bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamics of entrepreneurial belonging among Mexican female entrepreneurs
Authors: Erogul Murat , Barragan Salvador , Essers Caroline
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Understanding belonging provides a better insight into the structural, political, cultural and gendered elements of entrepreneurship. This paper aims to focus on Mexican female entrepreneurs’ (MFE) experiences in managing material and affective aspects of entrepreneurial belonging during the start-up and transition phase to become an established business owner.

Design/methodology/approach

The narrative analysis is based on qualitative interview data with 11 MFE in Mexico.

Findings

The analysis reveals that MFEs’ sense of belonging evolves from self-oriented to more socially-oriented identity claims. In the former, the need to “fit in” and achieve material aspects of belonging is intertwined with gender and family responsibilities. In the latter, the need to “stand out” and achieve affective aspects of belonging is intertwined with validating entrepreneurial achievements by challenging gendered assumptions and helping others through the notion of “sisterhood.”

Originality/value

The paper extends the understanding of the relation of material and affective aspects of belonging as an “evolving” process from the nascent stage to the established stage of entrepreneurship. Within the evolving process of entrepreneurial belonging, a shift from material to affective aspects unveils a theoretical framework that relates belonging, gender and entrepreneurship in context. This process seems to regulate entrepreneur’s agency in what they interpret as acceptable while standing up against challenges and legitimizing belonging through the emergence of a “sisterhood.”
Islamic microfinance in Mauritania: an investigation into involuntary factors affecting usage
Authors: Mokhtar Maouloud Vatimetou , Kassim Salina , Othman Anwar Hasan Abdullah
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This study aims to identify the involuntary barriers of financial inclusion which are affecting the usage of Islamic microfinance services in PROCAPEC institution located in Nouakchott-Mauritania. Subsequently, it also examines the effect of gender as a moderator in the model.

Design/methodology/approach

Primary data was collected through a cross-sectional questionnaire from 381 beneficiaries of PROCAPEC – a major Islamic microfinance provider in Mauritania. In methodology, the study uses confirmatory factor analysis to identify relevant involuntary factors affecting usage, followed by structural equation modelling to test the impact of these factors on the usage of Islamic microfinance (IsMF) products.

Findings

Two of the four factors are statistically significant in affecting the usage of IsMF products, namely, affordability and eligibility. Gender is a moderator in the relationship between affordability and usage, as well as eligibility and usage.

Practical implications

Policymakers, practitioners and managers of Islamic microfinance institutions can consider these factors and focus on strategies, including pricing and promotion, which aim to further develop the Islamic microfinance industry in Mauritania. Also, reducing documentation required from clients and adopting lenient rules to provide suitable products will enhance the use of IsMF products, which may lead to more customers’ attraction.

Originality/value

Although several researchers have articulated financial inclusion, this study sheds light on a specific dimension of financial inclusion to determine the factors impacting IsMF products’ usage. In Mauritania, there are few studies about microfinance. This study will be amongst the pioneer contribution to the geographical gap.
The role of employees' participation and managers' authority on continuous improvement and performance
Authors: Galeazzo Ambra , Furlan Andrea , Vinelli Andrea
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Drawing on the theoretical concept of organisational fit, this paper questions the relevance of employees' participation in the link between continuous improvement (CI) and operational performance. The literature has long emphasised that to be successful, CI implementation needs to rely on employees' involvement as soon as its inception. This paper argues that this approach is not generalisable.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a database of 330 firms across 15 countries, regression analyses were used to hypothesise that the fit between CI and employee participation is positively associated with operational performance, and that the fit between CI and centralisation of authority is negatively associated with operational performance. The authors also ran a robustness check with polynomial regression analyses and the response surface methodology.

Findings

CI–employee participation fit is positively associated with operational performance, suggesting that there is less need for employees to be involved when a firm has scarcely developed CI. Employee participation becomes gradually more relevant as CI progresses. Moreover, the results demonstrate that the CI–centralisation of authority fit is negatively associated with operational performance, suggesting that a top-down management approach with centralised authority is preferable when CI is low, whereas a bottom-up management approach is helpful when a firm has extensively developed CI.

