bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of Lean adoption on organizational performance in a public service: the case of the Greek citizen’s service centers
Authors: Keramida Efthalia , Psomas Evangelos , Gotzamani Katerina
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to determine the relationships between Lean adoption and organizational performance in a specific Greek public services subsector, namely, citizen’s service centers (CSCs).

Design/methodology/approach

An online structured questionnaire survey was distributed to all the Greek CSCs, and 672 employees responded and fully completed the questionnaire. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were applied to assess the measurement model’s reliability and validity. The relationships between the latent constructs were examined through structural equation modeling.

Findings

The study revealed that Greek CSCs adopt at a medium to high extent the following principles: understanding customer needs, establishment of value streams, creating flows within the value streams and value perfection. The data also revealed a valid latent factor reflecting the Lean application, namely, “Lean adoption,” which, according to the findings, contributes to the organizational performance of Greek CSCs.

Research limitations/implications

The small percentage of the responding employees of the Greek CSCs, given their large population and the subjective nature of the data collected, constitute the main limitations of the present study.

Practical implications

The findings of this research will serve as a reference source for managers and decision-makers of CSCs in order for them to set the foundations for successfully adopting the Lean principles and therefore improve their organizational performance in terms of operational performance and satisfaction with employees and citizens.

Originality/value

Building on the public sector literature, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that evaluates the adoption of Lean principles in the Greek CSCs and defines the relationships between Lean adoption and organizational performance.
Potentials, opportunities and challenges of ecotourism development in selected historical and sacred sites of North Shewa Zone, Amhara region, Ethiopia
Authors: Mekonnen Habtamu , Mekonen Sefi
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Ecotourism has emerged as a new hope of the tourism sector and is expected to overcome past pitfalls of mass tourism. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to assess the potentials and challenges of ecotourism development in the historic and sacred sites of North Shewa Zone, Ethiopia.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through interview, household questionnaire, field observation and focused group discussion. The collected data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS version 23) and Excel.

Findings

Based on household’s perception, churches and monasteries were mentioned as the main (17.58%) ecotourism attractions that have crucial role in ecotourism development in the area followed by biodiversity resources (17.23%) and Holy Water (16.01%). These existing ecotourism potentials and opportunities were discussed on the basis of five dimensions, i.e. historical and sacred attractions, biological attractions, cultural attractions, infrastructures and institutional potentials. The mean score values of a five-point Likert scale level of agreement or disagreement of respondents were between 2 and 4.5, implying overall responses of respondents spread between agree and strongly agree.

Originality/value

The findings reveal that although the historic and sacred sites of the area have potential ecotourism opportunities, different anthropogenic activities are affecting its development. The researchers recommended awareness creation programs, promotion of sites, development of infrastructures, employments of well-trained professionals and allocation of sufficient budgets as a mechanism to use the ecotourism potential and solving the existing challenges.
Statistics in the context of economic theory
Authors: Kucharska- Stasiak Ewa
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The intent of this paper is to discuss the use of statistical mathematics in property valuation and the wider question concerning the role of mathematics in the field of economics.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper reviews the evolution of the application of mathematics, including statistics in economics and drawing conclusions about applicability and effectiveness of quantitative modelling in property valuation.

Findings

This paper discusses the future use of statistical models in valuation and the need to recognise the relationships between market participants and the increasingly complex environment, and their impact on value. This would suggest adopting modelling techniques from behavioural economics.

Practical implications

This paper highlights the difference between quantitative and qualitative models and discusses the role that each can play in property valuation.

Originality/value

This paper provides insights on the development of statistical modelling and discusses the application of the same in property valuation.
Understanding consumers’ live-streaming shopping from a benefit–risk perspective
Authors: Chen Chunfeng , Zhang Depeng
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The rapid development of live-streaming commerce has increased companies’ marketing effectiveness. While previous studies have explored the effects of its technical features on consumers, the effects of marketing-related factors remain unknown. This study aims to investigate the effects of the marketing elements of live-streaming commerce on consumers’ purchase intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

The research model is derived from the Yale model and the benefit–risk framework. To test the study hypotheses, data were collected through a questionnaire survey of 392 live-streaming shoppers and analyzed using SmartPLS.

Findings

The empirical results indicate that broadcaster competence and online crowding increase consumers’ perception of price attractiveness while reducing their perceived uncertainty. Information diagnosticity also reduces consumers’ perceived uncertainty. Furthermore, purchase intention is positively and negatively affected by perceived price attractiveness and perceived uncertainty, respectively. Finally, product scarcity moderates the relationships between broadcaster competence, online crowding, information diagnosticity, perceived price attractiveness and perceived uncertainty.

