bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Systematic Review of the Association between Sedentary Behavior and Non-Motor Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Khan Aiza , Ezeugwa Joy , Ezeugwu Victor
Published: October 2023

Background

Parkinson’s disease, known for motor symptoms, often brings early non-motor issues that severely affect patients’ quality of life. While there are not many effective treatments, physical activity and exercise can help. Yet, another component of the movement intensity continuum warrants examination—prolonged sitting or sedentary behavior. Thus, aim of this study was to perform a systematic review to investigate the relationship between sedentary behaviour and non-motor symptoms, specifically cognitive decline, depression and sleep deficits in Parkinson’s disease.

Methods

Conforming to PRISMA guidelines, we reviewed the literature up to February 28, 2023, to investigate how sedentary behavior correlates with non-motor symptoms such as cognitive impairment, depression, and sleep disturbances in Parkinson’s disease. A systematic search of the literature was conducted via electronic databases including MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus, PubMed and PsycINFO. The eligibility criteria for study selection was: (i) If it studied the Individuals with Parkinson’s disease with sedentary behaviour(iii) studies investigating the association between sedentary behavior and at least one of the non-motor symptoms, including depression, sleep quality, and/or cognitive impairment. New-castle-Ottawa scale for cross-sectional and cohort studies was used to perform quality assessment of the studies.

Results

Of the 463 publications found, 7 studies met the inclusion criteria. All the studies were observational. Total number of cases across all studies were 980. Collectively, these studies show that prolonged sedentary time is associated with increased cognitive, depressive, and sleep-related problems.

Conclusion

Recognizing sedentary behavior as an independent factor holds pivotal significance. The intricate relationship between sedentary behavior and Parkinson’s disease non-motor symptoms necessitates further exploration to potentially enhance therapeutic strategies for those living with the disease.
Rethinking conceptualizations of adult ADHD and how care is provided: a qualitative study
Authors: Ginapp Callie M. , Greenberg Norman R. , Macdonald-Gagnon Grace , Angarita Gustavo A. , Bold Krysten W. , Potenza Marc N.
Published: October 2023

Background

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common condition that frequently persists into adulthood. Adults with ADHD often have unmet needs including experiencing high rates of substance use disorders, incarceration, and unemployment. Despite having unmet needs, there is little research on how adults with ADHD conceptualize their condition and how they believe the care they receive could be improved. We aimed to better understand what adults with ADHD would like the medical community to know about what it is like to live with ADHD and to characterize possible misconceptions of ADHD they would like to see addressed.

Method

Nine online focus groups involving young adults (aged 18-35 years, N = 43) recruited from online communities for people with ADHD were conducted. Data were analyzed using an interpretive phenomenological analysis framework.

Results

Individually, participants reported wanting increased support, education, and rejection of stigma. Structurally, participants reported desiring ADHD to be reframed as a difference as opposed to a disorder, viewing of ADHD as a mismatch with their environments, and wanting the condition to be viewed through the lens of what it is like to embody the condition.

Conclusions

Incorporating patient-lived experiences into psychiatric diagnoses may increase diagnostic patient-centeredness and help healthcare providers better meet patient needs.
Bail-out transvenous temporary pacing during rotational atherectomy PCI
Authors: Schwarz Konstantin , Mascherbauer Julia , Schmidt Elisabeth , Zirkler Martina , Vock Paul , Lamm Gudrun , Kwok Chun Shing , Borovac Josip Andelo , Mousavi Roya Anahita , Hoppe Uta C. , Leibundgut Gregor , Will Maximilian
Published: October 2023

Background

Rotational atherectomy (RA) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) may cause transient bradycardia or heart block. Traditionally, some operators use prophylactic transvenous pacing wire (TPW) to avoid haemodynamic complications associated with bradycardia. We sought to establish the frequency of bail-out need for emergency TPW insertion in patients undergoing RA PCI that have received no upfront TPW insertion.

Methods

We performed a single-centre retrospective study of all patients undergoing RA PCI between October 2009 and October 2022. Patient characteristics, procedural variables and in-hospital complications were registered.

Results

A total of 331 patients who underwent RA procedure were analyzed. No patients underwent prophylactic TPW insertion. The mean age was 73.3±9.1 years, 71.6% (n=237) were male, while nearly half of patients were diabetic (N=47.7%, N=158). The right coronary artery was the most common target for RA PCI (40.8%), followed by left anterior descending (34.1%), left circumflex (14.8%) and left main stem artery (10.3%). Twenty (6%) of patients required intraprocedural atropine therapy. Emergency TPW insertion was needed in one patient (0.3%) only. Eight (2.4%) patients died, however only one was adjudicated as possibly related to RA-induced bradycardia. Five patients (1.5%) had ventricular fibrillation arrest while nine (2.7%) required cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Six (1.8%) procedures were complicated by coronary perforation, two (0.6%) were complicated by tamponade while 17 (5.1%) patients experienced vascular access complications.

