bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intracranial substrates of meditation-induced neuromodulation in amygdala and hippocampus
Authors: Maher Christina , Tortolero Lea , Cummins Daniel D. , Saad Adam , Young James , Martinez Lizbeth Nunez , Schulman Zachary , Marcuse Lara , Waters Allison , Mayberg Helen S. , Davidson Richard J. , Saez Ignacio , Panov Fedor
Published: May 2024

Meditation is an accessible mental practice associated with emotional regulation and well-being. Loving-kindness meditation (LKM), a specific sub-type of meditative practice, involves focusing one’s attention on thoughts of well-being for oneself and others. Meditation has been proven to be beneficial in a variety of settings, including therapeutical applications, but the neural activity underlying meditative practices and their positive effects are not well understood. In particular, it’s been difficult to understand the contribution of deep limbic structures given the difficulty of studying neural activity directly in the human brain. Here, we leverage a unique patient population, epilepsy patients chronically implanted with responsive neurostimulation device that allow chronic, invasive electrophysiology recording to investigate the physiological correlates of loving-kindness meditation in the amygdala and hippocampus of novice meditators. We find that LKM-associated changes in physiological activity specific to periodic, but not aperiodic, features of neural activity. LKM was associated with an increase in γ (30-55 Hz) power and an alternation in the duration of β (13-30 Hz) and γ oscillatory bursts in both the amygdala and hippocampus, two regions associated with mood disorders. These findings reveals the nature of LKM-induced modulation of limbic activity in first-time meditators.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT

We leverage rare chronic, invasive electrophysiology recordings while participants engage in loving-kindness meditation to demonstrate that meditation induces neural changes in beta and γ activity in the amygdala and hippocampus of novice meditators. These results build on previous findings in experienced meditators and reveal meditation’s potential for noninvasive neuromodulation of neural mechanisms associated with emotional regulation and mood disorders.
EEG frequency tagging reveals the integration of dissimilar observed actions
Authors: Formica Silvia , Chaiken Anna , Wiersema Jan R. , Cracco Emiel
Published: May 2024

Extensive research has demonstrated that visual and motor cortices can simultaneously represent multiple observed actions. This ability undoubtedly constitutes a crucial ingredient for the understanding of complex visual scenes involving different agents. However, it is still unclear how these distinct representations are integrated into coherent and meaningful percepts. In line with studies of perceptual binding, we hypothesized that similar movements would be more easily integrated. To test this hypothesis, we developed an EEG frequency tagging experiment in which two hand movements were displayed simultaneously at two different presentation rates. Crucially, the degree of similarity between the two movements varied along two dimensions, namely action identity (i.e., same or different performed movement), and agent identity (i.e., one agent performing a bimanual movement, or two agents moving each one hand). Contrary to our predictions, we found a larger intermodulation oscillatory component, indexing the integrated processing of the two individual movements, when they were less similar. We propose that integration-by-dissimilarity might serve as a top-down process to solve conflict caused by incongruent movements in a complex social scene.
Connecting the Dots: Approaching a Standardized Nomenclature for Molecular Connectivity Combining Data and Literature
Authors: Reed MB , Cocchi L , Knudsen GM , Sander C , Gryglewski G , Chen J , Volpi T , Fisher P , Khattar N , Silberbauer LR , Murgaš M , Godbersen GM , Nics L , Walter M , Hacker M , Hammers A , Ogden TR , Mann JJ , Biswal B , Rosen B , Carson R , Price J , Lanzenberger R , Hahn A
Published: May 2024

PET-based connectivity computation is a molecular approach that complements fMRI-derived functional connectivity. However, the diversity of methodologies and terms employed in PET connectivity analysis has resulted in ambiguities and confounded interpretations, highlighting the need for a standardized nomenclature.

Drawing parallels from other imaging modalities, we propose “molecular connectivity” as an umbrella term to characterize statistical dependencies between PET signals across brain regions at the individual level (within-subject). Like fMRI resting-state functional connectivity, “molecular connectivity” leverages temporal associations in the PET signal to derive brain network associations. Another within-subject approach evaluates regional similarities of tracer kinetics, which are unique in PET imaging, thus referred to as “kinetic connectivity”. On the other hand, “molecular covariance” denotes group-level computations of covariance matrices across-subject. Further specification of the terminology can be achieved by including the employed radioligand, such as “metabolic connectivity/covariance” for [18F]FDG as well as “tau/amyloid covariance” for [18F]flutemetamol / [18F]flortaucipir.

