bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mental health patterns during COVID-19 in emergency medical services (EMS)
Authors: Monteiro Fonseca Sílvia , Faria Sara , Cunha Sónia , Silva Márcio , Ramos M. Joaquina , Azevedo Guilherme , Campos Rui , Barbosa António Ruão , Queirós Cristina
Published: December 2021

Purpose

This study aims to explore patterns of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel's mental health, regarding their levels of anxiety, depression, stress, COVID-19 anxiety, obsessive-compulsive symptoms and well-being; and to explore variables that contribute to these patterns, among sociodemographic/professional and COVID-19 experience variables.

Design/methodology/approach

Participants were 214 EMS personnel, who answered the Patient-Health Questionnaire, Perceived Stress Scale, COVID-19 Anxiety Scale, Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory, Well-Being Questionnaire and COVID-19 related questions.

Findings

EMS personnel showed an adequate psychological adjustment during COVID-19. Two clusters/patterns were found: the poorly (34%) and the well (66%) psychologically-adjusted. Personnel's age, COVID-19 fear and workplace security measures' adequacy contributed to which pattern they were more likely to belong to.

Research limitations/implications

Despite being cross-sectional and not controlling for pre-COVID-19 data, this study adds to the COVID-19 literature. Findings call for the need to explore: other COVID-19 fears; how personnel perceive workplace security measures; COVID-19 valid instruments; pre-COVID-19 data; and mental health patterns with different rescuers.

Practical implications

Findings explored EMS personnel's patterns of mental health during the COVID-19, as well as its covariates. Results allow to better prepare emergency management, which can develop prevention strategies focused on older professionals, COVID-19 related fears and how personnel assess security measures.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the scarce literature focused on COVID-19 mental health patterns instead of focussing on isolated mental health variables, as well as what contributes to these patterns. Moreover, it is one of the few studies that focused on EMS personnel rather than hospital staff.
Enhanced GAF protocol based on graph theory to optimize energy efficiency and lifetime in WSN technology
Authors: Hanane Aznaoui , Ullah Arif , Raghay Said
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to design an enhanced routing protocol to minimize energy consumed and extend network lifetime in sensor network (WSN).

Design/methodology/approach

With the use of appropriate routing protocols, data collected by sensor nodes reache the BS. The entire network lifetime can be extended well beyond that of its single nodes by putting the nodes in sleep state when they are not in use, and make active just a single node at a time within a given area of interest. So that, the lowest-cost routing arises by minimizing the communication cost. This paper proposes an enhanced adaptive geographic fidelity (E-GAF) routing protocol based on theory of graphs approach to improve the discovery phase, select the optimal path, reduce the energy used by nodes and therefore extend the network lifetime. Following the simulations established by varying the number of grids and tests, a comparison is made between the E-GAF and basic GAF (B-GAF) based on the number of dead nodes and energy consumption.

Findings

The results obtained show that E-GAF is better than the existing basic GAF protocol in terms of energy efficiency and network lifetime.

Originality/value

This paper adopts the latest optimization algorithm know as E-GAF, which is used to solve the problem of energy and improve the network lifetime in a WSN. This is the first work that utilizes network lifetime in WSN.
The use of a guided peer review assessment for investigative interviewers of child witnesses
Authors: Brubacher Sonja P. , Powell Martine B. , Steele Linda C. , Boud David
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Investigative interviewers assess their colleagues' interviews (‘peer review’) as a necessary part of their practice, and for their self-development. Yet, there is little guidance around what the process involves and how they might do it. Research suggests that effective peer review is supported by using guidance material. The goal of the present work was to describe the use of such a guide by a group of professionals who regularly conduct investigative interviews with children, to share what was learned with other professionals seeking to create a formalized peer review process.

Design/methodology/approach

Sixty US child witness interviewers completed a guided peer review assessment of an anonymous interview, as an assignment at the conclusion of an 18-hour training program that focused on developing their interviewing skills. They consented to the use of their learning data in research, and the research was approved by the university's research ethics board. Peer reviews were coded for the extent to which they used the guide to support their evaluations, and the overall quality of the review to assess the utility of the guide in supporting them to conduct effective assessments.

Findings

In general, the guide and instructions for providing feedback were moderately effective in supporting the peer assessments, but results suggested specific training in how to deliver peer review would be useful.

Practical implications

Through this process, the authors identified components that would be helpful to further increase the efficacy of peer review.

