bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of opportunity and capability on e-entrepreneurial motivation: a comparison of urban and rural perspectives
Authors: Li Lifu , Kang Kyeong
Published: December 2022

Purpose

E-entrepreneurship is developed based on digital platforms, having specific technical opportunities, such as the interactive ecosystem, fast payment method and online store function, without strict requirements for online entrepreneurs. Considering China’s e-entrepreneurship environment and cultural background, this paper aims to analyse individuals’ e-entrepreneurship motivation based on the capability–opportunity–motivation–behaviour (COM-B) behaviour changing theory.

Design/methodology/approach

Through testing 602 samples based on the partial least squares path modelling and variance-based structural equation modelling, the factors from the opportunity and capability units positively affect individuals’ e-entrepreneurship motivation. Meanwhile, because of the economic and social environmental differences between China’s urban and rural regions, this study promotes the multi-group analysis based on individuals’ regional backgrounds.

Findings

First, as opportunity factors, technical and policy opportunities have significantly positive relationships with individuals’ e-entrepreneurship motivation. Second, entrepreneurial and cultural capabilities are essential for Chinese entrepreneurs while making an entrepreneurial decision. Third, because of the e-entrepreneurial environment difference and educational system gap, entrepreneurial capability exerts a greater influence on the e-entrepreneurship motivation for Chinese individuals from urban regions, and cultural capability exerts a higher impact on the e-entrepreneurship motivation for Chinese individuals from rural regions.

Originality/value

Whilst the phenomenon of e-entrepreneurship is emerging as a popular entrepreneurship area of study, little research has systematically explored individuals’ e-entrepreneurial motivation and analysed influencing factors from macro and minor aspects. According to the COM-B behaviour changing theory, this paper discovers influencing factors from environmental opportunity and personal capability units, and it is helpful to present individuals’ attitudes to the platform-based business model.
Strategic perspective of error management, the role of leadership, and an error management culture: a mediation model
Authors: Oliveira Margarida Freitas , Santos Eulália , Ratten Vanessa
Published: December 2022

Purpose

Errors are inevitable, resulting from the human condition itself, system failures and the interaction of both. It is essential to know how to deal with their occurrence, managing them. However, the negative tone associated with them makes it difficult for most organizations to talk about mistakes clearly and transparently, for fear of being harmed, preventing their detection, treatment and recovery. Consequently, errors are not managed, remaining accumulated in the system, turning into successive failures. Organizations need to recognize the inevitability of errors, making the system robust, through leadership and an organizational culture of error management. This study aims to understand the role of these influencing variables in an error management approach.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the authors applied the methodology of a quantitative nature based on a questionnaire survey that analyses error management, leadership and the organizational culture of error management of 380 workers in Portuguese companies.

Findings

The results demonstrate that leadership directly influences error management and indirectly through the organizational culture of error management, giving this last variable a mediating role.

Originality/value

The study covers companies from different sectors of activity on a topic that is little explored in Portugal, but part of the daily life of organizations, which should deserve greater attention from directors and managers, as they assume a privileged position to promote and develop error management mechanisms. Error management must be the daily work of leaders. This study contributes to theoretical knowledge and business practice on error management.
Assessing effects of moral hazard -related behaviours on quality and satisfaction of public-private-partnership (PPP) construction projects: case study of Ghana
Authors: Owusu-Manu De-Graft , Ofori-Yeboah Emmanuel , Badu Edward , Kukah Augustine Senanu Komla , Edwards David John
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the effects of moral hazard on quality and satisfaction of public–private–partnership (PPP) construction projects in Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

After undertaking a literature review, questionnaires were used to elicit responses from respondents. Population consisted of quantity surveyors, project managers, procurement officers, consultants, public agency officers involved in PPP projects, private partners and contractors. A total of 211 questionnaires were received from 250 distributed. Purposive and snowballing sampling techniques were adopted. Analytical tools were Cronbach’s alpha for testing reliability, regression, mean score ranking and relative importance index.

Findings

Reduced mutual trust and respect, poor clarity of project objectives; consequence on decision-making; less effective construction process; and increased construction risks were the significant effects of moral hazard on satisfaction of PPP construction projects. Value-based effects; manufacturer-based effects; product-based effects; user-based effects; and transcendent-based effects were the significant effects of moral hazard on quality of PPP construction projects.

Practical implications

Construction stakeholders involved in delivering PPP projects ought to take note of the findings and recommendations arising. Further studies should explore the effects on other project performance indicators apart from satisfaction and quality.

Originality/value

This paper extends knowledge in the area of exploring the effects of moral hazard on PPP project satisfaction and quality. The findings are beneficial to both academia and industry practitioners.
The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic for artificial intelligence practitioners: the decrease in tacit knowledge sharing
Authors: Toscani Giulio
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This study aims to contribute by showing that although artificial intelligence (AI) practitioners have been faster to adapt, redefine and improve their remote working performance for routine tasks, they have instead decreased their tacit knowledge sharing and ability to perform extra tasks and manage the diverse time allocation.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a grounded theory study of 57 in-depth interviews, conducted before the outbreak of the pandemic and after, this study investigates how remote work as a pandemic response measure affected AI practitioners.

