bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative performance analysis of mulberry silkworm (Bombyx moriL.) races for integration of superior yield and maximize profit in West Bengal
Authors: Kaviraj Megha , Kumar Upendra , Chatterjee SN , Swain SL , Singh M , Nandi Kasinath
Published: March 2021

India has a prosperous and glorious history in silk production and its silk trade dates back to 15thcentury. Sericulture is practiced in many regions of India, where West Bengal ranks third in mulberry silk production. About 2000 villages are engaged in mulberry cultivation with plantation area of 37,883 acres. But nowadays, farmers have lack their interest in this sector due to low cost benefit ratio, high investment cost in terms of silk worm rearing, land uses and lack of proper knowledge on different races ofBombyx mori. Therefore, the present study has been aiming to find out the comparative performance of bivoltine, multivoltine, and F1 variety ofB. moriby analysed the cocoon, post-cocoon characters, and silk related traits for identifying the best superior races ofB. mori. The results showed that feeding habits of silkworm larvae of three races had significant effect on cocoon parameters. The average weight of ten 5th instar larvae of bivoltine was higher in comparison with multivoltine and F1 variety. Similar trends were obtained in the average length of silk thread from a single cocoon in bivoltine races, higher by 30% and 77.14% from F1 and multivoltine, respectively (P<0.05). We also inquired about capital investment and profit-making of three varieties. Net profit for bivoltine was significantly increased by 15.65% and 10.21% than multivoltine and F1 varieties, respectively.The heatmap analysis revealed that the bivoltine races ofB. moriwere separately clustered based on the positive correlation of measured variables mostly length of silk thread, renditta, dry cocoon weight, the average weight of larvae, present market price, leaves for rearing, net profit and selling price of cocoon per acre farmland; whereas, the multivoltine and F1 variety clustered in a separate group. From our findings, it is clear that the culture of bivoltine is preferable for the farmers who don’t have enough landed property and also profitable in terms of cocoon, post cocoon and silk traits. Therefore, it is recommended that the farming of bivoltine silkworm is more gainfulcompared to F1 and multivoltine variety, and capable of more income generation than other traditional agricultural crops.

Fig.

Graphical abstract represents the comparative performance of bivoltine, multivoltine and F1 races ofB. morion the aspect of biological and economic traits in tropical climate condition.
The role of DDK and Treslin-MTBP in coordinating replication licensing and pre-Initiation Complex formation
Authors: Volpi Ilaria , Gillespie Peter J. , Chadha Gaganmeet Singh , Blow J. Julian
Published: March 2021

Treslin/Ticrr is required for the initiation of DNA replication and binds to MTBP (Mdm2 Binding Protein). Here we show that inXenopusegg extract, MTBP forms an elongated tetramer with Treslin containing two molecules of each protein. Immunodepletion and add-back experiments show that Treslin-MTBP is rate-limiting for replication initiation. It is recruited onto chromatin before S phase starts and recruitment continues during S phase. We show that DDK activity both increases and strengthens the interaction of Treslin-MTBP with licensed chromatin. We also show that DDK activity cooperates with CDK activity to drive the interaction of Treslin-MTBP with TopBP1 which is a regulated crucial step in pre-Initiation Complex formation. These results suggest how DDK works together with CDKs to regulate Treslin-MTBP and plays a crucial in selecting which origins will undergo initiation.
Dice manufacturing company: the acquisition decision
Authors: Bassiouny Aliaa , Toma Enjy , Dawood Farida , Aljammali Haneen , Seif El Nasr Salim , Mohy El Din Youssef
Published: March 2021

Learning outcomes

The learning outcomes of this paper is as follows: understand the issues that faced private Egyptian textile producers following the January 2011 revolution and how that impacted their business model. Evaluate whether Dice’s inorganic expansion through acquiring Alex Clothing Company is a sound strategic decision given the economic uncertainty in Egypt. Analyze the acquisition decision through projection evaluation techniques, including net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR) and modified IRR (MIRR), to measure whether the acquisition will add value to Dice. Discuss non-financial issues post-acquisition that are not captured by traditional capital budgeting and project evaluation techniques.

Case overview/synopsis

Dice Manufacturing Company, an established and successful textile manufacturing family business, is facing an important investment decision with regard to inorganic expansion through the acquisition of Alex Clothing Company and its subsidiary United Dyers. The case is intended to be discussed in an undergraduate corporate finance class. The case setting is inside Dice Manufacturing Company, where one of the founders, Nagy Toma and his CFO Victor ElMalek are analyzing the acquisition decision in January 2015. The protagonist is Victor ElMalek, who has to recommend a course of action for the company owners. The case allows students to apply capital budgeting and project valuation methods to make a decision on whether the acquisition brings value to Dice and to analyze issues management can face post-acquisition. The case follows through the history of Dice, presenting its business model and changes that accompanied the 2011 revolution. It then moves on to outline the acquisition opportunity and provides data for students to analyze through traditional project valuation techniques, including NPV, IRR and MIRR.