Originality/value

The aim of this work was to spark a greater conversation among practitioners and academics about professionalizing the peer review process and aiding interviewers to develop peer review tools that would support their continued growth. The authors conclude with five key tips for professionals that stem from the experiences creating and evaluating the guide in combination with existing literature and three areas for future investigation.
A posthumanist research agenda on sustainable and responsible management education after the pandemic
Authors: Bruzzone Silvia
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how posthumanism can contribute towards reframing responsible management education (RME) after the pandemic. Ethics has been a growing concern in management education for some time now, but the need to acknowledge the limitations and side effects of the global economy and the interdependences between biological and societal systems has come to the forefront in dramatic fashion during the pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

Posthumanism proposes moving beyond traditional dichotomies such as nature-culture and social-material to introduce a relational epistemology in which attention is focused on local sociomaterial entanglements. This also introduces a new moral posture that is not based on formal principles but on a strong commitment to assembling the world and a capacity to cultivate response-abilities. As far as responsible management is concerned, it means moving the focus from managers to managing practices.

Findings

The contribution casts an original and critical eye on the reframing of RME and encourages a movement towards a “decolonisation” of educational methodologies. Posthumanist research acknowledges that pedagogical practices are the loci power relations and inclusion or exclusion come into play and are inscribed in the materiality of education, in the sense of objects as well as human bodies. Then, by applying on the author's experience as teacher, the paper provides inputs for developing a posthumanist research agenda for RME after the pandemic.

Originality/value

The contribution uses posthuman lens to explore RME and develops an original research agenda starting from the author’s teaching practices.
Alternatives to solve SDG trade-offs and to enforce SDG synergies: a systematic literature review
Authors: Boar Andrei , Palau Pinyana Erola , Oliveras-Villanueva Marc
Published: December 2021

Purpose

This paper takes a critical view of synergies and trade-offs and discloses the practices that countries and companies should apply to achieve sustainable development.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper offers a systematic literature review of 408 papers to find models of sustainable development goals (SDGs) interaction with the aim of shedding light on the existing synergies and trade-offs and finding solutions to enhance these synergies and minimize the trade-offs.

Findings

Both rich and developing countries should follow multiple strategies to improve the quality of life of their citizens. Developing countries should focus on eradicating poverty. Rich countries should apply new economic models that are more likely to be environmental-friendly. Finally, the topic of SDGs should be revisited by the United Nations.

Practical implications

Boosting the quality of education and providing clean energy are two of the most relevant actions that should to be taken by countries, as they will accelerate the fulfilment of all the other SDGs. The use of circular economic models or new business models, such as the sharing economy, is essential to the achievement of sustained economic growth without negative environmental impact.

Originality/value

The paper analyzes SDG interactions and offers a critical vision of practices that countries and companies should adhere to for achieving sustainable development.
Understanding the impact of borrowers' behavioural and psychological traits on credit default: review and conceptual model
Authors: Goel Akanksha , Rastogi Shailesh
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to identify certain behavioural and psychological traits of the borrowers which have the tendency to predict the credit risk of the borrowers. And the second objective is to draw a conceptual model that reveals the impact of those traits on credit default.

Design/methodology/approach

The study has adopted a systematic Literature Review approach to identify those behavioural and psychological traits of borrowers that reflect on the tendency to predict the credit default of borrowers.

Findings

The findings of this study have revealed that there are some non-financial factors, which can be looked into while granting a loan to a borrower. The identified factors can be used to develop a subjective credit scoring model that can quantify and verify the soft information (character and reliability) of debtors. Further, a behavioural credit scoring model will help in easing the assessment of those borrowers, who do not have an appropriate credit history and reliable financial statements.

Practical implications

The proposed model would help banks and financial institutions to evaluate those borrowers who lack substantial financial information. Further, a subjective credit scoring model would help to evaluate the credit worthiness of such borrowers who do not have any credit history. The model would also reduce the biasness of subjective scoring and would reduce the financial constraints of borrowers.

Originality/value

By reviewing the literature, it has been observed that there are very few studies that have exclusively considered the behavioural and psychological factors in credit scoring. Several studies have linked the psychological constructs with debts, but very few researchers have considered it while constructing a behavioural scoring model. Thus, it can be inferred that this area of behavioural finance is still unexplored and needs attention of researchers worldwide. In addition, most of the studies are carried out in European, African and American regions but are almost non-existent in the Asian markets.
The multi-dimensionality of competitive balance: evidence from European football
Authors: Gerrard Bill , Kringstad Morten
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to address the problem of designing league regulatory mechanisms given the multi-dimensionality of competitive balance and the proliferation of empirical measures.

Design/methodology/approach

A three-stage approach is adopted. Firstly, a taxonomy of empirical measures of competitive balance is proposed, identifying two fundamental dimensions – win dispersion and performance persistence. Secondly, a simple two-team model of league competitive balance is used to explore the dispersion–persistence relationship. Third, correlation and regression analysis of seven empirical measures of competitive balance for the 18 best-attended top-tier domestic football leagues in Europe over the 10 seasons, 2008–2017, are used to (1) validate the proposed categorisation of empirical measures into two dimensions; and (2) investigate the nature of the dispersion–persistence relationship across leagues.

