bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
COVID-19: Modelling Local Transmission and Morbidity effects to provide an estimate of overall Relative Healthcare Resource Impact by General Practice Granularity
Authors: Stedman Michael , Lunt Mark , Davies Mark , Gibson Martin , Heald Adrian
Published: March 2020

Introduction

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the name given to the 2019 novel coronavirus. COVID-19 is the name given to the disease associated with the virus. SARS-CoV-2 is a new strain of coronavirus that has not been previously identified in humans.

Methods

Two key factors were analysed which when multiplied together would give an estimate of relative demand on healthcare utilisation. These factors were case incidence and case morbidity.

GP Practice data was used as this provided the most geographically granular source of published public population data. To analyse case incidence, the latest values for indicators that could be associated with infection transmission rates were collected from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) and Quality Outcome Framework (QOF) sources. These included population density, % age >16 at fulltime work/education, % age over 60, % BME ethnicity, social deprivation as IMD 2019, Location as latitude/longitude, and patient engagement as % self-confident in their own long term condition management.

Average case morbidity was calculated by applying the international mortality Odds Ratio to the local population relevant age and disease prevalences and then summing and dividing by the equivalent national figure. To provide a comparative measure of overall healthcare resource impact, individual GP practice impact scores were compared against the median practice.

Results

The case incidence regression is a dynamic situation with the significance of specific factors moderating over time as the balance between external infection, community transmission and impact of mitigation measures feeds through to the number of cases. It showed that currently Urban, % Working and age >60 were the strongest determinants of case incidence.

The local population comorbidity remains unchanged. The range of relative HC impact was wide with 80% of practices falling between 20%-250% of the national median.

Once practice population numbers were included it showed that the top 33% of GP practices supporting 45% of the patient population would require 68% of COVID-19 healthcare resources. The model provides useful information about the relative impact of Covid-19 on healthcare workload at GP practice granularity in all parts of England.

Conclusion

Covid-19 is impacting on the utilisation of health and social care resources across the country. This model provides a method for predicting relative local levels of disease burden based on defined criteria and thereby providing a method for targeting limited (and perhaps soon to be scarce) care resources to optimise national, regional and local responses to the COVID-19 outbreak..
The Population Attributable Fraction (PAF) of cases due to gatherings and groups with relevance to COVID-19 mitigation strategies
Authors: Brooks-Pollock Ellen , Read Jonathan M , House Thomas , Medley Graham F , Keeling Matt J , Danon Leon
Published: March 2020

Background

Many countries have banned groups and gatherings as part of their response to the pandemic caused by the coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2. Although there are outbreak reports involving mass gatherings, the contribution to overall transmission is unknown.

Methods

We used data from a survey of social contact behaviour that specifically asked about contact with groups to estimate the Population Attributable Fraction (PAF) due to groups as the relative change in the Basic Reproduction Number when groups are prevented.

Findings

Groups of 50+ individuals accounted for 0.5% of reported contact events, and we estimate that the PAF due to groups of 50+ people is 5.4% (95%CI 1.4%, 11.5%). The PAF due to groups of 20+ people is 18.9% (12.7%, 25.7%) and the PAF due to groups of 10+ is 25.2% (19.4%, 31.4%)

Interpretation

Large groups of individuals have a relatively small epidemiological impact; small and medium sized groups between 10 and 50 people have a larger impact on an epidemic.
A Tempo-geographic Analysis of Global COVID-19 Epidemic Outside of China
Authors: Liao Huipeng , Marley Gifty , Si Yafei , Wang Zaisheng , Xie Yewei , Wang Cheng , Tang Weiming
Published: March 2020

Background

Understanding the global epidemic trends, geographic distribution, and transmission patterns of COVID-19 contribute to providing timely information for the global response of the epidemic. This study aims to understand the global pandemic geospatial patterns and trends and identify new epicenters requiring urgent attention.

Methods

Data on COVID-19 between 31st Dec. 2019 and 14th Mar. 2020 was included. The epidemic trend was analyzed using joinpoint regressions; the growth of affected countries was by descriptive analysis; and the global distribution and transmission trend by spatial analysis. Findings: The number of new cases in the regions outside of China slowly increased before 24th Feb. and rapidly accelerated after 24th Feb. Compared to China, other affected countries experienced a longer duration of a slow increase at the early stage and rapid growth at the latter stages. The first apparent increase in the number of affected countries occurred from 23rd Jan to 1st Feb, and the second apparent increase started from 25th Feb. The fist COVID-19 cases reported by countries from 28th Feb. were mainly imported from Europe. The geographic distribution changed from single-center (13th Jan. - 20th Feb.) to multi-centers pattern (20th Feb. – 14th Mar.). More countries were affected with COVID-19 and developed local transmission.

Interpretation

The joinpoint regression and geospatial analysis indicated a multi-center pandemic of COVID-19. Strategies to prevent the new multiple centers as well as prevent ongoing transmission are needed.

