bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interobserver and Intraobserver Reliability in Sonoelastographic Assessment of Thyroid Nodules
Authors: Duman Emrah , Aslan Ahmet , Buz Ayşenur , Sancak Seda , Aslan Mine , Kabaalioglu Adnan , Fersahoglu Ayse Tuba , Okuroglu Nalan , Onur Ender
Published: August 2022

Background

Thyroid ultrasonography is the first and perhaps most fundamental step for the radiological distinction of benign and malignant nodules. In this study, 2 radiologists reviewed the sonoelastographic and Doppler images of thyroid nodules and evaluated for the intraobserver and interobserver reliability.

Purpose

We aimed to determine confusing nodule identifiers and sonographic features differently defined by observers.

Methods

A total of 157 nodules in 91 patients (male/female, 72:19) with ages ranging from 18 to 72 years old were included in the study. Ultrasonographic images and video clips of the nodules were obtained and presented to 2 reviewers unaware of the cytopathology results. Two observers defined the characteristics of the nodules based on previously determined criteria. Then, intraobserver and interobserver correlation coefficients were calculated for each subcategory.

Results

In the grayscale ultrasonographic examination, varying degrees from low to high interobserver correlation coefficients were obtained for different subcategories (between κ = 0.359 and κ = 0.821). In color Doppler examination, we obtained medium correlation coefficients (κ = 0.493 and κ = 0.553). On the other hand, there was a high correlation coefficient in tissue compression elastography (κ = 0.617 and κ = 0.638).

According to our study results, elastographic pattern, shape of the nodule, presence of echogenic foci, and pathological lymph nodes are better predictors to determine the malignant potential of thyroid nodule with higher interobserver correlation. Therefore, these criteria may be used primarily for the evaluation of thyroid nodules. The intraobserver correlation coefficient was higher in the practitioner with longer experience, suggesting the importance of professional practice period on the decision-making process.
Extracellular Vesicles Isolated From Hypoxia-Preconditioned Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Promote Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1α–Mediated Neovascularization of Random Skin Flap in Rats
Authors: Wu Shu , Hu Xuan , Wang Zhao-Hui , Zhu Yuan-Zheng , Wang Jiang-Wen , Nie Jia-Ying , Yang Juan-Min , Yi Yang-Yan
Published: August 2022

Background

Random flaps are widely used for wound repair. However, flap necrosis is a serious complication leading to the failure of operation. Our previous study demonstrated a great proangiogenic potential of hypoxia-treated adipose-derived stem cells–extracellular vesicles (HT-ASC-EVs). Thus, we aim to evaluate the effect of HT-ASC-EVs in the survival and angiogenesis of random skin flap in rats.

Methods

Adipose-derived stem cells–extracellular vesicles were respectively isolated from adipose-derived stem cell culture medium of 3 donors via ultracentrifugation. The expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) and proangiogenic potential of HT-ASC-EVs and ASC-EVs were compared by co-culturing with human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 group (n = 10/group). A 9 × 3-cm random skin flap was separated from the underlying fascia with both sacral arteries sectioned on each rat. The survival and angiogenesis of flaps treated by ASC-EVs or HT-ASC-EVs were also compared. Laser Doppler flowmetry and immunohistochemistry were used to evaluate skin perfusion and angiogenesis of skin flaps on postoperative day 7.

Results

Hypoxia-treated adipose-derived stem cells–extracellular vesicles further improve the proliferation, migration, tube formation with upregulated HIF-1α, and VEGF expression of human umbilical vein endothelial cells in vitro, compared with ASC-EVs. In vivo, postoperatively injecting HT-ASC-EVs suppressed necrosis rate (29.1 ± 2.8% vs 59.2 ± 2.1%) and promoted the angiogenesis of skin flap including improved skin perfusion (803.2 ± 24.3 vs 556.3 ± 26.7 perfusion unit), increased number of CD31-positive cells, and upregulated expression of HIF-1α in vascular endothelium on postoperative day 7, compared with ASC-EVs.

Conclusions

Intradermal injecting HT-ASC-EVs improve the survival of random skin flap by promoting HIF-1α–mediated angiogenesis in rat model.
Coleadership in Maternity Teams, a Randomized, Counterbalanced, Crossover Trial in Simulation
Authors: Janssens Sarah , Clipperton Sharon , Simon Robert , Lowe Belinda , Griffin Alison , Beckmann Michael , Marshall Stuart
Published: August 2022

Objective

This study aimed to measure the effect of a coleadership model on team performance compared with singular leadership model in simulated maternity emergencies.

