bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A strategy is necessary. The policy–client conflict within different relational asymmetries: a comparison at the street-level
Authors: Leonardi Daniela , Paraciani Rebecca , Raspanti Dario
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the role of relational asymmetries in influencing the coping strategies adopted by frontline workers to deal with the policy–client role conflict.

Design/methodology/approach

A comparative analysis of three different services highlights the role of the service relationships characteristics in explaining similarities and differences in the strategies adopted by street-level bureaucrats (SLBs). The research is based on the secondary analysis of three case studies conducted in Italy: the reception system for homeless people, the job brokerage service in the public employment service and the dispute settlement procedure in the labour inspectorate.

Findings

The results underline the interaction between the characteristics of the service relationship and the different coping strategies adopted to deal with the policy–client conflict.

Originality/value

The contribution of this study is threefold. Firstly, the authors focus on the influence of the characteristics of the service relationship in terms of agency resources over SLBs’ strategies to face with users’ expectations. Secondly, the authors intend to discuss these issues analysing SLBs not only as agents with individual preferences. Thirdly, the research design allows the authors to return to the street-level bureaucracy theory its comparative essence, proposing a comparative strategy with an explorative intent.
Food supply chain management (FSCM): a structured literature review and future research agenda
Authors: Patidar Santosh , Shukla Apratul Chandra , Sukhwani Vijay Kumar
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The main purpose of this paper is to conduct a review of the literature published on food supply chain management (FSCM) in last one and half decade to find out the ongoing research in the field, identify gaps and develop relevant research questions (RQs) from the perspectives of academicians, researchers, policymakers and corporate for the future research.

Design/methodology/approach

In all 281 research articles published on FSCM between the years 2005 and 2020 used for searching online databases such as Emerald, Science Direct (Elsevier), Springer and Wiley online. The methodology of structured review and classification involves various dimensions such as journal, publishing house, country, research design and methods, data analysis tool and multi-criteria decision-making methods.

Findings

It is found that the research in the field of FSCM has gained momentum in the last one and half decades. Majority of published articles are related to food supply chain management and food cold chain. Fewer authors have addressed issues and challenges related to food chain in developing country like India and still fewer studies are found on comparison of present food chain management practices adopted by developing countries like India vis-à-vis developed countries. Also it is observed that limited research is reported in food chain logistics system and intelligent tracking system.

Research limitations/implications

This paper is limited to reviewing only those articles which are related to food chain management.

Originality/value

The main objective of this comprehensive review of literature is to present the various perspectives of food chain management and its numerous challenges. This paper attempts to draw the attention of researchers for further research in the FSCM disciplines. The findings provide future research directions, need of sound policymaking and regulatory mechanism to ensure food security to world's second largest populous country.
Efficacy of public sector audits in the provision of quality healthcare in Ghana
Authors: Oppong Clement , Fofack Achille Dargaud , Boakye-Yiadom Eva
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This study examines the efficacy of public sector audits in providing quality healthcare in Ghana. Specifically, to ensure whether there are proper and adequate controls in place to enable providers to offer necessary health services efficiently, effectively and equitably.

Design/methodology/approach

A structural equation modeling (SEM) is adopted to analyze the link between public sector audit and healthcare delivery through a survey of directors, accountants, auditors and managers in selected public healthcare institutions for a calculated sample size of 123 respondents.

Findings

The study reveals that internal audit, external audit and audit committee have a positive and significant effect on the effectiveness of public sector audits. In turn, the effectiveness of public sector audit has a positive and significant effect on the quality health services. Audit committee is found to have the largest effect on the effectiveness of public sector audits.

Originality/value

This paper extends the literature on the value of public sector audit by providing empirical evidence from a specific context: the public health sector of a developing country in democratic transition with a common law institutional framework. It also provides insights into the financial management of public health systems in developing countries during the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
Exploring the relationship between investment choices, cognitive abilities risk attitudes and financial literacy
Authors: Mushafiq Muhammad , Khalid Shamsa , Sohail Muhammad Khalid , Sehar Tayyebah
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The main purpose of this study is to investigate the investment choices' relationship with cognitive abilities, risk aversion, risky investment intentions, subjective financial literacy and objective financial literacy.

Design/methodology/approach

To examine the relationship, two investment choices were given to 256 subjects from Pakistan. Questionnaire had total 20 questions for measuring five variables. To review this nexus, discriminant analysis was used as to explore the depth of the nexus that is the ability of the variables to predict the investment choices.

Findings

This study establishes the findings that Investment choices are guided by risk aversion, risky investment intentions, financial literacy (subjective and objective) and cognitive abilities. The risk aversion has negative relation to investment choices and other variables depict positive relationship to with investment choices.

Practical implications

This study provides a new and useful understanding into the existing literature on investment choices. The results are significant as the cognitive abilities show a positive contribution to the investment choices. This is point of significance as the portfolio managers and advisors would get help in regards of advising investments as they are aware what factors impact the investment choices.

