bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fibromyalgia, mood disorders, cognitive test results, cognitive symptoms and quality of life in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Raghunath Sudha , Guymer Emma K , Glikmann-Johnston Yifat , Golder Vera , Kandane Rathnayake Rangi , Morand Eric F , Stout Julie C , Hoi Alberta
Published: April 2022

Objectives

Cognitive dysfunction, and comorbidities such as mood disorder and fibromyalgia, are common in SLE. This study aims to explore the associations between fibromyalgia, mood disorders, cognitive symptoms and cognitive dysfunction in SLE patients, and their impact on quality of life.

Methods

We tested cognition in SLE patients and healthy controls, and evaluated cognitive symptoms, mood disorder, fibromyalgia, fatigue and quality of life using patient-reported outcome measures. We examined associations of these comorbidities with both patient-reported cognitive symptoms and cognitive test performance.

Results

High fibromyalgia symptom score and history of depression or anxiety were associated with cognitive dysfunction. There were no significant associations between current depression, anxiety symptoms or fatigue score and objective cognitive dysfunction. In contrast, mood disorder symptoms, history of mood disorder, fibromyalgia symptoms and fatigue all had significant associations with patient-reported cognitive symptoms. There were no significant associations between patient-reported cognitive symptoms and objective cognitive dysfunction. Objective cognitive dysfunction, patient-reported cognitive symptoms, history of mood disorder and fibromyalgia symptoms all had significant associations with poorer quality of life; fibromyalgia had the biggest impact.

Conclusions

Cognitive symptoms are common in SLE, but there were no associations between cognitive symptoms and objective cognitive dysfunction. Depression, anxiety and fibromyalgia were more consistently associated with patient-reported cognitive symptoms than with objective cognitive dysfunction. These factors all have a significant impact on quality of life. Understanding the discrepancy between patient-reported cognitive symptoms and cognitive test performance is essential to advance care in this area of unmet need.
Development and Evaluation of the Altered Student Study Environment Tool: A Tool to Measure Nursing Student Concerns Relating to Academic Progression During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Fernandez Ritin , Green Heidi , Middleton Rebekkah , Halcomb Elizabeth , Moxham Lorna
Published: April 2022

BACKGROUND

Rapid alterations to study environments during COVID-19 raised concerns for nursing students about their academic progression.

AIM

The study aim was to investigate the psychometric properties of the Altered Student Study Environment Tool (ASSET) and the relationship between students’ concerns, demographics, COVID-19-related knowledge, and communication received from the university.

METHOD

The 11-item ASSET and investigator-developed questions were administered to prelicensure nursing students using an anonymous online survey.

RESULTS

Responses were obtained from 234 students. Exploratory factor analysis supported a three-factor structure, namely, attending clinical placement, completion of clinical placement, and grade attainment. Students with higher scores on knowledge had significantly lower concerns for the subscale attending clinical placement. Full-time students had significantly higher concerns for the subscale completion of clinical placement.

CONCLUSION

The ASSET is a valid and reliable instrument that can be used to measure concerns relating to the effects of altered study environments on academic progression.
Adult Isthmic Spondylolisthesis
Authors: Karamian Brian A. , Lambrechts Mark J. , Mao Jennifer , D’Antonio Nicholas D. , Conaway William , Canseco Jose A. , Thandoni Aditya , Singh Akash , Harlamova Daria , Kaye Ian David , Kurd Mark , Woods Barrett I. , Hilibrand Alan S. , Kepler Christopher K. , Vaccaro Alexander R. , Schroeder Gregory D.
Published: April 2022

Study Design:

This was a retrospective cohort study.

Objective:

The objective of this study was to compare radiographic and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) between circumferential fusions and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) for adult isthmic spondylolisthesis (IS).

Summary of Background Data:

Definitive management of adult IS typically requires decompression and fusion. Multiple fusion techniques have been described, but literature is sparse in identifying the optimal technique.

Methods:

Patients with IS undergoing single-level or 2-level circumferential fusion or TLIF with a minimum 1-year follow-up were included. Patient demographics, surgical characteristics, and PROMs were extracted from patients’ electronic medical records. Descriptive statistics and multivariate regression analysis compared outcomes with significance set at P-value <0.05.

Results:

A total of 78 circumferential fusions (48 open decompression and fusions and 30 circumferential fusions utilizing posterior percutaneous instrumentation) and 50 TLIF procedures were included. Length of stay was significantly longer when comparing circumferential procedures (3.56±0.96 d) versus TLIFs (2.88±1.14 d) (P=0.002). The circumferential fusion group resulted in greater postoperative improvement in segmental lordosis [anterior/posterior (A/P): 6.45, TLIF: −1.99, P<0.001], posterior disk height (A/P: 12.6 mm, TLIF: 8.9 mm, P<0.001), and ∆disk height (A/P: 7.7 mm, TLIF: 3.6 mm, P<0.001). Both groups significantly improved in all PROMs (P<0.001). While the circumferential fusion group had a significantly higher rate of perioperative surgical complications (12.82% vs. 2.00%, P=0.049), there was no difference in the rate of 30-day readmissions (P=0.520) or revision surgeries between techniques (P=0.057).

