bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ultra-compact Dual-band Smart NEMS Magnetoelectric Antennas for Simultaneous Wireless Energy Harvesting and Magnetic Field Sensing
Authors: Zaeimbashi Mohsen , Nasrollahpour Mehdi , Khalifa Adam , Romano Anthony , Liang Xianfeng , Chen Huaihao , Sun Neville , Matyushov Alexei , Lin Hwaider , Dong Cunzheng , Xu Ziyue , Mittal Ankit , Martos-Repath Isabel , Jha Gaurav , Mirchandani Nikita , Das Diptashree , Onabajo Marvin , Shrivastava Aatmesh , Cash Sydney , Sun Nian X.
Published: June 2020

Ultra-compact wireless implantable medical devices (IMDs) are in great demand for healthcare applications, in particular for neural recording and stimulation. Current implantable technologies based on miniaturized micro-coils suffer from low wireless power transfer efficiency (PTE) and are not always compliant with the specific absorption rate imposed by the Federal Communications Commission, particularly for deep brain implantation where field attenuation and tissue loss are significant. Moreover, current implantable devices are reliant on recordings of voltage or current. This has two major weaknesses: 1) the necessary direct contact between electrode and tissue degrades over time due to electrochemical fouling and tissue reactions, and 2) the necessity for differential recordings across space. Here, we report, for the first time, an ultra-compact dual-band smart nanoelectromechanical systems magnetoelectric (ME) antenna with a size of 250×174 μm2that can efficiently perform wireless energy harvesting and sense ultra-small magnetic fields such as those arising from neural activities. The proposed smart ME antenna has a wireless PTE 1~2 orders of magnitude higher than any other reported miniaturized micro-coil, allowing the wireless IMDs to be compliant with the specific absorption rate (SAR) limit and to operate under safe exposure of radio frequency energy. Furthermore, the magnetic sensing capability of the proposed smart ME antenna, with a limit of detection of 300~500pT at > 200Hz, should allow the IMDs to record neural magnetic fields from the brain without requiring differential recording.
Insufficient social distancing may be related to COVID-19 outbreak: the case of Ijuí city in Brazil
Authors: Heck Thiago Gomes , Frantz Rafael Zancan , Frizzo Matias Nunes , François Carlos Henrique Ramires , Ludwig Mirna Stela , Mesenburg Marilia Arndt , Buratti Giovano Pereira , Franz Lígia Beatriz Bento , Berlezi Evelise Moraes
Published: June 2020

The coronavirus disease initiated in 2019 (COVID-19) has proven to be highly contagious and quickly became a pandemic. Nowadays, it presents higher transmission rates worldwide, chiefly in small Brazilian cities, as Ijuí. Located in the northwestern of the State of Rio Grande do Sul (RS) with 83,475 inhabitants, Ijuí was selected to receive a population-based survey organized in five steps, involving 2,222 subjects. Subjects were tested for the presence of antibodies against coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and answered questions regarding social distance adherence (SDA), daily preventive routine (DPR), comorbidities, and sociodemographic characteristics. In parallel, the local government registered the official COVID-19 cases in Ijuí, and the mobile social distancing index (MSDI) was also registered. In this study, we demonstrate the decrease in the levels of SDA, DPR and MSDI before the beginning of COVID-19 community transmission in Ijuí. Also, we provide predictions for cases, hospitalization, and deaths in the city. We concluded that the insufficient social distancing, evidenced by different methods, might have a strong relationship with the rapid increase of COVID-19 cases in Ijuí. Our study predicts a closer outbreak of community infection of COVID-19, which could be avoided or attenuated if the levels of the social distancing in the population increase.
Different innate and adaptive immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection of asymptomatic, mild and severe cases
Authors: Carsetti Rita , Zaffina Salvatore , Mortari Eva Piano , Terreri Sara , Corrente Francesco , Capponi Claudia , Palomba Patrizia , Mirabella Mattia , Cascioli Simona , Palange Paolo , Cuccaro Ilaria , Milito Cinzia , Zumla Alimuddin , Maeurer Markus , Camisa Vincenzo , Vinci Maria Rosaria , Santoro Annapaola , Cimini Eleonora , Marchioni Luisa , Nicastri Emanuele , Palmieri Fabrizio , Agrati Chiara , Ippolito Giuseppe , Porzio Ottavia , Concato Carlo , Muda Andrea Onetti , Raponi Massimiliano , Quintarelli Concetta , Quinti Isabella , Locatelli Franco
Published: June 2020

SARS-CoV-2 is a novel coronavirus, not encountered before by humans. The wide spectrum of clinical expression of SARS-CoV-2 illness suggests that individual immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 play a crucial role in determining the clinical course after first infection.

