bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimising the construction of outcome measures for impact evaluations of intimate partner violence (IPV) prevention interventions
Authors: Chatterji Sangeeta , Boyer Christopher , Sharma Vandana , Abramsky Tanya , Levtov Ruti , Doyle Kate , Harvey Sheila , Heise Lori
Published: February 2023

Most impact evaluations of IPV prevention interventions use binary measures of “any” versus “no” physical and/or sexual IPV as their primary outcome measure, missing opportunities to capture nuance. In this study, we reanalysed secondary data from six randomised controlled trials conducted in low and middle-income countries- Bandebereho (Rwanda), Becoming One (Uganda), Indashyikirwa (Rwanda), MAISHA CRT01, MAISHA CRT02 (Tanzania), Stepping Stones Creating Futures (South Africa), and Unite for a Better Life (Ethiopia), to assess how different conceptualisations and coding of IPV variables can influence interpretations of the impact of an intervention. We compared standard outcome measures to new measures that reflect the severity and intensity of violence and whether interventions prevent new cases of IPV or reduce or stop ongoing violence. Results indicate that traditional binary indicators masked some of the more subtle intervention effects, and the use of the new indicators allowed for a better understanding of the impacts of the interventions. Conclusions on whether a program is perceived “to work” are highly influenced by the IPV outcomes investigators choose to report and how they are measured and coded. Lack of attention to outcome choice and measurement could lead to prematurely abandoning strategies useful for violence reduction or missing essential insights into how programs may or may not affect IPV. While these results must be interpreted cautiously, given differences in intervention types, the underlying prevalence of violence, sociodemographic factors, sample sizes and other contextual differences across the trial sites, they can help us move toward a new approach to reporting multiple outcomes that allow us to unpack the ‘impact’ of an intervention by assessing intervention effect by the severity of violence and type of prevention, whether primary and secondary.
Quantification of impact of COVID-19 pandemic on cancer screening programmes -a case study from Argentina, Bangladesh, Colombia, Morocco, Sri Lanka and Thailand
Authors: Lucas Eric , Murillo Raul , Arrossi Silvina , Bárcena Martin , Chami Youssef , Nessa Ashrafun , Perera Suraj , Silva J Padmaka , Sangrajrang Suleeporn , Muwonge Richard , Basu Partha
Published: February 2023

It is quite well-documented that the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted cancer screening services in all countries, irrespective of their resources and healthcare settings. While quantitative estimates on reduction in volume of screening tests or diagnostic evaluation are readily available from the high-income countries, very little data is available from the low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). From the CanScreen5 global cancer screening data repository we identified six LMICs through purposive sampling based on the availability of cancer screening data at least for the years 2019 and 2020. These countries represented different human development index (HDI) categories and were from Asia (Bangladesh and Thailand), Africa (Morocco) and Latin America (Argentina and Colombia). The reduction in the volume of tests in 2020 compared to the previous years ranged from 14.1% in Bangladesh to 72.9% in Argentina (regional programme) for cervical screening, from 14.1% in Bangladesh to 52.2% in Morocco for breast cancer screening and 30.7% in Thailand for colorectal cancer screening. Number of colposcopies was reduced in 2020 compared to previous year by 88.9% in Argentina, 38.2% in Colombia, 27.4% in Bangladesh and 52.3% in Morocco. The reduction in detection rates of CIN 2 or worse lesions ranged from 20.7% in Morocco to 45.4% in Argentina. Reduction of breast cancer detection by 19.2% was reported from Morocco. No association of the impact of pandemic could be seen with HDI categories. Quantifying the impact of service disruptions in screening and diagnostic tests will allow the programmes to strategize how to ramp up services to clear the backlogs in screening and more crucially in further evaluation of screen-positives. The data can be used to estimate the impact on stage distribution and avoidable mortality from these common cancers.
Emergence and suppressive function of Tr1 cells in glomerulonephritis
Authors: Soukou-Wargalla Shiwa , Kilian Christoph , Velasquez Lis , Machicote Andres , Bertram Franziska , Stumme Friederike , Bedke Tanja , Giannou Anastasios , Kempski Jan , Sabihi Morsal , Song Ning , Paust Hans-Joachim , Borchers Alina , Perez Laura Garcia , Pelczar Penelope , Liu Beibei , Ergen Can , Steglich Babett , Muscate Franziska , Huber Tobias B. , Panzer Ulf , Gagliani Nicola , Krebs Christian F. , Huber Samuel
Published: February 2023

