bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Provitamin A cassava hydrolysate with Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG regulates weight gain, lipids and postprandial glycemia in wistar rats and humans
Authors: Oguntoye Modupeola , Ezekiel Olufunke , Oridupa Olayinka 
Published: December 2021

Purpose
This study aims to evaluate the effect of probiotic provitamin A cassava hydrolysate with Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (hLGG) on weight and lipid profile of Wistar rats and its glycemic index using Wistar rats and human subjects.

Design/methodology/approach
Adult male Wistar rats (n = 40, 120–150 g) were orally administered provitamin A cassava hydrolysate with 1 × 1010, 2 × 1010 and 4 × 1010 CFU/g encapsulated or CFU/mL free Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG for 30 days, during which weight and lipid profile of rats were monitored. Blood glucose levels of rats and human subjects were also measured in Oral Glucose Tolerance Test to determine the Glycemic indices of hLGG.

Findings
Rats administered the highest doses of free or encapsulated hLGG [(4 × 1010 CFU) (PHE4 and PHF4, respectively)] had the lowest (18.2 ± 0.7 and 8.0 ± 0.6%, respectively, p < 0.001) percentage body weight gain compared to control (40 ± 0.6%). Lowest cholesterol and triglyceride (42.4 ± 0.5 and 44.4 ± 0.7 g/dL, p < 0.001, respectively) were observed in rats administered PHE4, with the lowest plasma glucose concentrations in PHE4 and PHF4 groups (43 ± 1 and 49 ± 0.7 g/dL, p < 0.001, respectively). Oral Glucose Tolerance Test for rats and human subjects showed lower peak blood glucose levels and glycemic indices in hLGG groups compared to controls in a dose-dependent manner.

Originality/value
Consumption of soft drinks, which supply non-nutritive energy, may lead to degenerative metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes. Beverages with probiotics such as Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, on the other hand, offer a positive weight management approach. Development of non-dairy beverages such as provitamin A cassava hLGG is ongoing. Provitamin A cassava hLGG showed its ability to control weight gain, blood glucose levels and serum lipids. Thus, the beverage can be consumed as a healthy alternative to soft drinks and for weight management.
Mobilizing a pluralist theoretical approach to understand microlending digital platforms: the AfricaMC case
Authors: van Heck Eric , Souza Ana Clara , Pozzebon Marlei , Petrini Maira 
Published: December 2021

Purpose
This study aims to explore how a microlending digital platform connects social investors in developed countries and micro-entrepreneurs in Africa. However, additional research is necessary to discuss how online auction models are designed and implemented and how existing theories can explain their use in the so-called developing countries.

Design/methodology/approach
The research is based on a single case study: an online auction model for microlending named AfricaMC. Two main methods collected empirical data, namely, online participant observation, i.e. real-time participation in the online auction market and in the forum of discussions, where the authors observed the processes of microlending transactions as registered members; analysis of online documents, by reviewing forum discussions, analyzing reports, blogs, chats and other materials.

Findings
The results suggest that using sociological and information systems theoretical lenses in a complementary manner could provide greater value than using economics.

Originality/value
The study makes two main contributions. First, it mobilizes a pluralist theoretical approach based on economic, sociological and information systems perspectives to improve the understanding of microlending digital platforms using online auction models. Second, it uses the understanding produced from data analysis of one particular African case to validate propositions derived from these three theoretical approaches that might be applied to other cases.
Situating LIS pedagogy and curriculum in diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and anti-racism: a reflection on process
Authors: Winn Jade G. , Miller Melissa L. , Muglia Caroline , Stewart Christopher , Wallach Ruth 
Published: December 2021

