bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Bayesian Precision Medicine Framework for Calibrating Individualized Therapeutic Indices in Cancer
Authors: Saha Abhisek , Ha Min Jin , Acharyya Satwik , Baladandayuthapani Veerabhadran
Published: August 2021

The development and clinical implementation of evidence-based precision medicine strategies has become a realistic possibility, primarily due to the rapid accumulation of large-scale genomics and pharmacological data from diverse model systems: patients, cell-lines and drug perturbation studies. We introduce a novel Bayesian modeling framework called theindividualized theRapeutic index(iRx) model to integrate high-throughput pharmacogenomic data across model systems. Our iRxmodel achieves three main goals: first, it exploits the conserved biology between patients and cell-lines to calibrate therapeutic response of drugs in patients; second, it finds optimal cell line avatars as proxies for patient(s); and finally, it identifies key genomic drivers explaining cell line-patient similarities. This is achieved through a semi-supervised learning approach, that conflates (unsupervised) sparse latent factor models with (supervised) penalized regression techniques. We propose a unified and tractable Bayesian model for estimation, and inference is conducted via efficient posterior sampling schemes. We illustrate and validate our approach using two existing clinical trial datasets in multiple myeloma and breast cancer studies. We show that our iRxmodel improves prediction accuracy compared to naive alternative approaches, and it consistently outperforms existing methods in literature in both in multiple simulation scenarios as well as real clinical examples.
In vivo study on the healing of bone defect treated with non-thermal atmospheric pressure gas discharge plasma
Authors: Shimatani Akiyoshi , Toyoda Hiromitsu , Orita Kumi , Hirakawa Yoshihiro , Aoki Kodai , Oh Jun-Seok , Shirafuji Tatsuru , Nakamura Hiroaki
Published: August 2021

Medical treatment using non-thermal atmospheric pressure gas discharge plasma is rapidly gaining recognition. Gas discharge plasma is thought to generate highly reactive species in an ambient atmosphere, which could be exposed to biological targets (e.g., cells and tissues). If plasma-generated reactive species could stimulate bone regeneration, gas discharge plasma could provide a new treatment opportunity in regenerative medicine. We investigated the impact of plasma on bone regeneration using a large bone defect in model rabbits and simple atmospheric pressure plasma (helium microplasma jet). We tracked the recovery progress of the large bone defects by X-ray imaging over eight weeks. The X-ray results showed a clear difference in the filling of the large bone defect among groups with different plasma treatment times, whereas filling was not substantial in the untreated control group. According to the results of micro-computed tomography analysis at eight weeks, the most successful bone regeneration was achieved using a plasma treatment time of 10 min, wherein the new bone volume was 1.51 times larger than that in the control group. Overall, these results suggest that non-thermal atmospheric pressure gas discharge plasma is promising for fracture treatment.
Investigating the active substance and mechanism of Jing-Fu-Kang granules via mass spectrometry technology and network pharmacology method
Authors: Feng Xin , Bi Yuelin , Gao Xuhua , Wu Hao , Li Tianyi , Liu Runhua , Sun Yu , Wang Jiaqi , Fang Linlin , Zhang Chenning , Sun Yikun
Published: August 2021

Jing-Fu-Kang granules (JFKG) is a famous Chinese patent medicine for the treatment of cervical spondylosis around the China, whereas the active substance and mechanism are not completely investigated clearly. In the current study, a rapid separation and identification method using UPLC-QE-Orbitrap-MS was established, 97 chemical constituents from JFKG were identified, and 16 prototype components from plasma samples after administration of JFKG were observed within 16 min. The structures of typical compounds were preliminarily speculated by comparing the retention time and fragmentation pattern. Furthermore, multiple databases were used to integrate the compound targets of JFKG, and the disease targets related to cervical spondylosis. After the intersection of the two sets of targets, a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and a TCM-component-target-pathway-disease network were established, then using the DAVID database to perform gene ontology analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis on the common targets to find related pathways. Finally, a total of 531 common targets and 136 pathways were found to participate in the mechanism. Our findings will help to further confirm the mechanism of JFKG for relieving cervical spondylosis, which will improve the scientific rationality of JFKG in clinical use, and can also assist in guiding doctors.
Characterizing the performance of human leg external force control
Authors: Kudzia Pawel , Robinovich Stephen N. , Maxwell Donelan J.
Published: August 2021

