bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Local food sales and point of sale priming: evidence from a supermarket field experiment
Authors: Brečić Ružica , Sinčić Ćorić Dubravka , Lučić Andrea , Gorton Matthew , Filipović Jelena
Published: April 2021

Purpose

An intention-behavior gap often occurs for socially responsible consumption, where despite positive consumer attitudes, sales remain disappointing. This paper aims to test the ability of in-store priming to increase sales of local foods vis-à-vis imported, cheaper equivalents.

Design/methodology/approach

Laboratory and field experiments in three countries (Croatia, Slovenia and Serbia), working with an international grocery retailer, assess the ability of textual and pictorial-based point of sale (PoS) materials to increase the purchase of local foods. Field sales data, for the purchase of local apples and cherries and their imported equivalents, are complemented by an analysis of loyalty card transactions.

Findings

Field data indicate that both pictorial and textual PoS materials, significantly increase the likelihood of purchasing local foods, against cheaper imported equivalents. Pictorial PoS materials appear more effective than textual equivalents. Laboratory study data indicate that PoS materials increase the salience of goal consistent mechanisms in decision-making at the expense of mechanisms to achieve non-primed goals.

Research limitations/implications

The field experiment lasted for only two weeks and focused on seasonal produce.

Practical implications

PoS materials offer a low cost intervention for modifying consumer behavior in stores.

Originality/value

The paper develops a theory regarding how priming works and its application in a supermarket setting. This is investigated and validated in the context of local foods. The study offers encouragement for the usefulness of other in-store primes, such as relating to diet, to improve socially desirable outcomes without economic incentives or coercion and in a cost-effective manner.
Is export-led growth hypothesis still valid for sub-Saharan African countries? New evidence from panel data analysis
Authors: Odhiambo Nicholas M.
Published: April 2021

Purpose

This study examines the causal relationship between exports and economic growth in sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries during the period 1980 to 2017. The study also examines whether the causality between these two macroeconomic variables depends on the countries' stage of development as proxied by their per capita income.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses a panel cointegration test and panel Granger-causality model to examine the link between exports and growth. The study also incorporates external debt as an intermittent variable in a bivariate setting between exports and economic growth, thereby creating a dynamic multivariate panel Granger-causality model.

Findings

Although the study found the existence of a long-run relationship between exports and economic growth, the study failed to find any export-led growth response in both low-income and middle-income countries. Instead, the study found evidence of a bidirectional causality and a neutrality response in middle-income and low-income countries, respectively. The study, therefore, concludes that the benefits of an export-led growth hypothesis may have been oversold, and that the strategy may not be desirable to some low-income developing countries.

Practical implications

These findings have important policy implications as they indicate that the causality between exports and economic growth in SSA countries varies with the countries' stage of development. Consistent with the contemporary literature, the study cautions low-income SSA countries against over-relying on an export-led growth strategy to achieve a sustained growth path as no causality between exports and economic growth has been found to exist in those countries. Instead, such countries should consider pursuing new growth strategies by building the domestic demand side of their economies alongside their export promotion strategies in order to expand the real sector of their economies. For middle-income countries, the study recommends that both export promotion strategies and pro-growth policies should be intensified as economic growth and exports have been found to reinforce each other in those countries.

Originality/value

Unlike the previous studies, the current study disaggregated the full sample of SSA countries into two subsets – one comprising of low-income countries and the other consisting of middle-income countries. In addition, the study uses a multivariate Granger-causality model in order to address the emission-of-variable bias. To our knowledge, this may be the first study of its kind in recent years to examine in detail the causal relationship between exports and economic growth in SSA countries using an ECM-based multivariate panel Granger-causality model.
Different tube bundles effect on the shell-and-tube heat exchanger performance
Authors: Abbasian Arani Ali Akbar , Uosofvand Hamed
Published: April 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to present a numerical investigation on laboratory-scale segmental baffles shell-and-tube heat exchanger (STHX) having various tube bundles and baffle configuration.

Design/methodology/approach

To discover the higher performance the thermohydraulic behavior of shell-side fluid flow with circular, elliptical and twisted oval tube bundles with segmental and inclined segmental baffled is compared. Shell side turbulent flow and heat transfer are simulated by a finite volume discretization approach using SolidWorks Flow Simulation. To achieve greater configuration performance of this device, the following two approaches is considered: using the inclined baffle with 200 angles of inclination and applying the different tube bundle.

Findings

Different parameters as heat transfer rate, pressure drop (Δp), heat transfer coefficient (h) and heat transfer coefficient to pressure drop ratio (h/Δp) are presented and discussed. Besides, for considering the effect of pressure penalty and heat transfer improvement instantaneously, the efficiency evaluation coefficient (EEC) in the fluid flow and heat transfer based on the power required to provide the real heat transfer augmentation are used.

