bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
CAOS in Italian hospitals during COVID: an analysis of healthcare intangible resources
Authors: Paoloni Mauro , Mattei Giorgia , Paoloni Niccolò , Modaffari Giuseppe 
Published: June 2022

PurposeThis paper aims to analyse the roles of relational capital (RC) and knowledge management (KM) during the COVID-19 in Italian public and private hospitals, considering that intangible elements are essential during periods of uncertainty.Design/methodology/approachAuthors used a qualitative design in a case study on two Italian hospitals that have different ownership structures, which are located in the epicentre of the pandemic in Lombardy. The study was carried out using the CAOS (“caratteristiche personali”, “ambiente”, “organizzazione” and “start-up”) model (Paoloni, 2021), which allows for comprehending and commenting on RC because of the connections between typical factors that influence an organisation. The model also allows for discussion of the use of a network and how it supports organisations.FindingsFindings of the analysis showed that during the management of the COVID-19 health emergency, ownership structure was not a discriminating factor, the created relationships were similar and they were considered in the same way. The relationships were mainly formal (except for contributions by associations or individuals) and temporary. The RC's reactive role in overcoming crises was confirmed, and the findings indicated that this result was possible also, thanks to the KM's role played within the organisation.Originality/valueTheoretical implications of the work are that it contributes to the sparse healthcare literature on intellectual capital (IC) and on RC and its relationships with KM. The practical implications are related to the creation of new relationships during the healthcare emergency between hospitals and the central government, which can be considered a useful lesson for the future. The theoretical implications derived from the analysis are generalisable to all organisations regardless of their type and location, as well as the practical implications are applicable to the entire national territory.
Quality of work life of employees working in the Indian garment industry
Authors: Nanjundeswaraswamy T. S. , Beloor Vanishree 
Published: June 2022

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to identify the level of quality of work life (QWL) of employees working in the Garment industries using a validated scale.

Design/methodology/approach
Survey methods were used for this study. A questionnaire was designed to collect the data and information, and it is validated through exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis.

Findings
The majority of employees are not satisfied with the present status of QWL in garment units. Followings are the predominant components, which influence the QWL of employees compensation and rewards; job security; grievance handling; work environment; training and development; job nature; satisfaction in job; facilities and relation and cooperation.

Originality/value
The study was conducted in 133 garment industries where sample responses were obtained from 851 workers working in Indian Garment industries. In the competitive business environment, retaining a talented workforce is one of the big challenges to the organization. An unsatisfied employee is the first enemy of the organization, it is the prime task of the employers to keep the workforce at a satisfying level, otherwise, it will lead to employee turnover, performance and productivity. This paper helps to identify and quantify the components of the quality of work-life of employees if employers address these components job satisfaction level of employees will increase; therefore, our results will help the HR managers and policymakers to take appropriate decisions to enhance QWL.
Eco-innovation and sustainable business performance: perspectives of SMEs in Portugal and the UK
Authors: Almeida Fernando , Wasim Jahangir 
Published: June 2022

Purpose
Eco-innovation has been identified as a source of gaining a competitive advantage on a global scale. To build upon that, this study aims to deepen the understanding of eco-innovation in the context of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and investigates the impact of having a clear eco-innovation strategy on a company's sustainability and performance.

Design/methodology/approach
A sample of 249 SMEs located in Portugal and the UK participated and structural equation modelling (SEM) was applied to explore the relationship among the constructs.

Findings
The findings reveal that both internal and external factors influence the design of an eco-innovation strategy. However, the relevance of external factors seemed to be more significant for Portuguese SMEs. This study concludes that product/process eco-innovations and green innovation systems are determinants for sustainable performance in SMEs. In contrast, the environmental technologies and organisational eco-innovation dimensions are not determinants. This is observed both in Portuguese and UK SMEs.

