bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
NetMHCpan-4.1 and NetMHCIIpan-4.0: improved predictions of MHC antigen presentation by concurrent motif deconvolution and integration of MS MHC eluted ligand data
Authors: Reynisson Birkir , Alvarez Bruno , Paul Sinu , Peters Bjoern , Nielsen Morten
Published: April 2020

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules are expressed on the cell surface, where they present peptides to T cells, which gives them a key role in the development of T-cell immune responses. MHC molecules come in two main variants: MHC Class I (MHC-I) and MHC Class II (MHC-II). MHC-I predominantly present peptides derived from intracellular proteins, whereas MHC-II predominantly presents peptides from extracellular proteins. In both cases, the binding between MHC and antigenic peptides is the most selective step in the antigen presentation pathway. Therefore, the prediction of peptide binding to MHC is a powerful utility to predict the possible specificity of a T-cell immune response. Commonly MHC binding prediction tools are trained on binding affinity or mass spectrometry-eluted ligands. Recent studies have however demonstrated how the integration of both data types can boost predictive performances. Inspired by this, we here present NetMHCpan-4.1 and NetMHCIIpan-4.0, two web servers created to predict binding between peptides and MHC-I and MHC-II, respectively. Both methods exploit tailored machine learning strategies to integrate different training data types, resulting in state-of-the-art performance and outperforming their competitors. The servers are available at http://www.cbs.dtu.dk/services/NetMHCpan-4.1/ and http://www.cbs.dtu.dk/services/NetMHCIIpan-4.0/.
Expanded Endonasal Approach for Resection of Extradural Infratemporal Fossa Trigeminal Schwannoma: 2-Dimensional Operative Video
Authors: Asmaro Karam , Rock Jack , Craig John
Published: April 2020

The infratemporal fossa (ITF) is bounded superiorly by the skull base, specifically the greater wing of the sphenoid, which contains foramen ovale. It is bordered posteriorly by the temporal bone, including the petrous portion of the carotid canal, anteriorly by the posterior wall of the maxillary sinus, laterally by the mandible, and medially by the pterygoid body and lateral pterygoid plate.
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In this video, we report a case of a rare, exclusively extradural, schwannoma originating from the third division of the trigeminal nerve with a widened foramen ovale at the skull base. The tumor filled the ITF and extended laterally just through the sigmoid notch of the mandible. The patient complained of left cheek and lower jaw numbness and intermittent left jaw spasms. The tumor was deemed appropriate for endoscopic resection. To access the ITF, left-sided endoscopic sinus surgery, a modified endoscopic Denker's approach,
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and posterior nasal septectomy were first performed. A nasoseptal flap was also harvested in case an intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak required repair. Dissection was carried out through the posterior wall of the maxillary sinus and pterygopalatine fossa to reach the ITF. Tumor resection was achieved through a 2-surgeon, 4-handed approach in which appropriate traction and countertraction were carefully applied to tease the tumor away from the skull base and dehiscent carotid canal. No CSF leak or carotid injury occurred, and the posterior maxillary sinus wall defect was repaired with the nasoseptal flap. The patient did well postoperatively.

The patient consented to the procedure in a standard fashion.
Mapping types of macromodel to types of macro user
Authors: Wren-Lewis Simon
Published: April 2020

This paper expands on a list of different types of macroeconomic model proposed by Olivier Blanchard. The paper distinguishes between models that range between simple and complex, and between models that range in their focus between data consistency and theoretical consistency. While model users in the private sector and the public sector use a range of different types of model, academics confine themselves largely to models that are internally consistent in terms of their theory. The paper argues that the use of a wider range of models outside academia can no longer be explained by the novelty of DSGE models, and instead reflects some intrinsic advantages of other types of model. Finally the paper considers whether this difference in model use between sectors is beneficial.
First Report of Cotton Leafroll Dwarf Virus in Louisiana
Authors: Price Trey , Valverde Rodrigo , Singh Raghuwinder , Davis Jeff , Brown Sebe , Jones Hank
Published: April 2020

Cotton leafroll dwarf virus (CLRDV) has recently been discovered in the southern United States. The virus is transmitted by the cotton aphid and causes numerous symptoms including foliar chlorosis, distortion, leaf cupping, and reddened leaf veins. These symptoms were observed in a field in northeast Louisiana during the summer of 2019 approximately 2 weeks after cotton aphid infestation. Grafting infected cotton plants with healthy ones resulted in similar symptom development, and molecular diagnosis initially indicated and then confirmed the presence of CLRDV in sampled and grafted specimens, respectively. This the first report of CLRDV in Louisiana.
The Management Script: A Practical Tool for Teaching Management Reasoning
Authors: Parsons Andrew S. , Wijesekera Thilan P. , Rencic Joseph J.
Published: April 2020

