bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Geomagnetic orbit determination: EKF or UKF?
Authors: Wu Jin , Liu Ming , Zhang Chengxi , Huang Yulong , Zhou Zebo
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Autonomous orbit determination using geomagnetic measurements is an important backup technique for safe spacecraft navigation with a mere magnetometer. The geomagnetic model is used for the state estimation of orbit elements, but this model is highly nonlinear. Therefore, many efforts have been paid to developing nonlinear filters based on extended Kalman filter (EKF) and unscented Kalman filter (UKF). This paper aims to analyze whether to use UKF or EKF in solving the geomagnetic orbit determination problem and try to give a general conclusion.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper revisits the problem and from both the theoretical and engineering results, the authors show that the EKF and UKF show identical estimation performances in the presence of nonlinearity in the geomagnetic model.

Findings

While EKF consumes less computational time, the UKF is computationally inefficient but owns better accuracy for most nonlinear models. It is also noted that some other navigation techniques are also very similar with the geomagnetic orbit determination.

Practical implications

The intrinsic reason of such equivalence is because of the orthogonality of the spherical harmonics which has not been discovered in previous studies. Thus, the applicability of the presented findings are not limited only to the major problem in this paper but can be extended to all those schemes with spherical harmonic models.

Originality/value

The results of this paper provide a fact that there is no need to choose UKF as a preferred candidate in orbit determination. As UKF achieves almost the same accuracy as that of EKF, its loss in computational efficiency will be a significant obstacle in real-time implementation.
Factors influencing customers' continuance usage intention of food delivery apps during COVID-19 quarantine in Mexico
Authors: Ramos Karen
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The aim of this study was to find out the factors that influenced customers' continuance usage intention of food delivery apps (FDAs) during COVID-19 quarantine.

Design/methodology/approach

The information was obtained by applying an online survey to a sample of 295 residents in Tijuana, Mexico, who were repeat customers of the FDAs during COVID-19 quarantine. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA), the average variance explained (AVE) and composite reliability (CR) were conducted to ensure the validity of each construct. Multiple regression analysis was done to identify predictors of customers' continuance usage intention.

Findings

Based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT-2), four constructs were included: effort expectancy, performance expectancy, food and beverage quality and price saving orientation. Multiple linear regressions were carried out to assess the relationship between the four dimensions and customers' continuance usage intention of FDAs. The results obtained show that effort expectancy, performance expectancy and price saving orientation influenced the customers' continuous usage behavior.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the body of knowledge on consumer behavior on the continuance usage intention of FDAs during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has been scarcely studied. Also, the food and beverage quality construct was proposed, and the price value construct from the UTAUT-2 theory was adapted to price saving orientation.
Consumers' willingness to pay for food safety attributes of tomato
Authors: Joya Khalid , Ramli Nurul Nadia , Shamsudin Mad Nasir , Kamarulzaman Nitty Hirawaty
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Consumers are giving greater attention to the selection of food due to the improvement in income and urbanization. Meanwhile, in recent years, the vegetables' farmers in Malaysia have been reported using an excessive quantity of pesticides. The vegetables exported to Singapore and China have been rejected in 2018 and 2017 due to the presence of excessive levels of pesticides. Such incidences have created massive concern to improve the safety standard of the vegetable industry. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate consumers' willingness to pay for food safety attributes of tomato.

Design/methodology/approach

Discrete choice experiments has been used, and 490 respondents have completed the survey.

Findings

Results suggested that consumers were willing to pay RM4.18 more for wholesome tomato relative to slightly damage tomato. Consumers also were willing to pay RM2.75 more for organic tomato relative to inorganic tomato. They were also willing to pay RM2.30 and RM1.29 more for certified and tomato sold at supermarket relative to uncertified and tomato sold at the wet market, respectively. The willingness to pay for safety attributes of tomato also varied according to the income, age and education level of the consumers.

Research limitations/implications

If the farmers can respond effectively to the changes in consumers demand, it can be translated into business opportunities.

Originality/value

This research able to provide relevant information related to the consumers' willingness to pay for food safety attributes of tomato in Malaysia.
Work-family conflict and project performance of construction professionals in a developing country: testing the mediating–moderating effect of project management self-efficacy
Authors: Novieto Divine Tuinese , Kportufe Gladstone Sena
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Work-family conflict (WFC), a common problem in all sectors of every economy, has always been linked to negative consequences for individuals, families and employment organisations. However, owing to contextual and situational differences coupled with inconsistent findings, more studies on WFC are indispensable to disentangle the consequential effects of WFC, especially amongst construction professionals. More so, little is known about the dual role of project management self-efficacy (PMSE) in the WFC-performance relation. Thus, the purpose of the present study is to examine the mediating-moderating effects of PMSE on the WFC-performance nexus amongst construction professionals in a developing economy.