Methods

A randomized, counterbalanced, crossover trial was performed at 2 tertiary maternity hospitals. Teams of obstetric physicians and nurse/midwives responded to 2 simulated maternity emergencies in either a singular or coleadership model. The primary outcome measure was teamwork rated with the Auckland Team Behavior tool. Secondary outcome measures included clinical performance (completion of critical tasks, time to critical intervention, documentation), self-rated teamwork (TEAM tool) and workload. Participants also answered a survey assessing their views on the coleadership model. Paired t tests and mixed-effects linear regression considering team as a random effect were used to estimate the unadjusted and adjusted associations between leadership model and the outcomes of interest.

Results

There was no difference between leadership models for the primary outcome of teamwork (5.3 vs. 5.3, P = 0.91). Clinical outcome measures and self-rated teamwork scores were also similar. Team leaders reported higher workload than other team members, but these were not different between the leadership models. Participants viewed coleadership positively despite no measured objective evidence of benefit.

Conclusions

A coleadership model did not lead to a difference in team performance within simulated maternity emergencies. Despite this, participants viewed coleadership positively.
A Novel Digital Algorithm for Identifying Liver Steatosis Using Smartphone-Captured Images
Authors: Xu Katherine , Raigani Siavash , Shih Angela , Baptista Sofia G. , Rosales Ivy , Parry Nicola M. , Shroff Stuti G. , Misdraji Joseph , Uygun Korkut , Yeh Heidi , Fairchild Katherine , Dageforde Leigh Anne
Published: August 2022

Background.

Access to lifesaving liver transplantation is limited by a severe organ shortage. One factor contributing to the shortage is the high rate of discard in livers with histologic steatosis. Livers with <30% macrosteatosis are generally considered safe for transplant. However, histologic assessment of steatosis by a pathologist remains subjective and is often limited by image quality. Here, we address this bottleneck by creating an automated digital algorithm for calculating histologic steatosis using only images of liver biopsy histology obtained with a smartphone.

Methods.

Multiple images of frozen section liver histology slides were captured using a smartphone camera via the optical lens of a simple light microscope. Biopsy samples from 80 patients undergoing liver transplantation were included. An automated digital algorithm was designed to capture and count steatotic droplets in liver tissue while discounting areas of vascular lumen, white space, and processing artifacts. Pathologists of varying experience provided steatosis scores, and results were compared with the algorithm’s assessment. Interobserver agreement between pathologists was also assessed.

Results.

Interobserver agreement between all pathologists was very low but increased with specialist training in liver pathology. A significant linear relationship was found between steatosis estimates of the algorithm compared with expert liver pathologists, though the latter had consistently higher estimates.

Conclusions.

This study demonstrates proof of the concept that smartphone-captured images can be used in conjunction with a digital algorithm to measure steatosis. Integration of this technology into the transplant workflow may significantly improve organ utilization rates.
Hereditary motor neuropathies
Authors: Frasquet Marina , Sevilla Teresa
Published: August 2022

Purpose of review

Distal hereditary motor neuropathies (dHMN) are a clinically and genetically diverse group of disorders that are characterized by length-dependent axonal degeneration of lower motor neurons. In this review, we will provide an overview of dHMN, and we will correlate the distinct clinical subtypes with their causative genes, focusing on the most recent advances in the field.

Recent findings

Despite the massive use of new-generation sequencing (NGS) and the discovery of new genes, only a third of dHMN patients receive a molecular diagnosis. Thanks to international cooperation between researchers, new genes have been implicated in dHMN, such as SORD and VWA1. Mutations in SORD are the most frequent cause of autosomal recessive forms of dHMN. As a result of these findings, the potential benefits of some pharmacological compounds are being studied in cell and animal models, mainly targeting axonal transport and metabolic pathways.

Despite the wide use of NGS, the diagnosis of dHMN remains a challenge. The low prevalence of dHMN makes international cooperation necessary in order to discover new genes and causal mechanisms. Genetic diagnosis of patients and identification of new pathomechanism are essential for the development of therapeutical clinical trials.
Creation of novel pediatric academic curriculum and its evaluation using mixed methods
Authors: Balicki Martha , Barr Darja , Renaud Robert , Sharma Atul , Rodd Celia
Published: August 2022

Introduction

The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and the American Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education require resident skills in Evidence-Based Medicine and participation in research activities. Our first-year pediatric residents (PGY1s) were required to attend a novel, call-protected, 4-week Academic Skills and Knowledge (ASK) rotation to improve their skills as consumers of medical literature. Objectives of the study were to describe this curriculum and summarize its mixed-methods evaluation.

Methods

After 14 months of curriculum development, three annual cohorts of PGY1s wrote identical pre- and post-ASK quizzes (2017-19). In 2018 and 2019, we assessed knowledge retention with PGY1s re-writing the quiz after 6 months. Mean test scores were compared using paired t-tests. In 2017, pre- and post-ASK focus groups assessed resident feelings about the rotation.

