bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Behavioural and electrophysiological correlates of the cross-modal enhancement for unaware visual events
Authors: Pápai Márta Szabina , Torralba Mireia , Soto-Faraco Salvador
Published: December 2023

According to many reports, cross-modal interactions can lead to enhancement of visual perception, even when visual events appear below awareness. Yet, the mechanism underlying this cross-modal enhancement is still unclear. The present study addressed whether cross-modal integration based on bottom-up processing can break through the threshold of awareness. We used a binocular rivalry protocol, and measured ERP responses and perceptual switches time-locked to flashes, sounds or flash-sound co-occurrences. In behavior, perceptual switches happened the earliest when subthreshold flashes co-occurred with sounds. Yet, this cross-modal facilitation never surpassed the benchmark indicated by the probability summation, thus suggesting independence rather than integration of sensory signals. Likewise, the ERPs to audiovisual events did not differ from the summed unimodal ERPs, also suggesting that the cross-modal behavioural benefit for unaware visual events can be explained by the independent contribution of unisensory signals and suggest no need for a multisensory integration mechanism. Hence, even though cross-modal benefits appeared behaviourally, we suggest that this cross-modal facilitation might origin from well-known bottom-up attentional capture processes, contributed by each individual sensory stimulus.
Accounting for observation biases associated with counts of young when estimating fecundity: case study on the arboreal-nesting red kite (Milvus milvus)
Authors: Rahel Sollmann , Nathalie Adenot , Péter Spakovszky , Jendrik Windt , Brady J. Mattsson
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Counting the number of young in a brood from a distance is common practice, for example in tree-nesting birds. These counts can, however, suffer from over and undercounting, which can lead to biased estimates of fecundity (average number of nestlings per brood). Statistical model development to account for observation bias has focused on false negatives (undercounts), yet it has been shown that these models are sensitive to the presence of false positives (overcounts) when they are not accounted for. Here, we develop a model that estimates fecundity while accounting for both false positives and false negatives in brood counts. Its parameters can be estimated using a calibration approach that combines uncertain counts with certain ones, which can be obtained by accessing the brood, for example during ringing. The model uses multinomial distributions to estimate the probabilities of observingyyoung conditional on the true state of a broodz(i.e., true number of young) from paired uncertain and certain counts. These classification probabilities are then used to estimate the true state of broods for which only uncertain counts are available. We use a simulation study to investigate bias and precision of the model and parameterize the simulation with empirical data from 26 red kite nests visited with ground and nest-based counts during 2021 and 2022 in central Europe. In these data, bias in counts was at most 1 in either direction, more common in larger broods, and undercounting was more common than overcounting. This led to an overall 5% negative bias in fecundity in uncertain counts. The model produced essentially unbiased estimates (relative bias < 2%) of fecundity across a range of sample sizes. This held true whether or not fecundity was the same for nests with paired counts and those with uncertain-only counts. But the model could not estimate parameters when true states were missing from the paired data, which happened frequently in small sample sizes (n = 10 or 25). Further, we projected populations 50 years into the future using fecundity estimates corrected for observation biases from the multinomial model, and based on “raw” uncertain observations. We found that ignoring observation bias led to strong negative bias in projected population size for growing populations, but only minor negative bias in declining populations. Accounting for apparently minor biases associated with ground counts is important for ensuring accurate estimates of abundance and population dynamics especially for increasing populations. This could be particularly important for informing conservation decisions in projects aimed at recovering depleted populations.
Short-Term Meditation Training Alters Brain Activity and Sympathetic Responses at Rest, but not during the meditation
Authors: Rusinova Anna , Volodina Maria , Ossadtchi Alexei
Published: December 2023

Numerous studies have shown that meditation has a number of positive effects on the physical and psychological well-being of practitioners. As a result, meditation has become widely practiced not only as a religious practice but also as a self-regulation technique to achieve specific measurable goals. This raises the question of how quickly physiological changes can be noticed in individuals for whom meditation is not the main focus of their lives but rather a wellbeing keeping technique. Another question is whether it is possible to observe changes occurring directly during meditation and use bio- or neuro-feedback to enhance such meditation training and achieve tangible results.

In our study, the experimental group of individuals with no previous meditation experience underwent eight weeks of training in Taoist meditation (2 sessions lasting 1 hour each week), under the guidance of a certified instructor. Participants in the control group attended offline group meetings during the same period, where they listened to audio books. All participants performed meditation testing before and after the intervention, following audio instructions. During the meditation practice, participants’ EEG, photoplethysmogram, respiratory rate, and skin conductance were recorded.

