bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Addressing the knowledge management “nightmare” for construction companies
Authors: Vaz-Serra Paulo , Edwards Peter
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Knowledge management presents a problem for the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry, largely because of the industry’s fragmented structure and project-driven nature. Construction companies may be involved in a variety of projects in different locations, each having its own knowledge requirements. Companies are also expected to be competitive, flexible and innovative, but introducing new knowledge management systems (KMSs) may represent a change that is beyond the organisation’s capacity to undergo successfully, and thus becomes a “nightmare”. The purpose of this paper is to propose and test a KMS solution that can help to facilitate the capture and application of important knowledge without introducing unnecessary changes in internal procedures for the organisation.

Design/methodology/approach

Following a review of existing systems, and an interview survey of 22 managers in the Portuguese AEC industry (contractors, design consultants and project management consultants) a new IT-based construction KMS called ConstruKnowledge was developed. The KMS was tested, verified and validated in two Portuguese construction projects and assessed by 12 managers in the construction company undertaking those projects.

Findings

The results of two pilot tests using ConstruKnowledge in two Portuguese construction projects demonstrate that its use can raise the levels of confidence in decision-making, and retaining knowledge; and that it serves to add value to the company.

Practical implications

The Construknowledge KMS is an innovative contribution to the greater acceptance of KMSs in the construction industry. The system facilitates the effective and efficient development of an organisational KMS using basic Information and Communications Technology (ICT)-based collaboration tools. While undertaken in the context of the Portuguese industry, the KMS has a wider global potential for implementation and further development.

Originality/value

The originality and value of this research are that it demonstrates how a KMS can be developed and then used in a construction company to capture and share knowledge without introducing additional constraints.
Decisive structures for multirate FIR filter incorporating retiming and pipelining schemes
Authors: K. Mariammal , M. Hajira Banu , J. Britto Pari , Dhandapani Vaithiyanathan
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Very large-scale integration (VLSI) digital signal processing became very popular and is predominantly used in several emerging applications. The optimal design of multirate filter with improvement in performance parameters such as less area, high speed and less power is the challenging task in most of the signal processing applications. This study aims to propose several effective multirate filter structures to accomplish sampling rate conversion.

Design/methodology/approach

The multirate filter structures considered in this work are polyphase filter and coefficient symmetry-based finite impulse response filter. The symmetry scheme particularly brings down the complexity to significant extent. To bring improvement in speed, delay registers are inserted at appropriate path with the help of pipelining and retiming scheme.

Findings

In this paper, the three tasks have been considered. First, the polyphase coefficient symmetry and modified polyphase (MP) structure is designed. Second, the pipelining is applied to the polyphase structure and the obtained results are compared with the polyphase structure. In third, retiming is applied to the polyphase structure and the performance comparison is carried out. The structures are realized for various orders, and the comparative analysis is carried out with the filter order N = 12, 30, 42, 8, 11 and 24 and the results are stated. The performance of all the accomplished structures is analyzed using Altera Quartus with the family cyclone II, device EP2C70F672C6. The results show that the multirate filter using pipelining and retiming offers better performance when examining with the conventional structures. Retimed and pipelined MP structure achieves a speed enhancement of about 33.81% when examining with the conventional polyphase (CP) structure with retiming and pipelining for N = 24 and M = 5. Likewise, the 2/3 structure of pipelined coefficient symmetry approach offers area reduction of about 54.76% over 2/3 structure of pipelined polyphase approach for N = 30 with little reduction in power. The fine grain pipelined and retimed MP structure with N = 11 and M = 3 avails critical path delay reduction of about 28.15% when examining with the corresponding fine grain pipelined and retimed CP structure.

Originality/value

The proposed distinct structures offer better alternative to conventional structures because of the symmetric coefficients, performance enhancement using pipelining and retiming based rate conversion structures. The suggested structures can be used for achieving different rates in software radios.
Integrating a rich picture diagram and causal loop diagram to model stakeholder engagement in building refurbishment projects
Authors: Seki Yuri , Sutrisna Monty , Olanipekun Ayokunle Olubunmi
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The more contemporary views on managing projects recommend stakeholder engagement as an important part of the process. Challenges have been reported when attempting to involve project stakeholders in a construction project due to the complexity of the processes. In projects such as refurbishment projects, the efforts to incorporate end users' needs and preferences into spatial environmental functions increase the complexity of stakeholder engagement during the journey of the project. This paper presents a unique technique used to integrate different tools within the system enquiry methodology in modelling the project stakeholder engagement process for refurbishment projects.

