bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Early Hyperoxemia and Outcome Among Critically Ill Children
Authors: Ramgopal Sriram , Dezfulian Cameron , Hickey Robert W. , Au Alicia K. , Venkataraman Shekhar , Clark Robert S. B. , Horvat Christopher M.
Published: December 2019

Objective:

To identify whether a high Pao
2 (hyperoxemia) at the time of presentation to the PICU is associated with in-hospital mortality.

Design:

Single-center observational study.

Setting:

Quaternary-care PICU.

Patients:

Encounters admitted between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2018.

Interventions:

None.

Measurements and Main Results:

Encounters with a measured Pao
2 were included. To account for severity of illness upon presentation, we calculated a modified Pediatric Risk of Mortality IV score excluding Pao
2 for each encounter, calibrated for institutional data. Logistic regression was used to determine whether hyperoxemia (Pao
2 ≥ 300 torr [39.99 kPa]) in the 12 hours surrounding PICU admission was associated with in-hospital mortality. We reperformed our analysis using a cutoff for hyperoxemia obtained by comparisons of observed versus predicted mortality when encounters were classified by highest Pao
2 in 50 torr (6.67 kPa) bins. Results are reported as adjusted odds ratios with 95% CIs. Of 23,719 encounters, 4,093 had a Pao
2 recorded in the period –6 to +6 hours after admission. Two hundred seventy-four of 4,093 (6.7%) had in-hospital mortality. The prevalence of hyperoxemia increased with rising modified Pediatric Risk of Mortality IV and was not associated with mortality in multivariable models (adjusted odds ratio, 1.38; 95% CI, 0.98–1.93). When using a higher cutoff of hyperoxemia derived from comparison of observed versus predicted rates of mortality of greater than or equal to 550 torr (73.32 kPa), hyperoxemia was associated with mortality (adjusted odds ratio, 2.78; 95% CI, 2.54–3.05).

Conclusions:

A conventional threshold for hyperoxemia at presentation to the PICU was not associated with in-hospital mortality in a model using a calibrated acuity score. Extreme states of hyperoxemia (≥ 73.32 kPa) were significantly associated with in-hospital mortality. Prospective research is required to identify if hyperoxemia before and/or after PICU admission contributes to poor outcomes.
The Role of Environmental Factors in the Etiology of Nonsyndromic Orofacial Clefts
Authors: Eshete Mekonen , Butali Azeez , Abate Fikre , Hailu Taye , Hailu Abiye , Degu Shiferaw , Demissie Yohannes , Gravem Paul E. , Derbew Miliard , Mossey Peter , Bush Tamara , Deressa Wakgari
Published: December 2019

Background:

Nonsyndromic orofacial clefts (NSOFCs) represent the most common congenital anomalies in the head and neck region. Multiple factors contribute to the occurrence of this anomaly. The etiology of NSOFCs in the Ethiopian population has not been investigated prior to this study.

Aims of the Study:

To assess the role of maternal environmental factors in the occurrence of NSOFCs in the Ethiopian Population.

Methods:

The authors used unmatched case control study design and evaluated the role of environmental factors to the occurrence of NSOFCs in the Ethiopian population. The participants were recruited from the same institution (Yekatit 12 Hospital Medical College). The authors studied 760 mothers (359 mothers of children born with NSOFCs and 401 mothers of children born without any congenital anomalies). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to calculate relative risk by odds ratio and 95% confidence interval.

Results:

Mothers who gave history of bronchial asthma and mothers who were admitted for threatened abortion had a higher risk of delivering a child with NSOFCS P value=0.013; AOR=0.194, 95% CI [0.053–0.712], P value <0.001; AOR= 0.179, 95% CI [0.091–0.352] respectively. Higher number of children with NSOFCs were born to mothers who were exposed to diagnostic X-ray investigation during early pregnancy than those who were not exposed P value 0.048; AOR=0.375, 95% CI [0.142–0.990].

Conclusion:

Maternal exposure to diagnostic x-ray, maternal chronic illness like bronchial asthma and threatened abortion were found to be associated with the occurrence of NSOFCS in the studied population.
Pediatric Pedestrian Facial Fracture Patterns and Management Following Motor Vehicle Collisions
Authors: Liu Farrah C. , Le Thuy-My T. , Oleck Nicholas C. , Halsey Jordan N. , Hoppe Ian C. , Lee Edward S. , Granick Mark S.
Published: December 2019

Purpose:

Pedestrian trauma due to motor vehicle crashes can be especially destructive to the pediatric population as the facial skeleton is immature and developing. Almost half of crashes resulting in pedestrian death involved alcohol consumption, and children are often victims of irresponsible driving. The objective of this study was to examine the prevalence of facial fractures in this patient population in order to analyze management strategies that optimize functional recovery.

