bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integrated management system: methodology for maturity assessment in food industries
Authors: Santos Ângela Regina Souza , Melo Renata Maciel de , Clemente Thárcylla Rebecca Negreiros , Machado Santos Simone
Published: August 2021

Purpose

A model to evaluate the maturity of the integration of three management systems in food industries, under the aspects of environment, quality and food safety is proposed.

Design/methodology/approach

The model is composed of maturity levels, allowing the understanding of the integration of the systems mentioned and their stage of evolution. The work was based on a bibliographic review of the topics: ISO standards, Integrated Management Systems (IMS) and already existing methods for maturity assessment. The referred model is composed of elements related to (1) audit dynamics, (2) changes in behavior, (3) the organizational structure, (4) the participation of senior management and (5) the interface with the cycle of continuous improvement.

Findings

The model is easily applicable and composed of five maturity levels, allowing the understanding of the stage of system evolution: (1) absence of maturity, (2) introductory level, (3) intermediate level, (4) toward excellence and (5) excellence.

Research limitations/implications

The results of the model may help managers in the development of actions for the improvement of their integrated management (drivers for IMS) aiming at process control, the focus on the client and the integration of people and processes. Based on the drivers, the managers will be able to make plans characterized by orientations, techniques and tools applied in the several organizational processes. Using the proposed model, managers can enhance the desired results with efficiency and effectiveness.

Originality/value

The existing literature presents limited results on the integration of certified systems for the analysis of the maturity stages in manufacturing industries. Therefore, this study extends results from other studies on IMS, associating them to an organizational maturity analysis in food industries, resulting in a proposal of maturity model. This study also proposes the integration of ISO 14001, ISO 9001 and ISO 22000 to indicate the maturity stage of manufacturing industries in the food sector, supporting the strategic management process of organizations of any size. The model adopts several aspects of management and control to provide a holistic view on the integrated management of organizations. Finally, the proposed model considers several aspects of management and control for the food industries in the developing countries, providing a holistic view of integrated management.
Benchmarking of Singapore maritime cluster: the role of cluster facilitators
Authors: Osman Shahrin , Sundarakani Balan , Reve Torger
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This article analyses the role of cluster facilitators in the Singapore maritime cluster. Singapore has been recognised for its pro-business policies and its ability to attract international shipping companies to set up the ship ownership headquarters and ship management activities in Singapore.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is an empirical investigation on the approach for industrial cluster development of the Singapore maritime cluster, using the case study research methodology. The case study approach leverages on multiple sources of evidence from deep interviews (of 24 Singaporean firms and 13 Norwegian firms) related observations, documentation and archival records. As a means of contributing to the cluster renewal process, Singapore as the country embarks on the next stage of maritime cluster development, a benchmarking against the Norwegian Innovation Cluster has been incorporated.

Findings

The research findings reveals that Singapore is lacking in innovation activities that entails multi-firms collaborations and collaboration between multi-firms and research institutions. The existence of cluster organisation to facilitate collaborations between firms in the cluster and between firms in the cluster with research institutions is another contributing factor that are not institutionalised in the Singapore maritime cluster.

Research limitations/implications

Though the research is grounded primarily on the international business theory, particularly from firm- and country-specific advantages of location decisions, the economic geography theory and cluster theory also complement the theoretical grounding.

Practical implications

The findings derived from this research aim to facilitate policy makers, maritime leaders and practitioners to develop effective courses of action in current and future maritime industry development.

Originality/value

The research provides value to maritime industry stakeholders, maritime leaders and policy makers in their firm positioning strategy. Thus, the research adds values to the maritime industry with similar country perspectives and firm values for developing policies.
Manufacturing-oriented silicon steel coil lengthwise cutting stock problem with useable leftover
Authors: Li Fengjie , Chen Yan , Hu Xiaochun
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This paper propose an algorithm for the multiple silicon steel coils multiperiod two-dimensional lengthwise cutting stock problem (m2DLCSP), so as to minimize the total cost of materials and production.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors propose a sequential leftovers utilization correction (SLUC) algorithm for the m2DLCSP. The algorithm primarily considers three optimization strategies. First, it considers usable leftovers to simplify the cutting process and improve material utilization. The total quantity and types of leftovers should be limited in order to avoid leftover overstock. Second, it uses a splice method of items to improve the generated cutting plan. Third, it takes into account operational restrictions in the cutting operations. Operational restrictions include imposing maximum and minimum lengths on the cutting patterns, and the limitation of cutting knives at the slitting machines.

Findings

Several sets of benchmark with real-world and randomly generated instances are provided to evaluate the algorithm. Compared with literature algorithm and current procedure applied in enterprises, the computational results indicate that proposed algorithm can effectively reduce the total cost, and the computation time is reasonable for practical use.

