bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stimulating product and process innovation through HRM practices: the mediating effect of knowledge management capability
Authors: Than Son Thanh , Le Phong Ba , Le Thai Phong , Nguyen Dung Thi Nguyet
Published: July 2022

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the influence of human resource management (HRM) practices on two aspects of innovation capability namely product and process innovation. It also attempts to clarify the HRM-innovation relationship by examining the mediating roles of specific components of knowledge management capability (KMC) namely knowledge acquisition, knowledge sharing and knowledge application.

Design/methodology/approach

This research used the quantitative method and structural equation modeling (SEM) approach to examine hypotheses with data obtained by survey from 325 participants in 98 Vietnamese firms.

Findings

The empirical findings show the evidence on the mediating roles of components of KMC in the HRM-innovation relationship and indicate that HRM practices have a greater impact on product innovation compared to its effects on process innovation. In contrast, all three components of the KMC produce larger impacts on process innovation than on product innovation. In particular, it highlights the key role of knowledge sharing in predicting product and process innovation in comparison to the roles of knowledge acquisition and knowledge application.

Practical implications

CEOs/managers should practice and manage their human resource to foster organizational capability for product and process innovation directly or indirectly via enhancing aspects of KMC namely knowledge acquisition, sharing and application.

Originality/value

By investigating the mediating mechanisms of specific components of KMC, the paper has significantly contributed to advancing the body of knowledge of innovation theory and providing deeper insights on the correlation between HRM practices and aspects of innovation capability namely product and process innovation.
The impact of international trade on the price of solar photovoltaic modules: empirical evidence
Authors: Hajdukovic Ivan
Published: July 2022

Purpose

Over the past decades, the global solar photovoltaic (PV) market has experienced an unprecedented development associated with a substantial decline in solar PV module prices. A body of literature has attempted to identify and evaluate the different sources of price variation. However, the impact of international trade on the price of solar PV modules has not yet been empirically examined. This paper contributes to filling this gap in the literature by providing a comprehensive empirical examination on the relationship between international trade and solar PV module prices.

Design/methodology/approach

The author uses a sample of 15 countries over the period 2006–2015 and proposes a linear dynamic panel data model based on a new specification, including a number of relevant factors influencing solar PV module prices.

Findings

The empirical analysis reveals that an increase in imports of solar PV cells and modules is associated with a decline in solar PV module prices. This finding suggests that international trade could lead to further price reductions, thus fostering the deployment of solar PV technology. The study reveals several other important findings. Market and technological development are key factors explaining the decline in solar PV module prices. Moreover, government policies such as public budget for R&D in PV and feed-in tariff for solar PV are effective in reducing the price of solar PV modules.

Originality/value

This paper examines the influence of international trade, government policies, market development and technological development on solar PV module prices. The results may be of interest to both academic research and policy analysis.
IFRS experience and earnings quality in the GCC region
Authors: Al-Enzy Nasser S. Kh. , Monem Reza , Nahar Shamsun
Published: July 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the association between the adoption experience of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and the quality of reported earnings in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region – a region that exhibits several features of emerging economies.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors analyse a hand-collected dataset of 222 firms across 4 countries in the GCC region over the period 2012–2017 and measure “IFRS experience” as the number of years since a country has mandatorily adopted the IFRS. In measuring earnings quality, the authors focus on two properties of reported earnings: persistence and accruals quality and employ multivariate regression models based on two-way cluster-robust standard errors and fixed-effects.

Findings

This study’s findings suggest that earnings persistence is decreasing, and discretionary accruals are increasing in IFRS experience in the GCC region over the period 2012–2017. The authors conclude that reported earnings quality has declined following IFRS adoption in this sample.

Research limitations/implications

The authors contribute to the IFRS literature in the GCC region, which is in its infancy.

Practical implications

This study’s findings have important policy implications for countries that are about to adopt or are in the early implementation stage of IFRS and suggest that strong enforcement of accounting standards along with improvement in the institutional environments might be needed for improving financial reporting quality.

Originality/value

The authors provide the first cross-country evidence on the relation between IFRS adoption in the GCC region and earnings quality. Moreover, unlike most prior studies, the authors employ a continuous measure that is superior to a binary measure in capturing the effect of IFRS adoption.
Values that drive desire: examining determinants of mobile promotion satisfaction
Authors: Hsieh Sara H. , Lee Crystal T.
Published: July 2022

Purpose

Mobile promotion has become an important and popular mechanism for mobile commerce, with many companies using this approach to increase sales and drive brand satisfaction toward the use of mobile apps. Despite the crucial nature of this topic, knowledge on the value of mobile promotion remains insufficient. Drawing upon consumption value theory (CVT), this study aims to examine the underlying mechanism that drives app satisfaction and in-app purchase.

Design/methodology/approach

In this research, the authors selected retail mobile apps for empirical testing. The authors recruited 476 users to complete a survey and analyzed the results using partial least squares structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results revealed that functional (monetary savings and localization), social (self-expression), emotional (entertainment), epistemic (exploration) and conditional (personalization) value increase the desirability of mobile promotion, thereby facilitating app satisfaction and in-app purchase.

