bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Brief Report: PrEP Uptake, Adherence, and Discontinuation Among California YMSM Using Geosocial Networking Applications
Authors: Holloway Ian W. , Dougherty Ryan , Gildner Jennifer , Beougher Sean C. , Pulsipher Craig , Montoya Jorge A. , Plant Aaron , Leibowitz Arleen
Published: August 2016

We investigated pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake, adherence, and discontinuation among young app-using men who have sex with men in California (N = 761). Approximately, 9.7% of participants had ever used PrEP; 87% of those deemed good candidates for screening (indicated by a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention risk index score ≥10) were not current or past users. PrEP use was associated with higher income [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 4.13; confidence interval (CI): 1.87 to 9.12], receptive condomless anal sex (aOR: 3.41; CI: 1.71 to 6.78), HIV-positive sex partners (aOR: 2.87; CI: 1.53 to 5.38), popper use (aOR: 3.47; CI: 1.96 to 6.13), and recent sexually transmitted infection diagnosis (aOR: 2.90; CI: 1.64 to 5.13). Some users (41.5%) wanted help remembering to take PrEP. The top reason for discontinuation was concern about long-term side effects (33.0%). Young men who have sex with men app users are prime candidates for PrEP, despite low uptake. Apps may be useful tools for PrEP information dissemination, adherence monitoring, and support.
The Lung Point Sign, not Pathognomonic of a Pneumothorax
Authors: Aziz Sameh G. , Patel Brijesh B. , Ie Susanti R. , Rubio Edmundo R.
Published: August 2016

Since the development of portable ultrasonography equipment, this technology has provided clinicians the ability to evaluate a variety of lung pathology at the bedside, but we are still learning how to accurately interpret the acquired images. Adequate interpretation and recognition of certain signs is crucial to diagnosing pathological processes. In addition, such signs must be adequately correlated with the patient's medical condition. For instance, the “lung point sign” has been traditionally considered to be pathognomonic for the presence of a pneumothorax, yet such finding may be present in patients with bullous lung disease without a pneumothorax.

We present a case of an 83-year-old man with underlying chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Bedside ultrasonography identified a “lung point sign” initially suggesting a possible pneumothorax. Further evaluation demonstrated absence of pneumothorax, with the patient having a large bulla.

To our knowledge, this is the first case reported demonstrating that the “lung point sign” is not always indicative of a pneumothorax. We discuss the importance of both clinical correlation and understanding of the underlying pathophysiology when reviewing ultrasound images to accurately interpret ultrasound findings.
Sonographic Findings of Hydropneumothorax
Authors: Nations Joel Anthony , Smith Patrick , Parrish Scott , Browning Robert
Published: August 2016

Ultrasound is increasingly being used in examination of the thorax. The sonographic features of normal aerated lung, abnormal lung, pneumothorax, and intrapleural fluid have been published. The sonographic features of uncommon intrathoracic syndromes are less known. Hydropneumothorax is an uncommon process in which the thoracic cavity contains both intrapleural air and water. Few published examples of the sonographic findings in hydropneumothorax exist. We present 3 illustrative cases of the sonographic features of hydropneumothorax with comparative imaging and a literature review of the topic.
Sonographic Features of Nodular Hashimoto Thyroiditis
Authors: Oppenheimer Daniel Corey , Giampoli Ellen , Montoya Simone , Patel Swapnil , Dogra Vikram
Published: August 2016

Objective

The aim of the study was to analyze the sonographic features of nodular Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT) in patients with diffuse background thyroiditis and normal background thyroid parenchyma.

Subjects and Methods

Eighty-six patients who had fine-needle aspiration biopsy of 100 thyroid nodules confirmed to be HT and a thyroid ultrasound within 1 year of the biopsy were included in the study. Retrospective analysis of several sonographic features of each nodule was then performed.

Results

The mean age of patients with nodular HT was 53 years, 84% of which were female. Nodular HT occurred in a background of diffuse thyroiditis in 85% and in a homogeneous normal background in 15%. Ninety-three percent of nodules were completely solid and 7% of nodules were cystic and solid. Although the sonographic appearance of nodular HT was variable, the most common appearance was a solid (93/100) and hypoechoic nodule (44/100) with a thin hypoechoic halo (42/100) without calcifications (96/100). On color Doppler, 17% of nodules showed peripheral hypervascularity, 14% of nodules were diffusely hypervascular, 34% were iso vascular, 32% were hypovascular, and 3% were avascular. The sonographic appearance of nodular HT was not significantly different in patients with diffuse background thyroiditis compared with those without background thyroiditis.

