bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Beyond ACT & GPA: self-efficacy as a non-cognitive predictor of academic success
Authors: Tepper Robert J. , Yourstone Steven A.
Published: February 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to identify significant non-cognitive variables as predictors of student success in an introductory accounting class.

Design/methodology/approach

Non-cognitive characteristics of the students were obtained by surveying two sections of an introductory accounting class. Survey results were combined with student performance in the class. Regression analysis was applied to determine the significant predictors of academic success.

Findings

Findings show that students with similar ACT scores and GPA may outperform others owing to the effect of certain non-cognitive variables pertaining to self-efficacy. These included the individual’s perceived skill level, tendency to become discouraged and expected performance relative to others.

Research limitations/implications

One research limitation is the lack of a pre- and post-test to measure any interventions. No interventions are part of this research study, but this limitation provides a strong suggestion for future research. Also, larger sample sizes might lead to different results.

Practical implications

Cognitive ability is the intellectual capability that enables one to acquire, memorize, recall, combine, compare and use information and conceptual skills in new frameworks (Cronbach, 1984; Jensen, 1998). Standardized tests measure cognitive variables (Sedlacek, 2011). Research demonstrates that cognitive ability alone will not provide the best predictive model of performance (Hall et al., 2006). This study of certain non-cognitive variables improves instructor understanding of student success, increases predictive ability and informs teaching methods and interventions.

Originality/value

This study differs from previous research by adding to and enhancing the currently small and limited body of literature. While other studies have identified largely cognitive factors that relate to success in the introductory accounting course (Phillips, 2015), this study identifies significant non-cognitive variables relating to self-efficacy that can help accounting educators better understand student performance in introductory undergraduate financial accounting courses.
Measuring efficiencies of Bangladeshi and Indonesian microfinance institutions
Authors: Jaiyeoba Haruna Babatunde , Adewale Abideen Adeyemi , Ibrahim Khairunisah
Published: February 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to measure the technical efficiency and growth trajectory of Bangladeshi and Indonesian microfinance institutions (MFIs). The motivation for this study was derived from crucial roles that these institutions play in the socio-economic transformation of any nations, especially Bangladesh and Indonesia which are at least prominent in the Asian context in this regard. Rather than “proving” impact, research endeavors have shifted to focusing on “improving” the impact of MFIs, because the ability to improve their impact as socio-economic transformation platform may be hinged on their efficiency over time.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were obtained from MIX market database covering a five-year period from 2007 to 2011 for 20 Bangladeshi and 11 Indonesian MFIs. The data obtained were subjected to both efficiency and trajectory analysis using data envelopment analysis (DEA) based on Malmquist productivity index, independent t-test, and latent growth curve modeling (LGCM).

Findings

Overall, DEA results indicate that both Bangladeshi and Indonesian MFIs are approximately efficient under constant returns to scale, variable returns to scale, and scale. There has been an improvement in the management practices of Bangladeshi MFIs, while Indonesian MFIs have increased in optimum size. Independent t-test result shows that Bangladeshi MFIs are significantly efficient in terms of performance and firm’s size compared to Indonesian MFIs, but there is no significant difference in their efficiencies with regard to technology. The intercept and the slope of the regression weight in the estimated model using LGCM are not significantly different.

Research limitations/implications

This study measures technical efficiency and growth trajectory of Bangladeshi and Indonesian MFIs over a five-year period. However, future studies could explore this in greater depth by incorporating more data.

Practical implications

The research findings have great implications for the Bangladeshi and Indonesian MFIs. Since this study is among the first of its kind, the researchers have paved ways for further investigation in this area. Moreover, the study encourages the Bangladeshi and Indonesian MFIs to be more concerned of their efficiencies.

Originality/value

This study measures technical efficiency and growth trajectory of the Bangladeshi and Indonesian (MFIs). These have never been examined together in this way before.
Perspectives on “other” customers’ roles in citizenship behaviour
Authors: van Tonder Estelle , Petzer Daniël Johannes
Published: February 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of source credibility (expertise and trustworthiness) on perceived value (perceived usefulness (PU)), as well as the latter’s impact on sub-dimensions of customer citizenship behaviour (helping and advocacy intentions (AIs)) in an electronic banking services setting.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 439 respondents who use at least one form of electronic banking service and who have previously received positive messages about electronic banking services from other customers were approached to complete a self-administered structured questionnaire.

Findings

Source credibility dimensions have a positive and significant relationship with PU. PU in turn has a positive and significant relationship with helping intentions and AIs as forms of customer citizenship.

Research limitations/implications

The findings advance understanding of the extent to which customers rely on the perceptions of other customers in determining the usefulness of a service as well as their willingness to advocate the benefits of the service and help other customers.

