bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structure and thermal properties of periodic split-flow microchannels
Authors: Wang Han , Yuan Li , Wang Chao , Wang Ru-Zhi ,   Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Materials of Education Ministry of China, Institute of New Energy Materials and Devices of Faculty of Materials and Manufacturing, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China,   Information Institute, Beijing Institute of Economic Management, Beijing 100102, China
Published: January 2021

Microchannel heat sinks have important applications in integrated circuits, but the current traditional long straight microchannel heat dissipation process causes uneven temperature and low heat dissipation efficiency. In this paper, a periodic split-flow microstructure is designed and integrated with traditional microchannels to form a periodic split-flow microchannel heat sink. Numerical simulation is used to study the influence of the number, the arrangement and structural parameters of microstructures in a single microchannel on its thermal performance. The simulation results show that the split-flow microstructure can increase the heat exchange area, break the original laminar boundary layer, promote the mixing of cold/hot coolant, and significantly improve the heat dissipation performance of the microchannel. Through comparative experiments, 9 groups are finally determined as the optimal number of microstructures in a single microchannel. At a heat flux of 100 W/cm2, when the coolant flow rate at the inlet is 1.18 m/s, after 9 groups of microstructures are added into a single microchannel, the maximum temperature drops by about 24 K and the thermal resistance decreases by about 44%. The Nusselt number is increased by about 124%, and the performance evaluation criterion (PEC) reaches 1.465. On this basis, the microstructure adopts a staggered gradual periodic arrangement to avoid the long-distance non-microstructure section between the two groups of microstructures. The turbulence element that gradually widens along the flow direction makes the coolant fully utilized. This results in a reduction in the high/low temperature zone and alleviates the temperature gradient that exists along the flow direction of the heat dissipation surface, and the pressure drop loss is also reduced to a certain extent compared with the pressure drop in the uniform arrangement, and the comprehensive thermal performance is further improved. It shows broad application prospects in the field of high-power integrated circuits and electronic cooling.
Plasma-assisted polishing for atomic surface fabrication of single crystal SiC
Authors: Ji Jian-Wei , Kazuya Yamamura , Deng Hui ,   Institute of Frontier and Interdisciplinary Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China,   Department of Mechanical and Energy Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China,   Department of Precision Science and Technology, Osaka University, Osaka 5650871, Japan
Published: January 2021

At present, owing to the inherent limitations of the material characteristics of Si based semiconductor materials, Si based semiconductors are facing more and more challenges in meeting the performance requirements of the rapidly developing modern power electronic technologies used in semiconductor devices. As a new generation of semiconductor material, SiC has significant performance advantages, but it is difficult to process the SiC wafers with high-quality and high-efficiency in their industrial application. Reviewing the research progress of ultra-precision machining technology of SiC in recent years, we introduce plasma oxidation modification based highly efficient polishing technology of SiC in this paper. The material removal mechanism, typical device, modification process, and polishing result of this technology are analyzed. The analysis shows that the plasma oxidation modification possesses high removal efficiency and atomically flat surfaces without surface or subsurface damages. Furthermore, aiming at step-terrace structures produced during SiC surface processing with different polishing technologies, the generation mechanism and control strategy of periodic atomic layer step-terrace structures are discussed. Finally, the development and challenge of plasma-assisted polishing technology are prospected.
Microsecond interaural time difference discrimination restored by cochlear implants after neonatal deafness
Authors: Rosskothen-Kuhl Nicole , Buck Alexa N , Li Kongyan , Schnupp Jan WH
Published: January 2021

Spatial hearing in cochlear implant (CI) patients remains a major challenge, with many early deaf users reported to have no measurable sensitivity to interaural time differences (ITDs). Deprivation of binaural experience during an early critical period is often hypothesized to be the cause of this shortcoming. However, we show that neonatally deafened (ND) rats provided with precisely synchronized CI stimulation in adulthood can be trained to lateralize ITDs with essentially normal behavioral thresholds near 50 μs. Furthermore, comparable ND rats show high physiological sensitivity to ITDs immediately after binaural implantation in adulthood. Our result that ND-CI rats achieved very good behavioral ITD thresholds, while prelingually deaf human CI patients often fail to develop a useful sensitivity to ITD raises urgent questions concerning the possibility that shortcomings in technology or treatment, rather than missing input during early development, may be behind the usually poor binaural outcomes for current CI patients.
Diversity of microbes colonizing forages of varying lignocellulose properties in the sheep rumen
Authors: Vahidi Mohammad Farhad , Gharechahi Javad , Behmanesh Mehrdad , Ding Xue-Zhi , Han Jian-Lin , Hosseini Salekdeh Ghasem
Published: January 2021

Background

The rumen microbiota contributes strongly to the degradation of ingested plant materials. There is limited knowledge about the diversity of taxa involved in the breakdown of lignocellulosic biomasses with varying chemical compositions in the rumen.

Method

We aimed to assess how and to what extent the physicochemical properties of forages influence the colonization and digestion by rumen microbiota. This was achieved by placing nylon bags filled with candidate materials in the rumen of fistulated sheep for a period of up to 96 h, followed by measuring forage’s chemical characteristics and community structure of biofilm-embedded microbiota.

