bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
E-commerce websites, consumer order fulfillment and after-sales service satisfaction: the customer is always right, even after the shopping cart check-out
Authors: Camilleri Mark Anthony
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This research identifies the critical factors of online service delivery of electronic commerce (e-commerce) websites, including website attractiveness, website functionality, website security and consumer fulfillment during an unprecedented Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

A structured questionnaire was used to gather data from 430 online respondents who were members of popular social media groups. The survey instrument relied on valid and reliable measures relating to electronic service quality (e-SERVQUAL) to better understand the participants’ satisfaction with shopping websites, as well as their loyal behaviors and word-of-mouth activities.

Findings

The findings reported that consumers valued the e-commerce websites’ features and their consumer order fulfillment capabilities. These factors increase the consumers’ satisfaction with online shopping experiences, generate repeat business, as well as positive reviews on social media.

Research limitations/implications

This study addresses a knowledge gap in academia. To date, little research has focused on the consumer order fulfillment aspect of e-commerce transactions and on after-sales of online businesses.

Originality/value

This contribution posits that e-commerce websites ought to be appealing, functional and offer secure transactions. More importantly, it suggests that merchants should consistently deliver personalized service in all stages of an online purchase, including after the delivery of the ordered products.
Effective storytelling: leadership’s magic motivational methodology
Authors: Denning Stephen
Published: June 2021

Purpose

If leaders really want to change people’s minds and enlist them in existential endeavors, they need an understanding of the dynamics of persuasion and the craft of leadership storytelling.

Design/methodology/approach

Stories that do change minds and inspire different behavior tend to have a particular narrative pattern. The author offers a set of key elements.

Findings

To inspire customer-focused, continuous innovation, leadership storytelling has untapped potential.

Practical implications

Leadership storytelling, when done right, at least gives company change agents a fighting chance of success.

Originality/value

The ongoing reinvention of management to transform workplaces of the 20th century into the lively centers of inspiration and creativity that are needed for the creative economy of the 21st century necessitates the elevation of change-agent storytelling to the central place in leadership that it deserves. The author offers a primer.
Consumer characteristics and incentives to buy labelled regional agricultural products
Authors: Bannor Richard Kwasi , Abele Steffen
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Rooted in the social identity theory (SIT), the study analysed the effect of consumer ethnocentrism as well as other factors on the purchase of labelled regional agricultural products together with the readiness to purchase the labelled regional products at a premium price in Germany.

Design/methodology/approach

The determinants of the consumption of labelled regional agricultural products and the readiness to pay a premium price for the same in Southwestern Germany were analysed via both probit and ordered probit regressions, respectively.

Findings

Consumer ethnocentrism influences the purchase of labelled regional agricultural products as well as the readiness to purchase at a premium price. Also, consumer socioeconomic and product characteristics and knowledge and perceived benefits of regional products had a divergent influence on the purchase and readiness to purchase labelled regional agricultural products at a premium price.

Research limitations/implications

In terms of limitation, even though the sample size was proper, it could be improved in other studies to validate the findings. Also, the study was limited to a limited number of counties in Southwestern Germany; hence future studies could explore a more extensive geographical space within the region.

Practical implications

The results can serve as a good source of information for improving the marketing of regional agricultural products. This study recommends that regional producers and marketers brand regional products with the region's name to capitalise on consumers' ethnocentric tendencies in the region. Further, regional products have to be sold in places where consumers with a certain degree of ethnocentrism are present. Results provided by this study are commonly applicable for all products, regardless of the type and regional origin, so that product-specific studies are no longer necessary, which reduces redundancy and marketing research costs, which are difficult to bear for small producers.

Originality/value

Germany has benefited immensely from the boom of regional marketing in Europe. Likewise, in Southwestern Germany, there is a growing interest in the production and marketing of regional products. As a result, several studies have investigated the factors influencing the purchasing of regional products in Germany. Nevertheless, literature and studies on the effect of ethnocentrism on the purchasing of regional agricultural products in Southwestern Germany are scanty.
An objective‐based prioritization approach to support trophic complexity through ecological restoration species mixes
Authors: Ladouceur Emma , McGowan Jennifer , Huber Patrick , Possingham Hugh , Scridel Davide , van Klink Roel , Poschlod Peter , Cornelissen Johannes Hans C. , Bonomi Costantino , Jiménez‐Alfaro Borja
Published: June 2021

Reassembling ecological communities and rebuilding habitats through active restoration treatments require curating the selection of plant species to use in seeding and planting mixes. Ideally, these mixes should be assembled based on attributes that support ecosystem function and services, promote plant and animal species interactions and ecological networks in restoration while balancing project constraints. Despite these critical considerations, it is common for species mixes to be selected opportunistically. Reframing the selection of seed mixes for restoration around ecological objectives is essential for success but accessible methods and tools are needed to support this effort.

