bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rating exotic price coverage in crop revenue insurance
Authors: Ramsey A. Ford , Ghosh Sujit K. , Goodwin Barry K.
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Revenue insurance is the most popular form of insurance available in the US federal crop insurance program. The majority of crop revenue policies are sold with a harvest price replacement feature that pays out on lost crop yields at the maximum of a realized or projected harvest price. The authors introduce a novel actuarial and statistical approach to rate revenue insurance policies with exotic price coverage: the payout depends on an order statistic or average of prices. The authors examine the price implications of different dependence models and demonstrate the feasibility of policies of this type.

Design/methodology/approach

Hierarchical Archimedean copulas and vine copulas are used to model dependence between prices and yields and serial dependence of prices. The authors construct several synthetic exotic price coverage insurance policies and evaluate the impact of copula models on policies covering different types of risk.

Findings

The authors’ findings show that the price of exotic price coverage policies is sensitive to the choice of dependence model. Serial dependence varies across the growing season. It is possible to accurately price exotic coverage policies and we suggest these add-ons as a possible avenue for developing private crop insurance markets.

Originality/value

The authors apply hierarchical Archimedean copulas and vine copulas that allow for flexibility in the modeling of multivariate dependence. Unlike previous research, which has primarily considered dependence across space, the form of exotic price coverage requires modeling serial dependence in relative prices. Results are important for this segment of the agricultural insurance market: one of the main areas that insurers can develop private products around the federal program.
Consumers' knowledge discrepancy and confusion in intent to purchase farmed fish
Authors: Hoque Mohammed Ziaul , Alam Md. Nurul
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to examine the influence of consumers' perceived knowledge, knowledge discrepancy and confusion on the intention to purchase farmed fish (FF) via a survey design regarding perceptions, buying and consumption practices of urban households in Chittagong, Bangladesh.

Design/methodology/approach

The samples of 498 households were selected from a stratified cluster from the Chittagong city and were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. The data have been analysed using exploratory factor analysis and structural equation modelling.

Findings

The results show that consumers' subjective knowledge (SK) is significant for purchase intention whereas objective knowledge (OK) is not. Again, consumers' SK, OK, knowledge discrepancy and confusion have no influence in forming consumers' attitude towards FF. However, consumers who overestimate their actual level of knowledge hold negative attitude towards FF and vice versa. Furthermore, consumers' OK affects their confusion inversely although it does not influence the purchase intention significantly.

Practical implications

If the marketers can frame a more engaging means of communication and knowledge enhancement plan, consumers' attitude and purchase intention regarding FF will be signified.

Originality/value

This is the first study that fundamentally contributes to the scientific research in that it measures the knowledge discrepancy of consumers regarding FF. In addition, this study substantiates that low objective knowledge leads to confusing consumers at the time of purchasing. The effect of overestimating the level of knowledge as well as underestimating the level of knowledge in explaining the purchase intention of FF would be a supplementary addition.
Multi-physics analysis of a novel circular pantograph catenary system for high-speed trains
Authors: Xiao Song , Luo Yuanpei , Wu Jingchi , Zhang Can , Rao Yang , Wu Guangning , Sykulski Jan
Published: May 2020

Purpose

In high-speed trains, the energy is supplied from a high voltage catenary to the vehicle via a pantograph catenary system (PCS). Carbon pantograph strips must maintain continuous contact with the wire to ensure safety and reliability. The contact is often confined to a particular spot, resulting in excessive wear due to mechanical and thermal damage, exacerbated by the presence of an electric arc and associated electrochemical corrosion. The effectiveness and reliability of the PCS impacts on the performance and safety of HSTs, especially under high-speed conditions. To alleviate some of these adverse effects, this paper aims to propose a configuration where a circular PCS replaces the currently used pantograph strips.

Design/methodology/approach

Two dynamic multi-physics models of a traditional PCS with a carbon strip and a novel PCS with a circular pantograph strip catenary system are established, and the electrical and mechanical characteristics of these two systems are compared. Moreover, a PCS experimental platform is designed to verify the validity and accuracy of the multi-physics model.

Findings

A novel circular pantograph system is proposed in this paper to alleviate some of the shortcomings of the traditional PCS. Comparing with a traditional PCS, the circular PCS exhibits superior performance in both electromagnetic and thermal aspects.

Originality/value

The paper offers a new technical solution to the PCS and develops a dedicated multi-physics model for analysis and performance prediction with the aim to improve the performance of the PCS. The new system offers numerous benefits, such as less friction heat, better heat dispersion and improved catenary-tracking performance.
HRD indicators and branding practices: a viewpoint on the employer brand building process
Authors: Itam Urmila , Misra Siddharth , Anjum Heena
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The concept of employer branding has drawn the attention of both academicians and practitioners over a decade. However, inaction, the objective of the employer brand managers were hardly tapped. Therefore, this paper aims to explore the views of HR manager on employer branding activities and its implementation.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is a case research of three multinational companies in India. A semi-structured interview method has been adopted to collect the data and a content analysis technique was used for analyzing the data into identified themes.

