bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Systemic barriers and facilitators to the transition of registered nurse to nurse practitioner in Canada: A scoping review
Authors: El Hussein Mohamed Toufic , Ha Calla
Published: April 2022

Background:

The scope of practice of nurse practitioners (NPs) is expanding, and an increasing number of registered nurses (RNs) are advancing their careers to become NPs. Nurse practitioners are prepared to improve access to high-quality care and enhance care standards. The barriers and facilitators in the transition of RNs to NPs have been seldom studied in the Canadian context.

Objective:

To conduct a scoping review to identify systemic barriers and facilitators affecting Canadian RN experience in transitioning to independent practice as NPs.

Data Sources:

Four electronic databases were searched for primary studies, and several search engines were used to retrieve gray literature. Keywords included NP, transition, novice, Canada, barriers, obstacles, facilitators, and their variations. Eligible studies are those published from the inception of each respective database to 2021.

Conclusions:

Four research studies and one report in the gray literature were located. Three themes were identified from the literature review, including inconsistencies in education and the need for mentors, need for legislation supportive of NP practice, and inconsistent remuneration structures for NPs.

Implications for Practice:

Addressing systemic barriers and employing systemic facilitators are likely to facilitate the transition of RNs to NPs. The lack of primary evidence to explore the factors that affect the transition process from an RN to an NP in Canada indicates that further research must be done. Findings from the future research are likely to furnish a better understanding of the transition process so that the integration of new NPs into the health care system can be achieved efficiently.
Melanin-Targeted PET Imaging With 18F-PFPN for Identifying Gastric Metastatic Melanoma
Authors: Zhang Xiao , Li Mengting , Lan Xiaoli
Published: April 2022

A 47-year-old man, who had a history of occipital skin dissection for melanoma, underwent 18F-FDG and 18F-PFPN (a specific tracer targeting melanin) PET due to increased stomach discomfort and melena. In 18F-FDG and 18F-PFPN images, strong uptakes were both found in the thickened gastric wall, which was suspected as metastatic melanoma to the stomach. This was further confirmed by pathological biopsy of gastric tissue. Our case illustrated that melanin-targeted PET imaging could provide an effective method for searching the metastases of melanoma.
Radioiodine Uptake in Incidentally Detected Neuroendocrine Tumor
Authors: Hod Nir , Lantsberg Sophie , Levin Daniel
Published: April 2022

Radioiodine whole-body scintigraphy has long been used for detection of differentiated thyroid carcinoma with high avidity in functioning thyroid tissues. However, uptake is not completely specific, and “false-positive” uptake in nonthyroidal tumors have rarely been reported. Herein, we present a case of incidentally detected neuroendocrine tumor showing high radioiodine uptake initially suspected to be thyroid metastasis. Correlative imaging with FDG PET/CT and 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT is presented, and literature survey is discussed. We conclude that neuroendocrine tumor should be added to the reported list of neoplasms that can show “false-positive” uptake representing a potential interpretative pitfall.
Machine Learning Approaches for Electronic Health Records Phenotyping: A Methodical Review
Authors: Yang Siyue , Varghese Paul , Stephenson Ellen , Tu Karen , Gronsbell Jessica
Published: April 2022

Objective

Accurate and rapid phenotyping is a prerequisite to leveraging electronic health records (EHRs) for biomedical research. While early phenotyping relied on rule-based algorithms curated by experts, machine learning (ML) approaches have emerged as an alternative to improve scalability across phenotypes and healthcare settings. This study evaluates ML-based phenotyping with respect to (i) the data sources used, (ii) the phenotypes considered, (iii) the methods applied, and (iv) the reporting and evaluation methods used.

Materials and Methods

We searched PubMed and Web of Science for articles published between 2018 and 2022. After screening 850 articles, we recorded 37 variables on 100 studies.

Results

Most studies utilized data from a single institution and included information in clinical notes. Although chronic conditions were most commonly considered, ML also enabled characterization of nuanced phenotypes such as social determinants of health. Supervised deep learning was the most popular ML paradigm, while semi-supervised and weakly-supervised learning were applied to expedite algorithm development and unsupervised learning to facilitate phenotype discovery. ML approaches did not uniformly outperform rule-based algorithms, but deep learning offered marginal improvement over traditional ML for many conditions.

Discussion

Despite the progress in ML-based phenotyping, most articles focused on binary phenotypes and few articles evaluated external validity or used multi-institution data. Study settings were infrequently reported and analytic code was rarely released.