Immunological studies have focussed on patients with moderate to severe disease, demonstrating excessive inflammation in tissues and organ damage. In order to understand the basis of the protective immune response in COVID-19, we performed a longitudinal follow-up, flow-cytometric and serological analysis of innate and adaptive immunity in 64 adults with a spectrum of clinical presentations: 28 healthy SARS-CoV-2-negative contacts of COVID-19 cases; 20 asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2-infected cases; 8 patients with Mild COVID-19 disease and 8 cases of Severe COVID-19 disease. Our data show that high frequency of NK cells and early and transient increase of specific IgA, IgM and, to a lower extent, IgG are associated to asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection. By contrast, monocyte expansion and high and persistent levels of IgA and IgG, produced relatively late in the course of the infection, characterize severe disease. Modest increase of monocytes and different kinetics of antibodies are detected in mild COVID-19. The importance of innate NK cells and the short-lived antibody response of asymptomatic individuals and patients with mild disease suggest that only severe COVID-19 may result in protective memory established by the adaptive immune response.
Impact of cattle on joint dynamics and disease burden of Japanese encephalitis and leptospirosis
Authors: Zahid Mondal Hasan , Kribs Christopher M.
Published: June 2020

Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a mosquito-borne neglected tropical disease. JE is mostly found in rural areas where people usually keep cattle at home for their needs. Cattle in households reduce JE virus infections since they distract vectors and act as a dead-end host for the virus. However, the presence of cattle introduces risk of leptospirosis infections in humans. Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that spreads through direct or indirect contact of urine of the infected cattle. Thus, cattle have both positive and negative impacts on human disease burden. This study uses a mathematical model to study the joint dynamics of these two diseases in the presence of cattle and to identify the net impact of cattle on the annual disease burden in JE-prevalent areas. Analysis indicates that the presence of cattle helps to reduce the overall disease burden in JE-prevalent areas. However, this reduction is dominated by the vector’s feeding pattern. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to examine the joint dynamics of JE and leptospirosis.
BCG vaccination in infancy does not protect against COVID-19. Evidence from a natural experiment in Sweden
Authors: de Chaisemartin Clément , de Chaisemartin Luc
Published: June 2020

Background

The Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) tuberculosis vaccine has immunity benefits against respiratory infections. Accordingly, it has been hypothesized that it may have a protective effect against COVID-19. Recent research found that countries with universal Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) childhood vaccination policies tend to be less affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, such ecological studies are biased by numerous confounders. Instead, this paper takes advantage of a rare nationwide natural experiment that took place in Sweden in 1975, where discontinuation of newborns BCG vaccination led to a dramatic fall of the BCG coverage rate from 92% to 2%, thus allowing us to estimate the BCG’s effect without all the biases associated with cross-country comparisons.

Methods

Numbers of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations were recorded for birth cohorts born just before and just after that change, representing 1,026,304 and 1,018,544 individuals, respectively. We used regression discontinuity to assess the effect of BCG vaccination on Covid-19 related outcomes. This method used on such a large population allows for a high precision that would be hard to achieve using a classical randomized controlled trial.

Results

The odds ratio for Covid-19 cases and Covid-19 related hospitalizations were 0·9997 (CI95: [0·8002-1·1992]) and 1·1931 (CI95: [0·7558-1·6304]), respectively. We can thus reject with 95% confidence that universal BCG vaccination reduces the number of cases by more than 20% and the number of hospitalizations by more than 24%

Conclusions

While the effect of a recent vaccination must be evaluated, we provide strong evidence that receiving the BCG vaccine at birth does not have a protective effect against COVID-19.
On Dynamical Analysis of the Data-Driven SIR model (COVID-19 Outbreak in Indonesia)
Authors: Sulaiman Albert
Published: June 2020

An archipelago country such as Indonesia has a different beginning of the outbreak, therefore the management of epidemics not uniform. For this reason, the results in the data of confirmed cases COVID-19 to fluctuate and difficult to predict. We use the data-driven SIR model to analyze the dynamics and behavior of the evolution of the disease. We run the data-driven SIR model gradually and found that there are shifting of the peak and the distance of saturation point. We found that a transmission acceleration of the outbreak occurring in Indonesia where it could be seen from increasing of the time the saturation and the confirmed cases. It is finally argued that a new parameter can be used to guidance the condition when the new normal begins.
EVALUATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIOECONOMIC FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO FRAGILITY FRACTURES IN INDIANS
Authors: Singh Vaibhav , Pal Ananda Kisor , Biswas Dibyendu , Ghosh Alakendu , Singh Brijesh P
Published: June 2020

Objective

Osteoporosis causes fragility fractures that also occur in patients with bone mineral density (BMD) in the normal or osteopenic range, suggesting role of risk factors that are unrelated or partially related to BMD. The study aims at highlighting the link between 3 conditions, that are environment and occupation related risk factors and that are widely prevalent in India, and development of fragility fractures.

