bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Efficacy of High Flow Nasal Oxygenation for Maintaining Maternal Oxygenation During Rapid Sequence Induction in Pregnancy: A Prospective Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Zhou S. , Zhou Y. , Cao X. , Ni X. , Du W. , Xu Z. , Liu Z.
Published: September 2022

(Eur J Anaesthesiol. 2021;38:1052–1058)

Pregnancy poses unique challenges and increased risks during general anesthesia (GA), including hypoxia. Preoxygenation helps to mitigate the risk of hypoxia in parturient women during induction of GA. High-flow nasal oxygenation (HFNO) has been suggested to improve preoxygenation efficacy. While studies have been done on HFNO preoxygenation for parturient patients, none have looked at the benefit of HFNO for the same population undergoing rapid sequence induction (RSI) GA. This study compares preoxygenation using HFNO with the standard facemask (SFM) during RSI for parturients undergoing GA for cesarean delivery (CD).
Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Neuromuscular Function of Mechanically Ventilated ICU COVID-19 Patients*
Authors: Millet Guillaume Y. , Kennouche Djahid , Foschia Clément , Brownstein Callum G. , Gondin Julien , Lapole Thomas , Rimaud Diana , Royer Nicolas , Thiery Guillaume , Gauthier Vincent , Oujamaa Lydia , Sorg Marine , Vergès Samuel , Doutreleau Stéphane , Marillier Mathieu , Prudent Mélanie , Bitker Laurent , Féasson Léonard , Gergelé Laurent , Stauffer Emeric , Guichon Céline , Morel Jérôme
Published: September 2022

OBJECTIVES:

The aim of the current study was to investigate the level of cardiorespiratory fitness and neuromuscular function of ICU survivors after COVID-19 and to examine whether these outcomes are related to ICU stay/mechanical ventilation duration.

DESIGN:

Prospective nonrandomized study.

SETTING:

Patients hospitalized in ICU for COVID-19 infection.

PATIENTS:

Sixty patients hospitalized in ICU (mean duration: 31.9 ± 18.2 d) were recruited 4–8 weeks post discharge from ICU.

INTERVENTIONS:

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:

Patients visited the laboratory on two separate occasions. The first visit was dedicated to quality of life questionnaire, cardiopulmonary exercise testing, whereas measurements of the knee extensors neuromuscular function were performed in the second visit. Maximal oxygen uptake (Vo
2max) was 18.3 ± 4.5 mL·min–1·kg-1, representing 49% ± 12% of predicted value, and was significantly correlated with ICU stay/mechanical ventilation (MV) duration (R = –0.337 to –0.446; p < 0.01 to 0.001), as were maximal voluntary contraction and electrically evoked peak twitch. Vo
2max (either predicted or in mL· min–1·kg-1) was also significantly correlated with key indices of pulmonary function such as predicted forced vital capacity or predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second (R = 0.430–0.465; p ≤ 0.001) and neuromuscular function. Both cardiorespiratory fitness and neuromuscular function were correlated with self-reported physical functioning and general health status.

CONCLUSIONS:

Vo
2max was on average only slightly above the 18 mL·min–1·kg-1, that is, the cut-off value known to induce difficulty in performing daily tasks. Overall, although low physical capacities at admission in ICU COVID-19 patients cannot be ruled out to explain the association between Vo
2max or neuromuscular function and ICU stay/MV duration, altered cardiorespiratory fitness and neuromuscular function observed in the present study may not be specific to COVID-19 disease but seem applicable to all ICU/MV patients of similar duration.
Mesh size may not affect recurrence in laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal repair of inguinal hernias
Authors: Lee Kil-yong , Lee Jaeim , Park Youn Young , Kim Hyung-Jin , Oh Seong Taek
Published: September 2022

A mesh is usually employed to cover defects when performing laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal repair (TEP) of inguinal hernias. However, there is insufficient evidence for an appropriate mesh size. Therefore, we aimed to compare the recurrence rate between large- and medium-mesh laparoscopic TEP. Patients who underwent laparoscopic TEP for primary inguinal hernias from January 2012 to March 2020 were included. We retrospectively reviewed electric medical records. The primary outcome was the difference in recurrence rate between the large and medium meshes. The large mesh was 10.3 × 15.7 cm, and the medium mesh was 7.9 × 13.4 cm or 9 × 13 cm. In total, 446 patients were included in the study. Of these patients, 177 were in the large-mesh group, and 269 were in the medium-mesh group. The average ages of the large- and medium-mesh groups were 58.4 and 56.9 years, respectively (P = .361). In both groups (large vs medium), males were dominant (93.2% vs 93.6%, P = .850), and indirect hernias (87.0% vs 88.1%, P = .740) were dominant. There was no difference in body mass index (P = .883) or hernia side (P = .770). Peritoneal tearing as an intraoperative complication occurred frequently in the large-mesh group (13.6% vs 3.3%, P < .001). During the mean follow-up period of 28 months, recurrence occurred in 3 (1.7%) and 13 (4.8%) patients in the large- and medium-mesh groups, respectively. However, there was no statistical significance (P = .262). Mesh size may not affect recurrence after laparoscopic TEP of primary inguinal hernias.
Re-positioning pretarsal tissue layers for double-eyelid surgery: 6-year experience
Authors: Pan Er , Wang Bu-Lin , Zhang Sheng-Chang , Yu Jian-Gang , Chen Yi , Liu Zhi-Hong
Published: September 2022

