bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Role of Information Technology in the Effect of Innovation Capability on Logistics Service Quality
Authors: Akoğlu Nagehan , Civelek Mustafa Emre , Başaran Yeşim
Published: March 2022

Purpose –In the current intense competitive environment, companies continuously need to increase their performance and adapt their activities to the developing and changing environment in order to survive. The concepts of quality, technology and innovation are among the most prominent issues in this competitive environment. At this point, information technologies integrated into the business, innovation activities and logistics services that develop along with these activities are important issues that have been recently emphasized. Accordingly, this study aims to reveal the role of information technology use in supply chain innovation and logistics service quality.Design/Methodology/Approach-More than 326 questionnaires were distributed to Turkey's leading logistics companies and companies with logistics departments. The companies operating in logistics sector and the employees working in the logistics departments of companies operating in the production and service sector constitute the sample of the study. 144 valid questionnaires were reached. 80% of the respondents are mid-level and 20% are senior managers. The data obtained by the survey method were analyzed using the structural equation model.Findings –According to the results, it has been determined that information technologies have a mediator effect between innovation capability in the supply chain and logistics service quality.Discussion–Findings obtained at the end of the research are consistent with the other studies in the literature. This research has important managerial implications. The results of this research have revealed the role of information technologies in the efficient use of innovation capacity for companies operating in logistics sector. Information technologies play a key role in the relationship between innovation and logistics service quality.
The Effect of Transformational Leadership on Organizational Learning and Innovation During Covid-19
Authors: Kızıloğlu Mehmet
Published: March 2022

Purpose –The paper aims to identify the effect of transformational leadership on organizational learning and innovation during the Covid-19 pandemic. The study focused on the way for managing organizational innovation as well as learning by transformational leadership. The understanding of employee performance under transformational leadership during Covid-19 is also one of the objectives of this paper.Design/Method/Approach –The research was done by adopting descriptive research design. The research was done by collecting and analysing quantitative information. Survey method was used for data collection and statistical methods were used for data analysis. As the research was done by collecting and analysing quantitative data deductive research approaches considered suitable for the study.Results –The study found that free decision-making of employees has a strong positive relationship with job satisfaction. The research finding is a statically significant relationship between the work performance of employees and innovative steps taken by the employees in the workplace. However, the relationship between the leader's openness towards employee suggestions and job satisfaction of employees was not found in the study. The result of statistical analysis is suggesting that innovation and organisational learning are highly influenced by transformational leadership.Discussion –Transformational leadership makes employees get more engaged with the workplace. Workplace engagement results in innovation and innovation come from organisational learning. The study shows that implementing innovation in the workplace requires ideas regarding knowledge sharing inside an organisation. During that time that major issue was dealing with limited workforce to keep an organisation operational.
Çalışanların İş Yerlerindeki Çevreci Davranışları İle Yeşil İş Yeri İklimi Algıları İlişkisinde Algılanan Tüketici Etkinliğinin Düzenleyiciliği(The Moderator Effect of the Perceived Consumer Effectiveness on Relationship Between Employees Pro-Environmental Behavior in Workplaces and Perception of Green Workplace Climate)
Authors: Koçak Ece , Baş Mehmet
Published: March 2022

Amaç –Bu çalışmanın amacı, çalışanların iş yerlerinde gerçekleştirdikleri çevre dostu davranışlar ile yeşil iş yeri iklimi algıları arasındaki ilişkide algılanan tüketici etkinliğinin düzenleyici rolünün incelenmesidir. Yöntem –Çalışma kapsamında yeşil iş yeriiklimi algısının çevreci davranışlara etkisi ile bu ilişkide algılanan tüketici etkinliğinin düzenleyici rolünü ele alan bir model geliştirilerek, elde edilen veriler doğrultusunda modelin anlamlılığı ve geçerliliği ele alınmıştır. Çalışmada, 23 ildeki 412 kamu ve özel sektör çalışanından çevrim içi anket yöntemi aracılığıyla veri elde edilmiştir.Oluşturulan modelin geçerliliğinin ölçülmesi amacıyla AMOS programı aracılığıyla doğrulayıcı faktör analizi gerçekleştirilmiştir. Elde edilen veriler ışığında; yeşil iş yeri iklimi algısının çevreci davranışlara olumlu etkisinin incelenmesinde SPSS programı aracılığıyla basit doğrusal regresyon analizinden, bahse konu ilişkide algılanan tüketici etkinliğinin düzenleyici rolünün incelenmesinde ise düzenleyici değişken içeren regresyon analizinden faydalanılmıştır. Bulgular –Araştırma sonucunda, çalışanların yeşil iş yeri iklimi algılarının iş yerlerinde sergiledikleri çevre dostu davranışlar üzerinde olumlu ve anlamlı bir etkide bulunduğu görülmüştür. Algılanan tüketici etkinliği faktörü ise bu ilişkide düzenleyici bir rol üstlenmektedir. Tartışma –Elde edilen sonuçlar ışığında, yeşil iş yeri iklimi algısının çevreci davranışları olumlu yönde etkilemesi nedeniyle işletme yöneticilerinin tasarruf veya geri dönüşüm gibi çevre dostu faaliyetleri desteklediklerini ve çalışma ortamlarını buna uygun düzenlediklerini çalışanlara etkin bir dille aktarabilmelerinin önem arz ettiği, birim yöneticilerinin çevre dostu davranışlarda bulunmakla ilgili liderlik rolünü üstlenmeleri gerektiği ortaya koyulmuştur. Bunun yanı sıra; işletme birimlerinin çevre dostu davranışlarının sonuçlarından diğer çalışanların haberdar edilmesi amacıyla kurum içi iletişimin arttırılması gerektiği, böylece sosyal normun etkisinin kuvvetlendirilebileceği düşünülmektedir. Bireylerin çalışma ortamlarında da tüketici rollerini sürdürdükleri dikkate alındığında işletme tarafından çalışanlara yönlendirilecek teşvik edici mesajlar ve faaliyetlerde tüketici etkinliğinin vurgulanmasının ve çevreci davranışlarhususunda bireysel hedefler koyulmasının da algılanan tüketici etkinliği kavramının etkisini artırabileceği sonucuna varılmıştır.
Örgütsel Destek ile İşe Yoğunlaşma İlişkisinin İncelenmesinde Çalışan Motivasyonunun Düzenleyici Rolü (The Moderating Role of Employee Motivation in Examining the Relationship between Organizational Support and Absorption)
Authors: Değirmenci Bekir
Published: March 2022

