bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Employee participation in total productive maintenance – a bottom-up perspective
Authors: Yang Ying , Yang Biao 
Published: May 2023

PurposeThis study emphasises the importance of employee participation in total productive maintenance and identifies the key factors influencing employee participation. The Motivation-Opportunity-Ability (MOA) framework is adopted to identify and categorise key factors.Design/methodology/approachAn embedded case study with a power plant service provider in England was conducted with a variety of research methods, for example interviews and questionnaire surveys, to gain a wide range of data.FindingsFollowing the MOA framework, this study shows various key aspects of employees' motivation, opportunity and ability when participating in total productive maintenance. It also compares first-line machine operators and maintenance specialists in terms of the drivers and barriers to total productive maintenance for them, and reveals that they need different mechanical skills in order to participate in total productive maintenance.Originality/valueThe study extends the applications of the MOA framework to total productive maintenance initiatives and provides managers with guidance on how to correctly consider and prioritise employee participation in their implementation. Moreover, this is the first study to identify differences between first-line machine operators and maintenance specialists, in terms of their willingness to participate in total productive maintenance.
Hybrid-disturbance-observer-based interaction control for a fully actuated UAV with tether-based positioning system
Authors: Jiao Ran , Rong Yongfeng , Dong Mingjie , Li Jianfeng 
Published: May 2023

Purpose
This paper aims to tackle the problem for a fully actuated unmanned aerial vehicle (FUAV) to perform physical interaction tasks in the Global Positioning System-denied environments without expensive motion capture system (like VICON) under disturbances.

Design/methodology/approach
A tether-based positioning system consisting of a universal joint, a tether-actuated absolute position encoder and an attitude sensor is designed to provide reliable position feedback for the FUAV. To handle the disturbances, including the tension force caused by the taut tether, model uncertainties and other external disturbances such as aerodynamic disturbance, a hybrid disturbance observer (HDO) combining the position-based method and momentum-based technology with force sensor feedback is designed for the system. In addition, an HDO-based impedance controller is built to allow the FUAV interacting with the environment and meanwhile rejecting the disturbances.

Findings
Experimental validations of the proposed control algorithm are implemented on a real FUAV with the result of nice disturbance rejection capability and physical interaction performance.

Originality/value
A cheap alternative to indoor positioning system is proposed, with which the FUAV is able to interact with external environment and meanwhile reject the disturbances under the help of proposed hybrid disturbance observer and the impedance controller.
Can Chinese banks expand their loan portfolio while maintaining loan quality and profitability post-global financial crisis?
Authors: Nguyen Thanh Pham Thien , Trinh Nga Thu , Nghiem Son 
Published: May 2023

Purpose
This study aims to investigate the relationships between loan growth, loan losses and net income after the 2008 global financial crisis. This study further conducts a comparative analysis by considering the period of COVID-19.

Design/methodology/approach
This study uses panel data models such as one-step system GMM, random effects, fixed effects and OLS, with a data set of 131 Chinese commercial banks from 2009 to 2020.

Findings
The study finds no significant relationship between loan growth and future loan losses. However, after adjusting loan loss by net interest income (NII-adjusted loan loss), the study reveals that loan growth in the subsequent year decreases if NII-adjusted loan loss increases. The study also demonstrates the positive effect of loan growth on net income as newly expanded loans are funded at similar costs but offered at a lower rate compared with existing loans. During COVID-19, loan growth and net income were higher than in previous years.

