bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating citizen-consumers' attitude toward high social content products: the case of social farming
Authors: Uliano Anna , Stanco Marcello , Lerro Marco , Marotta Giuseppe , Nazzaro Concetta
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Social Farming (SF) is an expression of agricultural diversification and multifunctionality, due to its ability to create positive externalities through the inclusion of vulnerable individuals. For this reason, products derived from SF are characterized by social quality attributes, which, however, are not often recognized by the market. This study aims to investigate the reasons behind the lacked recognition of the value created by SF analyzing the willingness to pay (WTP) for such products and the factors affecting citizen-consumers' purchasing behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through a convenience sample (N = 350) via a web-based structured questionnaire. Psycho-attitudinal scales, previously validated in literature, were adopted to characterize the citizen-consumers interviewed. A logistic regression was run in order to determine those characteristics of respondents affecting their intention to purchase SF products, while an ordered logistic regression was performed to uncover the determinants of consumers' WTP for SF products.

Findings

The results show the relevant role of the level of education, household size and ethical self-identity in affecting the willingness to support SF activities by paying a price premium for its products. Lack of availability and information about SF products are the main factors limiting their purchase.

Originality/value

The study offers interesting results outlining future research fields about market penetration strategies and policy implications.
Investigation of the current usage of BIM capabilities by large-sized building contractors in Kenya based on theory of innovation diffusion
Authors: Oyuga Joel Odhiambo , Gwaya Abednego , Njuguna Mugwima Bernard
Published: December 2021

Purpose

This study aims to focus on the four user characteristics of innovation diffusion (availability, observability and trialability [AOT], simplicity, relative advantage [RA] and interoperability) to observe their influence on building information modelling (BIM) usage. This study focuses on the Kenyan construction industry, specifically the building contractors.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses purposive sampling and specifically focusses on active construction sites that met requirements needed for BIM usage to thrive. Data was collected manually using questionnaires (N= 62).

Findings

This paper contributes to the analysis of the current state of BIM usage by the Kenyan construction industry specifically among building contractors and confirms that Kenya is at the early majority adopters’ stage of diffusion characterised by low BIM usage. In terms of correlation, this study found out that AOT had a strong positive correlation with usage, RA had a moderate positive correlation with usage, simplicity had a weak positive correlation with usage and interoperability had no correlation with usage.

Practical implications

This study gives a clear trend on BIM usage among building contractors to assist potential BIM users make informed decision. The recommendations in this study can be adopted by any late adopter jurisdiction whose structure of the construction industry is similar to Kenya’s.

Originality/value

This paper highlights variables that enable or subdue BIM usage. It goes further to localise and contextualise the barriers for deeper understanding of what makes these barriers be major hindrances towards BIM usage and giving practical solutions to these barriers.
Mind the attention gap: how does digital advertising impact choice under low attention?
Authors: Santoso Irene , Wright Malcolm J. , Trinh Giang , Avis Mark
Published: December 2021

Purpose

This study aims to investigate whether digital advertising can be effective despite consumer inattention and how certain common combinations of ad characteristics increase or decrease ad effectiveness under conditions of low attention.

Design/methodology/approach

Using two online experiments in naturalistic environment, the authors compare ad effects under focussed, divided and incidental attention, for certain ad characteristics, namely, appeal type and (mis)matching between appeal and brand type. The results are analysed using logistic regression.

Findings

Ad exposure under low attention does increase brand consideration and choice. The greatest uplift in impact occurs when moving from non-exposure to incidental attention. Under incidental attention, emotive advertising was more effective than rational advertising, as was matching rather than mismatching an emotional appeal to a hedonic brand. Conversely, under divided attention, rational advertising and mismatching a rational appeal to a hedonic brand were more effective.

Research limitations/implications

This research explores the effectiveness of Twitter ads with an emotional or a rational appeal and the (mis)matching between appeal and utilitarian or hedonic brand type. Future research can examine other formats and creative elements of digital advertising that can affect the low-attention processing and the effects that occur.

Practical implications

Intrusive, attention-getting advertising strategies may not be necessary. Certain common creative devices can increase advertising effectiveness despite low attention, so marketers can ensure consumer-centric marketing communication.

Originality/value

There has previously been limited understanding of low-attention mechanisms in advertising and little evidence of ad effectiveness under conditions of low attention. The research also demonstrates that certain ad characteristics, linked to common creative devices, enhance the impact of advertising despite low attention.
Introduction of a novel electric field-based plate heat sink for heat transfer enhancement of thermal systems
Authors: Nourdanesh Nader , Ranjbar Faramarz
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to use an electric field technique to design novel heat sinks capable of rejecting as much heat as possible in a limited space. Configuration of electrodes in this study can be used for increasing the efficiency of heat sinks.

