bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hygiene theater: an important risk reduction signal for the future of retailing
Authors: Phillips Megan , Vredenburg Jessica
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Hygiene theater is a new phenomenon that has emerged from the ongoing Coronavirus (Covid-19) global pandemic. The authors propose and test the concept of hygiene theater – comprised of purposeful and visible dynamic performance and static staging cues – on customers' approach-avoidance intentions in the retail environment. The authors explore the underlying process and show when environmental conditions such as human crowding dilute the positive effects of hygiene theater.

Design/methodology/approach

Across three experiments, participants evaluated a video or scenario related to a shopping experience in a retail store. Sequential mediation and moderated sequential mediation using PROCESS were performed.

Findings

The results show a positive and direct effect of hygiene visibility on approach responses, due to a reduction in perceived risk and increased psychological comfort. This positive effect is diluted when crowding in the retail environment is high.

Originality/value

As society adapts to a new normal, this study offers contributions to improve theoretical knowledge of the impact of hygiene theater on customer approach responses, helping retailers to develop and implement health and safety policies, better equipping them to manage similar situations going forward. The authors provide insights for academics and practitioners alike.
Estimating impact of technological adoption in farming in Bihar: a propensity score matching approach
Authors: Samanta Debabrata
Published: February 2023

Purpose

In the developing world, the adoption of new technology in agriculture has emerged as a tool to address the problem of investment-disincentive effect of capital investment on smallholders. In Indian agriculture, which is dominated by smallholders, technological adoption becomes very essential. In this regard, along with the government, local level organizations also provide training and other support to adopt the new agricultural technique. The present study is an attempt to assess the counterfactual impact of this sort of initiative in the context of Bihar, a state in India.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses field survey data which are collected from the Gaya district of Bihar. Overall, 249 sample farmers are surveyed from 23 villages of four blocks of the Gaya district. There are two groups of selected farmers: treatment and control groups. Farmers who adopted the new technique belong to the treatment group, and otherwise, the control group. For analytical purpose, a propensity score matching method has been used to estimate the counterfactual impact of the adoption of the new technique of farming on farmers' agricultural income.

Findings

The study observes a significant improvement in the agricultural income of the farmers who adopted the new technique. New agricultural techniques, propagated through the local level organization, might be instrumental to enhance farmer's skill as well as income.

Research limitations/implications

This type of approach may be adopted, complementary to the government's extension initiative to enhance farmers' income through adoption of the advanced farming process, as well as to improve the human capital of agriculture production.

Originality/value

The study laid a framework of assessing the counterfactual impact of intervention of local level organization and adoption of new farming techniques in the context of Bihar, India.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-09-2022-0606
Coping with COVID-19 using contact tracing mobile apps
Authors: Li Chenglong , Li Hongxiu , Fu Shaoxiong
Published: February 2023

Purpose

To cope with the COVID-19 pandemic, contact tracing mobile apps (CTMAs) have been developed to trace contact among infected individuals and alert people at risk of infection. To disrupt virus transmission until the majority of the population has been vaccinated, achieving the herd immunity threshold, CTMA continuance usage is essential in managing the COVID-19 pandemic. This study seeks to examine what motivates individuals to continue using CTMAs.

Design/methodology/approach

Following the coping theory, this study proposes a research model to examine CTMA continuance usage, conceptualizing opportunity appraisals (perceived usefulness and perceived distress relief), threat appraisals (privacy concerns) and secondary appraisals (perceived response efficacy) as the predictors of individuals' CTMA continuance usage during the pandemic. In the United States, an online survey was administered to 551 respondents.

Findings

The results revealed that perceived usefulness and response efficacy motivate CTMA continuance usage, while privacy concerns do not.

Originality/value

This study enriches the understanding of CTMA continuance usage during a public health crisis, and it offers practical recommendations for authorities.
Big data analytics in Australian pharmaceutical supply chain
Authors: Ziaee Maryam , Shee Himanshu Kumar , Sohal Amrik
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Drawing on information processing view (IPV) theory, the objective of this study is to explore big data analytics (BDA) in pharmaceutical supply chain (PSC) for better business intelligence. Supply chain operations reference (SCOR) model is used to identify and discuss the likely benefits of BDA adoption in five processes: plan, source, make, deliver and return.

Design/methodology/approach

Semi-structured interviews with managers in a triad comprising pharmaceutical manufacturers, wholesalers/distributors and public hospital pharmacies were undertaken. NVivo software was used for thematic data analysis.

Findings

The findings revealed that BDA capability would be more practical and helpful in planning, delivery and return processes within PSC. Sourcing and making processes are perceived to be less beneficial.

Practical implications

The study informs managers about the strategic role of BDA capabilities in SCOR processes for improved business intelligence.

