bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fresh food online shopping repurchase intention: the role of post-purchase customer experience and corporate image
Authors: Ma Kara Xiaohui , Mather Damien William , Ott Dana L. , Fang Eddy , Bremer Phil , Mirosa Miranda
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate consumers' post–purchase experience when buying fresh food online. It examines the key dimensions of post–purchase online customer experience (post–purchase OCE) that impact customer satisfaction and repurchase intention. It also explores the role of corporate image as a moderator.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey was conducted in China to capture participants' post–purchase OCE, satisfaction, repurchase intention and perceived corporate image. Partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was utilized to analyse data collected from 317 Chinese fresh food online shoppers. Moderated mediation analysis was conducted to analyse the moderating effect of corporate image.

Findings

Four post–purchase OCE dimensions “product-in-hand”, “customer support”, “benefits” and “packaging” significantly drive customers' repurchase intention by enhancing customer satisfaction. “Delivery” is not influential. Additionally, for firms with a good corporate image, customer repurchase intention is more easily affected by post–purchase OCE than firms with a lower level of corporate image.

Practical implications

The findings inform fresh food e-commerce firms of the critical post–purchase OCE dimensions that mostly drive customer satisfaction and help retain customers. Furthermore, it implies that firms with a good corporate image must provide high-quality post–purchase OCE that matches the image because the consequences associated with a poor post–purchase OCE can be severe.

Originality/value

This research is among the first to investigate fresh food post–purchase OCE. It also introduces the previously underexplored moderating role of corporate image.
Doping as a barrier in universal acceptance of esports
Authors: Gupta Dishant , Sharma Harsh , Gupta Manali
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Esports has been emerging as a multi-billion dollar industry by attracting players, viewers, advertisers and investors across the globe. Even though there are plenty of professional titles present, only a few have been considered mainstream due to lack of formal governance mechanisms, presence of corruption and cheating mechanisms. “Doping” is one such practice where the players try to gain unfair advantage over their competitors, causing major hindrance in esports development. This qualitative study would draw insights from their perceptions about different doping mechanisms and possible recommendations to curb them.

Design/methodology/approach

This study has analyzed the semi-structured interviews of selected esports professionals to draw insights from their perceptions about different doping mechanisms and possible recommendations to curb them. This qualitative study would explore the content of their interviews for extracting relevant themes and subthemes.

Findings

The findings of this study have made significant contributions to deeply lacking literature about the esports industry and barriers it faces in order to be considered as a legitimate sport. The study has extracted contemporary and new emerging themes about the rising trends in the industry and their impact on society and the way we see sports as a whole. Moreover, this study dwells upon the rampant drug abuse persisting in this industry and how it offers itself as a barrier to the legitimization of esports as a viable global industry.

Originality/value

This study provides an on-ground reality reports on esports and various malpractices rampant in the industry by conducting interviews with various industry professionals and analyzing them through a thematic analysis method using an inductive approach.
Netizens' behavior towards a blockchain-based esports framework: a TPB and machine learning integrated approach
Authors: Yadav Jitendra , Misra Madhvendra , Rana Nripendra P. , Singh Kuldeep , Goundar Sam
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Based on the concepts confined in Ajzen's theory of planned behavior (TPB), this study investigates users' attitudes towards adoption of a blockchain-based framework in the esports industry that proposes a scheme of rewarding stakeholders for their invested attention along with blockchain technology's inherent protocols.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study uses RStudio (Version 1.3.1093) package RedditExtractoR for scraping and analysis of the discussion referring to the keyword “Verasity” on the Reddit website. The final corpus of 1,913 user comments was considered for the study. Sentiment analysis was initially conducted to explore the semantic orientation of the users concerning Verasity. This was followed by generalized equation modeling to analyze the impact of social media attributed to the users' commenting behavior.

Findings

The study found that Redditors, in general, have a positive attitude towards the adoption of a blockchain-based esports platform. This was validated through the empirical findings. The regression model states that there is a significant positive impact of the positivity in the comments over the Redditors' attitude and in their commenting behavior.

Originality/value

This study offers a new understanding of key contributing attributes of sentiment formation over social media concerning a blockchain-based esports framework. The study also establishes an empirical relationship between the social media attributes and the commenting behavior of Redditors. Finally, the current study offers valuable insights into social media engagements and the selection of highly influential Redditors for practicing marketing managers.
How relative performance information affects employee behavior: a systematic review of empirical research
Authors: Schnieder Christian
Published: December 2021

Purpose

This paper provides an overview of the empirical findings on how relative performance information (RPI) affects employee behavior. Additionally, the review identifies future research opportunities based on a systematic analysis of the literature that incorporates findings across several disciplines and provides replicable, extensive coverage.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper addresses a research gap via synthesis, drawing on the empirical literature identified and analyzed systematically. A conceptual framework is developed to integrate the studies.

