bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
No home‐field advantage in litter decomposition from the desert to temperate forest
Authors: van den Brink Liesbeth , Canessa Rafaella , Neidhardt Harald , Knüver Timo , Rios Rodrigo S. , Saldaña Alfredo , Cavieres Lohengrin A. , Oelmann Yvonne , Bader Maaike Y. , Tielbörger Katja
Published: January 2023

Litter decomposition rates are determined by the interplay of climate, decomposer organisms and litter quality. It has been suggested that the decomposer community may be locally adapted to litter quality, providing a home‐field advantage (HFA) resulting in accelerated decomposition of local compared to non‐local litter, after accounting for decomposition differences due to litter quality and the functional capacity of microorganisms. Although widely tested in forests, this hypothesis remains controversial and lacks support of its generality across climates.

We therefore tested the HFA hypothesis for litter decomposition in four contrasting ecosystems along an extensive climatic gradient in Chile, using a translocation experiment involving litter from 20 species. In addition to comparing mass loss, we adopted a novel way to disentangle decomposer effects from climate effects, based on loss rates of elements that are actively released from the litter by decomposers during its breakdown versus elements that are simply leached by precipitation. We used the ratios of nitrogen and potassium losses (N/K loss) and phosphorus and potassium losses (P/K loss) to unravel the relative role of microbial breakdown (N and P loss) versus physical leaching (K loss) along the climate gradient. Thus, at each site, we tested whether litter mass loss, N/K loss and P/K loss presented an additional loss due to a HFA for local compared to non‐local litter.

Across a wide range of environments and litter types, our findings unequivocally contradicted the HFA hypothesis. We observed no significantly positive HFA along the gradient; however, litter quality and the general ability of the decomposer community influenced litter decomposition much more strongly than origin or location of the litter.

Our study questions the applicability of the HFA for litter decomposition and calls for more studies that include a large range of climatic conditions to understand the context‐dependency of HFA.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Least‐squares reverse time migration based on an efficient pure qP‐wave equation
Authors: Huang Jianping , Mao Qiang , Mu Xinru , Yang Jidong , Ivan Mukiibi Ssewannyaga , Liu Zhang , Zhang Shaoshun
Published: January 2023

Seismic waves propagating in anisotropic earth media suffer from waveform distortion, which leads to degraded resolution in seismic data imaging if this adverse effect is not corrected. Additionally, the wavefields simulated by the traditional coupled pseudo‐acoustic wave equations contain undesired shear wave artefacts and are unstable when Thomsen's anisotropy parameter ε is less than δ. To address these issues, many pure qP‐wave equations are proposed to describe wave propagation in anisotropic media. However, these equations are either low precision or high accuracy but computationally expensive. Considering the trade‐off between the computation efficiency and simulation accuracy, we derive a pure qP‐wave equation from the exact dispersion formula in tilted transverse isotropic media. The newly derived equation has only two higher order partial derivatives, which can better balance the accuracy and efficiency than the previous pure qP‐wave equations. The least‐squares reverse time migration method can balance amplitudes, suppress migration artefacts and improve imaging resolution. Then, based on the newly derived pure qP‐wave equation, we derive the Born modelling operator and adjoint migration operator and develop an anisotropic least‐squares reverse time migration method. To achieve the accelerated convergence, we introduce a generalized minimum residual algorithm to implement the anisotropic least‐squares reverse time migration method. Numerical simulation results show that the proposed pure qP‐wave equation outperforms the previous equations in balancing the trade‐off between accuracy and efficiency. In addition, synthetic examples demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of our proposed anisotropic least‐squares reverse time migration method in correcting the deviations due to anisotropic effects.
Reproductive senescence and mating tactic interact and conflict to drive reproductive success in a passerine
Authors: Riecke Thomas V. , Hegelbach Johann , Schaub Michael
Published: January 2023

An understanding of the drivers of individual fitness is a fundamental component of evolutionary ecology and life‐history theory. Reproductive senescence, mate and mating tactic choice and latent heterogeneity in individual quality interact to affect individual fitness.

We sought to disentangle the effects of these fitness drivers, where longitudinal data are required to understand their respective impacts.

We used reproductive allocation and success data from a long‐term (1989–2018) study of white‐throated dippers Cinclus cinclus in Switzerland to simultaneously examine the effects of female and male age, mating tactic, nest initiation date and individual heterogeneity on reproductive performance.

We modelled quadratic and categorical effects of age on reproductive parameters. The probability of polygyny increased with age in both sexes before declining in older age classes. Similarly, hatching probability in monogamous pairs and the number of nestlings hatched in both monogamous and polygynous pairs increased with female age before declining later in life. As predicted, offspring survival in monogamous pairs increased with male age before declining in older age classes, but male age had no effect on offspring survival in polygynous nesting attempts.