To augment these distinctions, high-temporal resolution functional [18F]FDG PET scans from 17 healthy participants were analysed with common techniques of molecular connectivity and covariance, allowing for a data-driven support of the above terminology. Our findings demonstrate that temporal band-pass filtering yields structured network organization, whereas other techniques like 3rdorder polynomial fitting, spatio-temporal filtering and baseline normalization require further methodological refinement for high-temporal resolution data. Conversely, molecular covariance from across-subject data provided a simple means to estimate brain region interactions through regularized or sparse inverse covariance estimation.

A standardized nomenclature in PET-based connectivity research can reduce ambiguity, enhance reproducibility, and facilitate interpretability across radiotracers and imaging modalities. Via a data-driven approach, this work provides a transparent framework for categorizing and comparing PET-derived connectivity and covariance metrics, laying the foundation for future investigations in the field.
Evidence of spatial periodic firing in the subiculum of mice
Authors: Abad-Perez P. , Scott R. , Borrell V. , Martínez-Otero L. , Brotons-Mas J.R.
Published: May 2024

The subiculum (SUB) is a region located at the core of the hippocampal formation. The SUB receives input from grid cells located in the medial entorhinal cortex (MEC) and from place cells in the CA1 area. Moreover, this structure mediates the output from the hippocampus to cortical and sub-cortical areas involved in the processing of different types of information. Despite the potential relevance of the SUB, its role in memory and spatial coding remains poorly studied. Previous work described a heterogeneous population of SUB spatial neurons, with evidence of its role in coding the geometry of the environment and spatial navigation in darkness. With the aim of further understanding the properties of spatial coding in the SUB, we implanted mice with microdrives carrying tetrodes to target CA1 and the SUB. Apart from the classical place cells described before, we discovered a fraction of SUB pyramidal neurons that generated spatial periodic firing. SUB spatial neurons presented lower spatial resolution and spatial stability than CA1 place cells. The role of spatial periodic neurons in the SUB might be relevant in several computations through the interaction of this region with CA1, the pre-parasubiculum and the MEC.

Significance Statement

Spatial information coding and memory formation rely on a complex circuit involving the hippocampal formation and multiple types of spatially tuned neurons. For the first time, we found evidence of pyramidal neurons the SUB of mice exhibiting grid-like and periodic firing patterns. Our data support the idea that the SUB may play a role in complex spatial information processing, extending beyond the integration of CA1 unit inputs.
Augmenting visual errors or variability does not enhance motor learning in remote web application tasks
Authors: Nakano Nobuyasu , Murai Akihiko
Published: May 2024

Laboratory experiments employing robotic manipulandum are far from achieving their goal of helping people improve their motor learning. Remote experiments using web applications are an effective tool for bridging the gap between robotic manipulandum experiments in the laboratory and general motor tasks outside. However, the influence of interventions that increase error or variability in remote motor tasks on motor learning has not yet been determined. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the effects of interventions that visually increase errors and variability in remote experiments using web applications. In particular, 48 people participated in a web-based study on the cursor-manipulation of motor tasks using laptops. Three motor tasks (visuomotor-rotation reaching, virtual curling, and virtual ball-throwing tasks) were conducted, and each task consisted of 120 trials a day conducted for three days in this study. For each task, no intervention was provided on Day 1 and the intervention to augment motor error or variability was provided on Days 2 and 3. Differences between the groups in post-intervention test trials were examined using statistical analyses. Contrary to our expectations, the interventions of error-augmentation did not exhibit positive effects in Experiments 1 and 2, which could be attributed to a lack of haptic and proprioceptive information or inaccuracies in movement kinematics. In addition, the interventions of variability-augmentation did not exhibit positive effects in Experiment 3, which could be attributed to the complex dynamics in the relationship between perceived body movements and motor outcomes. Further research is required to identify the differences between the conditions when the interventions are effective or ineffective. Moreover, interventions must be developed to further improve general motor skills.
States of functional connectivity flow and their multiplex dynamics in human epilepsy and postictal aphasia
Authors: Pedreschi Nicola , Trebuchon Agnès , Barrat Alain , Battaglia Demian
Published: May 2024

The mechanisms that cause aphasia as a transient post-seizure symptom in epileptic patients are yet unknown. We analyse intracranial EEG (sEEG) recordings of patients suffering from pharmaco-resistant epilepsy with postictal aphasia. We study the Functional Connectivity (FC) between different cortical sites in a time- and frequency-resolved manner, representing each recording as a time-varying, multilayer network (dynamic multiplex). We studied in particular: the rate of overall reconfiguration of links from one frame to the next, or dynamic Functional Connectivity (dFC) speed; and the stability of network modules through time, by means of a dynamic modular Allegiance (dA) analysis. The combination of these two approaches allows identifying states of “Functional Connectivity flow” (beyond connectivity states), defined as epochs in which network reconfiguration occurs with comparable speed and degree of spatio-temporal coordination. Our unsupervised analyses reveal then that high-frequency dFC is slowed down in a long postictal phase lasting well beyond the ictal episodes themselves. Furthermore, a pathological state of slow and poorly structured network flow consistently co-occurs with episodes of aphasia symptoms annotated by the clinicians. In conclusion, our multiplex network dynamics description cast light on functional mechanisms of postictal cognitive dysfunction at the level of individual patients.
The impact of physiological state and environmental stress on bacterial load estimation methodologies forMycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Maitra Arundhati , Wijk Marie , Margaryan Hasmik , Denti Paolo , McHugh Timothy D. , Kloprogge Frank
Published: May 2024

