bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Robotics in industrialized construction: an activity-based ranking system for assembly manufacturing tasks
Authors: Tehrani Behnam M. , BuHamdan Samer , Alwisy Aladdin
Published: December 2022

Purpose

Despite the proven evidence of ever-growing productivity gains in the manufacturing industry as a result of years of research and investment in advanced technologies, such as robotics, the adoption of robots in construction is still lagging. The existing literature lacks technical frameworks and guidelines that account for the one-of-a-kind nature of construction projects and the myriad of materials and dimensional components in construction activities. This study seeks to address existing technical uncertainty and productivity issues associated with the application of robotics in the assembly-type manufacturing of industrialized construction.

Design/methodology/approach

To facilitate the selection of suitable robotic arms for industrialized construction activities, primarily assembly-type manufacturing tasks of offsite production processes, an activity-based ranking system based on axiomatic design principles is proposed. The proposed ranking system utilizes five functional requirements derived from robot characteristics—speed, payload, reach, degrees of freedom and position repeatability—to evaluate robot performance in an industrialized construction task using simulations of a framing station.

Findings

Based on design parameters obtained from activity-based simulations, seventy six robotic arms suitable for the framing task were scored and ranked. According to the sensitivity analysis of proposed functional requirements, speed is the key functional requirement that has a notable effect on productivity of a framing station and is thus the determinant in robot performance assessment for framing tasks.

Originality/value

The proposed ranking system is expected to augment automation in construction and serve as a preliminary guideline to help construction professionals in making informed decisions regarding the adoption of robotic arms.
Developing emotionally competent engineers for the ever-changing built environment
Authors: Aliu John , Aghimien Douglas , Aigbavboa Clinton , Ebekozien Andrew , Oke Ayodeji Emmanuel , Adekunle Samuel Adeniyi , Akinradewo Opeoluwa , Akinshipe Olushola
Published: December 2022

Purpose

As the world experiences a rapid rise in technological advances, the engineering profession will be required to become even more socially responsible and emotionally stable to be able to display higher levels of empathy towards the society they serve. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the key emotional competencies (ECs) that engineers need to possess to thrive in the construction industry after graduation.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative research approach was conducted with close-ended questionnaires developed and administered to built environment professionals such as architects, construction managers, construction project managers, engineers and quantity surveyors.

Findings

The results showed that the ability to display a positive outlook on life, understand one's emotional triggers, ability to display resilience in hard times, control one's emotions and ability to show compassion to others were the highest-ranked ECs. Further analysis revealed four clusters such as self-awareness, empathy, self-regulation and self-motivation.

Practical implications

Practical guidance for higher education institutions is offered in terms of revamping and revisiting their engineering education curricula to develop these ECs to produce emotionally sound engineers for the ever-changing world of work.

Originality/value

As the world of work becomes increasingly dynamic and diverse, engineers will be required to possess empathy, social skills and high levels of ECs to be able to seamlessly interact with fellow professionals as well as the society they serve.
Matching innovation strategies and crowdfunding campaigns: an explorative investigation
Authors: Matricano Diego , Candelo Elena
Published: December 2022

Purpose

The present paper aims to explore if innovation strategies and crowdfunding campaigns can be cross-referred or even matched. These alternatives could increase the efficiency of crowdfunding processes since seeking new projects/business ideas to finance could be more targeted.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is theoretical and explorative. Two dedicated literature reviews are carried out. The former is focused on innovation strategies and the latter is focused on crowdfunding campaigns. The offering of research propositions is the result of an inductive process.

Findings

Two main findings are achieved: first, a possible match between innovation strategies and crowdfunding campaigns (expressed by four research propositions); second, the confirmation of the role of innovation studies to corroborate the relevance of crowdfunding as an attractive field of research.

Originality/value

Previous contributions, expressly concerning the relationship between innovation strategies and crowdfunding campaigns, have mainly focused on the influence/support that crowdfunding campaigns offer to innovation strategies, by supporting or fostering them. Possible matches between innovation strategies and crowdfunding campaigns have rarely been investigated.
Enablers of knowledge sharing for organizational sustainability: proposing a conceptual framework
Authors: Gupta Minisha , Agarwal Sucheta
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This study aims to propose a conceptual framework describing the relationship between enablers of knowledge sharing (KS) and organizational sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach

An in-depth literature review based on preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses flowchart was conducted to identify the enablers of KS. The study develops a conceptual framework by assimilating enablers of KS on three levels: individual, technical and organizational, to attain organizational sustainability.

Findings

Enablers of KS are beneficial for organizations to enable problem-solving, better and faster decision-making, stimulating creativity and innovation, improved customers’ services and leveraging employees’ talent.

Research limitations/implications

Within organizational structure, KS can be fostered by a culture that encourages employees to generate novel and creative ideas.

