bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structural characterization of quaternary selenites of tungsten(VI), A
2W3SeO12 (A = NH4, Cs, Rb, K or Tl)
Authors: Balisetty Vineela , Vidyasagar Kanamaluru
Published: March 2021

The quaternary A
2W3SeO12 (A = NH4, Cs, Rb, K or Tl) selenites have been prepared in the form of single crystals by hydrothermal and novel solid-state reactions. They were characterized by X-ray diffraction, thermal and spectroscopic studies. All of them have a hexagonal tungsten oxide (HTO) related [W3SeO12]2− anionic framework with pyramidally coordinated Se4+ ions. The known A
2W3SeO12 (A = NH4, Cs or Rb) compounds are isostructural with the Cs2W3TeO12 compound and have a non-centrosymmetric layered structure containing intra-layer Se—O bonds. The new compound K2W3SeO12(α) is isostructural with the K2W3TeO12 compound and has a centrosymmetric three-dimensional structure containing interlayer Se—O bonds. It is inferred that the new Tl2W3SeO12 compound has the same three-dimensional structure as K2W3SeO12(α).
Free vibration and buckling analysis of FGM plates using inverse trigonometric shear deformation theory
Authors: Sah Supen Kumar , Ghosh Anup
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to carry out free vibration and buckling analysis of functionally graded material (FGM) plate.

Design/methodology/approach

Equilibrium and stability equations of FGM rectangular plate under different boundary conditions are derived using finite element method-based inverse trigonometric shear deformation theory (ITSDT). Eight-noded rectangular plate element with seven degrees of freedom at each node is used for the present analysis. The power-law distribution method has been considered for the continuously graded variation in composition of the ceramic and metal phases across the thickness of a functionally graded plate.

Findings

The finite element formulation incorporated with ITSDT and provisions of the constitutive model of FGM plate has been implemented in a numerical code to obtain the natural frequency and critical buckling load under uniaxial and biaxial compressive load. The influence of material gradation, volume fraction index, span to thickness ratio and boundary constraints over free vibration and buckling response has been studied.

Originality/value

Development and validation of finite element methodology using ITSDT to predict the structural response of the FGM plates under different loading, geometric and boundary conditions.
Rotating flow thorough parallel plates with the various inclined magnetic field under the influence of hall current
Authors: Pichaimuthu Chandrasekar , Swaminathan Ganesh
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The Purpose of this study to examine the magneto hydrodynamics (MHD) using the analytical and numerical tool. In recent years, MHD growing tremendously due to the presence of multidisciplinary application in solving the tedious problems in the viscous flow.

Design/methodology/approach

The flows between the parallel plates under the steady inclined magneto hydrodynamic force were studied under the presence of different hall current and pressure gradient. The system was designed with the Darcian porous medium subjected to the incompressible flow. To analyse the flow reactions through stationary parallel plates, the governing equations were used using the integral transformation.

Findings

The velocity of the flows depends on the Hall parameter. As the intensity of the magnetic field increases the velocity of the flow is affected significantly. On the other hand, the radiation parameters also affect the flow of any medium through the porous medium.

Practical implications

Implementation of the Laplace and Fourier transform increases the reliability of the obtained results and further decreases the uncertainty during the measurement of the velocity of the flow without any restraints.

Originality/value

From the evident results, it is clear that the proposed MHD model can be applied to several operations of the fluid dynamic models. Further, the application of this technique will decrease the uncertainty in the results compared to the conventional computational models and other finite element and difference approaches.
The role of ecological modernization principles in advancing circular economy practices: lessons from the brewery sector
Authors: Sehnem Simone , Lopes de Sousa Jabbour Ana Beatriz , Conceição Diogo Amarildo da , Weber Darciana , Julkovski Dulcimar José
Published: March 2021

Purpose

There is no literature that sought the revision and integration of ecological modernization of theory (EMT) and circular economy (CE). This article aims to answer the questions: How have companies developed circular economy practices within their operations? Why have companies invested in circular economy practices? Based on the answers to these questions, it would be possible to understand how the assumptions of EMT explain the adoption of CE practices.

Design/methodology/approach

The research method is based on multiple case studies with Brazilian craft brewery companies.

Findings

Companies studied have pursed the adoption of circular economy practices, but the full potential of the use of biological cycles within their processes of production has been hampered by the lack of external policies and clear governance toward circular economy. Thus, pollution prevention policies may be an important driver for organizations be able to advance in circular economy practices.

