bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Potential of adopting a resilient safety culture toward improving the safety performance of construction organizations in Nigeria
Authors: Abubakar Mu’awiya , Zailani Bello Mahmud , Abdullahi Muhammad , Auwal Abubakar Muhammad
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Despite the efforts of organizations to improve safety performance, shortfalls of the strategies have been reported in numerous studies around the globe. However, previous studies in countries with more organized construction sectors show that adopting a resilient safety culture by organizations has a tendency of improving safety performance. As safety culture is dynamic which differs with geographical context, the purpose of this paper is to achieve two objectives: testing the causal relationship between safety performance and resilience safety culture in the Nigerian construction environment; and determining the key components for ensuring the resilience of construction organizations with regards to safety.

Design/methodology/approach

Quantitative research approach was used. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire. The population of the study comprises small and medium construction organizations predominantly across the Northern region in the Nigerian built environment. A total of 180 questionnaires were distributed to construction managers and safety managers in respective organizations to serve as respondents to the study. Partial least square – structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to test the relationship between safety performance and resilience safety culture. While principal component analysis was used determining the key components for ensuring the resilience of construction organizations with regards to safety.

Findings

Findings of this study revealed that resilient safety culture has a significantly strong positive relationship with safety performance. Safety hazard recognition and effective safety response attitude were identified as the key components for guaranteeing a resilient safety culture.

Practical implications

With a view to achieve a consistently high safety performance, organizations have to acknowledge and anticipate unexpected hazardous events and provide the necessary safety resources to manage them. Furthermore, there is also the need to create awareness on recognized safety concerns on safety hazards, coupled with a dynamic risk response attitude to ensure consistent improvement in safety performance.

Originality/value

This study presents an alternative to the slow and reactive safety culture of the Nigerian built environment. This study builds on existing literature, and the findings explore the potential impact of adopting a resilient safety culture in construction organizations in Nigeria. This study provided further insights into key factors organizations need to focus on to ensure resilient nature. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no prior study in this regard was conducted in Nigeria despite its apparent need.
Trends of construction industry in Malaysia and its emerging challenges
Authors: Dehdasht Gholamreza , Ferwati M. Salim , Abidin Nazirah Zainul , Oyedeji Michael Olubukola
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The transition of Malaysia from a developing country to a developed country was considered in vision 2020, whereby an average construction contribution of 6.0% in growth domestic product (GDP) per annum was required. Despite this importance, still, the Malaysian construction industry has not reached the target yet. Understanding the weakness and strength of this industry can be an effective way to help the policymakers in selecting the best strategy in the promotion of the Malaysian construction industry in GDP growth. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to present an overview of the current issues and challenges faced by the contribution of the Malaysian construction industry in GDP growth.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve this objective, all the latest statistical data presented by the Department of Statistic and Construction Industry Development Board in Malaysia until March 2018 being collected and interpreted. Furthermore, through the literature review, the most significant challenges encountered by the Malaysian construction industry identified, compared and presented.

Findings

The results highlight that the contribution of Malaysian construction into GDP is increasing with a gentle slope. Nonetheless, the Malaysian construction industry has a high impact on the employment rate. More investment in the construction sector is required to meet an average of 6% contribution in GDP. Also, to be able to seize new opportunities in the global construction market, more exerted efforts have to overcome the challenges faced by this industry.

Practical implications

This study offers practical implications to policy and decision makers in the Malaysian construction industry. Despite the constant growth of the Malaysian construction industry in recent years, there is a need for more investments and overcome to challenges to encounter an average of 6% contribution in GDP. This study provides an overview and insights to investors, stockholders and managers to formulate a long-term plan promoting the efficiency of the Malaysian construction industry.

Originality/value

This study through explaining, comparing and interpreting the real statistical data, through the tables, figures and graphs, simplified the understanding of the weakness and strength of the Malaysian construction industry.
Teaching approaches adopted by teachers in multicultural classrooms in secondary schools in Port Elizabeth, South Africa
Authors: Athiemoolam Logamurthie , Vermaak Annaline
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine teaching approaches adopted by teachers in ex-Model C English medium secondary schools (former mono-ethnic White Schools) currently in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, after schools became desegregated in 1994 and changed from being mono-ethnic to multi-ethnic.

Design/methodology/approach

This study was conducted through a qualitative research approach against the backdrop of a phenomenological design according to the interpretivist paradigm. Data were elicited through in-depth semi-structured interviews with 16 teachers from four ex-Model C English medium secondary schools (former White schools) who had experiences of teaching both pre-1994, when schools were mono-ethnic, and post-1994 when the schools were multi-ethnic. The interviews were transcribed, and the data were analysed and categorised into themes and sub-themes.

Findings

The findings indicated that although the teachers were positive towards teaching in multi-ethnic contexts, the majority of them tended to adopt approaches that militated against multicultural education in their classes; such as assimilationist, colour blind and business-as-usual approaches, while a minority incorporated various aspects of multicultural education in their teaching to a limited degree.

