bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Food tourism’s moment in the New Zealand sun
Authors: Meikle Sarah
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to consider the potential of food tourism to connect local communities and strengthen the visitor economy through COVID-19 induced international visitor downfalls and reimagine New Zealand tourism.

Design/methodology/approach

As a viewpoint paper, this paper is a personal and professional reflection of the relevance of food for New Zealand tourism.

Findings

The three themes of community, connection and challenges identify the potential of using local communities as ambassadors to connect both local and international visitors alike with New Zealand culture.

Practical implications

Findings of this paper can provide guidance for global communities on how to both mitigate a reduction in visitor arrivals while creating a foundation for future positioning as food destinations.

Originality/value

There is a lack of insight into the potential of special interest tourism in reimagining a post-COVID-19 tourism landscape, and this viewpoint paper contributes through its practical and community-based approach.
Explaining incongruities between leadership theory and practice: integrating theories of resonance, communication and systems
Authors: Ruben Brent D. , Gigliotti Ralph A.
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Leadership scholars, practitioners and educators find themselves at a very opportune time, when their subject matter-expertise is of increasing interest across sectors, settings and levels of analysis, as leadership is hailed as both a pressing problem and a promising solution. It is also a challenging time for leadership study—a point in time when incongruities between leadership theories and the observed dynamics and outcomes of leadership in practice have been difficult to ignore. In this article we identify and discuss several problematic incongruities, explore possible reasons for these gaps and outline an integrated view of theories of resonance, communication and systems to address these discontinuities and advance our understanding of leadership theory and practice.

Design/methodology/approach

Building upon the intersection of theories of resonance, communication and systems in this conceptual article, we advance a line of renewed macro-level thinking on the topic of leadership as social influence, resulting in what we describe as leadership resonance theory.

Findings

This article advances an explanation of leadership as a phenomenon that is co-constructed through the communicative connections established between leaders and followers. These connections are mutually-defining, mutually-reinforcing and mutually-causal. Resonance, activation and cultivation are central concepts in the proposed framework, introduced to help explain dynamics and outcomes that seem unpredictable or unexplainable when focusing attention solely on a leader or followers in isolation of one another at a single moment in time.

Originality/value

This framework offers an original, nuanced and integrated way of thinking about leadership in terms of communication, social influence and systems theory, and it helps to explain gaps between the guidance provided by leadership theory and observed leadership outcomes in practice. The proposed framework can help to explain observed leader–follower behaviors, dynamics and outcomes, irrespective of whether they are seen as desirable or comfortable, whether they are necessarily aligned with extant theories or guidance on preferred practices and whether or not they align with traditional values in a personal, organizational or societal context.
The relationships between perceived team psychological safety, transactive memory system, team learning behavior and team performance among individual team members
Authors: Kim Su Min , Kim Moon Jung , Jo Sung Jun
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate the relationships between individual team member's perception of team psychological safety (TPS), individual team member's perception of transactive memory system (TMS), individual team member's perception of team learning behavior (TLB) and individual team member's perception of team performance (TP).

Design/methodology/approach

This cross-sectional study used a paper-based questionnaire that was distributed to 500 employees in travel-related industries and responses were received from 467 employees. Finally, 394 surveys were used after excluding insincere responses. Using SPSS & AMOS version 25.0, factor analysis, correlation, path analysis and mediation analysis were performed.

Findings

The findings reveal that there is a significant association between TPS, TMS, TLB and TP, except for the specialization subdimension of TMS and reflective communication and knowledge codification subdimensions of TLB. There was no mediation role of TLB; however, credibility and task coordination subdimensions of TMS showed partial mediating effects between TPS and TP.

Originality/value

This study offers suggestions for management, emphasizing the importance of TPS. Recent and rapid organizational changes have dramatically increased employees' job insecurity, which can affect their psychological safety. Therefore, organizations should actively support employees to feel psychologically stable to improve performance by utilizing TMS and TLB among individual team members.
Auditor ethics: do experience and gender influence auditors’ moral awareness?
Authors: Carrera Nieves , Van Der Kolk Berend
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how experience and gender relate to the auditors’ moral awareness.

Design/methodology/approach

Hypotheses are informed by a neurocognitive approach to ethical decision-making and tested using survey data from 191 auditors of a Big Four audit firm in The Netherlands.

Findings

The main findings indicate that more experienced auditors (i.e. those with more years of work experience, a higher rank and a higher age) show higher levels of moral awareness. This positive relationship is stronger for morally questionable situations related to accounting and auditing, compared to general business moral dilemmas. In addition, the results support the expectation that on average, female auditors have higher moral awareness than their male counterparts.

