bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
COMBINe: Automated Detection and Classification of Neurons and Astrocytes in Tissue Cleared Mouse Brains
Authors: Cai Yuheng , Zhang Xuying , Li Chen , Ghashghaei H. Troy , Greenbaum Alon
Published: December 2022

Tissue clearing renders entire organs transparent to enable combination with light sheet fluorescence microscopy and accelerate whole tissue imaging. Yet, challenges remain in analyzing the large resulting 3D datasets that consist of terabytes of images and information on millions of labeled cells. Previous work has established pipelines for automated analysis of tissue cleared mouse brains. However, they have focused on single color channels and/or detection of nuclear localized signals, in relatively low-resolution images. To address this gap, we present an automated workflow to map labeled neurons and astrocytes in the genetically distinct Mosaic Analysis with Double Markers (MADM) mouse forebrains. We named the workflow COMBINe (Cell detectiOn in Mouse BraIN) as it combines modules from multiple pipelines. With RetinaNet in its core, we quantitatively analyzed the regional and subregional effects of MADM-based deletion of the Epidermal growth factor receptor on neuronal and astrocyte populations in the mouse forebrain.
Sex-dependent noradrenergic modulation of premotor cortex during decision making
Authors: Rodberg Ellen M. , den Hartog Carolina R. , Dauster Emma S. , Vazey Elena M.
Published: December 2022

Rodent premotor cortex (M2) integrates information from sensory and cognitive networks for action selection and planning during goal-directed decision making. M2 function is regulated by cortical inputs and ascending neuromodulators, including norepinephrine (NE) released from the locus coeruleus (LC). LC-NE has been shown to modulate the signal to noise ratio of neural representations in target regions prior to decision execution, to increase the salience of relevant stimuli. Using rats performing a two-alternative forced choice task after administration of a β adrenergic antagonist (propranolol), we show that action planning in M2 is mediated by β adrenergic signaling. Loss of β adrenergic signaling results in failure to suppress irrelevant action plans in M2 that disrupts decoding of cue related information, delays decision times, and increases trial omissions, particularly in females. Furthermore, we identify a potential mechanism for the sex bias in behavioral and neural changes after propranolol administration via differential expression of β2 receptors across sexes, particularly on local inhibitory neurons. Overall, we show a critical role for β adrenergic signaling in M2 during decision making by suppressing irrelevant information to enable efficient action planning and decision execution.
Representations of tactile object location in the retrosplenial cortex
Authors: Lande Andreas Sigstad , Vervaeke Koen
Published: December 2022

Little is known about how animals use tactile sensation to detect important objects and remember their location in a worldbased coordinate system. Here, we hypothesized that retrosplenial cortex (RSC), a key network for contextual memory and spatial navigation, represents the location of objects based on tactile sensation. We studied mice that palpate objects with their whiskers while running on a treadmill in a tactile virtual reality in darkness. Using two-photon Ca2+imaging, we discovered a population of neurons in agranular RSC that signal the location of tactile objects. Tactile object location responses do not simply reflect the sensory stimulus. Instead, they are highly task- and context-dependent and often predict the upcoming object before it is within reach. In addition, most tactile object location neurons also maintain a memory trace of the object’s location. These data show that RSC encodes the location and arrangement of tactile objects in a spatial reference frame.
Identification of activity cliffs in structure-activity landscape of androgen receptor binding chemicals
Authors: Vivek-Ananth R.P. , Sahoo Ajaya Kumar , Baskaran Shanmuga Priya , Ravichandran Janani , Samal Areejit
Published: December 2022

Androgen mimicking environmental chemicals can bind to Androgen receptor (AR) and can cause severe effects on the reproductive health of males. Predicting such endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in the human exposome is vital for improving current chemical regulations. To this end, QSAR models have been developed to predict androgen binders. However, a continuous structure-activity relationship (SAR) wherein chemicals with similar structure have similar activity does not always hold. Activity landscape analysis can help map the structure-activity landscape and identify unique features such as activity cliffs. Here we performed a systematic investigation of the chemical diversity along with the global and local structure-activity landscape of a curated list of 144 AR binding chemicals. Specifically, we clustered the AR binding chemicals and visualized the associated chemical space. Thereafter, consensus diversity plot was used to assess the global diversity of the chemical space. Subsequently, the structure-activity landscape was investigated using SAS maps which capture the activity difference and structural similarity among the AR binders. This analysis led to a subset of 41 AR binding chemicals forming 86 activity cliffs, of which 14 are activity cliff generators. Additionally, SALI scores were computed for all pairs of AR binding chemicals and the SALI heatmap was also used to evaluate the activity cliffs identified using SAS map. Finally, we provide a classification of the 86 activity cliffs into six categories using structural information of chemicals at different levels. Overall, this investigation reveals the heterogeneous nature of the structure-activity landscape of AR binding chemicals and provides insights which will be crucial in preventing false prediction of chemicals as androgen binders and developing predictive computational toxicity models in the future.
Salivary Glands treated with AAV vectors encoding PYY and exendin-4 impact upon taste perception and body mass accumulation in mice
Authors: Iyer S. , Montmayeur JP , Zolotukhin S. , Dotson C.D.
Published: December 2022