Results

All eligible PGY1s (n=32) participated. Mean exam scores demonstrated increased knowledge (time0 mean±SD 52.6±11.0%; vs. time1 80.2±9.0%, p <0.001). Knowledge retention at 6 months was intermediate (time2 70.2±12.0%; time0 vs time2 p<0.001). In the pre-rotation focus group, residents looked forward to ASK; goals centered around growing from learner to expert. Post-ASK, residents were very satisfied. Resident participation in our annual Research Institute poster competition increased linearly from 0% in 2014 to 8% in 2020 (r=0.74, p=0.01).

Discussion

The ASK curriculum was successfully implemented, and increased knowledge persisted over time. Residents were satisfied with ASK and appreciated the structured curriculum building on core knowledge that they could immediately apply to their clinical work.

Statements and Declarations

All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection and analysis were performed by Martha Balicki, Darja Barr, Atul Sharma and Celia Rodd. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Martha Balicki and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Financial interests

None of the authors have any relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose. The authors did not receive support from any organization for the submitted work.

Data availability

The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
ADAMTS2 regulates radial neuronal migration by activating TGF-β signaling at the subplate layer of the developing neocortex
Authors: Kaneko Noe , Hirai Kumiko , Oshima Minori , Yura Kei , Hattori Mitsuharu , Maeda Nobuaki , Ohtaka-Maruyama Chiaki
Published: August 2022

During the development of the mammalian brain, neocortical structures are formed by the sequential radial migration of newborn excitatory neurons. The early migrating neurons exhibit a multipolar shape, but they undergo a multipolar-to-bipolar transition at the subplate (SP) layer, where extracellular matrix (ECM) components are abundantly expressed. In this study, we revealed that the TGF-β signaling-related ECM proteins, such as latent TGF-β-binding protein 1 (LTBP1) and fibrillin 2, and TGF-β receptor II (TGF-βRII) and its downstream effector, p-smad2/3, are selectively expressed at the SP layer, suggesting that TGF-β is sequestered in a latent form by forming complexes with these ECM components and then its signaling is activated by ECM remodeling. We found that the migrating multipolar neurons transiently express a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motif 2 (ADAMTS2), an ECM metalloproteinase, just below the SP layer. Knockdown and knockout of Adamts2 suppressed the multipolar-to-bipolar transition of migrating neurons, and therefore, disturbed radial migration. Similar phenotypes were observed by the perturbation of TGF-β signaling in the migrating neurons. Time-lapse luminescence imaging of TGF-β signaling indicated that ADAMTS2 activates this signaling pathway in the migrating neurons during the multipolar-to-bipolar transition at the SP layer. These results suggest that the ADAMTS2 secreted by the migrating multipolar neurons activates TGF-β signaling by ECM remodeling of the SP layer, leading to the multipolar-to-bipolar transition. We propose that the SP layer plays an essential role in the radial neuronal migration as a signaling center of the developing neocortex.

SIGNIFICANCE

The neocortex is formed by the sequential radial migration of newborn neurons, which undergo a multipolar-to-bipolar transition at the subplate (SP) layer. The extracellular matrix (ECM) is abundantly expressed in the SP layer. However, the roles of the ECM in the SP layer have been unclear. We found that migrating neurons transiently express a disintegrin and a metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motif 2 (ADAMTS2), an ECM metalloproteinase, just below the SP layer. We show that ADAMTS2 secreted by multipolar migrating neurons activates TGF-β signaling through remodeling of the ECM in the SP layer, leading to the multipolar-to-bipolar transition. Thus, the SP layer plays an essential role in radial migration as a signaling center of the developing neocortex
Optogenetic activation of dorsal raphe serotonin neurons induces brain-wide activation
Authors: Hamada Hiro Taiyo , Abe Yoshifumi , Takata Norio , Taira Masakazu , Tanaka Kenji F. , Doya Kenji
Published: August 2022

Serotonin is a neuromodulator that affects multiple behavioral and cognitive functions. Nonetheless, how serotonin causes such a variety of effects via brain-wide projections and various receptors remains unclear. Here we measured brain-wide responses to optogenetic stimulation of serotonin neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) of the male mouse brain using functional MRI with an 11.7T scanner and a cryoprobe. Transient activation of DRN serotonin neurons caused brain-wide activation, including the medial prefrontal cortex, the striatum, and the ventral tegmental area. The same stimulation under anesthesia with isoflurane decreased brain-wide activation, including the hippocampal complex. These brain-wide response patterns can be explained by DRN serotonergic projection topography and serotonin receptor expression profiles, with enhanced weights on 5-HT1 receptors. Together, these results provide insight into the DR serotonergic system, which is consistent with recent discoveries of its functions in adaptive behaviors.
Hepatitis C virus non-structural proteins modulate cellular kinases for increased cytoplasmic abundance of host factor HuR and facilitate viral replication
Authors: Raheja Harsha , George Biju , Tripathi Sachin Kumar , Saha Sandhini , Maiti Tushar Kanti , Das Saumitra
Published: August 2022

