bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Metagenome-based diversity and functional analysis of culturable microbes in sugarcane
Authors: Lin Haidong , Wu Liang , zhang Lijun , Kiet Ta Quang , Liu Peng , Song Jinkang , Yang Xiping 
Published: August 2024

AbstractSugarcane, widely acknowledged as the foremost crop for sugar and energy production on a worldwide scale, is confronted with many diseases that pose serious threats to its production. Biological control has become more popular as an approach for preventing and controlling diseases because of its environment-friendly characteristics. However, there is a lack of thorough investigation and use of microbial resources in sugarcane. This study conducted a thorough analysis of culturable microbes and their functional features in different tissues and rhizosphere soil of four diverse sugarcane species using metagenomics techniques. The results revealed significant microbial diversity in sugarcane’s tissues and rhizosphere soil, including several important biomarker bacterial taxa identified, which are reported to engage in several processes that support plant growth. The LEfSe studies identified unique microbial communities in different parts of the same sugarcane species, particularlyBurkholderia, which exhibited significant variations across the sugarcane species. Microbial analysis of carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) indicated that genes related to sucrose metabolism were mostly present in specific bacterial taxa, includingBurkholderia, Pseudomonas, Paraburkholderia, andChryseobacterium. This study improves understanding of the diversities and functions of endophytes and rhizosphere soil microbes in sugarcane. Moreover, the approaches and findings of this study provide valuable insights for microbiome research and the use of comparable technologies in other agricultural fields.
Evaluation of alternative farm safety net program combination strategies
Authors: Gaku Sylvanus , Tsiboe Francis 
Published: August 2024

PurposeSeveral farm safety net strategies are available to farmers as a source of financial protection against losses due to price instability, government policies, weather fluctuations and global market changes. Producers can employ these strategies combining crop insurance policies with countercyclical policies for several crops and production areas; however, less is known about the efficiency of these strategies in enhancing profit and reducing its variability. In this study, we examine the efficiency of these strategies at minimizing inter crop year farm profit variability.Design/methodology/approachWe utilized relative mean of profit and coefficient of variation, to compare counterfactually calculated farm safety net strategies for a sample of 28,615 observations across 2,486 farms and four dryland crops (corn, soybean, sorghum and wheat) in Kansas spanning nine crop years (2014–2022). A no farm safety net strategy is used as the benchmark for every alternative strategy to ascertain whether a policy customization is statistically different from a no farm safety case.FindingsThe general pattern of the results suggests that program combination strategies that have a high-profit enhancement potential necessarily have low profit risk for dryland wheat and sorghum production. On the contrary, such a connection is absent for dryland corn and soybeans production. Low-cost farm safety net strategies that enhance corn and soybeans profits do not necessarily lower profit risks.Originality/valueThis paper is one of the first to use a large sample of actual farm-level observations to evaluate how combinations of safety net programs offered under the Title I (PLC, ARCCO and ARCIC) and XI (FCIP) of the U.S. Farm Bill rank in terms of profit level enhancement and profit risk reduction.
Researching the Jordanian city: toward an urban planning research agenda in Jordan
Authors: Okour Yasmein , Dalgamoni Nermeen , Al-Rqaibat Sana'a 
Published: August 2024

PurposeResearch and Development (R&D) plays a significant role in promoting social and economic development in cities. In urban planning practice, a lack of evidence-informed policies and misguided research efforts can undermine national and local development efforts. This research aims to outline the state of academic research in urban planning and propose a tentative urban planning research agenda in Jordan. Specifically, the study identifies emerging research areas within postgraduate urban planning research in Jordan, examines the extent to which current research activities align with national research priorities, and determines research areas of top priority for Jordanian cities.Design/methodology/approachThe research employs a mixed-method approach using content analysis to analyze academic urban planning research in Jordan and the Delphi method targeting Jordanian urban planning experts to identify research areas that should be prioritized in Jordan within the next five years.FindingsThe findings indicate that while urban design and housing, neighborhoods, and community development were the dominant fields of study in postgraduate urban planning research, planning experts identified transportation and land use planning as research areas of top priority for the next five years. The results also suggest that national research priorities lack specificity and offer little guidance for researchers in complex and multifaceted scientific disciplines, such as urban planning.Originality/valueThis research lays the foundations for developing a comprehensive and feasible urban planning research agenda that is responsive to the diverse needs of communities and cities across Jordan. It offers three propositions to guide future knowledge production in urban planning: emphasizing research activity in priority areas, decentralizing research activities, and fostering inter/transdisciplinary research linkages. To the best of the author's knowledge, this study is the first to propose an urban planning research agenda in Jordan.
Awareness of net zero energy buildings among construction professionals in the Ghanaian construction industry
Authors: Oduro Samuel , Pittri Hayford , Simons Barbara , Baah Benjamin , Anteh Eunice Deedei , Oduro John Adjei 
Published: August 2024

