bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association of a pro-inflammatory diet with type 2 diabetes and hypertension: results from the Ravansar non-communicable diseases cohort study
Authors: Jam Samira Arbabi , Rezaeian Shahab , Najafi Farid , Hamzeh Behrooz , Shakiba Ebrahim , Moradinazar Mehdi , Darbandi Mitra , Hichi Fatemeh , Eghtesad Sareh , Pasdar Yahya
Published: March 2022

Background

Most non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are associated to diet and inflammation. The Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) is a developed and validated self-assessment tool. The study was conducted to assess the association of DII with the hypertension (HTN) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods

This cross-sectional analysis was conducted on 9811 participants aged 35 to 65 years from the Ravansar Non-Communicable Diseases (RaNCD) cohort study’s baseline phase data. The DII was calculated using 31 food frequency questionnaire parameters (FFQ). Univariable and multiple logistic regression was used to derive the estimates.

Results

In healthy participants, the mean DII score was − 2.32 ± 1.60; in participants with T2DM, HTN, or T2DM&HTN, the mean DII score was − 2.23 ± 1.59, − 2.45 ± 1.60 and − 2.25 ± 1.60, respectively (P = 0.011). Males had a significantly higher pro-inflammatory diet than females (P <  0.001). BMI (body mass index), triglyceride, energy intake, smokers were significantly higher and socio-economic status (SES), physical activity and HDL-C were significantly lower in the most pro-inflammatory diet compared to the most anti-inflammatory diet. Participants with T2DM, HTN, and T2DM&HTN had significantly higher mean anthropometry indices (P <  0.001) and lipid profiles than healthy subjects (P <  0.001). After adjusting for age, gender, and physical activity, the probability of developing T2DM was 1.48 (95% CI: 1.19, 1.85) times greater in the fourth quartile of DII than in the first quartile.

Conclusions

The findings of this study showed that an anti-inflammatory diet are associated with HTN, T2DM, and the risk factors associated with these conditions. Modification of diet is recommended to reduce inflammation.
Workforce participation, health and wealth inequality among older Australians between 2001 and 2015
Authors: Dinh Huong , Strazdins Lyndall , Doan Tinh , Do Thuy , Yazidjoglou Amelia , Banwell Cathy
Published: March 2022

Background

Australians born in 2012 can expect to live about 33 years longer than those born 100 years earlier. However, only seven of these additional years are spent in the workforce. Longer life expectancy has driven policies to extend working life and increase retirement age; the current Australian policy, which has increased the eligibility for the pension from 65 to 67 by 2023, assumes that an improvement in longevity corresponds with an improvement in healthy life expectancy. However, there is mixed evidence of health trends in Australia over the past two decades. Although some health outcomes are improving among older age groups, many are either stable or deteriorating. This raises a question of how health trends intersect with policy for older Australians aged from 50 to 70. This paper considers the interplay between older workers’ health and workforce participation rates over the past 15 years when extended workforce participation has been actively encouraged.

Methods

We compared health and economic outcomes of the older people in following years with the base year (start of the study period), adjusting for some key socio-economic characteristics such as age, sex, ethnicity, education and equivalized household income by applying the Random effects estimator with maximum likelihood estimation technique.

Results

We find that regardless of increasing longevity, the health of older adults aged between 50 and 70 has slightly deteriorated. In addition, health gaps between those who were working into their older age and those who were not have widened over the 15-year period. Finally, we find that widening health gaps linked to workforce participation are also accompanied by rising economic inequality in incomes, financial assets and superannuation. With the exception of a small group of healthy and very wealthy retirees, the majority of the older Australians who were not working had low incomes, assets, superannuation, and poor health.

Conclusions

The widening economic and health gap within older population over time indicates a clear and urgent need to add policy actions on income and health, to those that seek to increase workforce participation among older adults.
Growing couch potatoes? The impact of COVID-19 in the light of personal values in Hungary
Authors: Szente Viktória , Fertő Imre , Benedek Zsófia
Published: March 2022

The spread of the COVID-19 pandemic has unprecedentedly affected consumer behaviour. This paper reflects on changes in food consumption, buying, and training (working out) habits using a representative sample of 1000 Hungarian consumers and identifies consumer segments with unique needs based on personal sources of motivation. The widely known Schwartz Portrait Value Questionnaire was used to characterize individual value profiles. Employing k-medians clustering, three clusters were identified. “Business-as-usual People” managed to maintain their daily routines. The frequency of buying local food decreased the least among them. The sedentary lifestyle of the next cluster, “Inactive savers”, appears to have been accompanied by a lower level of food intake. Accordingly, this group was possibly less subject to the negative impacts of obesity, but more in need of psychological support to avoid devastating mental health outcomes. The third cluster initially appeared to encompass “Couch Potatoes” based on their COVID-induced lifestyles. However, the analysis of the value portraits of the latter showed that they were not couch potatoes at all, but rather active and proactive “Stay-at-home Businesspeople” who may benefit from guidance regarding how to manage the increase in housekeeping and childcare, and how to become more physically active in the home environment. The results are valuable from both a scientific and practical perspectives.
Institutional contributions to agricultural producer price stability
Authors: Loginova Daria , Mann Stefan
Published: March 2022