Originality/value

Amid the vast business opportunities of mobile commerce, numerous brands have developed mobile apps that function as platforms for the promotion, provision and purchase of products and services. With the prevalence of mobile app downloads, apps have become the primary mobile platform for conducting mobile promotion. This research contributes to the literature and offers retailers insight into how to create value that can increase app satisfaction and in-app purchasing through mobile promotion.
Multidisciplinary design optimization of engineering systems under uncertainty: a review
Authors: Meng Debiao , Yang Shiyuan , He Chao , Wang Hongtao , Lv Zhiyuan , Guo Yipeng , Nie Peng
Published: July 2022

Purpose

As an advanced calculation methodology, reliability-based multidisciplinary design optimization (RBMDO) has been widely acknowledged for the design problems of modern complex engineering systems, not only because of the accurate evaluation of the impact of uncertain factors but also the relatively good balance between economy and safety of performance. However, with the increasing complexity of engineering technology, the proposed RBMDO method gradually cannot effectively solve the higher nonlinear coupled multidisciplinary uncertainty design optimization problems, which limits the engineering application of RBMDO. Many valuable works have been done in the RBMDO field in recent decades to tackle the above challenges. This study is to review these studies systematically, highlight the research opportunities and challenges, and attempt to guide future research efforts.

Design/methodology/approach

This study presents a comprehensive review of the RBMDO theory, mainly including the reliability analysis methods of different uncertainties and the decoupling strategies of RBMDO.

Findings

First, the multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO) preliminaries are given. The basic MDO concepts and the corresponding mathematical formulas are illustrated. Then, the procedures of three RBMDO methods with different reliability analysis strategies are introduced in detail. These RBMDO methods were proposed for the design optimization problems under different uncertainty types. Furtherly, an optimization problem for a certain operating condition of a turbine runner blade is introduced to illustrate the engineering application of the above method. Finally, three aspects of future challenges for RBMDO, namely, time-varying uncertainty analysis; high-precision surrogate models, and verification, validation and accreditation (VVA) for the model, are discussed followed by the conclusion.

Originality/value

The scope of this study is to introduce the RBMDO theory systematically. Three commonly used RBMDO-SORA methods are reviewed comprehensively, including the methods' general procedures and mathematical models.
Social media marketing system: conceptualization, scale development and validation
Authors: Varela-Neira Concepción , Dwivedi Yogesh K. , Camoiras-Rodriguez Zaira
Published: July 2022

Purpose

Understanding what organizational factors enable a successful social media presence is a relevant issue for academics and practicing managers. The purpose of this investigation is to thus develop and validate a scale to measure a social media marketing system (SMMS).

Design/methodology/approach

This paper follows a rigorous scale development process based on three stages: item generation, measurement development and instrument testing. The validity and reliability tests were conducted using data provided by social media managers and the managers' supervisors.

Findings

The results validate a 25-item multidimensional SMMS scale that exhibits adequate internal consistency, reliability, construct validity and nomological validity. The results also show that the SMMS scale positively correlates with outcomes that are key to firm success (social media strategy success and marketing performance).

Originality/value

This paper conceptualizes SMMS through four dimensions, namely formalization, human resource management, co-creation and marketing planning, and the paper associates SMMS to important firm outcomes. The newly developed measurement instrument adds to the small repository of research scales relevant to social media and can serve as a springboard from which future work can understand social media from both an internal management perspective and an integrated outlook.
Online course quality evaluation from the perspective of knowledge management: analysis of online reviews
Authors: Shang Shanshan , Du Chenhui
Published: July 2022

Purpose

With the increasing popularity of online courses, their quality has become a public concern. Based on the perspective of knowledge management, this study aims to identify comprehensive and granular quality factors of online courses and analyze the relationships between the factors.

Design/methodology/approach

Following the principles of the grounded theory, interpretive structural modeling and cross-impact matrix multiplication applied to classification (MICMAC) analysis methods, this research uses reviews and comments garnered from Zhihu, which is the most popular online question-and-answer community in China, to conduct the analysis.

Findings

Based on the text data, 50 factors that potentially affect the quality of online courses are obtained. The analysis identifies the hierarchical relationships and dependent correlations between the factors.

Originality/value

The research uses the knowledge transformation model to classify content elements according to their degree of descriptiveness and provides practical and effective suggestions for improving the quality of online courses.
Floods and economic growth in India: role of FDI inflows and foreign aid
Authors: Kumar Pushp , Kumari Neha , Sahu Naresh Chandra
Published: July 2022

Purpose

The paper aims to examine the effects of floods on economic growth in India from 1980 to 2019, taking into account the role of foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows and foreign aid.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses augmented Dickey–Fuller (ADF) and Phillip–Perron (PP) tests to determine the stationarity of the variables. Several models, including autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL), fully modified ordinary least square (FMOLS), dynamic ordinary least square (DOLS) and canonical cointegration regression (CCR), are used to examine the impact of floods on economic growth.