We developed a framework to optimize species seed mixes based on prioritizing plant species attributes to best support different objectives for ecosystem functions, services and trophic relationships such as pollination, seed dispersal and herbivory. We compared results to approaches where plant species are selected to represent plant taxonomic richness, dominant species and at random. We tested our framework in European alpine grasslands by identifying 176 plant species characteristic of the species pool, and identified 163 associated attributes affiliated to trophic relationships, ecosystem functions and services.

In all cases, trophic relationships, ecosystem functions and services can be captured more efficiently through objective‐based prioritization using the functional identity of plant species. Solutions (plant species lists) can be compared quantitatively, in terms of costs, species or objectives. We confirm that a random draw of plant species from the regional plant species pool cannot be assumed to support other trophic groups and ecosystem functions and services.

Synthesis and Applications. Our framework is presented as a proof‐of‐concept to help restoration practitioners better apply quantitative decision support to plant species selection to efficiently meet ecological restoration outcomes. Our approach may be tailored to any restoration initiative, habitat or restoration targets where seeding or planting mixes will be applied in active treatments. As global priority and resources are increasingly placed into restoration, this approach could be advanced to help make efficient decisions for many stages of the restoration process.
Transcription activation of two clusters for exopolysaccharide biosynthesis by phosphorylated DctD in Vibrio vulnificus
Authors: Kang Sebin , Park Hana , Lee Kyung‐Jo , Lee Kyu‐Ho
Published: June 2021

NtrC‐mediated production of exopolysaccharides (EPS), essential components for Vibrio vulnificus biofilms, is highly increased in the presence of dicarboxylic or tricarboxylic acids. Gel‐shift assays showed that regulation of the EPS‐gene cluster I (EPS‐I cluster) by NtrC was direct via binding of phosphorylated NtrC (p‐NtrC) to the regulatory region of the EPS‐I cluster. In contrast, p‐NtrC did not bind to the EPS‐II and EPS‐III clusters, suggesting that NtrC regulation was not direct and another transcription factor belonging to an NtrC‐regulon might play a role in activating their transcription. A candidate transcription factor, DctD, of which expression was induced by NtrC, activated the expression of the EPS‐II and EPS‐III clusters via direct binding to their upstream regions. Under growth conditions with either dicarboxylic or tricarboxylic acids, the expression of NtrC was induced and the transcription of dctD was activated. Furthermore, DctD exhibited higher transcriptional activity under the conditions with dicarboxylic acids than with tricarboxylic acids. Therefore, this study demonstrates that under dicarboxylate‐rich conditions, both the abundance and activity of DctD were markedly induced, which activates the expression of two EPS clusters to maximize biosynthesis of EPS facilitating biofilm maturation in V. vulnificus.
Training for Citizenship: The Women's Suffrage Movement and Modernising the State in Early Twentieth‐Century South Africa
Authors: Duff S. E.
Published: June 2021

The Women's Enfranchisement Association of the Union of South Africa (WEAU) was founded in 1911, only a year after the declaration of the Union of South Africa. While scholars of the South African women's suffrage movement have paid particular attention to the race politics of the WEAU and its allied organisations, comparatively little scholarship has focused on white suffragists’ claims to citizenship. This article addresses this scholarly lacuna and argues that the South African women's suffrage movement's demands for citizenship were entangled with a broader project to reform and modernise the South African state. In so doing, the article explores how members of the WEAU imagined what it meant to be ‘South African’ in the 1910s and 1920s, and particularly in relation to their framing of citizenship as a tool for shoring up white supremacy in South Africa.
Influence of protein content and profile on the processing characteristics and physical properties of model infant formula powders
Authors: Walshe Emma J , O’Regan Jonathan , O’Mahony James A
Published: June 2021

Formulas were designed and produced with protein contents of 10, 14 and 18 g/100 g and whey protein:casein ratios of 60:40, 40:60 and 20:80. Protein content and whey protein:casein ratio did not significantly affect the volume mean diameter (D[4,3]) of milk fat globules during processing; however, increasing protein content and decreasing whey protein:casein ratio resulted in increased viscosity during processing. The free fat content of the powders decreased with increasing protein content. Particle and bulk densities of powders with whey protein:casein ratio of 20:80 were higher than that of powders with whey protein:casein ratio of 60:40.
Current practice, perceived barriers and resource needs related to measurement of dietary intake, analysis and interpretation of data: A survey of Australian nutrition and dietetics practitioners and researchers
Authors: Hutchesson Melinda , Rollo Megan , Burrows Tracy , McCaffrey Tracy A. , Kirkpatrick Sharon I. , Kerr Deborah , Truby Helen , Clarke Erin , Collins Clare E.
Published: June 2021

Aim

To inform future training and professional development for individuals who measure, analyse and interpret dietary intake data.

Methods

A cross‐sectional online survey was distributed via e‐newsletter to members of Dietitians Australia, Dietitian Connection and Nutrition Society Australia. The survey included 37 questions on three key areas of practice: (a) methods used to assess dietary intake, (b) barriers faced when conducting dietary intake assessment and (c) resources needed to optimise collection, analysis and interpretation of dietary intake data.

