bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A study of growth barriers and mitigation measures for built environment innovative startups: the case of Hong Kong
Authors: Lam Patrick T.I. , Mok Kelvin S.H.
Published: January 2022

Purpose

This study aims to identify the challenges facing innovative startups in the construction environment, recommending possible self-help measures and society support.

Design/methodology/approach

A comprehensive literature survey informed a questionnaire survey on built environment startups in Hong Kong, followed by a statistical analysis and supplemented by written views of respondents. Validation by experts confirms the survey results.

Findings

Triangulated findings highlight the problems of conservative policies, investors’ preference on short payback periods, price competition, high operation cost and a lack of promotion channels. The firm’s size and its age differentiate its networking and fund-raising capabilities.

Research limitations/implications

While the survey samples cover the spread of startups in Hong Kong’s construction/real estate industries well, the number is still limited because the city is relatively compact. The barriers and solutions may be particularly relevant to the built environment there, but also worth noting elsewhere.

Practical implications

Built environment startups are emerging and their path of development is obscured by industry barriers. While the findings reflect the current situation in Hong Kong, which is a metropolitan city with a vibrant construction market, government policies may present a varying factor in different economies. Conservatism in the construction industry may also be a hindrance, but gradual signs of improvements are seen.

Originality/value

The recommendations provided may help mitigate the problems of startup growth. They also provide insights into the construction “startup eco-system” worth the attention of policy makers and project managers, who may make better use of the innovative technology and services of built environment startups if the difficulties are alleviated.
Expatriate’s food adaptation: when does acculturation elicit social identification vs differentiation?
Authors: Miocevic Dario , Kvasina Antonija , Crnjak-Karanovic Biljana
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Extant literature informs that expatriates develop a natural inclination towards host country food with increased acculturation. However, this study argues that expatriates might have divergent goals in different domains of food adaptation (private vs public), which eventually sheds new light on their acculturation process. This paper aims to investigate how expatriate's adaptation in private vis-a-vis public domain influences their food consumption behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

This study draws on the optimal distinctiveness theory and domain-specific view of adaptation and tests the food adaptation outcomes of expatriates’ acculturation through social interactions with the local community. A survey was conducted among 120 expatriate newcomers currently living and working in the Middle East.

Findings

The findings show that acculturation positively influences food adaptation in the private (local food consumption), whereas its relationship with food adaptation in the public domain (local restaurant visits) assumes an inverted U-shape. Furthermore, the authors find that the latter relationship is negatively moderated by expatriate’s overall experience and positively moderated by uncertainty avoidance, which also unfolds situations when an expatriate follows social identification vis-à-vis differentiation pattern.

Originality/value

This work goes beyond the traditional focus on acculturation through social identification and provides evidence that differentiation effects must also be accounted for. The authors argue and provide empirical evidence that expatriates’ greater social interactions with the local community result in different food adaptation outcomes when private vs public consumption domains are considered. In addition, by analyzing the moderating effects of expatriate experience and uncertainty avoidance, the authors further provide evidence on when social identification vis-à-vis differentiation prevails.
Investigating combined effect of WOM and eWOM: role of message valence
Authors: R.V. ShabbirHusain , Varshney Sanjeev
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate consumer preference formation in presence of reviews coming from traditional and electronic word of mouth (eWOM) under different conditions of review valence.

Design/methodology/approach

Scenario-based experimental design was used for this study. A total of 172 respondents were randomly assigned across four experimental scenarios and a control group. Across-groups comparisons were conducted using post hoc Dunnett’s test for checking the hypothesis.

Findings

The study revealed that negativity bias impacted consumer judgement formation to such an extent that positive valence from higher credibility source (WOM) is over-powered by negative reviews from lesser trusted source (eWOM). Further, a negative valence review from higher credibility source (WOM) may not be countered even in presence of consensus of positive valence review coming from a higher number of positive eWOM.

Originality/value

This study contributes to existing literature by examining consumer preference behaviour in presence of reviews coming from traditional and eWOM under different conditions of review valence. While earlier studies have examined individual role of WOM and eWOM under differing valence conditions, this paper extends literature by studying combined effect of WOM and eWOM under different review valence.
Assessment of competencies to promote best project management practices for road infrastructure projects in Ghana
Authors: Aboagye Jones Nyame , Kissi Ernest , Acheampong Alex , Badu Edward
Published: January 2022

Purpose

This research aims to evaluate the status of project management best practices in the road infrastructure sector of Ghana through the inquiry of project managers’ competency.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a thorough literature review on competency and project management best practices, a criterion for measuring best practices based on the competencies was identified. Using closed-ended questionnaires as a survey instrument, data was collected and analyzed using a one-sample t-test, Kendall’s concordance coefficient and simple regression.

Findings

The key finding reveals that in achieving project management best practices for the Ghanaian road infrastructure projects, project managers should straighten and strengthen their capability in terms of skills, personal characteristics and knowledge as ranked. An appropriate blend of these characteristics would be a necessary requirement for project managers. Through this, project managers and project-based road infrastructure organizations will be able to win the confidence of their stakeholders and attain improvements in cost-effectiveness, quality and time management.

