bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Employability and innovative work behaviours in SMEs in a Euroregion
Authors: Stoffers Jol , Hendrikx Karolien , Habets Omar , van der Heijden Beatrice 
Published: October 2019

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate possible differences in the degrees of employability, leader–member exchange (LMX) and innovative work behaviours in a comparison between Belgium and the Netherlands. Although neighbouring countries, disparate national cultures between the two are assumed to influence the amount of employability, LMX and innovative work behaviours among their respective working populations. Furthermore, this paper aims to validate a mediation model across the two countries to test whether employability (partially) mediates the relationship between LMX and innovative work behaviours.Design/methodology/approachData from employees and their immediate supervisors working in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Belgium and the Netherlands supported the hypothesized model. Structural equation modelling was used to investigate the mediation model using a multi-source approach.FindingsThe amount of employability and innovative work behaviours of employees appeared to differ significantly between Belgium and the Netherlands. Furthermore, the results suggested that for both countries a positive relationship with one’s immediate supervisor (LMX) is beneficial in the light of workers’ innovative work behaviours, through its impact on employability, which was found to be a full mediator in this relationship.Research limitations/implicationsFuture studies using a longitudinal approach could give more insight into the model relationships. Moreover, the variation in systems, national contexts and managerial practices in the Euroregion calls for more cross-national comparative scholarly research.Practical implicationsSMEs often do not employ professionals to manage human resources, that is, supervisors themselves have to carry the responsibility to encourage employees to further develop themselves and to enhance their innovative work behaviours. This while the challenge of more cross-national cooperation encourages a boost for innovations in the Euroregion.Originality/valueThis study is the first cross-national validation of a mediation model wherein a competence-based measure of employability is incorporated as a possible mediator in the relationship between LMX and innovative work behaviours.
Q-method as a tool to facilitate meaningful public engagement with science
Authors: Gauttier Stéphanie 
Published: October 2019

Purpose
Researchers are expected to find ways to make citizens participate in research to support responsible and open conceptions of science. New methods for engagement need to be found in order to facilitate engagement. The public needs to build its knowledge and be presented with time for reflexion so as to give an informed opinion on a given topic. Traditional consensus conferences are costly, and surveys are not building citizens’ understanding of science. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach
The author presents a case where engagement was realized based on Q-method and technique. A research protocol and the results of the engagement are presented.

Findings
This case shows that an adapted version of Q can lead to meaningful engagement for citizens and relevant data for researchers. Participants enjoy the process and can become advocates for a topic. The data collected allow to map out points of views which can be used to inform policy and research.

Originality/value
From a practical point of view, this paper suggests a new way to proceed to citizen engagement with science. It also opens research questions related to the use of the method itself.
The advantages of diving deep: Fin whales quadruple their energy intake when targeting deep krill patches
Authors: Friedlaender Ari S. , Bowers Matthew T. , Cade David , Hazen Elliott L. , Stimpert Alison K. , Allen Ann N. , Calambokidis John , Fahlbusch James , Segre Paolo , Visser Fleur , Southall Brandon L. , Goldbogen Jeremy A. 
Published: October 2019

Abstract

How predators maximize energetic gains while minimizing the costs associated with exploiting heterogeneous prey remains a difficult ecological principle to test in natural systems.

Deep‐diving, air‐breathing predators face conflicting demands of oxygen conservation to extend dive time and oxygen usage from the exercise required to find and capture prey. How predators balance these opposing factors is additionally complicated by prey patches that are heterogeneous spatially, temporally and in quality.

Tags deployed on foraging fin whales revealed that deeper dives consisted of higher feeding rates (lunges/hr), as generally predicted by optimal foraging theory. By simultaneously measuring prey density and distribution in the local environment, we show that whales increased their dive depths in order to forage on the densest prey patches.

Despite the increased travel time needed to find deeper prey during a breath‐hold dive, the increase in feeding rates of fin whales and modelled prey consumption quadrupled compared to shallow foraging. Because the cost of transport is low at this extreme in body size, we posit that feeding on the deep prey patches significantly increases the energetic efficiency of foraging.

