bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A decision model for sustainable informal entrepreneurship in cities
Authors: Khan Eijaz Ahmed , Chowdhury Md Maruf Hossan , Royhan Pradip , Gowan Sunaina , Rahman Mohammed Mizanur , Mahdavi Mehregan
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Sustainable development goals and the climate change agenda are becoming widely promoted topics of research for the 21st century. The role of cities is increasingly recognised as central to investigating these topics. Yet, the field of informal sector entrepreneurship which so many urban entrepreneurs in developing countries depend upon is seldom considered. To redress this imbalance, this study aims to develop a decision model in accordance with institutional theory (IT) and resource dependency theory (RDT) for city managers to deploy. The model identifies and prioritises optimal strategies to address the three areas of sustainability requirements environment society and economy within the study context of Bangladesh.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a mixed methods research design. In the qualitative part, the authors identified the three areas of sustainability requirements (i.e. environment, society and economy) and their corresponding strategies involving the informal sector that operates within the urban environment. In the quantitative part, the authors applied fuzzy quality function deployment (QFD) integrated with the 0-1 non-linear optimisation technique to identify optimal strategies.

Findings

The findings show that strategies such as legitimate frameworks, waste management, allocation of urban public space and training programs contribute in important ways to the three areas of sustainability requirements.

Practical implications

The proposed decision model will assist policy-makers and city managers to prioritise sustainability requirements and implement optimal strategies to address those requirements.

Originality/value

Through the integration of IT and RDT, the decision model developed in this study is unique in its application to urban-based informal entrepreneurship in the context of developing countries. The effective application of the fuzzy QFD approach and the optimisation model in the context of urban-based informal entrepreneurship also offers unique contributions to the field of study.
An integrative model of facial recognition check-in technology adoption intention: the perspective of hotel guests in Singapore
Authors: Boo Huey Chern , Chua Bee-Lia
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This study aims to explain how hotel guests form attitudes toward facial recognition technology in Singapore by integrating technology acceptance model (TAM), privacy calculus theory and personal innovativeness.

Design/methodology/approach

A self-administered online questionnaire was developed with measurements adopted from past research. Guests who stayed in four- or five-star hotels in Singapore were recruited via systematic random sampling. Structural equation modeling was conducted to examine the proposed integrated models.

Findings

Results showed that hotel guests performed calculative cognitive processes, weighing the benefits and risks of using facial recognition check-in system. Contradictory to the past research which suggested that trust activates both perceived risk and benefits, this study demonstrated that trust independently directed consumer attention on the benefits gained while risk perception was triggered by privacy concern. Furthermore, the current study revealed that the ease of use of facial recognition check-in system could possibly backfire.

Practical implications

The research indicates that the effort to adopt new technology in the hotel industry is promising in view of the growing millennials and Generation Z population who are digital natives. Furthermore, the current study highlights ways to elevate institutional trust and divert consumers’ attention from risk perception to enhance their positive attitude and behavior toward accepting facial recognition check-in system.

Originality/value

This study integrated TAM with privacy calculus theory and personal innovativeness in examining the acceptance of facial recognition check-in system in the hotel industry in Singapore. This study is also the first, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, to investigate the relationships among privacy concern, perceived risk, institutional trust and perceived benefits, as well as their effects on consumers’ attitudes and behavior toward the biometric system.
When observers of customer incivility revisit the restaurant: roles of relationship closeness and norms
Authors: Hwang YooHee , Wang Xingyu , Guchait Priyanko
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Considerable research has examined the negative consequences of customer incivility on employees (e.g. turnover intention and sabotage behavior toward the customer). However, there is scant research investigating how other customers, as observers, may react to incivility. This knowledge gap should be filled because hospitality services are often consumed in the public setting where customers can observe and be influenced by each other. The purpose of this study is to fill this gap by examining observing customers’ willingness to revisit the company following customer incivility.

Design/methodology/approach

Participants are American consumers recruited from a crowdsourced online panel. Two scenario-based experimental studies in the restaurant setting are conducted. Customer incivility and relationship norms (communal versus exchange) are manipulated, while relationship closeness is measured.

Findings

Study 1 shows that following fellow customer incivility (vs civility), observing customers’ intention to revisit the company was lower when they perceive a distant relationship with the employee. This intention did not differ regardless of incivility and civility when they perceive a close relationship with the employee. Study 2 shows that when observing customers perceive a communal relationship with the employee, their revisit intention was even higher following customer incivility (vs civility).

Practical implications

Hospitality managers need to train employees to identify signs of customer incivility and assume appropriate actions to reduce the negative consequences on observers. Hospitality managers should also communicate their expectations for respectful customer behaviors through an organization-wide campaign. Finally, hospitality businesses should foster a close relationship with their customers, particularly a communal relationship to offset the negative consequences of customer incivility on observers.