T regulatory type 1 (Tr1) cells, which are defined by their regulatory function, lack of Foxp3, high expression of IL-10, CD49b, and LAG3, are known to be able to suppress Th1 and Th17 in the intestine. Th1 and Th17 cells are also the main drivers of crescentic glomerulonephritis, the most severe form of renal autoimmune disease. However, whether Tr1 cells emerge in renal inflammation and moreover, whether they exhibit regulatory function during glomerulonephritis has not been thoroughly investigated yet. To address these questions, we used a mouse model of experimental crescentic glomerulonephritis and double Foxp3mRFPIL-10eGFPreporter mice. We found that Foxp3negIL-10-producing CD4+T cells infiltrate the kidneys during glomerulonephritis progression. Using single-cell RNA- sequencing, we could show that these cells express the core transcriptional factors characteristic of Tr1 cells. In line with this, Tr1 cells showed a strong suppressive activityex vivoand were protective in experimental crescentic glomerulonephritisin vivo. Finally, we could also identify Tr1 cells in the kidneys of patients with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA)-associated glomerulonephritis and define their transcriptional profile. Tr1 cells are currently used in several immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, e.g. as T- cell therapy. Thus, our study provides proof of concept for Tr1 cell-based therapies in experimental glomerulonephritis.
Disentangling the neurobiological bases of temporal impulsivity in Huntington’s disease
Authors: Pardina-Torner Helena , De Paepe Audrey E. , Garcia-Gorro Clara , Rodriguez-Dechicha Nadia , Calopa Matilde , Ruiz-Idiago Jesus , Mareca Celia , de Diego-Balaguer Ruth , Camara Estela
Published: February 2023

Background

Despite its impact on daily life, impulsivity in Huntington’s disease (HD) is understudied as a neuropsychiatric symptom. Our aim is to characterize temporal impulsivity in HD, evaluated through a Delay Discounting (DD) task, and to disentangle the underlying white matter correlates in HD.

Methods

Forty-seven HD individuals and thirty-six healthy controls conducted a DD task and complementary Sensitivity to Punishment and Sensitivity to Reward (SR) Questionnaire. Diffusion-tensor imaging was employed to characterize the structural connectivity of two limbic tracts: the uncinate fasciculus (UF) and the accumbofrontal tract (NAcc-OFC). Multiple linear regression analyses were applied to analyze the relationship between impulsive behavior and white-matter microstructural integrity.

Results

Altered structural connectivity in both the NAcc-OFC and UF in HD individuals was observed. Moreover, the variability in structural connectivity of these tracts was associated with the individual differences in temporal impulsivity. Specifically, increased structural connectivity in the right NAcc-OFC predicted increased temporal impulsivity, while reduced connectivity in the left UF was associated with higher temporal impulsivity scores.

Limitations

Other cognitive mechanisms and white matter tracts may play a role in temporal impulsivity.

Conclusions

This study provides evidence that individual differences observed in impulsivity may be explained by variability in limbic fronto-striatal tracts. We emphasize the importance of investigating the spectrum of impulsivity in HD, less prevalent than other psychiatric features, but impacting the quality of life of patients and their caregivers.
Pgc-1α is an exercise-responsive regulator of myosteatosis in older individuals
Authors: Iijima Hirotaka , Ambrosio Fabrisia , Matsui Yusuke
Published: February 2023

Accumulated fat in skeletal muscle, common in sedentary older individuals, compromises skeletal muscle health and function. Mechanistic understanding ofhowphysical activity levels dictate fat accumulation represents a critical step towards establishment of therapies that promote healthy aging. Using a network paradigm that characterized the transcriptomic response of aged muscle to exercise versus immobilization protocols, this study uncovered a novel molecular cascade that regulates the fate of fibro-adipogenic progenitors (FAPs), the cell population primarily responsible for the fat accumulation. Specifically, gene set enrichment analyses (GSEA) with network propagation revealedPgc1α as a functional hub of a large gene regulatory network underlying the regulation of FAPs by physical activity. Integratedin silicoandin situapproaches to inducePgc-1α overexpression promoted mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation and inhibited FAPs adipogenesis. These findings suggest thatPgc1α is a master regulator by which physical activity regulates fat accumulation in aged skeletal muscle.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRUCT
Mechanisms of spinophilin-dependent pancreas dysregulation underlying diabesity
Authors: Stickel Kaitlyn C. , Mosley Amber L. , Doud Emma H. , Belecky-Adams Teri L. , Baucum Anthony J.
Published: February 2023

Objective

Spinophilin is an F-actin binding and protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) targeting protein that acts as a scaffold of PP1 to its substrates. Spinophilin knockout (Spino-/-) mice have decreased fat mass, increased lean mass, and improved glucose tolerance, with no difference in feeding behaviors. While spinophilin is enriched in neurons, its roles in non-neuronal tissues, such as beta cells of the pancreatic islets, are unclear.

Methods & Results

We have corroborated and expanded upon previous studies to determine that Spino-/-mice have decreased weight gain and improved glucose tolerance in two different models of obesity. Using proteomics and immunoblotting-based approaches we identified multiple putative spinophilin interacting proteins isolated from intact pancreas and observed increased interactions of spinophilin with exocrine, ribosomal, and cytoskeletal protein classes that mediate peptide hormone production, processing, and/or release in Leprdb/dband/or high fat-fed (HFF) models of obesity. Moreover, loss of spinophilin specifically in pancreatic beta cells improved glucose tolerance without impacting body weight.