Synopsis

Background

Solid and liquid medium cultures from patient samples recover different proportions of a heterogenous bacterial community over the duration of treatment.In vitroexperiments were designed to study the population composition at early-logarithmic and stationary phases of growth as well as under drug pressure.

Objectives

To derive a relationship between methodologies for bacterial load determination and assess the effect of the growth phase of the parent culture and its exposure to stress on the results.

Methods

Mycobacterium tuberculosisH37Rv was grown with and without drug (isoniazid or rifampicin) and sampled on day 0, 3, 11 and 21 of growth in broth culture. The bacterial load was estimated by colony counts and the BD BACTEC™ MGIT™ automated mycobacterial detection system. Linear and nonlinear mixed-effects models were used to describe the relationship between time-to-positivity (TTP) and time-to-growth (TTG) vs colony forming units (CFU), and growth units (GU) vs time.

Results

For samples with the same CFU, drug-treated and stationary phase cells had a shorter TTP than the drug-free control and early-logarithmic phase cells respectively. Similarly, stationary phase samples reached higher GUs and had shorter time to start growing than early-log phase ones.

Conclusions

The growth phase affects the relationship between CFU-TTP/TTG and previous exposure to drugs affects only the relationship between CFU-TTP. This suggests that there is a population of bacterial cells that can be differentially recovered in liquid medium giving us an insight into the physiological states of the original culture which aids in the interpretation of clinical trial outputs.
Molecular mechanism of plasmid elimination by the DdmDE defense system
Authors: Loeff L. , Adams D.W. , Chanez C. , Stutzmann S. , Righi L. , Blokesch M. , Jinek M.
Published: May 2024

Seventh pandemicVibrio choleraestrains contain two hallmark pathogenicity islands that encode the DNA defense modules DdmABC and DdmDE. Here we use cryo-EM to reveal the mechanistic basis for plasmid defense by DdmDE. A cryo-EM structure of the DdmD helicase-nuclease reveals that it adopts an auto-inhibited dimeric architecture. The prokaryotic Argonaute protein DdmE uses a DNA guide to target plasmid DNA. A structure of the DdmDE complex, validated byin vivomutational studies, shows that DNA binding by DdmE triggers disassembly of the DdmD dimer and loading of monomeric DdmD onto the non-target DNA strand. Finally,in vitrostudies reveal that DdmD translocates in the 5’ to 3’ direction, while partially degrading the plasmid DNA. These findings provide critical insights into the architecture and mechanism of DdmDE systems in plasmid elimination.
Barcoding Notch signaling in the developing brain
Authors: Siniscalco Abigail , Perera Roshan Priyarangana , Greenslade Jessie E. , Masters Aiden , Doll Hannah , Raj Bushra
Published: May 2024

Developmental signaling inputs are fundamental for shaping cell fates and behavior. However, traditional fluorescent-based signaling reporters have limitations in scalability and molecular resolution of cell types. We present SABER-seq, a CRISPR-Cas molecular recorder that stores transient developmental signaling cues as permanent mutations in cellular genomes for deconstruction at later stages via single-cell transcriptomics. We applied SABER-seq to record Notch signaling in developing zebrafish brains. SABER-seq has two components: a signaling sensor and a barcode recorder. The sensor activates Cas9 in a Notch-dependent manner with inducible control while the recorder accumulates mutations that represent Notch activity in founder cells. We combine SABER-seq with an expanded juvenile brain atlas to define cell types whose fates are determined downstream of Notch signaling. We identified examples wherein Notch signaling may have differential impact on terminal cell fates. SABER-seq is a novel platform for rapid, scalable and high-resolution mapping of signaling activity during development.
Phosphatidylserine-binding receptor, CD300f, on macrophages mediates host invasion of pathogenic and non-pathogenic rickettsiae
Authors: Voss Oliver H. , Moin Imran , Gaytan Hodalis , Sadik Mohammad , Ullah Saif , Rahman M. Sayeedur
Published: May 2024