Originality/value

This study adds to previous research by challenging the universally negative view of customer incivility. The authors do so by examining the moderating effects of relationship closeness and norms in observer reactions to customer incivility. This study contributes to previous research drawing on script theory and deontic justice theory.
Ethnicity and the role of the founders' human and social capital in technology-based ventures
Authors: Abu Nasra Muhammed , Oliver Amalya
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This study examines the social and human capital of successful Arab and Jewish technological entrepreneurs in Israel, and explores how human and social capital differ between technology-based industries.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative study was conducted using a sample of 1,184 technology-based ventures from two technology-based industries—life science (LS) and information technology (IT)—that were founded by Jewish and Arab entrepreneurs.

Findings

The results show that in the LS industry, successful Arab entrepreneurs possess higher human and social capital compared with Jewish entrepreneurs. However, in the IT industry, the Jewish entrepreneurs possess higher human and social capital. These findings reflect the deeper entrepreneurial challenges and opportunities regarding ethnic entrepreneurs' ability to break through technology-based industries. Future research directions are provided.

Originality/value

This study makes two contributions to the theoretical understanding of ethnic entrepreneurship and technology-based ventures. First, this study focuses on the impact of human and social capital on economic growth in the context of technological entrepreneurship in technology-based industries, since the ethnic entrepreneurship literature has mainly focused on traditional industries. Second, this study examines the effect of the founders' ethnicity, and explores how human and social capital factors vary across industries due to their specific contextual characteristics.
Visions of improvement: a thematic analysis of executive leadership
Authors: Rodgers Bryan , Anthony Jiju
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This article explores the themes and gaps around the embedding of continuous improvement (CI) methodologies within public sector organisations and in particular the emergency services.

Design/methodology/approach

The article is structured around three case studies of national emergency service organisations in Scotland, UK, and is based on 23 interviews with executive members of these organisations as well as of their oversight and inspection bodies and staff associations or unions.

Findings

The findings narrow the gaps in the existing literature around the more holistic and organisation wide approaches to CI and evidence internal challenges around shared understanding, explicit commitment to CI through executive leaders and corporate documents as well as a need for a broader organisational culture of trust and empowerment in order to sustain CI.

Practical implications

The research identifies clear priorities for sustaining CI within the emergency services as well as the opportunities and challenges to doing so. These inform internal CI activities as well as intra-agency development and external influences such as the role of government.

Originality/value

While leadership is long established as a critical success factor in the success of CI initiatives, this is the first research to explore and analyse the existing understanding and commitment of executive leaders in emergency services.
High-tech gazelle firms at various stages of evolution: performance and distinctive features
Authors: Spitsin Vladislav , Vukovic Darko , Mikhalchuk Alexander , Spitsina Lubov , Novoseltseva Daria
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is the detection and comparison of distinctive features of Gazelle firms (GFs) at three stages evolution outside the typical boundaries.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses Analysis of Variance and logistic regression to tests the performance of 2427 gazelles for (GFs) a five-year period (2015–2020).

Findings

The study found that GFs prediction probability is low. In their second and third stages of evolution (initial growth and continuing growth), the gazelle growth effects appear. They are more effective in terms of profitability and turnover due to increasing sales and size.

Practical implications

This study shows that stakeholders should give preference to GFs that demonstrate long-term (steady) growth. Such firms are more efficient and financially stable than firms with high short-term growth.

Originality/value

The present study identifies patterns in the generation and development of GFs in high-tech industries outside the typical boundaries.
The influence of voluntary simplicity and environmental activism on sustainable fashion purchase intention
Authors: Campos Patrícia de Oliveira , Lima Azenaty Alian Leite de Souza , Costa Cristiane Salomé Ribeiro , Costa Marconi Freitas da
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This study aims to identify the role of the voluntary simplicity lifestyle on the environmental activism behavioural trait, as well as the relationship of these two constructs on the sustainable fashion purchase intention.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative approach was taken with data collected through an online survey in Brazil, obtaining a valid sample of 364 respondents. The collected data were analysed through the structural equation modelling technique using SmartPLS-3.3.2.

Findings

The main findings of this study indicate that voluntary simplifiers exert a direct and positive influence on environmental activism. Also, consumers who embrace the values of voluntary simplicity and environmental activism are positively inclined to purchase sustainable fashion. In addition to sharing values converging to sustainability, consumers who have this profile can adopt sustainable fashion consumption as the mainstream of their purchasing decisions.

Practical implications

Simplifiers and activists represent a potential target audience to be observed by fashion companies that have focused on sustainability. Also, they can benefit from the findings in order to delineate the type of product to be offered as well as assist in the development of communication strategies.

