bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Service journey quality: conceptualization, measurement and customer outcomes
Authors: Jaakkola Elina , Terho Harri
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The quality of the customer journey has become a critical determinant of successful service delivery in contemporary business. Extant journey research focuses on the customer path to purchase, but pays less attention to the touchpoints related to service delivery and consumption that are key for understanding customer experiences in service-intensive contexts. The purpose of this study is to conceptualize service journey quality (SJQ), develop measures for the construct and study its key outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses a discovery-oriented research approach to conceptualize SJQ by synthesizing theory and field-based insights from customer focus group discussions. Next, using consumer survey data (N = 278) from the financial services context, the authors develop measures for the SJQ. Finally, based on an additional survey dataset (N = 239), the authors test the nomological validity and predictive relevance of the SJQ.

Findings

SJQ comprises of three dimensions: (1) journey seamlessness, (2) journey personalization and (3) journey coherence. This study demonstrates that SJQ is a critical driver of service quality and customer loyalty in contemporary business. This study finds that the loyalty link is partially mediated through service quality, indicating that SJQ explains loyalty above and beyond service quality.

Research limitations/implications

Since service quality only partially mediates the link between service journey quality and customer loyalty, future studies should examine alternative mediators, such as customer experience, for a more comprehensive understanding of the performance effects.

Practical implications

The study offers concrete tools for service managers who wish to understand and develop the quality of service journeys.

Originality/value

This study advances the service journey concept, demonstrates that the quality of the service journey is a critical driver of customer performance and provides rigorous journey constructs for future service research.
The performance of corporate bond issuers in times of financial crisis: empirical evidence from Latin America
Authors: Berninger Marc , Fiesenig Bruno , Schiereck Dirk
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The fundamental theory of Modigliani and Miller (1958) states that a firm's financing decisions are independent from the firm's value. Nevertheless, several empirical studies as well as theoretical approaches from the past decade impugn this relation for real markets with their immanent inefficiencies. However, these questions are rather than academic in nature: Especially the influence of macroeconomic conditions on the market perception of debt issues is from high economic importance, since the need for new liquidity usually becomes even more urgent when the economic conditions worsen.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper analyzes the reaction of shareholders to the issue of debt by Latin American firms under special consideration of the macroeconomic sentiment. To do so, a sample of debt issued by Latin American companies between 2003 and 2010 is empirically examined through an event study.

Findings

The authors empirically demonstrate that specifically in Latin America, debt issuing companies show a significant underperformance during recessionary periods and an overperformance during nonrecessionary periods. These findings differ from previous results for mature capital markets. The authors conclude that not only the overall economic conditions matter to explain stock market reactions on bond issues but also the maturity of the corporate debt market plays an important role.

Originality/value

The authors provide first evidence that the previously described changes in the returns on specific stocks depending on the economic sentiment (Baker and Wurgler, 2006) are under certain conditions also present in the market for corporate debt.
How dark is the dark side of diversification?
Authors: Cadenas Pedro E. , Gzyl Henryk , Park Hyun Woong
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to illustrate, within the context of a well-known linear diversification model, that risk management as exerted by banks and regulators ultimately depends on how risk is assessed and conceptualized. The two risk metrics used are the probability of bank failure and value at risk (VaR). The paper also extends the results of the model by incorporating an explicit analysis of correlation of the bank's portfolios.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on a well-known model of linear diversification of two banking institutions developed by Wagner (2010) in the Journal of Financial Intermediation. The authors added considerations that were unexplored by Wagner and derived the corresponding logical and practical implications.

Findings

The authors found that depending on which of the two risk metrics being used, the way diversification is perceived and risk is managed may differ. This situation may very well end-up generating different incentives for banks and regulators. The authors suggest a general rationale for considering how to think about the apparent dilemma and the challenges faced by regulators. The authors also offer an explicit analysis of correlation for the bank's portfolios.

Research limitations/implications

The results are dependent on the particular aspects of the model, so the research results may lack generality in other contexts.

Practical implications

Despite the limitations already mentioned, the paper illustrates some relevant points within the open debate about risk measurement and diversification.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the open discussion of diversification, risk perception and systemic crisis.
Scenario-based measurement of interest rate risks
Authors: Schlütter Sebastian
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to propose a scenario-based approach for measuring interest rate risks. Many regulatory capital standards in banking and insurance make use of similar approaches. The authors provide a theoretical justification and extensive backtesting of our approach.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors theoretically derive a scenario-based value-at-risk for interest rate risks based on a principal component analysis. The authors calibrate their approach based on the Nelson–Siegel model, which is modified to account for lower bounds for interest rates. The authors backtest the model outcomes against historical yield curve changes for a large number of generated asset–liability portfolios. In addition, the authors backtest the scenario-based value-at-risk against the stochastic model.