Design/methodology/approach

Aiming to address the problem, system dynamics (SD) has been selected as the most suitable method for modelling the dynamic behaviour of this complex system over time. A tool known as a rich picture diagram (RPD) is proposed as the precursor of the development of a causal loop diagram (CLD) to facilitate a more holistic abstraction for applicable solutions. An example of a single case study involving the refurbishment of a higher education building project is presented to explain the analysis undertaken in the process of developing the CLD that models the dynamic behaviour within end-user stakeholder engagement.

Findings

This paper demonstrates the complementarity capabilities of the soft and hard systems of enquiry in modelling stakeholder's dynamics within the refurbishment construction contexts. The RPD soft system tool was found useful to congregate diverse stakeholder expressions and experiences of a complex system in a holistic manner. Subsequently, the development of the CLD was fully guided by the information and relationship captured and presented in the RPD to yield a representative system model. Furthermore, this paper also reports the dynamics of the actors, situations, events and their inter-relationship found in the presented refurbishment project.

Originality/value

This paper enriches the techniques within the system enquiry methodology by integrating hard and soft system tools for dynamic process modelling purposes. This is particularly achieved by utilizing the RPD as the precursor of SD that provides a useful way for researchers and stakeholders to fully understand the dynamics and develop robust systemic interventions to optimize end-user stakeholder engagement during the journey of refurbishment projects, particularly of higher education buildings.
Local food and changes in tourist eating habits in a sun-and-sea destination: a segmentation approach
Authors: Santos José António C. , Santos Margarida Custódio , Pereira Luis Nobre , Richards Greg , Caiado Luis
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Little is known about how tourists’ eating habits change between everyday life and holidays. This study aims to identify market segments based on changes in food consumption and experiences of a sun-and-sea destination’s local food. The authors evaluate to what extent tourists consume local food and assess the contribution of local food experiences to the tourists’ overall experience.

Design/methodology/approach

The target population was all tourists visiting the Algarve in the Summer 2018 and included both domestic and international sun-and-sea tourists. A sample of 378 valid questionnaires was collected. Data analysis included descriptive analysis, statistical tests and cluster analysis.

Findings

Cluster analysis identified three segments: non-foodies, selective foodies and local gastronomy foodies. Results indicate that tourists change their eating habits during holidays, eating significantly more seafood and fish and less legumes, meat, fast food and cereals and their derivatives. International and domestic sun-and-sea tourists reported that eating local food contributes significantly to their overall tourism experience.

Practical implications

Sun-and-sea destinations should promote the offer of local dishes, especially those that include locally produced fish and seafood, to improve the tourist experience, differentiate the destination and increase sustainability.

Originality/value

The authors address three identified research gaps:a posteriorisegmentation based on tourists’ food consumption behaviour; measurement of changes in eating practices between home and in a sun-and-sea destination; and assessment of the role of food experiences to overall tourism experience of tourists visiting a sun-and-sea destination.
Analyzing financial risks in small and medium enterprises: evidence from the food processing firms in selected cities in Ghana
Authors: Agyapong Daniel
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The purpose of the paper was to analyze the financial risk perception of owners/managers and to link such perception to the performance of their ventures.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper employed PLS-SEM to analyze financial risks and its impact on SMEs in the food processing sector. Financial risks data on the operational, market, technological, credit and liquidity risks and financial performance including compliance, social and resource efficiency performance were collected from 214 food processors in selected cities in Ghana. Higher-order constructs were employed in assessing the relationship between financial risks and SME performance.

Findings

Financial risk spurs a firm's financial performance. Increased financial risks cause firms to be resource-efficient and compliant. Furthermore, an assessment of how the various performance indicators interplay showed increased compliant improved social performance and vice versa.

Research limitations/implications

The paper looked at food processing firms in three major cities, analyzing the financial risks of the businesses and their effect on their performance. Although, these cities have the largest number of these firms, generalizing the findings from the study should be done taking into consideration the scope of the study.

Practical implications

The study exposes owners/managers to the critical issues of financial risk, its components and how this could impact on their operations. It expected that owner/managers in the food processing sector would craft the necessary risk mitigating strategies to deal with the different financial risks they face. For theoretical implication, the paper suggests the need to highlight the risk exposure of firms due to the business–stakeholder interactions as contained in the stakeholder theory.

Originality/value

The paper employed the higher-order construct of PLS-SEM to analyze the financial risks of food processors. The originality of the paper lies with the methods used.
Impact of lean practices on organizational sustainability through green supply chain management – an empirical investigation
Authors: Singh Jagdeep , Singh Harwinder , Kumar Amit
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to uncover the significance of green supply chain management (GSCM) to study the impact lean practices, namely, Kaizen and innovation management practices on organizational sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach

The subject of green supply chains attracts a growing interest in academic and professional literature since 1990. Questionnaire survey and structured interviews (set of questions) among the industrial professionals and academicians of northern India region have been performed to ascertain the significance of GSCM toward organizational sustainability. Structural equation modeling, Cronbach’s alpha, z-test, correlation and t-test have been used to ascertain the significance of lean practices toward sustaining organization by taking the mediating effect of GSCM.

