bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Americans in Iraq
Authors: Grint Keith
Published: August 2024

This chapter covers the invasion of Iraq by the American and British forces in 2003, and the subsequent resistance which that generated. It begins with a brief history of Iraq and the background to the Gulf War in 1990, and then considers the justifications of the invasion after 9/11 and the defeat of the Taliban in Afghanistan in 2001. Tracing the various and vacuous intelligence briefings, it underscores the fabricated narrative that led to the invasion and the poverty of planning for a post-Saddam Iraq. This led to the upsurge in Iraqi resistance and the internecine war between the occupiers and the insurgents: the Sunni and the Shia forces. As the resistance strengthened and the occupiers floundered, Iraq descended into civil war and that ultimately generated a hasty exit by the occupying forces and the entry of ISIS. Twenty years after the invasion and the ‘Mission Accomplished’ speech by President Bush, Iraq remains close to a failed state and neither the occupiers nor the resistance achieved what they wanted.
Vocal Superordinates
Authors: Grint Keith
Published: August 2024

This final chapter takes a run back through the book, not by summarizing the contents of the resistance, but by focusing on those resisting the resistance: usually the privileged and entitled. It’s composed of thirteen rhetorical tropes that recur through the cases and history more generally, and can be seen in action to this day. Thus, we consider: the Lie, the Inevitable, the Victim, Telescopic Philanthropy, Incremental Impediments, Othering, Projection, Dead Catting, the Straw Person, the Scapegoat, the Motive, Salting the Earth, and Romantic Nostalgia.
Social Democratic America
Authors: Kenworthy Lane
Published: August 2024

For decades, scholars and commentators have differentiated the US from Europe by pointing to the relative weakness of the American social welfare state. European social democracies--particularly the Nordic ones--have erected broad and deep social insurance systems to buffer the effects of the capitalist marketplace, and as consequence virtually all citizens have access to housing, health care, and transfer payments that alleviate the effects of unemployment/underemployment. In combination, these policies have made Northern European societies among the most comfortable and egalitarian in human history. In contrast, conventional wisdom holds that America's patchwork welfare state, which only grudgingly redistributes income to the least wealthy, is miserly in comparison, more wedded to free market individualism than social solidarity. In Social Democratic America, the eminent scholar Lane Kenworthy has crafted the most definitive rejoinder yet to champions of American exceptionalism. He shows that in fact, the US is well along the path toward becoming a social democratic society. Certainly, it has moved in fits and starts, and our nation's peculiar federal structure has generated a number of cumbersome solutions for delivering social insurance. But over time it has delivered, and for every step backward, policymakers have crafted and passed policies that have moved the nation two steps forward toward social democracy. Built in bits and pieces, the modern US welfare state, while still less encompassing than European counterparts, is not only massive but expanding its reach. The evidence, which has accumulated over three quarters of a century, is now overwhelming: Social Security, national unemployment insurance, AFDC (later replaced by TANF), Medicare and Medicaid, the Earned Income Tax Credit, and--most recently--the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). What's more, almost every conservative effort to undo these programs has failed ignominiously. Along with tracing the evolution of the American social welfare state, Kenworthy stresses throughout that America is bending ever further toward a social democratic path. This is a difficult argument to make for two reasons. First, Americans are deeply invested in the idea of American exceptionalism, Second, Republican policy successes in the 1980s and 2000s reinforced the notion that America is at base a center-right nation, inhospitable to European-style social insurance schemes. The combination of Obama's first-term legislative successes and his recent re-election has caused observers to think twice about these arguments, but Kenworthy shows that this is only the tip of the iceberg. Drawing from his unparalleled knowledge of social policy in the advanced industrial world, he shows how the US has been (and continues to be) progressing slowly but steadily toward a clear endpoint: genuine social democracy. Social Democratic America will attract a great deal of criticism, but even the most incorrigible doubters will have to take stock of his powerful and well-substantiated thesis.
How Can We Fix It?
Authors: Kenworthy Lane
Published: August 2024

America’s existing institutions and policies aren’t doing well enough in providing economic security, in promoting capabilities and opportunity, and in ensuring rising living standards for households in the lower half. We can do better. In this chapter, I describe how.
America’s Social Democratic Future
Authors: Kenworthy Lane
Published: August 2024

A larger share of adults will be in paid employment, though for many the workweek will be shorter and there will be more vacation days and holidays. Nearly all jobs will be in services; only 5 percent or so will be in manufacturing or agriculture. Many more Americans will work in helping-caring services—teaching, advising, instructing, aiding, nursing, curing, monitoring, assisting—and more of these services will be personalized. Quite a few of these jobs will be relatively low paying. Most of us will shift between jobs and even occupations more frequently than today.
Choral Scores
Authors: Shrock Dennis
Published: August 2024

