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In recent years, due to environmental awareness regarding the harmfulness of polymeric materials, there has been a growing interest in using papers, especially those from alternative raw materials. The importance of using all available raw materials is imperative today. Raw materials that were once viewed as waste are now of great importance because they have the ability to replace raw materials that are used irrationally or are lacking. Cereal straw is a lignocellulosic material that could be used in the paper industry and in the production of increasingly prevalent paper packaging. The aim of this research was to analyze the relationships between the qualitative parameters of straw-based printed papers containing 30% agricultural residues (wheat, barley, or triticale). The influence of two qualitative parameters (ink penetration depth and optical ink density) on the print-through was observed using multiple regression analysis on straw-based papers produced at the laboratory level. Throughout the research, 100% recycled wood paper was used as a reference sample. The results of the regression analysis showed that none of the variables individually make a statistically significant contribution to the prediction of the dependent variable in a linear context, that is, they indicate a non-linear interaction between the variables and the specific conditions under which the dependent variable reaches local extremes and changes in the gradient. Considering the results of the regression analysis and the visualization of the relationship, the model was additionally tested with other independent variables (paper type). From the results obtained, it can be concluded that the alternative straw-based paper with 30% barley pulp has the best interaction between ink and paper, which is the most similar to the reference sample in terms of printability, while the alternative straw-based paper with 30% wheat generally differs significantly from the reference paper when all three prints are considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, due to environmental awareness regarding the harmfulness of polymeric materials, there has been a growing interest in using papers, especially those from alternative raw materials. The importance of using all available raw materials is imperative today. Raw materials that were once viewed as waste are now of great importance because they have the ability to replace raw materials that are used irrationally or are lacking. Cereal straw is a lignocellulosic material that could be used in the paper industry and in the production of increasingly prevalent paper packaging. The aim of this research was to analyze the relationships between the qualitative parameters of straw-based printed papers containing 30% agricultural residues (wheat, barley, or triticale). The influence of two qualitative parameters (ink penetration depth and optical ink density) on the print-through was observed using multiple regression analysis on straw-based papers produced at the laboratory level. Throughout the research, 100% recycled wood paper was used as a reference sample. The results of the regression analysis showed that none of the variables individually make a statistically significant contribution to the prediction of the dependent variable in a linear context, that is, they indicate a non-linear interaction between the variables and the specific conditions under which the dependent variable reaches local extremes and changes in the gradient. Considering the results of the regression analysis and the visualization of the relationship, the model was additionally tested with other independent variables (paper type). From the results obtained, it can be concluded that the alternative straw-based paper with 30% barley pulp has the best interaction between ink and paper, which is the most similar to the reference sample in terms of printability, while the alternative straw-based paper with 30% wheat generally differs significantly from the reference paper when all three prints are considered.

This study attempts to examine the differences in consumers' perceptions between paper and mobile coupons. It discovers new potentials of mobile coupons by investigating whether coupon type (mobile vs. paper) has any impact on a consumer's coupon usage intention. It explores the drivers and barriers of consumers' coupon usage intention and also examines to which extent coupon type translates into higher usage intention rates. The data of this study were analyzed with exploratory factor analysis, ttest, and multiple regression analysis. This study revealed that when the coupon type changes from paper to mobile, people's coupon intention to use decreases, with the lack of trust as the primary barrier. The current study is the first attempt to apply this transactional utility theory to compare consumers' perceptions between mobile and paper coupons. This study has empowered the transactional utility theory by applying it in a new domain of couponing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Corporate environmental sustainability is currently a major goal of many businesses. This study's main objectives were to examine the interactive role of green organizational climate and supervisor support in predicting pro-environmental behaviors (PEBs) at work, namely paper and plastic waste separation, and to test the mediating role of individual-level variables of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) in this relationship. The research specifically tested the attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control's mediation of the relationship between green organizational climate and self-reported waste separation, and whether supervisor support moderates the relationship between green climate and TBP variables. Data for this cross-sectional study were collected with an online survey of 311 workers and multiple regression analyses, with the macro Process, were performed to test the hypotheses. The findings confirm the TPB variables' mediating effect. Perceived green climate is positively related to employees' attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control regarding waste separation, which in turn are connected to higher reported levels of paper and plastic separation. The workers' perception of supervisor support moderates the relationship between green climate and subjective norms in favor of paper separation. These findings indicate that green climate is less strongly linked to subjective norms when supervisor support is perceived as stronger than when it is seen as weaker. In conclusion, a green organizational climate plays a determining role in workers' separation of waste at work as it fosters individual motives to perform these behaviors. Moreover, supervisors can provide their workers with social norms and inspire them to support environmental sustainability practices. Thus, as part of an overall transition strategy to achieve sustainability, organizations need to invest in green policies and practices and incentivize supervisors to encourage PEBs and capitalize on their close links to subordinates to foster sustainable norms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research Question: The paper examines the impact of specific Hofstede's dimensions of national culture on entrepreneurial culture, depending on the wealth of the national economy. Motivation: Based on the results of some previous research focused on the relationship between national culture and various indicators associated with entrepreneurship (Hayton, George & Zahra, 2002; Pinillos & Reyes, 2011; Zhao, Li & Rauch, 2012; Hayton & Cacciotti, 2013), the paper analyses the impact of national culture on entrepreneurial culture, as a category closely related to entrepreneurship. The identification of the national culture's dimensions contributing to the affirmation of entrepreneurial culture, provides an insight into the entrepreneurial potential of a particular national economy. Idea: The main idea of the paper is to examine whether selected Hofstede's dimensions of national culture (power distance - PD, uncertainty avoidance - UA, individualism - IDV) affect entrepreneurial culture (EC) in a manner identical to that affecting the other indicators of entrepreneurship. The mentioned relationship is not examined as unmediated, but in the context of the effect that national wealth (measured as Gross National Income per capita - GNI) has on it. Data: The survey covered a total of 108 countries for which the data on the values of three selected dimensions of national culture, the index of entrepreneurial culture and the Gross National Income per capita are available. Tools: In order to examine the effect of three selected Hofstede's dimensions of national culture on entrepreneurial culture, correlation and standard multiple regression analyses were conducted. For data processing, statistical software SPSS (version 22.0) was used. Findings: The obtained results of the research show that in national economies with higher levels of IDV and lower levels of UA, higher scores of the EC index are manifested, regardless of the national wealth. On the other hand, the impact of PD on EC is determined by the level of a particular economy's wealth. In high-income economies (HIE), the index of EC is higher if PD is lower. In low- and middle-income economies (LIE), higher values of EC index are manifested if PD is higher. Contribution: The paper expands the knowledge and research base on entrepreneurial culture and the influence that national culture has on it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The corrosion of transformers by multiple sulfides seriously affects the safe operation of transformers. However, there is a lack of quantitative characterization of the extent to which temperature and oxygen as well as changes in sulfide species affect the aging of oil–paper insulation. In this study, the aging characteristics of oil–paper insulation systems were analyzed in terms of the moisture in the oil, moisture in the paper, acid value, and furfural in the presence of multiple sulfides, where the temperature and the oxygen concentration are used as independent variables. A strong positive correlation between the acid value and the furfural obtained by means of Spearman’s correlation analysis. The acid value and furfural content in the oil were then analyzed and compared according to a nonparametric test, and it was found that both the oxygen changes and the temperature changes had a relatively obvious effect on the acid value in the oil. The effect of the temperature change on the furfural was greater than the effect of the oxygen change on the furfural. Finally, a multiple linear regression analysis was performed for the change in the acid value of the oil with the change in the oxygen content and temperature to obtain the linear fitting formulas for the effects of the time, temperature, oxygen content percentage, and sulfide groups on the acid value. This study can be used to quantify the magnitude of the influences of the oxygen, temperature sulfide groups, and other