Given the increasing recognition that anthropogenic disturbance can curtail deep foraging dives in many cetacean species, endangered fin whales may be susceptible to significant energetic losses that may impact individual fitness and population health in some areas.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
The impact of the different habitats on skull variation in the fossorial subterranean rodents (Rodentia: Spalacidae) from Middle Anatolia
Authors: Yağcı Tuba , Gurbanov Rafig R. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractIn this study, the morphometric variations were investigated in Farmland and Hillside populations of subterranean rodent Nannospalax xanthodon from Central Anatolia. A total of 31 parameters were measured in the skull and mandible of 35 male individuals. Multivariate analysis (MVA) of the obtained cranial data was used to determine the parameters that varied between habitats and chromosomal populations (2n = 54 and 2n = 60). Furthermore, the effect of soil hardness on the morphology of the dorsal skull of male and female individuals was investigated. As a result, habitat differences caused some morphometric variations in the skull dorsal, especially facial bones, whereas the samples with diploid chromosome number 2n = 54 and 2n = 60 were separated by eight cranial parametric measurements. Accordingly, the known effect of ecological factors on phylogenetic variations in digging animals has first discussed in Nannospalax xantodon cytotypes.
Sharing the burden in a free riders’ land: The EU migration and asylum policy in the views of public opinion and politicians
Authors: BASILE LINDA , OLMASTRONI FRANCESCO 
Published: October 2019

AbstractNew divisions have emerged within the European Union over the handling of the recent migration crisis. While both frontline and favoured destination countries are called upon to deal with the number of migrants looking for international protection and better living conditions, no consensus has been reached yet on the quota‐based mechanisms for the relocation of refugees and financial help to exposed countries proposed by the EU. Such mechanisms pose a trade‐off for member states: the EU's response to the crisis offers help to countries under pressure, but it inevitably requires burden‐sharing among all EU members and a limitation of their national sovereignty. Within this scenario, the article compares how public opinion and political elites in ten different EU countries view a common EU migration policy grounded on solidarity and burden‐sharing. By tracing both within‐ and cross‐national patterns of convergence (and divergence), the article shows that contextual factors influence policy preferences, with support for solidarity measures being stronger in countries with higher shares of illegal migrants and asylum seekers. While individuals’ predispositions, identity and ideological orientations account for both masses’ and elites’ attitudes towards burden‐sharing measures, subjective evaluations and beliefs concerning the severity of the crisis provide additional and alternative explanations when looking at the public's preferences. In particular, it is found that concern about the flow of migrants to Europe consolidates the impact of contextual factors, whereas the overestimation of the immigrant population fosters hostility against solidarity measures, with both effects more pronounced as the country's exposure to the crisis increases. In the light of these results, the main implication of this study is that EU institutions have to primarily address entrenched beliefs and misperceptions about immigrants to enhance public support for a joint approach to migration.
Bioimpedance Spectroscopy‐Based Fluid Status in Combined Dialysis Compared With Hemodialysis and Peritoneal Dialysis: A Cross‐Sectional Study
Authors: Tanaka Mototsugu , Ishibashi Yoshitaka , Hamasaki Yoshifumi , Kamijo Yuka , Idei Mayumi , Nishi Takahiro , Takeda Michio , Nonaka Hiroshi , Nangaku Masaomi , Mise Naobumi 
Published: October 2019

