bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Corporate governance, ownership structure and capital structure: evidence from Chinese real estate listed companies
Authors: Feng Yi , Hassan Abeer , Elamer Ahmed A.
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to contribute to the existing capital structure and board structure literature by examining the relationship among corporate governance, ownership structure and capital structure.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses a panel data of 595 firm-year observations from a unique and comprehensive data set of 119 Chinese real estate listed firms from 2014 to 2018. It uses fixed effect and random effect regression analysis techniques to examine the hypotheses.

Findings

The results show that the board size, ownership concentration and firm size have positive influences on capital structure. State ownership and firm profitability have inverse influences on capital structure.

Research limitations/implications

The findings suggest that better-governed companies in the real estate sector tend to have better capital structure. These findings highlight the unique Chinese context and also offer regulators a strong incentive to pursue corporate governance reforms formally and jointly with the ownership structure. Finally, the results suggest investors the chance to shape detailed expectations about capital structure behavior in China. Future research could investigate capital structure using different arrangement, conducting face-to-face meetings with the firm’s directors and shareholders.

Practical implications

The findings offer support to corporate managers and investors in forming or/and expecting an optimal capital structure and to policymakers and regulators for ratifying laws and developing institutional support to improve the effectiveness of corporate governance mechanisms.

Originality/value

This paper extends, as well as contributes to the current capital structure and corporate governance literature, by proposing new evidence on the effect of board structure and ownership structure on capital structure. The results will help policymakers in different countries in estimating the sufficiency of the available corporate governance reforms to improve capital structure management.
Proprietary information and the cost of bank debt
Authors: Na HyunJun
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This study explores how the firm’s proprietary information has an impact on the bank loan contracts. It explains the propensity of using the competitive bid option (CBO) in the syndicate loans to solicit the best bid for innovative firms and how it changes based on industry competition and the degree of innovations. This research also examines how the interstate banking deregulation (Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act) in 1994 affected the private loan contracts for innovative borrowers.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses various econometric analyses. First, it uses the propensity score matching analysis to see the impact of patents on pricing terms. Second, it uses the two-stage least square (2SLS) analysis by implementing the litigation and non-NYSE variables. Finally, it studies the impact of the policy change of the Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act of 1994 on the bank loan contracts.

Findings

Firms with more proprietary information pays more annual facility fees but less other fees. The patents are the primary determinants of the usage of CBO in the syndicate loans to solicit the best bid. While innovative firms can have better contract conditions by the CBO, firms with more proprietary information will less likely to use the CBO option to minimize the leakage of private information and the severe monitoring from the banks. Finally, more proprietary information lowered the loan spread for firms dependent on the external capital after the interstate banking deregulation.

Originality/value

The findings of this research will help senior executives with responsibility for financing their innovative projects. In addition, these findings should prove helpful for the lawmakers to boost economies.
Crash risk and debt maturity: evidence from Australia
Authors: Hasan Mostafa , Rahman Dewan , Taylor Grantley , Oliver Barry
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the association between debt maturity structure and stock price crash risk in Australia.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors employ panel data estimation with industry and year fixed effects. The paper uses a sample of 1,548 publicly listed Australian firms (8,661 firm-year observations) covering the 2000–2015 period.

Findings

Stock price crash risk is positively and significantly associated with the long-term debt maturity structure of firms. In addition, this positive association is more pronounced for firms with a more opaque information environment.

Originality/value

This is the first study to examine stock price crash risk in Australia. The findings are value relevant as it uncovers how debt maturity structure affects shareholders' wealth protection.
External factors of new media tools' usage in personal communication across countries
Authors: Bartosik-Purgat Małgorzata
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The key purposes of the paper are: firstly, to identify what kind of new media tools are used by managers in communication with foreign business partners for professional purposes and which, in their opinion, are the most effective, secondly, to identify the relationships between the usage of new media tools and factors that can impact such communication.

Design/methodology/approach

The method used in the research was IDI (Individual Depth Interview). Interviews were conducted in 334 companies that operate on the Polish market and which are active internationally (e.g. Asia, Europe, Africa, North and South America), the managers responsible for international relations were the main respondents.

Findings

The most popular and most used new media tools are Skype and instant messengers, which were evaluated as good devices for international personal communication. Additionally the results of the research emphasize the significance of cultural and economic factors when taking into account the usage of new media tools in personal communication between business partners from different companies and countries.

Practical implications

The results of the research can be useful for managers doing business internationally and communicating with business partners from different markets and cultures.

