bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Barriers to transparency in Bhutan's public administration: A new typology of opacity
Authors: Venard Bertrand , Tshering Kezang
Published: December 2021

In democratic emerging countries, transparency can play an important role in reducing corruption, but only if certain barriers are overcome. This investigation contributes to transparency theory by studying the barriers to transparency and proposing a typology consisting of five barriers that lead to opacity. With focus on the public administration tasked to control corruption in the mining sector of Bhutan, we conducted 98 semi‐structured interviews within seven different stakeholder groups in different regions of Bhutan to determine the barriers to transparency in fighting corruption. A qualitative analysis technique revealed first‐ and second‐order themes resulting in five forms of opacity: idiosyncratic (nature of the industry and corruption); systemic (adequacy of information management system); deliberate (willingness to exercise control); organizational (role and process ambiguity); and capacity (sufficient resources to control). This analysis of the mining sector, a high corruption industry, in a unique, low corruption democratic emerging country, Bhutan, provides practical implications to policy‐makers attempting to improve transparency, and hence, reduce corruption. Policy and managerial implications of this research include paying more attention to the national control agencies that could be improved by heeding the five key factors that we have highlighted.
Design of shading‐ and hotspot‐resistant shingled modules
Authors: Clement Carlos Enrico , Singh Jai Prakash , Khoo Yong Sheng , Halm Andreas , Tune Daniel , Birgersson Erik
Published: December 2021

The shingled module has become an attractive interconnection architecture for its higher packing density and superior power generation. However, with longer string lengths and smaller cell areas, these modules are particularly susceptible to developing hotspots from shading elements. In this paper, a framework for the design of hotspot‐ and shading‐resistant shingled modules is presented. An electrothermal model is developed and validated extensively through specially fabricated shingled modules that allow for string‐level measurement and analysis. To investigate the relative influence of cell electrical characteristics on power loss and hotspot temperature, we perform a stochastic Monte Carlo simulation which reveals a greater sensitivity to parameters associated with the shaded cell's leakage current. A further study on cells with illumination‐dependent Jleakage shows the detriment of this light‐induced effect where higher hotspot temperatures can develop. Module‐level parameters are also investigated where string length, number of parallel strings, and cell fraction are studied in relation to their impact on module power and hotspot response. Finally, these findings are condensed into a design matrix which defines the space in which module manufacturers may configure shingled modules such that hotspots will not exceed a set threshold temperature.
Pulmonary specialist involvement in critical asthma in the pediatric intensive care unit: A retrospective review
Authors: Paskaradevan Janaki , Zier Mackenzie , Rissmiller Brian , Katkin Julie P. , Coss‐Bu Jorge A. , Gazzaneo M. Carolina
Published: December 2021

Introduction

Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood. There is a scarcity of published literature on critical asthma, considered acute asthma requiring pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission. The goal of this study was to describe the clinical care of children with critical asthma admitted to a single center PICU and to determine whether pulmonary medicine consultation during admission impacted outcomes.

Methods

Retrospective chart review of known asthma patients aged 4–18 years admitted to a quaternary PICU between 01/2013 and 07/2019 for management of critical asthma.

Results

A total of 179 patients were enrolled with median age of 8 years. Median hospital length of stay (LOS) was 3.2 days and PICU LOS was 1.5 days. A total of 80 (44.7%) patients had a pulmonary medicine consultation. In the pulmonary medicine consultation group versus the no‐pulmonary medicine consultation group, there was a significant difference in hospital LOS (4.16 vs. 2.86 days, p value <.0001) and PICU LOS (2.00 vs. 1.00, p value <.0001), escalation of controller medication (66% vs. 21%, p value <.0001), scheduled outpatient pulmonology follow‐up (87.5% vs. 45.4%, p value <.0001), and receiving ≥3 courses of systemic steroids in the 12 months after discharge (32.2% vs. 14.7%). There was no difference in attendance of scheduled follow up appointments or in having ≥3 emergency room visits or admissions in the 12 months after discharge.

Conclusion

Pulmonary medicine consultation during hospital admission may impact management of critical asthma by increasing escalation of controller medication and scheduled outpatient follow up.
Fitness costs associated with chlorantraniliprole resistance in Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) strains with different genetic backgrounds
Authors: Elias Oliveira Padovez Fernando , Hideo Kanno Rubens , Omoto Celso , Sartori Guidolin Aline
Published: December 2021

BACKGROUND

Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) is a difficult pest to manage mainly because of its resistance to insecticides and Bt proteins. We evaluated fitness costs of S. frugiperda resistant strains to diamide insecticides with different genetic backgrounds aiming to highlight the importance of using isogenic strains. We established a near‐isogenic strain of S. frugiperda resistant to diamides (Iso‐RR), using a chlorantraniliprole resistant strain (RR) selected from a field‐collected population and a susceptible reference strain (SS). Fitness costs were assayed using strains with close‐related genetic backgrounds (Iso‐RR and SS) and strains with distant‐related genetic backgrounds (RR and SS).

