bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molecular Understanding of Calorimetric Protein Unfolding Experiments
Authors: Seelig Joachim , Seelig Anna
Published: August 2021

Protein unfolding is a dynamic cooperative equilibrium between short lived protein conformations. The Zimm-Bragg theory is an ideal algorithm to handle cooperative processes. Here, we extend the analytical capabilities of the Zimm-Bragg theory in two directions. First, we combine the Zimm-Bragg partition function Z(T) with statistical-mechanical thermodynamics, explaining the thermodynamic system properties enthalpy, entropy and free energy with molecular parameters only. Second, the molecular enthalpy h0to unfold a single amino acid residue is made temperature-dependent. The addition of a heat capacity term cvallows predicting not only heat denaturation, but also cold denaturation. Moreover, it predicts the heat capacity increasein protein unfolding. The theory is successfully applied to differential scanning calorimetry experiments of proteins of different size and structure, that is, gpW62 (62aa), ubiquitin (74aa), lysozyme (129aa), metmyoglobin (153aa) and mAb monoclonal antibody (1290aa). Particular attention was given to the free energy, which can easily be obtained from the heat capacity Cp(T). The DSC experiments reveal a zero free energy for the native protein with an immediate decrease to negative free energies upon cold and heat denaturation. This trapezoidal shape is precisely reproduced by the Zimm-Bragg theory, whereas the so far applied non-cooperative 2-state model predicts a parabolic shape with a positive free energy maximum of the native protein. We demonstrate that the molecular parameters of the Zimm-Bragg theory have a well-defined physical meaning. In addition to predicting protein stability, independent of protein size, they yield estimates of unfolding kinetics and can be connected to molecular dynamics calculations.
Adverse Outcomes in Pulmonary Tuberculosis patients on Retreatment Regimen: Evaluation of Pharmacokinetic Estimates as Risk Indicators
Authors: Mohan Anant , Bhatnagar Anuj , Gupta Tarang , Kanswal Sunita , Das Ujjalkumar , Velpandian Thirumurthy , Guleria Randeep , Singh Urvashi B.
Published: August 2021

Patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) who fail therapy or develop a relapse are initiated on re-treatment regimen. These patients are known to have adverse outcomes. This study aimed to determine the role of plasma levels of Anti-tubercular drugs in treatment outcome. Plasma levels of retreatment regimen drugs [Isoniazid(INH), Rifampicin(RIF), Pyrazinamide(PZA), Ethambutol(EMB), and Streptomycin(STM)] were compared between treatment responsive/cured and treatment failure/not-cured patients. Plasma drug levels were analysed by LC-MS/MS at different time points in 134 PTB patients on retreatment regimen. Of the 134 subjects, 108 were cured, 17 patients developed multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB), and 9 patients remained smear positive at treatment completion (8 months). The two-hour plasma levels (C2hr) (geometric mean) were lower in ‘Not Cured’ subjects compared to ‘Cured’ subjects Notably, in the 26 ‘Not Cured’ subjects, C2hrplasma levels after first dose at Day0 were significantly low (INH: 0.86 vs 2.94 µg/ml p≤0.002, RIF: 0.56 vs 2.55 µg/ml p≤0.003, PZA: 1.85 vs 26.58 µg/ml p≤0.000 and EMB: 0.72 vs 1.53 µg/ml p≤0.010). In contrast, STM levels were higher (31.84 vs 18.08 µg/ml p ≤0.007). Based on ROC analysis of the data, therapeutic indicator values for successful treatment outcome were C2hrplasma levels of 10.6 µg/ml for PZA, 1.14 µg/ml for RIF, 1.86 µg/ml for INH and 1.24 µg/ml for EMB. Therapeutic failure in PTB patients on retreatment regimen is associated with lower plasma drug levels. Therapeutic drug monitoring would prove useful to maintain drug levels above the minimum cut-off levels for obtaining favourable clinical outcome.
Robust fault-tolerant flight path angle control
Authors: Dhadekar Dinesh D. , Misra Ajay , Talole S.E.
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to design a nonlinear dynamic inversion (NDI) based robust fault-tolerant control (FTC) for aircraft longitudinal dynamics subject to system nonlinearities, aerodynamic parametric variations, external wind disturbances and fault/failure in actuator.

Design/methodology/approach

An uncertainty and disturbance estimator (UDE) technique is used to provide estimate of total disturbance enabling its rejection and thereby achieving robustness to the proposed NDI controller. As needed in the NDI design, the successive derivatives of the output are obtained through an UDE robustified observer making the design implementable. Further, a control allocation scheme consigns control command from primary actuator to the secondary one in the event of fault/failure in the primary actuator.

Findings

The robustness is achieved against the perturbations mentioned above in the presence of actuator fault/failure.