Findings

The bounds test determines the long-term relationship between floods, FDI inflows, economic growth and foreign aid. According to the ARDL and FMOLS models, floods have a negative long-term and short-term impact on India’s economic growth. Furthermore, FDI inflows and foreign aid are beneficial to economic growth. The findings of the ARDL and FMOLS models are confirmed by the DOLS and CCR models. Granger causality establishes a unidirectional causality that extends from floods to economic growth. Further diagnostic tests show that the estimates are free of heteroskedasticity, serial correlation and parameter instability.

Practical implications

Indian government needs to invest more in research and development on flood management techniques. Institutional strengthening is also required to implement pre- and post-flood prevention measures properly. Sound disaster financing strategy and proper water bodies management should be prioritised. Foreign investment opportunities should be encouraged by strengthening international relations.

Originality/value

This is the first time-series study that analysed the effects of floods on economic growth in India. Moreover, the paper contributes to floods literature by applying several econometric models for robustness check.
Historical corruption in a ‘non-corrupt’ society: Aotearoa New Zealand
Authors: Gregory Robert , Zirker Daniel
Published: July 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to reconsider, from a historical perspective, New Zealand’s reputation as a country largely without corruption, with particular reference to the colonial government’s confiscation of Māori land in the 19th century and beyond.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on published historical commentary.

Findings

The findings are that much of the Māori land confiscation was rendered legal for illegitimate purposes, and that the colonial and successive New Zealand governments abrogated the country’s foundational document, the Treaty of Waitangi, signed between the colonial government and many Māori chiefs in 1840. Adverse consequences for Māori have been felt to this day, despite the Treaty settlements process that began with the Māori renaissance in the mid-1970s.

Originality/value

The academic analysis of corruption in New Zealand has seldom if ever adopted this historical perspective.
Soil transfers from intact to disturbed boreal forests neither alter ectomycorrhizal fungal communities nor improve pine seedling performance
Authors: Rodriguez‐Ramos Jean C. , Cale Jonathan A. , Cahill James F. , Erbilgin Nadir , Karst Justine
Published: July 2022

Forest disturbances can alter mycorrhizal fungal communities with consequences for subsequent plant establishment and growth. One possible mitigation strategy to promote forest recovery following disturbances is inoculation with soil from late‐successional forests. However, whether these soil transfers change the composition of resident fungal communities and how seedling growth responds to such transfers is unknown.

To test whether soil transfers can mitigate disturbance‐mediated impacts on ectomycorrhizal fungal (EMF) communities, we transferred soils containing fungal inoculum collected from conspecific late‐successional forests into stands disturbed by wildfire, mountain pine beetle outbreak, clear‐cut logging or salvage logging. Afterward, lodgepole pine seeds were sown to measure germination, establishment and growth of seedlings, and to characterize root‐associated and soil EMF communities by sequencing the ITS1 rDNA region.

Despite evidence that soil inocula contained viable EMF communities, transfers did not impact the root‐associated or soil EMF community composition, or seed germination, seedling establishment and growth. Resident EMF community composition remained unchanged upon transfers of fungi from late‐stage successional forests, and disturbance type singularly explained the EMF community composition associated with roots and soils.

Ectomycorrhizal fungal taxa typically associated with mature pine forests were particularly abundant on roots of seedlings growing in plots impacted by beetle outbreak, while ‘early‐stage’ EMF taxa were associated with seedlings growing in wildfire and logging disturbances.

Synthesis and applications. Following disturbances, soil and root‐associated EMF exhibit high functional redundancy, as seedling performance did not vary with differences in EMF community composition across disturbance types. Our findings suggest that soil transfers are unlikely to be an effective strategy in these stands and may be better targeted to highly degraded forests. The presence and abundance of EMF in disturbed forests should be assessed before committing to soil transfers as part of restoration.
The price effects of greening vacant lots: How neighborhood attributes matter
Authors: Lin Desen , Jensen Shane T. , Wachter Susan M.
Published: July 2022

We identify the effects of greening vacant lots on nearby housing prices and show how neighborhood attributes matter to these outcomes. Using data from a longstanding program in Philadelphia, we find that prices for houses within 1,000 feet of a greened vacant lot rise by about 4%, consistent with the literature, with the effect size increasing over time. Using the extensive data available in Philadelphia, we show how these effects vary by the attributes of the neighborhood in which they occur, with larger effects in areas with a high share of vacant land and higher‐than‐average median household incomes, with peak responses estimated at 19% and 15%, respectively. We demonstrate the importance of sample selection bias adjustment for identification of the effect of vacant lot greening.
Development of a benign colon tumour in the free colon flap after the oesophageal reconstruction
Authors: Yildirim Mehmet Emin Cem , Mousavi Seyed Abolghasem , Chen Shih‐Heng , Lu Ting‐Yu , Weng Hui‐ching , Chen Hung‐chi
Published: July 2022

Aim

A case is presented of benign tumour development after 30 years in a patient who underwent colon flap following corrosive injury.