Originality/value
Most studies in the field tend to explore the role of eco-innovation in large organisations. This study takes a different approach by exploring its impacts on the sustainable business performance of SMEs. Furthermore, it combines data from two countries, which constitutes a strength and gives the opportunity to explore this phenomenon empirically.
Impacts of near‐natural management in eucalyptus plantations on soil bacterial community assembly and function related to nitrogen cycling
Authors: Qu Zhao‐lei , Liu Bing , Zhang Yue‐mei , Huang Lin , Ming An‐gang , Sun Hui 
Published: June 2022

Abstract

Eucalyptus trees have been widely planted in China as commercial timber, which has caused severe soil erosion and water deficiency. Near‐natural management by mixing eucalyptus with nitrogen‐fixing tree species has been used in plantations to alleviate these problems. In the present study, we investigated the changes in soil microbial community and function in eucalyptus plantations mixed with nitrogen‐fixing trees and with different rotation histories (first and second generation) using Illumina MiSeq. of 16S rRNA gene, coupled with Functional Annotation of Prokaryotic Taxa (FAPROTAX) and Quantitative Microbial Element Cycling (QMEC) analyses.

Both management systems (mixed with nitrogen‐fixing trees and with different rotating time) increased the soil bacterial α‐diversity.

The plantations with different management histories formed different bacterial communities and potential functional structures. Mixing with nitrogen‐fixing trees increased the abundance of Actinobacteria involved in the nitrogen cycle and the abundance of K‐strategy bacteria (Acidobacteria, Verrucomicrobia, Chloroflexi) in both first‐ and second‐generation plantations.

Functionally, the expression of nitrogen‐fixing (nifH) and nitrification genes (amoA1 and hao) increased and that of denitrification genes (nirk2, nirk3, nirS1 and nosZ2) decreased in plantations mixed with nitrogen‐fixing trees. The soil pH, soil water content and bacterial biomass were the key factors driving bacteria community and functional structures. The strategy of mixing eucalyptus with nitrogen‐fixing trees can increase the efficiency of nitrogen cycling by accelerating the nitrogen‐fixing and nitrifying process while inhibiting the denitrifying process.

The results highlight the importance of mixing eucalyptus with nitrogen‐fixing trees for soil microbes and provide useful information on the management of eucalyptus plantations in the future.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Perception of dead conspecifics increases reproductive investment in fruit flies
Authors: Corbel Quentin , Carazo Pau 
Published: June 2022

Abstract

Adaptive plasticity in life‐history traits is often critical to maximize fitness in the face of environmental heterogeneity. For example, many organisms respond to a threat to their survival (and hence residual reproductive value) by adaptively increasing their investment into current reproduction (i.e. ‘terminal investment’).

A key to successful terminal investment is the use of adequate environmental cues to extrinsic mortality sources. In species that live at high population densities, the presence of dead conspecifics could potentially act as a reliable cue to extrinsic mortality sources (e.g. via pathogens).

We experimentally tested this idea using the model organism Drosophila melanogaster, a pest species that experiences marked demographic shifts. We monitored the reproductive output of young mated females during repeated bouts of egg laying in the presence (i.e. dead exposed) or absence (i.e. controls) of dead conspecifics, interspersed by mating periods where dead conspecifics were always absent.

Dead‐exposed females produced more offspring than controls when in the presence of dead conspecifics but fewer offspring than controls when dead conspecifics were subsequently removed (i.e. during mating periods). These changes were repeatable across time, and are thus indicative of high plasticity in reproductive behaviour induced by perception of dead conspecifics.

Flies responded equally to starvation‐induced and flash‐frozen dead conspecifics, indicating that the cause of death is irrelevant to trigger the plastic response observed, and that females respond to the presence of dead conspecifics per se.

Finally, we found that dead‐exposed females produced heavier daughters (but not sons) than controls when in the presence of dead conspecifics, but not during mating periods (when dead conspecifics were absent). In this species, body size correlates more strongly with female (than male) fitness, so higher investment in daughter weight is congruent with terminal investment.

