bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Capturing functional relations in fluid–structure interaction via machine learning
Authors: Soni Tejas , Sharma Ashwani , Dutta Rajdeep , Dutta Annwesha , Jayavelu Senthilnath , Sarkar Saikat
Published: April 2022

While fluid–structure interaction (FSI) problems are ubiquitous in various applications from cell biology to aerodynamics, they involve huge computational overhead. In this paper, we adopt a machine learning (ML)-based strategy to bypass the detailed FSI analysis that requires cumbersome simulations in solving the Navier–Stokes equations. To mimic the effect of fluid on an immersed beam, we have introduced dissipation into the beam model with time-varying forces acting on it. The forces in a discretized set-up have been decoupled via an appropriate linear algebraic operation, which generates the ground truth force/moment data for the ML analysis. The adopted ML technique, symbolic regression, generates computationally tractable functional forms to represent the force/moment with respect to space and time. These estimates are fed into the dissipative beam model to generate the immersed beam’s deflections over time, which are in conformity with the detailed FSI solutions. Numerical results demonstrate that the ML-estimated continuous force and moment functions are able to accurately predict the beam deflections under different discretizations.
Theyellowgene regulates behavioural plasticity by repressing male courtship inBicyclus anynanabutterflies
Authors: Connahs Heidi , Tan Eunice Jingmei , Ter Yi Ting , Dion Emilie , Matsuoka Yuji , Bear Ashley , Monteiro Antónia
Published: April 2022

Seasonal plasticity in male courtship inBicyclus anynanabutterflies is due to variation in levels of the steroid hormone 20E (20-hydroxyecdysone) during pupation. Wet season (WS) males have high levels of 20E and become active courters. Dry season (DS) males have lower levels of 20E and reduced courtship rates. However, WS courtship rates can be achieved if DS male pupae are injected with 20E at 30% of pupation. Here, we investigated the genes involved in male courtship plasticity and examined whether 20E plays an organizational role in the pupal brain that later influences the sexual behaviour of adults. We show that DS pupal brains have a sevenfold upregulation of theyellowgene relative to the WS brains, and that knocking outyellowleads to increased male courtship. We find that injecting 20E into DS pupa reducedyellowexpression although not significantly. Our results show thatyellowis a repressor of the neural circuity for male courtship behaviour inB. anynana. 20E levels experienced during pupation could play an organizational role during pupal brain development by regulatingyellowexpression, however, other factors might also be involved. Our findings are in striking contrast toDrosophilawhereyellowis required for male courtship.
The right tool for the right question: contrasting biogeographic patterns in the notothenioid fish
Harpagifer
spp. along the Magellan Province
Authors: Segovia N. I. , González-Wevar C. A. , Naretto J. , Rosenfeld S. , Brickle P. , Hüne M. , Bernal V. , Haye P. A. , Poulin E.
Published: April 2022

Molecular-based analysis has become a fundamental tool to understand the role of Quaternary glacial episodes. In the Magellan Province in southern South America, ice covering during the last glacial maximum (20 ka) radically altered the landscape/seascape, speciation rates and distribution of species. For the notothenioid fishes of the genus
Harpagifer,
in the area are described two nominal species. Nevertheless, this genus recently colonized South America from Antarctica, providing a short time for speciation processes. Combining DNA sequences and genotyping-by-sequencing SNPs, we evaluated the role of Quaternary glaciations over the patterns of genetic structure in
Harpagifer
across its distribution in the Magellan Province. DNA sequences showed low phylogeographic structure, with shared and dominant haplotypes between nominal species, suggesting a single evolutionary unit. SNPs identified contrastingly two groups in Patagonia and a third well-differentiated group in the Falkland/Malvinas Islands with limited and asymmetric gene flow. Linking the information of different markers allowed us to infer the relevance of postglacial colonization mediated by the general oceanographic circulation patterns. Contrasting rough- and fine-scale genetic patterns highlights the relevance of combined methodologies for species delimitation, which, depending on the question to be addressed, allows discrimination among phylogeographic structure, discarding incipient speciation, and contemporary spatial differentiation processes.
Can female guppies learn to like male colours? A test of the role of associative learning in originating sexual preferences
Authors: Herdegen-Radwan Magdalena
Published: April 2022