Case Report

The patient was a 54‐year‐old female with a history of accidental corrosive injury in 1984. The patient underwent total gastrectomy, and oesophageal reconstruction with forearm flap for pharyngeal and colon segment interposition. Thirty years after the surgery, the patient was referred to us with progressive dysphagia. After an obstruction was found, it was decided to surgically explore the upper end of the colon, where a tumour was then found. The tumour was narrowing distally behind the sternum. The colon segment was removed. After that, the oesophageal reconstruction was accomplished by the free jejunal flap.

Conclusion

We think that barium oesophagography and/or endoscopy should be performed sporadically as it is carried out commonly for an adult in colon cancer screening. The patients should be informed about this in postoperative follow‐up.
Evaluation of the nutritional quality of ultra‐processed foods (ready to eat + fast food): Fatty acids, sugar, and sodium
Authors: Maldonado‐Pereira Lisaura , Barnaba Carlo , de Los Campos Gustavo , Medina‐Meza Ilce Gabriela
Published: July 2022

The average American consumes more than 50% of their total dietary energy from ultra‐processed foods (UPFs). From a nutritional standpoint, as UPFs intake increases, fiber, vitamin, and mineral intake decrease. High consumption of UPFs, mainly from fast foods (FF) and ready‐to‐eat (RTE) food items, emerges as a critical public health concern linking nutritional quality and food safety. In the present work, a systematic database of the fatty acid composition of the most consumed UPFs in the Midwest is reported. Saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids were predominant in RTE (42.5%) and FF (43.2%), respectively. In addition, the fatty acid profile in UPFs is reported according to six food categories: meat and poultry, eggs and derivatives, dairy products, seafood, baby foods, and others. Meat and poultry, and dairy products were the dominant food categories among UPFs. Meanwhile, polyunsaturated fatty acids were abundant in the eggs and seafood groups UPFs (61.8% and 46.4%, respectively) regardless of the food group. Furthermore, no significant differences were found in sugar content in UPFs. Caloric content was positively correlated with sodium (ρ = 0.748) and price (ρ = 0.534). The significance of this study relies on providing new quantitative data on the fat, sodium, and sugar contents of the most consumed UPFs in the Midwestern area of the United States. This information suggests paying more attention to these nutritional attributes, aiming to reduce their incorporation in UPF preparations. Additionally, more quantitative data are needed regarding other nutritional parameters such as protein and lipid degradation in UPFs.

Practical Application

This study provides a profile of the fatty acid composition of the most consumed UPFs in the Midwestern region of the United States, as well as correlations with fat, sodium, and sugar contents in UPFs. The information offered a new perspective on the nutrition quality of UPFs, suggesting the reduction of the incorporation of these attributes in UPFs. Additionally, it will help define priority interventions for more advanced precision nutrition, especially for vulnerable populations, for example, children and older people. The overall decrease in added sugar and sodium and the service size in UPFs will significantly improve the nutritional quality of the Western diet.
Predictive models for the growth of Salmonella spp., Listeria spp., and Escherichia coli in lettuce harvested on Taiwanese farms
Authors: Ndraha Nodali , Goh Ai Ping , Tran Gia Dieu , Chen Cheng‐quan , Hsiao Hsin‐I
Published: July 2022

This study aimed at developing predictive models for Salmonella, Listeria, and E. coli in lettuce iceberg (Lactuca sativa) locally grown in Taiwan. The models were developed under constant temperature levels (5, 10, 15, 20, and 25°C) and validated under dynamic temperature conditions (18°C for 4 h, 7°C for 48 h, 23°C for 4 h). The result showed that (1) all strains were unable to grow at 5°C except for standard strain of Listeria obtained from the BCRC and (2) the growth rate of locally isolated strains of Salmonella and Listeria was higher than the standard one at certain temperature levels and lower than the growth rates of E. coli. The findings in this study enhance our understanding about the growth variability between Salmonella, Listeria, and E. coli strains on vegetables locally grown in Taiwan and may be used to improve the management of proper storage temperature in the lettuce supply chain in this country. Considering the temperature recommendation for refrigerated food in Taiwan, the findings in this study therefore recommend that fresh vegetables (e.g., lettuce) should be stored at 5°C or lower to prevent the rapid growth of these microorganisms. Finally, the developed models can be used in the assessment of the microbiological risk of Salmonella, Listeria, and E. coli contamination in lettuce locally grown in Taiwan.

