bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
State of care for EU mobile workers' rights in the Dutch meat sector in times of, and beyond, COVID-19
Authors: Berntsen Lisa , Böcker Anita , De Lange Tesseltje , Mantu Sandra , Skowronek Natalia
Published: October 2022

Purpose

With a focus on the position of EU mobile workers in the Dutch meat industry, this article discusses the multi-level State efforts to enhance protection of workers who experienced limited protection of existing State and private enforcement institutions. The COVID-19 pandemic, with virus outbreaks at Dutch meat plants, fuelled public and political will to structurally improve these workers' precarious work and living conditions. Yet, the process of policy change is slow. The authors show it is the gradual transformation in the institutional environment that the State needs to counter to become more protective for EU mobile workers.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the gradual institutional change approach and the concept of State ignorance, the authors examine State responses drawing on interviews with expert stakeholders in the public and private domain, public administration records and newspaper articles.

Findings

Through knowledge creation, boosted social dialogue mechanisms, enhanced enforcement capacity and new housing legislation, the Dutch State focuses on countering gradual institutional change through which existing institutions lost their effectiveness as protectors of EU mobile workers. The organization of work is, nevertheless, not (yet) fundamentally addressed with tighter public legislation.

Originality/value

The findings contribute to a more nuanced understanding of the role of the State as multifaceted actor in institutional change processes towards increased protection for EU mobile workers.
Serendipity in management studies: a literature review and future research directions
Authors: Balzano Marco
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Management research on serendipity, which is defined as a search that leads to an unintended discovery, has increased considerably over the last three decades. In this article, management research on serendipity (up to the end of 2021) is reviewed and synthesised.

Design/methodology/approach

A bibliometric analysis was conducted on 85 peer-reviewed articles extracted from the Scopus database, which was then integrated with a systematic literature review.

Findings

The bibliometric analysis revealed that management literature on serendipity is framed around four main thematic areas: conceptual boundaries, conditions favouring serendipity and outcomes, foreign market entry and the relationship between serendipity, networks and assets. A systematic literature review was then conducted on each of the identified clusters.

Originality/value

The present article offers a systematised view of the extant body of research on serendipity in management studies. Based on the findings, the main implications and future research agendas are discussed.
Modeling and analysis of a sustainable supply chain with fairness concerns and green-sensitive consumer demand
Authors: Shi Ping , Han Kun , Hou Rui
Published: October 2022

Purpose

With the global spread of environmental education, environmental awareness is becoming increasingly important in daily life and economic activities. Sustainable development, as the most effective development approach to address global climate change, has gradually become a research hotspot in countries around the world. The authors combine sustainable development with supply chain management and incorporate into the study the objective issue of corporate fairness preferences in real society to explore the pricing and product greenness decision problem of a secondary sustainable supply chain consisting of a manufacturer producing green products and a retailer selling green products. In particular, the authors explore how supply chain decisions change when both the manufacturer and the retailer focus on fairness and how this fairness behavior affects pricing and product greenness decisions in sustainable supply chains.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors consider that the manufacturers' greening efforts lead to expanded demand at the retail end. Upstream and downstream firms in the supply chain have preferences for the fairness of transactions. The impact of the fairness behavior of upstream and downstream firms in the supply chain on supply chain decisions is explored by building a Stackelberg game model.

Findings

The results of this study show that the fairness concern behavior of manufacturers and retailers in the supply chain has an impact on product greenness, product pricing and corporate profits.

Originality/value

This study on the fairness concern behavior of supply chain firms integrates behavioral economics and supply chain management. First, the authors consider the equilibrium problem of supply chain members in the centralized channel when there are no fairness preferences. Second, the decision problem of firms in the decentralized channel when fairness is considered and when fairness preferences are not considered is explored. The authors compare these three cases to derive the corresponding propositions. Finally, the authors verify the previous conclusions and draw other conclusions using arithmetic analysis.
Plant species biogeographic origin shapes their current and future distribution on the world's highest island mountain
Authors: Trethowan Liam A. , Walker Barnaby E. , Bachman Steven P. , Heatubun Charlie , Puradyatmika Pratita , Rustiami Himmah , Utteridge Timothy M. A.
Published: October 2022

In New Guinea, low elevations are thought to be dominated by plant species with biogeographic origins in Sunda (Borneo, Sumatra, Java, Mainland Asia) and high elevations by species from Sahul (Australia and New Guinea).

In regions where frequent surveys of the flora are unfeasible, herbarium specimens collected over time offer an opportunity to study the co‐occurrence of species. Over 7000 collections have been made on New Guinea's Mount Jaya allowing us to examine species presence under current and future temperatures.

Applying a Bayesian phylogenetic mixed effects model to the Mount Jaya elevation gradient, we show that species of Sunda origin are more likely to occupy warmer lowlands and Sahul species cooler higher elevations.

Using the model to predict species distributions under a 2°C increase, we find that Sahul species are less likely to tolerate future temperatures, especially below 1000 m. Predictions also show a potential increase in species richness across the gradient. It is unclear if these increases are possible due to limits imposed by the species area relationship.

