bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interacting effects of density and temperature on fish growth rates in freshwater protected populations
Authors: Watson Andrew S. , Hickford Michael J. H. , Schiel David R.
Published: January 2022

Despite the demonstrated benefits of marine protected areas, there has been relatively little dialogue about freshwater protected areas (FPAs) even though some have been established to protect freshwater species from recreational and commercial fishers. After populations recover from fishing pressure, abundances and densities of formerly fished species increase, and we should therefore expect changes in demographic traits compared to those in exploited populations. To test this, we used capture-mark-recapture data for 10
Galaxias maculatus
populations across a density gradient mediated by different degrees of fishery closure. We examined the extent to which density-dependent (DD) and density-independent (DI) effects interact to affect specific growth rates in post-recruit populations. We found that population density, stream temperature and individual size interact to affect growth rates. When population densities were high, compensatory responses of far slower growth rates were strongest, indicating that DD growth is a key mechanism regulating post-recruit populations of
G. maculatus
. This study emphasizes the importance of understanding DD and DI processes, their interactions, function and effectiveness for freshwater fisheries management. For FPAs to be effective, the extent and quality of target species' habitats must serve as key criteria for protection to alleviate competition for limited resources that underpins DD processes.
The evolution of the traplining pollinator role in hummingbirds: specialization is not an evolutionary dead end
Authors: Rombaut Louie M. K. , Capp Elliot J. R. , Hughes Emma C. , Varley Zoë K. , Beckerman Andrew P. , Cooper Natalie , Thomas Gavin H.
Published: January 2022

Trapliners are pollinators that visit widely dispersed flowers along circuitous foraging routes. The evolution of traplining in hummingbirds is thought to entail morphological specialization through the reciprocal coevolution of longer bills with the long-tubed flowers of widely dispersed plant species. Specialization, such as that exhibited by traplining hummingbirds, is often viewed as both irreversible and an evolutionary dead end. We tested these predictions in a macroevolutionary framework. Specifically, we assessed the relationship between beak morphology and foraging and tested whether transitions to traplining are irreversible and lead to lower rates of diversification as predicted by the hypothesis that specialization is an evolutionary dead end. We find that there have been multiple independent transitions to traplining across the hummingbird phylogeny, but reversals have been rare or incomplete at best. Multiple independent lineages of trapliners have become morphologically specialized, convergently evolving relatively large bills for their body size. Traplining is not an evolutionary dead end however, since trapliners continue to give rise to new traplining species at a rate comparable to non-trapliners.
(Mis) Communicating The Gut Microbiome: A Cross-Sectional Assessment of Social Media Video Content
Authors: Chidambaram S , Maheswaran Y , Chan C , Hanna L , Ashrafian H , Markar SR , Sounderajah V , Alverdy J , Darzi A
Published: January 2022

Background

Social media platforms, such as YouTube, are an integral means of disseminating information about health and wellness to the public. However, anecdotal reports have cited that the human gut microbiome has been a particular focus of dubious, misleading and, on occasion, harmful media content. Despite these claims, there have been no published studies investigating this phenomenon within popular social media platforms.

Aim

This study aims to (1) evaluate the accuracy and credibility of YouTube videos related to the human gut microbiome and (2) investigate the correlation between content engagement metrics and information quality, as defined by validated criteria.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, videos about the human gut microbiome were searched on the UK version of YouTube on 20th September 2021. The 600 most viewed videos were extracted and screened for relevance. Information content and characteristics were extracted and independently rated using the DISCERN quality criteria by two researchers.

Results

Overall, 319 videos accounting for 62,354,628 views were included. 73.4% of the videos were produced in North America, and over 78.6% were uploaded between 2019-2021. 41.0% of videos were produced by non-profit organizations. 16% of the videos had an advertisement for a product or promoted a health-related intervention for financial purposes. Videos by non-medical educational creators had the highest total and preferred viewership. Daily viewership was highest for videos by internet media sources. The average DISCERN and HONcode scores were 49.5 (0.68) out of 80 and 5.05 (2.52) out of 8, respectively. DISCERN scores for videos by medical professionals (53.2 (0.17)) were significantly higher than videos by independent content creators (39.1 (5.58)), (p<0.01). Videos with promotional material scored significantly lower DISCERN scores than videos without any advertisements or product promotion (p<0.01). There was no correlation between DISCERN scores and total viewership, daily viewership or preferred viewership (number of likes).

