bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Managing Difficult Conversations: An Essential Communication Skill for All Professionals and Leaders
Authors: Prober Charles G. , Grousbeck H. Irving , Meehan William F.
Published: April 2022

Managing difficult conversations is an important skill to develop and refine for all professionals and future leaders, particularly for those in health care where difficult situations with high stakes are prevalent. The intensity and frequency of these types of conversations will predictably increase as one’s professional responsibility grows.

In this article, the authors discuss their interprofessional course, Managing Difficult Conversations, developed 15 years ago for medical and graduate students at Stanford University. The course facilitates the practice of managing difficult conversations through role play in a low-risk, safe classroom setting among peers. The role-played difficult conversations are based upon a series of case studies and are facilitated by faculty and guest experts. There is no single communication style that suits everyone, but the authors offer resources from the course that can be applied for effective difficult conversations, including 12 guiding principles and a 3-stage framework for planning, beginning, and conducting the conversation.

Preparing and practicing for difficult conversations will enhance the likelihood of conveying the necessary information with professionalism, directness, clarity, empathy, and warmth. Although unsettling news will always be difficult to receive, the method of delivery should be a source of comfort and hope, not one of discomfort and pain.
Long-term MRI Follow-up of Hyaluronic Acid Dermal Filler
Authors: Master Mobin , Roberts Stefania
Published: April 2022

We present a case report of hyaluronic acid (HA) injected in the subcutaneous fat of the lateral face, deep fat compartments of the mid-face, and a combination of deep and superficial injection of HA in the chin. MRI demonstrates longevity of HA in the lateral face and deep fat compartments of the mid-face versus almost complete degradation of HA in the chin 19 months from injection. The MRI signal demonstrated no migration of HA and persistence of HA at 27 months in the lateral face and mid-face.
Making the Best of a Bad Situation: Case Report of a Nonreplantable Four-finger Amputation with Flap Coverage and Partial Hand Prosthesis Utilization
Authors: Graham Emily M. , Arbon Jantz , Baschuk Christopher M. , Duncan Adam , Mendenhall Shaun D.
Published: April 2022

Partial hand amputations (PHAs) are often associated with detriments to self-expression, independence, and employment. Modern partial hand prostheses, coupled with reconstructive surgery, may greatly mitigate the physical, psychological, social, and financial impairments caused by PHAs. The MCPDriver is a body-powered prosthesis and is an example of one of these modern, easy-to-use prostheses. This case report describes a 30-year-old man who experienced a traumatic, nonreplantable four finger degloving amputation of digits 2–5 at the level of the proximal phalanges. Initial reconstruction included preserving the length of the amputated phalanges and using a pedicled groin flap for soft tissue coverage with the goal to ultimately facilitate the use of a partial hand prosthesis. Once the PHA was stable, the multidisciplinary hand team held several discussions to review how to revise the flap for an MCPDriver. Staged debulking surgeries and syndactyly releases facilitated a successful fitting with the prosthesis. The patient resumed employment and bimanual tasks shortly after being fit with the prosthesis. The patient also reported significant improvements in his mental health and in the quality of his social interactions. This case illustrates how reconstructive surgeries coupled with partial hand prosthesis utilization can restore form and function following amputation. Familiarity with the modern classes of upper extremity prostheses and collaborating within a multidisciplinary hand team will likely enhance reconstructive outcomes following traumatic PHAs.
A Case of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Resulting from Interference Screw Malposition after LRTI
Authors: Maus Jacob , Driscoll Cassandra , Graves Benjamin R.
Published: April 2022

Many approaches to CMC arthroplasty have been described for treatment of advanced arthritis, yet there is no consensus on the “best” operation. Implantable hardware is increasingly utilized for metacarpal suspension, but few hardware-mediated complications have been documented. Here we present the case of a 69-year-old man with insidious-onset median neuropathy following ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition for CMC arthritis, utilizing interference screw fixation. After surgery, the patient developed median neuropathy, and his physical examination and MRI demonstrated a mass in the volar wrist. Operative exploration revealed an interference screw that was lodged immediately volar to the transverse carpal ligament, causing median nerve compression. Median neurolysis and screw removal led to symptom resolution. Carpal tunnel syndrome is an unreported complication of interference screw use during thumb CMC arthroplasty, and should be considered in patients with postoperative median neuropathy following ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition.
Development of a Novel Adapter to Enable Less-Invasive Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation via the Left Ventricular Apex
Authors: Schibilsky David , Scheumann Johannes , Koester Philipp Julian , Demir Halil , Rausch Manuel , Puiu Paul , Benk Christoph , Maier Sven , Neudorf Simon , Diel Patric , Grundmann Sebastian , Kaier Klaus , Beyersdorf Friedhelm , Bothe Wolfgang
Published: April 2022

