bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phox2a defines a developmental origin of the anterolateral system in mice and humans
Authors: Roome R. Brian , Bourojeni Farin B. , Mona Bishakha , Rastegar-Pouyani Shima , Blain Raphael , Dumouchel Annie , Salesse Charleen , Thompson W. Scott , Brookbank Megan , Gitton Yorick , Tessarollo Lino , Goulding Martyn , Johnson Jane E. , Kmita Marie , Chédotal Alain , Kania Artur
Published: June 2020

Anterolateral system neurons relay pain, itch and temperature information from the spinal cord to pain-related brain regions, but the differentiation of these neurons and their specific contribution to pain perception remain poorly defined. Here, we show that virtually all mouse spinal neurons that embryonically express the autonomic system-associated Paired-like homeobox 2A (Phox2a) transcription factor innervate nociceptive brain targets, including the parabrachial nucleus and the thalamus. We define Phox2a anterolateral system neuron birth order, migration and differentiation, and uncover an essential role for Phox2a in the development of relay of nociceptive signals from the spinal cord to the brain. Finally, we also demonstrate that the molecular identity of Phox2a neurons is conserved in the human foetal spinal cord. The developmental expression of Phox2a as a uniting feature of anterolateral system neurons suggests a link between nociception and autonomic nervous system function.
Estimating the COVID-19 epidemic trajectory and hospital capacity requirements in South West England: a mathematical modelling framework
Authors: Booton Ross D. , MacGregor Louis , Vass Lucy , Looker Katharine J. , Hyams Catherine , Bright Philip D. , Harding Irasha , Lazarus Rajeka , Hamilton Fergus , Lawson Daniel , Danon Leon , Pratt Adrian , Wood Richard , Brooks-Pollock Ellen , Turner Katherine M.E.
Published: June 2020

Objectives

To develop a regional model of COVID-19 dynamics, for use in estimating the number of infections, deaths and required acute and intensive care (IC) beds using the South West of England (SW) as an example case.

Design

Open-source age-structured variant of a susceptible-exposed-infectious-recovered (SEIR) deterministic compartmental mathematical model. Latin hypercube sampling and maximum likelihood estimation were used to calibrate to cumulative cases and cumulative deaths.

Setting

SW at a time considered early in the pandemic, where National Health Service (NHS) authorities required evidence to guide localised planning and support decision-making.

Participants

Publicly-available data on COVID-19 patients.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

The expected numbers of infected cases, deaths due to COVID-19 infection, patient occupancy of acute and IC beds and the reproduction (“R”) number over time.

Results

SW model projections indicate that, as of the 11th May 2020 (when ‘lockdown’ measures were eased), 5,793 (95% credible interval, CrI, 2,003 – 12,051) individuals were still infectious (0.10% of the total SW England population, 95%CrI 0.04 – 0.22%), and a total of 189,048 (95%CrI 141,580 – 277,955) had been infected with the virus (either asymptomatically or symptomatically), but recovered, which is 3.4% (95%CrI 2.5 – 5.0%) of the SW population. The total number of patients in acute and IC beds in the SW on the 11th May 2020 was predicted to be 701 (95%CrI 169 – 1,543) and 110 (95%CrI 8 – 464) respectively. The R value in SW England was predicted to be 2.6 (95%CrI 2.0 – 3.2) prior to any interventions, with social distancing reducing this to 2.3 (95%CrI 1.8 – 2.9) and lockdown/ school closures further reducing the R value to 0.6 (95CrI% 0.5 – 0.7).

Conclusions

The developed model has proved a valuable asset for local and regional healthcare services. The model will be used further in the SW as the pandemic evolves, and – as open source software – is portable to healthcare systems in other geographies.

Future work/ applications

Open-source modelling tool available for wider use and re-use.

Customisable to a number of granularities such as at the local, regional and national level.

Supports a more holistic understanding of intervention efficacy through estimating unobservable quantities, e.g. asymptomatic population.

While not presented here, future use of the model could evaluate the effect of various interventions on transmission of COVID-19.

Further developments could consider the impact of bedded capacity in terms of resulting excess deaths.
Low rate of daily smokers in patients with symptomatic COVID-19
Authors: Miyara Makoto , Tubach Florence , Pourcher Valérie , Morélot-Panzini Capucine , Pernet Julie , Haroche Julien , Lebbah Said , Morawiec Elise , Gorochov Guy , Caumes Eric , Hausfater Pierre , Combes Alain , Similowski Thomas , Amoura Zahir
Published: June 2020

Background

Identification of prognostic factors in COVID-19 remains a global challenge. The role of smoking is still controversial.

Objective

To evaluate the rate of daily smokers in patients with COVID-19.

Methods

COVID-19 in-and outpatients from a large French university hospital were systematically interviewed for their smoking status, use of e-cigarette and nicotinic substitutes. The rates of daily smokers in in-and outpatients were compared to those in the 2019 French general population, after standardization for sex and age.