Methods:

A retrospective chart review was performed for all facial fractures resulting from motor vehicle collisions with pedestrians in the pediatric population at a level 1 trauma center in an urban environment (University Hospital in Newark, NJ). Patient demographics were collected, as well as location of fractures, concomitant injuries, and surgical management strategies.

Results:

During the time period examined, 55 patients were identified as 18 years of age or younger and having sustained a facial fracture as the result of being struck by a motor vehicle. The mean age was 11.3 (range 1–18) years, with a male predominance of 69.0%. There were a total of 125 fractures identified on radiologic imaging via CT or X-ray. The most common fractures were those of the orbit (20.0%), mandible (19.2%), and nasal bone (10.4%). The mean Glasgow Coma Scale on arrival was 12.1 (range 4–15). Fifteen patients were intubated on, or prior to, arrival to the trauma bay. The most common concomitant injuries were intracranial hemorrhage, long bone fractures, and cervical spine fractures. The mean operative time was 216.9 (range 63–515) minutes. Surgery was required in 36 patients, with most undergoing open reduction and internal fixation with titanium plates and screws. Two patients required resorbable plates, and one required Medpor implants. The mean hospital length of stay was 9.9 (range 1–59) days. Two patients expired.

Conclusions:

There is currently a dearth of literature regarding the management and patterns of injury for pediatric pedestrian injuries due to motor vehicle collisions. The impact of these injuries can be devastating with concomitant life-threatening complications, and may influence the future development of the facial skeleton after healing of the bone and soft tissue. The authors hope this study can provide insight and further investigation regarding prevention and management.
Direct Mail Recruitment to a Potential Participant Registry
Authors: Gombosev Adrijana , Salazar Christian R. , Hoang Dan , Cox Chelsea G. , Gillen Daniel L. , Grill Joshua D.
Published: December 2019

Recruitment registries are novel tools to accelerate Alzheimer disease research accrual. Optimal methods to populate such registries remain largely unstudied. We sent postcards with 3 unique taglines (Alzheimer’s Prevention Research, brain health research, general research) to 100,000 local residents aged 50 years and older to assess the effectiveness of recruiting to an online recruitment registry by mail. The postcard campaign recruited 273 new registry enrollees (0.27% overall response rate). Neither the response rate nor the demographic characteristics of recruited participants differed by the postcard tagline. These results suggest that direct mail may not be the most cost-effective approach to recruit participants to online registries.
The first case of HIV-2 in Scotland
Authors: Shepherd S. J. , Sykes C. , Jackson C. , Bell D. J. , Gunson R. N.
Published: December 2019

HIV-1 infects an estimated 37 million people worldwide, while the rarer HIV-2 infects 1–2 million worldwide. HIV-2 is mainly restricted to West African countries. The majority of patients in Scotland are diagnosed with HIV-1, but in 2013 the West of Scotland Specialist Virology Centre (WoSSVC) diagnosed Scotland’s first HIV-2 positive case in a patient from Côte d’Ivoire. HIV-2 differs from HIV-1 in terms of structural viral proteins, viral transmissibility, prolonged period of latency, intrinsic resistance to certain antivirals and how to monitor the effectiveness of treatment. Over the course of 5 years the patient has required several changes in treatment due to both side effects and pill burden. This case highlights the complexity of HIV-2 patient management over time.
Whole-genome sequencing of dog-specific assemblages C and D of Giardia duodenalis from single and pooled cysts indicates host-associated genes
Authors: Kooyman Frans N. J. , Wagenaar Jaap A. , Zomer Aldert
Published: December 2019

Giardia duodenalis (syn. Giardia intestinalis or Giardia lamblia) infSAects over 280 million people each year and numerous animals. G. duodenalis can be subdivided into eight assemblages with different host specificity. Unculturable assemblages have so far resisted genome sequencing efforts. In this study, we isolated single and pooled cysts of assemblages C and D from dog faeces by FACS, and sequenced them using multiple displacement amplification and Illumina paired-end sequencing. The genomes of assemblages C and D were compared with genomes of assemblages A and B from humans and assemblage E from ruminants and pigs. The genomes obtained from the pooled cysts and from the single cysts were considered complete (>99 % marker genes observed) and the allelic sequence heterozygosity (ASH) values of assemblages C and D were 0.89 and 0.74 %, respectively. These ASH values were slightly higher than for assemblage B (>0.43 %) and much higher than for assemblages A and E, which ranged from 0.002 to 0.037 %. The flavohaemoglobin and 4Fe-4S binding domain family encoding genes involved in O2 and NO detoxification were only present in assemblages A, B and E. Cathepsin B orthologs were found in all genomes. Six clades of cathepsin B orthologs contained one gene of each genome, while in three clades not all assemblages were represented. We conclude that whole-genome sequencing from a single Giardia cyst results in complete draft genomes, making the genomes of unculturable Giardia assemblages accessible. Observed differences between the genomes of assemblages C and D on one hand and the assemblages A, B and E on the other hand are possibly associated with host specificity.
Imaging real-time tactile interaction with two-person dual-coil fMRI
Authors: Renvall Ville , Kauramäki Jaakko , Malinen Sanna , Hari Riitta , Nummenmaa Lauri
Published: December 2019

