bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fuzzy AHP-TOPSIS method for ranking the solutions of environmental taxes implementation to overcome its barriers under fuzzy environment
Authors: Khodamipour Ahmad , Askari Shahamabad Mahdi , Askari Shahamabad Fateme
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Many developed countries have been using environmental taxes in their economic systems for many years. These taxes have a great impact on reducing the environmental damages of companies and individuals in society. But many developing countries have not used this tool effectively yet, and some countries face barriers to the effective implementation of environmental taxes that make it difficult and unsuccessful. To increase the effectiveness of the implementation of environmental taxes, governments must prioritize barriers and solutions to overcome its barriers. The identified knowledge gap of the pre-literature review is that an overview of the identification which completely considers all barriers and solutions of environmental taxes implementation does not exist. In response to this knowledge gap, this study aims to identify and prioritize the barriers and solutions of environmental taxes implementation.

Design/methodology/approach

Ranking the barriers and solutions is a complicated multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) problem that requires consideration of multiple feasible alternatives and conflicting tangible and intangible criteria. This study addresses the prioritization of solutions of Environmental Taxes implementation by proposing hybrid MCDM methods based on the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (Fuzzy-AHP) and the Fuzzy Technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution (Fuzzy-TOPSIS) under fuzzy environment. Fuzzy AHP is used to determine the weight of each barrier using a pairwise comparison, and fuzzy TOPSIS is used to finalize the ranking of solutions for more effective implementation of environmental taxes.

Findings

The results showed that environmental tax reform (ETR) (S3) has the highest value among the solutions for more effective implementation of environmental taxes. The result of the proposed model is validated by performing sensitivity analysis.

Research limitations/implications

This study could foster research on the discussion of these barriers and precise ways of implementing solutions to pay more attention to environmental taxes.

Practical implications

Ratings of solutions can be a guide and help governments to improve the implementation of environmental taxes or even develop this policy by being aware of the ranking of barriers and solutions.

Social implications

This paper creates a new perspective on the effective implementation of environmental taxes, which is closely related to improving environmental performance and increasing social welfare through improving the tax system.

Originality/value

For the first time, this study comprehensively identifies barriers and solutions for more effective implementation of environmental taxes and ranks them using two MCDM techniques.
IFRS adoption and financial reporting quality in the MENA region
Authors: Klish Abdulbaset Ab , Shubita Moade Fawzi Shaker , Wu Junjie
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Global interest in adopting the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) has risen rapidly; however, the Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) countries have reacted differently towards the international diffusion. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of the IFRS adoption/rejection decision on the quality of MENA region firms' financial reporting.

Design/methodology/approach

The quality of accounting is examined through five metrics models to measure earnings smoothing, managing earnings towards a target and timely loss recognition. The research sample consists of nine countries over a period of ten years (2006–2015), resulting in 3,040 firm-year observations in the main phase, and 2,580 firm-year observations in the additional analysis.

Findings

The findings reveal that the overall sample of IFRS adopters in the MENA region has benefited from the adoption of IFRS, as the results show that there is a reduction in earnings management for IFRS adopters in comparison to local standards adopters. The sub-sample analyses also reveal that firms that adopted IFRS, in both the rentier (oil-dependent states) and non-rentier states, have a higher financial reporting quality than non-IFRS adopters. However, the magnitude of the financial reporting quality was higher for IFRS adopters in rentier states.

Research limitations/implications

Similarly to previous research in this field, this study adopts a strict sample selection approach. Such an approach may limit the sample size, although the researchers have taken every possible step to ensure the use of an adequate sample size. The researchers acknowledge the strict period of ten years, despite having stated its rationale and importance of a more extended period to the quest of the paper.

Practical implications

This research provides valuable input by evaluating the current status of MENA region firms' financial reporting quality, based on their followed accounting regime. The implications of this paper result in better-informed decisions for investors as the information contents of the annual reports enhance comparisons that facilitate the further flow of investments. This research also provides significant insight into the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). The findings of this study will assist the IASB in understanding the MENA region by measuring the consequences of the countries' decisions on the quality of firms' financial reporting.

Originality/value

The findings of this study contribute to the literature by revealing that countries with medium levels of governance quality have benefited the most from the IFRS adoption, while IFRS adopters in countries with stronger governance quality demonstrate lower financial reporting quality.
“Bouncing ideas” as a complex information practice: information seeking, sharing, creation, and cooperation
Authors: Willson Rebekah
Published: October 2021

Purpose

“Bouncing ideas” is a phrase used colloquially to illustrate a way of advancing ideas in the workplace. While described by some as a key part of their information work, it has remained largely unexplored in the information science literature. As a metaphor used to depict information work, it describes a process of working on ideas in conjunction with others. This paper examines how early career academics use the term when describing their academic work.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper reports on one of the findings from a larger, in-depth study that examined the information behaviour of early career academics undergoing career transitions, which was carried out using constructivist grounded theory (CGT). CGT provides both a framework for the systematic collection (that included multiple interviews and check-ins with 20 early career academics) and analysis of the data (that consisted of multiple rounds of iterative, inductive coding).