Conclusions

The overall credibility of information about human gut microbiome on YouTube is poor. Moreover, there was no correlation between the video information quality and the level of public engagement. The significant disconnect between reliable sources of information and the public suggests that there is an immediate need for cross-sector initiatives in order safeguard vulnerable viewers from the potentially harmful effects of misinformation and disinformation.
Assessing the contribution of gut-to-lung translocation to bacterial colonization and antibiotic resistance in an ICU patient
Authors: Wheatley Rachel M , Caballero Julio Diaz , van der Schalk Thomas E. , De Winter Fien HR , Kapel Natalia , Recanatini Claudia , Timbermont Leen , Kluytmans Jan , Esser Mark , Lacoma Alicia , Prat-Aymerich Cristina , Oliver Antonio , Kumar-Singh Samir , Malhotra-Kumar Surbhi , MacLean R. Craig ,   WP3A working group
Published: January 2022

Bacteria have the potential to migrate between sites in the human body, but the dynamics and consequences of within-host translocation remain poorly understood. Here we investigate the link between gut and lungPseudomonas aeruginosapopulations in an intensively sampled ICU patient using a combination of genomics, isolate phenotyping, host immunity profiling, and clinical data. Crucially, we show that lung colonization was driven by the repeated translocation of bacterial clones from the gut. Meropenem treatment for a suspected urinary tract infection selected for elevated resistance in both the gut and lung. However, resistance was driven by parallel evolution and organ-specific selective pressures, and within-host transmission had only a minor impact on AMR. These findings suggest that reducing intestinal colonization ofPseudomonasmay be an effective way to prevent lung infections in critically ill patients.
Estimation of the COVID-19 Average Incubation Time: Systematic Review, Meta-analysis and Sensitivity Analyses
Authors: Weng Yijia , Y.Yi Grace
Published: January 2022

Objectives

We aim to provide sensible estimates of the average incubation time of COVID-19 by capitalizing available estimates reported in the literature and explore different ways to accommodate heterogeneity involved with the reported studies.

Methods

We search through online databases to collect the studies about estimates of the average incubation time and conduct meta-analyses to accommodate heterogeneity of the studies and the publication bias. Cochran’s heterogeneity statistic Q and Higgin’s & Thompson’s I2 statistic are employed. Subgroup analyses are conducted using mixed effects models and publication bias is assessed using the funnel plot and Egger’s test.

Results

Using all those reported mean incubation estimates, the average incubation time is estimated to be 6.43 days with a 95% confidence interval (CI) (5.90, 6.96), and using all those reported mean incubation estimates together with those transformed median incubation estimates, the estimated average incubation time is 6.07 days with a 95% CI (5.70,6.45).

Conclusions

Providing sensible estimates of the average incubation time for COVID-19 is important yet complex, and the available results vary considerably due to many factors including heterogeneity and publication bias. We take different angles to estimate the mean incubation time, and our analyses provide estimates to range from 5.68 days to 8.30 days.
Detection of SARS-CoV-2 variant Mu, Beta, Gamma, Lambda, Delta, Alpha, and Omicron in wastewater settled solids using mutation-specific assays is associated with regional detection of variants in clinical samples
Authors: Wolfe Marlene , Hughes Bridgette , Duong Dorothea , Chan-Herur Vikram , Wigginton Krista R. , White Bradley J. , Boehm Alexandria B.
Published: January 2022

Changes in the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) may require changes in public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic, as they have the potential to evade vaccines and pharmaceutical interventions and may be more transmissive relative to other SARS-CoV-2 variants. As such, it is essential to track and prevent their spread in susceptible communities.We developed digital RT-PCR assays for mutations characteristic of VOCs and used them to quantify those mutations in wastewater settled solids samples collected from a publicly owned treatment works (POTW) during different phases of the COVID-19 pandemic. Wastewater concentrations of single mutations characteristic to each VOC, normalized by the concentration of a conserved SARS-CoV-2 N gene, correlate to regional estimates of the proportion of clinical infections caused by each VOC. These results suggest targeted RT-PCR assays can be used to detect variants circulating in communities and inform public health response to the pandemic.

Importance

Wastewater represents a pooled biological sample of the contributing community and thus a resource of assessing community health. Here we show that emergence, spread, and disappearance of SARS-CoV-2 infections caused by variants of concern are reflected in the presence of variant genomic RNA in wastewater settled solids. This work highlights an important public health use case for wastewater.
Assessment of the nutritional value of vending machine products and associated purchasing behavior in Lebanese universities
Authors: Rahi Berna , Kawtharani Fatima Bilal , Hassan Ali M. , Hassan Hussein F.
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The aim is to evaluate the nutritive value of vended machine items at university campuses in Lebanon and to explore the factors associated with the use of vending machines among students.

