bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
LONG TERM PSYCHOLOGICAL CONSEQUENCES OF STROKE (OX-CHRONIC): A LONGITUDINAL STUDY OF COGNITION IN RELATION TO MOOD AND FATIGUE AFTER STROKE: PROTOCOL
Authors: Demeyere Nele , Williams Owen A , Milosevich Elise , Chiu Evangeline Grace , Drozdowska Bogna , Dillon Avril , Dawes Helen , Thomas Shirley , Kuppuswamy Annapoorna , Pendlebury Sarah T , Quinn Terry
Published: June 2021

Background

The long-term psychological consequences of stroke and how cognitive problems change over time after the first-year following stroke remain unclear. Particularly, trajectories of domain-specific and domain-general cognitive functions and how cognition interacts with mood, fatigue, and quality of life are not well described.

Aims

To determine the prevalence, trajectories and wider impact of domain specific cognitive impairment in long term stroke survivors, in relation to mood, fatigue, and quality of life.

Methods

Participants who previously took part in the Oxford Cognitive Screening study, completed the 6-month follow up with cognitive, mood, fatigue, and quality of life assessments and agreed to be contacted for future research will be recruited into OX-CHRONIC. The eligible cohort is between 2- and 9-years post stroke. Cognition will be assessed with a detailed neuropsychological battery, alongside questionnaire measures of mood, fatigue, activities of daily life and quality of life measures at two timepoints, one year apart. Additionally, medical records will be accessed to extract further clinical information about the stroke and patients may opt-in to wear an activity monitor for one week to provide fine-grained measures of sleep and activity. The study protocol and study materials were approved by the national ethics committee (REC Ref:19/SC/0520).

Planned outputs

OX-CHRONIC will provide detailed data on the evolving cognitive profiles of stroke survivors over several years post-stroke. Estimates of long-term prevalence as well as the effect of changes in cognitive profiles on mood, fatigue and quality of life will be examined. This Study is funded by a Priority Programme Grant from the Stroke Association (SA PPA 18/100032).
Evaluation of the effectiveness of remdesivir in severe COVID-19 using observational data from a prospective national cohort study
Authors: Arch B N , Kovacs D , Scott J T , Jones A P , Harrison E M , Rosala-Hallas A , Gamble C G , Openshaw P J M , Baillie J K , Semple M G
Published: June 2021

Background

Remdesivir has been evaluated in clinical trial populations, but there is a sparsity of evidence evaluating effectiveness in general populations.

Methods

Adults eligible to be treated with remdesivir, requiring oxygen but not ventilated, were identified from UK patients hospitalised with COVID-19. Patients treated with remdesivir within 24h of hospitalisation were compared with propensity-score matched controls; estimates of effectiveness were calculated for short-term outcomes (14-day mortality, 28-day mortality, time-to-recovery among others) using multivariable modelling.

Results

9,278 out of 39,330 patients satisfied eligibility criteria. 1,549 patients were identified as ‘treated’ and matched with 4,964 controls. Patients were 62% male, mean (SD) age 63.1 (15.6) years, 80% ‘White’ ethnicity, and symptomatic for a median of 6 days prior to baseline. There was no statistically significant benefit of remdesivir at 14 days in terms of mortality or clinical status; there were signals of effectiveness in time-to-recovery after day 9, and a reduction in 28-day mortality.

Conclusion

In a real-world setting, initiation of remdesivir within 24h of hospitalisation in conjunction with standard of care was not associated with a benefit at 14 days but supports clinical trial evidence of a potential reduction in 28-day mortality.
Poliovirus Vaccination Induces a Humoral Immune Response that Cross Reacts with SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Comunale Brittany A. , Engineer Lilly , Jiang Yong , Andrews John C. , Liu Qianna , Ji Lyuqing , Yurkovich James T. , Comunale Roderick A. , Xie Qiyi
Published: June 2021

Background

Millions have been exposed to SARS-CoV-2, but the severity of resultant infections has varied among adults and children, with adults presenting more serious symptomatic cases. Children may possess an immunity that adults lack, possibly from childhood vaccinations. This retrospective study suggests immunization against the poliovirus may provide an immunity to SARS-CoV-2.

Methods

Publicly available data were analyzed for possible correlations between national median ages and epidemiological outbreak patterns across 100 countries. Sera from 204 adults and children, who were immunized with the poliovirus vaccine, were analyzed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The effects of polio-immune serum on SARS-CoV-2-induced cytopathology in cell culture were then evaluated.

Results

Analyses of median population age demonstrated a positive correlation between median age and SARS-CoV-2 prevalence and death rates. Countries with effective poliovirus immunization protocols and younger populations have fewer and less pathogenic cases of COVID-19. Antibodies to poliovirus and SARS-CoV-2 were found in pediatric sera and in sera from adults recently immunized with polio. Western blot demonstrated antibodies recognized the RNA-dependent-RNA-polymerase (RdRp) of either virus. Sera from polio-immunized individuals inhibited SARS-CoV-2 infection of Vero cell cultures. These results suggest the anti-D3-pol-antibody, induced by poliovirus vaccination, may provide a similar degree of protection from SARS-CoV-2 to adults as to children.