Methods

A Case Control study was done by recruiting 110 Cases with history of recent fragility fractures and 84 Controls with no history of recent fractures. 3 study parameters, village dwelling, conventional farming, and poverty, were chosen the presence or absence of which were documented in participants. This was followed by an ODDS ratio analysis.

Results

The Odds of village dwellers, conventional farmers, and socioeconomically poor individuals to develop fragility fractures were both significant and large.

Conclusion

Urbanization is a risk in the development of fragility fractures. However, this study points that village dwelling in India is associated with the development of fragility fractures. Similarly, Odds of farmers exposed to pesticides and agrochemicals to develop fragility fractures is large and significant. Pesticides and agrochemicals act as endocrine disruptors and bone health is closely linked to endocrine system. Fragility fractures among farmers may be due to endocrine disrupting properties of pesticides and agrochemicals. Socioeconomic deprivation is a known risk in the development of osteoporosis. This study too highlights that the odds of individuals living in poverty to develop fragility fractures is significant and large.
Factors Associated with Mental Health Outcomes in Oman during COVID19: Frontline vs Non-frontline Healthcare Workers
Authors: Alshekaili Muna , Hassan Walid , Al Said Nazik , Alsulaimani Fatima , Jayapal Sathish Kumar , Al-Mawali Adhra , Chan Moon Fai , Mahadevan Sangeetha , Al-Adawi Samir
Published: June 2020

OBJECTIVE:
This study aims to assess and compare demographic and psychological factors and sleep status of frontline HCWs in relation to non-frontline HCWs

DESIGN, SETTINGS, AND PARTICIPANTS
This cross-sectional study was conducted using an online survey from the 8th to the 17th of April 2020 across varied health care settings in Oman accruing 1139 HCWS.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
Mental health status was assessed using Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales (DASS-21), and insomnia was evaluated by the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). Samples were categorized into the frontline and non-frontline groups. Chi-square, odds ratio, and independent t-tests were used to compare groups by demographic and mental health outcomes.

Results
This study included 1139 HCWs working in Oman. There was a total of 368 (32.3%), 388 (34.1%), 271 (23.8%), and 211 (18.5%) respondents reported to have depression, anxiety, stress, and insomnia, respectively while working during the pandemic period. HCWs in the frontline group were 1.4 times more likely to have anxiety (OR=1.401, p=0.007) and stress (OR=1.404, p=0.015) as compared to those working in the non-frontline group. On indices of sleep-wake cycles, HCWs in the frontline group were 1.37 times more likely to report insomnia (OR=1.377, p=0.037) when compared to those working in the non-frontline group. No significant differences in depression status between workers in the frontline and non-frontline groups were found (p=0.181).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
To our knowledge, this is the first study to explore the differential impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on different grades of HCWs. This study suggests that frontline HCWs are disproportionally affected compared to non-frontline HCWs. The problem with managing sleep-wake cycles and anxiety symptoms were highly endorsed among frontline HCWs. As psychosocial interventions are likely to be constrained owing to the pandemic, mental health care must first be directed to frontline HCWs.
Crystal structure of the [(THF)Cs(μ-η5:η5-Cp′)3Yb]
n
oligomer
Authors: Huh Daniel N. , Ziller Joseph W. , Evans William J.
Published: June 2020

The green compound poly[(tetrahydrofuran)tris[μ-η5:η5-1-(trimethylsilyl)cyclopentadienyl]caesium(I)ytterbium(II)], [CsYb(C8H13Si)3(C4H8O)]
n
or [(THF)Cs(μ-η5:η5-Cp′)3YbII]
n
was synthesized by reduction of a red THF solution of (C5H4SiMe3)3YbIII with excess Cs metal and identified by X-ray diffraction. The compound crystallizes as a two-dimensional array of hexagons with alternating CsI and YbII ions at the vertices and cyclopentadienyl groups bridging each edge. This, based off the six-electron cyclopentadienyl rings occupying three coordination positions, gives a formally nine-coordinate tris(cyclopentadienyl) coordination environment to Yb and the Cs is ten-coordinate due to the three cyclopentadienyl rings and a coordinated molecule of THF. The complex comprises layers of Cs3Yb3 hexagons with THF ligands and Me3Si groups in between the layers. The Yb—C metrical parameters are consistent with a 4f
14 YbII electron configuration.
Tetrakis[μ2-5-nitro-2-(phenylsulfanyl)benzoato-κ2
O:O′]bis[(acetonitrile-κN)copper(II)]
Authors: Xu Danrui , Gao Jun , Long Sihui
Published: June 2020

