bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Polymorphic Inverted Repeats near coding genes impact chromatin topology and phenotypic traits in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Arce Agustín L. , Mencia Regina , Cambiagno Damian A. , Lang Patricia L. , Liu Chang , Burbano Hernán A. , Weigel Detlef , Manavella Pablo A.
Published: July 2022

Transposons are mobile elements that are commonly silenced to protect eukaryotic genome integrity. In plants, transposable elements (TEs) can be activated during stress conditions and subsequently insert into gene-rich regions. TE-derived inverted repeats (IRs) are commonly found near plant genes, where they affect host gene expression with potentially positive effects on adaptation. However, the molecular mechanisms by which these IRs control gene expression is unclear in most cases. Here, we identify in the Arabidopsis thaliana genome hundreds of IRs located near genes that are transcribed by RNA Polymerase II, resulting in the production of 24-nt small RNAs that trigger methylation of the IRs. The expression of these IRs is associated with drastic changes in the local 3D chromatin organization, which alter the expression pattern of the hosting genes. Notably, the presence and structure of many IRs differ between A. thaliana accessions. Capture-C sequencing experiments revealed that such variation changes short-range chromatin interactions, which translates into changes in gene expression patterns. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated disruption of two of such IRs leads to a switch in genome topology and gene expression, with phenotypic consequences. Our data demonstrate that the insertion of an IR near a gene provides an anchor point for chromatin interactions that can profoundly impact the activity of neighboring loci. This turns IRs into powerful evolutionary agents that can contribute to rapid adaptation.
Visual explanations for the detection of diabetic retinopathy from retinal fundus images
Authors: Boreiko Valentyn , Ilanchezian Indu , Seçkin Ayhan Murat , Müller Sarah , Koch Lisa M. , Faber Hanna , Berens Philipp , Hein Matthias
Published: July 2022

In medical image classification tasks like the detection of diabetic retinopathy from retinal fundus images, it is highly desirable to get visual explanations for the decisions of black-box deep neural networks (DNNs). However, gradient-based saliency methods often fail to highlight the diseased image regions reliably. On the other hand, adversarially robust models have more interpretable gradients than plain models but suffer typically from a significant drop in accuracy, which is unacceptable for clinical practice. Here, we show that one can get the best of both worlds by ensembling a plain and an adversarially robust model: maintaining high accuracy but having improved visual explanations. Also, our ensemble produces meaningful visual counterfactuals which are complementary to existing saliency-based techniques. Code is available under https://github.com/valentyn1boreiko/Fundus_VCEs.
Association between nursing home crowding and outbreak-associated respiratory infection and death prior to the COVID-19 pandemic between 2014 and 2019 in Ontario, Canada
Authors: Leece Pamela , Whelan Michael , Costa Andrew P. , Daneman Nick , Johnstone Jennie , McGeer Allison , Rochon Paula , Schwartz Kevin L. , Brown Kevin A.
Published: July 2022

Importance

Resident crowding in nursing homes is associated with larger SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks. However, this association has not been previously documented for non-SARS-CoV-2 respiratory infections.

Objective

We sought to measure the association between nursing home crowding and respiratory infections in Ontario nursing homes prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design, Setting, and Participants

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of nursing home residents in Ontario, Canada over a five-year period prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, between September 2014 and August 2019.

Exposure

Using administrative data, we estimated the crowding index equal to the mean number of residents per bedroom and bathroom (residents / [0.5*bedrooms+0.5*bathrooms]).

Outcomes

The incidence of outbreak-associated infections and mortality per 100 nursing home residents per year. We also examined infection and mortality outcomes for outbreaks due to 7 specific pathogens: coronaviruses (OC43, 229E, NL63, HKU1), influenza A, influenza B, human metapneumovirus, parainfluenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus, rhinovirus/enterovirus.

Results

There was one or more respiratory outbreak in 93.9% (588/626) nursing homes in Ontario. There were 4,921 outbreaks involving 64,829 cases of respiratory infection, and 1,969 deaths. Outbreaks attributable to a single identified pathogen were principally caused by influenza A (29%), rhinovirus (11.7%), influenza B (8.1%), and respiratory syncytial virus (6.1%). Among homes, 42.7% (251/588) homes had a high crowding index (≥ 2.0). After adjustment, more crowded homes had higher outbreak-associated respiratory infection incidence (aRR 1.89; 95% 1.64-2.18) and mortality incidence (aRR 2.28; 95% 1.84-2.84). More crowded homes had higher adjusted estimates of the incidence of infection and mortality for each of the 7 respiratory pathogens examined.