Management reasoning, a component of clinical reasoning, has become an important area for medical education research given its inherent complexity, role in medical decision making, and association with high-value care. Teaching management reasoning requires characterizing its core concepts and identifying strategies to teach them. In this Perspective, the authors propose the term “management script” to describe the mental schema that clinicians develop and use in medical decision making. Management scripts are high-level, precompiled, conceptual knowledge structures of the courses of action that a clinician may undertake to address a patient’s health care problem(s). Like illness scripts, management scripts have foundational elements that are shared by most clinicians but are ultimately idiosyncratic based on each clinician’s unique history of learning and experience. Applying management scripts includes 2 steps—(1) management script activation and (2) management option selection—which can occur reflexively (unconsciously) or deliberately (consciously), similar to, respectively, the System 1 thinking and System 2 thinking of dual process theory. Management scripts can be taught for different conditions by using management script templates, educational scaffolds that provide possible courses of action to address a health care problem at any stage. Just as learners use system-based or organ-based frameworks to generate a differential diagnosis, students can use a generic management script template early in training to develop management scripts for specific problems. Future research directions include exploring the role of management scripts in medical education and quality improvement practices.
Laser-Assisted Indocyanine Green Angiography in the Management of Open Ankle Fractures: A Technical Trick
Authors: Zaharia Pierre P. , Rollick Natalie C. , Otterburn David M. , Wellman David S.
Published: April 2020

Open ankle and pilon fractures in patients with poor soft-tissue quality represent a challenge for the treating orthopaedic surgeon. Occasionally, the typical transverse medial wound is very cephalad and does not allow for the proper visualization of the fracture. It is difficult to decide how to extend these open wounds to get access to the fracture while minimizing disruption of the blood supply to the skin. We describe the use of a new tool, laser-assisted indocyanine green angiography, to assist in incision planning for the definitive treatment of these injuries.
The Effect of Cell Phones on Attention and Learning in Nursing Students
Authors: Gutiérrez-Puertas Lorena , Márquez-Hernández Verónica V. , Gutiérrez-Puertas Vanesa , Granados-Gámez Genoveva , Aguilera-Manrique Gabriel
Published: April 2020

The use of cell phones can have a negative effect on nursing students' academic performance. The purpose of this study was to identify the effects that problematic cell phone use and nomophobia have on learning in nursing students. A quasi-experimental study was carried out among nursing students, with a control group (n = 61, 49.2%) and an experimental group (n = 63, 50.8%). The experimental group left their cell phones, in sound or vibration mode, as they normally kept them, on a table located in the corner of the classroom. Both groups showed higher-than-average levels of nomophobia at the beginning of the class. As for problematic cell phone use and attention, it was found that there were statistically significant differences in both cases (U = 1355.500, Z = −2.830, P = .005; U = 1449.000, Z = −2.363, P = .018, respectively), and the experimental group had higher average scores, as well as in those related to knowledge. A relationship has been found between nomophobia and problematic cell phone use. Students who do not have access to their cell phones during class perceive more problematic cell phone usage, in addition to paying closer attention during class. Because of this, it is important to create policies and norms restricting cell phone use during all types of academic training among nursing students.
Cell Phone Application to Monitor Pain and Quality of Life in Neurogenic Pain Patients
Authors: Sood Rachita , Stoehr Jenna R. , Janes Lindsay E. , Ko Jason H. , Dumanian Gregory A. , Jordan Sumanas W.
Published: April 2020

Management of postoperative pain is a challenge for healthcare providers in all surgical fields, especially in the context of the current opioid epidemic. We developed a cell phone application to monitor pain, medication use, and relevant quality of life domains (eg, mood, mobility, return to work, and sleep) in patients with neurogenic pain, including those with limb loss. A literature review was conducted to define application length and design parameters. The final application includes 12 questions for patients with limb loss and 8 for patients with neurogenic pain without limb loss. Pilot testing with 21 participants demonstrates acceptable time to complete the application (mean = 158 seconds, SD = 81 seconds) and usability, based on the mHealth App Usability Questionnaire. We aim for our application to serve as an outcome measure for evaluation of an evolving group of peripheral nerve procedures, including targeted muscle reinnervation. In addition, the application could be adapted for clinical use in patients undergoing these procedures for neurogenic pain and thus serve as a tool to monitor and manage pain medication use.
Pfeiffer Syndrome: A Therapeutic Algorithm Based on a Modified Grading Scale
Authors: Raposo-Amaral Cassio Eduardo , Denadai Rafael , Máximo Geiza , Raposo-Amaral Cesar Augusto , Ghizoni Enrico
Published: April 2020

Background:

Pfeiffer syndrome (PS) is a very rare condition with a wide clinical spectrum. There are only a few studies that address the classification and treatment of PS and take into account the most commonly presented clinical features. Thus, the objectives of this study are to propose an algorithm for PS management based on a modified severity scale and correlate PS severity with tracheostomy placement.

