bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The destination marketing and media profile – travel motives nexus amid tourism crisis: the mediating effect of the nation brand
Authors: Matiza Tafadzwa , Slabbert Elmarie
Published: November 2022

Purpose

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic highlights the importance of destination marketing and media profiling to re-engage international tourists. However, potential crisis-induced nation brand (NB) deficits must be addressed to re-ignite tourism demand. The study examines the possible intervening effect of the contemporary NB in the international destination marketing and media-travel motives nexus.

Design/methodology/approach

A deductive quantitative study was undertaken with an online Amazon Mechanical Turk sample of n = 454 respondents. Hypotheses were tested using PROCESS Macro, Model 4.

Findings

The results show that the NB [people and negative events] had a practically significant partial mediating effect in the destination marketing – nature-cultural oriented travel motivation nexus.

Practical implications

New insights are provided via a practical model which facilitates the measurement of potential nuances in the influence of destination marketing and media profiling on leisure tourists' travel motives amid crises. The intervening effect implies that a better understanding of the NB as an indirect antecedent to travel motivation may result in more effective crisis communications and tourism recovery-oriented marketing.

Originality/value

The study is amongst the first to extend marketing and behavioural theory to explore the interplay between the marketing and media profile, a nation's brand and tourists' travel behaviour amid a crisis. The study addresses a discernible dearth of knowledge related to the influence of the NB on tourist behaviour from an emerging market perspective.
Investigating the influences of employer branding attributes on turnover intentions of hospitality workforce in the COVID-19 in Vietnam
Authors: Kar Ananta , Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao
Published: November 2022

Purpose

This study aims to develop a comprehensive understanding about employer branding dimensions as well as the dimension's possible links with turnover intentions through the lens of existing hospitality employees.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was conducted based on a sample of 200 hospitality employees in order to examine relationships between employer branding dimensions and turnover intentions. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used for data analysis and hypothesis testing.

Findings

The findings found that economic, social, development and security values had negative impacts on turnover intentions; however, the impact of application and interest values on turnover intentions were not confirmed.

Practical implications

Hospitality managers can prioritize actions and strategies that influence their staff's intentions to quit, subsequently reducing employee turnover.

Originality/value

Given the lack of studies on employer branding dimensions from the perspective of current employees, especially the employees’ relationships with employee turnover intentions, this study points out employer branding factors that impact employee turnover intentions in the settings of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The findings add to the literature on employer branding and employee turnover management and provide insights for hospitality managers in the context of the New Normal.
Role of health belief model and health consciousness in explaining behavioral intention to use restaurants and practicing healthy diet
Authors: Natour Nihal Omar A. , Alshawish Eman , Alawi Lina
Published: November 2022

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to study the association between health consciousness, health belief model and intention to engage in healthy activities in addition to use restaurants.

Design/methodology/approach

An electronic questionnaire was distributed through social media and university website including questions on demographic variables and Likert scaled aspects of health consciousness, health belief model and behavioral intention to practice healthy habits and use fast-food restaurants.

Findings

A total of 92 Palestinian adults participated in this study. Age 28.5 ± 9.7 years. Of the studied group, 28.6% were males, body mass index = 24.4 ± 4.1 kg/m2. Average health consciousness was 12.3 ± 3.1, health belief model (susceptibility = 10.4 ± 6.8, severity = 12.7 ± 7.2, benefit = 28.1 ± 5.3 and barriers = 17.8 ± 6.8) and for behavioral intention = 21.1 ± 6.4. In final regression models, only benefit was significantly associated with health consciousness (B = 0.18 ± 0.07, p = 0.012) and behavioral intention B = 0.26 ± 0.13, p = 0.05). Only barrier and severity were associated significantly with number of using restaurants weekly (0.04 ± 0.02, p = 0.03) and (0.05 ± 0.02, p = 0.004), respectively.

Research limitations/implications

Health belief model partially explained use of restaurants and healthy lifestyle among Palestinians. This is a cross-sectional design and future clinical trials are needed.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to address the role of health belief model and health consciousness in improving dietary style and habits.
Tourism entrepreneurship in rural destinations: measuring the effects of capital configurations using the fsQCA approach
Authors: Guo Yongrui , Zhu Lin , Zhao Yuzong
Published: November 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate the causal configuration effect of the determinants of tourism entrepreneurship in rural tourism destinations based on the capital framework.

Design/methodology/approach

The data for this research were collected from a sample comprising 140 rural enterprise owners in China and analyzed via fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis.

Findings

All the investigated capital factors were relevant to tourism entrepreneurship, although they only facilitated tourism entrepreneurship when combined. It was observed here that four capital configurations promoted tourism entrepreneurship in rural destinations, highlighting the multiple paths toward rural tourism entrepreneurship. The human and physical capitals of entrepreneurs were key to tourism entrepreneurship.

Practical implications

It is relevant for entrepreneurs and managers to realize that there are multiple strategies for promoting tourism entrepreneurship in rural destinations. The four capital configurations revealed here offer guidelines for evaluating the potential and possibility of rural tourism entrepreneurship. Local managers and governments must prioritize human and physical capitals when the venture capital and resources are limited.