Practical implications

The findings may guide retail banks in obtaining a greater understanding of the customer citizenship behaviour process and the extent to which banks can rely on customers to convince other customers of the benefits of electronic banking services.

Originality/value

This study offers insight into the antecedents of the advocacy and helping intentions sub-dimensions of customer citizenship behaviour. It also explains how value between customers can be created by considering the elaboration likelihood model and social exchange theories, and customer citizenship behaviour.
Consumers’ acceptance and use of plastic money in Harare, Zimbabwe
Authors: Makanyeza Charles , Mutambayashata Simolini
Published: February 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to apply unified theory of acceptance and use of technology 2 to determine factors influencing acceptance and use of plastic money in Zimbabwe.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a cross-section of 528 consumers, respondents were randomly intercepted as they walked out of five major supermarkets in Harare, Zimbabwe. Random selection of consumers was done in order to ensure a representative sample. Consumers were asked to complete a structured questionnaire. Structural equation modelling was applied to test research hypotheses.

Findings

Results show that performance expectancy, effort expectancy, hedonic motivation and habit all positively influenced behavioural intention to adopt plastic money. Social influence, facilitating conditions and perceived financial cost all did not have a significant effect on behavioural intention to adopt plastic money. Behavioural intention positively influenced consumers’ use behaviour on plastic money.

Research limitations/implications

This study is among the pioneers of research in this field in Zimbabwe and other developing countries. Likewise, caution must be taken when researchers try to generalise findings from this study. It is, therefore, recommended that more studies of this nature be conducted in other developing countries in order to have a more solid understanding of consumers’ adoption of plastic money.

Practical implications

The study advises banks to pay particular attention to performance expectancy, effort expectancy, hedonic motivation and habit when devising strategies to increase the adoption of plastic money.

Originality/value

Factors that influence the adoption of plastic money are not widely researched under circumstances such as those existing in Zimbabwe. The Zimbabwean financial sector provides a unique environment to conduct studies of this nature.
A comparison of two multivariate analysis methods for segmenting users of alternative payment means
Authors: Dimitriadis Sergios , Kyrezis Nikolaos , Chalaris Manos
Published: February 2018

Purpose

Alternative payment means have been expanding rapidly in recent years. The need to identify the segments of customers that are targetable for both financial and nonfinancial institutions is growing. The purpose of this paper is to use two different methods, discriminant analysis and decision trees, in order to compare the effectiveness of the two methods for segmentation and identify critical consumer characteristics which determine behavior and preference in relation to the use of payment means.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data from 321 bank customers, decision tree and discriminant analysis methods are used, first to test the same set of variables differentiating the customers and then to compare the respective results and prediction ability of the two methods.

Findings

Results show that discriminant analysis has a better model fit and segments the customers in a more effective way than the decision tree method. In addition, each method shows different variables to differentiate the customer groups.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are limited to the sector and country of the study, as well as the convenience sample that has been used.

Practical implications

Suggestions for financial managers to better understand their customers’ behavior and target the right group are discussed.

Originality/value

This is the first attempt to compare decision trees and discriminant analysis as alternative segmentation methods for payment means.
Forest inventory and analysis in Gilgit-Baltistan
Authors: Ismail Ismail , Sohail Muhammad , Gilani Hammad , Ali Anwar , Hussain Kiramat , Hussain Kamran , Karky Bhaskar Singh , Qamer Faisal Mueen , Qazi Waqas , Ning Wu , Kotru Rajan
Published: February 2018

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to analyse the occurrence and distribution of different tree species in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, as a baseline for further inventories, and estimate the biomass per species and plot. Furthermore, it aims to measure forest biodiversity using established formulae for tree species diversity index, richness, evenness and accumulative curve.

Design/methodology/approach

Field data were collected, including stratification of forest sample plots. Statistical analysis of the data was carried out, and locally appropriate allometric equations were applied for biomass estimation.

Findings

Representative circular 556 forest sample plots of 1,000 m2contained 13,135 trees belonging to nine tree species with a total aboveground biomass of 12,887 tonnes. Sixty-eight per cent of the trees were found between 2,600 and 3,400 masl; approximately 63 per cent had a diameter at breast height equal to 30 cm, and 45 per cent were less than 12 m in height. The Shannon diversity index was 1.82, and Simpson’s index of diversity was 0.813.

Research limitations/implications

Rough terrain, long distances, harsh weather conditions and location of forest in steep narrow valleys presented challenges for the field crews, and meant that fieldwork took longer than planned.

Practical implications

Estimating biomass in Gilgit-Baltistan’s forests using locally developed allometric equations will provide transparency in estimates of forest reference levels, National Forest Monitoring System in Pakistan and devising Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation national strategies and for effective implementation.