Social implications

This algorithm can effectively reduce the total cost.

Originality/value

The proposed method can effectively applied to solve the m2DLCSP and improve the economic efficiency of enterprises.
Labour market inclusion of Afghan refugees in Pakistan through Bourdieu's theory of capital
Authors: Ali Faiza , Hennekam Sophie , Syed Jawad , Ahmed Adnan , Mubashar Rabbia
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This article examines the labour market inclusion of documented and undocumented Afghan refugees in Pakistan using and extending Bourdieu's theory of capital.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors draw on 22 semi-structured in-depth interviews with both documented and undocumented Afghan refugees in Pakistan.

Findings

The findings show the low capital endowments of refugees. Their economic capital is shaped by low levels of financial resources, and emotional capital is shaped by their psychological distress and traumata and identity capital takes the form of negative perceptions about them. Their low capital endowments are further reduced through different forms of symbolic violence, such as ambiguous and short-term government policies, bribery and abuse by the police as well as unfair treatment by employers. However, refugees do mobilise their capital endowments to enhance their labour market position. The authors identified resilience as emotional capital, their strategic development of who they are as identity capital as well as social and cultural capital in the form of ethnic and linguistic similarities with locals in finding ways to improve their inclusion in the labour market.

Originality/value

The authors provide insights in the dynamics that lead to and sustain the exclusion and inequalities faced by Afghan refugees in Pakistan.
Leadership for sustainability: fostering organizational learning to achieve radical innovations
Authors: Domínguez-Escrig Emilio , Mallén-Broch Francisco Fermín
Published: August 2021

Purpose

While concerns about the social and environmental impact that result from business activity continue to grow, a stream of research consolidates to understand the mechanisms that can favor more sustainable companies. The present study tries to expand the knowledge of the antecedents of radical innovation by analyzing the effects of alternative and understudied constructs. Grounded on stewardship and organizational learning theories, this paper analyzes how leaders that are concerned with sustainability and the social impact of their companies may boost this type of innovation by facilitating an organizational context that promotes experimentation, dialog, participative decision-making, risk-taking and interaction with the external environment.

Design/methodology/approach

Through structural equation modeling, the study provides empirical evidence of the positive effect of stewardship leader behavior on radical innovation, using organizational learning capability as an explanatory variable.

Findings

Results suggest that organizational learning capability fully mediates the relationship between stewardship leader behavior and radical innovation.

Research limitations/implications

This research focuses on a sample frame of Spanish companies with recognized excellence in human resources management.

Practical implications

In the context of a growing interest in sustainable development, and concern for the consequences of economic and business activities, this study highlights the role played by stewardship leader behavior to foster radical innovation and organizational learning capability which, in turn, represent essential tools to compete in a globalized and turbulent context.

Originality/value

To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first empirical study that analyzes the mediating effect of organizational learning capability in the relationship between stewardship leader behavior and radical innovation. This paper contributes to the understanding of how stewardship leader behavior affects radical innovation and the key role played by organizational learning capability.
Application of SPD-RBF method of lines for solving nonlinear advection–diffusion–reaction equation with variable coefficients
Authors: Mesgarani Hamid , Kermani Mahya , Abbaszadeh Mostafa
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to use the method of lines to solve the two-dimensional nonlinear advection–diffusion–reaction equation with variable coefficients.

Design/methodology/approach

The strictly positive definite radial basis functions collocation method together with the decomposition of the interpolation matrix is used to turn the problem into a system of nonlinear first-order differential equations. Then a numerical solution of this system is computed by changing in the classical fourth-order Runge–Kutta method as well.

Findings

Several test problems are provided to confirm the validity and efficiently of the proposed method.

Originality/value

For the first time, some famous examples are solved by using the proposed high-order technique.
Drug price control in Malaysia: a stakeholder analysis
Authors: Ashraf Amirul , Ong Siew Chin
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Pharmaceutical pricing has always been a contentious issue around the world. Recently, the Government of Malaysia has proposed for drug price control. This proposal has received backlash from pharmaceutical industry. Therefore in this study, the authors would like to examine the position of various stakeholders on this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used Policy Maker software to identify and evaluate the position of the stakeholders, their interest and their power. Next, the authors contextualize the factors that might contribute to the success or failure of the policy using Kingdon's multiple stream analysis.

Findings

The authors found that the drug price control regulation received mixed reactions from the stakeholders, with the public sector mainly supporting the proposal whereas the private sectors opposing it. The findings indicate that the drug price control proposal have a high chance of success due to strong political will from both the government and the opposition and also strong support from the public and the consumer groups.