Originality/value

The study identifies the different marketing elements in live-streaming commerce and their effects on consumers’ value evaluations and purchase intentions. The findings provide comprehensive insights into the antecedents of live-streaming shopping and offer new perceptions and recommendations for practitioners.
Virtually present others and their influence on complainants’ follow-ups and firm response
Authors: Rios Rosa E. , Riquelme Hernan E. , Comai Alessandro
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this empirical research is to investigate the influence of interactive virtually present others (VPOs) on a firm response and customers’ reiterated complaints (follow-ups) during service failures. This research follows up on previous experimental studies that suggest VPOs affect the focal customers’ complaint intention.

Design/methodology/approach

More than 16,000 posts (of complaints and complainants’ follow-ups) on 13 airline Facebook pages were analyzed using partial least squares.

Findings

This empirical study found that customers’ complaints are attended to the extent the complaints are followed up with more comments as supported by VPOs suggesting a contagion effect. Besides, it appears, the squeaky wheel is the one that gets the grease. The interactive virtual presence of others does not have an effect on a firm response toward them, despite their support to complainants and calling the airline to act.

Originality/value

To date, previous experimental studies have only featured a single VPO in potential complainants’ responses; however, in this empirical study the authors take into consideration the interaction of several VPOs in the service failure. Also, the focus is on the influence of VPOs on customers' complaints rather than the other way around.
Hedonic adaptation to preferential treatment: the moderating effect of the structural characteristics of loyalty programs
Authors: Fu Xiaorong , Ren Xiangming
Published: April 2023

Purpose

As internet dividends are gradually disappearing, loyalty programs have become the panacea for monetizing traffic, attracting new customers and retaining existing customers. Improving their effectiveness has thus become key to enterprises’ market competitiveness. However, member customers’ hedonic adaptation to this relationship strategy undermines its effectiveness. Based on the hedonic adaptation theory, this study aims to analyze the process of member customers' hedonic adaptation to preferential treatment in loyalty programs and explore the boundary conditions of alleviating this effect.

Design/methodology/approach

This study surveyed 271 member customers in China and tested the hypothesized relationships using structural equation modeling and multigroup analysis.

Findings

Preferential treatment suffers from hedonic adaptation to member customer engagement and customer gratitude, and customer tenure is a key condition for these effects. Customer gratitude is an intermediary mechanism that explains the hedonic adaptation effect of preferential treatment to member customers engagement. In addition, the structural characteristics of loyalty programs form the boundary condition that alleviates hedonic adaptation. The authors found that high-tier and -payment strategies are more likely to mitigate hedonic adaptation of preferential treatment to customer gratitude.

Originality/value

This study elucidates the factors that influence the effectiveness of preferential treatment and provides constructive insights into customer relationship management and for improving enterprise performance.
Durability performance of concrete containing recycled coarse aggregates derived from laboratory-tested specimens
Authors: Benito Emel Ken D. , Aragoncillo Ariel Miguel M. , Pascua Francis Augustus A. , Juanites Jules M. , Eneria Maricel A. , Zafra Richelle G. , Madlangbayan Marish S.
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The durability of concrete containing recycled aggregates, sourced from concrete specimens that have been tested in laboratory testing facilities, remains understudied. This paper aims to present the results of experiments investigating the effect of incorporating such type of concrete waste on the strength and durability-related properties of concrete.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 77 concrete cylinders sized Ø100 × 200 mm with varying amount of recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) (0%–100% by volume, at 25% increments) and maximum aggregate size (12.5, 19.0 and 25.0 mm) were fabricated and tested for slump, compressive strength, sorptivity and electrical resistivity. Disk-shaped specimens, 50-mm thick, were cut from the original cylinders for sorptivity and resistivity tests. Analysis of variance and post hoc test were conducted to detect statistical variability among the data.

Findings

Compared to regular concrete, a reduction of slump (by 18.6%), strength (15.1%), secondary sorptivity (31.5%) and resistivity (17.0%) were observed from concrete containing 100% RCA. Statistical analyses indicate that these differences are significant. In general, an aggregate size of 19 mm was found to produce the optimum value of slump, compressive strength and sorptivity in regular and RCA-added concrete.

Originality/value

The results of this study suggest that comparable properties of normal concrete were still achieved by replacing 25% of coarse aggregate volume with 19-mm RCA, which was processed from laboratory-tested concrete samples. Therefore, such material can be considered as a potential and sustainable alternative to crushed gravel for use in light or nonstructural concrete construction.
How influencers’ social media posts have an influence on audience engagement among young consumers
Authors: Fan Fei , Chan Kara , Wang Yan , Li Yupeng , Prieler Michael
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Online influencers are increasingly used by brands around the globe to establish brand communication. This study aims to investigate the characteristics of social media content in terms of presentation style and brand communication among online influencers in China. The authors identified how characteristics of social media posts influence young consumers’ engagement with the posts.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors analyzed 1,779 posts from the Sina Weibo accounts of ten top-ranked online influencers by combining traditional content analysis with Web data crawling of audience engagement with social media posts.