The first prototype of an adapter to enable left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation solely via the left ventricular (LV) apex and without requiring cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was tested in healthy and acutely failing pig hearts. The adapter consists of a fixation, blood guiding, and connecting module fitting to a HeartMate 3 (HM3; Abbott, Chicago, IL) pump. Implantation was performed via a left thoracotomy in five pigs (96 ± 18 kg). Invasive blood pressure was measured before (CTRL), 30 minutes after HM3 initiation (HM3_CTRL), during acute heart failure (HF) induced by rapid pacing (CTRL_HF), and 5 minutes after initiating HM3 support (HM3_HF). To further estimate the LVAD performance, blood pressure amplitudes were calculated in the healthy heart without (CTRL) and with HM3 support (HM3_CTRL) as: systolic–diastolic blood pressure. Our adapter implantation and connection to the HM3 pump succeeded in all animals. Compared to the normal beating healthy heart, blood pressure amplitudes were significantly smaller during HM3 support (CTRL: 41 ± 5 mm Hg vs. HM3_CTRL: 20 ± 4 mm Hg; p < 0.05). Under HF conditions, mean blood pressure returned to normal values after pump initiation (CTRL_HF: 29 ± 6 mm Hg, HM3_HF: 83 ± 24 mm Hg). The adapter prototype allowed safe, straightforward, and less-invasive LVAD implantation solely via the LV apex without using CPB and support of the LV during acute HF in the pig heart.
A Review of Extracorporeal Blood Purification Techniques for the Treatment of Critically Ill Coronavirus Disease 2019 Patients
Authors: Niazi Nicholas S. , Nassar Tareq I. , Stewart Ian J. , Honore Patrick M. , Sharma Kumar , Chung Kevin K.
Published: April 2022

In late 2019, a novel betacoronavirus, later termed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was discovered in patients with an unknown respiratory illness in Wuhan, China. SARS-CoV-2 and the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), spread rapidly and resulted in the World Health Organization declaring a pandemic in March 2020. In a minority of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2, severe illness develops characterized by a dysregulated immune response, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and multisystem organ failure. Despite the development of antiviral and multiple immunomodulatory therapies, outcomes of severe illness remain poor. In response, the Food and Drug Administration in the United States authorized the emergency use of several extracorporeal blood purification (EBP) devices for critically ill patients with COVID-19. Extracorporeal blood purification devices target various aspects of the host response to infection to reduce immune dysregulation. This review highlights the underlying technology, currently available literature on use in critically ill COVID-19 patients, and future studies involving four EBP platforms: 1) oXiris filter, 2) CytoSorb filter, 3) Seraph 100 Microbind blood affinity filter, and 4) the Spectra Optia Apheresis System with the Depuro D2000 Adsorption Cartridge.
Creating Direct Care Leaders in the Trenches Instead of the Offices
Authors: Morse Richard , Cline Debbie , LaFrentz Kelly
Published: April 2022

Direct care/bedside nurses rarely view themselves as leaders, yet they have a powerful influence regarding patient outcomes and overall patient satisfaction. We will show that by assisting the direct care bedside nurse in recognizing they are leaders and offering them additional education and resources through the Rising Stars program, the participants will better understand the influence they have over their patients and impact related to organizational outcomes.
Supporting Ambulatory Nurses Transitioning From Direct Care to Leadership
Authors: Pacho Andre J. , Meredith Jessica , Kirkley Laurie , Rodgers Jennifer , Makic Mary Beth F.
Published: April 2022

Frontline nurse leadership is foundational to career progression and succession planning, but preparation is often limited. COVID-19 has further complicated this process by limiting access to professional development resources typically available to new leaders. This article discusses the implementation of an innovative onboarding program that combined a web-based toolkit, mentor network, and precepted shadow shifts to navigate challenges associated with the pandemic and overcome barriers to frontline nurse leader preparation in the ambulatory care setting.
Wolves in Sheep's Clothing and Vice Versa: Fine-Needle Aspiration of Low-Grade Spindle Cell Lesions
Authors: Bronson Taylor , Choy Bonnie
Published: April 2022

The morphologic overlap between low-grade spindle cell lesions can lead to diagnostic dilemmas, particularly when attempting to interpret limited material. Evaluation of such specimens frequently requires correlating with clinical and imaging findings, as well as ancillary studies. We discuss the case of a 78-year-old woman with a remote history of breast carcinoma who presented with a left base of neck nodule. While imaging findings were highly suggestive of schwannoma, fine-needle aspiration biopsy of the nodule was performed for diagnostic confirmation. The patient reported tingling and an electrical shock sensation traveling down her arm during the fine-needle aspiration procedure. Cytomorphologic findings demonstrating a low-grade spindle cell neoplasm further supported a diagnosis of schwannoma, despite early immunohistochemistry results not being supportive. A last-minute suggestion that the differential diagnosis be broadened prompted additional immunohistochemical workup and follow-up molecular testing that confirmed an alternative diagnosis of solitary fibrous tumor. This case demonstrates the importance of correlating clinical, radiologic, and pathologic findings when approaching the differential diagnosis of low-grade spindle cell lesions on fine-needle biopsy specimens. Ancillary testing including immunohistochemistry, molecular studies, or fluorescence in situ hybridization is frequently utilized to establish a definitive diagnosis.
High-Grade Ovarian Epithelial Tumor and Intraoperative Frozen Section: Consequences of a Discordant Diagnosis
Authors: Felicelli Christopher , Blanco Luis Z.
Published: April 2022

