bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The clinically extremely vulnerable to COVID: Identification and changes in healthcare while self-isolating (shielding) during the coronavirus pandemic
Authors: Butler Jessica E. , Nath Mintu , Blana Dimitra , Ball William P. , Beech Nicola , Black Corri , Osler Graham , Peytrignet Sebastien , Wilde Katie , Wozniak Artur , Sawhney Simon
Published: September 2021

Background

In March 2020, the government of Scotland identified people deemed clinically extremely vulnerable to COVID due to their pre-existing health conditions. These people were advised to strictly self-isolate (shield) at the start of the pandemic, except for necessary healthcare. We examined who was identified as clinically extremely vulnerable, how their healthcare changed during isolation, and whether this process exacerbated healthcare inequalities.

Methods

We linked those on the shielding register in NHS Grampian, a health authority in Scotland, to healthcare records from 2015-2020. We described the source of identification, demographics, and clinical history of the cohort. We measured changes in out-patient, in-patient, and emergency healthcare during isolation in the shielding population and compared to the general non-shielding population.

Results

The register included 16,092 people (3% of the population), clinically vulnerable primarily due to a respiratory disease, immunosuppression, or cancer. Among them, 42% were not identified by national healthcare record screening but added ad hoc, with these additions including more children and fewer economically-deprived.

During isolation, all forms of healthcare use decreased (25%-46%), with larger decreases in scheduled care than in emergency care. However, people shielding had better maintained scheduled care compared to the non-shielding general population: out-patient visits decreased 35% vs 49%; in-patient visits decreased 46% vs 81%. Notably, there was substantial variation in whose scheduled care was maintained during isolation: younger people and those with cancer had significantly higher visit rates, but there was no difference between sexes or socioeconomic levels.

Conclusions

Healthcare changed dramatically for the clinically extremely vulnerable population during the pandemic. The increased reliance on emergency care while isolating indicates that continuity of care for existing conditions was not optimal. However, compared to the general population, there was success in maintaining scheduled care, particularly in young people and those with cancer. We suggest that integrating demographic and primary care data would improve identification of the clinically vulnerable and could aid prioritising their care.
Serosurvey in two rural areas evidences recent and previously undetected WNV and SLEV circulation in Costa Rica
Authors: Piche-Ovares Marta , Romero-Vega Mario , Vargas-González Diana , Barrantes-Murillo Daniel , Soto-Garita Claudio , Francisco-Llamas Jennifer , Alfaro-Alarcón Alejandro , Jiménez Carlos , Corrales-Aguilar Eugenia
Published: September 2021

West Nile virus (WNV) and Saint Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV) share similar virus transmission cycles that involve birds as amplifiers and mosquitoes as vectors. Mammals, including humans, are dead-end-hosts that may be asymptomatic or develop more severe symptoms. Costa Rica is a hyperendemic country for several flaviviruses such as Dengue (DENV) and Zika (ZIKV) and previous research showed limited and restricted SLEV and WNV circulation in horses, sloths, and monkeys. Nevertheless, actual seroprevalence and high transmission areas are not yet identified. To determine putative WNV and SLEV circulation, we sampled peri-domestic and domestic animals, humans, wild birds, and mosquitoes in rural households located in two DENV and ZIKV hyperendemic regions during the rainy and dry seasons of 2017-2018 and conducted PRNT assays for serology and RT-PCR for virus detection. At Cuajiniquil, serological evidence of WNV and SLEV was found in equines, humans, chickens, and wild birds. Also, 5 seroconversion events were recorded for WNV (2 equine), SLEV (1 human), and DENV-1 (2 humans). At Talamanca, a lack of WNV circulation was found, but evidence of SLEV circulation was recorded in equines, humans, and wild birds. No evidence of active viral infection was found in any mosquitoes or wild bird samples. This seroconversion evidence supports the active and recent circulation of SLEV and WNV in these two regions. This study provides clear-cut evidence of WNV and SLEV circulation and should be considered by the health and epidemiology authorities for future prevention and differential diagnostics.

Author summary

Mosquitoes serve as vectors for the transmission of infectious diseases such as WNV and SLEV. The natural virus cycle of these viruses is maintained between birds and mosquitoes. Yet, humans and horses are dead end-hosts and can develop severe diseases such as encephalitis. We aimed to elucidate if WNV or SLEV were silently circulating in two regions of the country that historically report numerous cases of other arboviruses such as Dengue and Zika. Eight households were sampled at each region twice during the rainy (high number of arbovirus related infections are reported) and dry season (lower number of infections reported) to record seroconversion events. Serum samples from different species were analyzed using serology and virus presence was detected through molecular methods for wild bird and mosquito pools samples. We found serological evidence of WNV and SLEV infection in horses, humans, wild birds, and chicken samples, but did not detect actual virus in any tissue or mosquito sample. Taken together, our result shows the active but silent circulation of those viruses at both sampling sites. Action to include these arboviruses into diagnostics and public health measures must be taken.
Effectiveness of the Single-Dose Ad26.COV2.S COVID Vaccine
Authors: Polinski Jennifer M. , Weckstein Andrew R. , Batech Michael , Kabelac Carly , Kamath Tripthi , Harvey Raymond , Jain Sid , Rassen Jeremy A. , Khan Najat , Schneeweiss Sebastian
Published: September 2021

Importance

Vaccination against the SARS-CoV-2 virus is critical to control the pandemic. Randomized trials demonstrated efficacy of the single-dose Ad26.COV2.S COVID vaccine but data on longer-term protection in clinical practice and effectiveness against variants are needed.

