bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Abusive supervision and cyberloafing: an investigation based on Stressor-Emotion-CWB theory
Authors: Bhattacharjee Arindam , Sarkar Anita
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Cyberloafing is an organization-directed counterproductive work behavior (CWB). One stream of literature deems cyberloafing to be bad for organizations and their employees, while another suggests cyberloafing is a coping response to stressful work events. Our work contributes to the latter stream of literature. The key objective of our study is to examine whether cyberloafing could be a means to cope with a stressful work event-abusive supervision, and if yes, what mediating and boundary conditions are involved. For this investigation, the authors leveraged the Stressor-Emotion-CWB theory which posits that individuals engage in CWB to cope with the negative affect generated by the stressors and that this relationship is moderated at the first stage by personality traits.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a multi-wave survey design, the authors collected data from 357 employees working in an Indian IT firm. Results revealed support for three out of the four hypotheses.

Findings

Based on the Stressor-Emotion-CWB theory, the authors found that work-related negative affect fully mediated the positive relationship between abusive supervision and cyberloafing, and work locus of control (WLOC) moderated the positive relationship between abusive supervision and work-related negative affect. The authors did not find any evidence of a direct relationship between abusive supervision and cyberloafing. Also, the positive indirect relationship between abusive supervision and cyberloafing through work-related negative affect was moderated at the first stage by the WLOC such that the indirect effect was stronger (weaker) at high (low) levels of WLOC.

Originality/value

This work demonstrates that cyberloafing could be a way for employees to cope with their abusive supervisors.
The impact of policy changes on the mustard ecosystem: a multi-stakeholder perspective
Authors: Ray Mohit , Kumar Avinash , Srivastava Samir K.
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Despite various consequences for different stakeholders in the mustard ecosystem, India prohibited blending in mustard oil to achieve self-reliance in edible oils and promote consumer health. This paper uncovers the implications of this policy on mustard production, consumption and prices.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper deploys system dynamics (SD) to model the mustard ecosystem. SD uses simulation modeling to comprehend the nonlinear behavior of complex systems over time utilizing causal-loop and stock-flow diagrams.

Findings

While the mustard price does not vary in the short run, it diverges toward a higher side in the long run due to the changed policy mandate. Surprisingly, due to the predominance of market prices, the policy administered minimum support price (MSP) was found to have a limited influence on mustard prices. Hence, the focus should be on supply augmentation through non-price-based measures like disseminating information to enhance the yield rate of seed production and promoting the adoption of efficient technologies with higher oil conversion efficiency.

Research limitations/implications

The paper allows policymakers to quantitatively evaluate the effectiveness of policy interventions to mitigate the adverse impacts of policy mandate. It presents a reliable roadmap for policymakers to roll out effective policies.

Originality/value

The paper uncovers the system-level impact of policy on stakeholders and examines the effectiveness of MSP.
An investigation of the selected antecedents and consequences of work engagement among hospitality and tourism academicians
Authors: Boğan Erhan , Çalışkan Caner , Karatepe Osman M. , Rezapouraghdam Hamed
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the selected antecedents (i.e. supervisor support and organizational justice) and outcomes (i.e. voice behavior and career satisfaction) of work engagement (WENG).

Design/methodology/approach

To gauge the aforesaid effects via structural equation modeling, the current study used data collected from hospitality and tourism academicians at public universities in Turkey.

Findings

The proposed model is viable. Specifically, WENG mediates the impacts of supervisor support and organizational justice on voice behavior and career satisfaction.

Research limitations/implications

Using longitudinal data in future research would make it possible to draw causal inferences. Testing research productivity as a criterion variable in future papers would enable the researchers to ferret about whether WENG would mediate the effects of supervisor support and organizational justice on research productivity.

Originality/value

Evidence about the factors affecting employees' WENG is still meager. Especially, there is a need for research about the factors that may affect academicians' WENG at universities. Research findings present valuable implications for tourism and hospitality educational institutions.
Narcissistic rivalry and admiration and knowledge hiding: mediating roles of emotional exhaustion and interpersonal trust
Authors: Long Jiancheng , Liu Haiman , Shen Zunhuan
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Drawing on threatened egoism theory, tournament theory and the extended agency model of narcissism, this paper aims to compare the effects of two different forms of grandiose narcissism of employees, namely, narcissistic rivalry (NR) and narcissistic admiration (NA), on knowledge hiding (HIDE), and investigate the potential mediating mechanism and boundary conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a three-wave survey of 296 participants recruited from six high-tech enterprises in China, the paper tests the proposed model by performing partial least squares structural equation modeling and a bias-corrected bootstrapping procedure.

Findings

The results indicate that NR facilitates knowledge hiding, while NA inhibits employees’ knowledge-hiding behavior. Emotional exhaustion plays a significant mediating role between NR and HIDE, and interpersonal trust negatively mediates the relationship between NA and HIDE. Moreover, interactional justice perception not only weakens the positive correlation between NR and emotional exhaustion but also weakens the indirect influence of NR on HIDE via emotional exhaustion. On the contrary, interactional justice perception strengthens the impact of NA on interpersonal trust, thus enhancing the mediating effect of NA on HIDE.

