bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Artificial intelligence–enabled care equipment
Authors: Wang Weixuan , Li Dan , Wu Junhui
Published: May 2024

With the aging of China’s population and changes in the disease spectrum of older adults, China will face a multitude of age-related health issues and, in turn, demand for medical care services. Artificial Intelligence (AI) care equipment has become an effective means of addressing imbalances between the supply of and demand for medical care services. AI care equipment can provide intelligent, precise and personalized care services for the elderly, the core of which is to analyze the data generated during the use of care equipment and provide real-time feedback. Common AI care equipment includes mobility aid devices, bathing aid devices, smart wearable devices, and care robots. AI care equipment can not only help older adults and other users with daily living assistance and rehabilitation, but also disease prevention, environmental risk factor screening as well as emotional communication and psychological support. The technical, social and market dilemmas faced by AI care equipment will be solved through the establishment of industry standards, the formulation of laws and regulations, and the strengthening of talent training. Our goal is to promote the popularity and development of AI care equipment, and to address the shortage of care resources brought about by the aging population.
Recommendations on Robotic Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery. The Paris Jury-Based Consensus Conference
Authors: Hobeika Christian , Pfister Matthias , Geller David , Tsung Allan , Chan Albert , Troisi Roberto Ivan , Rela Mohamed , Di Benedetto Fabrizio , Sucandy Iswanto , Nagakawa Yuichi , Walsh R. Matthew , Kooby David , Barkun Jeffrey , Soubrane Olivier , Clavien Pierre-Alain ,   on behalf of the ROBOT4HPB consensus group
Published: May 2024

Objective:

To establish the first consensus guidelines on the safety and indications of robotics in Hepato-Pancreatic-Biliary (HPB) surgery. The secondary aim was to identify priorities for future research.

Background:

HPB robotic surgery is reaching the IDEAL 2b exploration phase for innovative technology. An objective assessment endorsed by the HPB community is timely and needed.

Methods:

The ROBOT4HPB conference developed consensus guidelines using the Zurich-Danish model. An impartial and multidisciplinary jury produced unbiased guidelines based on the work of 10 expert panels answering predefined key questions and considering the best-quality evidence retrieved after a systematic review. The recommendations conformed with the GRADE and SIGN50 methodologies.

Results:

Sixty-four experts from 20 countries considered 285 studies, and the conference included an audience of 220 attendees. The jury (n=10) produced recommendations or statements covering 5 sections of robotic HPB surgery: technology, training and expertise, outcome assessment, and liver and pancreatic procedures. The recommendations supported the feasibility of robotics for most HPB procedures and its potential value in extending minimally invasive indications, emphasizing, however, the importance of expertise to ensure safety. The concept of expertise was defined broadly, encompassing requirements for credentialing HPB robotics at a given center. The jury prioritized relevant questions for future trials and emphasized the need for prospective registries, including validated outcome metrics for the forthcoming assessment of HPB robotics.

Conclusions:

The ROBOT4HPB consensus represents a collaborative and multidisciplinary initiative, defining state-of-the-art expertise in HPB robotics procedures. It produced the first guidelines to encourage their safe use and promotion.
Timing to surgery in elderly patients with small bowel obstruction: An insight on frailty
Authors: Li Renxi , Quintana Megan T. , Lee Juliet , Sarani Babak , Kartiko Susan
Published: May 2024

BACKGROUND

Small bowel obstruction (SBO) frequently necessitates emergency surgical intervention. The impact of frailty and age on operative outcomes is uncertain. This study evaluated postoperative outcomes of SBO surgery based on patient’s age and frailty and explore the optimal timing to operation in elderly and/or frail patients.

METHODS

Patients who underwent SBO surgery were identified in American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database 2005 to 2021. Patients aged ≥65 years were defined as elderly. Patients with 5-Factor Modified Frailty Index≥2 were defined as frail. Multivariable logistic regression was used to compare 30-day postoperative outcomes between elderly frail versus nonfrail patients, as well as between nonfrail young versus elderly patients.

RESULTS

There were 49,344 patients who had SBO surgery, with 7,089 (14.37%) patients classified as elderly frail, 17,821 (36.12%) as elderly nonfrail, and 21,849 (44.28%) as young nonfrail. Elderly frail patients had higher mortality (adjusted odds ratio, 1.541; p < 0.01) and postoperative complications compared with their elderly nonfrail counterparts; these patients also had longer wait until definitive operation (p < 0.01). Among nonfrail patients, when compared with young patients, the elderly had higher mortality (adjusted odds ratio, 2.388; p < 0.01) and complications, and longer time to operation (p < 0.01). In elderly nonfrail patients, a higher mortality was observed when surgery was postponed after 2 days. Mortality risk for frail elderly patients is heightened from their already higher baseline when surgery is delayed after 4 days.

