bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
COVID-19, smoking, vaping and quitting: A representative population survey in England
Authors: Tattan-Birch Harry , Perski Olga , Jackson Sarah , Shahab Lion , West Robert , Brown Jamie
Published: June 2020

Aims

To explore 1) associations between suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection, hand washing, smoking status, e-cigarette use, and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) use and 2) whether COVID-19 has prompted smoking and vaping quit attempts, and more smoking inside the home.

Design

Cross-sectional household surveys of a representative sample of the population in England from April–May 2020.

Participants

The sample included 3,285 adults aged ≥18 years.

Measurements

Participants who reported they definitely or think they had coronavirus were classified as having a suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection. Participants were asked how often they wash their hands after returning home, before eating, before preparing foods or before touching their face. They were also asked whether, due to COVID-19, they had i) attempted to quit smoking, ii) attempted to quit vaping, and iii) changed the amount they smoke inside the home.

Findings

Odds of suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection were significantly greater among current smokers (20.9%, adjusted odds ratio [ORadj]=1.34, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.04–1.73) and long-term (>1-year) ex-smokers (16.1%, ORadj=1.33, 95%CI=1.05–1.68) than never smokers (14.5%). Recent (<1-year) ex-smokers had non-significantly greater odds of suspected infection (22.2%, ORadj=1.50, 95%CI=0.85–2.53, Bayes factor= 0.55–1.17). Bayes factors indicated there was sufficient evidence to rule out large differences in suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection by NRT use and medium differences by e-cigarette use. With the exception of hand washing before face touching, engagement in hand washing behaviours was high (>85%) regardless of nicotine use. A minority (12.2%) of past-year smokers who made a quit attempt in the past three months were triggered by COVID-19, and approximately one-in-ten current e-cigarette users reported attempting to quit vaping because of COVID-19. Most people reported smoking the same amount inside the home.

Conclusions

In a representative sample of the adult population in England, current smokers and long-term ex-smokers had higher odds of suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection than never smokers, but there were no large differences by NRT or e-cigarette use. In general, engagement in hand washing was high regardless of nicotine or tobacco use. A minority of past-year smokers and current e-cigarette users, respectively, attempted to quit smoking/vaping due to COVID-19.
Crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of 1-methyl-4-(2-methyl-10H-benzo[b]thieno[2,3-e][1,4]diazepin-4-yl)piperazin-1-ium 2,5-dihydroxybenzoate propan-2-ol monosolvate
Authors: Natchimuthu V. , Sharmila N. , Ravi S.
Published: June 2020

The asymmetric unit of the title salt, C17H21N4S+·C7H5O4
−·C3H7OH, consists of an olanzapinium cation, an independent 2,5-dihydroxybenzoate anion and a solvent isopropyl alcohol molecule. The central seven-membered heterocycle is in a boat conformation, while the piperazine ring displays a distorted chair conformation. The dihedral angle between the benzene and thiene rings flanking the diazepine ring is 52.58 (19)°. In the crystal, the anions and cations are connected by N—H...O and O—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming a three-dimensional network.
Synthesis and crystal structures of 3-hydroxy-2,4-dimethyl-2H-thiophen-5-one and 3-hydroxy-4-methyl-2H-thiophen-5-one
Authors: Nashawi Asma , Lawson Christopher P. , Abdel-Sattar M. Omar , Horst Joop H. ter , Coxon Geoffrey D. , Kennedy Alan R.
Published: June 2020

The structures of two hydroxy-thiophenone derivatives related to the antibiotic thiolactomycin are presented. These are the racemic 3-hydroxy-2,4-dimethyl-2H-thiophen-5-one, C6H8O2S, and 3-hydroxy-4-methyl-2H-thiophen-5-one, C5H6O2S. The main structural feature of both compounds is C(6) hydrogen-bonded chains formed between the OH and C=O groups. In achiral C5H6O2S, these chains propagate only by translation, corresponding to x + 1, y, z + 1. However, in contrast, for racemic C6H8O2S the hydrogen-bonded chains propagate through a −x + {3\over 2}, y + {1\over 2}, z operation, giving chains lying parallel to the crystallographic b-axis direction that are composed of alternate R and S enantiomers. The crystals of 3-hydroxy-4-methyl-2H-thiophen-5-one were found to be twinned by a 180° rotation about the reciprocal 001 direction. In the final refinement the twin ratio refined to 0.568 (2):0.432 (2).
Structural and biochemical characterization of novel carbonic anhydrases fromPhaeodactylum tricornutum
Authors: Jin Shengyang , Vullo Daniela , Bua Silvia , Nocentini Alessio , Supuran Claudiu T. , Gao Yong-gui
Published: June 2020

