bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
RPAS performance model for fast-time simulation research on integration in non-segregated airspace
Authors: Lichoń Daniel , Majka Andrzej Robert , Lis Tomasz
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper was to elaborate the performance model of the remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) which was destined for simulations of the construction characteristics, airspeeds and trajectory of flight in the controlled, non-segregated airspace according to the standard instrument departure and arrival procedures (SIDs and STARs).

Design/methodology/approach

This study used systems engineering approach: decomposition of RPAS performance model into components, relations and its connection with components of controlled the airspace system. Fast-time simulations (FTS) method, which included investigation of many scenarios of the system work, minimizing the number of input variables and low computing power demand, is also used.

Findings

Performance envelope of many fixed-wing RPAS was not published. The representative RPAS geometry configuration was feasible to implement. Power unit model and aerodynamic model needed to be accommodated to RPAS category. The range of aircraft minimum drag coefficient differed in the investigated range of take-off mass and wing loading.

Research limitations/implications

Fixed-wing RPAS of small and medium categories cover take-off mass (25–450 kg), wing loading (40–900 N/m2) and power loading (8–40 W/N).

Practical implications

This is a research on integration of the RPAS in the controlled, non-segregated airspace. The results of the work may be used in broadening the knowledge of the RPAS characteristics from the perspective of operators, designers and air traffic services.

Originality/value

The elaborated performance model of the RPAS used the minimum number of three input variables (take-off mass, wing loading and power loading) in identification of the complete RPAS characteristics, i.e. construction features (aerodynamic, propulsion and loads) and flight parameters (airspeeds and flight trajectory).
Cyber-physical systems and digital twins for “cognitive building” in the construction industry
Authors: Ghansah Frank Ato , Lu Weisheng
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Despite the growing attention on the relevance of improved building management systems with cognition in recent years in the architecture, engineering, construction and operation (AECO) community, no review has been conducted to understand the human-environment interaction features of cyber-physical systems (CPS) and digital twins (DTs) in developing the concept of a cognitive building (CB). Thus, this paper aims to review existing studies on CPS and DTs for CB to propose a comprehensive system architecture that considers human-environment interactions.

Design/methodology/approach

Scientometric analysis and content analysis were adopted for this study.

Findings

The scientometric analysis of 1,042 journal papers showed the major themes of CPS/DTs for CB, and these can be categorized into three key technologies to realize CB in the AECO community: CPS, DTs and cognitive computing (CC). Content analysis of 44 relevant publications in the built environment assisted in understanding and evidently confirming the claim of this study on the integration of CPS and DTs for CB in construction by also involving the CC. It is found and confirmed that CB can be realized with CPS and DTs along with the CC. A CB system architecture (CBSA) is proposed from the three key technologies considering the human-environment interactions in the loop. The study discovered the potential applications of the CBSA across the building lifecycle phases, including the design, construction and operations and maintenance, with the potential promise of endowing resilience, intelligence, greater efficiency and self-adaptiveness. Based on the findings of the review, four research directions are proposed: human-environment interactions, CB for sustainable building performance, CB concept for modular buildings and moving beyond CB.

Originality/value

This study stands out for comprehensively surveying the intellectual core and the landscape of the general body of knowledge on CPS/DTs for CB in the built environment. It makes a distinctive contribution to knowledge as it does not only propose CBSA by integrating CPS and DTs along with CC but also suggests some potential practical applications. These may require expert judgments and real case examples to enhance reproducibility and validation.
Consumers’ digital self-extension and pro-brand social media engagement – the role of culture
Authors: Rabbanee Fazlul K. , Roy Rajat , Roy Sanjit K. , Sobh Rana
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Digital self-expression, recently one of the most important research themes, is currently under-researched. In this context, this study aims to propose a parsimonious research model of self-extension tendency, its drivers and its outcomes. The model is tested in the context of social media engagement intentions (liking, sharing and commenting) with focal brands and across individualist versus collectivist cultures.

Design/methodology/approach

The model is tested in two individualist cultures (N = 230 and 232) and two collectivist cultures (N = 232 and 237) by conducting surveys in four countries (Australia, USA, Qatar and India). Nike and Ray-Ban are the focal brands studied, with Facebook serving as the targeted social networking site (SNS) platform.

Findings

Self-monitoring and self-esteem are found to drive the self-extension tendency across cultures, with stronger effects in the individualist culture than in the collectivist culture. The self-extension tendency has a relatively stronger positive influence on social media engagement intentions in the individualist culture than in the collectivist culture. This tendency is also found to mediate the link between self-monitoring, self-extension and social media engagement intentions across both cultures, albeit in different ways. In collectivist culture, self-monitoring’s influence on the self-extension tendency is moderated by public self-consciousness. The study’s findings have important theoretical and practical implications. In individualist culture, self-monitoring’s influence on the self-extension tendency is moderated by public self-consciousness.