Design/methodology/approach

Data for this study came from a cross-sectional survey (questionnaire) administered to 302 construction professionals in Ghana using convenience sampling technique. And partial least square-based structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was performed, which included the assessment of measurement and structural models.

Findings

The results of this study support the mediating–moderating model of WFC, in which PMSE simultaneously mediates and moderates the negative influence of WFC on project performance of construction professionals; thus, validating the dual role of PMSE through the lens of Hobfoll's (1989) conservation of resource theory.

Research limitations/implications

Data were collected from a conveniently sampled construction professionals in Ghana. Thus, the sampling framework, including only the construction professionals in three regions of Ghana, does not ensure the full generalisation of the results.

Practical implications

The findings of the study provide significant implication for construction organisations and practitioners. Construction organisations and practitioners seeking to mitigate the negative consequences of WFC on project performance should focus on building on PMSE of the construction professionals. Further, a responsive work environment is needed to cater for family needs of the construction professionals.

Originality/value

This paper is one of the first to have tested a model including the mediating-moderating effects of PMSE in the construction industry from a developing country perspective. The study, therefore, enriches the prevailing literature from under-represented context by examining the mediating-moderating effects of PMSE on WFC and project performance nexus that has not been previously investigated.
Master teachers as system leaders of professional learning: master teacher studios in China
Authors: Zhang Meng , Walker Allan David , Qian Haiyan
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This study aims to describe and analyze an innovative mechanism of teacher-led, system-wide professional learning that has been widely adopted since the beginning of the twenty-first century in China – the Master Teacher Studio (MTS).

Design/methodology/approach

This paper drew from policy documents, published Chinese literature relating to MTSs and personal fieldwork experience in Shanghai, Guangdong and Zhejiang province.

Findings

The article first outlines the context framing the system change, including its policy background and evolution, and then the MTS's purpose, formative process and structure. It finally examines major teacher learning activities and the leadership roles of the MTS hosts (leaders).

Research limitations/implications

This study contributed to the knowledge base of system teacher leaders and how they lead cross-school leading.

Practical implications

The MTS initiative described in this article shows the power of central system leadership to spread and embed effective teacher learning practices at schools.

Originality/value

This article provides implications for understanding and practicing teacher system leadership to support teacher professional learning in different societies.
Psychological hardiness as a mediator variable between workplace bullying and job anxiety among early childhood teachers: implications for healthcare
Authors: Ahmed Ghada Farghal Gaber
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Early childhood teachers play a significant role in building children’s success in their first years of school. Therefore, a healthy early childhood workforce in a healthy working environment is an essential aspect of effective early childhood services. This paper aims to explore the extent to which psychological hardiness can be considered as a mediator variable between exposure to workplace bullying and job anxiety among early childhood teachers.

Design/methodology/approach

A homogeneous sample comprised of 200 early childhood teachers. For data collection, the researcher used the workplace bullying scale, the psychological hardiness scale and the job anxiety scale among early childhood teachers (prepared by the researcher).

Findings

The findings indicated that psychological hardiness mediates the relationship between exposure to workplace bullying and job anxiety among early childhood teachers.

Originality/value

The research result highlighted the necessity of providing counseling programs for early childhood teachers helping them eliminate work stress that affects their job performance. In addition, the kindergarten administration must concentrate on how to effectively communicate and cooperate with early childhood teachers in light of regulations, policies and laws to defeat the spread of workplace bullying. The results of this research contributed to the existing literature by examining the relationship between the research variables, particularly in the early childhood education context.
HDPL: a hybrid descriptor for points and lines based on graph neural networks
Authors: Guo Zirui , Lu Huimin , Yu Qinghua , Guo Ruibin , Xiao Junhao , Yu Hongshan
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to design a novel feature descriptor to improve the performance of feature matching in challenge scenes, such as low texture and wide-baseline scenes. Common descriptors are not suitable for low texture scenes and other challenging scenes mainly owing to encoding only one kind of features. The proposed feature descriptor considers multiple features and their locations, which is more expressive.

Design/methodology/approach

A graph neural network–based descriptors enhancement algorithm for feature matching is proposed. In this paper, point and line features are the primary concerns. In the graph, commonly used descriptors for points and lines constitute the nodes and the edges are determined by the geometric relationship between points and lines. After the graph convolution designed for incomplete join graph, enhanced descriptors are obtained.

Findings

Experiments are carried out in indoor, outdoor and low texture scenes. The experiments investigate the real-time performance, rotation invariance, scale invariance, viewpoint invariance and noise sensitivity of the descriptors in three types of scenes. The results show that the enhanced descriptors are robust to scene changes and can be used in wide-baseline matching.