Originality/value

Obtained results displayed that, at the equal mass flow rate, the twisted oval tubes with segmental baffle decrease the pressure drop 53.6% and 35.64% rather than that the circular and elliptical tubes bundle, respectively. By comparing the (h/Δp) ratio, it can result that the STHX with twisted oval tubes bundle (both segmental and inclined baffle) has better performance than other kinds of the tube bundles. Present results showed that the values of the EEC for all provided models are higher than 1, except for elliptical tube bundles with segmental baffles. The STHX with twisted oval tube bundles and segmental baffle gives the highest EEC value equal to 1.16 in the range of investigated mass flow.
Enforcement and accounting quality in the context of IFRS: is there a gap in the literature?
Authors: Silva Adriana , Jorge Susana , Rodrigues Lúcia Lima
Published: April 2021

Purpose

Existing research has concluded that accounting quality is influenced not only by the quality of accounting standards, but also by enforcement systems. Therefore, enforcement is one of the key factors for ensuring International Financial Reporting Standards’ (IFRS) compliance and achieving accounting quality. However, one still does not know what has been studied about this relationship in scientific literature. Accordingly, the purpose of this paper is to identify, recap and evaluate the current state of research on the relationship between IFRS enforcement and accounting quality, to provide a critical overview of publications in this field and to identify future areas of interest.

Design/methodology/approach

Supported by a structured literature review, this paper fills in a research gap by conducting a scientometric analysis of papers on the relationship between IFRS enforcement and accounting quality construed in a broad sense. It reviews papers published between 2006 and 2019 selected from the Web of Science database, particularly analyzing main journals, authors, geographic areas of study, methods used, specific topics explored and future lines of research to be developed.

Findings

Main findings show a shortage of studies analyzing IFRS enforcement practices in individual countries and, in turn, the impact these practices may have on the accounting quality. This gap calls for further research to know the effectiveness of the IFRS-related enforcement mechanisms.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no previous scientometric studies focused on the enforcement of IFRS and accounting quality. This study fills this research gap and improves the understanding about what has been published on the topic, also proposing an agenda for future research that can help regulators to adjust policies for the implementation and enforcement of IFRS.
A calibration method of redundant actuated parallel mechanism for posture adjustment
Authors: Chu Wenmin , Huang Xiang , Li Shuanggao
Published: April 2021

Purpose

With the improvement of modern aircraft requirements for safety, long life and economy, higher quality aircraft assembly is needed. However, due to the manufacturing and assembly errors of the posture adjustment mechanism (PAM) used in the digital assembly of aircraft large component (ALC), the posture alignment accuracy of ALC is difficult to be guaranteed, and the posture adjustment stress is easy to be generated. Aiming at these problems, this paper aims to propose a calibration method of redundant actuated parallel mechanism (RAPM) for posture adjustment.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the kinematics model of the PAM is established, and the influence of the coupling relationship between the axes of the numerical control locators (NCL) is analyzed. Second, the calibration method based on force closed-loop feedback is used to calibrate each branch chain (BC) of the PAM, and the solution of kinematic parameters is optimized by Random Sample Consensus (RANSAC). Third, the uncertainty of kinematic calibration is analyzed by Monte Carlo method. Finally, a simulated posture adjustment system was built to calibrate the kinematics parameters of PAM, and the posture adjustment experiment was carried out according to the calibration results.

Findings

The experiment results show that the proposed calibration method can significantly improve the posture adjustment accuracy and greatly reduce the posture adjustment stress.

Originality/value

In this paper, a calibration method based on force feedback is proposed to avoid the deformation of NCL and bracket caused by redundant driving during the calibration process, and RANSAC method is used to reduce the influence of large random error on the calibration accuracy.
Multichannel integration through innovation capability in manufacturing SMEs and its impact on performance
Authors: Kolbe Diana , Calderón Haydeé , Frasquet Marta
Published: April 2021

Purpose

Using online channels is an opportunity for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the manufacturing industry to reach new markets and reduce the dependency on distributors. The challenge remains that of integrating new online channels into existing networks effectively. This paper aims to identify to what extent multichannel integration is enhanced by the innovation capability of manufacturing SMEs and the subsequent influence on their performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected by means of a survey aimed at managers of small manufacturing firms in Mexico and were analysed through an advanced partial least squares (PLS) approach via SmartPLS.

Findings

Manufacturing SMEs with more advanced innovation capability achieve higher levels of multichannel integration. In turn, when multichannel integration is more advanced, manufacturing SMEs enjoy better results with respect to sales, fulfilling marketing objectives and improving relationships with customers.