Originality/value

To the knowledge of the authors, this is the first study that considers a neurocognitive approach to inform hypotheses about the antecedents of auditors’ moral awareness. The findings suggest that the involvement of experienced auditors in ethical decision-making processes may be beneficial given their enhanced ability to identify ethically disputable situations as such. Furthermore, increasing the number of women in senior positions may positively affect ethical decision-making in audit firms. Finally, this paper presents directions for future research.
Is voluntary International Integrated Reporting Framework adoption a step on the sustainability road and does adoption matter to capital markets?
Authors: Hsiao Pei-Chi Kelly , de Villiers Charl , Scott Tom
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the type of firms that voluntarily adopt the International Integrated Reporting Framework (IIRF) and how markets respond to voluntary IIRF adherence.

Design/methodology/approach

Analysis of a matched global sample of listed firms that voluntarily adopt the IIRF (IIRF firms) and those that do not (non-IIRF firms). The samples range from 188 to 436 observations as alternative research designs, different matched samples and regression specifications, and several sensitivity analyses were conducted.

Findings

In markets where integrated reporting (IR) is not mainstream, voluntary IIRF adoption is more likely for firms with established sustainability practices. Such findings suggest that the IIRF is an incremental innovation for sustainability rather than an innovation that radically changes management and reporting practices. In Japan, where IR is mainstream, results show no observable differences between IIRF firms and non-IIRF firms. Consistent with the determinants results, this paper finds no evidence of associations between voluntary IIRF adoption and the information environment, the cost of equity or firm value. However, the additional analysis provides preliminary evidence suggesting capital market effects may differ for IIRF firms with higher sustainability or market performance.

Practical implications

This study offers useful insights into the current global debate on whether there is value in adopting the IIRF.

Originality/value

This study adds to the limited body of research on the determinants and consequences of voluntary IIRF adoption, offering insights for regulators, practitioners and proponents of IR. This study is the first to provide quantitative evidence of the influence sustainability practices have on voluntary IIRF adoption. Further, the results add to the current global debate on whether there is value in adopting the IIRF. This paper finds that voluntary IIRF adoption has no clear and distinct influence on disclosure practices and capital markets, suggesting there are no additional benefits from prioritising the promotion or adoption of the IIRF over other disclosure forms. Unless there are advancements supporting the implementation of integrated thinking and information connectivity, the potential for the IIRF to improve information quality may be limited to encouraging more non-financial disclosure and transparency in countries where integrated disclosures are not trending.
The effect of auditor narcissism on audit market competition
Authors: Mohammadi Hojat , Salehi Mahdi , Arabzadeh Meysam , Ghodrati Hassan
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to assess auditor narcissism’s effect on audit market competition (auditor concentration, clients’ concentration and competitive pressure).

Design/methodology/approach

This paper’s method is descriptive-correlational based on published information from listed firms on the Tehran Stock Exchange from 2012 to 2018 using a sample of 188 firms (1,310 observations). The method used for hypothesis testing is linear regression using panel data.

Findings

The results show a negative and significant relationship between auditor narcissism and audit market competition and its indices, including auditor concentration, clients’ concentration and competitive pressure. Moreover, a positive and significant relationship was observed between audit quality and audit market competition and its indices, including auditor concentration, client concentration and competitive pressure.

Originality/value

To analyzes competition indices in the audit market (auditor concentration, clients’ concentration and competitive pressure). The variable is assessed once more using the exploratory factor analysis of the so-called three variables single variable, named audit market competition. So the central question of the study is investigated within a broader sense. Moreover, as the present study is carried out in the emergent financial markets with extremely competitive audit markets to figure out the effect of auditors’ intrinsic characteristics on such markets’ competitiveness, it can provide useful information in this field.
Students’ interests and learning venues as enablers for school-based nutrition education among adolescents in Jakarta
Authors: Hapsari Pramesthi Widya , Februhartanty Judhiastuty , Bardosono Saptawati
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This study aims to explore potential enablers for school-based nutrition education (SBNE) through adolescent students’ perceptions in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Design/methodology/approach

The study conducted 15 focus group discussions (FGDs) with 6–8 students per group to gather the main data, supported by six in-depth interviews with junior high school officials and content analysis of selected schoolbooks among five schools. The FGDs were conducted to explore students’ interest in nutrition information and their exposure to nutrition education and learning experiences. To analyze the FGD responses, three steps were used: coding, categorizing and determining themes.

Findings

Students’ interest in nutrition and potential learning venues for interactive nutrition education were potential enablers for SBNE. The students’ interest in nutrition information comprised eight topics, with some different patterns by gender. Nutrition information not represented in the school books included: food fads, women’s nutrition, halal-certified food establishments and cooking. To complement the nutrition information that was not provided in school books, student club activities and school special programs were suitable settings as potential learning venues for SBNE.

Originality/value

This study is the first study exploring SBNE facilitators from students’ perspectives among adolescents in Jakarta.
Exploring the links between financial flows and economic growth: a panel ARDL approach
Authors: Zardoub Amna
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Globalization occupies a central research activity and remains an increasingly controversial phenomenon in economics. This phenomenon corresponds to a subject that can be criticized through its impact on national economies. On the other hand, the world economy is evolving in a liberalized environment in which foreign direct investment plays a fundamental role in the economic development of each country. The advent of financial flows – foreign direct investment, remittances and official development assistance – can be a key factor in the development of the economy. The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of financial flows on economic growth in developing countries. Empirically, different approaches have been used. As part of this study, an attempt was made to use a combined autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) panel approach to study the short-term and long-run effects of financial flows on economic growth. The results indicate ambiguous effects. Economically, the effect of financial flows on economic growth depends on the investor’s expectations.