Synthesis. These results emphasise how biogeographic origin influences current and future species distributions on tropical mountains. It remains to be seen how our results link to traits that dictate species' ability to tolerate increasing temperatures.
The role of stakeholder engagement in sustainable water resource management in South Africa
Authors: Adom Richard Kwame , Simatele Mulala Danny
Published: October 2022

The effort to promote participation in decision and policy making, as well as programmes in water management is designed to give everyone who has a stake an opportunity to express an opinion or a preference. Although stakeholder engagements are welcomed initiatives, which lead to public participation, they are often embraced in ideological strife and political propaganda. Nevertheless, stakeholder engagement and participation are prerequisites for any innovative sustainable system of water resource management in post‐independence South Africa. Additionally, stakeholder engagement is an essential component of reforms and a bedrock in developing comprehensive pieces of legislation and policies for sustainable water resource management. It has been a legal requirement for adopting environmental legislation, such as the National Environmental Management Act of 1998, the 1996 Constitution, the National Water Act and the legal instrument for its implementation— the National Water Resource Strategy. In spite of these legislative requirements, the country is yet to realize an inclusive and practical way to engage stakeholders in the water management at the local level. This paper explores the structural and systematic constraints that hinder effective participation of stakeholders in water management. A purposive sampling technique to survey 60 participants from the water sector is used in the study. The findings identified lack of community empowerment and capacity building, inconsistencies in regard to roles and responsibilities of stakeholders, and apathy towards public engagements as fundamental barriers to their effective participation. It is observed that unless efforts are made to enable marginal voices to be raised and heard, claims to inclusiveness and transformation in the water sector will remain only a theory.
Molecular and functional analysis of chitin synthase genes in Chilo suppressalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)
Authors: Zeng Bin , Chen Fu‐Rong , Sun Hao , Liu Yan , Wu Shun‐Fan , Bass Chris , Gao Cong‐Fen
Published: October 2022

The rice stem borer, Chilo suppressalis, has developed a high level of resistance to many of the compounds currently used for control. There is therefore an urgent need to develop novel control methods for C. suppressalis. Insect chitin synthases (CHS) have attracted interest as a potential target for insect pest management. However, to date, CHS have not been characterized in C. suppressalis. Two CHS genes (CsCHS1 and CsCHS2) were identified and cloned from C. suppressalis. Two transcript variants were identified for CsCHS1, CsCHS1a and CsCHS1b. Spatiotemporal expression profiling showed that both transcripts of CsCHS1 are most highly expressed on the last day of each larval instar stage and show the highest expression levels in the integument. In contrast, CsCHS2 is predominantly expressed during the larval feeding stages and shows the highest expression levels in the midgut. Knockdown of CsCHS1 by RNA interference significantly inhibited the molting and pupation of C. suppressalis, and knockdown of CsCHS2 significantly affected growth during the larval stage, but had no significant effect on the pupation. Moreover, knockout of CsCHS1 by CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing severely lowered the hatching rate, larval survivorship, pupation rate, and eclosion rate, but only larval survivorship at the G0 generation was lowered after the knockout of CsCHS2. These results demonstrate that CsCHS1 and CsCHS2 play vital roles in the growth and development of C. suppressalis, and so have potential as insecticidal targets for the control of this highly damaging pest.
Efficacy of a TAP block versus an anterior QLB for laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair: A randomised controlled trial
Authors: Sørenstua Marie , Ræder Johan , Vamnes Jan Sverre , Leonardsen Ann‐Chatrin Linqvist
Published: October 2022

Background

Both the transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block and the anterior quadratus lumborum block (QLB) have been shown effective in reducing postoperative pain after laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair. Our hypothesis was that there is no difference in analgesic effect between the two blocks for this procedure.

Methods

In this prospective, double‐blind, randomised controlled study, 60 adult patients undergoing laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair were equally randomly assigned to either a preoperative TAP block or an anterior QLB. The primary outcome was oral morphine equivalent (OME) consumption at 4 h postoperatively. Secondary outcomes were OME consumption at 24, 48 h and 7 days, pain scores at rest and when coughing, nausea, and level of sedation measured at 1, 2, 3, 24, and 48 h and 7 days postoperatively.

Results

Fifty‐three patients completed the study. There was no significant difference in OME consumption at 4 h postoperatively, TAP group (10.3 ± 7.85 mg) (mean ± SD) versus the anterior QLB group (10.9 ± 10.85 mg) (p = .713). The pain scores were similar at rest and when coughing during the 7 day observation period, as were the level of sedation and incidence of nausea. There were no cases of serious side‐effects or muscle weakness of the thigh on the same side as the block.