Originality/value

A graph structure is designed to represent multiple features in an image. In the process of building graph structure, the geometric relation between multiple features is used to establish the edges. Furthermore, a novel hybrid descriptor for points and lines is obtained using graph convolutional neural network. This enhanced descriptor has the advantages of both point features and line features in feature matching.
We versus me: Indirect conditional effects of collectivism on COVID-19 public policy hypocrisy
Authors: Bok Stephen , Shum James , Harvie Jason , Lee Maria
Published: July 2021

Purpose

During the early SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic outbreak, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated masks “may not protect the wearer, but it may keep the wearer from spreading the virus to others”. Health officials revised mask guidelines to include both the wearer and others, but contradiction became a focal point for online debate and credibility. While revised policies eventually became adopted by the public, there was loss time and lives during this critical stage. This study investigates collectivist messaging on public policy support.

Design/methodology/approach

COVID-19 public policy hypocrisy was defined as the gap between supporting community policies while rejecting policies more likely to impact the individual. United States participants (N = 1,605) completed questionnaires. Moderated mediation analysis was conducted using SPSS PROCESS.

Findings

Those high on collectivism and high on global personal impact associated with lower COVID-19 public policy hypocrisy. These individuals indicated consistent support for community and individual policies, likely requiring personal sacrifices. Indirect conditional effects of lower conscientiousness associated with higher hypocrisy among those collectivistic.

Originality/value

Participants evaluated preference to original public safety ads, representative of basic societal and individual benefits. Those higher on collectivism preferred societal “we” versus individual “me” public safety ads. Implications discuss benefits of personal and communal public health messaging in an individualistic society so businesses can reopen. Entrepreneurs experienced major economic setbacks that effective public health policies could have mitigated.
A tale of the financial inclusion-growth nexus and the degree of financial inclusion: a dynamic panel approach on selected developing countries
Authors: Nandi Biplob Kumar , Hasan Gazi Quamrul , Kabir Md. Humayun
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This study aims to examine the impact of financial inclusion on per capita gross domestic product (GDP) at varying degrees of financial inclusion for a sample of 76 developing countries between 2011 and 2017. To evaluate the heterogeneous impact, this paper constructs the multi-dimension index of financial inclusion to classify sample countries into two sub-samples in terms of the value of FIID, taking account of three dimensions of financial inclusion: access, usage and availability.

Design/methodology/approach

This study attempts to identify the presence of reverse causality and long-run relationship between financial inclusion and economic growth by using the Granger causality test (Wald test) and three alternative panel cointegration tests (Kao Test, Pedroni Test, Westerlund Test) respectively. Because of the existence of the bi-directional causality between financial inclusion and per capita GDP, this study uses a fixed effect instrumental variable model with lagged dependent variable to get unbiased estimators from the panel regressions for sample countries.

Findings

This paper finds a strong positive impact of financial inclusion on per capita GDP growth in sample developing countries, controlling for labor market structure, financial institutions’ efficacy, infrastructural and governance issues. This study suggests that economic growth will be high in developing economies with a higher level of financial inclusion; however, the positive impact for two sub-samples countries (low and medium level of inclusion and high level of inclusion) are heterogeneous. The estimated result explains that a 1% increase in the financial inclusion index leads to a 0.0153% point increase in the per capita GDP for the countries with a low and medium level of financial inclusion, while this positive impact is significantly higher, 0.0794% point for countries with the high level of financial inclusion. This study also suggests that the higher concentration in the financial market by few agents and the lower level of governance may have an adverse impact on economic growth for the economies with a low and medium level of financial inclusion.

Originality/value

This study is an original study that contributes to the research gap by explaining the heterogeneous impact of financial inclusion on economic growth at varying degrees of inclusion in the two sub-sample countries. Moreover, this study posits greater appeal as it explores the issue using the sample of only developing economies.
A reliable location-inventory-routing three-echelon supply chain network under disruption risks
Authors: Mohebban-Azad Ehsan , Abtahi Amir-Reza , Yousefi-Zenouz Reza
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This study aims to design a reliable multi-level, multi-product and multi-period location-inventory-routing three-echelon supply chain network, which considers disruption risks and uncertainty in the inventory system.

Design/methodology/approach

A robust optimization approach is used to deal with the effects of uncertainty, and a mixed-integer nonlinear programming multi-objective model is proposed. The first objective function seeks to minimize inventory costs, such as ordering costs, holding costs and carrying costs. It also helps to choose one of the two modes of bearing the expenses of shortage or using the excess capacity to produce at the expense of each. The second objective function seeks to minimize the risk of disruption in distribution centers and suppliers, thereby increasing supply chain reliability. As the proposed model is an non-deterministic polynomial-time-hard model, the Lagrangian relaxation algorithm is used to solve it.