Findings

The simple model of league competitive balance implies a strong positive dispersion–persistence relationship when persistence effects increase for big-market teams relative to those for the small-market teams. However, the empirical evidence indicates that while leagues such as the Spanish La Liga exhibit a strong positive dispersion–persistence relationship, other leagues show little or no relationship, and some leagues, particularly, the English Premier League and top-tier divisions in Belgium and Netherlands, have a strong negative dispersion–persistence relationship. The key policy implication for leagues is the importance of understanding the direction and impact of dispersion and persistence effects on the demand for league products.

Originality/value

The variability in the strength and direction of the dispersion–persistence relationship across leagues is an important result that undermines the “one-size-fits-all” approach to designing league regulatory mechanisms.
Metronidazole gel (0.75%) in Japanese patients with rosacea: A randomized, vehicle‐controlled, phase 3 study
Authors: Miyachi Yoshiki , Yamasaki Kenshi , Fujita Tomomitsu , Fujii Chie
Published: December 2021

Topical metronidazole is not currently approved in Japan as a treatment for the indication of rosacea, although 0.75% metronidazole gel was authorized in 2014 for the management of cancerous skin ulcers. We conducted a randomized, double‐blind, vehicle‐controlled study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of 0.75% metronidazole gel in Japanese patients with inflammatory lesions (papules/pustules) and erythema associated with moderate to severe rosacea. Overall, 130 patients were randomly assigned to receive 0.75% metronidazole gel (n = 65) or vehicle (n = 65), and 120 patients completed 12 weeks of treatment. The primary efficacy outcome was the proportion of patients who achieved both of the following at week 12: an improvement of >50% in the number of inflammatory lesions (papules/pustules) and a positive change of at least one degree in erythema severity. This composite outcome was achieved by 72.3% of metronidazole‐treated patients versus 36.9% of vehicle‐treated patients, with the between‐group difference demonstrating significant improvement with 0.75% metronidazole gel (p < 0.0001). All secondary efficacy endpoints (patients achieving a score of ≥3 for percent change in the number of inflammatory lesions at week 12; patients achieving a score of ≥3 for change in erythema severity at week 12; patients achieving an Investigator’s Global Assessment score of 0 or 1 at week 12; percent change over time in the number of inflammatory lesions; change over time in erythema severity) also showed improvement in the 0.75% metronidazole gel group. The incidence of adverse events was higher with metronidazole (40.0%) than with vehicle (29.2%). Of these, treatment‐related, treatment‐emergent adverse events occurred in 9.2% and 6.2% in the metronidazole and the vehicle group, respectively, but there were no new safety concerns. Overall, the results of this study have confirmed the efficacy and safety of 0.75% metronidazole gel in Japanese patients with rosacea.
Unpacking New Firm Exit
Authors: Saridakis George , Frankish Julian , Storey David J.
Published: December 2021

This paper unpacks new firm exit in a novel way. It theorizes that, even after controlling for a wide range of human capital and other factors, access to, and the management of, an overdraft facility powerfully influences the exit chances of a new firm. It then unpacks exits, distinguishing between new firms that exit leaving no debts (pure exiters) and those that exit leaving a debt (defaulters). A second distinction is between those exiting in the short‐ and the longer‐run. Using a bank‐based dataset, comprising nearly 6,000 new businesses in England and Wales tracked over a decade, it shows that, although there are similarities, financial management plays an important, but very different, role in explaining exit across the four groups. Overall, new firms with an overdraft have lower exit rates than those without, but the reverse is the case for defaulters. A second finding is that, although exceeding the terms of an overdraft enhances short‐run survival, it lowers survival in the longer‐run. These results highlight the powerful insights provided by private information held by the bank that is not normally available to academic researchers.
Evaluation of a novel pre‐treatment model of nutrition care for patients with head and neck cancer receiving chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Blake Claire , Edwards Anna , Treleaven Elise , Brown Teresa , Hughes Brett , Lin Charles , Kenny Lizbeth , Banks Merrilyn , Bauer Judy
Published: December 2021

Aims

Weight loss and malnutrition occur frequently in patients with head and neck cancer and are associated with reduced survival. This pragmatic study aimed to determine the effect of a novel pre‐treatment model of nutrition care on nutrition outcomes for patients with head and neck cancer receiving chemoradiotherapy.

Methods

This health service evaluation consisted of an evaluation of the new model of care implementation (Phase 1) and an evaluation of patient outcomes (Phase 2) in pre‐ and post‐implementation cohorts (n = 64 and n = 47, respectively). All Phase 2 patients received a prophylactic gastrostomy. The new model of care consisted of dietary counselling and commencement of proactive supplementary enteral nutrition via a prophylactic gastrostomy, in addition to normal oral intake, prior to treatment commencement. Nutrition outcomes were collected at baseline (pre‐treatment) and 3 months post‐radiotherapy completion.

