bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Twofold impact of experiential marketing: manufacturer brand and hosting retailer
Authors: Levy Shalom , Gendel Guterman Hanna
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Experiential marketing is a technique through which companies enhance their promotional marketing with extensive sensory and imagery appeal in order to intensify consumers' experience. The purpose of this current empirical study is to address this strategy and suggests a conceptual framework to explain consumer attitude and behavior toward the promoted brand and the retailer store. Consumers' psychographic characteristics were added to enhance the novelty of the study.

Design/methodology/approach

An experiential stimulating environment was created in a real retail store location. The study employs data collected during the experiential demonstration.

Findings

The path model suggests that the intensity of the experience evokes an affective response toward the promoted brand and an indirect response toward the hosting retailer. Psychographic characteristics, such as the tendency to socialize and extrinsic cues, were found to moderate the effect of experiential marketing.

Practical implications

Product manufacturers and suppliers can use experiential marketing techniques to improve affective and cognitive responses toward their products and brands. Experiential promotion should also be strategically encouraged by retailers because it creates a recreational shopping experience that enhances the retailer's image.

Originality/value

The study is among the few empirical works that examine real-life settings and the double impact of experiential marketing on brand image and the retailer's store image. The study contributes to the existing literature by suggesting a path analysis model toward brand and store images, which combines the effect of experiential marketing with psychographic characteristics.
Museum experience and satisfaction: moderating role of visiting frequency
Authors: Preko Alexander , Gyepi-Garbrah Theophilus Francis , Arkorful Helen , Akolaa Andrews Adugudaa , Quansah Fidelis
Published: August 2020

Purpose

This paper aims at investigating how tourist experience elicits satisfaction and contributes to loyalty and willingness to pay more for a museum destination. The study also investigates the significant moderating role of visiting frequency on the relationship between satisfaction and willingness to pay more.

Design/methodology/approach

The research was conducted with 385 tourists who visited the National Museum in Ghana and answered questions relating to experience, satisfaction, loyalty, and willingness to pay more. Structural equation modelling was used to test the relationships and effects of the adapted constructs.

Findings

The results revealed the significant effects of tourist experience on satisfaction, as well as the significant effects of satisfaction on loyalty and willingness to pay more. In addition, a significant moderating effect of visiting frequency was reported on the relationship between satisfaction and tourist willingness to pay more.

Research limitations/implications

The research is destination-specific. The application of the findings to other museums would demand a bigger sample size for generalisation to be made.

Practical implications

Managers should develop strategies that promote museum tourist travelling experience, satisfaction, desire and choice, and thereby attract more tourists to museum sites.

Originality/value

The research contributes to the growing literature on museum tourist experience as an important variable in promoting tourist satisfaction, loyalty, and tourist willingness to pay more.
Developing an eMarketing model for tourism and hospitality: a keyword analysis
Authors: Chiang Chang-Tang
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Tourism and hospitality are industries that have been dramatically transformed by information technology (IT). This study aims to use a keyword analysis to quantitatively review how IT reshaped these industries.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 3,282 keywords were collected from 24 high-impact tourism and hospitality journals and a social network analysis was used for the analysis.

Findings

This study contributes to research and practice by providing a visual digital knowledge map for tourism and hospitality, and seven research hotspots were identified from the results of the keyword analysis.

Research limitations/implications

A parsimonious eMarketing model for tourism and hospitality is proposed to direct future studies concerning these themes and guide practitioners in allocating the appropriate resources for IT investment.

Originality/value

This map not only identifies seven themes that explain, which and how IT-related factors influence tourism and hospitality but also demonstrates the patterns and intellectual structure of the related body of knowledge. The trend analysis indicates how IT transforms the tourism and hospitality industries in terms of mode and scope.
Working from home, job satisfaction and work–life balance – robust or heterogeneous links?
Authors: Bellmann Lutz , Hübler Olaf
Published: August 2020

Purpose

It is analyzed whether working from home improves or impairs the job satisfaction and the work–life balance and under which conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

Blocks of influences on job satisfaction and work–life balance – personal traits, job characteristics, skills and employment properties – are estimated separately and in combination. To select the variables, the least angle regression is applied. The entropy balancing approach is used to determine causal effects. The study investigates whether imbalances are determined by private or job influences, whether firm-specific regulations and the selected control group affect the results and whether it only takes place during leisure time.

Findings

No clear effects of remote work on job satisfaction are revealed, but the impact on work–life balance is generally negative. If the imbalance is conditioned by private interests, this is not corroborated in contrast to job conditioned features. Employees working from home are happier than those who want to work at home, job satisfaction is higher and work–life balance is not worse under a strict contractual agreement than under a nonbinding commitment.