Results

Rumen degradation for all forages appeared to have occurred mainly during the first 24 h of their incubation, which significantly slowed down after 48 h of rumen incubation, depending on their chemical properties. Random Forest analysis predicted the predominant role of Treponema and Butyrivibrio in shaping microbial diversity attached to the forages during the course of rumen incubation. Exploring community structure and composition of fiber-attached microbiota revealed significant differential colonization rates of forages depending on their contents for NDF and cellulose. The correlation analysis highlighted the significant contribution of Lachnospiraceae and Veillonellaceae to fiber degradation in the sheep rumen.

Conclusion

Our findings suggested that forage cellulose components are critical in shaping the pattern of microbial colonization and thus their final digestibility in the rumen.
SMARTAR: an R package for designing and analyzing Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trials
Authors: Zhong Xiaobo , Cheng Bin , Wang Xinru , Cheung Ying Kuen
Published: January 2021

This article introduces an R package, SMARTAR (Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial with Adaptive Randomization), by which clinical investigators can design and analyze a sequential multiple assignment randomized trial (SMART) for comparing adaptive treatment strategies. Adaptive treatment strategies are commonly used in clinical practice to personalize healthcare in chronic disorder management. SMART is an efficient clinical design for selecting the best adaptive treatment strategy from a family of candidates. Although some R packages can help in adaptive treatment strategies research, they mainly focus on secondary data analysis for observational studies, instead of clinical trials. SMARTAR is the first R package provides functions that can support clinical investigators and data analysts at every step of the statistical work pipeline in clinical trial practice. In this article, we demonstrate how to use this package, using a real data example.
Effectiveness of Health Promotional Strategies on Quality of Life among Spouse of Alcoholics in Selected Communities of Dakshina Kannada District, India
Authors: Shiji PJ , Kamath Neetha , Hegde Supriya
Published: January 2021

Introduction: Alcoholism is a major problem in developing countries like India. Alcoholism affects not only the individual but also his family and the society. Spouses of alcoholics are among those who suffer the maximum consequences of alcoholism and its effects. Aim: To find the effect of health promotional strategies (Yoga and Health education) on Quality of Life (QOL) of the spouse of alcoholics. Materials and Methods: Quasi experimental pre-test post-test control design was adopted. A total of 330 men were administered the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) tool to screen for alcoholics through house to house survey, of which 279 men who scored in the range of 8-15 AUDIT score were considered as alcoholics. Their spouses were selected as study participants (who met the sampling criteria) and subjects were randomly allocated to intervention group (132) and control group (147) through simple randomised sampling. The data was gathered by using WHOQOL-BREF tool to assess the QOL; initially pre-test QOL was assessed, followed by individual health education (45 minutes) and yoga (15 minutes) once a week for 3 consecutive weeks and post-test was done during fourth week for intervention (127) and control groups (142). There were five dropouts in post-test from each group due to health problems, migration and no cooperation from the family for the intervention. Independent t-test was performed by using SPSS version 18.0 to determine effectiveness of health promotion strategies on QOL scores between the intervention and control group and chi-square test was used to find the association between post-intervention QOL scores and selected demographic variable at p<0.05 level of significance. Results: QOL scores in all four domains in the intervention group showed that there was an increase before and after the interventions. On comparing the mean differences between QOL scores post-test in intervention and control group, calculated t-value was (34.04) and the difference was highly statistically significant at p<0.001** showing that health promotional strategies were effective in improving QOL among spouse of alcoholics. There was a significant association between post-test intervention QOL scores of subjects and selected variables such as primary decision maker (p=0.002*) of the family and history of domestic violence (p=0.030*). Conclusion: The study findings suggest that adopting health promotional strategies such as yoga can help the spouses of alcoholics to improve their QOL.
Knowledge and behaviors of drunk-driving offenders in Guangzhou, China
Authors: Jia Keqin , Fleiter Judy , King Mark , Sheehan Mary , Ma Wenjun , Zhang Jianzhen
Published: January 2021

Jia, K., Fleiter, J., King, M., Sheehan, M., Ma, W., & Zhang, J. (2015). Knowledge and behaviors of drunk-driving offenders in Guangzhou, China. The International Journal Of Alcohol And Drug Research, 4(2), 151-158. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.7895/ijadr.v4i2.203Aims: To better understand the knowledge and behaviors of drunk-driving offenders relating to alcohol use and driving in thecontext of recently amended Chinese legislation, and to investigate the involvement of alcohol-use disorders.Design: The study was a cross-sectional survey conducted in 2012.Setting and participants: Data were collected at a local jail and 101 participants were recruited while in detention.Measures: Questionnaire items examined demographic characteristics as well as practices and knowledge relating to alcohol useand driving. The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) was used to assess hazardous drinking levels.Findings: Knowledge about the two legal limits for “drink driving” and for “drunk driving” was low, at 28.3% and 41.4%,respectively. AUDIT scores indicated that a substantial proportion of the offenders had high levels of alcohol-use disorders.Higher AUDIT scores were found among the least experienced drivers, those who lacked knowledge about the legal limits, andrecidivist drunk drivers.Conclusions: Limited awareness of legal alcohol limits might contribute to offending; high AUDIT scores suggest thathazardous drinking levels may also contribute. This study provides important information to assist in refining communityeducation and prevention efforts.
Kinome inhibition reveals a role for polo‐like kinase 1 in targeting post‐transcriptional control in cancer
Authors: Al‐Qahtani Qamraa H. , Moghrabi Walid N. , Al‐Yahya Suhad , Al‐Haj Latifa , Al‐Saif Maher , Mahmoud Linah , Al‐Mohanna Falah , Al‐Souhibani Norah , Alaiya Ayodele , Hitti Edward , Khabar Khalid S. A.
Published: January 2021