Practical Application

This study developed predictive models describing the growth of Salmonella, Listeria, and E. coli in lettuce locally grown in Taiwan. The models developed in this study can be used in quantitative microbial risk assessment.
Vegetation canopy height estimation in dynamic tropical landscapes with TanDEM‐X supported by GEDI data
Authors: Schlund Michael , Wenzel Arne , Camarretta Nicolò , Stiegler Christian , Erasmi Stefan
Published: July 2022

Vegetation canopy height is a relevant proxy for aboveground biomass, carbon stock, and biodiversity. Wall‐to‐wall information of canopy height with high spatial resolution and accuracy is not yet available on large scales. For the globally consistent TanDEM‐X data, simplifications are necessary to estimate canopy height with semi‐empirical models based on polarimetric synthetic aperture radar interferometry (PolInSAR).

We trained the semi‐empirical models with sampled GEDI data, because the assumptions behind the application of such simplifications are not always valid for TanDEM‐X. General linear as well as sinc models and empirical parameterizations of these models were applied to estimate the canopy height in tropical landscapes of Sumatra, Indonesia. Airborne laser scanning (ALS) data were consistently used as an independent reference. The general simplified models were compared with the trained empirical versions to assess the potential improvement of the empirical parameterization of the models. The residuals of the different canopy height models were further evaluated in relation to land use and structural information of the vegetation.

Our results indicated that the empirical parameters substantially improved the estimation from a root‐mean‐square‐error (RMSE) of 10.3 m (55.8%) to 8.8 m (47.7%), when using the linear model. In contrast, the improvement of the sinc model with empirical parameters was not substantial compared to the general sinc model (7.4 m [40.4%] vs. 6.9 m [37.5%]). A consistent improvement was observed in the linear model, whereas the improvement of the sinc model was dependent on the land‐use type. Structural attributes like the canopy height itself and vegetation cover had a significant effect on the accuracies, with higher and denser vegetation generally resulting in higher residuals.

We demonstrate the potential of the combined exploitation of the TanDEM‐X and GEDI missions for a wall‐to‐wall canopy height estimation in a tropical region. This study provides relevant findings for a consistent mapping of vegetation canopy height in tropical landscapes and on large scales with spaceborne laser and SAR data.
Changes over time in characteristics, resource use and outcomes among ICU patients with COVID‐19—A nationwide, observational study in Denmark
Authors: Haase Nicolai , Plovsing Ronni , Christensen Steffen , Poulsen Lone M. , Brøchner Anne C. , Rasmussen Bodil S. , Helleberg Marie , Jensen Jens U. S. , Andersen Lars P. K. , Siegel Hanna , Ibsen Michael , Jørgensen Vibeke L. , Winding Robert , Iversen Susanne , Pedersen Henrik P. , Madsen Jacob , Sølling Christoffer , Garcia Ricardo S. , Michelsen Jens , Mohr Thomas , Michagin George , Espelund Ulrick S. , Bundgaard Helle , Kirkegaard Lynge , Smitt Margit , Buck David L. , Ribergaard Niels‐Erik , Pedersen Helle S. , Christensen Birgitte V. , Nielsen Lone P. , Clapp Esben , Jonassen Trine B. , Weihe Sarah , la Cour Kirstine , Nielsen Frederik M. , Madsen Emilie K. , Haberlandt Trine N. , Meier Nick , Perner Anders
Published: July 2022

Background

Characteristics and care of intensive care unit (ICU) patients with COVID‐19 may have changed during the pandemic, but longitudinal data assessing this are limited. We compared patients with COVID‐19 admitted to Danish ICUs in the first wave with those admitted later.

Methods

Among all Danish ICU patients with COVID‐19, we compared demographics, chronic comorbidities, use of organ support, length of stay and vital status of those admitted 10 March to 19 May 2020 (first wave) versus 20 May 2020 to 30 June 2021. We analysed risk factors for death by adjusted logistic regression analysis.

Results

Among all hospitalised patients with COVID‐19, a lower proportion was admitted to ICU after the first wave (13% vs. 8%). Among all 1374 ICU patients with COVID‐19, 326 were admitted during the first wave. There were no major differences in patient's characteristics or mortality between the two periods, but use of invasive mechanical ventilation (81% vs. 58% of patients), renal replacement therapy (26% vs. 13%) and ECMO (8% vs. 3%) and median length of stay in ICU (13 vs. 10 days) and in hospital (20 vs. 17 days) were all significantly lower after the first wave. Risk factors for death were higher age, larger burden of comorbidities (heart failure, pulmonary disease and kidney disease) and active cancer, but not admission during or after the first wave.