This paper compares the main intersectoral and national agricultural institutions in Russia and Switzerland during the period 2004–2019 and uses data from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), an ordinary least squares model and fixed-effects models to assess the contributions of governments, sectoral producer organisations and companies to agricultural producer price stability. We find significant correlations of price stability with institutional settings that increase actor flexibility—namely a high share of imports in consumption and embedding the supply chain into a network. Our results show that agricultural producer price stability in Russia and Switzerland does not decrease during the period 2004–2019 and depends on both institutional conditions and economic factors.
First insights into the movements and vertical habitat use of blue marlin (Makaira nigricans) in the eastern North Atlantic
Authors: Freitas Carla , Freitas Mafalda , Andrzejaczek Samantha , Dale Jonathan J. , Whippen Wayne , Block Barbara A.
Published: March 2022

Background

The blue marlin (Makaira nigricans) is a vulnerable migratory fish inhabiting tropical and subtropical pelagic waters of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. The biology and spatial ecology of the species in the eastern North Atlantic is poorly understood, despite being exploited in the region by recreational and commercial fisheries. Here, we present results of the first study to use pop-up satellite archival tags to track blue marlin off Madeira, Portugal (n = 3) and obtain insights into the movements and habitat use of the species within the eastern North Atlantic.

Results

Blue marlin were tracked for 24 to 83 days, moving from Madeira to pelagic waters off the Canary Islands, Cape Verde Islands, as well as along the continental shelf brake of Europe and Africa. Blue marlin spent 71% of their time in the upper 5 m and 89% in the upper 50 m, though all individuals dived to depths over 200 m (maximum: 336 m). Temperature at depth ranged from 12 to 28.6 °C, but the greatest proportion of time was spent in waters between 20 and 26 °C. Detailed depth and temperature time-series data were obtained from a tag recovered eight years later. These data show clear diel differences in depth use, involving consistent use of the surface at night and deeper dive activity during the day, predominately to depths greater than 50 m.

Conclusions

The highly migratory patterns of this vulnerable species in the eastern North Atlantic highlights the need for both local and international conservation measures. Depth-use patterns, particularly the high usage of the upper 5 m of the water column, make them susceptible to surface longline fisheries.
A national survey of state laws regarding medications for opioid use disorder in problem-solving courts
Authors: Andraka-Christou Barbara , Randall-Kosich Olivia , Golan Matthew , Totaram Rachel , Saloner Brendan , Gordon Adam J. , Stein Bradley D.
Published: March 2022

Background

Problem-solving courts have the potential to help reduce harms associated with the opioid crisis. However, problem-solving courts vary in their policies toward medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), with some courts discouraging or even prohibiting MOUD use. State laws may influence court policies regarding MOUD; thus, we aimed to identify and describe state laws related to MOUD in problem-solving courts across the US from 2005 to 2019.

Methods

We searched Westlaw legal software for regulations and statutes (collectively referred to as “state laws”) in all US states and D.C. from 2005 to 2019 and included laws related to both MOUD and problem-solving courts in our analytic sample. We conducted a modified iterative categorization process to identify and analyze categories of laws related to MOUD access in problem-solving courts.

Results

Since 2005, nine states had laws regarding MOUD in problem-solving courts. We identified two overarching categories of state laws: 1) laws that prohibit MOUD bans, and 2) laws potentially facilitating access to MOUD. Seven states had laws that prohibit MOUD bans, such as laws prohibiting exclusion of participants from programs due to MOUD use or limiting the type of MOUD, dose or treatment duration. Four states had laws that could facilitate access to MOUD, such as requiring courts to make MOUD available to participants.

Discussion

Relatively few states have laws facilitating MOUD access and/or preventing MOUD bans in problem-solving courts. To help facilitate MOUD access for court participants across the US, model state legislation should be created. Additionally, future research should explore potential effects of state laws on MOUD access and health outcomes for court participants.
The relationship between orthorexia nervosa, anxiety, and self-esteem: a cross-sectional study in Turkish faculty members
Authors: Yılmaz Maide Nur , Dundar Cihad
Published: March 2022

Background

Orthorexia nervosa (ON) may be a disorder on the spectrum of obsessive–compulsive disorders, maybe a separate eating disorder, or it may be an eating disorder on the spectrum of other eating disorders. We aimed to explore how anxiety and self-esteem affect the orthorectic tendency among higher-educated groups.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 248 faculty members selected by stratified sampling method from Ondokuz Mayis University in Samsun, Turkey. Data were collected by face-to-face interview method using Ortho-15, Rosenberg self-esteem, and Beck Anxiety scales.