Research limitations/implications

Research limitations are coverage only of organizations located in an emerging country. A second limitation is that the data saturation was partially achieved in some of the analyzed cases, especially by the limitation of the time period surveyed (transversal research). The longitudinal evaluation is timely for circular economy surveys.

Practical implications

The formulation of a regulatory framework through a participative, interactive and decentralized process, capable of delegating responsibilities and incentives to all entities, to contemplate a tax restructuring for the alcoholic beverage sector, could corroborate to create a new standard of action for the sector.

Social implications

This document highlights how the principles of ecological modernization can contribute to the advancement of the circular economy. The understanding can help in the design of processes that provide circular and sustainable operations as a social good in a effective value.

Originality/value

The principles from EMT, such as the development of an institutional environment towards corporate environmental proactive, could enhance the adoption of circular economy practices within the brewery sector. Despite of the class association of the brewery sector has supported the companies studied to move forward in other matters, a clear governance is necessary to guide organizations towards circular economy practices.
Multidimensional behavioral responses to the implementation of BIM in construction projects: an empirical study in China
Authors: Cao Dongping , Shao Shiting , Huang Bin , Wang Guangbin
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Despite its great potential to improve the sustainability of architectural, engineering, construction and facility management activities, the implementation of building information modeling (BIM) in many projects has failed to achieve expected benefits due to negative behavioral responses such as user resistance. This paper aims to characterize the complexity of end user's behavioral responses to BIM implementation in construction projects using a multidimensional perspective and examines how these responses are impacted by different levels of contextual factors.

Design/methodology/approach

By integrating technology acceptance, resistance and adoption literature, this paper theoretically proposes a research model to characterize the associations between different dimensions of behavioral responses and different levels of contextual factors. The model is then empirically tested with survey and interview data collected from BIM-based construction projects in China.

Findings

The empirical results not only validate the two-dimensional view of the behavioral responses (i.e. the dimension of support/resistance that ranges from aggressive resistance to enthusiastic support, and the dimension of actual use that ranges from non-use to high use) but also provide evidence for the prevalence of ambivalent responses such as supporting but lowly using and resisting but highly using. The empirical results also provide evidence that different levels of contextual factors generally play different roles in shaping the behavioral responses. Specifically, the dimension of support/resistance is more substantially impacted by the team-level factor while the dimension of actual use of BIM is more significantly associated with the project-level factor.

Originality/value

While previous research on BIM adoption or implementation behaviors has primarily focused on investigating users' response from single-dimension perspectives such as acceptance or non-acceptance, this study represents an exploratory effort of using a two-dimensional view to characterize the complexity and ambivalence of end users' behavioral responses to the implementation of innovative technologies such as BIM in construction projects. This study also contributes to deepened understandings of how these different dimensions of behavioral responses are intricately shaped by different levels (i.e. individual-, team- and project-levels) of contextual factors in construction projects which are characterized as temporary and inter-organizational.
Investigating digital storytelling for the creation of positively engaging digital content
Authors: Nicoli Nicholas , Henriksen Kine , Komodromos Marcos , Tsagalas Dimitrios
Published: March 2021

Purpose

This study explores how digital storytelling (DST) approaches can be used for social media campaigns to create more engaging digital content. The ability to better engage with networked publics offers benefits to entities of different scale and scope, since in doing so they establish stronger relationships with their consumers and publics.

Design/methodology/approach

A digital discourse analysis combined with a five-layer coded film analysis is applied to a DST video, viewed on Facebook.

Findings

Four overarching and overlapping approaches are identified. These are emotional appeal based on clear human ideals, equality and simplicity of characters, simplicity and universal representations.

Research limitations/implications

Similar studies are required across varying targeted digital stories of different length and subject matter to distinguish effectiveness.

Practical implications

Despite advanced technological capacity for audience segmentation, social media campaigns often include unengaging content. DST offers universal characteristics that can be used by entities to engage with their consumers and publics.

Social implications

DST has been used to create learning and pedagogical environments and more participative democracies. Yet its use to strategically engage with networked publics is empirically lacking. The findings of the study can facilitate more effective digital content strategies for entities of all purposes to pursue.

