bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exit rights open complex pathways to cooperation
Authors: Shen Chen , Jusup Marko , Shi Lei , Wang Zhen , Perc Matjaž , Holme Petter
Published: January 2021

We study the evolutionary dynamics of the Prisoner’s Dilemma game in which cooperators and defectors interact with another actor type called exiters. Rather than being exploited by defectors, exiters exit the game in favour of a small pay-off. We find that this simple extension of the game allows cooperation to flourish in well-mixed populations when iterations or reputation are added. In networked populations, however, the exit option is less conducive to cooperation. Instead, it enables the coexistence of cooperators, defectors, and exiters through cyclic dominance. Other outcomes are also possible as the exit pay-off increases or the network structure changes, including network-wide oscillations in actor abundances that may cause the extinction of exiters and the domination of defectors, although game parameters should favour exiting. The complex dynamics that emerges in the wake of a simple option to exit the game implies that nuances matter even if our analyses are restricted to incentives for rational behaviour.
Teredinibacter haidensis sp. nov., Teredinibacter purpureus sp. nov. and Teredinibacter franksiae sp. nov., marine, cellulolytic endosymbiotic bacteria isolated from the gills of the wood-boring mollusc Bankia setacea (Bivalvia: Teredinidae) and emended description of the genus Teredinibacter
Authors: Altamia Marvin A. , Shipway J. Reuben , Stein David , Betcher Meghan A. , Fung Jennifer M. , Jospin Guillaume , Eisen Jonathan , Haygood Margo G. , Distel Daniel L.
Published: January 2021

Here, we describe three endosymbiotic bacterial strains isolated from the gills of the shipworm, Bankia setacea (Teredinidae: Bivalvia). These strains, designated as Bs08T, Bs12T and Bsc2T, are Gram-stain-negative, microaerobic, gammaproteobacteria that grow on cellulose and a variety of substrates derived from lignocellulose. Phenotypic characterization, phylogeny based on 16S rRNA gene and whole genome sequence data, amino acid identity and percentage of conserved proteins analyses, show that these strains are novel and may be assigned to the genus

Teredinibacter

. The three strains may be differentiated and distinguished from other previously described

Teredinibacter

species based on a combination of four characteristics: colony colour (Bs12T, purple; others beige to brown), marine salt requirement (Bs12T, Bsc2T and

Teredinibacter turnerae

strains), the capacity for nitrogen fixation (Bs08T and

T. turnerae

strains) and the ability to respire nitrate (Bs08T). Based on these findings, we propose the names Teredinibacter haidensis sp. nov. (type strain Bs08T=ATCC TSD-121T=KCTC 62964T), Teredinibacter purpureus sp. nov. (type strain Bs12T=ATCC TSD-122T=KCTC 62965T) and Teredinibacter franksiae sp. nov. (type strain Bsc2T=ATCC TSD-123T=KCTC 62966T).
Visual Impairment and Risk of Dementia: the UK Biobank Study
Authors: Zhu Zhuoting , Shi Danli , Liao Huan , Ha Jason , Shang Xianwen , Huang Yu , Zhang Xueli , Jiang Yu , Li Longyue , Yu Honghua , Hu Wenyi , Wang Wei , Yang Xiaohong , He Mingguang
Published: January 2021

INTRODUCTION

The association between visual impairment (VI) and the risk of dementia has been poorly understood. We sought to investigate the VI-dementia relationship in the UK Biobank Study.

METHODS

A total of 117,187 volunteers (aged 40-69 years) deemed free of dementia at baseline were included. Habitual distance visual acuity worse than 0.3 logMAR units in the better-seeing eye was used to define VI. The incident dementia was based on electronically linked hospital inpatient and death records.

RESULTS

During a median follow up of 5.96 years, the presence of VI was significantly associated with incident dementia (HR=1.78, 95% CI: 1.18-2.68, P=0.006). There was a clear trend between the severity of VI and the risk of dementia (P for trend=0.002).

DISCUSSION

Visually impaired individuals were more likely to develop incident dementia, with a progressively greater risk among those with worse visual acuity. Our findings highlight the value of regular vision screening and elimination of VI.

HIGHLIGHTS

The association between VI and dementia has been poorly understood;

VI is associated with incident dementia in non-demented adults;

There is a clear trend between the severity of VI and the risk of dementia;

VI may be a marker of increased dementia risk.

RESEARCH IN CONTEXT

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

We searched and reviewed the literature using traditional sources (e.g., PubMed and GoogleScholar). While the association between VI and cognitive function/decline are increasingly studies, investigation of the association between VI and the risk of dementia has been largely overlooked.

INTERPRETATION

We found that visually impaired individuals were more likely to develop incident dementia, with a progressively greater risk among those with worse visual acuity. Our findings imply that VI may be an important marker of dementia.

