bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bacillus thuringiensisbioinsecticide influencesDrosophilaoviposition decision
Authors: Babin Aurélie , Gatti Jean-Luc , Poirié Marylène
Published: March 2023

Behavioural avoidance has obvious benefits for animals facing environmental stressors such as pathogen-contaminated foods. Most current bioinsecticides are based on the environmental and opportunistic bacteriumBacillus thuringiensis(Bt) that kills targeted insect pests upon ingestion. While food and oviposition avoidance ofBtbioinsecticide by targeted insect species was reported, this remained to be addressed in non-target organisms, especially those affected by chronic exposure toBtbioinsecticide such asDrosophilaspecies. Here, using a two-choice oviposition test, we showed that female flies of threeDrosophilaspecies (four strains ofD. melanogaster,D. busckiiandD. suzukii) avoided laying eggs in the presence ofBtvar.kurstakibioinsecticide, with potential benefits for the offspring and female’s fitness. Avoidance occurred rapidly, regardless of the fraction of the bioinsecticide suspension (spores and toxin crystals versus soluble toxins/components) and independently of the female motivation for egg laying. Our results suggest that, in addition to recent findings of developmental and physiological alterations upon chronic exposure of non-targetDrosophila, this bioinsecticide may have greater ecological implications in the field for theDrosophilacommunity and their associated natural enemies than previously thought.
TAD Evolutionary and functional characterization reveals diversity in mammalian TAD boundary properties and function
Authors: Okhovat Mariam , VanCampen Jake , Lima Ana C. , Nevonen Kimberly A. , Layman Cora E. , Ward Samantha , Herrera Jarod , Stendahl Alexandra M. , Yang Ran , Harshman Lana , Li Weiyu , Sheng Rory R. , Mao Yafei , Fedorov Lev , Ndjamen Blaise , Vigh-Conrad Katinka A. , Matthews Ian R. , Easow Sarah A. , Chan Dylan K. , Jan Taha A. , Eichler Evan E. , Rugonyi Sandra , Conrad Donald F. , Ahituv Nadav , Carbone Lucia
Published: March 2023

Topological associating domains (TADs) are self-interacting genomic units crucial for shaping gene regulation patterns. Despite their importance, the extent of their evolutionary conservation and its functional implications remain largely unknown. In this study, we generate Hi-C and ChIP-seq data and compare TAD organization across four primate and four rodent species, and characterize the genetic and epigenetic properties of TAD boundaries in correspondence to their evolutionary conservation. We find that only 14% of all human TAD boundaries are shared among all eight species (ultraconserved), while 15% are human-specific. Ultraconserved TAD boundaries have stronger insulation strength, CTCF binding, and enrichment of older retrotransposons, compared to species-specific boundaries. CRISPR-Cas9 knockouts of two ultraconserved boundaries in mouse models leads to tissue-specific gene expression changes and morphological phenotypes. Deletion of a human-specific boundary near the autism-relatedAUTS2gene results in upregulation of this gene in neurons. Overall, our study provides pertinent TAD boundary evolutionary conservation annotations, and showcase the functional importance of TAD evolution.
Mapping of corticotropin-releasing factor, receptors and binding protein mRNA in the chicken telencephalon throughout development
Authors: Metwalli Alek H. , Pross Alessandra , Desfilis Ester , Abellán Antonio , Medina Loreta
Published: March 2023

Understanding the neural mechanisms that regulate the stress response is critical to know how animals adapt to a changing world and is one of the key factors to be considered for improving animal welfare. Corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) is crucial for regulating physiological and endocrine responses, triggering the activation of the sympathetic nervous system and the hypothalamo – pituitary – adrenal axis (HPA) during stress. In mammals, several telencephalic areas, such as the amygdala and the hippocampus, regulate the autonomic system and the HPA responses. These centers include subpopulations of CRF containing neurons that, by way of CRF receptors, play modulatory roles in the emotional and cognitive aspects of stress. CRF binding protein also plays a role, buffering extracellular CRF and regulating its availability. CRF role in activation of the HPA is evolutionary conserved in vertebrates, highlighting the relevance of this system to help animals cope with adversity. However, knowledge on CRF systems in the avian telencephalon is very limited, and no information exists on detailed expression of CRF receptors and binding protein. Knowing that the stress response changes with age, with important variations during the first week posthatching, the aim of this study was to analyze mRNA expression of CRF, CRF receptors 1 and 2, and CRF binding protein in chicken telencephalon throughout embryonic and early posthatching development, using in situ hybridization. Our results demonstrate an early expression of CRF and its receptors in pallial areas regulating sensory processing, sensorimotor integration and cognition, and a late expression in subpallial areas regulating the stress response. However, CRF buffering system develops earlier in the subpallium than in the pallium. These results help to understand the mechanisms underlying the negative effects of noise and light during prehatching stages in chicken, and suggest that stress regulation becomes more sophisticated with age.
Mapping the Complex Genetic Landscape of Human Neurons
Authors: Sun Chen , Kathuria Kunal , Emery Sarah B , Kim ByungJun , Burbulis Ian E. , Shin Joo Heon ,   Brain Somatic Mosaicism Network, Weinberger Daniel R. , Moran John V. , Kidd Jeffrey M. , Mills Ryan E. , McConnell Michael J.
Published: March 2023