CONCLUSION

When SBO surgery is postponed for more than 2 days, elderly nonfrail patients have an increased mortality risk. Consequently, upon admission, these patients should be placed under a nasogastric tube and undergo an initial gastrograffin challenge. If there is no contrast in colon, they should be operated on within 2 days. Conversely, elderly frail patients with SBO have a higher mortality risk when surgery is delayed beyond 4 days. Thus, following the same scheme, they should be operated on before 4 days if gastrograffin challenge fails.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic/Care Management; Level III.
Japanese encephalitis virus hijacks ER-associated degradation regulators for its replication
Authors: Sarkar Riya , Chhabra Simran , Tanwar Mukesh , Agarwal Nisheeth , Kalia Manjula
Published: May 2024

Flaviviruses target their replication on membranous structures derived from the ER, where both viral and host proteins play crucial structural and functional roles. Here, we have characterized the involvement of the ER-associated degradation (ERAD) pathway core E3 ligase complex (SEL1L-HRD1) regulator proteins in the replication of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV). Through high-resolution immunofluorescence imaging of JEV-infected HeLa cells, we observe that the virus replication complexes marked by NS1 strongly colocalize with the ERAD adapter SEL1L, lectin OS9, ER-membrane shuttle factor HERPUD1, E3 ubiquitin ligase HRD1 and rhomboid superfamily member DERLIN1. NS5 positive structures also show strong overlap with SEL1L. While these effectors show significant transcriptional upregulation, their protein levels remain largely stable in infected cells. siRNA mediated depletion of OS9, SEL1L, HERPUD1 and HRD1 significantly inhibit viral RNA replication and titres, with SEL1L depletion showing the maximum attenuation of replication. By performing protein translation arrest experiments, we show that SEL1L, and OS9 are stabilised upon JEV infection. Overall results from this study suggest that these ERAD effector proteins are crucial host-factors for JEV replication.
Development of a sequence-based in silico OspA typing method for Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato
Authors: Lee Jonathan T. , Li Zhenghui , Nunez Lorna D. , Katzel Daniel , Perrin Jr. B. Scott , Raghuraman Varun , Rajyaguru Urvi , Llamera Katrina E. , Andrew Lubomira , Anderson Annaliesa S. , Hovius Joppe W. , Liberator Paul A. , Simon Raphael , Hao Li
Published: May 2024

Lyme disease (LD), caused by spirochete bacteria of the genus Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, remains the most common vector-borne disease in the northern hemisphere. Borrelia outer surface protein A (OspA) is an integral surface protein expressed during the tick cycle, and a validated vaccine target. There are at least 20 recognized Borrelia genospecies, that vary in OspA serotype. This study presents a new in silico sequence-based method for OspA typing using next-generation sequence data. Using a compiled database of over 400 Borrelia genomes encompassing the 4 most common disease-causing genospecies, we characterized OspA diversity in a manner that can accommodate existing and new OspA types and then defined boundaries for classification and assignment of OspA types based on the sequence similarity. To accommodate potential novel OspA types, we have developed a new nomenclature: OspA in silico type (IST). Beyond the ISTs that corresponded to existing OspA serotypes 1–8, we identified nine additional ISTs that cover new OspA variants in B. bavariensis (IST9–10), B. garinii (IST11–12), and other Borrelia genospecies (IST13–17). The IST typing scheme and associated OspA variants are available as part of the PubMLST Borrelia spp. database. Compared to traditional OspA serotyping methods, this new computational pipeline provides a more comprehensive and broadly applicable approach for characterization of OspA type and Borrelia genospecies to support vaccine development.
A vector system for single and tandem expression of cloned genes and multi-colour fluorescent tagging in Haloferax volcanii
Authors: Ithurbide Solenne , de Silva Roshali T. , Brown Hannah J. , Shinde Vinaya , Duggin Iain G.
Published: May 2024

