bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of health-related quality of life in type 2 diabetes mellitus at Moi County referral hospital, Taita Taveta county
Authors: Mwadulo Dredah Wughanga , Madhavi Mbindu , Nkoroi Beatrice
Published: February 2023

Health-related quality of life is one’s perceived status of life in value systems and cultural settings where they dwell in and in relation to their aspirations, expectations, ideals and fears. Diabetes has always been seen as a disease of affluence but over the years it is increasingly becoming a problem in developing countries. Globally, approximately 1.5 million deaths that occurred in 2012 due to diabetes, 80% of the deaths occurred in the developing nations. There is an increasing problem of non-transmittable diseases in Sub-Saharan Africa region which has brought a change in lifestyles like smoking, physical inactivity and unhealthy diet. Such non-communicable diseases include cardiovascular diseases, neuropathies & renal disorders which are commonly associated as the complications for diabetes mellitus. Measuring the extent an illness has affected health is of significance to the care and management of those individuals with chronic diseases whose remedy is not likely and since they require long-term management and care. Quality of life has a multivariate approach as it highlights information on bodily health, emotional health, functional and social health spheres of an individual’s view of the extent their health has been affected. This measure, therefore, provides holistic care for an individual with diabetes mellitus. This study seeks to solely look at how the wellness of individuals with diabetes mellitus is affected. The research adopted a cross-sectional descriptive design. 165 respondents were selected through systematic random sampling. The researcher used logistic regression whereby patient’s characteristics like foot problem (aOR7.348; p=0.005) and numbness/pain in hands/legs/feet (aOR=0.155; p<0.001) were associated with low quality of life. Over half of the study participants 127 (77%) indicated that their health-related quality of life would be better without diabetes mellitus as depicted by a diabetes specific QoL mean score of-1.88 approximating to “much better” (−2). The overall mean ADDQoL AWI score (−4.48) indicated that the health-related quality of life of the patients was negatively impaired by type two diabetes mellitus. Among the 19 domain specific items, the study participants rated “sex life” as the most negatively impacted/ important (WI= -5.14). In conclusion, type two diabetes mellitus negatively affected the quality of life and diabetes neuropathy which featured as foot problem and numbness of hands/feet needs to be considered as a predisposing factor to low quality of life in diabetics. Care provided should go beyond the standard treatment that looks into how treatment, lifestyle & behavioral modifications affect daily functioning and well-being of patients thus focusing more on the individual patient’s context and ultimately improving the health-related quality of life of type two diabetes mellitus patients.
Investigation of HLA susceptibility alleles and genotypes with hematological disease among Chinese Han population
Authors: Li Ye-Mo , Li Yu-Xia , Li Dai-Yang , An Lin , Yuan Zhi-Yang , Liu Zhong-Liang , Du Ke-Ming , Zheng Zhong-Zheng
Published: February 2023

Background

Serveral genes involved in the pathogenesis have been identified and a crucial role is known to be played by the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system. However, the relationship between HLA and a cluster of hematological diseases has been rarely reported in China.

Methods

Blood samples (n=123,913) from 43,568 patients and 80,345 individuals without known pathology were genotyped using sequence-based typing (SBT) for HLA class I and II.

Results

The HLA-A*11:01, B*40:01, C*01:02, DQB1*03:01, and DRB1*09:01 were common in China. Additionally, compared to controls, in malignant hematologic diseases, 3 high-frequency alleles (DQB1*03:01, DQB1*06:02, and DRB1*15:01) were risky. And we observed 7 high-frequency risk alleles (A*01:01, B*46:01, C*01:02, DQB1*03:03, DQB1*05:02, DRB1*09:01, and DRB1*14:54) and 8 high-frequency susceptible genotypes (A*11:01-A*11:01, B*46:01-B*58:01, B*46:01-B*46:01, C*01:02-C*03:04, DQB1*03:01-DQB1*05:02, DQB1*03:03-DQB1*06:01, DRB1*09:01-DRB1*15:01, and DRB1*14:54-DRB1*15:01) for benign hematologic diseases.

Conclusion

Our results support the association between HLA alleles/genotypes and multiple hematological disorders, which is essential in disease surveillance.
Evolution of virus and virophage facilitates persistence in a tripartite microbial system
Authors: del Arco Ana , Fischer Matthias G. , Becks Lutz
Published: February 2023

