bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
4.0 digital transition and human capital: evidence from the Italian Fintech market
Authors: Izzo Filomena , Tomnyuk Viktoriia , Lombardo Rosaria 
Published: August 2021

PurposeIn the intellectual capital literature, no studies have examined the causal relationship between Italian Fintech companies' performance and intellectual capital, especially the impact of digital industrialization on human capital. This paper aims to fill this gap in measuring human capital efficiency in the Italian Fintech market.Design/methodology/approachThe authors adopt Pulic's model and define the intellectual capital through three components (human capital, structural capital and capital employed) and perform an exploratory analysis of the Italian Fintech companies by using principal component analysis. Then the authors investigate the effects of the intellectual capital and its components on the Italian Fintech companies' performance by using parametric and nonparametric regression models.FindingsResults of regression models reveal that human capital and employed capital are positively related to the companies' performance, except for the structural capital.Research limitations/implicationsThe study focuses on the Italian level, and future research could be extended to different European countries or to the global Fintech market. Moreover, it is advised to explore more components that contribute to intellectual capital measurement inside the companies operating in the 4.0 industrial revolution, such as the innovative capital and the relational capital.Practical implicationsThis study proposes a new vision for managerial procedures to find which features are critical for achieving profitability in this digital era. The study offers interesting reflections on the management decisions for both companies and public decision-makers. Results suggest that, among intellectual capital components, human capital plays a strategic role for the knowledge-intensive companies that are interested in potentiating their performance and competitiveness. Furthermore, this study finds that human capital is critical factor for achieving profitability in this digital era.Social implicationsThe Fintech sector is one that most benefited from the Digital Revolution, and if it is adequately managed, it can bring great benefits in terms of major employment, especially for the young population, and bring major financial inclusiveness all over the world.Originality/valueThis is the first study that examines the Italian Fintech market and analyzes the dependence relationship between companies' performance and intellectual capital components, identifying the role of human capital in a new completely digital sector. The analysis findings are strategic for the business decisions-making process.
Why and how do individual entrepreneurs use digital channels in an emerging market? Determinants of use and channel coordination
Authors: Bellaaj Moez 
Published: August 2021

PurposeMany studies have examined the use of social media by either customers or firms, especially in developed markets. However, little is known about why young individual entrepreneurs use digital channels (DCs) as business platforms in emerging markets (EMs) and how they integrate them into their marketing activities. This paper aims to try filling this gap.Design/methodology/approachGiven the exploratory nature of this research, the authors employ a qualitative approach based on a focus group (12 participants) and semi-structured interviews (8 participants) with young entrepreneurs in Saudi Arabia. The authors adopted a deductive thematic analysis based on pre-determined theoretical frameworks to analyse and interpret the data.FindingsThe authors found that the young entrepreneurs mainly used Instagram, Snapchat and, to a moderate extent, YouTube as digital marketing channels for advertising purposes. However, they used WhatsApp for establishing direct contact and personalising communication with customers. The entrepreneurs used these channels because they are useful, easy to use, cost-effective, fun and widely used by local customers. The authors also found that the entrepreneurs used social media and offline channels conjointly in three main marketing activities (communication/promotion, transactions and customer service) to boost the customer purchasing process. The complementarity of social media and offline channels was found to improve brand visibility, enlarge markets and strengthen the customer relationship. However, the achievement of these benefits varied across small firms depending on the entrepreneurs' abilities in coordinating multiple channels and according to the distinctiveness of their businesses.Research limitations/implicationsThis study contributes to the entrepreneurial literature by extending the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) to explain the motives behind the use of DCs amongst individual entrepreneurs. Furthermore, this paper proposes a novel theoretical framework for studying the interaction between online and offline marketing channels during the purchasing process. Through this framework, the study provides new insights into channel coordination and multi-channel customer behaviours from the entrepreneur's perspective.Practical implicationsThis study helps understand why small firms use different DCs. Likewise, it shows how young entrepreneurs coordinate online/offline channels in a complementary manner. The findings could also help in designing appropriate programmes encouraging young entrepreneurs to use online channels and social media to enhance their business activities.Originality/valueThis study offers a novel attempt at explaining the use of DCs and their interaction with traditional channels from the entrepreneur's perspective and brings new insights to why and how young entrepreneurs use DCs in an emerging market.
Exploring key enablers of sustainable transportation in small-and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises
Authors: Karuppiah Koppiahraj , Sankaranarayanan Bathrinath , Ali Syed Mithun 
Published: August 2021