factors on the aging characteristic parameters of the oil–paper insulation system and to provide a certain reference for studying the quantitative characterization of the sulfur corrosion degree by using the change in the acid value in oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In the sorting process of Chinese softshell turtles, it is necessary to classify them based on their weight and accurately identify their plastron and carapace. This process requires heavy manual labor and complex mechanical processing methods. To improve processing efficiency and reduce costs, this article introduces machine vision technology, and a new image processing method is proposed. This method can estimate the weight of Chinese softshell turtles and accurately locate the positions of their plastron and carapace. The automation level of aquaculture can be greatly enhanced, and hardware costs can be reduced through software optimization through this approach. With the rapid development of the turtle breeding industry in China, the demand for automated turtle sorting is increasing. The automatic sorting of Chinese softshell turtles mainly consists of three parts: visual recognition, weight prediction, and individual sorting. This paper focuses on two aspects, i.e., visual recognition and weight prediction, and a novel method for the object detection and weight prediction of Chinese softshell turtles is proposed. In the individual sorting process, computer vision technology is used to estimate the weight of Chinese softshell turtles and classify them by weight. For the visual recognition of the body parts of Chinese softshell turtles, a color space model is proposed in this paper to separate the turtles from the background effectively. By applying multiple linear regression analysis for modeling, the relationship between the weight and morphological parameters of Chinese softshell turtles is obtained, which can be used to estimate the weight of turtles well. An improved deep learning object detection network is used to extract the features of the plastron and carapace of the Chinese softshell turtles, achieving excellent detection results. The mAP of the improved network reached 96.23%, which can meet the requirements for the accurate identification of the body parts of Chinese softshell turtles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of business performance has a substantial impact on improving the internal management and economic performance of companies. By analysing the previous literature, this paper chooses to measure the factors affecting business performance at four levels, including R&D investment intensity, human capital, patents, and brand value. The purpose of the study is to find out whether these selected factors work equally well for small and medium-sized enterprises. The sample size was 846 Chinese small and medium enterprises from different industries. The firm performance indicators were ROA and ROE. The data has been collected through National Equities Exchange and Quotations platforms based on updated annual reports in 2019. Finally, a stepwise descriptive analysis and multiple linear regression were conducted and predicted the tendency of business performance. The analysis provided the linear combination of four independent variables (R&D, human capital, patents, and brand value) which are significantly related to the dependent variable (business performance). In conclusion, we found that there is a positive impact of patents and brand value on business performance. In detail, we concluded that only production and highly educated personnel show a positive influence. For R&D intensity, there is no strong connection could be observed. In practical terms, this paper allows SME firms to appreciate the importance of human capital, patents, and brand value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To identify the latent profiles and predictors of family management styles for children with asthma. Design: This is a secondary data analysis. The demographic data of 506 primary caregivers of children with asthma and their scores of the Family Management Scale in a cross‐sectional study were used. Latent profile analysis and multiple logistic regression analyses were employed. Results: Three family management styles were identified: Thriving (Profile 1), Accommodating (Profile 2), and Enduring (Profile 3) Family Management Style. The child's age, gender, mother's education level, family structure, influence of illness on parents' work and family life, whether they had follow‐up plans and whether their parents had read disease and health knowledge pamphlets were found to be the predictors of different styles. Conclusion: Three distinct family management styles exist for children with asthma. Future interventions designed to enhance family management for children with asthma should be based on their demographic characteristics and family management styles. Implications for the Profession and Patient Care: The precise classification of family management styles in this study can serve as a guide to form multi‐disciplinary teams of physicians and nurses to provide individualized care and conduct in‐depth research to explore the mechanisms of biomedicine and the social psychology of asthma in the future. Impact: This paper aims to identify the latent profiles and predictors of family management styles of children with asthma.Thriving, accommodating, and enduring family management styles were identified in this paper. Child's characteristics, family and organizational factors were the predictors of different family management styles.Findings of this paper provide guidance for physicians and nurses to offer individualized care and conduct in‐depth research to explore the mechanisms of biomedicine and the social psychology of asthma in the future. Reporting Method: The article was reported according to the STROBE Checklist. Patient or Public Contribution: No Patient or Public Contribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to examine the impact of executive compensation incentive on corporate innovation capability by dividing executive compensation incentive into short-term monetary incentive and long-term equity incentive. We also investigate the interaction between the two types of executive compensation incentive. Data are collected from China's agro-based companies during 2012–2019, and multiple regression analysis is utilized. The empirical results show that short-term monetary incentive has no impact on innovation capability, while long-term equity incentive stimulates innovation capability. Regarding company ownership, the impact of long-term equity incentive in state-owned enterprises is greater than that in private-owned enterprises. In addition, the complementary effect between short-term and long-term compensation incentive has a positive impact on innovation capability regardless of company ownership. The findings of this paper could help agribusiness managers to design the reasonable incentive system to incentivize corporate executives and enhance the capability of independent innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Residents' adoption of preventive behaviours proved beneficial in preventing the large-scale transmission of the virus during the early stages of the COVID-19 outbreak. It is critical to investigate how social media triggers residents' preventive behaviour decisions during the COVID-19 outbreak. Methods: This paper selected online shopping as a specific preventive behaviour for empirical investigation. An online cross-sectional survey was conducted through the Sojump website from 1 to 15 March 2020, and a total of 1,289 valid questionnaires were collected from China. This paper uses multiple regression analysis to investigate the heterogeneous impacts of different information sources on residents' online shopping willingness and online shopping behaviour and the heterogeneous impacts of different information content in social media on the transformation of residents' online shopping willingness and online shopping behaviour. Results: The findings indicate that both official-media and self-media positively promote residents' online shopping willingness and behaviour, with official-media having a stronger promotional effect than self-media. Furthermore, official-media and self-media can collaboratively promote residents' online shopping willingness and online shopping behaviour. The ease-of-use and usefulness of information significantly promoted the transformation of residents' online shopping willingness. Conclusions: This study analyses the heterogeneous impacts of social media on residents' preventive behaviours from the perspectives of information source differentiation and information content differentiation, which enriches related studies and provides feasible paths for promoting residents' preventive behaviours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Errors in medication administration by qualified nursing staff in hospitals are a significant risk factor for patient safety. In recent decades, electronic medical records (EMR) systems have been implemented in hospitals, and it has been claimed that they contribute to reducing such errors. However, systematic research on the subject in Israel is scarce. This study examines the position of the qualified nursing staff regarding the impact of electronic medical records systems on factors related to patient safety, including errors in medication administration, workload, and availability of medical information. Methods: This cross-sectional study examines three main variables: Medication errors, workload, and medical information availability, comparing two periods– before and after EMR implementation based on self-reports. A final sample of 591 Israeli nurses was recruited using online private social media groups to complete an online structured questionnaire. The questionnaires included items assessing workload (using the Expanding Nursing Stress Scale), medical information availability (the Carrington-Gephart Unintended Consequences of Electronic Health Record Questionnaire), and medical errors (the Medical Error Checklists). Items were assessed twice, once for the period before the introduction of electronic records and once after. In addition, participants answered open-ended questions that were qualitatively analyzed. Results: Nurses perceive the EMR as reducing the extent of errors in drug administration (mean difference = -0.92 ± 0.90SD, p < 0.001), as well as the workload (mean difference = -0.83 ± 1.03SD, p < 0.001) by ∼ 30% on average, each. Concurrently, the systems are perceived to require a longer documentation time at the expense of patients' treatment time, and they may impair the availability of medical information by about 10% on average. Conclusion: The results point to nurses' perceived importance of EMR systems in reducing medication errors and relieving the workload. Despite the overall positive attitudes toward EMR systems, nurses also report that they reduce information availability compared to the previous pen-and-paper approach. A need arises to improve the systems in terms of planning