bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Respiratory Interoception and Pathological Illness Anxiety: Disentangling Bias
Authors: Slotta Timo , Wolters Carolin , Marx Zeynep , Witthöft Michael , Gerlach Alexander L. , Pohl Anna
Published: August 2023

Objective

Biased interoception decoupled from physiology might be relevant in the etiology of pathological illness anxiety (PIA). Empirical evidence for interoceptive deviations in illness anxiety is scarce but potentially informative to optimize treatments. We hypothesized that persons with PIA differ fundamentally in the classification of bodily sensations from those without PIA.

Methods

In a respiratory categorization task, participants breathed into a pulmonary training device. Inspiration effort was varied by eight resistive loads. The lower/higher four loads were introduced as belonging to arbitrary categories “A”/”B,” respectively. Participants memorized respiratory sensations in a first experimental block and were asked to label the resistances in a second block. We calculated the sensitivity of resistance classification according to category and response bias in terms of categorical misclassification. Data of 39 participants with PIA and 35 controls were compared with regard to sensitivity and response bias by group, resistive load, and their interaction in a multiple regression.

Results

With similar sensitivity, patients more often labeled loads above the categorical border erroneously as belonging to category A, thus underestimating their resistance (β = −0.06, p = .001; η
2 = 0.02).

Conclusions

Individuals with PIA showed a systematic “wait and see” approach. Altered respiroception in PIA might stem from biased perception during training phase, the recognition phase, biased memory, or a combination of these. Its exact characteristics remain unknown, and future research must address the challenge of developing reliable and valid paradigms accounting for the variability of interoceptive biases.

Registration

This work was preregistered on OSF (https://osf.io/9shcw).
An Innovative Stent Consisting of Expanded Polytetrafluoroethylene and Ear Cartilage in Rhinoplasty For Asians: Application I of Dai’s Exogenous Extension Stent Concept
Authors: Yu Bao-Fu , Chen Ai-Hong , Chen Xiao-Xue , Wang Zi , Xu Meng-Qiong , Dai Chuan-Chang , Wei Jiao
Published: August 2023

Background:

Restricted ventilation is common after rhinoplasty with an endogenous extension stent. The authors proposed an exogenous extension stent concept for Asian rhinoplasty patients to avoid this problem. Herein, we introduce an innovative stent in rhinoplasty for Asians, which is an application of this concept.

Methods:

An L-shaped expanded polytetrafluoroethylene is hand-carved, and the long arm is placed at the nose back to improve the flatness of the nose, while the short arm supports the nasal column to raise the nose tip. The prosthesis does not occupy nasal volume and therefore theoretically does not affect nasal ventilation. The fan-shaped ear cartilage was placed at the nasal tip to prevent visualization of the nasal tip. The safety and effectiveness of this method were verified through 20 years of clinical practice. The difficulty of learning and popularizing the method was tested through the course of rhinoplasty among 22 plastic surgeons.

Results:

After 20 years of clinical practice, it was found that this stent could not only effectively improve the nasal dorsum and tip morphology, but also did not actually affect the nasal volume and thus did not affect the nasal ventilation of patients. Among the trainees in plastic surgery, we found that it was not difficult to learn this method of rhinoplasty and the trainees could complete the prosthesis carving well after standardized training.

Conclusion:

This stent consisting of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene and ear cartilage is suitable in rhinoplasty for Asians with significant advantages, one of which is that it has no risk of resulting in restricted nasal ventilation.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV.
Survival Rate of Dental Implants in the Cleft Area: A Cross-Sectional Retrospective Study
Authors: Chepernate Vieira dos Santos Caroline , Gonçalves Maiara Gabriela , Souza Campos Costa Matheus , da Silva Costa Sandy Maria , Ferreira Santiago Junior Joel , de Almeida Ana Lúcia Pompéia Fraga
Published: August 2023

This study aimed to evaluate the survival rate of osseointegrated implants installed in the cleft area. An extensive data survey was conducted using the medical records of individuals who had implants installed in the cleft area between 1999 and 2020. The variables assessed were age, sex, implant follow-up time, implantation procedures, and rehabilitation with implant-supported prostheses. Data were analyzed in terms of implant survival time, correlating with the factors: age, sex, execution, or no-execution of bone regrafting, the time interval between secondary alveolar bone grafting and regrafting, the time interval between regrafting and implant installation, and the time interval between implant installation and provisional and definitive prosthesis. Data were analyzed with respect to implant survival. χ2 and Student t tests were used with a 5% significance level. A total of 1295 medical records were analyzed, of which 688 reported implants in cleft areas (56.1% in females, 43.9% in males) with a success rate of 92.73% and a mean follow-up time of 53.2 (±45.0) months. There were no statistically significant differences in the correlation between the survival rate and sex (P = 0.895, χ2 test), between the implant survival rate and regrafted area (P = 0.904, χ2 test), or between the survival rate and patient age (P = 0.246, Student t test). The survival rate of implants in the cleft area was 92.73%. Age, sex, and the need for regrafting did not influence the survival rate of implants installed in the cleft area. Clinical studies that evaluate the survival rate of implants installed in patients with cleft maxilla are of great relevance to the dental field.
Maxillary Sinus Mucocele With Fungal Ball
Authors: Shi Qingyang , Geng Congli , Wang Min
Published: August 2023