Funding

NIH.
Pubertal timing in boys and girls born to mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus: a systematic review
Authors: Subramanian Anuradhaa , Idkowiak Jan , Toulis Konstantinos A. , Thangaratinam Shakila , Arlt Wiebke , Nirantharakumar Krishnarajah
Published: March 2020

Context

The incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has been on the rise, driven by maternal obesity. In parallel, pubertal tempo has increased in the general population, driven by childhood obesity.

Ojective

To evaluate the available evidence on pubertal timing of boys and girls born to mothers with GDM.

Data Sources

We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL Plus, Cochrane library and grey literature for observational studies up to October 2019.

Study selection and extraction

Two reviewers independently selected studies, collected data and appraised study quality. Results were tabulated and narratively described as reported in the primary studies.

Results

Seven articles (six for girls and four for boys) were included. Study quality score was mostly moderate (ranging from 4 to 10 out of 11). In girls born to mothers with GDM, estimates suggest earlier timing of pubarche, thelarche and menarche although for each of these outcomes only one study each showed a statistically significant association. In boys, there was some association between maternal GDM and earlier pubarche, but inconsistency in the direction of shift of age at onset of genital and testicular development and first ejaculation. Only a single study analysed growth patterns in children of mothers with GDM, describing a 3-month advancement in the age of attainment of peak height velocity and a slight increase in pubertal tempo.

Conclusions

Pubertal timing may be influenced by the presence of maternal GDM, though current evidence is sparse and of limited quality. Prospective cohort studies should be conducted, ideally coupled with objective biochemical tests.
RNA editing enzyme APOBEC3A promotes pro-inflammatory (M1) macrophage polarization
Authors: Alqassim Emad Y. , Sharma Shraddha , Khan Anm Nazmul H. , Emmons Tiffany , Cortes-Gomez Eduardo , Singel Kelly L. , Mark Jaron , Davidson Bruce A. , McGray A. J. Robert , Liu Qian , Lichty Brian D. , Moysich Kirsten B. , Wang Jianmin , Odunsi Kunle , Segal Brahm H. , Baysal Bora E.
Published: March 2020

Pro-inflammatory (M1) macrophage polarization is associated with microbicidal and antitumor responses. We recently described APOBEC3A-mediated cytosine-to-uracil (C>U) RNA editing during M1 polarization. However, the functional significance of this editing is unknown. Here, we find that APOBEC3A-mediated cellular RNA editing can also be induced by influenza or Maraba virus infections of normal human macrophages, and by interferons in tumor-associated macrophages. Gene knockdown and RNA_Seq analyses show that APOBEC3A mediates C>U RNA editing of 209 exonic/UTR sites in 203 genes during M1 polarization. The highest level of deleterious C>U RNA editing occurred inTHOC5, encoding a nuclear mRNA export protein implicated in M-CSF-driven macrophage differentiation. Knockdown of APOBEC3A reduces pro-inflammatory M1 markers includingIL6, IL23AandIL12Bgene expression, CD86 surface protein expression, and TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 cytokine secretion, and increases glycolysis and glycolytic capacity. Thus, APOBEC3A cytidine deaminase plays an important role in transcriptomic and functional polarization of M1 macrophages.
IMPLICON: an ultra-deep sequencing method to uncover DNA methylation at imprinted regions
Authors: Klobučar Tajda , Kreibich Elisa , Krueger Felix , Arez Maria , Pólvora-Brandão Duarte , von Meyenn Ferdinand , Teixeira da Rocha Simão , Eckersley-Maslin Melanie
Published: March 2020

Genomic imprinting is an epigenetic phenomenon leading to parental allele-specific expression. Dosage of imprinted genes is crucial for normal development and its dysregulation accounts for several human disorders. This unusual expression pattern is mostly dictated by differences in DNA methylation between parental alleles at specific regulatory elements known as imprinting control regions (ICRs). Although several approaches can be used for methylation inspection, we lack an easy and cost-effective method to simultaneously measure DNA methylation at multiple imprinted regions. Here, we present IMPLICON, a new high-throughput method measuring DNA methylation levels at imprinted regions with base-pair resolution and over 1000-fold coverage. We initially designed IMPLICON to look at ICRs in adult tissues of inbred mice. Then, we validated it in hybrid mice from reciprocal crosses for which we could discriminate methylation profiles in the two parental alleles. Lastly, we developed a human version of IMPLICON and detected imprinting errors in embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells. We also provide rules and guidelines to adapt this method for investigating the DNA methylation landscape of any set of genomic regions. In summary, IMPLICON is a rapid, cost-effective and scalable method, which could become the gold standard in both imprinting research and diagnostics.
A mechanism for sensing of and adaptation to K+deprivation in plants
Authors: Wang Feng-Liu , Tan Ya-Lan , Wallrad Lukas , Du Xin-Qiao , Eickelkamp Anna , Wang Zhi-Fang , He Ge-Feng , Han Jian-Pu , Schmitz-Thom Ina , Wu Wei-Hua , Kudla Jörg , Wang Yi
Published: March 2020