Design/methodology/approach

This study investigates a novel electrohydrodynamic (EHD)-based heat sink for thermal management of electronic devices and thermal systems. The significant part of designing an EHD heat sink is the arrangement of the electrodes. A numerical simulation is performed for a heat sink with two parallel plates to determine the optimum dimensional configuration of electrodes. The upper plate of this heat sink is the ground electrode with a constant atmosphere temperature, and the lower plate of it with flush-mounted high-voltage electrodes has uniform heat flux.

Findings

The results show that heat transfer changes by the size of the vortices and the number of them. These vortices are emerged by the electric field, and the number of them increases with increasing the number of electrodes. The interaction of vortices size and number leads to having the lowest average temperature in the optimum case by two high voltage electrodes with widths of 7.5 mm and a 17.5 mm gap between them. In comparison with the case without the electric field, with increasing the applied voltage to 30 kV, the efficiency of this EHD heat sink increases up to 37%.

Originality/value

Improvements in electrical equipment make them more compact with higher heat fluxes. Hence, the amount of heat to be dissipated per area increases and needs thermal management to operate at their design temperatures. Therefore, to improve the performance and life span of electronic components and increase their efficiency, it is necessary to design heat sinks to decrease their maximum (peak) temperature.
3rd and 11th orders of accuracy of ‘linear’ and ‘quadratic’ elements for Poisson equation with irregular interfaces on Cartesian meshes
Authors: Idesman Alexander , Dey Bikash
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is as follows: to significantly reduce the computation time (by a factor of 1,000 and more) compared to known numerical techniques for real-world problems with complex interfaces; and to simplify the solution by using trivial unfitted Cartesian meshes (no need in complicated mesh generators for complex geometry).

Design/methodology/approach

This study extends the recently developed optimal local truncation error method (OLTEM) for the Poisson equation with constant coefficients to a much more general case of discontinuous coefficients that can be applied to domains with different material properties (e.g. different inclusions, multi-material structural components, etc.). This study develops OLTEM using compact 9-point and 25-point stencils that are similar to those for linear and quadratic finite elements. In contrast to finite elements and other known numerical techniques for interface problems with conformed and unfitted meshes, OLTEM with 9-point and 25-point stencils and unfitted Cartesian meshes provides the 3-rd and 11-th order of accuracy for irregular interfaces, respectively; i.e. a huge increase in accuracy by eight orders for the new 'quadratic' elements compared to known techniques at similar computational costs. There are no unknowns on interfaces between different materials; the structure of the global discrete system is the same for homogeneous and heterogeneous materials (the difference in the values of the stencil coefficients). The calculation of the unknown stencil coefficients is based on the minimization of the local truncation error of the stencil equations and yields the optimal order of accuracy of OLTEM at a given stencil width. The numerical results with irregular interfaces show that at the same number of degrees of freedom, OLTEM with the 9-points stencils is even more accurate than the 4-th order finite elements; OLTEM with the 25-points stencils is much more accurate than the 7-th order finite elements with much wider stencils and conformed meshes.

Findings

The significant increase in accuracy for OLTEM by one order for 'linear' elements and by 8 orders for 'quadratic' elements compared to that for known techniques. This will lead to a huge reduction in the computation time for the problems with complex irregular interfaces. The use of trivial unfitted Cartesian meshes significantly simplifies the solution and reduces the time for the data preparation (no need in complicated mesh generators for complex geometry).

Originality/value

It has been never seen in the literature such a huge increase in accuracy for the proposed technique compared to existing methods. Due to a high accuracy, the proposed technique will allow the direct solution of multiscale problems without the scale separation.
Why do hotel interns stay in the hospitality and tourism industry? An interactionist perspective of organizational socialization
Authors: Zhou Xiaoman , Hu Yaou , Li Yaoqi , Wen Biyan
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Promoting interns’ organizational socialization has become an urgent concern for the hotel industry. Building on career construction theory, this study aims to use a time-lagged design to investigate the interrelationships among perceived organizational support (POS), psychological capital and organizational socialization and their consequent effects on interns’ intention to stay in the hotel industry.

Design/methodology/approach

Panel data were obtained in three waves from hotel interns from 21 upscale hotels located in 13 cities in China with a time lag of 10 weeks (N= 369). The structural equation modeling was used for data analysis.

Findings

POS has a significantly positive effect on interns' psychological capital. Additionally, both POS and psychological capital contribute to the intention to stay in the hotel industry through the mediation of organizational socialization.

Practical implications

Hotels should communicate with interns more explicitly, provide assistance programs to alleviate uncertainty and reward interns on their excellent service performance to improve POS. Moreover, setting up psychological capital programs and empowering interns to be involved in task development is beneficial for enhancing psychological capital. Hotels should also consider mentoring as a socialization approach. Further, career planning and counseling programs should be provided for interns’ long-term hospitality career development.