Objective

To assess the effectiveness of Ad26.COV2.S in preventing COVID infections and COVID-related hospitalizations in clinical practice, the longer-term stability of its protective effect and effectiveness against Delta variants.

Design

Cohort study of newly Ad26.COV2.S-vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals.

Setting

U.S. insurance claims data through July 2021.

Participants

Individuals 18 years and older newly vaccinated with Ad26.COV2.S and up to 10 unvaccinated individuals matched exactly by age, sex, date, location, comorbidity index plus 17 COVID-19 risk factors via propensity score (PS) matching.

Intervention

Vaccination with Ad26.COV2.S versus no vaccination.

Main outcomes

We estimated vaccine effectiveness (VE) for observed COVID-19 infection and COVID-19-related hospitalization, nationwide and stratified by age, immunocompromised status, calendar time, and states with high incidence of the Delta variant. We corrected VE estimates for under-recording of vaccinations in insurance data.

Results

Among 390,517 vaccinated and 1,524,153 matched unvaccinated individuals, VE was 79% (95% CI, 77% to 80%) for COVID-19 and 81% (79% to 84%) for COVID-19-related hospitalizations. VE was stable over calendar time. Among states with high Delta variant incidence, VE during June/July 2021 was 78% (73% to 82%) for infections and 85% (73% to 91%) for hospitalizations. VE for COVID-19 was higher in individuals <50 years (83%; 81% to 85%) and lower in immunocompromised patients (64%; 57% to 70%). All estimates were corrected for under-recording; uncorrected VE was 69% (67% to 71%) and 73% (69% to 76%), for COVID-19 and COVID-19-related hospitalization, respectively.

Conclusions

These non-randomized data across U.S. clinical practices show high and stable vaccine effectiveness of Ad26.COV2.S over time before the Delta variant emerged to when the Delta variant was dominant.
MinoTour, real-time monitoring and analysis for Nanopore Sequencers
Authors: Munro Rory , Santos Roberto , Payne Alexander , Forey Teri , Osei Solomon , Holmes Nadine , Loose Matt
Published: September 2021

MinoTour offers a LIMS system for Oxford Nanopore Technology (ONT) sequencers, with real-time metrics and analysis available permanently for review. Integration of unique real-time automated analysis can reduce the time required to answer biological questions, including mapping and classification of sequence whilst a run is in progress. Real-time sequence data requires new methods of analysis which do not wait for the completion of a run and MinoTour provides a framework to allow users to exploit these features.

Availability and Implementation

Source code and documentation are available at https://github.com/LooseLab/minotourcli and https://github.com/LooseLab/minotourapp. Docker images are available from https://hub.docker.com/r/adoni5/, and can be installed using a preconfigured docker-compose script at https://github.com/LooseLab/minotour-docker. An example server is available at http://137.44.59.170.
Astrocytic cell adhesion genes linked to schizophrenia correlate with synaptic programs in neurons
Authors: Pietiläinen Olli , Trehan Aditi , Meyer Daniel , Mitchell Jana , Tegtmeyer Matthew , Valakh Vera , Gebre Hilena , Chen Theresa , Vartiainen Emilia , Farhi Samouil L. , Eggan Kevin , McCarroll Steven A. , Nehme Ralda
Published: September 2021

The maturation of neurons and the development of synapses – while emblematic of neurons – also rely on interactions with astrocytes and other glia. To study the role of glia-neuron interactions, we analyzed the transcriptomes of human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived neurons, from a total of 80 human donors, that were cultured with or without contact with glial cells. We found that the presence of astrocytes enhanced synaptic gene-expression programs in neurons. These changes in neuronal synaptic gene expression correlated with increased expression in the co-cultured glia of genes that encode synaptic cell adhesion molecules, and they were greatly enhanced in the glia in coculture. Both the neuronal and astrocyte gene-expression programs were enriched for genes that are linked to schizophrenia risk. Physical contact between the two cell types was required for the induction of synaptic programs in neurons. Our results suggest that astrocyte-expressed genes with synaptic functions are associated with stronger expression of synaptic genetic programs in neurons and suggest a potential role for astrocyte-neuron interactions in schizophrenia.
MKLP2 functions in early mitosis to ensure proper chromosome congression
Authors: Schrock Morgan S. , Scarberry Luke , Stromberg Benjamin R. , Sears Claire , Torres Adrian E. , Tallman David , Krupinski Lucas , Chakravarti Arnab , Summers Matthew K.
Published: September 2021

