bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical Characteristics and Factors Associated with Long COVID in Zambia, August 2020 to January 2023: A Mixed Methods Design
Authors: Malambo Warren , Chanda Duncan , Besa Lily , Engamba Daniella , Mwiinga Linos , Mwitumwa Mundia , Matibula Peter , Naik Neil , Sivile Suilanji , Agolory Simon , Auld Andrew , Mulenga Lloyd , Hines Jonas Z. , Fwoloshi Sombo 
Published: January 2024

AbstractIntroductionA number of seroprevalence studies in Zambia document the extent of spread of SARS-CoV-2, yet few have examined signs, symptoms and conditions that continue or develop after acute COVID-19 infection (long COVID). This is an important gap given the estimated prevalence of long COVID in other countries. We sought to examine characteristics of post-acute COVID-19 (PAC-19) clinics patients in Zambia and assess factors associated with long COVID at first visit to a PAC-19 clinic and longitudinally among a cohort of patients.MethodsLong COVID was defined, initially in the Zambia PAC-19 clinical guidelines, as new, relapsing, or persistent symptoms lasting >4 weeks after an initial SARS-CoV-2 infection. Severe COVID-19 was defined as COVID-19 episode that required supplemental oxygen therapy, intensive care unit stay or treatment with steroids/remdesivir. We performed a cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis of PAC-19 clinic patients from August 2020 to January 2023 using logistic and mixed effects regression models and considered statistical significance at p<0.05.ResultsIn total, 1,359 patients attended PAC-19 clinics of whom 548 (40.3%) with ≥2 visits were included in the longitudinal analysis. Patients’ median age was 53 (interquartile range [IQR]: 41-63) years, 919 (67.6%) were hospitalized for acute COVID-19, and of whom 686 (74.6%) had severe COVID-19. Patients with hospital length of stay ≥15 days (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 5.37; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 2.99-10.0), severe illness (aOR: 3.22; 95% CI: 1.68-6.73), and comorbidities (aOR:1.50; 95% CI: 1.02-2.21) had significantly higher likelihood of long COVID. Longitudinally, long COVID prevalence significantly (p<0.001) declined from 75.4% at the first PAC-19 visit to 26.0% by the fifth visit. The median follow-up time was 7 (IQR: 4-12) weeks.ConclusionLong COVID symptoms were common among patient presenting for care in PAC-19 clinics in Zambia, but most recovered within ∼2 months. Despite potentially substantial morbidity due to long COVID, few patients overall with COVID-19 attended a PAC-19 clinic. Scaling up PAC-19 services and integrating into routine clinical care could improve access by patients.
A new method for removing artifacts from recordings of the electrically evoked compound action potential: Single-pulse stimulation
Authors: Skidmore Jeffrey , Yuan Yi , He Shuman 
Published: January 2024