Originality/value

A time-lagged research method is adopted to provide a new approach to improve interns’ intention to stay in the hotel industry from the interactionist perspective. This study enriches research about psychological capital, POS and organizational socialization.
Business practices for strengthening the quadruple and quintuple helix: a study using structural equation modeling
Authors: Mineiro Andrea Aparecida da Costa , Arantes Rita de Cássia , Vieira Kelly Carvalho , Castro Cleber Carvalho , Carvalho Eduardo Gomes , Amaral Marcelo Gonçalves do
Published: December 2021

Purpose

This study aims to analyze the practices and relationships of companies established in Science and Technology Parks (STPs) as drivers of the quadruple and quintuple helix (QQH) and the determinants for aligning with the future vision of STPs.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted a survey of companies associated with consolidated STPs and used the Structural Equation Model technique to predict such relationships.

Findings

The results showed a positive relationship between the QQH and the Future Vision of STPs, in addition to the relevance of collectives as representatives of the quadruple helix (QH).

Research limitations/implications

Collectives are a recent phenomenon and require longitudinal studies on their performance in innovation environments.

Practical implications

Companies that are part of collectives are the actors of the QH.

Social implications

The role of collectives in aligning with the future vision of STPs should be considered. Collectives reflect people’s vision and can help STPs from being a closed environment and expand their performance, with a key role in connecting innovation environments. The authors found that collectives are promising in practices related to sustainability, thus contributing to STPs with their ability to mobilize the ecosystem.

Originality/value

The research emphasizes the role of companies as agents of QQH in innovation environments, strengthening the increasing and distinct role of collectives in their relationships with STPs.
Debt structure: a solution to the puzzle of capital structure
Authors: Poursoleyman Ehsan , Mansourfar Gholamreza , Abidin Sazali
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relation between debt structure and future external financing and investment. Furthermore, it aims to analyze the association between debt structure and future financial performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Volume, maturity, possessing collateral and having priority at the settlement date are the dimensions of debt structure that have been employed in this paper. The sample consists of 1,060 firm-year observations from Tehran Stock Exchange corporations during the period 2009–2018.

Findings

The findings reveal that greater reliance on financial leverage (debt volume) and short-term debt are associated with increases in future debt financing as well as future equity financing. Moreover, these two dimensions of debt structure are positively related to future investment. This paper also shows that the positive impact of financial leverage and short-term debt on future financing and investment can finally lead to a favorable financial performance. Regarding other dimensions of debt structure, the results suggest that although collateralized debt with the priority option at the settlement date enhances future external financing, this type of debt can ultimately lead to a reduction in future investment and financial performance. Finally, the findings indicate that uncollateralized debt exacerbates future financial performance.

Research limitations/implications

Financial performance can be affected by several factors, including available funds, investment amount, investment efficiency and managerial capability. However, this paper only considers the investment amount and external financing as the channels through which debt structure improves future financial performance. This study has the potential to contribute to one of the most important issues in finance and business fields, despite its probable trivial drawbacks.

Practical implications

Financing strategies as one of the most controversial topics have been meticulously scrutinized in this paper and practical implications are made to facilitate the process of decision-making regarding the optimal type of debt financing.

Originality/value

This study extends the literature by analyzing the direct link between debt structure and firm performance in firms domiciled in developing markets.
Does corporate social responsibility transparency mitigate corporate cash holdings?
Authors: Hendijani Zadeh Mohammad , Magnan Michel , Cormier Denis , Hammami Ahmad
Published: December 2021

Purpose

This article aims to explore whether a firm's corporate social responsibility (CSR) transparency alleviates a firm's cash holdings.

Design/methodology/approach

CSR transparency ratings encompass both the quantity and the quality of CSR practices, as validated by Bloomberg. While based upon firm-specific disclosure, transparency ratings impound additional information gathered independently by Bloomberg and thus bridge the gap between CSR disclosure and CSR performance. The authors use ordinary least squares estimators, and the authors concentrate on a panel of S&P 500 index companies over the period of 2012–2018 to examine the effect of CSR transparency on corporate cash holdings.

Findings

The authors document that a higher level of CSR transparency induces a lower level of corporate cash holdings. Additional results imply that this negative relationship is more pronounced for firms suffering from high information asymmetry, with low financial reporting quality and for those with weak governance. Further analyses document that higher CSR transparency can help firms to enjoy lower cost of debt and to be less financially constrained, enabling high CSR transparent firms to obtain external financing more easily and at a lower cost, thus lowering the need to hoard cash. Ultimately, the study findings suggest that CSR transparency increases the market value relevance of an additional dollar in cash holdings.