Conclusions

After the first wave of COVID‐19 in Denmark, a lower proportion of hospitalised patients with COVID‐19 were admitted to ICU. Among ICU patients, use of organ support was lower and length of stay was reduced, but mortality rates remained at a relatively high level.
Precision livestock agriculture and productive efficiency: The case of milk recording in Ireland
Authors: Parikoglou Iordanis , Emvalomatis Grigorios , Thorne Fiona
Published: July 2022

This article investigates the effect of precision livestock agriculture and, in particular, milk recording, on the productive efficiency of Irish dairy farms. We use a micropanel of farms that covers the period 2008–2017 and a dynamic stochastic frontier (DSF) model to account for the dependence of efficiency on past values. This allows us to distinguish between short‐ and long‐run effects of precision livestock agriculture practices on technical efficiency (TE). We provide evidence that the Irish dairy sector experienced fast productivity growth in the period covered by the data, which was achieved mostly through technical change (TC) and efficiency improvements, but not due to scale effects (SEs) at the farm level. Furthermore, our results show that precision livestock agriculture in the form of milk recording contributed to a more efficient use of resources. Specifically, use of milk recording is found to affect positively TE in both the short and long run. Finally, we provide policy implications and directions for future research.
Quality indicators for home‐ and community‐based aged care: A critical literature review to inform policy directions
Authors: Foong Hui Yuan , Siette Joyce , Jorgensen Mikaela
Published: July 2022

Objectives

Australia is lagging behind other countries in implementing quality indicators (QIs) in home‐ and community‐based aged care. This research aimed to identify and appraise home care QI sets used internationally for older adults, to inform the future development and utilisation of QIs in the Australian context.

Methods

A systematic search of eligible studies outlining the development and validation of home care QI sets for older adults was undertaken. QIs were categorised using the Donabedian model to identify potential gaps in coverage of key areas of care quality. Each QI was classified as potentially “derivable” or not from existing national routinely collected datasets. Methodological quality was determined using the Appraisal of Indicators through Research and Evaluation instrument.

Results

Three sets of home care QIs developed and used internationally for older adults were identified. Two of the QI sets focused predominantly on clinical and functional aspects of care. Of 45 unique QIs, the majority were outcome measures (93%), with only three QIs measuring care processes (7%), and zero indicators measuring quality in terms of the structure of care (e.g., waiting time to access services). Nearly half of the individual indicators identified would require Australian home care providers to undertake additional data collection. There were significant methodological limitations in the development of QI sets, particularly in the scientific evidence domain.

Conclusions

This review identified important gaps in existing QI sets, which should be considered by policymakers, researchers, and other stakeholders when developing and applying QIs in the Australian setting.
The impact of type 2 immunity and allergic diseases in atherosclerosis
Authors: Fernández‐Gallego Nieves , Castillo‐González Raquel , Méndez‐Barbero Nerea , López‐Sanz Celia , Obeso David , Villaseñor Alma , Escribese María M. , López‐Melgar Beatriz , Salamanca Jorge , Benedicto‐Buendía Amparo , Jiménez‐Borreguero Luis Jesús , Ibañez Borja , Sastre Joaquín , Belver María Teresa , Vega Francisco , Blanco Carlos , Barber Domingo , Sánchez‐Madrid Francisco , de la Fuente Hortensia , Martín Pilar , Esteban Vanesa , Jiménez‐Saiz Rodrigo
Published: July 2022

Allergic diseases are allergen‐induced immunological disorders characterized by the development of type 2 immunity and IgE responses. The prevalence of allergic diseases has been on the rise alike cardiovascular disease (CVD), which affects arteries of different organs such as the heart, the kidney and the brain. The underlying cause of CVD is often atherosclerosis, a disease distinguished by endothelial dysfunction, fibrofatty material accumulation in the intima of the artery wall, smooth muscle cell proliferation, and Th1 inflammation. The opposed T‐cell identity of allergy and atherosclerosis implies an atheroprotective role for Th2 cells by counteracting Th1 responses. Yet, the clinical association between allergic disease and CVD argues against it. Within, we review different phases of allergic pathology, basic immunological mechanisms of atherosclerosis and the clinical association between allergic diseases (particularly asthma, atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis and food allergy) and CVD. Then, we discuss putative atherogenic mechanisms of type 2 immunity and allergic inflammation including acute allergic reactions (IgE, IgG1, mast cells, macrophages and allergic mediators such as vasoactive components, growth factors and those derived from the complement, contact and coagulation systems) and late phase inflammation (Th2 cells, eosinophils, type 2 innate‐like lymphoid cells, alarmins, IL‐4, IL‐5, IL‐9, IL‐13 and IL‐17).
Paediatric pelvic fractures – an updated literature review
Authors: Nguyen Alexander T. M. , Drynan David P. , Holland Andrew J. A.
Published: July 2022

Background

Pelvic fractures in children are indicative of significant trauma. Patients will often have associated injuries – some of which require urgent intervention to prevent death and disability. Paediatric and adult pelvises respond to traumatic forces differently and distinct approaches are required for each population. Historically, pelvic fractures have been treated conservatively, but this trend is changing with a better understanding of the pelvis' inability to remodel significant deformity, as well as new techniques for operative fixation.

Methods

A comprehensive search of the literature was conducted for articles published between 2000 and 2020 on paediatric pelvic fractures using medical databases including PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library.

Results

We included 143 studies in our literature review and summarized the incidence, pathophysiology, assessment, management and complications associated with paediatric pelvic fractures.

