bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
TLS_Finder: An algorithm for Identifying Tertiary Lymphoid Structures Using Immune Cell Spatial Coordinates
Authors: Koksoy Ayse A , Salvatierra Maria Esther ,   MOSAIC Team, Solis Soto Luisa Maren , Haymaker Cara
Published: December 2024

Tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) are lymphoid formations that develop in non-lymphoid tissues during chronic inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and cancer. Accurate identification and quantification of TLS in tissue can provide crucial insights into the immune response of several disease processes including antitumor immune response. TLS are defined as aggregates of T cells, B cells and dendritic cells. In histological tissue sections stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin they are identified as aggregates of 50 or more lymphoid cells, however immunohistochemical analysis are required to confirm presence of distinct immune cell patterns. Assessment of lymphoid aggregates can be done in H&E slides or in slides stained with single or multiplex immunohistochemistry or other tissue based high-plex approaches with key biomarkers such as CD3 (T cells) and CD20 (B cells), however manual assessment of them is time consuming thus limiting its full evaluation. To our knowledge, published algorithms that identify TLS within a tissue are based on histological assessment of H&E slides or through use of ML algorithms trained on images that show the TLS presence in tissues; and quantification and spatial analysis of TLS still remains a challenge. This study aims to develop a robust algorithm to recognize TLS using the spatial coordinates of immune cells in any given tissue. The algorithm uses X and Y coordinates of T and B cells in tissues identified by a pathologist-supervised digital image analysis of multiplex chromogenic immunohistochemistry of tissues stained with CD3 and CD20. The algorithm is flexible to be used for detailed analysis of TLS stages; including other cell types within the definition of TLS; such as dendritic cells (DC) and high endothelial venules (HEV); to assess different stages of TLS formation.
Fibroblast mechanoperception instructs pulmonary developmental and pattern specification gene expression programs
Authors: Miller Andrew E. , Hu Ping , Bhogaraju Rishi , Hannan Riley T. , Abebayehu Daniel , Civelek Mete , Barker Thomas H.
Published: December 2024

Dysregulation of the cellular mechanisms that coordinate the interpretation and transduction of microenvironmental biophysical signals are a unifying feature of tissue remodeling pathologies such as fibrosis and cancer. While genomic regulation downstream of normal mechanotransduction (i.e. cases where cells sense soft and stiff appropriately) is well studied, significantly less is known about the consequences of abnormal mechanoperception and subsequent misinterpretation of the mechanical environment. Leveraging Thy-1 (a.k.a. CD90) loss as a model of impaired mechanoperception, we employed ATAC- and RNA-sequencing in parallel to characterize the changes in lung fibroblast genomic activity in response to a combination of substrate stiffness and culture time. Notably, we find perturbed mechanoperception elicits a near-complete shutdown ofHOXA5, a transcription factor responsible for pattern specification and development in the nascent lung.In vitroinvestigation of HOXA5 expression reveals a potential mechanism connecting increased αvintegrin signaling, cytoskeletal tension, and SRC kinase activity to HOXA5 silencing. These results establish novel links between integrin signaling and the expression dynamics of genes necessary for tissue formation and regeneration in the injured and/or developing lung, particularlyHOXA5.
Enolase-1 is essential for neutrophil recruitment during acute inflammation
Authors: Lu Hseuh-Yen , Huang Ping-Hsiang , Lee Ting-Wei , Chang Hui-Wen , Chen Nai-Yu , Zhuang Yu-Jing , Yuan Ta-Tung , Chen Chun-Jen
Published: December 2024

Enolase-1 (ENO1) is a ‘moonlighting protein’ with multiple functions. When expressed on the cell surface, ENO1 binds plasminogen (PLG) and facilitates cell migration via plasmin (PLM)-mediated lysis of extracellular matrix proteins. Here, we observed that ENO1 expression on the neutrophil surface was markedly increased upon inflammatory stimulation both in vitro and in vivo. An anti-ENO1 monoclonal antibody (mAb), 7E5, which blocks ENO1-PLG interaction, effectively suppressed the fibrinolytic activity of inflammatory neutrophils. In mouse models of acute inflammation, including lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced lung injury and necrotic cell challenge, the 7E5 mAb significantly reduced neutrophil recruitment and the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). Furthermore, 7E5 neutralized the immunostimulatory activity of soluble ENO1 protein, which was substantially elevated in the circulation of animals during acute inflammation. These findings suggest that ENO1 plays a crucial role in triggering inflammation and mediating neutrophil infiltration. Targeting ENO1 using antibodies could represent a promising strategy to mitigate tissue damage caused by excessive neutrophilic inflammation.
An Independent Coding Scheme for Distance versus Position in the Hippocampus
Authors: Nordlund Mathilde , Levernier Nicolas , Trippa Massimiliano , Bourboulou Romain , Marti Geoffrey , Monasson Rémi , Rouault Hervé , Epsztein Jérôme , Koenig-Gambini Julie
Published: December 2024