RESULTS

No fitness cost associated with chlorantraniliprole resistance in S. frugiperda was observed using the Iso‐RR strain, based on life history traits. The only parameter that differs between Iso‐RR and SS strains was the mean length of a generation (T), whereas the Iso‐RR strain presented T = 35.8 and SS strain showed T = 34.6. On the other hand, a significant fitness cost was detected using the RR strain. All population growth parameters differ between RR and SS strains. Based on the intrinsic rate of population increase (rm) parameter, the relative fitness estimated was 1.02 for the Iso‐RR strain and 0.64 for the RR strain.

CONCLUSION

The genetic background of the resistant strains alters fitness cost outcomes. The RR strain showed fitness costs associated with resistance, but the Iso‐RR did not. Our work supports the decision‐making process of resistance management programs and adds to the growing body of research that enlightens the importance of strain genetics in fitness cost experiments.
Field and greenhouse application of an attract‐and‐kill formulation based on the yeast Hanseniaspora uvarum and the insecticide spinosad to control Drosophila suzukii in grapes
Authors: Spitaler Urban , Cossu Carlo S , Delle Donne Lorenz , Bianchi Flavia , Rehermann Guillermo , Eisenstecken Daniela , Castellan Irene , Duménil Claire , Angeli Sergio , Robatscher Peter , Becher Paul G , Koschier Elisabeth H , Schmidt Silvia
Published: December 2021

BACKGROUND

The invasive insect Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) is an important pest of several red grape varieties. The yeast Hanseniaspora uvarum (Niehaus), which is associated with D. suzukii, strongly attracts flies and stimulates them to feed on yeast‐laden food. In the present study, a formulation based on H. uvarum culture with spinosad insecticide was applied to the foliage of vineyards and control of D. suzukii was compared to applying spinosad to the whole plant. After successful H. uvarum and insecticide application in the vineyard, we tested additional H. uvarum‐based formulations with spinosad in a greenhouse to determine their capacity to control D. suzukii.

RESULTS

Application of the H. uvarum‐spinosad formulation at 36.4 g of spinosad per hectare reduced the D. suzukii field infestation at the same rate as applying 120 g of spinosad per hectare and prevented spinosad residues on grapes. Leaves treated with H. uvarum and spinosad in the field and transferred to a laboratory assay caused high mortality to flies and reduced the number of eggs laid on fruits. Formulations with spinosad applied in the greenhouse showed that both H. uvarum culture and the yeast cell‐free supernatant of a centrifuged culture increased fly mortality and reduced the number of eggs laid compared to the unsprayed control.

CONCLUSION

In comparison to typical spinosad spray applications, the use of H. uvarum in combination with spinosad as an attract‐and‐kill formulation against D. suzukii reduces pesticide residues on the fruits by targeting the treatment to the canopy and decreasing the amount of insecticide per hectare without compromising control efficacy.
Vacuum Ultraviolet Emission Properties of Rocksalt‐Structured MgZnO Microcrystals Prepared on Quartz Glass Substrates
Authors: Kosaka Wataru , Hoshi Shoma , Kudo Kanta , Kaneko Kentaro , Yamaguchi Tomohiro , Honda Tohru , Fujita Shizuo , Onuma Takeyoshi
Published: December 2021

Rocksalt‐structured (RS) MgZnO crystals are grown on quartz glass substrates by the mist chemical vapor deposition (mist CVD) method. Cathodoluminescence (CL) emission properties are comparatively studied with those for the RS‐MgZnO epitaxial film prepared on MgO substrate to explore their potential for vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) emitter. In the experiment, the newly developed VUV spectroscopy system is employed, where the CL and optical transmittance spectra are simultaneously measured. Growths of RS‐MgZnO on quartz glass substrate indicate formation of microcrystals (MCs). The MCs dominantly exhibit a near‐band‐edge VUV emission at 6.20 eV (200 nm) at 6 K and 6.07 eV (204 nm) at 300 K. Moreover, the MCs show a noticeable higher energy shoulder at 6.6 eV (188 nm) at 6 K and 6.4 eV (194 nm) at 300 K. The results ensure potential of RS‐MgZnO crystals for active element in VUV emitter regardless of the substrate material.
Experimental and Theoretical Investigation of the Surface Electronic Structure of ZnGa2O4(100) Single‐Crystals
Authors: Reichmann Felix , Dabrowski Jaroslaw , Becker Andreas Paul , Klesse Wolfgang Matthias , Irmscher Klaus , Schewski Robert , Galazka Zbigniew , Mulazzi Mattia
Published: December 2021

Herein, a detailed experimental and theoretical investigation on the surface electronic structure of ZnGa2O4(100) bulk single‐crystals, with a special emphasis on the surface preparation, is presented. The surface crystallizes in the bulk‐derived structure, even at low annealing temperatures. Thermal treatments in ultra‐high vacuum have detrimental effects, as they cannot remove the carbon contamination and induce substantial zinc losses, further exacerbated by sputtering. A short sputtering duration and annealing in oxygen atmosphere dramatically reduce the zinc and oxygen losses in the crystal surface, leading to a contamination‐free, crystalline surface of nearly stoichiometric composition. The investigation of the valence states along the high symmetry directions of the Brillouin zone compares favorably with ab initio pseudopotential calculations, indicating a good surface quality and overall agreement with theory. An in‐depth analysis of the measured and simulated valence band peak intensities reveals difficulties associated with the precise description of the metal‐oxygen hybridization. This study provides a first fundamental understanding of the electronic structure of ZnGa2O4, while also indicating that the surface thermal instability is a challenging task that should be taken into account for the fabrication of heterostructures based on ZnGa2O4.
Good's syndrome presenting with CMV pneumonitis and oesophageal candidiasis: A case report
Authors: Kwok Chin Tong , Yeung Yiu Cheong
Published: December 2021

