bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Improving arts management/marketing efficiency: optimizing utilization of scarce resources to produce artistic outputs
Authors: Kirchner Theresa A. , Golden Linda L. , Brockett Patrick L. 
Published: October 2022

PurposeThis longitudinal research examines US symphony orchestra sector organizations to determine individual efficiencies in allocating resources (donations, governmental/private funding, etc.) for desirable outputs (concerts, educational programs, community outreach). It provides researchers and managers with a tool for identifying, assessing and mitigating organizational inefficiencies.Design/methodology/approachThis study assesses relative efficiencies in performing arts organizations using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), a widely-used nonparametric data-intensive benchmarking technique that determines an optimal “production frontier” of best-practice organizations among their peers and assesses their abilities to turn multivariate inputs into multivariate desired outputs.FindingsThis analysis highlights efficiency differences in a wide range of orchestras in converting available resources into performance-related outputs. It provides individual arts organizations with useful results for developing practical benchmarks to achieve organizational efficiency improvement.Research limitations/implicationsThis study provides constructive benchmarking guidance for improving efficiencies of relatively-inefficient organizations. Future analysis can expand the scope to utilize a two-stage DEA model to provide more specific guidance to arts organizations.Practical implicationsThis pragmatic analysis enables arts/culture institutions to assess their organizational efficiencies and identify opportunities to optimize resources in producing social outputs for their target markets.Social implicationsEfficiency improvements enable performing arts organizations to provide additional artistic/social services, with fewer resources, to larger audiences.Originality/valueThis research demonstrates the abilities of DEA analysis to assess both a sector and its individual organizations to determine efficiencies, identify sources of inefficiencies and assess longitudinal efficiency trends.
Flexible future learning opportunities for built environment professionals – a case study
Authors: Poon Joanna 
Published: October 2022

PurposeThis paper discusses the redevelopment of MSc Civil Engineering and Construction Management of a modern university in the Midlands of the UK in recent years, with the aim to offer flexible future learning opportunities for built environment professionals and address the sector's skill shortage concerns (Augar Review, 2019 and 2021; Department for Education (DfE), 2020 and 2021; Foresight Review, 2017).Design/methodology/approachThe research method is insider action research and a case study approach. It involves interviews with external and internal stakeholders who contributed to this redevelopment and review of relevant documents related to the development.FindingsThe research finding showed that both the internal and external stakeholders welcome the proposed redevelopment of postgraduate courses in Civil Engineering and Construction Management. They found the course offers opportunities for civil engineering and construction professionals to further develop their skills and to address government initiatives on flexible and future learning. The online offer of the course is attractive to potential students. It has brought a substantial financial return to the university and created a new international presence of the course and the university.Research limitations/implicationsIt has been argued that an insider research approach may have an advantage in accessing information compared to other research methods. The case study approach may have limitations on generalisability.Practical implicationsThis research can be used as an example for other universities that aim to enhance their existing offers to address government initiatives and enhance financial viability.Originality/valueThis paper is a pilot study examining a university's response to skill shortage and government proposal on flexible learning for adults through redevelopment and enhancement of the offer of the existing postgraduate courses.
A dichotomy between democracy and personal freedom on the spread of COVID-19
Authors: Ang Joshua Ping , Gao Guanlin , Sparks Andrew 
Published: October 2022