Originality/value

The model of KS presented in this study is applicable to organizations in more complex and uncertain contexts, e.g. the postpandemic era to retain and sustain talented employees.
Exploring international brand alliances between local and foreign higher education institutions: an empirical study of sub-degree students
Authors: Oy Lar Kiki Chan , Lau Yui-yip , Chan Victor C.W.
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This study empirically investigates the influence of students' brand attitudes and perceptions of brand fit on their study intention vis-à-vis international brand alliances and individual brands after alliance.

Design/methodology/approach

Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used in data analysis, and a questionnaire was administered to a sample of sub-degree business management students recruited from a self-financing higher education institution in Hong Kong.

Findings

The results indicate that students' prior attitudes towards the brands of foreign and local institutions and their perceptions of brand fit positively affect their study intention, providing evidence that post-attitudes towards individual brands fully mediate the relationship between attitudes towards international brand alliances and study intention towards individual institutions.

Originality/value

International brand alliances between higher education institutions are becoming increasingly important. In Hong Kong, despite the emerging trend of collaboration between foreign and local universities, an evaluation of the effect of international brand alliances on study intention has been seriously overlooked.
Status of Lean Six Sigma implementation in Indian industries: a cross-sectional national survey
Authors: Patel Anand S. , Patel Kaushik M.
Published: December 2022

Purpose

Evidence indicates that the Indian economy has grown enormously in recent years. and Lean Six Sigma (LSS) has evolved globally as a structured business improvement strategy with diverse applicability in the last fifteen years. Therefore, this paper aims to investigate the status of LSS implementation in Indian industries using a survey research technique.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey questionnaire was devised from the literature, containing 25 questions to assess respondents’ awareness of the LSS methodology and gain insights on aspects associated with LSS adoption in Indian industries. The survey questionnaire was validated and was conducted using randomly sampled respondents from the Confederation of Indian Industries membership database. The collected data were statistically analyzed using IBM SPSS and MS Excel.

Findings

The findings attest that adopting LSS is not so encouraging and extremely poor in small- and medium-scale Indian industries. ISO 9001 emerged as a prominent quality improvement program. It is learnt that consultants play a pivotal role in bringing awareness and skills building while implementing LSS. Results endorse top management commitment and involvement, and resistance to change as leading success factors and challenges, respectively. Further, it is revealed that respondents were highly satisfied after the adoption of LSS.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of this study were derived from 183 responses and should be generalized cautiously.

Originality/value

This paper provides valuable insights on the present status covering the issues related to L:SS implementation in India. These results can motivate the managers of Indian industries for wide adoption of the LSS methodology. In addition, the findings of the paper may assist the researchers providing direction to carry out further research in LSS in the Indian context.
Adoption of sustainable agricultural practices during the pandemic: the case of Ecuadorian family farming systems
Authors: Satama Maritza , Singaña Tapia David Alejandro , Paul Carola
Published: December 2022

Purpose

The objective of this study was to examine the impact of the pandemic on sustainable agricultural practices (SAP) adoption such as: organic fertilizers, minimal use of tillage, crop rotation, soil burning and crop association in the frame of family farming systems in Ecuador.

Design/methodology/approach

The present research employed probit models' estimation with pooled data from 2018 to 2020. The study combined three sources of information with The Survey on Surface and Agricultural Continuous Production, as the main. This study also proposed the analysis of six regions: Coast, Coast Mountains, Northern Highlands, Central Highlands, Southern Highlands and the Amazon.

Findings

The authors see a lower adoption in the year 2020, where the pandemic was one of the causes. The only exception was the use of organic fertilizer. The adoption of these sustainable practices differed across the six regions. The findings also reveal that the employment generated by agricultural enterprises had a negative influence on the adoption of three sustainable practices, and that for the remaining practices the effect was positive.

Research limitations/implications

The data set lacks information on the acceptance and the application of the practices promoted by agricultural technical assistance, which could provide insights into the effectiveness of the learning process. The limited observation period does not allow for investigating long-term effects on sustainable practices adoption.

Originality/value

This study helps to understand the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic in the adoption of SAP. Additionally, this research can help with the scalability of the practices starting from the regions that are most likely to adopt each of them.
Consumers’ awareness and loyalty in Indonesia banking sector: does emotional bonding effect matters?
Authors: Karim Kasnaeny , Ilyas Gunawan Bata , Umar Zainal Abidin , Tajibu Muhammad Jibril , Junaidi Junaidi
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This study aims to examine the relationship between emotional bonding (e.g. brand love, brand commitment and brand trust) and consumers’ awareness and consumers loyalty to conventional and Islamic banking products in Indonesia.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample consists of 585 Muslim and bank consumers obtained through a survey study and using structural equation modeling to test the research hypotheses.

Findings

The empirical results indicate that brand love, commitment and trust have significant and positive effects on consumers’ awareness and loyalty. Furthermore, as the mediator variables, consumers’ awareness partially mediates the relationship between emotional bonding and consumers’ loyalty.

Research limitations/implications

This study was validated by Indonesian Muslims; therefore, future study is needed to validate across the region and sector.

