bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of COVID-19 on the management and outcomes of ureteric stones in the UK: a multicentre retrospective study
Authors: Byrne Matthew H V , Georgiades Fanourios , Light Alexander , Lovegrove Catherine E , Dominic Catherine , Rahman Josephine , Kathiravelupillai Senthooran , Klatte Tobias , Saeb-Parsy Kasra , Kumar Rajeev , Howles Sarah , Stewart Grant D , Turney Ben , Wiseman Oliver 
Published: June 2022

ABSTRACTObjectivesTo determine if management of ureteric stones in the United Kingdom changed during the COVID-19 pandemic and whether this affected patient outcomes.Patients and methodsWe conducted a multicentre retrospective study of adults with CT-proven ureteric stone disease at 39 UK hospitals during a pre-pandemic period (23/3/19 to 22/6/19) and a period during the pandemic (the 3-month period after the first SARS-CoV-2 case at individual sites). The primary outcome was success of primary treatment modality, defined as no further treatment required for the index ureteric stone. Our study protocol was published prior to data collection.ResultsA total of 3735 patients were included (pre-pandemic=1956 patients; pandemic=1779 patients). Stone size was similar between groups (p>0.05). During the pandemic, patients had lower hospital admission rates (pre-pandemic=54.0% vs pandemic=46.5%, p<0.001), shorter length of stay (mean=4.1 vs. 3.3 days, p=0.02), and higher rates of use of medical expulsive therapy (17.4% vs. 25.4%, p<0.001). In patients who received interventional management (pre-pandemic n=787 vs. pandemic n=685), rates of ESWL (22.7% vs. 34.1%, p<0.001) and nephrostomy were higher (7.1% vs. 10.5%, p=0.03); and rates of ureteroscopy (57.2% vs. 47.5%, p<0.001), stent insertion (68.4% vs. 54.6%, p<0.001), and general anaesthetic (92.2% vs. 76.2%, p<0.001) were lower.There was no difference in success of primary treatment modality between patient cohorts (pre-pandemic=73.8% vs. pandemic=76.1%, P=0.11), nor when patients were stratified by treatment modality or stone size. Rates of operative complications, 30-day mortality, and readmission and renal function at 6 months did not differ between the data collection periods.ConclusionsDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, there were lower admission rates and fewer invasive procedures performed. Despite this, there were no differences in treatment success or outcomes. Our findings indicate that clinicians can safely adopt management strategies developed during the pandemic to treat more patients conservatively and in the community.
Strong correlations between the binding antibodies against wild type and neutralizing antibodies against omicron BA.1 and BA.2 variants of SARS-CoV-2 in individuals following booster (third dose) vaccination
Authors: Suntronwong Nungruthai , Assawakosri Suvichada , Kanokudom Sitthichai , Yorsaeng Ritthideach , Auphimai Chompoonut , Thongmee Thanunrat , Vichaiwattana Preeyaporn , Duangchinda Thaneeya , Chantima Warangkana , Pakchotanon Pattarakul , Chansaenroj Jira , Nilyanimit Pornjarim , Srimuan Donchida , Thatsanatorn Thaksaporn , Sudhinaraset Natthinee , Wanlapakorn Nasamon , Mongkolsapaya Juthathip , Poovorawan Yong 
Published: June 2022