Double-eyelid surgery is a very common practice in East Asian patients. The differential distribution of pretarsal tissue layers is considered to be the anatomical mechanism of natural Asiatic single eyelid, it is possible to form double-eyelid crease by re-positioning the pretarsal structure layers. The author presents a new double-eyelid surgery based on re-positioning of the pretarsal structure layers without tissue removal. Over a 6-year period, 1440 patients underwent new double-eyelid surgeries. With the pretarsal orbicularis oculi muscle incised, the pre-pretarsal levator aponeurosis fascia fibroadipose was first dissected to form a fibroadipose flap, and then repositioned with the eyelid lower lip orbicularis oculi muscle flap. The new composite structure was anchored at 3 points on the pretarsal levator aponeurosis fascia; the skin was sutured to form a smooth crease. Post-operative outcome and follow-up data were analyzed. Patients were followed up for an average of 2 years. esthetic outcomes were satisfactory for 97.91% of patients, who enjoyed new double upper eyelids with smooth creases and invisible incision lines. Outcomes were unsatisfactory for 2.08% of patients (double-eyelid regression, 0.76%; asymmetric creases, 1.32%). All patients who were not satisfied with their esthetic outcomes underwent second correction surgery. This new Pan-flap technique focuses on the correct dissection and repositioning of differentially thickened pre-pretarsal levator aponeurosis fascia fibroadipose tissue in East Asian patients. This new technique can generate broader and tighter attachment between pretarsal orbicularis oculi muscle and levator aponeurosis fascia, and form smooth double-eyelid crease without pretarsal soft tissue removal.
Combination of serum 5-S-cysteinyldopa, melanoma inhibitory activity and IL-8 improves the diagnostic accuracy of malignant melanoma compared with individual markers
Authors: Katoh Yuki , Hara Hiroyuki , Harada Tomonori , Hirai Shuichi
Published: September 2022

Early diagnosis of malignant melanoma is critical for effective treatment and reduced patient mortality. However, current clinical and histological variables show limited accuracy in diagnosis. Serum or urine level of 5-S-cysteinyldopa (5-S-CD) is a commonly used melanoma biomarker in Japan owing to its increased sensitivity compared with other melanoma markers. However, its use as a diagnostic marker has shown some limitations. Therefore, here we examined the combination of 5-S-CD with melanoma inhibitory activity, which showed sensitivity in detecting melanoma comparable with that of 5-S-CD, and interleukin-8, a cytokine linked with melanoma progression, in a cohort of Japanese patients with melanoma. Our results revealed that the triple combination of 5-S-CD, melanoma inhibitory activity, and interleukin-8 showed high diagnostic accuracy in detecting melanoma compared with each of the individual factors. Importantly, the triple marker showed specificity and utility in detecting early-stage melanoma. Our results suggest the utility of the triple marker as a diagnostic biomarker for melanoma patients.
Objectively confirmed gastroesophageal reflux disease and risk of atrial fibrillation: a population-based cohort study in Sweden
Authors: Maret-Ouda John , Santoni Giola , Xie Shaohua , Rosengren Annika , Lagergren Jesper
Published: September 2022

Objective

This study aimed to determine the risk of atrial fibrillation in patients with objectively confirmed GERD.

Methods

This was a nationwide population-based cohort study between 2005 and 2018, including the majority (n = 8 421 115) of all Swedish adult residents (≥18 years). Within this cohort, the exposed group were all individuals with a diagnosis of esophagitis or Barrett’s esophagus, and the unexposed group was made up of five times as many individuals without any GERD, matched by age, sex, and calendar year. The outcome was the first diagnosis of atrial fibrillation. Cox regression provided hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), adjusted for confounders.

Results

Among 118 013 individuals with esophagitis or Barrett’s esophagus and 590 065 without GERD, 7042 (6.0%) and 40 962 (6.9%) developed atrial fibrillation, respectively. The risk of atrial fibrillation among patients with GERD was 13% increased within the first year of diagnosis (HR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.06–1.20), but was not increased after that. Among individuals aged less than 60 years, the HR of atrial fibrillation was 55% increased within the first year of diagnosis (HR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.27–1.88), and this association remained increased after the first year (HR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.06–1.22). No association was found in older participants (≥60 years). Results were similar in men and women.