Conclusions

The sonographic appearance of nodular HT is variable, but the most common appearance is a solid sharply circumscribed hypoechoic nodule with thin hypoechoic halo without calcification. There was no significant difference in the appearance of nodular HT in patients with diffuse background thyroiditis compared with patients with normal background thyroid parenchyma.
Safety Outcomes of NOTES Cholecystectomy Versus Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Peng Cheng , Ling Yan , Ma Chi , Ma Xiaochun , Fan Wei , Niu Weibo , Niu Jun
Published: August 2016

Objective:

Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) is an endoscopic technique whereby surgical interventions can be performed with a flexible endoscope passed through a natural orifice (mouth, vulva, urethra, anus) then through a transluminal opening of the stomach, vagina, bladder, or colon. Although in the early stage of research and development, NOTES has been clinically applied across the globe, above all the transvaginal cholecystectomy is among the most frequently performed procedures. In the existing 2 types of transvaginal routes, the hybrid NOTES cholecystectomy (NC) is more likely to be accepted. However, there has been controversy regarding the safety outcomes of hybrid NC in comparison with classical laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). The primary objective of this meta-analysis is to compare the characteristics between NC and classical LC.

Materials and Methods:

A meta-analysis of eligible studies comparing NC with classical LC was performed to evaluate the safety outcomes including wound complications, other postoperative complications and intraoperative conversion between the 2 groups.

Results:

Pooling 3 randomized controlled trials (n=157) and 7 nonrandomized trial (n=593) demonstrated that the rates of wound complications and other postoperative complications in NC group did not significantly differ from those of classical LC group [wound complications: ratio difference (RD)=−0.02, 95% confidence interval (CI) −0.04to 0.01, P=0.23; other postoperative complication: RD=−0.01; 95% CI, −0.03 to 0.02; P=0.6]. The intraoperative conversion rate in NC groups was higher than that of LC groups (RD=0.03; 95% CI, 0.01-0.06; P=0.02).

Conclusions:

There is no significate difference between the safety of NC and laparoscope cholecystectomy. NC is associated with a higher rate of intraoperative conversion when compared with LC. It is worthy of further promotion and validation in clinical settings.
Coordinated weather balloon solar radiation measurements during a solar eclipse
Authors: Harrison R. G. , Marlton G. J. , Williams P. D. , Nicoll K. A.
Published: August 2016

Solar eclipses provide a rapidly changing solar radiation environment. These changes can be studied using simple photodiode sensors, if the radiation reaching the sensors is unaffected by cloud. Transporting the sensors aloft using standard meteorological instrument packages modified to carry extra sensors, provides one promising but hitherto unexploited possibility for making solar eclipse radiation measurements. For the 20 March 2015 solar eclipse, a coordinated campaign of balloon-carried solar radiation measurements was undertaken from Reading (51.44°N, 0.94°W), Lerwick (60.15°N, 1.13°W) and Reykjavik (64.13°N, 21.90°W), straddling the path of the eclipse. The balloons reached sufficient altitude at the eclipse time for eclipse-induced variations in solar radiation and solar limb darkening to be measured above cloud. Because the sensor platforms were free to swing, techniques have been evaluated to correct the measurements for their changing orientation. In the swing-averaged technique, the mean value across a set of swings was used to approximate the radiation falling on a horizontal surface; in the swing-maximum technique, the direct beam was estimated by assuming that the maximum solar radiation during a swing occurs when the photodiode sensing surface becomes normal to the direction of the solar beam. Both approaches, essentially independent, give values that agree with theoretical expectations for the eclipse-induced radiation changes.

This article is part of the themed issue ‘Atmospheric effects of solar eclipses stimulated by the 2015 UK eclipse’.
The National Eclipse Weather Experiment: use and evaluation of a citizen science tool for schools outreach
Authors: Portas Antonio M. , Barnard Luke , Scott Chris , Harrison R. Giles
Published: August 2016

The National Eclipse Weather Experiment (NEWEx) was a citizen science project for atmospheric data collection from the partial solar eclipse of 20 March 20. Its role as a tool for schools outreach is discussed here, in seeking to bridge the gap between self-identification with the role of a scientist and engagement with science, technology, engineering and mathematics subjects. (The science data generated have had other uses beyond this, explored elsewhere.) We describe the design of webforms for weather data collection, and the use of several external partners for the dissemination of the project nationwide. We estimate that up to 3500 pupils and teachers took part in this experiment, through the 127 schools postcodes identified in the data submission. Further analysis revealed that 43.3% of the schools were primary schools and 35.4% were secondary. In total, 96.3% of participants reported themselves as ‘captivated’ or ‘inspired’ by NEWEx. We also found that 60% of the schools that took part in the experiment lie within the highest quintiles of engagement with higher education, which emphasizes the need for the scientific community to be creative when using citizen science projects to target hard-to-reach audiences.

This article is part of the themed issue ‘Atmospheric effects of solar eclipses stimulated by the 2015 UK eclipse’.
Population dynamics of Arabis alpina in the French Alps: evidence for demographic compensation?
Authors: Andrello Marco , De Villemereuil Pierre , Busson Delphine , Gaggiotti Oscar , Till-Bottraud Irène
Published: August 2016

Due to its genetic proximity with Arabidopsis thaliana, Arabis alpina (Brassicaceae) is increasingly used as a perennial model species in studies of molecular evolution and adaptation.