PurposeA working group of Masters in Management of Library and Information Science (MMLIS) Librarian Faculty was formed to address diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility and anti-racism (DEIA + AR) specifically in pedagogy and curriculum, resulting in actionable items and recommendations that will ensure the program is promoting diversity, equity, inclusive, accessable and anti-racist strategies, curriculum, resources and pedagogical practices in our classrooms.Design/methodology/approachThe Working Groups charge was designed to begin the work of dismantling the inequitable power structures which will lead to more equitable opportunities and access for marginalized groups that will become leaders in information sciences in the future.FindingsThe efforts of the DEIA + AR Working Group resulted in several supplemental documents in addition to the formal recommendations including curricular and pedagogical best practices, a terminology document (establishing a shared language), a commitment document, recommendations, and a resource repository.Practical implicationsA working group of MMLIS Librarian Faculty was formed to address DEIA + AR specifically in the program's pedagogy and curriculum, resulting in actionable items and recommendations that will ensure the program is promoting anti-racist strategies, curriculum, resources and pedagogical practices in our classrooms.Social implicationsThis process study has value and impact for academics from any discipline to learn about one University's MMLIS program prioritizing DEIA + AR in program development, curriculum and pedagogical practices.Originality/valueThe converging events of the international pandemic and the national crisis of inequity in the United States in 2020 prompted a renewed commitment by the MMLIS program at the University of Southern California (USC) to revisit the program's DEIA policies and procedures and add anti-racism constructs into the curriculum.
Impact of human resource management practices on TQM: an ISM-DEMATEL approach
Authors: Pandey Priyanka , Agrawal Nishant , Saharan Teena , Raut Rakesh D. 
Published: December 2021

PurposeThe theory-building around the quality of human resources has received extensive attention in recent years. Numerous quantitative studies discuss and test theories related to total quality management and human resource linkages. The study aims to understand interlinkages of quality and human resources using Interpretative Structural Modeling (ISM) methodology and DEMATEL.Design/methodology/approachThis paper uses ISM methodology to examine the interrelationship between the identified variables and the DEMATEL approach to find cause–effect relationships. An integrated approach helps managers for better total quality management (TQM) implementation. This study further extended using Total Interpretative Structural Modeling (TISM).FindingsThe integrated approach of ISM and DEMATEL shows that leadership development, hiring process and training development become most important for TQM implementation. The outcome of ISM shows customer satisfaction and corporate image are depending on other practices, where DEMATEL analysis revealed that eight practices cause and remaining are effective practices.Originality/valueThis research's integrated approach helps the firm identify essential practices, and further interdependency can be developed from cause and effect analysis. The study also provided a novel approach to implementing TQM practices.
Facilitating SMEs' profitability through total quality management: the roles of risk management, digitalization, stakeholder management and system deployment
Authors: Lepistö Kari , Saunila Minna , Ukko Juhani 
Published: December 2021

PurposeThis study investigates the effect of total quality management (TQM) on small and medium enterprises (SMEs) ' profitability by examining whether the new TQM dimensions of risk management, digitalization, stakeholder management and system deployment, facilitate the impact of traditional TQM dimensions on profitability.Design/methodology/approachA structured survey of 271 Finnish SMEs divided into industry companies and service companies was used.FindingsRisk management facilitates the relation between continuous improvement and company profitability. Digitalization does not facilitate the relation between TQM dimensions and company profitability. Stakeholder management facilitates the relation between management/leadership and company profitability, customer focus and company profitability and continuous improvement and company profitability. System deployment does not facilitate the relation between TQM dimensions and company profitability.Originality/valueMost prior studies are based on the traditional TQM classification. The TQM dimensions of this study are more comprehensive than previous studies and take into account the latest trends in business development. The findings of this study differ from most previous studies and provide a source of reflection for SME management on how TQM should be implemented so that it affects the company's profitability.
Entrepreneurial resilience and business continuity in the tourism and hospitality industry: the role of adaptive performance and institutional orientation
Authors: Elshaer Ibrahim A. , Saad Samar Kamel 
Published: December 2021

Purpose
This study aims to explore the dynamics of resilience in tourism and hospitality enterprises by investigating the influence of internal and external contextual factors (i.e. adaptive performance and institutional orientation) on the relationship between entrepreneurs’ resilience and business continuity indicators (i.e. perception of career insecurity and business exit intention).

