bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Close-up “vs” long-shot images in advertising appeals: the role of objective temporality
Authors: Ladeira Wagner Junior , de Oliveira Santini Fernando
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to analyze the effect of temporal experiences on the visualization of advertising appeals in the banking sector. More specifically, this study investigates the effectiveness of advertising messages that use close-up “vs” long-shot images and influence objective temporality as a driver of visual attention.

Design/methodology/approach

One experiment was done through visual attention using an eye-tracking application. This investigation included the participation of 238 volunteers viewing 2 different types of advertising appeals: savings accounts and bank cards. The advertising appeals brought manipulations of close-up “vs” long-shot images.

Findings

The authors' findings indicate that close-up images increase visual attention in advertising appeals. On the other hand, the presence of long-shot images reduces visual attention in advertising appeals. Furthermore, the eye-tracking results revealed that long-short images constantly decreased with the passing of objective temporality. In contrast, close-up images had the first moment of increased visual attention levels followed by a fall toward the end of objective temporality.

Originality/value

The manipulation of image format differences can increase attention and memory effects. For this reason, the interaction between objective temporality and close-up “vs” long-shot images must be considered more carefully than has been done so far. This article reflects on this care and points the way to future research agendas.
Cyberloafing attractiveness: a mixed-method based on Q methodology and Kano model
Authors: Heidari Aqagoli Parisa , Safari Ali , Shahin Arash
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine the attractiveness or unattractiveness of cyberloafing in the workplace using Q methodology and the Kano model.

Design/methodology/approach

The perception of employees towards cyberloafing was investigated based on Q methodology, and then they were prioritized using Kano model. Ten IT companies were selected for the case study. In this study, a mixed method was used. First, 30 participants were interviewed. Next, after extracting the comments, Q-matrix was presented to 30 participants and they completed the matrix cells. Finally, Kano questionnaire was designed using the items obtained from Q methodology and distributed among 30 participants.

Findings

Q methodology led to nine perceptions, and the priorities of Kano model were proponents of increasing employees' dependence on the internet, economic thinkers, the indifferent, dissatisfied, proponents of receiving information, self-control proponents, the profit-minded, mind destroyer and satisfaction-oriented. Cyberloafing is considered unattractiveness with adverse effects. The combination of Q methodology and Kano model can improve the analysis of the results.

Originality/value

This study is one of the few studies in which Q methodology is improved by Kano model. In the past, Q methodology alone examined people’s perception, but by combining these two methods, it is determined which perception is more satisfying and which one is more important, and then a general result can be reached.
Influence of braking speed on the wear property and simulation analysis of high-speed railway braking materials at low temperature
Authors: Zhang Meixian , Shi Hanbo , Ding Siyuan , Ma Lei
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the influence of braking speed at –20 °C on the wear property of high-speed railway braking materials and the temperature also stress analyses of brake disc friction surface.

Design/methodology/approach

Friction brake tester was used to simulate the wear test of high-speed railway braking materials at diverse braking speeds (2,100, 2,400, 2,700 and 3,000 rad/min) at –20 °C and the stress and temperature analyses of brake disc friction surface were carried out by COMSOL.

Findings

Compared with 20°C, there is initial stress of brake disc friction surface before brake starting; also, the maximum wear depth is larger at –20°C. Besides, at –20 °C, with the rising of braking speed, the graphite particles on the friction surface of brake pad significantly reduce. And scratches and cracks are formed on brake pad friction surface. Besides, the abrasive wear, adhesive wear and thermal cracks of brake disc friction surface are aggravated. Moreover, the maximal worn depth also increase. Meanwhile, the highest temperature and the maximum thermal stress of brake disc friction surface both raise. Furthermore, the temperature and thermal stress gradients at radial direction of brake disc friction surface aggrandize, which makes the thermal cracks on brake disc friction surface further exacerbated.

Research limitations/implications

In this paper, the wear property of the high-speed railway braking materials is studied by combining experiment and simulation. However, due to the low-speed traveling of high-speed railway was mainly studied in this paper, there may be no comprehensive simulation of the real running condition of high-speed railway. At the same time, the working condition of low-temperature environment cannot be completely simulated and controlled.

Practical implications

The research results of this paper provide a basic instruction for other researchers and also provide an important reference for relevant personnel to choose the braking speed of high-speed railway at –20 °C.

Social implications

The research of this paper provides a brick for the study of high-speed railway braking materials and also provides some references for the safe service of trains in low-temperature environment.