Results

Of 173 responses, 103 respondents provided complete data over 2 weeks. Of these, 76% were APDs. The majority (90%) indicated that dietary assessment was important in their role. Respondents (63%) undertook dietary assessments to inform individual/patient care. When assessing intakes, the majority (79%) were interested in examining food/food group intakes. Paper based methods were most commonly used and diet histories, food frequency questionnaires and 24‐hour recalls were the most frequently used methods. The biggest barrier identified to implementing dietary assessment methods into practice was participant burden. Over a third of respondents reported they had received specific training on selecting an appropriate dietary assessment method. The majority of respondents (83%) believed having access to a dietary assessment methods toolkit would be useful.

Conclusion

Survey findings provide insight into the need for further capacity building strategies, including professional development to improve collection, analysis and interpretation of dietary intake for Australian nutritionists and dietitians. The creation of online resources could help overcome identified barriers and provide a link to best practice methodologies and contemporary tools.
The anoxic electrode‐driven fructose catabolism of Pseudomonas putida KT2440
Authors: Nguyen Anh Vu , Lai Bin , Adrian Lorenz , Krömer Jens O.
Published: June 2021

Pseudomonas putida (P. putida) is a microorganism of interest for various industrial processes, yet its strictly aerobic nature limits application. Despite previous attempts to adapt P. putida to anoxic conditions via genetic engineering or the use of a bioelectrochemical system (BES), the problem of energy shortage and internal redox imbalance persists. In this work, we aimed to provide the cytoplasmic metabolism with different monosaccharides, other than glucose, and explored the physiological response in P. putida KT2440 during bioelectrochemical cultivation. The periplasmic oxidation cascade was found to be able to oxidize a wide range of aldoses to their corresponding (keto‐)aldonates. Unexpectedly, isomerization of the ketose fructose to mannose also enabled oxidation by glucose dehydrogenase, a new pathway uncovered for fructose metabolism in P. putida KT2440 in BES. Besides the isomerization, the remainder of fructose was imported into the cytoplasm and metabolized. This resulted in a higher NADPH/NADP+ ratio, compared to glucose. Comparative proteomics further revealed the upregulation of proteins in the lower central carbon metabolism during the experiment. These findings highlight that the choice of a substrate in BES can target cytosolic and periplasmic oxidation pathways, and that electrode‐driven redox balancing can drive these pathways in P. putida under anaerobic conditions.
To Be or Not to Be: Blockchain and the Future of Accounting and Auditing*
Authors: Desplebin Olivier , Lux Gulliver , Petit Nicolas
Published: June 2021

The purpose of this article is to study the potential impact of blockchain technology on accounting systems and businesses. Blockchain technology characteristics and operating modes have the potential to bring about innovations to the fields of accounting and auditing. After describing the function of blockchain technology, we examine potential accounting transformations and identify how the deployment of this technology might impact accountants and external auditors. To that end, we review the literature and take a prospective approach to the use of blockchain in accounting and auditing. Three major issues regarding the future of blockchain in accounting and auditing emerge: (i) the transformation of accounting techniques; (ii) main evolutions in accounting and auditing; and (iii) main evolutions in the work, skills, and education of auditors.
Investors' Perceptions of Activism via Voting: Evidence from Contentious Shareholder Meetings*
Authors: Brochet Francois , Ferri Fabrizio , Miller Gregory S.
Published: June 2021

Motivated by the increasing influence of shareholder votes on corporate policies, we examine investors' perceptions of activism via voting. To identify instances of activism via voting, we focus on annual meetings with at least one ballot item where a substantial fraction of shareholders is expected to vote against management's voting recommendation, indicating an increase in their monitoring activity. We define such meetings as “contentious.” Using a sample of almost 28,000 meetings between 2003 and 2012, we examine stock returns over the period between the proxy filing and the annual meeting. This period captures when investors learn about the contentious nature of the upcoming meeting and form expectations about its likely impact on firms' policies. We find that abnormal stock returns prior to contentious meetings are significantly positive and higher than those prior to noncontentious meetings. These higher abnormal returns increase with the contentiousness of the meeting; are more pronounced in firms with poor past performance, which are more likely to respond to shareholder pressure; and persist after controlling for firm‐specific news and proxies for risk factors. Our results are consistent with investors' expecting activism via voting to have a positive impact on firm value, on average, and cast doubts on regulatory attempts to restrict the use of shareholder votes.
The Funding of Higher Education: An Empirical Examination of the Cost of Education in Business Schools
Authors: Houghton Keith A. , Bagranoff Nancy , Jubb Christine
Published: June 2021