Practical implications

Lyapunov analysis proves practical stability of the controller–observer structure. The efficacy and superiority of the proposed design has been demonstrated through Monte-Carlo simulation.

Originality/value

Unlike in many FTC designs, robustness is provided against system nonlinearities, aerodynamic parametric variations, external wind disturbances and sinusoidal input disturbance using a single control law which caters for fault-free, as well as faulty actuator scenario.
A brain-inspired localization system for the UAV based on navigation cells
Authors: Chao Lijun , Xiong Zhi , Liu Jianye , Yang Chuang , Chen Yudi
Published: August 2021

Purpose

To solve problems of low intelligence and poor robustness of traditional navigation systems, the purpose of this paper is to propose a brain-inspired localization method of the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

Design/methodology/approach

First, the yaw angle of the UAV is obtained by modeling head direction cells with one-dimension continuous attractor neural network (1 D-CANN) and then inputs into 3D grid cells. After that, the motion information of the UAV is encoded as the firing of 3 D grid cells using 3 D-CANN. Finally, the current position of the UAV can be decoded from the neuron firing through the period-adic method.

Findings

Simulation results suggest that continuous yaw and position information can be generated from the conjunctive model of head direction cells and grid cells.

Originality/value

The proposed period-adic cell decoding method can provide a UAV with the 3 D position, which is more intelligent and robust than traditional navigation methods.
Design and simulation in SAR satellites’ task planning system using genetic algorithm with entropy operator
Authors: Liu Wan , Li Zeyu , Chen Li , Zhang Dexin , Shao Xiaowei
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to innovatively propose to improve the efficiency of satellite observation and avoid the waste of satellite resources, a genetic algorithm with entropy operator (GAE) of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites’ task planning algorithm.

Design/methodology/approach

The GAE abbreviated as GAE introduces the entropy value of each orbit task into the fitness calculation of the genetic algorithm, which makes the orbit with higher entropy value more likely to be selected and participate in the remaining process of the genetic algorithm.

Findings

The simulation result shows that in a condition of the same calculate ability, 85% of the orbital revisit time is unchanged or decreased and 30% is significantly reduced by using the GAE compared with traditional task planning genetic algorithm, which indicates that the GAE can improve the efficiency of satellites’ task planning.

Originality/value

The GAE is an optimization of the traditional genetic algorithm. It combines entropy in thermodynamics with task planning problems. The algorithm considers the whole lifecycle of task planning and gets the desired results. It can greatly improve the efficiency of task planning in observation satellites and shorten the entire task execution time. Then, using the GAE to complete SAR satellites’ task planning is of great significance in reducing satellite operating costs and emergency rescue, which brings certain economic and social benefits.
Weierstrass points on modular curves X0(N) fixed by the Atkin–Lehner involutions
Authors: Bojakli Mustafa , Sankari Hasan
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The authors have determined whether the points fixed by all the full and the partial Atkin–Lehner involutions WQ on X0(N) for N ≤ 50 are Weierstrass points or not.

Design/methodology/approach

The design is by using Lawittes's and Schoeneberg's theorems.

Findings

Finding all Weierstrass points on X0(N) fixed by some Atkin–Lehner involutions. Besides, the authors have listed them in a table.

Originality/value

The Weierstrass points have played an important role in algebra. For example, in algebraic number theory, they have been used by Schwartz and Hurwitz to determine the group structure of the automorphism groups of compact Riemann surfaces of genus g ≥ 2. Whereas in algebraic geometric coding theory, if one knows a Weierstrass nongap sequence of a Weierstrass point, then one is able to estimate parameters of codes in a concrete way. Finally, the set of Weierstrass points is useful in studying arithmetic and geometric properties of X0(N).
Lotka’s law and author productivity pattern of research in law discipline
Authors: Sahu Archana , Jena Puspanjali
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This study aims to analyze the productivity patterns of authors using law literature indexed in Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) from 2016 to 2020 based on Lotka’s law. Lotka’s law of scientific productivity provides a platform for studying the variation between the actual and expected authors’ productivity patterns in a subject area over a specified period.

Design/methodology/approach

This study covers 3,334 open access journal articles in law subject. The law journals are subdivided into two basic divisions, namely, public law and private law. This paper focuses on the journal-wise distribution of publications, subject-wise distribution of publications, annual growth rate (AGR) as well as compound AGR and applicability of Lotka’s law in both public and private law by applying the least square method followed by Pao and doing the K-S goodness-of-fit test. Student’s t-test and chi-square test have been applied to verify the significant difference between the public law and the private law literature.

Findings

There is no significant difference between the public law and private law publications on their publications per issue. The chi-square test showed that there is no significant difference between the year-wise publications in public law and private law. The authorship productivity in public law differs from the distribution of Lotka’s inverse square law, whereas it follows Lotka’s law in the case of private law.