The availability of high-calorie foods is likely a causative factor for high rates of obesity and metabolic disorders, which have been linked to food intake dysregulation. Several gut peptides have been implicated in feeding modulation and body mass accumulation. For example, glucagon peptide-like 1 (GLP-1) and peptide tyrosinetyrosine (PYY) have been shown to mediate satiety and reduce food intake. While systemic administration of such peptides has been explored as a therapy for metabolic disease, the effects of these hormones on taste signaling should also be considered given the importance of taste to feeding decisions. Peptide signaling systems are present in taste buds and oral GLP-1 and PYY signaling has been shown to influence taste responsiveness and feeding. Indeed, we previously demonstrated that genetic knockout of PYY in mice can impact on taste responsiveness and feeding and that viral overexpression of PYY in the salivary glands of these mice can rescue responsiveness. The present work uses AAV-mediated salivary gland treatment of both GLP-1 receptor agonist exendin-4 and PYY encoding vectors to explore the impact of the presence of these peptides on taste and body-mass accumulation in wild-type mice with intact peptide signaling systems. Results showed a significant effect of salivary gland treatment on responsiveness to multiple taste qualities. Treatment with a vector designed to overexpress both peptides in saliva resulted in substantial reduction in body mass accumulation. These findings show taste modulation and impacts on body mass accumulation by the targeting of salivary glands with vectors designed to overexpress metabolic peptides in wild-type mice and suggest that the taste bud is a promising substrate for food intake modulation.
Abstract deliberation by visuomotor neurons in prefrontal cortex
Authors: Charlton Julie A. , Goris Robbe L. T.
Published: December 2022

During visually guided behavior, the prefrontal cortex plays a pivotal role in mapping sensory inputs onto appropriate motor plans [1]. When the sensory input is ambiguous, this involves deliberation. It is not known whether the deliberation is implemented as a competition between possible stimulus interpretations [2, 3] or between possible motor plans [4, 5, 6]. Here we study neural population activity in prefrontal cortex of macaque monkeys trained to flexibly report categorical judgments of ambiguous visual stimuli. Our task design allowed for the dissociation of neural predictors of the upcoming categorical choice and the upcoming motor response used to report this choice. We find that the population activity initially represents the formation of a categorical choice before transitioning into the stereotypical representation of the motor plan. We show that stimulus strength and prior expectations both bear on the formation of the categorical choice, but not on the formation of the action plan. These results suggest that prefrontal circuits involved in action selection are also used for the deliberation of abstract propositions divorced from a specific motor plan, thus providing a crucial mechanism for abstract reasoning.
Structural Model for Self-Limiting β-strand Arrangement Within an Alzheimer’s Amyloid-β Oligomer
Authors: Gao Yuan , Prasad Ramesh , Randolph Peter S. , Watzlawik Jens O. , Robang Alicia S. , Guo Cong , Stagg Scott M. , Zhou Huan-Xiang , Rosenberry Terrone L. , Paravastu Anant K.
Published: December 2022

Previous reports revealed that sodium dodecyl sulfate near its critical micelle concentration can drive the assembly of Aβ42 along an oligomeric pathway. This pathway produces a 150 kDa peptide oligomer (approximately 32 peptide molecules or protomers) that does not aggregate further into amyloid fibrils. Solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy revealed structural features distinguishing the 150 kDa oligomer from fibrils. A puzzling feature was the coexistence of parallel and antiparallel β-sheets within the oligomer structure. Here we present new atomic-level structural constraints obtained via solid-state NMR spectroscopy, benefitting from improved resolution via sample concentration by ultracentrifugation. In addition, two-dimensional cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) reconstruction revealed a 4-fold symmetric shape. We propose a structural model to rationalize the solid-sate NMR- and cryo-EM-derived structural constraints. This model has a hollow square cylinder shape, with antiparallel β-sheets formed by residues 33-39 lining the inner walls and parallel β-sheets formed by residues 11-22 lining the outer walls. Within successive layers, the outer β-strands on each side of the square cylinder alternate between two forms: one within a U-shaped protomer and another within L-shaped protomer. Molecular dynamics simulations show that, when the oligomer model is embedded in a lipid membrane, ions permeate through the central pore, with cation selectivity. The model further motivates an assembly pathway-based interpretation that may explain why the 150 kDa oligomer does not undergo further aggregation into amyloid fibrils.