Complexity academic level

Undergraduate.

Subject code

CSS 1: Accounting and Finance.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only.
How servant leadership triggers innovative work behavior: exploring the sequential mediating role of psychological empowerment and job crafting
Authors: Khan Muhammad Mumtaz , Mubarik Muhammad Shujaat , Islam Tahir , Rehman Asif , Ahmed Syed Saad , Khan Essa , Sohail Farhan
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The study aims to examine the mediating role of psychological empowerment and job crafting between servant leadership and innovative work behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected from 689 knowledge workers employed in Pakistan's service industry. The data collection was done through survey design. The data analysis was done through structural equation modeling using PLS-Smart.

Findings

Servant leadership was found to be related to psychological empowerment, job crafting and innovative work behavior of the employees. Job crafting was found to be mediating between servant leadership and innovative work behavior. Additionally, psychological empowerment and job crafting were found to be sequential mediators between servant leadership and innovative work behavior.

Originality/value

The study delineated the link mechanism between servant leadership and innovative work behavior.
How do network attributes impact information virality in social networks?
Authors: Joseph Nimish , Kar Arpan Kumar , Ilavarasan P. Vigneswara
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Social media platforms play a key role in information propagation and there is a need to study the same. This study aims to explore the impact of the number of close communities (represented by cliques), the size of these close communities and its impact on information virality.

Design/methodology/approach

This study identified 6,786 users from over 11 million tweets for analysis using sentiment mining and network science methods. Inferential analysis has also been established by introducing multiple regression analysis and path analysis.

Findings

Sentiments of content did not have a significant impact on the information virality. However, there exists a stagewise development relationship between communities of close friends, user reputation and information propagation through virality.

Research limitations/implications

This paper contributes to the theory by introducing a stagewise progression model for influencers to manage and develop their social networks.

Originality/value

There is a gap in the existing literature on the role of the number and size of cliques on information propagation and virality. This study attempts to address this gap.
Advancing futures thinking in the real estate field
Authors: Toivonen Saija
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the user experiences of the futures wheel method to investigate its suitability to advance futures thinking in the real estate field.

Design/methodology/approach

The user experiences of the futures wheel method are investigated through questionnaire answers of 114 master’s level students and real estate experts taking part in future wheel workshops.

Findings

The futures wheel method could enhance future-oriented thinking and decision-making in the real estate field. The respondents see futures thinking as an important skill and recognize several advantages concerning the method.

Practical implications

The futures wheel method bears great potential to be used in the real estate sector and it could be a fruitful addition to the curriculums at different education levels in real estate studies.

Social implications

Futures thinking is essential when aiming for sustainable decisions in the real estate field which again would benefit the whole surrounding society.

Originality/value

This paper is the first published paper concentrating on the user experiences of the future wheel method in the real estate sector. The benefits and the disadvantages of the method are investigated but also the attitudes indicating the potential of the method to be successfully adopted in the field are analyzed.
Tourism: how to achieve the sustainable development goals?
Authors: Seraphin Hugues , Gowreesunkar Vanessa G.B.
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The purpose is to provide an overview as to how the sustainable development goals (SDGs) are being implemented by countries with different tourism requirements and resources. In so doing, this theme issue presents case studies from across the globe and examines them from academic and practitioner perspectives. The case studies cover: hospitality, tourism agriculture, events, small and medium sized businesses, sport, the African Union as a regional organisation and wildlife tourism. Ultimately, the objective is to encourage countries to implement the SDGs by highlighting the benefits they bring to the economy, society and the environment.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper outlines the theme issue approach which draws on a blend of case studies, online sources, literature review and industry reports. This combination of primary, secondary and tertiary data enables a meaningful analysis of the implementation of SDGs in destinations with different requirements and characteristics.

Findings

The theme issue findings provide insights on the history, status and progress of SDGs in hospitality and tourism worldwide. Based on reviews and practical evidence, it is clear that many countries have not yet successfully implemented the SDGs, whereas others have made significant progress by embracing sustainable action. The overall observations point towards collaboration between stakeholders, and the scale of organisations as a sine qua non condition for the achievement of sustainability.

Originality/value

The value of this theme issue is that it presents a variety of case studies that demonstrate how different countries have successfully implemented the SDGs and the challenges faced while embracing those actions. Each case presented is unique and the variety of strategies proposed therein serves as guide to practitioners and destination managers. Further, the findings may be applicable to other geographic regions with similar contexts.
Functional characterization of a novel, highly expressed ion‐driven sugar antiporter in the thoracic muscles of Helicoverpa armigera
Authors: Yuan Yi‐Yang , Xin Yu‐Cui , Han Jian‐Li , Zhao Yu‐Han , Han Shi‐Ming , Nangong Zi‐Yan , Chen Xin , Wang Zhu‐Cheng , Li Mei , Qiu Xing‐Hui
Published: March 2021

