bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interpretation of Morphological Details of Nondegenerated Lumbar Intervertebral Discs on Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Insights From a Comparison Between Computed Tomography Discograms and Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Sharma Aseem , Lagerstrand Kerstin , Brisby Helena , Hebelka Hanna
Published: March 2022

Objective

To gain better insight into the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) appearance of morphological intervertebral disc (IVD) details, such as annular and nucleus pulposus dimensions, by comparing contemporaneously obtained MRI and postdiscogram computed tomography (CT) scans of nondegenerated IVDs.

Methods

Axial T2-weighted images and same-day postdiscography CTs, acquired after the MRI, of 26 normal-appearing lumbar IVDs (control IVDs at discography) were compared. The location and extent of central hyperintense zone on MRI and the extent of contrast distribution on CT relative to the IVD width (in anteroposterior [AP] and lateral planes) were assessed, with difference in measures between the modalities used to provide apparent inner annulus thickness and to estimate dimensions of also the outer annulus and location of nucleus pulposus.

Results

The mean (SD) extent of contrast distribution on CT discograms (53.1% [6.6%] and 58.1% [8.7%] of AP and lateral IVD width) was smaller than (P < 0.001 for both), and correlated weakly (r = 0.31 and 0.32 for AP and lateral planes) with corresponding measurements (58.4% [5.3%] and 65.7% [5.9%], respectively) for central hyperintense zone at MRI. The center of contrast opacification on CT discograms was located posterior to that of central T2 hyperintense zone on MRI in AP (P < 0.01), without any difference in lateral direction (P = 0.60).

Conclusions

Normal-appearing lumbar IVDs are supported by outer annulus of larger relative thickness anteriorly, seen on both modalities. The shown discrepancy between the central T2 hyperintense zone and contrast distribution on CT discogram might reflect the inner annulus or structural changes within the borderzone nucleus and annulus. The exact nucleus size and inner annulus thickness could not be established due to a variable permeation of contrast across the central hyperintense zone on T2-weighted images.
Anodal Stimulation Latency Response Differences Between Ipsilateral and Contralateral Motor Evoked Potentials in Hand Muscles
Authors: Gonzalez Andres A. , Mahani Tandis , Parikh Pooja
Published: March 2022

Purpose:

Purpose of this study was to analyze the latency and amplitude of transcranial motor evoked potentials responses from the contralateral and ipsilateral muscle groups to the same stimulus. If responses are because of activation of deeper structures, the latency of both the ipsilateral and the contralateral responses should have no difference. However, a difference in latency would suggest that activation might be occurring at different subcortical levels.

Methods:

Data regarding demographics, medical history, and neurophysiological parameters were collected retrospectively on patients undergoing lumbar spine surgeries. Each side transcranial MEPs was considered as an independent data. Latency and amplitude of motor responses were recorded from the hand muscles of the ipsilateral and contralateral side from the same transcranial stimulus at preincision baseline. Statistical data analysis was performed using SAS 9.4. Paired t test was used to identify mean of differences in latency and amplitude between contralateral and ipsilateral intrinsic hand muscle.

Results:

Data on 54 patients (104 MEPs) were obtained. Using paired t test, mean of differences in latency between ipsilateral (crossover) and contralateral (desired) intrinsic hand muscle was 0.8967 milliseconds (P < 0.0001) while median was 0.71 milliseconds. Using paired t test, mean of differences in amplitude between ipsilateral and contralateral hand muscles was −1,071 µV (P = <0.0001).

Conclusions:

Significant latency differences were seen between the contralateral and the ipsilateral hand MEP responses using the same transcranial stimulus, suggesting a different subcortical activation. Understanding of this difference might help better in the selection of baselines, and whether to favor responses obtained under the anode or under the cathode.
Moisture-Associated Skin Damage
Authors: Gray Mikel , Bliss Donna Z. , McNichol Laurie
Published: March 2022

Moisture-associated skin damage (MASD) occurs when skin is repeatedly exposed to various sources of bodily secretions or effluents, often leading to irritant contact dermatitis with inflammation, with or without denudation of affected skin. In 2020, the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society took an initiative that led to the addition of multiple International Classification for Diseases codes for irritant contract dermatitis caused by various forms of MASD for use in the United States (ICD-10-CM). In the last issue of the Journal of Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing, a clinical practice alert identifying the various new codes was published that summarized each of the new codes and provided highlights of the descriptions of each of the these codes. This is the first in a series of 2 articles providing a more detailed description of the newest irritant contact dermatitis codes linked to MASD. Specifically, this article reviews the clinical manifestations and assessment, pathophysiology, epidemiology, prevention, and management of irritant contact dermatitis due to saliva, respiratory secretions, and fecal or urinary incontinence.
Riddles wrapped inside an enigma. Lupemban MSA technology as a rainforest adaptation: revisiting the lanceolate point
Authors: Taylor Nicholas
Published: March 2022