Our results demonstrate that parental age, mating tactic and individual heterogeneity all affect reproductive success, and that the impacts of senescent decline are expressed across different demographic components as a function of sex‐specific senescent decline and mating tactic.
Diagnosis and the practices of patienthood: How diagnostic journeys shape illness experiences
Authors: Jeske Melanie , James Jennifer , Joyce Kelly
Published: January 2023

Sociologists have a rich history of studying the process of diagnosis and how people experience illness. Yet, the sociology of diagnosis and illness experience literatures have seldom been fully integrated. Instead, these literatures highlight one element of the illness journey, wherein scholars either primarily study diagnostic processes and categories or people’s illness experiences. Drawing on empirical studies that examine diagnosis and experiences of illness in varied settings (diagnosis during breast cancer surveillance, diagnosis and experience of autoimmune illness and incarcerated women’s experiences of diagnoses and illness), in this article we build on our concept of regimes of patienthood to explain how diagnostic journeys, and the relations and power dynamics that manifest during this time, shape the illness experience and practices of patienthood. We construct a classification of diagnostic processes grounded in our empirical research that span (1) sudden diagnoses, (2) long, changing diagnostic journeys and (3) diagnostic journeys marked by disbelief and denial of care. Our findings demonstrate how diagnostic journeys and illness experiences are intertwined, with different diagnostic pathways impacting how illness is experienced. Analysing these categories collectively demonstrates that diagnostic journeys, while heterogenous, shape the practices that patients develop to manage health conditions and navigate unequal health‐care encounters.
Normative puzzles for local government: Managing the introduction of single‐handed care in England
Authors: Rooney Leigh , Rapley Tim , Whitehead Phillip J.
Published: January 2023

A crisis in social care is apparent across the developed world as ageing populations put unprecedented demand on understaffed social care workforces. A recent popular response to this ‘care crisis’ within the UK involves the ‘innovation’ of single‐handed care (SHC). SHC involves a care package with two or more homecare workers being reduced to one worker using advanced equipment and new moving and handling techniques. In this article, we explore how SHC is rendered in 245 documents from 52 local authorities in England. Using Actor Network Theory as an interpretative lens, we suggest documents attempt to satisfy three ‘duties of care’: to the individual wellbeing of citizens, morally and fiscally to the collective and to innovation. Each appeal to different stakeholder groups necessary for SHC to work, but the combination of duties can pose problems in enabling coherent stories of SHC. Duties can be kept apart in different documents, but at times they must be brought together in certain textual spaces to enact SHC as a coherent enterprise. Here, the potential tensions that emerge are routinely orientated to as (merely) problems of process that can and should be managed in and through a more refined approach to change management.
Income inequality, cultural capital, and high school students' academic achievement in OECD countries: A moderated mediation analysis
Authors: Wang Jingjing , Wu Yuxiao
Published: January 2023

This study examines how social context, in this case, income inequality, shapes the role of cultural capital in educational success. First, we revisit the associations between (objectified) cultural capital and academic achievement, and cultural capital's role in mediating the relationship between family SES and academic achievement. More importantly, we explore how national‐level income inequality moderates these two relationships. By analyzing a multilevel dataset of 32 OECD countries, a combination of PISA 2018 data and several national indexes, we find that: (1) cultural capital not only has a positive association with students' academic achievement but also acts as a significant mediator of the relationship between family SES and academic achievement in OECD countries; (2) both cultural capital's association with academic achievement and it's mediating role are stronger in more equal countries than in unequal ones. The findings shed new light on understanding how cultural capital shapes intergenerational education inequality across countries with different levels of inequality.
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis in an adult Filipino female: A case report
Authors: Dorado Cristina A. , Vista Evan S.
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a family of arthritic conditions that occurs in childhood. If untreated, the disease may result in poor quality of life and complications, such as long‐term joint damage, that may affect patients their entire lives.

Methods

A case of a 23‐year‐old Filipino female presenting with persistent joint pain in both knees, ankles, wrists, and multiple fingers and toes since childhood was investigated. Bilateral eye pain and redness with associated headache, nausea, and vomiting, prompted consultation at the emergency room. Physical examination revealed deformity, erythema and swelling of multiple joints. Ophthalmologic exam revealed poor visual acuity of both eyes (20/100, both eyes). C‐reactive protein was elevated, and rheumatoid factor (RF) was negative. The patient underwent glaucoma drainage device (Ahmed valve) insertion on both eyes and was treated on an out‐patient basis with adalimumab, methotrexate, prednisone, folic acid, and prednisolone acetate eye drops.

Conclusion

JIA is a complicated disease which begins early in life and affects patients even in adulthood. These patients may suffer from arthritis with permanent joint deformities and uveitis, among other disabilities that make daily tasks impossible, impacting patients both mentally and socially.
Stock market reactions to US Consumer Product Safety Commission enforcement actions
Authors: Ameer Rashid , Othman Radiah
Published: January 2023

This study examines stock market reaction to violations of product safety regulations and firm product responsibilities in the post‐enforcement period. Our event study results show that market reaction was negative to failures by firms to report product defects in a timely way. Our results also show that the stock market reaction varies depending on the type of violations, and whether there are single or multiple violations. Firms spend more on research and development and advertising in the post‐enforcement period, in addition to investing in their compliance programmes which have a significant positive impact on product responsibility stewardship. Our empirical results show that the stock market reacts negatively to recall volume and refund remediation strategy. The stock market reaction is negative to social media communication about product recalls initiated by manufacturers. However, this negative effect appears to be counteracted by the positive corporate social responsibility (CSR) reputation effect of the manufacturers. Our findings imply that US manufacturing firms dealing with product recalls must be sensitive to how consumers and investors interpret the communication.
Transforming Malaysia's Higher Education: Policies and Progress
Authors: Tham Siew‐Yean , Chong Pui‐Yee
Published: January 2023