Amaç –Örgütsel destek algısının çalışanların işe yoğunlaşmaları üzerindeki etkisinde iş motivasyonunun düzenleyicilik rolünün ortaya konulması amaçlanmıştır. Ayrıca çalışma kapsamında örgütsel destek, motivasyon ve işe yoğunlaşma arasındaki ilişki incelenmiştir.Yöntem–Çalışma kapsamında daha önce geliştirilen ölçekler kullanılmıştır. Orijinal ölçek kullanımına karar verildikten anket yöntemiyle veriler toplanmıştır. Toplanan veriler nicel araştırma yöntemiyle analiz edilmiştir. Çalışmanın evrenini kamuve özel sektör çalışanlarından oluşmaktadır. Bu doğrultuda kolayda örneklem yöntemiyle ulaşılan ve çalışmaya katılmayı kabul eden 430 kişiden veriler elde edilmiştir. Kullanılan ölçeğin yapı geçerliliği ve güvenilirliğini test etmek için istatistik progrmaından faydalanılmıştır. Hipotezleri test etmeye yönelik basit ve düzenleyicilik etkilerin ortaya çıkarılması amacıyla Hayes (2013) Proses makro programı yardımıyla hipotezler test edilmiştir. Yapılan analizler sonucunda ilk iki hipotez desteklenmiş ve son hipotez ise desteklenmemiştir. Bulgular–Örgütsel destek, iş motivasyonu ve işe yoğunlaşma arasında anlamlı ve olumlu bir ilişki bulunmuştur. Toplanan verilerin analiz edilmesi sonucunda çalışanların işyerinde gördükleri pozitif destek sonucunda işe daha fazla motive oldukları ve işine daha fazla yoğunlaştıkları tespit edilmiştir. Ayrıca çalışanların örgütsel destek algısının onların işe yoğunlaşmalarını olumlu ve anlamlı bir şekilde etkilediği tespit edilmiştir.Tartışma –Çalışanların iş ortamında çalıştıkları iş yeri ve yöneticileri tarafından psikolojik, fiziksel ve duygusal yönden desteklenmeleri önerilmektedir. İş görenlerin işe yoğunlaşmalarında maddi unsurlarla desteklenmesi gerekli olup tek başına yeterli değildir. Ayrıca onların işe motive olmalarında manevi unsurların da dikkate alınması gerekmektedir. Bu yönüyle çalışanların önemsenmesi, morellerinin yükseltilmesi, güven duyulması gibi etkenlerin onların işlerine motive olmalarında ve sadece yapmış oldukları işi düşünmelerinde önemli bir etkendir.
The Relationships among Supervisor Support, Affective Commitment, and Altruistic Behavior
Authors: Özkara Zülfi Umut , Taş Aynur , Aydıntan Belgin
Published: March 2022

Purpose:The main purpose of this study is to research the mediating effect of “employees’ affective commitment to the organization” in the relationship between “perceived supervisor support” and “these employee’saltruistic behavior”.Design/methodology/approach:Dataset of the study consisted of 215 questionnaires gathered from nurses working in two private hospitals in Ankara.SPSSstatistical programwas used for data entryand analyses. “Hierarchical regression” and “Sobel test”analyses were employedfor hypothesis-testingin this study.Findings:According to the analysis results in terms of participants in this study, nurses’ perception of support from immediate supervisors directly affects their affective commitment to the hospital in a significant and positive way. And then, their affective commitment has a direct, significant and positive effect on their altruistic behavior. In addition, perceived supervisor support affectsnurses’ altruistic behavior in a significant and positive way both directly and indirectly through their affective commitment. Therefore, nurses’ affective commitment to the hospital has a partial mediating role in the mechanism established within the scope of the study.Discussion:In this study, answer is sought for the question of “is it possible to contribute to the hospital through the enhancing effects of an increase in nurses’ perception level of supervisor support on their levels of affective commitment to the hospital and altruistic behavior?”. According to the research results, it is possible to contribute to the hospital thanks to the mechanism established in this study.
Kuşakların Sosyal Medya Kullanımının Yiyecek İçecek İşletmesi Tercihlerinde Yarattığı Farklılıklar (Differences Created by Generations Social Medıa Use in Food and Beverage Business Preferences)
Authors: Yücel Güngör Mehtap , Özdoğan Osman Nuri
Published: March 2022