Design/methodology/approach

Campuses (n = 32) were screened for the presence of vending machines, and items sold in those machines (n = 21) were observed and assessed for their nutritive value. Also, a convenient sample of 603 students completed a web-based questionnaire investigating the association between the use of vending machines with the eating habits and body composition. Independent t-tests or chi-square, in addition to non-parametric test (Mann–Whitney) were conducted. Significance level of 0.05 was used.

Findings

Vending machine snacks sold in 20 out of 21 universities were high in sugar (32.1 g/100 g), fat (29 g/100 g) and saturated fat (10.5 g/100 g), while for beverages, 20% of the universities had them high in sugar (9.5 g/100 ml), fat (2.9 g/100 g) and saturated fat (1.7 g/100 g). The use of vending machines around campus was associated with significantly higher weekly consumption of crisps, savory snacks and milk. The majority of the participants were vending machine users (77.1%). Vending machine users had a higher weekly consumption of crisps and savory snacks (3.6 ± 4.3 vs 2.3 ± 3.3; p = 0.008) and a higher weekly consumption of milk (4.0 ± 4.2 vs 3.0 ± 3.6; p = 0.036).

Originality/value

No study has determined the nutritive value of vending machines in universities in Lebanon, nor investigated the associated factors with their use.
Four typologies for understanding local information
Authors: Nonthacumjane Pussadee , Nolin Jan Michael
Published: January 2022

Purpose

This study aims to propose the four different typologies for understanding local information.

Design/methodology/approach

This study applied a conceptual approach to analyze and clarify how the concept local information can be understood in wildly different ways. Furthermore, this study employed conceptual analysis of 36 studies. For the conceptual analysis, coding was applied to formulate and abstract four typologies for understanding local information with specific focus on the Thai cultural heritage setting.

Findings

The four different typologies include local information as an array of different interpretations as diverse meanings of local, local information as cultural heritage, local information as subject of information management and situated local information.

Research limitations/implications

This study mainly focuses relevant typologies for understanding local information in the Thai context.

Originality/value

This study contributes and extends the literature in the local information field and the cultural heritage context. In addition, an eclectic strategy of using several alternative typologies for dealing with essentially contested concepts is suggested. This can be useful not only for supporting librarians working with local information but also in other practices dealing with broadly defined concepts.
The duration of the school-to-work transition in Italy and in other European countries: a flexible baseline hazard interpretation
Authors: Pastore Francesco , Quintano Claudio , Rocca Antonella
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The Italian school-to-work transition (STWT) is astonishingly slow and long in comparison to the other EU countries. We analyze its determinants comparing the Italian case with Austria, Poland and the UK.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis is based on a Cox survival model with proportional hazard. The smoothed hazard estimates allow us to identify the nonlinear path of the hazard function.

Findings

The authors reckon that the actual length of the transition to a stable job is around 30 months in Italy. Conversely, it is less than one year in the other countries. Women are particularly penalized, despite being on average more educated than men. Tertiary or vocational education at high secondary school strongly increases the hazard rate to a regular job. The smoothed hazard estimates suggest positive duration dependence at the beginning of the transition and slightly negative thereafter.

Practical implications

Stimulating economic growth and investing in education and training are important pre-conditions for shortening the transition.

Originality/value

Despite the duration of the STWT is one of the most important indicators to measure the efficiency of the STWT, it is not easy to measure. The authors build on their previous research work on this topic, but relaxing the assumption of a monotonic hazard rate and using the flexible baseline hazard approach to test for the existence of nonlinear duration dependence. Furthermore, they extend the analysis by including student-workers who attended a vocational path of education, in order to detect its effectiveness in allowing young people finding a job sooner.
Attitudes of employees in green companies regarding CSR communication
Authors: LaVan Helen , Zilic Ivana , Basappa Sahana
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to discern how the Best Green companies, as identified by Newsweek, communicate about green jobs within their companies.

Design/methodology/approach

Content analysis using NVivo software on 23 corporate social responsibility (CSR) reports containing 398,000 words and Glassdoor crowdsourced data were analyzed. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression enabled the discernment of relationships.

Findings

Several models were developed to predict how communication patterns (employee-centered, production or company centered and society centered) are associated with several Glassdoor ratings: The models developed by logistic regression accurately predicted the following: Glassdoor ratings: Overall 65.2%, Benefits 71.4%, Attitudes towards Chief Executive Officer (CEO) 65.2% and Recommend To A Friend 78.3%.