Studies of brain mechanisms supporting social interaction are demanding because real interaction only occurs when the persons are in contact. Instead, most brain imaging studies scan subjects individually. Here we present a proof-of-concept demonstration of two-person blood oxygenation dependent (BOLD) imaging of brain activity from two individuals interacting inside the bore of a single MRI scanner. We developed a custom 16-channel (8 + 8 channels) two-helmet coil with two separate receiving elements providing whole-brain coverage, while bringing participants into a shared physical space and realistic face-to-face contact. Ten subject pairs were scanned with the setup. During the experiment, subjects took turns in tapping each other’s’ lip versus observing and feeling the taps timed by auditory instructions. Networks of sensorimotor brain areas were engaged alternatingly in the subjects during executing motor actions as well as observing and feeling them; these responses were clearly distinguishable from the auditory responses occurring similarly in both participants. Even though the signal-to-noise ratio of our coil system was compromised compared with standard 32-channel head coils, our results show that the two-person fMRI scanning is a feasible in studying the brain basis of social interaction.
Neural Correlates of Working Memory Training: Evidence for Plasticity in Older Adults
Authors: Iordan Alexandru D. , Cooke Katherine A. , Moored Kyle D. , Katz Benjamin , Buschkuehl Martin , Jaeggi Susanne M. , Polk Thad A. , Peltier Scott J. , Jonides John , Reuter-Lorenz Patricia A.
Published: December 2019

Brain activity typically increases with increasing working memory (WM) load, regardless of age, before reaching an apparent ceiling. However, older adults exhibit greater brain activity and reach ceiling at lower loads than younger adults, possibly reflecting compensation at lower loads and dysfunction at higher loads. We hypothesized that WM training would bolster neural efficiency, such that the activation peak would shift towards higher memory loads after training. Pre-training, older adults showed greater recruitment of the WM network than younger adults across all loads, with decline at the highest load. Ten days of adaptive training on a verbal WM task improved performance and led to greater brain responsiveness at higher loads for both groups. For older adults the activation peak shifted rightward towards higher loads. Finally, training increased task-related functional connectivity in older adults, both within the WM network and between this task-positive network and the task-negative/default-mode network. These results provide new evidence for functional plasticity with training in older adults and identify a potential signature of improvement at the neural level.
A DNA-guided Argonaute Protein Functions in DNA Replication in Thermus thermophilus
Authors: Jolly Samson M. , Gainetdinov Ildar , Jouravleva Karina , Zhang Han , Strittmatter Lara , Hendricks Gregory M. , Dhabaria Avantika , Ueberheide Beatrix , Zamore Phillip D.
Published: December 2019

Argonaute proteins use nucleic acid guides to protect organisms against transposons and viruses. In the eubacterium Thermus thermophilus, the DNA-guided Argonaute TtAgo defends against transformation by DNA plasmids. Here, we report that TtAgo also participates in DNA replication. TtAgo binds small DNA guides derived from the chromosomal region where replication terminates and associates with proteins known to act in DNA replication. T. thermophilus deploys a single type II topoisomerase, gyrase. When gyrase is inhibited, T. thermophilus relies on TtAgo to complete replication of its circular genome; loss of both gyrase and TtAgo activity produces long filaments that fail to separate into individual bacteria. We propose that the primary role of TtAgo is to help T. thermophilus disentangle the catenated circular chromosomes made by DNA replication.

One Sentence Summary

The DNA-guided Argonaute protein of Thermus thermophilus helps separate daughter chromosomes at the end of DNA replication.
Fibroblast growth factor-2 prevents synaptic pathology in minimal hepatic encephalopathy via NRG1/ErbB4 signaling
Authors: Wang Jian , Zhuge Weishan , Lu Xiaoai , You Ruimin , Liu Leping , Yu He , Ye Yiru , Wang Xuebao , Zhuge Qichuan , Ding Saidan
Published: December 2019

Background

Minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) is implicated in the impairment of memory function. Fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2) is involved in modulating synaptic and neuronal formation.

Methods

The aim of this study is to examined the impacts of FGF2 on MHE pathology. Our study addressed whether FGF2 could trigger neuregulin-1 (NRG1) release to ameliorate synaptic impairment in MHE rats and in primary cultured neurons.