Originality/value

First, the findings of this study deepened the understanding of the factors influencing tourism entrepreneurship using the capital framework. Second, it revealed that capital configurations determined tourism entrepreneurship and that existence and interactions of the various forms of capital affect rural entrepreneurship. Third, this study revealed that the success of tourism entrepreneurship depends on the entrepreneur’s ability to combine the various forms of capital and resources.
Hanging out at the club: Breeding status and territoriality affect individual space use, multi‐species overlap and pathogen transmission risk at a seabird colony
Authors: Lamb Juliet , Tornos Jeremy , Dedet Romain , Gantelet Hubert , Keck Nicolas , Baron Juliette , Bely Marine , Clessin Augustin , Flechet Aline , Gamble Amandine , Boulinier Thierry
Published: November 2022

Wildlife movement ecology often focuses on breeders, whose territorial attachments facilitate trapping and following individuals over time. This leads to incomplete understanding of movements of individuals not actively breeding due to age, breeding failure, subordinance, and other factors. These individuals are often present in breeding populations and contribute to processes such as competition and pathogen spread. Therefore, excluding them from movement ecology studies could bias or mask important spatial dynamics.

Loafing areas offer an alternative to breeding sites for capturing and tracking individuals. Such sites may allow for sampling individuals regardless of breeding status, while also avoiding disturbance of sensitive breeding areas. However, little is known about the breeding status of individuals attending loafing sites, or how their movements compare to those of breeders captured at nests.

We captured a seabird, the brown skua, attending either nests or loafing areas (‘clubs’) at a multi‐species seabird breeding site on Amsterdam Island (southern Indian Ocean). We outfitted skuas with GPS‐UHF transmitters and inferred breeding statuses of individuals captured at clubs using movement patterns of breeders captured at nests. We then compared space use and activity patterns between breeders and nonbreeders.

Both breeding and nonbreeding skuas attended clubs. Nonbreeders ranged more widely, were more active, and overlapped more with other seabirds and marine mammals than did breeders. Moreover, some nonbreeders occupied fixed territories and displayed more restricted movements than those without territories. Nonbreeders became less active over the breeding season, while activity of breeders remained stable. Nonbreeding skuas were exposed to the agent of avian cholera at similar rates to breeders but were more likely to forage in breeding areas of the endangered endemic Amsterdam albatross, increasing opportunities for interspecific pathogen transmission.

Our results show that inference based only on breeders fails to capture important aspects of population‐wide movement patterns. Capturing nonbreeders as well as breeders would help to improve population‐level representation of movement patterns, elucidate and predict effects of external changes and conservation interventions (e.g. rat eradication) on movement patterns and pathogen spread, and develop strategies to manage outbreaks of diseases such as highly pathogenic avian influenza.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Artificial light at night affects plant–herbivore interactions
Authors: Cieraad Ellen , Strange Emily , Flink Melanie , Schrama Maarten , Spoelstra Kamiel
Published: November 2022

Artificial light at night (ALAN) affects species' physiology and behaviour, and the interactions between species. Despite the importance of plants as primary producers, it remains poorly understood whether and how effects of ALAN on plants cascade through the food web.

We assess the extent to which ALAN of different spectra result in plant‐mediated insect herbivory damage. In a 6‐month field experiment, we exposed plants of differing palatability to three colours of ALAN and a dark control, and assessed plant traits (growth rate, leaf size, foliar density and thickness) and insect herbivory (represented by insect damage as loss of foliage to leaf‐chewing insects, and gall abundance by phloem‐feeding herbivory).

We found evidence for plant trait‐mediated ALAN effects on herbivory for oak, but not for blueberry. In oak, ALAN of different colours changed the direction of relationships of insect damage with relative growth rate and with leaf thickness. Moreover, we found that the effects of ALAN on herbivory damage differed markedly between forest types within the same locale, particularly in the red light treatment.

Synthesis and applications. Our results provide evidence that continuous night‐time light, as provided by street lighting around the world, affects food web interactions. The nature of these effects differed by species and appeared to depend on forest type and the light spectrum employed, thus underlining the context dependency of ALAN in different ecosystems and environmental settings. These findings highlight the complexity of using spectral manipulation as a mitigation measure, and the need for further consideration of ALAN in environmental management and planning, to limit the exposure and impact of cascading effects of artificial light at night on food webs and communities.
Building Everyday Wealth for Britain's Communities: A Labour Alternative to Levelling Up?
Authors: Longlands Sarah
Published: November 2022

Community wealth building provides an important counterpoint to the orthodoxy of place based economic policy in the UK. It puts forward a framework for economic change which shows that local areas can intervene effectively to build wealth from within so that they are less reliant upon extractive forms of economic development. Instead, wealth building within a community is about recognising the wealth that already exists in an area and intervening to encourage that wealth to flow more readily, particularly from capital to labour. This article explores the background to the development of community wealth building in the UK and its connection with the debate on the everyday economy. It finds that there is a close alignment between the objectives of building wealth and the everyday economy, particularly in areas which not only feel ‘left behind’, but arguably, who have been kept behind by a policy regime which has actively dismantled their sense of place, agency and identity, and in turn, devalued the role and purpose of the businesses and economy that already exists, in favour of elusive ‘growth’ and/or ‘pioneer’ sectors.
Egg donation in the age of vitrification: A study of egg providers’ perceptions and experiences in the UK, Belgium and Spain
Authors: Lafuente‐Funes Sara , Weis Christina , Hudson Nicky , Provoost Veerle
Published: November 2022