Malaysia's higher education sector has a substantial number and diverse types of public and private providers, which have contributed toward improving access. Over time, with improved access, there are increasing policy efforts directed toward improving the quality of higher education to meet the desired human capital needed for advancing economic development. This paper assesses three key areas that have been undertaken to improve the quality of higher education, their measurements, achievements, outstanding challenges, and ensuing implications on future policy directions. The key performance indicators used for monitoring quality improvements show that some targets have been achieved. A review of the approach used to measure performance and a consolidation of the sector are needed for further quality improvement.
Discordance between clinical and pathologic staging and the timeliness of care of non‐small cell lung cancer patients diagnosed with operable tumors
Authors: Taylor Oliver , Boardman Glenn , Bentel Jacqueline , Laycock Andrew
Published: January 2023

Aim

This study was performed to evaluate concordance between clinical and pathologic staging of non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in our hospital network.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed records of 417 patients with NSCLC who received curative surgery and whose pathology was evaluated in our hospital between 2016 and 2021. Cytology, tissue pathology, and associated clinical, surgical, and imaging information were retrieved from hospital digital records.

Results

The cohort included 214 female and 203 male patients aged 20.6–85.8 years. Median times among staging computed tomography and surgery (105 days [interquartile range (IQR) 77.0–143.0]), positron emission tomography and surgery (78.5 days [IQR 56.0–109.0]), and endobronchial ultrasound‐guided transbronchial needle aspiration and surgery (59 days [IQR 42–94]) indicated that Australian guidelines of <42 days between original referral and commencement of treatment were not being met in the majority of cases. Discordance between clinical TNM (cTNM) and pathologic TNM staging was 25.9%, including 18.4% cases that were clinically understaged and two patients with undetected stage IVA disease. cTNM understaging was significantly associated with time between the final staging investigation and surgery (p = .023), pleural (p < .05) and vessel (p < .05) invasion, and diagnosis of high‐grade adenocarcinoma (p = .001).

Conclusion

Discordance between clinical and pathologic staging of NSCLC is associated with tumor histopathologic characteristics and treatment delays. Although tumor factors that lead to discordant staging cannot be controlled, reduced time to surgery may have resulted in better outcomes for some patients in this potentially curable lung cancer cohort.
Anxious suitcases and their contents
Authors: Sopova Alisa
Published: January 2023

The war in Ukraine has uprooted millions of people, forcing them to confront their habitual material environment of home and everyday life in new and unexpected ways. This is particularly the case when they evacuate and must decide what to take with them and what to leave behind. This photo‐essay comprises a selection of objects that, at the moment of crisis, have stepped in to embody important aspects of their owners’ lives. As their owners reflect on them, these objects raise important questions about the affective qualities of materiality. They suggest how in wartime, large‐scale loss and destruction lay bare otherwise taken‐for‐granted affective entanglements between the human and the nonhuman.
Nurse‐led dexmedetomidine sedation for magnetic resonance imaging in children: a 6‐year quality improvement project
Authors: Lin R. , Lin H. , Elder E. , Cerullo A. , Carrington A. , Stuart G.
Published: January 2023

We aimed to safely introduce dexmedetomidine into a nurse‐led sedation service for magnetic resonance imaging in children. Secondary aims were to increase the number of children eligible for sedation and to increase the actual number of children having sedation performed by our nurse sedation team. We analysed 1768 consecutive intravenous and 219 intranasal dexmedetomidine sedation episodes in infants, children and adolescents having magnetic resonance imaging scans between March 2016 and March 2022. The overall sedation success rate was 98.4%, with a 98.9% success rate for intravenous dexmedetomidine and a 95.0% success rate for intranasal dexmedetomidine. The incidence of scan interruption during intravenous and intranasal dexmedetomidine sedation was 8.8% and 21.9%, respectively. We conclude that paediatric sedation with dexmedetomidine for magnetic resonance scanning is safe and successful.
The impact of perceived donor liver quality on post‐transplant outcome
Authors: Dirchwolf Melisa , Becchetti Chiara , Stampf Susanne , Haldimann Christa , Immer Franz , Beyeler Franziska , Toso Christian , Dutkowski Philipp , Candinas Daniel , Dufour Jean‐Francois , Banz Vanessa ,   the Swiss Transplant Cohort Study
Published: January 2023

Background

We analysed the impact of perceived liver donor quality on transplant recipient outcomes.

Methods

this prospective cohort study included all deceased liver donors during 2008–2018 in the Swiss Transplant Cohort Study. Perceived low‐quality liver donors were defined when refused for ≥5 top listed recipients or for all recipients in at least one centre before being transplanted. The effect of liver donor quality on relisting or recipient death at 1 week and 1 year after transplantation was analysed using Kaplan–Meier and Cox proportional hazard models. A 1:3 matching was also performed using a recipient score.