Findings

Online influencers in China more frequently used photos than videos to communicate with their social media audience. Altogether 8% and 6% of posts carried information about promotion and event, respectively. Posts with promotional incentives as well as event information were more likely to engage audiences. Altogether 22% of the sampled social media posts mentioned brands. Posts with brand information, however, were less likely to engage audiences. Furthermore, having long text is more effective than photos/images in generating likes from social media audiences.

Originality/value

Combining content analysis of social media posts and engagement analytics obtained via Web data crawling, this study is, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, one of the first empirical studies to analyze influencer marketing and young consumers’ reactions to social media in China.
Definitive local therapy for T4 prostate cancer associated with improved local control and survival
Authors: Andring Lauren M. , Abu‐Gheida Ibrahim , Bathala Tharakeswara , Yoder Alison K. , Manzar Gohar S. , Maldonado J. Alberto , Frank Steven J. , Choi Seungtaek , Nguyen Quynh‐Nhu , Hoffman Karen , McGuire Sean Eric , Mok Henry , Aparicio Ana , Chapin Brian F. , Tang Chad
Published: April 2023

Objectives

To evaluate patients with clinical (c)T4 prostate cancer (PCa), which represent both a heterogenous and understudied population, who often present with locally advanced disease and obstructive symptoms causing significant morbidity and mortality. We analysed whether receiving definitive local therapy influenced symptomatic and oncological outcomes.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of 154 patients with cT4 PCa treated at a single institution in 1996–2020. Systemic therapy with or without local treatment (surgery, radiotherapy [RT], or both). Uni‐ and multivariate analyses of associations between clinicopathological features (including obstructive symptoms) and receipt of local therapy on overall survival (OS) and disease control were done with Cox regression.

Results

The median follow‐up time was 5.9 years. Most patients had adenocarcinoma (88%), Gleason score 9–10 (77%), and median baseline prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) of 20 ng/mL; most (54%) had metastatic cT4N0–1M1 disease; 24% regionally advanced cT4N1M0, and 22% localised cT4N0M0. Local therapies were RT (n = 44), surgery (n = 28), or both (n = nine). Local therapy was associated with improved OS (hazard ratio [HR] 0.3, P < 0.001), longer freedom from local recurrence (HR 0.39, P = 0.002), less local progression (HR 0.41, P = 0.02), fewer obstructive symptoms with progression (HR 0.31, P = 0.01), and less death from local disease (HR 0.25, P = 0.002). On multivariate, local therapy was associated with improved survival (HR 0.58, P = 0.02), and metastatic disease (HR 2.93, P < 0.001) or high‐risk pathology (HR 2.05, P = 0.03) was associated with worse survival.

Conclusion

Definitive local therapy for cT4 PCa was associated with improved symptomatic outcomes and survival even among men with metastatic disease. Pending prospective evaluation, these findings support definitive treatment with local therapy for cT4 disease in select cases.
Oral health promotion through health‐promoting schools in developing countries: A scoping review
Authors: Elsadek Yasmen E. , Baker Sarah R.
Published: April 2023

Objectives

To explore and assess what is known about oral health promotion through health‐promoting primary schools in developing countries.

Methods

A scoping review was conducted using the Arksey & O'Malley framework. Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus and Cochrane Library were searched, followed by the reference lists of the resulting studies. The UN classification of developing countries was used to define the countries included and the search was between 1986 and 2021. Quality assessment was carried out using Joanna Briggs Institute's quality appraisal tools.

Results

The search resulted in 33 studies of which almost half were randomized controlled trials. The oral health promotion strategies were oral health education (n = 16) delivered by teachers, parents or peers, or multicomponent involving both toothbrushing (n = 15) and dietary components (n = 2). Most of the included studies were conducted in Asia (n = 25/33).

Conclusions

Findings suggested that comprehensive, multicomponent theory‐based oral health promotion showed improvements in oral health outcomes of schoolchildren, particularly if delivered using a whole‐school approach. However, further research on feasibility and implementation of oral health promotion through health‐promoting primary schools in developing countries should be considered.
Immersive Free‐Viewpoint Panorama Rendering from Omnidirectional Stereo Video
Authors: Mühlhausen Moritz , Kappel Moritz , Kassubeck Marc , Wöhler Leslie , Grogorick Steve , Castillo Susana , Eisemann Martin , Magnor Marcus
Published: April 2023

In this paper, we tackle the challenging problem of rendering real‐world 360° panorama videos that support full 6 degrees‐of‐freedom (DoF) head motion from a prerecorded omnidirectional stereo (ODS) video. In contrast to recent approaches that create novel views for individual panorama frames, we introduce a video‐specific temporally‐consistent multi‐sphere image (MSI) scene representation. Given a conventional ODS video, we first extract information by estimating framewise descriptive feature maps. Then, we optimize the global MSI model using theory from recent research on neural radiance fields. Instead of a continuous scene function, this multi‐sphere image (MSI) representation depicts colour and density information only for a discrete set of concentric spheres. To further improve the temporal consistency of our results, we apply an ancillary refinement step which optimizes the temporal coherency between successive video frames. Direct comparisons to recent baseline approaches show that our global MSI optimization yields superior performance in terms of visual quality. Our code and data will be made publicly available.
Discrete wavelet transform based branched deep hybrid network for environmental noise classification
Authors: Shah Syed Aamir Ali , Bais Abdul , Alashaikh Abdulaziz , Alanazi Eisa
Published: April 2023