Conclusions

Poliovirus vaccination induces an adaptive humoral immune response. Antibodies created by poliovirus vaccination bind the RdRp protein of both poliovirus and SARS-CoV-2, thereby preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection. These findings suggest proteins other than “spike” proteins may be suitable targets for immunity and vaccine development.
RPRD Proteins Control Transcription in Human Cells
Authors: Winczura Kinga , Ceylan Hurmuz , Sledziowska Monika , Jones Matt , Fagarasan Holly , Wang Jianming , Saponaro Marco , Arnold Roland , Hebenstreit Daniel , Grzechnik Pawel
Published: June 2021

The regulation of transcription is an essential process that allows the cell to respond to various internal and external signals. RNA Polymerase II (Pol II) activity is controlled by a number of factors which bind to the C-terminal domain (CTD) of its largest subunit, RPB1, and stimulate or suppress RNA synthesis. Here, we demonstrate that CTD-interacting proteins, RPRD2, RPRD1B and RPRD1A act as negative regulators of transcription and their levels inversely correlate with the accumulation of nascent and newly transcribed RNA in human cells. We show that the RPRD proteins form mutually exclusive complexes with Pol II to coordinate their roles in transcriptional control. Our data indicate that RPRD2 exerts the most substantial impact on transcription and has the potential to alter key biological processes including the cellular stress response and cell growth.
Recruitment of Polo-like kinase couples synapsis to meiotic progression via inactivation of CHK-2
Authors: Zhang Liangyu , Stauffer Weston T. , Wang John S. , Wu Fan , Yu Zhouliang , Liu Chenshu , Dernburg Abby F.
Published: June 2021

Meiotic chromosome segregation relies on synapsis and crossover recombination between homologous chromosomes. These processes require multiple steps that are coordinated by the meiotic cell cycle and monitored by surveillance mechanisms. In diverse species, failures in chromosome synapsis can trigger a cell cycle delay and/or lead to apoptosis. How this key step in “homolog engagement” is sensed and transduced by meiotic cells is unknown. Here we report that inC. elegans, recruitment of the Polo-like kinase PLK-2 to the synaptonemal complex triggers phosphorylation and inactivation of CHK-2, an early meiotic kinase required for pairing, synapsis, and double-strand break induction. Inactivation of CHK-2 ends double-strand break formation and promotes crossover designation and cell cycle progression. These findings illuminate how meiotic cells ensure crossover formation and accurate chromosome segregation.

Accurate chromosome segregation during meiosis requires crossovers between each pair of homologs. Zhanget al. show that meiotic progression inC. elegansinvolves inactivation of CHK-2 by PLK-2 in response to synapsis and formation of crossover precursors on all chromosomes.
Land Use and Endemic Avian Biodiversity on Nusa Penida
Authors: Abrantes Ashlee A. , Brown William D.
Published: June 2021

Understanding anthropogenic alterations to land use and their effects can inform conservation efforts in tropical biodiversity hotspots. In 2004 the Indonesian Palau Penida Archipelago, off the coast of Bali, was established as an unofficial bird reserve; however, studies of the islands’ land use and avian biodiversity were never conducted and have not been monitored. I surveyed birds across 32 transects in land use categories designated: agriculture, deforested, developed, and forest. Forest transects presented the greatest endemic species richness, but overall, Shannon diversity different significantly among land use categories, particularly forested and deforested. ANOVA indicated exotic bird density was significantly higher than endemic bird density across all transects. Birds serve as a common biodiversity barometer and this study can serve to inform land use management decisions on the Archipelago and throughout reserves and protected areas throughout the tropics.

Ringkasan

Memahami perubahan antropogenik untuk penggunaan lahan dan dampaknya dapat menginformasikan upaya konservasi di hotspot keanekaragaman hayati tropis. Pada tahun 2004 Kepulauan Palau Penida Indonesia, di lepas pantai Bali, didirikan sebagai cagar burung tidak resmi; Namun, studi tentang penggunaan lahan pulau-pulau dan keanekaragaman hayati burung tidak pernah dilakukan dan belum dipantau. Saya mensurvei burung di 32 transek dalam kategori penggunaan lahan yang ditunjuk: pertanian, gundul, dikembangkan, dan hutan. Transek hutan menunjukkan kekayaan spesies endemik terbesar, tetapi secara keseluruhan, keanekaragaman Shannon berbeda secara signifikan di antara kategori penggunaan lahan, terutama yang berhutan dan digunduli. ANOVA menunjukkan kepadatan burung eksotis secara signifikan lebih tinggi daripada kepadatan burung endemik di semua transek. Burung berfungsi sebagai barometer keanekaragaman hayati yang umum dan studi ini dapat berfungsi untuk menginformasikan keputusan pengelolaan penggunaan lahan di Kepulauan Indonesia dan di seluruh cagar dan kawasan lindung di seluruh daerah tropis.
EEG-based neurofeedback with network components extraction: a data-driven approach by multilayer ICA extension and simultaneous EEG-fMRI measurements
Authors: Ogawa Takeshi , Moriya Hiroki , Hiroe Nobuo , Kawanabe Motoaki , Hirayama Jun-ichiro
Published: June 2021