Research limitations/implications

This study is based on the articles published in open access English language journals which are indexed in the DOAJ.

Originality/value

This study will be useful to know the authorship productivity pattern of law literature for both public and private law individually.
Exploring the key challenges facing company secretaries in a two-tier board context
Authors: Peij Stefan , Bezemer Pieter-Jan
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This study aims to examine the core challenges facing company secretaries in a two-tier board context. This study focuses on the key factors contributing to these challenges and how company secretaries can effectively address them.

Design/methodology/approach

An analysis of the narratives provided by 291 Dutch company secretaries in response to a series of open-ended questionnaire questions led to insights into the key challenges company secretaries face in their day-to-day work.

Findings

Company secretaries perceive a myriad of factors contributing to pressures on their time, the need to work for multiple organizational bodies and the processing of information. They believe process interventions and social interventions are needed to alleviate these issues.

Research limitations/implications

The research highlights the need to deeply study boards from a holistic and systems point of view that recognizes the various actors, such as the company secretary, and their relationships in a boardroom context. Furthermore, the research shows how the two-tier board model may complicate these relational dynamics owing to the formal separation of decision management from decision control.

Practical implications

This study identifies various pragmatic ways to address the core challenges facing company secretaries so as to improve their contributions to decision-making at the apex of organizations.

Originality/value

This study sheds light on an important organizational actor (i.e. the company secretary) that hitherto has received scant attention in the governance literature.
Effects of additives on via filling and pattern plating with simultaneous electroplating
Authors: Sun Zhihong , Wang Jing
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to solve the issue of via filling and pattern plating simultaneously by concentration optimization of accelerator and leveler in the electroplating bath.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper designs a series of experiments to verify the performance of pattern plating with the via filling plating formula. Then the compositions of electroplating solution are optimized to achieve via filling and pattern plating simultaneously. Finally, the mechanism of co-plating for via and line is discussed in brief.

Findings

To achieve excellent performance for via filling and pattern plating simultaneously, proportion of additives are comprehensively considered in optimization of electroplating process. Effects of additives on the via filling and pattern plating should be taken into consideration, especially in achieving flat lines.

Originality/value

This paper discusses the different effects of accelerator and leveler on the via filling and the pattern plating, respectively. The process of co-plating for the via and the line is presented. The superfilling of via and the flat line are simultaneously obtained with the optimized via filling formula.
Public library Twitter use during the early period of the COVID-19 lockdown in the United States
Authors: Choi Youngok , Kim Sung Un
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the Twitter use of public libraries during the early period of lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic to evaluate the focus of Twitter communication.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 57 active, public library Twitter accounts were used for data collection and analysis. The tweets examined were a combination of original tweets (n= 1,465) and retweets (n= 516) posted from other Twitter accounts on the public libraries’ Twitter feeds. A content analysis scheme was developed to analyse topical aspects of the tweets.

Findings

The most frequent tweets were about library events, programmes and activities. However, there was a relatively low focus on sharing community information and addressing information related to the pandemic. The study suggests that public libraries could use Twitter to provide library resources and services to their patrons, whilst also acting as a virtual community centre safely keeping patrons engaged in the face of a global pandemic. By doing so, Twitter could be used as an integral part of promoting the mission of public libraries.

Research limitations/implications

The study examined a limited number of public libraries’ Twitter posts. Whilst the study carried out a random sampling of 10% of public libraries from the five states that had the highest COVID-19 cases in the month of April 2020, the study only examined tweets of 57 public libraries being active in posting. Thus, the findings of the study are not for generalizing.

Practical implications

The content scheme includes content types regarding library services and community information. The content category scheme is general to reflect themes of content during a normal time and any emergency. Thus, this framework could be helpful for the content development of public libraries in planning social media use.

Originality/value

The study used a new content analysis framework to examine both original tweets and retweets for information sharing of library services and community information. The approach of content analysis is distinctive to examine libraries’ communication trends on social media not only in normal times but also in times of crisis as well. The study also incorporated additional measures to assess Twitter practices including hashtags.
An exploratory analysis: extracting materials science knowledge from unstructured scholarly data
Authors: Zhao Xintong , Greenberg Jane , Meschke Vanessa , Toberer Eric , Hu Xiaohua
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The output of academic literature has increased significantly due to digital technology, presenting researchers with a challenge across every discipline, including materials science, as it is impossible to manually read and extract knowledge from millions of published literature. The purpose of this study is to address this challenge by exploring knowledge extraction in materials science, as applied to digital scholarship. An overriding goal is to help inform readers about the status knowledge extraction in materials science.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted a two-part analysis, comparing knowledge extraction methods applied materials science scholarship, across a sample of 22 articles; followed by a comparison of HIVE-4-MAT, an ontology-based knowledge extraction and MatScholar, a named entity recognition (NER) application. This paper covers contextual background, and a review of three tiers of knowledge extraction (ontology-based, NER and relation extraction), followed by the research goals and approach.

