bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Can online social interaction improve the digital finance participation of rural households?
Authors: He Jing , Li Qinghai
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Digital finance is a promising way to realize inclusive finance. However, the determinants of digital finance participation are largely unknown. This study aims to analyze the interface between social interaction and the digital finance participation of rural households and explore potential channels of social interaction to help them access digital finance.

Design/methodology/approach

Using rural household survey data from China in 2017, employing the probit, ordered probit and count model, this study assesses the relationship between social interaction and digital finance.

Findings

The authors find that active online social interaction of rural households promotes digital finance participation, which also increases the depth and breadth of digital finance usage. Meanwhile, the role of traditional offline social interaction is insignificant. Contextual interaction is the channel through which online social interaction influences digital finance participation. Moreover, word-of-mouth, common topic pleasure and social norms in endogenous interactions are irrelevant. In addition, the role of online social interaction complements offline social interaction at promoting digital finance participation.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the understanding of digital finance by investigating the possible channels by which social interaction influences digital finance participation and highlight an important channel–contextual interaction, especially for online social interaction. This study expands the content of social interaction from traditional offline social interaction to online social interaction to evaluate the interface between social interaction and financial behavior more comprehensively.
Is nutritional status associated with income growth? Evidence from Chinese adults
Authors: Gao Yang , Zheng Zhihao , Henneberry Shida R.
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This study estimates the income elasticities of calorie, macronutrients (carbohydrate, protein and fat) and key micronutrients including cholesterol, vitamin A, vitamin C, sodium, potassium, calcium, iron, zinc and insoluble fiber separately for urban and rural adults aged 18–60, using China Health and Nutrition Survey data set from 2004 to 2011.

Design/methodology/approach

A semiparametric model, a two-way fixed-effects model and a quantile regression approach are employed to estimate nutrient–income elasticities.

Findings

The income elasticities of calorie, protein, fat, cholesterol and calcium are in the range of 0.059–0.076, 0.059–0.076, 0.090–0.112, 0.134–0.230, 0.183–0.344 and 0.058–0.105, respectively. The income elasticity of each of the other nutrients is less than 0.1. The income elasticities of calorie and the majority of nutrients included are larger for rural residents than for urban residents and for low-income groups than for medium- and high-income groups. Overall, in spite of having a relatively small impact, income growth is shown to still have an impact on improving the nutritional status of Chinese adults.

Originality/value

This study estimates nutrient–income elasticities separately for urban and rural adults, expanding the scope of the study regarding the impact of income on the nutritional status in China. Moreover, this study uses a pooled sample generated from the personal food consumption records covering foods consumed at home and away from home during 2004–2011, which is thus likely to more comprehensively reveal the causal relationship between income growth and changes in the nutritional status in China.
The adventure (sex)pedition: revisiting Kurt Hahn's educational aims
Authors: Vernon Franklin
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Discourses celebrating Kurt Hahn's practical and intellectual contributions to the field of progressive education are ubiquitous. However, the centrality of sexuality in Hahn's educational aims is often misrecognized in contemporary accounts. The purpose of this paper is to provide an historical and historicized contextualization of Hahn's hypervigilance on young male sexuality as it pertained to his educational aims.

Design/methodology/approach

This is an historical analysis of sexuality in Kurt Hahn's educational aims and practices. It draws on Hahn's own writings and speeches, coupled with documents from his students and colleagues, educational historians, German historians and historians of both world wars. The paper is informed by critical theory as well as critical approaches to gender, sexuality and pedagogy.

Findings

Contrary to contemporary accounts, Kurt Hahn was neither a liberal nor modernizing progressive educator, nor was he interested in generalized sexual repression. Hahn developed a homophobic pedagogy due to his belief that inside all young males were the latent capacities to either be homosexual or contribute societal value. His political-aristocratic allegiances, desire to identify and educate future ruling classes and fear homosexuality was the death of social value led to the use of adventure as a form of preemptive conversion therapy.

Originality/value

This paper links several historical threads and analyses to provide a unique vantage point for understanding the origins of adventure as pedagogical intervention and Kurt Hahn's aims of education.
Exploring the mobile learning needs amongst performing arts students
Authors: Fan Ken Yiu Kwan , Lo Patrick , Ho Kevin K.W. , So Stuart , Chiu Dickson K.W. , Ko Eddie H.T.
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to study the information needs and online information-seeking behaviors on mobile platforms of performing arts students at a college level.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey instruments were used to collect data from performing arts students at the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts (HKAPA), a metropolitan’s major performing arts tertiary institution. Data collected were analyzed through descriptive statistics and other statistical methods, and the music-related students were compared with the production-related students.