Originality/value

Adoption of BDA in SCOR processes within PSC is a step towards resolving the challenges of drug shortages, counterfeiting and inventory optimisation through timely decision. Despite its innumerable benefits of BDA, Australian PSC is far behind in BDA investment. The study advances the IPV theory by illustrating and strengthening the fact that data sharing and analytics can generate real-time business intelligence helping in better health care support through BDA-enabled PSC.
An exploratory study of organisational and industry drivers for the implementation of emerging technologies in logistics
Authors: Nand Alka , Sohal Amrik , Fridman Ilya , Hussain Sairah , Wallace Mark
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Emerging technologies have the capacity to transform industries offering substantial benefits to users. Given the increasing demand for advanced logistics services, third-party logistic service providers (LSPs) face greater pressure to deploy and realise these technologies, especially given the demands and operational challenges created during the COVID-19 crisis. Drawing upon the diffusion of innovation (DOI) theory and technology–organisation–environment (TOE) framework, this paper goes beyond just identifying drivers and barriers to technology adoption to understanding how LSPs and industry experts perceive these drivers and barriers and simultaneously confront and undertake actions to implement them.

Design/methodology/approach

An exploratory study was conducted in three phases: (1) in-depth interviews with twelve stakeholders in the Australian logistics industry; (2) five in-depth interviews conducted with stakeholders during the COVID-19 crisis and (3) a focus group discussion session. All interviews were analysed using content analysis and revealed several drivers for the deployment of emerging technologies, including internal organisational factors that drive supply chain (SC) network optimisation.

Findings

The analysis of the three phases identified several drivers for the deployment of emerging technologies in logistics, including internal organisational factors that drive SC network optimisation. Also identified were external drivers including the impact of the COVID-19 crisis, along with barriers and specific actions that were considered and implemented by LSPs for sustainable operations, particularly in a post-COVID-19 environment.

Originality/value

This study explores organisational and industry drivers for the implementation of emerging technologies. Explicitly, it extends the extant research by highlighting organisational and industry drivers and enablers that influence adoption and deployment of emerging technologies. Second, it advances the existing perspectives on LSPs in the Australian context on the development and implementation of technology strategies. The paper offers insights around implementation of technologies, directly obtained from industrial application for managers and practitioners.
Do human values find genuine expression on social media platforms? The influence of human values on millennials' social media activities
Authors: Nikolinakou Angeliki , Phua Joe
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Social media has the potential to enable exchange of diverse opinions, foster dialogue on important social issues and exert positive influence on stakeholders and society. However, evidence is contradictory as to whether this is the case; it is possible that millennials' behaviors on social media are mainly driven by conservation (conformity and safety) or self-enhancement (power and achievement). In this research, the authors examine the extent to which different human values (self-transcendence, conservation, self-enhancement and openness to change) influence millennials' activities and behaviors on social media.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conduct three separate surveys on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with 491 millennials (18–34 years of age) in the USA, examining the influence of four higher-order values of the Schwartz human values model (open self-transcendence, conservation, self-enhancement and openness to change) on specific social media activities (consumption, self-focused and sharing nonpersonal content activities).

Findings

First, the authors find that for millennial users, human values significantly influence social media activities. Second, conservation values, followed by self-enhancement values, overshadow the expression of open self-transcendence values on social media. Thus, social media platforms may function more as agents of conservation and self-enhancement than agents of personal growth.

Originality/value

This is among the first studies to examine the influence of human values on social media and to find that human values such as conservation and self-enhancement have a strong influence on users' social media activities, while open self-transcendence values, which lead to expansion and growth, do not find genuine expression on social media.
Effects of social media usage on exploratory innovation, exploitative innovation and organizational agility: the moderating role of learning goal orientation
Authors: Zhang Kai , Liu Hefu , Li Yang , Wu Xia
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the underlying mechanisms of exploitative innovation and exploratory innovation between social media usage and organizational agility, and elucidate the moderating role of learning goal orientation (LGO) in the above relationships, based on adaptive structuration theory (AST).

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a multiple-respondent matched survey of 334 Chinese e-commerce firms, authors employed structural equation modeling to examine the correlations among social media usage, exploitative innovation, exploratory innovation and organizational agility. Hierarchical regression analysis was used to examine the moderating role of LGO.

Findings

This study's empirical findings demonstrate that exploitative innovation and exploratory innovation mediate the relationship between social media usage and organizational agility in different ways. Further, LGO positively moderates the relationship between social media usage for customer acquisition and exploratory innovation, as well as the relationship between social media usage for customer relationship and exploitative innovation.

Practical implications

Firms are advised to leverage different types of social media usage to facilitate exploitative innovation and exploratory innovation and promote organizational agility. In addition, LGO within a firm should be established to enhance the effects of social media usage on exploitative innovation and exploratory innovation.