When somatic cells acquire complex karyotypes, they are removed by the immune system. Mutant somatic cells that evade immune surveillance can lead to cancer. Neurons with complex karyotypes arise during neurotypical brain development, but neurons are almost never the origin of brain cancers. Instead, somatic mutations in neurons can bring about neurodevelopmental disorders, and contribute to the polygenic landscape of neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disease. A subset of human neurons harbors idiosyncratic copy number variants (CNVs, “CNV neurons”), but previous analyses of CNV neurons have been limited by relatively small sample sizes. Here, we developed an allele-based validation approach, SCOVAL, to corroborate or reject read-depth based CNV calls in single human neurons. We applied this approach to 2,125 frontal cortical neurons from a neurotypical human brain. This approach identified 226 CNV neurons, as well as a class of CNV neurons with complex karyotypes containing whole or substantial losses on multiple chromosomes. Moreover, we found that CNV location appears to be nonrandom. Recurrent regions of neuronal genome rearrangement contained fewer, but longer, genes.
Crystal structure of a methyl benzoate quadruple-bonded dimolybdenum complex
Authors: Bass Lillian Dawson , Lee Jessie H. , Lilygren McKenzie C. , Hartnett Alaina C. , Campbell Brandon M. , Morphet Daniel R. , Dogutan Dilek K. , Zheng Shao-Liang
Published: March 2023

Quadruple-bond dimolybdenum complexes provide invaluable insight into the two-electron bond, with structural chemistry providing a foundation for examination of bond properties. The synthesis and solid-state structure of the quadruple-bonded dimolybdenum(II) complex tetrakis(μ-4-methylbenzoato-κ
2
O:O′)bis[(tetrahydrofuran-κO)molybdenum(II)] tetrahydrofuran disolvate, [Mo2(C8H7O2)4(C4H8O)2]·2C4H8O, are presented. This complex crystallizes in a triclinic cell with low-symmetry space group P\overline{1}. The dimolybdenum paddlewheel structure comprises four methylbenzoate ligands and two axial THF ligands. The dimolybdenum bond distance of 2.1012 (4) Å is exemplary of this class of compounds.
Electronic wallet technology and the enabling environment of smallholder farmers in Nigeria
Authors: Uduji Joseph Ikechukwu , Okolo-Obasi Elda Nduka , Asongu Simplice Anutecia
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to critically examine the impact of a growth enhancement support scheme (GESS) on the enabling environment of smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. The main aim is to investigate the impact of the GESS on access to rural farm credit and the transport cost of smallholder farmers in the agricultural transformation agenda (ATA) in Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper adopts a survey research technique, aimed at gathering information from a representative sample of the population, as it is essentially cross-sectional, describing and interpreting the current situation. A total of 1,200 were sampled across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria.

Findings

The results from the use of a double-hurdle model indicate that the GESS has a significant impact on farmers’ access to credit, but does not significantly impact on rural farm transport cost, which subsequently influences the price of food in the country.

Practical implications

This implies that if the Federal Government of Nigeria is to work toward an ideal agricultural transformation agenda, transport networks should be closely aligned with the GESS priorities to provide connectivity to rural areas that provide most of the country’s agricultural output.

Originality/value

This research adds to the literature on the agricultural and rural development debate in developing countries. It concludes that embracing a rural finance and transportation infrastructure should form the foundation of the ATA in Nigeria, which, in turn, would provide a conducive environment for a more widespread rural economy in sub-Saharan Africa.
Boldly going where firms have gone before? Understanding the evolution of supplier codes of conduct
Authors: Brockhaus Sebastian , Fawcett Stanley E. , Hobbs Sammuel , Schwarze Adoley Simone
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Supplier codes of conduct (CoC) are the primary mechanism companies use to drive corporate social responsibility (CSR) upstream in their supply chains. Companies have traditionally used CoC to tackle systemic social issues (e.g. forced labor, wages and working conditions). More recently, CoC have included environmental concerns (e.g. waste treatment, toxic chemicals and pollution). The purpose of this paper is to analyze how companies have evolved their CoC across four points in time between 1999 and 2017. By evaluating changes in the scope, depth and possible regime of sanctions included in CoC, the authors consider whether companies use CoC as either a leveling or a differentiating mechanism.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors employ a competing-theories approach to examine how companies have employed CoC. Specifically, the authors examine the content of CoC between four data points: 1999, 2005, 2010 and 2017 to determine whether CoC are used to maintain comparative parity (institutional theory) or to achieve a distinctive market presence (awareness–motivation–capability (AMC) framework). The sample includes 36 transnational companies. To enable replication, the authors maintained consistent sampling and coding procedures across the four time periods.