Findings

The results signify the negative potential of combined Kaizen, innovation management and government policies on environmental thinking through supply chain. The innovation management strategies and Kaizen individually has positive influence on environment supply chain but government policies should be improved to improve the positive impact on environmental thinking through supply chain by decreasing pollution. Economic performance, environmental performance and competitive performance are significantly improved by implementing Kaizen and innovation management through GSCM.

Research limitations/implications

The research is limited to northern India. Moreover, selection of industry and academic organizations has been done on convenient sampling technique.

Originality/value

The paper demonstrates the application of lean techniques, namely, Kaizen and innovation management practices, showing how it can bring real breakthroughs in organizational sustainability through GSCM.
How the type of sports-related endorser influences consumers' purchase intentions
Authors: von Felbert Aaron , Breuer Christoph
Published: September 2020

Purpose

As the superiority of sports celebrities' endorsements has been questioned, the purpose of this study is to identify various types of endorsers' direct and indirect effects on consumers' purchase intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

Empirical data were collected from 240 useful responses to an online experiment, and research hypotheses were tested using (moderated) serial mediation analyses.

Findings

The study's findings indicate that an endorser has a positive influence on consumers' purchase intentions through their perceptions of the advertisement and the endorsed brand. A moderated serial mediation analysis finds differences in the four types of endorsers analyzed. A sports celebrity is the most effective type of endorser in increasing consumers' purchase intentions, whereas endorsements by company managers and peer consumers, while also positive, are less effective in influencing advertising outcomes. An expert's endorsement is comparable to that of a manager but not significant.

Research limitations/implications

The generalizability of the study's findings is limited because of a restricted data sample, the use of fictitious endorsers and the limited number of product categories and brands analyzed.

Originality/value

The study systematically analyzes the behavioral influence of four types of endorsers on consumers' purchase intentions, mediated by their perceptions of the advertisements and the endorsed brand. The results of this analysis extend the current state of endorsement research, indicating that endorsements should be integrated into companies' marketing strategies and provide marketing professionals practical guidance on which type of endorser is most effective in influencing advertising outcomes.
A contract-based workflow execution framework for realizing artifact-centric business processes in a dynamic and collaborative environment
Authors: Ngamakeur Kan , Yongchareon Sira
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The paper aims to study realization requirements for the flexible enactment of artifact-centric business processes in a dynamic, collaborative environment and to develop a workflow execution framework that can effectively address those requirements.

Design/methodology/approach

This study proposed a framework and contract-based, event-driven architecture design and implementation that can directly realize collaborative artifact-centric business processes in service-oriented architecture (SOA) without any model conversion.

Findings

The results show that the approach is feasible in presenting several key benefits over the use of existing workflow systems to run artifact-centric processes.

Originality/value

Most of the existing approaches require an artifact-centric model to be transformed into executable workflow languages to run on existing workflow management systems. This study argues that the model conversion can incur losses of information and affect traceability and monitoring ability of workflows, especially in an SOA where a workflow can span across multiple inter-business entities.
Bangladeshi clothing manufacturers' technology adoption in the global free trade environment
Authors: Park-Poaps Haesun , Bari Md Sadaqul , Sarker Zafar Waziha
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate the status of technology adoption (TA) among clothing manufacturers in Bangladesh and examine the influences of contextual factors on their TA level. Particularly, the authors examined the effects of export orientation, top management commitment (TMC), competitive pressure (CP), cost of capital (CC) and technical skills (TS).

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected from Bangladeshi clothing manufacturer through an online survey. A firm was treated as a unit of analysis.

Findings

The results revealed that the most common technologies adopted were information technology and software related and the least common were automation related. Export orientation negatively influenced while TS and CP positively influenced the level of TA.

Research limitations/implications

Due to the difficulty in obtaining firm level data, data collection did not utilize a random sampling. Only firms that agree to participate were included in the data.

Practical implications

The authors suggest the Bangladeshi clothing manufacturers to adopt selective technologies that complement the cost leadership strategy rather than immediate differentiation strategy or technology innovations.

Social implications

Focused investment in human capitals and knowledge transfer in Bangladesh, one of the newly classified developing country, should sustain their competitiveness in the global market. Further discussions provide various stakeholders with insights related to trade policies, international aids and the UN's sustainable development agenda.