Good's syndrome is an acquired combined T‐ and B‐cell immunodeficiencies and patients are prone to opportunistic infections. The diagnosis is based on a characteristic immunoglobulin and lymphocyte subset profile, with clinical features of thymoma. Despite thymectomy, the immunodeficiencies persist and lifelong immunoglobulin replacement is necessary to prevent infections.
Robust satisficing cooperative control barrier functions for multirobots systems using information‐gap theory
Authors: Marvi Zahra , Kiumarsi Bahare
Published: December 2021

This paper integrates control barrier functions (CBFs) and information‐gap theory to present robust safe controllers for collision avoidance problem in multi‐agent systems with different levels of measurement accuracy. It is assumed that agents have uncertain and inaccurate measurements about the relative distance to neighboring agents. A cooperative framework for the construction of CBFs for each two agents is employed to avoid collision and ensure the safety of the overall system. To maximize the horizon of uncertainty under which the safety of the overall system is satisfied, the information‐gap theory is leveraged to determine the contribution and share of each agent in the construction of CBFs. This results in the highest possible robustness against measurement uncertainty. It is shown that the overall system can tolerate higher measurement uncertainty and safely operate if the agent that is more confident about its measurement contributes more to the construction of the CBF. By employing the proposed approach in constructing CBF, the possible failure of one agent in gathering accurate local data can be compensated by cooperation between agents. The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated via performing simulations for multirobot systems.
Simultaneous Modulation of Interface Reinforcement, Crystallization, Anti‐Reflection, and Carrier Transport in Sb Gradient‐Doped SnO2/Sb2S3 Heterostructure for Efficient Photoelectrochemical Cell
Authors: Han Jianhua , Yan Huiyu , Hu Chenxi , Song Qinggong , Kang Jianhai , Guo Yanrui , Liu Zhifeng
Published: December 2021

In this study, an effective quadruple optimization integrated synergistic strategy is designed to fabricate quality Sb gradient‐doped SnO2/Sb2S3 heterostructure for an efficient photoelectrochemical (PEC) cell. The experimental results and theoretical calculations reveal that i) optical absorption matching is realized by combining the anti‐reflection of SnO2 and high light absorption ability of Sb2S3 in the visible region; ii) interface reinforcement is carried out by coordinating gradient‐distributed Sb in SnO2 with S in S‐rich precursor of Sb2S3 for improving the Sb2S3 crystallization process and matching crystalline lattice of Sb:SnO2 and Sb2S3; iii) ultrahigh electron mobility is achieved by making Sb gradient‐doped SnO2; iv) carrier separation and transport are accelerated by constructing type‐II heterojunction with appropriate energy level alignment and forming a high‐speed electron transport channel. All of above‐mentioned optimization effects are integrated into a synergistic strategy for constructing the Sb:SnO2/Sb2S3 photoanode, achieving a photocurrent density of 2.30 mA cm−2, hydrogen generation rate of 30.03 µmol cm−2 h−1, and decent working stability. Notably, this method can also be used in other large‐scale fabrication processes, such as drop‐casting, spray‐coating, blade‐coating, printing, slot‐die, etc. Moreover, this universal integrated strategy paves an avenue to fabricate efficient photoelectrodes with excellent photoelectrochemical performances.
A Microfluidic Device to Fabricate One‐Step Cell Bead‐Laden Hydrogel Struts for Tissue Engineering
Authors: Kim JuYeon , Lee Hyeongjin , Jin Eun‐Ju , Jo Yunju , Kang Baeki E. , Ryu Dongryeol , Kim GeunHyung
Published: December 2021

Cell‐laden structures are widely applied for a variety of tissue engineering applications, including tissue restoration. Cell‐to‐cell interactions in bioprinted structures are important for successful tissue restoration, because cell–cell signaling pathways can regulate tissue development and stem cell fate. However, the low degree of cell–cell interaction in conventional cell‐laden bioprinted structures is challenging for the therapeutic application of this modality. Herein, a microfluidic device with cell‐laden methacrylated gelatin (GelMa) bioink and alginate as a matrix hydrogel is used to fabricate a functional hybrid structure laden with cell‐aggregated microbeads. This approach effectively increases the degree of cell‐to‐cell interaction to a level comparable to cell spheroids. The hybrid structure is obtained using a one‐step process without the exhausting procedure. It consists of cell bead fabrication and an extrusion process for the cell‐bead laden structure. Different flow rates are appropriately selected to develop cell‐laden struts with homogeneously distributed cell beads for each hydrogel in the process. The hybrid struts exhibit significantly higher cellular activities than those of conventional alginate/GelMa struts, which are bioprinted using similar cell densities and bioink formulations. Furthermore, hybrid struts with adipose stem cells are implanted into mice, resulting in significantly higher myogenesis in comparison to normally bioprinted struts.
Integrated and Unassisted Solar Water‐Splitting System by Monolithic Perovskite/Silicon Tandem Solar Cell
Authors: Wang Manjing , Shi Biao , Zhang Qixing , Li Xingliang , Pan Sanjing , Zhao Ying , Zhang Xiaodan
Published: December 2021

