bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Key determinants of quality in the pharmaceutical supply chain
Authors: Tayyab Muhammad , Awan Muhammad Usman , Bukhari Nadeem Irfan , Sabet Ehsan 
Published: April 2021

PurposeEmpirical studies on the supply chain quality management (SCQM) of the pharmaceutical sector are scarce and scattered. This paper investigates a set of key quality determinants in the pharmaceutical sector to offer a holistic quality control framework for its supply chain (SC).Design/methodology/approachA mixed-method design was used. A focused group discussion with seven pharmaceutical SC managers summarized the narratives of the SCQM in this sector and helped to develop a questionnaire. The survey data were collected from the managers of 299 pharmaceutical firms.FindingsThe statistical results show the key determinants are leadership (LS), customer focus (CF), process integration and management (PIM), supplier relations (SR), quality practice (QP), human resource practices (HRP) and safety (SF). Unlike many other sectors, in the pharmaceutical SC, logistics and inventory costs have been proved to be not as important as other measures in the eyes of the SC managers and as part of SCQM performance measures, which can be a result of the priority systems influenced by the World Health Organization standards.Originality/valueThe study is distinctive in its scope as is carried out in a developing country with focus on concept of SCQM with reference to pharmaceutical SC. It shows great potential for further studies and improvements in logistics and warehousing in this sector, for the interest of the pharmaceutical SC managers and regulators who aim to ensure safety and quality in the health-care sector.
Emotional intelligence and perceived organizational support as predictors of emotional exhaustion among nurses and midwives
Authors: Lartey Joshua King Safo , Amponsah-Tawiah Kwesi , Osafo Joseph 
Published: April 2021

PurposeNavigating the physical and emotional conditions of patients on daily basis can be emotionally exhaustive, requiring health professional to regulate their emotions in order to provide quality healthcare. The present study set out to examine the consequential effect of emotional intelligence and perceived organizational support (POS) on emotional exhaustion of nurses and midwives in the Ghanaian context. The study also examined the effects of age and cadres of nursing and midwifery on emotional exhaustion.Design/methodology/approachThe study was quantitative in nature and employed the cross-sectional design in sampling respondents. The study was conducted in four public hospitals and two quasi-public hospitals in three main districts in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. A sample of 342 nurses and midwives were proportionately sampled from various health facilities. The sample constituted of staff nurses and midwives.FindingsThe study revealed that while age, cadres of nursing and midwifery and POS had consequential effects on emotional exhaustion, emotional intelligence failed to predict emotional exhaustion.Originality/valueFindings of the study draw the attention to the importance of organizational support in attenuating the emotional exhaustion associated with the nursing profession.
(In)effective leadership? Exploring the interplay of challenges, goals and measures in the context of school improvement
Authors: Böse Susanne , Brauckmann-Sajkiewicz Stefan 
Published: April 2021

PurposeThis study aims to explore the extent to which schools principals serving disadvantaged communities in Germany are able to set appropriate goals and choose suitable measures for improving their schools according to the specific challenges they face. The authors determine whether principals are able to identify their schools' challenges or whether they merely follow “universal recipes” of the school effectiveness research paradigm regardless of their particular school context. This effectiveness-driven accountability approach requires an in-depth evaluation of the school and its stakeholders and might lead to a new attitude toward failure that sees it as an essential part of developing effective school improvement plans.Design/methodology/approachThe authors conducted descriptive and correlative analyses as well as exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses using longitudinal data of 164 school principals. Through cross-sectional analyses, the authors investigated the connection among challenges, goals and measures and how they correlated with (self-reported) improvements.FindingsFrom a leadership perspective, priorities for school improvement should be aligned with the school-specific challenges they identify and the goals they set to address them.Research limitations/implicationsThe extent to which legislation concerning individual school quality development programs can translate into feasible and effective actions is unclear. Caution should be taken when interpreting the findings of this study, as they reflect school principals' self-selected evaluation measures and therefore might be biased.Practical implicationsIn future research, emphasis should be placed on school management processes, in particular, the development of strategic decision-making, structuring of target perspectives and derivation of steps in school improvement and instructional development. The authors recommend the government offer school principals appropriate and adequate training and support services to prevent them from overburdening their staff.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to a deeper understanding of processes concerning strategic leadership, as opposed to operative management, of schools by revealing context-sensitive considerations.
Relationship of perceived supervisor support, self-efficacy and turnover intention, the mediating role of burnout
Authors: Chami-Malaeb Rola 
Published: April 2021