AbstractThis study examined the neutralizing activity and receptor binding domain (RBD) antibody levels against wild-type and omicron BA.1 and BA.2 variants in individuals who received three doses of COVID-19 vaccination. The relationship between the SARS-CoV-2 RBD antibody against wild-type and live virus neutralizing antibody titers against omicron BA.1 and BA.2 variants was examined. In total, 310 sera samples from individuals after booster vaccination (third dose) vaccination were tested for specific IgG wild-type SARS-CoV-2 RBD and the omicron BA.1 surrogate virus neutralization test (sVNT). The live virus neutralization assay against omicron BA.1 and BA.2 was performed using the foci-reduction neutralization test (FRNT50). The anti-RBD IgG strongly correlated with FRNT50 titers against BA.1 and BA.2. Non-linear regression showed that anti-RBD IgG with ≥148 BAU/mL and ≥138 BAU/mL were related to detectable FRNT50 titers (≥1:20) against BA.1 and BA.2, respectively. A moderate correlation was observed between the sVNT and FRNT50 titers. At detectable FRNT50 titers (≥1:20), the predicted sVNT for BA.1 and BA.2 were ≥10.57% and ≥11.52%, respectively. The study identified anti-RBD IgG and sVNT levels that predict detectable neutralizing antibodies against omicron variants. Assessment and monitoring of protective immunity support vaccine policies and will help identify optimal timing for booster vaccination.
The association between the incidence of Lyme disease in the United States and indicators of greenness and land cover
Authors: Westra Sydney , Goldberg Mark S. , Didan Kamel 
Published: June 2022

AbstractBackgroundLyme disease is the most common vector-borne illness in the United States. Incidence is related to specific environmental conditions such as temperature, metrics of land cover, and species diversity.ObjectiveTo determine whether greenness, as measured by the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), and other selected indices of land cover were associated with the incidence of Lyme disease in the northeastern USA, 2000-2018.Materials and MethodsWe conducted an ecological analysis of incidence rates in counties of 15 “high” incidence states and the District of Columbia for 2000-2018. Annual counts of Lyme disease by county were obtained from the US Centers for Disease Control and values of NDVI were acquired from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer instrument aboard Terra and Aqua Satellites. County-specific values of population density, area of land and water were obtained from the US Census. Using quasi-Poisson regression, multivariable associations were estimated between the incidence of Lyme disease NDVI, land cover variables, human population density, and calendar year.ResultsWe found that incidence increased by 7.1% per year (95% confidence interval: 6.8-8.2%). Land cover variables showed complex non-linear associations with incidence: average county-specific NDVI showed a ‘u-shaped” association, the standard deviation of NDVI showed a monotonic upward relationship, population density showed a decreasing trend, areas of land and water showed “n”-shaped relationships. We found an interaction between average and standard deviation of NDVI, with the highest average NDVI category, increased standard deviation of NDVI showed the greatest increase in rates.DiscussionThese associations cannot be interpreted as causal but indicate that certain patterns of land cover may have the potential to increase exposure to infected ticks and thereby may contribute indirectly to increased rates. Public health interventions could make use of these results in informing people where risks may be high.
Hand Dermatitis among Health Care Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Prevalence, and Risk Factors
Authors: Motamed-Rezaei Omolbanin , Sharif-Zadeh Gholamreza , Rajabipour Hadis , Jahani Farnaz , Lotfi Hamed 
Published: June 2022

AbstractBackgroundHealth care workers (HCWs) need to perform new preventive measures to protect themselves and patients against ongoing COVID-19 transmission, which can increase the occurrence of hand dermatitis (HD) among them.ObjectivesThis study aimed to investigate the prevalence of HD among HCWs and its possible risk factors in IRAN.MethodsA survey of 159 HCWS working in university hospitals was performed between August to September 2020. Research data were collected via the standardized Nordic Occupational Skin Questionnaire (NOSQ-2002).ResultsThe prevalence of HD in the study population was 51.6%. Females had a 3.84 fold higher risk of HD than males (confidence interval (CI): 1.85-8). HCWs older than 40 years and those who aged 30-39 years had a 9.6 and 1.72 fold higher risk of HD than HCWs aged 20-29 years (CI: 2.6-35.7; CI: 0.87-3.4, respectively). A significant association was found between the prevalence of HD among HCWs and working hours per week, and wearing gloves (P<0.05).ConclusionPossible risk factors for developing HD among HCWs are female gender and older age. Preventive measures for HD are needed for HCWs, especially during the COVID- 19 pandemic.
Evaluation of the second-generation whole-heart motion correction algorithm (SSF2) used to demonstrate the aortic annulus on cardiac CT
Authors: Matsumoto Yoriaki , Fujioka Chikako , Yokomachi Kazushi , Kitera Nobuo , Nishimaru Eiji , Kiguchi Masao , Higaki Toru , Kawashita Ikuo , Tatsugami Fuminari , Nakamura Yuko , Awai Kazuo 
Published: June 2022

