bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measuring the performance of SMEs during the pandemic situation using system dynamic
Authors: Susanty Aries , Puspitasari Nia Budi , Fachreza Adam
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This study aims to create a system dynamics simulation model to forecast the performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) if some decision-making is executed to reduce the negative of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. In particular, this study will focus on SMEs that belong to the furniture industry because the furniture industry is one of the leading industries in Indonesia.

Design/methodology/approach

The study develops a system dynamics-based model by using three subsystems, i.e. the “production subsystem,” “demand and revenue subsystem” and “raw material (or wood supply) subsystem.”

Findings

The best scenario is the third scenario which increases the capacity to the normal situation and government subsidy during and after the pandemic. This scenario gives the best performance for industry revenue and gross domestic product (GDP). However, for the government, the most significant expenditure occurs in the third scenario. This seems a trade-off for the government whether to save the wooden-based furniture industry by encouraging the industry to continue operating during the pandemic accompanied by high subsidies or limiting the activities of the wooden-based furniture industry to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by providing low subsidies.

Research limitations/implications

First, this study does not try to combine the system dynamics (SD) methodology with the other method or use a multi-methodology since SD has several limitations and the other method may have several advantages compared to SD. Second, the models used in this study do not consider the decline in forest area and quality. Third, the demand for wooden-based furniture is obtained from historical data on domestic and foreign sales and fourth, the model does not include the government budget as a constraint to make any subsidy to help the SMEs.

Practical implications

This study provides essential insights into implementing the policies in the world pandemic situation when SMEs face lockdown policy.

Social implications

The study revealed that relevant policy scenarios could be built after simulating and analyzing each scenario's effect on SMEs' performance during the pandemic.

Originality/value

This study will enrich the previous study on the impact of the pandemic on SMEs and the dynamic system modeling on SMEs. The previous study discussed the pandemic's impact on SME performance and the impact's analysis in isolation from the dynamic nature of SME owners' decisions or government policy. In this study, the impact generated from the pandemic situation could be different depending on the decision and policies taken by managers from SMEs and the government.
On the interplay between the entrepreneurs' challenges and the business performance: empirical study and evidence from emerging economies
Authors: Abdallah Hanan , AL-Shboul Moh'd Anwer
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This study aims and tries to identify and examine the effect of the entrepreneurs' challenges factors (i.e. financial, governmental, personal, educational social and cultural, infrastructural, operational, ethical, and Covid-19) on entrepreneurs' business performance in Jordan country as an emerging economy. Further, try to clarify and identify the main critical factors that affect an entrepreneur's business performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative methodology was used by conducting web-based survey questionnaires with 178 useful responses out of 443 entrepreneurs listed in the Chamber of the industry of Jordan, representing a 40.2% response rate. Data were analyzed by using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Sofware.

Findings

The results of this study confirmed the existence of an inverse relationship between entrepreneurs' challenges and entrepreneurs' business performance. The Covid-19 challenges and governmental challenges were found to be the most affecting on entrepreneurs' business performance, whereby the personal challenges had no impact on entrepreneurs' business performance.

Research limitations/implications

The study provides a clear classification of entrepreneurs' challenges, which can be useful for both researchers and entrepreneurs.

Practical implications

This study developed some recommendations that emphasized the government's role in promoting entrepreneurship and supporting entrepreneurs.

Originality/value

This study attempts to define and clarify the impact of entrepreneurs' challenges on their business performance. In addition, this study can be used to promote entrepreneurship and an innovation-stimulating environment through decision-makers.
Creating a learning organization through a co-generative learning process – a Nordic perspective
Authors: Finnestrand Hanne
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to demonstrate how the Nordic model, featuring highly regulated trade union–employer collaboration, has enabled the building of learning organizations through a co-generative learning model involving both practitioners and action researchers.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature search on the Nordic sociotechnical systems tradition led to a further search based on the snowball method. This paper reveals how the unique features of the Nordic model for work life through union–management relations constitute a formal system for building learning organizations.

Findings

This paper acknowledges the difference in power that exists between the social parties within the Nordic model. However, the practice is not due solely to the political structure in which trade unions, employers’ associations and the state form a tripartite collaboration, and thus, create a framework for workplace collaboration. This tripartite collaboration has enabled the development of an organizational practice by action researchers, union representatives and companies over several decades.

Originality/value

Limited literature has explicitly linked the formal structures of the Nordic model of work life and the effort to develop learning organizations. This paper addresses criticism that the research field has not fully considered power issues when developing a learning organization. It demonstrates how the Nordic model as a formal structure creates a system of democratic norms and rules that facilitates a safe arena for employees to invest their effort in co-generating a learning organization.
The luxury yacht charter market and sustainable brand image: the case of Sunreef
Authors: Seraphin Hugues , Maingi Shem Wambugu
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Drive, power and consciousness are the corner stones for the long-term sustainability of any industry. In the luxury yachting industry, the objective of this study is to evidence through the case of sunreed yachting that environmental innovation in the yachting industry has been key to sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach

As a case study central to this paper, Sunreef has reconciled key luxury sustainability indicators to improve its brand image. This article adopted a case study approach to provide a systematic documentary analysis of online materials. It is also supported by a critical review of recent literature.

