bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Traditional media or social media? Corporate green media communication and consumer intention to cocreate green value in post-COVID-19 China
Authors: Zhao Li , Sun Jianxin , Zhang Ling , Ma Bowen
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This study investigated whether there are differences in the effects of green traditional media communication (GTMC) and green social media communication on consumers' intention to cocreate green value (ICGV) in post-COVID-19 China. The authors further tested the chain mediating role of cocreation efficacy and cocreation outcome expectation and the moderating role of perceived CSR image.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a survey, we collected a dataset of 683 consumers through stratified random sampling in main shopping malls in four Chinese cities. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test the conceptual framework and hypotheses, and bootstrapping was used to estimate the mediated standardized regression coefficients. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to test the moderating effect.

Findings

GTMC, firm-created content (FCC), and user-generated content (UGC) all had positive effects on ICGV. Cocreation efficacy and cocreation outcome expectation had a chain mediation effect in GTMC and ICGV, UGC, and ICGV. Perceived CSR image positively moderated the effects of both GTMC and FCC on ICGV. However, perceived CSR image did not significantly moderate the relationship between UGC and ICGV.

Originality/value

This study contributes to our understanding of the effect of green media communication on consumers' ICGV in post-COVID-19 China. It also develops the concepts of cocreation efficacy and cocreation outcome expectation. Moreover, analyzing the chain mediating role of cocreation efficacy and cocreation outcome expectation in green media communication and ICGV extends social cognitive theory to the context of green value cocreation. Finally, examining the moderating role of perceived CSR image provides a basis for understanding the boundary conditions of green media communication's effect on ICGV.
Relationship between Big Five personality traits and knowledge sharing behaviour: moderating role of Islamic work ethics
Authors: Javaid Mudaser , Jaaron Ayham A.M. , Abdullah Nor Hazana Binti
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The existence of intense competition in turbulent markets confirms the importance of using ethical employee practices in knowledge sharing behaviour (KSB) to ensure organisational growth. This is especially applicable in developing countries' markets where this intensive competition usually results in organisations following illicit practices. This paper aims to examine the relationship between the Big Five personality traits (i.e. openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism) and KSB using Islamic work ethics (IWE) as the moderator.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative research method using a survey instrument collected 182 responses from employees in the Pakistani telecommunication industry. The partial least squares structural equation model (PLS-SEM) was used to analyse the collected data.

Findings

The results found that IWE has a positive impact on KSB and a positive moderating impact on the relationship between the Big Five personality traits except neuroticism and KSB. Also, openness to experience and agreeableness positively impacted KSB.

Practical implications

This paper contributes to the field of human resource (HR) management by helping managers in the hiring process or developing employee's personalities. Additionally, policymakers are encouraged to create Islamic values platforms to increase KSB amongst employees.

Originality/value

This study indicates the importance of IWE in boosting the impact of personality on KSB and provides insights into IWE's role in enhancing an organisation's competitive advantages in turbulent markets.
Professionals’ perception studies of vertical greening systems in Lagos, Nigeria
Authors: Olusoga Olawale , Adegun Olumuyiwa
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the perceptions of built environment professionals on the benefits and impediments limiting the widespread acceptance of vertical greening systems (VGSs) in Lagos, Nigeria. This study contributes to the knowledge on the adoption of VGSs from the socio-technical dimension.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employed a survey method. An online questionnaire was used to obtain information from the respondents. The questionnaire was divided into four (4) sections. The first section focused on the socio-demographic variables while the second section addressed knowledge of VGSs, willingness to educate clients on the use of VGS and the possibility of VGS improving city image in Lagos. Section three (3) focused on the VGS benefits, subdivided into environmental, economic and aesthetic qualities and measured on a five-point Likert scale. Lastly, section four (4) concentrated on the impediments to the use of VGS in Lagos.

Findings

Professionals are willing to adopt the use of VGSs if their clients agree to the benefits it delivers to occupants, the environment and the building fabric.

Originality/value

This paper fulfills an identified need to study the perceptions of professionals toward VGSs patronage.
You don’t have to tip the human waiters anymore, but … Unveiling factors that influence consumers’ willingness to pay a price premium for robotic restaurants
Authors: Chuah Stephanie Hui-Wen , Jitanugoon Siriprapha , Puntha Pittinun , Aw Eugene Cheng-Xi
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This study aims to simultaneously examine the influence of demographic, psychographic and situational factors on consumers’ willingness to pay a price premium (WTPp) for robotic restaurants and to profile market segments based on consumers’ WTPp levels (positive, neutral and negative).

Design/methodology/approach

Using an online survey, the data were gathered from a sample of 897 Thai consumers who had dined at a robotic restaurant in the past 12 months. Structural equation modeling, chi-square tests and the one-way analysis of variance were used for data analysis.