Findings

The authors find a significant harmonization and standardization of CoC over time. Alignment occurs at the lower end of acceptable norms – i.e. a lowest-common-denominator approach. Companies have not chosen to take a more aspirational approach that involves raising the bar on social and environmental performance. That is, companies have not attempted to use CoC to differentiate themselves as CSR standard bearers. Provision specificity dropped for the 2010 sample before rebounding in 2017.

Originality/value

The authors juxtapose the findings with a theoretical framework based on the tenets of institutional theory and the AMC framework. The authors conclude that changes in CoC are largely driven by coercive, normative and mimetic isomorphism as opposed to attempts to leverage CoC to create a distinctive image that could be used for competitive advantage. This finding provides context for how the public, investors and managers should view these documents.
Asymmetric dynamics in sovereign credit default swaps pricing: evidence from emerging countries
Authors: Simonyan Serdar , Bayraktar Sema
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This paper examines the relationship between sovereign credit default swaps (CDS) and several macroeconomic factors in an asymmetric setting and distinguishes between short-run and long-run impacts. Country-specific factors (e.g. equity index, international reserves, interest rate and industrial production) and global factors (e.g. US stock volatility [VIX], geopolitical risk and oil price) are the main explanatory variables.

Design/methodology/approach

This analysis uses a nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag approach that enables us to study both long-run and short-run dynamics.

Findings

This study results show that two country-specific factors (equity index and international reserves) and two global factors (VIX and oil price) are the most important factors and affect CDS asymmetrically.

Research limitations/implications

The asymmetric relationships between sovereign CDS and variables in bull and bear markets can also be studied. Consideration of asymmetries in the variance could also be a fruitful step taken for further research.

Practical implications

The findings imply that investors and portfolio managers should design their investment and hedging decisions related to government bonds by taking into account the existence of an asymmetric relationship.

Social implications

Moreover, policymakers can benefit from this asymmetric information in the timing of debt issuance.

Originality/value

This paper examines the relationship between sovereign CDS and several macroeconomic factors in an asymmetric setting and distinguishes between short-run and long-run impacts.
Inverse socialization with technology: understanding intergenerational family dynamics
Authors: Perez Maria Eugenia , Quintanilla Claudia , Castaño Raquel , Penaloza Lisa
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the inverse consumer socialization processes, differences in technology adoption and changes in extended family dynamics occurring between adult children and their middle-aged and elderly parents when technology is consumed.

Design/methodology/approach

Six focus groups, segmented into parents (50 to 75 years old) and adult children (18 to 35 years old) and grouped by gender and marital status, were conducted. Research questions examined consumption patterns, technology use, family structure and interactions between parents and adult children when consuming technology.

Findings

This study acknowledges different levels of technology adoption coexisting in extended families between adult children, who act as influencers, and their parents, who model their technology consumption after them. It further reveals a limited inverse consumer socialization process, as parents’ resistance to change hinders them from acquiring from their adult children significant knowledge, skills and attitudes regarding new technologies. This process is complicated by frustrations resulting from the parents’ limited ability to learn new technologies and their children’s lack of knowledge regarding andragogy (the art and science of teaching adult learners). Finally, this study reveals intergenerational alterations in extended family dynamics as aging parents depend on their adult children for their expertise with technology and children gain authority in an asymmetrical, two-way process.

Originality/value

This research reveals important limits in the inverse socialization process into technology between adult children and their parents, with attention to its effects on families and society.
A study on the relationship among customer behavior stickiness, motivation of shopping and customer value in the online shopping
Authors: Xiaozhou Dong
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to initially use a stochastic model to fit data of customer behavior stickiness and customer value, then estimate the corresponding parameters and use Bayesian rule to calculate its mathematical expectation.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use expectations of customer behavior stickiness as an independent variable, expectations of customer value as a dependent variable, motivations of consumption as moderator and conduct regression analysis to research the relationship among the three. First, we will use the data of behavior for customer network shopping in the questionnaire to establish the random probability model and forecast. Second, we calculate the expected customer behavior stickiness and customer value. Finally, we use resurvey data of 100 subjects after three months (selected randomly from 373 objects) to test the model prediction.

