bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A 12-Week Cycling Workstation Intervention Improves Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Healthy Inactive Office Workers
Authors: Guirado Terry , Metz Lore , Pereira Bruno , Brun Carole , Birat Anthony , Boscaro Audrey , Bergouignan Audrey , Thivel David , Duclos Martine
Published: June 2022

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a portable pedal machine intervention (60 minutes per working day) for 12 weeks on healthy tertiary employees’ cardiometabolic risk factors.

Methods

Anthropometric parameters, body composition, cardiometabolic/inflammatory markers, physical fitness, physical activity, and sedentary time measured before and after the intervention were compared between office healthy workers who used a portable pedal machine (INT, n = 17) and those who did not (CTRL, n = 15).

Results

The INT group improved Δultrasensitive C-reactive protein (P = 0.008), Δtotal cholesterol (P = 0.028), and Δlight-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P = 0.048) compared with the CTRL group (Δ: T1–T0). The intervention reduced daily sitting time (P ≤ 0.01) and increased time spent at light intensity (P ≤ 0.01) and moderate-to-vigorous (P ≤ 0.01) physical activity compared with baseline values.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that promoting physical activity during workdays can reduce the negative health effects of spending too much time sitting and inactive.
Chronic Low-Level Cyanide Intoxication in an Electroplating Plant in Taiwan
Authors: Fan Hao-Yi , Luo Jiin-Chyuan John , Yeh Wei-Chung , Tsao Yu-Chung , Huang Pai-Tsang
Published: June 2022

Objective

This study aimed to investigate clinical symptoms among electroplating workers exposed to cyanide.

Methods

In this study, 26 silver-plating and 51 gold-plating workers completed questionnaires and were tested for urinary thiocyanates. Air cyanide, urinary thiocyanates, and clinical symptoms were compared between workers using Student t and χ2 test and further analyzed by multivariate linear regression.

Results

Air cyanide and urinary thiocyanate were higher in the silver-plating plant than the gold-plating plant. In both plants, a dose-response relationship was observed between exposure status and thiocyanate levels. Silver-plating workers reported a higher frequency of almond odor detection, nasal bleeding, excessive salivation, skin scalding, and corrosion. Urinary thiocyanates were associated with the plant and exposure status, but not with smoking.

Conclusions

Our study suggests that silver-plating workers had higher exposure and more symptoms. Urinary thiocyanate may be a useful biomarker for cyanide exposure.
Determinants of Stress, Depression, Quality of Life, and Intent to Leave in Washington State Emergency Medical Technicians During COVID-19
Authors: Srikanth Pranav , Monsey Lily M. , Meischke Hendrika W. , Baker Marissa G.
Published: June 2022

Objectives

This study characterizes determinants of stress, depression, quality of life, and intent to leave among emergency medical technicians (EMTs) in the Puget Sound region, Washington, during the COVID-19 pandemic and identifies areas for intervention on these outcomes.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey measured stress, depression, quality of life, and intent to leave among EMTs (N = 123). Regression models were developed for these outcomes.

Results

A total of 23.8% of respondents were very likely to leave their position in the next 6 months. Job demands predicted stress and depression, and financial security predicted stress and quality of life. Intent to leave was predicted by stress, manager support, and length of employment.

Conclusions

Increased exposure to hazards has impacted EMT mental health. Emergency medical technicians are vital to healthcare, so improving EMT health and well-being is important, as attrition during a pandemic could impact public health.
Distribution Pattern of the Monoamine Oxidase B Ligand, 18F-THK5351, in the Healthy Brain
Authors: Ishibashi Kenji , Miura Yoshiharu , Tago Tetsuro , Toyohara Jun , Higashihara Mana , Iwata Atsushi , Ishii Kenji
Published: June 2022

Background

18F-THK5351 PET estimates the concentrations of monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) that are preferentially located in astrocytes and can be used to visualize and quantify ongoing astrogliosis. To study images of astrogliosis in neurological disorders, it is essential to understand the detailed binding sites of 18F-THK5351 as the MAO-B ligand under normal conditions. In this study, we examined the detailed distribution pattern of 18F-THK5351 in the healthy brain by comparing 18F-THK5351 uptake between subjects taking and not taking the MAO-B inhibitor.

Methods

Ten healthy controls (HCs: 67.4 [SD, 15.1] years) and 4 patients with Parkinson disease taking the MAO-B inhibitor underwent 18F-THK5351 PET. The uptake ratio index (URI) was defined to quantify 18F-THK5351 uptake, using the cerebellum as a reference region. The cerebellar URI was set to zero.

Results

For HCs, regions with URI ≥1 were preferentially observed in the following order: the striatum, globus pallidus, thalamus, hypothalamus, amygdala, periaqueductal gray, substantia nigra, medulla, hippocampus, and pons. The peak URI values in the corresponding regions were 2.93, 2.47, 2.12, 2.04, 1.84, 1.68, 1.67, 1.37, 1.20, and 1.11, respectively. For all patients with Parkinson disease taking the MAO-B inhibitor, the URI values in all these regions were significantly decreased (Z score >2) and were reduced from 60.4% to 99.9%, compared with HCs.