Findings

Demographic (gender, age, income and marital status), psychographic (perceived advantages/disadvantages, personal innovativeness and personality traits) and situational factors (perceived health risk and self-protection behavior) significantly influence consumers’ WTPp for robotic restaurants. The positive price premium group differs significantly from the neutral and negative price premium groups in terms of demographic, psychographic and situational profiles.

Practical implications

The findings of this study help restaurateurs target the correct customers and set up appropriate price fences to safeguard profits and maximize return on investment.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature on technology-based services and hospitality by heeding the calls made by Ivanov and Webster (2021) and providing much-needed empirical evidence of possible changes in consumers’ WTPp for robot-delivered services in restaurants due to COVID-19.
Contemporaneous causality among residential housing prices of ten major Chinese cities
Authors: Xu Xiaojie , Zhang Yun
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This study aims to investigate dynamic relationships among residential housing price indices of ten major Chinese cities for the years 2005–2021.

Design/methodology/approach

Using monthly data, this study uses vector error correction modeling and the directed acyclic graph for characterization of contemporaneous causality among the ten indices.

Findings

The PC algorithm identifies the causal pattern and the Linear Non-Gaussian Acyclic Model algorithm further determines the causal path, from which this study conducts innovation accounting analysis. Sophisticated price dynamics are found in price adjustment processes following price shocks, which are generally dominated by the top tiers of cities.

Originality/value

This study suggests that policies on residential housing prices in the long run might need to be planned with particular attention paid to these top tiers of cities.
Going organic or staying traditionalistic? The role of agriculture information system
Authors: Doanh Nguyen Khanh , Quynh Nguyen Ngoc , Pham Thi Tuan Linh
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine how use of agriculture information systems could impact farmers' intention to convert from traditional to organic agriculture production in the mountainous areas of Northern Vietnam, based on a research framework developed from integrating Diffusion of Innovation Theory and Theory of Planned Behavior. Specifically, the authors aim to test the direct impact of use of agriculture information systems on converting intention and the interaction between use of agriculture information systems and perceived economic benefits, perceived non-economic benefits of organic production and market access on the formation of converting intention.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from a sample survey that included 634 agriculture-producing households in Thai Nguyen, Tuyen Quang and Cao Bang provinces of Northern Vietnam. The logistic regression was used for data analysis.

Findings

Research findings indicate that perceived economic benefits, non-economic benefits, market access and use of agriculture information systems positively support the converting intention. Moreover, the use of information systems strengthens the links between the converting intention and perceived economic benefits, perceived non-economic benefits and market access.

Originality/value

This research is innovative in incorporating the use of agriculture information systems as both direct contributor and moderator in converting decisions.
Impact of E-commerce adoption on business performance of SMEs in Sri Lanka; moderating role of artificial intelligence
Authors: Fonseka Kapila , Jaharadak Adam Amril , Raman Murali
Published: May 2022

Purpose

With the rapid development of technology in the 21st century, an ever-growing number of organisations are adopting digitalised technologies. The global economy connected with digitalisation is moving towards sustainable development. Individual firms adopt innovative technological strategies to consolidate their position in the competitive market. The study aimed to examine the management perception of the impact of E-commerce adoption (EC) on business performance (BP) – the moderating role of using artificial intelligence (AI).

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative study using the deductive approach and the data collected from senior managers of the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Sri Lanka, and 389 samples were collected using a simple random sampling method. EC, BP and AI were named as the independent, dependent and moderating variables in the model. Porters' generic strategies and resource-based views (RBVs) were applied as the foundation of the study.

Findings

The independent and moderating variables significantly influenced the BP. Managers' age, gender, education level and job position affect their perception.

Originality/value

The global economy is moving towards sustainable development using digitalisation. The firms should blend their strategies with digitalised platforms to survive in the competitive market.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at the following link: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-12-2021-0752
From horizontal to vertical relationships: how online community identification fosters sport fans’ team identification and behavioural intentions
Authors: Kim Sungkyung , Manoli Argyro Elisavet
Published: May 2022

Purpose

With the remarkable advancements in information and communication technologies, comprehending online sport fan communities is being pushed further up in the agenda of sport teams worldwide. Based on social identity theory, the main purpose of this research paper is to test the mechanism of how horizontal relationships developed through online communities lead to vertical relationships such as team identification and behavioural intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a sample of online baseball fan community members in South Korea (N = 400) and employing structural equations modelling, the current research examined the structural relations among online community identification, team identification, behavioural intention and WOM intention while testing moderating effect of perceived authenticity.

Findings

This study finds that online community identification has a significant positive impact on team-level consumer outcomes: team identification, behavioural intention and WOM intention. Team identification is verified as a significant determinant of both behavioural intention and WOM intention. Moreover, the partial mediating role of team identification in the relationships between online community identification and behavioural intentions are corroborated.