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting to hydrogen is a clean process that can achieve green hydrogen. However, the integrated PEC devices have some problems, such as serious incident light loss, poor stability, and high cost. Here, the low‐cost perovskite/silicon tandem cell instead of the costly III−V tandem cell as the light absorber is used, combined with high‐transmittance quartz glass as a protective layer forming an unassisted solar water‐splitting device. Quartz glass can minimize incident light loss and prevent electrolyte corrosion of solar cells. A solar‐to‐hydrogen efficiency of 19.68% is achieved, and the performance can be maintained for 20 h without noticeable change. This structure design provides a novel integrated solar water‐splitting system.
Intelligent Agents for Social and Learning Logistics Systems
Authors: Herzog Otthein , Timm Ingo J.
Published: December 2021

The digitalization of logistics processes is often based on distributed models and decentralized control. As these logistics models constitute an important part of Industrie 4.0 concepts they must be powerful enough to cover dynamic processes and must enable a host of functions such as goal-oriented, reactive, pro-active, communicative, cooperative, competitive, and learning behaviors. In addition, these distributed models must allow for simulating, planning, allocating, scheduling, and optimizing logistics tasks. This implies that they must be able to act through communication channels with each other thus establishing logistics social communities.

Multiagent Systems (MAS) have been around for more than 30 years and lend themselves to the implementation of these distributed models needed for autonomous and cooperating logistics processes. It will be described and also demonstrated by three case studies why MAS are well suited for social and learning logistics systems. It will be shown how the resulting distributed MAS models provide the required functionalities for production and transportation logistics including the handling of dynamic local events as an essential feature for the successful planning, scheduling, optimizing, monitoring, and control of global logistics processes.
The Influence of Cognitive Biases in Production Logistics
Authors: Knapp Florian , Kessler Melanie , Arlinghaus Julia C.
Published: December 2021

Digitalization and the transformation of industry into Industry 4.0 is changing the character of production logistics substantially. New Logistics 4.0 technologies are largely enabling automated decision-making by machines. Human decisions are nevertheless still required. Research shows, however, that human decisions are often more biased and less rational than most logistics models assume. Decision makers and decision support system designers therefore need to understand the influence of the so-called cognitive biases on the human decision-making process. We contribute to the scholarship on this issue by combining the literature streams of logistics and cognitive biases. We demonstrate the influence of cognitive biases on human decision-making based on typical decisions in logistics and derive initial hypotheses.
Omnichannel Retail Customer Experience with Mixed-Reality Shopping Assistant Systems
Authors: Jain Shubham , Schweiss Thomas , Bender Simon , Werth Dirk
Published: December 2021

Mixed reality has been identified as one of the technologies that can be deployed in omnichannel retail to improve the customer shopping experience. The article presents a mixed reality based digital shopping assistant which aims to provide retail customers with a holistic shopping experience. Design science research methodology is used to develop this physical artifact that comprises of assisting elements: product information, reviews, recommendations and a buy button. A study was conducted with two different head-mounted displays (Microsoft HoloLens and HoloLens 2) where 29 participants evaluated the proposed physical artifact and brings out the relationship between shopping experience constructs that constitutes a modern omnichannel retail customer experience. Results show a positive attitude of customers towards the technology. Differences between the two-head mounted displays were observed in terms of perceived privacy issues. Technology adoption, enjoyment and security beliefs of the customers are observed to have a significant effect on the user’s intention to use the technology. The results also reveal that a customer’s perceived convenience, perceived service quality, attitude towards the retailer and the word of mouth are affected significantly by their intention to use the technology. These results, along with qualitative comments from the participants are used to extract research, development and deployment implications for future iterations of shopping assistant systems based on mixed reality.
Die Generationen Y und Z – Neue Herausforderungen für Führungskräfte im Krankenhaus
Authors: Waeschle Reiner M. , Schmidt Christian , Mörstedt Antje-Britta
Published: December 2021

Hintergrund und Ziel der Arbeit

In dieser Studie wurden die Studierenden der Generationen Y und Z des Studiengangs Humanmedizin an der Georg-August-Universität Göttingen hinsichtlich ihrer Präferenzen am Arbeitsplatz und der Wahl eines Arbeitgebers befragt.

Material und Methoden

Die Befragung wurde 2016 über einen Onlinefragebogen über EvaSys an 2637 Studierende der Universitätsmedizin Göttingen versandt und wurde von 742 beantwortet (Rücklaufquote: 28,1 %).