Potassium ions (K+) are essential for manifold cellular processes. Organismal K+homoeostasis requires sensing of K+availability, efficient uptake and defined distribution. Roots are the organ for K+uptake in plants and soil K+availability shapes root growth and architecture1. Important channels and transporters conveying cellular K+fluxes have been described2,3. Understanding K+sensing and the mechanisms that orchestrate downstream responses exemplifies how environmental conditions integrate with root development and is essential to advance plant nutrition for sustainable agriculture. Here, we report where plants sense K+deprivation and how this translates into spatially defined ROS signals to trigger HAK5 K+uptake transporter induction and accelerated maturation of the Casparian strip (CS) paracellular barrier. We define the organ scale K+pattern of roots and identify a postmeristematic K+-sensing niche (KSN) defined by rapid K+decline and Ca2+signals. We discover a Ca2+-triggered bifurcating low-K+signalling (LKS) axis in that LK-enhanced CIF peptide signalling reinforces SGN3-LKS4/SGN1 receptor kinase complex activation. As consequence, activation of the NOXs RBOHC and RBOHD conveys transcriptome adaptation including HAK5 induction and accelerated CS maturation superimposed on the RBOHF-executed default CS formation. These mechanisms synchronise developmental differentiation and transcriptome reprogramming for maintaining K+homoeostasis and optimising nutrient foraging by roots.
A mathematical model for the spatiotemporal epidemic spreading of COVID19
Authors: Arenas Alex , Cota Wesley , Gómez-Gardeñes Jesús , Gómez Sergio , Granell Clara , Matamalas Joan T. , Soriano David , Steinegger Benjamin
Published: March 2020

An outbreak of a novel coronavirus, named SARS-CoV-2, that provokes the COVID-19 disease, was first reported in Hubei, mainland China on 31 December 2019. As of 20 March 2020, cases have been reported in 166 countries/regions, including cases of human-to-human transmission around the world. The proportions of this epidemics is probably one of the largest challenges faced by our interconnected modern societies. According to the current epidemiological reports, the large basic reproduction number, R0 ∼ 2.3, number of secondary cases produced by an infected individual in a population of susceptible individuals, as well as an asymptomatic period (up to 14 days) in which infectious individuals are undetectable without further analysis, pave the way for a major crisis of the national health capacity systems. Recent scientific reports have pointed out that the detected cases of COVID19 at young ages is strikingly short and that lethality is concentrated at large ages. Here we adapt a Microscopic Markov Chain Approach (MMCA) metapopulation mobility model to capture the spread of COVID-19. We propose a model that stratifies the population by ages, and account for the different incidences of the disease at each strata. The model is used to predict the incidence of the epidemics in a spatial population through time, permitting investigation of control measures. The model is applied to the current epidemic in Spain, using the estimates of the epidemiological parameters and the mobility and demographic census data of the national institute of statistics (INE). The results indicate that the peak of incidence will happen in the first half of April 2020 in absence of mobility restrictions. These results can be refined with improved estimates of epidemiological parameters, and can be adapted to precise mobility restrictions at the level of municipalities. The current estimates largely compromises the Spanish health capacity system, in particular that for intensive care units, from the end of March. However, the model allows for the scrutiny of containment measures that can be used for health authorities to forecast with accuracy their impact in prevalence of COVID–19. Here we show by testing different epidemic containment scenarios that we urge to enforce total lockdown to avoid a massive collapse of the Spanish national health system.
Clinically Applicable Deep Learning for Intracranial Aneurysm Detection in Computed Tomography Angiography Images: A Comprehensive Multicohort Study
Authors: Shi Zhao , Miao Chongchang , Pan Chengwei , Chai Xue , Li Xiu Li , Xia Shuang , Gu Yan , Zhang Yonggang , Hu Bin , Xu Wenda , Zhou Changsheng , Luo Son , Wang Hao , Mao Li , Liang Kongming , Yu Yizhou , Lu Guang Ming , Zhang Long Jiang
Published: March 2020

Intracranial aneurysm is a common life-threatening disease. CTA is recommended as a standard diagnosis tool, while the interpretation is time-consuming and challenging. We presented a novel deep-learning-based framework trained on 1,177 DSA verified bone-removal CTA cases. The framework had excellent tolerance to the influence of occult cases of CTA-negative but DSA-positive aneurysms, image quality, and manufacturers. Simulated real-world studies were conducted in consecutive internal and external cohorts, achieving improved sensitivity and negative predictive value than radiologists. A specific cohort of suspected acute ischemic stroke was employed and found 96.8% predicted-negative cases can be trusted with high confidence, leading to reducing in human burden. A prospective study is warranted to determine whether the algorithm could improve patients’ care in comparison to radiologists’ assessment.
Optimising age coverage of seasonal influenza vaccination in England: A mathematical and health economic evaluation
Authors: Hill Edward M. , Petrou Stavros , Forster Henry , de Lusignan Simon , Yonova Ivelina , Keeling Matt J.
Published: March 2020