Mucocele is a benign, expansile, and oppressive lesion, more common in the frontal and ethmoid sinus and less in the maxillary sinus. Sinus mucocele mainly causes cheek swelling pain and nasal obstruction. In some cases, the paranasal mucocele grows large enough to compress periorbital structures and lead to impaired vision. Generally, mucocele is full of simple mucus, but pathogens can be found if co-infected, which means a poor prognosis. Functional endoscopic sinus surgery is an effective treatment for this disease. Here, the authors report a case that a mucocele occurred in the maxillary sinus, and a fungal ball was also found during the operation, which is a result of Paecilomyces farinosus co-infection.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Double Thyroglossal Duct Cyst
Authors: Li Bo , Wang Yu , Fu Yangyang , Liu Delong , She Cuiping
Published: August 2023

This retrospective study aimed to investigate clinical diagnostic and management characteristics of double thyroglossal duct cyst (TDC) cases. Seventy-eight patients diagnosed with TDCs who were admitted to the inpatient ward of the Department of Otolaryngology, Dalian Central Municipal Hospital from June 2008 to October 2021 were included in the study. Ultimately, 67 of these patients were diagnosed with single TDCs and 11 patients with double TDCs. Each patient underwent computed tomography and color doppler ultrasound imaging of their neck masses, thyroid color doppler ultrasound imaging, and surgical cyst removal through the classic Sistrunk procedure. All surgically excised specimens were sent to the pathology lab for examination and were confirmed to contain TDCs. Two of the 67 patients with single TDCs experienced postoperative complications related to infections within the operative area, whereas no patients with double TDCs experienced postoperative infection, excessive bleeding, or other surgical complications. All cases were followed up for 1 to 3 years after surgery with no cyst recurrence observed. Double TDCs may present on physical examination as unilateral neck masses that interfere with tongue extension and movement and swallowing that can be identified using imaging methods. Correct clinical diagnosis and complete surgical removal of cysts are key measures for ensuring successful treatment outcomes for patients with TDCs.
CCL2 and Neuronal Inflammation: Implications for Neurodegenerative Diseases
Authors: zihang Zeng , qingyi Mo , tianhuan Qi , Si-Yan Li
Published: August 2023

Microglia, the resident immune cells of the central nervous system, play a pivotal role in maintaining brain homeostasis and responding to various pathological conditions1,2. Neuroinflammation, characterized by the activation of microglia and subsequent release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of numerous neurodegenerative diseases. Among these cytokines, chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2) has gained significant attention due to its role in attracting immune cells and its potential contribution to neuronal inflammation. This review aims to comprehensively elucidate the involvement of microglial CCL2 in neuronal inflammation and its relevance to neurodegenerative diseases. We discuss the molecular mechanisms underlying CCL2 production, its receptors on neurons, and the downstream signaling pathways that initiate and perpetuate neuroinflammation. Furthermore, we explore the bidirectional communication between microglia and neurons, highlighting how neuronal dysfunction can trigger microglial CCL2 release and subsequent immune responses3-5. Additionally, we examine the implications of CCL2-mediated neuroinflammation in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease6,7, Parkinson’s disease8, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Lastly, we discuss potential therapeutic strategies targeting the microglial CCL2 axis to modulate neuroinflammation and ameliorate neurodegenerative processes.
Benthic diversity along an Arctic fjord: which are the key factors?
Authors: Lebrun Anaïs , Comeau Steeve , Gazeau Frédéric , Gattuso Jean-Pierre
Published: August 2023

Arctic coastal ecosystems include benthic communities that hold an important role within the marine food chain. Kelps, fucoid species, and coralline algae dominate rocky habitats, offering food and shelter for various species. Kelps and fucoid species also aid in carbon sequestration, sediment stabilization, and erosion mitigation. In summer, the influx of freshwater from glacier and permafrost melt alters coastal waters conditions. The input of turbid freshwater influences underwater light, salinity, and substrate, impacting benthic organism distribution. This study investigates possible link between environmental conditions and benthic diversity through environmental DNA (eDNA). Six sites were monitored along Kongsfjorden (Svalbard,Norway) during the summer of 2021. Contrary to expectations, macroalgal distribution didn’t correlate with light, and suspension feeders showed no clear links with chlorophyll a or nutrient concentrations. Glacial influence may have contributed to higher benthic diversity. Predators’ presence, tied to glacier proximity, possibly explained this trend. However, further studies are needed to validate these observations and assumptions.
Averaging a local PLSR pipeline to predict chemical compositions and nutritive values of forages and feed from spectral near infrared data
Authors: Lesnoff Matthieu
Published: August 2023

