bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predictive power of training design on employee performance: an empirical approach in Pakistan's health sector
Authors: Bhatti Mitho Khan , Soomro Bahadur Ali , Shah Naimatullah
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to ascertain the role of training design on employee performance in the health sector of Pakistan.

Design/methodology/approach

This cross-sectional study applies random sampling to select respondents among Pakistan's trained health nurses. The study uses a survey questionnaire as a primary tool to collect the data. The 306 completed questionnaires form the study sample, with their data analyzed to find the results.

Findings

Structural equation modeling shows the positive and significant roles of training content and learning style on employee performance. In contrast, the study finds the role of the trainer on nurses' employee performance in Pakistan to be insignificant.

Practical implications

This research generally makes a valuable contribution to the training literature, particularly in Pakistan. Employers need to provide more training programs to reduce the cost of recruiting and training new staff members. Furthermore, the study recommends the provision of feedback to employees after training so they become aware of areas where they can improve their performance. This study's findings warrant consideration in the current training and development environment, and by policymakers and health sector planners of the Pakistani government.

Originality/value

This research study will help researchers to fill the gap in the international investigation by testing the training design and performance factors.
Pricing contract design of a multi-supplier-multi-retailer supply chain in hybrid electricity market
Authors: Zhu Zhenning , Kong Lingcheng , Aisaiti Gulizhaer , Song Mingzhen , Mi Zefeng
Published: May 2021

Purpose

In the hybrid electricity market consisting of renewable and conventional energy, the generation output of renewable power is uncertain because of its intermittency, and the power market demand is also fluctuant. Meanwhile, there is fierce competition among power producers in the power supply market and retailers in the demand market after deregulation, which increases the difficulty of renewable energy power grid-connection. To promote grid-connection of renewable energy power in the hybrid electricity market, the authors construct different contract decision-making models in the “many-to-many” hybrid power supply chain to explore the pricing strategy of renewable energy power grid-connecting.

Design/methodology/approach

Considering the dual-uncertainty of renewable energy power output and electricity market demand, the authors construct different decision-making models of wholesale price contract and revenue-sharing contract to compare and optimize grid-connecting pricing, respectively, to maximize the profits of different participants in the hybrid power supply chain. Besides, the authors set different parameters in the models to explore the influence of competition intensity, government subsidies, etc. on power pricing. Then, a numerical simulation is carried out, they verify the existence of the equilibrium solutions satisfying the supply chain coordination, compare the differences of pricing contracts and further analyze the variation characteristics of optimal contract parameters and their interaction relations.

Findings

Revenue-sharing contract can increase the quantity of green power grid-connection and realize benefits Pareto improvement of all parties in hybrid power supply chain. The competition intensity both of power supply and demand market will have an impact on the sharing ratio, and the increase of competition intensity results in a reduction of power supply chain coordination pressure. The power contract price, spot price and selling price have all been reduced with the increase of the sharing ratio, and the price of renewable power is more sensitive to the ratio change. The sharing ratio shows a downward trend with the increase of government green power subsidies.

Originality/value

On the basis of expanding the definition of hybrid power market and the theory of newsvendor model, considering the dual-uncertainty of green power generation output and electricity market demand, this paper builds and compares different contract decision-making models to study the grid-connection pricing strategy of renewable energy power. And as an extension of supply chain structure types and management, the authors build a “many-to-many” power supply chain structure model and analyze the impact of competition intensity among power enterprises and the government subsidy on the power grid-connecting pricing.
Researcher attitudes toward data sharing in public data repositories: a meta-evaluation of studies on researcher data sharing
Authors: Thoegersen Jennifer L. , Borlund Pia
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report a study of how research literature addresses researchers' attitudes toward data repository use. In particular, the authors are interested in how the term data sharing is defined, how data repository use is reported and whether there is need for greater clarity and specificity of terminology.

Design/methodology/approach

To study how the literature addresses researcher data repository use, relevant studies were identified by searching Library Information Science and Technology Abstracts, Library and Information Science Source, Thomas Reuters' Web of Science Core Collection and Scopus. A total of 62 studies were identified for inclusion in this meta-evaluation.

Findings

The study shows a need for greater clarity and consistency in the use of the term data sharing in future studies to better understand the phenomenon and allow for cross-study comparisons. Furthermore, most studies did not address data repository use specifically. In most analyzed studies, it was not possible to segregate results relating to sharing via public data repositories from other types of sharing. When sharing in public repositories was mentioned, the prevalence of repository use varied significantly.

