bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Canopy conductance and gas exchange of a Japanese cypress forest after rainfall‐induced wetness
Authors: Jiao Linjie , Kosugi Yoshiko , Sempuku Yuichi , Chang Ting‐wei 
Published: August 2021

AbstractIncreased stomatal conductance of the dry leaves right after wetness ended was reported before, while few studies paid attention to this phenomenon in canopy scale and its contribution to the forest carbon sink function. Therefore, we observed the continuous change of canopy wetness and ecosystem fluxes after wetness ended by using wetness sensors and eddy covariance method for a Japanese cypress forest (Chamaecyparis obtuse Sieb. Et Zucc.) in the Asian monsoon area. Larger gc (canopy conductance) were found in the relationships with both vapor pressure deficit and Rn (net radiation) during the first several hours after wetness ended. The results for λE (latent heat flux) were similar to that of gc in spring and summer. Net ecosystem exchange (NEE) in the relationships with Rn at different stages after wetness ended did not show clear difference except in spring. Nevertheless, annual summed‐up NEE showed that the average CO2 uptake at the first several hours after wetness ended was larger than the usual dry period. These results suggest that the improved stomatal opening at the first several hours after wetness ended plays a significant role in the canopy‐scale gas exchange processes.
PeMetR‐mediated sulfur assimilation is essential for virulence and patulin biosynthesis in Penicillium expansum
Authors: Chen Yong , Zhang Zhanquan , Li Boqiang , Tian Shiping 
Published: August 2021

SummaryPenicillium expansum, as the causal agent of blue mould and a main producer of mycotoxin patulin, is a global concern for economic and food safety. To date, the nutritional requirements of the pathogen during infection and patulin biosynthesis are poorly understood. Here, we genetically characterized the role of the bZIP transcription factor PeMetR in sulfur metabolism, virulence and patulin biosynthesis of P. expansum. The PeMetR regulator is crucial for normal germination and growth on inorganic S‐sources but dispensable for utilization of organic S‐sources. Accordingly, it is involved in regulating the expression of genes in sulfur assimilation pathway rather than methionine metabolic processes. Disruption of PeMetR resulted in a complete loss of virulence on various fruits. Additionally, the mutant showed a remarkably reduced ability to produce patulin. Exogenous methionine could partially or completely rescue the impaired phenotypes of the mutant. Inactivation of the sulfur assimilation pathway genes, PesA, PesB, PesC, PesF, generated growth, virulence and patulin production defects similar to those of ΔPeMetR. Overall, our study provides evidence that PeMetR‐mediated sulfur assimilation is essential for growth and infection and shows for the first time that regulation of sulfur assimilation affects biosynthesis of an important mycotoxin patulin in P. expansum.
Can the group disincentivize offending? Considering opt‐out thresholds and decision reversals*
Authors: McGloin Jean Marie , Thomas Kyle J. , Rowan Zachary R. , Deitzer Jessica R. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractScholars generally agree that offending decisions occur in social context, with some suggesting that choice models should explicitly integrate the notion that the deviant actions of others can incentivize offending. In this study, we investigate whether group settings can also disincentivize deviant action via reverse bandwagon effects, where individuals reverse their offending decision and express an intention to opt out of the criminal act. Based on survey data from three universities using hypothetical scenarios about theft and fighting, we find evidence of opt‐out thresholds. Our findings indicate that deviant groups can serve as both an incentive and a disincentive, and that the relationship between group size and the perceived utility of crime is more complicated than prior work has suggested. Moreover, we find that these self‐reported opt‐out thresholds vary across scenarios, indicating that socially interdependent decision‐making processes may be situation specific. In the end, the study underscores the importance of acknowledging the social context in offending decisions and highlights that group effects may be more complex and nuanced than previously discussed.
An integrated theory of the firm approach to environmental, social and governance performance
Authors: Huang Danny Zhao‐Xiang 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe literature seeking to explain why firms conduct environmental, social and governance (ESG) activity is substantial and growing but remains underdeveloped. This paper offers a holistic and multi‐disciplinary theoretical framework to situate ESG activity as integral to firm performance. Drawing on established theories of the firm, these theories together assist the firm identify salient stakeholders, and how their contributions and claims may be integrated into firm activity. This approach places ESG considerations as an important element of firm activity in terms of developing and maintaining a firm’s social licence, the way it manages risks, and building competitive advantage.
Potential impact of climate change on the distribution of some selected legumes in Cameroon and adjoining Nigeria border
Authors: Salako Gabriel , Oyebanji Oyetola Olusegun , Olagunju Temidayo Ebenezer , Howe Glenn Thomas 
Published: August 2021

