bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Novel Method of Intra-Abdominal Cavity Obliteration: A Case Report of a Colonic Seromuscular Flap
Authors: Imaizumi Atsushi
Published: September 2022

Obliteration of an organized subphrenic abscess with an enteric fistula is a great challenge, especially after hepatectomy, as most of the conventional flaps used to fill the abscess cavity are not feasible. A seromuscular flap is an innovative option for this purpose because of its proximity to the pathology, flexibility in the size and volume of the flap harvested, antibacterial ability of the muscle flap, and preservation of trunk musculature. We illustrate the use of a colonic seromuscular flap for filling such an abscess and show its long-term change. A 66-year-old man developed a right subphrenic abscess after subsegmentectomy for his hepatocellular carcinoma. Prolonged percutaneous drainage of the abscess was unsuccessful because of the enteric communication with the transverse colon and resulted only in the organization of the abscess cavity. Through the previous laparotomy incision, the involved part of the transverse colon was detached from the abscess. The transverse colon including the fistula was isolated for 16 cm based on the middle colic vessels. Following an enterotomy along the antimesenteric border and mucosal stripping, a colonic seromuscular flap was made. The debrided abscess cavity was properly filled with this flap. The donor colon was repaired. The postoperative course was uneventful without showing any signs of infection for more than 3 years. During this period, the volume of the flap filling the cavity showed significant reduction of 50%. The seromuscular colonic flap is an effective option for filling the intra-abdominal abscess cavity when most of the conventional flaps are not feasible.
Sustainability of a Multifaceted Intervention to Improve Surrogate Decision Maker Documentation for Hospitalized Adults
Authors: Luty Jacob , Waagmeester Garrett , Ketterer Briana , Atluru Sreevalli , Toney Keane , Love Michael , DeVane Kenneth , Sallay Scott , DiVeronica Matthew
Published: September 2022

Documenting surrogate decision makers (SDMs) is an important step in advance care planning (ACP) for hospitalized adults. The authors performed a quality improvement study of clinical and electronic health record (EHR) workflows aiming to increase SDM documentation for hospitalized adults. The intervention included an ACP education module, audit and feedback, as well as workflow and EHR adaptations. The authors prospectively tracked SDM documentation using control charts and used chart review to assess secondary outcome, process, and balancing measures. SDM documentation significantly increased from 69.5% to 80.2% (P < 0.001) for intervention patients, sustained over 3 years, and was unchanged for control patients (34.6% to 36.3%; P = 0.355). There were no significant differences in secondary ACP outcomes in intervention or control patients. Clinical and EHR adaptations increased SDM documentation for hospitalized adults with minimal risk, although did not affect other ACP metrics. Future studies are needed to determine the effects of such changes on goal-concordant care.
Vulvar Pruritus in Postmenopausal Diabetic Women With Candidiasis Secondary to Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter Receptor-2 Inhibitors
Authors: Forman Jessica L. , Mercurio Mary Gail
Published: September 2022

Vulvar pruritus with external rash in postmenopausal women on sodium-glucose cotransporter receptor-2 inhibitors may indicate vulvovaginal candidiasis, which requires early yeast culture for prompt diagnosis and management.

Objective/Purpose

We present a case series of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC) secondary to sodium-glucose cotransporter receptor-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor-induced glucosuria in postmenopausal women that resulted in extensive vulvar skin involvement.

Materials and Methods

We describe 5 cases of RVVC presenting primarily with vulvar pruritus and external rash, in type 2 diabetic, postmenopausal women on SGLT2 inhibitor therapy. This work was exempt from institutional review board approval in compliance with the university guidelines for determining human subject research. All patients consented to the use of pictures for educational and research purposes.

Results

All patients developed RVVC, with vulvar cultures positive for Candida albicans and resolution of symptoms after treatment with oral fluconazole. All patients presented primarily with severe vulvar pruritus that developed after beginning treatment with SGLT2 inhibitors (range: 4 wk–16 mo). Given the intermittent nature of symptoms, variable degree of activity at presentation, lack of vaginal discharge, atypical population, and extensive skin involvement, RVVC was not considered initially. Three patients were misdiagnosed with lichen sclerosus and treated with topical steroids, which may have allowed for disease progression. Two patients were prescribed topical estrogen creams for presumed vaginal atrophy. One patient was misdiagnosed with improper vulvar hygiene and neuropathic itch. Because of these diagnostic missteps, 4 patients endured symptomatically for extended periods (range: 2–6 years) without adequate treatment. Four patients have discontinued their SGLT2 inhibitor, all with resolution of vulvar symptoms.

