bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A methodology for applying the shop floor management method for sustaining lean manufacturing tools and philosophies: a study of an automotive company in Brazil
Authors: Gaspar Flávio , Leal Fabiano
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to define a method for sustain lean tools and philosophies on a manufacturing environment.

Design/methodology/approach

An in-depth action research (AR) methodology procedures applied in two cycles were conducted in an automobile company located in southeastern Brazil. The objective is to test the applicability of the shop floor management (SFM) implementation model as presented by Hanenkamp (2013).

Findings

The SFM model presented by Hanenkamp (2013) has been outlined, detailed and applied in practice. Opportunities for improvement during the application process of this model were verified by changes in its steps. After developing the AR, the authors have shown that the SFM model, as proposed in this paper, can indeed assist managers in applying and maintaining lean manufacturing practices on the shop floor.

Originality/value

This paper contributes by aiding in filling the gap between practical applications and the sustainability of lean manufacturing concepts and solutions. Furthermore, the guidelines introduced serve as a benchmark for other companies interested in the topic.
Managing the professional and qualification and innovative potential of youth in the system of higher education
Authors: Ivanchenko Olga S. , Tikhonovskova Svetlana A. , Zalevskaya Anna A. , Belasheva Irina V.
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to study the factors that influence the effectiveness of the professional and qualification and innovative potential of youth in a university environment. The authors focus on the main institutional factors of the external and internal character, which are the barriers to this reproduction process and do not bring the expected result—renovation of the qualitative structure of the workforce. The authors determine the essence and main characteristics of the process of reproduction of innovative and professional and qualification potential in higher school by the example of Russia.

Design/methodology/approach

Methodology of the work includes SWOT analysis, which allows distinguishing the potential (D) of strong (F) and weak (G) opportunities and the level of indicators of realization of (R) opportunities (V) and threats (U) of the research object.

Findings

It is substantiated that factors-barriers of innovative and professional and qualification potential could be overcome with the help of the formation of the mechanism of interaction of labor market, market of educational services, and innovative university complexes.

Practical implications

The obtained results allow determining the main threats with a high probability of implementation in the process of formation of professional and qualification potential in the system of higher education and forming the perspectives of solving this problem.

Originality/value

Originality of this study consists in the totality of obtained results, which show the specific features of reproduction of innovative and professional and qualification potential of youth: determination of strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the process of formation of innovative and professional and qualification potential in the system of higher education.
How does a destination’s food image serve the common targets of the UNESCO creative cities network?
Authors: Yılmaz Gökhan , Kılıçarslan Doğuş , Caber Meltem
Published: June 2020

Purpose

As one of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization initiatives, the creative cities network (CCN) declares the cities that are creative in the contexts of music, gastronomy, design, etc., with the aim of promoting cooperation amongst the member cities and maintaining sustainable urban development. This study aims to identify the destination food image of Gaziantep in Turkey, which is a member gastronomy city of the CCN since 2015. Identified destination food image elements were connected to the common targets of the CCN to show how the city may contribute to the network objectives.

Design/methodology/approach

A two-stage research process was used in the study. First, qualitative approach was adopted for the clarification of projected and perceived destination food image elements. Projected image elements were derived from a content analysis performed on a totally 113 official, semi-official and unofficial online documents in Turkish and English. Perceived destination food image elements were identified by face-to-face interviews, conducted on 10 participants. As a result, 18 projected and 20 perceived destination food image elements were obtained. These were then grouped under 4 main and 22 sub-categories. At the second stage, destination food image elements were matched with common targets of the CCN.

Findings

Destination food image elements, obtained by two qualitative studies, are grouped under 4 main and 22 sub-categories as follows: gastronomic identity (with sub-categories of destination’s identity and local culinary culture); diversity of the destination (with sub-categories of attractiveness of the local food, ease of promotion and high brand value); gastronomic attractions (with sub-categories of restaurants and cafes, culinary museums, farmer markets, orchards, gastronomy tours, gastronomy events (e.g. festivals, competitions), culinary education, books on gastronomy, certification systems, organizations, street foods and vendors and handmade or homemade foods); and qualified workforce and stakeholders (with sub-categories of expert chefs and cooks, specialist suppliers, service personnel, locals and local authorities). These are then connected to the common CCN targets (e.g. cuisine, tourism and festivals; extension of the creative value chain; fostering cultural creativity; and sustainability).

