Direct Impact Research Articles

Association between servant leadership and nurses’ turnover intention: evidence from Jordan

BackgroundNurses’ turnover has remained a concern in the healthcare sector worldwide. Nurse managers should adopt appropriate leadership styles that promote a positive working environment. The literature revealed that effective leadership...

Probabilistic Attention Based on Gaussian Processes for Deep Multiple Instance Learning.

Multiple instance learning (MIL) is a weakly supervised learning paradigm that is becoming increasingly popular because it requires less labeling effort than fully supervised methods. This is especially interesting for areas where the creation of large annotated datasets remains challenging, as in medicine. Although recent deep learning MIL approaches have obtained state-of-the-art results, they are fully deterministic and do not provide uncertainty estimations for the predictions. In this work, we introduce the attention Gaussian process (AGP) model, a novel probabilistic attention mechanism based on Gaussian processes (GPs) for deep MIL. AGP provides accurate bag-level predictions as well as instance-level explainability and can be trained end-to-end. Moreover, its probabilistic nature guarantees robustness to overfit on small datasets and uncertainty estimations for the predictions. The latter is especially important in medical applications, where decisions have a direct impact on the patient's health. The proposed model is validated experimentally as follows. First, its behavior is illustrated in two synthetic MIL experiments based on the well-known MNIST and CIFAR-10 datasets, respectively. Then, it is evaluated in three different real-world cancer detection experiments. AGP outperforms state-of-the-art MIL approaches, including deterministic deep learning ones. It shows a strong performance even on a small dataset with less than 100 labels and generalizes better than competing methods on an external test set. Moreover, we experimentally show that predictive uncertainty correlates with the risk of wrong predictions, and therefore it is a good indicator of reliability in practice. Our code is publicly available.

Facility management in gated settlements: challenges in Turkey-Istanbul experience

ABSTRACT Over the last four decades, gated settlements have become widespread and managing them has become a controversial issue. In such estates, where homeowners’ associations are active in management, facility management companies (FM companies) and facility managers (FM managers) have become effective in providing professional support to private management. Parallel to this, the growing FM industry in developed countries has led to FM becoming institutionalised. However, unlike in developed countries, in Turkey, despite the existence of gated settlements around the city and the increase in the number of FM providers in these areas, institutionalisation has not been achieved. This has a direct impact on the management of gated settlements. The main purpose of this article is to examine FM practices, and their impact on the management of gated settlements in Istanbul, Turkey. The main method used to obtain data in the study is the in-depth interview technique. Eight semi-structured interviews were carried out with managers of large and well-known FM companies. The emerging issues are grouped under two headings: the failure of adaptation of FM and the nature of relationships between FM practitioners and others. The results show that the lack of institutionalisation makes it difficult for FM to gain legitimacy. Informal relationships increase, and the state is needed to regulate the system.

The Functional Role of microRNAs and mRNAs in Diabetic Kidney Disease: A Review.

Diabetes is a group of diseases marked by poor control of blood glucose levels. Diabetes mellitus (DM) occurs when pancreatic cells fail to make insulin, which is required to keep blood glucose levels stable, disorders, and so on. High glucose levels in the blood induce diabetic effects, which can cause catastrophic damage to bodily organs such as the eyes and lower extremities. Diabetes is classified into many forms, one of which is controlled by hyperglycemia or Diabetic Kidney Disease (DKD), and another that is not controlled by hyperglycemia (nondiabetic kidney disease or NDKD) and is caused by other factors such as hypertension, hereditary. DKD is associated with diabetic nephropathy (DN), a leading cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal failure. The disease is characterized by glomerular basement membrane thickening, glomerular sclerosis, and mesangial expansion, resulting in a progressive decrease in glomerular filtration rate, glomerular hypertension, and renal failure or nephrotic syndrome. It is also represented by some microvascular complications such as nerve ischemia produced by intracellular metabolic changes, microvascular illness, and the direct impact of excessive blood glucose on neuronal activity. Therefore, DKD-induced nephrotic failure is worse than NDKD. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important in the development and progression of several diseases, including diabetic kidney disease (DKD). These dysregulated miRNAs can impact various cellular processes, including inflammation, fibrosis, oxidative stress, and apoptosis, all of which are implicated during DKD. MiRNAs can alter the course of DKD by targeting several essential mechanisms. Understanding the miRNAs implicated in DKD and their involvement in disease development might lead to identifying possible therapeutic targets for DKD prevention and therapy. Therefore, this review focuses specifically on DKD-associated DN, as well as how in-silico approaches may aid in improving the management of the disease.