Originality/value

A wide range of personality traits, skills, employment properties and job characteristics are incorporated as determinants. The problem of causality is investigated. It is analyzed whether the use of alternative control and treatment groups leads to different results. The empirical investigation is based on new German data with three waves.
“Strive harder and don't lose hope”: sexual exploitation of male youth in the sex trade in Manila
Authors: Davis Jarrett D. , Miles Glenn Michael
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to understand the vulnerabilities of male youth in the sex trade in Manila, Philippines. Using purposive and a modified respondent-driven sampling methodology, interviews were conducted with 51 young males working as masseurs in the Metro Manila area exploring a wide range of their experiences and vulnerabilities throughout the work including physical, sexual and emotional violence. The mixed method, mostly qualitative research is based on similar surveys conducted throughout the South and South Asia regions.

Design/methodology/approach

Research on sexual exploitation of boys and men has largely focused on sexual health and prevention of HIV (Human Rights Watch Philippines, 2004). This research uniquely focuses on a broader range of vulnerabilities for males in the sex trade.

Findings

Qualitative discussions reveal instances of forced sex that can take a variety of forms, including physical force and/or violence or coercion involving bribes, verbal abuse or other forms of pressure to provide sexual services. Data also demonstrate stigma and discrimination outside of sex work. This study provides a qualitative assessment of the broader male-to-male sex industry within the Metro-Manila area, including escort services and both direct and indirect male sex work.

Originality/value

For observers, who consider male sexual abuse to be free of violence or discrimination, this provides evidence to the contrary and considerations for organizations that are able to provide funding to support their needs. Education of those involved in addressing the prevention of sexual exploitation should include gendered differences.
Do ‘Shariah’ indices surpass conventional indices? A study on Dhaka Stock Exchange
Authors: Aarif Md. Bokhtiar Hasan , Rafiq Muhammad Rafiqul Islam , Wahid Abu N.M.
Published: August 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to examine whether the Sharīʿah indices outperform the conventional indices as evident from Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE). To achieve the objective, the study, first, assesses the risk adjusted returns of the Sharīʿah and conventional indices and compares the same between the two indices. Second, it examines the short-run and long-run associations between the two indices.

Design/methodology/approach

The DSEX Sharīʿah index and DSE broad index of the DSE are used as representatives of the Sharīʿah and conventional indices, respectively. The study uses monthly data for the period 2014–2018 and applies a number of techniques such as risk adjusted returns, Johansen’s cointegration test, vector error correction model, Granger causality test, forecast error variance decomposition and impulse response functions techniques.

Findings

The study reveals that albeit there is no significant difference in simple mean between the two indices, the Sharīʿah index outperforms its conventional counterpart based on the risk adjusted returns. The two indices are associated only in the long-run, while no causal relationship is spotted between them. The overall results show that the Sharīʿah index has dominance over the conventional index in Bangladesh.

Research limitations/implications

The study could use more pairs of indices, including additional variables such as financial crisis and macroeconomic variables.

Practical implications

The study has important implications to investors, especially the religious Muslims and ethical ones, who are suggested to invest their funds in the Sharīʿah index without sacrificing returns, rather be monetarily more benefited. Moreover, the other investors can generate diversification benefits by adding both Sharīʿah and conventional indices in their portfolios in the short-run.

Originality/value

Unlike previous studies, this study endeavors to use a comprehensive methodology to conduct its analysis. Moreover, this is supposedly the first ever effort to conduct such a study in the context of Bangladesh.
Investigating the relationship between career development and productivity with the mediating role of self-regulation among university staff
Authors: Delbari Samira , Rajaipour Saeed , Abedini Yasamin
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between career development and productivity of the university staff with the mediating role of self-regulation.

Design/methodology/approach

The research approach is quantitative-relational and is based on structural equation modeling (SEM). The population consisted of the staff of two Iranian universities in 2018 out of which 331 participants were selected using Cochran's formula and a proportionate stratified random sampling method. To gather data, the self-regulation questionnaire (SRQ), the career development questionnaire (CDQ) and a researcher-made employees' productivity questionnaire (EPQ) were used. In terms of reliability, Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the instruments was found to be 0.97, 0.84 and 0.88, respectively. Face and content validity were confirmed by a group of field experts.

Findings

The findings indicated that the staff’s self-regulation had a positive and significant effect on individual, organizational and environmental productivity factors. In addition, self-regulation had the ability to predict those factors. It was found that self-regulation had a mediating role in the relationship between career development and staff productivity. According to the results, educational institutions, especially universities, can provide their staff with the opportunity to exploit their full potentials through reinforcing their self-regulation and increasing their productivity.

Research limitations/implications

Higher self-regulation capacity among university staff helps them liberate their potential energy for disinterested selfless service to the society. Higher self-regulation capacities allow individuals to increase the energy resource for self-regulation and contribute to the productivity and quality of life. The statistical population of the quantitative section is confined only to the staff working at Iranian universities. Therefore, our results should be cautiously generalized to universities in other countries.

Practical implications

Our findings can help in empowering human resources and consequently improving education and research processes.