FUTURE DIRECTIONS

These findings call for more studies to investigate (a) the role of visual acuity changes on the risk of dementia; (b) the relationship between other components of visual function and incident dementia; (c) the relationship between eye diseases and incident dementia; and (d) the potential benefits of vision rehabilitation on dementia prevention.
Association of Visual Impairment with Risk for Future Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Zhu Zhuoting , Hu Wenyi , Liao Huan , Tan Zachary , Chen Yifan , Shi Danli , Shang Xianwen , Zhang Xueli , Huang Yu , Yu Honghua , Wang Wei , He Mingguang , Yang Xiaohong
Published: January 2021

Background

Although visual dysfunction is one of the most common non-motor symptoms among patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD), it is not known whether such dysfunction predates the onset of clinical PD.

Objectives

To examine the association of visual impairment (VI) with the future development of PD in the UK Biobank Study.

Methods

The UK Biobank Study is one of the largest prospective cohort studies of health, enrolling over 500,000 participants aged 40-69 years between 2006 and 2010 across the UK. VI was defined as a habitual distance visual acuity (VA) worse than 0.3 LogMAR in the better-seeing eye. Incident cases of PD were determined by self report data, hospital admission records or death records, whichever came first. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to investigate the association between VI and the risk of incident PD.

Results

A total of 117,050 participants were free of PD at the baseline assessment. During the median observation period of 5.96 (interquantile range [IQR]: 5.77-6.23) years, PD occurred in 222 (0.19%) participants. Visually impaired participants were at a higher risk of developing PD than non-VI participants (p<0.001). Compared with the non-VI group, the adjusted hazard ratio was 2.28 (95% CI 1.29-4.04, p=0.005) in the VI group. These results were consistent in the sensitivity analysis, where incident PD cases diagnosed within one year after the baseline assessment were excluded.

Conclusions

This prospective cohort study found that VI was associated with an increased risk of incident PD, suggesting that VI may represent a prodromal feature of PD.
Association of Visual Impairment with Brain Structure
Authors: Zhu Zhuoting , Hu Wenyi , Liao Huan , Shi Danli , Tan Zachary , Chen Yifan , Shang Xianwen , Huang Yu , Zhang Xueli , Jiang Yu , Wang Wei , Yang Xiaohong , He Mingguang
Published: January 2021

Objective

To investigate the association of visual impairment (VI) with brain structures in the UK Biobank Study.

Methods

The UK Biobank Study is a large prospective study that recruited more than 500,000 participants aged 40-69 from 2006 to 2010 across the UK. Visual acuity (VA) of worse than 0.3 LogMAR units (Snellen 20/40) was defined as VI. Structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data were obtained using a 3.0-T MRI imager. Volumetric measures of five global brain volumes (total brain volume, total grey matter, total white matter, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), brain stem) and the volumes of seven specific brain region (thalamus, caudate nucleus, basal ganglia, pallidum, hippocampus, amygdala and nucleus accumbens) were included in the present analysis. Multivariable linear regression was used to investigate the association of VI with global and specific brain volumes.

Results

A total of 8976 participants free of neurological disorders at baseline assessment were included for the present analysis. The prevalence of VI was 0.02% (n=181). After adjusting for a range of cofounding factors, VI was significantly associated with decreased volumes of the total brain (β = -0.12, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.23 to 0.00, P = 0.049), thalamus (β = -0.16, 95% CI -0.18 to -0.04, P = 0.010), caudatenucleus (β = -0.14, 95% CI -0.27 to 0.00, P = 0.046), pallidum (β = -0.15, 95% CI-0.27 to -0.02, P = 0.028) and amygdala (β = -0.18, 95% CI -0.31 to -0.04, P = 0.012).

Interpretation

We found that VI is associated with a decrease in total brain volumes and the volumes of specific brain regions implicated in neurodegenerative diseases.
Factors indicating intention to vaccinate with a COVID-19 vaccine among older U.S. Adults
Authors: Nikolovski Janeta , Koldijk Martin , Weverling Gerrit Jan , Spertus John , Turakhia Mintu , Saxon Leslie , Gibson Mike , Whang John , Sarich Troy , Zambon Bob , Ezeanochie Nnamdi , Turgiss Jennifer , Jones Robyn , Stoddard Jeff , Burton Paul , Navar Ann Marie
Published: January 2021

Abstract

BACKGROUND

The success of vaccination efforts to curb the COVID-19 pandemic will require broad public uptake of immunization and highlights the importance of understanding factors associated with willingness to receive a vaccine.

METHODS

Adults enrolled in the Heartline™ clinical study were invited to complete a COVID-19 vaccine assessment through the Heartline™ mobile application between November 6-20, 2020. Factors associated with willingness to receive a COVID-19 vaccine were evaluated using an ordered logistic regression as well as a Random Forest classification algorithm.

RESULTS

Among 9,106 study participants, 81.3% (n=7402) responded and had available demographic data. The majority (91.3%) reported a willingness to be vaccinated. Factors most strongly associated with vaccine willingness were beliefs about the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines and vaccines in general. Women and Black or African American respondents reported lower willingness to vaccinate. Among those less willing to get vaccinated, 66.2% said that they would talk with their health provider before making a decision. During the study, positive results from the first COVID-19 vaccine outcome study were released; vaccine willingness increased after this report.