Originality/value

The authors contribute to both research streams of CSR and corporate cash holdings as they provide evidence about the influence of CSR transparency as a monitoring and insurance-like mechanism on corporate cash holdings.
“Community and health-care service quality in Kosovo”: “a confirmatory analytical approach”
Authors: Hoxha Myesere Avdyl
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop and test a modified service quality (SERVQUAL) model scale for measuring healthcare service quality in Kosovo.

Design/methodology/approach

An initial dimensions area methodology in construct development, followed by combined exploratory-analytical deductive research with the goal to test theory concepts and validate the measurement tool known from the theory of service quality using new empirical data in a specific context. A cross-sectional survey on a sample of 200 post-encountered patients and using structural equation modelling (SEM) and SEM path analysis to determine satisfaction.

Findings

The findings confirmed that a six-dimensional scale of SERVQUAL is not appropriate for the Kosovo health-care context. The scale development analysis with a new reduced four-dimensional model can be used to measure health service quality in the Kosovan context.

Research limitations/implications

The initial study concept was not piloted. It was developed by the researcher based on secondary data. Systematic random sampling was used, which may have resulted in conclusions that are not applicable to the general population. Finally, this study is applicable to the Kosovo context and cannot be generalized nor represent all patients treated in Kosovo hospitals and clinics. However, the above limitations are less significant compared to the importance of carrying out this type of study for the first time in Kosovo.

Practical implications

This study can help Kosovo health authorities to guide health system-wide improvements and health-care providers to remove quality shortfalls based on a culturally sensitive and validated multiple-item scale for the quality of their service.

Originality/value

This is the first research conducted to identify which of the service quality dimensions require attention by the health-care service providers in Kosovo and develop a validated tool for patient satisfaction measurement that can be used for commercial application.
Intellectual capital and sustainability reporting practices in Uganda
Authors: Bananuka Juma , Tauringana Venancio , Tumwebaze Zainabu
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The objective of the study is to investigate the association between intellectual capital (IC) and sustainability reporting practices in Uganda. The study further examines how individual IC elements (human, structural and relational capital) affect sustainability reporting practices.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employs a questionnaire to collect data. Data are analyzed using multiple regression analysis.

Findings

Results indicate that IC is significantly associated with sustainability reporting practices. The study also found that human capital and relational capital elements have a positive effect on sustainability reporting practices while structural capital element does not have a significant effect.

Originality/value

This study is one of the few studies that examine sustainability reporting by financial services firms in a country where the capital markets are still in their infancy and the major source of external financing are the banks. Its major contribution lies in its focus on how the key IC components explain variations in sustainability reporting practices among financial service firms in Uganda.
Studying the appointment scheduling window considering patient no-show behavior in one public and one private outpatient clinics
Authors: Abdoli Mohsen , Zandieh Mostafa , Shokouhyar Sajjad
Published: December 2021

Purpose

This study is carried out in one public and one private health-care centers based on different probabilities of patient’s no-show rate. The present study aims to determine the optimal queuing system capacity so that the expected total cost is minimized.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study an M/M/1/K queuing model is used for analytical properties of optimal queuing system capacity and appointment window so that total costs of these cases could be minimized. MATLAB software version R2014a is used to code the model.

Findings

In this paper, the optimal queuing system capacity is determined based on the changes in effective parameters, followed by a sensitivity analysis. Total cost in public center includes the costs of patient waiting time and rejection. However, the total cost in private center includes costs of physician idle time plus costs of public center. At the end, the results for public and private centers are compared to reach a final assessment.

Originality/value

Today, determining the optimal queuing system capacity is one of the most central concerns of outpatient clinics. The large capacity of the queuing system leads to an increase in the patient’s waiting-time cost, and on the other hand, a small queuing system will increase the cost of patient’s rejection. The approach suggested in this paper attempts to deal with this mentioned concern.
Financial inclusion and digital banking on an emergent economy
Authors: Guerra-Leal Eva María , Arredondo-Trapero Florina Guadalupe , Vázquez-Parra José Carlos
Published: December 2021

Purpose

To analyze financial inclusion through digital banking in order to identify how digital banking is including or excluding different types of populations in an emergent economy.

Design/methodology/approach

Chi-square statistical tests were conducted to test the relationship between demographic variables (i.e. gender, region, locality and age) with having a digital banking account, types of services and reasons for not using them. As an example of an emergent economy, the Mexican Financial Inclusion Survey database was used, which includes stratified and clustered sampling.

Findings

Having a bank account with digital banking is related to gender. Women are more excluded than men, demonstrating a gender gap in access to digital banking accounts. Moreover, having a bank account with digital banking depends on the region. In regions where digital banking is more developed, the population uses a wide variety of digital banking services, in contrast to less developed regions. About the size of the locality, the lack of financial inclusion via digital banking is more common in rural contexts or small cities, demonstrating the exclusion of this type of population.