Archaeal cell biology is an emerging field expected to identify fundamental cellular processes, help resolve the deep evolutionary history of cellular life, and contribute new components and functions in biotechnology and synthetic biology. To facilitate these, we have developed plasmid vectors that allow convenient cloning and production of proteins and fusion proteins with flexible, rigid, or semi-rigid linkers in the model archaeon Haloferax volcanii. For protein subcellular localization studies using fluorescent protein (FP) tags, we created vectors incorporating a range of codon-optimized fluorescent proteins for N- or C-terminal tagging, including GFP, mNeonGreen, mCherry, YPet, mTurquoise2 and mScarlet-I. Obtaining functional fusion proteins can be challenging with proteins involved in multiple interactions, mainly due to steric interference. We demonstrated the use of the new vector system to screen for improved function in cytoskeletal protein FP fusions, and identified FtsZ1–FPs that are functional in cell division and CetZ1–FPs that are functional in motility and rod cell development. Both the type of linker and the type of FP influenced the functionality of the resulting fusions. The vector design also facilitates convenient cloning and tandem expression of two genes or fusion genes, controlled by a modified tryptophan-inducible promoter, and we demonstrated its use for dual-colour imaging of tagged proteins in H. volcanii cells. These tools should promote further development and applications of archaeal molecular and cellular biology and biotechnology.
Effect of Telemedicine Support for Intraoperative Anaesthesia Care on Postoperative Outcomes: The TECTONICS Randomised Clinical Trial
Authors: King Christopher R , Fritz Bradley A. , Gregory Stephen H. , Budelier Thaddeus P. , Ben Abdallah Arbi , Kronzer Alex , Helsten Daniel L. , Torres Brian , McKinnon Sherry L. , Tripathi Sandhya , Abdelhack Mohamed , Goswami Shreya , de Oca Arianna Montes , Mehta Divya , Valdez Miguel A. , Karanikolas Evangelos , Higo Omokhaye , Kerby Paul , Henrichs Bernadette , Wildes Troy S. , Politi Mary C. , Abraham Joanna , Avidan Michael S. , Kannampallil Thomas ,   the ACTFAST collaborator group
Published: May 2024

Background

Novel applications of telemedicine can improve care quality and patient outcomes. Telemedicine for intraoperative decision support has not been rigorously studied.

Methods

This single centre randomised clinical trial (RCT,clinicaltrials.govNCT03923699) of unselected adult surgical patients was conducted between 2019-07-01 and 2023-01-31. Patients received usual-care or decision support from a telemedicine service, the Anesthesiology Control Tower (ACT). The ACT provided real-time recommendations to intraoperative anaesthesia clinicians based on case reviews and physiologic alerts. ORs were randomised 1:1. Co-primary outcomes of 30-day all-cause mortality, respiratory failure, acute kidney injury (AKI), and delirium in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) were analysed as intention-to-treat.

Results

The trial completed with 71927 surgeries (35302 ACT; 36625 usual care). The ACT performed 11812 case reviews and communicated alerts regarding 2044 intervention-group patients. There was no significant effect of the ACT vs. usual care on 30-day mortality [630/35302 (1.8%) vs 649/36625 (1.8%), RR 1.01 (95% CI 0.87 to 1.16), p=0.98], respiratory failure [1071/33996 (3.2%) vs 1130/35236 (3.2%), RR 0.98 (95% CI 0.88 to 1.09), p=0.98], AKI [2316/33251 (7.0%) vs 2432/34441 (7.1%), RR 0.99 (95% CI 0.92 to 1.06), p=0.98] or delirium [1264/3873 (32.6%) vs 1298/4044 (32.1%), RR 1.02 (95% CI 0.94 to 1.10), p=0.98]. There were no significant differences in secondary outcomes or sensitivity analyses.

Conclusions

In this large RCT of intraoperative telemedicine decision support using real-time alerts and case reviews, we found no significant differences in postoperative outcomes. Large-scale intraoperative telemedicine is feasible, and we suggest avenues where it may be more impactful.
Strength of low-frequency EEG phase entrainment to external stimuli is associated with fluctuations in the brain’s internal state
Authors: Mäki-Marttunen Verónica , Velinov Alexandra , Nieuwenhuis Sander
Published: May 2024

The brain attends to environmental rhythms by aligning the phase of internal oscillations. However, the factors underlying fluctuations in the strength of this phase entrainment remain largely unknown. In the present study we examined whether the strength of low-frequency EEG phase entrainment to rhythmic stimulus sequences varied with pupil size and posterior alpha-band power, thought to reflect arousal level and excitability of posterior cortical brain areas, respectively. We recorded pupil size and scalp EEG while participants carried out an intermodal selective attention task, in which they were instructed to attend to a rhythmic sequence of visual or auditory stimuli and ignore the other perceptual modality. As expected, intertrial phase coherence (ITC), a measure of entrainment strength, was larger for the task-relevant than for the task-irrelevant modality. Across the experiment, pupil size and posterior alpha power were strongly linked with each other. Interestingly, ITC tracked both variables: larger pupil size was associated with a selective increase in entrainment to the task-relevant stimulus sequence, whereas larger posterior alpha power was associated with adecreasein phase entrainment to both the task-relevant and task-irrelevant stimulus sequences. Exploratory analyses showed that a temporal relation between ITC and posterior alpha power emerged in the time periods around pupil maxima and pupil minima. These results indicate that endogenous sources contribute distinctly to the fluctuations of EEG phase entrainment.