Findings

The results indicate three key needs for researchers to consider for advancing knowledge extraction: the need for materials science focused corpora; the need for researchers to define the scope of the research being pursued, and the need to understand the tradeoffs among different knowledge extraction methods. This paper also points to future material science research potential with relation extraction and increased availability of ontologies.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, there are very few studies examining knowledge extraction in materials science. This work makes an important contribution to this underexplored research area.
Two-dimensional thermo-mechanical fractional responses to biological tissue with rheological properties
Authors: Ezzat Magdy A. , Lewis Roland W.
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The system of equations for fractional thermo-viscoelasticity is used to investigate two-dimensional bioheat transfer and heat-induced mechanical response in human skin tissue with rheological properties.

Design/methodology/approach

Laplace and Fourier’s transformations are used. The resulting formulation is applied to human skin tissue subjected to regional hyperthermia therapy for cancer treatment. The inversion process for Fourier and Laplace transforms is carried out using a numerical method based on Fourier series expansions.

Findings

Comparisons are made with the results anticipated through the coupled and generalized theories. The influences of volume materials properties and fractional order parameters for all the regarded fields are examined. The results indicate that volume relaxation parameters, as well as fractional order parameters, play a major role in all considered distributions.

Originality/value

Bio-thermo-mechanics includes bioheat transfer, biomechanics, burn injury and physiology. In clinical applications, knowledge of bio-thermo-mechanics in living tissues is very important. One can infer from the numerical results that, with a finite distance, the thermo-mechanical waves spread to skin tissue, removing the unrealistic predictions of the Pennes’ model.
Cooperation for the implementation of digital applications in rural cultural tourism marketing
Authors: Schuhbauer Sarah Lisa , Hausmann Andrea
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This study aims to identify pitfalls in the use of cooperation for the implementation of digital applications in rural cultural tourism marketing and derive practical implications for avoiding them.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 14 semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with the participants of the cooperation project around the Web app “The Legend of the Call of the Mountain” in the Zugspitz Region in Germany.

Findings

The study has identified four key pitfalls: challenges in the long-term financing, destination-specific characteristics of rural areas, doubts about the use of evaluations and the limited horizon of many cultural institutions.

Research limitations/implications

Because of the qualitative approach and the single case study, the results may lack generalisability. Therefore, future research should place the results to a larger scale, for example, with a mixed methods approach.

Practical implications

Practical implications can be derived from the study for avoiding pitfalls and thus for a successful use of such cooperation projects. The implications draw attention to the different possibilities of long-term financing, the important role of a central tourism organisation, the special possibilities of evaluations and the important role of general awareness raising for the added values of such cooperation.

Originality/value

By examining an exemplary cooperation project, the paper fills an existing research gap, as there has been little knowledge in empirical cultural tourism research about the special conditions for using cooperation to implement digital applications in rural cultural tourism marketing.
Analysis of dynamic characteristics of spiral groove liquid film seal under thermal–fluid–solid coupling
Authors: Yu Bo , Hao Muming , Xinhui Sun , Wang Zengli , Fuyu Liu , Yongfan Li
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the dynamic characteristics of spiral groove liquid film seal under the effect of thermal–fluid–solid coupling.

Design/methodology/approach

The dynamic analysis model of spiral groove liquid film seal under the effect of thermal–fluid–solid coupling was established by perturbation method. The steady-state and perturbation Reynolds equations were solved, and the steady-state sealing performance and dynamic characteristic coefficients of the liquid film were obtained.

Findings

Compared with the liquid film without coupling method, a divergent seal gap is formed between the seal rings under the effect of thermal–fluid–solid coupling, the minimum liquid film thickness decreases, the dynamic stiffness and damping coefficients of the liquid film are increased and the thermoelastic deformation of the end-face improves the dynamic performance of the liquid film seal.

Originality/value

The dynamic characteristics of the spiral groove liquid film seal under the effect of thermal–fluid–solid coupling are studied, which provides a theoretical reference for optimizing the dynamic performance of the non-contacting liquid film seal.
Board gender diversity, governance and Egyptian listed firms' performance
Authors: Ramadan Maha Mohamed , Hassan Mostafa Kamal
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The study aimed to examine the effect of corporate governance mechanisms on the performance of Egyptian firms listed in the Egyptian Stock Exchange (EGX) between 2014 and 2016.

