bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Why does left ventricular distension usually not occur in veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation?
Authors: Myneni Manoj , Cheema Faisal , Rajagopal Keshava
Published: August 2022

Objectives

Using a lumped parameter-based theoretical circulatory model, we sought to examine the potential effects of veno-arterial (V-A) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support on coronary blood flow and resultant left ventricular (LV) contractility.

Background

Previous theoretical studies have suggested that V-A ECMO support results in markedly increased left ventricular intracavity pressures and volumes, i.e., not only inadequate unloading, but exacerbated loading. However, this phenomenon of LV distension occurs only uncommonly in clinical scenarios. This discrepancy between previous theoretical work and clinical experience requires explanation.

Methods

We defined a piecewise linear relation between the end-systolic pressure and volume of the ventricles to simulate ascending and descending limbs of the Frank-Starling relationship. A linear relationship between coronary blood flow rate and left ventricular contractility was added, defining the so-called “Gregg effect”.

Results

LV systolic dysfunction resulted in reduced coronary blood flow; V-A ECMO support augmented coronary blood flow, proportionally to the circuit flow rate. On V-A ECMO support, a weak or absent Gregg effect resulted in increased LV end-diastolic pressures and volumes, and increased end-systolic volume with decreased LV ejection fraction (LVEF), consistent with LV distension. In contrast, a more robust Gregg effect resulted in unaffected and/or even reduced LV end-diastolic pressure and volume, end-systolic volume, and unaffected or even increased LVEF.

Conclusions

In this lumped parameter model-based theoretical study, V-A ECMO support was found to augment coronary arterial blood flow. A resultant proportional augmentation of LV contractility may be an important contributory mechanism underlying why LV distension is uncommon in the setting of V-A ECMO support.
COVID-19 illness, SARS-CoV2 infection, and subsequent suicidal ideation in the French nationwide population-based EpiCov cohort : a propensity score analysis of more than 50,000 individuals
Authors: Davisse-Paturet Camille , Orri Massimiliano , Legleye Stéphane , Florence Aline-Marie , Hazo Jean-Baptiste , Warszawski Josiane , Falissard Bruno , Geoffroy Marie-Claude , Melchior Maria , Rouquette Alexandra ,   the EPICOV study group
Published: August 2022

Symptomatic COVID-19 appears to be associated with suicidal ideation but longitudinal evidence is still scarce. SARS-CoV2-induced neurological damages might underline this association, but findings are inconsistent. We therefore investigated the association between COVID-19 disease and subsequent suicidal ideation in the general population, using both self-reported symptoms and serology as well as inverse probability weighting to draw as near as possible to the direct association.

Using data from the nationwide French EpiCov cohort, COVID-19 disease was assessed through 1) COVID-19 illness (self-reported symptoms of sudden loss of taste/smell or fever alongside cough, shortness of breath or chest oppression, between February and November 2020), and 2) SARS-CoV2 infection (Spike protein ELISA test screening in dried-blood-spot samples). Suicidal ideation was self-reported between December 2020 and July 2021. Inverse probability weighting with propensity scores was used as an adjustment strategy, leading to balanced sociodemographic and health-related factors between the exposed and non-exposed groups of both COVID-19 disease measures. Then, modified Poisson regression models were used to investigate the association of COVID-19 illness and SARS-CoV2 infection with subsequent suicidal ideation.

Among 52,050 participants from the EpiCov cohort, 1.68% [1.54% - 1.82%] reported suicidal ideation in the first half of 2021, 9.57% [9.24% – 9.90%] had a SARS-CoV2 infection in 2020 and 13.23% [12.86% – 13.61%] reported COVID-19 symptoms in 2020. COVID-19 illness in 2020 was associated with higher risks of subsequent suicidal ideation in the first half of 2021 (Relative Riskipw [CI95%]= 1.43 [1.20 – 1.69]) while SARS-CoV2 infection in 2020 was not (RRipw = 0.88 [0.69 – 1.12]).

If COVID-19 illness was associated with subsequent suicidal ideation, the exact role of SARS-CoV2 infection with respect to suicide risk has yet to be clarified. Psychological support should be offered to persons recovering from symptomatic COVID-19 in order to minimize suicidal ideation risk. Moreover, if such psychological support is to be implemented, serology status alone does not seem a relevant criterion to define persons who suffered from COVID-19 to prioritize.
Reactive Inhibitory Control Precedes Overt Stuttering Events
Authors: Orpella Joan , Flick Graham , Assaneo M. Florencia , Pylkkänen Liina , Poeppel David , Jackson Eric S.
Published: August 2022