Conclusions

Postmenopausal, diabetic women taking SGLT2 inhibitors presenting with vulvar pruritus and rash require early evaluation for RVVC to prevent misdiagnoses and need for diabetic medication alterations.
Impact of intensive rehabilitation on long-term prognosis after stroke: A Korean nationwide retrospective cohort study
Authors: Yoo Dong-Yup , Choi Jung-Kyu , Baek Chang-Yoon , Shin Jung-Bin
Published: September 2022

An increasing number of patients are receiving rehabilitation after stroke. But the impact of intensive rehabilitation on the long-term prognosis of patients with stroke remains to be elucidated. The purpose of this study was to identify the impact of intensive rehabilitation on the long-term prognosis of patients with stroke using data from the National Health Insurance Service database. This is a register-based, retrospective cohort study. Using data from the National Health Insurance Service database, we included the patients who received rehabilitation for stroke from 2006 to 2013. Of the 14,984 patients diagnosed with stroke, 2483 died within 1 year, and 2866 did not receive rehabilitation; hence, they were also excluded. The final sample included 9635 (49.2% men, 50.8% women) patients. After correcting for covariates, the Cox model was used to evaluate the effects of physical therapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT) on survival. We estimated the independent contribution of each factor to the risk of death from the initiation of rehabilitation. Significant differences in mortality were observed according to age, Charlson comorbidity index (CCI), income level, and stroke type. Patients with stroke who received both PT and OT had a better long-term prognosis than those who received either treatment alone. Therapy performed by a physical therapist with more than 120 hours of training effectively improved the patients’ long-term prognosis. Intensive PT and OT will help improve the long-term prognosis of patients with stroke. This study emphasizes the importance of intensive rehabilitation in these patients.
Comparison of 68Ga-FAPI and 18F-FDG PET/CT in Finger Hidradenocarcinoma
Authors: Wang Jie , Wu Junhao , Guan Yihui , Xu Jing , Xie Fang
Published: September 2022

We report a case of hidradenocarcinoma, which showed only slight 18F-FDG uptake. However, the rare sweat gland tumor demonstrated intense tracer uptake on 68Ga-FAPI PET/CT. This case demonstrates the potential value of 68Ga-FAPI PET/CT for the evaluation of hidradenocarcinoma.
Power requirements for bat-inspired flapping flight with heavy, highly articulated and cambered wings
Authors: Fan Xiaozhou , Swartz Sharon , Breuer Kenneth
Published: September 2022

Bats fly with highly articulated and heavy wings. To understand their power requirements, we develop a three-dimensional reduced-order model, and apply it to flights of
Cynopterus brachyotis
, the lesser dog-faced fruit bat. Using previously measured wing kinematics, the model computes aerodynamic forces using blade element momentum theory, and incorporates inertial forces of the flapping wing using the measured mass distribution of the membrane wing and body. The two are combined into a Lagrangian equation of motion, and we performed Monte Carlo simulations to address uncertainties in measurement errors and modelling assumptions. We find that the camber of the armwing decreases with flight speed whereas the handwing camber is more independent of speed. Wing camber disproportionately impacts energetics, mainly during the downstroke, and increases the power requirement from 8% to 22% over flight speed
U
= 3.2–7.4 m s
−1
. We separate total power into aerodynamic and inertial components, and aerodynamic power into parasitic, profile and induced power, and find strong agreement with previous theoretical and experimental studies. We find that inertia of wings help to balance aerodynamic forces, alleviating the muscle power required for weight support and thrust generation. Furthermore, the model suggests aerodynamic forces assist in lifting the heavy wing during upstroke.
Privacy and contact tracing efficacy
Authors: Benthall Sebastian , Hatna Erez , Epstein Joshua M. , Strandburg Katherine J.
Published: September 2022

As the COVID-19 pandemic emerged, public health authorities and software designers considered the possibility that smartphones could be used for contact tracing to control disease spread. Smartphone-based contact tracing was attractive in part because it promised to allow the tracing of contacts that might not be reported using traditional contact tracing methods. Comprehensive contact tracing raises distinctive privacy concerns, however, that have not been previously explored. Contacts outside of an individual’s ordinary social network are more likely to be privacy-sensitive, making fear that such contacts will be disclosed a potential disincentive to adoption of smartphone contact tracing. Here, we modify the standard SEIR infectious disease transmission model to incorporate contact tracing and perform a series of simulations aimed at studying the importance of tracing socially distant (and potentially privacy-sensitive) contacts. We find that, for a simple model network, ensuring that distant contacts are traced is surprisingly unimportant as long as contact tracing adoption is sufficiently high. These results suggest that policy-makers designing contact tracing systems should be willing to trade off comprehensiveness for more widespread adoption.
Bioapatite in shark centra studied by wide-angle and by small-angle X-ray scattering
Authors: Park J. S. , Almer J. D. , James K. C. , Natanson L. J. , Stock S. R.
Published: September 2022