For infectious disease prevention, policy-makers are typically required to base policy decisions in light of operational and monetary restrictions, prohibiting implementation of all candidate interventions. To inform the evidence-base underpinning policy decision making, mathematical and health economic modelling can be a valuable constituent. Applied to England, this study aims to identify the optimal target age groups when extending a seasonal influenza vaccination programme of at-risk individuals to those individuals at low risk of developing complications following infection. To perform this analysis, we utilise an age- and strain-structured transmission model that includes immunity propagation mechanisms which link prior season epidemiological outcomes to immunity at the beginning of the following season. Making use of surveillance data from the past decade in conjunction with our dynamic model, we simulate transmission dynamics of seasonal influenza in England from 2012 to 2018. We infer that modified susceptibility due to natural infection in the previous influenza season is the only immunity propagation mechanism to deliver a non-negligible impact on the transmission dynamics. Further, we discerned case ascertainment to be higher for young infants compared to adults under 65 years old, and uncovered a decrease in case ascertainment as age increased from 65 to 85 years of age. Our health economic appraisal sweeps vaccination age space to determine threshold vaccine dose prices achieving cost-effectiveness under differing paired strategies. In particular, we model offering vaccination to all those low-risk individuals younger than a given age (but no younger than two years old) and all low-risk individuals older than a given age, while maintaining vaccination of at-risk individuals of any age. All posited strategies were deemed cost-effective. In general, the addition of low-risk vaccination programmes whose coverage encompassed children and young adults (aged 20 and below) were highly cost-effective. The inclusion of old age-groups to the low-risk programme typically lessened the cost-effectiveness. Notably, elderly-centric programmes vaccinating from 65-75 years and above had the least permitted expense per vaccine.
Relevance of brain MRI in patients with uveitis: retrospective cohort on 402 patients
Authors: Chirpaz N. , Kerever S. , Gavoille A. , Kodjikian L. , Bernier R. , Gerfaud-Valentin M. , Denis P. , Mathis T. , Jamilloux Y. , Sève P.
Published: March 2020

Aim

To assess the diagnostic value of brain magnetic resonance imaging (bMRI) for the etiological diagnosis of uveitis and to establish predictive factors associated with its advantageous use.

Methods

Retrospective study on all patients with de novo uveitis who were referred to our tertiary hospital and who underwent a bMRI between 2003 and 2018. The bMRI was considered useful if it served to confirm a diagnosis or correct a misdiagnosis. We also collected characteristics of uveitis and associated ophthalmological and neurological clinical signs.

Results

Brain MRI was contributive in 19 out of 402 cases (5%): 10 multiple sclerosis, 5 radiologically isolated syndromes, and 4 oculocerebral lymphomas.

A total of 34 (8%) had neurological signs and 13 (38%) of those patients had a contributive bMRI. Meanwhile, in the absence of neurological signs, 1% of bMRIs were contributive, and none of them resulted in specific treatment.

Among patients with a contributive bMRI, 68% had neurological signs. Univariate analysis established that neurological signs (p<0.001), granulomatous uveitis (p=0.003), retinal vasculitis (p=0.002), and intermediate uveitis (p<0.001) were all significantly associated with a contributive bMRI. Multivariate analysis confirms the significant association of neurological signs (p<0.001) and intermediate uveitis (p=0.01).

Patients with oculocerebral lymphoma were significantly older (p<0.001) and all were above 40 years of age.

Conclusion

Brain MRI appears to be a relevant and contributive exam, but it should be performed in cases of intermediate/posterior uveitis or panuveitis accompanied by neurological signs, retinal vasculitis, or in patients older than 40, to rule out an oculocerebral lymphoma.
Pancake-bonding of semiquinone radicals under variable temperature and pressure conditions
Authors: Bogdanov Nikita E. , Milašinović Valentina , Zakharov Boris A. , Boldyreva Elena V. , Molčanov Krešimir
Published: March 2020

