bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Accommodation sharing: a look beyond Airbnb’s literature
Authors: Medina-Hernandez Vivian Constanza , Marine-Roig Estela , Ferrer-Rosell Berta
Published: February 2020

Purpose

Airbnb is the peer-to-peer (P2P) accommodation platform that has attracted researchers’ attention during the past decade. The purpose of this paper attempts to illustrate the scarce research on P2P accommodation platforms other than Airbnb and to highlight the research gaps concerning these platforms.

Design/methodology/approach

This study starts by presenting a literature review on Airbnb based on several review papers about P2P accommodation sharing and conducts a quantitative comparative analysis between existing literature on Airbnb and other P2P accommodation platforms in Web of Science (WoS) using a keyword search.

Findings

Findings suggest that the literature regarding P2P accommodation platforms other than Airbnb is limited and that little is known about their possible impact on the collaborative tourism ecosystem. The analysis also suggests further research on P2P accommodation platforms to move on from an Airbnb-centric view and include other types of P2P accommodation platforms.

Originality/value

This paper compares the most common topics studied regarding Airbnb and other P2P accommodation platforms, highlighting the existence of other for-profit and non-profit accommodation platforms. It proposes new lines of research on different types of platforms such as the niche P2P accommodation platforms.
Prioritising theme park service quality in Islamic contexts: an analytic hierarchy process approach
Authors: Lari Lamya , Jabeen Fauzia , Iyanna Shilpa
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This study aims to develop a framework to identify, categorise and prioritise the dimensions of service quality in theme parks in an Islamic cultural context.

Design/methodology/approach

An extensive literature review was conducted to identify service quality dimensions in theme parks in an Islamic cultural context, and a survey tool was used to explore visitors’ opinions of the most important dimensions and sub-dimensions. An analytic hierarchy process was used to prioritise the main criteria and sub-criteria of dimensions of theme park service quality in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The study identified four main criteria and 24 sub-criteria of service quality for the theme park industry from an Islamic perspective.

Findings

Consumables quality and physical environment quality were the top priorities under the main criteria. Availability of halal food was the most important sub-criteria of service quality in theme parks in the UAE, followed by price of food and beverages and staff attitude and behaviour in equal second place, and then quality of food and beverages and quality of facilities, again with equal scores.

Research limitations/implications

The study focused on tourists visiting an emerging country, and the results therefore cannot be generalised to other cultural contexts. This study has developed a comprehensive model of theme park service quality using a hierarchical method. This included both general and Islamic service quality dimensions. This study, therefore, contributes to the “Islamic tourism” literature by identifying the importance of Islamic attributes in evaluating service quality of theme parks in Islamic countries.

Practical implications

The outcome of the study will provide local and international theme parks with explicit ideas about the service quality dimensions that are important in an Islamic cultural context. This will help them to prioritise the critical service quality dimensions, and eventually contribute to the successful management of theme parks.

Originality/value

This study offers new insights into the dimensions of service quality of theme parks in an Islamic cultural context.
Optimal planning of renewable energy systems for power loss reduction in transmission expansion planning
Authors: Gbadamosi Saheed Lekan , Nwulu Nnamdi I.
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to address the efficiency of power losses representation while still reducing the computational burden of an optimal power flow (OPF) model in transmission expansion planning (TEP) studies.

Design/methodology/approach

A modified TEP model is formulated with inclusions of linearized approximation of power losses for a large-scale power system with renewable energy sources. The multi-objectives function determines the effect of transmission line losses on the optimal power generation dispatch in the power system with and without inclusion of renewable energy sources with emphasis on minimizing the investment and operation costs, emission and the power losses.

Findings

This study investigates the impact of renewable energy sources on system operating characteristics such as transmission power losses and voltage profile. Sensitivity analysis of the performance for the developed deterministic quadratic programming models was analyzed based on optimal generated power and losses on the system.

Research limitations/implications

In the future, a comparison of the alternating current OPF and direct current (DC) OPF models based on the proposed mathematical formulations can be carried out to determine the efficiency and reduction of computation process of the two models.

Practical implications

This paper proposed an accurate way of computing transmission losses in DC OPF for a TEP context with a view of achieving a minimal computation time.

Originality/value

This paper addresses the following objectives: develop a modified DC OPF with a linearized approximation of power losses in TEP problem with large integration of RES. Investigate the impact of RES on system operating characteristics such as transmission power losses and voltage profile.
Dilemma of institutional performance assessment in governmental sector
Authors: El Araby Mohamed Awad , Ayaad Noor el Dien Salem
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The main target of the study represented in developing a proposed Quantitative Model for the purpose of measuring the administrative performance of public governmental organizations, taking into account the validity of the model for many different contexts in practice through governmental sector.