Originality/value

This paper studied the wear property and carried out the simulation analysis of braking materials at –20 °C at diverse braking speed. The research findings provide an important reference for the selection of braking speed of high-speed railway at –20 °C.
A Chinese academic tradition examined in the context of international academic communication: exploratory research into Shang Que articles
Authors: Zheng Weinan , Xiao Peng , Madden Andrew
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Academic contention occurs when research evidence is amenable to more than one interpretation. China has a long tradition of Shang Que (商榷), in which authors argue for their preferred interpretation. The modern form of this tradition is the Shang Que article, which often takes the form of research papers in Chinese-language journals and which tends to be question-oriented. Shang Que articles usually take the views of a particular author or article as the focus of independent and complete criticism by another, independent, academic. This paper explains the role of Shang Que articles in Chinese scholarship and their influence on international academia.

Design/methodology/approach

A bibliometric analysis was used to explore the characteristics and evolution of Chinese Shang Que articles using 30,577 articles published between 1979 and 2018. Microsoft Excel and Gephi were used for data analysis and visualization.

Findings

Findings suggest a decline in the number of Shang Que articles and an increase in the number of co-authors. Shang Que articles remained particularly prominent in Philosophy and Humanities and Social Sciences, where they focused on local issues such as classical Chinese, the Sinicization of Marxism and Chinese literature. This suggests that the number of Shang Que articles is related to the degree of internationalization of a research field.

Originality/value

Shang Que articles, which have been influenced by academic paradigms in English, are a fusion of China's Shang Que tradition and of the modern academic system. Through considering Shang Que articles, this paper explores the benefits of local academic traditions in non-English-speaking cultures.
Pricing to market – an investigation into the use of comparable evidence in property valuation
Authors: French Nick
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The intent of this paper is to identify the role that comparable evidence plays in property valuation and how the availability and use of comparable evidence varies between different countries and jurisdictions across Europe.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is an overview of the role of comparable evidence, in all its forms, in property valuation. Through a survey of individuals and professional valuation associations, the relevant importance of different forms of market evidence was assessed and ranked according to the business transparency of the market in question.

Findings

The findings of this study helped inform The European Group of Valuers' Associations (TEGOVA) when setting the European Valuation Standards (EVS). The definition of Comparable Evidence should not be so narrow as to only include transactional evidence.

Practical implications

The role of the professional property valuer is to provide value estimates for a range of purposes but when that purpose is to assess Market Value, the importance of pricing to market cannot be over-stated.

Originality/value

This provides guidance on how to identify and use comparable evidence to undertake valuations for Market Value.
Crowdfunding for social ventures
Authors: Chen Wendy D.
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Social ventures have been reported to have a hard time obtaining funding. A growing number of social ventures have used crowdfunding as a viable alternative fundraising tool. This paper aims to investigate among social ventures, what makes some more successful than others in crowdfunding.

Design/methodology/approach

Theoretically, this study builds upon three streams of literature: nonprofit fundraising literature, crowdfunding literature and social entrepreneurship literature. Empirically, it obtains data with a novel Web-crawling approach from the Indiegogo crowdfunding platform and analyzes them with a variety of statistical modeling.

Findings

This study finds that social ventures that have greater internal resources including team size and venture age, stronger partnerships with other entities and more frequent communications with backers via social media and updates have a higher tendency to successfully raise funds from the crowd than those social ventures that do not.

Originality/value

This study seeks to understand social ventures’ crowdfunding performance and identify the specific factors that have led some social ventures to be more successful than other social ventures. It builds a novel data set and uses different statistical models to explore the intersection of social entrepreneurship and digital crowdfunding. In addition, this study provides actionable strategies for social ventures to improve their crowdfunding performance while providing practical implications for increasing people’s knowledge of and participation in social entrepreneurship through education and public policy. Overall, this study contributes to both social entrepreneurship and crowdfunding literature while offering practical implications.
The impact of social capital on scaling social impact: a systematic literature review
Authors: Mohiuddin Md. Fazla , Yasin Ida Md
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to inform scholars and practitioners about the current body of knowledge on the role of social capital in scaling social impact since these concepts are still poorly understood and literature is fragmented despite their importance.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review of 27 highly relevant studies in leading journals is conducted, and the results are synthesized into an integrative theoretical framework.

Findings

The framework identifies possible dependent, independent, mediating and moderating variables which conceptualize the role of social capital in scaling social impact.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to systematically map social capital’s role in scaling social impact literature with the help of an integrative theoretical framework. For researchers, this framework would help by providing a shared frame of reference to conceptualize the role of social capital in scaling social impact and identify future research directions. Practitioners can use the findings of this review as a guide while designing and implementing scaling social impact programs.
Defining lean experts' roles and behavioral competencies during lean adoption: a case study of Groupe PSA
Authors: Magnani Florian , Siadat Ali , Caillaud Emmanuel , Gaudichau Olivier
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Previous research has managed to clearly define lean technical competencies. However, the behavioral competencies remain underestimated, and the roles of lean experts are not clearly stated: are they teachers, facilitators or technical experts? The present paper investigates lean behavioral competencies and their relationship to lean experts' roles.

