bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Human well-being, morality and the economy: an Islamic perspective
Authors: Kader Haithem 
Published: November 2021

PurposeThis study argues that in order to address the problems associated with the modern market economy at their core, such as persistent poverty, growing inequality and environmental degradation, it is imperative to re-assess the well-being and moral philosophy underpinning economic thinking. The author attempts to offer a preliminary way forward with reference to the Islamic intellectual tradition.Design/methodology/approachThis study employs content analysis of classical and contemporary Islamic texts on human well-being and economic ethics to derive a conceptual well-being model. The paper is structured in four sections: section one provides an overview of relevant secondary literature on moral economic approaches; section two outlines the main well-being frameworks; section three discusses the concept of human well-being in Islam informed by the Islamic worldview of tawḥīd, the Islamic philosophy of saʿādah, and the higher objectives of Islamic Law (maqās.id al-Sharīʿah); and finally, section four discusses policy implications and next steps forward.FindingsA conceptual model of human well-being from an Islamic perspective is developed by integrating philosophical insights of happiness (saʿādah) with an objective list of five essential goods: religion (Dīn), self (Nafs), intellect ('Aql), progeny (Nasl) and wealth (Māl) that correspond to spiritual, physical and psychological, intellectual, familial and social, and material well-being, respectively.Research limitations/implicationsFurther research is needed to translate this conceptual model into a composite well-being index to inform policy and practice.Practical implicationsThis model can be used to review the performance of the Islamic finance sector, not solely in terms of growth and profitability, but in terms of realising human necessities, needs and refinements. It can also provide the basis for the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation (OIC) countries to jointly develop a well-being index to guide national and regional co-operation. More generally, this study highlights the need for research in Islamic economics to be more firmly rooted within Islamic ontology and epistemology, while simultaneously engaging in productive dialogue with other moral schools of economic thought to offer practical solutions to contemporary challenges.Originality/valueThis study offers three aspects of originality. First, by outlining well-being frameworks, it highlights key differences between the utilitarian understanding of well-being underpinning modern economic theory and virtue-based understandings, such as the Aristotelian, Christian and Islamic approaches. Second, it provides a well-being model from an Islamic perspective by integrating the Islamic worldview of tawḥīd, the Islamic philosophy of saʿādah, and the higher objectives of Islamic Law (maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah). Third, it proposes an ethical framework for informing economic policy and practice.
The determinants of Sukūk issuance in GCC countries
Authors: Guermazi Imene 
Published: November 2021

PurposeThis paper focuses on Ṣukūk issuance determinants in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Given the dual characteristic of debt and equity of Ṣukūk as well as their unique benefits of social responsibility, the author questions whether the theories of capital structure, the trade-off and the pecking order are able to well explain the Ṣukūk issuance.Design/methodology/approachFirst, the author verifies these theories using capital structure determinants and regresses the Ṣukūk change on these determinants. Second, the author tests the trade-off theory with the target debt model and third, verifies the pecking order theory using the fund flow deficit model.FindingsThe empirical results show that capital structure determinants fail to explain both theories. The author confirms that the Ṣukūk change is significatively linked to the deviation from a Ṣukūk target. So, issuing firms balance the marginal costs of Ṣukūk and their benefits of religiosity and social responsibility toward a target debt. The author finds no evidence of the pecking order theory.Research limitations/implicationsThis study contributes to corporate finance theory and corporate social responsibility. It verifies if capital structure theories proved in conventional financing can well explain Islamic bonds issuance given their social responsibility benefits.Practical implicationsManagers and investors would pay attention to the social factors explaining Ṣukūk issuance in their finance and investment decisions. They would be enhanced to use this financing tool knowing its social unique benefits. This also should encourage governments to enhance this socially responsible financing. Rating agencies would be motivated to evaluate Ṣukūk and firms would improve the quality and relevance of disclosure to get the best rating.Social implicationsThe author highlights the social factors explaining Ṣukūk issuance and enhances corporate social responsibility (CSR).Originality/valueThe author extends the few literature testing capital structure theories for Islamic bonds and highlights the specific social responsible features of Ṣukūk that would bridge their issuance to capital structure theories. So the author enhances the concept of Islamic CSR. Tying capital structure theories to CSR would also help developing Islamic finance theory as a unique social responsible framework.
Exploring residential characteristics as determinants of household adaptation to climate change in Lagos, Nigeria
Authors: Okunola Olasunkanmi Habeeb , Bako Abdullateef Iyanda 
Published: November 2021