We studied the demography of A. alpina in six natural sites widely differing in their degree of disturbance, slope and vegetation, and encompassing the full altitudinal range of the species.

We estimated three vital rates (growth, reproductive effort and survival) for individually-marked plants, studied for six years (2008-2014). We characterized the thermic conditions of each site with different thermal variables obtained using in situ continuous-time data loggers.

Although A. alpina is described as a perennial species, the average life expectancy was only 1.82 years and most plants died before setting seeds. Plant size was a strong predictor of all three vital rates.

Mean daily temperature showed a positive effect on growth and a negative effect on survival. Furthermore, reproductive effort covaried negatively with survival, suggesting a mechanism of demographic compensation acting on an elevational gradient.

Synthesis. These results are informative of the selective pressures experienced by A. alpina in natural conditions and will help design experimental and molecular studies of local adaptation in this species.
Efficient computation of the scattering intensity from systems of nonspherical particles
Authors: Persson Rasmus A. X. , Bergenholtz Johan
Published: August 2016

The analysis of the angle dependence of the elastic scattering of radiation from a sample is an efficient and non-invasive technique that is used in fundamental science, in medicine and in technical quality control in industry. Precise information on the shape, size, polydispersity and interactions of a colloidal sample is readily obtained provided an underlying scattering model, i.e. form and structure factors, can be computed for the sample. Here, a numerical method that can efficiently compute the form factor amplitude (and thus the scattering intensity) of nonspherical scatterers through an importance sampling algorithm of the Fourier integral of the scattering density is presented. Using the precomputed form factor amplitudes, the calculation of the scattering intensity at any particle concentration then scales linearly with the particle number and linearly with the number of q points for its evaluation. This is illustrated by an example calculation of the scattering by concentrated suspensions of ellipsoidal Janus particles and the numerical accuracy for the computed form factor amplitudes is compared with analytical benchmarks.
Different molecular conformations co-exist in each of three 2-aryl-N-(1,5-dimethyl-3-oxo-2-phenyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)acetamides: hydrogen bonding in zero, one and two dimensions
Authors: Narayana Badiadka , Yathirajan Hemmige S. , Rathore Ravindranath S. , Glidewell Christopher
Published: August 2016

4-Antipyrine [4-amino-1,5-dimethyl-2-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-3(2H)-one] and its derivatives exhibit a range of biological activities, including analgesic, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, and new examples are always of potential interest and value. 2-(4-Chlorophenyl)-N-(1,5-dimethyl-3-oxo-2-phenyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)acetamide, C19H18ClN3O2, (I), crystallizes withZ′ = 2 in the space groupP\overline{1}, whereas its positional isomer 2-(2-chlorophenyl)-N-(1,5-dimethyl-3-oxo-2-phenyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)acetamide, (II), crystallizes withZ′ = 1 in the space groupC2/c; the molecules of (II) are disordered over two sets of atomic sites having occupancies of 0.6020 (18) and 0.3980 (18). The two independent molecules of (I) adopt different molecular conformations, as do the two disorder components in (II), where the 2-chlorophenyl substituents adopt different orientations. The molecules of (I) are linked by a combination of N—H...O and C—H...O hydrogen bonds to form centrosymmetric four-molecule aggregates, while those of (II) are linked by the same types of hydrogen bonds forming sheets. The related compoundN-(1,5-dimethyl-3-oxo-2-phenyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-2-(3-methoxyphenyl)acetamide, C20H21N3O3, (III), is isomorphous with (I) but not strictly isostructural; again the two independent molecules adopt different molecular conformations, and the molecules are linked by N—H...O and C—H...O hydrogen bonds to form ribbons. Comparisons are made with some related structures, indicating that a hydrogen-bondedR22(10) ring is the common structural motif.
UTAUT: capturing differences in undergraduate versus postgraduate learning?
Authors: McKeown Tui , Anderson Mary
Published: August 2016

Purpose

While educators and students alike are increasingly moving to use on-line technologies, there is still much to be learned about how these tools influence student learning. The purpose of this paper is to present a comparative investigation of the online use of one undergraduate (UG) and two postgraduate (PG) student cohorts undertaking similar “introduction to management” courses.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) framework to examine student cohorts’ (UG vs PG, with two nuances within PG) use of the same online learning platform.

Findings

Students’ acceptance and use of technology increases as the authors move from UG to PG with little to no work experience and were highest for PG students with two years plus work experience. These findings suggest that educators delivery of materials via online learning platforms requires a more nuanced approach than the “one-size fits all” that tends to be adopted.

Research limitations/implications

The study is confined to students undertaking management in the academic rather than vocational area and the authors have limited the study to a quantitative methodology which uses regression analysis.