Mitotic kinesin-like protein 2 (MKLP2) is a motor protein with a well-established function in promoting cytokinesis. However, our results with siRNAs targeting MKLP2 and small molecule inhibitors of MKLP2 (MKLP2i) suggested a function earlier in mitosis, prior to anaphase. In this study we provide direct evidence that MKLP2 facilitates chromosome congression in prometaphase. We employed live imaging to observe HeLa cells with fluorescently tagged histones treated with MKLP2i and discovered a pronounced chromosome congression defect. We show that MKLP2 is essential for pole-based error correction as inhibited cells had a significant increase in unstable kinetochore-microtubule attachments due to impaired error correction of syntelic attachments. We propose that MKLP2 mediates kinetochore microtubule attachment stability by regulating Aurora Kinase activity and a downstream target, pHEC1 (Ser 55). Lastly, we show that MKLP2 inhibition results in aneuploidy, confirming that MKLP2 safeguards cells against chromosomal instability.

Schrock et al. demonstrate that the mitotic kinesin, MKLP2, is required for congression of chromosomes located near the spindle poles. They show that MKLP2 inhibition causes elevated active Aurora Kinase A, unstable microtubule kinetochore attachments, and impaired syntelic error correction.
Activation of the CaMKII-Sarm1-ASK1 MAP kinase pathway protects against axon degeneration caused by loss of mitochondria
Authors: Ding Chen , Wu Youjun , Dabas Hadas , Hammarlund Marc
Published: September 2021

Mitochondrial defects are tightly linked to axon degeneration, yet the underlying cellular mechanisms remain poorly understood. In C. elegans, PVQ axons that lack mitochondria degenerate spontaneously with age. Using an unbiased genetic screen, we found that cell-specific activation of CaMKII/UNC-43 suppresses axon degeneration due to loss of mitochondria. Unexpectedly, CaMKII/UNC-43 protects against degeneration through the conserved Sarm1/TIR-1-ASK1/NSY-1 MAPK pathway. In addition, we show that disrupting a trafficking complex composed of calsyntenin/CASY-1, Mint/LIN-10, and kinesin suppresses axon degeneration. Further analysis indicates that disruption of this trafficking complex activates the CaMKII-Sarm1-MAPK pathway through L-type voltage-gated calcium channels. Our findings identify CaMKII as a pivot point between mitochondrial defects and axon degeneration, describe how it is regulated in this context, and uncover a surprising neuroprotective role for the Sarm1-ASK1 pathway.
p57Kip2 regulates embryonic haematopoietic stem cell numbers by controlling the size of the sympathoadrenal progenitor pool
Authors: Kapeni Chrysa , Nitsche Leslie , Kilpatrick Alastair M. , Wilson Nicola K. , Xia Kankan , Mirshekar-Syahkal Bahar , Malouf Camille , Göttgens Berthold , Kirschner Kristina , Tomlinson Simon R. , Ottersbach Katrin
Published: September 2021

Haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are of major clinical importance, and finding methods for their in vitro generation is a prime research focus. We demonstrate that the cell cycle inhibitor p57Kip2/Cdkn1c limits HSC numbers by restricting the size of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and the amount of HSC-supportive catecholamines secreted by these cells, specifically in the aorta-gonads-mesonephros (AGM) region via β2-adrenergic receptor signalling. This regulation occurs at the SNS progenitor level and is in contrast to the cell-intrinsic function of p57Kip2 in maintaining adult HSCs. Using single-cell RNA-Seq we dissect the differentiation pathway of neural crest cells into SNS cells in the AGM and reveal that they are able to take an alternative differentiation pathway, giving rise to a subset of mesenchymal cells expressing HSC-supportive factors. Neural crest cells thus appear to contribute to the AGM HSC niche via two different mechanisms: SNS-mediated catecholamine secretion and HSC-supportive mesenchymal cell production.
Reciprocal differentiation via GABAergic components and ASD-related phenotypes in hES with 1q21.1 CNV
Authors: Nomura Yoshiko , Nomura Jun , Nishikawa Toru , Takumi Toru
Published: September 2021

