bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of savings and credit co-operative societies’ services on household livelihood outcomes in Mwanza and Tabora rural areas, Tanzania
Authors: Msuya Richard Ibrahim , Kazuzuru Benedicto , Mataba Lucas , Kessy Severine Sirito Augustine 
Published: November 2022

PurposeThis study investigates whether Savings and Credit Co-operatives’ (SACCOS) services such as loans, savings and training improve household livelihood outcomes.Design/methodology/approachThe study employed a quasi-experimental design. Six SACCOS were purposively selected in four districts of Mwanza and Tabora regions in Tanzania. A sample of 500 respondents was randomly selected of whom 200 were SACCOS’ members and 300 were non-members. A questionnaire and a key informant interview guide were used to collect quantitative and qualitative data respectively. Propensity Score Matching (PSM) was used to analyse the quantitative data whereas qualitative data was subjected to thematic analysis.FindingsThe results indicate that SACCOS’ services had significantly impacted on the household livelihood outcomes in terms of maize yields, household assets, savings, food expenditures and non-food expenditures.Research limitations/implicationsThis study was conducted in two regions of Tanzania using six SACCOS. Similar studies can be conducted in a larger area of Tanzania by capturing more than six SACCOS. In addition, the study focused on the rural areas of Tanzania. The future studies can be carried out in urban areas or both urban and rural areas of Tanzania.Practical implicationsLocal leaders, SACCOS’ leaders and other stakeholders in the study area should thus mobilise non-members in their areas to join SACCOS. In addition, the Tanzania government should facilitate the formation of new SACCOS and strengthen those already operating in rural areas.Social implicationsSACCOS provide opportunities for individuals and households in rural areas to converge socially and economically to achieve better results (positive impact on livelihood outcomes), which otherwise could be non-achievable through single household or individual efforts.Originality/valueUnlike previous studies, this study provides empirical evidence on the impact of SACCOS’ services on livelihood outcomes of SACCOS members in rural areas of Tanzania where abject poverty is widespread and where the majority of SACCOS are found.Peer reviewThe peer review history for this article is available at:https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-01-2021-0028
Public transport preferences amongst Ghana's urban dwellers
Authors: Tuffour Michael , Asiama Rexford K. 
Published: November 2022

PurposeThis study considered five means of transport, both old and emerging ones and analysed the preferences of city dwellers in a rapidly expanding African city such as Accra.Design/methodology/approachA total of 891 respondents participated and were selected through a multistage sampling method. The Garrett and Kendall's ranking methods, Pearson chi-square test and a choice model were employed to assess respondents' preferences for various means of transport, the motivating factors for these preferences and socio-economic characteristics associated with these preferences.FindingsThe results show that there are clear preferences with respect to transport choices, which are motivated by factors such as price, comfort, security and even availability. In addition, socio-economic characteristics of respondents such as age, income, car ownership status and employment status are associated with respondents' preference for one means of transport over the other.Research limitations/implicationsThe study analyses transport preferences for modes of transport commonly used in urban areas. The findings have implications for the transport policy adopted in an urban area such as Accra. The findings suggest that for maximum patronage, public authorities in Accra or Ghana may invest more in transport services which are readily available, have moderate prices and provide comfort to urban dwellers. This may improve standard of living of urban dwellers and enhance productivity.Originality/valueThe paper presents new evidence of drivers that influence choice for traditional and emerging transport services in a developing economy such as Ghana. Not many studies do such comparative analysis.Peer reviewThe peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-05-2022-0360
EFL teachers' self-efficacy and professional development: the mediating effect of metacognitive awareness
Authors: Salari Maryam , Farahian Majid 
Published: November 2022

PurposeA significant research base has increasingly shown that one of the most important factors affecting student achievement in second language classrooms is the teacher. Consequently, over the recent decades, much attention has been paid to teacher-related variables in research. Nevertheless, few studies have dealt with the relationship between teachers' self-efficacy, metacognitive awareness and their professional development in the context of English as a foreign language (EFL). As such, the objective of this study is to test a path analysis model of the variables and specifically to examine the hypothesis that metacognitive awareness mediates the relationship between self-efficacy and professional development.Design/methodology/approachA quantitative correlational design was utilized to validate the research hypothesis. Then, data from 200 EFL teachers who were selected through available sampling was obtained using three questionnaires, namely metacognitive inventory by Cem Balcikanli, self-efficacy scale by Tschannen-Moran and Hoy and teachers' professional development inventory by Soodmand Afshar et al. The Pearson correlation coefficient of self-efficacy (r = 757, p < 0.000) revealed a significant positive relationship with metacognitive awareness, and the Pearson correlation coefficient of metacognitive awareness (r = 0.848, p < 0.000) showed a significant positive relationship with professional development.FindingsThe results showed the hypothetical model of the relationship among the research variables as well as verifying the mediator role of metacognitive awareness by multiple regression and path analysis. Then, the implications of metacognitive awareness, self-efficacy and professional development were put forward.Originality/valueThe majority of research on teacher professional development has focused appropriately on its relationship with components such as management training, teacher practice, reflective practice and academic achievement. In this line of research, the investigation of the potential links among self-efficacy, professional development and metacognitive awareness as interacting variables is scarce. More substantially, no prior exploration has been conducted concerning the mediating effect of metacognitive awareness in association with English teachers' self-efficacy and professional development.
Research on optimization of index system design and its inspection method: data quality diagnosis, index classification and stratification
Authors: Yin Kedong , Cao Yun , Zhou Shiwei , Lv Xinman 
Published: November 2022