Sugar transporters (STs), which mainly mediate cellular sugar exchanges, play critical physiological roles in living organisms, and they may be responsible for sugar exchanges among various insect tissues. However, the molecular and physiological functions of insect STs are largely unknown. Here, 16 STs of Helicoverpa armigera were identified. A phylogenetic analysis classified the putative HaSTs into 12 sub‐families, and those identified in this study were distributed into 6 sub‐families. Real‐time polymerase chain reaction indicated that the 16 HaSTs had diverse tissue‐specific expression levels. One transporter, HaST10, was highly expressed in thoracic muscles. A functional study using a Xenopus oocyte expression system revealed that HaST10 mediated both H+‐driven trehalose and Na+‐driven glucose antiport activities with high transport efficiency and low affinity levels. A HaST10 knockout clearly impaired the performance of H. armigera. Thus, HaST10 may participate in sugar‐supply regulation and have essential physiological roles in H. armigera.
Debar: A sequence‐by‐sequence denoiser for COI‐5P DNA barcode data
Authors: Nugent Cameron M. , Elliott Tyler A. , Ratnasingham Sujeevan , Hebert Paul D.N. , Adamowicz Sarah J.
Published: March 2021

DNA barcoding and metabarcoding are now widely used to advance species discovery and biodiversity assessments. High‐throughput sequencing (HTS) has expanded the volume and scope of these analyses, but elevated error rates introduce noise into sequence records that can inflate estimates of biodiversity. Denoising —the separation of biological signal from instrument (technical) noise—of barcode and metabarcode data currently employs abundance‐based methods which do not capitalize on the highly conserved structure of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) region employed as the animal barcode. This manuscript introduces debar, an R package that utilizes a profile hidden Markov model to denoise indel errors in COI sequences introduced by instrument error. In silico studies demonstrated that debar recognized 95% of artificially introduced indels in COI sequences. When applied to real‐world data, debar reduced indel errors in circular consensus sequences obtained with the Sequel platform by 75%, and those generated on the Ion Torrent S5 by 94%. The false correction rate was less than 0.1%, indicating that debar is receptive to the majority of true COI variation in the animal kingdom. In conclusion, the debar package improves DNA barcode and metabarcode workflows by aiding the generation of more accurate sequences aiding the characterization of species diversity.
Increased malignancies in our Waikato cohort of patients with systemic sclerosis
Authors: Rees Monique S. , Frampton Chris , White Douglas H. N. , Solanki Kamal K.
Published: March 2021

Background

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) has been associated with an increased risk of malignancy (especially in the skin, lung, breast, and hematological system).

Aim

To determine the risk of malignancies in our SSc cohort.

Methods

The NZ National Cancer Registry supplied details of all malignancies recorded in patients attending the Waikato Hospital Systemic Sclerosis Clinics from 2005 to 2018. Prospectively gathered clinical data were used to look for associations between clinical variables and malignancy.

Results

Out of the 164 patients in the Waikato SSc cohort, 32 (19.5%) had developed a malignancy. The overall standardized incidence rate was found to be 2.2 (95% CI 1.4‐3.4) but was higher for men (4.4, 95% CI 1.4‐10.3). The absolute numbers of patients with SSc and malignancies were small and were not adequately powered to investigate the SSc subgroups. The mean age of patients with malignancy was approximately 8 years older than patients without. The most common form of malignancy was skin (14, 43.7%), followed by breast (6, 18.7%), and lymphoma (5, 15.6%).

Conclusion

This study found an increased risk of malignancy for patients within the Waikato SSc cohort. Risk was greater in male patients and the mean age of patients with malignancies was approximately 8 years older than those without malignancy.
Reliability analysis of successive Corneal Visualization Scheimpflug Technology measurements in different keratoconus stages
Authors: Flockerzi Elias , Häfner Larissa , Xanthopoulou Kassandra , Daas Loay , Munteanu Cristian , Langenbucher Achim , Seitz Berthold
Published: March 2021

Background

This study assesses the reliability of successive corneal biomechanical response measurements by the Corneal Visualization Scheimpflug Technology (CST, Corvis ST®, Oculus Optikgeräte, Wetzlar, Germany) in different keratoconus (KC) stages.

Methods

A total of 173 eyes (15 controls: 15 eyes, and 112 KC patients: stages 1|1–2|2|2–3|3|3–4|4, n = 26|16|36|18|31|26|5 according to Topographical KC Classification, TKC) were repeatedly examined five times with the CST, each after repositioning the patient’s head and re‐adjusting the device. Tomographical analysis (Pentacam HR®; Oculus, Wetzlar, Germany) was performed once before and once after CST measurements. Outcome measures included (1) A1 velocity, (2) deformation amplitude (DA) ratio 2 mm, (3) integrated radius, (4) stiffness parameter A1 and (5) Ambrósio relational thickness to the horizontal profile (ARTh). The Corvis Biomechanical Index (CBI) is reported to be extracted out of these parameters. Mean values of the five measurements and Cronbach’s α were calculated as a measure for reliability.