Conceivable Mechanisms of Clozapine Propagated Dyslipidemia- A Short Review

Abstract: Clozapine is the most effective drug for the treatment of refractory schizophrenia, showing a good response in the treatment of patients with resistant schizophrenia, especially in reducing violent, aggressive, and suicidal tendencies. However, treatment with clozapine has been associated with hyperlipidemia especially high triglycerides, obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. An elevated level of lipids has a direct impact on the improvement of symptoms in schizophrenics treated with clozapine. Although the mechanism is not clear, there is a possibility of serum lipids play a major part in enhancing clozapine's therapeutic activity. The effect of clozapine on phospholipids might indicate that this rise is related to its therapeutic benefit as well. Moreover, increased fatty acids accompanied by a sharp rise in triglycerides, point towards the possible involvement of lipases, which are involved in the storage and release of fatty acids and triglycerides in the adipose tissue. An increase in hepatic lipid synthesis can be another cause of hyperlipidemia and lead to weight gain over a certain period. Lipogenesis and myelin synthesis can also become targets in schizophrenia since myelination and synaptogenesis are essential in the central nervous system. Hence, the upregulation of several genes involved in cholesterol and fatty acid biosynthesis focused, which are proven to be controlled by Sterol regulating element-binding protein transcription factors (SREBP). The antipsychotic drug Clozapine activates this SREBP system. This activation increases lipogenesis which can be one of the mechanisms of action, which in turn could explain the metabolic side effects produced by clozapine.

Analysis of swallowtail mutation instability of slope with weak interlayer under blasting disturbance

Abstract The stability analysis of slope under blasting disturbance is one of the important research topics in blasting engineering and geotechnical engineering. Based on the dynamic instabil-ity mechanical model of slope with weak interlayer, the mechanical effect of blasting dis-turbance on slope system is analyzed. The swallowtail mutation model of slope system under blasting disturbance is established. Two methods to determine slope stability under blasting disturbance are proposed: safety factor method and double judgment method. Through the analysis of the dynamic instability mechanism of the slope system under the effect of blast-ing disturbance, it is concluded that: (1) the greater the amplitude of blasting disturbance vibration, the worse the stability of the slope system, and the greater the possibility of land-slide disaster. The slope landslide disaster caused by blasting disturbance mainly occurs in the middle and late stage of blasting disturbance (0.17 ∼ 0.5s). (2) When the period of blast-ing vibration wave (T > 1s), the frequency of blasting disturbance wave can be appropriately increased, which is conducive to reducing the impact of blasting disturbance on slope stabil-ity. When the period of blasting disturbance wave (T < 1s), proper adjustment of blasting disturbance frequency will not have a direct impact on the stability of slope. (3) With the increase of the incident angle of blasting vibration wave, the change of the dynamic self-stability critical height of the slope system shows a trend of increasing, and the in-creasing rate is decreasing. The greater the incident angle of blasting vibration wave, the worse the stability of slope system. Proper reduction of the incident angle of blasting vibra-tion wave is beneficial to improve the stability of slope system. Finally, the rationality and applicability of thse proposed double judgment method are verified based on the actual con-ditions of the current slope in Laoyingzui.