Originality/value

The research presented in the paper covers the gap in the literature because it relates to the environmental factors that impact upon the use of new media tools in personal business communication between partners in the international marketplace.
Small growers’ direct participation in the market and its impact on farm income
Authors: Paul Ujjwal Kanti , Das Gurudas , Das Malabika , Mathur Tanuj
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The existing literature on linking growers directly with the market mostly overlooks the case of smallholders. They grow commercial–perishable crops and have to rely on the efficacy of the marketing system. The present paper intends to fill this void.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper studies the performance of two local markets among 216 pineapple producers and 50 traders using the structure–conduct–performance framework. Following which the authors attempt to unravel the determinants of growers' direct participation in the market and the impact of such involvement on the farm income using the Heckman two-stage treatment effect model.

Findings

The study analysis shows that the likelihood of growers’ direct participation in markets, found oligopolistic, increases with education, price information and family labor unit, while decreases with the growers' age, distance from market and the footfall of intermediaries at the farm gate. The second stage of the model has established a positive impact of participation on farm income.

Research limitations/implications

The small sample size could restrict generalization. The authors used only operating efficiency as an indicator of the performance of the marketing system due to the unavailability of district-level time series data on pineapple pricing.

Originality/value

This study shows that local food markets are oligopolistic. Growers fetch very less share in consumers' price and become vulnerable to food insecurity. The study highlights the determinants of growers' direct participation in the local market and the impact of such involvement on farm income.
CSR in the telecom industry of a developing country: employees' perspective
Authors: Welbeck Emerald Edem Sabah , Owusu Godfred Matthew Yaw , Simpson Samuel Nana Yaw , Bekoe Rita Amoah
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The study examines employee perceptions of CSR relating to stakeholders in the telecommunication industry of Ghana. It also analyses the variations in CSR practices among the sampled telecommunication firms.

Design/methodology/approach

By means of a survey, the study explored from the perspective of employees the CSR practices of their firms highlighting the stakeholder group they perceive their firms to be focussing on. A self-administered questionnaire was used to gather data from employees working with leading telecommunication firms in Ghana. A total of 177 valid responses were used for the study analysis. Data was analysed by means of descriptive statistics, and differences in respondent views across the different firms were ascertained using analysis of variance test (ANOVA).

Findings

The study results demonstrate that although telecommunication firms engage in CSR activities in some respect, generally these activities are directed more at the stakeholder group “society” distantly followed by shareholder group. The authors also find from their target respondents that not so much attention is given to issues relating to the stakeholder group “the environment”. The results also suggest variations exist in the direction of CSR practices by these firms.

Practical implications

Managers of telecommunication firms in Ghana seem to balance the interest of stakeholders by focussing on society rather than prioritizing these stakeholders.

Originality/value

This study contributes to CSR studies highlighting the perception of employees on their companies' CSR practices while comparing practices amongst telecommunications firms. This would help management of these firms to map out strategies to direct their CSR activities based on stakeholder prioritization.
Shaping entrepreneurial intention among youngsters in Malaysia
Authors: Hassan Hasliza , Sade Abu Bakar , Rahman Muhammad Sabbir
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Entrepreneurship is one of the engines to stimulate socio-economic development. This study aims to examine the relationships of entrepreneurship education, financial support and market availability, with the entrepreneurial attitude among youngsters in venturing into entrepreneurship. A further discovery concerning the relationship between entrepreneurial attitudes and entrepreneurial intention is also analysed.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through a survey questionnaire that was distributed to university students. A total of 425 collected data were analysed using structural equation modelling to discover the relationship among five chosen constructs.

Findings

It was found that entrepreneurship education and financial support encourage the entrepreneurial attitude of youngsters to venture into entrepreneurship. This entrepreneurial attitude is further supported by an entrepreneurial intention to become an entrepreneur. Nevertheless, market availability does not influence the youngsters to venture into entrepreneurship.

Practical implications

Entrepreneurship encouragement should focus on the entrepreneurship education and financial support to shape the entrepreneurial attitude, which, indirectly, may further influence the entrepreneurial intention.

Originality/value

As an initiative to become an entrepreneurial nation, there is a need to discover how to shape the entrepreneurial intention through entrepreneurial attitude. This study is assisting to fill the research gap by focussing on the Malaysian market.
Transformational leadership, self-efficacy and performance of volunteers in non-formal voluntary service education
Authors: Chan Simon C.H.
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to determine whether self-efficacy is a key mediator of the relationship between transformational leadership and volunteers' performance, based on intrinsic motivation theory. The study extended the literature on self-efficacy to transformational leadership in non-formal voluntary service education.

Design/methodology/approach

One hundred and seventy-eight scouts and scout leaders were sampled from a Hong Kong voluntary service organization that involved volunteers in the process of non-formal education.

Findings

Transformational leadership was positively associated with the volunteers' performance. In addition, self-efficacy mediated the relationship between transformational leadership and volunteers' performance.