Members of subclass Elasmobranchii possess cartilage skeletons; the centra of many species are mineralized with a bioapatite, but virtually nothing is known about the mineral's organization. This study employed high-energy, small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS, i.e. X-ray diffraction) to investigate the bioapatite crystallography within blocks cut from centra of four species (two carcharhiniform families, one lamniform family and 1-ID of the Advanced Photon Source). All species' crystallographic quantities closely matched and indicated a bioapatite closely related to that in bone. The centra's lattice parameters
a
and
c
were somewhat smaller and somewhat larger, respectively, than in bone. Nanocrystallite sizes (WAXS peak widths) in shark centra were larger than typical of bone, and little microstrain was observed. Compared with bone, shark centra exhibited SAXS
D
-period peaks with larger
D
magnitudes, and
D
-period arcs with narrower azimuthal widths. The shark mineral phase, therefore, is closely related to that in bone but does possess real differences which probably affect mechanical property and which are worth further study.
Modelling membrane curvature generation using mechanics and machine learning
Authors: Malingen S. A. , Rangamani P.
Published: September 2022

The deformation of cellular membranes regulates trafficking processes, such as exocytosis and endocytosis. Classically, the Helfrich continuum model is used to characterize the forces and mechanical parameters that cells tune to accomplish membrane shape changes. While this classical model effectively captures curvature generation, one of the core challenges in using it to approximate a biological process is selecting a set of mechanical parameters (including bending modulus and membrane tension) from a large set of reasonable values. We used the Helfrich model to generate a large synthetic dataset from a random sampling of realistic mechanical parameters and used this dataset to train machine-learning models. These models produced promising results, accurately classifying model behaviour and predicting membrane shape from mechanical parameters. We also note emerging methods in machine learning that can leverage the physical insight of the Helfrich model to improve performance and draw greater insight into how cells control membrane shape change.
Pruning deficits of the developing
Drosophila
mushroom body result in mild impairment in associative odour learning and cause hyperactivity
Authors: Poppinga Haiko , Çoban Büşra , Meltzer Hagar , Mayseless Oded , Widmann Annekathrin , Schuldiner Oren , Fiala André
Published: September 2022

The principles of how brain circuits establish themselves during development are largely conserved across animal species. Connections made during embryonic development that are appropriate for an early life stage are frequently remodelled later in ontogeny via pruning and subsequent regrowth to generate adult-specific connectivity. The mushroom body of the fruit fly
Drosophila melanogaster
is a well-established model circuit for examining the cellular mechanisms underlying neurite remodelling. This central brain circuit integrates sensory information with learned and innate valences to adaptively instruct behavioural decisions. Thereby, the mushroom body organizes adaptive behaviour, such as associative learning. However, little is known about the specific aspects of behaviour that require mushroom body remodelling. Here, we used genetic interventions to prevent the intrinsic neurons of the larval mushroom body (γ-type Kenyon cells) from remodelling. We asked to what degree remodelling deficits resulted in impaired behaviour. We found that deficits caused hyperactivity and mild impairment in differential aversive olfactory learning, but not appetitive learning. Maintenance of circadian rhythm and sleep were not affected. We conclude that neurite pruning and regrowth of γ-type Kenyon cells is not required for the establishment of circuits that mediate associative odour learning
per se
, but it does improve distinct learning tasks.
Maternal diabetes negatively impacts fetal health
Authors: González Corona Cecilia , Parchem Ronald J.
Published: September 2022

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease affecting an increasing number of people. Although diabetes has negative health outcomes for diagnosed individuals, a population at particular risk are pregnant women, as diabetes impacts not only a pregnant woman's health but that of her child. In this review, we cover the current knowledge and unanswered questions on diabetes affecting an expectant mother, focusing on maternal and fetal outcomes.
Characterization and structure of the human lysine-2-oxoglutarate reductase domain, a novel therapeutic target for treatment of glutaric aciduria type 1
Authors: Leandro João , Khamrui Susmita , Suebsuwong Chalada , Chen Peng-Jen , Secor Cody , Dodatko Tetyana , Yu Chunli , Sanchez Roberto , DeVita Robert J. , Houten Sander M. , Lazarus Michael B.
Published: September 2022

In humans, a single enzyme 2-aminoadipic semialdehyde synthase (AASS) catalyses the initial two critical reactions in the lysine degradation pathway. This enzyme evolved to be a bifunctional enzyme with both lysine-2-oxoglutarate reductase (LOR) and saccharopine dehydrogenase domains (SDH). Moreover, AASS is a unique drug target for inborn errors of metabolism such as glutaric aciduria type 1 that arise from deficiencies downstream in the lysine degradation pathway. While work has been done to elucidate the SDH domain structurally and to develop inhibitors, neither has been done for the LOR domain. Here, we purify and characterize LOR and show that it is activated by alkylation of cysteine 414 by N-ethylmaleimide. We also provide evidence that AASS is rate-limiting upon high lysine exposure of mice. Finally, we present the crystal structure of the human LOR domain. Our combined work should enable future efforts to identify inhibitors of this novel drug target.
Vertical transmission and seasonal dimorphism of eriophyoid mites (Acariformes, Eriophyoidea) parasitic on the Norway maple: a case study
Authors: Chetverikov Philipp E. , Klimov Pavel B. , He Qixin
Published: September 2022