Originality/value

This study adds to the literature on social media usage by proposing and examining exploitative innovation and exploratory innovation as explanatory mechanisms to facilitate organizational agility. This study further identifies LGO as a boundary condition of social media usage's effect on exploitative innovation and exploratory innovation. By contextualizing social media as advanced information technology, this study contributes to the contextualization of AST in the social media context.
Hue, brightness, saturation, and caption description: which attributes impact listing preferences on digital accommodation platforms?
Authors: Fu Shixuan , Cheng Xusen , Bilgihan Anil , Okumus Fevzi
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Images and caption descriptions serve as important visual stimuli that influence consumer preferences; therefore, the current study focuses on property images and captions illustrated on the home pages of accommodation-sharing platforms. Specifically, this study investigates the relative importance of hue, brightness and saturation of a property image and caption description styles on potential consumers’ preferences.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed-method approach was used, and a total of 293 valid responses were collected through a discrete choice experiment approach. Interviews were conducted for additional analyses to explore the detailed explanations.

Findings

The utility model demonstrated that the image’s saturation was the most critical attribute perceived by the respondents, followed by caption description style, hue and brightness.

Originality/value

This is one of the first studies to investigate the display of attributes on a digital accommodation platform by exploring potential customers’ stated preferences. This study focuses explicitly on images and captions illustrated on the home page of an accommodation booking platform. Detailed image investigation is also a new research area in sharing economy-related research.
Mind over matter: how biased perceptions of political knowledge influence selection and evaluation of political YouTube channels
Authors: Yu Heeseung , Ryoo Yuhosua , Han Eunkyoung
Published: February 2023

Purpose

In the face of increasing political polarization worldwide, this study explores whether people create biased perceptions of political knowledge and how this affects their selection and evaluation of political content on YouTube.

Design/methodology/approach

For this study, an online experiment was conducted with 441 panels of South Korean respondents. In the first phase, participants answered 10 questions designed to capture their level of objective political knowledge, and for each question, they indicated whether they had responded to that question correctly as a means of measuring their subjective political knowledge. In the second phase, two types of YouTube thumbnails were presented to represent progressive and conservative claims on two controversial political issues, and participants rated and selected the content they would like to see.

Findings

Participants with low political knowledge perceived their knowledge as more than it really was. In contrast, participants with high political knowledge perceived their political knowledge as less than it really was. This biased perception of political knowledge influences respondents' choice and evaluation of political YouTube channel videos.

Originality/value

At a time when political polarization is increasing around the world, this study sought to explore how perceptions of political knowledge differ from actual political knowledge by applying the Dunning-Kruger effect. The authors also used political YouTube channels, whose role in forming public opinion and political influence is rapidly growing, to study the behavior and attitudes of a group of Korean respondents in the media according to their actual and perceived level of political literacy.
Managerial competences and integrated reporting practices: perception-based evidence from Uganda
Authors: Kezaabu Saphurah , Nkundabanyanga Stephen Korutaro , Bananuka Juma , Kabuye Frank
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This study’s purpose is twofold: First, to investigate the relationship between managerial competences and Integrated Reporting (IR) practices; Second, to test whether all the managerial competences attributes are significantly related to IR practices.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopts a correlational research design, and is also cross-sectional. Data were collected using a questionnaire survey of 188 manufacturing firms in Uganda. Data were analyzed with the help of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences.

Findings

The study finds that significant associations between managerial competences of knowledge and experience exist with IR practices except for skills. However, experience is the most significant predictor of IR practices. This experience is manifest, among others, in the managers’ ability to get the word out to the public including why the public should be proud of what the company does and about what the company offers and works to make it better.

Research limitations/implications

This study did not control governance variables and yet governance and IR are inextricably associated. Future research should aim at testing the efficacy of investing in governance aspects potentially improving IR. This is because Environmental, Social and Governance investing is predicted to make capitalism work better and deal with the grave threat posed by climate change. The study also focuses on manufacturing firms, and these results may be only applicable to the manufacturing firms in Uganda. More research is therefore needed to further understand the effect of managerial competence attributes on IR in manufacturing firms in other contexts. Well, the results imply that more experienced managers are better placed to embrace IR practices than their less experienced counterparts.

Originality/value

The authors find that managerial experience explains IR practices more than competences and this makes intuitive sense since, for example, better experiential communication potentially minimizes the challenges such as lack of comparability, difficulty in communicating entity-specific information, information not available in a usable format and data errors normally encountered by IR (especially electronic) users. Hence, this study enhances our understanding of the role of managerial competences in the improvement of IR practices using perceptions of report preparers from a developing country where IR is voluntary and where the size of the stock market is small.
Can social marketing be the key to social change in India?
Authors: Mathur Mahima , Swami Sanjeev
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This paper provides a managerial overview of social marketing in India to improve the understanding about its nature and utility in addressing the needs of India's social sector.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employs a qualitative research methodology by conducting an extensive review of relevant theories, concepts and past studies related to social marketing, focusing on the Indian context. Select case studies have also been studied and presented to elucidate how social marketing programs are conducted by various forms of organisations in India.