Originality/value

This study is innovative by bringing constructs that are emerging in the field of consumption behaviour and sustainability. In addition, it contributes, at the same time, to advance research on the behavioural profile of individuals in favour of sustainability, by pointing out to voluntary simplicity and environmental activism as important antecedents of sustainable fashion consumption behaviour.
Influence of virtual currency development and investor attention on financial stocks’ value: evidence from selected Asian equity markets
Authors: Ang Ming Torng , Chow Yee Peng
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of virtual currency (VC) development on financial stocks’ value in selected Asian equity markets and the moderating role of investor attention on this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

The pooled ordinary least squares regression is used on a sample of 138 listed financial firms from four emerging Asian countries for the period 2016–2020.

Findings

This study finds that changes in VC values have greater spillover effects on the values of financial stocks in countries which do not recognize the legitimacy of VCs than in countries which do, due to the lack of breadth and depth of the former markets. Moreover, this paper also reports evidence of the greater moderating role of investor attention on this relationship in countries which do not recognize the legitimacy of VCs than in countries which do.

Originality/value

Although numerous studies have been conducted on the influence of VCs on stock performance, majority of these studies did not distinguish whether the sample countries being studied actually recognize the legitimacy of VC transactions or not. Moreover, extant literature has not considered the moderating role of investor attention on this relationship. It is the aim of this study to address these research voids by using a refined three-factor theory model of capital asset pricing model incorporating VCs to better represent stock performance in the digital economy era.
The balanced scorecard as a strategic management tool in hospital pharmacies: an experimental study
Authors: Alipour Fatemeh , Jamshidizadeh Sogol , Bastani Peivand , Mehralian Gholamhossein
Published: May 2022

Purpose

A balanced scorecard (BSC) is an applied tool for implementing strategic management in various organizations. Implementing strategic management using the BSC approach has not received much attention in pharmacy departments. This study aims to provide a model for the strategic management of pharmacy departments using the BSC framework.

Design/methodology/approach

This experimental study was conducted from 2015 to 2018 in a 300-bed hospital and regional healthcare centers affiliated with the Petroleum Industry Health Organization in Tehran province, Iran. After carefully reviewing the organization's mission and vision, the strategic objectives were determined via the internal matrix and the external matrix (IE matrix), and the strengths–weaknesses–opportunities–threats matrix (SWOT matrix) were examined. Then, six BSC measures and interventions were identified, and each was examined from the perspectives of finance, patient satisfaction, internal processes and learning/growth. Finally, the proposed strategy was evaluated.

Findings

Results showed significant increases in patient satisfaction and gross profit. The observed increase range, from 0.09 to 0.29, indicates more effective operational management for optimal resource utilization. In addition, the pharmacy department was able to save US $539,137 by implementing prepared protocols for expensive medications. Similarly, the pharmacy department saved $442,899 during the two years of our strategic management plan by implementing the standard mechanism for returning unused medications to the pharmacy department after patients were discharged from various treatment units.

Originality/value

This study is among the first studies to demonstrate the simultaneous development, implementation and evaluation of the proposed strategy using the BSC in a pharmacy department in a public healthcare center. The BSC application improved the optimal use of resources and reduced costs while increasing patient satisfaction. It appears that the application of such an intervention may be as valuable to public pharmacies as it is to other private centers.
A proposition to implement inclusive Islamic financial planning in Indonesia through bibliometric analysis
Authors: Sevriana Lufthia , Febrian Erie , Anwar Mokhamad , Ahmad Faisal Yudi
Published: May 2022

Purpose

In Indonesia, the Islamic Economics and Finance Sector is growing rapidly, but the literature on Islamic financial literacy is still minimal. This study aims to show research opportunities with the theme of Islamic financial literacy, especially inclusive Islamic financial planning through bibliometric analysis of Scopus and connected papers.

Design/methodology/approach

A comma separated value (CSV) file containing more than 2,000 references meta data was used for analysis on Vos Viewer in the period of 1963–2020. The grouping of network visualization maps is done using six keywords, namely, “Financial Literacy,” “Financial Inclusion,” “Islamic Financial Literacy,” “Financial Planning,” “Personal Finance” and “Household Finance.”

Findings

The findings complement the keywords that are generally used as references in the formation of theories regarding inclusive Islamic financial planning. After combining the “ris” file from the connected paper, the most used terms are financial knowledge, financial education, financial behavior, financial decision-making process, financial inclusion, risk sharing and financial discourse.