Conclusions

This study presented the detailed distribution pattern of 18F-THK5351 in HCs and suggests that 18F-THK5351 uptake largely reflects MAO-B concentrations under normal conditions.
Survival Benefit in Older Patients Transplanted With Viremic Hepatitis C Positive Kidneys When Compared With High KDPI Kidneys
Authors: Sibulesky Lena , Leca Nicolae , Limaye Ajit P. , Ramasamy Bakthavatsalam , Perkins James D.
Published: June 2022

Background.

Because of the continued demand in kidney transplantation, organs from donors with risk criteria for blood-borne viruses, high Kidney Donor Profile Index (KDPI) kidneys, and hepatitis C virus (HCV)–positive kidneys are being considered. There continues to be reluctance on the part of the providers and the candidates to accept HCV-positive kidneys.

Methods.

We conducted a retrospective analysis of the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network database of all adult (≥18 y old) recipients undergoing kidney transplant from May 10, 2013, to June 30, 2021. We compared patient and graft survival in candidates who received HCV-positive kidneys versus non–hepatitis C (Hep C) high KDPI kidneys by estimated posttransplant survival (EPTS) groups.

Results.

HCV-viremic kidneys were transplanted in 5.6% of patients in the EPTS >61% group compared with 5.1% of patients in the 21%–60% EPTS group and 1.9% of 0%–20% EPTS group (P < 0.001). Of all transplants performed in the EPTS 61%–100% group, 11.9% were KDPI >85% compared with 5.2% in the EPTS 21%–60%, and 0.5% in the EPTS 0%–20%. Patient survival was significantly longer at 1, 3, and 5 y in the EPTS >61% group who received Hep C–viremic or –nonviremic allografts compared with non–Hep C kidneys with KDPI >85%. When it comes to listing, only 25% of candidates in the EPTS >61% group were listed for Hep C nucleic acid testing–positive kidneys in 2021.

Conclusions.

Our findings could be used for counseling candidates on the types of kidneys they should consider for transplantation. Also, listing practices for viremic Hep C kidneys need continued re-evaluation.
Fluid phase biomarkers in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Selmaj Krzysztof W. , Mycko Marcin P. , Furlan Roberto , Rejdak Konrad
Published: June 2022

Purpose of review

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is highly heterogenic disorder with respect to clinical course, diagnosis, and treatment response. There is an urgent need to search for simply and reliable fluid body biomarker which would assist the diagnosis and prediction of clinical and treatment prognosis.

Recent findings

‘Traditional’ MS biomarkers, with exception of cerebrospinal fluid oligoclonal bands, still are having limited clinical value. Therefore, there is growing interest in novel molecules and ingredients. The most robust results have been generated with regard to cerebrospinal fluid and serum levels of neurofilament light chains (NfL). However, there are still some limitations related to specificity of NfL which delays its use in everyday practice. We present a new approach to search for biomarkers involving extracellular RNA, particularly microRNA (miRNA), and small extracellular vesicles. MiRNA represents an important molecular mechanism influencing gene expression, including those involved in MS pathogenesis and extracellular vesicles transfer multiple cargo, including myelin molecules from parental cells of central nervous system to the long-distance targets.

MiRNAs which control gene expression in cells involved in autoimmune processes in MS as well as extracellular vesicles transferring myelin content might generate a new promising categories of biomarkers of MS.
Promoting exogenous repair in multiple sclerosis: myelin regeneration
Authors: Bezukladova Svetlana , Genchi Angela , Panina-Bordignon Paola , Martino Gianvito
Published: June 2022

Purpose of the review

Despite the significant progress in the development of disease-modifying treatments for multiple sclerosis (MS), repair of existing damage is still poorly addressed. Current research focuses on stem cell-based therapies as a suitable alternative or complement to current drug therapies.

Recent findings

Myelin damage is a hallmark of multiple sclerosis, and novel approaches leading to remyelination represent a promising tool to prevent neurodegeneration of the underlying axon. With increasing evidence of diminishing remyelination capacity of the MS brain with ageing and disease progression, exogenous cell transplantation is a promising therapeutic approach for restoration of oligodendrocyte precursor cell pool reserve and myelin regeneration.

The present review summarizes recent developments of remyelinating therapies in multiple sclerosis, focusing on exogenous cell-based strategies and discussing related scientific, practical, and ethical concerns.
Endogenous clues promoting remyelination in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Lubetzki Catherine , Zalc Bernard , Kremer David , Küry Patrick
Published: June 2022

Purpose of review

The introduction some 30 years ago of β-interferon, followed by a panel of immunomodulators and immunosuppressants has led to a remarkable improvement in the management of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Despite these noticeable progresses, which lower the number of relapses and thereby ameliorate patients’ quality of life, preventing long-term progression of disability is still an unmet need, highlighting the necessity to develop therapeutic strategies aimed at repairing demyelinated lesions and protecting axons from degeneration. The capacity of human brain to self-regenerate demyelinated lesion has opened a field of research aimed at fostering this endogenous potential.