Findings

The backtesting results of the adjusted Nelson–Siegel model (accounting for a lower bound) are similar to those of the traditional Nelson–Siegel model. The suitability of the scenario-based value-at-risk can be substantially improved by allowing for correlation parameters in the aggregation of the scenario outcomes. Implementing those parameters is straightforward with the replacement of Pearson correlations by value-at-risk-implied tail correlations in situations where risk factors are not elliptically distributed.

Research limitations/implications

The paper assumes deterministic cash flow patterns. The authors discuss the applicability of their approach, e.g. for insurance companies.

Practical implications

The authors’ approach can be used to better communicate interest rate risks using scenarios. Discussing risk measurement results with decision makers can help to backtest stochastic-term structure models.

Originality/value

The authors’ adjustment of the Nelson–Siegel model to account for lower bounds makes the model more useful in the current low-yield environment when unjustifiably high negative interest rates need to be avoided. The proposed scenario-based value-at-risk allows for a pragmatic measurement of interest rate risks, which nevertheless closely approximates the value-at-risk according to the stochastic model.
Are you engaged? The influence of brand schematicity on online brand engagement and brand purchase
Authors: Puligadda Sanjay , Coyle James R. , Ni John
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Consumers’ engagement with brands online is increasingly important for marketers for both promotion of their brand’s message and sales. The purpose of this paper is to examine if consumers’ brand schematicity, a generalized consumer disposition to process information using brand schema, influenced their proclivity to engage with brands online through consuming and co-creating brand-related content, and the influence of online brand engagement on actual purchase of brands.

Design/methodology/approach

Two experiments were conducted to test the hypotheses.

Findings

Study 1 shows that brand schematicity increases online brand consumption and online brand co-creation and Study 2 shows that this online brand engagement is not always beneficial to brands in terms of sales. Specifically, because of resource depletion, consumers who co-create brand content online may purchase brands less while those that consume online brand content purchase more brands.

Originality/value

There is a lack of previous research addressing individual differences in consumers’ online brand engagement that this paper investigates. Further, a generalized, dispositional variable such as brand schematicity has not been hitherto investigated in the context of consumers’ online behavior. Finally, this paper shows counter-intuitive effects of online brand engagement on brand purchase.
How consumers react to woke advertising: methodological triangulation based on social media data and self-report data
Authors: Feng Yang , Chen Huan , Ahn Ho-Young (Anthony)
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Guided by a synthesis of social norms theory (SNT), the social identity model of deindividuation effects (SIDE) and information cascades theory (ICT), this study aims to unveil the mechanism underlying the role of social norms in shaping consumer responses to woke advertising in the algorithmic social media environment.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper analyzed 125,481 unique comments on a woke campaign, which represented the dynamic social norms condition in which the prominence of popularity information sets a social norm that can be passed on through a sequential commenting process. Also, this paper conducted an experiment with two conditions, namely, static social norms condition, representing a situation in which the prominence of popularity information sets a social norm through a non-sequential commenting process; without social norms condition, epitomizing the situation in which there is no popularity information that can set a social norm.

Findings

The results revealed that when evaluating a social media-based woke ad, depersonalized consumers in a dynamic social norms condition were more likely to be influenced by the prevailing norms than those in a static social norms condition were.

Originality/value

Through the lens of ICT, this research extends SNT and SIDE by detailing the procedure regarding how perceived social norms shape the formation of consumer opinions in a sequential fashion.
Green product preferences considering cultural influences: a comparison study between Malaysia and Indonesia
Authors: Ghazali Ihwan , Abdul-Rashid Salwa Hanim , Md Dawal Siti Zawiah , Aoyama Hideki , Sakundarini Novita , Ho Fu Haw , Herawan Safarudin Gazali
Published: May 2021

Purpose

There is an increasing awareness among manufacturers to make production more sustainable in Southeast Asian countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia. Manufacturers are now urged to not only focus on the business profit but also concern on environment protection by producing green products. However, issues may arise regarding the preferences of customers on green products, which will vary due to the influence of cultural values. This will give an impact on the marketing of green products. The aim of this study is to identify the influence of cultural values on the green products design in Malaysia and Indonesia.

Design/methodology/approach

A pretest on the survey instruments was performed to ensure the reliability and validity of the questionnaire. The collected data were statistically analyzed based on the satisfaction level, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results showed that customer preferences in Malaysia were mostly influenced by uncertainty avoidance, long-term orientation and power distance, excluding collectivism and masculinity. In Indonesia, the dimension of uncertainty avoidance and long-term orientation had significant influence, whereas power distance, masculinity and collectivism dimension had no influence. Eco-label was identified as the most important factor for green products in Malaysia and having product services characteristics factor for product lifetime extension in Indonesia.

Practical implications

For practices, the cultural values and preferred characteristics identified in this study provide valuable information to policymakers and businesses on what draws customers toward green products in Malaysia and Indonesia. This finding can be used as supported data for the policymakers in order to achieve sustainable development goal (SDGs) in Malaysia and Indonesia.