Originality/value

This study tackles a void that exists in TA research within the labor intensive clothing manufacturing sector, especially in a lower-middle income country, which surprisingly became the second largest clothing supplier today. Unique nature of the sector as an entry to economic development process in connection to the sustainable development concept is discussed to generate implications for practitioners as well as policy makers.
The role of Korean prototypical brand image in shaping country image and quality evaluations: a cross-cultural examination
Authors: Jin Byoungho Ellie , Yang Heesoon , Kim Naeun Lauren
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Built on the prototype and cue theories, the purpose of this study is to understand how a country's prototypical brand, a corporate brand that most consumers associate with a country (e.g. Samsung), contributes to forming two dimensions of country image – overall country image (i.e. macro country image) and product-specific country image (i.e. micro country image) – and how country image impacts the product quality evaluations of Korean cosmetics, along with the moderating effect of national culture.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 491 US and Chinese consumers ages 20 and older and analyzed using structural equation modeling.

Findings

The findings confirmed the positive influence of prototypical brand image on macro and micro country image. Macro country image also had a positive effect on micro country image. However, only micro country image yielded a positive influence on the quality evaluations of Korean cosmetics. Analyses of the moderating effect of national culture showed that the positive influence of prototypical brand image on macro and micro country image was found to be stronger in China than in the US.

Originality/value

These findings provided new theoretical perspectives for country image studies, and practical insights for companies and governments, especially those in countries whose country image is less distinctive, to help develop effective marketing strategies.
How knowledge search affects the performance of reverse internationalization enterprises: the co-moderating role of causation and effectuation
Authors: Feng Xiaobin , Ma Xiaoshu , Shi Zhe , Peng Xuebing
Published: September 2020

Purpose

To address the gap of divergent conclusions on the impact of knowledge search (KS) on performance, this paper aims to discuss the nonlinear relationships between KS and reverse internationalization enterprise (RIE) performance, and the co-moderation of causation and effectuation (C&E) on KS–performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed theoretical model is developed by integrating the theory of knowledge-based view and decision rationality theory. The empirical study is based on survey data collected from 245 RIEs of the Yangtze River Delta and Pearl River Delta regions in China. Hierarchical multiple regression and the appropriate U-test method are used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

Empirical results suggest that both focused and multi-focus searches have inverted U-shaped effects on RIE performance. Furthermore, causation weakens the curvilinear effect between multi-focus search and RIE performance, whereas effectuation strengthens the curvilinear effect but weakens the inverted U-shaped relationship between focused search and RIE performance. Results also indicate that the integration of C&E positively moderates the relationship between focused or multi-focus searches and RIE performance.

Originality/value

Findings reveal the nonlinear effects of focused and multi-focus searches on RIE performance and clarify the dispute over the mechanism of KS on performance by proposing the different moderating role of C&E. Moreover, this research provides deeper insight into contingency mechanisms between KS and performance by integrating the co-moderating role of C&E in RIEs.
Practice briefing – Automated valuation models (AVMs): their role, their advantages and their limitations
Authors: Glumac Brano , Des Rosiers François
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The current state-of-the-art recognises three traditional valuation approaches. The current division is not sufficient to explain systematically all features that drive the development and usage of automated valuation models.

Design/methodology/approach

This practice briefing reviews existing valuation approaches, their pros and cons and more critical other automated valuation aspects or features; both based on a literature review.

Findings

This paper discusses and lists the six critical aspects or features, besides the valuation approaches.

Practical implications

This paper reveals the list of aspects or features that are important to consider when designing an automated valuation model.

Originality/value

This practice briefing discusses the inclusion of a multitude of aspects when considering an automated valuation model design.
Responding to the voice of the markets: an analysis of Tripadvisor reviews of UK retail markets
Authors: Taecharungroj Viriya , Warnaby Gary , Parker Cathy
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the experience of visitors to UK markets by analysing their Tripadvisor reviews to identify perceived experiential dimensions with a view to informing actions by those responsible for market management to provide a better consumer experience.

Design/methodology/approach

This research analysed 41,071 Tripadvisor reviews of 61 UK markets. A latent Dirichlet allocation machine learning algorithm was conducted to identify the experience dimensions of visitors. A text analysis was performed to indicate salience and valence of commonly used words.

Findings

Five dimensions of experience are identified: atmosphere, merchandise, local variety, food and disappointment, together with the underlying factors that drive positive experience.

Practical implications

Place and market managers should assess and position their market informed by diverse experiential dimensions. They should also improve and enhance the experience of visitors according to the underlying factors of each dimension.

Originality/value

Retail markets have historically played an important role in the development of urban places. However, the ability to continue performing this role requires a greater understanding of how markets are perceived by those who use them. One way to achieve this is to use emergent technologies to inform decision-making by those responsible for their management. It demonstrates the potential of a new analytical technique using digital technologies to improve one of the oldest forms of retailing.
Development of an integrated framework regarding inter-firm collaborative business strategies
Authors: Bhattacharyya Som Sekhar
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The author, with the help of a conceptual and integrated review of inter-firm collaborative strategies literature, developed an integrated perspective framework regarding inter-firm collaborative business strategies (IFCBS). The purpose of this study is to attain a holistic comprehension regarding IFCBS.