Partial least squares regression (PLSR) is a reference method in chemometrics. In agronomy, it is used for instance to predict components of chemical composition (response variablesy) of vegetal materials from spectral near infrared (NIR) dataXcollected from spectrometers. The principle of PLSR is to reduce the dimension of the spectral dataXby computing vectors that are then used as latent variables (LVs) in a multiple linear model. A difficulty is to determine the relevant dimensionality (number of LVs) of the model for the given available data. This step can also become time consuming when many different datasets have to be processed and/or the datasets are frequently updated. An alternative to determinate the relevant PLSR dimensionality is the ensemble learning method “PLSR averaging”. In the past, this method has been demonstrated to be efficient for complex biological materials such as mixed forages, and facilitates to automatize predictions (e.g. in user-friendly web interface platforms). This article presents the extension of the PLSR averaging to ak-nearest neighbors locally weighted PLSR pipeline (kNN-LWPLSR). The kNN-LWPLSR pipeline has the advantage to account for non-linearity betweenXandyexisting for instance in heterogeneous data (e.g. mixing of vegetal species, collection from different geographical areas, etc.). In the article, kNN-LWPLSR averaging is applied to an extensive NIR database built to predict the chemical composition of European and tropical forages and feed. The main finding of the study was the overall superiority of the averaging compared to the usual kNN-LWPLSR. Averaging may therefore be recommended in local PLSR pipelines to predict NIR forage and feed data.
Colibactin-induced genotoxicity and colorectal cancer exacerbation critically depends on adhesin-mediated epithelial binding
Authors: Jans Maude , Kolata Magdalena , Blancke Gillian , Ciers Maarten , Dohlman Anders B. , Kusakabe Takato , Sze Mozes , Thiran Alexandra , Berx Geert , Tejpar Sabine , van Loo Geert , Iliev Iliyan D. , Remaut Han , Vereecke Lars
Published: August 2023

Various bacteria are suggested to contribute to colorectal cancer (CRC) development, includingpks+ E. coliwhich produce the genotoxin colibactin that induces characteristic mutational signatures in host epithelial cells. It remains unclear how the highly unstable colibactin molecule is able to access host epithelial cells and its DNA to cause harm. Using the microbiota-dependent ZEB2-transgenic mouse model of invasive CRC, we found thatpks+ E. colidrives CRC exacerbation and tissue invasion in a colibactin-dependent manner. Using isogenic mutant strains, we further demonstrate that CRC exacerbation critically depends on expression of theE. colitype-1 pilus adhesin FimH and the F9-pilus adhesin FmlH. Blocking bacterial adhesion using a pharmacological FimH inhibitor attenuates colibactin-mediated genotoxicity and CRC exacerbation. Together, we show that the oncogenic potential ofpks+ E. colicritically depends on bacterial adhesion to host epithelial cells and is critically mediated by specific bacterial adhesins. Adhesin-mediated epithelial binding subsequently allows production of the genotoxin colibactin in close proximity to host epithelial cells, which promotes DNA damage and drives CRC development. These findings present promising therapeutic avenues for the development of anti-adhesive therapies aiming at mitigating colibactin-induced DNA damage and inhibiting the initiation and progression of CRC, particularly in individuals at risk for developing CRC.
CASi: A multi-timepoint scRNAseq data analysis framework
Authors: Wang Yizhuo , Flowers Christopher R , Wang Michael , Huang Xuelin , Li Ziyi
Published: August 2023

Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) technology has been widely used to study the differences in gene expression at the single cell level, providing insights into the research of cell development, differentiation, and functional heterogeneity. Various pipelines and workflows of scRNA-seq analysis have been developed but few considered multi-timepoint data specifically. In this study, we develop CASi, a comprehensive framework for analyzing multiple timepoints’ scRNA-seq data, which provides users with: (1) cross-timepoint cell annotation, (2) detection of potentially novel cell types emerged over time, (3) visualization of cell population evolution, and (4) identification of temporal differentially expressed genes (tDEGs). Through comprehensive simulation studies and applications to a real multi-timepoint single cell dataset, we demonstrate the robust and favorable performance of the proposal versus existing methods serving similar purposes.
Inferring the Hoxa1 Gene Regulatory Network in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells: Time-Series RNA-seq Data and Computational Modeling Approach
Authors: Emelogu Ugochi , Rogers Bryan , Banad Yaser , Cavalier Candice , Wilson Anna , Yi Xiaoping , D’Auverne Oswald , Almeida de Oliveira Samire , Akwaboa Nana , Martinez-Ceballos Eduardo
Published: August 2023