Results

The study group consisted of 144 (58.1%) males and 104 (41.9%) females, and the mean age was 42.5 ± 6.3 years. We found a tendency for orthorexia nervosa in 47 (19%) participants. The mean scores were 41.0 ± 2.6 for the Ortho-15 scale, 0.7 ± 1.2 for the Self-esteem scale, and 5.9 ± 5.8 for the Beck Anxiety Scale. Self-esteem scores were low, and anxiety scores were high in participants who tended to orthorexia (p < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that the high self-esteem scores decrease the orthorectic tendency, while high anxiety scores increase the tendency.

Conclusions

We found a significant relationship between anxiety, low self-esteem and orthorexia nervosa. This result can be considered as a preliminary finding leading to further research. Further clinical and longitudinal studies are needed to determine the characteristics of individuals with orthorexia nervosa and identify the cause and effect relationship with psychiatric comorbidities.
Reliability of the PEDro scale: comparison between trials published in predatory and non-predatory journals
Authors: Paci Matteo , Bianchini Claudio , Baccini Marco
Published: March 2022

Background

Lack of effective peer-review process of predatory journals, resulting in more ambiguity in reporting, language and incomplete descriptions of processes might have an impact on the reliability of PEDro scale. The aim of this investigation was to compare the reliability of the PEDro scale when evaluating the methodological quality of RCTs published in predatory (PJs) and non-predatory (NPJs) journals, to more confidently select interventions appropriate for application to practice.

Methods

A selected sample of RCTs was independently rated by two raters randomly selected among 11 physical therapists. Reliability of each item of the PEDro scale and the total PEDro score were assessed by Cohen’s kappa statistic and percent of agreement and by Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICC) and the Standard Error of Measurement (SEM), respectively. The Chi-square test was used to compare the rate of agreement between PJs and NPJs.

Results

A total number of 298 RCTs were assessed (119 published in NPJs). Cronbach’s alphas were .704 and .845 for trials published in PJs and NPJs, respectively. Kappa values for individual scale items ranged from .14 to .73 for PJs and from .09 to .70 for NPJs. The ICC was .537 (95% CI .425—.634) and .729 (95% CI .632-.803), and SEM was 1.055 and 0.957 for PJs and NPJs, respectively. Inter-rater reliability in discriminating between studies of moderate to high and low quality was higher for NPJs (k = .57) than for PJs (k = .28).

Conclusions

Interrater reliability of PEDro score of RCTs published in PJs is lower than that of trials published in NPJs, likely also due to ambiguous language and incomplete reporting. This might make the detection of risk of bias more difficult when selecting interventions appropriate for application to practice or producing secondary literature.
Sweeteners are not always sweet: the social and economic consequences of the growing demand for sugar in Ethiopia
Authors: Wayessa Bula S.
Published: March 2022

This article explores the recent increase in the demand for sugar in Ethiopia, and the ways in which the distribution and sale of sugar have been manipulated for political gain after the country’s demand outstripped production and supply. It also examines how agro-industrial expansion programs have resulted in land dispossession and the resettlement of smallholder farmers in the southern Ethiopian lowlands who were promised better living standards through modernization. The results of this study indicate that the expansion of Ethiopian sugar projects took place not only because of the increased demand for sugar in the country, but also because of the global political economy that shapes the nature of development projects in Global South.
Biocontrol potential of Chitosan extracted from Procambarus clarkii (Crustacea: Cambaridae) against Eobania vermiculata snails (Muller 1774) in Egypt
Authors: Ibrahim Amina M. , Morad Mostafa Y. , Hamdi Salwa A. H. , Fol Mona F.
Published: March 2022

Background

Land snails, especially the chocolate banded snails, Eobania vermiculata (Muller 1774) are destructive pests of a wide range of field and vegetable crops, and biological treatment appears to be better alternative to the chemical snail control. Therefore, the goal of this work was to assess the molluscicidal activity of chitosan extracted from the crawfish Procambarus clarkii against E. vermiculata using oxidative stress, histopathological and genotoxic biomarkers.

Results

Exposure of snails to LC50 (222.4 mg/l) chitosan for 1, 3 and 7 days induced a significant increase in glutathione S-transferase and catalase levels then decline in reduced glutathione content after 1 and 3 days as well as a slight decrease in CAT levels, GSH content and GST of the treated snails after 7 days exposure. Histologically, the stress induced by chitosan exposure leads to deformation of cells, dilatation of the intertubular spaces, and destruction of tubules with increase in lumen size, necrosis of digestive cells with rise in vacuoles number and increase in calcium cells number. Considerably, a great damage was observed with increasing time of exposure. Furthermore, genotoxicity was assessed using RAPD-PCR technique and the results revealed that change in RAPD profiles of E. vermiculata following chitosan treatment included loss of normal DNA bands and appearance of new one compared to control snails. The genomic template stability was 63.6, 36.4 and 18.2% 1, 3 and 7 days of exposure, respectively. The apparent of new bands increased as time of exposure decreased, while GTS values decreased confirming the effect of chitosan-induced DNA damage.