Research points to neurofunctional differences underlying fluent speech between stutterers and non-stutterers. Considerably less work has focused on processes that underlie stuttered vs. fluent speech. Additionally, most of this research has focused on speech motor processes despite contributions from cognitive processes that occur prior to the onset of stuttered speech. We used MEG to test the hypothesis that reactive inhibitory control is triggered prior to stuttered speech. Twenty-nine stutterers completed a delayed-response task that featured a cue (prior to a go cue) signaling the imminent requirement to produce a word that was either stuttered or fluent. Consistent with our hypothesis, we observed increased beta power in the R-preSMA –an area implicated in reactive inhibitory control– in response to the cue preceding stuttered vs. fluent productions. Beta power differences between stuttered and fluent trials correlated with stuttering severity and participants’ percentage of trials stuttered increased exponentially with beta power in the R-preSMA. Trial-by-trial beta power modulations in the R-preSMA following the cue predicted whether a trial would be stuttered or fluent. Stuttered trials were also associated with delayed speech onset suggesting an overall slowing or freezing of the speech motor system that may be a consequence of inhibitory control. Post-hoc analyses revealed that independently-generated anticipated words were associated with greater beta power and more stuttering than researcher-assisted anticipated words, pointing to a relationship between self-perceived likelihood of stuttering (i.e., anticipation) and inhibitory control. This work offers a neurocognitive account of stuttering by characterizing the cognitive processes that precede overt stuttering events.
DNA Origami Presenting the Receptor Binding Domain of SARS-CoV-2 Elicit Robust Protective Immune Response
Authors: Oktay Esra , Alem Farhang , Hernandez Keziah , Narayanan Aarthi , Veneziano Remi
Published: August 2022

Effective and safe vaccines are invaluable tools in the arsenal to fight infectious diseases. The rapid spreading of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) responsible of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has highlighted the need to develop methods for rapid and efficient vaccine development. DNA origami nanoparticles (DNA-NPs) presenting multiple antigens in prescribed nanoscale patterns have recently emerged as a safe, efficient, and easily scalable alternative for rational design of vaccines. Here, we are leveraging the unique properties of these DNA-NPs and demonstrate that precisely patterning ten copies of a reconstituted trimer of the receptor binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 along with CpG adjuvants on the DNA-NPs is able to elicit a robust protective immunity against SARS-CoV-2 in a mouse model. Our results demonstrate the potential of our DNA-NP-based approach for developing safe and effective nanovaccines against infectious diseases.
Comparison of the human’s and camel’s erythrocyte deformability by optical tweezers and Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Pesen Tuna , Haydaroglu Mete , Capar Simal , Unlu Mehmet Burcin , Parlatan Ugur
Published: August 2022

The evolution of red blood cells (RBCs) or erythrocytes has led to variation in morphological and mechanical properties of these cells among many species today. Camelids have the most different RBC characteristics among the vertebrates. As a result of adaptation to the desert environment, camelid RBCs can expand twice as much of their total volume in the case of rapid hydration yet are almost undeformable under mechanical stress. In this work, the difference between cell features of the human and the camelid species was explored both mechanically and chemically with optical tweezers and Raman spectroscopy, respectively. We measured the deformability of camel RBCs relative to the human RBCs at the single-cell level using optical tweezers. We found that the deformability index (DI) of the camel and the human RBCs were 0.024±0.0188 and 0.215±0.061, respectively. Raman spectral analysis of the whole blood of these two species indicated that some of the Raman peaks observed on the camel’s blood spectrum were absent on the human blood’s spectrum, which further points to the difference in chemical contents of these two species.
Change the direction: 3D optimal control simulation by directly tracking marker and ground reaction force data
Authors: Nitschke Marlies , Marzilger Robert , Leyendecker Sigrid , Eskofier Bjoern M. , Koelewijn Anne D.
Published: August 2022

Optimal control simulations of musculoskeletal models can be used to reconstruct motions measured with optical motion capture to estimate joint and muscle kinematics and kinetics. These simulations are mutually and dynamically consistent, in contrast to traditional inverse methods. Commonly, optimal control simulations are generated by tracking generalized coordinates in combination with ground reaction forces. The generalized coordinates are estimated from marker positions using, for example, inverse kinematics. Hence, inaccuracies in the estimated coordinates are tracked in the simulation. We developed an approach to reconstruct arbitrary motions, such as change of direction motions, using optimal control simulations of 3D full-body musculoskeletal models by directly tracking marker and ground reaction force data. For evaluation, we recorded three trials each of straight running, curved running, and a v-cut for 10 participants. We reconstructed the recordings with marker tracking simulations, coordinate tracking simulations, and inverse kinematics and dynamics. First, we analyzed the convergence of the simulations and found that the wall time increased three to four times when using marker tracking compared to coordinate tracking. Then, we compared the marker trajectories, ground reaction forces, pelvis translations, joint angles, and joint moments between the three reconstruction methods. Root mean squared deviations between measured and estimated marker positions were smallest for inverse kinematics (e.g., 7.6 ± 5.1 mm for v-cut). However, measurement noise and soft tissue artifacts are likely also tracked in inverse kinematics, meaning that this approach does not reflect a gold standard. Marker tracking simulations resulted in slightly higher root mean squared marker deviations (e.g., 9.5 ± 6.2 mm for v-cut) than inverse kinematics. In contrast, coordinate tracking resulted in deviations that were nearly twice as high (e.g., 16.8 ± 10.5 mm for v-cut). Joint angles from coordinate tracking followed the estimated joint angles from inverse kinematics more closely than marker tracking (e.g., root mean squared deviation of 1.4 ± 1.8 deg vs. 3.5 ± 4.0 deg for v-cut). However, we did not have a gold standard measurement of the joint angles, so it is unknown if this larger deviation means the solution is less accurate. In conclusion, we showed that optimal control simulations of change of direction running motions can be created by tracking marker and ground reaction force data. Marker tracking considerably improved marker accuracy compared to coordinate tracking. Therefore, we recommend reconstructing movements by directly tracking marker data in the optimal control simulation when precise marker tracking is required.
Abscisic acid plays a key role in the regulation of date palm fruit ripening
Authors: Elbar Saar , Maytal Yochai , David Isaac , Carmeli-Weissberg Mira , Shaya Felix , Barnea-Danino Yaara , Bustan Amnon , Harpaz-Saad Smadar
Published: August 2022

