bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Resin finishing of hessian fabric for potential application as a semi-rigid packaging material
Authors: Sarkar P.C. , Lakshmanan Ammayappan , Kumar Niranjan
Published: October 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to enhance the functional properties of Hessian fabric through resin finishing. Hessian bags made of lignocellulosic jute fiber are commonly used to pack, store and transport agro-commodities, including horticultural crops such as rice, potato, onion and wheat. However, because of high water affinity, these bags undergo degradation in properties due to moisture release by the stored commodities themselves. Exposure to natural elements, e.g. rain and dew, also causes moisture absorption in hessian bags. Once the bag gets moistened, degradation of jute bags starts due to microbial attack, leading to loss in tensile strength and change in extensibility, leading to ultimate breakage in warp and weft directions of the fabric.

Design/methodology/approach

To overcome the degradation in the functional properties of hessian fabric due to exposure to moisture and microbial attack, the application of semi-synthetic polymeric materials was carried out.

Findings

Tenacity, bursting strength, puncture resistance, tear strength and breaking load, as well as life cycle of resin-treated jute fabric was found to be better than control jute.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no recent reports of resin finishing on jute (hessian) fabric with semi-synthetic resins are presently available, other than coating with rubber.
Evaluation of low-cost electronic sensors for monitoring soil moisture in an experimental area in the Brazilian semiarid
Authors: Cruz Macedo dos Santos Maria Angela , Vellame Lucas Melo , Silva Alisson Jadavi Pereira , de Araújo José Carlos , Amaral Alisson Macendo
Published: October 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to determine and evaluate the calibration curve for low-cost electronic sensors in soils from a reclaimed and degraded area in the Brazilian semiarid region.

Design/methodology/approach

The probes were made, programmed and inserted in soil previously conditioned in polyethylene cylinders. The sets “cylinder + probe + soil” were subjected to saturation for a period of 24 h and, subsequently, gravitational drainage at room temperature and daily weighings were performed. When the set reached constant weight, the samples were taken to dry in an oven at 105°C to determine the dry mass and later, determine the gravimetric moisture and convert it into volumetric. The volumetric moistures obtained were related to measured frequency variations and the adjustments were analyzed by regression, which was subjected to analysis of variance (p = 0.05), and related by a third-degree polynomial equation whose quality of the fit was verified with coefficient of determination (R2).

Findings

The obtained moistures were related to the estimated moistures and evaluated by the root-mean-square error and straight 1:1. The results demonstrate that the sensors are not accurate for moistures in saturation, but representative and statistically acceptable results for moistures up to field capacity.

Originality/value

This paper has not been published before in its current, or similar form.
Nexus among big data analytics, environmental process integration and environmental performance: moderating role of digital learning orientation and environmental strategy
Authors: Abu Afifa Malik Muneer , Nguyen Nha Minh
Published: October 2022

Purpose

This study aims to examine the influence of big data analytics (BDA) on environmental performance (ENP) in the post-COVID-19 context in Vietnam, as a developing country. In which, this study considers environmental process integration in accounting reports as a mediator variable. Furthermore, digital learning orientation (DLO) and environmental strategy (ES) are proposed as the moderator variables for relationships in the proposed model.

Design/methodology/approach

Data was collected by survey method via email with convenient sampling method. In total, 611 emails, including the survey, were sent to executive managers of Vietnamese manufacturing companies listed on stock exchanges. The final sample of 419 responses was used for analysis.

Findings

By using the partial least squares structural equation modeling, this study’s results elucidate that BDA positively affects ENP. Moreover, DLO positively moderates the nexus between BDA and environmental process integration in accounting reports, while ES plays a positive moderating role on the nexus between environmental process integration and ENP.

Practical implications

In terms of managerial implications, this paper mentions pretty attractive features of using modern technique and ENP. This research emphasizes the key role of the BDA for both reporting and accounting performance (e.g. environmental process integration and ENP) of the company. Thus, managers should examine implementing BDA when necessary to make accounting reports more transparent and modern, thereby enhancing the organization's ENP. Particularly, managers should focus on improving the organization's ENP indicators.

Originality/value

This study complements the ENP literature by showing a positive effect of BDA and environmental process integration on ENP. Additionally, this study’s results determine the efficacy of DLO and ES as well as their regulatory roles. Finally, this study was conducted to supplement empirical evidence on ENP in the post-COVID-19 context in developing countries, specifically Vietnam.
The school workshop as the basis for the continuation school (1908)
Authors: Kerschensteiner Georg , Winch Christopher
Published: October 2022