Originality/value

The findings of this study provide valuable information for designers to design products with green characteristics that cater to the consumer market in Malaysia and Indonesia, as well as other countries which may have similar cultural traits.
The development of a tannin-based after-treatment for cotton fabric dyed with sulphur dyes
Authors: Mohtashim Quratulain , Rigout Muriel , Yousfani Sheraz Hussain Siddique Hussain
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Sulphur dyes provide an inexpensive medium to dye cellulosic fibres with heavy shade depths. They offer moderate to good fastness to light and wet treatments. However, owing to the environmental hazard produced by the use of sodium sulphide, the practical implication of these dyes is steadily decreasing. Moreover, these dyes are prone to oxidation causing pronounced fading on exposure to laundering. This paper aims to present the green processing of sulphur dyes by using a biodegradable reducing agent in place of sodium sulphide to dye cotton fabrics. The study also proposes after-treatments with tannin to improve the fastness properties of the dyeings.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, dyeings were produced on cotton fabric with a range of C.I. Leuco Sulphur dyes, which were reduced with sodium sulphide and glucose. Sulphur dyeings were after-treated with an environment-friendly tannin-based product (Bayprotect CL (BP)); subsequently, the after-treated samples were evaluated for colour strength, wash, light and rubbing fastness.

Findings

A novel after-treatment method was developed, which substantially improved the wash fastness of C.I. Leuco Sulphur Black 1 dyeing to ISO 105 C06/C09 washing. However, the degree of this improvement varied for the other sulphur dyes used. The surface morphology and the possible mechanisms for the improved fastness properties were also discussed.

Research limitations/implications

The effect of after-treatment was significant for improving the wash fastness of sulphur black dyeings in particular, while the effect on other colours was minor. Significant improvements were observed for light and wet rub fastness for most of the dyeings, which signifies the importance of tannins as a finishing agent.

Practical implications

It is observed that the tannin-based product, BP, is found to provide the photoprotective effect by improving the lightfastness of the dyeings. Future research may involve the exploration of various tannins as a finishing agent to sulphur dyeings.

Originality/value

This novel finishing technique is found significant for improving the wash fastness of sulphur black 1 dyeings for both the reducing systems. Improvements were also observed for light and wet rub fastnesses for most of the dyeings.
Factors influencing households' intention to adopt solar energy solutions in Zambia: insights from the theory of planned behaviour
Authors: Zulu Sambo , Zulu Ephraim , Chabala Mwansa
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This study examined the factors that influence households’ intention to adopt solar energy solutions in Zambia. This, in view of low adoption rates of solar energy solutions even in the wake of a widespread electricity power generation deficit across sub-Sahara Africa (SSA) has plagued the region with daily electricity load shedding lasting several hours at a time. Given the vast potential for solar energy generation in the region, solar energy solutions have become an attractive option to grid-based electricity, and many households have intentions of adopting these solutions.

Design/methodology/approach

Through the lens of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), the study surveyed adult household members in Zambia who contributed towards the household’s income. The participants were selected using the snowballing technique, which yielded a sample of 961 respondents. The results were analysed using structural equation modelling.

Findings

The results show that attitude, trust, benefits and subjective norms influence the intention to adopt solar energy solutions. Trust and benefits also influence the intention to adopt solar energy solutions indirectly through attitude. Therefore, measures aimed at increasing the adoption of solar energy solutions should focus on improving the attitude, perceived benefits, trust in the solutions and consider subjective norms.

Originality/value

The findings add to the understanding of the factors that influence the intention to adopt solar energy solutions in Zambia. Therefore, the findings can be used to inform measures aimed at improving solar energy uptake in Zambia. The study also reports on the previously unreported mediating role of attitude towards solar energy solution on the associations between perceived benefits and trust with solar energy solutions adoption intention.
Evaluation of internet of things (IoT) application areas for sustainable construction
Authors: Oke Ayodeji Emmanuel , Arowoiya Victor Adetunji
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This purpose of the study is to evaluate areas of application of internet of things (IoT) in the construction industry, with the view of increasing the level of usage of technology. This will help in understanding the areas where IoT can be applied in the construction industry for better improvement.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative approach was adopted for this study, and the adopted questionnaire was structured on a five-point Likert scale to elicit the opinion of respondents in the areas of application of IoT in the construction industry. The respondents included are quantity surveyors, land surveyors, builders, architects and engineers. Bar chart, mean item score, one sample t-test and Kruskal–Wallis H test were used in analyzing the retrieved data.

Findings

The results showed that building information modeling, construction management, remote usage monitoring, equipment services and repair, construction tools and equipment tracking are areas where IoT is mostly applied in the industry. Site monitoring is the only factor that has significant difference in the opinions of professionals, while others do not have. One sample t-test revealed that three factors out of 12 do not have significance attached by professionals.

