scholarly journals Breaking the spell of nestedness

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clàudia Payrató Borrás ◽  
Laura Hernández ◽  
Yamir Moreno
Keyword(s):  
Species Coexistence ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Bipartite Network ◽  
Degree Sequences ◽  
Natural Systems ◽  
Interacting Species ◽  
Mutualistic Interactions ◽  
Local Properties ◽  
Nested Structure

AbstractMutualistic interactions, which are beneficial for both interacting species, are recurrently present in ecosystems. Observations of natural systems showed that, if we draw mutualistic relationships as binary links between species, the resulting bipartite network of interactions displays a widespread particular ordering called nestedness [1]. On the other hand, theoretical works have shown that a nested structure has a positive impact on a number of relevant features ranging from species coexistence [2], to a higher structural stability of communities and biodiversity [3,4]. However, how nestedness emerges and what are its determinants, are still open challenges that have led to multiple debates to date [5–7]. Here, we show, by applying a theoretical approach to the analysis of 167 real mutualistic networks, that nestedness is not an irreducible feature, but a consequence of the degree sequences of both guilds of the mutualistic network. Remarkably, we find that an outstanding majority of the analyzed networks does not show statistical significant nestedness. These findings point to the need of revising previous claims about the role of nestedness and might contribute to expand our understanding of how evolution shapes mutualistic interactions and communities by placing the focus on the local properties rather than on global quantities.

scholarly journals Significance of the Nested Structure in Multiplex World Trade Networks

Complexity ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Zhuo-Ming Ren ◽  
Xiao Pan ◽  
Yi-Cheng Zhang
Keyword(s):  
World Trade ◽  
Null Model ◽  
Network Size ◽  
Network Density ◽  
Degree Sequences ◽  
Matrix Size ◽  
Trade Networks ◽  
Degree Correlation ◽  
Nested Structure

The hierarchically nested structure is widely observed in a broad range of real systems, encompassing ecological networks, economic and trade networks, communication networks, among many others. However, there remain statistical challenges of the prevalence of nestedness. In response to this problem, we focus on the effect of incomplete information and the inputted matrix size, the role of network density and degree sequences, and the relevance of degree-degree correlation to conduct systematic research on the significance of the nested structure according to multiplex world trade networks. Firstly, the nested structure can observe significantly when suffering incomplete information and varying inputted matrix size. Secondly, to analyze the role of network density and degree sequences in nested structure, we use “swappable rows, swappable columns” null model which conserves the network size and density, and “fixed in-degree, fixed out-degree” null model which not only preserves the network size and density but also keeps node degree to do randomization tests of nestedness. The randomizations of two null models remark that most nested structures are not determined by network density and degree sequences but closely related to them. Finally, we investigate degree-degree correlation in nested networks, and the results show that the nested structure is negatively related with degree-degree correlation of the network. Following the empirical analysis train of thought, we argue that nestedness is still a unique feature of the network.

Potential effect of pharmaceutical care to improve outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease-mineral bone disorder in Sulaimani dialysis centers

2020 ◽  
pp. 82-94
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Kidney Disease ◽  
Kidney Disease ◽  
Pharmaceutical Care ◽  
Biochemical Parameters ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Potential Effect ◽  
Care Group ◽  
Mineral Bone Disorder ◽  
Bone Disorder

Objective: the present study was aimed to evaluate the role of pharmaceutical services in improving the outcome of mineral bone disorder in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease. Methodology: One hundred and twenty patients with chronic kidney disease-mineral bone disorder (CKD-MBD) screened for eligibility, seventy-six patients enrolled in the study and randomly allocated into two groups: pharmaceutical care and usual care, both groups interviewed by the pharmacist using specific questionnaire for assessing the quality of life (QoL). All the drug related problems (DRPs) including drug-drug interactions (DDIs) were recorded by the pharmacist. Blood samples were collected and utilized for analyzing the levels of vitamin D, phosphorous, calcium, albumin and parathyroid hormone at baseline and three months after. The pharmaceutical care group received all the educations about their medications and how to minimize DRPs; improve the QoL. Additionally, the pharmaceutical intervention included correcting the biochemical parameters. Results: Pharmaceutical care significantly improved patients QoL and minimized DRPs and DDIs. It was also effective in improving the biochemical parameters. Conclusion: Pharmaceutical care has a positive impact on improving the outcome of patients with CKD-MBD through attenuating DRPs, improving the biochemical parameters and the QoL.