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to study the effect of two positive organizational factors: the perceived supervisor support (PSS) and the self-efficacy (SE) on nurses' burnout (BO), which concurrently affect the turnover intention (TI) and the mediating role of BO in this relationship.Design/methodology/approachA cross-sectional survey-based study of a sample of 552 Lebanese registered nurses from 19 Lebanese hospitals was conducted.FindingsThe authors’ findings confirm that PSS and SE both reduce the level of BO and the turnover intention significantly. The higher the perceived supervisors' support and the nurses' SE, the less they experience BO. BO has partially mediated the relationship of the PSS and SE on TI. This study reveals that supervisors' support is well perceived by Lebanese nurses, whose s is relatively high, while their levels of BO are considered moderate. However, BO levels vary proportionally with demographic variables, namely age, work experience, gender, marital status and education.Originality/valueThis study provides new evidence on the relationship between PSS, SE and BO and turnover intention of Lebanese nurses. It is unique in studying the role of nurses' SE with regard to BO and TI and improving the quality of nurses' work life. It shows the significance of the supervisors' role in supporting the psychological state of nurses. The context of the study, Lebanon, is also novel as it differs from advanced economies institutionally, culturally and in legal frameworks that govern the employee–supervisor relationships.
A narrative review of reviews of interconnecting risks (IR) of mental health problems for young people
Authors: Edbrooke‐Childs Julian , Deighton Jessica 
Published: April 2021

The aim of this narrative review is to examine the most prevalent multiple or interconnecting risks of mental health problems that have been identified in previous reviews of the literature and to examine those most prevalent for children and young people. Overall, ten databases were searched for published literature reviews, and from 1,556 unique hits, 91 reviews examining individual risks were included, with 35 reviews examining interconnecting risks. The findings suggest that interpersonal connection plays a central role in interconnecting risks, as indicated by the number of interconnections between social groups, interpersonal, parental relationships and family cohesion with other risk themes. Family and systemic approaches have clear value in supporting young people by enabling the development of a secure relational foundation on which to build future protective interpersonal connections.Practitioner Points

Interpersonal connection plays a central role in interconnecting risks, as indicated by the number of interconnections between social groups, interpersonal, parental relationships and family cohesion with other risk themes.

Interventions that support young people to build and maintain interpersonal connections when experiencing individual and interconnecting risks may have important consequences for the prevention and early intervention of mental health problems.