Originality/value

This research draws on the concept of organisational fit to explore the relationships between internal practices in the operations management literature. The authors suggest that managers should dynamically balance the practices of employee participation and centralisation of authority as CI improves. This study highlights that CI has different evolutionary levels that require different managerial approaches and practices.
A network controlled vertical handoff mechanism for heterogeneous wireless network using optimized support vector neural network
Authors: Patil Mithun B. , Patil Rekha
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Vertical handoff mechanism (VHO) becomes very popular because of the improvements in the mobility models. These developments are less to certain circumstances and thus do not provide support in generic mobility, but the vertical handover management providing in the heterogeneous wireless networks (HWNs) is crucial and challenging. Hence, this paper introduces the vertical handoff management approach based on an effective network selection scheme.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper aims to improve the working principle of previous methods and make VHO more efficient and reliable for the HWN.Initially, the handover triggering techniques is modelled for identifying an appropriate place to initiate handover based on the computed coverage area of cellular base station or wireless local area network (WLAN) access point. Then, inappropriate networks are eliminated for determining the better network to perform handover. Accordingly, a network selection approach is introduced on the basis ofthe Fractional-dolphin echolocation-based support vector neural network (Fractional-DE-based SVNN). The Fractional-DE is designed by integrating Fractional calculus (FC) in Dolphin echolocation (DE), and thereby, modifying the update rule of the DE algorithm based on the location of the solutions in past iterations. The proposed Fractional-DE algorithm is used to train Support vector neural network (SVNN) for selecting the best weights. Several parameters, like Bit error rate (BER), End to end delay (EED), jitter, packet loss, and energy consumption are considered for choosing the best network.

Findings

The performance of the proposed VHO mechanism based on Fractional-DE is evaluated based on delay, energy consumption, staytime, and throughput. The proposed Fractional-DE method achieves the minimal delay of 0.0100 sec, the minimal energy consumption of 0.348, maximal staytime of 4.373 sec, and the maximal throughput of 109.20 kbps.

Originality/value

In this paper, a network selection approach is introduced on the basis of the Fractional-Dolphin Echolocation-based Support vector neural network (Fractional-DE-based SVNN). The Fractional-DE is designed by integrating Fractional calculus (FC) in Dolphin echolocation (DE), and thereby, modifying the update rule of the DE algorithm based on the location of the solutions in past iterations. The proposed Fractional-DE algorithm is used to train SVNN for selecting the best weights. Several parameters, like Bit error rate (BER), End to end delay (EED), jitter, packet loss, and energy consumption are considered for choosing the best network.The performance of the proposed VHO mechanism based on Fractional-DE is evaluated based on delay, energy consumption, staytime, and throughput, in which the proposed method offers the best performance.
Advantages and disadvantages of developing an enterprise resource planning to manage quality in an accredited reality. COSMOB S.p.A case study
Authors: Bravi Laura , Murmura Federica , Santos Gilberto , Tomassini Luca , Gnaccarini Alessio
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This study aims to analyze the innovations introduced, with reference to enterprise resource planning, in the Italian wood–furniture sector, focusing attention on the COSMOB S.p.A. case study, identifying how this small company tried to exploit the advantages offered by the introduction of new digital technologies to remain competitive in the context of the accredited Test Laboratories in the furniture industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The research has been developed with a qualitative approach. The study is a conceptual development and it uses exploratory interviews to create a single case study of COSMOB. The case study was developed with the realization by the researcher of a long period of support to the company’s Quality Manager, and periodic bi-monthly interviews for an update of their perceptions on the development of the activity.

Findings

The need for rapid decision-making processes, the management of high volumes of data and the need for inter- and intra-organizational connection had a critical relief in company’s decision to adopt the integrated software. As for the main problems related to its adoption, these were the duration of the implementation of the operation, the complexity of the system and its limited adaptability.

Originality/value

The value of the paper relies on the development of an in-depth company case study, where the researcher supported the implementation of the system for the entire activity, obtaining therefore, a qualitative base of information that cannot be obtained through limited interviews.
Management ownership and the performance of Islamic microfinance institutions: a panel data analysis of Indonesian Islamic rural banks
Authors: Fithria Annisa , Sholihin Mahfud , Arief Usman , Anindita Arif
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This study aims to analyse the relationship between management ownership and the performance of Islamic microfinance institutions (MFIs) using panel data from Indonesian Islamic rural banks (Bank Pembiayaan Rakyat Syariah [BPRS]).

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses unbalanced quarterly panel data from BPRS during the period from 2011 to 2016. Performance, as the dependent variable in this study, is analysed based on three sets of measures, namely, profitability, efficiency and the financing risk. Management ownership, as the independent variable in this study, is represented by ownership by the board of directors (BOD), the board of commissioners (BOC) and the sharia supervisory boards (SSB).

Findings

The results show that ownership by the BOD and BOC does not have a significant relationship with profitability and efficiency. However, the BOD ownership has a negative relationship with the financing risk and vice versa for the BOC ownership. Additionally, the study reveals that ownership by the SSB plays a positive and significant role in increasing the profitability and efficiency but does not have a significant impact on the financing risk.

Originality/value

This is one of the first studies to provide empirical results regarding the relationship between management (BOD, BOC and SSB) ownership and the performance of BPRS. The finding reveals that ownership by the SSB is very important to increase the profitability and efficiency of the BPRS.