Ovarian neoplasms are a common specimen received for intraoperative consultation (frozen section) as an accurate diagnosis is necessary to determine the next steps in surgery. We present the case of a 79-year-old woman with a 5.3-cm right ovarian lesion as well as a large appendiceal mass. The frozen section of the ovarian lesion showed a high-grade tumor with areas of luminal necrosis. These morphologic findings, along with the presence of a colonic mass, led to an intraoperative consultation diagnosis of “high grade adenocarcinoma, favor metastasis from gastrointestinal tract primary,” and to the surgery ending after removal of the appendix and cecum. However, the permanent section revealed high-grade serous carcinoma. We review the differential diagnosis of high-grade ovarian lesions on frozen section, examine the challenges that can occur, and discuss the potential downstream effects and consequences for patient care.
Double cones in the avian retina form an oriented mosaic which might facilitate magnetoreception and/or polarized light sensing
Authors: Chetverikova Raisa , Dautaj Glen , Schwigon Leonard , Dedek Karin , Mouritsen Henrik
Published: April 2022

To navigate between breeding and wintering grounds, night-migratory songbirds are aided by a light-dependent magnetic compass sense and maybe also by polarized light vision. Although the underlying mechanisms for magnetoreception and polarized light sensing remain unclear, double cone photoreceptors in the avian retina have been suggested to represent the primary sensory cells. To use these senses, birds must be able to separate the directional information from the Earth's magnetic field and/or light polarization from variations in light intensity. Theoretical considerations suggest that this could be best achieved if neighbouring double cones were oriented in an ordered pattern. Therefore, we investigate the orientation patterns of double cones in European robins (
Erithacus rubecula
) and domestic chickens (
Gallus gallus domesticus
). We used whole-mounted retinas labelled with double cone markers to quantify the orientations of individual double cones in relation to their nearest neighbours. In both species, our data show that the double cone array is highly ordered: the angles between neighbouring double cones were more likely to be 90°/−90° in the central retina and 180°/0° in the peripheral retina, respectively. The observed regularity in double cone orientation could aid the cells' putative function in light-dependent magnetoreception and/or polarized light sensing.
Robustness of electrocardiogram signal quality indices
Authors: Rahman Saifur , Karmakar Chandan , Natgunanathan Iynkaran , Yearwood John , Palaniswami Marimuthu
Published: April 2022

Electrocardiogram (ECG) signal quality indices (SQIs) are essential for improving diagnostic accuracy and reliability of ECG analysis systems. In various practical applications, the ECG signals are corrupted by different types of noise. These corrupted ECG signals often provide insufficient and incorrect information regarding a patient’s health. To solve this problem, signal quality measurements should be made before an ECG signal is used for decision-making. This paper investigates the robustness of existing popular statistical signal quality indices (SSQIs): relative power of QRS complex (SQI

p

), skewness (SQI
skew
), signal-to-noise ratio (SQI
snr
), higher order statistics SQI (SQI
hos
) and peakedness of kurtosis (SQI
kur
). We analysed the robustness of these SSQIs against different window sizes across diverse datasets. Results showed that the performance of SSQIs considerably fluctuates against varying datasets, whereas the impact of varying window sizes was minimal. This fluctuation occurred due to the use of a static threshold value for classifying noise-free ECG signals from the raw ECG signals. Another drawback of these SSQIs is the bias towards noise-free ECG signals, that limits their usefulness in clinical settings. In summary, the fixed threshold-based SSQIs cannot be used as a robust noise detection system. In order to solve this fixed threshold problem, other techniques can be developed using adaptive thresholds and machine-learning mechanisms.
The closest lineage of Archaeplastida is revealed by phylogenomics analyses that include
Microheliella maris
Authors: Yazaki Euki , Yabuki Akinori , Imaizumi Ayaka , Kume Keitaro , Hashimoto Tetsuo , Inagaki Yuji
Published: April 2022