Significance statement

Fluctuations in cortical state powerfully shape the perception of external stimuli. Understanding the physiological signatures of cortical state fluctuations is crucial to understand how the brain selectively attends and switches between internal and external content. Here we studied how two signatures of attentional state, pupil-linked arousal and power in the alpha band, shape the entrainment of brain activity to low-frequency rhythmic stimuli. Our results reveal common and dissociable influences of these signatures at slow time scales. Furthermore, measuring and including pupil size and posterior alpha power as covariates in statistical models can help increase statistical power in studies focusing on EEG phase entrainment. Our study provides new evidence on a direct influence of cortical state on the perception of rhythmic stimuli.
Wakefield generation in hydrogen and lithium plasmas at FACET-II: Diagnostics and first beam-plasma interaction results
Authors: Storey D. , Zhang C. , San Miguel Claveria P. , Cao G. J. , Adli E. , Alsberg L. , Ariniello R. , Clarke C. , Corde S. , Dalichaouch T. N. , Doss C. E. , Ekerfelt H. , Emma C. , Gerstmayr E. , Gessner S. , Gilljohann M. , Hast C. , Knetsch A. , Lee V. , Litos M. , Loney R. , Marsh K. A. , Matheron A. , Mori W. B. , Nie Z. , O’Shea B. , Parker M. , White G. , Yocky G. , Zakharova V. , Hogan M. J. , Joshi C.
Published: May 2024

Plasma wakefield acceleration provides ultrahigh acceleration gradients of tens of GeV/m, providing a novel path toward efficient, compact, TeV-scale linear colliders, and high brightness free electron lasers. Critical to the success of these applications is demonstrating simultaneously high gradient acceleration, high energy transfer efficiency, and preservation of emittance, charge, and energy spread. Experiments at the FACET-II National User Facility at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory aim to achieve all of these milestones in a single-stage plasma wakefield accelerator, providing a 10 GeV energy gain in a <1  m plasma with high energy transfer efficiency. Such a demonstration depends critically on diagnostics able to measure emittance with mm mrad accuracy, energy spectra to determine both percent level energy spread, and broadband energy gain and loss, incoming longitudinal phase space, and matching dynamics. This paper discusses the experimental setup at FACET-II, including the incoming beam parameters from the FACET-II linac, plasma sources, and diagnostics developed to meet this challenge. Initial progress on the generation of beam ionized wakes in meter-scale hydrogen gas is discussed as well as commissioning of the plasma sources and diagnostics.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Total cross section of the process
e++e−→Σ0+Σ¯0
in the vicinity of charmonium
ψ(3770)
including the
D
-meson loop and three-gluon contributions
Authors: Ahmadov Azad I.
Published: May 2024

For the study of the structure of baryons it is necessary to investigate the production of a baryon pair in e+e− annihilation. The baryon-antibaryon pair production at the electron-positron linear collider makes it possible to investigate in detail the basic structure of the Standard Model. The creation of baryon-antibaryon pairs in electron-positron annihilation provides an increasingly powerful tool at higher c.m. energies. We present phenomenological results for Σ0Σ¯0 production in e+e− interaction at the BESIII and Colliders. In the present work, we investigate a hyperon pair produced in the reaction e+e−→Σ0Σ¯0. We calculate the total cross section of the process e+e−→Σ0Σ¯0 taking into account the contributions of the D-meson loop and three gluon loops as well as the interference of all diagrams to the Born approximation. For these contributions large relative phases are generated with respect to the pure electromagnetic mechanism. For the large momentum transferred region we obtain as a byproduct a fit of the electromagnetic form factor of the Σ hyperon.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Strange metal to insulator transitions in the lowest Landau level
Authors: Currie Ben , Kozik Evgeny
Published: May 2024

We study the microscopic model of electrons in the partially-filled lowest Landau level interacting via the Coulomb potential by the diagrammatic theory within the GW approximation. In a wide range of filling fractions and temperatures, we find a homogeneous non-Fermi liquid (nFL) state similar to that found in the Sachdev-Ye-Kitaev (SYK) model, with logarithmic corrections to the anomalous dimension. In addition, the phase diagram is qualitatively similar to that of SYK: a first-order transition terminating at a critical end-point separates the nFL phase from a band insulator that corresponds to the fully filled Landau level. This critical point, as well as that of the SYK model—whose critical exponents we determine more precisely—are shown to both belong to the Van der Waals universality class. The possibility of a charge density wave (CDW) instability is also investigated, and we find the homogeneous nFL state to extend down to the ground state for fillings 0.2≲ν≲0.8, while a CDW appears outside this range of fillings at sufficiently low temperatures. Our results suggest that the SYK-like nFL state should be a generic feature of the partially filled lowest Landau level at intermediate temperatures.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Designing robust trajectories by lobe dynamics in low-dimensional Hamiltonian systems
Authors: Hiraiwa Naoki , Bando Mai , Nisoli Isaia , Sato Yuzuru
Published: May 2024

