bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Harnessing Electronic Health Records to Study Emerging Environmental Disasters: A Proof of Concept with Perfluoralkyl Substances (PFAS)
Authors: Boland Mary Regina , Davidson Lena M. , Canelón Silvia P. , Meeker Jessica , Penning Trevor , Holmes John H , Moore Jason H
Published: December 2020

Objective

Environmental disasters are anthropogenic catastrophic events that affect health. Famous disasters include the Chernobyl and Fukushima-Daiichi nuclear meltdowns, which had disastrous health consequences. Traditional methods for studying environmental disasters are costly and time-intensive. We propose the use of Electronic Health Records (EHR) and informatics methods to study the health effects of emergent environmental disasters in a cost-effective manner.

Materials and Methods

An emergent environmental disaster is exposure to Perfluoralkyl Substances (PFAS) in the Philadelphia area. Penn Medicine (PennMed) comprises multiple hospitals and facilities within the Philadelphia Metropolitan area, including over three thousand PFAS-exposed women living in one of the highest PFAS exposure areas nationwide. We developed a high-throughput method that utilizes only EHR data to evaluate the disease risk in this heavily exposed population.

Results

We replicated all five disease/conditions implicated by PFAS exposure, including hypercholesterolemia, proteinuria, thyroid disease, kidney disease and colitis, either directly or via closely related diagnoses.

Discussion

Using EHRs coupled with informatics enables the health impacts of environmental disasters to be more easily studied in large cohorts versus traditional methods that rely on interviews and expensive serum-based testing. By reducing cost and increasing the diversity of individuals included in studies, we can overcome many of the hurdles faced by previous studies, including a lack of racial and ethnic diversity.

Conclusion

This proof-of-concept study confirms that EHRs can be used to study human health and disease impacts of environmental disasters and produces equivalent disease-exposure knowledge to prospective epidemiology studies while remaining cost-effective.

KEY MESSAGES

Electronic Health Records can be used for studying health effects of environmental exposures

PFAS exposure - disease associations were mainly replicated using EHRs

EHRs represent a cost-effective method to augment traditional epidemiology studies
SCENTinel 1.0: development of a rapid test to screen for smell loss
Authors: Parma Valentina , Hannum Mackenzie E. , O’Leary Maureen , Pellegrino Robert , Rawson Nancy E. , Reed Danielle R. , Dalton Pamela H.
Published: December 2020

Background

Commercially available smell tests are primarily used in research or in-depth clinical evaluations, but are too costly and lengthy for population surveillance in health emergencies like COVID-19. We developed the SCENTinel 1.0 test which rapidly evaluates three olfactory functions (detection, intensity, and identification). We tested whether self-administering the SCENTinel 1.0 test discriminates between individuals with smell loss or average smell ability (normosmics), and provides comparable performance as the validated and standardized NIH Toolbox® Odor Identification Test in normosmics.

Methods

Using Bayesian linear models and prognostic classification algorithms, we compared the SCENTinel 1.0 performance of a group of self-reported anosmics (N=111, 47±13yo, F=71%,) and normosmics (N=154, 47±14yo, F=74%), as well as individuals reporting other smell disorders (e.g., hyposmia, parosmia; N=42, 55±10yo, F=67%).

Results

Ninety-four percent of normosmics met our SCENTinel 1.0 accuracy criteria, while only 10% of anosmics and 64% of individuals with other smell disorders did. Overall performance on SCENTinel 1.0 predicted belonging to the normosmic group better than identification or detection alone (vs. anosmic: AUC=0.95, Sensitivity=0.72, Specificity=0.94). Odor intensity provided the best single-feature predictor to classify normosmics. Among normosmics, 92% met the accuracy criteria at both SCENTinel 1.0 and the NIH Toolbox® Odor Identification Test.

Conclusions

SCENTinel 1.0 is a practical test able to discriminate individuals with smell loss and is likely to be useful in many clinical situations, including COVID-19 symptom screening.
A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Incidence Rate of Takayasu Arteritis
Authors: Rutter Megan , Bowley Jonathan , Lanyon Peter C. , Grainge Matthew J. , Pearce Fiona A.
Published: December 2020

Objectives

Takayasu arteritis (TAK), is a rare autoimmune rheumatic disease causing large vessel vasculitis. Onset is typically between the ages of 20-30. It is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality, notably due to its effects on the cardiovascular system. It has a poorly understood global epidemiology. Our objective was to systematically review the available evidence in order to calculate the incidence rate of TAK.

Methods

Three databases (Medline, PubMed and Embase) were searched in November 2019 and the results were screened by two reviewers. A random effects meta-analysis was then conducted in R to calculate the overall incidence rate. Heterogeneity was assessed using I2. The quality of the studies was assessed using an adapted Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Further sub-group analyses were performed by quality, sex, research setting and geographical location. Publication bias was assessed using a Begg’s funnel plot.