Dysfunctions in post‐transcriptional control are observed in cancer and chronic inflammatory diseases. Here, we employed a kinome inhibitor library (n = 378) in a reporter system selective for 3′‐untranslated region–AU‐rich elements (ARE). Fifteen inhibitors reduced the ARE‐reporter activity; among the targets is the polo‐like kinase 1 (PLK1). RNA‐seq experiments demonstrated that the PLK1 inhibitor, volasertib, reduces the expression of cytokine and cell growth ARE mRNAs. PLK1 inhibition caused accelerated mRNA decay in cancer cells and was associated with reduced phosphorylation and stability of the mRNA decay‐promoting protein, tristetraprolin (ZFP36/TTP). Ectopic expression of PLK1 increased abundance and stability of high molecular weight of ZFP36/TTP likely of the phosphorylated form. PLK1 effect was associated with the MAPK‐MK2 pathway, a major regulator of ARE‐mRNA stability, as evident from MK2 inhibition, in vitro phosphorylation, and knockout experiments. Mutational analysis demonstrates that TTP serine 186 is a target for PLK1 effect. Treatment of mice with the PLK1 inhibitor reduced both ZFP36/TTP phosphorylation in xenograft tumor tissues, and the tumor size. In cancer patients' tissues, PLK1/ARE‐regulated gene cluster was overexpressed in solid tumors and associated with poor survival. The data showed that PLK1‐mediated post‐transcriptional aberration could be a therapeutic target.
Transition status of certified nurseries four years after the start of the comprehensive support system for child and child‐rearing: Sendai’s shift to authorized day nurseries
Authors: Suzuki Kenji
Published: January 2021

Almost five years have passed since the comprehensive support system for child and child‐rearing (CSSCC) commenced in 2015. Many certified nurseries operating on the municipality’s standards have transferred to small‐scale day care services or authorized day nurseries based on national standards. In a previous study, I examined the results of the transition from certified nurseries to small‐scale day care services. In this study, document analyses and visit surveys were conducted with 20 nurseries in Sendai, with the aim of clarifying the actual circumstances of the certified nurseries four years after the system began and the transition from certified nurseries to authorized day nurseries.
Longitudinal Relationship Between Physical Activity and Joint Space Narrowing: Forty‐Eight–Month Follow‐Up Data From the Osteoarthritis Initiative
Authors: Hu Bo , Han DongBai , Nevitt Michael C. , Wise Barton L. , Segal Neil A.
Published: January 2021

Objective

To determine whether the amount of physical activity (PA) is a determinant of joint space narrowing (JSN) worsening over 48 months in participants with knee osteoarthritis.

Methods

Data were obtained from the Osteoarthritis Initiative. PA, measured using the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE), was defined as the mean value of the annual measurements conducted prior to development of worsening JSN. Worsening JSN was defined as at least a partial grade increase in the Osteoarthritis Research Society International JSN score over 48 months, in comparison with baseline. Restricted cubic spline function was used to group participants based on the linear association between PA and JSN worsening. A pooled logistic regression model was used to evaluate the association between PA and JSN worsening adjusted for confounders.

Results

A total of 2,167 participants were included. In total, 625 participants (28.8%) had JSN worsening over 48 months. Compared with a PASE score of 141–180, PASE scores of 101–140 and >220 were associated with an increased risk of JSN worsening in men, with odds ratios (ORs) of 1.73 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.07–2.81) and 1.83 (95% CI 1.14–2.93), respectively. Similarly, in participants with Kellgren/Lawrence (K/L) grade 2, compared with a PASE score of 141–180, PASE scores of ≤100 and >220 were associated with increased risks of JSN worsening, with an OR of 1.69 (95% CI 1.13–2.54) and 1.64 (95% CI 1.05–2.56), respectively.

