bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Determinants of corruption in developing countries: case of Tunisia
Authors: Zouaoui Azzouz , Ben Arab Mounira , Alamri Ahmad Mohammed 
Published: May 2021

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate the economic, political or sociocultural determinants of corruption in Tunisia.Design/methodology/approachTo better understand the main determinants of corruption in Tunisia. This study uses The Bayesian Model Averaging (BMA) model, which allows us to include a large number of explanatory variables and for a shorter period.FindingsThe results show that economic freedom is the most important variable of corruption in Tunisia. In second place comes the subsidies granted by the government, which is one of the best shelters of corruption in Tunisia through their use for purposes different from those already allocated to them. Third, this paper finds the high unemployment rate, which, in turn, is getting worse even nowadays. The other three factors considered as causal but of lesser importance are public expenditures, the human development index (HDI) and education. Education, the HDI and the unemployment rate are all socio-economic factors that promote corruption.Originality/valueThe realization of this study will lead to triple net contributions. The first is to introduce explicitly and simultaneously political, social and economic determinants of corruption in developing countries. Second, unlike previous studies based on the simple and generalized regression model, the present research uses another novel and highly developed estimation method. More precisely, this study uses the BMA model, on the set of annual data for a period of 1998–2018. The third contribution of this research resides in the choice of the sample.
Selected factors related to behavior control by executive function in Thai preschool children with epilepsy
Authors: Panjatharakul Pawanrat , Phuphaibul Rutja , Wongvatunyu Suporn , Visudtibhan Anannit 
Published: May 2021

PurposeThis descriptive correlational study describes behavior control by executive function (EF) and explores the relationship among age at seizure onset, duration of epilepsy, seizure frequency, number of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), family income, the caregiver's education, home environment and behavior control by EF in preschool children with epilepsy.Design/methodology/approachThe purposive sample was 69 caregivers of preschool children with epilepsy. Data were collected in two medical centers in Bangkok from June 2019 to February 2020. The research instruments constituted: (1) a sociodemographic and medical information form for children with epilepsy and the caregiver; (2) early childhood-home observation for the measurement of the environment (EC-HOME) inventory and (3) the behavior rating inventory of executive function-preschool version® (BRIEF-P). The data were analyzed using Pearson's product-moment correlation and Spearman's Rho correlation.FindingsMost of the participants had quite high scores on home environment (mean = 44.35) and mildly elevated levels of EF deficit (mean = 61.04). The duration of epilepsy and the number of AEDs were positively correlated with behavior control by EF. Family income was negatively associated with behavior control by EF. However, age at seizure onset, seizure frequency, the caregiver's education and home environment had no association with behavior control by EF.Originality/valuePreschool children with epilepsy have poor behavioral control by EF. Consequently, healthcare providers should promote interventions in children to control seizures and to decrease the factors that impact the development of EF.
A strategy development process for Smart Maintenance implementation
Authors: Lundgren Camilla , Bokrantz Jon , Skoogh Anders 
Published: May 2021

PurposeTechnological advancements are reshaping the manufacturing industry toward digitalized manufacturing. Despite the importance of top-class maintenance in such systems, many industrial companies lack a clear strategy for maintenance in digitalized manufacturing. The purpose of this paper is to facilitate the implementation of maintenance in digitalized manufacturing by proposing a strategy development process for the Smart Maintenance concept.Design/methodology/approachThis study is designed as a multiple-case study, where the strategy development in three industrial cases is analyzed. Several methods were used to collect data on the case companies' development of smart maintenance strategies. The data were analyzed with an inductive approach.FindingsA process of strategy development for smart maintenance is proposed, including six steps: benchmarking, setting clear goals, setting strategic priority, planning key activities, elevating implementation and follow-up.Practical implicationsThe proposed process provides industry practitioners with a step-by-step guide for the development of a clear smart maintenance strategy, based on the current state of their maintenance organization. This creates employee engagement and is a new way of developing maintenance strategies.Originality/valueMaintenance strategies are traditionally regarded as a selection of corrective/reactive and preventive maintenance actions using a top-down approach. By contrast, the proposed process is starting from the current state of the maintenance organization and allows a mixture of top-down and bottom-up approaches, supporting organizational development. This is a rare perspective of maintenance strategies and will make maintenance organizations ready for the demands of digitalized manufacturing.
Data-based decision-making in maintenance service delivery: the D3M framework
Authors: Sala Roberto , Bertoni Marco , Pirola Fabiana , Pezzotta Giuditta 
Published: May 2021