Conclusions and Relevance

Residents of crowded nursing homes experienced more respiratory-outbreak infections and mortality due to influenza and other non-SARS-CoV-2 respiratory pathogens. Decreasing crowding in nursing homes is an important patient safety target beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gaps and complex structurally variant loci in phased genome assemblies
Authors: Porubsky David , Vollger Mitchell R. , Harvey William T. , Rozanski Allison N. , Ebert Peter , Hickey Glenn , Hasenfeld Patrick , Sanders Ashley D. , Stober Catherine ,   The Human Pangenome Reference Consortium, Korbel Jan O. , Paten Benedict , Marschall Tobias , Eichler Evan E.
Published: July 2022

There has been tremendous progress in the production of phased genome assemblies by combining long-read data with parental information or linking read data. Nevertheless, a typical phased genome assembly generated by trio-hifiasm still generates more than ~140 gaps. We perform a detailed analysis of gaps, assembly breaks, and misorientations from 77 phased and assembled human genomes (154 unique haplotypes). We find that trio-based approaches using HiFi are the current gold standard although chromosome-wide phasing accuracy is comparable when using Strand-seq instead of parental data. We find two-thirds of defined contig ends cluster near the largest and most identical repeats [including segmental duplications (35.4%) or satellite DNA (22.3%) or to regions enriched in GA/AT rich DNA (27.4%)]. As a result, 1513 protein-coding genes overlap assembly gaps in at least one haplotype and 231 are recurrently disrupted or missing from five or more haplotypes. In addition, we estimate that 6-7 Mbp of DNA are incorrectly orientated per haplotype irrespective of whether trio-free or trio-based approaches are employed. 81% of such misorientations correspond tobona fidelarge inversion polymorphisms in the human species, most of which are flanked by large identical segmental duplications. In addition, we also identify large-scale alignment discontinuities consistent with an 11.9 Mbp deletion and 161.4 Mbp of insertion per human haploid genome. While 99% of this variation corresponds to satellite DNA, we identify 230 regions of the euchromatic DNA with frequent expansions and contractions, nearly half of which overlap with 197 protein-coding genes. Although not completely resolved, these regions include copy number polymorphic and biomedically relevant genic regions where complete resolution and a pangenome representation will be most useful, yet most challenging, to realize.
Mitochondrial complementation occurs in rat hippocampal axons and supports the synaptic vesicle cycle.
Authors: Vevea Jason D , Chapman Edwin R
Published: July 2022

Mitochondria exert powerful control over cellular physiology, contributing to ion homeostasis, energy production, and metabolite biosynthesis. Mitochondrial trafficking and function are vital to neurons, with organelle impairment or altered morphology observed in every neurodegenerative disorder studied. While this organelle and its biosynthetic products are critical for cellular function, decreased output and/or byproducts (e.g., free radicals), can be harmful, and organelle quality control (QC) mechanisms are required to maintain function and prevent a cascade of damage. Owing to its length and general lack of biosynthetic machinery, the axon is particularly sensitive to damage and there is little consensus regarding the details of mitochondrial QC mechanisms in this compartment. Here we investigate the basal, unstressed behavior of axonal mitochondria, focusing on mitochondrial trafficking and fusion to better understand potential QC mechanisms. We observed size and redox asymmetry of mitochondrial traffic in the axon, suggestive of an active QC mechanism. Importantly, we demonstrate, in detail, biochemical complementation of axonal mitochondria. Upon disruption of mitochondrial fusion, we observed an altered synaptic proteome, presynaptic calcium dyshomeostasis, decreased levels of exocytosis, and a reduction in synaptic vesicle recruitment from the reserve pool during extended stimulation. These results support an active mitochondrial trafficking and fusion related QC process that supports presynaptic physiology.
Knowledge of calories and its influencing factors: evidence from a fast-growing developing country
Authors: Cheah Yong Kang , Lim Kuang Kuay , Ismail Hasimah , Salleh Ruhaya , Kee Chee Cheong , Lim Kuang Hock
Published: July 2022

Purpose

This study examines sociodemographic and lifestyle factors associated with knowledge of calories.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were analysed from the Komuniti Sihat Pembina Negara (KOSPEN) 2016. Logistic regressions were used to examine the effects of sociodemographic and lifestyle factors on knowledge of the definition of calories, recommended caloric intake and the effect of calories on body weight.

Findings

The results revealed that large proportions of respondents did not know the definition of calories (51.33%), recommended caloric intake (95.50%) and the effect of calories on body weight (64.89%). The proportions of respondents having knowledge of calories varied by income, gender, ethnicity, educational level, marital status, employment status, urbanization of states, smoking status and awareness of body mass index (BMI). Respondents were less likely to have knowledge of calories if they were low-income earners, non-Malays, less-educated, unemployed, smokers and unaware of their BMI.

Practical implications

Sociodemographic and lifestyle factors play an important role in affecting knowledge of calories. Policymakers should make a concerted effort to improve knowledge of calories among adults with different sociodemographic backgrounds and lifestyle profiles.

