bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessment of competencies to promote best project management practices for road infrastructure projects in Ghana
Authors: Aboagye Jones Nyame , Kissi Ernest , Acheampong Alex , Badu Edward 
Published: January 2022

Purpose
This research aims to evaluate the status of project management best practices in the road infrastructure sector of Ghana through the inquiry of project managers’ competency.

Design/methodology/approach
Based on a thorough literature review on competency and project management best practices, a criterion for measuring best practices based on the competencies was identified. Using closed-ended questionnaires as a survey instrument, data was collected and analyzed using a one-sample t-test, Kendall’s concordance coefficient and simple regression.

Findings
The key finding reveals that in achieving project management best practices for the Ghanaian road infrastructure projects, project managers should straighten and strengthen their capability in terms of skills, personal characteristics and knowledge as ranked. An appropriate blend of these characteristics would be a necessary requirement for project managers. Through this, project managers and project-based road infrastructure organizations will be able to win the confidence of their stakeholders and attain improvements in cost-effectiveness, quality and time management.

Research limitations/implications
This study provides project managers in the road infrastructure sector with relevant information on which criteria and variables are critical and are frequently required to manage such projects. This will be helpful for training programs and professional development of project managers in the road infrastructure sector.

Originality/value
The study provides a new direction and focuses for project managers in the road infrastructure industry toward best project management practices in developing countries. It also complements existing studies in this area which deepen the understanding of the subject area.
Information-augmented exchange objects to inform facilities management BIM guidelines: introducing the level of semantics schema
Authors: Sadeghi Marjan , Elliott Jonathan Weston , Mehany Mohammed Hashem 
Published: January 2022

Purpose
Successful implementation of a building information modeling (BIM) for building operation and maintenance (O&M) requires purposeful, early-design identification of end-user-specific model exchange requirements. This paper aims to provide a semantic data-rich classification system for model objects to convey facilities management (FM) requirements in BIM guidelines in support of efficient FM-BIM data workflows.

Design/methodology/approach
A modularized, repeatable and technical solution for semantic requirements of BIM exchange objects was developed through ontology-based data mapping of the industry foundation classes. The proposed solution further contextualizes syntax per the buildingSMART Data Dictionary schema and provides an implementation agreement to address the quality issues of discipline BIMs and establish consistent modeling and naming conventions to facilitate automated BIM data workflow.

Findings
The level of semantics (LOS) development framework and the results of LOS implementation focusing on a building mechanical system case project are presented and discussed to showcase the increased efficiency resulting from its implementation throughout the BIM data management workflows.

Originality/value
This study represents a pioneering effort to create and implement the LOS schema as a modularized solution in support of automatic BIM data creation, adjustment, verification and transition across the design, construction and O&M workflows of a large owner organization in the Midwest USA.
Fiscal and monetary policies supporting the tourism industry during COVID-19
Authors: Şengel Ümit , Işkın Merve , Çevrimkaya Mustafa , Genç Gökhan 
Published: January 2022

PurposeSince the first moment of the pandemic, national and international travel restrictions are in place to reduce human mobility. This actual situation makes the tourism industry one of the areas most affected by the pandemic. Many microeconomic factors (households and firms) were adversely affected by the pandemic, and this situation brought about macroeconomic contraction. Naturally, governments seek to sustain production and employment by offering financial packages to reduce the negative economic effects of the pandemic. Given such information, the study aims to examine the financial policies implemented by countries to support the tourism industry during the pandemic period.Design/methodology/approachContent analysis, which is a technique of qualitative research method, was applied in the analysis process of the data. Assessments were made based on data published by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) on the financial and monetary policies implemented by countries to support the tourism industry. The data were analyzed using the MAXQDA qualitative analysis program.FindingsAccording to the results of the study, countries support the tourism industry financially in terms of credit and liquidity. Also, tourism investments are encouraged by tax breaks and low interest rates.Originality/valueIt is aimed to determine what issues the financial and monetary policies published by the UNWTO focus on to solve the problems in the tourism sector. In this way, it is thought that the study will reveal the problems experienced by tourism enterprises during the pandemic period with a holistic perspective.
ICT effect on employees-related outcomes: higher education as a context
Authors: Abu Farha Allam K. , Obeidat Shatha M. , Al-Kwifi Osama Sam 
Published: January 2022

Purpose
Increased concern about the extensive use of information and communication technology (ICT) has led to widespread research on its effects on employees. This study aims to examine the effect of ICT use and demand on employee-related outcomes, particularly work-life balance, job satisfaction, personal burnout and intention to leave.