Findings

Beyond reconciling the three core components of any long-term sustainable strategy, the paper provides evidence that luxury yachting can operate without impacting negatively on the environment and local population, providing it is fully aware of the challenges faced by the planet in terms of sustainability, and that everyone has a role to play in achieving sustainability (consciousness) and also a willingness (driver) to invest in research and development (power).

Originality/value

This paper addresses the sustainability challenge in the luxury yachting industry. The case of Sunreef Yachts Eco has shown that green communication and innovations are able to reverse the unsustainable ecological trends in the yachting industry. This paper argues that “green activism” is the key encapsulating all the approaches by Sunreef, linking “consciousness”, “power” and “drivers” in sustainability yachting.
Individuality matters in human–wildlife conflicts: Patterns and fraction of damage‐making brown bears in the north‐eastern Carpathians
Authors: Berezowska‐Cnota Teresa , Konopiński Maciej K. , Bartoń Kamil , Bautista Carlos , Revilla Eloy , Naves Javier , Biedrzycka Aleksandra , Fedyń Hubert , Fernández Néstor , Jastrzębski Tomasz , Pirga Bartosz , Viota María , Wojtas Zenon , Selva Nuria
Published: April 2023

Effective, evidence‐based management is required to ensure long‐term coexistence between people and wildlife in an increasingly humanized world. Although behavioural individuality is recognized as a key factor affecting evolutionary and ecological processes, it has rarely been explicitly assessed in relation to human–wildlife conflicts. The ‘problem individual’ paradigm states that some conspecifics within a given population have a disproportionately large contribution to conflicts. To the best of our knowledge, no studies have so far systematically tested this assumption in large carnivores.

Here, we investigated the variation in conflict behaviour among brown bears Ursus arctos within the population inhabiting the Polish Eastern Carpathians. We inspected all sites notified as damaged by bears in 2014–2017 to determine the number and sex of the individuals involved. We conducted systematic noninvasive genetic sampling to estimate the size of the local population by spatially explicit capture–recapture models. We assessed the fraction and sex ratio of damage‐making bears in relation to the population, as well as the behavioural patterns by classifying and differentiating between occasional and repetitive damage‐makers.

Approximately one‐third of the estimated 72 (95% CI 45.2–115.5) brown bears inhabiting the Polish Eastern Carpathians were responsible for damage occurrence in the region. The majority of damage‐makers were female (65% vs. 35% of male), which reflected the sex ratio of the local population (0.57). Thirty‐three per cent of the damage‐making bears (i.e. nine individuals) were classified as ‘problem individuals’, exhibiting repetitive conflict behaviour.

Synthesis and applications. This study provides evidence of intraspecific differences in conflict behaviour in a large carnivore species, the brown bear, and indicates that damage‐making behaviour is not exhibited with the same frequency by all individuals within a population. Managers and policy‐makers should be aware that targeting individuals involved in conflicts without reference to the whole population may lead to misleading conclusions or an incomplete picture of the mechanisms underlying the conflicts, and thus, to mismanagement. Unravelling the behavioural patterns of individual engagement in damage through large‐scale and population‐wide studies is needed to accurately assess the magnitude of damage and enhance human–wildlife coexistence in areas experiencing conflicts.
Microplastic ingestion affects hydrogen production and microbiomes in the gut of the terrestrial isopod Porcellio scaber
Authors: Hink Linda , Holzinger Anja , Sandfeld Tobias , Weig Alfons R. , Schramm Andreas , Feldhaar Heike , Horn Marcus A.
Published: April 2023

Microplastic (MP) is an environmental burden and enters food webs via ingestion by macrofauna, including isopods (Porcellio scaber) in terrestrial ecosystems. Isopods represent ubiquitously abundant, ecologically important detritivores. However, MP‐polymer specific effects on the host and its gut microbiota are unknown. We tested the hypothesis that biodegradable (polylactic acid [PLA]) and non‐biodegradable (polyethylene terephthalate [PET]; polystyrene [PS]) MPs have contrasting effects on P. scaber mediated by changes of the gut microbiota. The isopod fitness after an 8‐week MP‐exposure was generally unaffected, although the isopods showed avoidance behaviour to PS‐food. MP‐polymer specific effects on gut microbes were detected, including a stimulation of microbial activity by PLA compared with MP‐free controls. PLA stimulated hydrogen emission from isopod guts, while PET and PS were inhibitory. We roughly estimated 107 kg year−1 hydrogen emitted from the isopods globally and identified their guts as anoxic, significant mobile sources of reductant for soil microbes despite the absence of classical obligate anaerobes, likely due to Enterobacteriaceae‐related fermentation activities that were stimulated by lactate generated during PLA‐degradation. The findings suggest negative effects of PET and PS on gut fermentation, modulation of important isopod hydrogen emissions by MP pollution and the potential of MP to affect terrestrial food webs.
An Empirical Investigation of the Effect of CFO Power on Disclosure Quality
Authors: Ferdous Lutfa Tilat , Ahmed Kamran , Henry Darren
Published: April 2023