Results

The new model of care was successfully incorporated into practice with high referral (96.5%) and attendance (91.5%) rates to the counselling session, and high adherence rates to proactive tube feeding (80.9%). Patients in the post‐implementation cohort had less weight‐loss (1.2%; p = 0.338) and saw less of a decline in nutritional status compared to patients in the pre‐implementation cohort (23% vs. 30%, respectively; p = 0.572), deemed clinically important. However, patients still experienced critical weight loss overall (mean 9.9%).

Conclusion

Pre‐treatment nutrition care was feasible in standard clinical practice and demonstrated clinically relevant outcome improvements for patients. Future high‐quality research is warranted to investigate further multidisciplinary strategies to attenuate weight‐loss further, inclusive of patient‐reported barriers and enablers to nutrition interventions.
A chromosome‐level genome of Portunus trituberculatus provides insights into its evolution, salinity adaptation and sex determination
Authors: Lv Jianjian , Li Ronghua , Su Zhencheng , Gao Baoquan , Ti Xingbin , Yan Deping , Liu Guangjian , Liu Ping , Wang Chunlin , Li Jian
Published: December 2021

Portunus trituberculatus (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura), commonly known as the swimming crab, is of major ecological importance, as well as being important to the fisheries industry. P. trituberculatus is also an important farmed species in China due to its rapid growth rate and high economic value. Here, we report the genome sequence of the swimming crab, which was assembled at the chromosome scale, covering ~1.2 Gb, with 79.99% of the scaffold sequences assembled into 53 chromosomes. The contig and scaffold N50 values were 108.7 kb and 15.6 Mb, respectively, with 19,981 protein‐coding genes. Based on comparative genomic analyses of crabs and shrimps, the C2H2 zinc finger protein family was found to be the only gene family expanded in crab genomes, suggesting it was closely related to the evolution of crabs. The combination of transcriptome and bulked segregant analysis provided insights into the genetic basis of salinity adaptation and rapid growth in P. trituberculatus. In addition, the specific region of the Y chromosome was located for the first time in the genome of P. trituberculatus, and three genes were preliminarily identified as candidate genes for sex determination in this region. Decoding the swimming crab genome not only provides a valuable genomic resource for further biological and evolutionary studies, but is also useful for molecular breeding of swimming crabs.
Construction of the Continental Asia in Phanerozoic: A Review
Authors: CHEN Xuanhua , DONG Shuwen , SHI Wei , DING Weicui , ZHANG Yiping , LI Bing , SHAO Zhaogang , WANG Ye
Published: December 2021

This is a review of the formation and tectonic evolution of the continental Asia in Phanerozoic. The continental Asia has formed on the bases of some pre‐Cambrian cratons, such as the Siberia, India, Arabia, North China, Tarim, South China, and Indochina, through multi‐stage plate convergence and collisional collages in Phanerozoic. The north‐central Asia had experienced the expansion and subduction of the Paleo‐Asian Ocean (PAO) in the early Paleozoic and the closure of the PAO in the late Paleozoic and early Mesozoic, forming the PAO regime and Central Asian orogenic belt (CAOB). In the core of the CAOB, the Mongol‐Okhotsk Ocean (MOO) opened with limited expansion in the Early Permian and finally closed in the Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous. The south‐central Asia had experienced mainly multi‐stage oceanic opening, subduction and collision evolution in the Tethys Ocean, forming the Tethys regime and Himalaya‐Tibetan orogenic belt. In eastern Asia, the plate subduction and continental margin orogeny on western margin of the Pacific Ocean, forms the West Pacific regime and West Pacific orogenic belt. The PAO, Tethys, and West Pacific regimes, together with Precambrian cratons among or surrounding them, made up the major tectonic and dynamic systems of the continental Asia in Phanerozoic. Major tectonic events, such as the Early Paleozoic Qilian, Uralian, and Dunhuang orogeneses, the late Paleozoic East Junggar, Tianshan and West Junggar orogeneses, the Middle to Late Permian Ailaoshan orogeny and North‐South Lhasa collision, the early Mesozoic Indochina‐South China and North‐South China collisions, the late Mesozoic Mongolia‐Okhotsk orogeny, Lhasa‐Qiangtang collision, and intra‐continental Yanshanian orogeny, and the Cenozoic Indo‐Asian, Arab‐Asian, and West Pacific margin collisions, constrained the formation and evolution of the continental Asia. The complex dynamic systems have left large number of deformation features, such as large‐scale strike‐slip faults, thrust‐fold systems and extensional detachments on the continental Asia. Based on past tectonics, a future supercontinent, the Ameurasia, is prospected for the development of the Asia in ca. 250 Myr.
plantR: An R package and workflow for managing species records from biological collections
Authors: de Lima Renato A. F. , Sánchez‐Tapia Andrea , Mortara Sara R. , ter Steege Hans , de Siqueira Marinez F.
Published: December 2021

Species records from biological collections are becoming increasingly available online. This unprecedented availability of records has largely supported recent studies in taxonomy, biogeography, macroecology and biodiversity conservation. Biological collections vary in their documentation and notation standards, which have changed through time. For different reasons, neither collections nor data repositories perform the editing, formatting and standardisation of the data, leaving these tasks to the final users of the species records (e.g. taxonomists, ecologists and conservationists). These tasks are challenging, particularly when working with millions of records from hundreds of biological collections.