Findings

The result reveals that performing arts students all owned their mobile devices and often used mobile apps for non-academic purposes, but they did not often use mobile library services or read online academic contents with their mobile devices. The participants considered inadequate signal coverage, slow loading time, difficulty in reading on a mobile device and the lack of specialized mobile apps as more significant barriers affecting their usage. There are some significant differences between the music-related and production-related student groups in that music-related students watched lectures on the library websites and used electronic music scores more often than the production-related students.

Practical implications

This study contributes to the input for enhancements and policies to future mobile services and facilities of performing art libraries.

Originality/value

There have been scant studies on the mobile learning needs of performing arts students, especially in Asia.
Computational fluid dynamic analysis of an unmanned amphibious aerial vehicle for drag reduction
Authors: Ganesan Surendar , Esakki Balasubramanian
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The aim of this article is to minimize the drag of an unmanned amphibious aerial vehicle (UAAV) and enhancing the endurance.

Design/methodology/approach

Various surface geometrical profiles such as rectangular, semicircular groove, razor blade and V-groove riblets are incorporated into the UAAV, and computational fluid dynamic (CFD) analysis is performed for various angles of attack at diverse vehicle speed conditions to estimate the coefficient of drag considering k–e turbulence model. Comparative evaluation between riblet and blunt body shape methodology is performed. Wind tunnel experiments are conducted to validate the flow characteristics around the UAAV.

Findings

It is observed that V-groove riblet method produced minimal drag in comparison with other profiles. The pressure distributions around UAAV for various geometrical profiles suggested that V-groove profile has achieved minimal vortex region, flow separation and turbulent boundary layer near to the outer profile.

Originality/value

The CFD analysis of UAAV for various riblet configurations and validation with wind tunnel smoke test confirms that UAAV with V-groove riblet provides low drag.
Surface virtual texturing of the journal bearings of a three-cylinder ethanol engine
Authors: Rodrigues Gabriel Welfany , Bittencourt Marco Lucio
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to numerically investigate the surface texturing effects on the main bearings of a three-cylinder ethanol engine in terms of the power loss and friction coefficient for dynamic load conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

The mathematical formulation considers the Partir-Cheng modified Reynolds equation. The mass-conserving Elrod-Adams p-θ model with the JFO approach is used to deal with cavitation. A fluid-structure coupling procedure is considered for the elastohydrodynamic lubrication. Accordingly, a 3-D linear-elastic substructured finite element model obtained from Abaqus is applied

Findings

Simulations were carried out considering different dimple texture designs in terms of location, depth and radius. The results suggested that there are regions where texturing is more effective. In addition, distinct journal rotation speeds are studied and the surface texture was able to reduce friction and the power loss by 7%.

Practical implications

The surface texturing can be a useful technique to reduce the power loss on the crankshaft bearing increasing the overall engine efficiency.

Originality/value

The surface texturing performance in a three-cylinder engine using ethanol as fuel was investigated through numerical experimentation. The results are supported by previous findings.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-09-2019-0380/
Enablers of and constraints on employees' information sharing on enterprise social media
Authors: Laitinen Kaisa , Sivunen Anu
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the various enablers of and constraints on employees' information sharing on an enterprise social media platform. It draws on two theoretical perspectives, communication privacy management theory and the technology affordance framework, as well as on empirical data in an attempt to paint a comprehensive picture of the factors shaping employees' decisions to share or not share information on enterprise social media.

Design/methodology/approach

This qualitative field study is based on semi-structured interviews and enterprise social media review data from a large Nordic media organization.

Findings

On an enterprise social media platform, privacy management principles shape employees' information-sharing decisions in relation to personal privacy boundaries, professional boundaries and assumed risks, online safety concerns and perceived audience. Additionally, the technological affordances of visibility, awareness, persistence and searchability shape employees' information sharing in varying and sometimes even contradictory ways. Finally, organizational factors, such as norms, tasks and media repertoires, are associated with employees' information-sharing decisions. Together, these three dimensions, personal, technological and organizational, form a model of the enablers of and constraints on employees' decisions to share information on enterprise social media.

Originality/value

This study extends the understanding of different factors shaping employees' decisions to share or not share information on enterprise social media. It extends the two applied theories by uniquely combining interpersonal privacy management principles with a technological affordance framework that focuses on the relationship between the user and the technology. This research also furthers the authors' knowledge of what privacy management principles mean in the organizational context. This study shows connections between the two theories and extends the understanding of technology affordances as not only action possibilities but also constraining factors. Additionally, by revealing what kinds of factors encourage and inhibit information sharing on enterprise social media, the results of this study support organizations in their efforts to manage information sharing on enterprise social media systems.
Drivers of ICT investments in bakery and sugar confectionery processed food sub-sector in India
Authors: GR Navyashree , Bhat Savita
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Information and communication technology (ICT) is a general-purpose technology, which plays an important role in improving the efficiency of a business firm. Nowadays, investment on ICT has become necessary for every business firm in different sectors of the economy. However, firms need to be very cautious while investing on a particular ICT, which is suitable for their businesses. Thus, it becomes necessary for the firm to understand its internal organizational characteristics to invest better on ICT. Therefore, the objective of the present study is to understand the organizational factors, which influence investment on ICT at the firm level.