Research limitations/implications

The model could be extended to accommodate other variables that may affect the effective integration of multiple channels.

Practical implications

Manufacturing SMEs can improve their results by integrating online channels with existing offline channels with a commitment to innovating in the market.

Originality/value

Analysing multichannel integration from the perspective of manufacturing firms, examining not only the positive consequences but also the underlying capabilities needed.
How does renqing influence purchase intentions in the Chinese business-to-business context?
Authors: Zhang Xun , Xu Biao , Wu Jun
Published: April 2021

Purpose

This study aims to examine the relationship between renqing and purchase intentions and the mechanism of its impact in the Chinese business-to-business (B2B) context.

Design/methodology/approach

Renqing in China has played an important role in business relationships and has been receiving increased attention in both practice and theory. However, little is known about whether it can influence purchase intentions in a rational B2B condition. This research aims to examine the relationship between renqing and purchase intentions and the mechanism of its impact in the Chinese B2B context. Based on a survey of 1,010 industry buyers from 468 Chinese downstream buyer companies, the empirical findings indicate a positive relationship between renqing and purchase intentions and the mediating role of long-term orientation (LTO) for increasing purchase intentions. In addition, this study also finds that product involvement (PI) has a negative moderating effect on the relationship between renqing and purchase intentions, which means that renqing has a big positive effect on purchase intentions in low PI conditions. The results highlight several implications for B2B companies that sell products to Chinese enterprises.

Findings

The empirical findings indicate a positive relationship between renqing and purchase intentions and the mediating role of LTO for increasing purchase intentions. In addition, this study also finds that PI has a negative moderating effect on the relationship between renqing and purchase intentions, which means that renqing has a big positive effect on purchase intentions in low PI conditions.

Originality/value

First of all, by answering the research question, this study shows that renqing has a positive effect on purchase intentions in Chinese B2B context. Second, this study elucidates the influence mechanism of renqing on purchase intention and identifies the mediating effect of LTO and the moderating effect of PI.
When time pressure counters the zero price effect
Authors: Dinsmore John Bowman , Wright Scott A. , Plotkina Daria
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The freemium pricing model is dominant in digital products such as mobile applications. While limited evaluation of a product such as when a consumer is under time pressure, has been found to increase consumer preference for the free version (“the zero price effect”), this paper aims to explore moderators that attenuate or reverse that effect.

Design/methodology/approach

Three experiments test the role of anchoring effects induced by time pressure in moderating the zero price effect.

Findings

The studies offer evidence that anchoring effects induced by time pressure can be directed to reduce preference for free versions of products. In addition, these effects are mediated by the perceived performance risk of a product and an upper boundary condition for monetary price level is found.

Research limitations/implications

This research demonstrates exceptions to time pressure’s role in intensifying the zero price effect. Future research could focus on additional moderators of the effect such as the need for certainty and examine time pressure’s effect on in-app purchases.

Practical implications

These findings can be directly applied by marketers of digital products using a freemium pricing model who wants to use time pressure to create urgency with customers without pushing them toward the free version of a product.

Originality/value

This paper finds exceptions to the zero price effect where consumers exhibit a stronger preference for the paid (vs free) version of a product when under time pressure.
The profitability of trading strategies from sharia-compliant and conventional banks in the GCC: a comparative study
Authors: AlMujamed Hesham I.
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this research was to examine the effectiveness of filter rules and investigate the weak form of the efficient market hypothesis (EMH) on sample shares of shariah-compliant vs. conventional banks listed on the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) stock market.

Design/methodology/approach

Nine trading filter strategies with different statistical analyses were used as defined in the literature (Fifieldet al., 2005; Almujamedet al., 2018). Daily closing equity prices of a sample of twenty shariah-compliant banks and twenty conventional banks were recorded over the 18-year period ending 31 December 2017.

Findings

Shares of shariah-compliant banks in the GCC were not weak-form efficient since trading based on past information was predictable, profitable and outperformed the corresponding naïve buy-and-hold trading strategy. Shares of conventional GCC banks underperformed

Research limitations/implications

This paper’s findings should be useful for central banks and capital market authorities in GCC countries for evaluation when considering new regulations or process changes. Limitations include small sample numbers and need for more recent evaluations of accounting disclosure levels. A wider range of data, statistical analyses and other trading strategies is needed. Potential investors (Muslim and non-Muslim), shariah supervisory boards, and preparers of financial statements can benefit from this study.

Practical implications

The results suggest that selection of trading strategy affects the success of the rule and that mid-sized filters are the best.