Originality/value

This paper presents the first detailed forest inventory carried out for the dry temperate and semi-arid cold region of Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan.
Is “Do it right the first time” necessarily right?
Authors: Wang Xingyu , Guchait Priyanko , Madera Juan M. , Pasamehmetoğlu Aysin
Published: February 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is threefold: first, to investigate the extent to which organizational error management culture impacts manager trust and group efficacy; second, to examine whether manager trust and group efficacy mediate the impact of error management culture on employee creativity; and third, to test whether manager trust and group efficacy mediate the impact of error management culture on employees’ organizational commitment.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a survey methodology, 345 front-line hotel employees in Turkey provided survey data. Amos 22.0 was used for data analysis.

Findings

Three major findings emerge. First, error management culture was found to have a significant positive influence on manager trust and group efficacy. Second, manager trust and group efficacy mediated the relationship between error management culture and employee creativity. Third, manager trust and group efficacy were found to mediate the relationship between error management culture and employees’ organizational commitment.

Practical implications

First, to promote employee creativity and their commitment to the organization, hotels need to cultivate an error management culture. Second, error management culture should be applied in hotels to build employee trust in their manager and boost their collective belief about group competency.

Originality/value

This is the first study that identified employee creativity and organizational commitment as outcomes of organizational error management culture. This is also the first study that examined the mediating effects of manager trust and group efficacy which helps in understanding the underlying mechanisms linking error management culture and employee attitudes. The current study provides significant contributions to understanding error management.
Risk management: comparative analysis of systematic risk and effect of the financial crisis on US tourism industry
Authors: Angel Kirill , Menéndez-Plans Carlota , Orgaz-Guerrero Neus
Published: February 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to study the connection between the systematic equity risk of US tourism industry companies and a set of information from inside these firms and the market. The authors sought to identify which information explains equity risk to estimate patterns of behavior – especially for those companies that cannot have a beta – in terms of the cost of share capital.

Design/methodology/approach

To carry out the research, the authors used a panel data technique and combined accounting information from the selected companies with macroeconomic information to develop independent variables. The sample consisted of 79 firms of the arts, entertainment and recreation and accommodation and food services sectors in the USA for 2004-2013. The authors incorporated two dummy variables into the analyses. The first one was used to find out if a difference exists between the two sectors, and the other was used to examine differences before and after 2008, when the current economic and financial crisis began.

Findings

The results reveal that equity risk is explained by businesses’ size and growth, along with three indicators of business efficiency, consumer price and Stoxx Europe 50 indices. The 2008 financial crisis did not alter the behavior of the estimated model, and no difference was found between the two sectors in question.

Research limitations/implications

The study’s most important limitation is the number of companies and years that make up the sample, although a broader set of data was analyzed in this work compared to previous studies.

Practical implications

The research results are quite useful to tourism enterprise management in the US market as they provide information that explains companies’ equity risk. Knowing this information could facilitate more efficient management, and an understanding of which information determines company risk can help to quantify risk objectively without access to betas.

Originality/value

The authors studied the US market as an important financial market and the tourist industry, in particular, for its economic significance, as shown by the direct contribution of travel and tourism to the US gross domestic product. Although this type of research in the tourism sector is not new, the present study answers the need identified by Park and Jang (2014) to continue this line of research by using a more interdisciplinary approach that combines hospitality research with finance and/or accounting studies.
Corporate governance and performance of Italian gambling SMEs during recession
Authors: La Rosa Fabio , Bernini Francesca
Published: February 2018

Purpose

This study aims to explore how the economic recession and some corporate governance (CG) provisions can affect the performance of Italian gambling small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across different business segments.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a panel sample of 2,135 observations before and during the global financial crisis. Specifically, the roles of ownership, boards of directors, chief executive officer gender and gambling business segments are investigated in the Italian gambling market.

Findings

Ownership concentration has a negative relationship with the performance of foreigner- and financial-owned firms, while boards exert a positive role on performance. Interestingly, the financial crisis does not impact the performance of Italian gambling SMEs and some business segments, such as bingo, perform even better during the crisis.

Research limitations/implications

Further investigations should analyze the role of single games on firm performance. The consumer- and firm-level examinations offer very different perspectives and scholars should be aware of this when investigating the gambling industry.

Practical implications

This study might help both policymakers and other gambling firms, such as casinos, to better understand which appropriate CG model should be adopted and how it can positively influence performance, especially in recessionary times.

Originality/value

This study contributes to studies on hospitality and tourism by focusing on the complementary role of gambling SMEs with respect to casinos. It also increases knowledge on the role of CG in privately owned gambling firms, which thus far has been scantly investigated by scholars.
Facebook marketing campaign benchmarking for a franchised hotel
Authors: Lo Ying Chen , Fang Chin-Yi
Published: February 2018

Purpose

This study aims to develop a performance evaluation model for Facebook (FB) marketing campaigns (FBMCs) for a franchised hotel, distinguish four quadrants based on efficiency and customer attention and suggest improvements for inefficient FBMCs based on the slack value analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper applied the elaboration likelihood model to select three inputs (text, picture and color) and three outputs (number of people reached; reactions, comments and shares; and clicks on post) based on the literature and expert opinions to assess 60 FBMCs for hotels through data envelopment analysis and a robustness test. The four-quadrant analysis (benchmark, improvements in efficiency and customer attention and fade-out) provides suggestions for underperforming FBMCs.

