bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intellectual capital and sustainability practices of manufacturing firms in Uganda
Authors: Alinda Kassim , Tumwine Sulait , Kaawaase Twaha Kigongo , Navrud Ståle , Sserwanga Arthur , Nalukenge Irene
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The primary objective of this study is to investigate the association between the dimensions of intellectual capital (IC) and sustainability practices (SP) within the context of manufacturing medium and large (ML) firms in Uganda. The study aims to shed light on whether and how different dimensions of IC contribute to the adoption and implementation of SP by these firms.

Design/methodology/approach

This study utilized a cross-sectional and quantitative approach, collecting data through a questionnaire survey from a sample of manufacturing ML firms. The collected data underwent analysis to identify patterns and relationships using the SmartPLS structural equation modeling (SEM) technique.

Findings

The findings demonstrated that the three categories of IC (human, structural and relational capital) influence the SP of ML manufacturing enterprises in Uganda. This suggests that IC is a critical component of SP.

Practical implications

Manufacturing enterprises should use their IC to create strategies for sustainable solutions, such as creating new, ecologically and socially responsible products and services and improving current ones to lessen their environmental effect.

Originality/value

This research advances knowledge of SP by revealing if all aspects of IC are significant for the SP of manufacturing enterprises in Uganda.
Inter-firm coopetition and innovation in industrial clusters: the role of institutional support
Authors: Xu Rui , Zhu Xiaoxuan , Wang Yu , Gu Jibao , Felzensztein Christian
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Innovativeness is crucial for industrial cluster firms to gain sustained competitive advantage. This study aims to investigate the effects of inter-firm coopetition on firm innovativeness within a cluster and examines the moderating role of institutional support.

Design/methodology/approach

This research adopts an empirical survey method using multi-source data from 181 industrial cluster firms. Regression is used to test the hypotheses of this study.

Findings

The results show that cooperation and constructive conflict promote firm innovativeness, while destructive conflict is detrimental to firm innovativeness. Moreover, the study also finds that cooperation interacts with both types of conflict to affect firm innovativeness, where cooperation and constructive conflict interact negatively on firm innovativeness, while cooperation and destructive conflict interact positively on firm innovativeness. In addition, institutional support weakens the effects of cooperation and destructive conflict on innovativeness, respectively, but has no significant moderating effect on the relationship between constructive conflict and innovativeness.

Originality/value

These findings enrich the current research on coopetition. The interaction effects of cooperation and both types of conflict on innovativeness deepen the concept of coopetition and responds to the call to further explore the interaction effects within coopetition. The moderating role of institutional support fills a gap in the empirical research on the role of institutional factors affecting coopetition on innovation and also provides valuable suggestions for firm managers and governments in industrial clusters.
Board functions in governance arenas: a comparative case study of four Swedish family firms
Authors: Ahlberg Jenny , Collin Sven-Olof Yrjö , Smith Elin , Uman Timur
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore board functions and their location in family firms.

Design/methodology/approach

Through structured induction in a four-case study of medium-sized Swedish family firms, the authors demonstrate that board functions can be located in other arenas than in the common board and suggest propositions that explain their distribution.

Findings

(1) The board is but one of several arenas where board functions are performed. (2) The functions performed by the board vary in type and emphasis. (3) The non-family directors in a family firm serve the owners, even sometimes governing them, in what the authors term “bidirectional governance”. (4) The kin strategy of the family influences their governance. (5) The utilization of a board for governance stems from the family (together with its constitution, kin strategy and governance strategy), the board composition and the business conditions of the firm.

Research limitations/implications

Being a case study the findings are restricted to concepts and theoretical propositions. Using structured induction, the study is not solely inductive but still contains the subjectivity of induction.

Practical implications

Governance agents should have an instrumental view on the board, considering it one possible governance arena among others, thereby economizing on governance.

Social implications

The institutional pressure toward active boards could paradoxically reduce the importance of the board in family firms.

Originality/value

The board of a family company differs in its emphasis of board functions and these functions are performed with varying emphases in different governance arenas. The authors propose the concept of kin strategy, which refers to the governance importance of the structure of the owner and observations on bi-directional governance, indicating that the board can govern the owners.
“Pay back the money” – a paper on criminal and civil asset forfeiture within South Africa and suggestions for reform
Authors: Curlewis Llewelyn Gray
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to bring to light the present civil and criminal asset forfeiture procedures within the South African context and to make suggestions for reform thereof. While there exists and is a need for constant change and reform of the law to ensure that it remains transparent, up-to-date and applicable to all means through which economic crime can be committed, South Africa lacks the necessary resources and attitudes to accomplish this essential goal.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach used in this paper is purely qualitative using journal articles, textbooks, reports, periodicals, speeches and legislation as its basis. It is through a consolidation of this literature that this paper was formed.