Animals navigate using cognitive maps of their environment, integrating external landmarks and distances between them. Hippocampal place cells are the neuronal substrate of these cognitive maps. However, while hippocampal allocentric position coding in reference to external landmarks is well characterized, the determinants of idiothetic hippocampal distance coding remain poorly understood. Using virtual reality, electrophysiological recordings in mice, and local cue manipulations we could dissociate distance from position coding. In the cue-poor condition, we found pervasive distance coding with high distance indices in all bidirectional place cells including both superficial and deep CA1 pyramidal cells. In this condition, the mapping of distance onto a low-dimensional manifold and rigid distance relationships between place fields suggested strong attractor dynamics similar to those observed for grid cells. Inactivation of the medial septum (MS), which disrupts grid cells, significantly reduced both distance coding and rigid distance dynamics, suggesting an alteration (but not complete abolition) of the underlying attractor. In contrast, allocentric position coding could be observed in cue-rich environments, predominantly engaged deep CA1 pyramidal cells, and persisted during MS inactivation. These results are consistent with a selective contribution of grid cells and associated rigid attractor dynamics to hippocampal idiothetic distance coding but not allocentric position coding.
A poly(A) polymerase and oligo(dT)-dependent method for the purification of engineering circular RNAs that enhances protein expression in eukaryotic cells
Authors: Wei Lulu , Zhang Mengjuan , Zhang Haifeng , Zhao Haiyan , Mei Yingwu
Published: December 2024

Circular RNA (circRNA) has garnered significant attention as a promising therapeutic tool due to its remarkable stability and resistance to exonuclease degradation. However, the development of scalable and efficient purification methods remains a critical challenge. In this study, we propose and evaluate a novel purification strategy for engineered circular RNA (PAPdt), which leverages poly(A) polymerase and oligo(dT) affinity chromatography. Using poly(A) polymerase, we add poly(A) tails of over 200 nucleotides to the 3’-OH ends of all linear RNA impurities in a circular RNA preparation. These linear RNAs are then separated from the circular RNA via oligo(dT) affinity chromatography. The linear impurities, bearing longer poly(A) tails, exhibit extended retention on the oligo(dT) column, whereas the circular RNA, with a shorter poly(A) sequence, elutes more quickly. By stepwise elution with ultrapure water, we effectively separate the circular RNA from the linear contaminants. This method offers a fundamental solution to the purification of circular RNA, combining high efficiency, purity, and cost-effectiveness.
Generic increase of observational entropy in isolated systems
Authors: Nagasawa Teruaki , Kato Kohtaro , Wakakuwa Eyuri , Buscemi Francesco
Published: December 2024

Observational entropy—a quantity that unifies Boltzmann's entropy, Gibbs' entropy, von Neumann's macroscopic entropy, and the diagonal entropy—was recently argued to play a key role in a modern formulation of statistical mechanics. Here, relying on algebraic techniques taken from Petz's theory of statistical sufficiency and on a Lévy-type concentration bound, we prove rigorous theorems showing how the observational entropy of a system undergoing a unitary evolution chosen at random tends to increase with overwhelming probability and to reach its maximum very quickly. More precisely, we show that for any observation that is sufficiently coarse with respect to the size of the system, regardless of the initial state of the system (be it pure or mixed), random evolution renders its state practically indistinguishable from the uniform (i.e., maximally mixed) distribution with a probability approaching 1 as the size of the system grows. The same conclusion holds not only for random evolutions sampled according to the unitarily invariant Haar distribution but also for approximate 2-designs, which are thought to provide a more physically and computationally reasonable model of random evolutions.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Materials Design Criteria for Ultrahigh Thermoelectric Power Factors in Metals
Authors: Graziosi Patrizio , Mehnert Kim-Isabelle , Dutt Rajeev , Bos Jan-Willem G. , Neophytou Neophytos
Published: December 2024

