bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pure autonomic failure and the differential diagnosis of autonomic peripheral neuropathies
Authors: González-Duarte Alejandra , Varma-Doyle Aditi , Freeman Roy 
Published: August 2021

Purpose of review
Pure autonomic failure (PAF) is a peripheral autonomic neurodegenerative disease caused by alpha-synuclein deposition that is predominantly confined to peripheral autonomic neurons. Patients present with insidious features of autonomic failure that have a chronic course.
In this review, we highlight the features of PAF, the differentiating features from other autonomic neuropathies, the diagnostic tests, and the predictors for conversion to a central synucleinopathy.

Recent findings
Natural history studies have defined the predictors for and rate of conversion to a central alpha-synucleinopathy. Skin immunohistochemistry techniques and demonstration of length-dependent neuronal loss of both somatic and autonomic small fiber nerves, and intraneural phosphorylated synuclein deposition provide diagnostic biomarkers. In the future, diagnosis maybe supported by measuring cerebrospinal fluid alpha-synuclein oligomers using techniques, such as protein misfolding cyclic amplification assay and real-time quaking-induced conversion.

Summary
PAF is a sporadic peripheral autonomic neurodegenerative disease that belongs to the group of disorders known as alpha-synucleinopathies. Peripheral autonomic manifestations are similar to those seen in other autonomic neuropathies, particularly, diabetic autonomic neuropathy, amyloid polyneuropathy, and autoimmune autonomic neuropathies. Novel diagnostic procedures like skin immunohistochemistry for alpha-synuclein, and protein amplification techniques are being investigated to provide an earlier and more specific diagnosis. A substantial number of PAF patients’ phenoconvert to a central alpha-synucleinopathy.
Observer-based robust actuator fault isolation and identification for microsatellite attitude control systems
Authors: Li Huayi , Jia Qingxian , Ma Rui , Chen Xueqin 
Published: August 2021

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to accomplish robust actuator fault isolation and identification for microsatellite attitude control systems (ACSs) subject to a series of space disturbance torques and gyro drifts.

Design/methodology/approach
For the satellite attitude dynamics with Lipschitz constraint, a multi-objective nonlinear unknown input observer (NUIO) is explored to accomplish robust actuator fault isolation based on a synthesis of Hinf techniques and regional pole assignment technique. Subsequently, a novel disturbance-decoupling learning observer (D2LO) is proposed to identify the isolated actuator fault accurately. Additionally, the design of the NUIO and the D2LO are reformulated into convex optimization problems involving linear matrix inequalities (LMIs), which can be readily solved using standard LMI tools.

Findings
The simulation studies on a microsatellite example are performed to prove the effectiveness and applicability of the proposed robust actuator fault isolation and identification methodologies.

Practical implications
This research includes implications for the enhancement of reliability and safety of on-orbit microsatellites.

Originality/value
This study proposes novel NUIO-based robust fault isolation and D2LO-based robust fault identification methodologies for spacecraft ACSs subject to a series of space disturbance torques and gyro drifts.
China’s bilateral trade in Africa: is institutional structure a determinant?
Authors: Gold Kafilah , Rasiah Rajah 
Published: August 2021

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine the institutional structures and other predictors that determine bilateral trade between Africa and China from 1995 to 2017.

Design/methodology/approach
In line with the gravity model of trade, institutional, geographical and socio-economic determinants of China’s bilateral trade with 18 African oil/minerals exporting countries are examined by deploying Poisson pseudo-maximum likelihood and dynamic bias-corrected least squares dummy variable econometric techniques.

Findings
The results indicate that China’s oil/minerals imports from Africa are higher than imports of manufacturing and agricultural goods, and institutional structures indicate that a weak politically stable region with less control of corruption has a discernible effect on trade.

Research limitations/implications
Further insight can be gained if the type of manufactured goods being exported to China is examined; this is necessary given that China crowds out Africa’s manufactured goods. Therefore, this study recommends the need for Africa to continually strengthen its institutional structures to stimulate trade from other regions.