Methods:

An observational retrospective study was performed on consecutive patients with PS (n = 12), who underwent surgery between 2008 and 2018. Clinical features and findings of all included patients with PS were classified as types A, B, and C, which guided treatment workflow. The Fisher test was used to correlate the severity of patients with PS with tracheostomy placement.

Results:

There were 12 patients, classified as type A (n = 3), type B (n = 6), and type C (n = 3). All patients who received tracheostomies (n = 6) were stratified into the severe category (n = 9; types B and C) (P < 0.05). There were 4 minor complications, and 1 major complication according to a modified Clavien–Dindo surgical complication scale.

Conclusion:

A treatment algorithm based on the 3 different Pfeiffer types was proposed. Severity of PS statistically correlates to tracheostomy placement.
Coronovirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic and Cardiac Electrophysiology: Guidance Protocol From a UK Tertiary Cardiac Center
Authors: Katsaras Dimitrios , Chalil Shajil , Abozguia Khalid
Published: April 2020

Since December 2019, the coronovirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in more than 2,160,000 positive cases and more than 145,000 deaths until April 18, 2020. The pressure to the health services worldwide has been unprecedented. The redeployment of staff and resources to treat more efficiently COVID-19 cases along with the need to reduce disease transmission has affected the field of electrophysiology among many others. Amendments to clinical pathways are obligatory in this perspective to continue to provide the necessary health services to the people who need them, although at the same time, infection control and prevention are not compromised by inadvertent disease transmission or unnecessary use of resources. We aim to provide a guide of the logistic aspects of electrophysiology procedures derived from our tertiary cardiac center during the current COVID-19 pandemic.
ANATOMICAL AND VISUAL OUTCOMES IN STAGE 5 RETINOPATHY OF PREMATURITY WITH MICROINCISION VITRECTOMY SURGERY
Authors: Sen Parveen , Bhende Pramod , Rishi Ekta , Gopal Lingam , Jain Smriti
Published: April 2020

Purpose:

To report anatomical and visual outcomes and potential prognostic factors with microincision vitrectomy surgery in Stage 5 retinopathy of prematurity.

Methods:

The medical records of premature babies who underwent microincision vitrectomy surgery for Stage 5 retinopathy of prematurity using 23G, 25G, or 27G instrumentation and had a minimum follow-up of 6 weeks were, retrospectively, analyzed. Primary outcome measures were anatomical success at last follow-up defined as retinal attachment at the posterior pole and visual outcomes. Potential risk factors and complications influencing anatomical outcomes were also analyzed.

Results:

One hundred seventy eyes of 115 infants underwent lensectomy and vitrectomy with microincision vitrectomy surgery. After a mean follow-up of 30.59 ± 33.24 weeks, anatomical success was achieved in 56 eyes (33.7%) of 166 eyes that had a minimum follow-up of 6 weeks. Occurrence of vitreous hemorrhage was more with 23 gauge (62.27%) as compared to 25 gauge (37.73%) (P = 0.024). With increase in age with each week, the probability of achieving anatomical success was found to be significantly more (odds ratio 1.030; confidence interval = 1.010–1.060; P = 0.008). Presence of anterior segment pathology was associated with poor anatomical outcomes (odds ratio 2.480; confidence interval = 1.190–5.160; P = 0.010). Seventeen children with attached retina had a follow-up of 14 months–5 years, of which ambulatory vision was recorded in five eyes and the ability to identify objects close to face in 12 eyes.

Conclusion:

Although surgery for Stage 5 retinopathy of prematurity is challenging, anatomical success can be seen in one-third of cases with microincision vitrectomy surgery. Visual prognosis may be limited but still beneficial.
A CASE REPORT OF CHRONIC ENDOPHTHALMITIS SECONDARY TO AQUAMICROBIUM terrae
Authors: Venkat Arthi G. , Abraham Joseph R. , Bessette Angela , Karthik Naveen , Baynes Kim , Lowder Careen Y. , Srivastava Sunil
Published: April 2020

Purpose:

Chronic postoperative endophthalmitis is a known complication of cataract surgery. Here, we report a case of chronic endophthalmitis following uncomplicated cataract surgery secondary to the atypical bacterium Aquamicrobium terrae.

Methods:

Retrospective case report of a single patient with endophthalmitis secondary to A. terrae.

Results:

A 61-year-old healthy patient presented with recurrent iridocyclitis following uncomplicated cataract surgery. Repeated attempts to taper off topical steroid eyedrops were unsuccessful. Anterior chamber paracentesis cultures and vitrectomy cultures grew the same gram-negative bacillus, A. terrae, on six different occasions. The patient was treated initially with a series of intravitreal ceftazidime injections and adjuvant oral minocycline with recurrence of inflammation necessitating pars plana vitrectomy with intraocular lens removal and total capsulectomy. Inflammatory episodes recurred until residual capsule fragments were ablated using endoscopic vitrectomy. Since ablation over 18 months ago, no further recurrences have occurred and the patient has excellent visual outcome.