This classic essay—Die Schulwerkstatt als Grundlage der Organisation der Fortbildungsschule—by George Kerschensteiner (1854–1932) is here published for the first time in English, in a translation by Stephanie Wilde and Christopher Winch. The essay was highly influential in the formation of the successful economy in modern Germany. It has had a bearing on the development of modern conceptions of the place of work, career and profession in a human life, and of the significance of this or the development of both the society as a whole and the individual's Bildung. It provides the means to question again some of the assumptions embedded not only in contemporary thinking about vocational education but about the idea of education as a whole. Much turns in the discussion of differences between German and English expressions, and these are discussed in the complementary essay, ‘Re-Reading Kerschensteiner today—Doing VET in German vocational schools’, by Peter Sloane. An introduction to the broader context is provided in ‘Founding German Vocational Education: Kerschensteiner, Spranger and Fischer as key figures in the classical German VET Theory’ by Christian Steibe, Dina Kuhlee and Christopher Winch, the Editors of this Special Issue.
Late Jurassic Volcanism Deduced from Geochemical, Geochronological, and Sr‐Nd‐Hf Isotopic Composition Characteristics of the Nanyuan Formation, South China
Authors: WANG Dongsheng , LI Jinwen , SHE Hongquan , WANG Kunming , YANG Junzhi , REN Chenghao
Published: October 2022

The Nanyuan Formation contains information related to the Mesozoic tectonic transformation. In this study, three representative profiles were surveyed from the Nanyuan Formation, and multiple analyses were conducted. Zircon U‐Pb dating yielded their ages as approximately 158–146 Ma. The volcanic rocks are enriched in Rb, Th, U, K, and Pb and depleted in Nb, Ta, P, and Ti, implying their affinity for I‐type granites. The εNd(t) values (–8.3 to −6.0), (87Sr/86Sr)i values (0.7077–0.7094) of the volcanic rock, and εHf(t) values (–8.71 to 0.12) of the Mesozoic zircons suggest that the Nanyuan Formation magma originated in the lower crust with the involvement of depleted mantle materials. The parent rocks of the rhyolitic and dacitic volcanic rocks formed by partial melting of basement rocks in South China and the andesitic volcanic rocks were derived from partial melting of the metasomatites generated by slab‐mantle interaction. The fractional crystallization also played an important role in later stage. Discrimination diagrams of the volcanic rocks indicated that they formed in a volcanic arc environment. Combined with previous data, the Nanyuan Formation recorded subduction of the Paleo‐Pacific Plate before regional tectonic transformation. The compressive stress field endured until the end of the Late Jurassic.
Triassic Nappe in the Central Part of the Southern Central Asian Orogenic Belt (Ejinaq, NW China): Evidence from Structural Analysis and Geothermochronology
Authors: SU He , CHEN Xuanhua , YU Xinqi , SHAO Zhaogang , YU Wei , ZHANG Yiping , WANG Yongchao
Published: October 2022

The thrust nappe played an important role in the Mesozoic tectonic evolution of the middle part of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). However, the timing, structural style and kinematic processes of the thrust nappe remain controversial, particularly the detail of the thrust nappe in the Guaizihu region (110 km east of Ejinaq). In this study, we investigate new field mapping, seismic sections, geochronology and low‐temperature thermochronometric dating to provide constraints on the history of this thrust nappe in the Chaheilingashun area (northwestern Guaizihu region). The field mapping, seismic sections and structural analysis reveal that the autochthonous system had developed a series of strong fold structures in the upper Permian strata. The allochthonous system mainly contains Devonian monzogranite (U‐Pb age, ranges from 386.7 to 389.0 Ma) and Meso–Neoproterozoic schists (the maximum depositional age, ∼880 Ma), which were thrust upon the upper Permian strata during Middle to Late Triassic. Based on similar rocks, geochronological dating and the Yagan thrust, we suggest that the postulated root zone of this allochthon might have originated from the Huhetaoergai area (40–60 km northwest of the study area). The geochronological results reveal that the lower age limit of this thrust nappe is constrained by the Lower–Middle Triassic syntectonic sediments (tuffaceous sandstone, ∼247 Ma), which is the sedimentary response of the fold structure., The timing of the termination of this thrust nappe is defined by the cooling age (40Ar/39Ar data, 217–211 Ma) of the Devonian monzogranite and Meso–Neoproterozoic schists. Thus, we consider this thrust event in the study area to potentially have occurred in the period from 247 Ma to 211 Ma, which may represent the tectonic response to the closure of the Paleo‐Asian Ocean.
Challenges to sustainability of standardized nursing care plan in selected tertiary health institutions in Nigeria
Authors: Ojo Iyanuoluwa Oreofe , Olaogun Adenike A.
Published: October 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to assess the challenges to sustainability of standardized nursing care plan in selected tertiary health institutions in Nigeria.

Methods

Using convergent mixed method design, the qualitative and quantitative data were collected from 427 nurses and nine stakeholders. This was done in one phase with the use of validated questionnaires and in‐depth interview guide/key informant interview guide. Data were collected for 5 months and analyzed with SPSS version 25. Qualitative data were analyzed using themes.

Results

The explored significant challenges by stakeholders and nurses to sustainability of standardized nursing care plan (SNCP) in all the selected hospitals were inadequate knowledge of standardized nursing languages (SNLs), inadequate staffing, lack of motivation, lack of mandate to use SNLs by the educational system, lack of computers on the wards, weakness of previous training on SNL/SNCP, lack of interest, and high patient load.

Conclusion

The study concludes that inadequate knowledge of SNLs and inadequate staff could contribute to non sustainability of SNCP.