Originality/value

The study gives insight into different areas where IoT can be applied in the construction industry. It also highlights how its application can be improved through workshops, training, seminar and conference for construction professionals to keep themselves abreast of information and communication technology trends, especially in the aspect of IoT. The IoT adoption helps in accomplishing sustainable infrastructural projects with more convenience.
Why does resilience matter? Global implications for the tourism industry in the context of COVID-19
Authors: Altshuler Alex , Schmidt Joshua
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the concept of resilience both through conceptual lenses and an applied relevance and importance to the tourism and hospitality industry in the context of identifying the most effective approaches to cope with the worldwide epidemic of COVID-19.

Design/methodology/approach

This conceptual paper is based on a comprehensive literature review and strategic interdisciplinary analysis as a basis for comprehensive policy recommendations.

Findings

This paper suggests five clusters of globally applicable measures and approaches aimed to enhance the resilience of the tourism and hospitality industry in the face of COVID-19 and more broadly in the face of other regional and global large-scale disasters: fostering adaptive and creative leadership; humility and cautious navigating through a deep uncertainty; flexibility in building on the unknown; enhancing social capital; and developing mutual respect and positive interconnectivity among the various stakeholders.

Originality/value

Through policy-driven applied conceptual analysis, this paper provides the various audiences in the travel and hospitality sector across the globe with an original, flexible and strategic approach to effectively respond to the multiple cascading effects of COVID-19.
Mechanisms of cancer stem cell senescence: Current understanding and future perspectives
Authors: Zhang Da‐Yong , Monteiro Michael J. , Liu Jun‐Ping , Gu Wen‐Yi
Published: May 2021

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a small population of heterogeneous tumor cells with the capacity of self‐renewal and aberrant differentiation for immortality and divergent lineages of cancer cells. In contrast to bulky tumor cells, CSCs remain less differentiated and resistant to therapy even when targeted with tissue‐specific antigenic markers. This makes CSCs responsible for not only tumor initiation, development, but also tumor recurrence. Emerging evidence suggests that CSCs can undergo cell senescence, a non‐proliferative state of cells in response to stress. While cell senescence attenuates tumor cell proliferation, it is commonly regarded as a tumor suppressive mechanism. However, mounting research indicates that CSC senescence also provides these cells with the capacity to evade cytotoxic effects from cancer therapy, exacerbating cancer relapse and metastasis. Recent studies demonstrate that senescence drives reprogramming of cancer cell toward stemness and promotes CSC generation. In this review, we highlight the origin, heterogeneity and senescence regulatory mechanisms of CSCs, the complex relationship between CSC senescence and tumor therapy, and the recent beneficial effects of senotherapy on eliminating senescent tumor cells.
Seasonal and SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic changes in the incidence of gestational diabetes
Authors: Cauldwell M , van‐de‐L'Isle Y , Watt Coote I , Steer PJ
Published: May 2021

Objective

To test the hypothesis that there is seasonal variation in the rates of gestational diabetes (GDM) diagnosed using a 2‐hour oral glucose tolerance test.

Design

Monthly assessment of the percentage of women screened from 1 April 2016 to the 31 December 2020 who were diagnosed as having gestational diabetes.

Setting

London teaching hospital.

Population

28 128 women receiving antenatal care between 1 April 2016 and 31 December 2020.

Methods

Retrospective study of prospectively collected data.

Main outcome measures

Proportion of women screened diagnosed as having gestational diabetes.

Results

The mean (SD) percentage of women diagnosed with GDM was 14.78 (2.24) in summer (June, July, August) compared with 11.23 (1.62) in winter (P < 0.001), 12.13 (1.94) in spring (P = 0.002) and 11.88 (2.67) in autumn (P = 0.003). There was a highly significant positive correlation of the percentage testing positive for GDM with the mean maximum monthly temperature (R2 = 0.248, P < 0.001). There was a statistically significant 33.8% increase in the proportion of GDM diagnoses from June 2020 onwards, possibly related to a reduction in exercise secondary to the Covid‐19 pandemic.

Conclusions

There is a 23.3% higher rate of GDM diagnoses in the warmer summer months. There has been a 33.8% rise in GDM diagnoses associated with the Covid‐19 pandemic.