AbstractOrganismal response to climate change may affect long‐term conservation plans. However, how climate change affects the distribution and conservation status of some plant species is still being debated. To test this, we selected four economically important legume species (Adenocarpus mannii, Afzelia bella, Afzelia bipindensis and Baphia nitida) from the Nigeria–Cameroon border in West Africa. The link between climate change and the species distribution range was predicted using the ensemble species distribution model (ESDM). Our analyses revealed the precipitation of the coldest period (50%) and precipitation of the driest period (40%) as the most important environmental variables influencing the distribution of the studied species. The projection shows independent habitat shifts (gain/loss) of the species consequent to climate change in the future (2050 and 2070). Despite the restricted coverage of occupancy for the selected species, our estimated species distribution range from the ESDM agrees with the current IUCN conservation status (least concern) for A. mannii. Hence, our results suggest that species distribution modelling at local habitats could yield insights into global species conservation assessments. Our findings highlighted the need for conservation through regulated land use in Dibombari highland, Cameroon Mountain (Cameroon) and the forests around Oban hills in Nigeria due to projected high species loss consequent to climate change. Thus, we recommend ecological niche modelling with extensive field surveys across the entire geographic range of these species for robust inferences that allow comparisons with the IUCN status.
Mindfulness as a path to fostering time affluence and well‐being
Authors: Schaupp Julia , Geiger Sonja 
Published: August 2021

AbstractGiven that time pressure is a widespread and straining phenomenon in modern societies, strategies to alleviate it are increasingly required. Employing a quasi‐experimental longitudinal design with an active control group, the present study examined whether practicing mindfulness may attenuate time pressure and lead to more time affluence. Corroborating and extending findings on positive effects of mindfulness practice, the presented longitudinal study suggests that compared with a physically exercising control group, participation in a mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) program leads to increases in time affluence and subjective well‐being. Further, a mediation analysis revealed that the effect of increased mindfulness on subjective well‐being is partially mediated through this increase in time affluence. As the first longitudinal study suggesting a change of time affluence as a result of participation in an MBSR program, this work enriches the research on mindfulness and time affluence and provides important impetus for future research. Moreover, this research provides an explanation for the well‐established effects of mindfulness practice on well‐being: increased subjective time affluence plays a mediating role. The paper underlines the importance of considering time affluence as an element of well‐being in mindfulness and general psychology research alike.
Clinical variability of neurofibromatosis 1: A modifying role of cooccurring PTPN11 variants and atypical brain MRI findings
Authors: D'Amico Alessandra , Rosano Carmen , Pannone Luca , Pinna Valentina , Assunto Antonia , Motta Marialetizia , Ugga Lorenzo , Daniele Paola , Mandile Roberta , Mariniello Lucio , Siano Maria Anna , Santoro Claudia , Piluso Giulio , Martinelli Simone , Strisciuglio Pietro , De Luca Alessandro , Tartaglia Marco , Melis Daniela 
Published: August 2021

AbstractNeurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) is a disorder characterized by variable expressivity caused by loss‐of‐function variants in NF1, encoding neurofibromin, a protein negatively controlling RAS signaling. We evaluated whether concurrent variation in proteins functionally linked to neurofibromin contribute to the variable expressivity of NF1. Parallel sequencing of a RASopathy gene panel in 138 individuals with molecularly confirmed clinical diagnosis of NF1 identified missense variants in PTPN11, encoding SHP2, a positive regulator of RAS signaling, in four subjects from three unrelated families. Three subjects were heterozygous for a gain‐of‐function variant and showed a severe expression of NF1 (developmental delay, multiple cerebral neoplasms and peculiar cortical MRI findings), and features resembling Noonan syndrome (a RASopathy caused by activating variants in PTPN11). Conversely, the fourth subject, who showed an attenuated presentation, carried a previously unreported PTPN11 variant that had a hypomorphic behavior in vitro. Our findings document that functionally relevant PTPN11 variants occur in a small but significant proportion of subjects with NF1 modulating disease presentation, suggesting a model in which the clinical expression of pathogenic NF1 variants is modified by concomitant dysregulation of protein(s) functionally linked to neurofibromin. We also suggest targeting of SHP2 function as an approach to treat evolutive complications of NF1.
Estimating economic losses to small‐scale fishers from shark conservation: A hedonic price analysis
Authors: Booth Hollie , Squires Dale , Yulianto Irfan , Simeon Benaya , Muhsin  , Adrianto Luky , Milner‐Gulland Eleanor Jane 
Published: August 2021