Design/methodology/approach

To study the short-run and long-run effects of financial flows on economic growth, this paper considers an empirical approach based on the panel ARDL. This model makes it possible to distinguish between the short-run effect and the long-run one. This type of model is based on three estimators, namely, mean group, pooled mean group (PMG) and dynamic fixed effect.

Findings

Results confirm the existence of a long-run relationship because the adjustment coefficient (error correction parameter) is negative and statistically significant. This paper finds that the PMG estimator is more consistent and more efficient. In the short-run, foreign direct investment do negatively affect economic growth, the effect is no significant in the long-run. On the other hand, the effect of remittances on economic growth is significant in the short-run. However, it is no significant in the long-run. Finally, the results suggest that the effect of official development assistance on economic growth is insignificant; both in the long-run and in the short-run.

Originality/value

To study the interaction between financial flows and economic growth, some empirical methodology are used such as the dynamic panel data and the autoregressive vector (VAR) model. In this study, we apply the panel ARDL model to analyze the short-run and the long-run effect for each financial flow on economic growth. The objective is to study the heterogeneity on dynamic adjustment in the short-term and long-term.
Social marketing applications in public policy programs: key learnings and applications
Authors: Mishra Satyam , Rishi Bikramjit
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Marketing tools used in public policy may not be purely commercial but based on non-commercial marketing exchanges also. This paper aims to make a case for the practice of social marketing principles to aid the context of public policy.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach is to draw out the key implementable learnings (KILs) from the analysis of the five public policy initiatives in the USA, India and Sri Lanka. A case situation with the context of child labour policy in India is proposed to use these KILs.

Findings

This paper concludes that the implementation of any policy is a challenging exercise and dependent on a large number of factors. However, KILs derived from successful social marketing programs deal with umbrella campaigns, prevailing socio-cultural environment, bottom-up communication, upstream approach to engage with stakeholders and targeted media advocacy could prove useful when the objective is to induce behaviour change as a part of the policy execution.

Originality/value

This paper evaluates the learnings from social marketing campaigns and their relevance to public policy programs. It also considers a case to demonstrate the application of the concept.
Japanese guidelines for the management of palmoplantar keratoderma
Authors: Yoneda Kozo , Kubo Akiharu , Nomura Toshifumi , Ishida‐Yamamoto Akemi , Suga Yasushi , Akiyama Masashi , Kanazawa Nobuo , Hashimoto Takashi ,   Committee on Guidelines for the Management of PPKs
Published: June 2021

Palmoplantar keratoderma (PPK) is a collective term for keratinizing disorders in which the main clinical symptom is hyperkeratosis on the palms and soles. To establish the first Japanese guidelines approved by the Japanese Dermatological Association for the management of PPKs, the Committee for the Management of PPKs was founded as part of the Study Group for Rare Intractable Diseases. These guidelines aim to provide current information for the management of PPKs in Japan. Based on evidence, they summarize the clinical manifestations, pathophysiologies, diagnostic criteria, disease severity determination criteria, treatment, and treatment recommendations. Because of the rarity of PPKs, there are only few clinical studies with a high degree of evidence. Therefore, several parts of these guidelines were established based on the opinions of the committee. To further optimize the guidelines, periodic revision in line with new evidence is necessary.
Sharks surf the slope: Current updrafts reduce energy expenditure for aggregating marine predators
Authors: Papastamatiou Yannis P. , Iosilevskii Gil , Di Santo Valentina , Huveneers Charlie , Hattab Tarek , Planes Serge , Ballesta Laurent , Mourier Johann
Published: June 2021

An animal's energy landscape considers the power requirements associated with residing in or moving through habitats. Within marine environments, these landscapes can be dynamic as water currents will influence animal power requirements and can change rapidly over diel and tidal cycles.

In channels and along slopes with strong currents, updraft zones may reduce energy expenditure of negatively buoyant fishes that are also obligate swimmers. Despite marine predators often residing within high‐current area, no study has investigated the potential role of the energetic landscape in driving such habitat selectivity.

Over 500 grey reef sharks Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos reside in the southern channel of Fakarava Atoll, French Polynesia. We used diver observations, acoustic telemetry and biologging to show that sharks use regions of predicted updrafts and switch their core area of space use based on tidal state (incoming versus outgoing).

During incoming tides, sharks form tight groups and display shuttling behaviour (moving to the front of the group and letting the current move them to the back) to maintain themselves in these potential updraft zones. During outgoing tides, group dispersion increases, swimming depths decrease and shuttling behaviours cease. These changes are likely due to shifts in the nature and location of the updraft zones, as well as turbulence during outgoing tides. Using a biomechanical model, we estimate that routine metabolic rates for sharks may be reduced by 10%–15% when in updraft zones.