Some arthropod-borne obligate intracellular rickettsiae are among the most virulent human pathogens.Rickettsiaspecies modulate immune (e.g., macrophages; MΦ) and non-immune cell (e.g., endothelial cells) responses to create a habitable environment for host colonization. In particular, MΦ play a crucial role in either terminating an infection at an early stage or succumbing to bacterial replication and colonization. However, our understanding on howRickettsiaspecies invade host cells, including MΦ, remain poorly defined. In this study, we describe a mechanism of host invasion byRickettsiaspecies, involving rickettsial phosphatidylserine (PS), as a ligand, and the CD300f receptor on MΦ. Using bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMΦ) from wild-type (WT) and CD300f-/-mice, we demonstrated that engulfment of both pathogenicR. typhi(the etiologic agent of murine typhus) andR. rickettsii(the etiologic agent of Rocky Mountain spotted fever) species as well as the non-pathogenicR. montanensiswas significantly reduced in CD300f-/-BMDMΦ as compared to that of WT BMDMΦ. Furthermore, our mechanistic analysis suggests bacterial PS as the potential source for the CD300f-mediated rickettsiae engulfment by MΦ.In vivoinfection studies using WT and CD300f-/-C57BL/6J mice showed that CD300f-/-animals were protected againstR. typhi-orR. rickettsii-induced fatal rickettsiosis, which correlated with levels of bacterial burden detected in the spleens of mice. Adoptive transfer studies further revealed that CD300f-expressing MΦ are important mediators to control rickettsiosisin vivo. Collectively, our findings describe a previously unappreciated role for the efferocytic receptor, CD300f, to facilitate engulfment of rickettsiae within the host.
Developmental alterations of indirect-pathway medium spiny neurons in mouse models of Huntington’s disease
Authors: Lebouc Margaux , Bonamy Léa , Scharnholz Jakob , Richard Quentin , Courtand Gilles , Baufreton Jérôme , Garret Maurice
Published: May 2024

Huntington’s disease (HD) is an inherited neurodegenerative disorder caused by a mutation in the gene encoding the Huntingtin protein (Htt). While symptoms, primarily characterized by progressive deterioration of the striatum and motor and cognitive functions, typically manifest in adulthood, recent studies have also highlighted developmental defects in HD. Indeed, alterations in cortical and striatal development have been observed in individuals carrying the mutation as early as in embryonic stages. However, despite the striatum being one of the most affected regions in HD, few studies have investigated potential developmental alterations in this structure, especially in the early weeks after birth. To address this question, we compared striatal development between wild-type (WT) mice and two murine models of HD, R6/1 and CAG140 mice crossed with reporter mice to identify D1- and D2-expressing medium spiny neurons (D1- and D2-MSNs). Usingex vivoelectrophysiology and neuronal reconstruction, we observed that the maturation of electrical properties was selectively disrupted in D2-MSNs of the matrix compartment of HD mice during the first post-natal days. D2-MSNs arbor also an increased dendritic complexity. When studying the establishment of striatal afferents, we observed that cortico-striatal glutamatergic transmission was specifically reduced in D2-MSNs during the second postnatal week. All these alterations were transient before the circuit normalized on its own after the second postnatal week. These anatomical and electrophysiological data highlight the significant impact of the Htt mutation on numerous striatal development processes during the postnatal period. Interestingly, we observed that these alterations specifically affect MSNs in the indirect pathway. This preferential vulnerability aligns with the early death of these neurons in adulthood, suggesting that early treatment of these alterations could potentially modify the disease’s progression.
Sex-dependent effects of early life stress on network and behavioral states
Authors: Scarpa Garrett , Antonoudiou Pantelis , Weiss Grant , Stone Bradly , Maguire Jamie L.
Published: May 2024

Background

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with numerous detriments in health, including increased vulnerability to psychiatric illnesses. Early life stress (ELS) in rodents has been shown to effectively model several of the behavioral and endocrine impacts of ACEs and has been utilized to investigate the underlying mechanisms contributing to disease. However, the precise neural mechanisms responsible for mediating the impact of ELS on vulnerability to psychiatric illnesses remain largely unknown.

Methods

We use behavior, immunoassay,in vivoLFP recording, histology, and patch clamp to describe the effects of ELS on stress behaviors, endocrinology, network states, protein expression, and cellular physiology in male and female mice.

Results

We demonstrate that a murine maternal separation (MS) ELS model causes sex-dependent alterations in behavioral and hormonal responses following an acute stressor. Local field potential (LFP) recordings in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) and frontal cortex (FC) reveal similar sex-dependent alterations at baseline, in response to acute ethological stress, and during fear memory extinction, supporting a large body of literature demonstrating that these network states contribute to stress reactivity and vulnerability to psychiatric illnesses. Sex differences were accompanied by altered physiology of BLA principal neurons in males and BLA PV interneurons in females.