Carbonic anhydrases (CAs) are a well characterized family of metalloenzymes that are highly efficient in facilitating the interconversion between carbon dioxide and bicarbonate. Recently, CA activity has been associated with the LCIB (limiting CO2-inducible protein B) protein family, which has been an interesting target in aquatic photosynthetic microorganisms. To gain further insight into the catalytic mechanism of this new group of CAs, the X-ray structure of a highly active LCIB homolog (PtLCIB3) from the diatomPhaeodactylum tricornutumwas determined. The CA activities of PtLCIB3, its paralog PtLCIB4 and a variety of their mutants were also measured. It was discovered that PtLCIB3 has a classic β-CA fold and its overall structure is highly similar to that of its homolog PtLCIB4. Subtle structural alterations between PtLCIB3 and PtLCIB4 indicate that an alternative proton-shuttle cavity could perhaps be one reason for their remarkable difference in CA activity. A potential alternative proton-shuttle route in the LCIB protein family is suggested based on these results.
The sublime in scent: a comparative study of Japanese Kodo and Chinese incense tradition in the 21st century
Authors: Cheung Sidney C. H.
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The sublime in scent refers to the use of language and description that excites thoughts and emotions beyond ordinary olfactory experience, and I would like to borrow this literary concept to explore the recent development of incense traditions in Japan and China from a sociocultural perspective. In order to understand how olfactory characters of incense have been verbally expressed, we can start by looking into the sublime in scent through the articulation of relevant subtle approaches since ancient times.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper explains how the description of scent experienced by individuals has been associated with thoughts and history and why the sublime in scent is more complicated than the aroma people can tell. The data collected for this research is mostly based on observations by participating in various events and conversations with different people.

Findings

In Japan and China, the use of incense has a long history, and relevant scent cultures have been developed not only for offerings in religious practices, but also as a kind of scent appreciation together with a poetic presentation. Again, it is important and significant to discern several interactions of incense traditions in these two countries, since the transformations became obvious in the last two decades, while Japanese Kodo participated more in international exchange, and the Chinese people's view of intangible cultural heritage has become more important in their daily social practices.

Originality/value

As a way of showing how the study of scent can enhance ethnographic writing and the understanding of changes in the appreciation of incense, this paper hopes to contribute to the study of art and tradition.
The asymmetry effect of oil price changes on inflation, and the welfare implication for Ghana
Authors: Ayisi Richard K.
Published: June 2020

Purpose

High inflation levels remain a challenge in macroeconomic stabilization policies among developing economies. Oil price is identified as an important driver of inflation. In the wake of high and unstable international oil prices, the question regarding the relationship between inflation and crude oil prices, and its implication for economic welfare has become a fundamental empirical issue.

Design/methodology/approach

This question is explored by estimating a non-linear autoregressive distribution lags (NARDL) model of inflation-oil nexus that examined the asymmetric response of inflation to oil price changes. The study then derived the welfare implication of the asymmetric responses, with implications for the petroleum pricing regime in Ghana.

Findings

The study found that inflation responds asymmetrically to oil prices in the long-run but not in the short-run. The welfare cost associated with the asymmetric response increases with increasing rate.

Practical implications

The findings of this study have some implications for petroleum product pricing in Ghana. Recently, Ghana has moved from regulating petroleum prices to the automatic adjustment system. By this policy, petroleum prices change in tandem with the crude oil prices and exchange rates on the international market. Whiles this policy might be comparatively efficient, the evidence of asymmetric response of inflation to changes in oil prices raises some issues about the welfare effect of the policy.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the literature on the inflation-oil price nexus by investigating critical questions that remain puzzling. These questions include; Does inflation respond asymmetrically to the positive and negative shock of equal magnitude in oil prices? Does inflation response to the asymmetry changes in oil prices have any implications for the welfare of the country? Is the effect of oil price changes pernicious?
Key influencing factors of consumers’ vegetable e-commerce adoption willingness, behavior, and willingness-behavior consistency in Beijing, China
Authors: Li Bo , Yin Zhengqing , Ding Junqi , Xu Suyao , Zhang Biao , Ma Yunfei , Zhang Lingxian
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Vegetable e-commerce is of great significance for improving the efficiency of vegetable circulation, and for solving the problems of high circulation cost and poor connection between production and marketing. The purpose of this study is to explore the key factors that influence consumers’ vegetable e-commerce adoption willingness, behavior, and willingness-behavior consistency.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 427 valid questionnaires were collected from 16 districts of Beijing in 2019 via the internet, yielding a response rate of 94.9%. Bivariate probit and binary logistic regression were used for analysis.

Findings

The results show that 62.84% of vegetable e-commerce consumers have the same willingness and behavior, and 37.16% of consumers have a deviation of willingness and behavior; the key factors influencing the willingness, behavior, and willingness-behavior consistency of vegetable e-commerce consumers are different. The three variables of usefulness perception, logistics service quality perception, and nearest vegetable market distance have significant effects on and are positively correlated with the adoption willingness, behavior, and willingness-behavior consistency of vegetable e-commerce consumers.