In late 2020, Australian university funding was profoundly changed by the Higher Education Support Amendment (Job‐Ready Graduates and Supporting Regional and Remote Students) Act (hereafter ‘the Act’). The Act is based on separate funding of education and research and relies heavily on estimates of education costs that are controversial. The Act increased tuition fees for domestic business students by 30%. Using an empirical archival approach, this study examines three questions: (1) What are the costs of providing tertiary education to business students? (2) Does research intensity impact the costs of education? (3) Is there evidence consistent with a cross‐subsidy from education to non‐teaching activities, including research? Unfortunately, sufficiently granular data for Australia are not publicly available, so we use data from business schools in US public universities as a proxy. The sample is partitioned between institutions professing a primary focus on either education or research. Results reveal that undergraduate degrees cost, on average, around AUD3,000 per annum per full‐time student when regressed on university operating budgeted dollars, holding other factors constant; much lower than Australia's increased business tuition fee under the Act. Significant differences for undergraduate, master, and doctoral education costs exist between the education‐ and research‐focused sub‐samples. Master degrees are around triple undergraduate costs, on average. Both research (publications) and research training (doctoral degrees) are high cost, with ‘elite’ publications much more costly than other scholarly publications. We conclude that education costs are impacted by research intensity and that opportunities to cross‐subsidize non‐teaching activities exist.
Severe recalled labor pain and elective cesarean section in a subsequent delivery: a cohort study of Norwegian parous women
Authors: Junge Carolin , von Soest Tilmann , Seidler Andreas , Eberhard‐Gran Malin , Garthus‐Niegel Susan
Published: June 2021

Introduction

Some women keep on recalling intense labor pain experienced at childbirth to a degree that may negatively affect their life during the postpartum period or lead them to request a cesarean section (CS) in the subsequent delivery. This longitudinal study aimed to assess the impact of severe recalled labor pain from the previous birth on the preference for and delivery by an elective CS in the subsequent delivery. Furthermore, we investigated whether co‐occurring maternal demographic, somatic and mental health factors related to the previous and subsequent delivery, explain parts of a potential association.

Material and methods

The study sample comprised 1135 parous women from the Akershus Birth Cohort. Severe recalled labor pain was assessed on a numeric rating scale at pregnancy week 17, and at pregnancy week 32, the preference for an elective CS for the subsequent delivery was assessed. Information on actual delivery by elective CS in the subsequent delivery was retrieved from the electronic birth record. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the impact of severe recalled labor pain on elective CS.

Results

Severe recalled labor pain at the previous birth was associated with a preference for an elective CS (odds ratio [OR] 3.57, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.25–5.67) and actual delivery by elective CS (OR 4.71, 95% CI 2.32–9.59). This association remained statistically significant for the preference for an elective CS (adjusted OR [aOR] 2.12, 95% CI 1.24–3.62) but diminished for delivery by elective CS (aOR 2.30, 95% CI 0.99‐5.35) when adjusting for a variety of covariates. Factors related to previous childbirth such as number of years since previous birth, assisted vaginal delivery, anal sphincter lesions, overall birth experience and fear of childbirth were also linked to preference for and delivery by an elective CS.

Conclusions

Women with severe recalled labor pain were about twice as likely to prefer an elective CS compared with women without severe recalled pain. For actual delivery, the significant association with severe recalled pain diminished after adjustment for covariates. However, sample size was small and, irrespective of severe recalled labor pain, preference for an elective CS was statistically significantly associated with actual delivery by elective CS.
Editorial: safety of thiopurines in pregnancy—considering the mother, foetus and newborn
Authors: Weisshof Roni , Chowers Yehuda , Kurnik Daniel
Published: June 2021

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Flanagan et al paper. To view this article, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16294
Letter: opioid use, early biologic discontinuation for inflammatory bowel disease and a cautionary note for the age of legalised cannabis
Authors: Oseni Ellen , Sultan Keith
Published: June 2021

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Rhudy et al paper. To view this article, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16269
Editorial: type D personality and its relationship with depression and disease activity in inflammatory bowel disease—authors' reply
Authors: Jordi Sebastian Bruno Ulrich , Misselwitz Benjamin , Begré Stefan
Published: June 2021

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Jordi et al and Knowles & Mikocka‐Walus papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16365 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16379
The mechanisms of interest and perseverance in predicting achievement among academically resilient and non‐resilient students: Evidence from Swedish longitudinal data
Authors: Thorsen Cecilia , Yang Hansen Kajsa , Johansson Stefan
Published: June 2021

Background

Students with low socio‐economic status (SES) are typically depicted as low performers and more likely to fail in school. However, a group of students, despite their background, manage to succeed in school. The capacity to overcome adversities and achieve successful educational outcomes is referred to as Academic Resilience. Research on the relationship between personality traits and academic performance shows that conscientiousness is a crucial factor in predicting academic success and resilience. However, it has also been shown that achievement is a result of an interaction between conscientiousness and students’ interest in the subject.

Aims

The study aims to investigate how students’ school‐related perseverance and interest predict academic achievement among resilient and non‐resilient pupils over time in the Swedish compulsory school setting.

Sample

Study subjects were a subset (N = 1,665) of the sampled compulsory school students from the 1992 birth cohort in the evaluation through follow‐up (ETF) database.