Findings

The effect of RPI on performance through enhanced effort is positive; moreover, publicity and performance-dependent compensation strengthen the effect. However, RPI has also been found to increase sabotage among employees, and it can lead to less honest reporting. Future research could examine critical mediators and moderators of the RPI-performance relationship and thus complement the findings. Additionally, the effects of group-based RPI remain underrepresented. Future work could help to assess in greater detail how RPI interacts with culture and norms and whether RPI is due to personal expectations. There is also room for further research regarding the effects of RPI on cooperation, its consequences for learning, how it affects budgeting decisions and its implications for risk taking.

Originality/value

This paper presents the first literature review in the field of RPI. It provides synthesized knowledge about whether RPI is beneficial or detrimental to organizational performance.
Tents: a paradigm of lightness and sustainability in vernacular architecture and in Frei Otto's work
Authors: Songel Juan María
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to explore the relationship between vernacular architecture and Frei Otto's work, searching for shared principles and specific singularities, and testing whether lightness and sustainability can be identified as a common goal.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is focused on tents and yurts, as archetypal examples of traditional architecture, and membrane structures and gridshells, as two types of light structures developed by Frei Otto. A comparative analysis of their behavior, form, elements, types, materials and strength has been carried out.

Findings

The survey carried out shows that Frei Otto's innovative tents and gridshells were not based on form imitation of vernacular architecture, but rather on a thorough understanding of physical form-generating processes, driving specific materials to optimal form, like his experiments with soap film models to generate tensioned minimal surfaces or his experiments with hanging chain net models to generate compressive antifunicular lattice shells.

Originality/value

This paper highlights how Frei Otto's endeavor to get the maximum with the minimum, to achieve a lot from a little, is also a key target of lightness and sustainability, and an essential feature of vernacular architecture.
Information Literacy Skills among Library and Information Science Professionals: a forecaster of Research Support Services
Authors: Ali Sakhawat , Ahmed Shamshad
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The present research aims to gauge the Information Literacy Skills (ILSs) of the University Library and Information Science Professionals (LISPs) of Pakistan and consider it as a forecaster of improved Research Support Services (RSSs).

Design/methodology/approach

The purposive sampling method through a questionnaire was applied and administered (online and offline) to assemble data from LISPs of 219 universities of Pakistan. The questionnaire covered the eight factors of ILSs and four of RSSs.

Findings

The regression model illustrates that the predicted variation of ILSs in RSSs is statistically significant. The coefficient of determination (R2) indicates that ILSs predict 70% variance in RSSs. Furthermore, the beta coefficient demonstrates that the input value of “managing findings” toward improved RSSs is moderately high as compared to other factors of ILSs. Therefore, the study concludes that ILSs of LISPs are a prerequisite for their professional growth to improve their RSSs.

Originality/value

The research has discovered the whole levels of ILSs and RSSs of the university LISPs of Pakistan. The study recommends raising the ILSs of LISPs to provide more efficient RSSs.
Assessing the impact of market logic and long-term strategic plans of top management in share buyback decisions
Authors: Demirag Istemi , Kungwal Thanamas , Bakkar Yassine
Published: December 2021

Purpose

This paper investigates stakeholders' perspectives of share buybacks in the context of time-horizons of investment decisions and strategy.

Design/methodology/approach

We use in-depth interviews with stakeholders from eight listed UK firms as well as examine their publicly available data.

Findings

Findings suggest that share buybacks involve a wide range of stakeholders' rational interests and long-term management perspectives as they enable firms to strategise operational plans towards their long-term corporate goals.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are based on interviews with a small number of share buyback firms and the findings, therefore, may not be generalised to all firms.

Practical implications

The results show that share buybacks may be part of the long-term interests of firms and not necessarily used as part of short-term EPS increases as suggested in the extant literature.

Originality/value

The findings contribute to the literature on corporate pay-out policies in the context of short-term financial objectives vs long-term strategic objectives of stakeholders. They show that share buybacks can be an important part of firms' long-term strategic considerations.
Social media marketing, shoppers' store love and loyalty
Authors: Ahmed Riaz Uddin
Published: December 2021

Purpose

This study investigates the impact of social media marketing activities (SMMA) on shoppers' store love and the impact of store love on store loyalty in grocery retail. Moreover, it explores the mediating and moderating role of store love and social media usage intensity (SMUI).

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was conducted among grocery shoppers and social media users in Norway. A total of 177 valid responses were collected and analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).

Findings

The study discovered that SMMA impacts store love, and store love affects store loyalty. Store love serves as a mediator between SMMA and store loyalty. SMUI positively moderates the relationship between SMMA and store love; however, the relationship between store love and store loyalty is not moderated by SMUI.

Research limitations/implications

Despite having limited generalizability from a cross-sectional study, this study provides literary additions to the body of knowledge in grocery retail and enhances the cognitive appraisal theory (CAT) and the attachment theory (AT).

Practical implications

The findings of this study will help grocery shoppers, store managers and grocery chain marketers to comprehend the role of SMMA in building emotional attachment with a grocery store and help make better decisions.