The Central African Stone Age is very poorly known when compared to the higher-resolution records of East and Southern Africa. Early Stone Age (ESA) archaeology is effectively absent from the rainforest zone, with the early Middle Stone Age (MSA) Lupemban industry representing the earliest sustained archaeological signature. Uranium-series dates of approximately 265 ka BP for the Lupemban at Twin Rivers (Zambia), although queried, suggest a precocious late Middle Pleistocene dispersal of early
Homo sapiens
into the equatorial rainforest belt. Lupemban palaeohabitat interactions and attendant behavioural and technological repertoires are key to its evolutionary significance, but investigation is hampered by the widespread vertical disturbance of stratigraphic profiles and the formation of ‘stone-lines'. The Lupemban takes in a range of implement types and technologies, including core-axes, prepared core technology (PCT) points, blades and backed blades. But it is the elongated bifacial lanceolate point—some exquisitely made and many exceeding 30 cm in length—that defines the industry. Remarkably, unequivocal examples of these iconic artefacts have never been the focus of detailed techno-typological scrutiny. In this paper, I advance understanding of the Lupemban by initiating a re-consideration of lanceolate points at Kalambo Falls, Zambia, and discuss their implications for the Lupemban's evolutionary significance.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Tropical forests in the deep human past’.
Population structure of ocular Streptococcus pneumoniae is highly diverse and formed by lineages that escape current vaccines
Authors: Andre Camille , Rouhana John , Scarpa de Mello Suelen , Rosa da Cunha Gabriela , Van Camp Andrew G. , Gilmore Michael S. , Bispo Paulo J.M.
Published: March 2022

Streptococcus pneumoniae

is a leading cause of ocular infections including serious and sight-threatening conditions. The use of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV) has substantially reduced the incidence of pneumonia and invasive pneumococcal diseases, but has had limited impact on ocular infections. Additionally, widespread vaccine use has resulted in ongoing selective pressure and serotype replacement in carriage and disease. To gain insight into the population structure of pneumococcal isolates causing ocular infections in a post-PCV-13 time period, we investigated the genomic epidemiology of ocular

S. pneumoniae

isolates (n=45) collected at Massachusetts Eye and Ear between 2014 and 2017. By performing a series of molecular typing methods from draft genomes, we found that the population structure of ocular

S. pneumoniae

is highly diverse with 27 sequence types (grouped into 18 clonal complexes) and 17 serotypes being identified. Distribution of these lineages diverged according to the site of isolation, with conjunctivitis being commonly caused by isolates grouped in the Epidemic Conjunctivitis Cluster-ECC (60 %), and ST448 (53.3 %) being most frequently identified. Conversely,

S. pneumoniae

keratitis cases were caused by a highly diverse population of isolates grouping within 15 different clonal complexes. Serotyping inference demonstrated that 95.5 % of the isolates were non-PCV-13 vaccine types. Most of the conjunctivitis isolates (80 %) were unencapsulated, with the remaining belonging to serotypes 15B, 3 and 23B. On the other hand,

S. pneumoniae

causing keratitis were predominantly encapsulated (95.2 %) with 13 different serotypes identified, mostly being non-vaccine types. Carriage of macrolide resistance genes was common in our ocular

S. pneumoniae

population (42.2 %), and usually associated with the mefA +msrD genotype (n=15). These genes were located in the Macrolide Efflux Genetic Assembly cassette and were associated with low-level in vitro resistance to 14- and 15-membered macrolides. Less frequently, macrolide-resistant isolates carried an ermB gene (n=4), which was co-located with the tetM gene in a Tn-916-like transposon. Our study demonstrates that the population structure of ocular

S. pneumoniae

is highly diverse, mainly composed by isolates that escape the PCV-13 vaccine, with patterns of tissue/niche segregation, adaptation and specialization. These findings suggest that the population structure of ocular pneumococcus may be shaped by multiple factors including PCV-13 selective pressure, microbial-related and niche-specific host-associated features.
Comparing Machine Learning Architectures for the Prediction of Peptide Collisional Cross Section
Authors: Franklin Emily , Röst Hannes L.
Published: March 2022

1

Mass spectrometry is the method of choice in large-scale proteomics studies. One common method is data-independent acquisition (DIA), which allows for high-throughput analysis of biological samples, but also produces complex data. Methods of peptide separation, in addition to retention time, improve data analysis and there has been increasing interest in separating peptides based on collisional cross section (CCS), which is a measure of the size of a peptide. However, existing libraries that are used during data analysis lack CCS measurements, and this data is expensive and time-consuming to acquire. This has led to the desire to predict library values for mass spectrometry analysis. Here we compare three deep learning architectures, LSTM, CNN, and transformer, for the tasks of retention time and collisional cross section prediction. We show that the LSTM and CNN models perform similarly and that the transformer has a lower performance than expected.
Plant-associated fungi support bacterial resilience following water limitation
Authors: Hestrin Rachel , Kan Megan , Lafler Marissa , Wollard Jessica , Kimbrel Jeffrey A. , Ray Prasun , Blazewicz Steven , Stuart Rhona , Craven Kelly , Firestone Mary , Nuccio Erin , Pett-Ridge Jennifer
Published: March 2022