Several studies have reported advanced treatments for depressive symptoms, such as real-time neurofeedback (NF) with functional MRI (fMRI) and/or electroencephalogram (EEG). NF focusing on a regularization of brain activity associated with the amygdala or functional connectivity (FC) between the executive control network (ECN) and default mode network (DMN) has been applied to reduce depressive symptoms. However, it is practically difficult to install the fMRI-NF system and to consistently provide treatment, because of high cost. Additionally, no practical signal processing techniques have been developed extracting FC-related features from EEG signals, particularly when no physical forward models are available. In this regard, stacked pooling and linear components estimation (SPLICE), recently proposed as a multilayer extension of independent component analysis (ICA) and related independent subspace analysis (ISA), can be a promising alternative. The resting-state EEG network features can be correlated with fMRI network activity corresponding to the DMN or ECN. This may enable the modulation of the target FC-related features in EEG-based NF.

In this study, we developed a real-time EEG NF system for improving depressive symptoms by using the SPLICE. Utilizing information from the fMRI biomarkers, we evaluated our paradigm for effectiveness with regard to upregulation of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex /middle frontal gyrus or downregulation of the precuneus/posterior cingulate cortex. We conducted an NF experiment in participants with subclinical depression; the participants were divided into the NF group (n=8) and the sham group (n=9). We found a significant reduction and a large effect size in the rumination response scale (RRS) score (reflection) in the NF group, compared to the sham group.

However, we did not find a significant relationship between the training score and difference in symptoms. This suggests that increased controllability of the EEG signals did not directly reduce the RRS reflection score. This could be due to various reasons such as improper feature extraction, individual differences, and the targeted brain regions. In this paper, we also discuss the possible ways to modify our NF protocol including the design of the experiment, sample size, and online processing. We then discuss way to improve the NF training, based on our results.
Altered effective connectivity from the posterior insula to the amygdala mediates the relationship between psychopathic traits and concern with the Harm foundation
Authors: Ye Shuer , Li Wei , Zhu Bing , Lv Yating , Yang Qun , Krueger Frank
Published: June 2021

Psychopathic traits have been demonstrated to be associated with different types of morality; however, the neuropsychological mechanism underlying the relationship between psychopathic traits and morality remains unclear. Our study examined the effective connectivity (EC) of psychopathic traits-related brain regions and its association to concern with different moral foundations by combining behavioral measures with resting-state fMRI. We administered the Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale (LSRP) and Moral Foundation Questionnaire (MFQ) to 78 college students after resting-state fMRI scanning. Our results showed that total and primary psychopathic traits score predicted concern with the Harm foundation. The EC from the posterior insula to the amygdala was negatively correlated with psychopathic traits and positively with concern with the Harm foundation. Altered posterior insula-amygdala EC partially mediated the relationship between psychopathic traits and concern with the Harm foundation. Our findings indicated that individuals with elevated psychopathic traits may have atypical processes in recognizing and integrating bodily state information into emotional responses, leading to less concern for harm-related morality. The study deepened our understanding of the neuropsychological mechanism underlying the relationship between psychopathic traits and morality and may have implications for the prevention of higher psychopathic traits individuals from committing serious transgressions.
Deep sequencing of 1320 genes reveals the landscape of protein-truncating variants and their contribution to psoriasis in 19,973 Chinese individuals
Authors: Xu Huixin , Zhen Qi , Bai Mingzhou , Fang Lin , Zhang Yong , Li Bao , Ge Huiyao , Moon Sunjin , Chen Weiwei , Fu Wenqing , Xu Qiongqiong , Zhou Yuwen , Yu Yafeng , Lin Long , Yong Liang , Zhang Tao , Chen Shirui , Liu Siyang , Zhang Hui , Chen Ruoyan , Cao Lu , Zhang Yuanwei , Zhang Ruixue , Yang Huanjie , Hu Xia , Akey Joshua M. , Jin Xin , Sun Liangdan
Published: June 2021

Protein-truncating variants (PTVs) have important impacts on phenotype diversity and disease. However, their population genetics characteristics in more globally diverse populations are not well defined. Here, we describe patterns of PTVs in 1320 genes sequenced in 10,539 healthy controls and 9434 patients with psoriasis, all of Han Chinese ancestry. We identify 8720 PTVs, of which 77% are novel, and estimate 88% of all PTVs are deleterious and subject to purifying selection. Furthermore, we show that individuals with psoriasis have a significantly higher burden of PTVs compared to controls (P = 0.02). Finally, we identified 18 PTVs in 14 genes with unusually high levels of population differentiation, consistent with the action of local adaptation. Our study provides insights into patterns and consequences of PTVs.
Big4 responses to the COVID-19 crisis: an examination of Bauman's moral impulse
Authors: Safari Maryam , Tsahuridu Eva , Lowe Alan
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The paper offers insights on the response of a Big4 firm to the COVID-19 crisis vis-à-vis moral considerations. More specifically, the authors draw on Bauman's (1990) “moral impulse” to explore how the interrelated tactics of distancing, effacement of the face and reduction of people to traits tend to weaken moral considerations and negatively influences decisions and actions.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors adopt a qualitative approach that involves an interpretive textual analysis of the COVID-19 responses of a Big 4 accounting firm. Their study uses two vignettes in which they problematise aspects of the actions and ethico-social contribution of a Big4 firm in the heat of a global pandemic.