Results

Of 973 liver donors, 187 (19.2%) had perceived poor‐quality. Males, obesity, donation after circulatory death and alanine aminotransferase values were significantly associated with perceived poor‐quality, with no significant effect of the perceived quality on re‐listing or death within the first week and first year post‐transplant [(aHR) = 1.45, 95% CI: (0.6, 3.5), P = 0.41 and aHR = 1.52 (95% CI 0.98–2.35), P = 0.06], adjusting by recipient age and gender, obesity, diabetes, prior liver transplantation and model for end‐stage liver disease (MELD) score. At 1 year, prior liver transplantation and higher MELD score associated with higher risk of re‐listing or death.

Conclusion

Comparable post‐transplant outcomes with different perceived quality liver donors stresses the need to improve donor selection in liver transplantation.
Introduction to surgical coaching
Authors: Willemot Laurent , Lee Matthew J. , Mulford Jonathan
Published: January 2023

Surgical coaching is a new approach to continuous professional development (CPD). Advocates claim that coaching improves surgical and non‐technical skills, leading to enhanced performance and reduced stress and burnout. Widespread acceptance of coaching in the surgical community is limited due to a paucity of evidence, surgery‐specific obstacles and lack of resources. This narrative review introduces what ‘surgical coaching’ is and describes its origins. Coaching techniques are based on live or video observation of procedures, followed by collaborative analysis, reflection and goal planning in a non‐competitive setting aided by an expert, peer or lay coach. Technical skills improvements have been reported using coaching techniques, yet long‐term influence on non‐technical competencies, overall performance and surgeon wellbeing are largely hypothetical. There are clear potential benefits in the application of surgical coaching to daily surgical practice. However, significant knowledge gaps remain. Dedicated research into the short‐term applicability and the long‐term effects of surgical coaching are required.
Almost half of children and adolescents had unmet need 6 months after their traumatic brain injury
Authors: Dahl Hilde Margrete , Holthe Ingvil Laberg , Løvstad Marianne , Tverdal Cathrine , Andelic Nada , Myhre Mia C.
Published: January 2023

Aim

Very few studies have focused on how children with traumatic brain injuries (TBI) access and use publicly funded healthcare and educational services. We aimed to compare the symptoms, recovery and service use of children with TBIs and a control group with other traumatic injuries.

Methods

This case–control study was conducted at Oslo University Hospital, Norway, from 2015 to 2020. It focused on 49 patients aged 1–15 years who were hospitalised with TBIs and compared them with 51 matched patients with other traumatic injuries. Unmet needs were based on reports from parents, patients and clinicians 6 months after the injury.

Results

Many children hospitalised after TBIs experienced persistent cognitive and emotional symptoms that effected their return to school and subsequent social interactions. These were associated with reduced quality of life. Nearly half (47%) of the children in the TBI group had unmet needs after 6 months, compared to 12% of the controls. Patients with TBIs also had more symptoms and showed less favourable recoveries than the controls.

Conclusion

Paediatric patients with TBIs had long‐term cognitive and emotional symptoms that affected their return to school and social functioning. Almost half of them had unmet needs 6 months after their acute injury.
Meta‐analysis: The impact of light‐to‐moderate alcohol consumption on progressive non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Magherman Louise , Van Parys Robbe , Pauwels Nele S. , Verhelst Xavier , Devisscher Lindsey , Van Vlierberghe Hans , Geerts Anja , Lefere Sander
Published: January 2023

Background and Aims

Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is defined as fatty liver disease in the absence of heavy alcohol consumption. However, the impact of light‐to‐moderate alcohol consumption on progressive NAFLD and on mortality is presently unclear.

Methods

Medline, Embase, OATD and OpenGrey were systematically searched up to November 2022 for relevant cross‐sectional, case–control and cohort studies. The study outcomes were progressive NAFLD—steatohepatitis (NASH), fibrosis, cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and mortality. The entire review process was performed by two independent reviewers. A narrative synthesis was performed for all outcomes, while meta‐analyses, subgroup analyses and publication bias assessment were performed depending on the number of articles.

Results

After study selection, 32 articles were included. Cohort studies reported that moderate alcohol intake increased the risk for advanced fibrosis (pooled OR 1.56; 95% CI 1.08–2.26 and HR 1.39; 95% CI 1.22–1.57), which was not observed in cross‐sectional studies. Alcohol use also increased the risk of developing liver cirrhosis and HCC, but seemed to lower the risk of steatohepatitis. Light alcohol consumption protected against all‐cause mortality, an effect not observed in NAFLD patients with moderate intake.

