bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of technical efficiency and input-driven growth in the Indian food processing sector
Authors: Akram Vasim , Al-Zyoud Hussein , Illiyan Asheref , Elloumi Fathi 
Published: October 2023

PurposeThis study examines the performance of India's food processing sector by estimating its output growth, technical efficiency (TE) and input-driven growth (IDG)Design/methodology/approachThis study used panel data from six food processing manufacturing industries for the period 2000–01 to 2017–18. Technical efficiency and input-driven growth was measured using the parametric half-normal stochastic frontier production function.FindingsThe findings of this study showed that the estimated average technical efficiency is 86.6%, which specifies that the Indian food processing sector is technically inefficient. In addition, the output growth rate is 5.5%, driven by high doses of inputs (5.7%), whereas there is no indication of constant returns to scale. However, the food processing sector has experienced more input-driven expansion than either technological or efficiency changes.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is limited to India's organized manufacturing food processing sector; the aggregate macro data at a three-digit level based on the national industrial classification (NIC) was used. This study provides robust estimates for industrialists and processors, as well as concrete policy formulations on how overdoses of inputs may lead to high exploitation of resources, whereas outputs can be augmented by implementing upgraded and new technologies.Originality/valuePrevious research has estimated the total factor productivity and technical efficiency only in order to analyze the food sector's performance, but none of the studies have evaluated the share of inputs in growth performance and efficiency. Therefore, this study contributes by measuring growth performance and the share of inputs in the growth performance of India's food processing sector.
Antecedents of patient satisfaction in the medical tourism sector: a review
Authors: Toni Mercy , Jithina K.K. , Thomas K.V. 
Published: October 2023

PurposeThe main purpose of this paper is to outline the antecedents of patient satisfaction in the field of medical tourism (MT) applying extant literature and to develop a conceptual model based on the review.Design/methodology/approachThis paper presents a thorough review of prior studies related to the antecedents of patient satisfaction in the MT sector. Moreover, it provides the theoretical base that helped the researcher to identify significant relationship between the patient satisfaction and its antecedents.FindingsThe researchers identified the prominent antecedents of patient satisfaction and present the potential interrelationships between different antecedents of patient satisfaction such as treatment quality, cost attractiveness, destination image and service quality with patient satisfaction based on the review.Practical implicationsThe results have momentous practical implications as they will help researchers to better understand the antecedents of patient satisfaction and their potential inter linkages with patient satisfaction in MT sector. The conceptual model derived from the review may guide the actions of researchers as well as practitioners in the MT industry as a whole. The present study provides insights for further research in the MT sector and thereby helps to further enrich the existing theoretical base of the MT.Originality/valueThe study brings together the scattered knowledge from the broad and extensive range of medical or health tourism and cognate literature which indicate ideological differences among various aspects of MT as well as potential factors determining patient satisfaction in MT sector (antecedents of satisfaction). The newly developed model incorporates a new construct called “treatment quality” as different from “service quality,” which is a widely used construct to explain customer satisfaction. The antecedents of patient satisfaction and their inter-linkages with patient satisfaction provide a sound theoretical foundation for the future studies.
Using social media-based telemedicine counselling to promote adherence to treatment plans after oral and maxillofacial surgeries in Nigeria
Authors: Anibueze Anselm Uchenna , Talabi Olaoluwa Temitope , Talabi Felix Olajide , Aderibigbe Adebola Adewunmi , Zannu Prosper Nunayon , Sanusi Bernice Oluwalanu , Gever Verlumun Celestine 
Published: October 2023