AbstractPurposeTo investigate the usefulness of the second-generation whole-heart motion correction algorithm (SnapShot Freeze 2.0, SSF2) for demonstrating the aortic annulus at pre-transcatheter aortic valve implantation cardiac CT.MethodWe retrospectively analyzed 90 patients with severe aortic stenosis who had undergone cardiac CT on a 256-row CT scanner. The patients were divided into the 3 groups based on their heart rate during the scan (low, < 60 bpm, n = 30; intermediate, 60-69 bpm, n = 30; high, >70 bpm, n = 30). Image datasets were obtained at 40% and 75% of the R-R interval using standard and SSF2 reconstruction. The edge rise distance (ERD) on the CT attenuation profile of the aortic annulus was compared on images subjected to standard- and SSF2 reconstructions. The standard deviations (SD) of area and perimeter were compared using the F-test. The image quality was assessed by two observers using a 5-point Likert score.ResultsIn patients with intermediate and high heart rates, the ERD was significantly shorter on SSF2- than standard reconstructed images (p < 0.01). The SD of area and perimeter were significantly smaller in SSF2 reconstruction than in standard (all: p < 0.05). Except for R-R interval 75% in patients with low heart rate (p = 0.54), the image quality scores were significantly higher for images reconstructed with SSF2 than standard (p < 0.01).ConclusionsFor the demonstration of the aortic annulus in patients with high heart rate or a 40% R-R interval, SSF2- was superior to standard reconstruction.
Assembly line-Seru conversion in the C2M enterprise: an empirical study in China
Authors: Shan Hongying , Qin Mengyao , Zou Cungang , Peng Peiyang , Meng Zunyan 
Published: June 2022

Purpose
To respond to customer needs and achieve customized manufacturing, the manufacturing industry, as represented by electronics assembly companies, has embarked on a path of business model transformation (customer to manufacturer [C2M]). The purpose of this paper is to examine the practical application of assembly line-Seru conversion in a Chinese electronics assembly company during the C2M transition.

Design/methodology/approach
To begin with, this paper proposed a production line improvement scheme suitable for the conversion of C2M manufacturing enterprise assembly line-Seru based on an analysis of the difficulties encountered in the existing production line of A company in China. Then, a mathematical model was presented for the minimum value of the makespan and the maximum workers’ expenditure between Serus. Finally, the SA-NSGA-II algorithm and the entropy-weight TOPSIS approach were used to determine the optimal scheme for Seru unit, batch, product type and worker distribution.

Findings
Seru production and multiskilled workers are more suited to the C2M business model. The most effective strategy for worker allocation can reduce the number of employees and makespan in Serus. Additionally, the performance of the SA-NSGA-II algorithm and the method of selecting the optimal solution from the Pareto solution by the entropy-weighted TOPSIS method is also demonstrated.

Practical implications
Through a detailed study of how to transform the production line, other companies can apply the methods outlined in this article to shorten the delivery time, make full use of the abilities of workers and assign workers to specific positions, thereby reducing the number of workers, workers’ expenditure and improving the balance rate of production lines.

Originality/value
Given the scarcity of studies on the production method of C2M-type firms in the prior literature, this paper examined the assembly line-Seru conversion problem with the goal of minimizing the makespan and worker expenditure. To address the NSGA-II algorithm’s insufficient convergence, the simulated annealing process is incorporated into the method, which improves the optimization performance.
Franchising variation across US states
Authors: Rickard Mary Kay , Conaway L. Brooke 
Published: June 2022

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to examine whether variation in franchising across US states can be explained by differences in state regulatory burdens.

Design/methodology/approach
Three years of US state-level panel data is used on measures of franchising activity published by the International Franchise Association. The authors measured variation in regulatory burdens across state governments using the regulatory freedom index, developed by the Cato Institute. Multiple regression analysis was the statistical technique used.