Originality/value

It supports communicating about green jobs in CSR reports and suggests other avenues for communicating, including PR, press releases and career pages of company websites. The hypotheses that were empirically verified include the relationship between employees-centered terms (in the CSR reports) and employee attitudes (Glassdoor measures) and return on assets (ROA) (company financials). These practices have manpower impacts, including recruitment and retention. The study's methodology allows for replication since it used publicly available CSR reports, ROA of public companies and crowdsourcing data from Glassdoor ratings. It has implications for public policy in that understanding the nature of green jobs will improve outcomes for public training programs.
The impact of population ageing on the environmental quality in late-demographic dividend countries
Authors: Mohd Yaziz Nur A'mirah , Azlina A.A. , Hussain Nor Ermawati , Koris Roshanim
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The current study examined the impact of population ageing on environmental quality in 17 late-demographic dividend (LDD) countries.

Design/methodology/approach

The panel autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model using pooled mean group (PMG) estimator based on the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis was used to analyse data for the period 1990–2018.

Findings

The empirical results demonstrated that in the long run, carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions decrease with population ageing. The prevailing findings also indicated no sufficient evidence of EKC hypothesis validity and electricity consumption, which is the primary driving force of CO2 emissions in LDD countries.

Originality/value

Unlike prior works, this paper is among the first to discuss environmental quality due to the current demographic transition towards ageing among LDD countries. Based on the results, population ageing reduces the environmental deterioration. The identification of possible ageing impact is vital to combat the climate change in order for countries to achieve sustainability, better economy and quality environment.
Optimization of parameters that affect wear of A356/Al2O3 nanocomposites using RSM, ANN, GA and PSO methods
Authors: Stojanović Blaža , Gajević Sandra , Kostić Nenad , Miladinović Slavica , Vencl Aleksandar
Published: January 2022

Purpose

This study aims to present a novel methodology for the evaluation of tribological properties of new nanocomposites with the A356 alloy matrix reinforced with aluminium oxide (Al2O3) nanoparticles.

Design/methodology/approach

Metal matrix nanocomposites (MMnCs) with varying amounts and sizes of Al2O3 particles were produced using a compocasting process. The influence of four factors, with different levels, on the wear rate, was analysed with the help of the design of experiments (DoE). A regression model was developed by using the response surface methodology (RSM) to establish a relationship between the observed factors and the wear rate. An artificial neural network was also applied to predict the value of wear rate. Adequacy of models was compared with experimental values. The extreme values of wear rate were determined with a genetic algorithm and particle swarm optimization using the RSM model.

Findings

The combination of optimization methods determined the values of the factors which provide the highest wear resistance, namely, reinforcement content of 0.44 wt.% Al2O3, sliding speed of 1 m/s, normal load of 100 N and particle size of 100 nm. Used methods proved as effective tools for modelling and predicting of the behaviour of aluminium matrix nanocomposites.

Originality/value

The specific combinations of the optimization methods has not been applied up to now in the investigation of MMnCs. In addition, using of small content of ceramic nanoparticles as reinforcement has been poorly investigated. It can be stated that the presented approach for testing and prediction of the wear rate of nanocomposites is a very good base for their future research.
Organizational mindfulness to innovation at an organization in the cork sector
Authors: Barros Victor F.A. , Ramos Isabel
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The purpose of the research described in this paper is to provide empirical evidence pointing to IT artifacts' contribution to organizational mindfulness.

Design/methodology/approach

To accomplish the specified aim, the authors studied how a leading company in the cork industry uses a platform to support the innovation process's ideation phase. This case study took two and a half years, and the research information was collected in documents, meetings, observations and interviews.

Findings

The study provides empirical evidence pointing to the funneling of collective attention induced by the studied platform. The use of an innovation platform was engaging the collective attention to the incremental innovation of processes to the detriment of products' disruptive innovation.

Originality/value

The authors’ findings contribute to developing an IS mindfulness theory and designing sociotechnical arrangements that expand organizational mindfulness. The analysis of the gathered research information resulted in a first explanation for the impact of using IT artifacts on organizational mindfulness. The resulting framework emerged as a first step in the effort to develop an IS mindfulness theory, paving the way for developing a methodological approach to support CIOs in addressing the challenges of the digital age.
The impact of COVID-19 and the stringency of government policy responses on stock market returns worldwide
Authors: Y.H. Saif-Alyousfi Abdulazeez
Published: January 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the impact of COVID-19 and the stringency of the government policy response on stock market returns globally and at the regional level.

Design/methodology/approach

Pooled-ordinary least squares (OLS) and panel data techniques are used to analyse the daily data set across 88 countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa for the period of 1 January 2020 to 10 May 2021.

Findings

Using pooled-OLS and panel data techniques, the analyses show that both the daily growth in confirmed cases and deaths caused by COVID-19 have significant negative effects on stock returns across all markets. The effects are non-linear and U-shaped. Stock markets react more to the growth of confirmed cases than to the growth in the number of confirmed deaths. The results, however, vary across regions. More specifically, this study finds that the negative effect of confirmed cases is stronger in the Americas and the Middle East, followed by Europe. The negative direct effect of deaths caused by COVID-19 is stronger in the European region, followed by the Middle East, in relation to the rest of the world. The stock market returns in the African region are not, however, statistically significant. The researcher finds evidence that stringent policy responses lead to a significant increase in the stock market returns, both globally and across regions.