Ergebnisse

Die Befragten fühlten sich unabhängig von der Generationszugehörigkeit mit 89,5 % überwiegend „gut“ und „nicht so gut“ auf den Übergang von der Universität ins Berufsleben vorbereitet. Die häufigsten Ängste waren viel Arbeit/wenig Freizeit, Zeitmangel bei der Patientenversorgung, mangelnde Erfahrung, Stress, fachliche Überforderung und schlechte Einarbeitung. Die Beschaffung von Informationen über zukünftige Arbeitgeber erfolgte in beiden Gruppen überwiegend mit knapp 60 % über die Homepage des Krankenhauses. Wichtig waren den Studierenden eine besonders gute Ausbildung und eine strukturierte Einarbeitung/ein strukturiertes Weiterbildungscurriculum.

Diskussion

Die Weiterentwicklung eines strukturierten Einarbeitungskonzepts für Berufseinsteiger, ein verbindliches, strukturiertes Weiterbildungscurriculum, die Etablierung bzw. Weiterentwicklung eines Mentoring-Programms, die Weiterentwicklung von Führungsqualitäten und die Gestaltung einer ansprechenden und aktualisierten Homepage sind wesentliche Voraussetzungen, um auf dem hart umkämpften Fachkräftemarkt zukünftig erfolgreich zu sein.
Indigenous Participation and the Incorporation of Indigenous Knowledge and Perspectives in Global Environmental Governance Forums: a Systematic Review
Authors: Zurba Melanie , Papadopoulos Anastasia
Published: December 2021

Global environmental governance (GEG) forums, such as those convened through the United Nations, result in the development of monumental guiding frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Conference of Parties (COPs) Aichi and post-2020 targets. The ratification of policy frameworks by member and/or signatory states can result in major shifts in environmental policy and decision-making and has major implications for Indigenous communities. In this article, we present systematic review of the peer-reviewed literature on Indigenous participation in GEG forums, and focus on the specific questions: (1) what GEG forums include Indigenous participation and (2) how do Indigenous peoples participate in GEG forums, including how their perspectives and knowledges are framed and/or included/excluded within governance discussions, decisions, and negotiations. We provide a bibliometric analysis of the articles and derive seven inductively determined themes from our review: (1) Critical governance forums and decisions; (2) inclusion and exclusion of Indigenous voices and knowledge in GEG forums; (3) capacity barriers; (4) knowledge hierarchies: inclusion, integration, and bridging; (5) representation and grouping of Indigenous peoples in GEG; (6) need for networks among and between Indigenous peoples and other governance actors; and (7) Indigenous peoples influence on GEG decisions and processes. Our findings can be used to improve GEG forums by contributing to the development strategies that address the barriers and inequities to meaningful and beneficial Indigenous participation and can contribute to future research that is focused on understanding the experiences of Indigenous peoples within GEG forums.
Thioredoxin 1 (Trx1) is associated with poor prognosis in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC): an example for the crucial role of redox signaling in ccRCC
Authors: Ribback Silvia , Winter Stefan , Klatte Tobias , Schaeffeler Elke , Gellert Manuela , Stühler Viktoria , Scharpf Marcus , Bedke Jens , Burchardt Martin , Schwab Matthias , Lillig Christopher H. , Kroeger Nils
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Thioredoxins are major regulatory proteins of oxidative signaling. Trx1 is the most prominent thioredoxin and, therefore, the current study sought to evaluate the prognostic role of Trx1 in ccRCC.

Methods and patients

A tissue micro-array (TMA) study was carried out to evaluate the association of Trx1 with clinicopathological features and survival outcome. Data from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were evaluated for the association of characteristics in the Trx1 gene with clinicopathological features and survival outcome.

Results

In the TMA, patients with ccRCC that had high Trx1 levels had lower T stages (p < 0.001), less often distant metastases (p = 0.018), lower nuclear grades (p < 0.001), and less often tumor necrosis (p = 0.037) or sarcomatoid features (p = 0.008). Patients with a combined score of  ≥ 10 had better DSS than patients with a low combined score of < 10 (HR 95% CI 0.62 (0.39–0.98)). Interestingly, the survival outcome is compartment specific: ccRCC patients whose tumors had exclusively Trx1 expression in the cytoplasm had the worst survival outcome (HR 3.1; 95% CI 1.2–8.0). Genomic data from the TCGA demonstrated that patients with ccRCCs that had Trx1 losses had more advanced clinicopathological features and worse survival outcome in disease specific (p < 0.001), overall (p = 0.001), and progression free survival (p = 0.001) when compared to patients with ccRCCs without copy number variations (CNV) or gains.

Conclusion

The current study suggests a possible role of Trx1 in the tumor biology of ccRCC and thus, the current study strongly advises in depth investigations of redox signaling pathways in ccRCC.
Estimating red fox density using non-invasive genetic sampling and spatial capture–recapture modelling
Authors: Lindsø Lars K. , Dupont Pierre , Rød-Eriksen Lars , Andersskog Ida Pernille Øystese , Ulvund Kristine Roaldsnes , Flagstad Øystein , Bischof Richard , Eide Nina E.
Published: December 2021