Originality/value

The present study expands the literature on knowledge management by addressing the underlying paradoxes of grandiose narcissistic employees’ HIDE behavior based on different connotations of narcissism and revealing the intervening mechanism with interactive justice perception as the moderator.
Governing anti-corruption and perceived auditor independence
Authors: Al-Okaily Jihad
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The growing international legal agenda and the fast development of corporate governance rules are now prompting firms to put emphasis on anti-corruption procedures. On the other hand, wide-ranging concerns have been raised by regulators and policymakers regarding the effectiveness of audit committees in promoting ethical behavior and safeguarding auditor independence from the adverse consequences of purchasing non-audit services. The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between the adoption of anti-corruption measures and perceived auditor independence in the context of audit committees.

Design/methodology/approach

After conducting the Breusch–Pagan Lagrange Multiplier test and the Hausman test, the random-effect model is used as the most appropriate estimator. Several endogeneity tests are also used to account for the endogenous nature of the corporate governance variables in the models.

Findings

Using a sample of UK FTSE 350 firms, this paper provides evidence that anti-corruption efforts are associated with lower purchases of non-audit services and lower economic bonding between auditors and their clients. Furthermore, the findings of this paper reveal that the adoption of anti-corruption efforts substitutes the role of audit committees in enhancing perceived auditor independence and that audit committees do not play a significant incremental role.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first study of its kind to focus on bolstering perceived auditor independence while enhancing the control and ethical environment from the clients’ side instead of the auditors’ side.
Lean inventory, fintech and financing: interactive influences on Chinese SMEs
Authors: Liu Feng , Wang Qizheng , Zhang Zhihua , Fang Mingjie , Xiao Shufeng (Simon)
Published: April 2023

Purpose

For decades, financing constraints have been a major obstacle to corporate performance. Volumes have been written about the probable factors that can help firms alleviate such financial constraints. Nonetheless, empirical evidence concerning the various perspectives on how inventory control may influence financing constraints has been surprisingly scant. Using the resource- and region-based view as theoretical lenses, this study seeks to estimate the relationship between lean inventory, regional financial technology (fintech) and financing constraints.

Design/methodology/approach

Utilizing a large-scale sample of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in China's manufacturing sector, the authors empirically test their hypotheses by using hierarchical linear regression models with multiple high-dimensional fixed effects.

Findings

Results indicate that firms with higher levels of inventory leanness and those located in more fintech-developed regions are less likely to encounter financing constraints. Furthermore, inventory leanness and regional fintech ecosystem development interact with each other to mitigate financing constraints. Moreover, inventory leanness significantly decreases firms' financing constraints when the regional fintech ecosystem is highly developed.

Originality/value

The present research contributes to the literature on the interface of supply chain management and financial management. It also provides managerial implications for policymakers and SME stakeholders.
Contributions to the segmentation of e-commerce nonusers: clustering the reasons not to shop online
Authors: Nery-da-Silva Gabriel , Henrique de Araujo Marcelo , de Souza Meirelles Fernando
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The purpose is to investigate whether Brazilian e-commerce nonusers all have the same reasons not to purchase online or whether different behavior patterns might lead them to cluster in different groups.

Design/methodology/approach

This study carried out cluster analyses on a large sample (N = 9,065) from a nationwide survey on the use of information and communication technology in Brazil.

Findings

Three clusters of e-commerce nonusers were identified: the first cluster is quite reluctant; the second is characterized by disbelief in e-commerce; and the last cluster includes members who must see a product to believe it. Overall, nonusers have different reasons not to shop online, but they also share some similarities in this regard. Furthermore, socioeconomic factors do not seem to affect their behavior. The findings suggest that merchants’ failure to attract customers’ attention and tangibility are the major barriers to e-commerce use.

Practical implications

Even though nonusers have different reasons not to shop online, the key pattern that emerges is the value of tangibility for these individuals, which is a barrier present in all three clusters. This suggests that current marketing strategies and advertisements are ineffective to reach these consumers. Vendors should therefore try different approaches.

Originality/value

The findings contribute to the information systems (IS) literature by bringing a new perspective to the understanding of e-commerce rejection in addition to having managerial implications that involve strategies to attract potential users based on their specificities.
Diversity, equity and inclusion: from aspiration to impact
Authors: Tucker Elissa
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This study aims to understand how organizations are approaching workforce diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) as well as the challenges and opportunities they encounter as they carry out DEI work.

Design/methodology/approach

The study involved survey research with 312 valid respondents representing organizations from a wide range of industries, regions, workforce sizes and revenues. APQC identified 56 “best-in-class” DEI performers from among these organizations based on their responses to questions about the effectiveness of their DEI programs. In addition to survey research, APQC carried out case study research on organizations that are leading the way when it comes to DEI.

Findings

Best-in-class organizations provide more resources and leadership support for their DEI programs, do more to drive awareness about DEI, shape policies that are consistent with a commitment to DEI and use measures to hold leadership accountable to stated DEI commitments.