Originality/value
This study examines the quality of the institutional structures (political stability and corruption) in African oil/minerals exporting countries, considering that China has been alleged for capitalising on Africa’s weak institutional structures to trade with the resource-endowed region. For the first time, the UN COMTRADE HS product-country-partner-year trade data is used to examine on bilateral sector trade China–Africa links rather than proxies used in the studies of Biggeri and Sanfilippo (2009), De Grauwe et al. (2012) and Foad (2011) that did not capture the real trade value.
Stability control of permanent magnet and electromagnetic hybrid Halbach array electrodynamic suspension system
Authors: Luo Cheng , Zhang Kunlun , Liang Da , Jing Yongzhi 
Published: August 2021

Purpose
The purpose of the paper is to study the stability control of permanent magnet (PM) and electromagnetic hybrid Halbach array electrodynamic suspension (EDS) system because of the poor suspension stability caused by the well-known under-damped nature of PM EDS system. The adjustment control is realized by PM and electromagnetic hybrid Halbach array, which is composed by winding active normal conductor coils on PM surface.

Design/methodology/approach
The three-dimensional (3-D) electromagnetic force analytical expression of PM and electromagnetic hybrid Halbach array EDS system for a nonmagnetic conductive plate is derived. And the accuracy of the derived equations is verified by a 3-D finite-element model (FEM). Basing on the 3-D levitation force expression, an acceleration feedback suspension controller is designed to suppress the vibration of PM EDS system, and the suspension stability of the system under the track and load disturbance was simulated and analyzed.

Findings
The 3-D electromagnetic force comparison of analytical model and FEM are in good agreement, which verifies the correctness of the analytical expression. The simulation results show that the acceleration feedback suspension controller can make the system have good suspension stability under the external disturbance. So it proved that the PM and electromagnetic hybrid Halbach array EDS system can overcome the poor suspension stability caused by the under-damped nature of PM EDS system through the designed acceleration feedback suspension controller.

Originality/value
This paper designed an acceleration feedback suspension controller to suppress the vibration of PM and electromagnetic hybrid Halbach array EDS system under external disturbance, basing on the derived levitation force analytical expression. And the simulation results show that the acceleration feedback suspension controller can make the system have good suspension stability under the external disturbance.
Extended hybrid cross-switched multilevel inverter circuit topology
Authors: Alizadeh Saeed , Farhadi-Kangarlu Mohammad , Tousi Behrouz 
Published: August 2021

Purpose
Multilevel inverters (MLIs) have been studied widely over the past two decades because of their inherent advantages and interesting features. However, most of the newly introduced structures suffer from the increased standing voltage of the switches, which is defined as the maximum off-state voltage on the switches, losing modularity and increased number of direct current (DC) voltage sources. The purpose of this study is to propose a new hybrid MLI topology to alleviate the mentioned problems.

Design/methodology/approach
The proposed approach in this study includes using the advantage of two different topologies and combine them in a way that the advantages of both of the topologies are achieved. Therefore, the approach is to design a hybrid topology from two existing topologies so that a new topology has resulted.

Findings
This paper proposes a new hybrid MLI with lower power electronic switches and lowers DC voltage sources in comparison with the classic structures. The proposed MLIs maintain a balance between the number of switches, the standing voltage on the switches and the number of DC sources. The topology description, modulation method and comparative study have been presented. Also, another more reduced structure is presented for higher power factor operation. The MATLAB simulation and experimental results of a nine-level inverter have been presented to verify its operation.

Originality/value
The hybrid topology has a new structure that has not been presented before. It is important to emphasize that the topology combination and achieving the hybrid topology is wisely accomplished to improve some features of the MLI.
SME learning: leave it as a mess or solve it like a maze
Authors: Tam Steven 
Published: August 2021

PurposeThis paper gives executives new perspective on how well employee learning is being managed in their small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).Design/methodology/approachThe study adopted a rigorous mixed-method approach through questionnaires and semi-structured interviews, from categorizing a sample of Hong Kong SMEs into appropriate growth stages (inception, high-growth or maturity) to exploring their respective learning practices in their workplaces.FindingsThe most popular learning practices in SMEs at each growth stage are compared accordingly with the most/least important learning practices perceived by their employees from another set of results (Tam and Gray, 2021). Differences or mismatches are noted for reporting.Research limitations/implicationsAdditional samples of SMEs, including those in other countries, are encouraged to broaden the horizon.Practical implicationsThe findings help SME executives understand the dynamics of employee learning in their workplaces across growth stages. Knowing what learning practices are offered by the firm and what learning practices are valued by the employee will practically improve the firm’s training/learning strategies to benefit organizational development.Originality/valueIt is among the first studies examining SME learning with firm growth as well as sorting the learning practices into some traceable patterns for managerial convenience.
Easter eggs and semiotic cues: embedded meaning as early adolescents engage in programming-as-writing
Authors: Hagge Julia 
Published: August 2021