We examine the association between chief financial officer (CFO) power and disclosure quality, measured using financial statement disaggregation disclosure and analyst forecast disclosure. Empirically, we validate that CFO power, measured by multiple dimensions, is positively associated with firms’ disclosure quality. We also find that this positive association between CFO power and disclosure quality is stronger when firms exhibit higher governance monitoring and accounting quality. Further analysis shows that our main results hold across multiple disclosure quality tests. Our findings are robust to addressing endogeneity issues using two‐stage least squares, Heckman selection bias, and propensity score matching analyses. The results highlight the importance of CFO power for the accounting reporting process and decision‐making.
Molecular identification of Cerodontha australis (Diptera: Agromyzidae) and its associated pupal endoparasitoids (Hymenoptera)
Authors: Jensen Joanne G. , Richards Nicola K. , Gunawardana Disna N. , Li Dongmei
Published: April 2023

The wheat sheath miner, Cerodontha australis, is widespread and abundant in New Zealand and also occurs in eastern Australia. Adult and larval C. australis feed on cereals and grasses, including the economically important perennial ryegrass, Lolium perenne. There is little literature about C. australis, and much of the early work may relate to other species due to its initial misidentification. Morphology‐based identification can be challenging, and the absence of online barcode sequences from voucher specimens for C. australis has precluded diagnosis using molecular techniques. In this study, two individual adult leafminers collected from L. perenne plants in New Zealand were confirmed as C. australis morphologically. One has been retained as a voucher specimen and its mitochondrial barcode sequence submitted to online databases. Comparison with adult and larval specimens previously sequenced by the authors confirmed they were also C. australis. Molecular identification of 20 hymenopteran pupal endoparasitoids, and a subset of the puparia they emerged from, revealed Trichopria sp. (Diapriidae), Eupelmus messene (Eupelmidae) and three haplotypes (or closely related species) of Eulophidae. Sequences for all wasps were submitted to GenBank. All the puparia were visually identified as C. australis, and a subset that included a host pupa of each identified endoparasitoid species were confirmed as C. australis based on comparison with our barcode sequence. This work will aid future studies on C. australis and has allowed identification of unidentified sequences on public databases formerly submitted by other New Zealand researchers. It also provides new records of association between C. australis and its pupal endoparasitoids. More broadly, our study provides an example of the importance of authoritative morphological identification of specimens alongside molecular identification, and highlights the challenges in identifying species for which this has not been done.
Role of aspirin in the prevention of heterotopic ossification following total hip replacement: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Wang Zhenwei , Mao Zimu , Yu Meng , Li Hongchuan , Chen Guoqiang , Wang Yang , Yao Qi
Published: April 2023

Background

To systematically investigate if aspirin (ASA), used as venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis, plays a role in the prevention of heterotopic ossification (HO) following total hip arthroplasty (THA) and if ASA dosage impacted the rate of HO.

Methods

Eligible studies published from January 2000 to July 2022 were identified from the computerized searching of PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science. HO was defined according to Brooker Classification. Pooled risk ratios (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated under a random‐effect model. Additionally, combined HO incidences were compared according to ASA dosage (a regular dose of 325 bid vs. a low dose of 81 mg bid/162 mg qd).

Results

Thirteen studies were included. ASA administered for VTE prophylaxis was significantly associated with a reduced risk of all‐grade HO following THA (univariate, OR: 0.50, 95% CI: 0.34–0.74, P < 0.001; multivariate, OR: 0.60, 95% CI: 0.49–0.73, P < 0.001). Similar results could be observed for high‐grade HO (univariate, OR: 0.57, 95% CI: 0.36–0.89, P = 0.015; multivariate, OR: 0.50, 95% CI: 0.27–0.92, P = 0.026). There was a non‐significant trend towards a higher incidence of HO formation for low‐dose ASA (31%, 95% CI: 29–34%), compared with regular‐dose ASA (21%, 95% CI: 11–33%) (P = 0.069 under test of interaction).

Conclusions

ASA can be an effective option for HO prophylaxis. More well‐designed trials with long‐term follow‐ups are encouraged to confirm the current findings and to investigate the effect of ASA dosage on HO reduction.
Evaluation of functional warm ischemia time during controlled donation after circulatory determination of death using normothermic regional perfusion (ECMO‐TT): A prospective multicenter cohort study
Authors: Martínez‐Castro Sara , Navarro Rosalía , García‐Pérez María Luisa , Segura José Manuel , Carbonell José A. , Hornero Fernando , Guijarro Jorge , Zaplana Marta , Bruño María Ángeles , Tur Ana , Martínez‐León Juan Bautista , Zaragoza Rafael , Núñez Julio , Domínguez‐Gil Beatriz , Badenes Rafael ,   the ECMO TRANSPLANT TEAM Study Group
Published: April 2023

Background

Controlled donation after circulatory determination of death (cDCD) seems an effective way to mitigate the critical shortage of available organs for transplant worldwide. As a recently developed procedure for organ retrieval, some questions remain unsolved such as the uncertainty regarding the effect of functional warm ischemia time (FWIT) on organs´ viability.