Findings
Controlling for state-level per capita personal income, educational attainment, unemployment and share of population identifying as non-white, the authors find states with fewer regulatory burdens for business owners have more franchises and franchise jobs per 100,000 residents, higher franchise output per capita and a larger share of small businesses are franchises. These results were robust to alternative econometric specifications. The results support our hypothesis that states with lower regulatory burdens will have more franchising activity.

Research limitations/implications
Only three years of data are currently available; however, our research provides some practical avenues for managers and policy makers to explore when considering new franchise opportunities or developing policies that impact regulatory burdens for small businesses.

Originality/value
This study contributes to the literature by providing supporting evidence for the relationship between US state institutional factors and franchised small businesses, and it adds a cross-state study to the existing literature using cross-country and cross-city data.
Exploring electronic lab notebooks (ELNs) at a R1 institution in the Southeast USA
Authors: Smith II Plato L. 
Published: June 2022

Purpose
This study aims to build a better understanding of researcher needs regarding support for data that you create, store, and/or manage using an electronic lab notebook (ELN), also referred to as electronic research notebook (ERN). The study also articulates the need for risk assessment for ELN products used by researchers for both open data and sensitive data that require standards.

Design/methodology/approach
The author used a participatory action research mixed-methods approach. A working group was formed from an ELN initial meeting. The working group team investigated several institutional ERN solutions by setting up trials, speaking with representatives from other research universities with ERN solutions and conducting internal and external research. This culminated in a broader-scale survey exploration.

Findings
Findings reveal there is no single institutional ELN license solution to satisfy all scientific disciplines. There is a need to develop foundational tools needed by all, provide additional tools and uses cases with best practices that can be tailored to various labs and research processes and develop a how-to guide on how to assemble the parts to create a useful ELN solution.

Research limitations/implications
The research implications include providing support for researchers selecting an ERN solution through a combination of online guides, short tutorials and training. There is a need to develop foundational tools, uses cases with best practices that can be tailored to various labs and research processes and how-to guide on how to assemble the parts to create a useful hybrid-ELN solution.

Practical implications
Practical implications include aligning available ERN solutions with other institution provided technologies across the research life cycle to provide researchers a suite of tools to conduct and manage their research. Further investigating educational license discounts for courses using eLabJournal, RSpace, Protocols.io, Open Science Framework, LabArchives or other ERNs currently funded by student course fees via grant funded projects are key implications.

Social implications
Social implications include the research computing environments of researchers that use ELN solutions approved through institutional risk assessment for open data are in compliance with university regulatory frameworks for use of the software in research.

Originality/value
The originality of this study includes risk assessments of ELNs solutions to better guide researchers in the selection process. To the best of the author’s knowledge, this survey was the first exploration of ELN on campus resulting in a final report to senior stakeholders. This study also highlights a developing grant proposal to further develop support across labs and campus.
Using a consumption function to explain the Lucas Critique to undergraduate students
Authors: Gomes da Silva Cleomar , Reis Gomes Fábio Augusto 
Published: June 2022

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to contribute to the teaching of undergraduate macroeconomics.Design/methodology/approachTo suggest a roadmap, based on a consumption function, to be used by instructors willing to teach the Lucas Critique subject.FindingsTherefore, this paper proposes a lesson, which consists of three parts, to help undergraduates better understand the subject: (1) a grading exercise to bring the topic closer to students’ lives; (2) a Keynesian and an optimal consumption function, followed by an example based on an unemployment insurance policy; and (3) two optional topics consisting of extensions of the optimal consumption function and some empirical results related to the Lucas Critique.Originality/valueThe Lucas Critique influenced the evolution of research in macroeconomics, but it is not easily grasped in a classroom.
Strategic opportunities for product-agnostic remanufacturing
Authors: Hofmeester Robin , Eyers Daniel R. 
Published: June 2022