By clarifying the phylogenetic positions of ‘orphan’ protists (unicellular micro-eukaryotes with no affinity to extant lineages), we may uncover the novel affiliation between two (or more) major lineages in eukaryotes.
Microheliella maris
was an orphan protist, which failed to be placed within the previously described lineages by pioneering phylogenetic analyses. In this study, we analysed a 319-gene alignment and demonstrated that
M. maris
represents a basal lineage of one of the major eukaryotic lineages, Cryptista. We here propose a new clade name ‘Pancryptista’ for Cryptista plus
M. maris
. The 319-gene analyses also indicated that
M. maris
is a key taxon to recover the monophyly of Archaeplastida and the sister relationship between Archaeplastida and Pancryptista, which is collectively called ‘CAM clade’ here. Significantly, Cryptophyceae tend to be attracted to Rhodophyta depending on the taxon sampling (ex., in the absence of
M. maris
and Rhodelphidia) and the particular phylogenetic ‘signal’ most likely hindered the stable recovery of the monophyly of Archaeplastida in previous studies.
Anti-inflammatory effects of curcumin-loaded niosomes on respiratory syncytial virus infection in a mice model
Authors: Samadizadeh Saeed , Arabi Mehdi Sheikh , Yasaghi Mohammad , Salimi Vahid , Tabarraei Alijan , Moradi Abdolvahab , Tahamtan Alireza
Published: April 2022

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of lower respiratory tract infection in paediatrics. While antivirals are apparent candidates to treat RSV-induced diseases, they have not yet met expectations and have remained in infancy. There is growing evidence to suggest that modulating the exacerbated inflammation during RSV infection can improve disease outcome.

Curcumin-loaded niosomes have anti-inflammatory effects against RSV-induced respiratory disease by reducing immune cells' infiltration and inflammatory cytokines' production.

This study evaluated the effects of curcumin-loaded niosomes on RSV-induced immunopathology in a mice model.

Curcumin-loaded niosomes were prepared using the thin-film hydration method and characterized in vitro. Female Balb/c mice were infected by RSV-A2 and treated daily with curcumin-loaded niosomes. The potential anti-inflammatory effects of curcumin-loaded niosomes were evaluated on day 5 after infection.

Using curcumin-loaded niosomes decreased immune cell influx and the inflammatory mediators (MIP-1α, TNF-α and IFN-γ) production in the lung, resulting in alleviated lung pathology following RSV infection.

These findings indicate that curcumin-loaded niosomes have anti-inflammatory potential and could be a promising candidate to alleviate RSV-associated immunopathology.
Spatial variation in microbial communities associated with sea-ice algae in Commonwealth Bay, East Antarctica
Authors: Vadillo Gonzalez Sebastian , Clark Graeme F. , Johnston Emma L. , Turney Chris S. M. , Fogwill Christopher J. , Steinberg Peter D. , Marzinelli Ezequiel M.
Published: April 2022

Antarctic sea-ice forms a complex and dynamic system that drives many ecological processes in the Southern Ocean. Sea-ice microalgae and their associated microbial communities are understood to influence nutrient flow and allocation in marine polar environments. Sea-ice microalgae and their microbiota can have high seasonal and regional (>1000 km2) compositional and abundance variation, driven by factors modulating their growth, symbiotic interactions and function. In contrast, our knowledge of small-scale variation in these communities is limited. Understanding variation across multiple scales and its potential drivers is critical for informing on how multiple stressors impact sea-ice communities and the functions they provide. Here, we characterized bacterial communities associated with sea-ice microalgae and the potential drivers that influence their variation across a range of spatial scales (metres to >10 kms) in a previously understudied area in Commonwealth Bay, East Antarctica where anomalous events have substantially and rapidly expanded local sea-ice coverage. We found a higher abundance and different composition of bacterial communities living in sea-ice microalgae closer to the shore compared to those further from the coast. Variation in community structure increased linearly with distance between samples. Ice thickness and depth to the seabed were found to be poor predictors of these communities. Further research on the small-scale environmental drivers influencing these communities is needed to fully understand how large-scale regional events can affect local function and ecosystem processes.
Antibiotic courses for acute otitis media alter human gut microbiome resistome and colonization resistance against antimicrobial resistant species in children
Authors: Li Weizhong , Kielenniva Katja , Kuelbs Claire , Novotny Mark , Kontiokari Tero , Sarlin Suvi , Tejesvi Mysore , Nelson Karen E. , Tapiainen Terhi
Published: April 2022

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major global public health problem. Human gut microbiome plays an important role in modulating AMR. On one hand, the microbiome itself can serve as a reservoir of AMR genes, i.e. resistome. On the other hand, the microbiome performs colonization resistance, preventing invasive microbes from colonizing the gastrointestinal tract. In this study, we investigated how antibiotic treatment affects the resistome and colonization resistance of the gut microbiome in children receiving amoxicillin, amoxicillin-clavulanate, or no treatment for acute otitis media in a randomized clinical trial. Fecal samples from children receiving an antibiotic or no treatment before and after the treatment were analyzed using deep metagenomic sequencing. We used a flow cytometry-based approach to quantify the bacterial load in the fecal samples. Both metagenomic sequencing-based relative abundance and flow cytometry-based absolute abundance of the microbial species were analyzed. We found that the resistome fluctuated over time and in a small fraction (∼10%) of subjects, AMR genes increased rapidly due to colonization by AMR species, even in the control group without any antibiotic treatment. Amoxicillin significantly increased the risk for invasive species, especially pathogenic species carrying AMR genes, to colonize the gut. We also found that children lacking Blautia, Ruminococcus, Faecalibacterium, Roseburia, or Faecalitalea were more vulnerable to colonization by invasive AMR species in their gut microbiome.
First crystal structure of a non-canonical amino acid linked to a paramagnetic lanthanide tag facilitates protein structure determination using NMR-derived restraints
Authors: Okwei Elleansar , Ganguly Soumya , Darling Heather L. , Harp Joel M. , Gulsevin Alican , Coin Irene , Mchaourab Hassane , Ledwitch Kaitlyn , Kuenze Georg , Meiler Jens
Published: April 2022

