bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fiscal decentralisation and the attenuating effects of inter‐governmental transfers and economic development on corruption in China
Authors: Yu Minghui , Kwan Chang Yee 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe consensus in the literature is that fiscal decentralisation is a means to reduce corruption. For China, the attenuating effects of fiscal decentralisation are often enhanced by other factors. This paper argues that prior findings serve to facilitate the design of anti‐corruption measures but they do not address why individuals may engage in corruption. This is especially as individual evidence suggests that engaging in corruption is against professional ethos in China. This paper suggests that intergovernmental transfers and the relative level of economic development of where a public servant is serving influence the decision of whether to engage in corruption. Specifically, intergovernmental transfers and a higher level of local economic development directly affect the resources that a local administration has. In turn, this affects the extent to which one may realise their motivations for a career in the public sector. Empirical estimates for 1998–2013 serve to support the hypothesis.Points for practitioners
Fiscal decentralisation mitigates the prevalence of corruption in China in conjunction with other complimentary factors.
But engaging in corruption is inconsistent with motivations for a public sector career which include engaging in work for society's greater benefit.
Corruption may emerge because public servants feel that they may be unable to achieve their aims for joining the public sector because of local resource constraints.
Empirical findings suggest that increased resources to local administrations from intergovernmental transfers and economic development may discourage public servants from deviating from their stated career motivations, that is, engaging in corruption.
Effect of dietary fat on proximal composition, sensorial analysis and shelf life of a traditional Spanish cooked pork product “Lomo de Sajonia” from Iberian pork
Authors: Sarmiento‐García Ainhoa , Rubio Begoña , Martinez Beatriz , García Juan‐José , Vieira Ceferina 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThis study aims to evaluate the effect of different dietary fat sources on the quality of a Spanish‐cooked meat product Lomo de Sajonia (LSA) and its shelf‐life. Forty loins were selected from Iberian pigs fed four dietary treatments containing pork fat (G‐1), Greedy‐Grass Olive® (GGO) (enriched oleic‐acid oil) (G‐2), G‐2 and high oleic sunflower (G‐3), and G‐3 plus a mixture of commercial organic acids (Bioll®) (G‐4). Loins were manufactured to obtain LSA, and the quality and sensorial attributes were assessed. The shelf life was established according to microbial count and sensorial analysis, which was packed in a modified atmosphere and stored under retail conditions. All meat quality parameters of LSA remained stable in all groups, except fat content and overall liking, which showed the highest values for G‐2 LSA. Regarding the shelf life, sensorial attributes remained acceptable in all groups during storage time, while a delay in microbial growth was recorded for the LSA of G‐3. According to the results, including GGO in Iberian pig diets could enhance LSA traits, possibly linked to increased assimilation compared with conventional fat sources. However, adding organic acids to the diet did not have the expected effect on improving the shelf life of the LSA.
Imitation behavior in environmental, social, and governance disclosure: Textual analysis evidence from Chinese listed enterprises
Authors: Huang Qiyu , Zhang Yan , Li Xiang , Wang Fei 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe era of sustainable transformation has witnessed an increase in corporate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) disclosure waves. Using Chinese A‐share listed companies from 2016 to 2021 as a sample, this study adopted textual analysis and machine‐learning techniques to analyze ESG reports and explore the imitation behavior of ESG disclosures in emerging Chinese markets for the first time. The results show imitation behavior exists in corporate ESG disclosures from the perspective of group association. Regarding the imitation object, enterprises tend to choose the peer average level as a reference rather than the best enterprise in the same industry, which reveals the inherent law that enterprises' ESG disclosures are satisfied with compliance rather than championship. In terms of effects, the ESG‐mimetic isomorphic pressure has no incremental information effect but has an efficiency optimization effect. Furthermore, the imitation intensity and impact effects of ESG disclosure behavior exhibit heterogeneity owing to differences in properties, sales growth rates, and external attention. This study expands the motivation for corporate ESG disclosure behavior and enriches the empirical evidence for institutional isomorphism.
P2X7 receptor‐dependent increase in endocannabinoid 2‐arachidonoyl glycerol production by neuronal cells in culture: Dynamics and mechanism
Authors: Singh Simar , Sarroza Dennis , English Anthony , Whittington Dale , Dong Ao , Malamas Michael , Makriyannis Alexandros , van der Stelt Mario , Li Yulong , Zweifel Larry , Bruchas Michael R. , Land Benjamin B. , Stella Nephi 
Published: April 2024