AbstractUnderstanding wildlife markets is central to effective conservation: it can help managers and policy‐makers to predict how interventions might influence supply and demand of wildlife products, and economic welfare of wildlife users; and thus, design interventions which have better outcomes for wildlife and people. Here we apply a revealed preference method of economic valuation—hedonic price analysis (HPA)—to understand shark markets and explore the economic costs of shark conservation for small‐scale fishers. We focus on a targeted semi‐commercial shark fishery in Indonesia—which poses a threat to some shark species, but provides important economic and subsistence value for a coastal community in an impoverished region of Indonesia—and use HPA to estimate market prices and welfare measures for threatened and CITES‐listed sharks. This represents a pertinent case study with practical implications because Indonesia is the world's largest shark fishing nation, where management interventions to reduce shark fishing mortality are needed. However, such interventions will create short‐term socio‐economic trade‐offs for fishing communities, which may hamper cooperation and compliance, and raise concerns regarding the fairness and equity of conservation. Our results give significant marginal price estimates for five species of conservation and commercial importance. Dusky sharks (Carcharhinus obscurus) and bottlenose wedgefish (Rhynchobatus australiae) have the highest implicit marginal prices, at US$ 157 and US$ 144, respectively. Our estimates suggest that conservation measures, such as catch limits for endangered and CITES‐listed species, could have significant economic opportunity costs (i.e., 3.4–17.6% revenue foregone) for low‐income fishers. Innovative policy instruments are required to transform shark markets and fisheries—to effectively reduce threats to endangered species and implement CITES, whilst doing no harm to vulnerable coastal communities. Methods from econometrics can help conservation scientists to better understand wildlife markets, and make management decisions which create better outcomes for wildlife and people.
Turkey as an emerging donor in the development community: The Turkish‐type Development Assistance Model (TDAM)
Authors: Turhan Yunus 
Published: August 2021

SummaryMotivationOver the past two decades, development communities have been intensively discussing the development assistance provided by emerging donors. Among these donors, although a relative newcomer to the development scene, Turkey has cut a distinctive figure, portraying itself as a great emerging power of its own accord.PurposeThough the modality of Turkish aid is paraded in the scholarly literature, this growing interest does not specifically explore the catch‐all term of “Turkish‐type development assistance model” (TDAM), developed for Turkish official development assistance (ODA) in 2016 to address the geopolitical, cultural, and religious landscape in a larger context. This article examines TDAM hitherto uncharted terrain, scrutinizing its patterns, characteristics, content, and modality.Methods and approachApplying an interpretive analytical framework allied with critical discourse analysis.FindingsThis article concludes that the concept of TDAM renders inclusive, cost‐effective, horizontal, peer‐based, and solidarity‐oriented aid relations with the recipient. Juxtaposed with the “virtuous power” paradigm of Turkey, this article reveals four main characteristics of TDAM that separate it from other emerging donors: a multitrack approach, a “human face” emphasis, the proximity of recipients, and a new discourse.Policy implicationsTurkish‐type debates about the changing landscape of development aid with a more critical analytical approach offer insights for broader development studies. A powerful engagement of Turkish foreign aid within an emerging donor landscape could be a new modality for the development community, thus the analysis of TDAM in this research hints at why this is the case or how this might matter for the evolving politics of aid.
Heart, kidney and left ventricular assist device: a complex trio
Authors: Gambaro Alessia , Lombardi Gianmarco , Onorati Francesco , Gottin Leonardo , Ribichini Flavio Luciano 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBackgroundHeart failure (HF) is a complex syndrome affecting the whole body, kidneys included. The left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is a valid option for patients with very severe HF. Focusing on renal function, LVAD implantation could theoretically reverse the detrimental effects of HF syndrome on kidneys. However, implanting an LVAD is a high‐risk surgical procedure, and LVAD patients have higher risk of bleeding, device thrombosis, strokes, renal impairment, multi‐organ failure and infections. Furthermore, an LVAD has its own particular effects on the renal system.MethodsIn this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the complex interaction between LVAD and the kidneys from the pathophysiological and clinical perspectives. An analysis of the different effects of pulsatile‐flow and continuous‐flow LVAD is provided.ResultsDespite their limitations, creatinine‐based estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) formulas help to stratify patients by their post‐LVAD placement prognosis. Poor basal renal function, the onset of acute kidney injury or the need for renal replacement therapy after LVAD implantation negatively influences a patient's prognosis. LVAD can also prompt an improvement in renal function, however, with some counterintuitive effects on a patient's prognosis.ConclusionIt is still hard to say whether different trends in eGFR depend on different renal conditions before LVAD placement, on a patient's better overall status or on a particular patient management strategy before and/or after the device's implantation. Steps should be taken to solve this question because finding the best candidates for LVAD implantation is of paramount importance to ensure the best outcomes.
The effect of fascin 1 inhibition on head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cells
Authors: Wahab Awais , Hyytiäinen Aini , Wahbi Wafa , Tuomainen Katja , Tervo Sanni , Conesa‐Zamora Pablo , Jauhiainen Laura , Mäkinen Laura K. , Paavonen Timo , Toppila‐Salmi Sanna , Salem Abdelhakim , Almangush Alhadi , Salo Tuula , Al‐Samadi Ahmed 
Published: August 2021