Originality/value

The present study furnishes essential information for identifying the underlying mechanism of how fan-to-fan horizontal relationships cultivate team-to-fan vertical relationships in the context of the virtual fan community.
Advancing health-related abilities and behaviors via health apps: a large-scale survey from self-regulation perspective
Authors: Fu Shaoxiong , Fang Jie , Cai Zhao , Lim Eric Tze Kuan , Tan Chee-Wee , Yang Haiping
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Motivated by the need for research on the relationship between health app usage and health-related outcomes in the form of health status and life satisfaction, this study builds on self-regulation theory to construct a research model for elucidating how health app quality affects health information literacy, health app usage and physical activity.

Design/methodology/approach

To empirically validate the proposed research model, a large-scale questionnaire survey on health app usage was administered on a sample of 6,948 respondents recruited from a university in China. Structural equation modeling was employed for data analysis.

Findings

Empirical findings demonstrate that health app quality positively affects self-regulation with respect to health app usage, health information literacy and physical activity. Taken together, these self-regulated behaviors drive health-related outcomes for health status and life satisfaction.

Originality/value

This study advances extant literature on health app usage through the application of self-regulation theory to investigate the effects of technological interventions in healthcare. Findings offer practical implications for how health apps can be leveraged to realize positive health-related outcomes.
Diagnosing default syndromes: early symptoms of entrepreneurial venture insolvency
Authors: Modina Michele , Zedda Stefano
Published: May 2022

Purpose

In this study, a panel of 74,128 Italian SMEs was analyzed to verify whether any syndromes could be identified and defined through financial ratios. Defining relevant syndromes (i.e. the set of correlated signs and symptoms often associated with a particular disorder) can be of importance for assessing which specific intervention can solve a firm's difficulties.

Design/methodology/approach

To identify the main syndromes involved in company defaults, firstly, financial data on defaulted firms for each of the main economic sectors were examined through a cluster analysis; the results obtained for each sector were then compared to verify whether syndromes recur across sectors. Finally, the effects of each syndrome were compared with possible default causes, as described by previous literature.

Findings

Results show that a significant share of corporate insolvencies is characterized by a set of recurrent signs and symptoms so that the main syndromes can be identified. The results also show that these syndromes recur across sectors, even if specific values characterize each sector.

Research limitations/implications

The approach adopted in this study sets a new direction for the analysis of default risk, as the study shows that certain key syndromes can be defined and described, and the study suggests that different problems can induce different risk patterns. Further analyses of other samples could confirm whether the same syndromes recur over countries and over time.

Originality/value

This is the first study aimed at identifying and describing the syndromes affecting SMEs, conducted by means of balance-sheet ratios.
Factors affecting online knowledge sharing and its effect on academic performance
Authors: Alyouzbaky Bassam A. , Al-Sabaawi Mohmed Y. Mohmed , Tawfeeq Ahmed Z.
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This study aims to explore the factors that affect online knowledge sharing among the scientific performance of academics at the University of Mosul, Republic of Iraq.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected by using a random sample by means of an electronic questionnaire distributed to 211 academics at the University of Mosul via online platforms. Structural equation modeling was used to test hypotheses using AMOS 24 software.

Findings

The results showed that collaboration, perceived flexibility and willingness to share had a significant effect on online knowledge sharing behavior and that which in turn had an effect on the academic performance of respondents, while the results showed no influence of knowledge self-efficacy and communication on the behavior of online knowledge sharing.

Research limitations/implications

In this research, the effects of five factors on online knowledge sharing behavior were studied, in addition to the effect of the latter on academic performance. The research did not study the effect of the participants’ personal characteristics on the behavior of knowledge sharing online, which could be an area of future investigation. The study was limited to online knowledge sharing for academics working in public universities, and the authors suggest conducting a future study from the perspective of medical staff working in hospitals and its impact on their performance.

Practical implications

Based on the findings of the current study, this study suggests that the academic staff at the University of Mosul and similar universities pay attention to scientific cooperation between researchers and teaching staff, by creating online groups to carry out joint research projects that contribute to sharing knowledge among participants through social media in general and scientific platforms in particular. Establishing a scientific research portal could serve this well for example.

Originality/value

Most previous studies have focused on areas related to knowledge sharing in higher education institutions from the traditional perspective and therefore studies that examine the factors affecting online knowledge sharing among academics are limited, so this study fills this gap. This paper focuses on identifying the scientific benefits for academics through knowledge exchange and the use of electronic platforms at the University of Mosul. The study is expected to contribute to enhance the exchange of knowledge online between academics in similar universities in Asia and Africa due to the convergence of cultures and the nature of the work of these universities, as well as the possibility of generalization due to the research’s use of the deductive method.
Individual variation explains ageing patterns in a cooperatively breeding bird, the long‐tailed titAegithalos caudatus
Authors: Roper Mark , Sturrock Nicole J. , Hatchwell Ben J. , Green Jonathan P.
Published: May 2022

Alloparental care in cooperatively breeding species may alter breeder age‐specific survival and reproduction and subsequently senescence. The helping behaviour itself might also undergo age‐related change, and decisions to help in facultative cooperative breeders are likely to be affected by individual condition.