Results

The inpatient group was composed of 340 patients, median age 66 years: 203 men (59.7%) and 137 women (40.3%), median age for both 66 years, with a daily smokers rate of 4.1 % CI95% [2.3–6.9] (5.4% of men, 2.2% of women). The outpatient group was composed of 139 patients, median age 44 years: 62 men (44.6%, median age 43 years), and 77 women (55.4%, median age 44 years). The daily smoker rate was 6.1 % CI 95% [2.7 - 11.6] (5.1% of men, 6.8% of women). In the 2019 French population, the daily smoker rate was 24.0% (27.5% of men, 20.7% of women). Among inpatients, daily smokers represented 2.2% and 3.4% of the 45 dead patients and of the 29 patients transferred to ICU, respectively.

The rate of daily smokers was significantly lower in COVID-19 patients, as compared to that in the French general population after standardization by age and sex, with Standardized Incidence Ratios of 0.24 [0.12-0.48] for outpatients and 0.24 [0.14-0.40] for inpatients.

Conclusion

Daily smokers rate in patients with symptomatic COVID-19 is lower as compared to the general population
Delayed Discharges: Does Staff Well-Being Matter?
Authors: Ali Manhal , Salehnejad Reza
Published: June 2020

Delayed discharges of patients from hospitals, also known as “bed–blocking” is a long standing policy concern. Such delays can increase hospital treatment costs and may also lead to poorer patient health and experience. Prior research indicates that external factors, such as, greater availability and better affordability of long term care associated with lower delays. Using theories from Economics, this study examines the role of within–hospital factors, namely, staff well–being in alleviating hospital delayed days. We use a new panel database of delays in all English hospital trusts from 2011/12 to 2014/15. Employing longitudinal count data models, the paper finds that staff well–being is associated with lower hospital delayed discharges controlling for long–term factors and management quality. The findings are robust to alternative methods and measures of delayed discharges.
Self-reported changes in energy balance behaviors during COVID-19 related home confinement: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Bhutani Surabhi , Cooper Jamie A , Vandellen Michelle R
Published: June 2020

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused people to shelter-at-home for an extended period, resulting in a sudden rise in unstructured time. This unexpected disruption in everyday life has raised concerns about weight management, especially in high-risk populations of women and individuals with overweight and obesity. This study aimed to investigate the changes in behaviors that may impact energy intake and/or energy expenditure in U.S. adults during the home confinement.

Methods

Cross-sectional data from 1,779 adults were collected using an online Qualtrics survey between April 24th and May 4th, 2020. Self-reported data on demographics, eating behaviors, physical activity, sleep, screen time, takeout food intake, and food purchasing behaviors were collected. Chi-Square analyses were conducted to evaluate differences in the percent of participants reporting increasing, decreasing, or staying the same in each health behavior since the COVID-19 outbreak in their area. Each analysis was followed by comparing whether increases or decreases were more likely for each health behavior. Similar comparisons were made between male and female participants and between body mass index (BMI) categories.

Results

We observed an increase in the intake of both healthy and energy-dense unhealthy foods and snacks during the home confinement. Participants also reported increases in sedentary activities and decrease in physical activity, alcohol intake, and consumption of takeout meals during this time. In women, several behavioral changes support greater energy intake and less energy expenditure than men. No clear difference in patterns was observed across BMI status.

Conclusion

Acute changes in behaviors underscore the significance of a sudden increase in unstructured time at home on potential weight gain. Our findings support the need to implement and support measures that promote strategies to maintain body weight and establish a methodology to collect body weight data at multiple time points to longitudinally assess the dynamic relationship between behaviors and body weight change.
Persistent SARS-CoV-2 replication in severe COVID-19
Authors: Folgueira María Dolores , Luczkowiak Joanna , Lasala Fátima , Pérez-Rivilla Alfredo , Delgado Rafael
Published: June 2020

Background

The diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection is based on viral RNA detection by real-time RT-PCR (rRT-PCR) in respiratory samples. This detection can remain positive for weeks without implying virus viability.

Methods

We have performed cell culture to assess viral replication in 106 respiratory samples rRT-PCR positive for SARS-CoV-2 from 105 patients with COVID-19. Fifty were samples from 50 patients with mild forms of COVID-19 who did not require hospital admission. Fifty-six samples were obtained from 55 hospitalized patients with severe pneumonia. Samples were obtained at different time points covering the time from clinical diagnosis to the follow up during hospital care.

Results

In 49 samples (49/106, 46.2%) a cytopathic effect (CPE) was detected in cell culture. Our study demonstrates that while in patients with mild COVID-19, viral viability is maintained in fact up to 10 days in patients with severe COVID-19 the virus can remain viable for up to 32 days after the onset of symptoms. Patients with severe COVID-19 as compared with mild cases, presented infective virus in a significantly higher proportion in samples with moderate or low viral load (Ct value > 26): 22/46 (47.8%) versus 7/38 (18.4%), (p<0.01), respectively.

