bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Trainers’ pedagogical competencies and trainees’ assimilation of training content
Authors: Andoh Raphael Papa Kweku , Mensah Daniel Yeboah , Owusu Emmanuel Afreh 
Published: July 2021

Purpose
Training cannot be effective if trainers are not pedagogically competent. However, the influence of trainers’ pedagogical competencies on employees’ knowledge and skill acquisition during training is not given the needed attention in the training literature. This study aims to examine the influence of trainers’ pedagogical competencies such as delivery, trainees’ involvement, use of visual aids and body language on trainees’ assimilation of training content.

Design/methodology/approach
The data are analyzed from 425 respondents in an online survey. This study uses structural equation modeling in testing the hypotheses following validity and reliability tests.

Findings
This study finds that trainers’ pedagogical competencies such as trainee involvement and body language have a significant influence on trainees’ assimilation of training content, but others such as the trainers’ delivery and use of visual aids do not have a significant influence on assimilation of training content.

Practical implications
Professionals responsible for training should endeavor to use trainers who have been proven to be pedagogically competent, especially involving trainees during training and use of body language and not just experts in the topics/areas they provide training. Trainers themselves should on their part do well to acquire pedagogical skills in addition to the content knowledge they possess to enhance their training effectiveness particularly, trainees’ assimilation of training content.

Originality/value
As a phenomenon rarely given attention, this study urges learning and development researchers and practitioners as well as human resource management professionals to give attention to the pedagogical competencies of trainers during training and trainees’ learning.
“Eyes for eyes, teeth for teeth”: positive and negative reciprocity in NPOs
Authors: Zollo Lamberto , Faldetta Guglielmo , Pellegrini Massimiliano Matteo , Ciappei Cristiano 
Published: July 2021

PurposeManagement scholars investigated the motivational aspects of volunteers, mainly focusing on their positive reciprocity – individuals feel obligated to reciprocate whenever they receive benefits from others – but neglected the possible role of negative reciprocity, the tendency to retaliate in case of mistreatments. Based on motivational functions theory and the norm of reciprocity, this paper proposes a framework assessing other-oriented and self-oriented motives as the main antecedents of volunteers’ intention to stay in non-profit organizations (NPOs).Design/methodology/approachCovariance-based structural equation modeling (CB-SEM) and the PROCESS macro were used to empirically validate and test the hypothesized conceptual model on a sample of 379 volunteers actively involved in Italian NPOs.FindingsPositive reciprocity partially mediated the relationships between volunteers’ other-oriented motives and self-oriented motives and their intention to stay. Instead, negative reciprocity fully mediated the relationship between self-oriented motives and intention to stay but not the relationship between other-oriented motives and intention to stay.Practical implicationsManagers and marketers of NPOs should pay more attention to volunteers’ attitudinal and behavioral signals to encourage within-organization positive reciprocal attitudes and discourage negative reciprocal attitudes. This represents a strategic lever to prevent volunteers from quitting the organization – which is one of the most critical challenges for NPOs’ management – and improve their intention to stay.Originality/valueThis is one of the first studies that simultaneously investigate the mediating role of both positive and negative reciprocity of volunteers actively involved in NPOs. Moreover, the constructs of other-oriented and self-oriented motivations are statistically validated as two separate psychological dimensions impacting on volunteers’ turnover. Finally, the study has been conducted in the Region of Tuscany (Italy) which, despite its centuries-old tradition of volunteerism, has received scant attention by non-profit scholars.
Role of COVIDsafe app and control measures in Australia in combating COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Abbas Hafiz Syed Mohsin , Xu Xiaodong , Sun Chunxia 
Published: July 2021

Purpose
COVID-19 (C19) has been destroying the world's health and emergency response system for almost the past year. Policymakers and health practitioners are trying their best to save the public through various policy development and initiatives in this regard. This study aims to examine the containment measures and their impacts on Australia's C19 situation in Australia's COVIDsafe app background.

Design/methodology/approach
This study investigates the role of the Australian Government's (AG) Health Containment (HC) and Stringency response (SR) in combating the C19 situation in Australia. The time horizon has been taken from January to October 2020 and applied Linear Regression with graphical demonstration analysis by STATA-18 version and MS Word chart features.

Findings
By applying linear regression and graphical demonstration, statistics revealed that AG made various policy developments during the C19 pandemic. However, due to inconsistent and unsustainable measures, the second C19 wave hit Australia much harder than the first wave. COVIDsafe app has been a vital AG in this regard; however, it did not show its progress during the second wave due to privacy issues. After the more focused and aggressive research and development measures, AG overcame the App drawbacks and controlled the situation, demonstrating 92% recovered statistics from C19.