Findings

The findings show that customer behavior stickiness has a significant effect on customer value, and the moderating effect of the hedonic motivation of consumption on the relationship above is proved. The value of customers who hold high hedonic motivation of consumption is mainly driven from website’s single visit time, whereas the value of customers who hold low or middle hedonic motivation of consumption is mainly driven from a website’s visit frequency.

Originality/value

The paper proves and quantifies the effects of the customer behavior stickiness for customer value in times of behavior. The results prove the moderation role of consumer motivation of the customer for the path of customer behavior stickiness→customer value, and make clear that the hedonic motivation is a necessary condition of average site visit time that has a significant impact on customer value.
Factors supporting the implementation of buildability assessment as a tool for buildability improvement
Authors: Osuizugbo Innocent Chigozie , Okolie Kevin Chuks , Oshodi Olalekan Shamsideen
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Improving buildability of building designs with the aid of buildability assessment is essential because of the effect of designs on construction. Despite the plethora of research into buildability reported over the years, a review of the literature shown a dearth of research into the factors supporting the implementation of buildability assessment. Because buildability assessment has been confirmed to be highly beneficial to construction business, this study aims to investigate the factors supporting the implementation of buildability assessment as a tool for buildability improvement using Nigeria as a representative case.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey research method was adopted for the study. Questionnaires were administered to a purposively selected group of architects, engineers, builders and quantity surveyors involved in construction project delivery within client, consulting and contracting organisations in Nigeria. A total of 368 questionnaires were distributed among the sampled participants, out of which, a total of 219 representing 60% were sufficiently filled and returned. Data collected were analysed using inferential and descriptive statistics.

Findings

The results revealed owner’s commitment, clients’ awareness of the benefits of conducting buildability assessment on building design, unity amongst different professionals in the construction industry, designers consider buildability important, adequate coordination amongst different design disciplines, adequate channel for co-ordination and communication between designers and constructors at the design stage and adequate support from the government as the top most seven factors supporting buildability assessment implementation in construction sector of Nigeria. Secondly, the results from the research revealed that there is no statistically significant difference in factors supporting buildability assessment implementation in construction between clients and consulting and contracting construction organisations in Nigeria.

Originality/value

The findings provide in-depth insight of the factors supporting the implementation of buildability assessment in construction that can help principal stakeholders in construction to facilitate development of strategies required in supporting the adoption and implementation of buildability assessment tool for buildability improvement.
Securing and managing healthcare data generated by intelligent blockchain systems on cloud networks through DNA cryptography
Authors: Kaur Harleen , Jameel Roshan , Alam M. Afshar , Alankar Bhavya , Chang Victor
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to ensure the anonymity and security of health data and improve the integrity and authenticity among patients, doctors and insurance providers. Simulation and validation algorithms are proposed in this work to ensure the proper implementation of the distributed system to secure and manage healthcare data. The author also aims to examine the methodology of Wireless Body Area Networks and how it contributes to the health monitoring system.

Design/methodology/approach

Wireless Body Area Network (WBAN) plays an important role in patient health data monitoring. In this paper, a novel framework is designed and proposed to generate data by the sensor machines and be stored in the cloud, and the transactions can be secured by blockchain. DNA cryptography is used in the framework to encrypt the hashes of the blocks. The proposed framework will ensure the anonymity and security of the health data and improve the integrity and authenticity among the patients, doctors and insurance providers.

Findings

Cloud Computing and Distributed Networking have transformed the IT industry and their amalgamation with intelligent systems would revolutionize the Healthcare Industry. The data being generated by devices is huge and storing it in the cloud environment would be a better decision. However, the privacy and security of healthcare data are still a concern because medical data is very confidential and desires to be safe and secure. The blockchain is a promising distributed network that ensures the security aspect of the data and makes the transactions authentic and transparent. In this work, the data is collected using various sensor devices and is transmitted to the cloud through the WBAN via the blockchain network.

Research limitations/implications

In this paper, a framework for securing and managing the healthcare data generated by intelligent systems is proposed. As the data generated by these devices are heterogeneous and huge in nature, the cloud environment is chosen for its storage and analysis. Therefore, the transactions to and from the cloud are secured by using the blockchain-based distributed network.

Practical implications

The target end-users of our system are the patients to keep themselves informed and healthy, healthcare providers to monitor the conditions of their patients virtually, and the health insurance providers to have a track of the history of the patients, so that no fraudulent claims can be made.