Modern space missions with uncrewed spacecraft require robust trajectory design to connect multiple chaotic orbits by small controls. To address this issue, we propose a control scheme to design robust trajectories by leveraging a geometrical structure in chaotic zones, known as a . Our scheme shows that appropriately selected lobes reveal possible paths to traverse chaotic zones in a short time. The effectiveness of our method is demonstrated through trajectory design in both the standard map and Hill's equation.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Universal Symmetry of Optimal Control at the Microscale
Authors: Loos Sarah A. M. , Monter Samuel , Ginot Felix , Bechinger Clemens
Published: May 2024

Optimizing the energy efficiency of driving processes provides valuable insights into the underlying physics and is of crucial importance for numerous applications, from biological processes to the design of machines and robots. Knowledge of optimal driving protocols is particularly valuable at the microscale, where energy supply is often limited. Here, we experimentally and theoretically investigate the paradigmatic optimization problem of moving a potential carrying a load through a fluid, in a finite time and over a given distance, in such a way that the required work is minimized. An important step towards more realistic systems is the consideration of memory effects in the surrounding fluid, which are ubiquitous in real-world applications. Therefore, our experiments were performed in viscous and viscoelastic media, which are typical environments for synthetic and biological processes on the microscale. Despite marked differences between the protocols in both fluids, we find that the optimal control protocol and the corresponding average particle trajectory always obey a time-reversal symmetry. We show that this symmetry, which surprisingly applies here to a class of processes far from thermal equilibrium, holds universally for various systems, including active, granular, and long-range correlated media in their linear regimes. The uncovered symmetry provides a rigorous and versatile criterion for optimal control that greatly facilitates the search for energy-efficient transport strategies in a wide range of systems. Using a machine learning algorithm, we demonstrate that the algorithmic exploitation of time-reversal symmetry can significantly enhance the performance of numerical optimization algorithms.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Structural and electronic properties of Mo-decorated graphene, reduced graphene and reduced graphene oxide: a DFT calculation
Authors: Mohseninia Nazanin , Rezagholipour Dizaji Hamid , Memarian Nafiseh , Hajiabadi Hossein
Published: May 2024

The structural and electronic properties of pure graphene, graphene with a vacancy, graphene with two vacancies and molybdenum-doped graphene were investigated. In addition, the adsorption of Mo atoms on graphene (G), reduced graphene (rG) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) was examined. The possible energies of different active adsorption sites of nanostructured Mo-decorated G, rG and rGO have been calculated using density functional theory (DFT). Mo atoms are predicted to create bonds with six C atoms in G, three C atoms in rG, and both C and O atoms in rGO sheets after geometry optimizations. The study focused on changing the electronic structure of G, including opening the zero band gap and controlling the band structure, which was done by creating defects and adding impurities. The present study revealed a significant correlation between the adsorption of the Mo atom and the characteristics exhibited by frontier orbitals. The results indicated that the adsorption characteristics of Mo atoms in pure G, rG and rGO are different, despite chemisorption being the common mechanism. Specifically, Mo-decorated rG exhibited higher adsorption energy, while Mo-decorated G demonstrated a lower adsorption energy. According to these findings, it is reasonable to anticipate that Mo-decorated rG could be applied as a novel adsorbent for the removal of pollutants.
Stimulation of construction industry output through enhanced efficiency of Indian residential real estate sector
Authors: Krishnamurthy Apoorva Dandinashivara , Mahesh Gangadhar
Published: May 2024

Purpose

In the context of an absence of studies examining the interrelationship between Indian construction industry and residential real estate sector, the study aims to develop and test a conceptual framework to stimulate construction industry through optimisation of housing market in India. The developed conceptual framework lays down a blueprint to assess the interaction between construction industry and housing market in other countries.

Design/methodology/approach

Means of stimulation of construction industry by residential real estate sector were identified. Housing market was examined to identify factors constituting consumer-centric delivery and consumer-empowered demand. Supply side of housing market was probed to identify underlying factors stifling housing delivery. The identified factors were put together to form the conceptual framework. A questionnaire was developed and administered to the delivery-side stakeholders of housing market.

Findings

The study demonstrates significant correlations between real estate investment-led construction industry output stimulation and consumer-centric residential real estate delivery. The deterrents to consumer-centric housing delivery have been ascertained to be having an impact on time, cost and scope of housing projects. Significant correlations have been ascertained between the deterrents. On the demand-side, skills, awareness and engagement of consumers are strongly correlated with each other. Affordability of housing is rightfully correlated with all the three means of stimulation of construction industry output.

Originality/value

Specific to the Indian context, the study presents and validates a novel conceptual framework aimed at stimulation of construction industry output through interventions in housing market.
Implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on continuance usage of electronic tax declaration platforms: extending classical UTAUT model
Authors: Al-Okaily Manaf
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Investigating antecedents that may affect the usage of electronic tax declaration platforms is not a new research topic. Nevertheless, investigating the antecedents that affect the continuance usage of these platforms beyond the COVID-19 pandemic is a relatively new research trend. Accordingly, the purpose of this study is to investigate the antecedent factors that directly influence electronic tax declaration platforms’ continuance usage in the post-pandemic era by integrating the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use Technology Model with other related factors.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve the main purpose of the study, an online questionnaire was used to gather data from 231 Jordanian taxpayers.