Copy number variations (CNVs) in the distal 1q21.1 region, both deletion (1q del) and duplication (1q dup), are associated with autism spectrum disorder, epilepsy and schizophrenia. Besides common phenotypes, 1q del and 1q dup manifest opposite clinical phenotypes—e.g., microcephaly in 1q del and macrocephaly in 1q dup. However, molecular and cellular mechanisms are still elusive. We generate isogenic human ES (hES) cell lines with reciprocal 1q21.1 CNVs using CRISPR/Cas9 system and differentiate them into 2-dimensional (2-D) neurons and 3-D cortical organoids. Our study recapitulates opposite organoid size and shows dosage-dependent differentiation changes i.e., more mature and GABAergic components in 1q del and more proliferative state in 1q dup. In contrast, both CNVs show hyperexcitability and altered expressions of glutamate system as common features. These results demonstrate that 1q21.1 CNVs dramatically affect cell fate in the early neurodevelopmental periods. This is the first isogenic model of hES CNVs and our findings provide new insights into the underlying mechanisms of neurodevelopmental disorders.
Evolution of texture and internal stresses within polycrystalline rock salt using in situ 3D synchrotron computed tomography and 3D X-ray diffraction
Authors: Moslehy Amirsalar , Alshibli Khalid A. , Truster Timothy J. , Kenesei Peter , Imseeh Wadi H. , Jarrar Zaher , Sharma Hemant
Published: September 2021

Rock salt caverns have been extensively used as reliable repositories for hazardous waste such as nuclear waste, oil or compressed gases. Undisturbed rock salt deposits in nature are usually impermeable and have very low porosity. However, rock salt formations under excavation stresses can develop crack networks, which increase their porosities; and in the case of a connected crack network within the media, rock salt may become permeable. Although the relationship between the permeability of rock salt and the applied stresses has been reported in the literature, a microscopic study that investigates the properties influencing this relationship, such as the evolution of texture and internal stresses, has yet to be conducted. This study employs in situ 3D synchrotron micro-computed tomography and 3D X-ray diffraction (3DXRD) on two small-scale polycrystalline rock salt specimens to investigate the evolution of the texture and internal stresses within the specimens. The 3DXRD technique measures the 3D crystal structure and lattice strains within rock salt grains. The specimens were prepared under 1D compression conditions and have shown an initial {111} preferred texture, a dominant {110}〈110〉 slip system and no fully connected crack network. The {111} preferred texture under the unconfined compression experiment became stronger, while the {111}〈110〉 slip system became more prominent. The specimens did not have a fully connected crack network until applied axial stresses reached about 30 MPa, at a point where the impermeability of the material becomes compromised due to the development of multiple major cracks.
Defocused travelling fringes in a scanning triple-Laue X-ray interferometry setup
Authors: Sasso C. P. , Mana G. , Massa E.
Published: September 2021

The measurement of the silicon lattice parameter by a separate-crystal triple-Laue X-ray interferometer is a key step for the realization of the kilogram by counting atoms. Since the measurement accuracy is approaching nine significant digits, a reliable model of the interferometer operation is required to quantify or exclude systematic errors. This paper investigates both analytically and experimentally the effect of the defocus (the difference between the splitter-to-mirror and analyser-to-mirror distances) on the phase of the interference fringes and the measurement of the lattice parameter.
New developments including X-ray standing waves in the dynamical Bragg diffraction program of X-ray Server
Authors: Stepanov Sergey
Published: September 2021

X-ray Server (https://x-server.gmca.aps.anl.gov) is a collection of programs for online modelling of X-ray diffraction and scattering. The dynamical diffraction program is the second most popular Server program, contributing 34% of total Server usage. It models dynamical X-ray diffraction from strained crystals and multilayers for any Bragg-case geometry including grazing incidence and exit. This paper reports on a revision of equations used by the program, which yields ten times faster calculations in most use cases, on implementing calculations of X-ray standing waves and on adding new options for modelling diffraction from monolayers.
Symmetry-adapted pair distribution function analysis (SAPA): a novel approach to evaluating lattice dynamics and local distortions from total scattering data
Authors: Bird Tobias A. , Herlihy Anna , Senn Mark S.
Published: September 2021

A novel symmetry-adapted pair distribution function analysis (SAPA) method for extracting information on local distortions from pair distribution function data is introduced. The implementation of SAPA is demonstrated in the TOPAS-Academic software using the freely available online software ISODISTORT, and scripts for converting the output from ISODISTORT to a SAPA input file for TOPAS are provided. Finally, two examples are provided to show how SAPA can evaluate the nature of both dynamic distortions in ScF3 and the distortions which act as an order parameter for the phase transitions in BaTiO3.
Repeatability and sensitivity characterization of the far-field high-energy diffraction microscopy instrument at the Advanced Photon Source
Authors: Park Jun-Sang , Sharma Hemant , Kenesei Peter
Published: September 2021

In the last two decades, far-field high-energy diffraction microscopy (FF-HEDM) and similar non-destructive techniques have been actively developed at synchrotron light sources around the world. As these techniques (and associated analysis tools) are becoming more available for the general users of these light sources, it is important and timely to characterize their performance and capabilities. In this work, the FF-HEDM instrument implemented at the 1-ID-E endstation of the Advanced Photon Source (APS) is summarized. The set of measurements conducted to characterize the instrument's repeatability and sensitivity to changes in grain orientation and position are also described. When an appropriate grain matching method is used, the FF-HEDM instrument's repeatability is approximately 5 µm in translation, 0.02° in rotation, and 2 × 10−4 in strain; the instrument sensitivity is approximately 5 µm in translation and 0.05° in rotation.
Hard X-ray ptychography at Taiwan Photon Source at 11–20 nm spatial resolution
Authors: Tsai Yi-Wei , Lin Jhih-Min , Chen Chun-Yu , Chen Ying , Lin Bi-Hsuan , Yin Gung-Chian , Tang Mau-Tsu , Huang Yu-Shan
Published: September 2021