Practical implications

This study enlightened the bank managers from a marketing and psychological context. The bank managers need to enhance the control and promote their brand and products to improve their relationship and consumers.

Originality/value

This study provided the Muslim consumers' decision-making process by developing and testing a model of emotional bonding and consumers’ perspective toward bank products.
Strategic similarity and firm performance: the moderating role of national institutions
Authors: Martynov Aleksey
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This study aims to test the moderating effect of market-supporting institution on the strategic similarity–firm performance relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

The present is study based on a large panel of firms from developed and emerging economies covering the period 2000–2014.

Findings

Highly-developed market-supporting institutions improve the performance of firms that stick to industry's average strategies while weakly-developed market supporting institutions improve the performance of firms that deviate from industry norms.

Originality/value

This is the first paper that shows that the effect of strategic similarity on firm performance depends on the degree of development of market-supporting institutions.
TOTEs and trauma: a cybernetic, extended recursion schematic for hyper vigilance
Authors: Patterson Kip Errett
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This conceptual article presents a schematic for use with extended cybernetic recursion in living systems and applies it to the issue of hyper vigilance as a demonstration of its utility.

Design/methodology/approach

The test-operate-test-exit (TOTE) schematic of Miller et al. (1960) is critically evaluated along with other schematics, including those of ordered cybernetics, and a new schematic is proposed, a recursive test-operate-test (rTOT), which emphasizes teleological purpose and hierarchical structure. The background psychophysiology of trauma is reviewed and then rTOT is applied to hyper vigilance, a cardinal component of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Findings

Once the schematic was developed, it was applied to the behavior of hyper vigilance. Other applications are suggested.

Research limitations/implications

As demonstrated, the rTOT schematic has potentially wide application because of its pragmatic and detailed structure.

Practical implications

The rTOT requires careful consideration of teleological purposes for its application and is simple enough, but also complex enough, for relevant utilization. Its compact nature and adjustable hierarchy scope are good mini-max complexity solutions for cybernetic, information modeling schematics.

Social implications

The revealed teleological purpose of the trauma adaptation of hyper vigilance presents significant alternative formulation options for prevention and intervention.

Originality/value

While the rTOT schematic is derived from previous schematics, it is original in its emphasis on information processing, the teleological aspects of extended recursion and on the provision of a hierarchical structure for those recursions. It is considerably more compact than other schematics associated with the ordered cybernetics literature. The explication of the adaptation model for post-trauma consequences is significantly enhanced by the rTOT application.
Biodegradable artificial reefs enhance food web complexity and biodiversity in an intertidal soft‐sediment ecosystem
Authors: Nauta Janne , Christianen Marjolijn J. A. , Temmink Ralph J. M. , Fivash Gregory S. , Marin‐Diaz Beatriz , Reijers Valérie C. , Didderen Karin , Penning Emma , Borst Annieke C. W. , Heusinkveld Jannes H. T. , Zwarts Maarten , Cruijsen Peter M. J. M. , Hijner Nadia , Lengkeek Wouter , Lamers Leon P. M. , van der Heide Tjisse , Bouma Tjeerd J. , van der Wal Daphne , Olff Han , Govers Laura L.
Published: December 2022

Reef‐forming species form integral aspects of coastal ecosystems, but are rapidly degrading world‐wide. To mitigate these declines, nature managers increasingly rely on the restoration of habitat‐structuring, reef‐forming species by, for example, introducing artificial reefs that may directly function as complex reef habitat. Since the use of biodegradable structures to restore biogenic reefs is becoming a popular technique, its effectiveness as reef habitat must be assessed. Therefore, we examine the trophic complexity on experimental large‐scale biodegradable artificial reefs using food web network analysis.

We placed biodegradable artificial reefs on soft‐sediment intertidal flats in the Dutch Wadden Sea in a large‐scale (~650 m) and 2.5‐year‐long experiment. We compared food web networks and biodiversity indicators between biodegradable reefs and bare controls and quantified species composition inside and near the artificial reef community to assess the expansion of the reef community.

During 2.5 years, we observed that artificial reefs changed food web networks compared to bare controls: in species richness (+76%), link density (the number of interactions per species; +15%) and the fraction of basal species (species of lowest trophic level; +40%), but lowered the connectance: the realized fraction of all possible links between species (−33%). Their effects on food web networks increased over time with a higher species richness (+22%) and more complex food web (link density +13%) on the artificial reef 2.5 years after deployment compared to 1.5 years. However, the effects of the reefs did not extend beyond the reef structures; the species composition and biodiversity of macrozoobenthos near the reefs were comparable to the control.