Social implications

Universities play a decisive role in the economic growth and development of countries because of their diverse services in the production and distribution of science and knowledge.

Originality/value

This study was conducted on university’s staff productivity, while most previous researches have been conducted in industrial enterprises. Thus, the present study seeks to fill this research gap by means of providing new perspectives and information on the factors affecting staff productivity and the relationship between research variables in higher education institutions.
Education for sustainable development in humanitarian logistics
Authors: Khan Muhammad , Sarmad Muhammad , Ullah Sami , Bae Junghan
Published: August 2020

Purpose

As humanitarian logistics (HL) functions in complicated, changing and ambiguous situations, all people, particularly the educated youth, have to know how to control the situation and assist victims, which are best achieved through formal education and training. Teaching at university has been extensively used in the context of business logistics. However, education in HL is a poorly researched field and, consequently, this article explores education for sustainable development in HL. The study addresses the following research question: How the teaching of HL at university can help to increase HL performance (HLP) and to reduce suffering.

Design/methodology/approach

A covariance-based structure equation modeling (CB-SEM) is implemented on the basis of confirmatory factor analysis.

Findings

The results show that the association between the explanatory variables and the dependent variable (HLP) is mediated by sustainability, and that the teaching of HL at university plays a vital role in enhancing HLP and is therefore a very suitable approach for sustainable development in HL. This direct approach is creative, informative and productive practice for both students and teachers.

Originality/value

In spite of the growing number of activities and courses in supply chain and logistics education, no study, to the best of our knowledge, has empirically analyzed the critical topic of whether or not education can bring sustainable development in HL. In order to save lives and reduce the suffering of victims, this study attempts to fill this gap.
Emotion as soft power in organisations
Authors: Aromaa Eeva , Eriksson Päivi , Montonen Tero , Mills Albert J.
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Adopting the critical sensemaking (CSM) lens to the micro-level interaction between leader and employees, the article offers a theoretically informed example of leading with soft power and positive emotions that blurs boundaries in democratic organisations.

Design/methodology/approach

The research methodology involves videography and interpretive analysis of video-recorded interactions that combines focused ethnography with video analysis. The analysis focuses on face-to-face meeting interactions between a leader and employees in a small service firm.

Findings

The findings illustrate how restoring the sense of the democratic organisation is an accumulating and complex phenomenon where explicit and implicit organisational rules and changing identity positions are enacted by constructing affective loyalties, moral and reflex emotions that serve as soft power capacities helping the leader and employees to enact meanings attached to a democratic rather than hierarchical organisation.

Practical implications

The article provides new insight for human resources practitioners and leaders who want to build resilient organisations and pay attention to shared, distributed and relational leadership practices, co-creative work and collective decision-making processes.

Originality/value

The power explored in previous sensemaking studies has been power over, which is most often associated with the negative aspects of power, such as domination and suppression, in the pursuit of specific performance. The applications of videography method linking ethnography and interpretive analysis of video-recorded interactions are still rare in organisation studies.
Calculative regimes in the making: implementation and consequences in the context of Austrian public universities
Authors: Habersam Michael , Piber Martin , Skoog Matti
Published: August 2020

Purpose

This study aims to answer the research question of how a calculative regime for public universities is implemented, how and under which conditions its symbolic use emerges and what kind of unintended consequences occur over time.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical material presented in the paper derives methodically from a longitudinal qualitative research approach analyzing higher education systems (HES)-reforms in Austria. To better understand the consequences of the organizational changes in line with the new legal framework, 2 series of qualitative interviews in 2011/2012 and 2016/2017 on the field level and the organizational level were conducted.

Findings

Identifying two enabling consequences from the tactical behaviors of resistance and symbolic use, i.e. new processes of communication and horizontal network building, allows for theory-building with a focus on the dynamics how accounting begins, then next becomes an established infrastructure, is then destabilized and re-elaborated before it becomes, again, an infrastructure which is different from before.

Research limitations/implications

Although the findings are based on a national empirical context, they are linked to the international discourse on HES in transition and the role of calculative regimes including performance measurement and management attitudes and instruments. They are relevant for an international research community open-minded toward differentiated case studies in a longitudinal perspective on HES-reforms.

Practical implications

When reflecting on their own specific settings governing bodies and practitioners managing the transition of HES may find insights from longitudinal case studies inspiring. The dynamics initiated by new calculative regimes installed need a sensitive framework to handle dissent, resistance, tactical behaviors and changes in power relations between the field level and the organizational level.

