bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Designers' perceptions of biophilia and testing of the biophilic interior design matrix in China
Authors: McGee Beth , Jin Xu , Park Nam-Kyu , Ball Skylar , Carr April 
Published: March 2022

PurposeThe Biophilic Interior Design Matrix (BID-M) was created to assist designers with identifying biophilic interior design features for optimizing nature integration for evidence-based design. The BID-M was developed and tested with interior design practitioners in the United States. There was a need to further develop the BID-M for other cultures along with understanding the designers' perceptions of biophilia.Design/methodology/approachA mixed methods approach was used with 101 interior designers/architects practicing in China using a pre- and post-questionnaire surrounding a room assessment using the BID-M.FindingsThe Chinese translation of the BID-M was perceived as beneficial to design practice, evaluated as reliable and valid. The Chinese designers perceived a significant increase in knowledge and importance of biophilia after using the BID-M and it was useful in assisting all parts of the design process. The designers had some prior experience with biophilic design and clients have been requesting suitable natural and artificial light features.Practical implicationsThe BID-M was seen as a human centered design tool that is useful to evaluate biophilic design features in the built environment.Originality/valueOverall, the BID-M appears to be useful throughout the design process to ultimately support well-being. The participants' cultural background expands use of the BID-M and provides opportunities for additional cultural applications of biophilic design and future research. The BID-M offers additional language for incorporating biophilic design as well as serving to educate and guide feature selection.
Moderating effect of project size on the relationship between COVID-19 safety protocols and economic performance of construction projects
Authors: Onubi Hilary Omatule , Hassan Ahmad Sanusi , Yusof Nor'Aini , Bahdad Ali Ahmed Salem 
Published: March 2022

PurposeThe COVID-19 health crisis has brought about a set of extra health and safety regulations, and procedures to the construction industry which could influence projects' economic performance (EP). The aim of this paper is to examine the effect of adopting COVID-19 safety protocols on construction sites on the economic performance (EP) of construction projects.Design/methodology/approachEmploying the survey method using a structured questionnaire, data were collected from small- and large-sized construction projects in Nigeria and analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) technique.FindingsThe findings reveal that job re-organization and sanitization have negative significant effects on EP, while social distancing and specific training have no effect on EP. Furthermore, project size moderates the relationship between job re-organization, sanitization, specific training and EP with the stronger effect on the relationships observed in big projects, except for the relationship between sanitization and EP where the moderating relationship is stronger in small projects. However, there is no significant moderating effect of project size on the relationship between social distancing and EP.Practical implicationsAs construction project sites continue to operate amidst strict safety protocols, this study offers theoretical and practical insights on how construction projects can adhere to the safety protocols while performing economically.Originality/valueThe originality of this study's findings stems from the fact that it is among the first to provide greater insight on how construction projects have fared economically considering the impact of the various COVID-19 protocols.
The impact of balanced scorecard in estimating the performance of banks in Palestine
Authors: Abueid Raed , Rehman Shafique Ur , Nguyen Nhat Tan 
Published: March 2022

PurposeThis study aims to see the influence of a balanced scorecard (BSC) to determine the performance of banks in Palestine. Among the institutions that influence the economy of any country is the banking sector. Despite the influence of this sector on the economic policies and implementation in Palestine, there appears to be the difficulty of the appropriate approach to measuring its performance. Various techniques have failed to be efficient and effective. It creates an impulse to investigate the impact of a BSC in estimating the performance of banks in Palestine.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopted a descriptive design of the ex-post facto type with a sample of 126 senior bank staff randomly selected from fourteen Palestinian banks. In total, 3 hypotheses were raised and tested using Pearson's product-moment correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis at 0.05 level of significance.FindingsThe result showed that bank performance positively correlated with internal business process perspective (r = 0.633, p < 0.01), followed by customers’ perspective (r = 0.338, p < 0.01), financial perspective (r = 0.321, p < 0.01) and learning and growth perspective (r = 0.230, p < 0.01). While regression analysis showed that the most potent factor was internal business process perspective (Beta = 0.670, t = 10.320, p < 0.01), followed by learning and growth perspective (Beta = 0.185, t = 2.812, p < 0.01) and customers’ perspective (Beta = 0.150, t = 2.469, p < 0.05) and financial perspective (Beta = 0.100, t = 2.200, p < 0.05). This implies that a unit increase in internal business process perspective, learning and growth perspective and customer's perspective will increase bank performance by 67%, 18.5%, 15% and 10%, respectively.Practical implicationsAmong others, it was recommended that employees be exposed to the BSC model and its principles through continuous train as to ensure adequate application and implementation for enhanced bank performance. Administrators and stakeholders should ensure that the properties of each dimension of the BSC model are adequately worked on for easy fulfillment of the potentials in the model. It creates an avenue for a full-fledge organization with a workable customer, financial, internal business process, learning and growth perspective.Originality/valueThis is an initial study that used a BSC to determine the performance of banks in Palestine. Prior researchers overlook BSC dimensions composite and relative effect on the prediction of bank performance in Palestine.
Do board characteristics play a moderating role in M&A decisions of family firms?
Authors: Raithatha Mehul , Ladkani Radha 
Published: March 2022