Originality/value

This study provides several contributions to the literature: (1) The country of interest is Malaysia, where the prevalence of obesity is high and studies related to knowledge of calories are lacking. (2) In addition to knowledge of recommended caloric intake, knowledge of the definition of calories and the effect of calories on body weight factors are considered. (3) Apart from sociodemographic variables, smoking behaviour and awareness of BMI variables are included in the analyses.
Mobile banking service quality and customer value co-creation intention: a moderated mediated model
Authors: Hijazi Rawa
Published: July 2022

Purpose

The objective of this paper is to explore the possible impact of mobile banking service quality (MBSQ) on customer value co-creation intention (CVCI).

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire was administered to research participants from Jordan. A total of 562 valid questionnaires were analysed. Mediation and moderation evaluations were performed in order to examine the function performed by MBSQ, customer engagement (CE), and social presence as determinants of CVCI. Structural equation modeling of type covariance-SEM using AMOS software was employed for the analysis.

Findings

The research results verify the proposition that MBSQ, CE, and social presence can all influence. In addition, the mediating role of customer engagement in respect of the relationship between MBSQ and CVCI is also confirmed in this research.

Practical implications

This research is of use to bank managers who must allocate resources during the development of m-banking platforms, wherein value co-creation in banking can be promoted.

Originality/value

This study comprises an original contribution to current scholarship in the field of m-banking through its examination of the impact of customer engagement with m-banking. Moreover, this research augments current literature pertaining to the function of MBSQ in relation to CVCI as tempered by customer engagement and social presence.
Chaordic destination image formulation through gastronomy perspectives: evidence from Greece
Authors: Pappas Nikolaos , Michopoulou Eleni , Farmaki Anna , Leivadiotaki Emmanouela
Published: July 2022

Purpose

This study aims to evaluate the complex behaviour of tourists in terms of the formulation of destination image related to its gastronomy. Through the examination of gastronomic image, memorability of experiences and food personality traits such as neophobia and neophilia, this research investigates the chaordic (chaos versus order) systems and provides specific pathways that formulate the gastronomic destination image.

Design/methodology/approach

Using fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA), this study examines the chaordic relations amongst memorable tourism experiences (MTEs), gastronomic neophobia and neophilia and gastronomic image upon the formulation of destination image. This study also includes two grouping variables (nationality [stratified], age).

Findings

Three sufficient configurations were revealed that can lead to the formulation of destination image, explaining the attributional gastronomic decision-making of holidaymakers. These solutions concern: food personality traits, generated experience and gastronomic image.

Research limitations/implications

In spite of the need for examining the complexity and the chaordic systems in the gastronomic domain, the lack of a sufficient number of studies using fsQCA hinders its full potential. The complete lack of gastronomic studies using this method highlights the necessity of its use for research in the respective field.

Originality/value

This study explores the complexity of how food-related personality traits influence the attainment of MTEs and the formulation of gastronomic image and how the chaordic systems influence the overall image of a destination.
Workplace ostracism and employee silence in service organizations: the moderating role of negative reciprocity beliefs
Authors: Yao Liu , Ayub Arslan , Ishaq Mustafa , Arif Sania , Fatima Tehreem , Sohail Hafiz M.
Published: July 2022

Purpose

Employee silence is a pervasive workplace phenomenon that can cause severe economic losses to service organizations. Drawing on conservation of resource theory, the present research aims to investigate interpersonal antecedents of employee silence, specifically workplace ostracism while considering the moderating role of negative reciprocity beliefs (NRBs).

Design/methodology/approach

Two-wave data collected from 355 employees working in service organizations in Pakistan supported the theorized model. The study used SmartPLS (v 3.2.7) to examine the measurement model and the structural model.

Findings

As projected, the authors found that workplace ostracism was positively related to acquiescence silence and defensive silence, but not related to prosocial silence. Besides, this study’s findings supported two-way interaction involving workplace ostracism and NRB on acquiescence silence and defensive silence, but not on prosocial silence. In particular, the presence of high NRB makes the adverse effects of workplace ostracism even worse.

Originality/value

This study explores the boundary conditions under which employee silence is more likely or less likely to occur. This just makes the current research all the more salient that why and when ostracized employees resort to remain silent in the workplace.
Resilience in healthcare supply chains: a review of the UK’s response to the COVID19 pandemic
Authors: Sawyerr Emmanuel , Harrison Christian
Published: July 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this explorative research is to analyse the resilience of the United Kingdom's (UK) healthcare supply chains from a customer’s perspective in the light of the coronavirus pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the capabilities of preparedness, robustness, recovery and adaptability as the foundational percept for supply chain resilience, 22 healthcare professionals in 17 of the UK's National Health Scheme (NHS) Trusts were interviewed to explore their personal and organisational approaches adopted relative to the provision of eye protection, gloves, gowns, aprons, masks and respirators. The Dynamic Capabilities View is mapped to the resilience capabilities and used to analyse the data from a transformational supply chain research perspective.

