bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of training design on trainees' motivation: an empirical study
Authors: Yaqub Yasmin , Singh Arun Kumar 
Published: December 2021

Purpose
This study aims to advance understanding of the critical role of training variables (trainer performance, transfer design and an identical element) and motivation to improve work through learning (MTIWL) the least researched construct of motivation in human resource development (HRD).

Design/methodology/approach
A self-report online survey was conducted to collect responses from 280 managers working in different industries. Participants attended open skills training program organized by an in-house training institute in India.

Findings
The trainer performance and transfer design had a positive and significant impact on MTIWL. However, an identical element found no significant direct impact on MTIWL.

Practical implications
The trainer performance positively cultivates trainees’ MTIWL and training approaches according to trainees’ preferences improve MTIWL. The training content is needed to resemble with work assignment for enhancement of trainees MTIWL.

Originality/value
This study improved understanding of the impact of training variables on a comprehensive and practical aspect of trainees' motivation in HRD, MTIWL.
The neoclassical and Keynesian standpoint and policy implications regarding the Greek Financial Crisis
Authors: Marangos John 
Published: December 2021

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to discover the contradistinctions between the neoclassical and Keynesian paradigms of economics regarding the Greek Financial Crisis.Design/methodology/approachThe answers to the questions and policies regarding the Greek Financial Crisis cannot be derived by using economic analysis alone; they also depend on the perception of social reality and ethical issues. Based on the assumptions about economic behavior, the answers and policies inevitably reflect the observer's assessment of each economic and non-economic performance dimension, as well as the significance assigned to those performance dimensions. Different views on “social reality” and “what is a good society?” are associated with distinct paradigms and a particular set of social values, which have implications for economic policy formulae. These give rise to alternative answers and policies to the Greek Financial Crisis, based on different assumptions, different methods of analysis and different goals.FindingsOverall, in contradistinction, the two paradigms recommend quite distinct policies tackling the Greek Financial Crisis, and at the end, both paradigms have different perspectives on ethics and moral fundamentals regarding debt.Originality/valueStudents of the global financial crisis will benefit from this unique approach in testing the two alternative paradigms, between the neoclassical and Keynesian, concerning the Greek Financial Crisis.
Sensor cooperative scheduling method for low-altitude maneuvering target tracking in complex environment
Authors: Zhang Yunpu , Xu Gongguo , Shan Ganlin 
Published: December 2021

Purpose
Continuous and stable tracking of the low-altitude maneuvering targets is usually difficult due to terrain occlusion and Doppler blind zone (DBZ). This paper aims to present a non-myopic scheduling method of multiple radar sensors for tracking the low-altitude maneuvering targets. In this scheduling problem, the best sensors are systematically selected to observe targets for getting the best tracking accuracy under maintaining the low intercepted probability of a multi-sensor system.

Design/methodology/approach
First, the sensor scheduling process is formulated within the partially observable Markov decision process framework. Second, the interacting multiple model algorithm and the cubature Kalman filter algorithm are combined to estimate the target state, and the DBZ information is applied to estimate the target state when the measurement information is missing. Then, an approximate method based on a cubature sampling strategy is put forward to calculate the future expected objective of the multi-step scheduling process. Furthermore, an improved quantum particle swarm optimization (QPSO) algorithm is presented to solve the sensor scheduling action quickly. Optimization problem, an improved QPSO algorithm is presented to solve the sensor scheduling action quickly.

Findings
Compared with the traditional scheduling methods, the proposed method can maintain higher target tracking accuracy with a low intercepted probability. And the proposed target state estimation method in DBZ has better tracking performance.

Originality/value
In this paper, DBZ, sensor intercepted probability and complex terrain environment are considered in sensor scheduling, which has good practical application in a complex environment.
The difference between inpatient and outpatient programs regarding trait -anxiety, social support and state-anxiety in during the covid-19 pandemic in Israel
Authors: Michael Amnon , Roska Paola 
Published: December 2021

Purpose
COVID-19 pandemic is affecting the well-being and the psychological resilience of different populations, particularly in the addiction field. This study aims to assess anxiety and its severity among patients and staff from different types of addiction services in Israel during this emergency.