Conclusion

Compared to moderate PA, higher or lower amounts of PA are associated with an elevated risk for JSN worsening in men and in participants with K/L grade 2 knees.
Advanced Oxidation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Soils Contaminated with Diesel Oil at Pilot‐Scale
Authors: Cavalcanti Jorge Vinicius Fernandes Lima , Fraga Tiago José Marques , de Lima Valmir Félix , Dos Santos e Silva Daniella Fartes , Loureiro Leite Mirella De Andrade , do Nascimento Clístenes Williams Araújo , Schuler Alexandre Ricardo Pereira , da Motta Sobrinho Maurício Alves
Published: January 2021

Diesel‐contaminated soil was treated with Fenton's oxidant, from hydrogen peroxide. Soil samples were collected during the earthmoving of RNEST Oil Refinery (Petrobras). A factorial design 33 evidenced that the concentration of iron ions [Fe2+] was the variable with the most statistically significant effect in all experiments. The oxidation efficiency was found to be 57 % of total organic carbon (TOC) and 78 % of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) removal. Moreover, the sum of low‐molecular‐weight PAHs on treated soil and the sum of high‐molecular‐weight PAHs was determined. Soil remediation in a pilot‐scale reactor led to a reduction of nearly 80 % in total PAHs. Toxicity assessment with Californian red earthworms as bioindicator evidenced the mineralization of PAHs.
Bis(phenylethynyl)arene Linkers in Tetracationic Bis‐triarylborane Chromophores Control Fluorimetric and Raman Sensing of Various DNAs and RNAs
Authors: Ferger Matthias , Ban Željka , Krošl Ivona , Tomić Sanja , Dietrich Lena , Lorenzen Sabine , Rauch Florian , Sieh Daniel , Friedrich Alexandra , Griesbeck Stefanie , Kenđel Adriana , Miljanić Snežana , Piantanida Ivo , Marder Todd B.
Published: January 2021

We report four new luminescent tetracationic bis‐triarylborane DNA and RNA sensors that show high binding affinities, in several cases even in the nanomolar range. Three of the compounds contain substituted, highly emissive and structurally flexible bis(2,6‐dimethylphenyl‐4‐ethynyl)arene linkers (3: arene=5,5′‐2,2′‐bithiophene;4: arene=1,4‐benzene;5: arene=9,10‐anthracene) between the two boryl moieties and serve as efficient dual Raman and fluorescence chromophores. The shorter analogue6employs 9,10‐anthracene as the linker and demonstrates the importance of an adequate linker length with a certain level of flexibility by exhibiting generally lower binding affinities than3–5. Pronounced aggregation–deaggregation processes are observed in fluorimetric titration experiments with DNA for compounds3and5. Molecular modelling of complexes of5with AT‐DNA, suggest the minor groove as the dominant binding site for monomeric5, but demonstrate that dimers of5can also be accommodated. Strong SERS responses for3–5versus a very weak response for6, particularly the strong signals from anthracene itself observed for5but not for6, demonstrate the importance of triple bonds for strong Raman activity in molecules of this compound class. The energy of the characteristic stretching vibration of the C≡C bonds is significantly dependent on the aromatic moiety between the triple bonds. The insertion of aromatic moieties between two C≡C bonds thus offers an alternative design for dual Raman and fluorescence chromophores, applicable in multiplex biological Raman imaging.
Last of the gem‐Difluorocycloalkanes 2: Synthesis of Fluorinated Cycloheptane Building Blocks
Authors: Herasymchuk Maksym , Melnykov Kostiantyn P. , Yarmoliuk Dmytro V. , Serhiichuk Dmytro , Rotar Valeriia , Pukhovoi Timur , Kuchkovska Yuliya O. , Holovach Sergey , Volochnyuk Dmitriy M. , Ryabukhin Sergey V. , Grygorenko Oleksandr O.
Published: January 2021

The gem‐difluorocycloalkane family was extended to all possible regioisomers of the gem‐difluorocycloheptane, monofunctionalized by carboxilic‐, amino‐ or keto‐ group, that were synthesized on a multigram scale. The preparation of the corresponding building blocks was achieved from readily accessible starting materials either via six‐membered ring homologation or deoxofluorination of the appropriate seven‐membered cyclic ketones.
Analysis of nonleukemic cellular subcompartments reconstructs clonal evolution of acute myeloid leukemia and identifies therapy‐resistant preleukemic clones
Authors: Saeed Borhan R. , Manta Linda , Raffel Simon , Pyl Paul Theodor , Buss Eike C. , Wang Wenwen , Eckstein Volker , Jauch Anna , Trumpp Andreas , Huber Wolfgang , Ho Anthony D. , Lutz Christoph
Published: January 2021