Implications for nursing practice

Nurses should be continuously trained on standardized nursing languages. Staff motivation and increasing the number of staff on the wards would increase the interest of the nursing staff. This will in turn improve the quality of documentation and patient care.
Managing irrigation under increasing water scarcity
Authors: Balasubramanya Soumya , Brozović Nicholas , Fishman Ram , Lele Sharachchandra , Wang Jinxia
Published: October 2022

With rising physical and economic scarcity of water, increasing or sustaining agricultural production while limiting or reducing consumptive water use is an urgent challenge. This article examines the case of four countries—India, China, western United States, and Israel—where there is a long history of irrigated agriculture with significant public and private investments, to identify key themes for managing irrigation under increasing physical and economic water scarcity. The focus of irrigation management has expanded from investing in irrigation infrastructure to reforming institutions; strengthening policies pertaining to irrigation prices and rights; using incentives to reward reductions in irrigation application; and improving irrigation efficiency. However, this may not be sufficient to reduce consumptive use of water in agriculture. Reducing freshwater use in agriculture will require cost‐effective harnessing of other water sources through processes such as desalination and wastewater reuse, which may be difficult to implement in most geographies. Changes to policies in other sectors will likely be needed, especially in food procurement and land‐use, which require balancing water security with food security, and supporting potential losses in livelihoods and incomes from such changes. Finally, reductions in agricultural water use in a country will likely have implications for water use in other countries, through imports.
Identification of variants in 94 Chinese patients with hereditary spherocytosis by next‐generation sequencing
Authors: Wang Wen‐Juan , Xie Jun‐dan , Yao Hong , Ding Zi‐xuan , Jiang Ai‐rui , Ma Liang , Shen Hong‐jie , Chen Su‐ning
Published: October 2022

Hereditary spherocytosis (HS) is the most common type of hereditary erythrocyte membrane disease and has varied phenotypic features and genetic patterns. We herein performed a retrospective study of 94 patients with HS and aimed to investigate the genetic variations and genotype–phenotype correlations using targeted next‐generation sequencing. In 79/94 (84%) patients, 83 HS variants including 67 novel variants were identified. Pathogenic variants of SPTB, ANK1, SLC4A1, SPTA1, and EPB42 were found in 32/79(41%), 22/79(28%), 15/79 (19%), 8/79 (9%), and 3/79 (4%) of the patients respectively, revealing that SPTB is the most frequently mutated HS gene in Eastern China. Most SPTB and ANK1 gene variations were nonsense and frameshift variations. Missense variants were the main variant type of SLC4A1, SPTA1, and EPB42 genes. Interestingly, one SPTA1 variant (p. Arg1757Cys) showed an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern and one EPB42 variant (p. Gln377His) was apparent as a hotspot variation. Furthermore, genotype–phenotype analysis was performed among the five mutated gene groups. Besides the finding that patients with the SLC4A1 variant had the highest mean corpuscular hemoglobin levels, no clear correlations between genotype and phenotype were observed.
Hex Me If You Can
Authors: Beaufort P.‐A. , Reberol M. , Kalmykov D. , Liu H. , Ledoux F. , Bommes D.
Published: October 2022

HexMe consists of 189 tetrahedral meshes with tagged features and a workflow to generate them. The primary purpose of HexMe meshes is to enable consistent and practically meaningful evaluation of hexahedral meshing algorithms and related techniques, specifically regarding the correct meshing of specified feature points, curves, and surfaces. The tetrahedral meshes have been generated with Gmsh, starting from 63 computer‐aided design (CAD) models from various databases. To highlight and label the diverse and challenging aspects of hexahedral mesh generation, the CAD models are classified into three categories: simple, nasty, and industrial. For each CAD model, we provide three kinds of tetrahedral meshes (uniform, curvature‐adapted, and box‐embedded). The mesh generation pipeline is defined with the help of Snakemake, a modern workflow management system, which allows us to specify a fully automated, extensible, and sustainable workflow. It is possible to download the whole dataset or select individual meshes by browsing the online catalog. The HexMe dataset is built with evolution in mind and prepared for future developments. A public GitHub repository hosts the HexMe workflow, where external contributions and future releases are possible and encouraged. We demonstrate the value of HexMe by exploring the robustness limitations of state‐of‐the‐art frame‐field‐based hexahedral meshing algorithm. Only for 19 of 189 tagged tetrahedral inputs all feature entities are meshed correctly, while the average success rates are 70.9% / 48.5% / 34.6% for feature points/curves/surfaces.
Fabricable Multi‐Scale Wang Tiles
Authors: Liu Xiaokang , Li Chenran , Lu Lin , Deussen Oliver , Tu Changhe
Published: October 2022