Host protein HuR translocation from nucleus to cytoplasm following infection is crucial for the life cycle of several RNA viruses including hepatitis C virus (HCV), a major causative agent of hepatocellular carcinoma. HuR assists the assembly of replication-complex on the viral-3′UTR, and its depletion hampers viral replication. Although cytoplasmic HuR is crucial for HCV replication, little is known about how the virus orchestrates the mobilization of HuR into the cytoplasm from the nucleus. We show that two viral proteins, NS3 and NS5A, act co-ordinately to alter the equilibrium of the nucleo-cytoplasmic movement of HuR. NS3 activates protein kinase C (PKC)-δ, which in-turn phosphorylates HuR on S318 residue, triggering its export to the cytoplasm. NS5A inactivates AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) resulting in diminished nuclear import of HuR through blockade of AMPK-mediated phosphorylation and acetylation of importin-α1. Cytoplasmic retention or entry of HuR can be reversed by an AMPK activator or a PKC-δ inhibitor. Our findings suggest that efforts should be made to develop inhibitors of PKC-δ and AMPK, either separately or in combination, to inhibit HCV infection.

Author summary

Hepatitis C virus is a major human pathogen, which exploits cellular machinery for its propagation in liver cells. The cytoplasmic availability of cellular components is crucial for their direct influence on processes involving the viral RNA, which lacks any nuclear history. Our results establish the involvement of viral proteins, NS3 and NS5A in achieving increased cytoplasmic abundance of a host factor HuR, an RNA binding protein (RBP) critical for HCV replication. This is achieved via direct post-translational modification of HuR and indirect regulation of its nuclear carrier by coercing two host kinases, PKC-δ and AMPK-α. RBPs are emerging as novel targetable candidates for gene regulation. Similar studies with other RBPs and targeting protein modifications, in place of whole protein knockdown, could usher in a revolutionary strategy to neutralize emerging RNA virus-based diseases, while preserving their cellular functions.
Pathway and mechanism of tubulin folding mediated by TRiC/CCT conjugated with its ATPase cycle revealed by cryo-EM
Authors: Liu Caixuan , Jin Mingliang , Wang Shutian , Han Wenyu , Zhao Qiaoyu , Wang Yifan , Xu Cong , Diao Lei , Yin Yue , Peng Chao , Bao Lan , Wang Yanxing , Cong Yao
Published: August 2022

The eukaryotic chaperonin TRiC/CCT assists the folding of about 10% of cytosolic proteins through an ATP-driven conformational cycle, and the essential cytoskeleton protein tubulin is the obligate substrate of TRiC. Here, we present an ensemble of cryo-EM structures of human TRiC throughout its ATPase cycle, with three of them revealing endogenously engaged tubulin in different folding stages. Our structural and XL-MS analyses suggested a gradual upward translocation and stabilization of tubulin within the TRiC chamber accompanying TRiC ring closure. Remarkably, in the closed TRiC-tubulin-S3 map resolved to 3.1-Å-resolution, we captured a near-natively folded tubulin. We found the near-natively folded tubulin engaging through its N and C domains mainly with the A and I domains of the CCT3/6/8 subunits through electrostatic and hydrophilic interactions, while the tubulin I domain was found to remain dynamic. Moreover, we also showed the potential role of TRiC C-terminal tails in substrate stabilization and folding. Our study delineates the pathway and molecular mechanism of TRiC-mediated tubulin folding conjugated with TRiC ATPase cycle, and may also inform the design of therapeutic agents targeting TRiC-tubulin interactions.
Recovery of structural integrity of epithelial monolayer in response to massive apoptosis-induced defects
Authors: Yuan Yuan , Han Yu Long , Xia Jing , Li Hui , Tang Chao , Ye Fangfu , Weitz David A. , Guo Ming
Published: August 2022

Apoptosis exists ubiquitously in organisms and plays an essential role in maintaining the homeostasis of functional tissues. While the signaling pathway of cell apoptosis has been widely studied, the mechanism of how apoptotic cells regulate the structural homeostasis of a living tissue still remains largely elusive. Using a functional epithelial monolayer as a model system, we find that the integrity of the epithelium is interrupted by apoptosis-induced defects, with an increasing permeability to small molecules across the epithelium. The defects promote a structural reorganization through enhanced cell spreading and migratory dynamics, resulting in a quick recovery of epithelium integrity. Moreover, we show the epithelial monolayer remodeling is driven by local enhanced traction force after apoptosis, which triggers the process of fluidization and mesenchymal-like migration. Our results show the quick recovery of epithelial homeostasis when being interrupted by cell apoptosis, and indicate the importance of apoptosis-induced mechanical force in mediating cell behaviors to maintain the structural integrity of epithelium.
Revealing the drivers of antibiotic resistance trends inStreptococcus pneumoniaeamidst the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic: Insights from mathematical modeling
Authors: Kovacevic Aleksandra , Smith David R M , Rahbé Eve , Novelli Sophie , Henriot Paul , Varon Emmanuelle , Cohen Robert , Levy Corinne , Temime Laura , Opatowski Lulla
Published: August 2022