Originality/value

Researchers' data sharing is of great interest to library and information science research and practice to inform academic libraries that are implementing data services to support these researchers. This study explores how the literature approaches this issue, especially the use of data repositories, the use of which is strongly encouraged. This paper identifies the potential for additional study focused on this area.
The USA–China trade policy uncertainty and inference for the major global south indexes
Authors: Akdag Saffet , Yildirim Hakan , Alola Andrew Adewale
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The recent dynamics of trade policy, especially that is associated with the United States of America (USA) and China, has not only triggered policy adjustments in two economies, it has also implied an uncertainty spillover to other economies across the globe. Consequently, the current study attempts to examine the effect of uncertainties in the USA–China trade policies on stock market indexes. In addition, the cointegration evidence between the USA–China trade policy uncertainty index and of the leading Global South fragile quintet (Brazil, Indonesia, South Africa, India and Turkey) stock market indices is investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

Mainly, the FMOLS and DOLS Granger causality analysis with cointegration coefficient estimators were employed for the dataset over the monthly data period of March 2003 and July 2019.

Findings

Accordingly, the study found a long-term relationship between the USA–China Trade Policy Uncertainty index and the stock exchange indexes. In addition, a causal relationship was established from the change in the USA–China Trade Policy Uncertainty index to the change in the stock market indexes of almost all of the examined countries (Brazil, Indonesia, South Africa, India and Turkey). In addition, the nonlinear Autoregressive Distributed Lag approach further offers evidence of asymmetric relationship among the examined indicators.

Originality/value

Moreover, this study contributed to the existing literature because it employed the indexes of BIST100, BOVESPA, BSE Sensex 30, IDX Composite and South Africa 40 in a novel approach. Thus, the study posited a useful policy guideline for associated economic uncertainties arising from the trade dispute, such as the case of the world’s two largest trading giants or partners (i.e. the USA and China).
Familiness and R&D investments
Authors: Damak Salma , Ben Mbarek Hela , Haj-Salem Issal
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate R&D investments in family firms.

Design/methodology/approach

The socio-emotional wealth (SEW) perspective, considered as a dominant paradigm in the family business field, is the theoretical framework used to report different behaviors ascertained within family firms. This paper focuses on two dimensions of the SEW, namely, family control and influence and family identity. A suspected moderating role played by the firm’s life cycle stage on the dimensions is also investigated using panel data. To analyze the results, this paper uses the Smart PLS software on secondary data collected for 76 German family firms.

Findings

The empirical results reveal a negative influence of SEW on R&D investments. The prominent effect of the family control and influence dimension on R&D is higher in the first part of a firm life cycle.

Research limitations/implications

The analysis of this study is subject to several caveats. First, to measure the R&D investment, this paper used R&D intensity computed as the total annual R&D expenses by total sales. Except for the fact that the use of proxies received several criticizes from scholars (Berroneet al., 2012) claiming how they do not directly relate to the essence of the dimensions measured. Second, this paper used two out of five FIBER dimensions only in the study. This paper took the right direction, but still, the complexity of SEW may not be fully captured following this approach (Berroneet al., 2012).

Originality/value

This study could be considered as an important extension of prior research investigating R&D in family firms. The authors provide a valid empirical construct, the FIBER scale, to capture non-monotonic behaviors in family firms and an enlargement of the family firms and innovation management field of research.
A causal model for health-related quality of life among Thai adolescents with congenital heart disease
Authors: Suratham Sathima , Prasopkittikun Tassanee , Srichantaranit Arunrat , Vongsirimas Nopporn
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The objective of this study was to examine the causal relationships among sex, social support, disease severity, symptoms, physical activity, general health perception and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in Thai adolescents with congenital heart disease (CHD).

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional study was conducted using convenience sampling to recruit 200 Thai adolescents with CHD aged between 13 and18 years from four tertiary university hospitals in Bangkok. Interview method and self-administered questionnaires were used for data collection held between November 2018 and February 2019. Data were analyzed using path analysis to test the hypothesized model of the relationships.

Findings

The causal model of HRQOL revealed a good fit with the data. This model of relationship could explain 48% of the variances in HRQOL. Only direct effects of disease severity, symptoms and social support on HRQOL were found while indirect effects were not.

Originality/value

Due to the lack of study focusing on factors influencing HRQOL in Thai adolescents with CHD, this empirical study provides the evidence in Thai literature. The modifiable influencing factors for HRQOL found in this study can be manipulated through psycho-educational intervention given to the adolescents and significant others, especially parents, to help increase quality of life in adolescents with CHD.
Educators’ experiences as K-12 students and efficacy for teaching in diverse schools
Authors: DeSantis Joshua , Christopher Cherish
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Significant differences exist in the racial composition of America’s student and teacher populations. This reality is compounded by the racial re-segregation patterns affecting many schools and systems in the USA. These trends make it increasingly less likely that educators encounter racial diversity during their experiences as K-12 students and more likely that they encounter racial diversity as educators. This paper aims to present the results of a study designed to explore the consequences of this reality on those educators’ abilities to successfully reach their students?