Wang tiles, also known as Wang dominoes, are a jigsaw puzzle system with matching edges. Due to their compactness and expressiveness in representing variations, they have become a popular tool in the procedural synthesis of textures, height fields, 3D printing and representing other large and non‐repetitive data. Multi‐scale tiles created from low‐level tiles allow for a higher tiling efficiency, although they face the problem of combinatorial explosion. In this paper, we propose a generation method for multi‐scale Wang tiles that aims at minimizing the amount of needed tiles while still resembling a tiling appearance similar to low‐level tiles. Based on a set of representative multi‐scale Wang tiles, we use a dynamic generation algorithm for this purpose. Our method can be used for rapid texture synthesis and image halftoning. Respecting physical constraints, our tiles are connected, lightweight, independent of the fabrication scale, able to tile larger areas with image contents and contribute to “mass customization”.
Elevated posaconazole trough concentrations are not associated with increased risk for posaconazole toxicity in lung transplant recipients
Authors: Sabatino David C. , Lange Nicholas W. , Salerno David M. , Scheffert Jenna
Published: October 2022

Objective

Posaconazole is used for prophylaxis and treatment of invasive fungal infections in lung transplant recipients (LTR). Previous studies have not described the relationship between elevated posaconazole trough concentrations and adverse drug reactions in this population.

Methods

This IRB‐approved, retrospective cohort study at NewYork‐Presbyterian Hospital included LTR who had posaconazole trough concentrations measured. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate elevated posaconazole trough concentrations and changes in liver function tests as well as QTc interval. A secondary aim of this study was to identify patient factors associated with elevated posaconazole trough levels.

Results

A total of 109 LTR were included. The average age was 58.1 years (IQR, 48–65), the majority were male (56%). A total of 932 trough levels were assessed with a median number of 8 (IQR, 5–15) levels per patient. The median posaconazole trough concentration was 1.7 mg/L (IQR, 1.1–2.5). Hepatotoxicity, as defined by common terminology criteria for adverse events (CTCAE), was observed in 73.4% of subjects, with the majority classified as grade 1 (67.5%). However, there was no correlation between elevated posaconazole levels and aspartate aminotransferase (r = .03), alanine aminotransferase (r = .04), alkaline phosphatase (r = .04), and total bilirubin (r = .02). There was also no correlation between posaconazole trough concentrations and QTc interval (r = .03).

Conclusion

This analysis demonstrates that no correlation exists between whole blood posaconazole levels and hepatotoxicity or QTc prolongation. Based on these results, posaconazole dose reductions may not be warranted for posaconazole levels that are significantly above the therapeutic target to avert risk for hepatotoxicity or QTc prolongation.
How do children view and categorise human and dog facial expressions?
Authors: Correia‐Caeiro Catia , Lawrence Abbey , Abdelrahman Abdelhady , Guo Kun , Mills Daniel
Published: October 2022

Children are often surrounded by other humans and companion animals (e.g., dogs, cats); and understanding facial expressions in all these social partners may be critical to successful social interactions. In an eye‐tracking study, we examined how children (4–10 years old) view and label facial expressions in adult humans and dogs. We found that children looked more at dogs than humans, and more at negative than positive or neutral human expressions. Their viewing patterns (Proportion of Viewing Time, PVT) at individual facial regions were also modified by the viewed species and emotion, with the eyes not always being most viewed: this related to positive anticipation when viewing humans, whilst when viewing dogs, the mouth was viewed more or equally compared to the eyes for all emotions. We further found that children's labelling (Emotion Categorisation Accuracy, ECA) was better for the perceived valence than for emotion category, with positive human expressions easier than both positive and negative dog expressions. They performed poorly when asked to freely label facial expressions, but performed better for human than dog expressions. Finally, we found some effects of age, sex, and other factors (e.g., experience with dogs) on both PVT and ECA. Our study shows that children have a different gaze pattern and identification accuracy compared to adults, for viewing faces of human adults and dogs. We suggest that for recognising human (own‐face‐type) expressions, familiarity obtained through casual social interactions may be sufficient; but for recognising dog (other‐face‐type) expressions, explicit training may be required to develop competence.

Highlights

We conducted an eye‐tracking experiment to investigate how children view and categorise facial expressions in adult humans and dogs

Children's viewing patterns were significantly dependent upon the facial region, species, and emotion viewed

Children's categorisation also varied with the species and emotion viewed, with better performance for valence than emotion categories

Own‐face‐types (adult humans) are easier than other‐face‐types (dogs) for children, and casual familiarity (e.g., through family dogs) to the latter is not enough to achieve perceptual competence
Protective assessment of progesterone and its receptor on experimental diabetic neuropathy: Antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory effects
Authors: Mokhtari Sanaz , Sistani Karampour Neda , Shams Mohammad‐Hossein , Dehpour Ahmad Reza , Hasanvand Amin
Published: October 2022

