bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identifying Autism Spectrum Disorder in a High-risk Follow-up Program through Quality Improvement Methodology
Authors: Raches Christine M. , Hines Elesia N. , Hines Abbey C. , Scott Emily K.
Published: April 2024

Introduction:

Children born prematurely are at increased risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). ASD can be diagnosed between 18 and 24 months of age, but access barriers and medical complexity can delay diagnosis. ASD screening was implemented in a high-risk infant follow-up program using QI methodology. The project aimed to screen 60% of children and refer 90% of those with positive screens.

Methods:

The team developed a standardized workflow to administer the M-CHAT-R/F to HRIF patients between the ages of 16–22 months. Telehealth ASD assessment, using the TELE-ASD-PEDS, was conducted for those who screened positive. Monthly team meetings were held to implement change cycles and review the impact of the previous month’s change.

Results:

Within 7 months of program implementation, ASD screening exceeded the 60% aim. The program referred 72% of patients who screened as medium/high risk on the M-CHAT-R/F. The remaining patients were not referred per provider discretion. Twenty-seven percent of patients who received an autism evaluation received an ASD diagnosis. The average age at diagnosis was 22.5 months.

Conclusions:

An ASD screening protocol was implemented for patients enrolled in a high-risk infant follow-up program. Patients identified as at risk for ASD received an expedited telehealth ASD evaluation. The screening protocol was maintained for 13 months and is now part of the standard workflow. Screening has been expanded to other HRIF clinics, and evaluation appointments have been added to meet access needs. QI methodology is an effective tool for implementing ASD screening and referral in multidisciplinary HRIF programs.
A Quality Improvement Initiative to Minimize Unnecessary Chest X-Ray Utilization in Pediatric Asthma Exacerbations
Authors: Sakr Mohamed , Al Kanjo Mohamed , Balasundaram Palanikumar , Kupferman Fernanda , Al-Mulaabed Sharef , Scott Sandra , Viswanathan Kusum , Basak Ratna B.
Published: April 2024

Background:

Current national guidelines recommend against chest X-rays (CXRs) for patients with acute asthma exacerbation (AAE). The overuse of CXRs in AAE has become a concern, prompting the need for a quality improvement (QI) project to decrease CXR usage through guideline-based interventions. We aimed to reduce the percentage of CXRs not adhering to national guidelines obtained for pediatric patients presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) with AAE by 50% within 12 months of project initiation.

Methods:

We conducted this study at a New York City urban level-2 trauma center. The team was composed of members from the ED and pediatric departments. Electronic medical records of children aged 2 to 18 years presenting with AAE were evaluated. Monthly data on CXR utilization encompassing instances where the ordered CXR did not adhere to guidelines was collected before and after implementing interventions. The interventions included provider education, visual reminders, printed cards, grand-round presentations, and electronic medical records modifications.

Results:

The study encompassed 887 eligible patients with isolated AAE. Baseline data revealed a mean preintervention CXR noncompliance rate of 37.5% among children presenting to the ED with AAE. The interventions resulted in a notable decrease in unnecessary CXR utilization, reaching 16.7%, a reduction sustained throughout subsequent months.

Conclusions:

This QI project successfully reduced unnecessary CXR utilization in pediatric AAE. A multi-faceted approach involving education, visual aids, and electronic reminders aligned clinical practice with evidence-based guidelines. This QI initiative is a potential template for other healthcare institutions seeking to curtail unnecessary CXR usage in pediatric AAE.
Impact of COVID-19 on People Living With HIV: Data From Five Medical Monitoring Project Sites, 2020–2022
Authors: Erly Steven , Menza Tim W. , Granillo Lauren , Navejas Michael , Udeagu Chi-Chi N. , Brady Kathleen A. , Hixson Lindsay K. , Raj-Sing Shavvy , Nassau Tanner , Kaasa Chelsey , Buskin Susan
Published: April 2024

Background:

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global economic and healthcare systems. People living with HIV (PLWH) represent a marginalized and stigmatized population who may have been particularly impacted. The purpose of this analysis was to describe the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on PLWH in the United States.

Setting:

United States.

Methods:

We analyzed surveys of behavioral and clinical characteristics of PLWH residing in 5 states that participated in the Medical Monitoring Project between 2020 and 2022. We described the impact of COVID-19 illness, testing, and diagnoses; receipt of medical care; social service access; employment; and preventive measures by project site and demographic characteristics.

Results:

Unweighted data from 1715 PLWH were analyzed. A high proportion of PLWH had medical care disrupted by the pandemic; 31% of PLWH missed medical appointments, 26% missed routine laboratory test results, and 7% missed antiretroviral therapy doses. In total, 30% of PLWH reported losing wages and 19% reported difficulty in accessing social services. Overall, 88% reported receiving at least 1 dose of COVID-19 vaccine, but vaccine uptake was low among younger, Black, and Hispanic or Latina/o/x PLWH.