Practical implications

1. The drug price control proposal received strong political will and strong public support. Thus, it has a high chance of success. 2. The government should be careful in managing concentrated powerful groups. The government should strategically engage with the stakeholders to move them to more positive attitude. 3. The government should avoid backtracking on policies as this will portray critical weakness to other stakeholders.

Social implications

The public sector provides strong support for the regulation. However, this support must be maintained and remain as their top priority. Their opinions are important in shaping health policies. The public's feedback will provide transparency and accountability in the policy-making process.

Originality/value

The findings indicate that the drug price control proposal have a high chance of success due to strong political will from both the government and the opposition and also strong support from the public and the consumer groups.
Exploring government networks through interorganizational relationships: research strategies based on social network analysis (SNA)
Authors: Fonseca Diogo Ribeiro da
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide methodological guidelines and examples of how social network analysis (SNA) can be used in public management network research. SNA describes network structures formed by the patterns of relationships between different actors. Exchange relationships between government, market and society, which conceptualize public sector policies and goals, can be analyzed as a means to highlight underlying governance structures, coordination and management mechanisms, organizational capabilities and strategies of government activities.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing from key aspects and concepts of network management, structuring, and modes of governance, research strategies are presented for the analysis of public networks through an illustrative study of relational patterns between providers and receivers of training in the public sector.

Findings

SNA highlights prevalent modes of organizing – bureaucratic, market or collaborative (networked) – key actors, roles and strategies that influence network structure, and collective and individual results. Network data can provide information on the relationship between context, organizations' roles and characteristics, and the effectiveness of public policies.

Practical implications

Information regarding patterns of exchange relationships such as services, resources, influence, knowledge and personnel, are relevant for policymaking processes and may subsidize new approaches and policy instruments that seek to optimize, develop and prescribe structural arrangements for better coordination and effective provision of public services.

Originality/value

The paper advances current literature by presenting a general methodological approach to large interorganizational networks, useful for the consistent theoretical development of governance network theory in the public administration field.
Professional identity and career aspirations as mediators between principals’ authentic leadership and teachers’ intentions and behaviors
Authors: Tsemach Sigalit , Shapira-Lishchinsky Orly
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the mediating role of workplace attitudes: professional identity and career aspirations between perceptions of principals’ authentic leadership and teacher behaviors: intent to leave, organizational citizenship behavior, counterproductive work behavior, lateness and intention to leave among teachers.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample was composed of 605 teachers, randomly selected, nested in 41 Israeli elementary, junior high and high schools. Data analysis was based on multi-level structural equations.

Findings

The findings indicated that the more the school was perceived by the teachers as having an authentic leader, the professional identity of the teachers was higher and was negatively associated with counterproductive work behavior toward colleagues in the school, while the teachers’ career aspirations were higher and negatively associated with counterproductive work behavior toward the organization.

Originality/value

This study shows the importance of teachers’ individual and collective perceptions and their impacts on teacher behaviors. The practical contribution may include encouraging principals to promote high standards of authentic leadership, to raise teachers’ professional identity and their career aspirations and reduce teachers’ counterproductive work behavior and intention to leave.
Growing SMEs and internal financing: the role of business practices
Authors: Fadil Nazik , St-Pierre Josée
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify business practices that may promote internal financing of growing SMEs. The authors expand the literature on entrepreneurial finance that reduces business practices to either financial management or bootstrapping, by exploring all management practices that may have an impact on liquidities. This study enriches the literature on business practices. This is an important consideration for managers of SMEs who intend to preserve their financial independence and their capacity to survive different crises.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical study involved a sample of 235 growing Canadian SMEs. The sample was extracted from a private database using a questionnaire that covered a wide range of business practices. Variance testing of business practices between SMEs with a line of credit and those without (and lower overall debt) was supplemented by a logistic regression.

Findings

SMEs which make use of efficiency-promoting technology, carry out preventive maintenance and control their costs and turnover during their growth are more inclined to use less external financing.

Originality/value

This is the first study that associates business practices, beyond bootstrapping, with financing and which answers a critical question posed by SME executives on how to preserve their financial and decision-making autonomy through growth stages. In addition, the desire to retain control of the company does not compel the SME manager to limit the size of the company.
Why forest fails to recover after repeated wildfires in Amazonian floodplains? Experimental evidence on tree recruitment limitation
Authors: Flores Bernardo M. , Holmgren Milena
Published: August 2021

Amazonian floodplain forests are particularly vulnerable to wildfires that spread during extreme droughts, causing large‐scale forest dieback. After a second wildfire, these forests persist trapped with low tree cover and empty seed banks, yet the mechanisms that could explain this arrested succession remain unknown.