Drought disrupts soil microbial activity and many biogeochemical processes. Although plant-associated fungi can support plant performance and nutrient cycling during drought, their effects on nearby drought-exposed soil microbial communities are not well resolved. We used H18O quantitative stable isotope probing (qSIP) and 16S rRNA gene profiling to investigate bacterial community dynamics following water limitation in the hyphospheres of two distinct fungal lineages (Rhizophagus irregularisandSerendipita bescii) grown with the bioenergy model grassPanicum hallii. In uninoculated soil, a history of water limitation resulted in significantly lower bacterial growth potential and growth efficiency, as well as lower diversity in the actively growing bacterial community. In contrast, both fungal lineages had a protective effect on hyphosphere bacterial communities exposed to water limitation: bacterial growth potential, growth efficiency, and the diversity of the actively growing bacterial community were not suppressed by a history of water limitation in soils inoculated with either fungus. Despite their similar effects at the community level, the two fungal lineages did elicit different taxon-specific responses, and bacterial growth potential was greater inR. irregularis- compared inS. bescii- inoculated soils. Several of the bacterial taxa that responded positively to fungal inocula belong to lineages that are considered drought-susceptible. Overall, H18O qSIP highlighted treatment effects on bacterial community structure that were less pronounced using traditional 16S rRNA gene profiling. Together, these results indicate that fungal-bacterial synergies may support bacterial resilience to moisture limitation.
Multimodal single-cell profiling of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma defines hyperactivated Tregs as a potential therapeutic target
Authors: Alvisi Giorgia , Termanini Alberto , Soldani Cristiana , Portale Federica , Carriero Roberta , Pilipow Karolina , Polidoro Michela , Franceschini Barbara , Malenica Ines , Puccio Simone , Lise Veronica , Galletti Giovanni , Zanon Veronica , Colombo Federico Simone , Tufano Michele , Aghemo Alessio , Di Tommaso Luca , Peano Clelia , Cibella Javier , Iannacone Matteo , Roychoudhuri Rahul , Donadon Matteo , Torzilli Guido , Kunderfranco Paolo , Di Mitri Diletta , Lugli Enrico , Lleo Ana
Published: March 2022

The quality of the immune infiltrate of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA), a rare, yet aggressive tumor of the biliary tract, remains poorly characterized, limiting development of successful immunotherapies. We used high-dimensional flow cytometry to characterise the T cell and myeloid compartments of iCCA comparing these with their tumor-free peritumoral and circulating counterparts. We found poor infiltration of putative tumor-specific CD39+ CD8+ T cells accompanied by abundant infiltration of hyperactivated CD4+ regulatory T cells (Tregs), whose frequency in relation to that of CD4+ CD69+ T cells and conventional type 2 dendritic cells was associated with poor prognosis. Single-cell RNA-sequencing identified an altered network of transcription factors in iCCA-infiltrating compared to peritumoral T cells, suggesting reduced effector functions by tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells and enhanced immunosuppression by CD4+ Tregs. Specifically, we found that expression of mesenchyme homeobox 1 (MEOX1) was highly enriched in tumor-infiltrating Tregs, and demonstrated that MEOX1 overexpression is sufficient to reprogram circulating precursors to acquire the transcriptional and epigenetic landscape of tumorinfiltrating Tregs. Interfering with hyperactivated Tregs should be thus explored to enhance antitumor immunity in iCCA.
Predicting butyrate- and propionate-forming bacteria of gut microbiota from sequencing data
Authors: Kircher Berenike , Woltemate Sabrina , Gutzki Frank , Schlüter Dirk , Geffers Robert , Bähre Heike , Vital Marius
Published: March 2022

Background

The bacteria-derived short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) butyrate and propionate play important (distinct) roles in health and disease and understanding the ecology of respective bacteria on a community-wide level is a top priority in microbiome research. The aim of this study was to reveal members harboring main pathways for the production of those metabolites and assess the applicability of sequence data (metagenomics and 16S rRNA gene) to predict SCFAs production in vitro and in vivo.