Practical implications
The study concludes that AG should enforce many prudent policy measures and distinct E-government features in the COVIDsafe app and make it secure so people will use it in probable forthcoming C19 waves.

Originality/value
This study has examined the Government of Australia's containment measures in the background discussion of the COVIDsafe app.
Re‐emphasizing mechanism in the community ecology of disease
Authors: Shaw Kelsey E. , Civitello David J. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractHosts and their parasites exist within complex ecological communities. However, the role that non‐focal community members, species which cannot be infected by a focal pathogen, may play in altering parasite transmission is often only studied in the lens of the ‘diversity‐disease’ relationship by focusing on species richness. This approach largely ignores mechanistic species interactions and risks collapsing our understanding of the community ecology of disease down to defining the prominence of ‘amplification’ versus ‘dilution’ effects.However, non‐focal species vary in their traits, densities and types of interactions with focal hosts and parasites. Therefore, a community ecology approach based on the mechanisms underlying parasite transmission, host harm and dynamic species interactions may better advance our understanding of parasite transmission in complex communities.Using the concept of the parasite's basic reproductive ratio,R0, as a generalizable framework, we examine several critical mechanisms by which interactions among hosts, parasites and non‐focal species modulate transmission and provide examples from relevant literature.By focusing on the mechanism by which non‐focal species impact transmission, we can emphasize the similarities among classic paradigms in the community ecology of disease, gain new insights into parasite invasion and persistence, better predict community traits correlated with disease dilution or amplification, and gauge the feasibility of biocontrol for parasites of conservation, agricultural or human health concern.A freePlain Language Summarycan be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Managing biotic interactions during early seagrass life stages to improve seed‐based restoration
Authors: Balestri Elena , Menicagli Virginia , Lardicci Claudio 
Published: July 2021

Abstract

Seagrasses are declining globally, and effective restoration actions to promote the recovery of degraded meadows are urgently needed. Harnessing positive plant interactions during early life stages is considered a valuable strategy to improve terrestrial and coastal habitat restoration. Yet, its application to seagrass restoration is still in infancy, and very little is known on the role played by biotic interactions in shaping newly established populations.

We assessed the feasibility of manipulating intraspecific and interspecific plant interactions to enhance seed‐based restoration success using the seagrass Posidonia oceanica as a model. Specifically, we investigated in mesocosm whether seed germination increased with increasing seed density and whether increasing seedling density and planting a pioneer seagrass promoted facilitation among seedlings. To do this, seedlings were grown either as a single individual or in clumps of medium and high density, with and without Cymodocea nodosa, for 2 years encompassing their most critical growth stage.

Germination of P. oceanica seeds was not affected by seed density. Posidonia oceanica seedlings planted at medium and high density showed higher survival than those planted individually but only in the presence of C. nodosa. Seedlings planted at medium and at high density with C. nodosa performed better than those grown at low density or without C. nodosa due to a positive joint effect of intraspecific and interspecific interaction. Cymodocea nodosa plants grown with P. oceanica seedlings at high density were larger than those grown alone, indicating a mutualistic relationship.

Synthesis and applications. Our results show that in seagrasses positive interactions during early life stages can be promoted by planting seedlings in dense clumps in association with an early successional species. The incorporation of this novel nature‐based approach in seed‐based restoration could accelerate the recolonization of degraded seagrass habitats. In planning future seed‐based restoration interventions, managers should assess both intraspecific and interspecific interactions established by seedlings of target species for identifying proper planting density/spatial configuration and potential benefactor species promoting facilitative mechanisms to maximize seedling planting success.
Predicting the outcomes of management strategies for controlling invasive river fishes using individual‐based models
Authors: Dominguez Almela Victoria , Palmer Stephen C. F. , Andreou Demetra , Gillingham Phillipa K. , Travis Justin M. J. , Britton J. Robert 
Published: July 2021

Abstract

The effects of biological invasions on native biodiversity have resulted in a range of policy and management initiatives to minimize their impacts. Although management options for invasive species include eradication and population control, empirical knowledge is limited on how different management strategies affect invasion outcomes.

An individual‐based model (IBM) was developed to predict how different removal (‘culling’) strategies affected the abundance and spatial distribution of a virtual, small‐bodied, r‐selected alien fish (based on bitterling, Rhodeus sericeus) across three types of virtual river catchments (low/intermediate/high branching tributary configurations). It was then applied to nine virtual species of varying life‐history traits (r‐ to K‐selected) and dispersal abilities (slow/intermediate/fast) to identify trade‐offs between the management effort applied in the strategies (as culling rate and the number of patches it was applied to) and their predicted effects. It was also applied to a real‐world example, bitterling in the River Great Ouse, England.