Methods

Multigroup structural equation modelling (SEM) with latent variable interaction was used. Measurement invariance was tested to examine the comparability of the constructs across groups.

Results

The results suggest that resilient students rely heavily on both perseverance of effort and interest in school subjects to succeed in their education. For the non‐resilient group, the later perseverance level was conditioned on the level of the interest, and neither their early nor later grade interest was related to their achievement.

Conclusions

The academically resilient students displayed more consistency in interest and perseverance over time, which might explain their relative success compared to the non‐resilient group.
Performance characteristics of platelet autoantibody testing for the diagnosis of immune thrombocytopenia using strict clinical criteria
Authors: Gabe Caroline , Sirotich Emily , Li Na , Ivetic Nikola , Nazy Ishac , Smith James , Kelton John G. , Arnold Donald M.
Published: June 2021

Misclassification of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is common, which might undermine the value of platelet autoantibody testing. We determined the sensitivity and specificity of platelet autoantibody testing using the direct antigen capture assay for anti‐glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa or anti‐GPIbIX in patients with ‘definite ITP’, defined as those with a documented treatment response. Sensitivity of platelet autoantiboody testing increased from 48·3% [95% confidence interval (CI) 43·5–53·2] for all ITP patients to 64·7% (95% CI 54·6–73·9) for definite ITP patients. Specificity was unchanged [75·3% (95% CI 67·5–82·1)]. High optical density values (>0·8) improved the specificity of platelet autoantibody testing but lowered sensitivity. In patients with a high pretest probability, platelet autoantibodies can aid in the diagnosis of ITP and may be most prevalent in certain patient subsets.
Circumcision versus preputioplasty for balanitis xerotica obliterans: a randomised controlled feasibility trial
Authors: Lansdale Nick , Arthur Felicity , Corbett Harriet J.
Published: June 2021

Objectives

To determine: (i) feasibility for a randomised controlled trial (RCT) comparing circumcision to preputioplasty and intralesional triamcinolone (PIT) to treat balanitis xerotica obliterans (BXO) and (ii) patient outcomes to inform future study design.

Patients and Methods

Approval was obtained from the UK Health Research Authority and local Research Ethics Committee (Reference 16/NW/0364) and the trial protocol registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02854995). A total of 20 boys (aged 2–16 years) with BXO were randomised to either circumcision or PIT (online parallel group 1:1 allocation, non‐blinded). Exclusion criteria were: (i) previous penile surgery and (ii) contraindication for either treatment. Follow‐up (including satisfaction questionnaire) was at 6 weeks, 3 and 12 months. Data are presented as median (interquartile range [IQR]), continuous variables were compared by t‐test.

Results

A total of 54 boys were approached over 18 months: 23 (45%) were recruited and randomised. The commonest reason for non‐entry was treatment preference: 12 preferred circumcision, 18 preferred PIT. Four patients withdrew after randomisation, three did not want circumcision and one did not want PIT. The groups were similar in terms of age (median [IQR] 11 [6–12] vs 8 [7–10] years, P = 0.53) and duration of symptoms (median [IQR] 6 [6–15] vs 6 [2–24] months, P = 0.77). There were no protocol breaches, serious adverse events or postoperative meatal stenosis. There was one self‐resolving haematoma after PIT and one suture granuloma after circumcision. Two boys went on to have a circumcision after PIT. Overall, satisfaction levels were high for both groups.

Conclusion

A definitive RCT of circumcision vs PIT for BXO appears feasible, with 39% of those approached completing the trial. More families preferred PIT. A robust comparison in the form of a multicentred RCT is required.
A disease‐specific metabolic imaging marker for diagnosis and progression evaluation of semantic variant primary progressive aphasia
Authors: Lu Jiaying , Huang Lin , Lv Yingru , Peng Shichun , Xu Qian , Li Ling , Ge Jingjie , Zhang Huiwei , Guan Yihui , Zhao Qianhua , Guo Qihao , Chen Keliang , Wu Ping , Ma Yilong , Zuo Chuantao
Published: June 2021

Background and purpose

The diagnosis and monitoring of semantic variant primary progressive aphasia (sv‐PPA) are clinically challenging. We aimed to establish a distinctive metabolic pattern in sv‐PPA for diagnosis and severity evaluation.

Methods

Fifteen sv‐PPA patients and 15 controls were enrolled to identify sv‐PPA‐related pattern (sv‐PPARP) by principal component analysis of 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography. Eighteen Alzheimer disease dementia (AD) and 14 behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bv‐FTD) patients were enrolled to test the discriminatory power. Correspondingly, regional metabolic activities extracted from the voxelwise analysis were evaluated for the discriminatory power.