Conclusion

Continued research in ML-based phenotyping is warranted, with emphasis on characterizing nuanced phenotypes, establishing reporting and evaluation standards, and developing methods to accommodate misclassified phenotypes due to algorithm errors in downstream applications.
Barriers and facilitators to the implementation of cell phone interventions to improve the use of family planning services among women in Sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review
Authors: Barro Abibata , Ngangue Patrice , Bationo Nestor , Soubeiga Dieudonné , Pafadnam Yacouba , Kaboré Safiata S. , Pilabré Hermann , Traoré Doulaye
Published: April 2022

Background

Mobile health (mHealth) interventions are being tested to improve contraceptive uptake in SubSaharan Africa (SSA). However, few attempts have systematically reviewed the mHealth programs aiming to improve family planning (FP) services among women in SSA. This review identifies and highlights facilitators and barriers to implementing cell phone interventions designed to target women FP services.

Methods

Databases including PubMed, CINAHL, Epistemonikos, Embase, and Global Health were systematically searched for studies from January 01, 2010, to December 31, 2020, to identify various mHealth interventions used to improve the use of FP services among women in SSA. Two authors independently selected eligible publications based on inclusion/exclusion criteria, assessed study quality and extracted data using a pre-defined data extraction sheet. In addition, a content analysis was conducted using a validated extraction grid with a pre-established categorization of barriers and facilitators.

Results

The search strategy led to a total of 8,188 potentially relevant papers, of which 16 met the inclusion criteria. The majority of included studies evaluated the impact of mHealth interventions on FP services; access (n = 9) and use of FP outcomes (n = 6). The most-reported cell phone use was for women reproductive health education, contraceptive knowledge and use. Barriers and facilitators of the use of mhealth were categorized into three main outcomes: behavioral outcomes, data collection and reporting, and health outcomes. mHealth interventions addressed barriers related to provider prejudice, stigmatization, discrimination, lack of privacy, and confidentiality. The studies also identified barriers to uptake of mHealth interventions for FP services, including decreased technological literacy and lower linguistic competency.

Conclusion

The review provides detailed information about the implementation of mobile phones at different healthcare system levels to improve FP services; outcomes. Barriers to uptake mHealth interventions must be adequately addressed to increase the potential use of mobile phones to improve access to sexual reproductive health awareness and family planning services.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO CRD42020220669 (December 14, 2020)
Impact of HIV and recreational drugs on cognitive functions in young men having sex with men
Authors: Henrard Sophie , Trotta Nicola , Rovai Antonin , Coolen Tim , Slama Hichem , Bertels Julie , Puttaert Delphine , Goffard Jean-Christophe , Van Vooren Jean-Paul , Goldman Serge , De Tiège Xavier
Published: April 2022

Objectives

This study characterizes the structural and metabolic cerebral correlates of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) in a preclinical setting that considers the lifestyle of young European men exposed to HIV, including recreational drugs.

Design

Prospective inclusion of participants.

Methods

Simultaneous structural brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography using [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG-PET) were acquired on a hybrid PET-MRI system in 23 asymptomatic young men with HIV+ (mean age: 33.6 years, age range: 23-60 years; normal CD4+ cell count, undetectable viral load). Neuroimaging data were compared with that of a group of 26 young HIV-men, highly well matched for what concerns age, lifestyle, named pre-exposure prophylaxis users (HIV-PrEP), and to a group of 23 undifferentiated matched young men (i.e., healthy controls). A comprehensive neuropsychological assessment was also administered to the HIV+ and HIV-PrEP subjects.

Results

HIV+ subjects had lower performances in executive, attentional and working memory functions compared to HIV-PrEP subjects. No structural or metabolic differences were found between those two groups. Compared to healthy controls, HIV+ and HIV-PrEP exhibited a common frontal hypometabolism in the right prefrontal cortex that correlated with the level of recreational drug use. No structural brain abnormality was found.

Conclusion

A dynamic prevention of recreational drugs use in HIV+ and HIV-PrEP subjects is mandatory to cope with their negative impact on brain function and their neurocognitive consequences. A complex interplay between recreational drugs and HIV might be involved in the development of neurocognitive disorders in young men with HIV.
Implementation of a pediatric telemedicine and medication delivery service in a resource-limited setting: A pilot study for clinical safety and feasibility
Authors: Klarman Molly B. , Flaherty Katelyn E. , Chi Xiaofei , Cajusma Youseline , Exantus Lerby , Friesen Jason , Beau de Rochars Valery M , Baril Chantale , Gurka Matthew J. , Becker Torben K. , Nelson Eric J
Published: April 2022

Objective

Determine the clinical safety and feasibility of implementing a telemedicine and medication delivery service (TMDS) to address gaps in nighttime healthcare access for children in low-resource settings.