Originality/value

Few studies have sought to deconstruct effective short form DST for strategic purposes. This study applies a methodological approach best suited for analysing digital content. The findings provide insights into how strategists and social media managers can create more engaging digital content.
How school-based health education can help young people navigate an uncertain world
Authors: Dixon Rachael , Robertson Jenny
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The COVID-19 pandemic has provided us a striking demonstration that the future is dynamic, unpredictable, complex and volatile. It is increasingly important that those working in the field of school-based health education reimagine the possibilities and potential of the subject to rise to the challenges presented and make a difference in learners' worlds. In this paper we explore the potential of health education learning to contribute to aspects of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development's (OECD's) Learning Compass 2030 from our perspective in Aotearoa New Zealand. This is a learning framework that uses the metaphor of navigation to demonstrate the competencies young people need in order to thrive in the world and has a significant focus on wellbeing for people and society (OECD, 2019).

Design/methodology/approach

We explore the links between the learning compass and a socio-critical approach to secondary school-based health education learning opportunities by producing and refining our own knowledge of the learning contexts and experiences that could potentially contribute to the elements of compass. We present this as dialogue produced through asynchronous online conversations between the paper's two authors across a three-month period in 2020 – a method befitting our COVID-19 times.

Findings

After employing a deductive thematic analysis we found extensive links between health education learning and aspects of the compass which are congruent with the notion that it is more about how the subject is taught than what is covered in a socio-critical health education. We communicate our findings by organising them into three themes that arose for us in analysis: learners' capability to understand the world, navigate the world and change the world.

Originality/value

We conclude the paper with key questions to consider if we are to reimagine school-based health education in order for learning experiences in the subject to enrich learners' understanding of how to navigate the complex and uncertain times they will face across their lives.
Analysis of the mental health response to COVID-19 and human rights concerns in the occupied Palestinian territories
Authors: Helbich Maria , Jabr Samah
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has devastating effects around the world, influencing daily life and putting communities into unprecedented situations of anxiety, hardship and loss. It has a particularly severe effect on the mental health of individuals and highlights pre-existing challenges in mental health provision in different countries. The purpose of this paper is to examine the mental health response to COVID-19 in the occupied Palestinian territories (oPt) in relation to mental health concerns and the political situation.

Design/methodology/approach

This study analyzes the double struggle of Palestinians not only dealing with COVID-19 but with the ongoing Israeli occupation and human rights violations and focuses on the challenges in providing mental health services due to existing inequalities, systemic discrimination and lack of resources as a result of the political system of oppression. The findings are based on previously published articles concerning mental health related to the COVID-19 outbreak in other countries, as well as the authors’ clinical experience in the oPt and direct involvement in providing mental health services.

Findings

The paper highlights how the current pandemic is being used to further attempts of annexation and political gains in Israel and how it exacerbated human rights violations due to the occupation. Emphasis is also put on the challenges in providing a Palestinian mental health response due to the high number of actors involved and the lack of preparedness at the level of mental health response provision.

Originality/value

The value of the works lies in putting the current pandemic in relation to human rights violations in the oPt due to the ongoing Israeli occupation and in highlighting how a mental health response to COVID-19 can be implemented during a state of emergency and despite a lack of preparedness in response services in the oPt.
Automatic detection of optic disc using distance regularized level-set segmentation for glaucoma screening system
Authors: Patil Naganagouda , Patil Preethi N. , Rao P.V.
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The abnormalities of glaucoma have high impact on deciding and representing the causes that effects severity of blindness in human beings. The simulation experimental results would help the ophthalmologist in diagnosing of glaucoma abnormality accurately. The significant effect of glaucoma has a huge impact on the quality of human life, and its growth rate in world population tremendously increases. Glaucoma is considered as second largest cause for the blindness in the world; hence identification of it marks the importance of its detection at the earliest.

Design/methodology/approach

The prime objective of the work proposed is to build up a human intervention free image preparing framework for glaucoma screening. The disc calculation is assessed on retinal image dataset called retinal Image for glaucoma Analysis. The proposed method briefs a novel optic disc division calculation depending on applying a level-set strategy on a confined optic disc image. In the instance of low quality image, a twofold level set is designed, in which the principal level set is viewed as restriction for the optic disc. To keep the veins from meddling with the level-set procedure, an inpainting strategy has been applied. Also a significant commitment is to include the varieties in notion adopted by the ophthalmologists in distinguishing the disc localization and diagnosing the glaucoma. Most of the past investigations are prepared and tested depending on just a single feature, which can be thought to be one-sided for the ophthalmologist.

