bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Induction Therapy With Antithymocyte Globulin and Delayed Calcineurin Inhibitor Initiation for Renal Protection in Liver Transplantation: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Phase II-B Trial
Authors: Nair Amit , Coromina Hernandez Laia , Shah Shimul , Zervos Xaralambos , Zimmerman Michael , Sasaki Kazunari , Diago Teresa , Hashimoto Koji , Fujiki Masato , Aucejo Federico , Bollinger Jessica , Kaiser Tiffany L. , Miller Charles M. , Quintini Cristiano , Fung John J. , Eghtesad Bijan 
Published: July 2021

Background.
Calcineurin inhibitor (CNI)-based immunosuppression in liver transplantation (LTx) is associated with acute and chronic deterioration of kidney function. Delaying CNI initiation by using induction rabbit antithymocyte globulin (rATG) may provide kidneys with adequate time to recover from a perioperative insult reducing the risk of early post-LTx renal deterioration.

Methods.
This was an open-label, multicenter, randomized controlled clinical trial comparing use of induction rATG with delayed CNI initiation (d 10) against upfront CNI commencement (standard of care [SOC]) in those patients deemed at standard risk of postoperative renal dysfunction following LTx. The primary endpoint was change in (delta) creatinine from baseline to month 12.

Results.
Fifty-five patients were enrolled in each study arm. Mean tacrolimus levels remained comparable in both groups from day 10 throughout the study period. A significant difference in delta creatinine was observed between rATG and SOC groups at 9 mo (P = 0.03) but not at month 12 (P = 0.05). Estimated glomerular filtration rate levels remained comparable between cohorts at all time points. Rates of biopsy-proven acute rejection at 1 y were similar between groups (16.3 versus 12.7%, P = 0.58). rATG showed no significant adverse effects. Survival at 12 mo was comparable between groups (P = 0.48).

Conclusions.
Although the use of induction rATG and concurrent CNI deferral in this study did not demonstrate a significant difference in delta creatinine at 1 y, these results indicate a potential role for rATG in preserving early kidney function, especially when considered with CNI deferral beyond 10 d or lower target tacrolimus levels, with acceptable safety and treatment efficacy.
Six Month Safety and Efficacy of the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine
Authors: Thomas Stephen J. , Moreira Edson D. , Kitchin Nicholas , Absalon Judith , Gurtman Alejandra , Lockhart Stephen , Perez John L. , Pérez Marc Gonzalo , Polack Fernando P. , Zerbini Cristiano , Bailey Ruth , Swanson Kena A. , Xu Xia , Roychoudhury Satrajit , Koury Kenneth , Bouguermouh Salim , Kalina Warren V. , Cooper David , Frenck Robert W. , Hammitt Laura L. , Türeci Özlem , Nell Haylene , Schaefer Axel , Ünal Serhat , Yang Qi , Liberator Paul , Tresnan Dina B. , Mather Susan , Dormitzer Philip R. , Şahin Uğur , Gruber William C. , Jansen Kathrin U. ,   C4591001 Clinical Trial Group
Published: July 2021

ABSTRACTBackgroundBNT162b2 is a lipid nanoparticle-formulated, nucleoside-modified RNA vaccine encoding a prefusion-stabilized, membrane-anchored SARS-CoV-2 full-length spike protein. BNT162b2 is highly efficacious against COVID-19 and is currently authorized for emergency use or conditional approval worldwide. At the time of authorization, data beyond 2 months post-vaccination were unavailable.MethodsIn an ongoing, placebo-controlled, observer-blinded, multinational, pivotal efficacy study, 44,165 ≥16-year-old participants and 2,264 12-15-year-old participants were randomized to receive 2 doses, 21 days apart, of 30 µg BNT162b2 or placebo. Study endpoints reported here are vaccine efficacy (VE) against laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 and safety data, both up to 6 months post-vaccination.ResultsBNT162b2 continued to be safe and well tolerated. Few participants had adverse events leading to study withdrawal. VE against COVID-19 was 91% (95% CI 89.0-93.2) through up to 6 months of follow-up, among evaluable participants and irrespective of previous SARS-CoV-2 infection. VE of 86%-100% was seen across countries and in populations with diverse characteristics of age, sex, race/ethnicity, and COVID-19 risk factors in participants without evidence of previous SARS-CoV-2 infection. VE against severe disease was 97% (95% CI 80.3−99.9). In South Africa, where the SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern, B.1.351 (beta), was predominant, 100% (95% CI 53.5, 100.0) VE was observed.ConclusionWith up to 6 months of follow-up and despite a gradually declining trend in vaccine efficacy, BNT162b2 had a favorable safety profile and was highly efficacious in preventing COVID-19. (ClinicalTrials.govnumber,NCT04368728)
Resilience and stress management in high-performing teams in the agricultural sector
Authors: Yela Aránega Alba , Castaño Sánchez Rafael , Fernández-Vázquez José Santiago 
Published: July 2021