Design/methodology/approach

This article serves as an exploratory study built on interviews, observations and focus groups conducted during a three-year longitudinal study accompanied by a three-year follow-up. The case takes place in an international automotive company in partnership with Toyota in which lean adoption was part of a consistent strategy over a period of 20 years.

Findings

The study clarifies lean behavioral competencies related to organizational efficiency (nominal management, improvement management and respect for people) and relational efficiency (problem resolution, competencies development and systemic interactions). The study helped create a typology of lean experts' roles related to the maturity level of the environment in which they intervened. Moreover, Lean experts' roles in congruence with the environment seem to positively influence the creation of emerging human relationships that are beneficial to process improvement and competencies development.

Originality/value

This paper is the first to clarify behavioral competencies with respect to lean experts' roles and to study the temporality of the introduction of lean practices. The findings recommend that researchers better acknowledge the influence of lean behavioral competencies during lean adoption and their relationship to contextual factors and organizational performance. A practical methodology is proposed to measure the necessary behavioral adjustments of lean experts or employees.
A proposed model for developing quality and efficiency in transitional care
Authors: Bäckström Ingela , Ingelsson Pernilla , Sten Lilly-Mari , Häggström Marie
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to develop a model describing different factors that affect quality and efficiency in transitional care.

Design/methodology/approach

A meta-synthesis focusing on the transitions between wards was conducted within a research project. The results from eight studies within that research project have been combined and analysed from a holistic view.

Findings

The findings are a model with a description of seven different categories consisting of the identified factors affecting quality and efficiency in transitional care. Those categories are (1) learning organisation, (2) standardising and structuring, (3) applying a holistic view, (4) understanding organisational culture in a health care context, (5) management and leadership, (6) for whom value is created and (7) working together. The results from the study have been verified in previous research.

Research limitations/implications

The result of the completed meta-synthesis is based on studies conducted at two medium-sized hospitals in Sweden. The developed model can be used in a similar context to improve quality and efficiency in patient transfers by management and employees working based on the various factors.

Originality/value

This model describes factors (success factors, prerequisites, conditions and lack thereof) affecting the ability to achieve quality and efficiency in transitional care that can be used in future research as well as for practical improvements.
Model of knowledge management readiness and initiatives for improvement in government agencies
Authors: Sensuse Dana Indra , Hidayat Deden Sumirat , Setyaningrum Ima Zanu
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The application of knowledge management (KM) in government agencies is one strategy to deal with government problems effectively and efficiently. This study aims to identify KM readiness critical success factors (CSFs), measure the level of readiness for KM implementation, identify improvement initiatives and develop KM readiness models for government agencies. This model plays a role in the implementation of KM successful.

Design/methodology/approach

The level of readiness is obtained by calculating the factor weights of the opinions of experts using the entropy method. The readiness value is calculated from the results of the questionnaire with average descriptive statistics. The method for analysis of improvement initiatives adopts the Asian Productivity Organization framework. The model was developed based on a systems approach and expert validation.

Findings

Reliability testing with a Cronbach’s alpha value for entropy is 0.861 and the questionnaire is 0.920. The result of measuring KM readiness in government agencies is 75.29% which is at level 3 (ready/needs improvement). The improvement in the level of readiness is divided into two parts: increasing the value of factors that are still less than ready (75%) and increasing the value of all factors to level 4 (84%). The model consists of three main sections: input (KMCSFs), process (KM readiness) and output (KM implementation).

Research limitations/implications

The first suggestion is that the sample of employees used in this study is still in limited quantities, that is, 50% of the total population. The second limitation is determining KMCSFs. According to experts, combining this study with factor search and correlation computations would make it more complete. The expert’s advice aims to obtain factors that can be truly tested both subjectively and objectively. Finally, regarding literature selection for future research, it is recommended to use a systematic literature review such as the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses and Kitchenham procedures.

Practical implications

The management must also prioritize KMCSF according to its level and make KMCSF a key performance indicator. For example, at the priority level, active leadership in KM is the leading performance indicator of a leader. Then at the second priority level, management can make a culture of sharing an indicator of employee performance through a gamification program. The last point that management must pay attention to in implementing all of these recommendations is to collaborate with relevant stakeholders, for example, those authorized to draft regulations and develop human resources.