Eriophyoid mites are highly host-specific, microscopic phytoparasites that primarily disperse to new hosts passively via wind. This seems paradoxical, as the likelihood of landing on an appropriate host species needed to survive appears low. Here we investigate two eriophyoids found on the Norway maple
Acer platanoides
:
Aceria platanoidea
and
Shevtchenkella serrata
. For 14 months, we observed mite phenotypical changes and micro-habitat distribution on host plants and their propagules. Both mite species hibernate on twigs or samaras fallen on the ground, and, in the spring, feed on buds or seedlings, respectively. This apparently novel association with plant seeds indicates that the mites can exploit the host dispersal mechanism and colonize the next generation of hosts (vertical transmission). Our seasonal and DNA sequence data also indicate that
S. serrata
has two distinct morphotypes that partially overlap seasonally. This work can provide new insights into the dispersal routes of eriophyoid mites and transmission patterns of plant pathogens vectored by these mites, with implications for better pest mite species control.
Paracoccus everestensis sp. nov., a novel bacterium with great antioxidant capacity isolated from the north slope of Mount Everest
Authors: Cui Xiaowen , Liu Yang , Xu Yajie , Chen Tuo , Zhang Songlin , Wang Jinxiu , Yang Ruiqi , Liu Guangxiu , Zhang Wei , Zhang Gaosen
Published: September 2022

A bacterial strain, designated S8-55T, was isolated from moraine samples collected from the north slope of Mount Everest at an altitude of 5 500 m above sea level. The purpose of this study was to describe a novel species and its characteristics, through genome sequencing and analysis of the relationship between the members of the genus

Paracoccus

, and explore the antioxidant capacity of strain S8-55T. The polyphasic study confirmed the affiliation of strain S8-55T with the genus

Paracoccus

. Strain S8-55T was aerobic, Gram-negative and oxidase- and catalase positive. Cells were orange-pigmented, ellipsoid and had no spore formation, no flagella and no motility. Strain S8-55T grow at 10–37 °C, pH 7–11 and without NaCl. Ubiquinone 10 was its predominant respiratory menaquinone. The polar lipids of strain S8-55T were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, an unidentified phospholipid, an unidentified aminolipid and three unidentified lipids. Its major fatty acids were summed feature 8 (C18 : 1
 ω7c and/or C18 : 1
 ω6c). The G+C content was 64.3 mol%. The phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA sequence showed that strain S8-55T was closely related to

Paracoccus angustae

E6T (97.9 %),

Paracoccus aerius

011410T (97.9 %) and

Paracoccus hibisci

THG-T2.8T (97.8 %). The average nucleotide identity values among strain S8-55T and

P. angustae

CCTCC AB 2015056T,

P. aerius

KCTC 42845T and

P. hibisci

CCTCC AB 2016181T were 84.1, 84.5 and 76.3 %, respectively. The genome of strain S8-55T contained antioxidant genes such as oxyR, recD, katE, recD and rpoH. Based on its morphological, physiological and chemical taxonomic characteristics, strain S8-55T (=JCM 35 227T=GDMCC 1.3026T) should be classified as a novel species of the genus

Paracoccus

with the proposed name Paracoccus everestensis sp. nov.
A multi-functional survey of the properties of Lacticaseibacillus paracasei subsp. tolerans NOC-122, Levilactobacillus parabrevis NOC-111 and Latilactobacillus curvatus NOC-110
Authors: Özdemir Nilgün
Published: September 2022

This study aimed to reveal the physicochemical and organoleptic effects of three functional lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolates in a milk medium:

Lacticaseibacillus paracasei

subsp.

tolerans

NOC-122,

Levilactobacillus parabrevis

NOC-111 and

Latilactobacillus curvatus

NOC-110. A total of 200 indigenous LAB strains isolated from artisanal tulum cheeses were screened for potential proteolytic and lipolytic activity, citrate-lyase-synthesizing and exopolysaccharide-producing ability. Furthermore, a total of six fermented products were produced using these strains as a single culture or as a co-culture. The physicochemical and microbiological properties, angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitor activity, and the amino acid and volatile aroma compound profiles were determined. According to the results, NOC-110 and NOC-122 were effective in increasing ACE-inhibitory activity. On the other hand, NOC-122 was responsible for a fresh cheesy, slightly oily flavour when used as a single culture. NOC-111 gave a fresh, fruity and slightly herbal flavour; NOC-110 gave a flavour similar to that of NOC-122 when they were used as a single culture. Also, co-cultures of the strains were investigated. The results of the study provide a guide to the usability of these isolates as single or co-cultures in the production of dairy-based food. These findings can be of value for many future studies and innovative food products.
Population level genetic memory of prior metabolic adaptation inE. coli
Authors: Katz Sophia , Grajeda-Iglesias Claudia , Agranovich Bella , Ghrayeb Alia , Abramovich Ifat , Hilau Sabrin , Gottlieb Eyal , Hershberg Ruth
Published: September 2022