Research limitations/implications

This study is conducted with data from the latest Mexican Financial Inclusion Survey. Since the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (NISG) in Mexico previously conducted the study for exploratory purposes, it was not possible for the researchers to modify the variables.

Practical implications

The results might be considered on similar emergent economies to promote financial inclusion of vulnerable groups such as women, people living in underdeveloped regions, rural areas, small cities and elders. These findings may provide criteria for both government agencies and banking institutions to make efforts focused on including these population groups that have not been financially included through digital banking.

Originality/value

Identifying the barriers that affect financial inclusion, such as gender, region, size of the city and age can help to guide efforts to achieve greater economic freedom and quality of life for diverse types of populations. Although the study is carried out in an emerging economy, the results can also shed light on how to address these forms of exclusion that occur in different types of economies. It is understood that the lack of financial inclusion is a limitation to the economic freedom and quality of life to which everyone should have access, hence the relevance of the article.
How Do Disclosure Repetition and Interactivity Influence Investors’ Judgments?
Authors: BROWN NERISSA C. , GALE BRIAN T. , GRANT STEPHANIE M.
Published: December 2021

Recent regulatory amendments aimed at modernizing disclosures and enhancing their usefulness focus on repetition and interactivity within firms’ disclosure filings. We use two experiments to provide evidence on the effects of disclosure repetition (repeating of information in the filing) and disclosure interactivity (user involvement in directing the form or content of the information displayed) on investors’ information processing and investment judgments. Results show that repetition increases investors’ processing of repeated information, consistent with the informational role of repetition documented in prior research. In contrast, repetition reduces investors’ processing of other, nonrepeated information when the filing is less interactive. This evidence corroborates concerns that repetition can obscure value‐relevant information from investors. However, we find that more interactive disclosures mitigate this harmful effect of repetition on investors’ processing of nonrepeated information. Further, more interactive disclosures lead to deeper overall processing of both repeated and nonrepeated information, rather than more interactive disclosures redirecting investors’ attention and processing away from repeated information. Thus, our evidence suggests that disclosure interactivity is an important disclosure attribute that counteracts the potentially harmful effects of repetition on investors' processing of nonrepeated information, while preserving repetition's informational role.
Elective surgical versus conservative management of complicated diverticulitis: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Yeow Marcus , Syn Nicholas , Chong Choon Seng
Published: December 2021

Objectives

There is no consensus on the optimal treatment for patients with complicated diverticulitis. In this systematic review and meta‐analysis we aimed to determine the indications for elective surgery in complicated diverticulitis by comparing conservative treatment with elective surgery.

Methods

A meta‐analysis of recurrence, morbidity and stoma rates was performed using a random effects model. Patient‐reported quality of life (QoL) and cost‐effectiveness outcomes were synthesized qualitatively.

Results

Eleven randomized controlled trials and non‐randomized studies with a total of 7415 patients were included. In statistical terms, the recurrence of diverticulitis was significantly higher in the conservatively treated group than in the elective surgery group (odds ratio [OR] 0.24, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.12‐0.51). The stoma rate (OR 2.34, 95% CI 1.88‐2.92) and the morbidity rate (OR 4.29, 95% CI 2.24‐8.23) were significantly higher in the elective surgery group than in the conservatively treated group. There was some evidence for a significant increase in QoL and long‐term cost‐effectiveness in the elective surgery group than in the conservatively treated group.

Conclusions

Indications for elective surgery should not include the prevention of emergency colostomy or complications. Elective surgical resection may be considered in patients with complicated diverticulitis with the goal of improving their QoL and long‐term cost‐effectiveness.
Experiments and Analysis of the Hydraulic Fracture Propagation Behaviors of the Granite with Structural Planes in the Gonghe Basin
Authors: XIE Jingyu , LI Lei , WEN Dongguang , PENG Suping , ZHENG Jing , FU Guoqiang
Published: December 2021

Hydraulic fracture (HF) propagation behavior is significant when building enhanced geothermal systems (EGS). HF geometry is closely related to the structural planes (SPs) in hot dry rock (HDR), such as natural fractures (NFs), quartz veins (QVs) and lithologic interfaces (LIs). However, the HF behaviors in HDR have not been well understood, especially the influence of multiple SPs on the HF geometry. To clarify this mechanism, several groups of physical simulation experiments of hydraulic fracturing were conducted to investigate the intersection relationship between the HFs and the SPs. Results show that the HF geometry shows great differences when intersecting with different SPs. In summary, the HF geometry displays four basic patterns, namely, propagation along the SPs, branching, capture, penetration/non‐dilation. The fluctuation degree of the pressure‐time curve and the HF complexity show a positive correlation. The cementing strength of the SP and their different mechanical properties from rock matrix influence the HF behaviors significantly. Therefore, the HF shows diverse geometries when intersecting with the NFs and LIs, while propagating along the QV when intersecting with it. For the complex networks, it is favorable for the HF to penetrate through and dilate several SPs, rather than simply cross or propagate along the SP.
Multi‐objective Optimization of Geothermal Extraction from the Enhanced Geothermal System in Qiabuqia Geothermal Field, Gonghe Basin
Authors: SONG Guofeng , SONG Xianzhi , LI Gensheng , XU Ruina , CAO Wenjiong , Zhao Chenru
Published: December 2021