Findings

In continuation, the correctness has been determined depending on the quantity of image that matched with the investigation pattern adopted by the ophthalmologist. The 175 retinal images were utilized to test the results of proposed work with the manual markings of ophthalmologists. The error-free calculation in marking the optic disc region and centroid was 98.95% in comparison with the existing result of 87.34%.

Originality/value

In continuation, the correctness has been determined depending on the quantity of image that matched with the investigation pattern adopted by the ophthalmologist. The 175 retinal images were utilized to test the results of proposed work with the manual markings of ophthalmologists. The error-free calculation in marking the optic disc region and centroid was 98.95% in comparison with the existing result of 87.34%.
Efficient recruitment with effective job advertisement: an exploratory literature review and research agenda
Authors: Mahjoub Ali , Kruyen Peter Mathieu
Published: March 2021

Purpose

This article presents an exploratory, narrative review on job ads research. It aims to explore the key features of job ads that have been investigated in previous researches; the way these features have been investigated; and to draw important lessons that those studies teach us about the impact of job ad features on the target population.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, the scoping-review procedure is applied. Its systematic procedure enables scholars to provide a broad overview of a topic, map the key concepts underpinning a research area, clarify the conceptual boundaries of a topic, and also to incorporate a numerical summary and qualitative thematic analysis. The review was conducted based on a systematic study of 243 peer-reviewed articles and publications in the grey literature.

Findings

The findings show that seven job ad features seem to have important impacts on (potential) applicants, which we illustrate as a know-how framework. Eight main theories are used, and a wide array of research methods are applied. However, the study concludes that after more than four decades of research, there is still a limited understanding about the concrete effects of job ad features.

Originality/value

This paper synthesizes the existing knowledge, answers three exploratory questions regarding job ad features and draws theoretical and practical lessons from previous studies. In the interest of conducting future studies and providing a research agenda, a typology of theoretical perspectives for the study of job ads is also presented. The article also presents lessons for practitioners by providing a know-how framework on the usage of job ads.
Government strategies for supporting the adult worker model in European countries: mixed implications for defamilisation
Authors: Yu Wai Kam , Lo Iris Po Yee , Chau Chui Man
Published: March 2021

Purpose

This article explores the link between defamilisation studies and studies of the adult worker model and discusses the mixed implications that government strategies for supporting the adult worker model have for defamilisation. The adult worker model emphasises that all adult men and women ought to engage in formal employment; defamilisation studies stress the importance of enhancing women's chances of choosing (not) to perform important family roles such as the receiver of financial support and the care provider.

Design/methodology/approach

Two new strategies (“condition building” and “rewarding/penalising”) for promoting the adult worker model are identified based on literature review; their empirical significance is explored through an examination of comparative data concerning early childhood education and care policies (ECEC) and reforms in pension age in 14 countries.

Findings

The evidence shows that promoting the adult worker model does not necessarily benefit all women. While the 14 countries provide ECEC to varying extents, the increase in pension age in most countries shows that governments adopt a “rewarding/penalising” strategy for promoting the adult worker model by allocating major welfare based on people's labour force participation. These pension reforms may generate a negative impact on women's chances of attaining financial autonomy.

Originality/value

This study presents two new strategies for promoting the adult worker model and shows the empirical significance of these strategies based on comparative data. It also highlights the importance of searching for alternative concepts, namely economic defamilisation, for guiding pension reforms.
How does business analytics contribute to organisational performance and business value? A resource-based view
Authors: Chatterjee Sheshadri , Rana Nripendra P. , Dwivedi Yogesh K.
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to identify how the organisations are able to improve their business value through acquisition of business analytics capabilities and by improving their performance.

Design/methodology/approach

With the help of literature survey, along with standard resource-based view framework, a conceptual model has been developed. These have been statistically tested by collecting the data using the survey questionnaire from 306 selected respondents from various service sector- and product-based organisations in India. To analyse the data we have used partial least square–based structural equation modelling.

Findings

The study highlights that by the help of data acquisition and tool acquisition as two vital components the acquisition of business analytics capabilities could improve the business value of the organisation by strengthening its organisational performance. The findings of this research also indicated that acquisition of business analytics capabilities has a significant influence on an organisation's business process performance and business decision, which in turn significantly influences organisational performance. And organisational performance eventually positively influences its business value. The model was found to provide an explanative power of 71%.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed research model can provide effective recommendations to the management of the organisations to realise the importance of acquisition of effective business analytics capabilities to eventually improve the business value of the organisation.

