bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A stability analysis on a smoking model with stochastic perturbation
Authors: Zeb Anwar , Kumar Sunil , Tesfay Almaz , Kumar Anil
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of irregular unsettling on the smoking model in form of the stochastic model as in the deterministic model these effects are neglected for simplicity.

Design/methodology/approach

In this research, the authors investigate a stochastic smoking system in which the contact rate is perturbed by Lévy noise to control the trend of smoking. First, present the formulation of the stochastic model and study the dynamics of the deterministic model. Then the global positive solution of the stochastic system is discussed. Further, extinction and the persistence of the proposed system are presented on the base of the reproductive number.

Findings

The authors discuss the dynamics of the deterministic smoking model form and further present the existence and uniqueness of non-negative global solutions for the stochastic system. Some previous study’s mentioned in the Introduction can be improved with the help of obtaining results, graphically present in this manuscript. In this regard, the authors present the sufficient conditions for the extinction of smoking for reproductive number is less than 1.

Research limitations/implications

In this work, the authors investigated the dynamic stochastic smoking model with non-Gaussian noise. The authors discussed the dynamics of the deterministic smoking model form and further showed for the stochastic system the existence and uniqueness of the non-negative global solution. Some previous study’s mentioned in the Introduction can be improved with the help of obtained results, clearly shown graphically in this manuscript. In this regard, the authors presented the sufficient conditions for the extinction of smoking, if <1, which can help in the control of smoking. Motivated from this research soon, the authors will extent the results to propose new mathematical models for the smoking epidemic in the form of fractional stochastic modeling. Especially, will investigate the effective strategies for control smoking throughout the world.

Originality/value

This study is helpful in the control of smoking throughout the world.
A rotating superellipse inside a hexagonalshaped cavity suspended by nano-encapsulated phase change materials based on the ISPH method
Authors: Raizah Zehba , Aly Abdelraheem M.
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to perform numerical simulations based on the incompressible smoothed particle hydrodynamics (ISPH) method for thermo-diffusion convection in a hexagonal-shaped cavity saturated by a porous medium and suspended by a nano-encapsulated phase change material (NEPCM). Here, the solid particles are inserted into a phase change material to enhance its thermal performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Superellipse rotated shapes with variable lengths are embedded inside a hexagonal-shaped cavity. These inner shapes are rotated around their center by a uniform circular velocity and their conditions are positioned at high temperature and concentration. The controlling equations in a non-dimensional form were analyzed by using the ISPH method. At first, the validation of the ISPH results is performed. Afterward, the implications of a fusion temperature, lengths/types of the superellipse shapes, nanoparticles parameter and time parameter on the phase change heat transfer, isotherms, isoconcentration and streamlines were addressed.

Findings

The achieved simulations indicated that the excess in the length of an inner superellipse shape augments the temperature, concentration and maximum of the streamlines in a hexagonal-shaped cavity. The largest values of mean Nusselt number are attained at the inner rhombus shape with convex (n = 1.5) and the largest values of mean Sherwood number are attained at the inner rectangle shape with rounded corners (n = 4).

Originality/value

The ISPH method is developed to emulate the influences of the uniform rotation of the novel geometry shapes on heat/mass transport inside a hexagonal-shaped cavity suspended by NEPCM and saturated by porous media.
Service robots and COVID-19: exploring perceptions of prevention efficacy at hotels in generation Z
Authors: Romero Jaime , Lado Nora
Published: August 2021

Purpose

COVID-19 is expected to enhance hospitality robotization because frontline robots facilitate social distancing, lowering contagion risk. Investing in frontline robots emerges as a solution to recover customer trust and encourage demand. However, we ignore how customers perceive these initiatives and, therefore, their efficacy. Focusing on robot employment at hotels and on Generation Z customers, this study aims to analyze guests’ perceptions about robots’ COVID-19 prevention efficacy and their impact on booking intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

This study tests its hypotheses combining an experimental design methodology with partial least squares. Survey data from 711 Generation Z individuals in Spain were collected in 2 periods of time.

Findings

Generation Z customers consider that robots reduce contagion risk at hotels. Robot anthropomorphism increases perceived COVID-19 prevention efficacy, regardless of the context where the robots are used. Robots’ COVID-19 prevention efficacy provokes better attitudes and higher booking intentions.

Research limitations/implications

The sampling method used in this research impedes this study’s results generalization. Further research could replicate this study using random sampling methods to ensure representativeness, even for other generational cohorts.

Practical implications

Employing robots as a COVID-19 prevention measure can enhance demand, especially if robots are human-like. Hoteliers need to communicate that robots can reduce contagion risk, particularly in markets more affected by COVID-19. Robots must be employed in low social presence contexts. Governments could encourage robotization by financially supporting hotels and publicly acknowledging its benefits regarding COVID-19 prevention.