Conclusions:

Circumferential fusions are associated with improvements in radiographic outcomes compared with TLIFs, but this is at the expense of longer hospital length of stay and increased risk for perioperative complications. The surgical technique did not result in superior postoperative PROMs or differences in readmissions or revisions.
Double Barrel Screw Fixation for Proximal Phalanx Fracture
Authors: Gray Robert R. L. , Rubio Francisco , Heifner John J. , Hoekzema Nathan A. , Mercer Deana M.
Published: April 2022

A variety of fixation options exist for treatment of unstable proximal phalanx fractures. Variables which require consideration include the strength of fixation, the invasiveness of the technique and the postoperative rehabilitation protocol. Here we present a minimally invasive technique for dual headless compression screw fixation of proximal phalanx fractures which reduces extensor tendon violation and allows early motion in the immediate postoperative period.
Causal Effect of Chronic Pain on Mortality Through Opioid Prescriptions: Application of the Front-Door Formula
Authors: Inoue Kosuke , Ritz Beate , Arah Onyebuchi A.
Published: April 2022

Background:

Chronic pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide and is strongly associated with the epidemic of opioid overdosing events. However, the causal links between chronic pain, opioid prescriptions, and mortality remain unclear.

Methods:

This study included 13,884 US adults aged ≥20 years who provided data on chronic pain in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999–2004 with linkage to mortality databases through 2015. We employed the generalized form of the front-door formula within the structural causal model framework to investigate the causal effect of chronic pain on all-cause mortality mediated by opioid prescriptions.

Results:

We identified a total of 718 participants at 3 years of follow-up and 1260 participants at 5 years as having died from all causes. Opioid prescriptions increased the risk of all-cause mortality with an estimated odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval) = 1.5 (1.1, 1.9) at 3 years and 1.3 (1.1, 1.6) at 5 years. The front-door formula revealed that chronic pain increased the risk of all-cause mortality through opioid prescriptions; OR = 1.06 (1.01, 1.11) at 3 years and 1.03 (1.01, 1.06) at 5 years. Our bias analysis showed that our findings based on the front-door formula were likely robust to plausible sources of bias from uncontrolled exposure–mediator or mediator–outcome confounding.

Conclusions:

Chronic pain increased the risk of all-cause mortality through opioid prescriptions. Our findings highlight the importance of careful guideline-based chronic pain management to prevent death from possibly inappropriate opioid prescriptions driven by chronic pain.
The Association Between Perceived Discrimination and BMI Trajectory
Authors: Miller Hailey N. , Perrin Nancy , Thorpe Roland J. , Evans Michele K. , Zonderman Alan B. , Allen Jerilyn
Published: April 2022

Evidence suggests that socioenvironmental stressors, such as discrimination, may serve as determinants of the ongoing obesity epidemic and persisting disparities in obesity prevalence. The objectives of these analyses were to examine whether perceived discrimination was associated with body mass index (BMI) trajectory and whether this relationship differed by race or sex. Data for these analyses came from the Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity across the Life Span study, a prospective cohort study in Baltimore City. Mixed-effects linear regression was used in a sample of 1962 African American and white adults to test our hypotheses. We found that race was an effect modifier in the relationship between perceived discrimination and BMI trajectory (B = 0.063, P = .014). Specifically, higher baseline perceived discrimination was associated with positive BMI trajectory in African American adults (B = 0.031, P = .033) but not in white adults (B = −0.032 P = .128). In this longitudinal study of African American and white adults, the relationship between perceived discrimination and BMI trajectory differed by race. Future research should be conducted in diverse samples to understand the risk socioenvironmental stressors pose on the development and progression of overweight and obesity, in addition to how these differ in subgroups.
Outcomes and Revenue Generation of a Community-based Screening at a Center in the United States: The SToP Glaucoma Program
Authors: Varadara Varshini , Wahl Madison , Gajwani Prateek , David Jenina , Dutson Madison , Zhao Di , Guallar Eliseo , Swenor Bonnielin K. , Johnson Thomas V. , Friedman David S. ,   on behalf of The SToP Glaucoma Study Group
Published: April 2022

Precis:

Of 611 individuals seen at referral clinic visits following community screenings, 76% were diagnosed with ≤1 eye condition needing treatment, generating a total of $213,110 in collections for the institution over 2.5-years.

Purpose:

To examine outcomes and revenue generation of community-based eye screenings.

Methods:

Individuals aged ≥50 years screened at community sites in Baltimore, Maryland, with abnormal ophthalmic findings were referred for one free-of-charge definitive eye exam at the Wilmer Eye Institute. Diagnoses, treatment, and billing information were abstracted from electronic medical records of patients subsequently seen at Wilmer from January 1, 2016-July 31, 2018.