Originality/value

This is an innovative study comparing performance of shariah-compliant and conventional banks under different filter rules.
Assessing European Union standardization: a descriptive analysis of voluntary ex ante transparency notices
Authors: Prier Eric , McCue Clifford , Boykin Emily A.
Published: April 2021

Purpose

This study aims to empirically assess the standardization of using voluntary ex ante transparency notices to announce the awards of noncompetitive large-value contracts.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on open data published in theOfficial Journal of the European Union, a pooled cross-sectional research design is used to determine the level of standardized use of noncompetitive contracting by member states.

Findings

Findings suggest little evidence of standardization when publicizing direct contract awards, which might warrant remedial measures for promoting standardization by the EU. Moreover, France was found to be a major outlier in the prevalence of using non-competitive direct contract awards procedures.

Social implications

Maintenance of the European Union is predicated on free, transparent and open competition among member states, and this can only be maintained if each member state transposes EU standards into their national laws.

Originality/value

Findings suggest little evidence of standardization when publicizing direct contract awards, which might warrant additional remedial measures promoting consistency across the EU. Moreover, France was found to be a major outlier in the prevalence of using non-competitive direct contract awards procedures.
Sociopolitical activist brands
Authors: Schmidt Holger Joerg , Ind Nicholas , Guzmán Francisco , Kennedy Eric
Published: April 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to shed light on the emerging position of companies taking stances on sociopolitical issues and the impact this has on consumers.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses focus groups, interviews and consumer experiments in various countries, to provide insights as to why brands are taking sociopolitical stances.

Findings

Consumers expect brands to take a stance on sociopolitical issues. However, to be credible, a stance needs to be rooted in a long-term commitment that aligns with the brand’s strategy and values. Perceived authenticity is key.

Research limitations/implications

Future studies should aim at broader generalizability and should address various industries.

Practical implications

Differentiating a brand through a sociopolitical stance requires a strategic approach. Brand managers need to identify which issues they should support, how to engage with them and the risks and opportunities involved.

Originality/value

While the impact of brands adopting a sociopolitical stance has been discussed in the mainstream media, there has been a lack of empirical evidence to support the arguments. The results of the four studies discussed in the paper provide insights and demonstrate the brand-related opportunities and risks of taking a sociopolitical stance.
Employee-generated content: the role of perceived brand citizenship behavior and expertise on consumer behaviors
Authors: Saleem Fathima Z. , Hawkins Matthew A.
Published: April 2021

Purpose

Situated between the literature on internal branding and user-generated content, this study aims to demonstrate the effect of employee-generated content (EGC) on consumers’ purchase intentions and positive word of mouth (WOM).

Design/methodology/approach

The conceptual model was empirically tested using structural equation modeling based on a sample of 442 participants.

Findings

The findings support a sequential mediation model in which employee-created social media content impacts perceptions of brand citizenship behavior (BCB) and perceptions of expertise, which in turn increases purchase intention and WOM.

Practical implications

Based on the findings, this research suggests that employee ambassador programs can work to attract employees with an interest in brand-related social media content creation. Facilitating EGC through support, empowerment and reinforcement rather than traditional control mechanisms is recommended.

Originality/value

This research introduces the concept of EGC and employee content creators while extending the literature on perceived BCB by empirically demonstrating its relationship with perceived expertise and positive consumer behavior outcomes.
Hospital information systems in developing countries: a state-of-the-art systematic review
Authors: Lei Jie , Liu Jianming , Li Wu
Published: April 2021

Purpose

Hospital information system (HIS) can be examined as a vital factor for developing the quality of health care and cost managing. There exists abundant literature on HISs, but implementation-based literature of HIS is rare, typically about progressive countries. However, a study that can comprehensively review published articles is scarce. Therefore, this paper aims to examine the systematic and comprehensive study of HIS in developed countries. Together, the benefits and harms relevant to HIS’s different mechanisms have been considered, and the fundamental challenges of them are addressed to design more efficient HIS in the future.

Design/methodology/approach

HIS has been used globally for numerous years and is now being used in a wide area. HIS is broadly used in clinical settings. Information technology (IT) and information system have been suggested as a required piece to solve the health-care-related issues. Hence, to improve HIS’s ability, this paper conducted a review method concentratating on research related to HIS until 2019. A total of 21 papers were recognized and examined as principal research for the summary.

Findings

The authors found that HIS can help in reduction of medical mistakes, enhancement doctors’ performance and increase in the quality of the care provided. HIS management can be used to provide better health-care services. Therefore, HIS must be sensible and use clear structures. The authors conclude that, generally, with an increase in awareness, acceptability and the need for HIS worldwide, there will be more strategies and approaches available.