Amaç –Günümüzde bilgi teknolojilerinin sağladığı imkanlarla sınırsız bilgiye ve kullanıcı tecrübesine erişebilen tüketiciler satın alma tercihlerini sosyal medya üzerinden yapmaktadır. Bu çalışmada teknoloji kullanımları ve tüketim davranışları üzerindeki farklılıklar doğrultusunda Baby Boomer, X, Y ve Z kuşakları içerisinde yer alan tüketicilerin sosyal medya kullanım durumlarının yiyecek içecek işletmesi tercihlerinde yarattığı farklılığın ortaya konması amaçlanmaktadır. Yöntem –Nicel araştırma yöntemi kullanılarak ele alınan çalışmada Baby Boomer, X, Y ve Z kuşaklarına yönelik kolayda örneklem yöntemiyle çevrimiçi ve yüzyüze anket uygulaması gerçekleştirilmiştir. Evrenitemsil edecek örneklem sayısını belirlemek adına tabakalı örnekleme yöntemi kullanılmıştır. Toplamda 426 katılımcıdan toplanan veri SPSS 22.0 ile analiz edilmiştir. Araştırma hipotezlerinin test edilmesinde T Testi, Tek Yönlü Varyans Analizi (ANOVA), gruplar arası farklılıkların hangi gruplardan kaynaklandığını belirlemek için Post-Hoc testleri yapılmıştır.Bulgular –Araştırmada Baby Boomer kuşağından Z kuşağına doğru gidildikçe sosyal medyada geçirilen sürenin giderek arttığı görülmektedir. Baby Boomer kuşağı yiyecek içecek işletmesi tercihinde fiyata karşı daha duyarlıdır. Tüketicilerin yaşı arttıkça yiyecek içecek dışı hizmetlerin varlığına daha fazla önem verdikleri görülmektedir. Baby Boomer ve X kuşağının eğitim düzeyi yükseldikçe sosyal medya kullanımının yiyecek içecek işletmesi tercihinde daha etkin olduğunu söylemek mümkündür. Ayrıca X kuşağına mensup düşük gelirli katılımcıların, yiyecek içecek işletmesinde yaşadıkları olumlu veya olumsuz deneyimleri sosyal medyada paylaşma konusunda daha çekimser davranmaktadır. Tartışma –Günümüz tüketicisi artık daha bilinçli, sadece kendi karşılaştıkları olumsuz deneyimler veya aldıkları kötü hizmetten dolayı yiyecek içecek işletmesi tercihlerini değiştirmemekte sosyal medyadan ulaştığı başka insanların da fikir ve deneyimlerine önem vermektedirler. Bu noktada yiyecek içecek işletmeleri için sosyal medya üzerinden her kuşaktan tüketiciye ulaşabilmek daha da önem kazanmaktadır.
Pandemi Sürecindeki Zaman Yönetimi ve Çalışan Performansı İlişkisinde İşe Adanmışlık Kavramının Aracı Rolü(The Mediating Role of Work Engagement in the Relationship Between Time Management and Employee Performance at the Pandemi Period)
Authors: Akdemir Ali , İnal İbrahim Haşim
Published: March 2022

Amaç–Bu araştırmada işe adanmışlığın işletme başarısının kilit kavramları olan zaman yönetimi ve çalışan performansı ilişkisine etkisi, pandemidenen çok etkilenen hizmet sektöründe güvenlik firmaları özelinde incelenmiştir. Bu kapsamda çalışanların performansını artırabilmek amacıyla zaman yönetimi algısını etkileyen faktörler tespit edilmeye çalışılmıştır.Yöntem–Araştırmanın teorik kısmında, araştırmanın değişkenlerine yönelik literatür çalışmaları incelenmiş ve araştırma kısmında ise yapılandırılmış anket tekniği kullanılmıştır. Çalışmanın evrenini, hizmet sektöründe yer alan güvenlik firmaları oluşturmaktadır. Araştırmanın örneklemi ise güvenlik şirketi çalışanlarından basit tesadüfi yöntem ile belirlenen 384 katılımcı oluşturmaktadır. Anket yanıtlarının analizi ile elde edilen verilerden bilimsel sonuç ve öneriler geliştirilerek araştırma tamamlanmıştır.Bulgular–Araştırmanın sonucunda, zaman yönetiminin çalışan performansı üzerine olan olumlu etkisinde iş adanmışlığın kısmi aracılık rolü olduğu bulunmuştur. Araştırmanın sonuçlarına göre hizmet sektöründe işe adanmışlığı artırabilmek ve zamanı iyi değerlendirerek çalışan performansını artırabilmek için inovatif aksiyonlar alınması önerilmektedir.Tartışma–İşletmelerin varlığını sürdürülebilmesi için yeniliklere açık olması, değişen piyasa koşullarına hızlı adapte olmaları ve proaktif davranmalarını gerektirmektedir. Araştırmalara göre bunu ancak zaman ve performans kavramlarını doğru yönetebilen ve işletme hedefini benimsemiş çalışanlara sahip işletmeler başarabilmektedir. Bu nedenle işletmelerin zamanı iyi değerlendirmeye ve performansı doğru ölçmeye yönelik yenilikçi sistemler kurması ve verimlilik esasına dayanan sürdürülebilir bir örgütsel yapı oluşturmasını gereklidir. Pandemi ortamı ile çalışanına değer veren, inovatif yaklaşımlarla onlara değer katan işletme olmanın önemi artmıştır. Dolayısıyla çalışan performansını etkileyen faktörlerin araştırılmasının özellikle pandemi sürecinde verimliliği artırabilmek açısından literatüre önemli faydalar sağlayacağı düşünüldüğünden bu çalışma kapsamında, bir diğer verimlilik bileşeni olan zaman yönetimi algısının çalışan performansı üzerine etkisi ve işe adanmışlık düzeylerinin bu etkileşimdeki aracı rolü incelenmiştir.
The Investigation of Studies Concerning to Corporate Social Responsibility Practices in Restaurants through Bibliometric Analysis: A Research on Scopus Journals
Authors: Işın Alper
Published: March 2022

