bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical usage of non-invasive ventilation by physical therapists in cystic fibrosis centres across Australia: A cross-sectional survey study
Authors: Foxcroft Molly O , Chambers Rebecca , Cobb Robyn , Kuys Suzanne , Hall Kathleen
Published: July 2021

BACKGROUND

This study investigated clinical usage of non-invasive ventilation during physical therapy for people with cystic fibrosis. Specific research questions were: What are the clinical indications, contraindications and patient selection criteria for non-invasive ventilation use as an adjunct to physical therapy in people with cystic fibrosis? 2. Who implements non-invasive ventilation, what settings are used and how are they determined? 3. What outcome measures are used to determine the effectiveness of non-invasive ventilation as an adjunct to physical therapy and what are the main benefits and complications?

METHODS

A purpose-designed survey was sent to 23 Australian cystic fibrosis centres.

RESULTS

Fifteen centres (65%) responded, with 13 reporting current utilization of non-invasive ventilation to assist physical therapy. Non-invasive ventilation was most commonly (85%) used in patients with lung function <40% predicted. Physical therapy clinical indications included shortness of breath at rest (100%) and during airway clearance (100%), and fatigue during airway clearance (100%). Physical therapists were responsible for initiating non-invasive ventilation (62%), setting up (85%) and determining settings (62%). Bi-level ventilation was the only chosen ventilation mode. Benefits reported included improved ease of airway clearance (100%), reduced fatigue (92%) and decreased dyspnoea (85%). Only one complication of haemoptysis was reported.

CONCLUSIONS

Non-invasive ventilation was used during physical therapy in people with cystic fibrosis who had severe disease, mostly during airway clearance to improve tolerability of treatment. Australian physical therapists initiated non-invasive ventilation when people with cystic fibrosis experienced shortness of breath or fatigue during treatment, aligning with current clinical guidelines. Clinical usage was largely consistent across centres, with numerous benefits and few complications reported. Further research is required to explore benefits of non-invasive ventilation use during physical therapy.
Imbalanced basal ganglia connectivity is associated with motor deficits and apathy in Huntington’s disease
Authors: Nair Akshay , Razi Adeel , Gregory Sarah , Rutledge Robb R. , Rees Geraint , Tabrizi Sarah J
Published: July 2021

The gating of movement depends on activity within the cortico-striato-thalamic loops. Within these loops, emerging from the cells of the striatum, run two opponent pathways – the direct and indirect basal ganglia pathway. Both are complex and polysynaptic but the overall effect of activity within these pathways is thought to encourage and inhibit movement respectively. In Huntington’s disease (HD), the preferential early loss of striatal neurons forming the indirect pathway is thought to lead to disinhibition giving rise to the characteristic motor features of the condition. But early HD is also associated with apathy, a loss of motivation and failure to engage in goal-directed movement. We hypothesised that in HD, motor signs and apathy may be selectively correlated with indirect and direct pathway dysfunction respectively. We used spectral dynamic casual modelling of resting state fMRI data to model effective connectivity in a model of these cortico-striatal pathways. We tested both of these hypotheses in vivo for the first time in a large cohort of patients with prodromal HD. Using an advanced approach at the group level by combining Parametric Empirical Bayes and Bayesian Model Reduction procedure to generate large number of competing models and compare them by using Bayesian model comparison. With this automated Bayesian approach, associations between clinical measures and connectivity parameters emerge de novo from the data. We found very strong evidence (posterior probability > 0.99) to support both of our hypotheses. Firstly, more severe motor signs in HD were associated with altered connectivity in the indirect pathway components of our model and, by comparison, loss of goal-direct behaviour or apathy, was associated with changes in the direct pathway component. The empirical evidence we provide here is demonstrates that imbalanced basal ganglia connectivity may play an important role in the pathogenesis of some of commonest and disabling features of HD and may have important implications for therapeutics.
Genomic Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in Erie County, New York
Authors: Lamb Natalie A. , Bard Jonathan E. , Pohlman Alyssa , Boccolucci Amanda , Yergeau Donald A. , Marzullo Brandon J. , Pope Carleen , Burstein Gale , Tomaszewski John , Nowak Norma J. , Surtees Jennifer A.
Published: July 2021