IVF treatment involving donated eggs increases yearly. Numerous technical and commercial transformations have reshaped how eggs are retrieved, stored and managed. A key transformation is vitrification; a ‘fast freezing’ method that allows efficient preservation of eggs, and therefore more flexibility in use, giving rise to new commercial possibilities. There has been limited focus on egg providers’ experiences in the context of vitrification and related commercialisation. We report findings from a study in the UK, Spain and Belgium, where we interviewed 75 egg providers. Comparing experiences within different donation ‘regimes’ allows an exploration of how varying national practices and policies shape information‐giving and women’s experiences. In the UK, a system of ‘informed gift‐giving’ was described, where egg providers saw their actions as not‐for‐profit and felt relatively well informed. In Belgium, the system was presented as ‘trusted tissue exchange’: with less information‐giving than in the UK, but clinics were trusted to act responsibly. In Spain, a ‘closed‐door, market‐driven’ system was described, whereby egg providers received little information and expressed concerns about generation of excess profit. Our findings extend understandings of how egg donation is managed at the national level and how donation regimes produce specific experiences, expectations and subjectivities amongst tissue providers.
Millet bran protein hydrolysates derived peptides‐zinc chelate: Structural characterization, security prediction in silico, zinc transport capacity and stability against different food processing conditions
Authors: Li Yan , Shi Panqi , Zheng Yajun , Guo Min , Zhuang Yongliang , Huo Xinyu
Published: November 2022

A novel peptide Ser‐Asp‐Asp‐Val‐Leu (SDDVL) of excellent zinc‐chelating capacity (13.77 mg/g) was identified in millet bran protein hydrolysates. In silico prediction demonstrated that SDDVL had no potential toxicity. The results of structural characterization demonstrated that both amino group and carboxyl group of SDDVL were the primary zinc‐chelating sites. Moreover, SDDVL‐zinc chelate showed higher stability (p < 0.05) than ZnSO4 and zinc gluconate under different processing conditions including most pasteurization conditions, heating at 100°C for 10–50 min, various pH values (8.0–10.0), treatment of glucose (4–8 g/100 g) or NaCl (1–4 g/100 g), and simulated gastrointestinal digestion. In addition, SDDVL‐zinc chelate showed higher zinc transport capacity than ZnSO4 and zinc gluconate in Caco‐2 cells (p < 0.05). These results suggested that millet bran peptide had a positive effect on the gastrointestinal stability and bioavailability of Zn, and SDDVL‐zinc chelate could be used as ingredient of zinc supplements.

Practical Application

The current study provided a practical method to identify peptides of excellent zinc‐chelating capacity from millet bran protein hydrolysates. This study demonstrated that in silico prediction assisted with suitable database was a fast, practical, and economic way to evaluate the security and to analysis the physicochemical properties of novel peptides. Moreover, it provided an efficient method to assess the stability of peptide‐zinc chelate under different food processing conditions, which was the theoretical basis for utilization of peptide as ingredient of zinc fortifications.
Effect of osmotic dehydration with different osmosis agents on water status, texture properties, sugars, and total carotenoid of dehydrated yellow peach slices
Authors: Wang Fengzhao , Bi Jinfeng , Lyu Jian , Wu Xinye , Xie Jin
Published: November 2022

The water status, texture properties, sugars, and total carotenoid of dehydrated yellow peach slices pretreated with or without osmotic dehydration (OD) combined with heat pump drying were studied. In this study, different osmotic agents were used, namely, sucrose and isomaltooligosaccharide (IMO) with 30 °Brix for 1, 3, and 5 h. Results showed that the dehydrated samples pretreated by sucrose‐OD with the best shape and cell structure showed lower hardness compared to the dehydrated yellow peach slices with IMO‐OD pretreatment and without OD pretreatment. Notably, the highest total carotenoid content was found in dehydrated yellow peach slices pretreated by IMO‐OD, followed by samples without OD, and samples with sucrose‐OD pretreatment. In addition, the lowest aW (0.517) was obtained in samples with IMO‐OD for 5 h, which was beneficial for storage. The assessment of water status and total carotenoid content of dehydrated yellow peach slices showed that IMO‐OD pretreatment could better improve the quality of dehydrated fruits. Moreover, the use of IMO in OD treatment was a good alternative to sucrose.
Mergers and innovation portfolios
Authors: Moraga‐González José Luis , Motchenkova Evgenia , Nevrekar Saish
Published: November 2022

This article studies mergers in markets where firms invest in a portfolio of research projects of different profitability and social value. The investment of a firm in one project imposes both a negative business‐stealing and a positive business‐giving externality on the rival firms. We show that when the project that is relatively more profitable for the firms appropriates a larger (smaller) fraction of the social surplus, a merger increases (decreases) consumer welfare by reducing investment in the most profitable project and increasing investment in the alternative project. The innovation portfolio effects of mergers may dominate the usual market power effects.
A qualitative exploration of health student perspectives of rural and remote placements during the early stages of the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Sheepway Lyndal , Jessup Belinda , Podubinski Tegan , Heaney Susan , Bailie Jodie , Hoang Ha , Bourke Lisa
Published: November 2022

Objective

To explore health student perspectives of rural and remote placements during the early stages of the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Setting

Australia.

