bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Do firm characteristics of concentrated ownership firms affect dividend payout beyond traditional motivations?
Authors: Jawade Avinash
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This study aims to analyze the influence of firm characteristics in dividend payout in a concentrated ownership setting.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is probably the first to use the lasso technique for model selection and error prediction in the study of dividend payout in India. The lasso method comprises subsampling the available data set and performing reiterative regressions on those samples to generate the model with the best fit. This study incorporates four different ways of performing lasso treatment to get the best fit among them.

Findings

This study analyzes the influence of firm characteristics on dividend payout in the Indian context and asserts that firms with growth potential and earnings volatility do not hesitate to cut dividends. This study does not find evidence for signaling, agency cost and life cycle theories in a concentrated ownership setting. Earnings is the single most important factor to have a positive influence on dividend, while excessively leveraged firms are restrictive of dividend payout. Taxation has a prominent role in altering the way firms pay dividend.

Research limitations/implications

The recent changes in buyback taxation offer another opportunity to test the reactive behavior of firms. Also, given the disregard for traditional motivations, further research needs to be done to determine if dividend adjustments (on the lower side) help enhance firm value or not.

Practical implications

This study may help investors view dividends in a proper perspective. Firms give importance to investments over dividends and thus investors need not dwell on dividend changes if firms fulfill their growth potential.

Social implications

It lends perspective to investors about dividend changes and its importance.

Originality/value

The methodology used for analysis is absolutely original in the literature pertaining to dividend policy in the Indian context. The literature is abundant with theories advocating or opposing the eminence of dividend payout; however, this study takes a holistic view of all influential dividend determinants in literature to understand dividend payout.
The self-initiated work adjustment for learning scale: development and validation
Authors: van Ruysseveldt Joris , van Wiggen-Valkenburg Tonnie , Dam Karen van
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to develop the self-initiated work adjustment for learning (SIWAL) scale that measures the adjustments that employees make in their work to enhance learning, based on theories and research on workplace learning, work adjustment and work design.

Design/methodology/approach

The SIWAL scale was validated in two independent studies. Study 1 (n = 208) focused on the internal consistency and factor structure of the SIWAL scale. Study 2 (n = 178) re-examined the factorial structure using confirmatory factor analysis and investigated scale validity.

Findings

In both studies, the SIWAL scale showed good psychometric characteristics, i.e. a clear two-factorial structure and internal reliable sub-scales. The findings also indicated convergent, divergent and concurrent validity.

Research limitations/implications

Using the SIWAL scale, future research could focus on the individual, social and organizational predictors and outcomes of SIWAL, collect supervisor and peer ratings to further validate this self-report scale and investigate lower-educated workers.

Practical implications

Organizations might try to enhance their employees' SIWAL through organizational policies, such as supportive leadership, and a learning climate.

Originality/value

This study provides a first step toward a better understanding of what workers do to enhance their workplace learning. The study findings indicate that employees address two adaptive behaviors: adjusting job responsibilities and adjusting social interactions.
A systematic literature review regarding the influence of lean manufacturing on firms' financial performance
Authors: Dieste Marcos , Panizzolo Roberto , Garza-Reyes Jose Arturo
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The lean philosophy has demonstrated its effectiveness to improve firms' operational performance. However, the impact of lean practices on financial performance is still unclear due to the poor understanding of the link between operational and financial measures and the conflictive results obtained by previous research. The purpose of this paper is to conduct a systematic literature review to understand whether lean companies have improved their financial performance. Moreover, this article aims to uncover research gaps in the literature and examine which time spans of research have been considered to analyse both the degree of lean implementation and the measurement of financial outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review has been conducted to identify peer-reviewed articles that analyse the effect of the lean production paradigm on the financial performance measures of manufacturing companies. Then, the identified articles were processed using a combination of descriptive and content analyses methods to draw new conclusions, uncover gaps and find novel paths for research.

Findings

Various authors indicate that lean initiatives lead to an enhancement of financial performance measures. JIT and TQM lean practice bundles are suggested as the best enablers of financial performance in terms of sales and profit. In contrast, according to some scholars, lean does not necessarily improve companies' financial results if it is not properly implemented.

Originality/value

Several studies have focused on analysing the effects of lean on performance. However, only a small part of the literature has addressed the study of the effects of lean practices on financial performance metrics. The originality of this study lies in the investigation of the connections between lean practices and financial performance measures found in the literature. The outcome is the identification of various possible positive impacts of some lean practices on financial metrics.
Evolving students' conceptions about responsible entrepreneurship: a classroom experiment
Authors: Pepin Matthias , Audebrand Luc K. , Tremblay Maripier , Keita Ndèye Binta
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Entrepreneurship education scholarship has been recently challenged to look at what goes on inside the entrepreneurship classroom to assess what students are really learning. Relying on the construction and analysis of a 3-h long set of learning activities on responsible entrepreneurship, this paper focuses on the activities conducted and what students have learned, based on Bloom's revised taxonomy of educational objectives.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper builds on a pre-/post-intervention assessment around a set of learning activities with 151 undergraduate students. Before and after the class, students were asked to produce a definition of responsible entrepreneurship. They were also asked to reflect on what had changed from the beginning.