Findings

The results indicate that the efficiency of the greeting FBMCs is better than that of the event and promotion FBMCs. The projection of input value analysis showed that an average of 50 words, one picture and six colors is the benchmark of FBMCs.

Research limitations/implications

Sixty FBMCs for the same franchised hotel were examined. Further research could extend this model to different hotels for generalization.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that developing shorter text lengths, concise photos and colors of greeting messages on FB could be efficient for FBMCs.

Originality/value

This paper contributes in assessing the performance of FBMCs to identify the benchmark FBMCs with the higher efficiency and more customer attention for a franchised hotel.
Segmenting the audience attending a military music festival
Authors: Mallette Helen Marie , George Wanda , Blum Ilya
Published: February 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose and introduce a new classification model to segment a nation’s cultural tourists based on their motivations to travel to a military music festival. Little research is apparent about the types of people, and their motivations, who attend these types of festivals. In addition, the research investigates the impact of military music festivals on the concepts of patriotism and national identity.

Design/methodology/approach

The research approach involves empirical testing of a Canadian audience attending the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo, a longstanding annual musical event held in Nova Scotia, Canada, that pays tribute to the country’s military heritage. A proposed classification model that includes two dimensions is applied, which investigates: motivation to attend the event and kinship to Canada’s military and naval traditions.

Findings

Findings provide a better understanding of the diversity of the Canadian cultural tourist audience attending a military music display in terms of tourists’ demographics, experience of the show and the desire to return. This research also provides new insights as to the ability of a military musical event to arouse emotions of national pride, patriotism and strengthen national identity.

Originality/value

This research is important to event sponsors and organizers of military music events as they attempt to maintain productivity and attendance growth in an increasingly competitive entertainment environment.
Role of event personality and exhibitors’ eudaimonic and hedonic happiness in predicting event advocacy intentions
Authors: Rai Shivam , Nayak Jogendra Kumar
Published: February 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to test the applicability of brand personality theory in the perspective of trade show events, and the influence of trade show event personality on exhibitor’s eudaimonic and hedonic happiness and advocacy intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 210 exhibitors (n=210) of three trade exhibitions, organized at Delhi, India participated in the study. A face to face survey method was used to collect the data.

Findings

The results of the study provide sustenance for the event personality and exhibitor’s eudaimonic and hedonic happiness model. The event personality factors significantly affected the meaningful and subjective happiness of exhibitor. Happiness was identified as a key influencer for advocacy intentions. Hedonic and eudaimonic facets of happiness had positive effects on exhibitor’s intention to participate, and word of mouth intention.

Practical implications

The current study provides event marketer a tool for measuring event personality. Event personality is vital to build the event equity and to position the event in the market to gain a competitive advantage over the other events. Happiness as a construct is being studied in various social science studies. This study has attempted to establish a relationship among exhibitor happiness, event personality, and advocacy intentions.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the management literature in two ways: first, Eudaimonic and hedonic happiness constructs have never been explored in the brand personality context. Thus, this research adds a new value to the brand personality literature. And second, the brand personality construct is used for the first time in trade show event context that will open a new domain in brand personality, and event research.
Proposals for enhancing tactical planning in grocery retailing with S&OP
Authors: Dreyer Heidi Carin , Kiil Kasper , Dukovska-Popovska Iskra , Kaipia Riikka
Published: February 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore tactical planning in grocery retailing and propose how process and integration mechanisms from sales and operations planning (S&OP) can enhance retail tactical planning.

Design/methodology/approach

This work follows an explorative design with case studies from the grocery retailing industry in Finland, Norway, and the UK.

Findings

The tactical planning process focuses on demand management and securing product availability from suppliers in order to reach sales targets. Less attention is directed toward balancing supply and demand or toward providing a single plan to guide company operations. Planning appeared to be functionally oriented with limited coordination between functional plans, but it did include external integration that improved forecast accuracy.

Research limitations/implications

The study involves grocery retailer cases with variable levels of S&OP maturity. The propositions need to be investigated further through action research or additional case studies to confirm their validity.

Practical implications

The study proposes a design of an S&OP process in retailing and propositions for improving tactical planning integration.