Research limitations/implications

This study provides project managers in the road infrastructure sector with relevant information on which criteria and variables are critical and are frequently required to manage such projects. This will be helpful for training programs and professional development of project managers in the road infrastructure sector.

Originality/value

The study provides a new direction and focuses for project managers in the road infrastructure industry toward best project management practices in developing countries. It also complements existing studies in this area which deepen the understanding of the subject area.
Information-augmented exchange objects to inform facilities management BIM guidelines: introducing the level of semantics schema
Authors: Sadeghi Marjan , Elliott Jonathan Weston , Mehany Mohammed Hashem
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Successful implementation of a building information modeling (BIM) for building operation and maintenance (O&M) requires purposeful, early-design identification of end-user-specific model exchange requirements. This paper aims to provide a semantic data-rich classification system for model objects to convey facilities management (FM) requirements in BIM guidelines in support of efficient FM-BIM data workflows.

Design/methodology/approach

A modularized, repeatable and technical solution for semantic requirements of BIM exchange objects was developed through ontology-based data mapping of the industry foundation classes. The proposed solution further contextualizes syntax per the buildingSMART Data Dictionary schema and provides an implementation agreement to address the quality issues of discipline BIMs and establish consistent modeling and naming conventions to facilitate automated BIM data workflow.

Findings

The level of semantics (LOS) development framework and the results of LOS implementation focusing on a building mechanical system case project are presented and discussed to showcase the increased efficiency resulting from its implementation throughout the BIM data management workflows.

Originality/value

This study represents a pioneering effort to create and implement the LOS schema as a modularized solution in support of automatic BIM data creation, adjustment, verification and transition across the design, construction and O&M workflows of a large owner organization in the Midwest USA.
Fiscal and monetary policies supporting the tourism industry during COVID-19
Authors: Şengel Ümit , Işkın Merve , Çevrimkaya Mustafa , Genç Gökhan
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Since the first moment of the pandemic, national and international travel restrictions are in place to reduce human mobility. This actual situation makes the tourism industry one of the areas most affected by the pandemic. Many microeconomic factors (households and firms) were adversely affected by the pandemic, and this situation brought about macroeconomic contraction. Naturally, governments seek to sustain production and employment by offering financial packages to reduce the negative economic effects of the pandemic. Given such information, the study aims to examine the financial policies implemented by countries to support the tourism industry during the pandemic period.

Design/methodology/approach

Content analysis, which is a technique of qualitative research method, was applied in the analysis process of the data. Assessments were made based on data published by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) on the financial and monetary policies implemented by countries to support the tourism industry. The data were analyzed using the MAXQDA qualitative analysis program.

Findings

According to the results of the study, countries support the tourism industry financially in terms of credit and liquidity. Also, tourism investments are encouraged by tax breaks and low interest rates.

Originality/value

It is aimed to determine what issues the financial and monetary policies published by the UNWTO focus on to solve the problems in the tourism sector. In this way, it is thought that the study will reveal the problems experienced by tourism enterprises during the pandemic period with a holistic perspective.
ICT effect on employees-related outcomes: higher education as a context
Authors: Abu Farha Allam K. , Obeidat Shatha M. , Al-Kwifi Osama Sam
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Increased concern about the extensive use of information and communication technology (ICT) has led to widespread research on its effects on employees. This study aims to examine the effect of ICT use and demand on employee-related outcomes, particularly work-life balance, job satisfaction, personal burnout and intention to leave.

Design/methodology/approach

The developed model was tested using a survey questionnaire distributed among academics and administrative employees working in the higher education (HE) sector in Qatar. New statistical tools were adopted to analyze the study data (i.e. PLSpredict and partial least squares structural equation modeling for unobserved heterogeneity).

Findings

The results confirmed that ICT use affects ICT demand and ICT demand significantly influences employee-related outcomes.

Practical implications

The findings will help HE institutes to carefully examine the negative effect of ICT use and come up with practical ways to avoid such effects.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is one of the rare papers that inspect the negative effect of ICT use in the HE sector. Furthermore, it is the only paper inspecting such relationship in Gulf region.
Performance mapping in two-step cluster analysis through ESEG disclosures and EPS
Authors: Popa Dorina Nicoleta , Bogdan Victoria , Sabau Popa Claudia Diana , Belenesi Marioara , Badulescu Alina
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this work is twofold. First, looks to identify the main homogenous groups of companies after environmental, social, economic and governance (ESEG) disclosures, non-financial statement and earnings per share (EPS), and second investigates the connection between variables.

Design/methodology/approach

Using financial and non-financial information from annual reports of private listed companies, the authors performed two-step cluster analysis (TSCA) in the first stage of the research, followed by parametric, nonparametric correlation analysis, as well as regression analysis based on panel data, in the second stage.

Findings

Results of TSCA revealed a cluster of companies with good financial and non-financial outcomes and a cluster of companies with poor performance. The performance dynamics showed a slight improvement during the period for few companies and composition analysis of clusters by industries through Kruskal–Wallis test highlighted differences between clusters, only for 2017. The main findings confirm a direct, although weak in intensity but statistically significant correlation between ESEG disclosure index, its sustainability component and financial performance (FP), valid for the entire period. Also, the results showed a direct link of low intensity to average, but statistically significant between the non-financial statement and EPS, valid only for 2017 and 2018.