To help collection curators and final users perform those tasks, we introduce plantR, an open‐source package that provides a comprehensive toolbox to manage species records from biological collections. The package is accompanied by the proposal of a reproducible workflow to manage this type of data in taxonomy, ecology and biodiversity conservation. It is implemented in R and designed to handle relatively large datasets as fast as possible. Initially designed to handle plant species records, many of the plantR features also apply to other groups of organisms, given that the data structure is similar.

The plantR workflow includes tools to (a) download records from different data repositories, (b) standardise typical fields associated with species records, (c) validate the locality, geographical coordinates, taxonomic nomenclature and species identifications, including the retrieval of duplicates across collections, and (d) summarise and export records, including the construction of species lists with vouchers.

Other R packages provide tools to tackle some of the workflow steps described above. But in addition to the new tools and resources related to data standardisation and validation, the greatest strength of plantR is to provide a comprehensive and user‐friendly workflow in one single environment, performing all tasks from data retrieval to export. Thus, plantR can help researchers better assess data quality and avoid data leakage in a wide variety of studies using species records.
The hepatoprotective effect from ischemia‐reperfusion injury of remote ischemic preconditioning in the liver related surgery: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Wu Jinli , Yu Chao , Zeng Xianggang , Sun Chengyi
Published: December 2021

Background

This study aimed to assess the hepatoprotective effect of remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) in the liver related surgery.

Methods

Published articles in PubMed, Embase and Cochrane clinical trial databases were searched from the inception to May 2021. Randomized control trials (RCTs) comparing the RIPC with control or other conditionings were included for analysis. The postoperative liver synthetic function was used as the primary outcome.

Results

A total of six RCTs were included the present meta‐analysis. There were 216 patients underwent RIPC and 212 patients in the control group. The RIPC group had a significantly lower level of postoperative alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase (p<0.001). The postoperative bilirubin level was also significant lower in the RIPC group than the control group (MD = −9.0, 95%CI, −13.94 to −4.03; p<0.001). ICG clearance was reduced in controls versus RIPC (p<0.001). There was no significant difference between the RIPC and control group in terms of the complication rate.

Conclusion

The RIPC was evaluated to have a strong hepatoprotective effect from ischemia‐reperfusion injury in the liver related surgery.
Management and outcomes of flexor tendon repairs at a peripheral hospital: a New Zealand case series study
Authors: Zhou Yuxuan , Krishna Sanjeev , Sharplin Paul Kenneth
Published: December 2021

Background

Current evidence for flexor tendon repair management and outcomes performed at peripheral centres is unclear. Most studies are based on evidence from specialist hand centres. This study evaluated a peripheral hospital in New Zealand; where all flexor tendon repairs were performed by a generalist Orthopaedic service. The purpose of the study was to benchmark management and outcomes from a peripheral hospital in comparison to international standards.

Methods

A retrospective single‐centre consecutive case series of Zones I and II flexor tendon repairs was extracted between 1 January 2014 and 1 January 2018. Medical records were used to evaluate management and outcomes of repairs. Hand therapy notes were used to evaluate rehabilitation protocols provided. The primary objective was to measure re‐rupture and re‐operation rates. Secondary objectives included auditing operative management and hand therapy compliance.

Results

Forty‐six patients (76 tendon repairs) were included in our final analysis. Mean follow up time to last clinical appointment was 11.8 weeks, and to last patient episode was 4.9 years. Most patients received timely surgery with a four‐core repair using 3–0 or larger suture. All hand therapy followed a controlled active motion protocol. The re‐operation rate was 19.6% (P = <0.05) and the re‐rupture rate was 8.7% (P = 0.28).

Conclusions

Most flexor tendon injuries at this peripheral centre were managed according to international standards. However, high complication rates including re‐operation and re‐rupture occurred. Due to a lack of local comparison studies, confounding factors cannot be excluded as a contributor for these results.
Isotretinoin prescribing and monitoring practices among Australian dermatologists measured against current guidelines, and identification of practice uncertainties
Authors: Manuelpillai Nicholas , Veysey Emma
Published: December 2021

This letter summarizes the outcomes from an anonymous survey conducted among Australian dermatologists. It provides a comparison of Australian isotretinoin prescribing practices against best available evidence and guidelines in the UK, Europe and USA.
Conserving alpha and beta diversity in wood‐production landscapes
Authors: Jones Gavin M. , Brosi Berry , Evans Jason M. , Gottlieb Isabel G. W. , Loy Xingwen , Núñez‐Regueiro Mauricio M. , Ober Holly K. , Pienaar Elizabeth , Pillay Rajeev , Pisarello Kathryn , Smith Lora L. , Fletcher Robert J.
Published: December 2021