Conclusions

Bail-out transvenous temporary pacing is very rarely required during RA PCI. A standby temporary pacing strategy is reasonable and may avoid unnecessary TPW complications compared to routine use.
Knowledge-guided Deep Temporal Clustering for Alzheimer’s Disease Subtypes in Completed Clinical Trials
Authors: Wang Dulin , Ma Xiaotian , Schulz Paul E. , Jiang Xiaoqian , Kim Yejin
Published: October 2023

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a multifaceted neurodegenerative disorder with varied patient progression. We aim to test the hypothesis that AD patients can be categorized into subgroups based on differences in progression. We leveraged data from three randomized clinical trials (RCTs) to develop a knowledge-guided, deep temporal clustering (KG-DTC) framework for AD subtyping. This model combined autoencoders for contextual information capture, k-means clustering for representation formation, and clinical outcome classification for clinical knowledge integration. The derived representations, encompassing demographics, APOE genotype, cognitive assessments, brain volumes, and biomarkers, were clustered using the Gaussian Mixture Model to identify AD subtypes. Our novel KG-DTC framework was developed using placebo data from 2,087 AD patients across three solanezumab clinical trials (EXPEDITION, EXPEDITION2, and EXPEDITION3), achieving high performance in outcome prediction and clustering. The KG-DTC model demonstrated superior clustering structures, especially when combined with k-means clustering loss. External validation with independent clinical trial data showed consistent clustering results, with a 0.33 silhouette score for three clusters. The model’s stability was confirmed through a leave-one-out approach, with an average adjusted Rand Index around 0.945. Three distinct AD subtypes were identified, each exhibiting unique patterns of cognitive function, neurodegeneration, and amyloid beta levels. Notably, Subtype 3 (S3) showed rapid cognitive decline across multiple clinical measures (e.g., 0.64 in S1 vs. −1.06 in S2 vs. 15.09 in S3 of average ADAS total change score, p<.001). This innovative approach offers promising insights for understanding variability in treatment outcomes and personalizing AD treatment strategies.
DengueSeq: A pan-serotype whole genome amplicon sequencing protocol for dengue virus
Authors: Vogels Chantal B.F. , Hill Verity , Breban Mallery I. , Chaguza Chrispin , Paul Lauren M. , Sodeinde Afeez , Taylor-Salmon Emma , Ott Isabel M. , Petrone Mary E. , Dijk Dennis , Jonges Marcel , Welkers Matthijs R.A. , Locksmith Timothy , Dong Yibo , Tarigopula Namratha , Tekin Omer , Schmedes Sarah , Bunch Sylvia , Cano Natalia , Jaber Rayah , Panzera Charles , Stryker Ian , Vergara Julieta , Zimler Rebecca , Kopp Edgar , Heberlein Lea , Morrison Andrea M. , Michael Scott F. , Grubaugh Nathan D.
Published: October 2023

Background

The increasing burden of dengue virus on public health due to more explosive and frequent outbreaks highlights the need for improved surveillance and control. Genomic surveillance of dengue virus not only provides important insights into the emergence and spread of genetically diverse serotypes and genotypes, but it is also critical to monitor the effectiveness of newly implemented control strategies. Here, we present DengueSeq, an amplicon sequencing protocol, which enables whole-genome sequencing of all four dengue virus serotypes.

Results

We developed primer schemes for the four dengue virus serotypes, which can be combined into a pan-serotype approach. We validated both approaches using genetically diverse virus stocks and clinical specimens that contained a range of virus copies. High genome coverage (>95%) was achieved for all genotypes, except DENV2 (genotype VI) and DENV 4 (genotype IV) sylvatics, with similar performance of the serotype-specific and pan-serotype approaches. The limit of detection to reach 70% coverage was 101-102RNA copies/μL for all four serotypes, which is similar to other commonly used primer schemes. DengueSeq facilitates the sequencing of samples without known serotypes, allows the detection of multiple serotypes in the same sample, and can be used with a variety of library prep kits and sequencing instruments.

Conclusions

DengueSeq was systematically evaluated with virus stocks and clinical specimens spanning the genetic diversity within each of the four dengue virus serotypes. The primer schemes can be plugged into existing amplicon sequencing workflows to facilitate the global need for expanded dengue virus genomic surveillance.
Agricultural loan pricing by banks in Ghana: a panel data analysis
Authors: Dziwornu Raymond K. , Yiadom Eric B. , Narteh-yoe Sampson B.
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The cost of agricultural loans is a major constraint to the growth of the agriculture sector. This paper examines agricultural loan pricing by banks in Ghana using panel data analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were obtained from audited financial reports of 15 agricultural loan lending banks from 2010 to 2017. The study applies the random-effect model and the fixed-effect model in the analysis and uses the system generalized system method of moment to check the robustness of the results from the baseline models.