To acquire a better understanding of clonal evolution of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and to identify the clone(s) responsible for disease recurrence, we have comparatively studied leukemia‐specific mutations by whole‐exome‐sequencing (WES) of both the leukemia and the nonleukemia compartments derived from the bone marrow of AML patients. The T‐lymphocytes, B‐lymphocytes and the functionally normal hematopoietic stem cells (HSC), that is, CD34+/CD38−/ALDH+ cells for AML with rare‐ALDH+ blasts (<1.9% ALDH+ cells) were defined as the nonleukemia compartments. WES identified 62 point‐mutations in the leukemia compartment derived from 12 AML‐patients at the time of diagnosis and 73 mutations in 3 matched relapse cases. Most patients (8/12) showed 4 to 6 point‐mutations per sample at diagnosis. Other than the mutations in the recurrently mutated genes such as DNMT3A, NRAS and KIT, we were able to identify novel point‐mutations that have not yet been described in AML. Some leukemia‐specific mutations and cytogenetic abnormalities including DNMT3A(R882H), EZH2(I146T) and inversion(16) were also detectable in the respective T‐lymphocytes, B‐lymphocytes and HSC in 5/12 patients, suggesting that preleukemia HSC might represent the source of leukemogenesis for these cases. The leukemic evolution was reconstructed for five cases with detectable preleukemia clones, which were tracked in follow‐up and relapse samples. Four of the five patients with detectable preleukemic mutations developed relapse. The presence of leukemia‐specific mutations in these nonleukemia compartments, especially after chemotherapy or after allogeneic stem cell transplantation, is highly relevant, as these could be responsible for relapse. This discovery may facilitate the identification of novel targets for long‐term cure.
Long‐term Outcomes of Juvenile Onset Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis with Pulmonary Involvement
Authors: Yang Qingwen , Li Yanru , Ma Lijing , Xiao Yang , Wang Huijun , Ding Yiming , Hu Rong , Wang Xiaoyi , Meng Lingzhen , Wang Jun , Xu Wen
Published: January 2021

Objective

To investigate the clinical characteristics and long‐term outcomes of juvenile onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (JORRP) with or without pulmonary involvement.

Methods

A group of patients with JORRP who had clinical course over an extended period of time (at least 5 years) in the Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Tongren Hospital were included in this retrospective study. Lung/bronchus involvement was revealed by lung imaging. Data on mortality rate, frequency of surgical interventions, and age of disease onset were collected and analyzed.

Results

The 192 patients (107 male and 85 female) included had a median [quartiles] age of JORRP onset of 2 [1, 4] years, and median follow‐up duration of 10 [7, 13] years; 17 patients (8.9%) had papilloma with bronchial and pulmonary involvement 7.0 [4.0, 12.5] years after the onset of the disease. Compared to patients without lung involvement, patients with lung involvement had a younger age of disease onset (P = .001), higher frequency of surgical interventions (P < .001), higher mortality rate (OR = 94.909), and an increased risk of tracheotomy that could not be decannulated (P < .001). They also had a younger age of disease onset, and a higher frequency of surgical interventions and mortality compared to patients with tracheotomy but free from lung involvement (P < .001).

Conclusions

Children with JORRP and with pulmonary involvement have a higher average number of operations per year than those without pulmonary involvement, and pulmonary involvement indicates a higher incidence of tracheotomy that cannot be decannulated.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 131:E2277–E2283, 2021
Colibacillary arthritis and severe osteomyelitis in lame goat kids due to management procedures
Authors: Prins Sander , Junker Karin , Lievaart‐Peterson Karianne , Sargison Neil D. , Vellema Piet
Published: January 2021

Lameness in the hindquarters was seen in twenty goat kids out of a group of 90 on a dairy goat farm. Initial treatment with antibiotics and NSAID's did not improve the condition. At necropsy in eight kids, a multi‐resistant Escherichia coli was isolated from affected femurs, strongly indicative of colibaccilary osteomyelitis. In addition, with 573–915 mg/kg dry matter, liver copper concentrations were increased. Predisposing factors for osteomyelitis were poor colostrum quality, stress as a consequence of multiple simultaneous management procedures, preventive use of antibiotics, and elevated liver copper concentrations in the kids. To prevent future outbreaks, it was advised to improve colostrum management, reduce stress by spreading procedures such as vaccinations, disbudding, and dietary changes. Antibiotic treatments should be used only to treat individual kids, and not preventively. Elevated liver copper should be reduced by minimising the copper content in milk replacer.
Learning in Citizen Science
Authors: Kloetzer Laure , Lorke Julia , Roche Joseph , Golumbic Yaela , Winter Silvia , Jõgeva Aiki
Published: January 2021

Citizen science is a promising field for educational practices and research. However, it is also highly heterogeneous, and learning happens in diverse ways, according to project tasks and participants’ activities. Therefore, we adopt a sociocultural view of learning, in which understanding learning requires a close analysis of the situation created both by the project tasks and the dynamics of engagement of the participants (volunteers, scientists, and others). To tackle the complexity of the field, this chapter maps learning in citizen science into six territories, according to where learning might take place: formal education (schools and universities); out-of-school education (science and nature clubs, summer camps, outdoor education, etc.); local and global communities (neighbourhood associations, activist associations, online communities, etc.); families; museums (science museums, art museums, zoos, and botanic gardens); and online citizen science. For each territory, we present key findings from the literature. The chapter also introduces our six personal journeys into the field of learning and citizen science, displaying their variety and the common lessons, challenges, and opportunities. Finally, we present four key tensions arising from citizen science projects in educational settings and look at training different stakeholders as a strategy to overcome some of these tensions.
Science as a Lever: The Roles and Power of Civil Society Organisations in Citizen Science
Authors: Göbel Claudia , Ottolini Lucile , Schulze Annett
Published: January 2021