Originality/value

This study combines preventive health, robotics and hospitality literature to study robot implementation during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on Generation Z guests – potential facilitators of robot diffusion.
Aligning organizational culture to enhance managerial effectiveness of academic leaders: an interface for employee engagement and retention
Authors: Tyagi Navneesh
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to measure the impact of organizational culture on managerial effectiveness of academic leaders to enhance employee engagement and retention in higher educational institutions. This study utilizes “Social Exchange Theory (SET)” as a theoretical lens to clarify the phenomena.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses an exploratory cum descriptive research design. Data collected via a structured questionnaire was analyzed and interpreted through structural equation modeling.

Findings

Organizational culture is found to have a significantly positive impact on managerial effectiveness. The findings also delineate a positive influence of managerial effectiveness on employee engagement and employee retention.

Research limitations/implications

This study provides insights into the cultural neuances and subtleties of how organizational culture influences managerial effectiveness of institutional leaders. This has a direct bearing upon work engagement and retention of employees. Therefore if leaders focus on organizational culture they will succeed in creating a productive and healthier workplace for their employees. This study is also addressing the strategic concern of sustainability in higher educational institutions through employee engagement and retention.

Originality/value

It is an original work based on primary data to bridge the research gap concerning the prevalent OC shaping ME in Indian higher educational context. It also enriches understanding about alignment of cultural dimensions towards achieving work engagement, and retention of employees through managerial effectiveness of leaders in higher education institutions.
Modelling housing market fundamentals and the response to economic and political events: empirical evidence from Kuwait
Authors: Alfalah Abdullah , D’Arcy Eamonn , Heinig Steffen , Stevenson Simon
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the sensitivity of the Kuwait housing market to major local and regional geo-political and economic events.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper examines the market dynamics of the housing market in Kuwait. Kuwait provides an interesting market to consider owing to its position as a major oil producer, its sensitivity to geo-political events and its unusual demographic characteristics.

Findings

The error-correction model highlights that market is relatively volatile, with evidence of mean-reverting behaviour. Only when the data is smoothed are their more consistent findings with respect to underlying fundamentals. This paper also examines the response of the market to seven regional and local events. Of particular interest is that the one event that results in a consistent significant response is domestic legislation directly concerned with housing. This has a far greater impact than local or regional geo-political events.

Originality/value

Very few papers have considered how economic and political shocks directly impact housing markets using an event study approach. Given its geographic location and also its economic dependence on oil, Kuwait is an interesting market to consider.
Evaluating innovation capability of Chinese listed companies based on comprehensive methods
Authors: Hu Yanrong , Liu Hongjiu
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to evaluate innovation capability of companies based on comprehensive methods.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper used principal component analysis (PCA), kernel principal component analysis (KPCA) and principal component cluster (PCC) analysis to analyze the listed companies’ innovation capability. On these bases, mean method, Borda method, Copeland method, alienation coefficient method and fuzzy Borda method were used separately for the comprehensive evaluation.

Findings

The results show that the comprehensive evaluation can overcome the shortage of the single method and improve the reliability of the innovation ability evaluation. In addition, the method also reveals that the innovation ability of the listed companies is closely related to the innovation investment and their industry and further regional economic development level of each province (city and area).

Originality/value

This paper uses PCA, KPCA and PCC to evaluate and study their innovation ability. On the basis of these, five methods (mean method, Copeland method, Borda method, divorced coefficient method and fuzzy Borda method) are applied respectively to combine the sort results of PCA, KPCA and PCC. The results show that combination methods have better theoretical and practical significance for innovation ability.
Dynamic prediction of Indian stock market: an artificial neural network approach
Authors: Goel Himanshu , Singh Narinder Pal
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Artificial neural network (ANN) is a powerful technique to forecast the time series data such as the stock market. Therefore, this study aims to predict the Indian stock market closing price using ANNs.

Design/methodology/approach

The input variables identified from the literature are some macroeconomic variables and a global stock market factor. The study uses an ANN with Scaled Conjugate Gradient Algorithm (SCG) to forecast the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) Sensex.

Findings

The empirical findings reveal that the ANN model is able to achieve 93% accuracy in predicting the BSE Sensex closing prices. Moreover, the results indicate that the Morgan Stanley Capital International world index is the most important variable and the index of industrial production is the least important in predicting Sensex.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of the study have implications for the investors of all categories such as foreign institutional investors, domestic institutional investors and investment houses.