Findings

The HR managers of the studied company were discussed with multiple activities related to employer branding practice and implementation in their workplace. The key observations and discussions from the interviews were themed after the analysis as meaningfulness and visibility, employer brand awareness and differentiator and human resource development (HRD) parameters.

Research limitations/implications

The combined effect of branding theories and HRD practices will establish the most attractive and successful employer brand building process in place. Involving the potential and existing employees in the psychological contract formation; consistency among the internal and external communication systems; and top management approach with the brand highlighted the need for research and theory development in employment branding.

Practical implications

Communication breakdown, strategic mismatch, long-term disconnects and sustained success are the strategic concerns that every company who believe in the idea of employer branding may face and need to well-handled.

Originality/value

The study concluded with the belief of the human resources managers from all the three organizations as stated – adopting a community based strategic approach to the organization’s brand and clear about what the employer brand stand across the employment lifecycle drives businesses into success.
Collegial governance in postwar Australian universities
Authors: Barnes Joel
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to outline the structures of collegial governance in Australian universities between 1945 and the “Dawkins reforms” of the late 1980s. It describes the historical contours of collegial governance in practice, the changes it underwent, and the structural limits within which it was able to operate.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis is based upon the writings of academics and university administrators from the period, with more fine-grained exemplification provided by archival and other evidence from Faculties of Arts and their equivalents in newer universities.

Findings

Elements of hierarchy and lateral organisation coexisted in the pre-Dawkins university in ways not generally made explicit in the existing literature. This mixture was sustained by ideals about academic freedom.

Research limitations/implications

By historicising “collegiality” the research problematises polemical uses of the term, either for or against. It also seeks to clarify the distinctiveness of contemporary structures—especially for those with no first-hand experience of the pre-Dawkins university—by demonstrating historical difference without resort to nostalgia.

Originality/value

“Collegiality” is a common concept in education and organisation studies, as well as in critiques of the contemporary corporate university. However, the concept has received little sustained historical investigation. A clearer history of collegial governance is valuable both in its own right and as a conceptually clarifying resource for contemporary analyses of collegiality and managerialism.
Templates for handling multi-agency collaboration activities and priorities in mining injury incidents: a Delphi study
Authors: Gyllencreutz Lina , Rådestad Monica , Saveman Britt-Inger
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study was from a Swedish perspective to map experts' opinions on theoretical statements of essential collaboration activities for management of mining injury incidents.

Design/methodology/approach

A Delphi technique was performed, asking opinions from experts in iterative rounds to generate understanding and form consensus on group opinion around multi-agency management. The experts were personnel from emergency medical service, rescue service and mine industry, all with operative command positions.

Findings

Three iterative rounds were performed. The first round was conducted as a workshop to collect opinions about the most important multi-agency collaboration activities to optimize victim's outcome from an injury incident in an underground mine. This resulted in 63 statements and additional three were added during the second round. The statements were divided into one trajectory and seventh time phases and comprised, e.g. early alarm routines, support of early life-saving interventions, relevant resources and equipment for the assignment and command and control center and functions with predefined action plans for response. It also comprised shared and communicated decisions about each agency's responsibility and safety. All statements reached consensus among the experts in Round 3.

Research limitations/implications

The experts included in this study seem to be adequate but there could be other experts and different statements that other researchers might consider.

Practical implications

These statements could be used to evaluate collaboration in major incidents exercises. The statements can also be quality indicators for reporting results from multi-agency management.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the research field of collaboration and joint practices between and among personnel involved in rescue operations.
The effect of audit findings and audit recommendation follow-up on the financial report and public service quality in Indonesia
Authors: Furqan Andi Chairil , Wardhani Ratna , Martani Dwi , Setyaningrum Dyah
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This study aims to analyze the effect of audit findings and audit recommendations follow-up on the quality of financial reports and the quality of public services in the context of applying accrual accounting systems to local government in Indonesia. This study also examines whether the quality of the financial report affects the quality of public services.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employed cross-sectional regression using data from 1,437 observations from 491 districts/cities for 2014–2016. The data illustrates the conditions prior to the adoption of the accrual accounting system (2014), the initial year of application/transition period (2015) and the second year of the expected accrual accounting system (2016).

Findings

The results of the study indicate that, in general, the quality of financial reports affects the quality of public services. Regarding the implementation of audits in the public sector, it is also found that audit findings have a negative impact on the quality of financial report and the quality of public services, while audit recommendations follow-up plays a positive role in improving the quality of financial report and the quality of public services.