Originality/value

The study is original in the sense that it focused on the application of Castagno’s framework of typologies to teachers’ approaches to teaching in multi-ethnic classes. Research of this nature, which explored teachers’ approaches to diversity within their multi-ethnic contexts according to Castagno’s framework, has not been previously undertaken in South Africa.
On the determinants and prediction of corporate financial distress in India
Authors: Sehgal Sanjay , Mishra Ritesh Kumar , Deisting Florent , Vashisht Rupali
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The main aim of the study is to identify some critical microeconomic determinants of financial distress and to design a parsimonious distress prediction model for an emerging economy like India. In doing so, the authors also attempt to compare the forecasting accuracy of alternative distress prediction techniques.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, the authors use two alternatives accounting information-based definitions of financial distress to construct a measure of financial distress. The authors then use the binomial logit model and two other popular machine learning–based models, namely artificial neural network and support vector machine, to compare the distress prediction accuracy rate of these alternative techniques for the Indian corporate sector.

Findings

The study’s empirical results suggest that five financial ratios, namely return on capital employed, cash flows to total liability, asset turnover ratio, fixed assets to total assets, debt to equity ratio and a measure of firm size (log total assets), play a highly significant role in distress prediction. The study’s findings suggest that machine learning-based models, namely support vector machine (SVM) and artificial neural network (ANN), are superior in terms of their prediction accuracy compared to the simple binomial logit model. Results also suggest that one-year-ahead forecasts are relatively better than the two-year-ahead forecasts.

Practical implications

The findings of the study have some important practical implications for creditors, policymakers, regulators and other stakeholders. First, rather than monitoring and collecting information on a list of predictor variables, only six most important accounting ratios may be monitored to track the transition of a healthy firm into financial distress. Second, our six-factor model can be used to devise a sound early warning system for corporate financial distress. Three, machine learning–based distress prediction models have prediction accuracy superiority over the commonly used time series model in the available literature for distress prediction involving a binary dependent variable.

Originality/value

This study is one of the first comprehensive attempts to investigate and design a parsimonious distress prediction model for the emerging Indian economy which is currently facing high levels of corporate financial distress. Unlike the previous studies, the authors use two different accounting information-based measures of financial distress in order to identify an effective way of measuring financial distress. Some of the determinants of financial distress identified in this study are different from the popular distress prediction models used in the literature. Our distress prediction model can be useful for the other emerging markets for distress prediction.
Public reassurance following a collective trauma event: a scoping review of the evidence to inform police practice
Authors: Hickey Lyndal , Harms Louise , Kosta Lauren
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This paper examines the empirical research on police reassurance following a collective trauma event (CTE).

Design/methodology/approach

Using a scoping review methodology, this paper sought to establish the extent, range and nature of published literature on policing responses to collective traumatic events, and to identify key features of this form of direct practice. Included papers needed to focus on police responses oeassurance with the public related to events (pre-or post) that could be regarded as collective trauma events by nature or scale. Searches were conducted using the Web of Science, SCOPUS and PsychINFO databases for literature published between January 2000 and December 2019.

Findings

Fourteen articles met the inclusion criteria. The key themes identified: (1) measuring the impact of reassurance and community policing; (2) community attitudes to policing and social disorder/critical events; (3) police workforce responses to traumatic events; and (4) interventions to support police to respond to their community.

Research limitations/implications

Future research needs to examine the elements that create a robust organisational infrastructure that can withstand the demands of policing in ordinary and extraordinary times. Fundamental to the studies in this review is the relationship between the police agencies and the community. The nature of this relationship and how it can be strengthened to ameliorate the negative impact of CTEs in communities needs further exploration.

Originality/value

This paper provides important findings that can inform future reassurance policing practice and research.
A finishing process via ultrasonic drilling for additively manufactured carbon fiber composites
Authors: Parandoush Pedram , Fernando Palamandadige , Zhang Hao , Ye Chang , Xiao Junfeng , Zhang Meng , Lin Dong
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Additively manufactured objects have layered structures, which means post processing is often required to achieve a desired surface finish. Furthermore, the additive nature of the process makes it less accurate than subtractive processes. Hence, additive manufacturing techniques could tremendously benefit from finishing processes to improve their geometric tolerance and surface finish.

Design/methodology/approach

Rotary ultrasonic machining (RUM) was chosen as a finishing operation for drilling additively manufactured carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites. Two distinct additive manufacturing methods of fused deposition modeling (FDM) and laser-assisted laminated object manufacturing (LA-LOM) were used to fabricate CFRP plates with continuous carbon fiber reinforcement. The influence of the feedrate, tool rotation speed and ultrasonic power of the RUM process parameters on the aforementioned quality characteristics revealed the feasibility of RUM process as a finishing operation for additive manufactured CFRP.

Findings

The quality of drilled holes in the CFRP plates fabricated via LA-LOM was supremely superior to the FDM counterparts with less pullout delamination, smoother surface and less burr formation. The strong interfacial bonding in LA-LOM proven to be superior to FDM was able to endure higher cutting force of the RUM process. The cutting force and cutting temperature overwhelmed the FDM parts and induced higher surface damage.