PurposeThe purposes of this research are to study the theory and method of multi-attribute index system design and establish a set of systematic, standardized, scientific index systems for the design optimization and inspection process. The research may form the basis for a rational, comprehensive evaluation and provide the most effective way of improving the quality of management decision-making. It is of practical significance to improve the rationality and reliability of the index system and provide standardized, scientific reference standards and theoretical guidance for the design and construction of the index system.Design/methodology/approachUsing modern methods such as complex networks and machine learning, a system for the quality diagnosis of index data and the classification and stratification of index systems is designed. This guarantees the quality of the index data, realizes the scientific classification and stratification of the index system, reduces the subjectivity and randomness of the design of the index system, enhances its objectivity and rationality and lays a solid foundation for the optimal design of the index system.FindingsBased on the ideas of statistics, system theory, machine learning and data mining, the focus in the present research is on “data quality diagnosis” and “index classification and stratification” and clarifying the classification standards and data quality characteristics of index data; a data-quality diagnosis system of “data review – data cleaning – data conversion – data inspection” is established. Using a decision tree, explanatory structural model, cluster analysis, K-means clustering and other methods, classification and hierarchical method system of indicators is designed to reduce the redundancy of indicator data and improve the quality of the data used. Finally, the scientific and standardized classification and hierarchical design of the index system can be realized.Originality/valueThe innovative contributions and research value of the paper are reflected in three aspects. First, a method system for index data quality diagnosis is designed, and multi-source data fusion technology is adopted to ensure the quality of multi-source, heterogeneous and mixed-frequency data of the index system. The second is to design a systematic quality-inspection process for missing data based on the systematic thinking of the whole and the individual. Aiming at the accuracy, reliability, and feasibility of the patched data, a quality-inspection method of patched data based on inversion thought and a unified representation method of data fusion based on a tensor model are proposed. The third is to use the modern method of unsupervised learning to classify and stratify the index system, which reduces the subjectivity and randomness of the design of the index system and enhances its objectivity and rationality.
Factors influencing researchers to publish in open-access: Is it a self-decision or a self-reinforcing cycle?
Authors: Hadad Shlomit , Aharony Noa 
Published: November 2022

PurposeThe current study examined Israeli researchers from various disciplines concerning their perceptions, attitudes and awareness of scientific publications in open access (OA) journals and repositories.Design/methodology/approachA survey instrument was developed and distributed to 202 Israeli researchers from universities, colleges and research institutions. The study used the united theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) model as a tool for mapping the factors known to influence researchers to publish in OA journals and repositories.FindingsThe empirical model confirmed the mediating effect of the association between researchers’ perceptions and the actual publishing in OA, through their behavioral intentions (BI). Furthermore, the BI are mediated by researchers’ self-decision to publish in OA. More specifically, a researcher's publication level in OA depended not only on the positive attitudes (Atti), performance expectancy (PE) and social influence (SI) mediated by BI, but also on conditions that support researchers who publish in OA, and disciplinary affiliation to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) which lead the researcher to voluntarily publish in both green and gold OA.Research limitations/implicationsThis study contributed to the cumulative understanding of OA publishing by formulating and validating an empirical research model of acceptance and use.Practical implicationsThe implications of the findings for scientific publication theory and practices are discussed.Originality/valueThe study suggests an effective framework to understand the researcher's final decision to publish in OA. This study's results are an essential step towards the cumulative understanding of OA publicity adoption and use by researchers as a global issue in general and in Israeli academic institutions in particular.
Path selection and mechanism innovation of improving railway energy efficiency – from foreign experience and Chinese practice
Authors: Zhou Xinjun 
Published: November 2022