Findings

Although remote working was a reality for AI practitioners before the COVID-19 pandemic, the overall remote working restrictions appear to have affected tacit knowledge sharing between AI practitioners, with a consequent negative impact on AI project output diversity.

Originality/value

The interactions of AI practitioners are partly embedded in AI tools and partly in human exchange. During the COVID-19 pandemic, these interactions appear to have become more obvious, even if the consequences have been unforeseen.
Effect of Industry 4.0 on the relationship between socio-technical practices and workers' performance
Authors: Tortorella Guilherme , Fogliatto Flavio S. , Kumar Maneesh , Gonzalez Vicente , Pepper Matthew
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the moderating effect of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies on the relationship between socio-technical (ST) practices and workers' health, quality and productivity performance.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, 192 practitioners from different manufacturing firms adopting I4.0 technologies were surveyed, analyzed the collected data using multivariate techniques and discussed the results in light of ST theory.

Findings

Findings indicate that I4.0 moderates the relationship between ST practices and performance, to an extent and direction that varied according to the focus of the technologies and practices adopted.

Originality/value

The I4.0 movement has triggered changes in the work organization at unprecedented rates, impacting firms' social and technical aspects. This study bridges a gap in the literature concerning the integration of I4.0 technologies into manufacturing firms adopting ST practices, enabling the verification of the moderating effects on workers' performance. Although previous studies have investigated that relationship, the moderating effect of I4.0 on performance is still underexplored, characterizing an important contribution of this research.
Cultural values and energy-saving attitude-intention-behavior linkages among urban residents: a serial multiple mediation analysis based on stimulus-organism-response model
Authors: Duong Cong Doanh
Published: December 2022

Purpose

Based on stimulus-organism-response (S-O-R) theory and a serial multiple mediation model, this study aims to examine the relationships between cultural values and energy-saving behaviors as well as the mediation mechanisms of attitudes towards energy-saving and energy-saving intentions underlying these links.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 1,514 urban residents collected in five big cities in Vietnam and Structural Equation Modeling were employed to test the hypothesized model.

Findings

The study yields that energy-saving behaviors can be directly influenced by long-term orientation, but not by collectivism, while both collectivism and long-term orientation work as stimulus which immediately inspire attitude towards energy-savings and energy-saving intentions. Interestingly, attitudes towards energy-saving and energy-saving intentions not only serve as the most crucial predictors of entrepreneurial behaviors but also cooperate a serial mediation role in the impacts of cultural values on energy-saving behaviors.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of this research can be valuable for policymakers to inspire urban residents’ energy conservation behavior for sustainable development goals.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the pro-environment literature by adopting the S-O-R theory to investigate the impacts of cultural values on the energy-saving attitude-intention-behavior relationships, explain the underlying mediation mechanism of energy-saving attitudes and intentions in transferring the influences of cultural values on energy-saving behaviors, and bridge the attitude-intention-behavior gap in the energy-saving research.
Harnessing of low-temperature nitrogen plasma technique as an eco-friendly approach for dye-ability of cotton fabric with acid dye
Authors: Mostafa Khaled , Ameen Heba , Medhat Ahmed
Published: December 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to generate nitrogen-containing groups in the cotton fabric surface via low-temperature nitrogen plasma as an eco-friendly physical/zero-effluent process. This was done for rendering cotton dye-able with Acid Blue 284, which in fact does not have any direct affinity to fix on it.

Design/methodology/approach

Dyeing characteristics of the samples such as color strength (K/S), fastness properties to light, rubbing and perspiration and durability, as well as tensile strength, elongation at break, whiteness, weight loss and wettability in addition to zeta potential of the dyed samples, were determined and compared with untreated fabric. Confirmation and characterization of the plasma-treated samples via chemical modifications and zeta potential was also studied using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Malvern Zetasizer instrumental analysis.

Findings

The obtained results of the plasma-treated fabric reflect the following findings: FTIR results indicate the formation of nitrogen-containing groups on cotton fabrics; notable enhancement in the fabric wettability, zeta potential to more positive values and improvement in the dyeability and overall fastness properties of treated cotton fabrics in comparison with untreated fabric; the tensile strength, elongation at break, whiteness and weight % of the plasma treated fabrics are lower than that untreated one; and the durability of the plasma treated fabric decreased with increasing the number of washing cycles.

Originality/value

The novelty addressed here is rendering cotton fabrics dye-able with acid dye via the creation of new cationic nitrogen-containing groups on their surface via nitrogen plasma treatment as an eco-friendly and efficient tool with a physical/zero-effluent process.
Is the Buen Vivir of indigenous social enterprises in Colombia informing SDGs?
Authors: Morales Andrés , Calvo Sara
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to study the Colombia Buen Vivir and how indigenous social enterprise strategies inform and contribute for achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs) by reaching sustainability and the well-being in the community.