Originality/value

Overall, the present study demonstrates the feasibility of a hybrid additive and subtractive manufacturing method that could potentially reduce cost and waste of the CFRP production for industrial applications.
The potential of fallow management to promote steppe bird conservation within the next EU Common Agricultural Policy reform
Authors: Sanz‐Pérez Ana , Sardà‐Palomera Francesc , Bota Gerard , Sollmann Rahel , Pou Nuria , Giralt David
Published: May 2021

Agricultural intensification promoted by the European Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) has driven the decline of farmland and steppe bird populations. Policy tools to improve the environmental performance of the CAP—including Agri‐Environmental Schemes (AES) and Greening—have often failed, and the new EU agricultural reform (CAP post‐2020) offers a new opportunity to integrate effective measures addressing farmland bird declines. Fallow land and its management have proven beneficial for endangered steppe bird species by providing good quality habitat, and therefore has potential to become an effective conservation measure.

We used a Hierarchical Distance Sampling community model to evaluate the ability of different conservation regimes to increase the abundance of 37 bird species including endangered steppe birds and other farmland birds in 13,309 ha of fallow land in north‐eastern Spain. The conservation regimes were based on different management prescriptions associated with AES, Greening and a local conservation measure promoting extensive fallow management targeting seven steppe bird species (Targeted Fallow Management, TFM).

The positive effect of conservation measures increased as their design was more targeted to specific species. TFM increased the abundance of target and other farmland species, while AES and Greening had either no effect or negative effects on bird abundance, respectively. Effects of other Greening conservation measures related to landscape heterogeneity such as crop richness and field size were variable across the community.

Policy implications. The success of Targeted Fallow Management as a conservation tool—in contrast to Agri‐Environmental Schemes and Greening—highlights the value of applying 1–2 agricultural practices just before the breeding season in fallows situated in optimal locations for target steppe bird species, to increase the abundance of these and other farmland bird species. We translate our findings into specific guidelines that we recommend including within the new eco‐schemes and AES present in the CAP post‐2020.
Processes driving understory community dynamics in Ulleungdo Island broadleaved forest, South Korea
Authors: Jung Songhie , Sim Hyung Seok , Kim Jun Soo , Bae Kwan Ho , Cho Yong‐Chan
Published: May 2021

The development stage of forest trees has considerable impact on the understory plant species; however, little research has been dedicated to in‐depth investigation of the changes in the ecological processes (deterministic and stochastic) over a mid‐term observational period (≥10 years). We analyzed the forest floor environment, including bare mineral soil, tree communities (density and biomass), understory plant species composition, diversity, cover, and changes in co‐occurring species in the Albongbunji Basin on Ulleungdo Island over an 11‐year period (2009–2019). The forest floor environment exhibited a broad spectrum of changes, beginning in the middle of the observation period and after heavy rainfall, and heavy sediment deposition events were observed. The overstory tree density showed patterns of a general increase and subsequent decline, and the overstory tree biomass increased and then remained steady. The heavy rainfall and sediment deposition as disturbance events also coincided with changes in species composition and the turnover rate of the understory plant communities, causing changes in major ecological processes. The general pattern of species co‐occurrence (zeta diversity) was fitted to an exponential model, indicating the dominance of stochastic processes. The results show a shift in relative importance from deterministic to stochastic processes in the successional stages of understory plant community assembly over a mid‐term observational period.
Effects of rooftop solar on housing prices in Australia
Authors: Best Rohan , Burke Paul J. , Nepal Rabindra , Reynolds Zac
Published: May 2021

Hedonic models of housing prices face the risk of omitted variable bias due to the challenge of controlling for all relevant property attributes. The level of household financial assets is a key but underexplored control that may help to account for some of these difficult‐to‐observe property characteristics. Using large Australian household surveys, we find that controlling for household financial assets reduces the observed effect of having solar photovoltaic panels on housing prices. The elasticity of estimated housing price with respect to solar capacity is 0.09 for households with solar panels. Controlling for financial assets may be of use in other studies seeking to estimate the effect of home additions on housing prices.
UNCERTAIN GROUNDS: Cartographic Negotiation and Digitized Property on the Urban Frontier
Authors: Cowan Thomas
Published: May 2021

Based on ethnographic research with cadastral land surveyors and revenue bureaucrats in Gurgaon, North India, this article examines how the desire to etch out and impose digitized private property titles on India's urban frontier is mediated by the shifting socio‐materiality of bureaucratic work. The article argues that bureaucratic uncertainty structures the commodification of rural land in Gurgaon, and explores how digital technologies, designed to produce clarity, are being wielded by powerful groups to flexibly settle property claims. The bureaucratic office and cadastral survey are sites where competing actors 'work' land's intrinsic pliability, mobilize conflicting documentation, manipulate bureaucratic materials and navigate unmapped property claims in pursuit of territorial claims. In this context, much heralded digital property governance systems, the article argues, are not about producing clarity but rather capturing the conditions of uncertainty. Exploring the practices of surveyors and bureaucrats as they encounter land's shifting materiality and work with its multiple, conflicting representations, reveals the ways in which digitized property systems remain materially bound and always socially mediated, contested and secured.
Global norm‐making processes in contemporary multinationals
Authors: Almond Phil , Edwards Tony , Kern Philipp , Kim Kyoungmi , Tregaskis Olga
Published: May 2021