Results:

611 individuals attended 3,696 encounters at Wilmer during this time-period. Most patients were female (60.3%) and African American (83.7%). At the screening event, 82.9% reported difficulty seeing when not wearing corrective eyewear although only 49.8% reported having visited an eye doctor within the last two years. The majority (60.2%) reported having Medicare/Medicaid coverage, and 8.1% reported being uninsured. At the definitive eye exam after screening, 75.5% of patients were diagnosed with ≥1 eye condition, most commonly cataract (30.3%), suspicion of glaucoma (24.9%), manifest glaucoma (11.9%), diabetic retinopathy (5.4%), and ocular hypertension (2.6%). 430 (70.4%) individuals required treatment including surgery (n=106), intravitreal injections (n=14), laser procedures (n=9), and medications (n=48). A total of $213,110 was collected for visits and procedures after the initial referral visit during the study period.

Conclusions:

A large community-based vision screening program in Baltimore was able to identify ocular conditions requiring treatment in underserved older adults and connect them to eye care. Our findings also highlight that this model simultaneously generates new revenue streams for the institution organizing the community screenings.
Autoantibodies from patients with complex regional pain syndrome induce pro-inflammatory effects and functional disturbances on endothelial cells in vitro
Authors: Dharmalingam Backialakshmi , Singh Pratibha , Schramm Patrick , Birklein Frank , Kaps Manfred , Lips Katrin Susanne , Szalay Gabor , Blaes Franz , Tschernatsch Marlene
Published: April 2022

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is an inadequate local response after a limb trauma, which leads to severe pain and autonomic and trophic changes of the affected limb. Autoantibodies directed against human β2 adrenergic and muscarinic M2 receptors (hβ2AR and hM2R) have been described in CRPS patients previously. We analyzed sera from CRPS patients for autoantibodies against hβ2AR, hM2R, and endothelial cells and investigated the functional effects of purified IgG, derived from 13 patients with CRPS, on endothelial cells. Eleven healthy controls, 7 radial fracture patients without CRPS, and 10 patients with peripheral arterial vascular disease served as control subjects. The CRPS-IgG, but not control IgG, bound to the surface of endothelial cells (P < 0.001) and to hβ2AR and hM2R (P < 0.05), the latter being reversed by adding β2AR and M2R antagonists. The CRPS-IgG led to an increased cytotoxicity and a reduced proliferation rate of endothelial cells, and by adding specific antagonists, the effect was neutralized. Regarding second messenger pathways, CRPS-IgG induced ERK1/2, p38, and STAT1 phosphorylation, whereas AKT phosphorylation was decreased at the protein level. In addition, increased expression of adhesion molecules (ICAM-1 and VCAM-1) on the mRNA level was induced by CRPS-IgG, thus inducing a pro-inflammatory condition of the endothelial cells. Our results show that patients with CRPS not only develop autoantibodies against hβ2AR and hM2R, but these antibodies also interfere with endothelial cells, inducing functional effects on these in vitro, and thus might contribute to the pathophysiology of CRPS.
Altered pain sensitivity in 5×familial Alzheimer disease mice is associated with dendritic spine loss in anterior cingulate cortex pyramidal neurons
Authors: Cui Zhengyu , Guo Zhongzhao , Wei Luyao , Zou Xiang , Zhu Zilu , Liu Yuchen , Wang Jie , Chen Liang , Wang Deheng , Ke Zunji
Published: April 2022

Chronic pain is highly prevalent. Individuals with cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer disease are a susceptible population in which pain is frequently difficult to diagnosis. It is still unclear whether the pathological changes in patients with Alzheimer disease will affect pain processing. Here, we leverage animal behavior, neural activity recording, optogenetics, chemogenetics, and Alzheimer disease modeling to examine the contribution of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) neurons to pain response. The 5× familial Alzheimer disease mice show alleviated mechanical allodynia which can be regained by the genetic activation of ACC excitatory neurons. Furthermore, the lower peak neuronal excitation, delayed response initiation, as well as the dendritic spine reduction of ACC pyramidal neurons in 5×familial Alzheimer disease mice can be mimicked by Rac1 or actin polymerization inhibitor in wild-type (WT) mice. These findings indicate that abnormal of pain sensitivity in Alzheimer disease modeling mice is closely related to the variation of neuronal activity and dendritic spine loss in ACC pyramidal neurons, suggesting the crucial role of dendritic spine density in pain processing.
Kaposiform Lymphangiomatosis
Authors: Perez-Atayde Antonio R. , Debelenko Larisa , Al-Ibraheemi Alyaa , Eng Whitney , Ruiz-Gutierrez Melisa , O’Hare Meghan , Croteau Stacy E. , Trenor Cameron C. , Boyer Debra , Balkin Daniel M. , Barclay Sarah F. , Hsi Dickie Belinda , Liang Marilyn G. , Chaudry Gulraiz , Alomari Ahmad I. , Mulliken John B. , Adams Denise M. , Kurek Kyle C. , Fishman Steven J. , Kozakewich Harry P.W.
Published: April 2022