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the moderating effect of the board of directors on the strategic decisions made by family firms, and to understand the board attributes that can alleviate the aversion of family-owned firms toward mergers and acquisitions (M&A).Design/methodology/approachThe study uses a sample of several firms listed in India from 2006 to 2019 with 19,813 firm-year observations. The empirical tests have been performed using logistic and negative binomial regressions. The study also tests for endogeneity with the help of Heckman (1979) two-step treatment effects model.FindingsThe study shows that board characteristics like smaller board-size, presence of outside directors, lower intensity of board activity, presence of busier board members and separation of board chair and CEO positions alleviate the inhibition of family firms toward M&A.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings imply that investors and policymakers can encourage family firms to have smaller boards, more independent directors, passive boards and CEO nonduality to reduce their aversion toward risky activities. Family-owned firms could consider a board comprising members with multiple directorships who can bring wider knowledge and expertise which can reduce the perceived threat to socioemotional wealth (SEW) and alleviate their aversion toward M&A.Originality/valueOwnership concentration in family firms posits a unique challenge in terms of their aversion toward M&A. This study is one of the few that highlight the relevance of the monitoring and advisory role of the board in alleviating this aversion in an emerging market like India.
Developing a learning-to-learn capability: insights on conditions for Industry 4.0 adoption
Authors: Saabye Henrik , Kristensen Thomas Borup , Wæhrens Brian Vejrum 
Published: March 2022

PurposeThis paper investigates how manufacturers can develop a learning-to-learn capability for enabling Industry 4.0 adoption.Design/methodology/approachThis research design is guided by our research question: How can manufacturers develop a learning-to-learn capability that enables Industry 4.0 adoption? The authors adopt action research to generate actionable knowledge from a two-year-long action learning intervention at the Danish rooftop window manufacturer VELUX.FindingsDrawing on emergent insights from the action learning intervention, it was found that a learning-to-learn capability based on lean was a core construct and enabler for manufacturers to adopt Industry 4.0 successfully. Institutionalizing an organizational learning scaffold encompassing the intertwined learning processes of systems Alpha, Beta and Gamma served as a significant way to develop a learning-to-learn capability for Industry 4.0 adoption (systematic problem-solving abilities, leaders as learning facilitators, presence of a supportive learning environment and Industry 4.0 knowledge). Moreover, group coaching is a practical action learning intervention for invoking system Gamma and developing leaders to become learning facilitators – an essential leadership role during Industry 4.0 adoption.Originality/valueThe study contributes to theory and practice by adopting action research and action learning to explore learning-to-learn as a core construct for enabling Industry 4.0 adoption and providing a set of conditions for developing a learning-to-learn capability. Furthermore, the study reveals that leaders are required to act as learning facilitators instead of relying on learning about and implementing Industry 4.0 best practices for enabling adoption.
Demographic correction—A tool for inference from individuals to populations
Authors: Klimeš Adam , Klimešová Jitka , Janovský Zdeněk , Herben Tomáš 
Published: March 2022

Abstract

Estimation of responses of organisms to their environment using experimental manipulations, and comparison of such responses across sets of species, is one of the primary tools in ecology research. The most common approach is to compare the response of a single life stage of species to an environmental factor and use this information to draw conclusions about population dynamics of these species. Such approach ignores the fact that interspecific fitness differences measured at a single life stage are not directly comparable and cannot be extrapolated to lifetime fitness of individuals and thus species’ population dynamics. Comparison of one life stage only while omitting demographic information can strongly bias conclusions, both in experimental studies with a few species and in large comparative studies.

We illustrate the effect of this omission using both an exaggerated fictitious example and biological data on congeneric species differing in their demography. We are showing, taking simple assumptions, that different demography can completely revert conclusions reached by a comparison based on an experiment focusing on a single life stage.