Spatial capture–recapture modelling (SCR) is a powerful tool for estimating density, population size, and space use of elusive animals. Here, we applied SCR modelling to non-invasive genetic sampling (NGS) data to estimate red fox (Vulpes vulpes) densities in two areas of boreal forest in central (2016–2018) and southern Norway (2017–2018). Estimated densities were overall lower in the central study area (mean = 0.04 foxes per km2 in 2016, 0.10 in 2017, and 0.06 in 2018) compared to the southern study area (0.16 in 2017 and 0.09 in 2018). We found a positive effect of forest cover on density in the central, but not the southern study area. The absence of an effect in the southern area may reflect a paucity of evidence caused by low variation in forest cover. Estimated mean home-range size in the central study area was 45 km2 [95%CI 34–60] for females and 88 km2 [69–113] for males. Mean home-range sizes were smaller in the southern study area (26 km2 [16–42] for females and 56 km2 [35–91] for males). In both study areas, detection probability was session-dependent and affected by sampling effort. This study highlights how SCR modelling in combination with NGS can be used to efficiently monitor red fox populations, and simultaneously incorporate ecological factors and estimate their effects on population density and space use.
Identification of potentially painful disc fissures in magnetic resonance images using machine-learning modelling
Authors: Lagerstrand Kerstin , Hebelka Hanna , Brisby Helena
Published: December 2021

Purpose

It is suggested that non-specific low back pain (LBP) can be related to nerve ingrowth along granulation tissue in disc fissures, extending into the outer layers of the annulus fibrosus. Present study aimed to investigate if machine-learning modelling of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data can classify such fissures as well as pain, provoked by discography, with plausible accuracy and precision.

Methods

The study was based on previously collected data from 30 LBP patients (age = 26–64 years, 11 males). Pressure-controlled discography was performed in 86 discs with pain-positive discograms, categorized as concordant pain-response at a pressure ≤ 50 psi and for each patient one negative control disc. The CT-discograms were used for categorization of fissures. MRI values and standard deviations were extracted from the midsagittal part and from 5 different sub-regions of the discs. Machine-learning algorithms were trained on the extracted MRI markers to classify discs with fissures extending into the outer annulus or not, as well as to classify discs as painful or non-painful.

Results

Discs with outer annular fissures were classified in MRI with very high precision (mean of 10 repeated testings: 99%) and accuracy (mean: 97%) using machine-learning modelling, but the pain model only demonstrated moderate diagnostic accuracy (mean accuracy: 69%; precision: 71%).

Conclusion

The present study showed that machine-learning modelling based on MRI can classify outer annular fissures with very high diagnostic accuracy and, hence, enable individualized diagnostics. However, the model only demonstrated moderate diagnostic accuracy regarding pain that could be assigned to either a non-sufficient model or the used pain reference.
Captivity and habituation to humans raise curiosity in vervet monkeys
Authors: Forss Sofia Ingrid Fredrika , Motes-Rodrigo Alba , Dongre Pooja , Mohr Tecla , van de Waal Erica
Published: December 2021

The cognitive mechanisms causing intraspecific behavioural differences between wild and captive animals remain poorly understood. Although diminished neophobia, resulting from a safer environment and more “free” time, has been proposed to underlie these differences among settings, less is known about how captivity influences exploration tendency. Here, we refer to the combination of reduced neophobia and increased interest in exploring novelty as “curiosity”, which we systematically compared across seven groups of captive and wild vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus) by exposing them to a test battery of eight novel stimuli. In the wild sample, we included both monkeys habituated to human presence and unhabituated individuals filmed using motion-triggered cameras. Results revealed clear differences in number of approaches to novel stimuli among captive, wild-habituated and wild-unhabituated monkeys. As foraging pressure and predation risks are assumed to be equal for all wild monkeys, our results do not support a relationship between curiosity and safety or free time. Instead, we propose “the habituation hypothesis” as an explanation of why well-habituated and captive monkeys both approached and explored novelty more than unhabituated individuals. We conclude that varying levels of human and/or human artefact habituation, rather than the risks present in natural environments, better explain variation in curiosity in our sample of vervet monkeys.
Selectionism and Diaphaneity
Authors: Zięba Paweł Jakub
Published: December 2021

Brain activity determines which relations between objects in the environment are perceived as differences and similarities in colour, smell, sound, etc. According to selectionism, brain activity does not create those relations; it only selects which of them are perceptually available to the subject on a given occasion. In effect, selectionism entails that perceptual experience is diaphanous, i.e. that sameness and difference in the phenomenal character of experience is exhausted by sameness and difference in the perceived items. It has been argued that diaphaneity is undermined by phenomenological considerations and empirical evidence. This paper considers five prominent arguments of this sort and shows that none of them succeeds.
The Public Effect of Private Sustainability Reporting: Evidence from Incident-Based Engagement Strategy
Authors: Semenova Natalia
Published: December 2021

This study examines whether private information exchange between institutional investors and public companies in engagement dialogs on sustainability issues improves the publicly disclosed measurements of the target company’s financial and non-financial performance and transparency. It uses a unique dataset containing 326 private reports related to environmental, social, and anti-corruption recommendations to address material incidents among publicly traded MSCI World Index portfolio companies of Nordic institutional investors. The results indicate that target companies appear to have similar values with matched companies on sustainability performance and transparency ratings in the 3 years following the initiation of private reporting. Unexpected sustainability incidents are subsequently reflected in the next year’s fall in the market value of target companies relative to MSCI World Index. This paper provides empirical evidence for the legitimacy-based provision of private sustainability information used in a larger disclosure system of public companies.
Media Awareness and Screen Time Reduction in Children, Youth or Families: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Krafft Hanno , Boehm Katja , Schwarz Silke , Eichinger Michael , Büssing Arndt , Martin David
Published: December 2021