Design/methodology/approach

The technology–organization–environment (TOE) framework is adopted to understand the organizational factors which influence a firm's ICT investment. The sample for the study is the firms belonging to bakery and sugar confectionery sector, which is one of the important sub-sectors of processed food industry in India. The data for analysis is extracted from a secondary source, namely the Prowess Database. The study uses two-step system GMM, a method of generalized method of moment (GMM), to identify the organizational determinants of ICT investment at the firm level.

Findings

The study finds that previous-year investment on ICT has a significant impact on firms' present-year investment on ICT. The result of the econometric method also shows that firms which are larger, labour-intensive and highly liquidated are the ones investing more on ICT in the present study.

Research limitations/implications

As mentioned, the study examines the ICT investment determinants of firms belonging to one of the important sub-sectors of processed food industry of the Indian economy. However, the result of the study is not to be generalized since it is related only to a specific industry. Further, the data used in the study is limited by secondary sources and therefore, requires data from primary sources for in-depth investigation of ICT investment determinants at the firm level.

Originality/value

This paper bridges a research gap by examining the determinants of ICT investment of one of the important industry sectors in particular to developing countries. The paper contributes to the growing research on information technology adoption by using factors within the TOE framework to explain a processed food firm's investment on ICT.
Barriers and enablers to food mass customization
Authors: Calegari Luiz Philipi , Avalone Marianne Costa , Fettermann Diego Castro
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This study is to propose a procedure to support decisions on which enablers should be employed to minimize the impact of barriers to implementing mass customization strategies in food companies.

Design/methodology/approach

Through interpretive structural modeling, the authors analyzed the relationships between barriers. Then, with an approach similar to the quality function deployment technique, commonly used in general product and process development, the authors clarified the relationships between barriers and enablers.

Findings

The results revealed 19 barriers and 17 enablers for implementing food mass customization. The analysis indicates that most of the barriers (16) present strong associations with each other. The barrier “products with non-customizable features” depends on the whole chain of associations and causes a minor impact on the other barriers. In turn, the barrier “ingredient incompatibility” causes impact over the whole chain, and its dependence on other barriers is very low.

Research limitations/implications

The results were tested in a single Brazilian company in the food sector.

Practical implications

The findings can allow food manufacturing companies to focus their efforts on the improvement of enabling technologies, such as smart packaging, Internet of Things and additive manufacture.

Social implications

This study would help food companies to improve their business and provide better products to society.

Originality/value

There are few recommendations in the literature to how to implement mass customization strategy in companies from the food sector. This study fills in this gap presenting a procedure to guide managerial staff to develop this promising approach for food companies.
Interlinked diversification strategies: evidence from the US farm business households
Authors: Khanal Aditya R.
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The agricultural sector in the USA has experienced significant structural changes. For accommodating farm business, households have diversified their operations adopting various strategies—agricultural, structural, environmental, and income strategies. The purpose of this study is to analyze the factors influencing farmer’s diversification strategies while taking into account the simultaneous decision-making process.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a nation-wide farm household data from the US. The diversification decisions are analyzed using multivariate probit regressions.

Findings

The study suggests that agricultural, structural, environmental, and income diversification strategies are interlinked. Specifically, results indicate that, on one hand, environmental and income diversification strategies are positively interlinked. On the other hand, agricultural and structural diversification strategies are positively interlinked. Additionally, the factors representing location, farm, and farmer characteristics, farm type, and financial condition of the farm are major determinants in the choice of farm diversification strategies.

Research limitations/implications

In this paper, diversification activities are broadly classified under four strategies: agricultural, structural, environmental, and income. Depending on the context and country, the definition and strategy set may need revision.

Practical implications

Strong complementary between diversification strategies suggests that studies analyzing farm household decisions and strategies need to account for the simultaneous decision-making process. As decisions are interlinked, separately analyzing one specific strategy may lead to biased estimates. Farm business households need to develop multiple skills and flexible capacities to tackle farming-related issues, including structural changes, risk management, and income enhancing activities. Improving employment opportunities for the rural farming population can stimulate structural diversification.