Tweetable abstract

Rates of GDM are higher in summer and since the onset of the Covid‐19 pandemic.
A multiview model for relative and absolute microbial abundances
Authors: Williamson Brian D. , Hughes James P. , Willis Amy D.
Published: May 2021

The absolute abundance of bacterial taxa in human host‐associated environments plays a critical role in reproductive and gastrointestinal health. However, obtaining the absolute abundance of many bacterial species is typically prohibitively expensive. In contrast, relative abundance data for many species are comparatively cheap and easy to collect (e.g., with universal primers for the 16S rRNA gene). In this paper, we propose a method to jointly model relative abundance data for many taxa and absolute abundance data for a subset of taxa. Our method provides point and interval estimates for the absolute abundance of all taxa. Crucially, our proposal accounts for differences in the efficiency of taxon detection in the relative and absolute abundance data. We show that modeling taxon‐specific efficiencies substantially reduces the estimation error for absolute abundance, and controls the coverage of interval estimators. We demonstrate the performance of our proposed method via a simulation study, a study of the effect of HIV acquisition on microbial abundances, and a sensitivity study where we jackknife the taxa with observed absolute abundances.
The pedagogy of multiliteracies as a code breaker: A suggestion for a transversal approach to computing education in basic education
Authors: Mertala Pekka
Published: May 2021

While computing has been (re)introduced into the basic education curricula in various countries, its actual implementation appears to be inconsistent. There are schools in which computing education is commonplace, while the implementation seems to be lagging behind in others. There is emerging evidence that some teachers do not consider computing education relevant, meaningful and important and, thus, intentionally neglect its provision. This is problematic as understanding the principles of code and computing is crucial for agentic citizenship in the post‐digital era. This paper argues that one main reason for these teachers' reluctance is the economy‐driven discursive framing of computing education, which is in contrast with the socialization‐oriented manner in which teachers approach their work. To contribute to resolving this issue, the present paper introduces a transversal approach to computing education. It conceptualizes code as a sociomaterial text with social and societal histories and consequences. Theoretically and conceptually, the approach draws on the pedagogy of multiliteracies. The leading idea is that digital technologies are examined with students from functional and critical dimensions and through micro and macro perspectives. The use of wearable sports technologies, such as activity wristbands, are used as practical examples to put the theoretical ideas into context.

Practitioner notes

What is already known about this topic

Computing has been (re)introduced in the curricula of basic education in various countries.

Some teachers are found to be reluctant to teach computing in basic education.

What this paper adds

This paper introduces a transversal multiliteracies‐based approach for computing education.

Implications for practice and policy

Computing should be included in curricula and classrooms in a holistic manner that includes both functional and critical approaches to computing.
Dithiocarbamate derivatives inhibit α‐glucosidase through an apparent allosteric site on the enzyme
Authors: Ghani Usman , Ashraf Sajda , Ul‐Haq Zaheer , Mujamammi Ahmed H. , Özkay Yusuf , Demirci Fatih , Kaplancikli Zafer Asim
Published: May 2021

Dithiocarbamate derivatives possess diverse biological activities. This work further expands their activity profile by identifying seven benzylamine‐containing dithiocarbamate derivatives with piperazine and piperidine substitutions at the main moiety, and five piperazine‐containing dithiocarbamates with various substitutions at the piperazine moiety as new inhibitors of α‐glucosidase. Compounds bearing the benzylamine moiety exhibited more potent inhibition of the enzyme than the piperazine derivatives. Majority of the compounds non‐competitively inhibited α‐glucosidase that led to the identification of a new allosteric site on the enzyme with the help of molecular dynamics and docking studies. These studies suggest that the compounds regulate inhibition of the enzyme by binding to an allosteric site that is located in the vicinity of the active site. This is the first report on the allosteric inhibition of α‐glucosidase by dithiocarbamate derivatives that provides insights into the mechanism of inhibition of the enzyme at molecular level. Moreover, it also explores new avenues for drug development of α‐glucosidase inhibitors as antidiabetic drugs.
Osseodensification effect on implants primary and secondary stability: Multicenter controlled clinical trial
Authors: Bergamo Edmara T. P. , Zahoui Abbas , Barrera Raúl Bravo , Huwais Salah , Coelho Paulo G. , Karateew Edward Dwayne , Bonfante Estevam A.
Published: May 2021

Background

Osseodensification (OD) has shown to improve implant stability; however, the influences of implant design, dimensions, and surgical site characteristics are unknown.

Purpose

To compare the insertion torque (IT) and temporal implant stability quotients (ISQ) of implants placed via OD or subtractive drilling (SD).

Materials and Methods

This multicenter controlled clinical trial enrolled 56 patients, whom were in need of at least 2 implants (n = 150 implants). Patients were treated with narrow, regular, or wide implants and short, regular, or long implants in the anterior or posterior region of the maxilla or in the posterior region of the mandible. Osteotomies were performed following manufacturers recommendation. IT was recorded with a torque indicator. ISQ was recorded with resonance frequency analysis immediately after surgery, 3 and 6 weeks.