Helpers in long‐tailed titsAegithalos caudatusassist relatives after failing to raise their own brood, with offspring from helped nests being more likely to recruit into the breeding population.

Using data collected over 25 years, we examined the age trajectories of survival and reproduction in adult long‐tailed tits to determine how these were affected by the presence or absence of helpers and how helper behaviour changed with age.

There was evidence for increased reproductive performance with breeder age, but no effect of age on the probability of survival. We found no evidence of significant senescent decline in survival or reproductive performance, although individuals accrued less inclusive fitness in their last year of life. Lifetime reproductive success was positively related to both reproductive life span and body mass. Within a season, breeders that were assisted by helpers enjoyed greater reproductive success through enhanced offspring recruitment in the following year. We found no evidence that age affected an individual's propensity to help, or the amount of indirect fitness accrued through helping.

We found a positive correlation between life span and multiple components of reproductive success, suggesting that individual variation in quality underpins age‐related variation in fitness in this species. Helping decisions are driven by condition, and lifetime inclusive fitness of immigrants was predicted by body mass. These findings further support individual heterogeneity in quality being a major driver for fitness gains across the life course of long‐tailed tits.
Relative perceptions of prevalence, impact and importance of photosensitisation in Australian livestock: A survey of veterinarians, livestock traders and livestock producers
Authors: Chen Y , Loukopoulos P , Xie G , Quinn JC
Published: May 2022

Aims

To investigate the relative differences in the perceptions and awareness of outbreaks of photosensitisation in Australian livestock stakeholders, including veterinarians, livestock traders and producers.

Methods

A questionnaire was developed and circulated to livestock veterinarians, producers and traders in Australia via email addresses obtained from public access sources. The questionnaire was designed to evaluate participants' awareness and perception of health, welfare, and production issues associated with outbreaks of photosensitisation and towards the incidence and importance of photosensitisation in livestock.

Results

One hundred and twenty‐eight online responses were received in total. Nearly half of the respondents (49.0%) indicated they would encounter 1–3 outbreaks annually. The majority of veterinarian and livestock producers stated that outbreaks of photosensitisation were common and economically important, with cattle and sheep being equally considered as susceptible species to this condition, and secondary (hepatogeneous) photosensitisation is the most common type.

Conclusion

This survey confirms the anecdotal evidence that photosensitisation in livestock in Australia is commonly encountered by veterinarians and livestock producers. However, there is no industry‐wide common acceptance of the issue, broader opinions should be canvassed when considering impacts on stakeholders regarding photosensitisation outbreaks in livestock in Australia or abroad in the future.
Factors affecting willingness to pay premium prices for socially responsible food products: Evidence from Indian consumers
Authors: Khan Waseem , Siddiquei Mohd Imran , Muneeb Syed Mohd , Farhan Mohd
Published: May 2022

The motive of this study is to identify the factors influencing the willingness to pay (WTP) a premium price for socially responsible food products (SRFPs) in India. This study is based on primary survey of 398 respondents. Descriptive statistics and factor analysis have been used for data analysis. Further, logistic regression was used to examine the factors affecting the WTP a premium price for SRFPs. Results demonstrate that respondents of higher age are more likely to pay premium prices for SRFPs. Male consumers are two times more likely to have higher WTP for SRFPs. WTP a premium price is significantly influenced by the consumers' reference group, pro‐environmental intention, and concern for the animals. Gender, age, consumers' reference group, pro‐environmental intention, and concern for the animals determine WTP premium prices for SRFPs. There are relatively very limited researches on this topic in emerging economies including India, where the adoption of socially responsible products is in early stage. The practical implications of this study are to help in increasing the sales of the SRFPs and producers to develop appropriate policy design.
Social services provision and stakeholder engagement in the Nigerian informal sector: A systemic concept for transformation and business sustainability
Authors: Ufua Daniel E. , Olujobi Olusola J. , Tahir Hammad , Okafor Victoria , Imhonopi David , Osabuohien Evans
Published: May 2022

The informal business sector has made enormous contributions to Nigeria's economic growth and development, but this sector is not given the necessary attention to transforming these businesses toward sustainability. This study explores the depth of informal business sector practices in Nigeria. It underscores the inputs of stakeholders in the transformation of businesses in the Nigerian informal sector to increase tax remittances and employment generation for job security in the Nigerian economy. Also, it underpins value chain performances to transform the informal sector and rescue it from liquidation through voluntary company arrangements, administration, merger, takeover, and acquisition schemes. The study adopts a conceptual review. The research relies on extant literature relating to the antecedence of informal business sector activities in Nigeria. It relies on reports from tertiary data sources such as academic articles, books, newspapers, the Internet, and website sources. It further explores the views of researchers, covering the informal sector development and the support of the provisions of the social services in Nigeria. There is the absence of a model for the transformation and sustainability of the informal sector enterprises in Nigeria. This study recommends a model approach to address informal sector enterprises' issues and challenges necessary to transform the businesses into a formal status while supporting their sustainability and resilience.
Predictive value of new onset versus primary meconium‐stained amniotic fluid
Authors: Shai Daniel , Mazaki‐Tovi Shali , Hendler Israel , Meyer Raanan , Cahan Tal , Shapira Moran , Sivan Eyal , Barzilay Eran , Haas Jigal
Published: May 2022