Conclusion

This large population-based cohort study indicates that objectively determined GERD increases the risk of atrial fibrillation shortly after diagnosis in men and women younger than 60 years.
The Use of Blended Diets in Children With Enteral Feeding Tubes
Authors: Köglmeier Jutta , Assecaira Ines , Banci Elena , De Koning Barbara , Haiden Nadja , Indrio Flavia , Kastelijn Wendy , Kennedy Denise , Luque Veronica , Norsa Lorenzo , Verduci Elvira , Sugar Analou
Published: September 2022

Objectives:

This joint position paper of the Committees of Allied Health Professionals (CAHP) and Nutrition (CON) of the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) provides a comprehensive guide for health professionals to manage blended diets in children via gastrostomy tubes.

Methods:

A systematic literature search was performed from 1992 to 2021 using Pubmed, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and recent guidelines reviewed. In the absence of evidence, recommendations reflect the authors’ expert opinion. Final consensus was obtained by multiple e‐mail exchange and virtual meetings of the CAHP and CON.

Results:

Reported benefits of blended diets include reduced GERD and infections, improved defecation, level of alertness and attention span, skin conditions, and appearance of hair and nails. Families report a sense of greater normality. Small case series, cross‐sectional surveys, questionnaire‐based small case studies, reports of personal experience, and single‐center pilot studies are available in the medical literature. A total of 20 recommendations for practice were made based on the results and consensus process.

Conclusions:

There is little evidence published to formally inform about the potential health benefits or risks of this practice and how to use it in the best way. This leaves health professionals caring for such patients in a relative vacuum regarding what to consider when providing a duty of care to patients and carers who wish to pursue this method of feeding. This article provides guidelines for safe and appropriate use of a BD, but more research is needed.
Computed Tomography Angiography Quantification of Intracranial and Extracranial Vascular Narrowing in Ischemic Stroke: Differences Between Patients With and Without Illicit Drug Use
Authors: Bonfante-Mejia Eliana , Calle Susana , Nunez-Rubiano Luis , Aein Azin , Zhang Xu , Jagolino-Cole Amanda
Published: September 2022

Objective

Previous studies have linked illicit drug consumption and stroke. The purpose of this study is to identify specific imaging findings depicted on computed tomography angiography on patients with illicit drug-associated stroke.

Methods

This is a retrospective case-control study that included ischemic stroke patients. Subjects who tested positive for cocaine or marijuana were considered as cases, while patients who tested negative were included as controls. Matching of the controls was carried out based on the presence of stroke risk factors. A previously validated scale was used to calculate narrowing scores through computed tomography angiography. Comparison between cases and matched controls was evaluated by paired t test for age and body mass index, and by Wilcoxon signed rank test for intracranial, extracranial, and total scores.

Results

One hundred seventy-four patients were included in the study, 87 subjects for each group. Because of matching, baseline status differed only on body mass index, with a greater proportion of obese subjects among controls (P < 0.016). Subgroup analysis demonstrated that it is more likely to find any intracranial abnormality among cocaine consumers when compared with controls (P = 0.041).

Conclusions

By using computed tomography angiography, we found that stroke patients with history of cocaine consumption had a higher incidence of intracranial circulation narrowing compared with matched controls.
Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography for Canaliculitis
Authors: Yoon Sumin , Lee Hyunkyu , Baek Sehyun
Published: September 2022

Canaliculitis is an uncommon inflammation of the lacrimal canaliculi, and it is often misdiagnosed as conjunctivitis or dacryocystitis. There are no gold-standard methods to diagnose canaliculitis, therefore newer methods such as ulrasound biomicroscopy are being introduced. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography (OCT) is being utilized to evaluate punctum and canaliculus, but no previous study has applied anterior OCT for canaliculitis. One case of canaliculitis with canaliculith was diagnosed by anterior segment OCT noninvasively, by successful detection of canaliculith. Pouting of the punctum and detection of canaliculith as hyper-reflective signals by OCT were checked, which was impossible with other conventional methods. Surgical incision and drainage confirmed the presence of stones. This article is meaningful as a first study about the diagnosis of canaliculitis with canaliculith using anterior segment OCT. Presence of canaliculith in vertical canaliculus, and the status of punctal epithelium and canalicular mucosa was possible in this study.
Angioleiomyoma of the Parotid Gland Fed by the Superficial Temporal Artery
Authors: Baek Sang Oon , Jang Uk , Rha Eun Young
Published: September 2022

Angioleiomyoma in the head and neck area is rarely observed. This report introduces 2 cases of angioleiomyoma discovered in the parotid gland, particularly with the superficial temporal artery (STA) as the feeding vessel. Each patient was evaluated preoperatively by clinical manifestation and computed tomography scan, but the difficulty was encountered due to nonspecific radiologic features of angioleiomyoa. Surgical intervention was performed for precise diagnosis and treatment. The tumors were fed from the STA, with the diagnosis of venous type parotid angioleiomyoma. To our knowledge, there have been only one previous report of angioleiomyoma of the parotid gland fed from STA in the literature. Once parotid tumor is discovered, although rare, the possibility of angioleiomyoma should be considered, and the authors recommend prompt surgical excision for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
A multicenter, randomized, blinded, controlled clinical trial investigating the effect of a novel infant formula on the body composition of infants: INNOVA 2020 study protocol
Authors: Ruiz-Ojeda Francisco Javier , Plaza-Díaz Julio , Morales Javier , Cristina de la Torre Ana Isabel , García-García Antonio , de Prado Carlos Nuñez , Coronel Cristóbal , Crespo Cyntia , Ortega Eduardo , Martín-Pérez Esther , Ferreira Fernando , García-Ron Gema , Galicia Ignacio , Santos-García Cuéllar María Teresa , Maroto Marcos , Ruiz Paola , Martín Raquel , Viver-Gómez Susana , Gil Ángel
Published: September 2022