Early in the SAR-CoV-2 pandemic, we established a whole genome sequencing pipeline to assess lineages circulating in Western New York. Initial sequences revealed entry into the region via Europe, similar to observations in New York City. However, as the pandemic progressed and variants of concern emerged, we observed distinct patterns in lineages relative to NYC. Notably, B.1.427 became dominant in Western New York, before it was displaced by B.1.1.7. Our hierarchical cluster analysis of B.1.1.7 lineages, which by May 2021 made up ∼ 80% of all cases, indicated both multiple introductions and community spread. Our work highlights the importance of widespread, regional surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 across the United States.
Heterologous prime-boost vaccination with ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 and BNT162b2 mRNA
Authors: Tenbusch Matthias , Schumacher Sofie , Vogel Emanuel , Priller Alina , Held Jürgen , Steininger Philipp , Beileke Stephanie , Irrgang Pascal , Brockhoff Ronja , Salmanton-García Jon , Tinnefeld Kathrin , Mijocevic Hrvoje , Schober Kilian , Bogdan Christian , Yazici Sarah , Knolle Percy , Cornely Oliver A. , Überla Klaus , Protzer Ulrike
Published: July 2021

Administration of a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (Vaxzevria®, AstraZeneca) is associated with a certain risk for vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia. Therefore, several countries have recommended replacing the second dose of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 with an mRNA-based vaccine as a precautionary measure, although data on safety and efficacy of such heterologous prime-boost regimen are sparse. Therefore, vaccinees, who had received a heterologous vaccination using ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 as prime and BNT162b2 (Comirnaty®, BioNTech-Pfizer) mRNA as boost vaccination were offered SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing to quantify their vaccine-induced neutralizing antibody response5. The results were compared to cohorts of healthcare workers or volunteers, who received homologous BNT162b2 or homologous ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccination regimens, respectively. A striking increase of vaccine-induced SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody activity was observed in 229 vaccinees that received a BNT162b2 boost 9 to 12 weeks after ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 prime. In our cohort comprising over 480 individuals, the heterologous vaccination scheme induced significantly higher neutralizing antibody titers than homologous ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 and even than homologous BNT162b2 vaccination. This proves that a single dose of a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine after ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 prime vaccination is sufficient to achieve high neutralizing antibody levels predicting immune protection from SARS-CoV-2 infection, and may even increase vaccine efficacy offering an alternative in a setting of vaccine shortage.
Predictors of hospitalisation and death due to SARS-CoV-2 infection in Finland: a population-based register study with implications to vaccinations
Authors: Salo Heini , Lehtonen Toni , Auranen Kari , Baum Ulrike , Leino Tuija
Published: July 2021

Introduction

The aim of this study was to investigate how age and underlying medical conditions affect the risk of severe outcomes following SARS-CoV-2 infection and how they should be weighed while prioritising vaccinations against COVID-19.

Methods

This population-based register study includes all SARS-CoV-2 PCR-test-positive cases until 24 Feb 2021, based on the Finnish National Infectious Diseases Register. The cases were linked to other registers to identify presence of comorbidities and severe outcomes (hospitalisation, intensive care treatment, death). The odds of severe outcomes were compared in those with and without the pre-specified comorbidities using logistic regression. Furthermore, population-based rates were compared between those with a given comorbidity and those without any of the specified comorbidities using negative binomial regression.

Results

Age and various comorbidities were found to be predictors of severe COVID-19. Compared to 60–69-year-olds, the odds ratio (OR) of death was 7.1 for 70–79-year-olds, 26.7 for 80–89-year-olds, and 55.8 for ≥90-year-olds. Among the 20–69-year-olds, chronic renal disease (OR 9.4), malignant neoplasms (5.8), hematologic malignancy (5.6), chronic pulmonary disease (5.4), and cerebral palsy or other paralytic syndromes (4.6) were strongly associated with COVID-19 mortality; severe disorders of the immune system (8.0), organ or stem cell transplant (7.2), chronic renal disease (6.7), and diseases of myoneural junction and muscle (5.5) were strongly associated with COVID-19 hospitalisation. Type 2 diabetes and asthma, two very common comorbidities, were associated with all three outcomes, with ORs from 2.1 to 4.3. The population-based rate of SARS-CoV-2 infection decreased with age. Taking the 60–69-year-olds as reference, the rate ratio was highest (3.0) for 20–29-year-olds but <1 for 70–79-year-olds and 80–89-year-olds.

Conclusion

Comorbidities predispose for severe COVID-19 among younger ages. In vaccine prioritisation both the risk of infection and the risk of severe outcomes, if infected, should be combined.
The impact of demographic factors on the accumulated number of COVID-19 cases per capita in Europe and the regions of Ukraine in the summer of 2021
Authors: Nesteruk Igor , Rodionov Oleksii
Published: July 2021