CONCLUSIONS

Even among older adults at high-risk for COVID-19 complications who are participating in a longitudinal clinical study, 1 in 11 reported lack of willingness to receive COVID-19 vaccine in November 2020. Variability in vaccine willingness by gender, race, education, and income suggests the potential for uneven vaccine uptake. Education by health providers directed toward assuaging concerns about vaccine safety and efficacy can help improve vaccine acceptance among those less willing.

Clinicaltrials.govNCT04276441
Robotic RNA extraction for SARS-CoV-2 surveillance using saliva samples
Authors: Hamilton Jennifer R. , Stahl Elizabeth C. , Tsuchida Connor A. , Lin-Shiao Enrique , Tsui C. Kimberly , Pestal Kathleen , Gildea Holly K. , Witkowsky Lea B. , Moehle Erica A. , McDevitt Shana L. , McElroy Matthew , Keller Amanda , Sylvain Iman , Hirsh Ariana , Ciling Alison , Ehrenberg Alexander J. ,   IGI SARS-CoV-2 consortium, Ringeisen Bradley R. , Huberty Garth , Urnov Fyodor D. , Giannikopoulos Petros , Doudna Jennifer A.
Published: January 2021

Saliva is an attractive specimen type for asymptomatic surveillance of COVID-19 in large populations due to its ease of collection and its demonstrated utility for detecting RNA from SARS-CoV-2. Multiple saliva-based viral detection protocols use a direct-to-RT-qPCR approach that eliminates nucleic acid extraction but can reduce viral RNA detection sensitivity. To improve test sensitivity while maintaining speed, we developed a robotic nucleic acid extraction method for detecting SARS-CoV-2 RNA in saliva samples with high throughput. Using this assay, the Free Asymptomatic Saliva Testing (IGI-FAST) research study on the UC Berkeley campus conducted 11,971 tests on supervised self-collected saliva samples and identified rare positive specimens containing SARS-CoV-2 RNA during a time of low infection prevalence. In an attempt to increase testing capacity, we further adapted our robotic extraction assay to process pooled saliva samples. We also benchmarked our assay against the gold standard, nasopharyngeal swab specimens. Finally, we designed and validated a RT-qPCR test suitable for saliva self-collection. These results establish a robotic extraction-based procedure for rapid PCR-based saliva testing that is suitable for samples from both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals.
Debiasing Covid-19 prevalence estimates
Authors: Georganas Sotiris , Velias Alina , Vandoros Sotiris
Published: January 2021

Timely, accurate epidemic figures are necessary for informed policy. In the Covid-19 pandemic, mismeasurement can lead to tremendous waste, in health or economic output. “Random” testing is commonly used to estimate virus prevalence, reporting daily positivity rates. However, since testing is necessarily voluntary, all “random” tests done in the field suffer fromselection bias. This bias, unlike standard polling biases, goes beyond demographical representativeness and cannot be corrected by oversampling (i.e. selecting people without symptoms to test). Using controlled, incentivized experiments on a sample of all ages, we show that people who feel symptoms are up to 33 times more likely to seek testing. The bias in testing propensities leads to sizable prevalence bias: test positivity is inflated by up to five times, even if testing is costless. This effect varies greatly across time and age groups, making comparisons over time and across countries misleading. We validate our results using the REACT study in the UK and find that positivity figures have indeed a very large and time varying bias. We present calculations to debias positivity rates, but importantly, suggest a parsimonious way to sample the population bypassing the bias altogether. Our estimation is both real-time and consistently close to true values. These results are relevant for all epidemics, besides covid-19, when carriers have informative beliefs about their own status.
Genetic diversity, distribution and domestication history of the neglected GGAtAtgenepool of wheat
Authors: Badaeva Ekaterina D. , Konovalov Fedor A. , Knüpffer Helmut , Fricano Agostino , Ruban Alevtina S. , Kehel Zakaria , Zoshchuk Svyatoslav A. , Surzhikov Sergei A. , Neumann Kerstin , Graner Andreas , Hammer Karl , Filatenko Anna , Bogaard Amy , Jones Glynis , Özkan Hakan , Kilian Benjamin
Published: January 2021

Wheat yields are stagnating around the world and new sources of genes for resistance or tolerances to abiotic traits are required. In this context, the tetraploid wheat wild relatives are among the key candidates for wheat improvement. Despite of its potential huge value for wheat breeding, the tetraploid GGAtAtgenepool is largely neglected. Understanding the population structure, native distribution range, intraspecific variation of the entire tetraploid GGAtAtgenepool and its domestication history would further its use for wheat improvement. We report the first comprehensive survey of genomic and cytogenetic diversity sampling the full breadth and depth of the tetraploid GGAtAtgenepool. We show that the extant GGAtAtgenepool consists of three distinct lineages. We provide detailed insights into the cytogenetic composition of GGAtAtwheats, revealed group-, and population-specific markers and show that chromosomal rearrangements play an important role in intraspecific diversity ofT. araraticum. We discuss the origin and domestication history of the GGAtAtlineages in the context of state-of-the-art archaeobotanical finds. We shed new light on the complex evolutionary history of the GGAtAtwheat genepool. We provide the basis for an increased use of the GGAtAtwheat genepool for wheat improvement. The findings have implications for our understanding of the origins of agriculture in southwest Asia.
Mobilization of antibiotic resistance genes differ by resistance mechanism
Authors: Nielsen Tue Kjærgaard , Browne Patrick Denis , Hansen Lars Hestbjerg
Published: January 2021