Originality/value

The target end-users of our system are the patients for keeping themselves informed and healthy, healthcare providers for monitoring the conditions of their patients virtually and the health insurance providers to have a track of the history of the patients, so that no fraudulent claims can be made.
The impact of trade unions and government party orientation on income inequality: evidence from 17 OECD economies
Authors: Alexiou Constantinos , Trachanas Emmanouil
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Despite the existing conceptual analysis on the impact of trade unions on employees' welfare and the wider economy, the mediating effect of political party orientation (i.e., right, centre and left) on income inequality remains under researched. In this paper, the authors empirically explore the relationship between the nature of political party orientation, trade unions and income inequality.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use three different measures of income inequality and dummy variables that capture government party orientation with respect to economic policy for a panel of 17 OECD economies over the period 2000–2016. The authors employ a panel fixed effects approach and the Driscoll and Kraay's (1998) nonparametric covariance matrix estimator.

Findings

The empirical evidence indicates that strong unions and, to some extent, left party governance, are fundamental institutional elements to combat rising levels of income inequality whilst countries dominated by right-wing political parties appear to exacerbate income inequality. The results pertaining to the impact of centrist parties on income inequality are ambiguous suggesting that a potential fragmentation may exist in their political approach.

Originality/value

The evidence generated can have significant policy ramifications in alleviating rising levels of income inequality as well in relation to the declining unionization rates observed across advanced economies.
Building rating system: an instrument for building accessibility measurement for better indoor navigation by blind people
Authors: Jeamwatthanachai Watthanasak , Wald Mike , Wills Gary
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to create a building rating system (BRS) with its bottom-up design model that can be carried out manually and in the future automatically.

Design/methodology/approach

The BRS is built on the basis of the structure of spatial representation framework for indoor navigation by people with visual impairment, which was validated with visually impaired people, and incorporated with building design standards and regulations from around the world. The BRS was afterwards validated by three groups of five experts in the related fields such as research and development, accessibility, and building and interior designs. Finally, the user evaluation was carried out by three focus groups of three experts in risk assessment to verify the usability of the system.

Findings

This paper provides the design and methodology of the BRS used for classifying the accessibility in buildings into four levels of classification for people with visual impairment navigating around the buildings. This system is evaluated with system usability scales (SUS), which is found to be in a “Good” level on average (72.2 SUS scores).

Research limitations/implications

Success criteria used in the space classification are mainly created for people with visual impairment at this stage; other disabilities requirements must be taken into account for the next stage of the development.

Practical implications

The system can be carried out in the future automatically in the form of standalone software or plugins that can be integrated in buildings and interior design software to seek recommendations toward a creation of inclusive built environment.

Originality/value

This paper presents a design architecture of BRS with its details, description and success criteria used in the space classification.
Does corporate social responsibility initiative dissuade the increasing electoral violence in Sub-Saharan Africa? Evidence from Nigeria’s oil producing region
Authors: Uduji Joseph Ikechukwu , Okolo-Obasi Elda Nduka , Asongu Simplice
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to critically examine the multinational oil companies (MOCs) corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives in Nigeria. Its special focus is to investigate the impact of the global memorandum of understanding (GMoU) on reducing incidents of electoral violence in oil-producing communities.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper adopts a survey technique, aimed at gathering information from a representative sample of the population, as it is essentially cross-sectional, describing and interpreting the current situation. A total of 1,200 households were sampled across the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.

Findings

The results from the use of a combined propensity score matching and logit model indicate that the GMoU model made a significant impact in deterring occurrences of electoral violence when interventions on cluster development boards are designed to mitigate the intricate of political clashes in the region.

Practical implications

This implies that CSR interventions of MOCs play a vital role in reducing incidents of electoral violence in Nigeria’s oil producing region.

Social implications

Reducing the increasing electoral violence in the oil host communities, will, in turn, create an enabling environment for more extensive and responsible business of Multinational Corporation in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Originality/value

This paper extends and contributes to the literature on CSR initiatives of multinational enterprises in developing countries and the rationale for demands for social projects by host communities. It concludes that business has an obligation to help in solving problems of public concern.
The effect of face on consumer responses to socially responsible hospitality brands: the role of consumption setting
Authors: Poon Patrick
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This study examines the effect of face on consumer responses to socially responsible hospitality brands and the influence of the consumption setting. Based on the literature on face concern, the consumption setting is expected to influence the effect of face on consumer responses to socially responsible brands.

Design/methodology/approach

An experimental design with face concern (low vs high) under two consumption settings (private vs public) was adopted for a fictitious hotel involved in community service. To test this design, 360 participants were recruited.