Our legs act as our primary contact with the surrounding environment, generating external forces that enable agile motion. To be agile, the nervous system has to control both the magnitude of the force that the feet apply to the ground and the point of application of this force. The purpose of this study was to characterize the performance of the healthy human neuromechanical system in controlling the force-magnitude and position of an externally applied force. To accomplish this, we built an apparatus that immobilized participants but allowed them to exert variable but controlled external forces with a single leg onto a ground embedded force plate. We provided real-time visual feedback of either the leg force-magnitude or position that participants were exerting against the force platform and instructed participants to best match their real-time signal to prescribed target step functions. We tested target step functions of a range of sizes and quantified the responsiveness and accuracy of the control. For the control of force-magnitude and for intermediate step sizes of 0.45 bodyweights, we found a bandwidth of 1.8±0.5 Hz, a steady-state error of 2.6±0.9%, and a steady-state variability of 2.7±0.9%. We found similar control performance in terms of responsiveness and accuracy across step sizes and between force-magnitude and position control. Increases in responsiveness correlated with reductions in other measures of control performance, such as a greater magnitude of overshooting. We modelled the observed control performance and found that a second-order model was a good predictor of external leg force control. We discuss how benchmarking force control performance in young healthy humans aids in understanding differences in agility between humans, between humans and other animals, and between humans and engineered systems.
Matthew effect: common species become more common and rare ones become more rare in response to artificial light at night
Authors: Liu Yanjie , Speißer Benedikt , Knop Eva , van Kleunen Mark
Published: August 2021

Artificial light at night (ALAN) has been and still is rapidly spreading, and has become an important component of global change. Although numerous studies have tested its potential biological and ecological impacts on animals, fewer have tested its impacts on plants, and very few studies have tested whether it affects alien and native plants differently. Furthermore, common plant species, and particularly common alien species, are often found to benefit more from additional resources than rare native and rare alien species. Whether this is also the case with regard to increasing light due to ALAN is still unknown.

Here, we tested how ALAN affects the performance of common and rare alien and native plants directly and indirectly via flying insects. We grew five common alien, six rare alien, five common native and four rare native plant species under four combinations of two ALAN (no ALANvsALAN) and two insect-exclusion (no exclusionvsexclusion) treatments, and compared their biomass production.

We found that common plant species, irrespective of whether they are alien or native, produced significantly more biomass than rare species, particularly under ALAN. Furthermore, alien species tended to show a slightly stronger positive response to ALAN than native species (marginally significant origin × ALAN interaction,p= 0.079).

Our study shows that common plant species benefited more from ALAN than rare ones. This might lead to shifts in plant diversity and vegetation composition, further propelling global biodiversity decline, when ALAN becomes more widespread. In addition, the slightly more positive response of alien species indicates that ALAN might increase the risk of alien plant invasions.
Associations between different tau-PET patterns and longitudinal atrophy in the Alzheimer’s disease continuum
Authors: Mohanty Rosaleena , Ferreira Daniel , Nordberg Agneta , Westman Eric ,   the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: August 2021

INTRODUCTION

Different subtypes/patterns have been defined using tau-PET and structural-MRI in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), but the relationship between tau pathology and atrophy remains unclear. Our goals were twofold: (a) investigate the association between baseline tau-PET patterns and longitudinal atrophy in the AD continuum; (b) characterizeheterogeneityas a continuous phenomenon over the conventional notion using discrete subgroups.

METHODS

In 366 individuals (amyloid-beta-positive: cognitively normal, prodromal AD, AD dementia; amyloid-beta-negative healthy), we examined the association between tau-PET patterns (operationalized as a continuous phenomenon and a discrete phenomenon) and longitudinal sMRI.

RESULTS

We observed a differential association between tau-PET patterns and longitudinal atrophy. Heterogeneity, measured continuously, may offer an alternative characterization, sharing correspondence with the conventional subgrouping.

DISCUSSION

Site and the rate of atrophy are modulated differentially by tau-PET patterns in the AD continuum. We postulate thatheterogeneitybe treated as a continuous phenomenon for greater sensitivity over the current/conventional discrete subgrouping.
Neuronal mimicry generates an ecosystem critical for brain metastatic growth of SCLC
Authors: Qu Fangfei , Cao Siqi , Michno Wojciech , Madubata Chioma J. , Puno Alyssa , Drainas Alexandros P. , Lee Myung Chang , Yang Dian , Toland Angus , Kong Christina , Das Millie , Winslow Monte M. , Paşca Anca M. , Sage Julien
Published: August 2021

Brain metastasis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in cancer patients. Here we investigated mechanisms allowing small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) cells to grow in the brain. We show that SCLC cells undergo a cell state transition towards neuronal differentiation during tumor progression and metastasis, and that this neuronal mimicry is critical for SCLC growth in the brain. Mechanistically, SCLC cells re-activate astrocytes, which in turn promote SCLC growth by secreting neuronal pro-survival factors such as SERPINE1. We further identify Reelin, a molecule important in brain development, as a factor secreted by SCLC cells to recruit astrocytes to brain metastases in mice. This recruitment of astrocytes by SCLC was recapitulated in assembloids between SCLC aggregates and human cortical spheroids. Thus, SCLC brain metastases grow by co-opting mechanisms involved in reciprocal neuron-astrocyte interactions during development. Targeting such developmental programs activated in this cancer ecosystem may help treat brain metastases.
A two-stage approach for the spatio-temporal analysis of high-throughput phenotyping data
Authors: Pérez-Valencia Diana M. , Rodríguez-Álvarez María Xosé , Boer Martin P. , Kronenberg Lukas , Hund Andreas , Cabrera-Bosquet Llorenç , Millet Emilie J. , van Eeuwijk Fred A.
Published: August 2021