Originality/value

The study thus yielded novel insights for management development into the relationship between transformational leadership and volunteers' performance, suggesting that self-efficacy mediates this relationship for volunteers in non-formal voluntary service education.
Uncertainty profiles in engineering-service development: exploring supplier co-creation
Authors: Ramirez Hernandez Tabea , Kreye Melanie E.
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Engineering service (ES) development, particularly with supplier co-creation, is nontrivial, and the literature has acknowledged the high relevance of uncertainty in this context. This study aims to investigate the relationship between different supplier co-creation modes (operationally independent [OI] and operationally dependent [OD]) and uncertainty criticality arising during ES development.

Design/methodology/approach

This study develops a conceptual framework of five uncertainty types by synthesizing the relevant literature from service management and new product development. This framework guided the empirical work of two in-depth case studies, describing uncertainty criticality in OI and OD supplier co-creation.

Findings

The findings show that environmental and organizational uncertainty were generally of high criticality for ES development independently of the supplier co-creation mode. Moreover, uncertainty criticality varied between the two cases, with higher criticality of technical and relational uncertainty as well as less resource uncertainty experienced by the focal organization in the OD case. This suggests that supplier co-creation constitutes an uncertainty reallocation.

Research limitations/implications

Further research is needed to test the generalizability of the qualitative results through quantitative studies.

Originality/value

This research contributes to the service management literature by showing the varying uncertainty profiles manufacturing organizations face when engaging in different supplier co-creation modes. Furthermore, this research provides novel insights on ES development to the broader discussion on ES management.
Library leadership: opinions and attributes about Nigerian women academic librarians breaking the glass ceiling
Authors: Adekoya Clement Ola
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the opinions and attributes about Nigerian women librarians breaking the glass ceiling that prevents them from reaching management positions in their respective libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

Descriptive survey research design was used for the study. Questionnaire was used as the instrument of data collection. The population of the study was 147 librarians at the university libraries of the six federal universities in South-west, Nigeria. Purposive and census sampling techniques were used for the study.

Findings

It was found that the opinions about women librarians occupying management positions in the libraries are negative. Women librarians do not have the required attributes and capability for management positions despite the fact that the extent of their preparedness for management positions is high. The study revealed that there is significant relationship between gender attributes and managerial capability.

Originality/value

It was recommended that there should be abandoning of organisational stereotype that characterises the opinions of librarians which make them think that women librarians are not fit for management positions. Women librarians should develop the attributes and capability that can qualify them for management positions in libraries.
The association between healthy eating index and serum antioxidant indices in patients with different degrees of cataract compared to healthy subjects: a case-control study
Authors: Heidari Naeimeh , Jabbari Masoumeh , Babashahi Mina , Nabie Reza , Asghari Jafarabadi Mohammad , Arefhosseini Seyed Rafie
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Studies conducted on association between diet and cataract, found conflicting results. This paper aims to investigate the association between healthy eating index (HEI) and serum antioxidant and oxidant indices in patients with different degrees of cataract compared to the healthy subjects.

Design/methodology/approach

Ninety volunteers (aged > 50 years) were divided into the cataract (n = 45) and healthy control (n = 45) groups in this case-control study. Anthropometric variables, HEI score, serum total oxidant capacity (TOC) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC), blood pressure, physical activity and stress measurements were done for all participants.

Findings

There was a significant difference in stress level between subgroup of first-degree cataract and healthy controls (16.6 ± 2.3 vs 42.5 ± 29.0, p < 0.001) as well as third-degree cataract (16.6 ± 2.3 vs 75.2 ± 22.6, p < 0.001). Serum TAC was significantly higher in healthy people compared to the first-degree (1.2 ± 0.2 vs 1 ± 0.2, p = 0.002) and third-degree cataract patients (1.2 ± 0.2 vs 1.0 ± 0.2, p = 0.013). Also, serum TOC was significantly lower in healthy controls compared to the first-degree (8.2 ± 1.1 vs 9.2 ± 1.0, p = 0.006) and third-degree cataract patients (8.2 ± 1.1 vs 9.1 ± 1.2, p = 0.015). There was a significant direct correlation between moderation (r = 0.61, p = 0.019) and total score of HEI (r = 0.57, p = 0.031) with serum TAC only in the first-degree cataract patients. Also there was a significant negative correlation between moderation score of HEI with serum TOC in the first-degree cataract patients (r = −0.60, p = 0.025), and there was a significant negative correlation between moderation (r = −0.36, p = 0.017) and total score (r=−0.35, p = 0.021) of HEI and TOC in the total cataract patients.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study on the assessment of the relationship between components of HEI and serum antioxidant indicators in different types of cataract compared to healthy individuals. It could be a start point for more detailed and large-scaled studies, even intervention studies, in this field.
Protest policing by black police officers: double marginality and collateral consequences
Authors: Kochel Tammy Rinehart
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Drawing from representative bureaucracy theory, hiring minority police officers has been a perpetual reform recommendation for improving tense police-community relationships with minority communities since the 1960s. The expectation is that minority officers will provide active/symbolic representation, but little is known about minority officers' experiences during racially tense situations. This paper examines whether black officers experienced double marginality in the context of prolonged protests against police in Ferguson, MO in 2014 and compares black vs. nonblack officers' self-assessments about their preparedness to handle the crisis, procedural justice during the crisis and mental and emotional effects on officers following protest policing.