Background

Breastmilk is the ideal food for infants and exclusive breastfeeding is recommended. In the clinical trial aimed to evaluate a new starting formula on weight gain of infants up to 6 and 12 months. The novel formula was compared with a standard formula and breastfeeding, the latter being used as the reference method.

Methods

210 infants (70/group) were enrolled in the study, and completed the intervention until 12 months of age. For the intervention period, infants were divided into three groups: group 1 received the formula 1 (Nutribén Innova®1 or INN), with a lower amount of protein, and enriched in α-lactalbumin protein, and with double amount of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)/ arachidonic acid (ARA) than the standard formula; it also contained a thermally inactivated postbiotic (Bifidobacterium animalissubsp.lactis, BPL1™ HT). Group 2 received the standard formula or formula 2 (Nutriben® or STD) and the third group was exclusively breastfed for exploratory analysis. During the study, visits were made at 21 days, 2, 4, 6, and 12 months of age, with ± 3 days for the visit at 21 days of age, ± 1 week for the visit at 2 months, and ± 2 weeks for the others.

Discussion

The findings of this study will provide evidence regarding the beneficial health effects of having a novel starting infant formula with reduced levels of protein, enriched in α-lactalbumin, and increased levels of DHA and ARA, and containing a postbiotic, compared with infants fed standard formula.

Trial registration

The trial was registered withClinicaltrial.gov(NCT05303077) on March 31, 2022, and lastly updated on April 7, 2022.
Automatic assessment of mammographic density using a deep transfer learning method
Authors: Squires Steven , Harkness Elaine , Evans D. Gareth , Astley Susan M
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Mammographic breast density is one of the strongest risk factors for cancer. Density assessed by radiologists using visual analogue scales has been shown to provide better risk predictions than other methods. Our purpose is to build automated models using deep learning and train on radiologist scores to make accurate and consistent predictions.

Approach

We used a data-set of almost 160,000 mammograms each with two independent density scores made by expert medical practitioners. We used two pre-trained deep networks and adapted them to produce feature vectors which were then used for both linear and non-linear regression to make density predictions. We also simulated an “optimal method” which allowed us to compare the quality of our results with a simulated upper bound on performance.

Results

Our deep learning method produced estimates with a Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) of 8.79 ± 0.21. The model estimates of cancer risk perform at a similar level to human experts, within uncertainty bounds. We made comparisons between different model variants and demonstrated the high level of consistency of the model predictions. Our modelled “optimal method” produced image predictions with a RMSE of between 7.98 and 8.90 for cranial caudal images.

Conclusion

We demonstrated a new deep learning framework based upon a transfer learning approach to make density estimates based on radiologists’ visual scores. Our approach requires modest computational resources and has the potential to be trained with limited quantities of data.
Duplicated zebrafish (Danio rerio) inositol phosphatases inpp5ka and inpp5kb diverged in expression pattern and function
Authors: Shukla Dhyanam , Gural Brian M. , Cauley Edmund S. , Roberts Llion E. , Karas Brittany F. , Cavallo Luca , Turkalj Luka , Moody Sally A. , Swan Laura E. , Manzini M. Chiara
Published: September 2022

One hurdle in the development of zebrafish models of human disease is the presence of multiple zebrafish orthologs resulting from whole genome duplication in teleosts. Mutations in Inositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatase K (INPP5K) lead to a syndrome characterized by variable presentation of intellectual disability, brain abnormalities, cataracts, muscle disease, and short stature. INPP5K is a phosphatase acting at position 5 of phosphoinositides to control their homeostasis and is involved in insulin signaling, cytoskeletal regulation, and protein trafficking. Previously, our group and others have replicated the human phenotypes in zebrafish knockdown models by targeting both INPP5K orthologs inpp5ka and inpp5kb. Here, we show that inpp5ka is the more closely related orthologue to human INPP5K. While both inpp5ka and inpp5kb mRNA expression levels follow a similar trend in the developing head, eyes, and tail, inpp5ka is much more abundantly expressed in these tissues than inpp5kb. In situ hybridization revealed a similar trend, also showing unique localization of inpp5kb in the pineal gland indicating different transcriptional regulation. We also found that inpp5kb has lost its catalytic activity against its preferred substrate, PtdIns(4,5)P2. Since most human mutations are missense changes disrupting phosphatase activity, we propose that loss of inpp5ka alone can be targeted to recapitulate the human presentation. In addition, we show that the function of inpp5kb has diverged from inpp5ka and may play a novel role in the zebrafish.
Specific sensory neurons and insulin-like peptides modulate food type-dependent oogenesis and fertilization inCaenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Mishra Shashwat , Dabaja Mohamed , Akhlaq Asra , Pereira Bianca , Marbach Kelsey , Rovcanin Mediha , Chandra Rashmi , Caballero Antonio , de Abreu Diana Fernandes , Ch’ng QueeLim , Alcedo Joy
Published: September 2022