The homeotic geneHoxa1plays a pivotal role in regulating embryonic pattern formation and morphogenesis during mouse embryogenesis. However, despite the identification of a number of putative Hoxa1 target genes, the intricate regulatory relationships between these targets remain largely elusive. Leveraging the advancements in high-throughput technologies and sophisticated computational methods, we aimed to infer the Gene Regulatory Networks (GRNs) governed by Hoxa1 that direct cellular function, morphology, and/or differentiation. To achieve this, we generated time-series RNA-seq data from Retinoic Acid (RA)-treated Wild Type versusHoxa1-null mouse ES cells, enabling the construction of the Hoxa1 GRN. To create this GRN, we employed NARROMI, a published technique known for its noise reduction capabilities and improved accuracy in gene-regulation inference. Using this technique, we identified putative direct and indirect connections between Hoxa1 and a set of genes with known relevance in embryonic development. Validation through qPCR confirmed the Hoxa1-dependence on mRNA expression for selected genes, both within the immediate vicinity (direct) and in secondary interactions (indirect). Furthermore, by mapping the candidate genes to relevant Gene Ontology (GO) networks, we verified their involvement in processes likely regulated by Hoxa1. Our findings provide compelling evidence supporting the accuracy of the NARROMI analysis in generating a hierarchical network of genes under the transcriptional control of Hoxa1 Transcription Factor (TF), specifically in mouse ES cells. This network reveals a pool of promising candidate genes that may function as direct targets of Hoxa1. However, further investigations, including the characterization of Hoxa1 protein interactions with target loci DNA, are necessary to confirm their direct regulatory relationship with this TF. Moreover, the time-series RNA-seq data from Wild Type ES cells, coupled with the methodology employed in this study, hold the potential for constructing GRNs for additional TFs activated by RA. This comprehensive approach can shed further light on the intricate regulatory networks governing cellular function, morphology, and differentiation, advancing our understanding of embryonic development and gene regulation processes.
Simple synaptic modulations implement diverse novelty computations
Authors: Aitken Kyle , Campagnola Luke , Garrett Marina , Olsen Shawn , Mihalas Stefan
Published: August 2023

Since environments are constantly in flux, the brain’s ability to identify novel stimuli that fall outside its own internal representation of the world is crucial for an organism’s survival. Within the mammalian neocortex, inhibitory microcircuits are proposed to regulate activity in an experience-dependent manner and different inhibitory neuron subtypes exhibit distinct novelty responses. Discerning the function of diverse neural circuits and their modulation by experience can be daunting unless one has a biologically plausible mechanism to detect and learn from novel experiences that is both understandable and flexible. Here we introduce a learning mechanism,familiarity modulated synapses(FMSs), through which a network response that encodes novelty emerges from unsupervised multiplicative synaptic modifications depending only on the presynaptic or both the pre- and postsynaptic activity. FMSs stand apart from other familiarity mechanisms in their simplicity: they operate under continual learning, do not require specialized architecture, and can distinguish novelty rapidly without requiring feedback. Implementing FMSs within an experimentally-constrained model of a visual cortical circuit, we demonstrate the generalizability of FMSs by reproducing three distinct novelty effects recently observed in experiments: absolute, contextual (or oddball), and omission novelty. Additionally, our model reproduces functional diversity within cell subpopulations, leading to experimentally testable predictions about connectivity and synaptic dynamics that can produce both population-level novelty responses and heterogeneous individual neuron signals. Altogether, our findings demonstrate how simple plasticity mechanisms within the cortical circuit structure can give rise to qualitatively distinct novelty responses. The flexibility of FMSs opens the door to computationally and theoretically investigating how distinct synapse modulations can lead to a variety of experience-dependent responses in a simple, understandable, and biologically plausible setup.
Granulomatous inflammatory responses are elicited in the liver of PD-1 knockout mice byde novogenome mutagenesis
Authors: Nagaretnam Ilamangai , Yoneshige Azusa , Takeuchi Fuka , Ozaki Ai , Tamura Masaru , Suzuki Shiori , Shigeoka Toshiaki , Ito Akihiko , Ishida Yasumasa
Published: August 2023

Aims

programmed death-1 (PD-1) is a negative regulator of immune responses. Upon deletion of PD-1 in mice, symptoms of autoimmunity developed only after they got old. In a model experiment in cancer immunotherapy, PD-1 was shown to prevent cytotoxic T lymphocytes from attacking cancer cells that expressed neoantigens derived from genome mutations. Furthermore, the larger number of genome mutations in cancer cells led to the more robust anti-tumor immune responses after the PD-1 blockade. In order to understand the common molecular mechanisms underlying these findings, we hypothesize that we might have acquired PD-1 during evolution in order to avoid/suppress autoimmune reactions against neoantigens derived from mutations in the genome of aged individuals. Main methods: to test the hypothesis, we introduced random mutations into the genome of young PD-1-/-and PD-1+/+mice. We employed two different procedures of random mutagenesis: administration of a potent chemical mutagen N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) into the peritoneal cavity of mice and deletion ofMSH2, which is essential for the mismatch-repair activity in the nucleus and, therefore, for the suppression of accumulation of random mutations in the genome.