Synthesis and applications. This study shows that biodegradable artificial reefs offer an effective tool for the restoration of food web complexity and biodiversity of intertidal soft‐sediment systems. However, application needs to be carefully considered as the reef‐building species did not expand beyond our structures, despite the ambitious spatial extent of this experiment. Therefore, we recommend restoration practitioners to design artificial reefs in such a way that they generate ecosystem connectivity (facilitation of higher trophic levels) and biogeomorphological effects on a landscape scale (reef expansion beyond the structures).
Invasion by an exotic grass species homogenizes native freshwater plant communities
Authors: Bando Fabielle M. , Figueiredo Bruno R. S. , Moi Dieison A. , Thomaz Sidinei M. , Michelan Thaisa S. , García–Girón Jorge , Heino Jani , Alahuhta Janne , Romero Gustavo Q. , Mormul Roger P.
Published: December 2022

A growing body of evidence has shown that biological invasions cause shifts in species composition of communities in space and time. Although biological invasions are considered a major driver of biotic homogenisation worldwide, most previous studies were conducted at small spatial scales and over short time periods, which may have underestimated the impacts of exotic species on native communities.

Using a unique dataset of aquatic plants sampled in 235 sites over 12 years (2007–2010 and 2015–2019) in a large reservoir (Itaipu Reservoir; 1350 km2), we analysed how the invasion of a non‐native grass Urochloa arrecta affects the species richness, ecological uniqueness (i.e. local contribution to beta diversity—LCBD) and temporal β–diversity of native plant communities.

From 3934 surveyed plant communities, U. arrecta was recorded in 2888 samples and it was absent from 1046 samples. Overall, species richness and ecological uniqueness of native plant communities were markedly lower in sites invaded than non‐invaded by U. arrecta. From 2007 to 2019, the ecological uniqueness of native plants was 60% lower in the invaded than non‐invaded sites. Whereas in invaded sites species loss was the dominant process driving native communities over time, in non‐invaded sites gain of new native species was the primary process underlying community trajectories. Moreover, comparing native plant communities before and after the invasion of U. arrecta, species richness, ecological uniqueness and species gains of native plant communities decreased, whereas species losses increased after the invasion of U. arrecta. Finally, the positive relationship between native biodiversity and precipitation was stronger in non‐invaded than invaded sites.

Synthesis. Our findings provide comprehensive evidence that an invasive plant is decreasing the spatial and temporal β–diversity of native plant communities through declining species richness, rather than simply correlating with them. This suggests that U. arrecta is driving native plants to become less diverse and homogeneous after the invasion, both spatially and temporally. Our findings illustrate that at broad scales, aquatic plant communities may become increasingly homogeneous with the increasing number of biological invasion events taking place worldwide.
Environmental and genetic effects on phenotypic differences between Elaeocarpus photiniifolia (Elaeocarpaceae) ecotypes in dry and mesic habitats on a Japanese oceanic island
Authors: Sugai Kyoko , Setsuko Suzuki , Nagamitsu Teruyoshi , Murakami Noriaki , Kato Hidetoshi , Yoshimaru Hiroshi
Published: December 2022

Ecological speciation is a consequence of phenotypic and genetic differentiation, which is driven by divergent selection and reproductive isolation between different environments. In Elaeocarpus photiniifolia, a plant species endemic to the Bonin Islands, genetic differentiation between a shrub ecotype in dry habitats and a tree ecotype in mesic habitats occurs in the Chichijima Island Group, while gene flow between the ecotypes and migration between the habitats are feasible. To clarify environmental and genetic effects on traits different between the ecotypes, we examined the soil moisture content, nuclear microsatellite genotypes, plant height, and flowering phenology in dry and mesic habitats in two areas on Chichijima Island. The soil moisture content decreased from June to July in both areas and tended to be lower in dry habitats than in mesic habitats in July. Genetic structure indicated not only genetic differentiation between the ecotypes but also admixture between them and migration between the habitats. Both environmental and genetic effects were detected in plant height and flowering phenology: lower height and earlier flowering of the shrub ecotype in the dry habitats, indicating phenotypic plasticity in response to drought, and genetic variation between ecotypes in both traits. These findings indicate that phenotypic plasticity in response to different environments results in different flowering phenology, which facilitates reproductive isolation and genetic differentiation, leading to genetic variation in adaptive traits associated with the environments.
Raman and mid‐infrared spectroscopy to assess changes in Cheddar cheese with maturation
Authors: Holroyd Stephen E , Nickless Elizabeth , Watkinson Philip
Published: December 2022

Infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy, when applied to food samples, have the unique ability to interrogate their chemical structure. In this research, Raman and mid‐infrared (MIR) spectroscopy in conjunction with selected chemometrics approaches were used to investigate the effects of ageing on the protein structure in Cheddar cheese. The results illustrate the potential of Raman confocal imaging and MIR spectroscopy for an understanding of chemical changes in complex dairy matrices.
A comparison of synthetic control approaches for the evaluation of policy interventions using observational data: Evaluating the impact of redesigning urgent and emergency care in Northumberland
Authors: Clarke Geraldine M. , Steventon Adam , O'Neill Stephen
Published: December 2022

Objective

To compare the original synthetic control (OSC) method with alternative approaches (Generalized [GSC], Micro [MSC], and Bayesian [BSC] synthetic control methods) and re‐evaluate the impact of a significant restructuring of urgent and emergency care in Northeast England, which included the opening of the UK's first purpose‐built specialist emergency care hospital.