Non-pharmaceutical interventions implemented to block SARS-CoV-2 transmission in early 2020 led to global reductions in the incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD). By contrast, most European countries reported an increase in antibiotic resistance among invasiveStreptococcus pneumoniaeisolates from 2019 to 2020, while an increasing number of studies reported stable pneumococcal carriage prevalence over the same period. To disentangle the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on pneumococcal epidemiology in the community setting, we propose a mathematical model formalizing simultaneous transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and antibiotic-sensitive and -resistant strains ofS. pneumoniae. To test hypotheses underlying these trends five mechanisms were built in into the model and examined: (1) a population-wide reduction of antibiotic prescriptions in the community, (2) lockdown effect on pneumococcal transmission, (3) a reduced risk of developing an IPD due to the absence of common respiratory viruses, (4) community azithromycin use in COVID-19 infected individuals, (5) and a longer carriage duration of antibiotic-resistant pneumococcal strains. Among 31 possible pandemic scenarios involving mechanisms individually or in combination, model simulations surprisingly identified only two scenarios that reproduced the reported trends in the general population. They included factors (1), (3), and (4). These scenarios replicated a nearly 50% reduction in annual IPD, and an increase in antibiotic resistance from 20% to 22%, all while maintaining a relatively stable pneumococcal carriage. Exploring further, higher SARS-CoV-2 R0 values and synergistic within-host virus- bacteria interaction mechanisms could have additionally contributed to the observed antibiotic resistance increase. Our work demonstrates the utility of the mathematical modeling approach in unraveling the complex effects of the COVID-19 pandemic responses on AMR dynamics.
Enhancing customer satisfaction, personnel satisfaction and company reputation with total quality management: combining traditional and new views
Authors: Lepistö Kari , Saunila Minna , Ukko Juhani
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This study investigates the effect of total quality management (TQM) on customer satisfaction, personnel satisfaction and company reputation.

Design/methodology/approach

The study results rely on a structured survey conducted among an extensive sample of Finnish SMEs. In addition to the examination of the relationship between TQM and company performance in terms of customer satisfaction, personnel satisfaction and company reputation, the study takes a view on the possible effects of the industry, the company size and the certified quality system.

Findings

The results reveal that two TQM dimensions, namely Customer Focus and Product Management, were related to companies' customer satisfaction, whereas four TQM dimensions, namely Management/leadership, Customer Focus, Personnel Management and Risk Management, were related to personnel satisfaction. None of the TQM dimensions were related to company reputation. The control variables – the industry, the company size and the certified quality system – were not found to affect customer satisfaction, personnel satisfaction or company reputation.

Originality/value

Most previous studies have been based on traditional TQM classification and have not shown the effects of the latest TQM-related dimensions. Compared to previous studies, this work integrates risk management, digitization, system deployment efficiency and stakeholder management into TQM, which has not been implemented in any previous study. The roles of hard and soft TQM factors have been carefully considered in this study; thus, the study does not place too much emphasis on either direction but provides a balanced picture of the performance of the management systems studied. Although there are studies on the effects of TQM on personnel satisfaction, customer satisfaction and reputation, they are based on a much narrower definition of TQM than that in this study. The business environment is constantly changing, but only a few studies have been conducted to extend the TQM approach. This has led to duplication of studies, and the effects of performance-relevant procedures have not been extensively studied in the past as part of TQM. Therefore, the concept of this study brings significant added value to TQM research and returns the TQM concept to the overall level while considering the requirements of the ISO 9001: 2015 and EFQM 2019 quality standards. The study also considers the effects of ISO 9001 certification and EFQM requirements.
A new scheme for extracting fault features of rolling element bearings
Authors: Liu Xiangnan , He Kuanfang
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a new fault feature extraction scheme for the rolling element bearing.

Design/methodology/approach

The generalized Stockwell transform (GST) and the singular value ratio spectrum (SVRS) methods are combined. A time-frequency distribution measurement criterion named the energy concentration measurement (ECM) is initially used to determine the parameter of the optimal GST method. Then, the optimal GST is applied to conduct a time-frequency transformation for a raw signal. Subsequently, the two-dimensional time-frequency matrix is obtained. Finally, the improved singular value decomposition (SVD) analysis is used to conduct a noise reduction of the time-frequency matrix. The SVRS is proposed to select the effective singular values. Furthermore, the time-domain feature of the impact signal is obtained by taking the inverse GST transform.