Influencer Marketing Strategies and Brand Image in Boosting Consumer Purchase Intent: The Role of Customer Support Intervention

This research explores the intricate relationships among influencer marketing strategies, brand image, customer support, and consumer purchase intent within the operational framework of PT. Len Industri (Persero) - Jakarta Office. Through path analysis, the study discerns direct and indirect effects, revealing significant findings. Marketing Strategies exhibit a notable direct impact on both Customer Support and Consumer Purchase Intent, underscoring the centrality of effective marketing initiatives in shaping customer interactions and purchase decisions. Conversely, Brand Image reveals a non-significant direct effect on Customer Support but demonstrates a marginally significant impact on Consumer Purchase Intent, indicating a nuanced relationship that warrants further investigation. The indirect effects analysis highlights the substantial influence of Marketing Strategies on Consumer Purchase Intent mediated by Customer Support. These findings underscore the importance of a holistic approach, integrating marketing strategies, brand image cultivation, and effective customer support to enhance overall consumer experiences and drive purchase intent in a competitive market landscape.

Team Dynamics in a Hybrid Work Environment: Effective Strategies for Enhancing Employee Performance and Well-being

This study investigates the intricate relationships among team dynamics, employee performance, and well-being in the context of a hybrid work environment, with a specific focus on PT Semen Baturaja (Persero) Tbk. Utilizing path analysis, the study explores both direct and indirect effects to unveil the dynamics shaping organizational practices related to hybrid work. The research reveals a significant direct impact of individual employee performance on both team dynamics and the establishment of a hybrid work environment. Team dynamics are identified as a crucial mediator, emphasizing their pivotal role in translating individual contributions into organizational strategies for hybrid work adaptation. However, the study finds that the direct influence of employee well-being on team dynamics and subsequently on the hybrid work environment may not be statistically significant. These findings offer nuanced insights for organizations aiming to optimize their work environment, suggesting tailored strategies to leverage team dynamics and individual performance for successful hybrid work implementation while considering the multifaceted nature of employee well-being.

Target identification and validation in research

Target identification is a critical step in biomedical research because it lays the groundwork for the development of new therapies and drugs. Genetic research, including genome-wide association studies (GWAS), genomic sequencing, functional genomics, and data integration, is crucial for understanding disease genetics and potential treatment targets. Transcriptomics and proteomics give data on gene and protein expression, making it easier to identify targets in dysregulated diseases. Target identification is essential for drug discovery, precision medicine, lowering medication attrition, increasing therapeutic efficacy, and, eventually, transforming patient care and drug development. Target validation is a critical stage in drug development because it verifies that revealed molecular targets play a substantial role in disease progression and are therefore suitable for treatment. It employs a range of approaches, including genetic validation, pharmacological validation, and animal model validation. Target validation assures that discovered targets are physiologically relevant, druggable, and have a direct impact on disease processes, thereby reducing pharmaceutical attrition, promoting precision medicine, and hastening therapeutic development. Historically, target identification relied on limited knowledge, typically through candidate-based techniques based on assumptions or prior observations. Target validation experiments looked into how gene knockdown or RNA interference affected illness symptoms. Genomics, proteomics, and functional genomics have all made advances in recent years, as have high-throughput screening and data integration. CRISPR-based technologies and high-throughput sequencing have assisted in the validation of targets. Single-cell validation, machine learning and artificial intelligence, advanced in vitro models like organoids, and patient-derived models will all help to make future assessments of target relevance and treatment responses more precise and individualized. These developments have the potential to dramatically revolutionize research target identification and validation.

Influence of sedimentary processes and fault tectonics on the evolution of submarine canyons in the East Andaman Basin: Insights from high-resolution seismic data analysis

The Andaman Sea Basin, a well-known back-arc spreading centre and a mature petroliferous basin, presents a unique and complex scenario for understanding the interplay of sedimentary processes and fault tectonics on seafloor geomorphology evolution, particularly in the eastern shelf region. This study, using high-resolution 3D seismic data and published exploratory well-seismic interpretation results, aims to establish a comprehensive stratigraphic framework for the Tanintharyi region, spanning the Lower Miocene, Middle Miocene, Upper Miocene, Pliocene, and Quaternary. A submarine canyon system was identified and investigated along the Tanintharyi continental slope within the East Andaman Basin, comprising thirteen slope-confined canyons arranged predominantly in an east-west vertical slope orientation. By analysing seismic reflection features, five distinct seismic facies have been identified, including basal lag (BL), slump and debris-flow deposits (SDFDs), canyon confined sheets (CCSs), laterally inclined packages (LIPs), and channel-levees (CLs). The evolution of this canyon system, a vital focus of this study, can be categorised into three phases based on the morphology and sedimentary structures observed: canyon initiation, canyon extension, and erosion-sedimentation. The findings of this study highlight the critical controlling role of faults in canyon evolution, with the intensity of fault activity displaying a negative correlation with canyon size, indicating the direct impact of faults on geomorphological changes. In addition, the geomorphological changes induced by fault activity have resulted in changes in sediment supply, dispersal, and sedimentation rates, thus significantly impacting the spatial distribution and dimensions of slope-confined canyons within the East Andaman Basin, with far-reaching implications.