The title compound, [Cu2(μ2-O2CC12H8NO2S)4(CH3CN)2], consists of a dinuclear and centrosymmetric complex based on two CuII atoms coordinated by four 5-nitro-2-phenylsulfanyl-benzoate anions and two acetonitrile ligands. Each benzoate anion acts as a bis-monodentate ligand while each acetonitrile acts as a monodentate ligand, leading to a square-pyramidal NO4 coordination environment for each CuII atom with the acetonitrile N atom at the apex. The intramolecular Cu...Cu distance in the dimer is 2.6478 (3) Å. The cohesion of the crystal structure is ensured by (phenyl)C—H...O(nitro) hydrogen bonds and (phenyl)C—H...π interactions.
Exploring drivers and barriers for organic poultry consumption
Authors: Schipmann-Schwarze Christin , Hamm Ulrich
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify drivers and barriers for the demand of organic poultry to provide recommendations for market actors.

Design/methodology/approach

644 consumers were interviewed through computer-assisted self-interviews in four regions (north, south, east and west) of Germany in front of conventional supermarkets and organic food shops. The survey data were analysed differentiating between three consumer segments. In addition to descriptive analysis, an explorative factor analysis was conducted and a multinomial logit model was applied.

Findings

The results show that consumer preferences, attitudes and determinants of purchase decisions differ significantly between consumer groups. Price sensitivity, appreciation of animal-welfare, belief in altruistic benefits of organic poultry production, as well as the influence of media reports are important determinants for the purchase decision of different consumer segments.

Practical implications

This study provides information for market actors regarding which strategies to adopt to increase the sales potential of organic poultry indifferent consumer segments.

Originality/value

The organic poultry market has great potential as it can meet the growing demand for healthy and sustainable products which are produced in an animal-friendly way. However, its market share still lies far below the overall organic market share for food products in total. Reasons for the low market share were not explored in-depth until now.
The paradox of community involvement: rebuilding Minamisanriku
Authors: Cheek Wesley
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the barriers to community participation in post-disaster reconstruction in Minamisanriku, Japan.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper utilizes the extended case method. 31 in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with local residents as well as 15 in-depth, semi-structured interviews with professionals working on reconstruction efforts. Multiple site visits were made to conduct participant observation and ethnographic research. The data from these interviews and fieldwork were triangulated with archival research.

Findings

The results from this research show that at least six major barriers to community participation in post-disaster reconstruction were present in Minamisanriku. These barriers were: predetermined tsunami risk levels, a disaster reconstruction menu, existing patterns of government, construction of seawalls, an existing lack of participation and administrative mergers. These barriers were not a product of the disaster event itself, but rather of the pre-existing conditions in Minamisanriku, and Japan in general.

Originality/value

This study pinpoints the actually existing barriers to the worldwide call for participatory measures and community involvement in post-disaster reconstruction.
Strategic drivers to promote employee suggestion schemes in GCC organizations
Authors: Jabeen Fauzia , Mehmood Khalid , Mehrajunnisa Mehrajunnisa
Published: June 2020

Purpose

This study applies a decision support tool to prioritize the various drivers that influence employee suggestion schemes (ESSs) in both public and private organizations based in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries for better organizational performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Using theories of organizational creativity, an analytic hierarchy process (AHP) model was developed with 5 criteria and 24 sub-criteria. Data were collected from executives (n = 48) from both public and private organizations in the GCC. Later, the data were interpreted with a priority vector assigned to each criterion and sub-criterion.

Findings

The results indicate that leaders/management support, individual traits and organization culture are the key drivers that influence employees' involvement in an ESS.

Research limitations/implications

The study is limited to a small sample size, and data were collected only in three GCC countries. The study provides insights into ESS in the context of developing countries and is a relevant contribution to both theory and practice. The results will be of interest to businesses and academics for improving understanding on the various enablers of successful employee participation programme implementation and subsequent increase in organizational performance in the GCC.

Originality/value

The novelty of this study is that it resolves the lack of empirical research in the Middle East countries/GCC. The transition phase of knowledge-based economies highlights the significance of innovation and creativity through active employee participation to improve business results. The study attempts to prioritise both individual- and organizational-level drivers for promoting ESS by leveraging theories of creativity in alignment with the GCC National Innovation Agenda. This study can be generalized from the GCC context due to homogeneity in organizational governance and cultural aspects.
Changing roles and environments in experiential learning
Authors: Amigó María Florencia , Lloyd Justine
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report on the implications of new and unfamiliar roles for educators, students and employers generated by experiential learning (EL) activities. It considers how a series of tensions and instabilities in traditional role identities for each group arise from an expanded definition of university learning environments.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper thus uses the concept of liminality, or “in-between-ness”, to explore processes of role transition via EL. This theme emerged from analysis of qualitative data gathered via focus groups and interviews with academic unit convenors, workplace supervisors and students across a range of disciplines.