Findings

The findings reveal examples of effacement of the human face (depersonalization/dehumanization) and reduction of persons to traits, as well as excessive distancing between the “doing” actors and those individuals who bear the consequences of those actions. Revealing an opportunity lost, the authors’ vignettes indicate that the reduction to traits tactics led to dissembling and dehumanizing employees into resources that perform tasks that are “value-add” for the organisation, consonant with neoliberal ideologies.

Research limitations/implications

The common limitations of qualitative approach apply to the current study for generalisability. The authors also rely heavily on publicly available information given the time frame they were faced with and their chosen research approach.

Social implications

Drawing on accounting delineation debates, the paper calls for societal dialogues for reshaping the “official” accounting of events.

Originality/value

The authors elaborate moral impulse through the interrelated tactics of distancing, effacement of the face and reduction to traits, during a crisis. Their study mobilises a moral evaluation through which they uncover documented responses by a Big4 firm during the COVID-19 crisis. The study shows how the norms of human action have been systematically cut off from the original moral habitat and subordinated, and evaluated according, to business standards.
The rhetoric of New Zealand's COVID-19 response
Authors: Bui Binh , Moses Olayinka , Dumay John
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The authors unpack the critical role of rhetoric in developing and justifying the New Zealand (NZ) government's coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown strategy.

Design/methodology/approach

Using Green's (2004) theory of rhetorical diffusion, the authors analysed government documents and media releases before, during and after the lockdown to reconstruct the government's rationale.

Findings

The blending of kairos (sense of urgency and “right” time to act), ethos (emphasis on “saving lives”), pathos (fear of disruption and death) and selective use of health-based logos (shrinking infection rates), prompted fast initial adoption of the lockdown. However, support for the rhetoric wavered post-lockdown as absence of robust logos became apparent to the public.

Research limitations/implications

The authors implicate the role of rhetoric in decision-makers’ ability to successfully elicit support for a new practice under urgency and the right moment to act using emotionalisation and moralisation. The assessment of the NZ government's response strategy provides insights decision-makers could glean in developing policies to tame the virus.

Practical implications

This study’s analysis demonstrates the unsustainability of rhetoric in the absence of reliable information.

Originality/value

The authors demonstrate the consequences of limited (intermittent) evidence and disregard for accounting/accountability data in public policy decisions under a rhetorical strategy.
Mechanisms for enhancing the use of social media for knowledge sharing by the construction professionals
Authors: Etemadi Ramtin , Hon Carol K.H. , Manley Karen , Murphy Glen
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the mechanisms for transforming construction professionals’ intentions into use of social media (SM) for knowledge sharing (KS). The objectives are to: identify the common types of SM platforms used by the construction professionals for KS; identify the key problems influencing transformation of the construction professionals’ intentions into use of SM for KS; identify the factors mitigating the problems; and provide recommendations for enhancing construction professionals’ use of SM for KS.

Design/methodology/approach

The data was collected through semi-structured interviews with Australian construction professionals and analysed using grounded theory (GT). The outcomes of the analyses formed a framework for the enhancement of SM use for KS.

Findings

The findings show that private SM followed by enterprise SM are more appealing to the construction professionals for KS compared to public SM; and uncertainties about users’ privacy/confidentiality and the quality of the shared knowledge adversely affect the transformation of the construction professionals’ intentions into use of SM for KS. Three types of trust are identified as the mitigators of the identified problems. A framework is proffered to enhance SM use for KS by construction professionals.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the construction literature by developing a GT to explain the factors which impact the transformation of the construction professionals’ intentions into use of SM for KS. Additionally, the practical contribution of this study is the provision of framework constituting recommendations for the enhancement of SM use for KS.
High speed data encryption technique with optimized memory based RSA algorithm for communications
Authors: Budati Anil Kumar , Snv Ganesh , Cherukupalli Kumar , P. Anil Kumar , Moorthy T. Venkata Krishna
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The privacy of the information is a major challenge in the communication process. In the present modern generation, the cryptography plays a vital role in providing security for data, such as text, images and video while transmitting from source to destination through internet or intranet. The Rivest-Shamir-Adleman (RSA) is an asymmetric key cryptographic system, where the security of the method works on the strength of the key.

Design/methodology/approach

In an asymmetric key crypto system, a pair of keys is generated one public key for encryption and one private key for decryption. The major challenge of implementing the RSA is the power function which becomes tedious and time consuming as the exponential value increases. The Chinese remainder theorem proves to be the best for data encryption when it comes to execution time of the algorithm. The proposed novel RSA algorithm with lookup table (LUT) is an extension to the Chinese remainder algorithm, which works better for image and video in terms of time complexity.