Design/methodology/approach

In-depth interviews with 45 police personnel who policed the Ferguson protests provide a rich description of the context and experiences through the lens of police officers. Surveys of 218 officers who conducted protest policing in Ferguson are used to compare the impact on black vs. non-black officers.

Findings

The results provide a detailed portrayal of the double marginality experienced by black officers while policing the Ferguson protests, but also demonstrate that black officers were resilient to the effects of that experience, showing significantly more favorable outcomes than their nonblack peers.

Originality/value

This is the only study to utilize a mixed methods approach with police officers who conducted protest policing to understand officers' experiences in the midst of a racially inflamed context. The findings provide support for policymakers interested in advocating and supporting hiring more minorities in policing.
A multi-resolution framework for automated in-plane alignment and error quantification in additive manufacturing
Authors: Jin Yu , Liao Haitao , Pierson Harry A.
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Additive manufacturing (AM) has shown its capability in producing complex geometries. Due to the additive nature, the in situ layer-wise inspection of geometric accuracy is essential to making AM reach its full potential. This paper aims to propose a novel automated in-plane alignment and error quantification framework to distinguish the fabrication, measurement and alignment errors in AM.

Design/methodology/approach

In this work, a multi-resolution framework based on wavelet decomposition is proposed to automatically align two-dimensional point clouds via a polar coordinate representation and then to differentiate errors from different sources based on a randomized complete block design approach. In addition, a two-stage optimization model is proposed to find the best configuration of the multi-resolution framework.

Findings

The proposed framework can not only distinguish errors attributed to different sources but also evaluate the performance and consistency of alignment results under different levels of details.

Practical implications

A sample part with different featured layers, including a simple free-form layer, a defective layer and a layer with internal features, is used to illustrate the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed framework. The proposed alignment method outperforms the widely used iterative closest point algorithm.

Originality/value

This work fills a research gap of state-of-the-art studies by automatically quantifying different types of error inherent in manufacturing, measuring and part alignment.
Microstructure and mechanical properties of maraging 18Ni-300 steel obtained by powder bed based selective laser melting process
Authors: Wu Wangping , Wang Xiang , Wang Qun , Liu Jianwen , Zhang Yi , Hua Tongshu , Jiang Peng
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to maraging 18Ni-300 steel fabricate by powder bed based selective laser melting (SLM) process. Microstructure and mechanical properties of the maraging steel part before and after heat treatment at a slow cooling rate were investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

The microstructure of the printed part was observed by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The phases were determined by X-ray diffraction. The surface roughness of the part was recorded by a profilometer. The tensile properties and microhardness of the parts before and after heat treatment were characterized by an electronic universal tensile testing machine and a Vickers hardness tester, respectively.

Findings

Maraging 18Ni-300 steel part comprised of the martensitic phase and a small fraction of austenite phase. After heat treatment, the volume fraction of austenite slightly increased. The surface roughness of the part was about 96 µm. The printed part was dense, but irregular pores were present. The yield strength, ultimate tensile strength (UTS), elongation and Young’s modulus of as-fabricated parts were 554.7 MPa, 1173.1 MPa, 10.9% and 128.9 GPa, respectively. The yield strength, UTS, elongation and Young’s modulus of as-treated parts were 2065 MPa, 2225 MPa, 4.2% and 142.5 GPa, respectively. The microhardness values of surface and cross-section of the as-fabricated part were 407.1 HV and 443.0 HV, respectively. After short-time heat treatment, the microhardness values of the surface and cross-section of the part were 542.7 HV and 567.3 HV, respectively. After long-time heat treatment, the microhardness values of the surface and cross-section of the part were 524.4 HV and 454.8 HV, respectively. The microhardness and tensile strength increased significantly with decreasing elongation due to the changes in phases and microstructure of the parts after heat treatment.

Originality/value

This work studied the effect of heat treatment at 550°C combined with a subsequent slow cooling rate on microstructure and mechanical properties of maraging 18Ni-300 steel obtained by the powder bed based SLM process.
Library orientation practices in special libraries
Authors: Fraser-Arnott Melissa
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The library orientation session is an important marketing tool because it offers the first opportunity for library staff to connect with new clients (Craft and Ballard-Thrower, 2011; Rhoades and Hartsell, 2008). This paper aims to explore library orientation practices in special libraries and information centers with the goal of surveying current practices and identifying guidance for successful orientation program design and delivery.