Diabetes induces a disorder in mitochondrial activity, which causes damage to the nuclear and mitochondrial DNA and ultimately increases the release of inflammatory cytokines and damages the sciatic nerve and dorsal root ganglion and induces neuropathy. It has been shown that progesterone has anti‐inflammatory and antioxidative effects and prevents nerve cell damage. Therefore, the aim of this experiment was to investigate the effect of progesterone receptor neuroprotection on diabetic neuropathy. Forty male Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into four groups, including control group, diabetic control group, diabetic control group + progesterone (30 mg/kg), and diabetic control group + combination of progesterone (30 mg/kg) and RU486 (10 mg/kg). After the induction of diabetes, blood glucose level, body weight, behavioral tests, electrophysiological tests, oxidative and inflammatory factors, and histological parameters were measured. Progesterone treatment significantly reduced the level of sensitivity to hot plate without significant effect on glucose level, and significant changes were also observed in the results of tail flick test. In addition, the results showed that the administration of progesterone can improve MNCV and significantly reduce the serum levels of oxidative stress and inflammatory factors, as well as inflammation and edema around the sciatic nerve. However, RU486 inverted the beneficial effects of progesterone. Progesterone can be considered as a protective agent in reducing DN because of its ability to reduce inflammation and nerve damage. In addition, RU486, a progesterone receptor blocker, inhibits the beneficial effects of progesterone on the DN; thus, progesterone receptors play an important role in the neuroprotective effect of progesterone.
Improvement of cognitive dysfunction by a novel phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor, Tadalafil
Authors: Otari Kishor Vasant , Patil Rupesh J. , Upasani Chandrashekhar Devidas
Published: October 2022

There is substantial evidence for the modulatory role of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)‐specific phosphodiesterases (PDEs) in memory and synaptic plasticity, and an increase in intracellular cGMP facilitates these processes. The present study was aimed at the neuropharmacological investigations of tadalafil (TAD 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg, p.o.) and further involvement of nitric oxide (NO)‐cGMP in its effects. The effects of tadalafil and its combination with NG‐nitro‐L‐arginine methyl ester (L‐NAME) were investigated in scopolamine‐ and diabetes‐induced cognitive dysfunction using elevated plus maze (EPM) and object recognition (ORT) tests. The results of EPM revealed that the scopolamine‐ and diabetes‐induced learning and memory deficit was dose dependently attenuated after administration of TAD (TAD 10 and 20 mg/kg, p.o.) in both paradigms studied. Administration of L‐NAME (20 mg/kg) aggravated scopolamine‐ and diabetes‐induced learning and memory deficit. Co‐administration of L‐NAME (20 mg/kg) after TAD (20 mg/kg) produced significant increase in cognitive performance as compared to scopolamine‐ and diabetic‐ control group. This showed that L‐NAME (20 mg/kg) aggravated scopolamine‐ and diabetes‐induced learning and memory deficit was significantly reversed by TAD (20 mg/kg). The results of the present study revealed that tadalafil by inhibiting PDE5 possibly elevated the cGMP level that through a diversity of its substrates produced neuropharmacological effects in cognitive dysfunction.
Effects of land use change on inter‐species and intra‐guild trophic interactions of fish communities in tropical headwater streams
Authors: da Silva Reis Andressa , Bunn Stuart E. , Pilz Albrecht Míriam
Published: October 2022

Freshwater ecosystems are subjected to a broad range of anthropogenic threats. Understanding the responses of aquatic biota to these threats and identifying potential mitigating actions presents a major challenge for ecologists and natural resource managers. Here, we investigated the responses of fish communities to land use change at different scales.

We assessed patterns of food web structure of fish across a gradient of human impacts in the Atlantic Forest ecoregion of southeast Brazil. We analysed stomach contents of fish and evaluated the response of five food web metrics to variation in land use change. We also calculated four metrics for intra‐guild comparisons in the omnivore, insectivore, and algivore–insectivore guilds.

The proportional abundance of omnivores increased as temperature increased and canopy cover decreased. Food web specialisation decreased in deforested streams with higher nutrient input, suggesting higher resource sharing by those fish communities. Fish in the algivore–insectivore guild consumed fewer types of macroinvertebrates in streams with low canopy cover. The opposite pattern was observed within the insectivore guild with individuals consuming a larger variety of prey in impacted streams.

Deforestation, and increases in water temperature and nutrient input, influenced inter‐species and intra‐guild trophic interactions in fish communities in these Atlantic Forest streams, even though the richness of fish community and composition of intra‐guild species remained unchanged. Some food web metrics were sensitive to the direct and indirect effects of disturbance on these fish communities.

Our study has shown that assessments of trophic interactions can detect the effects of land‐use disturbance on fish communities that may not be evident from simple measures of species richness and composition. This approach provides direct insights into the functional integrity of fish communities and should be considered for monitoring the success of programmes aimed to protect and, where necessary, restore freshwater ecosystems.
Causes of the recent decline of a Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) population under an enhanced conservation scenario
Authors: Aparicio José Miguel , Muñoz Alberto , Cordero Pedro J. , Bonal Raúl
Published: October 2022

Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni (Fleischer, 1818) populations have been one of the best monitored bird populations in Spain over the last 70 years. These populations suffered a sharp decline between the 1950s and 1990s. Since then, periodic censuses showed a population increase that lasted until the 2010s. In those years, numerous projects for the recovery of the species were also initiated (some EU LIFE Projects, among others), which have continued to the present day. However, despite conservation efforts, the Spanish Lesser Kestrel population, which includes about 40% of the European breeding population, has declined at a rate of 6% per year since 2012. In this study, we analysed changes in habitat and population size in 12 colonies located in La Mancha between 2003 and 2021 in order to identify possible causes of the current decline. This colonial species breeds in old buildings, and roof area (a proxy for house size) was the predictor that best accounted for the number of pairs in a colony in a given year. In addition, the extent of herbaceous crops (related to prey availability) explained a similar amount of colony size variance in 2021, whereas in 2003, the availability of large Orthoptera itself had a significant effect but a much lower effect size. The number of nestboxes affected positively the number of breeding pairs in 2021 but explained only 1% of the variance. The decline of the Lesser Kestrel population between 2003 and 2021 was largely explained by the decrease of the density of large orthopterans, their main prey. The model with the minimum Akaike Information criterion adjusted for small sample size (AICc) value also included a positive association with changes in roof area and a negative association with rabbit density (possibly through a hyperpredation phenomenon). Other top models (i.e. ΔAICc ≤ 2 units) also showed negative effects of the loss of favourable land uses (pasture lands and herbaceous crops) on colony size, probably because this caused a reduction in the availability of large Orthoptera. These changes in land use occurred less often in areas protected by the Natura 2000 network, which may thus have contributed to the conservation of the Lesser Kestrel population. However, other conservation measures such as the installation of nestboxes were not as efficient as expected.
Brand royalty flows within large business groups: The effect of holding company structure and related party transactions committees
Authors: Cho Seunghyun , Pae Jinhan , Yoo Choong‐Yuel
Published: October 2022

This study investigates the intragroup flows of brand royalties within large Korean business groups, known as chaebols. We find that member firms pay a greater amount of brand royalties when the business groups they are part of adopt a holding company governance structure, consistent with the bitter denunciation that chaebols transfer wealth from member firms to holding companies over which they have direct control. However, member firms pay a smaller amount of brand royalties when their related‐party transactions (RPTs) are monitored by a designated RPT committee on the board of directors. The results show that monitoring RPTs is effective in mitigating the alleged unethical wealth transfer through excessive brand royalties within large business groups. Our study adds to the literature on RPTs by shedding new light on brand royalty, specifically by illustrating how intragroup brand royalties are determined and charged to member firms, and by introducing the RPT committees as a new internal governance mechanism to discourage abusive RPTs.
Symmetry in the Delegation of Power as a Legitimacy Criterion
Authors: Fjørtoft Trym Nohr , Sandven Hallvard
Published: October 2022

The EU's power is expanding, calling for reassessments of its normative legitimacy. This article proposes a novel criterion for assessing the EU's legitimacy: symmetry in the delegation of power. We illustrate the usefulness of this criterion through an analysis of the European border regime. Existing analyses of the border regime have tended to dismiss it as weak and intergovernmental. We show, to the contrary, that it is both strong and weak. The EU wields significant power in border control but lacks power altogether in immigration policy. This asymmetry has rendered the EU incapable of discharging the moral responsibilities that arise in migration control, posing a novel legitimacy challenge. Finally, we argue that the symmetry criterion generalizes and can shed light on the EU's legitimacy beyond the area of migration.
Combined high NEDD9 expression and E‐cadherin loss correlate with poor clinical outcome in gastric cancer
Authors: Im Soyoung , Cho Yu Kyung , Kang Donghoon , Shin Ga‐Yeong , Jung Eun Sun , Song Kyo Young , Lee Sung Hak , Park Jae Myung
Published: October 2022

Background and Aim

Neural precursor cell expressed developmentally downregulated 9 (NEDD9) is a member of the Cas family. Previous studies have revealed that NEDD9 coordinates the focal adhesion kinase and Src signaling cascades that are involved in integrin‐dependent adhesion and migration, invasion, cell apoptosis and life cycle, and survival, which may play a role in epithelial–mesenchymal transformation. The aim of this study was to analyze the expression of NEDD9 and E‐cadherin in gastric cancer (GC) and evaluate their clinical significance.

Methods

NEDD9 and E‐cadherin expression was analyzed with immunohistochemistry using tissue microarray technique in 435 GC patients who underwent gastrectomy. The NEDD9 expression level was defined by the combination score, which was determined by multiplying the staining intensity score and the proportion score (≥5; NEDD9‐high, <5; NEDD9‐low). E‐cadherin loss was defined as a total loss of staining. The clinicopathologic parameters, overall survival, and disease‐free survival rates were analyzed according to the NEDD9 and E‐cadherin expression status.

Results

The combined NEDD9 and E‐cadherin expression status correlated with lymphatic invasion (P = 0.001), vascular invasion (P = 0.020), and T stage (P = 0.001). Combined high NEDD9 expression and loss of E‐cadherin expression status had a worse overall survival rate (P < 0.001) and served as a poor prognostic factor (Hazard ratio 2.49, 95% CI 1.25–5, P = 0.01).