Originality/value

This is one of the early research attempts in examining a member gastronomy city’s food image elements and the role that they played in the success of the CCN’s common targets. Moreover, the study contributes to the literature on the identification of (projected and perceived) destination food image by using content analysis.
Playing in the backstore: interface gamification increases warehousing workforce engagement
Authors: Passalacqua Mario , Léger Pierre-Majorique , Nacke Lennart E. , Fredette Marc , Labonté-Lemoyne Élise , Lin Xinli , Caprioli Tony , Sénécal Sylvain
Published: June 2020

Purpose

In a warehouse setting, where hourly workers performing manual tasks account for more than half of total warehouse expenditure, a lack of employee engagement has been directly linked to company performance. In this article, the authors present a laboratory experiment in which two gamification elements, goal setting and feedback, are implemented in a wearable warehouse management system (WMS) interface to examine their effect on user engagement and performance in an item picking task. Both implicit (neurophysiological) and explicit (self-reported) measures of engagement are used, allowing for a richer understanding of the user's perceived and physiological state.

Design/methodology/approach

This experiment uses a within-subject design. Two experimental factors, goals and feedback, are manipulated, leading to three conditions: no gamification condition, self-set goals and feedback and assigned goals and feedback. Twenty-one subjects participated (mean age = 24.2, SD = 2.2).

Findings

This article demonstrates that gamification can successfully increase employee engagement, at least in the short-term. The integration of self-set goals and feedback game elements has the greatest potential to generate long-term intrinsic motivation and meaningful engagement, leading to greater employee engagement and performance.

Originality/value

This article explores the underlying effects of gamification through two of the most prominent motivational theories (self-determination theory [SDT] and goal-setting theory) and one of the leading employee engagement models (job demands-resource model [JD-R[ model). This provides a theory-rich interpretation of the data, which allows to uncover the motivational pathways by which gamification affects engagement and performance.
How to improve new product performance through customer relationship management and product development management: evidence from China
Authors: Yan Jianhui , Zheng Yu , Bao Jiaxin , Lu Chongyu , Jiang Yanhui , Yang Zhi , Feng Chulan
Published: June 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate how to improve new product performance in turbulent circumstances of emerging economies.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper used regression analysis to examine the performance impact of customer relationship management (CRM) and product development management (PDM) concentration strategy in new product development (NPD). A detailed contingent analysis of the market and institutional environments in emerging economies is also conducted based on a survey of 114 Chinese high-tech manufacturers.

Findings

The research findings show that PDM has a stronger positive effect on new product performance than CRM in emerging economies and that the contingent effects of the market and institutional environment vary. More specifically, technological turbulence and enforcement inefficiency can positively moderate the relationship between CRM and new product performance, whereas the moderating effect of market turbulence on CRM is negative. Meanwhile, enforcement inefficiency negatively moderates the effect of PDM on new product performance, while the moderating effect of market turbulence on PDM is positive.

Research limitations/implications

This paper is limited to a survey of high-tech manufacturing enterprises in China. Further research should continues to explore and document the strategic issue about NPD in emerging economies by longitudinal study.

Originality/value

This paper contributed to theoretical and practical initiatives on the strategic issue of NPD and provided firms a further understanding of how to select the right NPD strategy in emerging economies to improve new product performance.
Outsidership vs insidership – internationalization of health-care SMEs
Authors: Lagerström Katarina , Lindholm Cecilia
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The paper aims to explore how small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the health-care sector overcome the liability of being an outsider, instead of gaining a position as an insider in new networks in markets abroad and subsequently internationalizing. The following research questions are posed: How do firms in complex health-care markets build network relationships? How is business market knowledge developed and legitimacy acquired to overcome the liability of outsidership?

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses a multiple-case methodology in a nested case study of health-care SMEs, which allows for in-depth study of the importance of network relationships, business market knowledge development and legitimacy building to enter a target market; the study maps the activities and different actor roles as the entry process unfolds. The study draws on empirical evidence from 13 companies as well as industry and interest organizations.

Findings

The results provide support for process-based explanations of how, but also of why the internationalization of health-care SMEs takes place in distinctive sequential phases, where it is necessary to complete one phase before it is possible to embark on the next. The study answers the calls for more empirical studies capturing how firms actively enter networks to overcome the liability of outsidership, become insiders and subsequently internationalize.

Originality/value

The principal contribution of the authors’ study is to add to the body of research on internationalization and advance the understanding of how to build an insidership position in relevant networks by overcoming the liability of outsidership. By choosing to study firms in the health-care sector, the authors also contribute to the limited research on firms entering markets characterized by a high level of complexity.
How entrepreneurs think: financial decisions for the long or short term
Authors: Debrulle Jonas , Maes Johan , Gardiner Elliroma
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to suggest that different start-up motivations make entrepreneurs pursue different kinds of new business performance, which in this study are expressed in financial terms (i.e. return on assets). The authors posit that so-called extrinsic motivation urges entrepreneurs to be more short-term oriented, while their intrinsic motivation encourages a longer-term business vision. Additionally, this paper explores how intrinsic and extrinsic entrepreneurship motivations combine and produce financial dilemmas for entrepreneurs.