X-ray ptychography, a technique based on scanning and processing of coherent diffraction patterns, is a non-destructive imaging technique with a high spatial resolution far beyond the focused beam size. Earlier demonstrations of hard X-ray ptychography at Taiwan Photon Source (TPS) using an in-house program successfully recorded the ptychographic diffraction patterns from a gold-made Siemens star as a test sample and retrieved the finest inner features of 25 nm. Ptychography was performed at two beamlines with different focusing optics: a pair of Kirkpatrick–Baez mirrors and a pair of nested Montel mirrors, for which the beam sizes on the focal planes were 3 µm and 200 nm and the photon energies were from 5.1 keV to 9 keV. The retrieved spatial resolutions are 20 nm to 11 nm determined by the 10–90% line-cut method and half-bit threshold of Fourier shell correlation. This article describes the experimental conditions and compensation methods, including position correction, mixture state-of-probe, and probe extension methods, of the aforementioned experiments. The discussions will highlight the criteria of ptychographic experiments at TPS as well as the opportunity to characterize beamlines by measuring factors such as the drift or instability of beams or stages and the coherence of beams. Besides, probe functions, the full complex fields illuminated on samples, can be recovered simultaneously using ptychography. Theoretically, the wavefield at any arbitrary position can be estimated from one recovered probe function undergoing wave-propagating. The verification of probe-propagating has been carried out by comparing the probe functions obtained by ptychography and undergoing wave-propagating located at 0, 500 and 1000 µm relative to the focal plane.
Examining the relationships among managerial coaching, perceived organizational support, and job engagement in the US higher education context
Authors: Carrell William S. , Ellinger Andrea D. , Nimon Kim F. , Kim Sewon
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to apply social exchange and organizational support theories to examine the relationship between mid-level strategic enrollment managers’ perceptions of managerial coaching behaviors enacted by their senior managers and their own reported job engagement, as mediated by perceived organizational support (POS) within the US higher education context.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative survey-based half-longitudinal design, which used the latent marker variable technique, was conducted with a sponsoring professional organization in the strategic enrollment management (SEM) field in the USA. A total of 301 usable surveys were analyzed using structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results of this study indicate that SEM managers’ job engagement and the perceived managerial coaching behaviors provided to them by their senior managers were positively correlated, and that POS fully mediated this relationship. These findings highlight how coaching behaviors may allow managers to elicit positive emotional responses and, by fostering enhanced POS, ultimately enhance job engagement among their team members.

Originality/value

This study addresses several calls for research on managerial coaching, job engagement and POS in an under-examined higher education context within the human resource development field.
Empowering leadership in hospitality and tourism management: a systematic literature review
Authors: Hoang Giang , Wilson-Evered Elisabeth , Lockstone-Binney Leonie , Luu Tuan Trong
Published: September 2021

Purpose

This study aims to review the empirical studies on empowering leadership in hospitality and tourism and proposes an associated research agenda.

Design/methodology/approach

A disciplined selection process using transparent inclusion and exclusion criteria resulted in a final sample of 25 empirical studies. The research results from these studies were systematically analyzed using content analysis.

Findings

The synthesis of these articles highlights that: studies on empowering leadership in hospitality and tourism are mainly based on motivational theories and theories with a social orientation; empowering leadership has been examined within various cultures mostly using quantitative methods; multiple instruments are used to measure empowering leadership; and empowering leadership is a variously defined construct that has been found to promote creativity and innovation, service performance and various employee attitudes and behaviors.

Research limitations/implications

The authors provide an integrated framework for empowering leadership in hospitality and tourism contexts, proposing theoretical implications and directions for further research.

Practical implications

This review identified growing research interest in empowering leadership in diverse hospitality and tourism contexts, as well as an increasing impetus to understand how leaders can effectively empower their subordinates.

Originality/value

The study provides a systematic understanding of empirical research examining the theoretical frameworks, antecedents, mediators, moderators and consequences of empowering leadership in various hospitality and tourism contexts. Significant opportunities remain for further research to address the gaps and limitations discovered.
Institutional logics and risk management practices in government entities: evidence from Saudi Arabia
Authors: Murr Peter , Carrera Nieves
Published: September 2021

Purpose

This study aims to understand how institutional logics influence the adoption and implementation of risk management (RM) practices by government entities in a non-western, developing country.

Design/methodology/approach

This study draws on the institutional logics perspective (ILP) to analyze a case study of a government entity in Saudi Arabia. Data were obtained from semi-structured interviews, observations and documentary evidence.