Citizen science has become an umbrella term that encompasses a growing range of activities, actors, and issues. This chapter examines the potential of citizen science to generate transformative knowledge and argues that civil society organisations (CSOs) are key actors in this regard. However, the roles of CSOs are neglected in the literature on citizen science. We turn to the traditions of community-based research and participatory action research to learn more. With two case studies on health and safety, we show how transformative knowledge enables concerned communities to claim their rights and enriches scientific knowledge generation. Through a socio-historical analysis, we find three main roles grassroots CSOs take on in participatory research: (1) a technical role in the production of data and knowledge; (2) a governance role in the deliberation on research activities and risk assessment; and (3) an advocacy role by campaigning for transformative knowledge. These roles determine the ability of grassroots CSOs to generate legitimacy and rely on CSO members belonging to different spheres of society, scientific skills, and access to marginalised communities. Finally, we discuss the conceptual and practical challenges of accounting for CSOs’ roles in order to build a more just and transformative future through citizen science.
What Is Citizen Science? The Challenges of Definition
Authors: Haklay Mordechai , Dörler Daniel , Heigl Florian , Manzoni Marina , Hecker Susanne , Vohland Katrin
Published: January 2021

In this chapter, we address the perennial question of what is citizen science? by asking the related question, why is it challenging to define citizen science? Over the past decade and a half, we have seen the emergence of typologies, definitions, and criteria for qualifying citizen science. Yet, citizen science as a field seems somewhat resistant to obeying a limited set of definitions and instead attracts discussions about what type of activities and practices should be included in it. We explore how citizen science has been defined differently, depending on the context. We do that from a particularly European perspective, where the variety of national and subnational structures has also led to a diversity of practices. Based on this background, we track trade-offs linked to the prioritisation of these different objectives and aims of citizen science. Understanding these differences and their origin is important for practitioners and policymakers. We pay attention to the need for definitions and criteria for specific contexts and how people in different roles can approach the issue of what is included in a specific interpretation of citizen science.
Citizen Humanities
Authors: Heinisch Barbara , Oswald Kristin , Weißpflug Maike , Shuttleworth Sally , Belknap Geoffrey
Published: January 2021

Citizen humanities is the term for citizen ‘science’ in the humanities. It has a long tradition and, since the object of investigation is human culture, raises questions about values, cultural significance, and deeper meaning of phenomena related to human culture.

The development of digital technologies not only led to the emergence of digital humanities but also to new ways of involving citizens in the activities of cultural heritage institutions and academic research. Participants’ contributions to academic research and to the preservation of cultural heritage range from uncovering treasures hidden in archives and digital environments to tapping local knowledge. Their tasks have included tagging, transcribing, or cataloguing artefacts, through which they acquire specialist knowledge and competences, while assisting scholars and researchers to gain new insights. Challenges in the citizen humanities include biases, participant training and retention, as well as the advancement of digital technologies, such as artificial intelligence.

Citizen humanities can combine topical issues in society with academic knowledge, demonstrate the relevance of the humanities for society, and establish a direct link to its members. In addition to the advancement of knowledge, the citizen humanities can unlock the potential of embedded, diverse, and culturally sensitive knowledge and play a crucial role in preserving and enriching cultural heritage.
Citizen Social Science: New and Established Approaches to Participation in Social Research
Authors: Albert Alexandra , Balázs Bálint , Butkevičienė Eglė , Mayer Katja , Perelló Josep
Published: January 2021

This chapter explores the ways in which the roles of citizens and researchers play out in the social sciences. This is expressed by numerous overlapping and related terms, such as co-production and participatory action research, to name but two, and by the different social topics that citizen social science draws attention to. The key question this chapter seeks to explore is what does naming citizen social science as such bring to the fields of citizen science and the social sciences? The chapter explores the different epistemic foundations of citizen social science and outlines the development and provenance of citizen social science in its broadest sense, reflecting on how it is currently practised. It draws on different examples from the experiences and work of the authors and notes the boundaries and overlaps with citizen science. The chapter also highlights some of the key issues that citizen social science gives rise to, emphasising that while citizen social science is a relatively new term, its underlying approaches and epistemic foundations are at least partially established in the social sciences.
Loyalty Programs and Direct Website Performance: An Empirical Analysis of Global Hotel Brands
Authors: O’Connor Peter
Published: January 2021

With loyalty programs increasingly used as a competitive method by hotel brands, this study investigates the relationship between program size/satisfaction and brand direct website performance. Analyzing a unique database of loyalty program statistics, traffic levels/sources and engagement metrics from the top 50 global hotel brands, we find that size matters, with larger programs performing better in terms of both traffic and engagement, suggesting that efforts by hotel brands to grow membership are appropriate. Similarly, program satisfaction positively impacts both traffic levels and engagement, suggesting that brands should also focus on ensuring that existing members are happy with program benefits and operations. These findings are consistent irrespective of brand level, suggesting that all types of hotel brands can profit from leveraging loyalty programs.
Effect of Personal Innovativeness on Technology Adoption in Hospitality and Tourism: Meta-analysis
Authors: Ciftci Olena , Berezina Katerina , Kang Minsoo
Published: January 2021