Results

The incidence rate for TAK per million person-years with 95% confidence intervals was 1.11 per million person years (95% CI 0.75 – 1.65). The heterogeneity in the data was extremely high in all analyses, which suggests that there was considerable variation in incidence rates across the different populations studied. TAK was found to be more common in women (incidence rate 2.01 per million person-years, 95% CI 1.39-2.90).

Conclusions

TAK is an extremely rare disease. It affects women more commonly than men. There is considerable variation in the incidence rate between populations. We suggest that future research should focus on discrete populations in order to better identify genetic and environmental risk factors.
Environmental monitoring shows SARS-CoV-2 contamination of surfaces in food plants
Authors: Ming Ziwen , Han Sukkyun , Deng Kai , Ha Youngsil , Kim SungSoo , Reyes Enrique , Zhao Yu , Dobritsa Anatoly , Wu Meiting , Zhang Dandan , Cox David P , Joyner Emma , Kulasekara Hemantha , Kim Seong Hong , Jang Yong Seog , Fowler Curtis , Fei Xing , Akasaki Hikari , Themeli Eni , Agapov Alexander , Bruneau Dylan , Tran Thao , Szczesny Cameron , Kienzle Casey , Tenney Kristina , Geng Hao , Samadpour Mansour
Published: December 2020

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has presented new challenges to food manufacturers. In addition to preventing the spread of microbial contamination of food, with SARS-CoV-2, there is an additional focus on preventing SARS-CoV-2 infections in food plant personnel. During the early phase of the pandemic, several large outbreaks of Covid-19 occurred in food manufacturing plants resulting in deaths and economic loss. In March of 2020, we assisted in implementation of environmental monitoring programs for SARS-CoV-2 in 116 food production facilities. All participating facilities had already implemented measures to prevent symptomatic personnel from coming to work. During the study period, from March 17, 2020 to September 3, 2020, 1.23% of the 22,643 environmental samples tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, suggesting that infected individuals are actively shedding virus. Virus contamination was commonly found on frequently touched surfaces. Most plants managed to control their environmental contamination when they became aware of the positive findings. Comparisons of the personnel test results to environmental contamination in one plant showed a good correlation between the two. Our work illustrates that environmental monitoring for SARS-CoV-2 can be used as a surrogate for identifying the presence of asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic personnel in workplaces and may aid in controlling infection spread.

Highlights

Environmental contamination by SARS-CoV-2 virus was detected in food plants

Out of 22,643 environmental swabs, 278 (1.23%) were positive for SARS-CoV-2

Frequently touched surfaces had the most contamination

Surface testing for SARS-CoV-2 may indicate presence of asymptomatic carriers
Diverse Functional Autoantibodies in Patients with COVID-19
Authors: Wang Eric Y. , Mao Tianyang , Klein Jon , Dai Yile , Huck John D. , Liu Feimei , Zheng Neil S. , Zhou Ting , Israelow Benjamin , Wong Patrick , Lucas Carolina , Silva Julio , Oh Ji Eun , Song Eric , Perotti Emily S. , Fischer Suzanne , Campbell Melissa , Fournier John B. , Wyllie Anne L. , Vogels Chantal B. F. , Ott Isabel M. , Kalinich Chaney C. , Petrone Mary E. , Watkins Anne E. ,   Yale IMPACT Team, Cruz Charles Dela , Farhadian Shelli F. , Schulz Wade L. , Grubaugh Nathan D. , Ko Albert I. , Iwasaki Akiko , Ring Aaron M.
Published: December 2020

COVID-19 manifests with a wide spectrum of clinical phenotypes that are characterized by exaggerated and misdirected host immune responses1–8. While pathological innate immune activation is well documented in severe disease1, the impact of autoantibodies on disease progression is less defined. Here, we used a high-throughput autoantibody discovery technique called Rapid Extracellular Antigen Profiling (REAP) to screen a cohort of 194 SARS-CoV-2 infected COVID-19 patients and healthcare workers for autoantibodies against 2,770 extracellular and secreted proteins (the “exoproteome”). We found that COVID-19 patients exhibit dramatic increases in autoantibody reactivities compared to uninfected controls, with a high prevalence of autoantibodies against immunomodulatory proteins including cytokines, chemokines, complement components, and cell surface proteins. We established that these autoantibodies perturb immune function and impair virological control by inhibiting immunoreceptor signaling and by altering peripheral immune cell composition, and found that murine surrogates of these autoantibodies exacerbate disease severity in a mouse model of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Analysis of autoantibodies against tissue-associated antigens revealed associations with specific clinical characteristics and disease severity. In summary, these findings implicate a pathological role for exoproteome-directed autoantibodies in COVID-19 with diverse impacts on immune functionality and associations with clinical outcomes.
A Decision Analytics Model to Optimize Investment in Interventions Targeting the HIV PrEP Cascade of Care
Authors: Jenness Samuel M. , Knowlton Gregory , Smith Dawn K. , Marcus Julia L. , Anderson Emeli J. , Siegler Aaron J. , Jones Jeb , Sullivan Patrick S. , Enns Eva
Published: December 2020

Objectives

Gaps between recommended and actual levels of HIV preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use remain among men who have sex with men (MSM). Interventions can address these gaps, but it is unknown how public health initiatives should invest prevention funds into these interventions to maximize their population impact.