Conclusion

Our data further support a role for spinophilin in mediating pathophysiological changes in body weight and whole-body metabolism associated with obesity and provide the first evidence that spinophilin mediates obesity-dependent pancreatic dysfunction that leads to deficits in glucose homeostasis or diabesity.
Insights into substrate coordination and glycosyl transfer of poplar cellulose synthase-8
Authors: Verma Preeti , Kwansa Albert L. , Ho Ruoya , Yingling Yaroslava G. , Zimmer Jochen
Published: February 2023

Cellulose is an abundant cell wall component of land plants. It is synthesized from UDP-activated glucose molecules by cellulose synthase, a membrane-integrated processive glycosyltransferase. Cellulose synthase couples the elongation of the cellulose polymer with its translocation across the plasma membrane. Here, we present substrate and product-bound cryogenic electron microscopy structures of the homotrimeric cellulose synthase isoform-8 (CesA8) from hybrid aspen (poplar). UDP-glucose binds to a conserved catalytic pocket adjacent to the entrance to a transmembrane channel. The substrate’s glucosyl unit is coordinated by conserved residues of the glycosyltransferase domain and amphipathic interface helices. Site-directed mutagenesis of a conserved gating loop capping the active site reveals its critical function for catalytic activity. Molecular dynamics simulations reveal prolonged interactions of the gating loop with the substrate molecule, particularly across its central conserved region. These transient interactions likely facilitate the proper positioning of the substrate molecule for glycosyl transfer and cellulose translocation.

Highlights

Cryo-EM structures of substrate and product bound poplar cellulose synthase provide insights into substrate selectivity

Site directed mutagenesis signifies a critical function of the gating loop for catalysis

Molecular dynamics simulations support persistent gating loop – substrate interactions

Gating loop helps in positioning the substrate molecule to facilitate cellulose elongation

Conserved cellulose synthesis substrate binding mechanism across the kingdoms
Taxol acts differently on different tubulin isotypes
Authors: Chew Yean Ming , Cross Robert A.
Published: February 2023

Taxol is a critically important cancer drug that stabilises microtubules. We report that taxol acts differently on different metazoan tubulin isotypes. 50 nM taxol blocks catastrophe of human or zebrafish α1β4 but has no effect on human α1β3 microtubules. 500 nM taxol blocks catastrophe in both α1β3 and α1β4 microtubules but introduces kinks only into α1β4 microtubules. Taxol washout relaxes the kinks, suggesting taxol expands α1β4 but not α1β3 lattices. Kinesin-driven microtubule gliding detects this conformational shift - α1β4 microtubules glide at ~450 nm/sec in 400 nM taxol, but at ~750 nm/sec in 10 μM taxol, whereas α1β3 microtubules glide at ~450 nm/sec, even in 10 μM taxol. Thus, taxol readily stabilises α1β4 GDP-tubulin lattices and shifts them to a fastgliding conformation, but stabilises α1β3 lattices much less readily and without shifting their conformation. These isotype-specific actions of taxol may drive the switch to β3 tubulin commonly seen in taxol-resistant tumours.
Several cell-intrinsic effectors drive type I interferon-mediated restriction of HIV-1 in primary CD4+T cells
Authors: Itell Hannah L. , Humes Daryl , Overbaugh Julie
Published: February 2023

Type I interferon (IFN) upregulates proteins that inhibit HIV within infected cells. Prior studies have identified IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) that impede lab-adapted HIV in cell lines, yet the ISG(s) that mediate IFN restriction in HIV target cells, primary CD4+T cells, are unknown. Here, we interrogate ISG restriction of primary HIV in CD4+T cells. We performed CRISPR-knockout screens using a custom library that specifically targets ISGs expressed in CD4+T cells and validated top hits. Our investigation identified new HIV-restricting ISGs (HM13, IGFBP2, LAP3) and found that two previously studied factors (IFI16, UBE2L6) are IFN effectors in T cells. Inactivation of these five ISGs in combination further diminished IFN’s protective effect against six diverse HIV strains. This work demonstrates that IFN restriction of HIV is multifaceted, resulting from several effectors functioning collectively, and establishes a primary cell ISG screening model to identify both single and combinations of HIV-restricting ISGs.
THE SUBTHALAMIC NUCLEUS IS INVOLVED IN SOCIAL RECOGNITION MEMORY IN RATS
Authors: Vielle Cassandre , Maurice Nicolas , Pelletier Florence , Pecchi Emilie , Baunez Christelle
Published: February 2023