Design/methodology/approach

We relied on agency theory and resource dependence theory to generate testable hypotheses and capture the empirical findings. We regressed various performance measures (Return on Assets; Asset Utilization Ratio, Tobin'sQ) regarding governance mechanisms (institutional ownership, managerial ownership, board size, board frequent meetings, the presence of non-executive directors and female directors) while controlling for firm size, leverage, years of listing and market share. The study uses ordinary least square (OLS) and two stages least square (2SLS) regression analysis to address the possible endogenous impact of the firms' ownership structure.

Findings

Board gender diversity, the managerial ownership and frequent board meetings positively influence the Egyptian firms' efficiency measured by assets utilization, while the institutional ownership and board size have negative effects. When using Tobin'sQ, the managerial ownership shows a negative effect while institutional ownership and board size present positive effects. When using 2SLS regression, findings remained stable whereas non-executive directors showed a significant negative association with assets utilization.

Practical implications

Policy makers are recommended to draft policies related to limiting the number of board members, diluting the government's indirect ownership of firms, empowering women in boardrooms and developing the skills needed for non-executive directors.

Originality/value

To the best of our knowledge, our study is one of very few that address firms' performance after a period of political instability accompanied by a greater role for females in the boardrooms of Egypt.
Abnormal real activities, meeting earnings targets and firms' future operating performance: evidence from an emerging economy
Authors: Alhaddad Lara M. , Whittington Mark , Gerged Ali Meftah
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the extent to which real earnings management (REM) is used in Jordan to meet zero or previous year's earnings, and how this impacts the subsequent operating performance of Jordanian firms.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used a sample of 98 Jordanian listed firms over the 2010–2018 period. To test the research hypotheses, which are formulated in accordance with both, agency theory and signalling theory, multivariate regression is performed using a pooled OLS estimation. Additionally, a two-step dynamic generalised method of moment (GMM) model has been estimated to address any concerns regarding the potential occurrence of endogeneity issues.

Findings

The results show that Jordanian firms that meet zero or last year's earnings tend to exhibit evidence of real activities manipulations. More specifically, suspect firms show unusually low abnormal discretionary expenses and unusually high abnormal production costs. Further, consistent with the signalling earnings management argument, the authors find that abnormal real-based activities intended to meet zero earnings or previous year's earnings potentially improve the subsequent operating performance of Jordanian firms. This implies that REM is not totally opportunistic, but it can be used to enhance the subsequent operating performance of Jordanian firms. Our findings are robust to alternative proxies and endogeneity concerns.

Practical implications

The findings have several implications for policymakers, regulators, audit professionals and investors in their attempts to constrain REM practices to enhance financial reporting quality in Jordan. Managing earnings by reducing discretionary expenses appeared to be the most convenient way to manipulate earnings in Jordan. It provides flexibility in terms of time and the amount of spending. The empirical evidence, therefore, reiterates the crucial necessity to refocus the efforts of internal and external auditors on limiting this type of manipulation to reduce the occurrence of REM activities and enhance the subsequent operating performance of listed firms in Jordan. Drawing on Al-Haddad and Whittington (2019), the evidence also urges regulators and standards setters to develop a more effective enforcement mechanism for corporate governance provisions in Jordan to minimise the likelihood of REM incidence.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the body of the accounting literature by providing the first empirical evidence in the Middle East region overall on the use of REM to meet zero or previous year earnings by Jordanian firms. Moreover, the study is the first to empirically examine the relationship between REM and Jordanian firms' future operating performance.
Non-linear ADRL estimation of corruption and FDI inflow to Ghana
Authors: Nsor-Ambala Randolph , Coffie Cephas Paa Kwasi
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the effect of corruption on foreign direct investment (FDI) inflow in Ghana. This provides answers to the call for further empirical examination of the contextual impact of corruption on FDI inflow.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses a non-linear ADRL time series econometric model to estimate data from the World Bank and the international country risk guide (1984–2019).

Findings

The study confirms the sand in the wheel and the grabbing hand hypothesis of the impact of control of corruption (CoC) on FDI both in the short and long run. However, degradation on the CoC index has a significant and more than a proportionate constraint on FDI inflows, while an improvement in CoC has no significant impact on improving FDI inflows. An explanation for this outcome was proposed after comparing this finding to a similar prior study with a Nigerian data set (Zangina and Hassan, 2020). The proposed explanation relied mainly on the rational expectation hypothesis and drawing elements of the efficient market hypothesis. FDI inflows do not react to outcomes or trajectories reasonably expected because such rationally expected future outcomes will have been modelled into existing FDI movement decisions. Instead, FDI flows react to “surprises” and often respond in a more than proportional manner.