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the ways in which early adolescent programmers embed meaning in their digital media created within an online programming community called Scratch.Design/methodology/approachThe author completed an 18-month descriptive case study with 5 early adolescent participants. The research design included a multimodal analytic analysis of participant artifacts and inductive analysis of semi-structured interviews and transcription frames.FindingsParticipants embedded meaning to achieve four primary purposes, namely, to guide visitors through exhibits, to story, to engage in conversation and to game. To achieve each goal, the participants embedded unique semantic cues within specific Scratch structures.Research limitations/implicationsQuestions for how researchers in literacy and learning can further explore meaning-making within programming-as-writing are suggested.Practical implicationsConnections to the supportive structures within Scratch are discussed in the context of programming-as-writing. Considerations regarding the use of Scratch to promote programming-as-writing are provided for educators.Originality/valueThe findings in this study provide an introductory step toward an enhanced understanding of the ways in which youth embed meaning into digital media as they engage in programming-as-writing. Although coding has been researched within the context of computer science, the use of coding in multimodal composition should be explored as it relates to literacy practices.
Social media as a platform for information and support for coronavirus: analysis ofCOVID-19 Facebook groups
Authors: Motahari-Nezhad Hossein , Shekofteh Maryam , Andalib-Kondori Maryam 
Published: August 2021

Purpose
This study aims to investigate the characteristics, as well as the purpose and posts of the COVID-19 Facebook groups.

Design/methodology/approach
A systematic search for COVID-19 Facebook groups was conducted on June 1, 2020. Characteristics of the groups were examined using descriptive statistics. Mann-Whitney test was used to study the differences between groups. The study of the most popular groups’ posts was also carried out using the content analysis method.

Findings
The groups had a combined membership of 2,729,061 users. A total of 147,885 posts were received. There were about approximately 60% public groups. A high percentage of the groups (86.5%) had descriptions. The results showed a significant relationship between the groups’ description status and the number of members (p-value = 0.016). The majority of COVID-19 Facebook groups (56%) were created to meet their members’ information needs. The highest number of studied posts were related to vaccination (35.2%), followed by curfew rules (19.6%) and symptoms (10.6%).

Originality/value
Translating these insights into policies and practices will put policymakers and health-care providers in a stronger position to make better use of Facebook groups to support and enhance public knowledge about COVID-19.
Process mining and lean six sigma: a novel approach to analyze the supply chain quality of a hospital
Authors: Ramires Francisco , Sampaio Paulo 
Published: August 2021

PurposeThis paper aims to depict the practical execution of the problem-solving structure provided by the define, measure, analyze, improve and control (DMAIC) framework in combination with the analytical power provided by process mining capabilities, to improve the supply chain quality of a health-care provider.

Design/methodology/approachPrior to the study, a literature review was conducted to identify existing frameworks combining six sigma with process mining. The authors use a descriptive case study approach to explain how the two methodologies blend across the different phases of DMAIC in a health-care setting.

FindingsThis case study describes how analyzing data extracted from core information systems has significant value to improvement initiatives when complemented by traditional quality methods. By intersecting process mining techniques with lean six sigma tools, the researchers found 65% of orders not complying with the target ordering time and 200 redundant purchases with high operational costs.

Research limitations/implicationsBy depicting how the two methodologies can be intertwined, this paper complements existing research by presenting it as a viable quality improvement approach.

Practical implicationsThis paper provides insights for six sigma and process mining practitioners on the benefits of combining both methodologies within the DMAIC structure. Implementing this blended approach can bring visibility to operations and accelerate process improvement initiatives.

Originality/valueThe prime value of this paper lies in the integration of traditional six sigma methods with process mining as a technological approach in a health-care context, going beyond existing research, which, to the best of the knowledge, lacks descriptive case studies.
Black Americans report greater resilience to suicide unless its interpersonally motivated and are more accepting of others right to die
Authors: Schuler Kaitlyn R. , Basu Natasha , Burcak Anja , Smith Phillip N. 
Published: August 2021