Design

We used a stochastic network-based HIV transmission model for MSM in the Atlanta area paired with an economic budget optimization model.

Methods

The model simulated MSM participating in up to three real-world PrEP cascade interventions designed to improve initiation, adherence, or persistence. The primary outcome was infections averted over 10 years. The budget optimization model identified the investment combination under different budgets that maximized this outcome given intervention costs from a payer perspective.

Results

From the base 15% PrEP coverage level, the three interventions could increase coverage to 27%, resulting in 12.3% of infections averted over 10 years. Uptake of each intervention was interdependent: maximal use of the adherence and persistence interventions depended on new PrEP users generated by the initiation intervention. As the budget increased, optimal investment involved a mixture of the initiation and persistence interventions, but not the adherence intervention. If adherence intervention costs were halved, the optimal investment was roughly equal across interventions.

Conclusions

Investments into the PrEP cascade through initiatives should account for the interactions of the interventions as they are collectively deployed. Given current intervention efficacy estimates, the total population impact of each intervention may be improved with greater total budgets or reduced intervention costs.
Prevalence trends of diabetes subgroups in US: A data-driven analysis spanning three decades from NHANES (1988-2018)
Authors: Antonio-Villa Neftali Eduardo , Fernández-Chirino Luisa , Vargas-Vázquez Arsenio , Fermín-Martinez Carlos A. , Aguilar-Salinas Carlos A. , Bello-Chavolla Omar Yaxmehen
Published: December 2020

AIMS

Data-driven diabetes subgroups were proposed as an alternative to address diabetes heterogeneity. However, changes in trends for these subgroups have not been reported. Here, we analyzed trends of diabetes subgroups, stratified by sex, race, education level, age categories and time since diabetes diagnosis in the U.S.

METHODS

We used data from consecutive NHANES cycles spanning the 1988-2018 period. Diabetes subgroups (mild obesity-related [MOD], severe-insulin deficient [SIDD], severe-insulin resistant [SIRD], and mild age-related diabetes [MARD]) were classified using validated self-normalizing neural networks. Severe autoimmune-diabetes (SAID) was assessed for NHANES-III. Prevalence was estimated using examination sample weights considering bi-cyclic changes (BC) to evaluate trends and changes over time.

RESULTS

Diabetes prevalence in the US increased from 7.5% (95%CI 7.1-7.9) in 1988-1989 to 13.9% (95%CI 13.4-14.4) in 2016-2018 (BC 1.09%, 95%CI 0.98-1.31, p<0.001). Non-Hispanic Blacks had the highest prevalence. Overall, MOD, MARD, and SIDD had an increase during the studied period. Particularly, Non-Hispanic Blacks had sharp increases in MARD and SIDD, Mexican Americans in SIDD, and non-Hispanic Whites in MARD. Males, subjects with secondary/high school, and adults aged 40-64 years had the highest increase in MOD prevalence. Trends in diabetes subgroups sustained after stratifying time since diabetes diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Prevalence of diabetes and its subgroups in the U.S. have increased from 1988-2018. These trends were different across sex, ethnicities, education, and age categories, indicating significant heterogeneity in diabetes within the U.S. Obesity burden, population aging, socioeconomic disparities, and lifestyle aspects could be implicated in the uprising trends of diabetes in the U.S.
BAP1 activity regulates PcG occupancy and global chromatin condensation counteracting diffuse PCGF3/5-dependent H2AK119ub1 deposition
Authors: Conway Eric , Rossi Federico , Tamburri Simone , Ponzo Eleonora , Ferrari Karin Johanna , Zanotti Marika , Fernandez-Perez Daniel , Manganaro Daria , Rodighiero Simona , Pasini Diego
Published: December 2020

BAP1 is recurrently mutated or deleted in a large number of diverse cancer types, including mesothelioma, uveal melanoma and hepatocellular cholangiocarcinoma. BAP1 is the catalytic subunit of the Polycomb Repressive De-Ubiquitination complex (PR-DUB) which removes PRC1 mediated H2AK119ub1. We and others have shown that H2AK119ub1 is essential for maintaining transcriptional repression and contributes to PRC2 chromatin recruitment. However, the precise relationship between BAP1 and PRC1 remains mechanistically elusive. Using embryonic stem cells, we show that a major function of BAP1 is to restrict H2AK119ub1 deposition to target sites. This increases the stability of PcG complexes with their targets and prevents diffuse accumulation of H2AK119ub1 and H3K27me3 modifications. Loss of BAP1 results in a broad increase in H2AK119ub1 levels that are primarily dependent on PCGF3/5-PRC1 complexes with a mechanism that is reminiscent of X-chromosome inactivation. Increased genome-wide H2AK119ub1 levels titrates away PRC2 from its targets and stimulates diffuse H3K27me3 accumulation across the genome. This decreases the activity of PcG repressive machineries at physiological targets and induces a general compaction of the entire chromatin. Our findings provide evidences for a unifying model that resolves the apparent contradiction between BAP1 catalytic activity and its rolein vivo, uncovering molecular vulnerabilities that could be useful for BAP1-related pathologies.
HologLev: Hybrid Magnetic Levitation Platform Integrated with Lensless Holographic Microscopy for Density-Based Cell Analysis
Authors: Delikoyun Kerem , Yaman Sena , Yilmaz Esra , Sarigil Oyku , Anil-Inevi Muge , Ozcivici Engin , Tekin H. Cumhur
Published: December 2020