PurposeThere is now much emphasis in both research and practice on the principles of circular economies. In this paper remanufacturing is examined as a key enabler of circular practices, and the concept of “Product-Agnostic Manufacturing” (PAR) is proposed. This work differentiates PAR from many traditional approaches to remanufacturing by virtue of PAR's treatment of product variety. Most existing approaches to remanufacturing feature low variety and standardisation; this study instead suggests that the exploitation of flexibilities in both operations and supply chains leads to new competitive strategies for firms to exploit.Design/methodology/approachThis is a conceptual study that builds on a thorough exploration of contemporary remanufacturing literature in the development of the new PAR concept.FindingsThrough a detailed literature review it is shown that there are a range of benefits, challenges, and critical success factors that underpin the remanufacturing concept. Building on this understanding and bridging literature in operations flexibility and supply chain design, a detailed discussion on the nature of PAR is provided, and an agenda for future research developed.Originality/valueWhilst there has been much literature on remanufacturing, there is a general tendency to treat supply chain and remanufacturing operations quite distinctly in individual articles. Additionally, there has been little consideration of multi-product remanufacturing, and for the limited studies where this is done, the emphasis is typically on problem avoidance. This study aims to provide a detailed insight into the developed PAR concept, showing how the remanufacture of a wide range of product varieties may be achieved through flexible operations and supply chain design.
Impacts of R&D investment on absorptive capacity and firm innovativeness: contingent roles of dysfunctional competition
Authors: Zhang Shanshan , Wang Zhiqiang , Zhao Xiande , Yang Jinyu 
Published: June 2022

PurposeDrawing upon relative absorptive capacity (AC) perspective, this study proposes a research model connecting R&D investment, three types of supply chain AC—AC from suppliers, customers and university and research institutes (U&RIs)—and firm innovativeness and investigates the contingent effects of dysfunctional competition on the link between R&D investment and supply chain AC.Design/methodology/approachThe authors used data collected from 262 manufacturers in three areas of China to empirically examine the conceptual model. The corresponding hypotheses were tested with structural equation modeling and regression analysis.FindingsThe empirical results demonstrate that AC from customers and AC from U&RIs play significant mediating roles in the relationship between R&D investment and firm innovativeness. Moreover, R&D investment has a significantly greater effect on AC from U&RIs under high levels of dysfunctional competition.Originality/valueFirst, by conceptualizing AC from a relative view, this study discloses the unique roles of knowledge from different supply chain partners in realizing the benefits of R&D investment in innovation. Second, the exploration of the contingent roles of dysfunctional competition in the emerging economy of China enriches insights on the roles of institutional environment on knowledge absorption and the knowledge on relative AC in emerging economies.
Predictors of continuance intention of online food delivery services: gender as moderator
Authors: Francioni Barbara , Curina Ilaria , Hegner Sabrina M. , Cioppi Marco 
Published: June 2022

PurposeThe COVID-19 has brought with it valuable opportunities for the retail sector. Notably, online channels have assumed a key role for businesses that can rely less on physical channels due to the pandemic's restrictions. Within this context, the study aims to identify the main antecedents leading to the formation of the male and female customers' continuance intention of using online food delivery services (OFDS) in the restaurant industry.Design/methodology/approachA web-based self-completion survey and a subsequent structural equation modelling have been employed on a sample of 360 participants.FindingsFindings reveal that perceived healthiness, quarantine procedures, perceived hygiene, perceived ease of app use and attitude significantly influence continuance intention. Moreover, the moderator analysis corroborates that male consumers' continuance intention is mainly influenced by perceived healthiness, quarantine procedures and perceived hygiene. Conversely, female customers' continuance intention is predicated on perceived healthiness and attitude.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough the adoption of a sample of young customers (18–29 years) guarantees good research internal validity, findings are not generalizable.Practical implicationsThe study provides valuable contributions for restaurants related to the (1) creation/management of their own OFDS platforms; (2) selection of the right third-party platforms.Originality/valueThe paper is one of the first studies examining the predictors impacting on customers' OFDS continuance intention in the COVID-19 context by also focusing on gender differences.