Research limitations/implications

The present findings confirm that the tendency to incorporate the brand into one’s self-concept and to further extend the self is indeed contingent on one’s cultural background. The role of public self-consciousness may vary between individualist and collectivist cultures, something recommended by past research for empirical testing.

Practical implications

Managers can leverage this research model to entice pro-brand social media engagement by nurturing consumers’ digital selves in terms of maneuvering their self-extension tendency and its drivers, namely, self-monitoring and self-esteem. Second, promoting the self-extension tendency and its drivers varies across cultures, with this finding offering practical cultural nuances supporting marketing managers’ decisions.

Originality/value

This is one of the pioneering studies that tests a cross-cultural parsimonious model based on theories of self-extension, self-monitoring and self-esteem, especially within the context of brand engagement intentions on an SNS platform.
Assessing the impact of knowledge management factors on digital resources acceptance: a survey of postgraduate students of public sector universities of Punjab
Authors: Ahmad Marya , Ahmad Khurshid , Bhatti Rubina
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This study aims to measure the acceptance of digital resources by integrating knowledge management (KM) factors (i.e. acquisition, sharing, application and protection) into the factors of the technology acceptance model (TAM) (i.e. perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness) and their impact on actual system use through behavioural intention.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the quantitative research method, a survey was conducted of the public sector universities of Punjab, Pakistan. Data were collected from postgraduate students and analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling.

Findings

The findings showed that the factors of KM with the integration of TAM significantly impact the acceptance of digital resources. The study’s hypotheses are all supported, and the findings demonstrated that knowledge acquisition, knowledge sharing, knowledge application and knowledge protection significantly influenced perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use, and that these factors are positively correlated with behavioural intentions to use digital resources.

Originality/value

This study has considerable significant implications for policymakers, developers and practitioners in designing digital resources. This study will also assist librarians to discover areas for development that may enhance the use of digital resources among users
Challenges of utilizing BIM in facilities management in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Hassanain Mohammad A. , Akbar Abdullah Ehtesham , Sanni-Anibire Muizz O. , Alshibani Adel
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to present an assessment of the challenges of using building information modeling (BIM) in the facilities management (FM) practice in Saudi Arabia.

Design/methodology/approach

A review of the relevant literature was conducted, resulting in identifying 31 potential challenges to BIM utilization in FM, which were grouped into five main categories. These challenges were used to design a five-point Likert scale questionnaire survey to obtain the feedback of experts in the FM domain in Saudi Arabia. The professionals that participated in the survey consisted of facilities managers, maintenance managers and BIM experts. The results obtained were analyzed based on the Effect Index (EI) approach. The questionnaire also contained an open-ended section for more qualitative data.

Findings

The results of the EI revealed that the top most influential challenges include “integration of the building systems design with BIM”, “definition of handover requirements and integration requirements between FM and BIM” and “getting appropriate and accurate information”. The category with the highest EI was the “challenges pertaining to the execution of BIM in FM”.

Practical implications

The paper outlines the critical challenges influencing the utilization of BIM in FM in Saudi Arabia and, as a result, could facilitate the development of implementation plans for BIM utilization. Thus, the study results have practical implications for stakeholders in the building industry.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the building industry through its discussion of the challenges of BIM utilization in FM and thus has the potential to increase the level of awareness of stakeholders in the industry.
Effect of acid erosion on the tribological performance of surface texture prepared with laser processing
Authors: Ji Wenzhe
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to further improve the performance of surface texture, the chemical polishing method was introduced and the effect of it on the surface morphology and tribological properties of the surface texture was investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

The surface texture was processed on the surface of 304 stainless steel with laser technology in air medium. Hydrochloric acid solution (pH 2.4 ± 0.05) was selected and used to soak the prepared texture samples for 12 h. The surface morphology and elemental content of the samples were measured with the white light interferometry, SEM and EDS. To obtain the effect of acid corrosion on the tribological properties of textured surfaces, the samples were tested under dry friction and oil lubrication conditions.

Findings

The detailed study shows that the melt and burr of surface texture produced with laser processing was reduced due to the corrosion effect of hydrochloric acid. Therefore, the better interfacial tribological properties was obtained due to the improvement of surface-textured morphology.

Originality/value

The main contribution of this work is to provide a new reference for improving surface texture quality. It also lays a foundation for improving the tribological properties of the textured interface.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-04-2023-0094/
Marketing to the sandwich generation: meeting the needs of all family members
Authors: Pak Cabrini
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to propose a framework for marketing to the sandwich generation (SG) shopper, an influential and growing demographic in the marketplace.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper draws from research in business, sociology, health care and industry sources that have studied the SG. It proposes a marketing framework to create value for SG shoppers and their families, in multiple ways.

