bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Crisis communication in public emergencies: multistakeholders' perspectives
Authors: Cannaerts Nele 
Published: October 2020

PurposeThe main purpose of this paper is to provide empirical evidence for effective crisis communication in public emergencies including the relevance of planning and training and rehearsal; to explore the role of different stakeholders and how social media influence effective crisis communication.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative research design was employed. Two events were analysed, via the synthesis model for handling crisis communication in the public sector, as cases. First, via post-crisis semi-structured interviews, a gas explosion in the city of Antwerp was analysed. Second, via participant observation of a training and rehearsal exercise, more insight was gained on the role of training and social media for crisis communication.FindingsThe findings of this paper provide empirical evidence that (1) effective crisis communication is communication that is diversified across different crisis stages and diverse stakeholders; (2) that different internal social media tools and external social media tools are necessary to be monitored for effective crisis communication; (3) that training and rehearsal are of great importance for effective crisis communication.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to three current crisis communication research calls. First, the call for more research focusing on public sector crisis management, using public sector crisis communication models. Second, the call for the implementation of a more multiple-actor approach instead of an organisation-centred approach; and, third, the call for gaining insight into how specific communication channels are used before, during and after a crisis.
Competing through manufacturing: countering a product's liability of foreignness through mass customization
Authors: Trentin Alessio , Aichner Thomas , Sandrin Enrico , Forza Cipriano 
Published: October 2020

PurposeThe operational capability of mass customization (MC) allows consumers to obtain products tailored to their idiosyncratic needs. This study aims to provide insights into the potential of this capability for countering a product's liability of foreignness – the negative effect of the out-group status of a product's country of origin (COO) on consumers' evaluations of the product.Design/methodology/approachBased on the social identity approach, it is hypothesized that this liability is reduced when a consumer product is mass-customized rather than standardized as per a mass-production strategy. This hypothesis is tested using a mixed between- and within-subject experiment.FindingsWhen evaluating mass-produced sneakers, native German-speaking (Italian-speaking) South Tyrolean consumers rated the quality of Italian (German) sneakers significantly lower than that of German (Italian) sneakers. However, when the sneakers were mass-customized, this difference in perceived product quality was non-significant for both groups of consumers, supporting the research hypothesis.Research limitations/implicationsFuture research could replicate this study in other samples, with other product types, COOs and countries of destination, as well as at different degrees of product customization.Practical implicationsBusiness-to-consumer firms contemplating the development of their MC capability are made aware that the benefits of this operational capability might go beyond the typical advantages highlighted by the existing literature.Originality/valueThis paper joins the discussion on MC value by offering a theoretical explanation and empirical support for another mechanism through which the operational capability of MC can create value, at least in business-to-consumer industries: by countering a product's possible liability of foreignness and thus increasing perceived product quality in export markets.
Service quality in higher education institutions: qualitative evidence from the students’ perspectives using Maslow hierarchy of needs
Authors: Abbas Jawad 
Published: October 2020

PurposeHigher education institutions (HEIs) are responsible for training and transforming the students into valuable resources. Although students are believed to be the principal stakeholders in HEIs, limited research studies are available on service quality (SQ) in HEIs from students’ perspectives. This study aims to bridge this gap by investigating the factors, which constitute SQ in HEIs, specifically from students’ perspective, as existing literature on this topic is either from management and general perspective or is time dated.Design/methodology/approachThe current study contributes by reviewing qualitative responses received through interviews and focus groups session with 43 students from 3 Turkey-based private HEIs. Data was collected from 43 students through 26 individual interviews and 3 focus group sessions and was analyzed through deductive reasoning using narrative and framework analysis with open coding.FindingsThe analysis of data indicated six main themes, specifically: teaching quality, facilities, support staff quality, employability links, safety and security and extra-curricular activities as indicators of SQ from students’ perspective. The findings of the study strongly comply with Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and take steps by identifying employability and safety and security as new emerging indicators of the existing literature of SQ in HEIs.Originality/valueThe existing literature lacks to provide qualitative data on SQ in HEIs from students’ perspectives in Asian countries, particularly, in Turkey, the place of current research. The findings of the present research provide valuable insights to HEIs’ management to understand students’ perceptions of SQ, their expectations and experiences.
Public investment and inclusive growth in Africa
Authors: Adeosun Opeoluwa Adeniyi , Olomola Philip Akanni , Adedokun Adebayo , Ayodele Olumide Steven 
Published: October 2020