Design/methodology/approach

This study explored library orientation practices in special libraries and information services through an electronic survey. The survey questions were developed based on themes that emerged from case studies on library orientations from the academic library literature. These themes included reasons for library orientation program redesigns, the importance of partnerships in orientation design and delivery and the tools and techniques used in the delivery of orientation sessions.

Findings

The results revealed that library orientations are taking place in special libraries, but there is no consistent approach to library orientation delivery. Even within a single library, multiple approaches to library orientations are taken based on client availability, demand and information needs observations of library staff. Participants’ responses were analyzed to develop recommendations for special library orientations. These include developing partnerships (particularly with human resource departments), using technology strategically, considering the timing of orientations for new potential clients in relation to their start as new employees in the host organization, customizing library orientations based on client segment, engaging in ongoing outreach, and being flexible in design and delivery methods.

Research limitations/implications

This study represents a starting step in an exploration of library orientation practices in special libraries. The key limitation of this study was the low response rate leading to small sample size. A larger sample of special libraries would be needed to produce a quantitative analysis of the prevalence of practices with an acceptable degree of statistical significance. Alternately, smaller samples of special libraries organized by characteristics such as size or type (e.g. corporate libraries, law libraries and medical libraries) could be conducted to determine if distinctive trends exist within these special library types.

Practical implications

This study revealed information about key practices and challenges that can be used by special library practitioners seeking to implement or redesign a library orientation program in their library.

Originality/value

While academic and practitioner literature exists detailing library orientation activities in academic and school libraries, there are very few papers on special library orientations. This study fills a gap in the literature by investigating library orientation practices in special libraries and information centers.
invisaWear: bridges under construction
Authors: Santos Roberto S. , Sun Sunny Li , Luo Xiaoyi
Published: July 2020

Theoretical basis

Forming ties with prominent partners can help convey greater status and legitimacy to the company (Hallen, 2008) and also increases the entrepreneur’s influence within their own network (Bonacich, 1987). This allows entrepreneurs to gain greater access to the information, experience or resources that the company needs.

Research methodology

The founders of the company provided us with access to the inner workings of the company, their mentors and advisors and themselves. The authors used archival research and interviews when preparing this case. Interviews allow for the development of uncensored, real-life insights into the entrepreneur’s business experience. The authors also interviewed two of their mentors and investors.

Case overview/synopsis

Having graduated from UMass Lowell with engineering degrees, co-founders Rajia Abdelaziz and Ray Hamilton build invisaWear into a venture, but they did not know much about business. With coaching from their mentors, Rajia and Ray focused on building their network to raise capital to finance the business. Despite all their hard work networking, however, they faced a hurdle. Rajia and Ray contemplated their dilemma. “Are the authors doing something wrong? What can the authors do differently to attract investors?”

Complexity academic level

This case is suitable for an undergraduate course in business or entrepreneurship. This case is intended to illustrate to both business and non-business students how entrepreneurs can go about building their networks to grow their businesses. Presented as a real-life example of how entrepreneurs build their networks, the case can also be used to hone in on select topics including mentoring, searching for resources and coachability.
Pregnancy and postpartum outcomes in a universally tested population for SARS‐CoV‐2 in New York City: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Prabhu M , Cagino K , Matthews KC , Friedlander RL , Glynn SM , Kubiak JM , Yang YJ , Zhao Z , Baergen RN , DiPace JI , Razavi AS , Skupski DW , Snyder JR , Singh HK , Kalish RB , Oxford CM , Riley LE
Published: July 2020

Objective

To describe differences in outcomes between pregnant women with and without coronavirus dsease 2019 (COVID‐19).

Design

Prospective cohort study of pregnant women consecutively admitted for delivery, and universally tested via nasopharyngeal (NP) swab for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) using reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction. All infants of mothers with COVID‐19 underwent SARS‐CoV‐2 testing.

Setting

Three New York City hospitals.

Population

Pregnant women >20 weeks of gestation admitted for delivery.

Methods

Data were stratified by SARS‐CoV‐2 result and symptomatic status, and were summarised using parametric and nonparametric tests.

Main outcome measures

Prevalence and outcomes of maternal COVID‐19, obstetric outcomes, neonatal SARS‐CoV‐2, placental pathology.