Originality/Value

This paper contributes to limited literature about diversification by analyzing factors influencing different diversification decisions and finds interlinkage between decisions.
Model-based teaching of physics in higher education: a review of educational strategies and cognitive improvements
Authors: Cascarosa Esther , Sánchez-Azqueta Carlos , Gimeno Cecilia , Aldea Concepción
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Until relatively recently, science teaching was based on conveying theoretical concepts. Nevertheless, in the last few years we have gradually understood the importance of building mental models that represent scientific reality. Model-based science teaching has been used at a school level with satisfactory results. However, only a few studies have been published so far on science modelling in higher education.

Design/methodology/approach

The present thematic review analyses the concept of model in science and the works published in recent years on models in physics education.

Findings

Throughout these years, special importance has been given to the acquisition of student learning models. These models can either be introduced in the teaching process or acquired by students in their learning process using specific teaching tools. As a conclusion of this review, the authors say that although such strategies are increasingly used in the teaching of science at a school level, few works delve into the importance of acquiring models in higher education. More specifically, there are few research works published in the context of teaching physics in university courses.

Originality/value

This study review and analyses works published on this issue and aims to provide knowledge as a starting point for future research.
Grasha–Riechmann student learning style scales: an Argentinian version
Authors: Freiberg Hoffmann Agustín , Fernández Liporace Mercedes
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The study analyses psychometric features of the Grasha–Riechmann student learning style scale. It measures the instructional preferences of students attending different educational stages.

Design/methodology/approach

The scale was translated from English to Spanish. Content and face validity evidences were analysed. After that, construct validity evidences – exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, factorial invariance analysis – and internal consistency were examined. Data were collected from samples composed of high school and college students from Argentina.

Findings

The adapted version, a four-factor 12-item scale, suitable to be used in local students, measures four learning styles – competitive, independent, dependent and collaborative. The model showed a better fit when compared to rival models – three-factor and six-factor. Besides, the four-factor model verified its factorial invariance in high school and college students' groups composing the sample. The internal consistency indices were adequate for every dimension (ordinal α > 0.70).

Research limitations/implications

Despite satisfactory results of the internal validity evidences and the internal consistency analysis, further studies should analyse external validity evidences – criterion and predictive evidences.

Practical implications

The adapted version of the scale is suitable to be used by teachers in order to examine learning preferences in their students. Such information will allow the adaptation of teaching methods regarding the actual students' needs.

Originality/value

The Grasha–Riechmann student learning style scale’s Argentinian adaptation is presented. It is a valid and reliable measure of learning styles suitable to be used in high school and college.
Do sustainability practices buffer the impact of self-efficacy on organisational citizenship behaviour?
Authors: Pradhan Rabindra Kumar , Jena Lalatendu Kesari , Panigrahy Nrusingh Prasad
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Sustainability is seeking for a new approach to bolster organisational success as it is expected to be mobilised through collaborative efforts of employees and management. The present study aims to examine the moderating role of sustainability practices between self-efficacy and organisational citizenship behaviour (OCB).

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 527 full-time executives employed in Indian public and private manufacturing industries were surveyed. Harman’s single-factor test was carried out using analysis of moment structures (AMOS 20.0) to test the bias associated because of common method variance (CMV). Moderated regression analysis was used through hierarchical models to test the proposed hypotheses.

Findings

The results indicate a positive relationship between self-efficacy and OCB. The significant moderation effect was observed in the interaction graph, as the simple slope analysis indicated relatively high level of sustainability practices and self-efficacy and they were found to be positively associated with OCB.

Research limitations/implications

The cross-sectional sample of executives employed in Indian manufacturing organisations limits the generalisation of the findings. The study has not figured the temporal effects and hence longitudinal studies have also been proposed for the assessment of causality.

Practical implications

Organisations are expected to foster inclusiveness and open channel of communication with their employees to execute best sustainable practices. HR department need to create awareness among their employees and establish an ongoing feedback mechanism to promote such psychological drives.

Originality/value

The proposed model and the subsequent findings of the study extend the literature on the relationship among self-efficacy, OCB and sustainability practices. The outcome of this work can be used by HR functionaries and senior management practitioners while formulating and implementing the sustainability strategies.
Making it personal – population health management and the NHS
Authors: McShane Martin , Kirkham Karen
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Changes in demographics and disease patterns are challenging health and care systems across the world. In England, national policies have reset the direction of travel for the NHS. Collaboration, integration and personalisation are intended to become prime principles and drivers for new models of care. Central to this is the concept of population health management. This has emerged, internationally, as a method to improve population health. Fundamental for population health management to succeed is the use of integrated data, analytics combined with professional insight and the adoption of a learning health system culture. This agenda reaches beyond the NHS in England and the public health profession to embrace a broad range of stakeholders. By drawing on international experience and early experience of implementation in the United Kingdom, the potential for health and care systems in England to become world leading in population health management is explored.