The meditation training, but not the control group activity, resulted in topically organized changes of the resting state brain activity and heart rate variability. Specifically, we observed an increase in EEG power in multiple frequency bands (delta, theta, alpha, beta) and changes in the heart rate variability indicators associated with sympathetic system activation. However, no significant changes were observed when we compared the physiological indicators during the actual meditation process performed prior and post the 8-week training. We interpret these changes as signs of increased alertness and possibly accelerated resting metabolic rate. Importantly, these changes were observed after only 16 hours of meditation training performed during the 8-week period of time. The absence of difference in the band-specific power profiles between the experimental and control groups during the process of meditation conceptually complicates the development of assistive devices aimed at “guiding” the novice meditators during the actual meditation. Our results suggest that the focus in creating such digital assistants should rather be shifted towards monitoring neurophysiological activity during the time intervals outside of the actual meditation. The apparent changes occur not only in the EEG derived parameters but are also detectable based on the markers of autonomous nervous system activity that can be readily registered with a range of wearable gadgets which renders hope for a rapid translation of our results into practical applications.
On interaction of proteinoids with simulated neural networks
Authors: Mougkogiannis Panagiotis , Adamatzky Andrew
Published: December 2023

Proteinoids are thermal proteins which swell into microspheres in solution. The proteinoid microspheres show spiking of electrical potential similar to that to that of living neurons. Rich spectrum of proteinoids’ spiking responses to optical and electrical stimulation makes them promising candidates for neuromorphic unconventional computing devices. We decided to evaluate neuron-like activity of proteinoids in the experimental setups of their interaction with simulate neuronal network of Izhikevich neurons. The simulated neural networks stimulate and modulate electrical activity of proteinoid ensembles by interacting with them via arbitrary form programmable function generator. Different amino-acid compositions of proteinoids responded uniquely to input spiking from simulated neurons. We demonstrated that patterns of electrical spiking activity of proteinoids and complexity of the activity can be tuned by patterns of spikes generated by simulated neurons. The research opens novel venues to establishing interacting between nanobrains – brain-like organoids made from molecules, not animal cells — and real nervous systems.
Strain Differences in Bloodstream and Skin Infection MRSA isolated between 2019-2021 in a Single Health System
Authors: Hofstetter Katrina S. , Jacko Natasia F. , Shumaker Margot J. , Talbot Brooke M. , Petit Robert A. , Read Timothy D. , David Michael Z.
Published: December 2023

S. aureusis a common cause of skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) and has recently become the most common cause of bloodstream infections (BSIs), but whether the strains causing these two clinical syndromes overlap has not been studied adequately. USA300/500 (clonal complex [CC] 8-ST8) and USA100 (CC5-ST5) have dominated among methicillin-resistantS. aureus(MRSA) strains in the U.S. since the early 2000s. We compared the genomes of unselected MRSA isolates from 131 SSTIs with those from 145 BSIs at a single U.S. center in overlapping periods in 2018-2021. CC8 MRSA was more common among SSTIs and CC5 was more common among BSIs, consistent with prior literature. Based on clustering genomes with a threshold of 15 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), we identified clusters limited to SSTI patients and separate clusters exclusively comprising BSI patients. However, we additionally identified 8 outbreak clusters that included at least one SSTI and one BSI isolate. This suggests that virulent MRSA strains are transmitted from person-to-person locally in the healthcare setting and the community and that single lineages are often capable of causing both SSTIs and BSIs.
Multiple genome-wide association studies of type 2 diabetes implicate several genes are associated with diabetic retinopathy based on UK Biobank
Authors: Cai Tengda , Pan Qi , Tao Yiwen , Nangia Charvi , Rajendrakumar Aravind Lathika , Dottorini Tania , Haque Mainul , Palmer Colin , Meng Weihua
Published: December 2023

Purpose

To identify the genetic variants associated with diabetic retinopathy in type 2 patients from the UK Biobank cohort (n= 17,015) and supporting replication cohorts GODARTS (n= 5,013), GOSHARE (n= 1,754), Caucasian Australians (n= 518), FinnGen (n= 206,664) and Chinese (n = 1,007).

Methods

Totally eleven genome-wide association studies were applied to search for significant genetic variants.

Results

We found 5 different loci associated with type 2 diabetic retinopathy in or nearest geneEYA2,MPDZ,NTNG1,CTAGE14PandMREGP1. In the primary GWAS, a significant SNP rs6066146 located in geneEYA2showed apvalue of 4.21 × 10−8and may play a role in the development of the disease, with “spleen” reaching a significant level produced by tissue expression analysis. Corresponding heritability of DR was estimated to be 26.73% by SumHer. Among five genes, we found that genesEYA2,MPDZ,NTNG1had genetic interactions and may affect the complex development of retinal blood vessels.