Findings

Because none of the cohorts were fully supported in or securely ascribed to these new roles, the unsettled nature of EL is argued to be both a key benefit and challenge to educators.

Research limitations/implications

This paper was based on a small-scale study of a specific EL programme. As such, it could be complemented by longitudinal and broader-scale research across different sites and national contexts, as well as with cohorts that the authors do not canvas here: university administrators, policy advisors and employers more broadly.

Practical implications

The paper reflects on how higher education institutions can support participants in these new educational settings, as well as raising the question of whether new roles are still emerging from this process.

Social implications

The paper canvasses impacts of EL on individual participants as well as the sector itself.

Originality/value

The authors believe that understanding EL activities through the lens of liminality provides a new approach to its impact at individual, institutional and social levels.
Effects of COVID-19 on hotel marketing and management: a perspective article
Authors: Jiang Yangyang , Wen Jun
Published: June 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to discuss the effects of COVID-19 on hotel marketing and management practices and outlines a three-pronged research agenda to stimulate knowledge development in the hotel sector.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on an overview of the relevant literature on hotel marketing and management and the hotel guest behavior. The authors also investigated hospitality service trends to propose a research agenda.

Findings

This paper presents a research agenda from three dimensions – artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, hygiene and cleanliness and health and health care. First, different types of AI (mechanical, thinking and feeling) might open up distinct research streams at the intersection of health crises and hotel management, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, this paper recommends that researchers move beyond typical perspectives on the antecedents and outcomes of hotel hygiene and cleanliness to delve into guests’ perceptions of the cleanliness of specific hotel surfaces. Furthermore, a more in-depth analysis is warranted about the evolving relationship between hotels and the health-care sector.

Practical implications

The recommended research areas are intended to advance the knowledge base to help hotels recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. The suggested research streams are expected to provide actionable insights to promote the development and sustainability of the hotel sector.

Originality/value

This paper appears to be a frontier study, critically examining possible effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on hotel marketing and management practices and how hoteliers may respond to such challenges to recover after this pandemic.
The moderating effect of operator type: the impact of information technology (IT) expenditures on hotels’ operating performance
Authors: Hua Nan , Huang Arthur , Medeiros Marcos , DeFranco Agnes
Published: June 2020

Purpose

This study aims to examine how operator type moderates the relationship between hotel information technology (IT) expenditures and operating performance.

Design/methodology/approach

By adapting and extending O’Neillet al.’s (2008) and Huaet al.’s (2015) research, this study constructed an empirical model and tested proposed hypotheses, with Newey and West (1994) errors computed to accommodate potential heteroscedasticity and autocorrelation issues.

Findings

Operator type moderates the impact of hotel IT expenditures on operating performance. In particular, it appears that the operator type of franchising exerts a stronger moderating effect compared with other operator types explored.

Practical implications

This study, as the first of its kind, shows that the choice of operator type shapes how a hotel can effectively use IT expenditures to improve operating performance. This finding can be beneficial for hotel owners when making operator type decisions. In addition, operator type moderates the direct impact of IT expenditures on revenues and gross operating income. This study’s results show that franchised hotels seem to use IT expenditures more effectively compared with independently owned hotels.

Originality/value

This study contributes both theoretically and practically to understand how operator type moderates the relationship between IT expenditures and hotel performance. The research outcome provides a more holistic view that governs the relationships between IT expenditures, operator type and operating performance.
Resident attendees of Macao's Drunken Dragon Festival: a cluster analysis
Authors: Choi Suh-hee , Couto Ubaldino Sequeira , Imon Sharif Shams
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The present study aims to investigate resident attendees' perceptions and attitudes towards a traditional cultural festival. It further clusters the attendees and identifies the profiles of each cluster based on its demographic, attitudinal and behavioral variables.

Design/methodology/approach

The Drunken Dragon Festival, a traditional cultural festival in Macao SAR, which has been embedded in the local community for about a century, is used as a case. Data collected from 378 residents on the day of the festival were factor analyzed and then grouped by using cluster analysis.

Findings

A two-cluster solution revealed that the two groups, overall, had distinct demographic characteristics and had somewhat different perceptions and attitudes towards the festival.

Practical implications

The results not only show the overall perceptions of the Drunken Dragon Festival among the resident attendees, but they also imply that the government and the organizers need to communicate with and involve the two resident attendee clusters differently.