Design/methodology/approach

The analyses are based on 300 entrepreneurs across diverse industries in Belgium. Data was collected for this study through structured interviews with entrepreneurs combined with a company questionnaire. Financial data was obtained through a government database.

Findings

Results confirm that extrinsic entrepreneurship motivation boosts new business short-term financial performance, whereas intrinsic motivation contributes to the firm’s longer-term financial returns. This paper also shows that a mix of intrinsic and extrinsic motivations directs entrepreneurs toward different profitability levels during the organization’s survival and early-establishment phase.

Originality/value

Research on entrepreneurship has not yet corroborated that motivations can be personally conflicting, thereby saddling the entrepreneur with dilemmas that may manifest into different levels of business performance.
A historical analysis and the identification of driving forces behind the evolution of the urban macro skyline of Shiraz, Iran
Authors: Mohseni Farnaz , Weidner Silke , Kloos Michael
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The historic city of Shiraz, in the south of Iran, is renowned for its monuments and its remarkable macro skyline, which has been destructively affected by the rapid urban development. This research proposes a systematic historical analysis, which can discover the driving forces behind the evolution of the macro skyline of Shiraz, in the past as well as contemporary times.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed general framework of the methodology is constituted of systematic historical mapping and documentation, which is based on a desk study and field research. Moreover, by means of this methodology, different layers and driving forces of shaping the urban macro skyline are extracted.

Findings

The outcome demonstrates 12 driving forces or contributing factors behind the evolution of the urban macro skyline. Based on the results, it is concluded that there was a shift in the subject and content of driving forces during the last century that has contributed to the destructive effects on the silhouette of Shiraz in turn.

Practical implications

It is suggested that the proposed comprehensive method, which is based on the historical analysis and the field survey, can be applied as a documentation platform. It is believed that the analysis and the extraction of driving forces can facilitate future urban landscape management plans as well as possible impact assessments.

Originality/value

Many studies rely on the analysis of historical data in landscape assessment. Nevertheless, this research develops an innovative historical analysis, which identifies the driving forces behind the evolution of the urban macro skyline over time.
Human capital and economic growth in OECD countries: some new insights
Authors: Tahir Muhammad , Hayat Arshad , Rashid Kashif , Afridi Muhammad Asim , Tariq Yasir Bin
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The new growth literature in general is very optimistic about the positive impact that human capital has on the economic growth of countries. Based on this argument, the current paper focusses to investigate the impact of different types of human capital on economic growth.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper utilizes data for the period 1998 to 2017 and employs suitable econometric techniques.

Findings

It is found that it is not the stock of human capital rather its utilization in terms of average working hours that matters for higher growth. Other than human capital, trade openness and investment are positively associated with growth. On the other hand, inflation has an insignificant impact while employment level has a negative impact on growth. Moreover, for developing countries, the study also revealed that stock of human capital has negatively and average working hours has positively impacted economic growth. Finally, domestic investment and employment level appeared to be the main growth determinants in developing countries.

Research limitations/implications

Policymakers are suggested to ensure the maximum utilization of working hours, trade openness and domestic investment in improving economic growth in OECD countries.

Originality/value

This study has visualized the impact of human capital on economic growth from a new perspective and hence would be useful for policymakers.
Do capital structure and cash holding expropriate minority shareholders? A case of non-financial concentrated firms in Pakistan
Authors: Alim Wajid , Kaleem Muhammad , Abbas Sammar , Khan Dilawar
Published: June 2020

Purpose

One aspect of agency theory suggests that dominant shareholders use the firm’s assets for their personal benefits and 1thus expropriate minority shareholders (tunneling). Accordingly, this paper aims to examine the effect of capital structure and cash holding decisions on minority shareholders' expropriation for short and long periods.

Design/methodology/approach

Data of 16 years (2000-2015) has been obtained from 200 non-financial firms registered at Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX). The study used fixed effect and autoregressive distributed lagged to obtain the results.

Findings

The results suggest that the presence of more debts in capital structure is positively associated with minority shareholders' expropriation, whereas a negative association has been found between the level of cash holding and minority shareholders expropriation. These results have been observed as significant both for the short and long run.

Research limitations/implications

This study also suggests some important measures to control minority shareholders' expropriation by the dominant shareholders and thus to protect their rights.

Originality/value

There is a lack of literature for this severe issue in the developing countries especially Pakistan, so this study narrates the potential measures to the regulatory authority of the market to curb tunneling and to protect minority shareholders.
What do companies report for their corporate social responsibility practices on their corporate websites? Evidence from a global airline company
Authors: Okumus Fevzi , Kuyucak Sengur Ferhan , Koseoglu Mehmet Ali , Sengur Yusuf
Published: June 2020

Purpose

This study aims to investigate what Turkish Airlines as a global airline company reports for corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts on its corporate website by developing a framework assessing reports of airline companies’ CSR practices.