International demand for wood and other forest products continues to grow rapidly, and uncertainties remain about how animal communities will respond to intensifying resource extraction associated with woody bioenergy production. We examined changes in alpha and beta diversity of bats, bees, birds, and reptiles across wood production landscapes in the southeastern United States, a biodiversity hotspot that is one of the principal sources of woody biomass globally. We sampled across a spatial gradient of paired forest land‐uses (representing pre and postharvest) that allowed us to evaluate biological community changes resulting from several types of biomass harvest. Short‐rotation practices and residue removal following clearcuts were associated with reduced alpha diversity (−14.1 and −13.9 species, respectively) and lower beta diversity (i.e., Jaccard dissimilarity) between land‐use pairs (0.46 and 0.50, respectively), whereas midrotation thinning increased alpha (+3.5 species) and beta diversity (0.59). Over the course of a stand rotation in a single location, biomass harvesting generally led to less biodiversity. Cross‐taxa responses to resource extraction were poorly predicted by alpha diversity: correlations in responses between taxonomic groups were highly variable (−0.2 to 0.4) with large uncertainties. In contrast, beta diversity patterns were highly consistent and predictable across taxa, where correlations in responses between taxonomic groups were all positive (0.05–0.4) with more narrow uncertainties. Beta diversity may, therefore, be a more reliable and information‐rich indicator than alpha diversity in understanding animal community response to landscape change. Patterns in beta diversity were primarily driven by turnover instead of species loss or gain, indicating that wood extraction generates habitats that support different biological communities.
Rolling covenants to protect coastal ecosystems in the face of sea‐level rise
Authors: Bell‐James Justine , Fitzsimons James A. , Gillies Chris L. , Shumway Nicole , Lovelock Catherine E.
Published: December 2021

This article considers how “rolling covenants” (i.e., covenants on land title that can operate in a “rolling” geographic area to keep pace with sea‐level rise) can be used to permit productive use of land in the short term, while ensuring land use can shift over time to allow for coastal ecosystem migration in the medium to long term. We use Australia as a case study, and through analysis of legislation and a series of semistructured interviews, we demonstrate how land title‐based covenants can be used to give legal effect to “rolling covenant” arrangements where land is subject to existing use and occupation. We then consider practical issues associated with drafting a rolling covenant arrangement, including an analysis of the types of events or scenarios that could be used as a basis for land use changing (e.g., projected sea‐level rise, actual ecosystem migration), and the advantages and disadvantages of each. We conclude that rolling covenants are a viable option for land management in the coastal zone, especially in circumstances where funding sources are available to incentivize uptake. Rolling covenants may provide opportunities for coastal wetlands to be maintained and even enhanced in cover, thereby delivering important ecosystem services (e.g., blue carbon) into the future.
Who is the expert? Evaluating local ecological knowledge for assessing wildlife presence in the Peruvian Amazon
Authors: Zayonc Daniel , Coomes Oliver T.
Published: December 2021

Amazonian wildlife population studies often employ conventional biological survey methods to assess species presence but a growing number of studies are making use of local ecological knowledge (LEK) household surveys. Despite concerns in the scientific community over the accuracy and precision of LEK, scant research to date compares data from conventional biological survey methods with data gathered from household surveys. An important question among scientists is who should be approached when collecting household survey data for wildlife inventories, both for accurate data and for ethical concerns. In this article, we report on the accuracy and precision of LEK household surveys for wildlife inventories based on data collected along the Napo River in Peru using 10 land transect surveys, 5 river transect surveys, 487 camera trap days, and 37 LEK household surveys. Our findings indicate that the household surveys for wildlife inventories are accurate in comparison to biological survey methods, and that they may outperform conventional surveys for certain aquatic, ephemeral, and cryptic terrestrial species. We find no statistical differences among households defined by participation in hunting, community leadership, or primary livelihood strategy. Community members recommend that scientists first solicit wildlife data from community leaders and then hunters. Through the use of retrospection, LEK surveys can reveal how wildlife presence changes through time in remote, data‐poor tropical forests. Use of LEK household surveys is recommended as a useful complement to other methods, with attention to collecting data ethically in collaboration with local communities.
Perceived unmet substance use and mental health care needs of acute care patients who use drugs: A cross‐sectional analysis using the Behavioral Model for Vulnerable Populations
Authors: Kosteniuk Brynn , Salvalaggio Ginetta , Wild T. Cameron , Gelberg Lillian , Hyshka Elaine
Published: December 2021

Introduction

The perceived unmet service needs of acute care‐seeking people who use illegal drugs (PWUD) have been poorly documented, despite evidence of frequent hospital utilisation. This study applies the Behavioral Model for Vulnerable Populations to investigate correlates of unmet service needs in this subpopulation.