Research limitations/implications

The results indicate mixed findings which invites further in-depth research. Limits of the study can be found in selected indicators and the short period of time analyzed. However, the practical implications are worth considering from the perspective of finding new managerial tools that can better shape the relationship between ESEG disclosures and FP.

Practical implications

ESEG Dindx can be an instrument for managers that can optimize the link between the FP of companies and its sustainable development.

Social implications

ESEG Dindx measures the disclosure degree of ESEG information by the companies listed on Bucharest Stock Exchange (BSE). The main findings of the work confirm a direct, although weak in intensity but statistically significant correlation between ESEG disclosure index, its sustainability component and FP, valid for the entire period.

Originality/value

This study adds value to the existing literature by the proposed research framework, design of ESEG Dindx and the way correlations between variables were investigated.
Mobile visual search model for Dunhuang murals in the smart library
Authors: Zeng Ziming , Sun Shouqiang , Li Tingting , Yin Jie , Shen Yueyan
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to build a mobile visual search service system for the protection of Dunhuang cultural heritage in the smart library. A novel mobile visual search model for Dunhuang murals is proposed to help users acquire rich knowledge and services conveniently.

Design/methodology/approach

First, local and global features of images are extracted, and the visual dictionary is generated by the k-means clustering. Second, the mobile visual search model based on the bag-of-words (BOW) and multiple semantic associations is constructed. Third, the mobile visual search service system of the smart library is designed in the cloud environment. Furthermore, Dunhuang mural images are collected to verify this model.

Findings

The findings reveal that the BOW_SIFT_HSV_MSA model has better search performance for Dunhuang mural images when the scale-invariant feature transform (SIFT) and the hue, saturation and value (HSV) are used to extract local and global features of the images. Compared with different methods, this model is the most effective way to search images with the semantic association in the topic, time and space dimensions.

Research limitations/implications

Dunhuang mural image set is a part of the vast resources stored in the smart library, and the fine-grained semantic labels could be applied to meet diverse search needs.

Originality/value

The mobile visual search service system is constructed to provide users with Dunhuang cultural services in the smart library. A novel mobile visual search model based on BOW and multiple semantic associations is proposed. This study can also provide references for the protection and utilization of other cultural heritages.
Establishment of monoclonal antibodies broadly neutralize infection of hepatitis B virus
Authors: Zhang He , Itoh Yumi , Suzuki Tatsuya , Ihara Kan‐ichiro , Tanaka Tomohisa , Haga Saori , Enatsu Hajime , Yumiya Maho , Kimura Mari , Takada Akira , Itoh Daiki , Shibazaki Yuri , Nakao Shuto , Yoshio Sachiyo , Miyakawa Kei , Miyamoto Yuki , Sasaki Hanae , Kajita Tadahiro , Sugiyama Masaya , Mizokami Masashi , Tachibana Taro , Ryo Akihide , Moriishi Kohji , Miyoshi Eiji , Kanto Tatsuya , Okamoto Toru , Matsuura Yoshiharu
Published: January 2022

Antibodies against hepatitis B virus S protein can protect against hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Therefore, hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG), which contains HBsAb, is used clinically as a therapy for HBV infection. In this study, a series of monoclonal antibodies that recognize multiple HBV genotypes was obtained. All the antibodies recognized conformational epitopes of S protein, but not linear epitopes. Several antibodies neutralized HBV infection and exhibited strong affinities and neutralizing activities. Antigenic epitope analysis demonstrated that they recognized residue Ile152 of S protein, which is localized outside the “a” determinant. Ile152 is highly conserved, and a mutation in this residue resulted in reduced expression of large hepatitis B surface proteins (L protein), suggesting that the amino acid at this position is involved in the expression of L protein. In addition, the antibodies neutralized the infection of hepatitis D virus possessing a Gly145 mutation to Arg in S protein, which is a well‐known escape mutation against HBIG treatment. Using mouse monoclonal antibodies, a humanized antibody possessing affinities and neutralizing activities similar to those of the original mouse antibody was successfully established. The antibodies generated in this study may have the potential for use in alternative antibody therapies for HBV infection.
A randomised controlled trial of a novel tramadol chewable tablet: pharmacokinetics and tolerability in children
Authors: Yoo O. , Tang E. K. Y. , Salman S. , Nguyen M. N. , Sommerfield D. , Sommerfield A. , Khan N. , von Ungern Sternberg B. S. , Lim L. Y.
Published: January 2022