Findings

The simulated and experimental signals are used to verify the superiority of the proposed method over conventional methods. The obtained results show that the proposed method can effectively extract fault features of the rolling element bearing.

Research limitations/implications

This paper mainly discusses the application of GST and SVRS methods to analyze the weak fault feature extraction problem. The next research direction is to explore the application of the Hilbert Huang transform (HHT) and variational modal decomposition (VMD) in the impact feature extraction of rolling bearing.

Originality/value

In the present study, a new SVRS method is proposed to select the number of effective singular values. This paper proposed an effective way to obtain the fault feature in monitoring of rotating machinery.
Interactions among antecedents of project outsourcing strategies: evidence from Chinese construction firms
Authors: Lai Jingyi , Fu Yongcheng , Chen Yongqiang , Du Bo
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Outsourcing is a common practice that is often adopted to reduce costs and enhance capabilities. The underlying logic of a firm's outsourcing strategy is not always evident due to multiple antecedents with interacting effects. This study identifies critical factors that influence outsourcing strategies and reveals their interactions with empirical evidence from Chinese construction firms.

Design/methodology/approach

The quantitative decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) method was applied to analyze the interrelationships among the antecedents of project outsourcing strategies. First, 24 experts from 13 Chinese construction firms were invited to evaluate and score the influence of each factor on the other. Second, the graph theory and matrix tools of DEMATEL were used to quantitatively obtain the causality among factors and the prominence of each factor within the system.

Findings

Among the antecedents, a firm's pursuit of cost efficiency, identity, technological capability and contracting capability are the most prominent factors influencing project outsourcing strategies. For the interactions among these factors, this study reveals that the focal firm's technological capability significantly influences its contracting capability, and they jointly influence the firm's outsourcing practices, the selection of outsourcing vendors and, eventually, its pursuit of cost efficiency. Moreover, legal restrictions in the institutional environment strongly shape this capability–cost efficiency relationship.

Originality/value

Twelve critical factors following different theoretical perspectives at varying levels of analysis were identified from the literature review. By revealing the interrelationships among these factors, this study develops a holistic framework that integrates the transaction cost and capability perspectives for understanding project outsourcing strategies embedded in different institutional environments.
Assessing burnout in diversity and inclusion professionals
Authors: Pemberton Andrea , Kisamore Jennifer
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Burnout has been linked to a myriad of negative organizational and individual health outcomes which threaten employee and organizational well-being. This study examines how unique features of diversity and inclusion (D&I) work are related to burnout.

Design/methodology/approach

Participants were recruited using network and convenience sampling strategies. A total of 64 full-time employees whose primary responsibility is to implement the D&I strategy for their organization provided useable data for analysis. Participants completed measures of burnout, role ambiguity, role conflict, subjective experiences of tokenism, and top management support. Measures were administered online via Qualtrics.

Findings

Results suggest lack of clear job duties, conflicting job demands, lack of top management support, and experiences of tokenism are associated with D&I professionals' experiences of burnout. The current study, however, indicates that while D&I professional experience higher levels of exhaustion than other professionals, they also experience greater professional efficacy, which suggests D&I roles are both challenging and rewarding.

Practical implications

Results suggest organizational leaders may mitigate employee burnout by providing clear support to and role definitions for D&I professionals.

Originality/value

This study is the first to explore burnout experiences among D&I professionals. Additionally, this study examines how burnout experiences are associated with role dysfunctions, top management support, and subjective experiences of tokenism.
Are temporary jobs stepping stones or dead ends? A systematic review of the literature
Authors: Filomena Mattia , Picchio Matteo
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the heterogeneous results about the impact of temporary jobs on subsequent labour market performances and to provide policymakers with further information on the effects of temporary contracts under particular circumstances.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors present a quantitative systematic review on the debate about the “stepping stone vs dead end” hypothesis related to the causal effect of temporary jobs on future labour market performances.

Findings

Among 78 observations from 64 articles, 32% support the hypothesis according to which temporary contracts are a port of entry into stable employment positions, 23% report ambiguous or mixed findings and the remaining 45% provide evidence in favour of the dead end hypothesis. The results from meta-regressions suggest that the stepping stone effect is more likely to emerge when self-selectivity issues are dealt with. The studies focussing on temporary work agency jobs and casual/seasonal jobs support more easily the dead end hypothesis. Finally, in more recent years and when the unemployment rate is larger, the dead end hypothesis is more likely to prevail.