Conclusions

There is wide heterogeneity in studies on the impact of alcohol on progressive NAFLD. Nevertheless, cohort studies reported a significant harmful effect of moderate alcohol consumption on the occurrence of advanced fibrosis. Further research is needed to make valid recommendations with regard to alcohol consumption in patients with NAFLD.
Molecular analysis of phenotypic heterogeneity inJAK2V617F‐positive myeloproliferative neoplasms reveals a potential target for therapy
Authors: Gu Wenjing , Tong Jingyuan , Fu Rongfeng , Sun Ting , Ju Mankai , Zhao Yanhong , Wang Di , Gao Jie , Liu Jinhua , Gao Yuchen , Li Huiyuan , Wang Wentian , Chi Ying , Yang Renchi , Chen Lu , Shi Lihong , Zhang Lei
Published: January 2023

JAK2V617F is the most frequent mutation in BCR‐ABL‐negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). It is an important but not the only determinant of MPN phenotype. We performed high‐throughput sequencing on JAK2V617F+ essential thrombocythaemia (ET) and polycythaemia vera (PV) patient samples to unveil factors involved in phenotypic heterogeneity and to identify novel therapeutic targets for MPN. Two concurrent mutations that may affect phenotype were identified, including mutations in SH2B3, which is primarily prevalent in PV, and SF3B1, which is more commonly mutated in ET. Next, we conducted transcriptomic analysis at the haematopoietic stem cell (HSC) and megakaryocyte (MK)‐erythroid progenitor (MEP) levels. Inflammatory signalling pathways were elevated in both ET HSCs and MEPs, unlike in PV HSCs and MEPs. Notably, Wnt/β‐catenin signalling was uniquely upregulated during ET haematopoietic differentiation from HSC to MEP, and inhibiting Wnt/β‐catenin signalling blocked MK differentiation in vitro. Consistently, Wnt/β‐catenin inhibitor administration decreased platelet counts in JAK2V617F+ MPN mice by blocking MEPs and MK progenitors and by inhibiting maturation of MKs, while in wild‐type mice, Wnt/β‐catenin inhibitor did not significantly reduce platelet counts. In conclusion, our findings provide new insights into the mechanisms underlying phenotypic differentiation of JAK2V617F+ PV and ET and indicate Wnt/β‐catenin signalling as a potential therapeutic target for MPN.
Biomarkers for predicting response to corticosteroid therapy for immune thrombocytopenic purpura
Authors: Nakamura Naokazu , Tsunemine Hiroko , Sakai Tomomi , Arima Nobuyoshi
Published: January 2023

Patients with immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) often receive corticosteroids as a first‐line treatment strategy. The ability to predict the therapeutic response to corticosteroids before initiating treatment would reduce the risk of adverse events, but biomarkers of this parameter have not yet been established. Here, in a single‐centre, retrospective, cohort study of 127 ITP patients who received corticosteroids as first‐line treatment, we compared several characteristics and test results between those patients with a favourable response to corticosteroids (responder cohort, n = 68) and those with a poor response to corticosteroids (non‐responder cohort, n = 59) to identify potential biomarkers that were predictive of corticosteroid response. We extracted six factors as indicative of poor response to corticosteroid therapy for ITP: old age (≥81 years) (odds ratio [OR], 2.44; p = 0.02); low platelet count (<9 × 109/L) (OR, 2.25; p = 0.02); high level of platelet‐associated IgG (≥445 ng/107cells) (OR, 3.95; p < 0.01), high platelet distribution width (≥ 14.0 g/dL) (OR, 2.00; p = 0.03), high lymphocyte‐to‐monocyte ratio (≥ 3.52) (OR, 1.40, p = 0.04), and low megakaryocyte count in bone marrow (< 85.5/μl) (OR, 1.72; p = 0.04). Thus, our present data support the fact that these six factors are useful biomarkers for predicting corticosteroid response in patients with ITP.
Palaeoclimatic and regional implications of Older Dryas and Younger Dryas local glacier activity in the low‐Arctic valley Finnkongdalen, Andøya, northern Norway
Authors: Jansen Henrik Løseth , Dahl Svein Olaf , Linge Henriette , Bakke Jostein , Nielsen Pål Ringkjøb , Kvisvik Bjørn Christian
Published: January 2023

Continuous glacier margin and equilibrium‐line altitude fluctuations of a former glacier on central Andøya, northern Norway, are reconstructed during the Lateglacial based on moraines and AMS 14C‐dated sediments from the distal glacier‐fed lake Ner‐Finnkongdalsvatnet. The results indicate that a valley glacier occupied the entire valley during the Last Glacial Maximum (before 21 970±620 cal. a BP). The glacier remained large throughout the early Lateglacial until a significant glacier retreat took place about 14 300±330 cal. a BP. Major advances occurred during the Older Dryas (OD) and during the Younger Dryas (YD), while minor advances are suggested to have taken place during the Intra Allerød Cold Period and the Late Allerød Cooling. Additionally, three smaller glacier retreats/re‐advances within the YD are suggested to have taken place, the latter being the largest. The glacier re‐formations/advances during the Lateglacial are consistent with increases in temperature, and they are thus suggested to be the result of increased winter precipitation. Comparing the results with relevant glacier and sea‐surface temperature records, a south–north migration of storm tracks may have occurred between 12 100–11 810±220 cal. a BP. The high temporal resolution of local glacier activity in Finnkongdalen improves our understanding of the climate forcing of the regional glacier fluctuations of the northwestern sector of the Scandinavian Ice Sheet during the Skarpnes‐ (OD) and Tromsø‐Lyngen (YD) re‐advances.
Seeing the pandemic through children's eyes: Exploring Turkish children's views on COVID‐19 pandemic by focus‐group discussions
Authors: Şenkal Evrim , Kurt Özlem Murzoğlu , Yalçın Siddika Songül , Koller Donna , Boran Perran
Published: January 2023

Background

The direct and indirect effects of the COVID‐19 pandemic on children and youth people are well documented. Little is known about children's experiences of the pandemic in their own words. We aimed to explore Turkish children's experiences and views about the pandemic, across private and public educational systems.