AbstractFascin 1 plays important pro‐metastatic roles in head and neck carcinoma (HNSCC) migration, invasion, and metastasis. However, limited advancement in targeting metastasis remains a major obstacle in improving HNSCC patients’ survival. Therefore, we assessed the therapeutic potential of fascin 1 targeted inhibition and its potential prognostic value in HNSCC patients. Using in vitro and in vivo approaches, we investigated the effect of compound G2, a novel fascin 1 inhibitor, on HNSCC cells migration, invasion, and metastasis. High‐throughput screening (HTS) was used to assess cytotoxic activity of compound G2 alone or combined with irradiation. We also evaluated the prognostic potential of fascin 1 in HNSCC patients. Interestingly, compound G2 reduced carcinoma cells migration and invasion in vitro and inhibited metastasis in vivo. Moreover, HTS revealed a modest cytotoxic activity of the compound G2 on HNSCC cell lines. Irradiation did not synergistically enhance the compound G2‐mediated cytotoxic activity. Survival analyses showed that high fascin 1 immunoexpression, at the tumor invasive front, was associated with cancer‐specific mortality in the advanced stages of HNSCC. Collectively, our findings suggest that fascin 1 represents a promising anti‐metastatic therapeutic target and a useful prognostic marker in patients with HNSCC. Novel anti‐metastatic agents could provide a valuable addition to cancer therapy.
Surgical treatment of synovial sepsis: Is endoscopy the best approach?
Authors: Gillingham J. , Mair T. S. 
Published: August 2021

SummaryTreatment of synovial sepsis (septic arthritis, bursitis and tenosynovitis) typically involves surgical lavage of the infected synovial cavity(ies). The two most used techniques are through‐and‐through needle lavage and endoscopic lavage. Endoscopic lavage is considered to have several advantages, and anecdotally, there appears to be a general shift towards favouring this technique. However, there are only a limited number of published studies directly comparing the outcomes of the two treatment techniques. The available published literature suggests that the outcomes (short‐term survival, return to work) are comparable. Further studies are required to expand the available veterinary literature and to assess such factors as the costs associated with the different treatment methods. A variation in diagnostic values used for diagnosing synovial sepsis is apparent in the current literature and further clarification of inclusion/diagnostic criteria would be useful for clinicians.
A traction force approach for fatigue assessment of complex welded structures
Authors: Rautiainen Matti , Remes Heikki , Niemelä Ari 
Published: August 2021

AbstractA new traction force approach (TFA) for weld root fatigue analysis of complex cruciform connections is introduced. The approach defines the local nominal weld stress by using a solid element model and connecting the welded parts only from the toe and root lines. This enables the peak weld forces to be distinctly defined. The TFA approach was validated with a fully connected solid element model. As a comparison, the same analyses were performed for a shell element model. The study shows that the approach that is introduced here gives a good estimate for the local weld force with a maximum error of 10% while the commonly used shell element model greatly overestimates the peak weld force, particularly for complex connections. The analysis of fatigue‐tested connections showed that by using TFA, instead of an approach based on overall nominal weld stress, the scatter range index is reduced from 3.71 to 1.98. The TFA approach is much more efficient compared to conventional approaches because of the low pre‐ and post‐processing effort.
Redefining marginal land for bioenergy crop production
Authors: Khanna Madhu , Chen Luoye , Basso Bruno , Cai Ximing , Field John L. , Guan Kaiyu , Jiang Chongya , Lark Tyler J. , Richard Tom L. , Spawn‐Lee Seth A. , Yang Pan , Zipp Katherine Y. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractMarginal land has received wide attention for its potential to produce bioenergy feedstocks while minimizing diversion of productive agricultural land from food crop production. However, there has been no consensus in the literature on how to define or identify land that is marginal for food crops and beneficial for bioenergy crops. Studies have used different definitions to quantify the amount of such land available; these have largely been based on assumed biophysical thresholds for soil quality and productivity that are unchanging over space and time. We discuss the limitations of these definitions and the rationale for considering economic returns and environmental outcomes in classifying land as marginal. We then propose the concept of “socially” marginal which is defined as land that is earning close to zero returnsafteraccounting for the monetized costs of environmental externalities generated. We discuss a broad set of criteria for classifying land as socially marginal for food crops and suitable for bioenergy crops; with these criteria, this classification depends on spatially varying and time‐varying factors, such as climate and market conditions and policy incentives. While there are challenges related to identifying this marginal land, satellite and other large‐scale datasets increasingly enable such analysis at a fine spatial resolution. We also discuss reasons why landowners might choose not to convert bioenergy‐suitable land to bioenergy crops, and thus the need for policy incentives to support conversion of land that is socially beneficial for bioenergy crop production.