Design/methodology/approach

The author undertook a conceptual integrated literature review to arrive at the integrated framework on IFCBS. Argumentative and incremental logic was applied to develop the integrated perspective. This is as advocated by scholars (Barney, 2018; Whetten, 1989; Bacharach, 1989; Weick, 1989; Smithey Fulmer, 2012; Cornelissen, 2017, 2019).

Findings

This work contributed to theory by conceptualizing an integrated perspective framework. The integrated framework regarding inter-firm collaborative strategy was developed based upon the six conceptual elemental questions proposed and discussed in the papers. These were drawn from extant literature developed from the theoretical aspects regarding various aspects of participation between collaborating firms. It was also based upon the dominant and dormant roles played by the partnering firms as well as the objectives of the partnership. The six conceptual elemental questions were as follows: “Why to cooperate?”; “When to cooperate?”; “Which partners to collaborate with?”; “Where to cooperate?”; “How to cooperate?”; and “What are the benefits of collaboration?”

Research limitations/implications

There was contribution of this conceptual theoretical work in a couple of ways. First, IFCBS have been conceptualized with a reductionist point of view into six conceptual elemental blocks. These acted as antecedent, mediating and dependent factors. Second, an integrated framework on IFCBS was developed.

Practical implications

This work would help strategy managers to secure a holistic understanding regarding planning and execution of inter-firm collaborative strategies. The conceptual elements indicated in the study would help managers assess the factors regarding which managers should focus on with priority. Further, the factors that might hinder post-collaboration success have also been conceptualized in this work for easy comprehension of the managers. The framework proposed would help managers to comprehend regarding what type of inter-firm collaborative strategy their firm should embark upon so that there would be maximum post-collaboration success. The type of inter-firm collaborative strategies to be followed would be dependent upon the dominance or dormancy of the collaborating partners regarding the conceptual elements as well as the goals to be attained and secured from the inter-firm collaborative strategies.

Originality/value

This is one of the first theoretical works toward establishment of an integrated perspective framework on IFCBS involving antecedent, mediating and dependent factors.
Food security research in selected Southern European and Eastern Mediterranean countries: a narrative review
Authors: Michalis Athanasios , Costarelli Vassiliki
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The paper aims to investigate food security research in Southern Europe and selected Eastern Mediterranean countries.

Design/methodology/approach

An electronic literature search was conducted using Medline/PubMed and Scopus, to identify articles and reviews that were published in the English language, between January 2014 and December 2019. Thirty-three publications met the criteria for review.

Findings

Depending on the population sample and the measurement tool, reported food insecurity differed significantly between and within countries. In Portugal, food insecurity ranged from 11 to 70%; in France, from 6.3 to 77.7%; and in Greece, from 17.3 to 82%.

Research limitations/implications

Research investigating food insecurity issues and its true prevalence across southern European and Eastern Mediterranean countries are relatively limited.

Originality/value

Food insecurity levels in the above countries vary significantly, and the different methodologies often used render the results difficult to compare.
Assessment of direct evaporative cooler performance with a cooling pad made from banana midrib and ramie fiber
Authors: Sonawan Hery , Sofia Evi , Ramadhan Arief
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The paper aims to apply Buckingham Pi dimensional analysis method for assessing direct evaporative cooler performance with a cooling pad made of banana midrib and ramie fiber. The saturation efficiency acted as the indicator performance of the evaporative cooler.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper describes an experimental study of the direct evaporative cooler with a cooling pad made of banana midrib and rami fiber. There were six parameters in the experiment: absorbed water as a dependent variable was affected by independent parameters such as air velocity and temperature, cooling pad cross-section area and thickness. Based on these variables, we arranged three dimensionless numbers and their correlation.

Findings

The paper provides three calculated dimensionless numbers plotted on a curve with a specific correlation. The curve trends for 30 mm and 50 mm pad thickness were almost similar. The range of Reynolds number for 10 mm pad was narrower than other pad thicknesses. The thicker the cooling pad, the more extensive was the calculated Reynolds number range. A new curve exhibited the relationship between the evaporation rate with the μA/t number. The broader cooling pad cross-section, the thinner pad thickness, and the lower pad temperature were factors that increased the evaporation rate, even though the increase was less significant.