Results

Ambrósio relational thickness to the horizontal profile and SPA1 were significantly higher in controls (534|123) compared to TKC1 (384|88), TKC2 (232|66), TKC3 (152|55) and TKC4 (71|27; p < 0.0001). The other parameters were similar in controls and TKC1 (A1 velocity: 0.148|0.151 m/s; integrated radius: 8.2|8.6 mm−1), but significantly higher in TKC stages 2 to 4 (DA ratio 2 mm: 5.5|6.3|8.0; A1 velocity: 0.173|0.174|0.186 m/second; integrated radius: 10.9|12.8|19.0 mm−1; p < 0.0001). All parameters proved to be highly reliable (Cronbach’s α ≥ 0.834) and the corneal tomography remained unaffected.

Conclusions

The individual parameters included in the CBI (consisting of ARTh, SPA1, DA ratio 2 mm, A1 velocity and integrated radius) are highly reliable but differ KC stage‐dependently.
Diet‐induced iron deficiency in rats impacts small intestinal calcium and phosphate absorption
Authors: Asowata Evans O. , Olusanya Oluwatobi , Abaakil Kaoutar , Chichger Havovi , Srai Surjit K. S. , Unwin Robert J. , Marks Joanne
Published: March 2021

Aims

Recent reports suggest that iron deficiency impacts both intestinal calcium and phosphate absorption, although the exact transport pathways and intestinal segment responsible have not been determined. Therefore, we aimed to systematically investigate the impact of iron deficiency on the cellular mechanisms of transcellular and paracellular calcium and phosphate transport in different regions of the rat small intestine.

Methods

Adult, male Sprague‐Dawley rats were maintained on a control or iron‐deficient diet for 2 weeks and changes in intestinal calcium and phosphate uptake were determined using the in situ intestinal loop technique. The circulating levels of the hormonal regulators of calcium and phosphate were determined by ELISA, while the expression of transcellular calcium and phosphate transporters, and intestinal claudins were determined using qPCR and western blotting.

Results

Diet‐induced iron deficiency significantly increased calcium absorption in the duodenum but had no impact in the jejunum and ileum. In contrast, phosphate absorption was significantly inhibited in the duodenum and to a lesser extent the jejunum, but remained unchanged in the ileum. The changes in duodenal calcium and phosphate absorption in the iron‐deficient animals were associated with increased claudin 2 and 3 mRNA and protein levels, while levels of parathyroid hormone, fibroblast growth factor‐23 and 1,25‐dihydroxy vitamin D3 were unchanged.

Conclusion

We propose that iron deficiency alters calcium and phosphate transport in the duodenum. This occurs via changes to the paracellular pathway, whereby upregulation of claudin 2 increases calcium absorption and upregulation of claudin 3 inhibits phosphate absorption.
The effects of tree cover and soil nutrient addition on native herbaceous richness in a neotropical savanna
Authors: Massi Klécia Gili , Eugênio Chesterton Ulysses Orlando , Franco Augusto César , Hoffmann William A.
Published: March 2021

Exotic grasses and high‐nutrient availability are common factors that may limit recovery of herbaceous diversity in derived savannas, while tree encroachment is a threat to diversity in old‐growth savannas. To understand the impacts of these factors on herbaceous communities, we studied the effect of nutrient addition, and the resulting increase in the exotic grass, Melinis minutiflora, at a savanna‐forest boundary in the Brazilian Cerrado. We inventoried richness of reproductive herbs, tree basal area and cover of the exotic grass, Melinis minutiflora, in each plot. Nutrient addition caused a large increase in Melinis and a large decrease in richness of flowering plants. Unexpectedly, structural equation model analysis suggests that the decline in herbaceous richness was a direct result of nutrient addition, rather than an indirect effect caused by the increase in Melinis. Tree density had a strong negative effect on both Melinis cover and herbaceous richness. Our results reveal that high‐nutrient availability imposes a barrier to the restoration of a diverse, native herbaceous layer in anthropogenic savannas, while tree encroachment is a threat to diversity in old‐growth savannas.

Abstract in Portuguese is available with online material.
Missing Input: How Imbalanced Distributions of Textbook Problems Affect Mathematics Learning
Authors: Siegler Robert S. , Oppenzato Colleen O.
Published: March 2021

Understanding how environments influence learning requires attending not only to what is present but also to what is absent. In the context of mathematics learning, this means attending not only to problems that children encounter frequently in textbooks but also to ones that appear rarely. We present research in this article showing that students perform surprisingly poorly on seemingly simple fraction and decimal arithmetic problems that are seldom seen in textbooks. Next, we describe imbalanced distributions in textbooks of mixed notation arithmetic and comparison problems, and we hypothesize similar relations between the frequency of those types of problems and student accuracy on those tasks. Finally, we review findings about relations between textbook input and student performance in whole number arithmetic and mathematical equality, and we propose a hypothesis regarding when imbalanced distributions of problems are most detrimental. We conclude that presenting more balanced distributions of problems and helping children understand mathematical principles that differentiate legitimate from flawed solution strategies offer promising ways of improving mathematics education.
Insulin‐like growth factor‐1, growth hormone and disease outcomes in acromegaly: A population study
Authors: Thomas Melissa , Berni Ellen , Jenkins‐Jones Sara , Wensley Sarah , Poole Chris D. , Currie Craig J. , Brownrigg Jack , Ayuk John , Rees D. Aled
Published: March 2021

Context

A lack of consensus remains about the relative importance of insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1) and growth hormone (GH) in predicting adverse outcomes in patients with acromegaly.