This paper contextualises and analyses global norm‐making concerning the nature of work within multinational companies. We develop a framework for analysing the relations between formal and informal elements of global norm‐making, stressing dynamic interdependencies between formality and informality on four dimensions: the codification of norms; enforcement mechanisms; the use of ‘platforms’ and aggregation with wider contexts. We investigate four cases of transnational norm‐making spaces across two multinationals, and analyse how these interdependencies work, both for norms and practices that emanate from the upper levels of corporate hierarchies, and those developed at lower levels among global operational teams.
Video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgical wedge resection using multiplanar computed tomography reconstruction‐fluoroscopy after CT guided microcoil localization
Authors: Lee Moon Ok , Jin Sung Yup , Lee Sang Kyung , Hwang Sangwon , Kim Tae Gyu , Song Yun Gyu
Published: May 2021

Background

When early‐stage lung cancer is diagnosed, the recommended treatment is anatomical resection using video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) or robotic lobectomy. However, nonanatomical resection, known as wedge resection (WR), which is performed to diagnose pulmonary nodules, can be problematic for clinicians performing VATS or robotic‐assisted thoracic surgery (RATS). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of VATS WR using multiplanar computed tomography reconstruction (CT MPR)‐fluoroscopy after CT guided microcoil localization to achieve complete pulmonary nodule resection.

Methods

Between January 2016 to December 2020, the medical records of patients who underwent CT‐guided microcoil localization for suspicious malignant pulmonary nodules and VATS WR with CT MPR and intraoperative fluoroscopy were retrospectively reviewed.

Results

All 130 patients successfully underwent CT‐guided localization. The success rate of VATS WR with CT MPR‐intraoperative fluoroscopy was 98.5%. Mean operation time was 58 min (range 50–84 min). The postoperative complication rate was 3.1%, and no major postoperative complications were reported. The mean postoperative length of hospital stay was 4.7 days (range 4–8 days).

Conclusions

VATS WR using CT MPR‐fluoroscopy after CT guided microcoil localization is a safe and highly effective approach for complete pulmonary nodule resection. However, even in uniport VATS or recently performed robotic surgery, localization and resection of nonvisible, nonpalpable pulmonary nodules is a challenging problem. Consequently, satisfactory outcomes can be expected if this technique is used for suspicious malignant pulmonary nodule resection.
Signalling in Initial Coin Offerings: The Key Role of Entrepreneurs’ Self‐efficacy and Media Presence
Authors: Czaja Daniel , Röder Florian
Published: May 2021

By analyzing data of more than 1,000 initial coin offerings (ICOs) obtained from seven different ICO information platforms, we investigate the effectiveness of signals used by entrepreneurs to foster ICO funding success. In particular, we examine the effectiveness of venture quality (human capital), level of uncertainty (entrepreneurs’ self‐efficacy and ambiguity reduction), and level of familiarity among potential investors (media presence). Results imply that media presence and entrepreneurs’ self‐efficacy are effective signals in the ICO market and thus can increase funding success. Project initiators who communicate (more actively) via social media collect more funds than those who do not. Analogously, entrepreneurs appearing self‐efficacious with regard to the quality of their venture receive more funds.
Impacts of COVID‐19 and Price Transmission in U.S. Meat Markets
Authors: Ramsey A. Ford , Goodwin Barry K. , Hahn William F. , Holt Matthew T.
Published: May 2021

Coronavirus 2019 (COVID‐19) has caused ongoing disruptions to U.S. meat markets via demand and supply‐side shocks. Abnormally high prices have been reported at retail outlets and meat packers have been accused of unfair business practices because of widening price spreads. Processing facilities have experienced COVID‐19 outbreaks resulting in shutdowns. Using weekly data on wholesale and retail prices of beef, pork, and poultry, we characterize the time series behavior and dynamic linkages of U.S. meat prices before the COVID‐19 pandemic. We model vertical price transmission using both linear and threshold autoregressive (AR) models and vector error correction (VEC) models. With the estimated models, we then compare price movements under COVID‐19 to model predictions. All three meat markets are well‐integrated and we observe unexpected, large price movements in April and May of 2020. Early COVID‐19 related shocks appear to be transitory with prices returning to expected levels at a pace consistent with the speed of transmission prior to the pandemic. This well‐functioning market process suggests a degree of resilience in U.S. meat supply chains.
Psychometric assessment of the Bahasa Malaysia version of the Older Americans Resources and Services‐Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (OARS‐IADL)
Authors: Samy Alexander Lourdes , Kamaruzzaman Shahrul Bahyah , Chinna Karuthan , Shunnmugam Bairave , Krishnaswamy Saroja , Low Wah‐Yun
Published: May 2021

Objective

This study aimed to determine the psychometric properties of the Bahasa Malaysia (BM) version of the Older Americans Resources and Services‐Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (OARS‐IADL) questionnaire among older persons in Malaysia.