Significance Statement

Aβ oligomers are thought to be the most toxic species in Alzheimer’s disease. Their sizes range from 2 to ∼50 protomers. Most published experimental data on Aβ oligomers indicate that they, like fibrils, are composed of β-sheets, but it is a mystery why any β-sheet aggregate would exist as a stable oligomer without undergoing further aggregation into fibrils. Here, structural constraints from solid-state NMR and cryo-EM led us to an oligomer model with a hollow square cylinder shape capable of conducting ions when embedded in a lipid membrane. Based on the model, we argue that geometric frustration may distinguish the assembly pathway that produces this oligomer from fibril-forming assembly pathways.
Distinct neurofunctional alterations during motivational and hedonic processing of natural and monetary rewards in depression – a neuroimaging meta-analysis
Authors: Bore Mercy Chepngetich , Liu Xiqin , Gan Xianyang , Wang Lan , Xu Ting , Ferraro Stefania , Li Liyuan , Zhou Bo , Zhang Jie , Vatansever Deniz , Biswal Bharat , Klugah-Brown Benjamin , Becker Benjamin
Published: December 2022

Reward processing dysfunctions are considered a candidate mechanism underlying anhedonia and apathy in depression. Neuroimaging studies have documented that neurofunctional alterations in mesocorticolimbic circuits may neurally mediate these dysfunctions. However, common and distinct neurofunctional alterations during motivational and hedonic evaluation of monetary (extrinsic) and natural (intrinsic) rewards in depression have not been systematically examined. Here, we capitalized on pre-registered neuroimaging meta-analyses to (1) establish general reward-related neural alterations in depression, (2) determine common and distinct alterations during the receipt and anticipation of monetary versus natural rewards, and, (3) characterize the differences on the behavioral, network and molecular level. The pre-registered meta-analysis (https://osf.io/ay3r9) included 633 depressed patients and 644 healthy controls and revealed generally decreased subgenual anterior cingulate cortex and striatal reactivity towards rewards in depression. Subsequent comparative analysis indicated that monetary rewards led to decreased hedonic reactivity in the right ventral caudate while natural rewards led to decreased reactivity in the bilateral putamen. These regions exhibited distinguishable profiles on the behavioral, network and molecular level. Further analyses demonstrated that the right thalamus and left putamen showed decreased activation during the anticipation of monetary reward. The present results indicate that distinguishable neurofunctional alterations may neurally mediate reward-processing alterations in depression, in particular, with respect to monetary and natural rewards. Given that natural rewards prevail in everyday life, our findings suggest that reward-type specific interventions are warranted and challenge the generalizability of experimental tasks employing monetary incentives to capture reward dysregulations in everyday life.
Experimental setup for high-resolution characterization of crystal optics for coherent X-ray beam applications
Authors: Halavanau Aliaksei , Margraf Rachel , Robles River , MacArthur James , Qu Zhengxian , Marcus Gabriel , Wu Juhao , Sato Takahiro , Zhu Diling , Takacs Christopher J. , Arthur Ross , Kraynis Olga , Johnson Bart , Rabedeau Thomas
Published: December 2022

Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource serves a wide scientific community with its variety of X-ray capabilities. Recently, a wiggler X-ray source located at beamline 10-2 has been employed to perform high-resolution rocking curve imaging (RCI) of diamond and silicon crystals. X-ray RCI is invaluable for the development of upcoming cavity-based X-ray sources at SLAC, including the cavity-based X-ray free-electron laser and X-ray laser oscillator. In this paper, the RCI apparatus is described and experimental results are provided to validate its design. Future improvements of the setup are also discussed.
The impact of destination online review content characteristics on travel intention: experiments based on psychological distance perspectives
Authors: Zhu Zhangxiang , Zhao Yaxin , Wang Jing
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This study aims to explore the relationship between the content characteristics of destination online reviews and travel intention under three individual circumstances: temporal distance, social distance and experiential distance.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on construal-level theory (CLT), this study divides online travel reviews into concrete and abstract reviews. Three experiments were conducted to test the moderating effects of temporal distance, social distance and experiential distance on the influence of review content characteristics on tourists' travel intentions.