The accumulated number of COVID-19 cases per capita is an important characteristic of the pandemic dynamics that may also indicate the effectiveness of quarantine, testing and vaccination. As this value increases monotonically over time, the end of June 2021 was chosen, when the growth rate in Ukraine and the vast majority of European countries was small. This allowed us to draw some intermediate conclusions about the influence of the volume of population, its density, and the level of urbanization on the accumulated number of laboratory-confirmed cases per capita in European countries and regions of Ukraine. A simple analysis showed that the number of cases per capita does not depend on these demographic factors, although it may differ by about 4 times for different regions of Ukraine and more than 9 times for different European countries. The number of COVID-19 per capita registered in Ukraine is comparable with the same characteristic in other European countries but much higher than in China, South Korea and Japan.
Public opinion on a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy in France: a cross sectional survey
Authors: Gagneux-Brunon Amandine , Botelho-Nevers Elisabeth , Bonneton Marion , Peretti-Watel Patrick , Verger Pierre , Launay Odile , Ward Jeremy K.
Published: July 2021

Objectives

Reaching the last pockets of unvaccinated people is challenging, and has led to consider COVID-19 mandatory vaccination. Our aim was to assess attitudes toward COVID-19 mandatory vaccination in France before the announcement and factors associated with opposition to this type of policy.

Methods

Between the 10th and the 23rd of May 2021, we conducted a cross-sectional online survey among a representative sample of the French population aged 18 and over and a specific sample of the French Senior Population over 65.

Results

Among 3,056 respondents, 1,314 (43.0 %) were in favor of mandatory COVID-19 vaccination, 1,281 (41.9 %) were opposed to such a policy, and 461 (15.1 %) were undecided. Among opponents to COVID-19 mandatory vaccination for the general population, 385 (30.05 %) were in favor of a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination for healthcare workers (HCWs). In multivariate analysis, age groups 18-24 years, and 25-34 years were significantly more opposed than the reference group (>75 years old) with respective adjusted odds ratio (aOR) and 95 % confidence interval (95 % CI) 4.67 (1.73-12.61) and 3.74 (1.57-8.93). No intention of getting COVID-19 vaccine was strongly associated with opposition to mandatory vaccination with aOR 10.67 (95 % CI 6.41-17.76). In comparison with partisans of the center, partisans of the far left and green parties were more likely to be opposed to COVID-19 mandatory vaccine with respective aOR (95 % CI) 1;89 (1.06-3.38) and 2.08 (1.14-3.81).

Conclusion

Attitudes toward mandatory COVID-19 vaccination are split in the French general population, and the debate might become politicized.
Reticular Dysgenesis-associated Adenylate Kinase 2 deficiency causes failure of myelopoiesis through disordered purine metabolism
Authors: Wang Wenqing , DeVilbiss Andrew , Arreola Martin , Mathews Thomas , Zhao Zhiyu , Martin-Sandoval Misty , Benegiamo Giorgia , Awani Avni , Goeminne Ludger , Dever Daniel , Nakauchi Yusuke , Pavel-Dinu Mara , Al-Herz Waleed , Noratangelo Luigi , Porteus Matthew H. , Auwerx Johan , Morrison Sean J. , Weinacht Katja G.
Published: July 2021

Reticular Dysgenesis is a particularly grave form of severe combined immunodeficiency that affects the adaptive and innate immune system. Patients suffer from congenital neutropenia, lymphopenia, and deafness. The disease is caused by biallelic loss of function in mitochondrial Adenylate Kinase 2 (AK2). AK2 mediates the phosphorylation of AMP to ADP, as substrate for ATP synthesis. Accordingly, declining oxidative phosphorylation has been postulated as the driver of disease pathology. The mechanistic basis, however, remains incompletely understood. Single cell RNA-sequencing of patient bone marrow cells implicated altered RNA catabolism and ribonucleoprotein synthesis in the pathogenesis of Reticular Dysgenesis. To investigate these findings, we developed a disease model based on CRISPR-mediated disruption of theAK2gene in primary human hematopoietic stem cells. We found that AK2-deficient myeloid progenitor cells not only have compromised mitochondrial energy metabolism and increased AMP levels, but also NAD+and aspartate depletion, metabolites that rely on TCA-cycle activity for regeneration and synthesis. Furthermore, AK2-deficient cells exhibited strikingly increased levels of the purine nucleotide precursor IMP, decreased cellular RNA content, ribosome subunit expression, protein synthesis and a profoundly hypo-proliferative phenotype. The rise in IMP levels stemmed from increased AMP deamination. Pharmacologic inhibition of AMP deaminase normalized IMP levels in AK2-deficient cells, but further aggravated the disease phenotype, pointing to AMP catabolism as a possible metabolic adaptation to mitigate AMP-mediated toxicity. Inducing an adenosine disequilibrium in control cells produced a similar myeloid maturation defect.