Data Sources

Simulations and data from Secondary Uses Service data, a single comprehensive repository for patient‐level health care data in England.

Study Design

Hospital use of individuals exposed and unexposed to the restructuring is compared. We estimate the impact using OSC, MSC, BSC, and GSC applied at the general practice level. We contrast the estimation methods' performance in a Monte Carlo simulation study.

Data Collection/Extraction Methods

Hospital activity data from Secondary Uses Service for patients aged over 18 years registered at a general practice in England from April 2011 to March 2019.

Principal Findings

None of the methods dominated all simulation scenarios. GSC was generally preferred. In contrast to an earlier evaluation that used OSC, GSC reported a smaller impact of the opening of the hospital on Accident and Emergency (A&E) department (also known as emergency department or casualty) visits and no evidence for any impact on the proportion of A&E patients seen within 4 h.

Conclusions

The simulation study highlights cases where the considered methods may lead to biased estimates in health policy evaluations. GSC was found to be the most reliable method of those considered. Considering more disaggregated data over a longer time span and applying GSC indicates that the specialist emergency care hospitals in Northumbria had less impact on A&E visits and waiting times than suggested by the original evaluation which applied OSC to more aggregated data.
Choroidal metastasis in breast cancer
Authors: Siu Yuk Wo Aaron , Mak Yan Sin Rita , Au‐Yeung Chung Ling Karen , Yeuk‐hei Ling , Lai Yee Tak Alta , Wong Wai Chung Wendy
Published: December 2022

The commonest sites of metastatic carcinoma of the breast are lungs, bones and the brain. We report a rare case of intraocular metastasis from a breast primary to increase the awareness amongst frontline clinicians. We also discuss interventional options available as prompt treatment could be vision‐saving for this group of patients despite its overall palliative intent.
Restorative justice programs and practices in juvenile justice: An updated systematic review and meta‐analysis for effectiveness
Authors: Kimbrell Catherine S. , Wilson David B. , Olaghere Ajima
Published: December 2022

Research summary

Restorative justice (RJ) in practice has taken on many different forms. It is argued that RJ does not have definitional boundaries, making it hard to limit its essence to that of a particular program, practice, philosophy, or outcome. Therefore, this study's objective was to systematically review and statistically synthesize all available research on RJ programs and related programs and practices using meta‐analytic methods. Our updated systematic search and meta‐analysis identified a total of 57 unique studies including 79 evaluations (including 18 random assignment and 61 quasi‐experimental designs). We extracted a total of 631 effect sizes related to delinquency, non‐delinquency, and victim outcomes. The results of our meta‐analysis showed that RJ programs and practices are associated with a small‐to‐moderate and statistically significant reduction in future delinquent behavior relative to more traditional juvenile justice responses (g = 0.23, 95% CI [0.14, 0.32]). Nevertheless, results were smaller for the more rigorous random assignment studies and nonsignificant, raising concerns about the robustness of this finding. Our most promising findings, however, were for the victim and non‐delinquency outcomes.

Policy implications

The bottom line for RJ programs and practices is that the empirical evidence is supportive of these programs in moderately reducing juvenile delinquency. However, the evidence appears more promising in the area of non‐delinquency outcomes for victims and youth participants involved in these programs. Taken together, the results indicate that RJ programs and practices may be effective at reducing recidivism, albeit to a small‐to‐moderate extent, but have the added feature of meaningfully increasing perceptions of satisfaction and fairness for victim and youth participants. These results should be viewed as encouraging for policy makers, RJ practitioners, and proponents that emphasize the centrality of the victim in the process of crime and harm resolution, as well as those interested in alternative solutions to addressing youth crime.
Advancing the Contributions of European Stakeholders in Farming Systems to Transitions to Agroecology
Authors: Zawalińska Katarzyna , Smyrniotopoulou Alexandra , Balazs Katalin , Böhm Michael , Chitea Mihai , Florian Violeta , Fratila Mihaela , Gradziuk Piotr , Henderson Stuart , Irvine Katherine , Konstantidelli Vasilia , Krupin Vitaliy , Latruffe Laure , Mikšytė Elvyra , Miller David , Monteleone Daniel , Polaschegg Marcus , Schwarz Gerald , Tzanopoulos Joseph , Tzouramani Irene , Vlahos George , Wojciechowska Adrianna
Published: December 2022