Originality/value

This is a unique longitudinal case study of the Austrian HES and its public universities in transition.
How plant–soil feedbacks influence the next generation of plants
Authors: De Long Jonathan R. , Heinen Robin , Jongen Renske , Hannula S. Emilia , Huberty Martine , Kielak Anna M. , Steinauer Katja , Bezemer T. Martijn
Published: August 2020

In response to environmental conditions, plants can alter the performance of the next generation through maternal effects. Since plant–soil feedbacks (PSFs) influence soil conditions, PSFs likely create such intergenerational effects. We grew monocultures of three grass and three forb species in outdoor mesocosms. We then grew one of the six species, Hypochaeris radicata, in the conditioned soils and collected their seeds. We measured seed weight, carbon and nitrogen concentration, germination and seedling performance when grown on a common soil. We did not detect functional group intergenerational effects, but soils conditioned by different plant species affected H. radicata seed C to N ratios. There was a relationship between parent biomass in the differently conditioned soils and the germination rates of the offspring. However, these effects did not change offspring performance on a common soil. Our findings show that PSF effects changed seed quality and initial performance in a common grassland forb. We discuss the implications of our findings for multi‐generational plant–soil interactions, and highlight the need to further explore how PSF effects shape plant community dynamics over different generations and across a broad range of species and functional groups.
A comparison of fatty acid and sensory profiles of raw and roasted pecan cultivars
Authors: Murley Tyler , Kelly Brendan , Adhikari Jayashan , Reid William , Koppel Kadri
Published: August 2020

Five fatty acids comprise the bulk of the lipid content in pecans: palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, and linolenic acid. Understanding the profiles of these fatty acids and how they relate to sensory characteristics may offer an explanation for flavor and flavor defects that may exist in certain cultivars of pecans. The objective of this study was to examine and compare fatty acid profiles of three cultivars of pecans (Major, Lakota, and Chetopa), over two crop years, under raw and roasted preparation methods, and understand the fatty acids association with sensory attributes. Percentages of palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acids to total fatty acid content were determined using gas chromatography, and sensory profiles were generated using descriptive sensory analysis. Similar trends were seen across samples, with oleic acid comprising the majority of the total fatty acids and linolenic acid comprising the smallest percentage. There were significant differences in fatty acid content among cultivars and between pecans in the first and second crop year. Few associations were found between the fatty acids and sensory attributes, which suggest that combinations of the fatty acids contribute to certain pleasant or undesirable flavor attributes in the pecans. Subtle differences in fatty acid composition may lead to variation in flavor and flavor intensity or draw attention to or from certain attributes during consumption. Differences in crop year indicated that fatty acid content and therefore flavor are variable year to year.

Practical Application

This study will help understand how fatty acid content of pecans varies from year to year. This should be taken into account when manufacturing products with pecans as the nutritional content of the product may change as the result.
Glycemic control and risk factors for in‐hospital mortality and vascular complications after coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with and without preexisting diabetes
Authors: Chen Yanyan , Zhang Heng , Hou Xiaopei , Li Xiaojue , Qian Xin , Feng Xinxing , Liu Shuqian , Shi Na , Zhao Wei , Hu Shengshou , Zheng Zhe , Li Guangwei
Published: August 2020

Background

The purpose of this study was to investigate risk factors of in‐hospital mortality and vascular complications after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), particularly the effect of different glycemic control levels on outcomes in patients with and without previous evidence of diabetes.

Methods

A total of 8682 patients with and without previous diabetes undergoing CABG were categorized into strict, moderate, and liberal glucose control groups according to their mean blood glucose control level <7.8 mmol/L, 7.8 to 10.0 mmol/L, and ≥10.0 mmoL/L after in‐hospital CABG.

Results

The patients with previous diabetes had higher rates of in‐hospital mortality (1.3% vs 0.4%, P < .001) and major complications (7.0% vs 4.8%, P < .001) than those without diabetes. Current diabetes was significantly associated with a higher risk of in‐hospital mortality (odds ratio [OR] = 3.14, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.87‐5.27) and major complications (OR = 1.49, 95% CI 1.24‐1.80), and smoking and higher low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) levels showed similar results. Among patients with previous diabetes, strict glucose control was significantly associated with an increased risk of in‐hospital mortality (OR = 8.32, 95% CI 3.95‐17.51) compared with moderate glucose control. Nevertheless, among non‐previous diabetic patients with stress hyperglycemia, strict glucose control led to a lower risk of major complications (OR = 0.71, 95% CI 0.52‐0.98).

Conclusions

Diabetes status, smoking, and LDL‐C levels were modifiable risk factors of both in‐hospital mortality and major complications after CABG. Strict glucose control was associated with an increased risk of in‐hospital mortality among patients with diabetes, whereas it reduced the risk of major complications among non‐previous diabetic patients.
Phenological growth stages of underutilised crop yam bean (Pachyrhizus erosus L. Urban) according to the extended BBCH scale
Authors: Pati Kalidas , Kaliyappan Raja , Chauhan Vijay Bahadur Singh , Bansode Venkatraman , Nedunchezhiyan Maniyam , Hegde Vivek , Koundinya Ayyagari V. V.
Published: August 2020