A geothermal demonstration exploitation area will be established in the Enhanced Geothermal System of the Qiabuqia field, Gonghe Basin, Qinghai–Xizang Plateau in China. Selection of operational parameters for geothermal field extraction is thus of great significance to realize the best production performance. A novel integrated method of finite element and multi‐objective optimization has been employed to obtain the optimal scheme for thermal extraction from the Gonghe Basin. A thermal‐hydraulic‐mechanical coupling model (THM) is established to analyze the thermal performance. From this it has been found that there exists a contraction among different heat extraction indexes. Parametric study indicates that injection mass rate (Qin) is the most sensitive parameter to the heat extraction, followed by well spacing (WS) and injection temperature (Tin). The least sensitive parameter is production pressure (pout). The optimal combination of operational parameters acquired is such that (Tin, pout, Qin, WS) equals (72.72°C, 30.56 MPa, 18.32 kg/s, 327.82 m). Results indicate that the maximum electrical power is 1.41 MW for the optimal case over 20 years. The thermal break has been relieved and the pressure difference reduced by 8 MPa compared with the base case. The optimal case would extract 50% more energy than that of a previous case and the outcome will provide a remarkable reference for the construction of Gonghe project.
Catalog of Enhanced Geothermal Systems based on Heat Sources
Authors: KONG Yanlong , PAN Sheng , REN Yaqian , ZHANG Weizun , WANG Ke , JIANG Guangzheng , CHENG Yuanzhi , SUN Wenjie , ZHANG Chao , HU Shengbiao , HE Lijuan
Published: December 2021

It is common sense that a deeper well implies higher temperature in the exploration of deep geothermal resources, especially with hot dry rock (HDR) geothermal resources, which are generally exploited in terms of enhanced geothermal systems (EGS). However, temperature is always different even at the same depth in the upper crust due to different heat sources. This paper summarizes the heat sources and classifies them into two types and five sub‐types: crust‐origin (partial melting, non‐magma‐generated tectonic events and radiogenic heat production), and mantle‐origin (magma and heat conducted from the mantle). A review of global EGS sites is presented related to the five sub‐types of heat sources. According to our new catalog, 71% of EGS sites host mantle‐origin heat sources. The temperature logging curves indicate that EGS sites which host mantle‐origin magma heat sources have the highest temperature. Therefore, high heat flow (>100 mW/m2) regions with mantle‐origin magma heat sources should be highlighted for the future exploration of EGS. The principle to identify the heat source is elucidated by applying geophysical and geochemical methods including noble gas isotope geochemistry and lithospheric thermal structure analysis. This analytical work will be helpful for the future exploration and assessment of HDR geothermal resources.
Indicators of job quality in the Australian aged care workforce: A scoping review
Authors: Carnemolla Phillippa , Taylor Philip , Gringart Eyal , Adams Claire
Published: December 2021

Objective

As governments grapple with ageing populations, there is a need to understand more about the aged care workforce and how it is managed.

Methods

We undertook a scoping review according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta‐Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA‐ScR) guidelines.

Scopus and PubMed were used to identify papers published between 2010 and 2020.

We mapped the breadth and scale of the evidence base according to the QuInnE indicators of job quality.

Results

Out of 642 titles and abstracts that were screened, 122 were selected. Outcomes were measured across a range of domains, including wages, employment quality, education and training, working conditions, work/life balance and consultative participation and collective representation. These were distributed unevenly, revealing evidence gaps.

Conclusions

We identified significant knowledge gaps regarding Australia's aged care workforce at a time when the sector is coming under fresh scrutiny and projections indicate that it will face critical labour shortfalls going forward.
Development and validation of a risk score for chest pain with suspected non‐ST‐segment elevation acute coronary syndrome
Authors: Ma Chun‐Peng , Liu Xiao‐Li , Feng Jian‐Shuang , Dong Xue‐Fei
Published: December 2021

Objective

To investigate a new risk score for acute chest pain with suspected non‐ST‐segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE‐ACS).

Methods

Patients who suffered from Chest pain and suspected NSTE‐ACS were enrolled as subjects. Predictor variables had been analyzed, and a bootstrap technique was used to evaluate the internal validity of the model, and external validation had been assessed for a prospective cohort study.