High throughput phenotyping (HTP) platforms and devices are increasingly used for the characterization of growth and developmental processes for large sets of plant genotypes. Such HTP data require challenging statistical analyses in which longitudinal genetic signals need to be estimated against a background of spatio-temporal noise processes. We propose a two-stage approach for the analysis of such longitudinal HTP data. In a first stage, we correct for design features and spatial trends per time point. In a second stage, we focus on the longitudinal modelling of the spatially corrected data, thereby taking advantage of shared longitudinal features between genotypes and plants within genotypes. We propose a flexible hierarchical three-level P-spline growth curve model, with plants/plots nested in genotypes, and genotypes nested in populations. For selection of genotypes in a plant breeding context, we show how to extract new phenotypes, like growth rates, from the estimated genotypic growth curves and their first-order derivatives. We illustrate our approach on HTP data from the PhenoArch greenhouse platform at INRAE Montpellier and the outdoor Field Phenotyping platform at ETH Zürich.
Implementing solid-phase-enhanced sample preparation for Co-Immunoprecipitation with Mass Spectrometry forC. elegans
Authors: Baytek Gülkiz , Popp Oliver , Mertins Philipp , Tursun Baris
Published: August 2021

Studying protein-protein interactionsin vivocan reveal key molecular mechanisms of biological processes. Co-Immunoprecipitation followed by Mass Spectrometry (CoIP-MS) allows detection of protein-protein interactions in high-throughput. The nematodeCaenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans)is a powerful genetic model organism forin vivostudies. Yet, its rigid cuticle and complex tissues require optimization for protein biochemistry applications to ensure robustness and reproducibility of experimental outcomes. Therefore, we optimized CoIP-MS application toC. elegansprotein lysates by combining a native CoIP procedure with an efficient sample preparation method called single-pot, solid-phase-enhanced, sample preparation method (SP3). Our results based on the subunits of the conserved chromatin remodeler FACT demonstrate that our SP3-integrated CoIP-MS procedure forC. eleganssamples is highly accurate and robust. Moreover, in a previous study (Baytek et al. 2021), we extended our technique to studying the chromodomain factor MRG-1 (MRG15 in human), which resulted in unprecedented findings.

Method Summary

Combination of cryo-fracture with single-pot, solid-phase-enhanced, sample preparation (SP3) to perform Co-Immuno-Precipitation followed by Mass Spectrometry (CoIP-MS) provides robust assessments of protein-protein interaction usingC. eleganswhole animals.
Transient lightning response to grounding grids buried in horizontal multilayered earth model considering time domain quasi-static complex image method and soil ionization effect
Authors: Li Zhong-Xin , Li Peng , Wang Ke-Chao
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a fast, accurate and efficient algorithm for assessment of transient behavior of grounding grids buried in horizontal multilayered earth model considering soil ionization effect.

Design/methodology/approach

The purpose of this paper is to develop a numerical simulation method to calculate the lightning impulse response of the grounding grid buried in a horizontal multilayered earth model. The mathematical model about the hybrid method based on PI basic function belonging to time domain is proposed in the paper; the mode can precisely calculate the lightning current distribution and lightning impulse response to grounding grids buried in horizontal multilayered soil model considering soil ionization effect. To increase computing efficiency, quasi-static complex image method (QSCIM) and its time-domain Green’s function closed form are introduced in the model.

Findings

The hybrid model is rather stable, with the respect to the number of elements used and with excellent convergence rate. In addition, because this mathematical model belongs to the time domain algorithm, it is very powerful for the simulation of soil ionization caused by high amplitude lightning current.

Research limitations/implications

To increase computing efficiency, QSCIM and its time domain Green's function closed form are introduced in the model.

Practical implications

The mathematical model about the hybrid method based on PI basic function can precisely calculate the lightning current distribution and lightning impulse response to grounding grids buried in horizontal multilayered soil model considering the soil ionization effect.

Social implications

Considering the soil ionization effect, the simulation calculation of lightning impulse response of substation grounding grid buried in the actual horizontal multilayered earth can effectively support the scientific and efficient design of lightning protection performance of substation grounding grid.