Participants

Allied health, nursing and medical students with a planned rural or remote placement between February and October 2020.

Design

Semi‐structured interviews (n = 29) with data thematically analysed.

Results

Five main themes emerged from student experiences: (1) ‘Do we go? Don't we go? Like how much risk is involved?’ related to student concerns regarding acquiring and transmitting COVID‐19 on placement; (2) ‘We are sort of just standing at the door trying to watch’ encompassed student perceptions of missed clinical learning opportunities in response to health and safety measures related to COVID‐19; (3) ‘I, as a student, sort of fell under the radar’ related to student perceptions of suboptimal supervision; (4) ‘It was a bit more difficult to engage with that wider community’ recognised student feelings of social disconnection and their lack of opportunity for community immersion; and (5) ‘We felt like we got something that is more than we expected’ emerged from student reflections on training during the pandemic and alternative placements (virtual, simulated and non‐clinical) that exceeded expectations for learning.

Conclusions

Although most students were willing and able to undertake their rural or remote placement in some form during the early stages of the pandemic and identified unanticipated learning benefits, students recognised lost opportunities to build clinical skills, become culturally aware and connect with rural communities. It remains unknown how these rural and remote placement experiences will impact rural intention and in turn, rural workforce development.
Still a fallible tool? Revisiting effects of automated writing evaluation from activity theory perspective
Authors: Li Rui
Published: November 2022

Despite the popularity of automated writing evaluation (AWE) that has provoked an increased scholarly interest, synthesized research to comprehensively understand its pedagogical effects is still in paucity. To fill the gap, this study aims to meta‐analyse the overall effect of AWE on learners' writing skill development and whether the effect differs from how it has been used. From activity theory (AT) perspective, this study reported results based on a meta‐analysis of 33 valid effect sizes involving 2995 participants from 25 experimental and quasi‐experimental studies published during 2000–22. The results of the study showed that the overall effect was g = 0.429, 95% CI [0.266, 0.592], suggesting that AWE for writing skill development is more effective than traditional methods, such as traditional classroom interaction, teacher‐led interaction and peer interaction. Regarding AT‐related moderators for the overall effect, different moderator effects of educational levels, proficiency levels, sample size types, target language types, intervention durations, text genre types, human–computer interaction types, feedback types and program types were reported. Informed by the results obtained, this study also provided some insights into the pedagogical implications for practice.

Practitioner notes

What is already known about this topic

The facilitative effects and educational affordances of automated writing evaluation (AWE) for writing skill development have been well‐documented.

Existing studies have been helpful in affording insights into the use of AWE for writing skill development.

Few studies to date published have directly and quantitatively meta‐analyse the use of AWE for writing skill development.

It is difficult to understand the effect size and potential AT‐related moderators of AWE for writing skill development.

What this paper adds

A thorough AT‐driven meta‐analysis of the publications on AWE for writing skill development was conducted.

AWE is more effective than traditional methods for writing skill development with an effect size of g = 0.429.

The pedagogical effect of AWE is affected by such moderators as educational levels, intervention durations, human–computer interaction types and feedback types.

Implications for practice and/or policy

Pedagogical potentials of AWE should be encouraged to explore among learners of different educational levels.

When using AWE, a combination of human interaction with AWE is necessary.

Researchers should understand how such factors as learner individual differences, writing assignment, AWE program and research design may impact the pedagogical effects of AWE.
‘Here quietude is linked with stillness’: Winnicott's Silent Core of the Self and Aesthetic Experience
Authors: Pihlaja Eeva
Published: November 2022

In his paper ‘Communicating and not communicating leading to a study of certain opposites’ (1963), Donald Winnicott suggests that there is a silent, non‐communicating area of experience at the core of the self. Poetic expression takes a prominent role in the text. In this article, I concentrate on the aesthetic dimension of Winnicott's text and use it to explore the role of aesthetic experience in the development of self‐experience. I suggest that the paper's aesthetic dimension—form, quality and structure—expresses essential characteristics of the core of the self and the mature self's communication with it. I furthermore suggest that Winnicott, by use of poetic expression, offers the idea that the core, defined here as pre‐reflective experience, can be approached through aesthetic means. Building on George Hagman and Giuseppe Civitarese, I argue that aesthetic experience creates a bridge between pre‐reflective and reflective aspects of self‐experience and thus contributes to the integration of self. I suggest that forming a connection with the core can be seen as an aesthetic act where the intention is not to transform pre‐reflective experience into reflective. Since aesthetic experience includes reflection, the effort to represent the core of the self remains paradoxical.
miR‐548ag functions as an oncogene by suppressing MOB1B in the development of obesity‐related endometrial cancer
Authors: Pang Huai , Wang Jingzhou , Wei Qianqian , Liu Jie , Chu Xiaolong , Yuan Chenggang , Yang Bingqi , Li Menghuan , Ma Dingling , Tang Yihan , Wang Cuizhe , Zhang Jun
Published: November 2022