Human social behavior is a complex construct requiring a wide range of cognitive abilities and is critically impaired in numerous neuropsychiatric diseases. Living in complex social groups, rodents offer suitable models to elucidate neural processing of social cognition. Recently, a potential involvement of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) in rats’ social behavior has been pointed out. For example, we showed that STN lesions abolish the modulatory effect of the familiarity on the rewarding value of social stimuli, questioning the involvement of STN in peer recognition. In this study, we thus assess the effects of STN lesions and optogenetic manipulations on peer and object recognition. STN optogenetic inhibition, like lesions, impair social recognition memory, while STN optogenetic high-frequency (HF) stimulation leads to a specific alteration of social encoding memory. None of these manipulations seem to interfere with social investigation, objects recognition memory, nor social novelty preference. Finally, STN optogenetic inhibition, but neither HF-stimulation, nor lesions, leads to an alteration of the cage-mate recognition memory. Overall, these results show that physiological activity of STN is necessary for rats to show a proper social recognition memory performance and question the possible detrimental effects of STN deep brain stimulation on these processes in human patients.
Structure-dependent spontaneous calcium dynamics in cultured neuronal networks on microcontact-printed substrates
Authors: Chen Zhe , Sun Tao , Wei Zihou , Chen Xie , Wang Huaping , Huang Qiang , Shimoda Shingo , Fukuda Toshio , Shi Qing
Published: February 2023

Microcontact printing (μCP) is widely used in neuroscience research. However,μCP yields reduced cell-substrate adhesion compared with directly coating cell adhesion molecules. Here, we demonstrate that the reduced cell-substrate adhesion caused byμCP, high seeding density, and the local restriction would separately contribute to more aggregated (neurons closer to each other in separate clusters) neuronal networks. Calcium recordings revealed that more aggregated networks presented fewer spontaneous calcium activity patterns, and were more likely dominated by synchronized network-wide calcium oscillation (network bursts). First, on a uniform microcontact-printed substrate, densely seeded neurons were reaggregated into a Petri dish-wide network consisting of small clusters, of which the calcium dynamics were dominated by network bursts. Next, further analysis revealed this dominance was maintained since its appearance, and the initiation and propagation of bursts in the small-cluster network shared a similar mechanism with that of homogeneous networks. Then, sparsely seeded neurons formed several networks with different aggregation degrees, in which the less clustered ones presented abundant time-varying subnetwork burst patterns. Finally, by printing locally restricted patterns, highly clustered networks formed, where dominant network bursts reappeared. These findings demonstrate the existence of structure-dependent spontaneous calcium dynamics in cultured networks on microcontact-printed substrates, which provide important insights into designing cultured networks by usingμCP, and into deciphering the onset and evolution of network bursts in developmental nerve systems.
Thermal fluctuations independently modulate physiological plasticity and the dynamics of the gut microbiome in a tropical rocky shore oyster
Authors: Arromrak Bovern Suchart , Chun Wong Adrian Tsz , Hui Tin Yan , Leung Kin Sum , Williams Gray A. , Ganmanee Monthon , Durand Thierry , Yung Lee Jetty Chung , Gaitan-Espitia Juan D.
Published: February 2023

Extreme high thermal conditions on tropical rocky shores are challenging to the survival of intertidal ectotherms. Yet, many species are highly successful in these environments in part due to their ability to regulate intrinsic mechanisms associated with physiological stress and their metabolic demand. More recently, there has been a growing awareness that other extrinsic mechanisms, such as animal-associated microbial communities, can also influence the tolerance and survival of ectotherms under stressful conditions. However, the extent to which the intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms are functionally linked as part of the overall adaptive response of intertidal animals to temperature change and stress is poorly understood. Here, we examined the dynamics and potential interactions of intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms in the tropical high-supratidal oyster,Isognomon nucleus. We found that oysters modulate their internal biochemistry (oxidized PUFA products, including 5-F2t-IsoP, 10-F4t-NeuroP, 13-F4t-NeuroP, and 16-F1t-PhytoP) as part of their adaptive regulation to cope with physiological stress during periods of extreme high temperatures when emersed. However, while we detected variation in alpha diversity (ASV richness and Shannon diversity index), dominant microbial taxa and microbial functions across time, no association was found with the host biochemical profiles. The findings here suggest that the thermal condition within oysters can independently influence their intrinsic biochemical responses and extrinsic microbiome profiles. Together, these mechanisms may contribute to the thermal tolerance and survival of the oysters in the challenging conditions of the tropical high-supratidal zone.
Gut microbes predominantly act as symbiotic partners rather than raw nutrients
Authors: Soares Nuno Felipe da Silva , Quagliariello Andrea , Yigitturk Seren , Martino Maria Elena
Published: February 2023