Conclusions

Persistent SARS-CoV-2 replication could be demonstrated in severe COVID-19 cases for periods up to 32 days after the onset of symptoms and even at high Ct values. COVID-19 severity is a more determining factor for viral viability than the time elapsed since the onset of symptoms or the Ct value obtained in the RT-PCR assay.
Loss of TP53 mediates suppression of Macrophage Effector Function via Extracellular Vesicles and PDL1 towards Resistance against Chemoimmunotherapy in B-cell malignancies
Authors: Izquierdo Elena , Vorholt Daniela , Sackey Benedict , Nolte Janica L. , Blakemore Stuart , Schmitz Jan , Barbarino Verena , Nickel Nadine , Bachurski Daniel , Lobastova Ludmila , Nikolic Milos , Michalik Michael , Brinker Reinhild , Merkel Olaf , Neuhaus René , Koch Maximilian , Knittel Gero , Frenzel Lukas , Reinhardt Hans Christian , Peifer Martin , Rebollido-Rios Rocio , Bruns Heiko , Krüger Marcus , Hallek Michael , Pallasch Christian
Published: June 2020

Chemoimmunotherapy (CIT) is the standard of care in B-cell malignancies. It is relying on synergistic effects of alkylating chemotherapy and monoclonal antibodies via secretory crosstalk with effector macrophages. Here, we observed that loss of p53 function mediates resistance to CIT by suppressing macrophage phagocytic function.

Loss of p53 leads to an upregulation of PDL1 and an increased formation of extracellular vesicles (EVs). EVs directly inhibit macrophage phagocytosis by PDL1 surface expression. Suppression of phagocytic function by lymphoma cell-derived EVs could be abrogated by pre-incubation of EVs with anti-PDL1 antibodies, CRISPR-KO ofPDL1and abrogation of EV formation byRAB27A-KO in lymphoma cells. Immune checkpoint inhibition represents a viable strategy to overcome EV-mediated resistance to chemoimmunotherapy in lymphoma.

Significance

Loss ofTP53mediates cell autonomous resistance to genotoxic chemotherapy, moreover non-cell autonomous effects may cause therapy resistance mediated by the tumor microenvironment. We identify aTP53-dependent mechanism that mediates resistance to synergistic chemoimmunotherapy by increasing formation of EVs and expression of the PDL1 immune checkpoint. PDL1 on EVs is directly responsible for macrophage suppression, preventing the exertion of the essential effector function of antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis. This novel mechanism of resistance is in turn targetable by PDL1 checkpoint inhibition. Enhanced EV-release and immune checkpoint expression in lymphoma are novel mechanisms of macrophage modulation in the lymphoma microenvironment. We provide a novel principle of resistance to chemoimmunotherapy (CIT) representing of immediate relevance to treatment of refractory B-cell lymphoma.

Highlights

Loss ofTP53in B-cell lymphoma induces resistance towards chemoimmunotherapy (CIT) by inhibition of macrophage effector function through PDL1 upregulation

Loss ofTP53increases formation of extracellular vesicles (EVs) carrying PDL1

EVs inhibit antibody-mediated cellular phagocytosis (ADCP), a key macrophage effector function in CIT

Targeting PDL1 on EVs with immune checkpoint inhibitors overcomesTP53-mediated resistance to CIT
Microvillar cartography: a super-resolution single-molecule imaging method to map the positions of membrane proteins with respect to cellular surface topography
Authors: Ghosh Shirsendu , Alon Ronen , Alcover Andres , Haran Gilad
Published: June 2020

We introduce Microvillar Cartography (MC), a method to map proteins on cellular surfaces with respect to the membrane topography. The surfaces of many cells are not smooth, but are rather covered with various protrusions such as microvilli. These protrusions may play key roles in multiple cellular functions, due to their ability to control the distribution of specific protein assemblies on the cell surface. Thus, for example, we have shown that the T-cell receptor and several of its proximal signaling proteins reside on microvilli, while others are excluded from these projections. These results have indicated that microvilli can function as key signaling hubs for the initiation of the immune response. MC has facilitated our observations of particular surface proteins and their specialized distribution on microvillar and non-microvillar compartments. MC combines membrane topography imaging, using variable-angle total internal microscopy, with stochastic localization nanoscopy, which generates deep sub-diffraction maps of protein distribution. Since the method is based on light microscopy, it avoids some of the pitfalls inherent to electron-microscopy-based techniques, such as dehydration, carbon coating and immunogold clustering, and is amenable to future developments involving e.g. live-cell imaging. This Protocol details the procedures we developed for MC, which can be readily adopted to study a broad range of cell surface molecules and dissect their distribution within distinct surface assemblies under multiple cell activation states.
Myosin-driven actin-microtubule networks exhibit self-organized contractile dynamics
Authors: Lee Gloria , Rust Michael J. , Das Moumita , McGorty Ryan J. , Ross Jennifer L. , Robertson-Anderson Rae M.
Published: June 2020

