bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A map of the rubisco biochemical landscape
Authors: Prywes Noam , Philips Naiya R. , Oltrogge Luke M. , Lindner Sebastian , Tsai Yi-Chin Candace , de Pins Benoit , Cowan Aidan E. , Taylor-Kearney Leah J. , Chang Hana A. , Hall Laina N. , Bellieny-Rabelo Daniel , Nisonoff Hunter M. , Weissman Rachel F. , Flamholz Avi I. , Ding David , Bhatt Abhishek Y. , Shih Patrick M. , Mueller-Cajar Oliver , Milo Ron , Savage David F.
Published: September 2023

Rubisco is the primary CO2fixing enzyme of the biosphere yet has slow kinetics. The roles of evolution and chemical mechanism in constraining the sequence landscape of rubisco remain debated. In order to map sequence to function, we developed a massively parallel assay for rubisco using an engineeredE. coliwhere enzyme function is coupled to growth. By assaying >99% of single amino acid mutants across CO2concentrations, we inferred enzyme velocity and CO2affinity for thousands of substitutions. We identified many highly conserved positions that tolerate mutation and rare mutations that improve CO2affinity. These data suggest that non-trivial kinetic improvements are readily accessible and provide a comprehensive sequence-to-function mapping for enzyme engineering efforts.
Nuclear basket proteins regulate the distribution and mobility of nuclear pore complexes in budding yeast
Authors: Zsok Janka , Simon Francois , Bayrak Göksu , Isaki Luljeta , Kerff Nina , Kicheva Yoana , Wolstenholme Amy , Weiss Lucien E , Dultz Elisa
Published: September 2023

Nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) mediate all traffic between the nucleus and the cytoplasm and are among the most stable protein assemblies in cells. Budding yeast cells carry two variants of NPCs which differ in the presence or absence of the nuclear basket proteins Mlp1, Mlp2 and Pml39. The binding of these basket proteins occurs very late in NPC assembly and Mlp-positive NPCs are excluded from the region of the nuclear envelope that borders the nucleolus. Here, we use recombination-induced tag exchange (RITE) to investigate the stability of all the NPC subcomplexes within individual NPCs. We show that the nuclear basket proteins Mlp1, Mlp2 and Pml39 remain stably associated with NPCs through multiple cell-division cycles, and that Mlp1/2 are responsible for the exclusion of NPCs from the nucleolar territory. In addition, we demonstrate that binding of the FG-nucleoporins Nup1 and Nup2 depletes also Mlp-negative NPCs from this region by an independent pathway. We develop a method for single NPC tracking in budding yeast and observe that NPCs exhibit increased mobility in the absence of nuclear basket components. Our data suggest that the distribution of NPCs on the nucleus is governed by multiple interaction of nuclear basket proteins with the nuclear interior.
Cell proliferation and Notch signaling coordinate the formation of epithelial folds in theDrosophilaleg
Authors: Rodríguez Alonso , Córdoba Sergio , Felipe-Cordero Daniel , Baonza Antonio , Miguez David , Estella Carlos
Published: September 2023

The formation of complex three-dimensional organs during development requires the precise coordination between patterning networks and mechanical forces. In particular, tissue folding is a crucial process that relies on a combination of local and tissue-wide mechanical forces. Here, we investigate the contribution of cell proliferation to epithelial morphogenesis using theDrosophilaleg tarsal folds as a model. We reveal that tissue-wide compression forces generated by cell proliferation, in coordination with Notch signaling pathway, are essential for the formation of epithelial folds in precise locations along the proximo-distal axis of the leg. As cell numbers increase, compressive stresses arise, promoting the buckling of the epithelium and reinforcing the apical constriction of invaginating cells. Additionally, the Notch targetdysfusion(dysf) plays a key function specifying the location of the folds, through the apical accumulation of F-actin and the apico-basal shortening of invaginating cells. These findings provide new insights into the intricate mechanisms involved in epithelial morphogenesis, highlighting the critical role of tissue-wide forces in shaping a three-dimensional organ in a reproducible manner.
Adoption of the digitalised last planner system in infrastructure projects: an Australian case study
Authors: Gao Shang , Chan Toong-Khuan , Hendy Phil
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Infrastructure projects are complex, task-based endeavours; the reliability of project schedules is often low, as delays occur. As a result, the infrastructure sector is constantly searching for innovative practices that might improve project performance. This study aims to pursue one research question: what are the benefits and challenges to last planner system (LPS) implementation in Australia’s infrastructure industry? It addresses this question through an examination of two rail infrastructure projects in Victoria, Australia.

Design/methodology/approach

The state of Victoria in Australia provides an excellent context for this study. The study was set in one of the programme alliances which was contracted to carry out five level-crossing removal projects. This study uses a combination of qualitative and quantitative research techniques, including surveys, interviews and site visits. The authors collected 43 valid survey responses. Additionally, 19 participants from the alliance programme’s two projects (Projects A and B) took part in the interviews. Extensive empirical evidence has been triangulated to achieve the research goals.