Conclusion

Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that affects the eyes. It is highly likely to occur when high blood sugar damages the retinal blood vessels. There is limited awareness regarding the pathogenesis of DR. Our study identified multiple loci associated with diabetic retinopathy, which may lead to personalized treatments to reduce the burden of the disease.
Benchmarking computational methods to identify spatially variable genes and peaks
Authors: Li Zhijian , M.Patel Zain , Song Dongyuan , Yan Guanao , Li Jingyi Jessica , Pinello Luca
Published: December 2023

Spatially resolved transcriptomics offers unprecedented insight by enabling the profiling of gene expression within the intact spatial context of cells, effectively adding a new and essential dimension to data interpretation. To efficiently detect spatial structure of interest, an essential step in analyzing such data involves identifying spatially variable genes. Despite researchers having developed several computational methods to accomplish this task, the lack of a comprehensive benchmark evaluating their performance remains a considerable gap in the field. Here, we present a systematic evaluation of 14 methods using 60 simulated datasets generated by four different simulation strategies, 12 real-world transcriptomics, and three spatial ATAC-seq datasets. We find that spatialDE2 consistently outperforms the other benchmarked methods, and Moran’s I achieves competitive performance in different experimental settings. Moreover, our results reveal that more specialized algorithms are needed to identify spatially variable peaks.
Effectiveness of Bivalent Boosters Over Nine and Half Months in Nebraska
Authors: Paritala Sai , Xu Yangjianchen , Du Yi , Donahue Matthew , Maloney Patrick , Lin Dan-Yu
Published: December 2023

On September 1, 2022, Moderna and Pfizer–BioNTech bivalent vaccines replaced existing monovalent vaccines as booster doses against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) for persons aged 12 and older in the United States. We assessed the effectiveness of these bivalent boosters against Omicron infection and severe outcomes (COVID-19 hospitalization and death) over a 9.5-month period using line-level data from the state of Nebraska. We found that the relative effectiveness of bivalent boosters, compared with one fewer vaccine dose, against Omicron infection and subsequent death was 39.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 35.7 to 42.2) and 70.0% (95% CI, 38.8 to 85.3), respectively, at four weeks post administration and gradually waned afterward. Vaccine effectiveness was broadly similar against different Omicron subvariants.
Systematic comparison of sequencing-based spatial transcriptomic methods
Authors: You Yue , Fu Yuting , Li Lanxiang , Zhang Zhongming , Jia Shikai , Lu Shihong , Ren Wenle , Liu Yifang , Xu Yang , Liu Xiaojing , Jiang Fuqing , Peng Guangdun , Kumar Abhishek Sampath , Ritchie Matthew E. , Liu Xiaodong , Tian Luyi
Published: December 2023

Recent advancements of sequencing-based spatial transcriptomics (sST) have catalyzed significant advancements by facilitating transcriptome-scale spatial gene expression measurement. Despite this progress, efforts to comprehensively benchmark different platforms are currently lacking. The extant variability across technologies and datasets poses challenges in formulating standardized evaluation metrics. In this study, we established a collection of reference tissues and regions characterized by well-defined histological architectures, and used them to generate data to compare six sST methods. We highlighted molecular diffusion as a variable parameter across different methods and tissues, significantly impacting the effective resolutions. Furthermore, we observed that spatial transcriptomic data demonstrate unique attributes beyond merely adding a spatial axis to single-cell data, including an enhanced ability to capture patterned rare cell states along with specific markers, albeit being influenced by multiple factors including sequencing depth and resolution. Our study assists biologists in sST platform selection, and helps foster a consensus on evaluation standards and establish a framework for future benchmarking efforts that can be used as a gold standard for the development and benchmarking of computational tools for spatial transcriptomic analysis.
Socioeconomic Status and Depression – A Systematic Review
Authors: Jespersen Anders , Madden Rebecca , Whalley Heather C. , Reynolds Rebecca , Lawrie Stephen M. , McIntosh Andrew M. , Iveson Matthew
Published: December 2023

Objective

Low socioeconomic status (SES) has been associated with an increased risk of depression and psychiatric disorders in general. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aim to provide an estimate of the risk of clinical depression associated with low SES across cultures, age groups and study designs. Finally, we tested whether associations between SES and depression differed by the income of the country in which the study was conducted.

Methods

A literature search across five databases returned 7,943 studies. Title, abstract and full text screening resulted in 162 included studies of which 122 were meta-analysed, 22 were included in a cross-sectional narrative review and 19 studies were included in a longitudinal narrative review. Meta-analyses were divided into risk estimates for composite SES, income, education, and employment. Sensitivity analyses based on differences in economic situation in the country of study origin were performed to investigate a possible source of between study heterogeneity.