Design/methodology/approach

Content analysis was conducted on reports, documents and written policies published on the Turkish Airlines corporate website by the end of 2017.

Findings

The research findings suggest that Turkish Airlines publishes numerous reports highlighting their CSR activities. The study results show that Turkish Airlines reports its CSR activities through reports, documents and written policies. While the CSR reporting efforts deal with all CSR areas, the environmental dimension is the mostly emphasized area.

Practical implications

The study provides a model and data-driven analyzes for decision-makers and policymakers.

Originality/value

As one of the first study in the field, this research examines CSR reporting efforts in the airline industry via a new framework developed for airline companies.
The determinants of Muslim travellers’ intention to visit non-Islamic countries: a halal tourism implication
Authors: Aji Hendy Mustiko , Muslichah Istyakara , Seftyono Cahyo
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Many non-Islamic countries are approaching halal tourism as the tourism strategy. However, studies examining Muslims’ attitudes and intentions to visit non-Islamic countries remain scarce. The purpose of this study is to test what factors influence Muslims’ intention to visit non-Islamic countries by considering their perception of halal risk and Islamic value of non-Islamic country destinations.

Design/methodology/approach

By distributing questionnaires to Muslim respondents, in total, this study collected 436 respondents. The hypotheses are tested using a structural equation modeling approach.

Findings

Results revealed that religiosity significantly affects perceived risk, but it does not have an effect on perceived Islamic values and attitude. It is also found that Muslims’ intention to visit non-Islamic countries are mainly influenced by their attitudes. Perceived halal risk and Islamic value strongly affected their attitudes toward non-Islamic countries. Interestingly, the results show that Muslims’ intention to visit non-Islamic countries is not directly influenced by perceived halal risk and Islamic value but indirectly through attitudes.

Research limitations/implications

The equal distribution of respondents becomes the main challenge to achieve. It cannot be controlled by researchers. Thus, the disproportionate respondents’ distribution in terms of age, gender, occupation and, most importantly, the country selection becomes the limitation of this study.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature by evaluating perceived Islamic value and perceived halal risks in influencing Muslims’ intention to visit non-Islamic country destinations.
Do consumers really trust cryptocurrencies?
Authors: Arli Denni , van Esch Patrick , Bakpayev Marat , Laurence Andrea
Published: June 2020

Purpose

In this study, we focus on consumer perceptions of cryptocurrencies. We hypothesize that knowledge of cryptocurrencies, trust in government, and the speed of transactions are the main factors contributing to consumers' trust in cryptocurrencies.

Design/methodology/approach

451 MTurk workers, a convenient sample incentivized with a small monetary payment, participated in a cross-sectional online study with cryptocurrencies serving as the focal product category.

Findings

We obtained support for our hypothesized notion that knowledge of cryptocurrencies, trust in government, and the speed of transactions are the main factors contributing to consumers' trust in cryptocurrencies. Our research makes several important theoretical contributions. First, we demonstrate that consumers who understand and know how cryptocurrencies work are more likely to trust and invest in the currency. Next, we demonstrate that consumers are more likely to trust cryptocurrencies and their peer-to-peer transactions if, preferably, they take place via a central issuer and are regulated by their respective governments.

Originality/value

This study is the first known paper to focus on cryptocurrencies from the consumers' perspective. Next, we identify key antecedents of trust towards cryptocurrencies. Second, we reveal the role of government concerning cryptocurrencies. Finally, FinTech firms and banks (should they choose to enter the cryptocurrency market) need not spend time and money on marketing, advertising, and promotions in order to try to allay consumers' anxiety when it comes to their uptake in the different digital currencies. Rather, this would allow the FinTech firms and banks to allocate resources to focus their attention on marketing, advertising and promoting the factors (i.e. knowledge, trust in government, and speed of transaction) that drive intent to invest in cryptocurrencies.
Gender differences and new venture performance
Authors: Jaiswal Mayank
Published: June 2020

Purpose

This study compares the performance of female majority-owned new ventures (FNV) vs. male majority-owned new ventures (MNV). It analyzes the differences in levels of variables such as education, the same industry work experience of owners, and other venture level attributes between FNVs and MNVs. More importantly, this study employs decomposition techniques to determine the individual contribution from the intergender difference of each attribute on the performance of the new venture. For example, the study finds that, on average, the owners of an MNV possessed 3.4 years more of the same industry work experience than their FNV counterparts. This difference in work experience accounted for 47% of the “explained” gap [1] in Net Profits between the FNVs and MNVs.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper utilizes the Kauffman Firm Survey, a longitudinal dataset of 4,928 new ventures started in the USA in 2004. It employs Blinder-Oaxaca and Fairlie decomposition techniques in conjunction with OLS and Logit regressions. Both methods provide point estimates of contributions to the performance gap due to the heterogeneity in each attribute across the groups (FNV and MNV). This approach has a significant advantage over OLS or mediation analysis, which can only provide a directional analysis of the contributions of differences in attributes to performance.