Conclusion

Chitosan may be an ecofriendly acceptable alternative pesticide for snail control.
Biology and functional response of the predator, Dortus primarius (Distant) (Hemiptera: Miridae) preying on Frankliniella schultzei (Trybom) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)
Authors: Varshney Richa , Budhlakoti Neeraj
Published: March 2022

Background

Dortus primarius(Distant) (Hemiptera: Miridae) is a general predator reported from the oriental region. This bug is naturally found in many crop ecosystems where it feeds on thrips, aphids, insect eggs and other soft-bodied insects. Although, the rearing protocol of this predatory mirid has been developed, the efficiency of this predator as a biocontrol agent is limited and needs to be investigated. The thrips,Frankliniella schultzei(Trybom) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), is a polyphagous pest that attacks many crops in polyhouse in India. Therefore, in the present study, biology and functional response of this predator to different densities ofF. schultzeilarvae in the laboratory was investigated.

Results

The mirid predator was able to develop from egg to adulthood on tomato infested plant withF. schultzeilarvae in 23–24 days with 15 and 11.76% mortality of 4th and 5th instar nymphs, respectively. Both 5th instar and female adults exhibited a type III functional response. At highest prey density (40) both 5th instar and female adults consumed 21.6 and 28.6 thrips larvae per day, respectively. Functional response parameters, viz. attack rate, handling time, a/Thand T/Thshowed the potency of this predator againstF. schultzei.

Conclusion

Based on the high fecundity, predation rate and density dependent behaviour, it is predicted thatD. primariusmight be an efficient and potential predator. However, further research is needed to assess its release rate and other ecological studies in the field situation.
Predicting pathological response of locally advanced breast cancer to neoadjuvant chemotherapy: comparing the performance of whole body 18F-FDG PETCT versus DCE-MRI of the breast
Authors: Sobhi Alaa , Talaat hamed Soha , Hussein El-shaymaa , Lasheen Shaimaa , Hussein Mai , Ebrahim Youstina
Published: March 2022

Background

With the expansion of the use of the neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NAC) in locally advanced breast cancer (LABC), both dynamic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18F-FDG PET CT) are promising methods for assessment of the tumor response during chemotherapy. We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of DCE-MRI of breast &18 F-FDG PETCT regarding the assessment of early response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in locally advanced breast cancer patients (LABC) and pathologic complete response (pCR) prediction.

Results

A total of forty LABC patients who had NAC were included in the study. Before and during NAC, PET/CT and DCE-MRI were used. Various morphological and functional criteria were compared and linked with post-operative pathology for both. The MRI sensitivity and specificity in assessing NAC response in conjunction with pathological data were 100% (p = 0.001) and 12.5% (p = 0.18) respectively. The equivalent readings for PET/CT were 94.1% (p = 0.001) and 25% (p = 0.18), respectively, although the estimated total accuracy for both MRI and PETCT was the same measuring 94.1% (p = 0.001) and 25% (p = 0.18) (72%). PETCT had a higher overall accuracy than MRI in assessing the response of axillary lymph nodes (ALN) to NAC (64% and 56%, respectively). Longest diameter of lesion, ADC value, and maximal enhancement in baseline MRI, SUVmax and SUV mean in baseline PETCT were all significant predictors of rCR.

Conclusion

During NAC in the primary breast mass and ALN, DCE-MRI demonstrated a better sensitivity in predicting pCR in LABC patients. Although both MRI and PETCT were equally accurate in detecting pCR of LABC patients to NAC, PETCT was more accurate in detecting pathological response of ALN to NAC.
Comparing shear wave elastography with liver biopsy in the assessment of liver fibrosis at King Hussein Medical Center
Authors: Zayadeen A. R. , Hijazeen S. , Smadi M. , Fayyad L. , Halasa M. , AlQusous S. , AlRabadi O. , Hijazeen R. , Ajlouni Y. , Tulenko K. , Malik P.
Published: March 2022

Background and study aims

The aim of this prospective study is to compare the sensitivity and specificity of the liver shear wave elastography to the golden standard liver biopsy in staging liver fibrosis.

Patients and methods

Ninety-five patients were included in this study. These patients were sent for liver biopsy as a possible living liver donor or because of different pathologies including viral and autoimmune hepatitis and congenital liver diseases. A shear wave elastography and US-guided liver biopsy were done at the same setting by one experienced radiologist. One experienced histopathologist, blinded to SWE results, read the specimens.

Results

We included 95 patients in the study with a mean age of 30 years (range 3–65 years). We had 15/95 (16%) patients with hepatitis B/C, 61/95 (64%) patients with another liver disease, and 19/95 (20%) were donors. The mean of liver stiffness measured by elastography in patients was 6.5±0.19 kPa. The mean liver stiffness measured by elastography in patients with F0–F1 fibrosis was 5.39 ± 0.62 kPa, F2 was 7.32 ± 0.41, at stage F3 was 8.46 ± 0.33, and in the F4 stage, it was 11.42 ± 2.8 kPa. We found a significant difference in the mean level of liver stiffness in different degrees of fibrosis (p = 0.0001).