Originality/value

The hybrid model in time domain is originally developed by the authors and used to precisely calculate the lightning current distribution and lightning impulse response to grounding grids buried in horizontal multilayered soil model considering soil ionization effect. It is simple and very efficient and can easily be extended to arbitrary grounding configurations.
Budget deficits, money growth and inflation: empirical evidence from Vietnam
Authors: Khieu Hoang Van
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to uncover the nexus between budget deficits, money growth and inflation in Vietnam in the period 1995–2012.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses a structural vector auto-regressive model of five endogenous variables including inflation, real GDP growth, budget deficit growth, money growth and the interest rate.

Findings

It is found that inflation rose in response to positive shocks to money growth and that budget deficits had no significant impact on money growth and therefore inflation. This empirical evidence supports the hypothesis that fiscal and monetary policies were relatively independent. Money growth significantly decreased in response to a positive shock to inflation; interest rates had no significant effect on inflation but considerably increased in response to positive inflation shocks. This implies that the monetary base was more effective than interest rates in fighting inflation.

Originality/value

This paper sheds light into understanding the link between budget deficits, money growth and inflation in Vietnam during the high-inflation period 1995–2012. The finding supports the hypothesis that fiscal and monetary policies were relatively independent over the period.
Online brand communication and building brand trust: social information processing theory perspective
Authors: Marmat Geeta
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the mechanism of online customer brand trust building through the lens of Walther’s Computer Mediated Communication (CMC) – Social Information Processing Theory (SIPT).

Design/methodology/approach

This paper integrates a range of theoretical and empirical works across branding and marketing, including concept of brand trust, use of online social media in brand communication and customer brand relations and CMC-SIPT theory and relational marketing literature other relevant information which were found useful in the given context were reviewed. The aim was to collect a broad spectrum of ideas, based on their relevance to the research purpose to propose effective online brand trust building framework.

Findings

This paper proposes three different developmental stages in brand trust building on online social media networks. Each stage is guided by the components of CMC-SIPT. Stage I is interaction and compliance of the brand communication clues which suggest that the aggregated level of interaction and compliance in online brand communication on social media determine the movement of the customer to the next level. Stage II suggests information processing at three successive layers by the customer as identification, internalization brand information and bonding, which eventually prompt the customer to the next level of brand trust building. Stage III is related to trust building which is the critical stage as customer internal states of arousal are experienced, which reduces the emotional risk of decision-making and increases confidence and trust of the customers in brands.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed framework of brand trust building has not been tested empirically. Future research could test and validate the proposed model tracking intrinsic changes in the customer in different brand trust development stages. This research is important for marketers or brands who wish to move beyond the notion of merely satisfying customers, to establishing more powerful emotional bonds between their brands and customers. It fills a gap in brand-trust literature and provides marketers and researchers a means to understand and draw strategies for consumers’ attraction toward brands (Patwardhan and Balasubramanian, 2011). The proposed framework has the capacity to revolutionize the way business and brands engage with society by enhancing and establishing trusting relationship.

Originality/value

To date, this research has not been done specifically from the SIPT perspective. This research is the first to examine brand communication strategies in an effort of building brand trust in the context of online social media network from the CMC-Social information theory perspective. It highlights the peculiarities of online brand communication on social media networks and customer information processing in presenting three stages of customer brand trust development to explain the development and flow of events.
A fuzzy multi-criteria framework to identify barriers and enablers of the next-generation vaccine supply chain
Authors: Chandra Dheeraj , Vipin B. , Kumar Dinesh
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Due to the introduction of new vaccines in the child immunization program and inefficient vaccine supply chain (VSC), the universal immunization program (UIP), India is struggling to provide a full schedule of vaccination to the targeted children. In this paper, the authors investigate the critical factors for improving the performance of the existing VSC system by implementing the next-generation vaccine supply chain (NGVSC) in India.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors design a fuzzy multi-criteria framework using a fuzzy analytical hierarchical process (FAHP) and fuzzy multi-objective optimization on the basis of ratio analysis (FMOORA) to identify and analyze the critical barriers and enablers for the implementation of NGVSC. Further, the authors carry out a numerical simulation to validate the model.

Findings

The outcome of the analysis contends that demand forecasting is the topmost supply chain barrier and sustainable financing is the most important/critical enabler to facilitate the implementation of the NGVSC. In addition, the simulation reveals that the results of the study are reliable.

Social implications

The findings of the study can be useful for the child immunization policymakers of India and other developing countries to design appropriate strategies for improving existing VSC performance by implementing the NGVSC.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the study is the first empirical study to propose the improvement of VSC performance by designing the NGVSC.
Transformative service research: a conceptual framework based on consumer's perspective
Authors: Ungaro Veronica , Di Pietro Laura , Renzi Maria Francesca , Guglielmetti Mugion Roberta , Pasca Maria Giovina
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the consumer's perspective regarding the relationship between services and well-being, contributing to the knowledge base in transformative service research (TSR). More specifically the aim was to understand consumers' perceptions of the relationship between services and well-being and their views about how companies can contribute (directly and/or indirectly) to achieve the well-being.