Site-directed spin labeling of proteins via non-canonical amino acids (ncAAs) is a non-traditional method for the measurement of pseudocontact shifts (PCSs) by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. PCSs provide long-range distance and orientational information between a paramagnetic center and protein nuclei that can be used as restraints for computational structural modeling techniques. Here, we present the first experimental structure of an ncAA chemically linked to a lanthanide tag conjugated to the protein, T4-Lysozyme (T4L). T4L was crystallized with a cyclen-based C3 tag coordinated to the paramagnetic ion terbium (Tb3+). The paramagnetic C3-lanthanide tag generated PCSs measured at four different ncAA sites. We show that the addition of these restraints improves structure prediction protocols for T4L using the RosettaNMR framework. Generated models provide insight into T4L conformational flexibility sampled in solution. This integrative modeling protocol is readily transferable to larger proteins. Methods to predict protein structures are advancing into an exciting arena such that reliable experimental data will play important roles for evaluating the biophysical relevance of predicted structural models. Our contribution here caters to the growing interest in using ncAAs for a range of biophysical studies, and these methods can be readily transferred to larger protein systems of interest.
Neural signatures of task-related fluctuations in auditory attention change with age
Authors: Herrmann Björn , Maess Burkhard , Henry Molly J. , Obleser Jonas , Johnsrude Ingrid S.
Published: April 2022

Listening in everyday life requires attention to be deployed dynamically – when listening is expected to be difficult and when relevant information is expected to occur – to conserve mental resources. Conserving mental resources may be particularly important for older adults who often experience difficulties understanding speech. In the current study, we use electro- and magnetoencephalography to investigate the neural and behavioral mechanics of attention regulation during listening and the effects that aging has on these. We show that neural alpha oscillatory activity indicates when in time attention is deployed (Experiment 1) and that deployment depends on listening difficulty (Experiment 2). Older adults (54–72 years) also show successful attention regulation but appear to utilize timing information differently compared to younger adults (20–33 years). We further show a notable age-group dissociation in recruited brain regions. In younger adults, superior parietal cortex underlies alpha power during attention regulation, whereas, in older adults, alpha power emerges from more ventro-lateral areas (posterior temporal cortex; Experiment 3). This difference in the sources of alpha activity between age groups only occurred during task performance and was absent during rest (Experiment S1). In sum, our study suggests that older adults employ different neural control strategies compared to younger adults to regulate attention in time under listening challenges.
Performance of novel antibodies for lipoarabinomannan to develop diagnostic tests for Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Cantera Jason L. , Lillis Lorraine M. , Peck Roger B. , Moreau Emmanuel , Schouten James A. , Davis Paul , Drain Paul K. , Andama Alfred , Pinter Abraham , Kawasaki Masanori , Källenius Gunilla , Sundling Christopher , Dobos Karen M. , Flores Danara , Chatterjee Delphi , Murphy Eileen , Halas Olivia R. , Boyle David S.
Published: April 2022

Lipoarabinomannan (LAM), a component of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) cell wall, is detectable in the urine of MTB infected patients with active tuberculosis (TB). LAM-specific antibodies (Igs) have been developed by a variety of traditional and recombinant methods for potential use in a rapid diagnostic test (RDT). We evaluated the analytical performance of the TB LAM Igs to identify pairs that offer superior performance over existing urine LAM tests. We assessed 25 new and 4 existing Igs in a matrixed format using a multiplex electrochemiluminescence-based liquid immunoassay. A total of 841 paired Ig combinations were challenged with in vitro cultured LAM (cLAM) derived from MTB strains representing diverse phylogenetic lineages, alongside urinary LAM (uLAM) from the urine of adults with active pulmonary TB. Analytical sensitivity of down-selected Ig pairs was determined using MTB Aoyama-B cLAM, while diagnostic accuracy was determined using clinical samples. When testing cLAM, the reactivity of Ig pairs was similar across MTB lineages 1-4 but lineage 5:6 had significantly more reactivity among Ig pairs. Overall, 41 Ig pairs had a strong binding affinity to cLAM, as compared to the reference pair of S4-20/A194-01, and 28 Ig pairs therein exhibited a strong affinity for both cLAM and uLAM. Retrospective testing on clinical urine specimens demonstrated varying sensitivities (12-80%) and specificities (14-100%). The five top pairs had a similar analytical limit of detection to the reference pair but in four instances, the sensitivity and specificity with clinical uLAM samples was poor. Overall, epitopes presented by uLAM are different from cLAM, which may affect antibody performance when testing uLAM in patient samples. Several new Ig pairs had similar ranges of high sensitivity to cLAM but overall, there were no new candidate Ig pairs identified in this round of screening with increased performance with uLAM as compared to an existing optimal pair.
Analyzing well-to-pump emissions of electric and conventional jet fuel for aircraft propulsion
Authors: Yildiz Melih , Kale Utku , Nagy Andras
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to show the emissions related to electric consumption in electric aviation. Aviation, being one of the main transportation and economical driver of global trade and consumerism, is responsible for an important ratio of anthropogenic emissions. Electric energy use in aircraft propulsion is gaining interest as a method of providing sustainable and environmentally friendly aviation. However, the production of electricity is more energy and emission sensitive compared to conventional jet fuel.