PurposeNet zero energy buildings (NZEBs) play a crucial role in mitigating the environmental impact of the construction industry. However, this concept in Ghana is still in the infancy stage, and the level of embracement in the construction industry is uncertain which further poses challenges to its adoption. This can be attributed to the lack of awareness of NZEB among construction professionals. Hence, understanding the awareness among construction professionals is essential for promoting sustainable building practices and reducing the carbon footprint of buildings. Therefore, this study investigates the level of awareness of NZEBs among construction professionals in the Ghanaian construction industry (GCI).Design/methodology/approachThe study adopted a quantitative research method where questionnaire survey was used to obtain data from sixty-six (66) construction professionals in the GCI through snowball sampling technique. The collected data were analysed using frequencies, mean scores, one-sample t-test and cross-tabulation.FindingsThe study revealed that thirty (30) construction professionals out of the sixty-six (66) had a moderate level of awareness of NZEBs, and 14 professionals had a low level of awareness. Thirteen had a high level of awareness. Three of the profesionals were extremely unaware, while six had a very high level of awareness. The study’s findings highlight the need to create awareness of NZEBs and their practices among construction professionals and employees in Ghana.Originality/valueNZEB is an under-explored area in the Ghanaian context and therefore, this study uniquely highlights the nascent awareness of NZEBs among Ghanaian construction professionals, unlike previous studies in more developed contexts. It underscores the critical need for targeted awareness programs essential for reducing the carbon footprint and advancing the adoption of NZEBs in the GCI.
A study on substance abuse awareness and usage trends within the construction sector
Authors: Jamir Singh Paramjit Singh , Oke Ayodeji Emmanuel , Aliu John , Isaiah Kayode Tobi , Azura Ramli Rosfaraliza , Haizzan Yahaya Mohd , Idris Afifah 
Published: August 2024

Purpose
To address safety risks, worker well-being concerns and productivity losses in construction due to substance misuse, this study aims to explore awareness and usage levels of various substances among Nigerian construction professionals. The findings aim to inform targeted interventions and policy development to tackle these industry-specific challenges.

Design/methodology/approach
A comprehensive literature review identified several substances and intoxicants commonly used in construction, which informed the development of a well-structured questionnaire. This questionnaire was distributed to both construction professionals and nonprofessionals. The Shapiro-Wilk test assessed the normality of awareness and utilization scores for each substance, while the Kruskal-Wallis H-test explored significant differences in awareness and usage scores among different respondent groups.

Findings
Despite reporting low awareness of substances commonly used in construction, a significant proportion (over 60%) of respondents admitted to using several of these substances in their construction activities. This highlights a concerning disconnect, with more than half (62.5%) exceeding a predefined threshold (3.5) for significant substance use. Ten out of the 16 substances surveyed fell into this category, indicating a widespread issue within the industry.

Practical implications
The findings of this study highlight the need for increased education and awareness programs about the dangers of substance misuse in the construction industry. Construction companies should implement regular training sessions and workshops to educate workers on the risks associated with substance use. Additionally, there should be stricter enforcement of substance use policies and routine substance testing to deter misuse. These measures can enhance safety, improve worker well-being and boost overall productivity in the construction industry.