Findings

The findings show through the questionnaire survey that the greatest benefits that digital LPS brings are primarily associated with process improvement and social benefits. The interview results acknowledged that the roll-out of digital LPS had a positive impact on schedules, cost, occupational health and safety (OHS) and quality performance. The research also noted a few challenges in the introduction of digital LPS. Overall, the finding presents strong evidence that the introduction of digital LPS has been a clear success in the case company.

Originality/value

This is the first piece of research to fill this major gap in the LPS literature by exploring the issue of digital LPS adoption in Australia’s infrastructure sector. This study has thus laid the foundation for future work on LPS research in the Australian context. The authors are optimistic that this exploratory work will generate interest across other alliances, and perhaps extend into Australia’s construction sector.
A BIM based tool for evaluating building renovation strategies: the case of three demonstration sites in different European countries
Authors: Doukari Omar , Kassem Mohamad , Scoditti Enrico , Aguejdad Rahim , Greenwood David
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Buildings are among the biggest contributors to environmental impacts. To achieve energy-saving and decarbonisation objectives while also improving living conditions, it is imperative to undertake large-scale renovations of existing buildings, which constitute the greater part of building stock and have relatively low energy efficiency. However, building renovation projects poses significant challenges owing to the absence of optimised tools and methods for planning and executing renovation works, coupled with the need for a high degree of interaction with occupants.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper describes the development of an automated process, based on building information modelling (BIM) and the principal component analysis method, for overcoming building renovation challenges. The process involves the assessment and simulation of renovation scenarios in terms of duration, cost, effort needed and disruptive potential. The proposed process was tested in three case studies; multi-residence apartment buildings comprising different construction components and systems, located in Greece, France and Denmark, on which six different renovation strategies were evaluated using sensitivity analysis.

Findings

The developed tool was successfully able to model and simulate the six renovation scenarios across the three demonstration sites. The ability to simulate various renovation scenarios for a given project can help to strategise renovation interventions based on selected key performance indicators as well as their correlation at two different levels: the building level and the renovated surface area level.

Originality/value

The objectives of this paper are twofold: firstly, to present an automated process, using BIM, for evaluating and comparing renovation scenarios in terms of duration, cost, workers needed and disruptive potential; next, to show the subsequent testing of the process and the analysis of its applicability and behaviour when applied on three live demonstration sites located in three different European countries (France, Greece and Denmark), involving six renovation scenarios.
Rise of fsQCA in tourism and hospitality research: a systematic literature review
Authors: Kumar Satish , Sahoo Saumyaranjan , Ali Faizan , Cobanoglu Cihan
Published: September 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this review paper is to address the need for mapping the thematic structure of fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) in the context of tourism and hospitality research, in response to the growing interest in this methodology.

Design/methodology/approach

This study conducts a comprehensive systematic review using the SPAR-4-SLR procedure to produce a scientific map of top-tier research using the fsQCA technique in tourism and hospitality studies.

Findings

A major finding of this review investigation is the identification of six knowledge clusters: business competitiveness in the hospitality sector; psychoanalysis of tourist behaviour and satisfaction; entrepreneurship in the tourism and hospitality sector; tourism business ecosystem; sustainable tourism; and service quality in the tourism and hospitality sectors.

Research limitations/implications

Although this review assessment relied heavily on articles published in prestigious journals, it does not rule out the idea that other sources, such as conference proceedings, can provide valuable insight.

Originality/value

Novel insights into the intellectual structure of tourism and hospitality research using the fsQCA technique, as well as ideas for future exploration in this domain, are presented in this review.
Research on the suitability of telework in the context of COVID-19
Authors: Han Zhen , Zhao Yuheng , Chen Mengjie
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has made telecommuting widely valued, but different individuals have different degrees of acceptance of telecommuting. This article aims to identify suitable individuals for telework and to clarify which types of workers are suitable for what level of telework, set scientific, reasonable hybrid work ratios and processes and measure their suitability.

Design/methodology/approach

First, two working scenarios of different risk levels were established, and the theory of planned behavior (TPB) was used to introduce latent variables, constructing a multi-indicator multi-causal model (MIMIC) to identify suitable individuals, and second, constructing an integrated choice and latent variable (ICLV) model of the working method to determine the suitability of different types of people for telework by calculating their selection probabilities.

Findings

It is possible to clearly distinguish between two types of suitable individuals for telework or traditional work. Their behavior is significantly influenced by the work environment, which is influenced by variables such as age, income, attitude, perceived behavioral control, work–family balance and personnel exposure level. In low-risk scenarios, the influencing factors of the behavioral model for both types of people are relatively consistent, while in high-risk scenarios, significant differences arise. Furthermore, the suitability of telework for the telework-suitable group is less affected by the pandemic, while the suitability for the non-suitable group is greatly affected.