Tramadol is a bitter atypical opioid analgesic drug and is prescribed to treat postoperative pain in children. However, in many countries there is no licensed paediatric tramadol formulation available. We have formulated a novel chewable chocolate‐based drug delivery system for the administration of tramadol to children. This pilot, single‐centre, open‐label, randomised clinical study assessed the taste tolerability and comparative population pharmacokinetics of the novel tramadol chewable tablet against a compounded tramadol hydrochloride oral liquid, at a dose of 1 mg.kg‐1. A 5‐point facial hedonic scale was used by the children, parents and nurses to assess tolerability. One hundred and forty‐one children aged 3–16 years were given tramadol 30 min before general anaesthesia. Blood samples were taken following the induction of anaesthesia and for up to 5 h following tramadol administration. Tramadol and its active metabolite O‐desmethyltramadol were analysed using reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography. A population pharmacokinetic model was built using non‐linear mixed effects modelling. The relative bioavailability for the tablet was 1.25 times higher (95%CI 1.16–1.35) than for tramadol hydrochloride oral liquid, while the absorption rate constant for the tablet was significantly lower (1.97 h‐1 vs. 3.34 h‐1, p < 0.001). Larger inter‐individual variability in absorption rates were observed with the liquid tramadol. The tramadol chewable tablet was more acceptable in taste to children when assessed by the children, parents and nurses (all p < 0.001). We conclude that the novel tramadol chewable tablet has favourable acceptability and more reliable relative bioavailability in children compared with tramadol hydrochloride oral liquid.
A computational framework for post‐TAVR cardiac conduction abnormality (CCA) risk assessment in patient‐specific anatomy
Authors: Reza Symon , Bianchi Matteo , Kovarovic Brandon , Anam Salwa , Slepian Marvin J. , Hamdan Ashraf , Haj‐Ali Rami , Bluestein Danny
Published: January 2022

Background

Cardiac conduction abnormality (CCA)‐ one of the major persistent complications associated with transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) may lead to permanent pacemaker implantation. Localized stresses exerted by the device frame on the membranous septum (MS) which lies between the aortic annulus and the bundle of His, may disturb the cardiac conduction and cause the resultant CCA. We hypothesize that the area‐weighted average maximum principal logarithmic strain (AMPLS) in the MS region can predict the risk of CCA following TAVR.

Methods

Rigorous finite element‐based analysis was conducted in two patients (Balloon expandable TAVR recipients) to assess post‐TAVR CCA risk. Following the procedure one of the patients required permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation while the other did not (control case). Patient‐specific aortic root was modeled, MS was identified from the CT image, and the TAVR deployment was simulated. Mechanical factors in the MS region such as logarithmic strain, contact force, contact pressure, contact pressure index (CPI) and their time history during the TAVR deployment; and anatomical factors such as MS length, implantation depth, were analyzed.

Results

Maximum AMPLS (0.47 and 0.37, respectively), contact force (0.92 N and 0.72 N, respectively), and CPI (3.99 and 2.86, respectively) in the MS region were significantly elevated in the PPM patient as compared to control patient.

Conclusion

Elevated stresses generated by TAVR devices during deployment appear to correlate with CCA risk, with AMPLS in the MS region emerging as a strong predictor that could be used for preprocedural planning in order to minimize CCA risk.
Muscle mass affects paclitaxel systemic exposure and may inform personalized paclitaxel dosing
Authors: Hertz Daniel L. , Chen Li , Henry N. Lynn , Griggs Jennifer J. , Hayes Daniel F. , Derstine Brian A. , Su Grace L. , Wang Stewart C. , Pai Manjunath P.
Published: January 2022

Aims

Patients with low muscle mass have increased risk of paclitaxel‐induced peripheral neuropathy, which is dependent on systemic paclitaxel exposure. Dose optimization may be feasible through the secondary use of radiologic data for body composition. The objective of this study was to interrogate morphomic parameters as predictors of paclitaxel pharmacokinetics to identify alternative dosing strategies that may improve treatment outcomes.

Methods

This was a secondary analysis of female patients with breast cancer scheduled to receive 80 mg/m2 weekly paclitaxel infusions. Paclitaxel was measured at the end of initial infusion to estimate maximum concentration (Cmax). Computed tomography (CT) scans were used to measure 29 body composition features for inclusion in pharmacokinetic modelling. Monte Carlo simulations were performed to identify infusion durations that limit the probability of exceeding Cmax > 2885 ng/mL, which was selected based on prior work linking this to an unacceptable risk of peripheral neuropathy.

Results

Thirty‐nine patients were included in the analysis. The optimal model was a two‐compartment pharmacokinetic model with T11 skeletal muscle area as a covariate of paclitaxel volume of distribution (Vd). Simulations suggest that extending infusion of the standard paclitaxel dose from 1 hour to 2 and 3 hours in patients who have skeletal muscle area 4907–7080 mm2 and <4907 mm2, respectively, would limit risk of Cmax > 2885 ng/mL to <50%, consequently reducing neuropathy, while marginally increasing overall systemic paclitaxel exposure.