Originality/value

This study is novel in its nature to evaluate investment choices using the cognitive ability alongside risk attitudes and financial literacy.
Credit scoring of small and medium enterprises: a behavioural approach
Authors: Goel Akanksha , Rastogi Shailesh
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This study aims to formulate a behavioural credit scoring models for Indian small and medium enterprises (SME) entrepreneurs using certain behavioural and psychological constructs. Two separate models are built which can predict the credit default and wilful default of the borrowers, respectively. This research was undertaken to understand whether certain psychological and behavioural factors can significantly predict the borrowers’ credit and wilful default.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire survey was undertaken by SME entrepreneurs of two Indian states, i.e. Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. The questionnaire had two dependent variables: wilful default and credit default and nine independent variables. The questionnaire reliability and validity were ensured through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and further a model was built using logistic regression.

Findings

The results of this study have shown that certain behavioural and psychological traits of the borrowers can significantly predict borrowers’ default. These variables can be used to predict the overall creditworthiness of SME borrowers.

Practical implications

The findings of this research indicate that using behavioural and psychological constructs, lending institutions can easily evaluate the credit worthiness of those borrowers, who do not have any financial and credit history. This will enhance the capability of financial institutions to evaluate opaque SME borrowers.

Originality/value

There are very few numbers of studies which have considered predicting the credit default using certain psychological variables, but with respect to Asian market, and especially India, there does not exist a single significant study which has tried to fulfil such research gap. Also, this is the first study that has explored whether certain psychological factors can predict the wilful default of the borrowers. This is one of the most significant contributions of this research.
A systematic literature review on the socio-economic roles of waqf: evidence from organization of the Islamic cooperation (OIC) countries
Authors: Medias Fahmi , Rahman Asmak Ab , Susamto Akhmad Akbar , Pambuko Zulfikar Bagus
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to analyze the role of waqf in the socio-economic development of the organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) countries. Various projects currently use waqf as an instrument for socio-economic development, as reported in the scholarly literature. This study will investigate this literature to explore trends in waqf studies and the role of this Islamic form of endowment in the socio-economic development of OIC countries.

Design/methodology/approach

This systematic literature review focuses on peer-reviewed journals and data obtained from the Mendeley database using specific criteria to analyze the socio-economic developmental role of waqf in OIC countries from 2011‐2020.

Findings

The socio-economic developmental role of waqf in OIC countries has been widely studied. In total, 68 academic articles were found that are relevant to themes of poverty alleviation, social welfare, entrepreneurship, education, health services and religious facilities. They reveal that the role of waqf in social welfare was the most discussed topic in the research. In addition, the majority of studies used an interview method to study waqf institutions in nine OIC countries. Furthermore, the number of publications on the theme has increased significantly every year, although the largest proportion occurred in unindexed journals.

Practical implications

This study provides an overview of research trends in the socio-economic developmental role of waqf. Its results can provide practical input for waqf institutions as they encourage its practice in OIC countries, and for policymakers in formulating their management strategies to promote the role of waqf in the social and economic aspects of society.

Originality/value

This paper reviews the current development of the socio-economic role of waqf in OIC countries. It will help researchers improve their understanding of this role. It will also provide waqf managers in OIC countries with adequate information on waqf projects which they can implement to achieve socio-economic development in their countries.
Exploring the enablers and microfoundations of international knowledge transfer
Authors: Rios-Ballesteros Nathalia , Fuerst Sascha
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the enablers and barriers influencing international knowledge transfer at the team-level in the context of product innovation within an emerging-market multinational enterprise (EMNE) in the insurance industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The research applies an exploratory case study design considering an emerging-market multinational insurance company headquartered in Colombia. Four subsidiaries (El Salvador, Chile, Argentina and Colombia) and the Corporate Office (headquarter) served as the research sites. It also adopts an interpretive research approach providing a grounded theory framework linking international knowledge transfer and product innovation.

Findings

The empirical findings emphasize the central role played by the enablers (i.e. shared vision, empathy and knowledge sources) in facilitating international knowledge transfer, which, in turn, enhances product innovation. More important, however, is the detailed explanation that the paper provides regarding the enablers’ microfoundational antecedents in terms of key activities that are performed at the team-level.

Research limitations/implications

The grounded theory framework was constructed using data collected in a single firm associated with a particular industry and regional context. The study only considered a single aspect of knowledge management (i.e. knowledge transfer). Other aspects of knowledge management systems, such as knowledge creation and knowledge application, should be used for explaining product innovation in EMNEs more comprehensively.

Practical implications

The study suggests a set of enabling conditions and activities that should be adopted by managers of EMNEs to improve international knowledge transfer with the aim of triggering product innovation. This includes the design of strategies for strengthening empathy among geographically dispersed teams by providing opportunities for regular live videoconferences among team members aimed at building close bonds, fostering trust and creating a sense of belonging in which participants get to know each other better and to establish a shared vision and a set of guiding principles and commitments for how the team will work. These suggestions are particularly important today when several multinational enterprises (MNEs) have been forced to rearrange their workplace by replacing face-to-face interactions with virtual work dynamics due to the COVID-19 crisis.