The degree to which antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) are mobilized by insertion sequence (IS) elements, plasmids, and integrons has a strong association with their likelihood to function as resistance determinants. This stems from genetic decontextualization where strong promoters often present in IS elements and integrons and the copy number effect of plasmids contribute to high expression of accessory genes. Here, we screen all complete bacterial RefSeq genomes for ARGs. The genetic contexts of detected ARGs are investigated for IS elements, integrons, plasmids, and phylogenetic dispersion. The ARG-MOB scale is proposed which indicates how mobilized detected ARGs are in bacterial genomes. Antibiotic efflux genes are rarely mobilized and it is concluded that these are often housekeeping genes that are not decontextualized to confer resistance through overexpression. Even 80% of β-lactamases have never, or very rarely, been mobilized in the 15,790 studied genomes. However, some ARGs are indeed mobilized and co-occur with IS elements, plasmids, and integrons. These results have consequences for the design and interpretation of studies screening for resistance determinants, as mobilized ARGs pose a more concrete risk to human health, especially under heterologous expression, than groups of ARGs that have only been shown to confer resistance in cloning experiments.
Cepo uncovers cell identity through differential stability
Authors: Kim Hani Jieun , Wang Kevin , Chen Carissa , Lin Yingxin , Tam Patrick PL , Lin David M , Yang Jean YH , Yang Pengyi
Published: January 2021

We present Cepo, a method to generate cell-type-specific gene statistics of differentially stable genes from single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) data to define cell identity. Cepo outperforms current methods in assigning cell identity and enhances several cell identification applications such as cell-type characterisation, spatial mapping of single cells, and lineage inference of single cells.
Temporal order of mutations influences cancer initiation dynamics
Authors: Teimouri Hamid , Kolomeisky Anatoly B.
Published: January 2021

Cancer is a set of genetic diseases that are driven by mutations. It was recently discovered that the temporal order of genetic mutations affects the cancer evolution and even the nature of the decease itself. The mechanistic origin of these observations, however, remain not well understood. Here we present a theoretical model for cancer initiation dynamics that allows us to quantify the impact of the temporal order of mutations. In our approach, the cancer initiation process is viewed as a set of stochastic transitions between discrete states defined by the different numbers of mutated cells. Using a first-passage analysis, probabilities and times before the cancer initiation are explicitly evaluated for two alternative sequences of two mutations. It is found that the probability of cancer initiation is determined only by the first mutation, while the dynamics is specified by both mutations. In addition, it is shown that the acquisition of a mutation with higher fitness before mutation with lower fitness increases the probability of the tumor formation but delays the cancer initiation. Theoretical results are explained using effective free-energy landscapes.
COT: an efficient Python tool for detecting marker genes among many subtypes
Authors: Lu Yingzhou , Wu Chiung-Ting , Parker Sarah J. , Chen Lulu , Saylor Georgia , Van Eyk Jennifer E. , Herrington David M. , Wang Yue
Published: January 2021

We develop an accurate and efficient method to detect marker genes among many subtypes using subtype-enriched expression profiles. We implement a Cosine based One-sample Test (COT) Python software that is easy to use and applicable to multi-omics data. We demonstrate the performance and utility of COT on gene expression and proteomics data acquired from tissue or cell subtypes. Formulated as a one-sample test with Cosine similarity test statistic in scatter space, the detected de novo marker genes will allow biologists to perform a more comprehensive and unbiased molecular characterization, deconvolution and classification of complex tissue or cell subtypes.
The sensitivity of third party punishment to the framing effect and its brain mechanism
Authors: Yang Jiamiao , Liu Jie , Gu Ruolei , Deng Kexin , Huang Xiaoxuan , Cui Fang
Published: January 2021

People as third-party observers, without direct self-interest, may punish norm violators to maintain social norms. However, third-party judgment and the follow-up punishment might be susceptible to the way we frame (i.e., verbally describe) a norm violation. We conducted a behavioral and a neuroimaging experiment to investigate the above phenomenon, which we call “third-party framing effect.” In these experiments, participants observed an anonymous player A decided whether to retain her/his economic benefit while exposing player B to a risk of physical pain (described as “harming others” in one condition and “not helping others” in the other condition), then they had a chance to punish player A at their own cost. Participants were more willing to execute third-party punishment under theharmframe compared to thehelpframe, manifesting as a framing effect. Self-reported moral outrage toward player A mediated the relationship between empathy toward player B and the framing effect size. Correspondingly, the insula (possibly related to empathy) and cerebellum (possibly related to anger) were activated more strongly under theharmframe than thehelpframe. Functional connectivity between these regions showed strongest weight when predicting the framing effect size. These findings shed light on the psychological and neural mechanisms of the third-party framing effect.