Grey reef sharks save energy using predicted updraft zones in channels and ‘surfing the slope’. Analogous to birds using wind‐driven updraft zones, negatively buoyant marine animals may use current‐induced updraft zones to reduce energy expenditure. Updrafts should be incorporated into dynamic energy landscapes and may partially explain the distribution, behaviour and potentially abundance of marine predators.
Testing local adaptations of affiliate freshwater pearl mussel, Margaritifera laevis, to its host fish, Oncorhynchus masou masou
Authors: Kitaichi Hitoshi , Negishi Junjiro N. , Ito Daisetsu , Miura Kazuki , Urabe Hirokazu
Published: June 2021

Understanding the limiting factors of the reproduction process in host–affiliate relationships is a high priority. We examined the effects of habitat location on the reproductive process of freshwater pearl mussels Margaritifera laevis (Bivalvia, Unionida) as a parasite using sympatric and allopatric Oncorhynchus masou masou (Actinopterygii, Salmoniformes) as a host fish. Initial infection rates of parasitic larvae (glochidia) and transformation rates to cysts (encysted glochidia) were examined for all parasite‐host combinations from three habitat locations (a total of nine combinations) to test the hypothesis that sympatric pairs of mussels and fish result in the highest success rates of glochidia infection and encystment. Measurements of glochidia‐infected fish reared in flow‐through experimental indoor tanks were taken at the initial infection point as well as at encystment, 2 weeks after the infection. Results disagreed with our hypothesis. Instead, an unexpected heterogeneity in a pathological deformity in gills explained a greater amount of variance in these processes. This deformity was responsible for reducing the initial infection rate and increasing the metamorphosis rates of initially attached glochidia to cysts. The field‐measured prevalence of the gill deformity was low in all habitat locations, indicating that the deformity occurred during the acclimation period before infection for relatively small‐sized host fish more susceptible to infection. Our results did not show the local adaptation of parasitic freshwater mussels to host fish but shed light on one of the least studied factors, providing an empirical underpinning of the importance of pathologically diversified host conditions in the reproductive processes of unionid mussels.
A few dominant bacteria and their genomic basis in mediating distinct ecosystem functions
Authors: Ren Minglei , Wang Jianjun
Published: June 2021

Species attributes such as abundance and traits are important determinant components for ecosystem functions (EFs), while their influences on distinct functions remain understudied. Here, we linked 753 treehole bacterial communities to two distinct types of EFs, including the three broad functions of respiration, metabolic activity and cell yield and the four narrow functions related to specific organic matter degradation. Towards high occurrence of phylotypes or traits, the dependency of broad EFs on species abundance or traits increased, whereas the dependency of narrow functions decreased. Among the immense number of bacterial phylotypes, the relative abundance of only 5.05% of phylotypes (that is, 542 phylotypes), but accounting for 68.60% of total abundance, were significantly related to both distinct EFs ranging from 2 to 7 functions, the level of which was used to quantify species functional generality. Such ‘low species number, high relative abundance and strong functional generality’ features for these 542 phylotypes could be further potentially linked to their enriched functional genes involved in cellular processes including nutrient acquisition, environmental adaptation and cell growth. Our study highlights the key role of a handful of microbial species in determining and anticipating distinct EFs by explicitly considering their abundance and trait attributes.
The nexus between tourism, financial development, and economic growth: Evidence from African countries
Authors: Ehigiamusoe Kizito Uyi
Published: June 2021

This paper examines the nexus between tourism, financial development and economic growth in 31 African countries using the Dumitrescu–Hurlin Granger non‐causality test that accounts for heterogeneity and cross‐sectional dependence. It also employs the Granger causality test in the frequency domain that distinguishes between temporary and permanent causality for the country‐specific analysis. It shows a cointegration relationship between tourism, financial development and economic growth. It reveals a joint long‐run causality from tourism and financial development to economic growth, and a joint short‐run and long‐run causality from tourism and economic growth to financial development, albeit the joint causality from financial development and economic growth to tourism is tenuous. The individual causality shows a bidirectional causality between tourism and economic growth, between financial development and economic growth, and between tourism and financial development. The country‐specific analysis reveals that tourism is a significant predictor of financial development and economic growth at high frequency rather than at low frequency in most countries. Therefore, African countries should prioritize the policies and programs that can facilitate the development of the tourism and financial sectors in their quest to accelerate economic growth and development.
Chemical composition, bioactive compounds extraction, and observed biological activities from jussara (Euterpe edulis): The exotic and endangered Brazilian superfruit
Authors: Vannuchi Nicholas , Jamar Giovana , Pisani Luciana , Braga Anna Rafaela Cavalcante , de Rosso Veridiana Vera
Published: June 2021