Horngear and carrier design for braiding tailorable composite preforms

Braids can be found in structural composite parts used in the car and the aerospace industries. The architecture of the braid has a direct impact on its mechanical properties. However, traditional braiding machines are limited to a single braid architecture. Few braiding machines, so called “3D braiding machines”, have been developed to enable variable carrier’s paths. This allows fabrication of several braid architectures using the same machine. These machines use a switching mechanism, which complexifies the machine and the braiding process. A new type of braiding machine was introduced in Assi et al. [1], which uses a “chain and sprocket” mechanism, allowing variable carrier’s paths without any switching mechanism. Nevertheless, the original chain and sprocket braiding machine cannot be used for vertical braiding. When placed in the vertical position, the carrier jam between the horngears due to the force of gravity. This limitation does not allow braiding over a mandrel or coupling the braiding machine with a pultrusion line. This paper presents design guidelines for enabling vertical braiding for the chain and sprocket braiding machine. A new carrier design is proposed as well as a new horngear design. Additionally, the carrier is fitted with a guiding foot and a track is machined into the braider’s bedplate. A functional prototype has been developed to validate the design. The design complexity has been assessed and compared to existing braiding machines. The design proposed in this paper remains 30% less complex compared to other vertical braiding machines enabling variable carrier’s paths.

The impact of adverse childhood events on service support and educational outcomes of children who are autistic: A theory-guided analysis using structural equation modeling.

Autistic children who have experienced adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) may have barriers to receiving special education or other developmental services-thus, impacting educational outcomes. Our objective was to model such a pathway using the 2016-2021 National Survey of Children's Health datasets. We extracted data for school outcomes, use of special education and autism-related specialty services and sociodemographic characteristics among autistic children within the data. Associations between sociodemographics and ACEs (categorized as 0, 1-3, and 4+) were tested using design-based X2 tests. We then used structural equation modeling to map the quasi-causal pathways. The sample for our analysis included 4717 autistic children-38.94% were aged 6-10 years, 35.73% of children aged 11-14 years, and 25.32% were between 15 and 17 years-with 88.70% living in metropolitan areas. The X2 showed significant relationships between ACEs and age, ethnoracial groups, and urbanicity among others. The SEM showed ACEs were directly associated with poorer school outcomes (β = -0.14 (0.04), p = 0.002) and through their inverse relationship with support services (β = -0.08 (0.04), p = 0.023)- when support services were increased, school outcomes improved (β = 0.62, p < 0.001). Findings suggested ACEs have a significant direct and indirect impact on school outcomes of autistic children, and 10.76% of children who are autistic have experienced four or more ACEs-which were more likely to occur with severe autism symptomatology and in rural areas. Results highlight the need for communities to recognize the potential long-term impact of ACEs on the academic outcomes of autistic children.

Static and dynamic disorder in ion-implanted silica glass

Structural disorder in solid-state materials has a direct impact on the complex of its physicochemical properties and functional characteristics of developed devices. The purpose of this work is to establish the influence of ion irradiation of SiO2 glass on static and dynamic disorder separately. Silica glasses implanted with carbon ions were studied using optical absorption spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The temperature behavior of the fundamental absorption edge was considered in terms of the Urbach rule. The dose dependences of the root-mean-square atomic displacements caused by static and dynamic disorder were obtained. Analysis of Raman spectra confirmed the optical spectroscopy data and revealed a decrease in the medium-range order size along with topological changes in the SiO2 structure after ion implantation. The described step-by-step technique for quantitatively assessing the degree of static and dynamic disorder is universal and can be used to analyze other materials.