Conclusions

Immunohistochemical staining for NEDD9 and E‐cadherin may function as a candidate prognostic marker for gastric cancer in everyday practice, especially when applied in combination.
Anticholinergic co‐prescribing in nursing home residents using cholinesterase inhibitors: Potential deprescribing cascade
Authors: Gromek Kimberly R. , Thorpe Carolyn T. , Aspinall Sherrie L. , Hanson Laura C. , Niznik Joshua D.
Published: October 2022

Background

Polypharmacy may result from inappropriate prescribing of medications to treat adverse drug reactions (ADRs), i.e., “prescribing cascade.” A potentially harmful prescribing cascade affecting those with severe dementia can result when anticholinergics are prescribed to manage side effects of cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs). We investigated 1) factors associated with co‐prescribing of anticholinergics and ChEIs and 2) whether discontinuation of ChEIs was associated with subsequent discontinuation of anticholinergics—a potentially beneficial reversal or “deprescribing cascade.”

Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis of linked Medicare Part A/B/D claims, Master Beneficiary Summary File, Minimum Data Set, Area Health Resource File, and Nursing Home Compare from 2015 to 2016. Subjects were Medicare beneficiaries residing in nursing homes, ≥65 years old with severe dementia admitted for non‐skilled stays, who were prescribed ChEIs. Cross‐sectional analysis evaluated factors associated with co‐prescribing of anticholinergics with ChEIs. Longitudinal Cox proportional hazards regression examined whether discontinuation of ChEIs was associated with subsequent discontinuation of anticholinergics over a 1‐year period.

Results

We found 15% of our sample experienced co‐prescribing of anticholinergics and ChEIs. Several resident and facility‐level factors were associated with co‐prescribing anticholinergics. Advancing age, minority race or ethnicity, end‐stage renal disease, heart failure, and poor appetite were associated with a decreased likelihood of co‐prescribing. Female sex, polypharmacy, and non‐geriatric prescriber‐type were associated with a higher likelihood of co‐prescribing. In longitudinal analyses, we observed that discontinuation of ChEIs was associated with a reduced likelihood (HR 0.58 [95% CI, 0.47–0.71]) of discontinuing any medications with anticholinergic properties, except for bladder antimuscarinics (HR 1.32 [95% CI, 0.83–2.09]).

Conclusions

Younger, healthier older adults with dementia were more likely to experience co‐prescribing anticholinergics and ChEIs. Discontinuation of anticholinergics was infrequent. Further research is needed to understand prescribers' ability to recognize and reverse potential prescribing cascades through deprescribing.
Anatomically grounded estimation of hindlimb muscle sizes in Archosauria
Authors: Cuff Andrew R. , Wiseman Ashleigh L. A. , Bishop Peter J. , Michel Krijn B. , Gaignet Raphäelle , Hutchinson John R.
Published: October 2022

In vertebrates, active movement is driven by muscle forces acting on bones, either directly or through tendinous insertions. There has been much debate over how muscle size and force are reflected by the muscular attachment areas (AAs). Here we investigate the relationship between the physiological cross‐sectional area (PCSA), a proxy for the force production of the muscle, and the AA of hindlimb muscles in Nile crocodiles and five bird species. The limbs were held in a fixed position whilst blunt dissection was carried out to isolate the individual muscles. AAs were digitised using a point digitiser, before the muscle was removed from the bone. Muscles were then further dissected and fibre architecture was measured, and PCSA calculated. The raw measures, as well as the ratio of PCSA to AA, were studied and compared for intra‐observer error as well as intra‐ and interspecies differences. We found large variations in the ratio between AAs and PCSA both within and across species, but muscle fascicle lengths are conserved within individual species, whether this was Nile crocodiles or tinamou. Whilst a discriminant analysis was able to separate crocodylian and avian muscle data, the ratios for AA to cross‐sectional area for all species and most muscles can be represented by a single equation. The remaining muscles have specific equations to represent their scaling, but equations often have a relatively high success at predicting the ratio of muscle AA to PCSA. We then digitised the muscle AAs of Coelophysis bauri, a dinosaur, to estimate the PCSAs and therefore maximal isometric muscle forces. The results are somewhat consistent with other methods for estimating force production, and suggest that, at least for some archosaurian muscles, that it is possible to use muscle AA to estimate muscle sizes. This method is complementary to other methods such as digital volumetric modelling.
Potential application of natural bioactive compounds as skin‐whitening agents: A review
Authors: Zhao Wei , Yang Anquan , Wang Jing , Huang Dan , Deng Yankang , Zhang Xiaoli , Qu Qingli , Ma Wenjing , Xiong Ranhua , Zhu Miaomiao , Huang Chaobo
Published: October 2022

Background

Melanin is a skin pigment that gives color to the skin, hair, and eyes. The accumulation or over production of melanin can lead to aesthetic problems as well as serious diseases associated with hyperpigmentation. Skin lightening is described as the procedure of using natural or synthetic products to lighten the skin tone or provide an even skin complexion by reducing the amount of melanin in the skin; therefore, skin lightening products help people to treat their skin problems. Ingredients such as hydroquinone, ascorbic acid, and retinoic acid were used as whitening agents to lighten the skin. However, they have many adverse effects on the skin and body health, such as skin irritation.