Background and PurposeNeurotransmission and neuroinflammation are controlled by local increases in both extracellular ATP and the endocannabinoid 2‐arachidonoyl glycerol (2‐AG). While it is known that extracellular ATP stimulates 2‐AG production in cells in culture, the dynamics and molecular mechanisms that underlie this response remain poorly understood. Detection of real‐time changes in eCB levels with the genetically encoded sensor, GRABeCB2.0, can address this shortfall.Experimental Approach2‐AG and arachidonoylethanolamide (AEA) levels in Neuro2a (N2a) cells were measured by LC‐MS, and GRABeCB2.0 fluorescence changes were detected using live‐cell confocal microscopy and a 96‐well fluorescence plate reader.Key Results2‐AG and AEA increased GRABeCB2.0 fluorescence in N2a cells with EC50 values of 81 and 58 nM, respectively; both responses were reduced by the cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1R) antagonist SR141617 and absent in cells expressing the mutant‐GRABeCB2.0. ATP increased only 2‐AG levels in N2a cells, as measured by LC‐MS, and induced a transient increase in the GRABeCB2.0 signal within minutes primarily via activation of P2X7 receptors (P2X7R). This response was dependent on diacylglycerol lipase β activity, partially dependent on extracellular calcium and phospholipase C activity, but not controlled by the 2‐AG hydrolysing enzyme, α/β‐hydrolase domain containing 6 (ABHD6).Conclusions and ImplicationsConsidering that P2X7R activation increases 2‐AG levels within minutes, our results show how these molecular components are mechanistically linked. The specific molecular components in these signalling systems represent potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of neurological diseases, such as chronic pain, that involve dysregulated neurotransmission and neuroinflammation.
Increasing fire severity alters the species composition and decreases richness of seeds potentially dispersed by small mammals
Authors: Lourenço Águeda , Souza Clarice Vieira , Mendonça André Faria , Reis Guilherme Gonçalves , Linhares Pedro Felipe , Moura Renan Pereira , Vieira Emerson M. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractSeed dispersal is a key process that influences the recruitment of plant species, yielding profound consequences on vegetation structure. This process can be affected by environmental disturbances, such as fires, leading to varied impacts on the agents involved, both dispersers and plants. We investigated the potential role of small mammals (rodents and marsupials) as seed dispersers in a Neotropical savanna (Brazilian Cerrado). We also evaluated the impact of fire severity on the seed dispersal services provided by these animals in gallery forests, 3 years after a major fire event. We live‐trapped small mammals in 14 sites, 7 of which were located in forests classified in three categories of fire severity (“unburned”, “low severity”, or “moderate severity”). We captured 13 mammal species, finding a total of 11,688 seeds in their feces (collected inside traps or handling bags). These seeds encompassed 28 plant species from at least 8 families. A multivariate analysis (NMDS) revealed differences among small mammal species in terms of potentially dispersed plants, with seeds of 18 plant species being consumed by no more than one small mammal species. An increase in fire severity affected the composition of plant species potentially dispersed, changed the relative role of forest small mammals as seed dispersers, and decreased observed richness of defecated seeds. We conclude that high‐severity wildfires affect highly relevant ecological processes, such as seed dispersal by animals. These effects could impact the recruitment dynamics of plant species and, consequently, the vegetation recovery and plant community composition in fire‐affected areas.Abstract in Portuguese is available with online material.
Sensing insecurity as skill: Urban violence and the politics of sensorial enskilment
Authors: Osbourne Alana , Frossard Carolina M. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThis special issue departs from the premise that the sensible dimensions of urban (in)security shape lived and embodied experiences of the city in ways that reflect and affect social and spatial forms of control, belonging, and inequality. As visceral as they may seem, we also contend that these sensorial registers of (in)security are far from given: they are learned and taught, whether consciously, or otherwise. Drawing on ideas of enskilment and apprenticeship, the articles that make up this thematic collection engage the sensorial attunement of urban dwellers to how risk and safety look and feel in a diverse set of cities. Rather than an end, this approach is a means to deepen our understanding of how processual, everyday geographies of inequality are reproduced in practices and imaginaries of urban security.
Zoogeochemistry of a protected area: Driven by anthropogenic impacts and animal behavior
Authors: Trepel Jonas , Abraham Andrew J. , Lundgren Erick J. , Ferraro Kristy M. , Fløjgaard Camilla , Haugaard Lars , Sunde Peter , Pedersen Rasmus Ø. , Tietje Melanie , Kamp Johannes , le Roux Elizabeth 
Published: April 2024