Design/methodology/approach
The developed model was tested using a survey questionnaire distributed among academics and administrative employees working in the higher education (HE) sector in Qatar. New statistical tools were adopted to analyze the study data (i.e. PLSpredict and partial least squares structural equation modeling for unobserved heterogeneity).

Findings
The results confirmed that ICT use affects ICT demand and ICT demand significantly influences employee-related outcomes.

Practical implications
The findings will help HE institutes to carefully examine the negative effect of ICT use and come up with practical ways to avoid such effects.

Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is one of the rare papers that inspect the negative effect of ICT use in the HE sector. Furthermore, it is the only paper inspecting such relationship in Gulf region.
Performance mapping in two-step cluster analysis through ESEG disclosures and EPS
Authors: Popa Dorina Nicoleta , Bogdan Victoria , Sabau Popa Claudia Diana , Belenesi Marioara , Badulescu Alina 
Published: January 2022

PurposeThe purpose of this work is twofold. First, looks to identify the main homogenous groups of companies after environmental, social, economic and governance (ESEG) disclosures, non-financial statement and earnings per share (EPS), and second investigates the connection between variables.Design/methodology/approachUsing financial and non-financial information from annual reports of private listed companies, the authors performed two-step cluster analysis (TSCA) in the first stage of the research, followed by parametric, nonparametric correlation analysis, as well as regression analysis based on panel data, in the second stage.FindingsResults of TSCA revealed a cluster of companies with good financial and non-financial outcomes and a cluster of companies with poor performance. The performance dynamics showed a slight improvement during the period for few companies and composition analysis of clusters by industries through Kruskal–Wallis test highlighted differences between clusters, only for 2017. The main findings confirm a direct, although weak in intensity but statistically significant correlation between ESEG disclosure index, its sustainability component and financial performance (FP), valid for the entire period. Also, the results showed a direct link of low intensity to average, but statistically significant between the non-financial statement and EPS, valid only for 2017 and 2018.Research limitations/implicationsThe results indicate mixed findings which invites further in-depth research. Limits of the study can be found in selected indicators and the short period of time analyzed. However, the practical implications are worth considering from the perspective of finding new managerial tools that can better shape the relationship between ESEG disclosures and FP.Practical implicationsESEG Dindx can be an instrument for managers that can optimize the link between the FP of companies and its sustainable development.Social implicationsESEG Dindx measures the disclosure degree of ESEG information by the companies listed on Bucharest Stock Exchange (BSE). The main findings of the work confirm a direct, although weak in intensity but statistically significant correlation between ESEG disclosure index, its sustainability component and FP, valid for the entire period.Originality/valueThis study adds value to the existing literature by the proposed research framework, design of ESEG Dindx and the way correlations between variables were investigated.
Mobile visual search model for Dunhuang murals in the smart library
Authors: Zeng Ziming , Sun Shouqiang , Li Tingting , Yin Jie , Shen Yueyan 
Published: January 2022