Design/methodology/approach
In the Covid-19 pandemic context, quantitative data were collected using self-administrated questionnaires from entrepreneurs (founders of small-sized restaurants and travel agents in Egypt) using structural equation modeling.

Findings
The study reveals that entrepreneurs’ resilience under adversities directly correlates with business continuity indicators, with adaptive performance and institutional orientation functioning as mediators.

Research limitations/implications
The socio-demographic characteristics of entrepreneurs could be further investigated to observe the differences based on age, education and region. The type of business (i.e. restaurants and travel agents) could have an impact on the examined relationships. Therefore, further studies can use multi-group analysis to examine such differences between various sub-sectors of the hospitality business. Finally, the cross-sectional sample method used in this study is another limitation. In any study in which causality is inferred, longitudinal research confirms stronger inferences (Morgan & Hunt, 1994).

Practical implications
An instant implication is that entrepreneurs can take proactive actions to enhance their resilience. Entrepreneurs should seek to influence their own skills and abilities through various educational and training programs. For example, they can take advantage of business seminars, workshops and executive education courses. Entrepreneurs who have the chance of enhancing their skills in solving complex problems, identifying their strengths, managing their emotions are better able to adapt to unfavorable circumstances.

Social implications
The inhabited environment. Entrepreneurs should be institutionally oriented by building strong communications and networks with key actors and business-to-business customers. This would help entrepreneurs to understand the rules of the game, adapt to the environment, gain market legitimacy and accordingly acquire the social and financial support when hazards occur.

Originality/value
The extant literature lacks evidence about the internal and external contextual factors underlying the process of resilience in small and medium-sized enterprises and its outcomes. Research on entrepreneurship has rarely discussed the antecedents of business withdrawal. This study contributes to addressing this research gap.
To bee, or not to bee? One leg is the question
Authors: Cavill Emily Louisa , Liu Shanlin , Zhou Xin , Gilbert M. Thomas P. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractTemporal genomic studies that utilise museum insects are invaluable for understanding changes in ecological processes in which insects are essential, such as wild and agricultural pollination, seed dispersal, nutrient cycling, and food web architecture, to name a few. However, given such analyses come at the cost of physical damage to museum specimens required for such work, there is a natural interest in the development and/or application of methods to minimise the damage incurred. We explored the efficacy of a recently published single stranded library construction protocol, on DNA extracted from single legs taken from eight dry‐preserved historic bee specimens collected 150 years ago. Specifically, the DNA was extracted using a “minimally destructive” method that leaves the samples' exterior intact. Our sequencing data revealed not only that the endogenous DNA recovered from some of the samples was at a relatively high level (up to 58%), but that the complexity of the libraries was sufficient in the best samples to theoretically allow deeper sequencing to a predicted level of 69x genome coverage. As such, these combined protocols offer the possibility to generate sequencing data at levels that are suitable for many common evolutionary genomic analyses, while simultaneously minimising the damage conferred to the valuable dried museum bee samples. Furthermore, we anticipate that these methods may have much wider application on many other invertebrate taxa stored in a similar way. We hope that the results from this research may be able to contribute to the increased willingness of museums to loan much needed dry‐preserved insects for future genomic studies.
18S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing combined with culture‐based surveys of maize rhizosphere protists reveal dominant, plant‐enriched and culturable community members
Authors: Taerum Stephen J. , Micciulla Jamie , Corso Gabrielle , Steven Blaire , Gage Daniel J. , Triplett Lindsay R. 
Published: December 2021