Design/methodology/approach

To reach the research aim, the study adopts an explorative inductive design, carried out through a qualitative approach and grounded in 30 in-depth interviews with consumers.

Findings

Service sustainability represents the fundamental characteristic that determines the service ability to be transformative, requiring the implementation of the triple bottom line dimensions: social, environmental and economic. It emerged that, in the consumer's mind, the service categories that present a stronger relationship between service and well-being are as follows: healthcare, financial and transport.

Originality/value

The paper proposes a conceptual framework to describe the consumer perspective of the services' transformative role in promoting well-being, providing a theoretical lens for conducting future research and continuing to expand transformative service research (TSR).
Theoretical approaches to elder abuse: a systematic review of the empirical evidence
Authors: Fundinho João Filipe , Pereira Diana Cunha , Ferreira-Alves José
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The study of theoretical models explaining elder abuse has been one of the main gaps in the literature of the field. The extent of support of each theory is not clear. This study aims to conduct a systematic review to examine research supporting or opposing six theories of elder abuse: caregiver stress theory, social exchange theory, social learning theory, bidirectional theory, dyadic discord theory and the psychopathology of the caregiver.

Design/methodology/approach

This study conducts a systematic review of the literature. Seven databases were searched six times using different keywords about each theory.

Findings

This paper finds 26,229 references and then organised and analysed these references using pre-established criteria. In total, 89 papers were selected, which contained 117 results of interest; these papers were summarised and assessed for conceptual, methodological and evidence quality. The results showed evidence in favour of all the explored theories, except for social learning theory, whose results indicate multiple interpretations of the theory. This study finishes this paper by proposing that each of these theories might explain different facets of elder abuse and that more research is necessary to understand how the predictions of these different theories interact.

Originality/value

This paper presents an extensive review of the literature on theoretical explanations of elder abuse. The findings can be of value for selecting theories for prevention programmes or providing a summary of the evidence for researchers and practitioners interested in the theoretical explanation of elder abuse.
Sustaining corporate culture in a world of hybrid work
Authors: Hirsch Peter Buell
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the challenges to sustaining corporate culture in a world of hybrid working.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is a review of current literature on the impact of remote and hybrid working on white-collar employees.

Findings

There is little consensus on whether remote/hybrid working will harm or strengthen corporate culture.

Research limitations/implications

The viewpoint is a subjective assessment of a limited number of articles on the subject

Practical implications

It is not entirely clear how those responsible for corporate culture can act on the findings.

Social implications

In a world in which corporations are experiencing a shortage of talent, how they handle corporate culture will be increasingly important.

Originality/value

While much has been written on the impact of remote working, this viewpoint takes the original view that strong corporate cultures rely more on the attitudes and actions of individual employees that company programs or initiatives.
Consumer skepticism about online reviews and their decision-making process: the role of review self-efficacy and regulatory focus
Authors: Ahmad Fayez , Guzmán Francisco
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Despite skepticism, consumers rely on online reviews for their purchase decisions. However, academics mostly argue that skepticism has an inverse relationship with consumer decision-making. This study aims to investigate the relationship among skepticism, reliance and consumer purchase decisions in an online review context. It also investigates the moderating role of review self-efficacy and regulatory focus in the relationship between skepticism and reliance on online reviews.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey with a nationally representative sample and two experimental studies are conducted.

Findings

Skepticism negatively affects consumers’ reliance on online reviews and reliance on online reviews mediates the relationship between skepticism and review-based purchase decisions. High review self-efficacy participants tend to rely more on online reviews than low review self-efficacy participants. Promotion-focused people rely more on online reviews than prevention-focused people, despite similar levels of skepticism.

Research limitations/implications

The findings contribute to the skepticism, self-efficacy and regulatory focus literature. The general framework of the relationship among skepticism, reliance and purchase decision is also applicable in an online review context.

Originality/value

The results provide evidence of a stronger reliance on online reviews of high review self-efficacy and promotion-oriented consumers compared to low review self-efficacy and prevention-oriented consumers.
Life in a lanyard: developing an ethics of embedded research methods in children’s social care
Authors: Lloyd Jenny
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to consider the opportunities for embedded methodologies for research into children’s social care and the ethics of this method.

Design/methodology/approach

This study draws upon embedded research from a two-year study into developing children’s social work approaches to extra-familial risk. Findings draw upon personal reflections from field notes, case reviews, practice observations and reflections.

Findings

Two findings are presented. Firstly, that embedded research provides numerous opportunities to develop child protection systems and practice. Secondly, a number of ethical questions and challenges of the methodology are presented.