Yam bean (Pachyrhizus erosus (L.) Urban) is an underutilised tuberous legume crop which has great potential as a food crop. As a root crop, it produces high yields and as a legume, it can produce protein‐rich food. The phenological growth stages of yam bean are first described here using BBCH (Biologische Bundesanstalt, Bundessortenamnt and Chemische Industrie) scale. We have developed a basic and extended numerical BBCH scale for the identification of different phenological growth stages of yam bean. All phenological stages, including germination (stage 0), leaf development (stage 1), formation of side shoots (stage 2), stem elongation (stage 3), tuber formation (stage 4), inflorescence emergence (stage 5), flowering (stage 6), development of pods (stage 7), ripening of pods (stage 8) and senescence (stage 9) are described using the BBCH scale. This BBCH phenological study in yam bean will be helpful for better crop management, crop improvement and characterisation of germplasm. This scale will also be useful for the yield enhancement of this crop as an emerging underutilised tuber crop.
Association of vaping‐related lung injuries with rates of e‐cigarette and cannabis use across US states
Authors: Friedman Abigail S.
Published: August 2020

Background and Aims

Responses to the 2019 US outbreak of ‘e‐cigarette or vaping product use‐associated lung injury’ (EVALI) ranged from temporary restrictions on nicotine e‐cigarette sales to critiques of state cannabis policies. However, if either mass‐marketed nicotine e‐cigarettes or cannabis use per se drove this outbreak, as opposed to an additive in regionally available black‐market e‐liquids, states’ rates of vaping and/or cannabis use should predict their EVALI prevalence. This study tests that relationship.

Design

Observational study of EVALI data from US states’ health departments

Setting

United States.

Participants

All US states (n = 50).

Measurements

The outcome of interest was each state's total EVALI cases per 12–64‐year‐old resident—an age group covering most EVALI patients—as reported in the second week of January 2020. Predictors are 2017–18 rates of adult e‐cigarette use and past‐month cannabis use by state.

Findings

The average state EVALI prevalence was 1.4 cases per 100 000 12–64‐year‐olds. Maps suggest a high‐prevalence cluster comprising seven contiguous states in the northern Midwest. EVALI cases per capita were negatively associated with rates of vaping and past‐month cannabis use, with the preferred specification's coefficients at −0.239 [95% confidence interval (CI) = −0.441, −0.037; P = 0.02] and −0.086 (95% CI = −0.141, −0.031; P = 0.003), respectively. Robustness checks supported this finding.

Conclusions

In the United States, states with higher rates of e‐cigarette and cannabis use prior to the 2019 ‘e‐cigarette or vaping product use‐associated lung injury’ (EVALI) outbreak had lower EVALI prevalence. These results suggest that EVALI cases did not arise from e‐cigarette or cannabis use per se, but rather from locally distributed e‐liquids or additives most prevalent in the affected areas.
Quantifying shifts in topic popularity over 44 years of Austral Ecology
Authors: Westgate Martin J. , Barton Philip S. , Lindenmayer David B. , Andrew Nigel R.
Published: August 2020

The Ecological Society of Australia was founded in 1959, and the society’s journal was first published in 1976. To examine how research published in the society’s journal has changed over this time, we used text mining to quantify themes and trends in the body of work published by the Australian Journal of Ecology and Austral Ecology from 1976 to 2019. We used topic models to identify 30 ‘topics’ within 2778 full‐text articles in 246 issues of the journal, followed by mixed modelling to identify topics with above‐average or below‐average popularity in terms of the number of publications or citations that they contain. We found high inter‐decadal turnover in research topics, with an early emphasis on highly specific ecosystems or processes giving way to a modern emphasis on community, spatial and fire ecology, invasive species and statistical modelling. Despite an early focus on Australian research, papers discussing South American ecosystems are now among the fastest‐growing and most frequently cited topics in the journal. Topics that were growing fastest in publication rates were not always the same as those with high citation rates. Our results provide a systematic breakdown of the topics that Austral Ecology authors and editors have chosen to research, publish and cite through time, providing a valuable window into the historical and emerging foci of the journal.
In vivo acridine orange human spermatozoa staining—A new perspective for RNA detection and spermatozoa morphology evaluation
Authors: Fucic Aleksandra , Maric Tihana , Vicic Bockor Vedrana , Jezek Davor
Published: August 2020