Findings

The study found that agricultural loan pricing by banks is significantly influenced by risk premium, cost of funds, loan impairment, agricultural growth rate and food inflation. Banks should leverage emerging technologies to de-risk agriculture loan pricing to allay the fear of default. Farmers should look for long-term and relatively cheaper funds to support agricultural loans. Increasing credit to the agricultural sector could increase output, thereby reducing food inflation uncertainty for competitive pricing of agricultural loans.

Originality/value

Agriculture employs about 52% of Ghana's labor force, contributing about 20% to GDP. But it is “under” financed. This study leads the way in unraveling the factors accounting for the high prices of agricultural loans in Ghana. This study further contributes to policy development toward increasing credit to the agricultural sector.
Ayahuasca ceremonies: set and setting features across Italy and Colombia
Authors: Ambrosini Federica , Pariset Laura , Biolcati Roberta
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Ayahuasca ceremonies are currently practiced all over the world. This study aims to investigate ayahuasca ceremonies in Colombia (where ayahuasca use is culturally entrenched) and Italy (where ayahuasca use has only recently spread).

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 32 Italian (53% males; 47% females) and 28 Colombian (79% males; 21% females) ayahuasca ceremony participants completed an online survey. Ceremonial setting and set (motivations for ayahuasca use, ayahuasca perceived effects and features of participants, i.e. drug use and problematic use, interpersonal dependency, spiritual orientation and quality of life) were investigated. Mann–Whitney U test, Pearson’sχ2test and Fisher’s exact test were used to compare the Italian and Colombian samples.

Findings

No differences emerged in the ceremonial setting. Slight differences were observed in motivations for ayahuasca intake and religious beliefs, but not in the preparation for ceremonies, quality of life, interpersonal dependence and spiritual orientation. Italians showed greater use of other psychoactive substances and more drug use problems.

Practical implications

Prevention regarding safer practices of consumption should be promoted to avoid improper uses.

Originality/value

Few studies have explored ayahuasca ceremonies (set and setting characteristics) in countries with different traditions on ayahuasca consumption. The results highlight that the use and experience of ayahuasca can take on different meanings depending on the cultural context.
The customer perception of project value scale: development and validation
Authors: Cândido Da Silva Eduardo André , Bizarrias Flávio Santino , Penha Renato , Silva Luciano Ferreira da , Pedron Cristiane Drebes
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Despite the significant interest from researchers and practitioners, the literature on project value measurement from the perspective of the customer is non-existent. This study aims to address this gap by developing and validating a scale to measure project value through a customer lens called the customer perception of project value scale.

Design/methodology/approach

A list of items was initially generated based on 762 sample responses through a systematic review of the literature and with the participation of specialists. Exploratory and confirmatory factorial analyses and structural equation modelling were used to develop and validate the scale.

Findings

The authors formulated a four-dimension scale. The dimensions used to measure the second-order construct are customer centrality, process, delivery and cost-benefit. This was validated using a nomological structure.

Research limitations/implications

The non-consensual nature of what is value in projects restricts the results of this study to the context of a specific group of stakeholders only, that is, the consumers of the projects. The authors also see limitations in the absence of competing scales, which do not allow the comparison of the instrument with alternative measures.

Practical implications

This study allows project managers and other professionals to measure a project’s perceived value from the customer’s point of view and manage the improvement of this perception.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to propose a scale to measure project value, which advances the literature on project management and value and contributes to academic knowledge and practice by measuring project value from the customer standpoint.
Extrinsic rewards for employee creativity? The role of perceived organisational support, work engagement and intrinsic motivation
Authors: Aldabbas Hazem , Pinnington Ashly , Lahrech Abdelmounaim , Blaique Lama
Published: October 2023

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the relationship between extrinsic rewards and employee creativity through the intervening mechanism of perceived organisational support (POS) and work engagement. The moderating role of intrinsic motivation on the relationship between work engagement and employee creativity is also examined.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors report the results of a survey completed by 372 respondents employed in the United Arab Emirates. Structural equation modelling was applied to test the hypothesised relationships.

Findings

The main findings are that extrinsic rewards influence employee creativity through POS and work engagement. Moreover, the effect of work engagement on employee creativity is moderated by intrinsic motivation. This model effect is stronger for employees with high intrinsic motivation.

Research limitations/implications

Convenience sampling was used, which limits its generalisability. Also, the data were collected through a cross-sectional survey at one point in time.