Findings

The proposed model is applied to a real supply chain in the aftermarket automotive service industry. The results of the model and the current status of the company under study are compared, and suggestions are made to improve the supply chain performance. Using the proposed model, companies are expected to manage the risk of supply chain disruptions and pay the lowest possible costs in the event of a shortage. They can also use reverse logistics to minimize environmental damage and use recycled goods.

Originality/value

In this paper, the problem definition is based on a real case; it is about the deficiencies in the after-sale services in the automobile industry. It considers the disruption risk at the first level of the supply chain, selects the supplier considering the parameters of price and disruption risk and examines surplus capacity over distributors’ nominal capacity.
Analysis and genetic algorithm optimization of a series system with K-out-of-(n + m): G mixed standby subsystems subject to imperfect switching and elapsed repair time
Authors: Temraz Neama
Published: July 2021

Purpose

In this paper, a new general system consisted of l subsystems connected in series is introduced. Each subsystem connected in K-out-of-(n + m): G mixed standby configuration.

Design/methodology/approach

The lifetime of the system's units is assumed to be exponentially distributed and there is elapsed repair time with general distribution. The switch in each subsystem is assumed to be imperfect with the failure process follows an exponential distribution. A genetic algorithm is applied to the system to obtain the optimal solution of the system and solve the redundancy allocation problem.

Findings

Analysis of availability, reliability, mean time to failure and steady-state availability of the system is introduced. The measures of the system are discussed in special two cases when the elapsed repair time follows gamma and exponential distribution. An optimization problem with bi-objective functions is introduced to minimize the cost of the system and maximize the reliability function. A numeric application is introduced to show the implementation and effectiveness of the system and redundancy allocation problem.

Originality/value

A new general K-out-of-(n + m): G mixed standby model with elapsed repair time and imperfect switching is introduced.
Systematic literature review on business process re-engineering approaches in logistics
Authors: Li Na , Nazif Habibeh
Published: July 2021

Purpose

BPR is “the central reconsideration and thorough restructuring of business procedures to enhance the critical and contemporary aspects of performance like the expense, quality, service, and speed”. Also, as it's a key factor for guaranteeing businesses' achievement, however, the profound discussion about the BPR is very rare as far as we know. We need more studies regarding the subject due to the absence of BPR works in the logistics industry. Hence, this study investigates the Systematic Literature Review (SLR) of BPR for logistics companies, leading the managers and writers active in BPR, and making them aware of the present, past and future trends in this discipline.

Design/methodology/approach

As BPR is a necessary foundation for ensuring enterprise systems' success, this study will systematically investigate the BPR in logistics. The proposed BPR in logistics research classification framework is based on a comprehensive literature review, which concentrates on peer-reviewed journal papers published until 2019. A total of 22 academic sources have been retrieved and analyzed in terms of research purpose and nature, the employed method, theoretical approach and analysis level.

Findings

The findings of this paper showed that BPR companies outperform the non-BPR ones regarding information computing, technology uses, organizational architecture, coordination and all key logistics procedures. The results can motivate non-BPR logistics organizations to reassess the feasibility of these plans.

Research limitations/implications

This paper provides an overview of BPR to young academics. Also, it identifies some distinct research gaps that could be worth studying. However, this paper may be restricted by choice of dimensions and the selection of relevant articles. In turn, researchers need to become more innovative in terms of their research techniques when examining BPR implementation.

Practical implications

This paper guides researchers and practitioners to insight into published research work and their findings. The findings are valuable to logistics firms in an emerging market, as logistics resources may affect logistics service costs and quality. Also, it discusses indications for future research in BPR. It emphasizes the need to bridge the lacuna between BPR theory and evidence-based practice. Furthermore, it provides a better understanding of BPR implementation, which can be applied toward overcoming operational difficulties during the implementation process.

Originality/value

This paper fulfills an identified need for a comprehensive classification framework of BPR in logistics studies. We can consider it as the first-evaluated methodically gathered workaround BPR in logistics. It essentially provides both academics and practitioners with a conceptual map of existing BPR in logistics research and points out future research opportunities.
Effects of personality on the efficacy of judgmental adjustments of statistical forecasts
Authors: Eroglu Cuneyt , Sanders Nada R.
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of personality dimensions (conscientiousness, neuroticism, extraversion, agreeableness, openness to experience, locus of control) on the efficacy of judgmental adjustments of statistical forecasts.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses a two-level hierarchical linear model to analyze a large data set obtained from an organizational setting (a quick service restaurant chain) that includes 3,812 judgmental adjustments of sales forecasts made by 112 store managers.

Findings

The results indicate that the average forecast accuracy improves as a result of judgmental adjustments, but performance of individual forecasters varies considerably based on their personality. Specifically, the trait of openness to experience tends to improve forecast accuracy while extraversion and external locus of control have negative effects.