Purpose –In this study, it is aimed to examine the articles on corporate social responsibility, especially in food and beverage businesses, in the journals scanned in Scopus, to analyze the evaluations on this subject in the studies, and to fill the gap in the literature in the context of the relationship between corporate social responsibility and corporate innovation.Design/methodology/approach –Secondary data was used in the paper. In this context, a search was carried out in the Scopus database on 15.04.2021 using the keywords 'corporate social responsibility' and 'restaurant' inorder to obtain the studies to be examined in the bibliometric analysis.Findings –As a result of the findings obtained in the biblimetric study conducted using the Scopus database on corporate social responsibility applied in restaurant businesses, it is seen that it was first published in the relevant database in 2002. It has been determined that 113 studies have been carried out in 61 different sources and in a period of approximately 20 years since the specified date.Discussion –Studies on CSR in the field of tourism have started to increase in quantity after the 2000s. Within the scope of this study, studies on CSR practices in restaurant businesses were examined. It has been determined that the studies on restaurants are very few until 2013, but it has been determined that there has been a great increase in the number of studies since 2014.
How Effective Are Social Media Influencers Recommendations The Effect of Message Source on Purchasing Intention and e-Word of Mouth (WOM) from a Para-Social Interaction Perspective
Authors: Ermeç Ayşegül
Published: March 2022

Purpose –The aim of this study was to eplainhow the source credibility, attitude homophily, interactivity, and para-social interaction are related and affect the attitude toward the post. Following this, the effect of this attitude on buying and e-WOM intention and the moderating role of risk aversion levels in this relationship also has been investigated. Design/methodology/approach –Data were collected from 570 followers of an influencer who mainly share content related to experience products on Instagram. The research model was tested with SEM and multi group comparison analysis using AMOS. Findings –This study revealed that para-social interaction of consumers with influencers results in the generation of a positive attitude towards the recommendation post of the influencer. Also, once a positive attitude towards the post has been generated, it results in the generation of purchase intention and e-WOM engagement. Relationships examined in the context of experience products showed that attitude homophily and influencer's interactivity were the most influential among the antecedents (influencer's credibility, attitude homophily, interactivity) examined in the formation of para-social interaction. In the study, it was also determined that the risk aversion levels of consumers have a moderating effect on the attitude-purchase intention relationship, and even in the context of experience products that are perceived as inherently risky, consumers with low risk aversion tended to make purchases by considering the influencer's share.Discussion –Today, where influencer marketing is used extensively by businesses, it is possible for these activities to create the desired effect by choosing the right influencer. It is crucial to determine what is necessary to ensure that the followers buy the product and have positive word-of-mouth communication that are among the ultimate goals of the influencer's posts. For experience products where the purchasing decision is relatively risky, it can be said that for the success of influencer marketing, the influencer's expertise, the attitude homophily, and the willingness of the influencer to interact are essential at the point of establishing para-social interaction. In order to ensure that consumers with high risk aversion levels buy the product, it can be recommended to pay great attention to the content shared and provide helpful information that reflects the truth.
Comparative Analysis of Humor Research Among Chinese and Foreign Leaders Based on Knowledge Graph
Authors: Zhao Yaya
Published: March 2022

In recent years, leadership humor research has flourished, but reviews focusing on leadership humor research mainly use qualitative research methods and less quantitative methods. In view of this, this paper selected 36 related documents in CNKI database from 2015 to 2020, and 59 related documents from 1999 from WOS core database to 2020. With the help of visual analysis tool CiteSpace software, the results show that the field of humor research lags behind foreign countries, and the researchers and research teams with high yield and high influence. Finally, according to the shortcomings of leadership humor research at home and abroad, the future research direction of leadership humor is proposed from the perspectives of research methods, research topics and research level.
Study on the Functional Orientation of Malicious Collusion
Authors: Jiang Yutong
Published: March 2022

The malicious collusion system has a long history, but there are still many issues. What is the status and role of the functional location of malicious collusion? One of the most controversial issues is what is the relationship between the malicious collusion system and the system of public order and good morals? The ambiguous function definition makes malicious collusion not only abused in the judgment, but also appear the gray area where it is mixed with other systems, or applied simultaneously. Therefore, clarifying its functional orientation will help to define the functions of malicious collusion, address the issue of validity defects effectively and avoid confusion in the application. It is of great significance to rationalize the logic of laws and regulations and to promote the judicial practice.
An Analysis of the Tendency of Orientalism in “Shooting an Elephant”
Authors: Liu Mengyu
Published: March 2022

Edward Said in his markedly innovative work Orientalism illustrates a prevalent Western tradition of prejudice against the Eastern world. There is an arbitrary and fictitious line between the Occident and the Orient in which the former has the privilege of defining and reconstructing the latter based on its stereotype and preconception. Orientalism is the source of the false cultural representations with which the Occident perceives the Orient. This thesis adopts Edward W. Said’s Orientalism to explain how the narrator exposes his tendency of Orientalism in the short story “Shooting an Elephant” through the analysis of the narrator’s perception of the Burmese, his view of the relationship between the colonizer and the colonized as well as his duplicity. Although he has got a clear understanding of the evil imperialist colonial rule, as a westerner, the narrator has strong tendency of Orientalism.
Textual Research on the Uprising of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom: The Change of the Name of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom
Authors: Zhou Hongchen
Published: March 2022