Findings

Analysis of students' pre/post definitions shows a standardization of their conceptions of responsible entrepreneurship. This result confirms that the learning objective of this class was met. Nevertheless, applying Bloom's revised taxonomy to students' reflections allows for more nuanced interpretation. The analysis indeed revealed that some students manifest relatively superficial learning while other shows a deeper ability to reflect on the concept.

Originality/value

First, this paper contributes to the entrepreneurship education literature by showing the relevance of using Bloom's revised taxonomy for both teaching and research purposes. Second, it presents a set of innovative learning activities on responsible entrepreneurship that could be easily reproduced in other educational contexts. Third, it shows the importance of asking students what they learned and what has changed for them through class activities.
The futures of entertainment dependent cities in a post-COVID world
Authors: Dubois Louis-Etienne , Dimanche Frederic
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine post-crisis (COVID) futures for major city destinations that are dependent on live entertainment and tourism. Destinations that live from entertainment and tourism must consider the implications of the pandemic and plan strategies for their future.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the Manoa School of Future Studies, four scenarios were identified following a review of current literature. These scenarios (alternate futures) were then discussed in two videoconference focus groups by tourism marketing and entertainment expert professionals from five major North American entertainment cities.

Findings

Typical tourism responses to crises and disasters do not appear to apply to the current pandemic and entertainment-dependent destinations (EDDs) are not prepared to thrive in any of the potential outcomes.

Originality/value

This is the first study addressing the future of EDDs in a COVID world. This study cannot predict the future, but this study can make some forecasts. It is important for scholars and professionals to work together toward identifying what can be.
Applying design thinking to the decision-making process: a field study in Swedish local authorities
Authors: Frisk Jane Elisabeth , Bannister Frank
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This study aims to examine the application of design thinking to complex decision-making processes in local government and to link the design thinking to the theoretical work of leading thinkers in decision-making.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses multiple case studies, including non-participant observation, group discussions, semi-structured interviews, presentations and questionnaires.

Findings

For complex decisions, design thinking can contribute to more effective decision-making by expanding the range of solutions considered, people consulted and involved, sources of data/information and decision tools as well as in achieving buy-in to the eventual decision.

Research limitations/implications

The principal limitations include that this is one study in one country and in the public sector. There were some practical problems with external factors disrupting two of the cases, but these do not affect the findings. The principal implication is that by adopting a design thinking approach to complex decision-making, the quality of decision-making and decisions can be significantly improved.

Practical implications

When it comes to complex decisions, organisations can improve the quality of both their decision-making processes and their decisions by adopting and implementing ideas and insights from design thinking.

Social implications

For local authorities, a design approach can enhance the quality of the services provided by local authorities to citizens in particular in better meeting the needs of users and other stakeholders and in opening up better lines of communications between officials and citizens.

Originality/value

This research was based on an initiative in Swedish local government and its first implementation in practice. The authors are not aware of any similar study done elsewhere.
Modeling and analyzing critical success factors for implementing environmentally sustainable practices in a public utilities organization: a case study
Authors: Albastaki Fouzeya M. , Bashir Hamdi , Ojiako Udechukwu , Shamsuzzaman Mohammad , Haridy Salah
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Despite the increasing number of studies investigating environmentally sustainable practices in different sectors, no research exists on the issues related to the success factors for implementing environmentally sustainable practices in the utilities sector. To partially fill this research gap, the purpose of this study is to empirically examine these success factors in a public utilities organization in the United Arab Emirates.

Design/methodology/approach

An integrated interpretive structural modeling and fuzzy cross-impact matrix multiplication applied to classification approach was implemented to identify the critical success factors (CSFs) and to model and analyze the relationships among them.

Findings

Thirteen CSFs were identified and the relationships among them were represented by a seven-level hierarchical graphical model, and six CSFs were identified as drivers of success: government policies, regulations and environmental awareness programs; organization sustainability strategies; top management commitment; organizational capabilities; social and environmental responsibility; and eco-knowledge.

Originality/value

This is first kind of study to identify CSFs for implementing environmentally sustainable practices in the utilities sector. The results could guide government policymakers and decision-makers in utilities organizations that are interested in implementing environmentally sustainable practices.
Impact of carbon emission on financial performance: empirical evidence from India
Authors: Desai Rajesh , Raval Avani , Baser Narayan , Desai Jay
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of carbon emission on accounting and market-based financial performance of Indian companies.

Design/methodology/approach

Firms reporting emission data on Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) are considered for empirical analysis and the data have been collected for the period from 2013 to 2019. The study adopts Heckman's regression model to control for self-selection bias and it also examines the moderating role of environmental sensitivity through industry-wise analysis. The results are also checked for potential endogeneity using generalized methods of moments estimation.