PurposeThe authors analyze the effects of political freedom and personal freedom on the spread of COVID-19 in a cross-country study. The authors also investigate how income inequality, urbanization and previous experience with a similar respiratory epidemic/pandemic, such as SARS and MERS, affect the spread of COVID-19.Design/methodology/approachThe authors employ data from 102 countries to examine the relationship of countries' economic and sociopolitical factors, such as political freedom and personal freedom and their COVID-19 infection cases per million population at 120 days, 150 days and 180 days after the reported 10th infection case. The authors also include the log term of real GDP per capita to control for counties' economic development and regional dummies to control for regional-specific effects.FindingsResults of this study show that personal freedom, rather than democracy, has a significant positive effect on countries' COVID-19 infection cases. On the contrary, democracy has a negative impact on the infection rate. The authors also find that socioeconomic factors such as higher income inequality and urbanization rate adversely affect the COVID-19 infection cases. A larger older population is associated with fewer infection cases, holding everything else equal. Previous experiences with the coronavirus crisis affect countries only at the 120 days mark. Real GDP per capita has no significant effect.Originality/valueThe main contribution of this paper is to jointly explore personal freedom, which implies a social framework with more emphasis on self-value and self-realization and political freedom, that is, democracy. The authors show that it is personal freedom, rather than democracy, that contributes to higher COVID-19 infection cases. Democracy, on the other hand, reduces the number of infection cases.Peer reviewThe peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-12-2021-0769
Developing a framework for unethical consumer behaviour: a qualitative study in two countries
Authors: Al‐Msallam Samaan , Abdelhadi Amal 
Published: October 2022

PurposeThis paper examines factors that lead consumers to engage in unethical consumer behaviour (UECB) to develop a framework for understanding this phenomenon.Design/methodology/approachThe study data were collected using the qualitative approach by conducting personal interviews with 27 marketers in two Arab countries, Libya and Syria.FindingsThe findings indicate that previous models of UECB are applicable to Arab consumers. However, the effects of the examined factors on UECB adoption are influenced by the local environment. Also, the paper explored some newly factors that clearly affect UECB.Practical implicationsThis study provides a model of UECB for Arab consumers to help companies to understand Arab consumers’ behaviour. This model determines the influencing factors on this behaviour that companies can use to build their marketing strategies directed at the Libyan and Syrian markets during the reconstruction phase. Moreover, the research results help companies avoid and control UECB.Originality/valueAlmost all studies of UECB have been conducted in Western countries; the present study attempts to address this gap in the ethical decision-making literature, as well as marketing literature, and examine the UECB in Arab countries. Furthermore, previous studies of UECB mostly look at one typical form of UECB; this study provides a broader contribution to the literature on UECB by using a set of scenarios; shoplifting, software piracy and pilfering from hotel rooms.
Economic growth, international trade, and environmental degradation in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Ssekibaala Daaki Sadat , Ariffin Muhammad Irwan , Duasa Jarita 
Published: October 2022

PurposeThis study investigates the relationship between economic growth, international trade, and environmental degradation in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), focusing on the validity of the environmental Kuznets hypothesis (EKC), the pollution havens hypothesis (PHH), and the factor endowment hypothesis (FEH).Design/methodology/approachThe study uses annual data for 41 SSA countries between 1990 and 2017 and employs the bias-corrected least square dummy variable (LSDVC) estimation techniques. Environmental degradation is indicated by carbon dioxide (CO2), delicate particulate matter (PM2.5) emissions, and deforestation.FindingsThe results confirm the validity of the EKC hypothesis for PM2.5 emissions and deforestation but not for CO2 emissions. The results also indicate that international trade reduces deforestation and that both the PHH and FEH are valid for CO2 emission but not for PM2.5 emissions and deforestation.Practical implicationsIn this paper, the authors are able to illustrate that both economic growth and international trade can harm the environment if unchecked. Therefore, the conclusion of this study offers policy options through which SSA countries can achieve desired economic growth goals without affecting environmental quality. The study can be a benchmark for environmental policy in the region.Originality/valueThe authors provide an in-depth discussion of the growth-trade-environmental degradation nexus in SSA. The EKC, PHH, and FEH’s validity confirm that economic growth remains a threat to the local natural environment in SSA. Hence, the need for a trade-off between economic growth needs and environmental degradation and understanding where to compromise to achieve SSA's economic development priorities.
CECL: Timely Loan Loss Provisioning and Bank Regulation
Authors: MAHIEUX LUCAS , SAPRA HARESH , ZHANG GAOQING 
Published: October 2022