Conclusions

Collectively, these results implicate novel, sex-dependent mechanisms through which ACEs may impact psychiatric health, involving altered cellular physiology and network states involved in emotional processing.
Program VUE: analysing distributions of cryo-EM projections using uniform spherical grids
Authors: Urzhumtseva Ludmila , Barchet Charles , Klaholz Bruno P. , Urzhumtsev Alexandre G.
Published: May 2024

Three-dimensional cryo electron microscopy reconstructions are obtained by extracting information from a large number of projections of the object. These projections correspond to different `views' or `orientations', i.e. directions in which these projections show the reconstructed object. Uneven distribution of these views and the presence of dominating preferred orientations may distort the reconstructed spatial images. This work describes the program VUE (views on uniform grids for cryo electron microscopy), designed to study such distributions. Its algorithms, based on uniform virtual grids on a sphere, allow an easy calculation and accurate quantitative analysis of the frequency distribution of the views. The key computational element is the Lambert azimuthal equal-area projection of a spherical uniform grid onto a disc. This projection keeps the surface area constant and represents the frequency distribution with no visual bias. Since it has multiple tunable parameters, the program is easily adaptable to individual needs, and to the features of a particular project or of the figure to be produced. It can help identify problems related to an uneven distribution of views. Optionally, it can modify the list of projections, distributing the views more uniformly. The program can also be used as a teaching tool.
The impact of IEQ in the university lecture theatres on students’ concentration levels in London
Authors: Lyu Junpeng , Pitt Michael , Broyd Tim
Published: May 2024

Purpose

University students’ lecture theatre concentration levels are significantly related to indoor environmental quality (IEQ). The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between indoor environmental quality (IEQ) and the self-reported concentration levels of university students during the winter at University College London (UCL), UK.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire survey and physical measurements were used to assess the IEQ factors affecting students’ concentration levels.

Findings

The lecture theatre design factor was the most significant factor influencing students’ concentration levels, and the facility environment was more important than the thermal environment, indoor air quality, and acoustic environment in influencing students’ concentration levels in this winter investigation at UCL, UK. Additionally, students prefer a colder thermal environment. The concentration level of students was positively correlated with the indoor air quality and negatively correlated with the acoustic environment.

Practical implications

Based on model application, this research could provide lecture theatre IEQ design. This research additionally provides an acceptable indoor thermal environment temperature range based on a large sample, which can be used to calibrate a student performance benchmark.

Originality/value

As this study evaluates the IEQ factors that influence the concentration levels of university students, interior designers and engineers should consider the rational layout of these factors. Therefore, this study may provide a reference for the interior environmental design of lecture theatres in educational buildings.
Impact of participation in collective action on farmers’ decisions and waiting time to adopt soil and water conservation measures
Authors: Jia Rui , Shuai Zhimin , Guo Tong , Lu Qian , He Xuesong , Hua Chunlin
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This study aims to analyze the influence of farmers’ degree of participation in collective action on their adoption decisions and waiting time regarding soil and water conservation (SWC) measures.

Design/methodology/approach

The Probit model and Generalized Propensity Score Match method are used to assess the effect of the degree of participation in collective action on farmers’ adoption decisions and waiting time for implementing SWC measures.

Findings

The findings reveal that farmers’ engagement in collective action positively influences the decision-making process regarding terrace construction, water-saving irrigation and afforestation measures. However, it does not significantly impact the decision-making process for plastic film and ridge-furrow tillage practices. Notably, collective action has the strongest influence on farmers’ adoption decisions regarding water-saving irrigation technology, with a relatively smaller influence on the adoption of afforestation and terrace measures. Moreover, the results suggest that participating in collective action effectively reduces the waiting time for terrace construction and expedites the adoption of afforestation and water-saving irrigation technology. Specifically, collective action has a significantly negative effect on the waiting time for terrace construction, followed by water-saving irrigation technology and afforestation measures.

Practical implications

The results of this study underscore the significance of fostering mutual assistance and cooperation mechanisms among farmers, as they can pave the way for raising funds and labor, cultivating elite farmers, attracting skilled labor to rural areas, enhancing the adoption rate and expediting the implementation of terraces, water-saving irrigation technology and afforestation measures.