Findings

SG members seek to meet at least four major kinds of needs across their intergenerational families: financial management, social support, health care and wellness. Businesses can help them more efficiently bridge those needs by including certain enablers in their offerings: human resource benefits to manage health and associated costs, resource allocation tools to manage financial and social support needs across different lifespans, time management tools to integrate social support needs with wellness outcomes and technology/services that help meet health and wellness needs across the family.

Practical implications

Managers can attract SG members and their families to their offerings by keeping in mind three rules of thumb: help them recover their most scarce resource: time; capitalize on age-friendly adjustments in the marketplace; and innovate with universal design in mind.

Originality/value

To the author’s knowledge, this is the first application of existing knowledge on the SG to a marketing framework that addresses key SG customer concerns.
Engaging employees through transformational leadership: the mediating role of emotional energy
Authors: Bao Shashan , Jolly Phillip M.
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This study investigates the role of emotional energy as a mediator of the relationship between transformational leadership (TFL) and work engagement.

Design/methodology/approach

A two-wave survey was conducted through Prolific and 392 valid responses were collected from full-time hospitality and tourism employees. RStudio was used for structural equation modeling and bootstrapping analysis.

Findings

Results indicate that the positive relationship between TFL and work engagement is mediated by emotional energy.

Practical implications

The research particularly highlights to practitioners the important role of emotional energy and provides methods to improve emotional energy. Hospitality leaders should monitor the emotional energy levels of their employees and strive to avoid energy depletion. The findings also provide practitioners with some support in explaining the importance of leadership training workshops to leaders and their organizations.

Originality/value

The study provides new insight into the process underlying the TFL–work engagement relationship and highlights the importance of emotional energy as a construct of study in the hospitality industry.
Tracing the interconnectedness of early childhood educators’ professional capital
Authors: Nolan Andrea
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Since the early 2000s there has been increased attention on the professionalisation of the Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) workforce in many OECD countries. This study focuses on what Australian early childhood educators holding the lowest level of qualification – Certificate III are experiencing in relation to their professional capital in a sector that is experiencing wide-spread and ongoing reform. The study identifies the human capital, social capital and decisional capital of these educators, then explores the interconnections.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper was funded by the Australian Research Council. The qualitative data consider the capabilities of certificate-qualified educators and how these are enabled or constrained within the workplace. The corpus of data for this study consists of 14 interviews with Certificate III-qualified educators from three locations across Victoria, Australia. Hargreaves and Fullan’s (2012) forms of professional capital (human, social and decisional) act as organisers for the themes identified through a thematic analysis.

Findings

Themes identified in the data speak to inequity in access to professional learning, the valuing of life experiences, clear divisions of labour that impact what knowledge is valued, and differences in educator agency in the decision-making process. Many certificate-qualified educators experience a workplace culture that lacks trust in an individual’s professional competence and does not appreciate collegial knowledge and skill building as a collective enterprise.

Originality/value

The conceptual framing of this study provides a unique way to explore the experiences of certificate-trained educators. The study introduces the idea of using exploratory categories and the identification of levels of human, social and decisional capital. This type of study involving this cohort of educators is unique.
Artificial intelligence in customer retention: a bibliometric analysis and future research framework
Authors: Singh Chetanya , Dash Manoj Kumar , Sahu Rajendra , Kumar Anil
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly applied by businesses to optimize their processes and decision-making, develop effective and efficient strategies, and positively influence customer behaviors. Businesses use AI to generate behaviors such as customer retention (CR). The existing literature on “AI and CR” is vastly scattered. The paper aims to review the present research on AI in CR systematically and suggest future research directions to further develop the field.

Design/methodology/approach

The Scopus database is used to collect the data for systematic review and bibliometric analysis using the VOSviewer tool. The paper performs the following analysis: (1) year-wise publications and citations, (2) co-authorship analysis of authors, countries, and affiliations, (3) citation analysis of articles and journals, (4) co-occurrence visualization of binding terms, and (5) bibliographic coupling of articles.

Findings

Five research themes are identified, namely, (1) AI and customer churn prediction in CR, (2) AI and customer service experience in CR, (3) AI and customer sentiment analysis in CR, (4) AI and customer (big data) analytics in CR, and (5) AI privacy and ethical concerns in CR. Based on the research themes, fifteen future research objectives and a future research framework are suggested.

Research limitations/implications

The paper has important implications for researchers and managers as it reveals vital insights into the latest trends and paths in AI-CR research and practices. It focuses on privacy and ethical issues of AI; hence, it will help the government develop policies for sustainable AI adoption for CR.