Originality/value

For the first time, this study incorporated SMUI as a moderator in the relationship between SMMA, store love and store loyalty in grocery retail. The study also proposes a new explanation for the relationship between SMMA and store loyalty by highlighting the mediating role of store love.
Skin manifestation as an explaining factor of heterogeneity in Behçet's disease: A focused analysis in full‐blown conditions
Authors: Chung Kyung Bae , Choi Sooyie , Bang Dongsik , Kim Do‐Young
Published: December 2021

Behçet's disease (BD), a chronic multi‐systemic disorder, presents diverse clinical manifestations depending on patient ethnicity and geographic region. Use of varying diagnostic criteria augments clinical heterogeneity. We aimed to characterize heterogenous manifestations in patients with full‐blown BD fulfilling the major diagnostic criteria in use. We retrospectively analyzed 338 patients diagnosed with complete BD based on Japanese diagnostic criteria, which fulfill both International Study Group (ISG) criteria and the International Criteria for BD (ICBD). Unbiased clustering analysis was performed to elucidate the heterogeneous spectrum, followed by subgroup analysis of identified clusters. Results of unbiased clustering analysis identify dominant skin lesion type as an important factor that determines clustering among the heterogenous BD patients. Regression analysis reveals that presence of predominantly papulopustular lesions has protective effect for vascular involvement compared to other skin phenotypes. In conclusion, unbiased clustering analysis highlights that dermatologic manifestation can be a factor to understand the heterogeneity of BD and determining the dominant type of skin lesions may help clinicians predict major vascular involvement.
Risk of incident cataract in patients with psoriasis: A population‐based cohort study
Authors: Cheng Chun‐Yu
Published: December 2021

Patients with psoriasis are predisposed to ocular complications. However, there is a paucity of data addressing the association between psoriasis and subsequent cataract development. The present study was conducted to evaluate whether there is an increased risk of cataract among patients with psoriasis. The study subjects of this cohort study were selected based on Chang Gung Research Database from 1 January 2003 to 31 December 2012. Follow‐up ended 31 December 2017. Patients aged 20 years and older with psoriasis were enrolled. The participants of the control group were selected by matching with sex, age, and index date at a 4:1 ratio. Patients previously diagnosed with cataract were excluded. The hazard ratios associated with psoriasis were estimated using Cox regression analysis with competitive risk model. We also evaluated the relationship between the risk of cataract and systemic therapies as well as phototherapy and topical corticosteroid in patients with psoriasis. A total of 6823 patients with psoriasis and 27 292 matched controls were enrolled in the study. The psoriasis group had higher incidence rates than the control group for cataract (44.08 vs 19.45 per 10 000 person‐years; adjusted hazard ratio, 1.778 [95% confidence interval, 1.530–2.066; p < 0.001]). Psoriatic patients receiving phototherapy for more than 200 sessions had a higher risk of cataract (adjusted hazard ratio, 2.933; 95% confidence interval, 1.192–7.218; p = 0.019), especially those receiving narrowband ultraviolet B therapy. The present study demonstrated a positive association between psoriasis and cataract. Physicians should be alert to visual function in patients with psoriasis, especially those receiving long‐term phototherapy.
Economic and not ecological variables shape the sparing–sharing trade‐off in a mixed cropping landscape
Authors: Segre Hila , Carmel Yohay , Shwartz Assaf
Published: December 2021

The framework of land sparing versus land sharing provides a useful analytical tool to address the crop‐production/biodiversity trade‐off. Despite multiple case studies testing the sparing–sharing trade‐off, this framework still lacks the ability to identify the conditions in which sparing, or sharing, would be the preferred strategy for pareto‐optimizing both food production and biodiversity. Under some conditions, ecosystem services may create a positive feedback between biodiversity and crop production, affecting the optimization.

This study aims to identify the conditions and the relevant variables that determine the preferred land use strategy in terms of maximizing both biodiversity and food production, while accounting for positive feedback of ecosystem services in this analysis. We used a simulation model with data from a mixed cropping landscape (100 km2) covering seven crop types, five taxonomic groups, three biodiversity metrics and 23 bioindicators to explore the variables shaping the biodiversity–production trade‐off and ecosystem services underlying it. We explored a continuum of sparing large semi‐natural patches to sharing by maintaining uncultivated field margins of varying size.

Land sparing outperformed land sharing in 62% of the scenarios and it was economically more predictable. The optimization was shaped by costs, associated with crop type, rather than by landscape composition and configuration, biodiversity metric, taxonomic group or bioindicator.

Landscape configuration and taxonomic group results corroborate the notion that land sharing benefits mainly small organisms, and that the common width of field margins in many agri‐environmental policies (10 m) is not cost‐effective compared to land sparing.

Land sharing was the optimal strategy whenever it resulted in minimal costs, despite contributing little to biodiversity. Yet, when field margins were >20 m wide (small‐scale sparing), land sharing maintained higher biodiversity and was at least as cost‐effective as sparing.