Practical implications

The results suggest that the integrity of the government and its interventions complemented by a stable and reliable monetary policy are crucial in providing confidence to firms and households in uncertain times.

Originality/value

COVID-19 has a significant impact on national economies and stock markets, triggering various governments’ interventions across all geographic regions. The pandemic has significantly affected all aspects of life, especially the stock markets. However, their empirical impact on stock returns is still unclear. This paper is the first of its kind to fill this gap by providing an in-depth quantitative analysis of the impact of both COVID-19 and stringency of the governmental policy responses on stock market returns globally and at the regional level. It is also the first to use an advanced analytical framework in analysing the effects of daily growth in both total and newly confirmed cases, and the daily growth in both total and new deaths caused by COVID-19 on them. The dynamic nature of the data on COVID-19 is taken into account. The non-linearity of the effects is also considered.
Social noise: the influence of observers on social media information behavior
Authors: Zimmerman Tara
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce the concept of social noise. Under the influence of social noise, a social media user may adjust information behavior based on external cues, attempting to present themselves in a more desirable way to increase their social capital.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative study informed by an ethnographic approach was used to examine social media information behavior. Participants were observed using Facebook, followed by semi-structured interviews. Data analysis was theoretically grounded in thematic analysis but also adaptive to observations in the data.

Findings

Four constructs of social noise were identified in the data. Identity curation emerged as the overarching consideration for individuals. The constructs cultural commitments and relationship management both had a strong presence within the data as well. The fourth construct, conflict management, was identified as social media users decided how to respond to individuals or information with which they did not agree.

Originality/value

This study reveals that social media users' awareness of observation by others does impact their information behavior. Efforts to craft a personal reputation, build or maintain relationships, pursue important commitments and manage conflict all influence the observable information behavior of social media users. As a result, observable social media information behavior may not be an accurate reflection of an individual's true thoughts and beliefs.
The effect of COVID 19 on risk-taking of small and medium-sized, family and non-family firms
Authors: Shafeeq Nimr Al-Maliki Hind , Salehi Mahdi , Kardan Behzad
Published: January 2022

Purpose

This study aims to assess the effect of the COVID 19 on small and medium-sized family firms’ risk-taking in Iraq.

Design/methodology/approach

Data was collected by distributing the questioners. The statistical population consists of 600 employers and small and medium-sized family and non-family firm managers. Hypothesis analysis was carried out after evaluating the questionnaire’s validity and reliability using the structural equation method.

Findings

The results indicate that COVID 19 influences small and medium-size family and non-family firms’ risk-taking.

Originality/value

Since no study carried out so far on the effect of COVID 19 on risk-taking of family and non-family Iraqi small- and medium-enterprise firms and since the political-economic condition of Iraq has been affected recently due to the presence of ISIS, its effects, as well as the civil war that taken place before COVID 19, assessing such a topic can contribute to the development of science and knowledge in this field.
Suicide rates and institutional quality in an emerging country
Authors: Saad Ghadi
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between suicide rates and institutional quality.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used autoregressive distributed lag model and error correction model to examine short-run and long-run relationships during 1996–2017 in Lebanon.

Findings

The study shows that in the long-run, suicide rates are significantly associated to the control of corruption, voice and accountability and rule of law, but not to regulatory quality, political stability and government efficiency. In the short-run, nearly all variables of institutional quality have a negative and significant relationship to suicide rates. Results are discussed in detail.

Originality/value

This research is the first to inspect the relation between the quality of institutions and suicide rates. Empirical results of this study add new evidence to the literature and provide support to policymakers.
Attitude and Islamic banking adoption: moderating effects of pricing of conventional bank products and social influence
Authors: Mindra Rachel , Bananuka Juma , Kaawaase Twaha , Namaganda Rehma , Teko Juma
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to establish the relationship between attitude and the intention to adopt Islamic banking in a Christian-dominated country and whether such a relationship is moderated and boosted by pricing of conventional bank products and social influence.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopts a cross-sectional and correlational design as data were collected between July and September 2019. Data were collected using a questionnaire from a sample of 384 adult individuals with bank accounts in conventional commercial banks from which 300 responded, indicating a response rate of 78%.