This study shows that AK2 deficiency globally curtailed mitochondrial metabolism resulting in NAD+and aspartate deficiency and disordered purine metabolism. AMP accumulation and its detrimental effects on ribonucleotide synthesis capacity may contribute to the failure of myelopoiesis in Reticular Dysgenesis.
The crucial role of genome-wide genetic variation in conservation
Authors: Kardos Marty , Armstrong Ellie , Fitzpatrick Sarah , Hauser Samantha , Hedrick Phil , Miller Josh , Tallmon David A. , Funk W. Chris
Published: July 2021

The unprecedented rate of extinction calls for efficient use of genetics to help conserve biodiversity. Several recent genomic and simulation-based studies have argued that the field of conservation biology has placed too much focus on the conservation of genome-wide genetic variation, and that this approach should be replaced with another that focuses instead on managing the subset of functional genetic variation that is thought to affect fitness. Here, we critically evaluate the feasibility and likely benefits of this approach in conservation. We find that population genetics theory and empirical results show that the conserving genome-wide genetic variation is generally the best approach to prevent inbreeding depression and loss of adaptive potential from driving populations towards extinction. Focusing conservation efforts on presumably functional genetic variation will only be feasible occasionally, often misleading, and counterproductive when prioritized over genome-wide genetic variation. Given the increasing rate of habitat loss and other environmental changes, failure to recognize the detrimental effects of lost genome-wide variation on long-term population viability will only worsen the biodiversity crisis.
Protease Resistance of ex vivo Amyloid Fibrils implies the proteolytic Selection of disease-associated Fibril Morphologies
Authors: Schönfelder Jonathan , Pfeiffer Peter Benedikt , Pradhan Tejaswini , Bijzet Johan , Hazenberg Bouke P.C. , Schönland Stefan O. , Hegenbart Ute , Reif Bernd , Haupt Christian , Fändrich Marcus
Published: July 2021

Several studies recently showed that ex vivo fibrils from patient or animal tissue were structurally different from in vitro formed fibrils from the same polypeptide chain. Analysis of serum amyloid A (SAA) and Aβ-derived amyloid fibrils additionally revealed that ex vivo fibrils were more protease stable than in vitro fibrils. These observations gave rise to the proteolytic selection hypothesis that suggested that disease-associated amyloid fibrils were selected inside the body by their ability to resist endogenous clearance mechanisms. We here show, for more than twenty different fibril samples, that ex vivo fibrils are more protease stable than in vitro fibrils. These data support the idea of a proteolytic selection of pathogenic amyloid fibril morphologies and help to explain why only few amino acid sequences lead to amyloid diseases, although many, if not all, polypeptide chains can form amyloid fibrils in vitro.
Stars in the rearview mirror: The Grand Tour as a guide to the development of space tourism
Authors: Ovesny Mark , Taylor D. Christopher
Published: July 2021

Purpose

In this paper, the authors argue that the blueprint that was organically developed over the course of approximately three centuries, from The Grand Tour to this day, is likely to see something close to a repeat in the development of that final frontier.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used the methodology of reviewing the literature and model comparison.

Findings

Opportunities will expand and change along the same trends that lead The Grand Tour to evolve into mass tourism, because as in the past people's perceptions about what is possible and reasonable will change the more common such once fictional ideas become reality.

Originality/value

Nothing is in the current tourism literature, on this topic. This is new and unique.
Rebounding through the pandemic: towards the digitized and digitalized small hospitality business in China
Authors: Zhu Ruilin , Zhang Jinyuan
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Grappling with the sweeping pandemic, the small hospitality business (SHB), smaller in scale and weaker in risk mitigation, has been seriously affected. The purpose of this study aims to supplement the unrepresented area of SHB in China from the digital perspective by drawing on instrumentalization theory (IT).

Design/methodology/approach

Based on two appropriate and detailed SHB cases, this paper adopted a qualitative approach to understand and conceptualize the focal issue.

Findings

This study identified the factors affecting SHB at operational, managerial and transformational levels amidst the crisis. It further developed a theoretical framework of the SHB rebound matrix, highlighting the importance of digitization and digitalization.

Research limitations/implications

The research theoretically confirmed that SHB is internally, externally and essentially restricted and developed a corresponding rebound matrix. It practically supports SHB’s transformation by making recommendations to unleash the potential of digital business.

Originality/value

This study complements extant descriptive and atheoretical research by focusing on SHB’s underlying digital nature through the lens of IT, providing an evidenced theoretical understanding of SHB’s development amidst and after the pandemic.
Green mindfulness and green creativity nexus in hospitality industry: examining the effects of green process engagement and CSR
Authors: Kalyar Masood Nawaz , Ali Fahad , Shafique Imran
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This study aims to examine the effect of frontline managers’ green mindfulness on their green creativity directly and through green creative process engagement (GCPE). Furthermore, perceived corporate social responsibility (CSR) moderates the link between green mindfulness and GCPE.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected from 592 frontline managers from the hospitality industry of Pakistan. The data were analyzed using Hayes’ PROCESS macro.