Family and systemic approaches have clear value in supporting young people by enabling the development of a secure relational foundation on which to build future protective interpersonal connections.
Exploring subjective experiences of international social workers in Asia: Content analysis of Japanese field reports
Authors: Higashida Masateru 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe aim of this study is to explore the subjective and practical experiences of international social workers, focusing on the content, outcomes, impact, and related factors of their activities in Asia. Individual reports of social workers dispatched from Japan to 11 Asian countries during the period of 2003–2018 were collected (n = 59). A mixed quantitative and qualitative content analysis was used to examine their experiences and perceptions in the field. Parts of their reports were categorized mainly into the relationship between requested activities and perceived needs, the type of social work activities conducted, experiences of success and failure in activities, and perceived outcomes and impact of the activities. The quantitative analysis showed that approximately 48.9% of the social workers described positive outcomes of their activities and 43.9% described positive impacts of their activities on the placement or communities. The qualitative analysis revealed that they experienced a variety of difficulties, together with sociocultural and religious differences. Many of their experiences of success or failure appeared to be associated with their interactions with local stakeholders. The findings suggest the importance of the reflective and contextualized practice of international developmental social workers with local stakeholders.
Component‐resolved diagnosis using guinea‐pig allergens elucidates allergen sensitization profiles in allergy to furry animals
Authors: Swiontek Kyra , Kler Stéphanie , Lehners Christiane , Ollert Markus , Hentges François , Hilger Christiane 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundFurry animals are an important source of indoor allergens. Diagnosis of allergy to small pets such as guinea‐pigs still relies on animal dander extracts which do not allow to define the primary sensitization source.ObjectiveTo identify major guinea‐pig allergens and to evaluate their potential as marker allergens for in vitro IgE‐diagnosis in comparison with dander extracts.MethodsA group of patients allergic to guinea‐pig (n = 29) and a group of patients allergic to cat and dog (n = 30) were recruited for the study. A panel of four guinea‐pig lipocalin allergens was expressed as recombinant proteins in E. coli. Specific IgE were quantified by ImmunoCAP and ELISA.ResultsThe combination of 4 guinea‐pig lipocalin allergens, including 2 new lipocalins, Cav p 1.0201 and Cav p 6.0101, and the previously characterized lipocalins Cav p 2 and Cav p 3, enabled the identification of 90% of all patients allergic to guinea‐pig. The vast majority had specific IgE to Cav p 1 (83%). Cav p 6 shares 54% sequence identity with Fel d 4 and Can f 6 and was found to be IgE‐cross‐reactive with these allergens. In the group of cat‐ and dog‐allergic patients, 73% had also specific IgE to guinea‐pig dander. However, only 27% of the cat /dog‐allergic patients had specific IgE to any of the non‐cross‐reactive guinea‐pig allergens Cav p 1, Cav p 2 or Cav p 3. The high prevalence of IgE to guinea‐pig dander could be explained by IgE‐cross‐reactivity among serum albumins and certain lipocalins.Conclusions and clinical relevanceThe availability of specific allergen markers is essential for the assessment of primary sensitization, especially in polysensitized patients. The proposed panel of guinea‐pig allergens Cav p 1, Cav p 2 and Cav p 3 is a first step to component‐resolved IgE‐diagnosis of allergy to small furry pets.
Central precocious puberty: Recent advances in understanding the aetiology and in the clinical approach
Authors: Maione Luigi , Bouvattier Claire , Kaiser Ursula B. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractCentral precocious puberty (CPP) results from early activation of the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐gonadal (HPG) axis. The current state of knowledge of the complex neural network acting at the level of the hypothalamus and the GnRH neuron to control puberty onset has expanded, particularly in the context of molecular interactions. Along with these advances, the knowledge of pubertal physiology and pathophysiology has also increased. This review focuses on regulatory abnormalities occurring at the hypothalamic level of the HPG axis to cause CPP. The clinical approach to diagnosis of puberty and pubertal disorders is also reviewed, with a particular focus on aetiologies of CPP. The recent identification of mutations in MKRN3 and DLK1 in familial as well sporadic forms of CPP has changed the state of the art of the approach to patients with CPP. Genetic advances have also had important repercussions beyond consideration of puberty alone. Syndromic disorders and central nervous system lesions associated with CPP are also discussed. If untreated, these conditions may lead to adverse physical, psychosocial and medical outcomes.
Serum vaspin levels and carotid intima‐media thickness in predialysis patients
Authors: Akyol Aytac , Demirkıran Davut , Akdag Serkan , Naci Aldemir Mehmet , Simsek Hakkı , Ali Gumrukcuoglu Hasan , Sahin Musa , Emre Habib 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackground and ObjectiveVisceral adipose tissue‐derived serine proteinase inhibitor (vaspin) is an adipokine that correlates with insulin resistance and obesity in human beings. Previous studies have evaluated the serum vaspin levels in several diseases such as chronic haemodialysis patients and coronary artery disease. To our knowledge, serum vaspin levels have not yet been reported in predialysis patients. Carotid intima‐media thickness (CIMT) is a noninvasive procedure to detect early atherosclerotic changes. The aim of this study was to evaluate serum vaspin levels in predialysis patients and their relationships with glomerular filtration rate and CIMT levels.MethodsA total of twenty‐five predialysis patients (14 females and 11 males) and 22 healthy subjects (8 females and 14 males) were enrolled in the study. Serum samples were subjected to the human vaspin RIA system. CIMT was measured by B‐mode ultrasonography.ResultsSerum vaspin levels were significantly lower in predialysis patients than control subjects (P < .05), while CIMT levels were significantly higher (P < .001). Serum vaspin levels were found to be significantly correlated with glomerular filtration rate (r = 0.42, P < .001) and CIMT (r = −0.47, P < .05) in predialysis patients.ConclusionsThis is the first report to describe the association between serum vaspin levels and CIMT in predialysis patients. We concluded that serum vaspin levels were decreased in predialysis patients than control subjects. In addition, serum vaspin levels were found to be significantly correlated with glomerular filtration rate and CIMT.
Characterization of benzodiazepine misuse and comorbidities in patients with alcohol use disorder
Authors: Lopez Elodie , Jeanne Guillaume , Lefort Laure‐Hélène , Autissier Cécile , Picot Marie‐Christine , Peyrière Hélène , Donnadieu‐Rigole Hélène 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundDue to the frequent presence of anxious symptoms and sleep disorders, benzodiazepines (BZD) are often prescribed to patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD).ObjectivesTo assess BZD misuse and psychiatric comorbidities in patients with AUD.MethodsThis prospective, monocentric study included all adult patients with AUD hospitalized in a French addiction unit for alcohol withdrawal from November 2017 to May 2018.ResultsAmong the 153 patients included, 75 (49%) were using BZD at the time of their hospitalization. Duration of alcohol addiction was longer in BZD users: (33 ± 27 years vs. 29 ± 11 years; P = 0.001). BZD misuse was noted in 27 patients consuming benzodiazepines (36% of BZD users and 18% of all included patients), mainly increase in the dose (on average, 3 ± 4 times the prescribed dose). The most frequently misused benzodiazepines were diazepam (43.2%), alprazolam (18.9%), and lormetazepam (13.5%). The frequency of patients with lifetime use of cocaine or heroin was higher among BZD misusers than among non‐misusers (84.6% vs. 42.2%; <0.01 and 53.9% vs. 27.1%; P = 0.04). The frequency of patients consuming cocaine in the last month was higher in BZD misusers than in others: 16% versus 6%, P = 0.002. In multivariate analysis, age (OR=1.65 for 5 years, 95% CI = 1.19–2.27; P = 0.023), psychiatric comorbidities (at least one comorbidity: OR=6.03, 95% CI = 1.40–25.83; P = 0.015) and lifetime cocaine consumption (OR=4.37, 95% CI = 1.21–15.86; P = 0.025) were independently associated with BZD misuse.ConclusionBZD prescription for long periods might result in tolerance and dose increase. Educational therapy, prescribers’ awareness, and development of therapeutic alternatives are essential to limit BZD misuse.
Dispersants for silicon carbide in water—A comparative study
Authors: Foghmoes Søren , Jørgensen Jan Hoffmann , Agersted Karsten , Nielsen Marianne , Della Negra Michela 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe present work describes a comparative study on a pool of 12 dispersants for the de‐agglomeration and stabilization of silicon carbide in aqueous suspensions with solids loading relevant for dip coating applications. As silicon carbide slurries may include sintering aids, different functional groups, molecular weight, and stabilization mechanisms were considered for the dispersants to be able to stabilize both slurry components. Additionally, pH effect, toxicity, additive compatibility, and foaming properties were considered, giving all the necessary information for developing new aqueous formulation of SiC suspensions, including advantages and disadvantages of the different candidates. Different de‐agglomeration procedures, powder surface area, and calcination temperature were also considered to study the effect of the SiC surface properties. The outcome is that slurry stabilization provided by an alkaline environment at pH larger than 8‒9 is significantly more effective than slurry stabilization by any of the tested dispersants. Alkaline environments facilitate a negative surface charge on SiC particles and provide a stable electrostatic stabilization mechanism not observed in neutral or acidic environments. One among the dispersant candidates (FA 4404) seems to broaden slightly the range of stability toward the acidic regime. Anionic surfactants or block co‐polymers tested exhibited no significant interaction with the SiC particles.
Exosomes from neuronal stem cells may protect the heart from ischaemia/reperfusion injury via JAK1/2 and gp130
Authors: Katsur Miroslava , He Zhenhe , Vinokur Vladimir , Corteling Randolph , Yellon Derek M , Davidson Sean M 
Published: April 2021