Design/methodology/approach

Using participatory video research (PVR), this work draws upon evidence from a multiple case study of five indigenous communities (Curripaco, Puinave, Yanacona, Misak and Wayuu). Ethical approval was obtained from the five indigenous social enterprises (ISEs) in Colombia.

Findings

What emerged from the findings is that the SDGs were addressed before the SDG Agenda in 2015. Moreover, the findings revealed that the cultural values of indigenous people had not been contemplated in the SDGs.

Research limitations/implications

The cases respond to a particular context (Colombia); therefore, this invites us to be cautious when extrapolating the results to other regions.

Practical implications

This work addresses a research gap that points to the lack of studies that focus on ISEs and the SDGs in developing countries. Further, this work sheds light on the role ISEs play in the quest for communities to achieve sustainability and well-being.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is the first to explore whether the SDGs embed sufficient ways of knowing and doing by the Latin American Buen Vivir of ISEs.
Reducing diagnostic errors in the emergency department at the time of patient treatment
Authors: Petts Abbie , Neep Michael , Thakkalpalli Madhukar
Published: December 2022

Objective

The purpose of the present study was to compare and combine the radiographic interpretation accuracy of emergency clinicians and radiographers in clinical practice.

Methods

A total of 838 radiographic examinations were included for analysis from 1 August to 24 August 2020. The range of examinations reviewed included the appendicular and axial skeleton, chest and abdomen. Both paediatric and adult examinations were reviewed. The emergency clinician's and radiographer's interpretations for each examination were compared to the radiologist's report. This allowed mean sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy to be calculated.

Results

The radiographer's interpretation demonstrated a mean sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 80%, 98% and 92%, respectively. The emergency clinician's interpretation demonstrated a mean sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 82%, 95% and 89%, respectively. When the radiographer's and emergency clinician's interpretations were combined, it yielded a mean sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 90%, 93% and 92%, respectively.

Conclusions

This is the first study to directly compare and combine the accuracy of an emergency clinician's radiographic interpretation with a radiographer's interpretation within clinical practice. The present study demonstrated that with the addition of a radiographer's interpretation, an emergency clinician's interpretation can be more accurate than the emergency clinician's interpretation in isolation. This highlights the value of a radiographer's interpretation that can complement an emergency clinician's interpretation when a radiologist's report is unavailable.
Petrogenesis and Physicochemical Conditions of Fertile Porphyry in Non‐arc Porphyry Mineralization: A Case from Habo Porphyry Cu‐Mo Deposits, SW China
Authors: ZHANG Aiping , ZHENG Yuanchuan , SHEN Yang , Qi Qunjia , WANG Zixuan , WU Changda , WANG Lu
Published: December 2022

The Habo deposit is a typical porphyry Cu‐Mo deposit in the Ailaoshan–Red River metallogenic belt. Ore minerals in the Habo deposit typically occur as veins in the monzonite porphyry. Zircon U‐Pb dating suggests that the monzonite porphyry formed at 35.07 ± 0.38 Ma. The monzonite porphyry is characterized by high SiO2, Al2O3, K2O and Na2O contents, with A/CNK ratios ranging from 0.97 to 1.02. All samples exhibit fractionated REE patterns, characterized by high (La/Yb)N ratios (9.4–13.6, average of 11.2). They show adakite‐like geochemical features, high Sr concentrations (627–751 ppm, average of 700 ppm), low Y concentrations (15.13–16.86 ppm, average of 15.81 ppm) and high Sr/Y values (39.5–47.4, average of 44.3). These samples have high initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios (0.7074–0.7076) and negative εNd(t) values (–5.1 to −3.7), whereas the zircon εHf(t) values range from −2.2 to +0.4, suggesting that the monzonite porphyry was derived from the partial melting of a thickened juvenile lower crust. The oxygen fugacity, calculated on the basis of the chemical composition of the amphiboles, shows ΔNNO values ranging from +1.65 to +2.16 (average of 1.94) and lg(fO2) ranging from −12.72 to −11.99 (average of −12.25), indicating that the monzonite porphyry has high oxygen fugacity. Zircons have high Ce4+/Ce3+ ratios (29.29–164.24, average of 84.92), with high ΔFMQ values ranging from +0.50 to +1.51 (average of 0.87) and high lg(fO2) values ranging from −14.72 to −12.85 (average of −14.07), which also indicates that the oxygen fugacity of the magma was high. The dissolved water content of the Habo monzonite porphyry is 9.5–11.5 wt%, according to the geochemical characteristics, zircon‐saturation thermometry (692–794°C) and the mineral phases (amphibole, no plagioclase) in the deep magma chamber. Combined with previous studies, we propose that the high oxygen fugacity and high water content of magma played key roles in controlling the formation of the Habo and other Cu‐Mo‐Au deposits in the Ailaoshan–Red River metallogenic belt.
Lithium‐bearing Pegmatite Exploration in Western Altun, Xinjiang, using Remote‐Sensing Technology
Authors: JIANG Qi , DAI Jingjing , WANG Denghong , WANG Chenghui , TIAN Shufang
Published: December 2022