Originality/value

This study contributes to previous literature by: (1) determining the suitability of different population types for telework by calculating the probability of selection, (2) dividing telework and traditional populations into two categories, identifying the differences in factors that affect telework under different epidemic risks and (3) considering the impact of changes in the work scenario on the suitability of telework for employees and classifying the population based on the suitability of telework in order to avoid the potential negative impact of telework.
How brick-and-mortar retailers and grocery delivery platforms influence purchase intention?
Authors: Zhao Yunyun , Zhao Xiaoyu , Liu Yanzhe
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Consumers worldwide are increasingly ordering groceries from grocery delivery platforms (GDPs). This study aimed to explore the role of brick-and-mortar (B&M) retailers and GDPs in online grocery shopping (OGS) experience, attitude and continuous purchase intention under the platform model of online grocery retailing.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a mixed method approach. A qualitative analysis was conducted based on 30 in-depth interviews and relevant literature to identify key attributes of the OGS experience. Then, data from 352 online grocery shoppers was used to examine the associations between service attributes, attitude and continuous purchase intention using a structural equation model.

Findings

The authors identified six key attributes of the OGS experience related to B&M retailers and GDPs. The quantitative study results showed that customer service, price value and instant delivery significantly impact attitude towards GDPs, while product quality, product assortment, customer service, price value and attitude toward GDPs positively impact online attitude toward B&M retailers. Online attitude toward B&M retailers significantly influences continuous purchase intention.

Practical implications

B&M retailers and GDPs should strengthen cooperation and joint oversight.

Originality/value

This study identified key attributes of the OGS experience associated with B&M retailers and GDPs under the platform model, giving a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between the OGS experience and behavioural intention when B&M retailers collaborate with GDPs.
The relationship between board gender diversity and audit quality in Egypt
Authors: Abdel-Meguid Ahmed , Abuzeid Mostafa , El-Helaly Moataz , Shehata Nermeen
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to examine whether female representation on boards is significantly associated with audit fees paid by top Egyptian listed companies.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collect data on audit fees, board of directors' characteristics and financial data for the top 100 companies listed on the Egyptian Exchange (EGX100) for a period of six years. The authors employ an ordinary least squares regression model to capture the relationship between board diversity (i.e. the proportion of female board directors) and the natural logarithm of audit fees while controlling for firm and industry fixed effects as well as other known firm characteristics.

Findings

The authors find that audit fees are significantly associated with the proportion of females serving on firms' boards of directors. The findings suggest a complementary relationship between females on boards, as a quality-enhancing board attribute; and audit fees, as a proxy for audit effort and audit quality.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations of this study arise first from the relatively small sample size, and second from the fact that inferences may be specific to the Egyptian context and similar markets.

Practical implications

The results have important implications for Egyptian policy makers and regulators in terms of board composition.

Social implications

This study provides empirical evidence that further enforces the business case for women's empowerment and the impact of this on the effectiveness of corporate governance.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first archival study to examine the association between female board representation and audit fees in Egypt.
The interplay of financial reporting quality and investment efficiency: evidence from the USA
Authors: Assad Nedal , Jaafar Aziz , Zervopoulos Panagiotis D.
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This study aims to comprehensively examine the relationship between financial reporting quality (FRQ) and investment efficiency (IE). The central thrust of this research endeavor is to empirically analyze the impact of FRQ on diverse facets of investment, including overinvestment, underinvestment and overall IE.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a sample of 13,902 firm-year observations from publicly listed US companies, this study uses the generalized method of moment (GMM) in conjunction with three distinct measures for FRQ under three different investment settings, considering firm liquidity and industry performance.

Findings

This study offers interesting insights into the intricate relationship between FRQ and IE. The results indicate a strong positive relation between the two constructs. In particular, the research reveals a negative link between FRQ and underinvestment, and an inverse relationship between FRQ and overinvestment. These findings suggest that FRQ is one of the key drivers of IE and that by enhancing FRQ, businesses can better optimize their investments.

Practical implications

This study highlights the significant implication of the effect of FRQ on IE, as it enables businesses to optimize their investments by improving their decision-making processes and better risk assessment of associated projects, resulting in more efficient capital allocation. A higher degree of FRQ increases investors’ confidence in a company’s financial statements, resulting in higher liquidity. It can benefit regulators to set higher standards and promote transparency.