AbstractAnthropogenic eutrophication of ecosystems is an important driver of biodiversity loss. Even protected areas (PAs) may be impacted by anthropogenic nutrients, for example, from atmospheric deposition or the provision of supplementary feeding. However, the resultant nutrient patterns, and the role of local wildlife in shaping them, remain poorly understood. We investigated anthropogenic influences on the role that red deer (Cervus elaphus) play in the nutrient balance of a PA in Denmark. We used habitat selection modeling and theoretical scenarios where we varied the proportion of energy the deer obtained from supplementary versus natural forage and compared it with the nutrients removed due to hunting. We show that the movement and distribution of the red deer population within the PA are very heterogeneous and likely influenced by the need for shelter. Moreover, depending on their reliance on supplementary feeding, deer can potentially import large amounts of nutrients to the PA, and concentrate them in localized hotspots. However, we also explore the potential for nutrient loss due to hunting activities. Such indirect anthropogenic impacts on nutrient landscapes may counteract restoration and conservation efforts. We therefore recommend incorporating anthropogenic influences on zoogeochemistry and the animal‐mediated connectivity between PAs and anthropogenically dominated landscapes into future management plans.
Association of physical activity with fractures in kidney transplant recipients: A Korean nationwide cohort study
Authors: Kim Sungmi , Jung Jin‐Hyung , Lee Kyungho , Jeon Junseok , Shin Dong Wook , Jang Hye Ryoun , Lee Jung Eun , Han Kyungdo , Huh Wooseong 
Published: April 2024

AbstractKidney transplant recipients are at high risk for fractures, primarily due to post‐transplant bone disease. This retrospective cohort study analyzed data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service, including 10 083 kidney transplant recipients examined from 2009 to 2017. We assessed fracture incidence, emphasizing vertebral and hip fractures, and the association of physical activity and traditional risk factors with fracture risk. Kidney transplant recipients were categorized into three groups according to physical activity levels: non‐activity, metabolic equivalent of task (MET) 1–499, and MET ≥500. Physical activity was associated with a decreased risk of all types of fractures: any (MET 1–499: adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) .75; 95% confidence interval (CI) .62–.92, MET ≥500: aHR .84; 95% CI .70–1.00), vertebral (MET 1–499: aHR .69; 95% CI .49–.98, MET ≥500: aHR .67; 95% CI .49–.91), and hip (MET 1–499: aHR .43; 95% CI .23–.81) fractures. Additionally, older age, female sex, and diabetes were associated with an increased fracture risk. The assessment of physical activity and traditional risk factors could improve fracture risk prediction. Our findings emphasize the need for further research to establish optimal physical activity recommendations for fracture prevention in kidney transplant recipients.
Effects of CD34+ cell dose on engraftment and long‐term outcomes after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation
Authors: Oyama Takashi , Fujiwara Shin‐ichiro , Tominaga Ryutaro , Yokoyama Daizo , Noguchi Atsuto , Furuki Shuka , Koyama Shunsuke , Murahashi Rui , Nakashima Hirotomo , Hyodo Kazuki , Ikeda Takashi , Kawaguchi Shin‐ichiro , Toda Yumiko , Nagayama Takashi , Umino Kento , Minakata Daisuke , Morita Kaoru , Ashizawa Masahiro , Yamamoto Chihiro , Hatano Kaoru , Sato Kazuya , Otsuki Ikuko , Ohmine Ken , Kanda Yoshinobu 
Published: April 2024