In this article, we reviewed studies on the fruits of the jussara palm (Euterpe edulis Martius), an endangered Brazilian Atlantic Forest palm tree, also coined as “Superfruit.” We summarized the chemical components of the pulp and observed biological activities in murine and humans, as well as the best practices involving the extraction of its target compounds, bioavailability, and stability of extracts. Jussara has shown a rich phenolic profile that justifies its antioxidant properties, in addition to a considerable lipidic and energetic value. As the main feature, the fruit possesses large amounts of anthocyanins that can be commercially explored as a food additive or cosmetic colorants. Recent studies emphasized jussara's antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and cardioprotective capabilities via reshaping of the gut microbiota. Further knowledge is needed to establish bioavailability and optimal serving size, as many of its antioxidant compounds go under chemical bioconversion in the intestinal tract. While extraction of phenolic compounds, anthocyanins, and oils have interesting results, more studies are required in order to reduce the use of conventional organic solvents and improve their stability and shelf life when added to food products, an area in which nanotechnology seems promising.
Bad apples and incredible certitude
Authors: Sierra‐Arévalo Michael , Papachristos Andrew
Published: June 2021

Research summary

Chalfin and Kaplan attend to the problem of police misconduct with a series of simulation analyses that leverage data on complaints and uses of force in the Chicago Police Department. They conclude that incapacitating officers has minimal effects on misconduct and that, given political constraints, policy makers may prefer broader reforms around accountability and management to removing “bad apples”. In this comment, we argue that this conclusion and its policy implications are characterized by “incredible certitude” driven by a selective focus on a subset of their full simulation results and inadequate incorporation of network spillovers into their analysis.

Policy implications

Contrary to CK's conclusions, their preferred estimates of the effect of incapacitating “bad apples” on misconduct are squarely within the range of other interventions aimed at reducing police complaints and use of force. Once network spillovers are accounted for, estimates are up to five times as large. We conclude with a discussion of how even small reductions in misconduct can have outsized benefits as measured in both dollars and human suffering, and argue that the removal of problem officers is a normative good that should be pursued on moral grounds.
Gelfoam slurry tract occlusion after computed tomography‐guided percutaneous lung biopsy: Does it prevent major pneumothorax?
Authors: Sum Reuben , Lau Theodore , Paul Eldho , Lau Kenneth
Published: June 2021

Introduction

Computed tomography (CT)‐guided lung biopsy is a frequently performed procedure in the diagnostic workup for suspicious lung nodules that can be complicated by pneumothorax. This retrospective study assessed the efficacy of biopsy tract occlusion with a gelatin sponge slurry for preventing post‐biopsy pneumothorax.

Methods

Retrospective analysis was conducted on consecutive adult patients who underwent CT‐guided lung biopsy over a 10‐year period. Age, gender, existing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), evidence of emphysema on CT, location of the lesion and the presence of pneumothorax on post‐procedure CT and 4‐h chest radiograph were recorded.

Results

Two hundred and ninety‐six patients were included (126 patients in the non‐gelfoam group and 170 in the gelfoam group). When gelfoam was used, risk of developing an immediate pneumothorax was lower (P = 0.032). Patients with emphysema were 2.4 times more likely to develop a delayed pneumothorax without gelfoam (P = 0.034). There was a significantly higher risk of both immediate and delayed pneumothorax in non‐peripheral lesions without gelfoam (P = 0.001 and P = 0.002, respectively). The frequency of requiring a chest tube to treat a pneumothorax was 86% lower when gelfoam was used (P = 0.012).

Conclusion

Gelfoam is effective in preventing immediate pneumothorax. In patients with emphysema, there was a significantly higher risk of delayed pneumothorax without gelfoam. Additionally, non‐peripheral lesions were more likely to develop pneumothorax when gelfoam was not used. The use of gelfoam was especially important in preventing the development of major pneumothoraces that would require drainage with a chest tube.
A structural estimation of spatial differentiation and market power in input procurement
Authors: Jung Jinho , Sesmero Juan , Siebert Ralph
Published: June 2021

We estimate the degree of spatial differentiation–primarily driven by transportation costs–among downstream firms that buy corn from upstream farmers and examine whether such differentiation softens competition enabling buyers to exert market power (defined as the ability to pay a price for corn that is below its marginal value product net of processing cost). We estimate a structural model of spatial competition using corn procurement data from the U.S. state of Indiana from 2004 to 2014. We adopt a strategy that allows us to estimate firm‐level structural parameters while using aggregate data. Our results return a transportation cost of 0.5 cents per bushel per mile (10% of the corn price under average conditions), which provides evidence of spatial differentiation among buyers. The estimated average markdown is $0.67 per bushel (13% of the average corn price in the sample), of which $0.49 is explained by spatial differentiation and the rest by the fact that firms operated under binding capacity constraints. Finally, we evaluate the effect of hypothetical mergers on input markets and farm surplus. A merger between nearby ethanol producers eases competition, increases markdowns by 18%, and triggers a sizable reduction in farm surplus. In contrast, a merger between distant buyers has negligible effects on competition and markdowns.
Association between dietary protein intake and change in grip strength over time among adults of advanced age: Life and Living in Advanced Age: A Cohort Study in New Zealand (LiLACS NZ)
Authors: Wham Carol , Moyes Simon A. , Rolleston Anna , Adamson Ashley , Kerse Ngaire , Teh Ruth
Published: June 2021

Objective

To determine the association between dietary protein intake and change in grip strength (GS) over time among Māori and non‐Māori of advanced age.