Practical implications

Managers should consider provision of extrinsic rewards and support to increase employee motivation and engagement in creative work.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the limited amount of available literature on creativity and rewards adding to our knowledge about the influence of extrinsic rewards on creativity considered in the presence of intrinsic motivation. Theoretical and practical recommendations are discussed.
Co-production of social innovations and enabling ecosystems for social enterprises
Authors: Perikangas Sofi , Kostilainen Harri , Kainulainen Sakari
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to show (1) how social innovations are created through co-production in social enterprises in Finland and (2) how enabling ecosystems for the creation of social innovations can be enhanced by the government.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is a descriptive case study. The data comprises focus group interviews that were conducted during a research project in Finland in 2022. The interviewees represented different social enterprises, other non-profit organisations and national funding institutions.

Findings

Social enterprises create social innovations in Finland through co-production, where service innovation processes, activism and networking are central. Also, to build an enabling ecosystem, government must base the system upon certain elements: enabling characteristics of the stakeholders, co-production methods and tools and initiatives by the government.

Originality/value

The authors address an important challenge that social enterprises struggle with: The position of social enterprises in Finland is weak and entrepreneurs experience prejudice from both the direction of “traditional” businesses and the government which often does not recognise social enterprise as a potential partner for public service delivery. Nonetheless, social enterprises create public value by contributing to the co-production of public services. They work in interorganisational networks by nature and can succeed where the traditional public organisations and private businesses fail.
Hydroforming of double-layer Y-shaped tube controlled by a novel backward punch shape
Authors: Feng Ying Ying , Jia Yue , Sun Xiao Qian , Chen Guo Peng , Luo Zong An
Published: October 2023

Purpose

A new backward punch shape was designed and used in the hydroforming process of double-layer Y-shaped tubes to achieve uniform wall thickness. This study focuses on the implementation and effectiveness of this novel punch shape.

Design/methodology/approach

A numerical simulation and experimental validation of the hydroforming process of double-layer Y-shaped tubes under various backward punch, replenishment ratios (left and right feed ratios) and internal pressure loading paths was performed using finite elements. During the hydroforming process, an analysis was made on the distribution of stress, strain and wall thickness in both the inner and outer layers of the Y-shaped conduit.

Findings

The novel backward punch parallel to the main tube has been found to improve the distribution of wall thickness in Y-shaped tubes. By controlling the feeding ratio and modifying the loading path of the internal pressure, it is possible to obtain the optimal forming part of the double-layer Y-shaped tube. The comparison between the simulation and experimental results of the double-layer Y-shaped tube formed under the optimal path indicates that the error is within 5% and the distribution of wall thickness is consistent.

Originality/value

A novel backward punch technique is employed to control the hydroforming process in a Y-shaped tube. A study on hydroforming of double-layer Y-shaped tubes with asymmetric features and challenging forming conditions is being suggested.
A multi-depot pollution routing problem with time windows in e-commerce logistics coordination
Authors: Zhang Mengdi , Chen Aoxiang , Zhao Zhiheng , Huang George Q.
Published: October 2023

Purpose

This research explores mitigating carbon emissions and integrating sustainability in e-commerce logistics by optimizing the multi-depot pollution routing problem with time windows (MDPRPTW). A proposed model contrasts non-collaborative and collaborative decision-making for order assignment among logistics service providers (LSPs), incorporating low-carbon considerations.

Design/methodology/approach

The model is substantiated using improved adaptive large neighborhood search (IALNS), tabu search (TS) and oriented ant colony algorithm (OACA) within the context of e-commerce logistics. For model validation, a normal distribution is employed to generate random demand and inputs, derived from the location and requirements files of LSPs.

Findings

This research validates the efficacy of e-commerce logistics optimization and IALNS, TS and OACA algorithms, especially when demand follows a normal distribution. It establishes that cooperation among LSPs can substantially reduce carbon emissions and costs, emphasizing the importance of integrating sustainability in e-commerce logistics optimization.

Research limitations/implications

This paper proposes a meta-heuristic algorithm to solve the NP-hard problem. Methodologies such as reinforcement learning can be investigated in future work.

Practical implications

This research can help logistics managers understand the status of sustainable and cost-effective logistics operations and provide a basis for optimal decision-making.

Originality/value

This paper describes the complexity of the MDPRPTW model, which addresses both carbon emissions and cost reduction. Detailed information about the algorithm, methodology and computational studies is investigated. The research problem encompasses various practical aspects related to routing optimization in e-commerce logistics, aiming for sustainable development.
Artificial intelligence-based supply chain resilience for improving firm performance in emerging markets
Authors: Mukherjee Subhodeep , Baral Manish Mohan , Nagariya Ramji , Chittipaka Venkataiah , Pal Surya Kant
Published: October 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the firm performance of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by using artificial intelligence-based supply chain resilience strategies. A theoretical framework shows the relationship between artificial intelligence, supply chain resilience strategy and firm performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire is developed to survey the MSMEs of India. A sample size of 307 is considered for the survey. The employees working in MSMEs are targeted responses. The conceptual model developed is tested empirically.