Findings

The findings indicate that green mindfulness has a positive relationship with GCPE and green creativity. Moreover, GCPE mediates the relationship between green mindfulness and green creativity. Perceived CSR also moderates the link between green mindfulness and GCPE. The moderated-mediation effect of perceived CSR is also found to be significant.

Research limitations/implications

The results imply that mindfully green frontline managers’ cognitive resources provide greater attention toward environmental problems and connectedness to nature, which encourages hospitality service firms’ frontline managers’ green creativity.

Originality/value

The novelty of the present study is the development and empirical testing of an integrated framework to investigate that when and how green mindfulness affects green creativity.
Exploring innovative energy infrastructure financing in Ghana: benefits, challenges and strategies
Authors: Kukah Augustine Senanu , Anafo Andrew , Kukah Richmond Makafui Kofi , Blay Jnr Andrew Victor Kabenlah , Sinsa Dominic Benson , Asamoah Eric , Korda David Nartey
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Inefficiencies in the power sector resulting from underinvesting and underselling reduce the ability of governments to adequately finance energy projects. The purpose of this paper is to explore mechanisms of energy financing, benefits and challenges associated with innovative financing of energy infrastructure as well as strategies to improve innovative financing of energy infrastructure.

Design/methodology/approach

Questionnaires were used to elicit responses from respondents. Seventy-eight responses were retrieved. Mean score ranking, Kruskal–Wallis test and discriminant validity were the analysis conducted.

Findings

Partial credit guarantee; partial risk guarantee; credit enhancement; and loan guarantees were the significant mechanisms. Production efficiency; reduce pressure on public budgets; access to management expertise; and self-sustainability of infrastructure facilities were the significant benefits. Lack of transparency and adequate data for risk assessment; high up-front cost; heterogeneity, complexity, and presence of a large number of parties; and lack of a clear benchmark for measuring investment performance were the severest challenges. Complete transparency and accountability; political stability and public view on private provision of energy infrastructure services; and macroeconomic environment were the significant strategies.

Practical implications

This study is beneficial to energy sector as the current government of Ghana hints on willingness to involve private sector in management of the power sector.

Originality/value

The novelty of this study is that it is a pioneering study in Ghana on innovative financing of energy infrastructure.
Stable fuzzy controllers via LMI approach for non-linear systems described by type-2 T–S fuzzy model
Authors: Patel Himanshukumar R. , Shah Vipul A.
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to stabilize the type-2 Takagi–Sugeno (T–S) fuzzy systems with the sufficient and guaranteed stability conditions. The given conditions efficaciously handle parameter uncertainties by the upper and lower membership functions of the type-2 fuzzy sets (FSs).

Design/methodology/approach

This paper reports on a relevant study of stable fuzzy controllers and type-2 T–S fuzzy systems and reported that the synthesis of controller for nonlinear systems described by the type-2 T–S fuzzy model is a key problem and it can be resolve to convex problems via linear matrix inequalities (LMIs).

Findings

The multigain fuzzy controllers are established to improve the solvability of the stability conditions, and the authors design multigain fuzzy controllers which have extensive information of upper and lower membership grades. Consequently, the authors derive the traditional stability condition in terms of LMIs. One simulation examples illustrate the effectiveness and robustness of the derived stabilization conditions.

Originality/value

The uncertain MIMO nonlinear system described by Type-2 Takagi-Sugeno (T-S) fuzzy model, and successively LMI approach used to determine the system stability conditions. The proposed control approach will give superior fault-tolerant control permanence under the actuator fault [partial loss of effectiveness (LOE)]. Also the controller robust against the unmeasurable process disturbances. Additionally, the statistical z-test are carried out to validate the proposed control approach against the control approach proposed by Himanshukumar and Vipul (2019a).
Literature review on effect of microfinance institutions on poverty in South Asian countries and their sustainability
Authors: Gupta Prashant Kumar , Sharma Seema
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The authors present a systematic literature review on microfinance institutions’ (MFIs) effect on poverty and how they can ensure their sustainability. The purpose of this article is to review the effect of MFIs on poverty in South Asian countries. The analysis and review of the selected corpus of literature also provide avenues for future research.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 95 papers from 49 journals in 4 academic libraries and publishers were systematically studied and classified. The authors define the keywords and the inclusion/exclusion criteria for the identification of papers. The review includes an analysis of the selected papers that give insights about publications with respect to themes, number of themes covered in individual publications, nations, scope, methodology, number of methods used and publication trend.

Findings

The literature indicates the positive effect of microfinance on poverty but with a varying degree on various categories of poor. The relation between poverty and microfinance is, however, dependent on the nation under the scanner. While sustainability and outreach co-exist, their trade-off is still a matter of debate.