Results

A clear split between butyrate- and propionate-forming bacteria was detected with only very few taxa exhibiting pathways for the production of both SCFAs. After in vitro growth of fecal communities from distinct donors (n=8) on different substrates (n=7) abundances of bacteria exhibiting pathways correlated with respective SCFA concentrations, in particular in the case of butyrate. While final growth differed markedly between cultures, communities showed high functional redundancies with comparable yields, i.e., concentration of metabolite per grown bacterium exhibiting pathway(s), irrespective of the donor and substrate used. For propionate, correlations were weaker indicating that its production is less imprinted into the core metabolism compared with butyrate-forming bacteria. Longitudinal measurements in vivo (five samples derived from 20 subjects) also revealed a correlation between abundances of pathway-carrying bacteria and concentrations of the two SCFAs. Additionally, lower bacterial cell concentrations, together with higher stool moisture, promoted overall bacterial activity (measured by flow cytometry and coverage patterns of metagenome-assembled genomes) that led to elevated SCFAs concentrations with over-proportional levels of butyrate. Butyrate concentrations displayed lower temporal stability than propionate, however, abundances of bacteria exhibiting the butyrate-forming pathway were more stable than those carrying pathways for propionate production. Predictions on pathway abundances based on 16S rRNA gene data using our in-house database worked well yielding similar results as metagenomic-based analyses.

Conclusions

We demonstrated that pathway abundances enable predictions on concentrations of SCFAs indicating that stimulating bacterial growth directly leads to more production of those compounds. The strong separation of gut microbiota into two functional communities facilitates the development of precision intervention strategies targeting either metabolite.
Putative SET-domain methyltransferases in Cryptosporidium parvum and histone methylation during infection
Authors: Sawant Manasi , Benamrouz-Vanneste Sadia , Meloni Dionigia , Gantois Nausicaa , Even Gaёl , Guyot Karine , Creusy Colette , Duval Erika , Wintjens René , Weitzman Jonathan , Chabe Magali , Viscogliosi Eric , Certad Gabriela
Published: March 2022

Cryptosporidium parvum is a major cause of an intestinal pathology called cryptosporidiosis which affects humans and other vertebrates. Despite being declared as a public health problem by World Health Organization (WHO) since 2006, pathogenesis caused by this parasite remains poorly understood. More recently, C. parvum has been linked with oncogenesis. In particular, the mechanisms involved in the processes of gene expression regulation are completely unexplored in Cryptosporidium. In the current study, we took the opportunity to investigate a dynamic epigenetic modification called histone lysine methylation during the life cycle of the parasite. We successfully identified putative SET-domain containing proteins, lysine methyltransferases (KMTs), which catalyze the methylation of different lysine residues. Phylogenetic analysis classified them into distinct subfamilies namely CpSET1, CpSET2, CpSET8, CpKMTox and CpAKMT. Structural analysis further characterized CpSET1, CpSET2 and CpSET8 to be histone lysine methyltransferases (HKMTs). Their functional significance was predicted by using site-specific methyl-lysine antibodies during development of the parasite (CpSET1:H3K4; CpSET2:H3K36; CpSET8:H4K20). In particular, the SET domain of CpSET8 showcased methyltransferase activity confirming the existence of functional HKMTs in Cryptosporidium. Moreover, the consequence of C. parvum infection on the host lysine methylation events highlights the inherit potential of the parasite to exploit the host epigenetic regulation to its advantage. Thus, this study is the first one to provide insights on epigenetics mechanisms occurring throughout the parasite’s life cycle and during the interaction with its host. As Cryptosporidium is a protozoan that significantly affects the health of both humans and animals, a better understanding of its developmental processes within the definitive host may highlight novel infection control strategies.

Author Summary

Cryptosporidium species have a very compact genome (~9.2 Mb) unlike its apicomplexan homologs such as Toxoplasma (~63 Mb). Moreover, the lack of large families of transcriptional factors requires them to heavily rely on chromatin remodeling components for its gene regulation. Thus, study and identification of novel elements which contribute to chromatin dynamics could assist a better understanding of the biology of this parasite. In the current study we investigated histone lysine methylation, a dynamic epigenetic modification which regulates gene activation as well as repression. More importantly, characterizing the enzymes which bring about this regulation, provides potential new druggable targets to attack the parasite.
A cadherin mutation in Celsr3 linked to Tourette Disorder affects dendritic patterning and excitability of cholinergic interneurons
Authors: Poppi Lauren A. , Ho-Nguyen K.T. , Wu Junbing , Matrongolo Matthew , Thackray Joshua K. , Nasello Cara , Shi Anna , Ricci Matthew , Carayannopoulos Nicolas L. , Cheedalla Nithisha , McGinnis Julianne , Schaper Samantha , Daut Cynthia , Hernandez Jurdiana , Heiman Gary A. , Tischfield Jay A. , Tischfield Max A.
Published: March 2022