Originality/value
The findings suggest that Chinese banks can increase lending to support the economy without sacrificing loan quality, emphasizing the importance of maintaining and enhancing credit policies and practices. Chinese banks should also continue to refine their pricing strategies for loans and deposits. The findings also imply that China's policy responses to the impact of COVID-19 could serve as lessons for future policy decisions.
Reintegration of repatriates: a qualitative study of influencing factors in the context of communities
Authors: Fischer Lena Maria , Schwarzkopf Marc 
Published: May 2023

PurposeIn the context of international assignments, repatriates are confronted with social, organisational and cultural challenges. However, the impact of community and social support on the reintegration process has gone unnoticed. The purpose of this paper is to identify the influencing factors on the reintegration process of expatriates who were sent to Asia, especially considering social support and the role of the community. In the context of the community, this paper discusses which factors influence the reintegration process after repatriates return to Germany.Design/methodology/approachIn order to research reintegration problems as well as social support and the role of the community, seven semi-structured interviews were conducted with repatriates from Germany.FindingsThe central results of the study show that there are variables in different areas that influence the reintegration process of repatriates sent to Asia, which have both reintegration-promoting and reintegration-inhibiting effects. Furthermore, it was found that a lack of support from social networks in the home country has negative effect on the reintegration process causing repatriates to stay in known repatriate communities.Originality/valueThe results of the study demonstrate that social networks and communities in the home country represent crucial challenges in the reintegration process. Furthermore, it demonstrates the need for future exploratory research into this area to gain further insights into this topic.
Front propagation in the interaction of gases to model a fuel tank inerting process with a nonlinear parabolic operator
Authors: Díaz Palencia José Luis 
Published: May 2023

PurposeThe objective of this study is to model the propagating front in the interaction of gases in an aircraft fuel tank. To this end, we introduce a nonlinear parabolic operator, for which solutions are shown to be regular.Design/methodology/approachThe authors provide an analytical expression for the propagating front, that shifts any combination of oxygen and nitrogen, in the tank airspace, into a safe condition to avoid potential explosions. The analytical exercise is validated with a real flight.FindingsAccording to the flight test data, the safe condition, of maximum 7% of oxygen, is given for a time t = 45.2 min since the beginning of the flight, while according to our analysis, such a safe level is obtained for t = 41.42 min. For other safe levels of oxygen, the error between the analytical assessment and the flight data was observed to be below 10%.Originality/valueThe interaction of gases in a fuel tank has been little explored in the literature. Our value consists of introducing a set of nonlinear partial differential equations to increase the accuracy in modeling the interaction of gasses, which has been typically done via algebraic equations.
Single‐center survey of incidental imaging findings on computed tomography in patients with psoriasis on biologic therapy
Authors: Sugihara Natsuko , Kamiya Koji , Kado Soichiro , Kishimoto Megumi , Kuwahara Aya , Sugai Junichi , Iwami Daiki , Mieno Makiko , Komine Mayumi , Ohtsuki Mamitaro 
Published: May 2023

AbstractPsoriasis is an immune‐mediated chronic inflammatory disease that predominantly affects the skin and joints. Systemic therapies are required for patients with moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis, and biologics can provide significant symptomatic improvement. Computed tomography (CT) analysis is recommended before and after biologic therapy to exclude the possibility of comorbid infections and malignancies; incidental findings are often detected in asymptomatic patients. In this study, we analyzed the common incidental findings on CT in 227 patients with psoriasis on biologic therapy and 219 living‐kidney transplant donors at our hospital. Incidental findings on CT were observed in 176 (77.5%) patients with psoriasis. The most common were fatty liver (82 patients, 36.1%), urolithiasis (54 patients, 23.8%), pulmonary lesions (47 patients, 20.7%), gallstones or postoperative gallstones (38 patients, 16.7%), liver cysts (36 patients, 15.9%), renal cysts (33 patients, 14.5%), and colonic diverticulum (22 patients, 9.7%), which were observed in 38 (17.4%), eight (3.7%), 68 (31.1%), 12 (5.5%), 58 (26.5%), 88 (40.2%), and 10 (4.6%) donors, respectively. The prevalence of fatty liver, urolithiasis, gallstones, and postoperative gallstones was significantly higher in patients with psoriasis. Multivariate logistic regression showed that psoriasis was a risk factor for fatty liver disease, urolithiasis, and gallstones. Currently, incidental findings on CT in patients with psoriasis have not been well studied. The results of this survey will lead to increased awareness of the incidental findings on CT as a complication of psoriasis.
Biodiversity in landscape mosaics: The roles of local land use and the surrounding landscape on dung beetle assemblages
Authors: Carvalho Raquel L. , Andresen Ellen , Arroyo‐Rodríguez Víctor , Anjos Diego V. , Resende Angélica F. , Vaz de Mello Fernando , Vasconcelos Heraldo L. 
Published: May 2023