With ever growing urbanization, the environmental noise is becoming hazardous. Vehicular traffic, locomotives, heavy machinery in industry, and construction processes are the major sources of noise pollution. It has adverse effects on the health of humans as well as that of the wild life. World Health Organization (WHO) puts noise pollution as the second major cause of illness due to environmental reasons. The effects of noise pollution on the quality of life are usually ignored. Due to this reason it is common, even in the first world countries, to have the WHO's peak noise standards violated in residential areas. Therefore, there is a need to have a real time, portable and easy to replicate, mechanism to monitor the noise sources. In this work, we propose a novel architecture of a deep neural network to classify a 10‐class environmental noise data called URBANSOUND8K. This network is comprised of three components, (1) one dimensional two level Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) component, (2) branched component for feature extraction through auto‐encoders, and (3) LSTM and fully‐connected layers based classification component. With all components combined, we call this network DWTNet. By embedding the DWT component as a part of network, we eliminate the need of prior data conversion into spectral and/or spectro‐temporal domains. The efficiency of DWTNet is comparable to the state of the art networks with significantly lower number of trainable parameters. We analyze the contribution of classification accuracy. We further study some of the classification results individually and show that some of the mis‐classifications are actually multi‐class classifications with distributed decision confidence.
Clear cell tumor with melanocytic differentiation and MITF::CREM translocation
Authors: Alexandrescu Sanda , Imamovic‐Tuco Alma , Janeway Katherine , Hanna John
Published: April 2023

In addition to melanoma, a large and diverse family of tumors shows melanocytic differentiation. The best characterized member of this family is clear cell sarcoma, which is characterized by EWSR1::ATF1 and EWSR1::CREB1 fusions. These fusions drive the transcription of MITF, the master regulator of melanocytic differentiation. Clear cell tumor with melanocytic differentiation and MITF::CREM translocation is a recently described tumor with some similarities to clear cell sarcoma. However, only a single case has been reported. Here, we describe a second molecularly proven case that arose on the scalp of a newborn baby. In contrast to the prior reported case, the current case showed predominantly high‐grade cytomorphologic features with only focal clear cell areas. Similar to the prior case, the tumor showed immunohistochemical evidence of neural crest origin/differentiation with prominent melanocytic differentiation. The fusion breakpoints were also similar and preserved the transcriptional activation domain of CREM, suggesting that CREM hyperactivity is a major feature of this tumor type. The current tumor showed a short‐interval recurrence. These results expand the clinical and pathologic spectrum of this potentially new entity.
Physician attitudes about disorders of consciousness: Good facts make for good ethics
Authors: Fins Joseph J.
Published: April 2023

This commentary is on the original article by Schembs et al. on pages 1646–1655 of this issue.
New insights into the treatment of obesity
Authors: Blüher Matthias , Aras Mohini , Aronne Louis J. , Batterham Rachel L. , Giorgino Francesco , Ji Linong , Pietiläinen Kirsi H. , Schnell Oliver , Tonchevska Elena , Wilding John P.H.
Published: April 2023

Obesity is a chronic, progressive and relapsing disease with a rising global prevalence associated with increased morbidity and mortality and reduced quality of life. Treatment of obesity requires a comprehensive medical approach that includes behavioural interventions, pharmacotherapy and bariatric surgery. The degree of weight loss with all approaches is highly heterogeneous, and long‐term weight maintenance remains challenging. For years, antiobesity medications have been limited in number, often delivering meagre efficacy and raising numerous safety concerns. Therefore, there is a need for the development of highly efficacious and safe new agents. Recent insights into the complex pathophysiology of obesity have increased our understanding of intervenable targets for pharmacotherapies to treat obesity and improve weight‐related cardiometabolic complications, namely, type 2 diabetes, hyperlipidaemia and hypertension. As a result, novel potent therapies have emerged, such as semaglutide, a glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonist (GLP‐1RA) recently approved for the treatment of obesity. Semaglutide 2.4 mg once weekly significantly reduces body weight by approximately 15%, with simultaneous improvement in cardiometabolic risk factors and physical functioning in people with obesity. Tirzepatide, the first dual glucose‐dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP)/GLP‐1RA, has recently demonstrated that body weight reduction exceeding 20% in people with obesity and coupled with improved cardiometabolic measures is feasible. Thus, these novel agents promise to narrow the gap between the weight‐loss effects of behaviour interventions, previous pharmacotherapies, and bariatric surgery. In this narrative review, we highlight established and emerging therapeutic treatments for long‐term obesity management and position them in a framework according to their weight loss effects.
chelsa‐cmip6 1.0: a python package to create high resolution bioclimatic variables based on CHELSA ver. 2.1 and CMIP6 data
Authors: Karger Dirk Nikolaus , Chauvier Yohann , Zimmermann Niklaus E.
Published: April 2023