Objective

To describe the differing association between IGF‐1 and GH and major disease outcomes in acromegaly.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Patients

United Kingdom National Health Service patients with acromegaly who had an IGF‐1 and/or a GH measurement recorded following diagnosis, prior to December 2019.

Measurements

A composite endpoint including all‐cause mortality (ACM), type 2 diabetes (DM), major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) or cancer was the primary outcome. These outcomes were also analysed individually. Follow‐up period was capped at 5 years.

Results

A maximum of 417 cases and 332 cases were eligible for the IGF‐1 and GH analyses, respectively, comprising 1041.5 and 938.9 years of follow‐up. There was a direct association between increased IGF‐1 concentration and adjusted event risk for the composite endpoint (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.2; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.02‐1.5); in GH, the HR was 1.1 (1.0‐1.2). For the individual endpoints in relation to IGF‐1 level, the HRs were ACM (1.2; 0.93‐1.5), MACE (1.2; 0.64‐2.1), DM (1.53; 1.09‐2.2) and cancer (1.3; 0.95‐1.7). For GH, the HRs were ACM (1.1; 0.97‐1.2), MACE (0.99; 0.73‐1.3), DM (1.1; 0.99‐1.2) and cancer (0.90; 0.66‐1.2).

Conclusions

In this contemporary data set with extended follow‐up, IGF‐1 and GH concentrations showed an association with major adverse outcomes from acromegaly.
Fast Ray Tracing of Scale‐Invariant Integral Surfaces
Authors: Aydinlilar Melike , Zanni Cedric
Published: March 2021

Scale‐invariant integral surfaces, which are implicit representations of surfaces, provide a way to define smooth surfaces from skeletons with prescribed radii defined at their vertices. We introduce a new rendering pipeline allowing to visualize such surfaces in real‐time. We rely on the distance to skeleton to define a sampling strategy along the camera rays, dividing each ray into sub‐intervals. The proposed strategy is chosen to capture main field variations. Resulting intervals are processed iteratively, relying on two main ingredients; quadratic interpolation and field mapping, to an approximate squared homothetic distance. The first provides efficient root finding while the second increases the precision of the interpolation, and the combination of both results in an efficient processing routine. Finally, we present a GPU implementation that relies on a dynamic data‐structure in order to efficiently generate the intervals along the ray. This data‐structure also serves as an acceleration structure that allows constant time access to the primitives of interest during the processing of a given ray.
Estimated impact of novel coronavirus‐19 and transplant center inactivity on end‐stage renal disease‐related patient mortality in the United States
Authors: Peters Thomas G. , Bragg‐Gresham Jennifer L. , Klopstock Annie C. , Roberts John P. , Chertow Glenn , McCormick Frank , Held Philip J.
Published: March 2021

To predict whether the COVID‐19 pandemic and transplant center responses could have resulted in preventable deaths, we analyzed registry information of the US end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) patient population awaiting kidney transplantation. Data were from the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN), the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the United States Renal Data System. Based on 2019 OPTN reports, annualized reduction in kidney transplantation of 25%–100% could result in excess deaths of wait‐listed (deceased donor) transplant candidates from 84 to 337 and living donor candidate excess deaths from 35 to 141 (total 119–478 potentially preventable deaths of transplant candidates). Changes in transplant activity due to COVID‐19 varied with some centers shutting down while others simply heeded known or suspected pandemic risks. Understanding potential excess mortality for ESRD transplant candidates when circumstances compel curtailment of transplant activity may inform policy and procedural aspects of organ transplant systems allowing ways to best inform patients and families as to potential risks in shuttering organ transplant activity. Considering that more than 700 000 Americans have ESRD with 100 000 awaiting a kidney transplant, our highest annual estimate of 478 excess total deaths from postponing kidney transplantation seems modest.
The influence of hidden researcher decisions in applied microeconomics
Authors: Huntington‐Klein Nick , Arenas Andreu , Beam Emily , Bertoni Marco , Bloem Jeffrey R. , Burli Pralhad , Chen Naibin , Grieco Paul , Ekpe Godwin , Pugatch Todd , Saavedra Martin , Stopnitzky Yaniv
Published: March 2021

Researchers make hundreds of decisions about data collection, preparation, and analysis in their research. We use a many‐analysts approach to measure the extent and impact of these decisions. Two published causal empirical results are replicated by seven replicators each. We find large differences in data preparation and analysis decisions, many of which would not likely be reported in a publication. No two replicators reported the same sample size. Statistical significance varied across replications, and for one of the studies the effect's sign varied as well. The standard deviation of estimates across replications was 3–4 times the mean reported standard error.
Leveraging genomics to understand threats to migratory birds
Authors: Larison Brenda , Lindsay Alec R. , Bossu Christen , Sorenson Michael D. , Kaplan Joseph D. , Evers David C. , Paruk James , DaCosta Jeffrey M. , Smith Thomas B. , Ruegg Kristen
Published: March 2021