Recent findings

The pioneer electron microscopic evidence by Périer and Grégoire [Périer O, Grégoire A. Electron microscopic features of multiple sclerosis lesions. Brain 1965; 88:937–952] suggesting the capacity of human brain to self-regenerate demyelinated lesion has opened a field of research aimed at fostering this endogenous potential. Here we review some recently identified mechanisms involved in the remyelination process, focusing on the role of electrical activity and the involvement of innate immune cells. We then provide an update on current strategies promoting endogenous myelin repair.

Identification of therapeutic targets for remyelination has opened an active therapeutic field in MS. Although still in early phase trials, with heterogenous efficacy, the door for myelin regeneration in MS is now opened.
MRI and laboratory monitoring of disease-modifying therapy efficacy and risks
Authors: Barnett Michael , Barnett Yael , Reddel Stephen
Published: June 2022

Purpose of review

Increasingly, therapeutic strategy in multiple sclerosis (MS) is informed by imaging and laboratory biomarkers, in addition to traditional clinical factors. Here, we review aspects of monitoring the efficacy and risks of disease-modifying therapy (DMT) with both conventional and emerging MRI and laboratory measures.

Recent findings

The adoption of consensus-driven, stable MRI acquisition protocols and artificial intelligence-based, quantitative image analysis is heralding an era of precision monitoring of DMT efficacy. New MRI measures of compartmentalized inflammation, neuro-degeneration and repair complement traditional metrics but require validation before use in individual patients. Laboratory markers of brain cellular injury, such as neurofilament light, are robust outcomes in DMT efficacy trials; their use in clinical practice is being refined. DMT-specific laboratory monitoring for safety is critical and may include lymphocytes, immunoglobulins, autoimmunity surveillance, John Cunningham virus serology and COVID-19 vaccination seroresponse.

A biomarker-enhanced monitoring strategy has immediate clinical application, with growing evidence of long-term reductions in disability accrual when both clinically symptomatic and asymptomatic inflammatory activity is fully suppressed; and amelioration of the risks associated with therapy. Emerging MRI and blood-based measures will also become important tools for monitoring agents that target the innate immune system and promote neuro-repair.
Les femmes économistes: the place of women in the physiocratic community
Authors: Charles Loïc , Théré Christine
Published: June 2022

This article discusses the participation of women in the development of eighteenth-century French political economy and, more specifically, their role in the network of a prominent group of French economic authors of this period, known as the physiocrats. Our argument is that women played a significant, if seldom visible, role in the creation and dissemination of the ‘new science’ of physiocratic political economy. First, they acted as cultural mediators of the
science nouvelle
. It explains why the major physiocrats created a model of scientific institution that mixed academic life with salon sociability, and that was therefore open to women unlike the main European academies of the period. Second, we underline the importance of the domestic sphere in the making of physiocratic political economy. The case study of Marie Le Dée, the spouse of a prominent physiocrat, informed us on the invisible though important agency of women in the production of physiocratic knowledge.
Rapid adaptation of established high-throughput molecular testing infrastructure for detection of monkeypoxvirus
Authors: Nörz Dominik , Tang Hui Ting , Emmerich Petra , Giersch Katja , Fischer Nicole , Addo Marylyn M. , Aepfelbacher Martin , Pfefferle Susanne , Lütgehetmann Marc
Published: June 2022

Background

Since May 2022, a rising number of monkeypox-cases has been reported in non-endemic countries of the northern hemisphere. In contrast to previous clusters, infections seem predominantly driven by human-to-human transmission, rather than animal sources. In this study, we adapted two published qPCR assays (non-variola orthopoxvirus and monkeypoxvirus specific) for use as a lab-developed dual-target monkeypoxvirus-test on widely used automated high-throughput PCR-systems (cobas5800/6800/8800).

Methods

Selected assays were checked for in-silico inclusivity and exclusivity in current orthopoxvirus sequences, as well as for multiplex compatibility. Analytic performance was determined by serial dilution of monkeypoxvirus reference material, quantified by digital PCR. Cross reactivity was ruled out through a clinical exclusivity set containing various bloodborne and respiratory pathogens. Clinical performance was compared to a commercial manual RUO-kit using clinical remnant samples.

Results

Analytic lower limit of detection (LoD) was determined as 4.795 dcp/ml (CI95%: 3.598 - 8.633 dcp/ml) for both assays combined, with a dynamic range of at least 5 log-steps. The assay showed 100% positive and negative agreement with the manual RUO orthopoxvirus PCR test kit in clinical swab samples.