Aim

In this review, firstly, discuss on the directly/indirectly target melanogenesis‐related signal pathways. Secondly, summarize potential natural bioactive ingredients with skin lightening properties from plants, marine organisms, microorganisms. Finally, the remaining problems and future challenges are also discussed.

Methods

For relevant literature, a literature search was conducted using Google Scholar and Web of Science. Natural bioactive compounds, tyrosinase inhibitors, and other related topics were researched and evaluated.

Results

Natural products isolated from plant and animal resources are potential active cosmetic candidates for lightening the skin tone and skin whitening and protection against UV irradiation. Natural bioactive ingredients as cosmetic whitening additives have attracted increasingly attention due to their safety and cost effectiveness, with few side effects.

Conclusion

Although natural active substances have been advocated for use in whitening cosmetics in recent years, there are still many challenges due to the fact that traditional inhibitors are used perennial in cosmetics which cannot be easily changed and the research on natural active substances is still in its infancy. In the future, by improving the extraction technique of natural extracts, it is achieved to give a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the active ingredients of the extracts, to determine the effect of the active components of action, and to find the substances that have the best possible whitening effect in natural organisms.
Unboxing the Causal Effect of Ratings on Product Demand: Evidence from Wayfair.com*
Authors: Magnusson Evan
Published: October 2022

Using a regression discontinuity design, I estimate the causal effect of increasing product ratings by half a star on Wayfair.com to be a 5% increase in product demand. Utilizing a transaction‐level dataset, I show that this is driven by an increase in sales, not a price change. This effect is stronger for products with more reviews or sold by lesser‐known brands (and nonexistent for those with no reviews or from popular brands). Also, products with the highest ratings see the largest benefit from having a marginally higher rating. I fail to find reviews affecting repeat purchasers differently than first‐time customers.
An Institutional Approach to Alterity: Thinking Love in Levinas and Hegel
Authors: DiBona Christopher D.
Published: October 2022

Emmanuel Levinas's early work inaugurated a tradition of thinking about alterity as at odds with generalized forms of knowledge that characterize political institutions. However, in his later work Levinas broaches but leaves underdeveloped the provocative idea that institutional modes of reasoning can provide a welcome home for alterity if they follow the wisdom of love. Against this backdrop, I argue that reading G. W. F. Hegel's early writings on neighbor love alongside his mature philosophy of the state offers us important resources for articulating an institutional approach to alterity that offers a compelling solution to Levinas's concern with letting the other(s) be seen by institutions in a non‐totalizing manner. Across his early writings, Hegel positions love as the vehicle through which one comes to be at home in the institutions of one's community and the vehicle through which one can revise and expand the institutions of one's community in novel ways. My aim is to demonstrate that Hegel's early account of love provides an indispensable blueprint for understanding his mature account of the relation between the individual qua infinitely unique and modern political institutions. In turn, this will enable us to discern the institutional approach to alterity embedded in his thought.
Social brokerage and productivity of users in online innovation networks
Authors: Mukherjee Satyam , Jain Tarun
Published: October 2022

In this work, we investigate the impact of social brokerage on the innovation productivity of users in online innovation networks. Innovation in online networks is leveraged by coordinated interactions between the participating users. We leverage the data of users contributing on posts between 2017 and 2019 in two community question answering (CQA) forums: Stack Overflow and Math Stack Exchange. The innovation productivity of users in such online innovation networks, as valued by other participating users is quantified by the total score they received on their contributing posts. Users occupying brokerage positions are exposed to better ideas that boost the value of their contributing posts, thus improving their total score. Again, existing users with low social brokerage are also likely to gain from resource sharing owing to their denser networks. Our econometric analysis reveals that users in online innovation networks with very low or very high values of social brokerage receive higher scores as valued by other community users. Overall, we access the data of 537,938 users in Stack Overflow contributing on 6,002,996 questions, and 7,903,416 answers, and 20,393 users in the Math Stack Exchange contributing on 488,389 questions, and 638,110 answers. We observe aU‐shaped effect of the user's social brokerage on the user's innovation productivity. Our empirical findings have various implications for firms hosting online CQA forums.
Tax and pollution in a vertically differentiated duopoly: When consumers matter
Authors: Ceccantoni Giulia , Tarola Ornella , Vergari Cecilia
Published: October 2022

Inspired by the so‐called polluter pays principle, environmental taxes can drive a more sustainable European market. However, unilateral mitigation measures can reduce the competitiveness of carbon‐intensive industries, thereby inducing relocation. In this paper, we wonder whether a tax can effectively curb emissions without hurting firms. Our analysis's entry point is that the level of emissions in a region is jointly determined by (i) the number of consumers buying dirty goods and (ii) the environmental quality of these products. Thus, to curb emissions, on the one hand, firms have to reduce their goods' emissions intensity. On the other hand, consumers have to reduce the consumption of dirtier goods. This leads to defining a tax depending on the number of consumers buying the brown products and the relative quality of these products. We show that under this tax, lower emissions do not come at the expense of lower profits.