Understanding how risk factors affect populations across their annual cycle is a major challenge for conserving migratory birds. For example, disease outbreaks may happen on the breeding grounds, the wintering grounds, or during migration and are expected to accelerate under climate change. The ability to identify the geographic origins of impacted individuals, especially outside of breeding areas, might make it possible to predict demographic trends and inform conservation decision‐making. However, such an effort is made more challenging by the degraded state of carcasses and resulting low quality of DNA available. Here, we describe a rapid and low‐cost approach for identifying the origins of birds sampled across their annual cycle that is robust even when DNA quality is poor. We illustrate the approach in the common loon (Gavia immer), an iconic migratory aquatic bird that is under increasing threat on both its breeding and wintering areas. Using 300 samples collected from across the breeding range, we develop a panel of 158 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) loci with divergent allele frequencies across six genetic subpopulations. We use this SNP panel to identify the breeding grounds for 142 live nonbreeding individuals and carcasses. For example, genetic assignment of loons sampled during botulism outbreaks in parts of the Great Lakes provides evidence for the significant role the lakes play as migratory stopover areas for loons that breed across wide swaths of Canada, and highlights the vulnerability of a large segment of the breeding population to botulism outbreaks that are occurring in the Great Lakes with increasing frequency. Our results illustrate that the use of SNP panels to identify breeding origins of carcasses collected during the nonbreeding season can improve our understanding of the population‐specific impacts of mortality from disease and anthropogenic stressors, ultimately allowing more effective management.
Juvenile corals underpin coral reef carbonate production after disturbance
Authors: Carlot Jérémy , Kayal Mohsen , Lenihan Hunter S. , Brandl Simon J. , Casey Jordan M. , Adjeroud Mehdi , Cardini Ulisse , Merciere Alexandre , Espiau Benoit , Barneche Diego R. , Rovere Alessio , Hédouin Laetitia , Parravicini Valeriano
Published: March 2021

Sea‐level rise is predicted to cause major damage to tropical coastlines. While coral reefs can act as natural barriers for ocean waves, their protection hinges on the ability of scleractinian corals to produce enough calcium carbonate (CaCO3) to keep up with rising sea levels. As a consequence of intensifying disturbances, coral communities are changing rapidly, potentially reducing community‐level CaCO3 production. By combining colony‐level physiology and long‐term monitoring data, we show that reefs recovering from major disturbances can produce 40% more CaCO3 than currently estimated due to the disproportionate contribution of juvenile corals. However, the buffering effect of highly productive juvenile corals is compromised by recruitment failures, which have been more frequently observed after large‐scale, repeated bleaching events. While the size structure of corals can bolster a critical ecological function on reefs, climate change impacts on recruitment may undermine this buffering effect, thus further compromising the persistence of reefs and their provision of important ecosystem services.
Hemodialysis nurse burnout in 31 provinces in mainland China: A cross‐sectional survey
Authors: Guo Weiai , Zhou Lifang , Song Li , Zhang Guanrong , Zhong Mi , Sun Chunyan , Zheng Shuqian , Chen Yinggui , Liang Xinling , Shi Wei , Fu Xia
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Job burnout is an occupational psychological syndrome with a high prevalence among nurses in China. Hemodialysis (HD) nursing work has the characteristics of high intensity, high technical content, and high risk. The aims of this study were to investigate the prevalence and level of job burnout among HD nurses in China and explore the potential factors associated with burnout among HD nurses.

Methods

This was a cross‐sectional study in 2019. Survey data were collected from 2738 HD centers in mainland China. Job burnout was measured by the Chinese version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory. The working atmosphere, interpersonal relationships with colleagues, and intention to leave were each assessed by a single question respectively. Multiple linear regression and structural equation modeling were used for the analysis.

Findings

A total of 10,570 surveys were collected. A total of 1199 (11.34%) HD nurses reported a high level of emotional exhaustion, 782 (7.40%) reported a high level of depersonalization, and 6767 (64.02%) reported a low level of personal accomplishment. Job burnout in the Northeastern region of mainland China was higher than that in other regions (p < 0.05). The working atmosphere, interpersonal relationships, region, hospital level, educational level, career planning, age, and number of children were significantly associated with burnout among HD nurses (p < 0.001, adjusted R2 = 0.313). The working environment, individual factors, and specialist nurse training were significantly associated with HD nurse burnout and intention to leave (comparative fit index = 0.907; goodness of fit index = 0.930; root mean square error of approximation = 0.055).