Conclusion:

A. terrae is a gram-negative bacillus recovered from polluted soil. This is the first case of postoperative endophthalmitis secondary to A. terrae and the first description of human infection caused by this newly identified microbe.
Medical Event
Authors: Zarehparvar Moghadam Soroush , Aghaee Atena , Esmatinia Mohamad , Nateghi Navid , Aryana Kamran
Published: April 2020

A 74-year-old woman with hyperthyroidism was referred for radioiodine therapy. The patient was accidentally given 60 mCi of 177Lu-PSMA orally instead of 131I. Upon discovery of this medical event, we immediately started radiation protective actions including hydration, antiemetics, and laxatives. The patients did not have any symptoms. Static acquisition was performed from the abdominal-pelvic and head and neck regions at 20 and 90 hours after ingestion, which showed prominent intestinal activity and mild systemic activity in the kidneys, bladder, salivary, and lacrimal glands.
Screening and Intervention for Skin Cancer in the Galapagos
Authors: Ayasse Marissa T. , Marquez Jocellie E. , Lozeau Daniel F. , Slutsky Jordan B. , Kaufmann Tara L. , Lee Yoojin , Scriven Richard J. , Dagum Alexander B.
Published: April 2020

Objective

This study aimed to assess the general dermatological needs and correlation of tentative skin cancer screening diagnoses with histopathological confirmation in the highly sun-exposed locals of the Galapagos Islands.

Methods

An institutional review board–approved prospective study was performed at Blanca's House, a nonprofit surgical volunteer organization, free clinics in the Galapagos. After consent, a 40-item modified SPOTme-inspired questionnaire was completed. Partial or total body skin examinations were conducted by board-certified dermatologists. Board-certified plastic and general surgeons performed excisional biopsies on suspicious lesions. Individuals younger than 18 years, and non-Spanish or non-English speakers were excluded.

Results

A total of 273 patients were included in the study, of which 202 reported skin concerns. Benign nevi (n = 76), seborrheic keratosis (n = 42), melasma (n = 19), actinic keratosis (n = 16), acne (n = 15), eczema (n = 13), fungal infections (n = 12), seborrheic dermatitis (n = 5), and psoriasis (n = 5) were most commonly identified.

Twelve patients (4.4%) had presumptive skin cancer after screening. Six of 8 biopsies confirmed cancer (group 1), 2 declined a biopsy and 2 were unresectable. Seven basal cell carcinomas and one squamous cell carcinoma were excised with clear margins. A right lower eyelid melanoma was diagnosed and subsequently treated in the United States where invasive melanoma with a Breslow thickness of 0.3 mm was found.

Compared with the noncancer group (group 2: n = 265), group 1 had significantly higher likelihood of reporting having seen a dermatologist (P = 0.02), taking any medications (P = 0.0001), having blonde or red hair (P = 0.01), having blue or green eyes (P < 0.0001), and having used indoor tanning equipment (P < 0.0001). Group 1 was also more likely to report 4 or more blistering sunburns (P = 0.08), which approached significance. When evaluated by a dermatologist, group 1 was significantly more likely to be classified as “high risk” for developing cancerous lesions (P < 0.0001) compared with group 2.

Conclusions

Skin concerns in the Galapagos included benign and malignant conditions. There is a need for dermatological care in this medically underserved population. This modified SPOTme-inspired skin cancer questionnaire, confirmed by histology, is a useful tool in identifying high-risk patients and detecting skin cancer in international communities that would have otherwise experienced delays in diagnosis or treatment.
Medial Sural Artery Perforator Flap for Leg and Knee Coverage
Authors: Luca-Pozner Vlad , Delgove Anais , Kerfant Nathalie , Karra Amir , Herlin Christian , Chaput Benoit
Published: April 2020

Background

For soft-tissue defect coverage in the lower leg and around the knee joint, the gastrocnemius muscle flap is the most commonly used. Having constant anatomy, a long pedicle, and decreased donor site morbidity, the medial sural artery perforator (MSAP) flap may represent a good reconstructive alternative. The aim of this report was to present the experience of using a dual perforator MSAP pedicled flap.

Methods

Nineteen patients underwent soft-tissue reconstruction by MSAP flap in the one third of the lower leg and around the knee joint. Eleven patients were injured in traffic accidents. Exposure of a knee prosthesis required flap coverage in 4 cases. The other defect etiologies were a gunshot wound, bone abscess due to a sickle cell anemia, bone exposure due to a full thickness burn, and sarcoma resection. Defect dimensions ranged from 7 × 5 cm to 15 × 8 cm. Seventeen flaps were harvested with 2 perforators. Donor sites were closed primary in 16 of the 19 cases.

Results

The sizes of the MSAP flaps ranged from 7 to 22 cm × 5 to 8 cm. The procedure was uneventful in 17 cases. The 2 unsuccessful flaps developed a distal necrosis, for which an excision with direct suture was made secondary. Complete healing was achieved in all cases.