PurposeThe increasing debate on the viability of broad-based productive employment in stimulating the participatory tendencies of growth makes it instructive to inquire how the African “Big Five” have fared in their quests to ensure growth inclusiveness through public investment-led fiscal policy.Design/methodology/approachTime varying structures and nonlinearities in the government investment series are captured through the non-linear autoregressive distributed lag, asymmetric impulse responses and variance decomposition estimation techniques.FindingsStudy findings show that positive investment shocks stimulate growth inclusiveness by enabling access to opportunities through job creation and productive employment for the populace; this result is evident for Morocco and Algeria. However, there is a non-negligible evidence that shocks due to decline in the government investment manifest in insufficient capital stocks and limited investment opportunities, impede access to opportunities by the populace, hinder labour employability and make growth less inclusive. Furthermore, all short-run findings corroborate long-run results regarding the reaction of inclusive growth to positive investment shocks with the exclusion of South Africa; which, unlike its long-run finding, shows that shocks due to increases in investment can foster growth inclusiveness. Also, in respect to short-run negative investment shocks, Nigeria is the only country that does not align its long-run findings.Practical implicationsThat public investment shocks make or mar inclusive growth effectiveness shows the need for appropriate fiscal policy consolidation and automatic stabilization guidelines to ensure buffers against shocks and to enhance government investment generation efficiency for a sustainable inclusive growth process that is more participatory in Africa.Originality/valueThis study is the first to accommodate possibilities of shocks in the inclusivity of growth analysis for the five biggest African economies which jointly account for over half of the recorded growth in the continent. As such, there is quantitative evidence that government investment is a potent determinant of growth inclusiveness and it is susceptible to structural changes and time variation of shocks.
The digitalization of manufacturing: investigating the impact of production environment and company size
Authors: Buer Sven-Vegard , Strandhagen Jo Wessel , Semini Marco , Strandhagen Jan Ola 
Published: October 2020

PurposeWhile manufacturing digitalization is currently considered an important enabler of competitive advantage, its applicability across the industrial spectrum is unclear. This paper aims to investigate the relationship between the use of digital technologies and different production environments and company sizes. The focus is on three aspects of digitalization: shop floor digitalization, technologies for vertical and horizontal integration and organizational IT competence.Design/methodology/approachThis study is based on data gathered from a survey questionnaire sent to 212 Norwegian manufacturing companies. To test the formulated hypotheses, the two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) method was used.FindingsThis study confirmed that large enterprises (LEs) have a significantly higher level of shop floor digitalization and organizational IT competence than small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Regarding the difference between production environments, no statistically significant difference in the implementation level of the investigated digitalization aspects could be found.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors' knowledge, this is one of the first studies to investigate differences in the adoption of digital technologies between different groups of production environments. This study also provides updated findings related to the relationship between digitalization and company size. The findings presented in this paper provide important insights into directing future research efforts to assist environments that are currently lagging behind in their digital transformation.
Corneal‐Smart Phone: A novel method to intelligently estimate postmortem interval
Authors: Zheng JiLong , Huo DeMin , Wen HongYang , Shang QingFa , Sun WenKai , Xu ZiTong 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe changes of postmortem corneal opacity are often used to roughly estimate the postmortem interval (PMI) in forensic practice. The difficulty associated with this time estimate is the lack of objective means to rapidly quantify postmortem corneal changes in crime scenes. This study constructed a data analysis model of PMI estimation and implemented an intelligent analysis system for examining the sequential changes of postmortem corneal digital images, named Corneal‐Smart Phone, which can be used to quickly estimate PMI. The smart phone was used in combination with an attachment device that provided a darkroom environment and a steady light source to capture postmortem corneal images. By segmenting the corneal pupil region images, six color features, Red (R), Green (G), Blue (B), Hue (H), Saturation (S), Brightness (V) and four texture features Contrast (CON), Correlation (COR), Angular Second Moment (ASM), and Homogeneity (HOM), were extracted and correlated with PMI model. The results indicated that CON had the highest correlation with PMI (R2 = 0.983). No intra/intersubject variation in CON values were observed (p > 0.05). With the increase in ambient temperature or the decrease in humidity, the CON values were increased. PMI prediction error was <3 h within 36 h postmortem and extended to about 6–8 h after 36 h postmortem. The correct classification rate of the blind test samples was 82%. Our study provides a method that combines postmortem corneal image acquisition and digital image analysis to enable users to quickly obtain PMI estimation.
Boston Violence Intervention Advocacy Program: Challenges and Opportunities for Client Engagement and Goal Achievement
Authors: Pino Elizabeth C. , Fontin Francesca , James Thea L. , Dugan Elizabeth 
Published: October 2020