How do female sexual preferences for male ornamental traits arise? The developmental origins of female preferences are still an understudied area, with most explanations pointing to genetic mechanisms. One intriguing, little-explored, alternative focuses on the role of associative learning in driving this process. According to this hypothesis, a preference learned in an ecological context can be transferred into a sexual context, resulting in changes in mating preferences as a by-product. I tested this hypothesis by first training female guppies to associate either orange or black colour with food delivery; I then presented videos of males with computer-manipulated coloured spots and measured female preference towards them. I also allowed females from both treatments to mate with males differing in their ratio of orange-to-black spots and measured the males' reproductive success. After training, female sexual preferences significantly diverged among treatments in the expected direction. In addition, orange males sired a greater proportion of offspring with females food-conditioned on orange compared to those conditioned on black. These results show that mating preferences can arise as a by-product of associative learning, which, via translation into variation in male fitness, can become associated with indirect genetic benefits, potentially leading to further evolution.
Second infection with SARS-CoV-2 wild-type is associated with increased disease burden after primary SARS-CoV-2/HBoV-1 coinfection, Cologne, Germany
Authors: Windisch Wolfram , Brockmann Michael , Demuth Sabrina , Lüsebrink Jessica , Schildgen Verena , Schildgen Oliver
Published: April 2022

SARS-CoV-2 is the cause of the still-ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. To date reports on re-infections after full recovery from a previous COVID-19 course remain limited due to the fact that re-infections or second infections occur at the earliest between 3 to 24 months after full recovery while the pandemic lasts only since a year. Even less data are available on re-infections associated with emerging variants.

A 33-year-old previously healthy male patient was tested twice SARS-CoV-2 RNA positive with an 8 months symptom-free interval between the two COVID-19 episodes in our setting in Cologne, Germany. While the first episode was accompanied by a co-detection of human bocavirus and hardly any symptoms, the second episode was characterized by serious illness and severe flu-like symptoms, although hospitalization was not required. After the first episode no residual viral RNA was detected after the patient was released from quarantine. Follow up of the patient revealed a moderate but significant reduction of the lung volume and slightly impaired diffusion capacity.

Conclusion. While it is known that re-infections with SARS-CoV-2 may occur this is the first report of a co-detection of human bocavirus (HBoV) during a primary SARS-CoV-2 infection. The first, hardly symptomatic episode showed that co-infections do not necessarily initiate severe COVID-19 courses. The second more severe episode with serious flu-like symptoms could be explained by the sustained mild damage of the airways during the primary infection.
Consequences of CSR reporting regulations worldwide: a review and research agenda
Authors: Haji Abdifatah Ahmed , Coram Paul , Troshani Indrit
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This study reviews research that examines economic and behavioural consequences of CSR reporting regulations. Specifically, the authors evaluate the impact of CSR reporting regulations on (1) reporting quality, (2) capital-markets and (3) firm behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors first describe the stated objectives and enforcement level of CSR reporting regulations around the world. Second, the authors review over 130 archival studies in accounting, finance, economics, law and management that examine consequences of the regulations.

Findings

The stated objectives and enforcement of CSR reporting regulations vary considerably across countries. Empirical research finds no significant changes in reporting quality and generally concludes that CSR reporting continues to be ceremonial rather than substantive after the regulations – consistent with corporate legitimation and “greenwashing” views. In contrast, growing evidence shows both positive and negative capital-market and real effects of the regulations. Overall, the findings from this review indicate that, on balance, there remains a significant number of questions on the net effects of CSR reporting regulations.

Originality/value

The authors offer a comprehensive review of the literature examining consequences of CSR reporting regulations. The authors identify apparent tensions in studies assessing different outcomes after the regulations: between symbolic reporting and positive capital-market outcomes; between profitability and CSR; and between CSR and the welfare of non-shareholder groups. Additionally, we highlight differences in the scope and stated objectives of CSR regulations across countries, with the regulations often reflecting socio-economic development and national interests of implementing countries. Collectively, our review indicates that institutional details are crucial when considering the design or consequences of CSR reporting regulations and/or standards.
The interdependence of foreign exchange vulnerability in emerging markets
Authors: Qureshi Saba , Aftab Muhammad , Hegerty Scott
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The foreign exchange market plays a crucial role in defining the overall health of an economy. In these times of globalization and (in some ways) deglobalization, these markets are highly vulnerable to external shocks. In this line of research, this study investigates exchange-market vulnerability among the BRICS economies by considering the co-movements among variables and contagion among markets.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses DCC-IGARCH and Wavelet approaches to examine interdependence and contagion among the foreign exchange markets of the BRICS countries. The prior approach gives exposure to correlations over time, while the latter approach is suitable to provide insight regarding correlations over different frequency and time domains.

Findings

These results show evidence of meaningful co-movements in the vulnerability of the BRICS economies' foreign exchange markets during periods of market instability. The authors observe that interdependence significantly increased after 2008 and is prominent in the short run, particularly up to the scale of 1.5 years. In addition, there is evidence of persistent integration across the short and medium run. Furthermore, the findings indicate recurrent patterns of co-movements and the presence of contagion.