Originality/value

Previous studies have confirmed that international knowledge transfer positively influences MNEs’ innovative performance. However, no studies have been conducted linking both variables in the context of EMNEs in Latin America in the service sector. The research tries to fill this gap. Besides, the paper introduces empathy as a novel enabler for international knowledge transfer and a moderator able to diminish the negative effect that cultural differences and geographical barriers have on the knowledge transfer process.
How to develop ASOs of China? Answers from the academic entrepreneurs
Authors: Li Xingteng , Zhu Cong , Feng Feng
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Why do academic spin-offs (ASOs) have different growth performance? What makes ASOs grow better? Based on the perspective of academic entrepreneurs, this study systematically studies the influence mechanism of the growth of Chinese ASOs and establishes an analytical framework for the influence of academic entrepreneurs on the growth of ASOs.

Design/methodology/approach

This study takes ASOs of Chinese Academy of Sciences as a sample. On the basis of literature analysis, the questionnaire is designed to collect the measurement items of variables and amended after interviewing the well-known scholars and experienced enterprise managers. The entrepreneur capital theory and the triple helix (TH) model are used to formulate the research model. Ordinary least squares (OLS) regression analysis was used to analyze the relationship between academic entrepreneurs' social capital, human capital and enterprise growth. Data processing, reliability and validity analysis, hypothesis testing and so on are all carried out by Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS), which is a common method of first-hand data processing.

Findings

According to findings, capital of academic entrepreneurs exerted a positive impact on ASOs growth. First of all, ASOs growth is positively affected by external connections and human capital of academic entrepreneurs. Second, the institutional environment and location environment play a regulation role. However, regulation role of the industrial environment is not proved. Third, the research has shown academic entrepreneurs' capital and ASOs growth is regulated by both path guidance and resources support ways. Finally, according to further test, ASOs growth is positively affected by both business contacts and political contacts of academic entrepreneurs, and the role of political contacts is greater.

Research limitations/implications

Inevitably, this research has limitations, to some extent, which need to be further improved and supplemented in future studies. First, samples are special. Due to the difficulty of data acquisition, this research only obtains data from ASOs of the Chinese Academy of Sciences system. Second, there should be diverse methods to measure the growth of ASOs.

Originality/value

Based on composition-based view and triple helix model, this study constructs an analytical framework of the influence of academic entrepreneur capital on ASOs growth and verifies the influence and mechanism of academic entrepreneur social capital and human capital on enterprise growth. The conclusion of this study provides empirical support for the development of composition-based view and also proves the effectiveness of this theory in studying ASOs related issues in China. In addition, the research conclusion is also the practical application of triple helix model, which proves the effectiveness of triple helix model in analyzing the growth mechanism of ASOs.
Factors fostering the success of IoT services in academic libraries: a study built to enhance the library performance
Authors: Khan Asad Ullah , Zhang Zhiqiang , Chohan Sohail Raza , Rafique Wajid
Published: October 2021

Purpose

In the modern era, libraries confront significant service challenges. Some challenges are linked to information resource management which includes direct availability of information for immediate decision making. The Internet of Things (IoT) is a recent technological shift that library personnel should be aware of because it has the potential to enhance information resource management. The purpose of the research is to highlight the willingness to adopt IoT technology in libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a quantitative research design in which a survey of public sector universities in Nanjing, China, is conducted to investigate the determinants of IoT adoption intention in libraries. A total of 389 responses were captured from experienced library personnel. The literature on technology adoption is then used to formulate quantitative theories. For data analysis, partial least squares structural equation modeling using SmartPLS.

Findings

The research highlights the various success factors which support the IoT service adoption process. It is concluded that IoT augmented services in academic libraries must be supported through robust management practices and effective utilization of technological resources. Many libraries have made substantial modifications to their structure in terms of technology and design to satisfy the demands of patrons.

Originality/value

This is an empirical paper that looks at IoT adoption intention in libraries using a quantitative approach through surveying library personnel. The library personnel can aid in the understanding of the motivations behind technology adoption in libraries, particularly of IoT services that may bring about advances in the libraries' capability to provide information access services.
Does financial literacy “grease the wheels” of the loans market? A note
Authors: Sol Murta Fátima , Miguel Gama Paulo
Published: October 2021

Purpose

What is the impact of financial literacy on the lending activity of banks? Based on the results of the S&P Global FinLit Survey for an extensive sample of countries, this paper aims to provide the first global test for the impact of country-level financial literacy on the lending activity of commercial banks.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use data on financial literacy by country from the S&P Global FinLit Survey that was completed in 2014 and lending activity and macroeconomic control variables data from the World Bank from 2015 to 2017 to estimate the cross-sectional effect of financial literacy on the importance of loans and of non-performing loans, using different estimation methods.