Design/methodology/approach

The present study used a quantitative exploratory design. Data were analyzed to determine if educators’ experiences as K-12 students affected their present self-efficacy for teaching in diverse classrooms, their self-efficacy for using culturally responsive techniques, and their confidence in the merits of deploying these approaches in classrooms.

Findings

Data from the present study suggest that educators whose school experiences included significant interactions in racially diverse settings are significantly more likely to possess a higher level of self-efficacy than those who do not.

Originality/value

This study illuminates an unexplored consequence of school resegregation and lends support for efforts to diversify the teaching force and resist school resegregation.
The moderator effect of financial literacy on the relationship between locus of control and financial behavior
Authors: Mutlu Ümmühan , Özer Gökhan
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This study examines the effects of variables such as financial literacy and locus of control on the financial behavior of individual investors. Additionally, this article aims to reveal the moderator effect of financial literacy on locus of control and financial behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

Responses were collected from a questionnaire given to a convenience sample of 1,347 individual investors. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA), which reveals the factor structure of the scale, was used at the beginning of the study, and then confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed to confirm this new factor structure. Hypothetical relationships were examined using structural equation modeling.

Findings

The study provides statistical support for the validity and reliability of the scales. The statistical results of the analysis reveal that financial literacy and locus of control have a positive effect on financial behavior. Moreover, the authors prove that financial literacy changes the relationship between internal locus of control and financial behavior. In conclusion, financial literacy plays a significant role as a moderator variable that interacts with locus of control.

Originality/value

The findings of the research are important in demonstrating empirical evidence for the theoretical correlations. In support of the current literature, this study has confirmed the positive effects of internal locus of control and financial literacy on the financial behavior of individual investors. In addition, it has been determined that the relationship between an individual's financial behavior and internal locus of control varies according to their level of financial literacy.
Understanding good leadership in the context of English care home inspection reports
Authors: Mongan Ceara , Thomas Will
Published: May 2021

Purpose

As part of their inspection of care homes in England, the statutory inspector (the Care Quality Commission [CQC]) makes a judgement on the quality of the home’s leadership. Their view is critical as it is intended to inform consumer choice and because the statutory nature of inspection means these views hold considerable authority. The purpose of this paper is to look at the content of a selection of reports and seek to determine what the CQC understands by the concept of “good leadership”.

Design/methodology/approach

A purposive sample of recent CQC inspection reports was selected and subjected to a qualitative content analysis. Inspections are structured around five main questions. The resulting themes describe areas of focus within the section of reports that feature the question “Are they well-led?”.

Findings

Inspection reports were found to focus on four main themes: safety and quality of care; day-to-day management of staff; governance and training in the home; and integration and partnership working. In the discussion section, the authors reflect on these themes and suggest that the CQC’s view of leadership is rather limited. In particular, while an emphasis is placed within the literature and policy on the importance of leadership in delivering change and quality improvement, little attention is paid to this within the leadership section of inspection reports.

Research limitations/implications

The authors’ research is based on a small-scale sample of inspection reports; nevertheless, it suggests a number of avenues for further research into the way in which leadership and management capabilities are developed and monitored in the sector.

Originality/value

The analysis in this report offers a view of how the inspection regime implements its own guidance and how it assesses leadership. The reports, as public-facing documents, are artefacts of the inspection regime and critical not just as evidence of the practice of inspection but as influence on care home operations and the choices of care home residents and their families.
Environmental performance indicators for assessing sustainability of projects in the Ghanaian construction industry
Authors: Agyekum Kofi , Botchway Seth Yeboah , Adinyira Emmanuel , Opoku Alex
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Recent reports based on the sustainable development goals (SDGs) have revealed that no country is in line with achieving the targets of the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development, with the slowest progress being witnessed mainly on goals that are focused on the environment. This study examines environmental performance indicators for assessing the sustainability of building projects.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses an explanatory sequential design with an initial quantitative instrument phase, followed by a qualitative data collection phase. An extensive critical comparative review of the literature resulted in the identification of ten environmental sustainability indicators. One hundred and sixty-seven questionnaire responses based upon these indicators from the Ghanaian construction industry were received. Data were coded with SPSS v22, analysed descriptively, and via inferential analysis. These data were then validated through semi-structured interviews with six interviewees who are fellows of their respective professional bodies, a senior academic (professor in construction project delivery) and a government official. Data obtained from the semi-structured validation interviews were analysed through the side-by-side comparison of the qualitative data with the quantitative data.