PurposeSuicide is a public health crisis that differentially affects racial and ethnic groups. Suicide is a public health crisis that differentially affects racial and ethnic groups. American Indians had the highest per capita suicide rates (11.1 for females and 33.4 for males) followed by White Americans (8.0 for females and 29.8 for males; Centers for Disease Control, 2019). There is an emerging focus on racial/ethnic disparities in suicide prevention research. Prior studies suggest that more accepting attitudes toward suicide are associated with elevated suicide risk status. As such, this study aims to examine the association between racial/ethnic identity and three attitude domains: the right to die, interpersonal gestures and resilience.Design/methodology/approachGeneral linear models were used to compare racial/ethnic groups in right to die, interpersonal gestures and resilience attitudes.FindingsParticipants who identified as Native American or Black were more likely than participants who identified as White, Bi/Multi-racial and Hispanic to hold attitudes supporting interpersonal motivations for suicide. Participants who identified as Black were more likely than participants who identified as White to hold right to die attitudes. Participants who identified as Black were more likely than White participants to report not viewing suicide as an option. These results suggest that racial/ethnic identity impacts attitudes toward suicide. People who identify as Native American or Black may be more likely to see suicide as acceptable for interpersonal reasons despite those who identify as Black being less likely to see suicide as an option. This study has implications for suicide prevention programs and interventions within racial/ethnic communities. Focusing interventions on attitudes supporting interpersonal motivations for suicide may increase effectiveness within Native American and Black communities.Originality/valueThis study aimed to fill a gap in suicide prevention research by examining associations between racial/ethnic identity and responses to a multidimensional attitude toward suicide measure. No prior study has compared attitudes across multiple domains and racial/ethnic groups.
Effects of camel milk hydrolysate on blood pressure and biochemical parameters in fructose-induced hypertensive rats
Authors: Alshuniaber Mohammad , Alhaj Omar , Abdallah Qasem , Jahrami Haitham 
Published: August 2021

Purpose
This study aims to investigate the antihypertensive effect of camel milk hydrolysate in rats with fructose-induced hypertension.

Design/methodology/approach
The antihypertensive effect of fermented camel milk was determined using 6 groups comprising 36 Wistar male rats. Blood pressure of rats was altered via exposure to a 10% fructose (w/v) diet in drinking water for 3 weeks before conducting 21 days of treatment. The authors conducted the experiment for short and long term using different doses of 800 and 1,200 mg/kg body weight. Serum was used to assay total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), glucose and insulin levels using standard biochemical kits.

Findings
The group that received 1,200 mg hydrolysate camel milk (HM) has significantly (p = 0.003) reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure after a short exposure time (4–8 h). These effects were significantly (p = 0.005) comparable to the nifedipine (NIF) drug group. Similar long-term (21 days) effects on blood pressure were observed in 1,200 mg HM and NIF groups. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity and levels were also reduced in a correlation with blood pressure reduction only in HM1200 and HM800 treated groups. The authors observed no significant effect on blood pressure in groups receiving the 800 mg HM or 1,200 mg unhydrolyzed camel milk (UM). Rats receiving the 10% fructose diet showed significant differences from control rats regarding their blood biochemistry, including TG, TC, blood glucose and insulin levels. Rats in groups NIF, HM1200 and HM800 showed a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in serum glucose, insulin, TG and TC levels toward the baseline level.

Research limitations/implications
Further mechanistic investigation on the HM antihypertensive activity is highly recommended before suggesting HM as a product to reduce blood pressure. While drug–food interaction between HM and antihypertensive drugs, especially ACE inhibitors, is probable, UM seems not to affect blood pressure or ACE activity and therefore is expected to have no or minimal effects on the activity of other antihypertensive drugs. Investigation of ACE expression from various organs including lungs and leukocytes is highly recommended in future works using sodium dodecyl-sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and western blot analysis or reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.

Originality/value
No previous studies have measured the antihypertensive activity of milk hydrolysate mediated by the reduction of ACE activity and levels in plasma. Mechanisms involved in attenuating the levels of ACE warrant further investigation.
Corporate social responsibility and employee engagement: making the case for international corporate-sponsored volunteering using a matched-sample analysis
Authors: Gullekson Nicole L. , Cedergren Anders , Arnold Liz , Brooks Taggert 
Published: August 2021

Purpose
This paper aims to contribute to the growing body of research which demonstrates corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives can be linked to individual-level outcomes, such as employee engagement, using a quasi-experimental field study to provide initial evidence of a casual effect for such programs.

Design/methodology/approach
The authors examined whether participating in an international corporate-sponsored volunteer program increased employee engagement by comparing a sample of employees, matched on their pre-trip engagement scores and other demographic variables, with employees who did not volunteer in the program and comparing the differences in this employee engagement after completing the volunteer experience.

Findings
Using an exact matching technique, the authors were able to isolate the influence of the volunteer program on employee engagement and demonstrate that the program was associated with increased employee engagement after the program ended.

Originality/value
This study provides additional, and stronger, support on the CSR and employee engagement relationship through isolating the causal influence of the volunteer program on engagement. Thus, it provides additional justification for the use of, and financial investment in, such programs by organizations.