Abstract

An animal’s responses to environmental cues are critical for its reproductive program. Thus, a mechanism that allows the animal to sense and adjust to its environment should make for a more efficient reproductive physiology. Here we demonstrate that inCaenorhabditis elegansspecific sensory neurons influence onset of oogenesis through insulin signaling in response to food-derived cues. The chemosensory neurons ASJ modulate oogenesis onset through the insulin-like peptide (ILP) INS-6. In contrast, other sensory neurons, the olfactory neurons AWA, regulate food type-dependent differences inC. elegansfertilization rates, but not onset of oogenesis. AWA modulates fertilization rates at least partly in parallel to insulin receptor signaling, since the insulin receptor DAF-2 regulates fertilization independently of food type, which requires ILPs other than INS-6. Together our findings suggest that optimal reproduction requires the integration of diverse food-derived inputs through multiple neuronal signals acting on theC. elegansgermline.
Determinants of Health-Related Quality of Life (HrQoL) of People living with HIV Based on Sexual Orientation
Authors: Sitorus Rico Januar , Antara Nyoman Yudi , Sangalang Reymart V. , Panjaitan Merry Natalia , Fauk Nelsensius Klau
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has detrimental impacts on the lives of different population groups living with HIV, including men who have sex with men (MSM). Using the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire (WHOQOL – HIV BREF), this study aimed to assess the Health-Related Quality of Life (HrQoL) of men living with HIV with different sexual orientations and determine the dominant influential factors.

Methods

This cross-sectional study involved 206 men living with HIV. They were recruited from Sriwijaya Plus Foundation and a medical facility providing antiretroviral therapy (ART). Data were analyzed using Chi-square and binomial logistic regression.

Results

The analysis showed that the percentage of MSM patients was more than non-MSM/heterosexual men, accounting for 68.9% of the total population. Furthermore, depression status, social stigma, family support, therapy duration, and suffering duration were significantly associated with the quality of life of MSM and non-MSM (p-value <0.001). The multivariate logistic regression revealed that the most dominant influential factor was depression status (PR=5.417; 95% CI=2.473-11.876), where the majority of the depressed patients were 5.417 times more at risk of lower life quality compared to others.

Conclusion

Depression can lead to low quality of life among HIV patients. The findings suggest that there is a need for the development of intervention programs that address the psychological and social needs of PLHIV or support them to cope with depression and the social stigma facing them. Support from families and health workers can help them cope with psychological and social challenges faced by PLHIV and increase community acceptance of PLHIV.
μ-Oxido-bis[(5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrinato-κ4
N,N′,N′′,N′′′)manganese(III)]
Authors: Ren Wanjie , Li Jianfeng
Published: September 2022

In the crystal structure of the title oxido-bridged binuclear complex, [MnIII(TPP)]2O (TPP = tetraphenylporphyrinate, C44H28N4) or [Mn2(C44H28N4)2O], the two pentacoordinate manganese(III) ions are bridged by a single oxido ligand, with an Mn—O distance of 1.7600 (3) Å and an Mn—O—Mn bridging angle of 176.1 (2)°. The bridging O2− ligand is located on a twofold rotation axis, resulting in point group 2 for the entire complex. The MnIII atom is displaced out of the 24-atom mean plane of the porphyrine entity by 0.52 Å. C—H...π and π–π interactions help to stabilize the molecular packing within the crystal structure.
Punching effects on local magnetic properties near the edge of nonoriented electrical steels
Authors: Zhang Changgeng , Yang Lan , Li Yongjian
Published: September 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of punching on the local magnetic properties of the nonoriented electrical steel sheet.

Design/methodology/approach

A microcomposite B–H sensor consisting of a pair of B probes with a spacing of 2 mm and a 1.8 × 1.8 mm2 H coil is designed. The region and degree of local magnetic properties degradation caused by punching can be quantitatively analyzed by flexibly moving the composite B–H sensor. The influence and physical mechanism of punching on the hysteresis loss, eddy current loss and excess loss are analyzed based on the Bertotti loss separation theory.

Findings

This study investigates the deterioration effect of the punched nonoriented electrical steel. The permeability near the edge decreases, and the core loss as well as the microhardness increases. The region of magnetic property deterioration is dependent on the area of work hardening.