Animals and their gut microbes mutually benefit their health. In this frame, nutrition has a central role by directly affecting both host and microbes’ fitness and their effects. This makes nutritional symbioses a complex and dynamic tri-system of diet-microbiota-host. Despite recent discoveries on this field, full control over the interplay among these partners is challenging and hinders the resolution of fundamental questions, such as how to parse the gut microbes’ effect as raw nutrition or as symbiotic partners? To tackle this, we made use of the well-characterizedDrosophila melanogaster/Lactiplantibacillus plantarumexperimental model of nutritional symbiosis to generate a quantitative framework of gut microbes’ effect on the host. We show that the beneficial effect ofL. plantarumstrains primarily results from the active relationship as symbionts rather than raw nutrients, regardless of the bacterial strain. Metabolomic analysis of both active and inactive bacterial cells further demonstrated the crucial role of the production of beneficial bacterial metabolites, such as N-acetylated-amino-acids, as result of active bacterial growth and function. Altogether, our results provide a ranking and quantification of the main bacterial features contributing to sustain animal growth. We demonstrate that viability is the predominant and necessary variable involved in bacteria-mediated benefit, followed by strain-specific properties and the nutritional potential of the bacterial cells as direct energy source. This contributes to elucidate the role of beneficial bacteria and probiotics, creating a broad quantitative framework for host-gut microbiome that can be expanded to other model systems.
Spanve: A Statistical Method for Detecting Downstream-Friendly Spatially Variable Genes in Large-Scale Spatial Transcriptomic Data
Authors: Cai Guoxin , Chen Yichang , Chen Shuqing , Gu Xun , Zhou Zhan
Published: February 2023

Depicting gene expression in a spatial context through spatial transcriptomics would be beneficial for inferring cell function mechanisms. The identification of spatially variable genes is a crucial step in leveraging the spatial transcriptome to understand intricate spatial dynamics. In this study, we developed Spanve, a nonparametric statistical method for detecting spatially variable genes in large-scale ST data by quantifying expression differences between spots and their spatial neighbours. This method offers a nonparametric approach to identifying spatial dependencies in gene expression without assuming specific distributions. Compared to traditional methods, Spanve decreases the number of false-positive outcomes, leading to more accurate identification of spatially variable genes. Furthermore, Spanve could facilitate downstream spatial transcriptomics analyses, including spatial domain detection and cell type deconvolution. These results show the broad applications of Spanve in advancing our understanding of spatial gene expression patterns within complex tissue microenvironments.

Graphical abstract
Ethical governance model for the data economy ecosystems
Authors: Koskinen Jani , Knaapi-Junnila Sari , Helin Ari , Rantanen Minna Marjaana , Hyrynsalmi Sami
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Data economy is a recent phenomenon, raised by digital transformation and platformisation, which has enabled the concentration of data that can be used in economic purposes. However, there is a lack of clear procedures and ethical rules on how data economy ecosystems are governed. As a response to the current situation, there has been criticism and demands for the governance of data use to prevent unethical consequences that have already manifested. Thus, ethical governance of the data economy ecosystems is needed. The purpose of this paper is to introduce a new ethical governance model for data economy ecosystems. The proposed model offers a more balanced solution for the current situation where a few global large-scale enterprises dominate the data market and may use oligopolistic power over other stakeholders.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a conceptual article that covers theory-based discourse ethical reflection of data economy ecosystems governance. The study is based on the premise of the discourse ethics where inclusion of all stakeholders is needed for creating a transparent and ethical data economy.

Findings

This article offers self-regulation tool for data economy ecosystems by discourse ethical approach which is designed in the governance model. The model aims to balance data “markets” by offering more transparent, democratic and equal system than currently.

Originality/value

By offering a new ethically justified governance model, we may create a trust structure where rules are visible and all stakeholders are treated fairly.
Managing future urbanization growth patterns using genetic algorithm modeling
Authors: Al-Hadidi Sajeda , Sweis Ghaleb , Abu-Khader Waleed , Abu-Rumman Ghaida , Sweis Rateb
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Despite the enormous need to succeed in the urban model, scientists and policymakers should work consistently to create blueprints to regulate urbanization. The absence of coordination between the crucial requirements and the regional strategies of the local authorities leads to a lack of conformance in urban development. The purpose of this paper is to address this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

This study intends to manage future urban growth patterns using integrated methods and then employ the results in the genetic algorithm (GA) model to considerably improve growth behavior. Multi-temporal land-use datasets have been derived from remotely sensed images for the years 1990, 2000, 2010 and 2020. Urban growth patterns and processes were then analyzed with land-use-and-land-cover dynamics. Results were examined for simulation and utilization of the GA.

Findings

Model parameters were derived and evaluated, and a preliminary assessment of the effective coefficient in the formation of urbanization is analyzed, showing the city's urbanization pattern has followed along with the transportation infrastructure and outward growth, and the scattering rates are high, with an increase of 5.64% in building area associated with a decrease in agricultural lands and rangelands.

Originality/value

The research achieved a considerable improvement over the growth behavior. The conducted research design was the first of its type in that field to be executed to any specific growth pattern parameters in terms of regulating and policymaking. The method has integrated various artificial intelligence models to monitor, measure and optimize the projected growth by applying this design. Other research on the area was limited to projecting the future of Amman as it is an urbanized distressed city.
How do young employees perceive stress and job engagement while working from home? Evidence from a telecom operator during COVID-19
Authors: Olsen Karen Modesta , Hildrum Jarle , Kummen Kamilla , Leirdal Caroline
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The study examines the extent to which job demands and resources are related to job stress and engagement among young employees exposed to remote work. The study draws on the job demands–resources (JD-R) model, adapted to working from home during the pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses data from a survey among young employees (35 years and younger) in a large, telecommunications company in Norway (N = 303), conducted in May 2021. Linear regression analysis was employed.