Key findings

we observed granulomatous inflammatory changes in the liver of the ENU-treated PD-1 knockout (KO) mice, but not in the wild-type (WT) counterparts. Such lesions also developed in the PD-1/MSH2 double KO mice, but not in the MSH2 single KO mice. Significance: the results we obtained support our hypothesis: PD-1 probably functions to avoid/suppress inflammatory responses against neoantigens derived from genome mutations in aged individuals.
Long-insert sequence capture detects high copy numbers in a defence-related beta-glucosidase gene βglu-1with large variations in white spruce but not Norway spruce
Authors: Hung Tin Hang , Wu Ernest T. Y. , Zeltiņš Pauls , Jansons Āris , Ullah Aziz , Erbilgin Nadir , Bohlmann Joerg , Bousquet Jean , Birol Inanc , Clegg Sonya M. , MacKay John J.
Published: August 2023

Conifers are long-lived and slow-evolving, thus requiring effective defences against their fast-evolving insect natural enemies. The copy number variation (CNV) of two key acetophenone biosynthesis genesUgt5/Ugt5band βglu-1may provide a plausible mechanism underlying the constitutively variable defence in white spruce (Picea glauca) against its primary defoliator, spruce budworm. This study develops a long-insert sequence capture probe set (Picea_hung_p1.0) for quantifying copy number of βglu-1-like,Ugt5-like genes and single-copy genes on 38 Norway spruce (Picea abies) and 40P. glaucaindividuals from eight and nine provenances across Europe and North America respectively. We developed local assemblies (Piabi_c1.0 and Pigla_c.1.0), full-length transcriptomes (PIAB_v1 and PIGL_v1), and gene models to characterise the diversity of βglu-1andUgt5genes. We observed very large copy numbers of βglu-1, with up to 381 copies in a singleP. glaucaindividual. We observed among-provenance CNV of βglu-1inP. glaucabut notP. abies.Ugt5bwas predominantly single-copy in both species. This study generates critical hypotheses for testing the emergence and mechanism of extreme CNV, the dosage effect on phenotype, and the varying copy number of genes with the same pathway. We demonstrate new approaches to overcome experimental challenges in genomic research in conifer defences.
Left behind in Covid times: the impact of the pandemic on job loss and job finding rates of vulnerable groups in Serbia
Authors: Vladisavljevic Marko , Lebedinski Lara
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to analyse COVID-19’s effects on job loss and job finding rate in Serbia, focusing on groups with already low employment before the pandemic, such as youth, women, low-educated and rural areas.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors exploit the panel structure of the Labour Force Survey (LFS) data for Serbia to analyse if the impact of the pandemic on transition probabilities was different for vulnerable groups and their counterparts during the first year of the pandemic.

Findings

The results indicate that stagnation in overall employment growth in Serbia during the first year of the COVID-19 crisis resulted from decreases in new hiring rather than increases in job losses. However, trends differed for vulnerable groups. Young workers faced the highest increase in job losses, partly due to their higher shares in informal wage employment. In contrast, decreases in job finding rates were particularly high among low-educated and in rural areas.

Practical implications

After the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, employment opportunities of vulnerable groups further deteriorated, and already existing labour market inequalities were exacerbated. These effects are partially due to policies implemented to mitigate the crisis, which focused on preserving permanent employment while leaving vulnerable workers and groups unprotected.

Originality/value

The authors investigate the annual effects of the first year of the pandemic in a country with a large informal sector and explore the role of vulnerable groups’ job characteristics in transition changes.
Exploring luxury hospitality customer experience of Maldives tourists amidst COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Kaushal Vaishali , Yadav Rajan
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Despite the severe impact of the COVID-19, Maldives was one of the top destinations which witnessed decent tourist arrival amid the pandemic. This study aims to analyze luxury hospitality experiences of guests amid COVID-19 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is exploratory in nature. This study analyses 4,302 real-time customer reviews using sentiment and thematic analysis with the help of NVIVO 12 plus and Leximancer.

Findings

The findings suggest travel products as well as services associated with luxury resorts needs to be revisited. Staff needs to be more professional and must be proactive while redesigning services specially in situations like pandemic. While redesigning services in situations like pandemic, staff needs to be proactive, professional and must follow all protocols. Major negative experiences included long waiting time to avail frill services, privacy intrusion by bloggers and influencers, service quality issues. We recommend enhancing service quality followed by investing more in training and development, increasing the number of foreign languages spoken by staff and disseminating localized culinary experiences will enhance the experience quality with guests.