Bacteria must often survive following the exhaustion of their external growth resources. Fitting with this need, many bacterial species that cannot sporulate, can enter a state known as long term stationary phase (LTSP) in which they can persist for years within spent media. Several recent studies have revealed the dynamics of genetic adaptation ofEscherichia coliunder LTSP. Yet, the metabolic consequences of such genetic adaptation were not addressed. Here, we characterized the metabolic changes LTSP populations experience and link them to their genetic adaptation. We observed that during growth within fresh resourcesE. coliproduces the short chain fatty acid butyrate, which wildtypeE. colicannot consume. Once resources are otherwise exhausted,E. coliadapts genetically to consume butyrate through the convergent, temporally precise emergence of mutation combinations within genes that regulate fatty acid metabolism. These mutations appear to negatively affect bacterial fitness when butyrate is not available, and hence rapidly decrease in frequency, once all butyrate is consumed. Yet despite this,E. colipopulations show a remarkable capability of maintaining a population-level genetic ‘memory’ of prior adaptation to consume butyrate. The maintenance of such a ‘memory’ allows bacteria to rapidly re-adapt, at an ecological, rather than an evolutionary timeframe, to re-consume previously encountered metabolites.
Comprehensive stiffness analysis of the cylindrical roller bearing for aircraft engines considering the radial clearance
Authors: Ri CholUk , Namgung Hwan , Zhang Zhunhyok , Chae Chunghyok , Ri Kwangil , Ho Pongguk , Zhang Ryong
Published: September 2022

Purpose

The rotor system supported by the cylindrical roller bearings is widely used in various fields such as aviation, space and machinery due to its importance. In the study of the dynamic characteristics of the cylindrical roller bearings, it is important to accurately calculate the stiffness of the cylindrical roller bearings. The stiffness of the cylindrical roller bearings is very important in the analysis of the vibration characteristics of the rotor system. Therefore, in this paper, the method of creating a comprehensive stiffness model of the cylindrical roller bearing is mentioned. The purpose of this study is to improve the dynamic stability of the rotor system supported by the cylindrical roller bearing by accurately establishing the comprehensive stiffness calculation model of the cylindrical roller bearings.

Design/methodology/approach

In consideration of the radial clearance of the cylindrical roller bearing, the radial load acting on the cylindrical roller bearing was derived, and based on this, a model for calculating the Hertz contact stiffness of the cylindrical roller bearing was created. Based on the load considering the radial clearance, an oil film stiffness model of the cylindrical roller bearing was created under the elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) theory. Then, the comprehensive stiffness was calculated by combining Hertz contact stiffness and the oil film stiffness of the cylindrical roller bearing, and the dynamic parameters are calculated by using the MATLAB program.

Findings

When the radial clearance of the cylindrical roller bearing is considered, the comprehensive stiffness is larger than when the radial clearance is not taken into account, and the radial clearance of the cylindrical roller bearing is an important factor that directly affects the comprehensive stiffness of the cylindrical roller bearing.

Originality/value

In this paper, based on Hertz contact theory and the EHL theory, the authors investigated the method of creating a comprehensive stiffness model of the cylindrical roller bearing considering the radial clearance. These results will contribute to the theoretical basis for studying the mechanics of cylindrical roller bearings and optimizing their structures, and they will provide an important theoretical basis for analyzing the dynamic characteristics of the rotor system supported by the cylindrical roller bearing.
How does tenancy affect farmland prices? Effects of lease status, lease term and buyer type
Authors: Humpesch Maximilian , Seifert Stefan , Balmann Alfons , Hüttel Silke
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Lease contracts at the time of sale influence buyers' expectations about future returns of farmland ownership and may thus contribute to price dispersion. This paper investigates the conjecture that existing land lease contracts influence buyers' and sellers' costs of being information deficient and thus their bargaining position, their expectation formation about future returns, and thus ultimately the farmland price.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors link different levels of information, search, and bargaining costs to three buyer types and their land use intentions. Relying on a rich dataset of farmland transactions in the German Federal State of Saxony-Anhalt from 2014 to 2019, the authors use a hedonic pricing model to investigate five hypotheses applying multivariate one-sided tests.

Findings

The authors find buyer-specific effects related to lease status and lease term of a lot. Tenant buyers pay less than non-farmer buyers for leased lots, whereas non-tenant farmers pay a markup. While prices decrease for all buyer groups with an increasing lease term, this effect is the strongest for non-tenant farmer buyers. This study’s results suggest that an existing lease contract impacts buyers' costs of being information deficient, their bargaining positions and expectation formation, and ultimately the price discovery process.