Findings

Primarily, the findings postulate a significant negative impact of carbon emissions on both measures of financial performance. Further, it also determines that environmentally sensitive firms are more exposed to such negative influence of emission compared to nonsensitive companies.

Research limitations/implications

Current research will enhance the understanding of managers about the economic impact of carbon emission, especially in an economy where emissions are not completely regulated. The study provides an economic rationale to the industries to reduce emission volume. It will also assist regulators to draft environmental policies by considering environmental sensitivity. It should be noted that the study is based on the Indian firms that have reported emission data on the CDP during the study period.

Originality/value

The present study addresses one of the most important but less explored issues of environmental research in one of the largest emerging economies of the South Asian region. The study presents a comprehensive view by covering accounting as well as market-based indicators along with the moderating effect of environmental sensitivity.
A multi‐state occupancy model to non‐invasively monitor visible signs of wildlife health with camera traps that accounts for image quality
Authors: Murray Maureen H. , Fidino Mason , Lehrer Elizabeth W. , Simonis Juniper L. , Magle Seth B.
Published: May 2021

Camera traps are an increasingly popular tool to monitor wildlife distributions. However, traditional analytical approaches to camera trap data are difficult to apply to visible wildlife characteristics in single images, such as infection status. Several parasites produce visible signs of infection that could be sampled via camera traps. Sarcoptic mange Sarcoptes scabiei is an ideal disease to study using cameras because it results in visible hair loss and affects a broad host range.

Here, we developed a multi‐state occupancy model to estimate the occurrence of mange in coyotes Canis latrans across an urban gradient. This model incorporates a secondary detection function for apparent by‐image infection status to provide detection‐corrected estimates of mange occurrence.

We analysed a multi‐year camera trap dataset in Chicago, Illinois, United States, to test whether the apparent occurrence of sarcoptic mange in coyotes Canis latrans increases with urbanization or varies through time. We documented visible signs consistent with current or recovering mange infection and variables we hypothesized would improve mange detection: The proportion of the coyote in frame, image blur and whether the image was in colour.

We were more likely to detect coyotes with mange in images that were less blurry, in colour, and if a greater proportion of the coyote was visible. Mangy coyote occupancy was significantly higher in urban developed areas with low housing density and higher canopy cover whereas coyote occupancy, mangy or otherwise, decreased with urbanization.

By incorporating image quality into our by‐image detection function, we provide a robust method to non‐invasively survey visible aspects of wildlife health with camera traps. Apparently mangy coyotes were associated with low‐density forested neighbourhoods, which may offer vegetated areas while containing sources of anthropogenic resources. This association may contribute to human–wildlife conflict and reinforces posited relationships between infection risk and habitat use. More generally, our model could provide detection‐corrected occupancy estimates of visible characteristics that vary by image such as body condition or injuries.
Predators like it hot: Thermal mismatch in a predator–prey system across an elevational tropical gradient
Authors: Pintanel Pol , Tejedo Miguel , Salinas‐Ivanenko Sofia , Jervis Phillip , Merino‐Viteri Andrés
Published: May 2021

Climate change may have dramatic consequences for communities through both direct effects of peak temperatures upon individual species and through interspecific mismatches in thermal sensitivities of interacting organisms which mediate changes in interspecific interactions (i.e. predation). Despite this, there is a paucity of information on the patterns of spatial physiological sensitivity of interacting species (at both landscape and local scales) which could ultimately influence geographical variation in the effects of climate change on community processes. In order to assess where these impacts may occur, we first need to evaluate the spatial heterogeneity in the degree of mismatch in thermal tolerances between interacting organisms.

We quantify the magnitude of interspecific mismatch in maximum (CTmax) and minimum (CTmin) thermal tolerances among a predator–prey system of dragonfly and anuran larvae in tropical montane (242–3,631 m) and habitat (ponds and streams) gradients. To compare thermal mismatches between predator and prey, we coined the parameters maximum and minimum predatory tolerance margins (PTMmax and PTMmin), or difference in CTmax and CTmin of interacting organisms sampled across elevational and habitat gradients.

Our analyses revealed that: (a) predators exhibit higher heat tolerances than prey (~4°C), a trend which remained stable across habitats and elevations. In contrast, we found no differences in minimum thermal tolerances between these groups. (b) Maximum and minimum thermal tolerances of both predators and prey decreased with elevation, but only maximum thermal tolerance varied across habitats, with pond species exhibiting higher heat tolerance than stream species. (c) Pond‐dwelling organisms from low elevations (0–1,500 m a.s.l.) may be more susceptible to direct effects of warming than their highland counterparts because their maximum thermal tolerances are only slightly higher than their exposed maximum environmental temperatures.

The greater relative thermal tolerance of dragonfly naiad predators may further increase the vulnerability of lowland tadpoles to warming due to potentially enhanced indirect effects of higher predation rates by more heat‐tolerant dragonfly predators. However, further experimental work is required to establish the individual and population‐level consequences of this thermal tolerance mismatch upon biotic interactions such as predator–prey.