Results

Thousand five hundred and sixty‐eight patients had been included in this study. Six predictor variables were found to be significant and were used to develop the model. The C‐statistic of the model was 0.83, and internal validation revealed the stability of the model and the absence of over‐optimism. Patients were given different triage recommendations, and the risk score was prospectively validated.

Conclusions

A risk score may be a suitable method for assessing the risk of major adverse cardiac events and aiding patient triage in emergency departments among patients with suspected NSTE‐ACS.
Mediators of neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio in the relationship between ondansetron pre‐treatment and the mortality of ICU patients on mechanical ventilation: Causal mediation analysis from the MIMIC‐IV database
Authors: Zhou ShiYu , Tao Lili , Zhang Zheng , Zhang Zhenhui , An Shengli
Published: December 2021

Aims

The mortality of critically ill patients undergoing mechanical ventilation (MV) is high and few strategies are available. We explored the relationship between ondansetron pre‐treatment, the neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet–lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and mortality of ventilated patients in the intensive care unit.

Methods

We developed a retrospective cohort study that involved patients undergoing MV in the Multiparameter Intelligent Monitoring in Intensive Care IV (MIMIC‐IV) database. Causal mediation analysis was conducted to assess the relationship of ondansetron use and mortality and to explore the potential causal pathway mediated by the NLR or PLR. The primary outcome was 28‐day mortality.

Results

A total of 17 927 eligible patients took part in the study (5665 had taken ondansetron before MV initiation and 12 262 patients had not). The odds ratio (OR) for 28‐day mortality for ondansetron use uncorrelated with the mediator (NLR, PLR) was 0.72 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.64–0.81, P < .001). Ondansetron was also associated with a reduction in 28‐day mortality after controlling for the mediator of NLR (OR = 0.98, 95% CI = 0.97–0.99, P < .01). For the indirect effect, the NLR could explain 13.47% (95% CI = 8.59–20.54%, P < .01) of the impact of ondansetron use on 28‐day mortality. The proportion mediated increased to 21.50% (95% CI = 12.36–47.44%, P < .01) for 90‐day mortality. Adjusted mediation analysis revealed no suggestion of a causal mediation pathway for this effect by the PLR (P = .12).

Conclusions

NLR may play substantial roles in the relationship between ondansetron pre‐treatment before initiation of mechanical ventilation and the reduction of death risk in ventilated patients.
Prognostic impact of circulating tumor cells detected with the microfluidic “universal CTC‐chip” for primary lung cancer
Authors: Kanayama Masatoshi , Kuwata Taiji , Mori Masataka , Nemoto Yukiko , Nishizawa Natsumasa , Oyama Rintaro , Matsumiya Hiroki , Taira Akihiro , Shinohara Shinji , Takenaka Masaru , Yoneda Kazue , Kuroda Koji , Ohnaga Takashi , Tanaka Fumihiro
Published: December 2021

Detecting rare circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in the bloodstream is extremely challenging. We had previously developed a novel polymeric microfluidic device, “CTC‐chip,” for capturing CTCs and have shown high capture efficiency in lung cancer cell lines by conjugating Abs against epithelial cell adhesion molecules (EpCAM). This study aimed to optimize the EpCAM‐chip and clarify the prognostic impact of CTCs in lung cancer patients. Of 123 patients with pathologically proven lung cancer, both progression‐free survival (P = .037) and cancer‐specific survival (P = .0041) were predominantly poor when CTCs were detected before treatment. After classification into surgical and chemotherapy groups, progression‐free survival was worse in CTC‐positive patients in both groups (surgery, P = .115; chemotherapy, P = .012), indicating that the detection of baseline CTCs is a risk factor for recurrence and progression. Furthermore, we recovered captured CTCs using micromanipulators and undertook mutation analysis using PCR. Thus, the EpCAM‐chip is a highly sensitive system for detecting CTCs that contributes to the prediction of recurrence and progression and enables genetic analysis of captured CTCs, which could open new diagnostic, therapeutic, and prognostic options for lung cancer patients.
Bradykinin‐mediated estrogen‐dependent depressor response by direct activation of female‐specific distribution of myelinated Ah‐type baroreceptor neurons in rats
Authors: Li Ke‐Xin , Feng Yan , Fan Xiong‐Xiong , Sun Xun , Li Ying , Wu Di , Liu Li , Cui Chang‐Peng , Xiong Xue , Li Hu‐Die , Zhou Meng , Ma Hai‐Lan , Liu Yang , Zhang Rong , Li Bai‐Yan
Published: December 2021

Aim

To understand the direct impact of bradykinin in autonomic control of circulation through baroreflex afferent pathway.