Strategic Role of Zakat in Multidimensional Quality of Life in Sijunjung, Indonesia

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-72
Author(s):  
Herlin Hamimi ◽  
Abdul Ghafar Ismail ◽  
Muhammad Hasbi Zaenal
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Wealth Distribution ◽  
Absolute Poverty ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Status ◽  
Being There ◽  
The Impact

Zakat is one of the five pillars of Islam which has a function of faith, social and economic functions. Muslims who can pay zakat are required to give at least 2.5 per cent of their wealth. The problem of poverty prevalent in disadvantaged regions because of the difficulty of access to information and communication led to a gap that is so high in wealth and resources. The instrument of zakat provides a paradigm in the achievement of equitable wealth distribution and healthy circulation. Zakat potentially offers a better life and improves the quality of human being. There is a human quality improvement not only in economic terms but also in spiritual terms such as improving religiousity. This study aims to examine the role of zakat to alleviate humanitarian issues in disadvantaged regions such as Sijunjung, one of zakat beneficiaries and impoverished areas in Indonesia. The researcher attempted a Cibest method to capture the impact of zakat beneficiaries before and after becoming a member of Zakat Community Development (ZCD) Program in material and spiritual value. The overall analysis shows that zakat has a positive impact on disadvantaged regions development and enhance the quality of life of the community. There is an improvement in the average of mustahik household incomes after becoming a member of ZCD Program. Cibest model demonstrates that material, spiritual, and absolute poverty index decreased by 10, 5, and 6 per cent. Meanwhile, the welfare index is increased by 21 per cent. These findings have significant implications for developing the quality of life in disadvantaged regions in Sijunjung. Therefore, zakat is one of the instruments to change the status of disadvantaged areas to be equivalent to other areas.

Employees’ Motivation for Creating International Business Venture: The Role of Perceived Competence and Job Satisfaction

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anh D. Pham ◽  
Men T. Bui ◽  
Dung P. Hoang
Keyword(s):  
Job Satisfaction ◽  
International Business ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Entrepreneurial Intention ◽  
Perceived Competence ◽  
Equation Model ◽  
Network Building ◽  
Perceived Desirability

This research investigates the determinants of entrepreneurial intention among Vietnamese employees, a crucial segment of potential entrepreneurs yet mostly neglected in previous studies. Given the focus on intention to create an international business venture and the working segment, we expand the entrepreneurial event theory by supplementing perceived competence and job satisfaction as determinants of entrepreneurial intention while testing the mediation of perceived feasibility and perceived desirability in such relationships correspondingly. Three focus groups on 27 Vietnamese employees were conducted to explore the specific relevant competences and develop the conceptual model. Afterwards, data from an empirical survey on 567 Vietnamese employees was analysed using a partial least squares structural equation model to test the hypothesised relationships. The empirical results indicate that perceived competences, viz. administrative competence, communication skills, network building competence, and international business expertise have a positive impact on entrepreneurial intention. The relationships between either administrative competence, network building capacity or international business expertise, and entrepreneurial intention are totally mediated by perceived feasibility. The study also reveals a noteworthy finding about the negative direct effect of overall job satisfaction on entrepreneurial intention and the partial mediating role of perceived desirability in this relationship.

scholarly journals The Prognostic and Predictive Role of Somatic BRCA Mutations in Ovarian Cancer: Results from a Multicenter Cohort Study

Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 565
Author(s):  
Angela Toss ◽  
Claudia Piombino ◽  
Elena Tenedini ◽  
Alessandra Bologna ◽  
Elisa Gasparini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ovarian Cancer ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Progression Free Survival ◽  
Molecular Testing ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Brca Mutations ◽  
Multicenter Cohort Study ◽  
Advanced Stages ◽  
Predictive Role

Previous research involving epithelial ovarian cancer patients showed that, compared to germline BRCA (gBRCA) mutations, somatic BRCA (sBRCA) mutations present a similar positive impact with regard to overall survival (OS) and platinum and PARP (poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase) inhibitor sensitivity. Nevertheless, molecular testing in these studies did not include copy number variation (CNV) analyses of BRCA genes. The aim of this study was to explore the prognostic and predictive role of sBRCA mutations as compared to gBRCA mutations in patients who were also tested for CNVs. Among the 158 patients included in the study, 17.09% of patients carried a pathogenic or likely pathogenic gBRCA variant and 15.19% of patients presented pathogenetic or likely pathogenic sBRCA variants and/or CNVs. Overall, 81.6% of the patients included in this study were diagnosed with a serous histotype, and 77.2% were in advanced stages. Among women diagnosed in advanced stages, gBRCA patients showed better progression-free survival and OS as compared to sBRCA and wild-type patients, whereas sBRCA patients did not show any advantage in outcome as compared to wild-type patients. In this study, the introduction of CNV analyses increased the detection rate of sBRCA mutations, and the resulting classification among gBRCA, sBRCA and wild-type patients was able to properly stratify the prognosis of OC patients. Particularly, sBRCA mutation patients failed to show any outcome advantage as compared to wild-type patients.

scholarly journals Resident-Tourist Value Co-Creation in the Intangible Cultural Heritage Tourism Context: The Role of Residents’ Perception of Tourism Development and Emotional Solidarity

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 1369
Author(s):  
Tianning Lan ◽  
Zhiyue Zheng ◽  
Di Tian ◽  
Rui Zhang ◽  
Rob Law ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Heritage Tourism ◽  
Tourism Development ◽  
Intangible Cultural Heritage ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Local Residents ◽  
Emotional Solidarity ◽  
Cultural Heritage Tourism

The value co-creation behavior of residents can contribute to the sustainable development of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) tourism. This paper aims to provide a theoretical framework that uses “cognition–affection–behavior” theory to explain how the two variables of tourism development perception and emotional solidarity affect the value co-creation participation behavior of the local residents in the context of intangible cultural heritage tourism while considering the mediating role of emotional solidarity. This study empirically investigates Meizhou Island in Fujian Province, China as an example by using a structural equation model (SEM). Results show that the perception of local residents toward the benefits of tourism development has a significant positive impact on their emotional solidarity and value co-creation participation behavior, whereas their perception toward the costs of tourism development has a significant negative impact. In addition, the emotional solidarity of these residents has a significant positive impact on their value co-creation participation and plays a mediating role in the relationship between the tourism development perceptions of local residents and their value co-creation participation behavior. This study has important theoretical and practical significance for the management of ICH tourist destinations.

scholarly journals Exploring the Relationship between Communication and Success of Construction Projects: The Mediating Role of Conflict

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 4513
Author(s):  
Summaira Malik ◽  
Muhammad Taqi ◽  
José Moleiro Martins ◽  
Mário Nuno Mata ◽  
João Manuel Pereira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Project Success ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Construction Project ◽  
Project Team ◽  
Relationship Conflict ◽  
Team Members ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
The Impact