The effects of temperature (100–370 K) and pressure (0–6 GPa) on the non-localized two-electron multicentric covalent bonds (`pancake bonding') in closely bound radical dimers were studied using single-crystal X-ray diffraction on a 4-cyano-N-methylpyridinium salt of 5,6-dichloro-2,3-dicyanosemiquinone radical anion (DDQ) as the sample compound. On cooling, the anisotropic structural compression was accompanied by continuous changes in molecular stacking; the discontinuities in the changes in volume and b and c cell parameters suggest that a phase transition occurs between 210 and 240 K. At a pressure of 2.55 GPa, distances between radical dimers shortened to 2.9 Å, which corresponds to distances observed in extended π-bonded polymers. Increasing pressure further to 6 GPa reduced the interplanar separation of the radicals to 2.75 Å. This may indicate that the covalent component of the interaction significantly increased, in accordance with the results of DFT calculations reported elsewhere [Molčanov et al. (2019), Cryst. Growth Des.
19, 391–402].
Women empowerment in agriculture and food security in Savannah Accelerated Development Authority zone of Ghana
Authors: Asitik Akanganngang Joseph , Abu Benjamin Musah
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This paper assessed the causal effect of women empowerment in agriculture (WEA) on household food security in the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) zone of Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used the extended probit regression with endogenous treatment to account for potential endogeneity of empowerment and food security using data from the United States Agency for International Development's (USAID) Feed the Future baseline survey.

Findings

All three indicators of women empowerment positively impact food security. In specific terms, when women participate in crop and livestock decision-making in the household, and when they have access to cultivable lands, their households have lower probabilities of being severely or moderately hungry. Also, crop decision-making exhibits the highest impact on food security.

Practical implications

While there may be several policy options to eradicate food insecurity challenges in Ghana, the policy measure of empowering women in agriculture needs attention. Priority should be given to empowering them in production decision-making.

Social implications

There is the need to sensitise households on the importance of women decision-making within the household and their access to land.

Originality/value

In the context of the empowerment literature, from our search, this study is the first in applying the hunger scale as a measure of food security and represents the first attempt at examining the effect of women empowerment on food security in Ghana.
Design heuristics for customer-centric business processes
Authors: Frank Lukas , Poll Rouven , Roeglinger Maximilian , Lea Rupprecht
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Customer centricity has evolved into a success factor for many companies, requiring all corporate activities – including business processes – to be aligned with customer needs. With most existing approaches to business process (re-)design focusing on process efficiency, customers are often treated as second-class citizens. Despite emergent research on customer process management, there is a lack of guidance on how to design customer-centric business processes.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted a structured literature review and analyzed companies awarded for outstanding customer centricity to compile design heuristics for customer-centric business processes. The authors iteratively validated and refined these heuristics with experts from academia and industry. Finally, the heuristics was grouped according to their expected impact on interaction capabilities to enable their prioritization in specific settings.

Findings

The authors proposed 15 expert-approved and literature-backed design heuristics for customer-centric business processes together with real-world examples. The heuristics aim at increasing customer satisfaction with interaction-intensive core processes, which is an important driver of corporate success.

Originality/value

The design heuristics complement existing efficiency-centered (re-)design heuristics. They reflect cognitive shortcuts that support process analysts in the generation of innovative ideas during process (re-)design. The heuristics also add to customer process management and help put customer centricity into practice.
Temperature suppression of metal panel in electromagnetic field
Authors: Zheng Guochao , Wang Fuli , Yan Baiping , Cheng Runting
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to suppress the temperature rise of high voltage wall bushing metal plate.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the authors built a model of a traditional metal plate and got the magnetic field intensity distribution by FEA tools. Optimized according to the magnetic field intensity distribution, the authors slot the traditional metal plate and embed permanent magnets in the slot. Finally, the authors got the temperature distribution diagrams of the above three cases at different current levels by FEA tools.

Findings

Slotted metal plate is beneficial to suppress magnetic induction intensity, but the improvement of the magnetic induction intensity uniformity is not obvious. The method of embedding a permanent magnet in a slotted metal plate can optimize the magnitude and uniformity of the magnetic induction intensity in the metal plate. The larger the current passing through the metal plate, the better the temperature suppression effect of the slotted metal plate and the slotted metal plate embedded in the permanent magnet.

Originality/value

The effect of structural factors, slotting plate and setting permanent magnets on slots on the temperature of supporting plate is studied. The paper proposes two methods, slotting metal panels and embedding permanent magnet metal panels, to solve the problems of eddy current loss and high calorific value of the panel, which is of great significance to the safety of the grid equipment.
Simplified method for calculating ground lateral displacement induced by foundation pit excavation
Authors: Cheng Kang , Riqing Xu , Ying Hong-wei , Cungang Lin , Gan Xiaolu
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to present a simplified analytical method to estimate ground lateral displacement due to excavation. Excavations of foundation pit will inevitably lead to soil movements that may adversely impact surrounding facilities or structures. Thus, estimation of the ground displacement induced by excavation is essential in engineering practice.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a theory of elastic mechanics, a simplified analytical method for predicting the ground lateral displacement resulting from foundation pit excavation is proposed.

Findings

As the distance from the soil to the supporting structure increases, the maximum ground lateral displacement decreases nonlinearly but at a reduced rate. Poisson’s ratio of soil has a mild influence on the ground lateral displacement, whereas the influence of the supporting structure’s deflection modes is significant.