Conclusions:

This descriptive analysis reinforces previous findings that show that COVID-19 negatively impacted PLWH and their ability to obtain medical care. Additional efforts will be critical to ameliorating the longer-term impacts of COVID-19 on the health of PLWH and supporting PLWH through future pandemics and healthcare system disruptions.
Intense 18F-FAPI Uptake in Small Recurrent Lesions of Combined Hepatocellular-Cholangiocarcinoma Negative on 18F-FDG PET/CT
Authors: Liang Jiucen , Zhang Jing , Song Jingjing , Zhang Rusen , Zhang Linqi
Published: April 2024

A 70-year-old man presented with combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma underwent partial hepatectomy and chemoradiotherapy approximately 3 months ago. Follow-up abdominal ultrasound detected a new small lesion with decreased echogenicity in the hepatic segment I, potentially indicating recurrence. The patient was enrolled in a clinical trial of comparison of 18F-FDG and 18F-FAPI PET/CT in hepatic lesions. Compared with non–18F-FDG avidity, 18F-FAPI PET/CT showed intense tracer uptake of the hepatic lesion. Resection of the lesion was subsequently performed, and pathologic analysis confirmed the diagnosis of recurrent combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma.
Climate extremes increase dengue risk along elevation and socio-economic gradients in Colombia
Authors: Kache Pallavi , Ruiz-Carrascal Daniel , Lowe Rachel , Stewart-Ibarra Anna M. , Seto Karen C. , Diuk-Wasser Maria , Santos-Vega Mauricio
Published: April 2024

Globally, urban settlements face increases in the frequency, magnitude, and duration of extreme climate events and shifts in their timing and spatial extent. Variation in temperature and rainfall conditions affect the temporal onset of dengue transmission. However, there is a need to understand how climate-related patterns and disease transmission mechanisms vary by location, particularly for topographically complex landscapes. In this investigation, we used dengue cases from 1,120 municipalities and five regions across Colombia during 2008–2019, and analyzed associations with extreme climate covariates generated from fine-scale, daily-level meteorological data, accounting for varying landscape and socio-economic properties. Using Bayesian spatio-temporal hierarchical models, we determined that high-intensity warm spells (with positive temperature anomalies of 8–12°C above mean monthly conditions) resulted in an earlier onset of dengue transmission risk in high-elevation settlements compared to low- elevation settlements. Furthermore, the risk of dengue transmission after extremely dry conditions was greater and extended for a longer duration in highly urbanized municipalities compared to those with a low urban population. Our findings highlight that meteorological hazards affect disease transmission in urban settlements differently based on elevation and socio-economic conditions. Additionally, our analysis adds to increasing evidence of the vulnerability of mountainous urban communities to extreme weather and vector-borne diseases. Overall, we emphasize the need for monitoring and forecasting the occurrence and intensity of meteorological hazards and associations with emerging climate-sensitive disease threats.
Spatially and Temporally Precise Microbiome Profiling in the Small Intestine using the SIMBA Capsule with X-ray tracking
Authors: Wang Gang , Menon Sharanya , Wilsack Lynn , Rehak Renata , Lou Lawrence , Turbide Christian , Auger Jeremie , Tremblay Annie , Mathieu Olivier , Binda Sylvie , Tompkins Thomas A , Bruehlmann Sabina , Andrews Christopher N
Published: April 2024

Few minimally invasive options for sampling the small intestinal (SI) luminal fluid exist to study the SI microbiota in health and disease. To address the lack of tools and methods to study GI regions that are difficult to access, Nimble Science developed a fully autonomous and passive sampling method, the Small Intestine MicroBiome Aspiration (SIMBATM) capsule, for convenient, high-quality, and reliable sampling to study the diet-microbiota interactions in the SI. The sealing efficacy and microbial DNA preservation capacity of the SIMBA capsules was first validated throughin vitrosimulation assays. Then, a clinical study was conducted with 20 healthy participants to validate thein vivouse of SIMBA capsules to reliably capture samples for SI microbiome analysis before and after an intervention (NCT04489329). Briefly, participants ingested the capsules at baseline and 7 days later, with a probiotic capsule containing a blend ofL. rhamnosusR0011 andB. longumR0175. Following baseline SIMBA capsule ingestion, multiple low-dosage x-ray scans were performed to track the sampling location. Fecal samples corresponding with the baseline and intervention capsule were analyzed for comparison. The SIMBA capsules’ performancein vitrodemonstrated the potential for contamination-free sampling with preservation of the microbial communities. Within the clinical study, the capsules performed safely and reliably for collection of SI content. X-ray tracking confirmed that 97.2% of the capsules completed sample collection in the SI regions before reaching the colon. Importantly, our data showed that the capsules sampled in the right area of the intestines and that baseline SIMBA microbiome profile is significantly different from fecal microbiome profile. SIMBA successfully detected a concurrent probiotic intervention in the small intestine, which was not detectable using stool samples. The high accuracy of sampling location and sealing efficacy of the SIMBA capsules makes them potentially useful research tools in clinical trials for studying diet-microbiota interactions in health and disease, and perhaps eventually for the clinical diagnosis of GI tract conditions affecting the SI such as SIBO.
Evidence from Madagascar shows that vaccination could mitigate climate-driven disruptions to malaria control
Authors: Rice Benjamin L. , Raobson Estelle , Miharisoa Sylviane , Rebaliha Mahery , Lewinski Joseph , Raharinirina Hanitriniaina , Golden Christopher D. , Vecchi Gabriel A. , Wesolowski Amy , Grenfell Bryan , Metcalf C. Jessica E.
Published: April 2024