Findings

The supply chains were largely unprepared, which was not particularly surprising even though the availability of gloves was significantly better compared to the other personal protective equipment (PPE). Techniques adopted to ensure robustness and recovery revealed the use of unsanctioned methods such as extended use of PPE beyond recommended use, redefinition of guidelines, protocols and procedures by infection control and the use of expired PPE – all of which compromised customer well-being.

Research limitations/implications

As the paper views resilience through the lens of customers, it does not provide the perspectives of the supply chain practitioners as to the reasons for the findings and the challenges within these supply chains.

Practical implications

The compromise of the well-being of healthcare workers due to the vulnerabilities of healthcare supply chains is highlighted to managers and prescriptions for post-disruption adaptability are made.

Originality/value

This paper introduces transformative research to supply chain resilience research by uniquely looking at resilience from the customers' well-being perspective.
Publication and maintenance of RDB2RDF views externally materialized in enterprise knowledge graphs
Authors: Vidal Vania , Magalhães Pequeno Valéria , Moura Arruda Júnior Narciso , Casanova Marco Antonio
Published: July 2022

Purpose

Enterprise knowledge graphs (EKG) in resource description framework (RDF) consolidate and semantically integrate heterogeneous data sources into a comprehensive dataspace. However, to make an external relational data source accessible through an EKG, an RDF view of the underlying relational database, called an RDB2RDF view, must be created. The RDB2RDF view should be materialized in situations where live access to the data source is not possible, or the data source imposes restrictions on the type of query forms and the number of results. In this case, a mechanism for maintaining the materialized view data up-to-date is also required. The purpose of this paper is to address the problem of the efficient maintenance of externally materialized RDB2RDF views.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper proposes a formal framework for the incremental maintenance of externally materialized RDB2RDF views, in which the server computes and publishes changesets, indicating the difference between the two states of the view. The EKG system can then download the changesets and synchronize the externally materialized view. The changesets are computed based solely on the update and the source database state and require no access to the content of the view.

Findings

The central result of this paper shows that changesets computed according to the formal framework correctly maintain the externally materialized RDB2RDF view. The experiments indicate that the proposed strategy supports live synchronization of large RDB2RDF views and that the time taken to compute the changesets with the proposed approach was almost three orders of magnitude smaller than partial rematerialization and three orders of magnitude smaller than full rematerialization.

Originality/value

The main idea that differentiates the proposed approach from previous work on incremental view maintenance is to explore the object-preserving property of typical RDB2RDF views so that the solution can deal with views with duplicates. The algorithms for the incremental maintenance of relational views with duplicates published in the literature require querying the materialized view data to precisely compute the changesets. By contrast, the approach proposed in this paper requires no access to view data. This is important when the view is maintained externally, because accessing a remote data source may be too slow.
Implementation of gamification and bloom’s digital taxonomy-based assessment: a scale development study with mixed-methods sequential exploratory design
Authors: Zainuddin Zamzami , Alba Amru , Gunawan Taufik , Armanda Dicky , Zahara Ana
Published: July 2022

Purpose

This study aims to construct a scale and identify the factors that might affect the implementation of gamification and Bloom's Digital Taxonomy-based assessment of students' learning, guided by the Goal-Setting Theory.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a sequential exploratory mixed-methods design where data were collected qualitatively via interviews (n = 18) and field notes. Quantitative analysis was then applied via questionnaires (n = 96).

Findings

Four major themes emerged following thematic analysis of the observation notes and interview data: learning engagements; understandable learning goals; friendly competitions; and interactive learning feedback. A scale consisting of 32 items was developed based on the qualitative data. The quantitative data were then collected to evaluate the scale's factor structure using maximum likelihood exploratory factor analysis with Promax factor rotation. The final version of the scale had 29 items. The authors verified the alpha coefficients for each element and the entire hierarchy, ranging from 0.94 to 0.98 for the factors. The total scale was determined to be 0.96, and the Item Content Validity Index was considered valid.

Originality/value

The scale developed in this study is expected to inform future research and guide educators who wish to incorporate contemporary digital pedagogies in a different context. This study could also be beneficial to researchers who aspire to perform research on Goal-Setting Theory in the educational context.
Assessing organizational health-analytics readiness: artifacts based on elaborated action design method
Authors: Venkatraman Sathyanarayanan , Sundarraj Rangaraja
Published: July 2022

Purpose

While the adoption of health-analytics (HA) is expanding, not every healthcare organization understands the factors impacting its readiness for HA. An assessment of HA-readiness helps guide organizational strategy and the realization of business value. Past research on HA has not included a comprehensive set of readiness-factors and assessment methods. This study’s objective is to design artifacts to assess the HA-readiness of hospitals.