Practical implications

This current study provides academic practitioners with an insight into some of the challenges facing higher education in managing different student cohorts in ways that provide them all with what is seen as a quality learning experience.

Originality/value

Given the relatively recent development of the UTAUT model, the authors suggest that an important part of its value is in providing comparative UG vs PG views as to the effectiveness of online and technology-assisted learning tools.
Gender at work, one size does not fit all
Authors: Woudstra Inge
Published: August 2016

Purpose

Leaders have learned to lead men. Women are different and organisations will need to adapt to maximise progress and performance of women as well as men. Line managers need to be aware of gender differences in their approach of a mixed gender team. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

In a review of literature, key gender differences that could play a role at work were identified. Five top sports coaches were interviewed to find how they had to adapt to improve performance of female teams. Practical application of their strategies in organisations was tested in four workshops and 15 interviews with women and managers.

Findings

Six key gender differences were identified. Top sports coaches confirmed that they had to adapt their style to a female team, and could relate those to some of the differences from literature. The workshops and interviews showed that teaching managers to adapt their style is a promising approach.

Research limitations/implications

The research was set up to find if there is merit in being aware of gender differences in organisations. There is, but as it is exploratory research it is now important to find further evidence.

Originality/value

Gender diversity efforts tend to be focused on equality, flexible working, and upgrading women’s skills. This paper highlights that those initiatives are not enough, and organisations need to adapt to women’s needs to maximise performance and progress of women as well as men.
Study and comparison techniques in fabric simulation using mass spring model
Authors: Mozafary Vajiha , Payvandy Pedram
Published: August 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to conduct a survey on research in fabric and cloth simulation using mass spring model. Also in this paper some of the common methods in process of fabric simulation in mass spring model are discussed and compared.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper reviews and compares presented mesh types in mass spring model, forces applied on model, super elastic effect and ways to settle the super elasticity problem, numerical integration methods for solving equations, collision detection and its response. Some of common methods in fabric simulation are compared to each other. And by using examples of fabric simulation, advantages and limitations of each technique are mentioned.

Findings

Mass spring method is a fast and flexible technique with high ability to simulate fabric behavior in real time with different environmental conditions. Mass spring model has more accuracy than geometrical models and also it is faster than other physical modeling.

Originality/value

In the edge of digital, fabric simulation technology has been considered into many fields. 3D fabric simulation is complex and its implementation requires knowledge in different fields such as textile engineering, computer engineering and mechanical engineering. Several methods have been presented for fabric simulation such as physical and geometrical models. Mass spring model, the typical physically based method, is one of the methods for fabric simulation which widely considered by researchers.
Preparation of long-lasting fragrant worsted fabrics using polypropylene-imine (PPI) dendrimer
Authors: Akbari Somaye , Akbari Mehdi , Kish Mohammad Haghighat , Mazaheri Firoz Mehr
Published: August 2016

Purpose

The production of long-lasting fragrant semi-worsted fabrics using dendritic compounds as one of the nano size materials is concerned. Also quantitative assessments of the odour intensity of the fragrant fabrics using an electronic-nose (E-nose) are made. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The semi-worsted fabrics were perfumed using the second generation of polypropylene-imine (PPI) dendrimer as a host molecules. The ginseng and rosewater fragrances as guest molecules were applied into the PPI dendrimer to produce long-lasting fragrant fabrics. The odour intensity as well as long-lasting properties of the fragrant fabrics perfumed recently and the other sample perfumed one year ago were evaluated via E-nose fabricated in our laboratory. Physical properties of the fragrant fabrics were compared to the non-fragrant ones.

Findings

The interaction between ginseng and rosewater fragrances with the second generation of PPI dendrimer into the semi-worsted fabrics made a long-lasting fragrant fabrics without considerable impacts on bending length, air permeability and wrinkle recovery angles based on statistical analysis. However, the effects of making fragrant fabrics on the increasing weight are significant. In addition, the E-nose was successfully used to monitor the release of ginseng and rosewater fragrance from the fabrics by the response patterns of a temperature-modulated chemo-resistive gas sensor. E-nose analysis showed that the aroma intensity released from the old fragrant semi-worsted fabrics has no obvious diversity from that of new fragrant fabrics.

Originality/value

The findings suggest that the semi-worsted fabrics perfumed with dendritic materials revealed excellent sustained release property.
The influence of clothing pressure exerted by girdle on inhibition ability of young females
Authors: Liu Yunjuan , Chen Dongsheng
Published: August 2016

Purpose

Since it has been regarded as an effective method to evaluate clothing pressure comfort with physiological and psychological techniques the purpose of this paper is to examine the effect on people s inhibition ability caused by the oppression from clothing on the body through event-related potentials (ERPs). A trial application of ERPs technology was made to evaluate clothing pressure comfort and investigate the relationship between some physical indexes of brain wave and clothing pressure. This research would also reveal the influence of clothing pressure on the thinking ability and mental activity of young women.