Discussion

While the full extend of the ongoing monkeypox outbreak remains to be established, the WHO and local health authorities are calling for increased awareness and efforts to limit further spread. For this, timely and scalable PCR tests are an important prerequisite. The assay presented here allows streamlined high-throughput molecular testing for monkeypoxvirus on existing hardware, broadly established previously for SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics.
Shot-to-shot two-dimensional photon intensity diagnostics within megahertz pulse-trains at the European XFEL
Authors: Guest Trey W. , Bean Richard , Bielecki Johan , Birnsteinova Sarlota , Geloni Gianluca , Guetg Marc , Kammering Raimund , Kirkwood Henry J. , Koch Andreas , Paganin David M. , van Riessen Grant , Vagovič Patrik , de Wijn Raphael , Mancuso Adrian P. , Abbey Brian
Published: June 2022

Characterizing the properties of X-ray free-electron laser (XFEL) sources is a critical step for optimization of performance and experiment planning. The recent availability of MHz XFELs has opened up a range of new opportunities for novel experiments but also highlighted the need for systematic measurements of the source properties. Here, MHz-enabled beam imaging diagnostics developed for the SPB/SFX instrument at the European XFEL are exploited to measure the shot-to-shot intensity statistics of X-ray pulses. The ability to record pulse-integrated two-dimensional transverse intensity measurements at multiple planes along an XFEL beamline at MHz rates yields an improved understanding of the shot-to-shot photon beam intensity variations. These variations can play a critical role, for example, in determining the outcome of single-particle imaging experiments and other experiments that are sensitive to the transverse profile of the incident beam. It is observed that shot-to-shot variations in the statistical properties of a recorded ensemble of radiant intensity distributions are sensitive to changes in electron beam current density. These changes typically occur during pulse-distribution to the instrument and are currently not accounted for by the existing suite of imaging diagnostics. Modulations of the electron beam orbit in the accelerator are observed to induce a time-dependence in the statistics of individual pulses – this is demonstrated by applying radio-frequency trajectory tilts to electron bunch-trains delivered to the instrument. We discuss how these modifications of the beam trajectory might be used to modify the statistical properties of the source and potential future applications.
Extracting entity relations for “problem-solving” knowledge graph of scientific domains using word analogy
Authors: Chen Guo , Peng Jiabin , Xu Tianxiang , Xiao Lu
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Problem-solving” is the most crucial key insight of scientific research. This study focuses on constructing the “problem-solving” knowledge graph of scientific domains by extracting four entity relation types: problem-solving, problem hierarchy, solution hierarchy and association.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents a low-cost method for identifying these relationships in scientific papers based on word analogy. The problem-solving and hierarchical relations are represented as offset vectors of the head and tail entities and then classified by referencing a small set of predefined entity relations.

Findings

This paper presents an experiment with artificial intelligence papers from the Web of Science and achieved good performance. The F1 scores of entity relation types problem hierarchy, problem-solving and solution hierarchy, which were 0.823, 0.815 and 0.748, respectively. This paper used computer vision as an example to demonstrate the application of the extracted relations in constructing domain knowledge graphs and revealing historical research trends.

Originality/value

This paper uses an approach that is highly efficient and has a good generalization ability. Instead of relying on a large-scale manually annotated corpus, it only requires a small set of entity relations that can be easily extracted from external knowledge resources.
Assessing books’ academic impacts via integrated computation of multi-level citation information
Authors: Zhou Qingqing
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Citations have been used as a common basis to measure the academic accomplishments of scientific books. However, traditional citation analysis ignored content mining and without consideration of citation equivalence, which may lead to the decline of evaluation reliability. Hence, this paper aims to integrate multi-level citation information to conduct multi-dimensional analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, books’ academic impacts were measured by integrating multi-level citation resources, including books’ citation frequencies and citation-related contents. Specifically, firstly, books’ citation frequencies were counted as the frequency-level metric. Secondly, content-level metrics were detected from multi-dimensional citation contents based on finer-grained mining, including topic extraction on the metadata and citation classification on the citation contexts. Finally, differential metric weighting methods were compared with integrate the multi-level metrics and computing books’ academic impacts.

Findings

The experimental results indicate that the integration of multiple citation resources is necessary, as it can significantly improve the comprehensiveness of the evaluation results. Meanwhile, compared with the type differences of books, disciplinary differences need more attention when evaluating the academic impacts of books.

Originality/value

Academic impact assessment of books via integrating multi-level citation information can provide more detailed evaluation information and cover shortcomings of methods based on single citation data. Moreover, the method proposed in this paper is publication independent, which can be used to measure other publications besides books.
The effect of high-performance work systems on risk-taking and organizational citizenship behaviors: the mediating role of perceived safety climate
Authors: Aboramadan Mohammed , Kundi Yasir Mansoor , Elhamalawy Eissa , Albashiti Belal
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Building on the social exchange theory and the norm of reciprocity, this study examines the effect of high-performance work systems (HPWS) during the COVID-19 pandemic on employee's risk-taking behavior and organizational citizenship behavior (OCB). Among the aforementioned links, perceived safety climate was theorized as a mediating mechanism.

Design/methodology/approach

Multisource and time-lagged data were gathered from a sample of employees and their supervisors working in Palestinian nonprofit organizations.