Originality/value

To the author's best knowledge, this paper is the first attempt to comprehensively review the existing research on “AI and CR” using bibliometric analysis.
Board structure, firm performance variability and national culture
Authors: Huang Peng , Lu Yue
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to examine the relation between board structure and firm performance variability in an international setting. The authors further explore the effect of national culture in shaping such relations.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors’ international sample contains 4,911 firms across 49 countries over the 2002–2017 period. The authors use national culture values on individualism and power distance developed by Hofstede (1980, 2001, 2011). The authors focus on within-firm, over-time variability of firm performance and estimate multivariate linear regressions with fixed effects. The authors address the endogeneity concern using the instrumental variable approach, and the authors’ results are robust to alternative measures of variables and different subsamples.

Findings

The authors find that firms with larger board size, greater board independence and less powerful CEOs have less variable performance. Individualism has a magnifying effect while power distance has a mitigating effect in shaping such relations.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is among the first to answer the call of Adams, Hermalin and Weisbach (2010) for research on corporate boards in an international setting. It is also one of the few studies which examine the variability of firm performance, while the majority of existing literature focuses on the level of firm performance. Most importantly, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to explore the role of national culture in shaping boardroom interactions that affect the decision-making process of corporate boards, which, in turn, affects firm performance variability.
Analytical solution and free vibration analysis for beams with step changes in stiffness
Authors: Li Lei , An Siqi
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate analytical solutions of natural frequencies and mode shapes of Euler-Bernoulli beams with step changes in the stiffness.

Design/methodology/approach

In this work, analytical solutions for a beam with a single discontinuity was performed. Subsequently, based on an effective matrix formulation, the closed-form expressions of the single discontinuity beam could be conveniently extended to stepped beams with multiple stiffness discontinuities.

Findings

The results of the study show that the natural frequency of the beam can be adjusted by the local stiffness variation, and step location plays a significant role in free vibration responses.

Originality/value

The effects of the stiffness of the segment and step location on the natural frequencies of the stepped beams under different boundary conditions were examined using the proposed analytical scheme. This study provides insights into the design of variable-stiffness beam structures with the capability to adjust natural frequencies.
Robot task programming in complex task scenarios based on spatio-temporal constraint calculus
Authors: Li Jinzhong , Cong Ming , Liu Dong , Du Yu
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Robots face fundamental challenges in achieving reliable and stable operations for complex home service scenarios. This is one of the crucial topics of robotics methods to imitate human beings’ advanced cognitive characteristics and apply them to solve complex tasks. The purpose of this study is to enable robots to have the ability to understand the scene and task process in complex scenes and to provide a reference method for robot task programming in complex scenes.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper constructs a task modeling method for robots in complex environments based on the characteristics of the perception-motor memory model of human cognition. In the aspect of episodic memory construction, the task execution process is included in the category of qualitative spatio-temporal calculus. The topology interaction of objects in a task scenario is used to define scene attributes. The task process can be regarded as changing scene attributes on a time scale. The qualitative spatio-temporal activity graphs are used to analyze the change process of the object state with time during the robot task execution. The tasks are divided according to the different values of scene attributes at different times during task execution. Based on this, in procedural memory, an object-centered motion model is developed by analyzing the changes in the relationship between objects in the scene episode by analyzing the scene changes before and after the robot performs the actions. Finally, the task execution process of the robot is constructed by alternately reconstructing episodic memory and procedural memory.

Findings

To verify the applicability of the proposed model, a scenario where the robot combines the object (one of the most common tasks in-home service) is set up. The proposed method can obtain the landscape of robot tasks in a complex environment.

Originality/value

The robot can achieve high-level task programming through the alternating interpretation of scenarios and actions. The proposed model differs from traditional methods based on geometric or physical feature information. However, it focuses on the spatial relationship of objects, which is more similar to the cognitive mechanism of human understanding of the environment.
Investigation on the indentation performance of 3D printed re-entrant diamond auxetic metamaterial: printability and tailorability for futuristic applications
Authors: Chikkanna Niranjan , Krishnapillai Shankar , Ramachandran Velmurugan
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Auxetics are the class of cellular materials with a negative Poisson’s ratio. This paper aims to study the low-cost 3D printing capabilities and printing variations and improve the indentation performance of the re-entrant diamond auxetic metamaterial by tuning the structural parameters that have not been reported.

Design/methodology/approach

The design of experiment strategy was adopted to study the influence of re-entrant angle, diamond angle and thickness-to-length ratio on relative density, load, stiffness and specific energy absorption (SEA) during indentation experimentally. Grey relational analysis was chosen as a multi-objective optimisation technique to optimise structural performance. Surrogate models were proposed to uphold the metamaterial’s tailorability for desired application needs. The fit and efficacy of the proposed models were tested using specific statistical techniques. The predominant deformation mechanisms observed with the alteration in structural parameters were discussed.