Design/methodology/approach

Stroop color-naming task was utilized to test the inhibition ability of participants. In the present research, some components of ERPs (e.g. N1, P2, N2 and N450) and behavioral indexes (RTs, and errors rates) were detected to verify the change of physiology and psychology caused by the pressure imposed by girdle on the body.

Findings

At behavioral level RTs were slower for the group under pressure rather than pressure-free group with no significant difference in errors rate between the two groups. Based on the early component statistics of ERPs the Stroop effects of both groups were similar. Besides there was no prominent difference in the latencies and amplitudes of N1, P2 and N2 components except the N450 components. The inhibition ability of young women who had worn girdle for 8 hours decreased causing them unable to make a timely response and thus affecting their attentiveness and executive ability.

Originality/value

This study would clarify that it is feasible to evaluate clothing pressure comfort with ERPs as a physiological technique, and enrich relative methods.
Principles and hierarchy design of protective clothing for earthquake disaster search and rescue team members
Authors: Zhai Lina , Lin Xue , Xu Jingxian , Wang Yunyi , Li Jun
Published: August 2016

Purpose

Personal protective assembles protect searchers and rescuers from potential hazards when they enter the earthquake disaster field. Since the earthquake rescue work is risky and complicated, the corresponding protective clothing should meet with the protective, functional and comfort performance demands. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the design principles of this kind of protective clothing and present a design model based on the principles.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, the requirements of the protective clothing were investigated in terms of environment, human and clothing. Then the design principles were analyzed by the hierarchy method in four aspects: protection, comfort, ergonomics and compatibility. Design approaches were also investigated in accordance with the design principles in three hierarchies.

Findings

Key design points were summarized in the selection of the shell fabrics and linings, clothing styles, constructions and specifications. Also, the overall design methodology of the protective clothing for earthquake rescue members was established.

Originality/value

This paper provided a theoretical basis and design model for the development of earthquake search and rescuers’ clothing.
Analysis of females’ preferences for buttock shapes with different ethnic backgrounds
Authors: Yao Xiaofeng , Wang Jianping , Ashdown Susan P. , Luo Shunhua , Shi Hui
Published: August 2016

Purpose

Understanding costumer requirements is a precondition for clothing design and manufacturing. A good shapewear designer should know women’s preferences for their buttock shapes before making patterns. The purpose of this paper is to figure out factors affecting the beauty of women’s buttock shapes and the effect of ethnic background to buttock shapes preference.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach utilized both 3D virtual models and 3D printed models to detect women’s preference for their buttock shapes. As a first stage, a two-step K-means cluster method was used to classify female buttock shapes into ten groups and these ten kinds of buttock shapes were output as 3D virtual models and printed out as 3D plastic models. In a subsequent stage, 51 Caucasians, 35 African-Americans and 49 Asians were selected to rank the models separately based on their preference and choose the factors which they thought could influence the beauty of buttock shapes. Kendall’s W coefficient was tested to help assessing the ranking results. Finally, a sample girdle was designed based on the buttock shape preferences of Asian females as an example, and was tested by a model.

Findings

Results showed some correlation between ethnicity and buttock shape preference. Both methods of presentation of the shapes were equally preferred by participants. Caucasian women preferred a full, round buttock shape, which was coordinated to other parts of the body. The attractive buttock shape as judged by Asian women was curvy, not drooping and not too big. African-American women choose buttock shapes that were very full with high buttock bumps as beautiful. A sample girdle was made based on the preferences of Asian females and it proved to perform well in creating the desired shape during the trial test.

Originality/value

Current research in the literature about women’s buttock beauty is based on plastic surgeons’ experiences. This study provides a novel method to analyze female’s preference for their buttock shapes; a method that can also be used for other body parts. The results can also be used as an indicator for underwear designers to improve shapewear pattern designs and for consumers to evaluate the shaping ability of shapewear.
An experiential model of consumer engagement in social media
Authors: Tafesse Wondwesen
Published: August 2016

Purpose

This study aims to propose an experiential model of consumer engagement focusing on Facebook brand pages. Building on the brand experience literature, the study synthesizes the experiential affordances of Facebook brand pages along perceptual, social, epistemic and embodied dimensions and tests their impact on consumer engagement.

Design/methodology/approach

The study operationalized key variables of the proposed model at the brand page level and assembled pertinent data, using systematic content analysis, on a sample of Facebook brand pages (n = 85). Poisson regression tested the proposed model.

Findings

The findings indicate that brands that facilitate greater number of experiential affordances on their Facebook brand pages generated higher levels of consumer engagement. For both brand post likes and brand post shares, the contributions of experiential affordances were significant and positive.