Synthesis and applications. Our model highlights the importance of socio‐economic variables compared to ecological variables in selecting land‐management strategy to pareto‐optimize both food production and biodiversity. Considering opportunity costs alongside economic benefits from ecosystem services in various cropping systems may therefore improve the cost‐effectiveness of biodiversity conservation policies in agricultural landscapes.
Widespread contamination of SARS‐CoV‐2 on highly touched surfaces in Brazil during the second wave of the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: da Silva Severino Jefferson Ribeiro , do Nascimento Jessica Catarine Frutuoso , dos Santos Reis Wendell Palôma Maria , da Silva Caroline Targino Alves , da Silva Poliana Gomes , Mendes Renata Pessôa Germano , Mendonça Allyson Andrade , Santos Bárbara Nazly Rodrigues , de Magalhães Jurandy Júnior Ferraz , Kohl Alain , Pena Lindomar
Published: December 2021

Although SARS‐CoV‐2 surface contamination has been investigated in health care settings, little is known about the SARS‐CoV‐2 surface contamination in public urban areas, particularly in tropical countries. Here, we investigated the presence of SARS‐CoV‐2 on high‐touch surfaces in a large city in Brazil, one of the most affected countries by the COVID‐19 pandemic in the world. A total of 400 surface samples were collected in February 2021 in the City of Recife, Northeastern Brazil. A total of 97 samples (24.2%) tested positive for SARS‐CoV‐2 by RT‐qPCR using the CDC‐USA protocol. All the collection sites, except one (18/19, 94.7%) had at least one environmental surface sample contaminated. SARS‐CoV‐2 positivity was higher in public transport terminals (47/84, 55.9%), followed by health care units (26/84, 30.9%), beach areas (4/21, 19.0%), public parks (14/105, 13.3%), supply centre (2/21, 9.5%), and public markets (4/85, 4.7%). Toilets, ATMs, handrails, playgrounds and outdoor gyms were identified as fomites with the highest rates of SARS‐CoV‐2 detection. Taken together, our data provide a real‐world picture of SARS‐CoV‐2 dispersion in highly populated tropical areas and identify critical control points that need to be targeted to break SARS‐CoV‐2 transmission chains.
Mutation of a prenyltransferase results in accumulation of subglutinols and destruxins and enhanced virulence in the insect pathogen, Metarhizium anisopliae
Authors: Li Chengzhou , Huang Wenyou , Zhou Tingting , Zhao Qian , Huang Peiquan , Qi Ping , Huang Song , Huang Shuaishuai , Keyhani Nemat O. , Huang Zhen
Published: December 2021

The insect pathogenic fungus, Metarhizium anisopliae is a commercialized microbial agent used in biological control efforts targeting a diverse range of agricultural and other insect pests. The second step in the synthesis of a group of M. anisopliae α‐pyrone diterpenoids (termed subglutinols) involves the activity of a prenyltransferase family geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase (product of the subD/MaGGPPS5 gene). Here, we show that targeted gene disruption of MaGGPPS5 results in earlier conidial germination and faster greater vegetative growth compared to the wild type (WT) parent and complemented strains. In addition, insect bioassays revealed that the ΔMaGGPPS5 mutant strain displayed significantly increased virulence, with a ~50% decrease in the mean lethal time (LT50, from 6 to 3 days) to kill (50% of) target insects, and an ~15–40‐fold decrease in the mean lethal dose (LC50). Metabolite profiling indicated increased accumulation in the ΔMaGGPPS5 mutant of select subglutinols (A, B and C) and destruxins (A, A2, B and B2), the latter a set of fungal secondary metabolites that act as insect toxins, with a concomitant loss of production of subglutinol ‘analogue 45’. These data suggest that the increased virulence phenotype seen for the ΔMaGGPPS5 strain can, at least in part, be attributed to a combination of faster growth and increased insect toxin production, linking the production of two different secondary metabolite pathways, and represent a novel approach for the screening of isolates with enhanced virulence via modulation of terpenoid secondary metabolite biosynthesis.
Ruminant‐associated Listeria monocytogenes isolates belong preferentially to dairy‐associated hypervirulent clones: a longitudinal study in 19 farms
Authors: Palacios‐Gorba Carla , Moura Alexandra , Gomis Jesús , Leclercq Alexandre , Gómez‐Martín Ángel , Bracq‐Dieye Hélène , Mocé María L. , Tessaud‐Rita Nathalie , Jiménez‐Trigos Estrella , Vales Guillaume , García‐Muñoz Ángel , Thouvenot Pierre , García‐Roselló Empar , Lecuit Marc , Quereda Juan J.
Published: December 2021