Findings

The results show that, first, financial literacy favors lending activity, contributing to enhance the importance of credit in the economy. Second, financial literacy prevents bad loans from building up, thus reducing credit risk and favoring the quality of the credit portfolio of banks. These results are robust to several controls for macroeconomic conditions and the quality of institutions. They are also robust to different estimation methods.

Research limitations/implications

The evidence of the positive (negative) impact of population financial literacy on the quantity (poor quality) of loans suggests that the efforts to enhance the financial literacy of the population contribute to the sustainable development of the financial sector and economic growth.

Originality/value

The paper extends to an international and country-level the available evidence of the consequences of the existence (or lack of) of financial literacy for the lending activity of commercial banks, focusing on the amount of credit granted and the quality of such credit. Thus, the paper provides an exploratory analysis of the impact of country-level financial literacy on the lending activities of commercial banks.
Family engagement in the home-based learning mode: an enlarging divide in education
Authors: Liu Shuo
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to provide an overview of the development periods of home-based learning in Hong Kong during the COVID-19 pandemic, then discusses the differences in how the more affluent and well-educated middle-class parents and the economically and culturally disadvantaged working-class parents have dealt with the challenges of this new learning mode in their children’s education.

Design/methodology/approach

This research mainly adopted the qualitative research method, and used data from multiple sources, including online and offline participant observations, informal interviews and second-hand official reports.

Findings

The preliminary findings suggest that due to the closure of the formal schooling system, the impact of unequal family resources – such as tangible economic investment and intangible cultural and social support – on students’ academic performance has been exposed, thus reinforcing the pre-existing inequality between different social classes.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of this paper are primarily based on preliminary observations and informal interviews, and it needs more systematic studies, both qualitative and quantitative, are needed to provide further empirical evidence to demonstrate the impacts of digital, housing and knowledge divide between the middle- and working-class families on students’ academic performance.

Originality/value

The paper presents new empirical data concerning the class mechanisms underlying home-based learning during the class suspension in Hong Kong. It shows that home-based learning in this challenging time has exposed the existing inequality in education.
Measuring farmers' well‐being: Influence of farm‐level factors on satisfaction with work and quality of life
Authors: Herrera Sabillón Beatriz , Gerster‐Bentaya Maria , Knierim Andrea
Published: October 2021

To achieve social sustainability, there is a need to incorporate social metrics of farmers’ well‐being into agricultural monitoring systems. We contribute to the operationalisation of the measurement of farmers’ well‐being by determining how farm‐level factors influence farmers’ satisfaction with their work and quality of life. Using a data sample of 1099 farms that are part of the Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN) in nine European countries, we tested a set of hypotheses related to work satisfaction and life quality perception based on a structural equation model. Satisfaction with on‐farm work has a significant and substantial influence on satisfaction with quality of life. Farm‐level aspects, such as working time, age of assets, financial situation of the farm and community engagement, significantly influenced farmers’ satisfaction with farming, but their joint effect explained less than one‐fifth of the satisfaction. The results suggest that agricultural information systems intended to monitor and compare sustainability progress on farms would benefit from the integration of a metric measuring social concerns from the farmers’ point of view.
Health benefits of first and second extraction drum‐dried pitted olive pomace
Authors: Inzunza‐Soto Marce , Thai Sandy , Sinrod Amanda J. G. , Olson Donald A. , Avena‐Bustillos Roberto J. , Li Xueqi , Rolston Matthew R. , Wang Selina C. , Teran‐Cabanillas Eli , Yokoyama Wallace , McHugh Tara H.
Published: October 2021

Olive pomace (OP) is the main by‐product of olive oil extraction. After pit and skin removal, OP pulp has high concentrations of dietary fiber and phenolics with high antioxidant capacity. This study evaluated mice health benefits of drum‐dried pitted OP pulp obtained after first and second oil extraction.

Fresh OP was steam blanched, then pits and skins separated in a pulper/finisher, and pulp drum‐dried and milled. OP was characterized by proximate analysis, total soluble phenolics (TSP), individual phenolics, and dietary fiber. Drum‐dried pitted OP from first and second extraction was formulated at 10% and 20% in a high fat mice diet. Low fat (5%) and high fat (18%) control diets were also used for comparison. First extraction OP had higher TSP than OP from second extraction. Hydroxytyrosol was the main phenolic in OP. Mice weight gain was lower for the four OP diets compared to high and low‐fat control diets. Fecal protein was high for all OP diets, indicating poor protein retention in mice, possibly by phenolics binding of protein and enzymes. Liver weight and adipose tissue were lower in mice consuming the four high fat OP diets compared to high fat control diet. Also, there was no effect on blood glucose by OP in diets. Mice gut microbiota analysis indicated that Actinobacteria decreased in the OP diets compared to the two control diets while Bacteroidetes increased, indicating a positive correlation with reduced body fat and weight. Drum‐dried pitted OP is a novel agricultural by‐product with its bioactive compounds having the potential to be incorporated in feeds and foods providing health benefits.