Extreme weather events are common in high malaria burden areas and likely to increase in severity due to climate change. Yet, data on infection rates following these events and the consequences for disease control programs remain rare. Using data from Madagascar, we estimate high rates of infection in the wake of two major tropical cyclones and show infection rebounds rapidly during gaps in standard interventions. Relative to other control options, recently available malaria vaccines have a longer duration of protection, with the potential to address interruptions in prevention deployment. Evaluating this use, we quantify the reduction in symptomatic infections expected for a range of vaccination scenarios. We find long-lasting interventions such as vaccination are a key mitigation measure against climatic disruptions to disease control.
APOE regulates the transport of GM1
Authors: Zhang Dong Yan , Wang Jian , Huang Gangtong , Langberg Sara , Ding Feng , Dokholyan Nikolay V.
Published: April 2024

Apolipoprotein E (APOE) is responsible for lipid transport, including cholesterol transport and clearance. While the ε4 allele of APOE (APOE4) is associated with a significant genetic risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer’s disease (AD), no mechanistic understanding of its contribution to AD etiology has been established yet. In addition to cholesterol, monosialotetrahexosylganglioside (GM1) is a crucial lipid component in cell membranes and has been implicated in promoting the aggregation of amyloid beta protein (Aβ), a key protein associated with AD. Here, we ask whether there are direct interactions between APOE and GM1 that further impact AD pathology. We find that both APOE3 and APOE4 exhibit superior binding affinity to GM1 compared to cholesterol and have an enhanced cellular uptake to GM1 lipid structures than cholesterol lipid structures. APOE regulates the transport process of GM1 depending on the cell type, which is influenced by the expression of APOE receptors in different cell lines and alters GM1 contents in cell membranes. We also find that the presence of GM1 alters the secondary structure of APOE3 and APOE4 and enhances the binding affinity between APOE and its receptor low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), consequently promoting the cellular uptake of lipid structures in the presence of APOE. To understand the enhanced cellular uptake observed in lipid structures containing 20% GM1, we determined the distribution of GM1 on the membrane and found that GM1 clustering in lipid rafts, thereby supporting the physiological interaction between APOE and GM1. Overall, we find that APOE plays a regulatory role in GM1 transport, and the presence of GM1 on the lipid structures influences this transport process. Our studies introduce a plausible direct link between APOE and AD etiology, wherein APOE regulates GM1, which, in turn, promotes Aβ oligomerization and aggregation.
Evaluation of Deep Neural Network Models for Instance Segmentation of Lumbar Spine MRI
Authors: Chen Jiasong , Qian Linchen , Ma Linhai , Urakov Timur , Gu Weiyong , Liang Liang
Published: April 2024

Intervertebral disc disease, a prevalent ailment, frequently leads to intermittent or persistent low back pain, and diagnosing and assessing of this disease rely on accurate measurement of vertebral bone and intervertebral disc geometries from lumbar MR images. Deep neural network (DNN) models may assist clinicians with more efficient image segmentation of individual instances (discs and vertebrae) of the lumbar spine in an automated way, which is termed as instance image segmentation. In this work, we evaluated 15 existing DNN models for lumbar spine MR image segmentation. We introduced a new data augmentation technique to create synthetic yet realistic MR image dataset, named SSMSpine, which is made publicly available. The 15 image segmentation models are evaluated on our private in-house dataset and the public SSMSpine dataset, using two metrics, Dice Similarity Coefficient and 95% Hausdorff Distance. The SSMSpine dataset are available athttps://github.com/jiasongchen/SSMSpine.
Specification and design for full energy beam exploitation of the compact linear accelerator for research and applications
Authors: Snedden E. W. , Angal-Kalinin D. , Bainbridge A. R. , Brynes A. D. , Buckley S. R. , Dunning D. J. , Henderson J. R. , Jones J. K. , Middleman K. J. , Overton T. J. , Pacey T. H. , Pollard A. E. , Saveliev Y. M. , Shepherd B. J. A. , Williams P. H. , Colling M. I. , Fell B. D. , Marshall G.
Published: April 2024