The study of the Taiping Kingdom itself has a great influence on the study of the history of the Taiping Kingdom in modern China. It involves the research of politics, economy, culture, military, figures, laws and regulations, religion and so on. However, the academic research on the national title of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom is less involved. Investigating this history will not only help us understand the historical details of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom period, but also correct some wrong understandings about the name of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom.
Megatrends of the world politics
Authors:   Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Koppel Olena , Parkhomchuk Olena ,   Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv
Published: March 2022

In the study, we identify and analyse how conceptual and applied aspects of megatrends of world politics are treated in the expert-academic community by outlining the specifics of megatrends of global development in the international political sphere. The paper summarises the megatrends of world politics that will shape the world by 2030. There is a threefold transformation of the modern political organisation of the world: the transformation of the Westphalian world political model, which is determined by globalisation, the transformation of the modern international system, largely due to integration as a megatrend, and the transformation of political systems. Global governance will be carried out in new formats, which will be reflected in the intensification of the institutions of collective world leadership. A change in the hierarchy of leading international actors, a rethinking of the power of leading global actors (US and EU), and the emergence of new potential political and economic global leaders are projected. The centre of world development is moving, the economic centre is shifting to the east and south. One of the central megatrends of world politics is the decline in human security, which became even clearer during the SARS pandemic, COVID-19, which will lead to the transformation of the modern international order. To these megatrends of world politics, we also adjoin the virtualisation of socio-political relations, a new model of change of political power and governance in individual countries, reideologization of world politics, inversion of fundamental values, universalization of migration flows.
Banking regulations, financial system stability and trust in the ECB: a structural equation model
Authors:   Azerbaijan State University of Economics (UNEC), Mursalov Muslum
Published: March 2022

Government interventions has long been a question of great interest in a wide range of fields. Scholars have been debating the scope and degree of intervention in the banking sphere that considers government capabilities. This study set out to provide some empirical evidence on the intertwined relationship between government interventions carried out through banking regulations and trust in the European Central Bank (ECB), taking into account the mediating role of financial system stability. A combination of quantitative approaches was used in the data analysis. The confirmatory factor analysis in STATISTICA was applied for hypothesis development, followed by the structural equation modeling (SEM) based on the statistical package SEPATH used for research hypothesis testing. This study aims to contribute to this growing area of research by exploring that financial system stability mediates the path between banking regulation and trust in central banking. It was found that stricter government regulatory and supervisory interventions in the banking sphere are changing the imprudent financial institutions’ behavior, however, negatively accomplishing financial development financial markets and institutions. Meanwhile, both financial system stability and banking regulations contribute to trust in the ECB. The research findings add to the growing body of research that indicates that stricter government regulatory and supervisory interventions in the banking sphere drive trust violations in central banking upon the causal chain by virtue of financial development financial markets and institutions deterioration.
High Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio and Low Lymphocyte-Monocyte Ratio Combination After Thrombolysis is a Potential Predictor of Poor Functional Outcome of Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Sadeghi Farzaneh , Sarkady Ferenc , Zsóri Katalin S. , Szegedi István , Orbán-Kálmándi Rita , Székely Edina G. , Vasas Nikolett , Berényi Ervin , Csiba László , Bagoly Zsuzsa , Shemirani Amir H.
Published: March 2022

Ischemic stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability. An inflammatory response is observed in multiple stages of cerebral ischemia, particularly in the acute phase. Recent publications revealed that neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and lymphocyte-monocyte ratio (LMR) may be used to predict long term prognosis in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) after thrombolysis. To test whether there is a relationship between the combination of these parameters and long-term prognosis, we analyzed NLR-LMR combination in AIS patients treated with intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA). The study included 285 adults with diagnosis of AIS and rtPA treatment within 4.5h time window. Blood samples were obtained at admission and 24h after thrombolysis to calculate pre- and post-thrombolysis NLR and LMR. Clinical data including NIHSS was registered on admission and day 1. Long-term outcome was defined 90 days post-event by the modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Therapy-associated intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) was classified according to ECASS II. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis was performed to determine optimal cutoffs of NLR and LMR as predictors of therapy outcomes. Patients were stratified by cutoffs of 5.73 for NLR and 2.08 for LMR. Multivariate logistic regression model including all possible confounders displayed no significant association of NLR or LMR with 3-months functional prognosis. The combination of high NLR-low LMR in patients vs. low NRL-high LMR in patients as obtained 24h after thrombolysis was found to be an independent predictor of poor 3-months functional outcome (mRS ≥2; OR 3.407, 95% CI 1.449 to 8.011, p = 0.005). The proportion of patients between low NLR-high LMR and high NLR-low LMR groups from admission to day 1 showed no significant change in the good outcome group. On the other hand, in the poor outcome group (mRS ≥2), low NLR-high LMR and high NLR-low LMR groups displayed a significant shift of patient proportions from 67% and 21% at admission (p = 0.001) to 36% and 49% at 24h after thrombolysis (p < 0.001), respectively. Our study demonstrated for the first time that a high NLR-low LMR combination as observed at 24h after thrombolysis can serve as an independent predictor of 3-months poor outcome in AIS patients. This simple and readily available data may help clinicians to improve the prognostic estimation of patients and may provide guidance in selecting patients for intensified care post-thrombolysis.
Geospatial Analysis of Road Traffic Crashes and Emergency Response Optimization in Kano Metropolis, Nigeria
Authors: Yunus Sulaiman , Abdulkarim Ishaq A.
Published: March 2022