Results

The sv‐PPARP was characterized as decreased metabolic activity mainly in the bilateral temporal lobe (left predominance), middle orbitofrontal gyrus, left hippocampus/parahippocampus gyrus, fusiform gyrus, insula, inferior orbitofrontal gyrus, and striatum, with increased activity in the bilateral lingual gyrus, cuneus, calcarine gyrus, and right precentral and postcentral gyrus. The pattern expression had significant discriminatory power (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.98, sensitivity = 100%, specificity = 94.4%) in distinguishing sv‐PPA from AD, and the asymmetry index offered complementary discriminatory power (AUC = 0.91, sensitivity = 86.7%, specificity = 92.9%) in distinguishing sv‐PPA from bv‐FTD. In sv‐PPA patients, the pattern expression correlated with Boston Naming Test scores at baseline and showed significant increase in the subset of patients with follow‐up. The voxelwise analysis showed similar topography, and the regional metabolic activities had equivalent or better discriminatory power and clinical correlations with Boston Naming Test scores. The ability to reflect disease progression in longitudinal follow‐up seemed to be inferior to the pattern expression.

Conclusions

The sv‐PPARP might serve as an objective biomarker for diagnosis and progression evaluation.
Clinical manifestations and long‐term outcome of early Lyme neuroborreliosis according to the European Federation of Neurological Societies diagnostic criteria (definite versus possible) in central Europe. A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Stupica Daša , Bajrović Fajko F. , Blagus Rok , Cerar Kišek Tjaša , Collinet‐Adler Stefan , Lah Anja , Levstek Eva , Ružić‐Sabljić Eva
Published: June 2021

Background and purpose

The characteristics and long‐term outcome of Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB) according to diagnostic certainty (definite vs. possible) are incompletely understood.

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study of adults with definite or possible LNB, clinical and microbiological characteristics and long‐term outcome over 12 months were evaluated at a single medical center. Severity of acute disease and long‐term outcome were assessed using a composite clinical score encompassing clinical findings and symptoms and by the probability of incomplete recovery.

Results

Amongst 311 adult patients enrolled from 2008 to 2017, 139 (44.7%) had definite LNB and 172 (55.3%) had possible LNB. The most frequent LNB manifestation was cranial neuropathy with or without meningitis (53.4%). Patients with definite LNB more often had Bannwarth syndrome (53.2% vs. 18.6%), more severe disease (6 points vs. 4 points), longer pre‐treatment duration (median 21 days vs. 13.5 days), higher cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis (median 139 × 106/L vs. 11 × 106/L) and higher rate of Borrelia seropositivity (84.2% vs. 68.6%) than those with possible LNB. Ceftriaxone was prescribed more often than oral doxycycline in definite LNB than in possible LNB (96.4% vs. 65.7%). Unfavorable outcomes decreased during follow‐up, being higher in patients with more severe disease at enrollment and in those with possible LNB, but were not associated with antibiotic therapy.

Conclusions

Early LNB, most often presenting as cranial neuropathy, was definitively diagnosed in less than half of cases. A better diagnostic approach is needed to confirm borrelial etiology. Ceftriaxone was not superior to doxycycline in the treatment of early LNB, regardless of diagnostic certainty.

In this retrospective cohort study of 311 adults with Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB), allocated according to diagnostic certainty, early LNB was definitively diagnosed in less than half of cases and the most frequent LNB manifestation was cranial neuropathy with or without meningitis. Patients with definite LNB more often had Bannwarth syndrome, more severe disease, longer pre‐treatment duration, higher cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis and higher rate of Borrelia seropositivity than those with possible LNB. A better diagnostic approach is needed to confirm borrelial etiology. Ceftriaxone was not superior to doxycycline in the treatment of early LNB, regardless of diagnostic certainty.
Leading indicators for US house prices: New evidence and implications for EU financial risk managers
Authors: Basse Tobias , Kunze Frederik , Rodriguez Gonzalez Miguel , Saft Danilo
Published: June 2021

This study draws on machine learning as a means to causal inference for econometric investigation. We utilize the concept of transfer entropy to examine the relationship between the US National Association of Home Builders Index and the S&P CoreLogic Case‐Shiller 20 City Composite Home Price Index (SPCS20). The empirical evidence implies that the survey data can help to predict US house prices. This finding extends the results of Granger causality tests performed by Rodriguez Gonzalez et al. in 2018 using a new machine learning approach that methodologically differs from traditional methods in empirical financial research.
Limited added value of negative pressure wound therapy compared with calcium alginate dressings for second intention healing in a noncontaminated and contaminated equine distal limb wound model
Authors: Haspeslagh Maarten , Van Hecke Lore L. , Hermans Katleen , Chiers Koen , Pint Eva , Wilmink Jacintha M. , Martens Ann M.
Published: June 2021

Background

Distal limb wounds in horses often show aberrant healing due to a slow inflammatory response. In human medicine, negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is used for the treatment of chronic wounds with a similar inflammatory response.

Objectives

To compare the effect of NPWT to calcium alginate dressings on the healing of (non) contaminated equine distal limb wounds.

Study design

Controlled experiment.