Results

Low SES was associated with an increased risk of depression across all measures of SES. Low income was associated with the highest odds ratio for depression (OR = 1.96, 95% CI = 1.53-2.52). Sensitivity analyses revealed no significant differences in between-study heterogeneity or risk of depression between high- and low-income economy groups.

Conclusions

Comparable risks of depression across economy groups suggest that income relative to your peers, rather than absolute income, is a risk factor for depression. Preventative measures and possible policy interventions are discussed.

Strengths and limitations of this study

This systematic review provides the largest and most comprehensive review and meta-analysis of the association between socioeconomic status and depression.

The included studies span a broad range of ages, cultures, and country economies, allowing for better generalisation of the results.

The inclusion of component parts of socioeconomic status (income, education, and employment) in the meta-analysis allows for comparisons of the different risk estimates.

The broad inclusion criteria are likely to allow for increased between-study heterogeneity.

Due to the observational nature of the studies included it is difficult to make conclusions on the direction of causality between socioeconomic status and depression. However, the inclusion of a longitudinal narrative review may give an indication of a direction of causality.
Factors influencing artificial intelligence adoption in the accounting profession: the case of public sector in Kuwait
Authors: Al Wael Hasan , Abdallah Wael , Ghura Hasan , Buallay Amina
Published: December 2023

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the organizational and individual factors that influence the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in Kuwait's public accounting sector.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology of this study is a cross-sectional survey of 393 experienced accounting professionals, using partial least square structural equation modeling to analyze the data.

Findings

The findings show that organizational culture, regulatory support, perceived usefulness and ease of use have a direct positive effect on AI adoption, while perceived usefulness and ease of use also have an indirect positive effect through accounting profit and behavioral intention. However, the availability of resources, effective communication channels and competition pressure have an insignificant impact on AI adoption.

Originality/value

This study pioneers a structural framework to elucidate the perceived enhancement of accounting quality through AI system integration. Further, this research adds to the literature on AI adoption in accounting. This study also offers empirical evidence regarding how organizations in Kuwait's public accounting sector view AI systems in accounting.
Refugees at home: the role of hospitableness in fostering pro-social attitudes and behaviours towards refugees
Authors: Alrawadieh Zaid , Altinay Levent , Urbančíková Nataša , Hudec Oto
Published: December 2023

Purpose

This study aims to examine the role of hospitableness towards refugees, as embraced by local hosts, in engendering positive social outcomes, including fostering favourable attitudes and empathy towards refugees, satisfaction from hosting refugees in private dwellings and advocacy for hosting them.

Design/methodology/approach

Rooted in the contact theory and drawing on a hospitality social lens framework, the study uses a mixed-methods approach using a sequential quantitative-qualitative design to understand the interface between hospitableness, attitudes and empathy towards refugees, satisfaction from hosting refugees in private dwellings and advocacy for hosting them. A conceptual model is proposed and tested using 160 valid surveys collected from individuals hosting Ukrainian refugees in Slovakia. SEM-PLS is used to test the proposed model. A total of 25 in-depth interviews with Slovakian individuals hosting refugees in private dwellings were also conducted to explain and further explore the initial quantitative results.

Findings

The findings indicate that hospitableness has a positive effect on attitudes towards refugees, fosters a sense of empathy and results in satisfaction from hosting refugees. Interestingly, while hospitableness per se does not directly affect advocacy for hosting refugees, it does so indirectly via favourable attitudes towards refugees and satisfaction from the hosting experience. While qualitative findings largely support and further explain the quantitative results, interesting insights are also obtained.

Practical implications

The study advocates that hospitableness should be addressed through a social lens beyond its traditional commercial boundaries. Several implications for policymakers, NGOs and other stakeholders involved in hosting refugees are proposed. Overall, policies need to be oriented towards harnessing the power of refugee hosting schemes, thus increasing the role of hospitableness in addressing societal challenges such as the refugee crisis.