Background

Transition of clear amniotic fluid to meconium‐stained fluid is a relatively common occurrence during labor. However, data regarding the clinical significance and the prognostic value of the presence of meconium‐stained amnionic fluid (MSAF) are scarce. This study aimed to investigate delivery and neonatal outcomes according to the presence of MSAF and the timing of the meconium passage.

Methods

We used an historical cohort study at a single tertiary medical center in Israel between the years 2011 and 2018. Women were divided into two groups according to timing of meconium passage: primary MSAF (MSAF present at membrane rupture) and secondary MSAF (clear amnionic fluid that transitioned to MSAF during labor). Neonatal complication rates were compared between groups. Composite adverse neonatal outcome was defined as arterial cord blood pH <7.1, 5 min Apgar score ≤7, and/or neonatal intensive care unit admission.

Results

The study cohort included 56 863 singleton term births. Of these, 9043 (15.9%) were to women who had primary MSAF, and 1484 (2.6%) to those with secondary MSAF. Secondary MSAF compared with primary MSAF increased the risks of cesarean birth and operative vaginal delivery, increased the risks of low one‐ and five‐minute Apgar scores and low arterial cord blood pH, and increased hospital stay duration. Multivariate analysis revealed that secondary MSAF was independently associated with an increased risk of composite adverse neonatal outcome (OR1.68, 95% CI 1.25–2.24, p < 0.001) compared with primary MSAF.

Conclusions

In this sample, secondary MSAF was associated with more adverse neonatal outcomes than primary MSAF. Closer monitoring of fetal well‐being may be prudent in these cases.
Children gradually construct spatial representations of temporal events
Authors: Tillman Katharine A. , Fukuda Eren , Barner David
Published: May 2022

English‐speaking adults often recruit a “mental timeline” to represent events from left‐to‐right (LR), but its developmental origins are debated. Here, we test whether preschoolers prefer ordered linear representations of events and whether they prefer culturally conventional directions. English‐speaking adults (n = 85) and 3‐ to 5‐year‐olds (n = 513; 50% female; ~47% white, ~35% Latinx, ~18% other; tested 2016–2018) were told three‐step stories and asked to choose which of two image sequences best illustrated them. We found that 3‐ and 4‐year‐olds chose ordered over unordered sequences, but preferences between directions did not emerge until at least age 5. Together, these results show that children conceptualize time linearly early in development but gradually acquire directional preferences (e.g., for LR).
Emotions in the mediated civic context of the family: Understanding children's and parents' mutually constitutive mediation environment
Authors: Seddighi Gilda , Chimirri Niklas Alexander , Brites Maria José
Published: May 2022

This article proposes that more attention should be paid to how mediated civic engagements are shaped in a family context. Through an interpretive literature review of research that studies the family's role in mediating civic engagement, we identify several problematic conceptual understandings that create rigid distinctions between the family sphere and its members' civic engagement, as well as between their analogue and digital engagements. The article introduces a conceptual framework that has implications for further research on mediated civic engagement by taking into consideration parents', children and youth's emotions and affective relations as relevant for engaging in the civic realm.
Genomic erosion in a demographically recovered bird species during conservation rescue
Authors: Jackson Hazel A. , Percival‐Alwyn Lawrence , Ryan Camilla , Albeshr Mohammed F. , Venturi Luca , Morales Hernán E. , Mathers Thomas C. , Cocker Jonathan , Speak Samuel A. , Accinelli Gonzalo G. , Barker Tom , Heavens Darren , Willman Faye , Dawson Deborah , Ward Lauren , Tatayah Vikash , Zuël Nicholas , Young Richard , Concannon Lianne , Whitford Harriet , Clavijo Bernardo , Bunbury Nancy , Tyler Kevin M. , Ruhomaun Kevin , Grace Molly K. , Bruford Michael W. , Jones Carl G. , Tollington Simon , Bell Diana J. , Groombridge Jim J. , Clark Matt , Van Oosterhout Cock
Published: May 2022