Research limitations/implications

Consumers in Beijing, a first-tier city, were taken as the research object in this study. Second-tier and even third-tier cities can be investigated as comparative studies in a follow-up study. In addition, the key factors that affect the differences in the willingness and behavior of vegetable e-commerce adoption can be studied.

Originality/value

The results obtained in the present study and their implications could aid in vegetable e-commerce optimization, and contribute to the understanding of how to improve consumers’ awareness and participation in vegetable e-commerce. The suggestions of this study could also be used for the improvement of vegetable e-commerce in other cities facing similar issues.
Longitudinal association between adolescent negative emotions and adulthood cardiovascular disease risk: an opportunity for healthcare quality improvement
Authors: Srinivas Sharan , Anand Kavin , Chockalingam Anand
Published: June 2020

Purpose

While cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death globally, over 80% of the cases could be prevented through early lifestyle changes. From the perspective of quality management in healthcare, this may offer an effective prevention window if modifiable CVD risk factors are identified and treated in adolescence. The purpose of this research is to examine the negative emotions in adolescents and determine if it independently increases CVD risk later in life.

Design/methodology/approach

Longitudinal data from 12,350 participants of the Add Health study, which conducted a multi-wave survey for 14 years from adolescence (Wave 1) through adulthood (Wave 4), were used to test the research hypothesis. Four items (perception of life, self-reported depression, perceived loneliness and fearfulness) reflective of adolescent negative emotion were identified from the Wave 1 questionnaire, and factor analysis was conducted to confirm the hypothesized structure. The outcome variable, 30-year adulthood CVD risk category (high or low risk), was estimated using biomarkers, biological data and other factors collected during the 14-year follow-up in Wave 4. A logistic regression analysis was employed to assess the impact of adolescent negative emotions on adulthood CVD risk after adjusting for common risk factors such as sociodemographic characteristics, socioeconomic status and medical conditions in adolescence.

Findings

The results indicated adolescent negative emotion to be significantly associated with CVD risk category (p-value < 0.0001), even after controlling for common risk factors. A unit increase in the level of adolescent negative emotion increased the chance of being in the high CVD risk group in adulthood by 8% (odds ratio = 1.08 ± 0.03).

Practical implications

Healthcare providers and organizations could capitalize on the research findings by screening for negative emotions early in life through individual and societal interventions. The findings also provide an opportunity for implementing quality improvement initiatives to deliver robust preventive care, which, in turn, could improve the overall population health, reduce healthcare costs and improve care quality.

Originality/value

Although previous studies showed a strong link between adolescent physiological factors (e.g. obesity) and adulthood cardiovascular disease (CVD), the association between adolescent outlook/attitude (negative emotion) and CVD risk has not been examined.
The impact of leaders' cognitive style and creativity on organizational problem-solving
Authors: Saha Surajit , Sharma R.R.K.
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Extensive research has been done to measure the effect of personality and cognitive styles on creativity. However, an in-depth study is required to identify the impact of cognitive style and creativity on organizational problem-solving. The objective of this paper is to look into this lacuna and study the effect of cognitive style and creativity of leaders on their organizational problem-solving.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses a survey-based design. Data have been collected from 90 middle and senior-level managers from a diverse range of industries. The authors assessed their proposed hypotheses by conducting statistical analysis using SPSS and SmartPLS.

Findings

The results of the study reveal that leaders, who've scored high on intuition feeling (NF) cognitive style and proactive creativity, are suitable for solving open type of organizational problems. On the other hand, NF type of leaders with “contributory creativity” are ideal for solving closed type of organizational problems. Further, leaders scoring high on intuition thinking (NT) and proactive creativity are suitable for solving open types of organizational problems. Interestingly, the combination of NT with expected creativity is not suitable for closed type of organizational problems. On the other hand, a leader scoring high on sensing thinking (ST) cognitive style is more prone to perform contributory creativity.

Practical implications

The study would help the human resource (HR) planning processes of an organization. It would assist HR professionals while recruiting, selecting or deploying employees for creative works within an organization. Therefore, the paper would be useful for HR managers, personnel, management development specialists, consultants and HR academicians.

Originality/value

The relationship among cognitive style, creativity and problem type has not been adequately explored in extant literature on leadership and organizational development. This study would thereby enrich the literature.
Guanxi orientation, value creation and value capture in buyer-supplier relationships: a dyadic perspective
Authors: Lee Lucy Sojung , Zhong Weiguo
Published: June 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the importance and prevalence of Guanxi in business interactions in network-based societies such as China, few studies have the phenomenon from a dyadic view. In a business dyad, one partner may not value Guanxi and take it as a template for actions as the other does.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors propose that such collective and asymmetric Guanxi orientation influence both the creation and distribution of relational rent in a Guanxi dyad. Furthermore, relationship-specific investments (RSIs) moderate the relationship between dyadic Guanxi orientation and relational rent creation and distribution.