Originality/value

While not new, private hosting of refugees has recently gained momentum following the outbreak of the Ukrainian refugee crisis. In spite of some valuable research delving into hosting experiences from the refugees’ and hosts’ perspectives, this research stream is notably fragmented and largely exploratory. Specifically, there seems to be no comprehensive understanding of how hospitableness towards refugees, as embraced by hosts, can engender positive social outcomes, including fostering favourable attitudes and empathy towards refugees, satisfaction from hosting refugees and advocacy for hosting refugees in private dwellings. Overall, hospitality research is notably biased towards commercial settings, focusing on instrumental benefits rather than societal outcomes. This study focuses on the societal outcomes of hospitableness as a tool to address the refugee crisis.
Do KM and TQM have an impact on employee effectiveness and supply chain performance?
Authors: Lehyani Fatma , Zouari Alaeddine , Ghorbel Ahmed , Tollenaere Michel
Published: December 2023

Purpose

Companies should enhance their market position and competitiveness by improving staff effectiveness, skills, resource commitment, and applying relevant managerial methods. This study aims to examine the impact of knowledge management (KM) and total quality management (TQM) on employee effectiveness (EE) and supply chain performance (SCP) in emerging economies.

Design/methodology/approach

The used methodology consists on conducting a survey within Tunisian companies, where the authors gathered 206 responses. Collected data was analyzed using statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) software, enabling the authors to establish a conceptual model. This model was further examined through structural equation modeling, using analysis of moment structures (AMOS) software for hypothesis validation. Additionally, the authors’ research aimed to enhance SCP and boost EE while minimizing costs through a nonlinear mathematical model and the quality function deployment method.

Findings

The results indicate that TQM and KM positively impact EE, and KM and EE positively impact SCP. However, the significance of employee performance on SCP varies depending on company location and industry sector studied.

Originality/value

This work emphasized the involvement of small- and medium-sized enterprise managers from emerging economies in the studied concepts and confirmed the effects of KM and TQM practices on EE and SCP.
Perceptions and attitudes of black Sub-Saharan African migrants from war-torn zones towards accessing health services in the English West Midlands region, UK
Authors: Nyashanu Mathew , Mbalinda Scovia Nalugo , Madziva Roda , Ekpenyong Mandu Stephen
Published: December 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the experiences of black Sub-Saharan African (BSSA) migrants from war-torn zones in accessing health services in the West Midlands region of the UK. This may help to inform on factors influencing the uptake of health services for new migrant communities.

Design/methodology/approach

This study explored the experiences of BSSA migrants from war-torn zones in accessing health services in the West Midlands using an explorative qualitative approach. Ten focus groups made up of seven participants each were followed up with three in-depth one-to-one interviews from each focus group using a conversational approach where research participants were encouraged to direct and shape the discussion in accordance with their own experiences, views and particular concerns (Kvale, 1996) as opposed to responding to a pre-determined agenda.

Findings

Following transcription, coding and analysis of the focus group discussions and follow-up interviews, this study found that perceptions and attitudes of BSSA communities in accessing health services included difficulties in navigating the health system, intrusive and embarrassing questions from clinicians, stigmatisation through offering an HIV test, culturally unfriendly counselling support, unconfidently services and episodes of trauma flashbacks.

Originality/value

The experiences of BSSA migrants who sought health services in the West Midlands in the UK demonstrated important implications for future practice and informed service delivery. There is a need to consider cultural education for both BSSA migrants and health professionals to enhance understanding and trust between the groups. Basic professional training for health professionals should also encompass the needs of the growing ethnic populations in the UK.
The evolution of organizational design: the case of digital startups
Authors: Handoko Indria , Tjaturpriono Hendro A.
Published: December 2023

Purpose

Along their journey to achieve exponential growth, startups must process a vast amount of information and make quick decisions, reevaluate and adjust strategies and simultaneously redesign their organization along with the venture lifecycle. This paper delineates the evolution of startups' organizational design and identifies the influencing factors in every phase of the lifecycle.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopts an explorative qualitative approach using a multiple case study methodology for six Indonesian startups. Indonesia is chosen as an emerging country in Southeast Asia with tremendous growth in digital startup businesses.

Findings

The research findings suggest that, as they experience exponential growth, startups strive to manage the tension between being structured and being flexible and hence remain innovative by combining management-centric and employee-centric approaches. In particular, this study identified three main factors that potentially influence the evolution of startups' organizational design: founders, investors and the characteristics of business and market.

Research limitations/implications

The present study focuses mainly on Indonesian digital startups and does not fully explain how the influencing factors work in each phase of the venture journey.

Practical implications

This study offers practical contributions for startups pursuing business growth by focusing on the importance of balancing the tension between structured and flexible organizational design and placing more attention on founders, investors and business-market characteristics.

Originality/value

This empirical study is among the first to delineate nuances of organizational design evolution during the startup lifecycle by adopting an explorative qualitative method.
Influence of self-esteem on regret for criticized normal versus abnormal consumer decisions
Authors: Hernandez Jose Mauro da Costa , Kamiya Annaysa Salvador Muniz , Costa Filho Murilo
Published: December 2023

Purpose

This study aims to examine differences in regret between individuals with high vs low self-esteem that follows from negative appraisals for unsuccessful consumer decisions that are either congruent or not with perceived norms. This study also tested the mediating role of decision responsibility and the ability of psychological repair work in regulating regret.