Originality/value

The proportion which planned to be applied in Indonesia will differentiate the inclusive Islamic financial planning framework from what has been done before. This study outlines the basis of the relevant literature review in the theme of Islamic financial literacy research, especially inclusive Islamic financial planning.
Ethical dilemmas when conducting sensitive research: interviewing offenders convicted of child pornography
Authors: Eneman Marie
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This article aims to describe the personal experience and ethical dilemmas that the author encountered when conducting qualitative research on a highly sensitive topic, i.e. interviews with offenders convicted of child pornography.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses an autoethnographic approach to describe and reflect on my personal experience, emotions and ethical dilemmas when undertaking sensitive research that examines illegal acts.

Findings

Ethical dilemmas and emotional challenges highlighted refer to the issue of access to useful empirical material, conducting interviews with convicted offenders in prison environments, the complexity surrounding confidentiality when interviewing offenders about their criminal activities, vulnerability and insecurity for the researcher and emotional challenges for the researcher when listening to the offenders’ stories describing serious crimes against children.

Originality/value

This article contributes with insights and reflections on conducting qualitative research with a marginalized and stigmatized group in prison environments.
English-medium instruction (EMI) in Moroccan higher education: graduate students’ attitudes
Authors: Ben Hammou Salah , Kesbi Abdelaziz
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to contribute to the ongoing debate about the instructional languages in Moroccan education through exploring graduate students’ attitudes towards the potential use of English-medium instruction (EMI) in Moroccan science universities.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, 17 master and doctoral students have been interviewed to explore attitudes towards EMI implementation in Moroccan higher education. The data were collected and analysed based on constant comparative method, which belongs to the grounded theory methodology. The method is based on organizing the raw data into categories according to shared attributes while constantly comparing the parts of the data as they occur. The objective is to formulate new hypotheses and theories about the phenomenon of interest.

Findings

The findings of this study reveal that although graduate students hold positive attitudes towards the future implementation of EMI in higher education, they think students are not prepared for such a switch in the language of instruction given that they have been taught through either Arabic or French in lower levels. Hence, they suggest gradual implementation of EMI in lower levels and introduction of English as a foreign language instead of French at primary level.

Originality/value

Most of the previous studies on bilingual education and EMI have investigated non-Anglo-Saxon contexts, where English is the major foreign or second language. The researchers could not have located any study which investigates the possibility to implement EMI in post-colonial contexts, where other foreign languages, bearing colonial conations, are more dominant than English. This study presents the case of Morocco, where French, rather than English, is the dominant foreign language not only in education but also in different other domains of life.
Understanding the socio-economic and environmental impacts of Ghana's change in economic status on the upstream cocoa supply chain
Authors: Buor John Kwesi
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Change in the economic status of a low-income country is accompanied by an expected increase in investment and economic activities along with land degradation and biodiversity loss. This study aims to explore Ghana's transition from a low-income to a lower-middle income economy, and the impact of the accompanying rise in extractive activities on the upstream cocoa supply chain (CSC) and its supporting ecosystem.

Design/methodology/approach

The author conducted interviews and made critical observations on Ghana's upstream CSC. Grounded theory (GT) and system dynamics (SD) methodologies were employed to extract and analyze themes from the data gathered. Causal loop diagrams were derived from the analyzed data to provide insight into the possible long-term structural behavior of the upstream CSC due to the change in Ghana's economic status.

Findings

The findings suggest that continuous increase in land capture by open-cast mining and logging concessionaires, poor environmental law enforcement and farmer discontentment could cause a decline in cocoa production and biodiversity.

Originality/value

This research could stimulate the identification of a most effective alternative policy (such as agroecological farming) to improve the living standards of upstream CSC partners and reduce biodiversity loss. The models herein could serve as a learning/demonstration tool for researchers, academia and policymakers when brainstorming students, or during stakeholder (community/society) engagement/consultation sessions, to discuss policy decisions and their consequences. The model approach could also be helpful when designing strategic land-use policies. This could improve understanding of the complex interdependent relationships and the consequences of land degradation, loss of biodiversity and rural livelihood from a system thinking perspective.
A contingency-based accountability and governance framework for the non-profit sector in the post-COVID-19 era
Authors: Huang Hedy Jiaying
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The COVID-19 global pandemic has caused significant disruptions to the non-profit sector, highlighting the issues that the narrowly focused, traditional conception of governance fails to address. The purpose of this paper is to propose a contingency-based framework with its theoretical underpinnings in the existing literature, in order to support future empirical research on non-profit governance and accountability practices.

Design/methodology/approach

From a theoretical perspective, this paper synthesizes relevant existing literature and proposes a contingency-based accountability and governance framework in the non-profit sector. This paper draws on Ostrower and Stone’s (2010) contingency-based framework on boards and Hyndman and McDonnell’s (2009) conception of governance systems. This paper engages with the New Zealand and Australia context while reviewing relevant literature and relevant regulations.