Research limitations/implications

This study has several limitations: first, this study limited itself to 15 luxury resorts of Maldives, which may not serve as a true representation of all luxury resorts of Maldives. The next limitation of this study is that the authors have collected customer reviews from TripAdvisor only, and the reviews were only in English language.

Practical implications

The findings of the research can be beneficial for the policymakers, hospitality practitioners and academicians who study luxury tourism industry to carve appropriate strategies for enhancing the customers’ luxury experience like leveraging customization in all areas and enhancing service quality, food quality, training and development of employees.

Originality/value

Maldives has become one of the most expensive traveler destinations and is home to world’s most expensive resorts. This study is original in nature and has a forward-looking approach which studies the disruptive effect of pandemic, intangible nature of luxury as a concept can be used by hospitality industry to redesign the luxury customer experience which can improve marketing strategies aiming to potentiate this niche. In addition, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study will be the first one to capture the real customer experiences of luxury resorts of Maldives.
The antecedents of career decision self-efficacy: a meta-analysis on 20 years of research
Authors: Wang Nan , Luan Yuxiang , Zhao Guolong , Ma Rui
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This study aims to examine the antecedents of career decision self-efficacy (CDSE) and provide a comprehensive understanding of the factors that influence this critical construct in career development and decision-making.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employed a meta-analysis of 43 independent studies, comprising 90 correlations and 17,143 participants. The Hunter-Schmidt method meta-analysis was used to analyze the data and identify the factors associated with CDSE. Random-effect meta-regression analysis was applied to detect the potential moderators.

Findings

The study found that CDSE is positively associated with social support (ρ = 0.41), age (ρ = 0.05), agreeableness (ρ = 0.23), conscientiousness (ρ = 0.48), emotional intelligence (ρ = 0.48), extraversion (ρ = 0.41), openness (ρ = 0.35) and proactive personality (ρ = 0.68), while negatively related to neuroticism (ρ = −0.33). Furthermore, the results indicate that sample gender (%female) and mean age partially moderate the relationship between CDSE and age, core-self evaluations and neuroticism.

Originality/value

In this study, the authors have contributed significantly to the existing research on CDSE antecedents by conducting a thorough analysis of the various factors associated with this critical construct. The findings offer an accurate understanding of the factors that influence CDSE, and this paper's moderation analysis sheds light on the boundary conditions in the CDSE literature. Moreover, this research has practical implications for practitioners such as teachers, parents and career counselors. By leveraging the insights gained from this study, practitioners can provide more effective career support and intervention to young people, which can help increase their CDSE and improve their overall career development and well-being.
Financial misconduct and corporate innovation: evidence from China
Authors: Mbanyele William , Wang Fengrong
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This study aims to examine the real effects of financial misconduct on corporate innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use a sample of Chinese A-share listed firms from 2006 to 2017. This study uses several empirical strategies to deal with endogeneity concerns, including Heckman’s two-stage correction approach, propensity score matching and instrumental variables.

Findings

The authors’ findings consistently show that financial misconduct impedes corporate innovation. Furthermore, the authors’ analysis demonstrates that the negative impact of financial misconduct is more pronounced in nonstate enterprises. The authors also show that financial misconduct discourages innovation through information, short-termism and financing channels.

Practical implications

This paper is of particular interest to policymakers, as firm behavior is heavily regulated and altered by securities laws and regulations over time. The authors recommend firms to observe financial regulatory laws to promote capital market integrity and enhance shareholder value through innovation projects. The authors also recommend that regulators provide incentives that encourage corporate transparency and use new technologies to detect financial misconduct quickly.

Originality/value

Few studies in literature investigate the real consequences of financial misconduct on firm investments. Hence, this paper fills this gap by analyzing the implications of financial misconduct on corporate innovation. This study is one of the first to provide new insights into the adverse effects of financial misconduct on firm-level innovation, supported by empirical evidence.
Understanding competency requirements in the context of AEC industry informatization: policy insights from China
Authors: Zhou Xiaowei , Wang Yousong
Published: August 2023

Purpose

The increasing adoption of informatization in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industries has raised the competency requirements for AEC practitioners. However, existing research primarily focuses on the integration of emerging technologies in AEC education programs, with little attention to the development of informatization-related competencies. Therefore, this paper aims to explore the competency requirements in the information age of the AEC industry.

Design/methodology/approach

Taking a policy perspective, this study investigates the competency requirements within the context of AEC industry informatization. By employing a competency-based theoretical framework, content analysis is conducted on China's policy document, the Outline of the Development of Informatization in the Construction Industry.

Findings

The study identifies crucial emerging technologies in the AEC industry, such as building information modeling (BIM), Big Data, Internet of things, networking, and cloud computing, along with their application scenarios. It considers various market players, including survey and design institutes, construction companies, and general contracting enterprises. Comparative analysis reveals the technology application patterns of these market players, shedding light on their preferences and perspectives. Based on these findings, the study proposes recommendations for competency requirements in the AEC industry.