The concept of a ‘just transition’ is gaining traction in international policy discourses. It has particular significance in relation to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions and the need for ensuring rights and responsibilities of all actors in transitions to agroecological farming systems. Research plays an important role in accompanying this transformation. It explores pathways for more sustainable and fair food systems, barriers to them being achieved, and where and what risks arise for communities of interest and of place. Researchers and practitioners across levels and sectors were brought together in H2020 projects LIFT and UNISECO using processes of stakeholder engagement. Both projects analysed the perceptions of actors towards agroecological farming, and their active involvement in the transitions required. This article summarises lessons learnt regarding multi‐actor engagement in different participatory settings in both projects, including a Multi‐Actor Platform approach, Q method, DELPHI and Hybrid forum workshops. The interactions involved several hundred actors from 18 countries across Europe. The article reflects on implications of the Covid‐19 pandemic on the processes and effectiveness of multi‐actor engagement, and assessments of the impacts on the empowerment of the actors. The findings are contextualised by contemporary European Union and national policy objectives of tackling climate change, the loss of biodiversity, and inequalities.
Penicillamine‐induced degenerative dermopathy in a patient with Wilson's disease
Authors: Chen Yuting , Qiu Yangyang , Chen Meiqing , Jiang Ying , Qiu Xiaoyan , Gao Lujuan
Published: December 2022

Penicillamine is a chelator that has been used in Wilson's disease, cystinuria, rheumatoid arthritis and heavy metal intoxication. We report a case of a 31‐year‐old man presented with skin atrophy, purpura and milia on the hips and shoulders after taking penicillamine for 1.5 years. According to literature review, this type of penicillamine‐associated cutaneous adverse effect belongs to degenerative dermopathy, which mostly occurs on bony prominences and points of pressure in patients with Wilson's disease or cystinuria. Withdrawal or reduction of drug dose can improve the features of degenerative dermopathy.
New immune horizons in therapeutics and diagnostic approaches to Preeclampsia
Authors: Mukherjee Indrani , Singh Sunil , Karmakar Abhibrato , Kashyap Neha , Mridha Asit Ranjan , Sharma Jai Bhagwan , Luthra Kalpana , Sharma Radhey Shyam , Biswas Subhrajit , Dhar Ruby , Karmakar Subhradip
Published: December 2022

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are one of the commonest maladies, affecting 5%–10% of pregnancies worldwide. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) identifies four categories of HDP, namely gestational hypertension (GH), Preeclampsia (PE), chronic hypertension (CH), and CH with superimposed PE. PE is a multisystem, heterogeneous disorder that encompasses 2%–8% of all pregnancy‐related complications, contributing to about 9% to 26% of maternal deaths in low‐income countries and 16% in high‐income countries. These translate to 50 000 maternal deaths and over 500 000 fetal deaths worldwide, therefore demanding high priority in understanding clinical presentation, screening, diagnostic criteria, and effective management. PE is accompanied by uteroplacental insufficiency leading to vascular and metabolic changes, vasoconstriction, and end‐organ ischemia. PE is diagnosed after 20 weeks of pregnancy in women who were previously normotensive or hypertensive. Besides shallow trophoblast invasion and inadequate remodeling of uterine arteries, dysregulation of the nonimmune system has been the focal point in PE. This results from aberrant immune system activation and imbalanced differentiation of T cells. Further, a failure of tolerance toward the semi‐allogenic fetus results due to altered distribution of Tregs such as CD4+FoxP3+ or CD4+CD25+CD127(low) FoxP3+ cells, thereby creating a cytotoxic environment by suboptimal production of immunosuppressive cytokines like IL‐10, IL‐4, and IL‐13. Also, intracellular production of complement protein C5a may result in decreased FoxP3+ regulatory T cells. With immune system dysfunction as a major driver in PE pathogenesis, it is logical that therapeutic targeting of components of the immune system with pharmacologic agents like anti‐inflammatory and immune‐modulating molecules are either being used or under clinical trial. Cholesterol synthesis inhibitors like Pravastatin may improve placental perfusion in PE, while Eculizumab (monoclonal antibody inhibiting C5) and small molecular inhibitor of C5a, Zilucoplan are under investigation. Monoclonal antibody against IL‐17(Secukinumab) has been proposed to alter the Th imbalance in PE. Autologous Treg therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors like anti‐CTLA‐4 are emerging as new candidates in immune horizons for PE management in the future.
Single nucleotide polymorphisms in LOXL1 as biomarkers for progression of exfoliation glaucoma in Sweden
Authors: Ayala Marcelo , Zetterberg Madeleine , Zettergren Anna
Published: December 2022

Purpose

Exfoliation glaucoma is a common and aggressive type of glaucoma with high prevalence in Scandinavia. The aim of this study was to elucidate whether the allele frequencies of two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located in LOXL1 were associated with the progression of exfoliation glaucoma in Swedish patients.

Methods

In this non‐randomised cohort study, we enrolled patients with exfoliation glaucoma, and they performed at least five reliable visual field tests. Blood samples were collected, and genotyping was performed using competitive allele‐specific PCR genotyping. Glaucoma progression was evaluated using the guided glaucoma progression analysis (GPA), mean deviation (MD) difference and rate of progression (ROP). In addition, associations between allele frequencies and glaucoma progression were tested using logistic regression for GPA and linear regression for MD and ROP.

