bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Accurate Skin Lesion Classification Using Multimodal Learning on the HAM10000 Dataset
Authors: Adebiyi Abdulmateen , Abdalnabi Nader , Smith Emily Hoffman , Hirner Jesse , Simoes Eduardo J. , Becevic Mirna , Rao Praveen
Published: May 2024

Objectives

Our aim is to evaluate the performance of multimodal deep learning to classify skin lesions using both images and textual descriptions compared to learning only on images.

Materials and Methods

We used the HAM10000 dataset in our study containing 10,000 skin lesion images. We combined the images with patients’ data (sex, age, and lesion location) for training and evaluating a multimodal deep learning classification model. The dataset was split into 70% for training the model, 20% for the validation set, and 10% for the testing set. We compared the multimodal model’s performance to well-known deep learning models that only use images for classification.

Results

We used accuracy and area under the curve (AUC) receiver operating characteristic (ROC) as the metrics to compare the models’ performance. Our multimodal model achieved the best accuracy (94.11%) and AUCROC (0.9426) compared to its competitors.

Conclusion

Our study showed that a multimodal deep learning model can outperform traditional deep learning models for skin lesion classification on the HAM10000 dataset. We believe our approach can enable primary care clinicians to screen for skin cancer in patients (residing in areas lacking access to expert dermatologists) with higher accuracy and reliability.

Lay Summary

Skin cancer, which includes basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma, and less frequent lesions, is the most frequent type of cancer. Around 9,500 people in the United States are diagnosed with skin cancer every day. Recently, multimodal learning has gained a lot of traction for classification tasks. Many of the previous works used only images for skin lesion classification. In this work, we used the images and patient metadata (sex, age, and lesion location) in HAM10000, a publicly available dataset, for multimodal deep learning to classify skin lesions. We used the model ALBEF (Align before Fuse) for multimodal deep learning. We compared the performance of ALBEF to well-known deep learning models that only use images (e.g., Inception-v3, DenseNet121, ResNet50). The ALBEF model outperformed all other models achieving an accuracy of 94.11% and an AUROC score of 0.9426 on HAM10000. We believe our model can enable primary care clinicians to accurately screen for skin cancer in patients.
Amygdala engages non-emotional multi-item working memory maintenance through amygdala-hippocampus interaction
Authors: Li Chenyang , Peng Yulong , Wang Ruixue , He Xianhui , Cai Ying , Ma Yuehui , Wu Dengchang , Wang Minmin , Zhang Shaomin
Published: May 2024

The process of holding information in working memory (WM) is an active one that requires neural activity within and between regions. The human amygdala (AMY) and hippocampus (HPC) are known to play crucial roles in emotional WM processing. Although human electrophysiological studies have made remarkable progress in revealing that HPC supports multi-item maintenance in a load-dependent manner, the characteristics of AMY and the circuit-level mechanisms underpinning AMY-HPC interactions remain largely unexplored. To address this gap in our knowledge, this study employed intracranial EEG recordings from AMY and HPC in nine epileptic patients to evaluate intra-regional neural representations and inter-regional communications during maintenance under different non-emotional WM loads. The results showed that high load enhances low-frequency power and intra-regional theta-gamma phase-amplitude coupling (PAC) in AMY and HPC. On the network level, high load elicits an increase in the strength of the modulation of HPC theta phase entraining AMY gamma amplitude. Furthermore, high load elevates AMY-aHPC theta phase synchrony and directional connectivity strength, with the direction being from anterior HPC (aHPC) to AMY. Conversely, posterior HPC (pHPC)-AMY synchrony is not affected by load variations. Overall, these findings highlight the importance of AMY in non-emotional WM tasks and shed new light on the neurophysiological basis of AMY-HPC interactions during WM maintenance.
Nucleons and vector mesons in a confining holographic QCD model
Authors: Ballon-Bayona Alfonso , Junior Adão S. da Silva
Published: May 2024

We present a simple holographic QCD model that provides a unified description of vector mesons and nucleons in a confining background based on Einstein-dilaton gravity. For the confining background, we consider analytical solutions of the Einstein-dilaton equations where the dilaton is a quadratic function of the radial coordinate far from the boundary. We build actions for the 5D gauge field and the 5D Dirac field dual to the 4D flavor current and the 4D nucleon interpolator, respectively. In order to obtain asymptotically linear Regge trajectories, we impose for each sector the condition that the effective Schrödinger equation has a potential that grows quadratically in the radial coordinate far from the boundary. For the vector mesons, we show that this condition is automatically satisfied by a 5D Yang-Mills action minimally coupled to the metric and the dilaton. For the nucleons, we find that the mass term of the 5D Dirac action needs to be generalized to include couplings to the metric and the dilaton. Using Sturm-Liouville theory, we obtain a spectral decomposition for the hadronic correlators consistent with large Nc QCD. Our setup contains only three parameters: the mass scale associated with confinement, the 5D gauge coupling, and the 5D Dirac coupling. The last two are completely fixed by matching the correlators at high energies to perturbative QCD. We calculate masses and decay constants and compare our results against available experimental data. Our model can be thought of as a consistent embedding of soft wall models in Einstein-dilaton gravity.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Multiparticle interpolating operators in quantum field theories with cubic symmetry
Authors: Detmold William , Jay William I. , Kanwar Gurtej , Shanahan Phiala E. , Wagman Michael L.
Published: May 2024