Conclusion

The shear wave elastography could be used to assess liver fibrosis regardless of the cause.
Reproductive Phenotypes in Men With Acquired or Congenital Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism: A Comparative Study
Authors: Maione Luigi , Sarfati Julie , Gonfroy-Leymarie Céline , Salenave Sylvie , Brailly-Tabard Sylvie , Chanson Philippe , Trabado Séverine , Kaiser Ursula B , Young Jacques
Published: March 2022

Context

In men with congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (CHH), gonadotropin deficiency and testicular impairment exist since fetal development and persist throughout life. In a few reported cases of acquired HH (AHH), HH onset occurs mainly post pubertally.

Objective

This work aimed to compare the natural history and reproductive status in large series of CHH and lesional AHH evaluated in a single expert academic center.

Methods

We included 172 controls, 668 male HH patients (CHH: n = 201 [age 16.9 ± 9.0 years], lesional AHH: n = 467 [age 45.6 ± 18.4 years]) caused by hypothalamic and/or pituitary tumors (mainly adenomas and craniopharyngiomas) or infiltrative/traumatic diseases.

Results

At diagnosis, CHH were significantly younger, with 52.9% diagnosed before age 18 years, compared to only 9.6% of AHH patients. Cryptorchidism (21.9% vs 0.3%) and micropenis were more prevalent in CHH than AHH patients. Low testicular volume (TV) was present in 97% of patients with CHH (mean TV: 3.4 ± 2.7 mL) but in only 30% of those with AHH (mean TV: 20.8 ± 5.0 mL). Whereas no men with persistent CHH had spontaneous fertility, 70.4% of AHH men fathered at least one child without medical therapy. Total testosterone was lower both in CHH and AHH patients than in controls. Compared to controls, circulating gonadotropins and testicular peptides (insulin-like factor-3 and inhibin B) were decreased both in CHH and AHH, but were significantly higher in patients with AHH.

Conclusion

In AHH patients, the HH has later onset and is less severe than in CHH and the phenotype can overlap with that of individuals with normal laboratory values. Our data suggest that age at diagnosis is a predictor of the reproductive phenotype in AHH.
A point mutation in human coilin prevents Cajal body formation
Authors: Basello Davide A. , Matera A. Gregory , Staněk David
Published: March 2022

Coilin is a conserved protein essential for integrity of nuclear membrane-less inclusions called Cajal bodies. Here, we report an amino acid substitution (p.K496E) found in a widely-used human EGFP–coilin construct that has a dominant-negative effect on Cajal body formation. We show that this coilin-K496E variant fails to rescue Cajal bodies in cells lacking endogenous coilin, whereas the wild-type construct restores Cajal bodies in mouse and human coilin-knockout cells. In cells containing endogenous coilin, both the wild-type and K496E variant proteins accumulate in Cajal bodies. However, high-level overexpression of coilin-K496E causes Cajal body disintegration. Thus, a mutation in the C-terminal region of human coilin can disrupt Cajal body assembly. Caution should be used when interpreting data from coilin plasmids that are derived from this variant (currently deposited at Addgene).
Understanding the Scarring Effect of Recessions
Authors: Huckfeldt Christopher
Published: March 2022

This paper documents that the earnings cost of job loss is concentrated among workers who find reemployment in lower-skill occupations, and that the cost and incidence of such occupation displacement is higher for workers who lose their job during a recession. I propose a model where hiring is endogenously more selective during recessions, leading some unemployed workers to optimally search for reemployment in lower-skill jobs. The model accounts for existing estimates of the size and cyclicality of the present value cost of job loss, and the cost of entering the labor market during a recession. (JEL E24, E32, J23, J24, J31, J63, J64)
Dynamic Price Competition, Learning-by-Doing, and Strategic Buyers
Authors: Sweeting Andrew , Jia Dun , Hui Shen , Yao Xinlu
Published: March 2022

We examine how strategic buyer behavior affects equilibrium outcomes in a model of dynamic price competition where sellers benefit from learning-by-doing by allowing each buyer to expect to capture a share of future buyer surplus. Many equilibria that exist when buyers consider only their immediate payoffs are eliminated when buyers expect to capture even a modest share of future surplus, and the equilibria that survive are those where long-run market competition is more likely to be preserved. Our results are relevant for antitrust policy and our approach may be useful for future analyses of dynamic competition. (JEL C73, D21, D43, D83, K21, L13, L40)
Understanding variation in patient care: A qualitative study of hospital (non-ST elevation myocardial infarction) practices
Authors: Cramer Helen , Hughes Jacki , Evans Maggie , Feder Gene , Deaton Christi , Featherstone Katie , Timmis Adam , Hemingway Harry , Johnson Rachel
Published: March 2022

Background

Variation in care is often poorly understood but has a big impact on patients.  Non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI, also known as non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome or NSTE-ACS) is the most common form of heart attack.  NSTEMI is frequently hard to diagnose, its management pathway poorly defined and there is considerable variation in clinical practice. 