Originality/value

A new material in cooling pad from banana midrib fiber was tested and compared to ramie fiber and conventional cooling pad.
Moderation analysis exploring associations between age and mucocutaneous activity in Behçet’s syndrome: A multicenter study from Turkey
Authors: Mumcu Gonca , Yay Meral , Karaçaylı Ümit , Aksoy Aysun , Taş Mehmet Nedim , Armağan Berkan , Sarı Alper , Bozca Burçin Cansu , Tekgöz Emre , Temiz Karadağ Duygu , Badak Suade Özlem , Tecer Duygu , Yıldırım Alper , Bes Cemal , Şahin Ali , Erken Eren , Cefle Ayse , Çınar Muhammet , Yılmaz Sedat , Alpsoy Erkan , Boyvat Ayşe , Şenel Soner , Bilge Şule Yaşar , Kaşifoğlu Timuçin , Karadağ Ömer , Aksu Kenan , Keser Gökhan , Alibaz‐Öner Fatma , İnanç Nevsun , Ergun Tülin , Direskeneli Haner
Published: September 2020

The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of age on mucocutaneous activity by using moderation analysis in Behçet’s syndrome (BS). In this cross‐sectional study, 887 BS patients (female : male, 481:406; mean age, 38.4 ± 10.9 years) followed in 13 tertiary centers in Turkey were included. Mucocutaneous activity was evaluated by using the Mucocutaneous Index (MI) according to sex and disease course. Moderation analysis was performed to test the effect of age on mucocutaneous activity. A moderator variable is a third variable and affects the relationship between independent and outcome variables. Age was chosen as a potential moderator variable (interaction effect), MI score as the outcome variable and sex as an independent variable in the analysis. The moderation analysis tested the effects of age in three steps: whole BS patient group, patients without systemic involvement and those with systemic involvement. The moderation model was only significant in BS patients with systemic involvement (P = 0.0351), and a significant relationship was observed between female sex and MI score (P = 0.0156). In addition, the interaction plot showed that female patients had increased MI scores compared with male patients, especially in the 28‐year‐old age group (P = 0.0067). Moreover, major organ involvement was newly diagnosed in the majority of these young female BS patients. Our results suggest that the relationship between sex and mucocutaneous activity was moderated by age in the systemic involvement group. Also, increased mucocutaneous activity may be associated with new major organ involvement in young female BS patients with systemic involvement.
Guidelines for the management of dermatomycosis (2019)
Authors: Mochizuki Takashi , Tsuboi Ryoji , Iozumi Ken , Ishizaki Sumiko , Ushigami Tsuyoshi , Ogawa Yumi , Kaneko Takehiko , Kawai Masaaki , Kitami Yuki , Kusuhara Masahiro , Kono Takeshi , Sato Toshiki , Sato Tomotaka , Shimoyama Harunari , Takenaka Motoi , Tanabe Hiroshi , Tsuji Gaku , Tsunemi Yuichiro , Hata Yasuki , Harada Kazutoshi , Fukuda Tomoo , Matsuda Tetsuo , Maruyama Ryuji ,   Guidelines Committee of the Japanese Dermatological Association
Published: September 2020

The “Guidelines for the management of dermatomycosis” of the Japanese Dermatological Association were first published in Japanese in 2009 and the Guidelines Committee of the Japanese Dermatological Association revised it in 2019. The first guidelines was prepared according to the opinions of the Guidelines Committee members and it was of educational value. The revised version is composed of introductory descriptions of the disease concepts, diagnosis, medical mycology and recent advances in treatment, along with clinical questions (CQ), which is intended to help in general practice for dermatologists. The CQ are limited to those involved in therapy but include some of the recently launched antifungal agents. The level of evidence and the degree of recommendation for each item were reviewed by the committee based on clinical studies published by 2018. For rare dermatomycoses, recommendations by the committee are described in the guidelines. In this field, there are still few good quality studies on treatment. Periodic revision in line with new evidence is necessary.
Vector demography, dispersal and the spread of disease: Experimental epidemics under elevated resource supply
Authors: Strauss Alexander T. , Henning Jeremiah A. , Porath‐Krause Anita , Asmus Ashley L. , Shaw Allison K. , Borer Elizabeth T. , Seabloom Eric W.
Published: September 2020

The spread of many diseases depends on the demography and dispersal of arthropod vectors. Classic epidemiological theory typically ignores vector dynamics and instead makes the simplifying assumption of frequency‐dependent transmission. Yet, vector ecology may be critical for understanding the spread of disease over space and time and how disease dynamics respond to environmental change.

Here, we ask how environmental change shapes vector demography and dispersal, and how these traits of vectors govern the spatiotemporal spread of disease.

We developed disease models parameterised by traits of vectors and fit them to experimental epidemics. The experiment featured a viral pathogen (CYDV‐RPV) vectored by aphids Rhopalosiphum padi among populations of grass hosts Avena sativa under two rates of environmental resource supply (i.e. fertilisation of the host). We compared a non‐spatial model that ignores vector movement, a lagged dispersal model that emphasises the delay between vector reproduction and dispersal, and a travelling wave model that generates waves of infections across space and time.