Tripartite biotic interactions are inherently complex, and the strong interdependence of species and high levels of exploitation can make these systems short-lived and vulnerable to extinction. The persistence of species depends then on the balance between exploitation and avoidance of exploitation of the resource beyond the point where sustainable exploitation is no longer possible. We used this general prediction to test the potential for long-term persistence in a recently discovered tripartite microbial system in which a eukaryotic host is preyed upon by a giant virus that is in turn parasitized by a virophage. Host and virophage may benefit from this interaction because the virophage reduces the harmful effects of the giant virus on the host population over time and the virophage can survive integrated into the host genome when giant viruses are scarce. Here, we grew hosts in the presence and absence of the giant virus and virophage over ~280 host generations. We found that the three players persisted, but that the beneficial effect of the virophage for the host population diminished over time. We further tested whether the level of exploitation and replication evolved in the giant virus and/or virophage population over the course of the experiment and whether the changes were such that they avoid overexploitation. We found that the giant virus evolved towards lower replication levels and the virophage towards increased replication but decreased giant virus exploitation. These changes are predicted to facilitate persistence by lowering giant virus and host exploitation and consequently reducing the protective effect of the virophage.
Comparative genomics of novel Bacteroides acidifaciens isolates reveals candidates for adaptation to host subspecies in house mice
Authors: Fokt Hanna , Doms Shauni , Rühlemann Malte C. , Godfroid Maxime , Schmitz Ruth A. , Hermes Britt M. , Baines John F.
Published: February 2023

The breadth of phenotypes influenced by the gut microbiome in multicellular hosts has attracted the keen and renewed interest of evolutionary biologists.

Comparative studies suggest that coevolutionary processes may occur as hosts and their associated microbes (i.e., holobionts) diverge. The majority of studies to date however lack information beyond that of 16S rRNA gene profiling, and thus fail to capture potential underlying genomic changes among microbes. In this study, we conducted a comparative genomic analysis of 19 newly sampledBacteroides acidifaciensisolates derived from the eastern and western house mouse subspecies,Mus musculus musculusandM. m. domesticus. Through a panel of genome-wide association (GWAS) analyses applied to pangenomic content, structural gene rearrangements, and SNPs, we reveal several candidates for adaptation to the host subspecies environment. The proportion of significant loci in each respective category is small, indicating low levels of differentiation according host subspecies. However, consistent signal is observed for genes involved in processes such as carbohydrate acquisition/utilization (SusD/RagB,amyAandamyS) and de novo purine nucleotide biosynthesis (purD), which serve as promising candidates for future experimental investigation in the house mouse as a model of holobiont evolution.
The source of microbial transmission influences niche colonization and microbiome development
Authors: Tanger Isabel S. , Stefanschitz Julia , Schwert Yannick , Roth Olivia
Published: February 2023

Early life microbial colonizers shape and support the immature vertebrate immune system. Microbial colonization relies on the vertical route via parental provisioning and the horizontal route via environmental contribution. Vertical transmission is mostly a maternal trait making it hard to determine the source of microbial colonization in order to gain insight in the establishment of the microbial community during crucial development stages. The evolution of unique male pregnancy in pipefishes and seahorses enables the disentanglement of both horizontal and vertical transmission, but also facilitates the differentiation of maternal vs. paternal provisioning ranging from egg development, to male pregnancy and early juvenile development. Using 16s rRNA amplicon sequencing and source-tracker analyses, we revealed how the distinct origins of transmission (maternal, paternal & horizontal) shaped the juvenile internal and external microbiome establishment in the broad-nosed pipefishSyngnathus typhle.Paternal provisioning mainly shaped the juvenile external microbiome, whereas maternal microbes were the main source of the internal juvenile microbiome, later developing into the gut microbiome. This suggests that stability of niche microbiomes may vary depending on the route and time point of colonization, the strength of environmental influences (i.e., horizontal transmission), and potentially the homeostatic function of the niche microbiome.
Colistin resistance and resistance determinants are mobile amongSalmonella entericaisolates from diseased and healthy pigs in Thailand
Authors: Prasertsee Teerarat , Pascoe Ben , Patchanee Prapas
Published: February 2023

Salmonellais an important enteric pathogen that poses a threat to human and livestock animal health, with emerging multidrug resistance (MDR) a major public health issue globally. We investigated the prevalence ofSalmonellain healthy and diseased pigs from Thai pig farms and determined their phenotypic and genotypic antimicrobial resistance profiles. A total of 150 fecal samples were collected from pigs housed in pens from four separate pig farms in southern Thailand and tested for the presence ofSalmonella. ConfirmedSalmonellaisolates were tested for their susceptibility to 11 antimicrobials, and PCR used to detect known antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs).Salmonellaisolates were cultured from 69% (103/150) of all fecal samples, with higher prevalence in disease pigs (12/15; 80%), compared with healthy pigs (91/135; 67%). Serotype Rissen was the most frequently identified serotype among theSalmonellaisolates. Resistance to ampicillin (AMP) (97%), sulfonamide-trimethoprim (SXT) (97%), and tetracycline (TET) (94%) were the most common phenotypes observed. The most common ARGs identified wereblaTEMgene (99.%),tetA(87%),sul1(77%), anddfrA1(74%), and more than 95% of theSalmonellaisolates tested were MDR - based on resistance to three or more antimicrobial classes. The most common antimicrobial resistance pattern exhibited was AMP-TET-SXT (76%), and resistance to colistin (via themcr-1gene) was observed in both healthy and diseased pigs. The clonal groups of PFGE analysis in serotype Typhimurium revealed the genetic relationship amongSalmonellaisolated from healthy and diseased pigs from different pig farms.
Interplay between PLEKHG3-regulated actin dynamics and lysosomal trafficking in cell motility
Authors: Ettelt Rainer , Vucak Georg , Didusch Sebastian , Riemelmoser Biljana , Ehrenreiter Karin , Hartl Markus , Huber Lukas A. , Baccarini Manuela
Published: February 2023