PurposeThis paper aims to present a dual-perspective framework for maintenance service delivery that should be used by manufacturing companies to structure and manage their maintenance service delivery process, using aggregated historical and real-time data to improve operational decision-making. The framework, built for continuous improvement, allows the exploitation of maintenance data to improve the knowledge of service processes and machines.Design/methodology/approachThe Dual-perspective, data-based decision-making process for maintenance delivery (D3M) framework development and test followed a qualitative approach based on literature reviews and semi-structured interviews. The pool of companies interviewed was expanded from the development to the test stage to increase its applicability and present additional perspectives.FindingsThe interviews confirmed that manufacturing companies are interested in exploiting the data generated in the use phase to improve operational decision-making in maintenance service delivery. Feedback to improve the framework methods and tools was collected, as well as suggestions for the introduction of new ones according to the companies' necessities.Originality/valueThe paper presents a novel framework addressing the data-based decision-making process for maintenance service delivery. The D3M framework can be used by manufacturing companies to structure their maintenance service delivery process and improve their knowledge of machines and service processes.
Low‐quality carbon and lack of nutrients result in a stronger fungal than bacterial home‐field advantage during the decomposition of leaf litter
Authors: Benito‐Carnero Garazi , Gartzia‐Bengoetxea Nahia , Arias‐González Ander , Rousk Johannes 
Published: May 2021

Abstract

Decomposition of litter is a key biochemical process that regulates the rate and magnitude of CO2 fluxes from biosphere to atmosphere and determines soil nutrient availability. Although several studies have shown that plant litter decomposition accelerated in their native compared to a foreign environment, that is, a home‐field advantage (HFA) for litter degradation, to date HFA has only been considered in terms of respiration or litter mass loss.

The competitive success of the decomposer micro‐organism will be determined by its ability to transform used OM into population growth. Therefore, we hypothesized that HFA for microbial growth would be more pronounced than that for decomposition. We also expected that HFA effect for decomposition and microbial growth would increase with lower quality litter, which the fungal role in litter decomposition would be more dominant than that of bacteria, and that HFA effects would strengthen with more pronounced differences between ‘home’ and ‘away’ environments.

We designed a 2‐month microcosm reciprocal transplant experiment with litter from two sites with contrasting climates (Atlantic and Sub‐Mediterranean climates) and including three tree species (Quercus robur, Pinus sylvestris and Fagus sylvatica).

We found a stronger HFA for microbial growth than for decomposition, that the nutrient content and C‐quality of litter influenced the microbial HFA and that interactions between bacterial and fungal communities during litter decomposition modulated the HFA for litter degradation.

Low litter nutrient content, strong nutrient limitations and low C‐qualities all favoured fungal over bacterial decomposers, and our results suggest a dominant functional role of the fungal community and gave rise to HFA effect for fungal growth but that this translated to only marginal implications for overall decomposition of litter.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Assessing the population impacts and cost‐effectiveness of a conservation translocation
Authors: Yackulic Charles B. , Van Haverbeke David R. , Dzul Maria , Bair Lucas , Young Kirk L. 
Published: May 2021

Abstract

Managers often move, or translocate, organisms into habitats that are assumed to be suitable; however, the consequences of these translocations are usually not rigorously assessed. Robust assessment of these management experiments should consider impacts to both donor and recipient populations and compare the cost‐effectiveness of translocations to other actions.

Here we evaluate the translocations of a federally listed fish species, humpback chub within a tributary to the Colorado River in its Grand Canyon reach (Arizona, USA). We analyse mark–recapture data with multistate models to estimate vital rates (growth, survival and movement) for the donor and recipient populations while accounting for substantial temporal variation in vital rates. We then use stochastic matrix projections to quantify the impact of translocations on adult population size. Lastly, we compare the costs of translocations to another, legally required management action, non‐native fish removal, by modifying an existing bioeconomic model.

We estimate that six of eight translocations during the study period positively impacted adult abundance and that the overall population impact was positive. Population projections suggest that each chub translocated per year increases the equilibrium adult population size by 1.2 (95% CI: 0.4–2.2) adults, lessening the need for non‐native fish removal.

The continuation of translocations at the current rate is expected to save managers ~$50,000 per year by decreasing the annual probability of removals from 0.26 to 0.15. Further savings and decreases in removals could be attained by avoiding translocations in years when there has been no winter/spring runoff and modifying the number of translocated individuals based on the estimates of juvenile production in the lower Little Colorado River.