Design/methodology/approach

A well-to-pump (WTP) energy use and emission analysis were conducted to compare the electricity and conventional jet fuel emissions. For the calculations, a software and related database which is developed by Argonne’s Greenhouse gas, Regulated Emissions, and Energy use in Transportation (GREET®) model is used to determine WTP analysis for electricity production and delivery pathways and compared it to baseline conventional jet fuel.

Findings

The WTP results show that electricity production and transmission have nine times higher average emissions compared to WTP emissions of conventional jet fuel. The future projection of emission calculations presented in this paper reveals that generating electricity from more renewable sources provides only a 50% reduction in general emissions. The electricity emission results are sensitive to the sources of production.

Originality/value

The main focus of this study is to analyze the WTP emissions of electric energy and conventional jet fuel for use on hybrid aircraft propulsion.
The spectrum of blockchain adoption for developing business model innovation
Authors: Purusottama Ambara , Simatupang Togar Mangihut , Sunitiyoso Yos
Published: April 2022

Purpose

A blockchain (BC) is a breakthrough technological invention that comprises entirely different mental models than conventional technology. This fundamental difference can potentially change the systems of many organizations since the current systems are built upon a centralized paradigm. The adoption of BC brings various benefits to an organization which can initiate changes to a business model (BM). However, the contribution of BC for business model innovation (BMI) is challenging to identify. Therefore, this study aims to understand and describe the adoption of BC for developing BMI.

Design/methodology/approach

This study presents a model that describes the adoption of BC for developing BMI. To justify the model, this study used an empirical approach based on multiple case study through a rigorous process. The case study selection process referred to the products or services that adopt BC to deliver to their customers and monetize their businesses, which resulted in six cases in different areas. Meanwhile, the data collection applied semi-structured interviews and adequate secondary data. The data/information was analyzed using a value proposition, creation, and capture framework.

Findings

The findings identify the adoption of BC in BMIs generated through value creation as a new technological sub-element. This technological adoption evidently affects value proposition and value capture in a different mode. Furthermore, through the model, this study classifies the adoption of BC in BMI based on two dimensions: (1) the level of complexity of BC adoption and (2) the intensity of BMI. The findings show that the cases in this study are dispersed among all quadrants of the conceptual model.

Originality/value

This study can serve as an antecedent for stakeholders in the innovation of BC-based BMs and their implementation patterns. Simultaneously, this study sheds light on the body of knowledge about BC adoption for developing BMI through a validated model from selected cases and technical experts. This study also describes the BC-based activity systems that provide the contributions and benefits from the technology.
Resilience and coping with a long-term crisis: the cases of Cypriot and Greek micro and small firms
Authors: Sakellarios Nikolaos , Duarte Alonso Abel , Kok Seng Kiat , O’Brien Seamus , Fillis Ian , Vu Oanh Thi Kim
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to ascertain factors that enable micro- and small firms (MSFs) to cope with the effects of a long-term crisis and develop a model which guides conceptual understanding. This study’s setting is represented by the global financial crisis and by Cyprus and Greece, two nations severely affected.

Design/methodology/approach

On-site, unstructured, face-to-face interviews were conducted among 135 MSF leaders.

Findings

Sixteen different coping factors were identified as central to participants, resulting in the emergence of four key dimensions. Three dimensions, self-initiative, financial acumen and human attributes, are associated with entrepreneurs’ skills, initiatives, passion and networks, whereas one dimension, individual-firm advantage, considers firms’ and individuals’ valuable assets and resources, namely, image/reputation, quality or location. Almost two-thirds of participants recognised a lack of collaboration beyond their suppliers within their industry. Several intergroup differences were revealed, including Cypriot participants’ higher optimism concerning their firms’ future.