Findings

The improvements noticed are 48 times hike in load, 112 times improvement in stiffness and 10 times increase in SEA for optimised structures. The surrogate models are proven to predict the outputs accurately for new input parameters. In-situ displacement fields are visualised with an image processing technique.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the indentation performance of the re-entrant diamond auxetic metamaterials has not been reported and reported for the first time. The influence of geometrical parameters on the newly developed structure under concentrated loading was evaluated. The geometry-dependent printing variations associated with 3D printing have been discussed to help the user to fabricate re-entrant diamond auxetic metamaterial.
The informal tripart relationship between the state, neighbourhood police and community groups: community safety perceptions and practices in a Midlands neighbourhood in the UK
Authors: Page Sarah , Griffin Sean
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the tripart relationship between British police officers, Local Authority representatives and community members based on a Midlands neighbourhood case study. It focuses on experiences of the strengths and challenges with working towards a common purpose of community safety and resilience building.

Design/methodology/approach

Data was collected in 2019 prior to enforced COVID lockdown restrictions following Staffordshire University ethical approval. An inductive qualitative methods approach of semi-structured individual and group interviews was used with community members (N = 30) and professionals (N = 15), using a purposive and snowball sample. A steering group with academic, police and Local Authority representation co-designed the study and identified the first tier of participants.

Findings

Community members and professionals valued tripart working and perceived communication, visibility, longevity and trust as key to addressing localised community safety issues. Challenges were raised around communication modes and frequency, cultural barriers to accessing information and inadequate resources and responses to issues. Environmental crime was a high priority for community members, along with tackling drug-related crime and diverting youth disorder, which concurred with police concern. However, the anti-terrorism agenda was a pre-occupation for the Local Authority, and school concerns included modern slavery crime.

Originality/value

When state involvement and investment in neighbourhoods decline, community member activism enthusiasm for neighbourhood improvement reduces, contrasting with government expectations. Community members are committed partnership workers who require the state to visibly and demonstrably engage. Faith in state actors can be restored when professionals are consistently present, communicate and follow up on actions.
Limited range shifting in biocrusts despite climate warming: A 25‐year resurvey
Authors: Mallen‐Cooper Max , Cornwell William K. , Slavich Eve , Sabot Manon E. B. , Xirocostas Zoe A. , Eldridge David J.
Published: July 2023

The ranges of many species globally have already shifted to maintain climatic equilibrium in the face of climate change.

Biocrusts—soil surface dwelling communities of lichens, bryophytes and microbes—play important functional roles in many ecosystems, particularly in drylands. Compared to better studied animal and plant taxa, dryland biocrusts have different establishment requirements and have never been assessed for historical range shifts.

Here, we revisited the sites (N = 204) of a 25‐year‐old biocrust survey across a large area (400,000 km2) of drylands in south‐eastern Australia. We used quadratic models to quantify changes in the climate niches of 15 lichen, eight moss and five liverwort taxa, as well as biocrust cover and richness.

Our models showed that the observed climatic niches of most taxa have become hotter and drier in the past quarter century, yet the responses of the vast majority of taxa are consistent with remaining in the same geographic space. A similar pattern was observed at the community level, where the peak of biocrust cover and richness now occurs in a hotter, drier environment. Notable exceptions were the liverwort Riccia lamellosa and lichens in the genera Cladonia and Xanthoparmelia, which showed signs of contraction at their arid range edges.

Unlike more mobile taxa, most biocrust species have yet to shift geographically and may already be lagging behind the pace of climate change. One explanation for the mortality lag is that long‐term climate variability in the system is extensive, which may have selected for the ability to withstand multi‐year warm periods as long as there is an eventual return to milder conditions. However, no forecasts of future climate include a return to milder conditions, suggesting there will be an eventual loss of ecosystem multifunctionality at the contracting front. Expansion lags are most likely due to delays in the mortality of competing vascular plants.

Synthesis: Our study provides a valuable contribution to the knowledge of range shifts in understudied taxa and highlights a future need to promote the expansion of biocrusts to maintain the provision of ecosystem functions and services across their range.
Genes and genome‐resolved metagenomics reveal the microbial functional make up of Amazon peatlands under geochemical gradients
Authors: Pavia Michael J. , Finn Damien , Macedo‐Tafur Franco , Tello‐Espinoza Rodil , Penaccio Christa , Bouskill Nicholas , Cadillo‐Quiroz Hinsby
Published: July 2023