Findings

While South Africa’s present system of asset forfeiture is producing some impressive results, the process still has vast room for improvement. There are key areas which this paper outlines for reform. However, the probability of improvement is relatively low owing to the levels of corruption, illicit activities and attitudes of mistrust within the South African society at large.

Originality/value

The concept of asset forfeiture is not new to any international jurisdiction, let alone South Africa itself. However, this paper aims to give insight into the specific South African experience of this procedure and how it can possibly be improved within the specific context.
Consumers' purchase behavior reactions: a focus on the steady devaluation of currency, compounding increase in inflation rates in Egypt
Authors: Negm Eiman Medhat
Published: October 2023

Purpose

This study investigates consumer purchase behavior during the steady devaluation of currency, which led to increase in inflation rates in Egypt.

Design/methodology/approach

This study collected and analyzed numerical data to test the causal relationships found among the research model variables. Administrated questionnaires were distributed March 2023 in cross-sectional timeframe in several visits to hypermarkets, supermarkets and grocery stores in Cairo and Alexandria, applying nonprobability sample. Structure equation model path analysis was used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

This study shows compulsive buying, sense of anxiety, value shopping, attitude toward private label, attractiveness of local brands and materialistic behaviors impact consumers' acceptance of alternative brands; compulsive buying, sense of anxiety and materialistic behaviors impact the continuance of purchasing accustomed brands.

Practical implications

Retailers, government and policymakers can use this study as a guide to know how consumers react during times of high prices so to provide solutions to their needs. Policymakers should take into account the findings in managing the economy.

Originality/value

This study shows the effect of inflation on consumer spending to contribute to the body of knowledge in literature on the factors that influence consumer behaviors. A model was developed to frame the possible manners that might surface among consumers during times of high inflation; it reflected whether compulsive buying, sense of anxiety, value shopping, attitude toward private label, attractiveness of local brands and materialistic behaviors impact consumers acceptance of alternative brands and/or the continuance of purchasing accustomed brand.
The new era of hotel marketing: integrating cutting-edge technologies with core marketing principles
Authors: Bilgihan Anil , Ricci Peter
Published: October 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the impact of emerging technologies, such as virtual reality, voice search, artificial intelligence, robotics and the Metaverse on hotel sales, marketing and revenue optimization.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses a combination of articles published in Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology and industry case studies to examine the integration of innovative technologies in hotel sales, marketing and revenue optimization strategies, plus the role of fundamental practices in ensuring long-term success.

Findings

The analysis demonstrates that innovative technologies can significantly enhance customer engagement, streamline booking processes and unlock new revenue streams. However, this paper also highlights the importance of fundamental marketing practices, such as user-friendly websites, fast and reliable/mobile-friendly websites, search engine optimization, social media engagement, content marketing and data-driven revenue management, in maintaining a hotel’s competitive advantage in the dynamic world of hospitality.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that hoteliers need to strike a balance between embracing emerging technologies and maintaining traditional marketing fundamentals to remain competitive and drive revenue growth. This integrated approach ensures long-term success in the ever-evolving hospitality landscape.

Originality/value

This paper bridges the gap between academia and industry practitioners by providing practical insights and implications that can be applied directly to hotels’ marketing and operational practices. The paper highlights the importance of balancing innovation with fundamental marketing strategies, emphasizing the need for an integrated approach to ensure long-term success in the ever-evolving world of hotel sales, marketing and revenue optimization – as well as those same tools in a plethora of hospitality and tourism venues working alongside the accommodations sector.
Corruption and external debt nexus in sub-Saharan Africa: a panel quantile regression approach
Authors: Amoh John Kwaku , Abdul-Mumuni Abdallah , Penney Emmanuel Kofi , Muda Paul , Ayarna-Gagakuma Leticia
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Debt sustainability and the growing level of external debt in sub-Saharan African (SSA) continue to be significant research priorities. This study aims to examine the corruption-external debt nexus in SSA economies and whether different levels of corruption better explain this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

The panel quantile regression approach was applied to account for the heterogeneous effect of the exogenous variables on external debts. The research covers 30 years of panel data from 30 selected SSA economies for the period spanning from 2000 to 2021.

Findings

The empirical findings of the regression analysis demonstrate the heterogeneous influences of the exogenous variables on external debt. While there was a positive impact of foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows on external debts, corruption established a negative relationship with external debt from the 10th to the 80th quantile. The findings showed a positive link between trade openness and external debt, while they also showed a negative relationship between gross fixed capital formation and external debt.