Conclusions

The rarity of paediatric pelvic fractures corresponds with a paucity of randomized clinical trials covering this topic. Trends such as the screening pelvic x‐ray are derived from adult populations but are now questioned in children. Other aspects of assessment and management of these children warrant such levels of scrutiny.
Making decisions affecting oneself versus others: The effect of interpersonal closeness and Dark Triad traits
Authors: Carré Jessica R. , Curtis Shelby R. , Jones Daniel N.
Published: July 2022

Actions that financially benefit one person may present risk to another person. For example, the payment incentives of portfolio managers and investors are often asymmetrical such that actions that benefit a portfolio manager can pose financial risk to clients. Despite the presence and potential harm of these asymmetries, few have addressed the question of who exploits these asymmetries and how to mitigate potential harm. Our study examined the effect of selfish personality traits (the Dark Triad) and interpersonal bonding on decision‐making for the self, another person, and another person with under reward asymmetry present. Results demonstrated that individuals higher in narcissism and psychopathy made risky decisions for themselves. However, when reward asymmetries were present, all three Dark Triad traits were associated with making riskier decisions for another person in order to benefit the self. There was also a significant interaction between interpersonal closeness generated through bonding and psychopathy such that bonding made the decision‐making processes of those high in psychopathy less risky for others. These findings have implications for how different individuals with different relationships make self and other‐based financial decisions, and how those decisions change when rewards are asymmetrical.
Integrating artificial intelligence into haematology training and practice: Opportunities, threats and proposed solutions
Authors: Chai Shang Yuin , Hayat Amjad , Flaherty Gerard Thomas
Published: July 2022

There remains a limited emphasis on the use beyond the research domain of artificial intelligence (AI) in haematology and it does not feature significantly in postgraduate medical education and training. This perspective article considers recent developments in the field of AI research in haematology and anticipates the potential benefits and risks associated with its deeper integration into the specialty. Anxiety towards the greater use of AI in healthcare stems from legitimate concerns surrounding data protection, lack of transparency in clinical decision‐making, and erosion of the doctor–patient relationship. The specialty of haematology has successfully embraced multiple disruptive innovations. We are at the cusp of a new era of closer integration of AI into routine haematology practice that will ultimately benefit patient care but to harness its benefits the next generation of haematologists will need access to bespoke learning opportunities with input from data scientists.
Linking measures to mechanisms of action: An expert opinion study
Authors: Cornelius Talea , Derby Lilly , Connell Bohlen Lauren , Birk Jeffrey L. , Rothman Alexander J. , Johnston Marie , Michie Susan
Published: July 2022

Objective

This study sought to integrate the NIH Science of Behaviour Change (SOBC) measures repository comprising measures of putative mechanisms with mechanisms of action (MoA) identified by the Human Behaviour‐Change Project (HBCP).

Design

Participants were 30 international experts recruited from professional networks and societies. In three anonymous virtual rounds, experts established consensus on hypothesized links between 26 MoAs and 44 self‐report measures.

Methods

In Round 1, experts completed a survey rating agreement with 84 pre‐identified measure‐MoA links and suggested new links. In Round 2, experts discussed 10 links in an online forum, including pre‐identified links with <50% agreement and new links suggested by 20–50% of experts. In Round 3, experts completed a survey rating all links eligible for discussion in Round 2.

Results

Twenty‐seven experts completed Round 1, 23 completed Round 2 and 18 completed Round 3. In Round 1, 82 of 84 pre‐identified links reached >50% agreement and 14 new links were suggested by >50% of experts. In Round 2, experts discussed measure‐MoA links and measurement quality. In Round 3, 71 of 96 links reached ≥50% agreement. A total of 167 links reached >50% expert agreement, 33 of which reached ≥90% agreement.

Conclusion

By identifying putative mechanisms (HBCP) for the 44 self‐report measures (SOBC), this study advances the cumulation of scientific results and interoperability of resources to facilitate process research.
Impact of human disturbance on the abundance of non‐breeding shorebirds in a subtropical wetland
Authors: Palacios Eduardo , Vargas Jonathan , Fernández Guillermo , Reiter Matthew E.
Published: July 2022

Shorebird populations have declined due to several threats throughout their annual cycle. Anthropogenic disturbance is one of the most ubiquitous threats to shorebird conservation in North America. Here, we studied the influence of human disturbance on shorebird community dynamics during migration and winter in Ensenada de La Paz, a subtropical coastal wetland in Mexico. We used negative binomial generalized linear mixed models to investigate the associations between spatial, biological, and anthropogenic variation and local shorebird abundance that accounted for shorebird body size (small, medium, and large) and foraging strategy (visual and tactile) of 22 shorebird species. After controlling for these different correlates of abundance, human disturbance (people, vehicles, and dogs) was negatively associated with shorebird abundance. During winter, all shorebird species were negatively related to human disturbance but positively associated with presence of raptors. However, small, tactile foraging birds exhibited a proportionally larger negative response to human disturbance than other shorebird types, indicative of guild‐level sensitivities to human disturbance regimes. The positive association between shorebird abundance and disturbance from predators was unexpected. Shorebirds likely concentrate in large groups to reduce predation risk, resulting in higher densities of shorebirds occurring in areas with high predation risk. Understanding factors influencing the abundance and habitat use of shorebirds on their non‐breeding grounds is paramount to support management and conservation policies for shorebirds and their habitats.