and adaptation to the field and provide appropriate technical and educational support to nurses using them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: As an effective mode to help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) raise working capital, supply chain finance has recently gained extensive attention. The purpose of this paper is to explore the intrinsic mechanism of how both weak and strong ties in the supply chain network impact the supply chain financing performance (SCFP) of SMEs from the perspective of the supply chain network. Design/methodology/approach: Based on the extended resource-based perspective, this paper proposes a theoretical model to explain the mode in which strong ties and weak ties of SMEs in the supply chain network influence SCFP through both physical distribution flexibility and demand management flexibility. Based on data from 182 manufacturing firms in China, this paper uses multiple regression analysis to test hypotheses. Findings: The results of this paper indicate that weak ties improve SCFP more effectively than strong ties. Furthermore, both physical distribution flexibility and demand management flexibility exert different mediating roles either between strong ties and SCFP or between weak ties and SCFP. Moreover, the effect of physical distribution flexibility and demand management flexibility on SCFP of SMEs is not reinforced. Originality/value: This paper highlights the importance to expand supply chain finance research from the perspective of the supply chain network. In particular, this paper explores the poorly understood mediating effect both physical distribution flexibility and demand management flexibility exert on the relationship between network ties and the SCFP of SMEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spatial layout and arrangement of obstacles in the built environment significantly affect its evacuation performance. However, few researchers focus on pedestrian simulation-based design optimization of built environment under emergency evacuation conditions. In this paper, we aim to evaluate the evacuation performance of optimized design solutions for traffic space in the teaching building of a primary school based on a pedestrian simulation approach and to quantify the effect of design parameters on evacuation time. Firstly, the level of traffic space design parameters was determined and optimized design solutions for the traffic space of the school building were generated. Secondly, based on the Anylogic simulation platform, the environment module and pedestrian evacuation behaviour rules of the teaching building were built to realize the evacuation behaviour simulation. Thirdly, the effect of the traffic space design parameters on the evacuation time of the teaching building was evaluated and the most significant design parameters were identified. Finally, the optimal combination of traffic space design parameters was proposed under evacuation performance orientation. The results show that the sensitivity of the traffic space design parameters to evacuation time is 31.85%. The effect of corridor width on evacuation time is 49.06 times greater than the staircase width. The optimal design combination for the traffic space in the teaching building of the primary school is a 3.0 m wide trapezoidal corridor combined with a 3.6 m wide staircase, and a 3.0 m wide fish maw corridor combined with 3.6 m wide staircase, guided by evacuation performance. The framework developed in this paper provides technical support for the development of evacuation performance-oriented design optimization of the built environment, and the results are intended to supplement the building design specifications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, most university campuses in China are plagued by issues such as high food demand, imbalanced diets, serious food waste and poor environmental quality. Research has shown that the multiple benefits of an edible campus, which may also be referred to as a school garden or farm catering to various educational levels, can help alleviate the aforementioned problems. However, there is limited research on how to promote the benefits of an edible campus through design. Therefore, taking the South Campus of Hebei University of Technology in China as an example, this paper aims to explore the correlation between design and benefits of an edible campus. The design factors and benefit factors related to an edible campus are extracted through literature search. The design preferences and benefit predictions are obtained through 261 questionnaire surveys and interviews with 30 participants. During the statistical analysis phase, principal component analysis and multiple regression analysis are applied to analyze the correlation between design factors and benefit factors. The results indicate: (1) The design factors of an edible campus can be categorized into seven categories: spatial location, spatial carrier, size, space function, facility configuration, planting and crop varieties, and technology application. (2) The benefits of an edible campus include environmental education, physical and mental health, social interaction, ecological protection, and economic output. (3) There are significant differences in design factors that positively or negatively correlate with different benefits. Among them, the strongest positive correlation exists between planting function and the five benefits, followed by central landscape and container planting. Furthermore, the causes behind the correlation between design factors and benefit factors are analyzed, and design strategies for an edible campus under different benefit orientations are proposed. The findings of this study can contribute to the sustainable development of university campuses in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In Ethiopia, more than half (57%) of children aged 6–59 months were estimated to be anemic in 2016 alone. The country had about 37% of under-five children suffering from stunting and under-five mortality rate of 59 deaths per 1000 live births in 2019. The main purpose of this paper was to estimate the proportion of under-five children prevented from childhood undernutrition, anemia, and under-five mortality by removing the risk factors or inequalities. Method: This cross-sectional study was based on a pooled total sample of 29,831 children aged 0–59 months drawn from three rounds of the Ethiopian Demography and Health Surveys (2005–2016). We employed multiple logistic regression analysis to identify the modifiable risk factors associated with childhood anemia, undernutrition, and under-five mortality among under-five children. We also used Population Attributable Fractions (PAFs) to estimate the proportion of under-five children that could be prevented from childhood undernutrition, anemia, and under-five mortality by removing inequalities. Result: PAF analyses of risk factors of childhood anemia confirmed that 38.5% of occurrence of childhood anemia was attributed to five selected risk factors, which include having a large household size (5+), being in a poor household, being born from anemic and unemployed mothers, and being breastfed for less than six months. About 45.6% of occurrences of childhood undernutrition were attributed to unimproved toilet facility, solid cooking fuel, and home delivery. About 72% of the reported under-five mortality could possibly be averted by removing the use of unimproved toilet facilities, early age childbirth (< 18 years old mothers), and a large number of children ever born to mothers and less than six months breastfeeding practice at the population level. Conclusion: The present study suggests that a substantial reduction in the prevalence of childhood anemia, undernutrition, and under-five mortality in the country is attainable if child survival-focused program interventions and policies target households and mothers with low socioeconomic status and those who have low awareness of child healthcare, including breastfeeding practice and use of safe sanitation facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global attention to climate change has surged since the advent of the Paris Agreement, intensifying the importance of measuring and managing carbon productivity indicators on a national level. Nevertheless, concerns persist regarding the reliability of such measurements because of inherent discrepancies in implementing and operating national-level carbon productivity indicators, coupled with their inherent uncertainty. This study proposes a multiple regression model to address these issues aimed at refining national-level carbon productivity indicator metrics, accounting for factors such as the gross domestic product and total greenhouse gas emissions by sectors. The objective was to offer insights into enhancing and effectively utilizing current indicators, enabling a more nuanced interpretation of the variation in the carbon productivity indicators across diverse industrial landscapes. This study showed that adjustments of the carbon productivity metrics reflect disparities in emissions across industrial structures, with countries characterized by high emissions from non-service industries showing improving trends. In addition, this paper proposes an auxiliary indicator estimating method for carbon productivity that, when utilized with current methodologies, is more usable to interpret productivity indicators within the context of varying industrial compositions across OECD countries. Moreover, by elucidating the nuances of industrial structures, this study advocates for more sophisticated approaches to interpreting and managing the productivity indicators tailored to the unique economic landscape of each country. Nevertheless, the limitations stemming from data availability underscore the need for further research, particularly in refining the national-level carbon resource productivity indicators analyses and exploring the thematic productivity variations in greater depth. By addressing these gaps, future studies will contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of national-level carbon resource productivity indicators dynamics and reveal targeted strategies for sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To improve our understanding of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)‐macrophage activation syndrome (MAS). Methods: A systematic review was performed, to retrieve all those papers on patients with SLE‐MAS, in individual or aggregated form. The data in each of these medical records were extracted and analyzed to identify the characteristics of SLE‐MAS. Results: A total of 86 SLE‐MAS patients were included (25 males and 61 females. The mean (±standard error of the mean) age was 31.21 ± 1.694 years. MAS occurred as the initial presentation of SLE in 47 people (54.65%) and during the course of SLE in 39 (45.35%). A coinfection was reported in 23 (26.74%) patients. The mean Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI‐2K) score was 16.54 ± 0.9462. Overall, 10 patients (11.63%) died. The SLEDAI‐2K score was higher in patients with MAS as an initial