Kaposiform lymphangiomatosis is an uncommon generalized lymphatic anomaly with distinctive clinical, radiologic, histopathologic, and molecular findings. Herein, we document the pathology in 43 patients evaluated by the Boston Children’s Hospital Vascular Anomalies Center from 1999 to 2020. The most frequent presentations were respiratory difficulty, hemostatic abnormalities, and a soft tissue mass. Imaging commonly revealed involvement of some combination of mediastinal, pulmonary, pleural, and pericardial compartments and most often included spleen and skeleton. Histopathology was characterized by dilated, redundant, and abnormally configured lymphatic channels typically accompanied by dispersed clusters of variably canalized, and often hemosiderotic, spindled lymphatic endothelial cells that were immunopositive for D2-40, PROX1, and CD31. An activating lesional NRAS variant was documented in 9 of 10 patients. The clinical course was typically aggressive, marked by hemorrhage, thrombocytopenia, diminished fibrinogen levels, and a mortality rate of 21%.
From the Birth of Occupational Therapy and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation to Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Altschuler Eric L. , Altschuler Daniel L.
Published: April 2022

The American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation has entered its second century of publication. In this centennial review, we chronicle the evolution of the journal from its origin in 1922 as the Archives of Occupational Therapy to the present. In particular, we focus on the contributions to the journal and the field of physical medicine and rehabilitation by Founding Editor-in-Chief William Rush Dunton, Jr, MD, and the rise of publication of randomized controlled studies in the journal, thus fulfilling Dr Dunton’s original vision and dream for the field and the journal.
Bilateral Avid Axillary Nodes on FDG PET/CT Due to Concurrent Booster COVID-19 Immunization and Seasonal Influenza Vaccination
Authors: Nawwar Ayah Adel , Searle Julie , Lyburn Iain Douglas
Published: April 2022

In an attempt to protect the high-risk demographic and reduce burden on health care systems, concomitant administration of COVID-19 and influenza vaccines has been recommended by health bodies. The ComFluCOV trial indicates this is well tolerated with no reduction in immune response to either vaccine. A 48-year-old woman with right oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma underwent postradiotherapy FDG PET/CT, which demonstrated complete metabolic response. Incidental avid bilateral axillary lymphadenopathy of benign configuration was noted and concluded to be reactive in response to recent Pfizer-BioNTech booster and influenza vaccination. This is expected to be seen more frequently over the coming months.
Utility of PET to Appropriately Select Patients for PSMA-Targeted Theranostics
Authors: Eshghi Anna , Covington Matthew F. , Eshghi Naghmehossadat , Kuo Phillip H.
Published: April 2022

The majority of aggressive prostate cancers overexpress the transmembrane protein prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA). PSMA is, therefore, an attractive target for drug development. Over the last decade, numerous PSMA-targeted radiopharmaceuticals for imaging and therapy have been developed and investigated in theranostic combination. PSMA-targeted radiopharmaceuticals for imaging have been primarily developed for PET. PSMA PET provides whole-body evaluation of the degree of PSMA expression on tumors and potentially provides a method to better select patients for PSMA-targeted therapy. Numerous PSMA-targeted therapeutic agents using β- or α-particle emitters are under study in clinical trials. In particular, the β-particle–emitting radioisotope 177Lu bound to PSMA-targeted small molecules have ongoing and completed late-stage clinical trials in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. To define the most appropriate patient group for PSMA-targeted therapeutics, multiple studies have investigated PSMA and FDG PET/CT to establish PET parameters as predictive and prognostic biomarkers. This article discusses recent clinical trials that examine the optimal use of PET for the selection of patients for PSMA-targeted therapeutics and provides an integrative overview of choice of PET tracer(s), targeting molecule, therapeutic radioisotope, nonradioactive therapy, and cancer type (prostate or nonprostate).
The visualization of unknown animals. Aesthetics of natural history in Perrault's
Description anatomique
, Merian's
Metamorphosis insectorum Surinamensium
and Réaumur's
History of insects
Authors: Förschler Silke
Published: April 2022

The visualization of animals in order to categorize their position in the great chain of being was one of the primary interests of natural history in early modern times. According to contemporary opinion, the greatest challenge lay in the precise depiction of animals unknown and those not visible to the naked eye. The focus here will be on a graphic from Claude Perrault's
Description anatomique
of 1669, the plates and writings of Maria Sibylla Merian from around 1700 and the remarks and pictorial plates from the work of René-Antoine Ferchault de Réaumur, published in the first half of the eighteenth century. These case studies are used to illustrate the way in which natural historians of the early modern period, in their modes of representation, employed an ‘aesthetic of epistemological interest’ in order to transmit the knowledge of animals. Picturing life in the early modern age meant making the simultaneity of various stages, actually only perceived in a temporal sequence, available at a glance. In such a way, knowledge of unknown and invisible animals was conveyed along with that of the naturalist procedures that produced this knowledge.
Sanctions and international interaction improve cooperation to avert climate change
Authors: Grimalda Gianluca , Belianin Alexis , Hennig-Schmidt Heike , Requate Till , Ryzhkova Marina V.
Published: April 2022