Research limitations/implications

It is implied that corruption “sands the wheels” of external debts in the selected SSA countries. Therefore, the amount of external debt that flows into SSA is inversely correlated with corruption activity.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is one of the first to use panel quantile regression to analyze how corruption affects debt dynamics across different levels of debt, allowing for a more nuanced understanding of how corruption affects debt dynamics. Based on the findings of this study, SSA countries should create enabling environments to attract FDI inflows and to continue to drive domestic revenue mobilization and capital so as to be less dependent on external debts.
Business model innovation: harnessing big data analytics and digital transformation in hostile environments
Authors: Ciacci Andrea , Penco Lara
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The literature mainly concentrates on the relationships between externally oriented digital transformation (ExtDT), big data analytics capability (BDAC) and business model innovation (BMI) from an intra-organizational perspective. However, it is acknowledged that the external environment shapes the firm's strategy and affects innovation outcomes. Embracing an external environment perspective, the authors aim to fill this gap. The authors develop and test a moderated mediation model linking ExtDT to BMI. Drawing on the dynamic capabilities view, the authors' model posits that the effect of ExtDT on BMI is mediated by BDAC, while environmental hostility (EH) moderates these relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors adopt a quantitative approach based on bootstrapped partial least square-path modeling (PLS-PM) to analyze a sample of 200 Italian data-driven SMEs.

Findings

The results highlight that ExtDT and BDAC positively affect BMI. The findings also indicate that ExtDT is an antecedent of BMI that is less disruptive than BDAC. The authors also obtain that ExtDT solely does not lead to BDAC. Interestingly, the effect of BDAC on BMI increases when EH moderates the relationship.

Originality/value

Analyzing the relationships between ExtDT, BDAC and BMI from an external environment perspective is an underexplored area of research. The authors contribute to this topic by evaluating how EH interacts with ExtDT and BDAC toward BMI.
Uncovering the reasons behind consumers’ shift from online to offline shopping
Authors: Kim Hyo-Jeong , Han Sang Man
Published: October 2023

Purpose

This study aims to understand why consumers continue to visit physical stores despite the rise in mobile shopping and online channels. Mobile shopping has changed how consumers shop, allowing them to easily switch between channels. However, physical stores continue to remain significant because some consumers still prefer them, challenging the belief that online markets always surpass offline markets. To serve their needs effectively, retailers must understand the motivations and behaviors of shoppers in both channels. Therefore, this study aims to explore why people cross the online channel to offline by examining their dissatisfaction with online shopping, using E-SERVQUAL variables.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a two-method approach that involves in-depth interviews to develop questions related to E-SERVQUAL variables and a survey to assess respondents’ likelihood of switching from online to offline. Data was collected from 203 participants.

Findings

The results indicate that dissatisfaction with the timeliness and condition of online shopping services is a significant factor driving consumers to switch to physical stores. This challenges the notion that online markets always surpass offline markets, emphasizing the continued significance of physical stores in the retail landscape.

Originality/value

This study recognizes the importance and relevance of physical stores in the retail environment while challenging the assumption that online markets always outperform brick-and-mortar markets. In terms of dissatisfaction and satisfaction, it is possible to identify under what circumstances dissatisfied consumers go from online to offline by considering the distribution channel migration phenomenon.
Customer engagement behaviors on physical and virtual engagement platforms
Authors: Winell Erik , Nilsson Jonas , Lundberg Erik
Published: October 2023

Purpose

This study aims to examine and compare the influence of the disposition to engage in engagement behaviors on physical and virtual engagement platforms, as well as the influence of these engagement behaviors on brand loyalty, value-in-use and word-of-mouth.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected using a survey distributed to a random sample of 10,000 fans of five teams in the Swedish top-division of elite football. An exploratory factor analysis was performed to derive a distinction between prevalent platforms, scales were validated through a confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling was used to test the research model.

Findings

Customer disposition to engage with the sports team had a significant influence on customer engagement behaviors on both physical and virtual engagement platforms. However, engagement behaviors on virtual platforms were found to be more important than engagement behaviors on physical platforms for fostering brand loyalty and value-in-use.

Practical implications

The results highlight the importance of engagement behaviors with a brand on virtual engagement platforms. Thus, brand managers should prioritize their presence on social media to generate the positive outcomes of customer engagement behaviors.

Originality/value

By examining the effects of customer engagement behaviors on both physical and virtual engagement platforms, this study provides new insights to the emerging customer engagement literature.
Effect of an amine-aldehyde condensate modifier on the thermal and mechanical properties of fiber-reinforced epoxy composites
Authors: Jana Goutam Kumar , Bera Sumit , Maity Ribhu , Maity Tithi , Mahato Arjun , Roy Shibayan , Mohapatra Hemakesh , Samanta Bidhan Chandra
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The manufacture of polymer composites with a lower environmental footprint requires incorporation of sustainably sourced components. In addition, the incorporation of novel components should not compromise the material properties. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the use of a synthetic amine functional toluidine acetaldehyde condensate (AFTAC) as a modifier for fiber-reinforced epoxy composites. One of the fiber components was sourced from agricultural byproducts, and glass fiber was used as the fiber component for comparison.