The cytoskeleton is a dynamic network of proteins, including actin, microtubules, and myosin, that enables essential cellular processes such as motility, division, mechanosensing, and growth. While actomyosin networks are extensively studied, how interactions between actin and microtubules, ubiquitous in the cytoskeleton, influence actomyosin activity remains an open question. Here, we create a network of co-entangled actin and microtubules driven by myosin II. We combine dynamic differential microscopy, particle image velocimetry and particle-tracking to show that both actin and microtubules in the network undergo ballistic contraction with surprisingly indistinguishable characteristics. This controlled contractility is distinct from the faster turbulent motion and rupturing that active actin networks exhibit. Our results suggest that microtubules can enable self-organized myosin-driven contraction by providing flexural rigidity and enhanced connectivity to actin networks. These results provide important new insight into the diverse interactions cells can use to tune activity, and offer a powerful platform for designing multifunctional materials with well-regulated activity.
Timing COVID-19 – Synchronization of longitudinal patient data to the underlying disease progression using CRP as a temporal marker
Authors: Maibach Martina A. , Allam Ahmed , Hilty Matthias P. , Gonzalez Nicolas A. Perez , Buehler Philipp K. , Garcia Pedro D. Wendel , Brugger Silvio D. , Ganter Christoph C. ,   The CoViD-19 ICU-Research Group Zurich,   The RISC-19-ICU Investigators, Krauthammer Michael , Schuepbach Reto A. , Bartussek Jan
Published: June 2020

Advances in medical technology and IT infrastructure have led to increased availability of continuous patient data that allows investigation of the longitudinal progression of novel and known diseases in unprecedented detail. However, to accurately describe any underlying pathophysiology with longitudinal data, the individual patient trajectories have to be synchronized based on temporal markers. In this study, we use longitudinal data from 28 critically ill ICU COVID-19 patients to compare the commonly used alignment markers “onset of symptoms”, “hospital admission” and “ICU admission” with a novel objective method based on the peak value of inflammatory marker C-reactive protein (CRP). By applying our CRP-based method to align the progression of neutrophils and lymphocytes, we were able to define a pathophysiological window that allowed further risk stratification in our COVID-19 patient cohort. Our data highlights that proper synchronization of patient data is crucial to differentiate severity subgroups and to allow reliable interpatient comparisons.
Power Laws in Superspreading Events: Evidence from Coronavirus Outbreaks and Implications for SIR Models
Authors: Fukui Masao , Furukawa Chishio
Published: June 2020

While they are rare, superspreading events (SSEs), wherein a few primary cases infect an extraordinarily large number of secondary cases, are recognized as a prominent determinant of aggregate infection rates (ℛ0). Existing stochastic SIR models incorporate SSEs by fitting distributions with thin tails, or finite variance, and therefore predicting almost deterministic epidemiological outcomes in large populations. This paper documents evidence from recent coronavirus outbreaks, including SARS, MERS, and COVID-19, that SSEs follow a power law distribution with fat tails, or infinite variance. We then extend an otherwise standard SIR model with the estimated power law distributions, and show that idiosyncratic uncertainties in SSEs will lead to large aggregate uncertainties in infection dynamics, even with large populations. That is, the timing and magnitude of outbreaks will be unpredictable. While such uncertainties have social costs, we also find that they on averagedecreasethe herd immunity thresholds and the cumulative infections because per-period infection rates have decreasing marginal effects. Our findings have implications for social distancing interventions: targeting SSEs reduces not only the average rate of infection (ℛ0) but also its uncertainty. To understand this effect, and to improve inference of the average reproduction numbers under fat tails, estimating the tail distribution of SSEs is vital.
The curvilinear relationship between the age of adults and their mental health in Iran after its peak of COVID-19 cases
Authors: Chen Jiyao , Zhang Stephen X. , Wang Yifei , Jahanshahi Asghar Afshar , Dinani Maryam Mokhtari , Madavani Abbas Nazarian , Nawaser Khaled
Published: June 2020