Findings

The results show that abstract reviews would lead to higher travel intentions than concrete reviews. Furthermore, tourists' travel intentions differed depending on social distance and were significantly affected by reviews posted by reviewers similar to review recipients. In addition, the study contributes by discovering that the moderating effects of temporal distance, social distance and experiential distance were not significant, which differs from most of the previous research conclusions.

Originality/value

This study focused on review content characteristics, which provided a novel perspective for constructing online travel reviews. Furthermore, this research defined the concept of experiential distance in the context of online travel and expanded the research on psychological distance.
Understanding the role of entrepreneurial orientation in creating ambidextrous competitive advantage: a comparative-design, longitudinal study
Authors: Chen Yen-Chun , Arnold Todd , Liu Ping-Yu , Huang Chun-Yao
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This research aims to investigate how entrepreneurial orientation influences a firm’s differentiation–cost advantage ambidexterity (DCAA) and performance indirectly through dynamic capabilities, while also investigating the impact of the interactive effect of the level and consistency of entrepreneurial orientation on dynamic capabilities. The goal of this study is to better understand the importance of consistently following an entrepreneurial orientation, as well as the linkage of such a consistently implemented strategy upon gaining both a cost and differentiation positioning enhancement.

Design/methodology/approach

Two empirical studies are conducted to test the proposed hypotheses – one longitudinal with multiple forms of data (i.e. text data, survey data and archival data) from 100 Taiwanese electronics firms and the other using primary data from a survey of senior managers.

Findings

Entrepreneurial orientation improves dynamic capabilities, which in turn promote superior DCAA and enhanced firm performance. In addition, as captured through a unique measure of consistency allowed through computer-aided text analysis, the results indicate that the effect of entrepreneurial orientation on dynamic capabilities is amplified when a firm consistently adopts entrepreneurial decisions and actions.

Research limitations/implications

The specific context was a sample of electronics firms in Taiwan. This limits the generalization of findings, as would be possible with assessing the hypotheses in other industries.

Practical implications

This research clearly demonstrates the significance of consistency in pursuing a strategic orientation. The consistent support and deployment of resources facilitates an organization’s achieving positive outcomes associated with an entrepreneurial orientation.

Originality/value

While entrepreneurial orientation contributes to firm performance, extant knowledge on the internal process through which entrepreneurial orientation affects performance is relatively limited. The findings not only highlight the full mediating role of dynamic capabilities and DCAA, but also shed light on the importance of consistency in entrepreneurial orientation over time.
Co-produced or co-opted? Reflections on the “movement” to promote good employment in Greater Manchester
Authors: Johnson Mathew , Herman Eva , Hughes Ceri
Published: December 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the development of the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter – a top-down soft regulation initiative that has been framed as a “movement” to promote good employment across the local area.

Design/methodology/approach

The research draws on 24 semi-structured interviews with policy officers, trade unions, employers and civil society actors and various professional and employer bodies who have been involved in the charter since its inception. The interview data are complemented by documentary analysis.

Findings

The findings underline the importance of institutional factors such as political access points and the mobilising structures of the state in creating a space for progressive employment policies such as charters to emerge. We also find that the framing of the charter as a mechanism to achieve both social justice and improved productivity allows diverse actors to engage, but at the same time this results in a degree of ambiguity over the normative and substantive reference points for “good employment”.

Originality/value

The article contributes to our understanding of the changing nature of top-down political initiatives that seek to change business practices by engaging a wide range of stakeholders as Allies not adversaries. We argue that while charters are a potentially useful demand side intervention, in the absence of significant workplace or grassroots engagement and without coordinated mechanisms of monitoring and enforcement, their effects on low wage labour markets will be limited.
Work changes and employee perceptions of co-worker flexible work policy use: a moderated mediation study
Authors: Davis Svetlana , Murphy Sara A. , Watkins Joanna
Published: December 2022

Purpose

The present research aims to understand how and why flexible work arrangement (FWA) policy use by co-workers affects policy non-users by investigating perceived changes to work, fairness and organizational identification as factors that shape policy non-users’ job satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was distributed to 300 Canadian respondents solicited from an online panel owned by Qualtrics Inc. Hypotheses were developed and tested using a moderating mediation model. SPSS Macro Process (Hayes) was used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

This survey found that perceiving negative changes to work stemming from co-worker FWA use corresponded to policy non-user job satisfaction, fairness dimensions mediated this effect and organizational identification moderated the relationship driven by interactional fairness. Policy non-users who care most about organizations seem to be most vulnerable to the negative consequences associated with co-worker FWA policy use.