ABSTRACTThis report presents a new method for removing electrical artifact contamination from the electrically evoked compound action potential (eCAP) evoked by single cathodic-leading, biphasic-pulse stimulation. The development of the new method is motivated by results recorded in human cochlear implant (CI) users showing that the fundamental assumption of the classic forward masking artifact rejection technique is violated in up to 45% of cases tested at high stimulation levels when using default stimulation parameters. Subsequently, the new method developed based on the discovery that a hyperbola best characterizes the artifacts created during stimulation and recording is described. The eCAP waveforms obtained using the new method are compared to those recorded using the classic forward masking technique. The results show that eCAP waveforms obtained using both methods are comparable when the fundamental assumption of the classic forward masking technique is met. In contrast, eCAP amplitudes obtained using the two methods are significantly different when the fundamental assumption of the classic forward masking technique is violated, with greater differences in the eCAP amplitude for greater assumption violations. The new method also has excellent test-retest reliability (Intraclass correlation > 0.98). Overall, the new method is a viable alternative to the classic forward masking technique for obtaining artifact-free eCAPs evoked by single-pulse stimulation in CI users.
ERLIN1/2 scaffolds bridge TMUB1 and RNF170 and restrict cholesterol esterification to regulate the secretory pathway
Authors: Veronese Matteo , Kallabis Sebastian , Kaczmarek Alexander Tobias , Das Anushka , Robers Lennart , Schumacher Simon , Lofrano Alessia , Brodesser Susanne , Müller Stefan , Hofmann Kay , Krüger Marcus , Rugarli Elena I. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractComplexes of ERLIN1 and ERLIN2 form large ring-like cup-shaped structures on the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane and serve as platforms to bind cholesterol and E3-ubiquitin ligases, potentially defining functional nanodomains. Here, we show that ERLIN scaffolds mediate the interaction between the full-length isoform of TMUB1 and RNF170. We identify a luminal N-terminal conserved region in TMUB1 and RNF170 required for this interaction. Three-dimensional modelling shows that this conserved motif binds the SPFH domain of two adjacent ERLIN subunits at different interfaces. Protein variants that preclude these interactions have been previously linked to hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP). By using omics approaches in combination with phenotypic characterisation of cells lacking both ERLINs, we demonstrate a role for ERLIN scaffolds in maintaining cholesterol levels in the ER by favouring transport to the Golgi over esterification, thereby regulating Golgi morphology and the secretory pathway.
Prognostic factors for a change in eye health or vision: A rapid review
Authors: Hammond Greg M. , Needham-Taylor Antonia , Bromham Nathan , Gillen Elizabeth , Searchfield Lydia , Lewis Ruth , Cooper Alison , Edwards Adrian , Edwards Rhiannon Tudor , Davies Jacob 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe general public are advised to have regular routine eye examinations to check their vision and ocular health; however current UK guidance on how often to have eye examinations is not evidence-based and was issued in 2002.This Rapid Review aims to provide an evidence base that stakeholders can use to form updated guidance for Wales by asking the question ‘What are the prognostic factors for a change in ocular status in the general population attending routine eye examinations?’The review included evidence available from January 2009 up until August 2023. Evidence was included from 2011 up until 2023. 19 studies were included: two systematic reviews; nine prospective cohort studies; three retrospective cohort studies; two longitudinal studies; two case-control studies; and one cross-sectional study were included.Research Implications and Evidence GapsFuture research to inform appropriate eye examination intervals should be narrower in focus to ensure as much relevant and useful evidence as possible is gathered. There are large amounts of evidence on prevalence and prognostic factors for prevalent conditions, which did not meet the inclusion criteria of this rapid review which looks at incident or changing conditions.Policy and Practice ImplicationsCaution should be taken if using this review for decision making on appropriate eye examination intervals due to low certainty and generalisability. This review should be used to identify key prognostic factors and suggesting these for further targeted research and evidence synthesis.Economic considerationsSight loss costs the UK economy 25 billion pounds per annum, with more than 2 million people in the UK currently living with sight loss. The economic implications of appropriate or inappropriate testing intervals for different causes of vision loss will be different. When captured at a population wide scale, the earlier detection of conditions through examination can result in significant economic savings.Funding statementThe Centre for Health Economics and Medicines Evaluation, the Bangor Institute for Medical and Health Research, and the Swansea Centre for Health Economics were funded for this work by the Health and Care Research Wales Evidence Centre, itself funded by Health and Care Research Wales on behalf of Welsh Government.
Automation risk and subjective wellbeing in the UK
Authors: Zheng Jiyuan , Rohenkohl Bertha , Barahona Mauricio , Clarke Jonathan M 
Published: January 2024

ABSTRACTThe personal well-being of workers may be influenced by the risk of job automation brought about by technological innovation. Here we use data from the Understanding Society survey in the UK and a fixed-effects model to examine associations between working in a highly automatable job and life and job satisfaction. We find that employees in highly automatable jobs report significantly lower job satisfaction, a result that holds across demographic groups categorised by gender, age and education, with higher negative association among men, higher degree holders and younger workers. On the other hand, life satisfaction of workers is not generally associated with the risk of job automation, a result that persists among groups disaggregated by gender and education, but with age differences, since the life satisfaction of workers aged 30 to 49 is negatively associated with job automation risk. Our analysis also reveals differences in these associations across UK industries and regions.
Mapping the Existing Body of Knowledge on New and Repurposed TB Vaccine Implementation: A Scoping Review
Authors: Buis Joeri S. , Jerene Degu , Gebhard Agnes , Bakker Roel , Majidulla Arman , Kerkhoff Andrew D. , Limaye Rupali , Pelzer Puck T. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThere is global consensus on the urgent need for a safe and effective TB vaccine for adults and adolescents to improve global TB control, and encouragingly, several promising candidates have advanced to late-stage trials. Significant gaps remain in understanding the critical factors that will facilitate the successful implementation of new and repurposed TB vaccines in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs), once available. By synthesizing the existing body of knowledge, this review offers comprehensive insights into the current state of research on implementation of these adults and adolescent vaccines. This review explores four key dimensions: (1) epidemiological impact, (2) costing, cost-effectiveness, and/or economic impact, (3) acceptability, and the (4) feasibility of implementation; this includes implementation strategies of target populations, and health system capabilities. Results indicate that current research primarily consists of epidemiological and costing/cost-effectiveness/economic studies in India, China, and South Africa, mainly modelling with M72/AS01, BCG revaccination, and generic vaccines. Varying endpoints, vaccine efficacies, and vaccination coverages were used. Globally, new, and repurposed TB vaccines are estimated to save millions of lives. Economically, these vaccines also demonstrate promise with expected cost-effectiveness in most countries. Projected outcomes were dependent on vaccine characteristics, target population, implementation strategy, timing of roll out, TB burden/country context, and vaccination coverage. Potential barriers for vaccine acceptability included TB-related stigma, need for a second dose, and cost, while low pricing, community and civil society engagement and heightened public TB awareness were potential enablers in China, India, and South Africa. Potential implementation strategies considered spanned from mass campaigns to integration within existing vaccine programs and the primary target group studied was the general population, and adults and adolescents. In conclusion, future research must have broader geographical representations to better understand what is needed to inform tailored vaccine programs to accommodate diverse country contexts and population groups to achieve optimal implementation and impact. Furthermore, this review underscores the scarcity of research on acceptability of new and repurposed TB vaccines and their delivery among potential beneficiaries, the most promising implementation strategies, and the health system capabilities necessary for implementation. The absence of this knowledge in these areas emphasizes the crucial need for future research to ensure effective TB vaccine implementation in high burden settings worldwide.
Do energy transition and environmental taxation contribute to sustainable development? Evidence from OECD countries
Authors: Dradra Zohra 
Published: January 2024