Originality/value

The study examines the relationship between FRQ and IE. The study finds a strong positive relation between FRQ and IE, with FRQ being a key driver of IE. The paper’s original contribution lies in its comprehensive examination of the complex relationship between FRQ and IE, using robust analytical techniques by applying GMM and taking into consideration firms liquidity and industry performance.
Do monetary policy credibility and disagreements in inflation and interest rate expectations affect business confidence? Evidence from an inflation targeting developing country
Authors: Montes Gabriel Caldas , Díaz Raime Rolando Rodríguez
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Business confidence is crucial to firm decisions, but it is deeply related to professional forecasters' expectations. Since Brazil is an important inflation targeting country, this paper investigates whether monetary policy credibility and disagreements in inflation and interest rate expectations relate to business confidence in Brazil. The study considers the aggregate business confidence index and the business confidence indexes for 11 industrial sectors in Brazil.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors run ordinary least squares and generalized method of moments regressions to assess the direct effects of disagreements in expectation and monetary policy credibility on business confidence. The authors also make use of Wald test of parameter equality to observe whether there are “offsetting effects” of monetary credibility in mitigating the effects of both disagreements in expectations on business confidence. Besides, the authors run quantile regressions to analyze the effect of the main explanatory variables of interest on business confidence in contexts where business confidence is low (pessimistic) or high (optimistic).

Findings

Disagreements in inflation expectations reduce business confidence, monetary policy credibility improves business confidence and credibility mitigates the adverse effects of disagreements in expectations on business confidence. The sectors most sensitive to monetary policy credibility are Rubber, Motor Vehicles, Metallurgy, Metal Products and Cellulose. The findings also suggest the effect of disagreement in inflation expectations on business confidence decreases as confidence increases, and the effect of monetary policy credibility on business confidence increases as entrepreneurs are more optimistic.

Originality/value

While there is evidence that monetary policy credibility is beneficial to the economy, there are no studies on the effects of disagreements in inflation and interest rate expectations on business confidence (at the aggregate and sectoral levels). Besides, there are no studies that have investigated whether monetary policy credibility can mitigate the effects of disagreements in inflation and interest rate expectations on business confidence (at the aggregate and sectoral levels). Therefore, there are gaps to be filled in the literature addressing business confidence, monetary policy credibility and disagreements in expectations. These issues are particularly important to inflation targeting developing countries.
Multi-level outcomes of learning organisation: a bibliometric analysis and future research agenda
Authors: Budhiraja Sunil , Yadav Mohini , Rathi Neerpal
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Becoming a learning organisation (LO) is an aspiration for every organisation as it offers internal capabilities, a competitive advantage and synergy gains to organisational members. Scholars across the globe have tried to examine the outcomes of LO at various organisational levels. Still, the existing literature is fragmented, and there is no systematic understanding of the multi-level outcomes of LO. Therefore, this study aims to synthesise, analyse and categorise the scientific literature into various levels of outcomes of LO to provide a conceptual framework for use by future researchers and academicians.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors have performed bibliometric analysis using 603 research articles published in Scopus, entailing 1,345 authors from 77 countries, followed by a thematic cluster analysis using bibliographic coupling to understand the current research trends and to recommend a set of broad themes to provide direction for future researchers in this domain.

Findings

The results are largely descriptive and aim to capture a panoramic view of what has been written on the topic so far. The bibliometric analysis was conducted using different means like citation analysis, cluster analysis, and keyword analysis to reveal the most significant publications, notable authors, keywords, current research trends, and future research questions. Further, the bibliographic coupling led to the categorization of the outcomes of LO into the following four clusters (including sub-clusters): (1) Individual level learning outcomes (2) team-level learning outcomes, (3) organisational-wide learning outcomes and (4) inter-organisational learning outcomes.

Practical implications

Managers and practitioners (change agents) expect academicians and researchers to suggest a set of actions that integrates their learning efforts with business performance across diverse sectors and industries. So, future researchers may try and explain the findings of seminal studies identified in the most cited documents, to design choices and trade-offs that may address major hindrances in implementing the construct in true spirit. The researchers may collaborate with practitioners to study the outcomes of LO with a scientific and empirical lens. Finally, the study invites change agents and organisation development (OD) practitioners to document the outcomes of their efforts to create and leverage the outcomes of LO.

Originality/value

Researchers across the world have tried to examine the outcomes of LO at various levels in organisational setting including, measuring capabilities and attitudes at individual level, team capabilities and innovation, and organisational performance and sustainability, but still there is no tested conceptual framework which encompasses the various outcome levels of LO in one frame.
Results from an effectiveness evaluation of anti-bias training on police behavior and public perceptions of discrimination
Authors: James Lois , James Stephen , Mitchell Renée Jean
Published: September 2023

Purpose

The authors evaluated the impact of an anti-bias training intervention for improving police behavior during interactions with community members and public perceptions of discrimination.

Design/methodology/approach

Fifty patrol officers from a diverse municipal agency were randomly selected to participate in an anti-bias intervention. Before and after the intervention, a random selection of Body Worn Camera (BWC) videos from the intervention group as well as from a control group of officers was coded using a validated tool for coding police “performance” during interactions with the public. Discrimination-based community member complaints were also collected before and after the intervention for treatment and control group officers.