Conclusion

Extending paclitaxel infusion duration in ~25% of patients who have low skeletal muscle area is predicted to reduce peripheral neuropathy while maintaining systemic exposure, suggesting that personalizing paclitaxel dosing based on body composition may improve treatment outcomes.
The relationship between maternal sensitivity and play during early childhood with the development of cognitive skills and socio‐emotional competencies: Longitudinal evidence from Peru
Authors: Hurtado‐Mazeyra Alejandra , Alejandro‐Oviedo Olga Melina , Rojas‐Zegarra Maria Elena , Sánchez Alan
Published: January 2022

Maternal sensitivity and opportunities for play and exploration are key elements of early childhood development. There is limited evidence of its association with skills development during late childhood and adolescence in developing countries. This study uses longitudinal data from the Young Lives study, which has tracked the livelihoods of approximately 2000 Peruvian children since 2002. We used a multivariate linear regression strategy to generate evidence of the role of early maternal sensitivity and play in skills development. We found that both are positively related to cognitive skills and socio‐emotional competencies at age 8, with persistency up to age 15.
Encoding Motion Events During Language Production: Effects of Audience Design and Conceptual Salience
Authors: Do Monica Lynn , Papafragou Anna , Trueswell John
Published: January 2022

We investigate the extent to which pragmatic versus conceptual factors can affect a speaker's decision to mention or omit different components of an event. In the two experiments, we demonstrate the special role of pragmatic factors related to audience design in speakers’ decisions to mention conceptually “peripheral” event components, such as sources (i.e., starting points) in source‐goal motion events (e.g., a baby crawling from a crib to a toybox). In particular, we found that pragmatic factors related to audience design could not only drive the decision to omit sources from mention, but could also motivate speakers to mention sources more often than needed. By contrast, speaker's decisions to talk about goals did not appear to be fundamentally driven by pragmatic factors in communication. We also manipulated the animacy of the figure in motion and found that participants in our studies treated both animate and inanimate source‐goal motion events in the same way, both linguistically and in memory. We discuss the implications of our work for message generation across different communicative contexts and for future work on the topic of audience design.
Basic research to propose a new design of laminated mouthguard—Effect of lamination order on thickness
Authors: Mizuhashi Fumi , Mizuhashi Ryo , Koide Kaoru
Published: January 2022

Background/Aim

Mouthguard thickness influences the protection ability from orofacial trauma. The aim of this study was to propose a new design for mouthguards and to evaluate the effect of the lamination order on the thicknesses of mouthguards.

Materials and methods

Mouthguard sheets of 2.0‐mm and 4.0‐mm ethylene vinyl acetate were used. The sheets were pressure formed using a pressure former. Two lamination conditions were examined: The condition 24P used the 2.0‐mm sheet as the first layer and 4.0‐mm sheet as the second layer. The condition 42P used the 4.0‐mm sheet as the first layer and 2.0‐mm sheet as the second layer. The first layer was trimmed to cover only the anterior region, and then the second layer was formed over the first layer. Mouthguard thickness was measured using a measuring device at the labial surface of the central incisor, plus the buccal and occlusal surfaces of the first molar. Differences in thickness by measurement region of mouthguards formed under different lamination conditions were analyzed by two‐way analysis of variance.

Results

Mouthguard thickness differed among the regions at the central incisors and the first molars (p < .01). The thickness at the labial surface of the central incisor became statistically significantly larger with the 42P condition (3.38 mm) than with the 24P condition (3.30 mm) (p < .05). The thickness at the buccal and occlusal surfaces of the first molar became statistically significantly larger with the 24P condition (2.25 mm and 2.72 mm, respectively) than with the 42P condition (1.23 mm and 1.44 mm, respectively) (p < .01).

Conclusions

The results suggest that the combination of the 2.0‐mm and 4.0‐mm sheets could obtain the necessary thickness for the prevention at the labial surface of the central incisor and buccal surface of the first molar.
Neuroinflammation PET imaging of the translocator protein (TSPO) in Alzheimer's disease: An update
Authors: Gouilly Dominique , Saint‐Aubert Laure , Ribeiro Maria‐Joao , Salabert Anne‐Sophie , Tauber Clovis , Péran Patrice , Arlicot Nicolas , Pariente Jérémie , Payoux Pierre
Published: January 2022

Neuroinflammation is a significant contributor to Alzheimer's disease (AD). Until now, PET imaging of the translocator protein (TSPO) has been widely used to depict the neuroimmune endophenotype of AD. The aim of this review was to provide an update to the results from 2018 and to advance the characterization of the biological basis of TSPO imaging in AD by re‐examining TSPO function and expression and the methodological aspects of interest. Although the biological basis of the TSPO PET signal is obviously related to microglia and astrocytes in AD, the observed process remains uncertain and might not be directly related to neuroinflammation. Further studies are required to re‐examine the cellular significance underlying a variation in the PET signal in AD.
Locating pro‐environmental vernacular practices of tourism
Authors: Iaquinto Benjamin Lucca
Published: January 2022

Pro‐environmental vernacular practices are embodied, place‐specific, ordinary actions that are part of people's daily lives. They result in lower levels of resource consumption without necessarily being grounded in an explicit pro‐environmental agenda. A growing body of cultural geographical scholarship has explored a range of vernacular practices, predominantly among households in Western countries. This paper argues such capacities can be found in a more diverse array of cultural contexts, namely tourism. This is demonstrated by evaluating the literature on tourist practices and entering it into a dialog with the literature on pro‐environmental vernacular practices. The paper shows how tourism is an important site through which such pro‐environmental practices can emerge. Backpacking, nature tourism, foraging tourism, camping, and craft tourism can provide the knowledge and skills for living enjoyable low resource intensive lifestyles, and indicate how relations of hospitality may persist despite scarcity. The paper advances geographical knowledge in three areas. First, it expands and clarifies what the ‘vernacular’ actually constitutes. Second, it shows how a greater understanding of the vernacular beyond the household can advance cultural geographical scholarship on the environment. Third, it argues that a deeper engagement with practice theory would boost research in this area by connecting vernacular responses performed at the individual level with broader postcapitalist social movements.
Effects of acute moderate‐intensity aerobic exercise on executive function and prefrontal cortex activity in community‐dwelling older adults: A single‐blind, randomized controlled trial
Authors: Park Jin‐Hyuck
Published: January 2022