Originality/value

Drawing on an evaluation of farmers’ degree of participation in collective action, this paper investigates the effect of participation on their SWC adoption decisions and waiting times, thereby offering theoretical and practical insights into soil erosion control in the Loess Plateau.
Sustainable hospitality and tourism in the Anthropocene era: the need for a more radical shift of the current circular economy models
Authors: De Martino Marcella , Apicerni Valentina , Gravagnuolo Antonia
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to critically analyse the circular economy (CE) models adopted in hospitality and tourism to tackle societal challenges in the current Anthropocene era, exploring the driving values and sustainability approaches.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review was carried out with an increasing level of analysis to delve more in-depth into the ability of the CE models to respond to current societal challenges. The review involved a stepwise analysis, starting with a thematic analysis of 151 papers to create a conceptual structure map of circular hospitality and tourism literature. Based on originality and representativeness, 22 papers were selected and analysed according to Hoffman and Jennings’ (2018; 2021) institutional approach to sustainability, which entails specific archetypes to address the Anthropocene society: market rules, technology fix and cultural re-enlightening.

Findings

The hospitality and tourism industry has made progress towards implementing CE models. However, CE models in market role and technology fix archetypes may fail to address the current challenges of the Anthropocene era. New culture-led approaches within the cultural re-enlightening archetype, such as the regenerative land practices, a-growth and place-making, and circular society, can foster a more radical shift towards strong sustainability.

Research limitations/implications

The paper highlights the urgent need for a cultural shift towards radical and strong sustainability, identifying future research directions. Policymakers have a crucial role in shaping sustainability practices consistent with an ecological culture centred on acknowledging planetary boundaries.

Originality/value

Despite the increasing interest in CE models, it is still debated how the hospitality and tourism industry can continue to thrive while avoiding harmful impacts on the environment and local communities. The study critically reflects on the current contribution of CE models towards strong sustainability in hospitality and tourism.
Leadership humour style: role of self-disclosure and perceived similarity for employee’s thriving at work and burnout
Authors: Kashive Neerja , Raina Bhavna
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to understand the leadership humour style and the mechanism through which leadership humour style transforms into follower’s workplace positive and negative outcomes such as thriving at work and burnout. It uses comprehensive elaboration theory and relational process theory to explore self-disclosure and perceived similarity as two new constructs to assess their relation to intrapsychic (self-enhancing and self-defeating) and interpersonal (affiliative and aggressive) leader’s humour style, respectively.

Design/methodology/approach

An exploratory qualitative study through semi-structured interviews was conducted with 10 leaders to understand the different aspects of leadership humour and their outcomes. Based on these dimensions, a questionnaire was created and sent to 200 respondents, and 158 responses were received. The empirical analysis of data was done by building structural equation modeling using smart partial least square.

Findings

The empirical study has shown that self-enhancing leadership humour is related to self-disclosure, and both affiliative and aggressive leadership humour styles are related to perceived similarity. When looking at the two critical outcomes of leadership humour, both perceived similarity and self-disclosure were related to social intimacy and thriving at work. The mediation effect showed that self-enhancing humour leads to self-disclosure which increases social intimacy leading to improving thriving at work and aggressive humour leads to norm violation which further leads to burnout.

Originality/value

The study has used the mixed methodology to understand leadership humour and its outcomes by conducting in-depth interviews with leaders and also provides empirical evidence related to leadership humour style by using the survey to collect data from the followers capturing their perceptions. And very critically, it has explored self-disclosure and perceived similarity as two new constructs to see their relation to leadership humour style and positive and negative outcomes at the workplace.
Structural design and coupling analysis of multimode variable coupling parallel mobile robots
Authors: Jiang Yiwen , Zhang Chunyan
Published: May 2024

Purpose

There is coupling between the branches of mobile parallel robots, similar to traditional parallel mechanisms, but there is currently relatively little research on the coupling problem between the branches of mobile parallel robots.

Design/methodology/approach

This study optimizes the coupling analysis method of traditional parallel mechanisms, treats the mobile parallel mechanism as a whole, takes the motion of the active pair as input and the overall motion of the mobile parallel mechanism as output and analyzes the input–output characteristics of the mobile parallel mechanism. Moreover, this study applies this theory to a mobile parallel mechanism, designs control logic and finally conducts simulation and physical verification.

Findings

This study proposes a coupling analysis method suitable for parallel mobile robots and designs the control logic of their active pair based on the results of their coupling analysis. This study designs a multimode variable coupling parallel mobile robot, which can change the coupling of the mechanism by changing its own branch chain structure, so that it can switch between different coupling configurations to meet the different needs brought by different terrains.