Metals have high electronic conductivities, but very low Seebeck coefficients, which traditionally make them unsuitable for thermoelectric materials. Recent studies, however, showed that metals could deliver ultrahigh thermoelectric power factors (PFs) under certain conditions. In this work, we theoretically examine the electronic structure and electronic transport specifications that allow for such high PFs. Using Boltzmann transport equation (BTE) simulations and a multiband electronic structure model, we show that metals with (i) a high degree of transport asymmetry between their bands, (ii) strong interband scattering, and (iii) a large degree of band overlap, can provide ultrahigh power factors. We show that each of these characteristics adds to the steepness of the transport distribution function of the BTE, which allows for an increase of the Seebeck coefficient to sizable values, with an increase in the electrical conductivity. This work generalizes the concept that transport asymmetry (i.e., a mixture of energy regions of high and low contributions to the electrical conductivity), through a combination of different band masses, scattering strengths, energy filtering scenarios, etc., can indeed result in very high thermoelectric power factors, even in the absence of a material band gap. Under certain conditions, transport asymmetry can overcompensate for any performance degradation to the PF due to bipolar conduction and the naturally low Seebeck coefficients that otherwise exist in this class of materials.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
The nexus between teacher trainees’ digital literacy and online learning motivation
Authors: Ahmed Md. Meraz , Sultana Merine , Md. Rokonuzzaman  , Hossain Md. Kamal
Published: December 2024

Purpose

This study examined the relationship between levels of digital literacy and the online learning motivation (OLM) of teacher trainees across various factors.

Design/methodology/approach

This investigation utilized a quantitative research approach. The sample was selected through a purposive method and consisted of 485 teacher trainees from the School of Education at Bangladesh Open University (BOU). Participants' digital literacy and OLM were assessed using validated five-point Likert scale questionnaires, consisting of 17 items for digital literacy and six items for OLM. The collection of data was conducted via a cross-sectional survey. Descriptive analysis, Cronbach’s alpha, exploratory factor analysis, t-test and ANOVA were employed for the purpose of data analysis.

Findings

The findings demonstrated that teacher trainees possessed sufficient digital literacy and OLM concerning the specified variables. Furthermore, there was a significant correlation between digital literacy and OLM. BOU can evaluate all of these findings to make a rational decision regarding the development of its teacher education programs.

Originality/value

This exploratory study has yielded significant insights into the demographic characteristics, computer and internet skills, virtual learning skills and OLM of teacher trainees, thereby enhancing the existing body of knowledge in this field.
Consumers’ perceptions of regulatory food hygiene inspections of restaurants and takeaways
Authors: Flanagan Mark Andrew , Soon-Sinclair Jan Mei
Published: December 2024

Purpose

Foodborne illnesses are often attributed to food services such as restaurants and takeaways. This study aims to investigate consumers’ perceptions of regulatory food hygiene inspections of restaurants and takeaways in UK.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional online survey was conducted between November 2024 and March 2025, and 750 responses were received. Chi-square test was carried out to identify associations between demographic variables and checking of food hygiene rating or information. Ordered logistic regression was carried out to determine if demographics and eating out and/or takeaway consumption practices affect participants’ level of confidence in Local authorities (LA)’ (LAs) food hygiene inspections of restaurants and takeaways.

Findings

Females, individuals with food hypersensitivities, low-risk appetite, those who experienced food poisoning incidents and had reported food safety concerns to LA reported checking food hygiene rating or information more frequently. Our findings also revealed that participants who searched for food hygiene rating or information exhibited increased confidence in recent food hygiene inspections (less than a year).

Practical implications

LA should emphasise the importance of checking hygiene ratings or information before dining out or purchasing takeaways, especially for vulnerable groups. Although not mandatory, restaurants and takeaways in England and Scotland could make their hygiene ratings or information more visible and accessible to build public trust and encourage greater consumer engagement with food hygiene information. Additionally, public awareness on how food hygiene inspections are conducted and the factors influencing inspection schedules could further enhance consumer confidence in the inspection process.

Originality/value

This is the first study to explore the relationship between consumer perceptions of food hygiene inspection frequency and their confidence in LA’ inspection process. Our findings suggest that both perceived inspection frequency and food hygiene rating or information seeking behaviour can influence consumer confidence in LA’ food hygiene inspections.
Can FinTech alleviate the long-term use of short-term debts? Evidence from China
Authors: Yang Lianxing , Hong Yunzhe , Zhang Xiumin , Zhang Qing
Published: December 2024

Purpose

To deepen the structural reform of the financial system on the supply side and mitigate associated risks in the economic and financial fields, with significant practical implications for FinTech development.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on microdata of listed companies, this paper constructs multi-level indicators of FinTech development. Robustness tests include alternative measures of the degree of long-term use of short-term debts, sample adjustments and heterogeneity in firm characteristics and regional differences.

Findings

FinTech can significantly alleviate the long-term use of short-term corporate debt, although there are heterogeneous effects. The alleviation effect is more pronounced for state-owned enterprises, non-technology-intensive enterprises and other companies with lower levels of short-term debt maturity. Additionally, in regions with high capital mismatch and high levels of financial development, FinTech exhibits a significant suppressive effect on the long-term use of short-term corporate debt.