Originality/value

No specific studies, as yet, have analysed the effects of acquisition of business analytics capabilities for improving organisational performance mediated through business process performance and business decision. Therefore, this research has explored the distinctive effort to empirically validate this understanding.
Library stories: a systematic review of narrative aspects within and around libraries
Authors: Frandsen Tove Faber , Sørensen Kristian Møhler , Anne Lyngroes Fladmose
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Libraries are increasingly trying to communicate the library's contributions and telling the library stories. Stories can be a component of impact assessment and thus add nuance to an assessment. Evaluations of libraries can include collecting and presenting stories of change, which can serve as evidence in impact assessments. The narrative field allows for many different approaches to a narrative perspective in the study of libraries, but the existing literature provides little overview of these studies. The purpose of this study is to introduce the narrative field and present a systematic review of the existing studies of libraries that use narrative approaches.

Design/methodology/approach

The methods in this study comprise of a systematic review of publications reporting narrative approaches to studying libraries. To retrieve the relevant studies, Library and Information Science Abstracts, Scopus, Web of Science and Proquest Dissertation were searched. Furthermore, the authors examined reference lists and performed citation searches. Study selection was performed by two reviewers independently. Using designed templates, data from the included studies were extracted by one author and confirmed by another.

Findings

The database searches retrieved 2,096 records across the four databases which were screened in two steps, resulting in 35 included studies. The authors identify studies that introduce narrative enquiries in library studies as well as studies using narrative approaches to the study of libraries.

Originality/value

Exploring narratives and stories for understanding and evaluating the library's worth is a promising field. More work is needed, though, to develop theoretical and methodological frameworks. Several of the included studies can serve as examples of the potential of a narrative perspective in the study of libraries.
Virtual reality classroom simulations: how school leaders improve instructional leadership capacity
Authors: Militello Matthew , Tredway Lynda , Hodgkins Lawrence , Simon Ken
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to explore the utility of a virtual reality (VR) classroom experience for improving the capacity of instructional leaders. Specifically, school leaders used VR to build their classroom observation and analysis skills to prepare to have more effective post-observation conversations with teachers. The authors provide insights from multiple data points that highlight the affordances of the virtual setting for improving classroom observation skills.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on the application of simulations to practice classroom observations, the authors developed a VR experience in which participants tag observable elements of academic discourse using codes from two observation protocols. The protocols identify elements of equitable student access: how teachers call on students and how they design questions. Seventy-five school leaders used the VR platform to observe a classroom scenario and code evidence of equitable classroom access. The authors analyzed data from tagging in the virtual reality scenario and triangulated these data with survey data focused on observation practices from participants' schools. A reflection component is included on the platform to collect these qualitative data.

Findings

The study results indicate that the virtual reality platform provides an innovative process for leadership professional development focused on building school leaders' capacity to identify elements of academic discourse during classroom observations. Participants reported that the opportunity to practice classroom observations in a risk-free environment was useful. However, for school leaders to fully transfer the data to using in conversations with teachers, they benefit from leadership coaching.

Originality/value

This study ascertains the potential effectiveness of an advanced technology for enhancing instructional leadership by using evidence-based classrooms observations to drive improvements in teaching practice. Beyond the utility of the virtual reality tool, this study provides a proof of concept for the next generation of instructional leadership through teacher observations with augmented reality.
Cognition, emotion and action: persistent sources of parent–offspring paradoxes in the family business
Authors: Cunha Miguel Pina e , Soares Leitão Maria João , Clegg Stewart , Hernández-Linares Remedios , Moasa Horia , Randerson Kathleen , Rego Arménio
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to explore inductively the unique paradoxical tensions central to family business (FB) and to analyze how FB's members face these tensions and their implications in the personal and professional realms.

Design/methodology/approach

A multiple-case study with 11 parent–offspring dyads from Portuguese FBs was conducted putting the focus on the micro-level interactions.

Findings

The slopes of roles and relationality in FBs produces three persistent sets of tensions around cognition, emotion and action. These tensions exist in a paradoxical state, containing potentiality for synergy or trade-off.

Originality/value

Our study is the first to empirically demonstrate that paradoxical tensions between parent and offspring are interrelated, by emphasizing the uniqueness of FB as a paradoxical setting and offering insights to negotiating of these singular paradoxes.
FDI inflow and financial channels: international evidence before and after crises
Authors: Izadi Selma , Rashid Mamunur , Izadi Parviz
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Extending on the resource-seeking foreign direct investment (FDI) hypothesis, this paper aims to uncover the potential relationship between financial and non-financial channels and inward FDI before and after the global financial crisis.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample includes 561 year-country observations on 33 developed and developing countries during 2001 and 2017. This study investigates several determinants such as inflation, gross domestic product growth, exchange rate, trade openness, financial openness, Sharpe ratio and country market capitalization, using ordinary least squares, fixed effects and system generalized method of moments.