Originality/value

Although many studies have been published on this issue, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, there are no recent analytic economic surveys on the “stepping stone vs dead end” debate. The main contribution of this article is to fill this gap.
Does KAM disclosure make a difference in emerging markets? An investigation into audit fees and report lag
Authors: Baatwah Saeed Rabea , Almoataz Ehsan Saleh , Omer Waddah Kamal , Aljaaidi Khaled Salmen
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This study investigates the consequences of the key audit matter (KAM) disclosure requirement by considering two salient audit proxies: audit fees and audit report lag. This investigation is relevant because most auditors worldwide are required to expand their audit report including discussion on key matters faced in the audit engagement. However, the emerging literature on the implications of KAM is inconclusive.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a distinctive dataset of 601 year-observations for firms listed on the Omani capital market over 2012–2019, this study employs pooled panel data regression with robust standard error.

Findings

Results indicate that auditors increased their fees considerably during the period of KAM but substantially shortened audit report lag. Conversely, using the KAM period as a sample, the authors find marginal or insignificant evidence for the effect of the number of KAM on both proxies. In additional analyses, this study shows that entity-level risk KAM is associated with higher fees and shorter audit report lag, while KAM related to account-level risk does not have the same effect. Interestingly, it is observed that KAM disclosure is strongly associated with higher fees and high-quality audit even when the auditors issue their report in a shorter time.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the limited research examining the consequences of KAM in emerging markets. It is also the first to show that KAM is associated with shorter audit report lag.
A novel Internet of Things and federated learning-based privacy protection in blockchain technology
Authors: Alotaibi Shoayee Dlaim
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Be that as it may, BC is computationally costly, has restricted versatility and brings about critical transmission capacity upward and postpones, those seems not to be fit with Internet of Things (IoT) setting. A lightweight scalable blockchain (LSB) which is improved toward IoT necessities is suggested by the authors and investigates LSB within brilliant house setup like an agent model to enable more extensive IoT apps. Less asset gadgets inside brilliant house advantage via any unified chief which lays out common units for correspondence also cycles generally approaching and active solicitations.

Design/methodology/approach

Federated learning and blockchain (BC) have drawn in huge consideration due to the unchanging property and the relevant safety measure and protection benefits. FL and IoT safety measures’ difficulties can be conquered possibly by BC.

Findings

LSB accomplishes fragmentation through shaping any overlaid web with more asset gadgets mutually deal with a public BC and federated learning which assures complete protection also security.

Originality/value

This overlaid is coordinated as without error bunches and reduces extra efforts, also batch leader will be with answer to handle commonly known BCs. LSB joins some of advancements which also includes computations related to lesser weighing agreement, optimal belief also throughput regulatory body.
In-depth and feedback analysis of the relationship between human activities, the environment and economic growth in Africa
Authors: Beyene Sisay Demissew
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The literature argues that human activities are responsible for environmental pollution and world climate change. Africa is the second-largest continent by population and its socio-economic conditions are adversely affected by climate change due to environmental pollution. Therefore, this study investigates the relationship between human activities, the environment and the economic growth of 38 African countries from 2000 to 2018.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employs a simultaneous equations model called Seemingly unrelated regression.

Findings

Human capital development (HDI) and environmental health (EH) have a positive and non-linear relationship, while HDI and ecosystem vitality (EV) are negative and non-linear. The relationship between gross domestic product per capita (GDPPC) and EH is negative and non-linear. However, the GDPPC-EV link is insignificant. Trade openness (TO) and EV have a negative and non-linear relationship, but trade significantly improves EH. Urbanisation-EV relationship is positive and non-linear. However, urbanisation significantly reduces EH. Technology has a positive and non-linear relationship with EH and EV. The study also found that EH and EV positively affects the economy.

Originality/value

This is the first study to analyse the most concerned countries in-depth. Thus, it provides appropriate and sound policies that consider the unique characteristics of the nations. Moreover, it uses a robust estimation technique that overcomes the endogeneity problem and offers insight into the relationship between the variables, including the feedback effect of the environment on growth.
LGBT tourist decision-making and behaviours. A study of Millennial Italian tourists
Authors: Monaco Salvatore
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Sociological researches about tourism of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people are growing in number. These studies are carried out mainly in Anglo-Saxon countries, although nowadays tour operators, travel agencies, cruise and airline companies have started to reserve more and more services and promotions to this group of travellers all around the world. To fill this gap, the paper presents the results of a research that involved 650 Italian LGBT Millennial travellers.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the exploratory technique of multiple correspondence analysis, the research focussed on the study of decision-making processes, finding out the factors that drive young LGBT people to prefer one destination over the others, distinguishing motivations between pull and push factors.

Findings

For Italian LGBT Millennials, tourism means more than just recreation. Tourism could also represent a strategy that gives them temporary escape from social prejudice and inequality, since tourist experiences provide an opportunity to re-build LGBT people' sexual identity and enjoy social freedom that LGBT people are deprived of whilst being at home.