Findings

The results showed that face positively affected consumer responses to socially responsible hospitality brands. Consumers with a high (vs low) level of face concern had higher purchase intention and a greater propensity to spread positive word-of-mouth for hospitality brands with strong corporate social responsibility (CSR) associations. In addition, the favorable effect of face concern on consumer responses was more pronounced in a public consumption setting than in a private consumption setting.

Practical implications

Hospitality service managers could strengthen the physical evidence of CSR brands during service encounters. This strategy would be more effective for consumers who have a high level of face concern and lead to an increase in revisit intention.

Originality/value

This study highlights the effect of face on consumer responses to CSR brands and the influence of the consumption setting. Managerial implications for hospitality service managers regarding communication and brand management strategies are discussed.
Data retention: an assessment of a proposed national scheme
Authors: Warren Matthew , Leitch Shona
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The information society has developed rapidly since the end of the twentieth century. Many countries (including Australia) have been looking at ways to protect their citizens against the variety of risks associated with the continued evolution of the internet. The Australian Federal Government in 2013 proposed data retention as one possible method of protecting Australian society and aiding law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute cyber-crime.

Design/methodology/approach

The aim of this paper is to consider the issue of data retention from a stakeholder’s perspective by analysing the public submissions garnered by the Australian Federal Government and identify the key issues and concerns that were raised by these stakeholders. The paper used a qualitative approach to undertake theme analysis.

Findings

The paper shows the concerns and wishes that different stakes holders have regarding data retention within Australia.

Originality/value

This is a unique study into implementation of data retention at a national level, in terms of the paper focussing on Australia.
Performance of hybrid fibre-reinforced concretes at elevated temperatures
Authors: Shirsath Swapnil K. , Yaragal Subhash C.
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This study reports the performance of thermally deteriorated concrete with and without fibres. Attempts have been made to find the suitable performance of steel polypropylene (PP) hybrid fibre combination that could significantly enhance the performance of mechanical properties at elevated temperatures.

Design/methodology/approach

In this experimental investigation, concrete cubes of 100 mm in size of various compositions were cast and water-cured for 28 days, and later exposed to elevated temperatures of either 200 or 400°C or 600 and or 800°C with a retention period of 2 h. The properties like change in colour and percentage weight loss were evaluated. Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity test was used to obtain qualitative information of strength variation. Residual strength of thermally deteriorated concrete specimen was measured by destructive testing.

Findings

Steel fibre volume fraction of 1 per cent improves the compressive strength of concrete in the temperature range of 400 to 800°C. The addition of steel fibre and PP fibre (Mix 3) improves the splitting strength of the concrete at elevated temperature range of 400 to 600°C.

Originality/value

Performance enhancement is observed with hybrid fibres for temperature endurance of concrete.
Long-term performance of firms: a review and research agenda
Authors: Martynov Aleksey , Shafti Nader
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The paper reviews existing empirical research where long-term performance (LTP) of firms is the dependent variable. The purpose of this paper is to structure and classify the existing research, outline the shortcomings, and chart the avenues for future research in the area of LTP.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is a review of the existing empirical literature. It surveys the existing studies and proposes new directions of empirical research.

Findings

The paper argues that there is a disconnection between the principal theories in strategy and the existing empirical findings. In particular, while the resource-based view (RBV) and dynamic capabilities view aim to predict sustainable competitive advantage and sustainable firm performance, few empirical papers examine the LTP consequences of resources and dynamic capabilities.

Research limitations/implications

The paper shows where future research efforts should be concentrated by outlining shortcomings in existing research.

Practical implications

The paper compares ways to measure LTP that will be useful to corporate executives. The paper also outlines factors that have been shown to affect LTP. These findings can be used by executives planning their strategy.

Originality/value

The paper is a first review of LTP. It also contributes to the debate in strategy on the RBV and dynamic capabilities.
True confessions: why I left a traditional liberal arts college for the sins of the big city
Authors: Jones Kip
Published: March 2023

Purpose

By means of several auto-ethnographic stories (including a scene from a working script for a proposed film), the author interrogates numerous ideas and misconceptions about gay youth, both past and present. A “bargain of silence” sometimes following gay sexual encounters in youth is described. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The author recounts a sexual experience with a male college student in his past. This dissonance catapulted the author to move from his small liberal arts college to the city and begin his education again at an art college.