Design/methodology/approach

Depending on statistical approach, both authors tried to handle this issue through assessing institutional performance in the state owned units on many levels starting from individual level (HR and leaders), sub-units, organization level, then deriving an aggregated formula for assessing general institutional performance of the whole public body in one state, depending on reviewing some of concerned literatures.

Findings

The authors could already formulate some proposed criteria for assessing and measuring institutional performance on three different levels.

Originality/value

Although the topic is considered one of the most complicated areas of institutional reform trends, the idea remains very vital as a step forward to improving public policy implementation in the governmental sector, besides that it is correlated to institutional capacity building process in practice.
Mapping terrorist groups using network analysis: Egypt case study
Authors: Tawadros Amira S.N.
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is twofold; first, it aims to understand the underlying dynamics of the organizations behind the terrorist attacks, and second, to investigate the dynamics of terrorist organizations in relation to one another to detect whether there exist shared patterns of terror between different organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve this purpose, the researcher proposes a computational algorithm that extracts data from global terrorism database (GTD); calculates similarity indices between different terrorist groups; generates a network data file from the calculated indices; and apply network analysis techniques to the extracted data. The proposed algorithm includes applying SQL database codes for data extraction, building a tailored C# computer software to calculate similarity indices and generate similarity networks and using GEPHI software to visualize the generated network and calculate network metrics and measures.

Findings

Applying the proposed algorithm to Egypt, the results reveal different shared patterns of terror among different terrorist groups. This helps us in creating a terror landscape for terrorist groups playing in Egypt.

Originality/value

The importance of the study lies in that it proposes a new algorithm that combines network analysis with other data-manipulation techniques to generate a network of similar terror groups.
Autism spectrum disorder, bestiality and zoophilia: a systematic PRISMA review
Authors: Allely Clare Sarah
Published: February 2020

Purpose

There remains a lack of knowledge surrounding paraphilic or deviant arousal sexual behaviours in individuals with Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) (Kellaher, 2015). The purpose of this paper is to explore the literature for any empirical study, case study or discussion/review paper surrounding individuals with ASD and zoophilia or bestiality.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic PRISMA review was conducted.

Findings

This systematic review highlighted only a small number of papers, which have looked at zoophilia or bestiality in individuals with ASD. Only one article was identified as being relevant in the present review, three further articles included a description of a case involving someone with ASD who engaged in zoophilia or bestiality and another paper, although not the focus of the study, found one person with Asperger’s disorder who had several paraphilias including olfactophilia, podophilia and zoophilia in a sample of 20 institutionalised, male adolescents and young adults with Autistic disorder and borderline/mild mental retardation. All the case studies clearly highlight some of the ASD symptomology that can contribute to engaging in bestiality or zoophilia.

Practical implications

It is important that individuals with ASD have access to appropriate and timely sex education and that parents are supported by healthcare professionals to engage with their children with ASD in such interactions across the autism spectrum irrespective of the parent’s expectations.

Originality/value

To the author’s knowledge, this is the first review of ASD in relation to bestiality and zoophilia.
Eco-anxiety and the flight shaming movement: implications for tourism
Authors: Mkono Mucha
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to briefly discuss the flight shaming (flygskam) movement and considers its implications for tourism.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper synthesises the current thinking on the flight shaming movement and contextualises it for tourism futures.

Findings

While flygskam is unlikely to become mainstream in the near future, it is imperative that the air travel industry respond more comprehensively to changing attitudes in the market.

Originality/value

This trends paper addresses a topical debate in the current environmental public discourse, highlighting the negative emotional states (eco-anxiety) associated with concerns about climate change.
The rise of micromobilities at tourism destinations
Authors: Davies Nick , Blazejewski Luke , Sherriff Graeme
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to identify the need for research that focuses on micromobilities at tourist destinations, charting their recent expansion and exploring development challenges.

Design/methodology/approach

This discussion draws together recent evidence and studies that are directly and indirectly related to the rise of micromobilities. It identifies and critically analyses the trend going forward, its potential benefits and challenges, and offers several areas of future study.

Findings

Micromobilities relates to a new umbrella term that includes, but is not limited to, walking, cycling (both existing modes), e-bikes and e-scooters (new modes). The proliferation of new micro-modes in urban zones at destinations can be viewed positively in terms of their potential to increase sustainable urban mobility and therefore destination attractiveness; but also negatively in terms of potential space issues, accessibility and sustainable implementation. Destination developers and stakeholders should therefore consider carefully how to successfully integrate micromobilities into sustainable transport systems.

Originality/value

This paper addresses a trend that is extremely prominent at many destinations but largely absent from academic study and that is also being described by commentators as key to sustainable futures at destinations.
Influence of new cinematographic and television operators on the attractivity of tourist destinations
Authors: Blanchet Cyril , Fabry Nathalie
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to anticipate the influence of new cinematographic and television operators on the attractiveness of tourist destinations.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology developed is two-fold: first, long-haul observation of the sector, and second, a state of the literature on the topic.