Practical Application

Drum‐dried pitted olive pomace can be produced from first or second olive oil extraction byproducts to be used as a shelf‐stable healthy food or feed supplement.
Geographical origin determination of Red Huajiao in China using the electronic nose combined with ensemble recognition algorithm
Authors: Mao Yuezhong , Li Na , Shi Bolin , Zhao Lei , Cheng Shiwen , Tian Shiyi , Wang Houyin
Published: October 2021

Red Huajiao was the most important Zanthoxylum species in China, and its quality was highly determined the geographical region. This study was aimed to establish a determination method for the geographical origin recognition of Red Huajiao by using the electronic nose and ensemble recognition algorithm. Six origins of samples were detected by the electronic nose, and two categories of electronic nose sensors characteristic values, named as “optimized characteristic value” and “filtered characteristic value,” were obtained by the principal component analysis and discrimination index method and Filter–Wrapper method. Based on the two categories of characteristic values, 22 kinds of model analysis methods, which belonged to five categories of ensemble recognition algorithms were used to recognize the geographical origin. The total recognition accuracy rate of the two categories of characteristic values were 83.9% and 85.7%, respectively. Furthermore, during 22 kinds of model analysis method, the ensemble Subspace KNN and Bagged Trees methods in Ensemble Learning algorithm exhibited the best distinguishing ability with the accuracy rate more than 90%. Therefore, the electronic nose combined with Ensemble Learning would be promising for the geographical origin determination application.

Practical Application

This work demonstrates that the Red Huajiao can be simply and rapidly determined by using electronic nose combined with ensemble recognition algorithm, allowing to effectively distinguish geographical origin of Red Huajiao, which can provide an important reference for the quality assessment of Huajiao.
Impact of solid‐state saccharification on the flavor of rice‐flavorbaijiu
Authors: Zhao Zhe , Sugimachi Mina , Yoshizaki Yumiko , Yin Xuan , Han Xing‐Lin , Okutsu Kayu , Futagami Taiki , Tamaki Hisanori , Takamine Kazunori
Published: October 2021

Rice‐flavorbaijiuis a traditional Chinese liquor. The flavor profile and volatiles presented with or without the solid‐state saccharification (SSS) were investigated to reveal the effects of SSS process on the quality of rice‐flavorbaijiu. The liquor prepared with SSS had a sweet flavor. It contained significantly higher contents of β‐phenylethyl alcohol, β‐phenylethyl acetate, and ethyl lactate with odor active value of >1. The liquor prepared without SSS had a cheese‐like flavor. It was confirmed that the cheese‐like flavor derived from butanoic acid was only detected in the liquor prepared without SSS. SSS facilitated the biosynthesis of β‐phenylethyl alcohol and ethyl lactate by supplying a large amount of phenylalanine and lactic acid at the initial stage of fermentation, and it prevented contamination. These results indicated that the SSS process contributed to produce the characteristic flavor compounds of rice‐flavorbaijiu.

Practical Application

Solid‐state saccharification (SSS) process of rice‐flavorbaijiucontributes not only in brewing, but also in the production of the characteristic flavor compounds and the repression of the off‐flavor derived from the contamination. Therefore, SSS is a critical process to control the flavor of rice‐flavorbaijiu.
Investigation on exopolysaccharide production by Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus P14 isolated from Moroccan raw cow's milk
Authors: Akhtach Sihame , Tabia Zakaria , Bricha Meriem , Belkhou Rajae , Mabrouk Khalil El
Published: October 2021

Twenty‐four strains were isolated from 50 samples of raw cow's milk originated from different regions of Morocco. After different screening methods, one strain was selected as the highest exopolysaccharide (EPS)‐producing isolate and was identified by 16S rDNA sequencing as Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus P14. Moreover, the EPS‐producing ability, bacterial growth, and pH of the medium were monitored. The optimization of culture conditions indicated that the high yield of EPS was 685.14 mg/L obtained at 42°C, with lactose as a carbon source. The characterization study showed that the purified EPS consisted of one main fraction that contained 97.67% of carbohydrates. Furthermore, the EPS was identified as a homogeneous polysaccharide, mainly composed of glucose. These results demonstrated the high EPS production ability of the selected L. rhamnosus P14, representing a promising candidate to improve the textural and sensory properties of fermented food.
A Paradox of New Deal and Foreign Aid for Fragile States in Sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Katoka Ben , Kwon Huck‐ju
Published: October 2021