Design/methodology/approach
The study was conducted during the period from March–July 2020. Participants included patients and staff (N = 282) from three different types of addiction services, were administered the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the multi-dimensional scale of perceived social support and demographic variables. In addition, a logistic regression model was applied to identify predictors of state anxiety by using statistical package for the social sciences software.

Findings
The results show that therapeutic communities clients reported more social support compared to other subjects. State anxiety has a positive strong correlation with trait anxiety both among patients and staff, and it was found as a crucial predictor of state anxiety in the regression equation. There is no statistically significant correlation between state anxiety and social support, gender or education among clients and staff as one. The state anxiety remains relatively stable and characterizes most people, staff and patients, men and women, medical staff members and other professionals.

Research limitations/implications
The current study has some contributions to the addiction field by understanding the psychological distress of a vulnerable population: substance users in treatment settings. The study population relied on convenient samples and future studies should be planned using a cross-sectional design and should take into account substance use measures. The findings are reinforcing the assumption that state anxiety was likely to increase during the coronavirus pandemic.

Practical implications
Adequate services should be planned to avoid relapse or mental deterioration of people who use drugs during health emergencies.

Originality/value
The research points out the unique and real difficulties of SUD clients, as well as the complexity and risks in their staff members’ works. The authors also saw that staff members need attention and maintenance; they are in the front line.
Evaluating CAP wildflower strips: High‐quality seed mixtures significantly improve plant diversity and related pollen and nectar resources
Authors: Schmidt Annika , Kirmer Anita , Hellwig Niels , Kiehl Kathrin , Tischew Sabine 
Published: December 2021

Abstract

Flower strips are a fundamental part of agri‐environment schemes (AESs) introduced by the European Union to counteract the loss of biodiversity and related ecosystem services in agricultural landscapes. Although vegetation composition of the strips is essential for most fauna groups, comprehensive studies analysing vegetation development and influencing factors are rare.

From 2017 to 2019, we investigated the vegetation composition of 40 perennial wildflower strips (WFSs) implemented in 2015 or 2016, and 20 cereal fields without WFS across Saxony‐Anhalt, Germany. We analysed environmental factors on plot (cover of grasses, shading, soil fertility) and four landscape‐scale levels (habitat diversity, proportion of WFS and open habitats). The provision of nectar and pollen resources was estimated by the newly developed Pollinator Feeding Index (PFI). All strips had been implemented by farmers as AES with species‐rich seed mixtures comprising 30 native forbs.

In all study years, forb species richness, cover and related nectar and pollen supply were much higher on WFSs than on controls, confirming the effectiveness of this AES. Although sown native forbs contributed the most to the high PFI values, spontaneously established forbs expanded the total range of species considerably, especially in winter and spring. While sown forb communities remained similar over time, spontaneous forbs showed a higher species turnover. Altogether, shading and grass cover had the greatest negative effect on the performance of the sown forbs. Landscape variables had only minor effects and were inconsistent in their importance across scale levels and years.

Synthesis and applications. Successfully established perennial wildflower strips (WFSs) sown with species‐rich native seed mixtures provided a forb‐rich and diverse vegetation throughout the AES funding period of 5 years. By supplying feeding resources for pollinators under various landscape situations, WFSs have significant potential to promote farmland biodiversity and related ecosystem services. We recommend the mandatory use of species‐rich wildflower mixtures for perennial flower strips and to avoid their creation in heavily shaded field edges. Advisory services for farmers are necessary to prevent failures in WFS implementation and management and to improve their ecological effectiveness.
Prioritizing terrestrial invasive alien plant species for management in urban ecosystems
Authors: Potgieter Luke J. , Shrestha Namrata , Cadotte Marc W. 
Published: December 2021

Abstract

Invasive alien plant species (IAPs) in urban areas can have detrimental effects on biodiversity, ecosystem services and human well‐being. Urban areas are complex social management mosaics with high land‐use diversity, complex land tenure patterns and many different stakeholder groups, some of which derive benefits from invading species. Urban conservation practitioners face complex decisions about which IAPs require management. Yet most IAPs prioritization frameworks have been designed for and implemented in natural or rural areas and are generally inadequate for guiding effective and sustainable interventions in urbanized areas.