Methods

A qualitative study based on site visits, observation, and interviews with managers, clinicians and patients.  The setting was 10 hospitals in England and Wales selected to represent variation in 30-day mortality.  199 hospital staff and 68 patients were observed; 142 staff and 53 patients were interviewed.  Analysis was thematic and guided by the principles of grounded theory.  We triangulated interviews, observational data and medical records and interpreted these findings with reference to national guidelines. 

Results

While the majority of hospitals in our sample had specialist cardiac roles, variation in their remits, specifically their involvement in close monitoring, significantly affected patient management.  Close monitoring was important in the identification and prioritisation of patients.  Rapid responses with diagnostic and treatment procedures were facilitated by close monitoring but also heavily dependent on effective and flexible bed and catheter laboratory management.

Conclusions

Close monitoring was a key area of variation.  Guidelines for NSTEMI care specify what to do, but not how to do it.  These findings are especially relevant for acute conditions with diagnostic and treatment uncertainty. Detailed examples of variation in care can inform quality improvement and potentially help improve patient outcomes.
Międzynarodowa konferencja naukowa WIAD21 – Światowy Dzień Architektury Informacji na UMK w Toruniu
Authors: Kortas Weronika
Published: March 2022

Niniejszy artykuł jest sprawozdaniem z międzynarodowej konferencji naukowej WIAD21, która odbyła się 27.02.2021 z okazji obchodów Światowego Dnia Architektury Informacji. Konferencja organizowana była w Instytucie Badań Informacji i Komunikacji, na Uniwersytecie Mikołaja Kopernika w Toruniu. W sumie, w konferencji udział wzięło 250 osób, w tym 45 prelegentów, zarówno ze świata nauki jak i biznesu.
Determinants Influencing the Adoption of New Information Technology Supporting Healthy Life Style: The Example of Wearable Self-Tracking Devices
Authors: Grosová Stanislava , Kutnohorská Olga , Botek Marek
Published: March 2022

Purpose: The presented study aims to identify key factors affecting the adoption of wearable electronics in Czech women. The results of the study can give insight on how to design an optimized wearable self-tracking device.
Methodology/Approach: The well-established Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) framework served as a baseline for research on key determinants of behavioral intention to use wearable self-tracking devices.
Findings: The strongest factor was identified as the habit. The second strongest predictor affecting behavioral intention and use was the construct of performance expectancy. Personal health motivation, as a factor reflecting the nature of the subject examined, was the third strongest factor. The determinants of price value, effort expectancy, and social impact influence the adoption and use of these products. Facilitating conditions, personal inovativeness, personal control over diet and hedonic motivations did not play a significant role.
Research Limitation/Implication: The tested sample included 808 interviewed women, but only from the Czech Republic. Scale already defined Eating control behavior as a measure of healthy lifestyle in terms of eating was the first usage in UTAUT 2 model.
Originality/Value of paper: The study aims primarily to uncover the determinants of the usage of wearable electronics. Secondarily, it extends the theoretical framework of UTAUT2 by testing personal factors such as personal inovativeness, personal motivation to health, and personal control of eating as variables explaining behavioral intention and usage.
Innovative Expert Methods in Strategic Decision Making
Authors: Gombitová Dagmar , Dokupilová Dušana
Published: March 2022

Purpose: This study introduces managerial techniques applied for the first time in the high-level strategic public policy decision-making process in Slovakia with an aim to assess the strategic decision-making of groups of experts in a methodologically supported environment. It compares groups of internal analysts and external specialists and should demonstrate the extent to which these two groups are able to process problems analytically and suppress intuition.
Methodology/Approach: Multi-criteria decision methods are used when deciding on complex problems. One of the most popular and most frequently used is the Analytic Hierarchy Process. Application of this method enables measurement of preference consistency, and its relationship with cognitive reflection.
Findings: Consistency of judgement was very similar in both groups. The prioritisation of measures resulted in a similar set of priorities determined by both groups. The assumed relationship of consistency and cognitive reflection score and/or overconfidence was not detected, and decision makers proved to be well calibrated.
Research Limitation/Implication: The main limitation of our research was the small sample size of decision makers, which complied with the requirements of the decision method, but was not sufficient to confirm the statistical validity.
Originality/Value of paper: The introduction of the multi-criteria decision method into decision-making for public policy strategies combines practical policy exercises with scientific research on high-stakes decisions and enables to carry out participatory decision-making process with relevant stakeholders.
The Impact of Employees’ Training on Their Performance Improvements
Authors: Flegl Martin , Depoo Lucie , Alcázar Mayra
Published: March 2022