Methods

We implemented a TMDS in Haiti called ‘MotoMeds’: (i) A parent/guardian of a child ≤10 years contacted the call center (6pm-5am). (ii) A provider used paper clinical decision support tools to triage the case as mild, moderate, or severe. Severe cases were referred to emergency care. For non-severe cases, call center providers gathered clinical findings to generate an assessment and plan. (iii) For households within the delivery zone, a provider and driver were dispatched with medications/fluids; the provider performed a paired in-person exam. For households outside the delivery zone, the family received phone consult alone. All families received a follow-up call at 10-days. Data were analyzed for clinical safety and feasibility.

Results

A total of 391 cases were enrolled from September 9th, 2019 to January 19th, 2021; 89% (347) received a household visit. Most cases were triaged as mild or moderate (92%; 361). Among the severe cases, 83% (20) sought subsequent referred care. The most common complaint was a respiratory problem (63%; 246). At 10-days, 95% (329) of parents reported their child’s condition as “improved” or “recovered”. Ninety-nine percent (344) rated the TMDS as “good” or “great”. The median phone consultation was 20 minutes, time to arrival at the household was 73 minutes and total workflow per case was 114 minutes.

Conclusion

The TMDS was a feasible healthcare delivery model with high rates of improved clinical status at 10-days.

Study registration (clinicaltrials.gov)

NCT03943654
Structural insights into the high selectivity of the anti-diabetic drug mitiglinide
Authors: Wang Mengmeng , Wu Jing-Xiang , Chen Lei
Published: April 2022

Mitiglinide is a highly selective fast-acting anti-diabetic drug that inhibits pancreatic KATP channels to induce insulin secretion. However, how mitiglinide binds KATP channels remains unknown. Here, we show the cryo-EM structure of the SUR1 subunit in complex with mitiglinide. The structure reveals that mitiglinide binds inside the common insulin secretagogue-binding site in the transmembrane domain of SUR1, locking SUR1 in a NBD-separated inward-facing conformation. The detailed structural analysis uncovers the molecular basis of the high selectivity of mitiglinide.
GM-CSF-activated human dendritic cells promote type1 T follicular helper cells (Tfh1) polarization in a CD40-dependent manner
Authors: Korniotis Sarantis , Saichi Melissa , Trichot Coline , Hoffmann Caroline , Amblard Elise , Viguier Annick , Grondin Sophie , Noel Floriane , Mattoo Hamid , Soumelis Vassili
Published: April 2022

T follicular helper (Tfh) cells are specialized CD4+T cells that regulate humoral immunity by providing B cell help. Tfh1 sub-population was recently identified and associated with severity in infection and autoimmune diseases. The cellular and molecular requirements to induce human Tfh1 differentiation are unknown. Our work investigated the role of human dendritic cells (DC) in promoting Tfh1 differentiation and their physiopathological implication in mycobacterium tuberculosis and mild COVID-19 infection.

Activated human blood CD1c+DC were cocultured with allogeneic naive CD4+T cells. Single-cell RNA sequencing was then used alongside protein validation to define the induced Tfh lineage. DC signature and correlation with Tfh1 cells in infected patients was established through bioinformatic analysis.

Our results show that GM-CSF-activated DC drove the differentiation of Tfh1 cells, displaying typical Tfh molecular features, including 1) high levels of PD-1, CXCR5, and ICOS expression; 2) BCL6 and TBET co-expression; 3) IL-21 and IFN-γ secretion. Mechanistically, GM-CSF triggered the emergence of two distinct DC sub-populations defined by their differential expression of CD40 and ICOS-ligand (ICOS-L), and distinct phenotype, morphology, transcriptomic signature, and function. We showed that Tfh1 differentiation was efficiently and specifically induced by CD40highICOS-LlowDC in a CD40-dependent manner. Tfh1 cells were positively associated with a CD40highICOS-LLowDC signature in patients with latent mycobacterium tuberculosis and mild COVID-19 infection.

Our study uncovers a novel CD40-dependent human Tfh1 axis. Immunotherapy modulation of Tfh1 activity might contribute to control diseases where Tfh1 are known to play a key role, such as infections.

Significance Statement

Dendritic cells (DC) play a central role in triggering the adaptive immune response due to their T cell priming functions. Among different T cell subsets, it is still not clear how human type1 T follicular helper cells (Tfh1) differentiate. Tfh1 cells are implicated in several physiopathological conditions, including infections. Here we show that GM-CSF induces diversification of human DC. Only CD40highICOS-LLowDC were able to drive Tfh1 cell differentiation. We found that CD40highICOS-LLowDC signature was associated to Tfh1 cells in mycobacterium tuberculosis and COVID-19 patients. Our data reveal a previously undescribed pathway leading to human Tfh1 cell differentiation and highlight the importance of GM-CSF and CD40 as potential targets for the design of anti-infective therapies.
Architecture and the imaginary: text stimulus to improve students' creativity with nonlinear design process
Authors: Park Eun Joo , Kim Dong-Hyun , Kim Mi Jeong
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This study aims to examine whether a text stimulus could enhance students' imagination and thus enhance their creativity in the architectural design studio. The assumption is that adopting the text stimulus in the conceptual design stage would support students' imagination through a nonlinear design process, and ultimately produce the creative values of design outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

A curriculum that adopts a text stimulus was developed and used for first-year university students. The aim was to implement an architectural setting to stimulate students' imagination with a framework for creativity evaluation. The study focused not only on the design process that characterizes the generation of concepts and ideas, but also on the processes related to the creative practices that students need for developing their own expression methods to solve problems they encounter.