Findings

Findings suggest that the adoption and implementation of RM projects by Saudi governmental agencies was rooted in a traditional logic, even though the catalyst of the government for adopting a RM culture across government agencies was framed within a reform program inspired by a modernization logic. In the entity under investigation, the RM project led to an unstable situation where actors were confronted with these two competing logics. Although the project used manifestations of a modernization logic, the actions of individuals within the organization were embedded in a traditional logic.

Research limitations/implications

The study is based on a single case study in a specific country, limiting the generalizability of the findings.

Originality/value

This study provides novel evidence of the adoption and implementation of RM in governmental entities in a developing, non-western, country using ILP. Doing so enhances our knowledge about how managers struggle with competing institutional logics in an underexplored setting and enriches current accounts of key drivers and barriers of RM. It also addresses calls for a deeper understanding of the logics and managerial practices interplay in the public sector.
The effect of rural superintendent credibility on principal and district outcomes mediated by motivating language
Authors: Holmes William T. , Parker Michele , Olsen Jentre J. , Khojasteh Jam
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of rural superintendent’s talk on the perceived outcomes of principal communication competence and organizational communication satisfaction. More specifically, this study explored whether the source credibility dimensions of goodwill, competency and trustworthiness had a greater impact on the perceived outcomes when mediated by motivating language (ML) than not.

Design/methodology/approach

Direct and indirect paths between superintendent and principal communication were modeled, analyzed and evaluated using descriptive and inferential methods, including R version 3.6.1 with the lavaan package and the Sobel mediation test.

Findings

Research findings indicated the importance of superintendent talk and motivating language theory (MLT) that, when combined, constitute the medium of superintendent practice and enable a superintendent to execute their roles and duties. Additionally, the authors found the dimensions of goodwill and competency had the most significant impact on the two outcomes mediated by ML. This finding indicates that principals are calling for a more empathetic and interactive form of credibility than the long-established form of credibility based on expertise and stewardship. Finally, as the authors call for an expanded role from the community in research, scholarship and implementation of MLT, they suggest due to the lack of significance in trustworthiness mediated by ML, future research into trustworthiness and trust.

Originality/value

This study’s value is to increase understanding of educational administration scholars of MLT and its power to influence employee and organizational outcomes and highlight a reframing of superintendent credibility away from say and do agreement and expertise and stewardship.
Do authors play fair or manipulate Google Scholar h-index?
Authors: Loan Fayaz Ahmad , Nasreen Nahida , Bashir Bisma
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The study's main purpose is to scrutinize Google Scholar profiles and find the answer to the question, “Do authors play fair or manipulate Google Scholar Bibliometric Indicators like h-index and i10-index?”

Design/methodology/approach

The authors scrutinized the Google Scholar profiles of the top 50 library and science researchers claiming authorship of 21,022 publications. The bibliographic information of all the 21,022 publications like authorship and subject details were verified to identify accuracy, discrepancies and manipulation in their authorship claims. The actual and fabricated entries of all the authors along with their citations were recorded in the Microsoft Office Excel 2007 for further analyses and interpretation using simple arithmetic calculations.

Findings

The results show that the h-index of authors obtained from the Google Scholar should not be approved at its face value as the variations exist in the publication count and citations, which ultimately affect their h-index and i10 index. The results reveal that the majority of the authors have variations in publication count (58%), citations (58%), h-index (42%) and i10-index (54%). The magnitude of variation in the number of publications, citations, h-index and i10-index is very high, especially for the top-ranked authors.

Research limitations/implications

The scope of the study is strictly restricted to the faculty members of library and information science and cannot be generalized across disciplines. Further, the scope of the study is limited to Google Scholar and caution needs to be taken to extend results to other databases like Web of Science and Scopus.

Practical implications

The study has practical implications for authors, publishers, and academic institutions. Authors must stop the unethical research practices; publishers must adopt techniques to overcome the problem and academic institutions need to take precautions before hiring, recruiting, promoting and allocating resources to the candidates on the face value of the Google Scholar h-index. Besides, Google needs to work on the weak areas of Google Scholar to improve its efficacy.

Originality/value

The study brings to light the new ways of manipulating bibliometric indicators like h-index, and i10-index provided by Google Scholar using false authorship claims.
Integrated knowledge visualization and the enterprise digital twin system for supporting strategic management decision
Authors: Yan Min-Ren , Hong Lin-Ya , Warren Kim
Published: September 2021

Purpose

This paper proposes an integrated knowledge visualization and digital twin system for supporting strategic management decisions. The concepts and applications of strategic architecture have been illustrated with a concrete real-world case study and decision rules of using the strategic digital twin management decision system (SDMDS) as a more visualized, adaptive and effective model for decision-making.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper integrates the concepts of mental and computer models and examines a real case's business operations by applying system dynamics modelling and digital technologies. The enterprise digital twin system with displaying real-world data and simulations for future scenarios demonstrates an improved process of strategic decision-making in the digital age.