PurposeThe transportation sector is frequently criticized for its adverse environmental impacts. Industrial managers and decision-makers in the transportation sector have difficulty embracing sustainable transportation. Taking this difficulty into consideration, this study intends to locate and evaluate the enablers of sustainable transportation.Design/methodology/approachUsing the Pareto analysis, the study finalized 20 enablers from the list of 25 enablers. The finalized enablers are prioritized, and their causal inter-relationships are revealed using the grey-decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (grey-DEMATEL) method. A sensitivity analysis is performed to determine the influence of experts' weight in the final results.FindingsFindings reveal enhancement of cross-departmental cooperation, decision synchronization, technology cooperation, policy cooperation and route optimization as the five most critical enablers of sustainable transportation. Based on the results, the study proposes some policy implications for the decision-makers to proactively incorporate sustainability concepts.Originality/valueThis paper is the first of its kind to evaluate the enablers of sustainable transportation in the Indian leather industry. This paper proposes a comprehensive list of enablers of sustainable transportation and reveals their causal interrelationships using grey-DEMATEL. The weight of the provided enablers will help the industrial managers to more proactively take sequential actions to incorporate sustainable transportation.
Exotics are more complementary over time in tree biodiversity–ecosystem functioning experiments
Authors: Belluau Michael , Paquette Alain , Gravel Dominique , Reich Peter B. , Stefanski Artur , Messier Christian 
Published: August 2021

Abstract

The Biodiversity–Ecosystem Functioning (BEF) literature proposes that ecosystem functioning increases with biodiversity because of complementarity in resource‐use among species, associated with functional diversity. In this study, we challenge the trait‐based ecology framework by comparing congeneric exotic (European) and native (North American) tree species showing similar resource‐use functional trait values. The trait‐based framework suggests that two functionally equivalent species should play similar roles in a community, resulting in similar interactions and performances. However, several studies showed that when growing in mixtures, exotic species that are functionally equivalent to native species benefitted from enemy release, resulting in a reduced apparent competition. We hypothesize that exotic species should be more productive than native species because the exotic species benefit from reduced apparent competition due to enemy release rather than from possessing more competitive resource‐use functional traits.

We study a diversity experiments, part of the International Diversity Experiment Network with Trees (IDENT), composed of two identical sites, each with two orthogonal diversity gradients: species richness and functional diversity. The functional gradient consists of species combinations of equal richness but increasing functional diversity, using different combinations of species provenance to assess the relationship between productivity, functional diversity and species provenance, independently of species richness. We grew a total of 12 species (six native and six exotic) in different combinations of one‐, two‐ and six‐species mixtures. The exotic species were selected based on their functional equivalence to their native congeneric species.

Eight years after planting, we found that exotic species were more productive than native species, but only at high functional diversity. Results indicate that exotic species overall benefit from a reduced apparent competition, and that exotic‐increased productivity at high functional diversity is consistent with the enemy release hypothesis.

After 8 years, exotic species were more productive overall than their native counterparts, but only in the most functionally diverse communities. This study represents a first step in understanding the relative importance of complementarity in resource‐use and apparent competition in a context of an exotic tree species invasion.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Special needs educators’ roles and work in relation to recently arrived immigrant pupils in need of special educational support
Authors: Johansson Anna , Klang Nina , Lindqvist Gunilla 
Published: August 2021