Originality/value

The survey findings and case study examples provide insight into how best-in-class organizations build a strong foundation for DEI through distinctive structures, training, policies and measures that drive accountability. Organizations that adopt the practices and approaches of best-in-class organizations can drive improvements that create more impactful approaches to DEI.
Flowers of a South African succulent plant predict tomorrow's weather, synchronizing flower opening with pollinator activity
Authors: Gilbert Matthew E.
Published: April 2023

Day‐to‐day synchrony between flower opening and pollinator activity is important for maximizing plant fitness. A succulent, Bulbine frutescens (L.) Willd., is an ideal model for studying synchrony in response to daily weather as it flowers year‐round. Additionally, it has self‐incompatible flowers that open for just one day, making it essential that flower opening matches pollinator activity.

Observations were made on urban plants in California, USA, with validation measurements in the native range in South Africa. Independent observations indicated that flowers open primarily after favourable conditions the previous day, specifically air temperatures above 15°C. Solar radiation was experimentally shown to have limited, but significant effects. Pollinators, mostly bee species, had similar temperature thresholds to flowers.

Developmental constraints on flowers were hypothesized to delay opening by a day. Flower bud growth was closely related to temperature, with warm days resulting in sufficient growth for buds to become competent to open the following day. Laboratory experiments demonstrated that competent flowers were suppressed from opening until at least 16 h was accumulated in which temperatures were above 12°C; thus, on many cool days, sufficient development to cause flower opening would only occur a day after favourable weather.

Based upon regression models of pollinator and flower response to weather, fitness was estimated as a function of synchrony, over 20 years of weather from California and across the natural range in South Africa. Flowers responding to either the previous day's or current day's weather resulted in similar predicted fitness, with flower response to the current day's weather leading to a slightly higher cost, that is, flowers opened when pollinators would be absent.

Multiple temperature responsive constraints on bud growth and development result in delays in flower opening, such that flower opening occurs the day after favourable weather. Given the high correlation between daily temperatures in USA and South African winter‐rainfall environments, behaviour predicting the following day's weather results in high fitness. Many pollinators share similar temperature thresholds for activity, thus diverse plants may have evolved predictive behaviour maximizing daily synchrony between pollinators and flower opening.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Characteristics of paediatric pre‐hospital intubation by Intensive Care Paramedics
Authors: Solan Tom , Cudini Daniel , Humar Matthew , Forsyth Nathan , Meadley Ben , St. Clair Toby , Hodge Darren , Smith Karen , Babl Franz E , Long Elliot
Published: April 2023

Objectives

Emergency intubation in children is an infrequent procedure both in the pre‐hospital and hospital setting. The anatomical, physiological and situational challenges together with limited clinician exposure can make this a difficult procedure with high risk of adverse events. The aim of this collaborative study between a state‐wide ambulance service and a tertiary children's hospital was to describe the characteristics of pre‐hospital paediatric intubations by Intensive Care Paramedics.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective review of state‐wide ambulance service electronic patient care records (ePCRs) in Victoria, Australia, population: 6.5 million. Children aged 0–18 years who were attended by paramedics over a 12‐month period that required advanced airway management were analysed for demographics and first‐pass success rate.

Results

Paramedics attended 2674 cases aged 0–18 years over the 12‐month study period who received basic or advanced airway management. A total of 78 cases required advanced airway management. The median age of patients was 12 years (interquartile range 3–16) and most were male (60.2%). Sixty‐eight patients (87.5%) were intubated successfully on the first attempt, first‐pass success was lowest in children <1 year of age. The most common indications for pre‐hospital intubation were closed head injury and cardiac arrest. It was not possible to report complication rates because of incomplete documentation.

Conclusion

Pre‐hospital intubation in children is performed infrequently in an extremely unwell patient group. Continued high‐level paramedic training is required to prevent adverse events and ensure patient safety.
Plant DNA barcode library for native flowering plants in the arid region of northwestern China
Authors: Song Feng , Li Ting , Yan Hai‐Fei , Feng Ying , Jin Lu , Burgess Kevin S. , Ge Xue‐Jun
Published: April 2023