Altogether, these results show that perception of dead conspecifics leads to highly plastic life‐history adjustments in the form of increased investment in both the quantity and the quality of offspring. We discuss these results in the context of terminal investment and other alternative hypotheses.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
The distribution of covert microbial natural enemies of a globally invasive crop pest, fall armyworm, in Africa: Enemy release and spillover events
Authors: Withers Amy J. , Rice Annabel , de Boer Jolanda , Donkersley Philip , Pearson Aislinn J. , Chipabika Gilson , Karangwa Patrick , Uzayisenga Bellancile , Mensah Benjamin A. , Mensah Samuel Adjei , Nkunika Phillip Obed Yobe , Kachigamba Donald , Smith Judith A. , Jones Christopher M. , Wilson Kenneth 
Published: June 2022

Abstract

Invasive species pose a significant threat to biodiversity and agriculture world‐wide. Natural enemies play an important part in controlling pest populations, yet we understand very little about the presence and prevalence of natural enemies during the early invasion stages.

Microbial natural enemies of fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda are known in its native region, however, they have not yet been identified in Africa where fall armyworm has been an invasive crop pest since 2016. Larval samples were screened from Malawi, Rwanda, Kenya, Zambia, Sudan and Ghana for the presence of four different microbial natural enemies; two nucleopolyhedroviruses, Spodoptera frugiperda NPV (SfMNPV) and Spodoptera exempta NPV (SpexNPV); the fungal pathogen Metarhizium rileyi; and the bacterium Wolbachia. This study aimed to identify which microbial pathogens are present in invasive fall armyworm, and determine the geographical, meteorological and temporal variables that influence prevalence.

Within 3 years of arrival, fall armyworm was exposed to all four microbial natural enemies. SfMNPV probably arrived with fall armyworm from the Americas, but this is the first putative evidence of host spillover from Spodoptera exempta (African armyworm) to fall armyworm for the endemic pathogen SpexNPV and for Wolbachia. It is also the first confirmed incidence of M. rileyi infecting fall armyworm in Africa.

Natural enemies were localised, with variation being observed both nationally and temporally. The prevalence of SfMNPV (the most common natural enemy) was predominantly explained by variables associated with the weather; declining with increasing rainfall and increasing with temperature. However, virus prevalence also increased as the growing season progressed.

The infection of an invasive species with a natural enemy from its native range and novel pathogens specific to its new range has important consequences for understanding the population ecology of invasive species and insect–pathogen interactions. Additionally, while it is widely known that temporal and geographic factors affect insect populations, this study reveals that these are important in understanding the distribution of microbial natural enemies associated with invasive pests during the early stages of invasion, and provide baseline data for future studies.
Association between genetic polymorphisms and osteoarthritis development. Overview of systematic reviews
Authors: Brisola Amanda Almeida , Colovati Mileny Esbravatti Stephano , Cernach Mirlene Cecilia Soares Pinho , Riera Rachel , Pacheco Rafael Leite , Crizol Giuliana Raduan , Martimbianco Ana Luiza Cabrera 
Published: June 2022