In clinical practice, a variety of diagnostic applications require the identification of target cells. Density has been used as a physical marker to distinguish cell populations since metabolic activities could alter the cell densities. Magnetic levitation offers a great promise for separating cells at single cell level within heterogeneous populations with respect to cell densities. Traditional magnetic levitation platforms need bulky and precise optical microscopes to visualize levitated cells. Moreover, the evaluation process of cell densities is cumbersome, which also requires trained personnel for operation. In this work, we introduce a device (HologLev) as a fusion of magnetic levitation principle and lensless digital inline holographic microscopy (LDIHM). LDIHM provides ease of use by getting rid of bulky and expensive optics. By placing an imaging sensor just beneath the microcapillary channel without any lenses, recorded holograms are processed for determining cell densities through a fully automated digital image processing scheme. The device costs less than $100 and has a compact design that can fit into a pocket. We perform viability tests the device by levitating three different cell lines (MDA-MB-231, U937, D1 ORL UVA) and comparing them against their dead correspondents. We also tested the differentiation of mouse osteoblastic (7F2) cells by monitoring characteristic variations in their density. Lastly, MDA-MB-231 cells exposed to a chemotherapy drug are separated from original cell lines in our platform. HologLev provides cost-effective, label-free, fully automated cell analysis in a compact design which could be highly desirable for laboratory and point-of-care testing applications.
Concurrent validity of an Estimator of Weekly Alcohol Consumption (EWAC) based on the Extended AUDIT
Authors: Dutey-Magni PF , Brown J , Holmes J , Sinclair JMA
Published: December 2020

Background and Aims

The 3-question Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT-C) is frequently used in healthcare for screening and brief advice about levels of alcohol consumption. AUDIT-C scores (0–12) provide feedback as categories of risk rather than estimates of actual alcohol intake, an important metric for behaviour change. The study aimed to (a) develop a continuous metric from the Extended AUDIT-C expressed in United Kingdom (UK) units (8g pure ethanol), offering equivalent accuracy, and providing a direct estimator of weekly alcohol consumption (EWAC) and (b) evaluate the EWAC’s bias and error using the Graduated-Frequency (GF) questionnaire as a reference standard of alcohol consumption.

Design

Cross-sectional diagnostic study based on a nationally-representative survey.

Settings

Community-dwelling households in England.

Participants

22,404 household residents aged ≥ 16 years reporting drinking alcohol at least occasionally.

Measurements

Computer-assisted personal interviews consisting of (a) AUDIT questionnaire with extended response items (the ‘Extended AUDIT’) and (b) GF. Primary outcomes were: mean deviation <1 UK unit (metric of bias); root mean squared deviation <2 UK units (metric of total error) between EWAC and GF. The secondary outcome was the receiver operating characteristic area under the curve for predicting alcohol consumption in excess of 14 and 35 UK units.

Findings

EWAC had a positive bias of 0.2 UK units [95% confidence interval: 0.08, 0.4] compared with GF. Deviations were skewed: while the mean error was ±11 UK units/week [9.5, 11.9], in half of participants the deviation between EWAC and GF was between 0 and ±2.1 UK units/week. EWAC predicted consumption in excess of 14 UK units/week with a significantly greater area under the curve (0.918 [0.914, 0.923]) than AUDIT-C (0.870 [0.864, 0.876]) or the full AUDIT (0.854 [0.847, 0.860]).

Conclusions

A new estimator of weekly alcohol consumption (EWAC), which uses answers to the Extended Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (Extended AUDIT-C), meets the targeted bias tolerance. It is superior in accuracy to AUDIT-C and the full AUDIT when predicting consumption thresholds, making it a reliable complement to the Extended AUDIT-C for health promotion interventions.
Validation of molecular clock inferred HIV infection ages: evidence for accurate estimation of infection dates
Authors: Kostaki E. G. , Limnaios S. , Roussos S. , Psichogiou M. , Nikolopoulos G.K. , Friedman S-R. , Antoniadou A. , Chini M. , Hatzakis A. , Sypsa V. , Magiorkinis G. , Seguin-Devaux C. , Paraskevis D.
Published: December 2020