Originality/value

This is the first systematic literature review on MFIs’ effect on poverty in South Asian nations. Additionally, the authors discuss the literature on the trade-off between sustainability and outreach for MFIs.
Personalized medicine in Brazil: a new paradigm, old problems
Authors: Pavani Claudia , Plonski Guilherme Ary
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Personalized medicine (PM) encompasses a set of procedures, technologies and medications; the term became more prominent from the 2000s onwards and stems from the mapping of the human genome. The purposes of this study were to analyse the development stage of the process of technological innovation for PM and the obstacles that prevent PM from being adopted in the public health system in Brazil.

Design/methodology/approach

As a research method, this paper opts for a case study carried out at the Hospital das Clínicas, which belongs to São Paulo Medical School. In total, 22 in-depth interviews were carried out at the hospital to identify current practices in PM, future prospects and barriers imposed to the adoption of PM technologies in public health.

Findings

Personalized or precision medicine is already a reality for a small portion of the Brazilian population and is gradually gaining ground in public health care. One finding is that such changes are occurring in a disjointed manner in an incomplete and under development health innovation system. The analysis pointed out that the obstacles identified in Brazil are the same as those faced by high-income countries such as regulation, lack of clinical studies and need to adapt clinical studies to PM. They appear in all stages of the innovation cycle, from research to widespread use.

Research limitations/implications

The research method was a case study, so the findings cannot be extrapolated to other contexts. A limited number of professionals were interviewed, their opinions may not reflect those of their organizations.

Originality/value

There are several studies that discuss how health-care systems in high-income countries could incorporate these new technologies, but only a few focuses on low or middle-income countries such as Brazil.
Do accountability and transparency promote community trust? Evidence from village government in Indonesia
Authors: Sofyani Hafiez , Pratolo Suryo , Saleh Zakiah
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This study aims to examine the determinants of accountability and transparency of Indonesian village government(s), namely, the competence and organisational commitment of village government staff, and the consequences of accountability and transparency for village community trust.

Design/methodology/approach

This research was conducted in village governments in the province of the Special Region of Yogyakarta, covering four regencies: Sleman, Bantul, Kulon Progo and Gunung Kidul. A total of 128 village governments participated in this research. Data were collected by distributing a questionnaire survey, and a partial least squares technique was used to test the research hypotheses.

Findings

The study revealed that village government staff's competence and organisational commitment are positively associated with accountability. However, organisational commitment and accountability are not associated with transparency. In addition, it was discovered that transparency is positively associated with village community trust but accountability is not.

Originality

By testing the determinants and consequences of accountability and transparency following the ratification of the new village law regulating village government governance, this study is, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, pioneering research.
Which governance mechanism influences the relationship between motivation and performance? An investigation on university and industry collaboration in Malaysia
Authors: Ismail Md Daud , Abdullah Imran Ho , Hassan Mohamat Sabri
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This study examined academic motives to enter university-industry collaboration (UIC) and how they affect collaboration performance. Given that UIC performance is context-dependent, we also explored the moderating role of relationship governance.

Design/methodology/approach

The study population was academics working at a public research university while collaborating with industry. Data were collected through a cross-sectional survey. The measurement items were adapted from previous studies. Exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were conducted using IBM SPSS statistics 26 (SPSS 26). This study utilized a hierarchical moderated regression analysis to examine the research model.

Findings

The results indicated that government and institutional policies and knowledge generation and dissemination are critical indicators of necessity that motivate academics to enter UIC and positively influence performance outcomes. Different governance mechanisms also play varying roles in the relationship between motivation and UIC performance.

Practical implications

Institutional programs designed to encourage academics to collaborate with industry should consider the types of academic motivation and carefully manage collaboration efficiency using various kinds of relationship governance.

Originality/value

This study contributes to existing knowledge by determining how different relationship governance mechanisms moderate the relationship between academic motivation and collaboration performance.
Social stressors, personality and coping behaviors associated with male inmate violence
Authors: Camlibel Durmus Alper , Can Salih Hakan
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to expand available knowledge on predictors of male inmate violence by examining a large set of variables offered by the importation, deprivation and threat appraisal and coping theories.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 465 male inmates from five medium-security prisons in Wisconsin completed surveys to report demographics, violence, personality, social stressors and healthy coping behaviors to help manage risk by identifying key factors.

Findings

Inmates reported more violence with the “imported” characteristics of younger age, less incarceration, no college experience and personality patterns of impulsiveness, hostility and internal locus of control. More violence was reported by inmates with social stressors experienced from family and correctional staff. Additionally, less violence was reported by inmates with more healthy coping behaviors of exercise and social support, especially from family and other inmates.

Research limitations/implications

One must remain uncertain about whether similar patterns of demographics, personality, social stressors and coping behaviors associated with inmate violence would be found in other US prisons. Future research can determine whether similar predictors of violence are found for women inmates and the consideration of ethnicity should be warranted when examining predictors of inmate violence.