Originality/value

Integration of human judgment with analytics algorithms is a major challenge for organizations. Documenting the impact of these traits on forecast accuracy opens the door for forecasting support system design, training, personnel selection and correction strategies that can be applied to judgmental adjustments.
Gamification and customer experience: the mediating role of brand engagement in online grocery retailing
Authors: Jami Pour Mona , Rafiei Khadije , Khani Monireh , Sabrirazm Atena
Published: July 2021

Purpose

In recent years, the concept of gamification is one of the fastest-growing trends in the field of marketing to persuade, motivate and manipulate customer behavior. The application of gamification has become a priority for marketers as a new way of exploiting customers. Despite the increasing use of gamification mechanisms in marketing activities, there remain limitations. Although there is extensive literature in the field of customer experience and gamification, few studies have empirically examined how gamification influences customer experience by considering the mediating role of brand engagement in the online retailing context.

Design/methodology/approach

To obtain this aim, a cross-sectional survey was used. The statistical population was customers of online grocery retailers. The convenience sampling technique was used as a sampling technique. Out of 402 received questionnaires, 384 were selected for analysis. Structural equation modeling approach was applied to test the research hypotheses using AMOS 24 and SPSS 22 software.

Findings

The results indicated that all research hypotheses were supported. Gamification has a significant and positive impact on customer experience, gamification has a positive and significant effect on user customer brand engagement and customer brand engagement has a positive and significant impact on customer experience. Also, it revealed that customer brand engagement mediates between gamification and customer experience.

Originality/value

A review of the digital marketing literature reveals that there are few empirical studies, which adequately examined significant effective factors of customer experience in online grocery retailing; despite, the majority of researchers consider customer experience as the most important concept in digital marketing. The main contribution of this study is to examine the role of gamification on customer experience through the mediating role of customer engagement in the online grocery context. It adds value to the digital marketing and online retailing literature by providing new insight about determinants of customer experience in online grocery.
Bankruptcy filings, flooding, real estate prices and Leading Index
Authors: Brotman Billie Ann
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Flood damage to uninsured single-family homes shifts the entire burden of costly repairs onto the homeowner. Homeowners in the United States and in much of Europe can purchase flood insurance. The Netherlands and Asian countries generally do not offer flood insurance protection to homeowners. Uninsured households incur the entire cost of repairing/replacing properties damaged due to flooding. Homeowners’ policies do not cover damage caused by flooding. The paper examines the link between personal bankruptcy and the severity of flooding events, property prices and financial condition levels.

Design/methodology/approach

A fully modified ordinary least squares (FMOLS) regression model is developed which uses personal bankruptcy filings as its dependent variable during the years 2000 through 2018. This time-series model considers the association between personal bankruptcy court filings and costly, widespread flooding events. Independent variables were selected that potentially act as mitigating factors reducing bankruptcy filings.

Findings

The FMOLS regression results found a significant, positive association between flooding events and the total number of personal bankruptcy filings. Higher flooding costs were associated with higher bankruptcy filings. The Home Price Index is inversely related to the bankruptcy dependent variable. The R-squared results indicate that 0.65% of the movement in the dependent variable personal bankruptcy filings is explained by the severity of a flooding event and other independent variables.

Research limitations/implications

The severity of the flooding event is measured using dollar losses incurred by the National Flood Insurance program. A macro-case study was undertaken, but the research results would have been enhanced by examining local areas and demographic factors that may have made bankruptcy filing following a flooding event more or less likely.

Practical implications

The paper considers the impact of the natural disaster flooding on bankruptcy rates filings. The findings may have implications for multi-family properties as well as single-family housing. Purchasing flood insurance generally mitigates the likelihood of severe financial risk to the property owner.

Social implications

Natural flood insurance is underwritten by the federal government and/or by private insurers. The financial health of private property insurers that underwrite flooding and their ability to meet losses incurred needs to be carefully scrutinized by the insured.

Originality/value

Prior studies analyzing the linkages existing between housing prices, natural disasters and bankruptcy used descriptive data, mostly percentages, when considering this association. The study herein posits the same questions as these prior studies but used regression analysis to analyze the linkages. The methodology enables additional independent variables to be added to the analysis.
The developmental regulator PatD modulates assembly of the cell‐division protein FtsZ in the cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. PCC 7120
Authors: Wang Li , Niu Tian‐Cai , Valladares Ana , Lin Gui‐Ming , Zhang Ju‐Yuan , Herrero Antonia , Chen Wen‐Li , Zhang Cheng‐Cai
Published: July 2021