Findings

Based on a matched sample of supplier-buyer dyads in China, the authors find that joint Guanxi orientation is positively related to joint pie creation, whereas Guanxi orientation imbalance has a positive effect on the pie distribution imbalance.

Originality/value

These results contribute to the literature by revealing how dyadic Guanxi dynamics and practices affect dyadic performance and providing managers with meaningful implications for dyadic Guanxi management.
How risk perception influences CEOs' technological decisions: extending the technology acceptance model to small and medium-sized enterprises' technology decision makers
Authors: Ferri Luca , Spanò Rosanna , Maffei Marco , Fiondella Clelia
Published: June 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the factors influencing chief executive officers’ (CEOs') intentions to implement cloud technology in Italian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Design/methodology/approach

The study proposes a model that integrates the theoretical construct of the technology acceptance model (TAM) with a classification of perceived benefits and risks related to cloud computing. The study employs a structural equation modeling approach to analyze data gathered through a Likert scale-based survey.

Findings

The findings indicate that risk perception has a strong negative effect on the intention to introduce cloud technology in firms. This effect is partially offset by the perceived ease of use of the technology.

Originality/value

The study provides a new theoretical framework that integrates the TAM and a classification of perceived risks to provide a clear view of management's cognitive processes during technological change. Moreover, the results show the main factors influencing decisions regarding the implementation of cloud computing in firms in light of the perception of risks. Finally, this study provides interesting findings for cloud service providers (CSPs) about their customers' decision-making processes.
Effect of shape imperfections on elastic stresses of U-bends subjected to in-plane moment
Authors: Krishna L.A. , Veerappan A.R. , Shanmugam S.
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Precise assessment of elastic stress is required in the field of fracture mechanics. While bending a straight pipe, the deformation of the circular cross section out of roundness called ovality and thinning are foreseeable. The ovality has a significant effect on the structural integrity of the pipe. The sole objective of this paper is to provide new analytical solutions to predict accurate elastic stress distribution at the median section of the U-bend, with deformities such as ovality and thinning when subjected to in-plane closing moment by using elastic finite element analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

The quarter model of the U bend has been analysed by using ABAQUS. The elastic stress components included in this analysis are longitudinal bending stress, longitudinal membrane stress, circumferential bending stress and circumferential membrane stress. Based on finite element results, analytical elastic stress solutions are also provided for both longitudinal and circumferential stresses by using these stress components.

Findings

As the ovality has a significant effect, it is further included in the analytical solution. The thinning is not included since it has very little effect. Analytical stress solutions are provided for a wide range of bend characteristics to include ovality, mean radius and thickness.

Originality/value

Significance of ovality and thinning on elastic stress of U-bend has not been reported in the existing literature.
Physician-user interaction and users' perceived service quality: evidence from Chinese mobile healthcare consultation
Authors: Tan Hongying , Yan Mengling
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The significance of physician-user interaction has been widely acknowledged in offline and online healthcare consultation. However, limited attempts have been made to explore the influence of physician-user interaction on users' perceived service quality (PSQ) in the mobile context. Based on the literature on physician-user interaction and media synchronicity theory, this study proposes a theoretical model where the interactive factors common across the offline, online and mobile context, i.e. physicians' informational support and emotional support, the interactive factors unique in the mobile context, i.e. physicians' response speed and voice service, and the interaction between the two categories of interactive factors predict users' PSQ in mobile consultation.

Design/methodology/approach

This study collects consultation records between 25,225 users and 738 physicians from a leading Chinese mobile consultation application, and employs linear regression to verify the proposed theoretical model.

Findings

Physicians' informational, emotional support, response speed and voice service are found to have significant positive impacts on users' PSQ. Besides, physicians' response speed strengthens the positive impacts of physicians' informational and emotional support on users' PSQ, while physicians' voice service weakens the positive link between physicians' informational support on users' PSQ.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the antecedents for users' PSQ in mobile consultation by identifying unique interactive factors in the mobile context, and highlighting the individual and interaction effects of different physician-user interactive factors. Besides, this study employs novel methods, which leverages text classification and text pattern recognition to more accurately depict physicians' online behaviors based on objective communication records.
Luxury services
Authors: Wirtz Jochen , Holmqvist Jonas , Fritze Martin P.
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The market for luxury is growing rapidly. While there is a significant body of literature on luxury goods, academic research has largely ignored luxury services. The purpose of this article is to open luxury services as a new field of investigation by developing the theoretical and conceptual underpinnings to build the luxury services literature and show how luxury services differ from both luxury goods and from ordinary (i.e. non-luxury) services.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses a conceptual approach drawing upon and synthesizing the luxury goods and services marketing literature.