Originality/value

The advantage of the proposed simplified analytical method lies in that it considers the supporting structure’s arbitrary deflections, giving it wider practical applicability than previous methods.
Experimental investigation on the bending and buckling behavior of bio-based core innovative sandwich panels
Authors: Si Salem Abdelmadjid , Taouche-Kkheloui Fatma , Ait Tahar Kamal
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The present study aims to experimentally investigate the flexural and buckling performances of novel sandwich panels manufactured with sawdust-based modified mortar core and both polypropylene and reinforced polymer plates as skins.

Design/methodology/approach

The experimental investigation includes two main steps, characterization tests were firstly carried out in order to identify the laws behavior of the constitutive raw materials. The second one investigates 42 sandwich panels tested under three-points bending and buckling according to standard norms.

Findings

The emphasized test results in terms of bearing capacity; buckling strength, ductility, and failure mechanisms confirm that the overall and observed behavior of tested eco-friendly panels was in general satisfactory compared with experimental values reported in the literature. Indeed, the failure modes under bending and buckling conditions were summarized as shear/crimping failure of the sawdust-based mortar core without debonding of the core–skins interface.

Originality/value

The paper provides original information about the development of novel sandwich panels with a bio-based core and polymer skins for construction usage as interior partitioning walls.
Effect of ballistic impact on Ti6Al-4V titanium alloy and 1070 carbon steel bi-layer armour panel
Authors: Shasthri Sivaguru , Kausalyah Venkatason
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Ballistic missile-resistant impact panels have seen fair advancement over the years, especially in military applications. However, high cost, as well as a changing materials landscape, has impressed the need for a deeper understanding of impact mechanism as well as of new permutations in design strategy development. Parameters such as projectile impact angle, panel impact location as well as application of multilayer sandwich panels are not fully explored and characterised. In this work, finite element method simulation methodology is used on a 25 mm by 25 mm plate of 3.5 mm thickness to investigate the above-mentioned parameters and conditions. Solid elements using Johnson–Cook damage material models are developed. Two common impact angles of 90 and 45° at centre and plate-edge locations are investigated for single-layer titanium alloy and carbon steel panels. Subsequently, a bilayer panel comprising of titanium alloy at the impact layer with the same overall plate thickness is investigated for impact at five different impact speed (ranging from 100 ms-1 to 500 ms-1). The displacements and von Mises stresses are documented for all cases, and it is shown that angular impact angles bring about greater plastic deformations as well as higher fracture likelihood compared to normal angle impact. Findings also indicate that with an addition of 1 mm thick Ti-6Al-4V front bilayer, the impact resistance of the high carbon steel is significantly improved (up to twice the impact load), especially at higher impact velocities. The study documents the properties of titanium alloy–carbon steel bilayer armoured panel, which shows good promise for its implementation due to its superior performance and its cost-savings potential.

Design/methodology/approach

In this work, finite element method simulation methodology is used to investigate the above-mentioned parameters and conditions. Solid elements using Johnson–Cook damage material models are developed. Two common impact angles 90 and 45° at centre and plate-edge locations are investigated for single-layer titanium alloy and carbon steel panels, and, subsequently, a bilayer panel comprising of titanium alloy for the outer layer is investigated for the combination of the same aforementioned materials. Five different impact speed effects are studied.

Findings

The effects and trends of displacements and stresses are documented for all cases and shown to indicate angular impact angles bringing about greater plastic deformations as well as higher fracture likelihood compared to normal angle impact. Findings also show that with an addition of 1 mm thick Ti-6Al-4V front bilayer, the impact resistance of the high carbon steel is significantly improved, especially at higher impact velocities.

Originality/value

The study documents the properties of titanium alloy–carbon steel bilayer armoured panel, which shows good promise for its implementation due to its superior performance and its cost-savings potential.
Factors affecting assignment completion in higher education
Authors: Suamuang Wuttiporn , Suksakulchai Surachai , Murphy Elizabeth
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to simultaneously investigate a variety of factors related to assignment completion (AC) (i.e. task orientation, cooperation, teacher feedback, time management and time spent on AC).

Design/methodology/approach

The study relied on a self-report survey to assess students' perceptions in relation to six variables. Participants included 1,106 undergraduate students from six public Thai universities. Analysis involved structural equation modeling.

Findings

This study provided new results related to task orientation as the strongest predictor of AC and time management. Cooperation and feedback improved AC with time management as an intervening variable. Time management and feedback did not predict time spent on AC.

Research limitations/implications

Future studies might explore the potential range of assignments that, for example, count for a higher portion of the grade versus those that are less or unimportant in terms of the course. Future studies might also look at the role of group assignments in relation to completion. Semi-structured interviews or observations might provide insights into how students manage their time and why task orientation has the most effect on AC. Future research might investigate more specifically at what point time management does or does not affect completion. In general, given the growth of online learning and contexts in which students may be increasingly called on to complete assignments independently, factors such as those investigated in this study will require more attention in varying countries and contexts, generically and for individual subjects.