Western Altun in Xinjiang is an important area, where lithium (Li)‐bearing pegmatites have been found in recent years. However, the complex terrain and harsh environment of western Altun exacerbates in prospecting for Li‐bearing pegmatites. Therefore, remote‐sensing techniques can be an effective means for prospecting Li‐bearing pegmatites. In this study, the fault information and lithologyical information in the region were obtained using the median‐resolution remote‐sensing image Landsat‐8, the radar image Sentinel‐1 and hyperspectral data GF‐5. Using Landsat‐8 data, the hydroxyl alteration information closely related to pegmatite in the region was extracted by principal component analysis, pseudo‐anomaly processing and other methods. The high spatial resolution remote‐sensing data WorldView‐2 and WorldView‐3 short‐wave infrared images were used and analyzed by principal component analysis (PCA), the band ratio method and multi‐class machine learning (ML), combined with conventional thresholds specified the algorithms used to automatically extract Li‐bearing pegmatite information. Finally, the Li‐bearing pegmatite exploration area was determined, based on a comprehensive analysis of the faults, hydroxyl alteration lithology and Li‐bearing pegmatite information. Field investigations have verified that the distribution of pegmatites in the central part of the study area is consistent with that of Li‐bearing pegmatites extracted in this study. This study provides a new technique for prospecting Li‐bearing pegmatites, which shows that remote‐sensing technology possesses great potential for identifying lithium‐bearing pegmatites, especially in areas that are not readily accessible.
Classifying alcohol control policies enacted between 2000 and 2020 in Poland and the Baltic countries to model potential impact
Authors: Rehm Jürgen , Lange Shannon , Gobiņa Inese , Janik‐Koncewicz Kinga , Miščikienė Laura , Reile Rainer , Stoppel Relika , Tran Alexander , Ferreira‐Borges Carina , Jasilionis Domantas , Jiang Huan , Kim Kawon Victoria , Manthey Jakob , Neufeld Maria , Petkevičienė Janina , Radišauskas Ričardas , Room Robin , Liutkutė‐Gumarov Vaida , Zatoński Witold A. , Štelemėkas Mindaugas
Published: December 2022

Aims

The study's aim is to identify and classify the most important alcohol control policies in the Baltic countries (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania) and Poland between 2000 and 2020.

Methods

Policy analysis of Baltic countries and Poland, predicting potential policy impact on alcohol consumption, all‐cause mortality and alcohol‐attributable hospitalizations was discussed.

Results

All Baltic countries implemented stringent availability restrictions on off‐premises trading hours and different degrees of taxation increases to reduce the affordability of alcoholic beverages, as well as various degrees of bans on alcohol marketing. In contrast, Poland implemented few excise taxation increases or availability restrictions and, in fact, reduced stipulations on prior marketing bans.

Conclusions

This classification of alcohol control policies in the Baltic countries and Poland provides a basis for future modeling of the impact of implementing effective alcohol control policies (Baltic countries), as well as the effects of loosening such policies (Poland).
Acute kidney injury in 18 cats after subcutaneous meloxicam and an update on non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug usage in feline patients in Australia
Authors: Wun MK , Leister E , King T , Korman R , Malik R
Published: December 2022

Objectives

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a well‐known but poorly documented adverse effect of non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in cats. We aimed to describe instances of NSAID‐associated AKI in cats and survey Australian veterinarians on NSAID use in acute settings.

Methods

Medical records of cats that developed an AKI subsequent to the administration of meloxicam were obtained by searching the databases of seven practices in Queensland, as well as by contemporaneously contacting select veterinary colleagues of the authors in both general and specialist small animal practice. An online questionnaire was created for the survey, and the URL distributed to Australian practitioners.

Results

A total of 18 cases were retrieved, all of which received injectable meloxicam. The indication(s) for its use and the dosage prescribed were within the manufacturer's recommendations for Australian veterinarians. The majority of cases (13/18 cats) received the label dose of 0.3 mg/kg subcutaneously (SC) on the day of the procedure. In 12/18 cats, the injection was given in association with general anaesthesia or sedation. Fourteen cats survived to hospital discharge. Of 187 survey respondees, 89% routinely administered NSAIDs for surgery‐related analgesia, with 98% prescribing meloxicam and 84% of these giving it SC. Ninety percent of respondees routinely administered NSAIDs for non‐surgical‐related analgesia, with 99% prescribing meloxicam and 35% of those giving it SC.

Conclusions and Relevance

We strongly recommend that practitioners avoid prescribing meloxicam SC in cats. This recommendation is emphatic in situations where concurrent dehydration and/or hypotension are possible.
Relating transcription, executive functions and text quality in Grades 2–3: A cross‐lagged panel analysis
Authors: Vieira Ana Isabel , Magalhães Sofia , Limpo Teresa
Published: December 2022

Background

It has been suggested that children's writing is dependent on transcription and executive functions. However, there is a need for more research examining the relationships among those variables in primary school children, given that most existing studies are cross‐sectional and assess transcription and executive functions separately, and there are scarce and mixed longitudinal findings.