Findings

This paper presents a LUT approach for implementing the RSA with a minimal processing time. The proposed algorithm was compared with the standard algorithms like, Chinese remainder theorem, binary approach and squared multiplication approach. As the size of the exponent value increases, the proposed method shows better performance compared to other standard methods.

Originality/value

This paper presents a LUT approach for implementing the RSA with a minimal processing time. The proposed algorithm was compared with the standard algorithms like, Chinese remainder theorem, binary approach and squared multiplication approach. As the size of the exponent value increases, the proposed method shows better performance compared to other standard methods.
A win-win for health care: promoting co-leadership and increasing women’s representation at the top
Authors: Belasen Alan T. , Belasen Anat M. , Belasen Abigail R. , Belasen Ariel R.
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to contribute to the growing body of research on health-care leadership by demonstrating the value of dyads and triads in strengthening capabilities of health-care settings and providing action pathways to accelerate gender parity in senior health-care positions.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews the evidence that when single-leadership models are used and women are under-represented in leadership, the health-care industry may miss out on opportunities to increase efficiency and quality of care. Next, the paper describes a co-leadership model with distinct and overlapping roles, which promotes women’s participation and inspires administrative and clinical leaders to collaborate and achieve optimal performance.

Findings

The dyad as the enabling track for women in health-care leadership creates opportunities for health-care systems to bridge the gender gap in senior positions as well as improve the delivery of cost-effective quality care.

Practical implications

The inclusive co-leadership model with distinct and overlapping roles is a promising pathway for increasing health-care system efficiency and for promoting women to senior roles by tapping into the leadership skills and expertise that women bring to these roles.

Originality/value

The current paper demonstrates the dual effects of using co-leadership in senior health-care positions and fixing the gender imbalance. It has significant implications for advancing similar pathways in other industries as a means for accelerating gender parity in senior management.
The hybrid discourse on creative tourism: illuminating the value creation process
Authors: Chen Zhaoyu , Chen Xiaolian , Mak Barry
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to identify the nature of creative tourism and the roles of interrelated concepts especially those of creative industries in the value creation process, by analyzing the trends in existing practices.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a thorough literature review of the multidisciplinary “creative” related research, this paper provides a conceptual insight of the value creation process in creative tourism.

Findings

A conceptual framework is provided to consolidate the value creation process of a creative economy by considering the nature of creative tourism and interrelated concepts.

Research limitations/implications

This study contributes to the literature because it provides a valid research base and insights for future research, based on a clear perspective that amalgamates essential information.

Practical implications

Creative tourism offers immense opportunities in the global context as tourists are constantly looking for new experiences and opportunities. This study provides insights for creative workforces, entrepreneurs and organizations in formulating appropriate management and marketing strategies by considering all relevant components and the roles they can play to capitalize on this opportunity.

Originality/value

Creative industries play a critical role in introducing new strategies in the service sector by enabling an upgrade of value-added activities to those that are currently offered, in a sustainable manner. However, studies so far have not taken into consideration the nature of the sector and have not attempted to clarify its relevance (for example, creativity, creative industries and creative workforces) in the value creation process. The study contributes to filling the gap from a conceptual perspective.
Innovation intensity of military-connected firms
Authors: Harymawan Iman , Putra Fajar Kristanto Gautama , Rizki Amalia , Nasih Mohammad
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The study aims to examine the military-connected firms' risk preference, specifically in the innovation intensity level context. The authors argue that firms with military-experienced top management have conservative and risk-averse behavior, influencing the innovation investment policy.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use nonfinancial Indonesian-listed firms from 2010 to 2018 amounted to 2,504 firm-year observations.

Findings

The authors document a negative relationship between military connection with both innovation activities and outputs. The additional analysis documents that risk-preferences of military-connected firms will be drastically changed when the industry has a high digital level, which confirms that risk-averse military-experienced management is less dominant with adaptation skill. The authors also identify that veterans did not need a long tenure to influence firms' innovation investment policy. Lastly, the result is robust due to various endogeneity tests employed.

Originality/value

This study further examines military-connected firms' technological innovation compared to prior studies and enriches the related literature.
Consumer expenditure when positional concerns matter
Authors: Kovács Kármen
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study which factors affect consumer expenditure and how, when positional concerns matter. It also investigates how consumers finance and reallocate their expenditure, and modify their consumer baskets when members of their reference groups spend more on positional goods, and they do not want to lag behind.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review is presented, and then a new model is developed from a behavioural economic perspective. It describes how consumers with various risk attitudes reallocate their consumer expenditure and modify their consumer baskets when consumption externalities influence their relative consumption due to a positional game, but they want to “keep up with the Joneses”.

Findings

Consumers with different risk attitudes finance and reallocate their consumption expenditures variously to sustain their relative positions. Risk-neutral, slightly and intermediately risk-seeking consumers achieve a lower utility level than others. They do not realise a utility-maximising consumer basket, as it includes a relatively low number of nonpositional goods, but this choice can be considered the best response in a positional game in order to sustain their relative position.