Practical implications

The paper suggests promoting the diversification of FinTech products, emphasizing the importance of inclusive finance through FinTech, and driving China’s economic transformation and high-quality development.

Originality/value

By constructing a theoretical analysis framework of “FinTech—corporate investment and financing term mismatch,” this paper provides a multi-level estimation of the factors influencing FinTech’s impact on the long-term use of short-term corporate debt. This framework aids in developing a more dialectical and objective understanding of the economic effects of FinTech’s development.
Incorporating neurodiversity into international business research
Authors: Ott Dana L. , Moeller Miriam , Koveshnikov Alexei
Published: December 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this viewpoint is to provide critical insights into the role of neurodiversity within the domain of International Business (IB) research. Neurodiversity is positioned as an opportunity for IB researchers to explore how differences in individual brain functioning and behavioral traits may impact on the practice of and research within IB through multiple lenses.

Design/methodology/approach

By critically reflecting on how to foster a more inclusive global business environment, the viewpoint increases researchers’ awareness about the role of neurodiversity within IB research and practice. It highlights distinct opportunities to incorporate neurodiversity and neurodivergent individuals at the center of IB research examinations.

Findings

Neurodiversity represents a paradigm shift in how neurological and cognitive differences have been perceived, valued and researched by challenging scholars to move beyond a model that views these differences as deficits or disorders to one that views them as strengths and opportunities. The authors identify a series of research questions to advance the study of neurodiversity in relation to global talent management; innovation and competitiveness; inclusive and equitable business practices and systems (human resource management, leadership and technology); stigmatization, biases and identity; and global organizations as change agents.

Originality/value

Considering that one in six people globally is neurodivergent, the viewpoint suggests directions to examine neurodiversity within the context of IB research and practice.
Cluster strength and regional resilience: the case of the USA in the Great Recession
Authors: Zárate-Mirón Viviana Elizabeth , Moreno Rosina
Published: December 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to evaluate the role of cluster strength on regional resilience. Previous literature shows that the industrial composition of a region, measured with indicators of its specialization, diversity and related and unrelated variety, is a crucial determinant of resilience. In this paper, the authors aggregate cluster-level data into several indicators of regional cluster strength to proxy for different aspects of the cluster portfolio of a region.

Design/methodology/approach

In particular, the authors consider the role of the presence of strong clusters in a regional economy as well as the mix of clusters in which the region has main relevance. On the one hand, the authors assume that the agglomeration forces arising in regions specialized in certain clusters could mitigate the effect of recessions. However, these strong industrial linkages may increase the diffusion of the economic shock from one industry to the rest. To check which of these two forces dominates, the authors consider the resilience of the US states over the Great Recession period and use a cluster definition that classifies traded industries into 51 clusters.

Findings

This study’s findings suggest that the presence of a portfolio of strong clusters allows mitigating economic shocks.

Practical implications

Resilience mechanisms must be identified in the face of future economic shocks or pandemics like COVID-19.

Originality/value

Some research works have demonstrated that strong clusters help make other clusters resilient. However, the effects they can have on the entire region have not been analyzed, as in this study.
The power of customer-to-customer self-service technology in enhancing customer-to-customer interactions
Authors: Kim Hyun Sik , Choi Beomjoon
Published: December 2024

Purpose

This research paper aims to examine the power of customer-to-customer (C2C) oriented self-service technology (SST) in enhancing customers’ perceived C2C interaction qualities in collectively interactive service settings where C2C interactions are crucial for value co-creation.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collected survey data within a collectively interactive service setting (massively multiplayer online role-playing games, MMORPGs) to test hypotheses. The data were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).

Findings

The results reveal that C2CSST attributes (enjoyment, usefulness) significantly influence users’ perceived C2C interaction qualities (friend-, neighboring customer-, audience-interaction quality).

Research limitations/implications

The current research theoretically proposes and empirically validates new relational links from C2CSST attributes (enjoyment, usefulness) to each online C2C interaction quality in a collectively interactive service setting (MMORPG). However, future studies may need to explore further antecedents of each C2C interaction quality to help enhance the understanding of the model suggested.

Practical implications

The results of this study provide important guidance for designers looking to incorporate SST into collectively interactive services. Collectively interactive service providers should promote C2CSST attributes (enjoyment, usefulness) so that the users experience better C2C interactions, which may lead to customer-firm affection and loyalty.