Significant increases in male infertility and the still unresolved questions on the compatibility and interpretation of current methods in infertility diagnostics call for new protocols. Morphology, genome damage, RNA content and quantity are currently in practice as the major parameters in evaluation of sperm quality. However, results of various methods are not always in mutual concordance. In this study, in vivo acridine orange (AO) staining, which is presently in application in the estimation of genome damage in reticulocytes, was adjusted for spermatozoa staining. Ten men suffering from oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT) and 10 healthy fertile men were analysed using in vivo AO staining. Microscopic analysis was performed by fluorescent and confocal fluorescent microscopy. Our results show that this method preserves spermatozoa membranes, which enables new insight into spermatozoa genome damage, RNA content in residual cytoplasm, damage of neck area with mitochondrion and tail pathology. The introduced method explains the difference between results of sperm DNA fragmentation assay and the globally used AO staining and opens new options for the development of automated systems. In conclusion, the results of our study offer (a) an innovative approach to the analysis of spermatozoa pathology, (b) enable localization and quantification of RNA in residual cytoplasm, (c) a significant contribution to research of aetiology of infertility in men, (d) open new perspectives for the automatization of sperm quality estimation and (e) improve the personalized approach in the selection of in vitro fertilization protocols.
A review of actinic keratosis, skin field cancerisation and the efficacy of topical therapies
Authors: Sinclair Robert , Baker Christopher , Spelman Lynda , Supranowicz Madeleine , MacMahon Beth
Published: August 2020

While a wide range of treatments exist for actinic keratosis and skin field cancerisation, the long‐term benefits of the most common topical therapies are poorly defined. This report reviews the efficacy of the most commonly used topical therapies to treat regional or field lesions. Limited clinical and histopathological data are available on clearance rates at 12 months post‐treatment for the most commonly used agents, with varied outcome measures making any comparison difficult. In general, total field clearance rates at 12 months are suboptimal for the most commonly employed agents. Given the increasing incidence of actinic keratosis and skin field cancerisation due to an ageing population, further research into the efficacy of therapies is critical to guide treatment choice.
Interventions to reduce dehydration related to defunctioning loop ileostomy after low anterior resection in rectal cancer: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Munshi Eihab , Bengtsson Eva , Blomberg Karin , Syk Ingvar , Buchwald Pamela
Published: August 2020

Background

Defunctioning loop ileostomy (DLI) in low anterior resection (LAR) in rectal cancer patients reduces the morbidity of anastomotic leakages. In our previous study, 30% of patients developed dehydration due to DLI, mostly during the first 6 weeks. This interventional study aimed to reduce these figures by establishing a surveillance programme.

Methods

An interventional study of rectal cancer patients undergoing LAR and DLI between 2013 and 2015 was carried out. A historical study group was used as control. Stoma care nurses educated the intervention group about high‐output stoma. Blood tests, including creatinine and electrolytes, were taken every second week until 8 weeks post‐operatively and an additional control in case of subjective high‐output stoma.

Results

Eighty‐seven patients underwent LAR and DLI during the study period. Twenty‐one (24%) developed dehydration episodes, and nine (43%) of them required readmission. There was no difference compared to the control group, where 29% developed dehydration, and about half (52%) needed readmission (P = 0.62 and P = 0.57, respectively). However, when explicitly examining patients demonstrating symptomatic dehydration, there was a significant difference, that is 10 (11%) versus 27 (29%) (P < 0.005). Overall, the dehydrated group was older and more likely to take diuretics compared to the non‐dehydrated group.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that reducing dehydration episodes and readmission after DLI is a challenging process. The proposed surveillance was only effective in preventing symptomatic dehydration. Subjects taking diuretics and the elderly are at risk of dehydration and should be followed cautiously.
Challenges in using both eyes of the same patient when evaluating the results after implantation of intrastromal corneal ring segments
Authors: Lamarca Mateu José , Salvador‐Culla Borja , Santos Cristina , Barraquer Rafael I.
Published: August 2020

Purpose

To assess correlation between results from both eyes of the same patient after implantation of intrastromal corneal ring segments (ICRS) and define whether they can be used together in clinical studies.

Methods

A review of medical records of 74 patients with keratoconus implanted with bilateral Ferrara ICRS at Centro de Oftalmología Barraquer from January 2005 until December 2014. Data were collected on uncorrected visual acuity, best‐corrected visual acuity and subjective refractive values (sphere, cylinder and axis).

Results

A total of 39 patients were male (53%), and 35 were female (47%). Mean age at the time of implantation was 32.5 ± 10 years. No major complications occurred. A significant correlation between the results from right and left eyes was found (p < 0.0043), indicating that both eyes significantly resembled each other. No significant interaction in the magnitude of change between eye and surgery was observed under classic and mixed models.

Conclusion

Based on our data, whenever application is not possible under mixed‐model analyses, we recommend the use of a first eye operated only, either right or left, in order to avoid bias and errors derived from autocorrelation and guarantee the independence of the registered observations.
Second‐line therapy in young patients with relapsed or refractory orbital rhabdomyosarcoma
Authors: Zloto Ofira , Minard‐Colin Veronique , Boutroux Helene , Brisse Herve J. , Levy Christine , Kolb Frederic , Bolle Stephanie , Carton Matthieu , Helfre Sylvie , Orbach Daniel
Published: August 2020

Objective

Localized orbital rhabdomyosarcoma (oRMS) has an overall favourable prognosis with more than 90% of survival. Little is known about the best strategy in recurrent/refractory (R/R) cases. The purpose is to examine the characteristics of patients with R/R‐oRMS, focusing on local therapy.