Methods

The English version of OARS‐IADL was translated to BM. The psychometric properties of the BM version of OARS‐IADL were tested among older persons attending a health‐care facility.

Results

Two hundred and seventy‐one older persons participated in the study. The mean age of participants was 67.7 ± 6.1 years. Internal consistency of the items was good (Cronbach's alpha, >0.7). Exploratory factor analysis revealed a single dimension with item factor loadings of >0.5. Confirmatory factor analysis results confirmed a single‐factor model (AVE > 50%, CR > 0.7 and CR > AVE).

Conclusion

The BM version of the OARS‐IADL questionnaire is a valid and reliable instrument that can be used to assess the IADL among older persons in Malaysia.
Early detection of ocular abnormalities in a Chinese multicentre neonatal eye screening programme—1‐year result
Authors: Fei Ping , Liu Zijiang , He Liying , Li Na , Xu Lihua , Zhang Meiju , Zhou Yu , Li Fuxin , Wang Hong , Zhang Qi , Huang Qiujing , Li Yi'an , Chen Shuangshuang , Guo Wei , Li Yun , Liu Ya , Lu Jun , Wang Ying , Zhu Xiuyu , Wang Lei , Wang Yanhong , Xian Jianying , Xu Yu , Ji Xunda , Liang Tingyi , Ren Jianing , Zhang Xi , Li Jing , Zhao Peiquan
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Early detection of ocular abnormalities in newborns is essential for timely diagnosis and treatment. This study aimed to assess the 1‐year result of a multicentre prospective neonatal eye examination programme with wide‐field digital imaging system in China.

Methods

A multicentre collaborative prospective study group for neonatal eye screening was established in nine hospitals, including eight Maternal and Children's Hospitals, and one general hospital across China from July 2016 to June 2017. Ocular examinations were performed on newborns within 28 days after birth using a wide‐field digital imaging system. Data were reviewed and analysed. The primary outcome was the prevalence of ocular abnormalities in neonates.

Results

We detected 13 514 (20.91%) abnormal cases in 64 632 newborns. The most frequent abnormality was retinal haemorrhage (RH; 11.83%). Most of mild RH resolved spontaneously. Among those who were beyond retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) screening criteria of China (gestational age ≥32 w and birthweight ≥2000 g), the total number of neonates with ocular abnormality was 12 218/62 799(19.45%). 59.44% of neonatal ocular abnormalities detected (accounting for 11.56% of all the screened population) needed further interference or observation. Among them, 258 patients (0.41% of all the screened population) needed immediate or timely intervention, including congenital cataract, retinal detachment, retinoblastoma and other ocular abnormalities. One thousand and ninety‐eight patients (1.75% of all the screened neonates) should be followed up closely and needed further diagnosis or intervention if necessary, such as ROP or ROP‐like retinopathy, familial exudative vitreoretinopathy and persistent hyperplasia of primary vitreous. Five thousand nine hundred and six patients (9.4%) with minor clinical significance needed short‐term follow‐up.

Conclusions

This prospective multicentre study of newborn ocular examination showed a relatively high prevalence of ocular abnormalities. There are a relatively high percentage of congenital eye pathology that required further referral and treatment in those neonates who were not screened routinely. According to the benefits and risks associated with neonatal eye examinations, neonatal ocular screening programme can detect ocular abnormalities at the very early stage and may play a positive role in promoting paediatric eye health.
Gestational diabesity and foetoplacental vascular dysfunction
Authors: Cornejo Marcelo , Fuentes Gonzalo , Valero Paola , Vega Sofía , Grismaldo Adriana , Toledo Fernando , Pardo Fabián , Moore‐Carrasco Rodrigo , Subiabre Mario , Casanello Paola , Faas Marijke M , van Goor Harry , Sobrevia Luis
Published: May 2021

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) shows a deficiency in the metabolism of D‐glucose and other nutrients, thereby negatively affecting the foetoplacental vascular endothelium. Maternal hyperglycaemia and hyperinsulinemia play an important role in the aetiology of GDM. A combination of these and other factors predisposes women to developing GDM with pre‐pregnancy normal weight, viz. classic GDM. However, women with GDM and prepregnancy obesity (gestational diabesity, GDty) or overweight (GDMow) show a different metabolic status than women with classic GDM. GDty and GDMow are associated with altered l‐arginine/nitric oxide and insulin/adenosine axis signalling in the human foetoplacental microvascular and macrovascular endothelium. These alterations differ from those observed in classic GDM. Here, we have reviewed the consequences of GDty and GDMow in the modulation of foetoplacental endothelial cell function, highlighting studies describing the modulation of intracellular pH homeostasis and the potential implications of NO generation and adenosine signalling in GDty‐associated foetal vascular insulin resistance. Moreover, with an increase in the rate of obesity in women of childbearing age worldwide, the prevalence of GDty is expected to increase in the next decades. Therefore, we emphasize that women with GDty and GDMow should be characterized with a different metabolic state from that of women with classic GDM to develop a more specific therapeutic approach for protecting the mother and foetus.
The impact of social comparisons of job demands and job control on well‐being
Authors: Wemken Gesa , Janurek Janina , Junker Nina Mareen , Häusser Jan Alexander
Published: May 2021