Double-layer multi-criteria group decision-making approach using neutralized possibility degree-based decision matrix with fuzzy information

Multi-criteria group decision-making (MCGDM) problems are fundamentally characterized by uncertainty and ambiguity. The quantification of such data is vital for determining the most optimal course of action. In this paper, a double-layer possibility degree-based interval-valued q-rung orthopair fuzzy sets (IVq-ROFSs) Vlsekriterijumska Optimizacija i Kompromisno Resenje (VIKOR) approach is presented. First, the possibility degrees of IVq-ROFSs are calculated and processed to establish a new neutralized decision matrix. Second, the components of the new decision matrix are taken into account for obtaining a new pair of positive and negative ideal solutions. The utility and regret measures in the VIKOR approach are ultimately determined by combining criteria weights and cumulative possibility degrees to rank the alternatives. The results of the study show that the proposed approach contributes to acquiring accurate alternative rankings in situations where traditional approaches have had difficulty generating ranks. Also, by eliminating the early normalization stage, which has a direct impact on the final ranking, the proposed approach concludes a unique ranking for each decision-making problem. Several comparative and sensitivity analysis are also conducted to exhibit robustness and applicability of the proposed approach in real world.

Analyzing The Relationship of the Production Capacity System with The Raw Materials Requirements Planning System: A Case Study in Iraqi Industries

The research aims to explain and clarify the nature, importance and nature of the factors that have a direct impact on the material requirements planning system and affect production capacity planning and the relationship of the two to each other in Iraqi industries. The most important findings of the research are that it is possible to develop a model that includes the most important factors affecting the production capacity system and the materials requirements planning system, which would raise the efficiency and effectiveness of the production system in Iraqi industries.

Prevalence of mental stress and its association with witnessing cyberbullying and coping strategies among undergraduates in Hunan, China in 2021.

In the wave of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic, there is a need to investigate the mental health status of Chinese university students. To examine the effects of witnessing cyberbullying on psychological distress and the mediating role of coping on these effects in Chinese university students, which is yet to be examined. 306 Chinese university students were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Linear regression was conducted to analyze the relationship between depression, anxiety and being a bystander to cyberbullying, whereas the bootstrapping approach tested the mediation effects of coping strategies. Results indicated that 27.12% of subjects (95% CI: 22.22%, 32.48%) suffered from anxiety and 44.12% (95% CI: 38.47%, 49.88%) were depressed. Meanwhile, 89.87% of subjects were involved in witnessing cyberbullying. Being a bystander to cyberbullying was weakly but significantly associated with anxiety (β= 0.195, 95% CI: 0.068, 0.292) and depression (β= 0.223, 95% CI: 0.113,0.333). Negative coping partially mediated between witnessing cyberbullying and anxiety, with mediation effect values of 0.04 (P< 0.05). While being a bystander to cyberbullying was only directly associated with depression. Based on our findings, college students in Hunan, China, are experiencing anxiety, depression and cyberbullying after COVID-19. Being a bystander to cyberbullying is associated with coping strategies, anxiety, and depression. Cyberbullying has a direct impact on anxiety, but it also influences anxiety through mediating effects on coping.

The ambiguous impact of supplier involvement in product development on supplier relationship resilience and company performance