Originality/value

This study proposes a novel comprehensive framework to measure and improve KM implementation readiness in government agencies. This study also proposes a KMCSF and novel KM readiness model with its improvement initiatives through this framework.
Market intermediaries, storage and policy reforms
Authors: McCorriston Steve , MacLaren Donald
Published: April 2023

Intermediaries play a crucial role in the functioning of agricultural and food markets in developing countries through linking production, imports and storage with consumption. We analyse how competition in the intermediary sector and alternative forms of intermediaries determine the incentives for storage and market outcomes more generally. We apply this framework to the Egyptian wheat sector as an illustrative case study, a country where food security is a priority, where both forms of intermediaries co‐exist and undertake storage but where issues of reforms to the role of intermediaries have been raised. Through stochastic simulation, we analyse two changes in government policy: first, the effects of changing the policy instruments with both types of intermediaries undertaking storage; second, relating to market reforms where the private sector replaces the storage function of the parastatal. These issues have wider significance for addressing the interaction between food security and a wide range of policy reforms including de‐regulation of parastatals in developing countries.
On the causes, consequences, and avoidance of PCR duplicates: Towards a theory of library complexity
Authors: Rochette Nicolas C. , Rivera‐Colón Angel G. , Walsh Jessica , Sanger Thomas J. , Campbell‐Staton Shane C. , Catchen Julian M.
Published: April 2023

Library preparation protocols for most sequencing technologies involve PCR amplification of the template DNA, which open the possibility that a given template DNA molecule is sequenced multiple times. Reads arising from this phenomenon, known as PCR duplicates, inflate the cost of sequencing and can jeopardize the reliability of affected experiments. Despite the pervasiveness of this artefact, our understanding of its causes and of its impact on downstream statistical analyses remains essentially empirical. Here, we develop a general quantitative model of amplification distortions in sequencing data sets, which we leverage to investigate the factors controlling the occurrence of PCR duplicates. We show that the PCR duplicate rate is determined primarily by the ratio between library complexity and sequencing depth, and that amplification noise (including in its dependence on the number of PCR cycles) only plays a secondary role for this artefact. We confirm our predictions using new and published RAD‐seq libraries and provide a method to estimate library complexity and amplification noise in any data set containing PCR duplicates. We discuss how amplification‐related artefacts impact downstream analyses, and in particular genotyping accuracy. The proposed framework unites the numerous observations made on PCR duplicates and will be useful to experimenters of all sequencing technologies where DNA availability is a concern.
The ovarian hyperstimulation that truly matters: Admissions, severity and prevention strategies
Authors: Medwin Chase , Rozen Genia , Agresta Franca , Nassar Nassar , Polyakov Alex
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is a common but serious complication of in vitro fertilisation. Despite available strategies to reduce OHSS incidence, a small proportion of patients will develop the clinically significant disease with substantial morbidity. Efforts toward better understanding and the prevention of severe disease are required to improve patient outcomes.

Aims

The aims are to: (1) formulate clinically relevant OHSS classification for inpatient settings and data collection/reporting; (2) estimate OHSS prevalence requiring hospital admission in Victoria; and (3) determine the extent of OHSS preventability with clinical strategies.

Materials and Methods

This retrospective cohort study included all OHSS admissions in a tertiary referral centre, January 2016–December 2021, which included approximately 40% of all cases of hospitalisation for OHSS in the State of Victoria. Patient characteristics, treatment regimes, fertility treatment outcomes, timing classification, and clinical markers of disease severity were studied. Patients were classified as having mild, moderate, or severe OHSS with a novel inpatient classification system.

Results

Of 199 OHSS cases presenting to the tertiary institution, 107 were classified as moderate/severe, with no significant difference between age, body mass index, length of stimulation and follicle number between mild/moderate and severe groups. There were more cases of early hyperstimulation (137) compared to late (62) presentation, of which 53% were severe. The average length of stay overall was 3.1 days, and 5.2 days for severe presentations. In 15% of severe cases, an agonist trigger was used.

Conclusions

The overall prevalence of OHSS requiring hospital admission appears to be low (approximately 0.6% of all stimulated cycles). Established risk factors may not accurately predict clinically relevant OHSS risk. Further monitoring, clinician and patient education are required to minimise the risk of significant OHSS that results in hospital admissions.
Early experience with pure laparoscopic donor hepatectomy: comparison with open donor hepatectomy and non‐donor laparoscopic hepatectomy
Authors: Linn Yun Le , Chong Yvette , Tan Ek‐Khoon , Koh Ye‐Xin , Cheow Peng‐Chung , Chung Alexander Y. F. , Chan Chung‐Yip , Jeyaraj Prema Raj , Goh Brian K. P.
Published: April 2023

Background

Pure laparoscopic donor hepatectomy (L‐DH) has seen a rise in uptake in recent years following the popularization of minimally invasive modality for major hepatobiliary surgery. Our study aimed to determine the safety and compare the perioperative outcomes of L‐DH with open donor hepatectomy (O‐DH) and laparoscopic non donor hepatectomy (L‐NDH) based on our single institution experience.

Methods

Eighty of 113 laparoscopic hemi‐hepatectomies performed between 2015 and 2022 met study inclusion criteria. Of these, 11 were L‐DH. PSM in a 1:2 ratio of L‐DH versus L‐NDH and 1:1 ratio of L‐DH versus O‐DH were performed, identifying patients with similar baseline clinicopathological characteristics.