Methods

We developed a multicenter prospective cohort study collecting all data from evaluated organs during cDCD from 2017 to 2020. All the procedures related to cDCD were performed with normothermic regional perfusion. The analysis included organ retrieval as endpoint and FWIT as exposure of interest. The effect of FWIT on the likelihood for organ retrieval was evaluated with Relative distribution analysis.

Results

A total amount of 507 organs´ related information was analyzed from 95 organ donors. Median donor age was 62 years, and 63% of donors were male. Stroke was the most common diagnosis before withdrawal of life‐sustaining therapy (61%), followed by anoxic encephalopathy (21%). This analysis showed that length of FWIT was inversely associated with organ retrieval rates for liver, kidneys, and pancreas. No statistically significant association was found for lungs.

Conclusions

Results showed an inverse association between functional warm ischemia time (FWIT) and retrieval rate. We also have postulated optimal FWIT's thresholds for organ retrieval. FWIT for liver retrieval remained between 6 and less than 11 min and in case of kidneys and pancreas, the optimal FWIT for retrieval was 6 to 12 min. These results could be valuable to improve organ utilization and for future analysis.
Soluble CD206 levels correlate with disease deterioration and predict prognosis of anti‐MDA5 antibody‐positive dermatomyositis related interstitial lung disease
Authors: Li Yan , Liu Xiaoqin , Tian Mi , Zou Ruyi , Gao Yujuan , Huang Mei , Zhou Kefeng , Cao Min , Cai Hourong
Published: April 2023

Introduction

The prognosis of anti‐MDA5 antibody‐positive dermatomyositis/clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis‐associated interstitial lung disease (MDA5‐DM/CADM‐ILD) is poor. This study was to evaluate the effect of serum soluble CD206 (sCD206), a biomarker of macrophage activation, on predicting the interstitial lung disease (ILD) deterioration and prognosis for MDA5‐DM/CADM‐ILD.

Methods

Forty‐one patients diagnosed with MDA5‐DM/CADM‐ILD were retrospectively included. The clinical data were analyzed. Serum sCD206 levels were measured in 41 patients and 30 healthy controls. The relation between sCD206 levels and ILD deterioration was assessed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was generated to determine the optimal cut‐off value of sCD206 for predicting outcome. The association between sCD206 and survival was examined.

Results

The median serum sCD206 level in patients was significantly higher than healthy controls (464.1 ng/mL vs. 349.1 ng/mL, P = 0.002). In DM/CADM patients, the sCD206 level was significantly higher in patients with acute/subacute interstitial lung disease (AILD/SILD) than those with chronic interstitial lung disease (CILD) (539.2 ng/mL vs. 309.4 ng/mL, P = 0.005). The AUC of sCD206 was 0.885 for predicting mortality (95% CI 0.779–0.990). Patients were divided into two groups: sCD206 high level group (≥400 ng/mL) and sCD206 low level group (<400 ng/mL). Patients with sCD206 high level had significantly decreased survival rate than those with low level (25% vs. 88%, P < 0.001). The adjusted hazard ratio of sCD206 for mortality was 1.003 (adjusted for age and gender, P < 0.001), with sCD206 high level associated with higher death risk (HR 4.857, P = 0.006).

Conclusion

Serum sCD206 might be a potential predictor of ILD deterioration and prognosis for Chinese patients with MDA5‐DM/CADM‐ILD.
Poaching sources and trade routes in Peru and Ecuador warn of the unsustainable rural demand for preferred parrot species
Authors: Romero‐Vidal Pedro , Toledo‐González Bernardo , Bunn Lydia , Blanco Guillermo , Hiraldo Fernando , Bermúdez‐Cavero Alan Omar , Carrete Martina , Tella José Luis
Published: April 2023

Illegal wildlife trade remains highly active in the Neotropics, as indicated by the thousands of parrots annually sold in illicit city markets. However, little is known about where parrots are poached, whether certain parrot species are selected among those available in the wild, their trade routes, and potential conservation impacts. We conducted a large‐scale survey in Peru and southern Ecuador to simultaneously estimate the relative abundance of parrots in the wild and as household pets in rural areas, determine their origin (locally poached or bought at city markets), and measured the shortest distances to their native ranges and markets through the existing grid of roads. Household‐poached native parrots were found in 96% of the rural localities surveyed. Most pets were locally poached, with only 14% of them bought at markets. Parrot poaching was highly selective, with preferred species (mainly Amazon parrots and large macaws) being collected much more than expected given their abundances in the wild and attaining higher prices than the other species. Individuals that were moved away from their native ranges or bought at distant markets were of those species most preferred by people, and covered large distances (up to 1010 km), even crossing country boundaries. Our results differ from those previously obtained from city markets and seizures of illegally traded parrots in Peru, where preferred species were underrepresented. Local poaching and rural trade activities act at very large spatial scales and negatively affect the population trends of preferred parrot species. This unsustainable scenario is a challenge to the application of effective conservation actions aimed at halting poaching and illegal trade. These actions should focus on very extensive and remote rural areas throughout the Neotropics rather than just on well‐known markets located in large cities.
The reintroduction project ofCypripedium calceolusin Switzerland
Authors: Sprunger Samuel , de Jong Camiel
Published: April 2023