Choral Scores is an anthology of music exemplifying distinctive choral repertoire by the most noteworthy composers throughout the history of Western music. A companion volume to Denis Shrock's Choral Repertoire (Oxford 2009), it presents works of salient importance to the development of choral music in Western culture, representing the music of the composers, eras, and movements discussed most prominently in that volume. Including 132 compositions by 124 different composers, each presented unabridged and in full score, and spanning the entirety of Western music history, from the medieval era through the twentieth century, and into the twenty-first, Choral Scores is the most thorough, and up-to-date collection of choral music available. Complete with an appendix offering literal translations of texts, as well as composer and genre indices, Choral Scores is an essential reference for choral scholars, teachers, and students alike.
The Modern Era
Authors: Shrock Dennis
Published: August 2024

Dieu! qu’il la fait bon regarder
Introduction to The Oxford Handbook of Personality and Psychopathology Assessment
Authors: Mihura Joni L.
Published: August 2024

This second edition of the Oxford Handbook of Personality Assessment, now titled The Oxford Handbook of Personality and Psychopathology Assessment, is updated to cover a range of topics written by authors with high levels of expertise in their chapter’s topic. In comparison to the first edition, authors were asked to (a) integrate contemporary dimensional models of personality and psychopathology, (b) use a multimethod approach in which the method of assessment shapes the desired construct, (c) integrate collaborative/therapeutic assessment when possible, and (d) use a lens of human diversity when writing their chapter. The handbook starts with a multimethod assessment chapter, followed by handbook sections that contain chapters on the following topics: contemporary models of personality and psychopathology, psychometrics, diversity and inclusion (e.g., gender and gender identity, racial identity, and social justice), descriptions of commonly used tests and assessment methods (e.g., Personality Assessment Inventories, Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventories, Behavior Assessment System for Children, and Rorschach), the assessment of three key personality and psychopathology dimensions (internalizing, externalizing, and psychosis), and many specific areas of assessment (e.g., suicide risk, violence risk, child custody, student threat assessment, and high-risk assessments). The final chapter discusses key challenges and needed improvements, such as requiring construct validity meta-analyses for all test scales, improving insurance reimbursement for assessments, and the emergence of new technologies in assessment.
Theological Revisioning from Jacques Lefèvre d’Étaples to Reformed Views of Mary Magdalene
Authors: Keen Ralph
Published: August 2024

This chapter discusses theological revisioning from Jacques Lefèvre d’Étaples to reformed views of Mary Magdalene. It highlights how Mary Magdalene became subject to humanists’ association of antiquity with authenticity. Lefèvre initiated a controversy that accentuated tensions between humanism and the inherited body of belief and practice. Moreover, Lefèvre’s treatise on Mary Magdalene problematized the authority of ecclesiastical tradition. The chapter examines Mary Magdalene as a model of devotion, penitent sinner, and antiquity. It also considers the Roman Catholic Reform as a rejuvenated continuation of traditional teaching and practice or a response to Protestant challenges to that devotional culture, which is a matter of discussion among specialists.
Nuclear Weapons and Emotion
Authors: Bentley Michelle
Published: August 2024

The chapter analyzes the relevance of emotion—predominantly, the emotion of fear—in relation to nuclear weapons. Fear has been identified as a primary emotional driver in respect to perceptions of nuclear weapons. The chapter critically analyzes this argument; in particular, it considers the ways in which nuclear fear is constructed as rational and irrational. The chapter relates this binary to both positive and negative ideas concerning nuclear warfare as well as the rhetoric actors employ to frame nuclear armaments. The chapter also interrogates the analytic focus on fear to highlight the relevance of other emotional responses, whereby a wider recognition of emotion underpins alternative interpretations of nuclear behavior—notably, the nuclear weapons taboo. The chapter concludes that emotion is a critical and inevitable aspect of nuclear politics but that our understanding of nuclear weapons cannot be limited to conceptions of fear.
Influenza virus shedding and symptoms: Dynamics and implications from a multiseason household transmission study
Authors: Morris Sinead E , Nguyen Huong Q , Grijalva Carlos G , Hanson Kayla E , Zhu Yuwei , Biddle Jessica E , Meece Jennifer K , Halasa Natasha B , Chappell James D , Mellis Alexandra M , Reed Carrie , Biggerstaff Matthew , Belongia Edward A , Talbot H Keipp , Rolfes Melissa A
Published: August 2024