Aim

To date, there is a controversy regarding the effects of acute aerobic exercise of moderate intensity on executive function and prefrontal cortex activity in community‐dwelling older adults. This study aimed to investigate the effects of acute aerobic exercise of moderate intensity in healthy older adults.

Methods

Fifty‐six healthy older adults were randomly assigned to the experimental group (EG) that performed moderate‐intensity aerobic exercise or the wait‐list control group (CG) for a total of 15 sessions. To compare the two groups, the Stroop Color‐Word Task (SCWT) and the Trail‐Making Test Part B (TMT‐B) were implemented for executive function and prefrontal cortex activity during executive function testing.

Results

After the intervention, the EG achieved a significant improvement in the SCWT (P < 0.001; η2 = 0.196) and the TMT‐B (P < 0.001; η2 = 0.245) compared with the CG. In addition, the EG showed a lower HbO2 concentration in the prefrontal cortex than the CG during the SCWT (P < 0.05; η2 = 0.076) and the TMT‐B (P < 0.05; η2 = 0.090).

Conclusions

These findings shed new light on the clinical effectiveness of acute moderate‐intensity aerobic exercise on executive function and prefrontal cortex activity in healthy older adults. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2022; 22: 227–232.
Cournot–Bertrand comparisons under R&D competition: Output versus R&D subsidies
Authors: Chen Jiaqi , Lee Sang‐Ho
Published: January 2022

We compare Cournot and Bertrand competitions with R&D investment under output versus R&D subsidy policies. We demonstrate that Cournot firms invest more (less) in R&D and the government grants more (less) subsidies than for Bertrand firms with output (R&D) subsidies. We also find that both competition modes yield the same welfare with output subsidy, while Bertrand yields higher welfare than Cournot with R&D subsidy. Finally, firms' profits and welfare in Cournot are higher under output subsidies, while they can be higher in Bertrand under R&D subsidies if the product substitutability is high and the firm's R&D investment is efficient.
High soluble HLA‐DQB2 levels in posttransplant serum are associated with kidney graft dysfunction
Authors: Mine Karina L , de Marco Renato , Raimundo Tamiris R.F. , Ernesto Julia V. , Medina‐Pestana José O. , Tedesco‐Silva Hélio , Gerbase‐DeLima Maria
Published: January 2022

HLA‐DQB2 is a gene of limited polymorphism, with unknown function that presents at least two transcript variants: v1, which encodes the full‐length beta‐chain, and v2, which lacks exon 4 and could give rise to a soluble protein. We previously showed a strong correlation between high v2 expression in preimplantation biopsies (PIB) of kidneys from young (18‐ to 49‐year olds) but not from old, deceased donors and 1‐year posttransplant low (estimated glomerular filtration rate < 45 ml/min/1.73 m2) graft function (GF). In this study, we aimed to investigate the impact of posttransplant soluble HLA‐DQB2 (sDQB2) serum levels, v1 expression in PIB, and recipient HLA‐DQB2 rs7453920 A/G polymorphism on GF. sDQB2 was evaluated by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay in sera from 114 recipients, collected at least 1 year (median 2.1 years) after transplantation. Higher sDQB2 levels were observed in recipients of kidneys from young, but not from old, donors that had a ≥30% decline in GF within 1 year after blood collection for sDQB2 determination. Among the 15 recipients of kidneys from young donors with sDQB2 ≥ 1.52 ng/ml, 40% presented a ≥30% decline in GF, whereas this occurred in none of the 43 recipients with lower sDQB2 levels (p = 0.007; OR: 36.5). Expression of HLA‐DQB2 variant 1, measured by reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) in 92 PIB from young or old donors, did not significantly differ between transplants with high or low 4‐year GF. HLA‐DQB2 rs7453920 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) frequencies did not significantly differ between recipients with low or high 4‐year GF. We conclude that HLA‐DQB2 variant 1 expression in PIB and recipient rs7453920 SNP polymorphism are not associated with graft outcome. On the other hand, the association, in transplants of kidneys from young donors, between high posttransplant serum sDQB2 levels and decline in GF is a very interesting finding that deserves a validation study in a larger cohort.
Sedentary time has a stronger impact on metabolic health than moderate to vigorous physical activity in adolescents with obesity: a cross‐sectional analysis of the Beta‐JUDO study
Authors: Julian Valérie , Bergsten Peter , Forslund Anders , Ahlstrom Hakan , Ciba Iris , Dahlbom Marie , Furthner Dieter , Gomahr Julian , Kullberg Joel , Maruszczak Katharina , Morwald Katharina , Olsson Roger , Pixner Thomas , Schneider Anna , Pereira Bruno , Thivel David , Weghuber Daniel
Published: January 2022

Background

Relationships between movement‐related behaviours and metabolic health remain underexplored in adolescents with obesity.

