fulfilled inclusion criteria including a known date of IRBD diagnosis, haemophilia A or B (HA/HB) being the most frequent (82.5%). IRBD was discovered as a consequence of an SH event in 82.6% of the cases while CNS was involved in 55%. Severe and moderate HA/HB and other severe IRBD presented significantly more intracranial haemorrhage (p < .02) and a lower age at diagnosis (p = .03).

Conclusions

These data support that any unusual SH should raise a suspicion of IRBD. Particularly before 1‐year of age, it is suggested to first confirm moderate or severe haemophilia and severe IRBD by standard coagulation tests (APTT, PT and fibrinogen), combined with a clotting FXIII assay as first‐line investigation. Subsequent assays of coagulation factors should be performed in the case of abnormal values, in second‐line investigation.
Study on the preparation of SiC–C–t‐ZrO2 composites and its corrosion resistance to crushed after‐used lithium batteries
Authors: Xu Xuxu , Chen Boli , Yang Mengyao , Jang Yuena , Huang Zhaohui , Zheng Xiaohong , Min Xin , Mi Ruiyu , Wu Xiaowen , Tao Tianyi
Published: May 2024

In order to solve the severe erosion of kiln refractories for the high‐temperature treatment used during the process of recovering valuable metal elements from waste lithium batteries, this study investigates the low‐cost, no‐firing preparation technology of erosion‐resistant SiC–C–t‐ZrO2 composites with self‐prepared t‐ZrO2–SiC–C powder, as well as silicon carbide and flake graphite as the main raw materials, and phenolic resin as the binding agent. (1) The effects of different t‐ZrO2–SiC–C powder additions and heat treatment temperatures on the properties of SiC–C–t‐ZrO2 composites were studied in details. (2) The erosion resistance of SiC–C–t‐ZrO2 composites to after‐use lithium battery waste was evaluated using the static crucible method. The mechanical properties of the t‐ZrO2–SiC–C composites was the best that its cold modulus of rupture (CMOR) was 11.37 MPa and cold crush strength (CCS) was 41.96 MPa when heat treatment temperature was 600°C and content of t‐ZrO2–SiC–C powder was 10 wt%. At that condition, the bulk density of samples reached to 3.15 g/cm3 and apparent porosity of it was only at 11.09% which means that the samples designed in this work are compacted enough. In the erosion test, the t‐ZrO2–SiC–C composites had an excellent resistance to erosion of lithium battery waste.
Squamous cell carcinoma of the nail in patients with Fitzpatrick phototypes IV–VI: a systematic review
Authors: Chang Michelle J. , Schwartz Kahn Michelle , Khachemoune Amor
Published: May 2024

Squamous cell carcinoma of the nail unit (nSCC) is a rare malignant tumor of the hand and nail. Although skin cancer rarely affects individuals with phototypes IV–VI, its occurrence in these groups is often associated with greater morbidity and mortality. This study aims to characterize the clinical symptoms, presentations, and treatments of nSCC in patients with darker skin types. A systematic review of PubMed and Embase was performed in May 2023 for all peer‐reviewed, English‐language nSCC studies involving individuals with Fitzpatrick types IV–VI. Most tumors were located on the fingernails (84%), with the right third finger being the most frequently affected (31%). The nail bed (67%) exhibited a higher prevalence than the lateral/proximal nail folds (33%). The duration of symptoms before diagnosis ranged from 1 month to 7 years. nSCC was most commonly treated with Mohs surgery (38%), followed by amputation (35%). Our study was limited to case reports because of a lack of large nSCC studies that provide information on race or images of each patient. These tumors are generally slow‐growing yet often misdiagnosed, leading to delays in presentation and diagnosis. Increased awareness about nSCC in phototype IV–VI individuals will reduce misdiagnoses, unnecessary treatment, and recurrences.