Obesity is a high‐risk factor in the development of endometrial cancer (EC). Our previous study observed that miR‐548ag was significantly overexpressed in the sera of obese individuals. Here, we report the function of miR‐548ag and its mechanism in promoting the obesity‐related progression of EC. The content of miR‐548ag was increased in the serum of obese EC individuals. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that the survival rate of EC patients with a higher expression of miR‐548ag was significantly reduced. The Mps One Binder Kinase Activator 1B (MOB1B, the core member of the Hippo signaling pathway) is a direct target gene of miR‐548ag, which is inversely correlated with the expression of miR‐548ag. The overexpression of miR‐548ag enhances the proliferation, invasion, and migration, and inhibits apoptosis by downregulating the expression of MOB1B, leading to the deactivation of the Hippo pathway in EC cell lines and contributing to tumor progression in vivo. Our study has established that miR‐548ag functions as an oncogene by suppressing MOB1B in the development of obesity‐related EC.
The European baseline series and recommended additions: 2023
Authors: Wilkinson S. Mark , Gonçalo Margarida , Aerts Olivier , Badulici Sonia , Dickel Heinrich , Gallo Rosella , Garcia‐Abujeta Jose L. , Giménez‐Arnau Ana M. , Hamman Curt , Hervella Marcos , Isaksson Marléne , Johansen Jeanne D. , Mahler Vera , Niklasson Bo , Pigatto Paolo , Ponyai Gyorgyi , Rustemeyer Thomas , Schuttelaar Marie L. A. , Spiewak Radoslaw , Stingeni Luca , Thyssen Jacob P. , Uter Wolfgang
Published: November 2022

The European baseline series was last updated in 2019. This article discusses the reasoning behind a further iteration of the series for 2023.
Construction and validation of a pulmonary complication score for patients after liver transplantation
Authors: Wang Ying , Ning Zhenning , Yang Liuxiao , Wang Ting
Published: November 2022

Purpose

Identification of preoperative risk factors associated with pulmonary complications may benefit high‐risk patients from more intense surveillance and earlier interventions in liver transplantation (LT). Our study aimed to identify risk factors for predicting pulmonary complications in LT patients.

Materials and methods

The discovery data set enrolled 208 patients who underwent orthotopic LT while the validation data set included 117 patients. Clinical data were collected from medical history retrospectively and risk factors were determined by logistic regression analyses. The pulmonary complication score (PCS‐LT) was established and validated for predicting pulmonary complications after LT.

Results

In the discovery data set, 47 (22.6%) participants experienced pulmonary complications following LT. Four independent risk factors for pulmonary complications were identified by multivariate logistic regression analysis, including preoperative abnormal pulmonary function (OR = 4.743, p < .001), elevated lymphocyte count (OR = 2.336, p = .027), hypoproteinemia (OR = 2.635, p = .030), and hypokalemia (OR = 5.257, p = .003), and PCS‐LT based on these factors was established. ROC analyses showed PCS‐LT could predict PC in both the discovery data set (area under curve [AUC] .752, 95% confidence interval [CI] .687–.809) and the validation data set (AUC .754, 95% CI, .666–.829). The PCS‐LT demonstrated superior predictive value (AUC .735, 95% CI, .703–.799) to APACHE II score (AUC .653, 95% CI, .599–.705) in the combined data set (p = .032). Meanwhile, PCS‐LT > 1 was used as the cut‐off value and has prognostic significance in LT patients.

Conclusions

The PCS‐LT score, consisting of abnormal pulmonary function, elevated lymphocyte count, hypoproteinemia, and hypokalemia, could predict pulmonary complications after LT.
Prevalence and determinants of language impairment in non‐demented amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients
Authors: Solca Federica , Aiello Edoardo Nicolò , Torre Silvia , Carelli Laura , Ferrucci Roberta , Verde Federico , Ticozzi Nicola , Silani Vincenzo , Monti Alessia , Poletti Barbara
Published: November 2022

Background and purpose

This study aimed at estimating the prevalence of language impairment (LI) in a large, clinic‐based cohort of non‐demented amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients and assessing its underpinnings at motor and non‐motor levels.

Methods

Non‐demented ALS patients (N = 348) underwent the Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioural ALS Screen (ECAS), as well as an assessment of behavioural/psychiatric and motor‐functional features. The prevalence of LI was estimated based on the proportion of patients showing a performance below the age‐ and education‐adjusted cut‐off on the ECAS‐Language. Multiple regression models were run to assess the determinants of language functioning and impairment.

Results

The prevalence of LI was 22.7%. 46.6% of the variance of ECAS‐Language scores remained unexplained, with only the ECAS‐Executive positively predicting them (p < 0.001; η2 = 0.07). Similarly, only a lower score on the ECAS‐Executive predicted a higher probability of a below cut‐off ECAS‐Language performance (p < 0.001). Spelling and Naming tasks were the major drivers of ECAS‐Language performance.