Findings

The paper finds no performance gap between MNVs and FNVs. It further investigates whether the heterogeneous characteristics of MNVs vs FNVs are related to different effects on survival and performance. It finds that characteristics such as owners’ work experience in the same industry, average hours worked by owners in the new venture, the technology level of the venture, and its incorporation status are related with a differential impact on new venture survival and performance.

Research limitations/implications

All firms in the dataset belonged to a single cohort (2004) of new ventures started in the US. Future studies are encouraged to develop a dataset from multiple geographies and founding over several years so that the results may be more generalizable.

Practical implications

The paper provides crucial practical guidance to policymakers, investors, and entrepreneurs. In general, policies that enhance the work experience of women entrepreneurs and provide access to infrastructure such as daycares, which may allow them to work more hours, would probably improve the performance of FNVs.

Originality/value

The paper furthers the literature on women entrepreneurship by analyzing point estimates of differential contribution of disparate variables to performance. From a methodological perspective, the study reconciles the results between regression and decomposition analyses.
Investigating integrated urbanism in Chinese edge cities: the case of Yizhuang Development Area
Authors: Wiedmann Florian , Wang Yunlu
Published: June 2020

Purpose

China’s capital Beijing is a special case of fast urbanization and monocentric development, resulting in major efforts to implement polycentric structures. The purpose of this paper is thus centered on understanding the phenomenon of an established edge city and the level of integration regarding all daily activities of its residents.

Design/methodology/approach

Since the end of the 20th century, Chinese cities have been witnessing rapid urban growth and expansion. One of the major planning challenges has been the implementation of polycentric urban structures to enforce integrated urbanism and thus less dependency on commuting to few main commercial and business centers. The methodological approach includes various mapping efforts and field studies to investigate the currently produced urban landscape and highlight the rather challenging reality of edge cities being produced in a very short period of time.

Findings

This paper explores one of Beijing’s biggest edge cities, known as the Yizhuang Development Area, which was created by an investment initiative of the municipal government. The city has been developed with a strong focus on functional planning aspects rather than a dynamic diversification of walkable districts with emerging identities.

Originality/value

This investigation attempts to add some new insights into the contemporary urbanism in Chinese edge cities and the general problem of missing urban design initiatives to enhance the overall urban quality of diversity and social interaction.
Development of a conceptual model for evaluating the success of BIM-based construction projects
Authors: Olugboyega Oluseye , Edwards David J. , Windapo Abimbola Olukemi , Omopariola Emmanuel Dele , Martek Igor
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Research into project success (PS) has a long pedigree as has research into the impact of building information modelling (BIM) on projects. Yet, despite the many revealed advantages BIM is known to deliver to projects, the relationship between the level of BIM application within a project, BIM's ability to impact a project at that level and the consequent effectiveness and range of success factors BIM is able to bestow across levels remains unmapped. Given the importance of evaluating the success of BIM-based construction projects (BBCPs) and the necessity to ensure the continual improvement of the BIM process, there is a need to identify the relationship between the level of BIM employed on a project and the specific PS factors that BIM is able to impact at that level.

Design/methodology/approach

This study puts forward a conceptual model for evaluating the success of BBCPs. A thematic synthesis approach is taken, using Scopus and other databases, and retrieving relevant articles from some 50 journals.

Findings

Eight success criteria for BBCPs were extracted and categorised according to BIM's ability to impact them across four levels of project application. Mapping BIM's variable impact at these four levels against the eight success factors produces a model for evaluating the PS of BBCPs. The model posits that the success of a BBCP is a function of the extent to which BIM is applied to the project. Moreover, the findings indicate that an increase in the number of PS criteria (PSC) for a BBCP is a derivative of BIM effectiveness, and not BIM impact.