Practical implications

Prison administrators can develop new programs to reduce social stressors and increase healthy coping behaviors found by this study to be significantly associated with reduced violence, exercise and social support from other inmates and family.

Social implications

This research recommends that educating and training correctional staff for a trauma-informed care approach is an integral part of lessening the effects of “pains of imprisonment” on inmate violence and healing the effects of trauma.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study provides the first direct comparison of social stressors from other inmates, correctional staff or family members outside the prison as possible predictors of male inmate violence.
Analysis of circular economy of E-commerce market based on grey model under the background of big data
Authors: Peng Xu , Li Xiang , Yang Xiao
Published: July 2021

Purpose

In order to more accurately predict the dynamics of the e-commerce market and increase the comprehensive value of the circular e-commerce industry, proposes to use Grey system theory to analyze the circular economy of the e-commerce market.

Design/methodology/approach

Construct a Grey system theory model, analyze the big data of e-commerce and circular economy of the e-commerce market and predict the development potential of China's e-commerce market.

Findings

The results show that the Grey system theory model can play an important role in the data analysis of circular economy of the e-commerce market.

Originality/value

Use Grey model to analyze e-commerce data, discover e-commerce market rules and problems and then optimize e-commerce market.
Sustainable partner selection for collaborative networked organisations with risk consideration in the context of COVID-19
Authors: Badulescu Yvonne , Hameri Ari-Pekka , Cheikhrouhou Naoufel
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Collaborative networked organisations (CNO) are a means of ensuring longevity and business continuity in the face of a global crisis such as COVID-19. This paper aims to present a multi-criteria decision-making method for sustainable partner selection based on the three sustainability pillars and risk.

Design/methodology/approach

A combined analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and fuzzy AHP (F-AHP) with Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution approach is the methodology used to evaluate and rank potential partners based on known conditions and predicted conditions at a future time based on uncertainty to support sustainable partner selection.

Findings

It is integral to include risk criteria as an addition to the three sustainability pillars: economic, environmental and social, to build a robust and sustainable CNO. One must combine the AHP and F-AHP weightings to ensure the most appropriate sustainable partner selection for the current as well as predicted future period.

Research limitations/implications

The approach proposed in this paper is intended to support existing CNO, as well as individual firms wanting to create a CNO, to build a more robust and sustainable partner selection process in the context of a force majeure such as COVID-19.

Originality/value

This paper presents a novel approach to the partner selection process for a sustainable CNO under current known conditions and future uncertain conditions, highlighting the risk of a force majeure occurring such as COVID-19.
Expected benefits with using drone food delivery services: its impacts on attitude and behavioral intentions
Authors: Hwang Jinsoo , Kim Jinkyung Jenny
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This study aims to propose the effect of five sub-dimensions of the expected benefits, which include compatibility, social influence, convenience, function and emotion on attitude and behavioral intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

A research model including eight hypotheses was tested using 413 samples collected in South Korea.

Findings

The data analysis results indicated that the five sub-dimensions of expected benefits aid to enhance attitude, which plays an important role in the formation of behavioral intentions.

Originality/value

This study was designed to empirically identify the important role of expected benefits in the context of drone food delivery services for the first time.
Auditors’ response to corporate fraud: evidence from audit fees and auditor turnover
Authors: Lee Eugenia Yujin , Ha Wonsuk
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This study aims to examine how auditors respond to the revelation of clients’ corporate fraud.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses an ordinary least squares estimation to examine how audit fees and audit turnover change after the revelation of corporate fraud.

Findings

After a client discloses fraudulent activities, average audit fees significantly increase due to an increase in audit hours, rather than in audit premiums. Both new and continuing auditors increase audit hours for fraud firms, but only new auditors charge higher audit fees for the increased effort. In addition, when auditors are designated by regulators following the revelation of fraud, audit fees and premiums increase, but audit hours do not. Finally, auditor turnover becomes more frequent after the revelation of fraud. Overall, the findings suggest that auditors update their assessment of audit risks after fraud revelation and, thus, adjust their audit pricing and client acceptance decisions.

Practical implications

The study provides regulators and audit practitioners with insights into how to audit contract characteristics and regulatory intervention (auditor designations) affect auditors’ response to increased audit risks.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the auditing literature and practice by providing evidence on how auditors respond to the revelation of fraudulent activities and how their response depends on their ability to determine audit fees. Moreover, we provide novel evidence that audit contracting characteristics and regulatory requirements result in different responses of auditors toward changes in audit risks.
Woes of silence: the role of burnout as a mediator between silence and employee outcomes
Authors: Shaukat Razia , Khurshid Asif
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the impact of employee silence on performance and turnover intentions. In addition, it seeks to explore the mediating role of burnout in the link between employee silence, and three employee outcomes-supervisor-rated task/contextual performance and self-reported turnover intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

Using survey questionnaire design, this paper collected data from 508 telecom engineers and their immediate supervisors and analyzed the result using structural equation modeling (SEM) technique, bootstrapping.