Originality/value

The novelty of this study lies in the fact that there are hardly any studies that use ANN to forecast the Indian stock market using macroeconomic indicators.
Online learning and teaching for the SDGs – exploring emerging university strategies
Authors: Holmes Jayden , Moraes Oli Rafael , Rickards Lauren , Steele Wendy , Hotker Mette , Richardson Anthony
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore emerging synergies and tensions between the twin moves to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) and online learning and teaching (L&T) in higher education institutions (HEIs).

Design/methodology/approach

A preliminary global exploration of universities’ SDG-based L&T initiatives was undertaken, using publicly available grey and academic literature. Across a total sample of 179 HEIs – identified through global university rankings and analysis of all 42 Australian universities – 150 SDG-based L&T initiatives were identified. These were analysed to identify common approaches to embedding the SDGs.

Findings

Five key approaches to embedding the SDGs into online (and offline) HEI L&T were identified: designing curricula and pedagogy to address the SDGs; orienting the student experience towards the SDGs; aligning graduate outcomes with the SDGs; institutional leadership and capability building; and participating in cross-institutional networks and initiatives. Four preliminary conclusions were drawn from subsequent analysis of these themes and their relevance to online education. Firstly, approaches to SDG L&T varied in degree of alignment between theory and practice. Secondly, many initiatives observed already involve some component of online L&T. Thirdly, questions of equity need to be carefully built into the design of online SDG education. And fourthly, more work needs to be done to ensure that both online and offline L&T are delivering the transformational changes required for and by the SDGs.

Research limitations/implications

The research was limited by the availability of information on university websites accessible through a desk-top review in 2019; limited HEI representation; and the scope of the 2019 THE Impact Rankings.

Originality/value

To date, there are no other published reviews, of this scale, of SDG L&T initiatives in universities nor analysis of the intersection between these initiatives and the move to online L&T.
Analysis of static and dynamic characteristics of aerostatic bearing with reflux orifices
Authors: Chen Shixiong , Zhang Qiyong , Fu Bao , Liu Zhifan , Li Shanshan
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a solution for Reynolds equation with both throttling term and reverse throttling term and provides a reference for changing damping of hydrostatic bearing.

Design/methodology/approach

The reverse throttling term is introduced into the Reynolds equation, and the adaptive damping factor is used in the Newton iteration method to improve convergence of numerical calculations. The static and dynamic performances of this bearing are numerically investigated by the finite-element method.

Findings

The results indicate that the reflux orifices lead to a decrease in load capacity at a high eccentricity ratio. Additionally, the mass inflow rate is increased; however, the additional inflow increase can be controlled by enhanced backpressure of the reflux orifice. Nevertheless, the bearing with the reflux orifice shows superiority in resisting high-frequency disturbances and enhances direct damping by 20% under a high backpressure.

Originality/value

This work presents an adaptive Newton damping iterative method for solving Reynolds equation with both throttling term and reverse throttling term. This work also provides a new idea for bearing structure design in improving damping.
Impact of Brexit on Islamic stock markets: employing MGARCH-DCC and wavelet correlation analysis
Authors: Çıkıryel Burak , Aslan Hakan , Özdemir Mücahit
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to study the co-movement dynamics of Islamic equity returns to explain international portfolio diversification opportunities for investors having a heterogeneous stock holding period in light of Brexit.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use the following three recent methodologies: the multivariate generalised autoregressive conditional heteroskedastic-dynamic conditional correlations, continuous wavelet transforms and maximum overlap discrete wavelet transform. Dow Jones Islamic country-based indexes are used from 2 September 2013 to 31 December 2019.

Findings

There is a high correlation between the United Kingdom (UK) Islamic stock market return with the Canadian, USA, Malaysian and Indian implying lesser diversification benefits for the investors. However, the results tend to indicate that UK Islamic stock market investors who have allocated their investment in Sri Lanka, Kuwait, Japan and Turkey have enjoyed diversification benefits. Besides, there is a declining correlation between UK Islamic stock markets and other selected markets aftermath of Brexit. Turkey seems the most volatile stock over the period, appealing to risk-lover investors to gain from price changes. When the shock occurs in the financial sector, the volatility is mean-reverting faster than other markets in Sri Lanka. On the other hand, Malaysia appears to have the least volatility implying a stable financial sector.

Research limitations/implications

The results tend to shed light on effective portfolio diversification benefits in light of the recent shock (Brexit) between the UK Islamic stock index and other selected indexes that vary from country to country depending on investment horizons. This critically confirms the significance of heterogeneity in investment horizons and provides significant inferences for portfolio diversification strategies.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first study investigating the Brexit effect on Islamic stocks, guiding Shariah sensitive investors in their diversification strategies, providing information to investors to consider the implications of this incident on Islamic stocks for future shocks.
Expectancy violation in a Facebook group: What is your response?
Authors: Tomasi Stella , Han Chaodong , Otto James
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Facebook groups provide a forum for members to post content and engage with others through comments. Sometimes members behave poorly and violate the expectations of group members. In this study, the authors build a research framework based on expectancy violation theory (EVT) to predict and better understand the behaviour and responses of members when faced with violations in their groups.