Conclusion

There is no difference in OME consumption, pain, nausea or sedation between the TAP and the anterior QLB. Thus, the choice between the two blocks in a clinical setting of laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair should be based on other aspects, such as skills, practicalities, and potential risks.
Post‐Roe emergency medicine: Policy, clinical, training, and individual implications for emergency clinicians
Authors: Samuels‐Kalow Margaret E. , Agrawal Pooja , Rodriguez Giovanni , Zeidan Amy , Love Jennifer S. , Monette Derek , Lin Michelle , Cooper Richelle J. , Madsen Tracy E. , Dobiesz Valerie
Published: October 2022

In June 2022, the United States Supreme Court decision Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization overturned Roe v. Wade, removing almost 50 years of precedent and enabling the imposition of a wide range of state‐level restrictions on abortion access. Historical data from the United States and internationally demonstrate that the removal of safe abortion options will increase complications and the health risks to pregnant patients. Because the emergency department is a critical access point for reproductive health care, emergency clinicians must be prepared for the policy, clinical, educational, and legal implications of this change. The goal of this paper, therefore, is to describe the impact of the reversal of Roe v. Wade on health equity and reproductive justice, the provision of emergency care education and training, and the specific legal and reproductive consequences for emergency clinicians. Finally, we conclude with specific recommended policy and advocacy responses for emergency medicine clinicians.
GluA2‐lacking AMPA receptors in the nucleus accumbens core and shell contribute to the incubation of oxycodone craving in male rats
Authors: Wong Benjamin , Zimbelman Alexa R. , Milovanovic Mike , Wolf Marina E. , Stefanik Michael T.
Published: October 2022

One of the most challenging issues in the treatment of substance use disorder, including misuse of opioids such as oxycodone, is persistent vulnerability to relapse, often triggered by cues or contexts previously associated with drug use. In rats, cue‐induced craving progressively intensifies (‘incubates’) during withdrawal from extended‐access self‐administration of several classes of misused drugs, including the psychostimulants cocaine and methamphetamine. For these psychostimulants, incubation is associated with strengthening of excitatory synapses in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) through incorporation of α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazole propionic acid receptors that lack the GluA2 subunit and are therefore Ca2+‐permeable (CP‐AMPARs). Once CP‐AMPAR upregulation occurs, their stimulation is required for expression of incubation. It is not known if a similar mechanism contributes to incubation of oxycodone craving. Using male rats, we established that incubation occurs by withdrawal day (WD) 15 and persists through WD30. Then, using cell‐surface biotinylation, we found that surface levels of the AMPAR subunit GluA1 but not GluA2 are elevated in NAc core and shell of oxycodone rats on WD15, although this wanes by WD30. Next, using intra‐NAc injection of the selective CP‐AMPAR antagonist Naspm before a seeking test, we demonstrate that CP‐AMPAR blockade in either subregion decreases oxycodone seeking on WD15 or WD30 (after incubation), but not WD1, and has no effect in saline self‐administering animals. The Naspm results suggest CP‐AMPARs persist in synapses through WD30 even if total cell surface levels wane. These results suggest that a common neurobiological mechanism contributes to expression of incubation of craving for oxycodone and psychostimulants.
Effect of different intracanal posts and exposure parameters on detection of vertical root fractures by cone‐beam computed tomography
Authors: Shokri Abbas , Eskandarloo Amir , Zahedi Foozie , Karkehabadi Hamed , Foroozandeh Maryam , Farhadian Maryam
Published: October 2022

This study evaluated the effect of different amperage values and voxel sizes of two CBCT scanners on VRF detection in the presence of different intracanal posts. After post‐space preparation, VRFs were induced in half of the samples of 20 maxillary premolars. Five different intracanal posts were passively placed in each root canal. Samples were scanned using CS 9300 and Cranex3D with two different voxel sizes and amperage setting in each unit. The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were compared using the Mann–Whitney and Kruskal‐Wallis tests (α = 0.05). Changes in amperage and voxel size did not affect the detection of VRFs (p ⟩ 0.05). The VRF detection accuracy was the highest in fibreglass and the lowest in nickel‐chromium group. Changes in amperage and voxel size within assessed values do not seem to influence the detection of VRF whereas different intracanal post‐materials have significant effect on VRF detection.
Risk of subsequent keratinocyte carcinomas after a first diagnosis in Tasmania, Australia
Authors: Ragaini Bruna S. , Blizzard Leigh , Venn Alison
Published: October 2022

Background/Objective

A history of keratinocyte carcinoma (KC) is a risk factor for further KCs, but population‐based studies quantifying the risk are lacking in Australia. We aimed to describe the risk of subsequent KCs after first KCs in the Australian state of Tasmania.

Methods

Tasmanian residents identified in the Tasmanian Cancer Registry with a first histologically confirmed basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) or synchronous BCC and SCC (within 3 months) between January 1985 and December 2013 were followed up for at least 5 years for the development of a subsequent KC. Cumulative risk, incidence rates and standardised incidence ratios (SIRs) were calculated.

Results

Those first diagnosed with BCC‐only, SCC‐only or synchronous BCC and SCC had (i) 5‐year cumulative risks of subsequent KCs of 32%, 29% and 51%, (ii) annualised 5‐year incidence rates of 8100/100,000 person‐years at risk (PYR), 7747/100,000 PYR and 16,634/100,000 PYR and (iii) SIRs of 10.6 (95% CI: 10.5–10.6), 12.5 (95% CI: 12.4–12.6) and 313.0 (95% CI: 305.2–321.1), respectively. Risk estimates increased substantially when multiple (two or more) lesions of any type were diagnosed synchronously.