Design/methodology/approach

The AFTAC condensate was synthesized via an acid-catalyzed reaction between o-toluidine and acetaldehyde. To demonstrate its efficacy as a toughening agent for diglycidyl ether bisphenol A resin composites and for the comparison of reinforcing materials of interest, composites were fabricated using a natural fiber (mat stick) and a synthetic glass fiber as the reinforcing material. A matched metal die technique was used to fabricate the composites. Composites were prepared and their mechanical and thermal properties were evaluated.

Findings

The inclusion of AFTAC led to an improvement in the mechanical strengths of these composites without any significant deterioration of the thermal stability. It was also observed that the fracture strengths for mat stick fiber-reinforced composites were lower than that of glass fiber-reinforced composites.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the use of the AFTAC modifier as well as incorporation of mat stick fibers in epoxy composites has not been demonstrated previously.
Contributing factors to marketing educators’ teaching performance: insights from executive postgraduate programmes in Brazil
Authors: Borba Salvador Alexandre , Bassi-Suter Mariana , Forsdike Nicola
Published: October 2023

Purpose

This study aims to understand how marketing faculty become reference-educators of business executives by exploring the factors that contribute to their teaching performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Exploratory qualitative research, using in-depth interviews in which the object of the study was the marketing educator, based on three Brazilian business schools.

Findings

The teaching performance depends on the teaching practice, which is influenced by technical knowledge, pedagogical factors and personal features. The development of a practitioner-educator is a complex process that arises from both formal and informal learning.

Research limitations/implications

Deepens the understanding of marketing educators’ individual factors, proposing a model to expand the knowledge of the factors shaping a reference-educator.

Practical implications

Raises awareness among managers of Higher Education institutions of the relevance of the development of its educators considering not only pedagogical skills but also marketing and social skills.

Social implications

Improvements in education generate a positive contribution to society. Better marketing educators may result in better professionals, which could, ultimately, generate more benefits both for corporations and for society.

Originality/value

Existing literature has neglected the understanding of how marketing educators’ individual factors may impact on good teaching to create a well-rounded practitioner-educator. This study seeks to address that gap by exploring how marketing faculty, especially practitioners of marketing, become reference-educators, that is, educators identified as exemplars of good practice by their students and peers.
Static load-carrying behavior and material properties of additively manufactured gears (PBF-LB/M, 16MnCr5)
Authors: Brummer Markus , Raddatz Karl Jakob , Schmitt Matthias Moritz , Schlick Georg , Tobie Thomas , Daub Rüdiger , Stahl Karsten
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Numerous metals can be processed using the additive manufacturing process laser-based powder bed fusion of metals (PBF-LB/M, ISO/ASTM 52900). The main advantages of additive manufacturing technologies are the high degree of design freedom and the cost-effective implementation of lightweight structures. This could be profitable for gears with increased power density, combining reduced mass with considerable material strength. Current research on additively manufactured gears is focused on developing lightweight structures but is seldom accompanied by simulations and even less by mechanical testing. There has been very little research into the mechanical and material properties of additively manufactured gears. The purpose of this study is to investigate the behavior of lightweight structures in additively manufactured gears under static loads.

Design/methodology/approach

This research identifies the static load-carrying capacity of helical gears with different lightweight structures produced by PBF-LB/M with the case hardening steel 16MnCr5. A static gear loading test rig with a maximum torque at the pinion of T1 = 1200 Nm is used. Further focus is set on analyzing material properties such as the relative density, microstructure, hardness depth profile and chemical composition.

Findings

All additively manufactured gear variants show no failure or plastic deformation at the maximum test load. The shaft hub connection, the lightweight hub designs and the gearing itself are stable and intact regarding their form and function. The identified material characteristics are comparable to conventionally manufactured gears (wrought and machined), but also some particularities were observed.

Originality/value

This research demonstrates the mechanical strength of lightweight structures in gears. Future research needs to consider the dynamic load-carrying capacity of additively manufactured gears.
Library staff's understanding of attitudinal barriers experienced by individuals with disabilities in libraries
Authors: Ferrara Lisa
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate how library staff understand disability and attitudinal barriers and how they use their knowledge of attitudinal barriers when planning programs and services for individuals with disabilities.

Design/methodology/approach

This study took a generic qualitative approach to examining how library staff understand disability and attitudinal barriers. Participants were recruited through emails to professional library associations throughout the United States of America. Emails directed participants to a screening questionnaire, and 15 respondents were selected to participate in semi-structured interviews.

Findings

The results of the study showed that participants were aware of attitudinal barriers, but attitudinal barriers were not often considered during the planning and implementation of library programs and services.