Originality/value

The relationship between positional and nonpositional goods is explicitly described. The model assumes that consumers can be classified based on their risk attitudes when positional concerns matter. It also describes how consumers with various risk attitudes reallocate their consumer expenditure when they want to sustain or improve their relative consumption in a positional game.
Deep learning-based container throughput forecasting: a triple bottom line approach
Authors: Shankar Sonali , Punia Sushil , Ilavarasan P. Vigneswara
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Container throughput forecasting plays a pivotal role in strategic, tactical and operational level decision-making. The determination and analysis of the influencing factors of container throughput are observed to enhance the predicting accuracy. Therefore, for effective port planning and management, this study employs a deep learning-based method to forecast the container throughput while considering the influence of economic, environmental and social factors on throughput forecasting.

Design/methodology/approach

A novel multivariate container throughput forecasting method is proposed using long short-term memory network (LSTM). The external factors influencing container throughput, delineated using triple bottom line, are considered as an input to the forecasting method. The principal component analysis (PCA) is employed to reduce the redundancy of the input variables. The container throughput data of the Port of Los Angeles (PLA) is considered for empirical analysis. The forecasting accuracy of the proposed method is measured via an error matrix. The accuracy of the results is further substantiated by the Diebold-Mariano statistical test.

Findings

The result of the proposed method is benchmarked with vector autoregression (VAR), autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMAX) and LSTM. It is observed that the proposed method outperforms other counterpart methods. Though PCA was not an integral part of the forecasting process, it facilitated the prediction by means of “less data, more accuracy.”

Originality/value

A novel deep learning-based forecasting method is proposed to predict container throughput using a hybridized autoregressive integrated moving average with external factors model and long short-term memory network (ARIMAX-LSTM).
Modification and validation of the travel safety attitude scale (TSAS) in international tourism: a reflective-formative approach
Authors: Wan Zhijun , Huang Shuyue , Choi Hwansuk Chris
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This study modified, revised and validated a travel safety attitude scale (TSAS) using data collected from Canadian residents with out-of-country travel experiences.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors proposed a higher component model (HCM) of TSAS, using a reflective-formative measurement model. In consultation with eight experts, a set of purified TSAS items was revised by checking wording and content. A questionnaire was administered to 531 participants using Amazon Mechanical Turk. The scale was validated with the partial least squares method of structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM), and the analysis was performed using SmartPLS 3.0.

Findings

The final results suggested a five-factor solution with 27 items, with a satisfactory level of reliability and validity at the first-order (reflective) and second-order (formative) constructs. The predictive validity result showed that TSAS is negatively related to tourist risk-taking intention.

Research limitations/implications

TSAS advanced research on travel safety attitudes and demonstrated the feasibility of using PLS-SEM in examining the Type II model. Future studies can focus on replicating the study in other countries, adding more variables for predictive validity tests and examining the interrelationship with affective attitudes.

Practical implications

The authors suggested a more proactive approach to assess tourist safety attitudes based on travel safety information (TSI), health concern (HC), vulnerability to crime (VTC), personal safety (PES) and police safety (PS), listed in descending order of importance.

Originality/value

The study results provide directions for destination marketing organizations to allocate resources to maintain a positive travel safety attitude from potential and current tourists.
The acceptance of augmented reality tour app for promoting film-induced tourism: the effect of celebrity involvement and personal innovativeness
Authors: Wu Xiaohong , Lai Ivan Ka Wai
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors that influence mainland Chinese film tourists’ behavioural intention in accepting an augmented reality (AR) feature film character-related tour APP (an IfilmAR-tour-APP) based on an extension of unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) model.

Design/methodology/approach

Systematic sampling was used to collect data; 360 valid questionnaires were collected from mainland Chinese film tourists visiting Macau. Partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was applied to analyse the data.

Findings

The findings indicated that performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, celebrity involvement and personal innovativeness have a significant impact on mainland Chinese film tourists’ behavioural intention in accepting the IfilmAR-tour-APP, while facilitating conditions do not significantly affect tourists’ behavioural intention. Furthermore, the study revealed that effort expectancy, celebrity involvement and personal innovativeness positively influence performance expectancy in the use of an IfilmAR-tour-APP.

Practical implications

The findings of this study provide implications for AR tour APP developers which will help them to enhance their designs, and for the governments of tourist destinations to formulate their promotion strategies in developing niche tourism.

Originality/value

This study extended the application of UTAUT to tourism technology by introducing two personality traits in the context of AR tour APPs for film-induced tourism. This research contributes to niche tourism research by linking niche tourism and tourism technology.
Impacts of crisis emotions on negative word-of-mouth and behavioural intention: evidence from a milk crisis
Authors: Nguyen Oanh Dinh Yen , Lee Jenny (Jiyeon) , Ngo Liem Viet , Quan Tran Ha Minh
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore how emotions felt by the public during a crisis influenced consumer loyalty intention and negative word-of-mouth (WOM). Considering the context-specific nature of emotions, the existing crisis emotions were further validated in a product consumption situation. Drawing on the theories of attribution and social sharing, a conceptual model, positing that crisis-specific emotions [attribution-independent, external-attribution-dependent (EAD) and internal-attribution-dependent (IAD) emotions] influenced negative WOM through behavioural intention, was constructed and empirically tested.