Originality/value

Via the study, the present paper proposes a customized subcategory of self-service technology (C2CSST) and posits that the C2CSST attributes (enjoyment, usefulness) can be key managing targets for enhancing C2C interactions. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research is one of the first SST studies to explore the role of C2CSSTs as enablers of C2C interactions, extending the SST literature.
Machine learning-based fatigue life prediction of laser powder bed fusion additively manufactured Hastelloy X via nondestructively detected defects
Authors: Wang Haijie , Zhang Jianrui , Li Bo , Xuan Fuzhen
Published: December 2024

Purpose

By incorporating the defect feature information, an ML-based linkage between defects and fatigue life unaffected by the time scale is developed, the primary focus is to quantitatively assess and elucidate the impact of different defect features on fatigue life.

Design/methodology/approach

A machine learning (ML) framework is proposed to predict the fatigue life of LPBF-built Hastelloy X utilizing microstructural defects identified through nondestructive detection prior to fatigue testing. The proposed method combines nondestructive micro-computerized tomography (micro-CT) technique to comprehensively analyze the size, location, morphology and distribution of the defects.

Findings

In the test set, SVM-based fatigue life prediction exhibits the highest accuracy. Regarding the defect information, the defect size significantly affects fatigue life, and the diameter of the circumscribed sphere of the largest defect has a critical effect on fatigue life.

Originality/value

This comprehensive approach provides valuable insights into the fatigue mechanism of structural materials in defective states, offering a novel perspective for better understanding the influence of defects on fatigue performance.
Investors’ pro-environmental attitude, spirituality and socially responsible investing: a mediating role of greenwashing practices
Authors: Shahid Ahmad Usman , Nagarajan Chitra Devi , Tufail Hafiza Sobia , Imran Muhammad
Published: December 2024

Purpose

The objective of this study is to examine the influence of investors’ pro-environmental attitudes and spirituality on their intentions to invest in socially responsible investment projects in the context of India. This study also examines whether investors’ perceptions of firms’ greenwashing practices mediate the relationship between their pro-environmental attitude, spirituality and investing decisions.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collected data from 337 investors registered at the National Stock Exchange of India. Additionally, data were analyzed, and hypotheses were tested using linear regression, zero-order correlation and mediation approaches in SPSS 28.

Findings

The findings of this study report that investors’ pro-environmental attitudes and spirituality have a significant positive impact on their intentions to invest in socially responsible investment projects. Additionally, their mediation analysis further shows that both manipulative and selective disclosures of greenwashing practices mediate the association between investors’ pro-environmental attitude, spirituality and their intentions to invest in socially responsible investment projects.

Practical implications

The findings of the study have important implications for regulators, policymakers, firms and researchers in understanding the impact of pro-environmental attitudes and firms’ greenwashing practices on investors’ socially responsible investing decisions.

Social implications

This study also has implications for regulators in creating awareness for tackling greenwashing practices and screening intentions to invest in socially responsible investment projects in developing countries.

Originality/value

This study stresses creating awareness for incorporating pro-environmental and spiritual mindset into addressing the challenges of socially responsible investing in the presence of greenwashing practices.
Does inflation or interest rate matter to Indonesian stock prices? An asymmetric approach
Authors: Sia Peck-Ching , Puah Chin-Hong , Leong Choi-Meng , Yii Kwang-Jing , Tang Maggie May-Jean
Published: December 2024

Purpose

This paper examines the asymmetric effects of inflation and interest rate on stock prices in Indonesia.

Design/methodology/approach

Variables such as interest rate, inflation rate, gross domestic product (GDP), and exchange rate were tested using the time-series data fitted to the Nonlinear Autoregressive Distributed Lag (NARDL) model. The asymmetric effects of interest rate and inflation rate were estimated in two separate models, with data covering the period from 1997:Q1 to 2023:Q3.

Findings

The results indicated that interest rate exhibit asymmetric effects on stock prices in both the short and long run. Conversely, no asymmetric effect was identified for the inflation rate model. The NARDL result of the asymmetry interest rate model revealed that both positive and negative changes in interest rate have a negative impact on stock prices in Indonesia. Notably, stock prices were positively and significantly influenced by both economic growth and exchange rate. The results suggested that policymakers should respond more proactively by adjusting interest rate in line with stock price movements.

Originality/value

This study diverges from previous studies by employing a general equilibrium theoretic model to link output with stock returns and extending it to include macroeconomic variables relevant to stock price determination. This study uniquely examined the asymmetric effects of monetary policy variables in Indonesia, particularly by comparing the asymmetric effects of inflation and interest rate.
An evaluation of intellectual capital disclosure: evidence from Vietnamese firms
Authors: An Hoang Thi Thuy , Aly Doaa , Abdelqader Muath , J Melhem Muntaser , K Darwish Tamer , Al Tweijer Anas
Published: December 2024

Purpose

This study aims to explore the extent of Intellectual Capital Disclosure (ICD) in the annual reports of the top 50 listed Vietnamese companies. It assesses the influence of firm characteristics and corporate governance structure on ICD practices.