Contribution to Impact

This study fills the gap in the literature about Islamic MFIs in Indonesia, especially the BPRS. This research also provides an insight into corporate governance practices and Islamic MFIs’ performance using BPRS data. The findings provide useful information for policy makers and regulators.
The potential of Islamic social finance to alleviate poverty in the era of COVID-19: the moderating effect of ethical orientation
Authors: Umar Umar Habibu , Baita Abubakar Jamilu , Haron Md Harashid Bin , Kabiru Sadanu Hamza
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the potential of the awareness and knowledge of Islamic social finance (zakat,waqfand Islamic microfinance) to alleviate poverty during the COVID-19 pandemic with the moderating effect of ethical orientation.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected through the administration of paper-based and electronic questionnaires to 400 respondents out of which only 277 were found valid for analysis.

Findings

The study showed that by direct relationship, the awareness and knowledge of Islamic social finance instruments have a potentially significant positive contribution to poverty alleviation during the COVID-19 pandemic except for zakat that has an insignificant positive contribution. Ethical oriental has also a significant positive contribution. Contrary to expectation, the moderating effect of ethical orientation has changed zakat andwaqfto have significant negative and insignificant positive contributions, respectively. Only Islamic microfinance has endured the moderating effect to continue contributing significantly and positively to the reduction of poverty.

Research limitations/implications

The study explored only the potential impact of the awareness and knowledge of Islamic social finance to mitigate the extreme poverty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria.

Practical implications

This study clearly showed the need to create enabling laws and policies to support the operations of zakat andwaqfinstitutions to achieve their objectives effectively and efficiently. These two institutions should be integrated with Islamic microfinance for the possibility of getting better outcomes.

Social implications

There should be massive campaigns to restore religious, social and political ethics to enhance the socio-economic development of Nigerians based on the principles of brotherhood.

Originality/value

This study provides unexpected and unusual results showing the inability of zakat andwaqfinstitutions to alleviate poverty due to poor ethical orientation.
The impact of rating classifications on stock prices of Brazilian companies
Authors: Pagin Fernanda , Gomes Matheus da Costa , Antônio Rafael Moreira , Pimenta Júnior Tabajara , Gaio Luiz Eduardo
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to identify if there is an impact of the rating announcements issued by the agencies on the returns of the stocks of Brazilian companies listed on Brasil Bolsa Balcão, from August 2002 to August 2018, identifying which types of announcement (upgrade, downgrade or the same initial classification) cause variations in prices around the date of disclosure of the rating.

Design/methodology/approach

The event study methodology was applied to verify the market reaction around the announcement dates in a 21-day event window (−10, +10). The market model was used to calculate the abnormal returns (ARs), and subsequently, the accumulated ARs.

Findings

The hypotheses tests allowed to verify that the accumulated ARs are different, before and after the three types of rating announcements (upgrades, downgrades and the same classification); in upgrades, the mean of accumulated ARs increases in the days before the event, while in downgrades, this increase occurs after the event. This paper concluded that the rating announcements have an impact on the return of stock of the Brazilian market and that the market reaction occurs most of the time before the event happens, which indicates that the market can anticipate the information contained in the changes in credit ratings.

Practical implications

The results have considerable implications for portfolio managers, institutional investors and traders. It facilitates investment decision-making in the face of rating classification announcements. Market participants can pay more attention to their investment strategies and asset allocation during periods of risk rating announcements. Additionally, traders can understand the form of investment strategy for superior earnings.

Originality/value

The importance of the study is related to the fact that the results may explain the causes of specific movements in the Brazilian financial market related to a source of information that may or may not be able to influence the decisions of the financial agents that operate in this market. The justification is centred on the idea that, for investors who somehow react to the announcements, it is relevant to understand the impact of rating classifications on companies, as access to such information allows for more conscious decision-making.
Staffing the unit with nurses: the role of nurse managers
Authors: Ansah Ofei Adelaide Maria , Paarima Yennuten , Barnes Theresa , Kwashie Atswei Adzo
Published: May 2021

Purpose

To explore the staffing practices of nurse managers at the unit.

Design/methodology/approach

Introduction: Ensuring that units are staffed with adequate nurses to render quality nursing care to clients has become increasingly challenging for most hospitals. There is growing evidence linking best patient outcomes and fewer adverse events to the presence of nurses at the bedside. Hospitals require to attract and retain nurses in the units to address the issues of quality, staff and patient safety. Methods: The study used a descriptive phenomenological design to purposively select 15 nurse managers (NMs) and 47 nurses for in-depth interviews and focus group discussions respectively.

Findings

The study found that the demand for nurses to work in the unit was not scientific. Nurses affirmed their frustration of inadequate numbers of staff in the unit especially, at the periphery hospitals. Time can be used as a source of motivation for nurses and nurses should be involved in the development of the duty roster to enable effective compliance. Compensation for additional duties is relevant in nursing.

Research limitations/implications

The research was carried only in one region in Ghana, and the findings may not be the same in the other regions.

Practical implications

Inadequate staffing level has serious implications on patient safety, quality of care and staff outcomes. This situation necessitates the implementation of health sector staffing norms to ensure the right calibre of mix staff are recruited and retained.