Practical implications

Instructional designers and instructors can promote task orientation through reliance on strategic scaffolding. For designing a task-oriented environment, instructors need to offer challenging assignments. Instructors should also assign work that encourages motivation, effort and achievement. To ensure that cooperative learning positively affects time management, instructors and designers can allot specific in-class time for completion of tasks, reliance on flipped classroom activities and student conversations regarding time restrictions and time-management skills. Instructors can be supported to help them provide appropriate types of feedback, as well as ideas for implementing the feedback in practice.

Originality/value

Little research has been conducted on AC in higher education. Those studies that have been conducted have focused on the elementary and secondary levels. Furthermore, studies have not always taken into account the complex relationships between different factors that can potentially influence AC.
Digital marketing for B2B organizations: structured literature review and future research directions
Authors: Pandey Neeraj , Nayal Preeti , Rathore Abhijeet Singh
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This study aims to analyze the available literature on the use of digital marketing in a business-to-business (B2B) context. It identifies gaps in the current research knowledge and proposes a research agenda for scholars and practitioners.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review has been conducted on B2B digital marketing. The various themes have been identified on the basis of the comprehensive analysis of extant literature. Also, semi-structured interviews with B2B marketing experts were also conducted to further refine the emerged digital marketing themes.

Findings

Although some B2B firms use digital marketing, most are unable to leverage its full benefits because of the dearth of comprehensive research on the subject. This review provides an insight into the emerging themes by developing a collaborative conceptual framework. The review highlights that few areas such as digital marketing communication and sales management have witnessed steady development while decision support systems, critical success factors, electronic marketing orientation (EMO), etc., were lesser explored. Furthermore, it identifies research gaps and highlights the emerging research themes for future researchers.

Practical implications

The collaborative framework will help organizations to align their digital marketing activities as per the changing market dynamics such as the focus on building social media capability, EMO and value co-creation.

Originality/value

Research on the use of digital marketing by B2B firms is still at the embryonic stage. This study is a pioneering effort to review the use of digital marketing in B2B organizations and identify research priorities for scholars and practitioners.
Equity of health-care financing: a progressivity analysis for Egypt
Authors: Ahmed Yara , Ramadan Racha , Sakr Mohamed Fathi
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to evaluate the progressivity of health-care financing in Egypt by assessing all five financing sources individually and then combining them to analyze the equity of the whole financing system.

Design/methodology/approach

Lorenz dominance analysis and Kakwani progressivity index were applied on data from 2010/2011 Household Income, Expenditure, and Consumption Survey and the National Health Accounts 2011 using Stata to evaluate the progressivity of each source of health-care finance and the financing system overall.

Findings

The data show that Egypt’s health-care system, which is largely financed by out-of-pocket (OOP) payments, is slightly regressive, with an overall Kakwani index of −0.079. The overall regressive effect was the result of three regressive sources (OOP payments, an earmarked cigarette tax and direct taxes), one proportional finance source (social health insurance) and two slightly progressive sources (indirect taxes and private health insurance). This shows that the burden of financing health care falls more on the poor. These results signal the need for reform of health-care financing in Egypt to reduce dependence on OOP payments to achieve more equitable financing.

Originality/value

The paper seeks to augment the literature on health-care financing in Egypt by calculating specific progressivity estimates for all five sources of financing the Egyptian health-care system and analyzing the overall equity of this financing system. It will, therefore, provide a benchmark for monitoring the equity of finance in the Egyptian health-care system in future studies and allow one to assess the impact of implemented financing reforms in the future on the level of progressivity of health system financing.
Measuring knowledge spillovers transfer from scholars in business schools: validation of a multiple-item scale
Authors: Prado-Gascó Vicente , Amara Nabil , Olmos-Peñuela Julia
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop and validate a 12-item scale of knowledge spillovers transfer (KST) from scholars in business schools to practitioners outside academia.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 807 faculty members from 35 Canadian business schools was used for the psychometric evaluation of the questionnaire. The reliability of the scale was assessed by Cronbach’s alpha. The construct validity was examined through exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. The nomological validity was assessed by analyzing the prediction of two output indicators by means of KST using structural equation modeling and by testing differences in KST according to other related variables.

Findings

The psychometric properties obtained indicate that the instrument is reliable and valid, which invites to its use as a diagnostic tool of KST from scholars in business schools to users outside academia.

Research limitations/implications

The KST questionnaire developed and validated in this study can be considered as a useful practical tool enabling the assessment of business scholars’ KST activities.