Improving HIV diagnosis, access to care and effective antiretroviral treatment provides our global strategy to reduce HIV incidence. To reach this goal we need to increase our knowledge about local epidemics. HIV infection dates would be an important information towards this goal, but they are largely unknown. To date, methods to estimate the dates of HIV infection are based mainly on laboratory or molecular methods. Our aim was to validate molecular clock inferred infection dates that were estimated by analysing sequences from 145 people living with HIV (PLHIV) with known transmission dates (clinically estimated infection dates). All HIV sequences were obtained by Sanger sequencing and were previously found to belong to well-established molecular transmission clusters (MTCs). Our analysis showed that the molecular clock inferred infection dates were correlated with the clinically estimated ones (Spearman’s Correlation coefficient = 0.93, p<0.001) and that there was an agreement between them (Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient = 0.92, p<0.001). For most cases (61.4%), the molecular clock inferred preceded the clinically estimated infection dates. The median difference between clinically and molecularly estimated dates of infection was of 0.18 (IQR: -0.21, 0.89) years. The lowest differences were identified in people who inject drugs of our study population. Our study shows that the estimated time to more recent common ancestor (tMRCA) of nodes within clusters provides a reliable approximation of HIV infections for PLHIV infected within MTCs. Next-generation sequencing data and molecular clock estimates based on heterochronous sequences provide, probably, more reliable methods for inferring infection dates. However, since these data are not available in most of the HIV clinical laboratories, our approach, under specific conditions, can provide a reliable estimation of HIV infection dates and can be used for HIV public health interventions.
Potential role of aberrant mucosal immune response to SARS-CoV-2 in pathogenesis of IgA Nephropathy
Authors: Zhang Zhao , Zhang Guorong , Guo Meng , Tao Wanyin , Liu Xing-Zi , Wei Haiming , Jin Tengchuan , Zhang Yue-Miao , Zhu Shu
Published: December 2020

Aberrant mucosal immunity has been suggested to play a pivotal role in pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy (IgAN), the most common form of glomerulonephritis worldwide. The outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), the causal pathogen of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has become a global concern. However, whether the mucosal immune response caused by SARS-CoV-2 influences the clinical manifestations of IgAN patients remains unknown. Here we tracked the SARS-CoV-2 anti-receptor binding domain (RBD) antibody levels in a cohort of 88 COVID-19 patients. We found that 52.3% of the COVID-19 patients produced more SARS-CoV-2 anti-RBD IgA than IgG or IgM, and the levels of the IgA were stable during 4-41 days of infection. Among these IgA-dominated COVID-19 patients, we found a severe COVID-19 patient concurrent with IgAN. The renal function of the patient declined presenting with increased serum creatinine during the infection and till 7 months post infection. This patient predominantly produced anti-RBD IgA as well as total IgA in the serum compared to that of healthy controls. The analysis of the IgA-coated microbiota as well as proinflammatory cytokine IL-18, which was mainly produced in the intestine, reveals intestinal inflammation, although no obvious gastrointestinal symptom was reported. The mucosal immune responses in the lung are not evaluated due to the lack of samples from respiratory tract. Collectively, our work highlights the potential adverse effect of the mucosal immune response towards SARS-CoV-2, and additional care should be taken for COVID-19 patients with chronic diseases like IgAN.
Synthesis and structural characterization of hexa-μ2-chlorido-μ4-oxido-tetrakis{[4-(phenylethynyl)pyridine-κN]copper(II)} dichloromethane monosolvate
Authors: Al Balushi Rayya A. , Khan Muhammad S. , Faizi Md. Serajul Haque , Haque Ashanul , Molloy Kieran , Raithby Paul R.
Published: December 2020

In the crystal structure of the title compound, [Cu4Cl6O(C13H9N)4]·CH2Cl2, the core molecular structure consists of a Cu4 tetrahedron with a central interstitial O atom. Each edge of the Cu4 tetrahedron is bridged by a chlorido ligand. Each copper(II) cation is coordinated to the central O atom, two chlorido ligands and one N atom of the 4-phenylethynylpyridine ligand. In the crystal, the molecules are linked by intermolecular C—H...Cl interactions. Furthermore, C—H...π and π–π interactions also connect the molecules, forming a three-dimensional network. Hirshfeld surface analysis indicates that the most important contributions for the packing arrangement are from H...H and C...H/H...C interactions.
4-Fluoro-2-({[(2R)-1-hydroxy-1,1,3-triphenylpropan-2-yl]imino}methyl)phenol
Authors: Sha Fanrui , Johnson Adam R.
Published: December 2020

The title compound, C28H24FNO2, crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group P212121. A hydrogen-bonding network between the tertiary alcohol group and the fluoro substituent results in [010] chains in the solid state.
Financial development, human capital and its impact on economic growth of emerging countries
Authors: Sarwar Aaqib , Khan Muhammad Asif , Sarwar Zahid , Khan Wajid
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the critical aspect of financial development, human capital and their interactive term on economic growth from the perspective of emerging economies.

Design/methodology/approach

Data set ranged from 2002 to 2017 of 83 emerging countries used in this research and collected from world development indicators of the World Bank. The two-step system generalized method of moments is used to conduct this research within the endogenous growth model while controlling time and country-specific effects.