Design/methodology/approach

A viewpoint paper.

Findings

Population health management is a major change in the way health and care systems look at the challenges they are facing. It makes what is happening to individuals, across the continuum of care, the essence for insight and action. The NHS has the components for success and the potential to become world leading in delivery of population health management as part of its integrated care agenda.

Originality/value

This is the first viewpoint paper to set out how population health management contributes to the integrated care agenda in the NHS.
From technological to social innovation – the changing role of principal investigators within entrepreneurial ecosystems
Authors: Carl Johannes
Published: April 2020

Purpose

By taking a micro-level perspective, this paper aims to examine the influence of the ongoing paradigm shift from technological to social innovation on principal investigators (PIs) and thereby links the two emerging research fields of entrepreneurial ecosystems and social innovation. The purpose of this paper is to build the basis for future empirical analyses.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is a conceptual paper and therefore focuses on theoretical considerations. Taking a quadruple helix approach, PIs are outlined as central actors of entrepreneurial ecosystems and transformative agents of the innovation process.

Findings

PIs can proactively shape the innovation process and thus the shift from technological to social innovation, through various channels. They can affect all other actors of the quadruple helix, e.g. by exerting influence on the process of scientific change, on the public opinion and/or on the industry partners. Further, the paradigm shift might change the universities' role in the quadruple helix, substantiating their importance in the process of social change.

Practical implications

As PIs are influencing all other actors of the quadruple helix, they are central actors of entrepreneurial ecosystems and thus crucial players in the innovation process. Hence, they need to be supported in fulfilling their role of transformative agents, accelerating and shaping the paradigm shift from technological to social innovation. Universities should therefore reconsider their missions and vision as well as their role within the society.

Originality/value

This paper considers the influence of an ongoing paradigm shift from technological to social innovation on entrepreneurial ecosystems. This work focuses especially on the PIs' role as transformative agents. Therefore, it builds a bridge from entrepreneurial ecosystems to social innovation and thus contributes to both research fields. Moreover, the paper shows the great potential of PIs to influence and shape social innovation.
Electronic service quality: a meta-analysis
Authors: Lionello Rafael Laitano , Slongo Luiz Antonio , Matos Celso Augusto de
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Research studies on electronic service quality (ESQ) have presented heterogeneous findings, with distinct effects of mediators and moderators, for instance. Hence, the purpose of this study is to present a systematic review and a quantitative integration of the main findings regarding the attributes and effects of ESQ.

Design/methodology/approach

A meta-analysis was conducted of 134 studies regarding ESQ. Based on the extant literature, authors propose a conceptual model that review quality attributes, meta-analyze their effects on general quality, perceived value, satisfaction, trust and loyalty and test the moderation of three contextual variables (i.e. mobile vs nonmobile device, online shopping vs pure service; specific site vs Internet).

Findings

Direct effects indicate that all proposed associations are significant, but with high variability, thus suggesting moderating effects. For instance, (1) type of device used by the customer, (2) type of service under analysis and (3) unit of analysis (i.e. site vs Internet) affect the relationship between quality attributes and satisfaction. This study also supported perceived value and satisfaction as relevant mediators in the link quality → loyalty.

Originality/value

This study analyses the general attributes of the ESQ construct, without the restriction of a specific model or type of service, and then tested the influence of the context. This study also shows that a substantial portion of the quality effect is transferred to loyalty through perceived value and customer satisfaction.
Severe obstetric lacerations associated with postpartum depression among women with low resilience – a Swedish birth cohort study
Authors: Asif S , Mulic‐Lutvica A , Axfors C , Eckerdal P , Iliadis SI , Fransson E , Skalkidou A
Published: April 2020

Objective

Women's levels of resilience and attitudes towards perineal lacerations vary greatly. Some women see them as part of the birthing process, while others react with anger, depressed mood or even thoughts of self‐harm. A previous study has reported increased risk of postpartum depressive (PPD) symptoms in women with severe perineal lacerations. The aim of this study was to assess the association between severe obstetric perineal lacerations and PPD. A secondary objective was to assess this association among women with low resilience.

Design

Nested cohort study.

Setting

Uppsala, Sweden.

Sample

Vaginally delivered women with singleton pregnancies (n = 2990).

Methods

The main exposure was obstetric perineal lacerations. Resilience was assessed in gestational week 32 using the Swedish version of the Sense of Coherence Scale. A digital acyclic graph was used to identify possible confounders and mediators. Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). A sub‐analysis was run after excluding women with normal or high resilience.