Design/methodology/approach

Facebook group members completed surveys regarding their interactions in social media groups. The independent variable predictors in the study were categorized by personal characteristics, relationship characteristics and group characteristics. Participants also identified expectancy violations they had encountered (either severe or mild) and identified how they would react to the two types of violations. Regression models were developed for severe and mild violations.

Findings

The regression models show that personal characteristics such as age, gender and marital status; relationship characteristics such as their social media usage frequency and their social media engagement level; group characteristics such as anonymity of users and purpose of the group as well as the perceived severity of the violation influence how a member will respond to the expectancy violation.

Originality/value

The research study extends the existing expectancy violation literature by providing a comprehensive framework to predict how users will react to negative expectancy violations. This study also has practical implications for how group administrators might manage expectancy violations.
Development of an inline inspection robot for the detection of pipeline defects
Authors: Daniyan Ilesanmi , Balogun Vincent , Ererughurie Oghenetano Kilter , Daniyan Lanre , Oladapo Bankole Ibrahim
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to develop a robot for non-destructive testing of the pipelines to improve its reliability and reduce the loss of products due to cracks, corrosions, etc.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, an inline inspection robot was developed for crack and corrosion detection in the pipeline. The developed robot consists of ultrasonic sensors to avoid obstacles, a visual aid with high resolution to view real time images and colour sensors for corrosion detection. The Autodesk inventor software was used for the drafting and solid modelling of the robot. A dummy pipe of 500 mm diameter and 2,000 mm length with induced cracks and corrosion was fabricated to test the robot. The colour sensors placed at each side of the robot were used to detect corrosion in the dummy pipe whilst the image processing was done to analyse the crack, as well as the type and depth of corrosion present in the dummy pipe.

Findings

The results obtained show the ability of the developed robot to detect cracks and determine the crack growth in the pipeline in addition to its ability to determine corrosion.

Practical implications

Hence, the study provides a diagnostic tool for detecting pipeline defects and analysing the extent of defects to determine the fatigue rate and the useful life of the pipeline.

Originality/value

The novelties of this study is based on the fact that it was designed to avoid obstacles and check for cracks, leakage and corrosion in pipelines autonomously. It has visual aid that makes it possible to see the interior of the pipe. This makes it easier to identify the defect and the location of the defects before a catastrophic failure. The device is also equipped with sensors, which can detect defects and send the signal to a control system, as well as a Bluetooth device so the operator can have real time information about the state and integrity of the pipelines. The system is also integrated with a Bluetooth device, which permits its compatibility with Android and other mobile applications. Thus, the enabled user can send a command to query the state of the pipeline at any location with the feedback received in the form of short message service. Hence, this study offers contribution in the development of an independent (self-governing) system with the capability to autonomously detect defects in pipe walls and effectively communicate feedback to the authorised users. The prototype model for the evaluation of pipeline integrity will bring about a more proactive way to detect pipeline defects so that effort can be geared towards its restoration before it becomes a major problem, which will subsequently affect productivity and incur losses.
Constructing generational identity through counterfeit luxury consumption
Authors: Khan Sameeullah , Fazili Asif Iqbal , Bashir Irfan
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to theorize counterfeit luxury consumption among millennials from a generational identity perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper proposes and tests a model of counterfeit buying behavior using an online survey of 467 millennial respondents. The study uses multi-item measures from the extant literature and uses the structural equation modeling technique to test the proposed hypotheses.

Findings

The findings reveal when millennials have a self-defining relationship with their generation, they tend to internalize the generational norm pertaining to counterfeit luxury consumption. Millennials’ counterfeit related values: market mavenism, postmodernism, schadenfreude and public self-consciousness contribute to their generational identity. Moreover, market mavenism, cool consumption and public self-consciousness establish counterfeit luxury consumption as a generational norm.

Practical implications

The findings of this paper suggest that the expertise and influence of market mavens can be used to deter counterfeit consumption. Moreover, luxury brands must communicate a cool image to offset the rebellious image of counterfeits. Further, from a standardization versus adaption standpoint, the generational perspective allows for the standardization of anti-counterfeiting campaigns.