Data on projected climate conditions for the future is essential for many applications in climate change impact studies. Yet, with the release of the CMIP6, the increasing amount of data poses challenges for users to access and process the data. Here we present the chelsa_cmip6 package to create bioclimatic variables and climatological normals based on CHELSA ver. 2.1 and cloud based CMIP6 data for user defined geographical extents. The package offers simple access to CMIP6 data on cloud servers. It aggregates the CMIP6 data to climatological normals and downscales it from its native resolution to a 30 arcsec grid resolution using the delta change method for user defined future periods. Based on the climatological normals, it creates a set of bioclimatic variables that represent long term climatic means or variability in air temperatures and precipitation. The package offers users a simple way of creating climate change projections for user defined geographical extents and time periods.
Clinician perspectives on providing telepsychiatry services to young adults with first‐episode psychosis during COVID‐19
Authors: Lal Shalini , Abdel‐Baki Amal , Peredo Rossana
Published: April 2023

Background

Telepsychiatry has the potential to facilitate access to mental health services for young people with first‐episode of psychosis (FEP); however, limited attention has been given regarding the perceptions of mental health providers in this regard.

Objective

To assess service providers' perceptions on the use of telepsychiatry and changes over time.

Methods

Longitudinal survey (conducted at two time points) of 26 service providers, including physicians, nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, and peer support workers, recruited from a specialized program for FEP providing telepsychiatry services through REACTS (videoconferencing platform).

Results

Responses during the initial and the follow‐up survey were similar. Most participants used REACTS nine times or more, with more than half reporting that sessions lasted more than 30 min. Over time, there was a trend towards higher frequency of use and lower duration of sessions. The majority perceived REACTS as safe and easy to use and indicated they would recommend REACTS to colleagues. Although participants reported some issues related to set‐up and initial use, internet accessibility, and sound and image, most of these concerns decreased during follow‐up. Participants appreciated the usability and utility of REACTS, and reported several benefits of telepsychiatry, including facilitating client engagement, assessment and continuity.

Conclusions

Service providers expressed positive perceptions regarding the use of telepsychiatry. Despite analysis being limited to a small sample, this study raises awareness of telepsychiatry's value and feasibility for offering services to young populations with FEP and the importance of conducting research on clinician perspectives in this regard.
Metabolic efficiency reshapes the seminal relationship between pathogen growth rate and virulence
Authors: Lindsay Richard J. , Holder Philippa J. , Talbot Nicholas J. , Gudelj Ivana
Published: April 2023

A cornerstone of classical virulence evolution theories is the assumption that pathogen growth rate is positively correlated with virulence, the amount of damage pathogens inflict on their hosts. Such theories are key for incorporating evolutionary principles into sustainable disease management strategies. Yet, empirical evidence raises doubts over this central assumption underpinning classical theories, thus undermining their generality and predictive power. In this paper, we identify a key component missing from current theories which redefines the growth–virulence relationship in a way that is consistent with data. By modifying the activity of a single metabolic gene, we engineered strains of Magnaporthe oryzae with different nutrient acquisition and growth rates. We conducted in planta infection studies and uncovered an unexpected non‐monotonic relationship between growth rate and virulence that is jointly shaped by how growth rate and metabolic efficiency interact. This novel mechanistic framework paves the way for a much‐needed new suite of virulence evolution theories.
Closing the compliance gap in marine protected areas with human behavioural sciences
Authors: Bergseth Brock J. , Arias Adrian , Barnes Michele L. , Caldwell Iain , Datta Amber , Gelcich Stefan , Ham Sam H. , Lau Jacqueline D. , Ruano‐Chamorro Cristina , Smallhorn‐West Patrick , Weekers Damian , Zamborain‐Mason Jessica , Cinner Joshua E.
Published: April 2023