Studies have shown that ruminants constitute reservoirs of Listeria monocytogenes, but little is known about the epidemiology and genetic diversity of this pathogen within farms. Here we conducted a large‐scale longitudinal study to monitor Listeria spp. in 19 dairy farms during three consecutive seasons (N = 3251 samples). L. innocua was the most prevalent species, followed by L. monocytogenes. Listeria monocytogenes was detected in 52.6% of farms and more frequently in cattle (4.1%) and sheep (4.5%) than in goat farms (0.2%). Lineage I accounted for 69% of L. monocytogenes isolates. Among animal samples, the most prevalent sublineages (SL) and clonal complexes (CC) were SL1/CC1, SL219/CC4, SL26/CC26 and SL87/CC87, whereas SL666/CC666 was most prevalent in environmental samples. Sixty‐one different L. monocytogenes cgMLST types were found, 28% common to different animals and/or surfaces within the same farm and 21% previously reported elsewhere in the context of food and human surveillance. Listeria monocytogenes prevalence was not affected by farm hygiene but by season: higher prevalence was observed during winter in cattle, and during winter and spring in sheep farms. Cows in their second lactation had a higher probability of L. monocytogenes faecal shedding. This study highlights dairy farms as a reservoir for hypervirulent L. monocytogenes.
Turning the gaze: Digital patient feedback and the silent pathology of the NHS
Authors: Montgomery Catherine M. , Powell John , Mahtani Kamal , Boylan Anne‐Marie
Published: December 2021

Online review and rating sites, where patients can leave feedback on their experience of the health‐care encounter, are becoming an increasing feature of primary care in the NHS. Previous research has analysed how digital surveillance is re‐shaping the clinical gaze, as health‐care professionals are subject to increased public monitoring. Here, we draw on an empirical study of 41 GP practice staff to show how the gaze is turning, not simply from the patient to the health‐care provider, but additionally to the body politic of the NHS. Drawing on focus group and interview data conducted in five UK practices, we show how discourses of online reviews and ratings are producing new professional subjectivities among health‐care professionals and the extent to which the gaze extends not only to individual health‐care interactions but to the health‐care service writ large. We identify three counter‐discourses characterising the evolving ways in which online reviews and ratings are creating new subjects in primary care practices: victimhood, prosumption versus traditional values and taking control. We show how the ways in which staff speak about online feedback are patterned by the social environment in which they work and the constraints of the NHS they encounter on a day‐to‐day basis.
An exploration of social skills in substantially separate settings
Authors: Cataldo Brad
Published: December 2021

This research study examined the lived experiences of high school aged students with cognitive impairments in substantially separate education settings in reference to their social skill development. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with five students aged 15–20 years placed in a special education collaborative in New England. Transcripts were analysed using the narrative inquiry method to determine themes. Three convergent themes emerged through the analysis of the interviews: the limited social networks of the individuals, the concept of the previous educational setting compared to the current educational setting and the challenges faced in developing meaningful peer relationships both in and out of the school setting. One divergent theme was found to be the participants' view of the educator's role in social skill development. The analysis of data suggests developing social skill curriculums that promote student ownership and providing additional opportunities for students to expand their social network beyond their current school setting. The findings suggest that students with cognitive impairments who are educated in substantially separate settings view their social networks as limited and defined by their educational setting. This population also experience challenges in developing and maintaining peer relationships.
Location density, systematic risk, and cap rates: Evidence from REITs
Authors: Fisher Gregg , Steiner Eva , Titman Sheridan , Viswanathan Ashvin
Published: December 2021

A property's location is often considered to be the ultimate determinant of its investment performance. But how exactly does a property's location influence its risk and return? We focus on the effects of location density on the risk and return of commercial real estate investments. We do this by studying the geographical characteristics of the property portfolios of U.S. equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs). We show that REITs with property holdings in high‐density locations experience higher rental growth and carry higher systematic risk than their otherwise comparable peers in low‐density locations. Consistent with those higher rental growth rates, high‐density REITs also have lower implied cap rates. Our results suggest that location density is an important determinant of REIT performance outcomes, implying that geographical characteristics can drive investment risk and return across commercial real estate markets.
Labile sex chromosomes in the Australian freshwater fish family Percichthyidae
Authors: Pavlova Alexandra , Harrisson Katherine A. , Turakulov Rustam , Lee Yin Peng , Ingram Brett A. , Gilligan Dean , Sunnucks Paul , Gan Han Ming
Published: December 2021

Sex‐specific ecology has management implications, but rapid sex‐chromosome turnover in fishes hinders sex‐marker development for monomorphic species. We used annotated genomes and reduced‐representation sequencing data for two Australian percichthyids, Macquarie perch Macquaria australasica and golden perch M. ambigua, and whole genome resequencing for 50 Macquarie perch of each sex, to identify sex‐linked loci and develop an affordable sexing assay. In silico pool‐seq tests of 1,492,004 Macquarie perch SNPs revealed that a 275‐kb scaffold was enriched for gametologous loci. Within this scaffold, 22 loci were sex‐linked in a predominantly XY system, with females being homozygous for the X‐linked allele at all 22, and males having the Y‐linked allele at >7. Seven XY‐gametologous loci (all males, but no females, are heterozygous or homozygous for the male‐specific allele) were within a 146‐bp region. A PCR‐RFLP sexing assay targeting one Y‐linked SNP, tested in 66 known‐sex Macquarie perch and two of each sex of three confamilial species, plus amplicon sequencing of 400 bp encompassing the 146‐bp region, revealed that the few sex‐linked positions differ between species and between Macquarie perch populations. This indicates sex‐chromosome lability in Percichthyidae, supported by nonhomologous scaffolds containing sex‐linked loci for Macquarie‐ and golden perches. The present resources facilitate genomic research in Percichthyidae, including formulation of hypotheses about candidate genes of interest such as transcription factor SOX1b that occurs in the 275‐kb scaffold ~38 kb downstream of the 146‐bp region containing seven XY‐gametologous loci. Sex‐linked markers will be useful for determining genetic sex in some populations and studying sex chromosome turnover.
Mutualistic relationship between Nitrospira and concomitant heterotrophs
Authors: Murakami Chiho , Machida Koshi , Nakao Yoichi , Kindaichi Tomonori , Ohashi Akiyoshi , Aoi Yoshiteru
Published: December 2021