Research limitations/implications

The implication of the results of this study is closely related to the efforts to realize the ultimate goal of the recent government reforms. In order to increase the quality of public services in the era of higher report requirements through an accrual accounting system, the government should focus on the quality of financial reports, audit findings and the audit recommendations follow-up.

Originality/value

This study provides new insight on the link between the public sector auditing and the quality of accounting in accrual implementation context and the quality of public services.
Digital production innovation projects – The applicability of managerial controls under high levels of complexity and uncertainty
Authors: Johansson Sara , Kullström Malin , Björk Jennie , Karlsson Anna , Nilsson Susanne
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of the present study is to assist academics and practitioners in supporting and managing digital production innovation projects using managerial controls. The focus is on projects that deliver innovations containing new combinations of physical, digital and/or cyber-physical components, developed to be used within a production system. More specifically, this paper aims to explore the applicability of different managerial controls for managing and supporting digital production innovation projects, i.e. projects that are characterized by high levels of complexity and uncertainty.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a multiple-case study in which interview data was collected from five digital production innovation projects in two manufacturing firms. The empirical data was used to analyze success factors, challenges and obstacles in different phases of the studied projects, and to connect these to the application of different types of managerial controls.

Findings

The findings provide an increased understanding of who to control, what to control and how to control in digital production innovation projects.

Research limitations/implications

This paper is focused specifically on the perception of managerial controls in digital production innovation projects and has not explicitly focused on manufacturing companies' intended usage of managerial controls. This paper's focus on manufacturing companies with producing customers and on projects developing solutions for their respective customers' production systems also encourages further studies at other companies undergoing a comparable transition. Given the necessary system perspective on managerial controls that is being highlighted, this paper emphasizes further research needs on how firms can also apply managerial controls to support external collaborations.

Practical implications

The results have a number of managerial implications regarding digital production innovation projects. The most prominent findings revealed the importance of giving attention to the managerial controls related to the decision-making process and the involvement from stakeholders outside the organization itself. In particular, it was shown that managerial controls securing a more holistic involvement in the decision-making process should be applied, and that managerial controls suitable for customers and partners need to be developed.

Originality/value

The study is among the first studies to focus on the application and perceived effectiveness of managerial controls in digital production innovation projects. The ways in which managerial controls are applied to collaborations with customers and partners and the ways in which action, cultural and personnel controls are combined and aligned to support the corporate decision-making process particularly stand out as essential for manufacturing companies' Industry 4.0 transition.
Catching the wave: Industry 4.0 in BRICS
Authors: Erro-Garcés Amaya , Aranaz-Núñez Irene
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This research aims to conduct, to the best of our knowledge, the first systematic review of the implementation of Industry 4.0 in BRICS. This review facilitates the identification of main factors that affect the readiness to adopt Industry 4.0 in BRICS and the role of different agents, such as multinationals, the public sector or educative institutions.

Design/methodology/approach

Key publications published from 2010 to 2019 have been analysed. A total of 61 papers have been selected from the systematic review.

Findings

Three factors of convergence of BRICS to developed economies in terms of Industry 4.0 are identified: (1) the public initiatives that can also result in the attraction of talent from developed countries to BRICS; (2) the role of multinationals and (3) the implication of educational institutions.

Research limitations/implications

This review has some limitations. First, some grey literature, such as reports from non-governmental organisations and front-line practitioners' reflections, were not included. Second, only research studies in English were reviewed

Practical implications

The heterogeneity of BRICS amongst themselves affects the implementation of Industry 4.0 policies. Therefore, public policies should differ among countries to achieve the different readiness of companies within each country. Industry 4.0 cannot be understood as a manufacturing strategy against delocalisation, as emerging countries, such as BRICS, are also aware of the potential of automation.

Originality/value

Based on a systematic review, this article shows that the strategy created by Germany to increase industrial productivity has been also introduced in BRICS countries as a critical factor to improve their competitiveness.
The influence of lean management and environmental practices on relative competitive quality advantage and performance
Authors: Agyabeng-Mensah Yaw , Ahenkorah Esther , Afum Ebenezer , Owusu Dallas
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Firms are adopting strategies to advance product quality and environmental sustainability to achieve improved profitability and shareholders’ wealth. The study investigates strategies that create a superior quality performance to competitors and improve both environmental and business performances. This paper explores the direct and indirect influence of lean management and environmental practices on relative competitive quality advantage, environmental performance and business performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses a quantitative method where data is gathered from 259 manufacturing firms in Ghana. The data is gathered through customized questionnaires. The partial least squares structural equation modeling (SmartPLS 3.2.8) is used to analyze the data. Firm size, industry type and importance of environmental issues are used as control variables in this study.