The compact linear accelerator for research and applications (CLARA) is a 250 MeV ultrabright electron beam test facility at STFC Daresbury Laboratory. A user beamline has been designed to maximize the exploitation of CLARA in a variety of fields, including novel acceleration and new modalities of radiotherapy. In this paper, we present the specification and design of this beamline for full energy beam exploitation. We outline the key elements that will provide users access to ultrashort, low emittance electron bunches in two large experiment chambers. The results of start-to-end simulations are reported that verify the expected beam parameters delivered to these chambers. Key technical systems are detailed, including those which facilitate a combination of electron bunches with high-power laser pulses.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Stimulated Emission of Signal Photons from Dark Matter Waves
Authors: Agrawal Ankur , Dixit Akash V. , Roy Tanay , Chakram Srivatsan , He Kevin , Naik Ravi K. , Schuster David I. , Chou Aaron
Published: April 2024

The manipulation of quantum states of light has resulted in significant advancements in both dark matter searches and gravitational wave detectors. Current dark matter searches operating in the microwave frequency range use nearly quantum-limited amplifiers. Future high frequency searches will use photon counting techniques to evade the standard quantum limit. We present a signal enhancement technique that utilizes a superconducting qubit to prepare a superconducting microwave cavity in a nonclassical Fock state and stimulate the emission of a photon from a dark matter wave. By initializing the cavity in an |n=4⟩ Fock state, we demonstrate a quantum enhancement technique that increases the signal photon rate and hence also the dark matter scan rate each by a factor of 2.78. Using this technique, we conduct a dark photon search in a band around 5.965 GHz (24.67  μeV), where the kinetic mixing angle ε≥4.35×10−13 is excluded at the 90% confidence level.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Virtually constrained generalized relative motion modeling and a control parameter optimizer for automatic carrier landing
Authors: Zhang Yiwei , Li Daochun , Kan Zi , Yao Zhuoer , Xiang Jinwu
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to propose a novel control scheme and offer a control parameter optimizer to achieve better automatic carrier landing. Carrier landing is a challenging work because of the severe sea conditions, high demand for accuracy and non-linearity and maneuvering coupling of the aircraft. Consequently, the automatic carrier landing system raises the need for a control scheme that combines high robustness, rapidity and accuracy. In addition, to exploit the capability of the proposed control scheme and alleviate the difficulty of manual parameter tuning, a control parameter optimizer is constructed.

Design/methodology/approach

A novel reference model is constructed by considering the desired state and the actual state as constrained generalized relative motion, which works as a virtual terminal spring-damper system. An improved particle swarm optimization algorithm with dynamic boundary adjustment and Pareto set analysis is introduced to optimize the control parameters.

Findings

The control parameter optimizer makes it efficient and effective to obtain well-tuned control parameters. Furthermore, the proposed control scheme with the optimized parameters can achieve safe carrier landings under various severe sea conditions.

Originality/value

The proposed control scheme shows stronger robustness, accuracy and rapidity than sliding-mode control and Proportion-integration-differentiation (PID). Also, the small number and efficiency of control parameters make this paper realize the first simultaneous optimization of all control parameters in the field of flight control.
To be, or not to be in formalization: the relationship between HR practices and work engagement in the aviation industry
Authors: Koç Emine Nihan , Bozkurt Serdar , Karaca Varinlioğlu Selin
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This study aims to examine the moderating role of formalization in the relationship between human resources (HR) practices and work engagement (WE) in aviation industry employees. The research revealed the moderator role of formalization, which is still one of the most critical components for aviation industry workers.

Design/methodology/approach

In the study, the authors used the survey method. In this explanatory and cross-sectional study, the authors examined a data set collected from aviation industry employees (n = 226) in Turkey using the partial least squares (PLS) method and tried to moderate the formalization. The authors analyzed the moderator role of formalization in the relationship between HR practices and WE with SmartPLS 3.0 and HAYES Process Macro.

Findings

The results of the study explain the effect of HR practices on WE in the context of social exchange theory through formalization. Findings show that formalization is an essential factor in HR practices’ resulting in higher WE.

Research limitations/implications

The study is cross-sectional. Research participants participated in the study voluntarily. This situation, in turn, may lead to a social desirability bias in participants' self-reported responses. To avoid this, the authors have prepared a standardized measurement tool. Again, since the authors do not request the names and institutions of the participants, confidentiality and anonymity are provided.

Practical implications

Research findings offer implications for companies and employees in developing economies, especially in the aviation sector. It refers to the necessity for companies aiming for a sustainable strategic position in the competitive aviation sector to attach importance to HR practices that will enable them to see their employees as a competitive advantage. In addition, the results emphasize the need for aviation industry companies to adopt an approach that considers both practices that can increase WE and formalization procedures that can affect employee behavior.