Here we use a 4‐year field experiment to test whether tree recruitment failures in burnt floodplain forests are caused by environmental filtering, limiting early seedling emergence and establishment. We sowed seeds and planted seedlings of six floodplain trees with contrasting life strategies, and tested the roles of environmental filters by comparing tree seedling performances under different habitats (i.e. unburned forest, forest edge with burnt site, forest burnt once and forest burnt twice), and by manipulating soil root mats and herbaceous cover.

Our results show that seedling emergence was around 15% across all habitats. In general, seedlings performed best in burnt forests. Seedling growth was highest in forests burnt once, possibly because of high nutrient availability after fire. In forests burnt twice, tree seedlings grew relatively less, as nutrients become limiting due to flood erosion; yet, seedlings survived longer, possibly because of lower competition with sparse, naturally recruiting trees. We found similar patterns for seedlings that emerged in the field from sowed seeds.

Synthesis. Our experimental evidence suggests that environmental filtering related to soil nutrient limitations may slow down forest recovery after repeated wildfires. Yet, our findings showing that floodplain trees are able to germinate from seeds and establish successfully in twice burnt forests suggest that seed limitation may be the reason why forest recovery fails persistently. A corollary to the problem is that repeatedly burnt forests seem to be trapped by a self‐reinforcing feedback, in which low tree cover reduces seed dispersal and consequently seed availability, keeping tree cover low. Overall, our findings indicate that active restoration initiatives based on seeding native tree species may help accelerating the recovery of degraded floodplain forests after repeated wildfires.
Mycorrhizal effects on decomposition and soil CO2 flux depend on changes in nitrogen availability during forest succession
Authors: Liu Ruiqiang , He Yanghui , Zhou Guiyao , Shao Junjiong , Zhou Lingyan , Zhou Huimin , Li Nan , Song Bingqian , Liang Chao , Yan Enrong , Chen Xiaoyong , Wang Xihua , Wang Minhuang , Bai Shahla Hosseini , Zhou Xuhui , Phillips Richard P.
Published: August 2021

Mycorrhizal fungi play a central role in plant nutrition and nutrient cycling, yet our understanding on their effects on free‐living microbes, soil carbon (C) decomposition and soil CO2 fluxes remains limited.

Here we used trenches lined with mesh screens of varying sizes to isolate mycorrhizal hyphal effects on soil C dynamics in subtropical successional forests.

We found that the presence of mycorrhizal hyphae suppressed soil CO2 fluxes by 17% in early‐successional forests, but enhanced CO2 losses by 20% and 32% in mid‐ and late‐successional forests respectively. The inhibitory effects of mycorrhizal fungi on soil CO2 fluxes in the young stands were associated with changes in soil nitrogen (N) mineralization and microbial activities, suggesting that competition between mycorrhizae and saprotrophs for N likely suppressed soil C decomposition. In the mid‐ and late‐successional stands, mycorrhizal enhancement of CO2 release from soil likely resulted from both hyphal respiration and mycorrhizal‐induced acceleration of organic matter decay.

Synthesis. Our results highlight the sensitivity of mycorrhizal fungi‐saprotroph interactions to shifts in nutrient availability and demand, with important consequences for soil carbon dynamics particularly in ecosystems with low nutrient conditions. Incorporating such interactions into models should improve the simulations of forest biogeochemical cycles under global change.
Suspected predatory bites on a snorkeler by an oceanic whitetip shark Carcharhinus longimanus off Moorea island (French Polynesia)
Authors: Clua Eric E. G. , Demarchi Simon , Meyer Carl G.
Published: August 2021

Understanding why sharks bite humans is essential for developing strategies to prevent these incidents. Here, we use bite wound characteristics and eye witness descriptions of shark behavior to determine the likely motivation for several bites perpetrated by an oceanic whitetip (OWT) shark Carcharhinus longimanus on an adult female snorkeler off Moorea island (French Polynesia) in October 2019. The victim was snorkeling with others in pelagic waters as part of an organized whale‐watching tour when the shark—without any warning behavior—bit her at least three times resulting in severe injuries with substantial loss of soft tissue from the chest and both forearms. The victim survived these injuries thanks to rapid and effective first aid provided by her companions. The sudden, unprovoked and repeated bites with substantial tissue removal are consistent with predatory behavior although the dominance hypothesis cannot be fully ruled out. This would be the first case of a predatory shark bite ever documented in French Polynesia in over 70 years of data collection. Given the routine association of OWT sharks with cetaceans, in‐water whale watching activities should adopt appropriate risk management strategies in regions hosting this species of shark.
Photoluminescence of blood by acidic hydrogen peroxide—A preliminary test
Authors: Lee Wonyoung , Hong Sungwook
Published: August 2021