PurposeThis study aimed to determine the impact of telemedicine with WhatsApp on adherence to treatment plans amongst patients who have experienced oral and maxillofacial surgeries like implants, wisdom tooth removal, facial trauma and facial reconstruction.Design/methodology/approachThe researchers used a descriptive survey research design and sampled a total of 294 patients in Nigeria who experienced oral and maxillofacial surgeries 6 months before the study and provided responses that were used for analysis. The questionnaire was used as the instrument for data collection.FindingsThe researchers found that telemedicine for counselling after oral and maxillofacial surgeries have a significant relationship with adherence to the treatment plan. The analysis revealed a significant interactive effect of telemedicine competence F(3,290) 11.423, p = 001 ? p2 = 0.038. The more skilful patients are at telemedicine, the more likely they are to engage in it and vice versa. The participants also preferred a combination of live and recorded interaction forms. It was also found that a combination of different message forms, like audio, text and video, predicts satisfaction with telemedicine.Originality/valueThis study has shown that social media are now playing important roles in health care delivery to patients, and this may continue to expand as societies evolve.
Women, food security and the pandemic in peri-urban and rural West Bengal
Authors: Dasgupta Rajeshwari 
Published: October 2023

Purpose
Gender-differentiated role obligations, constraints and dependencies affect food security dynamics across peri-urban and rural areas. This paper aims to understand how periods of crisis disproportionately exacerbate hardships for female populations in such areas and endeavours to assist agro-food policymaking in formulating support initiatives more effectively.

Design/methodology/approach
A feasibility/pilot survey was conducted through face-to-face semi-structured interviews in public settings and sought to understand and analyse the differentiated impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on rural and peri-urban food insecurity through the experiences of 50 women from across various districts in West Bengal.

Findings
The study found that women play multivarious roles regarding food security in rural and peri-urban households, extend these obligations to their female children and encounter deficiencies in financial autonomy to access and use food resources. It concludes that while women seem to contribute the most to household and community food security, they are also most vulnerable to food insecurity. These vulnerabilities were exacerbated during the pandemic.

Practical implications
This feasibility/pilot study may serve as a springboard for a larger, more comprehensive survey exploring the dynamics of gender inequality, food insecurity and the Covid-19 pandemic amongst women across peri-urban and rural areas in West Bengal. This may bolster pandemic vulnerability analyses and impact assessments in the State.

Originality/value
To the best of the author’s knowledge, no other study implemented in West Bengal explores the interfaces between gender inequality, food insecurity and the Covid-19 pandemic in rural and peri-urban areas.
A novel robust design optimization method combining improved flower pollination algorithm and dual Kriging
Authors: Zhang Duo , Li Yonghua , Wang Gaping , Xia Qing , Zhang Hang 
Published: October 2023

PurposeThis study aims to propose a more precise method for robust design optimization of mechanical structures with black-box problems, while also considering the efficiency of uncertainty analysis.Design/methodology/approachThe method first introduces a dual adaptive chaotic flower pollination algorithm (DACFPA) to overcome the shortcomings of the original flower pollination algorithm (FPA), such as its susceptibility to poor accuracy and convergence efficiency when dealing with complex optimization problems. Furthermore, a DACFPA-Kriging model is developed by optimizing the relevant parameter of Kriging model via DACFPA. Finally, the dual Kriging model is constructed to improve the efficiency of uncertainty analysis, and a robust design optimization method based on DACFPA-Dual-Kriging is proposed.FindingsThe DACFPA outperforms the FPA, particle swarm optimization and gray wolf optimization algorithms in terms of solution accuracy, convergence speed and capacity to avoid local optimal solutions. Additionally, the DACFPA-Kriging model exhibits superior prediction accuracy and robustness contrasted with the original Kriging and FPA-Kriging. The proposed method for robust design optimization based on DACFPA-Dual-Kriging is applied to the motor hanger of the electric multiple units as an engineering case study, and the results confirm a significant reduction in the fluctuation of the maximum equivalent stress.Originality/valueThis study represents the initial attempt to enhance the prediction accuracy of the Kriging model using the improved FPA and to combine the dual Kriging model for uncertainty analysis, providing an idea for the robust optimization design of mechanical structure with black-box problem.
Competitive ability of dwarf bamboo (Sasa borealis) through long‐term clonal growth in mixed dwarf bamboo communities in the understory of a temperate deciduous forest
Authors: Niiyama Kaoru , Shibata Mitsue , Saitoh Tomoyuki , Naoe Shoji 
Published: October 2023