Conclusions

The pedicled MSAP flap represents a versatile option in soft-tissue defect coverage of the lower leg and around the knee joint. Inclusion of 2 perforators could render the flap safer and increase its skin paddle, making it suitable for larger defects.
Estimation of COVID-19 spread curves integrating global data and borrowing information
Authors: Lee Se Yoon , Lei Bowen , Mallick Bani K.
Published: April 2020

Currently, novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a big threat to global health. The rapid spread of the virus has created pandemic, and countries all over the world are struggling with a surge in COVID-19 infected cases. Scientists are working on estimating or predicting infection trajectory for the COVID-19 confirmed cases, which will be useful for future planning and policymaking to effectively cope with the disease. There are no drugs or other therapeutics approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to prevent or treat COVID-19: information on the disease is very limited and scattered even if it exists. This motivates the use of data integration, combining data from diverse sources and eliciting useful information with a unified view of them. In this paper, we propose a Bayesian hierarchical model that integrates global data to estimate COVID-19 infection trajectories. Due to information borrowing across multiple countries, the proposed growth curve models provide a powerful predictive tool endowed with uncertainty quantification. They outperform the existing individual country-based models. Additionally, we use countrywide covariates to adjust infection trajectories. A joint variable selection technique has been integrated into the proposed modeling scheme, which aimed to identify the possible country-level risk factors for severe disease due to COVID-19.
Crystallization of metastable monoclinic carnallite, KCl·MgCl2·6H2O: missing structural link in the carnallite family
Authors: Pannach Melanie , Paschke Iris , Schmidt Horst , Freyer Daniela , Voigt Wolfgang
Published: April 2020

During evaporation of natural and synthetic K–Mg–Cl brines, the formation of almost square plate-like crystals of potassium carnallite (potassium chloride magnesium dichloride hexahydrate) was observed. A single-crystal structure analysis revealed a monoclinic cell [a= 9.251 (2),b= 9.516 (2),c= 13.217 (4) Å, β = 90.06 (2)° and space groupC2/c]. The structure is isomorphous with other carnallite-type compounds, such as NH4Cl·MgCl2·6H2O. Until now, natural and synthetic carnallite, KCl·MgCl2·6H2O, was only known in its orthorhombic form [a= 16.0780 (3),b= 22.3850 (5),c= 9.5422 (2) Å and space groupPnna].
Finding an optimal blade-profile to improving the performance of partially admitted turbines
Authors: Togh Reza Aghaei , Karimi Mohammad Mahdi
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to present the designing and investigating various types of impulse blade profiles to find the optimal profile that has better performance than the first or original blade. The studied model is a turbine with an output power below 1 MW and a large pressure ratio up to 20, which is used to gain relatively high specific work output. As a result of its low mass flow rate, the turbine is used under partial-admission conditions. The turbine’s stator is a group of convergence–divergence nozzles that provide supersonic flow.

Design/methodology/approach

More than 10 types of two-dimensional blade profiles were designed using the developed preliminary design calculations and numerical analysis. The numerical results are validated using the existing experimental results. Finally, the case with improved performance is introduced as the final optimum case.

Findings

It was found that the performance parameters such as efficiency, power and torque are increased by more than 8% in the selected best model, in comparison with the original model. Moreover, the total pressure loss is 12% decreased for the selected model. Finally, the selected profile with superior performance is proposed.

Originality/value

Simultaneous numerical tests are conducted to examine the interaction of different supersonic blade profiles with the partially injected flow to the rotor.
Reorienting business education through the lens of Ernest Boyer
Authors: MacAulay K. Doreen , Mellon Mark J. , Nord Walter R.
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This article assesses the ability of Boyer's (1990) four-function definition of scholarship to address critiques of business schools. Boyer's definition of scholarship is presented as the foundation for a paradigmatic shift in higher education in business.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors developed this conceptual paper by considering information from three sources: 1) Ernest Boyer's Scholarship Reconsidered: Priorities of the Professoriate, 2) articles by four well-known pundits of business education as well as critiques appearing in the Academy of Management Learning and Education Journal and 3) articles in which Boyer's work was the focal point of the article found by searching Google Scholar, two well-known education journals, a prominent database of education articles and the International Handbook of Higher Education (Forest and Altbach, 2007).

Findings

A four-function framework based on Boyer's definition of scholarship is proposed to help improve the operations of business schools. The authors also forward ideological and practical implications related to each of Boyer's four functions.