Findings

These platforms reshape the distribution of audiovisual content and influence consumer behavior. Through the detailed knowledge of users (user data, recommendation algorithm), the platforms have important information at their disposal to build future tourism trends.

Originality/value

In the continuity of research in film tourism, the authors question the impact of platforms that are now emerging as significant operators in the distribution and creation of audiovisual content.
Synthesis and characterization of UV-cured epoxy acrylate resin with cyclic methacrylate as diluents
Authors: Guo Yuyue , Lin Shudong
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the effects on material performance in the epoxy acrylate resin system owing to the existence of the different ring of the cyclic methacrylate. In this paper, cyclic methacrylate as diluents was added into epoxy acrylate (EA) resin by ultraviolet (UV)-cured polymerization to investigate the effects on material performance owing to the existence of the different rings.

Design/methodology/approach

EA and 1-adamantyl methacrylate were synthesized by traditional methods according to previous papers, respectively. After adding different cyclic methacrylate as diluents to the EA oligomers, the system was exposed to the UV-light for polymerization.

Findings

The hydrophobic properties of the cured materials were increased slightly because of the alkyl groups from the methacrylate. The thermal stabilities and mechanical properties of the resins were enhanced by the cyclic diluents with the hard segments. Meanwhile, the crosslink density of the polymer decreased with the bulky group like adamantly owing to its huge structure.

Research limitations/implications

The cyclic methacrylates were introduced into EA oligomers for decreasing the viscosity and increasing the materials performances, which could be recognized as new diluents applied in UV-cued polymerization.

Originality/value

The results of this study will be conducive to fabricate EA resins possessed with high thermal stabilities and mechanical properties by convenient UV-cured polymerization.
Who can realize the “spot value” of corporate social responsibility?
Authors: Wang Shiyu , Zhang Yan , Wang Guanzhen , Chen Zhibin
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This paper answers, in the Chinese stock market, who can realize the “spot value” of corporate social responsibility (CSR).

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use event-study to build the research framework. Using CSR report content analysis, the authors measure the specification level of CSR disclosure. Applying the Baidu index, the authors mine Chinese investors’ profiles data to investigate retail investor heterogeneity closely.

Findings

The authors find strong evidence that the measure captures a behavioral bias in CSR pricing: firms that choose to disclose CSR report experience positive abnormal return more among retail investors than institutional investors, more among young investors than older, but no difference between female and male investors.

Practical implications

For Chinese public firms, the authors give them evidence that they can realize positive abnormal returns by applying certain CSR disclosure strategies. For Chinese investors, especially retail investors and youths, the authors ask them to rethink whether their positive evaluation of CSR is a rational trade-off choice or whether they are fooled by the “hedging mask” and “attention-grabbing.”

Social implications

The findings can give some suggestions to regulators: encouraging voluntary disclosure and reducing mandatory disclosure can drive enterprises to engage in more CSR activities because the voluntarily CSR disclosure can realize both long-term value and “spot value.” Complementarily, a more rigorous CSR report auditing regulation can suppress the “greenwash” by increasing the “lying cost.”

Originality/value

Using behavioral finance theory, the authors connect the gap between neoclassical research on the “U-shaped” value realization of CSR and the increasing voluntary CSR disclosure in the Chinese market. The authors find that heuristic reason and emotionality orientation results in the Chinese “CSR-friendly” market.
Traceability matters
Authors: Hinkes Cordula , Peter Günter
Published: February 2020

Purpose

Sustainability certification of agricultural commodities might be one measure to ensure deforestation-free supply chains. The purpose of this paper is to add to previous assessments of soy certification systems with respect to “zero deforestation” criteria by focusing on the aspect of traceability.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual framework for assessing certification systems is proposed based on a literature review. This concept is applied to 16 soy certification systems, considering previous studies and available chain-of-custody certification options.

Findings

Among the sample, five certification systems may contribute to ensuring deforestation-free soy supply chains, as they have relatively high “zero deforestation” and assurance requirements and support at least segregation. Other chain-of-custody systems are insufficient in terms of traceability, but still dominate the market.

Research limitations/implications

The assessment considers only certification systems that have been benchmarked according to criteria developed by the European feed industry. Regular updates and further assessments of certification systems for other commodities are recommended.

Practical implications

Supply chain actors and policymakers are informed about certification systems that may ensure deforestation-free sourcing. However, different factors influence the implementation of zero deforestation commitments, such as adverse effects, economic trade-offs and new certification and traceability concepts.

Social implications

The implementation of deforestation-free supply chains should contribute to achieving sustainable development goals. Potential adverse social effects need to be considered.