Design/methodology/approach

Hypotheses were tested through four experimental studies using student and international panel samples across different consumer decision scenarios to generalize the findings of the study.

Findings

This study shows that high self-esteem individuals regret less a bad decision when it is congruent (normal) than when it is incongruent (abnormal) with the prevalent norms, while lower self-esteem individuals tend to regret equally both normal and abnormal decisions. This study further shows that this effect is driven by internal responsibility attributions. Finally, the results also suggest that high self-esteem people are more efficient than low self-esteem people in regulating regret, but only when the decision is abnormal.

Originality/value

The present research has important contributions to both regret and self-esteem literature. First, this study explored the role of self-esteem on regret, an individual variable that has been studied relatively little in regret literature. Second, this study has shown, consistent with recent findings, that decision congruence with the norms is a more suitable predictor of regret than whether the decision involves action or inaction. Finally, this study showed that stimulating individuals to self-enhance by engaging in psychological repair work led individuals to regulate regret, consistent with regret regulation theory.
Motivational processes involved in the behavior of the financial statement fraudster
Authors: de Oliveira Orth Caroline , Momo Fernanda , Manfroi da Silva Bonotto Mariana , Schiavi Giovana
Published: December 2023

Purpose

This study aims to develop and validate the scale of the Behavioral Regulation for the behavior of the Financial Statement Fraudster, from the perspective of the Organismic Integration Theory (OIT).

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve the objective of this article, an exploratory and quantitative study was developed. The instrument developed followed all the steps recommended by Koufteros (1999) and MacKenzie et al. (2011), from the elaboration of the constructs based on the theory to the factorial validation of reliability.

Findings

The tests applied reveal that the instrument has statistical validity and can be applied to models that seek to explain the individual motivations for committing accounting fraud.

Research limitations/implications

We did not develop a mathematical model. As a suggestion for future studies, it is recommended to focus on developing a mathematical model relating the motivations to commit accounting fraud with variables capable of measuring the quality of governance or related to performance. In addition, study factors that may moderate these relationships.

Practical implications

The validated instrument can be used by auditors and gatekeepers to detect the risk of fraudulent behavior.

Social implications

The instrument validated here may be useful to researchers who wish to test the motivations for committing fraud in structural models.

Originality/value

There is little research on accounting fraud on how to define theoretical constructs (as far as the literature review has reached, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, none has been identified). In addition, few studies have been identified that suggest the OIT as an adequate theoretical lens to illuminate the phenomenon of accounting fraud.
An empirical study on the intention to switch to cloud-based hospital information systems in Korea: a push–pull–mooring model perspective
Authors: Choi Byongcheon , Yoon Cheolho
Published: December 2023

Purpose

Recently, interest and necessity for cloud-based hospital information systems (HISs) have emerged as an appropriate alternative for revitalizing medical information exchange between hospitals, analyzing “big data” medical information and developing the use of new medical technologies. The purpose of this paper is to investigate factors that affect the switching of information systems in existing on-premise environments into cloud-based HISs.

Design/methodology/approach

A research model was developed using the push–pull–mooring model based on migration theory. The research model was analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis and path analysis using partial least squares structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results of this study showed that low compatibility, perceived value, low cost and inertia influenced the intention to switch to cloud-based HISs; low flexibility and low compatibility influenced dissatisfaction; and low cost, ease of maintenance and ease of managing indicators influenced perceived value.

Originality/value

This study is expected to be used as the basis for developing a research model in subsequent studies to analyze the transition to new innovative technologies. Also, in practice, it is expected to contribute to the activation of cloud computing environments in hospitals.
Workplace learning and information exchange among gig workers: crowdsourcing and the social media advantage
Authors: Aroonsri Pimsiri , Crocco Oliver Stephen
Published: December 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to understand the scope and nature of information sharing as a form of workplace learning among gig workers.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from public social media communities of gig workers in Thailand. In total, 338 posts and 3,022 comments on the posts were analyzed (data corpus N = 3,360). Thailand was selected for the context of this study given its high level of social media penetration, a high percentage of digital service consumption of internet users and the prevalence of app-based gig workers. This study used thematic analysis using inductive and semantic coding to generate themes.

Findings

Findings showed two overarching themes of information sharing, which included on-the-job experience and inquiries. One surprising finding was the extent to which gig workers used social media to help others even when it potentially undermined their success.