Design/methodology/approach

The information-systems (IS) theory and methodology entail the iterative Elaborated Action Design Research (EADR)method, combined with cross-sectional field studies involving 14 healthcare organizations and 27 participants. The researchers determine factors and leverage multi-criteria decision-making techniques to assess HA-readiness.

Findings

The artifacts emerging from this research include: (1) a map of readiness factors, (2) multi-criteria decision-making techniques that assess the readiness levels on the factors, the varying levels of factor-importance and the inter-factor relationships and (3) an instantiated system. The in-situ evaluation shows how these artifacts can provide insights and strategic direction to an organization through collective knowledge from stakeholders.

Originality/value

This study finds new factors influencing HA-readiness, validates the well-known and details their industry-specific nuances. The methods used in this research yield a well-rounded HA readiness-assessment (HARA) approach and offer practical insights to hospitals.
The development of a platform to ensure an integrated care plan for older adults with complex care needs living at home
Authors: Villa-García Lorena , Puig Ariadna , Puigpelat Pau , Solé-Casals Montse , Fuertes Oriol
Published: July 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the design and development of the digital platform for the development and monitoring of care plans for older adults with complex care needs who are users of a home care service.

Design/methodology/approach

Case study. The authors conducted an iterative process of design adapted to the environment and user-centred, agile development and research methodologies and a framework of complex interventions. They followed a four-step process: (1) conceptualization: analysis and design; (2) usability and high-fidelity prototyping; (3) software development; and (4) field testing in usual care. Older adults, informal caregivers, professional caregivers, and healthcare and social workers identified specific requirements and participated continuously through interviews, focus groups and consensus.

Findings

In the conceptualization phase, the theory, context and requirements were identified, and the content and prototypes were developed. In the usability phase, the design was validated. The approach employed resulted in a digital technology that supports a person-centred care model in a home care company. In the conceptualization phase, the theory, context and requirements were identified, and the content and prototypes were developed. In the usability phase, the design was validated. The approach employed resulted in a digital technology that supports a person-centred care model in a home care company.

Originality/value

The methodology employed has allowed the development of a platform based on theory, user needs and context. This could increase the possibilities of use and implementation of the technology and inspire other developers.
Design a technology acceptance model by applying system dynamics: an analysis based on key dimensions of employee behavior
Authors: Mahmoodi Armin , Hashemi Leila , Tahan Mohammad Mehdi , Jasemi Milad , Millar Richard C.
Published: July 2022

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the impact of new technologies on parameters of organizational behavior and evaluate their determining role of technology maturity and readiness of staff in the digital readiness.

Design/methodology/approach

This study has obtained an integrated model of technology’s effect on staff’s organizational behavior considering digital readiness level by using system dynamics is developed. In this model, the effects of new technologies entry on organizational behavior variables are analyzed in different layers, and the result of this impact on the consequent of a bank organizational behavior and each indicator is examined separately in different scenarios. In determining the indicators and their significant coefficients, the viewpoints of banking experts and professionals in organizational behavior have been considered.

Findings

As a result of our surveys, five technology effects, without intermediaries, were obtained, which are automation, learning, streamlining repetitive jobs, addiction to technology and reducing face-to-face contact. Each of these factors would make a chain of side effects. In a way that, ultimately, their positive or negative effects on productivity and consequently on organization profits appear. The result indicates technology has effects on important behavioral factors such as stress, motivation, organization values and personal satisfaction. Indicators, which are formed by positive or negative factors, are being upgraded or downgraded. Therefore, managing negative cycles and developing positive cycles can be considered as one of the major banking concerns for controlling IT effects on its organizational behavior of human resources.

Originality/value

There is little academic remarkable literature on clarifying the effects of digitalization on employee's behavior in an organization, this research offers managers and organizations a model of influential factors that need to be taken into account by managers when they encounter new technologies. This study’s proposed analysis is useful to improve the efficiency and productivity of the organization, and alongside this, it is effective for the digital transformation process. This study fills previous research gaps in the academic context related to the practical studies that relied on digital maturity.
Factors influencing the implementation of cloud accounting: evidence from small and medium enterprises in Oman
Authors: Tawfik Omar Ikbal , Durrah Omar , Hussainey Khaled , Elmaasrawy Hamada Elsaid
Published: July 2022

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the factors influencing the adoption of cloud accounting (CA) in Oman’s small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The research model is developed based on relationships between technology, organisational and environmental contexts.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a questionnaire to collect data from a sample of SMEs in Oman’s information and communication sector. In total, 300 enterprises were selected, and the questionnaire was distributed to the executives. The questionnaires valid for analysis were 159. The collected data were analysed using structural equation modelling through analysis of a moment structures software.

Findings

This study tested seven factors, namely, support from top management, firm size, infrastructure (technology readiness), security and privacy, compatibility, competitive pressure and relative advantage. The results revealed that compatibility has a significant impact on the adoption of CA.