Lysosomes are highly dynamic organelles that regulate metabolic signaling pathways by recruiting cytosolic molecules to protein platforms on the lysosomal membrane. We performed a proximity-dependent labeling screen to identify novel proteins recruited to the LAMTOR complex, which regulates lysosome positioning and key signaling pathways such as mTORC1, AMPK, and MEK/ERK. We identified a network of proteins involved in actin remodelling, including Pleckstrin homology domain-containing family G member 3 (PLEKHG3), an actin-binding Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor enriched in protrusions. We show that GFP-PLEKHG3 accumulates in focal adhesion sites, where it colocalizes with peripheral lysosomes. Peripheral accumulation of lysosomes concentrates PLEKHG3 below the plasma membrane, inhibits protrusion formation and limits cell motility. Thus, subcellular positioning of lysosomes impacts PLEKHG3 subcellular localization and the cell’s protrusion activity, shape, and motility. The results shed new light on the interplay between lysosomes and actin dynamics and provides insights into the mechanisms controlling cellular processes such as shape regulation and motility of the plasma membrane.
Gnotobiotic zebrafish microbiota display inter-individual variability affecting host physiology
Authors: Adade Emmanuel E. , Stevick Rebecca J. , Pérez-Pascual David , Ghigo Jean-Marc , Valm Alex M.
Published: February 2023

Gnotobiotic animal models reconventionalized under controlled laboratory conditions with multi-species bacterial communities are commonly used to study host-microbiota interactions under presumably more reproducible conditions than conventional animals. The usefulness of these models is however limited by inter-animal variability in bacterial colonization and our general lack of understanding of the inter-individual fluctuation and spatio-temporal dynamics of microbiota assemblies at the micron to millimeter scale. Here, we show underreported variability in gnotobiotic models by analyzing differences in gut colonization efficiency, bacterial composition, and host intestinal mucus production between conventional and gnotobiotic zebrafish larvae re-conventionalized with a mix of 9 bacteria isolated from conventional microbiota. Despite similar bacterial community composition, we observed high variability in the spatial distribution of bacteria along the intestinal tract in the reconventionalized model. We also observed that, whereas bacteria abundance and intestinal mucus per fish were not correlated, reconventionalized fish had lower intestinal mucus compared to conventional animals, indicating that the stimulation of mucus production depends on the microbiota composition. Our findings, therefore, suggest that variable colonization phenotypes affect host physiology and impact the reproducibility of experimental outcomes in studies that use gnotobiotic animals. This work provides insights into the heterogeneity of gnotobiotic models and the need to accurately assess re-conventionalization for reproducibility in host-microbiota studies.
Improving online food ordering and delivery service quality by managing customer expectations: evidence from Italy
Authors: Bonfanti Angelo , Rossato Chiara , Vigolo Vania , Vargas-Sánchez Alfonso
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, many restaurants and catering businesses have introduced or improved online food ordering and delivery services (OFODSs). This study aims to identify service quality expectations about OFODSs, to examine their content and to suggest management strategies to meet these expectations.

Design/methodology/approach

Adopting a qualitative method, four focus groups were conducted amongst Italian users of OFODSs.

Findings

The results reveal three dimensions of expectations, each comprising two categories that can be set along a continuum: (1) basicness of expectations (ranging from implicit to explicit), (2) accuracy of expectations (ranging from fuzzy to precise) and (3) attainability of expectations (ranging from realistic to unrealistic). Content may refer to technical, social, economic, legal and technological aspects. To meet customer expectations, the following strategies are suggested: customer reassurance, flexibility, continuous improvement, customer education, adaptation to customers' requirements and monitoring of exceptions.

Practical implications

This study provides specific activities in which restaurants and catering businesses could invest to enact the management strategies that emerged from the analysis.