Findings

The global pandemic has caused severe worldwide disruptions both socially and economically. There have been dramatic changes to the ways in which non-profit organisations (NPOs) operate. There is an urgent need to understand how such changes in the external environment impact on NPOs’ governance and accountability practices. In this context, the contingency-based accountability and governance framework proposed in this paper has important implications for non-profit research, while opening up an avenue for future research in this field.

Research limitations/implications

This paper does not involve empirical analysis.

Practical implications

This paper contributes by facilitating better understanding on how external contingencies like the COVID-19 global pandemic affect the external and internal environment of an NPO, how they impact on stakeholders and their interplay with an NPO’s governance and accountability systems. It also suggests that regulators of the non-profit sector, umbrella support organisations, and funders proactively encourage and guide NPOs to embrace a wider scope of governance and strengthen the level of governance in the sector.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the literature by proposing a contingency-based accountability and governance framework in the non-profit sector to support future research in this field. It also sheds light on competing theoretical debates relating to the conceptualisation and operationalization of accountability and governance.
Regulatory accounting environment, cultural values and board efficacy in developing countries
Authors: Baatour Kais , Ben Saada Moufida
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This cross-country study aims to investigate from an interdisciplinary perspective the impacts of the accounting regulation's strength and cultural values of long-term orientation (LTO) and indulgence (ND) on board efficacy in developing countries.

Design/methodology/approach

Board Efficacy Index scores for 54 developing countries over the period 2007–2016 were employed to ascertain predictors of management's accountability to boards of directors and investors. Two types of explanatory variables – formal and informal – were employed in a pooled Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) analysis.

Findings

The research is the first to empirically show that more LTO and ND in a country have significant and positive effects on board efficacy. The findings also show that the strength of auditing and reporting standards (SARS) has a dominant impact on board efficacy, and the SARS' consideration is recommended in future cross-country research on board efficacy.

Practical implications

To restore investor confidence and increase the credibility toward firms, regulatory authorities in developing countries are called upon to integrate compliance with accounting and auditing regulations combined with cultural values in the implementation of good governance practices.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the board efficacy literature in two significant ways. First, the study constructs and empirically tests a conceptual model that integrates both informal factors, the six cultural dimensions of Hofstede et al. (2010), and formal factors, the strength of accounting regulations. Second, conducting a study on a sample not widely used in the literature, over a fairly long period of time, highlights the governance characteristics of this context and strengthens the internal and external validity of the study.
Interpretable machine learning for real estate market analysis
Authors: Lorenz Felix , Willwersch Jonas , Cajias Marcelo , Fuerst Franz
Published: May 2022

Machine Learning (ML) excels at most predictive tasks but its complex nonparametric structure renders it less useful for inference and out‐of sample predictions. This article aims to elucidate and enhance the analytical capabilities of ML in real estate through Interpretable ML (IML). Specifically, we compare a hedonic ML approach to a set of model‐agnostic interpretation methods. Our results suggest that IML methods permit a peek into the black box of algorithmic decision making by showing the web of associative relationships between variables in greater resolution. In our empirical applications, we confirm that size and age are the most important rent drivers. Further analysis reveals that certain bundles of hedonic characteristics, such as large apartments in historic buildings with balconies located in affluent neighborhoods, attract higher rents than adding up the contributions of each hedonic characteristic. Building age is shown to exhibit a U‐shaped pattern in that both the youngest and oldest buildings attract the highest rents. Besides revealing valuable distance decay functions for spatial variables, IML methods are also able to visualise how the strength and interactions of hedonic characteristics change over time, which investors could use to determine the types of assets that perform best at any given stage of the real estate investment cycle.
Feasibility study on early identification of freshness decay of fresh‐cut kiwifruit during cold chain storage by Fourier transform‐near infrared spectroscopy combined with chemometrics
Authors: Wang Huxuan , Wang Cong , Peng Zhonghua , Sun Hongmin
Published: May 2022

This work mainly aimed to evaluate the feasibility of Fourier transform‐near infrared spectroscopy (FT‐NIRS) combined with chemometrics in early identification of freshness decay of fresh‐cut kiwifruit during simulated cold chain storage, with organoleptic evaluation as a reference. By linear discriminant analysis, the freshness decay could be identified after only 2 days of cold storage, corresponding to freshness level of 3.41 ± 0.27 N (hardness), 0.70 ± 0.05 g/kg (total acid), 8.62 ± 0.06 g/100 g (reducing sugars), 62.04 ± 1.03 mg/100 g (vitamin C) and 2.05 ± 0.11 log10 CFU/g (total plate count). Organoleptic evaluators could not perceive the freshness decay that occurred after 2 days of cold storage. Moreover, the freshness decay could be well quantitatively predicted by partial least squares regression, with low RMSEp (0.18–05.42) and high R2 (0.90–0.96). FT‐NIRS appears to be a promising option for early warning of the freshness decay of fresh‐cut kiwifruit during cold chain storage, thereby preventing serious spoilage and ensuring fresh fruits for consumers.