We extended the job demand–control model by including a social comparison perspective and hypothesised that an employee's work‐related well‐being is to some degree relative to the perceived work environment of coworkers rather than absolute (in terms of isolated effects of individual work characteristics). Hence, we account for the social context when examining the effects of individual job characteristics. Using a lagged study design with two measurement times eight weeks apart, we examined the effects of the (in)congruence between one´s own job demands and job control with the perceived job demands and job control of coworkers on job satisfaction, emotional exhaustion, cynicism, and professional efficiency. Findings from polynomial regression analyses and response surface methodology revealed that perceiving coworkers as having either higher or lower demands than oneself is associated with lower job satisfaction and higher levels of emotional exhaustion. This provides partial support for our hypotheses. We found first‐time evidence that social comparison processes regarding job demands can influence employees´ well‐being.
SLN124, a GalNac‐siRNA targeting transmembrane serine protease 6, in combination with deferiprone therapy reduces ineffective erythropoiesis and hepatic iron‐overload in a mouse model of β‐thalassaemia
Authors: Vadolas Jim , Ng Garrett Z. , Kysenius Kai , Crouch Peter J. , Dames Sibylle , Eisermann Mona , Nualkaew Tiwaporn , Vilcassim Shahla , Schaeper Ute , Grigoriadis George
Published: May 2021

Beta‐thalassaemia is an inherited blood disorder characterised by ineffective erythropoiesis and anaemia. Consequently, hepcidin expression is reduced resulting in increased iron absorption and primary iron overload. Hepcidin is under the negative control of transmembrane serine protease 6 (TMPRSS6) via cleavage of haemojuvelin (HJV), a co‐receptor for the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)‐mothers against decapentaplegic homologue (SMAD) signalling pathway. Considering the central role of the TMPRSS6/HJV/hepcidin axis in iron homeostasis, the inhibition of TMPRSS6 expression represents a promising therapeutic strategy to increase hepcidin production and ameliorate anaemia and iron overload in β‐thalassaemia. In the present study, we investigated a small interfering RNA (siRNA) conjugate optimised for hepatic targeting of Tmprss6 (SLN124) in β‐thalassaemia mice (Hbbth3/+). Two subcutaneous injections of SLN124 (3 mg/kg) were sufficient to normalise hepcidin expression and reduce anaemia. We also observed a significant improvement in erythroid maturation, which was associated with a significant reduction in splenomegaly. Treatment with the iron chelator, deferiprone (DFP), did not impact any of the erythroid parameters. However, the combination of SLN124 with DFP was more effective in reducing hepatic iron overload than either treatment alone. Collectively, we show that the combination therapy can ameliorate several disease symptoms associated with chronic anaemia and iron overload, and therefore represents a promising pharmacological modality for the treatment of β‐thalassaemia and related disorders.
Late Pleistocene baldcypress (Taxodium distichum) forest deposit on the continental shelf of the northern Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Delong Kristine L. , Gonzalez Suyapa , Obelcz Jeffrey B. , Truong Jonathan T. , Bentley Samuel J. , Xu Kehui , Reese Carl A. , Harley Grant L. , Caporaso Alicia , Shen Zhixiong , Middleton Beth A.
Published: May 2021

Approximately 13 km south of Gulf Shores, Alabama (United States), divers found in situ baldcypress (Taxodium distichum) stumps 18 m below the ocean surface. These trees could have only lived when sea level fell during the Pleistocene subaerially exposing the tectonically stable continental shelf. Here we investigate the geophysical properties along with microfossil and stratigraphical analyses of sediment cores to understand the factors that lead to this wood’s preservation. The stumps are exposed in an elongated depression (~100 m long, ~1 m deep) nested in a trough of the northwest–southeast trending Holocene sand ridges and troughs with 2–5 m vertical relief and ~0.5 km wavelength. Radiocarbon ages of the wood were infinite thus optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating was used to constrain the site’s age. Below the Holocene sands (~0.1–4 m thick), separated by a regional erosional unconformity, are Late Pleistocene mud‐peat (72±8 ka OSL), mud‐sand (63±5, 73±6 ka OSL), and palaeosol (56±5 ka OSL) facies that grade laterally from west to east, respectively. Foraminiferal analysis reveals the location of the terrestrial‐marine transitional layer above the Pleistocene facies in an interbedded sand and mud facies (3940±30 (1σ) 14C a BP), which is part of a lower shoreface or marine‐dominated estuarine environment. The occurrence of palaeosol and swamp facies of broadly similar ages and elevation suggests the glacial landscape possessed topographic relief that allowed wood, mud and peats to be preserved for ~50 ka of subaerial exposure before transitioning to the modern marine environment. We hypothesize that rapid sea‐level rise occurring ~60 or ~40 ka ago provided opportunities for local flood‐plain aggradation to bury the swamp thus preserving the stumps and that other sites may exist in the northern Gulf of Mexico shelf.
Analysis of stratigraphical sequences at Cocina Cave (Spain) using rare earth elements geochemistry
Authors: Gallello Gianni , Ramacciotti Mirco , García‐Puchol Oreto , Chenery Simon , Cortell‐Nicolau Alfredo , Cervera MARíA Luisa , Diez‐Castillo Agustin , Pastor Agustín , McClure Sarah B.
Published: May 2021