AbstractCombination therapy with peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis (PD+HD) is widely used in Japan for PD patients with decreased residual renal function. However, fluid status in PD+HD patients has not been well studied. In this cross‐sectional study, we compared fluid status in 41 PD+HD patients with that in 103 HD and 92 PD patients using the bioimpedance spectroscopy. Extracellular water normalized to patient height (NECW, kg/m) was the highest in pre‐HD (8.3 ± 1.6) followed by PD (7.9 ± 2.7), PD+HD (7.5 ± 2.5), and post‐HD patients (6.9 ± 1.5) (P < 0.01). By multiple linear regression analysis, PD+HD was associated with a significantly lower NECW than pre‐HD (β = −0.8, P = 0.03) and similar to PD (β = −0.5, P = 0.24) and post‐HD (β = 0.6, P = 0.08) after adjustment for age, sex, diabetic nephropathy, ischemic heart disease, dialysis period, and daily urine volume. There was no correlation between NECW and daily urine volume in all dialysis groups. Average daily fluid removal (a sum of urine volume and ultrafiltration volume by dialysis) was positively correlated with NECW in PD+HD and pre‐HD, but not in PD and post‐HD patients. Our results suggest that fluid status in PD+HD patients with decreased residual renal function is acceptable as compared with that in HD and PD patients.
CD137 ligand feedback upregulates PD‐L1 expression on lung cancer via T cell production of IFN‐γ
Authors: Wang Helin , Yan Zhuohong , Hao Jianqing , Yang Bin , Wang Jinghui , Yi Ling , Wang Xiaojue , Li Shuping , Zhang Hongtao , Zhang Shucai 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBackgroundThe expression of PD‐L1 and its regulation in tumors remains unclear. The importance of IFN‐γ in upregulating the PD‐L1 expression in various tumors, and the effects of other essential cytokines in the tumor microenvironment (TME), need to be further elucidated.MethodsConstitutive expression of PD‐L1 and CD137L in all 13 lung cancer cell lines were tested by flow cytometry. CD137L mRNA of lung cancer cell lines was detected by RT‐PCR. PD‐L1 expression rates following stimulation with these cytokines (IFN‐γ, TNFα and IL2) were measured. After coculture of cells expressing CD137L (lung cancer cells or 293FT cells transfected with CD137L plasmid) with T cells, the PDL1 expression of lung cancer cells and IFN‐γ in supernatant was detected.ResultsOur data revealed that adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma cells had the highest positive expression rate. IFN‐γ was the core‐inducing factor for enhancing the PD‐L1 expression. CD137L was also widely expressed in the lung cancer cell lines at the mRNA level, whereas its expression was generally low at the protein level. However, the low expression of CD137L protein was still enough to induce T cells to produce IFN‐γ, which subsequently increased the PD‐L1 expression by lung cancer cells. The CD137 signal induces IFN‐γ secretion by T cells, which stimulates high‐level of PD‐L1 expression in cancer cells; this negative immune regulation may represent a mechanism of immune escape regulation.ConclusionsCD137L mRNA was widely expressed in lung cancer cell lines whereas levels of protein expression were generally low. The low level of CD137L protein was still enough to induce T cells to produce IFN‐γ that subsequently increased PD‐L1 expression. The CD137L‐induced negative immune regulation may represent a mechanism of immune escape.
Triple‐entry accounting with blockchain: How far have we come?
Authors: Cai Cynthia Weiyi 
Published: October 2019