Originality/value
The insights from this study can inform the development of international policies and best practices for substance use prevention and worker well-being in the construction industry. Sharing these findings with international organizations, policymakers and industry stakeholders can help create broader guidelines and frameworks adaptable for implementation in various countries.
Intraspecific variation in group structure arises due to environmentally‐mediated directional dispersal in a cooperative breeder
Authors: Shah Shailee S. , Rubenstein Dustin R. 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Many cooperatively breeding species live in groups with complex structure—large group sizes, low and variable kin structure, and multiple breeding pairs. Since these mixed‐kin groups typically form because of immigration of unrelated individuals of both sexes in addition to limited offspring dispersal, differences in patterns of dispersal can generate variation in group structure, even within the same species or population.

Here, we examine how environmentally mediated dispersal patterns influence variation in group structure in the plural breeding superb starling (Lamprotornis superbus), an avian cooperative breeder that inhabits a spatiotemporally variable savanna environment and forms mixed‐kin groups with variable group sizes and more than one breeding pair per group.

Using 4068 genome‐wide polymorphic loci and fine‐scale, remotely sensed ecological data from 22 groups sampled across a nearly 200 km2 environmental gradient in central Kenya, we find evidence of not only frequent and long‐distance dispersal in both sexes (low isolation‐by‐distance and weak genetic structure), but also directional dispersal from small groups in lower quality habitat with low normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) to large groups in higher quality habitat with high NDVI.

Additionally, we find stronger genetic structure among groups in lower quality habitat, and higher genetic diversity and lower relatedness of groups in higher quality habitat. Previous work using long‐term data from groups in the same population has shown that groups with lower relatedness are larger and have more breeding pairs.

Long‐distance, directional dispersal to maximise individual fitness can thus lead to smaller and simpler kin‐based social groups in lower quality habitat, but larger and more complex mixed‐kin groups in higher quality habitat.

Such intraspecific, within‐population variation in group structure, including variation in kin structure of social groups, could have profound implications for the relative importance of the evolutionary mechanisms (i.e. direct vs. indirect fitness benefits) underlying the formation of cooperative societies.
Trade secrets leakage risk and firm innovation: Evidence from third‐party disclosure of Chinese listed firms' online sales data
Authors: Wang Gui‐jun , Li Ke‐meng , Wang Ke‐di 
Published: August 2024

AbstractBased on a natural experiment in which a third party disclosed online sales data from selected listed firms in China, this article uses a difference‐in‐differences (DID) model to examine the effect of trade secrets leakage risk on firm innovation. We find that leakage risk significantly reduces firm innovation. We also find that the results are more pronounced in non‐technology‐intensive firms and those with a higher degree of digital transformation, compete in more competitive markets, have stronger internal governance and higher financing constraints. Our findings have important implications for protecting trade secrets in the digital economy.
Overdose prevention centres as spaces of safety, trust and inclusion: A causal pathway based on a realist review
Authors: Stevens Alex , Keemink Jolie R. , Shirley‐Beavan Sam , Khadjesari Zarnie , Artenie Adelina , Vickerman Peter , Southwell Mat , Shorter Gillian W. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractIssuesOverdose prevention centres (OPC) are non‐residential spaces where people can use illicit drugs (that they have obtained elsewhere) in the presence of staff who can intervene to prevent and manage any overdoses that occur. Many reviews of OPCs exist but they do not explain how OPCs work.ApproachWe carried out a realist review, using the RAMESES reporting standards. We systematically searched for and then thematically analysed 391 documents that provide information on the contexts, mechanisms and outcomes of OPCs.Key FindingsOur retroductive analysis identified a causal pathway that highlights the feeling of safety – and the immediate outcome of not dying – as conditions of possibility for the people who use OPCs to build trust and experience social inclusion. The combination of safety, trust and social inclusion that is triggered by OPCs can – depending on the contexts in which they operate – generate other positive outcomes, which may include less risky drug use practices, reductions in blood borne viruses and injection‐related infections and wounds, and access to housing. These outcomes are contingent on relevant contexts, including political and legal environments, which differ for women and people from racialised minorities.ConclusionsOPCs can enable people who live with structural violence and vulnerability to develop feelings of safety and trust that help them stay alive and to build longer term trajectories of social inclusion, with potential to improve other aspects of their health and living conditions.
Dermatologische unerwünschte Arzneimittelwirkungen bei Behandlung mit Biologika – Pathogenese und Management
Authors: Trefzer Laura Katharina , Pilz Anna Caroline , Eyerich Kilian 
Published: August 2024