Nitrifying chemoautotrophs support the growth of diverse concomitant heterotrophs in natural or engineered environments by supplying organic compounds. In this study, we aimed to investigate this microbial association, especially (i) to distinguish whether the relationship between nitrifying chemoautotrophs and heterotrophs is commensal or mutualistic, and (ii) to clarify how heterotrophs promote the growth of autotrophic nitrite‐oxidizing bacteria (Nitrospira). Pure cultured Nitrospira (Nitrospira sp. ND1) was employed in this study. Heterotrophs growing with metabolic by‐products of Nitrospira as a sole carbon source were isolated from several environmental samples and used to test the growth‐promoting activity of Nitrospira. Furthermore, liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis was conducted to evaluate how heterotrophs consumed chemical compounds produced by Nitrospira and newly produced during co‐cultivation. Notably, Nitrospira growth was stimulated by co‐cultivation with some heterotrophs and the addition of spent media of some strains, suggesting that not only heterotrophs but also Nitrospira received benefits from their mutual co‐existence. Furthermore, the data suggested that some of the growth‐promoting heterotrophs provided as‐yet‐unidentified growth‐promoting factors to Nitrospira. Overall, Nitrospira and heterotrophs thus appear to exhibit a mutualistic relationship. Such mutualistic relationships between autotrophs and heterotrophs would contribute to the stability and diversity of microbial ecosystems.
An assessment of minimum sequence copy thresholds for identifying and reducing the prevalence of artefacts in dietary metabarcoding data
Authors: Drake Lorna E. , Cuff Jordan P. , Young Rebecca E. , Marchbank Angela , Chadwick Elizabeth A. , Symondson William O. C.
Published: December 2021

Metabarcoding provides a powerful tool for investigating biodiversity and trophic interactions, but the high sensitivity of this methodology makes it vulnerable to errors, resulting in artefacts in the final data. Metabarcoding studies thus often utilise minimum sequence copy thresholds (MSCTs) to remove artefacts that remain in datasets; however, there is no consensus on best practice for the use of MSCTs.

To mitigate erroneous reporting of results and inconsistencies, this study discusses and provides guidance for best‐practice filtering of metabarcoding data for the ascertainment of conservative and accurate data. Several of the most commonly used MSCTs were applied to example datasets of Eurasian otter Lutra lutra and cereal crop spider (Araneae: Linyphiidae and Lycosidae) diets.

Changes in both the method and threshold value considerably affected the resultant data. Of the MSCTs tested, it was concluded that the optimal method for the examples given combined a sample‐based threshold with removal of maximum taxon contamination, providing stringent filtering of artefacts while retaining target data.

Choice of threshold value differed between datasets due to variation in artefact abundance and sequencing depth, thus studies should employ controls (mock communities, negative controls with no DNA and unused MID tag combinations) to select threshold values appropriate for each individual study.
Drought risk and capital structure dynamics
Authors: Nguyen Thao , Bai Min , Hou Greg , Truong Cameron
Published: December 2021

Using a fractional dependent estimator (DPF) approach and 130,511 US firm‐year observations over the period 1970–2015, this paper examines the impact of drought risk on firms’ capital structure and the adjustment speed of capital structure (SOA). We demonstrate that drought risk has negative effects on both leverage and the speed of leverage adjustment. We also find evidence of the spillover effect of drought on the adjustment speed of capital structure among firms operating in non‐water dependent industries. The effects are stronger for firms with no credit ratings. Interestingly, firms with strong cash flows can adjust their capital structure more quickly. Collectively, our findings suggest that climate risk in the form of drought not only affects firm risk but also the capital structure of firms, thereby highlighting that externality from climatic conditions are relevant to business operations and corporate polices.
Self‐rated oral and general health among Aboriginal adults in regional South Australia
Authors: Parker EJ , Mejia G , Spencer AJ , Roberts‐Thomson KF , Haag D , Jamieson LM
Published: December 2021

Background

In Australia, Aboriginal adults experience higher levels of poor oral and general health than the non‐Aboriginal population. This study compared self‐rated oral and general health among Aboriginal adults in regional South Australia with participants in the National Survey of Adult Oral Health (NSAOH).