Research limitations/implications

First, this paper provides an outline of the status of HIS. Second, it identifies some distinct research gaps that could be worth studying. Some flawless work may be removed because of applying some filters to select the original articles. Surveying all the papers on the topic of HIS is impossible, too.

Practical implications

Design and sustainability of HIS is still a big issue for most developing countries, despite its wide usage in the developed countries. The technology is changing rapidly, so the field should be reviewed regularly. This paper suggests a suitable framework that will guide HIS in the local conditions of developing countries.

Social implications

The government will be assisted by the suggested solving ways in its performance and design of electronic health-care projects.

Originality/value

The study brings the viewpoints on the state of HIS mechanisms in developing countries. The paper’s results can offer visions into future research requirements. By providing comparative information and analyzing the current growths in this area, this study will support researchers and professionals to understand the progress in HIS mechanisms better.
Innovation in using IT: understanding the impact of knowledge absorptive capacity on academic librarians
Authors: Kaffashan Kakhki Mojtaba , Zarqi Marzie , Harati Hadi , Asemandoreh Yaser , Namdar Joyame Ehsan
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The aim of this study is to examine the effect of organizational levers and information technology (IT) absorptive capacity on librarians' innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

This survey-analytic study investigated the librarians who were working in the libraries of the medical sciences universities in Iran. The data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire distributed randomly among the members of the sample. The SEM and the LISREL software for data analysis were used.

Findings

It was found that the librarians' job autonomy and fairness of rewards had an effect on acquiring new knowledge and applying transformed knowledge. Although the results did not confirm the effect of the librarians' job autonomy on knowledge assimilation and transformation, they showed a direct and positive effect of fairness of rewards on knowledge assimilation and transformation. Furthermore, this study confirmed the effect of acquiring and applying new knowledge about the library IT on enhancing the librarians' innovation. The effect of knowledge assimilation and transformation, from the application of IT in libraries, on the librarians' innovation was not confirmed.

Practical implications

Learning about the effect of organizational levers on librarians' knowledge absorptive capacities, in terms of applying technologies, to create innovation is an important issue. This will elucidate the gaps of disregarding the effect of organizational levers and librarians' knowledge absorptive capacities on librarians' innovation, and will pave the way for better planning to achieve the libraries' innovative goals.

Originality/value

This is among the few articles that have helped to fill the existing theoretical and research gap in knowledge absorptive capacity in Library and Information Science (LIS). In addition, this article has made a valuable contribution to understanding the role of IT knowledge absorptive capacity as a mediator variable between the organizational levers and librarians' innovation.
How perception of training impacts organizational citizenship behavior: power distance as moderator
Authors: Jehanzeb Khawaja
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between perception of training, organizational commitment and organizational citizenship behavior. Moreover, the study examines the moderating role of power distance on the relationship between perception of training and organizational commitment.

Design/methodology/approach

Using stratified sampling technique, the data were obtained from 379 employees working at branches of public and private banks located in five metropolitan cities in Pakistan. To test the established hypotheses, structural equation modeling technique was adopted using Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS) 21.0.

Findings

The findings stated a significant relationship between perception of training and organizational citizenship behavior, but there was no relationship found between perception of training and organizational commitment. Moreover, organizational commitment partly mediated the relationship between perception of training and organizational citizenship behavior. The results also described that power distance moderates the relationship between perception of training and organizational commitment.

Practical implications

The results of the study can be beneficial for banking sector and strategy makers who have extended vision and anticipate organizational citizenship behavior from their employees. The study also offers the scope and space for the prospective researchers and scholars to carry out further research.

Originality/value

There is extensive literature available on the relationship between perception of training, organizational commitment and organizational citizenship behavior. However, it is observed that very few studies took the opportunity to examine the moderating role of power distance on the relationship between perception of training and organizational commitment, particularly in the context of Pakistan. Therefore, this study can be considered as original and have a great value in understanding the developed relationships in the scenario of Pakistan.
Body measurements with 3D body scanner: the case of female population in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Almousa Moudi
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper was to develop the first standard apparel sizing system for Saudi adult female population originating from anthropometric study using three-dimensional (3D) body scanner.

Design/methodology/approach

An anthropometric survey was conducted in four regions of the country where 1,074 participants between the ages of 18 and 63 were scanned using white light 3D body scanner. K-means cluster analysis using stature and hip girth as control variables produced the proposed sizing system, whereas regression equations were used to determine the parameters between measurements of different sizes.

Findings

Three sizing groups with 12 size designations in each totalling 36 size designations were identified. The sizing charts developed in this study show that key girth measurement ranges of chest, waist and hips are comparable to that of ISO standard and (ASTM D5585-11), while the Saudi female population falls into shorter height brackets than ISO and ASTM standards.