Originality/value

This study is one of the first attempts to investigate the residents' attitudes towards the transformational development of a traditional cultural festival as an effort to ensure the viability of intangible cultural heritage and to utilize it as a tourism resource.
Teachers' capacity to create inclusive learning environments
Authors: Leifler Emma
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore effects of an intervention designed for teachers' learning. This study investigates the effectiveness of a three-session professional development (PD) program based on the lesson study methodology. Lesson study was chosen as an intervention, attempting to strengthen teachers' awareness of and readiness to teach for student diversity.

Design/methodology/approach

This study included 26 participants. The teachers took part in lesson study cycles during a period of four months. Effectiveness was measured using a pre-test/post-test within-subject design. The broad concept of inclusion and the characteristics of the research questions in this study demanded a mix of methods, a design in which qualitative and quantitative data are collected in parallel, analyzed separately and then merged.

Findings

Results show an increase of teachers' readiness from baseline to post measurement to adjust the learning environment for increased inclusivity. The largest increase (88%) was seen in the themes in teachers' responses regarding accommodations for a student with special needs. Regarding self-perceived ability, the average increase was 50%. Results show significant changes in teachers' adjustment awareness ability.

Originality/value

This study contributes to educational research, as the focus is PD for general teachers. PD opportunities with teaching strategies related to special needs (e.g. neurodevelopmental conditions, NDCs) are seldom offered to general education teachers. Support from teachers is a key strategy for accommodating students with special needs in mainstream classrooms. Furthermore, there is a lack of literature of interventions aiming to improve teachers' readiness and preparedness for students with NDCs in mainstream settings.
Analyzing the relationship between financial literacy and financial inclusion by microfinance banks in developing countries: social network theoretical approach
Authors: Okello Candiya Bongomin George , Mpeera Ntayi Joseph , Akol Malinga Charles
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The main purpose of this study is to establish the mediating effect of social network in the relationship between financial literacy and financial inclusion of the poor by microfinance banks in developing countries.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted a cross-sectional research design and data were collected from the poor who resides in rural Uganda. Structural equation modelling (SEM) through analysis of moment structures (AMOS) was used to analyze the data. Bootstrap approach with 5,000 samples was run to establish the mediating effect of social network in the relationship between financial literacy and financial inclusion of the poor by microfinance banks in developing countries.

Findings

The results showed that social network significantly and positively mediate the relationship between financial literacy and financial inclusion of the poor by microfinance banks in developing countries. In addition, financial literacy also has a direct significant and positive effect on financial inclusion. Overall, the findings suggest that the presence of social network fully mediate the effect of financial literacy on financial inclusion of the poor by microfinance banks in developing countries.

Research limitations/implications

This study adopted a cross-sectional research design and data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. Future studies could adopt longitudinal research design to establish the dynamic characteristics of the samples under study over time. Besides, this study collected data from only poor households who were clients of microfinance banks located in rural Uganda. It ignored the other section of the population who were not the poor. Therefore, future studies could use the other section of the population who are clients of commercial banks.

Practical implications

The advocates of financial literacy and managers of microfinance banks in developing countries should ensure using existing local structures such as community and village associations to conduct financial literacy training. The village associations help in mobilizing members who are close-knit based on the existing societal ties that can be used as a channel for disseminating vital financial literacy information. Indeed, financial literacy workshops, seminars, and business clinics can be easily conducted to individuals who are members of the village associations.

Originality/value

This paper integrates social network theory in the relationship between financial literacy and financial inclusion of the poor by microfinance banks in developing countries. Social network acts as a conduit through which financial knowledge and skills flow to increase the scope of financial inclusion of the poor in developing countries.
Exploring interpretations of blockchain's value in healthcare: a multi-stakeholder approach
Authors: Palas Md. Jahir Uddin , Bunduchi Raluca
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Drawing broadly from the technology frame (Davidson, 2002) and organizing vision perspectives (Swanson and Ramiller, 1997) which consider the business value of information technology as resulting from actors' efforts to make sense of new technology, the study applies Ojala's (2016) business model framework to examine how different sets of actors understand the value of blockchain within the healthcare sector.

Design/methodology/approach

To include the perspective of different sets of actors, the research combines a systematic literature review to capture academic research, semi-structured interviews with blockchain experts, with an analysis of blockchain healthcare vendors.

Findings

The study finds a high degree of congruence between the perspective of different actors, with key sources of blockchain value concentrated around value proposition, particularly enhancing privacy and security; value capture, specifically cost savings, and value network, mostly enhancing data accessibility and reducing intermediation. Value delivery is the least emphasized value creation mechanism and concerns primarily improvements in supply chain transparency. Minor variations between actors' interpretations of value exist, mostly around the contribution of blockchain to support the value proposition and include the provision of social value, the creation of trust, supporting automation and improving employment.