Originality/value

The microcomposite B–H sensor can be used to measure the magnetic properties near the edge of electrical steel sheets under different processing conditions. This study provides the possibility of precise magnetic property model of the motor core after punching, especially valuable for motors without annealing process.
Caring for those in your charge: the role of servant leadership and compassion in managing bullying in the workplace
Authors: Ahmad Saima , Islam Talat , D'Cruz Premilla , Noronha Ernesto
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Adapting a positive business ethics framework, the purpose of this paper is to offer a new perspective to manage bullying at work. Specifically, this paper reports an empirical study which examines how the good work of servant leadership may lower employees’ exposure to workplace bullying, with compassion as a mediator and social cynicism beliefs (SCBs) as a moderator.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data were gathered from 337 essential health professionals working in various public and private health-care organisations in Pakistan. Structural equation modelling was used to test the research model.

Findings

This study found that perceived servant leadership helps in lessening employee exposure to workplace bullying by strengthening their compassion. However, SCBs moderate the mediating role of compassion in employees’ perceptions of the servant leadership–bullying relationship.

Research limitations/implications

This study has implications in developing models of leadership to build employees’ empathetic resources to combat workplace bullying. The authors found that servant leadership and workplace compassion, embodying positive, ethical and sustainable attributes, play a crucial role in managing bullying at work by promoting relational dignity.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that examines the relationships between employee perceptions of servant leadership, workplace bullying and employee compassion while considering SCBs as a boundary condition.
Testing Okun’s law at sectoral level: evidence from Nigeria
Authors: Raifu Isiaka Akande
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Researchers have long been interested in testing the validity of Okun’s law due to its macroeconomic policy implications. However, most of the studies have focused on testing the law using aggregate data on unemployment and output. In recent times, attention has been shifted to testing the law at the sectoral level. In light of this, the purpose of this study is to examine the response of unemployment to sectoral outputs in Nigeria using the data that covers a period from 1981-2020.

Design/methodology/approach

To test the validity of Okun’s law at the sectoral level, both difference and gap methods of specifying Okun’s law are used. Furthermore, the author also uses a series of estimation methods, which include ordinary least squares (OLS), dynamic OLS (DOLS), fully modified OLS (FMOLS) and canonical cointegration regression (CCR).

Findings

The results, based on the difference model, are mixed irrespective of estimation and data filter methods. For the gap model, Okun’s law holds for all sectors irrespective of estimation techniques (especially DOLS, FMOLS and CCR) when the Hodrick–Prescott filter method is used to filter data. However, the author discovers that the coefficients of Okun’s law vary across the sectors as the response of unemployment to services sector output is greater than the rest of the sectors. When the Hamilton filter method is used to filter data, the results appear to be mixed across the sectors. The results are almost ditto when all the sectoral variables are put in one model.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first study that investigates the validity of sectoral Okun’s law in Nigeria, the leading economy in Africa.
Sustainable entrepreneurship research in emerging economies: an evidence from systematic review
Authors: Nayak Raghavendra , Pillai K Rajasekharan
Published: September 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the current state of knowledge of sustainable entrepreneurship (SE) and to gain more insights from the articles originated from the emerging economies. This paper also sets an agenda for future research in this knowledge domain.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors perform a systematic literature review by analyzing the primary studies related to SE originating from emerging economies from Asia, Africa and the Middle East. This review scrutinizes a total number of 45 studies to explore the current state of research in this knowledge domain from such economies.

Findings

Overall, this review finds that SE research is still at the nascent stage, especially in the context of emerging economies. The authors elicit a few sub-themes, within the SE research, such as individual-level factors, organizational-level factors, institutional-level factors and cultural and social factors.

Research limitations/implications

The authors present a few limitations of this study. Firstly, this study uses articles from the Scopus and Web of Science only. Secondly, this systematic review is limited to the articles originated from emerging economies of Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Thirdly, this review gives overall picture of the SE research in emerging economies and the same in other economies is not in the scope of this study.

Practical implications

The findings of this study will be helpful to the researchers to locate avenues for future course of research in SE field. This study helps the policymakers and educational institutions of emerging economies understand and ingrain sustainability element in entrepreneurship, and thereby helps them to fulfill sustainable economy and sustainable development goals.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first of its kind in the field of SE in emerging economies. This review gives more insights on the state of SE in the emerging economies, as these economies can significantly contribute to the realization of Sustainable Development Goals.
Curvilinear relationship between ambidextrous leadership and employee silence: mediating effects of role stress and relational energy
Authors: Wu Mengying , Wang Rongsong , Estay Christophe , Shen Wei
Published: September 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the U-shaped relationship between ambidextrous leadership and employee silence by examining power distance orientation as a boundary condition and role stress and relational energy as mediators.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors tested the theoretical model with 212 matched samples collected across three-wave-data from 21 companies and branches in China.

Findings

Results revealed that ambidextrous leadership showed a U-shaped relationship with employee silence through role stress and relational energy. Moreover, the authors found that the curvilinear relationship was more significant for employees higher in power distance orientation.