Originality/value

Given the high degree of economic integration among the BRICS economies, there is relatively little literature on how each member country's foreign exchange vulnerability can affect others. This research fills this gap, by applying appropriate econometric techniques and using a newly created measure of exchange market vulnerability that is unit consistent—such that it combines observed change in exchange rates with the change that is prevented through central bank intervention in a common unit, rather than by combining percentages with dollar-denominated values. This research provides important implications for investors and policymakers.
Fuzzy synthetic evaluation of the systemic obstacles to personalizing knowledge flows within and across projects
Authors: Guribie Francis Lanme , Owusu-Manu De-Graft , Badu Edward , Edwards David John
Published: April 2022

Purpose

With the recognition that knowledge is ingrained within certain social groups and settings, more recent literature in this field is now spotlighting this human focused or “social dimension” of knowledge management. However, this learning approach faces some constraints, especially, in project context. While the existing body of knowledge has focused on emphasizing the importance of the social processes and practices involved in this approach, there is glaring neglect of the intricacies involved when executing learning through this agency, especially in project settings. Hence, the purpose of this study is to identify and evaluate the systemic obstacles in personalizing knowledge flows within and across projects.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopted a positivist philosophical stance couched within a deductive approach. A structured questionnaire was used to gather data from 203 construction professionals with “hands-on” experience in managing projects in the Ghanaian construction industry.

Findings

A mean score analysis showed that all the identified obstacles are significant factors that hinder the personalization of knowledge flows within and across projects. A structure detection analysis generated four principal obstacle components (POCs), explaining about 67.897% of the total variance of the obstacles in personalizing knowledge flows in temporary organizations. The complex web of obstacles was broken out into four broad thematic categories or POCs: obstacles at the individual level, obstacles at the team level, obstacles at the structural level and the limitations of project operations. A fuzzy synthetic evaluation modeling of the four POCs generated criticality indices for each POC exceeding 3.50 on a five-point rating scale, indicating that, all the four POCs as significant obstacles to personalizing knowledge flows within and across projects.

Practical implications

Implications are provided for project managers on the social dynamics of learning in project teams.

Originality/value

The research findings expand existing frontiers of knowledge by addressing the gap in the literature on the complexity of the personalization strategy within projects. The findings would also spark a broader discussion about the importance of developing integrated ways to structure learning in project environments. The culmination of the research will serve as a solid foundation for the development of a future project learning frameworks.
Exploring global religious traditions through artifactual literacy projects
Authors: McNeill Erin
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is an exploration of stories told by multilingual students participating in a literacy project in a secondary English course as part of a larger three year practitioner inquiry study, in which the author analyzed students’ literacy project to create a culturally responsive English curriculum. In this paper, the stories of two participating students were examined to derive ideas for an English curriculum in which students’ assets, such as cultural heritage and religious traditions, are recognized and honored.

Design/methodology/approach

Two objectives of the study were to learn about my students’ assets and to use them to complement the district-mandated texts in ways that honored students’ cultural traditions and accumulated knowledge. This paper focuses on an artifactual literacy project paired with reading the novelTo Kill a Mockingbirdin an English course for emergent bilinguals, in which the modified curriculum highlighted their experiences and traditions.

Findings

Two themes emerged from the analysis. First, religious communities are often valuable to emergent bilingual students. Second, although borders often separate the families of these students, they continue their religious traditions with those in their new communities in the USA, whose members have also carried traditions across borders to honor and preserve their families’ cultures, languages and religions in new places.

Originality/value

Religion is rarely discussed in public school English classrooms. This research project demonstrates the value of artifacts in secondary classrooms which provide a space for students to discuss personally meaningful religious and cultural literacy practices.
A critical review of robot research and future research opportunities: adopting a service ecosystem perspective
Authors: Shin Hakseung
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Given the recent growth of service robot research in hospitality and tourism management (HTM), the purpose of this study is to identify a research agenda by conducting a systematic and holistic review of service robot research published in both HTM and broader business management (BM) journals.

Design/methodology/approach

Adopting a service ecosystem perspective, 38 HTM articles and 13 highly cocited BM articles out of 126 BM articles were qualitatively reviewed to analyze the intellectual structures and foundations of robotics research.

Findings

The relationships between service robots and the four multilevel actors of the service ecosystem were analyzed: the consumer, employee, management and society. Twenty-eight specific research questions were proposed for the robotics-customer relationship, robotics-employee relationship, robotics-management relationship and robotics-society relationship.

Research limitations/implications

This study contributes to understanding the intellectual structures and evolution of rapidly growing HTM robotics research in terms of the holistic relationships among the four service ecosystem actors of robotics. Future research needs to identify other actors and their activities to examine the service ecosystem of robotics.