Findings

The results show that design education that emphasizes the imaginary could enhance students' creative thinking, thus leading to creative design. As a training tool in the design studio, the diversity of interpretation following the text stimulus was revealed to provoke a nonlinear design process and to eventually enhance students' originality, differential and inventiveness, which are associated with the creativity criteria for evaluation.

Originality/value

The study explores the translation of imaginary spaces from text into spatial design as a conceptual tool in order to characterize and support creativity throughout design education in the architectural design studio.
Digital sustainable business model innovation: applying dynamic capabilities approach (DSBMI-DC)
Authors: Hajiheydari Nastaran , Kargar Shouraki Mohammad , Vares Hamed , Mohammadian Ayoub
Published: April 2022

Purpose

How to respond to social and environmental concerns while pursuing economic goals remained a dilemma for today’s businesses. Besides, the digital revolution has profoundly changed people's lifestyles, turning out the challenge of how to present products and services to the new generations of consumers through emerging digital channels. To overcome these challenges, a business needs to rely on its internal capabilities but must make them dynamic and modify them, when necessary, in response to or anticipation of external changes. This study aims to propose a model for business model innovation (BMI) with the goal of pursuing sustainability and adapting to the changes of the digital age pursuing dynamic capabilities principles.

Design/methodology/approach

This study followed a mixed-method design, using meta-synthesis in its first phase (qualitative) and interpretive structural modelling in its second phase (quantitative).

Findings

The proposed model consists of four layers including approach, aspect, dimension and component. Based on quantitative results, the 16 dimensions were categorised in four main levels of “sustainable computing”, “sustainable execution”, “sustainable engagement” and “sustainable results”. Considering sustainability and digital transformation as main change drivers for contemporary businesses, this paper proposes a novel framework in the field of BMI.

Originality/value

The results of this study suggest that BMI requires not only proper business design based on social and environmental sustainability and digital transformation requirements but also attention to a new component called sustainable engagement, which represents the need for engaging with social and environmental issues in addition to customers.
COVID-19-related job insecurity and employees’ behavioral outcomes: mediating role of emotional exhaustion and moderating role of symmetrical internal communication
Authors: Khan Abdul Karim , Khalid Maria , Abbas Nida , Khalid Shehryar
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This study aims to examine the impact of COVID-19-related job insecurity on two types of employees’ behaviors: family undermining and withdrawal. This study also proposes emotional exhaustion as a mediator and symmetrical internal communication as a moderator in the relationship between COVID-19-related job insecurity and employees’ behaviors.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a time-lagged design, data were gathered from 193 employees working in Pakistan’s hospitality sector. Structural equation modeling in AMOS and PROCESS Macro were used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The results show that COVID-19-related job insecurity is positively related to family undermining and withdrawal behaviors, and these associations are mediated by emotional exhaustion. Furthermore, symmetrical internal communication weakens the positive influence of COVID-19-related job insecurity on emotional exhaustion. Additionally, the indirect impact of COVID-19-related job insecurity on employees’ behavioral outcomes via emotional exhaustion is stronger for employees with low symmetrical internal communication than for those with high levels of symmetrical internal communication.

Practical implications

Hospitality management needs to focus on transparent and horizontal communication patterns to reduce the ensuing negative behaviors from COVID-19-related job insecurity.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to examine the impact of COVID-19-related job insecurity on two types of employees’ behaviors: family undermining and withdrawal. This study also offers new insights via mediating mechanisms and moderators associated with the relationship between COVID-19-related job insecurity and employees’ behavioral reactions.
A quantitative framework for health‐care service quality assessment in India
Authors: Thakkar Jitesh J. , Thanki Shashank , Guru Sunita
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The present situation of COVID-19 pandemic has put the health-care systems under tremendous stress and stringent tests for their ability to offer expected quality of health-care services, as it decides the sustainability and growth of health-care service providers. This study aims to deliver a quantitative framework for service quality assessment in the health-care industry by classifying the health-care service quality parameters into four balanced scorecard (BSC) perspectives.

Design/methodology/approach

To determine the service quality for the Indian health-care system, decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory and analytical network process are integrated in a fuzzy environment to contemplate the interaction among BSC perspectives and respective performance measures.