Isolation of symptomatic infectious persons can reduce influenza transmission. However, virus shedding that occurs without symptoms will be unaffected by such measures. Identifying effective isolation strategies for influenza requires understanding the interplay between individual virus shedding and symptom presentation. From 2017 to 2020, we conducted a case-ascertained household transmission study using influenza real-time RT-qPCR testing of nasal swabs and daily symptom diary reporting for up to 7 days after enrolment (≤14 days after index onset). We assumed real-time RT-qPCR cycle threshold (Ct) values were indicators of quantitative virus shedding and used symptom diaries to create a score that tracked influenza-like illness (ILI) symptoms (fever, cough, or sore throat). We fit phenomenological nonlinear mixed-effects models stratified by age and vaccination status and estimated two quantities influencing isolation effectiveness: shedding before symptom onset and shedding that might occur once isolation ends. We considered different isolation end points (including 24 h after fever resolution or 5 days after symptom onset) and assumptions about the infectiousness of Ct shedding trajectories. Of the 116 household contacts with ≥2 positive tests for longitudinal analyses, 105 (91%) experienced ≥1 ILI symptom. On average, children <5 years experienced greater peak shedding, longer durations of shedding, and elevated ILI symptom scores compared with other age groups. Most individuals (63/105) shed <10% of their total shed virus before symptom onset, and shedding after isolation varied substantially across individuals, isolation end points, and infectiousness assumptions. Our results can inform strategies to reduce transmission from symptomatic individuals infected with influenza.
Cell-based assays and comparative genomics revealed the conserved and hidden effects of Wolbachia on insect sex determination
Authors: Arai Hiroshi , Herran Benjamin , Sugimoto Takafumi N , Miyata Mai , Sasaki Tetsuhiko , Kageyama Daisuke
Published: August 2024

It is advantageous for maternally transmitted endosymbionts to skew the sex ratio of their hosts toward females. Some endosymbiotic bacteria, such as Wolbachia, cause their insect hosts to exclusively produce female offspring through male killing (MK) or feminization. In some lepidopteran insects, MK is achieved by affecting the sex-determining process in males, and a unique mechanism of MK and its functional link with feminization have been implicated. However, comparative analysis of these phenotypes is often difficult because they have been analyzed in different host–symbiont systems, and transinfection of Wolbachia across different hosts is often challenging. In this study, we demonstrated the effects of nine Wolbachia strains on the splicing of sex-determining genes in Lepidoptera by fixing the host genetic background using a cell culture system. Cell transinfection assays confirmed that three MK-inducing Wolbachia strains and one feminization-inducing Wolbachia strain increased the female-type splicing products of the core sex-determining genes doublesex, masculinizer, and zinc finger protein 2. Regarding Wolbachia strains that do not induce MK/feminization, three had no effect on these sex-determining genes, whereas two strains induced female-type splicing of masculinizer and doublesex but not zinc finger protein 2. Comparative genomics confirmed that homologs of oscar, the Wolbachia gene responsible for MK in Ostrinia, were encoded by four MK/feminizing Wolbachia strains, but not by five non-MK/nonfeminizing strains. These results support the conserved effects underlying MK and feminization induced by oscar-bearing Wolbachia and suggested other potential mechanisms that Wolbachia might employ to manipulate host sex.
Determinants of clinical response to injection laryngoplasty in unilateral vocal fold paralysis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Safia Alaa , Abd Elhadi Uday , Roch Mohamad , Kassem Kenan , Safiya Rabia , Zubeidat Ahmed , Nofal Nader , Heib Anwar , Merchavy Shlomo , Bishara Taiser
Published: August 2024

Background:

Unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP) significantly impairs vocal function, affecting patients’ quality of life. Injection laryngoplasty, a primary treatment modality for UVFP, varies in effectiveness based on the material used, injection volume, and procedural nuances. This study aims to systematically analyze how these factors influence treatment outcomes to optimize intervention strategies.

Materials and methods:

The authors conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis and meta-regression using data extracted from 82 studies identified through a robust literature search on databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, up to 13 February 2024. Eligible studies were single-armed observational or experimental that reported pre and postoperative data on UVFP patients undergoing their first injection laryngoplasty. The primary outcomes analyzed included maximum phonation time, harmonics-to-noise ratio, fundamental frequency, jitter, shimmer, and subjective voice measures such as the Voice Handicap Index and GRBAS scale components.

Results:

The meta-analysis revealed significant improvements in maximum phonation time (MPT) and harmonics-to-noise ratio (HNR) post-injection, with variability in outcomes influenced by injection material and procedural techniques. Meta-regression identified the injection volume and the timing of the procedure as significant predictors of MPT and HNR outcomes, respectively. Materials such as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and autologous fat significantly improved MPT and reduced the grade of dysphonia and roughness, respectively. The type of injection material, volume, and approach was crucial in reducing symptoms of voice handicap and enhancing the overall vocal quality.

Conclusions:

Injection laryngoplasty significantly improves vocal outcomes in UVFP patients. The choice of injection material, volume, and timing of the intervention play pivotal roles in determining the effectiveness of the procedure. Tailored treatment approaches based on these factors are recommended to enhance therapeutic efficacy and patient satisfaction.
Genomic landscape of gallbladder cancer: insights from whole exome sequencing
Authors: Awasthi Supriya , Kumar Rahul , Pradhan Dibyabhaba , Rawal Neetu , Goel Harsh , Sahu Parameswar , Sisodiya Sandeep , Rana Rashmi , Kumar Sunil , Dash Nihar Ranjan , Das Prasenjit , Agrawal Usha , Rath GK , Kaur Tanvir , Dhaliwal RS , Hussain Showket , Saluja Sundeep Singh , Tanwar Pranay
Published: August 2024

Background:

Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is a common gastrointestinal malignancy noted for its aggressive characteristics and poor prognosis, which is mostly caused by delayed detection. However, the scarcity of information regarding somatic mutations in Indian patients with GBC has hampered the development of efficient therapeutic options. In the present study, the authors attempted to bridge this gap by revealing the mutational profile of GBC.