Originality/value

To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that decomposes the effects of tenancy on farmland prices by buyer type and lease term. The study provides insights into price dispersion for identical characteristics of farmland and explains why empirical studies have found mixed or no empirical evidence that lease contracts influence the price discovery process.
Who one is, whom one knows? Evaluating the importance of personal and social characteristics of influential people in social networks
Authors: Hassanzadeh Mehdi , Taheri Mohammad , Shokouhyar Sajjad , Shokoohyar Sina
Published: September 2022

Purpose

This study examines opinion leadership's personal and social characteristics to see which one is more effective in opinion leadership in four different industries: fashion, travel and tourism, wellness and book and literature. The specific subject of this investigation is how largely openness, exhibitionism and competence in interpersonal relationships and status and attitude homophily affect the opinion leadership and the decision-making of opinion leaders' followers.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed model was tested with the questionnaire shared via stories featured on Instagram among followers of four micro-influencers in different industries. For the purpose of testing the offered hypotheses of this study, the partial least squares method was used.

Findings

The findings show that openness, exhibitionism and competence in interpersonal relationships have a substantial effect on opinion leadership. It was also evident that status and attitude homophily impact opinion leadership. The model supports the effect of both personal and social characteristics on opinion leadership; however, based on the results, the effect of personal characteristics on opinion leadership is more remarkable, both in a direct relationship and through the mediating role of para-social interaction.

Originality/value

This study is novel in categorizing opinion leaders' attributes in two different extents of personal and social characteristics. The authors defined a model of the effectiveness of each personal and social characteristic on opinion leaders. The model investigates whether the personal or social characteristics have the most effect on opinion leadership, particularly with the mediating role of para-social interaction.
Researching ethnic minority lives in multicultural contexts: a methodological inquiry in acculturation
Authors: Karim Shahid , Hue Ming Tak
Published: September 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to outline the experience of choosing an appropriate methodology from the potential qualitative methods for studying acculturative experiences amongst a group of non-Chinese young people in Hong Kong. It delineates the reasons for choosing phenomenography for researching their lived acculturative experiences. The paper also briefly explains the advantages of phenomenographic research and advocates it as a potential qualitative method for investigating diverse trajectories of acculturative experiences amongst ethnic minority/immigrant populations in multicultural contexts.

Design/methodology/approach

Researchers have investigated the acculturation of immigrant youth across settlement societies using different theoretical frameworks, approaches, scales, surveys and questionnaires. However, little attention has been given to the research methodologies that focus on lived human experiences across acculturating groups. By adopting an integrative literature review approach, this paper examines phenomenography as one of the potential qualitative research methods to explore ethnic minority lives in multicultural contexts.

Findings

Given that acculturation is a heterogeneous social phenomenon, phenomenography can help address the issues and limitations inherent to the traditional methodological approaches to studying acculturation amongst youth with ethnic minority and immigrant backgrounds.

Practical implications

Researchers in comparative, intercultural and multicultural education may benefit from phenomenography by exploring the different ways immigrants and ethnic minority populations experience acculturation in multicultural contexts.

Originality/value

This paper outlines the authors' first-hand experiences who sought to identify an appropriate qualitative research method for studying acculturative experiences amongst a group of non-Chinese secondary school students in Hong Kong. Based on their extensive research experiences in the interpretative research tradition, the authors propose phenomenography as a promising method for exploring the diverse trajectories of acculturation amongst ethnic minority and immigrant youth in multicultural contexts.
Construction of the PSO-LSSVM prediction model for sleeve pattern dimensions based on garment flat recognition
Authors: Li Tao , Lyu Yexin , Guo Ziyi , Du Lei , Zou Fengyuan
Published: September 2022

Purpose

The main purpose is to construct the mapping relationship between garment flat and pattern. Particle swarm optimization–least-squares support vector machine (PSO-LSSVM), the data-driven model, is proposed for predicting the pattern design dimensions based on small sample sizes by digitizing the experience of the patternmakers.

Design/methodology/approach

For this purpose, the sleeve components were automatically localized and segmented from the garment flat by the Mask R-CNN. The sleeve flat measurements were extracted by the Douglas–Peucker algorithm. Then, the PSO algorithm was used to optimize the LSSVM parameters. PSO-LSSVM was trained by utilizing the experience of patternmakers.

Findings

The experimental results demonstrated that the PSO-LSSVM model can effectively improve the generation ability and prediction accuracy in pattern design dimensions, even with small sample sizes. The mean square error could reach 1.057 ± 0.06. The fluctuation range of absolute error was smaller than the others such as pure LSSVM, backpropagation and radial basis function prediction models.