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the factors influencing residents’ adaptation strategies to climate change effects in Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachThe metropolis was stratified into low, medium and high residential densities. Across the residential densities, questionnaires were administered on 384 residents. The questionnaire addressed issues on resident’s socio-economic and demographic attributes, awareness of climate change and factors influencing residents’ adaptation to climate change. Data were analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics.FindingsResult indicated that the adaptation strategies adopted by residents in the different residential areas were similar but varied in magnitude as denoted by the resident response index RRI (RRIh = 3.32, RRIm = 3.39 and RRIl = 3.41). The multiple regression analysis computed indicated the residential characteristics such as education, average monthly income, age, house type and house ownership (p< 0.05) were significant factors influencing resident’s level of climate change adaptation strategies adopted.Research limitations/implicationsThe study could be strengthened by looking at specific climate change effects such as floods or drought in major cities of Nigeria. Hence, the view presented in this paper may not be considered generalizable to the impacts of climate change in the study area.Originality/valueIn recent years, research studies on human adaptation and coping strategies to climate change have generated considerable development interest. This study contributed to this growing area of research by examining the factors influencing residents’ adaptation strategies to climate change in Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria.
Performance and service quality enhancement in a healthcare setting through lean six sigma strategy
Authors: Noronha Ajay , Bhat Shreeranga , Gijo E.V. , Antony Jiju , Laureani Alessandro , Laux Chad 
Published: November 2021

PurposeThe article intended to excavate the Lean Six Sigma (LSS) deployment challenges, Critical Success Factors (CSF), tools and techniques, and managerial implications in an Indian healthcare setting.Design/methodology/approachThe article illustrates a case study established using Action Research (AR) approach. Further, the case study is based on the Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control (DMAIC) phases of LSS. The performance and service quality of the Endodontics department of a dental college attached to a hospital is enhanced and sustained through the LSS strategy.FindingsThe processing time of Root Canal treatment is reduced by determining the root causes for delay and implementing sustainable solutions. The structured deployment of the LSS strategy helped the Endodontics department to reduce the processing time from an average of 116 min–84 min. Thus, the process's sigma level is enhanced from 0.06 to 4.17 and assisted in sustaining the results.Research limitations/implicationsThe case study's findings are based on the single AR carried out at an Endodontics department of a dental college hospital based on LSS strategies. Even though this study's results cannot be generalized, the deliverables of the case study can be used to develop the LSS roadmap for the dental colleges to enhance the service quality and safety of the patients.Originality/valueThe article provides step-by-step details for implementing LSS in dental college hospitals with critical analysis based on robust statistical tools and techniques. The case study provides evidence of the adoption of LSS in medical college education and provides the confidence to adopt the same through novice users. The study's findings may persuade the policymakers to add LSS in the medical education curriculum to reinforce safety and reduce errors in the healthcare system.
Exploring the impact of gender on challenges and coping during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Krase Kathryn , Luzuriaga Leina , Wang Donna , Schoolnik Andrew , Parris-Strigle Chantee , Attis Latoya , Brown Petra 
Published: November 2021

PurposeRepercussions to everyday life caused by the COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately impacted certain segments of the population, including older adults, communities of color and women. The societal response to reduce the impact of the pandemic, including closing schools and working from home, has been experienced differentially by women. This study explored how individual challenges and coping mechanisms differed for women as compared to men.Design/methodology/approachThis study used an anonymous, cross-sectional, online survey early in the COVID-19 pandemic. Convenience, snowball and purposive sampling methods were used. Data were collected in June 2020 targeting adults living in Canada and the USA, with a total of 1,405 people responding, of which, the respondents were primarily women, White and with high education levels.FindingsThe results of this study confirm previous research that women struggled more to adapt to the pandemic and felt less prepared than men during the COVID-19 pandemic. Further, this study found significant differences in the sources of information and support used by women as compared to men.Originality/valueThe findings of this study not only confirm past research but also highlight that practice and policy responses to this pandemic, and future research on national level crises need to be targeted by gender, so that different needs are effectively addressed. Additionally, this article also identifies sources or challenges, as well as support, in order to inform and strengthen such responses.
Lifting the veil on HRIS adoption: the role of vendors and consultants in the diffusion of HR innovations
Authors: Jemine Grégory , Guillaume Kim 
Published: November 2021