We modified an existing prioritization scheme to develop a framework for prioritizing terrestrial IAPs in urban areas which applies evidence‐based (data‐driven) and stakeholder‐based (local knowledge) assessments to score and rank alien plant species in terms of their priority for management using an objective set of criteria.

The framework consists of 46 criteria, grouped into eight modules which assess invasion status, habitat requirements, biological characteristics, dispersal ability, distribution, impacts (positive and negative) and potential for control for each alien plant species under consideration.

We use the city of Toronto, Canada as a case study to test our framework—a list of 50 IAPs were effectively scored and ranked in order of high to low priority for control. Species with the highest total prioritization scores were Vincetoxicum rossicum (Dog Strangling Vine), Convolvulus arvensis (Field Bindweed) and Taraxacum officinale (Common Dandelion, ranked 1, 2 and 3 respectively).

Many of the identified high priority species align with those previously flagged as of management concern by conservation practitioners, but also include those that are not actively managed due to their perceived lower ecological impacts. These species still require high resource investment for other objectives such as aesthetics. This highlights the complexity of alien plant species management in urban areas.

Synthesis and applications. Prioritizing invasive alien plants for management in urban areas is particularly challenging due to often conflicting ecological, economic and social objectives. We use available evidence and local stakeholder knowledge to develop an objective and systematic prioritization tool which can assist conservation practitioners in selecting priority species for management action in complex urban landscapes.
Deletion of glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (gapN) in Clostridium saccharoperbutylacetonicum N1‐4(HMT) using CLEAVE™ increases the ATP pool and accelerates solvent production
Authors: Monaghan Taylor I. , Baker Joseph A. , Krabben Preben , Davies E. Timothy , Jenkinson Elizabeth R. , Goodhead Ian B. , Robinson Gary K. , Shepherd Mark 
Published: December 2021

SummaryThe development and advent of mutagenesis tools for solventogenic clostridial species in recent years has allowed for the increased refinement of industrially relevant strains. In this study we have utilised CLEAVE™, a CRISPR/Cas genome editing system developed by Green Biologics Ltd., to engineer a strain of Clostridium saccharoperbutylacetonicum N1‐4(HMT) with potentially useful solvents titres and energy metabolism. As one of two enzymes responsible for the conversion of glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate (GAP) to 3‐phosphoglyceric acid in glycolysis, it was hypothesised that deletion of gapN would increase ATP and NADH production that could in turn improve solvent production. Herein, whole genome sequencing has been used to evaluate CLEAVE™ and the successful knockout of gapN, demonstrating a clean knockout with no other detectable variations from the wild type sequence. Elevated solvent levels were detected during the first 24 h of batch fermentation, indicating an earlier shift to solventogenesis. A 2.4‐fold increase in ATP concentration was observed, and quantitation of NAD(P)H derivatives revealed a more reducing cytoplasm for the gapN strain. These findings expand our understanding of clostridium carbon metabolism and report a new approach to optimising biofuel production.
Eco‐phylogenetic analyses reveal divergent evolution of vitaminB12metabolism in the marine bacterial family ‘Psychromonadaceae’
Authors: Jin Xingkun , Yang Yaofang , Cao Haihang , Gao Beile , Zhao Zhe 
Published: December 2021