Originality/value

This research provides a comprehensive understanding to examine the interrelationships between HR, formalization and WE in the context of the mechanism of social change in the context of aviation industry workers. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no other researcher has holistically addressed these links in general, particularly in a developing country. The findings significantly enrich the literature on HR practices and WE, particularly in the context of a developing country.
Multi-objective sensor placement optimization and damage identification for an aircraft wing using Lichtenberg algorithm
Authors: Nogueira Felipe Sales , Pereira João Luiz Junho , Simões Cunha Jr Sebastião
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This study aims to apply for the first time in literature a new multi-objective sensor selection and placement optimization methodology based on the multi-objective Lichtenberg algorithm and test the sensors' configuration found in a delamination identification case study.

Design/methodology/approach

This work aims to study the damage identification in an aircraft wing using the Lichtenberg and multi-objective Lichtenberg algorithms. The former is used to identify damages, while the last is associated with feature selection techniques to perform the first sensor placement optimization (SPO) methodology with variable sensor number. It is applied aiming for the largest amount of information about using the most used modal metrics in the literature and the smallest sensor number at the same time.

Findings

The proposed method was not only able to find a sensor configuration for each sensor number and modal metric but also found one that had full accuracy in identifying delamination location and severity considering triaxial modal displacements and minimal sensor number for all wing sections.

Originality/value

This study demonstrates for the first time in the literature how the most used modal metrics vary with the sensor number for an aircraft wing using a new multi-objective sensor selection and placement optimization methodology based on the multi-objective Lichtenberg algorithm.
A comparative analysis: health data protection laws in Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
Authors: Sarabdeen Jawahitha , Mohamed Ishak Mohamed Mazahir
Published: April 2024

Purpose

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) of the European Union (EU) was passed to protect data privacy. Though the GDPR intended to address issues related to data privacy in the EU, it created an extra-territorial effect through Articles 3, 45 and 46. Extra-territorial effect refers to the application or the effect of local laws and regulations in another country. Lawmakers around the globe passed or intensified their efforts to pass laws to have personal data privacy covered so that they meet the adequacy requirement under Articles 45–46 of GDPR while providing comprehensive legislation locally. This study aims to analyze the Malaysian and Saudi Arabian legislation on health data privacy and their adequacy in meeting GDPR data privacy protection requirements.

Design/methodology/approach

The research used a systematic literature review, legal content analysis and comparative analysis to critically analyze the health data protection in Malaysia and Saudi Arabia in comparison with GDPR and to see the adequacy of health data protection that could meet the requirement of EU data transfer requirement.

Findings

The finding suggested that the private sector is better regulated in Malaysia than the public sector. Saudi Arabia has some general laws to cover health data privacy in both public and private sector organizations until the newly passed data protection law is implemented in 2024. The finding also suggested that the Personal Data Protection Act 2010 of Malaysia and the Personal Data Protection Law 2022 of Saudi Arabia could be considered “adequate” under GDPR.

Originality/value

The research would be able to identify the key principles that could identify the adequacy of the laws about health data in Malaysia and Saudi Arabia as there is a dearth of literature in this area. This will help to propose suggestions to improve the laws concerning health data protection so that various stakeholders can benefit from it.
The amount of food waste and food packages generated in various-sized households with university students
Authors: Närvä Margit , Alarinta Jarmo , Wirtanen Gun
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate amount of food waste and the number of food packages used in Finnish households with university students. The aim of the paper is to answer the following research questions: How much avoidable food waste is generated in the participating various sized households? How much unavoidable food waste is generated in the participating various sized households? How many food packages are classified as deposit, municipal waste or recycled in the participating various sized households?

Design/methodology/approach

The data was collected among the students in Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences. A total of results from 432 households with 890 persons are presented. The participating households weighed their unavoidable and avoidable food waste and calculated the food packages during one week. The results were analysed in Excel and the statistical significance assessed using a t-test.

Findings

The average avoidable and unavoidable food wastages were 498 g/week/person, i.e. 25.9 kg/year/person and 543 g/week/person, i.e. 28.3 kg/year/person, respectively. Single-person households generate more avoidable and unavoidable food waste as well as packages per person than other sized households. The results show that there is no correlation between the amount of avoidable food waste/person, unavoidable food waste/person or packages/person.

Originality/value

This kind of research has sparsely been reported. The food and package wastage definitions vary, and thus it is difficult to compare these results with other reported results.
Unveiling the ESG-dividend nexus: the moderating role of investor protection and regulatory enforcement
Authors: Dua Jyoti , Sharma Anil Kumar
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The mounting focus on environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors in business has sparked substantial curiosity in understanding the nexus between ESG and the companies’ strategic decisions. This study aims to investigate the influence of firms’ ESG disclosure scores on their dividend payout. Furthermore, it examines the nuanced dynamics of this relationship by exploring the moderating role of the country’s investor protection regulations and regulatory enforcement.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses pooled ordinary least square regression with year, industry and country effects. It analyzes a balanced panel data set of 192 non-financial firms drawn from the primary equity indices of BRICS nations. This study examined the data of six years spanning 2015–2020.