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to build a mobile visual search service system for the protection of Dunhuang cultural heritage in the smart library. A novel mobile visual search model for Dunhuang murals is proposed to help users acquire rich knowledge and services conveniently.Design/methodology/approachFirst, local and global features of images are extracted, and the visual dictionary is generated by the k-means clustering. Second, the mobile visual search model based on the bag-of-words (BOW) and multiple semantic associations is constructed. Third, the mobile visual search service system of the smart library is designed in the cloud environment. Furthermore, Dunhuang mural images are collected to verify this model.FindingsThe findings reveal that the BOW_SIFT_HSV_MSA model has better search performance for Dunhuang mural images when the scale-invariant feature transform (SIFT) and the hue, saturation and value (HSV) are used to extract local and global features of the images. Compared with different methods, this model is the most effective way to search images with the semantic association in the topic, time and space dimensions.Research limitations/implicationsDunhuang mural image set is a part of the vast resources stored in the smart library, and the fine-grained semantic labels could be applied to meet diverse search needs.Originality/valueThe mobile visual search service system is constructed to provide users with Dunhuang cultural services in the smart library. A novel mobile visual search model based on BOW and multiple semantic associations is proposed. This study can also provide references for the protection and utilization of other cultural heritages.
Establishment of monoclonal antibodies broadly neutralize infection of hepatitis B virus
Authors: Zhang He , Itoh Yumi , Suzuki Tatsuya , Ihara Kan‐ichiro , Tanaka Tomohisa , Haga Saori , Enatsu Hajime , Yumiya Maho , Kimura Mari , Takada Akira , Itoh Daiki , Shibazaki Yuri , Nakao Shuto , Yoshio Sachiyo , Miyakawa Kei , Miyamoto Yuki , Sasaki Hanae , Kajita Tadahiro , Sugiyama Masaya , Mizokami Masashi , Tachibana Taro , Ryo Akihide , Moriishi Kohji , Miyoshi Eiji , Kanto Tatsuya , Okamoto Toru , Matsuura Yoshiharu 
Published: January 2022

AbstractAntibodies against hepatitis B virus S protein can protect against hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Therefore, hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG), which contains HBsAb, is used clinically as a therapy for HBV infection. In this study, a series of monoclonal antibodies that recognize multiple HBV genotypes was obtained. All the antibodies recognized conformational epitopes of S protein, but not linear epitopes. Several antibodies neutralized HBV infection and exhibited strong affinities and neutralizing activities. Antigenic epitope analysis demonstrated that they recognized residue Ile152 of S protein, which is localized outside the “a” determinant. Ile152 is highly conserved, and a mutation in this residue resulted in reduced expression of large hepatitis B surface proteins (L protein), suggesting that the amino acid at this position is involved in the expression of L protein. In addition, the antibodies neutralized the infection of hepatitis D virus possessing a Gly145 mutation to Arg in S protein, which is a well‐known escape mutation against HBIG treatment. Using mouse monoclonal antibodies, a humanized antibody possessing affinities and neutralizing activities similar to those of the original mouse antibody was successfully established. The antibodies generated in this study may have the potential for use in alternative antibody therapies for HBV infection.
A randomised controlled trial of a novel tramadol chewable tablet: pharmacokinetics and tolerability in children
Authors: Yoo O. , Tang E. K. Y. , Salman S. , Nguyen M. N. , Sommerfield D. , Sommerfield A. , Khan N. , von Ungern Sternberg B. S. , Lim L. Y. 
Published: January 2022

SummaryTramadol is a bitter atypical opioid analgesic drug and is prescribed to treat postoperative pain in children. However, in many countries there is no licensed paediatric tramadol formulation available. We have formulated a novel chewable chocolate‐based drug delivery system for the administration of tramadol to children. This pilot, single‐centre, open‐label, randomised clinical study assessed the taste tolerability and comparative population pharmacokinetics of the novel tramadol chewable tablet against a compounded tramadol hydrochloride oral liquid, at a dose of 1 mg.kg‐1. A 5‐point facial hedonic scale was used by the children, parents and nurses to assess tolerability. One hundred and forty‐one children aged 3–16 years were given tramadol 30 min before general anaesthesia. Blood samples were taken following the induction of anaesthesia and for up to 5 h following tramadol administration. Tramadol and its active metabolite O‐desmethyltramadol were analysed using reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography. A population pharmacokinetic model was built using non‐linear mixed effects modelling. The relative bioavailability for the tablet was 1.25 times higher (95%CI 1.16–1.35) than for tramadol hydrochloride oral liquid, while the absorption rate constant for the tablet was significantly lower (1.97 h‐1 vs. 3.34 h‐1, p < 0.001). Larger inter‐individual variability in absorption rates were observed with the liquid tramadol. The tramadol chewable tablet was more acceptable in taste to children when assessed by the children, parents and nurses (all p < 0.001). We conclude that the novel tramadol chewable tablet has favourable acceptability and more reliable relative bioavailability in children compared with tramadol hydrochloride oral liquid.
A computational framework for post‐TAVR cardiac conduction abnormality (CCA) risk assessment in patient‐specific anatomy
Authors: Reza Symon , Bianchi Matteo , Kovarovic Brandon , Anam Salwa , Slepian Marvin J. , Hamdan Ashraf , Haj‐Ali Rami , Bluestein Danny 
Published: January 2022