Findings

The findings from the study suggest that all the indicators were important in assessing building projects' environmental sustainability across the entire life cycle. Key among the identified indicators is the effects of the project on “water quality, air quality, energy use and conservation, and environmental compliance and management”. The interviewees further agreed to and confirmed the importance of these identified indicators for assessing the environmental sustainability of building projects in Ghana.

Originality/value

Compared to existing studies, this study adopts the exploratory sequential design to identify and examine the critical indicators in assessing the environmental sustainability across the entire lifecycle of building projects in a typical developing country setting, i.e. Ghana. It reveals areas of prime concern in the drive to place the local construction industry on a trajectory towards achieving environmental sustainability.
Why open government data initiatives fail to achieve their objectives: categorizing and prioritizing barriers through a global survey
Authors: Zuiderwijk Anneke , Reuver Mark de
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Existing overviews of barriers for openly sharing and using government data are often conceptual or based on a limited number of cases. Furthermore, it is unclear what categories of barriers are most obstructive for attaining open data objectives. This paper aims to categorize and prioritize barriers for openly sharing and using government data based on many existing Open Government Data Initiatives (OGDIs).

Design/methodology/approach

This study analyzes 171 survey responses concerning existing OGDIs worldwide.

Findings

The authors found that the most critical OGDI barrier categories concern (in order of most to least critical): functionality and support; inclusiveness; economy, policy and process; data interpretation; data quality and resources; legislation and access; and sustainability. Policymakers should prioritize solving functionality and support barriers and inclusiveness barriers because the authors found that these are the most obstructive in attaining OGDI objectives.

Practical implications

The prioritization of open data barriers calls for three main actions by practitioners to reduce the barrier impact: open data portal developers should develop advanced tools to support data search, analysis, visualization, interpretation and interaction; open data experts and teachers should train potential users, and especially those currently excluded from OGDIs because of a lack of digital skills; and government agencies that provide open data should put user-centered design and the user experience central to better support open data users.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the open data literature by proposing a new, empirically based barrier categorization and prioritization based a large number of existing OGDIs.
Rebuilding Tourist destinations from Crisis: a comparative Study of Jammu and Kashmir and Assam, India
Authors: Gani Abdul , Singh Ramjit , Najar Ashaq Hussain
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This study aims to explore the preparedness and the recovery/rebuilding activities or strategies adopted by the respondents during the phases of natural disaster/crisis in Jammu and Kashmir and Assam, India.

Design/methodology/approach

The qualitative research design was chosen for the study. The interview method was adopted in the present research. The respondents were selected purposefully from the representatives of tourism organizations/destinations management organizations and emergency organizations, i.e. disaster management and hotels experienced by natural disasters, i.e. flood 2014 in Kashmir valley 2019 in Assam states of India.

Findings

Moderate level of preparedness among the tourism organizations, tourism businesses such as hotels leaves implications for them to enhance the disaster or crisis resilient community. The preparedness programs, efficient social media, communications strategies and development of tourist destinations-specific disaster-related crisis management plans were suggested to enhance disaster resilience.

Originality/value

The present study is widely contributing to the theory of the vital concepts of crisis management at tourism destinations. This study suggests the practical implications for and suggestions to the industry practitioners, government agencies and researchers to rebuild the tourist destinations from the disaster/crisis and enhance global resilience.
Strengths, weaknesses and challenges of municipalities in North Cyprus aspiring to be a sustainable Cittaslow tourism destination
Authors: Ince Ecem , Öztüren Ali
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Local government has a significant role to play in securing sustainable destination development. This paper aims to identify the strengths, weaknesses and challenges of municipalities in North Cyprus as they aspire to become sustainable Cittaslow tourism destinations.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative research approach was used to observe the perceptions of municipalities as they transition to become sustainable Cittaslow tourism destinations. The data have been obtained through in-depth interviews with the mayors of the municipalities that are members of the international Cittaslow network.

Findings

The results of the study show how alternative forms of tourism could help to improve the local economy. Also, the reasons for challenges and weaknesses are explained by the limited economic conditions of countries, high demand for mass tourism and lack of awareness about the importance of being a Cittaslow member.

Practical implications

This study reflects on the critical points in relation to the destination’s management at the local level. It also provides empirical indicators for achieving sustainable tourism development in North Cyprus.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the tourism literature by addressing municipalities' roles in the sustainability of tourism destinations in developing countries, more specifically in North Cyprus. A review of the literature reveals that there are very few prior studies of the role of municipalities in sustainable Cittaslow tourism.
The efficiency of e-government portal management from a citizen perspective: evidences from Turkey
Authors: Yıldırım Seda , Bostancı Seda H.
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This study aims to explore the key factors in achieving an efficient e-government portal management system from a citizen perspective. Accordingly, this study focuses on explaining how an e-government portal should manage its digital public services for citizens efficiently.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employs a qualitative research design. As a sample case, this study preferred to analyze the Turkish e-government portal. The data is based on available open access data and information from the Turkish e-government portal, which is called e-Government Gateway in practice. In addition, the data of TURKSTAT (Turkish Statistical Institute) were used to determine the general profile of citizens about Internet skills and usage. Then, the data is analyzed by descriptive content analysis.