Originality/value

This study is one of a limited body of work examining library staff's understanding of attitudinal barriers to library services for individuals with disabilities.
An assessment of the impact of the PSPP on Spanish public bonds
Authors: Izquierdo-Cervera Enrique , Sogorb-Mira Francisco
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyse the impact of the European Central Bank’s (ECB) Public Sector Purchase Programme (PSPP) on Spanish sovereign debt.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors assess the impact of the PSPP on Spanish Government bonds from two different transmission channels (the signalling and the portfolio substitution) with two effects for each of them (the announcement and the expectation effects for the former and the stock and the rebalancing effects for the latter). The empirical study has been undertaken with event study methodology, controlled by macroeconomic variables, panel data and cross-sectional regression analyses.

Findings

The results show that both the ECB’s purchases under the PSPP and the announcements reduced Spanish Government bond yields. Compared to previous literature the Spanish Government bond yields reductions are larger than those for other countries.

Research limitations/implications

The authors’ approach to the impact of investors’ expectations is interesting, although they cannot draw evidence on this issue due to the lack of data.

Practical implications

From an economic perspective, the ECB can change economic agents’ expectations without actually carrying out any programme, only by announcing such a programme.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the literature examining the PSPP from different transmission channels in Spain, taking into account the announcements, the expectations, the purchases and the variation in debt holdings relating to the PSPP from the beginning of the programme until 2020. Due to the large degree of heterogeneity across euro area countries, the results in this paper should improve our understanding of the relative differences in the impact of the PSPP and, thus, be of interest to academics and policymakers.
“Tag a person who loves candy” – sociocultural approach to unhealthy food marketing to adolescents in social media
Authors: Sutinen Ulla-Maija , Luukkonen Roosa , Närvänen Elina
Published: October 2023

Purpose

This study aims to examine adolescents’ social media environment connected to unhealthy food marketing. As social media have become a ubiquitous part of young people’s everyday lives, marketers have also shifted their focus to these channels. Literature on this phenomenon is still scarce and often takes a quite narrow view of the role of marketing in social media. Furthermore, the experiences of the adolescents are seldom considered.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a sociocultural approach and netnographic methodology, this study presents findings from a research project conducted in Finland. The data consist of both social media material and focus group interviews with adolescents.

Findings

The findings elaborate on unhealthy food marketing to adolescents in social media from two perspectives: sociocultural representations of unhealthy foods in social media marketing and social media influencers connecting with adolescents.

Originality/value

The study broadens and deepens the current understanding of unhealthy food marketing to adolescents taking place in social media. The study introduces a novel perspective to the topic by looking at it as a sociocultural phenomenon.
Development and validation of the simplified Chinese Author Recognition Test: Evidence from eye movements of Chinese adults in Mainland China
Authors: Su Yongqiang , Li Yixun , Li Hong
Published: October 2023

Background

It is well evident that individuals' levels of print exposure are significantly correlated with their reading ability across languages, and an author recognition test is commonly used to measure print exposure objectively. For the first time, the current work developed and validated a Simplified Chinese Author Recognition Test (SCART) and examined its role in explaining Chinese online reading.

Methods

In Study 1, we constructed the SCART for readers of simplified Chinese and validated the test using data collected from 203 young adults in Mainland China. Participants were measured on the SCART and three self‐report tasks about their reading experiences and habits. Study 2 recruited additional 68 young adults in Mainland and measured their print exposure (with the same tasks used in Study 1), reading‐related cognitive ability (working memory, rapid automatic naming, Chinese character reading, and vocabulary knowledge), and Chinese online reading via an eye‐tracking passage reading task.

Results

Results of Study 1 support the high reliability and validity of the SCART. Results of Study 2 indicate that SCART scores significantly predicted participants' online reading processing while controlling for subjective reading experiences and habits, and reading‐related cognitive abilities. Across two studies, we found converging evidence that the in‐depth recognition of the authors (i.e., participants have read the books written by these authors) appears to be a better indicator of print exposure than the superficial recognition of the author names.

Conclusions

Taken together, this work filled in the gap in the literature by providing an evidence‐based, objective print exposure measure for simplified Chinese and contributes to a broader understanding of print exposure and online reading processing across different writing systems.
What's format got to do with it? A comparison of three syntactic comprehension measures
Authors: Nielsen Jessie Leigh , Christensen Rikke Vang , Poulsen Mads
Published: October 2023

Background

Studies of syntactic comprehension and reading comprehension use a wide range of syntactic comprehension tests that vary considerably in format. The goal of this study was to examine to which extent different formats of syntactic comprehension tests measure the same construct.

Methods

Sixty‐nine Grade 4 students completed multiple tests of decoding, vocabulary, fluid‐reasoning skill, reading comprehension and three tests of syntactic comprehension: the TROG‐2, a sentence repetition test and a whodunnit test.