The Pastaza‐Marañón Foreland Basin (PMFB) holds the most extensive tropical peatland area in South America. PMFB peatlands store ~7.07 Gt of organic carbon interacting with multiple microbial heterotrophic, methanogenic, and other aerobic/anaerobic respirations. Little is understood about the contribution of distinct microbial community members inhabiting tropical peatlands. Here, we studied the metagenomes of three geochemically distinct peatlands spanning minerotrophic, mixed, and ombrotrophic conditions. Using gene‐ and genome‐centric approaches, we evaluate the functional potential of the underlying microbial communities. Abundance analyses show significant differences in C, N, P, and S acquisition genes. Furthermore, community interactions mediated by toxin–antitoxin and CRISPR‐Cas systems were enriched in oligotrophic soils, suggesting that non‐metabolic interactions may exert additional controls in low‐nutrient environments. Additionally, we reconstructed 519 metagenome‐assembled genomes spanning 28 phyla. Our analyses detail key differences across the geochemical gradient in the predicted microbial populations involved in degradation of organic matter, and the cycling of N and S. Notably, we observed differences in the nitric oxide (NO) reduction strategies between sites with high and low N2O fluxes and found phyla putatively capable of both NO and sulfate reduction. Our findings detail how gene abundances and microbial populations are influenced by geochemical differences in tropical peatlands.
Timing of antibiotics in febrile children meeting sepsis criteria at a paediatric emergency department
Authors: Mwanza Zondiwe V , White Brent S , Britton Philip N , McCaskill Mary E
Published: July 2023

Objective

Delay in antibiotic administration in paediatric sepsis is associated with increased mortality and prolonged organ dysfunction. This pre‐intervention study evaluated performance in paediatric sepsis management.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study of febrile children admitted through the ED at The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, between 1 May and 31 July 2017. Participants were children aged 29 days to 60 months excluding children with simple febrile seizures, neonates and children who had received intravenous antibiotics elsewhere. We assessed the timing of antibiotic administration in children meeting local sepsis guidelines. We conducted a survey of clinicians in ED in 2018 to describe contributing factors.

Results

There were 160 febrile children admitted and 144 presentations were included in the analysis. Male 53% (n = 76); median age 20.1 months (interquartile range [IQR] 3.9–37 months). Thirty‐seven (26%) febrile children met local sepsis criteria. The median time from triage to first dose of intravenous antibiotic was 109 min (IQR 62–183 min). Delay (>60 min) occurred in 26 (76%) children. Reported reasons contributing to delay included high patient load, long waiting times, difficult intravenous access, delayed prescribing, inadequate staffing and difficulty distinguishing between a viral infection and serious bacterial infection.

Conclusion

There was frequent delay in administering antibiotics in children meeting local sepsis criteria, more commonly in young infants. Reasons contributing to delay were specific to young children along with departmental factors that will require addressing through targeted quality improvement interventions.
The United Arab Emirates and the New Development Bank: Mutual interests and first‐mover advantages
Authors: Cooper Andrew F. , Cannon Brendon J.
Published: July 2023

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) joined the BRICS‐led New Development Bank (NDB) as part of its first expansion in terms of membership. Questions regarding the interests and rationale of the UAE in joining the Bank, on the one hand, and the NDB's logic in granting membership to the UAE, on the other, immediately jump out. This article sheds light on the BRICS' cautious move away from exceptionality via the expanded NDB in the context of its membership criteria and approach. It does so by also highlighting the UAE's exceptionality, with a focus on the combination of fiscal resources and strategic geography, in the context of shifting global distributions of power. It finds that the UAE's membership in the NDB dovetails with its memberships in other MDBs, which, in turn, are part of the country's ambition to be seen as a globally influential actor. In turn, the NDB was attracted to the UAE fiscal acumen, credit rating and its carefully cultivated culture of cutting‐edge, sustainable, infrastructure and connectivity projects, as well as innovation.
Intravenous vitamin C therapy in adult patients with sepsis: A rapid practice guideline
Authors: Reintam Blaser Annika , Alhazzani Waleed , Belley‐Cote Emilie , Møller Morten Hylander , Adhikari Neill K. J. , Burry Lisa , Coopersmith Craig M. , Al Duhailib Zainab , Fujii Tomoko , Granholm Anders , Gunst Jan , Hammond Naomi , Ke Lu , Lamontagne Francois , Loudet Cecilia , Morgan Matt , Ostermann Marlies , Reinikainen Matti , Rosenfeld Ricardo , Spies Claudia , Oczkowski Simon
Published: July 2023

Background

This Rapid Practice Guideline provides an evidence‐based recommendation to address the question: in adults with sepsis or septic shock, should we recommend using or not using intravenous vitamin C therapy?

Methods

The panel included 21 experts from 16 countries and used a strict policy for potential financial and intellectual conflicts of interest. Methodological support was provided by the Guidelines in Intensive Care, Development, and Evaluation (GUIDE) group. Based on an updated systematic review, and the grading of recommendations, assessment, development, and evaluation approach, we evaluated the certainty of evidence and developed recommendations using the evidence‐to‐decision framework. We conducted an electronic vote, requiring >80% agreement among the panel for a recommendation to be adopted.