PurposeThe present research seeks to increase the resilience of the employees of a company dedicated to the harvesting of oranges to reduce stress levels and eating disorders in the work environment.Design/methodology/approachThe mindfulness and outdoor training tools are used in order to become aware of personal purpose and role, accept situations and face daily conflicts. After the delivery of a designed mindfulness and outdoor training program of six (6) weeks, the results obtained after the application of the methodology are presented to a sample of 119 employees from the distribution sector and a control group that does not undergo to the program. Through a resilience questionnaire designed by the authors and the external evaluation of the higher command, it is analysed how it acts as a measurement model to obtain a report composed of 30 items. The evaluation questionnaire measures the general tendency to show low or high resilience and tolerance for frustration.FindingsThe results show that there are improvements in resilience capacity by 30%, with a higher level of significance in women than in men. In conclusion, resilience greatly influences business success.Originality/valueWorkers who have learned to take on new challenges and adapt to the new environment are more likely to lead work teams and promote in the organisation. It is detected that their technical training does not matter so much, but that their emotional intelligence (EI) has more impact, gaining greater confidence in themselves to adapt to uncertain environments.
Effective implementation of Japanese quality methods during health pandemics
Authors: Abdallah Abdallah Ali 
Published: July 2021

PurposeThis study aims to help quality professionals in following a precise framework that maintains a company’s performance during health pandemics. In many companies, all quality methods seem to produce performance improvement at different levels, but lean management and kaizen were superior in preparing manufacturing companies to have high readiness levels when faced with a health pandemic.Design/methodology/approachWhich quality method can help businesses in performing well during a health pandemic? In order to answer this question and be able to provide specific recommendations toward performing well in all future health pandemics, 500 manufacturing companies were selected and surveyed. The selected companies are known to use at least one quality method such as lean management, ISO 9001, European foundation for quality management (EFQM) and Six Sigma.FindingsEFQM comes second, then Six Sigma and ISO 9001. Lean creates a healthy workplace and enhances worker's health and well-being. This research helps quality professionals in following a precise framework that maintains performance during health pandemics. Whether the company uses lean or other quality methods, the framework helps in achieving pandemic readiness status. The framework is implemented in a company that does not currently use lean. Implementation resulted in significant improvement in pandemic preparedness, corporate performance and employee well-being.Originality/valueAfter the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, all companies should start thinking of creating a workplace that functions well during pandemics. To do that, companies should start including sanitation and health pandemic preparedness as part of their performance measurements. Using lean management and kaizen helps organizations to create a healthy workplace; clean and equipped with smaller number of workers. If organizations choose to use other quality methods, it is okay, but they should enhance these methods with lean tools such as elimination of the seven wastes, gemba, 5S and visual management.
Experiential Entrepreneurship Education and the student-focused Entrepreneurial University
Authors: Morland Leigh , Scott Jonathan Matthew , Thompson John L. 
Published: July 2021

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the provision and reported outcomes of Experiential Entrepreneurship Education (EEE), from learner, educator and university perspectives, in order to reflect upon the progress of the Entrepreneurial University. It proposes a conceptual framework for integrating the multiple stakeholder perspectives for an “education led” and student-focused Entrepreneurial University, something yet to be identified from existing research and, consequentially, future research.Design/methodology/approachA reflective literature review explores the depth and breadth of EEE provision in Universities, noting: what is taking place, who is involved, where EEE is situated (within the university context), and how the knowledge base is informed. From these reflections, a conceptual framework is proposed as a means of exploring and categorizing progress towards a student-focused Entrepreneurial University through education experiences.FindingsThe literature review is largely informed by case studies developed by educators reflecting on student learner experiences for the purpose of course enhancement. These case exemplars provide the resource for emergent, bottom-up strategy that could support the Entrepreneurial University. However, the role of the University is less researched, in terms of providing context and external strategic relationships to resource EEE and deliver a more planned approach to the Entrepreneurial University. The Entrepreneurial University and EEE are mainstream agendas and the development of both must consider the role and contribution of the University in terms of strategy formulation and implementation.Originality/valueThis study takes a holistic view, seeing EEE and the Entrepreneurial University as connected agendas. The student-focused Entrepreneurial University cannot result from emergent, bottom-up strategy alone and thus there is a need to address the role of top-down resource-based University strategy in creating real progress. The paper provides a conceptualization, for the purpose of analysing and informing the relationship between EEE and the Entrepreneurial University that places the University as a key stakeholder, and in doing so asks that scholars and educators build the knowledge base not only from cases of good practice but also from the review of strategic management within Universities.
Instructional leadership: teaching evaluation as a key element for 6th grade student's achievement in mathematics
Authors: Kazi Mariandri 
Published: July 2021