Originality/value

This study is the first in Ghana that we aware of that explore staffing practices at the unit that identifies factors that impact staff schedules for effective care.
Innovation of SME service industry in Indonesia in improving customer satisfaction
Authors: Sanny Lim , Angelina Verencia , Christian Bernando Budi
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Small-medium enterprise (SME) service industry is an industry that continues to experience growth in developed and developing countries, including Indonesia. SME service industry that engaged in the service industry, namely, rental for generator set, air conditioner and sound system. In recent years, this SME has been experienced in declining in sales and getting some complaints from their customers. Many studies suggest that service quality and customer satisfaction are the key factors in the service industry. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the quality of service based on the customer’s perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

Data was collected using a combination of literature review, interview, brainstorming and questionnaires and analyzed by using importance-performance analysis (IPA) and quality function deployment (QFD) model.

Findings

This research resulted in nine technical requirements that allow the company to focus on these attributes to help the company enhance its customer satisfaction.

Practical implications

Based on the theory, applying service quality, IPA and also QFD will result in customer satisfaction. Practically the enhancement in customer satisfaction is not as easy as expected. Nowadays, customers always expect more and more and it is impossible to fully captured customers’ needs and always satisfy customers. Nevertheless, for this research company can understand their customers better, companies can evaluate their performances based on the customers’ perspective and know their customers’ needs. The company also know their strengths and weaknesses to allocate the resources and maximize their potential. Last but not least, the company is able to know their strategic priority that needs to be done for their better performance in the future to fulfill their customers’ needs and hope to enhance their customer satisfaction

Originality/value

A lot of research about customer satisfaction but still limited especially in the service industry in Indonesia using a combination of IPA and QFD model. So this research will give benefit for SMEs in Indonesia to allocate their resources more effectively by looking at the results of the four quadrants of IPA and house of quality (HOQ) framework can be used for a company as the references for their priority strategic option. Yet, to keep improving, the company recommended reviewing HOQ periodically.
Sustainable and responsible investment funds in Europe
Authors: Sládková Jitka , Kolomazníková Daniela , Formánková Sylvie , Trenz Oldřich , Kolomazník Jan , Faldík Oldřich
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The sustainable and responsible investing (SRI) is the part of sustainable investment which focusses on mutual funds. The purpose of this paper is to map and evaluate all the active European SRI funds, their performances and correlation with the national identity.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample of the research was analysed with descriptive statistics, mainly the frequency, the mean and the correlation analysis. A well-known volatility is represented by the synthetic risk and reward indicator (SRRI). Other two ratings are the environmental, social and governance (ESG) funds score distribution and the ESG funds letter rating distribution.

Findings

SRI investment may seem to be performing better than in the funds with a different focus. The segment of SRI funds will grow for the next decade.

Research limitations/implications

There is a lack of definitions and clear metrics for sustainable investing. For better performance, it would be also appropriate to examine each country separately.

Practical implications

This paper is part of the project targeting to design a model and methodology of SI evaluation taking into account ESG factors and risks, including profitability in a selected sector. This model can be used by investors for better decision-making.

Social implications

The paper focusses on the funds selecting investments that fulfil ESG criteria, which are part of the social responsibility and sustainability.

Originality/value

An analysis of the current approaches to evaluating investments shows that the key barrier in the transitions to sustainable investment is not taking into account the ESG factors. The research in this paper includes the ESG factors in the evaluation.
Perception and preferences of processed sweet foods: differences between diabetic and nondiabetic consumers
Authors: Soares André Felipe , Honorio Alice Raissa , de Lima Diana Clara Nunes , Tribst Alline Artigiani Lima
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to study how diabetics/pre-diabetics (D) and non-diabetic (regular consumers of sweeteners (C) or not (NC)) perceive and consume sweetened processed food in Brazil.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional study (n = 2,204) was carried out to gather information about: consumption of 14 sweetened food/beverage categories, perception of sugar/sweeteners (check-all-that-apply (CATA) test), understanding of sugar claims and socioeconomic/demographic/consume profile. Chi-square test/Fisher exact tests were used to analyze the contingency tables. CATA test results were evaluated using Cochran Q test, RV coefficient and Kruskal-Wallis test.

Findings

Results revealed that although diabetics/pre-diabetics consumed less sugary products than non-diabetics (p < 0.001), >50.0% of them preferred sugary candies, bakeries, ready-to-drink fruit juice, ice cream, chocolate and ready-to-eat desserts. D, NC and C similarly perceived (RV = 0.99) sugar (sensory desirable, but penalized due to its health impact), naturally extracted sweeteners (opposite description of sugar) and chemically synthesized sweeteners (penalized by sensory and health impacts). Regarding the claims, those that mean the absence of sugar were correctly understood for = 90.0% participants, while incorrect interpretations were observed for “containing sugars from own ingredients” (42.7%) and “light on sugar” (21.0%), without differences between consumer groups (p = 0.93).