Originality/value

This study provides a pathway for future hospitality and tourism research by helping to focus on important robotics issues and further develop the theoretical and empirical knowledge of robotics. This work informs practitioners of key issues associated with the industrial adoption of robots.
The role of absorptive capacity in the adoption of Smart Manufacturing
Authors: Arcidiacono Francesco , Ancarani Alessandro , Di Mauro Carmela , Schupp Florian
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Smart Manufacturing (SM) lies at the core of Industry 4.0. Operations management research has identified several factors influencing firms’ ability to adopt SM. However, a clear understanding of capabilities needed to progress in SM is still missing. This paper aims to investigate how absorptive capacity (AC) allows firms to advance in SM and explore how managerial antecedents support the capacity to absorb SM-related knowledge at different stages of SM adoption.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopts an exploratory approach through multiple case studies. Twelve firms, operating as part of the automotive supply chain and exhibiting different stages of SM adoption, constitute the sample.

Findings

The results suggest that advancement in SM requires firms to progressively reinforce their AC. Firms’ ability to acquire and assimilate SM knowledge is supported by managerial antecedents encompassing integrative capacities to bridge old and SM technologies, managerial cognition through the clear alignment of SM technologies with strategic goals and knowledge development capabilities through practices oriented to provide senior managers with SM competences.

Originality/value

The findings contribute to SM research by suggesting that AC is a crucial dynamic capability for SM adoption. The results also provide evidence-grounded recommendations to firms engaged in the digital transformation on the managerial capabilities needed to support AC and to progress from lower to higher stages of SM.
A study on how to achieve flexibility in healthcare process: a simulation-based approach
Authors: Bera Sasadhar , Kumar Pradeep , Bhattacharya Subhajit
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The paper aims to investigate the cardiology department’s operational system for improving flexibility by minimizing the patient waiting time and simultaneously maximizing the utilization of service capacity in an uncertain environment. This article also proposes a policy framework that suggests a pool of additional resources and inter-firm collaboration can boost healthcare service delivery excellence.

Design/methodology/approach

A discrete event simulation (DES) approach is followed for modeling patient flow and determining the service capacity to respond to demand variability and uncertainty. The model's outputs are used to minimize patient waiting time, maximize the utilization of the resources and match the service capacity with the patient demand.

Findings

This research has tested two hypotheses and proved that an increase in waiting time decimates the throughput rate, and additional resources deployment in bottleneck activity positively impacts the throughput rate. The simulated scenarios prescribe an enhanced service capacity with quality care and further contribute to operational performance in reduced waiting time and cost. The results indicate that flexibility reduces the patient waiting time and maximizes the throughput rate.

Practical implications

The study guides the healthcare policymakers to develop flexible competence and facilitate service mechanisms that are adaptive and robust while operating under a volatile environment. The article contributes to the healthcare literature that conjoins flexibility through simulation and resource utilization.

Originality/value

This research is based on real-life primary data collected from healthcare providers. This study adds value to the healthcare systems to adopt strategic decisions to build flexibility through resource allocation, sharing and coordinated care.
Wear behavior of environment friendly trimethylolpropane trioleate-based lubricant
Authors: Bachchhav Bhanudas Dattatraya , Kathamore Pramod Shivaji
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Formulation of mineral-based specialty lubricants without anti-wear (AW) and extreme-pressure (EP) additives is a challenging task. This study aims to propose an environment friendly alternative to mineral-based lubricants with superior wear preventive characteristics.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, analysis of wear under trimethylolpropane trioleate (TMPTO)-based lube using operating parameters of four-ball tester was done. The effects of type of lube oil, temperature, load and speed on specific wear rate were investigated using Taguchi L27 orthogonal array. Based on the Taguchi experimental results and single-to-noise ratios, ranking of the four ball parameters was done. The surface analysis of worn steel balls was carried out using optical microscopic images of wear scar and energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS).

Findings

Results depict that the blend of sulfurized additives with TMPTO base oil showed a synergistic effect in terms of reduction in specific wear rate by the formation of protective film layer on the surface. The possible physical or chemical interactions between base oil and additives were studied based on the surface morphology of test balls.

Practical implications

The formulated lubricant has the potential to be used as a tapping/broaching oil.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the paper is a novel study investigating the effect of different additive in TMPTO. The results could prove beneficial in making TMPTO-based lube oil a viable replacement of mineral-based oils.
Effect of competition on managerial practices: evidence from SMEs in the MENA region
Authors: Bakhadirov Mukhammadfoik , Farooq Omar
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to document the impact of competition on managerial practices adopted by small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses the data provided by the World Bank’s Enterprise Surveys to test the arguments presented in this paper. The data were collected during the period between 2013 and 2014 and the sample consists of firms from Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Tunisia and Yemen.