Findings

The findings revealed the positive and significant effects of performance expectancy, social influence, knowledge and trust in e-government services on continuance usage of electronic tax declaration platforms. Contrary to what is expected, effort expectancy is insignificant, and hence the related hypothesis (H2) was rejected.

Originality/value

The findings of current research provided theoretical and practical implications by using a well-established theoretical lens to investigate what factors affect the continuance usage of electronic tax declaration platforms within the context of a developing country, namely, Jordan.
The role of social media in product innovation: a survey of small and medium-sized manufacturing firms
Authors: Haug Anders , Wickstrøm Kent Adsbøll , Stentoft Jan , Philipsen Kristian
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Previous studies investigating the effects of using social media in the innovation processes of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) yield mixed results, and the conditions for achieving innovation benefits from social media are unclear. The present study seeks to contribute to the understanding of this topic.

Design/methodology/approach

With a basis in the literature on open innovation and SMEs, this study develops a model that explains the role of social media in product innovation processes where technological focus and abilities are converted into product innovations. The model is tested through a survey of 305 Danish manufacturing SMEs.

Findings

Findings show that SMEs with higher technological orientation (TO) are more inclined to use social media in their product innovation processes and that social media use explains 22.4 percent of the relationship between TO and product innovation performance. On the other hand, the data did not support the assumption that SMEs with high TO achieve higher product innovation benefits than low TO SMEs for similar levels of social media use.

Practical implications

The results suggest that SMEs with lower levels of TO could increase their product innovation performance through increased use of social media in their innovation processes.

Originality/value

The study provides new knowledge on the role of social media in SMEs’ product innovation processes. As the level of TO increases, the use of social media in the innovation process becomes an increasingly important mechanism for deriving the full innovation potential from technological focus and abilities.
Effects of transformational leadership on psychological empowerment and employee engagement: a comparative study of Bangladesh and Thailand
Authors: Farzana Sumaia , Charoensukmongkol Peerayuth
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Grounded in the transformational leadership theory, conservation of resource theory and job demands-resources model, this paper aims to examine the effect of transformational leadership on psychological empowerment and employee engagement of faculty members in Bangladesh and Thailand. This study also integrates Hofstede’s cultural dimensions theory to justify whether transformational leadership could affect psychological empowerment of faculty members in these two countries differently.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data were collected from a total of 457 faculty members from two universities in Bangladesh (n= 243) and two universities in Thailand (n= 241). This study used partial least squares structural equation modeling for analyzing the proposed model.

Findings

The evidence shows that faculty members who worked for department heads and who exhibited transformational leadership demonstrated high level of psychological empowerment and employee engagement. Psychological empowerment also mediates the effect of transformational leadership on employee engagement. Moreover, the degree to which transformational leadership positively affects psychological empowerment is stronger for faculty members in a higher power distance culture (Thailand) than for those faculty members in a lower power distance culture (Bangladesh).

Practical implications

Because human capital plays a crucial role in determining the potential of universities to achieve superior performance, universities should provide leadership training to help department heads understand the key elements of transformational leadership and apply them in their management practices to promote empowerment and engagement of their faculty members.

Originality/value

The finding provides new evidence that broadens the knowledge from existing research about the cross-cultural effectiveness of transformational leadership, which has not been explored in the area of psychological empowerment.
The role of firms’ communication about eco-friendly products on social media and conventional media post-COVID-19
Authors: Koswara Iwan , Trulline Putri , Rohman Asep Saeful
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The paper examined the impact of corporate communication about eco-friendly products on social media (CSM) and conventional media (CCM) on individuals/buyers’ intent for co-creating environmental values (ICEV) post-Coronavirus pandemic in Indonesia.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were gathered from 561 individuals/buyers, via cross-sectional sampling in Bandung city, Indonesia. Next, this study used structural equation modelling to assess the theoretical model and hypothetical relationships.

Findings

Both factors, i.e. CCM and CSM, positively and significantly affect ICEV.

Originality/value

The paper is an original attempt to assess the impact of corporate communication about eco-friendly products on media toward ICEV in Indonesia’s post-Coronavirus pandemic. Besides, it is an initial effort to create the notions of success expectancy and self-efficacy and analyse whether these two concepts can become factors that mediate the effects of corporate CCM and CSM on buyers’ ICEV. This paper also develops ICEV to expand social cognitive theory from the perspective of co-creating environmental values.
Do perfectionism types matter? Auditors' ability to detect fraud and the moderating role of time budget pressure: evidence from Egypt
Authors: Balboula Mohamed Zaki , Elfar Eman Elsayed
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This study aims to examine how auditors' perfectionism types and time budget pressure (TBP) influence fraud detection in Egypt.