AbstractMigration to Europe in recent years has made the issue of educational support for recently arrived immigrant pupils critically important, and, especially for pupils who are in need of special educational support. Schools in Sweden have special needs educators (SNEs) supporting pupils in need of special education, but little is known about the work of SNEs in regard to special educational support for recently arrived immigrants. This article reports the results of 483 SNEs answering a survey on their views of their role and work tasks in relation to recently arrived immigrant pupils in need of special educational support in Swedish compulsory schools. SNEs report that their actual tasks include compiling individual educational plans (IEPs), developing learning environments, and supervising staff. Less than 50% of the participants responded that they work directly with the pupils, and around 19% of the SNEs wanted to do more of such work. Class and subject teachers and mother tongue tutors are the occupational groups seen as providing the most support for recently arrived immigrant pupils. The empirical results are discussed from different theoretical perspectives on special education (Emanuelsson, 2001; Persson, 1998), Hughes’ (1958) concept of ‘dirty work’ and Abbott’s theory of profession (1988).
A scoping review of person and family engagement in the context of multiple chronic conditions
Authors: Vick Judith B. , Wolff Jennifer L. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo review definitions, concepts, and evidence regarding person and family engagement for persons with multiple chronic conditions (MCCs) in order to identify opportunities to advance the field.Data SourceOvid MEDLINE.Study DesignWe performed a two‐step process as follows: (1) a critical review of conceptual models of engagement to identify key concepts most pertinent to engagement among persons with MCC as a “launch pad” to our scoping review and (2) a scoping review of reviews of engagement for persons living with MCC.Data Collection/Extraction MethodsFirst, we critically reviewed six models of engagement. Second, our scoping review identified 1297 citations, with 67 articles meeting criteria for inclusion. Of these, we focused on reviews, of which there were nine titles/abstracts retained for full‐text consideration. Six full‐text reviews were included in the final analysis. The purpose, review type, population, number/type of included studies, theoretical framework, and findings of each study were extracted and analyzed thematically.Principal FindingsConceptual models of engagement differ with respect to areas of emphasis (e.g., systems or clinical encounters) as well as attention to vulnerable populations, involvement of family, consideration of cost–benefit trade‐offs, and attention to outcomes that matter most. Our scoping review of reviews identified just one article explicitly focused on engagement interventions for those with MCC. Other reviews examined elements of self‐management and involvement in decision making, conceptually related to engagement without explicit use of the word. We find that existing evidence has predominantly described individual‐level strategies rather than targeting organizations, systems, or policies. Barriers to engagement are not well described nor are potential downsides to engagement. Family engagement is rarely considered.ConclusionsPromising areas of future work include attention to barriers to engagement including trust, goal‐based care, the design of structural changes to care delivery, trade‐offs between benefits and costs, and family engagement.
Health information technology to improve care for people with multiple chronic conditions
Authors: Samal Lipika , Fu Helen N. , Camara Djibril S. , Wang Jing , Bierman Arlene S. , Dorr David A. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo review evidence regarding the use of Health Information Technology (health IT) interventions aimed at improving care for people living with multiple chronic conditions (PLWMCC) in order to identify critical knowledge gaps.Data SourcesWe searched MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, EMBASE, Compendex, and IEEE Xplore databases for studies published in English between 2010 and 2020.Study DesignWe identified studies of health IT interventions for PLWMCC across three domains as follows: self‐management support, care coordination, and algorithms to support clinical decision making.Data Collection/Extraction MethodsStructured search queries were created and validated. Abstracts were reviewed iteratively to refine inclusion and exclusion criteria. The search was supplemented by manually searching the bibliographic sections of the included studies. The search included a forward citation search of studies nested within a clinical trial to identify the clinical trial protocol and published clinical trial results. Data were extracted independently by two reviewers.Principal FindingsThe search yielded 1907 articles; 44 were included. Nine randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 35 other studies including quasi‐experimental, usability, feasibility, qualitative studies, or development/validation studies of analytic models were included. Five RCTs had positive results, and the remaining four RCTs showed that the interventions had no effect. The studies address individual patient engagement and assess patient‐centered outcomes such as quality of life. Few RCTs assess outcomes such as disability and none assess mortality.ConclusionsDespite a growing body of literature on health IT interventions or multicomponent interventions including a health IT component for chronic disease management, current evidence for applying health IT solutions to improve care for PLWMCC is limited. The body of literature included in this review provides critical information on the state of the science as well as the many gaps that need to be filled for digital health to fulfill its promise in supporting care delivery that meets the needs of PLWMCC.
Aligning care with the personal values of patients with complex care needs