This article investigates aid delivery channels and their potential contribution to state‐capacity‐building in sub‐Saharan African (SSA) fragile and conflict‐affected states (FCSs) by drawing on the New Deal for Engagement in Fragile States. Using the synthetic control method (SCM), the paper examines whether donors have implemented foreign aid following their commitment to the New Deal. It focuses on the period 2005–2019 and 44 SSA countries. Overall, the findings show that less aid is delivered through the public sector in FCSs, where building state capability is more necessary than in non‐FCSs in SSA. This shows that donor foreign aid practices do not match their commitment to the New Deal for Engagement in Fragile States, although there are significant differences in donor practices. The tendency in donor aid‐giving is to bypass the public sector, which does not necessarily help strengthen capacity in FCSs. It is a paradox of foreign aid to fragile states due to the contradiction between the short‐term effectiveness of foreign aid and the long‐term necessity of state‐building in FCSs. With these findings, the paper calls for international efforts to improve aid‐giving to support state capability in FCSs.
Application of Aureobasidium pullulans in iron‐poor soil. Can the production of siderophores improve iron bioavailability and yeast antagonistic activity?
Authors: Di Francesco Alessandra , Sciubba Luigi , Bencivenni Matteo , Marzadori Claudio , Baraldi Elena
Published: October 2021

Iron is a fundamental element for plants as well as for microorganisms and several pathogens, including Rhizoctonia solani, one of the main soil‐borne pathogens of tomato. This study demonstrated the ability of Aureobasidium pullulans strain L1 to produce siderophores and how these molecules were, directly and indirectly, connected to its antagonistic activity and iron bioavailability. By ICP‐OES (Inductively Coupled Plasma—Optical Emission Spectroscopy) trace analysis, the strain displayed the ability to increase the bioavailability of Fe (II) in the soil by almost 50% 30 days after inoculation. Also, the bioavailability of Mn, Cu and Zn was increased after 30 days of incubation in the soil by 31.8, 38.4 and 27.1%, respectively. In in vivo assays, A. pullulans L1 strain showed a growth promotion of tomato roots length and stem diameter, respectively, by 19.1 and 27.3%, and acted as a biocontrol agent (BCA) against R. solani (80% of inhibition). The results demonstrate a new aspect of this microorganism, usually applied as an antagonist of postharvest fruit diseases, to explore in different environments and against different pathogens, such as soil‐borne pathogens.
Associations between alcohol use and accelerated biological ageing
Authors: Bøstrand Sunniva M. K. , Vaher Kadi , de Nooij Laura , Harris Matthew A. , Cole James H. , Cox Simon R. , Marioni Riccardo E. , McCartney Daniel L. , Walker Rosie M. , McIntosh Andrew M. , Evans Kathryn L. , Whalley Heather C. , Wootton Robyn E. , Clarke Toni‐Kim
Published: October 2021

Harmful alcohol use is a leading cause of premature death and is associated with age‐related disease. Biological ageing is highly variable between individuals and may deviate from chronological ageing, suggesting that biomarkers of biological ageing (derived from DNA methylation or brain structural measures) may be clinically relevant. Here, we investigated the relationships between alcohol phenotypes and both brain and DNA methylation age estimates. First, using data from UK Biobank and Generation Scotland, we tested the association between alcohol consumption (units/week) or hazardous use (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test [AUDIT] scores) and accelerated brain and epigenetic ageing in 20,258 and 8051 individuals, respectively. Second, we used Mendelian randomisation (MR) to test for a causal effect of alcohol consumption levels and alcohol use disorder (AUD) on biological ageing. Alcohol use showed a consistent positive association with higher predicted brain age (AUDIT‐C: β = 0.053, p = 3.16 × 10−13; AUDIT‐P: β = 0.052, p = 1.6 × 10−13; total AUDIT score: β = 0.062, p = 5.52 × 10−16; units/week: β = 0.078, p = 2.20 × 10−16), and two DNA methylation‐based estimates of ageing, GrimAge (units/week: β = 0.053, p = 1.48 × 10−7) and PhenoAge (units/week: β = 0.077, p = 2.18x10−10). MR analyses revealed limited evidence for a causal effect of AUD on accelerated brain ageing (β = 0.118, p = 0.044). However, this result should be interpreted cautiously as the significant effect was driven by a single genetic variant. We found no evidence for a causal effect of alcohol consumption levels on accelerated biological ageing. Future studies investigating the mechanisms associating alcohol use with accelerated biological ageing are warranted.
A multicentre prospective analysis of the incidence of pemphigoid diseases in Turkey
Authors: Durdu Murat , Bozca Burçin Cansu , Enli Servinaz , Yazıcı Özgen Züleyha , Yaylı Savaş , Aktan Şebnem , Mutlu Derya , Erturan Ijlal , Ayvaz Çelik Havva Hilal , Melikoğlu Mehmet , Pala Erdal , Gürsel Ürün Yıldız , Harman Mehmet , Şavk Ekin , Işık Selin , Duygulu Şeniz , İmren Işıl Göğem , Fettahlıoğlu Karaman Bilge , Kaya Erdoğan Hilal , Kılıç Arzu , Özçelik Sinan , Inan Kıymet , Yılmaz Mustafa Anıl , Şanlı Hatice Erdi , Kalay Yıldızhan İncilay , Mülayim Mehmet Kamil , Çiçek Demet , Demir Betül , Yasak Güner Rukiye , Baykal Selçuk Leyla , Gündüz Kamer , Daye Munise , Borlu Murat , Solak Eda Oksum , Dizman Didem , Güneş Begüm , Ozkur Ezgi , Polat Mualla , Eskiocak Ali Haydar , Uzun Soner
Published: October 2021

Background

The differentiation between the pemphigoid diseases is essential for treatment and prognosis. In Turkey, data on the incidence of these diseases are insufficient. Our aim in this study is to determine the incidence, demographics and clinical characteristics associated with diseases of the pemphigoid group.