Findings

The study found that eight hypotheses were accepted and two were rejected. There are five mediating variables in the current study. Artificial intelligence, the independent variable, positively affects all five mediators. Then, according to the survey and analysis of the final 307 responses from MSMEs, the mediating variables significantly impact the dependent variable, firm performance.

Research limitations/implications

This study is limited to emerging markets only. Also this study used only cross sectional data collection methods.

Practical implications

This study is essential for supply chain managers and top management willing to adopt the latest technology in their organisation or firmfor a better efficient supply chain process.

Originality/value

This study investigated artificial intelligence-based supply chain resilience for improving firm performance in emerging countries like India. This study tried to fill the research gap in artificial intelligence and supply chain resilience.
Do board and ownership factors affect Chinese companies in reporting sustainability development goals?
Authors: Jiang Yuan , García-Meca Emma , Martinez-Ferrero Jennifer
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Sustainability development goals (SDGs) cannot be achieved without a concerted effort from businesses and other organisations, being the corporate level is one of the keys to the achievement of SDGs. This study aims to explore the relationship between firms' adoption of SDG reporting in China and two main corporate-level factors, namely, board characteristics and ownership factors. Also, this study aims to determine which set of drivers – those related to board or ownership factors – exerts a greater influence on this reporting.

Design/methodology/approach

This research examines the impact of ownership and board-level factors on the SDG reporting of Chinese firms in the period 2016–2018, with a final sample of 455 firm-year observations operating in 11 activity sectors.

Findings

The results support the following: firstly, that board independence and size and the existence of a corporate social responsibility (CSR) committee favours firms addressing SDGs in their sustainability reporting while greater levels of foreign or institutional ownership are negatively related to a company's adoption of SDG reporting; secondly, two-stage logit regression results revealed that board-level factors exert greater explanatory power in the prediction of this reporting and have bigger weights in affecting the SDGs reporting.

Practical implications

This study focuses on assessing the drivers of SDGs; namely, what internal factors will facilitate companies' better implementation of SDG reporting to bridge the gap in this field, not only extending the investigation of corporate governance factors affecting SDGs but also examining the impact of corporate ownership on SDG reporting.

Originality/value

This study enriches and provides support for previous studies examining the drivers of SDGs in the private sector. In academia, addressing SDGs in business is still an emerging research stream that is still in an embryonic state; the reporting of SDGs in business is quite under-investigated in the sustainability literature. Moreover, literature on the drivers that promote better implementation of SDGs in business is even more scarce and incomplete. Some previous studies have ignored the impact of board size and the CSR committee. At the same time, there is no research to date on the impact of ownership on companies' SDGs reporting, which has been proved to play a large role in firms sustainability reporting.
Some issues to consider if older people with complex care needs choose to die at home
Authors: Scourfield Peter
Published: October 2023

Purpose

This viewpoint paper focuses on the important role played by hospices in the UK in providing specialised end-of-life care for older people with complex needs – particularly for the growing number who choose to die at home. With demand for such care growing, the paper highlights the funding issues facing the independent hospice sector and the implications for hospices of receiving more state funding. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the challenges that hospices in the UK face in providing home-based palliative and end of life care for older people.

Design/methodology/approach

This a viewpoint paper informed by recent reports and research findings, as well as the author’s own work within the hospice sector.

Findings

The demand for specialised community-based and home-based palliative and end-of-life care is growing. The Covid-19 pandemic prompted wider discussion about what constitutes both “a good death” and good end-of-life care. This confirmed that most older people would prefer to end their lives free from pain, in familiar surroundings and not in hospital.

Practical implications

The specialised end-of-life care provided by hospices is rated highly by the regulator and the communities which they serve. In recent years, more attention has been given to providing “hospice at home” services, but coverage is limited largely due to lack of funding, the bulk of which comes from charitable fundraising. To provide a more equitable service, the fragility of the hospice funding model needs to be addressed.

Social implications

If the state expands its funding of hospice care, it is important that charitable fundraising also continues to take place and is encouraged. This will help ensure that the good links between hospices and local stakeholders are maintained.