AbstractMyocardial infarction requires urgent reperfusion to salvage viable heart tissue. However, reperfusion increases infarct size further by promoting mitochondrial damage in cardiomyocytes. Exosomes from a wide range of different cell sources have been shown to activate cardioprotective pathways in cardiomyocytes, thereby reducing infarct size. Yet, it is currently challenging to obtain highly pure exosomes in quantities enough for clinical studies. To overcome this problem, we used exosomes isolated from CTX0E03 neuronal stem cells, which are genetically stable, conditionally inducible and can be produced on an industrial scale. However, it is unknown whether exosomes from neuronal stem cells may reduce cardiac ischaemia/reperfusion injury. In this study, we demonstrate that exosomes from differentiating CTX0E03 cells can reduce infarct size in mice. In an in vitro assay, these exosomes delayed cardiomyocyte mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening, which is responsible for cardiomyocyte death after reperfusion. The mechanism of MPTP inhibition was via gp130 signalling and the downstream JAK/STAT pathway. Our results support previous findings that exosomes from non‐cardiomyocyte‐related cells produce exosomes capable of protecting cardiomyocytes from myocardial infarction. We anticipate our findings may encourage scientists to use exosomes obtained from reproducible clinical‐grade stocks of cells for their ischaemia/reperfusion studies.
Emission reduction strategies in the EU steel industry: Implications for business model innovation
Authors: Axelson Matilda , Oberthür Sebastian , Nilsson Lars J. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe European steel industry must achieve deep greenhouse gas emission reductions to become climate neutral by 2050. New business models are often proposed as one of the key solutions but are mostly addressed in general terms, without elaborating on or systematically analyzing how these new business models are actually linked to specific mitigation measures or strategies. In this paper, we assess when and to what extent different emission reduction strategies in the EU steel industry have implications for business model innovation. Through a review of 42 recent publications on industrial decarbonization, we identify 9 types of decarbonization strategies for steelmaking and their emission reduction potential. The strategies achieve emission reductions through material efficiency, emission efficiency, or a combination of both. For each strategy, we analyze the need for incremental or radical changes in business models on the basis of a thorough reading of the business model literature. Our findings show that EU steel firms can pursue several strategies to decarbonize without having to radically innovate their business models. Importantly, material efficiency strategies, arguably key to decarbonization, imply more radical changes to business models than emission efficiency strategies. Our study is a first contribution to the systematic assessment of industrial decarbonization strategies from a business model perspective. It is also an attempt to bring more rigor to the understanding of the role of business models in industrial decarbonization.