AbstractAlthough double‐entry accounting has been used for more than 600 years, today’s era of disruptive technological change utilising blockchain and FinTech has led to the emergence of another promising accounting method: triple‐entry accounting. This paper explores triple‐entry accounting, from its conception to the current state of play, using three case studies. We find that: (i) in a blockchain ecosystem, for some accounts, business entities will only need to perform a single entry internally and the opposite entry will be recorded in a public shared ledger; and (ii) triple‐entry accounting is a new and a more efficient way to address fundamental trust and transparency issues that plague current accounting systems. Triple‐entry accounting with blockchain, when properly implemented, can fundamentally improve accounting.
Group B Streptococcus serotypes Ia and V induce differential vaginal immune responses that may contribute to long term colonization of the female reproductive tract
Authors: Sweeney Emma L. , Gardiner Stephanie , Tickner Jacob , Trim Logan , Beagley Kenneth W. , Carey Alison J. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractProblemGroup B Streptococcus (GBS) is a common colonizer of the female genital tract at the time of pregnancy and has been associated with severe neonatal infections. Despite trials for GBS vaccines already being underway, the factors influencing vaginal GBS colonization and clearance are currently poorly understood.Method of studyWithin this study, we investigated the host immune responses to GBS infections in mice that affect GBS vaginal colonization and clearance. Cervicovaginal swabs were used to measure vaginal GBS persistence, and vaginal cytokine responses were measured using the BioPlex® system. Lymphocytes isolated from spleens were stimulated with UV‐killed GBS to examine systemic cellular responses. Additional in vitro cellular experiments using human vaginal epithelial cells were also performed, examining the effect pregnancy level hormones had on GBS adhesion, invasion, and cytokine responses.ResultsWe observed significant differences in the ability of GBS serotype V infections to persist, compared with GBS serotype Ia vaginal infections. Vaginal cytokine response examination identified temporal changes in cytokine production (IL10, IFNγ, IL6, IL1β, and TNFα) in relation to GBS serotype and clearance or colonization. Lymphocyte proliferation assays also revealed robust cellular immune responses to GBS vaginal infections irrespective of clearance or colonization. In vitro human cellular analyses also identified that vaginal epithelial cell line cytokine production was suppressed in the presence of hormones despite no alteration in adhesion/invasion.ConclusionHere, we establish previously unknown, serotype specific, temporal immune responses which may be associated with vaginal GBS colonization or clearance in the female genital tract.
Survey of paediatricians caring for children with life‐limiting conditions found that they were involved in advance care planning
Authors: Fahner Jurrianne C. , Rietjens Judith A. C. , van der Heide Agnes , van Delden Johannes J. M. , Kars Marijke C. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractAimAdvance care planning (ACP) is a strategy to align future care and treatment with preferences of patients and families. This study assesses the experiences of ACP among paediatricians caring for children with life‐limiting conditions.MethodsPaediatricians from five Dutch university hospitals and the national oncology centre completed a survey during May to September 2017, which investigated experiences with ACP in their most recent case of a deceased child and with ACP in general.ResultsA total of 207 paediatricians responded (36%). After exclusion of responses with insufficient data (n = 39), 168 were analysed (29%). These included experiences with an individual case in 86%. ACP themes were discussed with parents in all cases. Topics common to many cases were diagnosis, life expectancy, care goals, the parent's fears and code status. ACP conversations occurred with children in 23% of cases. The joy in living was the most frequent topic. The frequency of ACP conversations was insufficient according to 49% of the respondents. In 60%, it was stated that ACP has to result in a documented code status.ConclusionPaediatricians reported having ACP conversations mainly with parents focusing on medical issues. There was limited insight into the child's preferences for care and treatment.
Promoting organ donation registration with the priority incentive: Israeli transplantation surgeons' and other medical practitioners' views and ethical concerns
Authors: Guttman Nurit , Siegal Gil , Appel-Doron Naama , Bar‐On Gitit 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBecause the number of organs available for transplantation does not meet the needs of potential recipients, some have proposed that a potentially effective way to increase registration is to offer a self‐benefit incentive that grants a 'preferred status' or some degree of prioritization to those who register as potential donors, in case they might need organs. This proposal has elicited an ethical debate on the appropriateness of such a benefit in the context of a life‐saving medical procedure. In this paper we review arguments and ethical concerns raised by scholars, and studies of views of members of the public regarding the prioritization incentive system. We also report on our study of the views of those involved in organ transplant and of other medical professionals in Israel, as over half a decade ago Israel implemented a prioritization incentive system. Bioethicists propose that key stakeholders' views can provide additional arguments and perspectives on controversial issues. Proponents justify the prioritization incentive drawing mainly on arguments related to its potential effectiveness, reciprocity and fairness. Opponents point to the fact that registering is not binding and not an actual donation, and raise concerns regarding equity, autonomy and gaming the system. Ethical concerns raised by the practitioners in the study were examined in light of scholars' arguments and actual registration and donation data. Practitioners involved in transplantation raised ethical concerns corresponding to those raised by scholars as well as additional concerns. They also challenged proponents' assumptions regarding the utility of the incentive system from their own experience and argued that proponents obscure the meaning of reciprocity.
A bivalent antihypertensive vaccine targeting L‐type calcium channels and angiotensin AT1 receptors
Authors: Wu Hailang , Wang Yiyi , Wang Gongxin , Qiu Zhihua , Hu Xiajun , Zhang Hongrong , Yan Xiaole , Ke Fan , Zou Anruo , Wang Min , Liao Yuhua , Chen Xiao 
Published: October 2019