AbstractBackgroundCardiac conduction abnormality (CCA)‐ one of the major persistent complications associated with transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) may lead to permanent pacemaker implantation. Localized stresses exerted by the device frame on the membranous septum (MS) which lies between the aortic annulus and the bundle of His, may disturb the cardiac conduction and cause the resultant CCA. We hypothesize that the area‐weighted average maximum principal logarithmic strain (AMPLS) in the MS region can predict the risk of CCA following TAVR.MethodsRigorous finite element‐based analysis was conducted in two patients (Balloon expandable TAVR recipients) to assess post‐TAVR CCA risk. Following the procedure one of the patients required permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation while the other did not (control case). Patient‐specific aortic root was modeled, MS was identified from the CT image, and the TAVR deployment was simulated. Mechanical factors in the MS region such as logarithmic strain, contact force, contact pressure, contact pressure index (CPI) and their time history during the TAVR deployment; and anatomical factors such as MS length, implantation depth, were analyzed.ResultsMaximum AMPLS (0.47 and 0.37, respectively), contact force (0.92 N and 0.72 N, respectively), and CPI (3.99 and 2.86, respectively) in the MS region were significantly elevated in the PPM patient as compared to control patient.ConclusionElevated stresses generated by TAVR devices during deployment appear to correlate with CCA risk, with AMPLS in the MS region emerging as a strong predictor that could be used for preprocedural planning in order to minimize CCA risk.
Muscle mass affects paclitaxel systemic exposure and may inform personalized paclitaxel dosing
Authors: Hertz Daniel L. , Chen Li , Henry N. Lynn , Griggs Jennifer J. , Hayes Daniel F. , Derstine Brian A. , Su Grace L. , Wang Stewart C. , Pai Manjunath P. 
Published: January 2022

AimsPatients with low muscle mass have increased risk of paclitaxel‐induced peripheral neuropathy, which is dependent on systemic paclitaxel exposure. Dose optimization may be feasible through the secondary use of radiologic data for body composition. The objective of this study was to interrogate morphomic parameters as predictors of paclitaxel pharmacokinetics to identify alternative dosing strategies that may improve treatment outcomes.MethodsThis was a secondary analysis of female patients with breast cancer scheduled to receive 80 mg/m2 weekly paclitaxel infusions. Paclitaxel was measured at the end of initial infusion to estimate maximum concentration (Cmax). Computed tomography (CT) scans were used to measure 29 body composition features for inclusion in pharmacokinetic modelling. Monte Carlo simulations were performed to identify infusion durations that limit the probability of exceeding Cmax > 2885 ng/mL, which was selected based on prior work linking this to an unacceptable risk of peripheral neuropathy.ResultsThirty‐nine patients were included in the analysis. The optimal model was a two‐compartment pharmacokinetic model with T11 skeletal muscle area as a covariate of paclitaxel volume of distribution (Vd). Simulations suggest that extending infusion of the standard paclitaxel dose from 1 hour to 2 and 3 hours in patients who have skeletal muscle area 4907–7080 mm2 and <4907 mm2, respectively, would limit risk of Cmax > 2885 ng/mL to <50%, consequently reducing neuropathy, while marginally increasing overall systemic paclitaxel exposure.ConclusionExtending paclitaxel infusion duration in ~25% of patients who have low skeletal muscle area is predicted to reduce peripheral neuropathy while maintaining systemic exposure, suggesting that personalizing paclitaxel dosing based on body composition may improve treatment outcomes.
The relationship between maternal sensitivity and play during early childhood with the development of cognitive skills and socio‐emotional competencies: Longitudinal evidence from Peru
Authors: Hurtado‐Mazeyra Alejandra , Alejandro‐Oviedo Olga Melina , Rojas‐Zegarra Maria Elena , Sánchez Alan 
Published: January 2022