Methods

Six focus group discussions were conducted online with 30 children aged between 7 to 18 years in 2021. Children were enrolled through snowball sampling technique according to developmental age groups. A thematic analysis was conducted.

Results

We identified five themes: Compliance with public health measures about preventing the spread of COVID‐19, changes in daily routines, emotional responses to the pandemic, distance education, and adaptive responses. Overall, children were well informed and receptive to the public health preventive measures with the exception of older children's tendency to disregard physical distancing with friends. They reported frustration with those who did not comply with measures and believed that the authorities should strictly enforce public health requirements. Emotional responses comprised fear of family members and themselves being infected, anxiety produced by the uncertainty of the virus, and the loss of social support. There was a perceived disparity between students from public and private schools regarding academic self‐competence. Positive aspects of the pandemic included positive interactions with family members and the acquisition of new hobbies. Although most children acknowledged the support of their parents to deal with challenges, children of health workers were particularly isolated in terms of emotional support.

Conclusion

Our findings offer additional insights and validate previous research on the negative and positive effects of COVID‐19 from the child's perspective across private and public educational systems. This study contributes to global advocacy efforts aimed at understanding the impact of the pandemic on children.
N‐methyl‐D‐aspartic acid receptor 2A functionalized stationary phase: A reliable method for pursuing potential ligands against Alzheimer's disease from natural products
Authors: Chen Yuan‐Yuan , Xue Yan , Yin Jia‐Tai , Qu Le‐Jing , Li Hao‐Peng , Li Qian , Zhao Xin‐Feng
Published: January 2023

Aims

N‐methyl‐D‐aspartic acid (NMDA) receptors play subunit‐specific role in central neuronal development. However, insights into the pharmacological modulation of NMDA receptors were mainly lack of subunit and synaptic selectivity. The purpose of the present study was to develop a novel strategy to rapidly recognize NMDA subunit 2A (NMDA‐2A) ligands from natural products and provide subunit‐selective drug candidates for Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Methods

The recombinant NMDA‐2A containing a tag of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was expressed in Escherichia coli cells and immobilized on ibrutinib‐modified microspheres based on the specific reaction between EGFR and its inhibitor ibrutinib. A novel affinity stationary phase was synthesized to screen NMDA‐2A ligands from Gardenia jasminoides Ellis.

Results

The immobilized receptor column exhibited excellent receptor selectivity and ligand‐binding activity. Crocetin was screened by using this method. In a cellular model of AD, the protein level of NMDA‐2A was significantly decreased compared with the control group, while treatment with crocetin significantly increased NMDA‐2A level in a concentration‐dependent manner, confirming that crocetin could bind to NMDA‐2A in vitro.

Conclusion

In the present study, we developed a reliable method for the rapid identification of NMDA‐2A ligands from natural products, which may be used as a platform for new drug discovery to generate high‐quality drug candidates.
Unification of power and responsibilities for state‐owned enterprises: A quasi‐natural experiment
Authors: Hu Ning , Yu Shilei , Cao Yanan , Guo Savannah (Yuanyuan) , Wang Yu
Published: January 2023

Research Question/Issue

Based on Property Rights Theory and Empowerment Theory, this paper uses the establishment of local State‐Owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commissions (SASACs) as a quasi‐natural experiment to investigate whether and how SASACs improve the efficiency of state‐owned enterprises (SOEs).

Research Findings/Insights

(1) After the establishment of SASACs, and compared to those not supervised by the SASACs (i.e., the control group), SOEs governed by local SASACs (i.e., the treatment group) have experienced a significant increase in decentralization and empowerment from the government, proxied by corporate pyramid levels. We also find increased pay‐performance sensitivity for SOE managers and higher productivity measured by total factor productivity (TFP). (2) SASACs adopt different strategies to manage SOEs in monopolistic and competitive industries. (3) The above effect of the SASACs is more pronounced in SOEs supervised by high‐quality governments that effectively protect property rights, enforce fair contracts, apply laws and regulations to everyone, and sufficiently refrain from expropriation.

Theoretical/Academic Implications

Using a quasi‐natural experiment, this paper expands the existing literature on SOE reform from the perspective of incentive reform at the regulatory level based on Property Rights Theory and Empowerment Theory.

Practitioner/Policy Implications

(1) Privatization is not necessarily the only optimal solution for SOE reform. We show that the unification of power and responsibilities can be very effective and is perhaps less costly and more practical than privatization. Thus, our study provides an encouraging solution for SOE reform for other countries. (2) Countries experiencing SOE reform should also work on strengthening their government quality in order to fully maximize the benefit of the reform.
How boards manage the tension between cognitive conflict and cohesiveness: Illuminating the four board conflict climates
Authors: Engbers Marilieke , Khapova Svetlana N.
Published: January 2023

Research Question/Issue

Although both cognitive conflict and cohesiveness are quintessential for a supervisory board to fulfill its monitoring and advisory role, cognitive conflict may equally create tension that negatively affects board cohesiveness and performance. How boards manage this tension between conflict and cohesiveness is the key concern of this paper.