Materials and methods:

To evaluate the somatic mutation profile, whole exome sequencing (WES) was performed on 66 tumor and matched blood samples from individuals with GBC. Somatic variant calling was performed using GATK pipeline. Variants were annotated at pathogenic and oncogenic levels, using ANNOVAR, VEP tools and the OncoKB database. Mutational signature analysis, oncogenic pathway analysis and cancer driver genes identification were performed at the functional level by using the maftools package.

Results:

Our findings focused on the eight most altered genes with pathogenic and oncogenic mutations: TP53, SMAD4, ERBB3, KRAS, ARID1A, PIK3CA, RB1, and AXIN1. Genes with pathogenic single nucleotide variations (SNVs) were enriched in oncogenic signaling pathways, particularly RTK-RAS, WNT, and TP53 pathways. Furthermore, our research related certain mutational signatures, such as cosmic 1, cosmic 6, and cosmic 18, 29, to known characteristics including patient age and tobacco smoking, providing important insights into disease etiology.

Conclusions:

Given the scarcity of exome-based sequencing studies focusing on the Indian population, this study represents a significant step forward in providing a framework for additional in-depth mutational analysis. Genes with substantial oncogenic and pathogenic mutations are promising candidates for developing targeted mutation panels, particularly for GBC detection.
Association of varicose veins with incidence risk of atrial fibrillation: a population-based cohort study
Authors: Choi Soyoun , Leem Gwang-Hyun , Song Tae-Jin
Published: August 2024

Background:

Varicose veins (VV) were once considered benign and common ailments; however, recent research suggests a potential link between VV and cardiovascular diseases or mortality. VV share common risk factors and pathophysiology with cardiovascular disease, potentially influencing the vascular system. Therefore, the authors aimed to investigate the association between VV and the incidence risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) using a population-based cohort.

Methods:

Our retrospective cohort study included 2 680 971 individuals who underwent examination through the Korean National Health Screening Service from 2010 to 2011. VV was defined by two or more claims with the International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision diagnostic codes: I83.0, I83.1, I83.2 (VV of lower extremities with ulcer or inflammation, severe VV), and I83.9 (asymptomatic VV of lower extremities, mild VV). The 1:3 propensity score matching (PSM) was used to assess the risk of newly developed AF, identified via insurance claims coded as I48.

Results:

The mean age of all participants was 48.5±14.2 years, with 51.4% being male. Among the population, 24 557 (0.91%) had VV, including 3684 (0.14%) of severe VV and 20 873 (0.77%) of mild VV. During a median follow-up of 10.06 years, 24 557 (0.92%) cases of AF occurred. Participants with VV exhibited an increased incidence risk of AF compared to those without it before (HR: 1.13, 95% CI: 1.06–1.21, P<0.001) and after PSM (HR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.08–1.27, P<0.001). This positive association was consistently observed in severe VV both before (HR: 1.19, 95% CI [1.09–1.28], P=0.002) and after PSM (HR: 1.20, 95% CI [1.10–1.30], P=0.003) and mild VV also before (HR: 1.10, 95% CI [1.04–1.16], P=0.003) and after PSM (HR: 1.13, 95% CI [1.03–1.–20], P<0.001).

Conclusions:

These findings suggest that VV may be associated with an increased risk of AF. Hence, the presence of VV should be considered as an association factor for AF occurrence.
Elucidating the non-genetic risk factors for celiac disease: an umbrella review of meta-analyses
Authors: Tsali Lampriani , Evangelou Evangelos , Ntzani Evangelia , Katsanos Konstantinos , Markozannes Georgios , Filis Panagiotis , Tsilidis Konstantinos
Published: August 2024

The breadth and validity of the associations of nongenetic risk factors with celiac disease (CeD) are elusive in the literature. We aimed to evaluate which of these associations have strong epidemiological credibility and assessed presence and extent of potential literature biases. We systematically searched PubMed until April 2024 for systematic reviews and meta‐analyses of studies examining associations between putative risk factors and CeD. Each association was categorized in five evidence grades (convincing, highly suggestive, suggestive, weak, and not statistically significant) based on broadly used criteria for evaluating quality of evidence in observational studies. Five eligible publications were included, describing 15 meta-analytic associations on seven nongenetic risk factors, three of which were nominally significant (P < 0.05). None of the associations received a strοng or highly suggestive evidence. One meta-analytic association received suggestive evidence, namely any infections during childhood and adulthood for a higher risk of CeD (OR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.2–1.56; P=3.77 × 10−6). Two meta-analyses reported weak evidence, pertaining to current smoking for a lower risk of CeD (OR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.32–0.84; P=7.84 × 10−3) and use of antibiotics for a higher risk (OR, 1.2; 95% CI, 1.04–1.38; P 14.8 × 10−3). The rest of the meta-analyses did not report statistically significant results, and pertained to breastfeeding, time of gluten introduction, rotavirus vaccination, and cesarean section. No association of nongenetic risk factors for CeD received high levels of evidence. The evidence was suggestive for the association of any infections during childhood and adulthood with higher risk of CeD. More and prospective future research is warranted.
Perceived Social Support and Presenteeism Among Nurses
Authors: Ma Yueling , Zhang Xiangeng , Ni Wanying , Zeng Li , Wang Jialin
Published: August 2024