Graphic abstract
Heme auxotrophy in abundant aquatic microbial lineages
Authors: Kim Suhyun , Kang Ilnam , Lee Jin-Won , Jeon Che-Ok , Giovannoni Stephen J. , Cho Jang-Cheon
Published: January 2021

Heme, a porphyrin ring complexed with iron, is a metalloprosthetic group of numerous proteins involved in diverse metabolic and respiratory processes across all domains of life, and is thus considered essential for respiring organisms1,2. Several microbial groups are known to lack thede novoheme biosynthetic pathway and therefore require exogenous heme from the environment3. These heme auxotroph groups are largely limited to pathogens4,5, symbionts6,7, or microorganisms living in nutrient-replete conditions8, whereas the complete absence of heme biosynthesis is extremely rare in free-living organisms9. Here, we show that the acI lineage, a predominant and ubiquitous free-living bacterial group in freshwater habitats, is auxotrophic for heme. We found that two recently cultivated acI isolates10require exogenous heme for their growth. According to whole-genome analyses, all (n=20) isolated acI strains lacked essential enzymes necessary for heme biosynthesis, indicating that heme auxotrophy is a conserved trait in this lineage. Analyses of >24,000 representative genomes for species clusters of the Genome Taxonomy Database (GTDB) revealed that heme auxotrophy is widespread across abundant but not-yet-cultivated microbial groups, includingPatescibacteria,Marinisomatota(SAR406),Actinomarinales(OM1), and marine group IIIEuryarchaeota. Our findings indicate that heme auxotrophy is a more common phenomenon than previously thought, and may lead to use of heme as a growth factor to increase the cultured microbial diversity.
The PELOTA-HBS1 Complex Orchestrates mRNA Translation Surveillance and PDK1-mediated Plant Growth and Development
Authors: Kong Wei , Tan Shutang , Zhao Qing , Lin De-Li , Xu Zhi-Hong , Friml Jiří , Xue Hong-Wei
Published: January 2021

The quality control system for messenger RNA is fundamental for cellular activities in eukaryotes. To elucidate the molecular mechanism of 3’-Phosphoinositide-Dependent Protein Kinase1 (PDK1), an essential regulator throughout growth and development of eukaryotes, a forward genetic approach was employed to screen for suppressors of the loss-of-function T-DNA insertionalpdk1.1 pdk1.2double mutant inArabidopsis. Notably, the severe growth attenuation ofpdk1.1 pdk1.2is rescued bysop21(suppressorofpdk1.1 pdk1.2) that harbours a loss-of-function mutation inPELOTA1(PEL1). PEL1 is a homologue of mammalian PELOTA and yeast DOM34, which form a heterodimeric complex with the GTPase HBS1, responsible for ribosome rescue to assure the quality and fidelity of mRNA molecules. Genetic analysis further reveals that the dysfunction of PEL1-HBS complex fails to degrade the T-DNA-disrupted, truncated but functional PDK1 transcripts, thus rescuingpdk1.1 pdk1.2. Our studies demonstrate the functionality and identify the essential functions of a homologous PELOTA-HBS1 complex in higher plant, and provide novel insights into the mRNA quality control mechanism.
Self-aided SINS for spiral-diving human-occupied vehicle in midwater
Authors: Liu Xianjun , Liu Xixiang , Shen Hang , Li Peijuan , Zhang Tongwei
Published: January 2021

Purpose

Motivated by the problems that the positioning error of strap-down inertial navigation system (SINS) accumulates over time and few sensors are available for midwater navigation, this paper aims to propose a self-aided SINS scheme for the spiral-diving human-occupied vehicle (HOV) based on the characteristics of maneuvering pattern and SINS error propagation.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the navigation equations of SINS are simultaneously executed twice with the same inertial measurement unit (IMU) data as input to obtain two sets of SINS. Then, to deal with the horizontal velocity provided by one SINS, a delay-correction high-pass filter without phase shift and amplitude attenuation is designed. Finally, the horizontal velocity after processing is used to integrate with other SINS.

Findings

Simulation results indicate that the horizontal positioning error of the proposed scheme is less than 0.1 m when an HOV executes spiral diving to 7,000 meters under the sea and it is inherently able to estimate significant sensors biases.