Originality/value

The funding of the hospice sector in the UK has been the subject of several reports both by governmental and non-governmental bodies, several in the last year. However, it is an issue of growing importance and the whole subject needs a fuller airing in academic circles.
Anti‐melanoma differentiation‐associated gene 5 antibody–positive dermatomyositis with possible complication of thrombotic microangiopathy
Authors: Ito Yumi , Takeuchi Saki , Tozawa Takahisa , Hisada Satoko , Yamada Yoshihiro , Kodera Masanari , Kobayashi Masahiro , Shirahata Mizuho , Matsubara Akihiro
Published: October 2023

This case study illustrates a 63‐year‐old Japanese woman who presented with anti‐melanoma differentiation‐associated gene 5 antibody–positive dermatomyositis. She was administered a therapeutic regimen consisting of corticosteroids, tacrolimus, and cyclophosphamide. However, after a month of treatment, symptoms of confusion and depressive tendencies emerged, followed by the manifestation of hematuria, thrombocytopenia, and fragmented erythrocytes. A disintegrin‐like and metalloprotease with thrombospondin type 1 motifs 13 activity was 45%. Thrombotic microangiopathy was contemplated, yet a definitive diagnosis remained elusive. She died 2 months after admission. Although the occurrence of thrombotic microangiopathy in patients with dermatomyositis is rare, the prognosis is poor, emphasizing the importance of prompt diagnosis and treatment.
How do fluctuating temperatures alter the cost of development?
Authors: Pettersen Amanda K. , Nord Andreas , While Geoffrey M. , Uller Tobias
Published: October 2023

Quantifying how variable temperature regimes affect energy expenditure during development is crucial for understanding how future thermal regimes may impact early life survival and population persistence.

Developmental cost theory (DCT) suggests that there is an optimal temperature (Topt) that minimises energy expenditure during development (the ‘cost of development‘). Exposure to fluctuating temperatures around an average of Topt is anticipated to increase either development time or metabolic rate. As a result, embryos will rapidly deplete yolk reserves, and consequently hatch at a smaller size or with less residual yolk to support postnatal survival and growth.

Here, we studied total embryonic energy expenditure (development time and rate of CO2 production) and conversion of yolk into tissue in common wall lizards (Podarcis muralis) under three incubation treatments anticipated, based on DCT, to increase the cost of development: no variance (Topt constant, 24°C), low variance (22°C–26°C) and high variance (18°C–30°C).

As predicted, we found that increasing variance around Topt increased the cost of development, despite reducing time to hatching. As a consequence, embryos on average hatched with 59% lower residual yolk reserves under high variance versus the constant incubation temperature treatment.

Our results highlight how the relative temperature sensitivities of development time and metabolic rate determine the cost of development, which in turn may predict the ability of egg‐laying ectotherms to persist in variable environments. We show that DCT can provide a mechanistic framework for understanding the widespread, but often seemingly idiosyncratic, effects of fluctuating incubation temperatures on hatchling tissue and residual yolk mass.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Governing Greater Sydney: The democratic promise and contention of local governments’ metropolitan integration
Authors: Taylor Jordan
Published: October 2023

Metropolitan planning in Australia is argued to suffer from a ‘governance deficit’, alongside various calls for planning reform. The Greater Sydney Commission (renamed the Greater Cities Commission in 2022) was established in 2015 as a state‐appointed planning commission to preside over new strategic and statutory planning powers; local governments’ metropolitan integration is one tenet of the reform's ambition for a more cohesive system. While the grounds for reform are often argued on effective terms, there is a clear need to explore the ways it may suffer from a ‘democratic deficit’ or be democratically defensible. This study explores the shifting planning powers, accountabilities, and forms of interest representation at the local level of the political system, in Australia's most concerted contemporary metropolitan reform attempt.

Points for practitioners

The reformed planning process promoted new forms of substantive exchange and coordination from the local government sector informing local, district, and metropolitan planning processes.

Interest representation outside of local governments’ required plans is largely voluntary; Western City District councils demonstrated considerably more inter‐council collaboration as well as collaboration with the Commission than the Central City District. New forms of inter‐local exchange and coordination may help address ‘fragmented’ localism.

The reform has improved prior democratic qualities of local strategic planning and improved policy accountabilities between councillors, the community, and planners in a loose compliance framework.

The state's governance of housing growth targets and land use was said to contradict what had been negotiated between councils and the Commission, alongside local governments’ increasingly narrow land‐use and development approval powers and policy churn of its governance.

Practitioners can use the meta‐governance framework to consider the democratic ‘performance’ or defensibility of the Greater Sydney Commission's governance system and improve this or similar metropolitan governance reform settings.
The work of time: personhood, agency, and the negotiation of difference in married life in urban Pakistan
Authors: Maqsood Ammara
Published: October 2023

What is the work of time on a marriage, and how does it transform people as they struggle to change and leave traces on others? Through reflections of middle‐class women in Pakistan who married men who did not share their religious aspirations, I focus on how difference is negotiated and conceived in these marriages, and on the unexpected outcomes in the religious outlook of both spouses. The work of time, articulated through the concept ofsabar(forbearance), emerges here as a canvas for a confluence of human and nonhuman interventions, influences, and motivations, urging us to think of individual agency neither as autonomous action, as theorized in the liberal tradition, nor as wilful submission, as elaborated in Islamic contexts. Rather, agency, the capacity to assert one's own visions and hopes, depends on the malleability and openness of persons to time, leaving those who desire change in others equally exposed to transformation.
RE‐SCALING TERRITORIAL STIGMATIZATION: The Construction and Negotiation of ‘Declining Medium‐Sized Cities’ as a Stigmatizing Imaginary in France
Authors: Le Borgne Solène
Published: October 2023