Findings

The results indicate a negative relationship between inflation and financial openness with FDI inflow while market capitalization and exchange rate were positively connected to FDI inflow. All three financial channels of FDI inflow: financial market size, financial openness and Sharpe ratio significantly influenced FDI inflow. Moreover, inflation, financial openness and Sharpe ratio imply a meaningful impact on the FDI inflow of developed and developing countries, with a relatively stronger influence during the post-crisis periods. Asymmetric impact tests also revealed similar results.

Research limitations/implications

These findings offer an impression that financial market development channels may significantly boost FDIs in developing and, as well as developed countries. With special reference to the developing countries, a disciplined financial market and financial openness may help attract more FDIs.

Originality/value

Impact of the financial crisis on FDI inflows while observing the impact of the financing channels in developing and developed countries is rare in the academic domain. This study forwards that a structured and open financial market may help in recovering from the financial crisis.
Firm innovation and access to finance: firm-level evidence from India
Authors: Kaur Parneet , Kaur Navneet , Kanojia Paras
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Based on 9,281 firm-level survey data on micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in India, this study aims to investigate how access to different finance sources and collateral requirement facilitates the firm’s innovation activity across industries.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper used ordered logit regression models using Stata software for explanatory variables to measure the impact of explanatory variables on firm innovation performance. Firms’ innovation performance is measured through the aggregate innovation index obtained by adding up the no. of “new-to-firm” activities.

Findings

The empirical results reveal that external sources of funding impact innovation activity than other financing sources. Also, the requirement of collateral for financing impacts innovation performance significantly. This paper finds that firms funded by state-owned banks or government agency are more actively engaged in innovation activities. The firm’s size, ownership structure and location of the firm also show the varying innovation performance. This paper found variation in innovation performance across industries as well.

Practical implications

First, the present study underlines the significance of funding sources. Second, minimizing the need for collateral to obtain external finance boosts small firms’ innovation activity and will also trigger overall economic growth. Finally, while making policies for ownership transformation of state-owned institutions, policymakers should discuss these policies’ impact on innovative firms.

Originality/value

What facilitates innovation performance in an emerging market is missing in the literature for MSMEs, largely due to lack of data. It is reasonable not to generalize innovation knowledge in large firms to small firms because of the constraints, particularly MSMEs face.
Prediction of new prescription requirements for diabetes patients using big data technologies
Authors: Bakırarar Batuhan , Yüksel Cemil , Yavuz Yasemin
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of using large data sets for new diabetes patient prescriptions.

Design/methodology/approach

This study consisted of 101,766 individuals, who had applied to the hospital with a diabetes diagnosis and were hospitalized for 1–14 days and subjected to laboratory tests and medication.

Findings

With the help of Mahout and Scala, data mining methods of random forest and multilayer perceptron were used. Accuracy rates of these methods were found to be 0.879 and 0.849 for Mahout and 0.849 and 0.870 for Scala.

Originality/value

The mahout random forest method provided a better prediction of new prescription requirements than the other methods according to accuracy criteria.
The unknown knowns: a graph-based approach for temporal COVID-19 literature mining
Authors: Bayram Ulya , Roy Runia , Assalil Aqil , BenHiba Lamia
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The COVID-19 pandemic has sparked a remarkable volume of research literature, and scientists are increasingly in need of intelligent tools to cut through the noise and uncover relevant research directions. As a response, the authors propose a novel framework. In this framework, the authors develop a novel weighted semantic graph model to compress the research studies efficiently. Also, the authors present two analyses on this graph to propose alternative ways to uncover additional aspects of COVID-19 research.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors construct the semantic graph using state-of-the-art natural language processing (NLP) techniques on COVID-19 publication texts (>100,000 texts). Next, the authors conduct an evolutionary analysis to capture the changes in COVID-19 research across time. Finally, the authors apply a link prediction study to detect novel COVID-19 research directions that are so far undiscovered.

Findings

Findings reveal the success of the semantic graph in capturing scientific knowledge and its evolution. Meanwhile, the prediction experiments provide 79% accuracy on returning intelligible links, showing the reliability of the methods for predicting novel connections that could help scientists discover potential new directions.