Imposing sanctions on non-compliant parties to international agreements is advocated as a remedy for international cooperation failure. Nevertheless, sanctions are costly, and rational choice theory predicts their ineffectiveness in improving cooperation. We test sanctions effectiveness experimentally in international collective-risk social dilemmas simulating efforts to avoid catastrophic climate change. We involve individuals from countries where sanctions were shown to be effective (Germany) or ineffective (Russia) in increasing cooperation. Here, we show that, while this result still holds nationally, international interaction backed by sanctions is beneficial. Cooperation by low cooperator groups increases relative to national cooperation and converges to the levels of high cooperators. This result holds regardless of revealing other group members' nationality, suggesting that participants' specific attitudes or stereotypes over the other country were irrelevant. Groups interacting under sanctions contribute more to catastrophe prevention than what would maximize expected group payoffs. This behaviour signals a strong propensity for protection against collective risks.
Development of an ELISA to distinguish between foot-and-mouth disease virus infected and vaccinated animals utilising the viral non-structural protein 3ABC
Authors: Zia Muhammad Ashir , Dobson Samuel J. , Rowlands David J. , Stonehouse Nicola J. , Shah Muhammad Salahuddin , Habib Mudasser
Published: April 2022

Introduction. Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious and economically devastating viral disease of livestock and is endemic in much of Asia, including Pakistan. Vaccination is used to control disease outbreaks and sensitive diagnostic methods which can differentiate infected animals from vaccinated animals (DIVA) are essential for monitoring the effectiveness of disease control programmes. Tests based on the detection of the non-structural protein (NSP) 3ABC are reliable indicators of virus replication in infected and vaccinated populations.

Hypothesis/Gap statement. Diagnosis of FMD is expensive using commercial ELISA kits, yet is essential for controlling this economically-important disease.

Aim. The development of a low-cost diagnostic ELISA, using protein made in

Escherichia coli

.

Methodology. In this study, the viral precursor protein 3ABC (r3ABC) was expressed in

E. coli

, solubilised using detergent and purified using nickel affinity chromatography. The fusion protein contained an attenuating mutation in the protease and a SUMO tag. It was characterised by immunoblotting and immunoprecipitation, which revealed antigenicity against virus-specific polyclonal sera. Using r3ABC, an indirect ELISA was developed and evaluated using field sera from healthy/naïve, vaccinated and infected animals.

Results. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the r3ABC in-house ELISA were 95.3 and 96.3% respectively. The ELISA was validated through comparison with the commercially available ID Screen FMD NSP competition kit. Results indicated good concordance rates on tested samples and high agreement between the two tests.

Conclusion. The ELISA described here can effectively differentiate between infected and vaccinated animals and represents an important low cost tool for sero-surveillance and control of FMD in endemic settings.
Of zones, bridges and chaperones – phospholipid transport in bacterial outer membrane assembly and homeostasis
Authors: Yeow Jiang , Chng Shu-Sin
Published: April 2022

The outer membrane (OM) is a formidable permeability barrier that protects Gram-negative bacteria from detergents and antibiotics. It possesses exquisite lipid asymmetry, requiring the placement and retention of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) in the outer leaflet, and phospholipids (PLs) in the inner leaflet. To establish OM lipid asymmetry, LPS are transported from the inner membrane (IM) directly to the outer leaflet of the OM. In contrast, mechanisms for PL trafficking across the cell envelope are much less understood. In this review, we summarize and discuss recent advances in our understanding of PL transport, making parallel comparisons to well-established pathways for OM lipoprotein (Lol) and LPS (Lpt). Insights into putative PL transport systems highlight possible connections back to the ‘Bayer bridges’, adhesion zones between the IM and the OM that had been observed more than 50 years ago, and proposed as passages for export of OM components, including LPS and PLs.
Safety performance functions to predict separation minima infringements in en-route airspace
Authors: Delgado-Aguilera Jurado Raquel , Gómez Comendador Victor Fernando , Zamarreño Suárez María , Pérez Moreno Francisco , Verdonk Gallego Christian Eduardo , Arnaldo Valdes Rosa María
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to establish a systematic framework to characterise the safety of air routes, in terms of separation minima infringements (SMIs) between en-route aircraft, based on the definition of models known as safety performance functions.

Design/methodology/approach

Techniques with high predictive capability were selected that enable both expert knowledge and data to be harnessed: Bayesian networks. It was necessary to establish a conceptual framework that integrates the knowledge currently available on the causality and precursors of SMIs with the hindsight derived from the analysis of the type of data available. To translate the conceptual framework into a set of causal subnets, the concepts of air traffic management (ATM) barrier model and event trees have been incorporated.