Research limitations/implications

This study was carried out with a convenience sample.

Practical implications

Results can be applied to support food policies and educational campaigns (improving consumer information on processed sweetened foods) and to guide product development in the food industry.

Originality/value

This is the first study to evaluate the Brazilians’ behavior regarding the perception of sugar and sweeteners, the choice of different sweetened processed food, and understanding of sugar claims.
Fabrication of bulk alumina structures with humidity sensing capabilities using direct ink write technique
Authors: Renteria Anabel , Garcia Luisa F. , Diaz Jorge A. , Delfin Luis C. , Regis Jaime E. , Reza Elizabeth I. , Espalin David , Tseng Tzu-Liang Bill , Lin Yirong
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to evaluate different 3D structures for humidity sensing that will enable the fabrication of complex geometries with high moisture sensitivity.

Design/methodology/approach

Humidity sensors based on alumina ceramics were fabricated using direct ink write (DIW) technique. Different engineered surface area, polymer binder ratio and post-processing treatment were considered to increase moisture sensitivity.

Findings

It was found that the binder ratio plays an important role in controlling the rheology of the paste during printing and determining the pore size after post-processing treatment. The sensibility of the fabricated humidity sensor was investigated by measuring its capacitance response toward relative humidity (RH) varying from 40% to 90% RH at 25°C. It is shown that using 3D lattice design, printed alumina humidity sensor could improve sensitivity up to 31.6 pF/RH%, over an order of magnitude higher than solid alumina.

Originality/value

Most of the alumina humidity sensors available are films in nature because of manufacturing difficulties, which limited its potential of higher sensitivity, and thus broader applications. In this paper, a novel 3D alumina humidity sensor was fabricated using DIW 3D printing technology.
Prevalence and presumptive triggers of localized bullous pemphigoid
Authors: Ständer Sascha , Kasperkiewicz Michael , Thaçi Diamant , Schmidt Enno , Zillikens Detlef , Vorobyev Artem , Ludwig Ralf J.
Published: May 2021

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is an autoimmune skin disease, caused by autoantibodies to BP180 and/or BP230. While both these autoantigens are expressed in the entire skin, only some parts of the body become affected. Rare clinical observations indicate that BP may also manifest locally, usually following exposure to triggers. Here, we evaluated the occurrence and potential triggers of localized BP (LBP) in a cohort of 285 BP patients. Medical records of all BP patients hospitalized between 2009 and 2019 were reviewed. In 7/285 BP patients, a localized variant was identified. In 5/7 LBP patients, the disease remained local, while in 2/7 patients, an initial LBP subsequently spread. All cases were preceded by presumptive triggers, including previously described triggers and bacterial infections. Overall, LBP is rare. LBP, however, might be underdiagnosed and should thus be considered in the differential diagnosis, particularly when trigger factors preceded.
Volatile‐mediated interactions with surface‐associated microbes: A parallelism between phyllosphere of plants and eco‐chemosphere of seaweeds
Authors: Saha Mahasweta , Gilon Pauline , Verheggen François
Published: May 2021

Both in terrestrial and aquatic realms, organisms communicate and interact with each other via volatile and non‐volatile infochemicals. Terrestrial plants and seaweeds, known as prolific producers of volatiles, harbour a plethora of microbes on their surfaces like phyllosphere of plant leaves and eco‐chemosphere of seaweeds, respectively, where complex ecological interactions are regulated through infochemicals.

Although plant leaf volatiles have been well‐studied for their ecological functions in mediating microbial interactions, seaweed volatiles have been mostly investigated for their roles in climate regulation and with regard to climate change research. However, seaweed volatiles appear to be related to terrestrial plant volatiles both in terms of chemistry and ecology.

Synthesis. Evidence supports that seaweed volatiles can have important ecological functions in mediating interactions with microbes on their surface, just like plant leaf volatiles. Based on the existing vast literature on ecological interactions mediated by plant volatiles at phyllosphere and on the very few works on ecological roles of seaweed volatiles at eco‐chemosphere, we advocate for the detailed investigation of volatile‐mediated interactions regulating microbial colonisation processes on seaweed surfaces. Although of great ecological importance, this new field of research has remained largely unexplored. Thus, we also set directions for future research programs investigating the roles of seaweed volatiles at seaweed–microbe interface.
“We’re just stuck in a daily routine”: Implications of the temporal dimensions, demands and dispositions of mothering for leisure time physical activity
Authors: Spotswood Fiona , Nobles James , Armstrong Miranda
Published: May 2021