CELSR3 encodes an atypical protocadherin cell adhesion receptor that was recently identified as a high-risk gene for Tourette disorder. A putative damaging de novo variant was inserted into the mouse genome to generate an amino acid substitution within the fifth cadherin repeat. By contrast to Celsr3 constitutive null animals, mice homozygous for the R774H amino acid substitution are viable and have grossly normal forebrain development. The density of cortical and striatal interneuron subpopulations is normal, but 3D geometric analysis of cortical pyramidal neurons and striatal cholinergic interneurons revealed changes to dendritic patterning and types and distributions of spines. Furthermore, patch clamp recordings in cholinergic interneurons located within the sensorimotor striatum uncovered mild intrinsic hyperexcitability. Despite these changes, Celsr3R774H homozygous mice do not show obvious ‘tic-like’ stereotypies at baseline nor motor learning impairments, but females exhibited perseverative digging behavior. Our findings show that a human mutation in CELSR3 linked to Tourette disorder is sufficient to alter dendritic patterning in the cortex and striatum and also the intrinsic excitability of cholinergic interneurons.
Modeling of environmental effect factor and exergetic sustainability index with cuckoo search algorithm for a business jet
Authors: Oruc Ridvan , Baklacioglu Tolga , Turan Onder , Aydin Hakan
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to create models that predict exergetic sustainability index (ESI) and environmental effect factor (EEF) values with high accuracy according to various engine parameters.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, models were created to estimate ESI and EEF sustainability parameters in various flight phases for a business jet with a turboprop engine using the cuckoo search algorithm (CSA) method. The database used for modeling includes the various engine parameters (torque, engine airflow, gas generator speed, fuel mass flow, power and air-fuel ratio) obtained by running a business aircraft engine more than once at different settings and the actual ESI and EEF values obtained depending on these parameters. In addition, sensitivity analysis was performed to measure the effect of engine parameters on the models. Finally, the effect of the CSA number of nest (n) parameter on the model accuracy was investigated.

Findings

It has been observed that the models predict ESI and EEF values with high accuracy. As a result of the sensitivity analysis, it was seen that the air-fuel ratio had a greater effect on the output parameters.

Practical implications

These models are thought to assist in the exergetic environment analysis used to find the greatest losses for turboprop business jets and identify their causes and further improve system performance. Thus, they will be a useful tool to minimize the negative impact of business jet on environmental sustainability.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study stands out in the literature because it is the first exergo-metaheuristic approach developed with CSA for business aircraft engine; moreover, the data set used consists of real values.
Congruences modulo prime for fractional colour partition function
Authors: Rahman Riyajur , Saikia Nipen
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Let p[1,r;t] be defined by ∑n=0∞p[1,r;t](n)qn=(E1Er)t, where t is a non-zero rational number, r ≥ 1 is an integer and Er=∏n=0∞(1−qr(n+1)) for |q| < 1. The function p[1,r;t](n) is the generalisation of the two-colour partition function p[1,r;−1](n). In this paper, the authors prove some new congruences modulo odd prime ℓ by taking r = 5, 7, 11 and 13, and non-integral rational values of t.

Design/methodology/approach

Using q-series expansion/identities, the authors established general congruence modulo prime number for two-colour partition function.

Findings

In the paper, the authors study congruence properties of two-colour partition function for fractional values. The authors also give some particular cases as examples.

Originality/value

The partition functions for fractional value is studied in 2019 by Chan and Wang for Ramanujan's general partition function and then extended by Xia and Zhu in 2020. In 2021, Baruah and Das also proved some congruences related to fractional partition functions previously investigated by Chan and Wang. In this sequel, some congruences are proved for two-colour partitions in this paper. The results presented in the paper are original.
Relational demography in organizations: an assessment of the explored and overlooked
Authors: Kaur Manpreet , Ren Hong
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The study aims to present an in-depth review of previous research on relational demography (individual–team dissimilarity) over the past 30 years. In doing so, the authors highlighted the main theoretical underpinnings, teased out the common methodological approaches and identified the major mediating processes and contingency factors that influence relational demography's effect on individual outcomes in teams.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors searched and examined eight databases (ABI/INFORM Complete, ProQuest, EBSCO, Web of Science, JSTOR, PsycARTICLES, PsycINFO and Science Direct) and distilled 106 studies from 34 journals. The authors synthesized and analyzed this body of work to identify extant patterns and themes in relational demography.

Findings

The findings reveal that the majority of theories used are categorized into three segments. The antecedents used are mainly surface- and deep-level variables, while the outcomes are classified into personal- and work-related constructs. For research testing, Euclidean distance and Blau's index are primarily utilized as heterogeneity measures, while various forms of regression are used as the analytical tool for hypotheses testing.

Originality/value

Extant literature reviews on relational demography are scant. This study provides an extensive synthesis and analysis of the studies in the area over the past 30 years and offers an agenda that can motivate future research.
Performing indoor PM2.5prediction with low-cost data and machine learning
Authors: Lagesse Brent , Wang Shuoqi , Larson Timothy V. , Kim Amy Ahim
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The paper aims to develop a particle matter (PM2.5) prediction model for open-plan office space using a variety of data sources. Monitoring of PM2.5levels is not widely applied in indoor settings. Many reliable methods of monitoring PM2.5require either time-consuming or expensive equipment, thus making PM2.5monitoring impractical for many settings. The goal of this paper is to identify possible low-cost, low-effort data sources that building managers can use in combination with machine learning (ML) models to approximate the performance of much more costly monitoring devices.