Practical implications

The findings offer actionable managerial insights for brands seeking to implement an experiential model of consumer engagement on their fan pages.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature by proposing and testing an experiential model of consumer engagement in the context of Facebook brand pages. To date, the experiential value of Facebook brand pages has rarely, if at all, been tested in an empirical study.
Retail brand experience: scale development and validation
Authors: Khan Imran , Rahman Zillur
Published: August 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop and validate a multi-dimensional scale to measure retail brand experience.

Design/methodology/approach

Literature review and open-ended survey have been carried out to generate an initial pool of items. Item reduction has been done using exploratory factor analysis and validation of measures performed through confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling. A total of six separate studies have been conducted to develop and validate the retail brand experience scale.

Findings

A 22-item seven-dimensional retail brand experience scale is developed. The proposed scale has exhibited sound psychometric properties based on the findings from different reliability and validity tests, as well as from robust scale replications across several different samples. Findings support that retail brand experience has a significant impact on consumer intentions (word-of-mouth and pay more).

Practical implications

This research develops a set of retail brand experience measures that can provide retailers a way to examine the experiences evoked through retail brand-related stimuli.

Originality/value

This study is the first of its kind of its kind that develops and validates the measures of the retail brand experience.
Consumers’ awareness of luxury brand counterfeits and their subsequent responses: when a threat becomes an opportunity for the genuine brand
Authors: Baghi Ilaria , Gabrielli Veronica , Grappi Silvia
Published: August 2016

Purpose

Taking the consumer perspective, this paper aims to investigate the effect of counterfeiting awareness on consumer advocacy behaviour towards the brand in a specific context, that is, the luxury brand context.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted two surveys among actual and potential consumers of the original brand. Study 1 demonstrated the mediating role of customer-based brand equity between the consumers’ awareness of brand counterfeits and their advocacy behaviour towards the genuine brand. Study 2 showed the moderating role exerted by consumers’ emotional attachment to the brand in this framework.

Findings

This work showed specific mechanisms underlying consumer responses to counterfeits, revealing a wide framework able to uncover important positive spillover effects on counterfeited brands.

Research limitations/implications

This framework should be tested on additional brands and integrated with further processes and individual variables to extend our knowledge about consumer responses to counterfeits.

Originality/value

This research recognises counterfeiting as a consumer-led process. The results showed the ambivalent nature of counterfeiting, that is, a threat and an opportunity for the counterfeited brand. In fact, actual and potential consumers are prone to protect the genuine brand. The consequent advocacy behaviour is stimulated by the attempts of consumers of fakes to take possession of the brand experience, and these activate actions of self-protection among consumers of the original brand. Interesting managerial implications are drawn.
The influence of dissolved organic carbon and ultraviolet radiation on the genomic integrity of Daphnia magna
Authors: Wolf Raoul , Andersen Tom , Hessen Dag O. , Hylland Ketil
Published: August 2016

Many northern freshwaters are currently experiencing a pronounced ‘browning’, that is an increase in terrestrially derived dissolved organic carbon (DOC). Chromophoric DOC offers protection against photodamage by absorbing harmful ultraviolet radiation (UVR), but may also produce free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) following photoactivation. The aim of this study was to explore the combined effects of DOC and UVR on DNA integrity of limnetic zooplankton. Specifically, DNA strand breaks in the cladoceran Daphnia magna were investigated.

DNA strand breaks were assessed using comet assays with treatment of individual daphnids. A four‐by‐four design was used for exposure to DOC (2·03, 5, 10 and 20 mg L−1), UVA (0, 10·8, 21·7 and 43·4 μmol m−2 s−1 at 390 nm) and their combinations. ROS production from photoactivated DOC was quantified using a modified DCFH‐DA in vitro ROS detection assay.

While UVA had no effects on DNA damage above background levels (4·5–2·8%), we observed increased DNA damage in DOC treatments (4·1–9·1%). The highest increase was observed in combined DOC and UVA treatments (up to 20·2%). ROS production showed similar patterns, as simultaneous exposure to both DOC and UVA resulted in higher formation rates than exposure to DOC and UVA alone (up to 684·5 μmol L−1 vs. 5·9 to 13·1 and 27·5 to 83·9 μmol L−1, respectively). This indicates that the observed increase in DNA damage was due to ROS production of photoactivated DOC.

This study showed that strong interactive effects of short‐wave radiation and DOC could have major genomic impacts on pelagic biota. With future scenarios of increased DOC, our study points towards increasing oxidative stress for ecosystems. These findings highlight an important aspect of climate change at the intersection between ecology, limnology and toxicology.

A lay summary is available for this article.
Temporal dynamics of nutrient uptake by neighbouring plant species: evidence from intercropping
Authors: Zhang Wei‐Ping , Liu Guang‐Cai , Sun Jian‐Hao , Fornara Dario , Zhang Li‐Zhen , Zhang Fang‐Fang , Li Long
Published: August 2016

The productivity of species‐diverse plant assemblages strongly depends on the temporal dynamics of nutrient uptake by competing neighbouring plants. Our understanding, however, of how rates of nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P) and potassium (K) uptake might change through time between neighbouring plant species under field conditions is still very limited.