In this study, the authors found that treating blood with 1 M HCl and 2% (w/v) 5‐sulfosalicylic acid (SSA) in 1% (v/v) hydrogen peroxide mixture can produce photoluminescence of blood. SSA was added as a blood fixer. The photoluminescence was induced by irradiation of a forensic light source at 505 nm, which was detected using a 550 nm barrier filter. In this experiment, various level of acid and hydrogen peroxide were tested to find the optimal formulation of reagents, spot tests were conducted with diluted blood to test the sensitivity of this reagent, and impressions in blood left on porous/nonporous surfaces were enhanced. The sensitivity of this solution was slightly lower than Bluestar and was similar to leucocrystal violet or leucomalachite green on both porous/non‐porous surfaces. The photoluminescence of blood treated with this reagent has been observed over 2 months. Using this reagent, it was possible to observe fingermarks or footwear impressions in blood on a black porous/non‐porous surface. Through this, it was found that using this reagent could enhance bloodstains regardless of the porosity or color of the surface.
Classification algorithm using halftone features of counterfeit bills and CNN
Authors: Lee Joong , Kim HongSeok , Kang Tae‐Yi
Published: August 2021

With recent advancements in image processing and printing technology, home printers have improved in performance and grown more widespread. As such, they have been increasingly used in counterfeiting and forgery. Most counterfeit bills in Korea have been created using home scanners and printers. The identification of printer model is thus necessary to rapidly track down criminals and solve crimes. Household printers can be largely divided into inkjet and laser printers. These two types of printers print halftone textures instead of continuous images. This study proposed a technique of printer classification based on halftone textures that can be observed in printed documents. Since halftone textures are expressed as periodic lattices, the images were transformed via FFT, which is highly effective at expressing periodicity. ResNet, known for its superior gradient flow, was used for training. The experiment was conducted on 12 color laser jets and 2 inkjets. Scans of bills printed by each printer were used, and halftone texture analysis was performed on these images for printer model classification. Each image was cropped into several parts; one of the cropped parts was analyzed. The analysis showed that laser printers could be 100% distinguished from inkjet printers. An accuracy of 98.44% was achieved in make classification. When 50 cropped images were used instead of a single image, the technique achieved 100% accuracy in model classification. The proposed technique is non‐destructive; it offers high accessibility and efficiency as it can be performed using a scanner alone, without requiring additional optical equipment.
Definitions and terminology regarding child alignments, estrangement, and alienation: A survey of custody evaluators
Authors: Bernet William , Baker Amy J. L. , Adkins Kevin Lee
Published: August 2021

Parental alienation (PA) is a highly consequential family dynamic that causes harm to children and parents. While many mental health and legal professionals agree that PA is common and potentially very harmful to children, there is still the appearance that there is controversy and discord in the field. The purpose of this study was to test the extent of consensus in the field regarding the basic tenets of PA theory. Specifically, 11 key terms related to PA were identified through expert input and preliminary field‐testing. An on‐line survey was created specifically for the study to assess level of agreement with these key terms among custody evaluators. This profession was selected because of their high degree of training and experience with a variety of family conflict situations; 119 child custody evaluators selected as members of a professional custody evaluator listing (88% response rate) rated their endorsement of these 11 key definitions with response options including: strongly agree, agree, neither agree nor disagree, disagree, and strongly disagree. Results revealed that roughly 80% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed with each of the 11 definitions. These results demonstrate a high degree of consensus and should guide future trainings of legal and mental health professionals to ensure a common language and understanding of this phenomenon.
Copula‐Based Bivariate Return Period Analysis and Its Implication to Hydrological Design Event
Authors: Zhou Yuliang , Zhang Dong , Zhou Ping , Wang Zhaoli , Yang Pan , Jin Juliang , Cui Yi , Ning Shaowei
Published: August 2021

In univariate frequency analysis, the return period of an event has a one‐to‐one correspondence with its characteristic value, and the response of the hydraulic structure to hydrological load expressed by the hydrological event is monotonic. Thus, the design criteria of the hydraulic structure can be equivalently represented by the return period of the hydrological event, and consequently, design event‐based design parameters evaluated have been widely used in practical engineering. However, the monotonic correspondence between the return period of the hydrological event and the response of the hydraulic structure does not exist in the multivariate context, and hydrological load with a larger joint return period does not always produce a more unsafe response. Misunderstandings of concepts of return periods of hydrological event, and estimation of hydrological design events usually take place in multivariate frequency analysis. This study theoretically derives the relations between different types of joint return periods, joint return period and its marginal return periods, the occurrence of bivariate extreme events and their return periods, and then the theoretical framework is tested. Results from the case contribute to the understanding of bivariate return periods of hydrological event, and the results demonstrate that design criteria cannot be equivalently represented by joint return periods of hydrological load, and design parameters of the hydraulic structure should not be determined by multivariate hydrological design events.
Estimating canopy fuel load with hemispherical photographs: A rapid method for opportunistic fuel documentation with smartphones
Authors: Cameron Hilary A. , Díaz Gastón M. , Beverly Jennifer L.
Published: August 2021

Canopy fuel load (CFL) affects wildfire intensity and is a critical input for fire behaviour models; however, measuring CFL in the field is time‐consuming and costly.