AbstractObjectivesA better understanding of the factors affecting client engagement in hospital‐based violence intervention programs (HVIPs), and which types of client needs prove most challenging to achieve, may be of key importance in developing novel, targeted strategies to violence intervention. In this study, we examined the demographics and injury characteristics of violently injured patients by their level of engagement with the Boston Violence Intervention Advocacy Program (VIAP) and determined the degree of client goal achievement through VIAP client services.MethodsThis retrospective study was performed using a cohort of patients presenting to the Boston Medical Center emergency department for a violent penetrating injury due to community violence between 2013 and 2018. Data on client demographics, injury characteristics, and client needs were collected from the VIAP data repository. Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals to assess the difference in hazards of client goal achievement by need type.ResultsOf the 2,243 victims of violent injury, 839 (37.4%) patients engaged with VIAP. Significant predictors of client engagement include younger age, Black race, permanent home, existing mental health diagnosis, gunshot wound, and more severe injuries. Conversely, older age, homelessness, substance use, stab wound, and less severe injuries predicted refusal of VIAP services. For clients who chose to engage with VIAP, needs related to education (HR = 0.47, 95% CI = 0.38 to 0.58), employment (HR = 0.66, 95% CI = 0.57 to 0.77), and housing (HR = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.68 to 0.86) were significantly less likely to be achieved compared to basic needs.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that VIAP is effectively engaging the client population that HVIPs have been designed to support. HVIPs should consider novel strategies to engage vulnerable populations not typically targeted by intervention programs. These results speak to the difficulties of program attrition and the complexities of altering the life course for victims of violence.
The IASB and Comparability of International Financial Reporting: Research Evidence and Implications
Authors: Tarca Ann 
Published: October 2020

AbstractOne motivation for the adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) is to improve the comparability of financial information presented by listed companies and thereby to contribute to improving transparency, accountability and efficiency in financial markets around the world. Beginning from the perspective of the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and academic researchers, I describe what is meant by comparability and then I list four areas of research where academics have investigated comparability of IFRS financial statements. Within each area I present examples of studies, usually around the time of adoption of IFRS, and discuss the implications of the research findings for the work of the IASB and the activities of other bodies supporting the implementation of IFRS. Finally, I identify areas of future research that could contribute to public policy deliberations.
Adolescent boys with constitutional delay of growth and puberty grow faster than patients with organic growth hormone deficiency
Authors: Binder Gerhard , Lehrian Theresa J. , Hoffmann Elisa , Blumenstock Gunnar , Rahmaoui Abdelkader , Trzaskoma Benjamin , Reinehr Thomas 
Published: October 2020