Findings

The authors show that SMEs with higher exposure to competition are more likely to adopt better managerial practices than SMEs with lower exposure to competition. The authors argue that competition disciplines the managers by exposing firms to the possibility of bankruptcy and/or the loss of market share to competitors. Therefore, these firms are compelled to adopt good managerial practices to protect themselves against negative impact of competition. The results show that positive impact of competition on managerial practices is confined only to the competition that comes from foreign competitors. Local competitors or competitors from informal sector have no significant impact on the adoption of good managerial practices.

Originality/value

An important contribution of this paper is that it documents how various types of competition affect SME’s decision to adopt better managerial practices. Another important contribution is highlighting of the role played by the competition in shaping the management practices among SMEs in the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region.
FinTech ecosystem as influencer of young entrepreneurial intentions: empirical findings from Tunisia
Authors: Festa Giuseppe , Elbahri Sihem , Cuomo Maria Teresa , Ossorio Mario , Rossi Matteo
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The study aims to investigate the influence of FinTech (Financial Technology) determinants such as crowdfunding, mobile payment and blockchain as potential facilitators in an entrepreneurial ecosystem for undertaking decisions in Tunisia, as an example of emerging economy.

Design/methodology/approach

Quantitative research was carried out with data collection based on a questionnaire that has been sent via email to young Tunisian entrepreneurs (potential or actual). A following regression was calculated on 93 respondents.

Findings

Analysis of the data showed that most of the relationships under investigation were confirmed. Statistical tests highlighted that knowledge, availability and access about crowdfunding and blockchain had a positive and significant impact on entrepreneurial intention. Regarding mobile payment, there was a negative and insignificant effect on entrepreneurial intention.

Originality/value

From the evidence of the research, Fintech ecosystems may positively influence the decision to undertake, with relevant implications at institutional, industrial and individual level. More specifically, demonstrating a positive and significant relationship between some main dimensions of FinTech and entrepreneurial intention and emphasizing the contribution of related knowledge to intellectual capital accumulation through entrepreneurial education, this study seems to be unique in examining and verifying this potential effect.
You're draining me! When politically inept employees view organization-linked emotional exhaustion and unforgiveness as reasons for diminished job performance
Authors: De Clercq Dirk , Azeem Muhammad Umer , Haq Inam Ul
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This study seeks to unpack the negative relationship between employees' political ineptness and their job performance, by proposing a mediating role of organization-induced emotional exhaustion and a moderating role of perceived organizational unforgiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

The research hypotheses were tested with three-round survey data collected among employees and their supervisors across multiple industry sectors.

Findings

Political ineptness diminishes the likelihood that employees undertake performance-enhancing work behaviors because they perceive that their employer is draining their emotional resources. This mediating role of organization-induced emotional exhaustion is particularly salient when they perceive that organizational authorities do not forgive mistakes.

Practical implications

This study reveals a critical risk for employees who find it difficult to exert influence on others: They become complacent in their job duties, which then might further compromise their ability to leave a positive impression on others. This counterproductive process is especially prominent if organizational leaders appear unforgiving.

Originality/value

This study contributes to extant research by explicating an unexplored mechanism (organization-induced emotional exhaustion) and catalyst (organizational unforgiveness) related to the escalation of political ineptness into diminished job performance.
Assessing the “entrepreneurship as emancipation” perspective among women in STEM
Authors: Sharma Lalit
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The study examines the emancipatory potential of entrepreneurship for women in STEM who have experienced a mid-career break. As studies on this subject are rather scarce, it also makes an important contribution to the literature by providing key insights into the entrepreneurial journeys of women in STEM who have experienced a career break and have started their own enterprises. The findings could be used by governments to intervene in the identified areas of difficulty and to facilitate the entrepreneurial endeavours of women in order to bring this community back into the workforce.

Design/methodology/approach

The study maps the entrepreneurial journeys of 23 women with a STEM background who turned into entrepreneurs after experiencing a career break. Qualitative data was collected through personal interviews with women entrepreneurs and was then analysed to interpret the results.

Findings

While the study confirms the emancipatory potential of entrepreneurship among well-educated middle-class women with a STEM background who face constraints related to career advancement and work–life balance, it also provides insights on various aspects related to their entrepreneurial development. This includes aspects such as their motivation to start a business, major barriers they face in developing their businesses and the strategies they use to handle those barriers. Suggestions for policy development are also proposed.