PurposeIn this study, the author intend to investigate the impacts of renewable energy use and environmental taxation on sustainable development measured by the adjusted net savings (ANS).Design/methodology/approachThis study employs the quantile regression (QR) for a set of 24 Organization for Cooperation and Economic Development (OECD) countries over the period 1994–2018.FindingsThe main empirical findings of estimates show that access to renewable energy and environmental taxation generate positive and significant effects in increasing the ANS for most quantiles. Hence, they are practical tools for achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs).Practical implicationsThis study has important implications for governments and policymakers of the OECD countries. Therefore, governments can use subsidies and incentives to promote the adoption of renewable energy sources, energy-efficient technologies and sustainable practices. Similarly, by imposing taxes on pollution and resource use, governments can encourage the adoption of cleaner technologies and practices toward more sustainable behavior.Originality/valueThis paper is based on a novel measure of sustainable development (ANS) and a novel econometric method (QR).
Predicting construction cost index using fuzzy logic and machine learning in Jordan
Authors: Al Kailani Heba , Sweis Ghaleb J. , Sammour Farouq , Maaitah Wasan Omar , Sweis Rateb J. , Alkailani Mohammad 
Published: January 2024

Purpose
The process of predicting construction costs and forecasting price fluctuations is a significant and challenging undertaking for project managers. This study aims to develop a construction cost index (CCI) for Jordan’s construction industry using fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) and predict future CCI values using traditional and machine learning (ML) techniques.

Design/methodology/approach
The most influential cost items were selected by conducting a literature review and confirmatory expert interviews. The cost items’ weights were calculated using FAHP to develop the CCI formula.

Findings
The results showed that the random forest model had the lowest mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of 1.09%, followed by Extreme Gradient Boosting and K-nearest neighbours with MAPEs of 1.41% and 1.46%, respectively.

Originality/value
The novelty of this study lies within the use of FAHP to address the ambiguity of the impact of various cost items on CCI. The developed CCI equation and ML models are expected to significantly benefit construction managers, investors and policymakers in making informed decisions by enhancing their understanding of cost trends in the construction industry.
Physical inactivity among university students in Pakistan
Authors: Safdar Nafeesa , Ali Qamar , Zahra Aiman , Hussain Tanveer 
Published: January 2024