Originality/value

To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to propose a holistic framework that includes encoding the scientific knowledge in a semantic graph, demonstrates an evolutionary examination of past and ongoing research and offers scientists with tools to generate new hypotheses and research directions through predictive modeling and deep machine learning techniques.
Can the concept of “lean management” be applied to academic recruitment? – a quasi-theoretical discourse
Authors: Benuyenah Vic
Published: March 2021

Purpose

This paper seeks to emphasise the need to re-evaluate university teacher recruitment processes. The implementation of lean processes helps to improve organisational practices; in the case of university recruitment, however, organisational processes have remained unchanged for decades. Although there is a traditional justification for having academic recruitment as a rigorous and complex process (as a practiced method by which to identify the most suitable applicants), the increase of competition across the sector, and the internet revolution, has rendered these older methods partially ineffective. The author argues that recruitment systems and practices need reviewing to overhaul inefficacious elements.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a quasi-literature discourse combined with the author’s experience in human resources management teaching and recruitment expertise at the Higher Education level.

Findings

Lean approach if successfully introduced to academic recruitment might reduce the effect of discouraged job seekers paradox and workload on human resources (HR) officers.

Research limitations/implications

The volume of studies reviewed is limited, and therefore, more empirical findings are required in the area of lean recruitment.

Practical implications

HR departments of universities might consider practices that will improve the recruitment process and promote labour force participation.

Originality/value

According to the author’s knowledge, lean concept has been applied to HR (recruitment) for the first time in this study.
Herding in the crypto market: a diagnosis of heavy distribution tails
Authors: Shrotryia Vijay Kumar , Kalra Himanshi
Published: March 2021

Purpose

With the unprecedented growth of digitalization across the globe, a new asset class, that is cryptocurrency, has emerged to attract investors of all stripe. The novelty of this newly emerged asset class has led researchers to gauge anomalous trade patterns and behavioural fallacies in the crypto market. Therefore, the present study aims to examine the herd behaviour in a newly evolved cryptocurrency market during normal, skewed, Bitcoin bubble and COVID-19 phases. It, then, investigates the significance of Bitcoin in driving herding bias in the market. Finally, the study gauges herding contagion between the crypto market and stock markets.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employs daily closing prices of cryptocurrencies and relevant stocks of S&P 500 (USA), S&P BSE Sensex (Index) and MERVAL (Argentina) indices for a period spanning from June 2015 to May 2020. Quantile regression specifications of Chang et al.’s (2000) absolute deviation method have been used to locate herding bias. Dummy regression models have also been deployed to examine herd activity during skewed, crises and COVID-19 phases.

Findings

The descriptive statistics reveal that the relevant distributions are leptokurtic, justifying the selection of quantile regression to diagnose tails for herding bias. The empirical results provide robust evidence of crypto herd activity during normal, bullish and high volatility periods. Next, the authors find that the assumptions of traditional financial doctrines hold during the Bitcoin bubble. Further, the study reveals that the recent outbreak of COVID-19 subjects the crypto market to herding activity at quantile (t) = 0.60. Finally, no contagion is observed between cryptocurrency and stock market herding.

Practical implications

Drawing on the empirical findings, it is believed that in this age of digitalization and technological escalation, this new asset class can offer diversification benefits to the investors. Also, the crypto market seems quite immune to behavioural idiosyncrasies during turbulence. This may relieve regulators of the possible instability this market may pose to the entire financial system.

Originality/value

The present study appears to be the first attempt to diagnose leptokurtic tails of relevant distribution for crypto herding in the wake of two remarkable events: the crypto asset bubble (2016–2017) and the outbreak of coronavirus (early 2020).
Wireless passive surface acoustic wave (SAW) technology in gas sensing
Authors: Pan Yong , Molin Qin , Guo Tengxiao , Zhang Lin , Cao Bingqing , Yang Junchao , Wang Wen , Xue Xufeng
Published: March 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to give an overview about the state of wireless passive surface acoustic wave (SAW) gas sensor used in the detection of chemical vapor. It also discusses a variety of different architectures including delay line and array sensor for gas detection, and it is considered that this technology has a good application prospect.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors state the most of the wireless passive SAW methods used in gas sensing, such as CO2, CO, CH4, C2H4, NH3, NO2, et al., the sensor principles, design procedures and technological issues are discussed in detail; their advantages and disadvantages are also summarized. In conclusion, it gives a prospect of wireless passive SAW sensor applications and proposes the future research field might lie in the studying of many kinds of harmful gases.