Results

Of 675 women admitted for delivery, 10.4% were positive for SARS‐CoV‐2, of whom 78.6% were asymptomatic. We observed differences in sociodemographics and comorbidities among women with symptomatic COVID‐10 versus asymptomatic COVID‐19 versus no COVID‐19. Caesarean delivery rates were 46.7% in symptomatic COVID‐19, 45.5% in asymptomatic COVID‐19 and 30.9% in women without COVID‐19 (P = 0.044). Postpartum complications (fever, hypoxia, readmission) occurred in 12.9% of women with COVID‐19 versus 4.5% of women without COVID‐19 (P < 0.001). No woman required mechanical ventilation, and no maternal deaths occurred. Among 71 infants tested, none were positive for SARS‐CoV‐2. Placental pathology demonstrated increased frequency of fetal vascular malperfusion, indicative of thrombi in fetal vessels, in women with COVID‐19 versus women without COVID‐19 (48.3% versus 11.3%, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Among pregnant women with COVID‐19 at delivery, we observed increased caesarean delivery rates and increased frequency of maternal complications in the postpartum period. Additionally, intraplacental thrombi may have maternal and fetal implications for COVID‐19 remote from delivery.

Tweetable abstract

COVID‐19 at delivery: more caesarean deliveries, postpartum complications and intraplacental thrombi.
Lipopolysaccharide neutralizing protein inMiso, Japanese fermented soybean paste
Authors: Sasaki Hitomi , Pham Thi Ngoc Diep , Nishikawa Masazumi , Kanauchi Makoto
Published: July 2020

Miso, a fermented paste made from soybeans, is used traditionally for seasoning of food. It has been a protein and nitrogen source since ancient times in Japan because of its high nutritional value. Furthermore, it has important health functions such as the estrogen‐like activity of isoflavones, anti‐oxidation, and angiotensin‐converting‐enzyme inhibition activity. Moreover, it has activity for neutralization of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) fromEscherichia coli. Nevertheless, the mechanisms of that activity remain unclear. For this study, we purified and identified the proteins responsible for LPS‐neutralization. After proteins were isolated from amisoextract using Blue native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, a protein found at 10 to 30 kDa on the polyacrylamide gel was identified using nano LC‐MS/MS as 2S albumin in soybean (Glycine max). The protein had two LPS binding motifs: SKWQHQ (22 amino acid residues) and EKQKKKMEKE (131 amino acid residues). The protein inmisowas found to have LPS neutralization activity, as assayed by prostaglandin D2(PGD2) production from macrophage cells. The PGD2production by macrophage cells was inhibited by LPS‐neutralizing protein (LNP) frommiso. Particularly, 50 mg/mL of LNP solution and LPS (10 µg/mL) inhibited production of PGD2from the cells. The data were inferred as significantly different (P< 0.05) from statistical analyses by analysis of variance testing and Tukey tests. The 2S albumin in soybean is LNP, an LPS‐neutralizing protein, produced inmiso.

Practical Application

A protein frommisofermented soy paste neutralizes anEscherichia coliintestinal bacterial product, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which causes intestinal inflammation.Misoand its protein are anticipated for use as a probiotic agent to prevent intestinal inflammation in humans and domestic animals.Misois useful not only as a seasoning for food, but also as a health‐functional food because it is an LPS‐neutralizing agent.
Six‐month flare risk after discontinuing long‐term methotrexate treatment in patients having rheumatoid arthritis with low disease activity
Authors: Lee Jung Sun , Oh Ji Seon , Hong Seokchan , Kim Yong‐Gil , Lee Chang‐Keun , Yoo Bin
Published: July 2020

Objectives

We investigated the disease flare rate in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who achieved low disease activity following long‐term methotrexate (MTX) treatment and the factors related to flare.

Methods

This retrospective longitudinal cohort study included patients with RA and low disease activity who were exposed to MTX for >10 years. Disease flare was defined as an increase in Disease Activity Score of 28 joints (DAS28) of >1.2 within 6 months of discontinuation of MTX. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the factors associated with flare.

Results

In total, 97 patients with RA were included in the study. The mean baseline DAS28 was 1.96 ± 0.56. The median cumulative MTX dose was 11.7 g; the median duration of exposure to MTX was 19 years. Following MTX discontinuation, flare occurred in 43 (44.3%) patients; the median time to flare was 99 (28‐168) days. According to univariate logistic regression analysis, C‐reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) at discontinuation, the average ESR in the 6 months before discontinuation of MTX, a weekly dose of MTX before discontinuation, and use of other conventional synthetic disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs were associated with a higher risk of disease flare. In multivariable analysis, a weekly dose of MTX before discontinuation (odds ratio 1.014; 95% CI 1.014‐1.342; P = .031) was significantly associated with flare risk.