Here, we specifically measure the temporal trajectories of N, P and K uptake by staple food plants such as wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and maize (Zea mays L.) when growing either in monocultures or in intercropping systems. We ask how (i) plant species combinations, (ii) N fertilization and (iii) film mulching might affect key indexes of N, P and K uptake over time. We fit logistic models to characterize the nutrient uptake trajectories.

Maximum cumulative N, P and K uptake (kg ha−1) by wheat and barley were significantly greater in wheat–maize or barley–maize intercropping systems than in wheat or barley monocultures. Cumulative nutrient uptake by intercropped maize (either with wheat or with barley) was reduced by interspecific competition at early growth stages, but it increased rapidly after wheat and barley were harvested. Maximum cumulative N and P (but not K) uptake by intercropped maize were significantly higher than the uptake by monoculture maize, particularly when N fertilizer or film mulching was applied.

Intercropping induced a significant temporal niche differentiation in maximum daily nutrient uptake rates (kg ha−1 day−1) between intercropped species. Fertilization had much stronger effects on maximum cumulative nutrient uptake of maize than that of wheat and barley. Mulching significantly increased the maximum cumulative nutrient uptake of maize and advanced the time to reach its maximum daily P and K uptake rates.

Our study provides evidence of an important temporal niche differentiation mechanism (‘temporal complementarity’) in nutrient uptake rates between neighbouring plant species. A better understanding of temporal trajectories of interspecific nutrient uptake rates remains crucial if we want to maximize the nutrient‐use efficiency and sustain overyielding (i.e. high food production) in plant species‐diverse systems such as intercropping.
Tree genetics strongly affect forest productivity, but intraspecific diversity–productivity relationships do not
Authors: Fischer Dylan G. , Wimp Gina M. , Hersch‐Green Erika , Bangert Randy K. , LeRoy Carri J. , Bailey Joseph K. , Schweitzer Jennifer A. , Dirks Clarissa , Hart Stephen C. , Allan Gerard J. , Whitham Thomas G.
Published: August 2016

Numerous studies have demonstrated biodiversity–productivity relationships in plant communities, and analogous genetic diversity–productivity studies using genotype mixtures of single species may show similar patterns. Alternatively, competing individuals among genotypes within a species are less likely to exhibit resource‐use complementarity, even when they exhibit large differences in their effects on ecosystem function.

In this study, we test the impact of genotype diversity and genetic identity on ecosystem function using an ecosystem‐scale common garden experiment. Distinct tree genotypes were collected across the entire natural range of the riparian treePopulus fremontiiin theUSA, and grown in 1–16 genotype combination forest stands. Due to the warm climate and irrigation of the planting location along the Colorado River (AZ,USA), mature forest physiognomy with trees up to 19 m tall was achieved in just five years.

Several key patterns emerged: (i) genotype richness did not predict forest productivity, suggesting a lack of net biodiversity effects; (ii) we found differences among genotype monoculture stands comparable to differences in average productivity across all forest biomes on Earth; (iii) productivity was predicted based on genetic marker similarity in trees; (iv) genetic‐based differences in leaf phenology (early leaf‐on and late leaf‐fall timing) were correlated with >80% of the variation in tree and forest productivity irrespective of home‐site conditions.

Large differences in productivity among genotypes can result in dramatic differences in forest productivity without resulting in diversity–productivity relationships that are present in species‐scale biodiversity studies.
Accumulation rates and sources of external nitrogen in decaying wood in a Norway spruce dominated forest
Authors: Rinne Katja T. , Rajala Tiina , Peltoniemi Krista , Chen Janet , Smolander Aino , Mäkipää Raisa
Published: August 2016

Microbial respiration in dead wood contributes substantially to the long‐lived forest carbon (C) pool and has a significant role in the forest nitrogen (N) cycle. Wood N content has been found to increase during the decay process; however, temporal dynamics and the sources of this external N remain unclear.

To examine N dynamics at various stages of decomposition, we combined high variety of analytical methods on Norway spruce logs, including wood δ15N, N%,14C‐dating, fungal composition and N2fixation rate. For N2fixation rate, we also determined its dependency on ambient temperature and decay class, when estimating annual N2fixation rates for our study site.

N2fixation was observed to have a major role in increasing wood N content during decay. For the most decayed wood, it accounted for 60% of the total N accumulation. Compared to other reports, where the annual temperature was similar to our site, the calculated annual fixation rate of 85 g N ha−1year−1is a low estimate. However, previous studies have not taken appropriately into account the dependency of N2fixation rate on ambient temperature and decay class. Our δ15N model describing the sources of external N, statistical analysis and the fungalDNAcomposition of decayed wood suggest that other sources of external N accumulating in wood were soil‐foraging wood‐decay fungi and mycorrhizal fungi.