We show that a ‘demographic correction’, namely translating observed effects into differences in outcomes of demographic models, is a solution to this problem. It requires turning the detected effects from the experiment into changes of transition probabilities of projection matrix models. Although such solution is limited by the low number of species with demographic data available, we believe that existing data (and data likely to be collected in the near future) permit at least approximate handling of this problem.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Blood trail of expansion? Long‐term patterns of livestock depredation by wolves in Poland
Authors: Fedyń Izabela , Bojarska Katarzyna , Gerber Nina , Okarma Henryk 
Published: March 2022

AbstractAs the wolf Canis lupus populations continue to recover across Europe, livestock depredation becomes increasingly challenging for their effective conservation. We aim to (1) analyze the spatiotemporal variation in wolf attacks on livestock in relation to the landscape structure, livestock species, and the phase of wolf expansion in Poland and (2) discuss the implications for conservation and management in an expanding, protected wolf population. From 2008 to 2018, farmers reported 5499 attacks on livestock with 13,164 killed individuals, and the number of attacks increased 2.7‐fold at the country scale. Sheep were among the most frequently killed livestock, and surplus killing (>2 killed individuals) was relatively common in captive deer and sheep depredation. The attacks were patchily distributed; 59% of all kills occurred in municipalities constituting 1% of the country surface. The probability and number of attacks were positively influenced by forest and pasture cover, and by the occurrence of depredation in previous years. Spatial variation and long‐term dynamics in livestock depredation by wolves can be attributed to different husbandry practices and phases of wolf recovery in three regions of the country. Our results indicate that accelerating increase in depredation rates during the initial phases of wolf recovery is likely to be followed by stabilization or decrease in attacks. A detailed spatiotemporal analysis of wolf–livestock conflict can help in management decisions in areas with ongoing wolf population recovery.
Towards standardized and reproducible research in skin microbiomes
Authors: Ruuskanen Matti O. , Vats Deepti , Potbhare Renuka , RaviKumar Ameeta , Munukka Eveliina , Ashma Richa , Lahti Leo 
Published: March 2022

SummarySkin is a complex organ serving a critical role as a barrier and mediator of interactions between the human body and its environment. Recent studies have uncovered how resident microbial communities play a significant role in maintaining the normal healthy function of the skin and the immune system. In turn, numerous host‐associated and environmental factors influence these communities' composition and diversity across the cutaneous surface. In addition, specific compositional changes in skin microbiota have also been connected to the development of several chronic diseases. The current era of microbiome research is characterized by its reliance on large data sets of nucleotide sequences produced with high‐throughput sequencing of sample‐extracted DNA. These approaches have yielded new insights into many previously uncharacterized microbial communities. Application of standardized practices in the study of skin microbial communities could help us understand their complex structures, functional capacities, and health associations and increase the reproducibility of the research. Here, we overview the current research in human skin microbiomes and outline challenges specific to their study. Furthermore, we provide perspectives on recent advances in methods, analytical tools and applications of skin microbiomes in medicine and forensics.
Microplastics reduce soil microbial network complexity and ecological deterministic selection
Authors: Shi Jia , Sun Yuanze , Wang Xiang , Wang Jie 
Published: March 2022

SummaryMicroplastics have been proposed as emerging threats for terrestrial systems as they may potentially alter the physicochemical/biophysical soil environments. Due to the variety of properties of microplastics and soils, the microplastic‐induced effects in soil ecosystems are greatly manifold. Here, we studied effects of three polymer microplastics (polyamide‐6, polyethylene, and polyethylene terephthalate) on soil properties with four different soil types. The success patterns, interaction relationships, and assembly processes of soil bacterial communities were also studied. Microplastics have the potential to promote CO2 emissions and enhance the soil humification. Even though microplastics did not significantly alter the diversity and composition of the soil microbial community, the application of microplastics decreased the network complexity and stability, including network size, connectivity, and the number of module and keystone species. The bacterial community assembly was governed by deterministic selection (77.3%–90.9%) in all treatments, while microplastics increased the contribution of stochastic processes from 9.1% in control to 13.6%–22.7%. The neutral model results also indicated most of the bacterial taxa were present in the predicted neutral region (approximately 98%), suggesting the importance of stochastic processes. These findings provided a fundamental insight in understanding the effects of microplastics on soil ecosystems.
Substrate composition influences amino acid carbon isotope profiles of fungi: implications for tracing fungal contributions to food webs
Authors: Arsenault Emily R. , Liew Jia Huan , Hopkins Jacob R. 
Published: March 2022

SummaryFungi link detrital resources and metazoan consumers through their role as decomposers. However, fungal contributions to metazoans may be misestimated in amino acid isotope studies because fungi are capable of both synthesizing amino acids (AAs)de novoand absorbing AAs from their environment. While fungi cultured in AA‐free media have been used to represent fungi in studies of natural environments, fungi likely gain energetic benefits by taking up substrate AAs directlyin situ. Consequently, fungi cultured on AA‐free media may not be representative of the true variability of natural fungal δ13CAAprofiles. Therefore, the objective of this experiment was to determine the effect of substrate AA availability on yeast δ13CAAprofiles. We found that yeasts cultured in media of relatively higher AA content had different δ13CAAprofiles than yeasts grown in AA‐free media, in part because yeasts utilized two essential AAs (Leu and Val) directly from media substrates when available in sufficient amounts. Furthermore, these differences among yeast δ13CAAprofiles remained after normalization of δ13CAAvalues. We recommend further characterization of the variation in fungal δ13CAAprofiles and the incorporation of this potential variability into interpretations of basal resource use by metazoans.
Exploring the influence of gender dysphoria in eating disorders among gender diverse individuals
Authors: Joy Phillip , White Megan , Jones Shaleen 
Published: March 2022