AbstractObjectiveTo identify, critically evaluate and synthesize the evidence obtained from systematic reviews on the association between genetic polymorphisms and osteoarthritis (OA) development.MethodsConsidering gene polymorphisms associated with OA susceptibility (risk or protection), a comprehensive search was conducted in the following databases, without date or language restrictions: MEDLINE, via Pubmed; Embase, via Elsevier; Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, via Wiley; Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde. Gray literature was also searched through the OpenGrey database. The AMSTAR‐2 (Assessing the Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews) was used to assess the methodological quality of the included systematic reviews.ResultsWe included 14 systematic reviews of case‐control studies comparing individuals with a radiographic diagnosis of all OA types and healthy controls, all submitted to the genetic examination of different polymorphisms in candidate genes. Meta‐analyses showed a protective effect against knee and hand OA associated with GDF‐5 gene (odds ratio [OR] 0.90, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.85‐0.95), and knee OA with ESRα gene (OR 0.63, 95% CI 1.26‐1.97). SMAD3 gene was associated with knee and hip OA risk (OR 1.21. 95% CI 1.07‐1.38) and MMP‐1 gene was associated with temporomandibular OA (OR 1.58. 95% CI 1.26‐1.97).ConclusionBased on low‐quality to critically‐low‐quality systematic reviews, some gene polymorphisms seem to be associated with risk or protection for OA. Further high‐quality studies are needed to validate these hypotheses, contribute to disease understanding, and possibly help the decision‐making related to early diagnosis and treatment options for OA. PROSPERO register CRD42021234231.
Predators in a mining landscape: Threats to a behaviourally unique, endangered lizard
Authors: Bradley Holly S. , Craig Michael D. , Tomlinson Sean , Cross Adam T. , Bamford Michael J. , Bateman Philip W. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractPatchy resource distribution can cluster predator activity around areas of the highest productivity in ecosystems. For the endangered Western Spiny‐tailed Skink (Egernia stokesii badia) in Western Australia, the log piles that they permanently inhabit in an otherwise patchy, arid landscape, represent a potentially reliable, high abundance food source for predators. Not only are encounter rates by potential predators of E. s. badia likely to be influenced by vegetation structure at the microhabitat scale but also E. s. badia occurs in a region where mine sites and associated infrastructure, such as landfill sites, likely concentrate generalist predators (e.g. Feral Cats and corvids). We assessed the influence of the presence of coarse woody debris (CWD) and distance to the landfill on predator behaviour towards E. s. badia through plasticine model experiments, unbounded point count bird surveys and camera trapping. We found that CWD inhabited by E. s. badia attracted a greater relative activity of corvids compared with uninhabited CWD, or control sites without CWD. The relative activity of corvids and predatory birds combined increased with decreasing distance from the landfill. Preferential hunting by corvids at CWD inhabited by E. s. badia compared to both uninhabited CWD and open sites suggests that inhabited CWD may be targeted by generalist predators in the region, and that adaptive management may be required for species conservation around active mining areas.
Feeding ecology of the maned sloth (Bradypus torquatus): Understanding diet composition and preferences, and prospects for future studies
Authors: Giné Gastón Andrés Fernandez , Mureb Laila Santim , Cassano Camila Righetto 
Published: June 2022

AbstractAspects of the feeding ecology of the threatened maned sloth (Bradypus torquatus Illiger, 1811) are poorly understood. Here, we evaluate the diet composition and the influence of leaf chemical compounds on the consumption of plant species by 10 radio‐tracked individuals in southern Bahia and construct a list of plants consumed by the species based on our data and the available literature. We confirmed that the maned sloth is a strict folivore and consumes predominantly young leaves. We reported the consumption of 39 species, from 32 genera and 20 families of plants in southern Bahia, and provide an updated list of 68 species so far reported as consumed by maned sloths. The most frequently consumed species in southern Bahia belong to the genera Emmotum, Inga, Ficus and Brosimum, totalling almost half of the maned sloth's diet. Nevertheless, only Ficus spp. were widely consumed by maned sloths elsewhere. The low consumption of Cecropia spp. suggests that maned sloth's diet is not strongly linked to these taxa as reported for other Bradypus. None of the evaluated chemical compounds had a significant effect on the choice of plants consumed. Altogether, the available data indicated that the maned sloth is a generalist at the species level. In addition to morphological and physiological adaptations, it deals with the challenges of a foliage‐based diet by selecting young leaves. Our update on maned sloth's diet may be used to overcome the difficulties of keeping and reproducing them in captivity and support actions that aim to recover their habitat.
Modeling transaction costs in household adoption of landscape conservation practices
Authors: Johnston Robert J. , Ndebele Tom , Newburn David A. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractMany conservation programs provide economic incentives for landscape best management practices adopted by households. These programs typically include multiple administrative procedures that impose transaction costs, such as requirements for project design and inspections. The literature provides little insight on the relative influence of common transaction costs such as these on best management practice adoption. This paper develops a model to estimate the simultaneous effects of multiple transaction costs linked to common administrative requirements within residential cost‐share incentive programs. The model decomposes the magnitudes and effects of different transaction costs that vary across agents and programs, as a function of requirements for project design, contracting, inspections, and payments. It further identifies the types of program changes that would cause the greatest increases in efficiency due to transaction cost attenuation, measured as reductions in agents’ willingness to accept to adopt best management practices. The model is implemented using a discrete choice experiment on cost‐share programs that incentivize urban stormwater best management practices in the Baltimore metropolitan region, focusing on landscape conservation practices that reduce nonpoint source pollution. Results find large and heterogeneous transaction costs that are sufficient to eliminate much of the incentive provided by typical cost‐share payments. These findings suggest mechanisms whereby cost‐share programs can be designed to optimize enrollment when multiple transaction costs are relevant.
The curious case of “trust” in the light of changing doctor–patient relationships
Authors: Segers Seppe , Mertes Heidi 
Published: June 2022