Research limitations/implications

This paper draws upon personal reflections from one study and is not intended to be representative of all approaches to embedded research methods.

Practical implications

Two practical recommendations are presented. Firstly, this paper outlines a number of recommendations to university researchers and host organisations on the facilitative attributes for embedded researchers. Secondly, questions are raised to support university ethics boards to assist ethical frameworks for embedded research.

Originality/value

This paper contributes original empirical data to the limited literature on embedded research in children’s services.
Optimization design of titanium alloy connecting rod based on structural topology optimization
Authors: Zheng Bin , Cai Yi , Tang Kelun
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to realize the lightweight of connecting rod and meet the requirements of low energy consumption and vibration. Based on the structural design of the original connecting rod, the finite element analysis was conducted to reduce the weight and increase the natural frequencies, so as to reduce materials consumption and improve the energy efficiency of internal combustion engine.

Design/methodology/approach

The finite element analysis, structural optimization design and topology optimization of the connecting rod are applied. Efficient hybrid method is deployed: static and modal analysis; and structure re-design of the connecting rod based on topology optimization.

Findings

After the optimization of the connecting rod, the weight is reduced from 1.7907 to 1.4875 kg, with a reduction of 16.93%. The maximum equivalent stress of the optimized connecting rod is 183.97 MPa and that of the original structure is 217.18 MPa, with the reduction of 15.62%. The first, second and third natural frequencies of the optimized connecting rod are increased by 8.89%, 8.85% and 11.09%, respectively. Through the finite element analysis and based on the lightweight, the maximum equivalent stress is reduced and the low-order natural frequency is increased.

Originality/value

This paper presents an optimization method on the connecting rod structure. Based on the statics and modal analysis of the connecting rod and combined with the topology optimization, the size of the connecting rod is improved, and the static and dynamic characteristics of the optimized connecting rod are improved.
Economic analysis of rehabilitation approaches for water distribution networks: comparative study between Egypt and Malaysia
Authors: Farouk Abdelrahman M. , Rahman Rahimi A. , Romali Noor Suraya
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Sustainable water management has been a trending goal in the past decade. Non-revenue water (NRW) is one form of water loss that should be addressed to reach water sustainability. While rehabilitating water distribution networks (WDNs) is one way to decrease NRW, the process is often delayed owing to cost. Therefore, it is essential to provide decision-makers with cost-effective approaches to optimize WDN rehabilitation. This study aims to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of approaches for rehabilitating WDN from developing countries’ perspectives.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review was first conducted to identify different WDN rehabilitation methods and techniques to develop the questionnaire survey. This is followed by collecting questionnaire survey data in Malaysia and Egypt on the cost and effectiveness of the WDN rehabilitation methods and techniques. A total of 176 respondents were collected, 109 from Malaysia and 67 from Egypt. Then, the data were analyzed using mean score ranking with normalization technique and agreement analysis.

Findings

The results from the data analysis show that the cost-effective approaches are “programming,” “simulation,” “digital twin” and “supervisory control and data acquisition.” Additionally, the data from Malaysia suggest two additional cost-effective approaches: “zoning network” and “genetic algorithm.”

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper presents one of the first studies that laterally compares the cost-effectiveness of existing and potential WDN rehabilitation approaches between different countries. There is yet a study that compared these WDN rehabilitation approaches. This comparison which is developed depending on the systematic review could be a reference for future studies or surveys which could be done on different countries in the future. The main findings of this paper can be a useful reference for decision-makers, especially those from middle-income countries, when looking into approaches for WDN rehabilitation. A better WDN rehabilitation supports NRW reduction, moving towards sustainable water management.
Exploring the benefits of cloud computing for sustainable construction in Nigeria
Authors: Oke Ayodeji Emmanuel , Kineber Ahmed Farouk , Al-Bukhari Ibraheem , Famakin Ibukun , Kingsley Chukwuma
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Cloud computing is one of the digitalization principles used in some sectors like banking, health and construction industry. This paper aims to examine the benefits of applying cloud computing for construction sustainability in Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

The cloud computing benefits-related data were retrieved from previous studies and complemented with a questionnaire survey to obtain data from stakeholders involved in the execution of construction projects in Lagos State, Nigeria, through a convenient sampling technique. In addition, the relative importance index (RII) technique was used to investigate the acquired data. At the same time, analysis was accomplished using exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Findings indicated that numerous benefits could be derived by adopting cloud computing in the Nigerian construction industry.

Findings

The findings from RII analysis showed the significant benefits of data storage ubiquity (i.e. location independence), high situational awareness, team collaboration, compatibility with advanced production facilities and improved project planning. Furthermore, the analysis of these benefits was conducted using EFA for the four construction maxims: construction productivity, back-office activities, design management and billing.