Findings

The treatment group had a small but significant increase in performance scores compared to control group officers, F = 4.736, p = 0.009, R2ß < 0.01. They also had a small but significantly reduced number of discrimination-based complaints compared to control group officers, F = 3.042, p = 0.049, p2 = 0.015. These results suggest that anti-bias training could have an impact on officer behaviors during interactions with public and perceptions of discrimination.

Originality/value

Although these results are from a single municipal police department, this is the first study to suggest that anti-bias trainings may have a positive behavioral impact on police officers as well as the first to illustrate the potential for their impact on community members' perceptions of biased treatment by officers.
Should sons breed independently or help? Local relatedness matters
Authors: Li Zhibing , Chen Shicheng , Wei Sai , Komdeur Jan , Lu Xin
Published: September 2023

In cooperatively breeding birds, why do some individuals breed independently but others have to help at home? This question has been rarely addressed despite its fundamental importance for understanding the evolution of social cooperation.

We address it using 15 years of data from Tibetan ground tits Pseudopodoces humilis where helpers consist of younger males. Since whether younger males successfully breed depends critically on their chances to occupy territories nearby home, our analytic strategy is to identify the determinants of individual differences in gaining territory ownership among these ready‐to‐breed males.

Across widowed, last‐year helper and yearling males, an age advantage was evident in inheriting resident territories, occupying adjacent vacancies and budding off part of adjacent territories, which left some last‐year helpers and most yearling males to take the latter two routes. These males were more likely to acquire a territory if they were genetically related to the previous or current territory owners; otherwise they remained on natal territories as helpers. The relatedness effect can arise from the prior residence advantage established in the preceding winter when younger males followed their parents to perform kin‐directed off‐territory forays.

Our research highlights the key role of local kinship in determining younger males' territory acquisition and thus their fate in terms of independent reproduction versus help. This finding provides insight into the formation of kin‐based, facultative cooperative societies prevailing among vertebrates.
Association between patient‐reported social and behavioral risks and health care costs in high‐risk Veterans health administration patients
Authors: Maciejewski Matthew L. , Greene Liberty , Grubber Janet M. , Blalock Dan V. , Jacobs Josephine , Rao Mayuree , Zulman Donna M. , Smith Valerie A.
Published: September 2023

Objective

Social risks complicate patients' ability to manage their conditions and access healthcare, but their association with health expenditures is not well established. To identify patient‐reported social risk, behavioral, and health factors associated with health expenditures in Veterans Affairs (VA) patients at high risk for hospitalization or death.

Data Sources, Study Setting, and Study Design

Prospective cohort study among high‐risk Veterans obtaining VA care. Patient‐reported social risk, function, and other measures derived from a 2018 survey sent to 10,000 VA patients were linked to clinical and demographic characteristics extracted from VA data. Response‐weighted generalized linear and marginalized two‐part models were used to examine VA expenditures (total, outpatient, medication, inpatient) 1 year after survey completion in adjusted models.

Principal Findings

Among 4680 survey respondents, the average age was 70.9 years, 6.3% were female, 16.7% were African American, 20% had body mass index ≥35, 42.4% had difficulty with two or more basic or instrumental activities of daily living, 19.3% reported transportation barriers, 12.5% reported medication insecurity and 21.8% reported food insecurity. Medication insecurity was associated with lower outpatient expenditures (−$1859.51 per patient per year, 95% confidence interval [CI]: −3200.77 to −518.25) and lower total expenditures (−$4304.99 per patient per year, 95% CI: −7564.87 to −1045.10). Transportation barriers were negatively associated with medication expenditures (−$558.42, 95% CI: −1087.93 to −31.91). Patients with one functional impairment had higher outpatient expenditures ($2997.59 per patient year, 95% CI: 1185.81–4809.36) than patients without functional impairments. No social risks were associated with inpatient expenditures.

Conclusions

In this study of VA patients at high risk for hospitalization and mortality, few social and functional measures were independently associated with the costs of VA care. Individuals with functional limitations and those with barriers to accessing medications and transportation may benefit from targeted interventions to ensure that they are receiving the services that they need.
Cannabis use disorder and adverse cardiovascular outcomes: A population‐based retrospective cohort analysis of adults from Alberta, Canada
Authors: Bahji Anees , Hathaway Josh , Adams Denise , Crockford David , Edelman E. Jennifer , Stein Michael D. , Patten Scott B.
Published: September 2023

Aim

To measure the association between cannabis use disorder (CUD) and adverse cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes.

Design and Setting

We conducted a matched, population‐based retrospective cohort study involving five linked administrative health databases from Alberta, Canada.

Participants

We identified participants with CUD diagnosis codes and matched them to participants without CUD codes by gender, year of birth and time of presentation to the health system. We included 29 764 pairs (n = 59 528 individuals in total).