Conclusions

In the first Australian population‐based study to describe the risk of subsequent KCs according to histological types, around one in three Tasmanians diagnosed with first KCs were diagnosed with subsequent KCs within 5 years. The risk of subsequent KCs was higher among those with a history of multiple synchronous lesions, especially if they included both BCC and SCC lesions.
Tracing the origin of Chinese early white porcelain in the late sixth century—evidence from Xing kiln
Authors: Zong Ruofei , Lu Xiaoke , Wang Huimin , Li Weidong , Xu Changsong
Published: October 2022

As the criterion used by archaeologists for determining early white porcelain is quite ambiguous, the origin of Chinese white porcelain remains a point of disagreement. In this study, we systematically investigate 61 typical Xing porcelains of the late Northern dynasties to the early Sui dynasty (550–600 CE) using spectrophotometer, X‐ray fluorescence (XRF), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD), and analyze the differences between early white porcelain and celadon of Xing kiln in terms of their whiteness and raw materials characteristic. The results show that early white porcelain is a new type of ware that differs from celadon, which can be distinguished by whiteness, with a whiteness greater than 8% being early white porcelain and a whiteness less than 8% being celadon. It is assumed that the ancient potters created the whiter wares based on celadon by improving the glaze and selecting new raw materials for the body, but the production of this type of ware was short lived and subsequently refined in the Sui dynasty (581–618 CE) owing to the limited improvement in whiteness.
Labor market impact of COVID‐19 on migrants in South Korea: Evidence from local outbreaks
Authors: Shin Seonho
Published: October 2022

Despite the growing importance of migrants and their role in the South Korean economy, how much and in which ways COVID‐19, as an adverse labor market shock, has affected them has received too little attention, with no single study published to date yet. Motivated by such a paucity, this paper investigates the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic crisis on employment for migrants in South Korea, with special emphasis on quantifying the magnitude of its causal effect. In doing so, this study exploits the unique fact that only one specific region in South Korea had a substantial number of COVID‐19 infections in the early stage of the pandemic so that estimations can be made using a difference‐in‐differences (DD) model. The DD estimates suggest that COVID‐19 lowered migrants’ overall employment probability by 2.5 to 3.2 percent points. However, strong heterogeneity between the genders is apparent: the pandemic severely hurts female migrants’ employment, with male migrants weathering it relatively unscathed. Furthermore, female migrants seem considerably harder hit than female host populations. Heterogeneity analyses reveal that (i) a duration of stay exceeding 5 years and (ii) fluency in Korean (as a local language) protect migrants from being heavily affected by the COVID‐driven employment shock.
Trend of circulating CD34+ cells in patients with myelofibrosis: Association with spleen response during ruxolitinib treatment
Authors: Iurlo Alessandra , Galli Nicole , Bucelli Cristina , Artuso Silvia , Consonni Dario , Cattaneo Daniele
Published: October 2022

We evaluated CD34+ cells in a single‐centre series of 49 consecutive patients with myelofibrosis (MF) at baseline and during ruxolitinib therapy and examined any association with spleen response. The median (range) absolute number of circulating CD34+ cells was 0.0835 (0.001–1.528) × 109/L at diagnosis, and 0.123 (0.002–1.528) × 109/L at ruxolitinib start. With the exception of a transient increase after 3 months of ruxolitinib therapy, a progressive reduction in CD34+ cells count was documented, down to a minimum of 0.063 × 109/L after 36 months. We then assessed the association between spleen diameter expressed as the distance from the left costal margin (outcome) and log(CD34+) cells count using random‐intercept and random slope multivariable regression models to take into account within subject correlation: after adjusting for time and ruxolitinib dosage, we estimated a 0.7 cm increase (95% confidence interval 0.2–1.2, p = 0.003) in spleen length for each unit increase in log(CD34+) cells count (× 109/L). Although our study has some limitations, mainly related to its retrospective design, our approach may introduce a reproducible and simple tool that could facilitate the assessment of spleen response more objectively in patients with MF treated with ruxolitinib.
Peer charity donation, gratitude, and self‐esteem among left‐behind children
Authors: Hu Chao S. , Zhang Haotian , Munroe Melanie , Huang Chengli , Cao Yanan , Yan Jing , Chen Zhaohui , Ling Yibao
Published: October 2022

Previous research suggests that receiving a charity donation could induce gratitude but threaten self‐esteem. We investigated if peer charity donations from typical children benefit or harm the mental health of their left‐behind children (LBC) classmates. We recruited children at a school (i.e., intervened school) that organized peer charity donations every semester and three typical schools (i.e., non‐intervened school) without such intervention in China. Participants completed the gratitude, self‐esteem, depression, and social anxiety scales. A statistical toolbox, “Matchit”, randomly selected 420 children aged 9–13 (220 females, 200 males, 213 LBC, 207 non‐LBC); there was no significant difference in left‐behind status, age, gender, or family economic status (all p > .10) between the intervened and non‐intervened groups (210 per group). Structural equation model analyses revealed that gratitude was associated with higher self‐esteem, lower social anxiety, and lower depression. Moreover, the intervention effect on self‐esteem was significantly positive among the LBC recipients and non‐LBC donors. The interaction between intervention and left‐behind status was significant on gratitude and depression. Specifically, the intervention effect was not significant on gratitude or depression among the LBC but was significantly negative on gratitude and depression among the non‐LBC. Peer charity donation may increase self‐esteem among children (recipients or donors) via increased social connection or satisfaction of basic needs, yet decreased gratitude among the donors due to the “moral licensing effect”.
Origin and kinematics of a basin‐scale, non‐polygonal, layer‐bound normal fault system in the Levant Basin, eastern Mediterranean
Authors: Joffe Amir , Jackson Christopher A.‐L. , Steinberg Josh , Bell Rebecca E. , Makovsky Yizhaq
Published: October 2022