Originality/value

This study focuses on the so far rather neglected but essential aspect of traceability, which is required for ensuring deforestation-free sourcing along the whole supply chain.
Machine learning of robots in tourism and hospitality: interactive technology acceptance model (iTAM) – cutting edge
Authors: Go Hanyoung , Kang Myunghwa , Suh SeungBeum Chris
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to discuss how consumers accept advanced artificial intelligence (AI) robots in hospitality and tourism and provide a typology and conceptual framework to support future research on advanced robot applicability.

Design/methodology/approach

This research reviews current cases of AI use and technology acceptance model (TAM) studies and proposes a framework, interactive technology acceptance model (iTAM), to identify key determinants that stimulate consumer perceptions of advanced robot technology acceptance.

Findings

The main constructs and types of advanced robots were identified by reviewing TAM studies and AI robots that are currently used in the tourism and hospitality industry. This research found that as technologies tested in TAM studies have been improved by highly interactive systems, increased capability and a more user-friendly interface, examining perceived interactivity of technology has become more important for advanced robot acceptance models. The examples of advanced robot uses indicate that each machine learning application changes the robots’ task performance and interaction with consumers. Conducting experimental studies and measuring the interactivity of advanced robots are vital for future research.

Originality/value

To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study on how consumers accept AI robots with machine learning applications in the tourism and hospitality industry. The iTAM framework provides fundamental constructs for future studies of what influences consumer acceptance of AI robots as innovative technology, and iTAM can be applied to empirical experiments and research to generate long-term strategies and specific tips to implement and manage various advanced robots.
Consumer value in tourism: a perspective article
Authors: Gallarza Martina G. , Gil Saura Irene
Published: February 2020

Purpose

Consumer value (CV) is endemic to marketing, and therefore, it is a crucial notion to understand the evolution of tourism research. This paper aims to review the main achievements made on CV in tourism and hospitality literature and also the shortcomings and propose avenues for future research on tourism through the lens of CV.

Design/methodology/approach

Through relevant citations from 1975 to 2020, a figure describes diachronically the role of CV in different paradigm flaws, both pre and post digitization: experiential consumption in the 1980s, service quality-satisfaction discussion in early 1990s, customer relationship in late 1990s and Service Dominant Logic in 2000s and beyond.

Findings

Tourism services have been preferred fields for inquiry on CV, helping to describe the idiosyncrasy of nearly all tourism consumption settings. Although there is not a clear picture on the number and nature of value dimensions (intra-variable perspective), nor in the direct and indirect effects on the quality-value-satisfaction-loyalty chain (inter-variable), new CV frameworks favor ecosystems of value (different stakeholders, different times and places and mixed motivations) in more comprehensive models.

Originality/value

This paper depicts how CV has contributed to tourism development as a behavioral science through the past 75 years. Moreover, it preconizes that CV is still a valid construct to address all new challenges of human beings as tourists, either online or offline, by enlightening phenomena such as e-value co-creation, over-tourism, peer-to-peer consumption and the power of tourism transformative value.
The outsourcing practice among small knowledge-intensive service firms
Authors: Edvardsson Ingi Runar , Óskarsson Guðmundur Kristján , Durst Susanne
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to present findings on outsourcing practices in small service firms in Iceland, where the prime focus is on knowledge-intensive service firms.

Design/methodology/approach

To gain information on the scope and reason for outsourcing, telephone and online surveys were used. In total, 802 firms participated in the surveys, which were conducted in the period 2009-2018.

Findings

The results show that knowledge-intensive firms outsource far more than other service firms and are also more likely to have an outsourcing strategy. The grounds for increased outsourcing are cost reduction and strategic reasons, such as a focus on core competency and the search for external knowledge. In comparison with other firms, knowledge-intensive firms are increasingly outsourcing cleaning, security services, canteen and transportation, IT processes, human resource management, training and consulting. Additionally, managers of these firms select suppliers more on the basis of cost and quality. They also realize more cost savings as a consequence of outsourcing. Outsourcing had a very limited effect on employment in the firms, while cost reduction was achieved in 48.3 per cent of the firms involved.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are in line with the resource-based theory and, interestingly, this is not limited to knowledge-based firms, but to a large portion of service firms as well.