Methods

The mean arterial pressure (MAP) was monitored while bradykinin and its agonists were applied via nodose (NG) microinjection, the expression of bradykinin receptors (BRs) in the NG (1st‐order) and nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS, 2nd‐order) were tested in adult male, age‐matched female, and ovariectomized rats under physiological and hypertensive conditions. Additionally, bradykinin‐induced depolarization was also tested in identified baroreceptor and baroreceptive neurons using whole‐cell patch‐clamp technique.

Results

Under physiological condition, bradykinin‐induced dose‐ and estrogen‐dependent reductions of MAP with lower estimated EC50 in females. B2R agonist mediated more dramatic MAP reduction with long‐lasting effect compared with B1R activation. These functional observations were consistent with the molecular and immunostaining evidences. However, under hypertensive condition, the MAP reduction was significantly less dramatic in N’‐Nitro‐L‐Arginine‐methyl ester (L‐NAME) induced secondary and spontaneous hypertension rats in males compared with female rats. Electrophysiological data showed that bradykinin‐elicited concentration‐dependent membrane depolarization with discharges during initial phase in identified myelinated Ah‐types baroreceptor neurons, not myelinated A‐types; while, higher concentration of bradykinin was required for depolarization of unmyelinated C‐types without initial discharges.

Conclusion

These datasets have demonstrated for the first time that bradykinin mediates direct activation of baroreflex afferent function to trigger estrogen‐dependent depressor response, which is due mainly to the direct activation/neuroexcitation of female‐specific myelinated Ah‐type baroreceptor neurons leading to a sexual dimorphism in parasympathetic domination of blood pressure regulation via activation of B2R/B1R expression in baroreflex afferent pathway.
Flower surface wax chemicals in green gram help to stimulate oviposition in Spilosoma obliqua within short distances
Authors: Mobarak Syed Husne , Koner Anamika , Barik Anandamay
Published: December 2021

Larvae of Spilosoma obliqua Walker (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae) feed on leaves and flowers of green gram (or mung bean), Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek (Fabaceae), and thereby reduce yield in India. Previously, we demonstrated that leaf surface waxes from three green gram cultivars – PDM 54 (PDM), Pusa Baisakhi (PUSA), and Samrat (SAM) – served as short‐range attractants and oviposition stimulants in S. obliqua. In this study, we aimed to find out whether flower surface waxes have similar roles. We identified the alkanes and free fatty acids in flower surface wax of the three cultivars, created representative blends of synthetic compounds, and tested the effects of crude wax and various blends on attraction and oviposition of S. obliqua. Twenty‐two n‐alkanes (n‐C13 to n‐C36) were identified in PDM, and 23 in the other two cultivars; pentadecane was predominant. Fifteen free fatty acids (C12:0 to C22:0) were detected in the three cultivars; palmitoleic acid (in PDM and PUSA) and pentadecanoic acid (in SAM) were predominant. In Y‐tube olfactometer bioassays, females were attracted to 1 mg flower surface wax of the three cultivars, as well as to blends composed of 3–7 compounds representative of the three varieties (PDM: tricosane, pentacosane, heptacosane, nonacosane, palmitoleic acid, linolenic acid, and stearic acid; PUSA: heptacosane, nonacosane, and stearic acid; and SAM: heptacosane, linolenic acid, and stearic acid). In dual choice tests, the females did not distinguish between surface wax of a variety and its representative synthetic blend. Also, they did not distinguish between the three cultivars. Results of oviposition assays were similar: 1 mg flower surface wax, as well as synthetic blends, stimulated egg laying, but the numbers of eggs were similar in the presence of surface wax of a variety vs. its representative synthetic blend. Also, oviposition was not differentially affected by cultivar. Thus, as in leaves, flower surface waxes act as short‐range attractants and oviposition stimulants in S. obliqua. The blends are potentially of use to develop lures as part of integrated pest management strategies.
The future between difficulties and resources: Exploring parents' perspective on young adults with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Calandri Emanuela , Graziano Federica , Borghi Martina , Bonino Silvia
Published: December 2021

Objective

To qualitatively explore parents' representations of the future of their young adult children diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) and of their own future as parents.

Background

MS in young adulthood represents a nonnormative transition during the life cycle with a significant impact on the whole family. Previous research examined the perspective of parents having children and adolescents with MS, but there is a lack of knowledge about parenting young adults with MS.

Method

Thirteen semistructured interviews were conducted with parents of young adults (aged between 18 and 35 years) with MS, and an inductive content analysis was performed.

Results

The future of young people with MS in various domains (study, work, and affective relationships) is deeply influenced by both illness and therapies. Parents' future is conditioned by the illness of their children. Family support and focusing on the present are recognized by parents as resources in coping with MS difficulties.

Conclusion

The uncertainty and unpredictability of MS influence parental representations of the future and represent an additional challenge in the difficult transition to adulthood.

Implications

The study gives indications for psychological interventions helping parents to cope with their children's illness and to stick to a personal future plan.