manifestation of SLE than in those where MAS occurred during the course of SLE. The proportion of patients receiving steroid pulse therapy was lower in patients with coinfections. The deceased group demonstrated lower platelet and ferritin levels. Multiple regression analysis revealed that age and thrombocytopenia were independent factors associated with poor prognosis. In receiver operating characteristic analysis, a platelet count cutoff value of ≤47 × 109/L was a predictor of poor outcome. Conclusions: SLE‐MAS patients demonstrated high lupus activity, and lupus activity was especially higher in patients with MAS as an initial manifestation. Lupus activity was the predominant trigger of lupus MAS. Thrombocytopenia was an independent factor for poor prognosis. Highlights: Lupus activity was especially high in patients with macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) as an initial manifestation.Lupus activity is the predominant trigger for lupus‐MAS.Thrombocytopenia is a predictor of poor prognosis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus‐MAS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The paper aims to investigate the impact of socially-responsible human resource (SR-HR) practices on organizational sustainability performance (OSP) in Indian business organizations that are mandated to publish business sustainability and responsibility reporting. Design/methodology/approach: Data were obtained from 620 working professionals employed in the organizations listed on National Stock Exchange in India. The proposed hypotheses were tested by deploying the statistical technique of multiple regression analysis using SPSS Version-21. Findings: The results demonstrated that overall, SR-HR practices impact OSP. More precisely, all the dimensions of SR practices are positively associated with the organization's financial performance, environmental performance and social performance (SP). There was a relatively higher significant impact of legal-oriented human resource management (HRM) on organizational economic and ecological performance. However, in the case of SP, a substantial effect of employee-oriented HRM was found. Practical implications: Study findings encourage HR practitioners to invest in SR-HR practices to build and strengthen employees' abilities and contributing to sustainability goals. Originality/value: This study is one of the few studies conducted in the Indian context that highlights the relevance of the convergence of HRM, human resource development and corporate social responsibility to realize sustainability goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, square hollow section (SHS) joints with concrete-filled square hollow section (CFSHS) chords have increasingly been used in truss bridges where the fatigue life reliability is a critical issue. In this paper, a finite element analysis was performed to investigate the SCFs in SHS-CFSHS T-joints under in-plane bending in the brace, axial force in the chord and in-plane bending in the chord. The finite element models were developed and validated with experimental results. Then a parametric study was conducted with a reasonable range of three key non-dimensional parameters, i.e., β (width ratio between brace and chord), 2γ (width–to–wall thickness ratio of the chord) and τ (wall thickness ratio between brace and chord). Consequently, the stress concentration factor formulae for the fatigue design of SHS-CFSHS T-joints were proposed through multiple regression analysis. For in-plane bending in the brace, the maximum stress concentration factors were found at lines B and C for thick-walled chords (2γ = 25.0), while the stress concentration factors at all the lines need to be checked for thin-walled chords (2γ < 16.0). Under axial force in the chord and in-plane bending in the chord, only stress concentration factors at lines C and D needed to be considered. A comparison of stress concentration factors between SHS-SHS and SHS-CFSHS joints showed reductions of 10~26% and 14~31% in stress concentration factors in SHS-CFSHS joints under axial force in the brace and in-plane bending in the brace, respectively. In addition, it showed a general increase in stress concentration factors in SHS-CFSHS joints under axial force and in-plane bending in the chord. This reduction is attributed to the reduction in chord face deformation benefiting from the in-filled concrete. Meanwhile, the stress concentration factors caused by loads in the chord are much lower than those caused by loads in the brace. This work complements earlier studies on SHS-CFSHS T-joints under axial force. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hotel business is one of the main activities of the hospitality industry. Hotel service gives home feeling to the tourists at destination. Hospitality industry will not survive if they don't provide quality services to the tourists. The present paper investigates influence of service quality dimensions of hotel services on the tourists' satisfaction. Total 600 tourists including both domestic and foreign were interviewed and collected data was analysed using SPSS software. Exploratory factor analysis was conducted for the purpose of dimension reduction and the influence of identified dimensions of service quality of hotels on tourists' was tested using multiple regression analysis. The study revealed positive influence of identified dimensions of service quality of hotels on the tourists' satisfaction, with coefficient of determination R2 of 74.5%. The study will prove beneficial to the stakeholders in improving their service quality and maintain tourists' satisfaction and tourists' loyalty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using websites for commercial purposes has been noticeable in numerous areas in recent years, including the organic food market, among others. The era of digitalization has implied that an increasing number of consumers form their views on organic food based on information that is marketed via websites, instead of going to traditional stores. In accordance with that, the aim of the paper is to examine whether the quality of a website, measured by its usability, design and the quality of information, affects consumers’ cognitive and affective attitudes towards organic products. In this paper, exploratory factor analysis is carried out along with multiple regression analysis. The research results indicate that, in the organic food sector, it is very important to have a website which is both usable and visually appealing, simultaneously containing quality and updated information, which all can greatly influence the formation of users’ attitudes towards organic food, their attitudes being made of the rational emotional dimensions as well. The contribution of this research study is particularly significant bearing in mind the fact that attitudes towards organic food are mostly examined in a traditional environment, not so much in an online environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Withholding workers' salaries for months as a punishment for engaging in a strike may natively affect and influence their psychological distress. This study assessed the correlation between physical activity, psychological distress, and socioeconomic status, and explored the factors influencing psychological distress among the striking workers in Nigeria. Methods: This cross-sectional face-to-face and online study conveniently sampled a total of 234 lecturers aged 27-69 years. The sociodemographic, physical, socio-economic, and psychological distress was assessed by the university strike physical and psychological distress questionnaire (USPAPDQ). Data analysis includes descriptive statistics, multiple linear regression, Spearman's correlation, and Man whiney U-test, using a P<0.05 as the level of significance. Results: The mean age, number of papers, and frequency/duration of exercise were 45.4±10.36 years, 4±5.82, 2.19±1.63 day/week, and 30.49±29.82 minutes/day, respectively. An inverse significant relationship was established between anxiety and age (r=-0.27; P<0.01), contemplating changing my job (r=-0.40; P<0.01), number of children (r=-0.19; P<0.01), academic rank (r=-0.27; P<0.01), frequency (r=-0.18; P<0.01), and duration (r=-0.16; P=0.02) of exercise. The significant predictors of anxiety were marital status (ß=-0.207, P<0.01), contemplation on changing my job if the strike continues (P<0.01, ß=-0.198), see anything positive about the strike (P<0.01, ß=0.178), and numbers of children (P<0.01, ß=-0.193). The significant predictors of depression were, an alternate source of income (P=0.04, ß=0.126), contemplation on changing my job if the strike continues (P=0.03, ß=-0.149), seeing anything positive about the strike (P=0.05, ß=0.118), and time (hours) spent watching television (P=0.03, ß=0.124). Discussion: Overall, the significant negative predictors of psychological distress include marital status, contemplating changing my job, and number of children. The positive predictors were seeing anything positive about the strike, alternate sources of income, and time spent watching television. The government may prevent the reoccurrence of strikes by honouring existing agreements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A traditionally salient topic of empirical investigation in the sociology of religion, this paper seeks to offer a recent investigation into the intergenerational transmission of religion and the parental forms of religious engagement that predict adult engagement with religion. The study of this paper explores the intergenerational transmission of religion, focusing on the parental forms of religious identity and engagement that influence religious identity, beliefs, and practices in adulthood. By analyzing the 2018 GSS dataset in the United States with multiple regression analyses, I found strong parental and childhood influences on adult religiosity, religious service attendance, and belief in God. Indeed, this engagement often mirrors parental engagement for these variables. However, while paternal religious identity often predicts these religious variables, I found that the religious identity and engagement of parents generally do not predict religious identity in adulthood. Ultimately, while these results generally show strong predictive mechanisms of intergenerational transmission, they also illustrate that these relationships are variably dependent on the form of parental and adult religious engagement, and which parent participates or is associated with that engagement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are many benefits of breastfeeding to women and their infants but meeting the recommended 6 months of exclusive breastfeeding is likely to be more challenging for women with severe mental illness (SMI). This is the first systematic review that aims to examine evidence of (a) infant feeding outcomes in women with SMI and the factors associated with this, (b) the experiences of infant feeding and infant feeding support for women with SMI, (c) interventions for supporting infant feeding among these women and (d) health care professionals' attitudes