Discussion

There were notable regional differences in the burnout of HD nurses. This study contributes to the knowledge of the possible relationship of job burnout and intention to leave in HD nurses. It is suggested that improving the working atmosphere or interpersonal relationships and providing more training opportunities can alleviate job burnout in HD nurses.
Creating shared value: A systematic review, synthesis and integrative perspective
Authors: Menghwar Prem Sagar , Daood Antonio
Published: March 2021

Creating shared value (CSV) refers to a strategic process through which corporations can turn social problems into business opportunities. CSV's strategic approach in solving societal problems and its close relationship with strategic corporate social responsibility (CSR) and stakeholder theory have kept the concept in the spotlight in both the corporate and academic worlds. As a result, the literature on CSV is riddled with ambiguities, weak theoretical foundations and contradictions. To better understand and address these ambiguities, we conducted a systematic literature review of 242 articles published from 2010 to 2020. We begin with a comprehensive review of the field and develop a definition of CSV that distinguishes it from related concepts. Our review and analysis reveal, firstly, that CSV is a meaningful, incremental addition in the extant literature and not a revolutionary concept, nor a buzzword. Secondly, assuming that firms are rational, a firm's decision function when it comes to adopting a CSV strategy depends on opportunity costs and transaction costs. Thirdly, there is no single universal way to create shared value: multiple external and internal factors influence a firm's ability to pursue a CSV strategy effectively. Our discussion delineates the key differences between scholars of strategy and scholars of business ethics, and directs avenues for more constructive research. We also believe that this study will act as a guide for managers in adapting to CSV strategies, helping corporations adopt society‐friendly policies.
Prediction factors of weight control intention in Chinese young adults
Authors: Lin Shu Wen , Tsay Shiow Luan , Lin Kuan Pin
Published: March 2021

Background

Weight control is a widespread phenomenon among young adults, especially in women.

Aim

This study aimed to determine the prediction factors of weight control intention in a young Chinese sample.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted with 963 (276 male and 687 female; mean age 21.8 ± 4.4 years) adult students from a university in Taiwan. The data were collected from October 2016 to January 2017. Body mass index (BMI), the Chinese version of the Weight Self‐Stigma Questionnaire, the Body Areas Satisfaction Scale and the Media Influence Questionnaire were used as data collection instruments.

Results

The participants with weight control intention had higher BMI, weight self‐stigma and media influence scores and lower body satisfaction scores than those without the intention. Female sex, BMI, weight self‐stigma, body satisfaction and media influence were significant predictors of weight control intention for all participants.

Conclusion

Before conducting weight loss programmes, the perception of weight self‐stigma and the influence of social media on body image should be confirmed, particularly in women with intention to lose weight.
Employment for women with refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds in Australia: An overview of workforce participation and available support programmes
Authors: Due Clemence , Callaghan Peta , Reilly Alexander , Flavel Joanne , Ziersch Anna
Published: March 2021

Employment is a key aspect of resettlement, and research has shown that it is highly valued by people with refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds. However, less is known about the employment experiences and programmes available specifically to women from these backgrounds. This commentary paper draws upon three data sources – the Building a New Life in Australia longitudinal survey, a desktop review of employment programmes and interviews with service providers – to explore these issues for women with refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds in Australia. Specifically, we discuss the relatively poor record of employment for refugee women compared to men, and highlight the limitations of current employment programmes, in particular, the lack of available programmes specifically targeted to women. We conclude that there is an urgent need to consider specific ways to support women with refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds to enter the workforce in Australia.
Realization and personalization by facing fatality: A grounded theory of developing the view of dying in people with heart failure
Authors: Nishikawa Yuri , Sato Kana , Mizuno Atsushi , Sasano Tetsuo , Yoshikawa Shunji , Ogata Yasuko
Published: March 2021

Aim

To explore how people with heart failure develop and change their views of dying and death.

Design

A Straussian grounded theory approach.

Methods

Purposive and theoretical sampling were used. Data collection and analysis were repeated until reaching data saturation using the constant comparative method. We conducted semi‐structured interviews between January 2019 and July 2020 with 24 people with heart failure from a university and a community hospital in Japan.

Results

Initially, participants’ views of dying and death were unrelated to their disease. After the first turning point, namely the confirmation of the deterioration and incurability of the disease, their views became related to their own disease, adding to the suffering caused by the exacerbated symptoms. After the second turning point, namely when participants became tormented by the inevitability of death, they added their struggles with physical, psychological, and spiritual pain owing to medical interventions to their views of dying and death. Only a few participants reached the last stage of this process as it was emotionally distressing; some chose not to proceed to the next stage.

Conclusion

Participants develop their views of dying and death gradually and in stages while they experience two turning points. Healthcare providers need to address this process while keeping in mind that proceeding this process requires some turning points, and it can be painful.