Findings

The author then describes his personal attraction to a 16-year-old boy who lived near his lodgings during one summer’s break from art college. This time, the relationship remained purely platonic, but that did not seem to matter where the boy’s parents were concerned. The author’s social position and pretence coupled with his romantic outlook convinced him that anything was possible, even this platonic love. The painful lesson learned that summer was that this was not the case, and never would be. The boy’s parents threatened Jones, and he never saw the youth again. The author continues by discussing his award-winning research-based film, Rufus Stone, and the reactions and conversations following screenings, particularly with youth. This present generation seems to Jones to be a sexually ambivalent one, more comfortable with multiple choices or no choice at all. Nonetheless, these young people do identify with the complexity of feelings and insecurities presented by youth within the film.

Research limitations/implications

In a recent report on sexuality of American high school students by the Center for Disease Control, researchers found an ambivalence and “dissonance” amongst youth regarding sexuality and choice. The author acknowledges that there remains a contemporary problem of genuine acceptance by society, and that there still is work to be done. He also admits that present-day attitudes by youth regarding sexuality are one that he had previously assumed to be historical ones.

Originality/value

Being straight or being gay can be viewed within the wider culture’s need to set up a sexual binary and force sexual “choice” decision-making for the benefit of the majority culture. Through the device of the fleeting moment, this essay hopes to interrogate the certainties and uncertainties of the “norms” of modernity by portraying sexuality in youth.
A practical tool for the stability estimation of underground quarries in North France
Authors: Rafeh Faten , Mroueh Hussein , Hitti Karim , Burlon Sebastien
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The presence of underground quarries in North France in close proximity to urbanized areas, imposes serious problems in terms of security of both people and constructions at one hand, and induces a strong constraint against planning and urban development on the other hand. The purpose of this paper is to provide a practical tool for the preliminary estimation of the stability of underground quarries.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, a numerical stability study of quarries, excavated in chalk of North France with or without joints, by the method of rooms and pillars, is presented. This integrates the data provided from site: mechanical properties of the chalk and geometric characteristics of the quarries (width of the pillar W, height of the pillar H and span between pillars L), as well as the orientation of the joints (α). Numerical parametric analysis is conducted using FLAC 3D. Factors of safety are computed from the numerical models. Then, a second-order regression technique is applied on these numerically obtained factors, to correlate new formulae.

Findings

As a result, user-friendly formulae for the calculation of factors of safety Fs (ex) are extrapolated. Besides, abacuses to determine the minimum permissible effective width of safe pillars are proposed.

Originality/value

By this, it becomes possible, knowing only few parameters about geometry and properties, to give a fast estimation of the stability state of any quarry in the region.
‘We need to start building up what's called herd immunity’: Scientific dissensus and public broadcasting in the Covid‐19 pandemic
Authors: Philo Greg , Berry Mike
Published: March 2023

This article uses content and thematic analyses to examine how UK public service broadcasting (PSB) reported on the Covid‐19 pandemic prior to the first lockdown on March 23, 2020. This was a period when the British government's response to the pandemic was being heavily criticised by the World Health Organisation and other parts of the scientific community. This paper finds that in PSB these criticisms were muted and partially given. Instead, broadcasting explained in detail—and directly endorsed—government policy, including the ‘herd immunity’ approach. Most coverage of international responses focused on the United States and Europe with little attention paid to states that had successfully suppressed the virus. When such states were featured their public health measures were not explained nor compared to the UK's strategy with the consequence that PSB was unable to alert the public to measures that could have contained the virus and saved lives. These patterns in PSB coverage can be explained by the close links between key lobby journalists and the government's communication machine as well as the broader political and social contexts surrounding broadcasting at the onset of the pandemic.
Ecologies of mistrust: Fish, fishermen, and the multispecies ethics of ethnographic authority
Authors: Mallon Andrews Kyrstin
Published: March 2023

How do you conduct research with beings that are deeply suspicious of you, who don't trust your presence, and with good reason? This was a central question in my ethnographic work with diver fishermen in the changing marine environments of the Dominican Republic, waters populated by trickster barracuda, parrotfish who knew the schedules of fishing bans, and escape‐artist grouper. Ethnographers have historically considered mistrust as something to be overcome, an obstacle to the necessary rapport of the anthropologist. This article considers ethnographic encounters in subaquatic multispecies worlds and the methods practiced amid inherently unequal relations of power. Instead of considering trust as the ultimate achievement in ethnographic research and the gatekeeper of anthropological authority, I consider mistrust as a way of perceiving the myriad inequalities, political ecologies, and power dynamics animating our fieldsites and their human and more‐than‐human inhabitants.
Role of self‐esteem in the association between mindset of socioeconomic status and well‐being: A cross‐lagged panel analysis
Authors: Zhao Shan , Du Hongfei , Lin Danhua , Wu Qinglu , Li Qianfeng , Chi Peilian
Published: March 2023