Abstract in Spanish is available with online material.
The outcome of treatment in differentiated thyroid cancer according to recommendations in current Dutch and American guidelines
Authors: van Dijk Deborah , Groen Andries H. , van Dijk Boukje A. C. , van Veen Tim L. , Sluiter Wim J. , Links Thera P. , Plukker John T. H. M.
Published: July 2022

Objective

Assessment of treatment outcome in current de‐escalation for differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) according to the 2015 Dutch thyroid cancer guidelines (NL‐15) and American Thyroid Association guidelines (ATA‐15).

Design

Retrospectively, the recommendations of the NL‐15 and ATA‐15 guidelines were evaluated to estimate potentially adequate, under‐ and overtreatment of DTC in patients treated in the University Medical Center Groningen between 2007 and 2017.

Patients

A total of 240 patients with a cT1‐T3aN0‐1aM0 DTC fulfilled the inclusion criteria.

Measurements

After actual treatment was given, patients were again categorized according to both guidelines into low, intermediate, or high‐risk based on tumour status. Next, they were categorized into a congruent low‐risk (n = 60), congruent high‐risk (n = 73), or incongruent risk group (n = 107). Follow‐up data were used to estimate the proportion of potentially adequate, under‐, and overtreatment according to both guidelines.

Results

Comparing treatment recommended by NL‐15 and ATA‐15 showed significantly more over‐ and adequate treatment when following NL‐15 recommendations, and more undertreatment following ATA‐15 (all: p < .001). Subanalysis of the congruent low‐risk group showed overtreatment in 64% when following NL‐15 guidelines (p < .001). No treatment differences were found in the congruent high‐risk group. Undertreatment was most often seen in the incongruent risk group when following ATA‐15 (p < .001).

Conclusions

Low‐risk patients were treated too aggressively when following NL‐15 recommendations, where the less aggressive ATA‐15 approach seemed more adequate. Treatment of intermediate risk DTC patients varies greatly, with a relative higher rate of undertreatment according to the recommendations of the ATA‐15, advocating further refining of the risk classification in this patient group.
Analysis of therapy monitoring in the International Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia Registry
Authors: Lawrence Neil , Bacila Irina , Dawson Jeremy , Bryce Jillian , Ali Salma R. , van den Akker Erica L. T. , Bachega Tânia A. S. S. , Baronio Federico , Birkebæk Niels H. , Bonfig Walter , van der Grinten Hedi C. , Costa Eduardo C. , de Vries Liat , Elsedfy Heba , Güven Ayla , Hannema Sabine , Iotova Violeta , van der Kamp Hetty J. , Clemente María , Lichiardopol Corina R. , Milenkovic Tatjana , Neumann Uta , Nordenström Ana , Poyrazoğlu Şukran , Probst‐Scheidegger Ursina , De Sanctis Luisa , Tadokoro‐Cuccaro Rieko , Thankamony Ajay , Vieites Ana , Yavaş Zehra , Faisal Ahmed Syed , Krone Nils
Published: July 2022

Objective

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) requires exogenous steroid replacement. Treatment is commonly monitored by measuring 17‐OH progesterone (17OHP) and androstenedione (D4).

Design

Retrospective cohort study using real‐world data to evaluate 17OHP and D4 in relation to hydrocortisone (HC) dose in CAH patients treated in 14 countries.

Patients

Pseudonymized data from children with 21‐hydroxylase deficiency (21OHD) recorded in the International CAH Registry.

Measurements

Assessments between January 2000 and October 2020 in patients prescribed HC were reviewed to summarise biomarkers 17OHP and D4 and HC dose. Longitudinal assessment of measures was carried out using linear mixed‐effects models (LMEM).

Results

Cohort of 345 patients, 52.2% female, median age 4.3 years (interquartile range: 3.1–9.2) were taking a median 11.3 mg/m2/day (8.6–14.4) of HC. Median 17OHP was 35.7 nmol/l (3.0–104.0). Median D4 under 12 years was 0 nmol/L (0–2.0) and above 12 years was 10.5 nmol/L (3.9–21.0). There were significant differences in biomarker values between centres (p < 0.05). Correlation between D4 and 17OHP was good in multiple regression with age (p < 0.001, R2 = 0.29).

In longitudinal assessment, 17OHP levels did not change with age, whereas D4 levels increased with age (p < 0.001, R2 = 0.08). Neither biomarker varied directly with dose or weight (p > 0.05). Multivariate LMEM showed HC dose decreasing by 1.0 mg/m2/day for every 1 point increase in weight standard deviation score.

Discussion

Registry data show large variability in 17OHP and D4 between centres. 17OHP correlates with D4 well when accounting for age. Prescribed HC dose per body surface area decreased with weight gain.