Practical Application

This work is based on the fact that fresh‐cut kiwifruit is prone to freshness decay under unstable cold chain conditions, using FT‐NIRS combined with chemometrics to identify the freshness decay early and rapidly, to a certain extent, early warn freshness decay and effectively prevent serious spoilage. The technology can be used for food regulatory agencies to monitor the freshness of fresh‐cut kiwifruit, and can also be applied for fruit processing enterprises and dealers to ensure the freshness and high quality of fresh‐cut kiwifruit.
Effects of different combinations of probiotics on rheology, microstructure, and moisture distribution of soy materials‐based yogurt
Authors: Xu Xinyue , Cui Huaitian , Yuan Zhiheng , Xu Jiaxin , Li Jun , Liu Jun , Liu He , Zhu Danshi
Published: May 2022

The effects of different probiotics on the texture, rheological properties, microstructure, and water distribution of yogurt fermented with soy powder, soy isolate protein powder, soy umbilical powder, and soy whey as the main raw materials were studied. The soy materials‐based yogurt fermented by Danisco mixed probiotic reached the end of fermentation after 4 h, which significantly shortened the fermentation time compared with other probiotic combinations. The fermentation with Danisco mixed probiotic and Kefir mixed probiotic respectively resulted in good texture and a denser and more homogeneous microstructure, which was consistent with the sensory evaluation results. Both fermentations had a high water holding capacity of 90.92% and 78.30%, respectively, in agreement with the results of moisture distribution tests. However, the elastic and viscous behaviors were weaker at certain shear frequency. This study achieved a high value‐added utilization of soy whey and the development of a new soy materials‐based yogurt that met the consumption needs of people with lactose intolerance and high cholesterol.

Practical Application

In this study, high value‐added utilization of soy whey was realized, which solved the problems of resource waste and environmental pollution. Meanwhile, the research and development of soy materials‐based yogurt provided another nutritional and healthy consumption demand for lactose intolerant people.
Cave occupations in Southeastern Arabia in the second millennium BCE: Excavation at Mugharat al‐Kahf, North‐Central Oman
Authors: Miki Takehiro , Kuronuma Taichi , Kitagawa Hiroyuki , Kondo Yasuhisa
Published: May 2022

This paper reports the results of excavation at Mugharat al‐Kahf (WTN01) in Wādī Tanūf, North‐central Oman. It also provides information on the nonmortuary and nonsedentary activities in central Oman during the Wādī Sūq period (2000–1600 BCE), as the subsistence and social arrangements of this period are the subject of much debate. Previous surveys had discovered a substantial amount of Wādī Sūq pottery at the site. This project took forward the excavation for further exploration. The excavation at Test Pit 1 identified Layers Ia and Ib, wherein pottery sherds, charred date stones and other samples for radiocarbon dating were discovered. These prove the cave's occupation during the early third millennium BCE, early second millennium BCE and the Islamic period. The analysis of artefacts and floral remains provided insights into the sojourn, storage and consumption of dates in the cave, and the mobile lifestyle in central Oman.
Two new Byzantine inscriptions from El‐ʿAynūn (Kerak Governorate; Southern Jordan)
Authors: Al‐Rawahneh Musallam R. , Fontana Elboj Gonzalo
Published: May 2022

The aim of this paper is to bring to light and edit two Byzantine funerary inscriptions from El‐ʿAynūn (Kerak Governorate; Southern Jordan). The first one is perhaps dated in the year 485–486 AD [year 380 EPA]; the second one, although not dated, probably belongs to the same period, ranging between the fifth and the sixth century AD.
Association between advanced image ordered in the emergency department on subsequent imaging for abdominal pain patients
Authors: Odeh Couvertier Valerie , Patterson Brian W. , Zayas‐Cabán Gabriel
Published: May 2022

Background

Abdominal pain is associated with high rates of emergency department (ED) imaging utilization and revisits. While imaging often improves diagnosis, a better understanding is needed on when the decision to image is justified and how it influences subsequent resource utilization and outcomes for patients in the ED presenting with abdominal pain. We evaluated the association between advanced ED imaging on subsequent outpatient imaging and on revisits among abdominal pain patients discharged from the ED.