Originality/value

FWA use has been linked to many positive outcomes for policy users. However, the workplace adjustments that occur to accommodate policy use by co-workers could also have implications for policy non-users. This study explores the effects of FWA policy use by co-workers on policy non-users job satisfaction.
CO2 emissions policy thresholds for renewable energy consumption on economic growth in OPEC member countries
Authors: Abdulqadir Idris Abdullahi
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This study aims to examine the nexuses between economic growth, trade openness, renewable energy consumption and environmental degradation among organization of petroleum exporting countries (OPEC) members over the period 1990–2019.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical strategy for the study includes dynamic heterogeneous panel pooled mean group (PMG), mean group (MG) estimators and dynamic panel threshold regression (TR) analysis. For clarity, PMG and MG are used to explore the long-run relationship between the variables, whereas TR is used to uncover the actionable and complementary policy thresholds in the nexuses between green growth and environmental degradation.

Findings

The empirical evidence is based on the significant estimates from PMG and TR. First, using PMG, the study finding revealed a long-run relationship between economic growth and environmental degradation via the PMG estimator. Second, using TR, the study revealed an actionable threshold for carbon dioxide emissions (CO2) metrics tons per capita (mtpc) not beyond a critical mass of 4.88mtpc, and the complementary policy threshold of 85% of the share of trade to gross domestic product, respectively.

Research limitations/implications

The policy relevance of the thresholds is apparent to policymakers in the cartel and for policy formulation. The policy implication of this study is straightforward.

Originality/value

The novelty of this study stalk in the extant literature on providing policymakers with an actionable threshold for CO2 emissions with the corresponding complementary threshold for trade policies in the nexuses between green growth and the environment.
The readiness of manufacturing industries to transit to Quality 4.0
Authors: Maganga Deusdedith Pastory , Taifa Ismail W.R.
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This research provides the essential aspects of the transition from traditional quality methods like total quality management, quality assurance and quality control to a new quality approach linked with the Industry 4.0 era. The purpose of this paper is to address this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used a survey method to obtain the practitioners' perceptions of the Quality 4.0 (Q4.0) concepts. Both closed-ended and open-ended structured questionnaires assessed the perceptions of respondents regarding manufacturers' readiness and Q4.0 awareness to transition to Q4.0. Non-probability and purposive sampling tactics selected 15 Tanzanian manufacturing industries (TMIs). Garnered data were scrutinised quantitatively and qualitatively utilising Minitab® 20, SmartPLS 3.3.7 and MAXQADA 2020 software packages.

Findings

The results indicate that TMIs are equipped to deploy the Q4.0 approach because industrialists are familiar with the concept's characteristics and dimensions and the benefits of implementing Q4.0. Most TMIs utilise a Q3.0 method for managing quality, while some manufacturing industries have begun to apply Q4.0 leveraging technologies. The study revealed several factors influencing Q4.0 readiness in TMIs, including leveraged technology adoption, training, Q4.0 skills, infrastructures, the government set-up, top management support, Q4.0 strategy and vision, collaboration, awareness, knowledge of Q4.0, customer and supplier centeredness and organisational culture.

Research limitations/implications

The implication of this study is on Q4.0 awareness creation so that industries can grab the advantages of Q4.0 leveraged technologies. Another implication is that organisational readiness factors identified in this study are critical for the effective adoption of Q4.0. The highlighted influences may be utilised as indications to determine an organisation's readiness to transition to the Q4.0 approach. This research was limited to TMIs, excluding service firms, mining, and the building and construction industry due to differences in their mode of operation.

Originality/value

Determining readiness factors and awareness for the Q4.0 study is probably the first amongst the seven East African countries, including Tanzania. This study thus bridges a huge gap in fulfilling the need of this research type.
Climate change education in China: a pioneering case of its implementation in tertiary education and its effects on students’ beliefs and attitudes
Authors: Tang Kuok Ho Daniel
Published: December 2022

Purpose

In view of a lack of evidence on the effectiveness of climate change education (CCE) in China, this study aims to evaluate if a CCE course newly designed based on research recommendations and implemented with established pedagogy was effective in changing the beliefs and attitudes of first-year science students.

Design/methodology/approach

This study took a simple longitudinal approach with surveys administered at the beginning and the end of the course and the differences in the responses analyzed with nonparametric statistical analyses.

Findings

The results showed that the course produced significant changes in the beliefs concerning the anthropogenic causes of climate change and vulnerability to its impacts, which results in inequality of the impacts received. However, the course did not produce significant attitudinal changes among the students. Spearman’s correlation, which affirmed the belief–attitude association, revealed that the students already had desirable attitudes toward climate change and these attitudes had not been reinforced. The students’ perception of the importance of local government in climate action increased by the end of the course. Multimedia-aid learning, debates and discussions were useful in conveying the concepts of responsibility, ethics and vulnerability, but the addition of student-led community projects will increase personal significance of the course.