The IBM predicted that removal efforts were more effective when applied to recently colonized patches. Increasing the cull rate (proportion of individuals removed per patch), and its spatial extent was effective at controlling the invasive population; when both were relatively high, population eradication was predicted.

The characteristics of the nine virtual species were the main source of variation in their predicted abundance and spatial distribution. No species were eradicated at cull rates below 70%. Eradication at higher cull rates depended on dispersal ability; slow dispersers required lower rates than fast dispersers, and the latter rapidly recolonized at low cull rates. The trade‐offs between management effort and the outcomes of the invasion were, generally, optimal when intermediate effort was applied to intermediate numbers of patches. In the Great Ouse, model predictions were that management interventions could restrict bitterling distribution by 2045 to 21% of the catchment (versus 90% occupancy without management).

Synthesis and application. This IBM predicted how management efforts can be optimized against invasive fishes, providing a strong complement to risk assessments. We demonstrated that for a range of species' characteristics, culling can control and even eradicate invasive fish, but only if consistent and relatively high effort is applied.
The role of thymoquinone, a major constituent of Nigella sativa, in the treatment of inflammatory and infectious diseases
Authors: Fatima Shad Kaneez , Soubra Wissam , Cordato Dennis John 
Published: July 2021

AbstractNigella sativa (N. sativa) is an annual flowering plant that has been used as a traditional remedy for many centuries. The seed possesses a large variety of compounds with thymoquinone (TQ) considered its major but not sole bioactive constituent. Supercritical fluid extraction, geographical location, and oxidative status of N. sativa produces the highest yield of essential oil content including TQ. Thymoquinone is lipophilic, heat and light sensitive with low oral bioavailability and rapid elimination that have significantly inhibited its pharmacological development. Novel developments in nanoparticulate‐based oral administration, nasal spray and transdermal delivery may allow the clinical development of N. sativa and TQ as therapeutic agents. Animal and human studies indicate a potential role of N. sativa seed oil and TQ for a diverse range of disease processes including hypertension, dyslipidaemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus, arthritis, asthma, bacterial and viral infections, neurological and dermatological disorders, as it belongs to the group of pan‐assay interference compounds. This review outlines the pharmacological properties of N. sativa and TQ and their potential wide application for a large variety of human diseases. The paper will focus on recent studies of the anti‐inflammatory and antiviral properties that make N. sativa and TQ promising therapeutic agents targeting contemporary inflammatory and infectious diseases including Covid 19.
Diversification of Bacillus subtilis during experimental evolution on Arabidopsis thaliana and the complementarity in root colonization of evolved subpopulations
Authors: Blake Christopher , Nordgaard Mathilde , Maróti Gergely , Kovács Ákos T. 
Published: July 2021

SummaryThe soil bacterium Bacillus subtilis is known to suppress pathogens as well as promote plant growth. However, in order to fully exploit the potential as natural fertilizer, we need a better understanding of the interactions between B. subtilis and plants. Here, B. subtilis was examined for root colonization through experimental evolution on Arabidopsis thaliana. The populations evolved rapidly, improved in root colonization and diversified into three distinct morphotypes. In order to better understand the adaptation that had taken place, single evolved isolates from the final transfer were randomly selected for further characterization, revealing changes in growth and pellicle formation in medium supplemented with plant polysaccharides. Intriguingly, certain evolved isolates showed improved root colonization only on the plant species they evolved on, but not on another plant species, namely tomato, suggesting A. thaliana specific adaption paths. Finally, the mix performed better than the sum of its constituents in monoculture, which was demonstrated to be caused by complementarity effects. Our results suggest that genetic diversification occurs in an ecological relevant setting on plant roots and proves to be a stable strategy for root colonization.
Are continued policies of prioritizing native vascular access in patients on hemodialysis programs useful?
Authors: Ibáñez Pallarès Sara , Esteve Simó Vicent , Velescu Alina , Tapia González Irati , Collado Nieto Silvia , Clara Velasco Albert 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThe guidelines recommend establishing native vascular access as opposed to prosthetic or catheter‐based access despite information relating to its effectiveness being scarce from a patient‐orientated perspective. We analyzed the effectiveness of a continued policy of native vascular access (CPNVA) in patients undergoing hemodialysis. A retrospective, observational study, including 150 patients undergoing hemodialysis between 2006 and 2012 at our center, and who underwent a CPNVA. Statistical analysis was based on treatment intention. In 138 patients (92%), the first useful access (FUA) was native, and in 12 patients (8%), it was prosthetic. In 50 patients (33.3%), more than one procedure had to be carried out in to order to achieve FUA. The probability of dialysis occurring via a FUA was 67.1% and 45.3% at 1 and 5 years respectively. Over the follow‐up period (mean time = 30 months), 84 patients (56%) required repairs or new access, extending the effectiveness of the CPNVA to 88.3% and 73.2% at 1 and 5 years respectively. The effectiveness of the CPNVA was reduced if the patient: required a catheter initially (HR: 3.6, p = 0.007); in cases of initially elevated glomerular filtration rate (HR: 1.1, p = 0.040); in cases of history of previous access failure before FUA (HR: 3.9, p = 0.001); and in female patients (HR: 2.4, p = 0.031). The long‐term effectiveness of a CPNVA is high. However, the percentage of patients requiring diverse procedures in order to achieve FUA and the need for re‐interventions yield the necessity to optimize preoperative evaluation and postoperative follow‐up.
Incidence and risk factors of colorectal delayed post‐polypectomy bleeding in patients taking antithrombotics
Authors: Yan Zhen , Gao Feng , Xie Jiang , Zhang Jie 
Published: July 2021