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to explore the mediating role of psychological capital in the relationship between perceived social support and presenteeism among nurses.

BACKGROUND

The concept of presenteeism explored in this study refers to the behavior of nurses who hold on to their jobs despite poor physical or mental health, manifested in poor work productivity and loss of productivity. Perceived social support and psychological capital may help reduce presenteeism. However, there is limited knowledge about the association between perceived social support, psychological capital, and presenteeism among nurses.

METHODS

Data were collected through questionnaires from 468 RNs. Data analysis used Pearson's correlation analysis, multiple linear regression, and structural equation model.

RESULTS

The results indicated that perceived social support and psychological capital were significantly negatively correlated with nurses' presenteeism. Structural equation modeling revealed that psychological capital mediated the relationship between perceived social support and presenteeism, with a partial mediating effect of −0.191, accounting for 28% of the total effect.

CONCLUSIONS

These results identified structural relationships between the 3 variables of perceived social support, psychological capital, and presenteeism and provided a theoretical reference for developing strategies to decrease nurses' presenteeism.
Improving Executive Function and Dual-Task Cost in Parkinson Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Zhou Jun-Hong , Wang Ray-Yau , Liu Yo-Tsen , Cheng Shih-Jung , Liu Hsin-Hsuan , Yang Yea-Ru
Published: August 2024

Background and Purpose:

Dual-task walking is challenging for people with Parkinson disease (PD). Gait performance worsens while executing dual tasks, possibly due to a decline in executive function (EF). This study aimed to investigate the effects of dual-task training on EF and dual-task cost (DTC) in people with PD and to explore whether training-induced changes in EF were associated with changes in DTC.

Methods:

This study was a randomized controlled trial. A total of 28 people with PD participated. Participants were randomly assigned to the experimental group (dual-task training) and the control group (treadmill training). Both groups received a total of 16 training sessions during the 8 weeks. Assessments were conducted at baseline and postintervention. Primary outcomes included EF and dual-task cost.

Results:

Significant time-by-group interactions were found in executive function and DTC. The experimental group showed significant improvement in frontal assessment battery (FAB), trail-making test (TMT) part A, Stroop color and word test (SCWT), and DTC on speed in cognitive dual-task walking. There was a moderate to high correlation between the change values of the FAB, TMT part A, SCWT, and the change values of DTC in cognitive dual-task walking.

Discussion and Conclusions:

Compared to treadmill training, dual-task training resulted in greater improvements in EF and DTC. Training-induced changes in EF were linked to changes in DTC when walking while performing a cognitive task but not when walking while performing a motor task.

Video Abstract:

For more insights from the authors Supplemental Digital Content available at http://links.lww.com/JNPT/A485
Common to rare transfer learning (CORAL) enables inference and prediction for a quarter million rare Malagasy arthropods
Authors: Ovaskainen Otso , Winter Steven , Tikhonov Gleb , Abrego Nerea , Anslan Sten , deWaard Jeremy R , deWaard Stephanie L , Fisher Brian L , Furneaux Brendan , Hardwick Bess , Kerdraon Deirdre , Pentinsaari Mikko , Raharinjanahary Dimby , Rajoelison Eric Tsiriniaina , Ratnasingham Sujeevan , Somervuo Panu , Sones Jayme E , Zakharov Evgeny V , Hebert Paul D N , Roslin Tomas , Dunson David
Published: August 2024

Modern DNA-based biodiversity surveys result in massive-scale data, including up to millions of species, of which most are rare. Making the most of such data for inference and prediction requires modelling approaches that can relate species occurrences to environmental and spatial predictors, while incorporating information about taxonomic or phylogenetic placement of the species. Even if the scalability of joint species distribution models to large communities has greatly advanced, incorporating hundreds of thousands of species has been infeasible to date, leading to compromised analyses. Here we present a novel common to rare transfer learning approach (CORAL), based on borrowing information from the common species and thereby enabling statistically and computationally efficient modelling of both the common and the rare species. We illustrate that CORAL leads to much improved prediction and inference in the context of DNA metabarcoding data from Madagascar, comprising 255,188 arthropod species detected in 2874 samples.
Spatial differences, evolutionary characteristics and driving factors on economic resilience of the construction industry: evidence from China
Authors: Wang Zhenshuang , Hu Tingyu , Liu Jingkuang , Xia Bo , Chileshe Nicholas
Published: August 2024

Purpose

The sensitivity and fragility of the construction industry’s economic system make the economic resilience of the construction industry (ERCI) a key concern for stakeholders and decision-makers. This study aims to measure the ERCI, identify the heterogeneity and spatial differences in ERCI, and provide scientific guidance and improvement paths for the industry. It provides a foundation for the implementation of resilience policies in the construction industry of developing countries in the future.