The date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) fruit is of major importance for the nutrition of broad populations in the world’s desert strip; yet this crop is sorely understudied. Understanding the mechanisms regulating date fruit development and ripening is essential to customise this crop to the climatic change, which elaborates yield losses due to often too early occurring wet season. This study aimed to elucidate the mechanism regulating date fruit ripening. To that end, we followed the natural process of date fruit development and the effects of exogenous hormone application on fruit ripening in the elite cultivar ‘Medjool’. The results of the current study indicate that the onset of fruit ripening occurred once the seed had reached maximum dry weight. From this point until fruit harvest, the pulp endogenous abscisic acid (ABA) turned up and its levels consistently increased. The final stage in fruit ripening, the yellow-to-brown transition, was preceded by an arrest of xylem-mediated water transport into the fruit. Exogenous ABA application enhanced fruit ripening when applied just prior to the green-to-yellow fruit color transition. Repeated ABA applications hastened all fruit ripening processes, resulting in a significantly earlier harvest. The emerging pivotal role of ABA in the regulation of date fruit ripening is thoroughly discussed.

Highlights

The plant hormone abscisic acid (ABA) promotes date fruit ripening, as indicated by the enhanced change in fruit color, from green to yellow, and the enhanced rate of sugar accumulation.
Brief synaptic inhibition persistently interrupts firing of fast-spiking interneurons
Authors: Chamberland Simon , Nebet Erica R. , Valero Manuel , Hanani Monica , Egger Robert , Larsen Samantha B. , Eyring Katherine W. , Buzsáki György , Tsien Richard W.
Published: August 2022

Neurons perform input-output operations that integrate synaptic inputs with intrinsic electrical properties, operations generally constrained by the brevity of synaptic events. Here we report that sustained firing of CA1 hippocampal fast-spiking parvalbumin-expressing interneurons (PV-INs) can be persistently interrupted for up to several hundred milliseconds following brief GABAAR-mediated inhibition in vitro and in vivo. A single presynaptic neuron could interrupt PV-INs firing, occasionally with a single action potential (AP), and reliably with AP bursts. Experiments and computational modeling revealed that the persistent interruption of firing maintains neurons in a depolarized, quiescent state through a cell-autonomous mechanism. Strikingly, interrupted PV-INs are highly responsive to Schaffer collateral inputs. The persistent interruption of firing provides a disinhibitory circuit mechanism favoring spike generation in CA1 pyramidal cells. Overall, our results demonstrate that neuronal silencing can far outlast brief synaptic inhibition owing to well-tuned interplay between neurotransmitter release and postsynaptic membrane dynamics, a phenomenon impacting microcircuit function.
Perception of dynamic facial expressions activates a cortico-subcortico-cerebellar network in marmosets
Authors: Dureux Audrey , Zanini Alessandro , Everling Stefan
Published: August 2022

The perception and identification of faces and facial emotional expressions are critical for social communication in the daily life of all primates. Here, we investigated the neural network activated by dynamic facial expressions in awake New World common marmosets with ultra-high field fMRI at 9.4T. Our results show that dynamic facial expressions activate several areas along the occipitotemporal axis (V2/V3, V4/TEO, FST, caudal TE, rostral TE, TPO), frontal cortex (areas 45/47, 13, 8a and orbital cortex), amygdala, motion-sensitive areas, premotor area, and in the posterior lobe of the cerebellum. Negative faces increased the monkeys’ respiration rates and elicited stronger responses along the occipitotemporal cortical axis, in the amygdala and in the hypothalamus. This cortico-subcortico-cerebellar network may play an important role in the perception of behaviorally relevant facial expressions that are vital for social communication in marmosets.