Findings

HPWS were shown to boost risk-taking behavior during COVID-19 pandemic. The direct effect between HPWS and OCB was not significant. Furthermore, safety climate mediated the effect of HPWS on both risk-taking behavior and OCB.

Practical implications

The study's findings can be used by managers with regard to the utility of HPWS during times of crises and their impact on important behavioral outcomes.

Originality/value

HRM scholars have started to look at how HR practices can be useful in helping to overcome a pandemic. However, limited empirical knowledge is available on the effects of HPWS on employees' work outcomes during crises. The study is aimed at addressing the aforementioned gap.
Preventing social engineering: a phenomenological inquiry
Authors: Pharris Lily , Perez-Mira Begona
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological qualitative research study is to understand the essence of what it is like to be an information systems professional working in the USA while managing and defending against social engineering attacks on an organization. The findings add to the information system (IS) body of literature by uncovering commonly shared attitudes, motivations, experiences and beliefs held by IS professionals who are responsible for protecting their company from social engineering attacks.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a qualitative, transcendental phenomenological study that was developed to gain a deeper understanding about the essence of what it is like to be an IS professional defending a US business against social engineering attacks. This research design is used when sharing the experiences of study participants is more important than presenting the interpretations of the researcher. To target participants from the industries identified as regularly targeted by social engineers, purposive sampling was used in conjunction with the snowball sampling technique to find additional participants until saturation was reached.

Findings

Ten themes emerged from the data analysis: (1) foster a security culture, (2) prevention means education, (3) layered security means better protection, (4) prepare, defend and move on, (5) wide-ranging responsibilities, (6) laying the pipes, (7) all hands on deck, (8) continuous improvement, (9) attacks will never be eliminated and (10) moving pieces makes it harder. The ten themes, together, reveal the essence of the shared experiences of the participants with the phenomenon.

Originality/value

Understanding how to defend an enterprise from social engineering attacks is an international issue with implications for businesses and IS professionals across the world. The findings revealed that to prevent social engineer attacks, all employees – IS and non-IS professionals alike – must be unified in their desire to protect the organization. This means IS professionals and organizational leadership must establish a strong security culture, not only through layered technology and electronic controls but also through open communication between all departments and continuously engaging, training and reinforcing social engineering education, policies, procedures and practices with all employees.
Affective components of gastronomy tourism: measurement scale development and validation
Authors: Hsu Fu-Chieh , Liu Jing , Lin Hua
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Our knowledge of what emotions are elicited explicitly from food consumption and gastronomy experiences in the travel destination and how these emotions establish a relationship with tourists’ behavior is limited. Thus, this study aims to enrich the current knowledge in the gastronomy tourism field from the affective experience perspective and develop a scale to measure tourists’ affective gastronomy experiences (TAGES).

Design/methodology/approach

Both qualitative scale development and quantitative scale validation were conducted to ensure the psychometric properties of TAGES.

Findings

With the focus group’s contributions and experts’ validation, 12 gastronomy experience affects were identified in the first stage. In the second stage, a quantitative data collection involving 650 samples helped refine the scale. Finally, a reliable and valid scale with five items measuring TAGES was successfully developed.

Originality/value

This study provides a novel perspective by viewing tourists’ gastronomy experiences through an affective lens. Moreover, this study successfully provides evidence for the psychometric properties of the newly developed TAGES by systematically applying item response theory (IRT) and classical test theory (CTT). This study enriches the gastronomy tourism domain by developing the TAGES and presenting a rigorous and exhaustive investigation of its psychometric properties based on an integration of IRT and CTT. A valid and reliable scale that measures the TAGES fills the gastronomy literature gap and proposes an effective tool for future gastronomy experience studies.
Impact of COVID-19 on mental health and career anxiety of hospitality and tourism students in the UK
Authors: Rahimi Roya , Akgunduz Yilmaz , Bilgihan Anil
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The current study investigates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health and career perspectives of the future workforce of the tourism and hospitality industry in the UK. The paper is based on theories of emotion and focuses on the interplay role of three factors of fear of COVID-19, depression, and future career anxiety.

Design/methodology/approach

The current research uses a mixed-method approach in two studies to answer the research questions. First, an online questionnaire was distributed among 197 current tourism and hospitality students in the UK. In the second phase through a qualitative approach and 17 semi-structured interviews, a more in-depth approach was taken to understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the future career perspectives of the respondents.

Findings

Findings reveal a high level of mental health disorders among respondents. The majority of respondents suffer from some sort of mental health conditions/disorders that affect their moods, thinking, and behaviors. The results further show that the fear of COVID-19 causes depression which results in career anxiety.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that the future tourism workforce in the UK is likely to suffer from some sort of mental health disorder that can influence their performances in the workplace. Companies are advised to make adjustments that help to protect the well-being and psychological health of their staff.