Originality/value

In addition to studying the entrepreneurial aspect of a rather underexamined segment of women in STEM who have experienced a career break, the study also examines the scope of the emancipatory potential of entrepreneurship for this segment of women. To the best of our understanding, no such study on STEM women has been carried out in developing nations in spite of the fact that this segment of women forms an important techno-economic resource which remains largely underutilised in developing economies.
An analysis of the determinants of office real estate price modelling in Nigeria: using a Delphi approach
Authors: Yakub AbdurRaheem A. , Achu Kamalahasan , Ali Hishamuddin Mohd , Abdul Jalil Rohaya
Published: April 2022

Purpose

There are a plethora of putative influencing variables available in the literature for modelling real estate prices using AI. Their choice tends to differ from one researcher to the other, consequently leading to subjectivity in the selection process. Thus, there is a need to seek the viewpoint of practitioners on the applicability and level of significance of these academically established variables.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the Delphi technique, this study collated and structured the 35 underlying micro- and macroeconomic parameters derived from literature and eight variables suggested by 11 selected real estate experts. The experts ranked these variables in order of influence using a seven-point Likert scale with a reasonable consensus during the fourth round (Kendall's W = 0.7418).

Findings

The study discovered that 16 variables are very influential with seven being extremely influential. These extremely influential variables include flexibility, adaptability of design, accessibility to the building, the size of office spaces, quality of construction, state of repairs, expected capital growth and proximity to volatile areas.

Practical implications

The results of this study improve the quality of data available to valuers towards a fortified price prediction for investors, and thereby, restoring the valuers' credibility and integrity.

Originality/value

The “volatility level of an area”, which was revealed as a distinct factor in the survey is used to add to current knowledge concerning office price. Hence, this study offers real estate practitioners and researchers valuable knowledge on the critical variables that must be considered in AI-based price modelling.
Usability perception of the health information systems in Brazil: the view of hospital health professionals on the electronic health record
Authors: Welchen Vandoir , Matte Juliana , Giacomello Cintia Paese , Dalle Molle Franciele , Camargo Maria Emilia
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to validate and measure the overall evaluation of electronic health record (EHR) and identify the factors that influence the health information systems (HIS) assessment in Brazil.

Design/methodology/approach

From February to May 2020, this study surveyed 262 doctors and nurses who work in hospitals and use the EHR in their workplace. This study validated the National Usability-focused HIS Scale (NuHISS) to measure usability in the Brazilian context.

Findings

The results showed adequate validity and reliability, validating the NuHISS in the Brazilian context. The survey showed that 38.9% of users rated the system as high quality. Technical quality, ease of use and benefits explained 43.5% of the user’s overall system evaluation.

Research limitations/implications

This study validated the items that measure usability of health-care systems and identified that not all usability items impact the overall evaluation of the EHR.

Practical implications

NuHISS can be a valuable tool to measure HIS usability for doctors and nurses and monitor health systems’ long-term usability among health professionals. The results suggest dissatisfaction with the usability of HIS systems, specifically the EHR in hospital units. For this reason, those responsible for health systems must observe usability. This tool enables usability monitoring to highlight information system deficiencies for public managers. Furthermore, the government can create and develop actions to improve the existing tools to support health professionals.

Social implications

From the scale validation, public managers could monitor and develop actions to foster the system’s usability, especially the system’s technical qualities – the factor that impacted the overall system evaluation.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to validate the usability scale of EHR systems in Brazil. The results showed dissatisfaction with HIS and identified the factors that most influence the system evaluation.
US consumers' confidence and responses to COVID-19 shock
Authors: Elmassah Suzanna , Bacheer Shereen , Hassanein Eslam
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This research's main objective is to investigate the relationship between consumption expenditure and consumer confidence in the USA and to study their effects on US economic revivalism during and after the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) shock.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use Michigan's monthly Consumer Sentiment Index and its five components from January 1978 to April 2020. The study is unique in quantifying the potential variations in US consumer confidence due to COVID-19 under different scenarios, by providing a projection until December 2021. It also estimates the time needed for recovery and offers guidance to policymakers on ways to contain the negative impacts of COVID-19 on the economy by restoring consumer confidence.

Findings

All scenarios show a gradual recovery of consumer confidence and consumption expenditure. This study recommends expansionary policies to encourage consumption expenditure to generate additional demand and boost economic growth and job creation.

Practical implications

Though this study is limited to the US consumer confidence index, it offers significant implications for marketers, customers and policymakers of other developed economies. The authors recommend expansionary economic policies to boost consumer confidence, raise economic growth and result in job creation.

Originality/value

The study is unique in quantifying the potential variations in US consumer confidence due to COVID-19 under different scenarios; by providing a projection until December 2021. It also estimates the time needed for recovery and guidance for policymakers on ways to contain the COVID-19 shock negative impacts on the economy by restoring consumer confidence.
Lean and its impact on sustainability performance in service companies: results from a pilot study
Authors: Lizarelli Fabiane Letícia , Chakraborty Ayon , Antony Jiju , Jayaraman Raja , Carneiro Matheus Borges , Furterer Sandy
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this empirical research is to understand the application of Lean practices (technical and social) and tools in the service sector, whose implementation is less studied, despite its economic relevance. The study aims to extend previous studies that focused on the relationship between Lean and operational and financial performance, and analyzing the impact on sustainability, encompassing economic, social and environmental perspectives.