Loïc Wacquant's work on the production and reproduction of socio‐spatial inequalities in Chicago and La Courneuve has inspired a literature on how imaginaries of low‐income, often racialized neighborhoods are spread through discourse and policy, and how residents respond to the stigmatization of their neighborhoods through internalization, deflection or resistance. While this body of scholarship has almost exclusively focused on the marginalization of urban neighborhoods, I argue in this article that the process of ‘territorial stigmatization’ analyzed by Wacquant also operates at the level of entire cities and subnational regions, with comparable political outcomes: the shifting of attention away from the structural causes of poverty onto its symptoms and, ultimately, the normalization and exacerbation of inequalities between people and places. Drawing on eight months of ethnographic fieldwork in Nevers, I analyze the stigmatizing imaginaries surrounding ‘declining medium‐sized cities’ in France and how they affect residents’ experience of place. The article contributes to the debate on the internalization/contestation of territorial stigma by showcasing the efforts of Nevers residents to restrict local critical discourse to insiders. It also adds to the literature on resistance through place re‐scription strategies by emphasizing the role played by the physical characteristics of place within alternative narratives.
Evaluation of a pilot physical activity intervention for children with ADHD symptoms and reading difficulties
Authors: Booth Josephine N. , Mitchell Iain A. , Tomporowski Philip D. , McCullick Bryan A. , Boyle James M. E. , Reilly John J.
Published: October 2023

Physical activity (PA) benefits children's cognition, in particular executive functions (EF). Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Reading Difficulties (RD) and co‐occurring ADHD/RD have low levels of PA and difficulties with EF. This study evaluated a PA programme to determine recruitment, attrition, feasibility (e.g. in‐school or after‐school hours), intensity of PA during the programme and effect sizes. Outcomes evaluated were EF, academic attainment and social and emotional behaviour. Sixty‐nine children (35 males) aged 7–13 years participated in a delayed control design. The sample comprised 15 children with RD, 15 with high levels of ADHD symptoms, 15 with co‐occurring RD and ADHD symptoms and 24 typically developing children. Thirty‐one of the participants took part in a 12 week PA intervention designed to enhance cognition and 38 acted as a control group. The control group subsequently received the intervention and data was combined for analysis. The study was successful in recruiting participants for the intervention; more success was observed for in‐school than after‐school hours. Participants spent 46% (SD = 14) of the intervention in Moderate‐to‐Vigorous intensity PA (MVPA). A significant effect of time‐point (pre‐ vs. post‐intervention) was found for inhibition and visuospatial working memory (η2 = 0.11 and 0.18 respectively). There was no interaction with symptomatology though; all groups had higher scores on EF tasks after the intervention. It is possible to recruit and retain participants with ADHD symptoms and reading difficulties to a school‐based PA programme and adherence to measurements was good. Taking part in the programme may improve inhibition and visuospatial working memory and reduce symptomatology suggesting this is a potential source of remediation which should be explored.
Recent advances in whiskey analysis for authentication, discrimination, and quality control
Authors: Okolo Chioke A. , Kilcawley Kieran N. , O'Connor Christine
Published: October 2023

In order to safeguard authentic whiskey products from fraudulent or counterfeit practices, high throughput solutions that provide robust, rapid, and reliable solutions are required. The implementation of some analytical strategies is quite challenging or costly in routine analysis. Qualitative screening of whiskey products has been explored, but due to the nonspecificity of the chemical compounds, a more quantitative confirmatory technique is required to validate the result of the whiskey analysis. Hence, combining analytical and chemometric methods has been fundamental in whiskey sample differentiation and classification. A comprehensive update on the most relevant and current analytical techniques, including spectroscopic, chromatographic, and novel technologies employed within the last 5 years in whiskey analysis for authentication, discrimination, and quality control, are presented. Furthermore, the technical challenges in employing these analytical techniques, future trends, and perspectives are emphasized.
Lactobacillus melliventris promotes hive productivity and immune functionality in Bombus terrestris performance in the greenhouse
Authors: Yu Qianhui , Liu Yan , Liu Shanshan , Li Shaogang , Zhai Yifan , Zhang Qingchao , Zheng Li , Zheng Hao , Zhai Yifan , Wang Xiaofei
Published: October 2023