Design/methodology/approach

This study identified a variety of data sources, including freely available, public data, data from low-cost sensors and data from expensive, high-quality sensors. This study examined a variety of neural network architectures, including traditional artificial neural networks, generalized recurrent neural networks and long short-term memory neural networks as candidates for the prediction model. The authors trained the selected predictive model using this data and identified data sources that can be cheaply combined to approximate more expensive data sources.

Findings

The paper identified combinations of free data sources such as building damper percentages and weather data and low-cost sensors such as Wi-Fi-based occupancy estimator or a Plantower PMS7003 sensor that perform nearly as well as predictions made based on nephelometer data.

Originality/value

This work demonstrates that by combining low-cost sensors and ML, indoor PM2.5monitoring can be performed at a drastically reduced cost with minimal error compared to more traditional approaches.
Deception by device: are we more self-serving on laptops or cell phones?
Authors: Kurtzberg Terri R. , Naquin Charles E. , Ameri Mason
Published: March 2022

Purpose

As both workplace and personal interactions increasingly move into online discussions, the impact of various technological devices (such as cell phones and laptops) on behaviors and decisions must be better understood. This study aims to assess whether tasks done on cell phones or laptops prompt more deception for the sake of personal gain in decisions and negotiations, based on the associations held about each device.

Design/methodology/approach

Four empirical studies plus a single-study meta-analysis explore the rates of self-serving deceptive behavior based on the type of device used in decision-making tasks (ultimatum-game bargaining and negotiations).

Findings

Results show that using a laptop prompted more self-serving behavior than using a cell phone. Follow-up studies suggest that the dominant associations that people hold with each device – professional ones for the laptop and personal ones for cell phone – may help drive this effect.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is among the first to establish a link between technological device and behavioral outcomes in negotiations, even when the exact format of the information sent and received is identical (i.e. text-only format). The findings have implications for selecting devices for important negotiations and decisions, as some may promote more ethical behavior than others.
The unemployment–labor force participation linkage in Iran’s women labor market
Authors: Cheratian Iman , Goltabar Saleh , Calá Carla Daniela
Published: March 2022

Purpose

During recent years, the long-run relationship between the unemployment rate (UR) and the labor force participation (LFP) rate has been examined in-depth in developed and developing economies. This paper aims to explore this relationship for Iranian women in 31 provinces from 2005Q2 to 2019Q1.

Design/methodology/approach

To examine the existence of a long-run relationship between female LFP and UR, the time-series cointegration approach has been used. Furthermore, regarding the low power of the univariate cointegration approach, the authors consider a panel version of the cointegration tests developed by Westerlund.

Findings

Both time-series cointegration tests and panel cointegration test support the unemployment invariance hypothesis for most Iranian provinces, especially the most religious ones. As it implies an invariance to supply side policies, it seems that reducing legal and cultural barriers could be more relevant to decrease female UR and increase LFP than training programs or R&D policies. The present results also suggest that, for this group of regions, a more centralized policy design could be appropriate, instead of a regional one.

Originality/value

This study investigates whether the unemployment invariance hypothesis holds for Iran, which has not been analyzed before for the Iranian labor market. Moreover, the study adopts a regional approach, which takes into account the huge regional differences in Iran.
Determinants of job-hopping behavior: the case of information technology sector
Authors: Nguyen Hoang-Phu , Le Hoai-Nam
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how emotional experience factors affect the obligation-related commitment. The emotional experience factors consist of positive factor, job satisfaction and negative factor, and emotional exhaustion from the study of Wong and Tay (2010); both facets have been studied with affective commitment but yet lack of study about normative commitment. Affective and normative commitments are both components of organizational commitment; while affective commitment refers to the intention of keeping the position because of the desire but not by any other attachment, whereas normative commitment is defined as staying for the reasons related to obligation. Also, by applying withdrawal construct of validation of job-hopping behavior, a connection was constructed between normative commitment and the two separated motives of job-hopping behavior, advance motive and escape motive (Lakeet al., 2017).

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve such objectives, quantitative research is implicated using the primary data collected from online and offline surveys from employees who are currently working in many information technology (IT)-related companies in Ho Chi Minh City. As for analyzing tactic and method, SmartPLS software is applied to ensure the reliability and validity of the factors as well as confirming the significant and developing the hypotheses from the proposed construct.

Findings

The findings reveal the significant affect from workplace escape motive that leads to the behavior of job hop, but not from the career enhancement. The result also revealed the effect of indebted obligation when most of the employees maintain the low level of normative commitment and the proper increase in emotional exhaustion and job satisfaction can help to improve the normative commitment of such employees.

