bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Value creation and destruction in the marketisation of human services
Authors: Randle Melanie , Zainuddin Nadia 
Published: December 2020

Purpose
Governments are increasingly marketising human services in developed countries, with the aim of giving individuals more choice and control over the support they receive. Marketisation effectively transforms “clients” into “consumers” who are exposed to competitive market conditions and the marketing strategies of service organisations. However, the heterogeneity amongst citizens leaves some segments of populations more vulnerable within marketised systems. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of the marketisation of human services on the value delivered to consumers of disability services. Given that the nature of disabilities can vary greatly, the study also examines the impact of the degree of disability on value creation and destruction for disability service consumers.

Design/methodology/approach
Qualitative, individual-depth interviews were conducted with 35 participants: 17 were consumers of disability services (either because they have a disability or care for someone who does) and 18 were disability service providers (for example, managers of disability programmes).

Findings
Factors that influence value creation and destruction include quality and turnover of staff, organisation and communication of service providers, ability to advocate effectively, level of funding and accessibility of services. Heterogeneity amongst consumers is also identified as a key factor affecting the creation and destruction of value.

Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to apply marketing techniques, such as market segmentation, to identify heterogeneity in relation to value creation and value destruction in the context of human services. It also considers the notion of consumer vulnerability, stemming from disability, as an important lens through which the outcomes of marketised human service systems can be evaluated.
Oil price fluctuations and economic growth: the case of MENA countries
Authors: Abdelsalam Mamdouh Abdelmoula Mohamed 
Published: December 2020

PurposeThis paper aims to explore the extreme effect of crude oil price fluctuations and its volatility on the economic growth of Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries. It also investigates the asymmetric and dynamic relationship between oil price and economic growth. Further, a separate analysis for each MENA oil-export and oil-import countries is conducted. Furthermore, it studies to what extent the quality of institutions will change the effect of oil price fluctuations on economic growth.Design/methodology/approachAs the effect of oil price fluctuations is not the same over different business cycles or oil price levels, the paper uses a panel quantile regression approach with other linear models such as fixed effects, random effects and panel generalized method of moments. The panel quantile methodology is an extension of traditional linear models and it has the advantage of exploring the relationship over the different quantiles of the whole distribution.FindingsThe paper can summarize results as following: changes in oil price and its volatility have an opposite effect for each oil-export and oil-import countries; for the former, changes in oil prices have a positive impact but the volatility a negative effect. While for the latter, changes in oil prices have a negative effect but volatility a positive effect. Further, the impact of oil price changes and their uncertainty are different across different quantiles. Furthermore, there is evidence about the asymmetric effect of the oil price changes on economic growth. Finally, accounting for institutional quality led to a reduction in the impact of oil price changes on economic growth.Originality/valueThe study concludes more detailed results on the impact of oil prices on gross domestic product growth. Thus, it can be used as a decision-support tool for policymakers.
Method for metal foreign object detection in wireless charging system of electric vehicle
Authors: Tang Xinning , Dai Yong , Ma Yunhui , Ren Bingyin 
Published: December 2020

Purpose
This study aims to solve the problem of the existing metal foreign object (MFO) detecting systems, which are not sensitive to the small size MFO in wireless charging region of electric vehicle (EV) because of the extremely complex signal noise in the process of wireless charging of EV.

Design/methodology/approach
A method for MFO detection based on the principle that MFOs can cause mistuned resonance of detection coil resonant circuit is proposed. The general scheme of detecting system is proposed. The design method for detection coils which is effective to small MFOs detection in large-area region of wireless charging of EV is presented. The design of time-sharing driving circuit and amplifying circuit of high frequency exciting signal for detection coils is introduced. The design scheme of signal processing circuit (including filter and rectifier) of detection coil terminal voltage is also proposed.

Findings
The influence of exciting frequency of detection coils on detecting sensitivity and the anti-noise feature of system are analyzed according to the experiment results.

Originality/value
The experiment of MFO detection indicates that the proposed method can effectively detect the coin-sized small MFO in the process of wireless charging of EV.
Characteristics of information communication technology and audit practices: evidence from India
Authors: Thottoli Mohammed Muneerali , K.V. Thomas 
Published: December 2020