Findings

The findings of this study indicate that attitude is significantly associated with the intention to adopt Islamic banking. This relationship is moderated and boosted by the pricing of conventional bank products and social influence. The interaction of pricing of conventional bank products with attitude is positive and significantly influence the intention to adopt Islamic banking. The interaction of attitude and social influence is significant but negatively related with the intention to adopt Islamic banking.

Research limitations/implications

This study uses quantitative data which sometimes misses certain information and limits the respondent’s opinions on the study variables. A mixed method research needs to be conducted on pricing of conventional bank products, social influence, attitude and adoption of Islamic banking to gather the respondent’s opinions on the variables.

Practical implications

IB being an alternative source of financing of business in most parts of the world, existing bank customers, international funding agencies and religious leaders could mount pressure on government to speed up the licensing of institutions interested in offering Islamic banking services.

Social implications

Uganda being a secular state and having finalized Islamic banking laws in early 2018, it is surprising that there is no bank that has so far started offering Islamic banking products.

Originality/value

This study provides an initial empirical evidence from a Christian-dominated country on the moderating effect of pricing of conventional bank products and social influence in the relationship between attitude and intention to adopt Islamic banking.
The mediating role of informal learning on job performance: the work-learning dual system in South Korea
Authors: Han Seung Hyun , Oh Eunjung , Kang Sung Pil , Lee Sumi , Park Shin Hee
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the link between informal learning and employees’ in-role performance and whether the mechanism through informal learning mediates the relationships between self-efficacy, job characteristics, trust and in-role performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on data (n = 294) obtained from the firms with the Work–Learning Dual System in South Korea, a structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis was conducted.

Findings

The findings indicated that trust and job characteristics affected informal learning and informal learning mediates the relationships of trust and job characteristics with job performance.

Originality/value

The significant contributions of this study to the extant literature on informal learning are as follows: first, the present study investigates a mechanism and a mediating role of informal learning using SEM, while most previous studies in literature have employed qualitative research in informal learning. Second, this study explores the mediating role of informal learning between personal/job-related determinants of informal learning and in-role performance, which has not yet been examined in existing literature. Finally, this study provides practical implications regarding how organizations can facilitate more informal learning among employees to enhance their performance.
Roots, shoots, fruits: William Blake and J M Robertson: two key influences on George Spencer-Brown's work and the latter's relationship to Niklas Luhmann's work
Authors: Conrad Leon
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Blake is relatively well-known, but who was J M Robertson? What's his connection with George Spencer-Brown? And how exactly did J M Robertson influence George Spencer-Brown?

Design/methodology/approach

George Spencer-Brown (1923–2016) is the author (among other works) of the undeservedly little-known book, Laws of Form (1969/2011), which was a key inspiration for Niklas Luhmann (1927–1998). But what inspired George Spencer-Brown? This paper explores two key influences on George Spencer-Brown and his work: the English poet and artist, William Blake (1757–1827) and the Scottish rationalist, politician and author, J M Robertson (1856–1933).

Findings

The paper points to a broken link between George Spencer-Brown's work and Niklas Luhmann's.

Originality/value

These questions are explored from two perspectives: first, George Spencer-Brown's works and their debt to (1) Blake's work, from which he quotes in a number of instances and to (2) J M Robertson's (in particular, the latter's Letters on Reasoning (1905) and Rationalism (1912)); second, my personal connection to Spencer-Brown, who mentored me through Laws of Form and with whom I developed a close friendship involving regular weekly telephone conversations for the greater part of the last four years of Spencer-Brown's life. I share anecdotes and stories that connect George Spencer-Brown and J M Robertson that span George Spencer-Brown's lifetime – from his school days to his dying days. Both Blake's and Robertson's influences are relevant to Spencer-Brown's view of morality. The paper looks at specific connections between Blake's work and J M Robertson's on the one hand and George Spencer-Brown's on the other.
Eco-innovation in the upstream supply chain: re-thinking the involvement of purchasing managers
Authors: Viale Laurence , Vacher Stéphano , Bessouat Jeanne
Published: January 2022

Purpose

In a context of ecological transition, this study aims to explore and understand what fosters the participation of purchasing departments and identify the drivers and difficulties encountered during the development of eco-innovation within firms.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors adopt a qualitative methodology that provides tools to study complex phenomena. In-depth interviews with highly knowledgeable respondents from multi-sectoral organisations enable us to explore the eco-innovation process within firms.

Findings

From the perspectives of resource-based theory and stakeholder theory, the study contributes to the literature by investigating firms’ internal resources and exploring further dimensions based on sustainable supply chain management and purchasing. Internal stakeholders (e.g. purchasing agents) and external stakeholders (e.g. suppliers) were identified with regard to the business eco-innovation activities of focal companies in relation to upstream stakeholders. The authors examine this complex phenomenon by raising certain intra- and inter-organisational factors, as well as more individual aspects, such as the sensitivity of the purchasing manager to ecological transition. Purchasing agents are involved in increasing the propensity of organisations to eco-innovate and, as internal stakeholders, appear to be influential in eco-innovation.