Findings

The findings identify the component parts of bouncing ideas, which include three component in-formation activities – information seeking, information sharing and information creation – and are undertaken as cooperative information work (joint work for a shared purpose, but the benefits of the work may not be equal between participants).

Originality/value

Bouncing ideas is proposed as a complex information practice, defined as engaging in a temporary cooperative effort that involves social information exchange in order to gain help and/or support for an intellectual endeavour to create new information. The work identifies that more research into bouncing ideas is needed to more fully explore the distinct component behaviours that take place whilst bouncing ideas and the social conditions that foster this collaborative exchange.
Looking back and forward: a critical review of the history and future progress of the ISSPP
Authors: Gunnulfsen Ann Elisabeth , Jensen Ruth , Møller Jorunn
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The purpose of the article is to examine knowledge about successful principalship and discuss the methodology that has emerged throughout the history of the International Successful School Principals Project (ISSPP) and their implications for future progress.

Design/methodology/approach

Historical analysis is used as a strategy for establishing the background, the expansion and the progress of ISSPP as a long-standing international research network and to discuss the development of three research strands and methodological variations over time. The analysis provides a basis for pointing at some areas that need more attention in the future.

Findings

The findings suggest multiple images of the meaning of key concepts in the project and multiple theoretical and methodological orientations. There is a need to pay more attention to methodologies to make the successful cases more comparable and also to clarify the underlying assumptions of the different approaches.

Originality/value

Successful school principalship is a complex phenomenon. Therefore, future studies of successful schools and leadership would benefit from the use of knowledge that draws on sociology, cultural studies and politics.
Exploring pro-environmental behavior in Azerbaijan: an extended value-belief-norm approach
Authors: Trautwein Ulkar , Babazade Javid , Trautwein Stefan , Lindenmeier Jörg
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to explore pro-environmental behavior (PEB) in Azerbaijan. Therefore, the authors used value-belief-norm (VBN) theory, extended by the construct of social norms (SN), as a basis.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected by establishing a link within various social media platforms. The final sample consisted of 407 respondents. The authors analyzed four dimensions of PEB using higher-order structural equations. The authors also examined both direct and (serial) indirect effects for cross-cultural validation of the extended VBN theory.

Findings

The authors were able to confirm the VBN theory in its entirety. However, SN, which are influential in collectivistic and Sunni-majority states, do not contribute significantly to explaining PEB in predominantly Shiite Azerbaijan.

Research limitations/implications

The authors could not establish a direct effect of SN on PEB within this study. However, the authors observed an indirect “values-beliefs-norms-behavior” effect. The different (partly abbreviated) effect channels of the four tested value antecedents provide interesting insights for marketing research.

Practical implications

Based on the results, it seems crucial to make Muslim consumers aware of the negative outcomes of their consumption behavior and to emphasize individual responsibility. However, SN may not need to be addressed depending on cultural and/or religious values.

Originality/value

The authors examined PEB in Azerbaijan by testing the serial mediation effects in the VBN model. Further, the authors tested the influence of SN within the framework of the original VBN theory, contributing to a better understanding of the possibility of integrating components of the theory of planned behavior.
Synergistic effect of R&D and exports on performance in US manufacturing industries: high-tech vs low-tech
Authors: Lee Jooh , Kwon He-Boong
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This study aims to explore the strategic impact of R&D and export activity on the diverse dimensions of US manufacturing firms’ performance. It also explores, using a predictive analytic model, the interactive synergistic effect that R&D and exports have on firm performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This study presents an innovative two-stage regression-neural network approach. Complementing conventional statistical analysis, the predictive backpropagation neural network explores the relative impact of R&D and exports and their synergistic effect on firm performance.

Findings

This study demonstrates the significant and positive effect of R&D and export strategy/activity on the economic performance of leading US manufacturing firms, particularly on their market-based performance (i.e. sustained growth rate or SGR). Furthermore, this study finds that the synergistic effect of R&D and exports on short-term performance (i.e. return on investment) is positive in high-tech firms but negative in low-tech firms. However, the synergistic effect on SGR is increasingly positive regardless of the level of technology.