Originality/value

This study extends the competency-based theory to AEC education from a macro perspective. The findings enhance understanding of informatization by providing insights into the related technologies, their applications, and the market players utilizing them. Moreover, the study's results have significant implications for AEC education, particularly in the design of curriculum systems for emerging technology-related fields.
Evaluation of dynamic correction of turbulence wall boundary conditions to simulate roughness effect in minichannel with rotating walls
Authors: Pahlavanzadeh Mohammadsadegh , Rusin Krzysztof , Wróblewski Wlodzimierz
Published: August 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is an assessment of the existing roughness models to simulate the flow in the narrow gap between corotating and rough disks. A specific configuration of the flow through the gap, which forms a minichannel with variable cross sections and rotating walls, makes it a complex problem and, therefore, worth discussing in more detail.

Design/methodology/approach

Two roughness models were examined, the first one was based on the wall function modification by application of the shift in the dimensionless velocity profile, and the second one was based on the correction of turbulence parameters at the wall, proposed by Aupoix. Due to the lack of data to validate that specific case, the approach to deal with was selected after a systematic study of reported test cases. It started with a zero-pressure-gradient boundary layer in the flow over a flat plate, continued with flow through minichannels with stationary walls, and finally, focused on the flow between corotating discs, pertaining each time to smooth and rough surfaces.

Findings

The limitations of the roughness models were highlighted, which make the models not reliable in the application to minichannel flows. It concerns turbulence models, near-wall discretization and roughness approaches. Aupoix’s method to account for roughness was selected, and the influence of minichannel height, mass flow rate, fluid properties and roughness height on the velocity profile between corotating discs in both smooth and rough cases was discussed.

Originality/value

The originality of this study is the evaluation and validation of different methods to account for the roughness in rotating mini channels, where the protrusions can cover a substantial part of the channel. Flow behavior and performance of different turbulence models were analyzed as well.
A comparative examination of the motivating factors underpinning consumers' loyalty toward credit card usage in the United States and France
Authors: Juusola Katariina , Boakye Kwabena G. , Blankson Charles , Cao Guangming
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This study aims to develop and validate a cross-national framework to identify the motivation underpinning consumers' (i.e. the general public's) loyalty toward credit card usage. The following research questions guided the study: (1) What factors motivate consumers to stay loyal to their credit card? (2) Does the investment model (regarding satisfaction and investment size) mediate the relationship between factors motivating consumers to stay loyal to their credit card?

Design/methodology/approach

This study employs the investment model theory (Rusbult, 1980) as a theoretical framework and uses structural equation modeling to develop and validate a cross-national framework, addressing factors that motivate consumers to stay loyal to credit card brands. In addition, the authors test the mediating effect of the investment model on the relationship. Survey data were collected from the United States and France.

Findings

The findings revealed four factors (incentives, customer service, investment size and satisfaction) that impact consumer credit card loyalty behavior in the two mature credit card markets. The authors find empirical support for two of four hypotheses. That is, investment size mediates the relationship between incentives and consumer loyalty, and satisfaction mediates the relationship between customer service and consumer loyalty. Moreover, unlike the French sample, the American sample produced a significant finding for investment size to mediate the relationship between customer service and consumer loyalty.

Originality/value

This paper validates and extends the investment model theory in the marketing of credit cards within a cross-national setting. Most studies on credit card consumption focus on the college student segment, and there is less understanding of the motivation to stay loyal to using a credit card from the general public who are not necessarily college students. Given the scarce stream of empirical studies dealing with cross-national consumer motivation, choice criteria of credit cards, and loyalty toward credit cards, this research comes at an opportune moment as credit card firms differentiate their card brands in the global marketplace. Further, a dataset originating from two mature Western economies has been put forward for the benefit of practitioners and researchers.
Analyzing review studies of the recent development in hospitality
Authors: Law Rob , Chen Sirong , Li Xiaonan , Fong Davis Ka Chio
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This study aims to analyze review research in hospitality, identifying the structure and most recent developments in current hospitality review studies while providing exploratory insights for future research in this research area.

Design/methodology/approach

Using bibliometric analysis, content analysis and a quantitative systematic literature review, this study provides a comprehensive review and critical analysis of 128 review studies published in leading hospitality journals (International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, International Journal of Hospitality Management and Journal of Hospitality Marketing and Management).

Findings

This paper presents a comprehensive and in-depth discussion based on the title, journal source, author contribution, year of publication, sample size, selected period, database selection, methodology, data collection methods, themes, regional selection, keywords, abstracts and results of the hospitality review studies analyzed. The findings provide new insights to advance the theoretical and practical implications of review studies in hospitality.

Research limitations/implications

This research provides critical insights for both hospitality review studies and academic and industry hospitality personnel.