PurposeThe paper discusses the influence of instructional leadership on effective teacher teaching practices and learning outcomes. In particular, the paper examines one of the instructional leadership practices, namely teaching evaluation, and seeks to investigate the influence on the effective teacher practices and on the achievement of 6th grade primary school students studying mathematics in the Cyprus educational system.Design/methodology/approachA quantitative research approach was deemed appropriate and employed for the purpose of the research subject, and in particular for the type of questions studied. Data were collected from 81 principals, 139 6th grade teachers and 1,553 students in the Cyprus educational system. In addition, data analysis was performed using structural equation models (SEM).FindingsThe instructional leadership approach assumes that principal evaluations influence high learning outcomes. Findings demonstrated that the principal evaluation has a positive and statistically significant impact on effective teaching practices and student achievement.Originality/valueIt is important to acknowledge that in the Cyprus educational leadership field the corellation among the instructional leadership, the effective teaching practices of teachers and the students achievements were not examined through the above parameters. Furthermore, the survey provided important insights into the principals, teachers, pupils and, more generally, on Cyprus's educational policy.
Greater acceptability, lower compensations required? The impact of perceived net benefits on willingness to accept nuclear energy projects
Authors: Contu Davide , Elshareif Elgilani Eltahir 
Published: July 2021

PurposeThis paper aims to estimate willingness to accept (WTA) hypothetical nuclear energy projects and the impact of net perceived benefits across three countries: Italy, a country without nuclear plants in operation; the UK, a country with nuclear plants in operation and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which has more recently opted for the inclusion of nuclear energy in its energy mix. These valuations can support cost-benefit analyses by allowing policymakers to account for additional benefits and costs which would be otherwise neglected.Design/methodology/approachData collection was conducted through online nationwide surveys, for a total of over 4,000 individuals sampled from Italy, the UK and the UAE. The surveys included choice experiments designed to elicit preferences towards nuclear energy in the form of WTA, indicating estimated compensations for welfare worsening changes and questions to measure perceived risks and benefits.FindingsThe average WTA/Km is the lowest for the case of the UAE. What is more, perceived net positive benefits tend to decrease the WTA required by the UAE respondents? Moreover, across the cases, albeit to a lesser extent with regard to Italy’s case, there is evidence that a more positive benefit perception seems to increase the valuation of environmental and public benefits offered as part of the experiment.Originality/valueThe contribution of this study is primarily twofold: first, it provides a comparison of WTA values in a context where the availability of choice experiment data is scant; second, it assesses whether and to what extent perceived net positive benefits of nuclear energy impact WTA of nuclear energy projects.
Rebate in Islamic sale-based financing contracts: Bank Negara Malaysia guidelines on ibrāʾ versus conventional finance practice
Authors: Kamal Islam 
Published: July 2021

PurposeThis paper aims to compare the rebate computation in Islamic sale-based financing contracts as proposed by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) in its guidelines on ibrāʾ (rebate) – with the rebate computation in conventional finance that is applicable to conventional loans, thus examining if there is a significant difference between the two approaches.Design/methodology/approachThe paper employs the qualitative analysis method, involving review and discussion of relevant literature. Subsequently, a quantitative analysis is utilized to compare both rebate computations: the one proposed by BNM for Islamic sale-based financing contracts and the conventional finance computation that is utilized in conventional loans.FindingsBNM's rebate computation for debts resulting from sale-based financing contracts does not differ from the conventional finance rebate computation applied to conventional loans; such similarity may raise the usury concerns that the conventional finance rebate computation raises.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper focuses only on the fixed profit rate rebate computation proposed by BNM guidelines.Practical implicationsThe results highlight the need for seeking another rebate computation to be applied in Islamic financial institutions in the case of mandatory bilateral rebate for sale-based financing contracts – a computation that differs from the practice utilized in conventional loans in order to avoid any usury implications associated with conventional finance computation.Originality/valueThe paper examines the rebate practice proposed by BNM for sale-based financing contracts. Forcing a predetermined rebate computation in sale-based financing contracts could be plausible as BNM requires; however, the suggested computation might be questionable because it resembles conventional finance computation.
Fake news on Facebook: examining the impact of heuristic cues on perceived credibility and sharing intention
Authors: Ali Khudejah , Li Cong , Zain-ul-abdin Khawaja , Zaffar Muhammad Adeel 
Published: July 2021