Results

After 2:1 matching, the L‐DH cohort were significantly younger (P < 0.001) and had lower ASA scores (P < 0.001) than the L‐NDH cohort. L‐DH was associated with a longer median operating time (P < 0.001) and shorter median postoperative stay (P < 0.001) than L‐NDH. After 1:1 matching, there were no significant differences in baseline demographic between the L‐DH and O‐DH cohorts. L‐DH was associated with lower median blood loss (P = 0.040) and shorter length of stay compared to O‐DH (P = 0.004). There were no significant differences in recipient outcomes for both cohorts.

Conclusion

L‐DH can be adopted safely by surgeons experienced in L‐NDH and ODH. It is associated with decreased blood loss and shorter length of stay compared to O‐DH.
Inter‐grader reliability in the Danish screening programme for diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Thykjær Anne Suhr , Andresen Jens , Andersen Nis , Bek Toke , Heegaard Steffen , Hajari Javad , Schmidt Laugesen Caroline , Möller Sören , Pedersen Frederik Nørregaard , Kawasaki Ryo , Højlund Kurt , Rubin Katrine Hass , Stokholm Lonny , Peto Tunde , Grauslund Jakob
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The Danish Registry of Diabetic Retinopathy includes information from >200 000 patients who attends diabetic retinopathy (DR) screening in Denmark. Screening of patients with uncomplicated type 2 diabetes is often performed by practicing ophthalmologists, while patients with type 1 and complicated type 2 diabetes attends screening at hospitals. We performed a clinical reliability study of retinal images from Danish screening facilities to explore the inter‐grader agreement between the primary screening ophthalmologist and a blinded, certified grader.

Methods

Invitations to participate were sent to screening facilities across Denmark. The primary grader uploaded fundus photographs with information on estimated level of DR (International Clinical Diabetic Retinopathy scale as 0 [no DR], 1–3 [mild, moderate or severe nonproliferative DR {NPDR}], or 4 [proliferative DR {PDR}]), region of screening, image style, and screening facility. Images were then regraded by a blinded, certified, secondary grader. Weighted kappa analysis was performed to evaluate agreement.

Results

Fundus photographs from 230 patients (458 eyes) were received from practicing ophthalmologists (52.6%) and hospital‐based grading centres (47.4%) from all Danish regions. Reported levels of DR by the primary graders were 66.8%, 12.2%, 13.1%, 1.3% and 5.5% for DR levels 0–4. The overall agreement between primary and secondary graders was 93% (κ = 0.83). Based on screening facility agreement was 96% (κ = 0.89) and 90% (κ = 0.76) for practicing ophthalmologists and hospital‐based graders.

Conclusion

In this nationwide study, we observed a high overall inter‐grader agreement and based on this, it is reasonable to assume that reported DR gradings in the screening programme in Denmark, accurately reflect the truth.
Evaluating the integration hypothesis: A meta‐analysis of the ICSEY project data using two new methods
Authors: Abu‐Rayya Hisham M. , Berry John W. , Sam David L. , Grigoryev Dmitry
Published: April 2023

The Integration Hypothesis states that acculturating migrants who adopt the integration strategy (i.e. being doubly engaged, in both their heritage culture and in the larger national society) will have better psychological and socio‐cultural adaptation than those who adopt any other strategy (Assimilation, Separation or Marginalization). This hypothesis was supported in the original evaluation of the ICSEY project data, using the mean adaptation scores for individuals in the four acculturation clusters. This conclusion was further supported by an analysis that used scores that were derived from the two underlying dimensions. This paper further evaluates this hypothesis meta‐analytically using two new methods: Cultural Involvement and Cultural Preference; and Euclidean Distance. The results showed that these two methods provided support for the integration hypothesis, for both psychological adaptation and socio‐cultural adaptation. The pattern of relationships was stronger for positive than for negative indicators of adaptation. Theoretical and practical implications of the results are discussed.
U3 snoRNA‐mediated degradation of ZBTB7A regulates aerobic glycolysis in isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 wild‐type glioblastoma cells
Authors: Dong Weiwei , Liu Yunhui , Wang Ping , Ruan Xuelei , Liu Libo , Xue Yixue , Ma Teng , E Tiange , Wang Di , Yang Chunqing , Lin Hongda , Song Jian , Liu Xiaobai
Published: April 2023

Aims

The isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) phenotype is associated with reprogrammed energy metabolism in glioblastoma (GBM) cells. Small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) are known to exert an important regulatory role in the energy metabolism of tumor cells. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of C/D box snoRNA U3 and transcription factor zinc finger and BTB domain‐containing 7A (ZBTB7A) in the regulation of aerobic glycolysis and the proliferative capacity of IDH1 wild‐type (IDH1WT) GBM cells.