Conclusions

This study suggests that, in non‐demented ALS patients, LI occurs in ≈23% of cases, is significantly driven by executive dysfunction but, at the same time, partially independent of it and is not associated with other motor or non‐motor features.
Long‐term monitoring with an implantable loop recorder detects multiple episodes of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation after electrical cardioversion in a Warmblood horse
Authors: Kjeldsen Sofie Troest , Jensen Maria , Sørensen Carina Thermann , Hopster‐Iversen Charlotte , Nissen Sarah Dalgas
Published: November 2022

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a pathological arrhythmia affecting performance horses and is termed paroxysmal (pAF) when self‐terminating to sinus rhythm. Little is known about pAF as its sporadic nature makes it difficult to diagnose. Therefore, continuous electrocardiographic monitoring devices, such as implantable loop recorders (ILR), are necessary to detect the time of onset and episode duration. This case report presents the detection of pAF in a 9‐year‐old Warmblood horse after successful transvenous electrical cardioversion (TVEC). An ILR continuously monitored the heart rhythm over 28 months and detected 12 episodes of pAF of which two episodes were associated with reduced performance, while others occurred asymptomatically at rest. The estimated episode duration ranged from 6 min to 46.5 h. The antiarrhythmic drug sotalol (2 mg/kg bwt BID PO) was given prior to TVEC and then for 4 weeks. As episodes continued to occur, sotalol was prescribed for another 4 weeks, 6 months after TVEC. Continuous monitoring after TVEC allows for detection of AF recurrence and identification of AF burden, approximate time of onset and possible identification of trigger events. Early diagnosis and antiarrhythmic treatment may prevent a progression to persistent AF.
Challenges in upscaling laboratory studies to ecosystems in soil microbiology research
Authors: Chen Ji , Zhang Yong , Kuzyakov Yakov , Wang Dong , Olesen Jørgen Eivind
Published: November 2022

Soil microbiology has entered into the big data era, but the challenges in bridging laboratory‐, field‐, and model‐based studies of ecosystem functions still remain. Indeed, the limitation of factors in laboratory experiments disregards interactions of a broad range of in situ environmental drivers leading to frequent contradictions between laboratory‐ and field‐based studies, which may consequently mislead model development and projections. Upscaling soil microbiology research from laboratory to ecosystems represents one of the grand challenges facing environmental scientists, but with great potential to inform policymakers toward climate‐smart and resource‐efficient ecosystems. The upscaling is not only a scale problem, but also requires disentangling functional relationships and processes on each level. We point to three potential reasons for the gaps between laboratory‐ and field‐based studies (i.e., spatiotemporal dynamics, sampling disturbances, and plant–soil–microbial feedbacks), and three key issues of caution when bridging observations and model predictions (i.e., across‐scale effect, complex‐process coupling, and multi‐factor regulation). Field‐based studies only cover a limited range of environmental variation that must be supplemented by laboratory and mesocosm manipulative studies when revealing the underlying mechanisms. The knowledge gaps in upscaling soil microbiology from laboratory to ecosystems should motivate interdisciplinary collaboration across experimental, observational, theoretic, and modeling research.
Sorting citizens: Governing via China's social credit system
Authors: Hou Rui , Fu Diana
Published: November 2022

China's social credit system can be examined as a governance tool which sorts citizenship behaviors into trustworthy and untrustworthy categories as part of the regime's long‐standing effort to cultivate a loyal citizenry. Based on a data set comprised of central‐level official documents, national model citizen lists, and media reports, this study qualitatively examines how the Chinese state constructs “good” and “bad” citizen ideal types. Contrary to media depictions of the system as digital totalitarianism, political behaviors are not the sole criterion for sorting citizens into categories. In fact, the state constructs “bad” (untrustworthy) citizens as those who engage in a wide range of behaviors, including financial and professional misconduct. Simultaneously, the state also uses the system to construct and cultivate “good” (trustworthy) citizens as those who publicly demonstrate loyalty to the regime. Theoretically, this study sheds light on how the world's most powerful authoritarian regime governs through a system that distributes material and symbolic capital.
Significance of serum IP‐10/CXCL10 measurement in predicting post‐direct acting antiviral treatment liver function in patients with HCV‐decompensated liver cirrhosis
Authors: Katoh Ryo , Maekawa Shinya , Osawa Leona , Komiyama Yasuyuki , Nakakuki Natsuko , Takada Hitomi , Matsuda Shuya , Muraoka Masaru , Suzuki Yuichiro , Sato Mitsuaki , Tatsumi Akihisa , Takano Shinichi , Fukasawa Mitsuharu , Yamaguchi Tatsuya , Nakayama Yasuhiro , Inoue Taisuke , Enomoto Nobuyuki
Published: November 2022

Background

Recently, with the advent of sofosbuvir/velpatasvir therapy, sustained virological response (SVR) can now be achieved even in patients with decompensated cirrhosis (dLC). However, the prognosis after SVR does not always improve in dLC, and appropriate indicators enabling prediction of prognosis is desired.

Patients and methods

Serum IP‐10/CXCL10 levels were measured in 47 patients (15 chronic hepatitis [CH], 17 compensated cirrhosis [cLC], and 15 dLC) receiving direct acting antiviral (DAA) therapy, and their changes during the therapy were examined.