DNA barcoding is a well‐established tool for rapid species identification and biodiversity monitoring. A reliable and traceable DNA barcode reference library with extensive coverage is necessary but unavailable for many geographical regions. The arid region in northwestern China, a vast area of about 2.5 million km2, is ecologically fragile and often overlooked in biodiversity studies. In particular, DNA barcode data from the arid region in China are lacking. We develop and evaluate the efficacy of an extensive DNA barcode library for native flowering plants in the arid region of northwestern China. Plant specimens were collected, identified and vouchered for this purpose. The database utilized four DNA barcode markers, namely rbcL, matK, ITS and ITS2, for 1816 accessions (representing 890 species from 385 genera and 72 families), and consisted of 5196 barcode sequences. Individual barcodes varied in resolution rates: species‐ and genus‐level rates for rbcL, matK, ITS and ITS2 were 79.9%–51.1%/76.1%, 79.9%–67.2%/88.9%, 85.0%–72.0%/88.2% and 81.0%–67.4%/84.9%, respectively. The three‐barcode combination of rbcL + matK + ITS (RMI) revealed a higher species‐ and genus‐level resolution (75.5%/92.1%, respectively). A total of 110 plastomes were newly generated as super‐barcodes to increase species resolution for seven species‐rich genera, namely Astragalus, Caragana, Lactuca, Lappula, Lepidium, Silene and Zygophyllum. Plastomes revealed higher species resolution compared to standard DNA barcodes and their combination. We suggest future databases include super‐barcodes, especially for species‐rich and complex genera. The plant DNA barcode library in the current study provides a valuable resource for future biological investigations in the arid regions of China.
Senescent cells enhance newt limb regeneration by promoting muscle dedifferentiation
Authors: Walters Hannah E. , Troyanovskiy Konstantin E. , Graf Alwin M. , Yun Maximina H.
Published: April 2023

Salamanders are able to regenerate their entire limbs throughout lifespan, through a process that involves significant modulation of cellular plasticity. Limb regeneration is accompanied by the endogenous induction of cellular senescence, a state of irreversible cell cycle arrest associated with profound non‐cell‐autonomous consequences. While traditionally associated with detrimental physiological effects, here, we show that senescent cells can enhance newt limb regeneration. Through a lineage tracing approach, we demonstrate that exogenously derived senescent cells promote dedifferentiation of mature muscle tissue to generate regenerative progenitors. In a paradigm of newt myotube dedifferentiation, we uncover that senescent cells promote myotube cell cycle re‐entry and reversal of muscle identity via secreted factors. Transcriptomic profiling and loss of function approaches identify the FGF‐ERK signalling axis as a critical mediator of senescence‐induced muscle dedifferentiation. While chronic senescence constrains muscle regeneration in physiological mammalian contexts, we thus highlight a beneficial role for cellular senescence as an important modulator of dedifferentiation, a key mechanism for regeneration of complex structures.
Galapagos giant tortoise trafficking case demonstrates the utility and applications of long‐term comprehensive genetic monitoring
Authors: Quinzin M. C. , Bishop A. P. , Miller J. M. , Poulakakis N. , Tapia W. , Torres‐Rojo F. , Sevilla C. , Caccone A.
Published: April 2023

Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT) is a cause for global concern as pressure stemming from IWT threatens wild species and can even lead to extinction. Galapagos giant tortoises (Chelonoidis sp.) are a group of threatened species protected under CITES, which forbids their import–export for international trade; however, IWT of this group persists. In this study, we describe the use of two extensive genetic repositories of mitochondrial and nuclear microsatellite markers for Galapagos giant tortoises to identify an unsuspected source of trafficked juvenile tortoises. Our genetic analyses, together with morphological and captive‐born registry data, provide evidence that the smuggled juveniles were from two breeding centers dedicated toward conservation located on the Galapagos islands of San Cristobal and Isabela. This is the first documentation of smuggled tortoises being taken from breeding centers rather than the wild. The findings from our genetic analysis provided key evidence that enabled legal investigation. This case demonstrates the importance of the comprehensive genetic characterization of Galapagos giant tortoises and the suitability of standard genetic markers for identifying the species and islands of origin of trafficked animals. We also discuss the efficacy, adequacy, and reach of existing measures against IWT. Overall, this case illustrates an important application of long‐term and comprehensive genetic repositories of endangered species and the crucial role of collaborations among academic laboratories maintaining those repositories, local practitioners responsible for species protection, and the bodies that implement and enforce antitrafficking regulations.
Is XP‐endo Finisher a better treatment option for its efficacy against intracanal bacteria for post‐treatment apical periodontitis cases than EndoActivator?
Authors: Hepsenoglu Yelda Erdem , Ersahan Seyda
Published: April 2023

To investigate the efficacy of the supplementary use of a rotary agitation method [XP‐endo Finisher (XPF)] and sonically‐activated irrigation [EndoActivator (EA)], using droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) on reducing the bacterial load in previously root canal treated teeth with apical periodontitis. Twenty patients with post‐treatment apical periodontitis were allocated into two groups according to the irrigation activation method used: XPF and EA group. Total bacterial loads, as well as the amount of Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) were determined before (S1) and after (S2) chemomechanical preparation, and after final irrigation activation (S3) by means of ddPCR. The bacterial copy numbers were compared between groups using the Friedman test (Nonparametric Repeated Measures ANOVA). When the groups were examined in terms of gender, age, number of root canals, periapical index score, sterility control total bacteria (SCTB), S1‐ and S2‐total bacteria copy number, it was found that there was no statistical difference between the XPF group and the EA group (p > 0.05). Subsequent activation (S3) resulted in a significant microbial reduction in both XPF and EA groups, both of which reduced significantly more bacteria than chemomechanical instrumentation (S2) (p < 0.0001). On the contrary, S3‐total bacteria copy number of the EA group was lower than the XPF group (p < 0.0147). There was no statistical difference between the XPF group and the EA group in terms of E. faecalis copy number (p > 0.05). Although both the XPF and the EA optimised the antibacterial efficiency of chemomechanical preparation in previously root canal‐treated teeth with apical periodontitis, a lower total bacterial copy number was achieved with the EA application than the XPF application.
Comparison of antibody response to coronavirus disease 2019 vaccination between patients with solid or hematologic cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy
Authors: Lim Sung Hee , Choi Seong Hyeok , Ji Young Sok , Kim Se Hyung , Kim Chan Kyu , Yun Jina , Park Seong Kyu
Published: April 2023

Aim

This study examined the serum antibody response of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) vaccines in solid and hematologic cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Levels of various inflammatory cytokines/chemokines after full vaccination were analyzed.