Increased occurrence of road traffic crashes in Kano metropolis has resulted in a steady loss of lives, injuries, and increased people's risk exposure. This study looked into the emergency response to road traffic crashes in Kano, with a view to improving efficiency by developing linkages and synergy between Emergency Healthcare Facilities (EHCF), ambulances, and crash hotspots. The geographical location and attributes of the major EHCF, crash hotspots along highway intersections, and the two existent ambulances at the Kano State Fire Service (KSFS) and Federal Road Safety Corp head offices (FRSC) were obtained using GPS surveying. Road traffic network data (vector format) was digitized from satellite image, from which two major road classes (highways and minor roads) were identified, as well as their respective speed limits. The length and speed constraints were used to calculate time distances. Nearest Neighbor and Network (closest facility, shortest route, and location-allocation) analyses were carried out. The results demonstrated that EHCF, ambulances, and crash places have different distribution patterns with almost no linkages. Closest ambulance facility analysis revealed the FRSC ambulance takes 9.41 minutes to arrive to crash spot 18 (Maiduguri Road, following NNPC) and 7.52 minutes to arrive at AKTH, the nearest EHCF. Comparatively, getting to Court road incident scene (spot 16) and IRPH as the closest EHCF takes about 3 times the time it takes to get to spot 18 and 4 times the time it takes to get to AKTH. This means that practically almost all victims in the city suffocate before reaching to the hospital. This signifies that, in cases of demand for CPR at the incident scene, there are higher likelihood of dying as it is expected to be provided within the first four minutes after the crash. Based on a maximum of 4 minutes impedance cutoff from all directions towards the occurrences areas, location-allocation analysis found eight new locations to maximize coverage and improve efficiency. It is concluded that current road traffic crash emergency response system has been determined to be ineffective. As a result, more ambulances should be strategically placed to improve emergency response times.
Rearing in hypersaline inland ground saline water affect growth and osmoregulatory responses of Common carp (Linnaeus 1758)
Authors: Anand Garima , dar Showkat , Srivas P.P. , Varghese Tincy , Gupta Subodh
Published: March 2022

To examine the culture suitability of common carp in inland saline by evaluating the growth as well as osmoregulatoryresponses,one hundred eighty Cyprinus carpio juveniles (15.9 ± 0.05g) were randomly distributed in four experimental groups in triplicate following completely randomiseddesign T1(0 ppt), T2 (5 ppt), T3 (10 ppt) T4 (15 ppt). Complete mortality occurred in the group reared at 15 ppt within 7 days. Further, with three groups (salinities: 0, 5, 10 ppt)the experiment was continued for 60 days.The weight gain percentage, specific growth rate, protein efficiency rateand feed efficiency ratiowere lowest (P<0.05)in the groups reared at 10 ppt compared to 0 and 5 ppt. Similarly, highest expression of IGF-1was observed at 0 ppt followed by 5 ppt. Serum ions concentration as well as serum and water osmolality was increased significantly at 10 ppt compared to 0 ppt and 5 ppt. Na,K-ATPase alpha subunitwas non-significantly increased from 0 to 5 ppt but its value was significantly higher at 10 ppt. Serum glucose and cortisol were independent on salinity (0-10 ppt). the studies revealed that common carp can tolerate salinity upto 10 ppt, however at 5 ppt highest salinity upto which species can grow without any adverse effect on their internal physiology was found and suitable for growth.
Safety and Feasibility of Radiofrequency Ablation Using Bipolar Electrodes for Aldosterone-Producing Adenoma: A Multicentric Prospective Clinical Study
Authors: Oguro Sota , Morimoto Ryo , Seiji Kazumasa , Ota Hideki , Kinoshita Tomo , Kawabata Masahiro , Ono Yoshikiyo , Omata Kei , Tezuka Yuta , Satoh Fumitoshi , Ito Sadayoshi , Moriya Nobukazu , Seishi Matsui , Nishikawa Tetsuo , Omura Masao , Nakai Kazuki , Nakatsuka Seishi , Kurihara Isao , Miyashita Kazutoshi , Koda Wataru , Minami Tetsuya , Takeda Yoshiyu , Kometani Mitsuhiro , Oki Yutaka , Oishi Toshihiro , Ushio Takasuke , Goshima Satoshi , Takase Kei
Published: March 2022

Purpose: Evaluation of feasibility and safety of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) using bipolar radiofrequency (RF) devices in a prospective multicenter cohort of patients with benign aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA).Methods: A total of five institutions participated. CT-guided percutaneous RFA was performed for patients diagnosed as APA. The safety of the procedure was evaluated using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events. During the 84-day follow-up period, serial changes in plasma aldosterone concentration and plasma renin activity were measured. The percentage of patients with normalized hormonal activity after the procedure, was calculated with 95% confidence intervals.Results: Thirty-eight patients (20 men, 18 women; mean age, 50.4 ± 10.0 year) were enrolled, and one patient was excluded for intraprocedural intercostal arterial injury. The tumor size was 14.8 ± 3.8 mm. The technical success rate of the RFA procedure was 94.6% (35/37), and a 2nd session was performed in 2.7% (1/37) patients. Grade 4 adverse events were observed in 4 out of 38 sessions (10.5%). The normalization of plasma aldosterone concentration or aldosterone-renin ratio was 86.5% （72.0–94.1: 95% confidence interval） on day 84.Conclusions: Percutaneous CT-guided RFA for APA using a bipolar RF system was safe and feasible.
Hepatitis B Virus Promotes Hepatocellular Carcinoma Development by Activating GP73 to Repress the Innate Immune Response
Authors: Liu Zhixin , Liu Long , Huang Yanping , Fu Yanan , Rao Jingjing , Zeng Feng , Ji Manshan , Xu Xiang , Zhu Jianyong , Du Weixing
Published: March 2022