Results

The results showed the decreased FGF2 expression in MHE brains. After treatment with FGF2, secreted neuregulin-1 (NRG1) and ErbB4 were increased, and the interaction of the 2 proteins was enhanced. Additionally, treatment with FGF2 or NRG1 induced synaptic formation, with increase in the activity of synapse and the density of dendritic spine, through Sirt1. NRG1 signaling was prevented by administration of FGF2, which acts through the FGFR1 in MHE rats. Finally, intracerebroventricular injection with FGF2 or NRG1 mitigated the impairment of synaptogenesis.

Conclusion

The data suggest that FGF2 may be a promising latent therapeutic reagent for MHE pathogenesis.
Decoding of emotion expression in the face, body and voice reveals sensory modality specific representations
Authors: Vaessen Maarten , Van der Heijden Kiki , de Gelder Beatrice
Published: December 2019

A central issue in affective science is whether the brain represents the emotional expressions of faces, bodies and voices as abstract categories in which auditory and visual information converge in higher order conceptual and amodal representations. This study explores an alternative theory based on the hypothesis that under naturalistic conditions where affective signals are acted upon that rather than reflected upon, major emotion signals (face, body, voice) have sensory specific brain representations. During fMRI recordings, participants were presented naturalistic dynamic stimuli of emotions expressed in videos of either the face or the whole body, or voice fragments. To focus on automatic emotion processing and bypass explicit emotion cognition relying on conceptual processes, participants performed an unrelated target detection task presented in a different modality than the stimulus. Using multivariate analysis to asses neural activity patterns in response to emotion expressions in the different stimuli types, we show a distributed brain organization of affective signals in which distinct emotion signals are closely tied to the sensory origin. Our findings are consistent with the notion that under ecological conditions the various sensory emotion expressions have different functional roles, even when from an abstract conceptual vantage point they all exemplify the same emotion category.
Prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis and associated factors among prisoners in Western Oromia, Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Dibissa Keneni Ephrem , Waktole Zelalem Desalegn , Tolessa Belachew Etana
Published: December 2019

Background

Prisoners are a disproportionately at high risk for tuberculosis. This is because; prisons represent dynamic communities where at-risk groups congregate. It increases the transmission rate because of overcrowding and living together with infected individuals. This study was done to determine the prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis and associated factors among prisoners of Western Oromia, Ethiopia in 2017.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among prisoners who have a history of cough for two weeks or more. Data were collected from 270 participants and sputum sample was collected from 249 prisoners and analyzed in GeneXpert for having pulmonary tuberculosis. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with the development of pulmonary tuberculosis among prisoners.

Results

The overall prevalence among suspected cases was (15.6%; 95% CI (11.5, 20)) which makes the point prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis were 744 per 100,000 of prisoners. Prisoners who had history of cigarette smoking before imprisonment (AOR=3.55; 95% CI (1.29, 9.78)), contacted with known TB patient (AOR=5.63; 95% CI (2.19, 14.41)), share prison cell with TB patients (AOR=3.51; 95% CI (1.34, 9.19)) and Body Mass Index <18.5kg/m2 (AOR=8.87; 95% CI (3.23, 24.37)) were more likely to have pulmonary tuberculosis.

Conclusion

A higher prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis was observed among prisoners in the three prisons of Wollega Zones. To avert this problem, screening of prisoners should be done at the entry and separation of inmates with symptoms of tuberculosis should be done.
Comparative genomic analysis of Cristatella mucedo provides insights into Bryozoan evolution and nervous system function
Authors: Starunov Viktor V , Predeus Alexander V , Barbitoff Yury A , Kutiumov Vladimir A , Maltseva Arina L , Vodiasova Ekatherina A , Kohn Andrea B , Moroz Leonid L , Ostrovsky Andrew N
Published: December 2019

This manuscript has been withdrawn by the authors as it was submitted without the full consent of all the authors.

Therefore, the authors do not wish this work to be cited as reference for the project. If you have any questions, please contact the corresponding author.
Phantom auditory perception (tinnitus) is characterised by stronger anticipatory auditory predictions
Authors: Partyka Marta , Demarchi Gianpaolo , Roesch Sebastian , Suess Nina , Sedley William , Schlee Winfried , Weisz Nathan
Published: December 2019

How phantom perceptions arise and the factors that make individuals prone to such experiences are not well understood. An attractive phenomenon to study these questions is tinnitus, a very common auditory phantom perception which is not explained by hyperactivity in the auditory pathway alone. Our framework posits that a predisposition to developing (chronic) tinnitus is dependent on individual traits relating to the formation and utilization of sensory predictions. Predictions of auditory stimulus frequency (remote from tinnitus frequency) were studied using a paradigm parametrically modulating regularity (i.e. predictability) of tone sequences and applying decoding techniques on magnetoencephalographic (MEG) data. For processes likely linked to short-term memory, individuals with tinnitus showed an enhanced anticipatory prediction pattern associated with increasing sequence regularity. In contrast, individuals without tinnitus engaged the same processes following the onset of the to-be-decoded sound. We posit that this tendency to optimally anticipate static and changing auditory inputs may determine which individuals faced with persistent auditory pathway hyperactivity factor it into auditory predictions, and thus perceive it as tinnitus. While our study constitutes a first step relating vulnerability to tinnitus with predictive processing, longitudinal studies are needed to confirm the predisposition model of tinnitus development.
Automatically generating assembly sequences with an ontology-based approach
Authors: Zhong Yanru , Jiang Chaohao , Qin Yuchu , Yang Guoyu , Huang Meifa , Luo Xiaonan
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present and develop an ontology-based approach for automatic generation of assembly sequences.