Main outcome measures

Postpartum depression, assessed with the Depression Self‐Reporting Scale, completed at 6 weeks postpartum.

Results

There was no significant association between severe obstetric perineal lacerations and PPD at 6 weeks postpartum. However, a significant association was found between severe lacerations and PPD in women with low resilience (OR = 4.8, 95% CI 1.2–20), persisting even after adjusting for confounding factors.

Conclusion

Healthcare professionals might need to identify women with low resilience, as they are at increased risk for PPD after a severe perineal laceration.

Tweetable abstract

Severe perineal lacerations associated with postpartum depression in women with low resilience in a Swedish cohort.
Association between preconception paternal smoking and birth defects in offspring: evidence from the database of the National Free Preconception Health Examination Project in China
Authors: Zhou Q , Zhang S , Wang Q , Shen H , Zhang Y , Tian W , Li X
Published: April 2020

Objective

To clarify whether preconception paternal smoking has any adverse effects on the offspring.

Design

Prospective, population‐based study.

Setting

Preconception registry data from the National Free Preconception Health Examination Project.

Population or sample

Couples planning pregnancy, with complete information on preconception paternal smoking behaviour and pregnancy outcomes.

Methods

The effect of questionnaire‐based paternal smoking behaviour during preconception and pregnancy was assessed via logistic regression. Additionally, we performed a 1:1 case–control (birth defects versus normal pregnancy) analysis, matched for maternal province, folic acid supplementation and paternal alcohol consumption.

Main outcome measures

Risk of birth defects in offspring.

Results

In total, 566 439 couples with complete information on preconception paternal smoking behaviour and pregnancy outcomes were enrolled. The preconception paternal smoking rate was 28.7% (162 482) overall: 8.7% (49 303) stopped smoking, 13.3% (75 517) decreased their smoking, and 6.6% (37 662) continued smoking during early pregnancy. The risk of birth defects was higher in the continued‐smoking (P < .000, odds ratio [OR] 1.87, 95% CI 1.36–2.56) and decreased‐smoking groups (P = .007, OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.10–1.82). In the case–control analysis, infants whose fathers stopped (P = .003, OR 0.32, 95% CI 0.15–0.67) or decreased smoking (P = .000, OR 0.25, 95% CI 0.13–0.49) were at lower risk of congenital heart diseases, limb abnormalities, digestive tract anomalies and neural tube defects than those whose fathers continued smoking.

Conclusion

Preconception paternal smoking may be associated with congenital heart diseases, limb abnormalities and neural tube defects in the offspring. Changes in smoking behaviour may reduce this risk.

Tweetable abstract

This study suggests that preconception paternal smoking is associated with birth defects in offspring. Changes in smoking behaviour may reduce this risk.
Obstetric outcomes of twin pregnancies presenting with a complete hydatidiform mole and coexistent normal fetus: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Zilberman Sharon N , Maymon R , Melcer Y , Jauniaux E
Published: April 2020

Background

Epidemiological data on obstetric and oncologic complications in twin pregnancies combining a complete hydatidiform mole (CHM) coexisting with a normal fetus and placenta are limited.

Objectives

To evaluate perinatal and obstetric outcomes for mother and fetus and risk of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) in twin pregnancies including a CHM.

Search strategy

PubMed, MEDLINE and EMBASE and the grey literature were searched for articles published between May 1980 and May 2019 using a protocol designed a priori and registered on PROSPERO (CRD42018112524).

Selection criteria

Observational cohort studies of four or more cases confirmed by histopathology and providing data on pregnancy outcomes and GTN.

Data collection and analysis

Two reviewers independently reviewed abstracts and full‐text articles. The quality of the studies was assessed with the Newcastle‐Ottawa scale and a meta‐analysis was performed.

Main results

Of the 344 abstracts identified, 14 studies (244 cases) met the eligibility criteria. The incidence of maternal complication in ongoing pregnancies was 80.8% and included vaginal bleeding, hyperthyroidism and pre‐eclampsia. There were overall 91 (50%) live births in ongoing pregnancies and 83 (34%) of the total cases were subsequently diagnosed with GTN. Substantial and significant (P < 0.001) heterogeneity was found for the incidence of preeclampsia indicating variability in reporting the incidence of some obstetric complications between studies.

Conclusions

Patients diagnosed with a twin pregnancy combining a CHM and an apparently normal fetus have a high risk of perinatal complications, low live‐birth rates and around a third of them will develop a GTN and should be managed by specialised multidisciplinary teams.