AbstractObjectiveConstitutional delay of growth and puberty (CDGP) is a tempo variant with a good prognosis. Healthy late‐maturing adolescents grow slower than postulated by age‐related references, and therefore, CDGP is frequently confused with growth hormone deficiency (GHD). For differential diagnosis, height velocity references for CDGP are needed.Design and PatientsHere, we provide height velocity data for late‐maturing boys based on mixed longitudinal and cross‐sectional observations in a group of 38 German adolescents with proven CDGP and compare them with cross‐sectional observations in a group of 164 adolescents with organic GHD from the National Cooperative Growth Study registry.ResultsIn the critical age interval from 13.4 to 14.9 years, the growth of prepubertal adolescents with CDGP was faster (mean/median height velocity, 5.2/5.4 cm/years; quartiles, 4.4‐6.2 cm/years) than that of prepubertal adolescents with organic GHD (3.5/3.2 cm/years; quartiles, 2.0‐4.4 cm/years) in the cross‐sectional analysis (p < .0001). Based on our mixed longitudinal and cross‐sectional analysis, the height velocity of adolescent boys with CDGP exceeded previous model calculations on average by 1.0 cm.ConclusionsIn conclusion, prepubertal adolescents with CDGP grow faster than patients with organic GHD. Previous model estimates underestimated height velocity of boys with CDGP.
Acid‐sensing ion channels regulate nucleus pulposus cell inflammation and pyroptosis via the NLRP3 inflammasome in intervertebral disc degeneration
Authors: Zhao Kangcheng , An Ran , Xiang Qian , Li Gaocai , Wang Kun , Song Yu , Liao Zhiwei , Li Shuai , Hua Wenbin , Feng Xiaobo , Wu Xinghuo , Zhang Yukun , Das Abhirup , Yang Cao 
Published: October 2020

AbstractObjectiveLactate accumulation is an important factor in the intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD). Currently, the effect and underlying mechanism of action of lactate on nucleus pulposus (NP) cell inflammation during IVDD are unclear. Previous studies have found that the NLRP3 inflammasome plays an important role in the regulation of NP inflammation. This study focused on the regulation of acid‐sensitive ion channels (ASICs) in relation to inflammation and the effect of NLRP3 on pyroptosis levels in NP cells under acidic conditions.DesignFor the in vitro experiments, human NP cells were exposed to 6 mM lactate solution; different groups were either treated with NLRP3 inhibitor or transfected with siRNA against NLRP3, siRNA against ASC or a mix of these, and mRNA and protein expression levels were then assessed. For the in vivo experiment, varying concentrations of lactate were injected into rat intervertebral discs and examined via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and histological staining.ResultsExtracellular lactate promoted NLRP3 inflammasome activation and degeneration of the NP extracellular matrix; furthermore, it increased the levels of inflammation and pyroptosis in the NP. Lactate‐induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation was blocked by ASIC inhibitors and NLRP3 siRNA.ConclusionsExtracellular lactate regulates levels of intercellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) through ASIC1 and ASIC3. ROS activate the NF‐κB signalling pathway, thus promoting NLRP3 inflammasome activation and IL‐1β release, both of which promote NP degeneration.
Photosensitivität unter Vemurafenib
Authors: Eberlein Bernadette , Biedermann Tilo , Hein Rüdiger , Posch Christian 
Published: October 2020