Design/methodology/approach

The comprehensive index method, Theil index method, standard deviation ellipse method and geographic detector model are used to investigate the spatial differences, spatiotemporal evolution characteristics and the influencing factors of the ERCI from 2005 to 2020 in China.

Findings

The ERCI was “high in the east and low in the west”, and Jiangsu has the highest value with 0.64. The Theil index of ERCI shows a wave downward pattern, with significant spatial heterogeneity. The overall difference in ERCI is mainly caused by regional differences, with the contribution rates being higher by more than 70%. Besides, the difference between different regions is increasing. The ERCI was centered in Henan Province, showing a clustering trend in the “northeast-southwest” direction, with weakened spatial polarization and a shrinking distribution range. The market size, input level of construction industry factors, industrial scale and economic scale are the main factors influencing economic resilience. The interaction between each influencing factor exhibits an enhanced relationship, including non-linear enhancement and dual-factor enhancement, with no weakening or independent relationship.

Practical implications

Exploring the spatial differences and driving factors of the ERCI in China, which can provide crucial insights and references for stakeholders, authorities and decision-makers in similar construction economic growth leading to the economic growth of the national economy context areas and countries.

Originality/value

The construction industry development is the main engine for the national economy growth of most developing countries. This study establishes a comprehensive evaluation index on the resilience measurement and analyzes the spatial effects, regional heterogeneity and driving factors on ERCI in the largest developing country from a dynamic perspective. Moreover, it explores the multi-factor interaction mechanism in the formation process of ERCI, provides a theoretical basis and empirical support for promoting the healthy development of the construction industry economy and optimizes ways to enhance and improve the level of ERCI.
Virtue-based leadership and organizational commitment: a study from Al-Ghazali’s perspective
Authors: Budur Taylan
Published: August 2024

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the impact of leader’s religiosity on teachers’ organizational commitment and leaders’ virtuous behaviors. Second, it is intended to examine the significant influence of Al-Ghazali’s fundamental virtues – wisdom, justice, temperance and courage – on the level of commitment displayed by teachers in K12 schools.

Design/methodology/approach

To analyze this connection, a total of 335 surveys were collected from K12 private schools situated in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The data were then evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling.

Findings

It has been found that leaders’ virtuous behaviors have significant positive effects on teachers’ commitment. Furthermore, while religiosity did not directly influence teachers’ commitment, the virtuous behaviors of leaders played a significant mediating role in this relationship.

Originality/value

This research fills a gap in the literature by exploring the impact of Islamic ethical principles on employee commitment, specifically within the context of K12 education in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. It emphasizes the critical role of leaders’ virtuous behaviors in improving employee commitment.
Perceived healthcare quality via digital health platforms – evidence from Indian hospitals
Authors: Persis Jinil
Published: August 2024

Purpose

Technology-enabled healthcare focuses on providing better information flow and coordination in healthcare operations. Technology-enabled health services enable hospitals to manage their resources effectively, maintain continuous patient engagement and provide seamless services without compromising their perceived quality.

Design/methodology/approach

This study investigates the role of technology-enabled health services in improving perceived healthcare quality among patients. Data are collected from the users (n = 418) of health platforms offered in multi-specialty hospitals. Multiple learners are employed to accurately represent the users' perceived quality regarding the perceived usefulness of the features provided via these digital health platforms.

Findings

The best-fitted model using a decision tree classifier (accuracy = 0.86) derives the accurate significance of features offered in the digital health platform in fostering perceived healthcare quality. Diet and lifestyle recommendations (30%) and chatting with health professionals (11%) are the top features offered in digital health platforms that primarily influence the perceived quality of healthcare among users.

Practical implications

The predictability of perceived quality with the individual features existing in the digital health platform, the significance of the features on the perceived healthcare quality and the prediction rules showing the combined effect of features on healthcare quality can help healthcare managers accelerate digital transformation in hospitals by improving their digital health platform, designing and offering new health packages while strengthening their e-infrastructure.