Findings

The findings discover a significantly positive relationship between ESG scores and dividend payout ratio, conveying that firms with higher ESG scores allocate more of their profits as dividends. Furthermore, the finding reveals that country-level robust investor protection and effective regulatory enforcement mechanisms undermine the positive association between ESG ratings and payouts of dividends, suggesting that the ESG disclosure of firms operating in a setting characterized by enhanced investor safeguards and stricter regulatory oversight will exert less influence on their dividend decisions.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to concentrate on the ESG–dividend nexus in the BRICS countries. Furthermore, this study used each country’s investor protection index and regulatory enforcement scores to comprehend the influence of country-level legal frameworks in shaping the relationship between ESG and dividend decisions, thus adding value to the existing literature on corporate sustainability.
A bibliometric and visualization analysis of intertemporal choice: origins, growth and future research avenues
Authors: Singh Maneesha , Nandan Tanuj
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This study aims to conduct a bibliometric analysis on “intertemporal choice” behavior of individuals from journals in the Scopus database between 1957 and 2023. The research covered the data on the said topic since it first originated in the Scopus database and carried out performance analysis and content analysis of papers in the business management and finance disciplines.

Design/methodology/approach

Bibliometric analysis, including science mapping and performance analysis, followed by content analysis of the papers of identified clusters, was conducted. Three clusters based on cocitation analysis and six themes (three major and three minor) were identified using the bibliometrix package in R studio. The content analysis of the papers in these clusters and themes have been discussed in this study, along with the thematic evolution of intertemporal choice research over the period of time, paving a way for future research studies.

Findings

The review unpacks publication and citation trends of intertemporal choice behavior, the most significant authors, journals and papers along with the major clusters and themes of research based on cocitation and degree of centrality and relevance, respectively, i.e. discounting experiments and intertemporal choice, impulsivity, risk preference, time-inconsistent preference, etc.

Originality/value

Over the past years, the research on “intertemporal choice” has flourished because of the increasing interest of researchers and scholars from different fields and the dynamic and pervasive nature of this topic. The well-developed and scattered body of knowledge on intertemporal choice has led to the need of applying a bibliometric analysis in the intertemporal choice literature.
Streamlining professionalisation in public procurement: Romanian competency frameworks as a case study (Part B)
Authors: Filipon Șerban , Simionescu Violeta
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Competency frameworks can support public procurement capacity development and performance. However, literature on connecting professionalisation with national procurement contexts is limited. This paper aims to explain and conceptualise recent Romanian experience with developing bespoke competency frameworks at national level for public procurement that reflect the features of the Romanian public procurement system. The approach used could guide in broad-brush, mutatis mutandis, other (national) public procurement systems with comparable features, mainly those seeking a shift from a rather administrative function of public procurement towards a strategic function.

Design/methodology/approach

This case study reflects on the methodology used for analysing the Romanian public procurement environment in EU context to develop bespoke professionalisation instruments, and on ways to integrate competency management approaches in Romanian public procurement culture. That methodological mix has been mainly qualitative and constructionist, within an applied research approach. It combined desk research with empirical research and included legal research in this context.

Findings

A principled, methodological and pragmatic approach tailored to the procurement environment in question is essential for developing competency frameworks capable to resonate to and address the specific practical needs of that procurement system.

Social implications

Competency frameworks can uphold societal objectives through public procurement.

Originality/value

Using valuable insights into the development of the Romanian public procurement competency frameworks, the paper provides a conceptual framework for instilling competency management approaches to public procurement professional development where the latter is governed by a rather distinct, public administration, paradigm. This conceptual framework can guide other public procurement systems and stimulate further research.
Performance feedback duration and strategic change in USA manufacturing firms
Authors: Derayati Pouya
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This paper seeks to explore the effect of performance duration (rather than intensity) on the subsequent initiation of strategic change by firms. Specifically, the effect of outperformance and underperformance duration on strategic change, as well as the moderating effect of environmental dynamism, is studied.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a fixed-effects model, analyzing a sample of 34,907 firm-year observations from 1980 to 2018 across 112 industries mostly supported proposed hypotheses.

Findings

Results revealed a U-shaped relationship between outperformance duration and strategic change and an inverted U-shaped relationship between underperformance duration and strategic change. The moderation role of environmental dynamism was only partially supported.