Methods

Forty‐eight patients with solid cancer and 37 with hematologic malignancy who got fully vaccinated either with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 messenger RNA (mRNA) or vector vaccines or their combination were included. After consecutively collecting blood, immunogenicity was assessed by surrogate virus neutralization test (sVNT), and cytokine/chemokines were evaluated by Meso Scale Discovery assay.

Results

Seropositivity and protective immune response were lower in patients with hematologic cancer compared to those with solid cancers, regardless of vaccine type. Significantly lower sVNT inhibition was observed in patients with hematologic cancer (mean [SD] 45.30 [40.27] %) than in those with solid cancer (mean [SD] 61.78 [34.79] %) (p = 0.047). Heterologous vector/mRNA vaccination was independently and most markedly associated with a higher sVNT inhibition score (p < 0.05), followed by homologous mRNA vaccination. The mean serum levels of tumor necrosis factor α, macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)‐1α, and MIP‐1β were significantly higher in patients with hematologic cancers compared to those with solid cancers after the full vaccination. In 36 patients who received an additional booster shot, 29 demonstrated increased antibody titer in terms of mean sVNT (%) (40.80 and 75.21, respectively, before and after the additional dose, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Hematologic cancer patients receiving chemotherapy tended to respond poorly to both COVID‐19 mRNA and vector vaccines and had a significantly lower antibody titer compared to those with solid cancers.
Epithelium‐derived cystatin SN inhibits house dust mite protease activity in allergic asthma
Authors: Yao Lei , Yuan Xijing , Fu Heng , Guo Qinxing , Wu Yunhui , Xuan Shurui , Kermani Nazanin Zounemat , Adcock Ian M. , Zeng Xiaoning , Liu Yi , Xie Min , Yao Xin
Published: April 2023

Background

Allergen source‐derived proteases are a critical factor in the formation and development of asthma. The cysteine protease activity of house dust mite (HDM) disrupts the epithelial barrier function. The expression of cystatin SN (CST1) is elevated in asthma epithelium. CST1 inhibits the cysteine protease activity. We aimed to elucidate the role of epithelium‐derived CST1 in the development of asthma caused by HDM.

Methods

CST1 protein levels in sputum supernatants and serum of patients with asthma and healthy volunteers were measured by ELISA. The ability of CST1 protein to suppress HDM‐induced bronchial epithelial barrier function was examined in vitro. The effects of exogenous CST1 protein on abrogating HDM‐induced epithelial barrier function and inflammation were examined in mice in vivo.

Results

CST1 protein levels were higher in sputum supernatants (142.4 ± 8.95 vs 38.87 ± 6.85 ng/mL, P < 0.0001) and serum (1129 ± 73.82 vs 703.1 ± 57.02 pg/mL, P = 0.0035) in patients with asthma than in healthy subjects. The levels were significantly higher in patients with not well‐ and very poorly controlled asthma than those with well‐controlled asthma. Sputum and serum CST1 protein levels were negatively correlated with lung function in asthma. CST1 protein levels were significantly lower in the serum of HDM‐specific IgE (sIgE)‐positive asthmatics than in sIgE‐negative asthmatics. The HDM‐induced epithelial barrier function disruption was suppressed by recombinant human CST1 protein (rhCST1) in vitro and in vivo.

Conclusion

Our data indicated that human CST1 protein suppresses asthma symptoms by protecting the asthmatic bronchial epithelial barrier through inhibiting allergenic protease activity. CST1 protein may serve as a potential biomarker for asthma control.
How vicarious experiences influence non‐compliance with COVID‐19 prevention regulations
Authors: Miao Qing , Huang Jinhao , Yin Hui
Published: April 2023