PurposeThis paper aims to analyze the adoption process of human resource information systems (HRIS) from a supply-side perspective emphasizing the practices of HRIS vendors and consultants. It aims to counterbalance the existing literature on HRIS, which has overwhelmingly studied HRIS adoption from the customer organization's viewpoint, hence systematically downplaying the active role of vendors and consultants in adoption processes.Design/methodology/approachThe research has been conducted on the HRIS market of the Benelux (Belgium–The Netherlands–Luxemburg) from a constructionist and exploratory perspective. The structure and dynamics underlying the market are gradually unveiled through open interviews with HRIS vendors and consulting firms (n = 22).FindingsThe paper reveals how the social shaping of HR innovations takes place and identifies nine types of pressures exerted by HRIS vendors and consultants on customer organizations: assessing, advising, advertising, case-building, demonstrating, configuring, accompanying, sustaining and supporting. Taken together, these pressures demonstrate the systematic presence and active role of external actors throughout the adoption process of HRIS within firms.Research limitations/implicationsIt is suggested that further supply-side studies of innovation diffusion processes of HRIS should be conducted to complement the existing, demand-side literature. In this view, emphasis should be set on technology providers and their ongoing interactions with customer firms.Originality/valueThe analytical precedence given to supply-side actors allows to conceptualize HRIS adoption as the dynamic result of negotiations between three groups of actors (HRIS vendors, HRIS consultants and customer firms), hence resulting in a more comprehensive and holistic view of HRIS adoption processes.
Gender attributes of the impact of informal savings and loans associations on food security in rural Zimbabwe
Authors: Kairiza Terrence , Kembo George , Magadzire Vengesai , Pallegedara Asankha 
Published: December 2021

PurposeIn the absence of well-developed financial markets, Informal Savings and Loans Associations (ISLAs) provide rural households with an alternative consumption coping mechanisms when confronted by transitory and seasonal food insecurity. The purpose of this study is to investigate the household food consumption coping strategies and gendered importance of ISLAs in improving household food security in rural Zimbabwe.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses household panel data on rural livelihoods from the 2019 and 2020 household surveys conducted by the Zimbabwe Vulnerability Assessment Committee (ZimVAC). Employing propensity score matching approach to cater for the self-selection bias associated with household ISLA membership, the study estimates average treatment effect of household ISLA membership on food security and gendered importance of the propensity of the household to engage in consumption coping strategies.FindingsResults shows that the ISLA membership increases household food security and reduces the household propensity to apply non-ISLA consumption coping mechanisms. Female-headed households with ISLA members are more able to increase food security as well as reduce reliance on non-ISLA consumption coping mechanisms than their male counterparts with ISLA members.Research limitations/implicationsUse of household dietary diversity score and food consumption score as two proxies to measure household food security.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the literature on food consumption coping strategies in Sub-Saharan Africa using recent household panel data.
Super‐resolution imaging detects BP180 autoantigen in immunoglobulin M pemphigoid
Authors: Hirano Yoko , Iwata Hiroaki , Tsujuwaki Masumi , Mai Shoko , Mai Yosuke , Imafuku Keisuke , Izumi Kentaro , Koga Hiroshi , Ujiie Hideyuki 
Published: November 2021

AbstractBullous pemphigoid is generally caused by immunoglobulin (Ig)G autoantibodies against hemidesmosomal BP180 and/or BP230. Recently, the concept of IgM pemphigoid has been proposed. A 23‐year‐old Japanese woman presented with a 4‐month history of severely itchy papules showing subepidermal separations with mild neutrophil infiltration. Direct immunofluorescence (DIF) revealed IgM deposits at the dermoepidermal junction, but neither IgG nor IgA deposits. Indirect immunofluorescence on 1 M NaCl‐split skin demonstrated deposits on the epidermal side. The optical density (OD) value of a modified IgM enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay for full‐length BP180, but not for BP180‐NC16A, was increased. The patient was diagnosed with IgM pemphigoid and was treated with diphenyl sulfone at 50 mg/day without recurrence. To confirm the precise autoantigen, we tried to obtain super‐resolution imaging. The deposition pattern of IgM autoantibodies seemed to be oriented parallel to that of BP180. The detailed images detect DIF deposits apart from BP180‐NC16A staining, but are close to type VII collagen‐NC1 staining. This result suggests that the IgM autoantibodies in the patient might target the C‐terminus of BP180. IgM pemphigoid is still not a widely accepted concept, and the clinical course remains unknown. We will carefully follow‐up the patient. Super‐resolution images may help to detect precise autoantigens in autoimmune blistering diseases.
Decrease in soil pH has greater effects than increase in above‐ground carbon inputs on soil organic carbon in terrestrial ecosystems of China under nitrogen enrichment
Authors: Lu Xiaofei , Gilliam Frank S. , Guo Jieyun , Hou Enqing , Kuang Yuanwen 
Published: November 2021

Abstract

Impacts of nitrogen (N) enrichment on soil carbon (C) budgets in terrestrial ecosystems have been well documented by numerous field experiments and syntheses. Although previous studies have largely attributed this phenomenon to the increased organic C inputs, the potential mechanisms of how N enrichment increases soil organic C (SOC) remain contentious.

In this study, we conducted a meta‐analysis comprising 234 published field N‐addition experiments from multiple terrestrial ecosystems across China to evaluate the impacts of N enrichment on the SOC budget.