AbstractWe investigated the clonal competition of three co‐occurring dwarf bamboo species, Sasa borealis, Sasa nipponica, and Sasaella ramosa, for 32 years in an old‐growth beech forest in central Japan. A study plot (10 m × 24 m) was established to examine the culm dynamics of these species. Sasa borealis had a competitive advantage over the other species. It invaded the other bamboo populations at a rate of 0.84–0.89 m/y from 1988 to 2020, while S. nipponica invaded at a rate of 0.17 m/y until 2003. After that, S. nipponica started to retreat at a rate of 0.85 m/y along with the invasion of S. borealis until 2020. The invasion rate of S. borealis did not change before and after the competition with S. nipponica. Our results showed that it would take 13.9–14.8 years from S. borealis invasion for S. nipponica to disappear. The density of S. ramosa decreased but it did not disappear from the plot because it retreated at a slow rate of 0.08 m/y. Sasa borealis almost achieved its potential maximum culm density, but the other two bamboo species did not. If stable conditions were maintained, S. borealis would continue to invade, dominate, and eliminate the other bamboo species. The ecological traits of dwarf bamboo species, such as the maximum density, size, and longevity of culms, are good indicators for assessing their competitiveness. Our findings demonstrate that dwarf bamboo species are actually replaced by another bamboo species in the forest understory during a long period.
Novel virulent and temperate cyanophages predicted to infect Microcoleus associated with anatoxin‐producing benthic mats
Authors: Valadez‐Cano Cecilio , Reyes‐Prieto Adrian , Lawrence Janice 
Published: October 2023

AbstractCyanophages are crucial for regulating cyanobacterial populations, but their influence on anatoxin‐producing Microcoleus mat dynamics remains unexplored. Here, we use metagenomics to explore phage presence in benthic mats from the Wolastoq|Saint John River (New Brunswick, Canada) and the Eel River (California, USA). We recovered multiple viral‐like sequences associated with different putative bacterial hosts, including two cyanophage genomes with apparently different replication strategies. A temperate cyanophage was found integrated in the genomes of Microcoleus sp. 3 recovered from the Eel River and is phylogenetically related to Phormidium phages. We also recovered novel virulent cyanophage genomes from Wolastoq and Eel River mats that were dominated by anatoxin‐producing Microcoleus species predicted to be the host. Despite the geographical distance, these genomes have similar sizes (circa 239 kbp) and share numerous orthologous genes with high sequence identity. A considerable reduction of the anatoxin‐producing Microcoleus species in Wolastoq mats following the emergence of the virulent phage suggests that phage infections have an important role in limiting the abundance of this toxigenic cyanobacterium and releasing anatoxins into the surrounding water. Our results constitute the first report of cyanophages predicted to infect mat‐forming Microcoleus species associated with anatoxin production.
Predicting chronological age based on age‐related osteophyte development in the superior and inferior vertebral centrum margins of T12‐L5
Authors: Schanandore James V. , Ford Jonathan M. , Decker Summer J. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between vertebral margins at individual vertebral levels between T12‐L5 vertebra and chronological age and develop predictive models. Three hundred and nineteen CT scans from a medical imaging database in North America were randomly selected. Three superior and inferior vertebral margin sites were scored based on observable age‐related changes. All individual vertebral margin site scores significantly correlated with age at death with Pearson r values ranging from 0.47 to 0.77. Totaling the individual vertebral margin site scores for L1‐L5 improved Pearson r to 0.92. All resulting predictive models were significant, and the best models predicted age at death within 10 years 70%–76% of the time for males, females, and combined male and females. In conclusion, this study produced accurate and reliable models to predict age at death using age‐related changes in the spine for a North American population.
‘It Must End, or I Must End’: Castlereagh, Mental Health and Politics in Regency Britain
Authors: Brunatti Andrew 
Published: October 2023