Methods

This is bicentric retrospective study. Analysis is of young patients (<30 years) with R/R‐oRMS who were treated from 1989 to 2018 at the Institut Curie and Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, France.

Results

Twenty‐seven out of 162 patients (17%) with oRMS presented with R/R disease. 6 of these patients had alveolar RMS (22%), 3 of whom had initial parameningeal extension (11%). During first‐line treatment, 18 patients (67%) had orbital radiotherapy. Median age at R/R was 10 years (ranges: 4–28) after a delay of 19 months from diagnosis (ranges: 3–40). Tumoral events were local relapses (22 cases), local progression (3 cases) or regional relapses (2 cases). Second‐line treatments included chemotherapy (27 cases), radiotherapy (16 cases), surgery (exenteration; 8 cases) and metastasis/ nodal removal (3 cases). After a median follow‐up of 99 months (range: 10–306), 4 patients died and 23 are in complete remission (CR) without treatment. One patient had subsequent relapse treated with exenteration and brachytherapy until a new tumour remission. Five‐year event‐free and overall survivals after first tumour event are, respectively, 84.4% (95% confidence interval: 71.5%–98.8%) and 85.8% (95% confidence interval: 72.1%–100.0%)

Conclusion

R/R‐oRMS is a rare situation. Second‐line therapy is efficient in this location, sometime at the cost of lifesaving mutilating surgery. Second‐line local therapy needs therefore to consider local radiotherapy if possible or complete wide surgery.
How the XRB Uses Research in Setting Accounting and Assurance Standards
Authors: Bradbury Michael E.
Published: August 2020

In this paper I describe how the New Zealand External Reporting Board (XRB) and its sub‐boards, the New Zealand Accounting Standards Board (NZASB) and the New Zealand Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (NZAuASB), use research in setting accounting and assurance standards. The XRB came into existence on 1 July 2011. In the early years (2011–2014) the focus was on getting the Accounting Standards Framework in place. Research into (financial statement) user‐needs became a major strategy in 2014 and continues to be a key component of the boards’ due process.
A not‐so‐green choice? The high carbon footprint of long‐distance passenger rail travel in Canada
Authors: Katz‐Rosene Ryan M.
Published: August 2020

It is commonly assumed that taking the train serves as a more climate‐friendly means of travel than flying by commercial aircraft. Nevertheless, in Canada, long‐distance rail services are powered by aging and inefficient diesel locomotives. Moreover, long‐haul passenger trains are not typically loaded to capacity, and they must travel longer distances than equivalent air routes (which are able to benefit from more direct flight paths). This viewpoint considers whether traveling long‐distance by train generates a larger climatic footprint than flying by commercial aircraft, and offers a basic carbon footprint analysis and modal comparison of three long‐distance routes in Canada. It finds that taking the train does indeed generate a larger climatic impact than flying, in the cases of VIA Rail's trips between Toronto and Vancouver and between Montreal and Halifax, even when taking air travel's additional non‐CO

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warming impact into account. While travelling by train within the modernized Quebec City‐Windsor Corridor generates a smaller climatic footprint than flying, VIA Rail's greenhouse gas emissions factor within the Corridor is still far higher than international rail comparisons. The viewpoint concludes by enumerating some policy changes which could reverse this dynamic and help Canadian long‐distance rail fulfill its reputation as a green choice.
Meta‐analysis of genetic representativeness of plant populations under ex situ conservation in contrast to wild source populations
Authors: Wei Xinzeng , Jiang Mingxi
Published: August 2020

Ex situ conservation is widely used to protect wild plant species from extinction. However, it remains unclear how genetic variation of ex situ plant collections reflects diversity of wild source populations. We conducted a global meta‐analysis of the genetic representativeness of ex situ populations by comparing genetic diversity (i.e., AR, allelic richness;He, expected heterozygosity; PPB, percent polymorphic bands; and SWI, Shannon–Winner index), inbreeding coefficient (FIS), and genetic differentiation between ex situ plant collections and their wild source populations. Genetic diversity (i.e.,He, PPB, and SWI) was significantly lower in ex situ populations than their wild source populations, whereas genetic differentiation between ex situ and wild populations (ex‐situ‐wildFST), but not that among ex situ populations, was significantly higher than among wild populations. Outcrossing species, but not those with mixed mating system, had significantly lower genetic diversity in ex situ populations and significantly higher ex‐situ‐wildFST. When the collection size for ex situ conservation was ≥30 or 50, PPB,He, and ex‐situ‐wildFSTwere not significantly different between ex situ and wild populations, indicating a relatively high genetic representativeness. Collecting from the entire natural distribution range and mixing collections from different sources could significantly increase the genetic representativeness of ex situ populations. Type of ex situ conservation (i.e., planting or seed bank) had no effect on genetic representativeness. The effect size ofHedecreased and the effect size of ex‐situ‐wildFSTincreased as the duration of ex situ conservation increased. Our results suggest that current ex situ plant collections do not effectively capture the genetic variation of wild populations. Low genetic representativeness of ex situ populations was caused by both initial incomplete sampling from wild populations and genetic erosion during ex situ conservation. We emphasize that it is necessary to employ more thorough sampling strategies in future collecting efforts and to add new individuals where needed.
Is CIELAB one space or many?
Authors: Brill Michael H.
Published: August 2020