Originality/value

In addition to traditional statistical analysis, this study uniquely investigates the relative importance of selected strategic variables, along with R&D and export activity and their differential synergistic effects, for firms’ economic performance in contrasting industry settings (high-tech vs low-tech).
Mental health and online learning among medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic: a Saudi national study
Authors: AlJhani Sumayah , Alateeq Deemah , Alwabili Afnan , Alamro Ahmad
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has multiple consequences, including social distancing and the shift of education from in-person to online learning, which may have a psychological impact on students, especially those in medical colleges. This study aims to explore the effect of online learning on medical students’ mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic across Saudi Arabia.

Design/methodology/approach

A descriptive, nationwide, cross-sectional survey was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, after students in medical colleges moved to online learning. It included socio-demographic characteristics, online learning-related questions, perceived stress scale and generalized anxiety disorder-7.

Findings

The participants represented various academic levels within the basic science phase (44.9%) and clinical phase (55.1%) and various regions, including the central (55.3%), western (18.8%), northern (13.4%), southern (8.8%) and eastern (3.7%) regions. Moderate to high perceived stress was reported by 94.4% of students. Two-thirds of the students reported generalized anxiety symptoms, ranging from moderate to severe in 47% of them. A significant positive correlation was found between stress and anxiety. Women, age > 25, first-year students, students facing oral and objective structured clinical examinations, students with excellent and pass grades and those facing difficulties had higher levels of stress and anxiety. In addition, being non-Saudi, married or having a history of psychiatric illness was associated with higher levels of anxiety.

Originality/value

Stress and anxiety were highly expressed among participants using online learning. In addition to studying the efficacy of online learning, it is important to focus on its effect on medical students’ mental health, due to the highly competitive and demanding environment of medical colleges.
Equity crowdfunding: an empirical investigation of success factors in real estate crowdfunding
Authors: Gigante Gimede , Cozzio Giacomo
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This study analyses the success factors of crowdfunding campaigns in the real estate sector.

Design/methodology/approach

The success factors of general crowdfunding campaigns were identified then adapted to real estate and tested through multiple statistical analyses (T-tests, correlation matrices, variance inflation factor (VIF) and linear regression).

Findings

The findings shows that crowdfunding use in the real estate sector is evolving and that crowdfunding is a potentially disruptive tool in this sector. They also demonstrate that project duration and expected return on investment (ROI) play key roles in campaign success.

Research limitations/implications

Results are based on the Italian context only. Extending the analysis to other markets represents a fruitful starting point for further analysis.

Practical implications

The outcomes of the paper might be useful both for perspective entrepreneurs, who are considering crowdfunding to finance their projects, and for platforms in order to shape systems and services towards enhancing campaign success.

Originality/value

Although there are existing studies on crowdfunding success factors and applications of crowdfunding as a tool, no previous study specifically investigates the use of crowdfunding in Italian real estate by analysing success factors.
Adoption of transformational leadership qualities for South African academic libraries in Gauteng Province
Authors: Kunene Nokuphiwa , Mapulanga Patrick
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to ascertain the adoption of transformational leadership qualities in South African libraries in Gauteng Province.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used a qualitative approach with open-ended questions that yielded some qualitative data. For the study, a multi-case study design was used. The study specifically targeted participants by identifying three directors of academic libraries in Gauteng. The criteria for selecting the three directors were that two of the universities are residential research-intensive universities, and the third is an academic library of a distance learning university. Atlas.ti8 was used to analyse the data, which was then presented using thematic content analysis.

Findings

Thematic areas for leaders of the 21st century, as mentioned by the directors, were a mixed bag. That empowerment was suggested by the first academic director. The appropriate leadership qualities were fiduciary, analytical, pragmatic, transformative and visionary. The second academic director proposed consultative, innovative and adaptable approaches, while the third proposed collaborative, ethical and adaptive approaches.

Practical implications

Transformative leadership is required, particularly in the aftermath of technological advances and pandemics such as COVID-19, which have altered the way academic libraries should operate.

Originality/value

Many studies on transformative leadership have been conducted. However, in the aftermath of technological advancements and pandemics such as COVID-19, the role of transformative leadership remained untested. This study fills the void.
Evaluating the benefits of circular economy due to adoption of its enablers
Authors: Lahane Swapnil , Gupta Prakhar , Kant Ravi
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This research aims to identify and prioritize the circular economy (CE) benefits (CEBs) due to the adoption of CE enablers (CEEs) in the Indian manufacturing organization context.

Design/methodology/approach

This research proposes a hybrid framework of Pythagorean fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (PF-AHP) and Pythagorean fuzzy TODIM (an acronym in Portuguese for Interactive Multicriteria Decision-Making) techniques. It identifies the CEEs and CEBs based on literature review and validated through industrial experts. Further, this research conducts an empirical case study to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed framework.