Significance Statement

Recent research has highlighted the importance of emotional content of faces in social communication in humans and non-human primates. The current study focuses on the neural responses to dynamic emotional facial expressions in the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus), a New World primate species sharing several similarities of social behavior with humans. Using ultra-high-field fMRI, we show that negative facial expressions activate a cortico-subcortico-cerebellar network and, critically, negative faces increase the level of arousal of marmosets, possibly relayed through a modulation of the activity in the autonomic nervous system via stress-integrative brain centres in the hypothalamus.

Our results reveal the existence of specific neural and physiological responses to negative emotional faces suggesting that behaviorally relevant facial expressions are vital for social communication in New World marmosets.
Chromatin state modeling across individuals reveals global patterns of histone modifications
Authors: Zou Jennifer , Ernst Jason
Published: August 2022

Epigenetic mapping studies across individuals have identified many positions of epigenetic variation in various human tissues and conditions. However the relationships between these positions, and in particular global patterns that recur in many regions of the genome remains understudied. In this study, we use a stacked chromatin state model to systematically learn global patterns of epigenetic variation across individuals and annotate the human genome based on them. We applied this framework to histone modification data across individuals in lymphoblastoid cell lines and across autism spectrum disorder cases and controls in prefrontal cortex tissue. We find that global patterns are correlated across multiple histone modifications and with gene expression. We used the global patterns as a framework to predict transregulators, identify trans-QTL, and study complex disease. The frameworks for identifying and analyzing global patterns of epigenetic variation are general and we expect will be useful in other systems.
Glycyrrhizin, an inhibitor of HMGB1 induces autolysosomal degradation function and inhibits H. pylori infection
Authors: Khan Uzma , Karmakar Bipul Chandra , Basak Priyanka , Paul Sangita , Gope Animesh , Sarkar Deotima , Mukhopadhyay Asish Kumar , Dutta Shanta , Bhattacharya Sushmita
Published: August 2022

Helicobacter pylori a key agent for causing gastric complications is linked with peptic ulcer, gastritis, and in severe cases gastric cancer. In response to infection, host cells stimulate autophagy to maintain cellular homeostasis. However, H. pylori have evolved the ability to usurp the host’s autophagic machinery. High mobility group box1 (HMGB1), an alarmin molecule is a regulator of autophagy and its expression is augmented in gastric cancer and many other cancers. Therefore, this study aims to explore the role of glycyrrhizin (a known inhibitor of HMGB1) in autophagy during H. pylori infection. Human gastric cancer (AGS) cells were infected with H. pylori SS1 strain and further treatment was done with glycyrrhizin. Western blot was used to examine the expression levels of autophagy proteins. Autophagy and lysosomal activity were monitored by immunofluorescence. We have performed knockdown of HMGB1 to verify the effect of glycyrrhizin by siRNA transfection method. H. pylori-infection in vivo C56BL/6 mice model was established and the effect of glycyrrhizin treatment was studied. We found that the autophagy-lysosomal pathway was impaired due to a significant increase in lysosomal membrane permeabilization during H. pylori infection in AGS cells. Subsequently, glycyrrhizin treatment restored the lysosomal membrane integrity, accompanied by an increase in cathepsin B activity and reduction of ROS and inflammatory cytokine IL-8. The recovered lysosomal function enhanced autolysosome formation and concomitantly attenuated the intracellular H. pylori growth by eliminating the pathogenic niche from gastric cells. Additionally, glycyrrhizin treatment inhibited inflammation and improved gastric tissue damages in mice.
Sample size bias in the empirical assessment of the acute risks associated with Daylight Saving Time transitions
Authors: Martín-Olalla José María , Mira Jorge
Published: August 2022

The assessment of the acute impact of Daylight Saving Time (DST) transitions is a question of great interest for an understanding of the benefits and inconveniences of a practice that is now under public scrutiny in Europe and America.

Here we report a thorough analysis of a record of twelve well-known research studies that re- ported increased risks associated with DST transitions in health issues —acute myocardial infarction, ischemic strokes— and in societal issues —accidents, traffic accidents and fatal motor vehicle accidents—.

We found that a 5% increase of the risks suffices to understand the reported increased risks associated with the spring transition. Reported values above this threshold are impacted by the sample size of the study.

In the case of the autumn transition, no increase of the risks is found.
Coalitions in international relations and coordination of agricultural trade policies
Authors: Mao Rui
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The author attempts to examine the existence and pattern of coalitions in international relations across countries, and investigates whether international relations of coalition partners influence a country's enaction of agricultural non-tariff measures (NTMs).

Design/methodology/approach

The author adopts a machine learning technique to identify international relation coalition partnerships and use network analysis to characterize the clustering pattern of coalitions with high-frequent records of global event data. The author then constructs a monthly dataset of agricultural NTMs against China and international relations with China of each importer and its coalition partners, and designs a panel structural vector autoregressive (PSVAR) model to estimate impulse response functions of agricultural NTMs with regard to international relation shocks.