Originality/value

By constructing the mapping relationship between sleeve flat and pattern, the problems of the garment flat objective recognition and pattern design dimensions accurate prediction were solved. Meanwhile, the proposed method overcomes the problem that the parameters are determined by PSO rather than empirically. This framework could be extended to other garment components.
Do virtues matter? Accounting ethics education in Hong Kong
Authors: Cheung Rachel Wai-Yi , Agrawal Rakesh Kumar , Choudhry Sachin
Published: September 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is twofold: to investigate the correlation between the perception of respondent accountants (N = 164) on ethics elements and their demographic factors and to examine the gap between the expectations of employers (accountants) and the coverage of ethics in the education of professional accountants.

Design/methodology/approach

Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used to collect the data. An analysis of the relevant documents (syllabi and codes of ethics) was conducted to generate and group appropriate items that represent ethics themes. This led to 17 themes such as integrity, conflict of interest, ethics theories and resolving ethical dilemma. Using inputs from the qualitative study and relevant literature, a questionnaire was framed for the quantitative phase of this study.

Findings

Within accounting ethics education, more emphasis and awareness is required on the themes of integrity, independence, corruption and insider trading. Four categories emerge for the ethics themes related to education in accounting: “Integrity to Accounting Profession”, “Regulatory Compliance”, “Practical Ethical Issues” and “Sense of Responsibility”. The results of this study reveal there are gaps between ethics education and accountants’ expectations. It is found that accountants perceive more virtue-related elements be put in accounting education.

Practical implications

This study will make accounting educators, accountants and accounting professional associations to be more aware and work together to bridge this gap as well as contribute to a more effective ethics education for accountants in Hong Kong.

Originality/value

End of education is character and not merely the acquisition of intellectual prowess. With Aristotle’s wisdom and the learnings from the many corporate scandals, it would be safe to conclude that education should result in nurturing hearts and character and not just the transfer of worldly knowledge. While there are many studies focusing on perceptions about ethics, ethics education of business students or academics, there are hardly any studies available on accounting professionals’ perceptions on ethics education, especially in Hong Kong. The authors found that accountants want more virtue-related ethics elements included in accounting education.
Amenity mix of innovation districts
Authors: Taecharungroj Viriya , Millington Steve
Published: September 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare and contrast amenity mixes of innovation districts worldwide and to identify the types of amenities in the districts.

Design/methodology/approach

Urban amenity data were collected from Google Maps as 31,236 points of interest (POIs) in 24 innovation districts. The data were compared and categorised based on the density and diversity of amenity mixes using correspondence analysis. An overall amenity space of the 24 innovation districts was created using correlation and social network analyses.

Findings

This study found that innovation districts have broad ranges of diversity and density. Five groups were identified by correspondence analysis, including retail, foodie, balanced, emerging and health-care districts. The amenity space of innovation districts created using correlation and social network analyses categorised amenities into four broad types – necessary, anchor, vibrant and contextual amenities – based on eigenvector centrality scores and density.

Practical implications

To improve their innovation districts, managers are encouraged to create a foundation of innovations with anchor amenities, to ensure the “live-work-play” environment with necessary amenities, to foster buzz and vibes with vibrant amenities and to strengthen the identity and authenticity with contextual amenities.

Originality/value

Despite some understanding, no previous research has thoroughly analysed the amenities available in innovation districts. This study is the first to comprehensively explore the amenities in innovation districts using data from Google Maps. Place managers can use the method introduced in this research to analyse innovation districts and other kinds of places.
The effectiveness of founder signals and firm performance during the IPO process
Authors: Galloway Tera L. , Miller Douglas R.
Published: September 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the impact of a firm’s governance characteristics on the signals released during the initial public offering (IPO) process. This paper focuses on the role of the firm’s founder and how different signals convey or diminish agency issues of adverse selection and moral hazard prior to IPO. This study also explores the performance impact (underpricing) of firm founder involvement on signal effectiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper examines 122 firms during the IPO process to determine the influence that the founder’s presence, position and ownership has on signaling behaviors as well as on firm performance.

Findings

The authors find that founders influence how often the firm files amendments to the prospectus. Furthermore, the results suggest that agency-reducing signals are complicated and can interact to enhance either positive or negative signals that impact underpricing at IPO.

Research limitations/implications

The findings offer insights concerning how signalers can more effectively manage multiple signals that may interact negatively with firm characteristics. This study also provides contributions to both signaling and agency theories, discusses implications for practitioners and suggests opportunities for future research.

Practical implications

This has important implications for founders and managers of firms approaching IPO. The results suggest that founders are better off filing fewer addendums to their S-1 during the IPO process as this decreases underpricing. Underwriters and investors will be interested in these outcomes as identifying signals is an important factor when pricing firm valuation. Similarly, investors seek to identify firms that have a higher likelihood of underpricing because underpricing increases investor recognition and subsequent long-term impact on performance.