Research limitations/implications

Given the nascent state of eco-innovation practice and accessibility to primary data about ongoing efforts, this research could not consider all possible drivers.

Practical implications

This study presents an opportunity for purchasing managers to understand challenges more comprehensively to add value within the eco-innovation process. The results highlight recommendations for how best to undertake eco-innovation in upstream supply chains.

Originality/value

The study provides new insights into the constituent resources needed for purchasing participation during eco-innovation to achieve sustainable competitive advantage. This paper is an initial attempt at research in the area.
‘Someone’ versus ‘something’: A reflection on transhumanist values in light of education
Authors: Bokedal Tomas , Reindal Solveig Magnus , Rise Svein , Wivestad Stein M
Published: January 2022

Innovations in genetics, nanotechnology and artificial intelligence involve the possibility of enhancement of human attributes and capacities—offering humans innumerable opportunities for diverse, unprecedented experiences and developments both physically and cognitively. These new innovations, frequently associated with theoretical frameworks such as transhumanism, not only raise new ethical–pedagogical questions but also challenge the very meaning of education. Core educational concepts pertaining to the human being, personhood, and the educational self now need to be re-examined or rediscovered in confrontation with transhumanist values. In regard to this task, we investigate Bostrom's teleological approach towards transhumanist values, questioning his understanding of the human person and the inherent implications of a sensible agenda for education, situated within the broad humanist tradition. As an alternative to an educational prospect based on, or endorsing, transhumanist values, we adopt Spaemann's personalist program, implementing his distinction between ‘being someone’ versus ‘being something’. Defending an understanding of the person as someone, and not as a thing that shall be cultivated, we employ Spaemann's distinction between anthropocentrism versus anthropomorphism, recognising the importance of contextualising the human being in a broader existential, embodied framework, while acknowledging the critique of the anthropocene. Along these lines, we elaborate on an understanding of education and the educated person that, in our view, safeguards core human values. In the discussion, we draw on insights from Spaemann, Arendt, Kierkegaard and Gadamer.
Moral sensitivity: The central question of moral education
Authors: Marples Roger
Published: January 2022

There is more to the moral life than mere adherence to a set of moral rules or principles to which the moral agent has autonomously subscribed. Something more fundamental is required for moral personhood, requiring explication in terms of ‘sensitive perception’ in relation to the particularities pertaining to any given set of circumstances meriting a moral response. The article addresses the importance of accuracy of conceptualisation, the need for attentiveness and sensitivity in the identification of moral salience, and concludes with the role of affect in this enterprise.
Time‐varying effect of monetary policy on capital flows in Korea
Authors: Hur Joonyoung , Kim Kyunghun
Published: January 2022

This paper examines the effect of domestic monetary policy on capital flows after controlling for the effect of conventional push factors (global factors). We conduct a time‐varying coefficient vector autoregressive (TVC‐VAR) model analysis using monthly data (January 2010–July 2019) from Korea. Our empirical results show that an expansionary monetary policy shock has a short‐run (1‐ and 3‐month) negative impact on gross inflows to the equity market, which is the main driver of gross capital inflows to Korea. This negative effect increases throughout the sample period. Monetary policy easing is also associated with a decrease in outflows of equity, representing a reversal of Korean residents’ foreign equity investment as the domestic policy rate decreases. This effect dampens the negative impact on gross capital inflows, which leads to mild responses of net capital inflows in the short run. We also find a clear relationship between the level of the policy rate and its impact on gross capital inflows. The lower the policy rate, the greater the negative impact of the expansionary monetary policy shock on gross capital inflows. This time‐varying effect reflects difficulties that many emerging market economies, including Korea, face in setting monetary policy when policy rates are low.
Effects of a nursing home telehealth program on spending and utilization for Medicare residents
Authors: Li Suhui ( Evelyn) , Hossain Mynti , Gilman Boyd , Forrow Lauren V. , Lee Katie M. , Brown Randall
Published: January 2022

Objective

To assess the effects of eLongTermCare (eLTC), a telehealth program implemented by an integrated health system in 45 nursing homes across the Midwest, on the use of acute hospital services and total expenditures for Medicare residents.

Data Sources

Minimum Data Set, Medicare fee‐for‐service claims, and enrollment data from 2013 to 2018.

Study Design

We used a longitudinal difference‐in‐differences design to estimate the changes in outcomes for treatment beneficiaries before and after participating in the eLTC program, relative to changes for the matched comparison beneficiaries over the same period. We measured outcomes over a 24‐month follow‐up period, including total Medicare spending, emergency department (ED) visits, hospitalizations, and the likelihood of readmission.