Conclusion

Among patients with RA who achieved low disease activity with long‐term treatment with MTX, more than half remained flare free after MTX discontinuation. A higher MTX dose before discontinuation was associated with a high flare risk.
A View From The Top: Deans on Australian Business Schools
Authors: Hogan Owen , Charles Michael B. , Kortt Michael A.
Published: July 2020

Australian business schools are often viewed by senior university managers as 'cash cows' because of their revenue‐raising capacity. However, a competing view has emerged that challenges their status as 'cash cows' and contends, instead, that business schools should focus on maximising 'public value' as a means to enhance their legitimacy. Using the analytic framework of 'public value,' a broad cross section of Australian business schools deans was interviewed. These interviews afforded a greater understanding of how the tensions inherent in these competing narratives are reconciled, and how they impact on the day‐to‐day management of business schools in Australia.
Understanding genetic variability in the mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) genepool
Authors: Gayacharan  , Tripathi Kuldeep , Meena Surendra Kumar , Panwar Bhopal Singh , Lal Hanuman , Rana Jai Chand , Singh Kuldeep
Published: July 2020

Mungbean or green gram (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek) is a major pulse crop of Southeast Asia. This is the most liked pulse in India because of its good palatability, nutritional quality and easy digestibility. It is mainly grown in subsistence farming systems in India. The crop species has evolved in a diverse range of agroclimatic conditions and therefore the local germplasm has rich genetic diversity. However, this diversity has not been explored to identify useful traits and germplasm to utilise in crop improvement programmes. Therefore, a study was performed on 1,232 mungbean accessions using 8 quantitative, 18 qualitative traits and 4 seed morphometric traits to understand genetic diversity of the crop and identify trait‐specific germplasm. Wide range of variation was observed for days to flowering, days to maturity, pod length, number of seeds/pod and 100‐seed weight. Relative high phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) and genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) was observed for 100‐seed weight, flowering period, seed length and seed breadth. Broad sense heritability (h2) analysis indicated that days to 50% flowering, flowering period, days to 80% maturity, 100‐seed weight and seed‐dimension‐related traits are highly suitable for mungbean breeding programmes. Agglomerative hierarchical clustering analysis based on morphological quantitative traits indicates that the diversity in the mungbean germplasm has no significant relationship with respect to their geographical origin. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that the first five principal components (PCs) explained 91.4% of total variation. The maximum variance was explained by PC1 (44.61%) followed by PC2 (21.15%). Plotting of observations in two‐dimensional space corresponding to PC1 and PC2 revealed wide distribution of accessions, and certain accessions were found associated with variables. The agromorphological variability and its genetic nature revealed from this study may prove very useful in ongoing and future breeding programmes.
The Impact of Advanced Practice Provider Staffing on Emergency Department Care: Productivity, Flow, Safety, and Experience
Authors: Pines Jesse M. , Zocchi Mark S. , Ritsema Tamara , Polansky Maura , Bedolla John , Venkat Arvind ,   for the US Acute Care Solutions Research Group
Published: July 2020

Objectives

We examined emergency department (ED) advanced practice provider (APP) productivity and how APP staffing impacted ED productivity, safety, flow, and experience.

Methods

We used 2014 to 2018 data from a national emergency medicine group. The exposure was APP coverage: APP hours as a percentage of total clinician hours at the ED‐day level. Multivariable regression was used to assess the relationship between APP coverage and productivity outcomes (patients/clinician hour, relative value units [RVUs]/clinician hour, RVUs/visit, and RVUs/salary‐adjusted hour), flow outcomes (length of stay and left without treatment), safety (72‐hour returns, incident reports), and experience (Press‐Ganey scores), adjusting for patient and facility characteristics.

Results

In 13.02 million patient visits in 105,863 ED‐days across 94 EDs from 2014 to 2018, nurse practitioners and physician assistants managed 5.4 and 18.6% of visits independently, 74.6% by emergency physicians alone, and 1.4% jointly. APP visits had lower RVUs/visit (2.8 vs. 3.7) and lower patients/hour (1.1 vs. 2.2) compared to physician visits. Higher APP coverage (by 10%) at the ED‐day level was associated with lower patients/clinician hour by 0.12 (95% confidence interval [CI] = −0.15 to −0.10) and lower RVUs/clinician hour by 0.4 (95% CI = −0.5 to −0.3). There was no impact of increasing APP coverage on RVUs/salary‐adjusted hour or RVUs/visit. There was also no effect of increasing APP coverage on flow, safety, or patient experience.

Conclusion

In this group, APPs treated less complex visits and half as many patients/hour compared to physicians. Higher APP coverage allowed physicians to treat higher‐acuity cases. We found no economies of scale for APP coverage, suggesting that increasing APP staffing may not lower staffing costs. However, there were also no adverse observed effects of APP coverage on ED flow, clinical safety, or patient experience, suggesting little risk of increased APP coverage on clinical care delivery.
Predictive values of heart rate variability, deceleration and acceleration capacity of heart rate in post‐infarction patients with LVEF ≥35%
Authors: Liu Xiang , Xiang Li , Tong Guangming
Published: July 2020

Background and aims

The aim was to investigate the predictive values of heart rate variability, deceleration, and acceleration capacity of heart rate in sudden cardiac death in postinfarction patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥ 35%.