Findings

The findings reveal that data analytics and the visualized enterprise digital twin system offer better practices for strategic management decisions in the dynamic and constantly changing business world by providing a constant and frequent adjustment on every decision that affects how the business performs over both operational and strategic timescales.

Originality/value

In the digital age and dynamic business environment, the proposed strategic architecture and managerial digital twin system converts the existing conceptual models into an advanced operational model. It can facilitate the development of knowledge visualization and become a more adaptive and effective model for supporting real-time management decision-making by dealing with the complicated dependence of constant flow of data input, output and the feedback loop across business units and boundaries.
The influence of overseas study and work experience on corporate environmental disclosures: evidence from Vietnam
Authors: Le Hang Ngoc My , O’Connell Brendan Thomas , Safari Maryam
Published: September 2021

Purpose

Drawing from Upper-Echelons Theory (UET), this paper aims to examine whether an increasing number of board members studying and working overseas, especially in Anglo countries, provides some impetus for increased corporate environmental disclosures (CED) in Vietnam.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used quantitative data collection and analysis. The data collection involved a content analysis of annual, sustainability and integrated reports to capture the quality and quantity of CED. The authors subsequently developed ordered probit models to quantitatively test the hypotheses.

Findings

The authors find that board members studying in Anglo countries positively impact firms’ levels of CED in emerging economies. However, overseas work experience is found to be an insignificant explanatory variable. Further, the findings suggest that, in Vietnam, Chairs appear to be more influential than chief executive officers in affecting CED levels.

Practical implications

Despite the positive influence of overseas study, the authors find overall levels of CED in Vietnam remain relatively low. This suggests the necessity of dialogue about potential reform in CED policies, which could involve the introduction of mandatory reporting requirements. In addition, to enhance sustainability disclosures, shareholders should appoint board members who possess international qualifications.

Originality/value

This study adds to the literature exploring the impacts of Anglo cultural traits of board members on CED levels, within an economy transitioning from a communist ideology to a market-oriented system context. The connection between international study and cultural norms, beliefs and traditions in these countries and their positive influence on directors’ values and attitudes towards CED have not yet been studied. The study also extends UET by examining the potential positive influence of different national contexts on board members’ education levels.
Optimization of built-part distortion in laser powder bed fusion processing of Inconel 718
Authors: Chang You-Cheng , Tran Hong-Chuong , Lo Yu-Lung
Published: September 2021

Purpose

Laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) provides the means to produce unique components with almost no restriction on geometry in an extremely short time. However, the high-temperature gradient and high cooling rate produced during the fabrication process result in residual stress, which may prompt part warpage, cracks or even baseplate separation. Accordingly, an appropriate selection of the LPBF processing parameters is essential to ensure the quality of the built part. This study, thus, aims to develop an integrated simulation framework consisting of a single-track heat transfer model and a modified inherent shrinkage method model for predicting the curvature of an Inconel 718 cantilever beam produced using the LPBF process.

Design/methodology/approach

The simulation results for the curvature of the cantilever beam are calibrated via a comparison with the experimental observations. It is shown that the calibration factor required to drive the simulation results toward the experimental measurements has the same value for all settings of the laser power and scanning speed. Representative combinations of the laser power and scanning speed are, thus, chosen using the circle packing design method and supplied as inputs to the validated simulation framework to predict the corresponding cantilever beam curvature and density. The simulation results are then used to train artificial neural network models to predict the curvature and solid cooling rate of the cantilever beam for any combination of the laser power and scanning speed within the input design space. The resulting processing maps are screened in accordance with three quality criteria, namely, the part density, the radius of curvature and the solid cooling rate, to determine the optimal processing parameters for the LPBF process.

Findings

It is shown that the parameters lying within the optimal region of the processing map reduce the curvature of the cantilever beam by 17.9% and improve the density by as much as 99.97%.

Originality/value

The present study proposes a computational framework, which could find the parameters that not only yield the lowest distortion but also produce fully dense components in the LPBF process.
Discrete cosine transform for parameter space reduction in Bayesian electrical resistivity tomography
Authors: Vinciguerra A. , Aleardi M. , Hojat A. , Loke M. H. , Stucchi E.
Published: September 2021