Resource supply altered both vector demography and dispersal. The lagged dispersal model fit best, indicating that vectors first reproduced locally and then dispersed globally among hosts in the experiment. Elevated resources decreased vector population growth rates, nearly doubled their carrying capacity per host, increased dispersal rates when vectors carried the virus, and homogenised disease risk across space.

Together, the models and experiment show how environmental eutrophication can shape spatial disease dynamics—for example, homogenising disease risk across space—by altering the demography and behaviour of vectors.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Geometrical characteristics of phase and group velocity surfaces in anisotropic media
Authors: Stovas Alexey , Roganov Yuriy , Roganov Vyacheslav
Published: September 2020

The phase and group velocity surfaces are essential for wave propagation in anisotropic media. These surfaces have certain features that, especially, for shear waves result in complications for modelling and inversion of recorded wavefields. To analyse wave propagation in an anisotropic model, it is important to identify these features in both the phase and group domains. We propose few characteristics for this analysis: the energy flux angle, decomposed in the polar and azimuth angle correction angles and enhancement factor, which is able to characterize both singularity points and triplication zones. The very simple equation that controls the triplications is derived in the phase domain. The proposed characteristics are illustrated for elastic and acoustic anisotropic models of different symmetry classes.
Realised rather than fundamental thermal niches predict site occupancy: Implications for climate change forecasting
Authors: Braschler Brigitte , Duffy Grant A. , Nortje Erika , Kritzinger‐Klopper Suzaan , du Plessis Dorette , Karenyi Natasha , Leihy Rachel I. , Chown Steven L.
Published: September 2020

Thermal performance traits are regularly used to make forecasts of the responses of ectotherms to anthropogenic environmental change, but such forecasts do not always differentiate between fundamental and realised thermal niches.

Here we determine the relative extents to which variation in the fundamental and realised thermal niches accounts for current variation in species abundance and occupancy and assess the effects of niche‐choice on future‐climate response estimations.

We investigated microclimate and macroclimate temperatures alongside abundance, occupancy, critical thermal limits and foraging activity of 52 ant species (accounting for >95% individuals collected) from a regional assemblage from across the Western Cape Province, South Africa, between 2003 and 2014.

Capability of a species to occupy sites experiencing the most extreme temperatures, coupled with breadth of realised niche, explained most deviance in occupancy (up to 75%), while foraging temperature range and body mass explained up to 50.5% of observed variation in mean species abundance.

When realised niches are used to forecast responses to climate change, large positive and negative effects among species are predicted under future conditions, in contrast to the forecasts of minimal impacts on all species that are indicated by fundamental niche predictions.
A synthesis of the effects of cheatgrass invasion on US Great Basin carbon storage
Authors: Nagy R. Chelsea , Fusco Emily J. , Balch Jennifer K. , Finn John T. , Mahood Adam , Allen Jenica M. , Bradley Bethany A.
Published: September 2020

Non‐native, invasive Bromus tectorum (cheatgrass) is pervasive in sagebrush ecosystems in the Great Basin ecoregion of the western United States, competing with native plants and promoting more frequent fires. As a result, cheatgrass invasion likely alters carbon (C) storage in the region. Many studies have measured C pools in one or more common vegetation types: native sagebrush, invaded sagebrush and cheatgrass‐dominated (often burned) sites, but these results have yet to be synthesized.

We performed a literature review to identify studies assessing the consequences of invasion on C storage in above‐ground biomass (AGB), below‐ground biomass (BGB), litter, organic soil and total soil. We identified 41 articles containing 386 unique studies and estimated C storage across pools and vegetation types. We used linear mixed models to identify the main predictors of C storage.

We found consistent declines in biomass C with invasion: AGB C was 55% lower in cheatgrass (40 ± 4 g C/m2) than native sagebrush (89 ± 27 g C/m2) and BGB C was 62% lower in cheatgrass (90 ± 17 g C/m2) than native sagebrush (238 ± 60 g C/m2). In contrast, litter C was >4× higher in cheatgrass (154 ± 12 g C/m2) than native sagebrush (32 ± 12 g C/m2). Soil organic C (SOC) in the top 10 cm was significantly higher in cheatgrass than in native or invaded sagebrush. SOC below 20 cm was significantly related to the time since most recent fire and losses were observed in deep SOC in cheatgrass >5 years after a fire. There were no significant changes in total soil C across vegetation types.