Originality/value

This work constitutes seminal research to examine the concept of PS and PSC for BBCPs with the view to developing a model for evaluating the PS of BBCPs.
De novo sequencing and chromosomal‐scale genome assembly of leopard coral grouper, Plectropomus leopardus
Authors: Zhou Qian , Guo Xinyu , Huang Yang , Gao Haoyang , Xu Hao , Liu Shanshan , Zheng Weiwei , Zhang Tianshi , Tian Changxu , Zhu Chunhua , Lin Haoran , Chen Songlin
Published: June 2020

The leopard coral grouper, Plectropomus leopardus, belonging to the family Epinephelinae, is a carnivorous coral reef fish widely distributed in tropical and subtropical waters of the Indo‐Pacific. Due to its appealing body appearance and delicious taste, P. leopardus has become a popular commercial fish for aquaculture in many countries. However, the lack of genomic and molecular resources for P. leopardus has hindered study of its biology and genomic breeding programmes. Here we report the de novo sequencing and assembly of the P. leopardus genome using a combination of 10 × Genomics, high‐throughput chromosome conformation capture (Hi‐C) and PacBio long‐read sequencing technologies. The genome assembly has a total length of 881.55 Mb with a scaffold N50 of 34.15 Mb, consisting of 24 pseudochromosome scaffolds. busco analysis showed that 97.2% of the conserved single‐copy genes were retrieved, indicating the assembly was almost entire. We predicted 25,248 protein‐coding genes, among which 96.5% were functionally annotated. Comparative genomic analyses revealed that gene family expansions in P. leopardus were associated with immune‐related pathways. In addition, we identified 5,178,453 single nucleotide polymorphisms based on genome resequencing of 54 individuals. The P. leopardus genome and genomic variation data provide valuable genomic resources for studies of its genetics, evolution and biology. In particular, it is expected to benefit the development of genomic breeding programmes in the farming industry.
Examining Overdose and Homelessness as Predictors of Willingness to Use Supervised Injection Facilities by Services Provided Among Persons Who Inject Drugs
Authors: Kenney Shannon R. , Anderson Bradley J. , Bailey Genie L. , Herman Debra S. , Conti Micah T. , Stein Michael D.
Published: June 2020

Background and Objectives

Internationally, supervised injection facilities (SIFs) have demonstrated efficacy in reducing rates of overdose and promoting entry into treatment among persons who inject drugs (PWID); however, they remain unavailable in the United States. Early findings examining American PWID illustrate high overall willingness to use SIFs. The current study expands upon this research by examining PWID's likelihood to use SIFs based on services offered (eg, provides clean needles, linkage to treatment programs) and whether known risk factors (prior overdose, homelessness) influence PWID's willingness to use a SIF.

Methods

Participants (n = 184) were patients entering short‐term inpatient opioid withdrawal management in Massachusetts between May 2018 and February 2019 who reported injection drug use in the prior 30 days. We examined PWID's likelihood to use a SIF if eight unique services were available, and compared if this differed by overdose history and homelessness status using ordered logistic regression and Pearson's χ2—tests of independence.

Results

Participants (34.2 [±8.3 SD] years of age, 68.5% male, 85.9% white, 8.2% Hispanic) reported being most likely to use SIFs that provided safety from police intervention (86.7%), entry into withdrawal management (85.9%), or clean needles (83.2%). Drug works disposal and safety from police were particularly important for PWID with a history of overdose.

Conclusion and Scientific Significance

Overall, treatment‐seeking PWIDs reported greater willingness to utilize SIFs if particular services were provided. These findings point to features of SIFs that may enhance treatment‐seeking PWID's amenability to utilizing these services if such sites open in the United States. (Am J Addict 2021;30:21–25)
Retinal vessel oxygen saturation in patients with unilateral internal carotid artery stenosis: a pilot study
Authors: Zhang Wenbo , Li Liangliang , Zou Da , Ren Qiushi , Zhang Yadi , Kang Lei , Gu Xiaopeng , Wu Hailong , Zhang Shijie , Zhu Ruilin , Zhang Yanzhen , Yang Liu
Published: June 2020

Purpose

To investigate the retinal vessel oxygen saturation in patients with internal carotid artery stenosis (ICAS).

Methods

This is a cross‐sectional study. Sixteen patients with unilateral moderate or worse ICAS (≥50%) and no fundus diseases were included in the study. Sixteen gender‐ and age‐matched healthy subjects were selected as controls. The mean oxygen saturation and vessel diameters of the retinal arterioles and venules were obtained using a dual‐wavelength spectrophotometric retinal oximeter.

Results

In the eye of the stenotic side, the retinal vessel oxygen saturation was 100.14 ± 10.27% in the arterioles and 56.50 ± 10.79% in the venules, and the arteriovenous (A‐V) difference was 43.63 ± 7.71%. In the eye of the contralateral side, the oxygen saturation was 96.55 ± 7.50% in the arterioles and 57.42 ± 9.84% in the venules, and the A‐V difference was 39.39 ± 6.33%. In healthy subjects, the oxygen saturation was 93.22 ± 5.98% in the arterioles and 56.57 ± 7.05% in the venules, and the A‐V difference was 36.65 ± 7.33%. The arteriolar oxygen saturation in the stenotic side was higher than that in the contralateral side (p = 0.025) and that in the healthy subjects (p = 0.027), and the A‐V difference in the stenotic side was significantly higher than that in the contralateral side (p = 0.009) and that in the healthy subjects (p = 0.013). The diameters of the arterioles in the stenotic side were smaller than those in the healthy subjects (p = 0.030).