Objectives

To compare profiles of sedentary time (more sedentary, SED+ vs. less sedentary, SED−), moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) time (more active, MVPA+ vs. less active, MVPA−) and combinations of behaviours (SED−/MVPA+, SED−/MVPA−, SED+/MVPA+, SED+/MVPA−) in regard to metabolic health.

Methods

One hundred and thirty‐four subjects (mean age 13.4 ± 2.2 yrs, mean body mass index [BMI] 98.9 ± 0.7 percentile, 48.5% females) underwent 24 h/7 day accelerometry, anthropometric, body composition, blood pressure (BP), lipid profile and insulin resistance (IR) assessments.

Results

Metabolic health was better in SED− [lower fat mass (FM) percentage (p < 0.05), blood pressure (BP) (p < 0.05), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) (p < 0.001) and metabolic syndrome risk score (MetScore) (p < 0.001), higher high‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol (HDL‐c) (p = 0.001)] vs. SED+ group and in MVPA+ [lower triglyceridemia (TG), (p < 0.05), HOMA‐IR (p < 0.01) and MetScore (p < 0.001), higher HDL‐c (p < 0.01)] vs. MVPA− group after adjustment with age, gender, maturation and BMI. SED−/MVPA+ group had the best metabolic health. While sedentary (p < 0.001) but also MVPA times (p < 0.001) were lower in SED−/MVPA− vs. SED+/MVPA+, SED−/MVPA− had lower FM percentage (p < 0.05), HOMA‐IR (p < 0.01) and MetScore (p < 0.05) and higher HDL‐c (p < 0.05), independently of BMI. Sedentary time was positively correlated with HOMA‐IR and Metscore and negatively correlated with HDL‐c after adjustment with MVPA (p < 0.05). MVPA was negatively correlated with HOMA‐IR, BP and MetScore and positively correlated with HDL‐c after adjustment with sedentary time (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Lower sedentary time is associated with a better metabolic health independently of MVPA and might be a first step in the management of pediatric obesity when increasing MVPA is not possible.
A Reformed Account of Eucharistic Sacrifice
Authors: Holmes Stephen R.
Published: January 2022

Christian writers have always described the Eucharist as a ‘sacrifice’, but this was ill‐defined before 1500. The Tridentine Fathers offered an account of the priest somehow offering the one sacrifice of Calvary anew at the altar, which depended on transubstantiation, but later theologians have found it difficult to narrate this. I propose a eucharistic theology that draws on Calvin’s account of the pneumatological ascent of the communicant, and on David Moffitt’s account of Jesus’ sacrifice in Hebrews, to suggest a way of understanding the Supper as sacrifice that is acceptable to Reformed sensibilities, and both more coherent, and more responsible to recent ecumenical convergence, than the various post‐Trent theories.
Locusta migratoria flight muscle troponin partially activates thin filament in a calcium‐dependent manner
Authors: Liang Hui‐Fang , Li Xiang‐dong
Published: January 2022

The troponin (Tn) complex, the sensor for Ca2+ to regulate contraction of striated muscle, is composed of three subunits, that is, TnT, TnI and TnC. Different isoforms of TnI and TnC are expressed in the thorax dorsal longitudinal muscle (flight muscle) and the hind leg extensor tibiae muscle (jump muscle) of the migratory locust, Locusta migratoria. The major Tn complexes in the flight muscle and the jump muscle are Tn‐171 (TnT1/TnI7/TnC1) and Tn‐153 (TnT1/TnI5/TnC3), respectively. Here, we prepared a number of recombinant Tn complexes and the reconstituted thin filaments, and investigated their regulation on thin filament. Although both Tn‐171 and Tn‐153 regulate thin filament in a Ca2+‐dependent manner, the extent of Ca2+ activation mediated by Tn‐171 was significantly lower than that by Tn‐153. We demonstrated that TnC1 and TnC3, rather than TnI5 and TnI7, are responsible for the different levels of the thin filament activation. Mutagenesis of TnC1 and TnC3 shows that the low level of TnC1‐mediated thin filament activation can be attributed to the noncanonical residue Leu60 in the EF‐hand‐II of TnC1. We therefore propose that, in addition to Ca2+, other regulatory mechanism(s) is required for the full activation of locust flight muscle.
The gendered occupational value of a U.S. education for skilled Indian immigrants
Authors: Jacobs Elizabeth , Kreisberg A. Nicole
Published: January 2022

This article revisits conventional understandings of gender differences in occupational attainment through the context of highly skilled legal migration in the United States. Drawing on a unique combination of nationally representative survey data of Indian lawful permanent residents and in‐depth interviews with skilled Indian migrants holding employer‐sponsored visas, we find that a U.S. education has a large premium in occupational prestige scores in the global labour market and has the power to mitigate the gender gap in immigrant occupational attainment. U.S. credentials, social networks, and mentorship programs help drive the occupational prestige‐generating function of a U.S. education for highly skilled Indian immigrant women. This article demonstrates aggregate occupational patterns among a nationally representative sample of Indian permanent residents and develops an in‐depth understanding of the process of occupational attainment. Our findings offer new insights into factors that mitigate gender inequality in the high‐skilled immigrant labour force.
Tailoring research recruitment strategies to survey harder‐to‐reach populations: A discussion paper
Authors: Savard Isabelle , Kilpatrick Kelley
Published: January 2022

Aims

A discussion of the challenges of recruiting participants from harder‐to‐reach populations for quantitative survey studies and potential avenues for tailored strategies to address these challenges.