Results

All the patients achieved SVR. In patients with CH, the average IP‐10 level was 367, 102, and 68 pg/ml respectively at baseline, at the end of therapy and at 12 weeks after SVR (SVR12), and was decreased upon DAA therapy (P < 0.001). In patients with cLC, IP‐10 was respectively 215, 91, and 77 pg/ml, and was decreased upon DAA therapy (P < 0.001) while it was 283, 131, and 182 pg/ml in patients with dLC and there was no evident decrease (P = 0.55). When patients with dLC were further classified depending on the difference in Child–Pugh (CP) score improvement at SVR12, a significant decrease in IP‐10 was observed after treatment in those with improvement (P = 0.023) while a significant increase was observed in those without improvement (P = 0.016).

Conclusion

While serum IP‐10 level was decreased in patients with CH/cLC and dLC with post‐SVR‐CP improvement following SVR, it was increased in patients with dLC without post‐SVR CP improvement. The result indicates that IP‐10 dynamics may be useful for predicting liver function after DAA therapy.
Yogurt added with beetroot extract: physicochemical parameters, biological activities and sensory evaluation by check‐all‐that‐apply method
Authors: Soutelino Maria Eduarda Marques , da Silva Daniele Brandão , da Silva Rocha Ramon , de Oliveira Bianca Cristina Rocha , Esmerino Erick Almeida , da Cruz Adriano Gomes , Mársico Eliane Teixeira , Silva Adriana Cristina de Oliveira
Published: November 2022

Beetroot is a vegetable rich in betalains, which contains colouring and functional properties that can be beneficial in processing dairy products. In order to combine the benefits of yogurt and beetroot, the objective was to elaborate whole yogurts added with beetroot syrup in the following concentrations: 0% (T1), 13% (T2), 17% (T3) and 20% (T4), and to determine its physicochemical characteristics, biological activities and sensory attributes by the Check‐All‐That‐Apply (CATA) method and acceptance by hedonic scale, compared to the control yogurt with the addition of 5% w/w sucrose (T1). The beet syrup had a high content of betacyanins and betaxanthins (491.01 ± 1.67 mg.L−1 and 226.15 ± 0.26 mg. L−1 respectively). There was a progressive increase in the inhibition of ACE, α‐glucosidase and α‐amylase and antioxidant activity as the syrup content increased in the formulations (P < 0.05). The sensory attributes ‘acid aroma’, ‘earthy flavour’, ‘bitter taste’ and ‘fluid texture’ were considered negative preference drivers for T2 and T4, while T3 yogurt was the most appreciated by consumers. Despite showing colour changes during storage, adding beet syrup promoted a naturally attractive colour to the yogurts. The results suggest that the addition of beetroot syrup in yogurts, in addition to being an alternative to using artificial colouring in the industry, can provide health benefits to consumers by forming bioactive compounds.
Capsaicin microcapsules with high encapsulation efficiency and storage stability based on sodium caseinate–acetylated wheat starch: preparation and characterisation
Authors: Liu Xinyue , Saleh Ahmed S.M. , Zhang Bo , Liang Wei , Zhao Wenqing , Zheng Jiayu , Ge Xiangzhen , Shen Huishan , Li Wenhao
Published: November 2022

Sodium caseinate and acetylated wheat starch were combined at different mass ratios and used as wall materials to microencapsulate capsaicin. The morphological, structural and physicochemical properties of the prepared capsaicin‐loaded emulsion and spray‐dried microcapsules were investigated. Additionally, the stability of capsaicin microcapsules to various storage light and temperature conditions was evaluated. Combined sodium caseinate and acetylated wheat starch exhibited good emulsifying properties compared with single‐wall material. Additionally, the highest microencapsulation efficiency of 84.05% was achieved when sodium caseinate and wheat starch acetate were combined at a mass ratio of 3:7. The capsaicin microcapsule exhibited a spherical shape and the size was not uniform, while the colour and dispersion of the particles were homogeneous. The capsaicin microcapsules displayed solubility in the range of 77.88%–97.64%. Furthermore, more than 60% of the microencapsulated capsaicin was retained after 15 days of storage at various light and temperature conditions. The principle component analysis demonstrated that a combination of sodium caseinate and wheat starch acetate is effective for microencapsulating capsaicin and promoting its applications.
Preparation and characterisation of biodegradable polylactic acid/ethyl cellulose film produced using the extruder and roller mixer machine
Authors: Hosseini Samane , Kadivar Mahdi , Shekarchizadeh Hajar , Alsharif Mohammad Ali
Published: November 2022

The present study aimed to produce polylactic acid (PLA) and ethyl cellulose (EC) biodegradable film using a single screw extruder and a roller mixer machine. This method resulted in better mixing of the polymers, reducing the possibility of burns and easier control of the film thickness. The mechanical properties measurement showed that tensile strength (TS) decreased by about 37.9%, and elongation at break (EAB) increased about 2.6‐fold by increasing EC to 75%. The increase in EAB indicated the plasticising effect of EC. Since flexibility is essential in shaping a material without fracture, PLA/EC blend films can be a good candidate for packaging. According to DSC results, glass‐transition temperature (Tg) decreased in the blend films, probably due to the increase in the hydrophilicity of the films after EC addition. The water contact angle of pure PLA film was about 83°, whereas it reached 28° in the film containing 75% EC. The water vapour permeability of PLA film was 2.24 × 10−11 g m.s.Pa−1 and PLA reduction to 25% increased the WVP by about two times. Adding EC into the pure PLA film reduced the transparency, indicating the potential of blend film for the packaging of light‐sensitive food products. Besides, EC addition enhanced PLA biodegradability after enzymatic treatment (alcalase) and soil burial.
Loss of glutamatergic signalling from MCH neurons reduced anxiety‐like behaviours in novel environments
Authors: Sankhe Aditi S. , Bordeleau Dillon , Alfonso Diana I. Martin , Wittman Gábor , Chee Melissa J.
Published: November 2022