Conclusions

Patients with ICAS had decreased retinal arteriole diameters and increased retinal vessel oxygen saturation in the arterioles and A‐V differences, suggesting the presence of microcirculation disorder and hyperoxia in the retina.
Explaining Leader Well‐Being in the Workplace from Leaders’ Identity, Reputation, and Charisma
Authors: Hirschfeld Robert R. , Bernerth Jeremy B. , Walker H. Jack
Published: June 2020

Informed by evolutionary leadership theory, the current study investigates two forms of leader well‐being in the workplace as explained by leaders’ self‐perceived identity (i.e., self‐ratings of dark personality), follower‐judged reputation (i.e., subordinate‐ratings of leaders' dark personality), and attributed charisma. Results, based on data from 386 followers matched with 268 leaders, linked both a Dark Triad identity and a Dark Triad reputation to less perceived social worth and job satisfaction among leaders. Additional results found leader charisma surpassed a Dark Triad identity and reputation as an explanatory factor, a finding we attribute to the salience and observability of charisma to followers. Lastly, our results also indicate a leader identity × charisma interaction. The pattern of moderation suggests followers respond to leader charisma in ways that encourage a leader and thereby buffer the otherwise inimical consequences of a Dark Triad identity. Overall, our research suggests that leaders’ subjective quality of work life is shaped by an interplay between internal propensity and acclaim from followers in the form of attributed charisma. Implications for organizations and evolutionary leadership theory are discussed.
Over a decade of experience with carboplatin therapeutic drug monitoring in a childhood cancer setting in the United Kingdom
Authors: Barnett Shelby , Kong Jordon , Makin Guy , Veal Gareth J.
Published: June 2020

The widely used platinum agent carboplatin represents a good example of an anticancer drug where clear relationships between pharmacological exposure and clinical response and toxicity have previously been shown. Within the setting of childhood cancer, there are defined groups of patients who present a particular challenge when dosing with carboplatin, including neonates and infants, those who are anephric, and poor prognosis patients receiving high‐dose chemotherapy. For these groups, nonstandard chemotherapy dosing regimens are currently utilised, often with different approaches between clinical study protocols and between treatment centres. For the treatment of these patient populations in the UK, there is now significant experience in carrying out therapeutic drug monitoring, aiming to consistently achieve target drug exposures, maximise drug efficacy and minimise treatment‐related side effects. An ongoing clinical trial is currently providing information on drug exposure for a wide range of anticancer agents in these hard to treat patient populations. In addition to supporting dosing decisions for individual patients, the collection and analysis of these data may allow the development of future dosing regimens. For example, current reduced dosing approaches for neonates and infants based on age or body weight, may well be better replaced by regimens based on a sound pharmacological rationale. The successful use of adaptive carboplatin dosing in childhood cancer should encourage the development of therapeutic drug monitoring approaches more widely in an oncology setting.
Tumor microenvironment in gastric cancers
Authors: Oya Yukiko , Hayakawa Yoku , Koike Kazuhiko
Published: June 2020

The tumor microenvironment favors the growth and expansion of cancer cells. Many cell types are involved in the tumor microenvironment such as inflammatory cells, fibroblasts, nerves, and vascular endothelial cells. These stromal cells contribute to tumor growth by releasing various molecules to either directly activate the growth signaling in cancer cells or remodel surrounding areas. This review introduces recent advances in findings on the interactions within the tumor microenvironment such as in cancer‐associated fibroblasts (CAFs), immune cells, and endothelial cells, in particular those established in mouse gastric cancer models. In mice, myofibroblasts in the gastric stroma secrete R‐spondin and support normal gastric stem cells. Most CAFs promote tumor growth in a paracrine manner, but CAF population appears to be heterogeneous in terms of their function and origin, and include both tumor‐promoting and tumor‐restraining populations. Among immune cell populations, tumor‐associated macrophages, including M1 and M2 macrophages, and myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), are reported to directly or indirectly promote gastric tumorigenesis by secreting soluble factors or modulating immune responses. Endothelial cells or blood vessels not only fuel tumors with nutrients, but also interact with cancer stem cells and immune cells by secreting chemokines or cytokines, and act as a cancer niche. Understanding these interactions within the tumor microenvironment would contribute to unraveling new therapeutic targets.
Buschke‐Ollendorff syndrome with LEMD3 germline stopgain mutation p.R678* presenting as multiple subcutaneous nodules with mucin deposition
Authors: Xu Zhijun , Yang Chao , Xue Ruzeng
Published: June 2020