Originality/value

The proposed scheme can provide a precise navigation solution without error growth for spiral-diving HOV on the condition that only IMU is required as a navigation sensor.
Antecedents of smartphone brand switching: a push–pull–mooring framework
Authors: Liao Junyun , Li Muhua , Wei Haiying , Tong Zelin
Published: January 2021

Purpose

Recent years have witnessed the increasingly fierce competition amongst smartphone brands. Hence, smartphone firms urge to prevent current consumers from switching to maintain market position. Based on the push–pull–mooring (PPM) framework, this study aims to explore the drivers of users' intentions to switch from their current smartphone brands.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on previous literature and the characteristics of the smartphone purchase, this study identified one pushing, two pulling and five mooring factors. Online questionnaires were collected to test hypotheses using the structural equation modelling approach. An additional netnography study provides further support to the hypotheses.

Findings

Results show that regret is a push factor that enhances consumers' switching intentions. Moreover, two pull factors, subjective norms and alternative attractiveness positively influence consumers' switching intentions. Finally, switching costs, emotional commitment and brand community engagement are mooring factors that negatively affect brand-switching intention, whereas consumers' variety seeking has a positive effect.

Originality/value

This study enriches the brand switching literature and offers significant implications for customer retention.
Prioritising water disinfection technologies to improve food safety of leafy vegetables
Authors: van Asselt E.D. , Banach J.L. , Klüche M. , Appelman W.A.J.
Published: January 2021

Purpose

Leafy vegetables may get contaminated with pathogens through the use of irrigation water during open field cultivation. The main control option to prevent this contamination is the use of disinfection technologies that will reduce the pathogenic load of the irrigation water. Several technologies, either chemical or physical, are available for disinfection, which were gathered from the literature and European Union (EU) projects. The purpose of this paper is to prioritise these technologies.

Design/methodology/approach

A feasibility study was performed to identify the most promising disinfection technology considering 12 different criteria. A two-tier approach was used in which the technologies were first evaluated based on three criteria: legal status, effectiveness and technology readiness level (TRL). Only the technologies that reached pre-set thresholds for these three criteria were then evaluated in the second tier.

Findings

The evaluation showed that the most promising technologies after the tier-2 evaluation were ultrasound, microfiltration, ultraviolet and ozone. The study showed that the followed approach enabled prioritising disinfection technologies allowing for selecting the most promising technologies that can be tested further on a possible application during primary production to prevent possible food safety issues in leafy vegetables.

Research limitations/implications

The overview is not an exhaustive list of disinfection technologies available rather only those technologies that seemed promising for application in horticulture were addressed. Some technologies may, thus, have been missed. Nevertheless, a total of 12 single and seven combined technologies were evaluated.

Originality/value

This is the first study that uses a structured approach to prioritise a broad range of possible water disinfection technologies for use at primary production.
Patient-centered communication: an extension of the HCAHPS survey
Authors: Islam Shahidul , Muhamad Nazlida
Published: January 2021

Purpose

The Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) has been recognized as a “gold standard” set of “practical standardized measures” for assessing hospital service quality. Beginning with the HCAHPS, the purpose of this paper is to extend efforts to assess patient-centered communication (PCC) and the quality of healthcare and presents a scale for measuring patient perceptions and expectations of service quality in an emerging economy context.

Design/methodology/approach

A self-administered survey of patients in private hospitals (N = 171) was conducted to test the proposed framework. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were used to establish the measurement model. Multiple regression analysis was used to explain the scale's predictive ability. ANOVA was used to analyze service quality gaps and rank patients' priorities.

Findings

Five components of PCC are identified. Among these, nurse affective communication has a significant positive effect on patient satisfaction. The gap analysis shows that patients have high expectations for doctors' affective communication, while they perceive a low level of service performance in the realm of nurse affective communication. The study highlights a new means of measuring “reliability” in healthcare. Important findings on patients' priorities are evaluated and discussed.

Practical implications

Healthcare organizations and practitioners can improve patient-centered care by stressing the dimensions of PCC, including clinicians' affective and instrumental communication.

Originality/value

The study expands the understanding of HCAHPS instruments in an emerging economy context and opens avenues for more widespread use of the measures. The research contributes to the literature on patient-centered care and healthcare service quality by proposing a scale for managing specific practices and interactions in healthcare.
Rural minimum living standard guarantee (rural Dibao) program boosts children's education outcomes in rural China
Authors: He Zixuan , Fang Xiangming , Rose Nathan , Zheng Xiaodong , Rozelle Scott
Published: January 2021

Purpose

To combat poverty in China's rural areas, Chinese government has established an unconditional cash transfer program known as the Rural Minimum Living Standard Guarantee (Rural Dibao) Program. Interestingly, despite the importance of education in breaking cycles of poverty, little is known about Rural Dibao's impact on rural children's education. This study investigates Rural Dibao's impact on rural children's learning outcomes by first examining targeting issues within the program, exploring a causal relationship between Rural Dibao and learning outcomes, and then exploring potential mechanisms and heterogeneous effects.

Design/methodology/approach

Fixed effects model and propensity score weighting method and data from China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) from the years 2010 and 2014 were used.

Findings

The results suggest that the Rural Dibao program suffers from high levels of targeting error, yet is still effective (i.e., program transfers generally still go to people in need). The fixed effects and propensity score weighting models find that program participation raises rural children's standardized test scores in CFPS Chinese-language and math tests. In investigating mechanisms, increased education expenditure seems to connect Rural Dibao participation to increased learning results. The heterogeneity analysis shows that poorer, non-eastern, not left behind, younger or male children benefit from the program (while others have no effect).