The pink pigeon (Nesoenas mayeri) is an endemic species of Mauritius that has made a remarkable recovery after a severe population bottleneck in the 1970s to early 1990s. Prior to this bottleneck, an ex situ population was established from which captive‐bred individuals were released into free‐living subpopulations to increase population size and genetic variation. This conservation rescue led to rapid population recovery to 400–480 individuals, and the species was twice downlisted on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. We analyzed the impacts of the bottleneck and genetic rescue on neutral genetic variation during and after population recovery (1993–2008) with restriction site‐associated sequencing, microsatellite analyses, and quantitative genetic analysis of studbook data of 1112 birds from zoos in Europe and the United States. We used computer simulations to study the predicted changes in genetic variation and population viability from the past into the future. Genetic variation declined rapidly, despite the population rebound, and the effective population size was approximately an order of magnitude smaller than census size. The species carried a high genetic load of circa 15 lethal equivalents for longevity. Our computer simulations predicted continued inbreeding will likely result in increased expression of deleterious mutations (i.e., a high realized load) and severe inbreeding depression. Without continued conservation actions, it is likely that the pink pigeon will go extinct in the wild within 100 years. Conservation rescue of the pink pigeon has been instrumental in the recovery of the free‐living population. However, further genetic rescue with captive‐bred birds from zoos is required to recover lost variation, reduce expression of harmful deleterious variation, and prevent extinction. The use of genomics and modeling data can inform IUCN assessments of the viability and extinction risk of species, and it helps in assessments of the conservation dependency of populations.
Consensus and controversy in the discipline of invasion science
Authors: Shackleton Ross T. , Vimercati Giovanni , Probert Anna F. , Bacher Sven , Kull Christian A. , Novoa Ana
Published: May 2022

Approaches, values, and perceptions in invasion science are highly dynamic, and like in other disciplines, views among different people can diverge. This has led to debate in the field specifically surrounding the core themes of values, management, impacts, and terminology. Considering these debates, we surveyed 698 scientists and practitioners globally to assess levels of polarization (opposing views) on core and contentious topics. The survey was distributed online (via Google Forms) and promoted through listservs and social media. Although there were generally high levels of consensus among respondents, there was some polarization (scores of ≥0.39 [top quartile]). Relating to values, there was high polarization regarding claims of invasive species denialism, whether invasive species contribute to biodiversity, and how biodiversity reporting should be conducted. With regard to management, there were polarized views on banning the commercial use of beneficial invasive species, the extent to which stakeholders’ perceptions should influence management, whether invasive species use alone is an appropriate control strategy, and whether eradication of invasive plants is possible. For impacts, there was high polarization concerning whether invasive species drive or are a side effect of degradation and whether invasive species benefits are understated. For terminology, polarized views related to defining invasive species based only on spread, whether species can be labeled as invasive in their native ranges, and whether language used is too xenophobic. Factor and regression analysis revealed that views were particularly divergent between people working on different invasive taxa (plants and mammals) and in different disciplines (between biologists and social scientists), between academics and practitioners, and between world regions (between Africa and the Global North). Unlike in other studies, age and gender had a limited influence on response patterns. Better integration globally and between disciplines, taxa, and sectors (e.g., academic vs. practitioners) could help build broader understanding and consensus.
Novel chytrid pathogen variants and the global amphibian pet trade
Authors: Fu Minjie , Waldman Bruce
Published: May 2022

Global wildlife trade spreads emerging infectious diseases that threaten biodiversity. The amphibian chytrid pathogenBatrachochytrium dendrobatidis(Bd) has caused population declines and species extinctions worldwide except in Asia. Fire‐bellied toads (Bombina orientalis), exported in large numbers from Asia, are tolerant of Bd and carry hypervirulent ancestral chytrid BdAsia‐1 variants. We assayed the virulence of a new isolate of BdAsia‐1 on the model Australasian frog hostLitoria caerulea. Infected individuals (n= 15) all showed rapid disease progression culminating in death, whereas sham‐inoculated individuals (n= 10) presented no clinical signs of disease and all survived (log rank test, χ2= 15.6, df = 1,p< 0.0001). The virulence of the new isolate of BdAsia‐1 is comparable to the one we assayed previously (χ2= 0.0, df = 1,p= 0.91). Internationally traded wildlife, even when they appear healthy, can carry hypervirulent variants of pathogens. Once new pathogen variants escape into the environment, native species that have had no opportunity to evolve resistance to them may perish. Our study suggests that hypervirulent pathogens are being spread by the international pet trade. Notifiable wildlife diseases attributable to locally endemic pathogens often fail to generate conservation concern so are rarely subject to border surveillance or import controls. Because of the danger novel variants pose, national border control agencies need to implement disease screening and quarantine protocols to ensure the safety of their endemic fauna.
Freshwater macroinvertebrate traits assessment as complementary to taxonomic information for mining impact detection in the northern Peruvian Andes
Authors: Mercado‐Garcia Daniel , Beeckman Eveline , Van Butsel Jana , Deza Arroyo Nilton , Sanchez Peña Marco , Forio Marie Anne Eurie , De Schamphelaere Karel A. C. , Wyseure Guido , Goethals Peter
Published: May 2022

Aim

We studied the distribution of freshwater macroinvertebrate taxa and traits to distinguish ecological gradients among the mining‐controlled and natural headwaters, and rural and urban economic activity influences.