Purpose: Performance management is an increasingly important part of strategic human resources management. Employee performance is related to many factors, but education and training are two of the most significant. So far, literature has confirmed that a strategic focus on the employee training leads to the successful achievement of an organization’s goals, development, and ultimately to performance. However, there is no consensus about the right level of the training.
Methodology/Approach: The objective of this article is to analyze the impact of training programs on employees’ performance in case of 839 analysts in a Mexican public financial institution. The research was carried out over a two-year period and the data were evaluated using descriptive statistics and ANOVA.
Findings: The results reveal that low number of training hours, together with excessive training of more than 166 hours per year has limited or no impact on the performance. In fact, when employees had more than 166 hours of training, the training was negatively related to their performance.
Research Limitation/Implication: Management of organizations should carefully plan the amount of provided training hours per each employee. The impact of training varies based on seniority and number of hours spent on training, but there are no significant differences between employees’ gender.
Originality/Value of paper: The originality of this article lies in the identification and evaluation of impact of employee training hours on performance in organization, as well as in the identification of breaking point of number of training hours which may lead to actual decrease of performance.
A multi-layered software architecture model for building software solutions in an urbanized information system
Authors: Guetat Sana Bent Aboulkacem , Dakhli Salem Ben Dhaou
Published: March 2022

The concept of Information Systems urbanization has been proposed since the late 1990’s in order to help organizations building agile information systems. Nevertheless, despite the advantages of this concept, it remains too descriptive and presents many weaknesses. In particular, there is a lack of useful architecture models dedicated to defining software solutions compliant with information systems urbanization principles and rules. Moreover, well-known software architecture models do not provide sufficient resources to address the requirements and constraints of urbanized information systems. In this paper, we draw on the “information city” framework to propose a model of software architecture - called the 5+1 Software Architecture Model - which is compliant with information systems urbanization principles and helps organizations building urbanized software solutions. This framework improves the well-established software architecture models and allows the integration of new architectural paradigms. Furthermore, the proposed model contributes to the implementation of information systems urbanization in several ways. On the one hand, this model devotes a specific layer to applications integration and software reuse. On the other hand, it contributes to the information system agility and scalability due to its conformity to the separation of concerns principle.
TAM-based external factors related to ERP solutions acceptance in organizations
Authors: Zabukovsek Simona Sternad , Bobek Samo
Published: March 2022

To improve the efficiency and effectiveness of ERP solutions use, understanding of critical success factors of ERP solutions assimilation in organizations is crucial. The technology acceptance model (TAM) proposed by Davis (1989) has been the most widely used model for researching user acceptance and usage of IT/IS. The purpose of this paper is to extend the original TAM with groups of external factors which impact actual ERP system use. First, we focus on ERP system use in companies’ maturity phase. Second, we expose and examine three groups of external factors which influence ERP usage. The model was empirically tested using data collected from a survey of ERP users in 44 organizations. Survey data have been collected from ERP users who have been exposed to an ERP system which has operated for more than one year. The proposed research model was analyzed using the PLS approach.
Sourcing motives behind sourcing decisions exposed through the Sourcing Decision Framework
Authors: Muhic Mirella , Johansson Björn
Published: March 2022

There is no doubt that information systems (IS) are the backbone of today’s organizations. Having an initial inspection on sourcing motives in the financial sector it can be stated that resources used in development of information systems (IS) are seen as an important factor for sustained competitive advantage. However, it can be claimed that it depends to a high extent on the application of different sourcing modes. This leads us to a closer inspection on sourcing motives through selected case studies and the following research question: How can motives for sourcing options of IS-development be explained? The empirical investigation on sourcing decisions and the motives behind, in addition to a literature review on sourcing decisions and sourcing options ends in four propositions. These propositions are then used in tandem with the findings from the empirical data for initial development of the Sourcing Decision Framework (SDF). Ultimately, what is at stake here is our framework (SDF) that from the initial development and the first test has shown to be purposive and could be further developed to a useful framework for analyzing sourcing decisions and as a guiding tool for decision-makers when deciding on sourcing options for IS-development.
Business alignment in the procurement domain: a study of antecedents and determinants of supply chain performance
Authors: Mikalef Patrick , Pateli Adamantia , Batenburg Ronald , Wetering Rogier van de
Published: March 2022

With organizations now placing an increasing amount on attention on the management of their supply chain activities, the role of Information Technology (IT) in supporting these operations has been put in the spotlight. In spite of extensive research examining how IT can be employed in various activities of supply chain management, the majority of studies are limited in identifying enablers and inhibitors of adoption. Empirical studies examining post-adoption conditions that facilitate performance improvement still remain scarce. In this study we focus on procurement as part of the supply chain management activities. We apply the business-IT alignment perspective to the domain of procurement, and examine how certain organizational factors impact the attainment of this state. Additionally, we research the effect that procurement alignment has on supply chain management performance. In order to do so, we apply Partial Least Squares (PLS) analysis on a sample of 172 European companies. We find that firms that opt for a centralized governance structure, as well as larger firms, are more likely to attain a state of procurement alignment. Furthermore, our results empirically support the statement that procurement alignment is positively correlated with operational efficiency and competitive performance of the supply chain.
Business process improvement by means of Big Data based Decision Support Systems: a case study on Call Centers
Authors: Vera-Baquero Alejandro , Colomo-Palacios Ricardo , Molloy Owen , Elbattah Mahmoud
Published: March 2022