Originality/value

For several decades now, a number of highly respected business scholars have criticized American business education in its current form. These criticisms, although plentiful, have not fueled the magnitude of change needed to have a significant, sustainable impact on business education. The authors suggest that this lack of change is due, in part, to institutional practices and to the absence of a unified framework for how higher education in business should be executed. The authors argue that Boyer's four-function definition of scholarship could provide such a framework.
Perceptions and deeply held beliefs about responsibility for flood risk adaptation in Accra Ghana
Authors: Tasantab Jerry Chati , Gajendran Thayaparan , von Meding Jason , Maund Kim
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Climate change is predicted to increase the vulnerability of urban populations to flood hazards. Against this backdrop, flood risk adaptation has become pertinent. However, in Ghana, current flood risk management practice is fostered by a reactive culture. There is limited research on how communities and government agencies are engaging with flood risk adaptation in improving resilience. Therefore, this paper aims to analyse the culture of communities and agencies through the cultural theory of risk (CTR), towards understanding the flood risk adaptation in Accra, Ghana. Culture is deciphered using the beliefs held by residents and public agency officials.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative methodology, underpinned by the constructivist paradigm, was adopted to understand factors that influence flood risk adaptation in informal settlements. Data was gathered using household and institutional interviews in Glefe, Accra, Ghana.

Findings

The results show that both disaster risk management institutions and community members are deeply concerned about current and future flood risk. However, their cultural beliefs concerning flood risk and adaptation are contradictory, broadly framed by fatalist, individualist and hierarchist beliefs. The contradictory emergent beliefs contribute to a clash of expectations and create uncertainty about how to respond to flood risk, impacting the implementation of required adaptation measures. Developing a collaborative flood risk management framework and a shared understanding of adaptation approaches may be a better alternative.

Originality/value

This paper advances understanding of how culture influences flood risk adaptation in developing country context.
A project buffer and resource management model in energy sector; a case study in construction of a wind farm project
Authors: Zohrehvandi Shakib , Vanhoucke Mario , Khalilzadeh Mohammad
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This study aims to introduce an efficient project buffer and resource management (PBRM) model for project resource leveling and project buffer sizing and controlling of project buffer consumption of a wind power plant project to achieve a more realistic project duration.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology of this research consists of three main phases. In the first phase of the research methodology, resource leveling is done in the project and resource conflicts of activities are identified. In the second phase, the project critical chain is determined, and the appropriate size of the project buffer is specified. In the third phase of the methodology, buffer consumption is controlled and monitored during the project implementation. After using the PBRM method, the results of this project were compared with those of the previous projects.

Findings

According to the obtained results, it can be concluded that using PBRM model in this wind turbine project construction, the project duration became 25 per cent shorter than the scheduled duration and also 29 per cent shorter than average duration of previous similar projects.

Research limitations/implications

One of the major problems with projects is that they are not completed according to schedule, and this creates time delays and losses in the implementation of projects. Today, as projects in the energy sector, especially renewable projects, are on the increase and also we are facing resource constraint in the implementation of projects, using scheduling techniques to minimize delays and obtain more realistic project duration is necessary.

Practical implications

This research was carried out in a wind farm project. In spite of the initial plan duration of 142 days and average duration of previous similar projects of 146 days, the project was completed in 113 days.

Originality/value

This paper introduces a practical project buffer and resource management model for project resource leveling, project buffer sizing and buffer consumption monitoring to reach a more realistic schedule in energy sector. This study adds to the literature by proposing the PBRM model in renewable energy sector.
Food insecurity status of the working poor households in south west Nigeria
Authors: Adesoye Oluwatimilehin Peter , Adepoju Abimbola Oluyemisi
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors influencing the food insecurity status of the working poor households in south west Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

International Labour Organisation poverty line, Household Food Insecurity Access Scale as well as the Ordered Logit model were used to identify the factors influencing the food insecurity status of the working poor households in south west Nigeria.

Findings

The study revealed that more than half of the respondents were working poor households, with more than four-fifths of them being food insecure. Income irregularity, savings and level of education had major roles to play in the food insecurity status of working poor households.

Social implications

Employment has always been considered as a route out of poverty and food insecurity. However, the intensity of poverty among working households should be considered in the design and development of policy and programmes, targeted towards workers. Laws should protect the right of workers against non-payment of salaries, advantages of family planning should be emphasised, social security allowance should be provided to serve as an alternative source of income during emergencies and more investment made in education.

Originality/value

This paper attempts to bridge the knowledge gap in the empirical link between employment, poverty and food insecurity. Particularly, its application to the working households.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-09-2019-0589
Relationship between organizational citizenship and commitment in Puerto Rico banks
Authors: Rosario Núñez Ana , Marquez Eulalia , Zayas María , López Evelyn
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The aim of this study was to analyse the relationship between organizational citizenship and commitment in a sample of employees of banking branches in Puerto Rico. The specific objectives were to identify the practices of organizational citizenship and determine the relationship of altruism, awareness, courtesy, tolerance and civil virtue with organizational commitment.

Design/methodology/approach

The research design was quantitative, descriptive, correlational and transversal. The research instrument was validated and obtained high coefficients.

Findings

The results confirm a significant statistical relationship between awareness, civil virtue, tolerance and altruism with organizational commitment.