Impact

This study provides a theoretical framework on the development of the views regarding dying and death of people with heart failure; it showed that these people need some turning points and to pass through stages to develop/individualize their views, and that this process is inherently distressing. This theory provides a cornerstone for healthcare professionals to understand the disease‐specific transition in views of dying and psychological readiness, and it may help establish a therapeutic relationship that includes advance care planning.
Commentary: Meeting the challenge of multidimensionality in neurodevelopmental disorders—reflections on Johnson et al. (2021)
Authors: Hannigan Laurie J. , Havdahl Alexandra
Published: March 2021

Neurodevelopmental disorders are widely acknowledged to be complex and multifactorial in origin, but this is rarely reflected in the approaches used to study them. We reflect on the 2021 Annual Research review and its introduction of a new conceptual framework designed to make the complexity of early neurodevelopment more empirically tractable. We evaluate the review authors’ justification, explanation, and guidance for implementation of their framework in the context of their stated goals and highlight key assumptions that support its conceptual validity. Finally, we offer a genetic epidemiological perspective on potential applications, suggesting ways in which genomic data can be used to elucidate causal mechanistic processes within the AMEND framework.
Olfactory responses of Anaphes nitens (Hymenoptera, Mymaridae) to host and habitat cues
Authors: Branco Sofia , Mateus Eduardo Pires , Richter Gomes da Silva Marco Diogo , Mendes Davide , Pereira Maria Manuela Araújo , Schütz Stefan , Paiva Maria Rosa
Published: March 2021

The eucalyptus weevil, Gonipterus spp. Schoenherr, 1833 (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) is considered a major pest of eucalyptus plantations. In regions where control is achieved, success is usually brought by the action of the solitary egg parasitoid Anaphes nitens (Girault, 1928) (Hymenoptera, Mymaridae). Research was conducted to ascertain which cues might mediate female wasp host location and selection. In Petri dish arenas, females were attracted to Gonipterus platensis Marelli, 1927 egg capsules, to G. platensis mated female faeces and to leaves of Eucalyptus globulus Labillardière, 1799. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry electroantennographic detection analysis was conducted using extracts obtained from leaves of E. globulus, from G. platensis egg capsules, as well as from adults of both sexes and their faeces, in order to detect and identify compounds perceived by the wasp's olfactory system. The parasitoids were shown to detect a wide range of compounds emitted by each one of these sources, and for 31 compounds, antennal response was confirmed by dose‐response tests. Further behavioural trials were conducted in Petri dishes in order to decode the effect, on parasitoid behaviour, of selected compounds emitted by E. globulus and of the pheromones, emitted by the weevils on parasitoid behaviour. Attraction was observed to two compounds emitted by E. globulus, namely 1,8‐cineole and γ‐terpinene, and to the main component of the male sex/aggregation pheromone, cis‐verbenol. To our knowledge, this is the first report of attraction of a parasitoid from the family Mymaridae to a component of its host's sexual/aggregation pheromone. Similarly, to other egg parasitoid species, A. nitens females are likely to use the host plant volatiles as long‐range host location cues and to adopt the ‘infochemical detour’ strategy in order to get in the vicinity of their hosts.
Pyridine Nucleotide‐Linked Lactate Dehydrogenase of Tetrahymena: Evidence for D‐ and L‐Enzymes in the Mitochondria
Authors: Stearns Frank M. , Eichel Herbert J.
Published: March 2021

An NAD‐linked lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in a crude mitochondrial fraction obtained from Tetrahymena homogenates was previously reported by this laboratory. This fraction contains the NADH and succinate oxidase system as well as the mitochondrial cytochromes and carries out oxidative phosphorylation. The preparation catalyzes the oxidation of D‐ and L‐lactate linked only to certain analogs of NAD; it has not been possible to demonstrate NAD‐dependent D‐ or L‐lactate oxidation nor is there any evidence that either of these enzymes is a flavoprotein as indicated by their inability to reduce directly certain artificial electron acceptors. A lactate racemase is not present.
Psychological impact of the coronavirus 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic on nurses
Authors: Al Maqbali Mohammed , Al Khadhuri Jamal
Published: March 2021

Aim

The new coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) pandemic has laid unprecedented stress on healthcare workers and especially nurses. The main objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of stress, anxiety, depression and sleep disturbance among nurses in Oman during the COVID‐19 pandemic, and to explore the contributing factors.

Methods

A cross‐sectional and descriptive correlational design using Qualtrics® software was performed. Data were collected using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Perceived Stress Scale.

Results

Of the 1,130 nurses who participated, 75.6% (n = 854) reported stress, 44.2% (n = 499) reported anxiety, 38.5% (n = 435) reported depression and 73.7% (n = 833) reported poor sleep. Stress, anxiety, depression and sleep disturbance (p < .05) were significantly associated with age, marital status, comorbidity and whether family members or relatives were suspected or confirmed with COVID‐19. The stress, anxiety, depression and sleep disturbance were significantly positively corelated with each other. Logistic regression showed nurses in the age group between 18 and 30, who worked at the frontline, were at a higher risk of stress, anxiety, depression and sleep disturbance.

Conclusions

Stress, anxiety, depression and sleep disturbance are significant problems for nurses working in Oman during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Appropriate interventions to monitor and reduce psychological problems and sleep disturbance among nurses are needed, which can help to support nurses’ work during contagious disease outbreaks.