Aims

This study used a cross‐lagged panel model to explore the relationships among transcription skills, executive functions and text quality from Grade 2 to Grade 3.

Sample

The sample included 353 Portuguese children (195 boys, 155 girls) in Grade 2, who were reassessed in Grade 3.

Methods

Children were assessed on transcription, executive functions and writing tasks at two time points.

Results

Transcription skills and executive functions in Grade 2 positively predicted the same variables in Grade 3. At Grade 2, transcription skills were associated with executive functions and text quality. At Grade 3, we only found an association between executive functions and text quality. Finally, text quality in Grade 2 predicted transcription skills in Grade 3, but both transcription and executive functions in Grade 2 did not predict text quality in Grade 3.

Conclusions

Transcription skills and executive functions seem to be stable over time, but previous performance on these skills does not seem to predict later text quality. Overall, these findings do put into question the direction of the typically assumed relationships, especially between transcription and text quality. Findings also provide information that can guide the development of instructional programmes in primary school.
Orthogonal threading‐through‐β‐sheet design of lung cancer EGFR extracellular domain‐derived peptidic mimotopes binding to anti‐EGFR antibody
Authors: Zhang Xian‐Chao , Chang Na , Zhang Xian‐Qi
Published: December 2022

Human epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has been established as a therapeutic target of lung cancer and other diverse tumors. The antibody drug Cetuximab has been developed to target the third subdomain III (TSDIII) of EGFR extracellular domain (ECD) by competitively inhibiting epidermal growth factor binding. In this study, we performed systematic investigation on the crystal complex structure of EGFR ECD domain with Cetuximab to create a residue importance profile for the TSDIII subdomain, based on which a number of U‐shaped, double‐stranded linear peptides were derived and cyclized to orthogonally thread through most hotspot residues and many responsible residues within the TSDIII β‐sheet plane; they represent mimotopes of the key antibody‐recognition site of TSDIII subdomain. Computational analyses revealed that these linear peptides cannot spontaneously fold to the desired conformation in free state due to their intrinsic flexibility. Cell‐free assays confirmed that the stapling can considerably improve the binding affinity of linear peptides to Cetuximab by up to 18‐fold. The cOrt1 [3–18] cyclic peptide was measured to have the highest affinity in all designed linear and cyclic peptides.
The effect of the endoscopic device Endocuff™/Endocuff vision™ on quality standards in colonoscopy: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized trials
Authors: Walls Martin , Houwen Britt B. S. L. , Rice Stephen , Seager Alexander , Dekker Evelien , Sharp Linda , Rees Colin J.
Published: December 2022

Aim

The adenoma detection rate (ADR) is an important quality measure, with a high ADR reflecting high‐quality colonoscopy. This systematic review and meta‐analysis aimed to assess the effects of Endocuff™/Endocuff Vision™‐assisted colonoscopy (EAC) versus standard colonoscopy (SC) on ADR and other clinical, patient and resource‐use outcomes.

Method

MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, Scopus and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched for full papers reporting randomized studies comparing EAC with SC. The primary outcome was ADR. Secondary outcomes comprised key polyp/adenoma detection, procedure‐related, patient‐related and health economic measures. Random effects meta‐analyses provided pooled estimates of outcomes [risk ratio (RR) or mean difference (MD), with 95% confidence intervals (CI)].

Results

Twelve parallel‐group randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and three crossover RCTs with data on 9140 patients were included. EAC significantly increased the ADR (RR 1.18, 95% CI 1.09–1.29), mean adenomas per procedure (MAP) (MD 0.19, 95% CI 0.06–0.33), polyp detection rate (PDR) (RR 1.20, 95% CI 1.10–1.30) and mean polyps per procedure (MPP) (MD 0.39, 95% CI 0.14–0.63) versus SC. EAC significantly increased segmental PDR versus SC in the sigmoid (RR 2.02, 95% CI 1.64–2.49), transverse (RR 1.63, 95% CI 1.09–2.42), ascending (RR 1.74, 95% CI 1.26–2.41) and caecal segments (RR 1.91, 95% CI 1.29–2.82). Procedure‐related variables did not differ between arms. There were insufficient data for meta‐analysis of health economic or patient‐centred outcomes.

Conclusions

EAC increased ADR, MAP, PDR and MPP versus SC without detrimental effects on procedure measures. Cost‐effectiveness and patient experience data are lacking and would be valuable to inform practice recommendations.
Some novel operational laws and spherical fuzzy Choquet‐Frank operators and their application to MCDM
Authors: Punetha Tanuja , Komal
Published: December 2022