Measurements

CVD events were defined by at least one incident diagnostic code within the study period (1 January 2012–31 December 2019). Covariates included comorbidity, socio‐economic status, prescription medication use and health service use. Using mortality‐censored Poisson regression models, we computed survival analyses for time to incident CVD stratified by CUD status. In addition, we calculated crude and stratified risk ratios (RRs) across various covariates using the Mantel–Haenszel technique.

Findings

The overall prevalence of documented CUD was 0.8%. Approximately 2.4% and 1.5% of participants in the CUD and unexposed groups experienced an incident adverse CVD event (RR = 1.57; 95% confidence interval = 1.40–1.77). CUD was significantly associated with reduced time to incident CVD event. Individuals who appeared to have greater RRs for incident CVD were those without mental health comorbidity, who had not used health‐care services in the previous 6 months, who were not on prescription medications and who did not have comorbid conditions.

Conclusions

Canadian adults with cannabis use disorder appear to have an approximately 60% higher risk of experiencing incident adverse cardiovascular disease events than those without cannabis use disorder.
Letter: Antibiotics in gut dysbiosis and development of inflammatory bowel disease—More thought is needed
Authors: Andrew Bridgette , Zhou Annie , Trinh Steven , Srinivasan Ashish , Vasudevan Abhinav
Published: September 2023

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Oh et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17542 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17696.
Letter: Antibiotics in gut dysbiosis and development of inflammatory bowel disease—More thought is needed—Authors' reply
Authors: Oh Shin Ju , Kim Hyo Jong , Lee Chang Kyun
Published: September 2023

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Oh et al papers. To view these articles, visithttps://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17542andhttps://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17678
Editorial: Interaction between fibre and colonic fermentation assessed with a novel gas‐sensing capsule—Authors' reply
Authors: So Daniel , Thwaites Phoebe A. , Gibson Peter R.
Published: September 2023

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to So et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17629 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17687
Decision‐making experiences and the need for decision aids in women considering vaginal birth after cesarean: A qualitative meta‐synthesis
Authors: Shurong Zhou , Li Mengyuan , Jie Xiang
Published: September 2023

Aims

This study aims to comprehensively explore the decision‐making requirements of women contemplating vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC).

Design & Methods

A meta‐synthesis approach was employed for this study. Using an integrative methodology, we conducted a systematic assessment of women's experiences and needs related to VBAC decision‐making. A comprehensive search was conducted across The Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, Ovid Medline, SCOPUS, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), PsycINFO, and Wan Fang databases to identify pertinent studies between 2000 and 2022. Furthermore, the reference lists of the included studies were thoroughly examined.

Results

Fifteen studies were incorporated, from which seven themes emerged: emotional changes, preference for vaginal birth, unmet information needs, influences on decision‐making, decision‐making autonomy, aligning information provision with decision‐support needs, and the requirement for support systems. Two primary syntheses were constructed on the decision‐making process and the need for decision‐making aids, respectively.

Conclusion

Women opting for VBAC experienced emotional shifts during their decision‐making process in pregnancy. There remains a need for an enhanced decision‐making tool to guide them in their choice. Recommendations for implementation in VBAC decision aids include facilitating women's involvement in decision‐making, satisfying their information needs, and delivering appropriate emotional support.
Identifying inconsistencies in exotic pet regulations that perpetuate trade in risky species
Authors: Pratt Elizabeth N. , Lockwood Julie L. , King Elizabeth G. , Pienaar Elizabeth F.
Published: September 2023

Regulatory inconsistencies at different jurisdictional levels have contributed to the global expansion of the exotic pet trade, with resultant increases in the spread of invasive species and pathogens. Researchers have enumerated multiple limitations and environmental risks posed by international and national rules that govern the exotic pet trade, yet little attention has focused on the regulation of the exotic pet trade within national borders. We reviewed state‐level regulations that apply to the trade of vertebrate animal taxa in the United States. Definitions and classifications for regulating different vertebrate taxa varied greatly across states, and the terms pet and companion animal were poorly defined and inconsistent across states. States implemented regulations that permit trade in exotic vertebrate pets that are banned from import into the United States owing to public health and conservation concerns. Once species have been imported into the United States, inconsistent internal regulations facilitate the movement of animals that pose substantial invasion and disease risks. Violations of state laws were typically listed as misdemeanors, and the median fine for violating state wildlife trade laws was $1000. Inconsistent and incomplete regulation of exotic vertebrate pets across state borders, in conjunction with limited penalties for violating regulations, has facilitated continued possession of exotic pets in states where these animals are banned. Based on our review of regulatory weaknesses, we conclude that a transition to a federally enforced list of vertebrate species that may be traded as pets is needed, with all other vertebrate species banned from the exotic pet trade unless their potential invasion and disease risks have been assessed and demonstrated to be low or nonexistent.
Threats to conservation from national security interests
Authors: Nowak Katarzyna , Bear Dinah , Dutta Anwesha , Traphagen Myles , Żmihorski Michał , Jaroszewicz Bogdan
Published: September 2023