Findings

The result shows that CE enabler SE1 (clear vision, support and commitment from top management for CE adoption) is the most critical enabler for CE implementation. The CE benefit CEB1 (improves the value chain of products and mitigating environmental damage during product life cycle phase) is the most significant benefit derived from the adoption of CEEs. The proposed framework will provide a more accurate, structural and systematic approach to the business organizations for achieving the CEBs in a stepwise manner through the effective adoption of CEEs.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of this research are nation-specific and based on a case study of single manufacturing industry. Thus, the result obtained can vary from case to case and nation to nation.

Originality/value

A deep understanding of each CEEs and CEBs would help build confidence among decision-makers and industrial practitioners to eliminate the risks associated with CE implementation.
CEOs as corporate ambassadors: deciphering leadership communication via Twitter
Authors: Wu Tong , Reynolds Jonathan , Wu Jintao , Schlegelmilch Bodo B.
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This study aims to analyze the ways in which chief executive officers (CEOs) communicate via Twitter and help develop guidelines for effective tweeting strategies that can leverage Twitter in leadership communication.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conduct a large-scale content analysis of more than 65,000 tweets by 338 CEOs.

Findings

The authors propose a model that categorizes differences in CEO tweets along six independent dimensions: content professionalism, language professionalism, emotional valence, emotion activation, interactional efforts and information cues. The authors also develop coding schemes and measurement scales for each dimension.

Originality/value

This study provides a multi-dimensional paradigm as well as useful tools for future research on corporate leadership communication on social media.
Linking proactivity to work–family enrichment: a moderated mediation model
Authors: Cui Zilong , Zhang Kaixin
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to explore the effect of proactivity on work–family enrichment through thriving at work and the moderation of such mediation by immediate supervisor perspective-taking.

Design/methodology/approach

Research data consisting of two-wave lagged data (N = 470) were collected from 470 employees of 17 domestic Chinese firms to examine the proposed moderated mediation model.

Findings

The findings show that proactivity was positively related to work–family enrichment and that thriving at work partially mediated this relationship. Immediate supervisor perspective-taking strengthens the effect of proactivity on thriving at work, and a positive indirect relationship exists between proactivity and work–family enrichment through thriving at work when immediate supervisor perspective-taking is high.

Practical implications

Organizations should formulate policies to motivate employees to engage in proactive behavior and stimulate employees' thriving at work. Organizations should also select leaders who are good at perspective-taking and provide training to leaders to help them take others' perspectives.

Originality/value

These results deepen our theoretical understanding of the consequences of proactivity by demonstrating the positive associations between proactive behavior and work–family enrichment. The current study also contributes to the literature by identifying the mediating mechanism of thriving at work to explain the relationship between proactivity and work–family enrichment. Furthermore, the results show that supervisor perspective-taking moderates the above mediation.
Safety and efficacy of bexarotene for Japanese patients with cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma: Real‐world experience from post‐marketing surveillance
Authors: Hamada Toshihisa , Morita Akimichi , Suga Hiraku , Boki Hikari , Fujimura Taku , Hirai Yoji , Shimauchi Takatoshi , Tateishi Chiharu , Kiyohara Eiji , Muto Ikko , Nakajima Hideki , Abe Riichiro , Fujii Kazuyasu , Nishigori Chikako , Nakano Eiji , Yonekura Kentaro , Funakoshi Takeru , Amano Masahiro , Miyagaki Tomomitsu , Makita Noriko , Manaka Katsunori , Shimoyama Yoshihito , Sugaya Makoto
Published: October 2021