Methods

Quantitative reverse transcription PCR and western blot assays were utilized to detect snoRNA U3 and ZBTB7A expression. U3 promoter methylation status was analyzed via bisulfite sequencing and methylation‐specific PCR. Seahorse XF glycolysis stress assays, lactate production and glucose consumption measurement assays, and cell viability assays were utilized to detect glycolysis and proliferation of IDH1WT GBM cells.

Results

We found that hypomethylation of the CpG island in the promoter region of U3 led to the upregulation of U3 expression in IDH1WT GBM cells, and the knockdown of U3 suppressed aerobic glycolysis and the proliferation ability of IDH1WT GBM cells. We found that small nucleolar‐derived RNA (sdRNA) U3‐miR, a small fragment produced by U3, was able to bind to the ZBTB4 3′UTR region and reduce ZBTB7A mRNA stability, thereby downregulating ZBTB7A protein expression. Furthermore, ZBTB7A transcriptionally inhibited the expression of hexokinase 2 (HK2) and lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA), which are key enzymes of aerobic glycolysis, by directly binding to the HK2 and LDHA promoter regions, thereby forming the U3/ZBTB7A/HK2 LDHA pathway that regulates aerobic glycolysis and proliferation of IDH1WT GBM cells.

Conclusion

U3 enhances aerobic glycolysis and proliferation in IDH1WT GBM cells via the U3/ZBTB7A/HK2 LDHA axis.
Does the presence of a general counsel in top management affect securities class action lawsuits?
Authors: Hsu Audrey Wen‐Hsin , Liu Sophia
Published: April 2023

Research Question/Issue

This study investigates the effect of the presence of a firm's general counsel on the top management team on the likelihood that a US publicly traded company is targeted by a securities class action (SCA).

Research Findings/Insights

Using a US sample of class action lawsuits against publicly traded companies, we provide evidence that firms whose top management includes the general counsel (TMC) are less likely to be involved in SCAs. We further investigate the association of the presence of a TMC with the subsequent four litigation outcomes: market reaction to the lawsuits, duration of the lawsuit process, dismissal of the lawsuit, and the settlement approved by the courts. We find that firms with a TMC experience more favorable consequences on all four dimensions of litigation outcomes. The results hold after controlling for endogeneity, unobserved firm‐related omitted variable bias, and monitoring mechanisms.

Theoretical/Academic Implications

The findings support that establishing a TMC acts as an effective governance mechanism in reducing corporate litigation risk and adverse legal outcomes.

Practitioner/Policy Implications

Our evidence suggests that a TMC can help monitor operating and financial decisions. This study suggests that Section 307 of the Sarbanes–Oxley Act (SOX) works in terms of explicitly emphasizing the general counsel's responsibility. Thus, this study offers insights to policymakers who are interested in enhancing the function of the governance mechanism by which a corporate general counsel can influence the capital market.
Self‐reported THC content and associations with perceptions of feeling high among cannabis consumers
Authors: Lineham Jesse , Wadsworth Elle , Hammond David
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Few studies have examined consumer knowledge and communication of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content among cannabis consumers, including potential differences by cannabis legislation. The study sought to: (i) examine self‐reported knowledge of THC content across 10 cannabis products; (ii) examine self‐reported intoxication levels; and (iii) examine association between self‐reported THC levels and intoxication levels.

Methods

Repeat cross‐sectional surveys were conducted in Canada and the United States in September–November 2020 as part of the International Cannabis Policy Study. Respondents were past 12‐month cannabis consumers, aged 16–65 (n = 13,689). A weighted logistic regression model examined the association between expected intoxication of dried flower, jurisdiction and frequency of cannabis use.

Results

Across all 10 cannabis products, approximately two‐thirds of consumers did not know the quantitative THC level of the cannabis product they last used. Qualitative levels of THC (e.g., ‘low’ or ‘high’ THC) showed moderate correspondence with quantitative self‐reported THC levels for most products. Approximately half of consumers across all products reported achieving their desired intoxication level at last use, with higher levels among more frequent consumers and Canadian consumers of dried flower (F = 2.54, p = 0.019).