Location

In 2016’s dry season, macroinvertebrate samples were collected at 40 locations in the Mashcon watershed, northern Peruvian Andes. Six locations were in the headwaters directly influenced by mining, eight near‐pristine tributary headwaters, 14 agricultural locations at midstream and 12 urban locations downstream.

Methods

Eight traits (five biological and three ecological) were selected according to data availability, and modalities scores were assigned using the weighted and the dominant‐trait approaches. The traits relative abundances and abiotic conditions were compared among watershed sections. The ecological interpretability of the ungrouped data was verified with a distance‐based redundancy analysis.

Results

The high‐altitude mining section had fewer taxa types and abundance, and distinct body forms distributions and prevalent body sizes in macroinvertebrate communities, relatable to the control of the mining headwaters. Physiological and ecological traits (respiration, mobility and attachment, food sources, feeding habits, saprobity and pH preferenda) differed among traits quantification approaches and were less informative at high altitudes. The ecological conditions from the near‐pristine tributaries recovered in the vegetated midstream section, to again be affected in the downstream urban section.

Main Conclusions

Our results suggest the presence of ecological impairment despite the excellent physicochemical quality of the water discharged by the mine. The obtainment of autecological information at a higher taxonomic resolution, e.g. for ubiquitous taxa like Acari and Chironomidae, would be needed to advance the freshwater quality assessment of ecologically and hydrogeochemically complex Andean mining ecosystems.
The unique relevance of executive functions and self‐regulation behaviors for understanding early childhood experiences and preschoolers’ outcomes in rural Pakistan
Authors: Obradović Jelena , Finch Jenna E. , Connolly Catie , Siyal Saima , Yousafzai Aisha K.
Published: May 2022

Performance‐based measures of children's executive functions (EFs) do not capture children's application of these skills during everyday emotionally‐laden and socially‐mediated interactions. The current study demonstrates the value of using assessor report of self‐regulation behaviors (inhibitory control and positive affect/engagement) in addition to EF tasks when studying early childhood experiences and development in a rural lower‐middle‐income country setting. In a sample of 1302 disadvantaged 4‐year‐olds living in rural Pakistan, we found that directly assessed EFs were significantly related to assessor observations of children's inhibitory control and positive affect/engagement during a structured assessment protocol. However, EFs and two types of self‐regulation behaviors demonstrated unique associations with children's (1) contextual experiences, as indexed by family socio‐economic resources, participation in parenting interventions, and children's physical growth; and (2) age‐salient developmental outcomes, as indexed by direct assessment of pre‐academic skills and maternal report of prosocial behaviors and behavior problems. First, family wealth uniquely predicted only observed positive affect/engagement, whereas maternal education uniquely predicted only EFs. Second, children's antecedent linear growth was a significant predictor of both EFs and positive affect/engagement, but exposure to an enhanced nutrition intervention during the first 2 years of life and preschoolers’ hair cortisol concentration were associated only with observed self‐regulation behaviors. Finally, both EFs and observed positive affect/engagement uniquely predicted children's pre‐academic skills. In contrast, only assessors’ ratings of positive affect/engagement uniquely predicted maternal report of prosocial behaviors and only assessors’ ratings of inhibitory control uniquely predicted maternal report of behavioral problems.
Do Households Use Food Budget Stretching to Alleviate Food Insecurity?
Authors: Chang Yunhee , Chatterjee Swarn , Kim Jinhee
Published: May 2022

This study assesses whether households buy foods of low nutritional value and use coupons and store savings as effective budget‐stretching measures to alleviate food insecurity. Interview and food‐acquisition data for a sample of 4,235 households from the National Food Acquisition and Purchase Survey and mediation regression models were used. The study found little evidence of compromised nutritional quality as a budget‐stretching practice. Stretching budget through coupons and store savings negatively predicted food insecurity, but it was not associated with income, suggesting that the poorest households might not consider coupons and store savings a viable option to maintain food access.
Global methane and nitrous oxide emissions from inland waters and estuaries
Authors: Zheng Yajing , Wu Shuang , Xiao Shuqi , Yu Kai , Fang Xiantao , Xia Longlong , Wang Jinyang , Liu Shuwei , Freeman Chris , Zou Jianwen
Published: May 2022