Originality/value

This is the first in-depth study on outsourcing patterns in knowledge-intensive firms, which uses theoretical classification in empirical analysis.
Interleukin‐17A suppresses granular layer formation in a 3‐D human epidermis model through regulation of terminal differentiation genes
Authors: Sato Emi , Yano Narumi , Fujita Yuka , Imafuku Shinichi
Published: February 2020

Immunotherapies targeting interleukin (IL)‐17 greatly improve plaque psoriasis. Most previous studies on IL‐17 focused on the T‐helper (Th)17 immune response, but investigation of the effects of IL‐17A on psoriatic epidermal structure are limited. Using an in vitro 3‐D human epidermis model, we investigated the effects of IL‐17A and IL‐17C on morphological changes and gene expression. IL‐17A directly suppressed the formation of the granular layer, whereas IL‐17C did not. IL‐17A significantly downregulated the gene expression of profilaggrin (FLG), which is a major component of keratohyalin granules in the granular layer. Global gene expression analysis of this 3‐D epidermis model showed that both IL‐17A and IL‐17C upregulated S100A7A and type 1 interferon‐related genes including MX1, IFI44L, XAF1 and IFIT1. However, only IL‐17A directly downregulated keratinocyte differentiation‐related and cornified envelope‐related genes including FLG, LOR, C1ORF68, LCE1E, LCE1B, KRT10, CST6 and RPTN. In conclusion, IL‐17A, a systemic inflammatory cytokine, affected keratinization in our 3‐D epidermis model. In contrast, IL‐17C, a locally produced cytokine, did not have strong effects on keratinization. Targeting IL‐17A does not only reduce inflammation but it may also directly affect epidermal differentiation in psoriasis.
Towards a framework for understanding the context dependence of impacts of non‐native tree species
Authors: Sapsford Sarah J. , Brandt Angela J. , Davis Kimberley T. , Peralta Guadalupe , Dickie Ian A. , Gibson Robert D. , Green Joanna L. , Hulme Philip E. , Nuñez Martin A. , Orwin Kate H. , Pauchard Anibal , Wardle David A. , Peltzer Duane A.
Published: February 2020

Biological invasions are a major driver of ecosystem change but causes of variation in their environmental impacts over space and time remain poorly understood. Most approaches used to quantify the impacts of non‐native species assume there are interactions among per capita (i.e. individual level) effects, species abundance and the area occupied by the species. However, studies rarely evaluate these factors and their interactions and often fail to recognize that the magnitude of impacts can be highly context dependent. Understanding what drives the context dependence of non‐native species impacts can improve our understanding and predictions of ecosystem change and better inform options for mitigation.

Conifers, especially pines, are among the most problematic non‐native plant species globally. We use Pinaceae to illustrate how context dependence in biodiversity and environmental impacts of non‐native plant species can be generated by at least four processes: nonlinear density effects; intraspecific variation in functional traits; shifts in impacts over time; and persistence of impacts as biological or ecosystem legacies following non‐native species removal. Using this understanding, we develop a framework to better quantify interactions of impacts along environmental gradients (e.g. soil fertility, climate, ecosystem age).

We demonstrate how impacts of non‐native species can occur at both low and high density, and that failing to account for intraspecific variation in effect traits can lead to significant errors in the prediction of impacts. By incorporating context dependence in regard to density and functional traits, we can measure how the interaction of this context dependence will shift along environmental gradients. Moreover, disentangling the roles of species and abundance along such gradients will provide new insights into the net effects of both the native and non‐native components of communities. We use a working example of our framework that incorporates all four processes to demonstrate how to measure fire risk impacts of Pinus contorta.

We show that ecosystem impacts of non‐native tree species are not fixed but rather vary predictably along major environmental gradients. Moreover, removal of non‐native species through management provides an important tool for revealing biological and ecosystem legacy effects. Although we focus here on relatively well‐documented Pinaceae, the new insights into context dependence of impacts can be widely applied across species, environments and regions.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
‘If there were doctors who could understand our problems, I would already be better’: dissatisfactory health care and marginalisation in superdiverse neighbourhoods.
Authors: Bradby Hannah , Lindenmeyer Antje , Phillimore Jenny , Padilla Beatriz , Brand Tilman
Published: February 2020

How people in community settings describe their experience of disappointing health care, and their responses to such dissatisfaction, sheds light on the role of marginalisation and underlines the need for radically responsive service provision. Making the case for studying unprompted accounts of dissatisfaction with healthcare provision, this is an original analysis of 71 semi‐structured interviews with healthcare users in superdiverse neighbourhoods in four European cities. Healthcare users spontaneously express disappointment with services that dismiss their concerns and fail to attend to their priorities. Analysing characteristics of these healthcare users show that no single aspect of marginalisation shapes the expression of disappointment. In response to disappointing health care, users sought out alternative services and to persuade reluctant service providers, and they withdrew from services, in order to access more suitable health care and to achieve personal vindication. Promoting normative quality standards for diverse and diversifying populations that access care from a range of public and private service providers is in tension with prioritising services that are responsive to individual priorities. Without an effort towards radically responsive service provision, the ideal of universal access on the basis of need gives way to normative service provision.
Validity and reliability of Work Productivity and Activity Impairment among patients with axial spondyloarthritis in Singapore
Authors: Phang Jie Kie , Kwan Yu Heng , Fong Warren , Tan Chuen Seng , Lui Nai Lee , Thumboo Julian , Leung Ying Ying
Published: February 2020

Objectives

To assess the validity and reliability of the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI) questionnaire in patients with axSpA.