Findings

The model combines analytics and insights, as well as predictive capability, to answer the question of how airspace separation infringements are produced and what their frequency of occurrence will be. The main outputs of the network are the predicted probability of success for the ATM barriers and the predicted probability distribution of the vertical and horizontal separation of an aircraft in its closest point of approach.

Originality/value

The main contribution of this work is that, by virtue of the calculation capacity obtained, the network can be used to draw conclusions about the impact that a modification of the airspace and of the traffic, or operational conditions, would have on the effectiveness of the barriers and on the final distributions of distance between aircraft in the CPA, thereby estimating the probability of SMI.
The role of motivations in the construction of patronage intention of innovative green products
Authors: Torres-Moraga Eduardo , Vidal-Buitano Agustin
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to analyze how autonomous and controlled motivations influence the formation of patronage intention (PI) of innovative green products. Additionally, the role of positive affect (PA) in these causal relationships is analyzed, as is the moderating role of social norms (SN).

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through an online self-administered questionnaire. The paper reports the results of a quantitative study based on a sample of 338 people of 24 years old or older, with different levels of education and motivations in terms of acting in favor of the environment. To ensure the reliability and validity of the constructs, an exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used. To test the proposed research model, the methodology of structural equations was used.

Findings

The results indicate that autonomous motivations (AMs) contribute positively to the formation of patronage intention toward innovative green products, while controlled motivations (CMs) influence negatively. Additionally, it was observed that PA fulfills a relative role in the formation of patronage intention and that SN act as moderators of these causal relationships.

Practical implications

These findings serve as a base for companies to identify those segments of consumers that are motivated autonomously by care for the environment and thus to design effective strategies to achieve their patronage intention.

Originality/value

Considering the relevance of the consumption of green products, as well as how companies can achieve the patronage intention of the consumer, this study shows a high level of originality in the sense that it analyses the role of motivations and PA in the formation of patronage intention of green products, especially when these are perceived as innovative.
Consumer perception of clean food labels
Authors: Cao Yan , Miao Li
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This study puts forth a consumer-oriented concept of clean labels and attempts to empirically investigate consumer perceptions of these labels.

Design/methodology/approach

A self-administered survey (n = 346) was used as the research instrument for data collection in the current study.

Findings

Results from an online survey indicate that consumers perceived less processed, elimination of undesired ingredients and ethical concerns as salient attributes associated with clean labels. Consumer-perceived benefits of these attributes include healthiness, social responsibility, sensory appeal, reliable product and low calorie. Additionally, canonical correlation analysis yields two significant associations between clean label attributes and the corresponding benefits. Attributes of elimination of undesired ingredients and utilization of familiar elements drive the benefits of healthiness, low calorie and social responsibility. Attributes of being less processed and with simple ingredients are associated with the benefit of sensory appeal.

Originality/value

This study systematically investigates the discrete clean halo effect by empirically examining the associations between the clean label attributes and the dimensionalities of benefits as perceived by consumers.
Determinants of quality and food safety systems adoption in the agri-food sector
Authors: Barbancho-Maya Gema , López-Toro Alberto A.
Published: April 2022

Purpose

In order to meet the increasingly demanding needs of international markets, quality and food safety systems have become widespread among companies in the agri-food sector. This has led to a transformation of the agri-food sector that has also been detrimental for companies seeking to adopt such standards. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to define the determining factors that affect the process of adopting quality and food safety standards in agri–food companies, from the implementation of standards in company quality management systems to the process of certification of these standards.

Design/methodology/approach

To this end, a literature review is carried out in which the motivations, benefits, barriers and contingency factors are identified, analyzing and delimiting the scope and contribution of each of them to the company’s quality management.

Findings

The results show that the most important benefits and motivations are access to new markets and compliance with legislation, while the most important barrier is the high cost of adopting QFS systems within the company. Finally, the most relevant contingency factor when adopting these systems is the size of the company. Furthermore, the analysis shows that the results are closely interrelated. In conclusion, the consideration of the determinants identified in the paper contributes to a better implementation of agri-food quality and safety standards by companies.

Originality/value

This paper combines an analysis of the determining factors for the adoption of quality systems in the agri-food industry with the identification of contingency factors that, despite their importance throughout the process, are scarcely analysed in the rest of the literature. Finally, the work points out future lines of research that are still underexplored, such as the relationship between quality assurance and financial development; the role of contingency factors in the process of adopting these systems and the analysis of HACCP systems in the agri-food sector.
Two-dimensional analytical model for five-phase fault-tolerant permanent-magnet vernier machines
Authors: Mirzavand Ghazal , Rahideh Akbar
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This study aims to extract an analytical model for five-phase fault-tolerant permanent-magnet vernier machines (FTPMVMs) based on the analytical solution of Maxwell’s equations, which has some advantages than the finite element model.