This study investigates the stratigraphical sequence of Cocina Cave (Spain) employing and testing for the first time the capability of rare earth elements as markers of human activities in caves. Located in Dos Aguas (Valencian Community, Spain), Cocina Cave is characterized by the presence of several Holocene archaeological deposits from the final Mesolithic to the present day and is a pivotal site for understanding the socio‐ecological dynamics of the last hunter‐gatherer inhabitants of the Iberian Peninsula and the transition to pastoral and agricultural economies in the Western Mediterranean. However, the identification of strata from particular time‐periods in the cave is often difficult due to the homogeneity of layers, the poor archaeological record in some strata and the presence of severe disturbance phenomena. The methodological approach of this study consisted of cross‐referencing rare earth elements and other chemical markers with the archaeological stratigraphical interpretation, in an attempt to not only support the identification of the anthropic contribution to the formation of Cocina Cave strata, but also to characterize and confirm different natural and occupational episodes, particularly those associated with hunter‐gatherer, early agriculturalist, and shepherd activities. Sediments were collected from different excavation areas and analysed for major elements, trace elements, rare earth elements (REE), soil organic matter (SOM) amounts and pH. Multivariate statistics were employed to group samples according to their elemental profile, and these were then compared to the archaeological temporal interpretation. The obtained results showed that REE amount and fractionation geochemical processes were regulated by carbonates, phosphates and pH. The use of REE as markers was particularly useful as their concentrations and their calculated ratios and anomaly distributions were demonstrated to be highly consistent with the archaeological stratigraphical interpretation.
Responses of tropical tree seedlings in the forest–savanna boundary to combined effects of grass competition and fire
Authors: Issifu Hamza , Vergeer Philippine , Ametsitsi George K. D. , Klijn Jelle , Sartorelli Paolo , Tanson Millicent , Bayor Hypolite , Logah Vincent , van Langevelde Frank , Veenendaal Elmar
Published: May 2021

Co‐occurring tree functional types (TFTs) within forest–savanna transitions may differ in seedling responses to grass competition and fire in savannas. We performed a common garden experiment in the Guinea savanna of Ghana to test hypotheses related to competition effects on growth, allocation to root storage reserves, and subsequent survival responses to dry season fire for savanna‐transitional TFT (i.e., species occurring both in forest and savanna) and forest TFT. The experiment included factorial combinations of TFT, comprising four species each of forest versus savanna‐transitional trees, wet season grass competition (grass competition vs. grass no‐grass competition), and dry season fire (burn vs. no‐burn). Partly consistent with prediction, we found that grass competition suppressed tree seedling growth and caused a 17% reduction in root non‐structural carbohydrates concentration [NSC] but had no effect on direct survival regardless of TFT at the end of the wet season. Post‐fire survival averaged 6% for forest versus 91% for savanna‐transitional TFTs across competition treatments. In contrast to our prediction on how grass competition influences post‐fire seedling survival, a history of grass competition did not result in lower post‐fire survival regardless of TFT, although plant mass, root mass fraction, and root [NSC] at the end of the dry season were lower for tree seedlings with a history of competition. Our results demonstrate that grass competition suppresses tree seedling growth and root storage reserves irrespective of TFT, and that competition alone (without fire) may not preclude the establishment of forest seedlings in savannas close to forests.
Offshoring and sequential production chains: A general equilibrium analysis
Authors: Harms Philipp , Jung Jaewon , Lorz Oliver
Published: May 2021

We present a two‐region general equilibrium model in which firms exploit international wage differences by offshoring parts of the production process. Firms have to take into account that production steps follow a strict sequence and that transporting intermediate goods across borders is costly. We analyze how a change in transport costs affects offshoring patterns as well as factor prices, accounting for the general equilibrium effects of firms’ decisions. As we demonstrate, a decline in transport costs is likely to have a non‐monotonic influence on relative wages and on the volume of offshoring depending on the emergence of different firm types, with domestic wages first decreasing as lower transport costs induce firms to perform large parts of the production chain abroad and then increasing as even lower transport costs provide an incentive to select the lowest‐cost location for each production step.
How much do global value chains boost innovation?
Authors: Piermartini Roberta , Rubínová Stela
Published: May 2021