Methods

We prospectively analysed 295 patients with pemphigoid who visited dermatology clinics of tertiary referral hospitals in 12 different regions of Turkey within a year. The diagnosis was based on clinical, histopathological, direct immunofluorescence (DIF) and serological (multivariant enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA], indirect immunofluorescence and mosaic‐based BIOCHIP) examinations. Clinical and demographic findings, aetiological factors and concomitant diseases observed in the patients were recorded.

Results

A total of 295 (female/male ratio: 1.7/1) patients with pemphigoid were diagnosed in 1‐year period. The overall incidence rate of pemphigoid diseases was found to be 3.55 cases per million‐years. The ratio of pemphigoid group diseases to pemphigus group diseases was 1.6. The most common pemphigoid type was bullous pemphigoid (BP, 93.2%). The others were epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (3.1%), pemphigoid gestationis (2.4%), linear IgA disease (1%) and mucous membrane pemphigoid (0.3%). The most common (26.8%) possible trigger of the bullous pemphigoid was gliptin derivative drugs. The most common concomitant diseases with pemphigoid were cardiovascular (27.8%) and neurological diseases (23.7%).

Conclusions

This study showed that the increased frequency of bullous pemphigoid reversed the pemphigoid/pemphigus ratio in Turkey. Further studies are warranted regarding the reasons for this increase.
Menstrual pain and sexual health in mothers—A cross‐sectional study in the Danish National Birth Cohort
Authors: Hjorth Sarah , Rytter Dorte , Forman Axel , Kirkegaard Helene , Olsen Jørn , Nohr Ellen A.
Published: October 2021

Introduction

Prevalence and consequences of menstrual pain have mainly been studied in younger women. We aimed to describe the prevalence of menstrual pain in mothers and its association with sexual problems.

Material and methods

A cross‐sectional study using questionnaire data from the Maternal Follow Up (2013–2014) in the Danish National Birth Cohort (1996–2002). Of 82 569 eligible mothers, 43 639 (53%) completed the follow up. Of these, 24 000 women had a partner, and answered the questions on menstrual pain. Log binomial regression was used to calculate prevalence proportion ratios (PPR) with 95% CI for the association between menstrual pain and specific sexual problems.

Results

Menstrual pain was reported by 16 464 women (69%), and severe menstrual pain by 19%. Treatment had previously been requested by 19% of women with menstrual pain. The most common treatment was oral contraceptives, but for 18% of women seeking treatment, no treatment was given. Women with menstrual pain were more likely to report reduced sexual desire (PPR 1.22, 95% CI 1.15–1.29), vaginismus (PPR 1.31, 95% CI 0.96–1.78), and dyspareunia (PPR 1.63, 95% CI 1.47–1.81), in particular deep dyspareunia (PPR 1.92, 95% CI 1.67–2.20).

Conclusions

A majority of Danish mothers in mid‐life experienced menstrual pain, and these women more often reported reduced sexual desire, vaginismus, and deep dyspareunia. Few women sought and received treatment for menstrual pain. Healthcare practitioners should be aware that menstrual pain can affect parous women and co‐occurs with sexual problems. Future studies should identify barriers to seeking and receiving adequate treatment for menstrual pain.
Using both electromyography and movement disorder assessment improved the classification of children with dyskinetic cerebral palsy
Authors: Lorentzen Jakob , Born Alfred P. , Svane Christian , Forman Christian , Laursen Bjarne , Langkilde Annika R. , Uldall Peter , Hoei‐Hansen Christina E.
Published: October 2021

Aim

Children with dyskinetic cerebral palsy (CP) are often severely affected and effective treatment is difficult, due to different underlying disease mechanisms. Comprehensive systematic movement disorder evaluations were carried out on patients with this disorder.

Methods

Patients born from 1995 to 2007 were identified from the Danish Cerebral Palsy Register and referrals to the neuropaediatric centre, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen. They were classified by gross motor function, manual functional ability, communication ability, dystonia and spasticity. Electromyography was carried out on the upper and lower limbs. Magnetic resonance imaging scans were revised, and aetiological searches for underlying genetic disorders were performed.

Results

We investigated 25 patients with dyskinetic CP at a mean age of 11.7 years. Dystonia, spasticity and rigidity were found in the upper limbs of 21, four and six children, respectively, and in the lower limbs of 18, 18 and three children. The mean total Burke‐Fahn‐Marsden score for dystonia was 45.02, and the mean Disability Impairment Scale level was 38% for dystonia and 13% for choreoathetosis. Sustained electromyography activity was observed in 20/25 children. Stretching increased electromyography activity more in children with spasticity. There were 10 re‐classifications.