Results

We enrolled a total of 130 patients in the study. The general genetic model showed statistical significance for LOXL1_rs2165241 (p = 8 × 10−7, Fisher's exact test) and LOXL1_rs1048661 (p = 2 × 10−6, Fisher's exact test). Regression analyses using an additive genetic model showed significant values for LOXL1_rs2165241SNP in relation to GPA, MD and ROP as outcomes (p = 1.8 × 10−4, 4 × 10−2, 6 × 10−4) and for LOXL1_rs1048661 SNP in relation to GPA, MD and ROP (p = 7 × 10−5, 8 × 10−3, 2 × 10−4).

Conclusions

This was the first study to show an association of the SNPs LOXL1_rs2165241 and LOXL1_rs1048661 with the progression of exfoliation glaucoma. Further large‐scale studies are required to verify these findings.
Loss of control in preschoolers with asthma is a risk factor for disease persistency
Authors: Holm‐Weber Adam , Aarestrup Louise , Prahl Julie , Hermansen Mette , Hansen Kirsten Skamstrup , Chawes Bo
Published: December 2022

Aim

To describe the relationship between loss of control events in preschoolers with asthma and persistence of disease.

Methods

We reviewed medical records of children <6 years diagnosed with asthma in 2018 to assess loss of control events during three years of follow‐up. Asthma persistency was defined by redeem of short‐acting β2‐agonist or asthma controllers within one year after the end of follow‐up. Logistic regression models were applied to analyse the association between loss of control events and persistence of asthma.

Results

We included 172 patients (median age 1.8 years), whereof 126 (73.3%) experienced a loss of control event and 87 (50.6%) had asthma one year after the end of follow‐up. Any loss of control event was associated with persistence of asthma adjusted for controller treatment at inclusion, prior exacerbations, atopic comorbidity and caesarean section: aOR, 10.9 (95% CI, 3.9–34.6), p < 0.001. This was also significant restricted to events in the first year of follow‐up: 3.52 (1.50–8.67), p < 0.01 and among children only experiencing one event: 6.4 (1.7–27.3), p = 0.01.

Conclusion

Loss of control events during a 3‐year period among preschoolers with asthma are closely related to disease persistency, which may aid clinicians to assess risk of persistent asthma in young children.
Editorial: routine use of intestinal ultrasound in ulcerative colitis—are we missing the appendix?
Authors: Ernest‐Suarez Kenneth , Novak Kerri
Published: December 2022

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Reijntjes et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17267 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17331
Editorial: repurposed linaclotide and the quest for abdominal pain management in irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Maalouf Elisia , Grover Madhusudan
Published: December 2022

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Lembo et al paper. To view this article, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17274
Editorial: shared decision‐making intervention in patients with Crohnʼs disease—a personalised, patient‐centred approach
Authors: Scribano Maria Lia
Published: December 2022

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Zisman‐Ilani et al paper. To view this article, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17286
Editorial: how early should ‘early TIPSS’ be in cirrhosis with acute variceal bleeding?
Authors: Ding Min , Tian Yulong , Ruan Mengfan , Qi Xingshun
Published: December 2022

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Dunne et al paper. To view this article, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17252
Letter: hereditary role in non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease – authors' reply
Authors: Park Yewan , Sinn Dong H. , Gwak Geum‐Youn
Published: December 2022

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Park et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17257 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17317
What ugly and beautiful photographs reveal about COVID‐19 lockdown experiences, everyday aesthetics and photography aesthetics
Authors: Vissers Nathalie , Wagemans Johan
Published: December 2022

Against the backdrop of the COVID‐19 pandemic, which restricted our daily (visual) experiences, we asked people to take an ugly and beautiful photograph from within their homes. In total, 284 photographs (142 ugly and 142 beautiful) and accompanying statements were submitted and brought to light an intimate portrait of how participants were experiencing their (lockdown) home environment. Results revealed an aesthetic preference for (living) nature. Beauty and ugliness were also connected to good versus bad views, mess versus cosiness, unflattering versus flattering portraits and positive versus negative (COVID‐19) emotions. In terms of photography strategies, editing and colour were important for beautiful photographs, whereas a lack of effort and sharpness showed up relatively more in ugly photographs. A follow‐up study revealed that other viewers' (n = 86) aesthetic judgements of the photographs were largely in line with the original submissions, and confirmed several of the themes. Overall, our study provides a unique photographic window on our everyday aesthetic experiences at home during the COVID‐19 lockdown.
The demand for money and the real exchange rate misalignments in emerging European countries: A nonlinear approach
Authors: Uz Akdogan Idil
Published: December 2022