Methods

Protein intake was estimated from 2×24h multiple pass recall (MPR) in 554 participants, and GS was measured yearly over five years. Anthropometric, physical activity and health data were collected.

Results

The median weight‐adjusted protein intake was low (for Māori and non‐Māori men 1.05 and 0.98g/kg/day; for Māori and non‐Māori women 0.87 and 0.91g/kg/day, respectively). There was a general decrease in GS over five years (mean % change of −2.38 ± 15.32 and −4.49 ± 21.92 for Māori and non‐Māori women and −5.47 ± 16.09 and −1.81 ± 13.16 for Māori and non‐Māori men yearly). Intake of protein was not related to GS at any of the five‐year assessment points nor was it related to change over time.

Conclusion

Protein intake was low in this cohort of octogenarians and was not protective against loss of GS over five years.
Intravitreal anti‐VEGF use in France: a cross‐sectional and longitudinal Nationwide observational study
Authors: Billioti de Gage Sophie , Bertrand Marion , Grimaldi Sébastien , Zureik Mahmoud
Published: June 2021

Purpose

To describe the sociodemographic, medical and management characteristics of patients using intravitreal (IVT) anti‐vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) in France.

Methods

An observational study was conducted in patients treated with IVT ranibizumab or aflibercept, aged 18 years or older using the French National Health Insurance Databases covering 99% of the French population. Patients currently treated in 2018 were included in a cross‐sectional approach to describe treatment history over the previous 6 years. Patients newly treated between 2014 and 2018 were included in a longitudinal approach to describe treatment management during up to 6 years of follow‐up. Sociodemographic characteristics and medical history were described in both populations. The analyses were performed at the patient level, as no distinction between the eyes could be made.

Results

A total of 224 775 current users of IVT anti‐VEGF in 2018 (mean age 78.1 ± 11.3 years, 60% female) and 330 969 new users between 2014 and 2018 (mean age 75.9 ± 12.0 years, 59% female) were included. In both populations cardiovascular comorbidities or risk factors were frequent and the main treatment indications were age‐related macular degeneration and diabetic macular oedema. Among current users of IVT anti‐VEGF in 2018, the mean number of years receiving a treatment was 2.9 ± 2.0 years, with a mean of 13.7 ± 11.8 dispensations. In the longitudinal approach, a 26% increase in IVT anti‐VEGF initiation was observed between 2014 and 2018. For new users, the mean number of years receiving a treatment was 1.6 ± 1.6 and 67% had at least three dispensations within the first three months. A treatment interruption was observed for 83% of new users and occurred on average of 6.1 ± 8.1 months after initiation. The mean number of dispensations was 4.8 ± 2.8 in the first year and 2.2 ± 2.9 in the second year. The mean number of eye monitoring examinations was 6.5 ± 4.7 in the first year and 4.6 ± 4.4 in the second year.

Conclusion

This study described the real‐world conditions of IVT anti‐VEGF dispensing at the entire French population scale. Less frequent dispensations and surveillance examinations were observed than in monthly schemes applied in registration trials for IVT anti‐VEGF. These results may indicate a lack of systematic monitoring associated with fewer injections and/or clinicians’ preference for more flexible and personalized injection schemes than those originally recommended.
The prevalence of dry eye in a very old population
Authors: Bikbov Mukharram M. , Kazakbaeva Gyulli M. , Rakhimova Ellina M. , Rusakova Iuliia A. , Fakhretdinova Albina A. , Tuliakova Azaliia M. , Panda‐Jonas Songhomitra , Gilmanshin Timur R. , Zainullin Rinat M. , Bolshakova Natalia I. , Safiullina Kamilia R. , Gizzatov Ainur V. , Ponomarev Ildar P. , Yakupova Dilya F. , Baymukhametov Nail E. , Nikitin Nikolay A. , Jonas Jost B.
Published: June 2021

Purpose

To assess the prevalence of dry eye disease (DED) and Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) in a very old population.

Methods

The Ural Very Old Study (UVOS), a population‐based cohort study performed in rural and urban Bashkortostan/Russia, included 1526 (81.1%) out of 1882 eligible individuals aged 85+ years. The participants underwent a detailed medical and ophthalmological examination including Schirmer´s test, slit‐lamp based assessment of the Meibomian glands and an interview.