Inland waters (rivers, reservoirs, lakes, ponds, streams) and estuaries are significant emitters of methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) to the atmosphere, while global estimates of these emissions have been hampered due to the lack of a worldwide comprehensive data set of CH4 and N2O flux components. Here, we synthesize 2997 in‐situ flux or concentration measurements of CH4 and N2O from 277 peer‐reviewed publications to estimate global CH4 and N2O emissions from inland waters and estuaries. Inland waters including rivers, reservoirs, lakes, and streams together release 95.18 Tg CH4 year−1 (ebullition plus diffusion) and 1.48 Tg N2O year−1 (diffusion) to the atmosphere, yielding an overall CO2‐equivalent emission total of 3.06 Pg CO2 year−1. The estimate of CH4 and N2O emissions represents roughly 60% of CO2 emissions (5.13 Pg CO2 year−1) from these four inland aquatic systems, among which lakes act as the largest emitter for both CH4 and N2O. Ebullition showed as a dominant flux component of CH4, contributing up to 62%–84% of total CH4 fluxes across all inland waters. Chamber‐derived CH4 emission rates are significantly greater than those determined by diffusion model‐based methods for commonly capturing of both diffusive and ebullitive fluxes. Water dissolved oxygen (DO) showed as a dominant factor among all variables to influence both CH4 (diffusive and ebullitive) and N2O fluxes from inland waters. Our study reveals a major oversight in regional and global CH4 budgets from inland waters, caused by neglecting the dominant role of ebullition pathways in those emissions. The estimated indirect N2O EF5 values suggest that a downward refinement is required in current IPCC default EF5 values for inland waters and estuaries. Our findings further indicate that a comprehensive understanding of the magnitude and patterns of CH4 and N2O emissions from inland waters and estuaries is essential in defining the way of how these aquatic systems will shape our climate.
What does an audit really cost? An exploratory study of auditor pricing of initial engagements in a fixed cost model
Authors: Novak Christie , Knechel W. Robert
Published: May 2022

Despite decades of research on audit fees, we know very little about the cost to produce an audit. In this paper, we discuss the nature of fixed and variable costs in the audit process. We then use this cost perspective to examine the debate about the pricing of initial audit engagements, an event where marginal costs and marginal revenues are likely to diverge. This is often referred to as ‘lowballing’ which, technically, means delivering a service below cost. However, a fee discount does not necessarily indicate that revenue is below cost for an engagement. Using a sample of engagements from regional audit firms, we analyse audit fees, actual costs, and contribution margins. We find that actual contribution margins are generally positive in new engagements, suggesting that fee discounts do not result in lowballing. We attribute this to a firm pricing audits conditional on an understanding of their fixed cost structure.
Impact of diversity training on employees and consumers: A review and research agenda
Authors: Thakur Prachi , Dhar Rajib Lochan
Published: May 2022

Diversity training (DT) is the most popular and effective tool for inclusion in the workplace, as evident from the growing research and investment interest. However, existing reviews have several limitations, including the absence of discussion on how and why DT can significantly impact consumer experiences. The current study utilizes a hybrid review combining systematic literature analysis with a theory‐context‐methodology framework to highlight future research directions. Two hundred fifty‐nine articles were screened using the SPAR‐4‐SLR protocol to select 48 articles which were then analysed to delineate the impact of DT on the employees and its impact on the consumer experience. The research findings demonstrate an overall positive impact of the training on employee‐related factors and underscore gaps in methodology, theory engagement and contextualization. Future research directions, including suggestions and propositions for developing DT for enhancing consumer experiences, are delineated.
Plerixafor use in New Zealand 2016–2019: an observational study
Authors: Swinn Timothy , Butler Andrew
Published: May 2022

Background

Plerixafor is used to mobilise CD34‐positive stem cells for autologous transplantation to treat haematological malignancy. Funded in New Zealand since 2016, plerixafor can be used ‘pre‐emptively’ to salvage a failing first attempt or as a ‘rescue’ strategy involving re‐mobilising after 4 weeks. The rate of failed mobilisation and plerixafor uptake in New Zealand is not known, while international practice varies widely.

Aims

To establish success rates for conditioning regimes used in New Zealand.

Methods

We reviewed 203 consecutive patients with myeloma (n = 122) or lymphoma (n = 81) undergoing stem cell mobilisation between 1 January 2016 and 5 August 2019 at Christchurch hospital. We recorded demographics, conditioning regimens, harvest outcome and apheresis duration. Successful harvest was defined as collection of >2 × 106 CD34+ cells/kg.

Results

Seventeen percent of patients received plerixafor. Harvest success rates for lymphoma and myeloma respectively were 77% and 86% with standard conditioning, 95% and 100% with ‘pre‐emptive’ plerixafor and 71% and 89% with ‘rescue’ plerixafor. ‘Pre‐emptive’ plerixafor was non‐inferior to standard conditioning. Following local guidelines resulted in at least one successful harvest for 96% lymphoma and 99% myeloma patients.

Conclusion

Plerixafor strategies in New Zealand allow successful stem cell mobilisation for ≥96% of patients. Further research is required to investigate whether increased use would be cost‐effective through reduced chemotherapy and apheresis duration, and improved graft quality.