SummaryProtists play important roles in shaping the microbial community of the rhizosphere and defining these roles will require the study of protist isolates. However, there is still a limited understanding of how well protist isolation efforts can capture the diversity and composition of rhizosphere protistan communities. Here, we report a simultaneous isolation and 18S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing survey describing the protist diversity of maize rhizospheres in two climatically and pedologically distinct sites. We demonstrated that the maize rhizosphere exerted significant and site‐dependent effects on the protistan community structure and defined a set of core and rhizosphere‐enriched protists. From the same root samples, we generated a library of 103 protist isolates representing 46 18S rRNA gene sequence variants from six eukaryotic supergroups. While cultured isolates represented a small proportion of total protist diversity recovered by sequencing, they included taxa enriched in rhizosphere soils across all samples, encompassing 9% of all core sequence variants. The isolation approach also captured 17 protists not detected through 18S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. This study demonstrated that maize roots select for distinct protistan communities, and established a diverse protist culture collection that can be used for future research linking protists to rhizosphere status and plant health.
GROUPS 2 CONNECT: An online activity to maintain social connection and well‐being during COVID‐19
Authors: Bentley Sarah V. , Haslam Catherine , Haslam S. Alexander , Jetten Jolanda , Larwood Joel , La Rue Crystal J. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractCOVID‐19 has had significant negative consequences for well‐being. As well as the primary effects of the virus itself, secondary effects have resulted from the social isolation caused by the lockdowns imposed to slow the spread of the virus. Recognising the toxic effects of isolation, researchers, practitioners and policy‐makers are conscious of the need to mitigate the negative effects of social distancing. Drawing on insights from a large body of research on the Social Identity Approach to Health, we devised an online activity—GROUPS 2 CONNECT (G2C)—aimed at helping people to maintain social connectedness when face‐to‐face interaction was not possible. Across four studies (N = 1021), we found that after completing the G2C activity, participants reported an increase in perceived quality of social connection, perceived ability to stay connected and well‐being, with results showing that for two of the three longitudinal studies these uplifts were stable over time, and for all studies, the uplifts remained consistently higher for those who reported completing their social connection goals. These findings provide initial evidence of the value of G2C as a tool to support social connection, thereby reducing the risk of social isolation.
Population pharmacokinetic analysis of dexmedetomidine in children using real‐world data from electronic health records and remnant specimens
Authors: James Nathan T. , Breeyear Joseph H. , Caprioli Richard , Edwards Todd , Hachey Brian , Kannankeril Prince J. , Keaton Jacob M. , Marshall Matthew D. , Van Driest Sara L. , Choi Leena 
Published: December 2021