To establish real‐world evidence about the safety and efficacy of bexarotene for Japanese patients with cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma, we conducted a nationwide cohort study using data from post‐marketing surveillance for bexarotene treatment. In total, 294 patients with cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma were identified between June 2016 and June 2018. Of these, 267 patients were included as the safety analysis set. Of the 267 patients, 175 were included in the efficacy analysis set. Of these, 139 patients had mycosis fungoides, including 46 with early stage disease and 93 with advanced stage disease. Among the 139 patients with mycosis fungoides, the objective response rate was 46.8%. A significant difference in objective response rate was detected between patients who started with bexarotene at 300 mg/m2 (61.6%) and patients who started with bexarotene at less than 300 mg/m2 (22.6%, p < 0.001). Of the 139 patients with mycosis fungoides, 92 were treated with a combination of bexarotene plus photo(chemo)therapy. A significant difference in objective response rate was seen between bexarotene with a combination of photo(chemo)therapy (57.6%) and bexarotene without a combination of photo(chemo)therapy (25.5%, p < 0.001). Starting bexarotene at 300 mg/m2 and combination with photo(chemo)therapy were detected as independent factors influencing response. Common treatment‐related adverse events included hypothyroidism (85.8%), hypertriglyceridemia (68.5%), hypercholesterolemia (43.8%), and neutropenia (21.3%). Hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia, and neutropenia occurred more frequently in patients who started with bexarotene at 300 mg/m2 than patients who started with bexarotene at less than 300 mg/m2 (hypertriglyceridemia, 76.4% vs. 57.0%, p = 0.001; hypercholesterolemia, 49.0% vs. 36.4%, p = 0.045; neutropenia, 28.0% vs. 12.1%, p = 0.002; respectively). The present study indicates that starting bexarotene at 300 mg/m2 and combination of photo(chemo)therapy offer a promising efficacy for the treatment of patients with mycosis fungoides. Efficacy of low‐dose bexarotene plus photo(chemo)therapy should be evaluated in future.
Static visual predator recognition in jumping spiders
Authors: Rößler Daniela C. , De Agrò Massimo , Kim Kris , Shamble Paul S.
Published: October 2021

Visually detecting, recognizing and responding appropriately to predators increases survival. Failure to detect a predator or long decision time carries high and potentially fatal costs. Consequently, many animals show general anti‐predatory responses towards threatening stimuli, for example, looming objects. However, in the context of lurking or stalking predators, visual recognition is based on static visual cues, making this task computationally demanding.

Jumping spiders (Salticidae) have superb vision and are excellent predators but they can equally fall prey to other jumping spiders. In a hierarchical decision‐making setup, we tested whether the common zebra jumping spider Salticus scenicus can visually recognize stationary predators. We measured the spiders’ behavioural responses towards predator (naturally co‐occurring, non‐co‐occurring and artificial) and non‐predator objects as well as towards objects with modified features.

Our experiments show that salticids demonstrate a robust, fast and repeatable ‘freeze and retreat’ behaviour when presented with stationary predators, but not similarly sized non‐predator objects. Anti‐predator responses were triggered by co‐occurring and non‐co‐occurring salticid predators, as well as by 3D‐printed salticid models (based on micro‐CT scans), suggesting a generalized predator detection/classification. Using modified 3D‐printed models, we found evidence that eyes act as an important cue. However, eyes alone did not explain the responses, suggesting that underlying processes rely on multiple rather than single features.

To address the role of learning and memory, we tested newly emerged spiderlings and found the same behavioural responses towards predator objects suggesting an innate response. The ability of jumping spiders to innately recognize a non‐moving threat is surprising in terms of underlying cognitive processes and the evolution thereof.

Escaping from a predator before an attack has been launched likely carries sufficient selective benefits. From a cognitive perspective, the overlap of static visual characteristics between salticid predators, prey and conspecifics invites further questions considering the mechanisms of such nuanced visual discrimination and categorization in animals with complex vision but relatively small nervous systems.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Balancing natural forest regrowth and tree planting to ensure social fairness and compliance with environmental policies
Authors: Gastauer Markus , Miazaki Angela Silva , Crouzeilles Renato , Tavares Paulo André , Lino Eric D. S. M. , Rodrigues Ricardo Ribeiro
Published: October 2021

The environmental benefits and lower implementation costs of (assisted) natural forest regrowth (NFR) compared to tree planting qualify it as a viable strategy to scale up forest restoration. However, NFR is not suitable in all places, because the potential for forest regeneration depends on the socio‐environmental context and differs greatly over space and time. Therefore, it is critical to quantify the potential contribution of NFR for reaching forest restoration targets and complying with environmental policies.

Here, we quantify the socio‐environmental consequences of NFR by considering four targets differing in restored area in the Atlantic Forest (6, 8, 15 and 22 Mha). We quantified the compliance with environmental policies, expected distribution of natural and restored vegetation within the biome and social fairness (distribution of restoration efforts and costs within small, medium and large‐sized properties) of two hypothetical forest restoration scenarios.

We show that large‐scale forest restoration prioritizing the areas with the highest potential for NFR (Scenario I) allows us to comply with one‐third of the current environmental debt in the Atlantic Forest. Furthermore, this scenario disproportionately burdens specific types of land use, increases socioeconomic inequalities and concentrates restoration activities in regions in which the natural vegetation cover is already high.

By contrast, Scenario II—eradicating the environmental debt that results from environmental policies, then prioritizing areas with the lowest overall restoration costs until reaching the restoration targets—is socially fairer and maximizes compliance with environmental policies. Its outcomes are more homogeneously distributed among counties and small, medium and large‐sized properties from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Despite doubling the implementation costs, the lower overall restoration costs in Scenario II result from significantly lower opportunity costs than in Scenario I.