Originality/value

Previous studies used a snapshot in time only with a focus on the immediate and short-term effects of the pandemic. In the current study, by taking a long-term impact approach, the authors attempted to understand the psychological impact of the COVID-19 on the future workforce of the tourism industry in the UK and offered practical implications for stakeholders.
Islamic accounting research between 1982 and 2020: a hybrid review
Authors: Alshater Muneer M. , Hassan M. Kabir , Sarea Adel , Samhan Hussein Mohammad
Published: June 2022

Purpose

This study aims to explore the Islamic accounting literature and attempts to identify the worldwide research trends of accounting for Islamic financial institutions.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopts a mixed review approach combining the bibliometric method with content analysis. Consulting Scopus database, the authors collect 195 documents (articles and reviews) relative to the Islamic accounting field from 1982 to 2020. VOSviewer, RStudio (biblioshiny) and Excel analysed the data.

Findings

The study revealed the influential scientific actors in the Islamic accounting field, categorising the intellectual structure into seven streams: accounting for Waqf, accounting for Zakat, Shariah auditing, corporate Shariah governance and screening, accounting for different modes of Islamic financing, education and ethics. The study further provides future research directions for researchers.

Social implications

The findings highlight the efforts of academicians, researchers and practitioners in this emerging field. This effort provides awareness to different stakeholders on Islamic accounting, which will lead to better stewardship, accountability and information-based decision in line with Islamic economic principles.

Originality/value

This study is among the first Islamic accounting bibliometric papers that would help researchers stand on a firm basis concerning the development of the literature in this scientific domain.
The efficacy of mHealth for stress and burnout in clinical settings and supervisions
Authors: Prescott Julie , Rathbone Amy
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Stress and burnout are continuous concerns in clinical settings. This has been exacerbated due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic which has impacted health-care professionals globally. Supervision can support staff in clinical setting and help prevent stress and burnout. The purpose of this review is to consider the efficacy of mobile apps for reducing stress and burnout in clinical settings and supervisions.

Design/methodology/approach

A comprehensive literature search was carried out using online databases such as Scopus, PubMed, CINAHL, PsychINFO, PsychARTICLES, MEDLINE and SAGE. From the searches, nine studies were included in the review after meeting the inclusion criteria.

Findings

Of the nine studies, eight related to stress and/or burnout and one related to work engagement. There were no specific studies which related directly to the use of mobile health (mHealth) for clinical supervision.

Research limitations/implications

Through a focus on the efficacy of mHealth for stress and burnout in clinical settings and supervisions, the review highlights the efficacy of mHealth apps used in for stress and burnout in clinical settings and the importance of engagement of clinical staff. This will not only provide a higher quality of empirical evidence, but it will also lead to more positive outcomes for the mental health of clinical staff.

Originality/value

This review focussed upon the efficacy of mHealth for stress and burnout in clinical settings and supervisions. In comparison to previous reviews, this review differs because it combines both stress and burnout and clinical supervisions as the focal areas for improvement via the use of mHealth.
Study on the effects of guide fins structures on the flow and thermal uniformity of the motorcycle exhaust thermoelectric generator
Authors: Hong Thong Duc , Nghiem Quan Thien Phan , Nguyen Binh Trong , Mai Tinh Van
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of different guide fins structures (i.e. single-layer and double-layer guide fins) on the exhaust flow and thermal uniformity of the motorcycle exhaust thermoelectric generator.

Design/methodology/approach

One single-layer guide fins structure and three double-layer guide fins structures are numerically investigated in terms of exhaust flow uniformity with different exhaust properties. Then, the double-layer guide fins structure achieving the highest flow uniformity is fabricated and experimentally investigated on a motorcycle at different engine speeds together with the single-layer guide fins structure to evaluate the thermal uniformity.

Findings

The double-layer guide fins structure obtains a better flow uniformity and thermal uniformity compared to the single-layer structure. Among surveyed structures, the double-layer structure with three closed V-shape guide fins achieves the highest flow uniformity. This structure also improves the thermal uniformity from 3.0 to 90.1% in comparison with the single-layer structure in experiments.

Originality/value

In this paper, the double-layer guide fins structures are derived from the improvement of the single-layer guide fins structure. The fluid flow uniformity index is applied as a measure for assessing the exhaust flow uniformity. The enhancement of thermal uniformity of the double-layer guide fins structure is expected to increase the longevity and performance of the motorcycle exhaust thermoelectric generator.
Color difference of yarn-dyed fabrics woven from warp and weft yarns in different color depths
Authors: Wang Xiaoyan , Zhang Jiaxin , Jiang Yang , Du Jinmei , Miao Dagang , Xu Changhai
Published: June 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to determine the most practically applicable color-difference formula for yarn-dyed fabrics woven from warp and weft yarns in different color depths and to establish color-difference tolerance for perceptibility by evaluating yarn-dyed fabrics visually and instrumentally.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 108 sample pairs were evaluated by a panel of 13 observers with perceptibility method under three typical light sources (A, D65 and cool white fluorescent). The data sets were statistically analyzed by the homogeneity of variance test (F-test), analysis of variance, standardized residual sum of squares and performance factor/3.