Originality/value

The study complements research on retail tactical planning by taking planning process and integration viewpoints. The research suggests that retailers would benefit from a formal and company-wide S&OP process to unify different market-oriented plans to a single set of numbers, thus better balancing supply and demand without sacrificing the emphasis on demand planning.
Negotiation and resistance: a history of consumption in British India
Authors: Sreekumar Hari
Published: February 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the key literature pertaining to consumption during the colonial period in India, broadly covering the time period from the early nineteenth century to the middle of the twentieth century. The review shows the prominent themes and patterns that help us understand colonial Indian consumers’ encounter with Western products and institutions.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is a review of historical research papers and papers pertaining to the colonial period in India.

Findings

British colonialism introduced new products, institutions and ways of living into India, which were negotiated with and contested by Indian consumers and intellectuals. These new products and practices were not seamlessly adopted into the Indian context. Rather, they were appropriated into existing social structures determined by caste, gender and religion. The tensions produced by such negotiations and contestations fed Indian resistance to colonialism, culminating in British withdrawal from India.

Originality/value

Historical research pertaining to marketing in the Indian context is scarce. Moreover, there are few reviews which outline the important consumption practices and changes pertaining to the colonial period. The findings of this review will be of use to researchers and students of history, marketing and cultural studies.
Revisiting Spivak’s “Can the Subaltern Speak” through the lens of affect theory
Authors: Zembylas Michalinos
Published: February 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to revisit Spivak’s seminal essay “Can the Subaltern Speak” and the perennial challenges of researchers to collect information about the Other, focusing on the recent developments in affect theory.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper brings into the conversation the recent work on affect and sentimentality by Lauren Berlant with Spivak’s claims in the essay concerning the representation of the subaltern by scholars and researchers. The paper draws on Berlant’s work to trouble the liberal culture of “true feeling” as well as the liberal subject implied in Spivak’s essay as a subject who is “actively speaking.”

Findings

Recent theoretical developments on the affect theory make an important intervention to the perennial methodological tensions about representation, ontology and epistemology – as raised by Spivak and others over the years – and inspire new ways of thinking with the tools of doing qualitative research.

Originality/value

Bringing into the conversation, the affect theory and Spivak’s iconic essay have important methodological implications for qualitative research.
Portfolio balance effects and the Federal Reserve’s large-scale asset purchases
Authors: Emmerling Thomas , Jarrow Robert , Yildirim Yildiray
Published: February 2018

Purpose

Whereas much of previous literature focuses upon the impact on yields from the Federal Reserve’s large-scale asset purchases (LSAPs), the purpose of this paper is to study the changes to expected returns.

Design/methodology/approach

This empirical investigation offers support for changes to risk premia coincident with LSAPs.

Findings

For both equity and bonds, the authors find evidence for supply/demand LSAPs effects; the equity effects are consistent with a substitution effect from bonds to equities, whereas the bond effects appear to be an anomaly.

Originality/value

The findings represent new insight for weighing the efficacy and identifying the scope of LSAPs.
Spatial patterns of pathogenic and mutualistic fungi across the elevational range of a host plant
Authors: Merges Dominik , Bálint Miklós , Schmitt Imke , Böhning‐Gaese Katrin , Neuschulz Eike Lena
Published: February 2018

Fungi are both agents of disease and mutualistic partners of plants. Previous studies have tested the effects of abiotic or biotic factors on plant‐associated fungal communities in isolation. However, to better understand patterns of plant–fungal associations, the combined effects of abiotic and biotic drivers across environmental gradients may be important.

We investigated the effects of temperature, pH, soil moisture, vegetation cover and distance to host plant on the occurrence and abundance of fungi associated with Swiss stone pine (Pinus cembra). We did this by DNA metabarcoding 288 soil samples taken across and beyond the elevation range of P. cembra (i.e. 1,850–2,250 m a.s.l.) in two valleys in the Swiss Alps. We modelled the effects of abiotic and biotic factors on DNA read abundance of pathogenic and mutualistic fungal operational taxonomic units (OTUs) associated with P. cembra. We also tested whether abiotic and biotic factors differentially affected fungi of varying host specificity (i.e. host generalists, host specialists).

We found that the occurrences of both host generalist and specialist fungi exceeded the current elevational range of their host plant. Abiotic factors had only minor effects on the abundances of all fungal OTUs. However, we found positive effects of the host plant on the abundance of a host specialist pathogenic fungus, providing support for a Janzen–Connell effect of high pathogen accumulation close to conspecific host plants. We also found a positive response to the host plant in a specialist ectomycorrhizal fungus, suggesting an “inverse” Janzen–Connell effect.