In the wake of the COVID‐19 pandemic, most countries have adopted strict regulation strategies such as travel restrictions, gathering restrictions, and daily health reporting. With the normalization of the pandemic, people have shown resistance to these highly intensive regulations. Yet few studies have explored the mechanisms of behavioral change from compliance to non‐compliance from the perspective of vicarious experiences. Based on the social cognitive theory, we constructed a model linking vicarious experiences, risk perception, and non‐compliance behavior to reveal the mechanism of why individuals do not comply with pandemic prevention rules and regulations. A sample of 1080 Chinese participants was obtained from a time lagged design. The results indicated that vicarious experiences could influence non‐compliance with prevention rules and regulations via perceived probability and perceived consequence of being caught. In addition, public trust in the government could negatively moderate the direct effect of the intention of violating prevention rules and regulations on non‐compliance. This direct effect is stronger for citizens with low levels of public trust in the government than for those with high levels. Our findings advance the understanding of the mechanisms behind the way vicarious experiences affect citizens’ non‐compliance behavior with COVID‐19 prevention rules and regulations.
Oxidized soluble guanylyl cyclase causes erectile dysfunction in alcoholic mice
Authors: Olivencia Miguel A. , Gil de Biedma‐Elduayen Leticia , Giménez‐Gómez Pablo , Barreira Bianca , Fernández Argentina , Angulo Javier , Colado Maria Isabel , O'Shea Esther , Perez‐Vizcaino Francisco
Published: April 2023

Background and purpose

Alcohol abuse has been associated with erectile dysfunction (ED), but the implicated molecular mechanisms are unresolved. This study analyses the role of alterations in soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) in ED.

Experimental approach

ED was analysed in adult male C57BL/6J mice subjected to the Chronic Intermittent Ethanol (CIE) paradigm. Erectile function was assessed in anaesthetised mice in vivo by evaluating intracavernosal pressure (ICP) and in vitro in isolated mice corpora cavernosa (CC) mounted in a myograph. Protein expression and reactive oxygen species were analysed by western blot and dihydroethidium staining, respectively.

Key results

In CIE mice, we observed a significant decrease in the relaxant response of the CC to stimulation of NO release from nitrergic nerves by electrical field stimulation, to NO release from endothelial cells by acetylcholine, to the PDE5 inhibitor sildenafil, and to the sGC stimulator riociguat. Conversely, the response to the sGC activator cinaciguat, whose action is independent of the oxidation state of sGC, was significantly enhanced in these CC. The responses to adenylyl cyclase stimulation with forskolin were unchanged. We found an increase in reactive oxygen species in the CC from CIE mice as well as an increase in CYP2E1 and NOX2 protein expression. In vivo pre‐treatment with tempol prevented alcohol‐induced erectile dysfunction.

Conclusions and implications

Our results demonstrate that alcoholic mice show ED in vitro and in vivo due to an alteration in the redox state of sGC and suggest that sGC activators may be effective in ED associated with alcoholism.
Establishment and characterization of a novel cancer stem‐like cell of cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Panawan Orasa , Silsirivanit Atit , Chang Chih‐Hsiang , Putthisen Siyaporn , Boonnate Piyanard , Yokota Taro , Nishisyama‐Ikeda Yuki , Detarya Marutpong , Sawanyawisuth Kanlayanee , Kaewkong Worasak , Muisuk Kanha , Luang Sukanya , Vaeteewoottacharn Kulthida , Kariya Ryusho , Yano Hiromu , Komohara Yoshihiro , Ohta Kunimasa , Okada Seiji , Wongkham Sopit , Araki Norie
Published: April 2023

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is an aggressive malignant tumor of bile duct epithelia. Recent evidence suggests the impact of cancer stem cells (CSC) on the therapeutic resistance of CCA; however, the knowledge of CSC in CCA is limited due to the lack of a CSC model. In this study, we successfully established a stable sphere‐forming CCA stem‐like cell, KKU‐055‐CSC, from the original CCA cell line, KKU‐055. The KKU‐055‐CSC exhibits CSC characteristics, including: (1) the ability to grow stably and withstand continuous passage for a long period of culture in the stem cell medium, (2) high expression of stem cell markers, (3) low responsiveness to standard chemotherapy drugs, (4) multilineage differentiation, and (5) faster and constant expansive tumor formation in xenograft mouse models. To identify the CCA‐CSC‐associated pathway, we have undertaken a global proteomics and functional cluster/network analysis. Proteomics identified the 5925 proteins in total, and the significantly upregulated proteins in CSC compared with FCS‐induced differentiated CSC and its parental cells were extracted. Network analysis revealed that high mobility group A1 (HMGA1) and Aurora A signaling through the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 pathways were enriched in KKU‐055‐CSC. Knockdown of HMGA1 in KKU‐055‐CSC suppressed the expression of stem cell markers, induced the differentiation followed by cell proliferation, and enhanced sensitivity to chemotherapy drugs including Aurora A inhibitors. In silico analysis indicated that the expression of HMGA1 was correlated with Aurora A expressions and poor survival of CCA patients. In conclusion, we have established a unique CCA stem‐like cell model and identified the HMGA1‐Aurora A signaling as an important pathway for CSC‐CCA.
Two‐Step Training: Adjustable Sketch Colourization via Reference Image and Text Tag
Authors: Yan Dingkun , Ito Ryogo , Moriai Ryo , Saito Suguru
Published: April 2023