Findings

The author finds countries to establish coalition partnerships. Two major clusters of coalitions are noted, with one composed of coalitions primarily among “North” countries and the other of coalitions among “South” countries. The United States is found to play a pivotal role by connecting the two clusters. The PSVAR estimation reveals reductions of NTMs against China following improved international relations with China of both the importer and its coalition partners. NTM responses are more substantial for measures that are trade restrictive. These results confirm that coalitions in international relations lead to coordination of agricultural NTMs.

Originality/value

The author provides international political insights into agricultural trade policymaking by showing interactions of NTM enaction across countries in the same coalition of international relations. These insights offer useful policy implications to predict and cope with hidden barriers to agricultural trade.
Redefining knowledge hiding in the workplace: an in-depth qualitative study
Authors: Swain Deepika , Jena Lalatendu Kesari
Published: August 2022

Purpose

To propose a newer perspective for an often-tabooed knowledge hiding by highlighting the socio-psychological experiences in knowledge sharing.

Design/methodology/approach

An in-depth interviewing process was adopted to study the influencers of knowledge flow, taking 42 educators of the online teaching platforms.

Findings

Unrelatedness, supervision, and engagement propelled knowledge sharing-conducive ambiance, contrary to the conclusions of the earlier studies.

Originality/value

Emerged themes established a connection between knowledge sharing, and the feel-good factor, promoting future researchers to extend it to higher psychological order approaches like Guanxi, Mianzi, and Ikigai.
Boat: the Indian startup scripts a revolutionizing growth strategy
Authors: Bhargava Sheela , Gupta Parul
Published: August 2022

Learning outcomes

The case will help learners to analyse how effective handling of an extended marketing mix of 7Ps (product, price, place, promotion, physical evidence, participants and processes) makes a startup profitable in its initial years of inception; understand the significance of the online marketing strategies like digital marketing and social media marketing implemented by firms to attain a competitive edge amongst established local and global competitors; examine the strategic challenges faced by a business enterprise while entering an emerging market; analyse the growth strategies of a startup relative to various market constraints; and propose long-term strategies for sustainable growth for a startup operating in the wearables market.

Case overview/synopsis

Founded in 2016, Boat Lifestyle is a Delhi-based Indian startup in fashionable consumer electronics. In the past five years, Boat earned remarkable profits and emerged as one of the most promising startups through its innovative products offerings and promotion. Aiming at its target customer segment, the millennials, it promoted its products through social media marketing such as influencer marketing and brand tie-ins with sports teams and music events. The case focuses on the dynamics of the Indian wearables market that is facing tough competition from global and local players. To ensure continued growth prospects, while maintaining a tight focus on product differentiation, quality, and customer satisfaction, there is a greater need for Boat to rethink its market development and growth strategies regarding new innovations and adopting long-term orientation like diversification and global expansion.

Complexity academic level

The case aims for teaching business management students at the Undergraduate, Postgraduate, and Executive education level. In addition, the case can be related to the Strategic Management course curriculum and Marketing course curriculum.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 11: Strategy
Union-enterprise guanxi and union instrumentality: an empirical study in Taiwan
Authors: Guo Jia-Bo , Lin Hao-Chieh , Wang Yi-Hsien
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Because of the interest of enterprises and unions are often conflicting. For unions, how to promote union instrumentality is a critical issue. This study aims to apply the resource dependence theory to examine the role of cooperative approach to conflict in the relationship between union–enterprise guanxi and union instrumentality under the moderation of union leader humility.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire survey was undertaken to collect data from enterprise human resource (HR) manager and union stewards in Taiwanese firms using a dyadic approach. Hierarchical regression analysis and bootstrapping with a mediation model and moderated-mediation model were used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The results show that cooperative approach to conflict is a prominent mediator between union–enterprise guanxi and union instrumentality, while union leader humility strengthens the positive association between cooperative approach to conflict and union instrumentality. Moderated-mediation analysis further demonstrates that the influence of the cooperative approach to conflict is stronger when there is a higher level of union leader humility.

Originality/value

The study offers an integrated picture about how union–enterprise social relationships promote union instrumentality.
Production of event security in Germany – empirical findings on perceptions of interorganisational collaboration between various security actors
Authors: Schütte Patricia M. , Willmes Stefan U.
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to explore interorganisational collaboration on event security in Germany. Therefore, it focusses on perceptions of representatives from emergency and law enforcement agencies (ELEAs) as well as commercial event stewards and security providers (ESSPs) who work together in the area. The following questions are addressed in this paper: how do the actors perceive inter-organisational collaboration on event security? In these actors' view, what factors define collaboration?