ZusammenfassungVemurafenib, ein BRAF‐Inhibitor, weist als häufige kutane Nebenwirkung eine erhöhte Photosensitivität auf, die sich klinisch im Auftreten eines sofortigen Hitzegefühls und eines ödematösen Erythems bei Sonnenexposition sowie einer Sonnenbrandreaktion im Sinne einer Spätreaktion äußert. Phototestungen konnten sowohl für die Sofortreaktion als auch für die Spätreaktion ein Aktionsspektrum im UVA‐Bereich (320 nm bis 400 nm) belegen. Pathogenetisch legten photochemische Untersuchungen nahe, dass UVA‐Bestrahlung von Vemurafenib unter bestimmten Bedingungen ein UVA‐absorbierendes Photoprodukt produziert. Auch in vitro konnte an verschiedenen Zellmodellen die phototoxische Wirkung von Vemurafenib ausschließlich im UVA‐Bereich nachgewiesen werden. Bei der klinisch zu beobachtenden Lichtempfindlichkeit dominiert wahrscheinlich dieser Mechanismus.Andererseits kann Vemurafenib zusätzlich die Ferrochelatase inhibieren, was zu einem Anstieg von Protoporphyrin IX führt, der auch in einigen Untersuchungen beim Menschen unter Einnahme von Vemurafenib nachgewiesen wurde. Ob die Porphyrine tatsächlich insbesondere zur Symptomatik der Sofortreaktion beitragen, die klinisch der erythropoetischen Protoporphyrie (EPP) mit einem vergleichbaren Pathomechanismus ähnelt, ist noch nicht abschließend geklärt.Andere BRAF‐Inhibitoren wie Dabrafenib und Encorafenib weisen eine deutliche geringere Photosensitivität auf. Patienten, die mit Vemurafenib therapiert werden, müssen auf die bereits durch geringe UVA‐Dosen auslösbaren Sofort‐ und Spätreaktionen hingewiesen werden und hinsichtlich photoprotektiver Maßnahmen beraten werden.
Psychosoziale Belastung stationärer dermatologischer Patienten und ihrer Angehörigen – Vergleich von Patienten mit und ohne Krebs
Authors: Buchhold Britta , Wiesmann Ulrich , Röske Kathrin , Lutze Stine , Arnold Andreas , Jülich Andreas , Ramp Marleen , Jünger Michael , Hannich Hans‐Joachim 
Published: October 2020

ZusammenfassungHintergrundIn den klinischen Behandlungspfaden zertifizierter onkologischer Zentren sind psychotherapeutische Angebote obligatorisch. Obwohl Patienten mit somatischen, nichtonkologischen Erkrankungen ebenso hohe Prävalenzen psychosozialer Belastungen aufweisen, gibt es diese Vorgaben für den allgemeinen Krankenhausbereich nicht. Sind diese Patienten tatsächlich weniger belastet und benötigen nur in Einzelfällen psychologische Begleitung? Am Beispiel dermatologischer Patienten soll gezeigt werden, ob psychosozialer Betreuungsbedarf und Unterstützungswunsch von Personen mit und ohne Tumorerkrankung variieren.Patienten und MethodikMit dem Hornheider Screening‐Instrument und dem Distress‐Thermometer schätzten 216 stationäre dermatologische Patienten ihre psychosoziale Belastung und die eines nahen Angehörigen ein. Erfragt wurden zudem Unterstützungswunsch und bevorzugter Unterstützungsgeber.Ergebnissei) Patienten ohne Hauttumor waren häufiger und stärker belastet als Tumorpatienten. ii) Patienten beider Gruppen schätzten ihre Angehörigen als etwa gleich hoch belastet ein. Im Vergleich zur Eigenbelastung schätzten Tumorpatienten ihre Angehörigen häufiger und im Mittel deutlich stärker als belastet ein. Mehr als 50 % aller Patienten sahen die eigene Erkrankung als Ursache für die Belastung der Angehörigen an. iii) Der Unterstützungswunsch lag in beiden Gruppen bei etwa 18 %. iv) Arzt und Psychologe wurden meist als potenzielle Ansprechpartner genannt.SchlussfolgerungenDer Ausbau psychosozialer Unterstützungsangebote für Nichttumorpatienten und Angehörige erscheint notwendig. Die Etablierung entsprechender Screening‐Verfahren sollte überdacht werden. Weitere Untersuchungen in anderen klinischen Bereichen sind erforderlich.