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between characteristics of information communication technology (ICT, adoption, confidence, competency and training) and auditing practices. The paper further explained the significance of the auditing practices, evaluated the relationship between ICT characteristics (adoption, confidence, competency, training) and auditing practices.Design/methodology/approachThe study adopts a quantitative approach, where a set of questionnaires was developed by making necessary adaptations to available scales/items. Data were collected from practicing chartered accountants in Kerala targeting 89 respondents from various professional auditing firms. The results were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences and structural equation modelling-partial least squares statistical tools.FindingsThe findings confirmed that there is a positive relationship between three components of ICT factors on audit practice, namely, ICT adoption, ICT competency and ICT training, whereas the factor, ICT confidence has a negative relationship with audit practice. Thus, the availability of ICT-competent staff, their practical ICT knowledge, sufficient and adequate ICT training assist audit firms from doing audit by implementing customized audit software for audit practice.Research limitations/implicationsA limitation of the study is that limited variables of ICT on audit practice are taken in the model. Refinement of the model and the variables (such as ICT challenges), ICT perceived benefits and the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) model used provide an opportunity for future research.Practical implicationsThe barriers facing by non-big four audit firms (especially sole proprietorship and limited liability partnership firms) faces ICT challenges requires intense management interventions to be self-equipped for the current information technology (IT) world and to facilitate and to ensure fairness of financial statements to the stakeholders that strongly links auditors advance IT skills and available firms resources to investment and adopt audit software for the benefits of the audit firms.Originality/valueThe paper upstretched some of the ICT challenges that will assist as points, which have been helpful for future researchers, and have provided accounting and auditing professionals, auditing professional institutions and their management, government, tax officials, policy makers, auditing software vendors and other stakeholders the bases for encouraging ICT adoption.
Predominant factors of institutionalization in the elderly: a comparative study between home nursing and community dwelling
Authors: Montes Reula Laura , Cañete Lairla Miguel , Navarro López Jorge , Pelegrín Valero Carmelo , Galindo Ortiz de Landázuri José , Marijuán Fernández Pedro , Olivera Pueyo F. Javier 
Published: December 2020

Purpose
The purpose of this paper was to detect the most significant factors associated with each living alternative to improve socialization and mental health of the elderly. The measurements included affective evaluation, cognitive assessment, anxiety level, physical functionality, quality of life and social relationships. Individuals in home nursing residences were older and had worse affective status, functionality, cognitive state and quality of life. Social relationships in community people were better than in the institutionalized condition, particularly for less aged people.

Design/methodology/approach
Comparative descriptive study realized in 200 people older than 70 years in home nursing placement versus community dwelling conditions.

Findings
Multivariate analysis and logistic regression indicated that greater disability and poorer quality of social relationships were the main factors influencing the institutionalization process. Specifically, the Sociotype Questionnaire appeared as an efficient tool concerning the detection of social isolation effects as well as an acceptable integrator of prosocial information about home nursing placement.

Originality/value
The Geriatric Sociotype survey has shown usefulness in the evaluation of the social network of elderly people, both from the point of view of assessment and prognosis. In this sense it is considered that one of the main contributions of this study is to have included the qualitative evaluation of social relations, and to observe the differences according to the place of residence.
Evidence‐based practice and clinical reasoning in occupational therapy: A cross‐sectional survey in Chile
Authors: Garcia Jenniffer , Copley Jodie , Turpin Merrill , Bennett Sally , McBryde Catherine , McCosker Josie Louise 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIntroductionEvidence‐based practice (EBP) is a critical framework for supporting clinical decision‐making that has been increasingly promoted in occupational therapy over the last 20 years. Discipline‐specific EBP frameworks and resources have emerged, primarily created by scholars from developed countries. However, EBP has received limited attention in literature published in developing and non‐English speaking countries. This study aimed to explore Chilean occupational therapists’ perceptions of EBP, factors influencing the adoption of EBP and sources of information used to inform clinical decision‐making.MethodsA cross‐sectional online survey of Chilean occupational therapists included socio‐demographic information, closed questions using a fivepoint Likert scale and open‐ended questions. Numerical data were summarised using frequencies and percentages. Cross‐tabulations explored relationships between variables. Narrative data from openended responses were analysed deductively using content analysis.ResultsComplete surveys were returned by 192 Chilean respondents. The majority of participants (68.3%) defined EBP as the use of research knowledge only and perceived EBP as useful and important. The most significant barriers to the application of research knowledge included: lack of time (68.2%), an emerging research culture (67.7%) and restricted access to scientific literature (56.8%). Additionally, Chilean occupational therapists did not feel confident finding, appraising and integrating research evidence. Of the four sources of knowledge used in EBP, participants predominantly relied on clinical observations of clients (99.5%), their clinical expertise (89.1%), and discussions with the multidisciplinary team (78.1%) and other occupational therapists (40.1%), to inform clinical decision‐making.ConclusionLanguage barriers, lack of time, scarcity of locally produced research, and an emergent research culture within Chile impede occupational therapists’ ability to implement EBP. The adoption of EBP can facilitate access to contemporary occupational therapy knowledge powerfully guide clinical reasoning, and build local research capacity. Building research partnerships and collaborations with the international scientific community are crucial to the global achievement of EBP.
Chrysophanol increases osteoblast differentiation via AMPK/Smad1/5/9 phosphorylation in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Lim Young‐Ju , Kim Kyeong‐Min , Jang Won‐Gu 
Published: December 2020