Methods

We enrolled 138 acute myocardial infarction patients (MI) randomly in sinus rhythm with LVEF ≥ 35% after myocardial infarction. Data on heart rate variability, deceleration runs, deceleration, and acceleration capacity were obtained from 24h‐dynamic electrocardiogram recordings. Clinical characteristics, medications, and echocardiography data were noted. The endpoints were sudden cardiac arrhythmias (SCA), including malignant arrhythmias in the hospital and viewed sudden death out of the hospital. Relationships between autonomic parameters and endpoints were evaluated.

Results

During follow‐up for over 24 months in MI patients, 10 patients occurred sudden cardiac arrhythmias. Subjects with SCA showed lower levels of SDNN (p = .018), TP (p = .007), VLF (p < .001), DC (p < .001), and low‐risk DRs (p < .001) than those without SCA. A low SDNN level (HR: 8.888, p = .006), low VLF level (HR: 14.699, p = .016), low DC level (HR: 4.430, p = .045), and higher risk DRs (HR: 3.81, p = .040) were identified as independent risk factors of SCA for postinfarction patients with LVEF ≥ 35%. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of SDNN, VLF, and DC for identification of SCA were, respectively, 0.724 (p = .019), 0.807 (p < .001), and 0.804 (p = .002). SDNN, VLF, and DC combined assessment area under the ROC curve were 0.828 (p < .001).

Conclusion

Decreased SDNN, VLF, DC, and abnormal DRs are independently associated with increased risks of sudden cardiac arrhythmias in post‐MI patients with LVEF ≥ 35%. Combined SDNN, VLF, and DC may help identify a high‐risk group of malignant arrhythmias in postinfarction patients.
Tree‐gouging by marmosets (Primates: Callitrichidae) enhances tree turnover
Authors: Souza‐Alves João Pedro , Barbosa Guilherme V. , Hilário Renato Richard
Published: July 2020

We tested whether gouging by Callithrix jacchus affects tree survival. The proportion of dead gouged trees was higher than the proportion of dead non‐gouged trees, with larger effects on smaller trees. The number of holes did not affect tree survival. Tree‐gouging by marmosets may enhance forest turnover.

Abstract in Portuguese is available with online material.
Robots as Malevolent Moral Agents: Harmful Behavior Results in Dehumanization, Not Anthropomorphism
Authors: Swiderska Aleksandra , Küster Dennis
Published: July 2020

A robot's decision to harm a person is sometimes considered to be the ultimate proof of it gaining a human‐like mind. Here, we contrasted predictions about attribution of mental capacities from moral typecasting theory, with the denial of agency from dehumanization literature. Experiments 1 and 2 investigated mind perception for intentionally and accidentally harmful robotic agents based on text and image vignettes. Experiment 3 disambiguated agent intention (malevolent and benevolent), and additionally varied the type of agent (robotic and human) using short computer‐generated animations. Harmful robotic agents were consistently imbued with mental states to a lower degree than benevolent agents, supporting the dehumanization account. Further results revealed that a human moral patient appeared to suffer less when depicted with a robotic agent than with another human. The findings suggest that future robots may become subject to human‐like dehumanization mechanisms, which challenges the established beliefs about anthropomorphism in the domain of moral interactions.
‘Aerial Silk Roads’: Airport Infrastructures in China's Belt and Road Initiative
Authors: Lin Weiqiang , Ai Qi
Published: July 2020

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is widely touted as China's answer to development through international connectivity. The scheme has often been linked to China's objectives of crafting a new world order centred on itself and/or stabilizing its economy through externalizing surplus capacity. While important in broadly framing China's relationship with the world, this article posits that such a fixation on state‐centric visions of development leaves the door open for misinterpretation, mistaking the BRI for a coherent set of projects imposed ‘from above’. Delving into the execution of infrastructure planning on the ground, this article argues that taking a practice‐oriented approach to large‐scale developmental schemes can more accurately shed light on their internally fractured processes. Two airport projects in central China branded as part of the country's ‘aerial Silk Roads’ are examined to illustrate these dynamics, with particular attention paid to the airports’ shifting conceptualizations, the competitive motivations behind their (re)construction, and the social relations sustaining them. The authors argue that closely tracking the unfolding of a range of infrastructure planning practices within specific projects can demystify modern‐day developmental programmes like the BRI, by revealing how their ‘grand’ visions are often reinterpreted, altered and frustrated at local levels, even before they have a chance to influence the world.