This paper investigates the extent to which domestic and foreign money balances in emerging European countries are influenced by foreign exchange considerations. A well‐specified and stable relationship between real money demand and the exchange rate can be perceived as an important part of a successful monetary policy. This study examines the long‐run determinants of real exchange rates (RERs) associated with the behavioral equilibrium exchange rate (BEER) approach and identifies currency misalignments in these countries. The misalignment is later used to test the nonlinear behavior of the demand for money. The results indicate that the RER misalignments have a significant impact on domestic money demand. When the currencies are overvalued, there is a reduction in domestic money demand, and when they are undervalued, there is an increase in domestic money demand. Furthermore, it can be concluded that overvaluation causes an increase in foreign money demand indicating a shift of preference from domestic to foreign currency.
Health‐related quality of life in food and venom induced anaphylaxis and role of influencing factors
Authors: Höfer Veronika , Martini Matteo , Dölle‐Bierke Sabine , Worm Margitta , Bilò Maria Beatrice
Published: December 2022

The impact on health‐related quality of life (HRQL) plays a key role for patients suffering from allergies and anaphylaxis. In this narrative review we review the HRQL in allergic patients suffering from food and venom allergy, both being the most frequent elicitors of severe allergic, potential life‐threatening reactions and provide an overview on the current knowledge and identified gaps.

The data show that for food and venom allergy standardized assessment tools to measure HRQL are available and have been successfully applied. Our analysis shows that multiple factors can modulate HRQL in these patient groups. These include sociodemographic data like patients' age and sex, fear of accidental reactions but also external factors like the social environment and the appreciation of the seriousness of the condition by others. External factors may have a significant impact on HRQL and should be considered in patient‐related outcome assessments to avoid biased measurements possibly affecting the results. The assessment of the quality of life in the context of specific immunotherapy should consider lifestyle factors and ideally, the individual change in HRQL should be measured.

Although there are many data indicating a negative impact on HRQL in food allergic children and their caregivers, limited data are existing from adults with food allergy and venom allergic patients from all age groups. Also, the use of standardized questionnaires should be extended to allow for a better comparability of results between studies. Therefore, translation to additional languages is necessary.

Taken together, the eliciting allergen, the severity of the allergic disease but moreover multiple external factors impact the outcome in HRQL and should be considered in HRQL assessment.
Methyltransferase‐like 3 suppresses phenotypic switching of vascular smooth muscle cells by activating autophagosome formation
Authors: Fang Ze‐Min , Zhang Shu‐Min , Luo Hanshen , Jiang Ding‐Sheng , Huo Bo , Zhong Xiaoxuan , Feng Xin , Cheng Wenlin , Chen Yue , Feng Gaoke , Wu Xingliang , Zhao Fang , Yi Xin
Published: December 2022

Prevention of neointima formation is the key to improving long‐term outcomes after stenting or coronary artery bypass grafting. RNA N6‐methyladenosine (m6A) methylation has been reported to be involved in the development of various cardiovascular diseases, but whether it has a regulatory effect on neointima formation is unknown. Herein, we revealed that methyltransferase‐like 3 (METTL3), the major methyltransferase of m6A methylation, was downregulated during vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation and neointima formation. Knockdown of METTL3 facilitated, while overexpression of METTL3 suppressed the proliferation of human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) by arresting HASMCs at G2/M checkpoint and the phosphorylation of CDC2 (p‐CDC2) was inactivated by METTL3. On the other hand, the migration and synthetic phenotype of HASMCs were enhanced by METTL3 knockdown, but inhibited by METTL3 overexpression. The protein levels of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2), MMP7 and MMP9 were reduced, while the expression level of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 3 was increased in HASMCs with METTL3 overexpression. Moreover, METTL3 promoted the autophagosome formation by upregulating the expression of ATG5 (autophagy‐related 5) and ATG7. Knockdown of either ATG5 or ATG7 largely reversed the regulatory effects of METTL3 overexpression on phenotypic switching of HASMCs, as evidenced by increased proliferation and migration, and predisposed to synthetic phenotype. These results indicate that METTL3 inhibits the phenotypic switching of VSMCs by positively regulating ATG5‐mediated and ATG7‐mediated autophagosome formation. Thus, enhancing the level of RNA m6A or the formation of autophagosomes is the promising strategy to delay neointima formation.
Comparison of visual and acoustic surveys for the detection and dynamic management of North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis) in Canada
Authors: Ceballos Valentina , Taggart Christopher , Johnson Hansen
Published: December 2022

The goal of this study was to develop a simulation to quantitatively compare acoustic and visual surveys and use it to inform current and future North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis) risk mitigation. We expanded upon an established whale movement model, incorporating realistic right whale cues for visual and acoustic detection within dynamic management zones in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, Canada. Survey transits by acoustic (Slocum gliders) and visual (aircraft, vessels, and Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems) platforms were simulated using representative platform movements and detection functions. We used a Monte Carlo approach to estimate the probability of detecting a cue, in each zone, as a function of survey platform, number of right whales, and survey transits. Acoustic gliders detected right whale presence in every scenario. Single transits of a management zone by visual surveys were only able to reliably (>0.5 probability) detect right whales when more than 20 whales were present. Twenty or more transits were required to reliably detect a single right whale. Our results serve as a tool to be used by decision‐makers to inform optimal right whale monitoring strategies that consider the relative strengths of the various platforms.