AbstractChrysophanol (Chrysophanic acid; CA) is a natural anthraquinone found in Senna tora and rhubarb that has various characteristic features, including the ability to suppress adipogenesis. However, its effects on osteoblast differentiation have not been investigated. Herein, this study aimed to demonstrate the mechanism by which CA induces the osteoblast differentiation. CA increased the expression of osteogenic genes. The staining levels Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and Alizarin Red S (ARS) were increased by chrysophanol. CA induced osteoblast differentiation through AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK)/Small mothers against decapentaplegic (Smad1/5/9) activation in MC3T3‐E1 cells. In addition, compound C, AMPK inhibitor (Comp. C)‐induced cells suppressed osteogenic genes expression and AMPK/Smad1/5/9 activation. Interestingly, AMPK in the CA‐induced AMPK/Smad1/5/9 signalling pathway was an upstream regulator of Smad1/5/9. In order to further dissect in bone development, we used a zebrafish model to investigate the effect of CA on bone development. These results suggest that CA stimulated bone development via AMPK/Smad1/5/9. Overall, our results demonstrate that CA promotes osteoblast differentiation via AMPK/Smad1/5/9 expression in vitro and in vivo.
Sulfide alters microbial functional potential in a methane and nitrogen cycling biofilm reactor
Authors: Delgado Vela Jeseth , Bristow Laura A. , Marchant Hannah K. , Love Nancy G. , Dick Gregory J. 
Published: December 2020

SummaryCross‐feeding of metabolites between coexisting cells leads to complex and interconnected elemental cycling and microbial interactions. These relationships influence overall community function and can be altered by changes in substrate availability. Here, we used isotopic rate measurements and metagenomic sequencing to study how cross‐feeding relationships changed in response to stepwise increases of sulfide concentrations in a membrane‐aerated biofilm reactor that was fed with methane and ammonium. Results showed that sulfide: (i) decreased nitrite oxidation rates but increased ammonia oxidation rates; (ii) changed the denitrifying community and increased nitrous oxide production; and (iii) induced dissimilatory nitrite reduction to ammonium (DNRA). We infer that inhibition of nitrite oxidation resulted in higher nitrite availability for DNRA, anammox, and nitrite‐dependent anaerobic methane oxidation. In other words, sulfide likely disrupted microbial cross‐feeding between AOB and NOB and induced cross‐feeding between AOB and nitrite reducing organisms. Furthermore, these cross‐feeding relationships were spatially distributed between biofilm and planktonic phases of the reactor. These results indicate that using sulfide as an electron donor will promote N2O and ammonium production, which is generally not desirable in engineered systems.
Gender disparities in financial inclusion: Insights from Tanzania
Authors: Mndolwa Florence D. , Alhassan Abdul Latif 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThis paper examines the status and determinants of gender disparities in financial inclusion using a sample of 4,466 individuals from the Finscope survey in Tanzania. The results provide evidence to support gender disparities in financial inclusion, mostly pronounced in formal savings (21.3%), formal accounts (10.6%) and mobile money accounts (9.4%). This is reflected in 17.1% less likelihood of female ownership of a formal savings account but a 2% higher likelihood to access formal credit. Finally, the paper documents evidence that gender disparities in financial inclusion are explained by lower levels of education, income and over‐dependence of women on men. The findings support gender mainstreaming in other sectors to increase employment and education for women to close the gender gap in financial access.
Effect of nanoemulsion particle size on the bioavailability and bioactivity of perilla oil in rats
Authors: Hu Miao , Xie Fengying , Zhang Shuang , Qi Baokun , Li Yang 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate the bioavailability and bioactivity of perilla (Perilla frutescens) oil nanoemulsions prepared at different homogenization pressures by measuring the weight, fatty acid profile, and antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory properties in rats. The high‐pressure homogenization significantly reduced the particle size of perilla oil nanoemulsions and enhanced their stability, and the minimum particle size was 293.87 ± 6.55 nm at 120 MPa. There was an increase in the weight and fatty acid levels in the plasma and liver of test group rats. The highest glutathione (GSH) and the lowest malondialdehyde (MDA) levels of 18.76 ± 10.51 mg GSH/g prot and 20.27 ± 2.46 nmol/mg prot, respectively, were recorded in rats administrated perilla oil nanoemulsions prepared at 120 MPa. However, there was no significant difference in superoxide dismutase activity (SOD) between the groups. The interferon‐gamma (IL‐γ), interleukin‐1 beta (IL‐1β), IL‐6 (interleukin‐6), and IL‐8 (interleukin‐8) levels in the test groups were lower than those in the blank and control groups at 8 hr after lipopolysaccharide injection. The IL‐1β, IL‐6, and IL‐8 levels were 49.52 ± 14.06, 90.13 ± 6.04, and 419.71 ± 32.03 ng/L, respectively, in rats treated with perilla oil nanoemulsions prepared at 120 MPa. Both perilla oil and its nanoemulsions decreased estradiol levels and damaged the ovaries. Overall, our findings show that the test nanoemulsions enhanced the bioavailability of perilla oil, which resulted in enhanced antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory responses; thus, we provide a new approach to deliver perilla oil.Practical ApplicationNanoemulsions can be used to deliver drugs and bioactive compounds, and perilla oil nanoemulsions can be used in healthcare products and beverage industries.
Anti‐obesity effect of Liupao tea extract by modulating lipid metabolism and oxidative stress in high‐fat‐diet‐induced obese mice
Authors: Wu Ya , Sun Hailan , Yi Ruokun , Tan Fang , Zhao Xin 
Published: December 2020