Research limitations/implications

This research has a positive impact on companies in increasing their finances with intangible strategies, and leadership styles can evolve towards civility. It suggests modifying the university curricula to prepare managers with intangible supervisory and performance management strategies through workshops, seminars and professional conferences.

Practical implications

Organizations and employees develop their own traits and establish patterns of citizenship behaviour that allow them to create passionate and committed employees.

Social implications

The research was able to predict that citizenship is related in a positive way to reach operational goals and fostering an atmosphere and image of cordiality as a success strategy. The contribution to the organizational policy can be established in the development processes among partners, in training, regulations and policies. It provides the academic contribution of the model.

Originality/value

This is the first attempt to evaluate citizenship behaviour in the banking industry in Puerto Rico.
Moderating role of addiction to social media usage in managing cultural intelligence and cultural identity change
Authors: Hu Shangui , Hu Lingyu , Wang Guoyin
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the adverse effects of addiction to social media usage on expatriates' cultural identity change in cross-cultural settings.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire survey was conducted in two public universities in China. Among the questionnaires distributed, 333 useful responses were obtained from international students for data analysis.

Findings

Regression results show addiction to social media usage exerts adverse effects by negatively moderating the relationship between associations with locals and the three dimensions of cultural intelligence. Addiction to social media usage impairs expatriates from developing cultural intelligence from associations with locals, which in turn affects their cultural identity change.

Research limitations/implications

Research findings suggest that expatriates, administrators and educators should be highly aware of the adverse effects of addiction to social media usage in complex cross-cultural settings wherein expatriates are more dependent on information technology. The important role of cultural intelligence should also be highlighted for its bridging role in managing cultural identity change for acculturation purpose. No causal relationships between variables can be established considering the cross-sectional design of the research. Longitudinal or experimental design could be a promising methodology for future efforts.

Originality/value

The current research contributes to the knowledge on information management applied to cross-cultural settings. The present study combines an IT contingent view with cross-cultural study to explore the adverse effects of addiction to social media usage on the development of expatriates' cultural intelligence from associations with locals, thereby influencing cultural identity change. The research provides new perspectives to expand the nomological framework of cross-cultural studies by combining the enabling roles of information technology.
Examining social media branding profiles of logistics service providers
Authors: Serbetcioglu Cemre , Göçer Aysu
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the social media profiles of logistics service providers, and understand how they use social media for elevating their services and differentiating their brands across industrial partners.

Design/methodology/approach

A content analysis was conducted on 3,215 social media posts, which were gathered from the official Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn pages of seven logistics service providers operating in Turkey.

Findings

The results demonstrated that logistics service providers engage with multiple social media channels with different branding motives, and that each company has a unique social media profile. The benchmarking analysis also revealed the branding strategies commonly pursued by the companies, and also indicated the alternative themes that differentiate their brands across their competitors.

Research limitations/implications

The findings contribute to the literature on the utilization of social media by business-to-business companies, particularly for logistics service providers, and recommend a frame of benchmarks for practitioners in the development of more effective social media branding strategies in services context.

Originality/value

Studies explaining the social media engagement of business-to-business companies in service sector are lacking, and also, the services branding literature in the context of social media is rather scarce. This study investigates the social media profiles of logistics service providers and explores how they use social media for branding their services.
The nexus of trade-weighted dollar rates and the oil prices: an asymmetric approach
Authors: Hatemi-J Abdulnasser , El-Khatib Youssef
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This paper investigates the dynamic relationship between the trade-weighted dollar exchange rates and the oil prices in the world market. Monthly data during 1980–2017 are used for this purpose.

Design/methodology/approach

The symmetric and asymmetric generalized impulse response functions are estimated for these important economic indicators.

Findings

The empirical findings show that if the dollar rate increases (i.e. the dollar depreciates), the oil price will increase. The reverse relationship is also supported empirically meaning that an increase in the oil price will results in a significant depreciation of the dollar rate. Based on the asymmetric impulses responses, it can also be claimed that the negative interaction is only significant for the positive changes and not for the negative ones. Thus, the underlying variables are negatively interrelated only for the positive shocks since a negative shock from any variable does not seem to have any significant impact on the other variable. These results have implications for cross hedging of price risk.

Originality/value

To the best knowledge, this is the first attempt to investigate the relationship between the dollar weighted exchange rate and the oil pieces via the asymmetric impulse response functions. Both of these variables and their interactions are very important for investors as well as policy makers worldwide.
The effect of buyers' power on suppliers' motivations in managing their compliance mechanisms: a study of Indian apparel export firms
Authors: Jaiswal Geetika , Ha-Brookshire Jung E.
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The aim of this study was to investigate how Multinational Enterprises (MNEs) enforce Code of Conduct (CoC) policies, as well as how they affect suppliers' motivation to engage them in managing CoC compliance mechanisms of monitoring, enforcement and transparency in the Indian apparel industry.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative survey was conducted using face-to-face surveys. Overall, 210 usable data points were collected and analyzed by use of structural equation modeling.