Findings

The findings of the study indicate that both lean management and environmental practices create relative competitive quality advantage and improve environmental performance and business performance. Environmental performance and relative competitive quality advantage mediate the influence of lean management and environmental practices on business performance. The results further indicate that lean management creates a higher relative competitive quality advantage than environmental practices, while environmental practices have more potency to enhance environmental performance than lean management.

Originality/value

The study develops and proposes a comprehensive theoretical framework that examines the potency of environmental practices and lean management in creating a relative competitive quality advantage and improving environmental performance and business performance from a Ghanaian perspective, which is an emerging economy in Africa. Lean management and environmental practices may jointly help firms create relative competitive advantage and improve environmental performance to enhance business performance.
Disability employment and financial performance: the effect of technological innovation of listed firms in India
Authors: Oware Kofi Mintah , Mallikarjunappa T.
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Technological innovation (TI) has become a competitive advantage to firm sustainability and survival; however, stakeholders struggle to embrace this revolution. There is a fear that technology innovation leads to massive job loss. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to investigate TI, employee disability (EDI) and financial performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the Indian stock market as a testing ground, the authors used panel regression to analyse 80 sustainability-reporting firms (640 firm-year observations) between 2010 and 2017.

Findings

The findings show that technology innovation has a positive association with EDI. It further indicates EDI with TI improves the financial performance (return on assets and return on equity) of firms. Also, the study shows that EDI in the service and manufacturing sector are the critical contributors when combined with TI towards an increase in financial performance.

Practical implications

The implication for the study allows firms to increase employment of people with disabilities in the workplace because TI has a positive effect on EDI. The results from the study confirm the service sector as the highest contributor to financial performance in the emergence of TI.

Originality/value

The novelty of this research provides empirical evidence that the service sector contributes more to financial performance when EDI combines with TI.
Research challenges for the use of big data in policy-making
Authors: Mureddu Francesco , Schmeling Juliane , Kanellou Eleni
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to present pertinent research challenges in the field of (big) data-informed policy-making based on the research, undertaken within the course of the European Union-funded project Big Policy Canvas. Technological advancements, especially in the past decade, have revolutionised the way that both every day and complex activities are conducted. It is, thus, expected that a particularly important actor such as the public sector, should constitute a successful disruption paradigm through the adoption of novel approaches and state-of-the-art information and communication technologies.

Design

The research challenges stem from a need, trend and asset assessment based on qualitative and quantitative research, as well as from the identification of gaps and external framework factors that hinder the rapid and effective uptake of data-driven policy-making approaches.

Findings

The current paper presents a set of research challenges categorised in six main clusters, namely, public governance framework, privacy, transparency, trust, data acquisition, cleaning and representativeness, data clustering, integration and fusion, modelling and analysis with big data and data visualisation.

Originality/value

The paper provides a holistic overview of the interdisciplinary research challenges in the field of data-informed policy-making at a glance and shall serve as a foundation for the discussion of future research directions in a broader scientific community. It, furthermore, underlines the necessity to overcome isolated scientific views and treatments because of a high complex multi-layered environment.
Creating learning organization 2.0: a contextualized and multi-stakeholder approach
Authors: Mak Carry , Hong Jacky
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to offer a contextualized and multi-stakeholder perspective for creating a learning organization (LO) 2.0.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a systematic review of the critiques of LO in the past three decades, this paper suggests some possible directions for the development of next-generation of LO (e.g. LO 2.0).

Findings

It is suggested that LO 2.0 should adopt a contextualized perspective by considering the social, organizational, cultural and industrial contexts to enhance the success of LO implementation and help fine-tune the universal LO model. Accordingly, LO 2.0 should adopt a multi-stakeholder perspective by incorporating multiple stakeholders during the process of design and implementation under the rationales of counteracting managerial dominance of low-power marginalized employees and mitigating the impacts of increased competition and technology advancement.

Practical implications

This paper provides some practical advice to business practitioners regarding how the practices of LO 2.0 can be adopted.

Originality/value

The study adds to the existing LO literature by further supporting and developing a contextualized and multi-stakeholder perspective to create the next generation of LO.
Phenomic and genomic approaches to studying the inhibition of multiresistant Salmonella enterica by microcin J25
Authors: Ben Said Laila , Emond‐Rheault Jean‐Guillaume , Soltani Samira , Telhig Sofiane , Zirah Séverine , Rebuffat Sylvie , Diarra Moussa Sory , Goodridge Lawrence , Levesque Roger C. , Fliss Ismail
Published: May 2020