Polygonal, layer‐bound normal faults can extend over very large areas (>2,000,000 km2) of sedimentary basins. Best developed in very fine‐grained rocks, these faults are thought to form during early burial in response to a range of diagenetic processes, including compaction and water expulsion. Local deviations from this idealised polygonal pattern are common; however, basin‐scale, layer‐bound faults with non‐polygonal map view are not well‐documented and accordingly, their genesis is not well understood. In this study, we use 3D seismic reflection data, biostratigraphy and well logs from the Southern Levant Basin, offshore Israel, to develop an age‐constrained seismic‐stratigraphic framework and determine the geometry and kinematics of such basin‐scale fault system. The faults tip out downwards along an Eocene Unconformity, but unlike layer‐bound faults in the Northern Levant Basin, they do not reach the base of the Messinian evaporites, instead tipping out upwards at the top Langhian. On average, the faults in the Southern Levant Basin are 6.3 km long, have an average throw of 120 m, and consistently strike NW‐SE. Throw‐depth plots, accompanied by thickness changes, indicate that the faults accumulated growth strata during the Late Burdigalian and are spatially and kinematically associated with a WSW‐ESE‐striking strike‐slip fault. Unlike true polygonal faults, these faults propagated through ca. 2 km‐thick sandstone‐prone Oligocene‐Miocene strata. Whereas previous studies from the Northern Levant Basin associate fault nucleation and growth with burial‐related diagenesis, the sandstone‐prone character of the Oligocene‐Miocene suggests that this process cannot be readily applied to the Southern Levant Basin. Instead, we highlight potential tectonic events that occurred during and may have triggered thin‐skinned extension at times of fault growth.
Overburden deformation induced by active diapirism: Discrete element numerical simulations
Authors: Meng Qingfeng , Hao Fang
Published: October 2022

Active diapirs are commonly observed in sedimentary basins worldwide. Factors controlling overburden deformation processes and patterns during the active rise of active diapirs, such as sediment cohesion and overburden thickness, are not well understood. We have utilised the discrete element numerical simulation method to simulate active diapirism in models comprised of sediments with varying cohesions and roof thicknesses. We found that sediment cohesion can significantly affect overburden deformation with low‐cohesion sediments favouring the generation of a broad, smooth forced fold and a symmetric graben, while high‐cohesion sediments favour the formation of master reverse faults and preferentially uplifted and rotated fault blocks in their hangingwalls in the central crest, with an overall asymmetric structural geometry. Moreover, overburden thickness does not significantly affect structural styles in the overburden. Our results also suggest that the higher the sediment cohesion, the higher the amplitude (the lower the wavelength) of the forced fold above the rising diapir becomes. Our models produced a wide spectrum of deformation structures that resemble those in nature and reveal a strong link between structural styles and sediment diagenesis in the context of active diapir‐piercing sediments with varying degrees of lithification.
Variation of seasonal litterfall in subtropical montane cloud forests to typhoon severity and environmental factors
Authors: Huang Cho‐ying , Liu Hung‐Chi , Hu Kai‐Ting , Chung Chih‐Hsin , Wang Jonathan
Published: October 2022

Forest litterfall is pivotal for biogeochemical cycles and for assessing the impacts of perturbations on ecosystems. Typhoon occurrence is the primary mechanism for producing litterfall; Taiwan is situated in one of the most frequently disturbed regions. However, no typhoons were recorded in 2018, only occurring three times since 1911. This rare occasion, along with the regular (2017) and extreme typhoon (2016) years, provides an opportunity to investigate the responses of typhoon‐prone forest ecosystems to a future climate scenario: Elevated temperatures amplify the intensity but reduce the frequency of typhoons. We compared three years (2016–2018) of summer typhoon season (July–October) mean monthly litterfall (MML) in the subtropical montane cloud forests of northeastern Taiwan, and investigated the relationships between MML/typhoon‐induced MML (ΔMML) and 17 biophysical, bioclimatic and topographic attributes. More MML was produced in 2016, caused by strong winds and heavy rainfall. However, there was no statistical difference between 2017 and 2018 since forests may also produce substantial amounts of litterfall in summer without typhoons. The relationship between ΔMML and 17 variables was relatively insensitive to typhoon severity. Variables associated with succession and forest management were crucial for modeling MML in the presence of typhoons, but none of them were pivotal for MML without typhoons. The mean air temperature and elevation (related to forest productivity) were crucial for MML without typhoons; surface curvature may form shelters to prevent extreme typhoon with reduced MML. These outcomes may shed light on future ecosystem dynamics in typhoon‐prone forests under a changing climate.