Design/methodology/approach

In this approach, an assembly sequence planning ontology is constructed to represent the structure and interrelationship of product geometry information and assembly process information. In the constructed ontology, certain reasoning rules are defined to describe the knowledge and experience. Based on the ontology with reasoning rules, the algorithm for automatically generating assembly sequences is designed and implemented.

Findings

The effectiveness of this approach is verified via applying it to generate the assembly sequences of a gear reducer.

Originality/value

The main contribution of the paper is presenting and developing an ontology-based approach for automatically generating assembly sequences. This approach can provide a feasible solution for the issue that mathematics-based assembly sequence generation approaches have great difficulty in explicitly representing assembly experience and knowledge.
Verifying the moderating role of satisfaction on service quality and students’ accomplishment in ODL perspective
Authors: Sembiring Maximus Gorky , Rahayu Gayuh
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Service quality and satisfaction in the ODL setting related to students’ accomplishments (performance, loyalty and career) were reconsidered. It was aimed at exposing the moderating role of satisfaction on service quality and accomplishment. It was also of interest to scrutinize how, in what routines determinants engaged interdepended. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

This study utilized an exploratory design. It was qualitatively identified first that service quality included tangible, empathy, assurance, reliability, responsiveness and referral factors. It preceded to satisfaction (perceived from academic, operational and managerial attitudes). Satisfaction led to accomplishment. Quantitatively, service quality, satisfaction and accomplishment were identified as independent, moderating, and dependent variables, respectively. Respondents, 500 Universitas Terbuka graduates, were randomly pursued to accumulate data by a survey. Methodically, importance-performance analysis (IPA) and customer-satisfaction index (CSI) were used to figure out satisfaction and their importance degree. Nine hypotheses were developed and examined using structural-equation modeling to visualize the loading factors.

Findings

Replies from 163 respondents were completed. Seven of nine hypotheses were validated. It was distinguished that reliability influencing satisfaction, they were empathy, assurance and responsiveness; excluding tangible and referral. Satisfaction influenced performance, career, and loyalty. IPA-CSI analysis recognized 15 (of 21) attributes as the pillars of service quality.

Originality/value

Despite the qualitative framework was improperly approved by quantitative procedure, they were methodically reliable. It was supported by the fact that nine cut-off values of goodness-of-fit requirements harmonized. Additional inquiry is therefore required to tail off variances by integrating a more appropriate approach, amplifying theoretical coverage, and/or extending population/sample size.
Supporting students to succeed in open and distance learning in the Open University of Sri Lanka and Universitas Terbuka Indonesia
Authors: Zuhairi Aminudin , Karthikeyan Navaratnasamy , Priyadarshana Saman Thushara
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to reveal how support services for open and distance students are designed, developed and implemented to ensure successful learning to take place, with specific references to the Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL) and Universitas Terbuka (UT) Indonesia. Success in distance learning is one major challenge for open universities to respond to expectations of students and stakeholders. This study focuses on the strategies of student support services in OUSL and UT, investigating related factors including instructional design and development, learning engagement and motivation, policy and strategy in reducing dropouts, use of OER/MOOCs, and quality assurance.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative study was employed involving analyses of documents; interviews and focus group discussion with senior administrators, academic staff, students; and on-site observation in locations of teaching and learning.

Findings

This research is exploratory in nature. Findings of the study are expected to improve our understanding of student support in distance learning, in which analysis is based on good practices, challenges and rooms for improvement of both OUSL and UT.

Practical implications

Findings of this study reveal practices and lessons learnt that may be useful as reference to open universities, taking into considerations the fact that each open university has been established to address specific challenges in its own unique circumstances.

Originality/value

This research may be adopted as baseline framework for analysis of student support for open universities. Further in-depth study is needed to understand how various aspects of student support contribute to success in open and distance learning.
Has microcredit boosted poultry production in Ghana?
Authors: Agyemang Sylvester Amoako , Ratinger Tomáš , Ahado Samuel
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine the impact of microcredit on smallholder poultry production and its subsequent role on domestic protein and food supply.