Originality/value

This paper proposes a new classification of expectations and framework for improving OFODS quality by managing customer expectations.
To be or not to be confident in medicine: that's the question! An explorative study on consumer information inferences toward food supplements consumption
Authors: Manuti Amelia , Martiradonna Viviana , Panniello Umberto , Gorgoglione Michele
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This study investigated how consumers' confidence in medicine and health information seeking and usage could be related to purchase intentions and satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

A panel of 18 food supplements consumers were interviewed using soft laddering. Qualitative data were coded and used to develop a structured survey. Participants (N = 363) were recruited on a voluntary basis among the customers of an Italian company in this sector. Hypotheses were tested by linear regressions and generalized models.

Findings

Results showed that consumers' confidence in medicine interacted with health information seeking and usage influencing both purchase intention and satisfaction. Consumers with high confidence behave differently from those with low confidence.

Research limitations/implications

The authors used a sample based on one company's customer base.

Practical implications

Companies should segment their customers based on their level of confidence in medicine and adopt different marketing strategies for different segments.

Social implications

A broader knowledge of consumers' attitudes towards food supplements and medicines can improve the public policies aimed at increasing quality of life.

Originality/value

From a theoretical viewpoint, findings suggest to consider consumers' confidence in medicine along with other subjective and contextual variables in socio-cognitive models aimed at explaining food supplements' consumer behavior. From a marketing viewpoint, results suggest to consider confidence in medicine as a precious variable in segmentation strategies. While some communication strategies are valid for all customers (i.e. using experts as advisors, using scientific contents in ads), others (i.e. relying on the advice of trustworthy people, explaining the consequences of consumption) were proved to have different impact on consumers depending on their degree of confidence in medicine.
Organisational elements controlling labour efficiency in building construction operations – a construction supervisors' perspective
Authors: Manoharan Kesavan , Dissanayake Pujitha , Pathirana Chintha , Deegahawature Dharsana , Silva Renuka
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Labour efficiency is the key component for the long-term sustainability of construction firms. Recent studies show that modernising organisational/managerial processes is necessary to raise labour efficiency in many emerging nations. Construction supervision is a crucial element in organisational/managerial practices, which provide blood circulation to the project operations by directing labour. Accordingly, this study aims to quantify the impacts of crucial organisational/managerial elements on the efficiency of labour in building construction projects based on the viewpoint of construction supervisors.

Findings

A total of 28 factors were determined as critical, where lack of labour motivation, poor labour training facilities, poor performance evaluation practices, no labour rewarding mechanism and poor communication/cooperation between parties were judged to be the top five key issues in the list. The validity and reliability of the study findings were ensured through statistical tests and the experts' discussion outcomes. In view of the evolving challenges facing the industry, the results indicate that the organisational policies of construction enterprises in place addressing financial procedures, communication strategies, resource management and performance management practices must be enhanced.

Research limitations/implications

The study findings will make a substantial contribution to reducing the disparity between organisation/management policies and labour practices towards changing how the sector operates to increase labour efficiency in construction projects.

Originality/value

This study contributes to addressing the knowledge gap in the industry associated with the organisational protocols, especially to understand/predict how such elements are significant, how much they influence the efficiency of construction practices and what steps can be made to limit their effects on labour efficiency in construction. These could be crucial in modernising organisational policies and procedures for construction management.
Between politics and bureaucracy: a systematic literature review on the dynamics of public appointments
Authors: Lopes André Vaz , Vieira Diego Mota
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to explain the dynamics of public appointments and present new possibilities for research in this field.

Design/methodology/approach

The article is based on a systematic literature review from 2012 to 2021, identified in Web of Science, Scopus and SciELO, in English, Spanish or Portuguese. To explain the dynamics of public appointments, the following were analyzed: the nomination process; the motivations, objectives and criteria used; the results and impacts of appointments; and the profile of the nominees. The study focused only on discretionary appointments to fully public bodies and agencies.

Findings

The literature offers a limited explanation for the dynamics of appointments, by focusing on the dichotomy between loyalty and competence. Despite this, studies suggest that different contextual factors, such as administrative tradition or strategic choices, for example, determine the dynamics of appointments, indicating that it is a complex process that goes beyond the simple discussion of merit or clientelism.

Originality/value

The article presents an unprecedented analysis of the literature on the dynamics of public appointments and proposes an explanatory model that indicates that other factors, in addition to merit and loyalty, should be considered relevant for the selection criteria, the nomination process and the profile of who will be appointed. This model is useful both for the practical management of appointments and for the advancement of theory in this field and should receive improvements and future empirical evaluations.
Mortality rate and life expectancy in Africa: the role of flood occurrence
Authors: Osei Bismark , Kunawotor Mark Edem , Appiah-Konadu Paul
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of flood occurrence on mortality rate and life expectancy amongst 53 African countries.

Design/methodology/approach

The study utilizes panel data from the period 2000–2018 on 53 African countries and system generalized method of moments (system GMM) for the analysis.