Abstract

Biotic communities in heterogeneous agricultural landscapes can be shaped by both the land use of local patches and the structure of surrounding landscapes. However, studies usually focus on one or the other factor, limiting our ability to propose management guidelines for the conservation of biodiversity in human‐modified landscapes.

We used a site‐landscape design and multi‐model inference to assess the effects of land use, landscape structure, and their interactions, on dung beetle assemblages in agricultural landscapes in the Brazilian Cerrado, a biodiversity hotspot. We captured dung beetles in five dominant land uses (savanna, forest, eucalypt, cattle pasture and soybean) and estimated species density, abundance of large and small beetles, and functional richness and dispersion. We measured four landscape structure predictors (savanna cover, forest cover, landscape compositional heterogeneity, and matrix harshness) in circular landscapes around sampling plots.

All response variables were affected by land use and by at least one landscape predictor. Relationships between landscape predictors and dung beetle responses were as expected (positive for forest and savanna covers and negative for matrix harshness), except landscape compositional heterogeneity, which had unexpected negative effects. More importantly, land use and landscape predictors interacted in two cases: higher forest cover and lower matrix harshness were related to higher species density and large‐beetle abundance, respectively, but this was mainly observed in eucalypt.

Synthesis and applications: To better guide the conservation of mobile organisms in anthropogenic habitat mosaics, we need to consider both landscape characteristics and the land use of local patches. Using this approach, we are able to make some recommendations for the conservation of dung beetles in agricultural landscapes in Cerrado, including the following: (i) ensure, through protection and/or restoration, that natural vegetation patches (even small ones) are interspersed in the agricultural matrix, to increase functional diversity in all land uses and taxonomic diversity in tree plantations, (ii) place eucalypt plantations near forest patches to increase the abundance of sensitive species (forest‐specialists, and some large species); (iii) replace some patches of pasture or soybean with tree plantations, to increase the amount of supplementary habitat for sensitive species.
Density dependence of seed dispersal and fecundity profoundly alters the spread dynamics of plant populations
Authors: Zhu Jinlei , Lukić Nataša , Pagel Jörn , Schurr Frank M. 
Published: June 2023

Abstract

Plant population spread has fundamental ecological and evolutionary importance. Both determinants of plant population spread, fecundity and dispersal, can be density‐dependent, which should cause feedback between population densities and spread dynamics. Yet it is poorly understood how density‐dependence affects key characteristics of spread: spread rate at which the location of the furthest forward individual moves, edge depth (the geographical area over which individuals contribute to spread) and population continuity (occupancy of the spreading population).

We present a general modelling framework for analysing the effects of density‐dependent fecundity and dispersal on population spread and parameterize this framework with experimental data from a common‐garden experiment using five wind‐dispersed plant species grown at different densities.

Our model shows that density‐dependent fecundity and dispersal strongly affect all three population spread characteristics for both exponential and lognormal dispersal kernels. Spread rate and edge depth are strongly correlated but show weaker correlations with population continuity. Positive density‐dependence of fecundity increases all three spread characteristics. Increasingly positive density‐dependence of dispersal increases spread rate and edge depth but generally decreases population continuity. Density‐dependent fecundity and dispersal are largely additive in their effect on spread characteristics. For population continuity, the joint effects of density‐dependent fecundity and dispersal are somewhat contingent on the dispersal kernel.