Data Collection/Extraction Methods

Using administrative data, we identified treatment beneficiaries who stayed at participating nursing facilities during the program period and matched comparison beneficiaries with similar baseline characteristics from non‐participating facilities in the same geographic locations.

Principal Findings

For long‐term care residents, the eLTC program led to an estimated reduction of 73 ED visits per 1000 beneficiaries (p < 0.01, 8.6% effect) over the two‐year follow‐up period. The estimated effects for this group were concentrated among beneficiaries who entered the nursing home after program startup, with sizable reductions in hospitalizations, ED visits, and spending. For skilled care residents, the program was associated with an estimated reduction of 85 ED visits per 1000 beneficiaries (p = 0.03, 9.7% effect), but had no discernible effect on their hospitalizations or total Medicare spending.

Conclusions

Telehealth can be a valuable tool for nursing homes to enhance care coordination and provide timely access to care, leading to lower spending for nursing home residents. Future research needs to explore payment methods that encourage telehealth expansion in nursing homes.
Controversial Practices: Tracing the Proceduralization of the IPCC in Time and Space
Authors: De Pryck Kari
Published: January 2022

This paper starts from the premise that international practices are neither stable nor universal but are in fact the product of time and space. It analyzes the processes of formalization and change in international practices using the case of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), an intergovernmental institution producing regular assessment of the state of the knowledge on climate change. The IPCC is particularly interesting because of the numerous external and internal controversies that it has faced since its establishment in 1988 and the institutional and organizational changes that they triggered. The paper highlights the potential of controversies as methodological occasions to observe the situatedness of international practices and trace change over time. Controversies represent moments of contention in which the normalizing and universalistic effect of routines and procedures is momentarily suspended, thus facilitating the investigation of the particular space and time in which practices evolve.
'Your Own Space and Time': Spatiality and Temporality in the Study of the International Organisations of the Middle East
Authors: Worrall James
Published: January 2022

The regional international organisations of the Middle East clearly work to different traditions than Western International Organisations (IOs) and are comprised of states which are known for their secrecy and hostility to critique. This is methodological challenge enough without taking into account the influences of temporal and spatial practices upon the functioning of these organisations. Using anthropological approaches to time and space an argument is advanced that putting temporal and spatial considerations at the heart of the study of these bodies impacts upon our conceptual, theoretical and methodological outlooks – generating richer, more nuanced insights. Thus, not only do time and space form an important research agenda in their own right but they also better inform existing theoretical understandings of IOs, particularly the historical and sociological institutionalist traditions. Drawing from direct experience with some of the key difficulties researchers face when engaging with these organisations, the article demonstrates the need for a reflexive and adaptive methodological engagement which can engage with the impacts of place and perceptions of time, examining these bodies less in comparison with the expectations scholars carry for IOs such as the UN and EU and more on their own terms, in their own situational and temporal contexts.
Risk factors for pneumonitis in patients with non‐small cell lung cancer treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors plus chemotherapy: A retrospective analysis
Authors: Yamaguchi Teppei , Shimizu Junichi , Oya Yuko , Watanabe Naohiro , Hasegawa Takaaki , Horio Yoshitsugu , Inaba Yoshitaka , Fujiwara Yutaka
Published: January 2022

Background

Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy plus chemotherapy has become a standard of care for patients with advanced non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Pre‐existing interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a risk factor for drug‐induced pneumonitis caused by chemotherapy or ICI monotherapy. However, clinical data in patients with pre‐existing ILD who received ICI therapy plus chemotherapy are limited. This study aimed to identify the risk factors for drug‐induced pneumonitis in patients with NSCLC treated with ICIs plus chemotherapy.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 160 consecutive patients who were diagnosed with NSCLC and treated with ICIs plus chemotherapy at Aichi Cancer Center Hospital between December 2018 and November 2020. Patients with a prior history of ICI treatment or thoracic radiotherapy were excluded from the analysis.

Results

Among 125 patients, pre‐existing ILD was observed in 20 patients (16.0%). Drug‐induced pneumonitis developed in 17 patients (13.6%), with a median time to onset of 19.3 weeks (range, 1.6–108.9 weeks). In multivariate logistic analysis, pre‐existing ILD (odds ratio = 19.07, p = 0.0001) and PEM exposure (odds ratio = 5.67, p = 0.022) were identified as risk factors for the development of drug‐induced pneumonitis.

Conclusions

Pre‐existing ILD and pemetrexed exposure are risk factors for drug‐induced pneumonitis in patients with NSCLC.