Abstract in Mandarin is available with online material.
Unbundling female empowerment
Authors: Anderson Siwan
Published: October 2022

There is an ongoing push to place female empowerment at the centre of development policy because of its presumed link to poverty alleviation. This paper reflects on how the economics literature can contribute to a deeper understanding of this connection between female‐focused policy initiatives and broader economic outcomes. Female empowerment is a multi‐faceted concept that has grown to be appreciated by academics and policy‐makers alike, however, it is not well understood how the various dimensions interact and co‐evolve with each other and with society as a whole. Many policy objectives presume that different measures of female empowerment work in tandem. This paper, in contrast, argues that it is useful to conceptually “unbundle” female empowerment in a systematic way across multiple domains: within the household, within society as a whole and via the dynamics of norm formation. It highlights instead the complexity of interactions between these separate facets of female empowerment and extrinsic societal factors. This is important because overlooking these interactions across dimensions has the potential to lead policy astray.
17β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 activity, expression and cellular localization in abdominal adipose tissues from women
Authors: Fouad Mansour Mohamed , Blanchette Sophie , Pelletier Mélissa , Poirier Donald , Tchernof André
Published: October 2022

Context: 17β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (17β‐HSD2) may be involved in the local modulation of estradiol (E2) availability in adipose tissues. Objective: To assess the conversion of E2 into estrone (E1) as well as the expression of 17β‐HSD2 and its localization in omental (OM) and subcutaneous (SC) adipose tissues obtained from women. Methods: Rates of 14C‐E1 formation from 14C‐E2 were measured in OM and SC adipose tissue homogenates from 29 women. Specific 17β‐HSD2 inhibitor EM‐919 was tested in OM and SC adipose tissue homogenates (n = 6). 17β‐HSD2 mRNA expression was measured in whole OM and SC adipose tissues (n = 14). Cellular localization of the enzyme was examined using immunohistochemistry. Anthropometric measurements were obtained and body composition as well as body fat distribution were measured. Results: Significant 14C‐E1 formation from 14C‐E2 in OM and SC tissue homogenates was detected. The rate of 14C‐E1 formation was significantly higher in OM than SC adipose tissue (p < .0001). The conversion of 14C‐E2 to 14C‐E1 was significantly inhibited by EM‐919 in OM (p < .05) and SC (p < .05) adipose tissues. Significantly higher expression of 17β‐HSD2 mRNA in OM versus SC fat was found (p = .03). 17β‐HSD2 was localized in the vasculature of OM and SC tissues. Significant negative associations were detected between OM 17β‐HSD2 activity and body mass index, WC, lean body mass as well as SC adipose tissue areas. Conclusion: 17β‐HSD2 converts E2 to E1 in OM and SC adipose tissues of women. The activity of this enzyme decreases with increasing adiposity.
Sclerotherapy with 3% polidocanol foam to treat second‐degree haemorrhoidal disease: Three‐year follow‐up of a multicentre, single arm, IDEAL phase 2b trial
Authors: Gallo Gaetano , Picciariello Arcangelo , Pietroletti Renato , Novelli Eugenio , Sturiale Alessandro , Tutino Roberta , Laforgia Rita , Moggia Elisabetta , Pozzo Mauro , Roveroni Maurizio , Bianco Vincenzo , Realis Luc Alberto , Giuliani Antonio , Diaco Elia , Naldini Gabriele , Trompetto Mario , Perinotti Roberto , D'Andrea Vito , Lobascio Pierluigi
Published: October 2022

Background

Sclerotherapy with 3% polidocanol foam is becoming increasingly popular for the treatment of symptomatic I–II or III degree haemorrhoidal disease (HD). However, there are no studies that have reported a follow‐up of more than 1 year. The purpose of this study was to analyse the long‐term outcomes of sclerotherapy with 3% polidocanol foam in the treatment of II–degree HD.

Methods

This was an open label, single‐arm, phase 2b trial conducted in 10 tertiary referral centres for HD. A total of 183 patients with II–degree HD, aged between 18 and 75 years with symptomatic HD according to the Goligher classification and unresponsive to medical treatment, were included in the study and underwent sclerotherapy with 3% polidocanol foam. The efficacy was evaluated in terms of bleeding score, haemorrhoidal disease symptom score (HDSS) and short health scale for HD (SHS–HD) score. Successful treatment was defined as the complete absence of bleeding episodes after 7 days (T1) according to the bleeding score.

Results

The overall success rate ranged from 95.6% (175/183) at 1 year to 90.2% (165/183) after the final 3 year follow‐up. The recurrence rate, based on the primary outcome, ranged from 12% (15/125) to 28% (35/125). The greatest increase in recurrence (15) was recorded between 12 and 18 months of follow‐up, then another five between 18 and 24 months. Both the HDSS and the SHS score remained statistically significant (p < 0.001) from a median preoperative value of 11 (10–13) and 18 (15–20) to 0 (0–2) and 4 (0–4), respectively. Symptom‐free (HDSS = 0) patients, excluding patients converted to surgery, increased from 55.5% (101/182) at 1 year to 65.1% at 3 years (110/169). There were no intraoperative complications in redo‐sclerotherapy nor additional adverse events (AEs) compared to the first 12 months.