Bumblebees are important pollinators in agricultural ecosystems, but their abundance is declining globally. There is an urgent need to protect bumblebee health and their pollination services. Bumblebees possess specialized gut microbiota with potential to be used as probiotics to help defend at‐risk bumblebee populations. However, evidence for probiotic benefits on bumblebees is lacking. Here, we evaluated how supplementation with Lactobacillus melliventris isolated from bumblebee gut affected the colony development of Bombus terrestris. This native strain colonized robustly and persisted long‐term in bumblebees, leading to a significantly higher quality of offspring. Subsequently, the tyrosine pathway was upregulated in the brain and fat body, while the Wnt and mTOR pathways of the gut were downregulated. Notably, the field experiment in the greenhouse revealed the supplementation of L. melliventris led to a 2.5‐fold increase in the bumblebee survival rate and a more than 10% increase in the number of flowers visited, indicating a better health condition and pollination ability in field conditions. Our study represents a first screening for the potential use of the native gut member, L. melliventris, as probiotic strains in hive supplement for bumblebee breeding, which may be a practical approach to improve immunity and hive health.
Understanding markers of trust within the online stolen data market: An examination of vendors’ signaling behaviors relative to product price point
Authors: Lee Jin R.
Published: October 2023

Research Summary

The current study examined 1055 stolen data products across 40 vendors on the Open and Dark Web to determine whether different product‐ and vendor‐level behaviors predicted vendors’ trustworthiness as reflected in their product price point. Understanding the mechanisms that convey trust in the underground marketplace is crucial as it could help law enforcement target serious actors and disrupt the larger marketplace. Findings suggest the online stolen data market may resemble an uninformative cost condition where buyers are unable to accurately differentiate credible sellers due to the obscure nature of signaling behaviors.

Policy Implications

Law enforcement would benefit from designing fake shops and deceptive forum posts that transmit mixed signals to complicate market participants’ process of interpreting trust signals as intended. These interventions would generate high levels of risk that encourage both buyers and sellers to exit the online illicit marketplace without needing law enforcement arrests. Law enforcement could also target prominent market facilitators to generate a larger disruption that prevents actors from continuing their illicit behavior.
The effect of emulsifier type and oil fraction on Salmonella Typhimurium growth and thermal inactivation in oil‐in‐water emulsion
Authors: Tsai Shawn , Tikekar Rohan V.
Published: October 2023

High water activity oil‐in‐water emulsions can promote survival and growth of Salmonella Typhimurium. Nevertheless, the precise effect of emulsifier type and oil content on bacterial growth and inactivation is not fully understood. Here, emulsions were prepared using different emulsifiers (Tween 20, Tween 80, and Triton X‐100) and different oil fractions (20%, 40%, and 60% (v/v)). TSB (control), emulsifier solutions, and emulsions were inoculated with S. Typhimurium. Bacterial growth rate was measured at 7, 22, and 37°C, whereas thermal inactivation was performed at 55°C. Growth and inactivation data was fitted into Logistic and Weibull models, respectively. At an incubation temperature of 37°C, the presence of high amount of oil (60%) in Tween 20 and Triton X stabilized emulsions extended the lag phase (5.83 ± 2.20 and 9.43 ± 1.07 h, respectively, compared to 2.28 ± 1.54 h for TSB, p < 0.05), whereas individual emulsifiers had no effect on growth behavior compared to TSB. This effect was also prevalent but attenuated at 22°C, whereas no growth was observed at 7°C. In thermal inactivation, we observed protective effect in Tween 80 and Triton X‐100 solutions, where time required for five‐log reduction was 1914.70 ± 706.35 min and 795.34 ± 420.09 min, respectively, compared to 203.89 ± 10.18 min for TSB (p < 0.05). Interestingly, the presence of high amount of oil did not offer protective effect during thermal inactivation. We hypothesize that oleic acid in Tween 80 and lower hydrophobicity value of Triton X‐100 help maintain membrane integrity and improve the resistance of bacteria to heat inactivation.
First record of Amphisbaena anomala (Squamata: Amphisbaenidae) in lowland Caatinga based on citizen science, with an updated distribution map
Authors: Oliveira Henrique J. , Oliveira Glênio A. V. , Costa Henrique C.
Published: October 2023

Amphisbaena anomala is a species of worm lizard endemic to Brazil, with most known records in eastern Amazonia, but also occurring in northern Cerrado and at highland moist forest enclaves in Caatinga. Based on citizen science data, we report a new easternmost and southernmost locality for A. anomala, representing its first record in the lowlands of the Caatinga ecoregion. The new record, in Abaiara, Ceará, Brazil is 335 km southeast from the nearest previously documented occurrence of the species. We conducted a comprehensive literature review, updating the species known distribution map with three times more records than the last update, and describing the soil types and ecoregions where the species is typically found. The new record reinforces the crucial role of taxonomists in the identification of species in citizen science platforms, assisting in narrowing existing gaps in biogeographic knowledge. Furthermore, we draw attention to the lack of specimen collection in some environmental impact assessments, from which some photos on citizen science platforms come.