Originality/value

The paper makes a novel contribution to the counterfeiting literature by demonstrating that millennials pursue counterfeit luxury brands when they pledge cognitive allegiance to their generation. The paper, thus, extends the identity perspective of counterfeit luxury consumption to group contexts. The authors also test and validate the role of descriptive norms in group contexts by introducing the construct generational norm to counterfeiting literature.
How do consumers choose offline shops on online platforms? An investigation of interactive consumer decision processing in diagnosis-and-cure markets
Authors: Lee Jennifer JooYeon , Ma Zecong
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is twofold: (1) to understand the process and consequences of the two-way communication between consumers and businesses on online-to-offline (O2O) diagnosis-and-cure services platforms and (2) to examine how consumer request-specific factors and service quote-specific factors influence consumer decisions in the interactive marketing context.

Design/methodology/approach

The study analyzes a dataset of 17,878 service requests and 57,867 price quotes obtained from an O2O platform bridging consumers and automotive repair shops. On the platform, consumers request service quotes by uploading the description of automotive damage and multiple service providers suggest price quotes. The authors formulated a logit model to examine consumer decisions of responding service quotes.

Findings

This paper finds that (1) consumers receiving more severe diagnostic results are more likely to respond to the price quotes, and (2) diagnostic severity and inconsistency moderate the impacts of geographic distance, shop size, and quote price on consumers' responses to the service quotes.

Research limitations/implications

This paper fills the gap in the literature by advancing the consumer decision processing model to address the interactive shopping experience on O2O diagnosis-and-cure services platforms. The findings are limited by the data and the research context.

Practical implications

For marketing practitioners, the empirical results imply specific positioning and targeting strategies for markets with informational and geographic barriers to expand the market scope and customer base.

Originality/value

The present work is the first to examine the consumer decision process on O2O diagnosis-and-cure service platforms. It adds value to the literature by investigating how consumers update their problem awareness through the service request-specific factors (i.e. diagnostic severity and diagnostic inconsistency) and how the request-specific factors moderate the impacts of the quote-specific factors (i.e. shop distance, shop size and quote price) on consumers' responses to price quote. The conceptual model and empirical findings provide theoretical and practical values for e-commerce researchers and practitioners.
A dynamic business model for Turkish techno parks: looking through the lenses of service perspective and stakeholder theory
Authors: Polat Gülçin
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the business model of techno parks (TPs) in Turkey and shed light on the value co-creation in TPs in the light of the service perspective and stakeholder theory.

Design/methodology/approach

In this conceptual paper, a generic business model canvas for Turkish TPs has been elicited based on an in-depth review of the literature. Then, the functioning of the model and the nature of value co-creation have been viewed through the lenses of service perspective and stakeholder theory, and then the relationships and flows between the components of the business model have been visualized with a dynamic model.

Findings

The institutional environment leads Turkish TPs to have similar business models with functional differences. The value is co-created by stakeholders in TPs and value co-creation depends on the skills, competencies and cooperative efforts of all actors involved in the functioning of the business model.

Practical implications

This paper provides insight for TP management companies to improve their business models, for policymakers to refine institutional framework to enable effective functioning of TPs and for stakeholders to understand their role in value co-creation.

Originality/value

This paper provides a dynamic framework and a model for understanding business models of TPs and the value co-creation process, which is an understudied area, especially in a developing country context. It also extends the business model and value co-creation literature in the context of TPs by integrating multiple theoretical perspectives.
Quality of government health data in COVID-19: definition and testing of an open government health data quality evaluation framework
Authors: Wu Dan , Xu Hao , Yongyi Wang , Zhu Huining
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Currently, countries worldwide are struggling with the virus COVID-19 and the severe outbreak it brings. To better benefit from open government health data in the fight against this pandemic, this study developed a framework for assessing open government health data at the dataset level, providing a tool to evaluate current open government health data's quality and usability COVID-19.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the review of the existing quality evaluation methods of open government data, the evaluation metrics and their weights were determined by 15 experts in health through the Delphi method and analytic hierarchy process. The authors tested the framework's applicability using open government health data related to COVID-19 in the US, EU and China.

Findings

The results of the test capture the quality difference of the current open government health data. At present, the open government health data in the US, EU and China lacks the necessary metadata. Besides, the number, richness of content and timeliness of open datasets need to be improved.

Originality/value

Unlike the existing open government data quality measurement, this study proposes a more targeted open government data quality evaluation framework that measures open government health data quality on a range of data quality dimensions with a fine-grained measurement approach. This provides a tool for accurate assessment of public health data for correct decision-making and assessment during a pandemic.
An investigation of designing, developing and modifying business excellence frameworks
Authors: Ghafoor Saad , Grigg Nigel Peter , Mann Robin
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate how business excellence (BE) custodians (BECs) design, develop and modify their BE frameworks (BEFs) and to provide a general framework for reviewing BEFs. The design process is important to understand as these BEFs are used to help organisations understand the components of BE to guide them towards world-class performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The first step was to identify all the BE awards (BEAs) worldwide and their BEFs by conducting a review of publicly available sources. This research was then limited to only those BEAs that were held no more than two years ago. Of these, 29 BECs (with active BEAs) in 26 countries agreed to participate in the research. Data was collected with the help of a survey and 13 BECs also undertook optional follow-up interviews.