Methods

Survey data from 285 PWUD at three urban Canadian acute care centres were examined. The survey included the Perceived Need for Care Questionnaire, which measured service seeking and care satisfaction for mental health and substance use concerns across seven types of services, as well as barriers to having care needs met. The Behavioral Model for Vulnerable Populations was applied in hierarchical setwise logistic regression to examine associations between high unmet service need and socio‐structural predictors (i.e. predisposing, enabling and need factors).

Results

Almost half (46%) of participants reported a high level of unmet service need, despite seeking services during the past year. Participants reporting recent criminal activity, adverse childhood experiences, transitory sleeping, having no community support worker, and meeting screening criteria for depression were more likely to report a high level of unmet service needs. Structural barriers to care (57%) were more commonly reported than motivational barriers (43%).

Discussion and Conclusions

Acute care‐seeking PWUD experience high rates of unmet service needs for their mental health and substance use problems. Strategies that can help overcome structural barriers to care are necessary to help address the service needs of this population.
Severe aortic stenosis echocardiographic thresholds revisited
Authors: Schwartzenberg Shmuel , Vatury Mordehay , Wiessman Maya , Shechter Alon , Morelli Olga , Ofek Hadas , Kazum Shirit , Kornowski Ran , Sagie Alexander , Shapira Yaron
Published: December 2021

Background

In view of inconsistencies in threshold values of severe aortic stenosis (AS) hemodynamic indices, it is unclear what is the relative contribution of each variable in a binary classification of AS based on aortic valve replacement (AVR) indication. We aimed to assess relative discriminative value and optimal threshold of each constituent hemodynamic parameter for this classification and confirm additional prognostic value.

Methods

Echocardiography studies of 168 patients with ≥ moderate AS were included. AS types were dichotomized into Group‐A, comprising moderate and Normal‐Flow Low‐Gradient (NFLG), and Group‐B, comprising High‐Gradient(HG), Low Ejection Fraction Low‐Flow Low‐Gradient(Low EF‐LFLG), and Paradoxical Low‐Flow Low‐Gradient(PLFLG) AS. Aortic valve area (AVA), Doppler velocity index (DVI), peak aortic velocity, mean gradient, stroke volume index and transaortic flow rate(TFR) were assessed for A/B Group discrimination value and optimal thresholds were determined. Dichotomized values were assessed for predictive value for AVR or death.

Results

C‐statistic values for binary AS classification was .74–.9 for the tested variables. AVA and DVI featured the highest score, and SVI the lowest one. AVA≤.81 cm2 and DVI≤.249 had 87.6% and 86% respective sensitivity for Group B patients, and a similar specificity of 80.9%. During a mean follow‐up of 9.1±10.1 months, each of the tested dichotomized variables except for SVI predicted AVR or death on multivariate analysis.

Conclusion

An AVA value ≤.81 cm2 or a DVI ≤ .249 threshold carry the highest discriminative value for severe AS in patients with aortic stenosis, translating into an independent prognostic value, and can be helpful in making clinical decisions.
A comparison of low‐cost behavioral observation software applications for handheld computers and recommendations for use
Authors: van der Marel Annemarie , O’Connell Claire L. , Prasher Sanjay , Carminito Chelsea , Francis Xavier , Hobson Elizabeth A.
Published: December 2021

In the field of animal behavior and behavioral ecology, many standardized methods to observe animal behavior were established in the last decades. While the protocols remained similar, behavioral researchers can take advantage of technological advancements to enter observations directly onto a handheld computer (phone, tablet, etc.), saving time and potentially increasing fidelity of recordings. However, we now have the choice between many different platforms for recording behavioral observations. Our challenge is choosing the most appropriate platform that fits a particular study question, research design, budget, and desired amount of preparatory time. Here, we review six low‐cost software applications for handheld computers that are available for real‐time entry of behavioral observations: Animal Behaviour Pro, Animal Observer, BORIS, CyberTracker, Prim8, and ZooMonitor. We discuss the preliminary decisions that have to be made about the study design, and we assess the six applications by providing the advantages and disadvantages of each platform and an overall application comparison. In our supplemental material, we illustrate the setup and data collection routines, and how to customize certain platforms so they will work more effectively for particular study aims or sampling methods. Our goal is to help researchers make calculated decisions about what behavioral observation platform is best for their study system and question.
Understanding Treatment‐Seeking Behavior among Female Survivors of Eating Disorders
Authors: Tipton Meaghan V. , Terrell Amanda L. , Becnel Jennifer N.
Published: December 2021