Excessive use of screen media is a global public health issue and especially extensive screen exposure during very early childhood. This review was conducted in order to update previous reviews on the effectiveness of interventions to reduce screen time. An electronic literature search was carried out in MEDLINE, COCHRANE LIBRARY and CINAHL for articles indexed from June 2011 until October 2019. The search identified 933 publications of which 11 publications were included in this review. There are studies showing interventions with a positive influence on reduction of screen time and the participants’ awareness and behavior concerning the use of screen media, as well as studies without such effects. No intervention was identified to be superior. This warrants further investigation of potentially effective combinations of intervention components and long-term follow-up.
Delineating the elusive BaMMV resistance gene rym15 in barley by medium-resolution mapping
Authors: Wang Yaping , Habekuß Antje , Snowdon Rod J. , Ordon Frank , Perovic Dragan
Published: December 2021

Barley mild mosaic virus (BaMMV), transmitted by the soil-borne protist Polymyxa graminis, has a serious impact on winter barley production. Previously, the BaMMV resistance gene rym15 was mapped on chromosome 6HS, but the order of flanking markers was non-collinear between different maps. To resolve the position of the flanking markers and to enable map-based cloning of rym15, two medium-resolution mapping populations Igri (susceptible) × Chikurin Ibaraki 1 (resistant) (I × C) and Chikurin Ibaraki 1 × Uschi (susceptible) (C × U), consisting of 342 and 180 F2 plants, respectively, were developed. Efficiency of the mechanical inoculation of susceptible standards varied from 87.5 to 100% and in F2 populations from 90.56 to 93.23%. Phenotyping of F2 plants and corresponding F3 families revealed segregation ratios of 250 s:92r (I × C, χ2 = 0.659) and 140 s:40r (C × U, χ2 = 0.741), suggesting the presence of a single recessive resistance gene. After screening the parents with the 50 K Infinium chip and anchoring corresponding SNPs to the barley reference genome, 8 KASP assays were developed and used to remap the gene. Newly constructed maps revealed a collinear order of markers, thereby allowing the identification of high throughput flanking markers. This study demonstrates how construction of medium-resolution mapping populations in combination with robust phenotyping can efficiently resolve conflicting marker ordering and reduce the size of the target interval. In the reference genome era and genome-wide genotyping era, medium-resolution mapping will help accelerate candidate gene identification for traits where phenotyping is difficult.
Stockpiling disrupts the biological integrity of topsoil for ecological restoration
Authors: Valliere Justin M. , D’Agui Haylee M. , Dixon Kingsley W. , Nevill Paul G. , Wong Wei San , Zhong Hongtao , Veneklaas Erik J.
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Biotic and abiotic properties of soils can hinder or facilitate ecological restoration, and management practices that impact edaphic factors can strongly influence plant growth and restoration outcomes. Salvaged topsoil is an invaluable resource for mine-site restoration, and a common practice is topsoil transfer from mined areas to restoration sites. However, direct transfer is often not feasible, necessitating storage in stockpiles. We evaluated the effects of topsoil stockpiling on plant performance across diverse ecosystems impacted by mining throughout Western Australia.

Methods

We conducted a bioassay experiment using a widespread native Acacia species to assess how topsoil storage might impact plant growth, physiology, and nodulation by N-fixing bacteria using soils from native reference vegetation and stockpiled soils from six mine sites across Western Australia.

Results

Plant responses varied across mine sites, but overall plants performed better in soils collected from native vegetation, exhibiting greater biomass, more root nodules, and higher water-use efficiency compared to those grown in stockpiled soils. Soil physiochemistry showed few and minor differences between native soils and stockpiles.

Conclusion

Results strongly suggest observed differences in plant performance were biotic in nature. This study highlights the negative effects of topsoil storage on the biological integrity of soil across diverse ecosystems, with important implications for mine-site restoration; our results show that topsoil management can strongly influence plant performance, and stockpiled soils are likely inferior to recently disturbed topsoil for restoration purposes. We also use this study to illustrate the utility of bioassays for assessing soil quality for ecological restoration.
Loneliness as a gender-specific predictor of physical and mental health-related quality of life in older adults
Authors: Boehlen Friederike H. , Maatouk Imad , Friederich Hans-Christoph , Schoettker Ben , Brenner Hermann , Wild Beate
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in older persons is influenced by physical and mental health, as well as by their social contacts and social support. Older women and men have disparate types of social networks; they each value social ties differently and experience loneliness in unique and personal ways. The aim of this study is, therefore, to determine the longitudinal association between loneliness and social isolation with HRQOL in older people—separated by gender.