Design/methodology/approach

A pilot survey was conducted with Lean experts in European service companies. The authors have utilized various professional contacts on LinkedIn and a satisfactory response rate was obtained for analysis.

Findings

The results of the study showed that there are several motivating factors for the implementation of Lean, the highlights being improving customer satisfaction, efficiency, delivery and cost reduction. The most frequently used Lean tools are related to the identification of improvement opportunities and causes of problems. The pilot survey also made it possible to identify the greater use of technical practices than social practices. The sustainability performance analysis showed that the better performance of service companies is in the economic dimension.

Originality/value

The authors have identified no empirical studies linking Lean and sustainable performance in the service sector. This study bridges this cognitive gap through a pilot study and therefore makes an original contribution to the current literature.
Filamentous prophage capsid proteins contribute to superinfection exclusion and phage defence in Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Wang Weiquan , Li Yangmei , Tang Kaihao , Lin Jianzhong , Gao Xinyu , Guo Yunxue , Wang Xiaoxue
Published: April 2022

Filamentous prophages in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 are converted to superinfective phage virions during biofilm development. Superinfection exclusion is necessary for the development of resistance against superinfective phage virions in host cells. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the exclusion of superinfective Pf phages are unknown. In this study, we found that filamentous prophage‐encoded structural proteins allow exclusion of superinfective Pf phages by interfering with type IV pilus (T4P) function. Specifically, the phage minor capsid protein pVII inhibits Pf phage adsorption by interacting with PilC and PilJ of T4P, and overproduction of pVII completely abrogates twitching motility. The minor capsid protein pIII provides partial superinfection exclusion and interacts with the PilJ and TolR/TolA proteins. Furthermore, pVII provides full host protection against infection by pilus‐dependent lytic phages, and pIII provides partial protection against infection by pilus‐independent lytic phages. Considering that filamentous prophages are common in clinical Pseudomonas isolates and their induction is often activated during biofilm formation, this study suggests the need to rethink the strategy of using lytic phages to treat P. aeruginosa biofilm‐related infections.
The regulatory genewblAis a target of the orphan response regulatorOrrAinStreptomyces coelicolor
Authors: Zhu Yanping , Wang Xinyuan , Zhang Jing , Ni Xue , Zhang Xia , Tao Meifeng , Pang Xiuhua
Published: April 2022

Our previous study using transposon mutagenesis indicated that disruption of the putative response regulator geneorrAimpacted antibiotic production inStreptomyces coelicolor. In this study, the role of OrrA was further characterized by comparing the phenotypes and transcriptomic profiles of the wild‐typeS.coelicolorstrain M145 and ΔorrA, a strain with an inactivatedorrAgene. Chromatin immunoprecipitation using a strain expressing OrrA fused with FLAG showed that OrrA binds the promoter ofwblA, whose expression was downregulated in ΔorrA. The interaction of OrrA with thewblApromoter was further validated by a pull‐down assay. Similar to ΔorrA, the deletion mutant ofwblA(ΔwblA) was defective in development, and developmental genes were expressed at similar levels in ΔorrAand ΔwblA. Although both OrrA and WblA downregulated actinorhodin and undecylprodigiosin, their roles in regulation of the calcium‐dependent antibiotic and yellow‐pigmented type I polyketide differed.sco1375, a gene of unknown function, was identified as another OrrA target, and overexpression of either sco1375orwblAin ΔorrApartially restored the wild‐type phenotype, indicating that these genes mediate some of the effects of OrrA. This study revealed targets of OrrA and provided more insights into the role of the orphan response regulator OrrA inStreptomyces.
Life history of oysters influences Vibrio parahaemolyticus accumulation in Pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas)
Authors: Sorée Marion , Delavat François , Lambert Christophe , Lozach Solen , Papin Mathias , Petton Bruno , Passerini Delphine , Dégremont Lionel , Hervio Heath Dominique
Published: April 2022

Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection in humans is associated with raw oyster consumption. Evaluation of V. parahaemolyticus presence in oysters is of most interest because of the economic and public health issues that it represents. To explore V. parahaemolyticus accumulation and depuration in adult Crassostrea gigas, we developed a GFP‐tagged V. parahaemolyticus strain (IFVp201‐gfp+), as well as a rapid and efficient quantification method in C. gigas oysters haemolymph by flow cytometry. Impact of the life history of C. gigas on accumulation and depuration of V. parahaemolyticus IFVp201 was subsequently investigated. We found that naive oysters, i.e. grown in controlled facilities with UV treated seawater, accumulated significantly more IFVp201 than environmental oysters, i.e. grown in intertidal environment. We hypothesized that environmental oysters could have been immune primed, thus could limit V. parahaemolyticus accumulation. Meanwhile, both naive and environmental oysters had similar depuration rates.
Our Man in Madrid: Bullfighting Enters the Political Arena
Authors: Wheeler Duncan
Published: April 2022

Four bullfighters stood as MPs in the April 2019 Spanish general elections: Miguel Abellán and Salvador Vega for the PP; and Serafín Martín and Pablo Ciprés for Vox. None was elected, although Abellán and Martín came close. The former's allegiance was rewarded with his political appointment by the PP's Isabel Díaz Ayuso as Director‐General of Madrid's Centre for Taurine Activities. Bullfighters throwing their hats into the political arena is inextricably linked to the escalation of Spain's cultural wars and critically interrogating the ongoing controversies surrounding the future of bullfighting constitutes a privileged lens through which to view increasingly visible fissures in the post‐Franco constitutional order. Using archival materials and ethnographic research alongside an interview conducted with Abellán, this article explores the interrelationship of bullfighting with the Catalan secessionist vote as well as its currency in the struggle between Vox and the PP for the conservative vote.
Physicochemical and rheological characteristics of Crescenza cheese made with 40% of recombined milk during manufacture and storage
Authors: Alinovi Marcello , Tidona Flavio , Monti Lucia , Francolino Salvatore , Brusa Gianluca , Ghiglietti Roberta , Locci Francesco , Giraffa Giorgio
Published: April 2022

The impact of using recombined milk (RM) at 40% compared with 100% fresh milk (FM) was studied in the manufacture and storage of Crescenza cheese. In cheesemaking, no relevant technological differences were detected between FM and RM cheeses, although use of the latter resulted in a slightly more yellowish colour than FM cheeses. During shelf life, RM cheeses showed significantly lower amounts of expressible serum than FM cheeses. Rheological analysis and the hydrolysis of the main proteins followed a similar trend over time. However, glycated proteins were only detected in RM cheeses. Low‐field 1H T2 nuclear magnetic resonance analysis showed a reduction of relaxation times in RM cheeses during storage.
Intergenerational wealth transfers in Great Britain from the Wealth and Assets Survey in comparative perspective
Authors: Nolan Brian , Palomino Juan C. , Van Kerm Philippe , Morelli Salvatore
Published: April 2022

Wealth surveys that collect information on intergenerational transfers provide new scope for comparative study of those transfers and their relationship with wealth across rich countries. However, this is problematic in the case of Great Britain, due to specific features of the Wealth and Assets Survey (WAS), the central source of survey‐based household wealth data, in particular the extent of missing information in its first wave. This has severely constrained efforts to investigate patterns of wealth transfer in Great Britain in comparative perspective. In this paper, we set out these issues and present ways of dealing with them. On this basis, we then examine the main similarities and differences in patterns of intergenerational transmission of wealth between Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United States. Our findings reveal common features across these countries as well as some important respects in which Great Britain was distinctive, though less of an outlier than the US. About 35 per cent of British households reported receiving an intergenerational wealth transfer at some point, similar to most of the comparator countries but much higher than the US. We conclude by setting out how WAS can be enhanced to address these issues at source, proposals with which the Office for National Statistics is seriously engaged.
The effect of pill mill legislation on suicides
Authors: Fernandez Jose M. , Jayawardhana Jayani
Published: April 2022

Objective

To examine the effect of pill mill legislation on suicides and drug‐related suicides in the United States.

Data Sources

We use state‐level restricted use mortality data from the National Vital Statistics System for the period 2000–2016, along with state level sociodemographic data from the US Census Bureau and Bureau of Labor Statistics and opioid‐related state health policy data from publicly available sources for the analysis.

Study Design

The analyses use a difference‐in‐differences regression approach.

Data Collection/Extraction Methods

Publicly available secondary data were collected and merged with restricted use mortality data files from the National Vital Statistics System for the analysis.

Principal Findings

Our results show that pill mill legislation is associated with an 8.5% (p < 0.01) reduction in the drug related suicide rate, a 4.9% (p < 0.05) reduction in suicides among females, and a 4.7% (p < 0.05) reduction in suicides among individuals between age 45 and 64 years.

Conclusions

The findings indicate that pill mill legislation has been effective in reducing total suicides among females in the age group 45–64, and drug‐related suicides in the population resulting in 658 fewer drug‐related suicides for a given year if pill mill laws are adopted by every state.