Originality/value

This study responds to calls for research that illuminates the understanding of firms’ ability to overcome inadequacies imposed by the socio-economic environment in which they operate. To this end, a theoretical framework emphasising the vital significance of four dimensions is proposed. Apart from their conceptual insightfulness, the dimensions identify clear associations with resilience and coping and can therefore be of practical value to micro–small-sized firms and their respective industry.
Identification of barriers, benefits and opportunities of using bamboo materials for structural purposes
Authors: Hailemariam Ezra Kassa , Hailemariam Leule Mebratie , Amede Ermias Adane , Nuramo Denamo Addissie
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Bamboo is still a traditional material that requires additional development before it can be considered as a modern and reliable alternative to steel, wood, and concrete. When compared to the huge volumes of information available on timber and concrete, bamboo has a little quantity of information. When it comes to estimating bamboo structures, there are not many options. As a result, pinpointing the key qualities and events that aid or impede bamboo's integration into the construction sector is vital.

Design/methodology/approach

Factor analysis (FA) was used for summarizing and reducing data to significant ones in identifying barriers, benefits and potentials of using bamboo materials for construction. In this method, small number of factors was aimed at to explain most of the variances observed in a much larger number of variables. The goal was to identify not-directly-observable barriers and opportunities based on a larger set of observable or measurable indicators identified from literature. It attempted to identify underlying challenges and potentials that lay the patterns of bamboo material usage in the construction sector.

Findings

From the results of FA, six specific components with loadings greater than 0.5 were kept for both the barrier and the advantages of using bamboo Lack of awareness on bamboo material, Unorganized supply chain, Exclusion from standards, Outperformance of industrial products, Lack of innovation and institutional support and Bamboo's mechanistic limitation was considered to be the root causes of all barriers. On the other end, structural suitability of bamboo, viable timber alternative, meeting sustainability's demand, attractive economic model, cost effective material, positive social implications were labeled as benefits of bamboo. Finally, major recommendation regarding research, facility, institutionalizing and resource management were forwarded.

Originality/value

Ethiopia is a major bamboo producer in Africa. The bamboo sector, on the other hand, remains a part of the undeveloped and informal rural economy, preventing it from reaching its full potential. Despite technological advancements, bamboo is not commonly used in construction. As a result, using bamboo as a building material is frowned upon. In order to take effective action to accommodate bamboo as an alternative building material, significant challenges, benefits, and potential of the material must be stated with this purpose in mind.
Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) facing an evolving technological era: a systematic literature review on the adoption of technologies in SMEs
Authors: Zamani Seyedeh Zahra
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to map the influential concepts on technology adoption in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) through conducting a systematic literature review and finding a better understanding of the current body of knowledge.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review approach is taken here, which includes the following steps: Determination of keywords and strings, selection of databases, setting inclusion and exclusion criteria, conducting the search in chosen databases over a specific period of time. This process has led to the final count of 349 peer-reviewed articles being studied, and the results are analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively.

Findings

As a result of the study, 11 categories of influential concepts on technology adoption are identified by reviewing literature from the past decade. This article indicates how fragmented the literature is and how it concentrates on studying the impact of only a limited number of categories of concepts. The scatted frameworks (theoretical and conceptual) and weak application of the used theories found in this research also highlight the need for the development of a framework that looks into technology adoption as a dynamic process due to the dynamic nature of new technologies today.

Research limitations/implications

Based on the above findings, future research avenues are to look into technology adoption from a process perspective, to dig into less researched influencing concepts such as infrastructure, regulations, strategy and resources and their role in adoption of technology in SMEs as well as development of a framework for technology adoption that is aligned with these elements.

Practical implications

Practitioners and policymakers will benefit from finding a helicopter view of the barriers and supporting factors throughout their technology adoption journey. The knowledge they gain from this study will better prepare them in building tools they need for adopting technology in their organizations and provide an in-depth insight to what elements can affect their journey.

Originality/value

This review provides an insight into the current body of knowledge on the topic, which researchers can benefit from constructing an in-depth understanding of the state of research as well as influencing concepts of technology adoption in SMEs. Moreover, it adds value in building up the knowledge of technology adoption in today's dynamic world of digitalization.
Innocent until proven guilty: suspicion of deception in online reviews
Authors: Petrescu Maria , Kitchen Philip , Dobre Costinel , Ben Mrad Selima , Milovan-Ciuta Anca , Goldring Deborah , Fiedler Anne
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This study aims to formulate a new framework for identifying deception in consumer reviews through the lens of interpersonal deception theory (IDT) and the persuasion knowledge model (PKM). It evaluates variables contributing to consumer intentions to purchase after reading deceptive reviews and proposes deception identification cues to be incorporated into the interpersonal communication theoretical framework.

Design/methodology/approach

The first study is qualitative and quantitative, based on sentiment and lexical analysis of 1,000 consumer reviews. The second study uses the US national consumer survey with a partial least squares partial least squares-structural equation modeling and a process-based mediation–moderation analysis.