Findings

First, the meaning of social marketing, its distinction from commercial marketing and some pertinent challenges faced by social marketers are discussed. Thereafter, a brief overview of the role of competition, cost and barriers towards conducting an effective social marketing program is provided. Lastly, we propose a scheme of organisations sponsoring social marketing in India and discuss the future perspectives.

Practical implications

The study enables a deeper understanding of social marketing discipline for policy makers, social marketing professionals and organisations sponsoring social marketing initiatives in India.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the literature on social marketing in the Indian context by conducting a broad overview with the aim of improving the understanding of social marketing which may help realise its full potential in the future.
Quantity-based or share-based? Discount schemes for the manufacturer when facing two competing retailers
Authors: Zhou Wenhui , Yang Hongmei
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The authors investigate the manufacturer's choice of discount schemes in a supply chain with competing retailers.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a game-theoretic model, the authors build two discount frameworks and compare and analyze the effects of different discount schemes on the performance of supply chain members.

Findings

The authors find that the retail price (market demand) in the quantity discount scheme is always higher (lower) than that in the market share discount scheme. The authors also find that the retailers' preference for discount schemes is antithetical to the manufacturer's preference in most cases. However, under certain conditions, there will be a win-win situation where Pareto-optimization occurs between the manufacturer and retailers when they choose the same discount scheme.

Research limitations/implications

On the one hand, the authors assume that the two retailers are symmetrical in market size and operation efficiency. It would be interesting to study the effect of different discount schemes on retailers when the retailers have different market sizes or operating efficiency. On the other hand, the authors study the manufacturer's choice of discount schemes in a supply chain with one common manufacturer and two competing retailers. However, in practice, there exist other supply chain structures. Future research can examine the problem of choices of discount schemes in other different supply chain structures.

Practical implications

This paper help retailers and manufacturers to choose the best discount schemes.

Social implications

This paper suggests that a high discount scale is not always beneficial (detrimental) to retailers (the manufacture).

Originality/value

The authors build two discount schemes (the quantity and the market share) in a supply chain consisting of one manufacturer and two retailers, and the authors focus on the effects of different discount schemes on the competition between two retailers. By comparing the two discount schemes, the authors study which discount scheme is the better choice for the manufacturer when facing competing retailers.
Three realities and a new-found focus: parenting and disability in a time of a pandemic
Authors: Vlcek Samantha
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Framed within the bioecological model, this autoethnographic case study explores the author’s experiences as a working mother of two children with disability prior to, during and after emerging from compulsory remote learning arrangements in Victoria, Australia due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this paper is to address this issue. The intention of this paper is to share the author's experiences.

Design/methodology/approach

Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological model was overlaid on the author’s experiences to explore direct and indirect impacts on her agency, educational priorities and personal values through each level of the model.

Findings

This research presents a new perspective for examining how the global COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the equilibrium typically experienced by individuals across the education system.

Originality/value

This research presents a new perspective for examining how the global COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the equilibrium typically experienced by individuals across the education system.
The effect of interventions distributing home fortification products on infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices: A systematic narrative review
Authors: Locks Lindsey M. , Newell Katharine B. , Imohe Annette , Moloney Grainne M. , Shaker‐Berbari Linda , Paudyal Naveen , Jefferds Maria Elena D.
Published: February 2023

Interventions distributing micronutrient powders (MNPs) and small‐quantity lipid‐based nutrient supplements (SQ‐LNS), or home fortification products (HFPs), have the potential to improve infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices and children's nutrition. We systematically searched for studies on the effect of interventions distributing HFP on IYCF practices. We identified 12 (8 MNP, 4 SQ‐LNS) studies: seven programmes with IYCF behaviour change communications (BCC) and MNP (IYCF‐MNP) and one provided MNP without IYCF BCC (MNP only). Three SQ‐LNS studies came from randomised trials without an IYCF component (SQ‐LNS only) and one from a programme with both IYCF BCC and SfQ‐LNS (IYCF‐SQ‐LNS). Five IYCF‐MNP programmes reported positive associations with some IYCF practices—four with minimum dietary diversity, two with minimum meal frequency, four with minimum acceptable diet, and three with the initiation of complementary foods at 6 months. Two reported no association between MNP and IYCF indicators, and one reported a decline in IYCF practices during the intervention, although it also reported significant changes to the IYCF programme during the evaluation period. Two studies from interventions that distributed SQ‐LNS (one from a related set of randomised controlled trials and the sole IYCF‐SQ‐LNS programme) reported a positive association with IYCF practices; one trial reported no change in breast milk intake with the provision of SQ‐LNS and one found no association with IYCF practices. SQ‐LNS and MNP can address nutrient gaps for young children in low‐resource settings; our findings indicate that programmes that combine HFP with IYCF interventions may also contribute to improved IYCF practices in some settings.
The impact of genetic variability on the relationship between caffeine and cardiometabolic outcomes: A systematic review
Authors: Virgili Jessica , Motitis Petros , Julal Gabrielle , Mavrommatis Yiannis , Pilic Leta
Published: February 2023