Findings

In this paper, the authors will try to cover most of the important methods used in gas sensing and their recent developments. Although wireless passive SAW sensors have been used successfully in harsh environments for the monitoring of temperature or pressure, the using in chemical gases are seldom reported. This review paper gives a survey of the present state of wireless passive SAW sensor in gas detection and suggests new and exciting perspectives of wireless passive SAW gas sensor technology.

Research limitations/implications

The authors will review most of the methods used in wireless passive SAW sensor and discuss the current research status and development trend; the potential application in future is also forecasted.

Originality/value

The authors will review most of the methods used in wireless passive SAW sensor and discuss the current research status and development trend; the potential application in future is also forecasted.
Did paying drugs misuse treatment providers for outcomes lead to unintended consequences for hospital admissions? Difference‐in‐differences analysis of a pay‐for‐performance scheme in England
Authors: Mason Thomas , Whittaker William , Jones Andrew , Sutton Matt
Published: March 2021

Aims

To estimate how a scheme to pay substance misuse treatment service providers according to treatment outcomes affected hospital admissions.

Design

A controlled, quasi‐experimental (difference‐in‐differences) observational study using negative binomial regression.

Setting

Hospitals in all 149 organisational areas in England for the period 2009–2010 to 2015–2016.

Participants

572 545 patients admitted to hospital with a diagnosis indicating drug misuse, defined based on International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision (ICD‐10) diagnosis codes (37 964 patients in 8 intervention areas and 534 581 in 141 comparison areas).

Intervention and comparators

Linkage of provider payments to recovery outcome indicators in 8 intervention organisational areas compared with all 141 comparison organisational areas in England. Outcome indicators included: abstinence from presenting substance, abstinent completion of treatment and non‐re‐presentation to treatment in the 12 months following completion.

Measurements

Annual counts of hospital admissions, emergency admissions and admissions including a diagnosis indicating drugs misuse. Covariates included age, sex, ethnic origin and deprivation.

Findings

For 37 245 patients in the intervention areas, annual emergency admissions were 1.073 times higher during the operation of the scheme compared with non‐intervention areas (95% CI = 1.049; 1.097). There were an estimated additional 3 352 emergency admissions in intervention areas during the scheme. These findings were robust to a range of secondary analyses.

Conclusion

A programme in England from 2012 to 2014 to pay substance misuse treatment service providers according to treatment outcomes appeared to increase emergency hospital admissions.
Chronic Pain Among Patients With an Opioid Use Disorder
Authors: Latif Zill‐E Huma , Skjærvø Ingeborg , Solli Kristin K. , Tanum Lars
Published: March 2021

Background and Objectives

Chronic pain is not well understood in opioid‐dependent populations. We report the prevalence of chronic pain and pain characteristics in an opioid‐dependent population by treatment type and gender.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study opportunistically recruited 569 patients (32% women) receiving treatment for opioid use disorder (DSM‐5) in Norway during 2016‐2018 (83% received opioid maintenance treatment, 17% received treatment without medication). We asked about chronic pain (≥3 months; ICD‐11), pain severity (NRS‐11), and other pain characteristics.

Results

Overall, 55% reported chronic pain (≥3 months), with a higher prevalence among women (61% vs 52%, P = .041) and patients receiving methadone (66%) compared with buprenorphine or no medication (46% and 45%, P < .001). Chronic pain was associated with higher age (P < .001) and higher doses of methadone (P = .048). The average duration of pain was 11 years. The most frequently reported pain locations were the lower extremities (59%) and the back (54%), and 69% reported more than one pain location. Constant pain and migrating pain were significantly associated with both moderate (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.04, confidence interval [CI]: 1.12‐3.74 and aOR: 2.44, CI: 1.09‐5.43) and severe pain intensity (aOR: 2.08, CI: 1.14‐3.80 and aOR: 2.46, CI: 1.10‐5.47). Reporting no effect of analgesics was associated with severe pain intensity (aOR: 0.54, CI: 0.29‐0.99).

Conclusions and Scientific Significance

Over half reported chronic pain, and rates were highest among women and patients receiving methadone. New contributions to the field are descriptions of pain characteristics by gender and pain severity, and interactions between medication type and age. (© 2021 The Authors. The American Journal on Addictions published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of The American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry). (Am J Addict 2021;00:00–00)