PurposeAs the epidemic of online fake news is causing major concerns in contexts such as politics and public health, the current study aimed to elucidate the effect of certain “heuristic cues,” or key contextual features, which may increase belief in the credibility and the subsequent sharing of online fake news.Design/methodology/approachThis study employed a 2 (news veracity: real vs fake) × 2 (social endorsements: low Facebook “likes” vs high Facebook “likes”) between-subjects experimental design (N = 239).FindingsThe analysis revealed that a high number of Facebook “likes” accompanying fake news increased the perceived credibility of the material compared to a low number of “likes.” In addition, the mediation results indicated that increased perceptions of news credibility may create a situation in which readers feel that it is necessary to cognitively elaborate on the information present in the news, and this active processing finally leads to sharing.Practical implicationsThe results from this study help explicate what drives increased belief and sharing of fake news and can aid in refining interventions aimed at combating fake news for both communities and organizations.Originality/valueThe current study expands upon existing literature, linking the use of social endorsements to perceived credibility of fake news and information, and sheds light on the causal mechanisms through which people make the decision to share news articles on social media.
Multiple peg-in-hole compliant assembly based on a learning-accelerated deep deterministic policy gradient strategy
Authors: Li Xinwang , Xiao Juliang , Zhao Wei , Liu Haitao , Wang Guodong 
Published: July 2021

Purpose
As complex analysis of contact models is required in the traditional assembly strategy, it is still a challenge for a robot to complete the multiple peg-in-hole assembly tasks autonomously. This paper aims to enable the robot to complete the assembly tasks autonomously and more efficiently, with the strategies learned by reinforcement learning (RL), a learning-accelerated deep deterministic policy gradient (LADDPG) algorithm is proposed.

Design/methodology/approach
The multiple peg-in-hole assembly strategy is designed in two modules: an advanced planning module and a bottom control module. The advanced module is completed by the LADDPG agent, which is used to derive advanced commands based on geometric and environmental constraints, that is, the desired contact force. The bottom-level control module will drive the robot to complete the compliant assembly task through the adaptive impedance algorithm according to the command set issued by the advanced module. In addition, a set of safety assurance mechanisms is developed to safely train a collaborative robot to complete autonomous learning.

Findings
The method can complete the assembly tasks well through RL, and it can realize satisfactory compliance of the robot to the environment. Compared with the original DDPG algorithm, the average values of the instantaneous maximum contact force and contact torque during the assembly process are reduced by approximately 38% and 74%, respectively.

Practical implications
The entire algorithm can also be applied to other robots and the assembly strategy can be applied in the field of the automatic assembly.

Originality/value
A compliant assembly strategy based on the LADDPG algorithm is proposed to complete the automated multiple peg-in-hole assembly tasks.
Development of following robot for supplying power to solar panel cleaning robot
Authors: Li Xiaokun , Li Xin 
Published: July 2021

Purpose
Autonomous mobile cleaning robots are widely used to clean solar panels because of their flexibility and high efficiency. However, gravity is a challenge for cleaning robots on inclined solar panels, and robots have problems such as high working power and short battery life. This paper aims to develop a following robot to improve the working time and efficiency of the cleaning robot.

Design/methodology/approach
The mechanical structure of the robot is designed so that it can carry a large-capacity battery and continuously power the cleaning robot. The robot determines its position and orientation relative to the edge of solar panel by using optoelectronic sensors. Based on the following distance, the robot changes its state between moving and waiting to ensure that supply cable will not drag.

Findings
Prototype following robot test results show that the following robot can stably follow the cleaning robot and supply continuous power to cleaning robot. The linear error of the following robot moving along the solar panel is less than 0.3 m, and the following distance between the robot and the cleaning robot is in 0.5–1.5 m.

Practical implications
The working time of cleaning robots and working efficiency is improved by using following robot, thereby reducing the labor intensity of workers and saving the labor costs of cleaning.

Originality/value
The design of the following robot is innovative. Following robot works with the existing cleaning robots to make up for shortcomings of the existing cleaning system. It provides a more feasible and practical solution for using robots to clean solar panels.