The relationship between caffeine consumption and cardiometabolic health has been reported, however with heterogenous results. Discrepancies in study results may be due to inter‐individual variability between study participants. This systematic review aimed to identify the impact of genetics on the relationship between caffeine consumption and cardiometabolic outcomes. Electronic databases (PubMed and EMBASE) were searched for studies published until July 2021. Selected studies were of both intervention and observational design and included (1) analysis of at least one of the selected cardiometabolic outcome (type 2 diabetes, glucose/insulin levels, cardiovascular disease [CVD], blood pressure [BP] or hypertension, and blood lipid and catecholamine levels), (2) adults aged 18–65 years, and (3) genetic analysis of individuals consuming caffeine. Seventeen studies were included: four randomised controlled trials and an interventional and quasi‐experimental study, six population‐based prospective cohort studies, three cross‐sectional studies, and three case–control studies. CYP1A2 rs762551 and ADORA rs5751876 were associated with glucose response when caffeine was consumed with carbohydrates. CYP1A2 rs762551 moderated the association between coffee intake and hypertension. Moreover, ADORA2A rs5751876 and the ADRA2B I variants moderated the associations between caffeine and BP. Studies that investigated the effects of genetic variations on CVD and caffeine consumption reported equivocal findings (CYP1A2) or warrant replication (COMT, ADORA and TRIB1). Elucidating the extent to which these genes moderate the association between caffeine and cardiometabolic outcomes will enable caffeine consumption advice to be tailored to specific individuals to optimise health.
Calculation of the contribution of water to calcium intake in low‐ and middle‐income countries
Authors: Cormick Gabriela , Settecase Eugenia , Wu Michaella L. , Nichols Paulina M. , Devia Mara , Dziarski Alisha , Matamoros Natalia , Puchulu María B. , Belizán José M. , Gibbons Luz
Published: February 2023

Dietary calcium intake is low in many countries, particularly in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs). Water is often overlooked as a source of dietary calcium despite it being universally consumed and providing good calcium bioavailability. Our objective was to assess water distribution systems in LMICs and to develop a formula to simulate the contribution of different water sources to calcium availability. We calculated the contribution of drinking water considering different calcium concentration levels to estimate total calcium availability. We consider a country's households’ access to drinking water sources and the distribution of the country's population by age and gender. Calcium availability could be increased by an average of 49 mg of calcium per person per day in the 62 countries assessed if calcium in drinking water was considered. In 22 (31%) of the countries studied, 80% of households are supplied by water sources that could increase calcium availability. Improving calcium concentration in water could be considered as a strategy in LMICs to slightly improve calcium availability.
Assessing the Suitability of Unmet Need as a Proxy for Access to Contraception and Desire to Use It
Authors: Senderowicz Leigh , Bullington Brooke W. , Sawadogo Nathalie , Tumlinson Katherine , Langer Ana , Soura Abdramane , Zabré Pascal , Sié Ali
Published: February 2023

Unmet need for contraception is a widely used but frequently misunderstood indicator. Although calculated from measures of pregnancy intention and current contraceptive use, unmet need is commonly used as a proxy measure for (1) lack of access to contraception and (2) desire to use it. Using data from a survey in Burkina Faso, we examine the extent to which unmet need corresponds with and diverges from these two concepts, calculating sensitivity, specificity, and positive/negative predictive values. Among women assigned conventional unmet need, 67 percent report no desire to use contraception and 61 percent report access to a broad range of affordable contraceptives. Results show unmet need has low sensitivity and specificity in differentiating those who lack access and/or who desire to use a method from those who do not. These findings suggest that unmet need is of limited utility to inform family planning programs and may be leading stakeholders to overestimate the proportion of women in need of expanded family planning services. We conclude that more direct measures are feasible at the population level, rendering the proxy measure of unmet need unnecessary. Where access to and/or desire for contraception are the true outcomes of interest, more direct measures should be used.
HLA‐DQ eplet mismatch load may identify kidney transplant patients eligible for tacrolimus withdrawal without donor‐specific antibody formation after mesenchymal stromal cell therapy
Authors: Bezstarosti Suzanne , Meziyerh Soufian , Reinders Marlies E. J. , Voogt‐Bakker Kim , Groeneweg Koen E. , Roelen Dave L. , Kers Jesper , de Fijter Johan W. , Heidt Sebastiaan
Published: February 2023