Methods

Data were obtained from the Indigenous Oral Health Literacy Project (IOHLP) based in South Australia. Three sub‐populations from the NSAOH were utilised for comparison: National Aboriginal, National non‐Aboriginal and South Australian Regional Non‐Aboriginal adults. All data were standardised by age group and sex, utilising Census data.

Results

Just over 70% of South Australian Regional Aboriginal participants gave a rating of ‘excellent, very good or good’ for general health, more than 17% lower than each of the other groups. Just over 50% rated their oral health highly, 20% fewer than the proportion for each other group. Stratifying by key socio‐demographic factors did not account for all differences.

Conclusions

Proportionally fewer South Australian Regional Aboriginal adults had high ratings of oral and general health than the Aboriginal and non‐Aboriginal adults from the national survey, indicating that national‐level data might underestimate the proportion of regional Aboriginal Australians with poor oral health.
Artifacts with Feelings/Feeling Artifacts: Toward a Notion of Tacit Modalities to Support and Propel Anthropological Research
Authors: Rowsell Jennifer , Abrams Sandra Schamroth
Published: December 2021

In this article, we consider the notion of tacit modalities as a theory and method for researchers. Based on research studies with individuals across ages and stages of life, we interviewed people about objects that they value, and what pervades all of the stories are tacit, lived properties that objects possess. The research ostensibly sought to extend work on the notion of artifactual literacies and tacit modalities, and, in the end, what stretched the research were sensory, embodied, and non‐representational experiences expressed by collaborators in the research. This article focuses on three people’s stories about their felt experiences and sensory‐led (and laden) stories associated with objects. To analyze interview data, we apply transdisciplinary theories that offer the reader a syncretic conceptual experience of tacit modalities as a method within ethnographic work to locate sensorial, affective dimensions of objects.
An assessment of introducers used for airway management
Authors: Price L. , Carter P. , Hodzovic I. , Alderman M. , Hughes G. , Phillips P. , Varadarajan V. , Wilkes A.
Published: December 2021

Different introducers are available to assist with tracheal intubation. Subtle differences in the design of introducers can have a marked effect on safety and performance. The Difficult Airway Society’s Airway Device Evaluation Project Team proposal states that devices should only be purchased for which there is at least a case–control study on patients assessing airway devices. However, resources are not currently available to carry out a case–control study on all introducers available on the market. This study comprised a laboratory and manikin‐based investigation to identify introducers that could be suitable for clinical investigation. We included six different introducers in laboratory‐based assessments (design characteristics) and manikin‐based assessments involving the participation of 30 anaesthetists. Each anaesthetist attempted placement in the manikin’s trachea with each of the six introducers in a random order. Outcomes included first‐time insertion success rate; insertion success rate; number of attempts; time to placement; and distance placed. Each anaesthetist also completed a questionnaire. First‐time insertion success rate depended significantly on the introducer used (p = 0.0016) and varied from 47% (Armstrong and P3) to 77% (Intersurgical and Frova). Median time to placement (including oesophageal placement) varied from 10 s (Eschmann and Frova) to 20 s (P3) (p = 0.0025). Median time to successful placement in the trachea varied from 9 s (Frova) to 22 s (Armstrong) (p = 0.037). We found that the Armstrong and P3 devices were not as acceptable as other introducers and, without significant improvements to their design and characteristics, the use of these devices in studies on patients is questionable. The study protocol is suitable for differentiating between different introducers and could be used as a basis for assessing other types of devices.
Erector spinae plane block vs. peri‐articular injection for pain control after arthroscopic shoulder surgery: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Shanthanna H. , Czuczman M. , Moisiuk P. , O’Hare T. , Khan M. , Forero M. , Davis K. , Moro J. , Vanniyasingam T. , Foster G. , Thabane L. , Alolabi B.
Published: December 2021

Interscalene brachial plexus block is the standard regional analgesic technique for shoulder surgery. Given its adverse effects, alternative techniques have been explored. Reports suggest that the erector spinae plane block may potentially provide effective analgesia following shoulder surgery. However, its analgesic efficacy for shoulder surgery compared with placebo or local anaesthetic infiltration has never been established. We conducted a randomised controlled trial to compare the analgesic efficacy of pre‐operative T2 erector spinae plane block with peri‐articular infiltration at the end of surgery. Sixty‐two patients undergoing arthroscopic shoulder repair were randomly assigned to receive active erector spinae plane block with saline peri‐articular injection (n = 31) or active peri‐articular injection with saline erector spinae plane block (n = 31) in a blinded double‐dummy design. Primary outcome was resting pain score in recovery. Secondary outcomes included pain scores with movement; opioid use; patient satisfaction; adverse effects in hospital; and outcomes at 24 h and 1 month. There was no difference in pain scores in recovery, with a median difference (95%CI) of 0.6 (−1.9–3.1), p = 0.65. Median postoperative oral morphine equivalent utilisation was significantly higher in the erector spinae plane group (21 mg vs. 12 mg; p = 0.028). Itching was observed in 10% of patients who received erector spinae plane block and there was no difference in the incidence of significant nausea and vomiting. Patient satisfaction scores, and pain scores and opioid use at 24 h were similar. At 1 month, six (peri‐articular injection) and eight (erector spinae plane block) patients reported persistent pain. Erector spinae plane block was not superior to peri‐articular injection for arthroscopic shoulder surgery.
Safety and feasibility of a telemonitoring‐guided exercise program in patients receiving cardiac resynchronization therapy
Authors: Koike Asami , Sobue Yoshihiro , Kawai Mayumi , Yamamoto Masaru , Banno Yukina , Harada Mashide , Kiyono Ken , Watanabe Eiichi
Published: December 2021