Advocates, practitioners and policy‐makers continue to use and advocate for marine protected areas (MPAs) to meet global ocean protection targets. Yet many of the worlds MPAs, and especially no‐take MPAs, are plagued by poaching and ineffective governance. Using a global dataset on coral reefs as an example, we quantify the potential ecological gains of governing MPAs to increase compliance, which we call the ‘compliance gap’. Using ecological simulations based on model posteriors of joint Bayesian hierarchical models, we demonstrate how increased compliance in no‐take MPAs could nearly double target fish biomass (91% increases in median fish biomass), and result in a 292% higher likelihood of encountering top predators. Achieving these gains and closing the compliance gap necessitates a substantial shift in approach and practice to go beyond optimizing enforcement, and towards governing for compliance. This will require engaging and integrating a broad suite of actors, principles, and practices across three key domains: (i)) harnessing social influence, (ii) integrating equity principles, and (iii) aligning incentives through market‐based instruments. Empowering and shaping communication between actor groups (e.g., between fishers, practitioners, and policy‐makers) using theoretically underpinned approaches from the behavioural sciences is one of the most essential, but often underserved aspects of governing MPAs. We therefore close by highlighting how this cross‐cutting tool could be further integrated in governance to bolster high levels of compliance in MPAs.
Shifts in the composition and distribution of Pacific Arctic larval fish assemblages in response to rapid ecosystem change
Authors: Axler Kelia E. , Goldstein Esther D. , Nielsen Jens M. , Deary Alison L. , Duffy‐Anderson Janet T.
Published: April 2023

The Pacific Arctic marine ecosystem has undergone rapid changes in recent years due to ocean warming, sea ice loss, and increased northward transport of Pacific‐origin waters into the Arctic. These climate‐mediated changes have been linked to range shifts of juvenile and adult subarctic (boreal) and Arctic fish populations, though it is unclear whether distributional changes are also occurring during the early life stages. We analyzed larval fish abundance and distribution data sampled in late summer from 2010 to 2019 in two interconnected Pacific Arctic ecosystems: the northern Bering Sea and Chukchi Sea, to determine whether recent warming and loss of sea ice has restricted habitat for Arctic species and altered larval fish assemblage composition from Arctic‐ to boreal‐associated taxa. Multivariate analyses revealed the presence of three distinct multi‐species assemblages across all years: (1) a boreal assemblage dominated by yellowfin sole (Limanda aspera), capelin (Mallotus catervarius), and walleye pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus); (2) an Arctic assemblage composed of Arctic cod (Boreogadus saida) and other common Arctic species; and (3) a mixed assemblage composed of the dominant species from the other two assemblages. We found that the wind‐ and current‐driven northward advection of warmer, subarctic waters and the unprecedented low‐ice conditions observed in the northern Bering and Chukchi seas beginning in 2017 and persisting into 2018 and 2019 have precipitated community‐wide shifts, with the boreal larval fish assemblage expanding northward and offshore and the Arctic assemblage retreating poleward. We conclude that Arctic warming is most significantly driving changes in abundance at the leading and trailing edges of the Chukchi Sea larval fish community as boreal species increase in abundance and Arctic species decline. Our analyses document how quickly larval fish assemblages respond to environmental change and reveal that the impacts of Arctic borealization on fish community composition spans multiple life stages over large spatial scales.
Global leaf‐trait mapping based on optimality theory
Authors: Dong Ning , Dechant Benjamin , Wang Han , Wright Ian J. , Prentice Iain Colin
Published: April 2023

Aim

Leaf traits are central to plant function, and key variables in ecosystem models. However recently published global trait maps, made by applying statistical or machine‐learning techniques to large compilations of trait and environmental data, differ substantially from one another. This paper aims to demonstrate the potential of an alternative approach, based on eco‐evolutionary optimality theory, to yield predictions of spatio‐temporal patterns in leaf traits that can be independently evaluated.

Innovation

Global patterns of community‐mean specific leaf area (SLA) and photosynthetic capacity (Vcmax) are predicted from climate via existing optimality models. Then leaf nitrogen per unit area (Narea) and mass (Nmass) are inferred using their (previously derived) empirical relationships to SLA and Vcmax. Trait data are thus reserved for testing model predictions across sites. Temporal trends can also be predicted, as consequences of environmental change, and compared to those inferred from leaf‐level measurements and/or remote‐sensing methods, which are an increasingly important source of information on spatio‐temporal variation in plant traits.

Main conclusions

Model predictions evaluated against site‐mean trait data from > 2,000 sites in the Plant Trait database yielded R2 = 73% for SLA, 38% for Nmass and 28% for Narea. Declining species‐level Nmass, and increasing community‐level SLA, have both been recently reported and were both correctly predicted. Leaf‐trait mapping via optimality theory holds promise for macroecological applications, including an improved understanding of community leaf‐trait responses to environmental change.
Evaluation of Models for Estimating Hydraulic Conductivity in Glacial Aquifers withNMRLogging
Authors: Kendrick Alexander K. , Knight Rosemary , Johnson Carole D. , Liu Gaisheng , Hart David J. , Butler James J. , Hunt Randall J.
Published: April 2023