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Drought resistance and resilience: The role of soil moisture–plant interactions and legacies in a dryland ecosystem
Authors: Hoover David L. , Pfennigwerth Alix A. , Duniway Michael C.
Published: May 2021

In many regions of the world, climate change is projected to reduce water availability through changes in the hydrological cycle, including more frequent and intense droughts, as well as seasonal shifts in precipitation. In water‐limited ecosystems, such as drylands, lower soil water availability may exceed the adaptive capacity of many organisms, leading to cascading ecological effects during (concurrent effects) and after drought (legacy effects). The magnitude and duration of concurrent and legacy effects depends on drought intensity, duration and timing as well as the resistance and resilience of the ecosystem.

Here, we investigated the effects of drought seasonality and plant community composition on two dominant perennial grasses, Achnatherum hymenoides (C3 photosynthesis) and Pleuraphis jamesii (C4 photosynthesis), in a dryland ecosystem. The experiment consisted of three precipitation treatments: control (ambient precipitation), cool‐season drought (−66% ambient precipitation November–April) and warm‐season drought (−66% ambient precipitation May–October), applied in two plant communities (perennial grasses with or without a large shrub, Ephedra viridis) over a 3‐year period. We examined the concurrent and legacy effects of seasonal drought on soil moisture, phenology and biomass.

Drought treatments had strong concurrent and legacy effects on soil moisture, which impacted the phenology and biomass of the two grasses. Drought reduced growing season length by delaying green‐up (cool‐season drought) or advancing senescence (warm‐season drought) and reduced biomass for both species. Biomass and phenology legacy effects from drought emerged in the second and third years of the experiment. While we observed differential sensitivity to drought legacies between the two grasses, we found limited evidence that shrub presence had interactive effects with the drought treatment.

Synthesis. The results from this study highlight how abiotic and biotic legacies can develop and influence a community's resistance and resilience to subsequent droughts. When the frequency of repeated extreme events, such as recurring seasonal droughts, exceeds the capacity of organisms or ecosystems to recover (i.e. resilience), persistent drought legacies can reduce the resistance to subsequent drought events. Overall, these results highlight how drought legacies are a product of ecological resistance and resilience to past drought and can influence ecosystem vulnerability to future droughts.
Membrane separation processes for enrichment of bovine and caprine milk oligosaccharides from dairy byproducts
Authors: Wang Yi , Yu Jinghua
Published: May 2021

Breast milk is an ideal source of human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) for isolation and purification. However, breast milk is not for sale and at most is distributed to neonatal intensive care units as donor milk. To overcome this limitation, isolating HMOs analogs including bovine milk oligosaccharides (BMOs) and caprine milk oligosaccharides (CMOs) from other sources is timely and significant. Advances in the development of equipment and analytical methods have revealed that dairy processing byproducts are good sources of BMOs and CMOs. Enrichment of these oligosaccharides from dairy byproducts, such as whey, permeate, and mother liquor, is of increasing academic and economic value. The commonly employed approach for oligosaccharides purification is chromatographic technique, but it is only used at lab scale. In the dairy industry, chromatographic methods (large‐scale ion exchange, 10,000 L size) are currently routinely used for the isolation/purification of milk proteins (e.g., lactoferrin). In contrast, membrane technology has been proven to be a suitable approach for the isolation and purification of BMOs and CMOs from dairy byproducts. Therefore, this review simply introduces BMOs and CMOs in dairy processing byproducts. This review also summarizes membrane separation processes for isolating and purifying BMOs and CMOs from different dairy byproducts. Finally, the technological challenges and solutions of each processing strategy are discussed in detail.
Primary hyperoxaluria type 1 in children: Clinical classification, renal replacement therapy, and outcome in a single centre experience
Authors: Fadel Fatina I. , Kotb Magd A. , Abdel Mawla Mohamed A , Hasanin Rasha M. , Salem Amr Mohamed , Fathallah Mohamed Gamal , Amr Khalda Sayed , Ahmed Hoda Abdalla , Salah Doaa M.
Published: May 2021

Primary hyperoxaluria type 1 (PH1) is a rare disease that is challenged by the overproduced oxalate and commonly presented with radiopaque renal stones or obstructive uropathy. This study aimed to report clinical presentations, renal replacement therapy (RRT), and outcome of PH1 in end stage kidney disease (ESKD) children. This is an observational cohort study. Data of 22 patients with ESKD due to PH1 were analyzed at Pediatric Nephrology Unit, Faculty of Medicine Cairo University. Infantile onset patients (n = 10) had worst renal outcome (80% with ESRD at presentation, p = 0.019) and worse patient outcome (mortality 40%, p = 0.016) than juvenile (n = 9) and late onset (PH1 n = 3) patients. RRT modalities include peritoneal dialysis (PD) in 7 (31.8%), hemodialysis (HD) in 11 (50%), and combined liver kidney transplantation (CLKT) in 4 (18.2%) patients. Infectious complications were encountered in 42.8% of PD patients. Better HD adequacy was observed with frequent HD (n = 6) and/or HD via arteriovenous fistula (AVF) than with infrequent dialysis (n = 5) and/or via central venous line (CVL) (p = 0.0001 and 0.0047, respectively). Morbidity and mortality (infection related) rates of the whole cohort were 63.6% and 31.8%, respectively. Clinical presentation of PH1 varies according to the age of onset (infantile onset being the most aggressive form). Aggressive HD (better through AVF) is needed to achieve acceptable HD adequacy, PD was challenged by infection. Infection found to be the main cause of mortality even after successful CLKT.
New conceptual framework for flood risk assessment in Sheffield, UK
Authors: Chen I‐Hui
Published: May 2021