Findings

This article makes three contributions. First, it shows that services are largely missing from the luxury literature, just as the field of luxury is mostly missing from the service literature. Second, it contrasts the key characteristics of services and related consumer behaviors with luxury goods. The service characteristics examined are non-ownership, IHIP (i.e. intangibility, heterogeneity, inseparability, and perishability), the three additional Ps of services marketing (i.e. people, processes, and physical facilities) and the three-stage service consumption model. This article derives implications these characteristics have on luxury. For example, non-ownership increases the importance of psychological ownership, reduces the importance of conspicuous consumption and the risk of counterfeiting. Third, this article defines luxury services as extraordinary hedonic experiences that are exclusive whereby exclusivity can be monetary, social and hedonic in nature, and luxuriousness is jointly determined by objective service features and subjective customer perceptions. Together, these characteristics place a service on a continuum ranging from everyday luxury to elite luxury.

Practical implications

This article provides suggestions on how firms can enhance psychological ownership of luxury services, manage conspicuous consumption, and use more effectively luxury services' additional types of exclusivity (i.e. social and hedonic exclusivity).

Originality/value

This is the first paper to define luxury services and their characteristics, to apply and link frameworks from the service literature to luxury, and to derive consumer insights from these for research and practice.
Intelligent libraries: a review on expert systems, artificial intelligence, and robot
Authors: Asemi Asefeh , Ko Andrea , Nowkarizi Mohsen
Published: June 2020

Purpose

This paper reviews literature on the application of intelligent systems in the libraries with a special issue on the ES/AI and Robot. Also, it introduces the potential of libraries to use intelligent systems, especially ES/AI and robots.

Design/methodology/approach

Descriptive and content review methods are applied, and the researchers critically reviewed the articles related to library ESs and robots from Web of Science as a general database and Emerald as a specific database in library and information science from 2007–2017. Four scopes considered to classify the articles as technology, service, user and resource. It is found that published researches on the intelligent systems have contributed to many librarian purposes like library technical services like the organization of information resources, storage and retrieval of information resources, library public services as reference services, information desk and other purposes.

Findings

A review of the previous studies shows that ESs are a useable intelligent system in library and information science that mimic librarian expert’s behaviors to support decision making and management. Also, it is shown that the current information systems have a high potential to be improved by integration with AI technologies. In this researches, librarian robots mostly designed for detection and replacing books on the shelf. Improving the technology of gripping, localizing and human-robot interaction are the main concern in recent librarian robot research. Our conclusion is that we need to develop research in the area of smart resources.

Originality/value

This study has a new approach to the literature review in this area. We compared the published papers in the field of ES/AI and robot and library from two databases, general and specific.
An assessment of academic library services: international and domestic students perspectives
Authors: Soltani Sanaz , Nikou Shahrokh
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Information literacy is defined as discrete abilities that a person requires to have in order to find, assess, use and share information. As information literacy skills play a prominent role in the students' academic achievement, students and in particular international students coming to continue their postgraduate studies in other countries may face problems in finding and using library services. The purpose of this paper is to explore and investigate the information literacy skills, challenges and needs of international and domestic students at the Finnish universities.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses a mixed-methods design. Quantitative data were collected through an online survey (82 respondents) and qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 10 international and 10 domestic students.

Findings

Academic library services are used but in different ways. The findings indicate that international students have a relatively low level of information literacy skills compared to domestic students and faces various challenges, especially in the beginning of their studies.

Research limitations/implications

The study was exploratory, and data were collected from limited number of Finnish universities and may not be representative of the underlying population.

Practical implications

Academic libraries should provide effective courses on research methods and library services to the international students while keeping in mind the international students language and cultural barriers.

Originality/value

This is one of the first attempts in information literacy research that focusses on international and domestic students' information literacy skills at the higher education environment. As such, the results provided in this paper can help librarians and decision-makers at the higher education environments to plan better and become more efficient in delivering information services meeting students' information needs and expectations.
Green innovation as a mediator in the impact of business analytics and environmental orientation on green competitive advantage
Authors: Zameer Hashim , Wang Ying , Yasmeen Humaira , Mubarak Shujaat
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of business analytics and environmental orientation toward green innovation and green competitive advantage. In addition, the study aims to explore the mediating role of green innovation in the impact of business analytics and environmental orientation on green competitive advantage.

Design/methodology/approach

Based upon the theoretical analysis of existing literature, several hypotheses have been developed. Data was gathered using a survey method. The survey was conducted using online portal, 388 valid responses have been processed using SPSS 23.0 and AMOS 23.0 for empirical analysis. Two steps were used, first reliability and validity have been measured. Following this, the authors employed structural equation modeling technique to test hypothetical relationships.