The reduced physical activity of women when they become mothers is a public health priority. Existing studies show that mothers have little time for leisure, or time that is fragmented and requiring negotiation with others. However, the temporal features of mothering are undertheorised and qualitative studies tend to focus on how mothers can skilfully construct physically active identities and balance societal expectations about being a “good mother”. In line with other research that focuses on the configuration of everyday practices that condition the “possibilities” for health‐related practices like physical activity, we shift our focus away from the resisting capacities of mothers to the temporal features of mothering practices. We interrogate the lived experiences of 15 mothers of preschool children in deprived urban areas and illuminate the inherent temporal dimensions, demands and dispositions of mothering practices that condition the possibility of leisure time physical activity being undertaken. Together, these temporal features mean mothering practices can readily work against leisure time physical activity. The focus on the mothering practices rather than mothers brings a novel perspective for developing public health policy designed to support mothers into regular leisure time physical activity.
Up‐scheduling and codeine supply in Australia: analysing the intervention and outliers
Authors: Yu Yan , Wilson Margaret , King Clare E. , Hill Richard
Published: May 2021

Background and aims

Over‐the‐counter codeine products were up‐scheduled to prescription only in Australia from February 2018. This trend study aimed to identify changes in codeine supply before and after the February 2018 implementation.

Design, setting and cases

Time–series regression analysis of monthly medicine supplies in Australia from 2014 to 2018. The February 2018 up‐scheduling was pre‐specified as the intervention; outlier analysis was used to detect automatically sudden unexpected changes before February 2018.

Measurements

Per‐capita supplies based on national data for pharmaceutical wholesales and population exposure. Weight of supplies in milligrams for low‐dose codeine (≤ 15 mg per tablet or ≤ 1.92 mg per ml, originally sold over the counter but up‐scheduled after February 2018), high‐dose combination codeine (30 mg per tablet, prescription only throughout the study period) and all codeine.

Findings

Several level shifts in supply occurred during the 5 years, led by one of −4.4% [95% confidence interval (CI) = −6.6 to −2.1%] in high‐dose codeine in 2015, followed by shifts in low‐dose codeine of −40.0% (CI = −46.9 to −32.3%) and −82.2% (CI = −84.3 to −79.9%), respectively, before and after February 2018. High‐dose codeine supply increased by 4.4% (CI = 1.8–7.1%) immediately after up‐scheduling. Also detected were transient increases and decreases in 2016 and 2017. Compared with pre‐2015 levels, the February 2018 up‐scheduling was associated with reductions of 45.7% (CI = 43.2–48.0%) and 89.3% (CI = 87.9–90.6%), respectively, in all and low‐dose codeine supply but no change in high‐dose codeine supply. The level shifts and transient changes were located around various regulatory activities, including public announcements and expert advisory meetings on up‐scheduling.

Conclusion

Up‐scheduling of over‐the‐counter codeine products in Australia in 2018 appears to have been associated with a near halving of Australia's national codeine supply. The transition occurred in multiple forms and phases.
Economy of Blood: The Persecuted Church and the Racialization of American Copts
Authors: Lukasik Candace
Published: May 2021

Since the 1990s, attacks on Egyptian Copts have been made legible to American (particularly evangelical) audiences through the moral imaginary of the “Persecuted Church,” which argues that Christians around the globe are persecuted more than any other time in history. Images of bloodied Egyptian Coptic bodies have circulated among Western Christian religio‐political networks in an “economy of blood,” an imperial economy of Christian kinship that performs the double movement of glory and racialization. This double movement has placed American Copts in a bind, whereby indigenous Coptic collective memory of blood and persecution has intersected with the political, theological, and affective kinship formations of this economy of blood. This article analyzes how the contemporary remapping of Eastern Christian traditions, like that of the Copts, produces effects on a geopolitical scale, and examines how this reconfiguration unfolds whiteness and Western Christianity. [racialization, Christian kinship, economy of blood, Persecuted Church, American Copts]
The newly emerging field of pediatric engineering: Innovation for our next generation
Authors: Hirschhorn Matthew , Garven Ellen E. , Wells Jamie L. , Stevens Randy , Tchantchaleishvili Vakhtang , Throckmorton Amy L.
Published: May 2021

Neonates, infants, and children have unique physiology and body surface areas that dramatically change during growth and development, and the substantial diversity of complicated pediatric illnesses and rare childhood diseases are distinct from the adult sphere. Unfortunately, medical innovation is generally constrained to retrofitting adult treatment strategies for this heterogeneous population. This conventional, but limited, approach ignores the dynamic biopsychosocial, growth, and developmental complexities that abound, as one progresses through this life cycle from newborn onward toward early adulthood. Forward‐thinking solutions are essential to advance the state‐of‐the‐art to address the challenges and unmet clinical needs that are uniquely presented by the pediatric population, and it has become obvious that newly trained engineers are essential for success. These unmet clinical needs and the necessity of new technical skills and expertise give rise to the emergence of an entirely new field of engineering and applied science: Pediatric Engineering. The field of Pediatric Engineering flips conventional wisdom that adult therapies can simply be scaled or successfully modified for children. It commandeers design to suit the specific needs of the child, while anticipating the dynamic growth and development into adulthood. We are growing a new pipeline of educated scientists and engineers who will have developed a unique toolbox of skills that they can use to tackle unmet clinical needs in global pediatric healthcare for years to come.
Culturally intelligent supervisors: Inclusion, intercultural cooperation, and psychological safety
Authors: Fujimoto Yuka , Presbitero Alfred
Published: May 2021