Discussion and Conclusions

Overall, comprehension of THC levels in cannabis products is low among consumers in both illegal and legal markets.
Culturally constituted universals: Evidential basis of belief matters
Authors: Haskaraca Feride Nur , Ilgaz Hande
Published: April 2023

Differences in the sequence with which children pass the tasks in Wellman and Liu's (2004) theory of mind (ToM) battery is increasingly bringing into question the universal and cultural specifics of children's developing understanding of others' minds. Children from China, Iran, and Turkey pass the knowledge access (KA) task of the battery earlier than they pass the diverse beliefs (DB) task (e.g., Selcuk et al., 2018). This pattern is the reverse of what has been documented with children from Australia and the US (e.g., Peterson et al., 2005). This paper presents three studies with Turkish samples that explore the possible reasons for developmental sequence and performance differences in the ToM battery. Study 1 investigated Turkish‐speaking adults' judgments of appropriateness for different epistemic verbs as used in the DB and false belief (FB) tasks. Study 2 investigated whether adults' performance (i.e., accuracy, reaction time) on FB tasks were affected by culturally preferred uses of these verbs. Collectively these studies showed that adults found different epistemic language (“guess,” “think,” and the Turkish‐specific “falsely think”) to be appropriate for different belief‐based tasks. However, there was no difference in adults' performance based on epistemic language. In Study 3, Turkish‐speaking preschoolers' performance in belief‐related tasks based on variations in epistemic language and epistemic features (i.e., presence of evidence) was investigated. Among five modifications, Turkish children benefited only from a modification that involved the manipulation of the epistemological basis for ambiguous beliefs (i.e., visual evidence for belief).

Research Highlights

Turkish adults find different epistemic language (“guess,” “think,” and the Turkish‐specific “falsely‐think”) to be appropriate for different belief‐based tasks (diverse and false belief tasks).

Turkish adults’ performance on false belief (FB) tasks is not affected by epistemic language.

Turkish children perform better in diverse beliefs (DB) task if an epistemological basis for ambiguous beliefs (i.e., visual evidence for either belief) is provided.
‘Good jobs’, training and skilled immigration
Authors: Mountford Andrew , Wadsworth Jonathan
Published: April 2023

Has skilled immigration into the UK led to a reduction in the training of native‐born workers? To address this concern, this paper describes a theoretical model where immigration can affect the training of native‐born workers both positively and negatively, and where its effects may differ according to the characteristics of the migrant and of the training firm's sector. It then investigates this issue empirically using UK Labour Force Survey data from 1995 to 2018. At the aggregate level, there is a small positive association between skilled immigration and native training rates. However, a more disaggregated analysis finds that the relationship between immigration and native training depends on the skill level of the immigrant, the skill level of trainees, and the sector into which immigration occurs. In particular, traded goods sectors show a positive association between training of UK‐born workers and both unskilled and skilled immigration. In non‐traded high‐wage sectors, the association between skilled immigration and UK‐born training is negative. These findings highlight the importance of allowing for heterogeneous effects from immigration when formulating policy or when modelling immigration's effects across the wider economy.
An exceedingly rare cause of neonatal shock and the value of point‐of‐care ultrasound
Authors: Yang Yun , Zhang Xin , Fang Lingyun , Yang Yali
Published: April 2023

We present a case of a 13‐day‐old neonate with shock who was diagnosed with congenital variation of aortic arch and critical coarctation of aorta by cardiac point‐of‐care ultrasound. Finally, surgery confirmed the anomalies. This case demonstrates the value of cardiac point‐of‐care ultrasound in detecting congenital anomalies of great vessels in neonates and may be beneficial in clinical management.
The structure of microbial communities in redoximorphic microsites of Gleysol
Authors: Samoilova Ekaterina , Tejnecký Václav , Kopecky Jan , Drábek Ondřej , Stovicek Adam , Vokurková Petra , Rapoport Daria , Němeček Karel , Buresova‐Faitova Andrea , Chotěborský Rostislav , Patrmanová Tereza , Hromasová Monika , Sagova‐Mareckova Marketa
Published: April 2023

Microbial communities were studied in redoximorphic microsites of highly heterogeneous Gleysol at a mm scale using 16S and 18S amplicon sequencing to demonstrate if the composition of soil microbes reflects the differences in ferric and ferrous micro‐sites. In both explored gley horizons with redoximorphic features (Bg2 and Cg), ferric mottles were significantly enriched with total P and Fe and depleted of O, Si, Al, K and Ca compared with the adjacent ferrous groundmass (SEM–EDS). Ferric mottles were determined as Fe oxide coatings and hypocoatings. In Bg2, both prokaryotic and micro‐eukaryotic communities differed significantly between mottles and groundmass in composition of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) and in proportions of phyla, reflecting heterogeneities in the soil properties there. Mottles in Bg2 were characterized by increased proportion of Proteobacteria, decreased proportion of Acidobacteriota among prokaryotes and by dominance of a single proteobacterial OTU from Anaplasmataceae compared to all other samples. The composition of micro‐eukaryotes showed an opposite trend, as micro‐eukaryotes of Bg2 groundmass were unique among the other horizons, while micro‐eukaryotes of Bg2 mottles had similar composition to neighbouring horizons. Microbial communities of adjacent samples were not more similar to each other than communities of randomly selected ones in Bg2 horizon. That suggests that at mm scale, the sample distance does not represent the driving factor of microbial community composition and that the adjacent samples differ rather due to physicochemical factors. The spatial organization of microbial communities revealed in Bg2 has not reappeared in similarly organized Cg horizon, probably due to other overriding factors. The differences revealed between Bg2 and Cg horizons, including granulometric composition, content of crystalline Fe, exchangeable Al, and organic carbon, as well as exposition to groundwater, were discussed as possible reasons of the distinct organization in Cg. The similarity of pro−/eukaryotic communities of adjacent and non‐adjacent couples suggests no distance decay pattern at a mm scale. The agreement between patchiness in soil properties and microbial communities was revealed for the first time and confirms the importance of microscale patterns in soil.
Migrants’ transnational social positioning strategies in the middle classes
Authors: Stock Inka
Published: April 2023