Big Data is a rapidly evolving and maturing field which places significant data storage and processing power at our disposal. To take advantage of this power, we need to create new means of collecting and processing large volumes of data at high speed. Meanwhile, as companies and organizations, such as health services, realize the importance and value of "joined-up thinking" across supply chains and healthcare pathways, for example, this creates a demand for a new type of approach to Business Activity Monitoring and Management. This new approach requires Big Data solutions to cope with the volume and speed of transactions across global supply chains. In this paper we describe a methodology and framework to leverage Big Data and Analytics to deliver a Decision Support framework to support Business Process Improvement, using near real-time process analytics in a decision-support environment. The system supports the capture and analysis of hierarchical process data, allowing analysis to take place at different organizational and process levels. Individual business units can perform their own process monitoring. An event-correlation mechanism is built into the system, allowing the monitoring of individual process instances or paths.
An overview of patient acceptance of Health Information Technology in developing countries: a review and conceptual model
Authors: Ahlan Abd Rahman , Ahmad Barroon Isma'eel
Published: March 2022

The potential to improve the quality, efficiency, outcomes, patient safety and reduce cost of healthcare by Health Information Technology (HIT) has been established by researchers. But unfortunately HIT systems are not properly utilized or are not widely available. This problem is even more glaring in developing countries. This article presents a review of some available HIT systems in order to assess the level of their presence and the technology used in developing them. Works related to acceptance of HIT systems were also reviewed so as to study the gaps in this area and propose a solution in order to fill the gaps identified. The problems discovered from this review include lack of availability of these systems especially in developing countries, low rate of HIT systems acceptance and insufficient works on patient acceptance of HIT systems. Studying the factors that affect the acceptance of HIT systems by patients and considering the factors while developing the systems will play a significant role in getting over the aforementioned limitations. As Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) is one of the most popular models for studying users' perception and acceptance of Information System (IS)/Information Technology (IT), we proposed a conceptual model of HIT acceptance in developing countries based on TAM.
Defining Building Information Modeling implementation activities based on capability maturity evaluation: a theoretical model
Authors: Morlhon Romain , Pellerin Robert , Bourgault Mario
Published: March 2022

Building Information Modeling (BIM) has become a widely accepted tool to overcome the many hurdles that currently face the Architecture, Engineering and Construction industries. However, implementing such a system is always complex and the recent introduction of BIM does not allow organizations to build their experience on acknowledged standards and procedures. Moreover, data on implementation projects is still disseminated and fragmentary. The objective of this study is to develop an assistance model for BIM implementation. Solutions that are proposed will help develop BIM that is better integrated and better used, and take into account the different maturity levels of each organization. Indeed, based on Critical Success Factors, concrete activities that help in implementation are identified and can be undertaken according to the previous maturity evaluation of an organization. The result of this research consists of a structured model linking maturity, success factors and actions, which operates on the following principle: once an organization has assessed its BIM maturity, it can identify various weaknesses and find relevant answers in the success factors and the associated actions.
Addressing consumerization of IT risks with nudging
Authors: Yevseyeva Iryna , Turland James , Morisset Charles , Coventry Lynne , Groß Thomas , Laing Christopher , Moorsel Aad van
Published: March 2022

In this work we address the main issues of Information Technology (IT) consumerization that are related to security risks, and vulnerabilities of devices used within Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) strategy in particular. We propose a ‘soft’ mitigation strategy for user actions based on nudging, widely applied to health and social behavior influence. In particular, we propose a complementary, less strict, more flexible Information Security policies, based on risk assessment of device vulnerabilities and threats to corporate data and devices, combined with a strategy of influencing security behavior by nudging. We argue that nudging, by taking into account the context of the decision-making environment, and the fact that the employee may be in better position to make a more appropriate decision, may be more suitable than strict policies in situations of uncertainty of security-related decisions. Several examples of nudging are considered for different tested and potential scenarios in security context.
SOA enabled ELTA: approach in designing business intelligence solutions in Era of Big Data
Authors: Dmitriyev Viktor , Mahmoud Tariq , Marín-Ortega Pablo Michel
Published: March 2022

The current work presents a new approach for designing business intelligence solutions. In the Era of Big Data, former and robust analytical concepts and utilities need to adapt themselves to the changed market circumstances. The main focus of this work is to address the acceleration of building process of a “data-centric” Business Intelligence (BI) solution besides preparing BI solutions for Big Data utilization. This research addresses the following goals: reducing the time spent during business intelligence solution’s design phase; achieving flexibility of BI solution by adding new data sources; and preparing BI solution for utilizing Big Data concepts. This research proposes an extension of the existing Extract, Load and Transform (ELT) approach to the new one Extract, Load, Transform and Analyze (ELTA) supported by service-orientation concept. Additionally, the proposed model incorporates Service-Oriented Architecture concept as a mediator for the transformation phase. On one side, such incorporation brings flexibility to the BI solution and on the other side; it reduces the complexity of the whole system by moving some responsibilities to external authorities.