Design/methodology/approach

We utilize a mixed-methods approach, combining questionnaires with an experimental case study in a within-subjects quasi-experimental design. Based on Almost Perfect Scale-Revised (APS-R), perfectionism traits were categorized using cluster analysis into adaptive, maladaptive, and non-perfectionism. Auditors from Egyptian firms performed fraud-related tasks with TBP manipulated.

Findings

Auditors' perfectionism types significantly influence fraud detection capabilities. Adaptive perfectionists demonstrated higher relevance in identifying fraud factors and excelled in accurately assessing fraud risks and audit procedures planning. Conversely, maladaptive perfectionists identified more but less relevant factors. TBP notably impacted maladaptive and non-perfectionist auditors' planning quality, unlike adaptive perfectionists, who showed resilience.

Practical implications

Findings provide insights to audit firms to bolster audit quality through team formations and task assignments, harnessing the strengths of adaptive and maladaptive perfectionists. Regulatory entities are positioned to integrate safeguards that recognize auditor capabilities and vulnerabilities, particularly under TBP. Considering psychological assessments in auditor selection and development assures alignment of traits with audit tasks, enhancing audit quality.

Originality/value

This study breaks new ground in the effects of auditor perfectionism on fraud detection, considering situational factors like TBP in emerging markets. Through a mixed-methods approach and cluster analysis, it reveals how different perfectionism traits influence audit effectiveness, offering insights not previously considered in auditing literature and suggesting practical applications for enhancing fraud detection in similar contexts.
Customer incivility's antecedents and outcomes: a case study of Vietnamese restaurants and hotels
Authors: Nguyen-Viet Bang , Nguyen My Phuc
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Customer incivility is a crucial issue that has multiple negative effects on organizations, especially in the hospitality industry. This study identified the antecedents of customer incivility and investigated its outcomes on frontline employees (FLEs) in the emerging market of Vietnam.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a quantitative methodology featuring interviews with 476 FLEs who frequently experienced customer incivility in Vietnamese restaurants and hotels. The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling.

Findings

The findings demonstrated four antecedents of customer incivility (training/knowledge, FLE incivility, service orientation, and environment) and three outcomes (revenge motivation, service sabotage, and turnover intention), as well as the mediating role of revenge motivation.

Practical implications

Managers can establish and upgrade training lessons with different syllabi for numerous FLE groups to improve staff perceptions and enhance the organization’s service orientation and environment, which can support the minimization of revenge motivation, service sabotage, and turnover intention among frontline staff members.

Originality/value

This study highlights how impactful customer incivility is and how to eliminate it by clarifying its origins and effects in Vietnamese hotel and restaurant organizations.
Halal food sustainable traceability framework for the meat processing industry
Authors: Bachtiar Wildan Fajar , Masruroh Nur Aini , Asih Anna Maria Sri , Sari Diana Puspita
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This study aims to propose a framework for Halal Food Sustainable Traceability, with the purpose of investigating the implementation of traceability and sustainability within organizations operating in the halal food industry as well as exploring the impact of these practices on organizational performance. This study examines the meat processing sector in Indonesia, focusing on medium to large-scale industrial operations. The rationale for this investigation stems from Indonesia’s substantial potential in the competitive worldwide halal food industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The research framework has been developed by an extensive review of relevant literature, with a specific emphasis on the cycle of the halal food sustainable traceability framework. This cycle encompasses four key stages, including the roles played by authorities, the process of standardization, the implementation phase and the importance of collaboration. The study analyses and validates data using partial least square-structural equation modeling and empirically tests the theoretical framework using 109 Indonesian halal food industry data.

Findings

The research identifies potential obstacles and difficulties that may arise during different phases of the halal food sustainable traceability framework. Concerns regarding authority, standardization, implementation and collaboration are among these. In addition, strategies for overcoming these obstacles are deliberated upon, including knowledge sharing, transparency, ongoing reporting and strategic collaboration.

Originality/value

The present study introduces a Halal Sustainable Traceability Framework that incorporates the principles of halal, traceability, sustainability and their effects on organizational performance. This study offers significant perspectives on the difficulties and resolutions pertaining to the traceability and sustainability of halal food in Indonesia.
A multi-objective fuzzy mathematical model for circular economy with leasing as a strategy
Authors: Poonia Vijaypal , Kulshrestha Rakhee , Sangwan Kuldip Singh , Sharma Shivankur
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This paper aims at developing a multi-objective mathematical model of circular economy that integrates key concept of leasing as a strategy in addition to reuse, refurbishing, primary recycling, secondary recycling and disposal.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper proposes multi-objective fuzzy mixed integer linear programming mathematical model considering multi-product, multi-echelon and multi-capacitated concepts of the circular economy. The three objectives of the proposed model, namely, economic, environmental and social are solved simultaneously using constraint approach to obtain balanced trade-off between the objective functions. The model is validated by solving a case study from the literature. The proposed model is made pragmatic for industrial application by considering multi-external suppliers multi-customer zones, multi-disassembly centers, multi-collection centers and multi-refurbishing centers and accounting for purchasing, processing, transportation, set-up costs and capacity constraints at the same time.