Methods

Data stem from the third and fourth follow-up of the ESTHER study—a population-based cohort study of the older population in Germany. A sample of 2171 older women and men (mean age: 69.3 years, range 57–84 years) were included in this study; HRQOL was assessed by using the Short Form-12 questionnaire (SF-12). Data on physical and mental health, loneliness, and social networks were examined in the course of comprehensive home visits by trained study doctors. Gender-specific linear regression analyses were performed to predict physical quality of life (measured by the PCS, physical component score of the SF-12) and mental quality of life (measured by the MCS, mental component score) after three years, adjusted by socioeconomic variables as well as physical, mental, and social well-being.

Results

At baseline, PCS was 41.3 (SD: 10.0) in women and 42.2 (SD: 9.6) in men (p = .04). MCS was 47.0 (SD: 10.2) in women and 49.6 (SD: 8.6) in men (p < .001). In both genders, PCS and MCS were lower three years later. Loneliness at t0 was negatively associated with both PCS and MCS after three years (t1) among women, and with MCS but not PCS after three years among men. In both genders, the strongest predictor of PCS after three years was PCS at t0 (p < .001), while the strongest predictors of MCS after three years were MCS and PCS at t0.

Conclusion

HRQOL in elderly women and men is predicted by different biopsychosocial factors. Loneliness predicts decreased MCS after three years in both genders, but decreased PCS after three years only in women. Thus, a greater impact of loneliness on the health of older women can be surmised and should therefore be considered in the context of their medical care.
Metabolomic signatures after bariatric surgery – a systematic review
Authors: Vaz Matilde , Pereira Sofia S. , Monteiro Mariana P.
Published: December 2021

Metabolomics emerged as an important tool to gain insights on how the body responds to therapeutic interventions. Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment for severe obesity and obesity-related co-morbidities. Our aim was to conduct a systematic review of the available data on metabolomics profiles that characterize patients submitted to different bariatric surgery procedures, which could be useful to predict clinical outcomes including weight loss and type 2 diabetes remission. For that, the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses - PRISMA guidelines were followed. Data from forty-seven original study reports addressing metabolomics profiles induced by bariatric surgery that met eligibility criteria were compiled and summarized. Amino acids, lipids, energy-related and gut microbiota-related were the metabolite classes most influenced by bariatric surgery. Among these, higher pre-operative levels of specific lipids including phospholipids, long-chain fatty acids and bile acids were associated with post-operative T2D remission. As conclusion, metabolite profiling could become a useful tool to predict long term response to different bariatric surgery procedures, allowing more personalized interventions and improved healthcare resources allocation.
Refuting student teachers’ misconceptions about multimedia learning
Authors: Prinz Anja , Kollmer Julia , Flick Lisa , Renkl Alexander , Eitel Alexander
Published: December 2021

Prior research indicates that student teachers frequently have misconceptions about multimedia learning. Our experiment withN = 96 student teachers revealed that, in contrast to standard texts, refutation texts are effective to address misconceptions about multimedia learning. However, there seems to be no added benefit of making “concessions” to student teachers’ prior beliefs (i.e., two-sided argumentation) in refutation texts. Moreover, refutation texts did not promote the selection of appropriate multimedia material. This study suggests that refutation texts addressing multimedia-learning misconceptions should be applied in teacher education. Yet, further support seems needed to aid the application of the corrected knowledge.
Temping fates in Spain: hours and employment in a dual labor market during the Great Recession and COVID-19
Authors: Lafuente Cristina , Santaeulàlia-Llopis Raül , Visschers Ludo
Published: December 2021

We investigate the behavior of aggregate hours supplied by workers in permanent (open-ended) contracts and temporary contracts, distinguishing changes in employment (extensive margin) and hours per worker (intensive margin). We focus on the differences between the Great Recession and the start of the COVID-19 Recession. In the Great Recession, the loss in aggregate hours is largely accounted for by employment losses (hours per worker did not adjust) and initially mainly by workers in temporary contracts. In contrast, in the early stages of the COVID-19 Recession, approximately sixty percent of the drop in aggregate hours is accounted for by permanent workers that do not only adjust hours per worker (beyond average) but also face employment losses—accounting for one-third of the total employment losses in the economy. We argue that our comparison across recessions allows for a more general discussion on the impact of adjustment frictions in the dual labor market and the effects policy, in particular the short-time work policy (ERTE) in Spain.
Gender equity in early childhood picture books: a cross-cultural study of frequently read picture books in early childhood classrooms in Australia and the United States
Authors: Adam Helen , Harper Laurie J.
Published: December 2021

Children’s picture books contribute to children’s development of gender identity and can impact aspirations and expectations of roles in families and society. However, the world represented in children’s books reflects predominantly middle class, heterosexual, male heroes and characters. This paper reports on a cross-cultural study investigating gender representation in frequently read picture books across eight early learning centres in the United States and Australia. Forty-four educators working with 271 children participated. Data were collected from book audits and observations. Unique to this study is the presentation of a new data analysis instrument, Harper’s Framework of Gender Stereotypes Contained in Children’s Literature. The majority of the books shared by educators in this study promoted traditional, binary and stereotypical viewpoints of gender and gender roles. These findings are concerning as the evidence shows that gender development is a critical part of the earliest and most important learning experience of young children and a requirement of educational policies rooted in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.