Synthesis and applications. Cheatgrass invasion decreases biodiversity and rangeland productivity and alters fire regimes. Our findings indicate cheatgrass invasion also results in persistent biomass carbon (C) losses that occur with sagebrush replacement. We estimate that conversion from native sagebrush to cheatgrass leads to a net reduction of C storage in biomass and litter of 76 g C/m2, or 16 Tg C across the Great Basin without management practices like native sagebrush restoration or cheatgrass removal.
Relationships of plant traits and soil biota to soil functions change as nitrogen fertiliser rates increase in an intensively managed agricultural system
Authors: Orwin Kate H. , Mason Norman W. H. , Aalders Lee , Bell Nigel L. , Schon Nicole , Mudge Paul L.
Published: September 2020

Because plant and soil systems are strongly inter‐linked, manipulating plant traits in intensively managed agricultural systems could be used to improve soil functioning and sustainability. However, we have little understanding of whether the impacts of plant traits on soil systems are modified by other management practices, such as fertiliser use.

We tested whether relationships among plant traits, soil biota (microbes and nematodes) and soil functions (carbon and nitrogen (N) cycling) change with N fertiliser regime in a field‐based, intensively managed experiment with high biomass removal. The experiment consisted of seven plant species compositions crossed with six N fertiliser rates (0–500 kg N ha−1 year−1).

Relationships among plant traits, soil biota and soil functions were often consistent across N fertiliser rates. However, the relationship of percentage N2fixer toqCO2shifted from negative to neutral as N rates increased, and the slope of several relationships of plant traits to N cycling indicators declined when >200 kg N ha−1 year−1was added. The negative relationship of the fungal: bacterial ratio to N cycling indicators also became neutral when > 200 kg N ha−1 year−1was added, and the relationships of bacterivore abundance and the plant parasitic index to respiration changed direction as N inputs increased.

Some relationships of plant traits and soil biota to soil functions were in unexpected directions. This was sometimes associated with species‐specific effects and inconsistent trait trade‐offs within species. In general, conservative plant traits and fungal dominance were associated with low N cycling and cellulose paper decomposition rates, but high respiration rates. Nematode‐based variables were better predictors of some functions than microbial ones; their incorporation into plant trait research could improve predictive power and system understanding.

Synthesis and applications. Manipulating plant community traits can modify soil functions in intensively managed systems, but may result in larger changes where fertiliser nitrogen inputs are relatively low. Improved modelling that integrates how plant community traits, species‐specific effects and management practices interact to determine soil functions will be required before managers can confidently predict the consequences of changing plant community traits.
Burnout as an identity rupture in the life course: a longitudinal narrative method
Authors: Korhonen Maija , Komulainen Katri , Okkonen Venla
Published: September 2020

The methodological article explores the process by which identity rupture generated by work‐related burnout is encountered and managed over time. The article presents an in‐depth case study based on follow‐up interviews with a woman in her sixties. The study attempts to discover what kinds of continuities and changes in meaning making patterns are included in the burnout process and how these meaning making patterns are used to perform and negotiate identity stabilities and changes in the life course. The study is part of a larger longitudinal qualitative investigation following a group of Finnish middle‐aged employees in the context of burnout rehabilitation. As a result of analysis, four thematically and temporally overlapping meaning making patterns were identified: defining and legitimating illness, encountering and resisting the ‘vulnerable’ Other in self, developing and testing a new identity, and recapturing the past self. The burnout trajectory seems to consist of temporally stable meaning making patterns, such as legitimation of illness, preservation of the past self and resistance of the patient role. However, it also includes changes in meaning making that imply positively interpreted self‐change. The study contributes to the methodological development of qualitative health and life course research.
TwoWorries about Educational Goods
Authors: Hand Michael
Published: September 2020

In this brief comment on Educational Goods, I raise two worries about the authors' proposed normative framework for educational decision-makers. The first concerns the omission of rationality, or responsiveness to reasons, from the list of educational goods; the second concerns the inclusion of parental interests in the list of independent values.
Proving the Dough: National Crime Agency v Baker & Ors
Authors: Clancy Áine
Published: September 2020

This note examines the High Court's recent decision in National Crime Agency v Baker to discharge three unexplained wealth orders (UWOs) relating to properties in London. The UWOs were originally granted on the basis that the properties were suspected of constituting ‘recoverable property’ for the purposes of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. The decision is the first to overturn an UWO. Given the few UWO applications to date, it is an important contribution to the available jurisprudence on the mechanism.  This comment examines the presiding judge's statements on the evidential thresholds to be met in raising a presumption that property constitutes the proceeds of crime and looks at the decision's emphasis on enforcement authorities’ obligations to meet proportionality requirements. It reviews the Court's discussion of complex property ownership structures. It concludes that the judgment raises issues which enforcement authorities may find challenging in seeking to use UWOs in future investigations.