Findings

This study shows deceptive characteristics that cannot be dissimulated by reviewing consumers that represent review legitimacy based on review valence, authenticity, formalism and analytical writing. The results also support the central role of consumer suspicion of an ulterior motive, with a direct and mediation effect regarding consumer emotions and intentions, including brand trust and purchase intentions.

Research limitations/implications

This paper presents a new framework for identifying deception in consumer reviews based on IDT and PKM, adding new theoretical elements that help adapt these theories to written digital communication specificities. This study clarifies the role of suspicion in a deceptive communication context and shows the variables contributing to consumers’ purchase intention after reading deceptive reviews. The results also emphasize the benefits of lexical analysis in identifying deceptive characteristics of reviews.

Practical implications

Companies can consider the vulnerability of certain generations based on lower levels of suspicions and different linguistic cues to detect deception in reviews. Long-term, marketers can also implement deception identification practices as potential new business models and opportunities.

Social implications

Policymakers and regulators need to consider critical deception cues and the differences in suspicion levels among segments of consumers in the formulation of preventative and deception management measures.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature by formulating a new framework for identifying deception in consumer reviews, adapted to the characteristics of written digital communication. This study emphasizes deception cues in electronic word-of-mouth and provides additional opportunities for theorizing deception in electronic communication.
Accountability and quality assurance for leadership and governance in Dubai-based educational marketplace
Authors: Ben Jaafar Sonia , Alzouebi Khadeegha , Bodolica Virginia
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Over the past decades, there has been an intensifying movement to privatize education in Western nations, with equal concern about the quality of education for all. This article adds to a global understanding of school inspections as a governance mechanism to promote educational quality in an entirely open K-12 educational marketplace.

Design/methodology/approach

The role of school inspections as a quality assurance device is examined from a market accountability perspective. The Emirate of Dubai is used as an illustrative example of market accountability, where the educational landscape constitutes primarily a private open market.

Findings

Dubai proves that market accountability can address the needs of all families, assuring the provision of a sufficient quality standard of education, while allowing for competition to drive improvement. There are two lessons that Dubai offers a global audience that has been debating the merits of privatizing education: a fully free unregulated market does not promote an education system that provides a minimum standard of education for all; and a private education system can address stakeholder concerns and operate successfully in parallel to a public sector.

Originality/value

The idiosyncratic United Arab Emirates (UAE) education sector calls for a balance between flexibility and quality assurance across semi-independent jurisdictions. Hosting a majority of non-Emirati resident families, Dubai has developed a public inspection system for a private education market for quality assurance across 17 curricula offered in 215 private schools with diverse profit models. That most Dubai school-aged children are in private schools demanded accommodating an atypical landscape for K-12 education that affords insights into how a free market can operate. The authors encourage future research that may build a more comprehensive framework for better understanding the public–private education debate.
Does wastophobia bring sustainability in consumers’ responsible behavior? A case of electricity waste management
Authors: Hanif Muhammad Wasif , Hafeez Shakir , Afridi Muhammad Asim
Published: April 2022

Purpose

To deal with the issue of irresponsible consumer behavior, this study aims to find out the significant determinants that direct sustainability in consumers' responsible behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is quantitatively designed (survey approach) and targeted 520 respondents by deploying multistage sampling technique. The collected data is statistically analyzed in SEM-path analysis technique through Smart PLS 3.

Findings

The outcomes of study indicated that awareness of wasteful consumption (ß = 0.27, p = 0.00) and wastophobia (ß = 0.73, p = 0.00) strongly influence consumers’ mind to bring sustainability in responsible behavior.

Practical implications

This study suggests that the empirically tested wastophobia model can pave foundations in the theoretical literature to manage waste other than electricity waste, including time, food, water, agriculture, garbage, hazardous environmental pollution and natural reservoirs waste.

Originality/value

The study originates that promoting various conscious and unconscious aspects of wasteful consumption by focusing on fearful consequences of electricity waste supports to bring sustainability in consumers’ responsible behavior.
Am I better off changing my name to “Alexander”? Ethnic discrimination and its effect on wages in the Russian labor market
Authors: Shakhbazov Mekhraly , Badreldin Ahmed
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate whether ethnic discrimination is present in the Russian labor market and whether it has a significant economic effect on the potential salaries of applicants.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected using a correspondence audit for four experimental male applicants with identical professional and personal characteristics while differing only in applicant name as a signal of applicants' ethnic background. Implied ethnicities include Russians, Armenians, Jews and North Caucasians. Résumés were sent out to 800 real unique vacancies on behalf of the experimental applicants with a geographic focus on the capital Moscow.

Findings

The results of the analysis suggest that there is a significant difference in treatment in both response rate and potential average salaries on ethnic grounds. Disadvantaged groups were found to be systematically pushed into jobs paying 15% less monthly wage.

Originality/value

The study investigates the existence of ethnic discrimination in the Russian labor market and furthermore economically quantifies the effects of discrimination.