Originality/value

The study represents perceived healthcare quality with the features offered in digital health platforms using machine learners based on users' post-pandemic experience. By advancing digital platforms with more patient-centric features using emerging technologies, this model can further foresee its impact on the perceived quality of healthcare, offering valuable directions to healthcare service providers. The study is limited to focusing on digital health platforms that can deal with people's general healthcare needs.
Fiscal policy and income inequality in SA: a quantile regression
Authors: Olaoye Olumide Olusegun , Al-Faryan Mamdouh Abdulaziz Saleh , Tabash Mosab I.
Published: August 2024

Purpose

The objective of the research is threefold. First, the study examines the fiscal policy – income inequality nexus in SA. Second, the study addressed the potential asymmetric effects in fiscal policy – income inequality nexus in SA (i.e. we assessed the effects of fiscal policy on income inequality at different quantiles of the income inequality) using secondary data from 1980–2020. Third, the study also identifies the optimal fiscal policy instrument that achieve the greatest distributional objectives.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopts the traditional ordinary least square (OLS) and the innovative Quantile estimation techniques.

Findings

The study found that fiscal policy marginally reduces the income inequality at the lower quantiles (t: 0.05). Specifically, the results show that government spending on health and education reduces income inequality at the lower quantiles (t: 0.05; t: 0.25), albeit exerts a statistically weak impact. On the other hand, the results show that at the upper quantiles, fiscal policy has no statistically significant impact on income inequality. However, we do not find either direct or indirect tax to have any impact on income inequality at any conventional level of significance. This suggests that government spending on health and education have the greater potential to reduce income inequality in South Africa. The research and policy implications are discussed.

Originality/value

The study addressed the asymmetric phenomenon in income inequality-fiscal policy nexus in South Africa.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-12-2023-0956
A cross-cultural examination of sustainable luxury consumption: a comparative study of social norms, self-control and future orientation in the UK and China
Authors: Balabanis George , Stathopoulou Anastasia , Chen Xiaolan
Published: August 2024

Purpose

The study addresses gaps in sustainable luxury consumption research by analyzing the role of social norms in different cultural settings. It investigates how social norms, self-control, conspicuousness and future orientation shape sustainable luxury consumption in individualistic (UK) versus collectivist (China) national cultures.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was based on survey data from British and Chinese luxury product consumers collected through online panels. The final sample included 452 valid responses from the UK and 414 from China. Hypotheses were tested using structural equation modeling.

Findings

The study found that descriptive norms positively influence sustainable luxury consumption in individualistic (UK) and collectivist (China) cultures. Injunctive norms affect sustainable consumption only in the UK. Future consequences universally impact sustainable consumption. Conspicuous consumption negatively affects preferences for sustainable luxury brands. Self-control enhances the impact of descriptive norms in the UK but reduces the impact of injunctive norms in China.

Originality/value

This study uniquely explores how social norms and cultural influences impact sustainable luxury consumption in individualistic and collectivistic societies. It highlights the moderating role of national culture, providing actionable insights for luxury brands to enhance sustainable consumption with culturally tailored strategies. The research challenges the universality of the theory of normative social behavior, advocating for its refined application across different cultures.
Mediating role of staff engagement in staff performance among academics of universities: bootstrapping approach
Authors: Abdullahi Mohammed Sani , Arnaut Marina , Adeiza Adams , Mahmoud Mahmoud Ahmad , Shahreki Javad , Aigbogun Osaro , Kofar Naisa Farouk Umar , Nuhu Muhammad Shaheer , Ya'u Abba
Published: August 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to assess how full-time tenured academic staff promotion practices (SPP) in Malaysian private universities (MPUs) influence academic staff engagement (SE) and academic staff performance (SP).

Design/methodology/approach

The research used quantitative and descriptive methods, focusing on MPUs' academic staff as the unit of analysis. Sampling involved simple random and stratified techniques, with 314 academic personnel surveyed. Participant data was collected through a questionnaire, and study hypotheses were tested using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) via a bootstrapping approach.

Findings

The findings show that SE somewhat mediates the connection between SPP and SP and that SPP significantly influences SP.

Practical implications

This study emphasizes the importance of impartiality and transparency within university administration when promoting academic staff. Universities should adopt modern strategies and approaches for advancing their employees to higher positions, doing so will motivate employees to fully invest in their work, leading to sustained high-performance levels.

Originality/value

This research has substantially improved the understanding and the practical utilization of literature about SP, SPP and SE. This improvement can potentially facilitate the development of models, theories, research initiatives, and practical strategies geared toward enhancing staff efficiency.
Resilient and sustainable B2B chemical supply chain capacity expansions: a systematic literature review
Authors: Krimi Issam , Bahou Ziyad , Al-Aomar Raid
Published: August 2024

Purpose

This work conducts a comprehensive analysis of how to incorporate resilience and sustainability into capacity expansion strategies for business-to-business (B2B) chemical supply chains. This study aims to guide both researchers and managers on ensuring profitability in B2B chemical supply chains while minimizing environmental impacts, complying with regulations and mitigating disruptions and risks.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review is conducted to analyze the interplay between sustainability and resilience in chemical B2B supply chains, specify the quantitative and qualitative methods used to tackle this challenge and identify the drivers and barriers concerning capacity expansion. In addition, a comprehensive conceptual framework is suggested to outline a compelling research agenda.