BackgroundHepatitis B virus (HBV) causes acute and chronic infection in the clinic. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is closely linked to HBV infection. Serum Golgi protein 73 (GP73) increases during HBV infection. However, the role of GP73 during HBV infection and the occurrence of HBV-related HCC is still poorly understood. MethodsThe underlying role of HBV-induced GP73 in regulating HCC development was investigated in this study. GP73 expression in HBV-related clinical HCC tissues and in HBV infected hepatoma cells and primary human hepatocytes were evaluated by immunohistochemistry, ELISA, Western Blotting and Quantitative real-time PCR (QRT-PCR) analysis. GP73 mediated tumorigenesis were detected by flow cytometry, QRT-PCR, xenograft nude mice and sphere formation assay. The effects of GP73 and HBV infection on host's innate immune responses in hepatocytes were further investigated by Western Blotting and Quantitative real-time PCR (QRT-PCR) analysis.ResultsInitially, we discovered that HBV-positive HCC tissues had significantly higher expression of GP73. Ectopic expression of the HBV gene could induce GP73 expression in primary human hepatocytes and hepatoma cells in vitro. In addition, we discovered that GP73 promotes HCC in both normal liver cells and hepatoma cells. We also found that ectopic expression of HBV genes increases GP73 expression, suppressing the host's innate immune responses in hepatocytes.ConclusionsOur results demonstrate that HBV facilitates HCC development by activating GP73 to repress the host's innate immune response. This study adds to our understanding of the pathogenesis of HBV infection-induced HCC. The findings also provide preclinical support for GP73 as a potential HCC prevention or treatment target.
Substance availability, use, and misuse in ex-professional ice hockey enforcers
Authors: Gaetz Michael
Published: March 2022

Background: Some ex-professional ice hockey enforcers have experienced negative outcomes following their careers. The purpose of this study was to determine whether athletes who had this role were negatively impacted by substance use and misuse during and/or following their careers. It was hypothesised that given their role in the sport, significant exposure to concussive injury occurred leading to a substantial number of challenges including high levels of post-career substance use. Methods: This study also utilises a mixed methods quantitative and qualitative approach with one-on-one semi-structured interviews with questions related to substance use/abuse. Results: This hypothesis for this study was not supported. Participants in this study reported low levels of substance use post-career. Patterns of substance use during career varied by era with a change in use from alcohol and over-the-counter stimulants to opioids, sleep aids, and AAS estimated to occur near the mid to late 1990s. Alcohol misuse was reported by four participants at some point during their careers. Stimulant use was prevalent in the sport pre-mid 1990s. The use of prescription opioid pain medication and sleep aids was reportedly rare before the mid to late 1990s but eventually became easily attainable via team medical staff and prescription sharing. Two participants from the later era also reported the use of AAS.Discussion: It has been revealed that this sample of ex-professional hockey enforcers experienced a significant number of concussions, continue to have challenges with chronic pain, and were exposed to several unique stressors during their careers, the effects of which may have varied based upon how the role was viewed. The combination of these factors may have led to increased substance use in some of these athletes during their careers.
JNK3 overexpression in the entorhinal cortex disseminates to the hippocampus and induces cognitive deficiencies and Tau misfolding
Authors: Ardanaz Carlos G. , Bejarano Arantza , Echarte Beatriz , Smerdou Cristian , Martisova Eva , Martínez-Valbuena Iván , Luquin María R. , Ramírez María J. , Solas Maite
Published: March 2022

c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) are a family of protein kinases that can be activated by numerous stimuli and regulate a broad spectrum of biological processes in the Central Nervous System. JNK3, a specific isoform in the brain, have been shown to be involved in neurodegenerative conditions. Even though JNK over-activation has been observed in human brains affected with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), its role in AD pathology development is still unclear. One of the early regions of neuronal volume loss in AD is the Entorhinal Cortex (EC). Indeed, the loss of projections from EC to hippocampus (Hp) in the early phases of AD has raised the idea that the connection between EC and Hp could be deteriorated in AD. Thus, the main aim of the current work is to address if JNK3 overexpression in the EC could spread to the hippocampus, leading to cognitive deficiencies, similar to what occurs in early stages of AD. Data acquired in the current study suggest that JNK3 overexpression in the EC is also observed in the Hp and this leads to cognitive impairment. Moreover, pro-inflammatory cytokines expression and Tau immunoreactivity appeared to be increased both in the EC and Hp. Therefore, activation of inflammatory signaling and induction of Tau aberrant misfolding caused by JNK3 could be the underlying mechanism of the observed cognitive impairment. Altogether, JNK3 overexpression may disseminate from EC to Hp inducing cognitive dysfunction in vulnerable brain regions and may underlie the alterations observed in early stages of AD.
Sleep cycle in children with severe acute bronchopneumonia during mechanical ventilation at different depths of sedation
Authors: Zhao Xueshan , Yan Jingli , Wu Bo , Zheng Duo , Fang Xiuying , Xu Wei
Published: March 2022