Findings

The result indicates that flood occurrence causes the destruction of health facilities and the spread of diseases which reduces life expectancy. In addition, flood occurrence increases mortality rate amongst 53 African countries.

Research limitations/implications

Practical implications

The study recommends that governments amongst African countries should implement strategies being enshrined in Conference of Parties (COP, 2021) on climate change. This will help to reduce the level of climate change and flood occurrence.

Originality/value

Previous studies focussed on the adverse effect of flood occurrence without considering the issue of life expectancy amongst African countries. This study contributes to existing empirical studies by examining the effect of flood occurrence on mortality rate and life expectancy amongst African countries.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-07-2022-0508.
Polygamy and family member relationship on Guinean family business succession planning
Authors: Oury Bailo Diallo Oury , Hassan Arif , Mhd Sarif Suhaimi Bin , Othman Anwar Hasan Abdullah
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The aim of the paper is to identify the key factors that affect Guinean family business (FB) succession planning. The study also evaluates the impact of these factors on the succession planning process to ensure business continuity.

Design/methodology/approach

This descriptive quantitative research is based on a survey of 383 family businesses FBs in Conakry, the capital city of Guinea. The structural equation model (SEM) was used to analyze and validate the model featuring factors that influence family business FB succession planning (FBSP). The Theory of Stewardess and the Theory of FB Rivalry have been employed in the study.

Findings

While the incumbent attributes, firm attributes, and estate tax were revealed to have no significant influence on succession planning, the successor attributes and the family relationship significantly affected succession planning. Besides, undesirable domestic relationships among children of different mothers from polygamous families had an indirect impact on business succession planning.

Research limitations/implications

The limitations of the study include the population of the FBs being restricted only to those located in Conakry, the capital city. The study did not consider other regions and cities of Guinea. Besides, the grouping of attributes or characteristics was problematic, and studying each attribute separately as an independent variable would be much better. Finally, the limited literature and available data on Guinean FBs in general and succession planning generalize the findings to be done cautiously. Therefore, more studies are needed on FB succession in the country to further confirm these findings.

Social implications

The study may help ensure social solidarity based on the findings of factors associated to polygamous families in relation to businesses.

Originality/value

Few studies have been done on FBs in Conakry. Besides, putting attributes or characteristics into categories has been presented. Moreover, there is inadequate relevant literature and data on Guinean FBSP. Considering these limitations, the generalization of the findings should be done with caution. Therefore, this study touched on the issue of family business succession in Guinea which substantiates the findings.
Being an “outsider in”: skilled migrants' career strategies in local organizations
Authors: Usanova Ksenia , Zikic Jelena , Vaiman Vlad
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Although the literature on the careers of skilled migrants is growing, relatively little is known about their experiences inside host country organizations. This article is a replication and an extension of a study by Zikic et al. (2010) on career challenges and coping strategies of skilled migrants. In contrast to the replicated study, where the focus was on the unemployed pool of talented migrants, in this study, the authors look at the career experiences of those who are already employed. Similar to the study of Zikic et al. (2010), the authors seek to explore how migrants understand their careers and what approaches they use to enact career opportunities from the perspective of “insiders” in local organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used a qualitative explorative approach. Based on 24 in-depth interviews with highly qualified specialists, who were hired for positions in Luxembourg corresponding to their professional profiles, the authors explore what challenges they face at the workplace and how they tackle them.

Findings

This research not only replicates the study of Zikic et al. (2010) but also extends the authors’ knowledge of the careers of skilled migrants in the context of local organizations. By focusing on employed skilled migrants, the authors open a “black box” of their career challenges and strategies and extend an earlier career typology (Zikic et al., 2010) into what happens within local organizations. In particular, this study identifies two major challenges that skilled migrants experience, namely, “trying to fit in” and “managing career mismatch”. Then, it shows three unique strategies that skilled migrants use to manage their careers. This allows us to cluster skilled migrants into three categories that the authors conceptualized, namely “workhorses”, “career rebels” and “career conformists”.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature on the careers of skilled migrants by theorizing the experiences of migrant careers after organizational entry. It also contributes to the talent management literature by providing nuanced insights into the challenges, strategies and profiles that this global talent has.
Maintenance strategies and energy efficiency: a review
Authors: Firdaus Nofirman , Ab-Samat Hasnida , Prasetyo Bambang Teguh
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This paper reviews the literature on maintenance strategies for energy efficiency as a potential maintenance approach. The purpose of this paper is to identify the main concept and common principle for each maintenance strategy for energy efficiency.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review has been carried out on maintenance and energy efficiency. The paper systematically classified the literature into three maintenance strategies (e.g. inspection-based maintenance [IBM], time-based maintenance [TBM] and condition-based maintenance [CBM]). The concept and principle of each maintenance strategy are identified, compared and discussed.