Results

There was limited shared variance between the syntactic comprehension tests, indicating that they only partially tapped into the same construct. Furthermore, the TROG‐2 was more highly correlated with fluid‐reasoning skill than the other syntax tests. Finally, the TROG‐2 and the whodunnit test explained additional variance in reading comprehension after controls, while sentence repetition did not.

Conclusions

There are important differences between syntactic comprehension tests. This has consequences both for the interpretation of previous studies of syntactic comprehension and reading comprehension and for the design of future studies as the choice of syntactic comprehension measure may directly influence the results of the study.
Anterior quadratus lumborum catheters for elective cesarean section: A double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled trial
Authors: Hansen Christian K. , Steingrimsdottir Gudny E. , Dam Mette , Nielsen Martin V. , Tanggaard Katrine , Poulsen Troels D. , Lebech Morten , Børglum Jens
Published: October 2023

Background

Optimizing pain management following cesarean section is crucial for the well‐being of both mother and infant. Various types of quadratus lumborum blocks have exhibited reduced opioid consumption and pain scores after cesarean section. However, duration of block effect is relatively short. The aim of this study was to investigate the analgesic efficacy of the anterior quadratus lumborum catheters for cesarean section.

Methods

All 32 enrolled participants were allocated to postoperative bilateral ultrasound‐guided anterior quadratus lumborum catheter placement with injection of 60 mL ropivacaine 0.375% after cesarean section. Randomization at 2 h resulted in either 60 mL ropivacaine 0.2% or 60 mL isotonic saline injected through the catheters, with subsequent 22‐h infusion of either ropivacaine 0.2% or isotonic saline with an infusion rate of 4 mL h−1 per catheter. Participants in the active group received a total of 697 mg ropivacaine during the first 24 h. All participants received the standard postoperative multimodal pain regimen, and a final bilateral injection at 24‐h post‐catheter placement of 60 mL ropivacaine 0.375% in total.

The primary outcome was time to first opioid administration. Secondary outcomes were pain scores, time to first ambulation, nausea and vomiting, accumulated opioid consumption, and catheter displacement rates.

Results

No significant intergroup differences were observed following the randomized intervention. Median time to first opioid (IQR) was (active vs. placebo) 414 (283, 597) vs. 428 (245, 552) minutes, with a median difference (CI) of −14 (−184 to 262) min, p = .32.

Conclusion

Bilateral anterior quadratus lumborum catheters with continuous infusion did not prolong time to first opioid after elective cesarean section.
A whole genome scan reveals distinct features of selection in Zhaotong cattle of Yunnan province
Authors: Lyu Yang , Guan Xiwen , Xu Xinglong , Wang Pengfei , Li Qiaoxian , Panigrahi Manjit , Zhang Jicai , Chen Ningbo , Huang Bizhi , Lei Chuzhao
Published: October 2023

Over the years, indigenous cattle have not only played an essential role in securing primary food sources but have also been utilized for labor by humans, making them invaluable genetic resources. The Zhaotong cattle, a native Chinese breed from the Yunnan province, possess excellent meat quality and resistance to heat and humidity. Here we used whole genome sequencing data of 104 animals to delve into the population structure, genomic diversity and potential positive selection signals in Zhaotong cattle. The findings of this study demonstrate that the genetic composition of Zhaotong cattle was primarily derived from Chinese indicine cattle and East Asian cattle. The nucleotide diversity of Zhaotong cattle was only lower than that of Chinese indicine cattle, which was much higher than that of other taurine cattle. Genome‐wide selection scans detected a series of positive candidate regions containing multiple key genes related to bone development and metabolism (CA10, GABRG3, GLDN and NOTUM), meat quality traits (ALG8, LINGO2, MYO5B, PRKG1 and GABRB1), immune response (ADA2, BMF, LEF1 and PAK6) and heat resistance (EIF2AK4 and LEF1). In summary, this study supplies essential genetic insights into the genome diversity within Zhaotong cattle and provides a foundational framework for comprehending the genetic basis of indigenous cattle breeds.
Genotyping‐by‐sequencing reveals a high number and quality of single nucleotide polymorphisms in guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) from the Peruvian Andes
Authors: Borja Lozano María Victoria , Vigil Santillán Bianca , More Montoya Manuel J. , Morón Barraza Jonathan A. , García‐Serquén Aura Liz , Gutiérrez Reynoso Gustavo , Yalta‐Macedo Claudia E.
Published: October 2023