Automatic sketch colourization is a highly interestinged topic in the image‐generation field. However, due to the absence of texture in sketch images and the lack of training data, existing reference‐based methods are ineffective in generating visually pleasant results and cannot edit the colours using text tags. Thus, this paper presents a conditional generative adversarial network (cGAN)‐based architecture with a pre‐trained convolutional neural network (CNN), reference‐based channel‐wise attention (RBCA) and self‐adaptive multi‐layer perceptron (MLP) to tackle this problem. We propose two‐step training and spatial latent manipulation to achieve high‐quality and colour‐adjustable results using reference images and text tags. The superiority of our approach in reference‐based colourization is demonstrated through qualitative/quantitative comparisons and user studies with existing network‐based methods. We also validate the controllability of the proposed model and discuss the details of our latent manipulation on the basis of experimental results of multi‐label manipulation.
Age, period and cohort effects on time trends in monthly cannabis use in adult population: 1996–2019
Authors: Nigatu Yeshambel T. , Elton‐Marshall Tara , Rueda Sergio , Imtiaz Sameer , Hamilton Hayley A.
Published: April 2023

Introduction

With changes in norms related to cannabis use and in the regulation of cannabis, understanding trends in cannabis use is important, especially differentiating between trends that affect cohorts of all ages similarly, versus trends that disproportionately affect a younger generation. The present study examined the age‐period‐cohort (APC) effects on monthly cannabis use among adults in Ontario, Canada over a 24‐year period.

Methods

Data were utilised from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Monitor Survey, an annual repeated cross‐sectional survey of adults 18 years of age and older. The present analyses focused on the 1996 to 2019 surveys, which employed a regionally stratified sampling design using computer‐assisted telephone interviews (N = 60,171). Monthly use of cannabis stratified by sex were examined.

Results

There was about a five‐fold increase in monthly cannabis use from 1996 (3.1%) to 2019 (16.6%). The youngest adults use cannabis monthly more, but the patterns of monthly cannabis use appeared to be increasing among older adults. Adults born in the 1950s had higher prevalence of cannabis use (1.25 times more likely to use) compared to those born in 1964, with strongest period effect in 2019. The subgroup analysis of monthly cannabis use by sex showed little variation in APC effects.

Discussion and Conclusions

There is a change in patterns of cannabis use among older adults and inclusion of birth cohort dimension improves the explanation of cannabis use trends. Adults in the 1950s birth cohort and increases in the normalisation of cannabis use could also be the key to explaining increasing monthly cannabis use.
“And Yet It Moves”: Dream and Reality of the Ecumenical Movement
Authors: Werner Dietrich
Published: April 2023

This article offers an overview of the 11th Assembly of the World Council of Churches, which met in Karlsruhe, Germany, in August–September 2022. It sets out the context in which the assembly took place, the main issues discussed, and perspectives for the future. The article argues that the assembly in Karlsruhe demonstrated that the ecumenical movement still is alive and can offer enormous potential in a world at the brink of a new East–West divide, facing a significant weakening of multilateral structures of cooperation, and even the threat of nuclear war. Moreover, the Karlsruhe assembly demonstrated that on subjects such as the Middle East, peace ethics, and nationalism, and in the deep commitment and spiritual life of its participants, the ecumenical movement is vital and vibrant and represents a countercultural force against rigid nationalisms.
Homily at the Opening Prayer of the 11th Assembly of the World Council of Churches
Authors: X Patriarch John
Published: April 2023

This is the text of the homily at the opening prayer of the 11th Assembly of the World Council of Churches on 31 August 2022. The homily was based on Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well, a narrative in the fourth chapter of the Gospel of John. Despite wide gaps of religious belief, gender, culture, and lifestyle, Jesus took the woman seriously and spoke to her on a personal level.
What is the real perversity of racism?
Authors: Prasad Ajnesh
Published: April 2023

Racism is inscribed onto the mind of the racialized subject. This essay represents my attempt at making sense of the psychological costs levied by the racism that materializes from living in a culture of hegemonic whiteness. My analysis is informed by Frantz Fanon's writings and, particularly, his concept of corporeal malediction. Corporeal malediction captures the unique reality of the racialized subject—one that is different from the systemic discrimination and violence encountered by other socially disenfranchised groups. Theoretically framed by Fanon's “postcolonial” thought, and anecdotally informed by my own experiences as well as my past research on race and racism in organizations, I pose the question: What is the real perversity of racism? I argue that the real perversity of racism is to be found in the psychological damage that it poses on the ontology of the racialized subject. This psychological damage on the racialized subject unfolds through myriad trajectories, three of which I identify in this essay: (1) the (dis)coloring of social reality, (2) the impossibility of assimilation, and (3) the hybrid identity problematic. While management and organization studies researchers have expended much energy in unraveling the institutional and the organizational paths through which racism is enacted, there has been a dearth of scholarly research on its devastating impact on the psychology of the individual. This essay aims to flesh out this corporeal phenomenon.
A robust examination of COVID‐19 and country risk: Perspectives from the G10 countries
Authors: Eldomiaty Tarek , Abdelhameed Yasmin , Hammam Rasha
Published: April 2023