Until recently, hemispherical photographs have been unable to adequately describe canopy metrics in non‐diffuse light conditions. Recent developments allow calculation of canopy openness (CO) and leaf area index (LAI) using hemispherical photographs taken in sunny conditions.

We describe an inexpensive and effective method for estimating CFL in the field opportunistically using CO and LAI values derived from hemispherical photographs taken in variable lighting conditions with a smartphone and fisheye lens attachment.

Implications of this work include: new data for modelling effects of forest structure on fire behaviour; inexpensive assessment and monitoring of forest structure changes over time and in relation to management actions; and decision support for fuel treatment planning and prescribed burning operations.
Religious founders and employee welfare
Authors: Li Yaoqin
Published: August 2021

This study explores the role of religious founders in promoting employee welfare in family firms. We propose that a founder’s religious beliefs can shape the cognitive framework for ethical issues and then influence the firm’s employee welfare practices. Empirical tests based on survey data reveal that firms with religious founders are more likely to offer employee welfare than firms without religious founders. This positive relationship is weakened when the firm founder has a political identity. Further analysis shows that the impact of the founder’s religious beliefs on employee welfare is greater for firms located in areas with a stronger religious atmosphere, indicating that religion mainly works through the institutional‐forcing channel rather than the faith‐driving channel. Overall, our findings provide inspiration for the promotion of employee welfare from an ethical light.
Evaluation of different Apexification treatments of teeth with immature apices and apical periodontitis on the fractal dimensions of trabecular bone
Authors: Ince Yusufoglu Selen , Ugur Aydin Zeliha , Tulumbaci Fatih , Bayrak Seval
Published: August 2021

The aim of the present study was to investigate in the fractal dimension (FD) time‐dependent changes of periapical bone after two different apexification treatments in teeth with immature apices and apical periodontitis. This study included 55 cases treated with apexification. Cases were divided into two groups: a calcium hydroxide group and a mineral trioxide aggregate group. In each case, the lesion area was evaluated by fractal analysis on periapical radiographs obtained before and 1‐year after treatment via Image‐J program. The FD of each region of interest on the radiographs was calculated using the fractal analysis method. The data were statistically analysed. In both groups, the FD values increased compare to initial at 1‐year follow‐up after treatment (P < .05). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of the time‐dependent increase in FD values (P = 0.118). In the present study, time‐dependent changes in FD were independent of the apexification method.
Effects of surgery and general anaesthesia on sleep–wake timing: CLOCKS observational study
Authors: van Zuylen M. L. , Meewisse A. J. G. , Ten Hoope W. , Eshuis W. J. , Hollmann M. W. , Preckel B. , Siegelaar S. E. , Stenvers D. J. , Hermanides J.
Published: August 2021

Surgery and general anaesthesia have the potential to disturb the body’s circadian timing system, which may affect postoperative outcomes. Animal studies suggest that anaesthesia could induce diurnal phase shifts, but clinical research is scarce. We hypothesised that surgery and general anaesthesia would result in peri‐operative changes in diurnal sleep–wake patterns in patients. In this single‐centre prospective cohort study, we recruited patients aged ≥18 years scheduled for elective surgery receiving ≥30 min of general anaesthesia. The Munich Chronotype Questionnaire and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index were used to determine baseline chronotype, sleep characteristics and sleep quality. Peri‐operative sleeping patterns were logged. Ninety‐four patients with a mean (SD) age of 52 (17) years were included; 56 (60%) were female. The midpoint of sleep (SD) three nights before surgery was 03.33 (55 min) and showed a phase advance of 40 minutes to 02.53 (67 min) the night after surgery (p < 0.001). This correlated with the midpoint of sleep three nights before surgery and was not associated with age, sex, duration of general anaesthesia or intra‐operative dexamethasone use. Peri‐operatively, patients had lower subjective sleep quality and worse sleep efficiency. Disruption started from one night before surgery and did not normalise until 6 days after surgery. We conclude that there is a peri‐operative phase advance in midpoint of sleep, confirming our hypothesis that surgery and general anaesthesia disturb the circadian timing system. Patients had decreased subjective sleep quality, worse sleep efficiency and increased daytime fatigue.
Two Mithila Artists Respond to Modi’s COVID‐19 Lockdown in 2020
Authors: Wadley Susan Snow
Published: August 2021