Findings

The findings emphasize the increasing importance of modeling and resolving decision-making challenges related to sustainable and resilient supply chains, particularly in capital-intensive chemical industries. Yet, there is no standardized strategy for addressing these challenges. The predominant solution methods are heuristic and metaheuristic, and the selection of performance metrics tends to be empirical and tailored to specific cases. The main barriers to achieving sustainability and resilience arise from resource limitations within the supply chain. Conversely, the key drivers of performance focus on enhancing efficiency, competitiveness, cost effectiveness and risk management.

Practical implications

This work offers practitioners a conceptual framework that synthesizes the knowledge and tackles the challenges of designing sustainable and resilient supply chains as well as managing their operations in the context of B2B chemical supply chains. Results provide a practical guide for navigating the complex interplay of sustainability, resilience and chemical supply chain expansion.

Originality/value

The key concepts and dimensions associated with capacity expansion planning for a resilient and sustainable chemical supply chain are identified through structured and comprehensive analyses of existing literature. A conceptual framework is proposed for delineating the intersections among sustainability, resilience and chemical supply chain expansions. This mapping endeavor aims to facilitate a future characterized by the deployment of a nexus of resilience and sustainability in chemical supply chains. To this end, a promising future research agenda is accordingly outlined.
Assessing the maturity of integration of health and social care in Finland – findings from a pilot study
Authors: Pesonen Tiina , Sulander Juhani , Tiirinki Hanna , Räsänen Pekka , Sahlström Merja , Keskimäki Ilmo , Sinervo Timo
Published: August 2024

Purpose

Integrated care is the leading approach to developing health and social care services in Finland. After the national health and social care reform, the importance of assessing integration has been emphasized. The aim of this study was to pilot the SCIROCCO tool, which assesses integration maturity, in Finland. The SCIROCCO tool was translated and adapted to the Finnish health and social care context. The feasibility and utility of this tool for assessing the maturity for integration across health and social care in Finland were evaluated using empirical pilot data collected among employees of selected well-being service counties. The study also provided baseline information on the maturity of integration after the national health and social care reform.

Design/methodology/approach

Employees (n = 111) of different personnel groups in health and social care services in four well-being service counties assessed the maturity of integration using a web-based survey. A pilot study design was used.

Findings

The SCIROCCO tool was found to be useful for assessing the maturity of integration in health and social care within the well-being service counties. However, the tool requires further development to be fully adapted to the Finnish health and social care system and to assess integration across sectors. The results emphasize the need to understand the perspectives of different personnel groups on integration and to consider them in the development work.

Originality/value

This was the first study conducted in Finland that provided valuable insights into the assessment of integration across the health and social care sectors. This study establishes the foundation for future research and development in the field of integration assessment.
The importance of team diversity in initial coin offerings (ICO) success
Authors: Del Sarto Nicola , Staglianò Raffaele , Gai Lorenzo , Crupi Antonio
Published: August 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to comprehensively investigate the multifaceted realm of Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs), delving into their unique characteristics, analyzing their far-reaching influence, and uncovering broader implications within the ever-evolving financial landscape. By addressing the research gap concerning the impact of team diversity on ICO success, we contribute nuanced insights to the existing discourse. Through meticulous data collection and econometric modeling, our purpose is to unravel the intricate dynamics at play, offering valuable perspectives on the transformative role of ICOs and the potential significance of team diversity in shaping their outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

To explore the impact of team diversity on the success of Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs), we compiled a comprehensive database comprising 3,082 profiles and 309 projects from LinkedIn, ICOBench, and Coindesk. This dataset facilitated the creation of diverse variables for our econometric model, enabling a nuanced analysis of interactions and dynamics in the context of our research question. Through this methodical approach, we aim to contribute valuable insights into the role of team diversity in shaping the outcomes of ICO campaigns.

Findings

Our analysis of 3,082 profiles and 309 projects sheds light on the intricate dynamics of Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs). Team diversity emerges as a pivotal factor, significantly impacting the success of ICO campaigns. The econometric model, enriched with variables derived from our extensive dataset, reveals nuanced interactions. Teams characterized by diverse profiles exhibit a tangible influence on campaign outcomes, underscoring the importance of inclusivity in shaping the transformative potential of ICOs. These findings contribute valuable insights into the evolving landscape of financial innovation, emphasizing the role of diverse teams in navigating the complexities of decentralized, inclusive investment paradigms.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the evolving discourse on Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) by pioneering an exploration into the uncharted territory of team diversity and its impact on campaign success. While previous research has delved into ICO performance and success variables, our focus on team diversity as a critical determinant presents a novel perspective. By methodically assembling a substantial dataset and applying an intricate econometric model, we offer a unique lens through which to understand the nuanced interplay of diverse teams in shaping the outcomes of ICOs. This fills a significant research gap and provides valuable insights into the multifaceted dynamics of contemporary financial innovation.