Practical implications

This study suggests the mangers in SMEs should play a more decisive role in identification of technological, organisational and environmental factors that affect the success of implementing CA in a comprehensive model.

Originality/value

This study constitutes a management strategy that helps the enterprises in light of limited economic resources and concerns about the use of cloud services to make the appropriate decision in adopting CA.
The effects of leaders’ abusive supervision on employees’ work engagement: a moderated-mediation model of employees’ silence and employees’ proactive personalities
Authors: Osei Hannah Vivian , Ofori Herbert , Otsen Emmanuella , Adjei Theresa , Odoom Lexsee
Published: July 2022

Purpose

This study aims to examine the impact of leaders’ abusive supervision on employees’ work engagement in the health sector. The study further examined the interactive effect of leaders’ abusive supervision and employees’ proactive personality on work engagement via employees’ silence.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 343 health workers in five hospitals in Ghana. The Hayes Process Macro and AMOS were used to analyse mediation, moderation and moderated-mediation relationships

Findings

The study findings indicate that leaders’ abusive supervision has a detrimental impact on employees’ work engagement. The study further found that employees’ silence did not mediate the relationship between abusive supervision and work engagement. Employees’ proactive personalities positively moderated the relationship between abusive supervision and employees’ silence.

Originality/value

This study advances understanding of how perceived leaders’ abusive supervision affects health workers’ work engagement. This study contributes to the literature by confirming employees’ silence as a pathway linking abusive supervision to work engagement. The study further identifies employees’ proactive personality as a moderating variable in the relationship between abusive supervision and employees’ silence.
The need for speed: an intuitive approach to understanding the relationship between audit quality and management earnings forecasts
Authors: Lau David , Ota Koji , Wong Norman
Published: July 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate whether audit quality is associated with the speed with which managers revise earnings forecasts to arrive at the actual earnings through the lens of the auditor selection theory. This study examines this relationship in a unique institutional setting, Japan, where nearly all managers disclose earnings forecasts.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors pioneer an empirical proxy to capture the speed of management forecast revisions based on well-established principles from the finance and disclosure literatures. This proxy is tested alongside other disclosure proxies (namely, accuracy, frequency and timeliness) to assess the influence of audit quality on managerial forecasting behavior.

Findings

This empirical analysis shows that forecast revision speed is higher for firms that select higher-quality auditors. While firms that select higher-quality auditors revise forecasts in a more timely fashion, these firms revise less frequently. Moreover, the authors find that the influence of audit quality on forecast revisions is asymmetric. Specifically, the analysis of downward forecast revisions shows that higher-quality auditors are associated with firms that disclose bad news via forecasts revisions faster, more frequently and in a more timely fashion. However, the analysis of upward forecast revisions shows that higher-quality auditors have no effect on the speed with which firms disclose good news via forecast revisions, even though they are associated with less frequent but more timely forecast revisions. These findings have important implications for prior studies that consistently document an asymmetric response of the stock market to good news and bad news.

Originality/value

The authors provide evidence on the relationship between audit quality and management earnings forecasts using a novel and intuitive measure that captures forecast revision speed. This measure speaks to the growing interest in understanding the notion of speed and timing of voluntary disclosures. This study provides a more robust and comprehensive measure of the speed with which managers revise their earnings forecasts to arrive at the actual earnings. Furthermore, this study is among the first to document an asymmetric effect of audit quality on the type of news disclosed in forecast revisions.
Offender treatment program limitations with those who have complex needs: exploring the role for music therapy
Authors: Sicard Louise A. , Birch Philip
Published: July 2022

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the perspectives and experiences of treatment facilitators regarding the effectiveness of treatment they delivered for high-risk offenders with complex needs. Within this study, the term complex needs refers to an individual who is managing several issues, such as physical illness, mental health issues and addiction disorders.

Design/methodology/approach

There was a total of 18 semi-structured qualitative interviews conducted with treatment facilitators from Australia and the UK. This study presents two key themes that emerged from the thematic analysis: “the importance of responsivity and active/creative activities in practice” and “the practitioner’s core concerns: issues with high-risk offenders treatment accessibility”.

Findings

The findings revealed that treatment facilitators considered treatment responsivity as core to treatment for high-risk offenders with complex needs and that active/creative activities were beneficial in achieving this. Additionally, treatment facilitators expressed concerns around the inaccessibility of treatment, including the barriers of talk therapy and the inability for offenders to receive the level of support necessary. Considering these findings, this study offers a discussion on the potential value of music therapy as a component of treatment for such offending populations.

Social implications

The empirical data yielded from the interviewed treatment facilitators highlight that music therapy can play a role in supporting the beneficial components of treatment programs. Further implications centre on addressing the limitations of treatment that were identified through the interviews.