There is a growing trend of nation states invoking national security and emergency declarations to build state‐sponsored infrastructure projects for border defense, energy production, and transportation. Established laws, regulations, and agreements for the protection of nature and cultural heritage within and between countries are becoming secondary to national security, compromising the function of protected areas, such as national parks, wilderness areas, and biosphere reserves that safeguard biodiversity, climate, and human health. We considered cases where decades‐long multinational cross‐border endangered species recovery programs have been jeopardized by waivers of environmental protection laws to facilitate rapid construction of border barriers that impede the movement and migration of animals, such as at the US–Mexico and Poland–Belarus borders. Renewable energy megaprojects, such as the Pinacate solar plant in Mexico, coupled with power transmission lines and road networks likewise cast a large footprint on the land and are being carried out with minimal to no environmental compliance under the guise of national security. National sovereignty likewise has been used as justification for bypassing laws to proceed with similar projects, such as Mexico's Dos Bocas refinery and Poland's Vistula Spit canal. Emphasis on security is also apparent in increasing military expenditure by the world's largest economies, which has created a mismatch with improvement in environmental policy stringency. Decisions to prioritize security can undermine democratic principles and environmental review protocols, trivialize humanity's dependence on functioning ecosystems, and contradict the United Nation's resolution on the human right to a healthy environment. Framing infrastructure projects as matters of national security also foments civil and political unrest by the labeling and casting of dissenters, including conservation scientists and environmental defenders, as antinational. World leaders must refrain from misusing extraordinary powers, adhere to laws and international agreements, and consult experts and local people before taking unilateral action on projects that affect ecological and human communities.
General requirements for the production of extracellular vesicles derived from human stem cells
Authors: Wang Ling , Liu Shiyu , Li Ka , Ma Aijin , Hu Chenghu , Wang Changlin , Cao Nan , Zhao Yunpeng , Fu Ruifeng , Jia Wenwen , Xiang Peng , Liu Houqi , Qi Zhongquan , Zhu Ningwen , Liang Lingmin , Wang Lei , Cao Jiani , Zhai Peijun , Zhou Jiaxi , Wei Jun , Na Tao , Wu Jun , He Zhiying , Zhou Guangdong , Yu Weifeng , Wu Jinyan , Zeng Wen , Zhang Yong , Zhu Lijun , Fu Boqiang , Zhang Jingzhong , Yang Shuwei , Dai Chengxiang , Cui Hengmi , Jing Jianzhong , Yan Hexin , He Xiaowen , Lu Yongbo , Tong Cailing , Zhao Tongbiao , Hao Jie , Liu Xialin , Jin Yan , Wang Yue
Published: September 2023

‘General requirements for the production of extracellular vesicles derived from human stem cells’ is the first guideline for stem cells derived extracellular vesicles in China, jointly drafted and agreed upon by experts from the Chinese Society for Stem Cell Research. This standard specifies the general requirements, process requirements, packaging and labelling requirements and storage requirements for preparing extracellular vesicles derived from human stem cells, which is applicable to the research and production of extracellular vesicles derived from stem cells. It was originally released by the China Society for Cell Biology on 30 August 2022. We hope that the publication of this guideline will promote institutional establishment, acceptance and execution of proper protocols, and accelerate the international standardisation of extracellular vesicles derived from human stem cells.
A first‐in‐human phase I study of SHR‐1906, a humanized monoclonal antibody against connective tissue growth factor, in healthy participants
Authors: Song Lin‐Lin , Zhou Hai‐Yan , Ye Pan‐Pan , Li Qian , Chen Ke‐Guang , Zhang Ye‐Hui , Zhao Fu‐Rong , Shi Jin‐Yi , Luo Yuan , Zhu Min , Zhang Jian‐Jun , Yang Xin‐Mei , Zhao Wei
Published: September 2023