Practical implications

Political leadership in Ghana should be conscious of the severe adverse effects of inaction or ineffective action in curbing corruption, leading to slippering in CoC rankings. In the case of Ghana, the dependence of FDI on CoC is even more pronounced as the other variables within the specified model show an insignificant impact on FDI. Additionally, admittedly aggregated cross-country data in econometric modelling is appealing and has some empirical basis, but these must not erode the relevance of country-specific studies as both are needed to support theorization.

Originality/value

The paper is among the first to test for the asymmetric relationship between corruption or its control thereof and FDI with a time series approach, and hence, the findings offer new insight.
Digital transformation of legionella-safe cooling towers: an ecosystem design approach
Authors: Ângelo Alexandra , Barata João
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Legionnaires’ disease is a major threat to public health. Solutions to deal with this problem are usually siloed and not entirely effective. This paper aims to model the information requirements of legionella-safe cooling towers in the era of Industry 4.0.

Design/methodology/approach

A year-long design science research was conducted in a cooling tower producer for heavy industries. The project started with a bibliometric analysis and literature review of legionella in cooling towers. Goal modeling techniques are then used to identify the requirements for digital transformation.

Findings

The improvement of legionella prevention, detection and outbreak response in digitally enabled cooling tower should involve different stakeholders. Digital twins and blockchain are disruptive technologies that can transform the cooling tower industry.

Originality/value

For theory, this study revises the most recent advances in legionella protection. Legionella-safe systems must be prepared to anticipate, monitor and immediate alert in case of an outbreak. For practice, this paper presents a distributed and digital architecture for cooling tower safety. However, technology is only a part of outbreak management solutions, requiring trustworthy conditions and real-time communication among stakeholders.
Administrative model of financial intelligence units: an analysis of effectiveness of the AML/CFT regime
Authors: Jayasekara Sisira Dharmasri
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the impact of the model of an financial intelligence unit (FIU) and the availability of resources of an FIU on the strength of the anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) legal framework and the overall effectiveness of the AML/CFT regime.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use FIU specific characteristics to measure the impact on the developed AML/CFT Compliance Index (Jayasekara, 2020a) and AML/CFT Effectiveness Index (Jayasekara, 2020b) in measuring the overall effectiveness of an AML/CFT regime. In addition, the impact of an AML/CFT regime on the cost to exports and gross domestic product are modeled.

Findings

The empirical results suggest that the model of an FIU is an important determinant of an effective AML/CFT regime. The administrative model of FIU shows a negative relationship with the overall effectiveness of the AML/CFT regime. The availability of resources which was measured in terms of human resources at FIUs shows a significant positive relationship with the effectiveness. However, the model of an FIU and the availability of resources of an FIU are not significant determinants of a sound AML/CFT legal framework. The results further reveal that effective AML/CFT regimes promote economic growth and also international trade by reducing the cost of exports. Therefore, policymakers are required to reassess the administrative model FIU of the country and have to adopt a suitable model which has been assigned more power to implement the regime.

Practical implications

This study was initially designed to capture more FIU specific variables using a questionnaire to widen the scope of the study. However, the low response rate to the questionnaire forced us to rely on publicly available data on FIU characteristics. Therefore, appropriate FIU specific variables may be developed in future research based on this foundation.

Originality/value

This paper is an original work done by the author that discusses the FIU specific characteristics on the overall strength and effectiveness of AML/CFT regimes and further extends the use of originally designed AML/CFT Compliance Index and AML/CFT Effectiveness Index.
Disentangling the implications of teleworking on work–life balance: a serial mediation analysis through motivation and satisfaction
Authors: Palumbo Rocco , Flamini Giulia , Gnan Luca , Pellegrini Massimiliano Matteo , Petrolo Damiano , Fakhar Manesh Mohammad
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Literature is not consistent in discussing the implications of teleworking on work–life balance (WLB). Even though teleworking may enhance work arrangements’ flexibility, it blurs boundaries between life and work, endangering the individual WLB. The paper intends to illuminate this issue, moving forward our understanding of teleworking’s implications using the Social Exchange Theory framework.

Design/methodology/approach

Secondary data were collected from Eurofound’s sixth European Working Condition Survey. A large sample of Europeans (n = 16,473) was involved in this study. The authors designed a serial mediation analysis to investigate the direct and indirect effects of teleworking on WLB. The authors included employees’ job motivation and job satisfaction as intervening variables that mediate the relationship between teleworking and WLB.

Findings

The authors found teleworking to negatively affect WLB, putting under stress the teleworkers’ ability to handle the interplay between work and life. However, the serial mediation analysis pointed out that teleworking triggers an improvement of job motivation, which, in turn, boosts job satisfaction. Increased job motivation and job satisfaction nurture positive employees’ perception of WLB.