The emerging body of research on the predictors of mental health in the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed contradictory findings, which prevent effective psychiatry screening for mental health assistance. This study aims to identify the predictors of nonsomatic pain, depression, anxiety, and distress, especially focusing on age as a nonlinear predictor. We conducted a survey of 474 adults in Iran during April 1–10, 2020, when Iran had just passed its first peak of the COVID-19 pandemic with new confirmed cases. We found that Age had a curvilinear relationship with nonsomatic pain, depression, and anxiety. Age was associated with pain, depression, and anxiety disorders negatively among adults younger than 45 years, but positively among seniors older than 70 years. Adults who were female, unsure about their chronic diseases, and exercised less per day were more likely to have mental health issues. This study advances the use of age as an effective predictor by uncovering a curvilinear relationship between individuals’ age and mental health issues by using a sample of adults across a wide spectrum of ages. We hope future research on mental health during COVID-19 pays more attention to nonlinear predictors.
Determinants of COVID-19 incidence and mortality: A cross-country analysis
Authors: Jeet Gursimer , Sharma Atul , Goyal Aarti , Prinja Shankar , Pandey Arvind , Mandal Sandip , Rao Mendu Vishnuvardhana , Aggarwal Sumit , Arora Narendra K
Published: June 2020

The authors have withdrawn this manuscript because the source data was last updated at the end of March, and hence the authors believe that the results derived and conclusions drawn in the manuscript may not hold true now. Therefore, the authors do not wish this work to be cited as reference for the project. If you have any questions, please contact the corresponding author.
Chirok: a post-refinement tool to analyse absolute structure
Authors: Dyadkin Vadim , Pattison Philip , Chernyshov Dmitry
Published: June 2020

Chirok is software for a post-refinement test of the absolute structure. The software allows a user to calculate a distribution of the measure of chirality based on intensity quotients and linked to the Flack parameter. The distribution is fitted by a set of peak functions, the refined centre of which gives an estimate of the Flack parameter with the same or better precision compared with the usual refinement schemes. The use of this software is illustrated with a collection of published data for chiral structures.
Relationship between auditor integrity and organizational commitment to fraud prevention
Authors: Rifai Mohammad Husen , Mardijuwono Agus Widodo
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to obtain empirical evidence about the impact of auditor’s integrity and organizational commitment to the prevention of fraud.

Design/methodology/approach

This research was conducted using questionnaires distributed to all internal auditors who worked at East Java Representatives Office of Indonesia’s National Government Internal Auditor. One hundred and thirteen questionnaires were distributed, and fifty-seven questionnaires were received, and all have validity eligible to use in this research. The hypothesis of this research was tested using the partial least square analysis with WarpPLS version 6.0 software.

Findings

The result of this research found that auditor’s integrity and organizational commitment affect positively to fraud prevention.

Originality/value

Using government internal auditors, this study believed, brings a new insight into government internal auditor behavior.
Detecting unbalanced bidding to achieve economic sustainability using fuzzy logic approach
Authors: Li Huimin , Su Limin , L.V. Lelin , Xia Qing
Published: June 2020

Purpose

To achieve sustainability for a construction project requires the achievement of economic, environmental and social sustainability at the same time. The economic sustainability of a project should be built into the stipulated cost. The unbalanced bidding always contribute cost overrun for a construction project. The purpose of this paper is to develop a method for identifying unbalanced bidding.

Design/methodology/approach

The problem of identifying unbalanced bidding is a comprehensive evaluation problem. All line items and bidders in bills of quantities are evaluation factors and evaluation objects, respectively, and the engineer’s estimated prices are considered as the evaluation benchmarks. The weights of these factors are determined through integrating the entropy weight method and the analytic hierarchy model, which consider subjective and objective factors in the weighting process.

Findings

The proposed model can be used to quantitatively evaluate unbalanced bids. The identification process can be analyzed within a short period, specifically with the aid of Microsoft Excel, reducing delays in awarding contracts. The results show that the model will support owners as they efficiently and effectively identify unbalanced bids in the bid evaluation stage to mitigate the negative consequences of unbalanced bidding.

Practical implications

A case study is given to verify the feasibility and practicability of the proposed method, which not only assists owners in efficiently and effectively identifying unbalanced bidding, but also promotes the economic sustainability of construction projects.

Originality/value

The fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method is used to detect unbalanced bidding, allowing owners to be objective as they identify and reduce unbalanced bidding at the procurement stage.
Coimbra as a literary tourism destination: landscapes of literature
Authors: Quinteiro Sílvia , Carreira Vivina , Rodrigues Gonçalves Alexandra
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the relevance of developing literary tourism in Coimbra.

Design/methodology/approach

This exploratory qualitative research identifies existent resources and development potential of literary tourism. The instruments of data collection were bibliographic research, questionnaires, interviews and participant observation.

Findings

There are few literary tourism products in Coimbra, which contrasts with the number of literary places identified, namely, on the left bank of the River Mondego. Tourism development stakeholders in Coimbra have not paid enough attention to the emergence of literary tourism and the opportunities for the development of new sustainable cultural products related with it.

Research limitations/implications

This study is limited by the size and continual renewal of the corpus, which implies a constant updating of data regarding authors and texts.

Practical implications

This study will lead to the production of a database of Coimbra’s literary resources and a digital literary map, allowing any citizen or entity to design and implement literary tourism products.