Findings

Each maintenance strategy's main concept and principle are identified based on the following criteria: data required and collection, data analysis/modeling and decision-making. IBM relies on human senses and common senses to detect energy faults. Any detected energy losses are quantified to energy cost. A payback period analysis is commonly used to justify corrective actions. On the other hand, CBM monitors relevant parameters that indicate energy performance indicators (EnPIs). Data analysis or deterioration modeling is needed to identify energy degradation. For the diagnostics approach, the energy degradation is compared with the threshold to justify corrective maintenance. The prognostics approach estimates when energy degradation reaches its threshold; therefore, proper maintenance tasks can be planned. On the other hand, TBM uses historical data from energy monitoring. Data analysis or deterioration modeling is required to identify degradation. Further analysis is performed to find the optimal time to perform a maintenance task. The comparison between housekeeping, IBM and CBM is also discussed and presented.

Practical implications

The literature on the classification of maintenance strategies for energy efficiency has been limited. On the other hand, the ISO 50001 energy management systems standard shows the importance of maintenance for energy efficiency (MFEE). Therefore, to bridge the gap between research and industry, the proposed concept and principle of maintenance strategies will be helpful for practitioners to apply maintenance strategies as energy conservation measures in implementing ISO 50001 standard.

Originality/value

The novelty of this paper is in-depth discussion on the concept and principle of each maintenance strategy (e.g. housekeeping or IBM, TBM and CBM) for energy efficiency. The relevant literature for each maintenance strategy was also summarized. In addition, basic rules for maintenance strategy selection are also proposed.
A new proposed model for tourists' destination image formation: the moderate effect of tourists' experiences
Authors: Hamdy Ahmed , Zhang Jian , Eid Riyad
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This study's goal is to look at how visitors' experiences affect the indirect links between the destination's extrinsic motivations (DEMs) and tourists' intrinsic motives (TIMs), on the one hand, and the perceived destination image (PDI), on the other.

Design/methodology/approach

Using structural equation modeling, 613 tourists from different nationalities were used to test the five hypotheses.

Findings

The research results revealed that second-order destinations' extrinsic motivations directly impact TIM and PDI. It also showed that tourists' experiences as moderators reduce the direct effect of DEM on PDI for first-time visitors compared to repeat visitors. Moreover, it increases the direct effect of TIM on PDI for repeated visitors.

Practical implications

Destination managers can fix the problems that hurt their reputations and images by hiring police officers in tourist areas and cleaning tourist places. In the same way, destination managers and travel agencies should use AI tools to create social media marketing campaigns focusing on natural and historical monuments. Also, the marketing plans should stress the value for money (for example, lodging, food and attractions’ cost). Finally, destination marketers can make programs for repeat visitors, focusing on DEM and TIM.

Originality/value

This article tries to fill a gap in the research on PDI formation in emerging markets as a modern technique in destination marketing by using the push-intrinsic and pull-extrinsic theories. It also looks at how the tourists' experiences moderate the direct link between DEM, TIM and PDI. Lastly, this study examines how TIM affects a destination's image in emerging markets.
Does sustainability in executive remuneration matter? The moderating effect of Italian firms’ corporate governance characteristics
Authors: Almici Alex
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to verify whether the integration of sustainability in executive compensation positively affects firms’ non-financial performance and whether corporate governance characteristics enhance the relationship between sustainability compensation and firms’ non-financial performance and to expand the domain of the impact of sustainability on non-financial performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This analysis is based on a sample of companies listed on the Milan Italian Stock Exchange from the Financial Times Milan Stock Exchange Index over the 2016–2020 period. Regression analysis was used by using data retrieved from the Refinitiv Eikon database and the sample firms’ remuneration reports.

Findings

The findings of this paper show that embedding sustainability in executive compensation positively affects firms’ non-financial performance. The results of this paper also reveal that specific corporate governance features can improve the impact of sustainability on non-financial performance.

Research limitations/implications

This analysis is limited to Italian firms included in the Financial Times Milan Stock Exchange Index; however, the findings are highly significant.

Practical implications

The findings provide regulators with useful insights for considering the integration of sustainability goals into executive remuneration. Another implication is that policymakers should require – at least – listed firms to fulfil specific corporate governance structural requirements. Finally, the findings can provide investors and financial analysts with a greater awareness of the role played by executive remuneration in the long-term value-creation process.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to addressing the relationship among sustainability, remuneration and non-financial disclosure, drawing on the stakeholder–agency theoretical framework and focusing on Italian firms. This issue has received limited attention with controversial results in the literature.
Making sense of a relational model within artistic creation (RMAC) through interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA)
Authors: Santos Telma João
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The case study is inspired in Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to make sense of a Relational Model within Artistic Creation (RMAC) developed by the author a long time in their artistic and research practices.