FtsZ is a tubulin‐like GTPase that polymerizes to initiate the process of cell division in bacteria. Heterocysts are terminally differentiated cells of filamentous cyanobacteria that have lost the capacity for cell division and in which the ftsZ gene is downregulated. However, mechanisms of FtsZ regulation during heterocyst differentiation have been scarcely investigated. The patD gene is NtcA dependent and involved in the optimization of heterocyst frequency in Anabaena sp. PCC 7120. Here, we report that the inactivation of patD caused the formation of multiple FtsZ‐rings in vegetative cells, cell enlargement, and the retention of peptidoglycan synthesis activity in heterocysts, whereas its ectopic expression resulted in aberrant FtsZ polymerization and cell division. PatD interacted with FtsZ, increased FtsZ precipitation in sedimentation assays, and promoted the formation of thick straight FtsZ bundles that differ from the toroidal aggregates formed by FtsZ alone. These results suggest that in the differentiating heterocysts, PatD interferes with the assembly of FtsZ. We propose that in Anabaena FtsZ is a bifunctional protein involved in both vegetative cell division and regulation of heterocyst differentiation. In the differentiating cells PatD‐FtsZ interactions appear to set an FtsZ activity that is insufficient for cell division but optimal to foster differentiation.
Analysing the impacts of climate variability on the yield of Kharif rice over Punjab, Pakistan
Authors: Abbas Sohail , Dastgeer Ghulam
Published: July 2021

Rainfall and temperature are essential climate parameters that determine crop yield variability at a regional level. The purpose of this study is to analyse the impacts of climate variability on the Kharif rice crop in the Punjab regions, Pakistan for the period of 1979–2018. Skewness and kurtosis, standardization, and Mann–Kendall methods were used to measure the effects of climate variability on Kharif rice yield over the Punjab regions, Pakistan. As compared to other regions, high variability in rice yield is found in the Sargodha region. Results revealed that high maximum and minimum temperatures were noticed in all investigated regions of Punjab. More variation in minimum temperature is detected than the maximum temperature in the Central region. The regions in Southern and Western Punjab were mostly influenced by maximum temperature. Mean temperature shows a significant negative relationship to rice yield during a vegetative phase in the Gujranwala and Rawalpindi regions. The maximum temperature has a negative significant effect on the plant establishment resulting in a reduction in the number of rice plants during the tillering and stem elongates stages in Bahawalpur and Sargodha regions. In the Gujranwala and Multan regions, high maximum temperature increases the floral initiation in the rice plant which reduces the rice grain weight in the heading and flowering stages. The minimum temperature declares a significant negative effect on the Kharif yield of rice in the Gujranwala, Faisalabad, and Multan zones during the re‐plantation stage. Rainfall has a significant positive impact on rice yield during the re‐plantation and tillering stages in the Lahore, Sargodha, and D.G. Khan regions, respectively. In other regions, rainfall indicates an insignificant effect in the re‐plantation stage. Overall, rainfall indicates significant effects in re‐plantation and tillering stages in the Lahore, Sargodha, and D.G. Khan zones. The outcomes of the research indicate how the regional variability in rainfall and temperature affects Kharif rice yield in Punjab, Pakistan.
Unintended benefits of mandatory dividend regulations on investment efficiency: evidence from China
Authors: Chan Raymond Siu Yeung , Fan Lyu , Song Byron Y.
Published: July 2021

We investigate the unintended benefits of mandatory dividend payout regulations for Chinese listed firms seeking refinancing to enhance their investment efficiency, even though the initial intention of these regulations is to protect powerless external minority shareholders. We find that, while these regulations mitigate the overinvestment of all listed firms, this effect is more pronounced among refinancing firms than among non‐refinancing firms. We further find evidence partially showing that the mitigating effect of these regulations on overinvestment is driven mainly by state‐owned enterprises (SOEs). These findings suggest dividend payout regulations are used to partially ameliorate Chinese listed firms’ investment inefficiency, particularly those of SOEs.
Pivotal trial of the Omnipod 5 Automated Insulin Delivery System shows promising results
Authors: Han Jason J.
Published: July 2021

Management of chronic diseases are becoming increasingly automated with excellent results. Type 1 Diabetes, which remains a highly prevalent and burdensome disease worldwide, is no exception.
Beyond categories: Perceiving sexual attraction from faces
Authors: Bjornsdottir R. Thora , Cheso Diana , Rule Nicholas O.
Published: July 2021

Although people can categorize others’ sexual orientation (e.g., gay/lesbian vs. straight) from their facial appearance, not everyone defines their sexual orientation categorically. Indeed, many individuals within the same sexual orientation category experience different degrees of own‐ and other‐gender attraction. Moving beyond sexual orientation categories, we found that perceivers’ judgments of individuals’ sexual attraction correlated with those individuals’ self‐reported degrees of attraction to women and men. Similar to past work on sexual orientation categories, facial affect cued sexual attraction in men whereas gender typicality cued sexual attraction in women. Moreover, asking participants to categorize the targets as ‘not straight’ versus ‘straight’ revealed a linear pattern distinct from the discrete category thresholds typical of other social groups (e.g., race). Facial appearance thus reveals nuances in sexual attraction that support sexual orientation categorizations. These findings refine understanding of social categorization more broadly.
Commentary: The diagnostic label of Asperger's in historical perspective – a commentary on Kehinde et al. (2021)
Authors: Shalvey Aisling
Published: July 2021