Methods

English‐speaking patients seen at a dedicated axSpA clinic in a Singapore tertiary referral hospital were recruited from 2017 to 2019. Content validity of the WPAI was assessed through cognitive debriefing interviews (CDIs). Construct validity was assessed by a priori hypotheses regarding the correlations of the WPAI outcomes (absenteeism, presenteeism, overall work productivity loss, and activity impairment) with Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Patient Global Score (BAS‐G), patient global assessment (PGA) and pain scores. Known group validity was assessed relative to disease activity. Test‐retest reliability was assessed by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) in patients without treatment change 2 weeks apart.

Results

Cognitive debriefing interviews conducted with 10 patients (22‐46 years old, 50% male) supported the content validity of the WPAI. We analyzed cross‐sectional data from 168 patients (mean [SD] age 41.0 [14.4], 79.8% male). Construct validity was established by meeting 100% of the hypotheses. Presenteeism, overall work productivity loss, and activity impairment demonstrated strong correlations with BASFI, BAS‐G, PGA, and pain (rs > .6). The WPAI was able to distinguish patients grouped by disease activity. Test‐retest reliability conducted with 50 patients ranged from moderate to good for all the four outcomes (absenteeism: ICC = 0.54; presenteeism: ICC = 0.76; activity impairment: ICC = 0.79; overall work productivity loss: ICC = 0.83; all P < .01).

Conclusions

This study supports the content validity, construct validity, and test‐retest reliability of the WPAI in patients with axSpA.
Correlation between serological biomarkers of extracellular matrix turnover and lung fibrosis and pulmonary artery hypertension in patients with systemic sclerosis
Authors: Kubo Satoshi , Siebuhr Anne Sofie , Bay‐Jensen Anne‐C. , Juhl Pernille , Karsdal Morten A. , Satoh Yurie , Todoroki Yasuyuki , Nakano Kazuhisa , Nakayamada Shingo , Tanaka Yoshiya
Published: February 2020

Objective

To determine the value of serological biomarkers of collagen degradation/turnover as serum markers of organ involvement in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).

Methods

Serum samples were obtained from 79 SSc patients and 19 healthy control subjects. Types I to VI collagen turnover, excluding type II collagen, were evaluated using nine serological biomarkers. Organ involvement, such as interstitial lung disease (ILD), pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), esophageal motility disorder, lower gastrointestinal lesions, joint contractures and digital ulceration, were evaluated and correlated with serum biomarkers.

Results

Among multiple serological biomarkers of collagen turnover, the mean level of C5M was higher in SSc (3.9 ng/mL) than healthy subjects (2.6 ng/mL). In addition, PRO‐C6 (12.6 ng/mL vs 5.4 ng/mL) and C6M (26.0 ng/mL vs 16.7 ng/mL) were higher in SSc than the controls. The modified Rodnan skin score correlated with PRO‐C3 and PRO‐C6. Serum level of C6M was higher in patients with ILD. Furthermore, serum levels of PRO‐C3, PRO‐C6, and C6M were higher in patients with PAH. The use of high levels of these biomarkers as risk factors of PAH showed that all patients with PAH had high levels of risk factors. Of note, two‐third of patients with serum PRO‐C3, PRO‐C6 and C6M values above the respective cut‐off values had PAH.

Conclusion

Our study indicated that collagen turnover abnormality, especially type VI collagen, is not only important pathologically in skin sclerosis but also in organ involvement. These biomarkers of collagen turnover are potentially clinically useful as biomarkers of organ involvement in SSc.
Pegylated recombinant human granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor regulates the immune status of patients with small cell lung cancer
Authors: Sun Jing , Bai Hua , Wang Zhijie , Duan Jianchun , Li Jin , Guo Ruimin , Wang Jie
Published: February 2020

Background

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive disease involving immunodeficiency for which chemotherapy is the standard treatment. Pegylated recombinant human granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (PEG‐rhG‐CSF) is widely used for primary or secondary prophylaxis of febrile neutropenia (FN) in chemotherapy. However, whether PEG‐rhG‐CSF influences immune cells, such as lymphocytes, remains unclear.

Methods

A total of 17 treatment‐naïve SCLC patients were prospectively enrolled and divided into the PEG‐rhG‐CSF and control groups according to their FN risk. Longitudinal sampling of peripheral blood was performed before, after and 4–6 days after the first cycle of chemotherapy. Flow cytometry was used to assess lymphocyte subsets, including CD3+ T, CD4+ T, CD8+ T, NK, and B cells. The diversity and clonality of the T‐cell receptor (TCR) repertoire was analyzed by next‐generation sequencing.