Results

Data complied as a function of osteotomy indicated significantly higher IT for OD relative to SD. OD outperformed conventional SD for all pairwise comparisons of arches (maxilla and mandible) and areas operated (anterior and posterior), diameters and lengths of the implants, except for short implants. Overall, ISQ data also demonstrated significantly higher values for OD compared to SD regardless of the healing period. Relative to immediate readings, ISQ values significantly decreased at 3 weeks, returning to immediate levels at 6 weeks; however, ISQ values strictly remained above 68 throughout healing time for OD. Data as a function of arch operated and osteotomy, area operated and osteotomy, implant dimensions and osteotomy, also exhibited higher ISQ values for OD relative to SD on pairwise comparisons, except for short implants.

Conclusions

OD demonstrated higher IT and temporal ISQ values relative to SD, irrespective of arch and area operated as well as implant design and dimension, with an exception for short implants. Future studies should focus on biomechanical parameters and bone level change evaluation after loading.
Mammal and bird species ranges overlap with armed conflicts and associated conservation threats
Authors: Mendiratta Uttara , Osuri Anand M. , Shetty Sarthak J. , Harihar Abishek
Published: May 2021

Armed conflicts are a pervasive global threat, but their implications for wildlife conservation remain unclear. Using a 30‐year spatial dataset of armed conflicts in conjunction with species range maps, we found that conflicts during 1989–2018 occurred within at least 4291 (78%) and 9056 (85%) terrestrial mammal and bird species ranges, respectively. For 4% overall and 5–7% of threatened species, conflicts within ranges have been both widespread (≥50% of range) and frequent (≥15 years). Further, an examination of International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List assessments revealed that ranges overlap with armed conflicts is associated with declining population trends of threatened species and distinct species threat portfolios in which hunting and habitat loss and degradation are more prominent. Our findings call for greater recognition and understanding of direct and indirect threats from armed conflicts in species conservation assessments and underscore the importance of addressing conflict resiliency in conservation plans for a wide suite of species.
Effect of high‐intensity training on bone health and body composition in lung transplant recipients: A secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Ulvestad Mariann , Godang Kristin , Durheim Michael T. , Kongerud Johny S. , Brit Lund May , Bollerslev Jens , Edvardsen Elisabeth
Published: May 2021

Background

Loss of bone mineral and skeletal muscle mass is common after lung transplantation (LTx), and physical activity (PA) may prevent further deterioration. We aimed to assess the effects of 20‐week high‐intensity training (HIT) on body composition, bone health, and PA in LTx recipients, 6–60 months after surgery.

Methods

In a randomized controlled trial, 51 LTx recipients underwent Dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA), and PA level and sedentary time were objectively recorded by accelerometers for seven consecutive days. Of these, 39 participants completed the study, including 19 participants in the HIT group and 20 participants in the standard care group.

Results

Following the intervention, ANCOVA models revealed a nonsignificant between‐group difference for change in lean body mass (LBM) and bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar spine of 0.4% (95% CI = −3.2, 1.5) (p = .464) and 1.0% (95% CI=−1.3, 3.4) (p = .373), respectively. Trabecular bone score (TBS) of the lumbar spine (L1‐L4), however, increased by 2.2 ± 5.0% in the exercise group and decreased by −1.6 ± 5.9% in the control group, giving a between‐group difference of 3.8% (95% CI=0.1, 7.5) (p = .043). There were no between‐group differences in PA or sedentary time.

Conclusion

High‐intensity training after LTx improved TBS significantly, but not PA, LBM or BMD.
Successful intervention using multiloop traction for cases with difficult biliary cannulation due to periampullary diverticula
Authors: Ishii Tatsuya , Kin Toshifumi , Katanuma Akio
Published: May 2021

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Targeting angiopoietin‐like 3 in atherosclerosis: From bench to bedside
Authors: Ling Ping , Zheng Xueying , Luo Sihui , Ge Junbo , Xu Suowen , Weng Jianping
Published: May 2021

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is the largest cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Lipid‐lowering therapies are the current major cornerstone of ASCVD management. Statins, ezetimibe, fibrates and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors effectively reduce the plasma low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) level in most individuals at risk of atherosclerosis. Still, some patients (such as those with homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia), who do not respond to standard therapies, and other patients who cannot take these agents, remain at a high risk of ASCVD. In recent years there has been tremendous progress in understanding the mechanism and efficacy of lipid‐lowering strategies. Apart from the recently approved PCSK9 and ATP citrate lyase inhibitors, angiopoietin‐like 3 (ANGPTL3) is another potential target for the treatment of dyslipidaemia and its clinical sequalae of atherosclerosis. ANGPTL3 is a pivotal modulator of plasma triglycerides (TG), LDL‐C and high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C) levels, achieved by inhibiting the activities of lipoprotein lipase and endothelial lipase. Familial combined hypolipidaemia is derived from the Angptl3 loss‐of‐function mutations, which leads to low levels of LDL‐C, HDL‐C and TG, and has a 34% decreased risk of ASCVD compared with non‐carriers. To date, monoclonal antibodies (evinacumab) and antisense oligonucleotides against ANGPTL3 have been investigated in clinical trials for dyslipidaemia therapy. Herein, we review the biology and function of ANGPTL3, as well as the latest developments of ANGPTL3‐targeted therapies. We also summarize evidence from basic research to clinical trials, with the aim of providing novel insights into the biological functions of ANGPTL3 and related targeted therapies.
Prevalence of orofacial trauma and the attitude towards mouthguard use in handball players: A survey in Lorraine, France
Authors: Hacquin Manon , Nguyen‐Thi Phi Linh , Yasukawa Kazutoyo , Baudet Alexandre
Published: May 2021