Authors: Tuzzio Leah , Berry Andrew L. , Gleason Kathy , Barrow Jennifer , Bayliss Elizabeth A. , Gray Marlaine Figueroa , Delate Thomas , Bermet Zoe , Uratsu Connie S. , Grant Richard W. , Ralston James D. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo identify opportunities to align care with the personal values of patients from three distinct groups with complex medical, behavioral, and social needs.Data Sources/Study SettingBetween June and August 2019, we conducted semi‐structured interviews with individuals with complex care needs in two integrated health care delivery systems.Study DesignQualitative study using semi‐structured interviews.Data Collection MethodsWe interviewed three groups of patients at Kaiser Permanente Washington and Kaiser Permanente Colorado representing three distinct profiles of complex care needs: Group A (“obesity, opioid prescription, and low‐resourced neighborhood”), Group B (“older, high medical morbidity, emergency department, and hospital use”), and Group C (“older, mental and physical health concerns, and low‐resourced neighborhood”). These profiles were identified based on prior work and prioritized by internal primary care stakeholders. Interview transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis.Principal FindingsTwenty‐four patients participated; eight from each complex needs profile. Mean age across groups was 71 (range 48–86) years. We identified five themes common across the three groups that captured patients' views regarding values‐aligned care. These themes focused on the importance of care teams exploring and acknowledging a patient's values, providing access to nonphysician providers who have different perspectives on care delivery, offering values‐aligned mental health care, ensuring connection to community‐based resources that support values and address needs, and providing care that supports the patient plus their family and caregivers.ConclusionsOur results suggest several opportunities to improve how care is delivered to patients with different complex medical, behavioral, and social needs. Future research is needed to better understand how to incorporate these opportunities into health care.
Improving evaluation of nonlethal tools for carnivore management and conservation: evaluating fladry to protect an endangered species from a generalist mesocarnivore
Authors: Windell R. M. , Bailey L. L. , Young J. K. , Livieri T. M. , Eads D. A. , Breck S. W. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractCarnivore conservation and management are global research priorities focused on reversing population declines of imperiled species and identifying more effective and humane management of generalist carnivores with thriving populations. Nonlethal methods to mitigate conflict are increasingly used to advance conservation objectives; however, there is limited knowledge about the effectiveness of many nonlethal methods. We tested a nonlethal tool (fladry), that serves as a barrier to deter wolves Canis lupus and coyotes Canis latrans, for its efficacy at preventing coyotes from using prairie dog Cynomys ludovicianus colonies, the primary prey for critically endangered black‐footed ferrets Mustela nigripes. We used camera trap data and an occupancy approach to evaluate the tool’s efficacy. We measured coyote response to fladry at both a coarse monthly scale (via use, attraction and avoidance probabilities) and a fine scale (via daily activity). Overall, use of areas inside exclosures declined by 60% after 60 days of fladry application and coyotes avoided some previously used areas both within and outside exclosures. Interestingly, coyotes were attracted to previously unused areas surrounding exclosures and increased activity around the periphery of fladry exclosures by 170% immediately after fladry installation, suggesting coyotes actively explored these areas and may have responded to fladry in a way that is counterintuitive to management expectations. Occupancy models provided more robust evaluation of fladry and revealed important behavioral responses relative to other common evaluation techniques (i.e. time until first detected crossing). Our results have implications for future development and evaluation of nonlethal tools for carnivore conservation and management globally.
Roflumilast treatment during forced abstinence reduces relapse to methamphetamine seeking and taking
Authors: Baek James J. , Kline Hannah , Deveau Carmen M. , Yamamoto Bryan K. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractMethamphetamine (METH) is a psychostimulant with high abuse potential. Currently, there are no pharmacological treatments specific for METH abuse or stimulant use disorder generally. Although phosphodiesterase inhibitors have shown some promise, current animal models have not examined their use in abstinence from stimulant abuse. We employed a METH self‐administration model in the rat followed by a forced abstinence period during which roflumilast, a phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor, was administered. A detailed behavioral analysis of chronic treatment with roflumilast during 7 days of forced abstinence showed that roflumilast reduced METH seeking and METH taking upon subsequent relapse test. Roflumilast treatment during 7 days of forced abstinence did not affect sucrose seeking and sucrose taking behaviors. These data suggest that roflumilast may be a treatment for METH use disorder that is effective when administered only during abstinence.
Expression of the alternative splicing regulator Rbfox2 during placental development is differentially regulated in preeclampsia mouse models
Authors: Freitag Nancy , Xie Yiran , Adam Lisa‐Marie , Borowski Sophia , Blois Sandra M. , Barrientos Gabriela 
Published: August 2021

AbstractProblemProper placental development is pivotal to ensure healthy pregnancy outcomes. Among the multiple cellular mechanisms involved in the orchestration of this process, little is known on the role of alternative splicing events in the modulation of trophoblast cell biology. Here, we evaluated the expression of the alternative splicing regulator Rbfox2 in the pre‐ and post‐placentation period in mouse pregnancies in both healthy and pathological settings.Method of studyImmunofluorescence analysis of Rbfox2 expression in mouse implantation sites collected during the pre‐placentation period (E5‐E7) and post‐placentation (E13).ResultsWe identified a progressive increase of Rbfox2 levels throughout the peri‐implantation period with a shift from a cytoplasmatic expression on E5‐E6 to a predominantly nuclear expression on E7, together with a prominent expression of this factor in both subcellular compartments of the primitive placenta. Our results further showed that in contrast to healthy gestations, Rbfox2 expression decreased in preeclamptic models during the post‐placentation period. Finally, we further demonstrated enhanced expression of Rbfox2 proteins in allogeneic pregnancy compared to syngeneic models.ConclusionsOur findings uncover a novel role for Rbfox2‐controlled splicing events in the modulation of trophoblast function, with potential implications for the pathogenesis of preeclampsia and other pregnancy complications originated from defective placentation.