Design/methodology/approach

FTPMVMs enhance the torque density by combining the vernier characteristics and the fault-tolerant feature. The principle operation of FTPMVMs is discussed based on the magnetic field modulation due to both permanent magnets and armature current. The analytical solution of the magnetic vector potential in each sub-region is obtained based on the sub-domain technique.

Findings

According to the calculated magnetic vector potential, the magnetic flux density, torque, self- and mutual inductance and back-electromotive force are calculated. The FEM is used to validate the results obtained from the proposed analytic model.

Originality/value

Two-dimensional analytical method is used to obtain the electromagnetic model of FTPMVMs.
Entrepreneurial motives, entrepreneurial success and life satisfaction of refugees venturing in tourism and hospitality
Authors: Cetin Gurel , Altinay Levent , Alrawadieh Zaid , Ali Faizan
Published: April 2022

Purpose

A burgeoning stream of tourism and hospitality research highlights the role of entrepreneurship in bringing about positive social and economic outcomes for both refugees themselves and their host countries. Yet little has been done so far both in mainstream entrepreneurship research and tourism scholarship to explore how motivations influence perceived entrepreneurial success of refugees and how this eventually affects their subjective well-being. To address this gap, the present study aims to propose and empirically test a conceptual model postulating relationships between contextual and individual entrepreneurial motives, perceptions of entrepreneurial success and life satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

This study draws on quantitative data collected through 172 surveys of refugee entrepreneurs venturing in different subsectors within tourism and hospitality in Turkey and the UK. A structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test the proposed theoretical model.

Findings

The results reveal that contextual and individual entrepreneurial motives have a significant positive impact on perceived entrepreneurial success. As predicted, perceived entrepreneurial success is found to have a significant positive impact on life satisfaction. A multigroup analysis involving host country (Turkey vs the UK) and mode of entry (founder vs takeover) indicates no significant difference based on host country, whereas the strength of relationships for takeovers is relatively greater as compared to founders.

Practical implications

This study advocates that the reductionist approach viewing refugees as temporary “outsiders” who are in consistent need of public provision, and welfare services should not prevail against their ability to achieve self-efficiency through entrepreneurship. Hence, policies need to be oriented toward supporting refugee entrepreneurial activities over various business stages and modes of entry. More importantly, ensuring high success rates among refugee entrepreneurs should be viewed as a pivotal tool to address the well-being of refugees, their families and their fellows.

Originality/value

While previous research identifies drivers of entrepreneurship success and the potential favorable outcomes, none of these studies empirically models refugee entrepreneurship motives, self-reported entrepreneurial success and life satisfaction as a distinct and growing cohort of entrepreneurs. This study makes significant theoretical contributions to the corpus of literature on the social outcomes of entrepreneurship and provides timely implications for policymakers to use entrepreneurship as a market-based solution to address refugees’ subjective well-being.
What besets entrepreneurs in renewable energy sector? – Insights from the Indian state of Gujarat
Authors: Haldar Stuti , Tripathi Tulika
Published: April 2022

Purpose

India has acquired global leadership in renewable energy (RE) deployment because of its commitment to achieve 175 GW of installed capacity by 2022. Entrepreneurship driven by innovation and policy push is essential for energy sector transition. Despite policy focus on the diffusion of RE technology, there are several challenges that plague innovation and RE entrepreneurship development in Gujarat, India. Hence, the purpose of this study is to apply an empirical approach to identify major challenges faced by RE entrepreneurs operating in Gujarat.

Design/methodology/approach

An empirical correlational analysis has been taken up to explore individual- and firm-level characteristics of 54 RE entrepreneurs in Gujarat across six districts. Moreover, challenges faced by them related to policy and market have been investigated. Gujarat has been selected as the study area, as it has an installed capacity of 11,000 MW and houses around 11% of the total RE potential of the country.

Findings

Major challenges faced by RE entrepreneurs in Gujarat comprise of financial risks, market incumbency, low profitability, uncertainty of demand and lack of skilled labour.

Practical implications

This study offers an empirical grounding to policymakers for fostering an ecosystem of entrepreneurship and innovation specific to RE sector in India and other developing nations.

Originality/value

This study is unique, as previous studies on sustainability-driven entrepreneurship are majorly theoretical and lack empirical foundations. Moreover, there are even lesser quantitative studies exploring challenges to RE entrepreneurship specific to India.
Capability upgrading through technological proximity: evidence from a leading Chinese e-bike firm
Authors: Ma Huanhuan , Su Jingqin , Zhang Shuai , Zhang Sijia
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The rapid growth of emerging market firms (EMFs) has been a topic of interest for the past two decades, especially in China. However, few studies have discussed how and why EMFs can impel the upgrading of their capabilities to quickly win competitive advantages in the global market. In this context, the purpose of this paper is to unravel the implausible upgrading phenomenon from the perspective of technological proximity.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper adopts a single case study, specifically that of a leading Chinese e-bike firm, with a special focus on the dynamic nature of the capability upgrading process and underlying mechanisms.