Findings

Study findings highlighted that hard power strategies currently used by MNEs in the apparel Indian market were primarily coercive in nature. A clear power imbalance between MNEs and suppliers from India was evident. Results suggested that when MNEs attempted to use their powerful position to advance compliance goals, higher level of CoC monitoring was required and suppliers were only extrinsically motivated. Lack of intrinsic motivation in suppliers' resulted in under-developed suppliers' transparency mechanisms. Therefore, findings suggested that MNEs should use hard powers consciously considering the long-term and unintended consequences.

Originality/value

The paper proposes a buyer-supplier power-motivation interaction model that clarifies what MNEs can do to motivate apparel suppliers to implement CoCs successfully in the apparel supply chain. This relationship has not previously been empirically tested.
Drug repurposing against Parkinson's disease by text mining the scientific literature
Authors: Zhu Yongjun , Jung Woojin , Wang Fei , Che Chao
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Drug repurposing involves the identification of new applications for existing drugs. Owing to the enormous rise in the costs of pharmaceutical R&D, several pharmaceutical companies are leveraging repurposing strategies. Parkinson's disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder worldwide, affecting approximately 1–2 percent of the human population older than 65 years. This study proposes a literature-based drug repurposing strategy in Parkinson's disease.

Design/methodology/approach

The literature-based drug repurposing strategy proposed herein combined natural language processing, network science and machine learning methods for analyzing unstructured text data and producing actional knowledge for drug repurposing. The approach comprised multiple computational components, including the extraction of biomedical entities and their relationships, knowledge graph construction, knowledge representation learning and machine learning-based prediction.

Findings

The proposed strategy was used to mine information pertaining to the mechanisms of disease treatment from known treatment relationships and predict drugs for repurposing against Parkinson's disease. The F1 score of the best-performing method was 0.97, indicating the effectiveness of the proposed approach. The study also presents experimental results obtained by combining the different components of the strategy.

Originality/value

The drug repurposing strategy proposed herein for Parkinson's disease is distinct from those existing in the literature in that the drug repurposing pipeline includes components of natural language processing, knowledge representation and machine learning for analyzing the scientific literature. The results of the study provide important and valuable information to researchers studying different aspects of Parkinson's disease.
HR professionals: key drivers for implementing sustainable business practices
Authors: Priyadarshini Shabnam
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the importance of sustainable management practices in the current era. The paper highlights the critical role that HR Professionals play in driving this sustainability agenda in organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper delebrates on how the philosophy of various stakeholders has changed in recent years in embracing responsible management practices. The paper also discusses the role of HR Professionals in embedding and internationalizing a sustainable strategy into the organizational culture. It also discusses some ways with the help of suitable examples from the industry.

Findings

As globalization, ever-changing demographics and competition for the world’s draining resources force transformational change, businesses would require leadership that is not only enlightened but sustainability-savvy as well to prosper. HR has a very critical role to play in aligning talent with these emerging realities.

Originality/value

This paper discusses how a growing number of organizations are acknowledging sustainability as a key differentiator for competitive advantage. Furthermore, it discusses the significance of HR Professionals in pushing the sustainability agenda in their organizations. It also presents the strategies and methods to achieve the same with the help of suitable examples.
Hyperbaric oxygen treatment mitigates liver damage in mice with noise exposure
Authors: Meng Xingxing , Zhang Xi , Su Yuting , Gu Zhenghui , Xie Xiaoping , Chang Yaoming , Bao Junxiang
Published: April 2020

Noise exposure relates to various pathological disorders including liver damage, preventive measures of which are being demanded. Hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT), as a non‐invasive procedure, exerts convincing therapeutic potency on multiple liver diseases. The efficacy of HBOT in mitigating noise induced liver damage (NILD) and associated mechanisms would be elucidated here. Mice were subject to broad band noise (20–20k Hz, 90–110 dB) for 5 days by 3 hours/day. HBOT with 2.5 atmosphere absolute (ata) was employed before noise exposure. Morphology of liver tissue was examined by hematoxylin‐eosin (HE) staining. Oil Red O (ORO), transferase‐mediated dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL) test and western blot were utilized to detect lipid accumulation, apoptotic cells and protein expression, respectively. Ceramide (Cer) level was assayed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis. With noise exposure, conspicuous structural derangement and lipid deposition occurred in liver tissue of mice, which was alleviated significantly by the application of HBOT. Meanwhile, HBOT reduced the proportion of apoptotic hepatocytes, restraining the superoxide production in noise exposed mice. In view of underlying mechanisms, noise enhanced the acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) protein expression and the Cer generation in liver tissue of mice which was reversed substantially by HBOT. Altogether, HBOT ameliorates the structural and functional derangement of liver by neutralizing the ASM/Cer pathway in noise exposed mice.