Findings

As a result of descriptive findings, user type, digital platform options, security and access options, and digital public service classification are all found as important factors for providing a well-designed e-government portal system from a citizen perspective. Especially, citizens should be informed about using options and service categories and types to be accessed by the e-government portal. Social media tools are efficient factors when informing citizens about the e-government portal and communicating with them.

Research limitations/implications

This study provides an original model to explain how the Turkish e-government portal works from a citizen perspective. However, there are some limitations to the study. The findings and suggestions are based on the Turkish e-government portal and its digital public service management. Also, this study evaluates the efficiency of the e-government portal management from a citizen perspective. Future studies can investigate e-government portal management for different countries by different approaches or research designs.

Practical implications

Based on the Turkey case, it is determined that creating an e-government portal with having up-to-date public services, including both web-based and mobile-based platforms, will support the adoption and use of e-government portals.

Social implications

The digital transformation of government is almost the main issue for policymakers in the world. But, this transformation process has some risk factors as well as challenges. To overcome these challenges, policymakers should design flexible and adaptable digital portals and systems to provide easy-to-use and self-use options for the citizens.

Originality/value

This study reveals key factors for efficient e-government portal management by providing descriptive evidence from Turkey. The main contribution of this study is expected to give practical implications and to guide other countries about the adoption of efficient e-government portals by citizens.
The effect of environmental concern on conscious green consumption of post-millennials: the moderating role of greenwashing perceptions
Authors: Bulut Cagri , Nazli Murat , Aydin Erhan , Haque Adnan Ul
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This study aims to demonstrate how greenwashing perceptions shape the effect of environmental concern on post-millennials purchasing behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on 174 responses gathered through a street survey method from 5 different universities in Turkey, data are analyzed using the statistical package for social sciences software (SPSS 16.0). Principal component analysis is performed to assess the differentiation in factors. Multiple regression analysis is used to examine the effects of the items on the post-millennials purchasing and recommendation behavior.

Findings

The main findings revealed that the environmental concern trait of post-millennials triggers their green purchasing behavior. When the concern on green products is high, the awareness of perceiving that “if the product is actually green or pretending to be green” is high. When the post-millennials take the greenwashing perception into account, their environmental concern has lower effects on their green behavior. The moderating role of greenwashing between environmental concern and green purchasing is apparent. Greenwashing perception decreases the effects of environmental concern on green behavior.

Originality/value

The research raises the concept of greenwashing perception that moderates the relationship between environmental concern and post-millennials purchasing behavior. This study also demonstrates that greenwashing awareness has a critical role in creating a purchasing behavior of post-millennials that have environmental concerns.
Genomic signatures of thermal adaptation are associated with clinal shifts of life history in a broadly distributed frog
Authors: Cayuela Hugo , Dorant Yann , Forester Brenna R. , Jeffries Dan L. , Mccaffery Rebecca M. , Eby Lisa A. , Hossack Blake R. , Gippet Jérôme M. W. , Pilliod David S. , Chris Funk W.
Published: May 2021

Temperature is a critical driver of ectotherm life‐history strategies, whereby a warmer environment is associated with increased growth, reduced longevity and accelerated senescence. Increasing evidence indicates that thermal adaptation may underlie such life‐history shifts in wild populations. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and copy number variants (CNVs) can help uncover the molecular mechanisms of temperature‐driven variation in growth, longevity and senescence. However, our understanding of these mechanisms is still limited, which reduces our ability to predict the response of non‐model ectotherms to global temperature change.

In this study, we examined the potential role of thermal adaptation in clinal shifts of life‐history traits (i.e. life span, senescence rate and recruitment) in the Columbia spotted frog Rana luteiventris along a broad temperature gradient in the western United States.

We took advantage of extensive capture–recapture datasets of 20,033 marked individuals from eight populations surveyed annually for 14–18 years to examine how mean annual temperature and precipitation influenced demographic parameters (i.e. adult survival, life span, senescence rate, recruitment and population growth). After showing that temperature was the main climatic predictor influencing demography, we used RAD‐seq data (50,829 SNPs and 6,599 putative CNVs) generated for 352 individuals from 31 breeding sites to identify the genomic signatures of thermal adaptation.