Findings

Light sources had a slight influence on the visual assessments of yarn-dyed fabrics. Among the eight color-difference formulae for measurements of yarn-dyed fabrics, CIEDE2000(2:1:1) outperformed all other tested formulae, and the color tolerance for the perceptibility of CIEDE2000(2:1:1) was 0.62. When the homochromy index (K) of warp and weft yarns of yarn-dyed fabric was lower than 1.25, the color difference based on ΔE*00(2:1:1) between the two samples was acceptable in terms of the color tolerance for perceptibility (i.e. 0.62).

Practical implications

The warp and weft yarns in different color depths could be woven in fabric with a relatively uniform color appearance.

Originality/value

This study could contribute to cost savings by reusing disqualified dyed yarns during the weaving manufacturing process.
Digitalization and academic research: knowing of and using digital services and software to develop scientific papers
Authors: Brunetti Federico , Bonfanti Angelo , Chiarini Andrea , Vannucci Virginia
Published: June 2022

Purpose

This paper explores how digitalization affects the academic research publication process by taking into account the perspective of management scholars. It provides an overview of the digital professional services dedicated to academic research, and investigates academics' awareness of, the impact on the publication process of, and scholars' expectations regarding digital services and software.

Design/methodology/approach

This explorative study adopted a qualitative approach by performing direct observations of websites regarding digital professional research services and in-depth interviews with national and international management scholars.

Findings

The multiple digital professional services dedicated to academic research enable authors to develop a scientific paper independently or with the support of professionals. The scholars' awareness regarding the digital services and software was limited, because of both the plethora of options on the market and the frequent use of the same digital tools over time. In impact terms, these tools enable scholars to improve research quality and to increase productivity. However, the negative effects led scholars to express different expectations about how they can be improved and what difficulties should be overcome to favor the publication process.

Practical implications

The results of this study provide suggestions both for scholars who engage in academic research and digital services and software providers.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to examine the ongoing development of digitalization in support of the research publication process from the perspective of academics.
A study on critical failure factors of Design for Six Sigma in Indian companies: results from a pilot survey
Authors: Bhat Shreeranga , Antony Jiju , E.V. Gijo , Koul Rajesh , Cudney Elizabeth A. , Chakraborty Ayon
Published: June 2022

Purpose

While Six Sigma (SS) has been deployed effectively in Indian manufacturing and service sectors as a process improvement methodology, the implementation of Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) for robust product and service development has not shown noticeable results. Therefore, this article aims to determine the critical failure factors (CFFs) of DFSS in the Indian context.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents the results of a pilot survey on the CFFs of DFSS in Indian companies. The survey participants were specialists in DFSS who have been involved in DFSS projects in their past and present companies. Moreover, the pilot study participants were DFSS Champions, Master Black Belts, Black Belts and Green Belts from the manufacturing and service sectors.

Findings

Company-wide applications of DFSS are very limited in India. Most of the DFSS project failures are reported in the Analyse phase of the project. The results indicated that all 18 CFFs used in the survey have a significant impact on project failures. Also, it was determined that all CFFs are positively correlated with each other. Further, a strong correlation was observed between the voice of the customer (VOC) and project selection and prioritisation. In addition, effective training showed a strong correlation with the right selection of tools.

Research limitations/implications

The pilot survey was based on a limited sample size. Moreover, the study is confined to only the Indian context and data were collected through the authors' networks. However, respondents were proficient, certified and involved in DFSS project deployment in the manufacturing and service sectors. Therefore, the study's findings are useful and meaningful to draw robust inferences.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first empirical study conducted in the Indian context to identify the reasons for DFSS project failures. The study's findings can aid academicians and practitioners in comprehending and critically examining the CFFs of DFSS before executing a project. Moreover, the research outcome motivates policymakers to create an ecosystem to effectively adopt DFSS for start-ups and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) to ensure a circular economy and support the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiative.
Chitosan–ZnO nanocomposite coating for inhibition of Listeria monocytogenes on the surface and within white brined cheese
Authors: Olaimat Amin N. , Sawalha Amani Ghazi Ahmad , Al‐Nabulsi Anas A. , Osaili Tareq , Al‐Biss Burhan Aldeen , Ayyash Mutamed , Holley Richard A.
Published: June 2022

Several types of cheeses including white brined cheese have been linked to listeriosis outbreaks worldwide. This study aimed to (i) investigate the in vitro inhibitory activity of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) at concentrations of 0.0125–0.1% against three Listeria monocytogenes strains at 10 or 37°C, (ii) evaluate the antimicrobial efficiency of chitosan‐based coating containing 1.0% ZnO NPs against L. monocytogenes on the surface or inside vacuum‐packaged white brined cheese at 4 or 10°C, and iii) determine the migration of ZnO NPs from the surface to the interior of cheeses using energy dispersive X‐ray analysis (EDX). The antimicrobial activity of ZnO NPs was higher at 37°C than at 10°C. The initial numbers (4.0 log CFU/ml) of two L. monocytogenes strains were reduced below detectable levels, while the third strain was reduced by 1.2 log CFU/ml at 37°C. At 10°C, the initial L. monocytogenes numbers were reduced by 0.4–1.9 log CFU/ml. Chitosan coating containing 1.0% ZnO NPs reduced L. monocytogenes numbers by 1.5 and 3.7 log CFU/g on the surface or by 0.9 and 1.5 log CFU/g in the interior of vacuum‐packed cheese stored at 10 or 4°C, respectively. The EDX results showed that ZnO NP levels remained constant on the cheese surface with no indication of migration into the cheese matrix at the end of storage.