Findings

In total, 56 countries and regions have 65 active BEAs with another 17 countries having BE initiatives. The EFQM excellence model and the Baldrige excellence framework are used by 37.7% and 14.5% of BECs worldwide, respectively. In total, 58.3% of the BECs review their BEFs once every three years or sooner, 100% of the BECs are confident in their BEFs’ fundamental concepts and 96.5% in their categories. There are fewer active BEAs now and the use of BE is potentially decreasing which suggests that more effort is required by the BECs in promoting BE.

Originality/value

This research collects data directly from the BECs on how BECs design and develop BEFs and provides a general framework for reviewing BEFs.
The experience of COVID-19 “lockdown” for people with a learning disability: results from surveys in Jersey and Guernsey
Authors: Peacock-Brennan Sinead , Stewart Kitty , Angier Rosalind Jayne , Morris Julian , Rud Rachel , Byrom Thomas
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to outline a service evaluation that gathered feedback from people with a learning disability on their experience of lockdown in Jersey and Guernsey. This feedback was intended to guide planning for service provision during any future lockdown and for life as we exit lockdown.

Design/methodology/approach

An accessible survey was sent to everyone accessing learning disability services across the two islands and Mencap in Jersey. Data was analysed quantitatively and qualitatively to identify patterns in the data and key themes.

Findings

Most respondents felt safe, calm and happy and valued support from services. Key themes emerging from the data included the importance of relationships, messages of safety, keeping busy and communication.

Originality/value

This survey has been undertaken at a time where there is a paucity of research and consultation with individuals with a learning disability self-reporting on their experiences of lockdown, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Machine learning improvements to compressive sensing for speech enhancement in hearing aid applications
Authors: Vanjari Hrishikesh B , Kolte Mahesh T
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Speech is the primary means of communication for humans. A proper functioning auditory system is needed for accurate cognition of speech. Compressed sensing (CS) is a method for simultaneous compression and sampling of a given signal. It is a novel method increasingly being used in many speech processing applications. The paper aims to use Compressive sensing algorithm for hearing aid applications to reduce surrounding noise.

Design/methodology/approach

In this work, the authors propose a machine learning algorithm for improving the performance of compressive sensing using a neural network.

Findings

The proposed solution is able to reduce the signal reconstruction time by about 21.62% and root mean square error of 43% compared to default L2 norm minimization used in CS reconstruction. This work proposes an adaptive neural network–based algorithm to enhance the compressive sensing so that it is able to reconstruct the signal in a comparatively lower time and with minimal distortion to the quality.

Research limitations/implications

The use of compressive sensing for speech enhancement in a hearing aid is limited due to the delay in the reconstruction of the signal.

Practical implications

In many digital applications, the acquired raw signals are compressed to achieve smaller size so that it becomes effective for storage and transmission. In this process, even unnecessary signals are acquired and compressed leading to inefficiency.

Social implications

Hearing loss is the most common sensory deficit in humans today. Worldwide, it is the second leading cause for “Years lived with Disability” the first being depression. A recent study by World health organization estimates nearly 450 million people in the world had been disabled by hearing loss, and the prevalence of hearing impairment in India is around 6.3% (63 million people suffering from significant auditory loss).

Originality/value

The objective is to reduce the time taken for CS reconstruction with minimal degradation to the reconstructed signal. Also, the solution must be adaptive to different characteristics of the signal and in presence of different types of noises.
Biologics modulate antinuclear antibodies, immunoglobulin E, and eosinophil counts in psoriasis patients
Authors: Sugiura Riichiro , Terui Hitoshi , Shimada‐Omori Ryoko , Yamazaki Emi , Tsuchiyama Kenichiro , Takahashi Toshiya , Aiba Setsuya , Yamasaki Kenshi
Published: August 2021