ObjectiveIn this study we aimed to investigate the incidence and risk factors for delayed post‐polypectomy bleeding (DPPB) in Chinese patients taking antithrombotics including antiplatelet agents and anticoagulants.MethodsA retrospective study was conducted in patients who underwent colorectal polypectomy from January 2017 to May 2020. Their demographic characteristics, features of the polyps including number, size, morphology, and location, and use of antiplatelet agents and anticoagulants were collected. The incidence and risk factors for DPPB were compared between the patients with and without antithrombotic use.ResultsA total of 5152 polyps from 2267 patients were resected under endoscopy. Of these patients, 35 (1.54%) experienced DPPB. Compared with the control group who did not take antithrombotics (1.18%), the incidence of DPPB was significantly higher in patients treated with heparin bridge (HB) therapy (17.39%; P < 0.001) and clopidogrel (4.88%; P = 0.022), but did not differ in patients taking aspirin (1.28%), dual antiplatelet therapy (3.70%), warfarin alone (0%), or direct oral anticoagulants (3.85%). Using the multivariate analysis, HB therapy (odds ratio [OR] 16.735, 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.320‐64.834, P < 0.001), male sex (OR 3.825, 95% CI 1.298‐11.265, P = 0.015), polyps >1 cm (OR 4.584, 95% CI 1.782‐11.794, P = 0.002) and rectal polyps (OR 8.820, 95% CI 3.968‐19.602, P < 0.001) were independently associated with a high risk of DPPB.ConclusionsHB and clopidogrel therapies significantly increase the incidence of DPPB. HB therapy, male sex, polyp size and polyps located in the rectum are significant risk factors for DPPB.
How do trees survive a cyclone? The relative role of individual and site characteristics over mortality
Authors: Liebsch Dieter , Marcilio‐Silva Vinicius , Marcon Amanda K. , GalvÃo Franklin , Mikich Sandra Bos , Marques MÁrcia Cristina Mendes 
Published: July 2021

AbstractCyclones are an increasing disturbance in the subtropical region of South America, but their impacts over the forests are still poorly documented. Here, we evaluate the effects of an extratropical cyclone over tree mortality in Araucaria Forest remnants in southern Brazil. We surveyed 116 sites (10 × 20 m each) and collected data on all tree individuals presenting DBH ≥ 4.8 cm before (2009) and after (2014) the occurrence of an extratropical cyclone. Using GLM models, we checked how the cyclone occurrence, different plant traits (DBH, trunk branching, wood density, successional group and evolutionary distinctiveness) and site characteristics (basal area, exposure, landscape protection, nearest border distance, cyclone border distance and the presence of native bamboo species) could impact tree mortality. The GLM model selection shows that the lowest AIC model considers all predictors separately and their interaction with the cyclone. The results showed that the cyclone occurrence and some site characteristics (bamboo presence, site exposure, landscape protection, nearest border distance and cyclone border distance) and plant traits (successional group and evolutionary distinctiveness) are related to tree mortality. The intense deforestation and fragmentation of the Araucaria Forest coupled with the increase in cyclone frequency expected for the region due to climate change may increase mortality rates of these forests, affecting their resilience and phylogenetic structure. Further biodiversity conservation efforts in the Araucaria Forest need to consider the characteristics of sites for enabling the protection of forest remnants in areas under different exposures to cyclone impacts.