Research Findings/Insights

Analysis of the multicase data from 17 Dutch two‐tier supervisory boards reveals that how boards manage the tension between conflict and cohesiveness depends on three attributes: (a) board cohesiveness, (b) the board's conflict norms formation and (c) the board's dominant conflict management style. These attributes shape volatile board conflict climates. Four conflict climates are identified: (a) compliance climate, (b) pseudocohesive climate, (c) conflict climate, and (d) agree‐to‐disagree climate.

Theoretical/Academic Implications

Our study makes three contributions. First, it suggests that boards avoid conflict but are nonetheless often not cohesive. Second, it reveals that boards have conflict management styles that include action patterns distinct from those reported in the extant literature since these patterns emerged from exploring what board members think and feel but do not openly say. Third, we develop new insights into how boards implicitly and continuously form conflict norms and propose that boards require explicit, conscious, and shared conflict norms to enact productive conflict management action patterns.

Practitioner/Policy Implications

A conceptual model is proposed that facilitates reflection of board decision‐making and effectiveness and that maps out actions the boards can take to address the tension between cognitive conflict and cohesiveness.
Sweet and simple as syrup: A review and guidance for use of novel antihyperglycemic agents for post‐transplant diabetes mellitus and type 2 diabetes mellitus after kidney transplantation
Authors: Lawrence S. Elise , Chandran Mary Moss , Park Jeong M. , Sweiss Helen , Jensen Thomas , Choksi Palak , Crowther Barrett
Published: January 2023

Uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and post‐transplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM) increase morbidity and mortality after kidney transplantation. Conventional strategies for diabetes management in this population include metformin, sulfonylureas, meglitinides and insulin. Limitations with these agents, as well as promising new antihyperglycemic agents, create a need and opportunity to explore additional options for transplant diabetes pharmacotherapy. Novel agents including sodium glucose co‐transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i), glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists (GLP1RA), and dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitors (DPP4i) demonstrate great promise for T2DM management in the non‐transplant population. Moreover, many of these agents possess renoprotective, cardiovascular, and/or weight loss benefits in addition to improved glucose control while having reduced risk of hypoglycemia compared with certain other conventional agents. This comprehensive review examines available literature evaluating the use of novel antihyperglycemic agents in kidney transplant recipients (KTR) with T2DM or PTDM. Formal grading of recommendations assessment, development, and evaluation (GRADE) system recommendations are provided to guide incorporation of these agents into post‐transplant care. Available literature was evaluated to address the clinical questions of which agents provide greatest short‐ and long‐term benefits, timing of novel antihyperglycemic therapy initiation after transplant, monitoring parameters for these antihyperglycemic agents, and concomitant antihyperglycemic agent and immunosuppression regimen management. Current experience with novel antihyperglycemic agents is primarily limited to single‐center retrospective studies and case series. With ongoing use and increasing comfort, further and more robust research promises greater understanding of the role of these agents and place in therapy for kidney transplant recipients.
Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic equivalence of Biocon's biosimilar insulin N with US‐licensed Humulin® N formulation in healthy subjects: Results from the RHINE‐2 (Recombinant Human INsulin Equivalence‐2) study
Authors: Andersen Grit , Singh Gursharan , Murugesan Sundara Moorthi Nainar , Gogineni Rajesh , Sharma Nirant , Panda Jayanti , Marwah Ashwani , Loganathan Subramanian , Athalye Sandeep N.
Published: January 2023

Aim

To establish the pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) equivalence of proposed biosimilar Insulin N (Biocon's Insulin‐N; Biocon Biologics Ltd., Bangalore, India) and US‐licensed Humulin® N (Humulin‐N; Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN, USA) in healthy subjects.

Materials and Methods

This was a phase‐1, single‐centre, double‐blind, randomized, three‐period, six‐sequence, partially replicated, crossover, 24‐h euglycaemic clamp study. Overall, 90 healthy subjects were randomized, of whom 85 completed the study. The subjects received either two single doses of Biocon's Insulin‐N and a single dose of Humulin‐N or two single doses of Humulin‐N and a single dose of Biocon's Insulin‐N subcutaneously at a dose of 0.4 IU/kg. The primary PK endpoints were the area under the insulin concentration‐time curve from 0 to 24 h (AUCins.0‐24h) and the maximum insulin concentration (Cins.max). The primary PD endpoints were the area under the glucose infusion rate (GIR) curve from 0 to 24 h (AUCGIR.0‐24h) and the maximum GIR (GIRmax).

Results

Biocon's Insulin‐N was found to be equivalent to Humulin‐N for the primary PK (geometric 90% confidence interval for the least squares mean ratio: AUCins.0‐24h, 100.98%‐115.66% and Cins.max, 95.91%‐110.16%) and PD endpoints (intra‐subject variability ≥0.294; 95% upper confidence interval [(μT – μR)2 − θσ2WR] <0; point estimates of geometric least squares mean ratio: AUCGIR.0‐24h, 104.61% and GIRmax, 100.81%). The safety profile of Biocon's Insulin‐N was similar to that of Humulin‐N, and no serious adverse events were reported.