In 2013, a project to reintroduceCypripedium calceolusin the Swiss Jura was organised between the Swiss Orchid Foundation at the Herbarium of JanyRenz, Basel, Switzerlandand Anthura B.V., Bleiswijk, Holland with the approval of the Nature Conservation authorities of nine cantons in the Swiss Jura. Seed was legally collected from sites in the nine cantons and was successfully grown to flowering size by the commercial nursery in the Netherlands. Three thousand flowering sized plants were successfully reintroduced to 43 sites in the summer of 2018. Monitoring in successive years has shown a success rate of over 50% and much higher in some sites. The successful collaboration of conservation authorities, a charitable foundation (Swiss Orchid Foundation) and a commercial company (Anthura B.V.) in the conservation of an endangered plant might serve as a model of how other projects might be run. A version of this paper, in German may be found inBauhinia.
Comparison of brief group behavioural parent training with individual parent training for preschool children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: A randomized feasibility study
Authors: Vaidyanathan Sivapriya , Chandrasekaran Venkatesh , Kandasamy Preeti
Published: April 2023

Background

Behaviour parent training (BPT) is first‐line treatment for preschool attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). BPT in a group format can be a cost‐ and time‐effective alternative in low and middle‐income countries (LMIC) settings with limited resources. We conducted a randomized controlled trial to compare the feasibility and efficacy of group BPT with individual BPT in improving ADHD severity in the preschool age group over 12 weeks.

Methods

After approval by the ethical committee, the study was conducted in the child guidance clinic, JIPMER. Fifty‐six children aged 2.5 to 6 years diagnosed with ADHD according to DSM5 were recruited. Children with autism spectrum disorder and a social quotient less than 50 were excluded. Block randomization parallel design was done. Group interventions were delivered with 4–8 parents per group, focusing on psychoeducation, structuring of routine, attention enhancing tasks, behavioural parenting techniques, and TAU. ADHD severity was assessed using Conner's abbreviated behaviour rating scale at baseline, 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Parental stress was estimated by FISC‐MR adapted for ADHD. Statistical analysis included repeated measures ANOVA.

Results

Significant improvement was noticed for both groups (F = 20.261, p < .001, ES (η2) = 0.539). Group intervention was not inferior to individual BPT in reducing ADHD severity (F = 0.860, p = .468, ES (η2) = 0.047). There was a statistically significant difference from baseline to 12 weeks of intervention in the reduction of parental stress (F = 20.80, p < .001, ES (η2) = 0.278) and enhancement of the coping strategies (F = 64.4, (p < .001), ES (η2) = 0.78). The intervention had high attendance and fidelity rates.

Conclusion

Group BPT was promising in treating ADHD in low‐resource settings.
Fish functional gradients along a reservoir cascade
Authors: Besson Jordan C. , Neary Joshua J. , Stafford Joshua D. , Dunn Corey G. , Miranda Leandro E.
Published: April 2023

The transformations of fish assemblages caused by reservoir cascades can be severe at the reach scale, but basin‐scale effects are less clear. However, prevailing river concepts provide a framework for predicting basin‐scale effects.

To determine if predictions made by the River Continuum Concept relative to the function of fish assemblages are sustained in a temperate river transformed into a reservoir cascade, we examined longitudinal trends in the distribution of fish functional traits over 23 reservoirs of the Tennessee River, U.S.A.

In all, 115 species were recorded representing 62 traits, with trait richness increasing longitudinally in a downstream direction. Trophic, reproductive, and habitat traits showed various increasing and decreasing patterns up and down the reservoir cascade. The observed gradients in trait richness and trait distributions were generally consistent with those expected in unregulated rivers, with few unexpected results.

The transformation of lotic systems into lentic ones has changed habitats and sources of food and encouraged the proliferation of certain feeding (e.g., detritivores, planktivores, invertivores, piscivores), reproduction (e.g., nest spawners polyphils, broadcast spawners phytolithophils), and habitat (slow current, lacustrine, large river) traits. In essence, reservoirs have expanded downstream habitats in an upstream direction, and thus allowed upstream expansion of species and traits that would have normally not been well represented in upper reaches of the Tennessee River basin. Nevertheless, the impounded Tennessee River has maintained much of its functional integrity, despite extensive alterations to the riverscape.