Results

At longest follow‐up, 90 days, intravenous vitamin C probably does not substantially impact (relative risk 1.05, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.94 to 1.17; absolute risk difference 1.8%, 95% CI −2.2 to 6.2; 6 trials, n = 2148, moderate certainty). Effects of vitamin C on mortality at earlier timepoints was of low or very low certainty due to risk of bias of the included studies and significant heterogeneity between study results. Few adverse events were reported with the use of vitamin C. The panel did not identify any major differences in other outcomes, including duration of mechanical ventilation, ventilator free days, hospital or intensive care unit length of stay, acute kidney injury, need for renal replacement therapy. Vitamin C may result in a slight reduction in duration of vasopressor support (MD −18.9 h, 95% CI −26.5 to −11.4; 21 trials, n = 2661, low certainty); but may not reduce sequential organ failure assessment scores (MD −0.69, 95% CI −1.55 to 0.71; 24 trials, n = 4002, low certainty). The panel judged the undesirable consequences of using IV vitamin C to probably outweigh the desirable consequences, and therefore issued a conditional recommendation against using IV vitamin C therapy in sepsis.

Conclusions

The panel suggests against use of intravenous vitamin C in adult patients with sepsis, beyond that of standard nutritional supplementation. Small and single center trials on this topic should be discouraged.
The corrupt politics of chemical weapons
Authors: Robinson Piers
Published: July 2023

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is a significant component of the global governance structure and considered a gold standard international body with 193 member states and scientific divisions expected to adhere rigorously to objectivity and political neutrality. However, OPCW's reputation has recently been tarnished. Dissenting scientists from within the organization have raised serious questions about the integrity of an OPCW fact‐finding mission (FFM) investigating the alleged chemical attack in Douma, Syria on April 7, 2018. The OPCW FFMs are tainted in three ways: (1) they rely upon information provided via intermediaries connected to states that are belligerents in the war in Syria; (2) the organizational structure of an FFM excludes scientific and verification divisions of the OPCW; and (3) control of FFMs is held by a bureaucratic office staffed by career diplomats who are from states involved with the Syrian war. Furthermore, officials involved with the Douma FFM investigation report the following anomalies: (a) an original interim report was secretly altered in order to make an unsubstantiated suggestion that an alleged attack had occurred; (b) A U.S. delegation was allowed to brief the FFM, an action prohibited by the Chemical Weapons Convention; and (c) formal attempts by the inspectors to obtain transparency and dialog was rejected by the OPCW. Meanwhile, the United States and its allies have dismissed questions as Russian “disinformation” or as a “conspiracy theory.” Overall, analysis of the alleged Douma attack and the OPCW's FFM supports the thesis that key international organizations have been effectively captured, or at the very least heavily influenced, by particular states that assume their own impartiality. This shortcoming poses a risk to international peace and security.
Haemorrhagic cystitis: a review of management strategies and emerging treatments
Authors: Li Kevin D. , Jones Charles P. , Hakam Nizar , Erickson Bradley A. , Vanni Alex J. , Chancellor Michael B. , Breyer Benjamin N.
Published: July 2023

Haemorrhagic cystitis (HC) is characterised by persistent haematuria and lower urinary tract symptoms following radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Its pathogenesis is poorly understood but thought to be related to acrolein toxicity following chemotherapy or fibrosis/vascular remodelling after radiotherapy. There is no standard of care for patients with HC, although existing strategies including fulguration, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, botulinum toxin A, and other intravesical therapies have demonstrated short‐term efficacy in cohort studies. Novel agents including liposomal tacrolimus are promising targets for further research. This review summarises the incidence and pathogenesis of HC as well as current evidence supporting its different management strategies.
MicroRNA‐577/EIF5A2 axis suppressed the proliferation of DDP‐resistant nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells by blocking TGF‐β signaling pathway
Authors: Wu Renrui , Zhong Qiong , Liu Huafeng , Liu Shubin
Published: July 2023