Our results showed that temperature was negatively associated with annual adult survival and reproductive life span and positively associated with senescence rate. By contrast, recruitment increased with temperature, promoting the long‐term viability of most populations. These temperature‐dependent demographic changes were associated with strong genomic signatures of thermal adaptation. We identified 148 SNP candidates associated with temperature including three SNPs located within protein‐coding genes regulating resistance to cold and hypoxia, immunity and reproduction in ranids. We also identified 39 CNV candidates (including within 38 transposable elements) for which normalized read depth was associated with temperature.

Our study indicates that both SNPs and structural variants are associated with temperature and could eventually be found to play a functional role in clinal shifts in senescence rate and life‐history strategies in R. luteiventris. These results highlight the potential role of different sources of molecular variation in the response of ectotherms to environmental temperature variation in the context of global warming.
Determining the Characteristics of the Private Equity Targets: UK Evidence
Authors: Wilson Nicholas , Amini Shima , Wright Mike
Published: May 2021

Academic research on private equity (PE) has been concerned with the management of PE funds, the returns to investors from investments in PE relative to the returns available in public equity markets and, more predominantly, the analysis of the post‐investment performance of PE portfolio firms. There has been less research on how PE firms select their investments and the characteristics of their targeted firms. We derive hypotheses, from an agency perspective, on the firm‐level characteristics of PE‐targeted firms. Utilizing data on the population of private companies in the UK, we identify those firms that have received PE investment from the pool of potential investees within the population of private companies and known buyouts, and examine their pre‐investment characteristics. Using panel logit regression, we estimate multivariate models determining the probability of PE acquisition and examine the multivariate profiles of targeted firms in relation to our hypotheses on PE selection.
Characterization of a sigma class GST (GSTS6) required for cellular detoxification and embryogenesis in Tribolium castaneum
Authors: Song Xiao‐Wen , Zhong Qi‐Sheng , Ji Yan‐Hao , Zhang Yue‐Mei , Tang Jing , Feng Fan , Bi Jing‐Xiu , Xie Jia , Li Bin
Published: May 2021

The sigma glutathione S‐transferases (GSTSs) are a class of cytosolic glutathione S transferases (GSTs) that play important roles in antioxidant defense in insects, but the mechanisms by which GSTSs contribute to antioxidant activity remain unclear. Here, we isolated a GSTS (GSTS6) from Tribolium castaneum and explored its function. Homology and phylogenetic analysis revealed that TcGSTS6 shared high identity with other evolutionarily conserved GSTSs. The recombinant TcGSTS6 protein had strong activity toward cumene hydroperoxide and 4‐hydroxynonenal but low activity toward the universal substrate 1‐chloro‐2,4‐dinitrobenzene. Exposure to various types of oxidative stress, including heat, cold, UV and pathogenic microbes, significantly induced TcGSTs6 expression, which indicates that it is involved in antioxidant defense. Knockdown TcGSTs6 by using RNA interference (RNAi) caused reduced antioxidant capacity, which was accomplished by cooperating with other antioxidant genes. Moreover, treatment with various insecticides such as phoxim, lambda‐cyhalothrin, dichlorvos and carbofuran revealed that TcGSTS6 plays an important role in insecticide detoxification. The RNAi results showed that TcGSTS6 is essential for embryogenesis in T. castaneum. Our study elucidates the mechanism by which a GSTS contributes to antioxidant activity and enhances our understanding of the functional diversity of GSTSs in insects.
Using inferences concerning the effects of nutrient balances to define outcome‐related food scores
Authors: Corrêa Leite Maria Léa
Published: May 2021

Aim

To describe food scores that can be interpreted as indicators of the potential effects of a food on health outcomes.

Methods

The scores consist of weighted averages of the estimates of the association between a health outcome and nutrient balances. Each food contributes a set of weights depending on its nutrient composition. The nutrient balances of a food's constituents are defined in a manner that is similar to those included in the model from which the estimated associations are obtained. As the balances are based on log‐ratios, the presence of zero observations is problematic, but observations recorded astrace(rounded zeros) can be suitably replaced by a small value. In order to overcome the essential zero problem, we propose a strategy that exploits the flexibility of sequential binary partitioning, a procedure used to define orthogonal balances, and also describe the estimates of the variance and confidence limits of food scores.

Results

Data from an Italian population‐based study were used to provide examples regarding serum high‐density lipoprotein and triglyceride levels and waist circumference values, and the scores calculated for some foods or groups of foods are shown.