Practical implications

The study results invite us to pay attention to the complex interplay between teleworking and WLB, emphasizing the mediating role of job motivation and job satisfaction. As a flexible work arrangement, teleworking may increase the employees’ sense of control over their work, which leads to better perceived WLB. However, confounding the boundaries between work and daily life, it may nourish work-to-life and life-to-work conflicts.

Originality/value

This paper advances what is currently known about teleworking’s implications on WLB, envisioning avenues for further conceptual and empirical developments.
Depressive symptoms and health-related quality of life in patients attending government – owned psychiatric clinics in Nigeria
Authors: Aluh Deborah O. , Adibe Maxwell O. , Abba Abubakar , Sam-Eze Chukwudi E. , Isah Abdulmuminu
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Depression and its symptoms negatively influence the health-related quality of life of patients. This paper aims to explore the occurrence of depressive symptoms and their relationship with health-related quality of life and sociodemographic characteristics.

Design/methodology/approach

It was a cross-sectional study conducted among patients attending the outpatient psychiatric clinics of two Nigerian hospitals. Data were collected using sociodemographic, PHQ-9 and 15 D questionnaires from a convenience sample of patients. Statistical Product and Services Solution Software (SPSS) version 21.0 was used to evaluate depressive symptoms, health-related quality of life, sociodemographic characteristics and the associations among them.

Findings

The mean depressive symptoms and health-related quality of life scores were found to be 12.118 ± 4.373 and 0.829 ± 0.141, respectively. The result showed a significant negative correlation (r = −0.318, p < 0.001) between respondents’ depressive symptoms and health-related quality of life. Patients with comorbid conditions reported a significantly higher level of depressive symptoms (p = 0.002) and lower health-related quality of life (p < 0.001). There was a significant difference in the mean health-related quality of life of the respondents across their level of education and marital status.

Originality/value

Depressive symptoms are a common occurrence in psychiatric conditions. This study provides an insight into the associations between depressive symptoms, socio-demographic factors and the health-related quality of life of psychiatric patients in a low-income country.
Evaluation of UV post-curing depth for homogenous cross-linking of stereolithography parts
Authors: Schlotthauer Tristan , Nitsche Jan , Middendorf Peter
Published: August 2021

Purpose

During post-processing of stereolithography photopolymers, the limited penetration depth of ultraviolet (UV) light can lead to inhomogeneous cross-linking. This is a major problem in part design for industrial applications as this creates uncertainty regarding the mechanical load capacity. Therefore, this paper aims to present an experimental method to measure the post-curing depth in stereolithography photopolymers.

Design/methodology/approach

Printed specimens made from urethane acrylate photopolymers are placed in a protective housing and are exposed on one side to UV light during post-processing. A depth profile of the hardness according to ASTM D2240 Shore D is determined alongside the specimens. UVA,-B and -C spectra are investigated and the dependence on exposure dose and pigmentation is studied. The results are directly linked to the mechanical properties via tensile tests and validated on an automotive trim part.

Findings

Exposure with a 405 nm light-emitting diode provides the deepest homogenous post-curing depth of 10.5 mm, which depends on the overall exposure dose and pigmentation. If the initially transparent photopolymer is colored with black pigments, post-curing depth is significantly reduced and no homogenous post-curing can be achieved. To obtain comparable mechanical properties by tensile tests, complete cross-linking of the specimen cross-section has to be ensured.

Research limitations/implications

The spatial resolution of the presented measurement method depends on the indenter size and sample hardness. As a result, the resolution of the used setup is limited in the area close to the edges of the specimen.

Originality/value

This paper shows that the spatially resolved hardness measurement provides more information on the post-curing influence than the evaluation of global mechanical properties. The presented method can be used to ensure homogenous cross-linking of stereolithography parts.
Augmenting the formation of esports gameplay intention: interaction effects of genre and gender
Authors: Jang Wooyoung (William) , Byon Kevin K. , Williams Antonio , Pedersen Paul M.
Published: August 2021

Purpose

While each genre and gender has been revealed as significant moderators for esports gameplay intention, exploring the interaction effects between genre and gender could broaden our understanding of the drivers’ relative effects on esports gameplay intention. Thus, the purpose of this study is to examine the interaction effects of gender and genre in the relationship between esports gameplay intention and its drivers (i.e. hedonic motivation, habit, price value, effort expectancy, social influence and flow).

Design/methodology/approach

The hypothesized model was examined using data from a sample (N = 1,194). For the purposes of data analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were used to examine the hypothesized model. Then, a series of structural invariance tests were conducted to compare the interrelationship between the six determinants and esports gameplay for the six-group model.