ABSTRACTWe investigate how provisioning models interact with bank regulation to affect banks' risk‐taking behavior. We study an accuracy versus timeliness trade‐off between an incurred loss model (IL) and an expected loss model (EL) such as current expected credit loss model or International Financial Reporting Standards 9. Relative to IL, even though EL improves efficiency by prompting earlier corrective action in bad times, it induces banks to originate either safer or riskier loans. Trading off ex post benefits versus ex ante real effects, we show that more timely information under EL enhances efficiency either when banks are insufficiently capitalized or when regulatory intervention is likely to be effective. Conversely, when banks are moderately capitalized and regulatory intervention is sufficiently costly, switching to EL impairs efficiency. From a policy perspective, our analysis highlights the roles that regulatory capital and the effectiveness of regulatory intervention play in determining the economic consequences of provisioning models. EL spurs credit supply and improves financial stability in economies where intervening in banks' operations is relatively frictionless and/or regulators can tailor regulatory capital to incorporate information about credit losses.
Protein pyrrole adducts are associated with elevated glucose indices and clinical features of diabetic diffuse neuropathies
Authors: Chen Xiao , Jiang Zhuyi , Zhang Lianjing , Liu Wei , Ren Xiaohu , Nie Luling , Wu Desheng , Guo Zhiwei , Liu Weimin , Yang Xifei , Wu Yan , Liang Zhen , Spencer Peter , Liu Jianjun 
Published: October 2022

AbstractIntroductionDiabetic neuropathy is the most prevalent complication of diabetes mellitus. Although the precise etiology of this neurological disorder has yet to be defined, elevated blood glucose promotes anerobic glycolysis; this produces excess advanced glycation end‐products, many of which have a pyrrole structure. Here, we test the hypothesis that protein pyrrole adducts are associated with elevated glucose indices and some clinical features of diabetic diffuse neuropathies.MethodWe investigated the levels of plasma pyrrole adducts and adjusted urinary pyrrole adducts in a group of elderly persons (n = 516, age 60–79) residing in the District of Luohu, Shenzhen, China between 2017 and 2018. Symptoms of distal symmetric polyneuropathy (DSPN) and resting heart rate, a measure of autonomic nervous system function, were collected from participants (n = 258) with elevated glucose indices.ResultProtein pyrrole adducts showed a strong correlation with glucose indices before and after adjustment for age and estimated glomerular filtration rates. Stratified analysis showed that the medians and interquartile values of pyrrole adducts grew as glucose indices of the subgroups increased. Participants with symptoms of DSPN and sinus tachycardia presented elevated levels of plasma pyrrole adducts.ConclusionThis study provides a novel link between glucose indices and the etiology of diabetic diffuse neuropathies.
Casticin promotes osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells and improves osteoporosis in rats by regulating nuclear factor‐κB/mitogen‐activated protein kinase
Authors: Zhang Dong , Li Xuejia , Li Jianmin , Liu Wanxin , Yu Ying , Wang Shuqiang , Ye Xiaojian 
Published: October 2022