AbstractBackgroundThe number of CD34+ cells in the graft is generally associated with time to engraftment and survival in transplantation using cord blood or allogeneic peripheral blood stem cells. However, the significance of abundant CD34+ in bone marrow transplantation (BMT) remained unclear.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed 207 consecutive adult patients who underwent their first BMT at Jichi Medical University between January 2009 and June 2021.ResultsThe median nucleated cell count (NCC) and CD34+ cell dose were 2.17 × 108/kg (range .56‐8.52) and 1.75 × 106/kg (.21–5.84), respectively. Compared with 104 patients in the low CD34+ group (below the median), 103 patients in the high CD34+ group (above the median) showed faster engraftment at day +28 in terms of neutrophil (84.6% vs. 94.2%; p = .001), reticulocyte (51.5% vs. 79.6%; p < .001), and platelet (39.4% vs. 72.8%; p < .001). There were no significant differences in overall survival, relapse, nonrelapse mortality, acute or chronic graft‐versus‐host disease, or infectious complications between the two groups in univariate and multivariate analyses. Low or high NCC had no significant effect on overall survival, nonrelapse mortality, cumulative incidence of relapse and graft‐versus‐host disease, either. While a positive correlation was observed between NCC and the CD34+ cell dose, a high CD34+ cell dose was associated with rapid hematopoietic recovery, even in patients with NCC below the median.ConclusionMeasurement of CD34+ cell dose in addition to NCC was useful for predicting hematopoietic recovery, but seemed to have little influence on the long‐term outcome in BMT.
Non‐invasive assessment of left ventricular filling pressure in aortic stenosis
Authors: Aoyagi Hiroyuki , Iwano Hiroyuki , Tamaki Yoji , Murayama Michito , Ishizaka Suguru , Motoi Ko , Nakamura Kosuke , Goto Mana , Suzuki Yukino , Yokoyama Shinobu , Nishino Hisao , Kaga Sanae , Kamiya Kiwamu , Nagai Toshiyuki , Anzai Toshihisa 
Published: April 2024

AbstractBackgroundThe assessment of left ventricular (LV) filling pressure (FP) is important for the management of aortic stenosis (AS) patients. Although, it is often restricted for predict LV FP in AS because of mitral annular calcification and a certain left ventricular hypertrophy. Thus, we tested the predictive ability of the algorithm for elevated LV FP in AS patients and also applied a recently‐proposed echocardiographic scoring system of LV FP, visually assessed time difference between the mitral valve and tricuspid valve opening (VMT) score.MethodsWe enrolled consecutive 116 patients with at least moderate AS in sinus rhythm who underwent right heart catheterization and echocardiography within 7 days. Mean pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP) was measured as invasive parameter of LV FP. LV diastolic dysfunction (DD) was graded according to the ASE/EACVI guidelines. The VMT score was defined as follows: time sequence of opening of mitral and tricuspid valves was scored to 0–2 (0: tricuspid valve first, 1: simultaneous, 2: mitral valve first). When the inferior vena cava was dilated, one point was added and VMT score was finally calculated as 0–3.ResultsOf the 116 patients, 29 patients showed elevated PAWP. Ninety patients (93%) and 67 patients (63%) showed increased values for left atrium volume index (LAVI) and E/e′, respectively when the cut‐off values recommended by the guidelines were applied and thus the algorism predicted elevated PAWP with a low specificity and positive predictive value (PPV). VMT ≥ 2 predicted elevated PAWP with a sensitivity of 59%, specificity of 90%, PPV of 59%, and negative predictive value of 89%. An alternative algorithm that applied tricuspid regurgitation velocity and VMT scores was tested, and its predictive ability was markedly improved.ConclusionVMT score was applicable for AS patients. Alternative use of VMT score improved diagnostic accuracy of guideline‐recommended algorism.
Concordance of judgement: A tool to foster the development of professionalism in dentistry
Authors: Vaillant‐Corroy Anne‐Sophie , Girard Félix , Virard François , Corne Pascale , Gerber Denizart Caroline , Wulfman Claudine , Vital Sibylle , Gosset Marjolaine , Naveau Adrien , Delbos Yves , Vergnes Jean‐Noël , Thivichon‐Prince Béatrice , Antoine Juliette , Mainville Gisele , Nader Moussa , Richert Raphael , Charlin Bernard , Ducret Maxime 
Published: April 2024