Background

Telerehabilitation is an alternative clinic‐based rehabilitation. A remote monitoring (RM) system attached to a cardiac rhythm device can collect physiological data and the device function. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and feasibility of telerehabilitation supervised by an RM in patients receiving cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT).

Methods

A single group pre–post exercise program was implemented for 3 months in 18 CRT recipients. The exercise regimen consisted of walking a prescribed number of steps based on a 6‐min walk distance (6MWD) achieved at baseline. The patients were asked to exercise 3 to 5 times per week for up to 30 min per session, wearing an accelerometer to document the number of steps taken. The safety was assessed by the heart failure hospitalizations and all‐cause death. The feasibility was measured by the improvement in the quality of life (QOL) using the EuroQol 5 dimensions, and daily active time measured by the CRT, 6MWD, B‐type natriuretic peptide (BNP) level, and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).

Results

No patients had heart failure hospitalizations or died. No patients had any ventricular tachyarrhythmias. One patient needed to suspend the exercise due to signs of exacerbated heart failure by the RM. Compared to baseline, there were significant improvements in the QOL (−0.037, p < .05), active time (1.12%/day, p < .05), and 6MWD (11 m, p < .001), but not the BNP (–32.4 pg/ml, p = .07) or LVEF (0.28%, p = .55).

Conclusions

Three months of RM‐guided walking exercise in patients with CRT significantly increased the QOL, active time, and exercise capacity without any adverse effects.
Current and novel diagnostics for orthopedic implant biofilm infections: a review
Authors: Ronin Dana , Boyer Jessica , Alban Nathan , Natoli Roman M. , Johnson Aaron , Kjellerup Birthe Veno
Published: December 2021

Biofilm infections involving orthopedic implants are a global problem. They contribute to severe complications and mortality, as well as increased use of antibiotic treatments and development of antibiotic‐resistant microorganisms. More than 1 million hip and knee arthroplasties are performed each year in the United States. These hard‐to‐treat infections lead to patient distress, increased morbidity, and high financial costs to both patients and healthcare systems. There is a need to improve the diagnosis of such biofilm infections to allow for earlier detection and treatment. Current diagnostics rely on clinical signs for infections such as loss of function, fever, rubor, patient history of the predisposing condition, persisting infection, failure of antibiotic treatment, and documentation of antibiotic failure. Below, we present a framework which outlines the data gaps in the conventional laboratory techniques used in clinical diagnostics; we also discuss promising novel diagnostic methods which are currently used solely in research. It is critical to assess these novel infection diagnostic techniques and address the data gaps and clinical hesitance preventing application in a clinical setting. Additionally, the combination of conventional and novel diagnostic technologies would streamline the diagnostic process of biofilm infections associated with orthopedic implants.
Weight‐based cefuroxime dosing provides comparable orthopedic target tissue concentrations between weight groups – a microdialysis porcine study
Authors: Tøstesen Sara Kousgaard , Hanberg Pelle , Bue Mats , Thillemann Theis Muncholm , Falstie‐Jensen Thomas , Tøttrup Mikkel , Knudsen Martin Bruun , Schmedes Anne Vibeke , Stilling Maiken
Published: December 2021

Antibiotic prophylaxis is a key element in prevention of surgical site infections. For the majority of orthopedic procedures, antibiotic administration follows fixed dosing regimens irrespective of weight. However, this may result in insufficient antibiotic target tissue concentrations and higher risk of surgical site infections in obese individuals. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of weight‐based cefuroxime dosing on plasma and target tissue concentrations. Eighteen female pigs were allocated into three groups differentiated by weight: 53–57 kg, 73–77 kg, and 93–97 kg. Microdialysis catheters were placed for continuous sampling in bone, muscle, and subcutaneous tissue during an 8h sampling interval. Blood samples were collected as reference. Cefuroxime was administered intravenously as a bolus according to weight (20 mg/kg). The primary endpoint was the time above the cefuroxime minimal inhibitory concentration for Staphylococcus aureus (T > MIC (4 μg/mL)). Comparable target tissue T > MICs (4 μg/mL) were found between weight groups. Mean T > MIC ranged between 116–137 min for plasma, 118–154 min for bone, 109–146 min for the skeletal muscle, and 117–165 min for subcutaneous tissue across the groups. Weight‐based cefuroxime (20 mg/kg) dosing approach provides comparable perioperative plasma and target tissue T > MIC (4 μg/mL) in animals between 50–100 kg body weight, and thus a comparable prophylaxis of surgical site infections.