Findings

The results show that taking advantage of technological proximity is an important way for EMFs to climb the ladder of capability upgrading. The stage-based process reveals how capability upgrading is achieved through elaborate actions related to technological proximity. Furthermore, this study finds three learning mechanisms behind the technological proximity, which enable firms to successfully upgrade to higher levels of capabilities. In particular, the trigger role played by contextual conditions in guiding firms' capability upgrading is highlighted and characterized.

Research limitations/implications

This study enriches traditional capability upgrading literature from a technological proximity perspective, especially the traditional static upgrading research related to EMFs. The authors also contribute to the conceptualization of technological proximity. However, the research setting is China's e-bike industry; therefore, the study's generalizability to other emerging markets and industries may be limited.

Practical implications

The results show that it is important to recognize the value of the transfer and sharing of technology between proximal industries for local governments. Also, appropriate policies should be developed to break down the technology barriers between these industries. Moreover, rather than catching up with the superior technologies of multinational corporations in advanced countries, focusing on products with high technological proximity in local or regional areas may be more helpful for EMFs' upgrading.

Originality/value

This paper investigates the capability upgrading process and mechanisms in EMFs, particularly with respect to the role played by technological proximity.
Helping others not always helps ourselves: the relationship between victim incivility and emergency workers' burnout through work-to-family conflict
Authors: Sommovigo Valentina , Bernuzzi Chiara , Setti Ilaria
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This study aims to analyse whether and when victim incivility may be related to work-to-family conflict and then burnout among emergency workers.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 304 Italian emergency workers from five firehouses and six emergency rooms completed questionnaires, examining: victim incivility, work-to-family conflict, social support seeking and burnout symptoms. Descriptive analyses, confirmatory factor analyses and structural equation models were conducted.

Findings

Victim incivility was positively associated with burnout symptoms, both directly and indirectly, as mediated by work-to-family conflict. Additionally, social support seeking exacerbated (rather than mitigated) the impact of work-to-family conflict on burnout symptoms.

Practical implications

Organisations can greatly benefit from implementing family-friendly practices and providing their workers with training programmes on how to deal with difficult victims.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the existing literature on workplace incivility and work–life interface by supporting for the first time the notion that victim incivility can spill over into emergency workers' family domain and by clarifying how and when victim incivility is related to burnout symptoms.
China’s defense against secondary sanctions: lessons from the EU blocking statute
Authors: Svetlicinii Alexandr
Published: April 2022

Purpose

With the rise of geopolitical tensions among the leading state actors, the Chinese citizens and companies are increasingly targeted by the unilateral restrictive measures. These frequently include the so-called secondary sanctions, i.e. penalties imposed on third parties for failing to comply with the sanctions regime, the US practice being a prominent example. The purpose of this paper is to analyze China's legal instruments related to imposition of and protection from unilateral restrictive measures of third countries.

Design/methodology/approach

The present paper discusses China’s legal defenses counteracting the extraterritorial sanctions by comparison with the legislative and enforcement practices of the EU, which has accumulated substantial experience trying to shield its businesses from the US secondary sanctions. The paper identifies the differences between the two anti-sanctions regimes and highlights the key factors that will affect the future enforcement of blocking rules in China.

Findings

When designing its anti-foreign sanctions legislation, China has considered similar legislation adopted by other jurisdictions, most notably – the EU blocking statute. The comparative assessment of the two blocking regimes reveals substantial similarities in legislative and procedural standards with important differences in enforcement capabilities and institutional frameworks.

Originality/value

The paper represents one of the first attempts to anticipate the directions in enforcement of China's blocking legislation taking into account the EU experiences in this domain.
Unpacking the dynamics in acquisition of capabilities: the role of identities during postmerger integration
Authors: Karamustafa-Köse Güldem , Schneider Susan C. , Davis Jeff D.
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Despite best intentions, mergers and acquisitions often do not live up to the expectations for performance. This study examined how the salience of multiple identities creates dynamics in postmerger integration processes and how these dynamics influence the acquisition of the target's capabilities.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted an in-depth case study of a large American consumer goods multinational corporation's acquisition of a family-owned German beauty business and examined responses to decisions and events during the postmerger integration process.

Findings

The results show how and why efforts to acquire unique target capabilities might not deliver the hoped-for results. The authors discovered multiple identities that became salient during the postmerger integration process which subsequently influenced interpretations and reactions to decisions and events and which created intergroup dynamics. The authors also noted the role of language in making these identities salient. Such dynamics pose challenges to managing the postmerger integration process and to acquiring sought after capabilities.

Originality/value

This study reveals how different identities become salient in the interpretation of particular events and decisions, resulting in emotional and behavioral reactions and intergroup dynamics. Furthermore, it uncovers the role of language in making identities salient. This study offers further insight into identity dynamics when the capability of the target firm is the motive of the acquisition.