Practical Application: Chitosan and ZnO are antimicrobial agents and their combination in edible coatings has the potential for inactivating foodborne pathogens. Chitosan coating containing ZnO NPs can be used as an effective active packaging material to reduce numbers of L. monocytogenes in white brined cheese.
Genome architecture used to supplement species delineation in two cryptic marine ciliates
Authors: Smith Susan A. , Santoferrara Luciana F. , Katz Laura A. , McManus George B.
Published: June 2022

The purpose of this study is to determine which taxonomic methods can elucidate clear and quantifiable differences between two cryptic ciliate species, and to test the utility of genome architecture as a new diagnostic character in the discrimination of otherwise indistinguishable taxa. Two cryptic tintinnid ciliates, Schmidingerella arcuata and Schmidingerella meunieri, are compared via traditional taxonomic characters including lorica morphometrics, ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene barcodes and ecophysiological traits. In addition, single‐cell ‘omics analyses (single‐cell transcriptomics and genomics) are used to elucidate and compare patterns of micronuclear genome architecture between the congeners. The results include a highly similar lorica that is larger in S. meunieri, a 0%–0.5% difference in rRNA gene barcodes, two different and nine indistinguishable growth responses among 11 prey treatments, and distinct patterns of micronuclear genomic architecture for genes detected in both ciliates. Together, these results indicate that while minor differences exist between S. arcuata and S. meunieri in common indices of taxonomic identification (i.e., lorica morphology, DNA barcode sequences and ecophysiology), differences exist in their genomic architecture, which suggests potential genetic incompatibility. Different patterns of micronuclear architecture in genes shared by both isolates also enable the design of species‐specific primers, which are used in this study as unique “architectural barcodes” to demonstrate the co‐occurrence of both ciliates in samples collected from a NW Atlantic estuary. These results support the utility of genomic architecture as a tool in species delineation, especially in ciliates that are cryptic or otherwise difficult to differentiate using traditional methods of identification.
Slovenia: Political Developments and Data in 2021
Authors: KRAŠOVEC ALENKA
Published: June 2022

Slovenia faced a further backsliding in democracy/autocratisation process in 2021 as well as a hung National Assembly. Still, the minority government was stable and managed to pass many laws, largely due to the support of MPs from DeSUS, who often even acted against the will of the party's central bodies. However, one law was challenged by voters at referendum. An alliance of NGOs was able to attract 46 per cent of voters to the polls, with the outcome that amendments to the law on water were overwhelmingly rejected. The government encountered several public protests, including violent ones, and despite the public's huge disappointment – only around a mere 20 per cent of voters assessed the government's work as (very) positive in 2021 and just 14 per cent believed that Slovenia was going in the right direction – the opposition was unable to bring pressure to bear to force early elections to be held.
Effects of climate and human activity on the current distribution of amphibians in China
Authors: Mi Chunrong , Huettmann Falk , Li Xinhai , Jiang Zhongwen , Du Weiguo , Sun Baojun
Published: June 2022

In China, as elsewhere, amphibians are highly endangered. Anthropogenic environmental change has affected the distribution and population dynamics of species, and species distributions at a broad scale are strongly driven by climate and species’ ability to disperse. Yet, current knowledge remains limited on how widespread human activity affects the distribution patterns of amphibians in China and whether this effect extends beyond climate. We compiled a relatively comprehensive database on the distribution of 196 amphibian species in China from the literature, public databases, and field data. We obtained 25,826 records on almost 50% of known species in China. To test how environmental factors and human activities influence the current distribution of amphibians (1960–1990), we used range filling, which is species realized ranges relative to their potential climate distribution. We used all species occurrence records to represent realized range and niche models to predict potential distribution range. To reduce uncertainty, we used 3 regression methods (beta regression, generalized boosted regression models, and random forest) to test the associations of species range filling with human activity, climate, topography, and range size. The results of the 3 approaches were consistent. At the species level, mean annual precipitation (climate) had the most effect on spatial distribution pattern of amphibians in China, followed by range size. Human activity ranked last. At the spatial level, mean annual precipitation remained the most important factor. Regions in southeastern of China that are currently moist supported the highest amphibian diversity, but were predicted to experience a decline in precipitation under climate change scenarios. Consequently, the distributions of amphibians will likely shift to the northwest in the future, which could affect future conservation efforts.