Originality/value

Recognizing that the value of new technology is as much the result of actors' interpretations, as the objective outcome of its deployment, this study takes a multi-stakeholder perspective to examine blockchain's business value and highlights new aspects of value associated with blockchain deployments. The findings include a value outcome framework that allows systematic comparisons between blockchain implementations across contexts.
Might the COVID-19 pandemic spur increased murder-suicide?
Authors: Joiner Thomas E. , Lieberman Amy , Stanley Ian H. , Reger Mark A.
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has prompted concerns about an increased risk for psychological distress, broadly and suicide mortality, specifically; it is, as yet, unclear if these concerns will be realized, but they are plausible.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors demonstrate why researchers, clinicians, policymakers and other public health stakeholders should be vigilant to the potential increases in murder-suicide in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Findings

During the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been reports of increased gun sales, alcohol sales, intimate partner violence and child neglect/abuse. These factors give one serious pause regarding the potential for murder-suicide, especially in the context of other pandemic-related stressors (e.g. loneliness, economic stress, health anxiety).

Originality/value

This paper highlights pandemic-related factors that might spur increased murder-suicide and encourages murder-suicide prevention efforts to take place alongside other pandemic-related public health interventions.
Modelling undesirable products in non-parametric performance analysis
Authors: Seihani Parashkouh Fateme , Kordrostami Sohrab , Amirteimoori Alireza , Ghane-Kanafi Armin
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is introducing an alternative model to measure the relative efficiency of observations with undesirable products. Describing the reference set and benchmarking.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, an alternative definition of weak disposability assumption is introduced to handle undesirable outputs. Actually, two types of undesirable outputs are addressed and a substitute definition of weak disposability is presented.

Findings

Using this assumption a linear production technology set along with a performance analysis model is constructed to assess the relative efficiency of the decision-making units. To illustrate the radial application of the proposed approach, a real case on transportation system of USA during 1992-2009 is given.

Originality/value

To date, data envelopment analysis studies have investigated undesirable outputs by the assumption of weak disposability, defined as the proportional contraction of good and bad products, which leads to the null-joint assumption between good and bad outputs. Therefore, the only way to produce no undesirable outputs is producing zero desirable outputs. So the production process should be stopped while it is not economically cost-effective. However, in some processes there are some undesirable outputs, which are decreased with non-same percentages. So these undesirable outputs can be stopped while the good outputs have a strictly positive value. In this situation, the good outputs are not null-joint with this type of bad outputs. In the current paper, a new definition of the weak disposability of outputs was represented while two groups of undesirable outputs were considered. Hence, desirable outputs and the first kind of undesirable outputs were decreased proportionally. However, the reduction value was different for the second kind of undesirable outputs. Hence, the null-joint assumption is removed from the production technology. Then, a new technology was proposed based on five postulates as inclusion of observations, free disposability of desirable outputs and inputs, new weak disposability, convexity and minimum extrapolation.
Symbolic rationality in the public sector
Authors: Eriksson Rikard , Ellingsen Pål
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The aim of this article is to describe work relations between leaders and counsellors in the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration (NAV). The study focuses on communication, control, work ethos, worldview and digital production management (DPM).

Design/methodology/approach

This article is based on two empirical studies from the same research project at the NAV in the south of Norway called “Leadership and client orientation in NAV”. The research design led to a qualitative interview method being used to collect and analyse the opinions and experiences of the interviewees (Merriam, 2009).

Findings

The study found that (a) leaders use DPM to control employees, (b) communicative and regulative aspects of working in NAV, (c) contradictory simultaneous work demands on leaders and counsellors and (d) the symbolic rationality of work in NAV. The aspects (a) to (d) show a specific worldview in NAV. The study also found aspects of work ethos in NAV, such as a strong will to help and do well for the user and at the same time meet NAV's financial and administrative requirements (Lundquist, 1998; Byrkjeflot, 2008). It is fruitful to describe this situation using the concept of symbolic rationality.

Originality/value

Through symbolic rationality, the study has identified the possibility for further research on the hybrid professionalism of leadership and counsellorship, at three levels in the ambidextrous public sector. The first is the epistemological level, where the concept sets limits on how a social situation such as NAV can be spoken about and understood. A second level is the theoretical level, where categories and logics can be formed and that are seen as being applicable to work in NAV. The third and final level is the practical level, where the concept of symbolic rationality and the meanings connected with it shape leaders' and counsellors' professional practice in the public sector.
Activation energy impact on radiated magneto-Sisko nanofluid flow over a stretching and slipping cylinder: entropy analysis
Authors: Sarkar S. , Jana R.N. , Das S.
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to analyze the heat and mass transfer with entropy generation during magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) flow of non-Newtonian Sisko nanofluid over a linearly stretching cylinder under the influence of velocity slip, chemical reaction and thermal radiation. The Brownian motion, thermophoresis and activation energy are assimilated in this nanofluid model. Convective boundary conditions on heat and mass transfer are considered. The physical model may have diverse applications in several areas of technology underlying thermohydrodynamics including supercritical fluid extraction, refrigeration, ink-jet printing and so on.