Practical implications

Organizations should be aware of the negative side of ambidextrous leadership as well as its stimulation on employee silence. The leaders should pay more attention to subordinates and judge whether they are under too much stress, as well as treat employees more cautiously in both work and non-work situations.

Originality/value

This study provides a first step to the understanding of curvilinear influence of ambidextrous leadership through investigating the mediating effects of role stress and relational energy, and integrating the moderating role of power distance orientation in the process.
Students' perspectives on using e-learning applications and technology during the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesian higher education
Authors: Candra Sevenpri , Jeselin Florensia Sarlin
Published: September 2022

Purpose

The e-learning-based approach is critical in keeping the wheels of education turning in the face of the COVID-19 epidemic. In this scenario, analyzing the implementation of the e-learning system is required to properly grasp the needs. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the relationship between technical system quality, information quality, service quality, educational system quality, support system quality, learner quality, instructor quality, perceived satisfaction, perceived usefulness, e-learning system use and benefits.

Design/methodology/approach

This study was carried out by giving online questionnaires to students attending private institutions in Indonesia. A total of 593 students participated in the study and provided responses. The structural equation model, which is supported by the program WarpPLS7.0, is used to analyze the data.

Findings

Maintaining the quality of the technological system, the information system, the learners and the educational system can help achieve the goal of increasing perceived utility. In the meanwhile, factors such as inadequate service quality, educational system quality, support system quality and teacher quality can all pose challenges to perceived levels of satisfaction. To get the most out of e-learning apps, users' expectations about how fun, useful and easy to use they are need to be met.

Research limitations/implications

This study was carried out in the midst of the COVID-19 epidemic with a restricted number of participants from Indonesian institutions of higher education. This research has the potential to be expanded into a variety of different types of higher education in the future.

Practical implications

The main thing that will determine whether an e-learning system model works is the quality of the learners.

Originality/value

The institution should think about changing the material offered in the e-learning system to make it easier for students to grasp by describing the current material and providing digital handouts of lecturers' explanations. This study expanded the e-learning system success model and applied it to the evaluation of e-learning deployment in Indonesian higher education. This study will improve student comprehension of the e-learning model and contribute to the body of knowledge about e-learning applications and technology.
Extending the pot life of polyurethane coatings using organic diones
Authors: Labib Nader L. , Zahran Fouad , Youssef Mohamed Adel , Mazrouaa Azza M. , Mohamed Manal Gamal
Published: September 2022

Purpose

This study aims to extend the pot life without altering the qualities and performance of the coating, which is important to increase when manufacturing polyurethane coatings.

Design/methodology/approach

An acrylic polyol from a mixture of different monomers of hydroxypropyl methacrylate, methacrylic acid, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate and n-butyl methacrylate was prepared with different ratios of 2,4-pentanedione as a pot life extender. The reaction takes place in presence of di-tert-butyl peroxide as initiator with samples (T1–T7). The physical properties of prepared acrylic polyol were characterized. Then, coating polyurethane varnish was prepared from the prepared acrylic polyol with an aliphatic polyisocyanate in a 1:1 equivalent ratio of OH:NCO at room temperature, in presence of paint thinner (diluents/solvent) and dibutyltin dilaurate as a catalyst to give samples (T1C–T7C). This coating was evaluated via Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, drying time, hardness and gloss, distinctness of image and reflected image quality.

Findings

The coating has a prolonged pot life while still maintaining the other qualities, thanks to the greater 2,4-pentanedione content.

Originality/value

It is desired to have a paint which has a satisfactory pot life, short curing time and reduces many drawbacks such as inefficient working and deterioration of the paint before application.
How do accounts pass? A discussion of Vollmer’s “Accounting for tacit coordination”
Authors: Palermo Tommaso
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Building on the notes prepared for a roundtable organized by qualitative research in accounting & management (QRAM) about the paper titled “Accounting for tacit coordination: The passing of accounts and the broader case for accounting theory” (Vollmer, 2019), this paper aims to extend our understanding of “tacit coordination towards the passing of accounts” and its implications for research on accounting as a social practice.

Design/methodology/approach

Building on a selective review of previous studies of accounting “in action” and one illustrative vignette, this paper teases out specific aspects of Vollmer’s argument, which is much broader and ambitious in nature. The aim is to go deeper on one issue – “tacit coordination towards the passing of accounts” and the role of (accounting) practitioners as “stewards of silence” – to encourage further work that unpacks the dynamics and tensions that occur when practitioners seek to tacitly coordinate towards the passing of accounts.

Findings

This paper shows how our understanding of the relationship between “tacit coordination” and the “passing of accounts” can be enriched by examining how (accounting) practitioners deal with pressures towards explication. To this end, this paper develops three propositions, which focus on how organizational status, organizational complexity and temporal dynamics may affect the extent to which (accounting) practitioners are able to tacitly coordinate towards the passing of accounts.