Findings

The results from the authors’ empirical analysis indicate that business analytics and environmental orientation have a pivotal role toward green innovation as well as green competitive advantage. If the results are seen comparatively, then it can be indicated that the role of business analytics is more powerful compared with the environmental orientation. Although environmental orientation is a key factor of green innovation, but its direct role toward green competitive advantage is not so strong. Similarly, to check the other mechanisms, the role of green innovation as a mediator was explored. Empirical findings have established the mediating role of green innovation in the influence of business analytics and environmental orientation on green competitive advantage. Thus, the results confirm a mechanism of green innovation in the impact of business analytics and environmental orientation on green competitive advantage.

Practical implications

The study captures the attention of decision-makers and highlights that business leaders need to emphasize on business analytics while making managerial decisions related to green innovation and green competitive advantage.

Originality/value

For the first time, this study explored the role of business analytics and environmental orientation together toward green innovation and green competitive advantage. The study adds value to the existing literature and opens new avenues for scholarly research in the area of managerial decision-making.
Design sprint for SMEs: an organizational taxonomy based on configuration theory
Authors: Magistretti Stefano , Dell'Era Claudio , Doppio Nicola
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Design approaches to innovation are booming in both the academic and practitioner worlds. Tech giants are proposing different methodologies to develop technological innovation leveraging design principles, for example, Amazon with working backward and Google with Design Sprint. However, little is known on the role of these methodologies in managing the knowledge translation among different stakeholders. This paper aims to investigate how Design Sprint approaches can face digital challenges and foster collaborations.

Design/methodology/approach

Through interviews and participatory observations of ten exploratory cases of SME adoption of the Design Sprint methodology, data were collected, organized, clustered and then validated. Furthermore, by adopting a configuration theory perspective, the data have been processed to contribute to the emergence of two Design Sprint organizational taxonomy.

Findings

Competences, type of design challenge and the process followed emerge from the cases as key drivers of different Design Sprint configurations. Moreover, the configuration theory helped in identifying two Design Sprint taxonomies named Willing and Wondering configurations. Finally, the paper provides managers with practical guidelines on how to leverage these configurations to make this approach more effective for SMEs and how this method helps the knowledge translation.

Originality/value

The value and originality of the paper are in defining Design Sprint from a theoretical point of view and offering practical guidelines on how to adapt it to the particular context of collaborative digital environments of SMEs. Moreover, it contributes to enlarging the relevance of configurational theory in the creative industries.
Resident perceptions of Chinese tourists in Thailand
Authors: Li Zhiyong , Chen Honglin , Huang Songshan (Sam) , Wanichwasin Phakcharee , Cui Rui
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Thailand has served as a major outbound tourist destination for Chinese tourists for decades. Behaviours demonstrated by Chinese tourists in Thailand are believed to have created an image of Chinese outbound tourists among the residents and have impacted on the sustainability of Thai tourism. This study aims to contribute a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the image of Chinese outbound tourists from the perspective of Thai residents’.

Design/methodology/approach

In-depth interviews were conducted with 15 Thai residents who have frequent contact with Chinese tourists.

Findings

The results reveal that Thai residents’ perceptions of Chinese tourists include both positive and negative images. Positive images consist of being filial and friendly (e.g. taking good care of the elderly and having close emotional ties within their touring group) and being wealthy and auspicious (e.g. having a lot of money to spend and tipping generously). Negative images include moral norms (e.g. making loud noises and jumping into a queue), hygiene habits (e.g. littering and spitting) and religious culture (e.g. touching and climbing Buddha statues).

Originality/value

This qualitative research promotes the study of destination residents’ perceptions of tourists’ in the context of outbound tourism and enriches the application of social representation theory from the perspective of residents in the field of tourism marketing. It generates a more nuanced comprehension of Thai residents’ perceptions of Chinese tourists, contributes to the government’s formulation of guidelines for civilised tourism and has benefits to the sustainable development of tourism destinations.
MiR‐325‐3p inhibits renal inflammation and fibrosis by targeting CCL19 in diabetic nephropathy
Authors: Sun Jiping , Wang Jing , Lu Wanhong , Xie Liyi , Lv Jing , Li Huixian , Yang Shifeng
Published: June 2020