ZusammenfassungBiologika sind für verschiedene Entzündungskrankheiten aus Dermatologie, Allergologie, Rheumatologie und Gastroenterologie sowie für zahlreiche maligne Erkrankungen zugelassen. Dermatologische unerwünschte Arzneimittelwirkungen durch Biologika können primären entzündlichen Dermatosen ähneln, unterscheiden sich von ihnen jedoch in ihrer Pathogenese. In diesem Artikel beschreiben wir die fünf verschiedenen Pathomechanismen dermatologischer, unerwünschter Arzneimittelwirkungen durch Biologika. Durch besseres Verständnis dieser Mechanismen erhoffen wir uns wertvolle Einblicke in die Pathogenese primärer Entzündungskrankheiten zu gewinnen. Außerdem geben wir in diesem Artikel Empfehlungen für die Behandlung und das Management der durch Biologika ausgelösten dermatologischen unerwünschten Arzneimittelwirkungen.
Konventionelle und neue Behandlungsstrategien bei Porokeratosen: Eine narrative Übersicht
Authors: La Yumeng , Zhu Jie , Mueller Simon M. 
Published: August 2024

ZusammenfassungPorokeratosen sind eine heterogene Gruppe autoinflammatorischer Keratinisierungsstörungen, die durch kornoide Lamellen gekennzeichnet sind. Neben Genmutationen, die sich auf den Mevalonat‐Stoffwechselweg auswirken, werden auch Umweltfaktoren wie UV‐Strahlung, Immunsuppression, Traumata und Infektionen für die Entstehung von Porokeratosen verantwortlich gemacht. Bislang gibt es keine Behandlungsrichtlinien oder Evidenzgrade für die gängigen pharmakologischen und nicht‐pharmakologischen Behandlungsoptionen bei Porokeratosen. Zu den konventionellen Behandlungen zählen topische und systemische Medikamente wie Salicylsäure, topische Glucocorticoide und Retinoide, Phototherapie, Laser und chirurgische Verfahren. Bessere Erkenntnisse über die Pathogenese von Porokeratosen haben die Entwicklung neuartiger therapeutischer Ansätze ermöglicht, etwa topische Statine oder monoklonale Antikörper. In dieser narrativen Übersichtsarbeit werden sowohl die herkömmlichen als auch neuen Behandlungsmöglichkeiten einschließlich ihres Evidenzgrads sowie ihrer Vor‐ und Nachteile zusammengefasst.
Genexpressionsprofile beim Porokarzinom deuten auf heterogene Tumorentwicklung hin und untermauern Porome als Vorläuferläsionen
Authors: Holst Svenja , Weber Anna K. , Meier Friedegund , Otte Jörg , Petzsch Patrick , Reifenberger Julia , Wachtmeister Thorsten , Westphal Dana , Ziemer Mirjana , Wruck Wasco , Adjaye James , Betz Regina C. , Rütten Arno , Surowy Harald M. , Redler Silke 
Published: August 2024

ZusammenfassungHintergrund und ZieleMaligne Schweißdrüsentumoren sind selten, wobei das ekkrine Porokarzinom (EP) das häufigste ist. Etwa 18 % der benignen ekkrinen Porome (EPO) entwickeln sich zum EP. Wissenschaftliche Studien haben erste Einblicke in die Mutationslandschaft von EPs geliefert. Allerdings wurden in nur wenigen Studien Genexpressionsanalysen durchgeführt. Dies hinterlässt eine Lücke im Verständnis der EP‐Biologie und potenzieller Treiber der malignen Transformation von EPO zu EP.MethodenEs wurde eine Transkriptomanalyse von 23 Proben primärer EP und normaler Haut (NH) durchgeführt. Die Ergebnisse aus den EP‐Proben wurden dann an 17 EP‐Proben getestet.ErgebnisseDas Transkriptom‐Profiling zeigte eine Vielfalt in der Genexpression und deutete auf biologisch heterogene Subeinheiten sowie eine weit verbreitete Herunterregulierung von Genen im EP hin. Herunterregulierte Gene umfassten CD74, NDGR1, SRRM2, CDC42, ANXA2, KFL9 und NOP53. Die Expressionsniveaus von CD74, NDGR1, SRRM2, ANXA2 und NOP53 zeigten eine stufenweise Abnahme der Expression von NH über EPO zu EP, was die Hypothese unterstützt, dass das EPO einen Zwischenschritt in der EP‐Entwicklung darstellt.SchlussfolgerungenDie Studie zeigt, dass das EP molekular komplex ist und der evolutionäre Verlauf der Tumorinitiierung und ‐progression entspricht. Die Ergebnisse legen eine Beteiligung der p53‐Achse und des EGFR‐Signalwegs nahe. Eine größere Probenanzahl ist erforderlich, um diese Ergebnisse zu bestätigen.
Insights from local government managers: Navigating crises through organizational capacities and perceptions
Authors: Barbera Carmela , Dom Bernard , du Boys Céline , Korać Sanja , Saliterer Iris , Steccolini Ileana 
Published: August 2024