Psoriasis is a chronic disease centered on tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin (IL)‐23, and IL‐17 axis. While psoriasis patients benefit from biologics targeting TNF, IL‐17s, and IL‐23 nowadays, suppression of these molecules could modulate the balances of immune systems. However, the incidence of autoimmune disease and T‐helper 2 reaction during biologic treatments for psoriasis patients is not well documented. We retrospectively examined antinuclear antibody (ANA), eosinophil counts, and immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels for psoriasis patients who underwent biologic treatments in our dermatology clinic from June 10, 2010 to January 29, 2020. A cumulative total of 199 biologic treatments were performed for a total of 128 psoriasis patients. Compared to the non‐biologic group of 109 psoriasis patients who received non‐biologic treatment, patients treated with infliximab showed more incidents of high ANA (14%, p = 0.039) and high eosinophils (14%, p = 0.021). The use of brodalumab increased incidents of high eosinophils (21%, p = 0.005) but did not affect increase in ANA and IgE. The increase in high IgE level was observed significantly more during the use of risankizumab (15%, p = 0.011). Methotrexate was the most frequently used concomitant systemic treatment, but methotrexate did not affect ANA, eosinophil counts, and IgE levels. Since the biologics for psoriasis treatment modulate the balance of T‐helper cells, careful observation is required to detect unexpected changes of systemic immune conditions under biologic treatments.
Falling into Line? The Hostile Environment and the Legend of the ‘Judges’ Revolt’
Authors: Rowe Christopher
Published: August 2021

In 2012 the Government made a number of controversial changes to the Immigration Rules, which it claimed would ‘comprehensively reform the approach taken towards ECHR Article 8 in immigration cases’. This paper examines the judicial response, arguing that the courts ‘fell into line’, adapting human rights law to the government's aims through unprincipled and opportunistic techniques, whilst inflicting hardship and injustice on working‐class British citizens in particular. Four key moves are identified. First, the courts created an ‘incapable’ test which immunised the rules from in principle challenges. Second, Lord Bingham's Article 8 test, in which the reasonableness of any family member relocation was a central consideration, was replaced with a far less family‐friendly test. Third, the courts adopted an ultra‐lax rationality test at common law, even when the ‘fundamental rights’ of British citizens were engaged. Finally, the courts identified immigration policy as the ‘constitutional responsibility’ of the executive.
Aroma and color development during the production of specialty malts: A review
Authors: Prado Raphael , Gastl Martina , Becker Thomas
Published: August 2021

Specialty malts comprise a promising field for innovative approaches concerning their potential in terms of color, aroma, and taste influence on the composition of beer and other beverages. Nevertheless, poor reproducibility of aroma and taste is a recurrent struggle between maltsters, leaving color as a practical parameter for quality control. However, malts with similar coloration can present distinct aroma profiles, leaving open questions concerning key aroma compounds, their dynamic responses to malting process variations and to what extent they may vary in a certain color range. Key aroma volatiles have been identified in the matrix of barley malt, comprising a variety of products of non‐enzymatic browning reactions (e.g., caramelization, pyrolysis, and Maillard reactions). Here, water plays a crucial role together with the intensity of the temperature regimes. Nevertheless, the final aroma profile of a malt product is the result of a balance between aroma formation and losses. Therefore, the correlation between color and aroma is of big complexity. That being the case, the present article questions if key aroma compounds responsible for the peculiar flavors of specialties have been defined by scientific literature and whether their production dynamics is unveiled. In this manner, this work proposes an overview of the aroma compounds present in specialty malt products studied up to the current date. More specifically, the process production of specialty malts and its potential impact on the formation of aroma and taste is studied alongside the key aroma‐active compounds, their correlation to color, and trending analytical techniques for aroma and color assessment.
Assessment of peritoneal thickness using CT in relation to dialysis adequacy in peritoneal dialysis patients
Authors: Barutcu Atas Dilek , Demircioglu Ozlem , Cimsit Canan , Velioglu Arzu , Arikan Hakki , Asicioglu Ebru
Published: August 2021