AbstractBackgroundOsteoporosis has influenced millions of people, especially postmenopausal women, which has become a big burden to the whole world. Although the diverse roles of casticin (CAS) on different diseases were identified, whether it was implicated with osteoporosis was unknown.MethodsA rat model of osteoporosis was established through dexamethasone (DEX) treatment and a cell model reflecting the osteogenic and osteoclast induction was constructed in bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs). The calcification at the late stage of induction was measured via Alizarin Red S staining. Western blot was applied to evaluate the levels of proteins.ResultsHematoxylin and eosin staining revealed that the number of bone trabecular in DEX‐induced osteoporosis rats was decreased, while increased doses of CAS treatment elevated the number of bone trabecular. CAS treatment alleviated DEX‐induced osteoporosis in rats. Moreover, we found that CAS inhibited the nuclear factor‐κB/mitogen‐activated protein kinase (NF‐κB/MAPK) pathway. In addition, CAS promoted osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs and reduced osteoclastogenesis of bone marrow monocytes. Finally, CAS was observed to retard the receptor activator of NFκ‐B ligand‐induced NF‐κB/MAPK pathway.ConclusionCAS promoted osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs and improved osteoporosis in rats by regulating the NF‐κB/MAPK pathway. This might shed a light into using CAS as a drug treating osteoporosis in the future.
The winning score
Authors: Brown Alistair C. , Mortimer Neil J. , Salmon Paul J. M. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractIncision lines placed at cosmetic boundaries and/or in rhytids during surgical procedures provide ideal concealment of scars. We suggest the use of a 30‐gauge, half‐inch needle or alternatively the back edge of a #15 scalpel blade to superficially score the skin to provide markings, which are fine enough to lie exactly within rhytids or at exact cosmetic boundaries such as the nasolabial fold or the junction of the cutaneous and vermillion lip. We measured the average depth of these scores to demonstrate that they are shallow enough to heal without scarring.
VEXAS syndrome: A dermatological perspective
Authors: Nguyen Jacqueline K. , Routledge David , van Der Weyden Carrie , Blombery Piers , Angel Christopher M. , Johnson Daryl , Goh Michelle S. , Lee Adriene 
Published: October 2022

AbstractVEXAS (Vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X‐linked, autoinflammatory and somatic mutation) syndrome is a genetically defined disorder identified in 2020, describing patients with inflammatory syndromes associated with haematological dysfunction. It is a severe, treatment‐resistant condition, with estimated mortality between 40% and 63%. A wide range of cutaneous manifestations have been described. Here, we report on two patients with treatment‐resistant neutrophilic dermatosis and myelodysplastic syndrome, who were subsequently diagnosed with VEXAS syndrome. Our cases highlight the need for dermatologists' awareness of this novel condition and to initiate early referral to haematologists for appropriate multidisciplinary care.
Single‐centre experience of loop ileostomy closure: a retrospective comparison of conventional‐linear closure and purse‐string closure on surgical‐site‐infection rates
Authors: Nyandoro Munyaradzi G. , Seow Yi Th'ng , Stein Joel , Theophilus Mary 
Published: October 2022

AbstractBackgroundThe closure of ileostomy is associated with significant morbidity, the most common being surgical site infection (SSI), ranging up to 41%. This study compared the stoma site SSI rates after either the conventional‐linear closure (CLC) or purse‐string closure (PSC).MethodsThe study conducted a single‐centre retrospective cohort study of elective loop‐ileostomy closures from June 2015 to January 2021. Patient demographics, surgical techniques and outcomes, including SSI rates, were analysed using SPSS ver.27.ResultsHundred and six patients underwent loop‐ileostomy closure, 91.5% (n = 97) had CLC of which 67% (n = 65) were stapled. Male patients comprise 67.9%, with a median age of 62. The median BMI was 27. The median surgical time, LOS and interval time to closure were 66 min, 4.5 days and 5.5 months, respectively. The SSI rate was 19.6% (n = 19) for CLC and 11.1% (n = 1) for PSC. The SSI rate was significantly reduced to 3.7% (P < 0.001) in CLC when the site was washed with betadine. Multivariate logistic regression controlled for statistically insignificant confounders showed that stoma site betadine wash was significantly and independently associated with reduced SSI risk (P = 0.026). Other significant factors which reduced SSI risk were prophylactic antibiotic therapy (P = 0.004), operative time < 60 min (P = 0.021), and having the closure done >3 months post the formation surgery (P = 0.040).ConclusionsThis study found that stoma SSI risk was independently and significantly reduced when CLC stapled site was washed with betadine. This low‐cost intervention that significantly reduced skin closure site SSI rates is readily available and can easily be adopted into clinical practice.
The incidence of occult level IV nodal metastasis in tongue squamous cell carcinoma: a 20 year review
Authors: Wu Johnny , Kong Leon , Field Xavier , Ebrahim Abdul‐Kader 
Published: October 2022