Findings

The results indicate “internal processes” perspective assumes the key role within BSC perspectives, while performance measures “nursing staff turnover” and “staff training” play the key roles. The results also signify that “patient satisfaction” is the most vital issue and can be strongly influenced by measures belonging to the “learning and growth” perspective. In “learning and growth” perspective, “staff training” is the most decisive criteria, very highly influencing “patient satisfaction”, highly influencing “profitability,” “change of cost per patient (both in and out patients)” and “outpatient waiting time” while moderately influencing “staff satisfaction,” “bed occupancy” and “nursing staff turnover”. Moreover, “staff training” criteria have a positive influence on “nursing staff turnover.”

Originality/value

The contributions of this study are in two folds in the domain of quantification of service quality for the health-care system. First, it delivers an assessment framework for Indian health-care service quality. Second, it demonstrates an application of the framework for a case situation and validates the proposed framework.
Dual effects of regulatory focus on work-related consequences: the mediating roles of psychological contracts
Authors: Liang Huai-Liang
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the potential mechanisms through which regulatory focus influences employee work-related outcomes. The effects of a dual model of regulatory focus on job satisfaction and turnover intention were investigated through psychological contracts.

Design/methodology/approach

The data of a survey of 370 recruits (306 male newcomers and 64 female newcomers) in a Taiwanese military recruitment center provided significant support for the hypothesized dual model.

Findings

The results revealed that regulatory focus was positively related to either job satisfaction or turnover intention. A relational contract mediated the relationship between promotion focus and job satisfaction, whereas a transactional contract mediated prevention focus and turnover intention.

Research limitations/implications

The study results may not apply to other sectors because data were collected only at a military unit in Taiwan. Using Taiwanese military personnel may limit the generalization of the results to those unemployed in civilian samples or those in other countries. Samples from different countries are important to establish whether the results from the study apply to other situations. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first regulatory focus theory (RFT)-based study to report on the regulatory focus of newcomers as mediating the relationship between purposeful and work-related outcomes.

Practical implications

Previous research has found that individuals with a different goal orientation may adopt different behaviors that result in different performance levels. The results here imply that newcomers with transactional contracts have intentions to leave their organizations and perceive their relationships with their organizations according to rational choice theory.

Originality/value

Newcomers' distinctive self-regulatory systems and focus on meeting either nurturance or security needs were determined to get different outcomes following organizational entry. The results demonstrated that promotion-focused newcomers were satisfied with the military, whereas prevention-focused newcomers intended to leave within their first 18 weeks.
Influence of informal institutions on commitment to customer service in Confucian Asia
Authors: Klein Andreas , Horak Sven , Ahlf Henning , Nihalani Katrin
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Research on the commitment to customer service (CCS) typically considers either trainable behavior or external stimuli such as financial incentives vital to CCS. Utilizing the cultural context of Confucian Asia, this study proposes a novel approach that shifts the focus towards the antecedents of the informal institutional environment.

Design/methodology/approach

This research considers four informal institutions typical for Confucian Asia about their influence on CCS: power distance, perceived individual independence, openness to change, and informal network ties. Hypotheses are tested in a structural equation model using data obtained from a South Korean subject pool.

Findings

Results show that informal institutions like power distance and network ties, and mediators like perceived individual independence and openness to change are positively related to CCS. Power distance and network ties also have a direct positive effect on openness to change. Moreover, power distance negatively affects perceived individual independence.

Research limitations/implications

The authors' findings contribute to the service management literature by showing that a given CCS of service employees can be explained by antecedents of the company's informal institutional environment.

Practical implications

From a human resource perspective, the informal institutional environment should be taken into account when establishing a supporting organizational culture and designing management training programs.

Originality/value

This research introduces the institutional view to services management research, focusing on the role that informal institutions play. In particular, factors like power distance and network ties that influence CCS are tested for the first time.
Community members speak –“Why are healthcare personnel subjected to disrespect and violence?”
Authors: Baig Lubna Ansari , Ahmer Zaeema , Tariq Hira , Arif Saleema , Sarwar Zaini
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Healthcare personnel (HCP) are at high risk of facing violence globally. Their sanctity and respect are threatened by violence in healthcare settings. Mostly, this occurs at the hands of patients and community members. This study explores the reasons for disrespect and violence against HCP by patients and community members in selected communities of two provinces of Pakistan.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative study design was applied to develop an understanding of the processes that explained the community member's perception of disrespect and violence. A total of 12 focus group discussions (FGDs) with 11 community members on an average in each focus group and eight individual in-depth interviews (IDIs), each lasting for 40–50 min were conducted with community members. Data were analyzed thematically and guided by phenomenology.