Design/methodology/approach

Cross-sectional farm-level data from 61 farmers with at least two years of microcredit access and 39 farmers without microcredit access in the Dormaa Municipality of Ghana collected in 2016 via semi-structured questionnaire were used. Using the propensity score matching, PSM, and data envelopment analyses approaches, the authors analysed the propensity of farmers’ taking microcredit and its effect on beneficiaries’ technical efficiency, productivity, profitability and domestic production of chicken and eggs, farm performance. The authors addressed selection biases with the PSM and answered the research question of whether farmers with microcredit access perform better than non-microcredit farmers.

Findings

Farmers with high years of education, farming experience, technology and machinery as well as micro-savings and female farmers are more likely to take microcredit whereas large farm size reduces farmers’ propensity to take microcredit. Furthermore, farms with microcredit access were more technically efficient, productive and profitable than they would have been in the absence of microcredit.

Practical implications

The paper can be useful to policymakers and microcredit institutions since it provides evidence of microeconomic impacts of microcredit on agricultural production and the determinants of farmers’ participation in microcredit.

Originality/value

The study helps to understand how access to credit can improve smallholders’ technology adoption, production efficiency and productivity and output thereby enhancing domestic food supply.
Can credit help small family farming? Evidence from Brazil
Authors: Maia Alexandre Gori , Eusébio Gabriela dos Santos , da Silveira Rodrigo Lanna Franco
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the impact of a Brazilian rural credit program, The National Program for Strengthening Family Farming (PRONAF), on small family farming production.

Design/methodology/approach

The method is based on a quasi-experimental approach (propensity score matching) applied to 4.1m family farmers in Brazil.

Findings

Results show that farmers accessing PRONAF tended to be positively selected in terms of several observable characteristics, such as land size and agricultural practices. Moreover, PRONAF had positive and differentiated impacts on agricultural production. The impact was larger in the poorest region when compared to the regions characterized by intensive and commercial farming.

Research limitations/implications

The rural credit information was restricted to one crop year, making impossible to analyze the mid- and long-term impacts of the credit program on agricultural production.

Practical implications

The study provides some practical implications for policies of rural development. First, rural credit does matter for agricultural production of small family farmers. Nonetheless, since credit programs are large subsidized by the rest of the population, further studies are still needed the aggregate costs and benefits of these schemes. Results also revealed that PRONAF may have contributed to reduce regional inequalities, since the impact was larger in the poorest NE region.

Originality/value

This study provides a comprehensive analysis of how rural credit has impacted small-farm agricultural production, using large and representative data – the whole population of Brazilian family farmers.
Digitizing the intellectual output of Ghanaian universities
Authors: Dzandza Patience Emefa
Published: December 2019

Purpose

With the emergence of ranking of universities by organizations, one major factor considered in the rankings is the intellectual output of the universities. For universities to remain part of the global academic competitive society, intellectual output of universities can no longer be stored on shelves in libraries. Academic libraries have engaged in digitization of the intellectual works of their institutions which is a core mandate of any academic library. The purpose of this study is to ascertain the state of digitization initiatives among university libraries in Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative approach was adopted. Nine top universities in Ghana were selected to participate in this study. Interviews were conducted with heads of libraries.

Findings

The findings of the study revealed that seven out of the nine libraries studied have embarked on some sort of digitization initiative, and all libraries studied are using the same digital asset management system (Dspace). Major challenges reported by the participants that are common to all the libraries studied are lack of adequate and modern equipment, lack of trained personnel and lack of cooperation from faculty members.

Originality/value

This study brought fore the initiatives undertaken by academic libraries in Ghana to establish and maintain institutional repositories (IRs) amidst a number of challenges. It is a major contribution to the literature from West Africa as not much literature on IR is found from this part of the world.
Assessment appraisal, disposal and transfer of neglected rangers’ diaries created from 1926 to 1930: case of the Kruger National Parks of South Africa
Authors: Netshakhuma Nkholedzeni Sidney
Published: December 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to assess the appraisal, disposal and transfer of records of the Kruger National Park (KNP) rangers’ diaries processes from 1926 to 1930 with a view to recommend best practices.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper applied a qualitative methodology through document analysis, interviews and observations as data collection instruments to analyse contents of rangers’ diaries. The population of the study comprised rangers, a records manager and a representative from the National Archives of South Africa (NARSSA), a member of South Africa National Parks’ management and a scientist from South African National Biodiversity Institute.

Findings

The key findings revealed that rangers’ diaries contain historical, scientific and cultural information. However, such information is not disseminated to society. Lack of systematic appraisal, arrangement of records led to a loss of institutional memories. The role of National Archives and Records Service of South Africa is not visible to provide guidelines on the preservation of rangers’ records.

Research limitations/implications

This research is limited to KNP ranger’s diaries created from 1926 to 1930 because it is the period of establishment of the national park and introduction of rangers’ programme.