Conclusion

PK and PD equivalence was shown between Biocon's Insulin‐N and Humulin‐N in healthy subjects, and both treatments were well tolerated and considered safe.
Pale tussock moth, Calliteara pudibunda (Linnaeus, 1758) (Lepidoptera; Erebidae) with a focus on its situation in Türkiye
Authors: Ipekdal Kahraman , Avcı Mustafa
Published: January 2023

Calliteara pudibunda is a univoltine, polyphagous and native species producing periodic outbreaks which have been recorded only in Europe so far. Its larvae feed on the foliage of beech, oak and several other deciduous and coniferous trees. It is very widespread in Eurasia. In Europe, it is found between the 34th and 60th parallels. In Türkiye, it occurs mainly in coastal regions. Its outbreak range had been thought to be confined between the 48th and 57th parallels in Europe until the last two decades when outbreaks occurred in Italy and Türkiye. Therefore, the southern limit of its outbreak range can be updated as the 36th parallel. The outbreaks recur every 20–30 years, typically continue for 1–2 years, and end suddenly. Favourable meteorological conditions and a temporary rarity of parasitoids seem to be the main causes of the outbreaks. The damage on hosts is not evident until the third larval instar. The affected hosts may grow new shoots the next spring, as the larvae usually do not attack the terminal shoots. Increment loss is possible, but it may not be economically significant per se. However, tree mortality can occur with the combined effects of other stress factors. The impact of parasitoids and predators during the outbreaks is low. There are also fungal species identified from larvae and pupae, some of which might have significant potential in pest management. Additionally, Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Btk), polyhedrosis viruses and light traps can potentially be used, although management practices are not recommended in C. pudibunda outbreaks.
Emerging Ideas: Is sibling aggression as scary as peer aggression in childhood and adolescence?
Authors: Tucker Corinna Jenkins , Finkelhor David , Turner Heather
Published: January 2023

Objective

We compared the frequency of fearfulness for sibling versus peer victimization experiences (severe and minor physical, property, and psychological) in childhood and adolescence.

Background

Sibling aggression is not recognized as a childhood adversity. Yet a tenet of the family violence literature is that abuse is more fearsome when living with an abuser.

Method

Telephone interviews were conducted with parents of children aged 1 to 9 years and with adolescents 10 to 17 years old living with a juvenile sibling (N = 7,029; 49% female) using data from three combined surveys of the National Survey on Children's Exposure to Violence.

Results

Fear of sibling aggression was less common than peer aggression. Further, sibling aggression was less fearful than peer aggression for severe and minor physical and property episodes. There was little variation by gender, ethnicity, and parent education level.

Conclusions

Children and adolescents do not lack fear from sibling aggression, but the fear is lower than for peer aggression.

Implications

A prevalent idea in the family violence literature that living with an offender generates more fear was not supported for sibling aggression.
Soil moisture determines the recovery time of ecosystems from drought
Authors: Yao Ying , Liu Yanxu , Zhou Sha , Song Jiaxi , Fu Bojie
Published: January 2023

Recovery time, the time it takes for ecosystems to return to normal states after experiencing droughts, is critical for assessing the response of ecosystems to droughts; however, the spatial dominant factors determining recovery time are poorly understood. We identify the global patterns of terrestrial ecosystem recovery time based on remote sensed vegetation indices, analyse the affecting factors of recovery time using random forest regression model, and determine the spatial distribution of the dominant factors of recovery time based on partial correlation. The results show that the global average recovery time is approximately 3.3 months, and that the longest recovery time occurs in mid‐latitude drylands. Analysis of affecting factors of recovery time suggests that the most important environmental factor affecting recovery time is soil moisture during the recovery period, followed by temperature and vapour pressure deficit (VPD). Recovery time shortens with increasing soil moisture and prolongs with increasing VPD; however, the response of recovery time to temperature is nonmonotonic, with colder or hotter temperatures leading to longer recovery time. Soil moisture dominates the drought recovery time over 58.4% of the assessed land area, mostly in the mid‐latitudes. The concern is that soil moisture is projected to decline in more than 65% regions in the future, which will lengthen the drought recovery time and exacerbate drought impacts on terrestrial ecosystems, especially in southwestern United States, the Mediterranean region and southern Africa. Our research provides methodological insights for quantifying recovery time and spatially identifies dominant factors of recovery time, improving our understanding of ecosystem response to drought.
Unsilencing silence on business school sexism: A behind‐the‐scenes narration on regaining voice
Authors: Pérezts Mar , Mandalaki Emmanouela
Published: January 2023

Unsilencing sexism‐related silence is not a new need, particularly in academic institutions heavily imbued with patriarchy, where sexist events are often ignored or denigrated. In this paper, we draw on a sexist cyberbullying attack unleashed against part of our academic work to extend a critique to the silence culture surrounding business school sexism. Through an embodied discussion of the various faces and phases of silence, silencing, and unsilencing that we experienced following this sexist event, we show the behind‐the‐scenes relational process that led us from silence to activism in regaining our voices and speaking out against academic sexism. We discuss the emancipating potential of feminist “wor(l)ds,” relationality, and communal support in unsilencing sexism‐related silence and articulate possible ways of unsilencing silence at the individual, community, and institutional levels.