AbstractThe centrality of trust in traditional doctor–patient relationships has been criticized as inordinately paternalistic, yet in today's discussions about medical ethics—mostly in response to disruptive innovation in healthcare—trust reappears as an asset to enable empowerment. To turn away from paternalistic trust‐based doctor–patient relationships and to arrive at an empowerment‐based medical model, increasing reference is made to the importance of nurturing trust in technologies that are supposed to bring that empowerment. In this article we stimulate discussion about why the move towards patient empowerment may not be able to keep clear of the criticism of trust in traditional patient–doctor relationships. First, we explore how such a shift in trust dynamics might corrode patient empowerment in the name of patient empowerment. Second, we examine how a translocation of trust may at best push the “trust issue” elsewhere and at worst make it harder to evaluate trustworthiness.
A randomized, placebo‐controlled study to evaluate safety and pharmacokinetics of inhaled ribavirin
Authors: Couroux Peter , Brkovic Alexandre , Vittitow Jason L. , Israel Robert J. , Pamidi Chinna , Patel Jignesh , Barakat Maxime 
Published: June 2022

AbstractRibavirin is an inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase inhibitor. Studies suggest ribavirin aerosol could be a safe and efficacious treatment option in the fight against coronaviruses. However, current treatment is long (12–18 h per day, 3–7 days), limiting clinical utility. A reduction in treatment time would reduce treatment burden. We aimed to evaluate safety and pharmacokinetics (PK) of four, single‐dose regimens of ribavirin aerosol in healthy volunteers. Thirty‐two subjects were randomized, to four cohorts of aerosolized ribavirin (active) or placebo. Cohort 1 received 50 mg/ml ribavirin/placebo (10 ml total volume); cohort 2, 50 mg/ml ribavirin/placebo (20 ml total volume); cohort 3, 100 mg/ml ribavirin/placebo (10 ml total volume); and cohort 4, 100 mg/ml ribavirin/placebo (20 ml total volume). Intense safety monitoring and PK sampling took place on days 1, 2, 3, and 40. Subjects were (mean ± SD, active vs. placebo) aged 57 ± 4.5 vs. 60 ± 2.5 years; 83% vs. 88% were female; and 75% vs. 50% were Caucasian. Some 12.5% (3/24) and 25% (2/8) experienced at least one treatment‐emergent adverse event (TEAE) (two moderate; five mild) in the active and placebo groups, respectively. No clinically significant safety concerns were reported. Mean maximum observed concentration (Cmax) and area under the curve (AUC) values were higher in cohort 4, whereas cohorts 2 and 3 showed similar PK values. Ribavirin absorption reached Cmax within 2 h across cohorts. Four single‐dose regimens of ribavirin aerosol demonstrated systemic exposure with minimal systemic effects. Results support continued clinical development of ribavirin aerosol as a treatment option in patients with coronaviruses.