Guinea pigs are a major source of animal protein for Peruvian Andean families. Despite the economic and cultural relevance of guinea pigs, their genomic characterization has been scarcely addressed. Genotyping‐by‐sequencing (GBS) has emerged as an affordable alternative to genotyping of livestock and native animals. Here, we report the use of GBS for single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) discovery of traditionally raised guinea pigs from six regions of the Peruvian Andes and one group of breeding animals. The paired‐end (2 × 150 bp) sequencing of 40 guinea pig DNA samples generated a mean of 6.4 million high‐quality sequencing reads per sample. We obtained an average sequencing depth of 10× with an 88.5% mapping rate to the Cavia porcellus reference genome. A total of 279 965 SNPs (102 SNPs/Mbp) were identified after variant calling and quality filtering. Based on this SNP set, we assessed the genetic diversity and distance within our selected guinea pig populations. An overall average minor allele frequency of 0.13, an observed heterozygosity of 0.31, an expected heterozygosity of 0.35, and an F‐value of 0.1 were obtained, while the SNP‐based neighbor‐joining tree suggests a closer genetic relationship between individuals from geographically close locations. We showed that GBS is a cost‐effective tool for SNP discovery and genetic characterization of Peruvian guinea pig populations. Therefore, it may be considered as a suitable and affordable tool for genomic characterization of poorly studied native animal species.
How does the ‘Belt and Road Initiative’ change urbanisation patterns in Southeast Asia?
Authors: Andujar Adèle Esposito , Fauveaud Gabriel , Gibert‐Flutre Marie , Aveline‐Dubach Natacha , Henriot Carine , Liu Yang , Moser Sarah
Published: October 2023

This paper examines how Chinese transnational investments, as (re)framed in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), contribute to changes in urbanisation processes in Southeast Asia. On the ground, the BRI becomes contextualised and intersects with local and national development trajectories. The growing presence of Chinese actors in the region intensifies urban dynamics, especially in secondary cities and emerging urban sites, where the BRI is used as a lever for local internationalisation strategies. The heterogeneous nature of the links between the BRI and various large urban projects is demonstrated on the basis of case studies involving changing consortia of private and public Chinese and Southeast Asian actors. A regional approach allows us to identify connections and shared processes across Southeast Asian countries. It provides a historically grounded understanding of how the BRI incorporates long‐term interactions with China and more recent partnerships in Southeast Asian countries. The paper paves the way for a research agenda that contests the image of China as a monolithic actor implementing the BRI uniformly and consistently. Further analyses are needed to examine systems and networks of actors as well as the local urban politics that affect the BRI on the ground.
Social work practices in community governance: A systematic literature review
Authors: Wenmei Guo , Yahaya Mohd Haizzan , Ali Isahaque
Published: October 2023

As a significant social subject force, social work plays a unique role in the new pattern of community governance. Through continuous practice and exploration, it has accumulated particular practical experience and theoretical foundation with considerable application value, which provides good references and references for the study. This study is based on a review of published articles that reflect 10 years of research on social work participation in community governance. After an extensive literature review, a total of 24 peer‐reviewed articles were included. These were searched among papers published in different journals of Web of Science and Scopus databases on social work practices in community governance for the period of 2011–2021. A systematic review of literature studies allows the researcher to get a more comprehensive picture of the state of research in the field, especially the research results and findings that have been made. In the process, literature gaps, challenges, impediments, and possibilities for future research directions were examined. In this context, a framework and insight for future researchers on social work engagement in community governance regarding content areas, theoretical models, outcomes, methodologies, and evaluation tools are provided.
Early readmission of exclusively breastmilk‐fed infants born by means of normal birth or cesarean is multifactorial and associated with perinatal maternal mental health concerns
Authors: De Mare Kirsten Emma , Bourne Debra , Rischitelli Barbara , Fan Wei Qi
Published: October 2023

Background

Late preterm and full‐term infants comprise the majority of births in our hospital which serves a multicultural lower socioeconomic community. Patients give birth vaginally (normal birth, NB) or by cesarean birth (CB), and the majority of neonates are exclusively breastmilk fed until discharge. In this study we examined what factors within these two birth modes and feeding regimes of exclusive breast milk were associated with early postnatal readmission. Ideally, findings will aid initiatives to decrease readmission rates.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was performed on maternal–infant pairs. All neonates from 2016 to 2018, exclusively breastmilk fed at discharge, born by NB (n = 4245) or CB (n = 1691), were grouped as non‐Readmitted (Reference) or Readmitted within 30 days of discharge. Readmission reason was determined, and potential associations were identified using univariate analysis and multivariable logistic regression.

Results

Rates of readmission were similar for both NB and CB infants (6.8% vs. 7.3%). In order, NB concerns were jaundice, infection, and feeding—this was reversed for the CB Group. NB readmission bilirubin levels were higher (293 ± 75 vs. 236 ± 112, μmol/L, NB:CB, p < 0.001). Factors associated with readmission for both groups were similar to previously published studies. Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Score (EPDS) was higher for Readmitted infant mothers. Importantly, for non‐jaundice readmission EDPS categories indicated that both CB and NB mothers were more likely to have depression.