We suggest that, while reservoirs have been shown to have major local‐scale effects on riverine fish assemblages, with access to riverine habitats, and with proactive conservation strategies, fish functional richness can remain remarkably high at the basin scale.
Main ecological and environmental factors affecting forage yield and quality in alpine summer pastures (NW‐Italy, Gran Paradiso National Park)
Authors: Mainetti Andrea , Ravetto Enri Simone , Pittarello Marco , Lombardi Giampiero , Lonati Michele
Published: April 2023

Summer pastures in the European Alps play a crucial role in providing high quality forage for grazing livestock and encompass a wide variety of vegetation communities. The main issue of their management is the optimal exploitation of the available forage in relation to environmental constraints, aiming at obtaining the highest forage yield and quality from each vegetation community. In this work, we monitored six different vegetation communities characterized by contrasting topographic features and species compositions throughout the grazing season for two years. We performed botanical and phenological surveys, climate‐related measurements, and herbage samplings to assess forage quantity and quality (i.e., digestibility and proximate composition, estimated by near‐infrared reflectance spectroscopy). We analysed the influence of climatic, topographic, and vegetation variables on pasture herbage through univariate and multivariate analyses. The cover of wide‐leaf grasses primarily promoted biomass production, which was in turn lowered by increasing elevation and slope. On the other hand, a minor effect on forage yield was observed for an increasing cover of sedges and rushes and mean temperatures. Climatic variables (especially water deficit) and advanced phenological stages were the main degrading factors of forage quality in terms of crude protein and digestibility, while enhancing fibre contents. At increasing cover of legumes, fibre content declined and digestibility increased consequently, while the abundance of other non‐legume forbs played a significant role in lowering fibre content. Multivariate analysis highlighted the differing influence of single plant species on forage features even within the same functional species pool. However, attention should be paid to the toxicity and low palatability of some plants, especially forbs. Eutrophic vegetation communities, rich in wide‐leaf grasses and legumes, could be maintained and enhanced through pastoral management to increase alpine pasture production and quality.
The signalling function of plumage colour traits in the Chestnut Thrush (Turdus rubrocanus)
Authors: Lou Yingqiang , Chen Lijun , Zhao Qingshan , Møller Anders Pape , Fang Yun , Sun Yuehua
Published: April 2023

Melanin is a common pigment in birds, and several studies have shown that melanin‐based plumage coloration could signal individual body condition, social status and personality traits. However, most of these studies have focused on males, and little is known about the role of plumage coloration in females. Here, we investigated whether body condition and personality traits (activity and exploratory behaviour) were associated with plumage coloration in wild populations of the Chestnut Thrush Turdus rubrocanus, an apparently monochromatic species. We also tested whether the signals of plumage colour traits differed between sexes. In this study, we found that females had better body condition compared with males. Females with lower chroma and brightness of their black wings had better body condition, but no plumage colour measures reflected male body condition. Males with a lower red chroma of their brown back plumage were less active, and females with lower red chroma of the back plumage were more active. However, plumage coloration did not explain variation in exploratory behaviour. Our findings suggest that plumage colour traits may act as sex‐specific signals in Chestnut Thrushes and these traits may play important roles in sexual or conspecific communication in the wild.
In‐hospital nursing care intervention increasing the effect of vacuum sealing drainage on wound healing: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Yu Lan , Wang Yiling , Ma Dongmei , Pan Liming , Liu Xinyang , Chu Tianyue , Yin Baoyue , Huang Lei , Xu Xin
Published: April 2023

Vacuum sealing drainage (VSD) could effectively drain superficial wounds and deep tissues, which is beneficial for wound healing. More incentives in nursing care to improve the therapeutic effect of VSD on wound healing were further investigated. Different databases were retrieved for full‐text publications about the comparison between intervention nursing care and regular nursing care. Heterogeneity was detected by I2 method, and a random‐effect model was applied for data pooling if there existed heterogeneity. Publication bias was analysed by a funnel plot. Eight studies with 762 patients were included for final meta‐analysis. In the nursing care intervention group, shorter hospital stay duration (pooled SMD = −2.602, 95% confidence interval: −4.052–−1.151), shorter wound healing time (pooled SMD = −1.105, 95% confidence interval: −1.857–−0.353), lower pain score (pooled SMD = −2.490, 95% confidence interval: −3.521–−1.458), lower drainage tube blocked rate (pooled RR = 0.361, 95% confidence interval: 0.268–0.486), and higher nursing satisfaction (pooled RR = 1.164, 95% confidence interval: 1.095–1.237) was confirmed. More active and incentive nursing care could significantly improve the therapeutic effect of VSD on wound healing, in terms of hospitalisation time, wound healing time, painful symptoms, drainage tube blockage, and nursing satisfaction.
Primary Carcinoma of Lung Associated with Primary Malignancies in Other Systems
Authors: Sochocky S.
Published: April 2023

The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and association of primary carcinoma of the lung with primary malignancies in other systems of the body.

Among 237,963 patients, 2,095 had primary carcinoma of lung. Among this group of 2,095 patients with primary carcinoma of lung 180 had one or more second primary malignancies in other systems of the body.
The relationship between peer bullying, loneliness, and social support in refugee adolescents
Authors: Karakus Ozlem , Altinel Busra , Kocak Uyaroglu Arzu
Published: April 2023

Problem

This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between peer bullying, loneliness and perceived social support in refugee adolescents.

Methods

This research was conducted with 514 refugee adolescents living in the Central Anatolia region of Turkey. In this descriptive correlational study, data were collected using the Peer Bullying Scale Adolescent Form, the Loneliness Scale, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support.