This study explores a new framework of flood risk assessment that considers four components, namely hazard, exposure, vulnerability, and community resilience. The key variables and coefficients were selected using principal component analysis and geographically weighted regression (GWR) in a geographic information system (GIS). GWR was applied to present a spatial relation between flood risks and regeneration areas for dependent and independent variables in the four components. Then the new conceptual framework was overlaid as a flood risk map using risk indicators of the four components. The first three components were included in the GIS framework to map flood risk indices, whereas the community resilience component was subtracted from the total indices. Finally, the total number of indices of the flood risk map were divided into nine levels, from 0 to 8. Overall, the study shows the utility of the flood risk map, which is based on the spatial coincidence of mapping of the four components in a case study of Sheffield in the United Kingdom. Areas with an index value of 8 on the flood risk map had the highest flood risks, which points to where there is a need for regeneration to improve flood defences and resilience.
Optimization and antimicrobial efficacy of curcumin loaded solid lipid nanoparticles against foodborne bacteria in hamburger patty
Authors: Alanchari Masoumeh , Mohammadi Maryam , Yazdian Fatemeh , Ahangari Hossein , Ahmadi Nahid , Emam‐Djomeh Zahra , Homayouni‐Rad Aziz , Ehsani Ali
Published: May 2021

The aim of the present study was to design a delivery system of curcumin (CU) loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (CU‐CSLNs) for evaluating the antimicrobial properties in hamburger patty. Solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN) was prepared through a homogenizing technique. A response surface methodology was applied to optimize the CU‐CSLNs to minimize the particle size (PS), polydispersity index (PDI), as well as to maximize the zeta potential to avoid aggregation of particles. The optimized sample revealed a spherical morphology under scanning electron microscope (SEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) with particle sizes of 126.87 ± 0.94 nm and 0.21 ± 0.025 PDI. The zeta potential and encapsulation efficiency (EE %) were found to be −30 ± 0.3 mV and 99.96 ± 0.01%, respectively. The CSLNs exhibited higher in vitro antimicrobial effect (142 µg·ml−1) against Staphylococcus aureus and generic Escherichia coli as compared to free CU (1000 µg·ml−1). Finally, the CSLNs antimicrobial effect was tested in hamburger patty inoculated with foodborne pathogens during eight days of storage at 4 °C. The results indicated that CSLNs had a higher antimicrobial effect than free CU. This study provides insight into the preparation of the novel antimicrobial nanoparticles for food safety applications.
The dosimetric benefit of in‐advance respiratory training for deep inspiration breath holding is realized during daily treatment in left breast radiotherapy: A comparative retrospective study of serial surface motion tracking
Authors: Kalet Alan M , Kim Aileen , Hippe Daniel S , Lo Simon S , Fang L Christine , Meyer Juergen , Lang Elvira V , Mayr Nina A
Published: May 2021

Introduction

A novel approach of in‐advance preparatory respiratory training and practice for deep inspiration breath holding (DIBH) has been shown to further reduce cardiac dose in breast cancer radiotherapy patients, enabled by deeper (extended) DIBH. Here we investigated the consistency and stability of such training‐induced extended DIBH after training completion and throughout the daily radiotherapy course.

Methods

Daily chestwall motion from real‐time surface tracking transponder data was analysed in 67 left breast radiotherapy patients treated in DIBH. Twenty‐seven received preparatory DIBH training/practice (prepTrn) 1–2 weeks prior to CT simulation, resulting in an extended DIBH (extDIBH) and reduced cardiac dose at simulation. Forty had only conventional immediate pre‐procedure DIBH instruction without prepTrn and without extended DIBH (non‐Trn group). Day‐to‐day variability in chestwall excursion pattern during radiotherapy was compared among the groups.

Results

The average of daily maximum chestwall excursions was overall similar, 2.5 ± 0.6 mm for prepTrn/extDIBH vs. 2.9 ± 0.8 mm for non‐Trn patients (P = 0.24). Chestwall excursions beyond the 3‐mm tolerance threshold were less common in the prepTrn/extDIBH group (18.8% vs. 37.5% of all fractions within the respective groups, P = 0.038). Among patients with cardiopulmonary disease those with prepTrn/extDIBH had fewer chestwall excursions beyond 3 mm (9.4% vs. 46.7%, P = 0.023) and smaller average maximum excursions than non‐Trn patients (2.4 ± 0.3 vs. 3.0 ± 0.6 mm, P = 0.047, respectively).