Originality/value

This research illustrated the benefits of cloud computing in achieving a successful construction project. Besides, these findings are not only useful for achieving sustainable construction in Nigeria but also applicable to many developing countries.
Agency and institutional-related factors and the heterogeneity of sustainability and integrated report information disclosures in Kenya
Authors: Injeni Geoffrey , Mangena Musa , Mathuva David , Mudida Robert
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the factors influencing the level of disclosures of sustainability (SR) and integrated report (IR) information in a developing country context, with particular reference to Kenya.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses a panel data set of 419 firm-year observations of listed companies in Kenya covering the period 2010 through 2018. Data are collected from the annual reports and analysed using a generalized estimations equation model.

Findings

The results reveal that there is momentum towards newer reporting frameworks in Kenya with substantial IR and SR disclosures in their annual reports. The results also show that level of SR and IR disclosures is influenced by both agency-related factors (board gender diversity, audit committee independence, block ownership and the presence of foreign ownership). Additionally, institutional-related factors (regulatory pressure and promotional efforts of regulatory and professional bodies [reporting excellence awards]) influence the disclosures.

Practical implications

The results highlight that initiatives such as those led by the regulatory and professional bodies in Kenya are effective in motivating companies to enhance disclosures. Thus, regulators and professional bodies might need to continue and even intensify their efforts. These results have implications for further research as they show that SR and IR disclosures are influenced by similar factors.

Social implications

The study has the potential to contribute to the ongoing initiatives and discussions on the adoption of IR by firms in Africa as spearheaded by the African Integrated Reporting Council.

Originality/value

To the best of the knowledge, the study is, perhaps, the first to examine both SR and IR disclosures at the same study allowing comparison of the extent and drivers of the two disclosures. Moreover, examining the institutional-related factors in a single country has not been done in prior literature, and so this is an innovation.
Cost-based transfer pricing with the existence of a direct channel in an integrated supply chain
Authors: Hamamura Jumpei
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This study aims to analytically explore the economic role of transfer pricing in a vertically integrated supply chain with a direct channel, specifically when it uses cost-based transfer prices, as is frequently observed in management practices. We compare two representative transfer pricing methods: full-cost and variable-cost pricing. Although many firms open a direct channel, which affects the optimal decision on transfer prices, prior literature has not considered this case.

Design/methodology/approach

We demonstrate the results using a non-cooperative game theoretical approach.

Findings

The results show that full-cost pricing is more profitable than variable-cost pricing when the fixed cost allocation to the marketing division is low, contrary to the established position in prior studies, from which I select their benchmark case. Moreover, we obtain a counterintuitive result, whereby, the firm-wide profit of a vertically integrated supply chain increases with fixed cost allocation.

Originality/value

This study considers the direct channel and internal transfer pricing in a vertically integrated supply chain, while prior research only considers one or the other. This model suggests an optimal choice of cost-based transfer pricing in managerial decisions. In addition, the authors demonstrate the positive effect of increasing fixed cost allocation, which prior management studies do not show. The findings of this study have implications for managerial practice by providing insights into supply chain design and showing that firms should consider the competition between channels when making decisions about transfer pricing methods.
Intention to Vaccinate against COVID-19: a Social Marketing perspective using the Theory of Planned Behaviour and Health Belief Model
Authors: Twum Kojo Kakra , Ofori Daniel , Agyapong Gloria Kakrabah-Quarshie , Yalley Andrews Agya
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This study examines the factors influencing intention to vaccinate against COVID-19 in a developing country context using the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) and health belief model (HBM).

Design/methodology/approach

Through a cross-sectional survey design, the study adopted a quantitative approach to data collection and analysis. The study used an online survey to collect data from 478 respondents eligible to take the COVID-19 vaccine in Ghana.

Findings

Attitude, social norm, perceived behavioural control, perceived susceptibility and cues to action were found to be predictors of COVID-19 vaccination intention. The results also showed that perceived severity, perceived benefits and perceived barriers did not predict COVID-19 vaccination intention.

Practical implications

To enhance the effectiveness of COVID-19 social marketing campaigns, social marketing theories such as the TPB and HBM can aid in assessing the intention of the target population to take the vaccines. An assessment of vaccination intention will help understand disease threat perception and behavioural evaluation. The consideration of the effect of demography on vaccination intention will aid in developing effective campaigns to satisfy the needs of segments.

Originality/value

This study adds to the limited research on understanding citizens’ intention to vaccinate against COVID-19 by combining the TPB and HBM to predict vaccination intention. The study contributes towards the use of social marketing practices to enhance the efficacy of vaccination campaigns.
The effect of nurse managers' servant leadership on nurses' innovative behaviors and job performances
Authors: Kül Seval , Sönmez Betül
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This study aims to determine the effect of servant leadership on nurses' innovative behavior and job performance and to examine the moderator role of servant leadership in the relationship between nurses' innovative behavior and job performance based on the self-determination theory and social exchange theory.