Conclusions

Sclerotherapy with 3% polidocanol foam is gradually establishing itself in the treatment of bleeding HD due to its repeatability, safety, convenience in terms of direct and indirect costs with the absence of discomfort for the patient as well as AEs rather than an excellent overall success rate.
Long‐term outcome after Bascom's pit‐pick procedure for pilonidal sinus disease: A cohort study
Authors: Serup Camilla Mattesen , Svarre Kristina Johansen , Kanstrup Charlotte Tiffanie Bendtz , Kleif Jakob , Bertelsen Claus Anders
Published: October 2022

Aim

Previous studies have shown favourable short‐term results after Bascom's pit‐pick procedure for simple pilonidal sinus disease. A minimum 5‐year follow‐up is considered the gold standard but only a few long‐term studies have previously been reported. Here, we aimed to estimate the long‐term risk of treatment failure, incomplete wound healing or recurrence, postoperative complications and patient reported outcome measures such as chronic pain and satisfaction with cosmetic appearance.

Methods

Medical records of patients registered in a local database after undergoing Bascom's pit‐pick procedure were reviewed and follow‐up data updated. The patients received an online survey including questions about demographics, lifestyle, complications, reintervention, pain, satisfaction with cosmetic appearance and supplemented with telephone interviews if no response was received.

Results

A total of 158 patients underwent Bascom's pit‐pick procedure during the period August 2007 to March 2014. Median follow‐up was 7.98 (0.66, 10.96) years. Twelve patients (8%) had reintervention due to incomplete wound healing. A total of 32 patients experienced a recurrence. In competing risk analyses, the 10‐year cumulative recurrence rate was 27% (95% CI: 19%–35%) of patients with complete wound healing. Treatment success was 68%. Recurrence was associated with active smoking, HR of 5.30 (95% CI: 1.42–19.86; p = 0.01), and number of primary pits ≥3, HR of 5.11 (95% CI: 1.49–17.47; p = 0.01). More than 90% had no postoperative complications or chronic pain, and more than 70% reported a high satisfaction with the cosmetic appearance.

Conclusion

Bascom's pit‐pick seems to be adequate treatment for most patients with a simple pilonidal sinus.
Intra‐amniotic mesenchymal stem cell therapy improves the amniotic fluid microenvironment in rat spina bifida aperta fetuses
Authors: Wei Xiaowei , Ma Wei , Gu Hui , Liu Dan , Luo Wenting , Cao Songying , Jia Shanshan , Huang Tianchu , He Yiwen , Bai Yuzuo , Wang Weilin , Yuan Zhengwei
Published: October 2022

Objectives

Spina bifida aperta (SBA) is one of the most common neural tube defects. Neural injury in SBA occurs in two stages involving failed neural tube closure and progressive degeneration through contact with the amniotic fluid. We previously suggested that intra‐amniotic bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) therapy for fetal rat SBA could achieve beneficial functional recovery through lesion‐specific differentiation. The aim of this study is to examine whether the amniotic fluid microenvironment can be improved by intra‐amniotic BMSC transplantation.

Methods

The intra‐amniotic BMSC injection was performed using in vivo rat fetal SBA models. The various cytokine expressions in rat amniotic fluid were screened by protein microassays. Intervention experiments were used to study the function of differentially expressed cytokines.

Results

A total of 32 cytokines showed significant upregulated expression in the BMSC‐injected amniotic fluid. We focused on Activin A, NGF, BDNF, CNTF, and CXCR4. Intervention experiments showed that the upregulated Activin A, NGF, BDNF, and CNTF could inhibit apoptosis and promote synaptic development in fetal spinal cords. Inhibiting the activity of these factors weakened the anti‐apoptotic and pro‐differentiation effects of transplanted BMSCs. Inhibition of CXCR4 activity reduced the engraftment rate of BMSCs in SBA fetuses.

Conclusion

BMSC transplantation can improve the amniotic fluid environment, and this is beneficial for SBA repair.
A qualitative exploration of patients' experience of mobile telephone‐delivered contingency management to promote adherence to supervised methadone
Authors: Getty Carol‐Ann , Weaver Tim , Metrebian Nicola
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Despite an increasing evidence base for mobile telephone‐delivered contingency management (mCM), there had been no previous qualitative exploration of patients' experience of receiving mCM and the factors that might influence that experience and outcome in a UK setting. The aim of this study was to understand patients' views and experience of receiving mCM by exploring their beliefs, expectations and perceived benefits within the context of the UK's first mCM intervention.

Methods

Qualitative interviews (N = 15) were conducted with patients undergoing opioid agonist treatment in a UK drug treatment service and receiving mCM to encourage adherence with supervised methadone as part of an existing study. Interviews were conducted at two time points and analysed using Framework to explore patients' expectations and beliefs during the early stage of the intervention (2 weeks) and their perceived benefits and experience at the end of the intervention (12 weeks).

Results

The mCM was perceived as a motivator, providing validation of achievement, and involving discreet and positive interactions. Perceived benefits included enhanced methadone adherence, reduced drug use and the development of a supportive and non‐judgemental connection that resembled a therapeutic alliance.