Some decision‐making problems are required to be analysed using insufficient and vague information under an extended space of fuzziness, considering flexibility in the decision‐making process and the interdependency and interaction between the criteria. To tackle these challenges, a spherical fuzzy set (SFS), which is an extension of the ordinary picture fuzzy set (PFS), can be used to fulfil the requirement of an extended space of fuzziness by quantifying uncertainty. Similarly, the Frank operations can provide flexibility to the decision‐making process due to the involvement of a parameter, whereas the Choquet integral considers all possible interactive characteristics between different criteria. Therefore, this paper integrates these three important concepts to make more sound and realistic decisions by extending the existing arithmetic operation for spherical fuzzy numbers (SFNs) using Frank t‐norm and t‐conorm. In addition, the paper introduces some novel Choquet‐Frank aggregation operators, such as spherical fuzzy Choquet‐Frank averaging (SFCFA) and spherical fuzzy Choquet‐Frank geometric (SFCFG). To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed operators, a multi‐criteria decision making (MCDM) problem related to the selection of an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system is analysed for the available five options , and . Sensitivity analysis is performed to investigate the impact of taking variation in parameter values () on aggregated values. Results confirmed that the best alternatives for SFCFA and SFCFG operators are and , respectively, while is the worst alternative for both these operators. To show the effectiveness of the proposed operators, a comparative analysis has been performed to compare the results obtained from other existing aggregation operators. Results concluded that the findings resemble most of the existing operators which confirms the feasibility of the proposed operators.
Longer duration of seasonal stratification contributes to widespread increases in lake hypoxia and anoxia
Authors: Jane Stephen F. , Mincer Joshua L. , Lau Maximilian P. , Lewis Abigail S. L. , Stetler Jonathan T. , Rose Kevin C.
Published: December 2022

The concentration of dissolved oxygen (DO) is an important attribute of aquatic ecosystems, influencing habitat, drinking water quality, biodiversity, nutrient biogeochemistry, and greenhouse gas emissions. While average summer DO concentrations are declining in lakes across the temperate zone, much remains unknown about seasonal factors contributing to deepwater DO losses. It is unclear whether declines are related to increasing rates of seasonal DO depletion or changes in seasonal stratification that limit re‐oxygenation of deep waters. Furthermore, despite the presence of important biological and ecological DO thresholds, there has been no large‐scale assessment of changes in the amount of habitat crossing these thresholds, limiting the ability to understand the consequences of observed DO losses. We used a dataset from >400 widely distributed lakes to identify the drivers of DO losses and quantify the frequency and volume of lake water crossing biologically and ecologically important threshold concentrations ranging from 5 to 0.5 mg/L. Our results show that while there were no consistent changes over time in seasonal DO depletion rates, over three‐quarters of lakes exhibited an increase in the duration of stratification, providing more time for seasonal deepwater DO depletion to occur. As a result, most lakes have experienced summertime increases in the amount of water below all examined thresholds in deepwater DO concentration, with increases in the proportion of the water column below thresholds ranging between 0.9% and 1.7% per decade. In the 30‐day period preceding the end of stratification, increases were greater at >2.2% per decade and >70% of analyzed lakes experienced increases in the amount of oxygen‐depleted water. These results indicate ongoing climate‐induced increases in the duration of stratification have already contributed to reduction of habitat for many species, likely increased internal nutrient loading, and otherwise altered lake chemistry. Future warming is likely to exacerbate these trends.
Use of fermented sprouted mung bean (Vigna radiata) containing protective starter culture LAB to produce clean‐label fortified wheat bread
Authors: Aryashad Mohammad , Sadeghi Alireza , Nouri Mehrnaz , Ebrahimi Maryam , Kashaninejad Mahdi , Aalami Mehran
Published: December 2022

Predominant antifungal lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from fermented sprouted mung bean (FSM) was used as protective starter culture in controlled FSM to produce a clean‐label fortified wheat bread. Sequencing results of the PCR products led to the identification of Pediococcus pentosaceus as the selected LAB isolate. The rate of surface growth of Aspergillus niger on FSM‐added bread was significantly (P < 0.05) lower than the wheat bread containing mung bean, fermented mung bean and sprouted mung bean alone. The quantity of almost all of the amino acids (aspartic acid, histidine, serine, arginine, threonine, tyrosine, valine, phenylalanine and tryptophane) in the FSM‐added wheat bread was also higher than the control, according to the HPLC analysis. Furthermore, bread containing FSM had the highest mould‐free shelf‐life (4 days) and porosity (21.61%). Meanwhile, there was no significant (P > 0.05) difference in terms of crumb hardness, specific volume and overall acceptability among the produced samples.
Synergistic effect of gum arabic and xanthan gum on improving rheological properties of low‐fat mayonnaise with egg white protein microparticle as a fat mimetic
Authors: Shi Yefan , Li Junhua , Gu Luping , Su Yujie , Chen Wangying , Zhang Ming , Chang Cuihua , Yang Yanjun
Published: December 2022