Methods

A retrospective, observational study was conducted using electronic health record data from an academic ED in the U.S. Midwest. A sample of Medicare patients with a chief complaint of abdominal pain from January 2013 to December 2016 following ED evaluation were included in the analysis. Logistic regression was used to estimate associations between receiving advanced imaging in the ED and subsequent outpatient imaging within 7‐, 14‐, and 28‐day windows after discharge, and 30‐day revisit rates to the study ED and to any ED.

Results

Of the 1385 ED visits with abdominal pain chief complaint and discharged home from the ED, individuals who were not imaged in the ED had significantly higher adjusted odds of being imaged outside the ED within 7 days (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 6.65, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.96–11.17, p < 0.001), 14 days (aOR 4.69, 95% CI 3.11–7.07, p < 0.001), and 28 days (aOR 3.1, 95% CI 2.25–4.27, p < 0.001) of being discharged and had a significantly higher adjusted odds of revisiting the study ED (aOR 1.65, 95% CI 1.29–2.12, p < 0.001) and revisiting any ED (aOR 1.47, 95% CI 1.16–1.86, p = 0.001) within 30 days of being discharged.

Conclusions

Abdominal imaging in the ED was associated with significantly lower imaging utilization after discharge and 30‐day revisit rates, suggesting that imaging in the ED may replace downstream outpatient imaging.
The impact of alcohol priming on craving and motivation to drink: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Halsall Lauren , Jones Andrew , Roberts Carl , Knibb Graeme , Rose Abigail K.
Published: May 2022

Background and Aims

An initial dose of alcohol can motivate—or prime—further drinking and may precipitate (re)lapse and bingeing. Lab‐based studies have investigated the alcohol priming effect; however, heterogeneity in designs has resulted in some inconsistent findings. The aims of this meta‐analysis were to (i) determine the pooled effect size for motivation to drink following priming, measured by alcohol consumption and craving, and (ii) examine whether design characteristics influenced any priming effect.

Methods

Literature searches of PsycINFO, PubMed and Scopus in October 2020 (updated October 2021) identified lab‐based alcohol priming studies that assessed effect of priming on motivation to drink. A tailored risk‐of‐bias tool assessed quality of lab‐based studies. Random effects meta‐analyses were computed on outcome data from 38 studies comparing the effect of a priming dose of alcohol against control on subsequent alcohol consumption/self‐reported craving. Study characteristics that might have affected outcomes were design type (within/between‐participant), dose of prime, time of motivation assessment, type of control drink (placebo alcohol/soft drink).

Results

Relative to control, alcohol had a small‐to‐moderate priming effect on subsequent alcohol consumption (standardised mean difference [SMD] = 0.336 [95% CI, 0.171, 0.500]) and craving (SMD = 0.431 [95% CI, 0.306, 0.555]). Aspects of study design differentially affected consumption and craving. The size of the priming dose had no effect on consumption, but larger doses were sometimes associated with greater craving (with craving generally following the blood alcohol curve). Alcohol priming effects for consumption, but not craving, were smaller when compared with placebo, relative to soft drink, control.

Conclusions

Lab‐based alcohol priming studies are a valid paradigm from which to investigate the impact of acute intoxication on alcohol motivation. Designs are needed that assess the impact of acute consumption on motivation to drink in more varied and realistic ways.
Association of opioid use disorder with healthcare utilization and cost in a public health system
Authors: Miron Oren , Barda Noam , Balicer Ran , Kor Ariel , Lev‐Ran Shaul
Published: May 2022

Aim

To quantify the healthcare costs associated with opioid use disorder among members in a public healthcare system and compare them with healthcare costs in the general population.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Inpatient and outpatient care settings of Israel's largest public healthcare provider (that covers 4.7 million members).

Participants

Participants included 1173 members who had a diagnosis of opioid use disorder in the years between 2013 and 2018. Each patient was matched with 10 controls based on age and sex.

Measurements

The main outcome was monthly healthcare costs.

Findings

The mean monthly healthcare cost of members with opioid use disorder was $1102 compared with $211 among controls (5.2‐fold difference; 95% CI, 4.6–6.0). After excluding members with heroin related diagnoses before the index date (to focus on prescription opioids), this healthcare cost ratio did not substantially change (4.6‐fold; 95% CI, 3.9–5.4). Members with opioid use disorder under the age of 65 years had a cost difference of 6.1‐fold (95% CI, 5.2–7.1), whereas those 65 years and older experienced cost difference of 3.4‐fold (95% CI, 2.6–4.5), compared with controls. The category with the highest cost for members with opioid use disorder was inpatient services, which was 8.7‐fold (95%CI, 7.2–10.4) greater than among controls.