Numerical studies of lattice quantum field theories are conducted in finite spatial volumes, typically with cubic symmetry in the spatial coordinates. Motivated by these studies, this work presents a general algorithm to construct multiparticle interpolating operators for quantum field theories with cubic symmetry. The algorithm automates the block diagonalization required to combine multiple operators of definite linear momentum into irreducible representations of the appropriate little group. Examples are given for distinguishable and indistinguishable particles including cases with both zero and nonzero spin.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Implications of purity constraints on light Higgsinos
Authors: Martin Stephen P.
Published: May 2024

The lightest supersymmetric particles could be Higgsinos that have a small mixing with gauginos. If the lightest Higgsino-like state makes up some or all of the dark matter with a thermal freeze-out density, then its mass must be between about 100 GeV and 1150 GeV, and dark matter searches put bounds on the amount of gaugino contamination that it can have. Motivated by the generally good agreement of flavor- and CP-violating observables with Standard Model predictions, I consider models in which the scalar particles of minimal supersymmetry are heavy enough to be essentially decoupled, except for the 125 GeV Higgs boson. I survey the resulting purity constraints as lower bounds on the gaugino masses and upper bounds on the Higgsino mass splittings. I also discuss the mild excesses in recent soft lepton searches for charginos and neutralinos at the LHC, and show that they can be accommodated in these models if tanβ is small and μ is negative.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Parameter constraints on traversable wormholes within beyond Horndeski theories through quasiperiodic oscillations
Authors: Abdulkhamidov Farukh , Nedkova Petya , Rayimbaev Javlon , Kunz Jutta , Ahmedov Bobomurat
Published: May 2024

compact astrophysical objects such as black holes and wormholes, as well as testing gravity theories, are important issues in relativistic astrophysics. In this sense, theoretical and observational studies of quasiperiodic oscillations (QPOs) observed in (micro)quasars become helpful in exploring their central object, which can be a black hole or a wormhole. In the present work, we study the throat properties of traversable wormholes beyond Horndeski theory. Also, we investigate the circular motion of test particles orbiting the wormhole. We analyze the test particle’s effective potential and angular momentum for circular orbits. Frequencies of radial and vertical oscillations of the particles around stable circular orbits have also been studied and applied in explaining the quasiperiodic oscillations mechanism in the relativistic precession (RP) model. Finally, we obtain constraint values for the parameters of beyond Horndeski gravity and the mass of the wormhole candidates using QPOs observed in the microquasars GRO J1655-40, GRS 1915+105 & XTE J1550-564 and at the center of Milky Way galaxy through Monte-Carlo-Markovian-chain (MCMC) analyses.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Inequivalent light-cone gauge-fixings of strings on
AdSn×Sn
backgrounds
Authors: Borsato Riccardo , Driezen Sibylle , Hoare Ben , Retore Ana L. , Seibold Fiona K.
Published: May 2024

Light-cone gauge-fixed sigma models on AdSn×Sn backgrounds play an important role in the integrability formulation of the AdS/CFT correspondence. The string spectrum of the sigma model is gauge independent, however the Hamiltonian and scattering matrix of the transverse world sheet fields are not. We study how these change for a large family of inequivalent light-cone gauges, which are interpreted as TT¯, J˜Tτ, JTσ, and Jτ deformations. We investigate the moduli space of inequivalent light-cone gauges and, specializing to AdS5×S5, compute the different light-cone gauge symmetry algebras, well known to be psu(2|2)⊕2⊕u(1)⊕2 for the standard gauge-fixing. Many integrable deformations require a nonstandard light-cone gauge, hence our classification and analysis of inequivalent gauges will be important for analyzing such models.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Assessment of preservice physics teachers’ knowledge of student understanding of force and motion
Authors: Yang Lan , Huang Leheng , Wu Xianqiu , Xiong Jianwen , Bao Lei , Xiao Yang
Published: May 2024