Recently, the randomized phase‐II Triton study demonstrated that mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) therapy facilitated early tacrolimus withdrawal in living donor kidney transplant recipients. The current sub‐study analyzed formation of de novo donor‐specific HLA antibodies (dnDSA) in the context of the degree of HLA eplet mismatches. At the time of protocol biopsy at 6 months, 7/29 patients (24%) in the MSC group and 1/27 patient (3.7%) in the control group had developed dnDSA. In the MSC group, all dnDSA were anti‐HLA‐DQ; two patients had anti‐DQ alone and five patients combined with anti‐class I, HLA‐DR or ‐DP. Despite excess dnDSA formation in the MSC‐arm of the study, the evolution of eGFR (CKD‐EPI) and proteinuria were comparable 2 years posttransplant. All dnDSA were complement‐binding and three patients had antibody‐mediated rejection in the protocol biopsy, but overall rejection episodes were not increased. Everolimus had to be discontinued in nine patients because of toxicity, and tacrolimus was reintroduced in six patients because of dnDSA formation. The HLA‐DQ eplet mismatch load independently associated with dnDSA (adjusted hazard ratio = 1.07 per eplet mismatch, p = 0.008). A threshold of ≥11 HLA‐DQ eplet mismatches predicted subsequent dnDSA in all 11 patients in the MSC group, but specificity was low (44%). Further research is warranted to explore HLA molecular mismatch load as a biomarker to guide personalized maintenance immunosuppression in kidney transplantation.
Progressive exercise versus best practice advice for adults aged 50 years
or over after ankle fracture: the AFTER pilot randomised controlled
trial
Authors: Keene David J , Costa Matthew L , Peckham Nicholas , Tutton Elizabeth , Barber Vicki S , Dutton Susan J , Hopewell Sally , Redmond Anthony C , Willett Keith , Lamb Sarah E
Published: February 2023

Objective

The aim of the Ankle Fracture Treatment: Enhancing Rehabilitation
(AFTER) study, a multicentre external pilot parallel-group randomised
controlled trial (RCT), was to assess feasibility of a definitive trial
comparing rehabilitation approaches after ankle fracture.

Setting

Five UK National Health Service hospitals.

Participants

Participants were aged 50 years and over with an ankle fracture
requiring immobilisation for at least 4 weeks.

Interventions

Participants were allocated 1:1 via a central web-based
randomisation system to: (1) best practice advice (one session of
physiotherapy, up to two optional additional advice sessions) or (2)
progressive exercise (up to six sessions of physiotherapy).

Primary outcome measures

Feasibility: (1) participation rate, (2) intervention adherence and
(3) retention.

Results

Sixty-one of 112 (54%) eligible participants participated, exceeding
progression criteria for participation of 25%. Recruitment progression
criteria was 1.5 participants per site per month and 1.4 was observed.
At least one intervention session was delivered for 28/30 (93%) of best
practice advice and 28/31 (90%) of progressive exercise participants,
exceeding the 85% progression criteria. For those providing follow-up
data, the proportion of participants reporting performance of home
exercises in the best practice advice and the progressive exercise
groups at 3 months was 20/23 (87%) and 21/25 (84%), respectively. Mean
time from injury to starting physiotherapy was 74.1 days (95% CI 53.9 to
94.1 days) for the best practice advice and 72.7 days (95% CI 54.7 to
88.9) for the progressive exercise group. Follow-up rate (6-month Olerud
and Molander Ankle Score) was 28/30 (93%) for the best practice advice
group and 26/31 (84%) in the progressive exercise group with an overall
follow-up rate of 89%.

Conclusions

This pilot RCT demonstrated that a definitive trial would be
feasible. The main issues to address for a definitive trial are
intervention modifications to enable earlier provision of rehabilitation
and ensuring similar rates of follow-up in each group.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN16612336.
Seasonal diversity and dietary guild structure of birds in two Vindhyan gorge forests of Rajasthan, India
Authors: Joshi Ashvini Kumar
Published: February 2023

Habitat is the key factor of biodiversity conservation. In Vindhyan mountain range of India, there are many perennial and seasonal rivers which create deep gorges in their course of flow. Two Vindhyan gorges—Tahla and Chainpuriya—were studied to know their potential as bird habitat from July 2016 to June 2018 using line transect method during three season survey basis. The Tahla gorge had 74 bird species of 35 families (67 resident and 7 migratory). The Chainpuriya gorge had 60 bird species belonged to 31 families (53 resident and 7 migratory). Highest bird diversity (HT = 3.55, HCh = 3.29) and richness (dT = 9.63,dCh = 8.28) was found in summer and the least diversity (HT = 3.40, HCh = 3.19)  and richness (dT = 7.95, dCh = 7.49) was found in monsoon. Birds of family Muscicapidae had highest relative diversity (T = 9.45, Ch = 13.33) in both the gorges. Insectivorous guild was most abundant followed by omnivorous, carnivorous, granivorous, frugivorous, and nectarivorous guilds. Wide range of habitats, variety of food, life resources, and undisturbed self-sustained ecosystem were important key factors for the rich diversity of birds in the gorges.
Sunda Clouded Leopard Neofelis diardi (Cuvier, 1823) (Mammalia: Carnivora: Felidae) occupancy in Borneo: results of a pilot vehicle spotlight transect survey
Authors: Jephte Sompud  , Sze Lue Kee  , Pei Kurtis Jia-Chyi , Liau Paul , Goh Collin , Giordano Anthony J.
Published: February 2023