Overconsumption of fat‐rich foods has led to a significant increase in the incidence of chronic diseases in humans. With the increased pursuit of a healthy lifestyle, low‐fat products are gradually developing. In this study, egg white protein microparticle (EWPM) was used as a fat mimetic in low‐fat mayonnaise, as well as xanthan gum (XG) and gum arabic (GA) were used as texture and rheology modifiers. The results showed that XG and GA had a synergistic effect on modifying viscosity and recovery of EWPM‐structured low‐fat mayonnaise. The addition of XG could effectively increase the viscosity of low‐fat system, due to the electrostatic binding with EWPM and the intermolecular entanglement. The incorporation of XG with GA could effectively intervene intermolecular interactions to improve recovery, verified by the decreased particle size and weakened electrostatic binding. The results would provide practical guidance for the development of high‐protein and low‐fat nutritious mayonnaise.
Physico‐chemical, sensory, antioxidant and electromyographic analyses of functional liquid diets (IDDSI levels 0–2) formulated for dysphagia patients
Authors: Sodhi Navdeep Singh , Dhillon Bhavnita , Kaur Ramneet , Goria Gurleen , Sharma Shivangi , Jaiswal Sunanda
Published: December 2022

Dysphagia is a symptom that refers to difficulty during the progression of the alimentary bolus from the mouth to the stomach. This may lead to malnutrition and negative effects on quality of life. Doctors and dieticians around the globe are looking for nutritious texture‐modified diets which are easier to chew and swallow thus could reduce the risks associated with choking in dysphagia patients. In this study, different functional liquid diets were formulated under International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative (IDDSI) levels 0–2. The diets were made with incorporation of various fruits and vegetables to enhance their nutritional profile. The formulated liquid diets were analysed for their proximate composition, colour, antioxidant and sensory properties. The formulated liquid diets were high in nutrients and antioxidants. Also, all the formulated products were highly acceptable based on various sensory attributes indicating their potential to be incorporated in the diet plan of dysphagia patients. Electromyography (EMG) study was conducted to acquire myoelectrical activities of both masseter and suprahyoid muscles during oral processing of liquid diets by human subjects. The acquired EMG oral processing parameters significantly (P < 0.05) correlated with ease of swallowing and IDDSI levels. Hence, EMG technique provides in vivo texture evaluation and real‐time swallowing patterns and thus can be an effective approach for the formulation of texture‐modified diets for dysphagia patients.
Customer‐Based Customization and Price Competition*
Authors: Colombo Stefano , Garella Paolo G.
Published: December 2022

Among the many consequences for production processes, new technologies, including 3D‐printing and web‐based co‐design, provide end‐users with increasingly effective means to locally reshape and co‐produce products to fit their needs, decentralizing part of the production process. But do firms have an incentive to design goods that are self‐customizable or rather to retain centralized production? Is users' surplus increased when self‐customization is an available option? We analyze a duopoly where firms can offer a standard version only, or a menu with two product/price options: a standard and a customizable version. Different from firm‐based customization, customizing consumers pay the same price to the firm, who cannot price discriminate among them. We find that both firms' introducing a self‐customizable product can be an equilibrium, with an increase in profits, consumers' surplus, and welfare. However, there also arise situations in which one firm only produces standardized goods. The equilibrium configuration depends upon the cost of self‐customization and the distribution of consumers.
Decision and foreknowledge
Authors: Gallow J. Dmitri
Published: December 2022

My topic is how to make decisions when you possess foreknowledge of the consequences of your choice. Many have thought that these kinds of decisions pose a distinctive and novel problem for causal decision theory (CDT). My thesis is that foreknowledge poses no new problems for CDT. Some of the purported problems are not problems. Others are problems, but they are not problems for CDT. Rather, they are problems for our theories of subjunctive supposition. Others are problems, but they are not new problems. They are old problems transposed into a new key. Nonetheless, decisions made with foreknowledge illustrate important lessons about the instrumental value of our choices. Once we've appreciated these lessons, we are left with a version of CDT which faces no novel threats from foreknowledge.
Impacts of micronutrient intervention programs on effective coverage and lives saved: Modeled evidence from Cameroon
Authors: Vosti Stephen A. , Adams Katherine P. , Michuda Aleksandr , Ortiz‐Becerra Karen , Luo Hanqi , Haile Demewoz , Chou Victoria B. , Clermont Adrienne , Teta Ismael , Ndjebayi Alex , Kagin Justin , Guintang Jules , Engle‐Stone Reina
Published: December 2022

Policymakers are committed to improving nutritional status and to saving lives. Some micronutrient intervention programs (MIPs) can do both, but not to the same degrees. We apply the Micronutrient Intervention Modeling tool to compare sets of MIPs for (1) achieving dietary adequacy separately for zinc, vitamin A (VA), and folate for children and women of reproductive age (WRA), and (2) saving children's lives via combinations of MIPs. We used 24‐h dietary recall data from Cameroon to estimate usual intake distributions of zinc and VA for children 6–59 months and of folate for WRA. We simulated the effects on dietary inadequacy and lives saved of four fortified foods and two VA supplementation (VAS) platforms. We estimated program costs over 10 years. To promote micronutrient‐specific dietary adequacy, the economic optimization model (EOM) selected zinc‐ and folic acid–fortified wheat flour, VA‐fortified edible oils, and bouillon cubes, and VAS via Child Health Days in the North macroregion. A different set of cost‐effective MIPs emerged for reducing child mortality, shifting away from VA and toward more zinc for children and more folic acid for WRA. The EOM identified more efficient sets of MIPs than the business‐as‐usual MIPs, especially among programs aiming to save lives.
Dupilumab in daily practice for the treatment of pediatric atopic dermatitis: 28‐week clinical and biomarker results from the BioDay registry
Authors: Kamphuis Esmé , Boesjes Celeste M. , Loman Laura , Bakker Daphne S. , Poelhekken Mila , Zuithoff Nicolaas P. A. , Kamsteeg Marijke , Romeijn Geertruida L. E. , van Wijk Femke , de Bruin‐Weller Marjolein S. , de Graaf Marlies , Schuttelaar Marie L. A.
Published: December 2022