Design/methodology/approach

For this study, a literature review was carried out on success-critical factors of inter-organisational collaboration at security-related settings. The results have been grouped into categories, which are assigned to sociotechnical core elements. These are the basis of a qualitative content analysis of 47 semi-structured interviews with ELEA and ESSP representatives in the context of 15 major events in Germany.

Findings

The findings support the assumption that interorganisational collaboration on event security theoretically and in the perception of on-site experts emerges as a sociotechnical system within the setting of major events. Successful collaboration is determined by human, technical and organisational factors, which interconnect the collaborating actors and ideally stabilise their work relations.

Originality/value

This article contributes to the literature regarding event and security research. The results provide insights into hitherto under-represented perspectives of stakeholders on collaboration in event security. The sociotechnical category system adds an approach for the systematic analysis of interorganisational security production.
Can housing investment hedge against inflation?
Authors: Nguyen Binh Thi Thanh
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to test the hedging ability of housing investment against inflation in Japan and the USA during the period 2000–2020.

Design/methodology/approach

This study applies the deep learning method and The exponential general autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity in mean (1, 1) model with breaks.

Findings

Within the asymmetric framework, it is found that housing returns (HR) can hedge against inflation in both these markets, which mentions that when investing in the housing market in Japan and the USA, investors are compensated for bearing from inflation. This result is consistent with Fisher’s hypothesis. Especially, the empirical results show that the risk-return tradeoff is available in Japan’s housing market and not available in the US housing market. Any signal of a high inflation rate – referred to as “bad news” – may cause a drop in HR in Japan and a raise in the USA.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is one of the first studies using the deep learning method (long short-term memory model) to estimate the expected/unexpected inflation rates.
Predicting challenges to student learning in a learning study: Analysing the intended object of learning
Authors: Lelinge Balli
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This study determines which aspects of the intended object of learning (planned by teachers during the first phase of a learning study) is made discernible from a learners' perspective. In a learning study, the intended, enacted, and lived object of learning are considered. This study focuses on the learning material used by teachers while designing a lesson.

Design/methodology/approach

In many learning studies, variation theory is used to design lessons, which predicts difficulties in and possibilities for student learning. The data consisted of a lesson part – instruction through a video-recorded dance choreography – employed to enhance primary school (in a Swedish context, grade 4) students' dancing skills in the subject of Physical Education and Health. The choreography comprised five different sequences, where a variation occurred when the subsequent (new) sequence was applied to the previous movement pattern. The sequences acted as building blocks, where the students' transitions from one movement pattern to another were logical and distinguishable.

Findings

The results of this study show in what way an analysis of learning material, based on variation theory, can help teachers take into account the level of complexity of the object of learning. The results also identify which parts of a lesson design can be predicted to present a higher degree of challenge and by that more difficult to grasp, especially for students with different educational needs.

Originality/value

Lessons may be designed based on theoretical assumptions to ensure effective classroom learning and provide guidance to teachers based on student needs.
Marketing in the livestock sector and its impact on food security in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Al-Ghaswyneh Odai Falah Mohammad
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Although the livestock sector is considered to be an important segment of the Saudi Arabian economy, its contribution, including the multiple sources of commercial income it provides, is underestimated. This industry provides thousands of jobs in various related sectors and meets national demand for food. This study aims to examine the impact of breeding inputs such as animal production, marketing processes and operation and legislation on livestock sector efficiency and strategic food security.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopted an exploratory approach. The sample consisted of specialists in industrial production and livestock breeders in the northern region of Saudi Arabia. The relative importance index was used to analyze the data, which was evaluated using structural equation modeling in SPSS.

Findings

The results show the significant influence of breeding inputs, markets and legislation on increasing the efficiency of the livestock sector and the impact of livestock on strategic food security. They also highlight the need to motivate governments to focus on this sector, especially by reducing taxes on breeders’ income and lowering livestock costs accordingly. The Saudi Arabian Government should also facilitate innovative agreements to create global markets for the export of surplus livestock products. In addition, a marketing process is lacking in all areas of production and the local and international marketing of livestock products, which requires the support of different sources of fodder and establishment of markets for specific types of meat slaughter, packaging and sales.

Research limitations/implications

This research was limited to the northern region of Saudi Arabia.

Practical implications

This study highlights the importance of marketing processes and activities according to marketing operations as they used in study instrument to explore their impact on in the marketing livestock sector for national food security strategies and guides future studies in this field.

Social implications

This research recommends that decision-makers support marketing in the livestock sector and reduce production taxes.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, no previous related research has been conducted in the field of food security.
Human-driven and human-centred cybersecurity: policy-making implications
Authors: Pawlicka Aleksandra , Pawlicki Marek , Kozik Rafał , Choraś Michał
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to challenge the prevailing, stereotypical approach of the human aspect of cybersecurity, i.e. treating people as weakness or threat. Instead, several reflections are presented, pertaining to the ways of making cybersecurity human-centred.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper bases on the authors’ own experiences, gathered whilst working in cybersecurity projects; the resulting comments and reflections have been enriched and backed up by the results of a targeted literature study.