This paper examines the influence of class on migrants’ social positioning strategies in transnational spaces. It contributes to debates about the processes of transnational class‐making and class formation. Going beyond an analysis of class in socio‐economic terms, the paper focuses on peoples’ (changing) subjective understandings of middle‐class membership as a relevant factor in migrants’ transnational social positioning strategies. Based on qualitative interview data with middle‐class migrants in Germany, the presentation relates their experiences with downward social mobility before and after migration to their subjective perspectives on middle‐class membership over time and in different places. The findings show that middle‐class performance is shaped by migration experiences but also shapes peoples’ mobility trajectories and therefore influences and promotes different transnational lifestyles.
Writing differently with film: An animated video on gender, leadership, and language
Authors: Biehl Brigitte , Schönfeld Katerina
Published: April 2023

The animated video “Leadership and Discourse” (original title: “Führung und Sprache”) (4:05 min) is produced by us (a filmmaker and a scholar) and stands as an artistic research contribution that is published on the GWO website (https://bcove.video/3yBUL04). It links to and develops forms of “writing differently” in organization studies with moving images, colors, and sound. Drawing on feminist research, it visualizes how language creates a view on leadership as white, heterosexual, and masculine that excludes women and non‐binary individuals, queer people, and people of color. The male leader stereotype “stands” his ground and dominates all others. The video also shows how marginalized positions may find their form when they act in solidarity, reject misogynist vocabulary and hate‐speech, redefine words, and create new terms. In a way that a text cannot, the film allows viewers to experience gender and leadership as a product and artifact of discursive practices. It invites viewers to affectively relate to the content and encourages them to re‐imagine ourselves and others in organizations and leadership relationships beyond binary gender stereotypes. This written article serves as an academic framing, a common standard for artistic research, offering an interpretation of the video and situating the theoretical contribution. We theorize how artistic research as “writing differently” can challenge dominant forms of knowledge production and may support learning and leadership development with alternative, reflective, and experiential approaches and materials.
Quantitative PCR of string‐test collected gastric material: A feasible approach to detect Helicobacter pylori and its resistance against clarithromycin and levofloxacin for susceptibility‐guided therapy
Authors: Han Xinyuan , Yu Xiqiu , Gao Xiaojuan , Wang Xiangyu , Tay Chin Yen , Wei Xiaolan , Lai Bing , Marshall Barry J. , Zhang Xiuming , Chua Eng Guan
Published: April 2023

Background

As the reduced eradication rate of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), we introduced string‐test and quantitative PCR (qPCR) for susceptibility‐guided therapy innovatively. The practicality of the string test was evaluated.

Methods

It was an open‐label, non‐randomized, parallel, single‐center study, in which subjects tested by 13C‐ urea breath test (UBT) and string‐qPCR were enrolled. Based on the results of string‐qPCR, we calculated clarithromycin and levofloxacin resistance rates and gave 13C‐UBT positive patients 14 days susceptibility‐guided bismuth quadruple therapy. In the empirical therapy group, we retrospectively analyzed the treatment results of 13C‐UBT positive patients also treated with bismuth quadruple at Shenzhen Luohu People's Hospital from January 2021 to May 2022. The eradication rate was compared between susceptibility‐guided therapy and empirical therapy groups.

Results

The diagnosis of H. pylori infection using the string‐qPCR had an overall concordance rate of 95.9% with the 13C‐UBT results. Based on the results of string‐qPCR, the clarithromycin and levofloxacin resistance rates were 26.1% and 31.8%, respectively. The patients who were given 14 days susceptibility‐guided bismuth‐based quadruple therapy achieved a high H. pylori eradication rate of 91.8%. Retrospective analysis of patient treatment data from January 2021 to May 2022 available in the hospital database revealed an overall success rate of 82.3% for those who received empirical bismuth‐based quadruple therapies, which is marginally significantly lower than that of the string‐qPCR susceptibility‐guided group (p = 0.084).

Conclusion

The high treatment success rate of 91.8% indicates that the string‐qPCR test is a valuable and feasible approach for clinical practice to help improve H. pylori treatment success rate.