toward supporting infant feeding in women with SMI. Mixed methods systematic review was carried out using the principles of Joanna Briggs Institute's (JBI) 'convergent integrated' methodology. CINAHL, PsycINFO, Medline and MIDIRS were used to search literature between 1994 and 2022. The quality of selected articles was assessed using JBI critical appraisal tools and thematic synthesis was undertaken to obtain findings. Eighteen papers were included in the final review. Women with SMI were less likely to initiate and continue breastfeeding than women without SMI. Several challenges with breastfeeding were highlighted, and while these were often linked to women's mental health difficulties, inconsistent advice from health care professionals and poor support with breastfeeding further compounded these challenges. This review highlights that policy and practice need to take into account the individual challenges women with SMI face when planning, initiating and maintaining breastfeeding. Education and training for health care professionals are needed to enable them to provide tailored infant feeding support to women with SMI, which reflects their individual needs. Key messages: Women with severe mental illness (SMI) are less likely to initiate and maintain breastfeeding compared to women without SMI.Challenges were identified among women with SMI including poor professional support with infant feeding.Education and training are required for health care professionals to individualise infant feeding support for women with SMI and should include information regarding medication and optimising sleep while breastfeeding.No evidence of effective interventions to support breastfeeding in women with SMI were identified and there was limited evidence of women's experiences of infant feeding.Further research is required with larger sample sizes and clearly defined measures of infant feeding outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Although manufacturer-initiated rewards are widely used to secure distributors' compliance, the spillover effect on unrewarded distributors (i.e. observers) in the same distribution channel is under-researched. Using insights from social learning theory, this paper aims to investigate how manufacturer-initiated rewards affect observers' expectation of reward and shape observers' compliance toward the manufacturer. Furthermore, this paper explores how such effects are contingent upon distributor relationship features. Design/methodology/approach: To test the hypotheses, hierarchical multiple regression and bootstrapping analyses were performed using survey data from 280 Chinese distributors. Findings: The magnitude of a manufacturer-initiated reward to a distributor stimulates expectation of reward among observers, which enhances compliance; observers' expectation of reward mediates the impact of reward magnitude on compliance. Moreover, network centrality (of the rewarded peer) negatively moderates the positive impact of reward magnitude on observers' expectation of reward, whereas observers' dependence (on the manufacturer) positively moderates this dynamic. Practical implications: Manufacturers should pay attention to the spillover effects of rewards. Overall, they should use rewards of appropriate magnitude to show willingness to recognize outstanding distributors. This will inspire unrewarded distributors, which will then be more compliant. Furthermore, manufacturers should know that specific types of distributor relationship features may significantly vary the spillover effects. Originality/value: This study illuminates the spillover effects of manufacturer-initiated reward by opening the "black box" of the link between reward magnitude and observers' compliance and by specifying the effects' boundary conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A deep brain stimulator (DBS) device is a surgically implanted system that delivers electrical impulses to specific targets in the brain to treat abnormal movement disorders. A DBS is like a cardiac pacemaker, but instead of sending electrical signals to the heart, it sends them to the brain instead. When DBS leads and extension wires are exposed in the biological environment, this can adversely affect impedance and battery life, resulting in poor clinical outcomes. A posthumously extracted DBS device was evaluated using visual inspection and optical microscopy as well as electrical and mechanical tests to quantify the damage leading to its impairment. The implantable pulse generator (IPG) leads, a component of the DBS, contained cracks, delamination, exfoliations, and breakage. Some aspects of in vivo damage were observed in localized areas discussed in this paper. The duration of the time in months that the DBS was in vivo was estimated based on multiple regression analyses of mechanical property testing from prior research of pacemaker extensions. The test results of three DBS extensions, when applied to the regressions, were used to estimate the in vivo duration in months. This estimation approach may provide insight into how long the leads can function effectively before experiencing mechanical failure. Measurements of the extension coils demonstrated distortion and stretching, demonstrating the changes that may occur in vivo. These changes can alter the impedance and potentially reduce the effectiveness of the clinical treatment provided by the DBS system. Ultimately, as both DBSs and pacemakers use the same insulation and lead materials, the focus of this paper is to develop a proof of concept demonstrating that the mechanical properties measured from pacemaker extensions and leads extracted posthumously of known duration, measured in months while in vivo, can be used to predict the duration of DBS leads of unknown lifespan. The goal is to explore the validity of the proposed model using multiple regression of mechanical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional English classroom teaching is difficult to meet the oral learning needs of most learners. Thanks to the continuous advancement of speech processing technology, computer-assisted language learning systems are becoming more intelligent, not only pointing out learners' pronunciation errors but also assessing their overall pronunciation level. Method. This paper uses the method of tree kernel function to measure the similarity of two ontology trees. According to the features of nodes in ontology tree, methods to calculate the external features and internal features of nodes are proposed, respectively. External features are mainly obtained by calculating the hierarchical centrality, node density, and node coverage of nodes in the ontology tree; internal features are mainly obtained by measuring the richness of internal information. According to the similarity of ontology tree and the external features and internal features of nodes, the calculation formula of structural comprehensive similarity is improved, and the features of ontology itself can be fully considered in the calculation. According to the difference of the structure, the weights of the corresponding features during the calculation are adjusted autonomously, so that the calculation results are closer to reality. In spectral image preprocessing, endpoint detection utilizes the harmonic characteristics presented by narrowband spectrograms with high frequency resolution and eliminates useless nonspeech segments by detecting the presence of voiced segments. When building the neural network model, four convolutional layers, two fully connected layers, and one softmax output layer were conceived, and dropout was used to randomly suspend the work of some neurons to avoid overfitting. Results/Discussion. Through the data analysis of mean and variance and verified by one-way analysis of variance, it proves that the sentiment evaluation method in this paper is effective. The traditional multiple linear regression method is not suitable for the corpus and application scenarios of this paper. This paper proposes a decision tree structure, which is similar to the overall scoring process of raters, and uses the Interactive Dicremiser version 3 (ID3) algorithm to build a comprehensive evaluation decision tree for pitch, rhythm, intonation, speech rate, and emotion indicators. It is proved by experiments that the accurate consistency rate of the human-machine evaluation in this paper is 93%, the adjacent consistency rate is 96%, and the Pearson correlation coefficient value of the human-machine evaluation results is 0.89. The data results prove that the evaluation method in this paper is credible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In the context of an aging workforce and uncertain labor markets, it is a priority to identify and analyze what factors influence intentions regarding motivation to continue working, how and when to retire. From the life course perspective, this paper aims to capture the individual agency and structure perceptions to withdrawal from work early/late intentions in the mid- and late-career, identifying voluntary/involuntary factors underlying these intentions. Design/methodology/approach: Hypotheses were tested using multiple regression analyses based on a cross-sectional design, with a representative sample of 414 Chilean workers over the age of 45. Findings: The results depict several patterns of contextual factors operating at different levels underlying mid- and late-career-related intentions. Specifically, they identify how perceptions of individual agency and structure are significantly associated with voluntary and involuntary factors that guide intentions to stay working or retire early, as well as to prolong working life and to lean toward bridge employment. Originality/value: This study contributes to identifying perceptions of individual agency and structure in career intentions and can help individuals and organizations clarify the voluntary and involuntary factors behind work–life intentions in their middle and final career stages. In addition, the results can contribute to international research in this field by providing information on the underrepresented Ibero-American context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of the deepening of population aging and the trial implementation of a progressive retirement delay policy in China, understanding the relationship between the labor force participation and health status of the elderly will not only enrich relevant research but also help the elderly better achieve their goals of active aging and aging. Using the 2018 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, this paper first established multiple linear regression models to analyze the impact of labor force participation on the health status of elderly people in China and then established simultaneous equation models using households living on minimum living allowances and the community average of labor participation as instrumental variables to deal with the endogeneity caused by two-way causality. The findings confirmed significant positive correlations between labor force participation and physical and mental health, while caring for