Originality/value

The analysis allowed to underline some differences. Even if LGBT people share the burden of being as a member of a sexual and gender minority, LGBT people attribute a slightly different meaning to tourism, considering distinct push and pull factors.
Executing a destination branding strategy: Louisville Tourism’s Urban Bourbon Trail
Authors: Ford Robert C. , Bowen John T. , Yates Stacey
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to add new insights into the discussion of how a city’s destination marketing organization (DMO) can apply operant resources to act upon its operant resources to create, market and manage a unique brand over time.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses an abductive approach to advance understanding of how to execute a branding strategy that evolves over time while strategically curating its unique and valued resources. This understanding is based on an in-depth review of Louisville’s branding journey, including written documents and interviews with people involved in building the branding strategy.

Findings

This paper presents a model to help destinations focus on how to create, market and manage the delivery of a branded ecosystem that capitalizes on its resources. The study adds new insights into how DMOs can curate a destination’s resources into an ecosystem that delivers its brand promise over time.

Originality/value

The study introduces the idea of ecotopes to expand an understanding of tourism ecosystems, it presents the concept of a customer journey to depict a destination’s branding strategy, incorporates Barney’s Resource Based Theory (Barney & Clark, 2007) into the process of creating a destination’s brand and applies Barnard’s (1938) classic Acceptance Theory of Authority to explain how DMOs can execute a destination’s branding strategy.
Reactivity in measuring sensitive online behavior
Authors: Keusch Florian , Bach Ruben , Cernat Alexandru
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Digital trace data provide new opportunities to study how individuals act and interact with others online. One advantage of this type of data is that it measures behavior in a less obtrusive way than surveys, potentially reducing measurement error. However, it is well documented that in observational studies, participants' awareness of being observed can change their behavior, especially when the behavior is considered sensitive. Very little is known regarding this effect in the online realm. Against this background, we studied whether people change their online behavior because digital trace data are being collected.

Design/methodology/approach

We analyzed data from a sample of 1,959 members of a German online panel who had consented to the collection of digital trace data about their online browsing and/or mobile app usage. To identify reactivity, we studied change over time in five types of sensitive online behavior.

Findings

We found that the frequency and duration with which individuals engage in sensitive behaviors online gradually increases during the first couple of days after the installation of a tracker, mainly individuals who extensively engage in sensitive behavior show this pattern of increase after installation and this change in behavior is limited to certain types of sensitive online behavior.

Originality/value

There is an increased interest in the use of digital trace data in the social sciences and our study is one of the first methodological contributions measuring reactivity in digital trace data measurement.
Understanding customer satisfaction of augmented reality in retail: a human value orientation and consumption value perspective
Authors: Wang Weisha , Cao Dongmei , Ameen Nisreen
Published: August 2022

Purpose

While customer perceived augmented reality (AR) values have generally enhanced customer experience, AR value would be appreciated the most by a consumer segment that remains unexplored. Drawing from human value orientation theory and consumption value theory, this research proposes a new model analysing the effects of human value orientation (openness to change, conservation, self-transcendence, and self-enhancement) on perceived AR values (playful, social, visual appeal, usability) and subsequently the effects on customer satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

:The authors employed a two-step online data collection. The first step was to identify those who had used retailers' AR applications, who were then invited to participate in the full survey in the second step. A sample of 253 AR technology users' data was analysed using partial least square and structural equation modelling.

Findings

The results reveal that each human value orientation is associated with its unique perceived AR values and that various perceived AR values influence customer satisfaction differently.

Originality/value

This study shows the pivotal role human value orientation plays in influencing customer perceived AR values and their impacts on customer satisfaction. The findings offer key implications for digital marketing segmentation.
Everyday technology to support basic communication and leisure of individuals with extensive neuro-motor and speech impairments
Authors: D'Amico Fiora , Boscia Filippo , Cannone Andrea , Alberti Gloria , Lancioni Giulio
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The study was to develop and test a new technology-aided program to support basic communication and leisure of people with extensive neuro-motor and speech impairments.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was carried out according to a non-concurrent multiple baseline design across three participants. During the intervention, the participants used the new program. This relied on a smartphone, a tablet, and radio frequency identification tags, and allowed the participants to make communication and leisure choices via small hand movements. Communication choices involved the possibility of sending messages or making telephone calls to preferred persons. Leisure choices involved the possibility of accessing preferred music, comedy, and sport or television shows.

Findings

During the intervention, the participants were highly successful in activating communication and leisure events independently. They had mean cumulative engagement times of about 7–8.5 min per 10-min session.

Originality/value

The new program is easily accessible and affordable in terms of the technology components involved and appears highly suitable and friendly for individuals who have only limited hand movement.