Originality/value

In this study, the first anthropometric database for Saudi female population was established using 3D body scanning technology, and a sizing system for this target population was developed.
Reflection on the center for digital scholarship in China: a case study on space redesign
Authors: Zhu Qiandong
Published: April 2021

Purpose

Focusing on two particularly challenging issues facing Chinese academic libraries – space constraints and the trending of digital scholarship services, this paper aims to explore which spaces students and faculty wanted and how to leverage low-use spaces and growing digital scholarship services to build the Center for Digital Scholarship (CDS) to meet their demands.

Design/methodology/approach

The participant observation method was used in the launch stage of the space redesign from May 2016 to October 2018. The usage analysis method was used to reveal the use of the renovated spaces and assess the success of the space redesign when CDS was open to users between October 1, 2017 and September 30, 2018. The usage was gathered from the space reservation system.

Findings

A hybrid academic service center combining information commons, a collaborative workplace, social spaces and digital scholarship services, the CDS is able to meet the complexity and diversity of users’ needs and fulfill the mission of its university in the context of insufficient funds, space and specialists. While it approaches the goal of the space redesign project, some deficiencies remain to be addressed in the future design and service plan, including separating quiet and noisy areas, flexible arrangements and business process reengineering.

Practical implications

This study shows a hybrid academic service center can meet the complexity and diversity of users’ needs, despite insufficient funds, space and specialists. To ensure sustainability, digital scholarship services should adapt to local users’ needs and expectations. While the author’s patent service and subject development analysis are local and popular with the users and sectors in his university, they make their services somewhat different from those of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) members.

Originality/value

This is one of the few, recent studies on space redesign incorporating digital scholarship services in a well-known academic library in China.
Integration of airborne geophysics and satellite imagery data for exploration targeting in porphyry Cu systems: Chahargonbad district, Iran
Authors: Riahi Shokouh , Bahroudi Abbas , Abedi Maysam , Aslani Soheila , Elyasi Gholam‐Reza
Published: April 2021

This study illustrates the application of a geometric average integration of aeromagnetic, radiometric and satellite imagery data over a region prone to Cu‐bearing mineralization at Chahargonbad area in Kerman province of Iran. Processing aeromagnetic, radiometric and Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer satellite data can provide exploratory insights about favourable zones in association with porphyry‐type ore occurrences, which can be synthesized through a combination of knowledge‐ and data‐driven approaches as a geometric average and be represented in a mineral prospectivity map. The existence of known deposits in a prospect region can facilitate the investigation of significant exploratory footprints extracted from airborne data by calculating each indicator layer's weight by plotting a prediction–area curve accompanied by a concentration–area fractal curve. Among various indicators, the most important ones are determined based on derived weights from the prediction–area plots to be synthesized in a single Cu favorability map. To fulfil this aim, indicator layers from airborne geophysics (magmatic bodies, magnetic lineaments and potassium radiometry) and remote‐sensing data (alterations such as argillic, phyllic, propylitic and iron oxide along with geological lineaments) were prepared and evaluated using the known porphyry Cu mineralization by the simultaneous plot of the concentration–area fractal model and the prediction–area curve to attain the ore prediction rate and the relevant occupied area of each map for weight assignment of indicators. The geometric average prospectivity model was applied to synthesize the leading indicators, and the result was compared with a multi‐class index overlay map. This study's significance lies in improvement of the performance of the mineral prospectivity/potential mapping after running a geometric average by a higher ore prediction rate of 79%, which has occupied 21% of the area as potential zones for further mining investigations.
Seed coat mucilages: Structural, functional/bioactive properties, and genetic information
Authors: Liu Yan , Liu Zhenfei , Zhu Xuerui , Hu Xinzhong , Zhang Hui , Guo Qingbin , Yada Rickey Y. , Cui Steve W.
Published: April 2021

Seed coat mucilages are mainly polysaccharides covering the outer layer of the seeds to facilitate seed hydration and germination, thereby improving seedling emergence and reducing seedling mortality. Four types of polysaccharides are found in mucilages including xylan, pectin, glucomannan, and cellulose. Recently, mucilages from flaxseed, yellow mustard seed, chia seed, and so on, have been used extensively in the areas of food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics contributing to stability, texture, and appearance. This review, for the first time, addresses the similarities and differences in physicochemical properties, molecular structure, and functional/bioactive properties of mucilages among different sources; highlights their structure and function relationships; and systematically summarizes the related genetic information, aiming with the intent to explore the potential functions thereby extending their future industrial applications.
Assessing mental health apps marketplaces with objective metrics from 29,190 data points from 278 apps
Authors: Lagan Sarah , D'Mello Ryan , Vaidyam Aditya , Bilden Rebecca , Torous John
Published: April 2021

Objective

Utilizing a standard framework that may help clinicians and patients to identify relevant mental health apps, we sought to gain a comprehensive picture of the space by searching for, downloading, and reviewing 278 mental health apps from both the iOS and Android stores.