Originality/value

These findings suggest that Rural Dibao participation boosts rural children's learning, which could indicate a long-term anti-poverty effect, and that if the program can resolve targeting problems, this effect could be even greater.
China's outward foreign direct investment and bilateral export sophistication: a cross countries panel data analysis
Authors: Rehman Faheem Ur , Noman Abul Ala
Published: January 2021

Purpose

China's outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) has risen remarkably over the past two decades. Does such increase affect the sophistication of Chinese exports, is a significant issue that has surprisingly remained unaddressed? The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of Chinese OFDI on bilateral export sophistication of China and its OFDI receiving partner countries during 2003–2017 by applying Poisson pseudo-maximum likelihood approach based on gravity model.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis has been performed for total sample, region-wise grouped sample (Europe and Central Asia, Middle East and North Africa, Latin America and Caribbean, East Asia and Pacific, South Asia, North America and sub-Saharan Africa) and income-wise grouped sample (high income, upper middle income, lower middle income and lower income group sample).

Findings

The results confirmed the significant and positive effect of Chinese OFDI on bilateral export sophistication in total sample, regions-wise and income groups sample.

Originality/value

The study provides a helpful suggestion regarding policy towards achieving more sophistication in export and thus to achieve comparative advantage in trade.
On the linkage between CEOs’ statements and CSR reporting: an analysis of visuals and verbal texts
Authors: Khan Majid , Sulaiman Rahizah Binti
Published: January 2021

Purpose

Research on corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting highlights an increasing lack of transparency in the information reported along with concerns surrounding overall reporting practices. One area that needs exploration is how chief executive officers (CEOs) convey messages in relation to CSR. This paper aims to investigate the linkage between CEO’s statements (words and images) in relation to CSR and the performativity of such communication.

Design/methodology/approach

The study analysed CEOs statements from five Malaysian companies contained in 2016, 2017 and 2018 standalone sustainability and annual reports. The texts and visuals are analysed by using discourse analysis.

Findings

The findings uncover three main discourses (economic, environmental and social) along with other discourses (achievements and recognition and challenges). The texts and images are found to be lacking in clarity and consistency and in many ways leave the stakeholders to make their own conclusions about the reported information.

Originality/value

The research indicates that while the leaders can be more direct to their stakeholders, however, the opportunity is not always capitalised. Overall, the analysis suggests an increasing scientism in CEOs messaging in relation to CSR as a tool to enhance perceived accountability of the business. The study also suggests avenues for improvement. This paper contributes to the emergence of different types of discourses that are being upheld by CEOs in their statements on CSR in Malaysian context. The discourses identified provide interesting insights into how CSR is perceived by the leaders.
COVID-19 response: students’ readiness for shifting classes online
Authors: Kundu Arnab , Bej Tripti
Published: January 2021

Purpose

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led education institutions to move all face-to-face (F2F) courses online across the globe. The purpose of this study was to investigate Indian students’ perception of readiness for this sudden shift and at the same time, report a possible approach of good institutional governance to respond to such an unprecedented crisis.

Design/methodology/approach

This study followed a mixed approach combining both quantitative (e.g. survey) and qualitative (e.g. interview) methods. A survey was distributed among 100 purposively selected students out of which 50 were college students and 50 were from secondary schools following heterogeneous purposive sampling techniques. In total, 30 participants were interviewed as per a set interview protocol. Data were analyzed descriptively and inferentially based on several demographic differences.

Findings

Findings revealed that students were neither satisfied nor ready for this sudden shift toward online education rather they felt fear, uncertainties, and several challenges owing to a deep digital divide to adapt to this unprecedented shift. They were found absorbed in memories of F2F mode before the COVID outbreak and take this online shift as a temporary adjustment owing to respond to the pandemic finding no possible alternate.

Originality/value

This study contributes and extends corporate governance literature by offering new evidence of perception differences between the company and customers as well. Education providers often assume that students desire online courses for their convenience and believe it equivalent to or better than F2F courses. This study challenges these managerial perceptions by examining students’ studies empirically and the findings will help regulators and policymakers to change accordingly.
The storm after the storm: the long-term lingering impacts of hurricanes on schools
Authors: Davis Cassandra R. , Cannon Sarah R. , Fuller Sarah C.
Published: January 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify and describe the long-term impacts of hurricanes on schools and discuss approaches to improving recovery efforts.

Design/methodology/approach

Interviews with 20 school districts in Texas and North Carolina after Hurricanes Harvey (2017) and Matthew (2016). In total, 115 interviews were conducted with teachers, principals, district superintendents and representatives from state education agencies. Interview questions focused on the impact of storms and strategies for recovery.

Findings

The authors uncovered three long-term impacts of hurricanes on schools: (1) constrained instructional time, (2) increased social-emotional needs and (3) the need to support educators.