Conclusion

Similar stability of daily DIBH among patients with and without preparatory training/practice suggests that the training‐induced extended DIBH and cardiac dose reductions were effectively sustained throughout the radiotherapy course. Training further reduced beyond‐tolerance chestwall excursions, particularly in patients with cardiopulmonary disease.
An overview of the impacts of feral cattle, water buffalo and pigs on the savannas, wetlands and biota of northern Australia
Authors: Mihailou Helenna , Massaro Melanie
Published: May 2021

Since the extinction of the megafauna some 45 000 to 50 000 years ago, grazing pressure on Australian savannas has been relatively low compared to that on savannas in other continents. However, the introduction of several species of ungulate, primarily during the 1800s, and the establishment of large feral populations in northern Australia has resulted in an increase in grazing pressure compared to pre‐colonial times when soft‐footed macropods were the largest extant grazers. Here, we provide an overview of the introduction of three key ungulates to northern Australia: cattle (Bos taurus, B. indicus), Asian water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) and pigs (Sus scrofa), and the impact of these populations on both abiotic and biotic elements of savanna habitats in northern Australia. Feral ungulate populations have considerable impacts on soil, water quality, waterhole hydrology, vegetation, fire regimes and the spread of exotic plants, and resulting changes to habitat have flow‐on effects for native wildlife. Ungulate impacts on vegetation communities and associated changes in fire regimes are particularly concerning given that sustained grazing can lead to the permanent removal of key grass species and changes in fire intensity and frequency can result in the conversion of grassland to woodland. Native wildlife can be affected by ungulate disturbance in a multitude of ways, but overwhelmingly, habitat loss or degradation is the main driver for declines in biodiversity. Based on current knowledge gaps, we discuss potential directions for future research about how feral ungulate activity affects Australian native species and their impact on savanna habitats.
Telmisartan attenuates human glioblastoma cells proliferation and oncogenicity by inducing the lipid oxidation
Authors: Wang Yan , Zhang Tengrui , Li Chen , Guo Jia , Xu Baohui , Xue Lixiang
Published: May 2021

Background

Glioblastoma (GBM) is one of the most common primary brain tumors, which accounts up to 80% of malignant brain tumors and the 5‐year relative survival rate is below 5%. Recent studies showed that the lipid metabolism played an essential role in GBM development. As a peroxisome proliferators‐activated receptors γ (PPAR‐γ) agonist, telmisartan improves the lipid metabolism and has been used to treat hypertension for long time. It has also been shown to have anticancer function, such as in lung cancer and melanoma.

Methods

Incucyte real‐time live cell imaging system was used to assess the effect of telmisartan on glioma cell lines U87 and U251 proliferation. Transwell assay and colony formation assay were conducted to detect the effect of telmisartan on oncogenicity of GBM cell lines. Western blot and immunofluorescence analysis were used to detect the effect of telmisartan on the expression of PPAR‐γ and hydroxyacyl‐coenzyme A dehydrogenase alpha subunit (HADHA).

Results

We demonstrate that telmisartan inhibits two glioma cell lines U87 and U251 proliferation in a time‐ and dose‐dependent manner, and arrests the cell cycle at S phase. We further show that telmisartan decreases the oncogenicity of GBM cell lines. Our data show that telmisartan treatment significantly increases the PPAR‐γ expression level, enhances the lipid oxidation, and upregulates the level of fatty acid oxidation key enzyme HADHA.

Conclusions

Telmisartan inhibits the proliferation and oncogenicity while it also increases the lipid oxidation of human GBM cells.
Reproductive health risks and clinician practices with gender diverse adolescents and young adults
Authors: Quinn Gwendolyn P. , Tishelman Amy C. , Chen Diane , Nahata Leena
Published: May 2021

Background

Reproductive health counseling is essential for adolescents and young adults (AYAs). Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) AYAs would benefit from tailored counseling given concerns about iatrogenic infertility and sexual dysfunction, and high rates of interpersonal violence, unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections, yet there are multiple obstacles to providing this care at the patient/family and clinician levels.

Objectives

This narrative review summarizes the literature on reproductive health considerations for TGD AYAs, current practices, and clinician barriers and facilitators to providing culturally sensitive reproductive care for TGD AYAs. Specific areas of focus include reproductive health goals, risks, and access barriers; clinician knowledge practices and challenges; and strategies for improving counseling practices.

Materials and methods

PubMed, Google Scholar, Medline, Web of Science, and PsycInfo databases were searched using the following terms: transgender, non‐binary, gender expansive, gender non‐conforming, reproductive health, sexual health, fertility, family planning/building, contraception, sexual dysfunction; gender‐affirming hormones/surgery, clinician, physician or provider knowledge and attitudes; counseling.