Originality/value

This study focusses on exploring the role of music therapy with high-risk offenders and who have complex needs when engaging in treatment programs. This paper recognises that the application and use of music therapy with this cohort has been neglected in the academic literature and research until recently.
The threat of parasitism impairs immune function in host caterpillars
Authors: Garvey Michael , Creighton Curtis , Kaplan Ian
Published: July 2022

Nonconsumptive effects (NCE) from natural enemy presence are known to change the behavior, morphology, and development of potential victims. However, the overwhelming majority of these studies focus on predation, documenting changes in prey behavior; far less is understood about parasitism risk and impacts on host physiology. We used the caterpillar Manduca sexta (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) and two of its main natural enemies—a specialist parasitoid (wasp), Cotesia congregata (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), and a generalist predator (soldier bug), Podisus maculiventris (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)—to determine how the threat of parasitism and predation during larval development alter prey growth and immunity. Caterpillars developing near female predators and parasitoids were ~ 85% larger compared to individuals without enemy exposure. Development time was not affected by natural enemies when compared to controls, but male P. maculiventris slowed M. sexta development compared to the other natural enemies. For immune functionality, phenoloxidase (PO) activity only responded to parasitoids, with wasp‐exposed caterpillars exhibiting 35% lower PO activity than all other treatments, while lysozyme activity was unaffected by any enemy treatment. This work emphasizes that parasites can induce changes to host immunity that potentially affect wasp development. More broadly, NCEs on victim immunity are likely given immunity's contribution to host defense but have been under‐appreciated compared to more easily observed phenotypes like behavior and morphology.
The occurrence of delirium diagnosis among youth hospitalizations in the United States: A Kids' Inpatient Database analysis
Authors: Luccarelli James , Kalluri Aditya S. , Thom Robyn P. , Hazen Eric P. , Pinsky Elizabeth , McCoy Thomas H.
Published: July 2022

Objectives

Delirium is an acute neuropsychiatric condition associated with increased morbidity and mortality. There is increasing recognition of delirium as a substantial health burden in younger patients, although few studies have characterized its occurrence. This study analyzes the occurrence of delirium diagnosis, its comorbidities, and cost among youth hospitalized in the United States.

Methods

The Kids' Inpatient Database, a national all‐payers sample of pediatric hospitalizations in general hospitals, was examined for the year 2019. Hospitalizations with a discharge diagnosis of delirium among patients aged 1–20 years were included in the analysis.

Results

Delirium was diagnosed in 43,138 hospitalizations (95% CI: 41,170–45,106), or 2.3% of studied hospitalizations. Delirium was diagnosed in a broad range of illnesses, with suicide and self‐inflicted injury as the most common primary discharge diagnosis among patients with delirium. In‐hospital mortality was seven times greater in hospitalizations caring a delirium diagnosis. The diagnosis of delirium was associated with an adjusted increased hospital cost of $8648 per hospitalization, or $373 million in aggregate cost.

Conclusions

Based on a large national claims database, delirium was diagnosed in youth at a lower rate than expected based on prospective studies. The relative absence of delirium diagnosis in claims data may reflect underdiagnosis, a failure to code, and/or a lower rate of delirium in general hospitals compared with other settings. Further research is needed to better characterize the incidence and prevalence of delirium in young people in the hospital setting.
Geographic distribution, diversity and conservation status of giant millipedes in southern Cameroon rainforest
Authors: Mbenoun Massé Paul Serge , Makon Samuel Didier , Tenyam Nkoh Pauline Blanche , Mwabvu Tarombera
Published: July 2022

Giant millipedes are involved in the breakdown of organic matter and confined to tropical biomes. A review of giant millipedes from historical reports and new field data were carried out to assess distribution and diversity patterns throughout the Cameroon rainforest, while the conservation status of endemic species was evaluated for the first time using IUCN Red List criteria and categories. Fourteen species were identified in the Cameroon fauna. Of these, nine were endemic (64%) while five species have been introduced (36%). Recently, two species (Pachybolus togoensis,andOphistreptoides gabonensis) were added to the known fauna of Cameroon. Of the extant endemic species,Telodeinopus canaliculatushas a wide distribution and has been recorded in five regions, whilePelmatojulus excisusandOdontostreptus sjoëstedtiwere found in three regions, andSpirostreptus crenulatuswas restricted to a single region. Based on IUCN Red List criteria, six species (60%) could be considered extinct in their distribution range and in surrounding localities, one species (10%) is likely endangered, two species (20%) are probably vulnerable and one species (10%) is of least concern. Our findings represent a substantial contribution of the knowledge of the giant millipedes in Africa.
Habitat degradation, vegetation damage, and wildlife‐livestock interactions in Amboseli ecosystem wildlife sanctuaries, Kenya
Authors: Mwasi Shem , Dheer Arjun
Published: July 2022