Findings

The results show that the difficulty of work tasks is positively related to stress while time spent working from home, managing work–life balance and receiving support from leaders are negatively related to stress. Furthermore, overtime, support from leaders and colleagues and managing work–life balance are positively related to job engagement. Having a dedicated workspace at home is not related to either job stress or engagement and no gender differences exist.

Originality/value

The study theoretically contributes to the literature by showing that the nature of work plays out differently for the well-being of employees working from home. In terms of practical implications, the study suggests that adjusting the level of difficulty of work tasks and providing support can alleviate stress among young employees. Providing the option to work from home may reduce stress among these young employees, however working from home may face limitations regarding enhancing job engagement.
Women entrepreneurs in India: a systematic literature review
Authors: Baral Rupashree , Dey Chitra , Manavazhagan Subhashri , Kamalini S.
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to organize the existing empirical research on women entrepreneurs (WEs) in India, highlight the research areas that have not received attention and present opportunities for future research.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review (SLR) was performed on 74 scholarly articles focusing on WEs in India and published between 1993 and 2020. This review is structured around the 4W framework used in previous SLRs. The review is directed by the following foci: what do we know about academic research on WEs in India? How were these studies conducted? Where were these studies conducted? Why should academicians and practitioners consider WE research?

Findings

The authors arrived at four main themes underlying the empirical research on WEs: success factors for WEs, challenges faced by WEs, factors that attract and motivate WEs and performance measures for WEs. While challenges and success factors have received attention from researchers, there is a distinct lack of papers on factors that attract or motivate WE and performance measures. The main gaps identified were a lack of theoretical basis in studies, reliance on interview and survey-based methodology and a lack of context-specific studies.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of this review are limited to WEs operating in India. Only Scopus-indexed journals listed in the Australian Business Dean's Council Journal Quality List (ABDC JQL) were included in the final SLR list.

Originality/value

This is one of the first studies to use a systematic approach to provide a detailed account of the state of the literature on women's entrepreneurship research in India.
The rainbow reality: income difference and discrimination based on sexual orientation and occupations
Authors: Mantovani Gabriela Gomes , Staduto Jefferson Andronio Ramundo
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The article aimed to identify and analyze the income differences across the income distribution between homosexuals and heterosexuals by occupational groups in Brazil.

Design/methodology/approach

PNAD-C microdata was used in two periods (2013–2015 and 2016 to 2019), highlighting the different economic, social and political contexts in Brazil. Recentered influence function and quantile income decomposition were estimated to verify the difference and income discrimination according to the guideline the worker’s sexuality.

Findings

For some cases homosexual workers earn more and in others, homosexuals earn less than heterosexuals. The differences in remuneration according to sexual orientation were smaller in positions that demand low qualification and competence. The quantile income decomposition between 2013 and 2015 revealed the positive effect of discrimination was the generator of income disparities between homosexuals and heterosexuals, with greater impact for the 10th and 90th quantiles and on groups that require small levels of complexity and education. Between 2016 and 2019, there was the presence of both effects, but the explained effect was the promoter of wage disparities in most occupational groups.

Research limitations/implications

Given the dataset, it was only possible to work with proxies of homosexual couples.

Originality/value

There has been little research linking the themes of discrimination based on sexual orientation and occupational groups, and so far, it does not exist similar in Latin America. This study found that sexual orientation influences remuneration according to the occupational group that the worker belongs to, affecting income and, consequently, occupational choice. This connection of issues will contribute to new insights into discrimination based on sexual orientation, as well as more effective public policies aimed at reducing discrimination against homosexuals.
Impacts of service learning on tourism students’ sustainability competencies in conflict-affected Bamyan, Afghanistan
Authors: Franklin Kelly , Halvorson Sarah J. , Brown Fletcher
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the impacts of service learning (SL) on teaching sustainability competencies in an undergraduate tourism program at Bamyan University, Afghanistan. This study reports on tourism students’ experiences in the SL course which taught five key sustainability competencies (collaboration, values thinking, action-oriented, systems thinking and integrated problem-solving).

Design/methodology/approach

This paper assessed students’ perceptions of their sustainability competencies gained during the implementation of the course in 2016 and 2017 through focus groups, reflective essays and participant observation.