Background and PurposeHypertension has been the leading preventable cause of premature death worldwide. The aim of this study was to design a more efficient vaccine against novel targets for the treatment of hypertension.Experimental ApproachThe epitope CE12, derived from the human L‐type calcium channel (CaV1.2), was designed and conjugated with Qβ bacteriophage virus‐like particles to test the efficacy in hypertensive animals. Further, the hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg)‐CE12‐CQ10 vaccine, a bivalent vaccine based on HBcAg virus‐like particles and targeting both human angiotensin AT1 receptors and CaV1.2 channels, was developed and evaluated in hypertensive rodents.Key ResultsThe Qβ‐CE12 vaccine effectively decreased the BP in hypertensive rodents. A monoclonal antibody against CE12 specifically bound to L‐type calcium channels and inhibited channel activity. Injection with monoclonal antibody against CE12 effectively reduced the BP in angiotensin II‐induced hypertensive mice. The HBcAg‐CE12‐CQ10 vaccine showed antihypertensive effects in hypertensive mice and relatively superior antihypertensive effects in spontaneously hypertensive rats and ameliorated L‐NAME‐induced renal injury. In addition, no obvious immune‐mediated damage or electrophysiological adverse effects were detected.Conclusion and ImplicationsImmunotherapy against both AT1 receptors and CaV1.2 channels decreased the BP in hypertensive rodents effectively and provided protection against hypertensive target organ damage without obvious feedback activation of renin‐angiotensin system or induction of dominant antibodies against the carrier protein. Thus, the HBcAg‐CE12‐CQ10 vaccine may provide a novel and promising therapeutic approach for hypertension.
Seed dispersal effectiveness by a large‐bodied invasive species in defaunated landscapes
Authors: Pedrosa Felipe , Bercê William , Levi Taal , Pires Mathias , Galetti Mauro 
Published: October 2019

AbstractAnimal‐dispersed plants are increasingly reliant on effective seed dispersal provided by small‐bodied frugivores in defaunated habitats. In the Neotropical region, the non‐native wild pig (Sus scrofa) is expanding its distribution and we hypothesized that they can be a surrogate for seed dispersal services lost by defaunation. We performed a thorough analysis of their interaction patterns, interaction frequencies, seed viability, and characteristics of the seed shadows they produce. We found 15,087 intact seeds in 56% of the stomachs and 5,186 intact seeds in 90% of the scats analyzed, 95% of which were smaller than 10 mm in diameter. Wild pigs were the third most effective disperser among 21 extant frugivore species in a feeding trail experiment in terms of quantity of seeds removed. Gut retention time was 70 ± 23 hr, indicating wild pigs can promote long‐distance seed dispersal. Seed survival after seed handling and gut passage by wild pigs was positively related with seed size, but large seeds were spat out and only smaller seeds were defecated intact, for which we observed a positive or neutral effect on germination relative to manually de‐pulped seeds. Finally, deposition of seeds was four times more frequent in unsuitable than suitable sites for seedling recruitment and establishment. Seed dispersal effectiveness by wild pigs is high in terms of the quantity of seeds dispersed but variable in terms of the quality of the service provided. Our study highlights that negative and positive effects delivered by non‐native species should be examined in a case by case scenario.Abstract in Portuguese is available with online material.