PurposeI aimed to obtain a deeper insight into the link between supplier involvement in product development (SIPD), supplier relationship resilience and company performance.Design/methodology/approachTo collect data, a survey among 500 Polish manufacturing companies was conducted. I used quantitative methods (structural equation modeling) to test several research hypotheses referring to a single supplier–customer relationship. Thanks to the use of multi-construct measurement of SIPD and supplier relationship resilience, the study provides detailed research results on the topic.FindingsCollaborative practices implemented during SIPD increase procurement flexibility and decrease redundancy in the relationship with the involved supplier. Communication during SIPD increases supplier flexibility and procurement flexibility. Increased supplier flexibility and increased procurement flexibility in the relationship with the involved supplier as well as collaborative practices during SIPD positively impact company performance. I confirmed the indirect effect between communication during SIPD and company performance when the mediators are supplier flexibility and procurement flexibility. Decreased redundancy in relationship with involved supplier does not impact company performance.Practical implicationsSupply chain managers need to rethink SIPD practice to effectively ensure supply chain resilience (SCRES), especially in the face of the contemporary global crisis and black swans affecting the supplier base. My article provides important managerial insights into drivers of SCRES and company performance.Originality/valueTo the best of my knowledge, this research is among the first to conclude that SIPD does not have an unequivocally positive or direct impact on supplier relationship resilience. The research fills the gap by analyzing the impact of SIPD on two main SCRES elements. The study examines supplier relationship resilience, understood as flexibility and redundancy elements, in a single supplier–buyer relationship perspective. Thus, the presented considerations go beyond the traditional understanding of flexibility and redundancy in supplier relationship management, that is through the prism of double or multi sourcing and having back up-suppliers.

Exploring the influence of non-cognitive skills on academic achievement in STEM education: the case of Kazakhstan

IntroductionThis exploratory study delves into the relationships between non-cognitive skills and academic achievement within the unique context of STEM schools in Kazakhstan.MethodsSurvey data were collected from 109 teachers and 395 students at a STEM secondary school in Kazakhstan. Correlational, regression and path analyses were conducted to explore the relationship between non-cognitive skills and academic performance in Mathematics, Computer Science, Physics, and Chemistry classes.ResultsThe results showed that out of the 26 skills, eight had a direct impact, 12 had an indirect impact, and six had no impact on academic achievement of students in the four STEM subjects.DiscussionThis study is the first to explicitly examine the impact of one group of non-cognitive skills on academic achievement of students in STEM subjects mediated by another group of these skills. Teachers are encouraged to integrate non-cognitive skill development into curricula, tailored to subject-specific needs. Policymakers can use findings to inform equitable skill development policies.

Implementationtheory of Planned Behavior on the Purchase Decision Online and Offline

Many things influence consumer purchasing decisions, both internal and external factors, especially with the shift in several purchasing methods in the digitalization era. Theory of planned behavior analyzing important components that have a direct impact on consumer decisions, namely attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. Through this literature, usage will be explained theory of planned behavior on purchase offline and online, as well as its development through analysis of several academic journals. Use Systematic Literature Review (SLR) and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), this research synthesizes scientific evidence and answers the objectives of the research. The time period chosen for this international standard journal is 2019-2022. Found 47 eligible journals according to the selected keywords. Next, process screening with theories and concepts carried out, so that the detailed analysis reviewed focuses on the 30 selected academic journals. The research results stated that the components Perceived Behavior Control on Theory of Planned Behavior, has the most influence on purchasing decisions. Apart from that, socio-demographic characteristics can also be added as supporting variables that can influence consumer purchasing behavior.&lt;strong&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;

Research on the Performance Management of Carbon Reduction by Local Governments from a Game Perspective—The Case of the Zhejiang Power Restriction Incident

The implementation of low-carbon development and carbon reduction has become an issue of general concern. When local governments adopt carbon reduction measures, they inevitably have a negative impact on the economic development of enterprises and the daily lives of residents. However, the resolution of conflicts of interest between local governments, enterprises, and residents will have a direct impact on the motivation and effectiveness of local governments in implementing carbon reduction measures. This study takes China as an example, conducts a case review of the actual situation of the Zhejiang power restriction incident, and studies and constructs a tripartite evolutionary game model based on the local government, enterprises, and residents. By exploring the factors that influence the behavioral strategies of each stakeholder, this study finds the equilibrium conditions that the tripartite governance target model must satisfy. It is suggested that interactive feedback from enterprises and residents should be incorporated into the performance management of local governments and that performance assessment should be used to establish an effective responsibility and pressure transmission mechanism to help the government’s internal control to better implement carbon reduction policies.