Eponyms and diagnoses that originate from the era of National Socialism have been re‐evaluated as a result of historical research which reveal the unethical research and treatment behind the diagnosis. This article presents the case of Asperger's as a distinct diagnostic category and reflects on historical research which has provided further nuance behind the origins of this diagnosis.
As religion and migration intersect: Toward A World of Neighbours
Authors: Rønsdal Kaia S.
Published: July 2021

With migration, national borders are challenged and negotiated. These borders should be conceptualised as new spaces of possibilities, of encounters between groups, peoples, and religions. The borders are precarious spaces, yet they hold the potential of creating something new. With this article, I aim to present the initiative A World of Neighbours (AWoN), and its grassroots‐based practices, and attempt at pointing to and discussing some overarching themes. One central framework is the optic of borderland religion to investigate what appears when religion and migration intersect. I explore how interpretations and expressions of borderland religions may challenge borders, ultimately pointing to possibilities of acts of citizenship.
Safety of outpatient stem cell mobilization with low‐ or intermediate‐dose cyclophosphamide in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients
Authors: Pompa Alessandra , Pettine Loredana , Giannarelli Diana , Paris Laura , Torretta Lorella , Cavallaro Francesca , Levati Giorgia Virginia , Stefanoni Paola , Mocellin Cristina , Galli Monica , Baldini Luca
Published: July 2021

Objectives

Autologous stem cell transplantation is the gold standard for eligible newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients. Patients are usually hospitalized for administration of mobilization chemotherapy. We aimed to assess safety and efficacy of mobilization therapy with low‐dose (2 g/m2) and intermediate‐dose (3‐4 g/m2) cyclophosphamide administered as outpatient.

Methods

A total of 176 consecutive newly diagnosed transplant‐eligible myeloma patients receiving outpatient mobilization were retrospectively evaluated. Induction therapy was mainly performed with new drugs (91%).

Results

Chemotherapy was very well tolerated with 16.6% of patients having all‐grade adverse events (AEs) and only 1.2% having severe AEs. The most frequently reported AEs were nausea and vomiting grade 1‐2 (6.8%). Only 5.7% of patients required hospitalization for AEs.

Stem cell collection was successful in 93.1% of patients, with a median CD34+ harvest of 8.7 × 106/kg. Target for 2 autologous stem cell transplantation (at least 6 CD34+ × 106/kg) was reached by 76.3% of patients. Administration of plerixafor on demand was necessary in 12.1% of patients.

Conclusions

Outpatient mobilization with low‐ and intermediate‐dose cyclophosphamide appears an efficient and safe procedure, with minimal and manageable AEs and low rate of hospitalization.
Community nurses’ attitudes, knowledge and educational needs in relation to urinary continence, continence assessment and management: A systematic review
Authors: McCann Margaret , Kelly Anne‐Marie , Eustace‐Cook Jessica , Howlin Claire , Daly Louise
Published: July 2021

Aims and objectives

To identify, appraise and summarise the available evidence relating to community nurses’ attitudes, knowledge and educational needs in relation to urinary continence.

Background

Community nurses play a pivotal role in identifying and supporting individuals who experience urinary continence issues. Gaps in nurses’ continence‐related education and knowledge may contribute to sub‐optimal assessment and management across the continuum of care.

Design

A systematic review.

Methods

MEDLINE, CINAHL Complete and EMBASE were searched from inception to November 2020; keywords used included community nurses, urinary continence, incontinence, knowledge, attitude and education needs. Given the degree of heterogeneity between included studies, a meta‐analysis was not feasible. Included studies were critically evaluated; key study characteristics and findings pertinent to the review purpose were summarised. The review adhered to the PRISMA 2020 checklist.

Results

Four studies reported in six papers were included. Community nurses lacked knowledge in certain areas of urinary continence and incontinence. Nurses reported they were adequately prepared but without sufficient knowledge to effectively care for those with urinary incontinence. Community nurses’ attitudes to urinary incontinence were generally positive, but they demonstrated misconceptions that urinary incontinence was inevitable and less distressing for older people.