Originality/value

To the best of authors’ knowledge, this is the first study reviewing the potential of Coimbra as a literary tourism destination. Moreover, it discusses literary heritage as a source of products and experiences to foster more balanced tourist flows throughout the city.
Digital corporate reporting and value relevance: evidence from the US and Japan
Authors: Shan Yuan George , Troshani Indrit
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The study improves current understanding concerning the implications of digital corporate reporting technology on the informativeness of accounting information.

Design/methodology/approach

It looks at how XBRL, an exemplar digital corporate financial reporting technology, affects value relevance of accounting information in the US and Japan, two key jurisdictions where XBRL has been mandated. We operationalise stock price and return value relevance models to assess and compare predicted associations between selected accounting measures and market value of equity in these countries.

Findings

We predict that the selected accounting measures are more value relevant after XBRL was mandated than before. We find evidence to support our prediction for the US sample. We also predict and find that the contribution of XBRL to the value relevance of the selected accounting measures is greater in the US than in Japan. Overall, our evidence provides support that digital corporate reporting technology enhances relevance and reliability of accounting measures.

Originality/value

The study appears to be the first to have examined the impact of XBRL on value relevance whilst comparing between two major jurisdictions. The study extends emerging but limited literature concerning the benefits of digital corporate financial reporting for enhancing the communication between firms and users of financial information. The findings are useful to both users of financial information and standard setters.
Global OTC pharmaceutical packaging with a local touch
Authors: Kauppinen-Räisänen Hannele , van der Merwe Daleen , Bosman Magdalena
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The aim of this study is to explore the contextual influences of packaging design and its cues on respondents' preferences.

Design/methodology/approach

To explore the contextuality of packaging cues, a multi-attribute valuation technique, conjoint analysis was used for two types of pharmaceutical products (painkiller and sore throat medicine) across seven countries. Data were collected among respondents (N = 461) from Finland, Ghana, Mongolia, Nigeria, Portuguese, South Africa and the USA.

Findings

Similarities and dissimilarities were observed between the product types and countries analysed in terms of the impact of packaging cues. The findings demonstrate the global and local nature of brand cues expressed in retail packaging.

Practical implications

The study implies that some cues may serve global markets, while some cues may need to be localised in order to meet the needs of local markets. Understanding these cues and their influences on consumers' brand preferences and choices at the point-of-purchases may enable companies to enter new markets, help them create sustainable and credible global brands.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the existing retail packaging literature and pharmaceutical branding literature by providing empirical evidence of the multidimensional aspects of sensory packaging cues. Second, it contributes by showing the contextual nature of retail packaging and its associated cues for OTC pharmaceuticals.
Managing technology innovation paradoxes through multi-level ambidexterity capabilities
Authors: Ouyang Taohua , Cao Xin , Wang Jun , Zhang Sixuan
Published: June 2020

Purpose

In this study, the authors aim to address the following two research questions: (1) How do technology innovation paradoxes manifest themselves in technological changes? (2) How do incumbent firms manage technology innovation paradoxes through multi-level organizational ambidexterity? To do so, the authors examine technology innovation in cloud computing, which has taken shape and brought about changes to the information technology industry. Specifically, the authors examine how a traditional software company, China Standard Software Co., Ltd. (CS2C), successfully navigated the technological transition to cloud computing from its existing operating systems business by managing innovation paradoxes through multi-level ambidexterity capabilities.

Design/methodology/approach

This study examines a single exploratory case and conducts an in-depth analysis of how technology innovation paradoxes manifest themselves in technological changes and how incumbent firms manage technology innovation paradoxes through multi-level organizational ambidexterity. The data collection and analysis occurred simultaneously through three phases. In Phase 1, one of the authors who had worked at CS2C for many years enabled the authors to obtain access to the company. The data analysis during this phase provided the authors with the history and current situation of CS2C, enabling them to understand the external circumstances, such as particular historical period, and internal conditions, such as cultural and technological changes, that would be relevant throughout the course of their study. It also helped the authors identify organizational ambidexterity capability as the guiding theoretical concept for their research. In Phase 2, the authors engaged in site visits and conducted detailed interviews with employees working at CS2C. In Phase 3, most of the data analysis was conducted. When the interview data were not sufficient to support the theoretical analysis, additional data were collected via phone calls and emails, to assure data-theory-model alignment.

Findings

The authors’ findings show that technology innovation paradoxes manifest themselves as contradictory relationships and mutual support relationships between exploitative and exploratory innovation. In addition, the authors identify three integration mechanisms as key to multi-level organizational ambidexterity capabilities in managing technology innovation paradoxes in technological changes.