AbstractLiupao tea (LPT) is traditional dark Chinese tea. The effect of LPT extract on high‐fat‐diet‐induced obese mice was investigated systematically. The results showed that LPT extract could reduce body weight and significantly alleviate liver damage and fat accumulation. LPT could also decrease the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (AKP), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) and increase the level of high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C) in the liver. It also decreased the serum levels of inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α), interferon gamma (IFN‐γ), interleukin (IL)‐1β, and IL‐6 and increased the serum levels of anti‐inflammatory cytokines, including IL‐10 and IL‐4. Moreover, LPT improved the levels of total superoxide dismutase (T‐SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px), and catalase (CAT) and reduced the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the liver. Moreover, LPT could upregulate the mRNA and protein expressions of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor alpha (PPAR‐α), lipoprotein lipase (LPL), carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1(CPT1), and cholesterol 7 alpha‐hydroxylase (CYP7A1) and downregulate those of PPAR‐γ and CCAAT/enhancer‐binding protein alpha (C/EBP‐α) in the liver. It also increased the mRNA expression of copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD1), manganese superoxide dismutase (SOD2), CAT, gamma‐glutamylcysteine synthetase 1 (GSH1), and GSH‐Px. The components of LPT extract include catechin, rutin, taxifolin, and astragalin, which possibly have a wide range of biological activities. In conclusion, our work verified that LPT extract possessed an anti‐obesity effect and alleviated obesity‐related symptoms, including lipid metabolism disorder, chronic low‐grade inflammation, and liver damage, by modulating lipid metabolism and oxidative stress.
Ovarian antibodies among SLE women with premature menopause after cyclophosphamide
Authors: Tsaliki Martha , Koelsch Kristi A. , Chambers Ambre , Talsania Mitali , Scofield R. Hal , Chakravarty Eliza F. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundWomen with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are at risk of premature ovarian failure when treated with cyclophosphamide. This risk is increased when autoimmune thyroid disease is present. We undertook this study to determine whether the presence of ovarian autoimmunity also increased the risk of early ovarian failure among women receiving cyclophosphamide.MethodsWe examined the records of women enrolled in the Lupus Family Registry and Repository, a cross‐sectional study of ~3300 SLE subjects, for treatment with cyclophosphamide as well as menopausal status. We defined premature menopause as permanent, spontaneous cessation of menstruation before age 45. We measured anti‐ovarian antibodies by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay using stored sera.ResultsThere were 258 women treated with cyclophosphamide in whom presence of absence or premature menopause could by defined. A total of 169 (65.6%) had premature ovarian failure, while 89 (34.6%) did not. While anti‐ovarian antibodies were present in a small percentage of patients, there was no association of premature menopause to either level of these antibodies (16.2 ± 20.3 units vs 17.4 ± 21.7 units, P = NS by Fisher's exact test), or positivity on this testing (11 of 169 [6.5%] positive vs 8 of 89 [8.9%], χ2 = 0.53, P = .46, 95% CI 0.95‐1.1). Neither renal disease nor hypothyroidism increased the risk of premature ovarian failure in these women receiving cyclophosphamide.ConclusionAnti‐ovarian antibodies among women with SLE are not associated with premature ovarian failure after treatment with cyclophosphamide.