The Sunda Clouded Leopard Neofelis diardi on Borneo is threatened principally by deforestation for oil palm plantations and the indiscriminate use of illegal trapping. Sunda Clouded Leopard populations are decreasing across their range, and the species has been categorised as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Despite the persistence of threats and numerous surveys in recent years, information on its ecology is still limited. Most studies to date have relied on the use of camera traps as their primary sampling tool, as it is challenging otherwise to gather data on Sunda Clouded Leopards. This study aimed to test the feasibility of estimating the Sunda Clouded Leopard occupancy using a different approach. We conducted vehicle spotlight transect surveys in a mixed-use forest reserve and logging concession in Sabah. We drove a cumulative total of 8,433 km of transects at night and documented the occurrence of Sunda Clouded Leopards in eight out of 31 predetermined long-distance transects, yielding a relatively low naïve occupancy rate (nO = 0.26). When accounting for imperfect detection (ρ = 0.15), null occupancy of Sunda Clouded Leopards appeared much higher (ᴪ = 0.55), though our parameter estimates lacked relative precision. Despite this, our results suggest there may be potential to further refine and adapt a basic, cost-effective monitoring approach in a local mixed-use reserve with the help of concession managers and additional improvements to study design. We caution, however, that not all study sites may be suited for this type of approach and strongly advise the development of pilot studies to evaluate their overall feasibility.
First report of Meliola panici on Ottochloa nodosa (Kunth) Dandy (Poaceae)
Authors: Gokul Gopinathan Nair , Thomas Jacob
Published: February 2023

This is the first report of biotrophic association of Black Mildew disease causing fungus on Ottochloa nodosa (Poaceae). The fungal pathogen is identified as Meliola panici. The samples of the fungus collected from southern Western Ghats of Kerala State, India is described.
An annotated checklist of the economically important family of moths (Lepidoptera: Heterocera: Noctuidae) of the northern Western Ghats, India, with notes on their type species, diversity, distribution, host plants, and an unusual new faunistic record
Authors: Kalawate Aparna Sureshchandra , Prachee Surwade  , S.N. Pawara
Published: February 2023

This research is based on the surveys conducted from 2015─2018 resulting in identification of 37 species of 25 genera of noctuid moths. From the surveys, three new records including one unusual species namely, Conservula indica (Moore, 1867) are reported in the present study. A total of eight species of this family are reported as endemic. Two species—C. indica and Pyrrhia umbra—are reported first time from the Western Ghats part of Maharashtra. In this communication, notes on host plant, type species, endemic species with their distribution are provided.
Range extension of Isthmoheros tuyrensis, a threatened species of fish (Cichlidae) in Panama: including new ecological and morphological data
Authors: Dominici-Arosemena Arturo , Angulo Arturo , Osorio-Ugarte Haydee , Ortega-Samaniego Quiriatjaryn , Fraiz Andres , Guerrel Arminda , Arauz Edgar , Montiel Jennifer , Medina Beatriz , Rodriguez-Arriati Yehudi , Gonzalez Yessenia , Pardo Javier , Urriola Karly , Ramos-Merchante Adrian
Published: February 2023

There are two endemic species of Cichlidae in southern Central America, both found in the Pacific Slope of Eastern Panama (PSEP). One is Isthmoheros tuyrensis, which until now was presumed to be distributed in the Darien Province and the Bayano River basin. Information on distribution and ecology of I. tuyrensis is relatively scarce. In this investigation we report a new range extension for the species and provide additional morphological and ecological data. Fish were sampled using electrofishing and cast nets, in three river basins of the Panama District (Matasnillo, Juan Díaz, and Pacora) from August–September (rainy season) of 2020, February–March (dry season), and April (transition season) of 2021. Fish diversity, water quality, and physical parameters were gathered within the upper, middle, and lower portions of the three basins. This study focused on the localities where specimens of I. tuyrensis were found (i.e., Pacora river basin). The presence of the species in localities with significant anthropogenic threats results in a potential barrier for distribution, along with the possibility of extirpation due to heavy pollution – in particular from the rivers on the western side of Panama City. In addition, we note an increase in urban threat from the east of the city due to expanded development and agricultural activities. I. tuyrensis, the virtually unknown “Aveinte” in Spanish or the “Isthmian Hero”, is listed as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)’s Red List and inhabits some river basins lacking effective protection, being the only endemic fish species located in an urban basin in the Pacific of Mesoamerica. The information on distribution, morphology, and ecology provided here will contribute to a better understanding of the species’ biology and will aid the creation and implementation of management and conservation measures.
Rediscovery of Sewardiella tuberifera Kash., a long-lost monotypic endemic Indian liverwort
Authors: Pant Sapana , S.D. Tewari  , Joshi Prachi , Bhandari Manisha , Arya Richa
Published: February 2023