The common‐garden experiment and the experimentally parameterized mechanistic dispersal model revealed density‐dependent fecundity and dispersal across study species. All study species exhibited negatively density‐dependent fecundity, but they differed qualitatively in the density‐dependence of dispersal distance and probability of long‐distance dispersal. The negative density‐dependence of fecundity and dispersal found for three species reinforced each other in reducing spread rate and edge depth. The positively density‐dependent dispersal found for two species markedly increased spread rate and edge depth. Population continuity was hardly affected by population density in all study species except Crepis sancta in which it was strongly reduced by negatively density‐dependent fecundity.

Synthesis. Density‐dependent fecundity and seed dispersal profoundly alter population spread. In particular, positively density‐dependent dispersal should promote the spread and genetic diversity of plant populations migrating under climate change but also complicate the control of invasive species.
Cooperative membership and adoption of green pest control practices: Insights from rice farmers
Authors: Ma Wanglin , Zheng Hongyun , Nnaji Amaka 
Published: May 2023

AbstractReducing the use of chemical pesticide while preserving crop yield is a practical strategy that makes agricultural production economically, socially and environmentally sustainable. Although the adoption of green pest control practices can help achieve such a goal, its adoption rate remains quite low. This study explores whether membership in agricultural cooperatives improves smallholder farmers' adoption of green pest control practices, utilising farm‐level data surveyed from rice farmers in China. To enrich our understanding, we also investigate how the adoption of green pest control practices mediates the effects of cooperative membership on chemical pesticide expenditures. An endogenous switching probit model and a bootstrap‐based mediation method are employed to achieve these goals. The empirical results show that cooperative membership significantly increases the probability of adopting physical pest control practices (e.g. pest‐killing lamps or sticky plate traps) and biological pest control practices (e.g. biopesticides) by 6% and 19%, respectively. Cooperative membership significantly reduces chemical pesticide expenditures through its mediation effect on improving the probability of adopting biological pest control practices. There is also a complementary relationship between physical and biological pest control practices in pest management of rice production. The adoption of physical pest control practices significantly increases rice yield, while the adoption of biological pest control practices does not.
Fatal intoxication involving 2‐methyl AP‐237
Authors: Truver Michael T. , Crosby Michele M. , Gillette Alex T. , Brogan Sara C. , Hoyer Jennifer L. , Chronister Chris W. , Broussard Wilson A. , Vega Russell S. , Goldberger Bruce A. 
Published: June 2023

AbstractNovel synthetic opioids contribute considerably to the opioid epidemic, especially with the frequent emergence of structurally similar compounds. This case report describes a fatal intoxication involving 2‐methyl AP‐237. A 54‐year‐old Caucasian male was found deceased from an apparent drug overdose. A plastic container labeled “2MAP” and a cut straw were found in the decedent's backpack at the scene. A white substance found in the container tested positive for fentanyl by field testing. According to his medical history, the decedent was treated for a drug overdose 3 years prior to his death. With no diagnostic findings at autopsy, the case was submitted for toxicological analysis. An unknown substance was detected in peripheral blood and urine using gas chromatography with nitrogen phosphorous detection (GC‐NPD). Further testing was conducted using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and liquid chromatography‐quadrupole‐time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (LC‐QTOF‐MS) which confirmed the presence of 2‐methyl AP‐237 and potential metabolites in blood and urine. Quantitation by GC‐NPD revealed concentrations of 2‐methyl AP‐237 in blood and urine at 480 ng/mL and 4200 ng/mL, respectively. The toxicological analysis also identified and quantitated alprazolam in the blood at 55 ng/mL. Additionally, the metabolism of 2‐methyl AP‐237 was investigated and three hydroxylated metabolites were identified in peripheral blood and urine. Limited literature is available for the detection and quantitation of 2‐methyl AP‐237 in postmortem specimens. Given the toxicological findings with unremarkable autopsy findings, this case is an example of a fatal intoxication involving 2‐methyl AP‐237.
Cytotoxicity, structural, conformational, and techno‐functional properties of α‐lactalbumin nanostructured aggregates
Authors: Bianchi Jhonatan Rafael de Oliveira , Paz Bruna Elisa Reis , Fonseca Larissa Germano , Carvalho Rebeca Lima , Magalhães José Carlos , Pacheco Karina Azevedo , Schlogl Andersen Escobar , Fabrino Daniela Leite , Nucci Edson Romano , Coimbra Jane Sélia dos Reis , Santos Igor José Boggione 
Published: May 2023