PurposeUnder the dual pressure of resources and environment, many countries have focused on the role of railways in promoting low-carbon development of integrated transportation and of even the whole society. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive study on methods to improve railway energy efficiency in other national railways and achievements made by China’s railways in the past practice, and then to propose ways in which in the future China’s railways could rationally select the path of improving energy efficiency regarding the needs of the nation's ever-shifting development and carry out the re-engineering for mechanism innovation in energy conservation and emission reduction process.Design/methodology/approachThis paper first studies other national railways that have tried to promote the improvement of railway energy efficiency by the ways of technology, management and structural reconstruction to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions. Among them, the effect of structural energy conservation and emission reduction has become more prominent. It has become the main energy conservation and emission reduction measure adopted by foreign railway sectors. The practice of energy conservation and emission reduction of railways in various countries has tended to shift from a technical level to a structural one.FindingsKey aspects in improving energy efficiency include re-optimization of energy structure, re-innovation of energy-saving technologies and optimization of transportation organization. Path selection includes continuing to promote electrified railway construction, increasing the use of new and renewable energy sources, and promoting the reform of railway transportation organizations.Originality/valueThis paper provides further challenges and research directions in the proposed area and has referential value for the methodologies, approaches for practice in a Chinese context. To achieve the expected goals, relevant supporting policies and measures need to be formulated, including actively guiding integrated transportation toward railway-oriented development, promoting innovation in energy-saving and emission reduction mechanisms and strengthening policy incentives, focusing on improving the energy efficiency of railways through market behavior. At the same time, it is necessary to pay attention to new phenomena in the railway industry for track and analysis.
Assessment of a single‐pass venous phase CT chest, abdomen and pelvis and dual‐energy CT in general oncology outpatients
Authors: Seah Huey Ming , Choi Hau Cher , Bajic Nicholas , Oakden‐Rayner Lauren , Gormly Kirsten L 
Published: November 2022

AbstractIntroductionThis study assessed replacing traditional protocol CT‐arterial chest and venous abdomen and pelvis, with a single‐pass, single‐bolus, venous phase CT chest, abdomen and pelvis (CAP) protocol in general oncology outpatients at a single centre.MethodsA traditional protocol is an arterial phase chest followed by venous phase abdomen and pelvis. A venous CAP (vCAP) protocol is a single acquisition 60 s after contrast injection, with optional arterial phase upper abdomen based on the primary tumour. Consecutive eligible patients were assessed, using each patient's prior study as a comparator. Attenuation for various structures, lesion conspicuity and dose were compared. Subset analysis of dual‐energy (DE) CT scans in the vCAP protocol performed for lesion conspicuity on 50 keV virtual monoenergetic (VME) images.ResultsOne hundred and eleven patients were assessed with both protocols. Forty‐six patients had their vCAP scans using DECT. The vCAP protocol had no significant difference in the attenuation of abdominal structures, with reduced attenuation of mediastinal structures. There was a significant improvement in the visibility of pleural lesions (p < 0.001), a trend for improved mediastinal nodes assessment, and no significant difference for abdominal lesions. A significant increase in liver lesion conspicuity on 50 keV VME reconstructions was noted for both readers (p < 0.001). There were significant dose reductions with the vCAP protocol.ConclusionA single‐pass vCAP protocol offered an improved thoracic assessment with no loss of abdominal diagnostic confidence and significant dose reductions compared to traditional protocol. Improved liver lesion conspicuity on 50 keV VME images across a range of cancers is promising.
Reframing the climate debate: The origins and diffusion of net zero pledges
Authors: Van Coppenolle Hermine , Blondeel Mathieu , Van de Graaf Thijs 
Published: November 2022

AbstractAchieving net zero emissions has rapidly become the dominant long‐term objective guiding national climate policies. At the end of 2018, only 24 countries were considering or had adopted long‐term net zero targets. By the end of 2021, this had climbed to almost 150 countries, covering 89 per cent of global carbon emissions. In this article, we trace the origins and diffusion of net zero pledges through the lens of international norm theory. Drawing on a newly compiled database of national net zero targets, our analysis highlights the critical role played by climate scientists, transnational advocacy networks, and norm entrepreneurs in articulating the norm of net zero emissions. The IPCC's fifth assessment report was foundational, by introducing the concept of a cumulative carbon budget, allowing translation of abstract temperature goals into more actionable net zero targets. The norm of net zero has been institutionalised at the global political level in the period 2015–2018 and cascaded through the international system in 2019–2020. Yet, it remains subject to various forms of contestation, most notably regarding validity, fairness, scope, and implementation. The norm is now at a critical stage in its lifecycle that will decide whether it gets institutionalised or suffers backsliding and even erosion.
Living on the edge: The use of fruit‐feeding butterflies to evaluate edge effect on subtropical assemblages
Authors: Bellaver Juliane , Romanowski Helena Piccoli , Richter Aline , Iserhard Cristiano Agra 
Published: November 2022