Background/Aims

Contact sports such as handball may lead to orofacial injuries that can often be prevented by the use of a properly fitted mouthguard. Several studies have investigated orofacial injuries during contact sports in different countries, but there is a lack of data that is specific for French handball players. Therefore, the aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of orofacial injuries and the proportion of handball players using a mouthguard in Eastern France.

Material and Methods

Data were collected from handball players aged over 15 years old from five handball clubs in the Lorraine Region (Eastern France). A questionnaire containing 26 questions about the general characteristics of participants, orofacial injury experiences, emergency procedures following tooth avulsion, and use of mouthguards was self‐administered.

Results

Two hundred and sixty‐three handball players, of which 76.8% (202) were males, aged 23 ± 8 years on average, with a mean playing experience of 11 ± 6 years, participated in the study. Among them, 24.7% (65) reported at least one orofacial injury. A total of 237 orofacial injuries was declared. The main types of orofacial injuries including lip, cheek and tongue injuries were reported by 18.6% of handball players (49); dental injuries were reported by 9.9% (26) and injuries to the temporomandibular joint were reported by 4.9% (13). Most participants knew about mouthguards (97.3%, 254) and considered them efficient for preventing dental injuries in handball (95.3%, 242/254), but only 3.0% (8) used them.

Conclusion

The prevalence of orofacial injuries among French handball players was high while mouthguards were very rarely used. Information should be provided to handball teams regarding mouthguard use and the management of dental injuries.
A conceptual model for clinical psychomotor skill development in an era of simulated and virtual reality
Authors: Perry Suzanne , Bridges Susan M. , Burrow Michael F.
Published: May 2021

Psychomotor skill development is central to a beginner practitioner's learning pathway. Curriculum constraints around time, access to facilities and resources in health professions education have prompted the growth in alternative approaches to clinical skill development in both simulation and direct patient care. Among these is the increased incorporation of virtual reality (VR) systems with haptic feedback alongside traditional, solid simulations. Given the rapid growth in the adoption of technological affordances to support skill development, it is cogent to pause and examine whether the underpinning concepts regarding psychomotor skill development that have driven much of the approaches to teach clinical skill acquisition in dentistry remain fit‐for‐purpose. This conceptual paper proposes a new taxonomy for clinical simulation psychomotor skill development in the era of increasing variety of simulation modalities.
Lifelong chronic psychosocial stress induces a proteomic signature of Alzheimer's disease in wildtype mice
Authors: Lyons Carey E. , Zhou Xianxiao , Razzoli Maria , Chen Mei , Xia Weiming , Ashe Karen , Zhang Bin , Bartolomucci Alessandro
Published: May 2021

Late onset, sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD) accounts for the vast majority of cases. Unlike familial AD, the factors that drive the onset of sporadic AD are poorly understood, although aging and stress play a role. The early onset/severity of neuropathology observed in most genetic mouse models of AD hampers the study of the role of aging and environmental factors; thus alternate strategies are necessary to understand the contributions of these factors to sporadic AD. We demonstrate that mice acquiring a low social status (subordinate) in a lifelong chronic psychosocial stress (CPS) model, accrue widespread proteomic changes in the frontal/temporal cortex during aging. To better understand the significance of these stress‐induced changes, we compared the differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) of subordinate mice to those of patients at varying stages of dementia. Sixteen and fifteen DEPs upregulated in subordinate mice were also upregulated in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD, respectively. Six of those upregulated proteins (CPE, ERC2, GRIN2B, SLC6A1, SYN1, WFS1) were shared by subordinate mice and patients with MCI or AD. Finally, comparison with a spatially detailed transcriptomic database revealed that the superior frontal gyrus and hippocampus had the greatest overlap between mice subjected to lifelong CPS and AD patients. Overall, most of the overlapping proteins were functionally associated with enhanced NMDA receptor mediated glutamatergic signaling, an excitotoxicity mechanism known to affect neurodegeneration. These findings support the association between stress and AD progression and provide valuable insight into potential early biomarkers and protein mediators of this relationship.
Epilepsy, antiepileptic drugs, and the risk of major cardiovascular events
Authors: Lee‐Lane Elinor , Torabi Fatemeh , Lacey Arron , Fonferko‐Shadrach Beata , Harris Daniel , Akbari Ashley , Lyons Ronan A. , Rees Mark I. , Sawhney Inder , Halcox Julian , Powell Rob , Pickrell William Owen
Published: May 2021

Objective

This study was undertaken to determine whether epilepsy and antiepileptic drugs (including enzyme‐inducing and non‐enzyme‐inducing drugs) are associated with major cardiovascular events using population‐level, routinely collected data.