Originality/value

This study examines a new dimension of performance feedback, namely duration, rather than the widely used intensity of performance feedback, to enhance our understanding of the behavioral theory of the firm.
Multicriteria decision-making for optimization of welding parameters in cold metal transfer and pulse metal-inert gas weld bead of AA2099-T86 alloy using CRITIC and ROV methods
Authors: Singh Satyaveer , Yuvaraj N. , Wattal Reeta
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The criteria importance through intercriteria correlation (CRITIC) and range of value (ROV) combined methods were used to determine a single index for all multiple responses.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper used cold metal transfer (CMT) and pulse metal-inert gas (MIG) welding processes to study the weld-on-bead geometry of AA2099-T86 alloy. This study used Taguchi's approach to find the optimal setting of the input welding parameters. The welding current, welding speed and contact-tip-to workpiece distance were the input welding parameters for finding the output responses, i.e. weld penetration, dilution and heat input. The L9 orthogonal array of Taguchi's approach was used to find out the optimal setting of the input parameters.

Findings

The optimal input welding parameters were determined with combined output responses. The predicted optimum welding input parameters were validated through confirmation tests. Analysis of variance showed that welding speed is the most influential factor in determining the weld bead geometry of the CMT and pulse MIG welding techniques.

Originality/value

The heat input and weld bead geometry are compared in both welding processes. The CMT welding samples show superior defect-free weld beads than pulse MIG welding due to lesser heat input and lesser dilution.
Does emotional eating status affect food addiction of paramedics? A cross-sectional study
Authors: Akdeniz İrem Nur , Kavsara Hasan Kaan , Usta Pınar , Kaya Cebioglu Irem
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Paramedics are responsible for managing emergencies, caring for patients and performing life-saving procedures under heavy workloads, which can have a significant negative effect on their emotional eating and food addiction (FA) behaviors. Thus, this cross-sectional study aims to shed light on the relationship between emotional eating tendencies and FA in paramedics by considering their food preferences, sex, and body mass index (BMI) factors.

Design/methodology/approach

The questionnaire consisted of Yale Food Addiction Scale and Emotional Eating Questionnaire (EEQ), as well as sex, age, weight, height and number of snacks and main meals collected face-to-face from the 196 paramedics.

Findings

The FA prevalence was 14.9%, and more than half of the paramedics were emotional eaters. The total score of the EEQ was significantly higher in the FA diagnosed group than in the group FA not diagnosed (p < 0.001). The food preferences of the paramedics were found to differ significantly depending on whether they were diagnosed with FA or emotional eating. Being a food addict or emotional eater significantly increases the odds of consuming chocolate-wafer, pie-cake, chips, pastries, pasta and fries (p < 0.05), and participants with FA diagnosis and emotional eaters were more likely to prefer these foods than those with nondiagnosis and nonemotional eaters (p < 0.05).

Originality/value

Findings highlighted the connection between FA and the emotional eating behavior of paramedics, indicating that they attempt to compensate for their emotional ups and downs through eating. The job-related stress and emotional eating behaviors of paramedics may increase their BMI and susceptibility to FA.
Stock markets volatility during crises periods: a bibliometric analysis
Authors: Goyal Priyanka , Soni Pooja
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Given the dearth of thorough summaries in the literature, this systematic review and bibliometric analysis attempt to take a meticulous approach meant to present knowledge on the constantly developing subject of stock market volatility during crises. In outline, this study aims to map the extant literature available on stock market volatility during crisis periods.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study reviews 1,283 journal articles from the Scopus database published between 1994 and 2022, using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 flow diagram. Bibliometric analysis through software like R studio and VOSviewer has been performed, that is, annual publication trend analysis, journal analysis, citation analysis, author influence analysis, analysis of affiliations, analysis of countries and regions, keyword analysis, thematic mapping, co-occurrence analysis, bibliographic coupling, co-citation analysis, Bradford’s law and Lotka’s law, to map the existing literature and identify the gaps.

Findings

The literature on the effects of crises on volatility in financial markets has grown in recent years. It was discovered that volatility intensified during crises. This increased volatility can be linked to COVID-19 and the global financial crisis of 2008, as both had massive effects on the world economy. Moreover, we identify specific patterns and factors contributing to increased volatility, providing valuable insights for further research and decision-making.

Research limitations/implications

The present study is confined to the areas of economics, econometrics and finance, business, management and accounting and social sciences. Future studies could be conducted considering a broader perspective.