Conclusions

Healthcare costs among individuals with opioid use disorder in Israel's public health system are substantially higher than among controls, at least partially attributable to prescription opioid use disorder. Differences are greater among individuals under 65 years.
Agricultural Modernisation and Diabolic Landscapes of Dispossession in Rural China
Authors: Doll Ross
Published: May 2022

In response to the Chinese state’s 2006 call to expand industrial grain farming, government officials in the township of Ruilin pressured and coerced small‐scale farmers to lease their land to new large‐scale farmers on five‐year contracts. Though coerced villagers initially vowed to retake their land, they ultimately renewed their leases four years later, despite their apparent ability to resume farming. Explaining their change of mind, many villagers referenced the remade landscape as evidence that they no longer belonged on the land. Based on a multi‐year ethnography, I show that in forcibly sidelining villagers and remaking the landscape for mechanised agriculture, officials made villagers spectators of a modernised scene that, over time, helped to naturalise the modernist ideology that shaped it. Drawing on landscape studies literature, this paper contributes to recent work on relational and situated dispossession by foregrounding the link between sensory experiences of the land and subjectivity formation.
Inter‐observer agreement of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes in primary HER2‐positive breast cancer and correlation between tissue microarray and full tumor‐sections
Authors: Reznitsky Frances Mary , Jensen Jeanette Dupont , Knoop Ann , Laenkholm Anne‐Vibeke
Published: May 2022

Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) have predictive and prognostic potential in HER2‐positive breast cancer (HER2 + BC). Due to tumor heterogeneity, guidelines recommend evaluation on full tumor‐sections over biopsies, but aren't clear regarding tissue microarrays (TMAs). Herein, we investigate the inter‐observer agreement of TILs assessment in HER2 + BC on full‐sections and TMAs using a standardized method. Two pathologists assessed TILs using HE full‐sections and TMAs from 244 patients with HER2 + BC. TILs were assessed in 10% intervals; values <10% evaluated as 0%, 1% or 5%. Levels of agreement were evaluated using intraclass‐coefficient (ICC), Kappa statistics and concordance analysis. For inter‐observer agreement for full‐sections, ICC was 0.93 (95% CI 0.89–0.95) and Kappa was 0.75, corresponding to acceptable and moderate agreement respectively. For TMAs, ICC was 0.73 (95% CI: 0.62–0.81) and Kappa 0.33, corresponding to unacceptable agreement. For association in matched TMA and full‐sections, ICC was 0.64 (95% CI 0.55–0.71) and Lin's concordance correlation coefficient was 0.63 (95% CI 0.55–0.71), corresponding to unacceptable agreement. There is acceptable inter‐observer agreement of TILs assessment on full‐sections but not TMAs and discrepancy between full‐sections and TMAs. TMA preparation must include consideration for representation of both entire tumor area and tumor‐microenvironment to correctly define prognostic and predictive values of potential immuno‐related biomarkers.
Comprehensive network analysis of dysregulated genes revealed MNX1‐AS1/hsa‐miR‐4697‐3p/HOXB13 axis in ovarian cancer chemotherapy response
Authors: Wu Anqi , Liu Jiaqi , Zhang Xiaojun , Niu Chenxi , Shu Guang , Yin Gang
Published: May 2022

Poor chemotherapy response is the main obstacle of ovarian cancer (OC) treatment. Platinum‐refractory and ‐resistant patients are associated with a worse outcome than platinum‐sensitive and partially sensitive patients, but the comprehensive similarities and differences among them are not yet clear. In this study, we analyzed the data of patients with different chemotherapy response in The Cancer Genome Atlas. We found a minority of altered genes were overlapped in refractory and resistant groups, as did the enriched pathways and Gene Ontology terms. We noticed that the neural signaling and drug metabolism enzymes were more significantly enriched and the protein–protein interaction supported these results. The transcription analysis highlighted PDX1 as the common and central transcription factor in both refractory and resistant groups. The competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network shared no common ceRNA pairs, indicating a major difference in noncoding RNA post‐transcriptional regulation. In the end, we validated the expression, regulation, binding, and effect on chemotherapy response for selected MNX1‐AS1/hsa‐miR‐4697‐3p/HOXB13 in OC cell lines. Our study offered a novel and comprehensive insight into chemotherapy response, and potential targets for improving chemotherapy response in OC.
New-onset cutaneous nodule arising from hypertrichotic brownish patch in a 6-year-old girl
Authors: Incel Uysal Pinar , Terzi Aysen , Uysal Ahmet Cagri
Published: May 2022

A 6-year-old girl presented with an enlarging asymptomatic nodule within a hyperpigmented hypertrichotic patch on her left thigh. Histopathological examination revealed tumour cells with round to fusiform nuclei in a fine fibrillary collagenous stroma, along with increased cellularity. Most of the tumour cells were positive for S-100 and negative for HMB-45 and Melan-A.