Conclusions

Food scores allow foods to be ranked on the basis of their potential effects on health outcomes and, as they are not directly related to the amount of the food consumed, may be less subject to confounding. The accuracy of the estimates depends on the completeness of the food's nutrient composition: that is, the more complete the nutrient composition, the more accurate the estimate.
Relationships between soil pollution by heavy metals and melanin‐dependent coloration of a fossorial amphisbaenian reptile
Authors: MARTÍN José , RECIO Pablo , RODRÍGUEZ‐RUIZ Gonzalo , BARJA Isabel , GUTIÉRREZ Eduardo , GARCÍA Luis V.
Published: May 2021

Melanin is the basis of coloration in many animals, and although it is often used in communication, thermoregulation, or camouflage, melanin has many other physiological functions. For example, in polluted habitats, melanin can have a detoxifying function. Melanic coloration would help to sequester in the skin the heavy metal contaminants from inside the body, which will be expelled to the exterior when the skin is sloughed. Moreover, animals should have evolved more melanic colorations in more polluted habitats (“industrial melanism” hypothesis). We examined whether the fossorial amphisbaenian reptile, Trogonophis wiegmanni, is able to eliminate heavy metals, derived from soil pollution by seagull depositions, through sloughing its skin. Our results suggest a covariation between levels of soil pollution by heavy metals and the concentration of heavy metals in the sloughed skins of amphisbaenians. This suggests that amphisbaenians may expel heavy metals from their bodies when they slough the skins. We also tested whether amphisbaenians inhabiting soils with higher levels of heavy metal pollution had darker (melanin‐dependent) body colorations. However, contrary to predictions from the “industrial melanization” hypothesis, we found a negative relationship between soil pollution and proportions of melanic coloration. This contradictory result could, however, be explained because heavy metals have endocrine disruption effects that increase physiological stress, and higher stress levels could result in decreased melanogenesis. We suggest that although amphisbaenians might have some detoxifying mechanism linked to melanin in the skin, this process might be negatively affected by stress and result ineffective under conditions of high soil pollution.
Functional correlates of skull shape in Chiroptera: feeding and echolocation adaptations
Authors: GIACOMINI Giada , HERREL Anthony , CHAVERRI Gloriana , BROWN Richard P. , RUSSO Danilo , SCARAVELLI Dino , MELORO Carlo
Published: May 2021

Morphological, functional, and behavioral adaptations of bats are among the most diverse within mammals. A strong association between bat skull morphology and feeding behavior has been suggested previously. However, morphological variation related to other drivers of adaptation, in particular echolocation, remains understudied. We assessed variation in skull morphology with respect to ecology (diet and emission type) and function (bite force, masticatory muscles and echolocation characteristics) using geometric morphometrics and comparative methods. Our study suggests that variation in skull shape of 10 bat families is the result of adaptations to broad dietary categories and sound emission types (oral or nasal). Skull shape correlates with echolocation parameters only in a subsample of insectivorous species, possibly because they (almost) entirely rely on this sensory system for locating and capturing prey. Insectivores emitting low frequencies are characterized by a ventrally tilted rostrum, a trait not associated with feeding parameters. This result questions the validity of a trade‐off between feeding and echolocation function. Our study advances understanding of the relationship between skull morphology and specific features of echolocation and suggests that evolutionary constraints due to echolocation may differ between different groups within the Chiroptera.
Researchers in Argentina: Scientific vocation, publication strategies and time‐management tactics
Authors: De Paepe Josefina L. , Reyes M. Fernanda , Piazza María V. , Di Bella Carla E. , García‐Parisi Pablo A. , Straccia Patricio H.
Published: May 2021

We wanted to understand how the competitive scientific system affected researchers in Argentina, whose budget to finance science is noticeably lower than in other countries and historically unstable. The objective was to identify factors that influence scientific vocation, main publication strategies and time‐management tactics. A structured survey was designed and circulated online for 6 months (2018/2019). The 684 valid responses were separated per academic stage: PhD students (41%), postdoc fellows (21%) and senior researchers (38%). National science policies (answer frequency = 0.69) and resources/funding availability (0.62) had a negative influence on scientific vocation. The difficulties to access to scholarships/full‐time positions (0.48) had a negative influence mainly for younger researchers. Peer interaction activities were selected as positive factors for scientific vocation, for example work‐team (0.51), which also stimulated the generation of new ideas together with the collaboration with other groups (0.76) and conference attendance (0.59). The most frequent publishing strategy to become a full‐time researcher was publishing in high impact journals (0.87). However, young researchers mainly chose to make their findings public at conferences (0.57). Time devoted to scientific production was relevant (0.73) and followed by teaching (0.39), although the last was also the least stimulating activity for the generation of new ideas. Three highlights emerge from our results. First, scientific vocation is negatively affected by structural factors related to the scientific system and positively influenced by peer interaction instances. Second, to publish in high impact journals is the most advisable strategy to become a full‐time researcher. Third, the most time‐demanding activities are not those that most stimulate the generation of ideas. Emerging recommendations for National Science, Technology, and Innovation Ministry, Universities, and/or research organisms for early‐career Argentine researchers are as follows: increase national science budget, encourage work‐team meetings and stays abroad, keep contact with local communities, stakeholders and decision‐makers.
Intraspecific spination pattern inDiscocyrtus prospicuus(Holmberg, 1876) (Opiliones: Gonyleptidae) reviewed: revalidation of the harvestman genusOpisthoplatus, with two new synonymies and biogeographical notes on their morphs
Authors: Carvalho Rafael N , Kury Adriano B
Published: May 2021