Methods

Using anonymized, routinely collected, health care data in Wales, UK, we performed a retrospective matched cohort study (2003–2017) of adults with epilepsy prescribed an antiepileptic drug. Controls were matched with replacement on age, gender, deprivation quintile, and year of entry into the study. Participants were followed to the end of the study for the occurrence of a major cardiovascular event, and survival models were constructed to compare the time to a major cardiovascular event (cardiac arrest, myocardial infarction, stroke, ischemic heart disease, clinically significant arrhythmia, thromboembolism, onset of heart failure, or a cardiovascular death) for individuals in the case group versus the control group.

Results

There were 10 241 cases (mean age = 49.6 years, 52.2% male, mean follow‐up = 6.1 years) matched to 35 145 controls. A total of 3180 (31.1%) cases received enzyme‐inducing antiepileptic drugs, and 7061 (68.9%) received non‐enzyme‐inducing antiepileptic drugs. Cases had an increased risk of experiencing a major cardiovascular event compared to controls (adjusted hazard ratio = 1.58, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.51–1.63, p < .001). There was no notable difference in major cardiovascular events between those treated with enzyme‐inducing antiepileptic drugs and those treated with non‐enzyme‐inducing antiepileptic drugs (adjusted hazard ratio = .95, 95% CI = .86–1.05, p = .300).

Significance

Individuals with epilepsy prescribed antiepileptic drugs are at an increased risk of major cardiovascular events compared with population controls. Being prescribed an enzyme‐inducing antiepileptic drug is not associated with a greater risk of a major cardiovascular event compared to treatment with other antiepileptic drugs. Our data emphasize the importance of cardiovascular risk management in the clinical care of people with epilepsy.
Big data analytics with oppositional moth flame optimization based vehicular routing protocol for future smart cities
Authors: Aljehane Nojood O. , Mansour Romany F.
Published: May 2021

Presently, smart city is designed to enhance the quality of life in city, fulfil the safety of the people, safe travelling, etc. Besides, big data has attracted significant attention among researchers in different fields as a large amount of data is being produced with diverse day‐to‐day applications. Besides, Vehicular adhoc network (VANET) is a kind of mobile adhoc network (MANET) that considers the vehicles as the nodes in a network. Since the VANET generates large amount of data, big data analytics can be used to gain meaningful understanding for improving the traffic management process such as planning, engineering, and operations. This paper designs a Big Data Analytics with Oppositional Moth Flame Optimization based Vehicular Routing Protocol for Future Smart Cities. The presented model maps the features of VANET with the attributes of the big data. In addition, oppositional moth flame optimization based vehicular routing (OMFOVR) technique is developed for VANET over the Hadoop Map Reduce standalone distributed framework. For validating the effectual performance of the proposed OMFOVR technique, a series of experiments were performed and the results are compared with the conventional NetBeans IDE platform. The experimental values showcased the betterment of the OMFOVR technique on the selection of routes over the compared methods.
Methane mitigating options with forages fed to ruminants
Authors: Eugène Maguy , Klumpp Katja , Sauvant Daniel
Published: May 2021

Nutritional strategies, including feed management measures, are promising methods for CH4and overall GHG reduction. Evidence from literature is reviewed in this article in relation to the effects of forage quality (digestible organic matter, DOM) and forage type (grasses vs. legumes, and maize). The major determinants of forage quality are botanical composition and phenological stage, i.e., at advanced growth stages of plants, the fibre content increases while DOM decreases. Methane yield (g/kg DMI) decreases with increased digestibility of forages in both dairy cattle and sheep, and also CH4intensity (g/kg milk) decreases with increased digestibility of forages for dairy cattle. Using forage legumes in ruminant feeding systems can reduce overall GHG emissions due to decreased N fertilizer use and related emissions. Recommended dietary mitigation measures are often related to a reduction in N excretion such as better matching of dietary protein to animal needs, shifting N excretion from urine to faeces (by tannin inclusion at low levels) and reducing the amount of excreted fermentable organic matter. Methane decreases with increasing intake of forage legumes rich in tannins and there is a shift of N partition from urinary N towards faecal N. Reduced CH4emissions from ruminants fed on forage‐based diets will decrease the carbon footprint of livestock and agriculture and improve the efficiency of productive ruminants in both developing and developed countries. Likewise, estimations of net CH4output should account for enteric CH4emissions and soil carbon (C) sequestration of land used for feed production (i.e., grasslands and croplands).