Practical implications

The findings are expected to be instrumental towards the preservation of rangers’ diaries within the park. Rangers’ diaries are also potentially of great biogeographical value in constituting a historical record of the plants and animals in a given area, their distribution and population changes, and the effects of human interventions such as game fences and artificially created waterholes, game culling and tourism, not to forget climate change.

Social implications

Preservation of ranger diaries may lead to documentation of records with historical, scientific and social value. Rangers’ diaries also form part of the national archival heritage of South Africa, as they bridge the gap of undocumented history of the rangers and national parks in South Africa.

Originality/value

This paper appears to be the first to research the assessment of the appraisal, disposal and transfer of rangers’ diaries created from 1926 to 1930.
Exploring employer attitude towards migrant workers
Authors: Farashah Ali Dehghanpour , Blomquist Tomas
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Migrants play an essential role in economic and societal outcomes of the host society, both as members of the workforce and as citizens. However, integration and finding employment after migration remain critical issues. The purpose of this paper is to employ an evidence-based quantitative approach to identify migrant workers’ most important qualifications from an employer perspective and to explore factors that influence employer perception of migrants.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses European Social Survey data that contain responses from managers in European countries in 2014 (n=2,828) and 2016 (n=3,014). Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling are used to analyse the data.

Findings

For managers, migrants’ commitment to the host country’s way of life is more important than their job skills, educational level and language proficiency. The effects of managers’ individual characteristics, including demographics, expectancies and personal values, on their general attitude towards migrants are also quantified.

Practical implications

The study’s outcomes can assist migrants to develop the qualifications most valued by employers, and allow policymakers to integrate the organizational perspective into policies and initiatives for integration of migrant labour.

Originality/value

Through HR practices, organizations significantly affect migrants’ career outcomes. Yet research on migrant workers from an organizational and managerial perspective is limited. This study identifies migrant workers’ most important qualifications from an employer perspective. It also explores which individual characteristics most influence organizational decision-makers’ perception. Utilizing a cross-cultural and longitudinal data set provides a unique opportunity to generate generalizable findings.
An analysis of the implementation and continuity of WBL delivery evident in Capstone Projects in a private business college in the UK
Authors: Gerhardt Trevor
Published: December 2019

Purpose

An analysis is conducted on the implementation of Capstone Projects (CAPP) at a private business college in the UK as part of their work-based learning (WBL) strategy. CAPP are introduced for the first time in this college in the Autumn semester of 2017. The purpose of this paper is to study the continuity and impact of WBL through the CAPP.

Design/methodology/approach

Comparative data of student experience were collected and analysed from online polls throughout the Autumn and following Summer semester webinar lectures and a content analysis of formative assessment work included in the final submissions.

Findings

Data indicated that recommended changes after the Autumn semester were only partially successful by the Summer semester and that the continuity of the key pedagogical strategies identified in the Autumn semester were still noticed and mentioned (implicitly and explicitly) in the following Summer semester. Data indicated that the CAPP was a rewarding challenge, that the process of using a webinar was an appreciated and effective process overall and that good supervision made a significant impact on the success of the process.

Research limitations/implications

The implication of the research is that it indicates student experience from the application of WBL in the CAPP process.

Practical implications

Key future recommendations addressing improvements were mainly focussed upon the programme administration.

Originality/value

The work adds to a minimal amount of research on WBL within CAPP in the UK and adds to the knowledge within the field of WBL.
Social interactivity as driver and digital technology as vehicle
Authors: Hayes Catherine , Graham Yitka
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the perceptions of the integration of digital technology into a Pre-Registration Nursing degree programme. This process illuminated student perceptions of the impact of the digital technology platform on the context of work-based learning and also potential employability in the future.

Design/methodology/approach

Adopting design research as an overarching methodological approach for this study enabled application of the phenomena of complex curriculum justification, design and development to an observable context. In its rawest form, this was a pragmatic and relatively a theoretical approach, nevertheless underpinned by robust mixed-methods framework, incorporating anecdote circles. Braun and Clarke’s (2006) six-phase approach to thematic analysis was adopted as a systematic, yet recursive, approach to inductive qualitative analysis.

Findings

Results of this pedagogical study were consistent with the stance that technology enhanced learning has a tangible impact on the socio-cognitive learning of students by providing a mechanism for engaging with decision making, problem solving and reflexive praxis. In particular, the Nurse Navigator System was perceived as a mechanism of enhancing the potential for the establishment of communities of practice in which the co-construction of meaningful knowledge about patient care could be established.

Research limitations/implications

This pedagogical study was context specific to the curriculum model operationalised at the University of Sunderland and as such the perceptions captured are not generalizable but rather provide an insight into student perceptions of the implementation of the digital technology in the context of work-based learning and also the perceived impact on employability that this might have in the future.

Practical implications

Pivotal to the success of this, though, is the capacity of clinical and academic staff who can facilitate this sufficiently well in practice and a period of preparation for students so that they can understand the distinction between cognitive, psychomotor and affective domain learning and the places and integration of each across an academic curriculum.