Synthesis and application. The environmental, social and economic outputs of large‐scale forest restoration in the Atlantic Forest can be maximized when NFR and tree planting are balanced (Scenario II). To achieve compliance with forest restoration commitments, we thus advocate for the site‐specific selection of the best forest restoration strategy to guarantee social fairness and compliance with environmental policies at minimum overall restoration costs.
Thiosulfate oxidation in sulfur‐reducing Shewanella oneidensis and its unexpected influences on the cytochrome c content
Authors: Yu Qingzi , Sun Weining , Gao Haichun
Published: October 2021

Thiosulfate, an important form of sulfur compounds, can serve as both electron donor and acceptor in various microorganisms. In Shewanella oneidensis, a bacterium renowned for respiratory versatility, thiosulfate reduction has long been recognized but whether it can catalyse thiosulfate oxidation remains elusive. In this study, we discovered that S. oneidensis is capable of thiosulfate oxidation, a process specifically catalysed by two periplasmic cytochrome c (cyt c) proteins, TsdA and TsdB, which act as the catalytic subunit and the electron transfer subunit respectively. In the presence of oxygen, oxidation of thiosulfate has priority over reduction. Intriguingly, thiosulfate oxidation negatively regulates the cyt c content in S. oneidensis cells, largely by reducing intracellular levels of cAMP, which as the cofactor modulates activity of global regulator Crp required for transcription of many cyt c genes. This unexpected finding provides an additional dimension to interplays between the respiration regulator and the respiratory pathways in S. oneidensis. Moreover, the data presented here identified S. oneidensis as the first bacterium known to date owning both functional thiosulfate reductase and dehydrogenase, and importantly, genomics analyses suggested that the number of bacterial species possessing this feature is rather limited.
The learning, compliance, and psychological costs of applying for the Disability Support Pension
Authors: Collie Alex , Sheehan Luke , McAllister Ashley , Grant Genevieve
Published: October 2021

The Disability Support Pension (DSP) provides financial support to more than 750,000 Australians with permanent physical, intellectual or psychiatric impairments that prevent them from engaging in employment. We sought to characterise the information, compliance and psychological costs of applying for the DSP. A cohort of 518 DSP applicants and recipients completed a questionnaire capturing medical, disability, benefit and demographic data. The questionnaire also included an Administrative Burden (AB) scale that was co‐developed with disability advocates and people with lived experience of DSP processes. Most respondents reported high or very high scores on three sub‐scales assessing information, compliance and psychological costs. In logistic regression models, DSP applicants reported greater costs than DSP recipients across all three scales. People with poorer health‐related quality of life, younger age and less education reported higher costs, consistent with the observation of an inequitable distribution of administrative burden in AB theory. All three scales had acceptable reliability. Study findings suggest that DSP applicants find the application process challenging and stressful. These effects are more pronounced in people who have applied for the DSP than those currently receiving the DSP, and in those with lower human capital.
Research advance in gas detection of volatile organic compounds released in rice quality deterioration process
Authors: Liu Kewei , Zhang Chao , Xu Jinyong , Liu Qiaoquan
Published: October 2021

Rice quality deterioration will cause grievous waste of stored grain and various food safety problems. Gas detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by deterioration is a nondestructive detection method to judge rice quality and alleviate rice spoilage. This review discussed the research advance of VOCs detection in terms of nondestructive detection methods of rice quality deterioration, applications of VOCs in grain detection, inspection of characteristic gas produced during rice spoilage, rice deterioration prevention and control, and detection of VOCs released by rice mildew and insect attack. According to the main causes of rice quality deterioration and major sources of VOCs with off‐odor generated during rice storage, deterioration can be divided into mold and insect infection. The results of literature manifested that researches mainly focused on the infection of Aspergillus in the mildew process and the attack of certain pests in recent years, thus the research scope was limited. In this paper, the gas detection methods combined with the chemometrics to qualitatively analyze the VOCs, as well as the correlation with the number of colonies and insects were further studied based on the common dominant strains during rice mildew, that is, Aspergillus and Penicillium fungi, and the common pests during storage, that is, Sitophilus oryzae and Rhyzopertha dominica. Furthermore, this paper pointed out that the quantitative determination of characteristic VOCs, the numeration relationship between VOCs and the degree of mildew and insect infestation, the further expansion of detection range, and the application of degraded rice should be the spotlight of future research.
Synthetic co‐culture of autotrophic Clostridium carboxidivorans and chain elongating Clostridium kluyveri monitored by flow cytometry
Authors: Bäumler Miriam , Schneider Martina , Ehrenreich Armin , Liebl Wolfgang , Weuster‐Botz Dirk
Published: October 2021