Melanin‐concentrating hormone (MCH) neurons within the hypothalamus are heterogeneous and can coexpress additional neuropeptides and transmitters. The majority of MCH neurons express vesicular transporters to package glutamate for synaptic release, and MCH neurons can directly innervate downstream neurons via glutamate release. Although glutamatergic signalling from MCH neurons may support physiological and behavioural roles that are independent of MCH (e.g., in glucose homeostasis and nutrient‐sensing), it can also mediate similar roles to MCH in the regulation of energy balance. In addition to energy balance, the MCH system has also been implicated in mood disorders, as MCH receptor antagonists have anxiolytic and anti‐depressive effects. However, the contribution of glutamatergic signalling from MCH neurons to mood‐related functions have not been investigated. We crossed Mch‐cre mice with floxed‐Vglut2 mice to delete the expression of the vesicular glutamate transporter 2 (Vglut2) and disable glutamatergic signalling specifically from MCH neurons. The resulting Mch‐Vglut2‐KO mice showed Vglut2 deletion from over 75% of MCH neurons, and although we did not observe changes in depressive‐like behaviours, we found that Mch‐Vglut2‐KO mice displayed anxiety‐like behaviours. Mch‐Vglut2‐KO mice showed reduced exploratory activity when placed in a new cage and were quicker to consume food placed in the centre of a novel open arena. These findings showed that Vglut2 deletion from MCH neurons resulted in anxiolytic actions and suggested that the anxiogenic effects of glutamate are similar to those of the MCH peptide. Taken together, these findings suggest that glutamate and MCH may synergize to regulate and promote anxiety‐like behaviour.
Longitudinal decline of plasma neurofilament light levels after antiretroviral initiation in people living with HIV
Authors: Ripamonti Enrico , Edén Arvid , Nilsson Staffan , Sönnerborg Anders , Zetterberg Henrik , Gisslén Magnus
Published: November 2022

Background

This retrospective follow‐up study aims to investigate the dynamic longitudinal change of plasma neurofilament light (NfL) levels after antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation in a cohort of people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (PWH).

Methods

We tested a convenience sample of 116 patients from the NORTHIV study. Plasma NfL levels—measured using Single molecule array (Simoa) technology—as well as other laboratory parameters were collected at baseline, weeks 4, 48, 96, and 144. Linear mixed‐effects models were estimated to evaluate longitudinal change over time. Baseline CD4+ T‐cell levels, CDC classification, and HIV RNA levels were considered. Models were adjusted by age, sex, treatment regimen, and baseline serum creatinine levels.

Results

Plasma NfL levels were higher at baseline and also declined faster during the follow‐up for participants with CD4+ count <100 cells/µl compared with >100 cells/µl. No significant difference was found between the CD4+ strata 100–199 and 200–499/µl. Participants with CDC classification stages B and C had higher levels of plasma NfL at baseline, as well as faster decline compared with participants with stage A. No significant main effects or change over time was found in baseline HIV RNA levels, treatment regimen, or sex.

Conclusion

Plasma NfL is a sensitive biomarker to assess ongoing central nervous system injury in PWH. Plasma NfL concentrations decline relatively fast following ART initiation and then stabilize after 48 weeks. Plasma NfL concentrations are associated with CD4+ count and stage of HIV disease. No correlations were seen with different ART regimens.
Is being there enough? Postgraduate nurse practitioner residencies in rural primary care
Authors: Kaplan Louise , Pollack Samantha W. , Skillman Susan M. , Patterson Davis G.
Published: November 2022

Purpose

Little research has been conducted on the outcomes of postgraduate nurse practitioner (NP) programs (referred to as residencies), particularly those located in rural communities. This study examined the purpose and characteristics of rural NP residencies that aim to promote the successful recruitment, transition, and retention of NPs in rural primary care practice.

Methods

We compiled a list of rural NP residencies and verified the location of each clinic as rural if it met any of several federal definitions of rurality. We interviewed grant and project administrators, residency program directors, clinic personnel, and former and current NP residents using semistructured guides.

Findings

Of 20 rural NP residencies identified, we interviewed 12 program directors or managers; 8 NPs; and 4 clinic personnel. All but 1 program was 12 months long. Three‐quarters had federal funding. Each slowly increased residents’ patient load and included didactic content and specialty rotations. We identified 2 different program models and 3 administrative models. Some NPs’ intentionally chose rural practice, while others opted for a rural residency when unable to secure employment in an urban location. Most programs were new and not yet able to report on residents’ subsequent employment locations.

Conclusions

It is premature to conclude definitively that rural NP residencies facilitate and promote NP connectedness to, and investment in, rural communities based on our investigation. Nonetheless, these programs are an option to encourage the recruitment and retention of NPs in rural practice, with further study needed to determine their long‐term contribution to rural primary care practice.