The success of a construction project is a widely discussed topic, even today, and there exists a difference of opinion. The impact of communication and conflict on project success is an important, but least addressed, issue in literature, especially in the case of underdeveloped countries. Miscommunication and conflict not only hinder the success of a project but also may lead to conflicts. The focus of this paper was to examine the impact of communication on project success with the mediating role of conflict. By using SPSS, demographics, descriptive statistics and correlation were determined. Smart PLS version 3.0 was used for confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), internal accuracy and validity estimates, hypothesis checking and mediation testing. The results showed that formal communication has a negative impact on the success of a construction project, resulting in conflicts among project team members, whereas informal communication and communication willingness have a positive impact on project success because people tend to know each other, and trust is developed. Task, process and relationship conflicts were used as mediating variables. It was found that task conflict effects the relations positively because project team members suggest different ways to do a certain task, and, hence, project success is achieved. On the contrary, process conflict and relationship conflict have a negative impact on communication and project success. Both of these conflicts lead to miscommunication, and project success is compromised. Hence, it is the responsibility of the project manager to enhance communication among project team members and to reduce the detrimental effects of process and relationship conflict on project success.

scholarly journals Does Employee Care Trigger Innovation Under a Healthy and Safe Working Environment? Evidence from the Pharmaceutical Industry in China

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 194
Author(s):  
Minghui Yang ◽  
Qian Lin ◽  
Petra Maresova
Keyword(s):  
Safety Management ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Firm Innovation ◽  
Corporate Managers ◽  
Pharmaceutical Firms ◽  
Corporate Ability ◽  
Safe Working

Sustainability of the workforce becomes a crucial issue, of which responsible care for employees can increase job satisfaction and human capital that impact corporate ability to absorb and generate new knowledge. Firms are obligated to provide a healthy and safe working environment for their employees, but it may in turn hinder innovation due to rigid and structured institutional regulations. Drawing on data of 308 China’s pharmaceutical firms from 2010 to 2017, we investigated whether employee care can trigger innovation under corporate adoption of the occupational health and safety management system (OHSMS). Our results suggest that both employee care and OHSMS adoption have a positive impact on innovation. Moreover, the positive relationship between employee care and innovation was more pronounced in firms that had adopted the OHSMS certification. These findings are valuable to policymakers and corporate managers in emerging economies through corroborating the important role of workforce sustainability in facilitating firm innovation.

scholarly journals Ineffective Feeding Practices and Their Effect on Malocclusion: A Narrative Review

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pratima R. Mokashi ◽  
Srikala Bhandary
Keyword(s):  
Positive Impact ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Normal Growth ◽  
Feeding Practices ◽  
Bottle Feeding ◽  
Narrative Review ◽  
World Health ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Nutritive Sucking

Abstract Objective The aim of this narrative review is to highlight the association of ineffective feeding practices with the development of malocclusion in children and the role of a pediatric dentist in identifying the cues and signs of improper feeds, and encourage effective breastfeeding practices. Introduction There has been an ongoing debate on the role of effective breastfeeding in the prevention of malocclusion. Although no specific claim supports the positive impact of the same, a detailed reviewing of the literature helps to identify the method of feeding to be chosen considering health benefits and personal preference. Materials and Methods A broad search of all resources linked to the topic was performed in PubMed, Medline, World Health Organization web site, government web sites, and Google Scholar search engine. Keywords used in the search included breastfeeding, ineffective breastfeeding, bottle feeding, pacifier, and malocclusion. A total of 60 articles published in the period from 2000 to 2019 were segregated. Selected articles comprised original research, meta-analysis, and systematic reviews. Results Parameters such as duration, posture, and non-nutritive sucking habits had an impact on effective breastfeeding. Discussion Effective breastfeeding and maintaining appropriate posture and duration helps to positively impact the normal growth and development of the jaws, muscular functioning, and speech. Thereby, the risk of developing malocclusion in primary dentition can be prevented. Conclusion An understanding of the role of breastfeeding and malocclusion will help in the early intervention and prevention of malocclusion and deviated muscular function. Highlighting the role of counseling and effective feeding practices is also an area that should be focused upon by budding clinicians.

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