Research limitations/implications

This study is instrumental for the development of a regional model of CCE in the mainstreaming of education for sustainable development in China, knowing that the regional approach is crucial to address the nuances in climate change knowledge, hence conceptions and beliefs across regions and, even, between different sectors of a region. This regional experience could also serve as a reference for other similar settings, particularly those of the developing countries.

Originality/value

This study presents one of the very few studies dedicated to gauging the effects of CCE in China, particularly of a newly developed climate change course, on the beliefs and attitudes of students. This permits pedagogical development and continuous improvement of CCE in China.
Economic growth, poverty traps and cycles: productive capacities versus inefficiencies
Authors: Giombini Germana , Grassetti Francesca , Sanchez Carrera Edgar
Published: December 2022

Purpose

The authors analyse a growth model to explain how economic fluctuations are primarily driven by productive capacities (i.e. capacity utilization driven by innovations and know-how) and productive inefficiencies.

Design/methodology/approach

This study’s methodology consists of the combination of the economic growth model, à la Solow–Swan, with a sigmoidal production function (in capital), which may explain growth, poverty traps or fluctuations depending on the relative levels of inefficiencies, productive capacities or lack of know-how.

Findings

The authors show that economies may experience economic growth, poverty traps and/or fluctuations (i.e. cycles). Economic growth is reached when an economy experiences both a low level of inefficiencies and a high level of productive capacities while an economy falls into a poverty trap when there is a high level of inefficiencies in production. Instead, the economy gets in cycles when there is a large level of the lack of know-how and low levels of productive capacity.

Originality/value

The authors conclude that more capital per capita (greater savings and investment) and greater productive capacity (with less lack of know-how) are the economic policy keys for an economy being on the path of sustained economic growth.
Deposit withdrawal intentions of profit-sharing investment depositors: evidence from Morocco
Authors: Rhoudri Sana , Benazzou Lotfi
Published: December 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the factors affecting deposit withdrawal intentions among Moroccan profit-sharing investment account holders.

Design/methodology/approach

Applying the push-pull-mooring (PPM) theory, a quantitative survey, based on insights brought to light by a previous qualitative study, was developed and administered to 166 depositors from five participatory banks at branches located in Morocco. Structural equation modeling was then used to evaluate the significance of relationships between the various variables under study.

Findings

Empirical findings showed that the PPM model with a second-order construct structure exhibited a better representation of the observed variables as compared to a first-order factor model. The results of the structural analysis indicated a significant direct relationship between withdrawal intention and each of the PPM model constructs: push and pull factors were found to have a positive impact on withdrawal intention, while mooring factors had a significant inverse relationship with withdrawal intention. The results of this study also revealed that the moderating role of the mooring construct was found in both relationships between push and withdrawal intention and between pull and withdrawal intention.

Research limitations/implications

The absence of a longitudinal study measuring the actual withdrawal behavior is the main limitation of this study. Furthermore, withdrawal intention was examined without differentiating between individual and corporate depositors. Finally, despite being insightful, the empirical findings should be generalized with caution, as the sample was purposely chosen by the banks’ management.

Practical implications

This study implied that participatory banks should stress the importance of mooring factors, as they strongly inhibit depositors’ intention to shift their funds to the conventional banking system. Moreover, this study provides great indications to Moroccan regulators and policymakers on a number of issues that can be used to develop policies that could improve the participatory banking system.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study represents the first attempt to confirm the effectiveness of the PPM model in examining depositor-withdrawal intentions. This study is also the first of its kind to address profit-sharing investment depositors’ apprehensions in the Moroccan context, to the best of the authors’ knowledge.
To protect or not to protect? Renewal capital, knowledge protection and innovation performance
Authors: Ritala Paavo , Kianto Aino , Vanhala Mika , Hussinki Henri
Published: December 2022

Purpose

Firms need to constantly renew themselves to keep up with the pace of competition and proactively establish innovations to the markets. This requires capabilities in learning and renewing of the firm’s knowledge base, conceptualized as renewal capital of the firm. On the other hand, firms that acquire high levels of competitiveness by renewing their knowledge base also need to protect that knowledge from unwanted spillovers. This study aims to examine how renewal capital affects incremental and radical innovation performance of the firm, moderated by the firm’s protection of its strategic knowledge.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on a multi-industry survey study with a time-lagged data set, with independent variables collected in the first wave, followed by a second wave four years later for the dependent variables. The authors test the hypotheses using partial least squares structural equation modeling.