Using the health belief model (HBM), this study used a retrospective qualitative survey to learn about female survivors’ treatment‐seeking behaviors for eating disorders (EDs). Fourteen women were recruited, and survey responses were coded based on the HBM to identify factors participants say led them to treatment. Themes included anxiety, depression, and obsession for perceived severity; coping/control for perceived benefits; social dysfunction for perceived barriers; lonely/numb, self‐harm, medical staff, parents/family, and school staff, for cue to action; and happiness/peace/appreciation and medical health for self‐efficacy. Individuals working with youth, including family and consumer science professionals, could identify warning signs and promote mental health.
Mask‐Wearing Behavior During the COVID‐19 Pandemic: A Cross‐Cultural Comparison Between the United States and South Korea
Authors: Chang Hyo Jung (Julie) , Min Seoha , Woo Hongjoo , Yurchisin Jennifer
Published: December 2021

This study identified and compared factors that directly and indirectly influenced face mask‐wearing in the United States and South Korea during the COVID‐19 pandemic by applying the theory of reasoned action. The overall levels of attitudes and future mask‐wearing behavioral intention were lower for United States than Korean participants (NUS = 150 and NSouth Korea = 150). Differences between the groups were noted in the impact of norms and background characteristics on attitudes and behavioral intention. Messages communicating the importance of wearing masks should be tailored to different cultures. Americans should be encouraged to try wearing masks on their own while Koreans should hear about the social benefits of mask‐wearing.
Adaptive strategies of sponges to deoxygenated oceans
Authors: Micaroni Valerio , Strano Francesca , McAllen Rob , Woods Lisa , Turner John , Harman Luke , Bell James J.
Published: December 2021

Ocean deoxygenation is one of the major consequences of climate change. In coastal waters, this process can be exacerbated by eutrophication, which is contributing to an alarming increase in the so‐called ‘dead zones’ globally. Despite its severity, the effect of reduced dissolved oxygen has only been studied for a very limited number of organisms, compared to other climate change impacts such as ocean acidification and warming. Here, we experimentally assessed the response of sponges to moderate and severe simulated hypoxic events. We ran three laboratory experiments on four species from two different temperate oceans (NE Atlantic and SW Pacific). Sponges were exposed to a total of five hypoxic treatments, with increasing severity (3.3, 1.6, 0.5, 0.4 and 0.13 mg O2 L−1, over 7–12‐days). We found that sponges are generally very tolerant of hypoxia. All the sponges survived in the experimental conditions, except Polymastia crocea, which showed significant mortality at the lowest oxygen concentration (0.13 mg O2 L−1, lethal median time: 286 h). In all species except Suberites carnosus, hypoxic conditions do not significantly affect respiration rate down to 0.4 mg O2 L−1, showing that sponges can uptake oxygen at very low concentrations in the surrounding environment. Importantly, sponges displayed species‐specific phenotypic modifications in response to the hypoxic treatments, including physiological, morphological and behavioural changes. This phenotypic plasticity likely represents an adaptive strategy to live in reduced or low oxygen water. Our results also show that a single sponge species (i.e., Suberites australiensis) can display different strategies at different oxygen concentrations. Compared to other sessile organisms, sponges generally showed higher tolerance to hypoxia, suggesting that sponges could be favoured and survive in future deoxygenated oceans.
Aquatic invasion patterns across the North Atlantic
Authors: Cuthbert Ross N. , Kotronaki Syrmalenia G. , Carlton James T. , Ruiz Gregory M. , Fofonoff Paul , Briski Elizabeta
Published: December 2021

Biological invasions are a major driver of biodiversity loss and socioeconomic burden globally. As invasion rates accelerate worldwide, understanding past invasion dynamics is essential to inform predictions of future invaders and impacts. Owing to a high diversity of pathways and current biosecurity gaps, aquatic systems near urban centres are especially susceptible to alien species establishments. Here, we compiled and compared alien species lists for three different aquatic recipient regions spanning the North Atlantic: Chesapeake Bay, Great Lakes‐St. Lawrence River and North and Baltic Seas. Each system is a major trade centre, with a history of invasions, and characterized by a strong natural salinity gradient. Our goal was to compare the alien species across systems, to test for similarities in the taxonomic composition and geographic origin as well as species overlap among the three regions. We selected specific macroinvertebrate, algal and fish taxa for analysis, to control for uneven taxonomic and biogeographic resolution across regions. Cumulatively, we identified 326 individual alien species established in these aquatic systems, with the North and Baltic Seas most invaded overall (163), followed by Great Lakes‐St. Lawrence River (84) and Chesapeake Bay (79). Most invasions were from Ponto‐Caspian, Eurasian, Northwest Pacific, Northwest Atlantic and North American origins, and mostly comprised Arthropoda, Chordata, Mollusca and Annelida. However, origins and taxonomies differed significantly among destinations, with Ponto‐Caspian species particularly successful invaders to the North and Baltic Seas then Great Lakes‐St. Lawrence River, but less so to Chesapeake Bay. Nevertheless, approximately eight‐tenths of invaders established in only one region, indicating disparate invasion patterns and a high potential for future aliens to accrue from increasingly diverse source pools and pathways. These results support biosecurity strategies that consider a broad range of geographic origins and taxonomic groups to limit the translocation, arrival and spread of alien species worldwide.