Tweetable abstract

Our study indicates a high rate of obstetric and oncologic complications in patients presenting with a complete hydatidiform mole and coexistent normal fetus.
Antagonistic interaction between male‐killing and cytoplasmic incompatibility induced by Cardinium and Wolbachia in the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci
Authors: Lv Ning , Peng Jing , Chen Xin‐Yi , Guo Chang‐Fei , Sang Wen , Wang Xing‐Min , Ahmed Muhammad Z. , Xu Yong‐Yu , Qiu Bao‐Li
Published: April 2020

Cardinium and Wolbachia are maternally inherited bacterial symbionts of arthropods that can manipulate host reproduction by increasing the fitness of infected females. Here, we report that Cardinium and Wolbachia coinfection induced male‐killing and cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) when they coexisted in a cryptic species of whitefly, Bemisia tabaci Asia II7. Cardinium and Wolbachia symbionts were either singly or simultaneously localized in the bacteriocytes placed in the abdomen of B. tabaci nymphs and adults. Cardinium–Wolbachia coinfection induced male‐killing and resulted in a higher female sex ratio in the intraspecific amphigenetic progeny of Asia II7 ICWH and ICWL lines; interestingly, male‐killing induction was enhanced with increased Cardinium titer. Moreover, single infection of Wolbachia induced partial CI in the Asia II7 IW line and resulted in reduced fecundity, higher embryonic mortality, and lower female sex ratio. The uninfected Asia II7 IU line had significantly higher fecundity, lower embryonic and nymphal mortalities, and a lower level of CI than both the Wolbachia‐infected Asia II7 IW line and the Cardinium–Wolbachia‐coinfected Asia II7 ICWH line. Our findings indicate that Cardinium–Wolbachia coinfection induced male‐killing, which may have had antagonistic effects on Wolbachia‐induced CI in the Asia II7 whiteflies. For the first time, our study revealed that B. tabaci Asia II7 reproduction is co‐manipulated by Cardinium and Wolbachia endosymbionts.
How consistent is RAD‐seq divergence with DNA‐barcode based clustering in insects?
Authors: Cariou Marie , Henri Hélène , Martinez Sonia , Duret Laurent , Charlat Sylvain
Published: April 2020

Promoted by the barcoding approach, mitochondrial DNA is more than ever used as a molecular marker to identify species boundaries. Yet, it has been repeatedly argued that it may be poorly suited for this purpose, especially in insects where mitochondria are often associated with invasive intracellular bacteria that may promote their introgression. Here, we inform this debate by assessing how divergent nuclear genomes can be when mitochondrial barcodes indicate very high proximity. To this end, we obtained RAD‐seq data from 92 barcode‐based species‐like units (operational taxonomic units [OTUs]) spanning four insect orders. In 100% of the cases, the observed median nuclear divergence was lower than 2%, a value that was recently estimated as one below which nuclear gene flow is not uncommon. These results suggest that although mitochondria may occasionally leak between species, this process is rare enough in insects to make DNA barcoding a reliable tool for clustering specimens into species‐like units.
Termite mound density and distribution patterns across three land‐use types in the Vhembe District of the Limpopo Province, South Africa
Authors: Netshifhefhe Shandukani R. , Duncan Frances D. , Kunjeku Ednah C.
Published: April 2020

This study investigated the effect of land‐use on density and distribution patterns of termite mounds. A total area of 12 ha was investigated using four 1 ha plots from each of three land‐use types (mango orchards, maize fields and communal rangelands). A total of 297 mounds from four termite species were recorded. Plotted GIS coordinates for each mound in ArcMap showed a random distribution pattern in all land‐use types. The mean number of mounds per hectare was significantly higher (p < 0.001) in communal rangelands (52.5 ± 1.21), than in maize fields (14.75 ± 3.15) and mango orchards (7.5 ± 0.87), and dominated by small‐sized mounds ofTrinervitermessp. Few mounds ofOdontotermessp. were found. Mounds of the edible termites,Macrotermes natalensisandM. falciger, were found in all land‐use types, with the highest density for both species being in maize fields. Although the mound height for both species was similar, mound circumference forM. falcigerwas significantly larger (p < 0.001) which may limit land available for agricultural use. Density of mounds was influenced by land‐use which may lead to changes in termite ecosystem functioning and availability of termites as a free source of protein.
Patient blood management during the COVID–19 pandemic: a narrative review
Authors: Baron D. M. , Franchini M. , Goobie S. M. , Javidroozi M. , Klein A. A. , Lasocki S. , Liumbruno G. M. , Muñoz M. , Shander A. , Spahn D. R. , Zacharowski K. , Meybohm P.
Published: April 2020