Findings

The findings show that the way the human aspects of cybersecurity are understood is changing, and deviates from the stereotypical approach.

Practical implications

This paper provides a number of practical recommendations for policymakers, as well as cybersecurity managers on how to make the cybersecurity more human-centred; it also inspires further research directions.

Originality/value

This paper presents a fresh, positive approach to humans in cybersecurity and opens the doors to further discourse about new paradigms in the field.
Key drivers of promoting patient safety culture from the perspective of medical staff at a tertiary hospital in China
Authors: Li Li , Wu Hsin-Hung , Huang Chih-Hsuan , Zou Yuanyang , Li Xiao Ya
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Understanding the antecedents of patient safety culture among medical staff is essential if hospital managers are to promote explicit patient safety policies and strategies. The factors that influence patient safety culture have received little attention. The authors aim to investigate the antecedents of patient safety culture (safety climate) in relation to medical staff to develop a comprehensive approach to improve patient safety and the quality of medical care in China.

Design/methodology/approach

The Chinese version of the Safety Attitudes Questionnaire (CSAQ) was used to examine the attitudes toward patient safety among physicians and nurses. This medical staff was asked to submit the intra-organizational online survey via email. A total of 1780 questionnaires were issued. The final useable questionnaires were 256, yielding a response rate of 14.38%. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was employed to test if different sex, supervisor/manager, age, working experience, and education result in different perceptions. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to verify the structure of the data. Then linear regression with forward selection was performed to obtain the essential dimension(s) that affect the safety culture (safety climate).

Findings

The CFA results showed that 26 CSAQ items measured 6 safety-related dimensions. The linear regression results indicated that working conditions, teamwork climate, and job satisfaction had significant positive effects on safety culture (safety climate).

Practical implications

Hospital managers should put increased effort into essential elements of patient-oriented safety culture, such as working conditions, teamwork climate, and job satisfaction to develop appropriate avenues to improve the quality of delivered medical services as well as the safety of patients.

Originality/value

This study focused on the contribution that the antecedents of patient safety culture (safety climate) make with reference to the perspective of medical staff in a tertiary hospital in China.
An empirical study into the reasons for failure of sustaining operational excellence initiatives in organizations
Authors: Antony Jiju , Sony Michael , McDermott Olivia , Swarnakar Vikas , Galli Brian , Doulatabadi Mehran , Kaul Rajesh
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Operational excellence (OPEX) initiatives such as Lean, Six Sigma, Lean Six Sigma and Agile have some common characteristics that can be understood through their adoption in organizations. The objective of this research is to present the results of an online survey highlighting the most critical reasons for failure of OPEX initiatives.

Design/methodology/approach

This study presents the results of a survey from 106 experts from different countries who have been involved in OPEX implementation. The experts were Six Sigma Master Black Belts, Black Belts and Champions from different manufacturing and service organizations. The developed questionnaire was initially tested with the help of seven experts to ensure their technical validity and soundness.

Findings

The study found 15% of companies surveyed have not adopted any form of OPEX methodology. The top three reasons for non-adoption of OPEX were also found. In terms of the use of various OPEX methodologies, more than 75% of companies were employing Six Sigma and less than 50% were engaged in Lean initiatives. Another surprising result was that less than 5% of the companies were utilizing Kaizen and other continuous improvement methodologies for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of organizational processes. The study further finds top five failure factors for sustaining OPEX initiatives in manufacturing, service, large and small organizations.

Research limitations/implications

The study reports the outcomes based on an online survey with limited sample size. Moreover, the number of samples from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) was less than 25, and therefore it was difficult to make any robust conclusions in the comparison of failure factors between large enterprises and SMEs.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first empirical study that has attempted to explore the reasons for failure of OPEX initiatives. The authors argue that a greater understanding of the reasons for failure of OPEX initiatives can provide an input to develop a framework that can mitigate the failures and costs associated with such failures.
Rhizobium leguminosarum symbiovar viciae strains are natural wheat endophytes that can stimulate root development
Authors: Bartoli Claudia , Boivin Stéphane , Marchetti Marta , Gris Carine , Gasciolli Virginie , Gaston Mégane , Auriac Marie‐Christine , Debellé Frédéric , Cottret Ludovic , Carlier Aurélien , Masson‐Boivin Catherine , Lepetit Marc , Lefebvre Benoit
Published: August 2022