In livestock production, antibiotics are used to promote animal growth, control infections and thereby increase profitability. This practice has led to the emergence of multiresistant bacteria such as Salmonella, of which some serovars are disseminated in the environment. The objective of this study is to evaluate microcin J25 as an inhibitor of Salmonella enterica serovars of various origins including human, livestock and food. Among the 116 isolates tested, 37 (31.8%) were found resistant to at least one antibiotic, and 28 were multiresistant with 19 expressing the penta‐resistant phenotype ACSSuT. Microcin J25 inhibited all isolates, with minimal inhibitory concentration values ranging from 0.06 μg/ml (28.4 nM) to 400 μg/ml (189 μM). Interestingly, no cross‐resistance was found between microcin J25 and antibiotics. Multiple sequence alignments of genes encoding for the different proteins involved in the recognition and transport of microcin J25 showed that only ferric‐hydroxamate uptake is an essential determinant for susceptibility of S. enterica to microcin J25. Examination of Salmonella strains exposed to microcin J25 by transmission electronic microscopy showed for the first‐time involvement of a pore formation mechanism. Microcin J25 was a strong inhibitor of several multiresistant isolates of Salmonella and may have a great potential as an alternative to antibiotics.
Impacts of Australia’s free trade agreements on trade in agricultural products: an aggregative and disaggregative analysis
Authors: Timsina Krishna P. , Culas Richard J.
Published: May 2020

The importance of free trade agreements (FTAs) has been increasing as such agreements help reduce barriers to trade. This paper estimates the agricultural trade creation and export diversion effects of Australia’s free trade agreements (FTAs) at the aggregate and disaggregate levels, using the Poisson pseudo‐maximum‐likelihood (PPML) estimator. It includes 24 of Australia’s major trading partner countries comprising FTA and non‐FTA members and covers 22 years from 1996 to 2017. The heteroscedasticity robust regression error specification test (RESET) confirms the relevance of PPML over the Ordinary Least Square (OLS) estimator. Results showed that China–Australia, Korea–Australia, Australia–USA and Japan–Australia have larger trade creation effects in the agricultural sector. At the commodity level, variation in trade creation effects is estimated from the different trade agreements. Among the selected commodities, the larger effects were generated in trade in sugar and wine by the implementation of the majority of the trade agreements. Overall, the trade creation was greater than the export diversion of the FTAs. The findings of the study have implications for Australia’s future trade agreements.
Non‐invasive prediction of fetal growth restriction by whole‐genome promoter profiling of maternal plasma DNA: a nested case–control study
Authors: Xu C , Guo Z , Zhang J , Lu Q , Tian Q , Liu S , Li K , Wang K , Tao Z , Li C , Lv Z , Zhang Z , Yang X , Yang F
Published: May 2020

Objective

To predict fetal growth restriction (FGR) by whole‐genome promoter profiling of maternal plasma.

Design

Nested case–control study.

Setting

Hospital‐based.

Population or Sample

810 pregnancies: 162 FGR cases and 648 controls.

Methods

We identified gene promoters with a nucleosome footprint that differed between FGR cases and controls based on maternal plasma cell‐free DNA (cfDNA) nucleosome profiling. Optimal classifiers were developed using support vector machine (SVM) and logistic regression (LR) models.

Main outcome measures

Genes with differential coverages in promoter regions through the low‐coverage whole‐genome sequencing data analysis among FGR cases and controls. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis (area under the curve [AUC], accuracy, sensitivity and specificity) was used to evaluate the performance of classifiers.

Results

Through the low‐coverage whole‐genome sequencing data analysis of FGR cases and controls, genes with significantly differential DNA coverage at promoter regions (−1000 to +1000 bp of transcription start sites) were identified. The non‐invasive ‘FGR classifier 1’ (CFGR1) had the highest classification performance (AUC, 0.803; 95% CI 0.767–0.839; accuracy, 83.2%) was developed based on 14 genes with differential promoter coverage using a support vector machine.

Conclusions

A promising FGR prediction method was successfully developed for assessing the risk of FGR at an early gestational age based on maternal plasma cfDNA nucleosome profiling.

Tweetable abstract

A promising FGR prediction method was successfully developed, based on maternal plasma cfDNA nucleosome profiling.
Impact of a novel Rickettsia symbiont on the life history and virus transmission capacity of its host whitefly (Bemisia tabaci)
Authors: Lei Teng , Zhao Jing , Wang Hua‐Ling , Liu Yin‐Quan , Liu Shu‐Sheng
Published: May 2020