AimsOur objectives were to perform a population pharmacokinetic analysis of dexmedetomidine in children using remnant specimens and electronic health records (EHRs) and explore the impact of patient's characteristics and pharmacogenetics on dexmedetomidine clearance.MethodsDexmedetomidine dosing and patient data were gathered from EHRs and combined with opportunistically sampled remnant specimens. Population pharmacokinetic models were developed using nonlinear mixed‐effects modelling. Stage 1 developed a model without genotype variables; Stage 2 added pharmacogenetic effects.ResultsOur final study population included 354 post‐cardiac surgery patients aged 0–22 years (median 16 mo). The data were best described with a 2‐compartment model with allometric scaling for weight and Hill maturation function for age. Population parameter estimates and 95% confidence intervals were 27.3 L/h (24.0–31.1 L/h) for total clearance, 161 L (139–187 L) for central compartment volume of distribution, 26.0 L/h (22.5–30.0 L/h) for intercompartmental clearance and 7903 L (5617–11 119 L) for peripheral compartment volume of distribution. The estimate for postmenstrual age when 50% of adult clearance is achieved was 42.0 weeks (41.5–42.5 weeks) and the Hill coefficient estimate was 7.04 (6.99–7.08). Genotype was not statistically or clinically significant.ConclusionOur study demonstrates the use of real‐world EHR data and remnant specimens to perform a population pharmacokinetic analysis and investigate covariate effects in a large paediatric population. Weight and age were important predictors of clearance. We did not find evidence for pharmacogenetic effects of UGT1A4 or UGT2B10 genotype or CYP2A6 risk score.
Informative title: Guided bone regeneration with and without rhBMP‐2: 17‐year results of a randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: Jung Ronald E. , Kovacs Marionna N. , Thoma Daniel S. , Hämmerle Christoph H. F. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractObjectivesTo assess long‐term outcomes of implants placed in conjunction with guided bone regeneration (GBR) with or without recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein‐2 (rhBMP‐2).Materials and MethodsEleven patients with at least two lateral bone defects (split‐mouth design) received a total of 34 implants. The defects were treated with a xenogenic bone substitute with (test) or without (control) rhBMP‐2 and covered with a collagen membrane. Eight patients could be reexamined after at least 17 years. Wilcoxon signed‐rank tests were performed to assess differences between test and control groups.ResultsThe implant survival rate was 100% for all test and control sites. Mean marginal bone levels were 2.51 mm (SD ±1.64) (mesial test), 1.83 mm (SD ±0.93) (mesial control) (p = .055), 2.36 mm (SD ±1.70) (distal test), and 2.13 mm (SD ±0.84) (distal control) (p = 1.000). Compared with the mean values at baseline, a mean bone loss of 1.16 mm (SD ±1.60) (test) and 0.70 mm (SD ±1.02) (control) was found. The mean buccal bone gain after 17 years was 5.38 mm (test) and 3.14 mm (control) based on the comparison between the measurements at the cone beam CT after 17 years and the data from the intraoperative measurements at baseline. Further, mean values for (i) bone thickness ranged from 1.36 to 3.09 mm (test) and 1.18 to 3.39 mm (control) and for (ii) mucosal thickness of 1.24 mm (test) and 1.26 mm (control).ConclusionImplants placed in conjunction with GBR applying a xenogenic bone substitute and a collagen membrane with and without the addition of rhBMP‐2 demonstrate excellent clinical and radiographic results after at least 17 years.
Enoxaparin for thromboprophylaxis in hospitalized COVID‐19 patients: The X‐COVID‐19 Randomized Trial
Authors: Morici Nuccia , Podda GianMarco , Birocchi Simone , Bonacchini Luca , Merli Marco , Trezzi Michele , Massaini Gianluca , Agostinis Marco , Carioti Giulia , Saverio Serino Francesco , Gazzaniga Gianluca , Barberis Daniela , Antolini Laura , Grazia Valsecchi Maria , Cattaneo Marco 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackgroundIt is uncertain whether higher doses of anticoagulants than recommended for thromboprophylaxis are necessary in COVID‐19 patients hospitalized in general wardsMethodsThis is a multicentre, open‐label, randomized trial performed in 9 Italian centres, comparing 40 mg b.i.d. versus 40 mg o.d. enoxaparin in COVID‐19 patients, between April 30 2020 and April 25 2021. Primary efficacy outcome was in‐hospital incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE): asymptomatic or symptomatic proximal deep vein thrombosis (DVT) diagnosed by serial compression ultrasonography (CUS), and/or symptomatic pulmonary embolism (PE) diagnosed by computed tomography angiography (CTA). Secondary endpoints included each individual component of the primary efficacy outcome and a composite of death, VTE, mechanical ventilation, stroke, myocardial infarction, admission to ICU. Safety outcomes included major bleeding.ResultsThe study was interrupted prematurely due to slow recruitment. We included 183 (96%) of the 189 enrolled patients in the primary analysis (91 in b.i.d., 92 in o.d.). Primary efficacy outcome occurred in 6 patients (6.5%, 0 DVT, 6 PE) in the o.d. group and 0 in the b.id. group (ARR 6.5, 95% CI: 1.5–11.6). The absence of concomitant DVT and imaging characteristics suggests that most pulmonary artery occlusions were actually caused by local thrombi rather than PE. Statistically nonsignificant differences in secondary and safety endpoints were observed, with two major bleeding events in each arm.ConclusionsNo DVT developed in COVID‐19 patients hospitalized in general wards, independently of enoxaparin dosing used for thromboprophylaxis. Pulmonary artery occlusions developed only in the o.d. group. Our trial is underpowered and with few events.