Results

Many TGD AYAs desire biological children and improved sexual experiences. TGD AYAs may experience infertility and sexual dysfunction associated with transition; have disproportionate HIV/STI risk; experience high rates of interpersonal/sexual violence and trauma; and encounter barriers to accessing competent medical care. Clinicians lack knowledge about reproductive health needs of TGD AYAs; inconsistently discuss family building options; perceive counseling challenges; and desire more training in this area.

Discussion

Enriched communication training for medical/mental health clinicians is necessary to provide a skilled workforce for TGD AYAs. Web‐based reproductive health training with other populations (eg oncology) demonstrates efficacy for improving communication skills and confidence in counseling,

Conclusion

This review highlights barriers to adequate reproductive care encountered by TGD AYAs, exacerbated in underserved minority youth. Dedicated training for providers, and programs increasing access are important goals for improving care. The need for additional research is also emphasized.
Comparison of Mini‐DMEK versus predescemetal sutures as treatment of acute hydrops in keratoconus
Authors: Händel Alexander , Siebelmann Sebastian , Hos Deniz , Ögrünc Ferdi , Matthaei Mario , Cursiefen Claus , Bachmann Björn
Published: May 2021

Purpose

To compare two surgical treatment options for acute corneal hydrops in keratoconus: Mini‐DMEK versus predescemetal sutures.

Methods

Sixteen patients were treated by either Mini‐Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (Mini‐DMEK) (n = 7, group 1) or predescemetal sutures (n = 9, group 2) early after onset of acute hydrops. Visual acuity, maximum corneal thickness (SD‐OCT) in the affected oedematous area, complications and recurrence rates were retrospectively compared between both groups. Measurements were taken immediately preoperatively as well as 1 day, 1 week and 1 month postoperatively (Table 1).

Results

Both groups showed reductions in corneal thickness and increased visual acuity shortly after surgery. In group 1 (average age 33 years ± 7 years), the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) increased from logMAR 1.65 ± 0.7 before Mini‐DMEK to logMAR 0.93 ± 0.6 30 days after Mini‐DMEK (p = 0.046). During that period, maximum corneal thickness decreased from 1159 ± 338 µm before surgery to 531 ± 75 µm after Mini‐DMEK (p = 0.046). Patients from group 2 (average age 34 ± 10 years) had a BCVA of logMAR 1.59 ± 0.8 which increased to logMAR 0.97 ± 0.5 (p = 0.014) 30 days after surgery. At the same time, the preoperative maximum corneal thickness decreased from 1439 ± 272 µm to 476 ± 162 µm (p = 0.014). There was no difference in corneal thickness or BCVA one month after the surgical intervention between both groups (p = 0.394 and p = 0.871).

Conclusions

Both techniques, Mini‐DMEK and predescemetal sutures, are effective in the treatment of an acute hydrops in keratoconus. Mini‐DMEK appears to be beneficial in large DM tears.
Muscarinic M4 and M5 receptors in the ventral subiculum differentially modulate alcohol seeking versus consumption in male alcohol‐preferring rats
Authors: Walker Leigh C. , Huckstep Kate L. , Chen Nicola A. , Hand Lexi J. , Lindsley Craig W. , Langmead Christopher J. , Lawrence Andrew J.
Published: May 2021

Background and Purpose

Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors mediate alcohol consumption and seeking in rats. While M4 and M5 receptors have recently been implicated to mediate these behaviours in the striatum, their role in other brain regions remain unknown. The ventral tegmental area (VTA) and ventral subiculum (vSub) both densely express M4 and M5 receptors and modulate alcohol‐seeking, via their projections to the nucleus accumbens shell (AcbSh).

Experimental Approach

In Indiana alcohol‐preferring (iP) male rats, we examined Chrm4 (M4) and Chrm5 (M5) expression in the VTA and vSub following long‐term alcohol consumption and abstinence using RT‐qPCR. Using a combination of retrograde tracing and RNAscope, we examined the localisation of Chrm4 and Chrm5 on vSub cells that project to the AcbSh. Using selective allosteric modulators, we examined the functional role of M4 and M5 receptors within the vSub in alcohol consumption, context‐induced alcohol‐seeking, locomotor activity, and food/water consumption.

Key Results

Long‐term alcohol and abstinence dysregulated the expression of genes for muscarinic receptors in the vSub, not in the VTA. Chrm4 was down‐regulated following long‐term alcohol and abstinence, while Chrm5 was up‐regulated following long‐term alcohol consumption. Consistent with these data, a positive allosteric modulator (VU0467154) of intra‐vSub M4 receptors reduced context‐induced alcohol‐seeking, but not motivation for alcohol self‐administration, while M5 receptor negative allosteric modulator (ML375) reduced initial motivation for alcohol self‐administration, but not context‐induced alcohol‐seeking.