Methods

Circular wounds were created on the left and right dorsomedial metacarpus of 10 horses. In five horses, the wounds were contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In all horses, one limb was treated with NPWT, the other with calcium alginate dressings. Treatments were applied during nine days for noncontaminated wounds and six days for contaminated wounds. Noninvasive (clinical assessment, bacteriology swabs, thermographic images and wound dimensions) and invasive (biopsies for histology and growth factor analysis) measurements were taken regularly for 71 and 29 days respectively. Effects of selected parameters on continuous dependent variables were analysed using ANOVA, while for discrete dependent variables, logistic regression was applied.

Results

In noncontaminated wounds, there was significantly less wound retraction in the early healing stages when treated with NPWT (mean difference [95% CI] = 19.2% [13.3%‐25.1%]; P = .005), although wound size was not significantly different between NPWT and control wounds at later healing stages. Noncontaminated control wounds had a significantly higher neutrophil influx (OR [95% CI] = 1.99 [1.49‐2.66]; P < .001) and lower macrophage influx (OR [95% CI] = 0.75 [0.60‐0.93]; P = .008) compared with NPWT‐treated wounds. Bacterial load and the presence of growth factors did not differ between treatments in noncontaminated wounds. In contaminated wounds, no differences between treatments were observed in wound size, histological parameters, bacterial load or growth factor concentration.

Main limitations

Sample size is small.

Conclusions

No long‐term advantage was detected with NPWT compared with calcium alginate dressings in noncontaminated or contaminated equine distal limb wounds healing by second intention.
Cosmetic plumage coloration by iron oxides does not confer protection against feather wear
Authors: Crespo‐Ginés Raquel , Gil Juan Antonio , Pérez‐Rodríguez Lorenzo
Published: June 2021

The active acquisition of plumage cosmetic coloration by iron oxides has been described in several bird species (notably the Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus, but also in cranes, pelicans and other vulture species) but its function remains controversial. We tested the hypothesis that iron oxide acquired through mud bathing protects feathers from wear. We experimentally stained 13 breast feathers collected from two White Storks Ciconia ciconia with mud from a ferruginous pond regularly used by Bearded Vultures, while another 13 feathers (controls) were treated with water. All feathers were exposed to a controlled physical abrasion treatment. We found no differences in wear between control and stained feathers, which is counter to predictions of the wear protection hypothesis for the acquisition of this cosmetic plumage coloration.
Hydrophilic property of titanium oxide aiming for bio‐applications
Authors: Ishikawa Toshihiro , Niidome Katsuya
Published: June 2021

Surface functionalization of titanium metal is very attractive for bio‐ and environmental applications. This is because titanium metal is very stable and has a good biocompatibility. In this case, surface roughness and crystalline structure are important factors for obtaining effective characteristics. Titanium metal is usually covered with a surface passive film of thermodynamically stable rutile‐TiO2 that grows as the heat treatment temperature in air increases. On the other hand, to obtain an anatase‐TiO2 surface layer on titanium metal, we must employ specific treatments such as our previous method, which uses a silica‐coexisting heat‐treatment process. In this paper, the relationship between the fine structure formed on the titanium metal and the surface hydrophilic property was clarified, and the potential for the bio‐application was discussed. The formed anatase‐TiO2 coexisting with silica exhibited improved biocompatibility with good apatite formation.
Equilibrium effort in games with homogeneous production functions and homogeneous valuation
Authors: Ferrarese Walter
Published: June 2021

In this study, I analyze games in which the functions mapping a vector of efforts into each player's share of the prize and its value exhibit an arbitrary degree of homogeneity. I present a simple way to compute the equilibrium strategy and sufficient conditions for a unique interior symmetric pure‐strategy Nash equilibrium. The setup nests Malueg and Yates (2006), who exploit homogeneity for rent‐seeking contests with exogenous prize valuation, and shows that homogeneity can be used to solve (i) a wider range of rent‐seeking contests and (ii) other classes of games, like Cournot games with nonlinear inverse demand and possibly non homogeneous goods.
Low‐pathogenicity influenza viruses replicate differently in laughing gulls and mallards
Authors: Criado Miria F. , Moresco Kira A. , Stallknecht David E. , Swayne David E.
Published: June 2021

Wild aquatic birds are natural reservoirs of low‐pathogenicity avian influenza viruses (LPAIVs). Laughing gulls inoculated with four gull‐origin LPAIVs (H7N3, H6N4, H3N8, and H2N3) had a predominate respiratory infection. By contrast, mallards inoculated with two mallard‐origin LPAIVs (H5N6 and H4N8) became infected and had similar virus titers in oropharyngeal (OP) and cloacal (CL) swabs. The trend toward predominate OP shedding in gulls suggest a greater role of direct bird transmission in maintenance, whereas mallards shedding suggests importance of fecal‐oral transmission through water contamination. Additional infectivity and pathogenesis studies are needed to confirm this replication difference for LPAI viruses in gulls.
Design and synthesis of a novel spinnable polyborazine precursor with high ceramic yield via one‐pot copolymerization
Authors: Du Yiang , Wang Bing , Li Wei , Song Quzhi , Shao Changwei , Han Cheng , Wang Yingde
Published: June 2021