Rickettsia consists of some of the most prevalent symbionts of insects and often plays a significant role in the biology of its hosts. Recently, a maternally inherited Torix group Rickettsia, provisionally named as RiTBt, was recorded in a species of notorious pest whitefly, tentatively named as Asia II 1, from the Bemisia tabaci complex. The role of this Rickettsia in the biology of its host is unknown. Here we investigated the impact of RiTBt on the performance and virus transmission capacity of Asia II 1. RiTBt did not significantly affect the life history parameters of the whitefly when the host insect was reared on tobacco, tomato, and cotton, three host plants with relatively low, medium and high suitability to the whitefly. Intriguingly, RiTBt slightly enhanced whitefly transmission of cotton leaf curl Multan virus (CLCuMuV), a virus that is transmitted by the whitefly in the field and has caused extensive damage to cotton production. Specifically, compared with whiteflies without RiTBt, following a 48 h virus acquisition whiteflies with RiTBt had higher titer of virus and showed higher efficiency of virus transmission. A rickettsial secretory protein BtR242 was identified as a putative virus‐binding protein, and was observed to interact with the coat protein of CLCuMuV in vitro. Viral infection of the whitefly downregulated gene transcript levels of the BtR242 gene. These observations indicate that RiTBt has limited impact on the biology of the Asia II 1 whitefly, and whether this symbiont has functions in the biology of other host whiteflies warrants future investigation.
Co‐occurrence of antibiotic, biocide, and heavy metal resistance genes in bacteria from metal and radionuclide contaminated soils at the Savannah River Site
Authors: Thomas Jesse C. , Oladeinde Adelumola , Kieran Troy J. , Finger John W. , Bayona‐Vásquez Natalia J. , Cartee John C. , Beasley James C. , Seaman John C. , McArthur J Vuan , Rhodes Olin E. , Glenn Travis C.
Published: May 2020

Contaminants such as heavy metals may contribute to the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by enriching resistance gene determinants via co‐selection mechanisms. In the present study, a survey was performed on soils collected from four areas at the Savannah River Site (SRS), South Carolina, USA, with varying contaminant profiles: relatively pristine (Upper Three Runs), heavy metals (Ash Basins), radionuclides (Pond B) and heavy metal and radionuclides (Tim’s Branch). Using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, we explored the structure and diversity of soil bacterial communities. Sites with legacies of metal and/or radionuclide contamination displayed significantly lower bacterial diversity compared to the reference site. Metagenomic analysis indicated that multidrug and vancomycin antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and metal resistance genes (MRGs) including those associated with copper, arsenic, iron, nickel and zinc were prominent in all soils including the reference site. However, significant differences were found in the relative abundance and diversity of certain ARGs and MRGs in soils with metal/radionuclide contaminated soils compared to the reference site. Co‐occurrence patterns revealed significant ARG/MRG subtypes in predominant soil taxa includingAcidobacteriaceae,Bradyrhizobium,Mycobacterium,Streptomyces,Verrumicrobium,Actinomaduraand Solirubacterales. Overall, the study emphasizes the potential risk of human activities on the dissemination of AMR in the environment.
Chromosomal‐level genome assembly of the scimitar‐horned oryx: Insights into diversity and demography of a species extinct in the wild
Authors: Humble Emily , Dobrynin Pavel , Senn Helen , Chuven Justin , Scott Alan F. , Mohr David W. , Dudchenko Olga , Omer Arina D. , Colaric Zane , Lieberman Aiden Erez , Al Dhaheri Shaikha Salem , Wildt David , Oliaji Shireen , Tamazian Gaik , Pukazhenthi Budhan , Ogden Rob , Koepfli Klaus‐Peter
Published: May 2020

Captive populations provide a valuable insurance against extinctions in the wild. However, they are also vulnerable to the negative impacts of inbreeding, selection and drift. Genetic information is therefore considered a critical aspect of conservation management. Recent developments in sequencing technologies have the potential to improve the outcomes of management programmes; however, the transfer of these approaches to applied conservation has been slow. The scimitar‐horned oryx (Oryx dammah) is a North African antelope that has been extinct in the wild since the early 1980s and is the focus of a large‐scale and long‐term reintroduction project. To enable the selection of suitable founder individuals, facilitate post‐release monitoring and improve captive breeding management, comprehensive genomic resources are required. Here, we used 10X Chromium sequencing together with Hi‐C contact mapping to develop a chromosomal‐level genome assembly for the species. The resulting assembly contained 29 chromosomes with a scaffold N50 of 100.4 Mb, and displayed strong chromosomal synteny with the cattle genome. Using resequencing data from six additional individuals, we demonstrated relatively high genetic diversity in the scimitar‐horned oryx compared to other mammals, despite it having experienced a strong founding event in captivity. Additionally, the level of diversity across populations varied according to management strategy. Finally, we uncovered a dynamic demographic history that coincided with periods of climate variation during the Pleistocene. Overall, our study provides a clear example of how genomic data can uncover valuable insights into captive populations and contributes important resources to guide future management decisions of an endangered species.
Genome‐wide association studies for the number of teats and teat asymmetry patterns in Large White pigs
Authors: Moscatelli G. , Dall’Olio S. , Bovo S. , Schiavo G. , Kazemi H. , Ribani A. , Zambonelli P. , Tinarelli S. , Gallo M. , Bertolini F. , Fontanesi L.
Published: May 2020