Design/methodology/approach

An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) is considered within a case study where the author is simultaneously researcher and participant, using old unsolicited diaries for more than a decade as raw material.

Findings

RMAC was previously presented as a tool for creating (maker) as well as a tool for research (researcher) in specific solo performance art projects, being the first time that it is approached through an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, bringing new insights into artistic practice and research within their intersections.

Originality/value

This paper brings them the use of IPA in a case study with a researcher-participant to make sense of how RMAC, a model already presented formally and developed for many years, appeared and changed the author's professional and personal life. Also, it is given a new study using diaries as material within IPA.
Effect of innovation capabilities on export performance: evidence from manufacturing SMEs in Tanzania
Authors: Ringo Denis Samwel , Kazungu Isaac , Tegambwage Amani Gration
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This paper examines the relationship between product innovation (PRODIN), process innovation (PROCIN) and export performance (EXPF) of manufacturing small-and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Moreover, the paper investigates the moderating effect of marketing innovation (MAKIN) in the relationship between PRODIN, PROCIN and the SMEs' EXPF.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional survey design was used and data were collected through structured questionnaires from 250 manufacturing exporting SMEs in Tanzania. CFA was used to test the measurement model. The hypotheses were empirically tested using PROCESS macro test.

Findings

The findings suggest that PRODIN is a significant determinant of EXPF. However, PROCIN was found to have a significant negative effect on EXPF. Additionally, MAKIN was found to be a significant moderator of the relationship between PRODIN, PROCIN and EXPF.

Research limitations/implications

This study covered only manufacturing SMEs. Future studies can include large firms because they may behave differently on innovations due to the resources advantage they have. Also, because only a single country context was used, the findings of this study should be interpreted with caution.

Practical implications

Managers of exporting SMEs should develop and cultivate PRODIN and MAKIN to nurture EXPF of their firms.

Originality/value

The findings of this study extend the application of resource-based view theory in exporting context by unpacking the process through which resources result in successful performance. Also, this study contributes to the debate about the innovation–EXPF relationship by establishing a moderating effect of MAKING in the relationship between PRODIN, PROCIN and EXPF.
The effectiveness of various strategies to improve DNA analysis of formaldehyde‐damaged tissues from embalmed cadavers for human identification purposes
Authors: Czado Natalia , LaRue Bobby , Wheeler Amanda , Houston Rachel , Holmes Amy , Grisedale Kelly , Hughes Sheree
Published: February 2023

Formalin‐fixed tissues provide the medical and forensic communities with alternative and often last resort sources of DNA for identification or diagnostic purposes. The DNA in these samples can be highly degraded and chemically damaged, making downstream genotyping using short tandem repeats (STRs) challenging. Therefore, the use of alternative genetic markers, methods that pre‐amplify the low amount of good quality DNA present, or methods that repair the damaged DNA template may provide more probative genetic information. This study investigated whether whole genome amplification (WGA) and DNA repair could improve STR typing of formaldehyde‐damaged (FD) tissues from embalmed cadavers. Additionally, comparative genotyping success using bi‐allelic markers, including INDELs and SNPs, was explored. Calculated random match probabilities (RMPs) using traditional STRs, INDEL markers, and two next generation sequencing (NGS) panels were compared across all samples. Overall, results showed that neither WGA nor DNA repair substantially improved STR success rates from formalin‐fixed tissue samples. However, when DNA from FD samples was genotyped using INDEL and SNP‐based panels, the RMP of each sample was markedly lower than the RMPs calculated from partial STR profiles. Therefore, the results of this study suggest that rather than attempting to improve the quantity and quality of severely damaged and degraded DNA prior to STR typing, a more productive approach may be to target smaller amplicons to provide more discriminatory DNA identifications. Furthermore, an NGS panel with less loci may yield better results when examining FD samples, due to more optimized chemistries that result in greater allelic balance and amplicon coverage.
Magnetic resonance imaging of the ankle: Pathology of the lateral and posterior compartments
Authors: Smith Paul Edmund , Morey Matthew , McManus Luke Joseph , Kong Andrew
Published: February 2023

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the gold standard for imaging the tendons and the ligaments of the ankle. MRI combines excellent tissue contrast and accurate anatomic delineation of joint structures. In the first article of this series, we discussed a compartmental approach to the interpretation of ankle pathology focusing on the anterior and medial compartments. This article will complete the MR review of the ankle, with a focus on the lateral and posterior compartments of the ankle.
Hsa_circ_0005273 acts as a sponge of miR‐509‐3p to promote the malignant behaviors of breast cancer by regulating HMMR expression
Authors: Peng Yong , Cui Jianhua , Ma Kaiwen , Zhong Xi
Published: February 2023

Background

Breast cancer (BC) is a common malignant tumor that threatens the health of women worldwide. Hsa_circ_0005273 has been identified as a carcinogenic factor in some solid tumors, including BC. However, the molecular mechanism of circ_0005273 in BC is poorly defined.