In physics education, a number of studies have developed assessments of teachers’ knowledge of student understanding (KSU) of specific physics concepts with modified versions of existing concept inventories, in which teachers were asked to predict the popular incorrect answers from students. The results provide useful but indirect information to make inferences about teachers’ knowledge of the misconceptions that students may be using in answering the questions. To improve the assessment of teachers’ KSU, a new instrument is developed using a three-tier item design. The items were adapted from 17 questions from the Force Concept Inventory on force and motion. Each item was designed in three tiers, with tier 1 asking for teachers’ own answers to the question to test their content knowledge, tier 2 asking for teachers’ predictions of popular students’ incorrect answers, and tier 3 asking for teachers’ explanations of students’ incorrect answers in an open-ended form. The three-tier design captures teachers’ content knowledge, predictions, and explanations in a single item to allow explicit measures of teachers’ own content knowledge and their KSU on students’ misconceptions. The instrument was validated with preservice physics teachers, who were master-level graduate students in a normal university in China. The assessment results also suggest that the preservice teachers’ KSU of force and motion was only moderately developed, and their content knowledge was uncorrelated with their KSU. In addition, a four-level progression scale of KSU was also developed, which categorized the preservice teachers into five proficiency groups.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Subperiodic groups, line groups and their applications
Authors: de la Flor Gemma , Milošević Ivanka
Published: May 2024

Understanding the symmetries described by subperiodic groups – frieze, rod and layer groups – has been instrumental in predicting various properties (band structures, optical absorption, Raman spectra, diffraction patterns, topological properties etc.) of `low-dimensional' crystals. This knowledge is crucial in the tailored design of materials for specific applications across electronics, photonics and materials engineering. However, there are materials that have the property of being periodic only in one direction and whose symmetry cannot be described by the subperiodic rod groups. Describing the symmetry of these materials necessitates the application of line group theory. This paper gives an overview of subperiodic groups while briefly introducing line groups in order to acquaint the crystallographic community with these symmetries and direct them to pertinent literature. Since line groups are generally not subperiodic, they have thus far remained outside the realm of symmetries traditionally considered in crystallography, although there are numerous `one-dimensional' crystals (i.e. monoperiodic structures) possessing line group symmetry.
Polar orientation and extension in a novel crystallographic model for PbTiO3-based perovskites explaining the experimental ferroelectric thermal anomalies
Authors: Estrada Flávia Regina , Moreno-Gobbi Ariel , Damjanovic Dragan , Garcia Ducinei
Published: May 2024

PbTiO3-based ferroelectric solid-solution ceramics have been widely used for electromechanical devices. However, it is still challenging to separate and control the contributions to the electromechanical functionalities, mainly as a function of temperature, where thermal anomalies and phase transitions can be observed. This study investigates the ultrasonic velocity and attenuation and the dielectric, ferroelectric and structural features of Pb0.55Ca0.45TiO3 ceramics from low temperatures (10 or 115 K) up to room temperature as an example of A-site isovalent substitution in PbTiO3. Such a combination of information makes possible the phenomenological deconvolution of the effects of ferroelectric domain wall pinning and structural features on spontaneous electric polarization. The room-temperature symmetry was determined as Pna21. The results show that this model refined by the Rietveld method for synchrotron X-ray diffraction patterns from 115 K to room temperature can explain the polarization extension features of these materials during heating. This study shows a correlation between structural thermal anomalies and low-temperature electric polarization in PbTiO3-based ferroelectric ceramics.
Neural networks for rapid phase quantification of cultural heritage X-ray powder diffraction data
Authors: Poline Victor , Purushottam Raj Purohit Ravi Raj Purohit , Bordet Pierre , Blanc Nils , Martinetto Pauline
Published: May 2024

Recent developments in synchrotron radiation facilities have increased the amount of data generated during acquisitions considerably, requiring fast and efficient data processing techniques. Here, the application of dense neural networks (DNNs) to data treatment of X-ray diffraction computed tomography (XRD-CT) experiments is presented. Processing involves mapping the phases in a tomographic slice by predicting the phase fraction in each individual pixel. DNNs were trained on sets of calculated XRD patterns generated using a Python algorithm developed in-house. An initial Rietveld refinement of the tomographic slice sum pattern provides additional information (peak widths and integrated intensities for each phase) to improve the generation of simulated patterns and make them closer to real data. A grid search was used to optimize the network architecture and demonstrated that a single fully connected dense layer was sufficient to accurately determine phase proportions. This DNN was used on the XRD-CT acquisition of a mock-up and a historical sample of highly heterogeneous multi-layered decoration of a late medieval statue, called `applied brocade'. The phase maps predicted by the DNN were in good agreement with other methods, such as non-negative matrix factorization and serial Rietveld refinements performed with TOPAS, and outperformed them in terms of speed and efficiency. The method was evaluated by regenerating experimental patterns from predictions and using the R-weighted profile as the agreement factor. This assessment allowed us to confirm the accuracy of the results.
Cryo-EM structure and functional analysis of the chromatin remodeler RSF
Authors: Zhang Jiale , Zhao Heyu , Zou Binqian , Li Huadong , Dong Shuqi , Guan Jiali , Wang Chi , Li Weijie , Liu Yutong , Chen Yingying , Rasheed Nadia , He Jun
Published: May 2024