Conclusion

The children had heterogenic characteristics, and 40% were reclassified after systematic movement disorder evaluation.
Mortality and morbidity in preterm infants with congenital heart disease
Authors: Dumitrascu Biris Ioana , Mintoft Alison , Harris Christopher , Rawn Zeshan , Jheeta Jatinder Singh , Pushparajah Kuberan , Khan Hammad , Fox Grenville
Published: October 2021

Aim

To compare in‐hospital mortality and rates of necrotising enterocolitis (NEC), sepsis, IVH and length of invasive respiratory support in preterm infants <36 weeks’ gestation with congenital heart disease (CHD) to matched preterm infants without CHD in a single London centre over 13‐year period.

Methods

Single‐centre retrospective case‐control study over the 13‐year period from May 2004 to May 2017.

Results

Two hundred forty‐seven preterm infants with CHD were matched to 494 infants without CHD. Patients with CHD had a significantly increased risk of in‐hospital mortality compared to controls (OR 7.39 (95% CI 4.37–12.5); p < 0.001). Preterm infants with CHD had a higher risk of NEC (OR 2.42 (95% CI 1.32–4.45); p = 0.005), sepsis (OR 1.68 (95% CI 1.23–2.28); p = 0.001) and invasive respiratory support ≥28 days (OR 2.34 (95% CI 1.19–4.58); p = 0.017). Risk of IVH was lower in preterm infants with CHD (OR 0.22 (95% CI 0.11–0.42); p = 0.0001).

Conclusion

Preterm birth with CHD is associated with a higher risk of in‐hospital mortality, NEC, sepsis and prolonged invasive respiratory support, but a lower risk of IVH compared to matched controls. In‐hospital mortality remains high in moderate‐to‐late preterm infants with CHD.
Letter: neuromodulators in functional dyspepsia—the right indication in the right dose
Authors: Birda Chhagan Lal , Jena Anuraag , Kumar Antriksh
Published: October 2021

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Kotikula et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16588 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16620
Editorial: understanding IBS pathophysiology through “converging channels” of research—authors’ reply
Authors: Grover Madhusudan , Berumen Antonio , Peters Stephanie , Wei Ting , Breen‐Lyles Margaret , Harmsen William S. , Busciglio Irene , Burton Duane , Vazquez Roque Maria , DeVault Kenneth R. , Camilleri Michael , Wallace Michael , Dasari Surendra , Neumann Helmut , Houghton Lesley A.
Published: October 2021

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Grover et al and Elwing & Sayuk papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16591 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16603
Letter: neuromodulators in functional dyspepsia—the right indication in the right dose. Authors’ reply
Authors: Kotikula Isariyaphong , Thinrungroj Nithi , Pinyopornpanish Kanokwan
Published: October 2021

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Kotikula et al and Birda et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16588 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16612
“People want good graffiti”: Tensions, contradictions, and everyday politics surrounding graffiti in Hanoi, Vietnam
Authors: Kee Michelle , Turner Sarah , Labbé Danielle
Published: October 2021

Graffiti has become an omnipresent feature of urban landscapes, with sprawling words and images on public and private surfaces triggering heated debates on the meaning, implications, and legality of these urban inscriptions. Yet, to date, there has been little academic research conducted on graffiti and street art in the Asian context, and none that we could find on the burgeoning scene in Vietnam. In the context of a socialist state, with little tolerance for public dissent, we investigate how, and by whom, graffiti is created, and to what degree it transgresses public space norms in the country’s capital city, Hanoi. We analyse how young graffiti writers negotiate the social, physical, and cultural boundaries which serve as either deterrents or catalysts for graffiti creation, and consider whether strategies of compliance or everyday resistance are employed in order to create their work. With the effects that globalisation and urbanisation have had on the Asian region, and the tactics citizens employ to negotiate state‐imposed censorship and restraints having been studied closely, we position our work within these broader debates.
The ecology of electricity and electroreception
Authors: England Sam J. , Robert Daniel
Published: October 2021

Electricity, the interaction between electrically charged objects, is widely known to be fundamental to the functioning of living systems. However, this appreciation has largely been restricted to the scale of atoms, molecules, and cells. By contrast, the role of electricity at the ecological scale has historically been largely neglected, characterised by punctuated islands of research infrequently connected to one another. Recently, however, an understanding of the ubiquity of electrical forces within the natural environment has begun to grow, along with a realisation of the multitude of ecological interactions that these forces may influence. Herein, we provide the first comprehensive collation and synthesis of research in this emerging field of electric ecology. This includes assessments of the role electricity plays in the natural ecology of predator–prey interactions, pollination, and animal dispersal, among many others, as well as the impact of anthropogenic activity on these systems. A detailed introduction to the ecology and physiology of electroreception – the biological detection of ecologically relevant electric fields – is also provided. Further to this, we suggest avenues for future research that show particular promise, most notably those investigating the recently discovered sense of aerial electroreception.