Syngas fermentation with acetogens is known to produce mainly acetate and ethanol efficiently. Co‐cultures with chain elongating bacteria making use of these products are a promising approach to produce longer‐chain alcohols. Synthetic co‐cultures with identical initial cell concentrations of Clostridium carboxidivorans and Clostridium kluyveri were studied in batch‐operated stirred‐tank bioreactors with continuous CO/CO2‐gassing and monitoring of the cell counts of both clostridia by flow cytometry after fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH‐FC). At 800 mbar CO, chain elongation activity was observed at pH 6.0, although growth of C. kluyveri was restricted. Organic acids produced by C. kluyveri were reduced by C. carboxidivorans to the corresponding alcohols butanol and hexanol. This resulted in a threefold increase in final butanol concentration and enabled hexanol production compared with a mono‐culture of C. carboxidivorans. At 100 mbar CO, growth of C. kluyveri was improved; however, the capacity of C. carboxidivorans to form alcohols was reduced. Because of the accumulation of organic acids, a constant decay of C. carboxidivorans was observed. The measurement of individual cell concentrations in co‐culture established in this study may serve as an effective tool for knowledge‐based identification of optimum process conditions for enhanced formation of longer‐chain alcohols by clostridial co‐cultures.
Multisite species‐level roadkill across years reveals challenges and opportunities for monitoring and mitigation
Authors: Dávila‐Orozco Guillermo , Sendoya Sebastian Felipe , Kindel Andreas , Dias Rafael Antunes
Published: October 2021

Understanding spatiotemporal patterns of roadkill is challenging but essential for mitigation. Spatiotemporal roadkill patterns are seldom studied for single species at broad scales. We evaluated the spatiotemporal variation of roadkill of the water snake Helicops infrataeniatus (Squamata, Dipsadidae) in three Brazilian roads stretching 540 km and spanning up to 6 years of monitoring. We modelled the effect of sampling effort, evaluation scale and sample size on hotspot location over the years and evaluated hotspot persistence between roads at different evaluation scales. We also assessed the annual variability of roadkill hot moments within roads and tested if fatality was synchronous between roads. We correlated hotspots obtained with different evaluation scales and levels of sampling effort with those in a reference dataset built with fatality events from all sampling years. Coarser evaluation scales had a positive effect on correlation values, but the interaction between evaluation scale and sampling effort and the main effect of the latter differed between roads. Hotspot persistence over the years differed with road identity and increased with evaluation scales. Hot moments changed annually within roads and were concentrated in the warmest seasons of the year. Despite the ephemerality of hotspots within roads, fatality was synchronous between roads. Spatiotemporal variation of roadkills may reflect environmental, behavioural or populational changes at multiple scales. We suggest that both permanent and temporal mitigation strategies may be used according to spatiotemporal characteristics of hotspots. Our study exemplifies how synchrony studies can provide clues to understand roadkill patterns and improve mitigation planning at regional scales.
Risk factors for myocardial injury at admission of 325 patients with coronavirus disease 2019 in Shanghai, China
Authors: Mei Xue , Ji Yuanyuan , Qian Zhiping , Ling Yun , Zhu Hui , Zhao Xingcheng , Shen Fang , Xu Qingnian , Zhang Zhengguo , Cheng Xingxia , Liu Yu , Guo Hongying , Zou Ying , Wang Jiefei , Zhang Yuyi , Xu Lie , Lu Hongzhou
Published: October 2021

Objective

Myocardial injury leads to higher mortality in COVID‐19, but the causes and risk factors are variable. We evaluated the potential risk factors for myocardial injury in COVID‐19 patients to improve treatment strategies and reduce mortality.

Methods

This retrospective analysis enrolled 325 COVID‐19 patients in Shanghai, China.

Results

The median age in our cohort was 51 [range 15‐88] years, 26 (8%) were critically ill, and 177 patients (19.7%) had myocardial injury. The myocardial injury group comprised older, more critically ill patients with hypertension, other comorbidities, history of angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker use, lower peripheral blood lymphocyte count and higher D‐dimer levels. Binary logistic regression analysis identified only age was an independent risk factor for myocardial injury (odds ratio 1.019; 95% confidence interval 1.003‐1.036; age increase by 1 year = myocardial injury risk increase by 1.9%).