Design/methodology/approach

Data was collected from 240 Vietnamese consumers by using a scenario-based survey related to a fictional milk crisis.

Findings

The study findings showed that all but one crisis emotion had negative effects on both WOM and loyalty intention. Of these emotions, EAD and IAD were the strongest predictors of negative WOM and behavioural intention, respectively. It was also found that all crisis emotions significantly affected negative WOM through behavioural intention.

Originality/value

Although some efforts have been made to identify crisis emotions, the validity of the existing scales have not been affirmed in other crises related to product consumption situations. The results of the present study, thus, made contributions by enhancing an understanding of crisis emotions and their impacts on consumer loyalty intention and WOM communications.
Cross-border e-commerce as a foreign market entry mode among SMEs: the relationship between export capabilities and performance
Authors: Cassia Fabio , Magno Francesca
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Although cross-border e-commerce has become increasingly popular among small and medium-sized enterprises as a foreign market entry mode, research on the determinants of its success is scarce. Drawing on the resource-based view, this study aims to examine the relationship between a firm’s information technology, international marketing and export operations capabilities and its cross-border e-commerce strategic and financial performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Partial least squares structural equation modeling was used to analyze data from a sample of Italian exporters in the food and beverage industry.

Findings

The results highlight the mixed effects of information technology, international marketing and export operations capabilities on both e-commerce strategic and financial performance. Moreover, the use of third-party e-commerce platforms reduces the effect of exporters’ information technology capabilities on their e-commerce financial performance.

Research limitations/implications

The majority of exporters in this study had implemented cross-border e-commerce only recently; hence, longitudinal data on the success factors of e-commerce are not available.

Practical implications

While cross-border e-commerce may work as an accelerator of the overall export performance, export managers are urged to approach it strategically with a clear medium-term view to develop the required capabilities.

Originality/value

This study was one of the first to examine the drivers of small and medium-sized exporters’ cross-border e-commerce performance. Moreover, unlike most previous analyzes, it focused on e-commerce as a foreign market entry mode rather than a supplement to offline exporting activities.
Thromboxane A2 receptor antagonist (ONO‐8809) attenuates renal disorders caused by salt overload in stroke‐prone spontaneously hypertensive rats
Authors: Nagatani Yusuke , Higashino Toshihide , Kinoshita Kosho , Higashino Hideaki
Published: June 2021

Epidemiological and clinical studies have demonstrated that excessive salt intake causes severe hypertension and exacerbates organ derangement, such as in chronic kidney disease (CKD). In this study, we focused on evaluating the histological and gene expression effects in the kidneys of stroke‐prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) with a high salt intake and the thromboxane A2/ prostaglandin H2 receptor (TPR) blocker ONO‐8809. Six‐week‐old SHRSPs were divided into three groups and were fed normal chow containing 0.4% NaCl, 2.0%NaCl or 2.0%NaCl + ONO‐8809 (0.6 mg/kg p.o. daily). Histological analyses with immunohistochemistry and a gene expression assay with a DNA kidney microarray were performed after 8 weeks. The following changes were observed in SHRSPs with the high salt intake. Glomerular sclerotic changes were remarkably observed in the juxtamedullary cortex areas. The ED1, monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1), nitrotyrosine and hypoxia inducible factor 1α (HIF‐1α) staining areas were increased in the glomeruli and interstitial portion of the kidneys. The genes Tbxa2r (that encodes TPR), Prcp and Car7 were significantly underexpressed in the kidneys. The plasma 8‐isoprostane level was significantly elevated and was attenuated with the ONO‐8809 treatment. Thromboxane A2 (TXA2) and oxidative stress exaggerated renal dysfunction in the salt‐loaded SHRSPs, and ONO‐8809 as a TPR blocker suppressed these changes. Therefore, ONO‐8809 is a candidate drug to prevent CKD in hypertensive patients when CKD is associated with a high salt intake.
Plant‐derived exosome‐like nanoparticles: A concise review on its extraction methods, content, bioactivities, and potential as functional food ingredient
Authors: Suharta Sigit , Barlian Anggraini , Hidajah Atik Choirul , Notobroto Hari Basuki , Ana Ika Dewi , Indariani Susi , Wungu Triati Dewi Kencana , Wijaya Christofora Hanny
Published: June 2021