Synthesis. Our findings imply that negative distance dependence shapes not only the distribution of host‐specific fungal pathogens, but also host‐specific fungal mutualists. We conclude that the occurrence of both pathogenic and mutualistic fungi beyond the current elevational range of host plants may determine their potential range shifts under projected climate warming.
The pH dependency of N‐converting enzymatic processes, pathways and microbes: effect on net N2O production
Authors: Blum Jan‐Michael , Su Qingxian , Ma Yunjie , Valverde‐Pérez Borja , Domingo‐Félez Carlos , Jensen Marlene Mark , Smets Barth F.
Published: February 2018

Nitrous oxide (N2O) is emitted during microbiological nitrogen (N) conversion processes, when N2O production exceeds N2O consumption. The magnitude of N2O production vs. consumption varies with pH and controlling net N2O production might be feasible by choice of system pH. This article reviews how pH affects enzymes, pathways and microorganisms that are involved in N‐conversions in water engineering applications. At a molecular level, pH affects activity of cofactors and structural elements of relevant enzymes by protonation or deprotonation of amino acid residues or solvent ligands, thus causing steric changes in catalytic sites or proton/electron transfer routes that alter the enzymes' overall activity. Augmenting molecular information with, e.g., nitritation or denitrification rates yields explanations of changes in net N2O production with pH. Ammonia oxidizing bacteria are of highest relevance for N2O production, while heterotrophic denitrifiers are relevant for N2O consumption at pH > 7.5. Net N2O production in N‐cycling water engineering systems is predicted to display a ‘bell‐shaped’ curve in the range of pH 6.0–9.0 with a maximum at pH 7.0–7.5. Net N2O production at acidic pH is dominated by N2O production, whereas N2O consumption can outweigh production at alkaline pH. Thus, pH 8.0 may be a favourable pH set‐point for water treatment applications regarding net N2O production.
Glycoside hydrolase DisH from Desulfovibrio vulgaris degrades the N‐acetylgalactosamine component of diverse biofilms
Authors: Zhu Lei , Poosarla Venkata G. , Song Sooyeon , Wood Thammajun L. , Miller Daniel S. , Yin Bei , Wood Thomas K.
Published: February 2018

Biofilms of sulfate‐reducing bacteria (SRB) produce H2S, which contributes to corrosion. Although bacterial cells in biofilms are cemented together, they often dissolve their own biofilm to allow the cells to disperse. Using Desulfovibrio vulgaris as a model SRB, we sought polysaccharide‐degrading enzymes that disperse its biofilm. Using a whole‐genome approach, we identified eight enzymes as putative extracellular glycoside hydrolases including DisH (DVU2239, dispersal hexosaminidase), an enzyme that we demonstrated here, by utilizing various p‐nitrooligosaccharide substrates, to be an N‐acetyl‐β‐D‐hexosaminidase. For N‐acetyl‐β‐D‐galactosamine (GalNAc), Vmax was 3.6 µmol of p‐nitrophenyl/min (mg protein)−1 and Km was 0.8 mM; the specific activity for N‐acetyl β‐D‐glucosamine (GlcNAc) was 7.8 µmol of p‐nitrophenyl/min (mg protein)−1. Since GalNAc is one of the three exopolysaccharide matrix components of D. vulgaris, purified DisH was found to disperse 63 ± 2% biofilm as well as inhibit biofilm formation up to 47 ± 4%. The temperature and pH optima are 60°C and pH 6, respectively; DisH is also inhibited by copper and is secreted. In addition, since polymers of GalNAc and GlcNAc are found in the matrix of diverse bacteria, DisH dispersed biofilms of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis. Therefore, DisH has the potential to inhibit and disperse a wide‐range of biofilms.
Genome re‐sequencing and simple sequence repeat markers reveal the existence of divergent lineages in the Canadian Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici population with extensive DNA methylation
Authors: Brar Gurcharn S. , Ali Sajid , Qutob Dinah , Ambrose Stephen , Lou Kun , Maclachlan Ron , Pozniak Curtis J. , Fu Yong‐Bi , Sharpe Andrew G. , Kutcher Hadley R.
Published: February 2018

Wheat stripe rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst), is an important disease in Canada. The worldwide genetic structure of Pst populations have been characterized, excluding Canada. Here, we elucidated the genetic structure of the western Canadian Pst population using molecular markers, revealing the presence of four divergent lineages with predominantly clonal structure. In the worldwide context, two previously reported lineages were identified: PstS0 (22%), representing an old Northwestern‐European and PstS1 (35%), an invasive warm‐temperature adapted. Additionally, two new, unreported lineages, PstPr (9%) and PstS1‐related (35%), were detected, which produced more telia than other lineages and had double the number of unique recombination events. The PstPr was a recent invasion, and likely evolved in a diverse, recombinant population as it was closely related to the PstS5, PstS7/Warrior, PstS8/Kranich, and PstS9 lineages originating from sexually recombining populations in the centre of diversity. The DNA methylation analysis revealed DNA‐methyltransferase1‐homologs, providing compelling evidence for epigenetic regulation and as a first report, an average of ∼5%, 5hmC in the Puccinia epigenome merits further investigation. The divergent lineages in the Canadian Pst population with the potential for genetic recombination, as well as epigenetic regulation needs consideration in the context of pathogen adaptation and management.
The evolving contribution of non‐communicable diseases to maternal mortality in Jamaica, 1998–2015: a population‐based study
Authors: McCaw‐Binns AM , Campbell LV , Spence SS
Published: February 2018

Objective

To describe trends in indirect cause‐specific pregnancy‐related mortality from 1998 to 2015.