AbstractRecent years have shown that strategic responses to crises by local governments (LGs) depend on the type of crisis, the institutional environment, but also internal capacities and sensemaking processes. However, such relationships have not been tested widely yet. Based on a survey of managers (n = 590) from cities with more than 15,000 inhabitants in France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom, this study explores the role played by specific organizational capacities (critical thinking, bricolage, and financial capacities) and crisis perceptions (valence—i.e., threat vs. opportunity; and controllability) in shaping adaptive or regressive response strategies. Results show that these capacities are associated with how LGs' managers perceive crises and the type of responses adopted. Higher financial capacity, bricolage, and critical thinking are associated with stronger sense of organizational controllability, but they have different relationships with threat and opportunity perceptions. The study confirms the importance of distinguishing valence (threat and opportunity) from controllability perceptions.
Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance trends among vaginal bacteria isolates from pregnant bitches
Authors: Tešin Nadežda , Stančić Ivan , Tekić Dragana , Ačanski Aleksandar , Kovačević Zorana 
Published: August 2024

AbstractMany of the reproductive tract infections in the bitches are caused by bacteria that can normally be present on the vaginal mucosa. These bacteria also might have an important role as the cause responsible for pregnancy loss and fetal deaths. The choice of antibiotic therapy for the pregnant animal is narrow and represents a severe problem in veterinary practice, especially due to increased antimicrobial resistance. Due to incorrect antimicrobials use in breeding kennels, the aim of the present study was to assess the occurrence of the bacterial flora isolated from the pregnant bitches and their antibiotic sensitivity. The study was carried out at the private Veterinary clinic in Novi Sad, Serbia. The vaginal swabs were taken from 60 bitches diagnosed with pregnancy and were sent to be laboratory tested. Based on the results, the most common isolated pathogens were Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (20%) and beta‐hemolytic streptococci (18.33%). Furthermore, significant resistance to antibiotics from beta‐lactams group was detected. It is of particular importance that antimicrobial treatment be evidence based in order to reduce the overuse of antimicrobials due to increased concern regarding antimicrobial resistance.
State childcare provision in China: Subnational variations and localized policy contexts across 31 mainland provinces
Authors: Liu Wenting , Dai Haijing 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThe social organization of childcare is of special relevance to gender equality and family wellbeing. Childcare provision in China is often recognized as a case of familism, which highly relies on family care with limited state support. However, this all‐encompassing view may mask the local discrepancy generated by a decentralized social welfare system, especially when emerging initiatives have been enacted due to the government's concern about fertility. This article analyses the variation of childcare policies across 31 China mainland provinces, from the perspective of welfare regime theory. Using hierarchical cluster analysis, six policy patterns with varying configurations of familizing and defamilizing support are identified: (1) dual‐earner support, (2) moderate dual‐earner support, (3) moderate support, (4) general family support, (5) modified family support, and (6) a geo‐special case. We further explore the socioeconomic contexts of various policy profiles, with a particular focus on fertility and female employment. Findings suggest that, although with a nationally shared welfare ideology, subnational governments could exploit divergent strategies to support childcare in response to localized socioeconomic conditions. This research also provides insights into how childcare responsibilities are distributed between state and family in a non‐western country.