Synthesis and applications. Translocations that increase the abundance of a rare species can sometimes be viewed as a hedge against future declines that might necessitate more costly interventions. Quantifying population benefits and economic costs of management actions like translocations and comparing alternative actions can lead to cost‐effective conservation that is more easily sustained.
Adnexal torsion recurrence—is the adnexal twist degree a risk factor? A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Bart Y , Mohr‐Sasson A , Yousefi S , Goldenberg M , Meyer R , Toussia‐Cohen S , Eyal Y , Mazaki‐Tovi S , Mashiach R 
Published: May 2021

ObjectiveTo evaluate whether the adnexal twist degree is related to torsion recurrence and whether there is a dose‐dependent correlation.DesignA retrospective cohort study.SettingSingle tertiary medical centre.PopulationThe study includes non‐pregnant patients operated, for the first time, for adnexal torsion, between 2011 and 2018.MethodsInformation regarding the degree of adnexal twist was collected from surgical reports. Recurrence was identified using a computerised database and ascertained via telephone with a response rate of 87.2% (253/290).Main outcome measuresAdnexal torsion recurrence rate.ResultsA total of 182 women who had undergone laparoscopic detorsion met the inclusion criteria. Twenty‐two had torsion recurrence (12.1%). Adnexal twist degree in the primary event was associated with a higher recurrence risk: 4.3% of women with twist degree ≤360 (n = 3/70), 14.5% of women with twist degree of 361–720 (n = 9/62) and 20% of women with twist degree >720 (n = 10/50) (P = 0.03). The median twist degree was 540 (interquartile range [IQR] 360–855) and 720 (IQR 675–1080) degrees in the control and study groups, respectively (P = 0.005). Additional possibly associated factors for recurrence were evaluated. Age emerged as a possible risk factor, with a median age of 19 years in the recurrence group (IQR 14–27 years) versus 28.5 (IQR 19–36 years) in the non‐recurrence group (P < 0.01). Logistic regression analysis revealed that together with age, adnexal twist degree remained significantly associated with torsion recurrence (odds ratio [OR] 1.98, 95% CI 1.09–3.61; P = 0.02).ConclusionAdnexal twist degree was found to be positively associated with the risk of torsion recurrence.Tweetable abstractAdnexal twist degree was found to be positively associated with the risk of torsion recurrence.
C‐C chemokine hepatocellular carcinoma motif ligand 5‐deficiency promotes hepatocellular carcinoma progression by affecting B cell recruitment
Authors: Li Xiang , Han Qiu Cheng , Yu Chang , Luo Yi Chun , Wang Fang , Sun Xue Hua , Gao Yue Qiu , Tan Wei Feng , Xia Qiang 
Published: May 2021

ObjectiveTo evaluate the expression of C‐C motif chemokine ligand 5 (CCL5) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and to explore its role in regulating the immune microenvironment and the related mechanism in tumor immunity.MethodsThe mRNA expression level of CCL5 in HCC and adjacent non‐cancerous tissues was measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and the protein expression was examined by immunohistochemistry. Serum CCL5 expression was measured by an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). C57BL/6 wild‐type (WT) and Ccl5‐knockout (Ccl5−/−) mice were utilized to conduct the diethylnitrosamine‐induced HCC model. The immune cell population was determined by flow cytometry, and peripheral serum immunoglobulin M (IgM) level was quantified by ELISA.ResultsCCL5 expression was low in HCC tissue and peripheral blood compared with adjacent non‐cancerous tissues or controls, and its expression was correlated with the overall survival, cancer recurrence and distant metastasis. In the HCC mouse model, liver‐to‐body weight ratio was of the Ccl5−/− group were higher than that of the WT group. Moreover, compared with the WT mice, the number of B cells in the tumor tissue of the Ccl5−/− mice was lower, while there were no significant differences in the other immune cell populations. Furthermore, serum IgM level of the Ccl5−/− mice was significantly lower than that of the WT mice.ConclusionCCL5 expression is decreased in HCC tissues. CCL5 deficiency reduces B cell recruitment and decreases IgM secretion in HCC, potentially leading to tumor progression.
Limits and convergence properties of the sequentially Markovian coalescent
Authors: Sellinger Thibaut Paul Patrick , Abu‐Awad Diala , Tellier Aurélien 
Published: May 2021