The number of teats is a morphological trait that influences the mothering ability of the sows and thus their reproduction performances. In this study, we carried out GWASs for the total number of teats and other 12 related parameters in 821 Italian Large White heavy pigs. All pigs were genotyped with the Illumina PorcineSNP60 BeadChip array. For four investigated parameters (total number of teats, the number of teats of the left line, the number of teats of the right line and the maximum number of teats comparing the two sides), significant markers were identified on SSC7, in the region of the vertnin (VRTN) gene. Significant markers for the numbers of posterior teats and the absolute difference between anterior and posterior teat numbers were consistently identified on SSC6. The most significant SNP for these parameters was an intron variant in the TOX high mobility group box family member 3 (TOX3) gene. For the other four parameters (absolute difference between the two sides; anterior teats; the ratio between the posterior and the anterior number of teats; and the absence or the presence of extra teats) only suggestively significant markers were identified on several other chromosomes. This study further supported the role of the VRTN gene region in affecting the recorded variability of the number of teats in the Italian Large White pig population and identified a genomic region potentially affecting the biological mechanisms controlling the developmental programme of morphological features in pigs.
Practice guidelines for teledermatology in Australia
Authors: Abbott Lisa M , Miller Robert , Janda Monika , Bennett Haley , Taylor Monica , Arnold Chris , Shumack Stephen , Soyer H Peter , Caffery Liam J
Published: May 2020

Despite the potential of teledermatology to increase access to dermatology services and improve patient care, it is not widely practised in Australia. In an effort to increase uptake of teledermatology by Australian dermatologists and support best practice, guidelines for teledermatology for the Australian context have been developed by The University of Queensland's Centre for Online Health in collaboration with The Australasian College of Dermatologists’ E‐Health Committee. The guidelines are presented in two sections: 1. Guidelines and 2. Notes to support their application in practice, when feasible and appropriate. Content was last updated March 2020 and includes modalities of teledermatology; patient selection and consent; imaging; quality and safety; privacy and security; communication; and documentation and retention of clinical images. The guidelines educate dermatologists about the benefits and limitations of telehealth while articulating how to enhance patient care and reduce risk when practicing teledermatology.
How doctors communicated with parents in a neonatal intensive care: Communication and ethical issues
Authors: Sorin Gaelle , Dany Lionel , Vialet Renaud , Thomachot Laurent , Hassid Sophie , Michel Fabrice , Tosello Barthélémy
Published: May 2020

Aim

Doctors have a moral and legal obligation to keep patients and their families informed, and this is an integral part of care. We explored the communication strategies used by doctors when they spoke to parents in a French neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Methods

This was a single‐centre qualitative pilot study carried out from October 2015 to January 2016. We asked five doctors (three female) to audiotape their discussions with the parents of newborn infants during their NICU stay. The doctors’ mean age was 43 years, and they had a mean of 14 years of NICU experience. Each discussion was subjected to thematic content analysis.

Results

We analysed 40 discussions carried out between doctors on 26 newborn infants. Five communication strategy themes emerged: building understanding, how the communication was constructed, the role of the doctor, and of the parents, in the overall care of the newborn infant and how the information given to the parents developed over time.

Conclusion

Analysing the content of the information discussed with parents provided us with the opportunity to understand the communication and ethical issues surrounding the delivery of information in a NICU. This could be used to improve future discussions between doctors and parents.
Studies on viral pneumonia related to novel coronavirus SARS‐CoV‐2, SARS‐CoV, and MERS‐CoV: a literature review
Authors: Liya Guo , Yuguang Wang , Jian Liu , Huaiping Yuan , Xue Han , Jianwei Huo , Jiaju Ma , Youran Lu , Chen Ming , Yiqing Jiao
Published: May 2020

Coronaviruses are a class of RNA viruses that can cause respiratory and intestinal infections in animals and humans. SARS‐CoV, MERS‐CoV, and a novel coronavirus (SARS‐CoV‐2 [2019‐nCoV]) belong to the family Coronaviridae and the genus Betacoronavirus. At present, the understanding of SARS‐CoV‐2 is getting deeper and deeper. In order to better prevent and treat SARS‐CoV‐2, this article compares the infectivity, pathogenicity, and related clinical characteristics of the three human pathogenic coronaviruses, SARS‐CoV‐2, SARS‐CoV, and MERS‐CoV to help us further understand the pathogenic characteristics of novel coronaviruses.
Prevalence of coeliac disease in Northwest China: heterogeneity across Northern Silk road ethnic populations
Authors: Zhou Chunyan , Gao Feng , Gao Jinyan , Yuan Juanli , Lu Jiajie , Sun Zhenzhu , Xu Mengyu , Engel Jasper , Hui Wenjia , Gilissen Luud , Chen Hongbing
Published: May 2020

Background

Epidemiological data of coeliac disease are lacking from the central Asian region.