Models in colour engineering can have implicit customary usage, outside of whose parameters one is not supposed to venture. CIELAB is one such model: although able to accommodate a prediction of asymmetric matches, CIELAB is used in practice to compare colours only for a given illuminant/observer condition. Should we therefore deem CIELAB to be an infinity of spaces, one for each illuminant/observer combination? This question has its roots in an oddity of CIELAB’s chromatic‐adaptation model. A chromatic‐adaptation oddity also entered CIE models that emerged after CIELAB, and leads to a similarly perplexing question.
Harnessing trade and investment agreements to promote public health
Authors: Janardhan Sparsha
Published: August 2020

There is an underlying tension between the goals of trade liberalisation and a nation's sovereign right to regulate on matters of public health. In terms of trade in goods, Article XX(b) of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) allows for measures necessary to protect human health, as one of the general exceptions. The increasing proliferation of comprehensive Free Trade Agreements (FTA) also contains general exception clauses to protect human health. International Investment Agreements contain provisions carving out an exception for tobacco products, from the scope of Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) claims against the host State. The aim of this article is to examine if the public health exceptions in FTAs differ from those under the GATT, and whether they can be used as an avenue for effective regulation. In the context of investment, the article examines if a ‘carve‐out’ from ISDS is a feasible option. The article concludes by observing that it may be difficult for FTAs to provide for broader regulatory autonomy to States, given the resort to the World Trade Organization (WTO) jurisprudence in FTA dispute settlement. Effectively, measures to regulate alcohol for the protection of public health may have to be designed and structured in a WTO compatible manner. In terms of ISDS, a ‘carve‐out’ from dispute settlement may provide increased regulatory space but would depend on whether consensus can be achieved in this regard. States should approach the regulation of alcohol in a comprehensive manner addressing potential challenges under the trade and investment regimes.
INTERGENERATIONAL EFFECTS OF WELFARE REFORM: ADOLESCENT DELINQUENT AND RISKY BEHAVIORS
Authors: Dave Dhaval , Corman Hope , Kalil Ariel , Schwartz‐Soicher Ofira , Reichman Nancy E.
Published: August 2020

This study investigates effects of welfare reform in the United States on the next generation. Most previous studies of effects of welfare reform on adolescents focused on high‐school dropout of girls or fertility; little is known about how welfare reform has affected other teenage behaviors or boys. We use a difference‐in‐difference‐in‐differences framework to identify gender‐specific effects of welfare reform on skipping school, fighting, damaging property, stealing, hurting others, smoking, alcohol, marijuana, and other illicit drugs. Welfare reform led to increases in delinquent behaviors of boys as well as increases in substance use of boys and girls, with substantially larger effects for boys. (JEL K42, I12, I31, I38)
Biological control of invasive stink bugs: review of global state and future prospects
Authors: Conti Eric , Avila Gonzalo , Barratt Barbara , Cingolani Fernanda , Colazza Stefano , Guarino Salvatore , Hoelmer Kim , Laumann Raul Alberto , Maistrello Lara , Martel Guillaume , Peri Ezio , Rodriguez‐Saona Cesar , Rondoni Gabriele , Rostás Michael , Roversi Pio Federico , Sforza René F.H. , Tavella Luciana , Wajnberg Eric
Published: August 2020

Invasive stink bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) are responsible for high economic losses to agriculture on a global scale. The most important species, dating from recent to old invasions, include Bagrada hilaris (Burmeister), Halyomorpha halys (Stål), Piezodorus guildinii (Westwood), Nezara viridula (L.), and Murgantia histrionica (Hahn). Bagrada hilaris, H. halys, and N. viridula are now almost globally distributed. Biological control of these pests faces a complex set of challenges that must be addressed to maintain pest populations below the economic injury level. Several case studies of classical and conservation biological control of invasive stink bugs are reported here. The most common parasitoids in their geographical area of origin are egg parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae, Encyrtidae, and Eupelmidae). Additionally, native parasitoids of adult stink bugs (Diptera: Tachinidae) have in some cases adapted to the novel hosts in the invaded area and native predators are known to prey on the various instars. Improving the efficacy of biocontrol agents is possible through conservation biological control techniques and exploitation of their chemical ecology. Moreover, integration of biological control with other techniques, such as behavioural manipulation of adult stink bugs and plant resistance, may be a sustainable pest control method within organic farming and integrated pest management programs. However, additional field studies are needed to verify the efficacy of these novel methods and transfer them from research to application.