Design/methodology/approach

ICD was measured using content analysis, specifically word count percentage. Panel data regression analysis was employed to examine the relationship between firm characteristics, governance structures and the level of ICD.

Findings

Results reveal that ICD levels among Vietnamese firms sampled are relatively low, averaging 17.43% of the overall annual report word count. Relational capital emerges as the most disclosed category of IC. Firm size, profitability, industry type, number of independent board members and CEO duality significantly impact the level of ICD. However, leverage, board size and the presence of an audit committee show no significant influence on ICD.

Practical implications

These findings offer insights into agency and signaling theories. They provide empirical evidence for stakeholders, academics and regulatory bodies to comprehend ICD practices and identify factors that could enhance ICD in emerging markets like Vietnam.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature by examining ICD practices in an emerging market context and identifying the impact of firm characteristics and governance structures on ICD levels, offering valuable implications for both theory and practice.
The impact of digital transformation practices in the recreation sector on digital behavior decision-making post-COVID-19
Authors: Yu Tai-Yi , Horng Jeou-Shyan , Liu Chih-Hsing , Chou Sheng-Fang , Huang Yung-Chuan , La Quoc Phong , Ng Yen-Ling
Published: December 2024

Purpose

This study aims to explore post-COVID-19 tourism digital transformation, study innovative service delivery and provide insights for industry leaders and policy-makers to nurture robust sector growth amid evolving consumer demands.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used anonymous questionnaires and explored views on digital technology in sports centers and entertainment venues. Structural equation modeling explores latent variable interactions with respect to mediating and moderating effects.

Findings

Digital transformation practices influence decision-making indirectly through perceived behavior control, attitudes and service innovation, with differentiation strategies moderating this relationship.

Research limitations/implications

This study focuses on the recreation sector; future efforts should include insights, attitudes and actions from experts and government policy-makers.

Practical implications

This study enhances the literature on recreation professionals, offering guidance for navigating the evolving landscape of digital dynamics in the leisure and recreation sector.

Originality/value

The rise of digital technology highlights the importance of analyzing customer decisions influenced by digital behavior within the leisure and recreation industry.
Harnessing machine learning for money laundering detection: a criminological theory-centric approach
Authors: Ramadhan Syahril
Published: December 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of the criminology-centric machine learning (CCTML) framework in detecting money laundering activities by integrating criminological theories with machine learning techniques.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a mixed-methods approach, this research synthesizes qualitative insights from expert interviews and literature reviews with quantitative analysis using machine learning models. Criminology-centric features are engineered based on established theories to capture behaviors indicative of money laundering. Various machine learning algorithms, including Voting Ensemble, XGBoost, Random Forest and LightGBM, are evaluated for their effectiveness in detecting financial crimes.

Findings

The findings of the study demonstrate that the CCTML approach consistently outperforms common machine learning models in detecting money laundering activities across various evaluation metrics, including area under the curve, log loss, Matthews correlation coefficient, precision, recall and balanced accuracy. The integration of criminological insights into machine learning models significantly enhances their predictive accuracy and reliability.

Originality/value

This research synthesizes diverse criminological insights into a cohesive framework known as CCTML. This approach goes beyond common feature engineering by incorporating complex behavioral patterns and social dynamics, thereby enhancing the accuracy and transparency of money laundering detection systems. By leveraging state-of-the-art machine learning algorithms and explainable artificial intelligence (AI) techniques, CCTML not only improves predictive capabilities but also ensures that model decisions are interpretable and fair. Explainable AI helps CCTML reveal why certain transactions are flagged, aiding investigators in identifying key suspects. Furthermore, this study contributes a comprehensive anti-money laundering framework that integrates ethical considerations, promoting a more robust and just approach to combating financial crimes.
Unveiling the nexus: exploring the collective social exchange dynamics of high-performance work systems in shaping organizational outcomes
Authors: shahzad Khuram , Rasheed Muhammad Athar , Faisal Muhammad , Hassan Saira Ghulam
Published: December 2024

Purpose

This study aims to explore the nuanced role of organizational “collectives” in transmitting the effect of high-performance work systems (HPWS) on organizations’ market success and workforce retention.

Design/methodology/approach

The multi-source data was collected from 113 construction firms operating in Pakistan using a survey questionnaire.

Findings

The findings indicate that collective human capital and collective satisfaction of organizations differentially mediate the effect of HPWS on market success and workforce retention. Collective satisfaction mediates the effect of HPWS on both market success and workforce retention, however collective human capital only mediates this relationship for market success of organizations.

Practical implications

Organizations should consider prioritizing investment in cognitive and affective development of overall human resources. Knowledge, skills, abilities and emotions of individual employees operate at the collective level so organizations should design HRM practices to manage collective thoughts and interpretations.