Design/methodology/approach

The dimensional governing equations are nondimensionalized by using appropriate similarity variables. The resulting boundary value problem is converted into initial value problem using the method of superposition and numerically computed by employing well-known fourth-order Runge–Kutta–Fehlberg approach along with shooting technique (RKF4SM). The quantitative impacts of emerging physical parameters on the velocity, temperature, concentration, skin friction coefficient, Nusselt number, Sherwood number, entropy generation rate and Bejan number are presented graphically and in tabular form, and the salient features are comprehensively discussed.

Findings

From graphical outcomes, it is concluded that the slip parameters greatly influence the flow characteristics. Fluid temperature is elevated with rising radiation parameter and thermal Biot number. Nanoparticle concentration is reported in decreasing form with activation energy parameter. Entropy is found to be an increasing function of magnetic field, Brownian motion and material parameters. The entropy is less generated for shear-thinning fluid compared to shear-thickening as well as Newtonian fluids in the system.

Originality/value

Till now no study has been documented to explore the impact of binary chemical reaction with Arrhenius activation energy on entropy generation in an MHD boundary layer flow of non-Newtonian Sisko nanofluid over a linear stretching cylinder with velocity slip and convective boundary conditions.
Breaking the code of silence: who are the women reporting sex-based discrimination in federal regulatory agencies?
Authors: Lee David , Yu Helen H.
Published: June 2020

Purpose

This study examines women's reporting behaviors in US federal law enforcement and provides an exploratory analysis of individual and occupational variables to describe the women who respond assertively to reporting unlawful workplace behaviors.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey responses are collected from sworn female officers employed by two US federal law enforcement agencies who responded “yes” to having experienced sexual harassment (n = 368) and/or sexual discrimination (n = 410) in the workplace.

Findings

The findings suggest that individual characteristics such as age, as well as occupational variables such as grade level and tenure duration, significantly impact assertive reporting behaviors for sex-based discrimination.

Research limitations/implications

The sample represents those respondents from only two organizations, limiting the sampling frame and generalizability.

Practical implications

While these findings are not promising for junior women working in law enforcement, they have important practical implications for agency decision-makers who want to eliminate or reduce unlawful behavior in the workplace.

Originality/value

Most of the literature on reporting sex-based discrimination, including sexual harassment, has focused on why women do not report unlawful behaviors in the workplace, while a limited number of scholars have identified who will respond more assertively when encountering such discriminatory behavior. This article builds on the latter by examining additional occupational and individual variables to the discussion.
A study of rock ladder structure used in buffer storage of iron ore pellets: DEM simulation and analytical model
Authors: Madadi-Najafabadi A. Hossein , Masoumi Abolfazl
Published: June 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to analyze the abrasive damage of iron ore pellets (IOP) during charge inside day-bins in iron making plants. The rock-ladder structure of day-bin is the spotlight of this study. A numerical-analytical method is used to investigate the main geometrical features of the mentioned structure. Practical results of this study are expected to result in optimization of rock-ladder structure to reduce fine generation and lump formation during pellets downfall on the floors of rock-ladder.

Design/methodology/approach

One effective stage of pellets downfall on the floor of rock-ladder was simulated using discrete element method. A special post-process code is used to calculate parameters of pellets collisions for an analytical model which estimates fine generation during collisions. The main damaging mechanism during pellets storage inside day-bin is determined based on the comparison of the numerical-analytical results and industrial reports. Different rock-ladder designs are simulated to find optimal geometry of the rock-ladder structure.

Findings

According to the results, 85.4% of fines generation takes place during downfall of IOPs on the floors of rock ladder, and the rest of the fine debris is expected to be generated due to flow down under compressive load and vibratory discharge. The present study suggests an increase in the rock ladder floors distance from 1.63 to 2 m, but this suggestion should be confirmed by another study focusing on the breakage damage of IOPs. The idea of chamfering the floors corners not only removes lump-formation zones but also results in an approximately 5.7% reduction in the fines generation rate.

Originality/value

According to the results, introduced modification ideas for rock-ladder structure can result in lower fine generation, lower lump removal cost and lower manufacturing cost of rock-ladder structure.