The RSF complex belongs to the ISWI chromatin-remodeling family and is composed of two subunits: RSF1 (remodeling and spacing factor 1) and SNF2h (sucrose nonfermenting protein 2 homolog). The RSF complex participates in nucleosome spacing and assembly, and subsequently promotes nucleosome maturation. Although SNF2h has been extensively studied in the last few years, the structural and functional properties of the remodeler RSF1 still remain vague. Here, a cryo-EM structure of the RSF–nucleosome complex is reported. The 3D model shows a two-lobe architecture of RSF, and the structure of the RSF–nucleosome (flanked with linker DNA) complex shows that the RSF complex moves the DNA away from the histone octamer surface at the DNA-entry point. Additionally, a nucleosome-sliding assay and a restriction-enzyme accessibility assay show that the RSF1 subunit may cause changes in the chromatin-remodeling properties of SNF2h. As a `nucleosome ruler', the results of an RSF–dinucleosome binding affinity test led to the proposal that the critical distance that RSF `measures' between two nucleosomes is about 24 base pairs.
Development of an innovative diffraction scattering theory of X-rays and electrons in imperfect crystals
Authors: Chukhovskii Felix N.
Published: May 2024

Fundamental equations describing the X-ray and electron diffraction scattering in imperfect crystals have been derived in the form of the matrix Fredholm–Volterra integral equation of the second kind. A theoretical approach has been developed using the perfect-crystal Green function formalism. In contrast, another approach utilizes the wavefield eigenfunctions related to the diagonalized matrix propagators of the conventional Takagi–Taupin and Howie–Whelan equations. Using the Liouville–Neumann-type series formalism for building up the matrix Fredholm–Volterra integral equation solutions, the general resolvent function solutions of the X-ray and electron diffraction boundary-valued Cauchy problems have been obtained. Based on the resolvent-type solutions, the aim is to reveal the features of the diffraction scattering onto the crystal lattice defects, including the mechanisms of intra- and interbranch wave scattering in the strongly deformed regions in the vicinity of crystal lattice defect cores. Using the two-stage resolvent solution of the second order, this approach has been supported by straightforward calculation of the electron bright- and dark-field contrasts of an edge dislocation in a thick foil. The results obtained for the bright- and dark-field profiles of the edge dislocation are discussed and compared with analogous ones numerically calculated by Howie & Whelan [Proc. R. Soc. A (1962), 267, 206].
Synthesis and structural characterization of a hydrated sodium–caesium tetracosatungstate(VI), Na5Cs19[W24O84]·21H2O
Authors: Deblonde Gauthier , Colliard Ian
Published: May 2024

Crystal formation of pentasodium nonadecacesium tetracosatungstate(VI) heneikosahydrate, Na5Cs19[W24O84]·21H2O, was successfully achieved by the conversion of [H2W12O42]10− through the addition of excess Cs+. The crystal structure comprising the toroidal isopolyoxidometalate is presented, as well as its Raman spectrum. Na5Cs19(H2O)21W24O84 crystallizes in the rhombohedral space group R\overline{3} with an obverse centering. The title compound represents the addition of a new member to the isopolytungstate family with mixed alkali counter-ions and contains rarely observed five-coordinate tungsten(VI) atoms in the [W24O84]24− anion (site symmetry C
3i
) arising from the conversion mediated by Cs+ counter-ions.
Octakis(dibutylammonium) decamolybdate(VI)
Authors: Gueye Papa Aly , Yaffa Lamine , Seye Dame , Ndoye Daouda , Traoré Bocar , Sidibé Mamadou , Diop Cheikh Abdoul Khadir , Shova Sergiu
Published: May 2024

In the title salt, (C8H20N)8[Mo10O34], the [Mo10O34]8− polyanion is located about an inversion centre and can be considered as a β-type octamolybdate anion to which two additional MoO4 tetrahedra are linked via common corners. The [Mo10O34]8− polyanions are packed in rows extending parallel to [001] and are connected to the dibutylammonium counter-cations through N—H...O hydrogen-bonding interactions.
Ilmenite-type Na2(Fe2/3Te4/3)O6
Authors: Eder Felix , Weil Matthias
Published: May 2024

Na2(Fe2/3Te4/3)O6 (Z = 3) or Na3(FeTe2)O9 (Z = 2), trisodium iron(III) ditellurium(VI) nonaoxide, adopts the ilmenite (FeTiO3, Z = 6) structure type with the Ti site (site symmetry 3.) replaced by Na and the Fe site (site symmetry 3.) replaced by a mixed-occupied (FeIII,TeVI) site in a Fe:Te ratio of 1:2. Whereas the [(Fe,Te)O6] octahedron is only slightly distorted, the [NaO6] octahedron shows much stronger distortions, as revealed by a larger spread of the bond lengths and some distortion parameters.
The effect of parents’ support, protean career orientation and self-perceived employability on the school-to-work transition
Authors: Jannesari Milad , Sullivan Sherry E. , Baruch Yehuda
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The increasing complexity of global labor markets and work environments has made the school-to-work transition more difficult. We explore factors that influence important career outcomes for young adults in China as they transition from their university to the labor market. Specifically, we examine how protean career orientation, self-perceived employability, mother’s and father’s career support and human capital (English language proficiency) may influence career satisfaction and employment status during adulthood.