AbstractSeveral methods based on the sequentially Markovian coalescent (SMC) make use of full genome sequence data from samples to infer population demographic history including past changes in population size, admixture, migration events and population structure. More recently, the original theoretical framework has been extended to allow the simultaneous estimation of population size changes along with other life history traits such as selfing or seed banking. The latter developments enhance the applicability of SMC methods to nonmodel species. Although convergence proofs have been given using simulated data in a few specific cases, an in‐depth investigation of the limitations of SMC methods is lacking. In order to explore such limits, we first develop a tool inferring the best case convergence of SMC methods assuming the true underlying coalescent genealogies are known. This tool can be used to quantify the amount and type of information that can be confidently retrieved from given data sets prior to the analysis of the real data. Second, we assess the inference accuracy when the assumptions of SMC approaches are violated due to departures from the model, namely the presence of transposable elements, variable recombination and mutation rates along the sequence, and SNP calling errors. Third, we deliver a new interpretation of SMC methods by highlighting the importance of the transition matrix, which we argue can be used as a set of summary statistics in other statistical inference methods, uncoupling the SMC from hidden Markov models (HMMs). We finally offer recommendations to better apply SMC methods and build adequate data sets under budget constraints.
Quantifying invasion degree by alien plants species in Reunion Island
Authors: Fenouillas Pauline , Ah‐Peng Claudine , Amy Elise , Bracco Isabelle , Dafreville Stéphanie , Gosset Mélodie , Ingrassia Florent , Lavergne Christophe , Lequette Benoit , Notter Jean‐Cyrille , Pausé Jean‐Marie , Payet Guillaume , Payet Nicolas , Picot Fréderic , Poungavanon Nila , Strasberg Dominique , Thomas Herman , Triolo Julien , Turquet Vincent , Rouget Mathieu 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe largest area of intact vegetation in the Mascarene’s archipelago is found on Reunion Island, but the remaining natural areas are under threats. Biological invasions are one of the main threats to biodiversity loss on this island and globally worldwide. This study aimed to quantify invasion degree by alien plants species in Reunion Island. This work was possible thanks to a large partnership between researchers and managers. All existing spatial data on invasion pattern were combined and completed by expert knowledge to develop the first 250 x 250 m map of invasion degree at the island scale. To fill the gaps where no field survey data or expert knowledge was available, we used a Random Forest model using nine climatic, landscape and anthropogenic variables. This model also provides a preliminary assessment of drivers of invasion at Reunion Island. Results showed that 85% of the extant native vegetation was invaded in different proportions; 38% are slightly invaded, 26% moderately invaded and 22% very heavily invaded. Despite the high levels of invasion in some places, more than 50% of the extant vegetation is not invaded or slightly invaded. Most of the invaded areas are located in the lowland and in the leeward coast although alien plants invade all types of vegetation from the coast to the top of the island. These results highlight a clear increase in the distribution of alien species over time. This study constitutes a key first step for about the ongoing prioritisation of management interventions on Reunion Island.
Barriers and enablers to optimal diabetes care for adults with learning disabilities: A systematic review
Authors: Holden Ben , Lee Andrew 
Published: May 2021

Accessible Summary

Adults with learning disabilities and diabetes are more likely to have health problems than people with diabetes who do not have learning disabilities.

This research had two aims. One was to find out what stops adults with learning disabilities from getting help with their diabetes. The other was to find out what things help them get the best care for their diabetes.

We found 12 things that stop adults with learning disabilities from getting good care for their diabetes and 14 things that help them get good care.

The findings from this research can be used to improve the lives of adults living with learning disabilities and diabetes.

AbstractBackgroundIndividuals with diabetes and a learning disability have poorer health outcomes than those without a learning disability. In the UK, the health inequalities faced by people with learning disabilities are often the result of barriers they face in accessing timely, appropriate and effective health care. The aim of the study was toreview relevant literature to identify the barriers and enablers to optimal diabetes care for adults with learning disabilities.MethodsSystematic review methodology was used to answer the research question: What barriers and enablers to optimal diabetes care exist for adults with learning disabilities? This review is reported according to PRISMA guidelines. Key databases were searched using relevant terms. Included studies were synthesised using thematic analysis and were quality appraised.FindingsThis review identified 12 barriers to optimal diabetes care for adults with learning disabilities and 14 enablers to optimal care from 10 diverse publications. Low level of diabetes knowledge and understanding and systems that do not allow reasonable adjustments were the barriers considered to have the greatest reliability. The enabler identified to have the highest reliability was person‐centred planning and reasonable adjustments.ConclusionThis work highlights key actions that can be undertaken to address inequalities in diabetes care for people with learning disabilities. With additional research in this field, further progress can be made to improve the lives of those adults living with learning disabilities and diabetes.
Cutaneous desmoid‐type fibromatosis: A rare case with molecular profiling
Authors: Aghighi Maryam , Cloutier Jeffrey M. , Hoover William D. , Roy Katherine , Lo Amy A. , Brown Ryanne A. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractFibromatoses encompass a broad group of histopathologically similar fibroblastic/myofibroblastic proliferations with divergent clinical manifestations and behavior. Deep (desmoid‐type) fibromatoses are typically large, rapidly growing, and locally aggressive tumors that occur in the abdominal wall, mesentery, and extra‐abdominal soft tissue, principally the musculature of the trunk and extremities. Most sporadic cases of desmoid fibromatosis harbor inactivating mutations in CTNNB1, the gene encoding beta‐catenin. Tumors occurring in the context of familial adenomatous polyposis and Gardner syndrome bear inactivating mutations in APC. By contrast, mutations in CTNNB1 or APC have not been identified in cases of superficial fibromatosis. Cutaneous involvement by desmoid fibromatosis is exceedingly rare. Here we present a 78‐year‐old male with desmoid‐type fibromatosis arising in the dermis of the right medial calf with a pathogenic mutation in CTNNB1 and a variant of unknown significance in APC.