Findings

The study found that community members perceived HCP as “angels on duty.” However they justified the anger of offenders as a result of shortcomings on the part of HCP and the healthcare settings. Furthermore, they blamed the chaos and ongoing crisis due to illiteracy and corruption within the society with existent poverty as triggers of violence and disrespect. Community members emphasized the role of media and labeled it as the game changer in building the image of HCP. They further stressed upon building competencies of the HCP and bridging the gap between HCP and communities to enhance respect and decrease violence on HCP.

Practical implications

Disrespect and violence against HCP can be minimized through improving competencies of HCP. Furthermore, media should play a positive role in safeguarding the rights of HCP and building their image. A holistic approach is suggested whereby all stakeholders should be actively involved in promoting awareness and respect for HCP.

Originality/value

Community members' perceptions have been taken into account, which is a unique and novel approach towards building inclusive communities.
The learning workforce: experiences matter
Authors: Maier Peter
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Executives in all industries routinely tell their employees that they are the company’s most important assets. How that translates into day-to-day “asset” management culture varies by industry, country and company. The past few years have pushed questions about workforce management best practices to the top of the business agenda. This paper aims to explore those best practices.

Design/methodology/approach

The tools of educational psychology offer us a framework. Task experience enables a sense of competence that one can overcome challenges and solve problems. Social experience is built on a sense of belonging and feeling connected to a group that wants us to be successful. Fulfilment experience is about making learning meaningful.

Findings

Workforce education spanning the three dimensions of learning experience also bridges geographic chasms, avoids discrimination and inequality, enhances teamwork and fosters personal growth. As a result, productivity goes up, and the organization and its people become more resilient and adaptive to change.

Originality/value

Readers will find these tips helpful as they implement workforce learning initiatives in their organizations.
Happy Valley heterotopia: representing colonial order in a Hong Kong “other space”
Authors: Vaughan L. Nicole
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to trace the development of Hong Kong's Happy Valley from a space associated with dangerous miasmas to the site of a racecourse, recreation ground and a series of cemeteries for the colony's foreign communities while examining the relationship between the exclusion of Chinese from Happy Valley and the notion of colonial order.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper makes use of empirical evidence from historical documents, such as newspapers and government records, and applies Michel Foucault's notion of the heterotopia as a theoretical model.

Findings

This paper provides insights into the relationship between space and power in the colonial setting. It demonstrates that the imposition of colonial order in Happy Valley was a process that involved the exclusion of Chinese and that the various ways in which this order was reinforced, contested and negotiated revealed it to be shallow and incomplete.

Originality/value

This paper sheds light on an underexamined but important colonial space in 19th and early 20th century Hong Kong and complicates the notion of colonial control.
In-transit interventions using real-time data in Australian berry supply chains
Authors: Rendon-Benavides Ruben , Perez-Franco Roberto , Elphick-Darling Rose , Plà-Aragonés Lluís M. , Gonzalez Aleu Fernando , Verduzco-Garza Teresa , Rodriguez-Parral Ana V.
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The objective of this paper is to contribute to Australian berry supply chains with a relevant identification regarding the possible data driven interventions that stakeholders can take while the berries are in transit.

Design/methodology/approach

An exploratory series of semi-structured interviews was conducted through six Australian experts in the industry with more than 20 years of experience in Australian berry supply chains and the Australian perishable food industry, to identify key possible in-transit interventions that could be implemented in the Australian berry industry.

Findings

The analysis of the interviews revealed a total of 18 possible in-transit interventions. An important finding is that in-transit interventions are made possible by the use of real-time data gathered through IoT devices such as Active Radio Frequency Identification, Time and Temperature Indicators interacting with Wireless Sensor Networks. Another key finding is that Australian berry growers and retailers do possess the technologies and the resources necessary to make in-transit interventions possible, however they have yet applied these technologies to operational decision-making and interventions based on the product, rather focussing on supply chain transactions and events.

Research limitations/implications

Since the research focusses on an Australian context, its findings may or may not be applicable to other countries. The research is exploratory in nature, and its findings should be verified by future research, in particular to test whether the in-transit interventions proposed here can be implemented in a cost-efficient way.

Originality/value

To the authors' knowledge, this publication is the first known academic article to provide a clear understanding of the Australian berry industry from a supply chain and logistics perspective, and the first to explore possible data driven in-transit interventions in perishable food supply chains.
How to unlock the benefits of ecotourism: a case study of Karpaz, North Cyprus
Authors: Yorganci Ilkay , Emin Erol
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This research was motivated by the strong desire of the researchers to make an impact on the protection and conservation of the environment and to make recommendations to enhance sustainable ecotourism development in the Karpaz peninsula, North Cyprus. The aim of the research was first to assess the current challenges faced by those involved in ecotourism and sustainable practices and secondly to develop solutions for these challenges.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative applied research was used with the objective of combining the concerns of local entrepreneurs with the knowledge of the members of the ecotourism associations and organisations to raise public awareness, empower locals, bring social change and improve the lives of the local community. Twenty in-depth interviews were conducted with ecotourism entrepreneurs, members of the Ecotourism Association, the Ecotourism Movement and the Karpaz Ecotourism Cooperative.