Design/methodology/approach

We collected survey data in two waves, six months apart, and obtained English proficiency ratings from university records.

Findings

Father’s and mother’s career support was significantly associated with protean career orientation and protean career orientation was significantly related to self-perceived employability. Self-perceived employability was significantly associated with career satisfaction and employment status. The career support-career satisfaction and career support-employment status relationships were fully mediated by protean career orientation and self-perceived employability. Contrary to expectations, the human capital variable of English language proficiency did not moderate the serial mediation involving either career satisfaction or employment status.

Originality/value

By integrating protean career theory, human capital theory and research on parental support, we offer an interdisciplinary contribution to the school-to-work transition literature. We also advance protean career theory by studying it as a mediating variable and by examining parental support as an antecedent of it.
Uncovering value creation factors for healthcare public-private partnership (PPP) projects
Authors: Budayan Cenk , Koc Kerim , Erk Eralp Yüksel , Tokdemir Onur Behzat
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Many countries struggled to respond to the pandemic burden; in fact, most suffer from healthcare incapacity generally. Therefore, they need to find innovative systems to compensate for their deficiencies in dealing with current and future problems. One such goes down the public-private partnership (PPP) route. It is important to note, however, that PPP is not a magic wand, and some of these projects have been criticized for overruns that exceed the value created. Aiming to promote the value created in healthcare PPP projects, this study aims to identify factors and critical points related to their implementation.

Design/methodology/approach

A two-stage literature review was conducted to shape semi-structured interviews. Based on this, the questions to be asked in the interviews were prepared. The interviews were conducted with twelve experts. The transcripts of the twelve semi-structured interviews were analyzed using manual thematic analysis to reveal the most critical value-creation factors (VCFs). The VFCs were validated by comparing them with the studies in the literature and by having focus group discussions (FGDs) with the experts. Finally, in an FGD, the experts discussed how these factors affect value creation in healthcare PPP projects.

Findings

The findings show that VFCs can be categorized into four dimensions: assets, partnership synergy, cooperation environment and processes. Based on the frequency of codes during the thematic analysis, the most frequently addressed VFCs in each category were identified. These were complementary skills and resources, attitude, early establishment of the operational body and effective design development, respectively.

Practical implications

This research contributes to both society and practice by unveiling VCFs and effective ways to achieve them in healthcare PPP projects. Thus, practitioners can generate more value and bring value to the forefront of healthcare PPPs, which can then enhance the value gained by society.

Originality/value

Studies to date have offered little about VCFs and how to realize value in PPP projects by considering the factors involved in them. Moreover, value creation in PPP healthcare projects has largely remained unexplored, despite PPPs being adopted and investigated quite commonly.
Examining the relationship between construction fatalities and the construction economy in China: a three-decade analysis
Authors: Kang Liangguo
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The fluctuation of construction fatalities is influenced by both urbanization and economic levels. This study aims to understand the impact of Chinese construction economy development on construction accidents, providing valuable insights for enhancing construction safety and promoting sustainable development in construction.

Design/methodology/approach

The Kuznets curve model, multiple linear regression model, and data envelopment analysis (DEA) model are employed to process data sets spanning from 1992 to 2021 for examining the relationship between construction fatalities and the construction economy in China.

Findings

Significant correlations have been found between construction fatalities and the construction economy in China. Over the past three decades, as the total output value of construction increased, there have been upward, downward, and downward trends in per capita construction area, the mortality rate per million square meters, and the mortality rate per ten thousand persons respectively. However, it is worth noting that since 2015, there has been a slight upward trend in the fitted U-shaped curve depicting the relationship between the mortality rate per ten thousand persons and the construction economy. This specific trend necessitates the attention of construction safety policymakers. The growth of the construction economy is found to exhibit negative, positive, and positive correlations with the number of construction fatalities, construction area, and the number of employed persons respectively. The changing trends observed in the Kuznets curve model analysis align with the evaluation results obtained from the DEA-based model.

Originality/value

The research offers effective means to identify superior and inferior performance in macro construction safety, providing valuable references for construction safety policymakers to design effective safety strategies and enhance work safety conditions.
Evolving legitimacy of the public library in the 21st century
Authors: Yamagishi Motoko , Koizumi Masanori , Larsen Håkon
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to comprehensively describe the legitimacy of the public library in the 21st century.