In the spring and summer of 2020, as the COVID‐19 pandemic began to sweep through India, artists from the Mithila region began to paint about the new world in which they lived. Their thoughtful engagement with the changes they faced—changes in behavior, in social life, in nature—is reflected in their many paintings at the Syracuse University Art Museum, which I organized into an online exhibit, “Mithila Art in the Time of Covid‐19.” Several painters focused on the All‐India Lockdown imposed by Prime Minister Modi on March 24, 2020. With millions of laborers stranded in India’s cities, lacking work, housing, or food, a massive human movement home began. Here I engage with four paintings of the Lockdown and journeys home, two by a Dalit male artist, himself at times a migrant day‐laborer, and the other two by a middle‐class/upper caste educated female artist. Representing social positions at the two ends of the social structure of the Mithila region, they present contrasting views of what the Lockdown meant. Both also focus on what they see as the failure of the Indian government in this time of crisis.
A unique case of Fusobacterium nucleatum spondylodiscitis communicating with a pleural empyema through a fistula
Authors: Bonnesen Barbara , Sivapalan Pradeesh , Naghavi Hadi , Back Holmgaard Dennis , Sloth Carsten , Wiese Lothar , Kolekar Shailesh
Published: August 2021

Species (spp.) belonging to the genus Fusobacterium are anaerobic commensals colonizing the upper respiratory tract, the gastrointestinal tract, and the genitals. Infections with Fusobacterium spp. have been reported at many anatomical sites, including pneumonias and pleural empyemas; however, there are very few published cases of Fusobacterium spp. causing spondylodiscitis or fistulas. Bone infections with Fusobacterium can spread directly to surrounding muscular tissue or by hematogenous transmission to any other tissue including pleurae and lungs. Similarly, pleural infections can spread Fusobacterium spp. to any other tissue including fistulas and bone. Concomitant pleural empyema and spondylodiscitis are rare; however, there are a few published cases with concomitant disease, although none caused by Fusobacterium spp. A 77‐year‐old female patient was assessed using computed tomography (CT) scanning of the thorax and abdomen, as well as analyses of fluid drained from the region affected by the pleural empyema. A diagnosis of Fusobacterium empyema, fistula, bacteremia, and spondylodiscitis was made, and the patient’s condition improved significantly after drainage of the pleural empyema and relevant long‐term antibiotic treatment. We describe the first confirmed case with concomitant infection with Fusobacterium nucleatum as spondylodiscitis and pleural empyema connected by a fistula.
Identification and function prediction of novel microRNAs in adenosine monophosphate activated protein kinase‐activated Sertoli cells of immature boar
Authors: Zhang Jiao Jiao , Wang Yu Sha , Li Ya Qi , Chen Liang , Wang Xian Zhong
Published: August 2021

This study was carried out with the objective to identify function prediction of novel microRNAs (miRNAs) in immature boar Sertoli cells (SCs) treated with 5‐aminoimidazole‐4‐carboxamide‐1‐β‐D‐ribofuranoside (AICAR), which is an agonist of adenosine monophosphate‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) for regulating cellular energy homeostasis. Two small RNA libraries (control and AICAR treatment) prepared from immature boar SCs were constructed and sequenced by the Illumina small RNA deep sequencing. We identified 77 novel miRNAs and predicted 177 potential target genes for 26 differential novel miRNAs (four miRNAs up‐regulation and 22 miRNAs down‐regulation) in AICAR‐treated SCs. Gene Ontology enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway suggested that target genes of differential novel miRNAs were implicated in many biological processes and metabolic pathways. Our findings provided useful information for the functional regulation of novel miRNAs and target mRNAs on AMPK‐activated immature boar SCs.
A longitudinal study evaluating interim assessment of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for bladder cancer
Authors: Furrer Marc A. , Papa Nathan , Luetolf Sandro , Roth Beat , Cumberbatch Marcus , Dorin Vartolomei Mihai , Thomas Benjamin C. , Thoeny Harriet C. , Seiler Roland , Thalmann George N. , Kiss Bernhard
Published: August 2021

Objectives

To evaluate the usefulness of radiological re‐staging after two and four cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), the impact of re‐staging on further patient management, and the correlation between clinical and final pathological tumour stage at radical cystectomy (RC).

Patients and Methods

We conducted a longitudinal, single‐centre, cohort study of prospectively collected consecutive patients who underwent NAC and RC for urothelial muscle‐invasive bladder cancer between July 2001 and December 2017. Patients underwent repeated computed tomography scans for re‐staging after two cycles of NAC and after completion of NAC before RC.