It is important to assess whether anthropogenic activity affects wildlife distribution and resource use to appraise the efficacy of multi‐use protected areas. Habitat degradation and vegetation damage as indicators of competitive and facilitative livestock‐wildlife interactions were the focus of this study. Foot transects were conducted in the dry season of 2011, wet season of 2012, and dry season of 2012 in five wildlife sanctuaries in the Amboseli ecosystem, Kenya, to determine whether habitat degradation and vegetation damage affected wildlife distribution and wildlife‐livestock interactions. Simpson's and Jaccard's biodiversity indices and Pianka's niche overlap index were used to assess wildlife‐livestock interactions across a gradient of habitat degradation. In the dry season, Jaccard's, Pianka's, and Simpson's indices (0.50, 0.84, and 0.99, respectively) peaked at the highest level of degradation. In the wet season, Jaccard's index (0.42) peaked at a fairly high level of habitat degradation, Pianka's index (0.82) at a fairly low level, and Simpson's (0.80) at the lowest level. Two‐way ANOVA revealed that there was no effect of degradation or vegetation damage on wildlife distribution irrespective of the feeding guild. Therefore, it appears that continued shared use of the Amboseli landscape by wildlife and livestock is feasible.
Impact of Rome IV irritable bowel syndrome on work and activities of daily living
Authors: Goodoory Vivek C. , Ng Cho Ee , Black Christopher J. , Ford Alexander C.
Published: July 2022

Background

Few studies have demonstrated the impact of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) on work and activities of daily living.

Methods

We collected demographic, gastrointestinal symptom, psychological health and quality of life data from 752 adults with Rome IV‐defined IBS. We used the work productivity and activity impairment questionnaire for irritable bowel syndrome and the work and social adjustment scale to examine the degree of both impairment at work and in activities of daily living, as well as factors associated with these.

Results

Of 467 individuals who were employed, 133 (28.5%) reported absenteeism, 373 (85.6%) presenteeism and 382 (81.8%) overall work impairment. A mean of 1.97 hours of work per week was lost due to IBS. Extrapolating this across the entire UK, we estimate that between 72 and 188 million hours of work are lost per year due to IBS in individuals of working age. Among all 752 participants, 684 (91.0%) reported any activity impairment with 220 (29.3%) reporting impairment in home management, 423 (56.3%) in social leisure activities, 207 (27.5%) in private leisure activities, and 203 (27.0%) in maintaining close relationships. Severe IBS, higher levels of anxiety, depression, somatization and gastrointestinal symptom‐specific anxiety, and lower levels of IBS‐related quality of life were associated with impairment in both work and activities of daily living.

Conclusion

Patients with IBS experience a substantial impact on their work and activities of daily living because of their IBS. Future studies should assess the impact of medical interventions on the ability to work and participate in social activities.
Restoring the Garden of Eden: A Ricoeurian view of the ethics of environmental entrepreneurship
Authors: Toledano Nuria
Published: July 2022

Environmental entrepreneurship is increasingly recognized as a means of solving pressing environmental problems; because of this, it is often perceived as an ethical variant of entrepreneurial activity. However, we argue that this perception is flawed since ethics is assumed (not explained) on the premise of its identification with green activities or environmental ideals and intentions. This paper examines this problem and addresses the question of how we can know when, and if, environmental entrepreneurship is ethical. As a solution, we adopt Paul Ricoeur's approach to ethics. We argue that the Ricoeurian ethics, with its focus on actions and relationships and its logic of hyperbolic generosity, provides a consistent ethical framework in which to develop our comprehension of ethics in the environmental entrepreneurship field. In particular, Ricoeur's ethical approach brings a distinctive trait to the ethics of environmental entrepreneurship through an other‐oriented disposition and a normative standard—to give without any expectations—that can be used to judge ethics in relational actions. The paper can also be of use to environmental entrepreneurs seeking a practical ethical guide that helps them in their decision making, and to policymakers committed with the promotion of responsible environmental businesses.
Lenalidomide, bortezomib and dexamethasone induction therapy for the treatment of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: a practical review
Authors: McCaughan Georgia J. , Gandolfi Sara , Moore John J. , Richardson Paul G.
Published: July 2022

For patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma, survival outcomes continue to improve significantly: however, nearly all patients will relapse following induction treatment. Optimisation of induction therapy is essential to provide longer term disease control and the current standard of care for most patients incorporates an immunomodulatory agent and proteasome inhibitor, most commonly lenalidomide and bortezomib in combination with dexamethasone (RVD), with maintenance until progression. Historically there has been limited access to RVD as an induction strategy outside of the United States; fortunately, there is now increasing access worldwide. This review discusses the rationale for use of RVD as induction therapy and aims to provide guidance in prescribing this regimen in order to optimise efficacy while minimising the toxicities of treatment. We also highlight the increasing evidence for the utility of addition of a monoclonal antibody to the RVD backbone to deepen responses and potentially provide longer disease control.