SummaryCobalamin (vitamin B12) is an essential micronutrient required by both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Nevertheless, with high genetic and metabolic cost,de novocobalamin biosynthesis is exclusive to a subset of prokaryotic taxa. Many Cyanobacterial and Archaeal taxa have been implicated inde novocobalamin biosynthesis in epi‐ and mesopelagic ocean respectively. However, the contributions ofGammaproteobacteriaparticularly the family ‘Psychromonadaceae’ is largely unknown. Through phylo‐pangenomic analyses using concatenated single‐copy proteins and homologous gene clusters respectively, the phylogenies within ‘Psychromonadaceae’ recapitulate both their taxonomic delineations and environmental distributions. Moreover, uneven distribution of cobalaminde novobiosynthetic operon and cobalamin‐dependent light‐responsive regulon were observed, and of which the linkages to the environmental conditions where cobalamin availability and light regime can be varied respectively were discussed, suggesting the impacts of ecological divergence in shaping their disparate cobalamin‐related metabolisms. Functional analysis demonstrated a varying degree of cobalamin dependency for both central metabolic processes and cobalamin‐mediated light‐responsive regulation, and underlying sequence characteristics ofcis‐ andtrans‐regulatory elements were revealed. Our findings emphasized the potential roles of cobalamin in shaping the ecological distributions and driving the metabolic evolution in the marine bacterial family ‘Psychromonadaceae’, and have further implications for an improved understanding of nutritional interdependencies and community metabolism modulated by cobalamin.
Inbreeding status and implications for Amur tigers
Authors: Ning Y. , Roberts N. J. , Qi J. , Peng Z. , Long Z. , Zhou S. , Gu J. , Hou Z. , Yang E. , Ren Y. , Lang J. , Liang Z. , Zhang M. , Ma J. , Jiang G. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractInbreeding more likely occurs in small, isolated and endangered populations, and may influence the sustainable survival of a population. As the Amur tiger Panthera tigris altaica population in China experienced a severe decline in the 1990s, the recovering population may be prone to inbreeding and its potential impacts on population health. However, the inbreeding status has not been evaluated and relationships with health remain poorly understood in wild animals. Based on the genetic samples collected from the main Amur tiger habitats in China, this study analyzed the population inbreeding level, major histocompatibility complex polymorphism, parasitic infections and gut microbial structures and functions, and then explored the influence of inbreeding on these traits. Our results indicated that more than 50% of individual relationships were in cousin or half sibs, and 22.73% of individuals had moderate or high inbreeding coefficients. There was a significant positive correlation between the inbreeding level of an individual and the Toxocara cati parasitic load. Gut microbiota community structure and function were also impacted by inbreeding intensity. In conclusion, results indicate that the Amur tiger population in China has reached a moderate level of inbreeding and that there are direct interactions between inbreeding intensity and parasitic load and gut microbiota. This study thus provides an early warning on the Amur tiger population health and should prompt the construction of national and international ecological corridors and/or the re‐introduction of new individuals to relieve the evident inbreeding pressure.
Cyclic activity of signal transduction pathways in fimbrial epithelium of the human fallopian tube
Authors: van der Ploeg Phyllis , Uittenboogaard Aniek , Bucks Karlijn M. M. , Lentjes‐Beer Marjolein H. F. M. , Bosch Steven L. , van Rumste Minouche M. E. , Vos M. Caroline , van Diest Paul J. , Lambrechts Sandrina , van de Stolpe Anja , Bekkers Ruud L. M. , Piek Jurgen M. J. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractIntroductionThe local environment of the fallopian tube represents the optimal conditions for reproductive processes. To maintain tissue homeostasis, signal transduction pathways are thought to play a pivotal role. Enhancing our understanding of functional signal transduction pathway activity is important to be able to clarify the role of aberrant signal transduction pathway activity leading to female subfertility and other tubal diseases. Therefore, in this study we investigate the influence of the hormonal cycle on the activity of key signal transduction pathways in the fimbrial epithelium of morphologically normal fallopian tubes.Material and methodsWe included healthy pre‐ (n = 17) and postmenopausal (n = 8) patients who had surgical interventions for benign gynecologic conditions. Histologic sections of the fallopian tubes were reviewed by two pathologists and, for the premenopausal patients, hormone serum levels and sections of the endometrium were examined to determine the hormonal phase (early follicular [n = 4], late follicular [n = 3], early luteal [n = 5], late luteal [n = 5]). After laser capture microdissection, total mRNA was extracted from the fimbrial epithelium and real‐time quantitative reverse transcription‐PCR was performed to determine functional signal transduction pathway activity of the androgen receptor (AR), estrogen receptor (ER), phosphoinositide‐3‐kinase (PI3K), Hedgehog (HH), transforming growth factor‐beta (TGF‐β) and canonical wingless‐type MMTV integration site (Wnt) pathways.ResultsThe early luteal phase demonstrated high AR and ER pathway activity in comparison with the late luteal phase (p = 0.016 and p = 0.032, respectively) and low PI3K activity compared with the late follicular phase (p = 0.036), whereas the late luteal phase showed low activity of HH and Wnt compared with the early follicular phase (both p = 0.016). Signal transduction pathway activity in fimbrial epithelium from postmenopausal patients was most similar to the early follicular and/or late luteal phase with regard to the AR, ER and PI3K pathways. Wnt pathway activity in postmenopausal patients was comparable to the late follicular and early luteal phase. We observed no differences in HH and TGF‐β pathway activity between pre‐ and postmenopausal samples. The cyclic changes in signal transduction pathway activity suggest a stage‐specific function which may affect the morphology and physiology of the human fallopian tube.ConclusionsWe demonstrated cyclic changes in activity of the AR, ER, PI3K, HH and Wnt pathways throughout the hormonal cycle.
Review article: epidemiology of IBS and other bowel disorders of gut–brain interaction (DGBI)
Authors: Sperber Ami D. 
Published: December 2021