grandchildren and participating in social activities were found to be negatively moderated the relationship between labor force participation and the physical and mental health of older adults. The impact of labor force participation on the physical health status of older men and the mental health status of older women may be greater. In addition, labor force participation may have a greater impact on the physical health of the rural elderly, and its impact on mental health was not found to be statistically significant between urban and rural areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on the disposal of iron tailings sand (ITS) and recycled aggregate of inorganic (RAI) and proposed the "ITS plus RAI" solid waste treatment methods, which uses ITS and RAI as a new base course material to replace new aggregates by 100% to apply in the pavement renovation project of national and provincial roads in Linfen city, Shanxi Province. In this paper, the compressive strength characteristic of recycled mixture with different ratios is studied for the dual waste treatment methods, and the influence factors are analyzed by multiple regression analysis. Results show that the strength of the recycled mixture composed of a high content of ITS (the mass ratio to RAI exceeds 60 : 40) ups to 7 MPa, which can meet the pavement requirements of 7d unconfined compressive strength of inorganic stabilized base material under various traffic load conditions. The factors affecting the strength of recycled materials include the content of various components, while the particle size of iron tailings sand is the most significant influence factor. Therefore, the proportion of iron tailings sand in the recycled mixture can be further improved by screening coarse iron tailings sand so as to maximize the content of iron tailings sand, which will lead to an excellent engineering value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a severe and life-threatening complication of venous thromboembolism. However, there is a lack of systematic studies on differences between female and male PE patients. This paper aimed to compare the sex-specific differences in clinical characteristics and laboratory indicators in psychotic patients with PE. Methods: This retrospective study enrolled psychiatric patients with PE from June 2018 to June 2022 at Shenzhen Kangning Hospital (Shenzhen Mental Health Center). Demographic characteristics, factors associated with PE, and laboratory indices were collected to assess sex-specific differences. Results: Of the 168 patients, 87 (51.8%) were female and 81 (48.2%) were male, with a mean age of 58 years for females and 46 years for male patients. The male group had higher ratio of hyperprolactinemia, more patients using antipsychotic medications, higher D-dimer levels at PE onset, greater D-dimer difference, and a higher rate of D-dimer elevation than the female group (p < 0.05). Female patients were significantly older, exhibited a higher prevalence of diabetes, and had a greater number of patients taking antidepressants and hypnotics/sedatives than male patients (p < 0.05). Schizophrenia spectrum disorders were more prevalent in male patients, while female patients had a higher incidence of mood disorders (p < 0.05). Among patients aged < 45 years, the male group had higher D-dimer levels at PE onset and greater D-dimer difference (p < 0.05). Among all 112 patients aged ≥ 45 years, male patients were more likely than female patients to have respiratory tract infections, higher D-dimer levels at PE onset, greater D-dimer difference, and a higher rate of D-dimer elevation (p < 0.05). The multiple linear regression analysis indicated that hyperprolactinemia and the use of first-generation antipsychotics (FGAs) were associated with D-dimer levels at PE onset in male patients, while the time of PE onset and protective restraints were associated with D-dimer levels at PE onset in female patients (p < 0.05). Conclusion: PE-associated clinical features differ between male and female patients. These differences may imply that the processes and mechanisms of PE onset are sex specific. Male patients are more likely to have respiratory tract infections and higher D-dimer levels at PE onset than female patients. The use of FGAs may be associated with increased D-dimer in male psychiatric patients, while protective restraints may be associated with increased D-dimer in female psychiatric patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the relationships among selected macro-economic variables such as GDP, GCI, GCNI, SSI, CDI, CPI, and HDI from 2001 to 2022. Utilizing multiple regression analysis, the ARIMA model, co-integration, and causality techniques, the research finds a decreasing trend in economic growth over the coming years. There is a long-run equilibrium relationship among the variables, along with short-run uni-directional relationships among a few variables. The forecasted values of these macroeconomic variables, projected from the base year 2018 up to 2025, indicate that while economic growth (GDP) gradually declines, the other variables show a slow but not significant increase. This suggests that adverse economic growth may hinder the remarkable performance of other variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This study aims to verify if older adults with mixed anxiety-depressive disorder are more prone to euthanasia and identify factors that interfere with their satisfaction with health and capacity for well-informed decisions. Material and Methods: The study applied a paper questionnaire composed of a sociodemographic section and a battery of scales (to assess depression, anxiety, cognitive performance, suicide risk, therapeutic adhesion, functionality, loneliness, attitude towards euthanasia, decision pattern, personality, empathy, and health status) in the Psychogeriatric Unity of Senhora da Oliveira Hospital in Portugal. The sample was collected by convenience to include patients and controls of the same age. Six months later, a reassessment was performed. Patients and controls were compared using descriptive statistics and a multiple-regression model. Results: A total of 114 patients and 25 controls were included. Eighty-one point six percent of patients had four or fewer years of schooling. Contrary to controls, they presented mild depressive and anxiety symptoms, loneliness feelings, worse cognitive performance, a more fragile personality, higher personal distress, and a poorer health state. No statistically significant differences were found between controls and patients regarding their attitudes towards euthanasia. Patients more favourable to euthanasia had higher empathic concern, conscientiousness, and fantasy, and lower personal distress. Discussion and Conclusion: When addressing euthanasia in these patients, it is crucial to ensure they are fully self-determinate and that all the necessary treatment and support are available. It may not be the case when the educational level is low and a mild disease persists, significantly affecting their well-being and cognitive performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aimed to identify factors that promote innovation in Japan's radio industry, where innovation has stagnated for many years. First, we examined previous studies on top management leadership characteristics, organizational unit coordination mechanisms, senior management teams, and environmental dynamism as key concepts for innovation creation. We also interviewed top managers in the Japanese radio industry to develop specific hypotheses. We tested our hypotheses by conducting a questionnaire survey with 157 middle managers of Japanese radio stations; we used multiple regression analysis to examine the effect of each variable on exploratory and exploitative innovation. Our main findings revealed that management, by exception of transactional leadership, formalization and connectedness of organizational unit coordination mechanisms, and perceived environmental dynamism, positively affect exploratory and exploitative innovation in the radio industry. In contrast, the inspirational motivation of transformational leadership and social integration of the senior team negatively affected exploratory innovation. This study's academic contribution is to identify the unique organizational factors that drive innovation in the Japanese radio industry by quantitatively testing the original hypothesis derived from the interview survey. Our results showed an urgent need to develop organizational human resources for senior management. Finally, the limitations of this study and future research were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. This study aims to elucidate the gender gaps in the strategies for maintaining the social participation and interaction of older adults with people in a local community. Methods. The subjects were 130 older adults aged 65 years or older and independently living in their homes in Saitama, Saitama Prefecture, Japan. The authors conducted an anonymous questionnaire survey on paper and performed multiple regression analysis for men and women separately using the Lubben Social Network Scale-6 (LSNS-6) as the dependent variable. Results. Among the independent variables used for the analysis, those that significantly influenced LSNS-6 in men were social activities related to the daily life satisfaction of the elderly (SARDS). The independent variables that significantly influenced LSNS-6 in women were SARDS, sense of coherence-13 (SOC-13), and the number of family members living with the subjects. Discussion. Health promotion is not associated with interaction with people in men compared with women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An SHS-CFSHS X-joint is fabricated by welding two square hollow section (SHS) braces to a concrete-filled square hollow section (CFSHS) chord. In this paper, the stress concentration factors (SCFs) of SHS-CFSHS X-joints are investigated through experimental tests and finite element analysis (FEA), with the hot spot stress method serving as the analytical approach. Eight specimens are designed and manufactured, with FE models built in software ANSYS. These FE models are validated against the test results. The specimens are tested under brace axial tension to determine the SCFs of the X-joints. It shows that the concrete filled in the chord effectively reduces the SCFs of the X-joints. To further explore various load conditions and the influence of the parameters, FEA is carried out and a total of 64 FE models are built. Based on the FEA results, multiple regression analysis is used to obtain the SCF formulae of SHS-CFSHS X-joints under axial tension load and in-plane bending load in the brace, respectively. Comparison and analysis of the SCF results obtained from experimental tests, the proposed formulae, and FE simulations reveal that the formulae presented in this study are both conservative and suitable for predicting SCFs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this paper is to investigate the potential of organisational design as a potent approach to supply chain risk management (SCRM). Using