Practical implications

The three propositions presented in this paper can be used in future studies to further explore the dynamics of tacit coordination towards the passing of accounts and therefore contribute to a more fine-grained illustration of some of the ideas presented in the paper by Vollmer (2019).

Originality/value

This paper sketches the contours of an approach that has the potential to make some of the ambitious ideas presented in Vollmer’s paper more actionable in future studies.
Control and motivation in task performance of public servants at home office in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Silva Cristiane Aparecida da , Rosa Fabricia Silva da
Published: September 2022

Purpose

The purpose of the article is to analyze the influence of output control, autonomous motivation and controlled motivation on task performance of public servants at home office owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was conducted based on the perception of 236 public servants, and structural equation modeling (SEM) technique was used for data analysis.

Findings

Both autonomous motivation and output control are positively and significantly related to task performance.

Research limitations/implications

The present study expands the literature with information about individual performance and management control, which can be related to the control, motivation and task performance of public servants at home office in a pandemic context.

Practical implications

The results could offer a basis for understanding how managers can deal with the challenges while at home office. They can also provide managers with information that they can use to build management strategies to foster the performance of public servants at home office.

Social implications

Home office can decrease commuting to a central workplace, alleviate traffic problems and reduce car pollution. It also allows for business continuity in the face of storms and pandemics.

Originality/value

Most studies about home office, COVID-19 and task performance have addressed personal, professional and organizational characteristics. However, little is known about the analysis of combinations of the following constructs: output control, autonomous and controlled motivations, and how both affect task performance of public servants.
Differential effects of vegetation and climate on termite diversity and damage
Authors: Wu Donghao , Seibold Sebastian , Ellwood M. D. Farnon , Chu Chengjin
Published: September 2022

Species diversity shapes ecosystem services. Despite the advantages that this relationship has for pest management, few studies have investigated the links between infrastructure damage (i.e. the percentage amount of infrastructures infested by termites), species richness and the environment. Moreover, it is not clear that which proportion of species richness (total/functional‐dominant/common/rare) contributes most to infrastructure damage.

We correlated termite species richness with termite infestation throughout 83 cities in Zhejiang Province, eastern China. Species were classified according to whether or not they fed on wood, and based upon their distributional range, whether they were common or rare. We analysed the relative importance and the direct/indirect effects of climate, vegetation, anthropogenic activities, and the species richness of four functional categories of termites on the damage levels of eight infrastructure types in populated (i.e. urban and rural building, green space and sea wall) and remote areas (i.e. ancient building, large‐old tree, agroforest and reservoir dam).

Common species favoured populated areas, whereas rare species favoured remote areas. Common species, with preferences for deciduous vegetation, caused more damage to the infrastructures of populated areas. Rare species, with preferences for evergreen vegetation, caused more damage in remote areas. Reforestation project which emphasized evergreen trees increased the number of rare species but reduced the number of common species. Elevation and drought risk were positively correlated with rare species richness but neutrally with common species richness.

Structural equation models showed that vegetation predominantly influenced infrastructure damage in populated areas via altering common species richness, whereas climate predominantly and directly influenced infrastructure damage in remote areas. Notably, elevation and drought risk were positively correlated with infrastructure damage especially in remote areas.

Synthesis and applications. Termites cause global economic losses of 15–40 billion dollars per year. Our study reveals that managing city forests and green space, for example increasing the proportion of evergreen trees, is a sustainable means of suppressing common termites and thereby reducing infrastructure damage in populated areas. Conservation strategies, supported by regular inspections, will become increasingly important as climate change not only threatens the survival of less harmful rare species, but also increases infrastructure damage in remote areas.
Stressful, isolated, yet diverse: Green roofs have rich microbiomes that are not dominated by oligotrophic taxa
Authors: Hénault Antoine , Heim Amy , Brisson Jacques , Dagenais Danielle , De Bellis Tonia , Chagnon Pierre‐Luc
Published: September 2022

Green roofs are unique ecosystems combining two major community assembly filters, namely stress and spatial isolation. As such, they represent an interesting model ecosystem in community ecology. In this study, we characterized the microbiome structure on 19 green roofs and 5 urban parks as a benchmark comparison (i.e. non‐isolated, non‐stressful habitats). Green roofs were not species depauperate, showing similar α‐diversity compared to surrounding parks. We also did not find an overrepresentation of bacterial phyla typically recognized as oligotrophs, which calls into question the notion of green roofs as highly stressful habitats for bacteria, and/or the conservatism of nutritional ecophysiology at the phylum level. The geographical position of a roof, or its degree of spatial isolation (assessed through its height and area) were not important predictors of microbiome diversity and structure, suggesting that dispersal limitations impose little constraints on green roof microbiome assembly. Finally, key microbial groups (e.g. archaeal nitrifiers, Actinobacteria) were much less frequent and/or abundant on green roofs, which may have important implications for nutrient cycling and urban biogeochemistry. More work will be required to phenotype the microorganisms overrepresented on green roofs and specifically measure key soil processes in these unique urban ecosystems.