Findings

The results showed that the main challenges faced were a lack of finance, a lack of support from the local and national governments and a lack of knowledge regarding ecotourism and sustainable development amongst members of the local community. The solutions are educating the local community about agri-ecotourism, putting pressure on local and national governments to support agri-ecotourism, getting other tourism associations such as tour operators on their side and setting up farming cooperatives for farmers.

Originality/value

The value and originality of this study lie in the use of applied research approach with its social agenda of finding solutions which can be developed from the new knowledge which arises from the study.
Why is sub‐Saharan Africa an attractive destination to foreign land grabbers? Evidence from country characteristics
Authors: Nkansah‐Dwamena Ernest , Yoon Hyunsoo
Published: April 2022

Investments in large‐scale land acquisition by foreigners, also referred to as land grabbing, are crucial to sub‐Saharan Africa's development. Land acquisition investments have attracted considerable attention in global development circles due to their potential positive (e.g., technology transfer, employment creation, infrastructure improvement, and global market integration) and negative (e.g., environmental degradation, food insecurity, displacement, and loss of livelihoods) impacts. The factors making land investments attractive to foreign investors are unclear. This paper examines country characteristics associated with land acquisitions in 20 sub‐Saharan African countries to provoke evidence‐based discussion. The paper estimates regression models of land acquisitions using country‐level data from 2010 to 2019 on demographic and economic conditions, natural resources, business practices and governance. The results reveal that the availability of land and water, corruption, days required to start a business, government effectiveness, cost of business startup and political stability are critical determinants of land acquisition investments in sub‐Saharan Africa. The paper recommends that African governments should: (1) strengthen regulatory frameworks on foreign direct investment in land; (2) scrutinize investors' business models, technical experience and knowledge of local culture; (3) undertake rigorous environmental and social impact assessments (ESIA) to weigh the long‐term cost‐benefits of LASLA projects; and (4) conduct transparent contract negotiations, taking political and economic power imbalances between parties into consideration.
How did autistic children, and their parents, experience school transition during the Covid‐19 pandemic?
Authors: Code Aimee , Fox Laura , Asbury Kathryn , Toseeb Umar
Published: April 2022

Due to the Covid‐19 pandemic, the start of the academic year in September 2020 was a unique time for those transitioning to a new school. This study aimed to explore the experiences of parents who supported autistic children making a range of different school transitions in 2020. Semi‐structured interviews were carried out with 13 parents of autistic children in the UK, and data were analyzed with reflexive thematic analysis. For some parents, the Covid‐19 pandemic negatively impacted on aspects of school transitions. However, other parents expressed the view that these same circumstances created opportunities to approach the school transition in a unique, improved manner. This article sheds light on the heterogeneity of experiences and perceptions of parents of autistic children, and highlights the need to examine the impact of Covid‐19 on school transitions, including practices that it may be advantageous to retain.
Physiological properties, survivability and genomic characteristics of Pediococcus pentosaceus for application as a starter culture
Authors: Mgomi Fedrick C , Yuan Lei , Wang Yang , Rao Sheng‐Qi , Yang Zhen‐Quan
Published: April 2022

There is an increasing demand for the use of Pediococcus pentosaceus in the dairy industry due to its remarkable abilities as a probiotic or starter culture bacterium. This study determines the physiological, survivability and genomic properties of P. pentosaceus to evaluate its potential as a starter culture. The strain showed great tolerance in low pH and high concentrations of bile salts. A good coaggregation ability against pathogens ranging between 71% and 84%, as well as strong biofilm formation ability and remarkable resistance to antibiotics. Whole‐genome sequence results reveal the presence of various genes responsible for stress tolerance, adhesion, biofilm formation, acids, and bile salts tolerance. The findings of this study can be used as essential criteria for selecting P. pentosaceus as a starter culture.
Was Brexit a Form of Secession?
Authors: Frantziou Eleni
Published: April 2022

As a form of legal separation taking place within a quasi‐federal framework, Brexit displayed important conceptual similarities with secession, in that it was predicated upon notions of collective identity and aspirations of renewed self‐government. This article examines the interrelationship between Brexit, secession as a legal concept, and secessionism as a political phenomenon. It advances two main arguments: at a first stage, it highlights that while Brexit ideologically aligns with secessionism, it could not have met any sustained international law definition of secession itself. However, the constitutional constraint to the European Union's formal status as an association of states (Staatenverbund) as opposed to a federation (Staatsverband) has rendered its withdrawal provision (Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU)) unduly impervious to the important practical parallels between the Brexit process and decisional, that is, negotiated, forms of secession. The article goes on to argue that an active recognition of aspects of decisional secession within the EU constitutional framework could have allowed for a more complex and dialogical resolution of Brexit than the conditions set up by the unilateral withdrawal clause allowed.
Legislating for Brexit: ‘The People’ versus Parliament?
Authors: Cygan Adam
Published: April 2022