AbstractAimEating concerns, disordered eating and eating disorders have been noted to negatively impact the health and wellbeing of sexual and gender diverse individuals. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of gender diverse Canadians accessing treatment for eating disorders or disordered eating concerns to gain a deeper understanding of how dietitians and other health providers can provide gender affirming care.MethodsSeven self‐identifying gender diverse participants were recruited and took part in semi‐structured interviews. Most participants identified as white. Data was analysed using thematic analysis.ResultsFour themes around gender dysphoria were constructed from the data, including gender dysphoria and eating disorders, barriers to accessing eating disorder treatments, harmful eating disorder treatment strategies and suggestions for eating disorder programmers and health professionals.ConclusionGender dysphoria considerations were believed to be lacking in traditional eating disorder treatment programs. Participants saw the need for more awareness and training in this area for dietitians and other health professionals.
Plant collections for conservation and restoration: Can they be adapted and adaptable?
Authors: Bragg Jason G. , van der Merwe Marlien , Yap Jia‐Yee Samantha , Borevitz Justin , Rossetto Maurizio 
Published: March 2022

AbstractPlant collections are important for the conservation of threatened species, and can provide material for ecological restoration. Typically we want collections to have high genetic diversity so populations founded from it are adaptable to future challenges. Sometimes, we have additional objectives for collections, such as enrichment for desirable traits controlled by adaptive alleles. We used landscape genomic data sets for two plants,Westringia fruticosaandWilkiea huegeliana, to design collections that are genetically diverse, and that are adapted to warming climates. We characterized temperature adaptation by: (i) using the mean annual temperature of the sites of origin of the plants, and (ii) using the representation of alleles that are associated with warm temperatures. InWestringia fruticosa, there was a negative correlation, or tradeoff, between designing a collection that was both genetically diverse and adapted to warm temperatures. This tradeoff was weaker inWilkiea huegeliana. We hypothesized this was because neutral genetic variation was strongly correlated with temperature inWestringia fruticosa, and not inWilkiea huegeliana. Accordingly, when we shuffled the temperature data, breaking up the covariance betweenWestringia fruticosagenetic variation and temperature, there was a relaxation of the observed tradeoff. In summary, we explore tradeoffs between promoting genetic diversity and selecting for a specific trait in plant collections, and show that the strength of this tradeoff varies between two species. This represents a useful step towards understanding when selection will have a large cost in genetic diversity, and when it will be possible to design a collection that is both adapted and adaptable.
Sex moderates effects of alcohol and cannabis co‐use on alcohol and stress reactivity
Authors: Claus Eric D. , Blaine Sara K. , Witkiewitz Katie , Ansell Emily B. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBackgroundSimultaneous or concurrent use (co‐use) of alcohol and cannabis is associated with greater use of both substances over time, academic difficulties, more severe substance use consequences, and adverse impacts on cognitive functioning than the use of a single substance or no substance use. This study examined potential neural mechanisms underlying co‐use behaviors in comparison to single substance use. Specifically, we compared alcohol cue reactivity and stress‐cue reactivity among individuals who reported frequent same‐day co‐use of alcohol and cannabis and individuals who reported only alcohol use.MethodsThe sample included 88 individuals (41 women) who reported only alcohol use and 24 individuals (8 women) who reported co‐use of alcohol and cannabis on at least 50% of drinking occasions. All participants completed fMRI stress and alcohol cue reactivity tasks. Because of known sex effects on stress reactivity and alcohol cue reactivity, we tested sex by co‐use interactions.ResultsDuring alcohol cue presentation, co‐users had less activation in the thalamus and dorsomedial prefrontal cortex than alcohol‐only users, effects that were driven by differences in responses to neutral cues. Examination of stress cue reactivity revealed sex by co‐use interactions in the lingual gyrus, with women co‐users showing a greater difference between negative and neutral cue reactivity than all other groups. In addition, women co‐users had greater connectivity between the nucleus accumbens and both the medial orbitofrontal cortex and the rostral anterior cingulate cortex during negative cue presentation than the other groups.ConclusionsThese results provide preliminary evidence of enhanced stress cue reactivity in individuals reporting co‐use of alcohol and cannabis, particularly women co‐users.