Findings

The findings of the study indicate that financial development has a positive and significant effect on economic growth. In emerging countries, human capital also has a positive impact on economic growth. Financial development and human capital interactively affect economic growth for emerging economies positively and significantly.

Research limitations/implications

The data set is limited to 83 emerging countries of the world. The time period for the study is 2002 to 2017.

Originality/value

This research contributes to the existing literature on human capital, financial development and economic growth. Limited research has been conducted on the impact of financial development and human capital on economic growth.
The impact of health information needs' satisfaction of hypertensive patients on their clinical outcomes
Authors: Kostagiolas Petros , Milkas Anastasios , Kourouthanassis Panos , Dimitriadis Kyriakos , Tsioufis Konstantinos , Tousoulis Dimitrios , Niakas Dimitrios
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The ultimate aim of this study is to investigate how health information needs’ satisfaction actually makes a difference to the patients' management of a chronic clinical condition. The literature falls short of providing evidence on the interaction between patients' health information seeking behaviour and the successful management of a clinical condition. On the other hand, patient education and good information seeking practices are deemed necessary for hypertension management daily decisions.

Design/methodology/approach

A specially designed questionnaire study was developed: The survey design was informed by the information seeking behaviour model of Wilson for studying hypertension patients' information needs, information resources and obstacles patients face while seeking hypertension-related information. Moreover, clinical information was collected in order to make associations and inference on the impact of information seeking on patients' clinical outcomes.

Findings

The study included 111 patients submitted to the outpatient hypertension clinic of a university hospital in Athens for a 24-h ambulatory blood pressure measurement (ABPM). The analysis showed that those reporting higher satisfaction level of their information needs achieved lower values in ABPM (ABPM<130/80mmHg, p = 0.049). Stepwise the logistic regression analysis revealed three independent factors to predict the possibility of being optimally treated (ABPM<130/80mmHg). Dipping status (OR: 14.052, 95% CI: 4.229–46.688, p = 0.0001) patients with high satisfaction level of their disease (OR: 13.450, 95% CI: 1.364–132.627, p = 0.026) and interpersonal relationships were used as the main source of information (OR: 1.762, 95% CI: 1.024–3.031, p = 0.41).

Originality/value

Hypertensive patients with high satisfaction level of information achieve better disease control. Among different sources of information, interpersonal relationships emerge as the most appropriate factor for patients' disease control.
Food loss and waste: the new buzzwords. Exploring an evocative holistic 4Es model for firms and consumers
Authors: Fiore Mariantonietta
Published: December 2020

Purpose

Etymologically, the word “loss” means to be deprived, temporarily or permanently, of use of faculty or an advantage. Therefore, when businesses and entrepreneurs suffer large amount of losses, they can be attributed to a non-effective and non-efficient way of handling assets. Consequently, high levels of bad management can be the cause for food losses (FL) across the agri-food supply chain, food waste (FW) depends on consumers' behavior in organizing food basket. Food loss and food waste (FWL) negatively affect environment and global economy. The purpose of this paper is to propose a holistic 4Es (Ethical_Equity_Ecological_Economic) approach aimed at better managing and treating FLW along the agri-food chain from upstream to downstream stages by addressing entrepreneurs and consumers' approach.

Design/methodology/approach

The work focuses on the definition and designing of three possible tools: (1) the implementation of a FL_break-even point model; (2) the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) procedures including a scheme for FL critical points and (3) a consumer's tax FW declaration model. Beginning with these tools, the work tries to define a holistic model by involving all the actors performing in a strictly inter- linked system.

Findings

Approaching the FLW issue in a holistic way can ensure the involvement of engaged and productive people at work, lead to strategies and policies aimed at enriching consumers' awareness and entrepreneurs' management approach, and can address the handling of FLW toward Ethical, Equity, Ecological_and Economic (that means effective and efficient) paths.

Social implications

Monitoring and decreasing FLW by implementing the proposed tools from upstream to downstream of the food supply chain can certainly improve the reliability of firm production and investment decisions, and at the same time, behavior of people who feel to be part of an interrelated system. This can help to lighten FLW negative impacts on consumers' income and on pollution as well as indirectly on poverty.

Originality/value

This paper wants to make an innovative attempt to approach the FLW issue in a global and holistic way, while focusing on behavior and awareness of firms/entrepreneurs and consumers/citizens. In addition, the tools and approach defined pave the way for subsequent empirical works to follow.
Effect of work engagement on meaningful work and psychological capital: perspectives from social workers in New Zealand
Authors: Tan Kim-Lim , Lew Tek-Yew , Sim Adriel K.S.
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This paper investigates the effect and the predictive capacity of work engagement on personal and job resources, in the form of psychological capital (PsyCap) and meaningful work in the non-profit organisations (NPO)s settings.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 303 social workers working in New Zealand's NPOs. The hypotheses were tested using the partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM).

Findings

Results of this study reveal that work engagement is positively related to both PsyCap and meaningful work. It shows that work engagement is instrumental in enhancing one's PsyCap at the same time improving one's perception of work. The model demonstrates good predictive power.