AbstractBackgroundThe extent of neck dissection for tongue SCC is unclear owing to the potential presence of occult level IV metastasis. We aim to assess the incidence of occult level IV nodal metastasis for tongue SCC patients treated in our centre over a 20 year period.MethodsA retrospective analysis of data collected from 1999 to 2019 was performed. Patients diagnosed with oral tongue SCC treated primarily with surgery and a neck dissection fulfilled the inclusion criteria.ResultsA total of 124 patients were included in our study. Sixty‐one patients were N0 with no occult level IV metastasis. About 17.3% of clinically node positive patients had level IV metastasis. Length of hospital stay and complication rates were comparable for patients who received levels I–III and I–IV neck dissections.ConclusionOccult level IV metastasis in N0 tongue SCC patients are exceedingly rare, we would therefore suggest consideration for a level I–III neck dissection. In patients who are clinically node positive, a level I–IV neck dissection would be recommended.
The complex relationship between greenspace and well‐being in children with and without autism
Authors: Barger Brian , Larson Lincoln R. , Torquati Julia , Moody Eric , Ogletree Scott , Rosenberg Steven 
Published: October 2022

AbstractGreenspace (defined here as canopy coverage) positively correlates with improved well‐being in typically developing individuals, but this relationship has not been established in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). To investigate this relationship, the current study merged data from the National Survey of Children's Health (2012) with the National Land Cover Database. Across typically developing children, children with ASD, and non‐autistic children with special healthcare needs (CSHCN), greenspace unexpectedly negatively correlated with well‐being. Further, compared with typically developing children, children with ASD or CSHCN status had lower well‐being. Interestingly, typically developing children with conduct problems displayed an unexpected negative relationship (i.e. as greenspace increased whereas well‐being decreased), though those without conduct problems showed no relationship. Children with ASD displayed no relationship between greenspace independent of conduct problems. CSHCN displayed non‐significant trends suggesting mild positive relationships between greenspace and well‐being. These data indicate the relationship between greenspace and well‐being is more complex than expected and may depend on the diagnostic traits of the population studied.
Obesity and narrow pelvis prolong the operative time in conventional laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery, but not in a two‐team transanal total mesorectal excision approach
Authors: Hasegawa Hiroshi , Matsuda Takeru , Yamashita Kimihiro , Sawada Ryuichiro , Harada Hitoshi , Urakawa Naoki , Goto Hironobu , Kanaji Shingo , Oshikiri Taro , Kakeji Yoshihiro 
Published: October 2022

AbstractPurposeNarrow pelvis, tumor diameter, and obesity have been reported as clinical variables correlated with the difficulty of conventional laparoscopic low anterior resection (Lap‐LAR). A two‐team transanal total mesorectal excision (TaTME) approach where the transabdominal and TaTME are performed simultaneously might reduce the difficulty associated with these factors. This study aimed to clarify the factors associated with the longer time required for TME (TME time) in conventional Lap‐LAR and a two‐team approach for TaTME.MethodsWe analyzed 52 patients with rectal carcinoma treated with Lap‐LAR and 35 patients treated with TaTME. We performed simple linear regression analysis to assess the association between TME time and bony pelvic size using 3D pelvimetry, longest tumor diameter, and body mass index (BMI).ResultsLinear regression analysis demonstrated a highly significant association between TME time and obstetric conjugate (R2 = 0.098, P = .024) and BMI (R2 = 0.307, P < .001) in the Lap‐LAR group, while no significant association was observed in the TaTME group. Male patients, who had a narrower bony pelvis and higher BMI than female patients, had longer TME time than female patients in the Lap‐LAR group (213 minutes vs 172 minutes, P = .021), while the TME time of male and female patients did not differ in the TaTME group (122 minutes vs 108 minutes, P = .451). The TME time in the TaTME group was significantly shorter than that in the Lap‐LAR group (121 minutes vs 197 minutes, P < .001).ConclusionA two‐team TaTME approach provided a shorter TME time compared to conventional Lap‐LAR, regardless of pelvic size and BMI.