Originality/value

This study makes its contribution and recommendations to human resource management in IT industry.
The impacts of economic policy uncertainties on carbon dioxide emissions of emerging and low-income developing countries: the moderating role of institutional quality
Authors: Borojo Dinkneh Gebre , Yushi Jiang , Miao Miao
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This study is aimed to examine the effects of the economic policy uncertainty (EPU) on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. It further aimed to investigate the moderating role of institutional quality on the impacts of EPU on CO2 emissions.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors apply the two-step system-generalized method of moments (GMM) for 112 emerging economies and low-income developing countries (hereafter, developing countries) for the period 2000–2019.

Findings

The findings reveal that the effects of EPU on CO2 emissions are positive. Specifically, a percent increase in EPU results in a 0.047% increase in CO2 emissions in developing countries. However, the effects of institutional quality on CO2 emissions are negative, certifying that strong institutional quality reduces emissions. Also, the results confirm that the positive effect of EPU on CO2 emissions is weaker in countries with relatively strong institutional quality.

Practical implications

Policymakers should be more vigilant while designing and implementing economic policies. Also, the government should support firms investing in environment-friendly innovations during high EPU. Besides, developing countries should improve institutional quality to mitigate the effect of EPU on CO2 emissions.

Originality/value

This study is the first in its kind to examine the impacts of EPU on CO2 emissions in developing countries. It also provides a different viewpoint on the EPU–CO2 relationship and reinterprets it through the moderating role of institutional quality.
Screw versus cork? New directions on quality perceptions from the perspective of Austrian wine consumers
Authors: König Bettina , Pfeiffer Christian , Wieschhoff Marcus , Karpova Elena
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of wine closure types on the quality perception of wine consumers in a traditional wine market, combined with the willingness to pay for red and white wines in bottles closed with screw caps compared with that for wines in bottles with a cork closure.

Design/methodology/approach

An online experiment with 436 Austrian wine consumers was conducted in a two-by-two between-groups design. To assess the quality of Austrian red and white wine, quality indicators such as origin, grape variety, awards, the content of residual sugar, vintage, geographical indication, ageing potential, organic certification, vineyard designation and brand (producer) have been applied. Furthermore, different involvement levels as well as willingness to pay were taken into consideration.

Findings

Contrary to earlier findings, results confirm that Austrian consumers do not generally perceive wines (both red and white) in a screw cap bottle to be lower or different in quality from those in a cork-closed bottle. However, consumers expect red and white wines in bottles with a cork closure to be higher in price than wines in bottles with a screw cap. Among established quality indicators, the present analysis shows that price is the strongest cue for quality when it comes to wines and indicates that wines in bottles closed with corks and bearing a higher price tag are considered to be of higher quality.

Research limitations/implications

This research comes with limitations, such as the absence of sensory differences. Moreover, the research design is based exclusively on the description of wines and a limited set of quality indicators and does not involve the actual tasting of wines.

Practical implications

Outcomes suggest that in the strategic positioning of wines, the difference in wine consumers’ quality perceptions between wine bottles with screw caps and cork closures plays a smaller role than anticipated. Findings are relevant for practitioners, particularly in old-world wine markets where cork is still seen as the closure of choice for higher-quality wines.

Originality/value

The results of this survey contribute to understanding consumers of an established old-world wine market and their attitudes towards alternative bottle closure types such as screw caps. It adds new insights to the research stream of the quality perception of wines.
Impact of financial stress in advanced and emerging economies
Authors: Valerio Roncagliolo Flavio César , Villamonte Blas Ricardo Norberto
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to examine the differences in the impact of financial stress in advanced and emerging economies.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors employ a panel vector autoregression model (PVAR) for a comparative analysis of the relationship between financial stress, economic growth and monetary stability in 14 advanced and emerging economies. A homogeneous measure of financial stress is constructed and measured as an index that provides signals of stress episodes in an economy.

Findings

The impact of financial stress shocks is greater on the economic growth of advanced economies; likewise, financial stress shocks are significant only in advanced economies. The interbank interest rate is negatively affected by financial stress in emerging economies. In general, the results show a clear view of the importance of financial stability and the economic relevance of financial stress measures in the context of macro-prudential regulation.

Originality/value

The results can be extended to monetary policy to implement measures that mitigate the impact of future financial crises.
Does audit firm governance matter to audit quality? Evidence from Turkey
Authors: Ocak Murat
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the effect of audit firm governance on audit quality. Audit firm governance is broken down into two categories, namely, board ownership and engagement partner ownership.

Design/methodology/approach

Audit firms from Borsa Istanbul and their clients who are quoted there as well were used to test the hypotheses. The final sample covers 1,291 observations at the client level between 2013 and 2019. Ordinary least square was conducted to test the hypotheses. Heckman selection model and instrument variable regression with two-stage least square (IVREG with 2SLS) were also used to control the self-selection and endogeneity problems, respectively. To enhance the validity of the main results, alternative audit quality measures were used.