Originality/value

This is the first study to investigate human capital and satisfaction at the collective organization level to explore collective developmental and motivational paths for HPWS to boost organization strategic outcomes.
Purchasing behavior of green food: using health belief model norm activation theory
Authors: Martey Edward Markwei
Published: December 2024

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to investigate the factors that influence consumers’ intentions to buy green food and develop conceptual framework that combines Health belief model (HBM) and Norm activation theory (NAT).

Design/methodology/approach

The research used purposive sampling to collect primary responses from Indians and Lebanese in Ghana at restaurants and retail stores in Accra. Based on the NAT and HBM constructs, questionnaires were designed and distributed to 787 respondents. Data were analyzed using partial least squares and structural equation modeling to test the hypotheses developed through a literature review.

Findings

The findings showed that perceived benefit (PBN), perceived threat (PTT) and cue to action (CAT) are key factors that drive consumers’ intentions to purchase green food by Indians and Lebanese in Ghana. However, there are perceived barriers (PBB) that prevent individuals from buying green food, such as high prices, doubts about authorization and content, shortage of green food, inadequate selling techniques, supposed fulfillment and deficiencies. Therefore, more work is needed to address these barriers.

Practical implications

This research can be used to create advertising messages that emphasize the health and wellbeing benefits of environmental impact on communities, and stimulate customer motivation to purchase green food.

Originality/value

This is a unique study that combines HBM and NAT to investigate the factors that influence consumers’ intentions to buy green food among Indians and Lebanese in Ghana and developed a conceptual framework to offer valuable insights for marketing practitioners to develop effective marketing strategies to induce buying intentions towards green foods. The construct of NAT has been found as useful moderators of pro-environmental behavior.
Do companies benefit from publishing sustainability-integrated reports? Evidence from the United Arab Emirates
Authors: Grassa Rihab , ElHout Roufayda , Rafiee Rashed , Hassan Omar Yousuf , AL Suwaidi Saqer Humaid
Published: December 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the extent of narrative disclosure in the sustainability-integrated reports of listed companies in the UAE and its effect of firm’ performances. In 2020, The Securities and Commodities Authority issued a circular requiring all public joint stock companies listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) or the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) to publish a sustainability report as part of their set of Integrated Reports.

Design/methodology/approach

Using all publicly available sustainability integrated reports of listed companies in DFM and ADX over the period 2018–2022, we first gather the report’s content by compiling a list of words using a computational linguistic technique that aims to identify specific characteristics of sustainability reports. Then, we use a GLS model to study the effect of the sustainability reporting on firm financial performance and risk.

Findings

The paper findings shows the level of sustainability disclosure of observed firms is noticeable. Besides, sustainability reporting has a significant effect on firm’s operational performance (ROA), financial performance (ROE) and market performance (Tobin’s Q). Nevertheless; it does not affect the financial risk.

Research limitations/implications

Our study makes many contributions to the literature on corporate reporting. First, our analysis complements research that largely focuses on the financial disclosures in corporate reports by examining the sustainability-specific information and providing a full review of sustainability narratives. Second, by examining the effect of sustainability reports on shareholders' wealth, this article contributes to the current knowledge of sustainability reporting.

Practical implications

Our research offers several practical implications to policymakers, management, shareholders in different ways. The outcomes of this study helps policymakers to assess the effect of the Securities and Commodities Authority circular on the extent of sustainability related information disclosed in the integrated-report. It also helps the government to understand the level of environmental, social and governance (ESG) disclosure per sectors. Besides, this research findings give insight to managers to understand the effect of ESG disclosed information in the sustainability integrated report on firm financial and market performances. In addition, the paper findings assure shareholders of the positive impact on sustainability integrated-report on firm performance.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no research has yet looked at the narratives of sustainability reports in the UAE context taking into account the different important aspects of these reports and its impact on firm performance and risk.
Evaluation of the quality of information related to diet and health conditions on Japanese Web pages
Authors: Ogata Risa , Oono Fumi , Murakami Kentaro , Iida Kaoruko
Published: December 2024

Purpose

This study aims to evaluate health- and diet-related information quality on Japanese Web pages and its correlation with search rankings.

Design/methodology/approach

Google searches were performed in August 2022 using seven popular search terms combining diet and health conditions. The Quality Evaluation Scoring Tool (QUEST), comprising seven items (authorship, attribution, type of study, conflict of interest, currency, complementary and tone), with a score ranging 0–28, was used to assess information quality. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the median total QUEST score and the distribution of Web page quality. Spearman’s correlation coefficient was used to assess the correlation between the total QUEST score and search result ranking.