Findings

The results demonstrate how the SL experience led students to self-discovery, strong conceptualizations of sustainability and working relationships with community stakeholders.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to assess the impacts of a SL course in Afghanistan. The analysis provides valuable information for developing effective higher education programs, relationships of trust between students and community stakeholders and the empowerment of students to contribute to local solutions which serve a role in stabilization efforts in conflict-affected contexts.
Impacts of normative and hedonic motivations on continuous knowledge contribution in virtual community: the moderating effect of past contribution experience
Authors: Dong Lingfeng , Hou Jinghui (Jove) , Huang Liqiang , Liu Yuan , Zhang Jie
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the effects of normative and hedonic motivations on continuous knowledge contribution, and how past contribution experience moderates the effects of the motivations on continuous knowledge contribution.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on goal-framing theory, the present study proposes a comprehensive theoretical model by integrating normative and hedonic motivations, past contribution experience and continuous knowledge contribution. The data for virtual community members' activities were collected using the Python Scrapy crawler. Logit regression was used to validate the integrative model.

Findings

The results show that both normative motivation (reflected by generalized reciprocity and social learning) and hedonic motivation (reflected by peer recognition and online attractiveness) are positively associated with continuous knowledge contribution. Moreover, these effects are found to be significantly influenced by members' past knowledge contribution experience. Specifically, the results suggest that past knowledge contribution experience undermines the influence of generalized reciprocity on continuous knowledge contribution but strengthens the effect of peer recognition and online attractiveness.

Originality/value

Although the emerging literature on continuous knowledge contribution mainly focuses on motivations as antecedents that promote continuous knowledge contribution, most of these studies assume that the relationship between motivating mechanisms and continuous knowledge contribution does not change over time. The study is one of the initial studies to examine whether and how the influence of multiple motivations evolves relative to levels of past contribution experience.
Caged, helpless but not bored: consumption values derived from over-the-top platforms during pandemic
Authors: Talwar Shalini , Kaur Puneet , Kumar Sushant , Laroche Michel , Dhir Amandeep
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The use of over-the-top (OTT) platforms grew substantially after the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. With the pandemic receding, there is a concern that users may not continue with their subscriptions. To counter this, OTT service providers must strategize proactively to retain and acquire new users once the pandemic abates. Positing that understanding the consumption values that users ascribe to OTT platform usage can provide useful customer retention insights, the purpose of this paper is to use the theory of consumption value (TCV) to study the values that users derived from their use of OTT following the onset of the pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

The mixed-method approach is used to collect qualitative and quantitative data. Analysis of qualitative responses collected through interviews of 12 current OTT platform users helped identify two categories of OTT platform-specific values: attribute-level and benefit-based. Next, the study examined the association of values thus identified with one another, as well as with continued intentions to use OTT platforms, by analyzing data collected from 371 existing users.

Findings

The findings indicated that functional value quality and social value, representing the attribute-level values, were positively associated with two benefit-based values – functional value price and emotional value (EMV). Next, EMV was not only associated with intentions but also partially mediated the association of attribute-level values with intentions. Premium subscription purchased and increased viewing time were confirmed to have moderating effects on the association between attribute-level and benefit-based values.

Originality/value

The study is amongst the foremost research initiatives to examine consumption values derived from OTT platform usage after the onset of the pandemic. Its novelty also comes from its identifying OTT platform-specific consumption values for the first time and adding a new dimension to the TCV by examining the interplay of these values in the OTT platform context.
Tax evasion on lawful income: is it a form of money laundering?
Authors: Kemsley Deen , Kemsley Sean A. , Morgan Frank T.
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to determine whether income tax evasion also constitutes money laundering if Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Recommendations are strictly applied, including cases where an offender evades tax on lawful income.

Design/methodology/approach

Apply FATF conditions for money laundering to the tax evasion facts in United States v. Walter Anderson. In this case, the USA alleges that Anderson attempted to evade $200m of taxes on lawful income.

Findings

Anderson’s tax evasion actions met all the FATF’s conditions for money laundering. FATF Recommendations imply that tax evasion, even on lawful income, is a form of money laundering. Tax evasion produces criminal tax savings and simultaneously launders those criminal proceeds.

Practical implications

The FATF effectively classified all tax evasion as money laundering when it designated tax evasion among predicate offenses thereto. The FATF stopped short of explicitly stating this result. The FATF should seriously consider taking the next step: formally recognize tax evasion as one form of money laundering, and thus codify a single crime that covers both offenses. A single-crime approach may be unfamiliar to prosecutors, but it could enable a more effective multiagency approach to fighting financial crime. It could simplify prosecution, eliminate overlapping statutes and reduce concerns over double jeopardy.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first tax case analysis to indicate that tax evasion completely incorporates money laundering within the FATF framework.
Analysing online customer experience in hotel sector using dynamic topic modelling and net promoter score
Authors: Nguyen Van-Ho , Ho Thanh
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This study aims to analyse online customer experience in the hospitality industry through dynamic topic modelling (DTM) and net promoter score (NPS). A novel model that was used for collecting, pre-processing and analysing online reviews was proposed to understand the hidden information in the corpus and gain customer experience.