Electrical resistivity tomography is a non‐linear and ill‐posed geophysical inverse problem that is usually solved through gradient‐descent methods. This strategy is computationally fast and easy to implement but impedes accurate uncertainty appraisals. We present a probabilistic approach to two‐dimensional electrical resistivity tomography in which a Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm is used to numerically evaluate the posterior probability density function that fully quantifies the uncertainty affecting the recovered solution. The main drawback of Markov chain Monte Carlo approaches is related to the considerable number of sampled models needed to achieve accurate posterior assessments in high‐dimensional parameter spaces. Therefore, to reduce the computational burden of the inversion process, we employ the differential evolution Markov chain, a hybrid method between non‐linear optimization and Markov chain Monte Carlo sampling, which exploits multiple and interactive chains to speed up the probabilistic sampling. Moreover, the discrete cosine transform reparameterization is employed to reduce the dimensionality of the parameter space removing the high‐frequency components of the resistivity model which are not sensitive to data. In this framework, the unknown parameters become the series of coefficients associated with the retained discrete cosine transform basis functions. First, synthetic data inversions are used to validate the proposed method and to demonstrate the benefits provided by the discrete cosine transform compression. To this end, we compare the outcomes of the implemented approach with those provided by a differential evolution Markov chain algorithm running in the full, un‐reduced model space. Then, we apply the method to invert field data acquired along a river embankment. The results yielded by the implemented approach are also benchmarked against a standard local inversion algorithm. The proposed Bayesian inversion provides posterior mean models in agreement with the predictions achieved by the gradient‐based inversion, but it also provides model uncertainties, which can be used for penetration depth and resolution limit identification.
Land use intensification coupled with free‐roaming dogs as potential defaunation drivers of mesocarnivores in agricultural landscapes
Authors: Gálvez Nicolás , Infante José , Fernandez Adrián , Díaz Jesús , Petracca Lisanne
Published: September 2021

Land use intensification, by which habitat loss, habitat fragmentation and increased land ownership subdivision occurs, represents one of the largest threats to biodiversity. The extent to which land use intensification affects the presence of native mesocarnivores is largely unexplored, with great implications for all working landscapes where agriculture and native wildlife co‐occur.

We obtained mesocarnivore detection/non‐detection data from 180 4‐km2 sampling units in agricultural landscapes of southern Chile from January to April 2019. We used these data to (a) investigate the associations of private land ownership subdivision, forest fragmentation and forest loss with the occurrence of mesocarnivores using single‐species occupancy models, (b) assess patterns of mesocarnivore co‐occurrence with free‐roaming domestic mesocarnivores (e.g. cats and dogs) using two‐species occupancy models and (c) determine whether co‐occurrence of native and domestic mesocarnivores led to alterations in species’ temporal activity.

Land ownership subdivision, rather than habitat loss or fragmentation, had the greatest impact on native mesocarnivore occurrence, with some influence of domestic dogs. Mesocarnivore community occurrence varied from a native to domestic species composition as private land ownership subdivision increased. Native mesocarnivores altered their behaviour temporally when co‐occurring with domestics. Lastly, the presence of domestic dogs was associated with an absence of native mesocarnivores, which merits further investigation into the contribution of domestic dogs to a defaunation process in agricultural areas.

Policy implications. Our evidence supports focusing efforts in three key dimensions to advance biodiversity conservation in agricultural landscapes. First, private land subdivision represents a robust proxy for measuring anthropogenic impacts on mesocarnivores, and we advocate its use to inform agricultural policy to mitigate a potential defaunation process. Second, there is a need to further engage with landowners and evaluate values, motivation, willingness and action to protect remnant native vegetation and slow land use change. And, lastly, improvements to legislation and conservation marketing strategies on responsible pet ownership are critical to ameliorating the negative impacts of dogs on native wildlife species.
Relative importance of host‐dependent versus physical environmental characteristics affecting the distribution of an ectoparasitic copepod infecting the mouth cavity of stream salmonid
Authors: Hasegawa Ryota , Koizumi Itsuro
Published: September 2021

Understanding parasite distributional patterns is fundamental for elucidating host–parasite relationships. The genusSalmincolais an ectoparasitic copepod group specifically infecting freshwater salmonids. Considering their strong association with their hosts, we can predict that the distribution and prevalence (analogs to abundance) ofSalmincolareflect host salmonids. An alternative hypothesis is that their distribution will be strongly affected by environmental factors like stream drift because they have a free‐living stage with low swimming ability. If this is the case, we predict a longitudinal gradient with higher occurrence or infection levels in downstream areas. To estimate the relative strength among factors affecting infection levels, we investigated the distribution pattern ofSalmincolasp. on wild white‐spotted charrSalvelinus leucomaenisin a southern Hokkaido river system. Based on data from 19 sites across three seasons, we found that host density and flow velocity affected the prevalence ofSalmincola. On the other hand, no longitudinal gradient was observed and the prevalence was extremely low in some fragmented habitats (i.e., above dams and waterfalls). This indicates some compensation mechanisms against unidirectional downstream dispersal. We found that parasite prevalence and intensity were much higher in large migratory (anadromous) fish and, therefore, hypothesize that long‐distance upstream migration helps the redistribution and population persistence of parasites in upstream areas.
The Effect of Weekend Work on Shared Leisure Time
Authors: Crawley Thomas
Published: September 2021

Using panel data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey, I estimate the effect of weekend work on five measures of shared leisure time. Binary and ordered probit estimates indicate that weekend work has a negative association with all five measures. Fixed effects estimates suggest that weekend work has a negative effect on work–family balance and the probability of club membership, but no significant effect on the frequency of social time, attendance at community events or attendance at religious services.