Conclusion and Implications

Collectively, our data highlight alcohol‐induced cholinergic dysregulation in the vSub and distinct roles for M4 and M5 receptor allosteric modulators to reduce alcohol consumption or seeking.
The search for anti‐oxytotic/ferroptotic compounds in the plant world
Authors: Soriano‐Castell David , Liang Zhibin , Maher Pamela , Currais Antonio
Published: May 2021

Oxytosis/ferroptosis is a form of non‐apoptotic regulated cell death characterized by glutathione (GSH) depletion and dysregulated production of mitochondrial ROS that results in lethal lipid peroxidation. As the significance of oxytosis/ferroptosis to age‐associated human diseases is now beginning to be appreciated, the development of innovative approaches to identify novel therapeutics that target the oxytosis/ferroptosis pathway could not be more timely. Due to their sessile nature, plants are exposed to a variety of stresses that trigger physiological changes similar to those found in oxytosis/ferroptosis. As such, they have evolved a rich array of chemical strategies to deal with those challenging conditions. This review details a drug discovery approach for identifying potent inhibitors of oxytosis/ferroptosis from plants for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, thereby highlighting the tremendous potential of plant‐based research for developing new medicines while simultaneously being a catalyst for sustainability.
Intelligent identification of sequence stratigraphy constrained by multipopulation genetic algorithm and dynamic time warping technique: A case study of Lower Cretaceous Qingshuihe Formation in hinterland of Junggar Basin (NW China)
Authors: Shi Bingbing , Chang Xiangchun , Liu Zhongquan , Pang Yumao , Xu Youde , Mao Lixin , Zhang Pengfei , Chen Guo
Published: May 2021

The division and correlation of sequence stratigraphy are one of the essential steps in petroleum exploration. To comprehensively utilize the sequence stratigraphic information implied in multiple wireline well logs and improve the accuracy and reliability of sequence stratigraphic division, based on the edge detection, optimal partition, and natural evolution theories, and realizes the information fusion (formed one ‘chromosome’) of multiple wireline well logs (named as ‘genes’) which can reflect the feature information of sequence stratigraphy by using multipopulation genetic algorithm (MPGA) based on Fisher algorithm, in this study, geophysical data (wireline well logs and 3D seismic data) were used for spectral trend attribute analyses (wavelet transform, maximum entropy spectrum, time‐frequency analyses, and integrated prediction error filter). Since the seismic reflection characteristics of K1qwere difficult to identify and considering subjective factors in conventional methods, a MPGA was also used to intelligently identify the sequence stratigraphy framework of the Lower Cretaceous Qingshuihe (K1q) Formation. Since the MPGA is an optimization algorithm, the code was run 10 times for accuracy with changes in the dividing layers. The optimal parameters in the process of data fusion (gene combination process) are selected. The sequence boundaries (SBs) searched by the MPGA matched those of the spectral trend attribute analyses, confirming that the MPGA was an effective, fast, and user‐friendly tool for defining the main SBs. MPGA can provide an optimal layering scheme (‘elite population’) through simultaneous searching at multiple depth ranges (‘multipopulation’), recording the optimal SBs (‘elite individuals’) of each population and making the results more convinced. Although simulation solutions may not be unique, the MPGA still provides us a chance to gain some insights into the details of the stratigraphy. Based on this intelligent identification, the maximum flooding surface, two first flooding surfaces (FFS), and three SBs were defined in K1q. The cyclic patterns (prograding, aggrading, and retrograding) were identified. They showed the relationship between accommodation space (related to tectonic subsidence of the Chemo paleo‐uplift) and sediment supply. In addition, dynamic time warping (DWT) technique was used for sequence discrimination and correlation on the integrated prediction error filter analyses curve. A massive pebbly sandstone set, named ‘bottom sandstone,’ was identified in the lowstand system tract of SQ1 (K1q1), constrained by SB1 and FFS1, which was a favourable hydrocarbon exploration target.
Global variation in freshwater physico‐chemistry and its influence on chemical toxicity in aquatic wildlife
Authors: Pinheiro João Paulo S. , Windsor Fredric M. , Wilson Rod W. , Tyler Charles R.
Published: May 2021

Chemical pollution is one of the major threats to global freshwater biodiversity and will be exacerbated through changes in temperature and rainfall patterns, acid–base chemistry, and reduced freshwater availability due to climate change. In this review we show how physico‐chemical features of natural fresh waters, including pH, temperature, oxygen, carbon dioxide, divalent cations, anions, carbonate alkalinity, salinity and dissolved organic matter, can affect the environmental risk to aquatic wildlife of pollutant chemicals. We evidence how these features of freshwater physico‐chemistry directly and/or indirectly affect the solubility, speciation, bioavailability and uptake of chemicals [including via alterations in the trans‐epithelial electric potential (TEP) across the gills or skin] as well as the internal physiology/biochemistry of the organisms, and hence ultimately toxicity. We also show how toxicity can vary with species and ontogeny. We use a new database of global freshwater chemistry (GLORICH) to demonstrate the huge variability (often >1000‐fold) for these physico‐chemical variables in natural fresh waters, and hence their importance to ecotoxicology. We emphasise that a better understanding of chemical toxicity and more accurate environmental risk assessment requires greater consideration of the natural water physico‐chemistry in which the organisms we seek to protect live.