Research limitations/implications

This study adds evidence to the role of information sharing in workplace learning and illustrates how gig workers who do not have access to traditional training and learning opportunities use social media communities to fill this need.

Originality/value

Given the surge of digitalization and internet infrastructure leading to the rise of gig work worldwide, this study provides a closer look at how gig workers are using social media communities to facilitate workplace learning and support one another amid otherwise difficult and insecure working conditions. It also discusses the role that culture plays in facilitating a cooperative rather than a competitive environment among drivers.
Climate change and mental health: impact on people with disabilities
Authors: Vig Shinu , Dwivedi Sunita
Published: December 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to examine why people with disabilities (PWDs) are at risk due to climate change. It also discusses the linkage between climate change events and the mental health of the disabled population.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper follows a qualitative approach.

Findings

Climate change can affect the mental well-being of PWDs in several ways such as increased vulnerability, displacement-related trauma, social isolation, loss of independence, climate anxiety and eco-grief.

Practical implications

The paper has practical implications for policymakers. Because climate change has a disproportionate impact on PWDs, there is an urgent need to include them in climate action, both as beneficiaries and decision-makers.

Originality/value

The paper attempts to explore the measures that can be taken for prevention and mitigation of impacts on the mental health of PWDs.
The food security and the eating behavior of the civilian population during the military conflict in Ukraine: a preliminary research
Authors: Aksonova Olena , Slivar Dmytro , Torianik Dmytro , Gubsky Sergey
Published: December 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to evaluate not only changes in eating behavior and food security parameters of the civilian population experiencing war but also the likelihood of developing a number of eating disorders against this background.

Design/methodology/approach

This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in March–April 2022 using the Google Forms tool among adult residents of Ukraine. The questions included four categories: general demographic data and body mass index (BMI); the question of the most frequently consumed food groups since the beginning of the invasion; SCOFF questionnaire; and questions to assess the state of food security.

Findings

A change in eating behavior was reported by 72.3% of respondents. SCOFF screening showed two or more positive responses for 42.7% of respondents. For respondents who were not in active hostilities areas, only 25.0% reported positive results. The average pre-war BMI was within the normal range, which suggests that the majority of respondents did not have problems with food security. The study shows that 74.9% of respondents believe they have an unbalanced diet. About 40% of respondents were cutting back on meals or skipping meals, and 50% reported running out of food and not being able to restock. These facts indicate that most respondents experienced food insecurity after the invasion.

Research limitations/implications

The resulting quantitative sample structure of respondents was not optimal for such studies. But taking into account the rather difficult state of the country and the conditions of the population in it, the expansion of the sample in combat areas was quite seriously limited. Therefore, the use of a limited sample should probably be considered a reasonable and practical choice for conducting research.

Originality/value

The results indicate deep problems with food security, a sharp change in eating behavior under the pressure of circumstances and, as a consequence, the appearance of a high probability of the development of eating disorders in the future.
Variation in larval traits between closely related species of freshwater prawns (Macrobrachium amazonicum and M. pantanalense)
Authors: Nogueira Caio Santos , Costa Rogerio Caetano , Pantaleão João Alberto Farinelli
Published: December 2023

Larval morphology is a valuable tool for understanding the life history of decapod crustaceans. This approach has proven valuable in confirming taxonomic revisions based on molecular or adult morphology analyses. Therefore, the present study aimed to compare larval traits (e.g. development time, morphology, and larval size) between Macrobrachium amazonicum and M. pantanalense, two closely related species that are separated by a low genetic distance. The first five zoeal stages of each phenotype and species were analysed. Differences in larval development time, morphology, and size were observed. M. amazonicum exhibits faster development during the early larval stages compared to M. pantanalense. The main morphological difference between the two species is related to the stage at which pereiopod five develops as a functional appendage, namely zoea IV in M. amazonicum and zoea III in M. pantanalense. In addition, size variation was observed, with M. pantanalense larvae being larger in the early stages. The differences found between the two species corroborate that M. amazonicum and M. pantanalense are distinct lineages. Even though these groups are separated by a low genetic distance, the existing differences are conclusive, and therefore, these organisms can be considered as two distinct taxonomic entities.
The lived experiences of children/young people in the Aotearoa‐New Zealand family court system
Authors: Orr Kath , Dickinson Annette , Smythe Elizabeth
Published: December 2023