Design/methodology/approach

This correlational study included 885 nurses selected from three public hospitals in Istanbul using the convenience sampling method. Data were analyzed using descriptive tests, correlation analysis and linear and hierarchical regression analyses.

Findings

The nurse managers' servant leadership behaviors were statistically significantly related with the nurses' innovative behaviors and job performances: servant leadership behaviors of the nurse managers increased the nurses' innovative behaviors and job performances and found to partially play a role of a moderator in the effect of nurses' innovative behaviors on job performance.

Practical implications

This study shows that positive nurse outcomes will be achieved when nurse managers show an ethical, humanistic, empathic, mutual benefit and service-oriented approach and adopt a servant leadership approach as appropriate to the nature of nursing.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature by revealing the effect of nurse managers' servant leadership on nurses' innovative behavior and job performance, as well as the partial moderator role of servant leadership, which has not been studied before as a part of the relationship between innovative behavior and job performance.
Proteogenomic analysis of Georgfuchsia toluolica revealed unexpected concurrent aerobic and anaerobic toluene degradation
Authors: Atashgahi Siavash , Oosterkamp Margreet J. , Peng Peng , Frank Jeroen , Kraft Beate , Hornung Bastian , Schleheck David , Lücker Sebastian , Jetten Mike S. M. , Stams Alfons J. M. , Smidt Hauke
Published: August 2021

Denitrifying Betaproteobacteria play a key role in the anaerobic degradation of monoaromatic hydrocarbons. We performed a multi‐omics study to better understand the metabolism of the representative organism Georgfuchsia toluolica strain G5G6 known as a strict anaerobe coupling toluene oxidation with dissimilatory nitrate and Fe(III) reduction. Despite the genomic potential for degradation of different carbon sources, we did not find sugar or organic acid transporters, in line with the inability of strain G5G6 to use these substrates. Using a proteomics analysis, we detected proteins of fumarate‐dependent toluene activation, membrane‐bound nitrate reductase, and key components of the metal‐reducing (Mtr) pathway under both nitrate‐ and Fe(III)‐reducing conditions. High abundance of the multiheme cytochrome MtrC implied that a porin–cytochrome complex was used for respiratory Fe(III) reduction. Remarkably, strain G5G6 contains a full set of genes for aerobic toluene degradation, and we detected enzymes of aerobic toluene degradation under both nitrate‐ and Fe(III)‐reducing conditions. We further detected an ATP‐dependent benzoyl‐CoA reductase, reactive oxygen species detoxification proteins, and cytochrome c oxidase indicating a facultative anaerobic lifestyle of strain G5G6. Correspondingly, we found diffusion through the septa a substantial source of oxygen in the cultures enabling concurrent aerobic and anaerobic toluene degradation by strain G5G6.
Clozapine levels as a predictor for therapeutic response: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Siskind Dan , Sharma Meghna , Pawar Mrinal , Pearson Ella , Wagner Elias , Warren Nicola , Kisely Steve
Published: August 2021

Objectives

Clozapine levels may be a more useful predictor of therapeutic response than the dose, given the variability in clozapine metabolism between individuals. We therefore systematically reviewed and meta‐analysed the impact of clozapine levels on response and/or relapse to provide guidance on optimal clozapine levels.

Methods

We systematically searched PubMed, PsycInfo and Embase for studies exploring clozapine levels and response and/or relapse. Our primary meta‐analysis was rates of response above and below clozapine level thresholds of 350 ng/ml and 600 ng/ml. Secondary analyses were undertaken of mean clozapine levels, dose and concentration/dose (C/D) ratio and response and/or relapse. A meta‐regression by study duration was conducted.

Results

Twenty studies met inclusion criteria. Clozapine levels above 350 ng/ml were associated with statistically significantly higher rates of response (OR 2.27 95% CI 1.40–3.67, p < 0.001), but not above 600 ng/ml (OR 1.40 95% CI 0.85–2.31, p = 0.19). Higher mean clozapine levels were associated with better rates of response (SMD 0.24, 95% CI 0.00–0.49, p = 0.05), and lower rates of relapse (SMD −0.72, 95% CI −1.26 to −0.19, p = 0.008). By contrast, neither clozapine dose nor C/D ratio was associated with differing rates of response. Similarly, study duration did not affect outcome.

Conclusions

Our findings are in keeping with current guidelines that recommend targeting clozapine levels above 350 ng/ml before augmentation is considered. As some clozapine associated ADRs are dose dependent, levels above 600 ng/ml may have an unfavourable risk‐benefit ratio.