Findings

The mean score of the refugee adolescents on the victim subscale of the Peer Bullying Scale was 86.71 ± 27.51, and on the bully subscale was 68.08 ± 16.41. The mean score of the adolescents on the Loneliness Scale was 49.63 ± 9.50, on the Perceived Social Support was 52.19 ± 1.66. A positive moderate relationship was observed between the bully subscale and the victim subscale of the Peer Bullying Scale (p < 0.05). No relationship was found between the bully and victim subscales of the Peer Bullying Scale and the scores for the Loneliness Scale and the Perceived Social Support (p > 0.05). The male refugee youth were found to have higher mean victim and bully scores than the female refugee youth.

Conclusion

In light of these results, the reasons for the peer bullying of refugee adolescents should be investigated and solutions should be developed based on the reasons. It is recommended to conduct quantitative and qualitative research aimed at revealing the reasons why refugee adolescents may engage in bullying and be exposed to bullying in the future.
Cutaneous manifestations induced by check point inhibitors in 120 melanoma patients—The European MelSkinTox study
Authors: L'Orphelin J.‐M. , Cassecuel J. , Kandolf L. , Harwood C. A. , Tookey P. , Junejo M. H. , Hogan S. , Lebbé C. , Appalla Z. , Kränke T.‐M. , Pellacani G. , Cerasuolo D. , Dujovic B. , Del Marmol V. , Forschner A. , Garbe C. , Bataille V. , Ressler J. M. , Sollena P. , Dompmartin A. , Peris K. , Dreno B. ,   And European Association of Dermato‐Oncology
Published: April 2023

Background

Checkpoint inhibitors provide an effective approach for the melanoma treatment. They prolong lymphocyte effects, which explains the cytotoxicity underlying immune‐related adverse events (IrAEs). Cutaneous IrAEs affect nearly 40% of PD‐1i and 50% of CTLA4i‐treated patients. Severe cutaneous irAE do not often occur but could be life‐threatening and may persist despite treatment discontinuation.

Methods

We aimed to investigate cutaneous IrAEs in a cohort of patients treated with ICI across Europe in an effort to characterize the reactions in a real‐world, phase IV, post‐marketing study using a follow‐up questionnaire.

Data since November 2016 until March 2021 were obtained from the Melskintox database, a European multicentric biobank dedicated to the follow‐up of melanoma and cutaneous adverse events, supported by EADO. The dermatoses reported were pooled into four categories: inflammatory dermatosis, bullous diseases, drug‐related eruptions and pigmentary diseases.

Results

Inflammatory benign dermatoses (n = 63) represented the most common group of reactions (52.5%), followed by drug‐related eruptions (n = 24, 20%), pigmentary diseases (n = 23, 19.2%) and bullous diseases (n = 10, 8.3%). Grade II (n = 41, 34.2%) are represented by bullous pemphigoid, eczema, hypodermitis, lichenoid eruption, maculopapular rash, pruritus, psoriasis‐like rash, urticarial eruption and vitiligo. Grade III (n = 18, 15.0%) are represented by bullous pemphigoid, lichenoid eruption and rashes. Grade IV (n = 2, 1.7%) is only represented by bullous disease. Most cutaneous IrAEs led to immunotherapy continuation (n = 95, 88.0%). CR is associated with more severe the cutaneous irAEs. We report an average time‐to‐onset of 208 days and some late‐onset events.

Conclusion

Our study has characterized the clinical spectrum of cutaneous irAEs, their timing and severity and their relationship with tumour response. Grade I–II cutaneous IrAE are easily managed allowing ongoing anticancer treatment. Severe late‐onset cutaneous irAE are not uncommon. A dermatological follow‐up helps mitigate the risk of life‐threatening adverse events. These findings highlight the importance of oncodermatological involvement in management of patients with melanoma receiving immunotherapy.
Discipline and resistance in southwestern Ontario: Securitization of migrant workers and their acts of defiance
Authors: Ramsaroop Chris
Published: April 2023

COVID‐19 has had deep impacts on a wide range of vulnerable communities in Canada. Migrant agricultural workers in the southwestern region of Ontario were particularly impacted. Fearing the threat of the ‘racialized foreign other’, the Canadian state produced myriad securitization responses with heightened surveillance. This paper will examine both state and non‐state forms of securitization and the response from both workers and activists such as the advocacy group Justicia for Migrant Workers (J4MW). While there has been ample discussion of how vulnerable migrant agricultural workers were affected during the pandemic, there has been less attention paid to how state policies have heightened and targeted specific groups such as migrant agricultural workers through modes of securitization. Central to this was to ensure that labour needs would be met to ensure the viability of Canada's multi‐billion agricultural industry. This paper shows how securitization and control were vital to ensure no disruptions to production levels and Canada's role as a leading agricultural export producer.
Post‐rhinoplasty complications with previous hyaluronic acid injection history: Cerebral infarction and vision loss
Authors: Yu Boya , Zhou Guiwen , Fu Qiang , Yang Yi , Li Shiyi , Zheng Can , Chen Minliang
Published: April 2023

Background

Rhinoplasty is becoming increasingly frequent as the pursuit of aesthetics by people accelerates. In recent years, the proportion of people opting for rhinoplasty injections has gradually increased. This has led to numerous reports citing catastrophic postoperative complications such as skin necrosis, cerebral infarction, and visual impairment.