Although rhizobia that establish a nitrogen‐fixing symbiosis with legumes are also known to promote growth in non‐legumes, studies on rhizobial associations with wheat roots are scarce. We searched for Rhizobium leguminosarum symbiovar viciae (Rlv) strains naturally competent to endophytically colonize wheat roots. We isolated 20 strains from surface‐sterilized wheat roots and found a low diversity of Rlv compared to that observed in the Rlv species complex. We tested the ability of a subset of these Rlv for wheat root colonization when co‐inoculated with other Rlv. Only a few strains, including those isolated from wheat roots, and one strain isolated from pea nodules, were efficient in colonizing roots in co‐inoculation conditions, while all the strains tested in single strain inoculation conditions were found to colonize the surface and interior of roots. Furthermore, Rlv strains isolated from wheat roots were able to stimulate root development and early arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi colonization. These responses were strain and host genotype dependent. Our results suggest that wheat can be an alternative host for Rlv; nevertheless, there is a strong competition between Rlv strains for wheat root colonization. In addition, we showed that Rlv are endophytic wheat root bacteria with potential ability to modify wheat development.
The added value of digital imaging to reflex cytology for triage of high‐risk human papillomavirus positive self‐sampled material in cervical cancer screening: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Wiersma Danique , Vinke Anne , Siebers Albert G. , Melchers Willem J. G. , Bekkers Ruud L. M. , Loopik Diede L.
Published: August 2022

Objective

Cytology performed directly on hrHPV‐positive self‐samples (reflex cytology) is feasible and for women with abnormal cytology, an additional cytology test at the general practitioner could be omitted. The aim of this study is to assess the added value of digital imaging (ThinPrep® Imaging System) on the clinical utility of reflex cytology by reducing screening error.

Design

A secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study.

Setting

One of five Dutch screening laboratories.

Population

Women tested hrHPV‐positive on self‐samples between December 2018 and August 2019.

Methods

Self‐samples were used for reflex cytology with and without digital imaging. The follow‐up data (cytological and histological results within 1 year of follow‐up) were obtained through the Dutch Pathology Registry (PALGA).

Main outcome measures

Test performance of the reflex cytology was determined by comparing it with physician‐collected follow‐up results.

Results

The sensitivity for detecting abnormal cells by reflex cytology on self‐samples increased significantly from 26.3% (42/160; 95% confidence interval [CI] 19.6–33.8) without digital imaging to 35.4% (56/158; 95% CI 28–43.4) with digital imaging (P < 0.05) without compromising specificity. Importantly, 41.7% of women with ≥CIN2 (35/84) and 45.6% with ≥CIN3 (26/57) were detected by reflex cytology with digital imaging on hrHPV‐positive self‐samples.

Conclusion

Digital imaging is of added value to reflex cytology on hrHPV‐positive self‐samples with a 9% increase in sensitivity. If reflex cytology on self‐samples analysed with digital imaging had been implemented in the screening programme, 35.4% of the hrHPV‐positive women with abnormal cytology on additional physician‐collected samples could have been referred directly for colposcopy.
Who benefits the most? Risk pooling in mortgage loan insurance: Evidence from the Canadian mortgage market
Authors: Basiri Kiana , Mahmoudi Babak , Zhou Chenggang
Published: August 2022

This article evaluates the effect of mortgage loan insurance (MLI), an essential macroprudential tool available to policy makers, on housing affordability, household leverage, and the overall welfare of the economy. A dynamic model of the housing market with heterogeneous households and competitive housing and mortgage markets is constructed and is calibrated to Canadian data. We find that relaxing the mandatory nature of MLI required for mortgages with a loan‐to‐value ratio of 80% or more, in favor of a counterfactual system where MLI reflects credit risks, dampens demand for housing to purchase and puts downward pressure on house prices. Some of the households with low income and low asset holdings can no longer afford a house; therefore, the aggregate homeownership rate drops. In contrast, demand for rental units increases and rents go up.
Procedural justice, legal orientations, and gang membership: Testing an alternative explanation to understand the gang–misconduct link
Authors: Tostlebe Jennifer J. , Pyrooz David C.
Published: August 2022

A top priority of prison authorities is maintaining a safe and orderly institutional environment. Gangs are believed to impede this objective, warranting bespoke policies and practices. Drawing on the process‐based model of regulation, we depart from orthodox explanations for the gang–misconduct link and argue that gang affiliates are treated less fairly than nongang affiliates owing to suppression‐oriented administrative policies and harsher day‐to‐day interactions with officers, which, in turn, impact compliance. We use administrative and survey data sources based on a sample of 802 male prisoners and generalized structural equation modeling to examine whether procedural justice and legal orientations mediate the association between official classification of gang affiliation and self‐reported misconduct. Our findings reveal partial support for the process‐based model: procedural justice and legitimacy are poorer among gang than among nongang respondents but do not mediate the gang–misconduct link. The traditional pathway between procedural justice, legitimacy, and obligation to obey was observed, none of which were related to misconduct, standing in sharp contrast to the expectations of the process‐based model. These findings suggest that factors other than procedural justice and legal orientations may be more relevant for rule violations among gangs, specifically, and within correctional environments, generally.