Design

Discussion paper.

Data sources

The search was conducted on August 2, 2021, in the CINAHL and PubMed databases, and in Google scholar. The initial search identified 5880 articles, and the final analysis included 44 articles that met the inclusion criteria. Articles were retained if they addressed methodological challenges or strategies for recruitment and concerned research with harder‐to‐reach populations.

Implications for nursing

This article draws on the literature regarding the challenges of recruiting research participants from harder‐to‐reach populations and known strategies for overcoming them. These strategies include, for example, establishing a trusting relationship between the researcher and the participant community and gaining in‐depth knowledge of the target population. These challenges and strategies for recruiting participants from these populations are discussed specifically in the context of quantitative survey research.

Conclusion

Nurse researchers conducting quantitative survey studies with participants from harder‐to‐reach populations must tailor their recruitment strategies to the target population and, most importantly, be flexible and creative in their recruitment methods.

Impact

The article discusses the challenges of recruiting participants from harder‐to‐reach populations and strategies to overcome them in quantitative survey studies. Successful recruitment requires researchers to develop a thorough understanding of the harder‐to‐reach population, develop partnerships to locate and access potential participants, build trust with the community, tailor their language, minimize participation risk and resource constraints, recognize the cognitive and physical demands required, and be flexible and creative in developing recruitment strategies. This knowledge can enable the inclusion of more people from harder‐to‐reach populations in survey studies and provide evidence that can inform research and practice to provide healthcare tailored to their needs and ultimately help improve their health and well‐being.
LncRNA HOX transcript antisense RNA mitigates cardiac function injury in chronic heart failure via regulating microRNA‐30a‐5p to target KDM3A
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyun , Gao Yakun , Wu Hongyu , Mao Yong , Qi Yanqing
Published: January 2022

Long noncoding RNA HOX transcript antisense RNA (HOTAIR) has been studied in multiple diseases, but the role of HOTAIR on chronic heart failure (CHF) through the regulation of microRNA (miR)‐30a‐5p and lysine‐specific demethylase 3A (KDM3A) remains unexplored. This research aims to probe the effects of HOTAIR on CHF progression via modulating miR‐30a‐5p to target KDM3A. CHF mouse model was established by intraperitoneal injection of doxorubicin. The CHF mice were then injected with high‐expressed HOTAIR, miR‐30a‐5p or KDM3A adenovirus vectors to determine the cardiac function, oxidative stress, inflammatory response, pathological change and cardiomyocyte apoptosis. HOTAIR, miR‐30a‐5p, KDM3A and Bcl‐2/adenovirus E1B 19kDa interacting protein 3 (BNIP3) expression in CHF mice was detected. The binding relations among HOTAIR, miR‐30a‐5p and KDM3A were validated. HOTAIR and KDM3A were depleted, while miR‐30a‐5p was augmented in CHF mice. The elevated HOTAIR or KDM3A or could improve cardiac function, mitigate oxidative stress and pathological change, reduce inflammatory factor levels and cardiomyocyte apoptosis, while the increased miR‐30a‐5p exerted opposite effects. The miR‐30a‐5p elevation could reverse the effects of enriched HOTAIR, while BNIP3 reduction abrogated the effects of KDM3A on CHF. HOTAIR sponged miR‐30a‐5p that targeted KDM3A. HOTAIR improves cardiac injury in CHF via modulating miR‐30a‐5p to target KDM3A. This study provides novel therapeutic strategies for CHF treatment.
What Does the EU Actually Mean to Citizens? An in‐Depth Study of Dutch citizens' Understandings and Evaluations of the European Union
Authors: van den Hoogen Elske , de Koster Willem , van der Waal Jeroen
Published: January 2022

Although citizens' attitudes towards the European Union (EU) have been examined extensively, there is a dearth of studies on what the EU actually means to them. Inspired by observations suggesting that the EU means different things to different people, this research aimed to uncover these views using an inductive approach: 13 group interviews with a heterogenous set of homogenous groups. 45 Dutch citizens, strategically selected from various social backgrounds, were interviewed in‐depth. Four discourses on the EU were identified: pragmatic, federalist, anti‐establishment and disengaged. We also demonstrated that these discourses go hand‐in‐hand with: 1) specific evaluations of the EU beyond the conventional ‘Europhilia‐Euroscepticism’ dimension; and 2) similar criticisms regarding themes emphasised by interviewees themselves – wasting of money and a lack of transparency and democracy – but for very different, sometimes even counterposing, reasons. The wider implications of our findings and possible venues for further research are also discussed.