Aim

The aim of our report is to discuss the possible etiological factors for this post‐rhinoplasty complication and provides a rationale for HA injection history as a risk factor in rhinoplasty.

Methods

We report a rare case that received nasal HA injections in the past without any untoward incident. She opted for a second rhinoplasty 2 years after her initial nasal HA injections. This second intervention led to post‐injection loss of vision in one eye and cerebral infarction. Following clinical and radiological examination, digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and superselective intra‐arterial thrombolysis were performed.

Results

The patient did not develop disuse exotropia or ocular atrophy, but the left eye remained without light perception, which implies that intra‐arterial thrombolytic therapy may be a positive and effective method to maintain the normal appearance of the eye.

Conclusion

It is advisable for patient safety to maintain a long interval of time between hyaluronidase injection and repeat rhinoplasty. Clinicians should become familiar with the anatomical peculiarities of the patient and be gentle during the rhinoplasty procedure.
Evaluation of the effect of3D‐bioprinted gingival fibroblast‐encapsulatedADMscaffolds on keratinized gingival augmentation
Authors: Liu Peng , Li Qing , Yang Qiaolin , Zhang Shihan , Yi Ke , Zhang Guifeng , Tang Zhihui
Published: April 2023

Background and Objectives

The keratinized gingiva plays an important role in maintaining healthy periodontal and peri‐implant tissue. Acellular dermal matrix (ADM), as a substitute biomaterial, has a porous structure and good biocompatibility. 3D‐bioprinting has the potential for tissue engineering because it enables precise loading of cells layer‐by‐layer. Herein, we bioprinted ADM scaffold encapsulating gingival fibroblasts (GFs) and evaluated its efficacy in keratinized gingiva augmentation in vivo to assess its potential for clinical periodontal tissue regeneration.

Methods

GFs were extracted from the gingiva of beagles and transfected with a green fluorescent protein (GFP). The ADM scaffold (ADM cell‐free group) was constructed using ADM, gelatin, and sodium alginate mixed at an appropriate ratio via 3D‐bioprinting. The ADM cell scaffold (ADM cell group) was established by adding extra GFs in the same manner. Six beagles were divided into blank control, ADM cell‐free, and ADM cell groups; and implant surgery was performed. The keratinized gingiva was clinically and histologically evaluated at baseline and after 2 months.

Results

GFs transfected with GFPs expressed green fluorescence and were present in new tissue in the ADM cell group and not observed in the ADM cell‐free group. At 2 months after surgery, the keratinized gingival augmentation in the ADM cell group was significantly more than that in the ADM cell‐free group. Attached gingival augmentation was also observed more in the ADM cell group than that in the ADM cell‐free group. Histological staining showed that the tissue in the ADM cell group displayed a more integrated structure and higher expression of COL I, COL III, and VEGF‐A than those in the ADM cell‐free group.

Conclusion

3D‐bioprinted GF‐encapsulated ADM scaffolds increased the amount of keratinized gingiva in vivo, suggesting that 3D‐bioprinting has great potential for oral soft tissue regeneration.
Disparities in telehealth access, not willingness to use services, likely explain rural telehealth disparities
Authors: Ko Jamie S. , El‐Toukhy Sherine , Quintero Stephanie M. , Wilkerson Miciah J. , Nápoles Anna M. , Stewart Anita L. , Strassle Paula D.
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Although telehealth access and utilization have increased during the pandemic, rural and low‐income disparities persist. We sought to assess whether access or willingness to use telehealth differed between rural and non‐rural and low‐income and non‐low‐income adults and measure the prevalence of perceived barriers.

Methods

We conducted a cross‐sectional study using COVID‐19's Unequal Racial Burden (CURB) online survey (December 17, 2020‐February 17, 2021), which included 2 nationally representative cohorts of rural and low‐income Black/African American, Latino, and White adults. Non‐rural and non‐low‐income participants from the main, nationally representative sample were matched for rural versus non‐rural and low‐income versus non‐low‐income comparisons. We measured perceived telehealth access, willingness to use telehealth, and perceived telehealth barriers.

Findings

Rural (38.6% vs 44.9%) and low‐income adults (42.0% vs 47.4%) were less likely to report telehealth access, compared to non‐rural and non‐low‐income counterparts. After adjustment, rural adults were still less likely to report telehealth access (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.79‐0.99); no differences were seen between low‐income and non‐low‐income adults (aPR = 1.02, 95% CI = 0.88‐1.17). The majority of adults reported willingness to use telehealth (rural = 78.4%; low‐income = 79.0%), with no differences between rural and non‐rural (aPR = 0.99, 95% CI = 0.92‐1.08) or low‐income versus non‐low‐income (aPR = 1.01, 95% CI = 0.91‐1.13). No racial/ethnic differences were observed in willingness to use telehealth. The prevalence of perceived telehealth barriers was low, with the majority reporting no barriers (rural = 57.4%; low‐income = 56.9%).

Conclusions

Lack of access (and awareness of access) is likely a primary driver of disparities in rural telehealth use. Race/ethnicity was not associated with telehealth willingness, suggesting that equal utilization is possible once granted access.