A study of several Argentinean/southern Brazilian nominal species currently included in the genusDiscocyrtusHolmberg, 1878 was conducted. We restoreOpisthoplatusHolmberg, 1878 from synonymy ofDiscocyrtusafter almost 140 years to include three species that are redescribed here.Opisthoplatusis referred to the recently described subfamily Neopachylinae Carvalho and Kury, 2020. An emended diagnosis forOpisthoplatusis provided, and interspecific and intraspecific variation among males is assessed. The present study of all available material revealed well‐defined patterns of an uncommon mirror asymmetry in the armature of femur IV of males, which has not been reported previously. Based on those patterns, the following taxonomic changes are proposed: (1)Discocyrtus vegetusCanals, 1939 andDiscocyrtus elegantulusMello‐Leitão, 1939 are newly combined underOpisthoplatus; (2)Discocyrtus nigerrimusRoewer, 1943 is newly considered a junior subjective synonym ofDiscocyrtus elegantulus; and (3)Discocyrtus affinisRoewer, 1913 andDiscocyrtus buckiMello‐Leitão, 1935 are newly considered junior subjective synonyms ofGonyleptes prospicuus. New geographical records are provided for theOpisthoplatusspecies treated here, and several records in the literature are questioned.
The Turbulent Circulation of Rent: Towards a Political Economy of Property and Ownership in Supply Chain Capitalism
Authors: Arboleda Martín , Purcell Thomas F.
Published: May 2021

Although recent years have seen an efflorescence of research on rent, the emphasis has tended to be placed in the antagonistic relations ofdistributionthat underlie this category. The ways in which rent relations also mediate the expansion of global networks of production and trade, however, are yet to be deciphered. On the other hand, an emerging scholarly interest in questions of logistics and supply chain capitalism has lacked a systematic theorisation of how increasing functional integration in the world economy shapes—and is also shaped by—rent relations. To bridge this gap, this article explores the complex, convoluted relation between property and the social circulation of capital in and beyond land markets. With this, we place into focus the extent to which the logistics revolution has elevated the importance of property relations—and thereby of the rentier class—in the dynamics of accumulation and political conflict under late‐stage capitalism.
Outcome of cataract surgery in eyes with diabetic retinopathy: a Swedish national cataract register report
Authors: Ridderskär Lucas , Montan Per , Kugelberg Maria , Nilsson Ingela , Lundström Mats , Behndig Anders , Zetterberg Madeleine
Published: May 2021

Purpose

To analyse if patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR) subjected to cataract surgery differ in outcome compared to patients without DR with regard to best‐corrected visual acuity (BCVA), deviation from target refraction, intraoperative difficulties and risk of complications.

Methods

A register‐based study from the Swedish National Cataract Register (NCR) during the years 2015–2017 including 358 040 cataract procedures. Patients with other ocular pathology than cataract and DR were omitted from outcome analyses.

Results

Diabetic retinopathy was reported in 13 724 of all eyes (3.8%). Preoperative BCVA was significantly worse in DR patients than in patients without DR, 0.54 ± 0.33 compared to 0.40 ± 0.27 (logMAR, mean ± SD, p < 0.001). The same was evident for postoperative BCVA, 0.15 ± 0.25 for DR patients versus 0.06 ± 0.13 (p < 0.001). The improvement in BCVA was slightly better in DR than in non‐DR, −0.40 ± 0.32 (logMAR; mean ± SD) versus −0.35 ± 0.27, p < 0.001. The absolute mean biometry prediction error was 0.42 ± 0.50 diopters (D) in DR and 0.43 ± 0.71 D in non‐DR patients, p = 0.768. One or more intraoperative difficulties, including mechanical pupil dilation, capsular stain, hooks at capsulorhexis margin or capsular tension ring, had an adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 1.75 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.61–1.90, p < 0.001) in DR versus non‐DR cases and the rate of posterior capsular tears (PCR) had an adjusted OR of 1.76 (95% CI 1.40–2.20, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Eyes with DR have inferior pre‐ and postoperative BCVA compared to non‐DR eyes. There is little difference in improvement of BCVA and no difference in absolute mean biometry prediction error. Importantly, intraoperative difficulties and PCRs are almost twice as common in DR patients, strongly indicating that these patients should be managed by experienced surgeons.