Results

Of 180 patients, 110 had ≥four cycles of NAC and had complete imaging available. In the entire cohort, further patient management was only changed in 2/180 patients (1.1%) after two cycles of NAC based on radiological findings. Patients who were stable after two cycles but then downstaged after at least four cycles of NAC had a similarly lowered risk of death (hazard ratio [HR] 0.53). Only one patient downstaged after two cycles was subsequently upstaged after four cycles. Clinical downstaging was observed in 51 patients (46%), 55 patients (50%) had no change in clinical stage and four patients (3.6%) were clinically upstaged. Patients clinically downstaged after four cycles of NAC had a lower risk of death (HR 0.49, 95% confidence interval 0.25–0.94; P = 0.033) compared to those with no change or upstaged after completion of NAC.

Conclusions

Re‐staging of muscle‐invasive bladder cancer after two cycles of NAC offers little additional information, rarely changes patient management, and may therefore be omitted, whereas re‐staging after completion of NAC by CT is a strong predictor of overall survival.
Reactivation of a hyperextended rift system: The Basque–Cantabrian Pyrenees case
Authors: Miró Jordi , Manatschal Gianreto , Cadenas Patricia , Muñoz Josep Anton
Published: August 2021

This contribution investigates the role of a hyperextended rift system in the formation of the Basque–Cantabrian Pyrenees by discussing their present‐day architecture as well as the inherited rift template. Moreover, this work attempts to decipher the onset of reactivation of a hyperextended system and to discuss the related processes during collision. To carry out this study, two regional, crustal‐scale cross‐sections are presented that provide geological and geophysical information and interpretations across the Central and Western Basque–Cantabrian Pyrenees. Moreover, the two sections are restored back to the Cenomanian and Barremian, corresponding to the end of two independent rift stages respectively. The two sections document different structural styles observed along the orogenic belt. The Central section, involving the Iberian and European plates, shows a thin‐skinned structural style, where the Upper Triassic salt acted as a decoupling level between the sedimentary cover and the underlying basement during both extension and reactivation. The Western section, by contrast, crosses only the Iberian plate (i.e., intra‐plate section) and displays a hybrid situation showing both thin‐ and thick‐skinned structural styles that were conditioned by the irregular distribution of Triassic salt. Extensional deformation was localised in the north (i.e., Bay of Biscay) and less important in the south. Despite compressional reactivation, the northern part of the Western section preserves its rift template, which provides key insights to restore the internal part of the Central section. In contrast to the Western section, the Central section shows stacked depocenters, resulting from overprinted Mesozoic rift events that had a first order control on the subsequent reactivation. This study corroborates the importance of rift inheritance during the onset of convergence by reactivating the most distal and weak part of the rift system (i.e., serpentinised mantle) before starting the collision phase. A key learning is that the understanding of the nature and distribution of decoupling levels at a crustal scale is fundamental to reconstruct the structural evolution during the formation and reactivation of a hyperextended rift system.
ELF3‐AS1 contributes to gastric cancer progression by binding to hnRNPK and induces thrombocytosis in peripheral blood
Authors: Song Shubin , He Xuezhi , Wang Jing , Wang Rong , Wang Leilei , Zhao Wei , Wang Yimin , Zhang Yongle , Yu Zhiyong , Miao Dengshun , Xue Yingwei
Published: August 2021

Numerous studies have reported that a variety of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) can promote the proliferation, invasion, and migration of different tumor cells. However, different lncRNAs regulate cell functions in various forms, and the exact mechanisms are not clear. Here, we investigated the effect of the lncRNA ELF3‐AS1 on gastric cancer (GC) cell function and explored the exact mechanism. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the expression of ELF3‐AS1 in GC tissues and adjacent nontumor tissues. Knockdown and overexpression of ELF3‐AS1 was used to detect the effect of ELF3‐AS1 on cell function. Potential downstream target genes were identified using RNA transcriptome sequencing, while RNA immunoprecipitation, chromatin immunoprecipitation, and Western blotting were performed to explore the tumor promotion mechanisms of ELF3‐AS1. We observed that ELF3‐AS1 was highly expressed in GC tissues, and high ELF3‐AS1 expression predicted poor prognosis. The knockdown of ELF3‐AS1 significantly inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and epithelial‐mesenchymal transition and promoted apoptosis. Mechanistic investigations revealed that ELF3‐AS1 may regulate the downstream target gene, C‐C motif chemokine 20, by binding with the RNA‐binding protein hnRNPK. Additionally, we found that high ELF3‐AS1 expression was associated with thrombocytosis. Interleukin‐6 and thrombopoietin may be involved in ELF3‐AS1–induced paraneoplastic thrombocytosis. Together, our results demonstrate that aberrantly expressed ELF3‐AS1 in GC may play important roles in oncogenesis and progression and is expected to become a new target for the diagnosis and treatment of GC.