Design/methodology/approach

The research involved a comprehensive literature review using the Library and Information Science Abstracts (LISA) database with keywords “Library” and “Legitimacy”, combined with citation searches and additional collections. In total, we analysed 159 research articles primarily from the 21st century, with some comparative analysis of pre-2,000 works. The final phase of the research investigated libraries’ legitimisation efforts across various dimensions, examining how they employ rhetoric and theories to maintain legitimacy amidst challenging circumstances.

Findings

Through this research process, five dimensions of public library legitimacy emerged; (1) Democracy, (2) Culture and History, (3) Communication and Education, (4) Economy and (5) Librarianship, with the most diverse literature being related to democracy, and its subsections intellectual freedom, neutrality, the public sphere, social justice and social capital.

Originality/value

The outcome of our results indicates that the evolving legitimacy of the public library in the 21st century has become multifaceted, compared to the elements of legitimacy in the 20th century. Contemporary public libraries can continue to utilise the dimensions of legitimacy identified in this study and can reconstruct their legitimacy accordingly.
Enabling Islamic internet-only banks acceptance: an empirical analysis of the UTAUT framework and Islamic compliance
Authors: Yusfiarto Rizaldi , Supriani Indri , Mutmainah Lu’liyatul , Hamdani Lukman , Khoirunnisa Annes Nisrina , Ibrahim Muhammad Hanif
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore a theoretical model using the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology framework by adding Islamic compliance (IC) and security assurance to build antecedents of intention to use Islamic internet-only banks (IIOBs) in Muslim youth.

Design/methodology/approach

This study involved 262 Muslim youths from several Islamic communities in Indonesia. The analysis was conducted using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). Moreover, PLS techniques such as the variance accounted for (VAF) were used to verify the statistical analysis of findings.

Findings

The findings show that effort expectancy (EE) and online social influences (OSI) strongly correlate with the intention to use IIOBs. In addition, user reviews (online reviews) are proven to form a solid social influence and impact consumer decision-making. Finally, IC and security assurance are still critical factors in the IIOBs acceptance.

Practical implications

Practically, IIOB providers need to strengthen information about performance, accessibility, security and benefits when running service applications. Providers must show their strengths and advantages compared to the traditional banks in various service lines. Besides, providers are expected to be more careful regarding IC applications in their products and services.

Originality/value

This study considers the effects of OSI, EE, security and IC as the unique characteristics of Muslim youth in using the IIOBs. In particular, the significance of IC and OSIs provides a valid picture of the pathways of acceptance creation towards IIOBs.
Green learning orientation and corporate environmental performance: the mediation role of green knowledge acquisition-management and the moderating role of CEO-gender
Authors: Rehman Ramiz Ur , Ahmad Muhammad Ishfaq , Belas Jaroslav , Battisti Enrico , Santoro Gabriele
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The study aims to examine the role of green learning orientation, green knowledge acquisition and green knowledge management in fostering corporate environmental performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in China. In addition, this research assesses the moderating role of chief executive officer (CEO) gender between green knowledge management and corporate environmental performance. Finally, this study examines the sequential mediating role of green knowledge acquisition and green knowledge management.

Design/methodology/approach

The study collected the data of 300 SMEs’ CEOs taken from five different provinces in China. The study used a partial least squares regression-based structural equation modelling technique.

Findings

The findings revealed that green learning orientation plays an important role in increasing SMEs’ corporate environmental performance. The results showed that green knowledge acquisition and green knowledge management serially and completely mediate the relationship between green learning orientation and corporate environmental performance.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study addressing the sequence of knowledge orientation, acquisition, management and results in terms of corporate environmental performance. Meanwhile, this study is the first to examine the indirect role of CEO gender on the relationship between green knowledge management and corporate environmental performance. As decisions are taken by the top management and CEO, especially in the case of SMEs, the role of top management and how well top management uses the knowledge acquired by the organization matters significantly.
Coping mechanism beyond brand forgiveness: do individual personality traits matter among online shoppers?
Authors: Seth Upasana , Soch Harmeen
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This study aims to contribute to the darker side of consumer–brand interactions by examining the relationship between consumer-related antecedents, particularly consumer personality traits, in triggering brand-hate emotions. Additionally, the link between brand hate and brand forgiveness was also taken into account, as well as the moderating impact of personality attributes. The impact of brand forgiveness on consumer coping behavior was investigated, particularly for brand switching (flight) and negative word-of-mouth (NWOM) (fight) on Indian e-commerce shopping websites/apps.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a structured questionnaire survey and a nonprobability purposive sampling approach, data were obtained from 438 online shoppers who had experienced hate directed at a particular shopping website or app. The hypotheses were tested statistically using partial least squares (PLS) structural equation modeling with SmartPLS 4 software.

Findings

First, the findings demonstrate that agreeableness, extraversion and neuroticism significantly affected brand hate. Second, the results indicate that personality traits, particularly extraversion and conscientiousness from the Big-Five model, play a substantial role in moderating the relationship between brand hate and brand forgiveness. Third, the study also reveals the significance of brand forgiveness in mitigating the adverse consequences of NWOM and brand switching in the context of e-commerce platforms.