Originality/value

As a pioneering study in research on review studies, the results of this paper focus not only on a systematic overview and assessment of recent hospitality review works but also on the future agenda of hospitality and review studies.
Design, modeling and kinematic analysis of a multi-configuration dexterous hand with integrated high-dimensional sensors
Authors: Shuang Feng , Du Yang , Li Shaodong , Chen Mingqi
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This study aims to introduce a multi-configuration, three-finger dexterous hand with integrated high-dimensional sensors and provides an analysis of its design, modeling and kinematics.

Design/methodology/approach

A mechanical design scheme of the three-finger dexterous hand with a reconfigurable palm is proposed based on the existing research on dexterous hands. The reconfigurable palm design enables the dexterous hand to achieve four grasping modes to adapt to multiple grasping tasks. To further enhance perception, two six-axis force and torque sensors are integrated into each finger. The forward and inverse kinematics equations of the dexterous hand are derived using the D-H method for kinematics modeling, thus providing a theoretical model for index analysis. The performance is evaluated using three widely applied indicators: workspace, interactivity of fingers and manipulability.

Findings

The results of kinematics analysis show that the proposed hand has excellent dexterity. Additionally, three different experiments are conducted based on the proposed hand. The performance of the dexterous hand is also verified by fingertip force, motion accuracy test, grasping and in-hand manipulation experiments based on Feix taxonomy. The results show that the dexterous hand has good grasping ability, reproducing 82% of the natural movement of the human hand in daily grasping activities and achieving in-hand manipulations such as translation and rotation.

Originality/value

A novel three-finger dexterous hand with multi-configuration and integrated high-dimensional sensors is proposed. It performs better than the previously designed dexterous hand in actual experiments and kinematic performance analysis.
“I embroider the beauty that is my head and not the dead trees around me” art heritage and resilience in South Sudan: a gendered view
Authors: Bradley Tamsin , Beny Atem , Lorins Rebecca
Published: August 2023

Purpose

The fundamental relationship between art and resilience is striking in this passage and in the reflections shared by other artists. This paper aims to attempt to piece together the fragmented and insecure realities in South Sudan through the lens of different artists. The paper argues that focusing on art is an important way into a deeper more nuanced picture of how women and men find and maintain resilience in humanitarian contexts.

Design/methodology/approach

The data is qualitatively collected through an innovative art-based creative method known as story circles. The circles consisted of artists who shared what their art form meant to them.

Findings

The picture that emerges contrasts starkly against the dark narratives that commonly portray South Sudan. Art making spaces and the outputs that come from them are cultural resources often overlooked by humanitarian stakeholders and yet, as the authors show, hold the potential to support more locally rooted and responsive approaches to resilience building.

Originality/value

Very little research has been conducted on the ways in which people in South Sudan draw on and find resilience in art and art making.
A unit of our own: one attempt to let students guide the curriculum
Authors: Marstaller Mimi , Amoakoh Josephine
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to explore how teachers’ choice of text, centering of student voices and collaboration with the community around a language arts curriculum impacted the engagement and learning experiences of 85 11th and 12th-grade refugee background students designated as English language learners.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative self-study framework that inquired into the assumptions about teaching and learning and the roles as social justice educators framed this narrative paper. Student journaling and teachers’ reflection logs and observations of class dramatization during a lesson unit on the play Les Blancs by Lorraine Hansberry formed the research text and informed the thematic analysis and findings of this study. The lenses of culturally sustaining pedagogy and a third space helped unpack the vantages of student voice and community engagement in the curriculum.

Findings

In a unit whose central text was chosen based on students’ racial and ethnic identities and their interests, they actively engaged in class and role-played as teachers, generating content that fostered their linguistic repertoires and critical discussions in class. Collaboration with community partners boosted the teacher’s agency with the curriculum and created a model of collaboration and learning for the class.

Originality/value

Student voices and community engagement in learning are powerful tools for designing culturally sustaining pedagogies.
The interrelationships between organisational climate and job satisfaction and their impact on training outcomes
Authors: Gil Alfonso J. , García-Alcaraz Jorge Luis , Mataveli Mara , Tobias Claudia
Published: August 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the relationship between a supportive organisational climate and training process outcomes; to analyse the mediating effect of job satisfaction between a supportive organisational climate and training process outcomes; and to analyse the moderating effect of a proactive attitude on a supportive organisational climate and training process outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

The participants consisted of 359 employees recruited from 18 companies in Spain. The hypotheses were tested with structural equations via partial least squares regression.

Findings

The data indicated a positive and statistically significant relationship between a supportive organisational climate and training process outcomes. The proposed moderating and mediating effects are also verified.

Originality/value

This work contributes to the literature on human resource management and the relationship between organisational behaviour and training outcomes. In addition, it shows the role of attitudes between organisational climate and training outcomes.