AbstractViscount Castlereagh (1769–1822), Britain's polarising foreign secretary and leader of the house of commons from 1812–22, has been studied through the lens of diplomacy and politics, but never through the lens of mental health. As 2022 marked the 200th anniversary of Castlereagh's suicide, mental health is still the missing link in our understanding of both Castlereagh as a public and private figure and the politics of his era. This article examines Castlereagh's career through the lens of modern research on mental health, applying an interdisciplinary approach that combines history, psychology, sociology, political studies and gender studies. The article argues that applying a mental health lens helps us better understand the pressures on Castlereagh as a politician, the stresses and strains of Regency‐era politics, and how those stresses resulted in risks to mental health. Perhaps most importantly, the article concludes that Castlereagh continues to be relevant today because his story illustrates: first, the need to understand the complexity of mental health risks in politics; and second, the types of persistent mental health risks that are still relevant for today's politicians and civil servants.
The Referendum Issue and the Edwardian Constitutional Crisis
Authors: Quinault Roland 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThis article considers the debates generated by referendum proposals during the constitutional crisis from 1909 to 1914. None of those proposals were adopted and they have received little attention from historians but they were not without significance. Some Conservatives saw the referendum as a way of democratically protecting the right of the house of lords to veto legislation passed by the house of commons, while others regarded the referendum process as a means by which single issues could be more effectively dealt with than at multi‐topic general elections. The debates also revealed many practical problems inherent in the various referendum schemes. They were ignored in the 21st century, when Conservative governments adopted referendums as a mechanism for overcoming internal party divisions.
Re‐assessing the Conservative Anti‐EEC Rebellion of 1971–2*
Authors: Aker Tim 
Published: October 2023

AbstractHistorians have overlooked the 1971–2 Conservative EEC rebellion because of the relative ease with which Edward Heath took the UK into the European Economic Community (EEC). In contrast with the rebellion over ratification of the Maastricht Treaty in 1993, Heath did not lose a vote on ‘Europe’. However, the episode marks a turning point in the way anti‐EEC dissent was expressed in the Conservative Party. The rush for EEC entry after the 1970 election stunned anti‐marketeers who believed they would not be corralled into voting against their stated beliefs. This pushed Neil Marten MP into organising a more sophisticated rebel organisation that would intensify the rebellion against the EEC. When compared to previous dissent on the EEC, it was organised and fully prepared to bring down a Conservative government. The episode nearly split the Conservative Party in two as anti‐market MPs threatened their constituency associations with by‐elections to resist grassroots pressure.
Morphology and computed tomography of the larynx in the white‐eared opossum (Didelphis albiventris)
Authors: Schimming Bruno Cesar , Inamassu Letícia Rocha , Carvalho Bruno Critelli , Matheus Selma Maria Michelin 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThe white‐eared opossum (Didelphis albiventris) is a Neotropical marsupial that occurs in the Brazilian territory. The larynx is an important organ of vocalization in mammals, although, other laryngeal functions are more fundamental for survival of mammals than phonation. The anatomical knowledge of respiratory structures is pivotal for a better understanding of the species. Thus, this study aimed to examine the larynx of the white‐eared opossum by gross anatomy, computed tomography and histological description. For this, 10 adult (six females and four males) white‐eared opossums (D. albiventris) were used. The white‐eared opossum larynx was formed by epiglottis, thyroid, cricoids and arytenoid cartilages and a corniculate process. There is a similarity between the larynx of this marsupial and those reported in other wild mammals, regarding the number of cartilages and their location. Histologically, the epiglottis consisted of elastic cartilage and thyroid, cricoid and arytenoid cartilages were composed of hyaline cartilage. The epiglottis protruded rostrally into the nasal part of the pharynx, above the soft palate, and this is probably a marsupial characteristic as the fact that the thyroid and cricoid cartilages were ventrally fused. The hyoid apparatus was similar to that of other animals, with the same bony constitution, but with a greatly reduced stylohyoid bone. Histologically, the larynx was similar to those of other species such as koala, armadillo, crab‐eating foxes and giant anteaters. The knowledge of the larynx morphology is important for the anatomical features of the species and clinical and surgical procedures, such as endotracheal intubation.
Quality of life after non‐nerve‐sparing, robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy
Authors: Nakai Yasushi , Tanaka Nobumichi , Inoue Takeshi , Onishi Kenta , Morizawa Yosuke , Hori Shunta , Gotoh Daisuke , Miyake Makito , Torimoto Kazumasa , Fujimoto Kiyohide 
Published: October 2023