Results

The study included 1493 (97.8%) individuals with available information about DED (mean age: 88.3 ± 2.9 years). Schirmer´s test was ≤5 mm in 388 individuals (34.3%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 31.5, 37.1), and the mean score of subjective dry eye symptoms was 7.52 ± 2.14 (median: 6; range: 6–18; 95%CI: 7.41, 7.63). An MGD grade 1, 2, 3 and 4 was diagnosed in 367 (31.4%), 309 (26.4%), 89 (7.6%) and 39 (3.3%) eyes, respectively. The prevalence of DED diagnosis definition #2 (dry eye score ≥8, Schirmer´s test ≤5 mm) and definition #4 (dry eye score ≥7, Schirmer test ≤5 mm, MGD grade 1+), were 164/1132 (14.5%; 95%CI: 12.4, 16.5), and 167/1131 (14.8%; 95%CI: 12.7, 16.8), respectively. In multivariate analysis, higher DED prevalence was associated with female sex (odds ratio (OR): 2.36; 95%CI: 1.18, 4.71; p = 0.02), rural region of habitation (OR: 2.72; 95%CI: 1.10, 6.70; p = 0.03), longer axial length (OR: 1.30; 95%CI: 1.04,1.62; p = 0.02), higher hearing loss score (OR: 1.03; 95%CI: 1.01, 1.05; p = 0.001) and lower self‐reported salt consumption (OR: 0.64; 95%CI: 0.54, 0.75; p < 0.001).

Conclusions

In this population‐based recruited very old study sample aged 85+ years, higher DED prevalence (dry eye score ≥8, Schirmer´s test <5 mm; mean: 14.5%) and MGD prevalence (any grade:68.8%) was associated with female sex, rural region of habitation, longer axial length, higher hearing loss score and lower salt consumption.
The Corporate Governance Role of Audit Committees: Through the Lenses of New Zealand Institutional Investors
Authors: Wu Julia Yonghua , Feehily Ronán , Lord Beverley Rae
Published: June 2021

This paper explores how directors of New Zealand institutional investor entities perceive the role of audit committees in their investee firms. We find that perceptions of audit committee mechanisms by directors of New Zealand institutional investor entities are distinct in terms of: (1) the directors’ knowledge of audit committee mechanisms; (2) directors’ evaluation of the governance role of audit committees; and (3) whether and how audit committees in investee firms affect the investment decisions of institutional investors. We argue that the identities of directors and contextualising events may have contributed to the discrete views taken by the directors of New Zealand institutional investor entities. We use institutional theory and discourse analysis to design and analyse the interviews. Our paper presents evidence from New Zealand, where the adoption of audit committees has been largely driven by regulatory changes overseas. Findings from this paper may be of interest to regulators, researchers and practitioners to make informed comparisons with observations from other countries in examining the function of audit committees and in evaluating the implications of corporate governance regulatory changes. Regulators and other corporate governance stakeholders may benefit from this paper by reflecting on the reciprocal influence between an audit committee and the institutionalisation of governance practices.
Role of green advertisement authenticity in determining customers' pro‐environmental behavior
Authors: Kaur Kulwinder , Kumar Vikas , Syan Amanjot Singh , Parmar Yadvinder
Published: June 2021

The present study investigates the impact of advertisement authenticity and the role of various latent variables in determining customers' pro‐environmental behavior. Data have been collected from 731 respondents belonging to the North Indian region through a convenience sampling technique. Structural equation modeling technique has been employed to measure the impact of identified dimensions on customers' pro‐environmental behavior. The study results validated that pro‐environmental behavior is significantly determined by advertisement authenticity, trustworthiness, threat appeal, environmental threat appeals, and perceived severity. The findings further provide substantial insights that validate the use of threat appeal in green advertising, thus enabling the advertisers, marketers, and government agencies to develop robust and effective marketing strategies for promoting the use of eco‐friendly products.
Pharmacokinetics of daridorexant, a dual orexin receptor antagonist, are not affected by renal impairment
Authors: Berger Benjamin , Muehlan Clemens , Klein Gernot , Dingemanse Jasper
Published: June 2021

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of renal impairment on the pharmacokinetics (PKs), safety, and tolerability of daridorexant, a dual orexin receptor antagonist intended for the treatment of insomnia. A single‐center, open‐label study evaluated the PKs of daridorexant in patients with severe renal function impairment (SRFI; determined by creatinine clearance using the Cockcroft‐Gault equation; N = 8) not on dialysis, and in matched control subjects (based on sex, age, and body weight; N = 7). A single oral dose of daridorexant 25 mg was orally administered in the morning. Blood samples were collected up to 72 h postdose for PK assessments of daridorexant. In patients with SRFI, maximum plasma concentrations (Cmax; geometric mean ratio [GMR] and 90% confidence interval [CI]: 0.94 [0.60–1.46]), time to reach Cmax (Tmax; median difference [90% CI] of −0.25 h [−0.75 to 0.25]), and half‐life (GMR [90% CI] of 0.99 [0.66–1.48]), were virtually unchanged. Exposure (area under the plasma concentration‐time profile) to daridorexant was slightly higher in patients with SRFI than in control subjects with the GMR (90% CI) being 1.16 (0.63–2.12). No safety issue of concern was detected as all adverse events were transient and of mild or moderate intensity, and no treatment‐related effects on vital signs, clinical laboratory, or electrocardiogram variables were observed following daridorexant administration in patients with SRFI and control subjects. Based on these observations, PK alterations of daridorexant due to renal function impairment are not considered of clinical relevance and no dose adjustment is necessary in these patients.
An industrial‐organization approach to conventional and unconventional monetary policy
Authors: Gunji Hiroshi , Miyazaki Kenji
Published: June 2021