By integrating the cultural intelligence (CQ) and diversity/inclusion literature, we attempt to make a dual contribution to the literature by understanding how subordinates' perceptions of their supervisors' CQ may enhance their intercultural cooperation via their individual psychological climate for inclusion. We further examine the role of minority members' psychological safety as a result of perceived supervisor CQ and psychological climate for inclusion. To explore these processes, we conducted three studies. Based on social processing and social learning theories, we empirically tested the relationship between perceived supervisor CQ and subordinates' intercultural cooperation and initially determined the role of one of the three dimensions of psychological climate for inclusion (i.e. integration of differences) (Study 1: two‐waves; N = 316). To address the data limitation and to expand the framework (i.e. adding in the other dimensions of psychological climate), we conducted Study 2 (two‐waves; N = 173). We further extended the framework to include psychological safety and obtained two‐waves of data from ethnic minority members in Study 3 (N = 155). Our results supported our predictions offering novel insights into why CQ matters for supervisors of culturally diverse work units and clarify the various mechanisms on how supervisors' CQ influences intercultural cooperation in those units.
Disease‐modifying agents for multiple sclerosis and the risk for reporting cancer: A disproportionality analysis using the US Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System database
Authors: Stamatellos Vasileios‐Periklis , Siafis Spyridon , Papazisis Georgios
Published: May 2021

Aim

While the efficacy of disease‐modifying therapies (DMTs) for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) is established, little is known about their long‐term safety. Cancer‐risk after DMT use remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether the prescription of DMTs for patients with MS increases the risk of reporting cancer.

Methods

Data from the Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System were extracted from 2004 to 2020. After data cleaning, the crude and adjusted reported odds ratios (cROR and aROR) for cancer were calculated for DMTs with Interferon beta‐1a as the reference drug. Sensitivity analyses investigated the group of reports with multiple registered DMTs, the effect of indication restriction and the results when using the rest of the DMTs as reference.

Results

For malignant tumours, aROR (95% confidence interval [CI]) values were Cladribine 0.46 (0.18‐0.95), Dimethyl fumarate 0.30 (0.27‐0.34), Fingolimod 0.61 (0.53‐0.70), Glatiramer 0.50 (0.43‐0.58), Alemtuzumab 0.84 (0.64‐1.08), Interferon beta‐1b 0.49 (0.42‐0.56), Natalizumab 0.36 (0.34‐0.39), Ocrelizumab 0.48 (0.29‐0.74), Peginterferon beta‐1a 0.35 (0.26‐0.48), Siponimod 0.89 (0.47‐1.54) and Teriflunomide 0.25(0.21‐0.30) adjusted to age, gender and concomitant medications. In the sensitivity analysis, when the rest of the drugs were used as a reference, Interferon beta‐1a and Peginterferon beta‐1a had aROR (95% CI) 2.60 (2.47‐2.74, P < .001) and Alemtuzumab had aROR 1.47 (1.13‐1.88, I = .003).

Conclusions

No safety signal for increased cancer risk was detected among the approved DMTs. A potential safety signal detected in the sensitivity analysis concerning Interferon beta‐1a and Alemtuzumab requires further evaluation with more robust evidence.
Mediating worklife learning and the digitalisation of work
Authors: Billett Stephen
Published: May 2021

Competence in contemporary working life requirements is increasingly aligned with electronically mediated tasks and work roles: ie, the digitalisation of work. This alignment necessitates workers learning and utilising the conceptual knowledge and ways of working needed for this work. This knowledge is often distinct from and displaces workers' existing ways of knowing, which threatens their competence and sense of self. Yet, it can be difficult to access, learn and practice, requiring it to be mediated through interventions making it knowable. For working age adults, this often needs to occur through work activities for efficacy and practical reasons. These worklife learning issues are discussed here from a cultural psychological perspective, drawing on studies of contemporary work and human cognition, considerations for how these forms of knowledge can be made accessible and their processes of knowledge construction be supported. Four key propositions are advanced: (a) this knowledge needs to be made accessible to be engaged with and learnt; (b) that can often best occur in work settings; (c) workers' occupational subjectivities need accommodating; and (d) electronically mediated forms and artefacts offer means to make that knowledge accessible and support its learning. Hence, learning, work and digitalisation are reciprocally aligned in promoting both the initial and ongoing development of workers' capacities.

Practitioner notes

What is already known about this topic?

The knowledge required for work constantly changes.