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) logging is a promising method for estimating hydraulic conductivity (K). During the past ∼60 years, NMR logging has been used for petroleum applications, and different models have been developed for deriving estimates of permeability. These models involve calibration parameters whose values were determined through decades of research on sandstones and carbonates. We assessed the use of five models to derive estimates ofKin glacial aquifers from NMR logging data acquired in two wells at each of two field sites in central Wisconsin, USA. Measurements ofK, obtained with a direct push permeameter (DPP),KDPP, were used to obtain the calibration parameters in the Schlumberger‐Doll Research, Seevers, Timur‐Coates, Kozeny‐Godefroy, and sum‐of‐echoes (SOE) models so as to predictKfrom the NMR data; and were also used to assess the ability of the models to predictKDPP. We obtained four well‐scale calibration parameter values for each model using the NMR and DPP measurements in each well; and one study‐scale parameter value for each model by using all data. The SOE model achieved an agreement withKDPPthat matched or exceeded that of the other models. The Timur‐Coates estimates ofKwere found to be substantially different fromKDPP. Although the well‐scale parameter values for the Schlumberger‐Doll, Seevers, and SOE models were found to vary by less than a factor of 2, more research is needed to confirm their general applicability so that site‐specific calibration is not required to obtain accurate estimates ofKfrom NMR logging data.
The effect of antioxidant properties of free and encapsulated rosemary extract in liposome on the oxidation process of canola oil
Authors: Jahanfar Shima , Gahavami Mehrdad , Khosravi‐Darani Kianoush , Jahadi Mahshid , Mohsin Hareem , Todorov Svetoslav Dimitrov , Tripathid Abhishek Dutt
Published: April 2023

The antioxidant property of rosemary extract as a natural antioxidant on the oxidation process of canola oil has been reported and compared with the synthetic antioxidant butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) (at 200 mg Lˉ1). The effect of free and liposomal encapsulated rosemary extract at concentrations of 200, 600 and 1000 mg Lˉ1 was evaluated on improving the oxidative stability of canola oil at 120°C using the Rancimat method. The changes in peroxide value, anisidine, TOTOX and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) have been determined by the Schaal oven test at 60°C. Liposomal rosemary extracts were prepared by the Mozafari method. Then physicochemical properties (Z‐potential, particle size and encapsulation efficiency (EE)) were determined. EE and the Z‐potential of liposomes were obtained at 54.59% and −65.1 mV, respectively. The particle size of empty and extract containing liposomes was determined 583.5 nm and 265.4 nm, respectively. The total polyphenol content of the rosemary extract by reagent of the Folin–Ciocalteu's phenol was determined as 164.2 mg gallic acid gˉ1 extract. Also, the activity of free radical scavenging of both liposomal encapsulated and free extracts, by the 2‐2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method, were 84.57% and 92.5%, respectively. The induction periods of oil containing liposomal rosemary extract at 600, 1000 mg Lˉ1 and free extract in level 1000 mg Lˉ1 was higher in comparison with samples containing BHT and blank (P ≤ 0.05). The incorporation of rosemary extract especially in liposome form into oil delayed the oxidation process. Based on the results of this study, to inhibit oil oxidation, rosemary extract, especially in the liposomal form, can be applied instead of synthetic antioxidants such as BHT.
Artificial Intelligence‐based determination of fracture toughness and bending strength of silicon nitride ceramics
Authors: Furushima Ryoichi , Nakashima Yuki , Maruyama Yutaka , Hirao Kiyoshi , Ohji Tatsuki , Fukushima Manabu
Published: April 2023

Two mechanical properties, fracture toughness (KIC) and bending strength (σ), of silicon nitride (Si3N4) ceramics were determined from their microstructural images via convolutional neural network (CNN) models. The Si3N4 samples used for database were fabricated using various kinds of sintering additives under different process conditions. In total, 330 data sets were prepared and used for building the CNN models for artificial intelligence‐bassed determination of the two mechanical properties and testing the determination accuracy of the trained models. The determination coefficients (R2), which were used as accuracy indices, were approximately 0.85 for KIC and 0.92 for σ. Although both the R2 values were relatively high, the lower value for KIC suggests that it is influenced more by what is little obtained from the microstructural information, such as grain‐boundary characteristics. Furthermore, gradient‐weighted class activation mapping, which can visualize which parts of the image the CNN models focus on, showed that the trained models determined the two mechanical properties based on correct recognition of the microstructural difference among the images.
Unconventional Monetary Policy and the Behavior of Shorts
Authors: MCINISH THOMAS , NEELY CHRISTOPHER J. , PLANCHON JADE
Published: April 2023

We investigate the behavior of shorts, considered sophisticated investors, before and after a set of Federal Reserve unconventional monetary policy announcements that spot bond markets did not fully anticipate. Short interest in agency securities systematically predicts bond price changes and other asset returns on the days of monetary announcements, particularly when growth or monetary news is released, indicating shorts correctly anticipate these surprises. Shorts also systematically rebalance after announcements in the direction of the announcement surprise when the announcement releases monetary or growth news, suggesting that shorts interpret these announcements to imply further yield changes in the same direction.
The Experiences of Black Community‐Based Doulas as They Mitigate Systems of Racism: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Thomas Kimeshia , Quist Sasha , Peprah Sayida , Riley Khefri , Mittal Pooja C. , Nguyen Brian T.
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Black pregnant individuals endure a disproportionate burden of preventable morbidity and mortality due to persistent, racially mediated social and systemic inequities. As patient advocates, Black community‐based doulas help address these disparities via unique services not provided by conventional doulas. However, Black doulas themselves may encounter obstacles when providing care to Black perinatal clients. We characterized the barriers encountered by Black community‐based doulas in Los Angeles, California.