Although the meta‐analysis revealed that N‐addition significantly enhanced plant biomass and SOC concentration across the selected studies, we found that SOC concentration was independent of, or even decreased with, the enhanced plant biomass due to increased soil C loss as increasing organic C inputs. The negative correlation between plant C inputs and SOC under N enrichment, meanwhile, appeared reversible by the concomitant changes in soil pH, which depended on the magnitude of soil acidification. Increased SOC in terrestrial ecosystems was closely associated with decreased soil pH, which reduced soil C losses by limiting microbial degradation.

Synthesis and applications. We suggest that soil carbon (C) budget is determined by the trade‐off between plant C inputs and nitrogen (N)‐induced soil acidification. In contrast to other studies, our findings demonstrate that N‐mediated soil acidification, rather than increased above‐ground C inputs, is the main driver increasing soil organic C (SOC) under elevated N inputs in terrestrial ecosystems of China.
Francisella novicida can utilize Paramecium bursaria as its potential host
Authors: Watanabe Kenta , Motonaga Akane , Tachibana Masato , Shimizu Takashi , Watarai Masahisa 
Published: November 2021

SummaryFrancisella novicida is a facultative intracellular pathogen and the causative agent of tularemia. Although cases of infection caused by exposure to contaminated water have been reported, its natural host and ecology in the environment remain unclear. In this study, we investigated in vitro the possibility that Paramecium bursaria may be a useful tool as a protist host model of F. novicida. Experimental infection with F. novicida resulted in a stable intracellular relationship within P. bursaria. This symbiotic intracellular relationship was not observed in experimental infections with other Francisella species and Legionella pneumophila. We found that F. novicida showed similar behaviour to that of the eukaryotic endosymbiont of P. bursaria, the green algae Chlorella, in the internalization process. In addition, stable intracellular localization of F. novicida was possible only when Chlorella was not present. Although we investigated the type VI secretion system of F. novicida as a candidate for the bacterial factor, we found that it was not involved in the establishment of an intracellular relationship with P. bursaria. These results suggested that P. bursaria is potentially a protist host model for F. novicida and may be a useful tool for understanding the relationship between protist hosts and their symbionts.
Accessing specialist support to stop smoking in pregnancy: A qualitative study exploring engagement with UK‐based stop smoking services
Authors: Griffiths Sarah Ellen , Naughton Felix , Brown Katherine E. 
Published: December 2021

ObjectivesSpecialist stop smoking services can be effective for supporting women with smoking cessation during pregnancy, but uptake of these services is low. A novel theoretical approach was used for this research, aiming to identify barriers to and facilitators of engaging with specialist smoking cessation support using the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF).MethodsSemi‐structured interviews and a focus group (n = 28) were carried out with pregnant women who smoke/recently quit smoking, midwives and Stop Smoking in Pregnancy advisors from two local authority commissioned services in the UK. Inductive thematic analysis was used to code interview transcripts and deductive thematic analysis used to match emerging themes to TDF domains.ResultsThemes corresponded to seven domains of the TDF: Knowledge: Knowledge of available services for pregnant smokers; Environmental context and resources: Uptake of referral to cessation services by pregnant smokers; Social Influences: Smoking norms and role of others on addressing smoking in pregnancy; Beliefs about Capabilities: Confidence in delivering and accepting pregnancy smoking cessation support; Beliefs about Consequences: Beliefs about risks of smoking in pregnancy and role of cessation services; Intentions: Intentions to quit smoking during pregnancy; Emotions: Fear of judgement from healthcare professionals for smoking in pregnancy.ConclusionsThese novel findings help to specify factors associated with pregnant women’s engagement, which are useful for underpinning service specification and design by public health commissioners and service providers. Addressing these factors could help to increase uptake of cessation services and reduce rates of smoking in pregnancy.
An experimental framework for evaluating loss minimization in multi‐label classification via stochastic process
Authors: Henrique Sousa Mello Lucas , Varejão Flávio M. , Rodrigues Alexandre L. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractOne major challenge multi‐label classification faces, are the conditions for evaluating multi‐label algorithms. Simplistic experimental setups based on artificial data may not capture crucial situations for analyzing these algorithms. This article introduces an experimental framework for evaluating multi‐label algorithms by artificially generating the probabilistic label distributions. The proposed framework has the benefits of considering a wide variety of labels distributions, and enables users to simulate probability label distributions with a better control of the label dependence and the difficulty of the problem. An experimental study was conducted using the framework where new findings with respect to five methods, binary relevance, classifier chain, dependent binary relevance, calibrated label ranking by pairwise comparison and probabilistic classifier chain, were revealed. This framework will facilitate conducting new experimental studies for analysing the effects of changing label dependence and the difficulty of the problem on the performance of new multi‐label algorithms.