Aims

To verify the occurrence of coeliac disease amongst four major ethnic groups of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomus Region, China.

Methods

2277 in‐patients with gastrointestinal symptoms (1391 Han, 608 Uyghur, 146 Kazakh and 132 Hui; mean age: 54 ± 12.8 years) were included. Total IgA, anti‐deamidated gliadin peptide (DGP)‐IgG, and anti‐tissue transglutaminase (anti‐tTG)‐IgA were analysed. All antibody‐positive subjects were further tested for endomysial (EMA) antibodies and were HLA genotyped. All subjects with antibody positivity were asked to undergo intestinal biopsy. In addition, a subset of antibody‐negative subjects were tested for HLA‐DQA1and DQB1.

Results

Among the 2277 subjects, 29 subjects were defined as coeliac disease autoimmune (positive results for anti‐tTG IgA and EMA‐IgA) (1.27%; 95% confidence interval, 0.81%‐1.73%), eight of them underwent biopsy and all showed coeliac disease histology (0.35%; 95% Cl, 0.11%‐0.59%). The frequency of coeliac disease autoimmunity was lowest among the Han (0.79%), followed by the Uyghur (1.81%), the Kazakh (2.05%) and the Hui (3.03%). The frequency of the HLA‐DQ2 and/or DQ8 haplotype was highest in the Uyghur (52.1%), followed by the Hui (44.4%), the Kazakh (40.0%) and the Han (39.4%). Besides, a three times higher frequency of coeliac disease autoimmunity was found among rural living subjects with significantly higher wheat consumption compared to urban living subjects (3.16% vs 0.97%, P < 0.01).

Conclusions

In Xinjiang, coeliac disease does occur, especially in the rural area. The HLA haplotype and environment play key roles in the development of coeliac disease.
Systematic review with meta‐analysis: the efficacy of tranexamic acid in upper gastrointestinal bleeding
Authors: Twum‐Barimah Erica , Abdelgadir Ibtihal , Gordon Morris , Akobeng Anthony K.
Published: May 2020

Background

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding is a common medical emergency associated with substantial mortality. Tranexamic acid may be effective for reducing mortality in upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Aim

To examine the effects of tranexamic acid in upper gastrointestinal bleeding by systematic review and meta‐analysis.

Methods

We searched PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) and other relevant websites for randomised controlled trials investigating the effect of tranexamic acid published from inception to December 10, 2019. The primary outcome of interest was mortality. Estimates of effect were pooled with a random effects model. Quality of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE) approach.

Results

The search identified 1572 citations. Eleven trials comprising 2076 patients were eligible for inclusion. Of these, 10 trials (2013 patients) compared tranexamic acid with placebo. Risk of death was significantly reduced in patients who received tranexamic acid compared with those who received placebo (RR 0.59, 95% CI 0.43‐0.82, P = 0.001) with no significant heterogeneity noted among studies (I2 = 0%, P = 0.81). The GRADE assessment rated the quality of the evidence for mortality as moderate due to risk of bias. There were no statistically significant differences between tranexamic acid and placebo for the prevention of re‐bleeding, need for surgical interventions, need for blood transfusions or frequency of thromboembolic events.

Conclusions

Moderate‐quality evidence shows that tranexamic acid is superior to placebo for the reduction in mortality in patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding. While our findings lend further support to the use of tranexamic acid for treating patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding, additional higher‐quality trials are needed.
Intention to adopt and diffuse innovative ultraviolet light C system to control the growth of microorganisms in raw milk among Thais Dairy Farmers
Authors: Makarapong David , Tantayanon Supawan , Gowanit Chupun , Inchaisri Chaidate
Published: May 2020

This research aims to investigate the factors affecting Thai dairy farmers’ intention to use ultraviolet C technology (UV‐C) to reduce the number of microorganisms in raw milk. The researcher applied the innovation and diffusion theory (IDT) and the technology acceptance model 2 (TAM2) to evaluate dairy farmer's intention. The 477 dairy farmers in the central part of Thailand were interviewed using questionnaires. The collected data were analyzed using multinomial logistic regression (MLR). It was found that the intention to adopt UV‐C can accurately predict the factors affecting the intention to use the technology based on the intention levels to create diffusion and promote acceptance. To increase the diffusion and acceptance of UV‐C, the perceived usefulness to increase the milk price was the major influenced factor to promote technology acceptance. Providing facilities for maintenance, the use of this innovation and reporting news about the benefits of new technology to create positive attitudes and confidence lead to the spread of technology driven by early adopters. The technology developers should consider and design technology compatible with existing systems. However, the collaboration of all related parties is also needed to encourage Thai dairy farmers to try the new technology and observe the actual results.