Originality/value

This study advances our understanding of the relationship of outcomes to resources as postulated in the JD-R theory. This is the first few studies to examine the effect of work engagement on PsyCap and meaningful work, as well as the mediating effect of PsyCap on the relationship between work engagement and meaningful work. At the same time, it provides conceptual clarity on the role of specific job resource and personal resource, demonstrating that resources do not operate in isolation but can build more resources. This study also contributes to the field of human resource management using a predictive PLS-SEM technique.
An analysis of the scientific literature produced on bank marketing through bibliometrics and scientific mapping – what has been the role of sales in banking?
Authors: Sánchez-Camacho Carlos , Martín-Consuegra David , Carranza Rocío
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to provide an integrated, synthesised overview of the current state of knowledge in the field of bank marketing. This aim prompts us to seek to determine the role of studies on sales within commercial banking literature, to contribute to the flow of new knowledge and to orient both researchers and practitioners with regard to current issues and findings.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employs a combined process of bibliometric analysis and scientific mapping using keyword co-occurrence analysis and a representation of relationships by clustering and their longitudinal arrangement. A total of 1,203 articles were analysed using SciMAT.

Findings

The entire conceptual structure of bank marketing is organised into 12 major thematic areas. These are comprised of a set of main topics during each period, changing from one phase to another. The initial periods exhibit less depth in the pursuit of lines of work on bank marketing. The most recent periods show that interest centres on users' acceptance of online and mobile banking, along with the traditional concepts of satisfaction, loyalty and trust. However, it was determined that sales-related topics have never occupied a central role in the bank marketing academic literature.

Research limitations/implications

This study draws up a scientific map that serves as a guide to perceive what has been done thus far in the area of bank marketing. The detection of specific sub-topics allows for the application of other synthesis techniques, such as meta-analysis. The study's main limitation lies in the difficulty of synthesising all the papers published on bank marketing literature.

Originality/value

The number of disciplines in which bibliometric analyses are used to synthesise and visually portray the whole bodies of scientific literature is increasing. This study maps out the gradual advancement in the field over the years and could serve as a valuable reference for researchers and practitioners interested in bank marketing. Consequently, the conclusions of this retrospective analysis might be considered a summary of its conceptual structure and a comparable foundation for future studies.
Investigating the motivations and constraints of Chinese peer-to-peer accommodation hosts
Authors: Li ShiNa , Fong Lawrence Hoc Nang , Zhang Carol Xiaoyue , Chen Mengxin
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to identify peer-to-peer accommodation hosts’ perceived motivations and constraints, to examine the prediction of the motivation and constraint factors on hosts’ intention to continue business based on hosts’ attitudes and to explore the moderating role of the business scale.

Design/methodology/approach

A scale for hosts’ perceived motivators and constraints was developed. Mixed methods were used to develop and analyse a conceptual framework for demonstrating how constraints and motivations influence hosts’ behavioural intentions. Findings from interviews with hosts interpretatively supported the survey results.

Findings

Chinese hosts’ perceived constraints and motivators are identified and explained. The survey results indicate that constraints lower intention to continue one’s business and motivators heightens it. Motivators have a higher effect on attitudes and intentions than constraints do. The business scale was confirmed as a moderator in the constraint–attitude link but not in the motivator–attitude relationship.

Practical implications

This paper offers policy implications for governments, online platforms and hosts in terms of establishing incentives and solving problems so that Chinese hosts can sustainably operate their businesses.

Originality/value

This paper identifies constraints and motivators and develops a measurement scale for both simultaneously, which provides a holistic explanation of hosts’ attitude and behavioural intention. It also reveals the moderating role of the business scale. In investigating the thoughts of existing hosts operating on global and local platforms in China, this paper complements the literature, which mainly focuses on the Western context and a single global platform.
Cocreating resilient hybrids: the bridging power of social enterprises' organizational logics
Authors: Bonomi Sabrina , Ricciardi Francesca , Rossignoli Cecilia , Zardini Alessandro
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This study investigates (1) the processes through which social enterprises develop resilient organizational logics and (2) the key resilience factors in the organizational logics of successful social enterprises. The organizational logic is conceptualized here as the dynamic system of roles, rules and social expectations that result from the organization's business model, impact model and organizational form.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopts an inductive approach to identify emerging resilience factors and processes in an exemplary case of social entrepreneurship (a work integration venture). The longitudinal data collection on this case took place from 2011 to 2016, based on approximately 440 h of participant observation and 10 semi-structured interviews.

Findings

The inductive analysis suggests that social enterprises develop resilient organizational logics through multi-level recursive processes of bridging institutional work. These processes enable the development of an organizational logic that is internally robust while linking distant practices, needs and expectations. The authors conceptualize these characteristics into a novel construct, the organizational logic's bridging power, which is operationalizable through two dimensions (hybridity-based and cocreation-based bridging power) and five sub-dimensions.