An extremely rare, long-lost, monotypic endemic, Indian liverwort, Sewardiella tuberifera Kash. has recently been recollected after a gap of over three-and-a-half decades from an altogether new location, the Mukteshwar region (2,171 m) of Nainital district in the Kumaun Himalaya, Uttarakhand. The remarkable rediscovery of this monotypic, endemic Himalayan liverwort is a significant finding for the world’s bryological treasure. Along with other rare Himalayan monotypic endemics such as Aitchisoniella himalayensis Kash. and Stephensoniella brevipedunculata Kash., the currently located sporiferous population of Sewardiella was discovered persisting in small, dispersed, sparse patches with 5–30 individuals. The currently spotted collection site is being considered a ‘bryological hotspot’. As the area develops as a popular ecotourism destination, the original habitat of these hepatics in a lime stone-dominated, south-west facing, unstable sloppy site at Mukteshwar is under constant pressure from several developmental activities. Hence, serious conservation steps are needed to protect this hotspot supporting Himalayan bryophyte jewels. To ensure long term perpetuation and conservation of red-listed hepatic taxa, an attempt is being made to translocate part of the population to ecologically and climatically identical safer site, including a developing ‘moss garden’ at Lingadhar (Nainital).
Photographic record of the butterfly ray Gymnura cf. poecilura (Myliobatiformes: Gymnuridae) from the Bhagirathi-Hooghly River in West Bengal, eastern India
Authors: Chakraborty Priyankar
Published: February 2023

This brief note presents the first photographic record of the butterfly ray, Gymnura cf. poecilura, from the Bhagirathi-Hooghly River in West Bengal, eastern India. The photographs were discovered during a pilot survey of riverine elasmobranchs in West Bengal. This record is an important contribution to the knowledge of elasmobranch biodiversity in Indian rivers. The author suggests that further research is needed to better understand the ecology, biology and conservation status of riverine elasmobranchs in India.
Schoenoplectiella erecta (Poir.) Lye ssp. raynalii (Schuyler) Beentje (Cyperaceae) – a new record to India from Ossudu Bird Sanctuary, Villupuram District, Tamil Nadu
Authors: Chandrasegrane Pradeep  , Paneerselvam Umamaheswari  , Natesan Balachandran  , Mathevet Raphael
Published: February 2023

Schoenoplectiella erecta subsp. raynalii (Cyperaceae) is recorded for the first time from India and Asia. This taxon was collected in Ossudu Bird Sanctuary, Villupuram district of Tamil Nadu, southern India. Detailed description including microscopic study of the glume and nutlets with digital images, morphological characters, habitat, and key characters between the two subspecies are provided.
Notes on morphology and bionomics of Urolabida histrionica (Westwood) (Heteroptera: Urostylididae) from Assam, India
Authors: Ranade Sachin , Ghate Hemant V.
Published: February 2023

Illustrated redescription of a colourful bug Urolabida histrionica (Westwood 1837), along with comments on bionomics, is presented for the first time from an Indian population. The host plant for this bug was identified as Ficus hispida L. f. (Moraceae).
An inventory of endemic and near endemic angiosperm flora of Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Tiger Reserve, peninsular India
Authors: J. Jayanthi
Published: February 2023

The Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple (BRT) Tiger Reserve is a biodiverse region of peninsular India that harbors a significant number of endemic and near-endemic angiosperm species. The present documentation reveals a total of 211 endemic taxa conserved in this reserve. Analysis show that the endemic flora is dominated by Western Ghats (57%) elements, followed by Eastern and Western Ghats elements (28%), peninsular endemic elements (9%), and Indian elements (6%). The present study reports two endemic species of Western Ghats Syzygium densiflorum (Myrtaceae) and Meineckia longipes (Phyllanthaceae) as new distribution records for Karnataka state. The family Orchidaceae harbors the maximum endemic taxa. A majority of endemic taxa are confined to the evergreen forest of the reserve, hence these forests need special attention for conservation.
Tadpole morphology of Jerdon’s Narrow-mouthed Frog Uperodon montanus (Jerdon, 1853) with a range and elevation extension report from Western Ghats, India
Authors: Hegde Amit , Girish Kadadevaru  , K.P. Dinesh
Published: February 2023

The study discusses about the new data on larval description, morphological features, larval ecology of stage 25–40 of the Jerdon’s Narrow-mouthed Frog Uperodon montanus (Jerdon, 1853). Tadpoles were identified up to family and genus level based on the historical literature and the species level confirmation was done with molecular studies. We also present a new northern limit record of this species from the Pushpagiri hill ranges in Karnataka (12.669 N,  75.717 E) and a new highest elevation record of 1,916 m at Vaguvarai, Idukki, Kerala which are outside its currently known distribution and elevation ranges. As per the present work, the distribution range of U. montanus has extended northwards by 130 km and upwards by 216 m. Additionally, the IUCN Red List status for the species is also discussed based on the area of occupancy and extent of occurrence redone considering the new range envelope.