Methods

We partnered with a Black community‐based doula program to conduct semistructured interviews with its community doulas and program directors, covering the following topics: motivations for becoming a doula, services provided, and challenges faced as a Black doula in perinatal settings. Interview transcripts were reviewed via directed content analysis, with attention to the influence of systemic racism on service provision. Additionally, our research team used Camara Jones’ Levels of Racism, which describes race‐associated differences in health outcomes to code data.

Results

We interviewed 5 Black community‐based doulas and 2 program directors, who all shared experiences of inequitable care and bias against Black clients that could be addressed with the support and advocacy of culturally congruent doulas. The community doulas shared experiences of stigma as Black doulas, compounded by racial prejudice. Interviewees noted sources of structural racism affecting program development, instances of interpersonal racism as they interacted with the health care system, and internalized racism that was revealed during culturally based doula trainings. Additionally, the doulas emphasized the importance of cultural concordance, or a shared identity with clients, which they considered integral to providing equitable care.

Conclusion

Despite facing institutionalized, interpersonal, and internalized forms of racism, Black community‐based doulas provide avenues for Black birthing individuals to navigate systemic racism experienced during the perinatal process. However, these forms of racism need to be addressed for Black community doulas to flourish.
Melatonin improves skin barrier damage caused by sleep restriction through gut microbiota
Authors: Li Weitian , Wang Zixu , Cao Jing , Dong Yulan , Chen Yaoxing
Published: April 2023

It is widely known that lack of sleep damages the skin. Therefore, it is necessary to explore the relationship between sleep deprivation and skin damage and to find effective treatments. We established a 28‐day sleep restriction (SR) mice model simulating continuous long‐term sleep loss. We found that SR would damage the barrier function of mice's skin, cause oxidative stress damage to the skin, weaken the oscillations of the skin's biological clock, and make the circadian rhythm of Bacteroides disappear. The circadian rhythm of short‐chain fatty acids (SCFA) receptors in the skin was disordered. After melatonin supplementation, the skin damage caused by SR was improved, the oscillations of the biological clock were enhanced, the circadian rhythm of Bacteroides was restored, and the rhythm of the receptor GPR43 of propionic acid was restored. We speculated that the improving effect of melatonin may be mediated by propionic acid produced by the gut microbiota. We verified in vitro that propionic acid could improve the keratinocytes barrier function of oxidative damage. We then consumed the gut microbiota of mice through antibiotics and found that oral melatonin could not improve skin damage. Moreover, supplementing mice with propionic acid could improve skin damage. Our research showed that lack of sleep impaired skin barrier function. Oral melatonin could improve skin damage by restoring the circadian rhythm of Bacteroides and its propionic acid metabolite.
Radical innovations as supply chain disruptions? A paradox between change and stability
Authors: Kocabasoglu‐Hillmer Canan , Roden Sinéad , Vanpoucke Evelyne , Son Byung‐Gak , Lewis Marianne W.
Published: April 2023

Supply chains withstand multiple tensions, and some of which are paradoxical. Radical product and process innovations bring such tensions to the forefront by disrupting supply chains. Using two illustrations, this article considers the paradoxical tension between change and stability in upstream supply chains, which becomes particularly salient after radical innovation. Furthermore, the article discusses why and how paradox theory can help firms understand and manage this pressing tension between stability and change. This article then presents future research opportunities for using paradox theory to investigate other persistent post‐innovation tensions in upstream supply chains. The aim of this article is to encourage new studies that develop responses to such paradoxical tensions, an area ripe for research.
Korean nurses' energy drink consumption and associated factors
Authors: Kang Younhee , Yang In‐Suk
Published: April 2023

This study aimed to examine the energy drink consumption pattern of Korean nurses and related factors. A descriptive cross‐sectional design was utilized, and data were collected through a self‐reporting questionnaire. Participants were Korean nurses working in hospitals. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, chi‐square test, and binomial logistic regression test. A total of 388 nurses participated in the study. Approximately two‐thirds of the nurses consumed energy drinks in addition to caffeinated coffee and/or tea. They usually consumed energy drinks during working hours and at the workplace. In comparison with nonconsumers, nurses who consumed energy drinks perceived that they had a stimulating effect and could replace regular drinks. Having colleagues who consume energy drinks and perceiving that energy drinks had an arousal effect were shown to be associated factors for energy drink consumption; thus, it is necessary to develop educational strategies targeting these groups of nurses. The reasons for the dependence of hospital nurses on energy drinks should be further investigated.