Synthesis of spinnable precursors with high ceramic yield is a crucial issue in BN fibers manufacturing by polymer‐derived ceramics (PDCs) route. Spinnability and high ceramic yield are the basis of precursor processability, formability, and mechanical properties. Herein, based on DFT simulation, we designed and synthesized a novel polymer precursor poly[2‐propylamino‐4,6‐bis(methylamino) borazine‐co‐tri(methylamino) borazine] (PPMAB) via a facile one‐pot copolymerization strategy. The random copolymerization model of condensations was obtained through DFT calculation. The molecular chain structure, molecular weight, and molecular weight distribution were optimized by adjusting the synthesis conditions. The precursor PPMAB‐1:1 with a high ceramic yield of 62.43% and concentrated molecular weight distribution (PDI < 1.3) was obtained. Rheological performance research revealed the excellent and stable spinnability of PPMAB‐1:1 by the tunable viscosity and low flow activation energy (23.61 kJ/mol). As a demonstration of spinnability, continuous BN fiber with a fine diameter (>10 km, 7.60 ± 1.13 μm, and 1.6 GPa) was obtained after melt spinning. The present work effectively improved the ceramic yield and spinnability of polyborazine precursors. Simultaneously, it can be used extensively as a universal method to prepare multifunctional copolymers with precise structure control.
Morph‐specific life‐history correlations in a wing‐dimorphic water strider
Authors: Hyun Hyoseul , Han Chang S.
Published: June 2021

Life‐history theory predicts a negative correlation between reproduction and survival because individuals differ in their investment in early reproduction at the expense of survival. However, life‐history trade‐offs can be masked when individual differences in resource allocation are smaller than those in resource acquisition. In polymorphic species, as distinct morphs exhibit differences in intrinsic physiology, the relative effects of resource acquisition and allocation on life‐history traits will differ between morphs, contributing to morph‐specific life‐history correlations. Here, in the wing‐dimorphic water strider Aquarius paludum, we found that wing morphs differed in within‐morph individual‐level life‐history correlations. Longer‐lived flight‐capable long‐winged females produced fewer eggs per day and matured later, whereas life‐history trade‐offs were not observed in short‐winged flightless females. The survival–reproduction trade‐off observed in long‐winged females may be a result of individual differences in the timing of wing muscle histolysis. Individuals that underwent wing histolysis early would have increased reproduction at the expense of a shorter life, whereas individuals with late wing histolysis would have reduced reproduction but a longer life. Short‐winged females, who never develop wings, effectively have more resources to allocate to both survival and reproduction, masking any life‐history trade‐offs. Thus, we suggest that morph‐specific effects of resource allocation trade‐offs can shape the morph‐specific extent of individual variation in life‐history strategies, which may contribute to the evolution and maintenance of within‐species polymorphism.
Executive function as measured by the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function‐2: children and adolescents with Williams syndrome
Authors: Greiner de Magalhães C. , Pitts C. H. , Mervis C. B.
Published: June 2021

Background

Difficulties with executive functions (EF) are very common among individuals with Williams syndrome (WS). To characterise the pattern of relative strengths and weaknesses in EF for children and adolescents with WS, we considered the performance of a large sample on the parent version of the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function‐2 (BRIEF‐2). Associations between distinct components of EF and adaptive behaviour, behaviour problems and intellectual ability were investigated. The concurrent effects of components of behaviour regulation and emotion regulation on attention problems and anxiety problems also were evaluated.

Methods

Participants were 308 6–17‐year‐olds with genetically confirmed classic WS deletions. Parent report of EF was measured by the BRIEF‐2 questionnaire. Most participants (223/308) completed the Differential Ability Scales‐II as a measure of intellectual ability. The parents of these individuals also completed the Child Behavior Checklist and the interview form of the Scales of Independent Behavior‐Revised.

Results

As a group, the participants evidenced considerable parent‐reported EF difficulty. A profile of relative strength and weakness was found at the index level, with performance on both the Behavior Regulation Index and the Emotion Regulation Index significantly better than performance on the Cognitive Regulation Index. Within each index, a statistically significant pattern of relative strength and weakness also was identified. Difficulties with behaviour regulation and emotion regulation were related to both behaviour problems and adaptive behaviour limitations. Higher inflexibility and more difficulty with self‐monitoring were associated with lower overall intellectual ability. Difficulty with inhibition was uniquely associated with attention problems, and inflexibility was uniquely associated with anxiety problems.

Conclusions

Executive function difficulties are highly prevalent among children and adolescents with WS and are associated with adaptive behaviour limitations, both internalising and externalising behaviour problems and more limited intellectual ability. These results highlight the importance of designing and delivering research‐based interventions to improve the EF of children and adolescents with WS.