Design

Secondary analysis of annual, national cross‐sectional database of maternal and late maternal deaths, identified through active surveillance of deaths among women aged 10–50 years.

Setting

Jamaica, a middle‐income Caribbean country.

Population

Maternal and late maternal deaths.

Methods

Descriptive trend analyses of demographic and cause‐specific maternal and pregnancy‐related mortality ratios undertaken comparing the periods 1998–2003, 2004–2009 and 2010–2015. Multivariate logistic regression was used to confirm changes in risk of indirect death.

Main outcome measures

Maternal, pregnancy‐related, direct, indirect and cause‐specific mortality ratios (deaths/100 000 live births).

Results

Maternal deaths from indirect conditions increased between the first two periods (P = 0.004) and stabilised in the third (P = 0.085). Associated with upward movement in cardiovascular deaths (P[trend] = 0.003), women under 25 years were at elevated risk (odds ratio 1.44, 95% CI 1.00–2.08; P = 0.052). Haematological/immunological conditions (69% sickle cell disease) ranked second but did not vary with time. Health service utilisation was similar across age, parity, health region and major cause categories (non‐communicable diseases, non‐obstetric infections, direct), however women with indirect conditions spent more time in hospital (median 5 days versus 3 days) and more often died after the puerperium.

Conclusions

Medical conditions, especially cardiovascular disease, are increasingly associated with maternal and late maternal mortality. Middle‐income countries need to simultaneously improve management of indirect conditions, while redoubling efforts to reduce direct deaths. Postpuerperal medical services should be integrated into routine infant health services to improve continuity of care during this high‐risk period.

Tweetable abstract

Maternal survival (SDG 3.1) in LMICs requires better care for women with both non‐communicable diseases and obstetric conditions.
Super High‐Flux Continuous Venovenous Hemodialysis Using Regional Citrate Anticoagulation: Long‐Term Stability of Middle Molecule Clearance
Authors: Siebeck Martin , Dimski Thomas , Brandenburger Timo , Slowinski Torsten , Kindgen‐Milles Detlef
Published: February 2018

Continuous renal replacement therapy is a standard treatment in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury. All CRRT techniques provide a high low‐molecular weight clearance but even with hemofiltration, clearance of middle molecules is low. We investigated whether a new super high‐flux hemofilter provides effective and sustained middle molecule clearance during citrate‐anticoagulated continuous venovenous hemodialysis for up to 72 h. We included 14 critically ill patients with AKI‐KDIGO‐III in a prospective observational trial. We measured/calculated blood and urine concentrations, clearances and sieving coefficients of eight molecules with molecular weights from 60 to 66 kDa, hemodynamic parameters and SAPS‐II scores. All filters were patent at 72 h. Clearance and sieving coefficients of small solutes were high and sustained over time, those for larger solutes decreased over 72 h but remained high enough to decrease blood concentrations of solutes up to 25 kDa. Albumin serum levels remained unaffected. Catecholamine doses and SAPS‐II scores decreased significantly. This new hemofilter may improve blood purification in critically ill patients with AKI.
Validation of the Swedish version of Quality of Recovery score ‐15: a multicentre, cohort study
Authors: Lyckner S. , Böregård I.‐L. , Zetterlund E.‐L. , Chew M. S.
Published: February 2018

Background

Quality of recovery (QoR) after surgery is often focused on morbidity, mortality and physiological changes, while well‐being and emotional state are other important aspects that are often ignored. QoR is poorly investigated in clinical settings and a psychometrically tested questionnaire, QoR‐15, has recently been developed. QoR‐15 has not been validated for Swedish conditions. The aim of this study was to translate, adapt and validate QoR‐15 to Swedish conditions (QoR‐15swe).

Methods

A translation and cultural adaption was performed resulting in a Swedish version of the instrument, QoR‐15swe. Patients answered the QoR‐15swe before surgery, 24 and 48 h after surgery. Feasibility, validity, reliability and responsiveness of the QoR‐15swe were evaluated.