Results

In the PEG‐rhG‐CSF group, the proportions of CD3+ T and CD4+ T cells had increased significantly (P = 0.002, P = 0.020, respectively), whereas there was no increase in CD8+ T cells. Further, TCR diversity increased (P = 0.009) and clonality decreased (P = 0.004) significantly after PEG‐rhG‐CSF treatment. However, these factors showed opposite trends before and after chemotherapy. Vβ and Jβ gene fragment types, which determine TCR diversity, were significantly amplified in the PEG‐rhG‐CSF group. The change in TCR diversity was significantly correlated with changes in the CD3+ T or CD4+ T cell proportions, but not the CD8+ T cell proportion.

Conclusions

PEG‐rhG‐CSF regulates the immune status of SCLC patients; CD4+ T cells may be the main effector cells involved in this process. These findings may optimize the treatment of SCLC.

Key points

PEG‐rhG‐CSF regulates SCLC immunity.

PEG‐rhG‐CSF increased CD3+ T and CD4+T cell proportions.

PEG‐rhG‐CSF increased TCR diversity and decreased clonality in peripheral blood.

Change in TCR diversity were correlated with CD3+ T or CD4+ T changes.
Revisiting advice on the analysis of count data
Authors: Morrissey Michael B. , Ruxton Graeme D.
Published: February 2020

O'Hara and Kotze (Methods Ecol Evol 1: 118–122, 2010) present simulation results that appear to show very poor behaviour (as judged by bias and overall accuracy) of linear models applied to count data, especially in relation to GLM analysis.

We considered O'Hara and Kotze's (2010) comparisons, and determined that the finding occurred primarily because the quantity that they estimated in their simulations of the linear model analysis (the mean of a transformation of the count data) was not the same quantity that was simulated and to which the results were compared (the logarithm of the mean of the count data). We correct this discrepancy, re‐run O'Hara and Kotze's simulations and add additional simple analyses.

We found that the apparent superiority of the GLMs over linear models in O'Hara and Kotze's (2010) simulations was primarily an artefact of divergence in the meanings of results from the two analyses. After converting results from linear model analyses of transformed data to estimators of the same quantity as provided by the GLM, results from both analyses rarely differed substantially. Furthermore, under the circumstances considered by O'Hara and Kotze, we find that an even simpler implementation of linear model analysis, inference of the mean of the raw data, performs even better and gives identical results to the GLM.

While the analysis of count data with GLMs can certainly provide many benefits, we strongly caution against interpreting O'Hara and Kotze's (2010) results as evidence that simpler approaches are severely flawed.
Association of post‐reperfusion syndrome and ischemia‐reperfusion injury with acute kidney injury after liver transplantation
Authors: Tokodai Kazuaki , Lannsjö Claudia , Kjaernet Felicia , Romano Antonio , Januszkiewicz Anna , Ericzon Bo‐Göran , Nowak Greg
Published: February 2020

Background

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is frequently observed after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) even in patients with previously normal renal function. In this study, we investigated the impact of factors such graft steatosis, post‐reperfusion syndrome (PRS), and hepatic ischemia reperfusion injury (HIRI) on the development of AKI after OLT in adult patients.

Methods

We retrospectively examined consecutive adult patients who underwent OLT at our institution between July 2011 and June 2017. AKI was diagnosed based on the criteria proposed by the International Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) workgroup. Peak aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level within 72 hours after OLT was used as a surrogate marker for HIRI. Graft steatosis was diagnosed by histopathological examination using specimens biopsied intraoperatively at the end of transplantation procedure and categorized as <10%, 10%‐20%, 20%‐30%, and ≥30% of hepatic steatosis.

Results

Out of 386 patients, 141 (37%) developed AKI (KDIGO stage 1:71 patients; stage 2:29 patients; stage 3:41 patients). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that cold ischemic time (P = .012) and HIRI (P = .007) were independent risk factors for post‐OLT AKI. Multivariable analysis also revealed that graft steatosis was associated with HIRI but not directly with AKI. PRS was not associated with HIRI or AKI in the multivariable analyses.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that greater severity of liver graft injury during transplantation negatively affects renal function after OLT. As expected, the severity of liver graft steatosis contributes to accelerated liver injury occurring during the transplantation procedure.
Diagnostic tests and treatment procedures performed prior to cardiovascular death in individuals with severe mental illness
Authors: Heiberg I. H. , Nesvåg R. , Balteskard L. , Bramness J. G. , Hultman C. M. , Næss Ø. , Reichborn‐Kjennerud T. , Ystrom E. , Jacobsen B. K. , Høye A.
Published: February 2020

Objective

To examine whether severe mental illnesses (i.e., schizophrenia or bipolar disorder) affected diagnostic testing and treatment for cardiovascular diseases in primary and specialized health care.