Plant‐derived exosome‐like nanoparticles (PDENs) are small vesicles released by multivesicular bodies mainly to communicate between cells and regulate immunity against pathogen attack. Current studies have reported that PDENs could modulate gene expression in a cross‐kingdom fashion. Therefore, PDENs could be a potential future functional food ingredient as their cross‐kingdom communication abilities were reported to exert multiple health benefits. Macrophage and other cells have been reported to absorb PDENs in a manner regulated by the membrane lipid and protein profile and the intactness of the PDENs lipid bilayer. PDENs could be extracted from plant materials by various techniques such as ultracentrifugation, immunoaffinity, size‐based isolation, and precipitation, though each method has its pros and cons. PDENs mainly contain lipid, protein, and genetic materials, mainly micro RNAs, which could exert multiple health benefits and functionalities when consumed in sufficient amounts. However, most studies on the health functionalities of PDENs were conducted through in‐vitro and in‐vivo studies, and its potency to be used as a functional ingredient remains a question as PDENs are sensitive to storage and processing condition and requires costly extraction method. This concise review features various exosome extraction methods, contents of PDENs and their roles, the health functionalities of PDENs, and its potency as a functional food ingredient.
Tooth Plates ofCeratodus(Dipnoi, Ceratodontidae) from the Upper Jurassic Shaximiao Formation of Guang'an, Sichuan Province, China
Authors: WANG Zizheng , JIANG Xinsheng , WANG Xiaobing , GAO Jianguo , ZHU Sibao
Published: June 2021

Ceratodusis a form genus of ceratodontid lungfishes. Until now, only 14 specimens have been reported from the Mesozoic of China. Detailed measurements and characteristic comparisons based on 15 well‐preserved lungfish tooth plates ofCeratodustype, uncovered from the upper member of the Upper Jurassic Shaximiao Formation at Luojiashan, Qianfeng District, Guang'an, Sichuan Province in 2019, allow us to establish a new species,Ceratodus guanganensissp. nov., on the basis of its small swollen irregular triangular tooth plate with four low and swollen radial crests on the occlusal surface without denticles. Other specimens from the same locality can be referred toC. szechuanensisandC. youngi. This is the first discovery ofCeratodusin the Guang'an region and represents the fifthCeratodusfossil site in the Sichuan Basin. The discovery indicates that the climate was hot and arid in the Sichuan Basin during the Late Jurassic, and reveals a tectonic paleogeographic relationship between the Yangtze block in southwestern China and the Kola Basin in northern Thailand.
Evaluation of bone erosion in rheumatoid arthritis patients by high‐resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography scans: Comparison between two semi‐automated programs in a three‐dimensional setting
Authors: Figueiredo Camille Pinto , Perez Mariana Ortega , Sales Lucas Peixoto , Caparbo Valeria de Falco , Pereira Rosa Maria Rodrigues
Published: June 2021

Aim

The aim of this study was to compare OsiriX software with the previous published Medical Image Analysis Framework (MIAF) method to assess the volume of erosion in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods

Forty RA patients underwent high‐resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography scans of the second and third metacarpophalangeal joints, and thirty‐four patients with any bone erosion were enrolled. Two techniques were applied to erosion evaluation: (a) semi‐automated MIAF software, and (b) semi‐automated segmentation by free open‐source Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine viewer, OsiriX software. MIAF has been published before, but this is the first time that OsiriX has been used in this way in rheumatology. Bland & Altman plots described agreement between methods.

Results

Forty‐eight erosions from 34 patients were analyzed. Mean age was 40.74 ± 5.32 years and mean disease duration was 10.68 ± 4.96 years. Both methods demonstrated a strong correlation regarding erosion volume (r = 0.96, P < 0.001). Median (interquartile range) of erosion volume was 12.14 (4.5–36.07) when MIAF was considered, and 11.80 (3.45–29.42) when the OsiriX tool was used (P = 0.139). MIAF and OsiriX showed good agreement when the Bland & Altman plot was performed. Evaluation by MIAF took 22.69 ± 6.71 minutes, whereas OsiriX took only 2.62 ± 1.09 minutes (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

The three‐dimensional segmentation of bone erosions can be done by both MIAF and OsiriX software with good agreement. However, because OsiriX is a widespread tool and faster, its method seems to be more feasible for evaluating peripheral bone damage, especially bone erosions.
Dramatic response to pembrolizumab with chemotherapy followed by salvage surgery in a lung cancer patient
Authors: Saito Shunichi , Toyokawa Gouji , Momosaki Seiya , Kozuma Yuka , Shoji Fumihiro , Yamazaki Koji , Takeo Sadanori
Published: June 2021

Immune checkpoint inhibitors with chemotherapy have been shown to exhibit remarkable efficacy for advanced non‐small‐cell lung carcinoma and are under investigation as an induction therapy. However, the significance of preoperative therapy with pembrolizumab + chemotherapy for surgically resectable non‐small‐cell lung carcinoma still remains unclear. Here, we report a case of stage IIIB non‐small‐cell lung carcinoma that underwent salvage surgery after three cycles of pembrolizumab + carboplatin + nab‐paclitaxel. Computed tomography revealed the remarkable decrease in tumor volume by 81%. A pathological examination showed that viable neoplastic cells were observed in <1% of the total tumorous lesion suggesting near pathological complete response. This case suggests that this regimen might be a good option as induction therapy for non‐small‐cell lung carcinoma.