Our study improves knowledge of the temporal dynamics of N accumulation in wood with advancing wood decay, the potential sources of external N and their relative significance. All of these factors are important for nitrogen as well as carbon models dealing with ecosystem responses to climate change.
Fungal endophytes as priority colonizers initiating wood decomposition
Authors: Song Zewei , Kennedy Peter G. , Liew Feng J. , Schilling Jonathan S.
Published: August 2016

Priority effects among wood decomposers have been demonstrated by manipulating fungal assembly history via inoculations in dead wood and then tracking community development usingDNAsequencing. Individual wood‐degrading fungi have been shown, however, to initiate decay after having colonized living trees as endophytes.

To track these ‘upstream’ colonizers across the endophyte–saprophyte transition, we coupled high‐throughput sequencing with wood physiochemical analyses in stem sections extracted from healthy birch trees (Betula papyrifera; 4–7 cm dia.). We incubated wood in microcosms, limiting communities as endophytes−only or challenging endophytes withFomes fomentariusorPiptoporus betulinusat high exogenous inoculum potential.

Initial fungal richness in birch stems averaged 143OTUs and decreased nearly threefold after five months of decomposition. AlthoughF. fomentariussuccessfully colonized some stem sections incubated at 25 °C, decayed wood was generally dominated by saprophytic fungi that were present originally in lower abundances as endophytes.

Among saprophytes, fungi in the brown rot functional guild consistently dominated, matching wood residues bearing the chemical hallmarks of brown rot. Despite this functionally redundant outcome, the taxa that rose to dominate in individual sections varied. Surprisingly, the brown rot taxa dominating wood decomposition were better known for lumber degradation rather than log decay in ground contact.

Given the isolation from colonizers in our design, this redundancy of brown rot as the outcome suggests that these taxa and more generally brown rot fungi could have adapted to decompose wood where there is lower competitive pressure. Competitive avoidance would complement the diffuse depolymerization mechanisms of brown rot fungi, which are likely more prone to sugar pilfering by other organisms than the processive depolymerization mechanisms of white rot fungi.

Overall, this guild‐level predictability of fungal endophyte development and consequence is encouraging given the challenges of predicting wood decomposition, and it provides a base for testing these dynamics under increasing natural complexity.
Improving Care Transitions Management: Examining the Role of Accountable Care Organization Participation and Expanded Electronic Health Record Functionality
Authors: Huber Thomas P. , Shortell Stephen M. , Rodriguez Hector P.
Published: August 2016

Objective

Examine the extent to which physician organization participation in an accountable care organization (ACO) and electronic health record (EHR) functionality are associated with greater adoption of care transition management (CTM) processes.

Data Sources/Study Setting

A total of 1,398 physician organizations from the third National Study of Physician Organization survey (NSPO3), a nationally representative sample of medical practices in the United States (January 2012—May 2013).

Study Design

We used data from the third National Study of Physician Organization survey (NSPO3) to assess medical practice characteristics, including CTM processes, ACO participation, EHR functionality, practice type, organization size, ownership, public reporting, and pay‐for‐performance participation.

Data Collection/Extraction Methods

Multivariate linear regression models estimated the extent to which ACO participation and EHR functionality were associated with greater CTM capabilities, controlling for practice size, ownership, public reporting, and pay‐for‐performance participation.

Principal Findings

Approximately half (52.4 percent) of medical practices had a formal program for managing care transitions in place. In adjusted analyses, ACO participation (p < .001) and EHR functionality (p < .001) were independently associated with greater use of CTM processes among medical practices.

Conclusions

The growth of ACOs and similar provider risk‐bearing arrangements across the country may improve the management of care transitions by physician organizations.
Choice of Rice Production Practices in Ghana: A Comparison of Willingness to Pay and Preference Space Estimates
Authors: Owusu Coffie Rebecca , Burton Michael P. , Gibson Fiona L. , Hailu Atakelty
Published: August 2016

Rice has been identified as an important food security crop in Ghana. However, there is a production deficit and new technologies to reduce the deficit are not widely adopted. Although poor adoption by farmers’ is often linked to constraints such as access to information, farmers’ perceptions of the technologies are also important. We apply an advanced discrete choice experiment to evaluate farmers’ preferences for rice production practices. Specifically, we generate willingness to pay (WTP) estimates using willingness to pay space (WS) and compare these with values from the indirect or preference space (PS) method. Our modelling also accounts for the effects onWTPestimates of farmers’ stated attribute importance (SAI) information. Empirical results fromWSandPSmodels reveal that on average, farmers value higher yields and are negatively affected by higher risk of crop failure and labour requirements. Comparing the performance of the two models, we find theWSmodel provides a superior fit to our data and reduces the likelihood of producing implausibleWTPestimates. Further,SAIinclusion did not produce much variation in ourWTPestimates.