Methods

We performed a nationwide study of 72 385 individuals who died from cardiovascular disease, of whom 1487 had been diagnosed with severe mental illnesses. Log‐binomial regression analysis was applied to study the impact of severe mental illnesses on the uptake of diagnostic tests (e.g., 24‐h blood pressure, glucose/HbA1c measurements, electrocardiography, echocardiography, coronary angiography, and ultrasound of peripheral vessels) and invasive cardiovascular treatments (i.e., revascularization, arrhythmia treatment, and vascular surgery).

Results

Patients with and without severe mental illnesses had similar prevalences of cardiovascular diagnostic tests performed in primary care, but patients with schizophrenia had lower prevalences of specialized cardiovascular examinations (prevalence ratio (PR) 0.78; 95% CI 0.73–0.85). Subjects with severe mental illnesses had lower prevalences of invasive cardiovascular treatments (schizophrenia, PR 0.58; 95% CI 0.49–0.70, bipolar disorder, PR 0.78; 95% CI 0.66–0.92). The prevalence of invasive cardiovascular treatments was similar in patients with and without severe mental illnesses when cardiovascular disease was diagnosed before death.

Conclusion

Better access to specialized cardiovascular examinations is important to ensure equal cardiovascular treatments among individuals with severe mental illnesses.
Warming effects on dung beetle ecosystem services: brood production and dung burial by a tunnelling dung beetle,Onthophagus taurus(Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), is reduced by experimental warming
Authors: Holley Jean M , Andrew Nigel R
Published: February 2020

Dung beetles provide economically valuable ecosystem services to agriculture. Dung beetles are also sensitive to climate change, which may impact on the services that they provide. Using climate‐controlled chambers, we investigated the potential effects of climate change on the performance of a tunnelling dung beetle,Onthophagus taurus. Over two trials, we exposed beetles to a +0°C, +2°C or +4°C increase in diurnally fluctuating field recorded temperatures and measured survival, pat departure, reproduction (brood number and size) and dung burial by beetles. Temperature treatment did not affect pat departure behaviour. Relative to the control +0°C chambers, beetle survival was higher in the +2°C chambers, but there was no difference in survival between the +0°C and +4°C chambers. In Trial 1, brood number was reduced in both the +2°C and +4°C chambers, relative to the +0°C chambers. In Trial 2, brood number was significantly reduced relative to control chambers in the +2°C chambers only. Temperature did not affect brood size. Across temperature treatments, there was a significant, positive relationship between brood number and dung burial. However, trends in brood production with temperature were not mirrored by dung burial; the only reduction in dung burial was found in the warmest treatment of Trial 2. Our results suggest that initially, warming may not substantially reduce dung burial byO. taurus; however, ecosystem services may be impacted if lower brood production eventually reduces beetle numbers. Studies such as ours identify the vulnerabilities of ecosystem service providers to climate change and in doing so are an essential first step in the management of ecosystem services under future warming.
Controlling Families’ Risk Allocation in a Business Group
Authors: Chae Joon , Kang Hyung Cheol , Lee Eun Jung , Lee Yu Kyung
Published: February 2020

This paper explores family business groups and their motivation for risk taking in each affiliate. We study whether the controlling family determines the level of risk taken by an affiliate in its business group based on the amount of family wealth that is invested in the affiliate. We find that the affiliates in which the controlling family has more (less) investment take less (more) risk. Our results indicate that the controlling family decides the riskiness of each affiliate based on the family’s interests at both the firm level and the business‐group level.
Seasonal variation in the hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in Denmark
Authors: Rohr Thomsen Christine , Brink Henriksen Tine , Uldbjerg Niels , Milidou Ioanna
Published: February 2020

Introduction

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, including gestational hypertension and preeclampsia, are leading causes of morbidity and mortality for both mother and fetus. It has been proposed that vitamin D affects a number of biological processes involved in the pathogenesis of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Therefore, a seasonal variation in the risk of these disorders might be expected in areas such as Denmark with marked seasonal variation in sunlight exposure. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the existence of this association.

Material and methods

We used information from a cohort of 50 665 previously healthy, nulliparous women with singleton pregnancies. All women gave birth between 1989 and 2010 at Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark. Logistic regression analyses combined with the cubic spline method were used to estimate the seasonal variation for each outcome: gestational hypertension and preeclampsia, after adjusting for calendar time.

Results

Of the 50 665 women included, 8.5% were diagnosed with a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy. The overall tendency was towards increasing risk when conceiving during spring and early summer, peaking midsummer, and subsequently decreasing steadily during late summer and fall to reach the nadir by winter. Seasonal variation was found for; gestational hypertension (P = .01); preeclampsia (P = .001) and early‐onset preeclampsia (P = .014).

Conclusions

We found a seasonal variation in the risk of the hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in a large cohort of Danish nulliparous women. The highest risk was seen in women with the estimated date of conception in June and August, that is, during summer. Seasonal variation in vitamin D status may explain this association.