SummaryThe disorders of gut–brain interactions (DGBI) are a spectrum of gastrointestinal (GI) disorders that involve the entire GI tract and are usually categorised into four major anatomic GI regions, oesophageal, gastroduodenal, bowel and anorectal. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a bowel DGBI, is one of the most researched DGBI and has been the subject of copious epidemiological studies. Prevalence rates are based on diagnostic criteria. In the case of IBS, there are three central obstacles to attaining a clear picture of prevalence: the absence of biomarkers, the multitude of diagnostic criteria used over the years, and the heterogeneous nature of the methodology used in epidemiologic surveys. When the results of multiple studies, conducted over a long period of time, using different diagnostic criteria and different research methodology, and involving different study populations are pooled to determine a single summary prevalence rate it is difficult to interpret the results and to determine their reliability and significance. This pitfall is insufficiently recognised and unfortunate because prevalence rates are important for understanding the burden of disease, for allocating healthcare and research resources, and for incentivising and prioritising new treatments. The aims of the present paper are to highlight our knowledge and understanding of IBS epidemiology within the context of other DGBI, and to present strategies to improve epidemiological research, especially in advance of the new Rome V criteria, to be published in 2026.
Is enhancement inherently ableist?
Authors: Chaproniere Lysette 
Published: December 2021

AbstractTranshumanists and other proponents of enhancement have been criticized for their attitude to disability. Melinda Hall argues that transhumanists denigrate disabled people by devaluing interdependence and vulnerability, and implying that disabled people are dangerous. It might also be thought that further development of enhancement technologies would have bad consequences within current, ableist and otherwise oppressive social contexts. This paper responds to these objections, arguing that enhancement needn't be in conflict with disability justice. While enhancements can be used and promoted in ways that reinforce ableism and other oppression, ways of mitigating these problems might be found by drawing on ideas from the disability rights movement, and social justice movements more broadly. The development of more accessible environments, and a general openness to surprises about which traits promote well‐being, can help to create conditions under which people have genuine choice over which enhancement technologies, if any, to use.