Conclusion

Early readmission of exclusively breastmilk‐fed infants born by means of NB or CB is multifactorial. Early pregnancy mental health issues are associated with readmission, highlighting the potential effects of perinatal depression on neonatal health.
Group prenatal care for pregnant women with opioid use disorder: Preliminary evidence for acceptability and benefits compared with individual prenatal care
Authors: Short Vanessa L. , Hand Dennis J. , Mancuso Francesca , Raju Amulya , Sinnott Jacqueline , Caldarone Lindsay , Rosenthall Emily , Liveright Elizabeth , Abatemarco Diane J.
Published: October 2023

Introduction

The effectiveness of group prenatal care (G‐PNC) compared with individual prenatal care (I‐PNC) for women with opioid use disorder (OUD) is unknown. The objectives of this study were to (1) assess the acceptability of co‐locating G‐PNC at an opioid treatment program and (2) describe the maternal and infant characteristics and outcomes of pregnant women in treatment for OUD who participated in G‐PNC and those who did not.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of 71 women (G‐PNC n = 15; I‐PNC n = 56) who were receiving treatment for OUD from one center and who delivered in 2019. Acceptability was determined by assessing the representativeness of the G‐PNC cohorts, examining attendance at sessions, and using responses to a survey completed by G‐PNC participants. The receipt of health services and healthcare use, behaviors, and infant health between those who participated in G‐PNC and those who received I‐PNC were described.

Results

G‐PNC was successfully implemented among women with varying backgrounds (e.g., racial, ethnic, marital status) who self‐selected into the group. All G‐PNC participants reported that they were satisfied to very satisfied with the program. Increased rates of breastfeeding initiation, breastfeeding at hospital discharge, receipt of the Tdap vaccine, and postpartum visit attendance at 1–2 weeks and 4–8 weeks were observed in the G‐PNC group compared with the I‐PNC group. Fewer G‐PNC reported postpartum depression symptomatology.

Conclusion

Findings suggest that co‐located G‐PNC at an opioid treatment program is an acceptable model for pregnant women in treatment for OUD and may result in improved outcomes.
Normal birth rates before and after the merging of mixed‐risk and low‐risk maternity wards in Iceland: A retrospective cohort study on the impact of inter‐professional preventative measures
Authors: Hálfdánsdóttir Berglind , Pálsdóttir Sigurveig Ósk , Ólafsdóttir Ólöf Ásta , Swift Emma Marie
Published: October 2023

Background

In 2014, the National University Hospital of Iceland (NUHI) merged a mixed‐risk birth unit and a midwifery‐led low‐risk unit into one mixed‐risk unit. Interprofessional preventative and mitigating measures were implemented since there was a known threat of cultural contamination between mixed‐risk and low‐risk birth environments. The aim of the study was to assess whether the NUHI's goal of protecting the rates of birth without intervention had been achieved and to support further development of labor services.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study of all women who had singleton births at NUHI birth units in two 2‐year periods, 2012–2013 and 2015–2016. The primary outcome variables, birth without intervention, with or without artificial rupture of membranes (AROM), were adjusted for confounding variables using logistic regression analysis. Secondary outcome variables (individual interventions and maternal and neonatal complications) were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t test, and Chi‐square test.

Results

The rate of births without interventions, both with and without AROM, increased significantly after the unit merger and accompanying preventative measures. The rates of AROM, oxytocin augmentation, episiotomies, and epidural analgesia decreased significantly. The rate of induction increased significantly. There were no significant differences in maternal or neonatal complication rates.

Conclusions

Interprofessional preventative measures, implemented alongside a mixed‐risk and low‐risk birth unit merger, can increase rates of births without interventions in a mixed‐risk hospital setting. However, it is necessary to maintain awareness of the possible effects of a mixed‐risk birth environment on the use of childbirth interventions and examine the long‐term effects of preventative measures.
Do outside options drive wage inequalities in retained jobs? Evidence from a natural experiment
Authors: Lukesch Veronika , Zwick Thomas
Published: October 2023

We provide evidence that suggests that a reduction in outside wage options reduces wage increases in retained jobs. We use the natural experiment of a reform that reduced outside wage options for employees in deregulated crafts occupations in comparison to employees in not reformed crafts occupations. To avoid estimation biases from general reform effects on wages, we concentrate on employees active in crafts occupations who worked for employers in the industry and commerce sectors and exclude employees in the crafts sector. Four years after the reform, the wages of treated employees in deregulated crafts were 5 per cent lower than wages of employees in not reformed occupations (control group). The reform, therefore, led to wage differentiation between comparable employees. The wage effects are concentrated in employers with high general wage increases after the reform and they can be found even at individual employers.