Methods

The expression of circ_0005273, miR‐509‐3p, and hyaluronan‐mediated motility receptor (HMMR) mRNA in BC was detected by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis were detected by 5‐ethynyl‐2′‐deoxyuridine, transwell, and flow cytometry assays. The glycolysis level was detected via specific kits. Western blot was used to detect protein expression. Binding between miR‐509‐3p and circ_0005273 or HMMR was also verified by dual‐luciferase reporter, RNA pull‐down, and RNA immunoprecipitation assays. Xenograft tumor model was used to detect tumor changes in mice, and immunohistochemistry assay was employed to detect Ki‐67 abundance.

Results

Circ_0005273 was increased in BC tissues and cells. Circ_0005273 knockdown might inhibit BC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, glutamine metabolism, and induce apoptosis. Circ_0005273 was a miR‐509‐3p, and the repression role of circ_0005273 absence on BC cell development was weakened by miR‐509‐3p inhibitor or HMMR overexpression. Circ_0005273 up‐regulated the expression of HMMR by sponging miR‐509‐3p. Additionally, circ_0005273 silencing might hinder tumor growth in vivo.

Conclusion

Circ_0005273 knockdown might repress BC cell malignant behaviors by regulating the miR‐509‐3p/HMMR axis, which might provide a potential therapeutic target for BC.
Risk assessment for non‐crop hosts of pea enation mosaic virus and the aphid vector Acyrthosiphon pisum
Authors: Clark Robert E. , Basu Saumik , Eigenbrode Sanford D. , Oeller Liesl C. , Crowder David W.
Published: February 2023

Viral insect‐borne plant pathogens have devastating impacts in agroecosystems. Vector‐borne pathogens are often transmitted by generalist insects that move between non‐crop and crop hosts. Insect vectors can have wide diet breadths, but it is often unknown which hosts serve as pathogen reservoirs and which non‐crop host harbours the highest density of vectors.

In the Pacific Northwest USA, the pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum) is a key virus vector in pulse crops. Despite pea aphid having a large number of potential non‐crop plant hosts occuring in the region, no reservoir has yet been identified for the economically‐costly pathogen Pea Enation Mosaic Virus (PEMV).

We addressed these issues by linking field surveys of an aphid vector and plant virus with statistical models to develop risk assessments for common non‐crop legumes; in 2018, we completed a 65‐site survey where aphids were surveyed in weedy legumes within and outside dry pea fields.

We quantified the abundance of pea aphids on 17 hosts, and plant tissue was tested for PEMV. Relatively high densities of A. pisum were found in habitats dominated by hairy vetch (Vicia villosa), which was the only legume other than cultivated dry pea where PEMV was detected.

Our results indicate that V. villosa is a key alternative host for PEMV, and that pest management practices in this region should consider the distribution and abundance of this weedy host in viral disease mitigation efforts for pulses.
Efficiency of genotyping by sequencing in inferring genomic relatedness and molecular insights into fat tail selection in Tunisian sheep
Authors: Bedhiaf‐Romdhani Sonia , Baazaoui Imen , Dodds Ken G. , Brauning Rudiger , Anderson Rayna M. , Van Stijn Tracey C. , McCulloch Alan F. , McEwan John Colin
Published: February 2023

In developing countries, the use of simple and cost‐efficient molecular technology is crucial for genetic characterization of local animal resources and better development of conservation strategies. The genotyping by sequencing (GBS) technique, also called restriction enzyme‐ reduced representational sequencing, is an efficient, cost‐effective method for simultaneous discovery and genotyping of many markers. In the present study, we applied a two‐enzyme GBS protocol (PstI/MspI) to discover and genotype SNP markers among 197 Tunisian sheep samples. A total of 100 333 bi‐allelic SNPs were discovered and genotyped with an SNP call rate of 0.69 and mean sample depth 3.33. The genomic relatedness between 183 samples grouped the samples perfectly to their populations and pointed out a high genetic relatedness of inbred subpopulation reflecting the current adopted reproductive strategies. The genome‐wide association study contrasting fat vs. thin‐tailed breeds detected 41 significant variants including a peak positioned on OAR20. We identified FOXC1, GMDS, VEGFA, OXCT1, VRTN and BMP2 as the most promising for sheep tail‐type trait. The GBS data have been useful to assess the population structure and improve our understanding of the genomic architecture of distinctive characteristics shaped by selection pressure in local sheep breeds. This study successfully investigates a cost‐efficient method to discover genotypes, assign populations and understand insights into sheep adaptation to arid area. GBS could be of potential utility in livestock species in developing/emerging countries.