This study synthesizes existing empirical results about the effect of personal innovativeness on the intention to use technology in hospitality and tourism studies published from January 2010 to March 2020 via meta-analysis. The meta-analysis with a random effects model was conducted on 29 effect sizes of this relationship documented in 28 studies collected from over 7,000 search results on Google Scholar and Scopus. The results of the analysis suggest a significant positive medium effect of personal innovativeness on the intention to use technology in hospitality and tourism research with the overall effect size (ESr) of .38 (95% CI = .32, .44, z = 10.62, p = .001). The study also found that the effect does not change significantly across industries (hotels, restaurants, and tourism and travel), types of technology by task (with transaction function and without transaction function), age groups (younger than 30 years old and 30 years old and older), and power distance cultural differences of the respondents (high-power distance and low-power distance cultures). Based on the results of this study, the authors suggest adding personal innovativeness as a construct in technology adoption models in future research in hospitality and tourism studies and continue investigating potential moderations that could explain variations in effect sizes of the impact of personal innovativeness on the technology adoption intention across different populations. From the industry perspective, hospitality and tourism organizations may rely on customers with high perceived innovativeness to serve as change agents and drive customer adoption of new technology.
A Netnographic Study of Consumer Value in Slow Travel
Authors: Riikonen Veera , Pesonen Juho , Heinonen Johanna
Published: January 2021

Travelling by land is a phenomenon that utilizes different surface transport modes, such as trains, buses, bicycles etc. The slow travel contributes also to the concerns about ecological footprint and climate change derived from air travel. Slow travel aims to encourage individuals to travel to their destinations more slowly, stay for a longer period in the chosen destination, and travel less. For slow travellers, travelling to the destination is a significant part of the travel experience. The qualitative research aimed to understand the phenomena of travelling by land and the tourist experience holistically using a netnographic approach. The data was collected from the Finnish Facebook -group, Maata pitkin matkustavat. (Those who travel by land) in January 2020. The data consisted of 185 posts and their comments. The goal of the data analysis was to understand the role of consumer value in the slow travel experience. The research findings show the importance of minimizing travel time and the costs of travelling by land. Also, leisure time, and “having fun” are valued in travelling by land experience. Thus, self-oriented, active value components, Efficiency, and Play, were most applicable in the collected data set. These findings help us to understand slow travel as a tourism experience better and provide important insights into the requirements to develop consumer-centric slow travel for sustainable development in the future.
Mobile Payments, Chinese Tourists, and Host Residents: Are Destination Stakeholders Prepared to Facilitate Mobile Payments?
Authors: Tangit Tania Maria , Law Rob
Published: January 2021

Mobile payment has become ubiquitous worldwide. It is a form of digital payment activity performed on-site from a mobile device (i.e. smartphone) for the purchase of goods and services using QR or NFC (contactless and proximity card) technology. This study examines destination stakeholders’ level of engagement and involvement in facilitating mobile payments (e.g., AliPay and WeChat Pay) for Chinese tourists. Sabah (Malaysian-Borneo), a popular island destination in Southeast Asia, was selected as the study site. Using a qualitative approach, 25 tourism and hospitality industry practitioners participated in a semi-structured, in-depth interview between February to July 2020. Preliminary results revealed that industry practitioners had been actively seeking to implement mobile payment facilities since late-2017, specifically in the retail sector, as they felt the pressure in accommodating the needs of Chinese tourists. This study offers insights into how industry practitioners address local consumers’ shift in payment usage-behaviours; from traditional forms of payments (e.g., cash and credit card) to mobile payments in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cultural Traits in the Consumption of Luxury Hotel Services
Authors: D’Acunto David , Volo Serena
Published: January 2021

This study investigates luxury hotel guests’ online reviews to explore how ratings, language and sentiment differ according to guests’ culture of origin. The study considers three large cultural groups (Asian, North American, and European) examining hotel guests in their reviews to identify the most recurring themes in association with luxury tourism.

The study uses automated text analysis to explore 16,415 hotel reviews from 22 luxury hotel brands belonging to nine global hotel chains located across six European cities over a period of 10 years. In particular, this exploratory study combines LIWC, Leximancer and SPSS analytic tools to shed light on: i) the extent luxury hotel guests’ reviews vary in terms of rating, language metrics and sentiment according to reviewers’ culture of origin; ii) the main themes of luxury hotel service discussed by guests, of different cultures of origin, in their reviews.