Originality/value

Most of the available literature has focused on the impact of some particular crises on the volatility of financial markets. The present study is not limited to some specific crises, and the suggested research directions will serve as a guide for future research.
Time difference auto‐extraction methods for in situ sound speed measurements in seafloor sediments
Authors: Hua Qingfeng , Wang Jingqiang , Li Guanbao , Zhang Linqing , Sun Lei , Dong Wuwen
Published: April 2024

The in situ acoustic measurement of seafloor sediment is an important technical means to obtain the acoustic parameters of seafloor. The time‐of‐flight method is commonly used to calculate the sound speed in seafloor sediment. Accurate identification of signal feature points is essential for determining travel time or travel time difference of acoustic signals. However, the precise identification of feature points, such as the take‐off point of the first wave of a sound wave signal, is challenging. The conventional manual identification method is inefficient and prone to errors. The development of a feature point auto‐identification method is imperative for accurately calculating the travel time of acoustic signals. In this study, we employed the cross‐correlation method, the level threshold method and the short window‐long window energy ratio method to extract the acoustic travel time differences and calculate the sound speeds in seawater and in seafloor sediment. We then analysed the effectiveness of these calculated results. The sound speeds in seawater obtained through the aforementioned methods were compared with the sound speeds measured using a sound velocity profiler. The comparison revealed that these processing methods exhibit a high level of accuracy. The sound speed results in sediments show that the programme‐based auto‐identification methods significantly reduce the standard deviation compared to the manual identification method. This study successfully assessed the processing accuracy of different methods and expanded the processing methods for in situ acoustic signals of seafloor sediments.
Silent suasions: interpersonal mediation in Thai meditation
Authors: Cassaniti Julia
Published: April 2024

Discourse is the typical modus operandi for persuasive practices, but silence also has an important role to play in many religious contexts. In this essay, I examine how silence works as a mechanism of persuasion in Thailand, where Buddhist logics of meditation permeate social life. Through a close analysis of a meditative retreat at Wat Pradhatu Sri Chom Thong Voravihan in Northern Thailand, I suggest three ways that silence comes to create its persuasive effects: it works in contrastive relation to speech; it is symbolic of moral personhood; and it points to interpersonal corporeal attunement. Attention to the corporeal aspect of silence is especially significant, I argue, because it is through the body that the practice in Thailand acts to alter intersubjective space. Such an approach to silence as disciplinary practice, rather than attention just to its supposed effects, allows us to see how religious forms of silent persuasion can be seen as a particularly powerful force for personal and political change.
Demographic and pregnancy‐related predictors of postnatal contraception uptake: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Moffat Malcolm , Jackowich Robyn , Möller‐Christensen Christine , Sullivan Claire , Rankin Judith
Published: April 2024

Objective

To examine the uptake of postnatal contraception (PNC) and experiences of PNC care across a geographical region of England.

Design

Cross‐sectional online survey.

Setting

The North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care System (ICS).

Population

Women who had completed a pregnancy in the previous 3 years.

Methods

The uptake of PNC by accessed method(s) and the availability of preferred method(s) is described, and adjusted odds ratios are reported for group differences in uptake by characteristics of interest.

Main outcome measures

Uptake of medically prescribed/administered contraception and uptake of long‐acting reversible contraception (LARC) during the postnatal period, and access to preferred PNC methods.

Results

Although almost half of respondents (47.1%; n = 1178) reinitiated some form of sexual activity during the postnatal period, only 38.7% (n = 969) of respondents accessed a medically prescribed/administered contraceptive method postnatally, and only 15.5% (n = 389) of respondents accessed a LARC. It is a matter of concern that 18.8% (n = 451) of respondents indicated that they were unable to access their preferred PNC. In multivariate analysis, younger age, lower household income, higher multiparity, operative delivery, unplanned pregnancy and not breastfeeding were significant predictors of higher PNC uptake.

Conclusions

The uptake of PNC in this cohort was low, with almost a fifth of women unable to access their preferred method. However, there was some evidence that women belonging to groups perceived to be at risk of rapid repeat pregnancy were more likely to access reliable PNC methods.
Can bioplastics always offer a truly sustainable alternative to fossil‐based plastics?
Authors: Serrano‐Aguirre Lara , Prieto M. Auxiliadora
Published: April 2024

Bioplastics, comprised of bio‐based and/or biodegradable polymers, have the potential to play a crucial role in the transition towards a sustainable circular economy. The use of biodegradable polymers not only leads to reduced greenhouse gas emissions but also might address the problem of plastic waste persisting in the environment, especially when removal is challenging. Nevertheless, biodegradable plastics should not be considered as substitutes for proper waste management practices, given that their biodegradability strongly depends on environmental conditions. Among the challenges hindering the sustainable implementation of bioplastics in the market, the development of effective downstream recycling routes is imperative, given the increasing production volumes of these materials. Here, we discuss about the most advisable end‐of‐life scenarios for bioplastics. Various recycling strategies, including mechanical, chemical or biological (both enzymatic and microbial) approaches, should be considered. Employing enzymes as biocatalysts emerges as a more selective and environmentally friendly alternative to chemical recycling, allowing the production of new bioplastics and added value and high‐quality products. Other pending concerns for industrial implementation of bioplastics include misinformation among end users, the lack of a standardised bioplastic labelling, unclear life cycle assessment guidelines and the need for higher financial investments. Although further research and development efforts are essential to foster the sustainable and widespread application of bioplastics, significant strides have already been made in this direction.