This paper investigates whether participation in global value chains (GVCs) fosters innovation. Using industry‐level patent data for 25 countries, we estimate how the pool of foreign R&D expenditure available through global value chains affects the production of ideas at home. We find that GVCs boost innovation on average by 5% both in developed and emerging economies. We further show that international knowledge spillovers require good absorptive capacity in the knowledge‐receiving country and that their strength depends on both forward and backward GVC linkages.
Lawyers, immigration consultants and the 33 year jurisdictional war
Authors: Satzewich Vic
Published: May 2021

This paper examines the 33 year‐long jurisdictional dispute between immigration lawyers and immigration consultants over the right to practice immigration law in Canada. Immigration consultants began to play a role in the immigration law field of practice in the 1980s. Their entry into this field of practice has not gone unnoticed by immigration lawyers. The paper focuses on two moments in this jurisdictional dispute; the events surrounding the Supreme Courts’ 2001 decision in the case of the Law Society of British Columbia v Mangat and the 2017 hearings of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration. Using an ecological framework to understanding the professions, and professional boundary disputes, this paper examines the reasons why the profession of law has not been able to exert monopolistic closure and prevent immigration consultants impinging on one of their traditional fields of practice. Part of the explanation, I suggest, is that immigration lawyers did not speak with one voice about immigration consultants at the 2017 Standing Committee hearings. The Canadian Bar Association's preferred settlement outcome was for the state to prevent immigration consultants from practicing immigration law. Other lawyers who appeared before the Committee advocated a boundary blurring outcome that would allow immigration consultants to practice immigration law, albeit under somewhat more restricted conditions than were then in place. The state rejected a ‘full and final settlement’ in favor of lawyers and eventually adopted a boundary ‘blurring settlement’ outcome to this jurisdictional dispute.
Molecular diagnosis for 55 fetuses with skeletal dysplasias by whole‐exome sequencing: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Zhang Li , Pan Lijuan , Teng Yanling , Liang Desheng , Li Zhuo , Wu Lingqian
Published: May 2021

Skeletal dysplasias (SDs) are common birth defects, but they are difficult to diagnose accurately according to only the limited phenotypic information available from ultrasound during the pregnancy. To evaluate the application of whole‐exome sequencing (WES) and expand the data in the prenatal molecular diagnosis of fetuses with SDs, we collected 55 fetuses with SDs based on ultrasonographic features. WES of the fetuses or parent‐fetus trio were subjected to sequential tests and produced a diagnostic yield of 64% (35/55). 65% (11/17) of families with a history of adverse pregnancies were diagnosed, 16 genes were involved and 37 different pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants were identified, including 14 novel variants, which were first reported in this study. De novo variants were identified in 21 cases (60%, 21/35) among the fetuses with a genetic diagnosis. The pathogenicity of two novel splice‐site variants was confirmed by constructing minigene in vitro. Our results revealed that WES can provide new evidence for the relationship between the genotype and phenotype of fetuses with SDs, as well as broaden the mutation spectrum of detected genes, which is significant for prenatal diagnosis and genetic counseling.
Therapeutic effects of CXCR4+ subpopulation of transgene‐free induced cardiosphere‐derived cells on experimental myocardial infarction
Authors: Xu Jianyong , Wu Huimei , Mai Zhigang , Yi Junbo , Wang Xianqi , Li Lingyun , Huang Zhong
Published: May 2021

Objectives

Myocardial infarction (MI) is the most predominant type of cardiovascular diseases with high mortality and morbidity. Stem cell therapy, especially cardiac progenitor cell therapy, has been proposed as a promising approach for cardiac regeneration and MI treatment. Previously, we have successfully generated cardiac progenitor‐like cells, induced cardiosphere (iCS), via somatic reprogramming. However, the genome integration characteristic of virus‐based reprogramming approach hampered their therapeutic applications due to the risk of tumour formation. In the current study, we aim to establish a safer iCS generation strategy with transgene‐free approaches.

Materials and Methods

Four transgene‐free approaches for somatic reprogramming, including episome, minicircle, self‐replicative RNA, and sendai virus, were compared, from the perspective of cardiac progenitor marker expression, iCS formation, and cardiac differentiation. The therapeutic effects were assessed in the mouse model of MI, from the perspective of survival rate, cardiac function, and structural alterations.

Results

The self‐replicative RNA approach produced more iCS, which had cardiomyocyte differentiation ability and therapeutic effects on the mouse model of MI with comparable levels with endogenous cardiospheres and iCS generated with retrovirus. In addition, the CXCR4 (C‐X‐C chemokine receptor 4) positive subpopulation of iCS derived cells (iCSDC) delivered by intravenous injection was found to have similar therapeutic effects with intramyocardial injection on the mouse model of MI, representing a safer delivery approach.

Conclusion

Thus, the optimized strategy for iCS generation is safer and has more therapeutic potentials.