As COVID–19 disease escalates globally, optimising patient outcome during this catastrophic healthcare crisis is the number one priority. The principles of patient blood management are fundamental strategies to improve patient outcomes and should be given high priority in this crisis situation. The aim of this expert review is to provide clinicians and healthcare authorities with information regarding how to apply established principles of patient blood management during the COVID–19 pandemic. In particular, this review considers the impact of the COVID–19 pandemic on blood supply and specifies important aspects of donor management. We discuss how preventative and control measures implemented during the COVID–19 crisis could affect the prevalence of anaemia, and highlight issues regarding the diagnosis and treatment of anaemia in patients requiring elective or emergency surgery. In addition, we review aspects related to patient blood management of critically ill patients with known or suspected COVID–19, and discuss important alterations of the coagulation system in patients hospitalised due to COVID–19. Finally, we address special considerations pertaining to supply‐demand and cost‐benefit issues of patient blood management during the COVID–19 pandemic.
Supra‐coronary aortic banding improves right ventricular function in experimental pulmonary arterial hypertension in rats by increasing systolic right coronary artery perfusion
Authors: Tian Lian , Xiong Ping Yu , Alizadeh Elahe , Lima Patricia D. A. , Potus François , Mewburn Jeffrey , Martin Ashley , Chen Kuang‐Hueih , Archer Stephen L.
Published: April 2020

Aim

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) results in right ventricular (RV) dysfunction owing, in part, to RV ischemia. The relative contribution of RV microvascular rarefaction vs reduced right coronary artery perfusion pressure (RCA‐PP) to RV ischemia remains unknown. We hypothesize that increasing RCA‐PP improves RV function in PAH by increasing RV systolic perfusion.

Methods

Supra‐coronary aortic banding (SAB) or sham surgery was performed on male Sprague‐Dawley rats. Seven to ten days later, rats received either monocrotaline (MCT; 60 mg/kg) or saline. After 1 month, echocardiography, cardiac catheterization, 99mTc‐sestamibi single‐photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and microsphere infusion studies were performed. The RV was harvested for measurement of hypertrophy (RVH), fibrosis and immunoblotting, and the lung was harvested for pulmonary artery (PA) histology.

Results

Supra‐coronary aortic banding increased systolic pressures in proximal aorta and systolic RCA‐PP in SAB + MCT vs MCT rats (114 ± 12 vs 5 ± 9 mm Hg), without altering diastolic RCA‐PP. SAB + MCT rats had improved RV function vs MCT rats, evident from their significantly increased cardiac output (CO), RV free wall (RVFW) thickening, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) and RV‐PA coupling indices. RV‐PA coupling indices and CO correlated directly with systolic RCA‐PP. RV perfusion was increased in SAB + MCT vs MCT rats and correlated well with CO; whereas microvascular rarefaction was unaltered. SAB + MCT rats had less RVH and fibrosis and lower PA pressures vs MCT rats. SAB + MCT rats had significantly lower RV pyruvate kinase muscle isoform 2/1 ratios than MCT rats, consistent with restoration of oxidative metabolism.

Conclusion

A SAB‐induced increase in systolic RCA‐PP improves RV perfusion and function in MCT rats. Maintaining systolic RCA perfusion can preserve RV function in PAH.
Letter: corticosteroid use alongside tofacitinib in OCTAVE Open
Authors: Peng Chen , Jiexin Lei , Yue Wu , Benhong Zhou
Published: April 2020

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Sands et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15555 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15716.
Editorial: re‐thinking cardiovascular risk factors in NAFLD with advanced fibrosis?
Authors: Horn Paul , Newsome Philip N.
Published: April 2020

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Henson et al and Henson and Corey papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15660 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15696.
Editorial: re‐thinking cardiovascular risk factors in NAFLD with advanced fibrosis? Authors' reply
Authors: Henson Jacqueline B. , Corey Kathleen E.
Published: April 2020

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Henson et al and Horn and Newsome papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15660 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15682.
Editorial: fluticasone propionate orally disintegrating tablets—interesting concept but is it going anywhere? Authors’ reply
Authors: Hirano Ikuo , Safroneeva Ekaterina , Roumet Marie C. , Comer Gail M. , Eagle Gina , Schoepfer Alain , Falk Gary W.
Published: April 2020

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Hirano et al and Richter papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15670 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15694.
Letter: corticosteroid use alongside tofacitinib in OCTAVE Open. Authors' reply
Authors: Sands Bruce E. , Armuzzi Alessandro , Marshall John K. , Lindsay James O. , Sandborn William J. , Danese Silvio , Panés Julián , Bressler Brian , Colombel Jean‐Frédéric , Lawendy Nervin , Maller Eric , Zhang Haiying , Chan Gary , Salese Leonardo , Tsilkos Konstantinos , Marren Amy , Su Chinyu
Published: April 2020

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Sands et al and Peng et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15555 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15674.