This qualitative study explores the experiences of young people with professionals as they traverse the family court in Aotearoa‐New Zealand. A hermeneutic phenomenological lens, based on the writings of Heidegger, Gadamer, van Manen and Buber, explored this phenomenon, which was embedded in the notion that young people need to have agency, the ability to act, to speak and to share their thoughts in matters that affect them. Six young people aged 8–16 years, four lawyers for the children, four specialist report writers (psychologists) and one parent were interviewed. Each interview was crafted into a story, which were then interpreted into “themes”, to allow the young person's experiences to be better understood and presented. This article focuses on one aspect of the young person's experiences as reported by them. The key insight was that the professional who engages in extra‐ordinary listening about the young person's experience of what matters to them, can build a space of trust, the “between”, the gap between two people where mutual authenticity can exist, where discussion can occur, and where the professional can hear, respect and represent the young person's views at the decision‐making phase of Court proceedings.
Transnational social positioning through a family lens: How cross‐border family relations shape subjective social positions in migration contexts
Authors: Bonfert Lisa , Barglowski Karolina , Faist Thomas
Published: December 2023

This article examines transnational social positioning through a family lens. Based on interviews with people who moved to Germany as young adults, we show that socialization and expectations in families coin individual understandings of success as an important baseline for social positioning, while migration challenges these understandings and social position evaluations in complex ways. With a specific focus on evolving processes of social comparison, we look at the role of the family in shaping three forms of transnational social position: (i) transnational status paradox, (ii) attached transnational social positions, and (iii) detached transnational social positions. By demonstrating the various ways in which family relationships affect social positioning in migration contexts, this study contributes to discussions on the links between migration and perceptions of social position, and to our understanding of transnational social structures.
Preventive healthcare behavior: A hybrid systematic literature review (1998–2023)
Authors: De Gourab , Sondhi Neena , Bhattacharjee Ayona , Joshi Himanshu
Published: December 2023

Preventive healthcare behavior (PHB) refers to actions taken by consumers to avert possible incidences of lifestyle diseases. Over the years, diverse approaches have been used to comprehend the complex nature of PHB. This paper follows a three‐step process to examine work done in the PHB domain. At the outset, past literature was examined. This review included PHB models and frameworks, followed by a root‐cause analysis to identify factors that impacted PHB adoption. A systematic literature review (SLR) using a domain‐based hybrid review approach was the study's third and most crucial part. The SPAR‐4‐SLR (scientific procedures and rationales for systematic literature reviews) protocol was used to conduct the hybrid review, involving two separate review studies. In the first study, a bibliometric analysis was carried out, wherein a trend analysis was conducted on an initial pool of 1011 primary peer‐reviewed publications (1998–2023). The trend analysis was followed by a co‐citation network analysis of 39,608 secondary articles, which validated the importance of primary articles as indicated by the co‐citations in these secondary articles. Further, a purification process based on reliability, validity, and replicability criteria resulted in a final pool of 190 relevant articles. These articles were subjected to a thematic analysis. Next, a framework‐based review based on the theories, contexts, characteristics, and methods (TCCM) framework was conducted on the 190 articles. This step validated the primary study findings. Additionally, it examined and reported the underlying theories, context (country level), characteristics, and methods adopted by previous PHB studies. This analysis helps in indicating the future research agenda regarding PHB. Furthermore, the inferences drawn from the two studies were used to propose a conceptual framework for understanding consumers' PHB decisions based on the antecedents, decisions, and outcomes (ADO) framework. The framework posits that specific personal, demographic, cultural, social and socioeconomic factors are precursors to PHB adoption. This PHB adoption, in turn, has positive outcomes such as enhanced quality of life, consumer wellbeing, health promotion, health behavior change, and planning. The comprehensive review and proposed framework will significantly help advance knowledge about PHB. Apart from contributing to the academic literature, learnings from this study hold value for practitioners at the global level for designing actionable strategies for preventive healthcare products and services.
Preparing adults with intellectual disabilities for their future: How do support services staff view their role?
Authors: Cuskelly Monica , Moni Karen , McMahon Mary , Jobling Anne , Lloyd Jan
Published: December 2023

Background

Person‐centred service delivery underpins current approaches to working with individuals with intellectual disabilities. We investigated views of staff from a service organisation regarding their roles in creating desired futures for adults with intellectual disabilities.

Methods

Data were gathered from staff of a large organisation that provided a range of services to adults with intellectual disabilities. Respondents were asked to describe their role in assisting an individual with intellectual disability to meet their goals for the future. Responses were analysed using a text analysis programme.

Results

Two major themes were identified: ‘Support for self‐determination’ and ‘Business‐as‐usual’. These themes were not entirely separate but had some overlap. There were indications that staff experienced competing demands in their role(s).

Conclusion

Although central to person‐centred planning, staff who work with adults with intellectual disabilities may not see support of self‐determination as a key factor in creating a desired future.