Practical implications

Practical steps such as complaint-management processes and prompt resolutions through an appropriate means of active interaction and understanding the consumer’s personality when their concerns are heard and handled can help brand managers earn customers’ forgiveness and reduce brand hate toward e-commerce websites/apps.

Originality/value

Based on the authors’ understanding, this study is the initial one to incorporate brand hate, brand forgiveness and coping strategies into the model in a service context with the interaction effect of consumer personality traits.
A comparison of economic complexity in Türkiye and OECD countries: new data based on industrial products
Authors: Hüseyni İbrahim , İnan Serdar , Çelik Ali Kemal , İşleyen Şakir
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This study aims to analyse Türkiye’s industrial economic complexity index (ECI-IND) for comparison with the ECI-INDs of member countries of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). It also explores the causal relationship between economic complexity and economic growth in Türkiye.

Design/methodology/approach

Empirical analysis was directed at industrial export baskets consisting of 760 product groups distributed by 130 countries. These data were used to calculate the product complexity index (PCI) and ECI-IND values of these countries. The calculations then served as the basis for examining Türkiye’s economic complexity in comparison with that of OECD countries. Finally, the short- and long-term relationships between the ECI-IND and GDP per capita in Türkiye were investigated using a time series analysis.

Findings

This study’s findings revealed that Türkiye ranked last in terms of economic complexity. The time series analysis showed unidirectional causality between Türkiye’s ECI-IND and its economic growth.

Practical implications

Türkiye should concentrate on ensuring the convergence of its ECI with those of developed countries. Based on the existing literature, it is important for Türkiye to implement policies that (1) increase human capital, (2) expand the share of R&D expenditures out of the GDP and (3) attract foreign direct investments, which advance technology transfer.

Originality/value

This study inquired into the ECI based on industrial products in Türkiye and accordingly provided new data on countries. It also compared Türkiye and OECD nations with respect to this index.
Social entrepreneurship drivers in Ecuador
Authors: Heras Tigre Doménica , Coronel-Pangol Katherine , Aguirre Quezada Juan Carlos , Durán Andrade Karina , Mora Pacheco Pedro Fabián
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to identify the key factors that drive social entrepreneurship (SE) among Ecuadorian social entrepreneurs.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was developed following a qualitative and exploratory research design based on the identification of social entrepreneurs through the nonprobabilistic sequential sampling technique, giving a total of fifteen social entrepreneurs who were given a structured interview that was later analyzed in the ATLAS.TI software for the identification, analysis and categorization of drivers.

Findings

The results will identify eight drivers for SE, including social exclusion, public support, sources of employment, economic income, family support, environmental awareness and fair trade, as standards and values. Overall, the findings help to improve the understanding of the factors that determine the creation and development of social enterprises in the country.

Research limitations/implications

Deepen and increase the literature on SE in Latin America. Contribute to reducing the knowledge gap on the topic.

Originality/value

Taken together, the results provide empirical evidence and help to better understand the factors that determine the creation and development of social enterprises in the country.
Corporate initial responses to COVID-19 and ESG ratings: the role of ESG consistency
Authors: Cohen Nava , Zhu Xiaodi
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the consistency between firms’ stakeholder-friendly responses to the COVID-19 pandemic and their environmental, social and governance (ESG) ratings. Consistent firms are those with high prior ESG ratings that actively support stakeholders during the COVID-19 crisis.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use data from JUST Capital, which tracks Russell 1000 firms’ actions in response to the pandemic, to examine the relationship between pre-pandemic ESG ratings and their COVID responses towards employees, customers and communities. The authors also analyse the impact of firms’ consistency between pre-pandemic ESG ratings and stakeholder-friendly COVID responses on ESG ratings and stock returns.

Findings

This study finds that firms with higher pre-pandemic ESG ratings are more likely to support their stakeholders during the pandemic. The authors also find that firms with high ESG ratings before the pandemic experience a decline in their ESG ratings if they do not actively support their communities during the COVID-19 crisis, although insufficient employee/customer support does not impact their ESG ratings. Finally, the authors find that firms with higher pre-pandemic ESG ratings that continue to uphold their ESG commitments through community assistance during the pandemic achieve higher stock returns compared to inconsistent firms.

Practical implications

The results reveal gaps in how comprehensively ESG agencies assess firms’ crisis responses, highlighting areas for rating improvements. The findings contribute to sustainable development by revealing the importance of firms upholding their ESG commitments during crises to maintain stakeholder trust and drive long-term value creation.