Originality/value

The work presented in this paper propose a method for analyzing the coupling of mobile parallel robots and simplify their control logic by applying coupling theory to the design of mobile parallel robots. This study conducts simulation and physical experiments, thereby filling the gap in the coupling analysis of parallel mobile robots and laying the foundation for the research of uncoupled parallel mobile robots.
The effect of social disruption on the use of technologies to digitize B2B processes and its impact on corporate performance
Authors: Rodríguez Rocío , Høgevold Nils , Molina-Castillo Francisco-Jose , Svensson Goran
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the effect of social disruption on the use of technologies for digitizing business-to-business (B2B) processes. The aim is to assess how digitalization technologies (DT) may impact corporate performance (CP) in B2B settings.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology is based on a questionnaire survey in Norway, and a deductive research design. A total of 216 usable questionnaires out of 356 were returned, generating a response rate of 60.6%.

Findings

This study shows that there is an effect of social disruption on DT (such as digital communication tools, social media and customer relationship management systems) in B2B settings that may impact CP.

Research limitations/implications

This study indicates that the use of technologies to digitize B2B processes may enhance CP when social disruption occurs.

Practical implications

This study offers insights to companies that need help in adapting their business processes to the changing social and technological environment. This study also highlights the importance of digitalization for business survival in the marketplace and society.

Originality/value

This study sheds light on the effect of social disruption on DT and provides opportunities for managing CP.
The impact of GHRM and EGB on organization’s financial and operational performance – an empirical analysis on Indian ICT sector
Authors: Ghosh Arpita , Haque Shamima
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The study aims to conduct an empirical research to examine how green human resource management (GHRM) can influence sustainable organizational performance (SOP) in terms of financial performance (FP) and operational performance (OpP), both directly and through employee green behavior (EGB), in the backdrop of the Indian information and communication technology (ICT) sector.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on primary data collected through a questionnaire survey from 387 employees engaged in the ICT sector. Confirmatory factor analysis validates the measurement model, while structural equation modeling (SEM) using the partial least squares (PLS) method examines the hypothesized relations.

Findings

Results confirm that GHRM significantly contributes to EGB, FP and OpP, with a theoretical underpinning concerning resource-based view (RBV) and ability-motivation-opportunity (AMO) concepts. The study also confirms that connections of GHRM with both FP and OpP are significantly and positively mediated by EGB.

Practical implications

The study provides evidence-based implications of different GHRM practices toward EGB, FP and OpP, which are highly pertinent to strategists, policymakers, managers and supervisors in implementing GHRM for adding value to both operational and financial statements while protecting nature and natural resources through the green efforts of employees.

Originality/value

The study bridges a significant theoretical and practitioner gap by providing a deeper understanding of GHRM as a sustainable human resource management (HRM) model in the context of the Indian ICT sector. It empirically explores the connections between GHRM and OpP, which is a crucial dimension of SOP, and highlights noteworthy implications for promoting EGB, an individual micro-sustainability dimension directed toward the achievement of broader organizational goals, which are essentially oriented to macro-sustainability.
Does national police accreditation undermine local control?
Authors: Abner Gordon , Lee Jung Hyub
Published: May 2024

Purpose

One of the main roadblocks to increasing uptake of national police accreditation (i.e. accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA)) is concern among some in law enforcement that promoting national standards for policing would undermine local control. The purpose of this study is to assess whether CALEA-accredited police departments are more (or less) likely than non-CALEA-accredited police departments to utilize information from resident surveys to inform agency operations.

Design/methodology/approach

This study utilizes data from the Law Enforcement Management and Administrative Statistics (LEMAS) survey and cardinality matching, a quasi-experimental approach, to estimate the relationship between CALEA accreditation status and utilization of information from resident surveys among municipal police departments.

Findings

We find that agencies that subscribe to national police accreditation are more likely to use resident surveys to prioritize crime/disorder problems, evaluate officer or agency performance, guide training and development and inform agency policies and procedures compared to matched agencies that do not subscribe to national police accreditation.

Originality/value

While there is research on the effects of national police accreditation on traditional policing outcomes, there is a paucity of research on whether national police accreditation undermines the ability of local residents to affect policing standards. The findings from this study suggest that national police accreditation may enhance the power of local residents to affect policing.
The integration of lecturer collaboration within higher education institutions’ quality culture framework
Authors: Droissart Julie , Tuytens Melissa
Published: May 2024

Purpose

There is a lack of clarity about how lecturer collaboration in light of learning and (professional) development fits within the framework of a quality culture in higher education institutions (HEIs). More specifically, it is unclear how collaboration is present or stimulated in the organisational context, triggering working mechanisms leading to quality-related outcomes. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to relate HEIs' quality culture to lecturer collaboration.

Design/methodology/approach

This exploratory study relates institutions’ quality culture to lecturer collaboration via semi-structured interviews and document analysis at the institutional level in four Flemish HEIs.