Diaminodichoroplatinum (DDP) resistance of tumor cells is the culprit of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) treatment failure. MicroRNA‐577 is lowly expressed in NPC tissues, but relevant mechanism is poorly studied. Therefore, this study investigated the role of microRNA‐577 in NPC cells with DDP resistance and its mechanism. DDP‐resistant NPC cells were established by treatment with DDP at increased concentrations (2, 4, 6, 8, or 10 μg/mL). MicroRNA‐577 and EIF5A2 mRNA expressions were detected by qRT‐PCR. Cell biological behaviors were assessed via cell function experiments. Expressions of epithelial mesenchymal transformation (EMT)‐related proteins were quantified by western blot. The targeting relationship between eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A2 (EIF5A2) and microRNA‐577 was verified through dual‐luciferase reporter assay. The tumor volume and weight were measured after subcutaneous tumorigenesis in mice. As observed from the results, microRNA‐577 expression was reduced in NPC cells and DDP‐resistant NPC cells. Up‐regulated microRNA‐577 suppressed the malignant behaviors and EMT of DDP‐resistant NPC cells, and facilitated cell apoptosis. MicroRNA‐577 targeted EIF5A2, and overexpressed EIF5A2 reversed the above effects of up‐regulated microRNA‐577 on DDP‐resistant NPC cells. Besides, EIF5A2 positively regulated TGF‐β signaling pathway, and TGF‐β treatment offset the promoting effects of EIF5A2 silencing on apoptosis of DDP‐resistant NPC cells. Up‐regulated microRNA‐577 suppressed the proliferation of DDP‐resistant NPC cells, and down‐regulated the levels of EIF5A2 and TGF‐β as well as EMT in vivo. Collectively, microRNA‐577/EIF5A2 axis hinders the EMT progression through the blockage of TGF‐β signaling pathway, so as to inhibit the proliferation of DDP‐resistant NPC.
The evaluation of isatin analogues as inhibitors of monoamine oxidase
Authors: Prinsloo Izak F. , Petzer Jacobus P. , Cloete Theunis T. , Petzer Anél
Published: July 2023

The small molecule, isatin, is a well‐known reversible inhibitor of the monoamine oxidase (MAO) enzymes with IC50 values of 12.3 and 4.86 μM for MAO‐A and MAO‐B, respectively. While the interaction of isatin with MAO‐B has been characterized, only a few studies have explored structure–activity relationships (SARs) of MAO inhibition by isatin analogues. The current study therefore evaluated a series of 14 isatin analogues as in vitro inhibitors of human MAO‐A and MAO‐B. The results indicated good potency MAO inhibition for some isatin analogues with five compounds exhibiting IC50 < 1 μM. 4‐Chloroisatin (1b) and 5‐bromoisatin (1f) were the most potent inhibitors with IC50 values of 0.812 and 0.125 μM for MAO‐A and MAO‐B, respectively. These compounds were also found to be competitive inhibitors of MAO‐A and MAO‐B with Ki values of 0.311 and 0.033 μM, respectively. Among the SARs, it was interesting to note that C5‐substitution was particularly beneficial for MAO‐B inhibition. MAO inhibitors are established drugs for the treatment of neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders, while potential new roles in prostate cancer and cardiovascular disease are being investigated.
Segmented modelling and analysis of disperse dye concentration based on multidimensional spectrum
Authors: Zhang Jianxin , Huang Xuejiao , Zheng Huayan , Qian Miao
Published: July 2023

Since the water‐insoluble dispersing dye has both absorption and scattering characteristics, a spatial resolution hyperspectral measurement approach and experimental testing was proposed in this article, which can collect spectral and spatial data from samples simultaneously. The concentration of 81 groups of three‐component disperse dye samples were measured. However, the hyperspectral data of dye solutions in the 420–800 nm band is saturated, resulting in the inability for multispectral data processing. A segmented concentration quantitative analysis model was developed. For the unsaturated band (420–510 nm), the partial least squares (PLS), the N‐way partial least squares (NPLS), and support vector machine (SVM) models using the data points on the X‐axis of a two‐dimensional light intensity distribution map were established. The predicted performance of PLS model was worse slightly than that of the other two models, The coefficient of determination (R2) values of concentrations for red, orange and blue disperse dye were 0.888, 0.796 and 0.959, respectively. For saturated band (520–670 nm), the NPLS and SVM models using the data points on the X‐ and Y‐axis were established. Results shows that the prediction accuracy of concentrations of the three‐component disperse dye was increased by adding additional data points on the Y‐axis, with R2 values of 0.944, 0.807, and 0.912, respectively. For the strong scattering band (680–800 nm), a SVM model was established, and R2 of concentration of the three dyes reached 0.974, 0.933 and 0.995, respectively. The results showed that multidimensional spectroscopy method can improve the prediction accuracy of component concentration of disperse dye solution, by using more spectral information from X and Y directions.
Work‐related social media use and the shaping of communicative role perceptions
Authors: Pekkala Kaisa , van Zoonen Ward
Published: July 2023

This study focuses on employees' work‐related social media use. The multivalent involvement of social media in corporate processes calls for attention to how employees' social media use is conceptualized and managed. Drawing on a sample of 1179 knowledge workers, the study explores how employees perceive their communicative roles, how contextual factors shape these perceptions, and how communicative role perceptions, in turn, are associated with work‐related social media use. The findings demonstrate that leadership support and employees' perceptions of the anticipated impact of their communication are positively related to role perceptions, and the more employees define their communicative roles as an expected part of their work, the more likely they are to use social media for work‐related purposes. This study is highly relevant to scholars and managers as it draws attention to expanding workplace roles that emerge in relation to advancements in, and the adoption of, new information and communication technology.