Findings

The authors find that firms’ renewal capital is positively associated with the level of incremental and radical innovation. Furthermore, the authors find that knowledge protection negatively moderates the relationship between renewal capital and incremental innovation performance of the firm. In case of radical innovation performance, similar moderating effect is not statistically supported.

Originality/value

With a time-lagged research design, this study study reveals the interdependent roles of renewal capital and knowledge protection for firm’s innovation performance, and provides insights of when (and when not) it would be beneficial for a firm to seek renewal and protective oriented approaches.
General education requirements, the liberal arts and government intervention in higher education: a case from Jordan
Authors: Al-Mahadin Salam
Published: December 2022

Purpose

Heavily regulated higher education institutions may not be able to possess the autonomy to produce students who are both college and career ready. This paper aims to explore the role of the Ministry of Higher Education in Jordan in determining the content and direction of general education requirements, the historical roots of this type of intervention and its possible implications for the future of liberal arts in general education requirements.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is a critical and historical reflection that combines practitioner research perspectives – the author is a university president – with reference to a single case study from a Jordanian university to demonstrate the real-life context of government intervention in general education requirements.

Findings

University education is inextricably linked with employability rather than inquiry-based disciplines that produce both intellectual development and technical skills. Jordanian universities, heavily regulated by the government, are required to allocate between 21 and 27 credit hours to general education requirements. Lost between universities that are mandated to have them and policymakers who impose them, general education requirements, as recently reformed, possess neither the ability to produce intellectual skills or career-readiness skills.

Originality Value

This paper highlights the importance of university autonomy in determining its approach to general education requirements to allow students to develop both career-readiness and college-readiness skills.
Tourism towards healthy lives and well-being for older adults and senior citizens: Tourism Agenda 2030
Authors: Patterson Ian , Balderas-Cejudo Adela
Published: December 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to provide a comprehensive review of the contribution of tourism to the development of healthy lives and to promote feelings of well-being for older adults. This is related to the 2030 agenda sustainable development goal (SDG) 3 to “ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages”.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is presented as a conceptual review that will bridge the research gap between tourism and demography and will focus on travel for older tourists that supports a healthy lifestyle and helps to develop positive feelings of well-being.

Findings

The aging population and changing demographic structure will present both possibilities and difficulties for the economy, services and society. Developing innovative ways to assist people to remain active as they age is important, as well as providing measures to combat loneliness is paramount. Tourism and travel can play a significant role to achieve this SDG.

Research limitations/implications

A theoretical framework was developed to acknowledge the four contributions (from a physical, psychological [or intellectual], social and spiritual perspective), organizing the findings into a holistic model of health and wellness, which helped to delineate the research. There is a need for a deeper comprehension of a strategy to promote the benefits of leisure travelling that are linked to active ageing and well-being.

Practical implications

Destination Marketing Organizations and Tourism marketers need to carefully consider the challenges and implications and identify the key drivers that will be vital to propose strategic solutions and innovations to meet the future demands and expectations of older people in an ageing society. Destination management organizations need to promote and plan “memorable experiences” for older tourists that emphasize the physical health benefits, especially if it is feasible in a natural setting.

Social implications

Social experiences are essential in older people’s lives that can help them avoid feelings of depression and isolation. The transformative promise of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its SDGs identify key drivers to propose strategic solutions and innovations to meet the future demands and expectations of older people in an ageing society.

Originality/value

This study provides a qualitative overview of extant literature, examining the role of tourism from a physical, psychological (or intellectual), social and spiritual perspective that has proved important in promoting a healthy lifestyle as well as creating positive feelings of well-being for older travellers. It also offers future directions and builds theory through a holistic model of the dimensions of wellness. Further, it proposes future research priorities related to older individuals that are linked to healthy lifestyles, which include tourism experiences.
A unified model for the permeability, electrical conductivity and streaming potential coupling coefficient in variably saturated fractured media
Authors: Thanh Luong Duy , Van Nghia Nguyen , Van Do Phan , Tien Du Pham , Jougnot Damien
Published: December 2022