New therapeutic targets and drugs are urgently needed to halt the fibrosing process in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). SHR‐1906 is a novel fully humanized monoclonal antibody against the connective tissue growth factor, which plays an essential role in the genesis of IPF. We assessed the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PKs), and immunogenicity of single dose SHR‐1906 in healthy participants. This was a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, dose‐escalation, phase I study. Twelve healthy participants for each dose level were enrolled to receive single ascending doses of SHR‐1906 intravenously (1.5, 6, 12, 20, 30, and 45 mg/kg) or placebo and followed for 71 days. The primary end points were safety and tolerability. Treatment‐related treatment‐emergent adverse events occurred in 25 participants (46.3%) in the SHR‐1906 group and 11 (61.1%) in the placebo group. No serious adverse events occurred. Over the dose range investigated, the geometric mean clearance was 0.14–0.63 mL/h/kg, the geometric mean volume of distribution at steady‐state was 47.4–75.5 mL/kg, and the terminal elimination half‐life was 51.9–349 h. SHR‐1906 showed nonlinear PKs. The peak concentration increased in a dose‐proportional manner, whereas the area under the concentration–time curve showed a greater than dose‐proportional increase. Anti‐drug antibodies of SHR‐1906 were detected in nine of 54 participants (16.7%). A single dose of SHR‐1906 up to 45 mg/kg demonstrated a favorable tolerability profile in healthy participants. The PKs and immunogenicity of SHR‐1906 were evaluated, supporting further clinical development.
Hypertonic solution as an optimal submucosal injection solution for endoscopic resection of gastrointestinal mucosal lesions: Systematic review and network meta‐analysis
Authors: Gao Li , Bai Jiawei , Liu Kai , Wang Lulu , Zhu Shaohua , Zhao Xin , Han Ying , Liu Zhiguo
Published: September 2023

Objectives

Based on different physicochemical properties, common submucosal injection solutions could be classified into three categories: normal saline solution (NS), hypertonic solution (HS), and viscous solution (VS). We compared the efficacy and safety of various categories of solutions in this network meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to identify the optimal submucosal injection fluid.

Methods

PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were searched for RCTs that compared the efficacy and safety of NS, HS, and VS during endoscopic resection for gastrointestinal (GI) mucosal lesions. Pairwise and network analyses were conducted to determine the ranking of different fluids.

Results

Thirteen RCTs were included in the final analysis with 1637 patients (1639 lesions). HS outperformed NS in rates of en bloc (pooled relative risk [RR] 1.50; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.10–1.90), overall bleeding (pooled odds ratio [OR] 0.33; 95% CI 0.10–0.88; lesions >10 mm OR 4.65 × 10−2; 95% CI 1.10 × 10−3–0.46), and intraoperative bleeding (lesions >10 mm OR 7.10 × 10−6; 95% CI 4.30 × 10−18–0.26). HS showed the highest probability of ranking first in each outcome except for the volume of injection. Although VS was superior to NS in rates of en bloc, overall, and intraoperative bleeding in the lesions >10 mm subgroup, and required less fluid in pooled analysis, it ranked last in cost of submucosal injection solution.

Conclusions

Both HS and VS were superior to NS in comparisons of efficacy and safety. Considering the better performance and potentially low cost, HS might be an optimal choice during gastrointestinal endoscopic resection, especially for colorectal endoscopic mucosal resection.
Feminisation of agriculture and the role of environmental changes: ‘It's already a tough job and it's getting tougher due to weather changes’
Authors: Ou‐Salah Loubna , Van Praag Lore , Verschraegen Gert
Published: September 2023

In the present study, we aim to examine how slow‐onset environmental changes are intertwined with the feminisation of agriculture and how these environmental changes impact gender relations in the rural Souss‐Massa region—a predominantly agricultural region in Morocco. We do so by firstly studying the perspectives of rural inhabitants on broader household, kinship, land ownership and community‐based gender relations in rural regions in the Souss‐Massa region of Morocco. Secondly, we examine whether and how these slow changes alter the position of women in the family. This study is based on 38 interviews with farmers in the Souss‐Massa region of Morocco, of which 15 interviews were conducted with rural women. Our findings show how slow‐onset environmental changes seem to have changed the position of women within the family. This study shows that gender roles matter when examining the vulnerabilities of people confronted with slow‐onset environmental change.
Continental Scale Hydrostratigraphy: Basin‐Scale Testing of Alternative Data‐Driven Approaches
Authors: Tijerina‐Kreuzer Danielle , Swilley Jackson S. , Tran Hoang V. , Zhang Jun , West Benjamin , Yang Chen , Condon Laura E. , Maxwell Reed M.
Published: September 2023

Integrated hydrological modeling is an effective method for understanding interactions between parts of the hydrologic cycle, quantifying water resources, and furthering knowledge of hydrologic processes. However, these models are dependent on robust and accurate datasets that physically represent spatial characteristics as model inputs. This study evaluates multiple data‐driven approaches for estimating hydraulic conductivity and subsurface properties at the continental‐scale, constructed from existing subsurface dataset components. Each subsurface configuration represents upper (unconfined) hydrogeology, lower (confined) hydrogeology, and the presence of a vertical flow barrier. Configurations are tested in two large‐scale U.S. watersheds using an integrated model. Model results are compared to observed streamflow and steady state water table depth (WTD). We provide model results for a range of configurations and show that both WTD and surface water partitioning are important indicators of performance. We also show that geology data source, total subsurface depth, anisotropy, and inclusion of a vertical flow barrier are the most important considerations for subsurface configurations. While a range of configurations proved viable, we provide a recommended Selected National Configuration 1 km resolution subsurface dataset for use in distributed large‐and continental‐scale hydrologic modeling.