Originality/value

The findings offer insights concerning how signalers can more effectively manage multiple signals that may interact negatively with firm characteristics. The authors extend research in entrepreneurship and marketing by exploring indirect ways firms can communicate to investors using signaling, to increase value during the IPO process. This study provides contributions to both signaling and agency theories, discusses implications for practitioners and suggests opportunities for future research.
Morally transgressive companies and sustainable guidelines: seeking redemption or abusing trust?
Authors: Munaier Christian Gomes-e-Souza , Miyazaki Fernando Rejani , Mazzon José Afonso
Published: September 2022

Purpose

This study aims to evaluate the impact of a sustainable production action on consumer trust and purchase intention by a company involved in moral transgression and also analyze the effect on consumer trust and purchase intention if a company, after green marketing, is identified as greenwashing spreader.

Design/methodology/approach

This quantitative nature (n = 121) study uses scale’s discriminant and convergent validity analyses, structural equation modeling and Student’s t-test.

Findings

Even for previously morally transgressive brands, actions of social legitimation, such as embracing environmental causes, positively impact consumer trust and purchase intention. However, consumers drop brand trust and purchase intention when verifying that this action was greenwashing.

Research limitations/implications

Mediating or moderating variables of ecological awareness, such as religiosity or political view, were not tested.

Practical implications

This article combines the impact of positive, sustainable management actions for morally transgressive companies and the effects of new transgression on their sustainable management action. Thus, it aims to reduce the gap between organizational practice and management research.

Social implications

This article shows that embracing society’s emerging causes and helping the world be a better place to live, moving toward the 2030 United Nations agenda, have practical repercussions for organizations.

Originality/value

This article contributes both to the literature and managerial implications by combining the impact of positive, sustainable management actions for morally transgressive companies and the effects of new transgression on their sustainable management action, thus reducing the gap between management research and organizational practice by unveiling the relations between sustainable actions and their perceived consequences.
Would Mondelez branch out into plant-based products in India?
Authors: K.R. Senthilvelkumar
Published: September 2022

Research methodology

Prepared based on Secondary Sources of Published Information.

Case overview/synopsis

Mondelez International launched Cadbury Plant Bar in UK in 2021. It was a plant-based chocolate made using almond milk as a substitute to the conventional product to target vegan consumers. The Indian subsidiary of Mondelez International, always known for its various dairy-based products, had many sub-brands in chocolates and related categories, which were targeted at children and adults effectively. Though the company had been the market leader for about 60 years, it was yet to plan for the launch of any vegan products in the country. However, there were several new marketers who had proactively launched their respective vegan products in India, whereas large companies like Mondelez were shying away from plunging into this game. This case explores the market available for Cadbury Plant Bar in India and whether Mondelez can introduce a similar version in India.

Complexity academic level

The case is suitable for use in the Marketing Management course of MBA programmes. It can also be used in elective courses related to Brand Management and Integrated Marketing Communication.
Zooplankton act as cruise ships promoting the survival and pathogenicity of pathogenic bacteria
Authors: Perera Ishara U. , Fujiyoshi So , Nishiuchi Yukiko , Nakai Toshihiro , Maruyama Fumito
Published: September 2022

Bacteria in general interact with zooplankton in aquatic ecosystems. These zooplankton–bacterial interactions help to shape the bacterial community by regulating bacterial abundances. Such interactions are even more significant and crucially in need of investigation in the case of pathogenic bacteria, which cause severe diseases in humans and animals. Among the many associations between a host metazoan and pathogenic bacteria, zooplankton provide nutrition and protection from stressful conditions, promote the horizontal transfer of virulence genes, and act as a mode of pathogen transport. These interactions allow the pathogen to survive and proliferate in aquatic environments and to endure water treatment processes, thereby creating a potential risk to human health. This review highlights current knowledge on the contributions of zooplankton to the survival and pathogenicity of pathogenic bacteria. We also discuss the need to consider these interactions as a risk factor in water treatment processes.
No consistent association between patient‐reported outcome measures and coronal alignment following total knee arthroplasty: a narrative review
Authors: Blight Thomas J. , Choong Peter F. M.
Published: September 2022

Background

Total knee arthroplasty is a common procedure for treating knee conditions; however, significant proportions of patients report dissatisfaction post‐operatively. Recent data suggests accurate coronal alignment may not be essential for optimizing prosthesis functionality and survivorship. This narrative review utilized a systematic approach to analyse the literature comparing post‐operative coronal alignment and PROMs following knee replacement.

Methods

A systematic search of MEDLINE was utilized to identify publications that directly compare the relationship between coronal alignment and PROMs.

Results

Thirty‐one eligible publications were identified. Variability in both study design and findings were observed, with no studies being without risk of bias.

Conclusion

Given this variability and lack of consensus among the reported publications, current literature is ill‐equipped to describe the exact nature of the relationship between coronal alignment and PROMs following TKA. Further research would ideally utilize both validated generic, and knee‐specific PROMs, make use of pre‐operative outcome data, and standardized follow‐up to develop reliable assessments of coronal alignment and its impact upon both functionality and quality of life.