AbstractIntroductionDeveloping professionalism notably involves learning how to make professional judgements in ambiguous situations. The Concordance of Judgement Test (CJT) is a learning tool that was proposed to develop professionalism competencies, but it was never performed in dentistry or used with a synchronous methodology. The present study evaluated the feasibility of the use of CJT in the context of dental education, to foster professionalism and stimulate reflexivity and discussion.Materials and MethodsAfter different steps of optimization, a questionnaire presenting 12 vignettes was submitted to 33 Canadian students. Second, after an additional optimization, a questionnaire of 7 vignettes was submitted to 87 French students. An immediate educational feedback was proposed after each vignette to promote reflexivity and discussions during the experience.ResultsThe overall experience of the students was reported as good, thanks to the feedback of real‐life situations. This promoted reflexivity and stimulated discussion between students and educators regarding professionalism issues. The students considered CJT as a relevant and well‐adapted tool, and reported positive feelings regarding the inter‐university aspect of the activity. The mean score of the panel members was close to 80/100 and the mean score of the students was 5 to 10 points lower, which is in agreement with docimological performance.ConclusionThe results suggested that the use of CJT in a synchronous way was a feasible and relevant tool to motivate the students to improve their professionalism, and to stimulate their reflexivity and discussion. The students reported positive experience with CJT, and we believe that this tool can be integrated in the dental curriculum.
Explaining variation in stream fish productivity with biotic and abiotic variables across wadeable rivers in eastern North America
Authors: Richter Ian A. , Jackson Donald A. , Jones Nicholas E. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Biomass production is a key ecosystem process that provides insight into ecological processes such as growth, reproduction, mortality, and energy distribution. Previous studies have considered various fish response measures such as species richness, abundance, and/or biomass as response variables for river ecosystems or the productivity of particular species. However, few studies have investigated how total fish productivity of riverine systems is affected by environmental variables. Here, we identified important abiotic and biotic predictors of fish productivity in wadeable, temperate riverine systems.

We investigated the relationships between total stream fish productivity and multiple abiotic and biotic variables in wadeable stream reaches across Ontario, Canada. Variance partitioning was used to evaluate the relative importance of the biotic, landscape, climatic, and geologic variables on total stream fish productivity. A modified bootstrap approach was used for the model‐selection process and to parameterise an empirical fish productivity model.

We found that biotic predictors explained more variation in productivity relative to the abiotic variables. The best empirical model included day‐of‐year, growing degree days, latitude, salmonid presence/absence, species richness, and upstream catchment area.

Our findings indicate that a combination of both biotic and abiotic variables can provide valuable insight into how ecological processes, such as fish productivity, differ across ecosystems. Species richness and differences in assemblage characteristics may be key determinants of the overall fish productivity in stream systems. Our model can estimate productivity from salmonid presence/absence data and total species richness, instead of fish abundance data, which require larger sampling efforts.
Ectomycorrhizal fungi are influenced by ecoregion boundaries across Europe
Authors: Delhaye Guillaume , van der Linde Sietse , Bauman David , Orme C. David L. , Suz Laura M. , Bidartondo Martin I. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractAimEcoregions and the distance decay in community similarity are fundamental concepts in biogeography and conservation biology that are well supported across plants and animals, but not fungi. Here we test the relevance of these concepts for ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi in temperate and boreal regions.LocationEurope.Time Period2008–2015.Major Taxa StudiedEctomycorrhizal fungi.MethodsWe used a large dataset of ~24,000 ectomycorrhizas, assigned to 1350 operational taxonomic units, collected from 129 forest plots via a standardized protocol. We investigated the relevance of ecoregion delimitations for ECM fungi through complementary methodological approaches based on distance decay models, multivariate analyses and indicator species analyses. We then evaluated the effects of host tree and climate on the observed biogeographical distributions.ResultsEcoregions predict large‐scale ECM fungal biodiversity patterns. This is partly explained by climate differences between ecoregions but independent from host tree distribution. Basidiomycetes in the orders Russulales and Atheliales and producing epigeous fruiting bodies, with potentially short‐distance dispersal, show the best agreement with ecoregion boundaries. Host tree distribution and fungal abundance (as opposed to presence/absence only) are important to uncover biogeographical patterns in mycorrhizas.Main ConclusionsEcoregions are useful units to investigate eco‐evolutionary processes in mycorrhizal fungal communities and for conservation decision‐making that includes fungi.