Research limitations/implications

Like in all inductive studies, further research is needed to validate the proposed model. The new proposed construct “organizational logic's bridging power” is, interestingly, a meta-theoretical concept encouraging cross-fertilization between the literature on institutional logics and that on value cocreation.

Originality/value

The process development model proposed by this study highlights the importance of network-level institutional work for developing cocreation-based resilience. Furthermore, this study shows how institutional theories could be complemented with other bodies of knowledge in order to understand social enterprise resilience.
Understanding user perception toward artificial intelligence (AI) enabled e-learning
Authors: Kashive Neerja , Powale Leena , Kashive Kshitij
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the perception of the users concerning the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in enhancing personal learning profile (PLP), personal learning network (PLN) and personal learning environment (PLE) and their effect on the perceived ease of use, perceived effectiveness and perceived usefulness for enhancing the overall attitude and satisfaction of the e-learning.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected from students and professionals who have ever used the e-learning module, and smart partial least square-structural equational modeling (PLS-SEM) is used to see relations between the different variables.

Findings

It was seen that the PLE is affecting both perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness. The research has shown that perceived ease of use showed a mediating effect between PLE and attitude and satisfaction. Further satisfaction mediates between perceived ease of use and intention. PLP has come out to significantly impacting perceived effectiveness. The multigroup analysis also showed that the attitude and satisfaction level affecting intention to use the e-learning module differ across the two groups of learners, i.e. gender and type of learners.

Research limitations/implications

The data are collected from students and professionals who have ever used the e-learning module and wholly based on their perceptions, leading to self-perception bias.

Originality/value

The current research is trying to integrate the user perception of PLP, PLN, PLE into the framework of the technology acceptance model and see how they impact the overall attitude and satisfaction of the learners. AI can be used to improve them and make e-learning more adherent to the users. AI can play an essential role in generating the right environment by matching the profile of the learner.
Inhibitors and enablers of supply chain integration across multiple supply chain tiers: evidence from Malawi
Authors: Kanyoma Kizito Elijah , Agbola Frank Wogbe , Oloruntoba Richard
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This paper investigates the inhibitors and enablers of supply chain integration (SCI) across multiple tiers in the supply chains of manufacturing-based small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Malawi.

Design/methodology/approach

Following a qualitative approach, data were collected through face-to-face interviews across three supply chains, each consisting of a focal manufacturer, a major supplier and a retailer.

Findings

The research identified interpersonal relationships, supplier cost transparency and joint supply chain management (SCM) investments as key enablers of SCI. Concerning the inhibitors of SCI, the study found that a lack of external integration inhibited internal integration by acting as a source of disruption to intra-firm processes and relationships. Further, the research found weaker links between manufacturer–-retailer dyads than in manufacturer–supplier dyads, which constrained the ability to achieve multi-tier supplier–manufacture–retailer integration. The study also revealed that resource and infrastructural deficiencies, a culture of fear and intimidation within and between firms, corruption in sourcing transactions and a lack of inter-firm trust inhibited SCI.

Research limitations/implications

The paper extends earlier evidence that internal integration is a prerequisite for external integration demonstrating that a basic level of external integration is necessary to prevent disruptions to internal integration.

Originality/value

This study is one of the few to go beyond the focal firm perspective and explore the inhibitors and enablers of SCI across multiple supply chain positions, and provides new evidence on the role of external integration in achieving internal integration.
Are distance higher education institutions sustainable enough? – A comparison between two distance learning universities
Authors: Casado-Aranda Luis-Alberto , Caeiro Sandra Sofia , Trindade Jorge , Paço Arminda , Lizcano Casas David , Landeta Ana
Published: December 2020

Purpose

Universities are continually transforming its structure and governance in response to the new social, environmental and economic challenges. Particularly, there has recently been a growing academic interest for measuring sustainable practices of higher education institutions (HEI) aiming to monitor and reduce their carbon emissions, as well as transform them into more sustainable organizations. More recent studies began to focus also on the sustainable performance of distance education Universities. So it became crucial to evaluate their sustainability practices through sustainability assessment tools with the aim of improving their sustainability performance and boosting their role as agents of academic, social and economic change. The purpose of this study is to assess and compare holistically sustainability implementation in two similar distance learning universities and to evaluate their advantages and disadvantages.

Design/methodology/approach

One of the most rigorous and internationally used sustainability assessment tools was used – the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System, to evaluate and compare sustainability implementation in two distance universities, one from Spain and another from Portugal: the Madrid Open University and Universidade Aberta. Indicators of both universities were compared and ways of improvement in both universities were widely discussed.

Findings

The results of this research show that there is a similar pattern in both universities. Both have low performance in campus operations and low levels of community participation but good performance in sustainability courses and programmes offer. The results of both institutions were compared and allowed a learning process for improvement.

Originality/value

This research hopes to contribute to the continuous research about the usefulness of sustainability assessment tools in particular when applied to distance universities at the time that offers new paths to carry out improved sustainable practices in crucial areas of interest such as research, administration, education and resource-saving. This research also highlights the value of distance learning universities and their ability to be more sustainable after the advent of COVID-19.