Studies assessing peritoneal thickness by CT in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients are lacking. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between peritoneal thickness as measured by CT and dialysis adequacy with peritoneal membrane characteristics in PD patients. Ninety‐four PD patients were enrolled. Peritoneal thickness was measured by CT. Patients with and without a decrease in Kt/V of at least 0.3 over time were classified as Group 1 and Group 2, respectively. An increase of 0.1 unit of dialysate/plasma (D/P) creatinine over time were considered significant. The relationship between peritoneal membrane thickness, change in Kt/V, and peritoneal membrane characteristics were investigated. There were 31 (33.0%) patients in Group 1. The duration of PD (86.0 ± 64.1 vs. 59.6 ± 45.2 months, p: 0.023), peritoneal thickness (1.02 ± 0.37 vs. 0.87 ± 0.21 mm, p: 0.015), peritoneal calcification (7 [22.6%] vs. 3 [4.8%] patients, p: 0.013], increased D/P creatinine ratio (14 [45.2%] vs. 14 [22.2%] patients, p: 0.031) and CRP (13.9 ± 11.2 vs. 7.1 ± 4.8 mg/L, p: 0.045) were significantly higher in Group 1, whereas albumin (3.6 ± 0.5 vs. 3.8 ± 0.6 g/dL, p: 0.047) and parathyroid hormone (355.2 ± 260.2 vs. 532.1 ± 332.9 ng/L, p: 0.015) levels were significantly lower. Peritoneal thickness was significantly correlated with duration of PD (r: 0.775, p < 0.001) and CRP (r: 0.282, p: 0.006). Regression analysis showed that peritoneal thickness (Exp (B) [95% CI]: 0.029 [0.003–0.253], p: 0.001) was independent predictor of decreased Kt/V in PD patients. In conclusion, prolonged PD duration and increased peritoneal thickness are associated with a decrease in Kt/V over time. CT may be an alternative and noninvasive method instead of peritoneal biopsy for determining the structural changes of the peritoneal membrane .
Carboplatin, pemetrexed, and pembrolizumab was effective for primary salivary gland‐type lung adenocarcinoma diagnosed due to esophageal stricture: A case report
Authors: Kawakado Keita , Tamura Tomoki , Nakanishi Masamoto , Makimoto Go , Sato Yumiko , Kuyama Shoichi
Published: August 2021

Primary salivary gland‐type tumors of the lung are rare, accounting for <1% of all lung tumors. There are few reports on chemotherapy for the treatment of primary salivary gland‐type tumors of the lung. The patient in this report was a 71‐year‐old woman who presented with a chief complaint of dysphagia. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed an esophageal stricture, but biopsy showed no malignancy. Chest computed tomography (CT) showed carcinomatous lymphangiomatosis and a nodule in the right lung. Bronchoscopy showed a rough mucous membrane of the central bronchi, while biopsy showed adenocarcinoma. The patient was diagnosed with bronchogenic adenocarcinoma and received carboplatin, pemetrexed, and pembrolizumab, which alleviated the esophageal stricture and cancerous lymphangiopathy. However, the adenocarcinoma progressed, and she subsequently received several rounds of chemotherapy. One year after diagnosis, the patient died, and pathological autopsy revealed primary salivary gland‐type tumors of the lung.
Convergence theory and conditional income convergence among sub‐Saharan African countries
Authors: Huffman Nadia , Huffman Wallace
Published: August 2021

This article examines the hypothesis of conditional convergence in income per person for sub‐Saharan African (SSA) countries over the most recent twenty‐five‐year period, 1990–2014, including examining the effects of new conditioning variables. This study uses new data from the Penn‐World Table 9.0 on per capita income and income growth which recently became available in purchasing‐power‐parity (PPP$) 2011 dollars. This is the first article to use this data to research convergence of per capita income in SSA. The study also identifies new conditioning variables and includes them in the econometric model of growth. The main results are for the largest 35 SSA countries, and they include: Average per capita income in 2011 PPP$ grew at 1.6% over the period of 1990–2014; and conditional convergence is occurring, that is, countries lagging behind in 1990 grew faster. Further, instrumenting the starting year value of per capita income increases the rate of convergence by 50%. The strongest finding throughout was for share of labor in agriculture, indicating that countries with a larger share of agriculture in 1990 grew slower. It also finds that countries located on the ocean and with a higher literacy rate tend to grow faster, while countries with higher life expectancy grew slower. External support for new agricultural technology or increased nutrition and food availability that increases agricultural productivity would reduce the share of labor in agriculture and increase future growth performance.
Exposure to suicide in the family and suicidal ideation in Portugal during the Covid‐19 pandemic: The mediating role of unbearable psychache
Authors: Pereira Alexandra Medina , Campos Rui C.
Published: August 2021

Objectives

This study tested the mediation effects of two facets of psychache – bearable and unbearable – in the relationship between exposure to suicide in the family and suicidal ideation in Portugal during the Covid‐19 pandemic.

Methods

Two hundred and forty‐four adults aged between 19 and 64 participated. Two groups were defined: one exposed to suicide in the family (n = 42) and a control group (n = 192).

Results

Path analysis using structural equation modelling tested a mediation model. Results demonstrated that unbearable psychache fully mediated the relationship between exposure to suicide and suicidal ideation, even when controlling for the mediation effects of depressive symptoms, the presence of a psychiatric diagnosis, and years of education.

Conclusions

These results suggest that rather than considering just the global experience of psychache in individuals exposed to suicide, researchers and clinicians should look to the presence of unbearable psychache given its contribution to suicidal ideation.

Practitioner points

Unbearable psychache fully mediated the relationship between exposure to suicide in the family and suicidal ideation

It is not the global experience of psychache that contributes to suicide ideation in individuals exposed to suicide in the family rather the presence of unbearable psychache