Design/methodology/approach

A corpus with 259,470 customer comments in English was collected. The researchers experimented and selected the best K parameter (number of topics) by perplexity and coherence score measurements as the input parameter for the model. Finally, the team experimented on the corpus using the Latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA) model and DTM with K coefficient to explore latent topics and trends of topics in the corpus over time.

Findings

The results of the topic model show hidden topics with the top high-probability keywords that are concerned with customers and the trends of topics over time. In addition, this study also calculated and analysed the NPS from customer rating scores and presented it on an overview dashboard.

Research limitations/implications

The data used in the experiment are only a part of all user comments; therefore, it may not reflect all of the current customer experience.

Practical implications

The management and business development of companies in the hotel industry can also benefit from the empirical findings from the topic model and NPS analytics, which will support decision-making to help businesses improve products and services, increase existing customer satisfaction and draw in new customers.

Originality/value

This study differs from previous works in that it attempts to fill a gap in research focused on online customer experience in the hospitality industry and uses text analytics and NPS to reach this goal.
Determinants of customer loyalty in Islamic banking: the role of religiosity
Authors: Tegambwage Amani Gration , Kasoga Pendo Shukrani
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the moderation effects of religiosity in the relationship between service quality (SQ), customer satisfaction (CS), relationship quality (RQ) and Islamic banking (IB) loyalty in a non-Islamic country.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a quantitative approach and a cross-sectional research design. The data was collected by a closed-ended questionnaire from a systematic sample of 267 customers of full-fledged Islamic banks in Tanzania. Structural equation modeling and regression analysis techniques were used to analyze the data.

Findings

Results indicate that religiosity is a significant (p < 0.05) moderator of the relationship between SQ and loyalty (β = 0.176), and between CS and loyalty (β = 0.263). However, religiosity sharpens the impact of CS on loyalty (β increases from 0.170 to 0.263, p < 0.05) and does not sharpen the impact of SQ on loyalty (β decreases from 0.338 to 0.176, p < 0.05). The results further indicate that religiosity is not a significant moderator (p > 0.05) in the link between RQ and loyalty (β = −0.112).

Research limitations/implications

This study used only full-fledged Islamic banks in Tanzania. Therefore, future research could be undertaken by including conventional banks that have introduced an IB window.

Practical implications

To build and maintain a loyal customer base, Islamic banks should take advantage of religiosity by providing a wide range of Sharia-based products and services that truly distinguish them from conventional banks. Accordingly, policymakers should establish an appropriate legal framework to enable Islamic banks to leverage religiosity to sharpen the impact of CS on loyalty and hence maintain loyalty in non-Islamic countries like Tanzania.

Originality/value

This study proposes and validates the theoretical model of loyalty in IB by showing the role of religiosity as a moderator in a non-Islamic country. This knowledge strengthens the overall understanding of loyalty in IB. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to examine the moderation effects of religiosity in the link between RQ and loyalty, and thus between SQ, CS, RQ and loyalty in a single study.
Social action advertising: motivators and detractors in cause-oriented behaviors
Authors: Mueller Thomas
Published: February 2023

Purpose

It is an arduous process for corporations to determine if social action advertising is a complementary fit with their respective brands. This study aims to explore opportunities and disadvantages when brands consider cause-related partnerships as part of their overall marketing strategy. There are motivators and detractors related to social actions promoted by brands. It is essential for organizations, institutions and corporations to better understand if, or when, to use advertising that contributes to the social good.

Design/methodology/approach

Phase one of the study was a qualitative analysis conducted through personal interviews. Coded passages from interviews were aggregated into themes, which later defined ten social action advertising measures. The second phase in the study was a quantitative analysis (N = 506) that tested consumer involvement with the social action advertisement “You Love Me.” The spot was designed for the Dr. Dre Beats brand, in response to the George Floyd murder in 2020.

Findings

Brands need to carefully examine their own histories, political associations and concern for all consumer segments, prior to evoking social change. Differentiations arising from political views and gender identity are discussed. Regressions indicate “social ads that use stereotypes” was the key significant predictor of emotional involvement. Consumers feeling “respected and represented in social action ads” was the key significant predictor of fact-based cognitive involvement. “Social action ads distorted through virtue signaling” were 38% more likely to effect brand purchase when consumers viewed the social action ad.

Research limitations/implications

This is a nonfunded research study. Respondents who participated in interviews, and those selected for data collection, were solicited through convenience and judgmental nonprobability sampling. These data are racially and financially biased. Seventy-six percent of respondents in the racial variable were white; 51% stated they were “wealthy and have a lot of assets.” Neither variable is representative of the general population. In the future, researchers should collect a nonbiased stratified probability sample that would more closely reflect the general population and consumer audience.

Originality/value

This paper builds on the recommendations of Farrukh et al. (2021) who call for more published research in the areas of human rights violations and social change. The results of this study represent a cautionary tale. Political dogma within a polarized society has created pressure for chief marketing officers to integrate political values into brand values. The risk of creating adversarial factions has created a risky environment for brand developers and strategists (Mahoney, 2022).