Findings

The results demonstrate collaboration as a working mechanism driven by the institutional strategy. In this way, lecturers’ professional development (PD) is stimulated. The results also indicate that collaboration is present within lecturers’ PD: working together during or sharing experiences after PD initiatives is considered useful for quality teaching and learning.

Originality/value

Following the growing attention in research and practice to lecturer collaboration, this study incorporates lecturer collaboration in the framework of quality culture within HEIs.
Integrating online learning into service quality assessment in higher-education its influence on student satisfaction
Authors: Bouranta Nancy , Psomas Evangelos L. , Kafetzopoulos Dimitrios
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Online learning gained ground during the pandemic and has continued to be used in the post-Covid era. Items related to online learning should be included in service quality assessment. The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of service quality, which includes the online learning dimension, on student satisfaction in higher-education in a blended learning environment.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 452 valid questionnaires were collected from business undergraduate students enrolled in public universities in Greece. A modified version of HEdPERF is used to evaluate service quality. Due to the extensive use of online learning, an additional dimension was added to the HEdPERF scale which focuses on online education, a field that has not yet been widely examined. Structural equation modeling is used to examine the relationships between service quality, and student satisfaction.

Findings

The research findings verify the six-structure scale of the HEdPERF instrument (non-academic aspects, academic aspects, reputation, access and programs issues and online learning), providing satisfactory results in terms of reliability and validity tests. Service quality dimensions such as academic aspects, access, program issues and online learning are the influential dimensions of student satisfaction in a blended learning context.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no previous study has expanded traditional service quality instruments to include the dimension of service quality of online learning.
Innovation as a driver of business tourism competitiveness
Authors: Teixeira Sergio Jesus , Ferreira Joao Matos , Almeida António
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study involves analysing the factors of and barriers to innovation and their respective impacts (directly and indirectly) on the competitiveness of both destination and their host companies.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on primary data collected by questionnaire from a sample of 119 companies operating in the tourism sector in the autonomous region of Madeira (Portugal), the authors applied a quantitative methodology with recourse to econometric models and multiple linear regression.

Findings

Comprehensive results based on a conceptual model are obtained through the analysis of competitiveness tourism-based and innovation factors. The study identifies and empirically tests the existing and underlying relationships between innovation (factors and barriers) as the means of leveraging the competitiveness of destinations and their companies.

Originality/value

The results hold important theoretical and practical implications contributing towards innovation for competitiveness and filling a shortcoming identified in the literature.
Social capital and consumer co-creation behaviors on tourism social media: the mediating role of psychological ownership
Authors: Yang Xue
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Consumer co-creation is a relational process through which consumers’ experiences, resources and knowledge are exchanged. This study aims to investigate the indirect effects of social capital on consumer co-creation behaviors, especially citizenship behaviors, through psychological ownership.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was designed to measure social network, trust and shared vision, psychological ownership and citizenship behaviors; it was completed by 527 users of the Ctrip. Using data from the survey, a PLS model was constructed to depict the relationships between the key variables.

Findings

The results showed psychological ownership mediated the relationship between social capital and citizenship behaviors. Specifically, the chain-mediating effects of social capital dimensions (i.e. social network, shared vision and trust) on citizenship behaviors through psychological ownership were validated.

Practical implications

The rise of social media as a platform for consumer co-creation calls for a fundamental rethinking of traditional approaches to collaboration between companies and consumers. This study offers several suggestions for tourism companies to better engage with consumers on social media platforms.

Originality/value

This study extends current research by introducing social capital theory as a theoretical foundation for exploring tourism social media and determining the mediating role of psychological ownership between social capital and citizenship behaviors.
Experimental design for sustainable tourism: a horizon 2050 paper
Authors: Huang Huan , Leung Xi Yu
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to uncover the insights derived from past experimental studies in promoting sustainable tourism. It also advocates for leveraging future experimental designs to position tourism as a catalyst for positive change toward sustainable development goals.

Design/methodology/approach

A review of previous literature examines the contributions of experimental design in both tourist studies and employee studies within the tourism fields.

Findings

Previous experimental studies have explored effective methods shaping tourists’ sustainable behaviors and management strategies contributing to employees’ decent work. The importance of integrating digital technology in these interventions is highlighted. A future research agenda encompassing three dimensions – technological progress, theory development and practical implications and research design – is proposed to leverage experimental studies for fostering sustainable development within the tourism industry.

Originality/value

This study, through a comprehensive review, highlights the significant impacts of previous experimental studies on encouraging responsible consumption among tourists and championing improved working conditions for employees. It underscores the necessity for enhanced experimental design, which should integrate theoretical frameworks and prioritize technological innovations to address real-world challenges. These improvements are crucial for advancing the tourism industry toward greater sustainability.