Social implications

The findings underscore the need for responsive, transparent ESG rating processes to support the integration of sustainability considerations into corporate practices and investment decisions, particularly during evolving societal expectations during crises.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to investigate how pre-pandemic ESG ratings explain firms’ stakeholder-friendly responses during the COVID-19 pandemic and analyse the integration of these responses and pandemic risks into ESG ratings during the crisis.
Microbiome and floral associations of a wild bee using biodiversity survey collections
Authors: Nguyen Phuong N. , Samad‐zada Farida , Chau Katherine D. , Rehan Sandra M.
Published: May 2024

The health of bees can be assessed through their microbiome, which serves as a biomarker indicating the presence of both beneficial and harmful microorganisms within a bee community. This study presents the characterisation of the bacterial, fungal, and plant composition on the cuticle of adult bicoloured sweat bees (Agapostemon virescens). These bees were collected using various methods such as pan traps, blue vane traps and sweep netting across the northern extent of their habitat range. Non‐destructive methods were employed to extract DNA from the whole pinned specimens of these wild bees. Metabarcoding of the 16S rRNA, ITS and rbcL regions was then performed. The study found that the method of collection influenced the detection of certain microbial and plant taxa. Among the collection methods, sweep net samples showed the lowest fungal alpha diversity. However, minor differences in bacterial or fungal beta diversity suggest that no single method is significantly superior to others. Therefore, a combination of techniques can cater to a broader spectrum of microbial detection. The study also revealed regional variations in bacterial, fungal and plant diversity. The core microbiome of A. virescens comprises two bacteria, three fungi and a plant association, all of which are commonly detected in other wild bees. These core microbes remained consistent across different collection methods and locations. Further extensive studies of wild bee microbiomes across various species and landscapes will help uncover crucial relationships between pollinator health and their environment.
Medicare Advantage plan characteristics associated with sorting their beneficiaries to providers that generate fewer avoidable hospital stays
Authors: Xu Jianhui , Anderson Kelly E. , Liu Angela , Polsky Daniel
Published: May 2024

Objective

To examine whether certain Medicare Advantage (MA) plan characteristics are associated with driving beneficiaries to providers that generate fewer avoidable hospital stays.

Data Sources

This paper primarily used 2018–2019 MA encounter data and traditional Medicare (TM) claims data for a nationally representative 20% sample of Medicare beneficiaries.

Study Design

For each plan design aspect—plan type, carrier, star rating, and network breadth—we estimated two adjusted Poisson regressions of avoidable hospital stays: one without clinician fixed effects and the other with. We calculated the difference between the coefficients to evaluate the extent to which patient sorting affected avoidable hospital stays relative to TM.

Data Extraction Methods

Our sample included Medicare beneficiaries 65 years and older who were continuously enrolled in either MA or TM during 2018–2019. Beneficiaries in our sample had one or more chronic, ambulatory care‐sensitive conditions.

Principal Findings

Patient sorting can be attributed to certain characteristics of plan design aspects. For plan type, HMOs account for 86%, with PPOs accounting for only 14%. For carriers, Humana and smaller carriers account for 89%. For star ratings, high‐star contracts account for 94%, with other stars only accounting for 6%. By network design, narrow network plan‐counties explained 20% of the patient sorting effect.

Conclusions

While MA plans were found to be associated with driving beneficiaries to providers that generate fewer avoidable hospital stays, the effect is not homogeneous across the characteristics of MA plans. HMOs and high‐star contracts are drivers of this MA phenomenon.
Hymenopteran parasitoids of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)) in Australia, with the description of five new species in the families Braconidae and Eulophidae
Authors: Fagan‐Jeffries Erinn P. , Miles Melina M. , Atkin‐Zaldivar Tareva‐Chine C. , Howe Andy G. , Subramaniam Siva , Chambers Donna M. , Tadle Frezzel Praise J. , Adnan Saleh M. , Sivasubramaniam Verni , Woodward Alice , Spafford Helen , Thistleton Brian
Published: May 2024

Fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) is an invasive pest of agricultural crops including sweet corn and maize. The moth was first recorded in Australia in January 2020 and is now considered established in most states and territories, and research is underway to develop management strategies. Extensive rearing of S. frugiperda larvae and eggs occurred from March 2020 to April 2023 to understand the parasitoid complex present in Australia and identify potential biological control agents. We report here on the hymenopteran parasitoids reared during this period, which were identified using a combination of morphology and COI DNA barcoding, and provide images, a key to species, and contextual information to facilitate future research. Twelve species of parasitoids from five families of Hymenoptera are formally reported as parasitising S. frugiperda in Australia. Five species are here described as new: Chelonus patbat Fagan‐Jeffries, sp. nov. (Braconidae), Chelonus trojanus Fagan‐Jeffries, sp. nov. (Braconidae), Coccygidium mellosiheroine Atkin‐Zaldivar & Fagan‐Jeffries, sp. nov. (Braconidae), Coccygidium necatrix Atkin‐Zaldivar & Fagan‐Jeffries, sp. nov. (Braconidae), and Euplectrus frugiperdata Fagan‐Jeffries, sp. nov. (Eulophidae).