Findings

The results show that the leasing of the products improves the economic function in addition to the known environmental improvements. The proposed model also shows that the circular economy can generate the jobs for the unskilled people at different locations.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed model can be further improved by considering the non-linearity due to economy of scale at various centers and in transportation. The model can be further extended to make it multi-period model.

Practical implications

The proposed model of circular economy can be used by the organizations as a policy tool to decide the optimum number of collection centers, disassembly centers, refurbishing centers, recycling centers and disposal centers and their optimum locations and allocations. The organizations can also trade-off among economic, environmental and social benefits of their proposed decisions in circular economy.

Originality/value

The originality of the proposed mathematical model is consideration of leasing as a strategy to have better control over the supply chain for circularity; considering the training of unskilled people for backward supply chain jobs and accounting for primary recycling and secondary recycling separately for economical computation.
Can financial development affect environmental quality in the presence of economic uncertainty and informal activities? Exploring the linkages in the middle-income countries
Authors: Ashena Malihe , Shahpari Ghazal
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The significance of this research lies in providing an understanding of how economic conditions, including financial development, informal economic activities and economic uncertainty, influence carbon emissions and tries to offer valuable insights for policymakers to promote sustainable development.

Design/methodology/approach

The Panel-ARDL method is employed for a group of 30 developing countries from 1990 to 2018. This study analyzes the data obtained from the World bank, International Monetary Fund and World Uncertainty databases.

Findings

Based on the empirical results of the extended model, an increase in GDP and energy intensity is associated with an 83 and 14% increase in carbon emissions, respectively. Conversely, a 1% increase in financial development and economic uncertainty is linked to significant decrease in carbon emissions (about 47 and 23%, respectively). Finally, an increase in the informal economy can lead to a negligible yet significant decrease in carbon emissions. These results reveal that financial development plays an effective role in reducing CO2 emissions. Moreover, while economic uncertainty and informal economy are among unfavorable economic conditions, they contribute in CO2 reduction.

Practical implications

Therefore, fostering financial development and addressing economic uncertainty are crucial for mitigating carbon emissions, while the impact of informal economy on emissions, though present, is relatively negligible. Accordingly, policies to control uncertainty and reduce the informal economy should be accompanied by environmental policies to avoid increase in emissions.

Originality/value

The originality of this paper lies in its focus on fundamental changes in the economic environment such as financial development, economic uncertainty, and informal activities as determinants of carbon emissions. This perspective opens up new avenues for understanding the intricate relationship between carbon emissions and economic factors, offering unique insights previously unexplored in the literature.
Does managerial myopia exacerbate firms excessive financialization? Evidence from Malaysia
Authors: Guizani Moncef
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This study aims to examine the influence of managerial myopia on the excessive financialization behavior of listed firms on Bursa Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

Through a sample of 313 firms from 2015 to 2021, the author examine whether managerial myopia promotes or inhibits corporate financialization. The author uses ordinary least squares and Logit as the baseline models and addresses potential endogeneity through the dynamic-panel generalized method of moments. The results are also robust to alternative measures of financialization and managerial myopia.

Findings

The results show a significant positive effect of managerial myopia on the excessive financialization of enterprises. Furthermore, the findings indicate that the impact of managerial myopia on the over-financialization of enterprises is more prominent in periods of low economic policy uncertainty. However, the relationship between excessive financialization and managerial myopia is weakened in the presence of female chief executive officers.

Practical implications

The empirical results have useful policy implications. First, firms should establish scientific managerial assessment and supervision systems to avoid excessive financial investment behavior by myopic managers caused by assessments that place too much emphasis on short-term performance. Second, regulators and policymakers should encourage firms to appoint women to top management positions, which may inhibit short-sighted financialization behavior. Finally, the regulatory authorities should undertake the necessary measures driving companies to disclose the investment direction of the funds so that shareholders and investors can understand the use direction of the funds in a timely manner, which can effectively prevent the economy “from the real to the virtual” and promote the development of the real economy.

Originality/value

This paper expands the existing research on corporate financialization behavior and provides a new theoretical basis for the underlying factors of excessive financialization. It studies the influence of corporate financialization from the perspective of short-run managerial actions and deepens the understanding of managerial myopia and companies’ financialization levels.