This paper examines the effects of COVID‐19 new infections on the financial sovereign risks in the group of ten (G10) countries. The paper utilises panel least squares regression using monthly data over the period February 2020–July 2021. Two sovereign risk measures are examined: the Spread of Government Bond Yields and Sovereign Credit Default Swap spread. The results of the robustness tests show that the spread of the COVID‐19 has affected the sovereign risks significantly and positively. Contagion risks have been extended to exchanges rates and growth rates of international reserves. This paper offers two contributions. First, the results show robust evidence on the impact of COVID‐19 on country's sovereign risks. Second, the severity of COVID‐19 on country's sovereign risks is further. The empirical results carry policy implications that (a) countries must sustain efforts for safeguarding the evolution of COVID‐19 pandemic since it is hindering country's credit worthiness, thus increasing sovereign risks, (b) the G10 countries are advised to follow the zero COVID‐19 strategy, (c) macro prudential measures have to be implemented along with monetary policies that mitigate the sovereign risks and (d) implement social measures to restore the health system and contain the uncertainty on both economic and social grounds.
Is homestay service an ideal business opportunity for women?
Authors: Yaja Millo , Kumar Anuj , Swamy G. Anjaneya , Rout Himanshu Bhusan
Published: April 2023

Homestay services are one of the booming concepts for local community participation in the tourism industry. Participation of women in community‐based tourism activities is getting attention from academic stakeholders, but the women in the homestay services section need special focus. Hence, this study explores the opinions of female homestay service providers about their experiences in running homestays. In this study, 62 women were interviewed in the state of Arunachal Pradesh, India. The study extracted women's perceptions of homestay service in tourism. A semi‐structured questionnaire, interviews and participant observations were used to collect primary data. Homestay service is found to be an ideal profession for married women as it gives them the opportunity to fulfil other family duties, though it is not a compulsion in all cases. Women were also found to feel a sense of recognition through such participation in tourism. Participating in homestay services was found to be a source of meeting peers, building social networks and a sense of exposure to the outside world. The findings of the study will be insightful for implementing schemes related to women's empowerment and rural development. These findings confirm the mass migration of the rural population towards metro cities can also be curved by engaging more people in tourism and allied businesses locally.
Impact of different drying techniques on grapefruit peels and subsequent optimization of ultrasonic extraction conditions for bioactive compounds
Authors: Islam Makdud , Malakar Santanu , Dwivedi Utkarsh , Kumar Nitin , Prabakar Pramod K. , Kishore Anand , Kumar Ankur
Published: April 2023

This research aims to investigate the effect of different drying methods on the phytochemical compounds of grapefruit peels and the subsequent optimization of ultrasonicated assisted extraction conditions for bioactive compounds. Based on the maximum retention of phenolic compounds and naringin content, the hot air‐drying approach was selected for optimization of extraction process. The Box–Behnken design was used for ultrasonic‐assisted extraction (UAE) of bioactive compounds from hot air‐dried peel powder. Three factors such as solvent concentration (SC), ultrasonic amplitude (UA), and sonication time (ST) were considered for optimize the extraction condition based on total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), naringin content, and total antioxidant activities (TAA). UV‐spectrophotometric and HPLC was used for the determination in this study. The results revealed that UA and ST had significant effects on all the extraction responses. Based on the numerical optimization, the optimum extraction condition was found to be 48% (v/v) ethanol concentration, 40% ultrasonic amplitude, and 13 min sonication time. The respective optimum phytochemicals and antioxidant activity responses were obtained as TPC (78.5 mg GAE/g dw), TFC (53.5 mg naringin/g dw), naringin content (40.8 mg/g dw), and total antioxidant activities by DPPH assay (25.5 mM Trolox/g dw), ABTS*+ assay (4050 mM Trolox/100 g dw) and FRAP assay (17.45 Fe [II]/g dw).

Practical Applications

Fruit peels are a rich and valuable bioactive residue obtained from the various juice and beverage processing industries. Grapefruit peels are an abundant source of antioxidants and bioflavonoids such as naringin and hesperidin, which have huge potential as a functional ingredients. The optimum extraction condition obtained by this UAE technique has higher levels of polyphenolic compounds and flavonoids, particularly naringin, which shows a wide range of applications in the pharmaceutical sector and might be a way towards its effective sources of utilization in functional foods.
Creating an Alianza: Group Perinatal Education for Newly Immigrated Latinx Pregnant People
Authors: Blumenfeld Julie , Kaufman Sheila , Raimundi‐Petroski Maritza
Published: April 2023

Pregnant people who are recent immigrants often face barriers navigating the health care system and establishing a support network to sustain them through pregnancy and new parenthood. The Cultivando una Nueva Alianza (CUNA) program from the Children's Home Society of New Jersey was created to address these obstacles. For over 20 years, CUNA has collaborated with local midwives to develop a program for newly immigrated, Spanish‐speaking Latinx pregnant people. The curriculum, facilitated by trained members of the community, provides education around pregnancy, birth, and early parenting and connects participants with prenatal care and community resources while cultivating a social support network. The program's success is seen in improved clinical outcomes, ongoing involvement by graduates, and strong continued support from community stakeholders. The CUNA program has been replicated in nearby communities and offers a blueprint for a low‐tech intervention to improve the health and wellness of this population.