Conclusions

There is limited research exploring community nurses’ knowledge, attitudes and education needs in relation to urinary continence and incontinence care. Community nurses may have knowledge gaps and less favourable attitudes to some aspects of urinary continence care.
Predicting insurance demand from risk attitudes
Authors: Jaspersen Johannes G. , Ragin Marc A. , Sydnor Justin R.
Published: July 2021

Can measured risk attitudes and associated structural models predict insurance demand? In an experiment (n = 1730), we elicit measures of utility curvature, probability weighting, loss aversion, and preference for certainty and use them to parameterize seventeen common structural models (e.g., expected utility, cumulative prospect theory). Subjects also make 12 insurance choices over different loss probabilities and prices. The insurance choices show coherence and some correlation with various risk‐attitude measures. Yet all the structural models predict insurance poorly, often less accurately than random predictions. This is because established structural models predict opposite reactions to probability changes and more sensitivity to prices than people display. Approaches that temper the price responsiveness of structural models show more promise for predicting insurance choices across different conditions.
Supporting Students within an MTSS Framework Using SRSD Fractions: Results of a Regression Discontinuity Design
Authors: Losinski Mickey , Ennis Robin Parks , Shaw Ashley , Gage Nicholas A.
Published: July 2021

Students with mathematics difficulties often struggle with conceptual and procedural understanding of fractions. Self‐regulated strategy development (SRSD) is an evidence‐based framework for teaching a variety of academic skills, including mathematics. The purpose of this study was to extend preliminary work usingSRSD Fractionsto support the fraction performance of fourth‐grade students with mathematics difficulties. Using a fuzzy regression discontinuity design, we evaluated the effects of a Tier 2 intervention implemented within a multitiered systems of support framework with 60 participants, 16 of whom participated in the intervention. While students in the treatment group had higher scores on the posttest, the local average treatment effect was not statistically significant, but the overall difference in difference score suggested a large effect (g= 0.81; 95 percent CI 0.18 and 1.43). Limitations and future directions are discussed.
Profiles of liver fibrosis evolution during long‐term tenofovir treatment in HIV‐positive patients coinfected with hepatitis B
Authors: Dezanet Lorenza N. C. , Miailhes Patrick , Lascoux‐Combe Caroline , Chas Julie , Maylin Sarah , Gabassi Audrey , Rougier Hayette , Delaugerre Constance , Lacombe Karine , Boyd Anders
Published: July 2021

Background & Aims

Data on liver fibrosis evolution and its involvement in liver‐related morbidity are scarce in individuals with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) co‐infection during treatment. We identified profiles of liver fibrosis evolution in coinfected patients undergoing tenofovir (TDF).

Methods

We included 169 HIV‐HBV‐coinfected patients on TDF‐based antiretroviral therapy. Virological and clinical data were obtained at TDF‐initiation and every 6‐12 months. From data on non‐invasive liver fibrosis assessments collected yearly (FibroTest®), we established clusters of individuals with similar liver fibrosis evolution using group‐based trajectory models.

Results

Four profiles of liver fibrosis evolution were established from a median follow‐up of 7.6 years (IQR = 3.1‐13.1): low fibrosis with no progression (29.6%, profile A), low fibrosis with progression (22.5%, profile B), moderate fibrosis with high fluctuation (39.6%, profile C), and cirrhosis with no regression (8.3%, profile D). When compared to profile A, baseline HBeAg‐positive status was associated with profiles B (P = .007) and C (P = .004), older age with profiles C (P < .001) and D (P = .001), exposure to second‐generation protease inhibitors with profile C (P = .004), and CD4+ <500/mm3 at the last visit with profiles C (P = .02) and D (P = .002). Incident liver‐related events occurred in profiles other than A (B, n = 1/38; C, n = 6/67; D, n = 3/14) and all five cases of hepatocellular carcinoma occurred in profiles C (n = 2) and D (n = 3).

Conclusions

TDF‐treated HIV‐HBV coinfected individuals do not seem to benefit from comparable levels of liver fibrosis regression as in HBV mono‐infection. Liver‐related morbidity occurs mainly in those with fluctuating or consistently high fibrosis levels.
Associations between alcohol consumption and hepatic steatosis in the USA
Authors: Niezen Sebastian , Trivedi Hirsh D. , Mukamal Kenneth J. , Jiang Zhenghui G.
Published: July 2021

Despite being widely recognized as a common cause of fatty liver, the exact impact of alcohol consumption on hepatic steatosis in the general population is elusive. The recent National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) allowed us to examine this relationship among US adults. Herein, we extracted data on detailed alcohol consumption and controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) by FibroScan from 4509 participants in NHANES 2017‐2018. Compared to metabolic risk factors such as diabetes and obesity, the association between alcohol consumption and CAP was less significant. In multivariable analysis, only those drinking 5‐7 times per week showed significant increases in CAP scores. Although both frequency and quantity of drinking were positively associated with CAP score, only frequency remained significant after adjustment for quantity and binge drinking. These epidemiological observations suggested that the impact of alcohol on hepatic steatosis was much smaller than metabolic factors and dependent upon the frequency of drinking.