contingency theory, the current research distinguishes between two design options: organic and mechanistic organisations, both at the structural and cultural levels. The authors predict a positive relationship between the organic nature of structural and cultural elements and the level of supply chain risk mitigation. They also predict a positive interaction effect between structural and cultural elements. To test hypotheses, multiple and moderated regression analysis was conducted on a sample of 213 small and medium-sized enterprises in the Spanish agri-food supply chain. The results confirmed the proposed hypotheses. This research contributes to the literature on SCRM by opening a discussion on the impact of organisational design as means of managing supply chain risk. In particular, it draws attention to the positive combined effects of the different design characteristics (structural and cultural). Furthermore, this study provides managers with insights into the use of organisational design as an additional tool for managing supply chain risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a cotton precision seed-taking dibbler device was designed to address the problems of congestion and leakage of the hole-type dibbler during high-speed operation (more than 4 km/h). Firstly, the motion trajectory of the seed in the limited gear-shaped space was analyzed and a motion model was established to analyze the relationship between the motion trajectory and seed-filling performance. Secondly, a central combination test with four factors and five levels was implemented using the discrete element software EDEM2018, which simulated the seed-filling performance of the seed-holding space with different structural dimensions. The optimal parameters impacting the seed-filling behavior of the designed dibbler were derived via response surface optimization and multiple regression analyses. Under optimal conditions, three bench tests were repeatedly conducted, and the average qualified index was 93.67%, the leakage index Y3 was 2.67%, and the multiple index Y2 was 3.66%, which was close to the simulation results. Finally, for the speed adaptability test of the seed-holding space with optimal structural parameters, the qualified index was more than 90% when the rotating speed ranged from 1.0 to 2.0 r/s (the speed of the corresponding dibbler was 5.4 km/h to 7.2 km/h), indicating that the dibbler could meet the requirements of high-speed operation and had good speed adaptability. The results can not only provide a reference for the development of precision hole-type dibblers but also have theoretical significance for the quantitative separation of the individual from the population of irregularly rotating agricultural materials and ore materials such as cotton seeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: The focus of this paper is on the design of the RF (Radio Frequency) resonant cavities required for small modular superconducting cyclotrons. The design of these RF cavities aims to match the smaller extraction radius of superconducting cyclotrons and make easier of installation and maintenance. To this purpose, one has to adopt a design that allows for easy assembly and disassembly with the magnet system that has been adopted. Through the study of the circuitry of such RF cavities, along with calculations of electromagnetic fields and methods of frequency tuning, we provide a set of solutions that can serve as a reference for the design of smaller superconducting accelerators in the future. This not only helps in advancing the technology of superconducting cyclotrons but also can provide a method reference for related technical fields. In contrast to the room temperature cyclotron, the superconducting cyclotron's high operational magnetic field and small extraction radius lead to a magnet design with a reduced radius. This limits the space available for the RF cavity in the 11 MeV superconducting cyclotron, necessitating a more compact RF cavity design. By using the transmission line theory, the complex structure of the quarter-wavelength coaxial cavity can be represented as a microwave circuit. Through relevant theoretical analytical formulas, equivalent circuit parameters can be derived. The resonant frequency of the RF cavity is then determined using the equivalent circuit method. The optimization of the RF cavity structure was achieved by creating a numerical model and conducting finite element numerical calculations on the high-frequency resonant system. The comparative results between the equivalent circuit and numerical calculations indicate that the frequency error remains within 0.1%, validating the compact RF cavity design. A multiple linear regression analysis facilitates the prediction of resonance frequency across various parameter variables. By analyzing the fitting formula, RF cavity machining error requirements are established, ensuring a prediction error within 1%, thus meeting engineering design criteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Health communication in the COVID-19 pandemic can be effectively implemented if all members of the populations, including marginalized population such as migrant domestic workers (MDWs), have good eHealth literacy. Lessons learned during this critical period may help improve planning and mitigation of the impacts of future health crises. Methods: This study aimed to examine and explore the eHealth literacy levels of the MDWs in Hong Kong during the COVID-19 pandemic by using a convergent mixed methods research design. A total of 1156 Hong Kong MDWs participated in a paper-based survey using a multistage cluster random sampling design for the quantitative component. eHealth literacy was measured using an eHealth literacy Scale (eHEALS). For the qualitative component, a purposive sampling of 19 MDWs participated in face-to-face, semi-structured, in-depth interviews. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression analyses were used to carry out the quantitative analysis, while thematic analysis was used for the qualitative analysis. Both quantitative and qualitative data were merged and integrated for mixed-methods analysis. Results: The meta-inferences of the quantitative and qualitative results mainly confirmed that MDWs in Hong Kong had good levels of eHealth literacy. The use of Instagram, YouTube and WhatsApp as the COVID-19 information sources, in addition to having an interest in the topic of the current spread of COVID-19 together with the Hong Kong government's policies related to COVID-19, were found to be associated with eHealth literacy. Conclusions: The eHealth literacy level of MDWs in Hong Kong was shown to be good and it was influenced by the use of popular social media platforms including Instagram, YouTube, and WhatsApp. It is realistic to suggest that such platforms should be harnessed for health communication during the pandemic. Yet, regulations to combat false information on these media are also urgently needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: A novel approach for automatic detection of neoplastic lesions in lymph nodes is presented, which incorporates machine learning methods and the new LN-RADS scale. The presented solution incorporates different network structures with diverse datasets to improve the overall effectiveness. Final findings demonstrate that incorporating the LN-RADS scale labels improved the overall diagnosis, especially when compared with current, standard practices. The presented solution is meant as an aid in the diagnosis process. The paper presents a novel approach for the automatic detection of neoplastic lesions in lymph nodes (LNs). It leverages the latest advances in machine learning (ML) with the LN Reporting and Data System (LN-RADS) scale. By integrating diverse datasets and network structures, the research investigates the effectiveness of ML algorithms in improving diagnostic accuracy and automation potential. Both Multinominal Logistic Regression (MLR)-integrated and fully connected neuron layers are included in the analysis. The methods were trained using three variants of combinations of histopathological data and LN-RADS scale labels to assess their utility. The findings demonstrate that the LN-RADS scale improves prediction accuracy. MLR integration is shown to achieve higher accuracy, while the fully connected neuron approach excels in AUC performance. All of the above suggests a possibility for significant improvement in the early detection and prognosis of cancer using AI techniques. The study underlines the importance of further exploration into combined datasets and network architectures, which could potentially lead to even greater improvements in the diagnostic process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The concept of Positive Health (PH) has gained increasing attention as a way of measuring individuals' ability to adapt in the face of contextual challenges. However, a suitable measurement instrument for PH that encompasses contextual factors has not yet been developed. This paper responds to this need by developing a Context-specific Positive Health (CPH) measurement instrument that aligns with the Capability Approach (CA). Methods: The measurement instrument was developed and tested among a representative sample of 1002 Dutch internet survey panel members with diverse sociodemographic backgrounds. The instrument was developed in two stages: a preparation phase consisting of focus groups and expert consultations, and a validation among a representative panel of Dutch citizens. The goal of the preparation phase, was to pilot test and refine previously proposed Positive Health questionnaires into an initial version of the CPHQ. The validation phase aimed to examine the initial CPHQ's factorial validity using Factor Analysis, and its concurrent validity using Multivariate Regression Analysis. Results: The developed questionnaire demonstrated adequate factorial and concurrent validity. Furthermore, it explicitly includes an assessment of resilience, this being a key component of PH. Conclusions: The introduced measurement tool, the CPHQ, comprises 11 dimensions that we have labeled as follows: relaxation, autonomy, fitness, perceived environmental safety, exclusion, social support, financial resources, political representation, health literacy, resilience, and enjoyment. In this article, we present four major contributions. Firstly, we embedded the measurement in a theoretical framework. Secondly, we focused the questionnaire on a key concept of Positive Health - the "ability to adapt." Thirdly, we addressed issues of health inequality by considering contextual factors. Finally, we facilitated the development of more understandable measurement items. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 24‐h ultramarathon (UM) race is one of the most demanding competitive sports in terms of muscular and physiological exertion. In this context, predictors of UM athletes' physical performance are in high demand; however, data on the predictive capabilities of hematological variables are still sparse. In the present paper, we retrospectively took into consideration the pre‐race blood biomarker levels (including basic blood count, leukocyte subpopulations, markers of inflammation and organ function, metabolic profile, and electrolytes) of 50 UM athletes (M = 33, F = 17) who completed a 24‐h competition in order to identify a combination of analytes capable of predicting the athletic performance in terms of distance covered during the 24‐h run. The multiple regression analysis produced a model that explained a significant portion of the variance in the dependent variable, with an adjusted R‐squared value of 0.783 (F(13, 36) = 14.58, p < 0.001). A greater race distance was correlated with higher pre‐race values of hematocrit, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), total cholesterol, HDL/LDL ratio, and triglycerides and lower levels of monocytes, eosinophils, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma‐glutamyl transferase (GGT), total proteins, and sodium. This study represents the first of its kind conducted on 24‐h UM athletes that investigated the association between blood markers and endurance performance. Our model, given its promising predictive power, would serve as a starting point that will require refinement and integration with other traditional performance prediction measures, in order to support athletes and coaches in better managing the training loads during the race‐approaching phases. Highlights: A combination of pre‐race hematological parameters was found to predict the 24‐h ultramarathon race distance in ultra‐endurance athletes.A greater race distance was correlated with higher pre‐race values of hematocrit, lactate dehydrogenase, total cholesterol, HDL/LDL ratio, and triglycerides, and lower levels of monocytes, eosinophils, alanine aminotransferase, gamma‐glutamyl transferase, total proteins, and sodium.The predictive model generated by the multiple regression analysis explained a significant portion of the variance in the dependent variable (race distance), with an adjusted R‐squared value of 0.783. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

National and international organizations have introduced policies aimed at sustainable development. These policies are designed to encourage sustainable forms of business to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda. Regional inequalities in sustainable development may be exacerbated by disparate levels of innovation. This paper analyzes the variations between clusters of countries according to the degree to which they have achieved the SDGs and their levels of innovation facilitators. Two types of analyses were employed. First, cluster analysis was used to examine changes in groups of regions with similar innovation characteristics between 2015 and 2020. Data for 122 countries were gathered from the World Bank, the SDG Index, and the Global Innovation Index. Second, multiple linear regression analysis was used to assess the power of the variables in the model to explain the level of sustainable development. The results reveal four clusters (low, medium, high, and very high innovative facilitators and sustainable development), as well as movements between those clusters from 2015 to 2020. The multiple linear regression analysis shows that the variables have explanatory power with respect to the dependent variable of sustainable development. This analysis also reveals different degrees of importance of the variables for each cluster. The findings highlight the need to consider the limitations of economic growth in terms of innovation facilitators to promote sustainable development. If policymakers recognize the limitations of economic growth and the physical ecosystem, degradation of the environment can be avoided, even when there is innovation. Global and individual social welfare can thus be ensured. This study offers valuable insights into how to achieve sustainable development through innovation facilitators by providing in-depth knowledge of the individual characteristics of innovation systems and considering the limitations of economic growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines potential associations of loneliness with laboratory data and specific psychosocial and behavioral attitudes. The sample collection took place in an urban Primary Health Care unit between May and July 2023, consecutively, and once exclusion criteria were implemented. Participants were aged between 40 and 75 years. Routine laboratory test results upon study initiation and six months before were used. The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Loneliness Scale (Version 3), blood glucose, serum lipids, Fibrosis-4 index, and Creatinine Clearance (CrCl) were assessed through hierarchical multiple logistic regression analysis. Based on full model (3rd) analysis, those who were engaged in an individual sport or activity or had contacts with more friends presented significantly lower odds for increased loneliness levels (odds ratio (OR): 0.28 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.09–0.91], p = 0.034 and OR: 0.76 [95%CI 0.66–0.88], p < 0.001, respectively). The consumption of alcohol was associated with increased loneliness (OR: 5.55 [95%CI 1.42–21.63], p = 0.014). Elevated triglyceride levels were linked with moderate or no loneliness (OR: 0.20 [95%CI 0.05–0.83], p = 0.026), while an increased LDL/HDL atherosclerotic index was related to increased subjective loneliness (OR: 4.50 [95%CI 1.12–18.13], p = 0.035). The need for holistic approaches—involving primary care personnel—in understanding and addressing loneliness, recognizing its multifaceted nature as well as the diverse factors that contribute to this issue, is considered challenging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Unequal utilization of medical services will have a significant impact on the consumption of resources entitled through health insurance claims of patients. With the proposal of the goal of Healthy China, it is essential to achieve the equity of medical service utilization of patients with rare diseases to further promote social equity and justice. To analyze the consumption of medical resources of rare disease patients, so as to explore how different medical insurance types impact patients' medical resources consumption. This study pioneeringly used medical data from Peking Union Medical College Hospital. By analyzing the consumption data, this paper fills the research gap of existing studies on the analysis of medical service utilization inequality based on the perspective of insurance participation by examining the effects of different types of insurance coverage on medical resource consumption of hemophiliacs. At the same time, rare disease patients as a minority group have long been neglected in the analysis of medical resource consumption, and this paper fills the research gap of medical service utilization of this group to a certain extent by taking hemophiliacs as the object of analysis. Methods: Based on the medical data of hemophilia patients in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from 2010 to 2020, we analyze the consumption of medical resources of the patients, and use a multiple regression model to explore how different medical insurance types impact patients' medical resources consumption. Results: The study has three main findings. Firstly, the disparity in medical expenditure among different hemophilia patients is quite obvious, and the drug expense accounts for a large proportion of the total cost. Secondly, the ratio of reimbursement is generally low, and there is a wide difference in the amount of reimbursement for different types of medical insurance. Thirdly, the resource consumption of patients with different medical insurance types differs a lot. Conclusion: In order to improve the current medical insurance system and mechanism for providing orphan drugs, we put forward the following suggestions. First of all, the medical security system should expand its coverage to eliminate the medical expenditure gap between different hemophilia patients, therefore better promoting equity under the same insurance type. At the same time, the reimbursement level of medical expenses for patients with rare diseases should be appropriately improved, so as to reduce the financial burden of patients with rare diseases, and promote the realization of economic equity. In addition, society should pay special attention to the disadvantaged groups, reduce the differences between various medical insurance, and improve the level of health and equity of the whole society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this scientific paper, we will conduct a multiple regression analysis using the nongovernmental credit (NGC) as the dependent variable and the inflation rate, unemployment rate and the M2 -- money supply as independent variables, over a ten-year period, specifically the period of 2013-2022. The study was conducted analyzing the macroeconomic data of Romania and the purpose of this paper is to perform multiple regression analysis method to determine how turbulences such as the pandemic crisis, the Russian-Ukrainian war, and the energy crisis, have impacted the nongovernmental lending activity and to find whether there is a significant association as determining factors (a correlation) between the mentioned variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dysregulation in heat balance, the main cause of exertional heat stroke, occurs not only in midsummer but also in the cold season. Possible causes of this are a reduction in convection and evaporation due to tailwinds and an acceleration of radiant heat inflow. Although the amount of radiant heat that reaches the surface can be estimated, the actual amount of heat that flows into the body cannot be specified yet. This paper made an experimental attempt at this. A device is made up of a temperature controllable heat sink and heat flow detector, which keeps the surface temperature constant and has a heat exchange coefficient comparable to that of the human body surface. The output of this device (total heat exchange) was divided into radiant heat exchange and other heat exchange using a standard radiant heat calibrator, Leslie cube. A phenomenon, in which a wet surface while the surface temperature was low absorbed larger heat than that of the dry surface, was found. And authors named this "hidden heat inflow". As a result of multiple regression analyses, both radiant heat exchange and other heat exchanges are closely related to the surface temperature, and the maximum difference in total heat exchange during the experiment reached 200 kcal/m2/h. It has been suggested that this phenomenon may also occur on the surface of human skin. One of the causes of this "hidden heat inflow" is considered to be the decrease in evaporative cooling due to the decrease in surface temperature. However, this alone cannot explain all of the phenomena, so water vapor aggregation may also be involved. A "hidden heat inflow" as a sufficient heat source for exertional heat stroke or collapse during a marathon race on a cold day was evidenced experimentally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]