The main findings reveal that Asians guests are particularly analytical when reviewing online and are the less satisfied about their stays in luxury hotels in Europe. North Americans are the most satisfied luxury hotel guests; however, their reviews show low level of sentiment descriptions. Instead, Europeans embed more sentiment when posting a review. The three cultures examined also tend to associate luxury to different attributes.
Contextual Effects of Online Review Recency: Three Research Propositions
Authors: Shin Seunghun , Xiang Zheng
Published: January 2021

Online reviews are influential information sources for tourists in trip planning and related decision-making. How tourists process online reviews is context-specific, so the effects of online reviews on their perceptions or decision-making are affected by different contextual factors. Building on the literature on information recency, this research note discusses recency as an important information component of online reviews and explores a range of contextual factors that affect online review recency in terms of its role in information search and processing. Three propositions are suggested as the basis for future research. Implications for both theory development and managerial practice are also discussed.
Approach to Evaluating the Effect of an Inter-organizational Information System on Performance: The Case of a Destination Management Organization
Authors: Louillet Marie Claire , Bédard François , Dongmo Temgoua Bertrand
Published: January 2021

This research proposes an approach to evaluate the contribution of an interorganizational information system (IOIS) to processes and organizational performance. Using a process-based framework, the approach was developed from a review of the IS evaluation literature and then refined through an in-depth embedded case study of an IOIS used by a destination management organization (DMO). The need for this research, comes from the significant investments in terms of capital and human resources and the numerous challenges that IOISs represent for DMOs. DMO’ IOISs are characterized by their interdependence between multiple stakeholders with sometimes contradictory interests. The approach developed here is of interest to researchers and practitioners in that it allows for a contextualization of IOIS system evaluation, and that it considers the depth and breadth of performance measures.
The Digitized Ecosystem of Tourism in Europe: Current Trends and Implications
Authors: Schaffer Norman , Engert Martin , Sommer Guido , Shokoui Jasmin , Krcmar Helmut
Published: January 2021

Emerging digital technologies enable the creation of new services and business models, leading to ecosystems’ continuous change. In the tourism industry, new digital-savvy players like Airbnb have entered and created entirely new market segments, while many existing players are challenged to redefine their business logic. However, the literature does not provide a generic overview of the value network in tourism, including new market players, and their ways of interacting. Therefore, this paper develops a current overview of the value network of the European tourism ecosystem. By analyzing the business models and value streams of 704 European enterprises based on Crunchbase data, we identified 27 distinct roles and their respective interrelations in the domain. To validate the proposed value network, we conducted five expert interviews. Our results highlight the continuously growing importance of intermediaries in tourism. Furthermore, new technology players offer new opportunities for innovative services, creating high dynamism in the industry. Nonetheless, local entities, such as residents and communities, play a central role in European tourism and need to be included in experiences provided to tourists. Scholars and practitioners might use the results to identify disruptive actors and opportunities for innovation and niche creation. Additionally, the results can be used as a basis for further analysis of the ecosystem’s ongoing changes induced through technological advancements or external events such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Destination Imagery Diagnosis Model: The Case of Switzerland
Authors: Chen Meng-Mei , Zizka Laura , Zhang Effie Ruiheng , Gentinetta Justine
Published: January 2021

This research investigates destination imagery of Switzerland as a travel destination. This research first conducted survey and content analysis to identify 23 unique statements reflecting travel in Switzerland. Through an online survey, this research collected 399 responses from French and Italian respondents. Based on the comparisons of association strength and association valence of every statement to the aggregated association strength and association valence, this research developed the Destination Imagery Diagnosis model. The results show that, overall, French and Italian respondents have strong and positive associations to statements related to Switzerland’s nature and opportunities for outdoor activities. Furthermore, respondents rated “Healthy lifestyle” and “Welcoming and friendly” positively but the associations to Switzerland were weaker. This research also identified marketing opportunities specifically for French and Italian respondents. The Destination Imagery Diagnosis Model serves as a new tool to compare destination imageries between markets or keep track of changes of destination imagery.
Tourism Management in Japan and Switzerland: Is Japan Leapfrogging Traditional DMO’s Models? A Research Agenda
Authors: Scaglione Miriam , Ohe Yasuo , Johnson Colin
Published: January 2021

Similarities may be seen in the development of tourism in Japan and Switzerland during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, especially in terms of the origins and purpose of their respective national tourism offices. In the twenty-first century, however, fundamental differences became evident. During the first decades of the twenty-first century, Switzerland, that had been quick to see the opportunities of e-tourism, was less dynamic in response to the fourth and fifth industrial revolutions, whereas the opposite happened in Japan. Switzerland as with Austria and Germany, adopted a traditional concept of DMO’s that was location-base and limited regionally by administrative boundaries. The Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) development after Web1.0 and the emergence of mobile applications have challenged this concept. A more contemporary view is based more on network travel and visitor flows rather than physical territory. The Japan Central government decided to adopt the western DMO concept as regional tourism policy, but relatively late in 2016.

The aim of this innovative research project is to analyze the adoption/implementation of the new concept of DMO’s focusing on Switzerland and Japan. For Switzerland, the main barrier is the scarcity of data given the slower uptake of the technology emanating from the fourth and fifth industrial revolutions. In Japan, the situation may be seen to be inverted, given the country’s proclivity to adopt the advantages from the latest industrial revolution. This may mean that Japan could leapfrog the traditional DMO concept. This research presents the Bass’ analysis of DMO’s websites as a proxy of DMO concepts – traditional or new generation.