AbstractThis study evaluated how the edge effect influences the structuration of fruit‐feeding butterfly assemblages in swamp forest fragments of the subtropical Atlantic Forest, Southern Brazil. Sampling was carried out twice in 10 fragments using baited traps placed in sampling units both at the forest edge and 50 m within the forest interior, with the habitats being defined by a set of environmental variables. Richness and abundance were higher for edge habitats with an effect of temperature depending on humidity and luminosity. The subfamily/tribe composition of fruit‐feeding butterflies was segregated between edge and interior and was predicted by wind speed and the interaction between humidity and luminosity. Fifty meters within the forest interior is not sufficient to cause homogenization of butterfly composition between the edge and interior of swamp forest fragments, indicating distinct assemblages in each habitat. The interior harboured forest‐loving butterfly groups while the edge harboured generalist sun‐loving and common butterflies associated with disturbed areas, suggesting resistance to the effects of habitat fragmentation. We highlight the importance of using fruit‐feeding butterfly groups, instead of species, to evaluate edge effects. We also suggest that a heterogeneous matrix with native habitats and distinct semi‐natural land‐use systems be maintained to manage subtropical areas by increasing connectivity within the landscape. Considering the impacts that the Atlantic Forest suffers, increased knowledge of modifications caused at small and regional scales is crucial for the maintenance of ecological processes and represents a tool for conservation planning and environmental agendas.
Comparison of physico‐chemical properties of zinc oxide eugenol cement and a bioceramic sealer
Authors: Gaeta Carlo , Marruganti Crystal , Mignosa Emanuele , Malvicini Giulia , Verniani Giulia , Tonini Riccardo , Grandini Simone 
Published: November 2022

AbstractThe aim of the present study was to compare the physico‐chemical properties of EssenSeal with AH PLUS bioceramic and Pulp Canal Sealer EWT. Flow, solubility, film thickness, radiopacity and setting time were evaluated according to ISO 6876 (2012) specifications. External and cross‐section surface characteristics were analysed under a scanning electron microscope. Statistical analysis was performed using Shapiro–Wilk's test, one‐way ANOVA and the Tukey HSD test. All the sealers conformed to the ISO 6876 (2012) standards, except for the setting time for AH plus bioceramic, which exceeded more than 10% of the time indicated by the manufacturer. Statistically significant differences were found between the three study sealers regarding the physico‐chemical properties tested (p < 0.05). EssenSeal demonstrated characteristics respecting the ISO 6876 (2012) standards and can be considered a predictable alternative in root canal sealing.
NETs promote ROS production to induce human amniotic epithelial cell apoptosis via ERK1/2 signaling in spontaneous preterm birth
Authors: Hu Min , Li Hao , Li Guangzhen , Wang Yuan , Liu Jing , Zhang Meihua , Shen Di , Wang Xietong 
Published: November 2022

AbstractProblemPremature birth is a common obstetric complication but its pathogenesis is unclear. Inflammation at the maternal‐fetal interface in preterm labor leads to the infiltration of neutrophils, which promotes inflammatory responses and induces the degradation of extracellular matrix and cell apoptosis, thus contributing to preterm labor. It is unclear whether neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), a functional form of neutrophils, are involved in preterm labor.Methods of StudyAfter collecting amniotic membranes from research objects, we localized NETs by immunofluorescence and evaluated the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐9 and MMP‐2 by western blotting. Primary human amniotic epithelial cells (hAECs) subjected to treatment with NETs, 5‐ethynyl‐20‐deoxyuridine cell proliferation assay, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay, western blotting, and flow cytometry apoptosis assay were used to determine the effects of NETs on hAECs. We also elucidated possible mechanisms underlying the effects.ResultsCompared with normal term women, NETs infiltration and MMP‐9 expression in the amniotic membrane from preterm women had increased. Thereafter, NETs might suppress the proliferation and promote the apoptosis of hAECs. Furthermore, after NETs treatment, the mitochondrial membrane potential was significantly decreased, ERK1/2 phosphorylation expression was upregulated and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was increased in hAECs. Changes in cell proliferation, LDH release, and cell apoptosis level due to NETs could be reversed by ROS inhibitor or ERK phosphorylation inhibitors.ConclusionsNETs can promote the apoptosis of hAECs via ERK1/2 pathways dependent on ROS release.