Diabetic nephropathy (DN), a common cardiovascular disease, has been a global health threat. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been proposed to frequently participate in the occurrence and development of DN, however, the role of miR‐325‐3p in DN remains uncharacterized. Our research aimed to explore the function and mechanism of miR‐325‐3p in DN. Bioinformatics analysis (Targetscan, http://www.targetscan.org) and a wide range of experiments including RT‐qPCR, CCK‐8 assay, western blot, luciferase reporter assay, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays, urine protein and blood glucose assays, histology analysis and morphometric analysis were used to explore the function and mechanism of miR‐325‐3p and C‐C motif chemokine ligand 19 (CCL19). CCL19 could facilitate the progression of DN by inhibiting cell viability and promoting inflammation and fibrosis in HK‐2 and HMC cells. In addition, CCL19 was confirmed to be targeted and negatively regulated by miR‐325‐3p. Rescue assays validated that the impacts of miR‐325‐3p mimics on the viability, inflammation and fibrosis of HK‐2 and HMC cells were recovered by CCL19 overexpression. To sum up, miR‐325‐3p inhibits renal inflammation and fibrosis by targeting CCL19 in a DN cell model and mice model, implying miR‐325‐3p as a possible therapeutic target for DN treatment.
Magnetic resonance imaging measurement of placental perfusion and oxygen saturation in early‐onset fetal growth restriction
Authors: Aughwane R , Mufti N , Flouri D , Maksym K , Spencer R , Sokolska M , Kendall G , Atkinson D , Bainbridge A , Deprest J , Vercauteren T , Ourselin S , David AL , Melbourne A
Published: June 2020

Objective

We hypothesised that a multi‐compartment magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique that is sensitive to fetal blood oxygenation would identify changes in placental blood volume and fetal blood oxygenation in pregnancies complicated by early‐onset fetal growth restriction (FGR).

Design

Case–control study.

Setting

London, UK.

Population

Women with uncomplicated pregnancies (estimated fetal weight [EFW] >10th centile for gestational age [GA] and normal maternal and fetal Doppler ultrasound, n = 12) or early‐onset FGR (EFW <3rd centile with or without abnormal Doppler ultrasound <32 weeks GA, n = 12) were studied.

Methods

All women underwent MRI examination. Using a multi‐compartment MRI technique, we quantified fetal and maternal blood volume and feto‐placental blood oxygenation.

Main outcome measures

Disease severity was stratified according to Doppler pulsatility index and the relationship to the MRI parameters was investigated, including the influence of GA at scan.

Results

The FGR group (mean GA 27+5 weeks, range 24+2 to 33+6 weeks) had a significantly lower EFW compared with the control group (mean GA 29+1 weeks; −705 g, 95% CI −353 to −1057 g). MRI‐derived feto‐placental oxygen saturation was higher in controls compared with FGR (75 ± 9.6% versus 56 ± 16.2%, P = 0.02, 95% CI 7.8–30.3%). Feto‐placental oxygen saturation estimation correlated strongly with GA at scan in controls (r = −0.83).

Conclusion

Using a novel multimodal MRI protocol we demonstrated reduced feto‐placental blood oxygen saturation in pregnancies complicated by early‐onset FGR. The degree of abnormality correlated with disease severity defined by ultrasound Doppler findings. Gestational age‐dependent changes in oxygen saturation were also present in normal pregnancies.

Tweetable abstract

MRI reveals differences in feto‐placental oxygen saturation between normal and FGR pregnancy that is associated with disease severity.
Asphyxia Homicides in Finland, 1983–2012
Authors: Wahlsten Pia , Eriksson Anders
Published: June 2020

Finland has one of the highest homicide rates in Western Europe, and almost every tenth homicide is caused by asphyxiation. Reliable statistics, a strict legislation, and an exceptionally high medico‐legal autopsy rate formed a base for a nationwide analysis of asphyxia homicides (n = 383) during 30 years. The cases were identified through multiple records, and all the forensic pathology case files were studied in detail. In more than one out of five cases, there were indications of staging, and the homicide was revealed first at autopsy in close to one in ten cases. The vast majority of the homicides took place in private locations and involved persons known to each other. Every third victim was an intimate partner, and every tenth a child. Almost half of the victims died from manual strangulation, one in three from ligature strangulation. Smothering, choking, neck compression with a firm object, and thoracic compression were more rare methods. Drownings were excluded from this study material. Of all the victims, 7% had no observable external injuries. Petechiae were recorded in approximately in 61%, laryngohyoid fractures in 47%, and vocal cord hemorrhages in 16% of the cases. Every tenth female victim had genital injuries. Toxicological analyses were performed in close to all of the cases, and almost three out of four victims tested positive for blood alcohol. The various aspects of the demographics and autopsy findings covered in this study contribute reliable and accurate data to further strengthen the spectrum of observable medico‐legal characteristics of asphyxia homicides.
Model based optimization of transflection near infrared spectroscopy as a process analytical tool in a continuous flash pasteurizer
Authors: Weishaupt Imke , Zimmer Manuel , Neubauer Peter , Schneider Jan
Published: June 2020