Findings

Of the 350 Web pages identified, 263 were selected for evaluation. The median total QUEST score was 12.5 (range 2.5–23.5), with 43% of Web pages classified as low quality (score = 11). Total QUEST scores varied by health condition, with “diabetes” related Web pages scoring highest and “cold” related ones scoring lowest. Only 23% of Web pages cited identifiable scientific studies. Search result ranking showed no significant correlation with the total QUEST score (r = 0.06, P = 0.36).

Originality/value

This study suggested that Japanese Web pages require higher quality diet and health information, particularly regarding source attribution.
A case on energy retrofitting interventions in a heritage building
Authors: Ulaş Sariaydin Ebru , Halaç Hicran Hanım
Published: December 2024

Purpose

This study examines the adaptation to future climate conditions of energy retrofitting measures, the performance of which is considered to be effective today. It is aimed to analyse the energy performance of retrofit interventions that respond positively to today's climate conditions in future climate conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

In the methodology of the study, the diversity of energy retrofit interventions in the literature is constructed within the framework of three different conceptualised intervention packages. Each conceptual intervention package is evaluated under three different climatic conditions for the years 2023, 2050 and 2080 and 9 different energy improvement scenario models are created. The base model in the study represents a cultural heritage building and the study presents a case study.

Findings

According to the findings, the most effective energy retrofit package in the climatic conditions of all years analysed is the intervention package created with renewable energy sources. The second package in energy optimisation is the package with an innovative concept using aerogel materials. Although the base model improves the energy performance, the poorest performance in the comparison of the three packages belongs to the package that includes interventions that are frequently used in the current literature.

Originality/value

This study presents original research to the literature in terms of addressing the role of current and future climate conditions in energy retrofit. The study findings provide quantitative data on the revision requirements for new studies of energy retrofit interventions that are frequently used today.
The evidence for personalized learning plans: a systematic review of the literature for student outcomes and measures Grades 7-12
Authors: Vannest Kimberly J. , Swindlehurst Kelly , Bishop Penny A. , Shepherd Katharine G.
Published: December 2024

Purpose

Personalized learning plans (PLPs) are increasing in use and USA state-level educational policies. PLPs are key components in proficiency-based learning reforms and flexible pathways to graduation. Although the theoretical and implementation literature is increasing, evidence of student outcomes is more difficult to readily identify. The purpose of this paper is to report on a comprehensive systematic literature review summarizing student outcome data for the use of PLPs. The search began in 2019 and concluded in 2020, and updated in 2023, with 330 documents, yielding just four that met inclusion criteria for this study.

Design/methodology/approach

The design and methodological approach follows the conventions of a systematic literature review using Cochrane Collaboration recommendations and PRISMA reporting standards.

Findings

Findings indicate of 330 documents, fewer than five met criteria for measures of student outcomes. Interestingly, the studies occur within a five-year period, reflecting four different research teams and appear predominantly in nonpeer refereed journals.

Research limitations/implications

The authors discuss the importance of outcomes research for this area and identify strengths and needs for this body of literature. Although application of a broader definition of personalized learning might have enabled us to identify more studies, the generalizations of findings would be limited in proportion to the degree of vagary around operationalization.

Practical implications

Identifying the outcomes in student learning associated with personalize learning plans will require agreement around operationalizing definitions.

Originality/value

No review of this literature exists to date, making this work completely original. The data leads us to articulate a need for the field to better understand how to measure and report flexible practices such as a PLP.
Post-COVID street-intercept survey: the perceptions of Hong Kong horse racing fans toward local horse racing media
Authors: Yeung T-Fai , Chow Yat Tung
Published: December 2024

Purpose

The aim of this study is to understand the factors influencing the perceptions of Hong Kong horse racing fans toward local horse racing media.

Design/methodology/approach

In 2023, we conducted street-intercept survey interviews (n = 620) in the public area near the Shatin racecourse on July 1, 3, 9 and 16 and near the Happy Valley racecourse on June 28, July 5 and 12. This study examines the extent to which internet experiences, niche breadth and the competitive superiority of internet media mediates the relationship between age and the substitution of internet media for print media.

Findings

Regression analyses show that the respondents’ perceived niche breadth and competitive superiority of internet media are positively related to their substitution of internet racing media for print racing media outlets. However, for most elderly and middle-aged respondents, print racing media outlets are still attractive because they perceive the information is accurate and easy to understand, the print copies are easily accessible and the content of columns is attractive.

Originality/value

This study reveals that the shift of patterns regarding receiving Hong Kong horse racing information is significantly caused by many factors. On the contrary, the impact of COVID-19 pandemic is not significant on changing the perceptions of Hong Kong horse racing fans toward local horse racing media.