This article analyses the constitutional issues surrounding Parliament's implementation of the 2016 EU referendum result, in particular, the political and legal obligation of Parliament to give effect to the ‘will of the people’. Respecting the ‘will of the people’ lies at the core of any democratic process of government. But the predicament that faced MPs, who overwhelmingly voted ‘remain’ in the referendum, was to choose between their responsibilities as elected representatives and to implement the political mandate expressed through the exercise of direct democracy. Brexit, as the Miller I judgment confirms, alters the UK constitution by removing rights which UK and EU citizens enjoyed under the EU Treaties. In giving effect to Brexit, Parliament's constitutional relationship with the Executive, which had positioned itself politically as upholding the ‘will of the people’, was severely tested as the Cherry/Miller II prorogation judgment illustrates. Within a context of political turmoil and minority government, the Brexit process brought into sharp focus the conflict between what has been described as a ‘Whitehall versus Westminster’ interpretation of the relationship between Parliament and the Executive within the UK Constitution.
Brexit: What Role did Process Play?
Authors: Laffan Brigid
Published: April 2022

The outcome of the UK referendum on 23 June 2016 was a major political event in the history of European integration. A member state voted for exit over voice and was on a journey to third country status. The objective of this article is twofold. First, it analyses the EU’s response to Brexit, including the role of process, up to the departure of the UK from the Union on 31 January 2020. Second, it explains why the EU adopted the approach that it did. The analytical lens builds on Kooiman's three governing orders, all of which were deployed in managing Brexit.
Brexit Sovereignty and its Dead Ends
Authors: Eeckhout Piet
Published: April 2022

In more ways than one, the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) concluded by the EU and the UK is a typical trade agreement. Its commitments are international in nature; its provisions create no directly effective rights and obligations for private parties to enforce under domestic law. The TCA thus turns from the central innovation of EU law, an innovation, which also lies at the heart of the Single Market. It is a price the UK is willing to pay for throwing off what it considers the yoke of EU law. This is not out of tune, perhaps, with a wider popular pushback against globalisation and the institutions perceived to represent it. But has Brexit truly returned control of its own laws to the UK, in both a formal and a practical sense? This article analyses the TCA as a balancing act between the parties’ ‘right to regulate’ and the EU’s demand of a level playing field, the ‘Brussels effect’ likely to constrain British attempts in the direction of regulatory divergence, and what has become of the formal effect of EU law in the laws of the UK.
Taking Back Control as Democratic Theory
Authors: Weale Albert
Published: April 2022

The slogan ‘take back control’ was central to Brexit. The conception of democracy this slogan embodies is the traditional Westminster model. It is a model in the sense that it is supposed to provide a simplified characterisation of the operative principles of UK politics and government, although practice in fact diverges from those principles. It is also a model in the sense that the Westminster system is seen by those favouring Brexit as an ideal to which practice needs to be restored. The model can be associated with a corresponding conception of democracies in the international order. However, there are both functional and democratic disadvantages with that account of democracy and the international order, disadvantages that the development of the EU highlights. Two alternative models of democracy beyond the nation state are identified, before concluding that the Westminster model has a past but not a future.
Positive effects of organic viticulture on carabid beetles depend on landscape and local habitat conditions
Authors: Schirmel Jens , Petschner Stefan , Rösch Verena , Entling Martin H.
Published: April 2022

Agricultural intensification is a major cause of biodiversity loss. Organic farming may counteract the loss of species, however, knowledge about its benefits for perennial agroecosystems such as vineyards is incomplete. We, therefore, analysed the effects of organic viticulture on carabid beetles, a frequently used indicator group in agroecology. We investigated organic and conventional vineyards in two different landscapes (‘simple’ vs. ‘complex’) in SW Germany using a paired design. As a key result we found positive effects of organic viticulture on carabid diversity only in the simple landscape while such an effect was not obvious in the more complex landscape. Moreover, the species composition was differently influenced by organic management between the two landscapes indicating context‐dependent responses of carabid species towards the farming practice. We conclude that positive effects of organic viticulture on carabid beetle diversity differ with landscape context and depend on local habitat conditions such as slope inclination and the inter‐row vegetation. Our results therefore indicate that organic viticulture benefits are not only highly variable among taxonomic groups, but can have even varying effects within one insect family.