Social implications

The study revealed the concept of social interactivity for affective domain learning was impacted positively upon by the integration of technology enhanced learning (i.e. the Nurse Navigator System).

Originality/value

This pedagogical research provides a fundamentally unique consideration of the perceived potential impact of a digital technology platform to affective domain learning. Since this is imperative to the tacit knowledge nursing students gain during their education and training for this specific vocational and academic field this is of great value to educationalists in the nursing and allied health fields. The methodological approach adopted also has capacity for transferability to these professions.
Mixed convection and stability analysis of stagnation-point boundary layer flow and heat transfer of hybrid nanofluids over a vertical plate
Authors: Ghalambaz Mohammad , Roşca Natalia C. , Roşca Alin V. , Pop Ioan
Published: December 2019

Purpose

This study aims to study the mixed convection flow and heat transfer of Al2O3-Cu/water hybrid nanofluid over a vertical plate. Governing equations for conservation of mass, momentum and energy for the hybrid nanofluid over a vertical flat plate are introduced.

Design/methodology/approach

The similarity transformation approach is used to transform the set of partial differential equations into a set of non-dimensional ordinary differential equations. Finite-deference with collocation method is used to integrate the governing equations for the velocity and temperature profiles.

Findings

The results show that dual solutions exist for the case of opposing flow over the plate. Linear stability analysis was performed to identify a stable solution. The stability analysis shows that the lower branch of the solution is always unstable, while the upper branch of the solution is always stable. The results of boundary layer analysis are reported for the various volume fractions of composite nanoparticles and mixed convection parameter. The outcomes show that the composition of nanoparticles can notably influence the boundary layer flow and heat transfer profiles. It is also found that the trend of the variation of surface skin friction and heat transfer for each of the dual solution branches can be different. The critical values of the mixed convection parameter, λ, where the dual solution branches joint together, are also under the influence of the composition of hybrid nanoparticles. For instance, assuming a total volume fraction of 5 per cent for the mixture of Al2O3 and Cu nanoparticles, the critical value of mixing parameter of λ changes from −3.1940 to −3.2561 by changing the composition of nanofluids from Al2O3 (5 per cent) + Cu (0%) to Al2O3 (2.5%) + Cu (2.5 per cent).

Originality/value

The mixed convection stability analysis and heat transfer study of hybrid nanofluids for a stagnation-point boundary layer flow are addressed for the first time. The introduced hybrid nanofluid model and similarity solution are new and of interest in both mathematical and physical points of view.
Social innovation camps: an analysis of participants’ experiences
Authors: Milner Karen
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to document and analyse the processes underpinning the Southern African Social Innovation Camp (the Camp). This paper details the theoretical basis on which the Camp was designed and assesses the ways in which the participants experienced the camp in light of these theoretical principles.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative research design was used with four sources of data: participant reviews of the Camp, in-depth interviews with stakeholders, the researcher’s field notes and a reflective blog posted online by one of the participants. Data were analysed using thematic content analysis.

Findings

Three themes emerged from the analysis. The Camp as a foreign but safe space that moves people out of their comfort zones, enabling innovative thinking; the importance of discipline and rigour in self-organising groups; and the interplay of diversity feedback and trust/mistrust. The theoretical principles which informed the design of the Camp were clearly evident in these themes.

Research limitations/implications

No evaluation of the degree of innovativeness/quality of the prototypes. While the focus of the study was on participants’ experiences, a clearer indicator of the innovativeness and usefulness of the prototypes would have provided greater insight.

Originality/value

The study describes a theoretical framework for designing innovation groups and establishes the usefulness of the framework for analysing the group processes. Based on the results, recommendations for effective functioning in innovation groups are proposed: group diversification; discipline and rigour in group facilitation; vigilance in eliminating hierarchy; and managing the interplay between diversity, feedback and trust.
Building on student conceptions in the design of history instruction addressing sources
Authors: Nersäter Anders
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to convey findings of how a source-based unit in history can be designed and implemented on the basis of identified critical aspects using principles from variation theory set in relation to a specific didactical framework. This paper also reports on the learning outcomes of implementing such a design.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were generated in the context of learning study research undertaken in collaboration with teachers within upper secondary school. The paper uses data from pre- and post-assignments and research lessons for one of the participating teachers and his class.

Findings

Findings show that if the design and implementation of a source-based unit is informed by critical aspects, teachers have improved prospects to enhance students’ ability to interpret and evaluate sources. This is achieved by applying a didactical framework consisting of orientation, template practice and dialogues, allowing these aspects to be addressed several times under different arrangements.

Originality/value

Few studies have considered the implications of student conceptions for the design of source-based history instruction. This paper contributes with a proposal for a design informed by critical aspects and also investigates the learning outcomes of implementing such instructions.