Results

The QoR‐15swe was feasible in 85.5% of the eligible patients. Construct validity was good, with significant correlations between QoR‐15swe score and, ASA‐PS class, grade of surgery, length of surgery and time in the post‐anaesthesia care unit. The instrument demonstrated good internal consistency with an inter‐item Cronbach's α of 0.83–0.87, and inter‐dimension Cronbach's α was acceptable 0.71–0.76. Test‐retest repeatability was also good with Cronbach′s alpha > 0.99 and an interclass correlation coefficient of 0.992 (CI: 0.981–0.997). There were no floor and ceiling effects. Responsiveness assessed by Cliff's effect size was −0.23 indicating a moderate ability to detect change at 24 h postoperatively.

Conclusion

We have translated and culturally adapted the QoR‐15 into Swedish. The score demonstrated acceptable validity, reliability and responsiveness. The QoR‐15swe is a clinically acceptable and feasible outcome measure after surgery in a Swedish population.
THE PUBLIC ECONOMICS OF LONG‐TERM CARE. A SURVEY OF RECENT CONTRIBUTIONS
Authors: KLIMAVICIUTE Justina , PESTIEAU Pierre
Published: February 2018

With the rapid increase in LTC needs, the negligible role of the market and the declining role of informal family care, the government is expected take a more proactive role in the support of dependent elderly, particularly those who cannot count on assistance from their family. The purpose of this paper is to survey a number of recent papers that analyze the possibility of designing a sustainable public LTC scheme integrating both the market and the family.
An Irish national vegetation classification system for aquatic river macrophytes
Authors: Weekes Lynda , Kącki Zygmunt , FitzPatrick Úna , Kelly Fiona , Matson Ronan , Kelly‐Quinn Mary
Published: February 2018

Aim

To construct a classification system for Irish aquatic river vegetation that is directly comparable to European aquatic vegetation classification units.

Location

A total of 2,415 river vegetation plots with a wide geographic distribution across both the Republic and Northern Ireland.

Methods

The plots were recorded from a range of river types from upland streams to wadeable lowland rivers. A total of 1,613 plots were classified using supervised K‐means clustering through the programme JUICE. The Phi co‐efficient for presence/absence data was used to measure fidelity of the vegetation communities.

Results

The vegetation communities could be initially sub‐divided in to four main categories: (1) bryophyte‐dominated aquatic vegetation, (2) bryophyte‐dominated marginal vegetation, (3) vascular plant‐dominated aquatic vegetation and (4) vascular plant‐dominated marginal/emergent vegetation. Within these four categories the vegetation was classified into seven classes, 18 alliances and 30 associations. Descriptions are given for each including variants and sub‐associations if found at association level.

Conclusions

There is a rich diversity of bryophyte communities within Irish rivers and they are an integral part of the river network, whereas there was less diversity among vascular plant communities. The distinction between some communities was not as sharp as expected for a variety of reasons discussed in this paper, nevertheless, a working classification system was constructed.
Relationship Between Glucocerebrosidase Activity and Clinical Response to Enzyme Replacement Therapy in Patients With Gaucher Disease Type I
Authors: Gras‐Colomer Elena , Martínez‐Gómez María‐Amparo , Climente‐Martí Mónica , Fernandez‐Zarzoso Miguel , Almela‐Tejedo Mercedes , Giner‐Galvañ Vicente , Marcos‐Rodríguez Jose‐Antonio , Rodríguez‐Fernández Alicia , Torralba‐Cabeza Miguel‐Ángel , Merino‐Sanjuan Matilde
Published: February 2018

The quantification of enzyme activity in the patient treated with enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) has been suggested as a tool for dosage individualization, so we conducted a study to evaluate the relationship between glucocerebrosidase activity and clinical response in patients with Gaucher disease type I (GD1) to ERT. The study included patients diagnosed with GD1, who were being treated with ERT, and healthy individuals. Markers based on glucocerebrosidase activity measurement in patients’ leucocytes were studied: enzyme activity at 15 min. post‐infusion (Act75) reflects the amount of enzyme that is distributed in the body post‐ERT infusion, and accumulated glucocerebrosidase activity during ERT infusion (Act75‐0) indicates the total drug exposure during infusion. The clinical response was evaluated based on criteria established by Pastores et al. and Gaucher Severity Score Index. Statistical analysis included ROC analysis and area under the curve test. Act75 and Act75‐0 were found to be moderate predictive markers of an optimal clinical response (area under the ROC of Act75 was 0.733 and Act75‐0 was 0.817). Act75‐0 showed statistical significance in its discriminative capacity (p < 0.05) for obtaining an optimal response to ERT. The cut‐off point was 58% (RR = 1.800; 95% CI: 1.003–3.229; p < 0.05). Moreover, Act75 showed a significant and inverse correlation with the Gaucher Severity Score Index, and Act75 and Act75‐0 presented a significant correlation with residual enzyme activity at diagnosis. Markers based on glucocerebrosidase activity have a good correlation with clinical response to ERT. Therefore, it could provide supporting clinical data for dose management in GD1 patients.