Practical implications

The KST questionnaire developed may enlighten business schools’ administrators and policy-makers to identify and implement actions to improve the transfer of knowledge between research and practice.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, despite the wide range of quantitative measures proposed in the literature, this is the first study that aims to present a comprehensive, accurate and validated scale to measure KST from scholars in business schools to practitioners outside academia.
How did a local guerrilla turn into a global gorilla? Learning how transformational change happened under dynamic capabilities from the rise of Huawei
Authors: Liang Xin , Xiu Lin , Fang Wei , Wu Sibin
Published: March 2020

Purpose

In this paper, the authors tentatively develop a theoretical model that depicts how the dynamic capabilities of a firm may be driven by three macro-organizational foundations: visionary leadership, organizational culture, and empowered human resources. The authors propose that visionary leaders are the original driver of dynamic capabilities and that visionary leaders create a unique organizational culture and empowered human resources so that their organizations embrace the spirit of entrepreneurship, an orientation toward learning, and a commitment to mission-driven improvement.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use a case of the early success of a highly performing Chinese telecommunication equipment producer, Huawei Technology, to explain the theoretical model that shows how dynamic capabilities are developed as visionary leaders influence firm routines for learning, innovation, and strategic human resource policies, which in turn collectively create and update operational capabilities to deliver directly manipulatable competitive advantages.

Findings

The paper concludes by arguing that the sources of dynamic capabilities need not be dynamic. Instead, visionary leadership, organizational culture, and human resource policies are relatively stable factors in comparison with other possible competence-building mechanisms such as innovation or ambidexterity.

Practical implications

The authors’ model provides a direction for firms in high-tech industries to develop dynamic capabilities in order to maintain competitiveness and sustain high performance.

Originality/value

This paper is the first to present three macro-level drivers of dynamic capabilities, and it is also the first to understand the success of Huawei from a dynamic capabilities perspective.
Pseudo-ownership advertising appeal creates brand psychological ownership: the role of self-construal and customer type
Authors: Kou Yan , Powpaka Samart
Published: March 2020

Purpose

In the advertising strategy called pseudo-ownership advertising appeal, ownership-implying language (e.g. my, our or your) is used to induce consumers’ “ownership” of a brand. This study aims to investigate the influence of pseudo-ownership advertising appeal on brand psychological ownership and consequent brand attitude, purchase intention and choice. This study also assessed the relative effectiveness of different types of possessive pronouns in different customer segments.

Design/methodology/approach

Four experiments, involving both students and non-students, were conducted to test the hypotheses. Experiments 1 and 2 investigated the effects of the first-person singular and plural possessive pronouns (“my” and “our”) on psychological ownership and on brand attitude, purchase intention and choice. Experiment 3 investigated the interacting effects of self-construal (independent vs interdependent) and possessive pronoun (singular vs plural) on psychological ownership and brand attitudes. Experiment 4 investigated the interacting effects of customer type (potential vs current) and possessive pronoun (first-person vs second-person) on psychological ownership and brand attitudes.

Findings

Pseudo-ownership advertising appeal resulted in the development of brand psychological ownership, as well as inducing favorable attitudes, purchase intentions and brand choice. Furthermore, consumers with interdependent self-construal developed stronger psychological ownership when pseudo-ownership advertising appeal incorporated plural possessive pronouns, and consumers with independent self-construal developed stronger psychological ownership when pseudo-ownership advertising appeal incorporated singular possessive pronouns. Potential consumers developed stronger psychological ownership when pseudo-ownership advertising appeal incorporated second- vs first-person possessive pronouns, and current consumers developed the same psychological ownership for first- and second-person possessive pronouns.

Originality/value

Possessive pronouns used in advertising can enhance brand psychological ownership. Conditions that moderate the relative effectiveness of first- vs second-person and singular vs plural possessive pronouns on brand psychological ownership and consequential consumer responses can be identified. These findings extend research focusing solely on the self-referencing effects of second-pronoun use (“you”) in advertising on consumer attitudes and behaviors by paying attention to the “ownership” effects of possessive pronouns.
Conceptual framework for real estate transactions
Authors: Gleißner Werner , Oertel Cay
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is the development for a conceptual framework with regard to the risk management of real estate positions as foundation for transaction decisions. In this context, the current market environment and legal obligations are the main drivers for market participants to improve their risk management practices. Based on this environment, a practical but science backed model is outlined.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses a conceptual approach based on the existing literature to develop a practical decision support system. In addition, the current risk management best practices are outlined to illustrate the corporate and methodological foundation for the decision support system.

Findings

The conceptual model development reveals a clear necessity for the supplementation of price to value measures. Additional measures are derived from theoretic considerations based on Monte Carlo Simulation approaches to the risk management of property investments. These additional risk metrics support investors in order make risk-appropriate decisions.

Practical implications

The resulting decision support system can be applied to the risk management of transaction decisions. Here, the model can be applied in any investment decision to support portfolio management considerations from a comprehensive risk management perspective. Investors can implement the system as part of their transaction procedure.

Originality/value

The existing body of literature mainly focuses on macroeconomic ratios in the context of decision support. In contrast, the present paper reveals a corporate decision support system, which is supposed to foster decisions of market agents especially with regard to potential price and value divergences and tightening legal obligations.