Originality/value

Three important theoretical implications can be drawn from our case analysis. First, this research contributes to the knowledge of innovation paradoxes during technological changes. Second, this research provides a model of multi-level organizational ambidexterity capability in technological changes. Third, this research proposes three integration mechanisms driven by three types of ambidexterity capability at different organizational levels.
Related party transactions and earnings management in Jordan: the role of ownership structure
Authors: Alhadab Mohammad , Abdullatif Modar , Mansour Israa
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the relation between related party transactions and both accrual and real earnings management practices in Jordanian industrial public-listed companies, taking into account the uniqueness of the Jordanian company ownership structure.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from Jordanian industrial public-listed companies for the period 2011–2017. Accrual earnings management is measured by using the modified Jones model, whereas real earnings management and related party transactions are measured by using relevant proxies. A regression model is developed and used to assess the relation between related party transactions and earnings management, taking into account the effects of ownership concentration, family ownership and institutional ownership levels of the companies involved.

Findings

Accrual earnings management is negatively associated with related party transactions. Regarding the role of ownership structure, the presence of institutional investors is positively associated with using both related party transactions and real earnings management, whereas ownership concentration plays an efficient role to mitigate the use of both accrual earnings management and related party transactions. No statistically significant relations between real earnings management and related party transactions exist.

Practical implications

This study has direct practical implications for the Jordanian regulatory authorities to enact regulations to limit the misuse of related party transactions and earnings management transactions and ensure sufficient monitoring of these transactions because of their prevalence. Jordanian companies should also enhance their corporate governance systems to better approve and monitor such transactions, including enhancing the role of independent and non-controlling board members in this process.

Originality/value

Related party transactions are considered as a major concern of financial reporting quality in developed countries, and such transactions are found to be relatively more problematic in developing countries, where corporate governance is generally weak, and there is limited disclosure and transparency in financial reporting. From this perspective, this study is one of the very few studies in developing countries that explore the issue of related party transactions and their association with earnings management practices. Thus, the findings of this study can arguably be to some extent generalized to other developing country contexts, because of relatively similar business environment conditions, and therefore potentially fill a gap represented by the paucity of similar studies in developing countries.
How do we understand “meaningful use” of the internet? Of divides, skills and socio-technical awareness
Authors: Hosman Laura , Pérez Comisso Martin Andrés
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Information and communications technologies (ICTs) have transformed the lives of many people around the world, yet billions remain unconnected. While many initiatives attempt to “connect the unconnected,” initiatives focused on access and skills-development alone will still fall short. Based on the authors’ experience with the SolarSPELL initiative, this study aims to propose using the concept of socio-technical awareness as a step forward in conceptualizing a more accurate picture of capabilities necessary to enable people to make meaningful use of the internet.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses an integrative literature review for the ideas related to the digital divide, digital inclusion and digital literacies, as well as the applied work of the authors in the SolarSPELL initiative, to develop the concept of socio-technical awareness, which is presented as a method for understanding empowered, meaningful internet use.

Findings

The argument is made that access, skills- and literacy-development are necessary but insufficient conditions for meaningful ICTs use. Accordingly, a third concept, socio-technical awareness, is introduced, and the case is made for including this concept in both application and measurement of meaningful use of ICTs.

Practical implications

The design of digital inclusion initiatives should focus on increasing socio-technical awareness to empower users to make meaningful use of digital technologies.

Originality/value

Taking a step further than most assessments of the digital divide or digital inclusion, this study proposes that to achieve meaningful internet use, people need access, requisite skills development and socio-technical awareness, to be able to make informed, empowered decisions about ICT use.
Does knowledge management enhance or impede innovation speed?
Authors: Zhang Haili , Zhang Xiaotang , Song Michael
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to develop a theoretical model for examining how innovation speed mediates the relationship between knowledge management (KM) and performance and empirically tests the proposed model using data collected in the USA and China over three years.

Design/methodology/approach

To avoid common method bias and increase ability to draw causal effects of KM on performance, data were collected over three years. KM data were collected by survey; innovation speed data were collected in the following year; and sales growth and gross margin data were collected over the next three years. After merging the three data sets, the final empirical data used for this study contained data from 354 USA and 647 Chinese firms. Multiple regression analyses were used to test the research hypotheses. Sobel mediation tests were performed to test the mediating effects of innovation speed on the relationship between KM and performance.

Findings

Innovation speed has a U-shaped relationship with performance in both US and Chinese firms. Knowledge generation has an inverted U-shaped relationship with innovation speed in both US and Chinese firms. Knowledge dissemination increases innovation speed in US firms but not in Chinese firms. While knowledge application increases innovation speed in the US firms, it decreases innovation speed in Chinese firms.

Originality/value

This study is among the first to propose and empirically test the KM-innovation speed-performance relationship. This paper advances the KM literature by demonstrating that there is an inverted U-shaped relationship between knowledge generation and innovation speed and that there is a U-shaped relationship between innovation speed and performance. In addition, this study contributed to the cross-national study of KM.
Developing and validating e-retailing satisfaction scales with text-mining
Authors: Ashton Triss , Prybutok Victor R.
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study includes two parts. First, it introduces a machine-based method for model and instrument development and updating that integrates large sample qualitative data. Second, a new model and instrument for e-commerce customer satisfaction are developed.