Background

Dupilumab has proven to be an effective and safe treatment for atopic dermatitis (AD) in pediatric patients in clinical trials. However, few daily practice studies are available. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of 28 weeks dupilumab treatment on effectiveness, safety, and serum biomarkers in pediatric patients with moderate‐to‐severe AD in daily practice.

Methods

Patients visited the outpatient clinic at baseline, 4, 16, and 28 weeks of treatment. Disease severity was assessed by the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI), Investigator Global Assessment (IGA), Numeric Rating Scale (NRS)‐pruritus and ‐pain, and the Patient‐Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM). Side effects were evaluated. Nineteen severity‐associated serum biomarkers were measured. Predicted‐EASI (p‐EASI) was calculated.

Results

Sixty‐one patients were included. Respectively 75.4%, 49.2%, and 24.6% reached EASI‐50, EASI‐75, and EASI‐90 and 36.1% achieved an IGA‐score (almost) clear. Improvement of ≥4 points on POEM, NRS‐pruritus, and NRS‐pain was reached by 84.7%, 45.3%, and 77.4%, respectively. Most reported side effects were conjunctivitis (n = 10) and headache (n = 4). Biomarkers TARC, PARC, periostin, sIL‐2Ra, and eotaxin‐3 significantly decreased during treatment. The p‐EASI showed a significant correlation with disease severity.

Conclusion

Dupilumab treatment significantly improved disease severity and disease‐associated symptoms and decreased severity‐associated serum biomarkers in pediatric AD patients in daily practice.
Allergenic risk assessment of cowpea and its cross‐reactivity with pea and peanut
Authors: Chentouh Mouhamed Mounir , Codreanu‐Morel Françoise , Boutebba Aissa , Kler Stephanie , Revets Dominique , Kuehn Annette , Ollert Markus , Hilger Christiane
Published: December 2022

Background

Novel protein sources can represent a risk for allergic consumers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the allergenicity of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), an increasingly consumed legume and potential new industrial food ingredient which may put legume‐allergic patients at risk.

Methods

Children with allergy to legumes associated to peanut (LP group: n = 13) or without peanut allergy (L group: n = 14) were recruited and sensitization to several legumes including cowpea was assessed by prick tests and detection of specific IgE (sIgE). Cowpea protein extract was analyzed by SDS‐PAGE and immunoblotting, IgE‐reactive spots were subjected to mass spectrometry. IgE‐cross‐reactivity between cowpea, pea, and peanut was determined using ELISA inhibition assays. Basophil activation tests were performed to evaluate sensitivity and reactivity of patient basophils toward legumes.

Results

Prick tests and sIgE levels to cowpea were positive in 8/14 and 4/13 patients of the L group and in 9/13 and 10/13 patients of the LP group, respectively. Four major IgE‐binding proteins were identified as vicilins and seed albumin. Cowpea extract and its vicilin fraction strongly inhibited IgE‐binding to pea and peanut extract. Peanut, lentil, and pea were the strongest activators of basophils, followed by cowpea, soybean, mung bean, and lupin.

Conclusion

A majority of patients with legume allergy were sensitized to cowpea proteins. Four novel allergens were identified in cowpea, among which storage proteins were playing an important role in IgE‐cross‐reactivity, exposing legume‐allergic patients to the risk of clinical cross‐reactivity to cowpea and thus adding cowpea to the group of nonpriority legumes that are not subjected to allergen labeling such as chickpea, pea, and lentil.
Design Criteria for Jet-Propelled Helicopter Rotors
Authors: Denney C. D.
Published: December 2022

Considerable developmental work is progressing on various types of jet rotor systems for helicopters. Among these are the ramjet system, and the pressure system, which are described in some detail in the paper. Application of the gas turbine for driving the compressor used in the pressure system is considered briefly, as well as use of the turbojet engine. A comparison of performance of the two principal jet-rotor systems under consideration with conventional helicopter-rotor drive is given, which indicates advantages for short-haul application over the conventional drive.
Test Results of High-Performance Heat-Exchanger Surfaces Used in Aircraft Intercoolers and Their Significance for Gas-Turbine Regenerator Design
Authors: London A. L. , Ferguson C. K.
Published: December 2022

This paper presents basic heat-transfer and flow-friction design data for a plate louvered-fin type of extended surface which may be of use in the gas-turbine-plant regenerator application. Different surfaces are compared on the basis of a heat-transfer coefficient versus friction-horse-power plot, and some of the heat-transfer and flow-friction aspects of regenerator design are discussed.