Research limitations/implications

This paper focuses on two storms, in two states, in two successive years. Data collection occurred in Texas, one academic year after the storm. As compared to the North Carolina, data collection occurred almost two academic years after the storm.

Practical implications

This paper illuminates strategies for stakeholders to implement and expedite hurricane recovery through; (1) updating curricula plans, (2) providing long-term counselors and (3) supporting educators in and out of school.

Originality/value

To date, very few studies have explored the ways in which schools face long-term impacts following a disaster. This paper provides insight to the challenges that prolong the impacts of disasters and impede recovery in schools. With hurricanes and related disasters continuing to affect schooling communities, more research is needed to identify the best ways to support schools, months to years after an event.
Crisis communication planning and nonprofit organizations
Authors: Haupt Brittany , Azevedo Lauren
Published: January 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the evolution of crisis communication and management along with its inclusion into the field and practice of emergency management. This paper also discusses the inclusion of nonprofit organizations and the need for these organizations to engage in crisis communication planning and strategy creation to address the diverse and numerous crises that nonprofits are at risk of experiencing.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper utilizes a systematic literature review of crisis communication planning tools and resources focused on nonprofit organizations to derive best practices and policy needs.

Findings

The resources analyzed provide foundational insight for nonprofit organizations to proactively develop plans and strategies during noncrisis periods to support their organization when a crisis occurs.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations of this paper include limited academic research and practical resources related to nonprofit organizations and crisis communication planning. As such, several potential avenues for empirical research are discussed.

Practical implications

This paper provides considerations for nonprofit organizations engaging in crisis communication planning and aspects leaders need to partake in to reduce or eliminate the risk of facing an operational or reputational crisis.

Social implications

This paper highlights the critical need to generate a crisis communication plan due to the diverse crises nonprofit organizations face and their connection to the emergency management structure. Understanding the crisis and utilizing a crisis communication plan allows nonprofit organizations a way to strategically mitigate the impact of a crisis while also providing essential services to their respective communities and maintain their overall stability.

Originality/value

This paper is unique in its analysis of crisis communication planning resources and creation of a planning framework to assist nonprofit organizations in their planning efforts.
An improved fatigue life prediction model for shock absorber cylinder with surface roughness correction
Authors: Wang Haijie , Liu Xintian , Wu Que , Wang Xiaolan , Wang Yansong
Published: January 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to obtain a more accurate fatigue life of structures by introducing the surface roughness into fatigue life prediction model.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the fatigue life prediction model with surface roughness correction, the shock absorber cylinder is taken as an example to verify the feasibility of the improved method. Based on the load of the shock absorber cylinder during driving, fatigue experiments are performed under longitudinal and lateral forces, respectively. Then, the fatigue life predicted by the modified model is compared with that predicted by the traditional model.

Findings

By comparing with the test results, considering the influence of mean stress, the Manson method is more accurate in life prediction. Then, the modified Manson-Coffin and Manson method with surface roughness is more accurate in life prediction under longitudinal force and lateral forces, respectively. This verifies the feasibility of the improved method with the surface roughness.

Originality/value

The research on the influence of surface roughness on fatigue life can lay the technical foundation for the life prediction of products and have great significance to the quality evaluation of products.
The determination of the most suitable inertia weight strategy for particle swarm optimization via the minimax mixed-integer linear programming model
Authors: Özsoy Volkan Soner
Published: January 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to consider each strategy of the particle swarm optimization (PSO) as a unit in data envelopment analysis (DEA) and uses the minimax mixed-integer linear programming DEA approach to find the most suitable inertia weight strategy. A total of 15 inertia weight strategies were empirically examined in a suite of 42 benchmark problems in the view of DEA.

Design/methodology/approach

PSO is very sensitive to inertia weight strategies, and therefore, an important amount of research attempts has been concentrated on these strategies. There is no research into the determination of the most suitable inertia weight strategy; however, there are a large number of comparisons related to the inertia weight strategies. DEA is one of the performance evaluation methods, and its models classify the set of strategies into two distinct sets as efficient and inefficient. However, only one of the strategies should be used in the PSO algorithm. Some effective models were proposed to find the most efficient strategy.

Findings

The experimental studies demonstrate that an approach is a useful tool in the determination of the most suitable strategy. Besides, if the author encounters a new complex problem whose properties are known, it will help the author to choose the best strategy.

Practical implications

A heavy oil thermal cracking three lumps model for the simplification of the reaction system was used because it is an important complicated chemical process. In addition, the soil water retention curve (SWRC) plays an important role in diverse facets of agricultural engineering. As the SWRC can be regarded as a nonlinear function between the water content and the soil water potential, Van Genuchten model is proposed to describe this function. To determinate these model parameters, an optimization problem is formulated, which minimizes the difference between the measured and modeled data.

Originality/value

In this paper, the PSO algorithm is integrated with minimax mixed-integer linear programming to find the most suitable inertia weight strategy. In this way, the best strategy could be chosen for a new more complex problem.