Methods

278 mental health apps from the Apple iOS store and Google Play store were downloaded and reviewed in a standardized manner by trained app raters using a validated framework. Apps were evaluated with this framework comprising 105 questions and covering app origin and accessibility, privacy and security, inputs and outputs, clinical foundation, features and engagement style, and interoperability.

Results

Our results confirm that app stars and downloads—even for the most popular apps by these metrics—did not correlate with more clinically relevant metrics related to privacy/security, effectiveness, and engagement. Most mental health apps offer similar functionality, with 16.5% offering both mood tracking and journaling and 7% offering psychoeducation, deep breathing, mindfulness, journaling, and mood tracking. Only 36.4% of apps were updated with a 100‐day window, and 7.5% of apps had not been updated in four years.

Conclusion

Current app marketplace metrics commonly used to evaluate apps do not offer an accurate representation of individual apps or a comprehensive overview of the entire space. The majority of apps overlap in terms of features offered, with many domains and other features not well represented. Selecting an appropriate app continues to require personal matching given no clear trends or guidance offered by quantitative metrics alone.
Evaluating definitions for maternal fever as diagnostic criteria for intraamniotic infection in low‐risk pregnancies
Authors: Jones Claire , Titus Hamer , Belongilot Chederli Gayle , Soviravong Selena , Stansfield Brian K.
Published: April 2021

Background

Conflicting statements by stakeholders in obstetric care have suggested different criteria for defining peripartum fever and suspected intraamniotic infection, which have not been evaluated.

Methods

A case‐control study of pregnancies between 35 and 41 weeks at a single tertiary care center between January 2016 and December 2017. Cases with pathology‐confirmed chorioamnionitis were identified, and demographic data, risk factors, and neonatal outcomes were extracted from the medical record. The American College of Gynecology (ACOG) and National Institutes of Health (NIH) Workshop guidelines for identifying isolated maternal fever and suspected intraamniotic infection were applied, retrospectively. Odds ratios, sensitivity/specificity, and predictive value of each guideline for pathology‐confirmed chorioamnionitis and for secondary outcomes of interest were determined.

Results

943 mother‐infant dyads were evaluated including 41 (4.3%) with pathology‐confirmed chorioamnionitis. Among cases, 18 (43.9%) experienced any maternal temperature ≥38°C (100.4°F) with 12 (29.2%) and 8 (19.5%) cases meeting criteria for isolated maternal fever according to the ACOG and Workshop guidelines, respectively. Furthermore, the ACOG and Workshop guidelines correctly identified 6 (14.6%) and 3 (7.3%) of cases of pathology‐confirmed chorioamnionitis with high agreement between definitions (κ = 0.63). Laboratory evaluation, antimicrobial exposure, and prolonged length of stay in offspring are substantially higher in cases as compared to controls.

Conclusions

Guidelines that rely on maternal fever definitions for the diagnosis of suspected intraamniotic infection exhibit high agreement with low sensitivity, but high specificity and negative predictive value for pathology‐confirmed chorioamnionitis. Maternal temperature ≥38°C continues to drive clinical decision‐making for both mother and offspring.
On the interpretation of diploma wage effects estimated by regression discontinuity designs
Authors: Graetz Georg
Published: April 2021

Several recent papers employ regression discontinuity (RD) designs to estimate the causal effect of a diploma or similar credentials on wages. I build a model of knowledge acquisition, test‐taking and labour market careers that mimics the settings studied in these papers. I show that a positive RD estimate is evidence for information frictions in the labour market, but caution that the relative importance of acquired knowledge and innate talent in the production function cannot be separately identified. While a positive RD estimate does not reveal whether students study too much or too little compared to the social optimum, the rate at which RD estimates decline with labour market experience indicates the speed of employer learning, a parameter that is critical for the extent of inefficiency in study choices.
Remibrutinib (LOU064): A selective potent oral BTK inhibitor with promising clinical safety and pharmacodynamics in a randomized phase I trial
Authors: Kaul Martin , End Peter , Cabanski Maciej , Schuhler Carole , Jakab Annamaria , Kistowska Magdalena , Kinhikar Arvind , Maiolica Alessio , Sinn Angela , Fuhr Rainard , Cenni Bruno
Published: April 2021