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate quality of life (QOL) after non‐nerve‐sparing, robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) and factors associated with worsened QOL.MethodsPatients who underwent non–nerve‐sparing RARP (n = 115) were enrolled. The Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite and 8‐item Short Form Health Survey were used to evaluate QOL at baseline and postoperative 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months. Preoperative factors were evaluated by multivariate analysis for worsened QOL.ResultsPostoperative 24‐month urinary QOL worsened in 68 of 115 (59%) patients. In multivariate analysis, membranous urethral length ≥10.8 mm [odds ratio (OR): .26, 95% confidence interval (CI): .07–.96] and intravesical prostatic protrusion ≥12 mm (OR: .14, 95% CI .06–.35) were significantly associated with maintaining postoperative 24‐month urinary QOL. Significantly more patients with intravesical prostatic protrusion ≥12 mm than < 12 mm had improved urinary QOL. At postoperative 24 months, 43 of 115 (38%) patients had worsened sexual QOL. In multivariate analysis, higher Sexual Health Inventory for Men score (OR: 8.39, 95% CI 2.28–30.9), sexual activity (OR: 6.94, 95% CI: 2.27–21.2), and intercourse activity (OR: 6.81, 95% CI: 1.64–28.3) preoperatively were significantly associated with worsened postoperative 24‐month sexual QOL. More patients with high preoperative intercourse activity (12/23,53%) had significantly worsened (p = .009) QOL regarding sexual bother than those who had no preoperative intercourse activity (21/92, 23%).ConclusionAfter non‐nerve‐sparing RARP, patients with long membranous urethral length and/or intravesical prostatic protrusion maintain urinary QOL. Patients with high intercourse activity presented with impairment of sexual QOL after non‐nerve‐sparing RARP.
A snake cathelicidin enhances transcription factor EB‐mediated autophagy and alleviates ROS‐induced pyroptosis after ischaemia–reperfusion injury of island skin flaps
Authors: Yang Ningning , Yu Gaoxiang , Lai Yingying , Zhao Jiayi , Chen Zhuliu , Chen Liang , Fu Yuedong , Fang Pin , Gao Weiyang , Cai Yuepiao , Li Zhijie , Xiao Jian , Zhou Kailiang , Ding Jian 
Published: October 2023

Background and PurposeIschaemia–reperfusion (I/R) injury is a major contributor to skin flap necrosis, which presents a challenge in achieving satisfactory therapeutic outcomes. Previous studies showed that cathelicidin‐BF (BF‐30) protects tissues from I/R injury. In this investigation, BF‐30 was synthesized and its role and mechanism in promoting survival of I/R‐injured skin flaps explored.Experimental ApproachSurvival rate analysis and laser Doppler blood flow analysis were used to evaluate I/R‐injured flap viability. Western blotting, immunofluorescence, TdT‐mediated dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL) and dihydroethidium were utilized to examine the levels of apoptosis, pyroptosis, oxidative stress, transcription factor EB (TFEB)‐mediated autophagy and molecules related to the adenosine 5′‐monophosphate‐activated protein kinase (AMPK)–transient receptor potential mucolipin 1 (TRPML1)–calcineurin signalling pathway.Key ResultsThe outcomes revealed that BF‐30 enhanced I/R‐injured island skin flap viability. Autophagy, oxidative stress, pyroptosis and apoptosis were related to the BF‐30 capability to enhance I/R‐injured flap survival. Improved autophagy flux and tolerance to oxidative stress promoted the inhibition of apoptosis and pyroptosis in vascular endothelial cells. Activation of TFEB increased autophagy and inhibited endothelial cell oxidative stress in I/R‐injured flaps. A reduction in TFEB level led to a loss of the protective effect of BF‐30, by reducing autophagy flux and increasing the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in endothelial cells. Additionally, BF‐30 modulated TFEB activity via the AMPK–TRPML1–calcineurin signalling pathway.Conclusion and ImplicationsBF‐30 promotes I/R‐injured skin flap survival by TFEB‐mediated up‐regulation of autophagy and inhibition of oxidative stress, which may have possible clinical applications.