AbstractProtein nanostructures can be used in food applications to improve the techno‐functional properties of a food formulation. This study aims to find the best conditions for the production and conformational change of α‐lactalbumin nanostructured aggregates. The criteria to determine the best operating conditions to produce α‐lactalbumin nanostructured aggregates were intensification of foaming and emulsification, techno‐functional proprieties, cytotoxic, and antibacterial activity of nanostructures compared with native α‐lactalbumin. Conformational alterations occurred in the α‐helix and sheet‐β protein structures. The size obtained by dynamic light scattering was 163.84 nm with a polydispersity index of 0.29. The nano protein improved the techno‐functional property compared to the native protein. Additionally, nanostructures had no cytotoxic effect and were innocuous to bacterial activity. Thus, this study presents the best conditions to produce α‐lactalbumin nanostructured aggregates with improved properties that allow new food industry applications.
Overcoming lemon postharvest molds caused by Penicillium spp. multiresistant isolates by the application of potassium sorbate in aqueous and wax treatments
Authors: Olmedo Gabriela M. , Debes Mario A. , Sepúlveda Milena , Ramallo Jacqueline , Rapisarda Viviana A , Cerioni Luciana , Volentini Sabrina I. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractPenicillium digitatum and Penicillium italicum are the main causal agents of postharvest diseases in lemon. Over the last decades, the appearance of isolates resistant to the main commercial fungicides has been considered one of the most serious problems for the citrus industry. In this work, potassium sorbate (KS) was evaluated as an alternative to chemical fungicides to control postharvest diseases caused by Penicillium isolates resistant to imazalil, thiabendazol, and pyrimethanil. In vitro assays showed that 1% KS inhibited conidia germination and mycelial growth of sensitive and resistant P. digitatum and P. italicum isolates, being this effect stronger at pH 5 than at pH 9. In curative treatments, the immersion of inoculated lemons in 1% KS aqueous solution for 30 s reduced green and blue molds incidences by around 80%. No wound protection effect was observed when wounded lemons were immersed in 3% salt solution before inoculation. Noteworthy, the inclusion of KS in a commercial wax coating effectively controlled green and blue molds, even in decays caused by fungicide resistance isolates. Together, results encourage the use of KS in lemon postharvest treatments to contribute to the management of resistant strains, which represent a major challenge in packinghouses worldwide.Practical ApplicationThe use of KS in citrus postharvest treatments would help producers to reduce spoilage caused by Penicillium fungicide‐resistant strains. The inclusion of this generally recognized as safe compound in wax coatings improves its persistence on the fruit surface, keeping product quality during long‐term overseas transport. In sum, KS constitutes an affordable and eco‐friendly option for controlling postharvest molds in lemon fruit.
IPO suspension and pricing: Evidence from China
Authors: Zhao Junkun , Shen Zhe , Huang Yong 
Published: June 2023

AbstractSecurities regulators in China occasionally suspend their IPO market. We explore the impact of IPO market suspension on IPO pricing. We find that IPOs interrupted by market suspensions are eventually priced at a higher level. The positive impact of IPO suspension on IPO offer price is more pronounced for IPOs backed by venture capitalists (VCs) and/or those with higher VC ownership. Further, we find that IPOs affected by market suspensions show poorer post‐IPO performance, and higher post‐IPO earnings management. Suspension‐affected firms ask for lower offer prices on seasoned equity offerings (SEOs) if they price their IPO shares at a higher level. Combined, our findings suggest that IPO suspensions result in an unexpected wealth transfer from secondary market investors to pre‐IPO investors, and thus the higher offer price for suspension‐affected IPOs is a manifestation of the wealth transfer.