We present a new unified model for the permeability, electrical conductivity and streaming potential coupling coefficient in variably saturated fractured media. For those, we conceptualize the fractured medium as a partially saturated bundle of parallel capillary slits with varying sizes. We assume that the fracture size distribution of the corresponding medium follows a fractal scaling law, which allows us to establish a pressure head‐saturation relationship based on the Laplace equation. We first describe the flow rate, the conduction current and the electrokinetic streaming current within a single fracture. Then, we upscale these properties at the scale of an equivalent fractured media partially saturated in order to obtain the relative permeability, the electrical conductivity and the streaming potential coupling coefficient. The newly proposed model explicitly depends on pore water chemistry, interface properties, microstructural parameters of fractured media and water saturation. Model predictions are in good agreement with both experimental and simulated data and with another model from the literature. The results of this work constitute a useful framework to estimate hydraulic properties and monitor water flow in fractured media.
Constraining the composition and quantity of organic matter used by abundant marine Thaumarchaeota
Authors: Parada Alma E. , Mayali Xavier , Weber Peter K. , Wollard Jessica , Santoro Alyson E. , Fuhrman Jed A. , Pett‐Ridge Jennifer , Dekas Anne E.
Published: December 2022

Marine Group I (MGI) Thaumarchaeota were originally described as chemoautotrophic nitrifiers, but molecular and isotopic evidence suggests heterotrophic and/or mixotrophic capabilities. Here, we investigated the quantity and composition of organic matter assimilated by individual, uncultured MGI cells from the Pacific Ocean to constrain their potential for mixotrophy and heterotrophy. We observed that most MGI cells did not assimilate carbon from any organic substrate provided (glucose, pyruvate, oxaloacetate, protein, urea, and amino acids). The minority of MGI cells that did assimilate it did so exclusively from nitrogenous substrates (urea, 15% of MGI and amino acids, 36% of MGI), and only as an auxiliary carbon source (<20% of that subset's total cellular carbon was derived from those substrates). At the population level, MGI assimilation of organic carbon comprised just 0.5%–11% of total biomass carbon. We observed extensive assimilation of inorganic carbon and urea‐ and amino acid‐derived nitrogen (equal to that from ammonium), consistent with metagenomic and metatranscriptomic analyses performed here and previously showing a widespread potential for MGI to perform autotrophy and transport and degrade organic nitrogen. Our results constrain the quantity and composition of organic matter used by MGI and suggest they use it primarily to meet nitrogen demands for anabolism and nitrification.
Towards a New Ireland
Authors: Richmond Neale
Published: December 2022

Despite all the contemporary difficulties that we face on the island of Ireland, twenty‐four years on from the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, there is a clear sense of hope for a better future. We should be optimistic for our shared future, even if we do not agree on what form that should take. We cannot discuss Northern Ireland or its future without acknowledging that Brexit has significantly shifted the conversation. Not only has it brought Anglo‐Irish relations to a low not seen in the past twenty‐five years, but it has also damaged the reputation of the UK internationally and brought the topic of Irish unity back to the fore of our political discourse.
Acceptability of reproductive goals assessment in public mental health care
Authors: Goodsmith Nichole , Dossett Emily C. , Gitlin Rebecca , Fenwick Karissa , Ong Jessica R. , Hamilton Alison , Cordasco Kristina M.
Published: December 2022

Objective

To assess patient and provider perspectives on the acceptability of reproductive goals assessment in public mental health clinics and inform potential tailoring for these settings.

Data Sources and Study Setting

Primary qualitative data from patients and providers at four clinics in an urban public mental health system serving individuals with chronic mental illness (collected November 2020–October 2021).

Study Design

This was an exploratory qualitative study with patients (English‐speaking women of reproductive age, primarily Black or Latina) and mental health providers (psychiatrists, psychotherapists, case managers, nurses). We examined the acceptability of reproductive goals assessment within mental health care and obtained feedback on two reproductive goals assessment conversation guides: PATH (Pregnancy Attitudes, Timing, and How Important is Pregnancy Prevention) and OKQ (One Key Question).

Data Collection

We conducted semi‐structured telephone interviews with 22 patients and 36 providers. We used rapid qualitative analysis to summarize interview transcripts and identified themes using matrix analysis.

Principal Findings

Perceptions of reproductive goals assessment were generally positive. Providers said the conversation guides would “open the door” to important discussions, support a better understanding of patients' goals, and facilitate medication counseling and planning. A minority of patients expressed discomfort or ambivalence; several suggested providers ask permission or allow patients to raise the topic. Additional themes included the need for framing to provide context for these personal questions, the need to build rapport before asking them, and the challenge of balancing competing priorities. Many participants found both PATH and OKQ prompts acceptable; some preferred the “conversational” and “open‐ended” PATH phrasing.

Conclusions

Participants perceived reproductive goals assessment as a promising practice in mental health care with unique functions in this setting. Areas of discomfort highlight the sensitivity of these topics for some women with chronic mental illness and suggest opportunities to tailor language, framing, and provider training to support effective and appropriate implementation.