In this study, we use an industrial‐organization model of the banking industry with money creation to examine the effect of conventional and unconventional monetary policy on the money stock. We consider quantitative monetary easing, qualitative monetary easing, and a negative interest rate on excess reserve balances as unconventional monetary policy. Our main findings are as follows. First, under a plausible setting of the parameters, the model with money creation supports the liquidity puzzle, in which tight monetary policy increases the money stock. The greater the number of banks, the stronger the effect. Second, quantitative monetary easing has no impact on money stocks, loans, deposits and bank holding assets other than government bonds. Third, the effect of qualitative monetary easing is ambiguous, but when the number of banks is sufficiently large, the effect is almost the same as the interest rate on reserves. Fourth, the effect of negative interest rate policy is quite complex.
Maize resistance to Spodoptera frugiperda and its relationship to landrace variety, plant stage, and larval origin
Authors: Costa Eduardo Neves , Fernandes Marcos Gino , Medeiros Pablo Henrique
Published: June 2021

Previous studies have raised the hypothesis that laboratory‐reared insects may lose their ability to induce plant defenses because induction‐associated gut bacteria may be eliminated by antibiotics used in artificial diets. The present study was conducted to determine whether maize (Zea mays L., Poaceae) responses to Spodoptera frugiperda (JE Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) differ when field‐collected vs. laboratory‐reared insects are feeding. One fifth instar from the laboratory or field was released onto a resistant or a susceptible landrace variety at vegetative stages 4 and 6 (V4 and V6), or plants remained uninfested. Five days later, damage was estimated and sections of maize leaves were fed to forth instars in a Petri dish assay to assess the effects of previous feeding on weight gain, leaf consumption, and nutritional indices of conspecifics. Initially, field‐collected larvae caused more damage on V4, but not on V6 maize plants, than laboratory‐reared larvae. In V6 plants, the resistant variety showed less leaf damage than the susceptible variety. In a Petri dish assay, there were no differences between effects of laboratory‐reared and field‐collected larvae on the measured parameters, but larvae from both sources promoted increased susceptibility in maize plants at the V4, but not the V6 stage. This was characterized by higher weight gain and higher efficiency of conversion of ingested food (ECI) (on both maize varieties), and lower metabolic cost (MC) (on one variety) when S. frugiperda larvae fed on leaves pre‐infested with laboratory‐reared larvae compared to leaves of uninfested plants. Conversely, S. frugiperda larvae fed on leaves pre‐infested with field‐collected larvae consumed a greater amount of leaf tissue (on both varieties) compared to leaves of uninfested plants. A similar experiment with neonates showed no effects of landrace variety or previous infestation on insect weight and survival, but insects obtained a higher body weight when fed on V4 compared to V6 plants. In conclusion, S. frugiperda laboratory‐reared larvae were equally able as field‐collected larvae to induce susceptibility in V4 maize plants, and maize plants were more resistant to the pest at the V6 than at the V4 stage.
A guideline for linking brain wave findings to the various aspects of discrete perception
Authors: Menétrey Maëlan Q. , Vogelsang Lukas , Herzog Michael H.
Published: June 2021

Brain waves, determined by electrical and magnetic brain recordings (e.g., EEG and MEG), and fluctuating behavioral responses, determined by response time or accuracy measures, are frequently taken to support discrete perception. For example, it has been proposed that humans experience only one conscious percept per brain wave (e.g., during one alpha cycle). However, the proposed link between brain waves and discrete perception is typically rather vague. More importantly, there are many models and aspects of discrete perception and it is often not apparent in what theoretical framework brain wave findings are interpreted and to what specific aspects of discrete perception they relate. Here, we review different approaches to discrete perception and highlight issues with particular interpretations. We then discuss how certain findings on brain waves may relate to certain aspects of discrete perception. The main purpose of this meta‐contribution is to give a short overview of discrete models of perception and to illustrate the need to make explicit what aspects of discrete theories are addressed by what aspects of brain wave findings.
Supporting and growing privately protected areas in Australia: Interview with The Nature Conservancy’s James Fitzsimons
Authors: Fitzsimons James , McDonald Tein
Published: June 2021

The intent of The Nature Conservancy in Australia has always been to optimise conservation outcomes for people and nature, partnering with government, Indigenous and private landowners through a range of initiatives. James Fitzsimons chronicles some of the organisation’s projects and reveals some of its secrets to success.