PurposePhysical activity is an eminent practice for the maintenance of physical and mental health. Physical fitness always enables students to perform their various tasks efficiently specifically in academic performance. Student health is a principal factor for the performance of all kinds of activities particularly in academic performance. This study aimed to evaluate physical activity among university students and the factors for being inactive.Design/methodology/approachA questionnaire was designed and distributed among the students via WhatsApp, Skype and email, however, some responses were collected physically to maintain the quality of data. The questionnaire was categorized into demographic factors, current physical activity status and reasons for physical inactivity. Each section was further divided into questions and total 24 questions were asked from each individual for evaluation of inactiveness.FindingsThe finding of this research explored that enormous number of students are doing part time jobs and unable to find enough time for relaxation. The research was limited and evaluated limited factors and explored that 60.6% of students had less time for entertainment and this is only 2 h for this 60.6% of students. Among all factors of physical activity walking was preferable for 48.34% of the students. Students want to participate in healthy activities. Moreover, students are unable to perform physical exercise due to busy schedules of jobs (47.02%), part-time job burden (15.89%), study burden (35.10%) and poor health conditions (1.32%).Originality/valueThis study concluded that higher percentage of students have stress of limited resources and under this stress condition they are unable to take a balanced diet which they considered cost-effective. They did not perform maximum in their academic and daily activities and did not participate in sports activities. It was also observed that institutions did not provide a sufficient platform for physical activity for students. The research shows the factors which affect the student’s academic performance as being physically inactive. Evaluation of results explored that numerous students have limited resources during their career development and their attention remain diverted to overcome their limited resources which keep them physically unfit. The findings also explored that physically inactive students have heavy study and job burden which is not overcome and analyzed by their institutions.
Linking national culture and entrepreneurship: a systematic literature review
Authors: Ferreira Neuza C.M.Q.F. , Dinis Anabela R.L. 
Published: January 2024

PurposeThis study generates an aggregated overview of the literature on national culture and entrepreneurship (NC&E). The aim is to map the NC&E field via a systematic literature review of 130 articles published in refereed academic journals up to the end of 2022Design/methodology/approachTwo different citation analysis methods are used: bibliographic coupling and co-citationFindingsThe results include the most influential studies, top-cited references and journals, and five major thematic clusters. The latter are (1) cultural models, frameworks and case studies; (2) social entrepreneurship, perceived barriers and entrepreneurial intentions; (3) institutions and sociocultural environments; (4) entrepreneurial orientation, cognition and networks; and (5) economic growth, entrepreneurial activity and firm performanceOriginality/valueIn contrast to previous NC&E literature reviews, this research employs a combination of bibliographic coupling and co-citation analysis. The findings offer a clearer understanding of the intellectual structure of this field and suggest new avenues for future investigations, including several relationship links with the resource-based view
The effects of digital platforms on customers’ satisfaction in international shipping business
Authors: Loh Hui Shan , Lee Jia Le , Gu Yimiao , Chen Helen Shanyin , Tay Huay Ling 
Published: January 2024

Purpose
The introduction of digitalisation in the shipping industry has fundamentally transformed traditional business models. This necessitates an investigation of its impact on customer satisfaction. This study aims to adapt the technology acceptance model in its survey instrument design to understand and evaluate customer satisfaction of shipping lines’ digital platforms.

Design/methodology/approach
This study used a mixed-methods approach, incorporating quantitative and qualitative research techniques. Primary data were collected through an online survey designed to measure customer satisfaction in relation to the digitalisation initiatives implemented by the shipping lines. Survey respondents comprised professionals who were online platform users, particularly in the instant spot quotation process and blockchain bill of lading.

Findings
The results for both instant spot quotation process and blockchain bill of lading revealed digital trust to be the most influential determinant of customer satisfaction, followed by perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness. There was also a very strong correlation between perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness as well as between digital trust and perceived ease of use. The managerial implications of digitalisation are also discussed.

Originality/value
The adoption of digital tools is gaining traction in the container shipping sector, and there exists a need to investigate the correlation between digitalisation and customer satisfaction. This study offers significant insights to stakeholders in the shipping industry, particularly in designing and implementing user-friendly digital platforms.
Assessing ISO 18404 standard applicability in the service sector: a qualitative study
Authors: Sony Michael , Ramadan Mariam Ali , Antony Jiju , Al Dhaheri Maha Khalifa , McDermott Olivia , Cudney Elizabeth A. 
Published: January 2024

PurposeThis research aims to establish the applicability of the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) 18404 standard to the service sector, identify any required amendments and identify the critical success factors and barriers to deploying the standard within the service sector.Design/methodology/approachThe study used a qualitative approach by interviewing operational excellence (OPEX) professionals who work in the service sector.FindingsThe findings indicate a significant lack of knowledge about the existence of the standard and a general scepticism regarding the applicability of the current ISO 18404 standard to the service sector.Research limitations/implicationsLimited examples of the application of ISO 18404 in organisations exist, as only a few organisations have adopted the standard. Therefore, the research focussed on the challenges and obstacles that experienced OPEX professionals perceived could be an issue.Originality/valueThe study will aid service sector organisations in understanding the standard and, subsequently, determine whether to pursue it as part of an OPEX programme. This research is the first study on the application of ISO 18404 to the service sector.