Conclusions

Older age was associated with a higher incidence of myocardial injury for COVID‐19 patients.
Responding to rural allied health workforce challenges in the public health system: Evaluation of the Allied Health Rural Generalist Pathway pilot in western New South Wales
Authors: McMaster Ellen , Reid Tegan , Farquhar Emily , McMaster Duncan , Buckley David , Green Elyce
Published: October 2021

Objective

The Allied Health Rural Generalist Pathway pilot aimed to improve consistent access to physiotherapy services in rural communities using the “grow own” workforce strategy and existing resources.

Design

A summative evaluation of the quality improvement project used to implement the Allied Health Rural Generalist Pathway was completed. A mixed method design was used and included focus groups and a framework analysis.

Participants

The temporary redesign of specific workforce resources created “development” positions. A shared same‐discipline supervisor resource supported five early‐career physiotherapists, the participants.

Setting

The project was undertaken in rural New South Wales in the public health system.

Main outcome measures

The main outcome measures included a number of chronically vacant physiotherapy positions and stakeholder satisfaction.

Results

Targeted vacancies were filled, services sustained with minimal service gaps and mean retention rate of 2.9 years. A statistically significant increase in service activity to patients in rural locations occurred as a result of the intervention (R‐squared 29%, P < .05). Four out of five early career physiotherapists fulfilled terms of their contract and secured senior positions within the region. Whilst participants developed professionally, they did not complete the tertiary education component.

Conclusions

The Allied Health Rural Generalist multi‐factorial approach supported recruitment, retention and capacity building within the targeted discipline of the allied health workforce. Patient need was met. The rural pipeline capacity was developed. The pathway was complementary of existing NSW Health systems. Systemic change is needed to overcome inefficiencies experienced during implementation and to ensure sustainability. Further research to develop discipline‐specific clinical training guidance through the stages of a rural allied health professionals’ career may be helpful.
Arranged Marriage Often Subverts Offspring Mate Choice: An HRAF‐Based Study
Authors: Agey Elizabeth , Morris Addison , Chandy Maya , Gaulin Steven J. C.
Published: October 2021

In many species, females and males form long‐term mating bonds, but marriage—and especially arranged marriage—are uniquely human traits. While marriage practices impact many cultural phenomena, they also can have evolutionary (i.e., fitness) consequences. Strongly felt but not necessarily conscious mating preferences presumably evolved because they provide fitness benefits compared to random mating, and this prediction has been supported by experimental animal studies. Arranged marriage might similarly reduce fitness in humans, but only if parents regularly choose different mates for their offspring than offspring would choose for themselves. Here we report a broad ethnographic survey exploring whether parents and offspring disagree over partner choice in arranged marriages. Using the Human Relations Area Files, we reviewed 543 ethnographies to assess the relative frequencies of parent–offspring agreement and disagreement over partner choice, the reasons for disagreement, and the outcomes of disagreement. In all world areas, parents and offspring overwhelmingly choose different partners. Parents and offspring disagreed over fitness‐relevant traits of the potential spouse, and both parties sometimes used extreme methods to influence outcomes. These findings suggest that arranged marriages may be useful for studying the effects of mate choice in humans and for assessing the unique dynamics of human mating systems. [parent–offspring conflict, mate choice, cross‐cultural]
The mediating role of tolerance for psychological pain in the relationship of childhood trauma to suicidal ideation in individuals with a substance use disorder
Authors: Martins Luís C. , Campos Rui C. , Morujão Inês S.
Published: October 2021

Objectives

The association between childhood trauma and suicidal ideation has been well documented in several populations, including individuals with a substance use disorder (SUD). However, a gap still exists in the literature regarding the mechanisms by which childhood trauma later impacts suicide risk. This cross‐sectional study tested the effect of childhood trauma on suicidal ideation, as well as the mediating effect of tolerance for psychological pain (managing the pain and enduring the pain) in that relationship, controlling for the effect of depressive symptoms, in individuals with a SUD.

Methods

A sample of 102 adults with a SUD participated in the study. Path analysis by structural equation modelling tested a mediation model.

Results

Depressive symptoms and lower levels of managing the pain were found to fully mediate the association between childhood trauma and suicidal ideation.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that depressive symptoms and a lack of ability to manage psychological pain contribute towards explaining why traumatic childhood experiences may result in suicidal cognitions in individuals with SUDs. Moreover, they have relevant implications for prevention and clinical interventions regarding suicidal ideation in this population.

Practitioner points

Childhood trauma relates to suicidal ideation in individuals with a substance use disorder.

Depressive symptoms contribute towards explaining why traumatic childhood experiences may result in suicidal cognitions.

A lack of ability to manage psychological pain also contributes towards explaining this relationship.

The obtained results have relevant implications for the prevention of and clinical intervention for suicidal ideation in SUD individuals.