Safe and effective new oral therapies for autoimmune, allergic, and inflammatory conditions remain a significant therapeutic need. Here, we investigate the human pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics (PDs), and safety of the selective, covalent Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor, remibrutinib. Study objectives were explored in randomized single and multiple ascending dose (SAD and MAD, respectively) cohorts with daily doses up to 600 mg, and a crossover food effect (FE) cohort, in adult healthy subjects without (SAD [n =80]/FE [n =12]) or with asymptomatic atopic diathesis (MAD [n =64]). A single oral dose of remibrutinib (0.5‒600 mg) was rapidly absorbed (time to maximum concentration = 0.5 h‒1.25 h) with an apparent blood clearance of 280‒560 L/h and apparent volume of distribution of 400‒15,000 L. With multiple doses (q.d. and b.i.d.), no pronounced accumulation of remibrutinib was detected (mean residence time was <3 h). Food intake showed no clinically relevant effect on remibrutinib exposure suggesting no need for dose adaptation. With remibrutinib doses greater than or equal to 30 mg, blood BTK occupancy was greater than 95% for at least 24 h (SAD). With MAD, remibrutinib reached near complete blood BTK occupancy at day 12 predose with greater than or equal to 10 mg q.d. Near complete basophil or skin prick test (SPT) inhibition at day 12 predose was achieved at greater than or equal to 50 mg q.d. for CD63 and at greater than or equal to 100 mg q.d. for SPT. Remibrutinib was well‐tolerated at all doses without any dose‐limiting toxicity. Remibrutinib showed encouraging blood and skin PDs with a favorable safety profile, supporting further development for diseases driven by mast cells, basophils, and B‐cells, such as chronic spontaneous urticaria, allergic asthma, or Sjögren’s syndrome.
Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination and long‐term cognitive outcome in children born very preterm
Authors: Uusitalo Karoliina , Haataja Leena , Nyman Anna , Lehtonen Tuomo , Setänen Sirkku ,   the PIPARI Study Group
Published: April 2021

Aim

To study the association between the Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination (HINE) at age 2 years and neurocognition at age 11 years in children born very preterm. We hypothesized that the HINE at 2 years would be associated with neurocognition, that is, neurological, motor, and cognitive outcomes at 11 years.

Method

A total of 174 children (mean gestational age 29.0wks, SD 2.7; minimum 23.0, maximum 35.9; 95 [55%] males, 79 [45%] females) born very preterm (birthweight ≤1500g/gestational age <32wks), were included in a prospective cohort recruited from 2001 to 2006 in Turku, Finland. The HINE was performed at 2 years’ corrected age. Neurocognition at 11 years was assessed with the Touwen neurological examination, Movement Assessment Battery for Children, Second Edition (MABC‐2), and full‐scale IQ (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Fourth Edition).

Results

The HINE global score was associated with the results of the Touwen neurological examination (odds ratio [OR]=0.9, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.8–0.9, p=0.001), MABC‐2 (β=1.4, 95% CI 0.7–2.2, p<0.001), and full‐scale IQ (β=1.2, 95% CI 0.8–1.7, p<0.001), even when adjusted. When children with cerebral palsy (CP) were excluded, the HINE was still associated with full‐scale IQ (unadjusted β=1.2, 95% CI 0.3–2.1, p=0.01).

Interpretation

A higher HINE global score at 2 years was associated with better general intelligence at 11 years even in children without CP. The HINE may be a useful tool to detect children at risk for later cognitive impairment.

What this paper adds

A Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination (HINE) global score at 2 years was associated with long‐term neurocognitive function.

Severe cognitive impairment was significantly more common in 11‐year‐old children with complex minor neurological dysfunction compared to typically developing children.

The HINE performed at 2 years detects risks of cognitive impairment at 11 years in children born very preterm.

A higher HINE score at 2 years was associated with better general intelligence at 11 years.
Transitional milestones and developmental challenges for adults with cerebral palsy
Authors: Escorpizo Reuben
Published: April 2021

This commentary is on the original article by Noten et al. on pages 846–852 of this issue.
Twitter as an online educational community in the Spanish literature classroom
Authors: Jerónimo Heather , Martin Allysha
Published: April 2021

Research on social media in the foreign language classroom has grown significantly in the last 10 years. However, there continues to be a gap in how social media, Twitter in particular, can be used as a tool to build community within a Spanish as a second‐language literature classroom. The current action research project seeks to address this gap. Set in two rural higher‐education institutions in Iowa and Tennessee, the authors used Twitter as a platform to build an online educational community of language learners. At the conclusion of the semester's guided projects using Twitter, survey responses were gathered from participants in both classes. Twitter was found to not only encourage meaningful communication in the target language, but also to foster community among language learners outside of the classroom, thereby integrating the school and global communities standard of ACTFL's fifth “C,” one of the most elusive of the World‐Readiness Standards for Learning Languages.