Buschke‐Ollendorff syndrome (BOS; OMIM 166700) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder characterized by the existence of connective tissue nevus and/or osteopoikilosis. The skin lesions usually present as firm, yellow, or flesh‐colored papules and nodules, which may coalesce into plaques and increase in size and number over time. We present a case of a 26‐year‐old male with multiple subcutaneous nodules on the waist and thigh for more than 20 years. Being deeply seated, his skin lesions were not visible and could only be appreciated by palpation. Accordingly, pathology showed an increase in thick, crossed, or paralleled, elastic fibers arranged between the collagen bundles in the lower part of the reticular dermis and the subcutaneous fat with mucin deposition. Heterozygous point mutation in exon 8 of the LEMD3 gene was detected, which confirmed the diagnosis of BOS. The deeply situated nature of skin lesions noted in our case has not been reported in the literature of BOS. Our case thus expands the clinical and pathological features of the disease.
Comprehensive data integration—Toward a more personalized assessment of diastolic function
Authors: Loncaric Filip , Cikes Maja , Sitges Marta , Bijnens Bart
Published: June 2020

Background and aim

The main challenge of assessing diastolic function is the balance between clinical utility, in the sense of usability and time‐efficiency, and overall applicability, in the sense of precision for the patient under investigation. In this review, we aim to explore the challenges of integrating data in the assessment of diastolic function and discuss the perspectives of a more comprehensive data integration approach.

Methods

Review of traditional and novel approaches regarding data integration in the assessment of diastolic function.

Results

Comprehensive data integration can lead to improved understanding of disease phenotypes and better relation of these phenotypes to underlying pathophysiological processes—which may help affirm diagnostic reasoning, guide treatment options, and reduce limitations related to previously unaddressed confounders. The optimal assessment of diastolic function should ideally integrate all relevant clinical information with all available structural and functional whole cardiac cycle echocardiographic data—envisioning a personalized approach to patient care, a high‐reaching future goal in medicine.

Conclusion

Complete data integration seems to be a long‐lasting goal, the way forward in diastology, and machine learning seems to be one of the tools suited for the challenge. With perpetual evidence that traditional approaches to complex problems may not the optimal solution, there is room for a steady and cautious, and inherently very exciting paradigm shift toward novel diagnostic tools and workflows to reach a more personalized, comprehensive, and integrated assessment of cardiac function.
ON EQUILIBRIUM PLAYER ORDERING IN DYNAMIC TEAM CONTESTS
Authors: Fu Qiang , Lu Jingfeng
Published: June 2020

We study equilibrium player ordering in a dynamic all‐pay contest between two teams. The contest lasts two periods, and each team consists of two players who perform in different periods on behalf of their teams. The team with the higher aggregate output wins the prize, which is a public good to its players. Each team has one stronger player and one weaker player, and the two teams can differ in their values of the prize. The teams maximize their winning odds by strategically assigning their players to different periods. We find that when the intrateam heterogeneity in player ability is not excessive, the teams would allocate their stronger players to the late positions as the “anchormen.” When both the intrateam ability gap and interteam heterogeneity in teams' values become excessively large, the team with high value always places its stronger player in the early position, who will place a large bid to preempt late competition. (JELC7, D7, D8)
Role of vitamin D in oxidative stress modulation in end‐stage renal disease patients: A double‐blind randomized clinical trial
Authors: Malekmakan Leila , Karimi Zeinab , Mansourian Afshin , Pakfetrat Maryam , Roozbeh Jamshid , Rahimi Jaberi Khojaste
Published: June 2020

Introduction

Oxidative stress is considered as important actor in uremia‐associated morbidity and mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients. We aimed to evaluate the role of vitamin D supplementation on oxidative stress parameters in this group.

Methods

This double‐blind randomized clinical trial was conducted on HD patients who were randomly allocated into intervention (n = 40) or control groups (n = 38) for 10 weeks. Blood samples were taken before and at the end of the trial to measure serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Data were analyzed using SPSS, and P value <0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.

Findings

Out of the 78 patients with a mean age of 44.7 ± 13.0 years, 55.1% were men. At the commencement of the study, there was no difference with respect to serum 25(OH)D levels in our groups (P = 0.575), but during the study it was significantly elevated in the intervention group (18.1 ± 9.1 vs. 31.7 ± 12.9, P < 0.0001). Serum antioxidative enzymes activity (GPx, CAT, and SOD) had significantly increased after vitamin D supplementation in the intervention group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, MDA levels was significantly reduced only in the intervention group (31.7 ± 18.0 vs. 24.7 ± 7.7, P = 0.018).

Discussion

Regular consumption of vitamin D can increase the GPx, CAT, SOD, and reduce the MDA plasma levels in HD patients. Since no adverse effects of vitamin D supplementation was reported by the patients; hence, it can be prescribed for HD patients.