Background: To investigate the characteristics of sleep cycle in children with severe acute bronchopneumonia treated with invasive mechanical ventilation at different sedation depths. Methods： We included 35 pediatric patients with severe acute bronchopneumonia treated using mechanical ventilation in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit of Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University. They were divided into deep sedation group (n=21; ramsay score 5-6) and light sedation group (n=14; ramsay score3-4) based on sedation depth achieved during mechanical ventilation. Long-term video electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring was performed within the first 24h after starting mechanical ventilation and after weaning from mechanical ventilation and discontinuing sedatives and analgesics. The results were analyzed and compared with those of normal children to analyze changes in sleep cycle characteristics at different sedation depths and mechanical ventilation stages.Results: There were 29 cases altered sleep architecture. The deep sedation group had a significantly higher incidence of sleep architecture altered, total sleep duration, and non-rapid eye movement sleep-1(NREM-1) loss incidence than the light sedation group. Moreover, the deep sedation group had a significantly lower awakening number and rapid eye movement sleep (REM) percentage than the light sedation group. The sleep cycle returned to normal in 27 (77%) patients without NREM-1 or REM sleep loss. Conclusions: Deep sedation during mechanical ventilation allows longer total sleep duration, fewer awakenings, and an increased deep sleep proportion, butsleep architecture is severely altered. After weaning from mechanical ventilation and sedative discontinuation, lightly sedated children exhibit better sleep recovery.
Metabolic engineering for provitamin D3 biosynthesis in tomato
Authors: Choe Sunghwa , Choi Sunmee , Kim Jeongmo , Park Jongjin , Kim Jinhwa
Published: March 2022

Providing adequate vitamin D3 for the human diet is a long-standing goal of crop breeding because most plants have relatively low levels of this nutrient naturally. Using CRISPR-Cas9 editing of the tomato genome, we increased provitamin D3 levels in tomato fruits to up to 1 mg per 100 grams dry weight. Use of this provitamin D3 tomato could ameliorate widespread vitamin D deficiencies around the world.
Anxiety and depression in community-dwelling patients with schizophrenia in China during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Chen Shanshan , Sun Xiaohua , Zhu Qisha , Zhao Yuan , Tang Jinsong , Song Haidong
Published: March 2022

Background
The 2019 Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) poses a huge challenge to the global public health. People with schizophrenia living in communities urgently need effective interventions to help them adjust to life and work, but they have not received enough attention. This study aims to assess the prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms in community-dwelling patients with schizophrenia in China during the epidemic, and to explore possible influencing factors.
Methods
Using a cross-sectional survey, we collected 15165 questionnaires. Assessments included subjects’ demographic information, knowledge of COVID-19-related information, sleep status, anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, and other accompanying illnesses. The Chinese versions of the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) and the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) were used to evaluate the depression and anxiety of patients.
Results
Moderate to severe anxiety accounted for 16.9%, and the percentage of moderate and above depression was 34.9%. T-test showed that females with schizophrenia had a significantly higher score of GAD-7 and PHQ-9 than males with schizophrenia (t=-2.03, P = 0.042; t=-3.27, P = 0.001), and patients without other accompanying long-standing diseases (t = 4.18, P < 0.001; t = 6.86, P < 0.001), not understanding COVID-19 (t = 8.17, P<0.001; t = 2.29, P = 0.022) had lower GAD-7 and PHQ-9 scores. ANOVA showed that participants aged from 30 to 39 (F = 2.8, ,P = 0.014), with higher educational levels (F = 4.0, ༌P = 0.007) scored higher on GAD-, ༌and patients with better sleep(F = 158.8, ༌P < 0.001; F = 284.0, ༌P < 0.001), having a simple knowledge of COVID-19 (F = 93.19, P<0.001; F = 95.30, P<0.001) had lower GAD-7 and PHQ-9 scores. Bivariate regression analysis indicated that participants aged 30–39 and 40–49 positively predicted anxiety, whereas only patients aged 30–39 years were positively predictive of depression. Participants with poor sleep, other long-standing diseases, knowing the COVID-19 pandemic were more likely to experience anxiety and depression.
Conclusion
Patients aged from 30 to 39, with poor sleep, other accompanying long-standing diseases, knowing the COVID-19 pandemic were potential factors of depression and anxiety. We need to strengthen psychological intervention for patients with schizophrenia.
Multiple fluctuating targets track-before-detect using multi-bernoulli filter in radar sensor
Authors: Li Dongsheng , Wu Sunyong , Deng Honggao , Sun Xiyan , Cai Ruhua
Published: March 2022

This paper addresses the detection and tracking of multiple fluctuating targets for track-before-detect algorithm based on Multi-Bernoulli (MB-TBD) filter in surveillance radar systems. MB-TBD usually considers target amplitude information and ignores the fact that radar measurements are complex valued. In this paper, we first propose to utilize phase information to improve the discrimination of targets from noise. More precisely, complex likelihood ratios (CLR) are used instead of squared modulus measurements likelihood ratios (SLR) for fluctuations of types Swerling 0, 1, 3. Secondly, the traditional MB-TBD filter cannot solve the problem of coexistence between targets with stronger amplitude and weaker amplitude when multiple fluctuating targets are moving. To address this limitation, an adaptive birth distribution based on joint successive target cancellation and measurement likelihood ratio driven is proposed. Moreover, in order to reduce computational complexity, the bernoulli components of the same targets are merged after the MB-TBD updating. Finally, the proposed algorithm is implemented using sequential monte carlo technology. The simulation results show that in challenging scenarios, the performance of the improved algorithm is better than the traditional algorithm, and it has a good application prospect.