Findings

The results of the six-group model comparison indicated that the interaction between gender and genre moderates the relationship between drivers and esports gameplay intention. In particular, the following moderation effects were observed: (1) “social influence-esports gameplay intention” between “male-physical enactment” and “female-physical enactment”; (2) “habit-esports gameplay intention” and (3) “effort expectancy-esports gameplay intention” between “female-imagination” and “female-physical enactment”; (4) “hedonic motivation-esports gameplay intention” and (5) “effort expectancy-esports gameplay intention” between “female-physical enactment” and “female-sport simulation.”

Originality/value

The findings of this current study contributed to clarifying the genre and gender effects in esports gameplay intention and thus the extension of the Esports Consumption (ESC) model (Jang et al., 2020a) and the technology adoption literature. Since the ESC model grounded the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT2), the improvement of the ESC model extended UTAUT2. In consumer behavior research in the esports context, this current study contributed to the extension of UTAUT2 on the new moderating mechanisms by adding the interaction between gender and esports game genre.
Resilience in interorganizational networks: dealing with day-to-day disruptions in critical infrastructures
Authors: van den Adel Mitchell J. , de Vries Thomas A. , van Donk Dirk Pieter
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Critical infrastructures (CIs) for essential services such as water supply and electricity delivery are notoriously vulnerable to disruptions. While extant literature offers important insights into the resilience of CIs following large-scale disasters, our understanding of CI resilience to the more typical disruptions that affect CIs on a day-to-day basis remains limited. The present study investigates how the interorganizational (supply) network that uses and manages the CI can mitigate the adverse consequences of day-to-day disruptions.

Design/methodology/approach

Longitudinal archival data on 277 day-to-day disruptions within the Dutch national railway CI were collected and analyzed using generalized estimating equations.

Findings

The empirical results largely support the study’s predictions that day-to-day disruptions have greater adverse effects if they co-occur or are relatively unprecedented. The findings further show that the involved interorganizational network can enhance CI resilience to these disruptions, in particular, by increasing the overall level of cross-boundary information exchange between organizations inside the network.

Practical implications

This study helps managers to make well-informed choices regarding the target and intensity of their cross-boundary information-exchange efforts when dealing with day-to-day disruptions affecting their CI. The findings illustrate the importance of targeting cross-boundary information exchange at the complete interorganizational network responsible for the CI and to increase the intensity of such efforts when CI disruptions co-occur and/or are unprecedented.

Originality/value

This study contributes to our academic understanding of how network-level processes (i.e. cross-boundary information exchange) can be managed to ensure interorganizational (supply) networks’ resilience to day-to-day disruptions in a CI context. Subsequent research may draw from the conceptual framework advanced in the present study for examining additional supply network-level processes that can influence the effectiveness of entire supply networks. As such, the present research may assist scholars to move beyond a simple dyadic context and toward examining complete supply networks
Revisiting the nexus between domestic investment, foreign direct investment and external debt in SSA countries: PMG‐ARDL approach
Authors: Fonchamnyo Dobdinga Cletus , Dinga Gildas Dohba , Ngum Vahsegmi Carolle
Published: August 2021

This paper investigates the short‐ and long‐run effects of external debt and foreign direct investment (FDI) on domestic investment in sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA) from 1990 to 2017. We employ the pooled mean group ARDL technique and panel Granger causality test to attain the objectives of the study. The result indicates that FDI exerts a positive and statistically significant effect on domestic investment in the short run whereas external debt has an insignificant negative effect. In the long run, the result shows that external debt and FDI have a crowding out effect on domestic investment in SSA. Equally, a circular unidirectional link is found among the variables from domestic investment to FDI, FDI to external debt, and from external debt to domestic investment. We recommend that SSA countries should channel external debt to productive sectors like road infrastructures and energy, control corruption and improve the business environment to attract both domestic and foreign investors.
Administering inequality? The National Disability Insurance Scheme and administrative burdens on individuals
Authors: Carey Gemma , Malbon Eleanor , Blackwell James
Published: August 2021

Over the last 30 years, governments have sought to give citizens greater choice and control of the public services they utilise. As a result, we have seen the creation of various forms of public sector markets, including through contracting and tendering processes and, more recently, by utilising individualised or ‘personalised’ care budgets. Under the latter, individuals are given money to purchase services that meet their needs. There is growing evidence that personalisation schemes may actually be entrenching administrative burden, due to their unprecedented emphasis on individual skills and advocacy. Moreover, reviews internationally have found that such schemes tend to be administratively complex. This paper uses a systematic review of existing research to explore experiences of administrative burden within the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). We found that the scheme is administratively cumbersome overall, and that burdens are exacerbated for particular social groups. We apply concepts of habitus and capital from Bourdieu to theorise why burdens are experienced differently by different groups, and how to address this in practice. In doing so, we can see that addressing exclusion within the NDIS requires us to move away from problematising individuals to including those individuals in different stages of the design and implementation of administrative systems.