Discussion and Conclusions

The mechanisms underpinning contingency management appeared to operate in the absence of human interaction, and the mCM intervention was deemed to be meaningful, acceptable and well received by patients. These findings not only provide support for the application of mCM in this context but also offer insight into the factors that influence outcomes and should be considered in the development of future mCM interventions.
Impulsivity and alexithymia predict early versus subsequent relapse in patients with alcohol use disorder: A 1‐year longitudinal study
Authors: Pepe Maria , Di Nicola Marco , Panaccione Isabella , Franza Raffaella , De Berardis Domenico , Cibin Mauro , Janiri Luigi , Sani Gabriele
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Longitudinal psychopathological predictors of relapse in alcohol use disorder are unclear.

Methods

Relapses, sociodemographic and psychopathological risk factors were assessed in 171 alcohol use disorder outpatients within a 1‐year follow up. Impulsivity and alexithymia were evaluated using the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, respectively.

Results

At endpoint, 39% of patients maintained abstinence, 30.9% relapsed at ≤1 month from detoxification (early), 30.1% at >1 month (subsequent). Baseline Barratt Impulsiveness Scale score was predictive of early versus subsequent relapse (odds ratio 1.12,p = 0.005) and versus abstinence (odds ratio 1.17,p < 0.001). Toronto Alexithymia Scale score was a risk factor for subsequent versus early relapse (odds ratio 1.13,p = 0.003) and versus abstinence (odds ratio 1.21,p < 0.001).

Discussion and Conclusions

Impulsivity predicted relapse within the first 4‐weeks; alexithymia showed delayed effects. Time‐varying effects of specific relapse factors emphasise the need for preliminary careful assessment and personalised interventions to promote long‐term abstinence.
A proposal for an international Code of Conduct for data sharing in genomics
Authors: Matar Amal , Hansson Mats , Slokenberga Santa , Panagiotopoulos Adam , Chassang Gauthier , Tzortzatou Olga , Pormeister Kärt , Uhlin Elias , Cardone Antonella , Beauvais Michael
Published: October 2022

As genomic research becomes commonplace across the world, there is an increased need to coordinate practices among researchers, especially with regard to data sharing. One such way is an international code of conduct. In September 2020, an expert panel consisting of representatives from various fields convened to discuss a draft proposal formed via a synthesis of existing professional codes and other recommendations. This article presents an overview and analysis of the main issues related to international genomic research that were discussed by the expert panel, and the results of the discussion and follow up responses by the experts. As a result, the article presents as an annex a proposal for an international code of conduct for data sharing in genomics that is meant to establish best practices.
Estimating predation pressure in ecological studies: controlling bias imposed by using sentinel plasticine prey
Authors: Nimalrathna Thilina S. , Solina Inda Dwi , Mon Aye Mya , Pomoim Nirunrut , Bhadra Sreetama , Zvereva Elena L. , Sam Katerina , Nakamura Akihiro
Published: October 2022

Sentinel plasticine prey has been increasingly used to estimate predation pressure. The use of plasticine prey may, however, bias the results, as this method was originally designed to account for predation by organisms that can visually recognize the shapes and colors of their prey. To evaluate the limitations of using sentinel plasticine prey, we compared predator attack rates between real prey – dead and live mealworms, Tenebrio molitor L. (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) – and plasticine models in a monsoonal tropical rainforest of southeastern China. The attack rates by invertebrates were highest on dead prey followed by live prey and plasticine models, whereas the attack rates by vertebrates were lowest on dead prey, and did not differ between live prey and plasticine models. These results confirm that bias imposed by using the plasticine models is affected by the type of predators. In addition, we tested the validity and generality of the premise that predators can distinguish the shapes of plasticine model prey and preferentially attack a caterpillar‐like shape over other shapes. To test this hypothesis, we conducted three independent experiments in China, Papua New Guinea, and Finland. In the two latter localities, predation rates on plasticine caterpillars were higher than on models of other shapes, whereas in China, these differences were not significant. Taken together, our study suggests that plasticine models may underestimate the predation by invertebrates to a greater extent than predation by vertebrates, and the preference of model shape by predators may be locality‐specific, presumably due to differences in the composition of the predator community. We propose that predation be estimated on both live and plasticine prey in future studies to measure the potential bias imposed by using plasticine models and its variation among various habitats and predator groups.
Endothelial cell diversity: the many facets of the crystal
Authors: Perez‐Gutierrez Lorena , Li Pin , Ferrara Napoleone
Published: October 2022

Endothelial cells (ECs) form the inner lining of blood vessels and play crucial roles in angiogenesis. While it has been known for a long time that there are considerable differences among ECs from lymphatic and blood vessels, as well as among arteries, veins and capillaries, the full repertoire of endothelial diversity is only beginning to be elucidated. It has become apparent that the role of ECs is not just limited to their exchange functions. Indeed, a multitude of organ‐specific functions, including release of growth factors, regulation of immune functions, have been linked to ECs. Recent years have seen a surge into the identification of spatiotemporal molecular and functional heterogeneity of ECs, supported by technologies such as single‐cell RNA sequencing (scRNA‐seq), lineage tracing and intersectional genetics. Together, these techniques have spurred the generation of epigenomic, transcriptomic and proteomic signatures of ECs. It is now clear that ECs across organs and in different vascular beds, but even within the same vessel, have unique molecular identities and employ specialized molecular mechanisms to fulfil highly specialized needs. Here, we focus on the molecular heterogeneity of the endothelium in different organs and pathological conditions.