AbstractMaternal sensitivity and opportunities for play and exploration are key elements of early childhood development. There is limited evidence of its association with skills development during late childhood and adolescence in developing countries. This study uses longitudinal data from the Young Lives study, which has tracked the livelihoods of approximately 2000 Peruvian children since 2002. We used a multivariate linear regression strategy to generate evidence of the role of early maternal sensitivity and play in skills development. We found that both are positively related to cognitive skills and socio‐emotional competencies at age 8, with persistency up to age 15.
Encoding Motion Events During Language Production: Effects of Audience Design and Conceptual Salience
Authors: Do Monica Lynn , Papafragou Anna , Trueswell John 
Published: January 2022

AbstractWe investigate the extent to which pragmatic versus conceptual factors can affect a speaker's decision to mention or omit different components of an event. In the two experiments, we demonstrate the special role of pragmatic factors related to audience design in speakers’ decisions to mention conceptually “peripheral” event components, such as sources (i.e., starting points) in source‐goal motion events (e.g., a baby crawling from a crib to a toybox). In particular, we found that pragmatic factors related to audience design could not only drive the decision to omit sources from mention, but could also motivate speakers to mention sources more often than needed. By contrast, speaker's decisions to talk about goals did not appear to be fundamentally driven by pragmatic factors in communication. We also manipulated the animacy of the figure in motion and found that participants in our studies treated both animate and inanimate source‐goal motion events in the same way, both linguistically and in memory. We discuss the implications of our work for message generation across different communicative contexts and for future work on the topic of audience design.
Basic research to propose a new design of laminated mouthguard—Effect of lamination order on thickness
Authors: Mizuhashi Fumi , Mizuhashi Ryo , Koide Kaoru 
Published: January 2022

AbstractBackground/AimMouthguard thickness influences the protection ability from orofacial trauma. The aim of this study was to propose a new design for mouthguards and to evaluate the effect of the lamination order on the thicknesses of mouthguards.Materials and methodsMouthguard sheets of 2.0‐mm and 4.0‐mm ethylene vinyl acetate were used. The sheets were pressure formed using a pressure former. Two lamination conditions were examined: The condition 24P used the 2.0‐mm sheet as the first layer and 4.0‐mm sheet as the second layer. The condition 42P used the 4.0‐mm sheet as the first layer and 2.0‐mm sheet as the second layer. The first layer was trimmed to cover only the anterior region, and then the second layer was formed over the first layer. Mouthguard thickness was measured using a measuring device at the labial surface of the central incisor, plus the buccal and occlusal surfaces of the first molar. Differences in thickness by measurement region of mouthguards formed under different lamination conditions were analyzed by two‐way analysis of variance.ResultsMouthguard thickness differed among the regions at the central incisors and the first molars (p < .01). The thickness at the labial surface of the central incisor became statistically significantly larger with the 42P condition (3.38 mm) than with the 24P condition (3.30 mm) (p < .05). The thickness at the buccal and occlusal surfaces of the first molar became statistically significantly larger with the 24P condition (2.25 mm and 2.72 mm, respectively) than with the 42P condition (1.23 mm and 1.44 mm, respectively) (p < .01).ConclusionsThe results suggest that the combination of the 2.0‐mm and 4.0‐mm sheets could obtain the necessary thickness for the prevention at the labial surface of the central incisor and buccal surface of the first molar.