Findings

Results reveal that employee silence leads to burnout which results in debilitating employee performance, increase in withdrawal behaviors and turnover intentions; burnout mediates these direct relationships. The findings have implications for organizational behavior (OB) research. Moreover, the study found that silence has more pronounced negative effect on employee performance and positive impact on turnover intentions through mediation of job burnout.

Practical implications

The study helps managers identify the psychological ramifications of defensive silence and the underlying mechanism that connects this to employee outcomes. It also highlights the plausible danger zones in which the employees lose self-expression and show symptoms of exhaustion and cynicism, thus ultimately affecting their performance and withdrawal behaviors.

Originality/value

The current study contributes to employee behavior literature by considering silence as an organizational loss in the backdrop of the COR theory which initiates loss process that leads to further losses in individuals.
Evaluating a recorded appointment service for individual research consultations between librarians and allied health students
Authors: Flynn Darren
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Research consultations are a long-established means of providing support to students undertaking research activities (Stapleton et al., 2020). The literature on research consultations consistently reports high levels of satisfaction and that students value the individual, bespoke advice received via one-on-one librarian tuition. However, research consultations are resource-intensive and maximising the learning potential of consultations is a priority to justify the expenditure of time and ensure the sustainability of services. This study reports on the outcomes of a service development where students attending research consultations were offered a screencast recording of their appointment to support retention and application of information literacy skills and research processes covered in the research consultation. The study explored student use and perceptions of the service and how the recording of the appointment was integrated into research practices.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used a mixed-method approach including a questionnaire and interviews. Quantitative elements explored if and how students engaged with recordings made during research consultations while qualitative elements investigated students' perceptions of the service and how content from the recordings was used to complete research activities.

Findings

Findings indicated a high degree of positive feedback on the service and reveal complex user behaviours when using appointment recordings. The study demonstrates that the addition of multimedia recording during individual research consultations (IRCs) may offer significant benefits to students by improving knowledge retention and application and for librarians by reducing follow-up enquiries and increased engagement with the service.

Practical implications

The findings of this study give an evidential basis for library and reference services interesting in incorporating synchronous recording into a research consultation service.

Originality/value

This study is believed to be the first to investigate the perceptions and use of synchronous recording of research consultations between librarians and students.
The effect of regulatory focus and performance measurement on corporate social responsibility investment decisions
Authors: Rokhayati Hijroh , Sholihin Mahfud , Supriyadi Supriyadi , Nahartyo Ertambang
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the relationship between regulatory focus, performance measurement and corporate social responsibility (CSR) investment decisions.

Design/methodology/approach

Using an experimental method with a 2 × 2 between-subjects factorial design involving 144 participants, the data were analyzed using t-test and contrast test. In the experiment, the authors assigned participants into prevention focus or promotion focus group and complementary performance measurement or substitute performance measurement condition.

Findings

The results show that CSR investment is more preferable for managers in prevention focus instead of those in promotion focus group. Additionally, CSR investment is more preferable for managers in complementary performance measurement condition compared to those in substitute performance measurement condition. This study also provides evidence that the greatest CSR investment is reached when managers are in both prevention focus group and complementary performance measurement conditions.

Practical implications

Companies need to activate the prevention focus for managers to motivate CSR investment. Additionally, companies need to use complementary performance measurements, which consist of CSR measurement and financial measurements.

Originality/value

CSR research is dominated by theories explaining the external models which trigger companies to perform CSR. Existing research related to the internal models is limited to psychological aspects that are not directly related to company performance. This study investigates the motivational attributes that have a direct and strong influence on managers behavior. This research shows that regulatory focus is better at predicting CSR investment and is more motivational for individuals to perform well at work.
Optimization of elephant trunk soft pneumatic actuator using finite element method
Authors: V. Venkatesan , S. Shanmugam , A.R. Veerappan
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to study the influence of significant design parameters of elephant trunk soft pneumatic actuator and presents maximum optimized geometric structure of the actuator using finite element method.

Design/methodology/approach

Analysis of variance (ANOVA) is used to examine the influence of significant parameters such as wall thickness, bottom layer thickness and gap between adjacent chambers on the performance of the soft actuator. The most influencing parameter is found to be the wall thickness compared to the gap between adjacent chambers and bottom layer thickness.

Findings

The optimization of bending moment recommends a wall thickness of 1.5 mm, a gap between the adjacent channels of 1.5 mm and bottom layer thickness of 4 mm for the actuator. The theoretical expression of mechanical parameters is described.

Originality/value

The design optimization of elephant trunk shaped soft actuator with respect to bending angle and force analysis has not been investigated.