Digitalised work has changed the requirements of much work and many occupations.

Conceptual and symbolic knowledge are required for competence in digital kinds of work.

Many studies have illustrated the impact of digital technologies across a range of occupations and industry sectors.

What this paper adds?

An elaboration of how the knowledge to be learnt and ways of knowing have changed in digital work.

Considerations of the implications of the changes for worklife learning (lifelong learning).

The importance of digitalised artefacts mediating access to this knowledge through symbolic representations.

Implications for practice and/or policy

Working age adults need to be able to access the kinds of knowledge required for digitalised work.

Worksites and work practice are potentially the optimum circumstances for accessing and learning this knowledge across working life.

The ability of this knowledge to be represented symbolically is a key basis for workers ongoing learning of digitalised work requirements.

Digital technology offers means for the conceptual representations to be made accessible.
Validation of the IMPEDE VTE score for prediction of venous thromboembolism in multiple myeloma: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Covut Fahrettin , Ahmed Ramsha , Chawla Sanchit , Ricaurte Frank , Samaras Christy J. , Anwer Faiz , Garcia Alex V. M. , Angelini Dana E. , Mazzoni Sandra , Faiman Beth , Valent Jason , Khouri Jack
Published: May 2021

The IMPEDE VTE score has recently emerged as a novel risk prediction tool for venous thromboembolism (VTE) in multiple myeloma (MM). We retrospectively reviewed 839 patients with newly diagnosed MM between 2010 and 2015 at Cleveland Clinic and included 575 patients in final analysis to validate this score. The c‐statistic of the IMPEDE VTE score to predict VTE within 6 months of treatment start was 0·68 (95% CI: 0·61–0·75). The 6‐month cumulative incidence of VTE was 5·0% (95% CI: 2·1–7·9) in the low risk group, compared to 12·6% (95% CI: 8·9–16·4%) and 24·1% (95% CI: 12·2–36·1) in the intermediate and high risk groups (P < 0·001 for both). In addition, a higher proportion of patients in the VTE cohort had ECOG performance status of ≥2 as compared to the no VTE cohort (33% vs. 16%, P = 0·001). Other MM characteristics such as stage, immunoglobulin subtype, and cytogenetics were not predictors of VTE. In summary, we have validated the IMPEDE VTE score in our patient cohort and our findings suggest that it can be utilized as a VTE risk stratification tool in prospective studies looking into investigating VTE prophylaxis strategies in MM patients.
NLRP3 at the crossroads between immune/inflammatory responses and enteric neuroplastic remodelling in a mouse model of diet‐induced obesity
Authors: Pellegrini Carolina , Fornai Matteo , Benvenuti Laura , Colucci Rocchina , Caputi Valentina , Palazon‐Riquelme Pablo , Giron Maria Cecilia , Nericcio Anna , Garelli Francesca , D'Antongiovanni Vanessa , Segnani Cristina , Ippolito Chiara , Nannipieri Monica , Lopez‐Castejon Gloria , Pelegrin Pablo , Haskó György , Bernardini Nunzia , Blandizzi Corrado , Antonioli Luca
Published: May 2021

Background and Purpose

Enteric neurogenic/inflammation contributes to bowel dysmotility in obesity. We examined the role of NLRP3 in colonic neuromuscular dysfunctions in mice with high‐fat diet (HFD)‐induced obesity.

Experimental Approach

Wild‐type C57BL/6J and NLRP3‐KO (Nlrp3−/−) mice were fed with HFD or standard diet for 8 weeks. The activation of inflammasome pathways in colonic tissues from obese mice was assessed. The role of NLRP3 in in vivo colonic transit and in vitro tachykininergic contractions and substance P distribution was evaluated. The effect of substance P on NLRP3 signalling was tested in cultured cells.

Key Results

HFD mice displayed increased body and epididymal fat weight, cholesterol levels, plasma resistin levels and plasma and colonic IL‐1β levels, colonic inflammasome adaptor protein apoptosis‐associated speck‐like protein containing caspase‐recruitment domain (ASC) and caspase‐1 mRNA expression and ASC immunopositivity in macrophages. Colonic tachykininergic contractions were enhanced in HFD mice. HFD NLRP3−/− mice developed lower increase in body and epididymal fat weight, cholesterol levels, systemic and bowel inflammation. In HFD Nlrp3−/− mice, the functional alterations of tachykinergic pathways and faecal output were normalized. In THP‐1 cells, substance P promoted IL‐1β release. This effect was inhibited upon incubation with caspase‐1 inhibitor or NK1 antagonist and not observed in ASC−/− cells.

Conclusion and Implications

In obesity, NLRP3 regulates an interplay between the shaping of enteric immune/inflammatory responses and the activation of substance P/NK1 pathways underlying the onset of colonic dysmotility. Identifying NLRP3 as a therapeutic target for the treatment of bowel symptoms related to obesity.