People who believe that their socioeconomic status (SES) can be changed—with growth mindset or incremental implicit theory of SES—tend to have better psychological well‐being. Nevertheless, it remains unclear on why growth mindset of SES benefits well‐being. The present research aims to answer this question by investigating the longitudinal associations between mindset of SES and well‐being (i.e. depression and anxiety) and a potential mechanism (i.e. self‐esteem). We recruited 600 adults in Guangzhou, China, as participants in this study. Participants completed a list of questionnaires containing measures of mindset of SES, self‐esteem, depression, and anxiety at three time points over the course of 18 months. The cross‐lagged panel model showed that individuals holding a growth mindset of SES reported significantly lower depression and anxiety 1 year later, but the effect was not sustained later. More importantly, self‐esteem accounted for the associations of mindset of SES with both depression and anxiety, such that individuals with growth mindset of SES had higher self‐esteem, and in turn, demonstrated lower depression and anxiety over 18 months. These findings deepen the understanding of the salutary effects of implicit theories of SES on psychological well‐being. Implications for future research and mindset‐related interventions are discussed.
Exploring disagreement: Using video‐based interviews to understand a communal resource
Authors: Latham Alan , Nattrass Michael
Published: March 2023

Disagreement is a fundamental dimension of social life. In many situations, however, people are reticent to explicitly criticise the actions of others. It follows that if social researchers wish to study differences in people's common sense judgements of other's actions in an interview setting they need to carefully design how discussion of these differences are structured. This paper examines a research project that used context‐specific video clips to structure interviews with users of a communal infrastructural resource. In digging into the practical detail of an interview encounter, the paper contributes to human geography's ongoing conversation about the practicalities of doing interview‐based research.
Reduced port laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy for Mirizzi syndrome with a bilio‐biliary fistula: A case report
Authors: Koizumi Noriaki , Matsumoto Tatsuya , Kamada Yosuke , Fujiki Hiroshi , Sakakura Chouhei
Published: March 2023

A 65‐year‐old male diagnosed with Mirizzi syndrome with a bilio‐biliary fistula was referred to our department and underwent single‐incision laparoscopic surgery with an assistant trocar. As typical laparoscopic cholecystectomy could not be performed due to the coexistence of a bilio‐biliary fistula, we performed laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy as a bail‐out procedure according to the recommendation of the recent Tokyo Guidelines (TG18). The neck of the remnant gallbladder could be easily sutured with the effective use of an assistant trocar, and the surgery was completed without any complications. The patient was discharged 5 days after surgery without any complications. While little has been reported on the efficacy of reduced port surgery for Mirizzi syndrome, our surgical approach, i.e. reduced port surgery with an assistant trocar, enabled secure and easy suturing as a bail‐out procedure and seemed to be an efficient method that is both less‐invasive and safe.
The association between keratoconus and allergic eye diseases: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Seth Ishith , Bulloch Gabriella , Vine Michael , Outmezguine Joseph , Seth Nimish , Every James , Daniell Mark
Published: March 2023

Background

To investigate the association between keratoconus (KC) and allergic eye diseases, eye rubbing, and atopy.

Methods

PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane databases were searched for studies investigating eye allergy, atopy, and eye rubbing as risk factors for KC up to April 2021. Two authors independently screened all titles and abstracts against the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The study analysed the prevalence of KC and its risk factors, including eye rubbing, family history of KC, atopy, and allergic eye diseases. The National Institutes of Health Study Quality Assessment Tool was used. Pooled data are presented as odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). The analysis was conducted using RevMan version 5.4 software.

Results

The initial search yielded 573 articles. After screening, 21 studies were identified for qualitative analysis and 15 for quantitative synthesis. A significant association was found between KC and eye rubbing (OR = 5.22, 95% CI [2.80, 9.75], p < 0.00001), family history of KC (OR = 6.67, 95% CI [4.77, 9.33], p < 0.00001), and allergies (OR = 2.21, 95% CI [1.57, 3.13], p < 0.00001). However, no significant association was found between KC and allergic eye disease (OR = 1.82, 95% CI [0.37, 8.97], p = 0.46), atopy (OR = 1.54, 95% CI [0.58, 4.09], p = 0.39), allergic rhinitis (OR = 0.85, 95% CI [0.54, 1.33], p = 0.47), smoking (OR = 0.96, 95% CI [0.76, 1.21], p = 0.73), and asthma (OR = 1.58, 95% CI [0.99, 2.53], p = 0.05).

Conclusion

Significant associations were observed between KC and eye rubbing, family history, and allergy, but not with allergic eye disease, atopy, asthma, and allergic rhinitis.