Near infrared spectroscopy in combination with a transflection probe was investigated as inline measurement in a continuous flash pasteurizer system with a sugar–water model solution. Robustness and reproducibility of fluctuations of recorded spectra as well as trueness of the chemometric analysis were compared under different process parameter settings. Variable parameters were the flow rate (from laminar flow at 30 L/h to turbulent flow at 90 L/h), temperature (20 to 100 °C) and the path length of the transflection probe (2 and 4 mm) while the pressure was kept constant at 2.5 bar. Temperature and path length were identified as the most affecting parameters, in case of homogenous test medium. In case of particle containing systems, the flow rate could have an impact as well. However, the application of a PLS model, which includes a broad temperature range, and the correction of prediction results by applying a polynomial regression function for prediction errors, was able to compensate these effects. Also, a path length of 2 mm leads to a higher accuracy. The applied strategy shows that by the identification of relevant process parameters and settings as well as the establishment of a compensation strategy, near infrared spectroscopy is a powerful process analytical tool for continuous flash pasteurization systems.
Editorial: simultaneous prolonged monitoring of the acid pocket and oesophageal reflux
Authors: Katz Philip O. , Castell Donald O.
Published: June 2020

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Deraman et al and Ma et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15746 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15835.
Identification of vessel use and explanation of change in production techniques from the Old to the Middle Kingdom: Organic residue analysis, fabric and thermal characterization of pot sherds from Qubbet el‐Hawa, Aswan, Egypt
Authors: Khalifa E. , Elrahim E. Abd
Published: June 2020

For the first time, residue‐analysis results of a red‐rim bowl discovered at Qubbet el‐Hawa in Aswan, Egypt, are discussed alongside the thermal characterization of unpublished pottery bowls of the Old and Middle Kingdoms from the same site. Scanning electron microscopy with energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectrometry (SEM‐EDX) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis were performed to provide fabric description of the bowls. The results show the presence of 4‐heptenoic and 4‐decenoic acids. The Old Kingdom bowl showed a firing temperature range of 800–850°C, while the Middle Kingdom example was fired to higher temperatures. This is a suggested explanation of the decrease in the use of red coating as a surface treatment after the Old Kingdom.
Revisiting geographies of social reproduction: Everyday life, the endotic, and the infra‐ordinary
Authors: Hall Sarah Marie
Published: June 2020

In this paper I revisit Tivers’s (1978) paper ‘How the other half lives: the geographical study of women’, and in doing so also revisit geographies of social reproduction. Contributing to and revitalising geographies of social reproduction, I place these ideas in conversation with Perec’s work on the endotic and infra‐ordinary. This has the effect of both extracting a more feminist reading of Perec and can provide new insights for social reproduction, particularly when placed alongside emerging ideas about ‘social infrastructures.’.
The Role of Organizational Factors in Mobilizing Professionals: Evidence from Nurse Unions in the United States and Germany
Authors: Krachler Nick , Auffenberg Jennie , Wolf Luigi
Published: June 2020

Scholars have intensely debated the conditions under which trade unions can successfully mobilize professionals. We explore an internationally comparative perspective on mobilizing professionals by asking how two nurse unions in the United States and Germany successfully limited management's prerogative over staffing levels. We found that German national institutions had little influence over the bargaining process; instead, factors at the level of organizations and their environment (leadership support, organizational restructuring, coalition‐building with supportive stakeholders and framing) enabled mobilization. Based on a power resources perspective, we conclude that unions can mobilize professionals using militancy, even without much support from national institutions.
Bootstrap tests for structural breaks when the regressors and the serially correlated error term are unstable
Authors: Lee Dong Jin
Published: June 2020

Structural break problems in linear regression coefficients are often accompanied by the instabilities of the regressors and/or the serially correlated error term such as structural changes in their marginal distributions. In these circumstances, we find that existing tests as well as Hansen (2000)'s fixed regressor bootstrap have serious size distortions, although the latter is designed to overcome the unstable regressors. To tackle this problem, we propose a method that combines the fixed regressor bootstrap and the sieve wild bootstrap. We show that the sieve wild bootstrap asymptotically replicates a broad set of serially correlated unstable error processes. Using that the fixed regressor bootstrap is designed to capture the instability of the regressors, the mixture of the two is then shown to provide correct asymptotic critical values of the existing tests in various feasible nonstandard cases. Monte Carlo experiments show significant improvements in size and power.
American society through the prism of the Walker Tariff of 1846
Authors: Rowe Christopher
Published: June 2020

This article analyses the reduction in duties under US President James Polk, enshrined in the Walker Tariff of 1846, as a proxy for understanding the interrelationship between the executive, the legislature, and broader societal developments. It concludes that congressional debates on the subject were constrained by three parameters: the perceived threat of sectionalism, fears of international belligerence, and the legacy of colonialism. First, memories of the earlier Nullification Crisis of 1833 determined that the political discourse was characterised by a striking emphasis on national unity. Second, contrary to the usual association of free trade with peace, the Walker Tariff was necessarily debated in terms of compatibility with ongoing warfare. Lastly, Britain's shadow coloured congressional language, with both sides exploiting simultaneous reductions of tariffs in the former colonising power to advance their rhetorical ends.