Design/methodology/approach

The research occurs in two phases. In Phase 1, data collection occurs with a literature-based quantitative model and instrument that includes at least one qualitative scale item per construct. Data analysis of the resulting data includes factor analysis (FA) and latent semantic analysis text mining to generate an updated model and instrument. In Phase 2, data collection uses the new model and instrument. Data analysis in Phase 2 includes exploratory data analysis with FA, exploratory structural equation modeling and partial least square modeling.

Findings

As a result of the information gained by the integration of qualitative scales in the literature-based survey, the final model departs substantially from the initial research-based research model. It integrates many of the constructs known to impact a website and software usability from information systems research into a new e-retail satisfaction model.

Originality/value

The research method, as presented here, offers a strategy for integrating large scale qualitative data for refinement of models and the development of instruments. It is essentially a method of gaining the wisdom of crowds economically while simultaneously reducing the biases and laborious effort commonly associated with qualitative research.
Money laundering via cryptocurrencies – potential solutions from Liechtenstein
Authors: Teichmann Fabian Maximilian Johannes , Falker Marie-Christin
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how cryptocurrencies are used to launder money and how solutions from Liechtenstein’s novel blockchain legislation could be used to tackle the issue.

Design/methodology/approach

Within the scope of the literature review, the characteristics of cryptocurrencies and how these characteristics facilitate money laundering are discussed. To investigate concrete methods that money launderers use, a qualitative study with 10 presumed money launderers and 18 prevention experts was conducted. The results were subsequently tested quantitatively. Thereafter, the novel Liechtenstein blockchain act is discussed and it is detailed how the legislation could contribute to the establishment of an international standard in blockchain regulation.

Findings

Money launderers continue to abuse cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin as vehicles for financial crime. The Liechtenstein Blockchain Act could serve as a benchmark for regulators around the world aiming to solve the issue.

Research limitations/implications

Current anti-money laundering regulations are rather ineffective when it comes to cryptocurrencies.

Practical implications

The findings of this paper illustrate that new and innovative means for combating money laundering are needed. In particular, this paper provides insights into cryptocurrency crime and Liechtenstein’s response for legislators, law enforcement, compliance officers and regulatory authorities.

Originality/value

Liechtenstein’s blockchain act, as a potential remedy to money laundering, has thus far not received international attention.
Brand equity, online reviews, and message trust: the moderating role of persuasion knowledge
Authors: Ahmad Fayez , Guzmán Francisco
Published: June 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate whether a message from a brand with stronger brand equity generates more trust than a message from a brand with lower brand equity, and thus is more likely to encourage consumers to write online reviews. This paper also explores what happens when consumers become aware that brands are trying to persuade them to write a review.

Design/methodology/approach

Through three experimental studies, where participants were randomly assigned to a brand that has either a stronger or weaker brand equity, participants’ intention to write reviews was measured. Trust in the message was measured to study its mediating role, and persuasion knowledge of the participants was manipulated to investigate its moderating effect.

Findings

The findings confirm that consumers are more likely to write online reviews when a message comes from a brand that has stronger brand equity, trust in the message mediates the relationship between brand equity and consumer intention to write an online review, and persuasion knowledge has a differential effect on consumer intention to write reviews.

Originality/value

The study adds to the brand equity and online review literature by providing evidence that a higher level of consumer trust on brands that have stronger brand equity leads to an increased intention to write a review for the brand. It also shows that consumers’ awareness of the motive of the brand is more beneficial for brands with strong brand equity, contributing to persuasion knowledge literature.
The consequences of the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Chien Patrick
Published: June 2020

Deputy Editor‐in‐Chief, Dr Patrick Chien, discusses the latest thinking in women's health and highlights articles from this issue in an audio podcast available at: https://soundcloud.com/bjog/july-editorial-2020
Recessions and Health: The Long‐Term Health Consequences of Responses to the Coronavirus*
Authors: Banks James , Karjalainen Heidi , Propper Carol
Published: June 2020

The lockdown measures that were implemented in the spring of 2020 to stop the spread of COVID‐19 are having a huge impact on economies in the UK and around the world. In addition to the direct impact of COVID‐19 on health, the following recession will have an impact on people's health outcomes. This paper reviews economic literature on the longer‐run health impacts of business‐cycle fluctuations and recessions. Previous studies show that an economic downturn, which affects people through increased unemployment, lower incomes and increased uncertainty, will have significant consequences on people's health outcomes both in the short and longer term. The health effects caused by these adverse macroeconomic conditions will be complex and will differ across generations, regions and socio‐economic groups. Groups that are vulnerable to poor health are likely to be hit hardest even if the crisis hit all individuals equally, and we already see that some groups such as young workers and women are worse hit by the recession than others. Government policies during and after the pandemic will play an important role in determining the eventual health consequences.