Findings

The empirical findings show that board ownership and engagement partner ownership have an impact on audit quality. The results indicate that engagement partners with high shares enhance audit quality only in Big4 audit firms. The positive effect of higher board ownership on audit quality is more prominent in non-Big4 firms. The Heckman two-stage procedure and IVREG with 2SLS were conducted, both of which were consistent with the main results. The results regarding alternative audit quality measures are in accordance with the main estimation results.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first study examining the impact of audit firm board ownership on audit quality. In addition, this paper further advances the literature by investigating the effects of ownership at engagement partner levels on audit quality in the context of an emerging market, Turkey.
The comparative analysis of regulations in the Italian Republic and the Russian Federation against cryptolaundering techniques
Authors: Bahamazava Katsiaryna , Reznik Stanley
Published: March 2022

Purpose

In the age of DarkNetMarkets proliferation, combatting money laundering has become even more complicated. Constantly evolving technologies add a new layer of difficulty to already intricated schemes of hiding the cryptocurrency’s origin. Considering the latest development of cryptocurrency- and blockchain-related use cases, this study aims to scrutinize Italian and Russian antimoney laundering regulations to understand their preparedness for a new era of laundering possibilities.

Design/methodology/approach

One of the most recommended ways to buy and sell cryptocurrencies for illegal drug trade on DarkNet was discovered using machine learning, i.e. natural language processing and topic modeling. This study compares how current Italian and Russian laws address this technique.

Findings

Despite differences in cryptocurrency regulation, both the Italian Republic and the Russian Federation fall behind on preventing cryptolaundering.

Originality/value

The main contributions of this paper: consideration of noncustodial wallet projects and nonfungible token platforms through the lens of money laundering opportunities, comparison of Italian and Russian antimoney laundering regulations related to cryptocurrency, empirical analysis of the preferred method of trading/exchanging cryptocurrency for DarkNet illegal trade using machine learning techniques and the assessment of how Italian and Russian regulations address these money laundering methods.
Effects of social media brand-related content on fashion products buying behaviour – a moderated mediation model
Authors: Schivinski Bruno , Pontes Nicolas , Czarnecka Barbara , Mao Wen , De Vita Jennifer , Stavropoulos Vasileios
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This study aims to examine in which circumstances consumer’s self-congruity moderates the indirect influence of consumer-based brand equity (mediating role) in the relationship between firm-created and user-generated social media content and intention to purchase fashion products.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, the authors carried out an online survey with social media users of fashion brands and collected data from 622 participants across two samples to investigate whether consumers’ perceptions of equity of fashion brands mediate the relationship between social media brand-related communication created by both firms and users and the intention to buy the fashion brands. The indirect relationship is further moderated by self-congruity.

Findings

The results indicate that brand equity mediates the relationship between social media communication and purchase intentions of fashion products, and self-congruity moderates the relationship between social media communication types and purchase intentions, such that higher/lower levels of self-congruity strengthen/weaken the impact of social media communication on purchase intentions.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the business and marketing literature by exploring how social media communication, branding and fashion align with the individual’s self-concept and buying behaviour.
The impact of the digital economy paradigm on the productivity and monetary system of Oman
Authors: ALshubiri Faris , ALmaashani Amina Ahmed , Thuaar Sharqoof Musallam
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Digitalisation has become closely related to various economic sectors in terms of economic impact and discovery of new technologies. In this regard, this study aims to examine the relationship between the digital economy, as measured by four proxies (infrastructure, empowerment of society, technological economic growth and digitalisation development), and the productivity and monetary system of Oman from 1985 to 2019.

Design/methodology/approach

The autoregressive distributed lag methodology and diagnostic tests were used to increase the robustness of findings.

Findings

The analysis showed significant positive long-run relationships between infrastructure (measured as the number of fixed telephone subscriptions), technological economic growth (measured as medium- and high-tech exports as a percentage of manufactured exports) and the monetary system. There was also a significant negative short-run relationship between digitalisation development, measured as the number of individuals (percentage of the population) using the internet, and the monetary system. Furthermore, there were significant positive short- and long-run relationships between digitalisation development and productivity. Only short-run relationships were identified between empowerment of society, measured as the number of mobile cellular subscriptions, and productivity.

Originality/value

The conclusions support the paradigm of diffusion of innovation theory, which aims to understand the use of modern technologies to obtain the maximum economic benefit, and show both the dark and bright sides of technology. Furthermore, the effect of the digitalisation economy paradigm on productivity should be determined by increasing logistical services. This will support the growth of foreign and domestic investments and promote cooperation between the public and private sectors, thereby achieving digitalisation in Oman and enabling reflection on the country’s monetary policy development and economic growth.